News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by Thoroughbred Racing Communications, Inc. (TRC) (212.371.5911..)
March 18, 1996
Unbridled's Song regained his stature as the leading three-year-old with his decisive win in Saturday's Florida Derby. He now leads the standings in the Visa Three-Year-Old Championship with 20 points. Joining the growing list of horses in the point standings for the series are In Contention, winner of the Cherry Hill Mile, Swale Stakes winner Roar, Louisiana Derby victor Grindstone and Odyle, winner of the San Felipe Stakes. The Visa Championship is a newly- created series of 46 stakes races for three-year-olds to determine the Visa Three-Year-Old Champion. Horses are awarded points based on performance in designated graded and non-graded races. The points will be awarded to the first, second and third-place finishers as follows: Triple Crown races will be scored 15-10-5; Grade I races will be scored 10-7-5; Grade II races 7-5-3; and Grade III and ungraded 5-3-1.
Fourteen races in the Visa Three-Year-Old Series have been run so far. The top three finishers in each are listed below:
| RACE (Grade) | TOP THREE FINISHERS (points) |
|---|---|
| SPECTACULAR BID S (G3) | Seacliff (5), Built for Pleasure (3), Gomtuu (1) |
| EL CAMINO REAL DERBY (G3) | Cavonnier (5), Sergeant Stroh (3), E C's Dream (1) |
| HOLY BULL S (G3) | Cobra King (5), Editor's Note (3), Tilden (1) |
| HUTCHESON S (G2) | Appealing Skier (7), Unbridled's Song (5), Gold Fever (3) |
| SAN VICENTE S (G3) | Afleetaffair (5), Honour and Glory (3), Ready to Order (1) |
| FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH S (G2) | Built for Pleasure (7) Unbridled's Song (5) Victory Speech (3) |
| SAN RAFAEL S (G2) | Honour and Glory (7), Halo Sunshine (5), Matty G (3) |
| BEST TURN (G3) | Romano Gucci (5), Snow Tower (3), Valid Expectations (1) |
| CHERRY HILL MILE (G3) | In Contention (5), Eeratospook (3), Meadowtime (1) |
| SWALE S (G3) | Roar (5), Gomtuu (3), Dixie Connection (1) |
| FLORIDA DERBY (G1) | Unbridled's Song (10), Editor's Note (7), Skip Away (5) |
| LOUISIANA DERBY (G3) | Grindstone (5), Zarba's Magic (3), Commanders (1) |
| SAN FELIPE (G2) | Odyle (7), Smithfield 53), Cavonnier (3) |
POINTS: Unbridled's Song-20, Built for Pleasure-10, Editor's Note-10, Honour and Glory-10, Cavonnier-8, Appealing Skier-7, Odyle-7, Afleetaffair-5, Cobra King-5, Grindstone-5, Halo Sunshine-5, Ide-5, In Contention-5, Roar-5, Romano Gucci-5, Seacliff-5, Skip Away-5, Smithfield-5, Gomtuu-4, Calexus-3, Eratospook-3, Gold Fever-3, Matty G-3, Sergeant Stroh-3, Snow Tower-3, Victory Speech-3, Zarb's Magic-3, Bunker Hill Road-1, Commanders Palace-1, Dixie Connection-1, E C's Dream-1, Meadowtime-1, Ready to Order-1, Tilden-1, Valid Expectations- 1
UPCOMING VISA SERIES RACES: March 23 Golden State Derby, $200,000, 1 1-8M (T), Grade III, Golden Gate, Rebel Stakes, $100,000, 1 1-16M, Grade III, Oaklawn, Remington Park Derby, $300,000, 1 1-16M, Remington, March 24 Tampa Bay Derby, $150,000, 1 1-16M, Tampa Bay.
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