Showing all posts tagged "Horses To Watch"
American Cleopatra
American Cleopatra, Full Sis to American Pharoah, Wins Del Mar Debut
- HorseRacingNation.com
Summer is always an exciting time in horseracing with emerging two-year-olds, but one two-year-old filly in particular was in the spotlight yesterday. American Cleopatra, full sister to 2015 Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, made her debut in Del Mar’s third race yesterday. And what a debut it was.
With bettors knowing the talented genes of the best horses are not always passed on, American Cleopatra, by Pioneerof the Nile and out of Littleprincessemma, went off at 7-1, the co-third choice. War Factor got the jump out of the gate and led the field of eight fillies through a quarter mile in :21.87, while American Cleopatra sat just off her flank.
After the opening quarter, it was all over. American Cleopatra made her move and grabbed the lead, running a half-mile in :45.17. Jockey Stewart Elliott looked over his shoulder to check on the competition and saw the advantage they had over the field. Second choice Union Strike, 7-2, gave chase, but could only get within two lengths of the winner. American Cleopatra completed the five and one-half furlongs in 1:03.38.
“Those are good genes, there,” commented Bob Baffert. One thing American Cleopatra did that her older brother did not was win her debut at Del Mar. American Pharoah had finished fifth in his first race before winning the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity.
“She’s got a beautiful way of moving and she’s got a pretty good mind,” Baffert said of American Cleopatra. “She’s a sweetheart at the barn. She’s very sweet and he was sweet.”
Whether the Zayat’s homebred filly goes on to do anything like American Pharoah or not, American Cleopatra’s win certainly brought a lot of excitement to the racing world. It even brought a little glimmer of hope.
By Christine Oser
Posted on September 20th, 2016
PA Derby 2016 is Saturday, Sept. 24!
 | » PA Derby 2016 Contenders » PA Derby Winners » Get FREE Picks! » Get Trifecta/Superfecta Picks » $20K Contest This Saturday! » PLUS! Songbird vs Cathryn Sophia! |  |
The 2016 Pennsylvania Derby (G2) will be run for an enhanced total purse of $1,250,000. An extra quarter million dollars will be added if Nyquist, the Kentucky Derby winner, and the Preakness first place finisher,Exaggerator, both start in the race. An unexpected full field of twelve three-year-olds was drawn to contest the nine-furlong stake at Parx Racing.
The owner and trainer of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes, Haskell, and Travers winners are eligible for a $50,000 appearance bonus. Therefore, the connections of Nyquist receive a total of $100,000, while Exaggerator's connections receive $200,000 if they start.
With Nyquist and Exaggerator renewing their rivalry, the Pennsylvania Derby could have significant implications in this division’s year-end championship. Nyquist dominated the first five months when he continued his unbeaten career with a win in California, the Florida Derby, and then the biggest victory of all in the Kentucky Derby. Twice, in that time, he beat Exaggerator. However, Nyquist has not found the winner’s circle since then, while falling short in the Preakness and the Haskell. Exaggerator has been the division leader since then. In that time he defeated Nyquist two times in the Preakness and the Haskell. A win for either of them would give that horse a secure spot on top of the divisional race.
The field of twelve appears to have an interesting pace scenario with a number of horses that like to run on or close to the lead. One thing seems certain is that with the quality of this PA Derby field the race will finally achieve grade one status in 2017. Carded as race 11, the scheduled post time is 5:45pm ET.
Awesome Slew [ML 12-1, Paco Lopez] This Eddie Plesa trainee proved that Parx is a track to his liking when he crushed a field of a field of fourteen by seven lengths in the Smarty Jones (G3). He will no doubt be running on the lead early with his rail draw. Rider Paco Lopez is at his best with horses on the lead, but they will not be the only ones running fast early. Major Early Pace Factor
Exaggerator [ML 7-2, Kent Desormeaux] The early weather reports for Bensalem, PA, say that rain is unlikely and thus a FAST track should be expected at Parx. At this point, it is hard to deny that Exaggerator is at his best on a wet track and that you have to go all the way back to last year to find his first two career wins that happened on a dry track. The inside draw will make it easy for Desormeaux to save ground early in the race as he often wants to do. The expected hot early pace should set up for Exaggerator’s big closing move. Perfect Set-up Expected
Summer Revolution [ML 20-1, Mike Smith] This lightly raced son of Summer Bird gets Mike Smith in the saddle after Castellano opted to ride Connect. Expect this colt to be on or near the lead and help ensure a hot early pace. Distance limitations and a lack of experience have this one up against it. Early Speed
Connect [ML 12-1, Javier Castellano] In the Travers, Connect was a well-beaten sixth place finisher, but every horse was crushed when Arrogate blitzed that field. In the Curlin at Saratoga, Connect was impressive when he outdueled Gift Box. This is another that has done his best running close to the front, and with lots of speed inside of him, Castellano may be forced to work out a stalking or closing trip. Not Out of It
Cupid [ML 9-2, Rafael Bejarano] Of all the top contenders, Cupid is in top form right now. After a bad performance in the Easy Goer, trainer Bob Baffert got Cupid right and he recorded two big wins in mid-major Derbies in Indiana and West Virginia. Bejarano was the rider in both of those wins, when he had everything his way on the front end. He will have company on the lead, but may be a lot better than the other speed horses. I hope that Bejarano sits just behind the others and gets the jump on the rest of the field. Threat to Win
Wild About Deb [ML 30-1, Tiago Pereira] This one has been stabled at Parx since a recent trainer change to Ramon Preciado. He ran second to Awesome Slew in the Smarty Jones well ahead of the next runner. He has just a maiden victory on the west coast to his credit. Long Shot
Gun Runner [ML 6-1, Florent Geroux]Except for his poor performance on the sloppy track in the Haskell, Gun Runner has yet to run a bad race. His stalking style fits perfectly considering the anticipated hot pace. He ran well in the Travers behind the Baffert duo when the ten furlongs was clearly not his forte. I expect this Steve Asmussen runner to make his usual strong effort down the stretch. Top Three Finish Expected
My Man Sam [ML 20-1, Julien Leparoux] This Chad Brown runner was a surprise addition to the field. With only a maiden win, he has been a bit of a disappointment since his big closing move to get second in the Blue Grass. I don’t know if he has the quality to win a race like this, but he certainly will have the set-up to make a late run. Pass Some Tired Horses
Nyquist [ML 5-2, Mario Guitierrez]No doubt that Nyquist is the horse to beat, but there are lots of questions that the Two-year-old Champion has to answer. Trainer Doug O’Neill has changed things up since Nyquist lost in the Preakness and Haskell taking him to train off track. O’Neill says Nyquist has grown and he has been working him over long distances. The move off track raises red flags for me, but I may be wrong. With so much speed to his inside, jockey Mario Gutierrez may have no alterative but to come from off the pace with Nyquist. That could turn out to be a good thing if the rider can remain patient. The One to Beat
Sunny Ridge [ML 15-1, Joe Bravo]Sunny Ridge is a bit of a mystery horse. His racing schedule has been spotty and he has just one slow five-furlong work since the Haskell. He has never run a bad race including his third place finish in the Haskell. This is very tough spot with the seeming laid-back training methods of Jason Servis. Top Four Possible
Discreet Lover [ML 30-1, Jose Flores] Another Parx based runner, but this one seems to be out of his league here. Eleven of his career sixteen starts have come at Parx including his two wins. Don’t Expect Much
Hit It Once More [ML 20-1, Kendrick Carmouche] This New York-bred likes to run on the lead, so the far outside draw was the worst possible scenario. He has won two straight state restricted stakes for trainer Gary Sciacca, but this grade one is a very unlikely spot for success. Out ClassedPosted on September 20th, 2016
Casse Bids For Sweep of Saturday's Road to Kentucky Derby, Oaks Openers, Breeders' Cup 'Win & You're In' Races
Casse Bids For Sweep of Saturday's Road to Kentucky Derby, Oaks Openers, Breeders' Cup 'Win & You're In' Races
The Mark Casse-trained Thirstforlife, shown in an easy victory in his second career start during the Spring Meet at Churchill Downs, bids for his first stakes triumph in Saturday's $150,000 Iroquois Presented by TwinSpires.com (GIII). (Coady Photography, Churchill Downs)
Trainer Mark Casse swept both 2-year-old stakes races on closing day of Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet with the John C. Oxley-owned pair of Classic Empire andPretty City Dancer in the Bashford Manor (GIII) and Debutante Stakes, respectively, and will attempt to mirror that accomplishment Saturday when he sends out Thirstforlife in the $150,000 Iroquois Presented by TwinSpires.com (GIII) andDream Dancing in the $200,000 Pocahontas Presented by TwinSpires.com (GII).
Both the Iroquois and Pocahontas serve as the first qualifying races on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” and “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” and will award the Top 4 finishers points on a 10-4-2-1 scale. They are also a part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” program where the winners of each race will receive an automatic berth to the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, both Grade I races that carry a purse of $2 million.
“Obviously it would be a great accomplishment,” said Casse’s assistant trainer David Carroll. “It would speak volumes of the horses under our care, the job Mark does and the team that he has put together and obviously the owners giving us horses of this caliber.”
Owned by Gary Barber and St. Elias Stable, Thirstforlife was a third beaten six lengths last time out behind Klimt in Del Mar’s Best Pal (GIII) who came back to win the Del Mar Futurity (GI). The son of Stay Thirstywill be trying two turns for the first time when he runs in the Iroquois.
“We’re looking forward to getting him around two turns,” Carroll said. “I don’t think we learned too much after his last race. He broke sharp, took back and they went a slow pace and ran one-two all the way around so we don’t really know where he fits but (Saturday) we should learn a lot about him. Obviously it’s a good field and a lot of horses on the up and up. I think (trainer) Dale (Romans)’s horse (Not This Time) looks like a promising colt also. We’ll learn a lot more after the race.”
While Thirstforlife is coming fresh out of a Grade III, his stable mate Dream Dancing will be taking things up a notch. Her last effort came when she broke her maiden on the second attempt going two turns on the turf at Saratoga. She will be trying dirt for the first time.
“Mark likes to use Saratoga for two turns,” Carroll said. “There are no two-turn dirt races, only turf races and often if they have a dirt pedigree, he’ll put them on the turf just for the experience and conditioning. She’s bred for dirt, her family says dirt and obviously she won on turf. She shipped down a few days ago, she’s in great shape and we’re looking forward to running her also.”
In her career debut on Aug. 7, the daughter of Tapit was second behind the Leah Gyarmati-trained Coastal who went on to win Saratoga’s P.G. Johnson Stakes. In the same race, Dream Dancing finished ahead of Joust who went on to break her maiden at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 11.
“They’ve done a great job with her at Saratoga,” Carroll said. “The form is good and we’re looking forward to leading her over there and hopefully run a big race. Mark will say that there are no two-turn dirt races and the turf is easier on them and also a lot of conditioning from them. Once you try that bottom, then you can try them on the dirt. It seems to work well.”
Casse will be in search of his first Pocahontas victory with Dream Dancing and has one Iroquois victory under his belt with Uncaptured in 2012. Jockey Florent Geroux has the mount aboard both Casse trainees.
PROMISING 2-YEAR-OLD NOT THIS TIME STEPS UP IN IROQUOIS – Albaugh Family Stable’s Not This Time is the “total package,” according to trainer Dale Romans, who hopes that this half-brother to dual Grade I winner Liam’s Map will deliver a victory for the Romans barn in Saturday’s $150,000 Iroquois Presented by TwinSpires.com (GIII) following an impressive 10-length maiden victory at Ellis Park on Aug. 12.
The homebred son of Giant’s Causeway’s Ellis Park romp was a big turnaround from his career debut at Churchill on June 28, where he was a well-beaten fifth beaten 10 lengths behind the Eddie Kenneally-trained Bitumen, the eventual winner of Saratoga’s Sanford (GII) on July 23.
“He’s pedigree, he’s intelligence, he’s looks, he’s talent … he’s got it all,” said Romans, who won the Iroquois with Cleburne in 2013. “This is a good field of horses, there are a lot of good horses in the race and it looks like there is a lot of speed. This will be a good test for him to see if he steps up where we think that he can. Endurance is no question, he’s a good horse.”
In recent years, Romans has left many of his quality 2-year-olds at Churchill, rather than taking them to Saratoga where he based during a good portion of the summer.
“When I started a long time ago I would take a lot of 2-year-olds to Saratoga,” Romans said. “I just saw a pattern of horses working way too hard too early to compete up there and it’s paid off for me to just leave them behind and run at Ellis and it’s really become some very high quality racing. It’s a good time of year to break a horse’s maiden and it’s a safe surface to run on. It’s worked well for me.
“Hopefully he just steadily improves. He doesn’t have to go too far right now. He’s a good horse but we would just like to see him keep getting better with every race.”
Robby Albarado, the pilot aboard Not This Time’s two career starts, returns to the saddle for the Iroquois.
GORDER TOUTS POCAHONTAS ENTRANT SULLY’S DREAM – Following an eye-popping 12-length maiden victory at Ellis Park on July 30, trainer Kellyn Gorder can’t help but speak blessings of his promising 2-year-old filly Sully’s Dream, who is taking a jump up in class in Saturday’s $200,000 Pocahontas Presented by TwinSpires.com (GII).
“Halfway through the summer I sent a text to the owner (Ralph Ebert) and said, ‘I think this could be the best filly I’ve had in my barn,’” said Gorder, who seeks his first graded stakes victory since the 2013 Jefferson Cup (GIII) with General Election. “I really don’t think we’ve got close to seeing what she’s capable of and I think highly of her. I’m not sure that she beat much in that race, but it really is hard to judge. She’s been working with older horses and physically she doesn’t look 2; she looks like a 3-year-old.”
The Pocahontas serves as a part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In Juvenile Fillies Division,” whose winner will receive an automatic berth into the $2 million 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) at Santa Anita on Nov. 5. Should this daughter of Colonel John return to the winner’s circle, she will likely be California bound.
“If she punches the ticket here, that’s what we’ll do,” Gorder said. “I’m a little concerned with the outside post but it’s nothing I’d be too nervous about. The way she goes about her work is just so professional. She does everything so easily and I think that she’s pretty special.”
Sully’s Dream will receive the riding services of Robby Albarado, who was aboard for her astonishing maiden win.
LANERIE HOPES FOR MORE SUCCESS DURING SEPTEMBER MEET – Last year, jockey Corey Lanerie entered the Churchill Downs September Meet fresh off a frustrating 0-for-57 at Saratoga, but this year he stayed home to ride at Ellis Park, which resulted in a riding title at the Henderson, Ky. oval.
The Lafayette, La. native finished off the Ellis Park meet with 26 wins in 125 starts banking $557,782 when riding at the track.
“Last year I knew going into Saratoga that I’d be up against some tough competition,” Lanerie said. “Did I think that I would not win a race? No, but I knew how tough it would be and coming home I have my people that are loyal to me and I’m grateful for my good business here.”
Lanerie will be in search of his 12thChurchill title in the past 13 meets.
“I got to stay home and win some races and was fortunate enough to be leading rider at Ellis Park,” Lanerie said. “I’m very glad to get back to Churchill. I expect that we can hopefully kick off against winning a bunch of races and try my best to stay on top.”
SATURDAY’S FIRST RACE MOVED TO 2:30 P.M.; LOUISVILLE/FLORIDA STATE ATTENDEES TO RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION– With a nationally-televised ACC showdown between the 10th-rankedUniversity of Louisville football team and second-ranked Florida State at nearby Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on Saturday at noon, Central Avenue is certain to be bustling with activity this weekend.
Track officials proactively moved back Saturday’s post time from 12:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. so fans could enjoy the best of both worlds and to help ease area traffic.
Those who attend the big game are invited to visit Churchill Downs afterward free of charge on Saturday simply by showing their ticket stub. Eleven races, including four stakes events, are scheduled Saturday and the last race is scheduled for 7:29 p.m.
ESPN’s College GameDay will visit Louisville for the first time for Saturday’s game, and there will be some elements from Churchill Downs fused into the broadcast, including track bugler Steve Buttleman starting the show at 9 a.m. with the “Call to the Post.”
FAMILY ADVENTURE DAY IS SUNDAY – Presented by Kroger and in partnership with Kosair Children’s Hospital, Family Adventure Day at Churchill Downs will be held Sunday (Sept. 18) – first Sunday of the September Meet.
Families are encouraged to bring the kids to Churchill Downs for a day of racing and family activities including pony rides, inflatables, petting zoo, stick horse races in the Paddock, face painting and more. New activities for this event include Sportsdrome Speedway race cars and drivers; the Air 60 police helicopter and the Belle of Louisville float. Kosair Children’s Hospital activities will feature the Caring for Your Child’s Mind, Body and Spirit: Mighty Titans obstacle course; kids’ yoga; and a “just for kids” craft activity.
Posted on September 17th, 2016
Race 1 - POST Time - 2:30 PM CHURCHILL DOWNS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Use and/or viewing of this data is subject to Equibase Company LLC's TERMS OF USE. |
Proprietary to and © 2013 Equibase Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
Posted on September 17th, 2016
Tepin Tough to Topple in Woodbine Mile
By Alan Carasso
Trainer Mark Casse has been leading trainer at Woodbine Racetrack no fewer than 11 times in a career that led to an induction into the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame earlier this season. But never has his name graced the trophy given out for the GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile, a wrong he will hope to right when he sends out reigning Eclipse Award-winning turf female Tepin (Bernstein) Saturday afternoon.
The Robert Masterson colorbearer would be in search of a 13th straight victory were it not for a pair of excruciating losses at Saratoga during the summer of 2015 and makes his sixth trip to the post this season in the Mile. No better than 2-5 in any of her first four starts this term, the bay was a comparitively generous 11-2 shot in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot June 14. She never really seemed at home over the very easy going, but came to win her race a furlong from home and lasted by a half-length. Connections report she has come back into her best form over the last several weeks and she’s strictly the one to beat at an unbettable quote.
Tepin will look to become just the second female to defeat the boys in the Woodbine Mile, joining Ventura (Chester House), who accomplished the feat in 2009 after finishing runner-up the year prior. Though he has never won the Mile, Casse sent out Kaigun (Northern Afleet) to a close second-place finish in this event in 2014.
Posted on September 17th, 2016
TEPIN ADDS SOME SPICE TO THE WOODBINE RICOH MILE
TEPIN ADDS SOME SPICE TO THE WOODBINE RICOH MILE!
There are not many peppers hotter than a TePin, and there aren’t many horses hotter than Tepin right now, either, as the reigning champion turf female and Royal Ascot heroine brings her international road show to Woodbine for the Ricoh Mile on Saturday, September 17. For FREE Brisnet PPs, CLICK HERE.The Woodbine Mile has not suffered for star power in recent years with Horse of the Year Wise Dan winning in 2013-2014 and future Arlington Million winner Mondialiste taking the race last year. Still, even with those big names shipping to Canada to take one of that country’s top prize, it’s impossible to deny that Tepin brings a little extra heat given that she is putting her 7-race winning streak on the line against males.
“She’s a superstar, and she embraces it,” said assistant trainer Norm Casse, whose dad trains the five-year-old Bernstein mare for Robert Masterson. “She soaks up the media attention and likes the fans to come and see her.
“She was anointed ‘Queen of the Turf’ by [Churchill Downs announcer] Travis Stone when she won on Kentucky Derby day.”
Annexing the Woodbine Mile would not only embellish her resume for another Eclipse Award—she’s won all five starts this year including two Grade 1s—but also provide a key victory for team Casse.
“I’m really excited about the possibility of winning the Woodbine Mile,” Casse said. “It’s a race that has eluded dad so far. When we brought her back this year, one of our main goals was to come back and win what I think is Woodbine’s marquee race.”
That the Woodbine Mile has eluded the Casses is saying something considering the team has won nine consecutive training titles as well as other major prizes here such as the Queen’s Plate, E.P. Taylor, and Woodbine Oaks.
Posted on September 17th, 2016
FEATURED RACES FOR THIS WEEKEND
|
| |||||||
| Day | Month | Date | Track | Grade | Race Name | Purse | |
| Sat. | September | 24 | Parx Racing | G2 | Pennsylvania Derby | $1,000,000 | |
| Sat. | October | 1 | Belmont Park | G1 | Joe Hirsch Turf Classic | $600,000 | |
| Sat. | October | 8 | Belmont Park | G1 | Jockey Club Gold Cup | $1,000,000 | |
| Sat. | October | 15 | Keeneland | G1 | Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes | $500,000 | |
| Sat. | October | 22 | Keeneland | G2 | Lexus Raven Run Stakes | $250,000 | |
| Sat. | October | 29 | Santa Anita | G3 | Autumn Miss Stakes | $100,000 | |
| Sat. | November | 5 | Santa Anita | G1 | Breeders' Cup Classic Stakes | $5,000,000 | |
| Sat. | November | 12 | Churchill Downs | G3 | Commonwealth Turf Stakes | $100,000 | |
| Sat. | November | 19 | Delta Downs | G3 | Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes | $1,000,000 | |
| Sat. | November | 26 | Churchill Downs | G2 | Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes | $200,000 | |
| Sat. | December | 3 | Gulfstream Park | N/A | Claiming Crown Jewel | $200,000 | |
| Sun. | December | 11 | Remington Park | Listed | Remington Springboard Mile Stakes | $250,000 | |
| Sat. | December | 17 | Los Alamitos Race Course | G1 | Los Alamitos Futurity | $350,000 | |
| Mon. | December | 26 | Santa Anita | G3 | Robert J. Frankel Stakes | $100,000 | |
Ricoh Woodbine Mile – Grade 1 Race 12 at Woodbine
Saturday, September 17 - Post Time 6:39 PM ET
One Mile on Turf
For Three Year Olds and Upward
Purse: $1 Million |
|
Equibase® Speed Figure. In her most recent race, Tepin beat males again when travelling to Great Britain for the Royal Ascot meeting, winning the Queen Anne Stakes against 12 rivals with a 124 figure. Since returning to the North America, Tepin put in a series of workouts on the turf that scream she's ready to take on, and beat, some of the best milers in the world once again. 
Posted on September 16th, 2016
Hips to Watch at Keeneland September Day 4
As the Keeneland September yearling sale transitions into Book 2 after a one-day hiatus that followed the blockbuster three-day Book 1, the catalog consists of horses with a little less pedigree and conformation—but they are nonetheless quality individuals.
Included in Book 2 are sons and daughters of Tapit and War Front —the sires most in demand in Book 1—but they're not the only leading stallions whose progeny could bring big figures.
With nearly 400 horses cataloged for the Friday, Sept. 16, session, this selection of top hips to watch is based on sire power and blacktype within the female family, key updates, and any previous sale prices.
Hip 662, a Curlin colt consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, has one of the most active female families in the catalog, with significant recent upgrades. The colt’s dam, the unraced Storm Cat mare Surf Song, is a half sister to champion Midshipman and grade II winner Fast Cookie, the dam of dual grade I winner Frosted. One of the leading handicap horses of 2016, Frosted has added the Whitney Handicap (gr. I) to his resume that already included the Mohegan Sun Metropolitan (gr. I) and a grade II in Dubai earlier in the year. The colt was bred by Dr. Glenna Salyer.
A full sister to Ring Weekend, the grade I winner who since the catalog has added a victory in the grade II Bernard Baruch, is part of Gainesway’s consignment. The Tapit filly, Hip 839, bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Saint Elias Stables, is out of the stakes-placed Cryptoclearance mare Free the Magic, a half sister to grade II winner Forest Wind.
The only War Front yearling in Book 2 is Hip 648, a filly whose second dam is the grade II-winning Red Ransom mare Wandering Star. Consigned by Claiborne Farm, which bred the bay yearling in partnership with Joseph Allen, the filly is out of the Johannesburg mare State, a half sister to grade II winner War Command and grade III winner Naval Officer.
Craig and Holly Bandoroff’s Denali Stud, agent for Stonestreet Bred and Raised, sends out Hip 726, a bay filly by Distorted Humor out of the two-time grade I winner Ask the Moon, by Malibu Moon . Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings bought Ask the Moon for $1.8 million from Gainesway's offerings to the 2013 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
One of the top-priced pinhooks in the sale is Hip 649, a Curlin colt consigned by Baccari Bloodstock. Purchased by Baccari for $210,000 from Castle Park Farm at the 2015 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, the colt descends from a top female family of hard-knocking runners that were products of the late John C. Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm. Second dam Western Hemisphere, a daughter of Golden Eagle’s stallion, two-time leading California sire General Meeting, was a multiple stakes winner who earned more than $400,000.
Western Hemisphere is a full sister to General Challenge, Mabee’s gelding whose nine wins included the Pacific Classic, Santa Anita Handicap, and Santa Anita Derby, all grade I.
KEENELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE HIPS TO WATCH—DAY 4
Hip—Description/Consignor
648—F., War Front —State, by Johannesburg/Claiborne Farm, agt.
649—C., Curlin —Stellar Atmosphere, by More Than Ready /Baccari Bloodstock, agt.
662—C., Curlin —Surf Song, by Storm Cat/Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agt.
726—F., Distorted Humor —Ask the Moon, by Malibu Moon /Denali Stud, agt. for Stonestreet Bred and Raised
839—F., Tapit —Free the Magic, by Cryptoclearance/Gainesway, agt.
Posted on September 16th, 2016
Another Handle Spike for Kentucky Downs
With record purses attracting full fields and low takeout sparking interest from horseplayers, Kentucky Downs closed its five-date boutique meet Sept. 15 with total wagering up nearly 34 percent.
Betting on the closing-day card of $3,660,588 brought all-sources handle to $22,540,761.22 for an average of $4,508,152 a day. Already a record after Sunday's card, the final numbers reflect an increase of 33.92 percent over last year's previous record total of $16,831,333.
"It's gratifying. We've had this vision since 2007 to be a meaningful presence in the Thoroughbred racing world," said Kentucky Downs president Corey Johnsen, who with Ray Reid and partners bought the track that year. "Because everybody in the industry has worked together, we're able to accomplish that. What's even more exciting is that there's still more room to grow."
On-track handle totaled $929,409, a 48 percent increase over last year's $628,145 total.
Overnight purses, stakes, and Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund monies totaled $7,885,979 for an average of $1,577,195 a day, up 19 percent over 2015, when the total figure was $6,609,354.70 for an average of $1,321.870 in 2015.
A total of 548 horses ran at the meet, for an average of 10.96 per race, best in the country and an increase from last year's 10.60.
"Record handle again? Why am I not surprised?" said Jeff Platt, president of the Horseplayers Association of North America, which has rated Kentucky Downs the top track for betting the past two years. "Horseplayers buy value and Kentucky Downs had it in spades."
Kentucky Downs' takeout for exactas, America's most popular multi-horse bet, at 18.25% is among the lowest in the country.
Trainer Mike Maker, owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey, and jockey Florent Geroux teamed to cap their meet championships by winning the closing-day $350,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon with Al's Gal.
Maker had a record-setting meet while taking his third straight trainer's title. His eight victories accounted for 16 percent of the meet's 50 races. That included taking five of 12 stakes, capped by Da Big Hoss becoming only the second horse to win the $600,000 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup twice.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey of Nicholasville, Ky., captured their fourth straight title with six victories overall. Geroux earned his second straight riding title with 12 wins, matching his 2015 total.
Fans also came from all over to America's only European-style course whose atmosphere Johnsen has dubbed "combination of Kentucky county fair and Royal Ascot."
"This is a little anecdotal, but I have never heard so many people who traveled from all over North America to see our races," said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' senior vice president and general manager. "I mean, from California, Florida, Maryland. I can't tell you how many people said they had heard about Kentucky Downs and wanted to see it in person. Everyone on our staff ran into people who had traveled thousands of miles to get here."
It was an action away from Kentucky Downs that resonated with Ramsey, who noted that Kentucky Downs' $130,000 maiden races and $140,000 and $145,000 allowance races could have been even higher. Instead, Kentucky Downs contributed $1.35 million to Ellis Park's purse account, catapulting its sister track in Henderson to one of its most successful meets ever.
"I was really pleased what they did for the industry, helping out Ellis Park instead of keeping it in their own left hip pocket," Ramsey said. "They took money out of their own till and put it over there. They didn't have to do that. There's nothing in the rule book that says you have to help a competitor, but it helps the Kentucky circuit."
In fact, 17 winners (34 percent) made their prior start at Ellis.
"That's just wonderful. That just shows the quality of the Ellis Park horses has improved, because obviously the quality of Kentucky Downs, with its purses, has improved immensely," said Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. "That's what we and Corey were working for when we re-channeled that money to Ellis: to try to once again re-establish a circuit.
"I have heard nothing but favorable comments from the horsemen about, of course, the purse money, but even more importantly the safety of the racetrack. They continue to make improvements down there that make it a really great experience for the racing fan."
Indeed, Kentucky Downs prides itself on innovation, including the first experiment with GoPro HEROCast -- used to provide fans an unprecedented, 360-degree insider's look into the action on the racetrack. "This was the first step in introducing it to horse racing on a commercial basis," Johnsen said, noting all 32 NHL rinks will have HEROCasts this hockey season.
The track also started live streaming and enhanced its social media. It began using a micro-bacterial fog to use on the receiving-barn stalls between occupants to kill all bacteria. The track started working with a new product to reduce dust in the stable area.
"One of our goals is to be on the cutting edge of innovation in our industry," Johnsen said. "We have an advantage because we race only five days and we can be like a laboratory, do things and hopefully other tracks carry on. I think the best example is takeout. We led the way and now a number of tracks have lowered takeout.
"We understand that you can always improve your product. We made a number of improvements here, and we are committed to continuing to improve and continuing to innovate."
Kentucky Downs' total daily handle and daily starters, by race date
Sept. 3 (Saturday) $4,603,239.82 113
Sept. 8 (Thursday) $4,019,637.14 111
Sept. 10 (Saturday) $5,769,505.23 110
Sept. 11 (Sunday) $4,487,790.40 114
Sept. 15 (Thursday) $3,660,588.63 110
Posted on September 16th, 2016
Arlington Park, $24,000 MSW, a5f (turf)
Race 8 (MSW) at AP on 9/16/16
Race 8 at Arlington Park on September 16, 2016
- Entries
| PP | Horse / Age / Sex / Pedigree | Wt M/L |
Jockey / Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
1
Princess Lu Lu
|
|||
| 2 |
2
Picaresque
|
|||
| 3 |
3
Gorgeous in Gold
|
|||
| 4 | 4 Chapeau Chic | |||
| 5 | 5 Lands Down Street | |||
| 6 | 6 Superstar Bea | |||
| 7 | 7 Staria Peach | |||
| 8 |
8
Everywheruwanttobe
|
|||
| 9 |
9
Aiken to Be
|
|||
| 10 | 10 Unbridled Harlan | |||
| 11 |
11
Holy Cookie
|
|||
| 12 |
12
Heir Ball
|
|||
| 13 |
13
Purple Piano
|
*Program Numbers available after entries are finalized.
More Race Results
- At this Track
More Stakes Entries
- At this Track
- On this Date
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|
Posted on September 16th, 2016