The Rudy Baez Stakes

After his win in the Rudy Baez stakes,  jockey Winston Thompson noted "I always admired and respected Rudy. I have looked up to him and still do to this day." The New England racing community shares with Winston in their feeling of respect and admiration for Rudy, who has inspired as much with his positive attitude since his accident as he did with his dedication during his racing career.  

Third straight stakes win for Stylish Sultan

The third running of the race name named in his honor produced a colt who is gaining respect as the top three-year-old in New England. The Massachusetts Bred Stylish Sultan made it three stakes wins in a row. After finishing off his two-year-old season with a win on the Norman Hall Stakes, the Sultan won his first start of '02 with a win in the Collegian Stakes in early February. With his 15 length victory today he looks to be the best three-year-old on the grounds. His sire Sundance Ridge is also having a banner year. He also sired last week's Isadorable Stakes winner Dr. Desai.

Rudy in the paddock before the race

William Almy Stakes 

The best sprinters in New England gathered on April 20th to contest the first major sprint of the spring. As the clouds lowered and the rain started the Anthony Plyiotis owned Esteemed Friend romped to an easy eight length victory. It was the third straight victory for the eight-year-old gelded son of Gulch. Esteemed Friend will now be pointed toward the James Moseley Breeders' Cup, New England's major sprint, on Mass Cap Day.

Esteemed Friend and Joe Hampshire in a romp

The Helena Stakes

Off as the second longest shot on the board, African Princess gained a measure of respect in her division by catching the front running Conwiss in the stretch and going on to a 1 1/4 length victory in this race for three-year-old fillies. African Princess had won the Mass Breeders "Mystery Jet Stakes" earlier in the year and continues to add to the great run being enjoyed by The Kirby family, sire Sundance Ridge, and jockey Vernon Bush.

A Mass Bred win in open company

The My Fair Lady Stakes

The first turf race of the year, The My Fair Lady Stakes, for fillies and mares, opened up for the local horses when all the NY shippers scratched from the race. Yasou Stable's Rodeo Springs, off as the favorite, caught Big Miss in the stretch  and cruised to victory. Rodeo Springs is now 3 for 3 this year and appears a prime candidate for the turf stakes for fillies at the Rock this summer.

Rodeo Springs catches Big Miss

The Miss Indy Anna Stakes

With the Yankees in town and several shippers coming in from New York publicity billed this race as a part of the Boston-New York rivalry. While the Red Sox lost a close one at Fenway Park the  locals were successful at Suffolk. The final outcome of this fiercely contested sprint was decided by  the stewards as odds-on favorite Forty Dollar had to check near the eight pole.  The claim of foul was not allowed and The Yasou color bearer Guess held her hard fought victory.

Victory for the local "A" Team

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