February, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Knicks Go, Charlatan Battle in the Desert

Knicks Go (Paynter) and Charlatan (Speightstown), a pair of major forces headlining the American racing scene in 2020, take on 12 others in Saturday's $20-million Saudi World Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both Grade I winners in their latest starts, the pair represent two of America's leading trainers, Brad Cox, who took home his first Eclipse Award last season, and Bob Baffert, a 2020 finalist who had previously annexed four training titles.

Knicks Go, winner of the 2018 GI Breeders' Futurity S. while under the care of Ben Colebrook, marked his debut for Cox and Korea Racing Authority in 2020 with a victory in an 8 1/2-furlong optional claimer at Oaklawn last February. Off for the ensuing seven months, the grey romped by 10 1/4 lengths in a Keeneland optional claimer in October before posting an emphatic win in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at the Lexington oval Nov. 7. Well supported for his 2021 bow in the Jan. 23 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. at Gulfstream, the Maryland bred once again proved best, winning by 2 3/4 lengths.

Knicks Go was keen during a 1600-meter gallop Friday morning under assistant trainer Dustin Dugas.

“He loves to train and is so difficult to handle sometimes,” Dugas said. “But he has a lot of talent, obviously, and is sitting on a big race. He's very, very fast and is extremely tough.”

It wouldn't be a big-money event without a Baffert-conditioned runner, and the Hall of Fame trainer is represented by the lightly-raced Charlatan in the latest renewal of the nine-furlong Saudi Cup. In his latest work prior to leaving the U.S., the chestnut completed seven furlongs in 1:24.60 at Santa Anita Feb. 7.

“[Charlatan] is doing well,” Baffert told the TDN. “He has a great mind and is getting over the track well. We feel good about our chances, but they still have to get around there. I love the way he worked when he left here. I didn't do much with him there, just a light little half [mile]. He was ready to run.”

An impressive winner in his first two starts at Santa Anita last winter, the SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Racing and Stonestreet Stables runner finished first but was demoted to ninth after testing positive for a banned substance in the May 2 GI Arkansas Derby before being forced to the sidelines with a minor ankle injury. The colt returned to action with a brilliant score in the Dec. 26 GI Malibu S. at Santa Anita.

Accompanied by Mike Smith, Charlatan drew post 9, while Knicks Go–who will be partnered by Joel Rosario–will exit stall five.

“He has to break well, but he has a nice post,” said Baffert. “Knicks Go is in there [and] Charlatan likes a target. [In the Malibu], he had [SW] Nashville [Speightstown] as his target and that worked out alright. It is a mile-and-an-eighth, but that long stretch gets demanding in the final sixteenth. There are good horses in there.”

No stranger to Riyadh, Prince A A Faisal's Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) was second in last season's Saudi Derby and will try to go one better in this year's Cup.

Jockey David Egan, who was in the irons in the Saudi Derby, has been aboard the 4-year-old for the last three mornings at track work.

“Similar to last year, Mishriff has been thriving since he arrived here in Riyadh,” he said. “He seems to really enjoy the style of training and the surface here in Saudi Arabia. He looks amazing, feels fresh and has been moving fluently up to the race.”

Following his Saudi sojourn, the Irish bred reeled off three consecutive victories over the summer, including Chantilly's G1 Prix du Jockey Club and the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville. He finished eighth in his latest start in Newmarket's G1 Qipco Champion S. in October.

“Mishriff looks stronger again since I saw him in Newmarket at the end of last year and he has traveled extremely well,” said Ted Voute, racing manager to Prince A A Faisal. “He has thrived over the winter. He looks well and ready for the race.”

He added, “David said he changed legs easily going into the turns and was a natural from that point of view. We're looking forward to the race.”

Japan offers a worthy contender in Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). Last December's G1 Champions Cup winner enjoyed an easy canter on the dirt track before a gate-schooling session Friday.

“He shipped to Dubai last year [for the Dubai World Cup Carnival], but had to fly back to Japan due to the cancellation of the race meetings. I think the travel experiences helped him a lot this time,” explained trainer Ryuji Okubo. “Last year, he lost 10 kg during the trip to Dubai, but this year he only lost 4 kg when he flew into Saudi Arabia. He is enjoying it here and is feeling really good. He is a very straightforward horse.”

Asked about his charge's inside post position, Okubo added, “He will start from barrier one, so we can make ground all the way through the race. I understand the American horses are very fast, but I expect Chuwa Wizard can track them and overtake them with his strong closing speed.”

The post Knicks Go, Charlatan Battle in the Desert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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BloodstockAuction.Com February Sale Catalog Now Online

The catalog for the BloodstockAuction.Com February Online Sale is now online, featuring 15 entries.

The auction will take place Feb. 18-23, with the final countdown for bids starting at 7 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The online auction has an auto-extension setting which adds an additional 20 seconds if a bid is place in the final 20 seconds. This process will continue until such time as no further bids are placed in the final 20 seconds. This ensures that bidders always have an opportunity to place the winning Bid.

Among the sale's entries are six horses of racing age, five unraced horses, a newly-turned yearling, and three stallions or stallion prospects.

Among the stallions on offer is Skipshot, the sire of multiple Grade 1 winner Vasilika. The 14-year-old son of Skip Away most recently stood at Buck Pond Farm in Kentucky.

The horses in the latest catalog are located in Kentucky, Florida, California, Louisiana, Virginia, and West Virginia.

To participate in BloodstockAuction.Com's online auctions, enter a horse, or place bids, one must first register as a member on the website.

Becoming a member is free, and can be done in just a few minutes by visiting the website and completing the online form. Once the email address is verified, one of the company's team members will be in touch to welcome you aboard.

To view the online catalog, click here.

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Saskatchewan Horsemen Facing Uncertainty As Their Lone Racetrack Could See A Second Year Of No Racing

Uncertainty about the future of horse racing in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan continues to grow this week as an investor group backed out of negotiations to conduct a 2021 race meet at Marquis Downs, the province's only licensed racetrack.

The local population of approximately 300 horses, as well as their owners, trainers, and caretakers, are left with few good options, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic also forced the cancellation of the 2020 race meet. According to Saskatchewan HBPA executive director Eddie Esquirol, approximately 180 of those horses were able to move to neighboring provinces for 2020 racing, but the rest were unable to earn any income last year.

With no existing commitment from Prairieland Park, the operator of Marquis Downs, for a 2021 meet, horsemen are being forced to make hard choices about their futures.

“We recognize they have expenses as an operator,” Esquirol said, “but we as horsemen, our costs are still there whether there's horse racing or not.”

“Horse racing has been part of Saskatchewan's heritage for over 100 years and been a part of Indigenous people's culture since time immemorial,” he continued. “Our respected indigenous people of Saskatchewan represent 50 percent of the owners, trainers, grooms, exercise riders, gate crew and pari-mutuel staff; many who are fifth and sixth generation horse families.”

Prairieland Park has been operating live Thoroughbred race meets at Marquis Downs since 1969, consisting of 24 to 30 days of racing per year. The track does not simulcast its signal, so it relies exclusively on attendance, on-track handle, and the handle at its off-track betting facilities in several locations across the province.

Saskatchewan is also the only province in Canada that does not receive government funding for horse racing; adjacent province Alberta receives over $40 million annually between breeding incentive programs and purse funds, Esquirol said.

Following last year's cancellation of the race meet, Prairieland met with the HBPA in July to propose an 18-day race meet for 2021. In November, Prairieland upped the proposal to 20 days, with one less race per race day. The HBPA countered with a minimum of 24 race days, but Prairieland rejected that offer.

To date, Prairieland has yet to apply for race days in 2021.

In late December, the HBPA was approached by an investment group called Pan Am Horse Racing with a proposal to lease the Marquis Downs facility for a 40-day race meet in 2021. The proposal called for a two-to-five year commitment, an investment in simulcasting, provincial government funding of $2.5 million, and included a backstretch jockey/groom school aimed at the local aboriginal population.

Publicly-available financial documents indicate that Prairieland Park loses between $300,000 and $500,000 on racing each year at Marquis Downs, Esquirol said.

Pan Am entered into negotiations with Prairieland Park in early 2021, but a press release on Thursday, Feb. 18 indicated that Pan Am was no longer seeking to lease the Marquis Downs facility this season.

“After much analysis, legalities and consideration, Pan Am has concluded that due to the unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances primarily related to the pandemic, Thoroughbred racing will have challenges in the upcoming 2021 season that cannot be easily overcome at this time,” the release said.

Pan Am did suggest the potential for hosting meets at Marquis Downs in 2022 and beyond, as well as its commitment to build a the jockey/groom school.

“As a testament of its commitment to the future of horse racing in Saskatchewan and Canada, Pan Am will provide support through the establishment of a First Nations Equine School,” the release read. “The school's aim is to revitalize Saskatchewan's horse racing industry by providing the necessary future workforce expertise, reflecting our shared heritage and supporting Indigenous youth, culture and identity to benefit us all.”

Still, that leaves the 500 or so individuals directly involved in horse racing at Marquis Downs without a home in 2021. The backstretch would normally open on April 1, so horsemen are being forced to decide whether they'll try to race in other provinces again this year, wait another season without racing, or perhaps leave the industry altogether.

“Another year of no racing at Marquis Downs will mean Saskatchewan horse people will be forced to relocate to other tracks such as Assiniboia Downs in Manitoba, ten hours away, thus creating undue difficulty for families, owners, trainers, many who have a second job in Saskatchewan,” said Esquirol. “Relocation means paying double rent and utilities both in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Furthermore, being faced with the 14-day interprovincial quarantine when they arrive. All while the Marquis Downs race facility sits empty.

“Saskatchewan has some of the most loyal fans in North America where there is tremendous appetite for sports and crowds have been huge the past number of years. You don't have to live in the bluegrass state of Kentucky to have the passion and desire to be part of the horse racing industry. People call it the 'Sport of Kings' when in reality 80 percent of the industry is made up of everyday hard-working people, who may otherwise be unemployable. They are up at 5 a.m. to do what they love; it's a passion.”

Esquirol said he hasn't given up on securing a 2021 meet, even if the odds are against it.

“Our plan now is to re-affirm the government ask and work with SPPC (Selective Placement Program Coordinator) to negotiate race days for the 2021 meet,” Esquirol wrote on Facebook on Friday, Feb. 19. “SPPC have been notified that horsemen/women stand strong and are planning to have a successful race meet in 2021. I know many of you have contacted your MLA's (Members of the Legislative Assembly) to date. We ask that you continue to voice your concerns.”

Representatives of Prairieland Park did not respond to requests for comment by deadline for this story.

The post Saskatchewan Horsemen Facing Uncertainty As Their Lone Racetrack Could See A Second Year Of No Racing appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Irishman Shane Foley Celebrates ‘Massive’ Win In International Jockeys Challenge; Mike Smith Third

Irish star Shane Foley emerged triumphant in the second annual stc International Jockeys Challenge after taking two out of the four legs, each worth US $400,000, in the Saudi Arabian competition.

Fourteen internationally-renowned male and female jockeys from all over the globe took part but it was the Classic-winning Foley, who rides for trainer Jessica Harrington in Ireland, who took Friday night's honors with a total of 30 points for his two wins.

He said: “It's massive to win this. It's a nice break and during a quiet time for us during the winter, so it's nice to get away and get the opportunity. We have a runner tomorrow (Barbados in the Red Sea Turf Handicap), but these challenges are important for young jockeys to get noticed around the world and hopefully it might open a few doors somewhere else.

“We have all-weather racing back home, but it's nothing like the dirt (track) is here. I've ridden in Japan for a couple of winters and ridden in America and it's nice, it's different (to ride on dirt).

“It's great to win and obviously can't do my career any harm. I have a fantastic job at home and Jessica Harrington is a great person to work for who has a fantastic team of horses, so it's all good.

“Pat (Smullen, nine-times Irish champion jockey, who died last September) was massive and travelled and won races all around the world – here, Dubai, everywhere. He would probably be here instead of me representing Ireland if he were still around. He was a fantastic man who's left a big legacy and big boots to fill behind, so we're all trying our best.”

The 32-year-old scored in the second leg on Emblem Star and prompted joyous celebrations among owners Albayraq Stable in the winner's enclosure when the 4-year-old Take Charge Indy colt crossed the finishing line four lengths in front of his rivals.

Foley fired in the second part of his double when the 5-year-old filly Motawariyah was another wide-margin winner in the third leg of the competition.

“It was such a privilege even to be invited here but to be competing and winning – it's the sort of thing you strive for,” said the delighted Irishman. “It's a fantastic racetrack and it's brilliant to be here.”

Victory in the fourth and final leg went to Saudi Arabian jockey Adel Alfouraidi on Zhabi Alhammad, a filly owned by Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdul Aziz, earning the local crowd favorite the runner-up spot overall.

Alfouraidi said: “It means a lot to me. I am one of the Saudi riders and they are all going to be happy for this win, all the Saudi jockeys. She's a good filly and she gave me a lot of help throughout the race. We were all together but I am thanking God that I was able to win it. For me, this is a dream come true.”

He finished second in the jockeys challenge with 25 points – as well as his win, he picked up second place and therefore 15 points in the second leg – with Mike Smith third on 19 points.

The US Hall of Fame jockey Smith, known as 'Big Money Mike' took an early lead in the challenge when he snatched the first leg, sponsored by stc dare, on Mortajeh, having replaced John Velasquez.

Smith, who has a record 26 Breeders' Cup successes to his name and who won the American Triple Crown in 2018 on Justify, said: “They told me Mortajeh was quick and to use it to my advantage. I was called in to substitute at the last minute so I didn't know much about my mounts today, but sometimes when you don't know things, it works out better. It's great.

“I had a great night last time I was here on a Friday night (in 2020). It was so much fun and I wanted to do it again and look, I end up taking Johnny's spot and I was blessed enough to win.”

He continued: “I tell you, I enjoy riding here, I really do. I know I made a few mistakes and I had to pay for them last year and rightly so, but it's good to come back and try to redeem myself and we will see what happens.

“Lessons learned. You learn from big things like that and I learnt a big lesson and I humbled myself a whole lot and then I am ready for tomorrow. I'm very happy to be back and I'm happy to be back with a horse that has an abundance of talent.”

Japan's Nanako Fujita and Sweden's Malin Holmberg tied for fourth with 12 points, and Jessica Marcalis took sixth for Italy with a tally of 11 points.

All the riders, who included the great Frankie Dettori, were delighted to take part in the competition.

Fujita said: “It was a lot of fun. I'm disappointed I didn't win but I hope to be back so I can get revenge.”

Italian jockey Jessica Marcialis said: “It was amazing. The first race was different, it's a style that suits the American jockeys not the Europeans, but in the second race I thought 'I understand'. I didn't know where I was in the competition but I finished with a smile.”

British superstar Hollie Doyle added: “The track rode nice, the kickback was not as bad as you'd expect it to be and it isn't as deep as it looks, either. Obviously I didn't have much luck tonight but it was a good experience.”

Last year's winner, Switzerland's Sibylle Vogt, said: “It wasn't the same as last year but I'm really happy I could come again. I think I did get a third and a sixth but it wasn't for the points. I just wasn't as lucky as last year.”

Brazilian legend Jorge Riccardo said: “This has been a great experience. I am very impressed with the people here who are so nice. The track is spectacular. For me it is one of the best I have ridden on. I have been to many places like France, Brazil, Peru, Chile, the United States, but this is a great track.

“The people are so nice, so friendly and welcoming. I really enjoyed myself here. I am very pleased to have been here. It was very much worth coming here.”

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