Flashy Bull continues strong run

Unable to get close in three previous appearances in Grade I stakes races in 2006, Flashy Bull demonstrated in the $829,500 Stephen Foster Handicap on Saturday at Churchill Downs that he is a different animal at age 4.

Winless in seven starts a year ago and defeated a combined 62 1/2 lengths in the Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby and Haskell Invitational Handicap, the gray son of Holy Bull won for the fourth time in five starts in 2007, barely holding on over an onrushing Magna Graduate in his Grade I return.

Giving jockey Robby Albarado his second stakes win of the day, Flashy Bull, who is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds LLC and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, sat off the pace set by overmatched longshot Mr. Umphrey, challenged for the lead around the turn, and drew four lengths clear before ultimately prevailing by a head. The final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:48.63.

Diamond Stripes finished third, the first loss in five starts for the Notebook gelding. Master Command, the 8-5 choice who had begun the year with three easy wins, finished sixth.

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Albarado’s other stakes win at Churchill came on Quite A Bride, who led throughout to win the $150,000 Mint Julep Handicap. The other winners of the day’s graded stakes were: Inca King ($200,000 Jefferson Cup), Chelokee ($200,000 Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup), Indian Vale ($300,000 Fleur de Lis) and Good Mood ($200,000 Regret).

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Making his first start beyond 1 1/8 miles, Stormin Away, the 3-1 second choice, ran down Spring House in the closing yards to win the $75,000 Round Table Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Ridden expertly by jockey Martin Garcia, the 5-year-old Skip Away gelding won for the eighth time in 26 starts for owners Joey and Wendy Platts and trainer Jeff Mullins while running the 1 3/4 miles on turf in 2:54.75.

The inaugural Round Table was the first time the marathon distance had been run in Inglewood since 1992.

Runaway Dancer, the 9-5 favorite, finished third. The loss was the 12th in 13 starts since the beginning of last year for the 8-year-old.

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Take D’Tour, the even money favorite, became only the third horse to win the Grade I $300,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap in consecutive years when she bravely held off Ginger Punch by a neck at Belmont Park.

A 6-year-old Florida-bred mare owned by Alice Muller and trained by David Fawkes, Take D’Tour was part of a wicked early pace (44.97 for the first half mile), but found enough in the final eighth of a mile to win for the 10th time in 24 starts.

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Summer Doldrums won for the first time on grass, winning the $750,000 Colonial Turf Cup at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va. Jose Lezcano was aboard the winner for trainer Rick Violette Jr. as Summer Doldrums completed the 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.68.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com