June 15 (UPI) — America’s Flag Day weekend featured horses bred in England, Ireland, Chile, South Africa and Canada winning major races on U.S. tracks, underscoring the global nature of the Thoroughbred industry.
On the turf, Burnham Square, a 4-year-old Liam’s Map gelding, won the $225,000 Chorleywood Stakes at Churchill Downs by a neck over Chapman’s Peak. Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. for trainer Ian Wilkes, he ran 1 3/8 miles on firm going in 2:13.98. Sixth in the Kentucky Derby, the versatile horse has now won three straight on turf.
British-bred Program Trading, a 6-year-old Lope de Vega ridgling, captured the $125,000 Monmouth Stakes at Monmouth Park as the odds-on favorite, winning by 2 lengths. Flavien Prat rode for trainer Chad Brown and owner Klaravich Stables.
Irish-bred Gold Phoenix dominated the $100,000 Grade III San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita, winning by 5 lengths over Goldeneye in the 1 3/4-mile marathon.
Chilean-bred Dona Clota came from last to win the $250,000 Grade III Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park by a neck over Alluring Angel. The 5-year-old daughter of Ivan Denisovich completed 1 3/8 miles in 2:16.77.
South African-bred Gimme a Nother took the $150,000 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park by 3 1/2 lengths. The favorite, Whiskey Decision, was second.
On the dirt, Ontario-bred Luv Your Neighbor won the $300,000 Grade III Delaware Oaks by 1 1/4 lengths. The Constitution filly, trained by Michael Stidham, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.05 with Luis Saez up.
Bob Baffert’s Mizumi, a Justify filly making just her second start, won the $100,000 Grade III Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita by 3 3/4 lengths as the odds-on favorite. She ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.41.
In the classic division, Big Cuddle took the $300,000 Delaware Derby by 4 lengths, and East Avenue won the $150,000 Savator Mile at Monmouth Park by a nose over Bishops Bay.
Internationally, Japan’s Meisho Tabaru won the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen for the second consecutive year, beating Croix du Nord by 3/4 length. The 5-year-old Gold Ship horse is entered in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 4.
At Chantilly, Ireland’s Diamond Necklace remained undefeated by winning the Group 1 Prix de Diane, the French Oaks. The St Mark’s Basilica filly, trained by Aidan O’Brien, won by a short neck over Pink Panthera as she raced beyond a mile for the first time.