Octave

Okay, so possibly Magnitude (Not This Time) won't ever do anything quite like that again. But let's enjoy the moment, at least, and relish the sheer theater of his GII Risen Star performance--much, for instance, as people did the astounding sophomore debut of Dr. Carter in 1984. He had won two of seven previous starts; Magnitude, two of six. But even though so unpressured that he won by 17 lengths, Dr. Carter equalled the Hialeah track record. Their trainer John Veitch declared him better than Alydar. The stage was set...

4th-Presque Isle Downs, $30,450, Msw, 8-27, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f (AWT), 1:05.49, ft, neck. TESSITURA (f, 2, Medaglia d'Oro--Octave {MGISW, $1,660,934}, by Unbridled's Song), a bit flat- footed at the start, dropped back to last, and remained there as Courageous Ari (Courageous Cat) took the advantage through an opening quarter in :22.31. Seeming to remain unhurried despite the increasing pressure from her jockey Willie Martinez, the 7-2 chance was given a left-handed reminder turning for home as the 10-1 pacesetter seemed to be heading to victory. With several lengths to...