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ARCADIA, Calif. - Florida-bred Seattle Borders, making his first start for trainer Bobby Frankel, beat Stalking Tiger by a length Saturday in the Grade III $100,000 Baldwin Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Alex Solis, Seattle Borders stayed just behind the early speed on the downhill turf course, broke clear on the outside at the top of the stretch and wore down Stalking Tiger and Jungle Prince in the final eighth, covering 61/2 furlongs in 1:14.
Seattle Borders carried 114 pounds and paid $12.60, $7.80 and $5.20. Stalking Tiger, ridden by Goncalino Almeida, paid $10.60 and $6.40. Jungle Prince, with Victor Espinoza aboard, paid $4 to show.
Saint Afleet, the 17-10 favorite, rallied to finish fourth.
The son of Western Borders, Seattle Borders was bought by Edmund Gann and transferred to Frankel's barn in the fall. He had not raced since Oct. 26 at Delaware Park. He has two wins in six career starts, earning $102,750.
TURFWAY PARK: Silver Minister pulled away for an easy win in the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes, giving him a sweep of the three prep races that lead to the Lane's End Stakes, the annual Turfway showcase race. He also won the Turfway Prevue and WEBN Stakes.
Silver Minister, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, stalked an early pace set by Peter the Rock before quickly taking control entering the far turn. From there, Silver Minister held off White Mountain Boy and finished 23/4 lengths ahead of the late-charging Little Matth Man. White Mountain Boy finished third.
Silver Minister, a Kentucky-bred gelding by Silver Deputy, finished in 1:44.79 and returned $6.40 as the favorite in a field of 11 3-year-olds.
The Battaglia is the main Florence, Ky., prep for the Grade II $500,000 Lane's End Stakes, a Kentucky Derby prep to be run March 20.
OAKLAWN PARK: Smarty Jones won the $100,000 Southwest Stakes for 3-year-olds, his fourth straight win and second stakes victory. Jockey Stewart Elliot was at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark., for the first time to ride Smarty Jones, who finished in 1:37.57 and paid $3 and $2.20.
Two Down Automatic was second and returned $4.40 and $2.20. Pro Prado paid $2.20 to show. Trained by John Servis, Smarty Jones made his first start since winning the Count Fleet at Aqueduct on Jan. 3. The 1-mile Southwest is a prep race for the Rebel Stakes on March 20 and the Arkansas Derby.
LAUREL PARK: Water Cannon eked out a win in the $40,000 Miracle Wood Stakes in Maryland. Favored Capac, a Kentucky Derby prospect, finished fifth. Water Cannon, with Ramon Dominguez aboard, fended off a late burst from Eastern Bay to win by a half-length in 1:45.29. He paid $20.40, $9 and $6.20. Eastern Bay returned $30.60 and $8.60.
TAMPA BAY DOWNS: Pampered Princess notched her third win in four starts in the $60,000 Wayward Lass Stakes, returning $6.20. Pampered Princess romped to a 4 3/16-length win over Crimson and Roses, finishing in 1:45.77.