Darley Test no sweat for Dream Rush at Saratoga

West Point Thoroughbreds' Dream Rush led wire to wire to win yesterday's running of the $250,000 Darley Test at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

After breaking well, the 3-year-old daughter of Wild Rush set the pace, increased her advantage at the head of the stretch, and powered home under a confident hand ride from jockey Eibar Coa to win by 2 lengths. Her time for 7 furlongs was 1:22.42.

"It wasn't my plan to take the lead," said Coa. "I wanted just to break and sit. But I broke in front and nobody went, and that's why I took the lead that easy. But it worked out perfect. She sat, she gave me a very good run around the turn, I opened up a little bit, and that was enough."

"She broke sharp and just dragged him there," said trainer Richard Violette Jr. "She does accelerate on her own on the turns, and it's a pretty good asset."

Violette said he was uncertain when the filly would make her next start, but said her ultimate goal will be the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Monmouth Park in October. Dream Rush now has six wins in eight lifetime starts, including her last victory, the Grade 1 Prioress Stakes at Belmont Park July 7. She has never finished worse than second.

Dream Rush paid $4.50, $2.30, and $2.50. Boca Grande, ridden by Julien Leparoux, paid $18.80 and $10.30 to place, and Baroness Thatcher returned $4.90 under Garrett Gomez to show.

West Virginia Derby -- Zanjero edged Bwana Bull by a nose in a photo finish to win the $750,000 race in Chester, W.Va.

Ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, Zanjero covered the 1 1/8-mile course at Mountaineer Race track and Gaming Resort in 1:53.04.

Morning-line favorite Zanjero, who finished third this year in the Blue Grass Stakes, Louisiana Derby, and Risen Star Stakes, went off at odds of 3-1, second favorite to Delightful Kiss at 2-1. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Zanjero paid $8, $4.60, and $2.80.

John C. Mabee Handicap -- Precious Kitten defeated Dancing Edie by a half-length to win the $400,000 race in Del Mar, Calif.

Ridden by East Coast-based Rafael Bejarano, Precious Kitten covered 1 1/8 miles on the turf in a stakes record 1:46.34 and paid $3.40, $2.40, and $2.10 as the odds-on favorite.

Last Dance Stakes -- Gorgeous Silk, a 15-to-1 long shot, made a four-wide bid coming off the far turn and cruised home to an easy 4-length victory in the $45,000 feature at Suffolk Downs.

Jockey Yamil Rosario asked Gorgeous Silk to go at the top of the stretch and they romped home in 1:45 3/5 for the mile and 70 yards over the fast track. Gorgeous Silk paid $30.80 for his third straight victory and first stakes score.

Hambletonian -- Donato Hanover held off a challenge by the talented filly Pampered Princess on the final turn and fended off Adrian Chip down the stretch to capture the $1.5 million harness classic at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J.

Donato Hanover, the top 2-year-old colt last year, covered the mile in 1:53.2 for his 13th win in 14 starts. The colt, who only lost his career debut, returned $4, $3, and $3. Adrian Chip finished second and paid $5 and $4.40, while Laddie was third and earned $8.80.