Delightful Darling

Wesley Ward knew his filly Pulstar (Kantharos) was fast but did she have the stamina to win Saturday's sixth at Saratoga, a maiden race that came off the turf and was run at 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt? The answer is yes, but just barely. Like so many Ward-trained 2-year-olds, Pulstar shot out of the gate and grabbed a two-length lead down the backstretch. In mid-stretch she was still two in front, but the Mark Casse-trained Delightful Darling (Flameaway)was bearing down on her. The pair were basically on even...

Appearing to lose all chance after a super-awkward start from the inside post, Meringue (Frosted) slowly reeled in her rivals over the course of Churchill's five-furlong turf test and was up just in time to earn 'TDN Rising Star' honors Thursday afternoon. Breaking from post 1, the grey was eased to the back of the field as 3-2 favorite Delightful Darling (Flameaway) went to the front, cutting out an opening quarter of :22.19 as Vibora (Hootenanny) pressed the issue in a close-up second. With those two fillies turned for home...