News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
GRADE I WINNER NEGLIGEE TO RUN IN INTRIGUING LEXUS RAVEN RUN
Sovereign Stable’s Negligee, who won Keeneland’s Grade I Darley Alcibiades in 2009 and earned the Sovereign Award last year as Canada’s champion 2-year-old filly, will return to the scene of her greatest triumph Saturday in the 12th running of the Grade II, $250,000 Lexus Raven Run, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.
Trained by John Terranova, Negligee has made her three most recent starts on turf, and is still seeking her first win of the year. Her recent dry spell accounts for her being no lower than 6-1 in the morning line.
The tepid 4-1 morning line favorite in the wide open field of 14 is the Ken McPeek-trained Beautician, who was second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, but only has a Saratoga allowance win to show for her eight starts in 2010.
An intriguing longshot in the Lexus Raven Run field is My Irish Girl who, after losing her debut, has reeled off seven straight sprint victories, including a win against older females in the Claiming Crown Glass Slipper at Canterbury Park in July. The 10-1 morning line proposition, who was offered twice in her career for a $15,000 claiming tag, has made her last five starts in five different states – Arkansas, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and New Jersey – and Saturday’s race in Kentucky would add a sixth state to the streak.
EMPIRE CLASSIC HIGHLIGHTS NEW YORK SHOWCASE DAY AT BELMONT PARK
Eleven accomplished thoroughbreds will vie for the title of “Best of New York” Saturday afternoon when they assemble for the 35th running of the $200,000 Empire Classic, the centerpiece of New York Showcase Day at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
In addition to the Empire Classic, New York Showcase day will feature six other stakes races for New York-breds worth nearly $1 million.
With victories in two of the last four runnings, trainer Dominic Galluscio and Majesty Stud have enjoyed considerable success in the Classic, and they’re hoping that tradition will continue with Stormy’s Majesty, as one of four 3-year-olds in the 1 1/8-mile Empire Classic.
The homebred son of Stormy Atlantic is undefeated in four starts against fellow state-breds, including his neck victory over Classic rival and fellow sophomore Ibboyee in the 1 1/8-mile Albany at Saratoga Race Course in August, his first stakes win.
“One of the breeders passed away in April, so it’s very emotional when we run him,” said Galluscio of Stormy’s Majesty, who in open company finished eighth in the Jim Dandy and second in the Star of Cozzene. “He’s very sharp right now, and we are looking forward to the race.”
The consistent Ibboyee, a multiple stakes winner who has been no worse than third in his last eight starts, enjoyed a brief freshening after the Albany, his first start at the Classic distance.
“He’s done well at a mile and an eighth, and we’re happy with the way he’s training right now,” said trainer Todd Pletcher of Ibboyee, who will run as part of an Anstu Stable entry with the 5-year-old gelding Manteca, beaten favorite in the Salute Me Sir in September. “Manteca’s last race was very disappointing. He found himself on the lead when another horse stumbled, and that probably isn’t his best running style. We’re hoping he’ll settle off the pace a little.”
Also running as an entry will be two of owner Chester and Mary Broman’s top sophomores – Mine Over Matter, who beat older horses in the Salute Me Sir, and Friend Or Foe, most recently sixth after an eventful trip in the Travers.
Winner of his first three starts, including a victory over his elders in an allowance and the Mike Lee, Friend Or Foe stepped up into open company at Saratoga, finishing a credible fourth in the Jim Dandy. In the Travers, the son of Friends Lake was carried five-wide on the first turn and emerged from the race with a cut on his left foreleg that later became infected, forcing him to miss some training.
“It definitely knocked him off schedule,” said Friend Or Foe’s trainer, John Kimmel. “He came back, and he’s worked really well. I think he’s back to where he was at the beginning of the summer.”
The Empire Classic also drew a number of familiar faces, including Classic veterans Ruffino, second last year to Haynesfield, and Naughty New Yorker, winless in four editions, as well as multiple stakes winners Giant Moon, Icabad Crane, and Wishful Tomcat, who will be making their Classic debuts.
HOLLYWOOD PARK FANS TO SIGN GIANT “GOOD LUCK, ZENYATTA!” BANNER
Hollywood Park, in conjunction with Oak Tree Racing Association, Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), announced today that a seven-feet-tall, 40-feet-wide “Good Luck, Zenyatta!” banner will be on display at the Inglewood, Calif., racetrack for fans to sign beginning this Saturday. The banner will then be shipped to Louisville, Ky., in advance of the undefeated Zenyatta’s attempt for a 20th career victory in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 6 at Churchill Downs. Zenyatta’s jockey, Mike Smith, will be the first to sign the banner.
"We think this is an innovative way for fans to show their support of Zenyatta as she goes for a second consecutive win in the Breeders' Cup Classic,” said Sherwood Chillingworth, Director and Executive Vice President of Oak Tree Racing Association. “We encourage everyone to come to Hollywood Park to sign the banner for this outstanding mare who has brought us all so much excitement.''
“Zenyatta’s unforgettable career has thrilled racing fans on every continent,” said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the NTRA. “But California is her home, and this banner will give Zenyatta’s hometown fans the opportunity to personally wish her the best of luck as she continues her incredible quest for perfection.”
POST-BREEDERS’ CUP CELEBRATION AT OLD FRIENDS
Old Friends and its 21 retired Breeders' Cup stars invite fans to join them for a special celebration of 2010's new Breeders’ Cup champions on Sunday, November, 7 at 1:00 p.m. at Dream Chase Farm in Georgetown, Ky. Expected guests include Triple Crown winning jockey Jean Cruguet, three-time Kentucky Derby winning rider Calvin Borel, and Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux.
The event will feature live and silent auctions of select stallion halters, fine artwork, collectibles, and racing memorabilia. Big-ticket items include a portrait of Horse of Year and Old Friends retiree Black Tie Affair by painter Elaine Winter. Another highlight of the event will be a live demonstration on the making of Raku/horse hair pottery (weather permitting) by the artists of Pottery Rowe in Louisville.
Old Friends is home to 21 Breeders’ Cup starters, including Awad (Turf, 1995), Marquetry (Breeders’ Cup, 1991), Eclipse champion Sunshine Forever (Turf, 1988), and Gulch, who captured the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 1988.
"So many of our retirees contributed to the success of the Breeders' Cup, and with the 2010 running at Churchill Downs, it seemed like a great time to celebrate their accomplishments," said Old Friends president and founder Michael Blowen.
Tickets to the Old Friends Breeders' Cup Celebration are $25, with Old Friends members, shareholders and students with IDs admitted for $15. Reservations can be made by calling 502-863-1775.
JIMMY JOHN’S TO SPONSOR HRRN’S BREEDERS’ CUP COUNTDOWN SHOWS
The Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) has reached an agreement with Jimmy John’s of Lexington, Ky., to sponsor HRRN’s four Breeders’ Cup Countdown shows during Breeders’ Cup week.
HRRN’s coverage of all 14 Breeders’ Cup races will be hosted live from Churchill Downs on Friday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. (ET) and on Saturday from 1:00-7:00 p.m. (ET). The four Breeders’ Cup Countdown shows begin Tuesday morning November 2 from 8:00-10:00 a.m., and will feature interviews with owners, trainers, jockeys, handicappers and more. The shows will originate live from the Churchill backside.
The HRRN broadcasts can be heard on various affiliates throughout the country, and worldwide with live streaming on the HRRN website, www.horseracingradio.net, as well as www.breederscup.com. A complete Breeders’ Cup week schedule, along with broadcast times and station listings, can also be found on the HRRN site.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
WOODBINE HOSTS CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL, E.P. TAYLOR AND NEARCTIC STAKES SATURDAY
Nine top grass horses from North America and Europe have been entered to contest the 73rd running of the Grade I Pattison Canadian International, a $2 million event for 3-year-olds and up at a distance of 1 1/2 miles on the turf this Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack in Rexdale, Ontario, Canada.
In addition to the Pattison, Canada’s richest horse race, two other turf stakes will highlight the undercard – the Grade I, $1 million E.P. Taylor at one mile and one-quarter for fillies and mares, and the six furlong, $500,000 Grade I Nearctic Stakes, for three-year-olds and upward.
All three events are Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races. The winners of each race earn berths into their respective Breeders’ Cup contests which will be run Nov. 5-6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The winner of the Pattison Canadian International gains entry to the $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 6.
Marsh Side, the 2008 winner of the Canadian International with earnings of $2,360,458, will try to get back on the winning track after finishing eighth in Woodbine’s Northern Dancer Stakes, a 1 ½-miles turf race on Sept. 19. An international star trained by Neil Drysdale, the seven-year-old has raced in the U.S., Japan and the United Arab Emirates and enters the International with a 1-for-5 record for 2010. His one victory came in the 1 1/4 mile Sky Classic at Woodbine over a soft course.
Redwood, the 2-1 morning line favorite, is a four-year-old British-bred son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf winner High Chaparral who will be making his second appearance in Canada. His first appearance was a winning one when he captured the Grade I Northern Dancer by a half-length. Trained by Barry Hills and ridden by his son Michael Hills, Redwood has won four times in 10 career starts when taking the Northern Dancer.
“He’s still lightly-raced. He’s got plenty of talent and a good turn of foot,” said Michael Hills.
Fifty Proof will attempt to be the first Canadian-bred to take the International since Thornfield achieved the feat in 1999. Sent off at 29-1, in the Northern Dancer, the son of Whiskey Wisdom finished a game second, yielding the lead late a half-length back to eventual winner Redwood.
“We were hoping he would run a creditable race, perhaps get a piece,” said Fifty Proof’s trainer Ian Black. “His breeding doesn’t really suggest he’ll get a mile and a half, but he had come into the race in great shape. We didn’t win, but we were absolutely thrilled.”
Justin Stein has the call and will break from post position 9.
The complete field for the Pattison Canadian International from the rail out is: Memorial Maniac (jockey: James Graham, morning line odds: 20-1); Chinchon (Garrett Gomez, 7-2); Mores Wells (Sebastien Maillot, 12-1); Simmard (Javier Castellano, 15-1); Al Khali (Alan Garcia, 6-1); Marsh Side (Edgar Prado, 4-1); Joshua Tree (Colm O’Donoghue, 8-1); Redwood (Michael Hills, 2-1); and Fifty Proof (Justin Stein, 10-1). All horses will carry 126 pounds.
The E.P. Taylor Stakes has drawn a field of 10, headed by Europeans Shalanaya, Contredanse and defending champion Lahaleeb, and locally-based Miss Keller. The winner of the E.P. Taylor will earn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf on Nov. 5. The Nearctic Stakes has attracted 12 hopefuls, including 2008 Canadian Horse of the Year Fatal Bullet, defending Nearctic champion Field Commission and multiple stakes winner Grand Adventure. The winner of the Nearctic earns a berth in the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
ESPN2 will provide live coverage of all three stakes events from Woodbine from 4:00–6:00 p.m. (ET). The telecast will also include taped highlights of Saturday’s Group I Emirates Champion Stakes from Newmarket, England.
EVENING JEWEL TOPS FIELD OF EIGHT FOR SATURDAY’S QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP AT KEENELAND
Evening Jewel headlines a stellar field of eight 3-year-old fillies entered for Saturday’s 27th running of the Grade I, $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup to be run at 1 1/8 miles on the turf course at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.
Trained by Jim Cassidy, Evening Jewel is undefeated in three starts since moving to the turf after a nose defeat to Blind Luck in the Kentucky Oaks on April 30. The victories have all been in stakes, with her most recent triumph coming in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks on August 21.
Cassidy will be seeking his second QE II victory, having taken the 2004 running with Ticker Tape. Victor Espinoza, who has been aboard for Evening Jewel’s three grass wins, has the call. Evening Jewel, the 5-2 morning line favorite, will break from post position 3.
Two other Grade I winners are in the field: Check the Label and Harmonious.
Check the Label, trained by Graham Motion, who won this race in 2003 with Film Maker, has won her past four starts in a streak that began in the Grade III Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland this spring. In her most recent start, Check the Label won the Grade I Garden City Stakes at Belmont Park on September 18. Ramon Dominguez has the call on Check the Label, who will break from post position 4.
Trained by John Shirreffs, Harmonious won the Grade I American Oaks at Hollywood Park in July before running second to Evening Jewel in the Del Mar Oaks in her most recent start. Joel Rosario will ride Harmonious, who will break from post position 6.
BREEDERS’ CUP LAUNCHES ZENYATTA MICROSITE
The Breeders’ Cup this week announced the launch of www.Zenyatta2010.com, a Zenyatta-focused website built in advance of the 27th Breeders’ Cup World Championships to be held Nov. 5-6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. In the weekend’s featured event, the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, Zenyatta will attempt to become the first American Thoroughbred to ever go 20-0 when she takes on the boys as the Classic’s defending champion.
The site, which will be cross-sharing content with Zenyatta’s official website www.Zenyatta.com, will serve as an information resource on all things Zenyatta as it relates to the Breeders’ Cup. Features of the site include: daily updates from Zenyatta’s barn, including video and images exclusive to the site; bio and pedigree information; Photos, video and interesting facts about Zenyatta; bios and information on “Team Zenyatta,” including owners Jerry and Ann Moss, jockey Mike Smith, and trainer John Shirreffs; and streams from Zenyatta’s Facebook and Twitter (@2010Zenyatta) feeds.
“She is the star of the show,” said Peter Rotondo, Vice President of Media and Entertainment for the Breeders’ Cup. We wanted to create an environment where people could interactively engage and share in the Zenyatta phenomenon and where we could help educate a broader audience that may be new to Zenyatta, working with her team to provide some behind-the-scenes access.”
BREEDERS’ CUP LAUNCHES FREE iPHONE APP
The Breeders’ Cup, in conjunction with iPhone App developer Rock Software, announced this week that it has launched the Official Breeders’ Cup iPhone App in advance of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs on November 5-6. The Official Breeders’ Cup app will allow iPhone users to watch all 14 Breeders’ Cup World Championship races live and for free on November 5-6, as the world’s top Thoroughbreds compete for $26 million in purses. The Breeders’ Cup also plans to release an iPad App, including all the same features, in advance of the World Championships.
Prior to November 5, the App will include stories and news leading up to the Breeders’ Cup; biographical and statistical information about the 14 Breeders’ Cup races, powered by Equibase; a guide to the simulcast site closest to the user’s location; a wagering guide; weather and seating information; and video of every Breeders’ Cup race ever run (1984-2009).
“Now horse racing fans will be able to watch the Breeders’ Cup World Championships wherever they are and have instant access to valuable information regarding all 14 Breeders’ Cup World Championships races,” said Peter Rotondo, Vice President of Broadcasting and Entertainment.
KID EDWARD, SEVEN OTHERS SET FOR $150,000 OAK TREE DERBY SATURDAY
Kid Edward will try to help trainer Jim Cassidy achieve a first in the Grade III, $150,000 Oak Tree Derby at 1 1/8 miles on the turf for 3-year-olds Saturday at the Oak Tree at Hollywood Park meeting in Inglewood, Calif.
No trainer has ever won the race – which had its first running in 1969 and was called the Volante Handicap prior to 1997 - two times in a row. Cassidy can accomplish the feat in the 41st running after winning with The Usual Q.T. in 2009.
Kid Edward, a son of Singspiel, has won two of five – all on grass – and earned $99,360. In two previous appearances in Grade II events, the Irish bred was second behind Sidney’s Candy’s record setting performance in the La Jolla Handicap on Aug. 14 at Del Mar, and then was fifth in a controversial Del Mar Derby won by Twirling Candy.
David Flores, who won the Oak Tree Derby two years ago aboard Muny, retains the mount on Kid Edward.
A three-time winner on the turf in his native France, Blue Pans will make his United States debut Saturday for owner G. Normand Augustin and trainer Fabrice Chappel. Blue Panis has earned $174,666 in 14 starts. The Derby will be his initial try beyond a mile.
The only two members of the field coming off a win are Haimish Hy and Sebastian Flyte.
Trained by Art Sherman, Haimish Hy is two-for-two on grass, but his last win came over the Polytrack at Del Mar. Dismissed at 31-1 in the El Cajon Stakes on Sept. 3, Haimish Hy prevailed by a neck. Overall, the son of Ecton Park has won four of eight, banking $134,980.
An English bred son of Observatory, Sebastian Flyte won at 2-1 in his first start in this country on Sept. 4 at Del Mar. Trained by Ben Cecil, Sebastian Flyte has won two of nine and earned $86,003.
Make Music for Me will make his first appearance since finishing 10th in the Belmont Stakes on June 5. Trained by Alexis Barba, the Bernstein colt won his only other race on turf, capturing the Pasadena Stakes as a maiden on March 6 at Santa Anita. The one length victory over Macias remains Make Music for Me’s lone win in 10 starts, but he has hit the board on three occasions in graded stakes. He has earned $362,260.
Jairzinho will be seeking to end a 14-race losing streak. His victory came against five opponents at Leicester in his native England on June 25, 2009. Jairzinho’s nine most recent defeats have occurred since coming to California early in 2010.
Completing the field is Royal F J. A Royal Academy gelding, Royal F J has won once in 12 starts, earning $137,760 for La Canada Stables LLC and trainer Jack Carava.
He was third in the Del Mar Derby on Sept. 5 in his graded stakes debut. He has been second or third in 10 of his 11 defeats.
From the inside out, the field for the Oak Tree Derby is: Haimish Hy, (Alonso Quinonez rides, 120 pounds); Sebastian Flyte (Martin Garcia, 118); Kid Edward (David Flores, 118); Jairzinho (Patrick Valenzuela, 118); Fantastic Pick (Corey Nakatani, 118); Blue Panis, (Joe Talamo, 118); Royal F J (Rafael Bejarano, 118); and Make Music For Me (Brice Blanc, 118).
MARY’S FOLLIES RETURNS IN BELMONT’S ATHENIA STAKES
Mary’s Follies, off for the past 11 months, will return to the races Saturday in the Grade III, $100,000 Athenia Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Purchased by Paul Pompa, Jr. and transferred to the barn of Rick Dutrow, Jr. off a victory in the 2009 Boiling Springs at Monmouth Park, Mary’s Follies finished second in an off-the-turf running of the Lake George at Saratoga and sixth on the dirt in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion at Philadelphia Park in her first two starts for her new connections. Back on grass for the Mrs. Revere at Churchill Downs in November, the bay daughter of More Than Ready kicked away to a 1 ½-length victory before being sent to the sidelines.
Mary’s Follies has been working steadily since mid-August in preparation for her comeback start.
“I never was targeting this race,” said Dutrow. “I thought she was ready and I looked in the condition book and saw this race, and it seemed like a good spot. She’s been ready for a while.”
Mary’s Follies, the 9-2 third choice on the morning line, will be ridden by Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux from post position 2.
Julien H. Richmond-Watson’s Tottie rallied from last of four to take an optional claimer on June 17 in her first and so far only start at Belmont. In the interim the British import was third in the Matchmaker at Monmouth on August 1 before returning to prevail by a neck in the Omnibus at that venue on August 21.
“We’re very happy with her so far,” said trainer Chad Brown. “She’s won four of six starts here and has adjusted well.”
Brown said he was originally considering the Scoot Stakes at Belmont on October 20 for Tottie, but made a late decision to enter her in the Athenia instead.
“At the last second I decided to send her because she was training so well,” said Brown.
In the Athenia, Tottie will be cutting back from 1 3/8 miles, but Brown is confident Tottie is just as formidable at 1 1/16 miles. Tabbed as the 7-2 second choice on the morning line, Tottie will leave from post 5 with Jose Lezcano aboard.
Strike the Bell seeks her second stakes victory of the fall championship meet, having won the Noble Damsel on September 19. Earlier in the year, the 4-year-old was second by a head in the Miss Liberty at Monmouth on July 4 and sixth in the Ballston Spa Handicap at Saratoga on August 28.
“She’s doing well and obviously she runs well here,” said David Donk, who trains Strike the Bell for Rising Star Stables. “The mile and a sixteenth here is still a semi one-turn race and some pace would obviously help. She’ll run on any kind of course and she’s done well out of her last race.”
Alex Solis has the call aboard Strike the Bell, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, from post 11.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is hopeful that Eye of Taurus will take to Belmont’s inner turf course as she enters Saturday’s race off four starts at Monmouth, including a victory in the Revidere on September 11 most recently.
“She had some troubled trips before she won the stakes last time,” said McLaughlin. “It should be better here with the wider turns.”
Eddie Castro retains the mount aboard Eye of Taurus, 6-1 on the morning Rline and leaving from post 7.
Giant Mover, Miss Catalyst, Darjeeling, Trix in the City, Missit, Exquisite, Way With Words and McVictory round out the field, though McVictory will only take part if the Athenia is moved off the turf and onto the main track.
USPRECH, DAVIS, FOUR OTHERS THE LATEST TO QUALIFY FOR NHC
Sheldon Usprech of Thornwall, Ontario, Canada, and Charlie Davis of Seattle, Wash., bested their respective fields of NHC Tour members in last weekend’s free NHC Tour online handicapping tournaments. Usprech and Davis will now receive guaranteed berths in the $1.1 million (estimated) Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) on January 28-29, 2011 in Las Vegas, where the grand prize will be $500,000.
Usprech, a veteran NHC Tour member, who competed in the NHC in 2007, amassed a winning total of $127.10 in the October 9 contest that required competitors to make mythical $2.00 win and place wagers on 10 mandatory races that took place at Belmont Park, Keeneland, Monmouth Park and Woodbine. Davis, an NHC Tour rookie who will be making his first appearance in the NHC Finals, racked up a total of $105.50.
Last weekend’s tournament was split into two divisions based on whether contestants were Level 1 NHC Tour members or Level 2 members, with three contestants from each division qualifying for the NHC. Joining Usprech as NHC qualifiers from the 608-person Level 1 division were Bradley Cressy ($126.60) of Fountain Hills, Ariz., and Lance Williams ($119.50) of Bellevue, Wash. Both Cressy and Williams are first-year NHC Tour members, who will be making their initial appearances at the NHC in January.
Qualifying from the 120-contestant Level 2 competition in addition to Davis were Dave Picarello of Baltimore, Md., and Tommy Massis of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Picarello and Massis are also NHC Tour rookies who will be competing in their first NHC next January. All six of this weekend’s qualifiers will receive roundtrip air travel and hotel accommodations at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, site of the NHC.
The October 9 tournament was the last of five free events this year restricted to NHC Tour members. The annual registration fee for the NHC Tour is $100 for Level 1 members who compete solely for NHC berths, and $500 for Level 2 members, who also compete during the year for at least $75,000 in additional prize money. NHC Tour scoring is based on a contestant’s five best scores at qualifying tournaments held around the country or online. At the end of the year, the highest scoring NHC Tour member can also win a $2 million bonus if he or she wins the NHC finals in Las Vegas.
WOODBINE HOSTS CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL, E.P. TAYLOR AND NEARCTIC STAKES SATURDAY
Nine top grass horses from North America and Europe have been entered to contest the 73rd running of the Grade I Pattison Canadian International, a $2 million event for 3-year-olds and up at a distance of 1 1/2 miles on the turf this Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack in Rexdale, Ontario, Canada.
In addition to the Pattison, Canada’s richest horse race, two other turf stakes will highlight the undercard – the Grade I, $1 million E.P. Taylor at one mile and one-quarter for fillies and mares, and the six furlong, $500,000 Grade I Nearctic Stakes, for three-year-olds and upward.
All three events are Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races. The winners of each race earn berths into their respective Breeders’ Cup contests which will be run Nov. 5-6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The winner of the Pattison Canadian International gains entry to the $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 6.
Marsh Side, the 2008 winner of the Canadian International with earnings of $2,360,458, will try to get back on the winning track after finishing eighth in Woodbine’s Northern Dancer Stakes, a 1 ½-miles turf race on Sept. 19. An international star trained by Neil Drysdale, the seven-year-old has raced in the U.S., Japan and the United Arab Emirates and enters the International with a 1-for-5 record for 2010. His one victory came in the 1 1/4 mile Sky Classic at Woodbine over a soft course.
Redwood, the 2-1 morning line favorite, is a four-year-old British-bred son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf winner High Chaparral who will be making his second appearance in Canada. His first appearance was a winning one when he captured the Grade I Northern Dancer by a half-length. Trained by Barry Hills and ridden by his son Michael Hills, Redwood has won four times in 10 career starts when taking the Northern Dancer.
“He’s still lightly-raced. He’s got plenty of talent and a good turn of foot,” said Michael Hills.
Fifty Proof will attempt to be the first Canadian-bred to take the International since Thornfield achieved the feat in 1999. Sent off at 29-1, in the Northern Dancer, the son of Whiskey Wisdom finished a game second, yielding the lead late a half-length back to eventual winner Redwood.
“We were hoping he would run a creditable race, perhaps get a piece,” said Fifty Proof’s trainer Ian Black. “His breeding doesn’t really suggest he’ll get a mile and a half, but he had come into the race in great shape. We didn’t win, but we were absolutely thrilled.”
Justin Stein has the call and will break from post position 9.
The complete field for the Pattison Canadian International from the rail out is: Memorial Maniac (jockey: James Graham, morning line odds: 20-1); Chinchon (Garrett Gomez, 7-2); Mores Wells (Sebastien Maillot, 12-1); Simmard (Javier Castellano, 15-1); Al Khali (Alan Garcia, 6-1); Marsh Side (Edgar Prado, 4-1); Joshua Tree (Colm O’Donoghue, 8-1); Redwood (Michael Hills, 2-1); and Fifty Proof (Justin Stein, 10-1). All horses will carry 126 pounds.
The E.P. Taylor Stakes has drawn a field of 10, headed by Europeans Shalanaya, Contredanse and defending champion Lahaleeb, and locally-based Miss Keller. The winner of the E.P. Taylor will earn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf on Nov. 5. The Nearctic Stakes has attracted 12 hopefuls, including 2008 Canadian Horse of the Year Fatal Bullet, defending Nearctic champion Field Commission and multiple stakes winner Grand Adventure. The winner of the Nearctic earns a berth in the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
ESPN2 will provide live coverage of all three stakes events from Woodbine from 4:00–6:00 p.m. (ET). The telecast will also include taped highlights of Saturday’s Group I Emirates Champion Stakes from Newmarket, England.
EVENING JEWEL TOPS FIELD OF EIGHT FOR SATURDAY’S QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHALLENGE CUP AT KEENELAND
Evening Jewel headlines a stellar field of eight 3-year-old fillies entered for Saturday’s 27th running of the Grade I, $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup to be run at 1 1/8 miles on the turf course at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.
Trained by Jim Cassidy, Evening Jewel is undefeated in three starts since moving to the turf after a nose defeat to Blind Luck in the Kentucky Oaks on April 30. The victories have all been in stakes, with her most recent triumph coming in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks on August 21.
Cassidy will be seeking his second QE II victory, having taken the 2004 running with Ticker Tape. Victor Espinoza, who has been aboard for Evening Jewel’s three grass wins, has the call. Evening Jewel, the 5-2 morning line favorite, will break from post position 3.
Two other Grade I winners are in the field: Check the Label and Harmonious.
Check the Label, trained by Graham Motion, who won this race in 2003 with Film Maker, has won her past four starts in a streak that began in the Grade III Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland this spring. In her most recent start, Check the Label won the Grade I Garden City Stakes at Belmont Park on September 18. Ramon Dominguez has the call on Check the Label, who will break from post position 4.
Trained by John Shirreffs, Harmonious won the Grade I American Oaks at Hollywood Park in July before running second to Evening Jewel in the Del Mar Oaks in her most recent start. Joel Rosario will ride Harmonious, who will break from post position 6.
BREEDERS’ CUP LAUNCHES ZENYATTA MICROSITE
The Breeders’ Cup this week announced the launch of www.Zenyatta2010.com, a Zenyatta-focused website built in advance of the 27th Breeders’ Cup World Championships to be held Nov. 5-6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. In the weekend’s featured event, the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, Zenyatta will attempt to become the first American Thoroughbred to ever go 20-0 when she takes on the boys as the Classic’s defending champion.
The site, which will be cross-sharing content with Zenyatta’s official website www.Zenyatta.com, will serve as an information resource on all things Zenyatta as it relates to the Breeders’ Cup. Features of the site include: daily updates from Zenyatta’s barn, including video and images exclusive to the site; bio and pedigree information; Photos, video and interesting facts about Zenyatta; bios and information on “Team Zenyatta,” including owners Jerry and Ann Moss, jockey Mike Smith, and trainer John Shirreffs; and streams from Zenyatta’s Facebook and Twitter (@2010Zenyatta) feeds.
“She is the star of the show,” said Peter Rotondo, Vice President of Media and Entertainment for the Breeders’ Cup. We wanted to create an environment where people could interactively engage and share in the Zenyatta phenomenon and where we could help educate a broader audience that may be new to Zenyatta, working with her team to provide some behind-the-scenes access.”
BREEDERS’ CUP LAUNCHES FREE iPHONE APP
The Breeders’ Cup, in conjunction with iPhone App developer Rock Software, announced this week that it has launched the Official Breeders’ Cup iPhone App in advance of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs on November 5-6. The Official Breeders’ Cup app will allow iPhone users to watch all 14 Breeders’ Cup World Championship races live and for free on November 5-6, as the world’s top Thoroughbreds compete for $26 million in purses. The Breeders’ Cup also plans to release an iPad App, including all the same features, in advance of the World Championships.
Prior to November 5, the App will include stories and news leading up to the Breeders’ Cup; biographical and statistical information about the 14 Breeders’ Cup races, powered by Equibase; a guide to the simulcast site closest to the user’s location; a wagering guide; weather and seating information; and video of every Breeders’ Cup race ever run (1984-2009).
“Now horse racing fans will be able to watch the Breeders’ Cup World Championships wherever they are and have instant access to valuable information regarding all 14 Breeders’ Cup World Championships races,” said Peter Rotondo, Vice President of Broadcasting and Entertainment.
KID EDWARD, SEVEN OTHERS SET FOR $150,000 OAK TREE DERBY SATURDAY
Kid Edward will try to help trainer Jim Cassidy achieve a first in the Grade III, $150,000 Oak Tree Derby at 1 1/8 miles on the turf for 3-year-olds Saturday at the Oak Tree at Hollywood Park meeting in Inglewood, Calif.
No trainer has ever won the race – which had its first running in 1969 and was called the Volante Handicap prior to 1997 - two times in a row. Cassidy can accomplish the feat in the 41st running after winning with The Usual Q.T. in 2009.
Kid Edward, a son of Singspiel, has won two of five – all on grass – and earned $99,360. In two previous appearances in Grade II events, the Irish bred was second behind Sidney’s Candy’s record setting performance in the La Jolla Handicap on Aug. 14 at Del Mar, and then was fifth in a controversial Del Mar Derby won by Twirling Candy.
David Flores, who won the Oak Tree Derby two years ago aboard Muny, retains the mount on Kid Edward.
A three-time winner on the turf in his native France, Blue Pans will make his United States debut Saturday for owner G. Normand Augustin and trainer Fabrice Chappel. Blue Panis has earned $174,666 in 14 starts. The Derby will be his initial try beyond a mile.
The only two members of the field coming off a win are Haimish Hy and Sebastian Flyte.
Trained by Art Sherman, Haimish Hy is two-for-two on grass, but his last win came over the Polytrack at Del Mar. Dismissed at 31-1 in the El Cajon Stakes on Sept. 3, Haimish Hy prevailed by a neck. Overall, the son of Ecton Park has won four of eight, banking $134,980.
An English bred son of Observatory, Sebastian Flyte won at 2-1 in his first start in this country on Sept. 4 at Del Mar. Trained by Ben Cecil, Sebastian Flyte has won two of nine and earned $86,003.
Make Music for Me will make his first appearance since finishing 10th in the Belmont Stakes on June 5. Trained by Alexis Barba, the Bernstein colt won his only other race on turf, capturing the Pasadena Stakes as a maiden on March 6 at Santa Anita. The one length victory over Macias remains Make Music for Me’s lone win in 10 starts, but he has hit the board on three occasions in graded stakes. He has earned $362,260.
Jairzinho will be seeking to end a 14-race losing streak. His victory came against five opponents at Leicester in his native England on June 25, 2009. Jairzinho’s nine most recent defeats have occurred since coming to California early in 2010.
Completing the field is Royal F J. A Royal Academy gelding, Royal F J has won once in 12 starts, earning $137,760 for La Canada Stables LLC and trainer Jack Carava.
He was third in the Del Mar Derby on Sept. 5 in his graded stakes debut. He has been second or third in 10 of his 11 defeats.
From the inside out, the field for the Oak Tree Derby is: Haimish Hy, (Alonso Quinonez rides, 120 pounds); Sebastian Flyte (Martin Garcia, 118); Kid Edward (David Flores, 118); Jairzinho (Patrick Valenzuela, 118); Fantastic Pick (Corey Nakatani, 118); Blue Panis, (Joe Talamo, 118); Royal F J (Rafael Bejarano, 118); and Make Music For Me (Brice Blanc, 118).
MARY’S FOLLIES RETURNS IN BELMONT’S ATHENIA STAKES
Mary’s Follies, off for the past 11 months, will return to the races Saturday in the Grade III, $100,000 Athenia Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Purchased by Paul Pompa, Jr. and transferred to the barn of Rick Dutrow, Jr. off a victory in the 2009 Boiling Springs at Monmouth Park, Mary’s Follies finished second in an off-the-turf running of the Lake George at Saratoga and sixth on the dirt in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion at Philadelphia Park in her first two starts for her new connections. Back on grass for the Mrs. Revere at Churchill Downs in November, the bay daughter of More Than Ready kicked away to a 1 ½-length victory before being sent to the sidelines.
Mary’s Follies has been working steadily since mid-August in preparation for her comeback start.
“I never was targeting this race,” said Dutrow. “I thought she was ready and I looked in the condition book and saw this race, and it seemed like a good spot. She’s been ready for a while.”
Mary’s Follies, the 9-2 third choice on the morning line, will be ridden by Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux from post position 2.
Julien H. Richmond-Watson’s Tottie rallied from last of four to take an optional claimer on June 17 in her first and so far only start at Belmont. In the interim the British import was third in the Matchmaker at Monmouth on August 1 before returning to prevail by a neck in the Omnibus at that venue on August 21.
“We’re very happy with her so far,” said trainer Chad Brown. “She’s won four of six starts here and has adjusted well.”
Brown said he was originally considering the Scoot Stakes at Belmont on October 20 for Tottie, but made a late decision to enter her in the Athenia instead.
“At the last second I decided to send her because she was training so well,” said Brown.
In the Athenia, Tottie will be cutting back from 1 3/8 miles, but Brown is confident Tottie is just as formidable at 1 1/16 miles. Tabbed as the 7-2 second choice on the morning line, Tottie will leave from post 5 with Jose Lezcano aboard.
Strike the Bell seeks her second stakes victory of the fall championship meet, having won the Noble Damsel on September 19. Earlier in the year, the 4-year-old was second by a head in the Miss Liberty at Monmouth on July 4 and sixth in the Ballston Spa Handicap at Saratoga on August 28.
“She’s doing well and obviously she runs well here,” said David Donk, who trains Strike the Bell for Rising Star Stables. “The mile and a sixteenth here is still a semi one-turn race and some pace would obviously help. She’ll run on any kind of course and she’s done well out of her last race.”
Alex Solis has the call aboard Strike the Bell, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, from post 11.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is hopeful that Eye of Taurus will take to Belmont’s inner turf course as she enters Saturday’s race off four starts at Monmouth, including a victory in the Revidere on September 11 most recently.
“She had some troubled trips before she won the stakes last time,” said McLaughlin. “It should be better here with the wider turns.”
Eddie Castro retains the mount aboard Eye of Taurus, 6-1 on the morning Rline and leaving from post 7.
Giant Mover, Miss Catalyst, Darjeeling, Trix in the City, Missit, Exquisite, Way With Words and McVictory round out the field, though McVictory will only take part if the Athenia is moved off the turf and onto the main track.
USPRECH, DAVIS, FOUR OTHERS THE LATEST TO QUALIFY FOR NHC
Sheldon Usprech of Thornwall, Ontario, Canada, and Charlie Davis of Seattle, Wash., bested their respective fields of NHC Tour members in last weekend’s free NHC Tour online handicapping tournaments. Usprech and Davis will now receive guaranteed berths in the $1.1 million (estimated) Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) on January 28-29, 2011 in Las Vegas, where the grand prize will be $500,000.
Usprech, a veteran NHC Tour member, who competed in the NHC in 2007, amassed a winning total of $127.10 in the October 9 contest that required competitors to make mythical $2.00 win and place wagers on 10 mandatory races that took place at Belmont Park, Keeneland, Monmouth Park and Woodbine. Davis, an NHC Tour rookie who will be making his first appearance in the NHC Finals, racked up a total of $105.50.
Last weekend’s tournament was split into two divisions based on whether contestants were Level 1 NHC Tour members or Level 2 members, with three contestants from each division qualifying for the NHC. Joining Usprech as NHC qualifiers from the 608-person Level 1 division were Bradley Cressy ($126.60) of Fountain Hills, Ariz., and Lance Williams ($119.50) of Bellevue, Wash. Both Cressy and Williams are first-year NHC Tour members, who will be making their initial appearances at the NHC in January.
Qualifying from the 120-contestant Level 2 competition in addition to Davis were Dave Picarello of Baltimore, Md., and Tommy Massis of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Picarello and Massis are also NHC Tour rookies who will be competing in their first NHC next January. All six of this weekend’s qualifiers will receive roundtrip air travel and hotel accommodations at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, site of the NHC.
The October 9 tournament was the last of five free events this year restricted to NHC Tour members. The annual registration fee for the NHC Tour is $100 for Level 1 members who compete solely for NHC berths, and $500 for Level 2 members, who also compete during the year for at least $75,000 in additional prize money. NHC Tour scoring is based on a contestant’s five best scores at qualifying tournaments held around the country or online. At the end of the year, the highest scoring NHC Tour member can also win a $2 million bonus if he or she wins the NHC finals in Las Vegas.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
KEENELAND FALL MEETING GETS UNDERWAY TOMORROW
Grade III winners Wonderlandbynight and Wickedly Perfect headline a field of eight 2-year-old fillies for the 59th running of the Grade I, $400,000 Darley Alcibiades at 1 1/16 miles on the main track Friday as Keeneland opens its 17-day fall meeting in Lexington. Ky. The Darley Alcibiades is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race, with the winner receiving a berth in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 5 at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Michael Reavis, Wonderlandbynight is coming off wins in the Grade III Arlington-Washington Lassie at Arlington Park and the Ontario Debutante at Woodbine. E.T. Baird, who has been aboard Wonderlandbynight in all four of her starts, has the call and will break from position four.
Wickedly Perfect, trained by Doug O’Neill, won her first two starts, including the Grade III Sorrento at Del Mar, before running second as the favorite in the Del Mar’s Grade I Darley Debutante in her most recent start. Rafael Bejarano, who won the 2004 Alcibiades on Runway Model and the 2007 renewal on Country Star, has the call and they will break from position six.
Also on the Friday opening day card at Keeneland is the Grade III, $175,000 Phoenix Stakes, a six-furlong main track sprint that serves as a “Win and You’re In” race for the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint on November 6 at Churchill Downs.
Warrior’s Reward, winner of the Grade I Carter Handicap at Aqueduct this spring will concede from 2-8 pounds to 10 rivals in the 158th running of the Phoenix. Warrior’s Reward enters the Phoenix off a fourth-place finish in the Grade I Forego at Saratoga on September 4. Julien Leparoux, who was aboard for the victory in the Carter, has the call on Warrior’s Reward, who will carry 124 pounds and break from post position five.
Both the Darley Alciabiades and the Phoenix Stakes will air live from 4:30-5:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2. Host Joe Tessitore, analysts Randy Moss and Jerry Bailey, reporters Jeannine Edwards and Jay Privman, and handicapper Hank Goldberg will be on-site for ESPN at Keeneland.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge stakes action – and the live TV coverage continue at Keeneland Saturday on Sunday. A live ESPN Classic telecast on Saturday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. (ET) will feature a trio of Grade I events: the Abu Dhabi First Lady Stakes for female grass milers, the Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity for top 2-year-old colts, and the Shadwell Turf Mile pitting some of the nation’s best male grass milers.
On Sunday, it’s back to ESPN2 for live coverage from 5:00-6:00 p.m. (ET) of the Grade I Juddmonte Spinster Stakes for fillies and mares on the main track, and the Grade III Bourbon Stakes for 2-year-old grass runners.
TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY AT BELMONT
Although Mike Repole is currently the leading owner in New York in 2010, he’ll be the first to tell you there is something missing on his resume: In 26 tries, he has yet to win a graded stakes race.
Saturday, he’s hoping that will change when his Uncle Mo steps onto Belmont Park’s main track for the 140th running of the Grade I, $300,000 Champagne Stakes. The one-mile race at the Elmont, N.Y. oval is not only one of the most prestigious races for 2-year-olds in the nation, but will give the winner an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs on November 6 as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.
Uncle Mo – sports slang for momentum – burst onto the scene on August 28 at Saratoga Race Course when, sent off as the 4-5 favorite in his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher, he galloped to a 14 ¼-length victory that earned him a 102 Beyer Speed Figure, tying him with Three Chimneys Hopeful winner Boys At Tosconova for the highest among 2-year-olds this year.
The performance was enough to make him the heavy 1-4 favorite among the seven juveniles entered in the Champagne as he stretches out from six furlongs in his second start.
“I definitely think he can handle the stretch out, and Todd tells me he thinks he can handle the stretch out,” said Repole, who paid $220,000 at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale for the son of Indian Charlie out of the Arch mare Playa Maya. “His gallop out is as impressive as his works ... just to watch him run alongside another horse and then gallop out a furlong or two afterwards and go up by 10 or 15 lengths is pretty exciting.”
John Velazquez is back aboard Uncle Mo, who drew post position 3.
Also featured on the Saturday Belmont card is another Breeders’ Cup Challenge event, the Grade I, $300,000 Frizette Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Todd Pletcher, who won last year’s Grade I Frizette with Devil May Care, may not have a dominant favorite in the Frizette like he does with Uncle Mo in the Champagne. Instead, he will try to blitz the Frizette competition with numbers, saddling four of the one-mile race’s nine starters. will have four capable starters on Saturday in this year’s edition.
Pletcher’s diverse quartet is led by R Heat Lightning, who rallied from eighth to win the seven-furlong, Spinaway at Saratoga on September 5 last time out. John Velazquez will have the mount.
“She’ll probably be placed in midpack,” said Pletcher, who also won the race in 2005 with Adieu. “She has enough tactical speed that she can be close, but she can also come from off the pace.”
Also exiting the Spinaway is Valiant Passion, who finished third, defeated 6 ½ lengths, as the 2-1 favorite. Prior to the race, the daughter of Lion Heart had been acquired privately by Team Valor and was transferred to Pletcher off a 9 ¼-length score for previous trainer Ralph Nicks at Saratoga on August 12.
“We lost a little bit of training between her maiden race and the Spinaway as we were able to get just one breeze into her,” said Pletcher. “I think she has tactical speed and should be in a good position, and we expect an improved effort.”
Valiant Passion, installed at 8-1 on the morning line, drew the outside in the field of nine and will be ridden by Jose Lezcano.
Maple Forest and Tap for Luck round out the Pletcher foursome.
The biggest threat to the all-out Pletcher assault may come from California shipper A Z Warrior, second in the Sorrento at Del Mar on August 6 and fifth in the Darley Debutante at that venue on September 4 for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Alan Garcia has picked up the mount aboard the Zayat Stables representative, who will be trying conventional dirt for the first time when she leaves from post five as the 4-1 morning-line second choice.
KEENELAND FALL MEETING GETS UNDERWAY TOMORROW
Grade III winners Wonderlandbynight and Wickedly Perfect headline a field of eight 2-year-old fillies for the 59th running of the Grade I, $400,000 Darley Alcibiades at 1 1/16 miles on the main track Friday as Keeneland opens its 17-day fall meeting in Lexington. Ky. The Darley Alcibiades is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race, with the winner receiving a berth in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 5 at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Michael Reavis, Wonderlandbynight is coming off wins in the Grade III Arlington-Washington Lassie at Arlington Park and the Ontario Debutante at Woodbine. E.T. Baird, who has been aboard Wonderlandbynight in all four of her starts, has the call and will break from position four.
Wickedly Perfect, trained by Doug O’Neill, won her first two starts, including the Grade III Sorrento at Del Mar, before running second as the favorite in the Del Mar’s Grade I Darley Debutante in her most recent start. Rafael Bejarano, who won the 2004 Alcibiades on Runway Model and the 2007 renewal on Country Star, has the call and they will break from position six.
Also on the Friday opening day card at Keeneland is the Grade III, $175,000 Phoenix Stakes, a six-furlong main track sprint that serves as a “Win and You’re In” race for the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint on November 6 at Churchill Downs.
Warrior’s Reward, winner of the Grade I Carter Handicap at Aqueduct this spring will concede from 2-8 pounds to 10 rivals in the 158th running of the Phoenix. Warrior’s Reward enters the Phoenix off a fourth-place finish in the Grade I Forego at Saratoga on September 4. Julien Leparoux, who was aboard for the victory in the Carter, has the call on Warrior’s Reward, who will carry 124 pounds and break from post position five.
Both the Darley Alciabiades and the Phoenix Stakes will air live from 4:30-5:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2. Host Joe Tessitore, analysts Randy Moss and Jerry Bailey, reporters Jeannine Edwards and Jay Privman, and handicapper Hank Goldberg will be on-site for ESPN at Keeneland.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge stakes action – and the live TV coverage continue at Keeneland Saturday on Sunday. A live ESPN Classic telecast on Saturday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. (ET) will feature a trio of Grade I events: the Abu Dhabi First Lady Stakes for female grass milers, the Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity for top 2-year-old colts, and the Shadwell Turf Mile pitting some of the nation’s best male grass milers.
On Sunday, it’s back to ESPN2 for live coverage from 5:00-6:00 p.m. (ET) of the Grade I Juddmonte Spinster Stakes for fillies and mares on the main track, and the Grade III Bourbon Stakes for 2-year-old grass runners.
TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY AT BELMONT
Although Mike Repole is currently the leading owner in New York in 2010, he’ll be the first to tell you there is something missing on his resume: In 26 tries, he has yet to win a graded stakes race.
Saturday, he’s hoping that will change when his Uncle Mo steps onto Belmont Park’s main track for the 140th running of the Grade I, $300,000 Champagne Stakes. The one-mile race at the Elmont, N.Y. oval is not only one of the most prestigious races for 2-year-olds in the nation, but will give the winner an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs on November 6 as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.
Uncle Mo – sports slang for momentum – burst onto the scene on August 28 at Saratoga Race Course when, sent off as the 4-5 favorite in his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher, he galloped to a 14 ¼-length victory that earned him a 102 Beyer Speed Figure, tying him with Three Chimneys Hopeful winner Boys At Tosconova for the highest among 2-year-olds this year.
The performance was enough to make him the heavy 1-4 favorite among the seven juveniles entered in the Champagne as he stretches out from six furlongs in his second start.
“I definitely think he can handle the stretch out, and Todd tells me he thinks he can handle the stretch out,” said Repole, who paid $220,000 at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale for the son of Indian Charlie out of the Arch mare Playa Maya. “His gallop out is as impressive as his works ... just to watch him run alongside another horse and then gallop out a furlong or two afterwards and go up by 10 or 15 lengths is pretty exciting.”
John Velazquez is back aboard Uncle Mo, who drew post position 3.
Also featured on the Saturday Belmont card is another Breeders’ Cup Challenge event, the Grade I, $300,000 Frizette Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Todd Pletcher, who won last year’s Grade I Frizette with Devil May Care, may not have a dominant favorite in the Frizette like he does with Uncle Mo in the Champagne. Instead, he will try to blitz the Frizette competition with numbers, saddling four of the one-mile race’s nine starters. will have four capable starters on Saturday in this year’s edition.
Pletcher’s diverse quartet is led by R Heat Lightning, who rallied from eighth to win the seven-furlong, Spinaway at Saratoga on September 5 last time out. John Velazquez will have the mount.
“She’ll probably be placed in midpack,” said Pletcher, who also won the race in 2005 with Adieu. “She has enough tactical speed that she can be close, but she can also come from off the pace.”
Also exiting the Spinaway is Valiant Passion, who finished third, defeated 6 ½ lengths, as the 2-1 favorite. Prior to the race, the daughter of Lion Heart had been acquired privately by Team Valor and was transferred to Pletcher off a 9 ¼-length score for previous trainer Ralph Nicks at Saratoga on August 12.
“We lost a little bit of training between her maiden race and the Spinaway as we were able to get just one breeze into her,” said Pletcher. “I think she has tactical speed and should be in a good position, and we expect an improved effort.”
Valiant Passion, installed at 8-1 on the morning line, drew the outside in the field of nine and will be ridden by Jose Lezcano.
Maple Forest and Tap for Luck round out the Pletcher foursome.
The biggest threat to the all-out Pletcher assault may come from California shipper A Z Warrior, second in the Sorrento at Del Mar on August 6 and fifth in the Darley Debutante at that venue on September 4 for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Alan Garcia has picked up the mount aboard the Zayat Stables representative, who will be trying conventional dirt for the first time when she leaves from post five as the 4-1 morning-line second choice.
Secretariat - Triple Crown Races
On the eve of the opening of Disney's Secretariat have a look back at the 1973 Triple Crown.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Film is vehicle for Secretariat to wow new generation
By RACHEL BLOUNT, Star Tribune
During his historic trip down the Belmont Park homestretch in 1973, Ron Turcotte briefly took his eyes off the wire three times. He glanced behind to see the vast distance he had opened up on the other horses in the Belmont Stakes field. A peek toward the grandstand showed a disbelieving crowd, looking like a rough sea as people leapt to their feet.
read the entire column HERE
During his historic trip down the Belmont Park homestretch in 1973, Ron Turcotte briefly took his eyes off the wire three times. He glanced behind to see the vast distance he had opened up on the other horses in the Belmont Stakes field. A peek toward the grandstand showed a disbelieving crowd, looking like a rough sea as people leapt to their feet.
read the entire column HERE
Friday, October 1, 2010
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
ZENYATTA GOING FOR 19TH CONSECUTIVE WIN SATURDAY IN LADY’S SECRET
Unbeaten superstar Zenyatta will try to extend her unblemished record to 19 wins without a loss when she faces five foes Saturday in the Grade I, $250,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes, Presented by TVG at Oak Tree at Hollywood Park. The Lady’s Secret, one of four Grade I stakes events at Oak Tree at Hollywood Park Saturday, will be the final race of Zenyatta’s career in California. She is expected to make her final career start in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
A 6-year-old Street Cry mare, Zenyatta earlier this year became the first horse to win the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park and the Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar three straight years. She also seeks a record three-peat in the Lady’s Secret, a race she won the previous two years at Santa Anita. The only other horses to win the race twice were Hollywood Wildcat in 1993-94 and Healthy Addiction in 2005-06.
Zenyatta, with career earnings of $6,254,580, also seeks to become the all-time leading female earner. The $150,000 first prize in the test for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track would enable her to pass leader Ouija Board, who earned $6,312,552 from 2003-06. As usual, Mike Smith will have the riding assignment aboard Zenyatta for trainer John Shirreffs.
Lady’s Secret rivals do not plan to make the race a walkover for the two-time Eclipse champion mare. Trainer Eric Reed shipped in a pair from Kentucky for the race -- Rinterval and Satans Quick Chick.
Rinterval, a 5-year-old mare, set most of the pace in the Clement Hirsch and finished a game second, beaten only by a neck by Zenyatta. Satans Quick Chick, a stretch-running 4-year-old filly, will make her first start since January. Both are owned by Jerry Jamgotchian.
Trainer Bob Baffert entered Moon de French, a 5-year-old mare coming off a wire-to-wire victory at one mile in the Adoration Stakes at Del Mar on September 5. The Hall of Fame trainer conceded that he faced a daunting challenge.
“Zenyatta is like a guided missile,” said Baffert of the mare’s devouring stretch kick. “She’s got radar and locks down on the leader.”
Trainer John Sadler, who conditioned Healthy Addiction, entered Switch, a 3-year-old, who upset prohibitive favorite Blind Luck in the Hollywood Oaks in June. Switch will carry 120 pounds, the others 123 each.
Emmy Darling, claimed for $62,500 out of a mile victory at Del Mar on August 19, rounds out the field.
The Lady’s Secret, along with the Norfolk Stakes and the Yellow Ribbon Stakes, will be televised live on ESPN Classic from 6:30-8:00 p.m. (ET) on Saturday. ESPN will also show the Lady’s Secret live in between two scheduled college football telecasts. Post time for the Lady’s Secret is slated for 7:15 p.m. (ET)
The annual Oak Tree Racing Association meet, which opens tonight, will be run at Hollywood Park for the first time in the Association’s 41-year history.
BLAME TOPS CONTENTIOUS FIELD IN JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP AT BELMONT
Since it was first run in 1919, Belmont Park’s Grade I, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational has not only brought together some of history’s finest Thoroughbreds but served as a major stepping stone to year-end honors for many.
Over the last decade alone, 2009 3-year-old champion Summer Bird, 2007-08 Horse of the Year Curlin, 2006 3-year-old champion Bernardini and 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft have counted the Jockey Club Gold Cup among the most prestigious of their accomplishments, and the connections of morning-line favorite Blame are hoping a victory in Saturday’s 1 ¼ mile race will grace their colt’s resume as well.
Saturday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup card at Belmont also boasts the Grade I, $350,000 Beldame Invitational; Grade I, $350,000 Vosburgh Invitational; the Grade I, $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational; and the Grade I, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational.
Blame, a 4-year-old son of Arch, most recently headed Quality Road to win the Whitney at Saratoga Race Course on August 7, and he heads into the Jockey Club Gold Cup riding a five-race win streak that began last October with the Fayette and continued with the Clark in November, the William D. Schaefer in May and the Stephen Foster in June.
Owned by Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm, Blame has compiled a record of 8-1-2 from 11 starts, and will be making only his fourth start of the year in a carefully managed campaign that will likely culminate in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 6.
“I am really pleased with the way Blame is coming into the race,” said trainer Al Stall, Jr., who has been prepping the colt at Keeneland. “He’s carrying more weight, and I couldn’t be happier with the way he’s been training. This is a tough race, and I'm really worried about everybody, but I wouldn't trade places with anybody.
Garrett Gomez, who has been aboard for Blame’s last three victories, returns to ride the 8-5 morning-line favorite from post position 2.
Rail Trip, 1-1-1 from three starts at 1 ¼ miles, will be running for the first time on conventional dirt as he makes his first start for trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. The 2009 Hollywood Gold Cup hero was most recently second in the 2010 edition of that race as the 2-5 favorite in July, after which he was transferred to New York by Mace and Samantha Siegel of Jay Em Ess Stable.
“The clock starts ticking now,” said Dutrow of the 5-year-old gelded son of Jump Start, who has never been worse than third in 12 lifetime starts. “He’s been training well at Saratoga, and at Aqueduct, for the past month and we’re hoping he runs his race. He hasn’t been getting tired with those fast works, and we’re happy with where we are with him.”
Rail Trip will leave from post position 8 under Cornelio Velasquez as the 5-2 second choice.
While Blame and Rail Trip will be making their Belmont debuts in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Turtle Bird Stable’s Haynesfield carries an enviable 4-1-0 record from five starts at the Elmont, N.Y., track into the race. Winner of the Suburban Handicap at Belmont on July 3, the Speightstown colt most recently finished fourth behind Blame in the Whitney after breaking through the gate. Haynesfield drew post position 6 and was listed at 8-1 on the morning line. Ramon Dominguez will ride.
Hall of Famer Nick Zito, who saddled 3-year-old Albert the Great to win the 2000 Jockey Club Gold Cup, will be sending out the lone 3-year-old in this year’s field – Fly Down, who gets a four-pound break in the weights at 122 pounds. Jose Lezcano will ride Fly Down, the 9-2 third choice on the morning line, from the rail.
Rounding out the Gold Cup field are Tranquil Manner, Mythical Power, Dry Martini and Hold Me Back.
One of the most intriguing races on the Saturday undercard at Belmont is the Beldame Invitational for fillies and mares with designs on the November 5 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic. Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, was expected to compete in the Beldame prior to the sudden announcement of her retirement on Tuesday. Topping the 1 1/8-mile dirt event instead are two 4-year-old fillies who handed Rachel Alexandra surprising defeats earlier in the year. Unrivaled Belle took the measure of Rachel Alexandra on April 30 at Churchill Downs in the La Troienne Stakes, and Persistently did the same in last month’s Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga.
SANTA ANITA TO RETURN TO NATURAL DIRT SURFACE
Santa Anita officials have announced that construction will begin on a new, all-natural dirt main track on October 11. Crews will begin removing the existing synthetic material at that time, and it is estimated the track will be ready for training by December 6, with Santa Anita’s traditional winter/spring meeting set to begin on December 26.
“Our Chairman, Frank Stronach, has made it abundantly clear that Santa Anita will install a state-of-the-art, all-natural dirt surface, that our best customers feel most comfortable with and that a majority of our owners, jockeys and horsemen feel more comfortable competing on,” said Santa Anita President George Haines.
“Whenever we build a track anywhere, our main concern is that horse and rider are safe,” said Ted Malloy, who will oversee the installation project. “This surface will be similar to those at Gulfstream, Churchill Downs and to the Oklahoma track at Saratoga. The biggest challenge we’re facing is finding the right mix of soils.”
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR SATURDAY’S FREE “TVG ONLINE CHALLENGE
Signups are being accepted for the “TVG Online Challenge,” a free, online handicapping tournament that will take place this Saturday, October 2. The top two finishers will receive a guaranteed berth in the $1.1 million (estimated) Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) on January 28-29, 2011 in Las Vegas. The two winners will also receive roundtrip air travel and hotel accommodations at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, site of the NHC. Prospective competitors do not need to be TVG account holders in order to register.
The TVG Online Challenge requires contestants to place hypothetical $2 win and place wagers on 10 designated contest races on Saturday. The 10 contest races will take place at Monmouth Park, Woodbine and Oak Tree at Hollywood Park. Free DRF past performances for the Challenge races will be available at the contest site. The two players amassing the highest number of points based on the Players' earnings (i.e. the highest final bankroll) from all $2 win and place wagers at the end of the Challenge will receive berths in the NHC in January in Las Vegas.
For more information about the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, visit www.ntra.com.
ZENYATTA GOING FOR 19TH CONSECUTIVE WIN SATURDAY IN LADY’S SECRET
Unbeaten superstar Zenyatta will try to extend her unblemished record to 19 wins without a loss when she faces five foes Saturday in the Grade I, $250,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes, Presented by TVG at Oak Tree at Hollywood Park. The Lady’s Secret, one of four Grade I stakes events at Oak Tree at Hollywood Park Saturday, will be the final race of Zenyatta’s career in California. She is expected to make her final career start in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
A 6-year-old Street Cry mare, Zenyatta earlier this year became the first horse to win the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park and the Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar three straight years. She also seeks a record three-peat in the Lady’s Secret, a race she won the previous two years at Santa Anita. The only other horses to win the race twice were Hollywood Wildcat in 1993-94 and Healthy Addiction in 2005-06.
Zenyatta, with career earnings of $6,254,580, also seeks to become the all-time leading female earner. The $150,000 first prize in the test for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track would enable her to pass leader Ouija Board, who earned $6,312,552 from 2003-06. As usual, Mike Smith will have the riding assignment aboard Zenyatta for trainer John Shirreffs.
Lady’s Secret rivals do not plan to make the race a walkover for the two-time Eclipse champion mare. Trainer Eric Reed shipped in a pair from Kentucky for the race -- Rinterval and Satans Quick Chick.
Rinterval, a 5-year-old mare, set most of the pace in the Clement Hirsch and finished a game second, beaten only by a neck by Zenyatta. Satans Quick Chick, a stretch-running 4-year-old filly, will make her first start since January. Both are owned by Jerry Jamgotchian.
Trainer Bob Baffert entered Moon de French, a 5-year-old mare coming off a wire-to-wire victory at one mile in the Adoration Stakes at Del Mar on September 5. The Hall of Fame trainer conceded that he faced a daunting challenge.
“Zenyatta is like a guided missile,” said Baffert of the mare’s devouring stretch kick. “She’s got radar and locks down on the leader.”
Trainer John Sadler, who conditioned Healthy Addiction, entered Switch, a 3-year-old, who upset prohibitive favorite Blind Luck in the Hollywood Oaks in June. Switch will carry 120 pounds, the others 123 each.
Emmy Darling, claimed for $62,500 out of a mile victory at Del Mar on August 19, rounds out the field.
The Lady’s Secret, along with the Norfolk Stakes and the Yellow Ribbon Stakes, will be televised live on ESPN Classic from 6:30-8:00 p.m. (ET) on Saturday. ESPN will also show the Lady’s Secret live in between two scheduled college football telecasts. Post time for the Lady’s Secret is slated for 7:15 p.m. (ET)
The annual Oak Tree Racing Association meet, which opens tonight, will be run at Hollywood Park for the first time in the Association’s 41-year history.
BLAME TOPS CONTENTIOUS FIELD IN JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP AT BELMONT
Since it was first run in 1919, Belmont Park’s Grade I, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational has not only brought together some of history’s finest Thoroughbreds but served as a major stepping stone to year-end honors for many.
Over the last decade alone, 2009 3-year-old champion Summer Bird, 2007-08 Horse of the Year Curlin, 2006 3-year-old champion Bernardini and 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft have counted the Jockey Club Gold Cup among the most prestigious of their accomplishments, and the connections of morning-line favorite Blame are hoping a victory in Saturday’s 1 ¼ mile race will grace their colt’s resume as well.
Saturday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup card at Belmont also boasts the Grade I, $350,000 Beldame Invitational; Grade I, $350,000 Vosburgh Invitational; the Grade I, $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational; and the Grade I, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational.
Blame, a 4-year-old son of Arch, most recently headed Quality Road to win the Whitney at Saratoga Race Course on August 7, and he heads into the Jockey Club Gold Cup riding a five-race win streak that began last October with the Fayette and continued with the Clark in November, the William D. Schaefer in May and the Stephen Foster in June.
Owned by Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm, Blame has compiled a record of 8-1-2 from 11 starts, and will be making only his fourth start of the year in a carefully managed campaign that will likely culminate in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 6.
“I am really pleased with the way Blame is coming into the race,” said trainer Al Stall, Jr., who has been prepping the colt at Keeneland. “He’s carrying more weight, and I couldn’t be happier with the way he’s been training. This is a tough race, and I'm really worried about everybody, but I wouldn't trade places with anybody.
Garrett Gomez, who has been aboard for Blame’s last three victories, returns to ride the 8-5 morning-line favorite from post position 2.
Rail Trip, 1-1-1 from three starts at 1 ¼ miles, will be running for the first time on conventional dirt as he makes his first start for trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. The 2009 Hollywood Gold Cup hero was most recently second in the 2010 edition of that race as the 2-5 favorite in July, after which he was transferred to New York by Mace and Samantha Siegel of Jay Em Ess Stable.
“The clock starts ticking now,” said Dutrow of the 5-year-old gelded son of Jump Start, who has never been worse than third in 12 lifetime starts. “He’s been training well at Saratoga, and at Aqueduct, for the past month and we’re hoping he runs his race. He hasn’t been getting tired with those fast works, and we’re happy with where we are with him.”
Rail Trip will leave from post position 8 under Cornelio Velasquez as the 5-2 second choice.
While Blame and Rail Trip will be making their Belmont debuts in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Turtle Bird Stable’s Haynesfield carries an enviable 4-1-0 record from five starts at the Elmont, N.Y., track into the race. Winner of the Suburban Handicap at Belmont on July 3, the Speightstown colt most recently finished fourth behind Blame in the Whitney after breaking through the gate. Haynesfield drew post position 6 and was listed at 8-1 on the morning line. Ramon Dominguez will ride.
Hall of Famer Nick Zito, who saddled 3-year-old Albert the Great to win the 2000 Jockey Club Gold Cup, will be sending out the lone 3-year-old in this year’s field – Fly Down, who gets a four-pound break in the weights at 122 pounds. Jose Lezcano will ride Fly Down, the 9-2 third choice on the morning line, from the rail.
Rounding out the Gold Cup field are Tranquil Manner, Mythical Power, Dry Martini and Hold Me Back.
One of the most intriguing races on the Saturday undercard at Belmont is the Beldame Invitational for fillies and mares with designs on the November 5 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic. Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, was expected to compete in the Beldame prior to the sudden announcement of her retirement on Tuesday. Topping the 1 1/8-mile dirt event instead are two 4-year-old fillies who handed Rachel Alexandra surprising defeats earlier in the year. Unrivaled Belle took the measure of Rachel Alexandra on April 30 at Churchill Downs in the La Troienne Stakes, and Persistently did the same in last month’s Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga.
SANTA ANITA TO RETURN TO NATURAL DIRT SURFACE
Santa Anita officials have announced that construction will begin on a new, all-natural dirt main track on October 11. Crews will begin removing the existing synthetic material at that time, and it is estimated the track will be ready for training by December 6, with Santa Anita’s traditional winter/spring meeting set to begin on December 26.
“Our Chairman, Frank Stronach, has made it abundantly clear that Santa Anita will install a state-of-the-art, all-natural dirt surface, that our best customers feel most comfortable with and that a majority of our owners, jockeys and horsemen feel more comfortable competing on,” said Santa Anita President George Haines.
“Whenever we build a track anywhere, our main concern is that horse and rider are safe,” said Ted Malloy, who will oversee the installation project. “This surface will be similar to those at Gulfstream, Churchill Downs and to the Oklahoma track at Saratoga. The biggest challenge we’re facing is finding the right mix of soils.”
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR SATURDAY’S FREE “TVG ONLINE CHALLENGE
Signups are being accepted for the “TVG Online Challenge,” a free, online handicapping tournament that will take place this Saturday, October 2. The top two finishers will receive a guaranteed berth in the $1.1 million (estimated) Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) on January 28-29, 2011 in Las Vegas. The two winners will also receive roundtrip air travel and hotel accommodations at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, site of the NHC. Prospective competitors do not need to be TVG account holders in order to register.
The TVG Online Challenge requires contestants to place hypothetical $2 win and place wagers on 10 designated contest races on Saturday. The 10 contest races will take place at Monmouth Park, Woodbine and Oak Tree at Hollywood Park. Free DRF past performances for the Challenge races will be available at the contest site. The two players amassing the highest number of points based on the Players' earnings (i.e. the highest final bankroll) from all $2 win and place wagers at the end of the Challenge will receive berths in the NHC in January in Las Vegas.
For more information about the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, visit www.ntra.com.
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