Musical Romance easily wins Mike Sherman; BC next

Eclipse champion female sprinter Musical Romance was much the best this afternoon in the $55,000 Mike Sherman Memorial Stakes, winning the 6-1/2 furlong sprint to establish herself as one of the favorites heading into the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I) on November 3rd at Santa Anita.

Ridden to victory by regular rider Juan Leyva, Musical Romance was content to sit back in third early on while Golden Mystery set fractions of :22.43 and :45.83. Nakano was 1 1/2 lengths behind in second while racing just to the outside of Musical Romance, with Redbud Road on the far outside. White Merlot and Nasty Rumor were the trailers.

Turning for home, Musical Romance set her sights on Golden Mystery and easily reeled the front-runner in while under a hand ride. The winning margin may have only been three-quarters of a length, but Musical Romance was much the best, and her final time of 1:17.13 seconds was actually quite good.

Golden Mystery finished nearly six lengths clear of Nakano, who was in turn two lengths ahead of Redbud Road. White Merlot and Nasty Rumor completed the order of finish.

The winner is trained by William Kaplan and owned by Pinnacle Racing Stables and William Kaplan.

-Keelerman

IT'S TRICKY WINS THE DISTAFF HANDICAP!

It's Tricky brought her 2012 record to a perfect 2-for-2 with an authoritative victory in Aqueduct's $200,000 Distaff Handicap (gr. II), winning by three lengths despite appearing hopelessly beaten around the turn.

Sent off as the 3-5 favorite against four rivals, It's Tricky got off to a good start and settled into the third position early on as Dontbeshy I'll Buy and Nicole H set a good pace of :22.51 and :45.13. White Merlot was right behind them in fourth, followed by stretch-running C C's Pal.