Horse Racing News on March 26, 2011

Jockey Anna Napravnik put herself in position to become the first female rider to win the Kentucky Derby by guiding Pants On Fire to a mild upset victory on Saturday at Fair Grounds in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby.

Animal Kingdom passed all 10 of his rivals before finally getting the best of a stubborn last one when stamping his Kentucky Derby ticket Saturday by winning the 40th running of the Grade 3, $500,000 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes.

Rahy's Attorney, a Grade 1 winner at a mile in his younger days, showed there's still plenty left in the tank at the age of 7 when he stretched out to 1 1/2 miles for the first time to capture Saturday's $150,000 Pan American at Gulfstream Park.

An hour after he was involved in a one-horse spill, jockey Martin Pedroza won his first graded stakes since July when Worth Repeating held off a late threat from Honour the Deputy in Saturday's $100,000 Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita.

Daisy Devine ($11) was prominent throughout, and responded to the energetic handling of jockey James Graham to prevail by a half-length in this key prep for the May 6 Kentucky Oaks.

Content to track in third under a ground-saving ride by Edgar Prado, the Graham Motion-trained Smart Bid was no more than a few lengths behind at any call.

Mission Impazible returned to the scene of his greatest victory on Saturday and captured the Grade 2, $400,000 New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds, one year after taking the Louisiana Derby.

Wahoo Partners LLC & Bret and Brereton C. Jones' Summer Soiree took the lead when the gates opened on Saturday's $100,000 Bourbonette Oaks

Godolphin's Khawlah became the first filly to garner the $2 million U.A.E. Derby at Meydan Saturday, outdueling Coolmore's Master of Hounds in a dramatic showdown between the world's rival Thoroughbred superpowers.

Victoire Pisa pulled an upset in Saturday's $10 million Dubai World Cup after jockey Mirco Demuro made a bold move to challenge for the lead about five furlongs from the finish.