Across the Board: Analyzing the best of Saturday's stakes races

On Friday, I wrote about more than a dozen stakes races that were to be run on Saturday with purses of $100,000 or more.

As we edge closer to the spring classics and rich stakes that dominate the spring and summer schedules, I've always found it useful to take a closer look at how those races were run and won. Here, then, is the second half of that equation.

• In the six-furlong Broadway Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday, for instance, Holiday Disguise proved best of the New York-bred fillies and mares in a final time of 1:11.13. This fourth victory at the Big A by Holiday Disguise pushed the underrated 5-year-old mare’s career earnings more than $500,000. Not too shabby, though soon she could have to face her Linda Rice-trained stablemate and half-sister Midnight Disguise, who's now 4 years old.

• At Fair Grounds, in the Mineshaft Handicap (G3), the $13.40 winner Silver Dust continued his good overall form while improving upon the second place finish he posted against favored Harlan Punch, who defeated Silver Dust when the two met on this track last month. There is not likely to be another meeting, as Harlan Punch suffered an injury in Saturday's race.

• In the Fairgrounds Handicap (G3) at 1 1/8 miles on the turf, the 6-year-old Synchrony ran to his favoritism to score his fourth victory in four career attempts on the Fair Grounds grass course. His winning final time also was a very good 1:48.09. He will be formidable next time in the March 23 Muniz Memorial (G2) back at Fair Grounds.

• Rachel Alexandra (G2) was won by the Tom Amoss trained Serengeti Empress in 1:44.74 as the two most prominent betting favorites, Liora and Eres Tu, were second and third. The winner was making her first start since running poorly in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, a race that now looks like an outlier on her past performances.

• The Risen Star (G2) for Kentucky Derby prospects was won by the horse I gave special mention to in my Friday preview, and for good reason, War of Will. He definitely delivered on the promise he previously hinted at, scoring his second straight at Fair Grounds. Although he was the even-money betting favorite and won his second straight local stakes, he still returned $4. I do not believe we have yet to see him reach his best.

• At Golden Gate Fields, the El Camino Real Derby was won by the locally developed Anothertwistafate at 6-5 odds in the moderate time of 1:50.38. While trainer Blaine Wright has many options, I believe we will see this colt in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) come April, when he will need to improve to contend on dirt.

• At Gulfstream Park in South Florida, where the Royal Delta (G3) was run for older fillies and mares, the first two finishers, Blamed and Jala Jala, certainly ran strongly and will be heard from again. The latter is the former Clasico del Caribe winner who successfully moved into tougher company.

• At Tampa Bay Downs, in the Pelican stakes, Killybegs Captain scored easily over longshot Sweetonthe Ladies as 1-5 favorite Imperial Hint disappointed. Trainer Luis Carvajal Jr. told the Daily Racing Form his horse had heat in his foot the morning afterward, explaining the multiple Grade 1 winner's dismal finish. We'll see him again down the line.

• At Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, in the six-furlong Dixie Belle for 3-year-old fillies, Raintree Starlet simply out-gained front-running Lady T.N.T. in the relatively good time of 1:10.82.

• Finally, at Santa Anita Park in the Santa Monica Stakes (G2) at seven furlongs, Marley's Freedom opened her 5-year-old season in style, pushing her earnings close to $1 million as she eyes stretching out this season for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. No doubt that Marley’s Freedom will try to reach that million-dollar milestone in her next start or two.