Month: June 2020

WAHI Launched to Assist Horses Impacted by COVID-19

The newly created Lexington-based We Are Here Initiative (WAHI) has been launched to assist Thoroughbreds that have been retired from horse racing due to financial and economic strain brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The non-profit organization will serve as a layover point for Thoroughbreds before being placed in an approved aftercare facility, in an effort to ease the influx of horses on aftercare and adoption organizations. With limited racing opportunities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many owners and smaller training operations were forced to retire some of their runners, so We Are Here Initiative has been proactively created to facilitate a horses’ journey after leaving the racetrack.

To be eligible, horses must be registered Thoroughbreds trained by a licensed trainer in the United States; horses must be located at a U.S .licensed racetrack or training facility, or verified to be eligible for the 2020 racing season; and horses will require a current Coggins, health certificate, and the completed “We Are Here” documentation.

“When racetracks closed down, I began to worry that the horses and their wonderful caretakers were going to need us at the very moment most aftercare facilities were either closed or dealing with severe financial strain,” said Dorothy Crowell, Deputy Director of We Are Here Initiative and Secretariat Center Board President. “The Kentucky Horse Park stepped up to the plate to offer 100 stalls, and a partnership was formed with the Secretariat Center to provide a place for these horses to go until such a time as space opens in the various Aftercares nationwide.”

For more information about the We Are Here Initiative, visit www.wahi.info. To contact the We Are Here Hotline, dial 833-WAH-OTTB (833-924-6882).

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This Side Up: Vekoma Points Weaver Towards Fresh Honors

In these contentious times, at least the cavaliers of the turf seem to clinging to suitably knightly ethics. Last weekend, Honor A.P. (Honor Code) and Code Of Honor (Noble Mission) made a righteous stand on either coast; and Saturday’s main event, the GI Ogden Phipps S., now adds Point Of Honor (Curlin) to this overflow of rectitude.

In her case, however, the duplication of honors would primarily encompass trainer George Weaver, whose success with Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the Carter H. at Belmont last weekend was his first at Grade I level since Lighthouse Bay (Speightstown) in the 2013 Prioress S. (His only previous elite winner, moreover, had been Saratoga County {Valid Expectations} in the 2005 G1 Golden Shaheen in Dubai.) After ending a seven-year itch, then, a mere seven-day wait for fresh laurels would set an unmistakable seal on the steady consolidation of Weaver’s status since ending a diligent apprenticeship under D. Wayne Lukas and then Todd Pletcher, another former Lukas assistant, in 2002.

Weaver’s consistent Saratoga record speaks of a trainer who can accurately judge caliber, despite more limited ammunition than his mentors. And he has likewise excelled this spring, in a program rendered so much more competitive by its compression, saddling 19 winners from 69 starters prior to Friday.

Vekoma and Point Of Honor, moreover, both attest to a patience and discipline that come at a tougher premium in a smaller barn. Both were taken out of the front line after an exciting start to their sophomore campaigns last year, and are now rewarding the forbearance of their connections.

Vekoma, indeed, is fast becoming one of the most engaging talents in the land. His eccentric gait–hoisting his front leg around like a pitcher on the mound–captured many imaginations on his way to the GI Kentucky Derby last year, and has remained no impediment to two charismatic exhibitions since his return, notably in that 7 1/4-length romp for a 110 Beyer in the Belmont slop last weekend.

By this stage, surely, everyone has grasped that a May 22 foaling in itself presents no disadvantage. The three other May foals in the last Derby were the first three past the post, showing the benefits of better climate and pasture in infancy. One of those, of course, was Code Of Honor–foaled in the same Lane’s End barn within 24 hours of Vekoma. In this instance, however, Weaver is clear that Vekoma has filled out during his 11-month absence, saying that he is now “all man.”

I don’t know if Vekoma glimpsed Code Of Honor at Belmont last week, but it appears that they may now square up back there in the GI Met Mile. As it stands, Code Of Honor has contributed to his old paddock buddy’s only career defeats: they finished first and third, respectively, when Vekoma returned from a three-month break in the GII Fountain of Youth S.; and second and 12th (both promoted) when he derailed in the Derby. On the face of it, given the size of any foal crop, the odds were steeply against the pair treading on each other’s toes in this way. But that just shows why you strive for excellence in your program, and in your choices of stallions and farms.

Anyhow, the way Vekoma is thriving now must give heart to those whose porcelain sophomores are limping off the Classic trail this time round. So often the glister of the Triple Crown forces adolescent horses into an enterprise that ultimately proves, in maturity, not to have played to their best strengths. So while Vekoma did win the two-turn GII Blue Grass S. decisively, he is now beginning to shape like a one-turn monster.

Which he’s absolutely entitled to be: his pedigree, in contrast with his gait, will satisfy the most orthodox tastes. His dam Mona de Momma (Speightstown) was likewise a Grade I winner in the slop, out of a half-sister to Mr. Greeley (himself, of course, by Speightstown’s sire Gone West) as well as to the second dams of Street Sense (Street Cry {Ire}) and Paradise Woods (Union Rags); while their dam, in turn, is out of the European dasher Lianga (Dancer’s Image), third dam of the remarkable stallion Danehill Dancer (Ire) (Danehill). That’s some page for $135,000.

Point Of Honor will have cost rather more, as a $825,000 RNA subsequently acquired privately by Donato Lanni for John Connelly of Stetson Racing. (Eclipse Thoroughbreds came aboard after her debut.) She, too, is regrouping extremely well after her layoff. Arguably it was no bad thing to be squeezed leaving the gate in the GI Apple Blossom H., as she was at least sheltered from the blood-thirsty fractions set by Ollie’s Candy (Candy Ride {Arg}). Getting dragged right into that vortex appeared to leave the last-gasp winner Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) rather hollowed out, when she ran in the GII Santa Maria S., and Ollie’s Candy may well face competition up front in her rematch with Point Of Honor.

Even her wild speed palpably held up at Oaklawn that day, so the way Point Of Honor circled the rest of the field gives her every right to carve her name below that of Serena’s Song (Rahy) in the storied Ogden Phipps roll of honor. (Albeit she won it, in 1996, in its previous guise as the Hempstead H.).

That champion was one of the most cherished of the young Weaver’s charges in his days with Lukas; so, too, was Tabasco Cat who sired Point Of Honor’s granddam. So success today would really bring a memorable week to a perfect end. Weaver’s barn was picked against illustrious competition, after all, when this filly was among the first horses Connelly sent to the East Coast.

According to George Bernard Shaw, we all have “one main point of honor and a few minor ones.” A horse as freakish as Vekoma would, in fairness, crown many a training career, but this filly is entitled to even the honors. The difference in Saratoga this year will, no doubt, be as melancholy for Weaver as for everyone else. But having gone there last year still seeking the second Grade I of his career, what a consolation if he could head up this time seeking his third of the summer.

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Kitten’s Joy’s Crossfirehurricane Takes the Gallinule

Kitten’s Joy’s reputation hardly needed any further enhancements after the weekend, but another came nonetheless at The Curragh on Friday as his son Crossfirehurricane extended his perfect run in the G3 Coolmore Ten Sovereigns Gallinule S. Held up with one behind early by a confident Shane Crosse, Scott Heider’s Feb. 28 Listed Patton S. winner was gradually unwound to reel in the G2 Beresford S. third Gold Maze (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) with 200 yards remaining en route to a 1 1/4-length success at 7-1, with Sherpa (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) another half length behind in third.

Joseph O’Brien’s season certainly went up a notch on Friday evening and the trainer revealed that he has the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup with its altered conditions in mind back here July 26. “He’s an improving colt. I was a little bit worried about experience and the trip coming here, but Shane gave him a lovely ride,” he said. “He had a setback after he won his maiden last year and as a result he missed most of last season. We gave him some experience on the all-weather and he won twice up there. I’d say this is going to be his trip. I’m not sure I’d be going a mile and a half with him and we’ll be looking for another race at this trip where the ground is nice and quick. The Tattersalls Gold Cup back here is an option for him and he could have another run between now and then.”

Crossfirehurricane, whose sole prior turf success had come on debut at Limerick last June before adding wins in a seven-furlong conditions event and the Listed Patton S. over a mile on Dundalk’s Polytrack in February, is a son of the stakes scorer Louvakhova (Maria’s Mon). Also the second dam of the Atlantic Beach S. scorer Jack and Noah (Fr) (Bated Breath {GB}), she is a daughter of the GIII Miesque S. winner Louvain (Ire) (Sinndar {Ire}) whose Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast) captured the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

The third dam Flanders (Ire) (Common Grounds {GB}) took the Listed Scarborough S. and was runner-up in the G2 King’s Stand S. before producing the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup hero G Force (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). She is kin to the listed winner Ascot Family (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}), who produced the G2 Prix Robert Papin winner and G1 Prix Morny runner-up Family One (Fr) (Dubai Destination) and the dams of the G2 Rockfel S. scorer Juliet Capulet (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the star dual group 1-winning sprinter Lethal Force (Ire) also by Dark Angel. Louvakhova’s unraced 2-year-old filly is My Generation (Speightstown), while she also has a foal full-brother to Crossfirehurricane named Gimmie Shelter.

Friday, Curragh, Ireland
COOLMORE TEN SOVEREIGNS GALLINULE S.-G3, €50,000, Curragh, 6-12, 3yo, 10fT, 2:08.41, g/f.
1–CROSSFIREHURRICANE, 131, c, 3, by Kitten’s Joy
1st Dam: Louvakhova (SW-US, $116,378), by Maria’s Mon
2nd Dam: Louvain (Ire), by Sinndar (Ire)
3rd Dam: Flanders (Ire), by Common Grounds (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Scott C Heider; B-Glen Hill Farm & Scott C Heider (KY); T-Joseph O’Brien; J-Shane Crosse. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $103,343. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Gold Maze (GB), 131, c, 3, Golden Horn (GB)–Astonishing (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (550,000gns Ylg ’18 TATOCT). O-The Long Wait Partnership; B-Apple Tree Stud (GB); T-Jessica Harrington. €10,000.
3–Sherpa (Ire), 131, c, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Eirnin (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Mrs A M O’Brien; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Donnacha O’Brien. €5,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 7.00, 6.00, 5.50.
Also Ran: Toronto (Ire), Mythical (Fr), Choice of Mine (Aus). Scratched: Chiricahua (Ire), Dutch Admiral (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Irish 1000 Guineas: where did they come from?

There’s a heavier bias towards smart homebreds but of those who went through the sales ring, the prices for the runners in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas started at just €1,000.

Albigna (Ire)
Zoffany (Ire) – Freedonia (GB) (Selkirk)

Classy Niarchos family homebred who won the G1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac and G2 Airlie Stud S. last term before running fourth to Sharing in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf. Her dam won the G2 Prix de Pomone and is herself out of a half-sister to GI Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Domedriver (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}).

Apricot Moon (GB)
Bated Breath (GB) – Striking Choice (Smart Strike)

Bred by Australian-based Rosemont Stud, she was an 11,000gns pinhook by Troy Steve for Piermill Bloodstock but was then bought back for 8,500gns at Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. She won over a mile on the Dundalk all-weather in December in the colours of her trainer Andy Oliver and hails from the Juddmonte family of Zafonic and Zamindar, her great grandam being the Group 3 winner Zaizafon.

Brook On Fifth (Ire)
Champs Elysees (GB) – Slieve (GB) (Selkirk)

A 50,000gns foal purchase by Cathy Grassick from breeder Brian Williamson, this sister in blood to G3 Geoffrey Freer S. winner Census (Ire) (Cacique {GB}) won on debut last August at the Curragh over seven furlongs and two weeks later was fourth, beaten almost nine lengths, in the G3 Flame Of Tara S. Not seen again until Tuesday when finishing 12th of 15 in the G3 Leopardstown Fillies Trial S. for Joseph O’Brien and owner Mark Dobbin. Very quick turnaround.

Even So (Ire)
Camelot (GB) – Breeze Hill (Ire) (Danehill)

In the navy blue of the Coolmore Partners, Even So is trained by Ger Lyons for Susan Magnier and Linda Shanahan. She appeared to relish the soft ground when winning easily over a mile at Gowran Park last September. She took advantage of the opening day of the Irish turf season at Naas on March 23 before the lockdown by running third in the G3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express S., a length behind the winner, her stable-mate Lemista (Ire) (Raven’s Pass). Her 20-year-old dam raced for Robert Sangster and is a half-sister to Derby winner Dr Devious (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}).

Fancy Blue (Ire)
Deep Impact (Jpn) – Chenchikova (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells)

A first Classic runner as a trainer for Donnacha O’Brien, who is going up against his father Aidan, who trained Fancy Blue last year, and brother Joseph with a smartly bred filly by one of the world’s best stallions of the modern era out of a full-sister to the brilliant High Chaparral (Ire). Unbeaten in two starts last autumn, including in the listed Staffordstown Stud S. over course and distance on soft ground, she is likely to thrive as she steps up in distance.

Katiba (Ire)
Footstepsinthesand (GB) – Katiola (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire})

A narrow winner over a mile in heavy ground last September, she was then third in the G3 Killavullan S. when dropping back a furlong the following month. Her dam won over a mile and a half and is a half-sister to the G2 Blandford S. winner Katiyra (Ire) (Peintre Celebre). Katiba has been declared in her breeder the Aga Khan’s old family silks of green and chocolate hoops, nowadays used as the second colours and last carried to Classic glory by Alamshar (Ire) in the 2003 Irish Derby when beating Dalakhani (Ire).

Miss Myers (Ire)
Zoffany – Jabroot (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire})

The best of her three juvenile performances was winning a heavy ground maiden over 6½ furlongs in October, and she was less than a length behind Even So when fourth in the G3 Park Express S. in March. Bred by Glenvale Stud and Lynch Bages, Miss Myers was a €25,000 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale purchase by Tom Mullins and is a grand-daughter of the German 1000 Guineas winner Walesiana (Ger) (Star Appeal {GB}).

My Lucky Penny (Ire)
Fulbright (GB) – Beauty And Style (Aus) (King of Kings {Ire})

Rated 54, she has been well beaten in four starts to date and was bought for €1,000 by her jockey Adrian O’Shea at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. Bred by Kellsgrange Stud, her unraced dam is a half-sister to G2 Sandown Guineas winner King Ivor (Aus) (Fairy King) and treble Grade III winner Snake Eyes (Dixieland Band).

New York Girl (Ire)
New Approach (Ire) – Annee Lumiere (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway)

Bred by the Kelly family of Ballybin Stud, New York Girl was sold by them as a foal for 32,000gns and won the G3 Weld Park S. for Joseph O’Brien on her second start. Her listed-placed dam is a half-sister to the dam of GII Goldikova S. winner Rhythm Of Light (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}) and 15-time winner Lunar Deity (GB) (Medicean {GB}) who made his 100th racecourse appearance earlier this week.

Peaceful (Ire)
Galileo {Ire}) – Missvinski (Stravinsky)

A winner over a mile in soft ground last year, Peaceful was then runner-up in the listed Montrose Fillies’ S. at Newmarket. Another Coolmore homebred, she is a sister to the listed winner and Group 3-placed Easter (Ire) out is of a dual listed-winning sprinter.

Ridenza (Ire)
Sea The Stars (Ire) – Raydara (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire})

Has raced just once, winning at Leopardstown over seven furlongs last August. Her dam, also trained by Michael Halford, won the G2 Debutante S. for the Aga Khan but was down the field when running in the Guineas herself.

Roca Roma (Ire)
Australia (GB) – Lucy Diamonds (Ire) (Orpen)

Runner-up to the well-related Amma Grace (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on her sole start over a mile in October, Roca Roma was bred by Tommy Murphy and was unsold at 75,000gns when offered at the December Foal Sale. Her half-sister Roca Rojo won the GII Churchill Distaff Mile on the turf for Chad Brown.

So Wonderful
War Front – Wonder Of Wonders (Kingmambo)

Still a maiden from eight starts last year but one with pretty smart form, notably her third-place finish to subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. Bred by the Orpendale, Chelston and Wynatt syndicate, she boasts Urban Sea as her great grandam, while her dam won the Cheshire Oaks and was runner-up in the Oaks to Dancing Rain (Ire) before finishing third in both the Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks.

Soul Search (Ire)
Zoffany (Ire) – Ecoutila (Rahy)

Bred by Marston, Norelands and Richmond Bloodstock, Soul Search was a 230,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling, bought by Eamonn O’Reilly for her owner Maurice Regan of Newtown Anner Stud. She too is still a maiden after five starts but she was only two lengths behind Love when fourth in the G1 Moyglare Stud S., one of her three group placings last season.

Valeria Messalina (Ire)
Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) – Arty Crafty (Arch)

A winner on debut over seven furlongs and then runner-up to Rose Of Kildare (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in the G3 Oh So Sharp S. at Newmarket. She races in the colours of her breeder Anthony Rogers of Airlie Stud. Her dam is a sister to the GI Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup H. winner Prince Arch and half-sister to G1 Vincent O’Brien National S. winner Kingsfort (War Chant).

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