November, 2020 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Lip Cord Helps Bigger, Stronger Tiz The Law Stay Calm During Morning Gallops

Breeders' Cup Classic contender Tiz the Law was seen galloping at Keeneland Tuesday morning, and discerning eyes might have noticed the 3-year-old colt wearing a unique piece of equipment.

According to trainer Barclay Tagg, the light brown strap over Tiz the Law's bridle is a lip cord. The tool is often used to help horses stay calm in the paddock or around the stable area, but is not as commonly worn while the horse is under saddle. Tagg said the lip cord helps keep Tiz the Law calm during his morning gallops.

Tagg's long-time barn foreman Juan Saldana came up with the idea to try the lip cord on the Belmont and Travers Stakes winner. While the trainer doesn't use the tool on any of his other horses, he's been pleased with the way it works to keep the big, strong colt under control during his morning exercise.

“Juan's been with me a long time, and it seemed like a good idea,” Tagg said Tuesday. “He doesn't mind the lip cord, but he also doesn't do anything wrong with it on.”

Tagg also noted that Tiz the Law has gotten bigger and stronger since his second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.

“I know he's put on weight, and he's grown about an inch,” the trainer added.

The post Lip Cord Helps Bigger, Stronger Tiz The Law Stay Calm During Morning Gallops appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Siskin A Transatlantic Juddmonte Masterpiece

LEXINGTON, KY–In the 36-year history of the Breeders’ Cup, few owners have been so intertwined with the event as has Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms been. The operation’s 80 starters at the meeting are bettered only by Godolphin and the Coolmore partners, while its seven winners and over $16-million in prizemoney at the Breeders’ Cup is only slightly inferior to the record accrued by Coolmore.

Juddmonte and the Breeders’ Cup, in fact, have nearly come of age together. At the time that the inaugural Breeders’ Cup was staged at Hollywood Park in 1984, Prince Khalid had owned racehorses less than five years. The Saudi Royal had his first runner at the second Breeders’ Cup at Aqueduct in 1985, when Queen Anne, Sussex S. and Prix du Moulin winner Rousillon contested the Mile, but it wasn’t to be that day for the favourite, who settled for ninth after a luckless trip. Rousillon went on to gain further aclaim as the sire of Vintage Crop, the first Northern Hemisphere-trained horse to win the G1 Melbourne Cup in 1993.

Though that maiden voyage didn’t pan out as hoped, Prince Khalid was not deterred and tripled down on the 1986 ‘Cup at Santa Anita, lending the event some serious star power in the form of Dancing Brave. Still regarded as one of the best Prince Khalid has ever raced on either side of the Atlantic, Dancing Brave came into the Breeders’ Cup Turf off wins in the 2000 Guineas, Eclipse S., King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Struck in the eye by a clod of turf in-running, Dancing Brave checked in fourth.

It is remarkable, in hindsight, that it took Juddmonte 16 years and 24 starters to break its Breeders’ Cup duck, but it did so at last at Belmont Park in 2001 when the G1 Coronation S. winner Banks Hill (GB) (Danehill) ran away with the Filly & Mare Turf by 5 1/2 lengths for Andre Fabre and Olivier Peslier. Juddmonte repeated the dose in the same race four years later with Banks Hill’s full-sister Intercontinental (GB), remarkably back at Belmont Park. Intercontinental’s foundations had been laid by Fabre, but by that stage she had been transferred to Prince Khalid’s beloved Bobby Frankel.

Juddmonte’s Ventura (Chester House) provided Frankel with one of his last major wins in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint of 2008; the legendary trainer died of cancer just over a year later aged 68. And while Frankel’s famous equine personification-so meticulously chosen by Prince Khalid-was never himself given the chance to contest the meeting at which his namesake won six races, Juddmonte did grace the 2018 edition of the Breeders’ Cup with another of its true legends: the 11-time Group 1 winner Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who at Churchill Downs became the first horse to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf (or any Breeders’ Cup race, for that matter) in the same year. Add to that a GI Breeders’ Cup Mile win by Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) on the same card, and it was the kind of day that had been years in the making for Juddmonte at the meeting that it had perennially thrown so much support behind; in the interim between Ventura and Enable, Prince Khalid sent out six-time Group 1 winner Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) to take the 2009 Filly & Mare Turf-she was, incidentally, trained by Frankel’s late conditioner Sir Henry Cecil–and its great American champion Arrogate to win the 2016 GI Classic.

After sitting out the 2019 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, Team Juddmonte returns in 2020 with the formidable duo of Siskin (First Defence) for the Mile and Tacitus (Tapit) for the Classic. Though the pair, both homebreds, are trained an ocean apart, they have much more in common than simply their pink and turquoise silks; they are both descendants of Silver Star (GB) (Zafonic), a Juddmonte homebred out of Monroe (Sir Ivor), a foundation mare for Khalid Abdullah who was part of the very first batch of fillies he accrued in the late 1970s and a daughter of the excellent producer Best In Show. Silver Star is the second dam of Siskin and the third dam of Tacitus. While Silver Star’s branch of the Monroe line includes her G1 Dewhurst S.-winning sire son Xaar (GB) and Tacitus’s five-time Grade I-winning dam Close Hatches (by Siskin’s sire First Defence), Monroe has had a far-reaching impact in other directions, too, with other descendants including sire brothers Cityscape (GB) (Selkirk) and Bated Breath (GB) (Dansili {GB}), and last year’s G1 St Leger winner Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

Rising Tornado and Bird Flown (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) were born six years apart and on different continents, but both ended up in the yard of Andre Fabre. Each managed one win in her relatively brief career, but their pedigrees meant that they were given a chance in the elite Juddmonte broodmare population. More specifically, they were both expatriated back to Juddmonte’s American satellite to patronize resident sire First Defence, a Grade I-winning sprinter by Unbridled’s Song out of Honest Lady (Seattle Slew), a Grade I-winning daughter of another iconic Juddmonte producer, Toussaud (El Gran Senor). Completely unsurprisingly, it turned out that the team at Juddmonte knew just what they were doing: Rising Toronado’s first foal was Close Hatches and she produced two other winners by First Defence including the listed winner and GI Kentucky Oaks third Lockdown before First Defence was sold to stand in Saudi Arabia.

Bird Flown, meanwhile, visited First Defence in his final two seasons in Kentucky, the second mating producing Siskin. He has proven an embodiment of the potency of the Juddmonte blood on both sides of the Atlantic being by a sire from the third generation of a family flawlessly cultivated in Kentucky and out of a mare that brings together two of the farm’s European foundation mares in Monroe and Bahamian. The mould was somewhat broken with Siskin when he was entrusted to Ger Lyons, and that rising Irish trainer has held up his end of the bargain with aplomb, sending the colt through an unbeaten, Group 1-winning juvenile campaign and onto Classic success at three. A win at Keeneland on Saturday would place him in rarefied air, indeed.

The stories continue to be written, too, for Bird Flown and Rising Tornado. The former provided Juddmonte’s six-time Group 1 winner Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) with his first winner in September in Talacre-she, too, is in the care of Ger Lyons. Rising Tornado has a yearling colt from the first of just three crops by Arrogate, and after failing to produce a live foal this season was covered by Quality Road.

The post Siskin A Transatlantic Juddmonte Masterpiece appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

NYRA, TVG To Contribute $410,000 To COVID Relief Via Backstretch, Aftercare Programs

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and TVG today announced a series of COVID-19 relief donations for a broad spectrum of non-profit organizations working to support the thoroughbred racing community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $410,000 in charitable contributions will be distributed to seven non-profit organizations including the New York Chapter of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (NYRTCA), the Belmont Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T), the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA), the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC), the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP), the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (PDJF) and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

“The racing industry has rallied in incredible ways in response to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kip Levin, CEO of TVG. “The entire TVG team is grateful that our partnership with NYRA will benefit these great organizations who do so much every day to help those in need.”

NYRA and TVG created the relief fund in the spring of 2020 to proactively respond to the myriad challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the 54-day suspension of live racing in New York, the closure of casinos across the state and the continued lack of on-track attendance at all racetracks in New York.

“These organizations are all longtime partners of NYRA who have performed outstanding and oftentimes heroic work throughout the pandemic,” said NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke. “Our thanks to TVG for recognizing the importance of the services they provide to the men and women who sustain the sport here in New York.”

As a result of the success of the joint effort between NYRA and TVG, the NYRTCA, B.E.S.T and the BCCA, whose work is devoted to the overall health and well-being of New York's backstretch community, will each receive donations of $100,000.

In addition, $30,000 each will be donated to the RMTC and the RTIP with $25,000 going to both the PDJF and the TAA.

In early March, NYRA established the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan Committee, comprised of key NYRA staff members as well as representatives from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), B.E.S.T, and the NYRTCA. Working together, the committee developed and implemented health and safety protocols aligning with the most updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the New York State Department of Health.

Representatives of B.E.S.T, NYRTCA and BCCA set up food banks, distributed masks, provided up-to-date communications on health care, worked as translators and collected and even distributed gift cards for groceries for the hundreds of Belmont-based backstretch workers and their families. They also created more virtual learning opportunities and at-home instruction for the children of backstretch workers enrolled in Anna House, the childcare and early education facility at Belmont Park, along with performing hundreds of other tasks that will never be recorded.

TVG has been able to remain on air since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and has prioritized keeping its employees safe through strict social distancing, health protocols and remote broadcasting. The network has maintained a strong commitment to the horse racing industry and has continued sponsorships of the TVG Pacific Classic, TVG.com Haskell Invitational and the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile while also expanding to sponsor additional races at Keeneland in both July and October as well as a Breeders' Crown race. Additionally, TVG has partnered with charitable organizations throughout the industry, including the TAA, California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) and the PDJF to raise funding and awareness.

The post NYRA, TVG To Contribute $410,000 To COVID Relief Via Backstretch, Aftercare Programs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Distaff Notes: Ce Ce Should Be ‘Forwardly Placed,’ Alvarado Feeling ‘Really Good’ About Horologist

Ce Ce – Bo Hirsch's Ce Ce got her first sampling of the main track at Keeneland at 6 o'clock Tuesday morning galloping under exercise rider Osman Cedeno for trainer Michael McCarthy. Ce Ce had galloped on the all-weather training track Monday morning following her arrival from her Southern California base.

Ce Ce, who will be ridden by John Velazquez in Saturday's $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff drew post position one and is 12-1 on the morning line.

“I was hoping for somewhere between four and eight,” McCarthy said. “Coming out of a seven-eighths race (the Derby City Distaff in which she finished fourth), I expect her to be forwardly placed just in behind the first flight.”

Dunbar Road – Peter Brant's Dunbar Road, one day after arriving from New York, jogged a circuit of Keeneland's main track. The 2019 Alabama winner has pleased trainer Chad Brown with her preparation and will run in the Longines Distaff for the second consecutive year, having finished fifth of 11 in 2019 at Santa Anita. She enters off a lackluster performance in the Beldame at Belmont, finishing third by 5¼ lengths after going off as the even-money favorite.

“I don't know what happened in her last race,” Brown said. “The only thing I can say—I know it's an unpopular excuse—but maybe she didn't like the track. She trained really, really well, but then just never picked her feet up in the race. I was so shocked by it. She's come back and trained brilliantly.

“She has a run at Keeneland before, last year, and I thought she ran quite well,” Brown continued. “She had a tough, tight trip down inside and should have won the Spinster.”

This season, Dunbar Road has raced just three times, winning the Shawnee Stakes at Churchill Downs in May before landing July's Delaware Handicap by 3 lengths.

Harvest Moon – Alice Bamford and Michael Tabor's Harvest Moon was back on the main track at 6 o'clock to gallop a day after jogging on Keeneland's all-weather training track.

Trained by Simon Callaghan, Harvest Moon drew post two for Saturday's Distaff and will be partnered as she has in her past four starts by Flavien Prat. Harvest Moon is 12-1 on the morning line.

“That should be OK,” Callaghan said. “All the speed is to her outside and she should be able to get a good position.”

Horologist – New Jersey-bred Horologist—owned by Medallion racing, Abbondanza racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, There's A Chance Stable, Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher—will attempt to give trainer Bill Mott a record-extending sixth win in the Longines Distaff on Saturday and drew post four of 10 in the race. Junior Alvarado will ride, seeking his first Breeders' Cup trophy.

“I feel really good about her,” Alvarado said. “She ran a big race at Belmont. They were going pretty quick and I was worried, but when I asked her, she really kicked for me and came home fast. I know it's a good race, but I have a lot of confidence in her and I think she could be one of my best chances on Saturday.”

Alvarado has five mounts in this weekend's Championship races.

Lady Kate – Lady Kate jogged and galloped at Churchill Downs and will train again there Wednesday prior to shipping to Keeneland. All Breeders' Cup entrants for Saturday's races must be at Keeneland by 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Lady Kate, fourth behind Distaff entrants Valiance and Ollie's Candy in Keeneland's Juddmonte Spinster Stakes Oct. 4, drew the No. 6 post position in the field of 10.

“We are happy with the post position,” trainer Eddie Kenneally said. “It is a strong, deep race with very good fillies and mares and we are not under estimating any of them. This is the biggest race of her career and she is coming into it phenomenal. She couldn't be doing any better and she couldn't look any better.”

Monomoy Girl – The 2018 Longines Distaff winner Monomoy Girl left the barn to gallop with regular exercise rider Fernando Espinoza at 7:50 a.m. and continues to impress as she attempts her second victory in the 1 1/8m race. She missed all of 2019 because of a series of minor setbacks, but has been perfect in three starts this year, including the La Troienne on the Kentucky Oaks undercard Sept. 4 in her most recent start.

“We considered the Spinster (Oct. 4) after the La Troienne, but we thought with the timing it worked out better to go straight into the Distaff given the fact that we have spaced her races out this year,” trainer Brad Cox said. “It seems to be working well. We wanted to stay on the same pattern. She couldn't be doing any better.”

Ollie's Candy – Paul and Karen Eggert's Ollie's Candy galloped 1 1/2m on the main track under Juan Leyva for trainer John Sadler.
Rated as a 10-1 chance on the morning line for the Distaff, Ollie's Candy will break from post nine under Joel Rosario.

“The post is fine,” Sadler said. “It is a little bit outside but I prefer it to being inside.”

Fourth in the Distaff last year at Santa Anita, Ollie's Candy is winless in 2020 but has three runner-up finishes and two thirds from five starts that all came in Grade 1 races.

“It is tremendously frustrating being a head or neck from winning Grade 1s,” Sadler said. “Her owner (Paul Eggert) has a saying that maybe she is saving her luck for the big day.”

Ollie's Candy has raced at five tracks in 2020, most recently at Keeneland where she was second in the Juddmonte Spinster Oct. 4.

“I don't think she cares that much for the main track at Santa Anita,” Sadler said. “She has run all over … Oaklawn, Belmont, Keeneland … and even though she hasn't won, I think her form is better and her speed figures are better.”

Point of Honor – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Stetson Racing LLC's Point of Honor galloped 1 3/8m over Keeneland's main track Tuesday morning in preparation for a start in the Distaff.

Despite finishing 1-2-3 in 10 of 11 career starts, including five Grade 1 placings, Point of Honor was rated at 30-1 following Monday's post position draw for the particularly deep Distaff field.

“She's shown up every time. Even though she's not winning, she hits the board,” trainer George Weaver said. “You always see her face coming down the lane.”

Weaver understands the imposing challenge the 4yo daughter of Curlin will face while meeting the likes of Monomoy Girl, the 8-5 morning line favorite who won the 2018 Distaff and is undefeated this year, and Swiss Skydiver, the 2020 Preakness winner who is rated at 2-1.

“They don't give these races away. They're championship races. You don't find easy spots,” he said. “Throughout the year, you might find an easy one, but this is where everyone comes together, which makes it a special event.”

Swiss Skydiver – Peter Callahan's Swiss Skydiver made her usual early appearance Tuesday morning with regular rider Robby Albarado on board and jogged once around before an easy 1 1/2m gallop.

The Daredevil filly has only made one start at Keeneland in her career when second in the Blue Grass to Art Collector in July, but she does hold a bit of a home-court advantage in the Distaff.

“She's stabled here a lot in her career, that bottom barn has been our base for a long time,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “She knows the routine of walking up the hill. Robby's getting on her all week. He wanted to, which I like. She's just doing pretty basic stuff.”

Swiss Skydiver, who was second in the Kentucky Oaks, enters the Distaff off her victory against males in the Preakness Stakes, which was a very satisfying victory for McPeek.

“It was pretty awesome,” McPeek said. “We stuck our necks out because we thought she deserved a chance. It was a tough call because we had to decide to go against straight 3-year-olds or go against older horses. We felt like the upside was there and she came through for us. It was very cool.”

Valiance – The winner of Keeneland's Spinster on Oct. 4 got reacquainted with the track Tuesday morning after arriving Monday from trainer Todd Pletcher's Belmont Park base.

“I love the way she has been training,” Pletcher said. “She was very enthusiastic this morning.”

Valiance has won six of eight career starts by racing just behind the leaders in the early parts of the race.

“I think (the eight of 10) post position in the Distaff is fine,” Pletcher said. “With a mile and an eighth race, you have time to get over and see how the race unfolds. What is important for her is to get in a good steady rhythm. There is enough pace in there, so I suspect she will be in the second tier.”

The post Distaff Notes: Ce Ce Should Be ‘Forwardly Placed,’ Alvarado Feeling ‘Really Good’ About Horologist appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post