Horse Racing Results - February 16 - 18, 2013

Las Vegas, NV - It was President's Day weekend and in the world of Thoroughbred racing, that meant three days of exciting graded stakes action instead of two. Races were stages all over the country - Laurel Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream, Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields were just a few of the venues that hosted the best in the land. Let's break down all the action starting at Laurel Park.

Barbara Fritchie Stakes at Laurel Park Results

The Grade 2 $250,000 Barbara Fritchie Stakes went down at Laurel Park on Saturday, February 16. Ten fillies and mares were entered in the Barbara Fritchie, but Bold Affair and Dance to Bristol, who both figured to seriously factor, were trainer scratches earlier in the day. It was 21-1 shot Funnys Approval that got up for the win for her fourth straight victory. 6-5 favorite My Wandy's Girl was 1 3/4 lengths back in second while Withgreatpleasure got in for third. Nicole H, runner-up in last year's Barbara Fritchie, finished fourth and was followed in the order of finish by Ms. Cruisen', Morrow Cove, Onepointhreekarats, and Celtic Chant.

Barbara Fritchie Stakes Results & Payouts

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Tampa Bay Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Results

A four horse photo finish characterized the end the Grade 3, $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes and Tampa Bay Downs Saturday. Second choice Swift Warrior got up late for the win and his second straight victory on Laurel Park turf. Alley Oop Oop finished in a dead heat with late-closing 17-10 favorite Doubles Partner while El Commodore finished just out of the money in one of the better races you'll see. El Commodore, who lost last year's Tampa Bay by a nose, was followed by Tiz Sardonic Joe, Allie's Event, Hollinger, Roman Tiger, and Argentine Tango. Big Blue Kitten, Cash Rules, San Antone, and Za Approval were scratched.

Tampa Bay Stakes Results & Payouts

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Mac Diarmida Stakes at Gulfstream Results

In the Grade 3, $150,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes at Gulfstream on Saturday 8-5 favorite Amira's Prince won his third race overall and his earned first stakes score by 3 3/4 lengths. Teaks North finished second while Ioya Bigtime was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third. Twilight Eclipse, Belo Acteon, Nikki's Sandcastle, Lucky Chappy, and Shkspeare Shaliyah completed the order of finish. Fifty Proof and Newsdad scratched.

Mac Diarmida Stakes Results & Payouts

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Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita Results

Legendary jockey Gary Stevens was the difference in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday. He rode a "playful" Great Hot at 9-1 odds to an upset victory over 11-10 Book Review who made a run but couldn't catch the underdog. It was 3 3/4 lengths back to Lady of Fifty for third - by half a length over Pasadena Stakes winner Snow Fall who finished fourth. Private Affair trailed throughout in a field reduced to five by the scratch of Going for a Spin.

Santa Monica Stakes Results & Payouts

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El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields Results

In the $200,000 Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday longshot Dice Flavor provided the huge upset while another surprise Nina's Dragon finished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Counting Days in third. Carving, one of two entrants from Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, wound up fourth, nearly seven lengths behind the winner. Baffert's other charge, Manando went off as the 2-1 favorite but ran last. Zeewat, the California Derby winner who went off as the 5-2 second choice, was fifth.

El Camino Real Derby Results & Payouts

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Sabin Stakes at Gulfstream Results

Sunday's Grade 3 $100,000 Sabin Stakes at Gulfstream produced perhaps the most expected result - two time champion 2-5 favorite Royal Delta blew away the field five lengths in his tune-up for Dubai. All for Thee was a game second by 3 1/2 lengths over Grace Hall who was sent off at 2-1 odds. One Last Dance and My Pal Chrisy trailed.

Sabin Stakes Results & Payouts

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San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Results

Three year olds were featured at the $150,000 Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday. Making his first start of the year, 2-1 second choice Shakin It Up earned his first grade stakes victory by one length over the late-charging Treasury Bill, with front-running Caballo Del Cielo third. Baffert-trained War Academy was fourth while Mudflats and 9-5 favorite Belvin trailed.

San Vicente Stakes Results & Payouts

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Buena Vista Handicap at Santa Anita Results

There was absolutely no surprise in the Grade 2 Buena Vista Handicap at Santa Anita Park on President's Day Monday - overwhelming 3-5 favorite Mizdirection did what she does on Santa Anita turf - win, this time in wire-to-wire fashion by 2 1/2 lengths. That makes seven wins in seven starts for Mizdirection on Santa Anita turf. In the Stars finished second and Byrama was third. Charm the Maker, Long Face, Trois Aureole, A Jealous Woman, and Byrony completed the order of finish. Make no mistake about it though - this was the Mizdirection show.

Buena Vista Handicap Results & Payouts

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General George Handicap at Laurel Park Results

In the $250,000 Grade 3 General George Handicap at Laurel Park President's Day Monday it was Javarre that earned his first graded stakes victory by 1 1/4 lengths at 6-1 odds. 6-5 favorite Il Villano finished second and Broad Rule was third. Fiddlers Afleet and Brigand completed the order of finish; Isn't He Perfect and Thunder Lord scratched.

General George Handicap Results & Payouts

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