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Preview of the Hollywood Derby and lots more
Saturday November 30, 2019 Aqueduct Racetrack Race: 7 (2:46 PM EST Post) Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship Fully Vested was a close up third in the “Belmont” Sprint Championship run in a smoking 1:07.1 and scored a 100 BSF in the process. This five year old gelding by Discreet Cat beat mid level optionals two back also in “racehorse” time. Looks best in a weakly drawn field…………………….Dubini is just 1 for his last 11 but has hit the board seven times, including coming from way back to win the Laurel Dash Stakes two back. Lastly, note the BSFs of between 90 and 93 in his last six in a row….that’s pretty consistent…………….You know it’s a weak field when I have to put Vici, who is 2 for his last 19 and 0 for 8 in 2019 in the “show dough” slot. Race: 8 (3:15 PM EST Post) The Discovery Tax towers over this field in money won and “back class”. The 2019 Jim Dandy winner has chased the top three year olds, including Maximum Security, Honor Code and Tacitus, all year long and absolutely held his own throughout. Trainer Danny Gargan picks a very good spot for his return to the races here……………………..Performer is a stretch runner by Speightstown from the Shug McGaughey barn who is 3 for 4 in his career. This chestnut colt will be taking a sizable step up in class in this spot but, judging by his ascending BSF (71, 87, 96 and 95), he could be up to the task……………………Majid possesses excellent early speed as he rattled of four straight coast to coast scores in the first half of the year. This son of Shackleford clearly went out of form in the second half of the year and received a mini vacation. If he is freshened up, and I suspect he might, he’ll be the one to catch on the turn for home………………Mubarmarj is a $375,000 son of Curlin from a scalding hot Chad Brown barn who has won his last two while showing great versatility. Steps up but could be a menace. Race: 9 (4:44 EST Post) Long Island Handicap Si Que Es Buena is well named (means Yes, That is Good) as she has run well in all four North American starts. Good looking five year old mare just missed in this race last year, won back to back Stakes’, then had legitimate excuses in her last (first start off a layoff and overmatched in a Grade: 1). Drops into a very realistic spot but draws the rail which might hurt her a little. Past that, she looks best……………………..Romantic Pursuit was only beaten by a total of four lengths vs. much better in her last two. Distance will be no problem for this very well bred mare (by Medgalia d ‘Oro out of Grade: 1 winner Questing) and she looms a serious threat here…………………………Lift Up is a well traveled, stretch runner by the wickedly fast Ghostzapper who has won three of her last four. Her BSF don’t match up all that well but note the 6 for 11 record on the turf and this race does appear to set up well for her………………………………Honorable Mentions: Empressof the Nile has run well in three of her last four and is another with a good excuses in her one poor, recent outing (overmatched in a Grade: 1). Note the 2 for 2 on this turf course for this daughter of the late Pioneerof the Nile………………..Homeland Security was charging hard, late behind Empressof the Nile and just missed catching her. Daughter of Smart Strike won a Stakes race two back at Monmouth and could conceivably outrun this rating. Churchill Downs Race: 9 (4:57PM EST Post) Golden Rod Stakes This race might be a bit of a “wildcard.” There are heavy rains expected in Louisville on Saturday and only one filly in this race has ever ran on an off track. I like the versatility Finite has displayed thus far in her career. Chestnut filly by Munnings showed excellent early speed two and three races back yet came from slightly off the pace when clobbering a Stakes field in her CD debut in her last. We know the Santana Jr./Asmussen combination is deadly and, in watching her videos, I see no reason to think she will not handle the added distance here…………………….His Glory recorded an excellent second in a Grade: 2 on this oval two starts back. Filly by Mineshaft was much the best, in leading all the way, when beating high priced optionals last time out. Figures close at the end of this one………………….Turtle Trax has won two of three to start her career and looked good while pasting six horse in the final quarter mile when beating high priced optionals in her last. Note, she came home the last sixteenth of a mile in a very good :06.2, signaling to me she too shouldn’t have a problem with the stretch out in distance………………Honorable Mentions: Bean is very intriguing to me. $340,000 filly by Bernardini ran very well in both synthetics starts but stumbled and lost her rider at the break in her first start over the dirt in her last. If she is able to replicate either of those synthetics races on the dirt, she could be a menace here……………………..She can’t Sing wired maidens by a wide margin in her dirt debut. Another filly by Bernardini, her speed figures say she might be a contender in this race but her split and final times tell a different story…………………Lady Glamour has some ability but chased Finite last time out. Race: 11 (5:56 PM EST Post) Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes See the Golden Rod Stakes as this appear to be a bit of a “wildcard” also being only two of the nine colts entered have ever run on an off track. Tiz the Law could NOT have looked any more impressive coming form behind and bulldozing his rivals in the prestigious Champagne Stakes at Belmont last time out. Colt by the super hot Constitution broke poorly in that race and still won laughing. Absolute monster work last week signals to me he’s sitting on anther big race……………..In taking Tiz the Law, South Bend scares the bejesus out of me. Handsome colt by Algorithms has showed impressible late runs in all three career starts/wins. He is 2 for 2 on this oval, is another who has worked well for this (including a decent 4F in the mud) and he only appears to get stronger as the distances get longer. Serious threat right here…………………….Fighting Seabee came with a brazen late run and just missed behind South Bend in his last, which was actually his dirt debut. His speed figures are climbing and the added distance should only help……………………Honorable Mentions:Enforceable is another who is clearly improving. Regally bred colt (Tapit out of Justwhistledixie, making him a half brother to Mohaymen) looked good breaking his maiden two back then finished within shouting distance of the apparently mega talented Maxfield in a Grade:1 last time out…….could better this rating……………….After setting a quick early pace, Silver Prospector was still hanging and banging in deep stretch in his last vs. South Bend and Enforceable…………………Shotski made a bold move on the turn but hung like a cheap suit down the lane in that same race. Possible threat with a race at the route distance under his belt……………………..Lastly, watch the board 4-5 minutes before post time on Finnick the Fierce, who was wiped out at the start of his last but fought back gamely, late and was only beaten by less than two lengths. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Race: 2 (3:33 PM EST Post) Jimmy Durante Stakes Alms was visually impressive coming from behind to take both starts in NY, including the Grade: 3 matron in her last……………….Croughavouke appears to be her main competition as this filly was beaten by less that five lengths in the BC Filly Turf last time out. All four prior races, here and abroad, were all strong as well. A “must use” in any exotics betting situations……………………… Princess Caroline also merits respect off her maiden win and racing debut. Filly by the great American Phaorah won going away at 8 ½ furlongs (tough to do in your first race), is proven at the distance and has trainer well of late. Race: 6 (5:30 PM EST Post) Seabiscuit Handicap Prince Earl has run well in all six career starts, highlighted by just missing in the City of Hope Stakes last time out in a mile run in a snappy 1:32.4. This son of Paddy O’Prado won a Grade; 2 Stakes two back, so it appears he fits nicely in this spot and that last work (5F- 1:01, dogs up) was much better than it looks on paper……………….Cleopatra’s Strike is lightly raced this year but has run big in all of his starts, highlighted by taking down the John Henry Stakes in his last. Should be coming late in this spot………………..Sacred Life is another who has run well in all three U.S starts. I loved his Brisnet Speed Figures in those starts as well (97, 97 and you guessed it 97)…………………Honorable Mentions: Om totally outran his 15-1 odds in the BC Turf Sprint last time out while fishing a very good second. I just think a mile and a sixteenth is a little out of his range……………… It’s been a long time between drinks (wins) for River Boyne. In fact, I’m starting to question if he’s possibly lost a step recently. Note how this colt was 6 for 9 last year and 0 for 6 this year. If he bounces back to last year’s form, and he could here, he should be a menace. Race: 8 (6:30PM EST Post) HollywoodDerby Mo Forza is just 2 for 7 in his career but I just loved the way he won/upset the Twilight Derby in his last. Colt by Uncle Mo showed several “gears” in the running of that race, highlighted by coming home the last furlongs in smoking :11.1 second……narrow margin in a wide open horse race……………….Neptune Storm always fires his best shot and has yet to miss the board as his 2019 record of 9-4-2-3 record would indicate although he is 0 for 2 on this turf course, he must be considered off of consistency alone…………………………I’m going to give Nolde a “mulligan” for his last race/disappoint effort because he won three of his prior four races on the turf with outstanding final times in his last two………………….Honorable Mentions: Standard Deviation is 2 for 4 on the turf, including a pair of Stakes wins and ran fairly well vs. better in his other two………………..Henley’s Joy is the only Grade: 1 winner in this field but is a little too inconsistent for my liking…………….Digital Age has also disappointed of late. That said, if he bounced back to form to any one of his previous races, he’ll outrun this rating for sure…………………….Couple of other to consider include: Succeedandsurpass, who hasn’t run a bad race in five career starts and finished right behind Mo Forza twice in the past, Mr. Dumas, who is 2 for 3 on thru turf , including winning the Grade: 3 Commonwealth at Churchill last time out and Proud Pedro, who possesses a strong late run and seems to be improving but will be taking a big step up in class in this spot. By: Gerard ApadulaDirector of Equine Operations and DevelopmentKnights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])2019- Record: 77-228 = 34%2018- Record: 107-261= 41%2017- Record: 92-235 = 39%2016- Record: 91-229 = 40%2015- Record: 67-180 = 37%2014- Record: 29-73 = 40%2013- Record: 20-59= 34%2012 -Record: 24-73= 33%2011 –Record: N/A2010- Record: 24-74= 33% Little Bets N’ Pieces **** Corey Nakatani, a winner of 3,909 races and more than $234 million in earnings, announced his retirement Nov. 23. Badly injured in a spill in the final race at Del Mar on Aug. 4, 2018, he wanted to return to competition, but the injuries ultimately led him to conclude his riding career. "Although I never imagined this was how my career would end, I am very proud of my accomplishments and know that I competed at the very highest of levels, which gives me a sense of satisfaction," he said in the release, distributed by his son and agent, Matt Nakatani. Among his many top mounts were Lava Man, Sandpit, My Miss Aurelia, Serena's Song, Lite Light, and Shared Belief. **** WinStar Farm stallions Daredevil and Super Saver have been acquired by the Turkish Jockey Club and will relocate to Turkey, WinStar announced Nov. 27. "The Turkish Jockey Club has done extremely well with Victory Gallop, who is the leading sire in Turkey, and has made a concerted effort to improve their stallion roster this year through the purchase of Bodemeister , Trappe Shot , Super Saver, and Daredevil, among others," said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. "We look forward to following their careers in Turkey." Super Saver, a 12-year-old by Maria's Mon who won the 2010 Kentucky Derby, sired 22 black type winners to date, including three Grade 1 winners in champion sprinter Runhappy, Competiive Edge, and Embellish the Lace. Daredevil, a 7-year-old son of More Than Ready, won the 2014 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park. His first crop hit the racetrack in 2019 and includes multiple stakes winner Deviant, Stakes placed Shedaresthedevil, and stakes-placed Jewel of Arabia. He's sired a total of 10 winners so far this year.
Saturday's Action from Belmont, Keeneland and Santa Anita
Saturday October 5, 2019 Belmont Park Race: 9 (4:50 PM EST Post) Joe Hirsch Turf Invitational The late, heroic running Sadler’s Joy signaled a return to top for when flying late to just miss capturing the Grade: 1 Sword Dancer in his last. Third start off the layoff and should get a good strong pace to run into here…..should nail the speed in deep stretch……………Arklow continues to burn money as he hasn’t won a race in over a year but has been favored or has had low odds in his last six starts in a row. Another who should be rallying late but has a habit of coming up short…………………….Yo Primo’s last race was too bad to be true. Irad sticks and could bounce back with a big race here……………….Honorable Mentions: Channel Cat is in good form right now but is 0 for 4 on the Belmont Turf…………………Ditto for Channel Maker as he too is in good form, That said, he has lost ground from the eighth pole to the wire in each of his last three races………………When Zulu Alpha is right, he could easily hit the board (or better) vs. these. Race: 10 (5:22 PM EST post) Champagne Stakes You can make an argument that Green Light Go, who has been very impressive winning both career starts thus far in his career, is the pro-tem two year old East Coast male division leader (Basin). I loved the way he came from behind both times, won by daylight and stopped the clock in “racehorse” time. ….takes his next steps toward the BC Juvenile here…………….Gozilla buried maidens in his initial try then showed speed and tired in the Grade: 1 Hopeful in his second and last time out. I’m not sure if the sloppy track had something to do with the defeat or he was facing Basin in that race or perhaps both. Find out more about him on Saturday…………………….Alpha Sixty Six came from behind to beat maidens in his debut. This $400,000 son of Liams’ Map was visually impressive coming with a four wide, sweeping move towards the lead at the quarter and got up by a neck. The icing on that cake was he ran the final furlong in a super-sonic :06 seconds flat……………………………………Honorable Mentions: Speaking of burying maidens, it took Three Technique three tries but that exactly what he did in his last. The son of Mr. Speaker rallied from near last early, with an eye catching six wide move on the turn and ran away from the field to win by 5 ½ lengths…no surprise if he betters this rating in this well matched field……………………..Tiz the Law also decimated (State Bred) maidens his first time out. Yet another son of Constitution, this handsome colt came from behind and opened on the field at will down the lane. So much so, his rider was basically pulling him up in the 100 or so yards in a visually impressive performance. Keeneland Race Course Race: 7 (4:29 PM EST Post) Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes Spiced Perfection is a two time Grade: 1 winner including one on this oval. Don’t worry about the 151 days since her last race as she has trained smartly recently and has a habit of running well off of layoffs……Narrow margin over Chalon, who has been either first or second in her last nine races in a row spanning the last two years. I was very impressed with this $550,000 daughter of Dialed In’s last race where she broke poorly and was block in on the turn for home yet still won…………….Ours to Run rattled off six straight wins vs. lesser before finishing a close up third in the Grade: 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga last time out. Note, she finished just a head behind Chalon in that race, signaling to me she can handle this caliber horse…………………Honorable Mentions: When Mia Mischief is right, she poses an enormous threat. However, her last three races signal she is cycling out of form……………….Danuska’s My Girl ships in from California, has good speed and is 4 for 5 lifetime at 6 furlongs………………….Dawn the Destroyer completely outran her 10-1 odds in the Grade: 1 Ballerina last time out. Mare by Speightstown chased (finished second) upper echelon older female Come Dancing and, from what I saw standing on the rail, she was trying very hard. That said, she is just 4 for 18 lifetime. Race: 8 (5:04 PM EST Post) First Lady Stakes Rushing Fall does nothing but run lights out as her 10-8-2-0 career record would indicate. You absolutely must forgive her last where she took command of the Grade: 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga but was run down in deep stretch by the supremely talented Sistercharlie. Past that, this filly by More Than Ready ran a mile (this distance) in an eye popping 1:31.3 two starts back, has trained brilliantly of late and is 4 for 4 on this turf course. Another close call in what might be the most talent laden field I’ve seen all year………………..After a narrow defeat two starts back, Vasilika bounced back to her winning ways. This chestnut mare, who was 9 for 11 last year and 5 for 6 this year, came roaring down the lane, including a smoking :11.1 final furlong, to get her nostril on the wire first in the John C. Mabee last time out. Albeit, she ventures outside of California for the first time in a while, it’s really hard not to include her in the exotics……………….Uni had won five straight, including a Grade:1, before taking on the boys in her last and finishing a fast closing third. Note she came from 17 lengths back, (including :21 and change internal second quarter) to get beaten by less than three lengths on the wire in that race. Bottom line here is I won't be surprised if she is standing in the winner’s circle after this race………………………Honorable Mentions: (and there are several due the depth of this field) Trainer Brad Cox has done a fantastic job with Juliet Foxtrot as he brought her along methodically since she came here from overseas. Filly by Dansili showed excellent versatility in winning her first three U.S. starts and was just a nose behind Vasilika in the aforementioned John C. Mabee Stakes in her last…..could better this rating…………….After “touring” Europe in her last four races, Indian Blessing missed by a neck in her return to the U.S last time out. Threat should she duplicate that effort here…………………Just Wonderful is another globe trotting filly. Note, the last time she ran in this country, she finished a strong second to the mega talented, but now on the sidelines Concrete Rose………………….Mitchell Road has good speed and sports a 9-5-3-0 career record. However, her form, much like my life, appears to be going in the wrong direction……………….Ms Bad Behavior has hit the board in 14 of 17 lifetime tries. That said, she has only four wins. Race: 9 (5:39 PM EST Post) Claiborne Breeders Futurity It looks as though Constitution, who is on the rise as a stallion, is a son of Tapit and stands for $15,000, has a solid 1-2 punch in this race. Gouverneur Morris whistled in his sloppy tracked debut. This $600,000 gray colt won by nine and stopped the clock in 1:04.1. Back to back strong 5F works since signal he might be ready for the big stretch out in distance and even bigger rise in class………………….By Your Side, who won his first two starts including the Grade: 3 Sanford two starts back, may not have cared for the sloppy track in his last while chasing three apparent tigers. With the forecast of a “dry” day at Keeneland on Saturday, he could bounce back and run well in this spot………………Ajaaweed, a good looking son of Curlin, responded well to the stretch out in distance while manhandling maidens in his last………………….Honorable Mentions: Maxfield broke slowly (last) in his debut but was impressive methodically picking off horses, one by one, all the way around to get up for a three quarter length win…………..Tap It to Win finished second in his debut but came back to bury maiden last time out, scoring the highest Brisnet Speed Figure of anyone in this field………………I found it interesting that last time out winner Enforceable, a full brother to multiple Stakes winner and $2.2 million purchase Mohaymen from a few years ago, is the only horse in this field to be cutting back in distance………………….King Theo galloped in the mud at GP in his last.. Steps up here. Race: 10 (6:15 PM EST Post) Shadwell Turf Mile The unbeaten Valid Point, who has run just three races late in his three year old season, must have some “issues” but also has talent as demonstrated by taking down a Grade: 1 in just his third career start. A three year old taking on elders makes me hesitate slightly but past that, he looks best…………..Van Beethoven is just 2 for 14 in his career but launched a visually impressive move on the turn and was charging hard, late against my top pick last time out….must be considered………………Bandua is clearly in career best form right now while winning two back and then leading to deep stretch before being overhauled by Horse of the Year candidate Bricks and Mortar in the Arlington Million last time out……………Honorable Mentions: Admission Office is a “from out of a clouds” late runner who is about one length away from being unbeaten in three starts in 2019. This handsome son of Point of Entry could be rolling down the stretch once again in this spot…………………Vintager is one of several “dark horses” coming from overseas to make their U.S. debuts. This son of Mastercraftman has won his last two and goes first time Lasix here………………..Divisidero is another in good form right now and this stretch running son of Kitten’s Joy worked a bullet at Fair Hill last week………………..Real Story looks like the dominant early speed in here and could be a menace late if left alone on a uncontested early lead. Santa Anita Park Race: 9 (7:30 PM EST Post) Shancelot burst onto the scene while winning his first three starts and scoring towering speed figures. Speedy colt suffered his first career defeat in his last but I liked the way he battled gamely through the wire in that race. This son of Shanghai Bobby cuts back in distance here and has run a hole in the wind in the morning of late…………..Narrow margin over Omaha Beach, who I still think if he stayed healthy, would have been the best three year old male in the country. Although this son of War Front has been training lights out for his return, he did suffer several setbacks along the way including a very strange training session a few weeks ago. This will be his first start in over five months, I don’t think six furlongs is his best distance and, most importantly, this clearly looks like a “prep” race for (possibly) the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile………………Flagstaff has won two of his last three vs. lesser but he likes this track and his speed figures suggest he’s not completely out of this one….looks best of the rest. By: Gerard Apadula Director of Equine Operations and Development Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) 2019- Record: 69-193 = 36% 2018- Record: 107-261= 41% 2017- Record: 92-235 = 39% 2016- Record: 91-229 = 40% 2015- Record: 67-180 = 37% 2014- Record: 29-73 = 40% 2013- Record: 20-59= 34% 2012 -Record: 24-73= 33% 2011 –Record: N/A 2010- Record: 24-74= 33% Little Bets N’ Pieces **** Amalfi Sunrise, one of the top 2-year-old fillies on the West Coast, is likely to be retired after a month-long struggle with pneumonia, trainer Simon Callaghan said last Sunday. Amalfi Sunrise won her debut June 23 at Santa Anita by 6 1/4 lengths before winning by six lengths Aug. 3 in the Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar. She was kept out of the Aug. 31 Del Mar Debutante Stakes with a minor hind-leg injury, but was then sent to San Luis Equine Hospital in Bonsall, Calif., in late August with pneumonia. Callaghan thinks she will be released "next week" but doesn’t think her future has racing in it: "When they get it really bad for a long period of time, like she did, they get adhesions and (lung) scarring, and often after those things, they don't come back as good”. **** Super star mare Enable is one of 16 horses pointing to Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Enable breezed on the Limekilns on Monday morning pleasing both her trainer John Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori. “It was great to get Enable back on the Limekilns where the ground was the easy side of good and conditions were perfect as there was no wind,” said Gosden. “I put her in front as it's best to mix it up with her as she can easily get bored doing the same thing. Frankie was happy with her and hopefully we can get through the next six days.” **** Lil Indy, dam of disqualified 2019 Kentucky Derby winner Maximum Security, will be sold in foal to leading sire Quality Road during Book 1 of Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale Wednesday, Nov. 6. **** Awesome Again has been pensioned from stud duty. The now 25 year old son of Deputy Minister is a homebred from Adena Springs, with stakes wins that include 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic, the Whitney, and the Queen's Plate. He retired to Adena Springs' Kentucky section, where he has sired 18 crops of racing age with combined earnings in excess of $95 million. His greatest accomplishment at stud has been the wickedly fast Ghostzapper, the 2004 Horse of the Year, who stands alongside him at Adena Springs. Ghostzapper won the Breeders' Cup Classic during his Horse of the Year campaign, making Awesome Again the only sire to date to have won the Classic and sired a Classic winner. Other notable runners by Awesome Again include champion Ginger Punch, Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Round Pond, Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Wilko, Grade 1 winner Game On Dude, and the incredible Paynter. **** Grade: 1 Florida Derby winner Audible has been retired from racing and will enter stud at WinStar Farm for the 2020 breeding season. More on this as it unfolds.
The Road to the Kentucky Derby runs through the Fair Grounds in Louisiana this weekend as our highlighted race will be the $1 million Louisiana Derby for three year olds going a mile and a sixteenth. While at the Fair Grounds, we will also be looking at two other races on the under card including The New Orleans Handicap for four year olds and up and the Muniz Memorial on the turf. Then on Sunday, we travel to Sunland Park in New Mexico for the $800,000 Sunland Park Derby, also an 8 ½ furlong contest for three year olds, and the Sunland Park Oaks, which will feature an excellent matchup between American Pharoah’s little sister Chasing Yesterday and the super talented and super gorgeous Bellafina. Before moving forward, just a few notes about last week: Even after a ridiculously wide trip, Improbable still looked like a winner in mid-stretch of the first division of the Rebel but was run down late by Long Range Toddy. I’m 99% sure he was “short” as it was his first race in almost three months. I know I said otherwise in last week’s breakdown, but the other 1% is the City Zip angle. His next race will be a huge one as it will hold the key to answering that question. Two Year Old Champion Game Winner did absolutely nothing wrong and was flat unlucky in losing a head bob on the wire in the second division of the Rebel. I’m not worried about him as he will probably get a lot out of that race and seems to be on target to be peaking on the first Saturday in May. Kudos to the winner Omaha Beach, who signaled a big effort was upcoming with a monster 6F work (1:10.3) several days before the race. This was a big “coming out” party for the very handsome, very talented, beautiful striding colt and he too seems to be peaking at just the right time. I couldn’t be happier for trainer Richard Mandella, who is clearly one of the best trainers in the game today and has an excellent sense of humor as well. Midnight Bisou was “talking” to us leaving the three eighths pole right through the wire while winning the Azeri Stakes on the Rebel under-card. I loved the way she was flipping her ears back and forth and the look on her face on the far turn. She was clearly waiting patiently for a cue for jockey Mike Smith and when he gave it, she took off. I also loved how she pricked her ears about 50 or so yards before the wire as if she was saying “ok, I got this….hey look at that over there” Monomoy Girl or no Monomoy Girl, I expect a big year out of this super talented filly. As far as Elate goes, she clearly needed the race. I’m still hopefully she can return to her Grade:1 form and hasn’t lost a step due to having “a few physical issues” over the past several months. Lastly, and I didn’t catch his name, but a big shout out and props to the guy who was the sole survivor in a pick seven, $100,000 tournament at Oaklawn on Saturday. The man went 6 for 6 and had Game Winner in the final leg…..need I say more? Saturday, March 23, 2019 Fair Grounds Race: 10 (4:34 PM EST Post) New Orleans Handicap Copper Bullet proved he’s more than just a top notch sprinter in the Razorback Handicap in his last which was his first try at route of ground. This good looking son of More Than Ready came with a furious stretch run but just missed catching the talented Coal Front. The combination of that race and back to back very strong, stamina building works in the month of March should set him up perfectly for this………………….…Silver Dust is a $510,000 son of super sire Tapit who is three quarters of a length away from coming into this riding a four race winning streak. Although his speed figure was a little light, I was most impressed with his last (Mineshaft Handicap, Feb. 18) when he overcame a slow early pace, yet took command of the race on the turn and won easy all while coming home the last 2 ½ furlongs in a very good :30.3. …Looms a solid threat here …………………….Although Mr. Buff will be making his first start in 56 days for underrated trainer John Kimmel, he clearly comes into this race razor sharp. The son of Friend or Foe, who stands for $1,000, impressively went “Coast to Coast” in four straight at Aqueduct in NY, registering speed figures that are higher than most in here. I’m not too worried about the time off, as his last two works signal he is most likely holding form……Figures bang up and the one to catch……………….Honorable Mentions: Although Core Beliefs will be making his first start in 181 days, he might go well in this spot. If you draw a line through his last two races last year where he was overmatched against Good Magic then McKinzie, you’ll see he’s hit the board in all six career starts including finishing third to Triple Crown winner Justify in the Santa Anita Derby. I like his work pattern coming into this as well……………………… Lone Sailor had several issues when disappointing as the 2-1 favorite in the aforementioned Razorback. The now four year old was making his first start in 103 days, was hung wide on the first turn and was trapped behind a slow pace. This stretch runner should be tighter for this and should also get a faster pace. Of course, it’s always hard to endorse a horse who is 2 for 16 in his career, 1 for his last 11 and 0 for 4 on this surface. …...A couple of other side notes about this race: After winning two straight at Gulfstream Park, Souper Tapit stumbled at the start of the Razorback and was five wide at the half mile pole…could be a menace with a cleaner start and trip. Noble Indy is not as bad as his last four races indicate. This Todd Pletcher trainee has been beaten by a, no exaggeration, 141 lengths over that span. “Ignore Pletcher, leave the track on a stretcher” angle fits with this horse. (My play: $50 win on Copper Bullet and a .50 triple box using the top 5. Cost $80) Race: 11 (5:10 PM EST Post) Muniz Memorial Handicap Bricks and Mortar was visually impressive coming “over the top” and beating some of the best turf horses in the world while taking down the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Turf in his last. This now five year old by Giant’s Causeway improved his career record to 6 for 8 that day. This Chad Brown trainee won’t be facing nearly as tough of field here…....hard to go against in this spot…....Logical choice......…….Synchrony is a hard hitting, multiple Graded Stakes winning stretch runner who sports a 12-6-2-3 career record on the turf. This chestnut colt by Tapit’s 2019 debut was very good as he took down the Fair Ground Handicap on Feb. 16. What makes it especially good is he got the last furlong of that race in a smoking :11.4 after being six wide at the quarter pole. Of course, being 4 for 4 on this turf course also merits attention….Should be coming late once again in this spot……………..Although Divisidero has disappointed time and time again (1 for 8 over the last two years) and finished behind Inspector Lynley last time out, I’m going to use him in my exotics once more. The late running, now seven year old son of Kitten’s Joy gave several good accounts of himself vs. Grade: 1 competition last year, so there is a left handed drop in class in this spot………………………….Honorable Mentions: Inspector Lynley, who is consistent (14 of 22 on the board), but doesn’t actually win (5 for 22) as much as you’d like to see but still merits a look regardless………………..Hot Springs will be asked to take on Bricks and Mortar in his first start in over four month, that’s a tall order. With his running style, drawing the rail won’t help his cause either. That said, he is 4 for 7 on the turf and has shown me some talent in watching his replays. ($200 win on Bricks and Mortor & $1.00 triple box using all 5. Cost: $260) Race: 12 (5:44 PM EST Post) Fair Grounds Oaks If you draw a line through Serengeti Empress’ Breeders’ Cup debacle, you see she’s won her last three races by 13, 19 and 4 ½ lengths with each being more impressive than the next. The 13 and 19 lengths wins speak for themselves but note she was basically being pulled up in the last 50 yards of her last race (the Grade: 2 Rachel Alexandra) but still won by plenty of daylight. Still another who is hard to go against…………………Eres Tu has been seriously unlucky in her last two starts yet finished admirably in both. Good looking filly by Malibu Moon just missed in the Silverbulletday Stakes two back after being “assaulted” leaving the five-sixteenths pole and being pushed five wide for the stretch drive. She then came back with a ridiculously wide trip, all the way around, yet still passed five horses in the last 4 ½ furlongs in the Rachel Alexandra while checking in third. That horrid ride probably cost regular jockey Ricardo Santana the mount as Jose Ortiz gets the leg up for the first time…………………Liora probably need the Silverbulletday, her first start of the year, because she ran much better in the Rachel Alexandra last time out. Although this well bred filly (by Candy Ride out of Giant’s Causeway mare) was “no match” for the winner that day, she was making up ground in deep stretch. Third start off the layoff angle figures here too. (My Play: $200 win on Serengeti Empress and $5.00 exacta box using all 3. Cost: $230.00) Race: 13 (6:13 PM EST Post) Louisiana Derby War of Will is unbeaten and, by and large, untested in three starts since switching over to the dirt surface in November. This handsome colt broke his maiden, then took down the LeComte Stakes and the Risen Star Stakes all very impressively. I don’t blame his connection for running him on the turf in his first four races as his pedigree, by War Front out of Sadler’s Wells mare, screams “grass” and “distance”. He will be seeking to be only the third horse (the gorgeous Friesan Fire in 2009 and “little” International Star in 2015) in 100+ years to win all three Fair Ground prep races for the Kentucky Derby. Being 2 for 2 over the track and firing a big work last week both signal he is holding form. With Game Winner and Improbable each tasting defeat for the first time last week, if this very tactical colt wins here, and I suspect he might, I’m sure he’ll catapult to the Kentucky Derby favorite in a lot of people’s minds. So this is a very big race for him……………………. Country House’s maiden breaking win at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 17 still stands out in my mind as one the most impressive races I’ve seen all year. Colt by Lookin’ at Lucky broke slow but executed an eye catching move on the turn, swept by the field and won going away by 3+ lengths. The Bill Mott (who is loaded for bear in the 2019 Kentucky Derby hunt) trainee proved that race was no fluke as he had a rough trip (broke slowly, 5 wide on the turn then lugged in down the lane) in the Risen Star, yet still managed to get second. Figures bang up here; especially with a better trip…………………..The regally bred Spinoff is another who appears to be getting his act together at just the right time. Colt by Hard Spun, who remains one of the best looking horses I’ve ever seen, out of Grade: 1 winner Zaftig, absolutely blitzed a “NW1X other than” at Gulfstream Park in his last. This chestnut took command of that race leaving the half mile pole (in :45.4) and drew away impressively from that point on, winning by a colossal margin and stopping the clock in an excellent 1:40.1 for 8 ½ furlongs. Two sensational works at Palm Beach Downs since only adds to it and he figures prominent throughout……………….Honorable Mentions: I hate to put Sueno this far down, I really do, as he’s done nothing wrong in his last four races dating back to last August. Most recently, he just missed behind Gunmetal Gray in the Sham Stakes then again in the Southwest Stakes behind upset winner Super Steed. His speed figures continue to climb and he posted a big six furlong work (1:12.2) last week………………………..In my article breaking down the Risen Star, I mentioned I wasn’t giving up on Roiland just yet and this colt by Successful Appeal did me proud in finishing third at almost 70-1. He came screaming from last, and some 16 lengths back, to be beaten by less than four lengths in the end including passing an astounding eight horses down the lane. I hate he drew the one hole but perhaps his rider can work out a decent trip………………………I’m probably underrating Hog Street Hustle in this spot. Here’s a colt who was making up ground vs. War of Will late while finishing second in the Lecomte, then had a nightmare trip in the Risen Star (checked early and seven wide on the turn). Through all that, he came from next to last to grab fourth…..long shot possibility right here………………..The same goes for Limonite, (underrating) who probably needed the Risen Star as it was his first start in almost three months. Another stretch runner, he draws a decent post and should be tighter for this……………………..Bankit also possesses a strong late run but fizzled in his last two races. (My play: .50 triple box using the top 5. Cost $30.00) Sunday, March 24, 2019 Sunland Park Race: 9 (6:27 PM EST Post) Bellafina was runner up as Champion Two Year Old Filly last year and has come out running thus far in her 3 year old campaign. This $800,000 filly by Quality Road annihilated the field in the Santa Ynez in January, and then wired her foes in the Las Virgenes in her last in Feb. I’m not worried about the perhaps little kink in the armor we saw in the last 100 yards of the Las Virgenes. She had every right to tire in deep stretch being she ran fast through the first six furlongs, on a track labeled “good” in just her second start of the year. Third start off the layoff and a big work last week are more signs pointing towards a peak performance from this winner of 5 of 7 starts including a pair of Grade:1’s………………………………I can see my moniker of “American Pharaoh’s little sister” Chasing Yesterday is about to be changed to just Chasing Yesterday. Filly by Tapit has won four of five career starts including the Grade: 1 Starlet to end the year last year and seems to still be getting better. Bellafina will clearly have a fitness edge in this spot and that’s one of the main reasons why I’m lining them up this way. That said, I will tell you her 5F work (:57 flat) last week was…well…beyond supersonic. It has been a while since I’ve seen a horse work that fast………………..Victim of Love has speed, the rail and has won three straight including beaten several of these in her last. Filly by Speightstown is 2 for 2 over this surface also………………Honorable Mentions: Backflash made a run at Victim of Love in her last but just wasn’t getting by her. In the end, she was only beaten by less than two lengths…………………Although K P Slickem hasn’t crossed the finish line first yet through five career starts, she hasn’t been off the board yet in any of those five starts. (My Play: Pass...I'm not seeing much value with what figures to be a two horse race) Race: 11 (7:30 PM EST Post) Sunland Park Derby Mucho Gusto is a $625,000 colt by Mucho Macho Man who gets lost in the Bob Baffert barn sometimes thanks to Game Winner and Improbable. This talented chestnut colt, who is 3 for 4 in his career with his only loss coming to Improbable which is nothing to be ashamed of, showed a new weapon in his arsenal when he learned how to rate off the pace like he did in winning his last. He’ll be making his first start in 50 days here but his work pattern coming in is tremendous, topped off by a monster 5 furlong move (:57.4) on March 10. He draws the rail, which is a good thing with his running style and the distance will be no problem whatsoever………………..Anothertwistafate is a synthetics surface running sensation. This $360,000 son of Scat Daddy broke his maiden (by 4 lengths), beat mid level optionals NW1X (by 5 lengths) and was nothing short of dominating in his last while winning the El Camino Real Derby by 7 lengths, with strong speed figures in all three races. I was super impressed with his win in the El Camino. I love the way he was moving from the eighth pole to the wire as he leveled off and was “reaching out” really well. Of course, the elephant in the room is how will he handle the switch back to dirt? Because his one and only try over it says he won’t……………………………….Wicked Indeed closed ground well, late in the Mine That Bird Stakes at 1 1/16th miles in his last and chased War of Will two races back. I like the fact that this gray colt by Tapit’s speed figures have risen through all four career starts. Logical contender with the added distance in this spot……………………….Honorable Mentions: Hustle Up has owned the state of New Mexico for the past 364 days. This speedster is 8 for 10 in his career, including being 4 for 4 on this oval. He draws toward the inside, so that should help his chances as should the back to back big works coming into this. He looms the one to catch in this spot. That said, he’ll be a big step up in class and will have to run longer than he’s ever been before. ….If you are shopping for a longshot, take a gander at “the maiden” Pasamonte Man, who has gotten progressively better through each of his three career races, including just missing two back. Note how he was quietly making up ground late against Wicked Indeed and Hustle Up in the Mine That Bird Stakes. Still another who should relish the stretch out in distance. (My Play: .50 triple box using all 5: Cost: $30) By: Gerard Apadula Director of Equine Operations and Development Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) 2019- Record: 16-52 = 31% (My Plays: -$1,652.19) 2018- Record: 107-261= 41% 2017- Record: 92-235 = 39% 2016- Record: 91-229 = 40% 2015- Record: 67-180 = 37% 2014- Record: 29-73 = 40% 2013- Record: 20-59= 34% 2012 -Record: 24-73= 33% 2011 –Record: N/A 2010- Record: 24-74= 33% Little Bets N’ Pieces **** WinStar Farm's top stallion Pioneerof the Nile died suddenly Monday, the farm announced. He was only 13. The impeccably bred son of Empire Maker-Star of Goshen bred a mare in the morning and started acting “strange” once he was back in his stall. He was en route to the clinic when he died. "We are all extremely saddened by the loss of Pioneerof the Nile," said WinStar Farm president and CEO Elliott Walden. "He was a superior physical specimen, a Triple Crown sire (American Pharaoh), and a unique personality. All of us at WinStar are heartbroken." **** Danthebluegrassman, a 2002 Kentucky Derby contender, was euthanized Monday at Park Equine Hospital in Woodford due to an irreparable small intestinal obstruction that was causing chronic colic. The 20 year old gelding had been pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement center in Georgetown, K.Y., since 2008. Trailed by Bob Baffert and owner Michael E. Pegram, Danthebluegrassman won the Gold Rush Stakes as a two year old and later convinced his connections he was Kentucky Derby worthy with a win in the Grade: 3 Golden Gate Derby and a close 2nd in the Grade: 3 El Camino Real Derby. Although being listed at 50-1 on the morning line, he was forced to scratch after he "tied up" following a gallop at Churchill Downs. “Dan” eventually fell down to the claiming ranks and was retired to Old Friends in the spring of 2008. His final career stats were 47 starts with 8 wins and earnings of $423,794.
With the Kentucky Derby now just two weeks away, and all the major prep races over, this week we will be focusing our attention on the older horse division as our highlighted race of the week will be the $1 million Charles Town Classic at the “bull ring” Charles Town Racetrack in West Virginia. The three turn, nine furlongs contest drew a field of 10 with one AE. Elsewhere, we will head to beautiful Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky for a look at the Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes, a marathon turf race for four year olds and up, fillies and mares. We will also be looking at the Federico Tesio Stakes for three year olds, a traditional prep race for the Preakness Stakes, at Laurel Park. We end this week at Santa Anita for a glance at the Kona Gold Stakes, a 6 ½ furlong dash for four year old and up sprinters. Saturday, April 20, 2019 Keeneland Race Course Race: 9 (5:30 PM EST Post) Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes Zulu Alpha has won five of his last eight dating back to last August including back to back Grade: 2’s at Gulfstream in January and March. This six year old gelding is in career form right now and, with rain being forecasted in Kentucky on Saturday, he can handle “give” in the ground……………………….The late running Bigger Picture looms a threat in just about any turf race you put him in. Although he somewhat disappointed last time out, if he runs back to either of his two previous races, he will be tough to beat in this spot. That said, although he is an 11 time winner on the turf, it must be noted he is just 2 for his last 11 overall and 0 for 3 on the Keeneland turf course…………………Soglio is a five year old by Scat Daddy that is as consistent as the day is long as he’s hit the board in 10 of his last 13 starts. Albeit, he has only won three of those last 13 races, note he was charging hard, late, behind Zulu Alpha two races back and when the dust settled, he missed by just a half a length….figures bang up here……………Honorable Mentions: You know this is a tough race when I have to put Red Knight, who is six for nine on the turf in his career, this far down. How often, in a 1 ½ mile race, can you say a horse is cutting back in distance? Well, this son of Pure Prize is as he is coming off a two mile win in the H. Allen Jerkens at Gulfstream last time out…………..Tiz a Slam won a couple of Stakes races north of the border last summer, then showed speed and tired late vs. Canadian Grade: 1 runners in the fall. Five year old by Tiznow should improve off his 2019 debut in February and I won’t be shocked if he outruns this rating…………………….Even though his rider and trainer (both winning at 4%) are ice cold right now, your long shot horse is clearly Vettori Kin. This good looking six year old showed little in his 2019 debut but improved greatly his second time out. If he improves again in this spot, and I suspect he might with this being his third start off the layoff, he could be a menace at what should be some long odds. Charles Town Racetrack Race: 11 (5:37 PM EST Post) Charles Town Classic Diamond King could not have looked any better in beating mid-level optionals at Gulfstream in his 2019 debut, his prep race for this. This son of Quality Road blew that race to smithereens with a :24.1 internal fraction when taking command leaving the half mile pole (in :46.2), opened up on the field at the six furlong marker (1:10.3) and cruised home a 3+ length winner. No published works since is a bit of a concern but the fact that Castellano sees fit to take the leg up and his 5 for 11 lifetime mark are a good trade off……………………..Unbridled Juan always fires his best shot as his impressive 25 on the board finishes in 29 career races would indicate. I am expecting more of the same in this spot……………………….Runnin’toluvya owns this oval. This obscurely bred speedster sports a record of 11 wins and 2 seconds in 14 tries over it, including being 2 for 2 at this rare, three turn distance. His prep race for this should set him up well for a good effort here and the last time he went nine furlongs on this “bull ring” track, he ran the last furlong in :13 seconds flat. If he repeats that race here, he could be a menace……………………Honorable Mentions: Mongolian Groom could be ready to ambush this field. This $12,000 son of Hightail seems to be very quietly improving. After he beat an allowance field two back, he surprised a lot of people when finishing third at 53-1 in the Santa Anita Handicap behind the streaking Gift Box and the talented McKinzie. He meets no such rivals here………………………With this being his third start off a layoff and firing a bullet half mile last week, Nanoosh is another who is setup to run very well in this spot. No surprise if he is “hanging and banging” in deep stretch of this race……………………………..Couple of other side notes in this race: Rally Cry hails from the powerhouse PletcheJohnny V. tag team. This son of Uncle Mo will only be making his third start in the last 18 months but it must be noted he has chased the likes of Gun Runner, Diversify and Yoshida in the past and didn’t do all THAT badly……..I have no idea what to do with War Story as his inconsistencies can make you nuts………………I’m not a big fan of Imperative either but this is his favorite surface……..Something Awesome has been something awful so far this year but does have the back class to run well. Laurel Race Course Race: 10 (5:42 PM EST Post) Federico Tesio Stakes This race might be the one of easiest ones we’ll see all year. It’s so easy, I almost passed on doing it but I didn’t because I want to make sure you folks know about Alwaysmining, who is 6 for 7 at Laurel and 0 for 4 everywhere else. I know this son of Stay Thirsty looks like the logical “Horse for the Course” angle play, but I believe it goes further than that. This colt seems to have turned the corner in his career back in October and since, has rattled off five straight wins, including three by lopsided margins and four in Stakes races. With rain being projected on Saturday in Maryland, there is no worries about him handling an off track as he’s done it twice before. There is no such thing as a sure thing, but this gelding looks about as close as you can get to one…….next stop for him? Preakness Stakes……………As for the rest of this field, play “Pin the tail on the Donkey”. That said, I’ll take Majid for the place spot as, although taking a serious class hike, he has improved through all four career starts. Further improvement expected here………………..I’ll take Bozzini for the “show dough”. This ‘Miah trainee will also be taking a big step up in class but has run very well in both starts on this oval. …………….Honorable Mentions: If the rains stay away, take a look at Trifor Gold as well. This bay gelding also seems to be improving and has run well in two of three fast track starts but not well at all on either off track tries. Santa Anita Park Race: 5 (6PM EST Post) Kona Gold Stakes Dr. Dorr might be better known as Game Winner’s workmate in the mornings more than anything else. That said, this talented six year old chased a runaway winner in his last which was also his 2019 debut. Last year, in his last several races, he chased the likes of Accelerate (twice) Catalina Cruiser and Diversify……he meets no such rivals here, sports an impressive 9-5-2-0 record on this surface and is 2 for 2 at this distance… ……………………..Although Kanthaka hasn’t won a horse race of any kind in almost a full calendar year, he still figures close in this race. This $140,000 son of Jimmy Creed finished right behind Dr. Dorr last time out and valiantly chased two time Champion Sprinter Roy H in his prior. Clearly looks next best in this spot…………………………..The well named All Out Blitz ran very well two back while finishing a close up fifth in the Razorback Handicap, then came with a brazen, five wide run on the turn to win a Stakes race at Sunland Park at this distance in his last. Looks best of the rest in this short field of five. By: Gerard Apadula Director of Equine Operations and Development Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) 2019- Record: 24-78 = 31% 2018- Record: 107-261= 41% 2017- Record: 92-235 = 39% 2016- Record: 91-229 = 40% 2015- Record: 67-180 = 37% 2014- Record: 29-73 = 40% 2013- Record: 20-59= 34% 2012 -Record: 24-73= 33% 2011 –Record: N/A 2010- Record: 24-74= 33% Little Bets N’ Pieces ***** Catholic Boy, a Grade: 1 winner on the turf and dirt last year, is targeting the $250,000 Dixie Stakes on the Preakness Day undercard May 18 at Pimlico for his 4 year old debut, said majority owner Robert LaPenta. Catholic Boy, who won the Travers Stakes and the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes, won three of six starts last year and has career earnings of $1,842,000. The ridgling by More Than Ready has been training at Bridlewood Farm in Florida and worked four furlongs in :50 1/5 last Saturday. "Jonathan sent me some videos of Catholic Boy working, and he looks phenomenal," said LaPenta. "The Dixie will be the comeback race if all goes well." LaPenta also mentioned Coal Front, who won the March 30 Godolphin Mile, has returned to the United States and will get a few weeks rest at WinStar Farm near Versailles, KY before returning to training and then the races, with the June 8 Met Mile at Belmont Park as his main goal . "Todd likes to give his horses some time to decompress after racing in Dubai, and Coal Front just got back to the United States (April 9). He'll get some time at WinStar, and the Met Mile is on our calendar," LaPenta said. ***\* Champion Female Sprinter La Verdad foaled a Curlin filly at Darley in Lexington Apr. 5. The 11 time Stakes, who earner of over $1.5 million on the racetrack, produced last year’s top priced filly at Keeneland November Sales. Her weanling by Tapit brought $800,000 from Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm and Three Chimneys. Owner Sheila Rosenblum said, “We are extremely pleased with the foal and the care she is receiving at Darley. Several prominent horsemen have told me that she is a standout. La Verdad holds a special place in my heart. I am looking to provide every opportunity to have her become as influential a producer as she was a racemare, having bred her to Medaglia d’Oro, Tapit, and Curlin.” The 9-year-old mare is currently booked to be bred back to Into Mischief. **** Maximus Mischief, the winner of last year's Grade: 2 Remsen Stakes, has been retired from racing due to a soft tissue injury. Trained by Butch Reid, the absolutely gorgeous, $340,000 Fasig-Tipton purchase will be “shopped around” stud farms in Kentucky in search of his new home. “It’s a real shame,” said Chuck Zacney, whose Cash is King Stables owns the horse in partnership with Glenn Bennett’s LC Racing. “We had high hopes for this horse. It’s a tough sport, a tough game.” “Quite frankly, it’s a tendon tear,” Zacney said. “We went to vets and looked at it and they said he would need a minimum of six to nine months off. Then there would be training after that. We had already been getting calls from farms in Kentucky, so we had to make a choice between retiring him and trying to get him back racing. It was very unlikely that he would come back to his old status; it was highly unlikely he’d be as good. They said he’d be maybe 80 to 90% of what he was and it would not have been fair to do that to the horse.” “We had raised the possibility that he might race again,” Zacney said. “Now that that is off the table, we’re hearing again from farms in Kentucky and looking forward to finding him a nice home there and him having a great breeding career there.” Maximus Mischief is currently at Eisaman Equine in Ocala, FL.
Saturday, June 15, 2019 Churchill Downs Race: 5 (8:03PM EST Post) Matt Winn Stakes Mr. Money could not have looked any better winning the Pat Day Mile on this oval in his last. Good looking colt by Goldencents split horses while taking command of the race leaving the half mile pole and opened up on the field down the lane. He gets the “Horse for the Course” angle here also as he is 2 for 3 on this track and 0 for 4 everywhere else. Lastly, he shows four excellent recent works, signaling to me he is holding good form…..looks best……………………Nolo Contesto is a $385,000 ridgling son of the late Pioneerof the Nile who chased the talented Roadster twice in his last two races. He will meet no such rival in this race, making him a logical contender…………………….If you draw a line though the Risen Star Stakes and Louisiana Derby, where Limonite was overmatched, you’ll see he sports a 5-2-1-2 record including two strong races vs. lesser in the slop. At this writing, there is rain in the forecast for Louisville on Saturday and a wet track could help this stretch runner quite a bit in this spot………………Honorable Mentions: Proverb set a fast pace in his last, understandably tired in deep stretch and checked in third. What I found interesting about that race was, although he was a tired horse, he did run the last furlong in :13.1…that’s not bad. He has also improved speed figure wise through all five career starts and Calvin Bo -“rail”, who knows this track like the back of his hand, gets the leg up……………………..Signalman has chased Code of Honor, Vekoma and War of Will (in the Preakness) in his three starts this year, so he too will be taking a class drop in here. Truth be told, he just doesn’t look like he’s come back the same way as his very strong year last year. If there is anything left in the tank, this would be the spot for him to demonstrate that. Race: 6 (8:37PM EST Post) Wise Dan Stakes El Picaro makes his U.S debut in this spot after sporting a 7-5-2-0 record, including three Group: 1 wins, in his native county of Chile. The son of Lookin’ at Lucky gets first time Lasix here and the services of Javier Castellano. Slight edge in wide open, 14 horse field……………….…Admission Office proved his record of 6-3-3-0 is no fluke as, after a poor break and some traffic issues, he was rolling through the stretch and just missed catching Grade: 1 winner on dirt and turf, Catholic Boy in his last. Not sure what the slow works coming into this are all about, but he looms a threat regardless………………Inspector Lynley always fires his best shot. The now six year old by Lemon Drop Kid has won two of four this year and finished within shouting distance of Older Male Turf Division leader Bricks and Mortar three starts back………………..Honorable Mentions: I hate to put Itsinthepost, who is a multiple Grade: 2 Stakes winner, this far down as I’ve cashed in on him several times last year. However, even though his work line is littered with long, stamina building works, he will be making his first start in almost a year and his trainer is just 4 for 60 with horses coming back off of 90 day or more layoffs…………………………..Cullum Road has run very well in his first two starts this year, could be a menace with the third start off the layoff angle here………….Few other side notes about this race:March to the Arch drops in here after chasing Bricks and Mortar in a Grade: 1 last time out…………Although Hot Springs has disappointed in his first two starts this year, he is 4 for 5 on this turf course………………..Bourbon Resolution will be making his turf debut in this spot but his turf work on June 2 was eye catching good. Race: 7 (9:12PM EST Post) Fleur de Lis Stakes Elate is a two time Grade: 1 winner who chased pro-tem Older Female Division leader Midnight Bisou in her last two races and was “right there” at the end of both. She is the best horse on paper, but have age and several key injuries recently taken their toll? ……………She’s a Julie has improved leaps and bounds from last summer to now including taking down a Grade: 1 on this oval last time out. Versatile filly by Elusive Quality is 3 for 5 on this surface and the Asmussen/Santana Jr. team is always tough……………………….Blue Prize needed her last when chasing She’s a Julie last time out as it was her first start in exactly six months. Grade: 1 winning filly is another who likes this track (7-3-2-1 over it), this distance (9-4-3-1) and should be “tighter” in this her second start…..figures bang up……………….If you are hunting a long shot in this race, check out Auspicious Babe, who has done next to nothing in five races since December and was beaten by high level optionals last time out, but is 3 for 6 on this oval and 0 for 6 everywhere else. Race: 8 (9:47PM EST Post) Stephen Foster Stakes Gift Box rattled off three straight wins, including the Grade: 2 San Antonio Stakes and gamely outgunning the mega talented McKinzie in the Santa Anita Handicap, before just missing in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita in his last. Gray six year old is clearly in career form right now and has two strong, recent works signaling to me he is holding form. Slight edge in very competitive field…………………With $2.1 million in the bank, Yoshida towers over this field in the earnings department. He also has the rare distinction of being a Grade: 1 winner on both turf and dirt. This Bill Mott trainee chased Accelerate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Bricks and Mortar in the Pegasus Turf World Cup and Thunder Snow in the Dubai World Cup in his last three races, so this is clearly a heavy drop in class for him. The only reason I put him in the place spot is I always like to “see one” from horses coming back from Dubai as you never know how that trip will affect them………………………….Tom’s d’Etat clearly likes winning (6 for 11 lifetime) and clearly likes this track as well (5-2-2-0). This $330,000 son of Smart Strike led to the top of the stretch in his last (Grade: 2 Alysheba Stakes), was only passed by McKinzie (which is understandable) and note it was almost four lengths back to the show horse that day . His speed figures, which are on par with the top contenders in this race, also say he could be a menace…………………..Honorable Mentions: Alkhaatam is giving me every indication he is, not only sitting on a big race, but is about to have a coming out party. This gray son of Tapit won his first two starts this year by a combined 10 ½ lengths (so you get the third start off the layoff angle) while recording solid closing fractions; last furlong :12 second flat under a hand ride two back and the last quarter in :24.4 in his last. He has also trained brilliantly for the past six weeks (4 bullet works) and could easily outrun this rating…………………..On top of winning the Jim Dandy last year and the Pimlico Special last time out, Tenfold’s claim to fame is running Justify to three quarters of a length in the 2018 Preakness Stakes. This very handsome son of Curlin merits a look even though it took him a pedestrian like :26 seconds to “get” the final quarter in his last race/win……………………………Few other side notes about this race: Quip appears to be back in top form after annexing the Oaklawn Handicap in his last……..Seeking the Soul has just two wins in the 19 months but returns to what is clearly his favorite surface (11-3-2-4 at Churchill)……………..With rain in the forecast, note that Exulting, a $500,000 son of Tapit, does his best running over wet tracks. Race: 9 (10:19PM EST Post) Regret Stakes Varenka chased, and finished very well, against Newspaperofrecord last year including finishing a respectable fifth in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly Turf race. Good looking filly by the wickedly fast Ghostzapper was impressive winning her 2019 debut and can handle some give in the turf course should it rain…………………..Princesa Carolina wired an Allowance field in her last while coming home the last three sixteenths in a strong :17.4 seconds. This daughter of Tapit also ran big in a pair of Grades Stakes races prior to that including one on a soft turf course. Looms an obvious threat in this spot…………………….Gamblin Train has either won or has been “right there” at the end of all five races thus far this year. Stretch runner by Bullet Train (Frankel’s half brother) should be coming late once again in this spot………………………….Honorable Mentions: Winter Sunset won her first two starts and is another who has fared very well vs. Graded Stakes runners in her last two…..could better this rating…………….Delta’s Kingdom is still another stretch runner who has fired in every turf race she’s been in. Steps up here but could be a menace late in this one. By: Gerard Apadula Director of Equine Operations and Development Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) 2019- Record: 35-105 = 33% 2018- Record: 107-261= 41% 2017- Record: 92-235 = 39% 2016- Record: 91-229 = 40% 2015- Record: 67-180 = 37% 2014- Record: 29-73 = 40% 2013- Record: 20-59= 34% 2012 -Record: 24-73= 33% 2011 –Record: N/A 2010- Record: 24-74= 33% Little Bets N’ Pieces: **** Omaha Beach, who I still believe is the best three year old male in the land, left WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky., this past Monday and is scheduled to arrive back in California by plane to trainer Richard Mandella's barn, Fox Hill's Rick Porter said. The War Front colt was the morning line favorite for the May 4 Kentucky Derby after winning the Arkansas Derby and Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, but was scratched three days earlier due to an entrapped epiglottis. He had throat surgery May 3 at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., and was sent to WinStar Farm afterward. The good looking colt was originally scheduled to leave May 18, but Dr. Rolf Embertson, who performed the surgery, felt Omaha Beach's healing was slower than he had hoped. "Mandella wanted to make sure that we scoped him before we put him on the plane, and he scoped A-OK this morning," Porter said Monday. "It was a little slow in healing, but he's healed." Porter added that they “hope to have Omaha Beach back to the races by late summer at Saratoga”. **** Menifee, a two time Grade: 1 winner and who made one of the biggest late runs in the stretch of the (1999) Kentucky Derby as I’ve seen, died from an apparent heart attack this past Thursday at the age of 23 according to the website Horse Racing in Korea, where the stallion stood since 2007. Menifee was retired from racing and stood at Stone Farm for a fee of $15,000 from 2000 to 2006 (except in 2004 when it was raised to $20,000.) In 2006, Menifee was sold to the KRA "Menifee adapted to life in Korea well. Always intelligent, the saying 'Menifee speaks Korean' became something of a cliché at the Jeju Stud Farm, as he quickly learned to respond to Korean words and phrases," the website states. From 18 crops, he sired five champions and six graded black-type winners. His progeny include Korean Triple Crown winner and 2017 Horse of the Year Power Blade, Korea's 2014 champion 3-year-old filly Queen's Blade, 2014 Korean Horse of the Year Gyeongbudaero, and U.S. Grade 1 winner Game Face, who is the dam of the talented but troubled Coliseum.
Previews of the Wood Memorial, Bluegrass Stakes, Santa Anita Derby and more
This is clearly one of the biggest weekends of the year in the sport of Horse Racing. Up until the last few days, I had no less than 17 races circled as races which loom large and should be looked at. Obviously, that’s too many, so I knocked it down to eight. I’m not sure which should be our highlighted race of the week as it could be any one of four. The Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York, the Bluegrass Stakes in Kentucky, the Santa Anita Derby, (all final and major Kentucky Derby prep races) and the Santa Anita Handicap in California, would all qualify, along with several other races this weekend, so I’ll let you decide. Along with those races each track will also carry a big under card as each has at least one Grade: 1 race as well. Moreover, starting with Coliseum in January and running right through to 72-1 maiden Bodeexpress finishing second in the Florida Derby last week, I will be skipping a week or two or maybe the next 106 of “my plays”. There has just been way too many horses who don’t figure into my style of handicapping running enormous, out of the blue races. Winning at a 30% clip might be ok for some people, but not for me. When times like these come about, and it has happened countless times through my almost 40 years, I found it best to back off, regroup and start again when I see my style of handicapping come back. Since we have so much to go over, I won’t bore you any longer, or with listing every race, let’s just get to work. Lastly, remember with such a wild weekend on tap, the races are broken out by tracks not post times. Saturday, April 6, 2019 Keeneland Racecourse Race: 8 (5:10 PM EST Post) Madison Stakes After losing the first race of her career by a half of a length, Late Night Pow Wow has rattled off an astounding 11 straight wins, including the Grade: 3 Barbara Fritchie in her last. This obscurely bred filly ran seven furlongs in a hot 1:21.4 that day. Don’t worry this will be her first start since (49 days), as she’s been training lights out lately, signaling another big effort is upcoming…………….2018 Champion Female Sprinter Shamrock Rose had every excuse imaginable in the Azeri Stakes on March 16. Filly by First Dude was making her first start of the year, was at a distance that was not her best, and her rider (David Cohen) used the wrong race tactics as she was facing not one, but two, upper echelon older females in training in Elate and Midnight Bisou. With the cut back to her best distance and a rider upgrade (Cohen to Irad Ortiz), I expect a much better performance here………………Grade: 1 winner Spiced Perfection also looms large in this spot as she was charging hard, late and just missed (head) behind Late Night Pow Wow in the Barbara Fritchie. Filly by sneaky good sire Smiling Tiger won three of her last four to end 2018 with a legitimate excuse (turf) in the one loss mixed in there…………………………Honorable Mentions: It looks as though the winter vacation Amy’s Challenge took did her a world of good as she has come back running in 2019. This speedy filly, who is 6 for 10 in her career, annihilated her foes in her first two starts this year and shows a ridiculously fast 4F (:45.3) two weeks ago. Albeit, she will be taking a huge step up in class and stretching out in distance, she figures to come out running again in this spot and be the one to catch late………..I hate to put America’s Tale this far down as this filly might be laying in the weeds, ready to ambush this field. If you draw a line through yet another failed turf race three back, you’ll see she’s won four straight including the Grade: 2 Inside Information at Gulfstream Park in her last. “Speed” rider Paco Lopez gets the leg up on this “speed” filly. Race: 9 (5:45 PM EST Post) Ashland Stakes 2018 Two Year Old Filly Champion Jaywalk was one of the bigger disappointments in her 2019 debut. This daughter of Cross Traffic stalked the early pace in the Davona Dale but had very little left in the tank down the lane and checked in fourth, beaten by almost six lengths. I’ll give this immensely talent horse a “mulligan” for that and come right back with her here…………….Restless Rider was one of the better two year old fillies last year. This well bred gray sports a 6-3-3-0 career record, including a Grade: 1 win and very good second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly last November. She has been training very well for her first start since, but I’m pretty sure, with much bigger goals down the road, she won’t be 100% for this test…………Chocolate Kisses was visually impressive coming from last, catapulting past horses with a 5 wide, sweeping move on the turn before roaring down the lane to the Honeybee Stakes at 7.50-1. I’m sure the screaming fast early pace in that race helped quite a bit but still….a repeat performance of that race here should put her among the vanguard at the wire……………Honorable Mentions: Feedback is another who might be ready to ambush this field. I really liked the way this filly by Violence won her first start (by 8 lengths, getting the last sixteenth in :06.3) and her follow up race, the Forward Gal Stakes, as she was pressured every step of the way but was dead game in winning it. Unbeaten speedster figures prominent throughout……………Bell’s the One is unbeaten in four starts while facing much lesser opponents. Good looking filly is 1 for 1 on this oval and shows a strong work last week over it as well…..outside shot……….Lady Kate is a $485,000 daughter of Bernardini who ran very well in both of her career starts. I love the bullet work on this surface last week too……..If you are shopping for a long-shot, take a gander at Bizwhacks, who although it took her eight starts to break her maiden, she ran a sneaky good third behind Chocolate Kisses in her last. Filly by Fed Biz has hit the board in eight of nine starts. Race: 10 (6:23PM EST Post) Bluegrass Stakes While looking at this race, I found something very interesting. Vekoma, based off his two wins last year and the first time Lasix using, excellent third to Code of Honor in his 2019 debut (March 2, Fountain of Youth Stakes), clearly looks like the best horse in this race and his 9/5 morning line odds reflect that. Before moving forward, take note he ran 8 ½ furlongs in about 1:44.1 over that “conveyor belt” they call Gulfstream Park. Now move over to track record holder for seven furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs Win Win Win. Note how, just seven days later over a track much deeper and much more tiring than GP, this colt was charging hard, late to get third in the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs at the same 8 ½ furlong distance. Yes, he was the beaten favorite but note how his final time was approximately 1:42.1 or 2 full seconds faster that Vekoma’s. That amounts to about a 10 length differential. (Although logical has nothing to do with the three year old division thus far) Logically, if he runs 10 lengths better than Vekoma under more difficult circumstances, wouldn’t it make sense to play Win Win Win on top here? Bottom line, based off that fact alone, I’ll take Win Win Win to win and Vekoma to come second………………….Signalman had a banner year last year. However, he disappointed in his 2019 debut, checking in seventh in the Fountain of Youth Stakes. Three straight, strong 5F works since should have him “tighter” for this………………Honorable Mentions: If Somelikeithotbrown can pull the same trick as Anothertwistafate (run just as well on the dirt as the synthetics) he’ll be tough here. This son of Big Brown looked super in winning both 2019 starts at Turfway Park and has hit the board in six of seven career starts……If you are hunting a longshot, take a peek at Sir Winston, who is on the improve, highlighted by making up nine lengths in the last 4 ½ furlongs of the Tampa Bay Derby and finished right behind Win Win Win in the process. Aqueduct Racetrack Race: 9 (5:22 PM EST Post) Carter Handicap It’s no secret I like World of Trouble quite a bit. This handsome, super fast son of Kantharos has won 6 of 10 in his career including a “just missed” second in none other than the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last fall. That race is sandwiched around four, mostly large margined wins and his last four speed figures overall (103, a colossal 118, 109 and 107) jump off the page. Although he draws the extreme outside post I expect him to make every pole a winning one…………………..Vino Rosso was at one time a strong Kentucky Derby prospect until Justify came along and the rest, as they say, is (literally) history. This $410,000 son of Curlin took nearly seven months off but made a successful return to the races when stalking the early pace, using a five wide move on the turn and taking down the Stymie Handicap on March 9. Lastly, note he is 3 for 3 at the Big A and just 1 for 7 everywhere else. Can you say “Horse for the Course” angle?.......................Identity Politics has never been off the board in six career starts including circling the entire field in the prestigious Malibu Stakes and finishing second to one of the top older horses in training today (McKinzie). This $350,000 son of Into Mischief, with his 1-4-1 record, does seem to have a touch of “second-itis” but is an exotics threat nonetheless……………Honorable Mentions: Albeit vs. lesser competition, Honor Up has rattled off three straight wins (four of his last five), but his speed figures and having the guts of a cat burglar both suggest he could be competitive in this spot. The 6-4-2-0 career record on this oval is also an attention getter…………….Should probable long shot Sir Ballentine duplicate his last performance, where he beat mid-level optionals at this distance and on this oval while getting 7F in 1:22 flat, he could be a menace. Race: 10 (6:00PM EST Post) Wood Memorial You can make an argument that Tacitus might be the best bred horse in training today. This gray colt, who has big, beautiful stride, is by super sire Tapit out of 5 time Grade: 1 winner Close Hatches, appears to be getting good at just the right time. Although a fast early pace help him considerably, he rallied from some 10-11 lengths behind at first call of the Tampa Bay Derby but came “over the top” to win going away. The Bill Mott trainee is visually begging for more distance and he’ll get just that in this spot, all he needs is a pace to run into….gets the call in a very difficult race to figure………………..Haikal is a neck shy of being 4 for 4 in his career. He is another who was aided by a wickedly fast pace when coming from way out to win the Gotham last time out. This son of Daaher’s, will be trying two turns for the first time, has speed figures that are climbing steadily (79, 85, 84 and 95) signaling improvement as the distances get longer. That stat is backed up by regular rider Rajiv Maragh: "I'll be disappointed if he doesn't improve at two turns," said Maragh, "The great thing about him is that we haven't seen the best of him yet. He hasn't hit his ceiling. So he just might be a superstar horse who gets better each time."………………………I hate to put Tax this far down, I really do. This colt by Arch was dead game in winning the Withers on this oval last time out and all reports indicate he has looked sensational in the mornings. Trainer Danny Gargan, who has a really cute dog that he takes everywhere, is beaming with confidence: "He's been training phenomenal. He couldn't work any better. He's really good right now. I just hope we get a clean trip."……………….Honorable Mentions: Outshine is a $625,000 son of Malibu Moon who finished right behind Tacticus in the Tampa Bay Derby after whipping $75,000 optionals previously. Still another with rising speed figures and you get the third start off the layoff angle………………Hoffa’s Union looked like a world beater when breaking his maiden by 15 ½ lengths and scoring a 95 speed figure in his racing debut at Laurel. Gelding by Union Rags could be any kind…………..Just a few other side notes: Final Jeopardy improved dramatically when stretched out in distance in his last………Overdeliver won his debut and then gamely chased Win Win Win in a track record setting performance……..Joevia is your long shot in this spot. By Shanghai Bobby, he finished a neck behind Haikal two back at 18-1 then gamely chased the streaking Alwaysmining at Laurel in his last……Unfortunately Not That Brady, after rattling off four strong races in a row, looks like a complete throw out in this spot. The son of Big Brown out of the heart warming story of Lisa’s Booby Trap, was basically pulled up in the stretch of the Gotham and was beaten by a no exaggeration 75 lengths. Rumors continue to swirl he bled through Lasix in that race and is nursing a quarter crack as well. That’s too bad, the story behind is dam is a special one. Santa Anita Park Race: 3 (4:00PM EST Post) Santa Anita Oaks Bellafina is a gorgeous, $800,000 daughter of Quality Road who is 5 for 7 in her career and 3 for 3 on this oval. As I said two weeks ago before she scratched out of the Sunland Park Oaks, she looked terrific in winning her first start of the year while in nothing more than an in hand gallop. She came back, stretched out in distance and although the finish was closer than her connections would have wanted, it was understandable. After ripping a half mile in :46.1 over a heavy track labeled “good”, she had every right to tire towards the end…..narrow margin is a super, duper competitive horse race……………….Chasing Yesterday broke poorly and was extremely wide her entire journey but was still able to win the aforementioned Sunland Park Oaks conclusively. This Grade: 1 winning, half sister of the great American Pharoah wheels back on two weeks rest in this spot so fitness won’t be an issue nor will the distance as she is 2 for 2 at 8 ½ furlongs……………………Flor de La Mar is a $500,000, Amazonian filly by Tiznow who couldn’t have looked any better in winning at first asking. Throw out the NW1X race last time out when she went down in flames as the 3/5 favorite as she never looked comfortable on the sloppy track. You could see she was struggling mightily leaving the half mile pole. Mega talented filly is being asked a lot of in this spot, but Baffert doesn’t put them where they don’t belong. Race: 8 (6:30PM EST Post) Santa Anita Derby Although Two Year Old Colt Champion Game Winner suffered his first career defeat in the Rebel last time out, it must be noted he ran a huge race. Colt by Candy Ride was making his first start in 4 ½ months and looked hopelessly beaten on the turn for home and into the lane. In fact, he hung slightly at the sixteenth pole but then turned on the afterburners only to come up a whisker short on the wire. Two strong subsequent works since, including a bullet 6F move 5 days ago, should have him cranked most of the way up for this…………………The vaunted Instagrand, a $1.2 million purchase won his first two starts by colossal margins but was put away for eight months, chased a wickedly fast pace in the Gotham in his comeback race March 9. All things considered (the race tactics employed by Castellano and his first race off a long layoff) I though he ran very well to get the “show dough” in that spot. That race, and back to back bullet 5F works, should have him tighter for this…………..You KNOW this is good horse race when I have to put Roadster in the third slot. This $525,000 son of Quality Road could not have looked any better while beating NW1x other than’s in his first start back in almost six months due to a leg injury. I loved the way he was moving down the lane and the fact he got the last quarter mile in an excellent :24.2. His speed figures are strong and consistent and Big Money Mike gets the leg up………………….Honorable Mention: Nolo Contesto is a talented and improving son of the late Pioneerof the Nile. But the fact still remains, other than an awkward start, he was beaten fair and square by Roadster last time out. Race: 10 (7:30PM EST Post) Santa Anita Handicap McKinzie is the very handsome colt by Street Sense who is clearly one of the better older males in training today even with a tough beat to the late Battle of Midway in his last. Bay colt is 5 for 8 in his career, 5-3-2-0 on this surface and I love the work pattern coming into this. The only concern is the 10 furlongs as that might be his Achilles heel. Past that, he looks much the best here………………..Gift Box is razor sharp right now. This six year old by Twirling Candy is about a head away from coming into this riding a four race wins streak, topped off by winning the traditional prep race for this, the San Antonio Handicap….clearly the main threat to McKinzie here……………….I’ll be keeping an eye on Campaign, who is a $675,000 son of Curlin, as he ran huge in his first start for new trainer John Sadler last time out………………….Honorable Mention: Prime Attraction has shown improved early speed in his last two starts and could be a long shot menace if left alone on an uncontested lead in this spot. By: Gerard Apadula Director of Equine Operations and Development Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) 2019- Record: 19-64 = 30% (My Plays: -$2,314.14) 2018- Record: 107-261= 41% 2017- Record: 92-235 = 39% 2016- Record: 91-229 = 40% 2015- Record: 67-180 = 37% 2014- Record: 29-73 = 40% 2013- Record: 20-59= 34% 2012 -Record: 24-73= 33% 2011 –Record: N/A 2010- Record: 24-74= 33% Little Bets N’ Pieces **** Another one bites the dust: Portland Meadows, owned by The Stronach Group, will be closing their doors for good in June. A report indicates the 63-acre property will become an “urban logistics facility.” Opened in 1946, Portland Meadows offered both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racing. It was the first track to offer night racing and also hosted concerts for major acts. The Stronach Group acquired the property in 2011. **** Monomoy Girl is recovering from a mild case of colic that is expected to sideline her for about three weeks and will prevent her from making her eagerly awaited 4 year old debut May 3 in the $500,000 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs. Monomoy Girl is at WinStar Farm near Versailles, KY., and will be re-evaluated next week to determine when she can resume training. Trainer Brad Cox hopes to have her back in his barn by May 1. "It's unfortunate," Cox said. "The timing is not good, but it is what it is and we have to put the horse first." Cox added the $700,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont Park June 8 may be a "possibility" for her season debut because she has not lost much fitness in the last week, but added that he will not decide on her next start until "she puts in a good (five-furlong) workout." **** 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify will shuttle to Coolmore Australia for the 2019 Southern Hemisphere breeding season, where he will stand for a private fee. Justify will stand alongside fellow Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. “Justify (a son of Scat Daddy) was a phenomenal racehorse who re-wrote the history books through his achievements on the track. It is an absolute privilege to stand him at Coolmore Australia alongside our other Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who has already been so well supported by Australasian breeders” said Coolmore Australia Principal, Tom Magnier. “Scat Daddy was an incredible sire who has made an instant impact as a sire of sires and we look forward to standing his best son in Jerry’s Plains.” **** Lady Pauline, a half sister to Lady Aurelia, will make her racing debut Friday at Keeneland in a 4 1/2-furlong sprint. The filly will break from post 9 with Johnny V. in the irons.
Gulfstream Park West Race: 4 (1:26 PM EST Post) Sunshine Millions Classic Preview Art G Is Back is 0 for 6 on the turf and 4 for 6 on the dirt, so he’ll clearly be returning to his favorite surface in this spot. If you ignore the two turf races in his last five starts, you’ll see three straight, convincing (dirt) wins. Gray colt by Exchange Rate is tactical and draws a good post here…..looks best……………..The almost white, very popular, veteran Mr. Jordan has been beaten by a combined 36 lengths in his last two starts. Having said that, this guy must be considered being he is 5 for 5 on this oval and has been on the board in 9 of 11 starts at this distance…………….Richard the Great came back running off a 13 month layoff when he wired a field of $35,000 claimers by a colossal margin last time out. Seven year old by Distorted Humor steps up and stretches out here but the question is, does he “bounce” of such a humongous effort or does he improve further? Your call from there. Aqueduct Racetrack Race: 8 (3:20 PM EST Post) Artie Schiller Stakes I found this race tough to figure as 7 or 8 of them have chance. What was not tough to figure is, with several early burners in here, the pace figures to be wicked fast. That said, logically, I looked at the late runners and came up with Frontier Market, who has been first or second in 10 of 11 careers starts. The six year old by Lemon Drop Kid was flying low, late and just missed in his last, the rail post is winning at a 28% clip early in this meet and arguably the best rider in the country gets the leg up…………….Narrow margin over Caribou Club who also does his best running late, has 9 career wins (second most in the field) and finished in front of my top choice last time out……………..Dr. Edgar has good speed, drops in class and cuts back in distance here. This six year old son of Lookin’ at Lucky’s last race was first rate as he set the pace vs. much better and was still hanging around in deep stretch. Also note, although being run down late in that last race, he did get the final furlong in a very good :12.1…could easily outrun this rating………………..….Honorable Mentions. Linda Rice appears to have the extremely popular Voodoo Song back in top form based off his last two races. Although he loves this distance, I only put him this far down because he’s in against opens and his last several races vs. open company were ….meh….not so great………...........Gidu see Dr. Edgar as this $457,000 son of Frankel, who remains one of the best I’ve ever seen, as he has good speed and tumbles in class quite a bit……………….Golden Brown had won 3 of his prior 4 before chasing the talented Coal Front in his last. Gelding by Offlee Wild is 3 for 6 on the turf and could be a menace in this spot at what will most likely be some hefty odds………………….Curlin’s Honor is a $1,500,000 son of Curlin who invades from Canada after being “right there” at the wire in Grade: 2 and Grade: 3 races in his last couple of races, so this should be a drop in class for him as well. Churchill Downs Race: 10 (5:36 PM EST Post) Commonwealth Turf Stakes Spectacular Gem has crossed the finish line first in 3 of his 4 turf starts, including back to back Stakes races. Obscurely bred, good looking colt appears to be in career form right now as well………………Tracksmith has yet to run a bad race in 2019 including making a big, late run at my top choice last time out. Figures bang up here…………….Tiz Plus has won 5 of his last 6 including winning a three pronged stretch battle last time out. Steps up but in his current form, he could be a menace late…………………Honorable Mentions: Faraway Kitten finished within shouting distance of my top choice last time out, is 3 for 4 at this distance sports a 12-5-0-3 overall record……………Pirate’s Punch has improved leap and bounds since the 4th of July but tries turf for the first time here. What’s rule #1 in Horse Racing Betting 101? That right…..“Never bet a horse who is trying something for the first time”. Of course, his trainer being 0 for 10 with turf debut runners doesn’t help either. By: Gerard Apadula Director of Equine Operations and Development Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team [email protected] 2019- Record: 76-222 = 34% 2018- Record: 107-261= 41% 2017- Record: 92-235 = 39% 2016- Record: 91-229 = 40% 2015- Record: 67-180 = 37% 2014- Record: 29-73 = 40% 2013- Record: 20-59= 34% 2012 -Record: 24-73= 33% 2011 –Record: N/A 2010- Record: 24-74= 33% Little Bets N’ Pieces **** Thunder Snow, the first horse ever to win back-to-back Dubai World Cups, has been retired from racing. Breeding plans are still in the works for the globetrotting, fan favorite. **** Blue Prize, the upset winner of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff last weekend, sold for an eye popping $5 million at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sales earlier this week. **** Lil Indy, the dam of multiple Grade:1 winner Maximum Security, sold to Summer Wind Equine for $1.85 million. A 12-year-old daughter of Anasheed, Lil Indy was consigned by Lane's End as Hip 13. She is believed to be in foal to Quality Road **** Yoshida has been retired and will stand the upcoming breeding season at WinStar Farm. He will stand for $20,000. “Yoshida proved to be a versatile racehorse, winning prestigious Grade: 1 races on dirt and turf,” said Sean Tugel, director of bloodstock services and assistant racing manager at WinStar. “He is out of a very fast Grade 1-winning mare and brings back the Sunday Silence/Halo blood to America through his sire Heart’s Cry. He is an outstanding physical that possesses heart as a racehorse that everyone is looking to breed into their foals.” **** Two-time Grade 1 winner Paradise Woods has officially been retired from racing. The 5-year-old daughter of Union Rags finished last of 11 in the aforementioned Breeders' Cup Distaff. Trainer John Shirreffs mentioned she will be sent to Lane's End Farm to begin a broodmare career. Paradise Woods retires with earnings of $1,123,890 and a record of 5-3-3 from 18 career starts.
Just a quick note before we get started. I didn’t spend a lot of time looking at the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine, which is Canada’s version of the Kentucky Derby, but I did notice a few things. Avie’s Flatter is the 5/2 morning line favorite and rightfully so as he is 4 for 6 in his career, 2 for 2 at Woodbine and has faced better in his last two. His main competition might come from Desert Ride, a filly who drew the rail but has shown strong late runs in all four career races while winning three of them. 8-1 on the morning line is generous for the daughter of Candy Ride. Second choice on the morning line Sky Wire, who is 3 for 5 in his career, likes this oval, should relish the stretch out in distance and should be “revved up” for this after recording several strong works in the mornings including a 5F move in :58 flat two weeks ago. Saturday, June 29, 2019 Belmont Park Race: 7: (4:45 PM EST Post) Perfect Sting Stakes I found it difficult to separate the top two in here…… That said, I’ll go with Bellavais, who although finishing off the board both times, this $485,000 daughter of Tapit chased turf filly super star Rushing Fall in Grade: 1 races in her last two. Take note of that race last as this mare, who will obviously be taking an enormous class drop, was beaten by less than three lengths in a mile run in a supersonic 1:31.3. You should also note this mare flying low in the last quarter of that race as well, getting that distance in a smoking :22.1……….narrow (mostly fitness) margin over Uni, who I like quite a bit and rattled off four straight wins over four different turf courses and over three different turf conditions (important with rain predicted for the N.Y. area this weekend) last year including a Grade:1 win in California to end the year. Five year old mare by More Than Ready passed an impressive nine horses from the quarter pole to the wire in that race. Although she could not be training any better for this, it is still her first race in almost seven months. Albeit, she has run well off layoffs throughout her career, I think/hope she might “need one”……………………...Mrs. Ramona G always fires her best shot as her 7 on the board finishes out of 10 career tries would indicate and she clearly (2 for 3) like this turf course. Race: 8 (5:18 PM EST Post) Mother Goose Stakes The 2019 Mother Goose Stakes is Dunbar Road’s to lose as this gorgeous $350,000 daughter of Quality Road towers over this field in talent. She is a half length shy of being unbeaten in three starts and her last, over surface labeled “good,” was her best race yet. This is important being there is rain being forecasted in NY on Saturday…….down the road here………………Jeltrin is the “Rodney Dangerfield” of the three year old filly division thus far this year. This $7,000 filly by Tapizar continues to go off at huge odds then promptly outran those odds in four of her last five races, highlighted by winning the Grade: 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park and paying $105.00 to win. Other races include going off at 125-1 in the Forward Gal Stakes yet finished fourth being beaten by less than three lengths and in her last where she ran a very respectable third in the Grade: 1 Acorn Stakes at 46-1 while chasing that juggernaut they call Guarana. She is untested in the wet but this race looks like a good fit for her……………….……Although Safta is a maiden only winner in four career starts, she poses a threat based off her consistent mid 80’s BSF, the fact she loves a wet track and she has never been worse than second in two tries over “Big Sandy”………………….Honorable Mentions: Cassies Dreamer also merits consideration in this spot. If you draw a line through her abysmal Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly effort, you’ll find a stretch runner who has hit the board in back to back Grade: 1’s last year and a horse who ran big in slop last time out. Could conceivably better this rating…........…Classic Fit is by the corvette looking Bernardini and has improved through each of her first four career starts. Good looking bay filly has won three straight vs. softer out of town and “first time Lasix” users always get my attention. Gulfstream Park Race: 12 (5:30 PM EST Post) Princess Rooney Stakes Diamond Oops comes back to her favorite surface/track (3 for 4 on the Gulfstream Park dirt) after chasing the ridiculously fast Word of Trouble in a Grade: 1 turf race in NY last time out. Note how she was only beaten by less than four lengths in a six furlong race run in a mind boggling quick 1:06.1. Also notice, with rain being predicted for south Florida on Saturday, that this daughter of Lookin’ at Lucky ran (speed figure wise) the best race of her life in her one and only try over a sloppy track……..narrowest of margins over Jalen Journey who, after finishing fourth in his debut, pulverized her foes in her next and last three races, winning by wide margins and scoring stout speed figures. This $14,000 daughter of With Distinction (Storm Cat) should come firing out of the gate once again and play “catch me if you can” in this spot. Steps up but could take them “coast to coast” here…………………..Garter and Tie has methodically worked her way back into top form, highlighted by winning her last by a colossal margin while getting 6 ½ furlongs in an excellent 1:15.4. Tread lightly if it does rain however as she is 0 for 2 on wet tracks…………..Honorable Mentions: Cautious Giant is also in good form right now, has hit the board in an astounding 13 of 14 career tries on this oval and doesn’t mind the wet going…………………Royal Squeeze is razor sharp right now after winning four straight vs. lesser. Veteran takes a steep step up in class but note 8 of her 10 career wins have come at Gulfstream Park……………I like Fast Pass’s running style and it might help her quite a bit in the spot. Stretch runner by Successful Appeal is still another who comes into this in excellent form and could be coming late once again in this spot. Race: 13 (6:02 PM EST Post) Smile Sprint Stakes Stormy Embrace ran a hole in the wind while blowing out a restricted Stakes field in her last on this oval. This five year old mare won by 10 while getting seven panels in a rapid 1:21.2. Moreover, she chased Dream Pauline, who would have been 1/5 in here, in her last two and finished within shouting distance both times with both being in the slop. Logical choice for me but a slight “bounce” hesitation being that last race was her first in almost four months and she shows just one slow work since…………………………Saguaro Row is three for six in her career, topped off by beating mid level optionals in the Belmont slop (no easy task) last time out. Good looking filly by Union Rags has been steadily improving throughout her career….looks next best here……………………Trenchtown Cat cruised in her last, which was her first try on the dirt after being a Stakes winner on the turf two starts back. Filly by the gorgeous Discreet Cat came home in a very good :06.3 in that race and has trained ok in the slop……………………..Honorable Mentions: Razorback Lady has speed, the rail and although stepping up in class, she cuts back in distance. Note the very impressive eight on the board finishes in nine career starts at Gulfstream Park…………………..Royal Asscher clobbered lesser in her last two and has never been off the board at Gulstream Park… Long shot possibility? Churchill Downs Race: 10 (5:26 PM EST Post) Debutante Stakes Magic Dance was sensational winning her debut on this surface about three weeks ago. Filly by More Than Ready won by almost five, going away lengths, and stopped the clock in an excellent :57.3 for 5F…right back here………………..Indy Takes Charge was also impressive winning her debut on this oval on May 31 except she finished 5F in :58.3, which is mathematically about five lengths slower than Magic Dance……………………..Cholula Lips wired maidens at 21-1 at Santa Anita her first time out and has trained well subsequently. Big question is how will she adapt from Santa Anita surface to the quirky Churchill surface, which are vastly different?....................Honorable Mention: I can’t seem to throw out Megan Marie, who broke her maiden by five two starts back then came with a solid, four wide run on the turn to get second against allowance foes in her Churchill debut. She is giving me every indication the stretch out in distance here will help her tremendously. Race: 11 (5:59 PM EST Post) Bashford Manor Stakes Rowdy Yates was visually impressive wiring maidens in his initial journey in his career and on the surface. Handsome colt by Morning Line came home the last furlong and a half in a snappy :18.2 while being eased up on in deep stretch………….Yet another narrow margin over Phantom Boss, who just missed behind the unbeaten and seemingly talented Fore Left in his debut then came back and hammered Cal State Bred maidens in his last. Colt by Shackleford clearly looms a major threat in this spot………………….Rookie Salsa won his first two then also chased Fore Left in the Tremont Stakes in NY last time out……………Honorable Mentions: The cleverly named Snell Yeah launched a brazen move on the turn for home but hung a bit down the lane in his last, improving quite a bit off his first career race. Outside shot here with further improvement………………..Silent Malice quietly made up a lot of ground late in his last after a nightmare trip. Colt by Palace Malice also improved greatly from his racing debut and also rates a chance here with further improvement. By: Gerard Apadula Director of Equine Operations and Development Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) 2019- Record: 40-115 = 35% 2018- Record: 107-261= 41% 2017- Record: 92-235 = 39% 2016- Record: 91-229 = 40% 2015- Record: 67-180 = 37% 2014- Record: 29-73 = 40% 2013- Record: 20-59= 34% 2012 -Record: 24-73= 33% 2011 –Record: N/A 2010- Record: 24-74= 33% Little Bets N’ Pieces: **** Australian super mare Winx, who won 33 races in a row from May 2015-April 2019, has settled into her new surroundings well and seems very content in her retirement. The ownership group of Peter and Patty Tighe (Magic Bloodstock), Richard Treweeke and Debbie Kepitis have announced her covering sire for the 2019 breeding season. Winx will visit I Am Invincible for the 2019 breeding season. I am Invincible stands at Yarraman Park in Scone, New South Wales. He was Australia's leading freshman sire in the 2013-14 season and recently made history by siring a record 28 Australian stakes winners in a season, including Group: 1 winners Oohood, Voodoo Lad, Viddora and Invincibella. **** Grade:1 winner and Grade: 1 sire Bluegrass Cat has been sold to Nimet Arif Kurtel to stand at his Karacabey Boarding Stud near Izmit, Turkey, where he will join Victory Gallop, Lion Heart and Corinthian. He is scheduled to depart Ballena Vista Farm in Califonia this week. Bluegrass Cat has sired 33 Stakes winners and one champion in his career. From ten crops of racing age, Bluegrass Cat runners have earned more than $42 million, with his average starter earning of $72K. Bluegrass Cat began his stud career at Winstar Farm and has resided for the last five years at Ballena Vista Farm. “Bluegrass Cat was our first choice to bring to California to enhance the West Coast breeding industry. Each year, we had the horse, we received numerous inquiries regarding selling/moving the horse. The past few weeks interest intensified and we have had several parties pursuing Bluegrass Cat. Entities from Australia and South America also expressed solid interest in the horse. We ultimately settled on an outstanding operation in Turkey for Bluegrass Cat. Mr. Nimet Arif Kurtel will support him with his own mares and with plans to race the offspring. He will also have available a few limited seasons to other breeders. Bluegrass Cat will be missed not only by us at Ballena Vista Farm but the California breeders who supported him,” states Ballena Vista Farm manager Mike Jimenez.
Preview of the Haygard-Fayette; Bold Ruler and more
Saturday October 26, 2019 BelmontPark Race; 5 (2:59 PM EST Post) English Channel Stakes Seismic Wave has been running against much better for the majority of this year and has somewhat held his own. Although is he is 0 for 4 on the Belmont “weeds” he should appreciate the drop in class and the distance hits him squarely between the eyes………….Front Run the Fed sports a record of 5-3-1-1 on the turf and could not have looked any better in his last two. This $300,000 son of Fed Biz, from the 28% Chad Brown barn, beat high level optionals by a colossal margin two back (while coming home the last furlong in a strong :12.3 seconds over a course labeled “good”) before overcoming a horrendous trip to beat a restricted Stakes field in his last. Handsome colt posted back to back 98 BSFs in those two races as well….. figures bang up here…………….The rest of the field are rather difficult to separate. That said, I’m going to take a shot with Call Me Harry for the “show dough”. This colt by Street Sense whistled in his first two starts vs. NYSBs, then took 63 days off but absolutely sizzled in his last two works leading up to this………………….Honorable Mentions: Power Player is a gray colt by Distorted Humor who is improving, came from behind to win his last and wasn’t that far behind Seismic Wave the one and only time they met………………….If Chilly in Charge, who may not have cared for the off turf course at Parx last time out, runs back to his turf debut, he could be a late running, menace here……………..Bourbon War is a regally bred (Tapit out of Grade:1 winner My Conquestory) colt who was a Kentucky Derby contender in many people’s eyes in the spring. However, he hasn’t won a horse race of any kind since January. He seems to like the turf but is far too inconsistent to back with any confidence……………..Halladay is also improving, has hit the board in all six career starts and is a neck shy of coming into this riding a three race win streak. Steps up but his BSF say he could be competitive in this spot. Race: 8 (4:40 PM EST Stakes) Bold Ruler Stakes The vaunted Maximum Security really needs no introduction. After a bad start in the Pegasus at Monmouth, the DQ-ed Kentucky Derby winner cruised home in the Haskell while beating a game and talented Mucho Gusto in his last. He continues to work slower than molasses but evidently that works for him. This gorgeous colt obviously has excellent speed and draws the rail, so he’ll be at a tactical advantage right off the bat. The question is, can he handle older horses?..........................Prince Lucky appears to have bounced back to his late winteearly spring 2019 form. After winning the State Dinner Stakes (how many of you remember State Dinner? Am I showing my age if I say I remember him well?), this gelding then ran huge in chasing Pat on The Back in the Kelso (2nd) last time out………………..Speaking of running huge last time out, that exactly what Killybegs Captain did in coming from behind nicely to win the Frank DeFrancis at Laurel Park on Sept 21. This five year old by Mizzen Mast rarely runs a bad one and merits exotics inclusion………………..Honorable Mentions: Diamond King is just 2 for his last 12 but is another who always fires his best shot and his BSFs say he could be a menace here……………………..True Timber returns to what is clearly his favorite surface and can “pop a big one” now and again. Keeneland Race Course Race: 9 (5:30 PM EST Post) Hagyard-Fayette Stakes Tom’s d’Etat is a $330,000 son of Smart Strike who is batting .500 in his career. This five year old loomed boldly on the turn for home in the Grade: 1 Woodward last time out but understandably weakened in deep stretch after a ridiculously wide trip in that race. Don’t worry about the 56 days off since his last race as he is five for six when coming off of a layoff in his career. He looks like the best horse on paper, all he needs is a good trip………………..Mocito Rojo is a former $10,000 claimer who does almost nothing but win as his astounding 17 for 25 record would indicate. This obscurely bred five year old comes into this on a five race win streak, over five different surfaces, including pulling off a 9-1 upset in the Lukas Classic at Churchill last time out. He has excellent tactical speed and is 2 for 2 at this distance. 6-1 on the morning line appears to offer some value on this chestnut………………..Bal Harbour ran the race of his life in the aforementioned Woodward last time out and finished ahead of Tom’s d’Etat in the process. He almost never runs a bad race, his Brisnet Speed Figures are on par with the other top contenders in here and he is 1 for 1 on this oval………………..Honorable Mentions: Mr. Freeze has rounded back into top form, highlighted by zipping a mile in 1:34 flat in taking down the Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs last time out…..could better this rating…………………If you’re hunting a long-shot, take a look at Own Agenda, who is 30-1 on the morning line. This stretch runner has run very well his last four times out vs. mid-level optionals and his last work (4F- :48.2) over the Churchill Training Track was “sneaky” good. By: Gerard Apadula Director of Equine Operations and Development Knights of the Round Stable Thoroughbred Racing Team [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) 2019- Record: 72-209 = 34% 2018- Record: 107-261= 41% 2017- Record: 92-235 = 39% 2016- Record: 91-229 = 40% 2015- Record: 67-180 = 37% 2014- Record: 29-73 = 40% 2013- Record: 20-59= 34% 2012 -Record: 24-73= 33% 2011 –Record: N/A 2010- Record: 24-74= 33% Little Bets N’ Pieces **** WinStar Farm announced that 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness runner up Bodemeister has been sold to the Jockey Club of Turkey and will be relocated pending export requirements. The 10-year-old son of Empire Maker out of the Storm Cat mare Untouched Talent is the fifth stallion based in the U.S. to be relocated to Turkey for 2020. (Bluegrass Cat, Air Vice Marshal, Trappe Shot and Tizway). Bodemeister has sired 12 black-type winners worldwide, led by 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming. Bodemeister has sired three other graded stakes winners including American Anthem and Once On Whiskey. Bodemeister's 350 runners have collectively banked $15,307,785 in purses. **** Catholic Boy, a Grade: 1 winner on both turf and dirt, has been retired to Claiborne Farm. His fee for the 2020 breeding season will be $25,000 due when the foal stands and nurses. **** Guarana, a daughter of the wickedly fast Ghostzapper who opened her career 3-for-3, will bypass the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park in favor of resting up for a 2020 campaign. Doug Cauthen, vice chairman of owner and breeder Three Chimneys Farm, confirmed Sunday that the 3-year-old's no longer under consideration for racing biggest day. "We hope to give her a break and be back strong at 4," Cauthen said. Guarana, who suffered her first defeat last out in Parx Park Cotillion Stakes, breezed Sept. 12, going a half mile in 47.2 seconds at Belmont Park. While it was a strong work, trainer Chad Brown said: “I just wasn’t happy the way she was moving behind. I’m going to err on the side of caution and make sure she’s all right.” **** Also done for the year is the speedy Promises Fulfilled, who underwent surgery Monday at the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital "to clean up" an ankle chip. Promises Fulfilled won the John A. Nerud to earn his "Win and You're In" trip to the Breeders' Cup back on July 6 at Belmont Park but he subsequently finished sixth in both Saratoga's Forego and Keeneland's Phoenix Stakes. "Dr. Bramlage said it was really good that we sent him in, and he was ready for a break," Elliott Walden, president and CEO of Win Star Farms said. "He'll freshen up here." Walden mentioned next year's Churchill Downs, run at seven furlongs on Kentucky Derby day, as a goal for Promises Fulfilled in 2020. **** Sadler’s Joy, third behind superstar Enable and Magical in last year's Breeders’ Cup Turf, will not be re-entered in this year’s edition. Trainer Tom Albertrani said the horse did not come out of a third-place finish in the Oct. 5 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic as well as he would have liked. “It just looked like a hard race for him. He didn’t really bounce out of it as sharp as he should, so we just decided we were going to pass on the Breeders’ Cup,” said Albertrani. “He usually comes out of his races pretty happy. You could definitely see it took some of the punch out of him.” Albertrani is eyeing the Red Smith Handicap, on Nov. 23 at Aqueduct Racetrack, for the horse’s next start and “We still plan on” running him next year Albertrani added. **** Catalina Cruiser will stand at Lane’s End Farm upon retirement, the farm announced Wednesday morning. The son of Union Rags is seven-for-eight lifetime, with five graded stakes wins. “Catalina Cruiser is the quintessential American dirt horse,” said Lane’s End’s Bill Farish. “He’s exactly what we’re looking for. Tough, with speed and the ability to carry that speed. He reminds me of stallions like Quality Road, Twirling Candy and Liam’s Map. They all had tremendous speed and were classy enough to win graded stakes going two turns.” The hulking chestnut will make his next start in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and his stud fee will be released shortly thereafter.
With the 2018 Eclipse Awards scheduled for Jan 24th at Gulfstream Park, it is time we reviewed the year of 2018 and figure out who deserves which award. Like every year, there are several categories that there will be absolute “slam dunk” winners and others that can be debated from now until the end of time. The Eclipse Awards are the Oscars or the Tonys of the sport of Horse Racing. The horses, trainers, jockeys, and owners who did the best in their respective categories are recognized as champions in the ceremony and earn a trophy/statue of the racehorse Eclipse. Eclipse raced in the 1800’s. He amassed a perfect 18 for 18 record with almost half (eight) of those wins being “walkovers” (meaning not one other horse showed up to face him). As a sire he was flat out amazing. Close to 90% of modern day thoroughbreds on the track today trace back to Eclipse. Champion Two Year Old (Male) Nominees: Game Winner Improbable Knicks Go This division is one of several slam dunks. In fact, if Game Winner doesn’t win here, I may never watch another horse race as long as I live. This bay colt by Candy Ride was 4 for 4 with three Grade: 1 wins over three different surfaces including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Although he doesn’t have that visually impressive, explosive, breakaway speed and is more of a grind it out type runner, there is no way he doesn’t win. I’ve watched all four of his races and the one thing that stood out the most is I never saw him get tired at any point of any of his races. The 2019 Triple Crown distances/races should be right in his wheelhouse. I know its some five months away, but if he stays healthy, I already put him in my back pocket for Belmont Stakes………………….. Because he has the looks, stride and remarkable talent level, Improbable is affectionately known around the Bob Baffert barn as Justify’s “mini-me”, which of course is an awfully big compliment. Heck, he even occupies Justify’s old stall. Another unbeaten colt through three races and over three different surfaces, he is probably the most talented horse we’ve seen so far in this division but because of his late start (his racing debut was in late Sept) and although taking down a Grade:1 race, Game Winner simply did more. As a side note, both Game Winner and Improbable both have wins over the Churchill Downs surface already, this is a big advantage should they both make it to the Kentucky Derby………………………..Go Knicks pulled off a colossal upset (70-1) in the Grade: 1 Claiborne Breeders Futurity at Keeneland and followed that up with a strong second at 40-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. But any chance of him winning this award (and they were small to begin with) fell by the wayside when he finished 11th of 14 as the 3-1 favorite in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. My Vote: Game Winner Who WillProbablyDefinitely Win: Game Winner Champion Two Year Old (Female) Nominees Bellafina Jaywalk Newspaperofrecord Very deep division here as there are a couple of fillies I like that were understandably not nominated (Chasing Yesterday, Sippican Harbor, Restless Rider). Although I think Newspaperofrecord is the most talented filly in this division, I have to go with Jaywalk, who won four of five starts, including two Grade:1’s with one being the Breeders Cup (Dirt) Filly race by five conclusive lengths…………………Newspaperofrecord was nothing short of sensational while winning all three turf starts and all by wide margins. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Filly winner had a Grade: 2 win prior to that as well. She comes up a little short here but we absolutely MUST keep an eye on her in 2019 as she shows super star potential…………………After winning two Grade:1’s on the West Coast, Bellafina had this division by the throat but her inexplicably poor effort in the Breeders’ Cup Filly race will probably cost her dearly. My Vote: Jaywalk Who Will Probably Win: Jaywalk Champion Three Year Old (Male) Nominees Catholic Boy Justify McKinzie Another slam dunk, Justify won the Triple Crown…..enough said………...Had it not been for Justify’s Triple Crown, Catholic Boy probably wins this division based off him being a Grade: 1 winner on the turf (Belmont Derby) and on the dirt (Travers Stakes)………………..McKinzie won three of five starts this year including two Grade:1’s (Pennsylvania Derby and Malibu Stakes). I expect him to be a major player in the older horse division in 2019 as he can win sprinting or up to about nine furlongs. My Vote: Justify Who WillProbablyDefinitely Win: Justify Champion Three Year Old (Female) Nominees: Monomoy Girl Midnight Bisou Rushing Fall Still another slam dunk as Monomoy Girl had what I believe is the best three year old filly campaign since Rachel Alexandra in 2009. If not for a very questionable DQ in the Cotillion Stakes, this filly would have been 7 for 7 with six Grade: 1 wins and on six different surfaces. However, with that DQ, her record officially stands at 7-6-1-0 for 2018 with five Grade: 1’s wins, that readers, is still astonishing………….Midnight Bisou, who I still think has a boatload of talent, won 5 of 9 including two Grade:1’s but was beaten fair and square by Monomoy Girl three times, four if you count the Cotillion DQ……………Rushing Fall continues to shine as her 7-6-1-0 career record would indicate. But this mega talented filly only ran four times this year and, although winning two Grade: 2 races and a Grade: 1, she simply didn’t do enough. My Vote: Monomoy Girl Who WillProbablyDefinitely Win: Monomoy Girl Champion Older Dirt (Male) Nominees Accelerate City of Light Gun Runner Accelerate had a spectacular year while winning six of seven races and five Grade: 1’s including the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Although his one defeat came at the hands of City of Light at Oaklawn, he is still another slam dunk here…………………………….City of Light won three of five including two Grade: 1’s.and defeated Accelerate back in the Spring. In fact, his Tour de Force win the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile was one of THE most impressive wins I saw all year along. Logically however, five Grade: 1 wins trumps two Grade: 1 wins………………………Not sure how Gun Runner gets nominated here. Yes, he won the $16 million Pegasus decisively while scoring a titanic 120 speed figure, but it was his only start all year as he was whisked off to stud shortly after that race. My Vote: Accelerate Who WillProbablyDefinitely Win: Accelerate Champion Older Dirt (Female) Nominees Abel Tasman Marley’s Freedom Unique Bella Tough call…..tight division…but in the end, I have to go with last year’s Champion Filly Sprinter Unique Bella. This gray freak only ran four times this year but made the most of those four starts. The daughter of Tapit took down two Grade: 1’s (and was one nightmare trip away from winning three Grade:1’s) and a Grade: 3 earlier in the year……She gets a slight nod over Abel Tasman, who also won two Grade:1’s (both in NY) but tailed off badly towards the end of the year. This Champion filly recently sold for $5 million at the January Keeneland sale………You can make a case for Marley’s Freedom as well, as she danced all the dances in running eight times this year while Abel Tasman and Unique Bella had nine starts combined. This horse won five races including a Grade: 1 and three other Graded Stakes race on both coasts. That’s impressive, but in the end her having the reputation of a sprinter and only having one Grade: 1 win probably won’t get here there. My Vote: Unique Bella Who Will Probably Win: ??? Champion Sprinter (Male) Nominees Roy H Stormy Liberal Imperial Hint After being voted Champion Sprinter in 2018, Roy H successfully defended that title in 2018. Still another with an abbreviated campaign (five starts), he clearly got better as the year went on as he capped off 2018 with back to back Grade: 1 wins in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship and the Granddaddy of them all, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint………………Imperial Hint is so small he looks like a pony on the track but goodness gracious, he’s a running fool. He won four of six starts and he too won a pair of Grade: 1’s this year. But…and that’s a big but…. Roy H handled him with no trouble at all in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint………..It took Stormy Liberal a little while to get going after coming back from the other side of the world but in the end he won four of seven starts including the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. That’s a big accomplishment, but not enough against the top two. Honorable Mentions to Whitmore, City of Light, World of Trouble and look out for Promises Fulfilled in 2019. My Vote; Roy H Who Will Probably Win: Roy H Champion Sprinter (Female) Marley’s Freedom won five races including four Stakes; two on each coast….that’s huge. I’m going to vote for her but Shamrock Rose, who sprung a major upset (18-1) in the Raven Run and a colossal upset (26-1) when coming “over the top” with an electrifying run in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, will probably take home the trophy………..Finleysluckycharm won what I think should be nominated for “Race of the Year” in the Grade: 1 Madison at Keeneland. However, this mare only won one other race all year and tailed off badly in the fall. My Vote: Marley’s Freedom Who Will Probably Win: Shamrock Rose Champion Turf Horse (Male) Nominees Expert Eye Glorious Empire Stormy Liberal This division was a nightmare all year long as it was just mass confusion. I’ll go with Glorious Empire who although showed zero, zilch and nada in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, he sandwiched that with four wins including a Grade: 1 and two Grade: 2’s………………………Stormy Liberal won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and the six furlong, Grade: 2 Eddie D Stakes but I can’t recall a turf sprinter winning ever winning this award. I expect that trend to continue………………Expert Eye was impressive while coming from behind to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile in his one and only start in this country. But that’s a blessing and curse as I’m not one for giving a foreign horse a U.S. award for winning one race in this country, even if it is the biggest one. My Vote: Glorious Empire Who Will Probably Win: I have no earthly clue Champion Turf Horse (Female) Nominees A Raving Beauty Enable Sistercharlie I mean no disrespect to Enable whatsoever. She is in the upper echelon of best grass females I’ve ever seen in my almost 40 years of being involved in this sport. She’s won 10 of 11 career starts including not one, but two runnings of one of the biggest races in the world, Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. However, the Breeders’ Cup was her one and only race in this country this year…….. Sistercharlie, who won four Grade; 1 races including two in New York, one in Illinois and one in Kentucky, gets my vote here………………...I absolutely tip my hat to Enable but, again, I’m just not one for handing a championship to a horse who has made just one start in the country…………………….A Raving Beauty won two Grade;1’s but finished behind Sistercharlie twice this year, including on the big stage, the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. My Vote: Sistercharlie Who Will Probably Win: ?? Champion Owner Nominees Peter Brant Hronis Racing WinstaChina Club/Starlight Head of the Plains Another tough category………………In owning perhaps the two best three year olds we saw in 2018 including a Triple Crown winner.(Justify and Audible), I give the nod WinstaStarlight/China Club/Head of the Plains………………….Peter Brant, who came back to the sport after a very long hiatus, should get mentioned here as he had several Grade: 1 wins and possesses perhaps the best male and female turf runners in the country in Sistercharlie and Raging Bull………………………..Hronis Racing, led by runners Accelerate and Catalina Cruiser, had far and away their best year in their history while winning $5.8 million in purses money as compared to the $1.5 million they made in 2015. My Vote: WinstaStarlight/China Club/Head of the Plains Who Will Probably Win: ?? Champion Trainer Nominees Steve Asmussen Bob Baffert Chad Brown Another very difficult category as you can me a strong case for all three nominees. Chad Brown had a titanic year in winning 297 races, a nation leading $27.5 million in purses and his horses hit the board 61% on the time……..Steve Asmussen started an eye popping 1,905 horses, while winning far and any the most races by any trainer (513), banked about $26.5 million in purses and won the Remington Park meet for an astounding 14th time………Although Bob Baffert doesn’t compare statistically with the other two, he did have a career year for himself in winning over $21 million in purses and, of course, did I what I believe to be one of the best training jobs I’ve ever seen in taking Justify from a maiden in February to a Triple Crown winner in June. My Vote: Bob Baffert Who Will Probably Win: ??? Champion Jockey Nominees Mike Smith Jose Ortiz Irad Ortiz Jr. Irad Ortiz Jr. led the nation in just about every conceivable category including mounts (1,616), wins (346), second place finishes (277) and purse money ($27.7 million)………His younger brother Jose also had a tremendous year while finishing fourth in the nation for number of wins and second (about $900,000) behind Irad, but led in number of Graded Stakes wins (35)…………..Those two dwarf Mike Smith in all the aforementioned categories but he had 22 Graded Stakes wins on only 246 mounts. Of course riding a Triple Crown winner won’t hurt his chances either. My Vote: Irad Ortiz Jr. Who Will Probably Win: Irad Ortiz Jr.?? Horse of the Year: Nominees: Accelerate Justify Monomoy Girl I’ll bet you thought I’d open this paragraph by saying this is a very difficult category. I hate to disappoint you, but it’s not. I feel bad for the other two because in any other year, either could win racing’s highest honor, but the decision itself was an easy one. I’ll start with Monomoy Girl, who as I mentioned earlier, had perhaps the best season by a three year old filly since Rachel Alexandra in 2009. She won five Grade: 1’s, highlighted by the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and was controversially DQ-ed from a sixth. Unfortunately, after such a tremendous season, she will probably get the least amount of votes here. Accelerate had an enormous season also. He too won five Grade: 1’s including the Breeders’ Cup Classic. That said you can argue seven days a week about who was better than who, but if you win the Triple Crown, there is no argument….you are great. The Triple Crown is still the standard in making a thoroughbred “great” as it has been around a lot longer (65 years) than the Breeders’ Cup has. Do you have to win the Triple Crown in order to be called “great”? No….see Man O’ War, Spectacular Bid, Dr. Fager, Buckpasser and about a zillion others, but it clearly leaves no argument. Since the Triple Crown’s inception in 1919, according to the Jockey Club, there have been 2,118,122 named foals but just 13 have pulled off the trio of wins……13!!!.....That’s one for every 162,932.46 thoroughbreds bred. What Justify did was unprecedented for this sport….period….end of sentence. He won six races (four Grade: 1’s, that’s just one less than his counterparts) at six different distances, on four different racetracks (Accelerate won on only two tracks) on fast, sloppy, and muddy tracks and swept the Triple Crown in just 111 days after making his career debut. Moreover, he did in 16 weeks what it took the other 12 Triple Crown winners an average of 11 months to do…..like I said….unprecedented. Yes, his season ended only half way through but it’s halfway, not one race like say Gun Runner this year. I will leave you with three final thoughts and a few quotes from some of the icons in this sport:
There is a reason why Accelerate, after running in the Pegasus at the end of this month, will stand stud in 2019 for $20,000 while Justify will stand for $125,000. That reason is because Justify won the Triple Crown.
Accelerate will still be a champion in 2018 as he is a slam dunk for Champion Older Horse, which is more than we can say for the ill fated Exceller. If the only thing you know about Exceller is that he met an ugly death in a slaughter house in Sweden, allow me to take you back exactly 40 years ago when Exceller, who had a better year in 1978 than Accelerate did in 2018, walked away with no trophies and completely empty handed.
Here was a horse who won SIX Grade: 1’s (three of the dirt and three on the turf) in 1978. He also became the only horse (and still is) ever to beat two Triple Crown winners (Affirmed and Seattle Slew) in the same race, the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park that same year. Yet Seattle Slew won named Champion Older Horse that year while Affirmed took home Horse of the Year honors….why??????.....Because Affirmed won the Triple Crown.
I don’t think there should even be a discussion/debate about who should win the award but evidently there is. To those of you who are wanting to vote for Accelerate, I simply say this:
If you take American Pharoah out of this equation and Justify was the first Triple Crown winner in 40 years, would there even be a discussion/debate? Hardly…..I’m sure Justify would take every single first place vote. Steve Cauthen For me, the Triple Crown winner is definitely Horse of the Year, anytime there is one, in my opinion. I think what Justify did was pretty special, not even accounting for who he beat, but just considering he won his first race in February and supposedly bruised his foot after the Derby. Maybe that’s some of the reason the Preakness was closer than any of others, but basically, that’s what great horses do. They overcome stuff and still win. Nothing less than a great horse wins the Triple Crown. There have been a lot who have gotten close, but it takes a great one to win it. Ron Turcotte I don’t believe that a horse wining the Triple Crown should automatically make him Horse of the Year because that sometimes means they still don’t get tested against older horses. But I still feel that Justify should be this year’s Horse of the Year. He won all of his races so easily and the other horse, Accelerate, had a big year, but he didn’t go undefeated like Justify did. I was so impressed with how easily Justify won the Triple Crown that he would be my choice. D. Wayne Lukas I would vote for Justify. My opinion is that the difficulty of getting through the Triple Crown uninjured, beating the best horses, I think that’s still one of the greatest achievements there is in racing. The thing that makes it easier for an older horse is that you can pick your spots. If you can pick your spots, pick your races, pick your competition and manage your horses, that’s admirable, don’t get me wrong, but it makes things easier. With the Triple Crown, everything is already dictated for you. You can’t come out of the Derby and say, I think I’ll wait until the Travers because I need a little time. The Preakness comes up in two weeks and there you are again. The job that Bob Baffert did with that horse was extraordinary. Jerry Bailey It’s Justify. He won the Triple Crown. He’s undefeated. What he did in a short period of time. All of the above. Take nothing away from Accelerate. I think he’s a really, really good horse. But I don’t know if any horse could have done enough to beat Justify, at least in my mind. I believe that any horse that wins the Triple Crown should be Horse of the Year. It’s a pretty hard thing to do. We could go another 30 year and not have another Triple Crown winner. Dale Romans I don’t see how the Triple Crown winner cannot be Horse of the Year. I go back to the days before the Breeders’ Cup was inaugurated and the Triple Crown is still the engine that fires this game. Justify did all that he needed to do to prove to me that he was the Horse of the Year. I don’t like to talk about other people’s horses, but I will say they were both great horses. It’s just that I’m a little more old school and, to me, the power of winning the Triple Crown is impossible to overcome.
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