Horse Racing Roundup : Caros Love Runs Fastest Two-Turn Mile in U.S. History

Caros Love broke a 38-year-old track record at Golden Gate Fields at Albany, Calif., by winning a mile race in 1:33 Saturday, coming within four-fifths of a second of Dr. Fager’s U.S. record for the distance.

The clocking by the aptly named horse on the eve of Valentine’s Day was the fastest in U.S. racing history for a mile race around two turns. Dr. Fager’s record of 1:32 1/5 was established on Aug. 24, 1968 around one turn at Arlington Park.

Caros Love, in winning the $22,000 Big Jess Overnight Handicap under jockey Marco Castaneda, shattered the Golden Gate Fields record of 1:33 3/5 set by Citation in 1950. Caros Love won by 3 1/2 lengths.

Vinnie The Viper rallied in the closing strides under Julie Krone to win the $110,600 Sporting Plate Handicap for 3-year-olds and older at Aqueduct in New York.

Present Value, with Richard Miglione up, finished second, a half-length behind the winner and 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Fugie in the field of five.

Vinnie The Viper was timed in 1:11 1/5 under 120 pounds for the six furlongs and paid $4.40, $3.20 and $2.60. It was the second win in two starts this year for the 5-year-old son of Raise A Man.

Present Value, who carried 112 pounds, returned $4.40 and $2.60. Fugie paid $3.

At Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., jockey Pat Day sent Wayne’s Crane to the front early, and the 4-year-old colt went on to a victory in the $57,650 Arkansas Traveler Handicap Stakes.

Wayne’s Crane finished more than four lengths in front of Doonesbear after completing the six furlongs in 1:08 4/5.

Wayne’s Crane, second choice in the field of six older sprinters, was the fourth winner of the afternoon for Day. Wayne’s Crane returned $5.80, $3.20 and $2.60. Doonesbear, making his first start since Dec. 19, returned $3.80 and $2.80. Minneapple, making his first start since Nov. 27, paid $3.00. The exacta was worth $25.40.

At Gulfstream in Hallandale, Fla., Royal Pennant closed with a rush to win the $76,020 Gulfstream Sprint Championship.

Grantley was up in the final stride to dead-heat Real Forest, a 30-1 shot, for second in a field of 12.

Royal Pennant, ridden by Jose Santos, ran seven furlongs in 1:23 1/5 and paid $7.20, $5 and $4. Grantley, an entry with Carborundum, paid $3.20 and $4. Real Forest paid $9.40 and $9.40.

Monday at Gulfstream, Forty Niner, last year’s 2-year-old champion, will try to get back on course for the Kentucky Derby when he makes his second start as a 3-year-old in the $169,985 Fountain of Youth Stakes.