January, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Never Surprised Looks to Remain Perfect in Kitten’s Joy

Never Surprised (Constitution) looks to take his perfect record to three-for-three Saturday as he tries graded company for the first time in the GIII Kitten's Joy S. A decisive debut winner sprinting on the turf at Aqueduct Nov. 8, the $200,000 KEESEP buy wired the field when stretching out to two turns next out in that venue's Central Park S. 20 days later. Bred on the same Constitution–Tiznow cross as MGISW Tiz the Law, the bay is favored in this sophomore bow and has three-time Eclipse winner Irad Ortiz in the irons.

Kentucky Pharoah (American Pharoah) is not undefeated in his career, but he is perfect on the grass. Off the board in his first two attempts on dirt in Kentucky last fall, the Calumet homebred graduated by 3 3/4 lengths when switched to the turf in Hallandale Dec. 19. The chestnut repeated with a dominant score in Gulfstream's Dania Beach S. next out Jan. 2.

It's a Gamble (English Channel) also exits the Dania Beach, where he finished fifth last time. A debut winner sprinting on the Saratoga lawn in August, the bay was fourth in the Nownownow S. at Monmouth Oct. 4 and could only manage seventh in Belmont's Awad S. on yielding ground Oct. 31. The New York-bred captured a six-panel turf event at Aqueduct Dec. 4 prior to the Dania Beach.

The post Never Surprised Looks to Remain Perfect in Kitten’s Joy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

‘Competitive’ Affair in Forward Gal

John Minchello's Competitive Speed (Competitive Edge) will put her three-race win streak on the line when she makes her debut in graded company in Saturday's GIII Forward Gal S. at Gulfstream Park.

“This is going to be a big test, but I think she can make it,” trainer Javier Gonzalez said. “She's doing good and she is one of those horses that is never going to make you look bad,” he added. “I think she's going to run a very good race.”

Competitive Speed, sixth facing open maidens in the Gulfstream West slop Oct. 31, graduated by 1 1/2 lengths against $25,000 maiden claimers at Gulfstream West Nov. 12, beating a pair of next-out winners in the process. Shipped to Gulfstream for her next start Dec. 6, the chestnut came from off the pace to take a starter optional claimer by 4 1/2 lengths, then stepped up to add the 6 1/2-furlong Glitter Woman S. Jan. 2.

Competitive Speed, who failed to meet her reserve as a yearling at Keeneland in the fall of 2019, sold for $5,000 the following season at OBS in July.

“She's always doing better every day, and that's happened from the very first day that she came to the barn. When she came to us and started training and working and get condition, she was doing better,” Gonzalez added. “When we put her in company, she did better. Whatever we ask her to do, she did better. She's passed every test.”

Competitive Speed has breezed twice at Gulfstream West since the Glitter Woman, including a half-mile in :48.40 Jan. 16, third-fastest of 18 horses. Leonel Reyes will ride back from Post 3 in a field of eight.

“It was a little bit faster than I wanted, but she came back good. The next day she ate everything and she was happy,” Gonzalez said. “She's coming into the race really well.”

Shadwell Stable homebred Zaajel (Street Sense), enters the Forward Gal off a 7 1/4-length maiden special weight romp going seven panels at Gulfstream Dec. 20.

“She was very impressive in her debut and she's trained great since then,” Todd Pletcher said. “Ideally, I'd kind of like to run her in an allowance race, but we don't really have an option at the moment. Considering how well she ran at the distance and over the surface here, we'll give it a try. The seven furlongs was no problem in her debut.”

Luis Saez, up for her debut, gets the return call from Post 7.

Also one to watch is Coach Jer's Joy (Palace), who earned the top spot over a field that included Competitive Speed in the aforementioned Gulfstream West maiden Oct. 31. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., the chestnut will be joined by freshly anointed Eclipse award winning rider, Irad Ortiz Jr.

The post ‘Competitive’ Affair in Forward Gal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Baffert Shoots for Record Ninth Robert B. Lewis Victory

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert will have two shots at adding to his growing record with a potential ninth win in Saturday's GIII Robert B. Lewis S. at Santa Anita.

The improving $1-million Keeneland September graduate Spielberg (Union Rags), MGISP as a juvenile, posted a hard-fought, breakthrough nose victory in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity last time Dec. 19. The runner-up that day The Great One (Nyquist), meanwhile, returned with a flashy, 14-length maiden victory for trainer Doug O'Neill last weekend, good for a 92 Beyer Speed Figure.

Baffert will also saddle Medina Spirit (Protonico), who cut his highly regarded unbeaten stablemate and 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief)'s margin of victory to just 3/4 of a length second time out in the GIII Sham S. Jan. 2.

Medina Spirit, the morning-line favorite at 5-2, has been assigned the rail while Spielberg drew widest of all in post eight.

“I don't like being stuck inside, and on the outside, you lose ground, but I think we'll learn more about both horses,” Baffert said. “Right now, we're just trying to figure out their styles and how good they are. They'll start separating themselves. Until they go a mile and an eighth, that's when you'll really know.”

O'Neill will also be represented by a pair of promising sophomores in this deep contest, headed by last out GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile longshot runner-up at 94-1 Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow). The half-brother to champion sprinter Mitole (Eskendereya) previously earned his diploma in game fashion by a neck locally at fourth asking.

O'Neill's other charge Wipe the Slate (Nyquist) tries two turns for the first time. A well-beaten second behind the aforementioned Life Is Good first out Nov. 22, he took a big step forward with a strong maiden win going seven furlongs in Arcadia last time Dec. 26.

Roman Centurian (Empire Maker) received the 'TDN Rising Star' nod following a visually impressive, come-from-behind maiden tally at second asking over course and distance last time Jan. 3. The $550,000 Keeneland September yearling was previously fourth, beaten 12 1/4 lengths, behind Life Is Good and Wipe the Slate at Del Mar.

The Robert B. Lewis carries 10-4-2-1 qualifying points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby.

The post Baffert Shoots for Record Ninth Robert B. Lewis Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Holthaus Wins Eclipse 50 Contest

Mary Holthaus was selected as the winner of the NTRA Eclipse 50 Contest, which asked fans to choose their top 10 favorite Eclipse Awards champions, along with their favorite champion jockey and trainer, from the past 50 years.

Holthaus, who resides in Easton, Maryland, was randomly selected from the participants who submitted a ballot. The longtime racing fan won a trip for two to Lexington to spend a day at the races at Keeneland, tour the Four Roses Bourbon Distillery and visit historic Spendthrift Farm.

In the same contest, Secretariat was voted number one all-time Eclipse champion. He was followed in the balloting by 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew in second. Champion Zenyatta was third with 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah fourth and two-time Horse of the Year Cigar fifth. Affirmed, winner of the 1978 Triple Crown, was sixth in the rankings followed by Hall of Famers John Henry, Ruffian, Forego, and Spectacular Bid completing the top 10.

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert was voted the all-time favorite Eclipse Award-winning trainer with Laffit Pincay, Jr. selected as the top Eclipse Award-winning jockey.

The post Holthaus Wins Eclipse 50 Contest appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post