March, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Dalika Chasing Another Emotional Victory For Stall In Tom Benson Memorial

In her most recent outing, Dalika provided trainer Al Stall Jr. with an emotional tribute to a most impactful figure in his life, his late father. The multiple stakes-winning mare can give her conditioner another happy tug on the heartstrings this Saturday when she heads up a field-of-13 entered for the $150,000 Tom Benson Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Run at 1 1/16 miles over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course, the Benson, named for the late owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, is one of eight stakes on the 14-race card that is headlined by the 108th running of the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2).

Bal Mar Equine's Dalika (post 3 as the 3-1 favorite on Mike Diliberto's morning line, with Miguel Mena to ride) already scored one sentimental triumph for Stall when she captured the Albert M. Stall Memorial—named for his late father—over the same course and distance on Feb. 13. Given that the Louisiana-born trainer conditions horses for Benson's G M B Stables, a victory by the 5-year-old daughter of Pastorius in Saturday's test would resonate beyond just adding to her career total of six wins from 18 starts.

“We were treating it (the Stall Memorial) like any other race as far as the horse was concerned,” Stall said. “As it got closer and the conditions (soft turf) were looking good for us and then when it happened (the win) it was sort of an explosion of emotions. It was great to have most of my family there. My wife, kids, mother, sisters, all that. It couldn't have really been much better.”

Dalika has notched two of her better career outings over the Stall-Wilson, winning the Blushing K. D. in December to go along with her victory in the Stall Memorial. Holding her top form for consecutive starts has been the albatross for the mare, however, as she has yet to post back-to-back wins in her career.

Sandwiched between her two victories at the New Orleans oval was a fifth-place run in Marie G. Krantz in January. Stall is hoping that the consistency he has seen from Dalika in the mornings will translate into her snapping her roller coaster history.

“If you look at her past performances, it's peaks and valleys and this looks like a valley type race,” Stall said. “We are just hoping that getting a super consistent number of races in her and training every day, this race keeps her at the proper level to win. Even at her age, we are still learning. We just hope we can put two good races together. That's the concern and the hope for this weekend.”

If Dalika has an off-day this weekend, conditions could be right for Pocket Aces Racing's Temple City Terror (post 6 at 8-1 with Joel Rosario) to turn the tables on her nemesis. The Brendan Walsh-trained mare was beaten by Dalika in both the Blushing K. D. and Stall Memorial but owns a win over the course, having prevailed in an optional-claimer going 1 1/16 miles in December.

“She's a model of consistency, she shows up every time,” Walsh said. “She's progressed really well as time goes on. She ran a blinder the last time. Joel (Rosario) actually won on her at Churchill last spring, so that's why we went for him, the fact that he's in town. Florent (Geroux) couldn't ride her back so we went with Joel, so here we are.She has won on firm a couple of times, but she does like a little give in the ground, but the key to her is plenty of pace. She does like to run at that pace at the end. She's got a great kick. She's doing great. I wouldn't count her out.”

Silverton Hill's homebred Pass the Plate (post 8 at 8-1 with Brian Hernandez Jr.) was a fast-closing third in the Stall Memorial for trainer Paul McGee. The 4-year-old daughter of Temple City beat 3-year-olds when she won the local Pago Hop in December and should get a solid pace to rally into Saturday.

An X-factor in the field could be Lothenbach Stables' multiple stakes winner Winter Sunset (post 5 at 20-1 with Marcelino Pedroza), who will be making just her second start since October 2019. The regally-bred daughter of Tapit out of grade 1 winner Winter Memories returned from a year-long layoff in October to finish sixth in a Keeneland allowance. Trained by Wayne Catalano, Winter Sunset has earned two of her three career wins over the Stall-Wilson.

Completing the Benson field from the rail out: MyRacehorse.com's His Glory (20-1 with Adam Beschizza), seventh as the pacesetter in the Stall Memorial for trainer Joe Sharp; Don Alberto Stable's homebred Dominga (post 2 at 8-1 with Florent Geroux), who won the LaCombe Memorial over the course last year but is unraced since August for trainer Brad Cox; The Elkstone Group's Logic N Reason (post 4 at 10-1 with John Velazquez), who enters off a win in a Jan. 2 optional-claimer at Tampa Bay Downs for trainer Christophe Clement; La Nora's Joy Epifora (Arg) (post 7 at 15-1 with James Graham), a troubled fourth in the Stall Memorial for trainer Ignacio Correas; Ismael Thoroughbreds' Russian Mafia (post 9 at 20-1 with Santos Sanjur), who won a local course and distance optional-claimer Jan. 31 for trainer Eduardo Rodriguez; Full of Run Racing's Dreamalildreamofu (post 11 at 10-1 with Colby Hernandez), who romped in an off-the-turf optional-claimer here Jan. 23 for Cox; and Highlander Training Center's and Sharp's uncoupled entry of Catch a Bid (post 12 at 5-1 with Luis Saez), fourth in the Jan. 31 Jersey Lilly at Sam Houston, in her first start of the year and for her new barn, and Summer in Saratoga (post 13 at 10-1 with Irad Ortiz Jr.), unraced since winning a Sept. 10 AOC at Kentucky Downs.

The post Dalika Chasing Another Emotional Victory For Stall In Tom Benson Memorial appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Favored Owendale To Be Challenged By Returning Grade 1 Winner Roadster In New Orleans Classic

Rupp Racing's multiple graded stakes winner Owendale headlines a competitive field of eight older horses for Saturday's 96th running of the $400,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Run at 1 1/8 miles, the New Orleans Classic is Race 11-of-14 and one of eight stakes races on Saturday's program. The headliner is the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2)—a Championship Series event on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The All Stakes Late Pick Five (races 10-14) and All Stakes Late Pick Four (races 11-14) are both estimated at $750,000.

Trained by Brad Cox, Owendale began his 5-year-old campaign with a third-place effort in the Feb. 27 Razorback (G3) at Oaklawn Park behind top Dubai World Cup (G1) contender Mystic Guide. Installed as Mike Diliberto's 9-5 morning line favorite, the Into Mischief colt will break from post 2 with Florent Geroux aboard as he eyes his first graded stakes score since his 3-year-old campaign.

“Looking back, he didn't get the greatest trip behind a really tough horse (Mystic Guide),” Cox said of the Razorback. “It didn't appear that you wanted to be down inside at all that weekend, so we're hopeful he can move forward. I like the mile and an eighth with him. He's made about half of his money at the distance and we're hoping we can get his form turned around. We changed things up with Joel (Rosario) at Oaklawn but Florent knows the horse really well and I'm excited to get him back (aboard).”

Breaking to the inside of Owendale is Speedway Stable's 2019 Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Roadster (3-1 with John Velazquez), who is making his first start in more than a year for new trainer Mike Stidham. The Quality Road colt was previously campaigned in California by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert and ran 15th in the 2019 Kentucky Derby.

“We got him at the end of the year,” Stidham said. “He's had issues with his feet since he was a 2-year-old so we had a little stopping and starting since I got him. But right now, we got him as good as he can be. You can see by his worktab, he's worked three quarters of a mile three times in a row. But he's coming off a year layoff, so he needed that to feel like I had him ready to go a mile and an eighth in a Grade 2 race.”

JMJ Racing Stables' Olliemyboy (post 3 at 12-1 with Irad Ortiz Jr.) will attempt his first start in graded stakes company for trainer Norm Casse following two consecutive allowance victories at the meet. Prior to entering Casse's barn at the end of 2020, the now 4-year-old son of Union Rags had competed primarily over the Tapeta surface at Woodbine. In his first dirt try at two turns, Olliemyboy crushed a first-level allowance field by 4 ¼ lengths and followed that performance with a 1 ½-length victory at against second-level allowance company.

“He wasn't flashy training on the dirt and I honestly didn't know what to expect when we led this horse over the first time,” Casse said. “He's earned his way into this race by doing all the right things. I'm really excited. His work two weeks ago was the best since I've had him. We put him in company with a fairly decent horse and it was heads up and we came back and just worked him a half-mile like he did before he won the second allowance. He's on the same pattern, but I feel like he's training very well and he looks fantastic. We are not dummies, we know we are longshots in here, but I think he's got a really good shot.”

Another quality horse expected to garner attention in the New Orleans Classic is Courtlandt Farms' three-time winner Sonneman (post 8 at 9-2 with Joe Talamo), who finished second behind Maxfield in the February 13 Mineshaft (G3)—the local prep for this race. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Sonneman recorded a powerful 5 ¾-length victory in early November at Churchill Downs.

Completing the New Orleans Classic from the rail out: Lothenbach Stables' homebred Captivating Moon (post 4 at 10-1 with Marcelino Pedroza), an upset winner of the Feb. 13 Fair Grounds (G3) on turf who is also cross-entered in R12, the $300,000 Muniz Memorial (G2) for trainer Chris Block; John Oxley's Enforceable (post 5 at 8-1 with Adam Beschizza), fifth in the Mineshaft for trainer Mark Casse; Estate of James Coleman's Chess Chief (post 6 at 6-1 with Luis Saez), a closing third in the Mineshaft for trainer Dallas Stewart; and Wayne T. Davis' Mocito Rojo (post 7 at 30-1 with James Graham), sixth in the local Tenacious in February for trainer Shane Wilson.

Watch and wager on Saturday's action from Fair Grounds on the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Inc. – TwinSpires.com.

Additional New Orleans Classic quotes:

Stidham, Roadster: It's an aggressive spot but he's doing good and he's a quality horse; he won the Santa Anita Derby at a mile and an eighth. I feel like we've got him in peak condition, he looks like a million dollars, and he's training well, so we're going to take a shot. And the other thing is I didn't feel like this race was coming up as tough as it has in previous years. I figure we're taking a shot, but it's not a monster-tough race. – trainer Mike Stidham

Casse, Olliemyboy: We left the decision up to Adam (jockey Beschizza). He likes both horses, so it wasn't a matter of picking between them, it was more about staying loyal to my father (Mark) and to Mr. (John) Oxley. He got to ride that horse (Enforceable) in the Kentucky Derby and he wanted to be loyal to that horse. I would love to have Adam on. He's undefeated on our horse, he knows him very well and he has a lot of confidence on him but I think we brought in a bang-up substitute off the bench to say the least. It's a pretty wide-open race. It's a grade II for a lot of money and there are some good horses in there. I think the main for us is it's nine furlongs, which is right up his wheelhouse, we've won two races over the track already, so we are a horse who seems to be getting better every time he runs and these are the types of chances you take with horses like that.

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Galvin wins National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham Festival ahead of Next Destination

Galvin, formerly with Gordon Elliott before being transferred last week to Ian Ferguson's yard, was a gritty but decisive winner of the closing Sam Vestey National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Chase.

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Blackmore Makes History At Cheltenham

Jump racing was lifted from the doldrums on the opening day of Cheltenham as Rachael Blackmore became the first woman to win a championship race at the Festival aboard Kenny Alexander's unbeaten Honeysuckle (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}).

Her 7-year-old mount in turn continued her flawless career to become the third mare in five years to win the G1 Unibet Champion Hurdle following Annie Power (Ire) (Shirocco {Ger}) and last year's winner Epatante (Fr) (No Risk At All {Fr}), who had to settle for third this year, the two mares being split by Sharjah (Fr) (Doctor Dino {Fr}).

With the Cheltenham Festival having been one of the last major sporting events to have taken place under normal circumstances before Britain was placed in lockdown 12 months ago, this time around jump racing's showcase meeting fell foul of the restrictions which have blighted so many sports events around the world. Where such a ground-breaking achievement from the Irish jockey would usually be met with a response bordering on the delirious from racegoers, Blackmore and Honeysuckle returned in front of an empty stand to a winner's enclosure devoid of atmosphere.

That, however, removes nothing from the latest high in the upwardly mobile career of Blackmore, who admitted that this significant milestone was “never even a dream”. Her first Grade 1 win came in partnership with Honeysuckle at Fairyhouse almost two years ago. Since then, the Henry de Bromhead-trained mare has become the horse who not only defines the excellence of Blackmore but matches it stride for stride.

“She is just so incredible. I just can't believe we've won a Champion Hurdle,” said Blackmore. “Kenny Alexander, Peter Molony—they're both at home with their families watching; it's a pity they can't be here today, but I tell you, when I was crossing the line I didn't care.

“Honeysuckle was just incredible. She's done everything I've wanted her to do throughout the race. Henry produces her every day in that kind of form for me to steer around, and it's unbelievable. This is such a special race and I am just so thankful to be a part of her—it's all about her. She's unbeaten, and she's improving. Her last run was her career best until today; she's getting better all the time. It's just phenomenal.”

She added, “To me, this was never even a dream. It was so far from what I ever thought could happen in my life—to be in Cheltenham, riding a winner of a Champion Hurdle. It's just so far removed from anything I ever thought could be possible, so maybe there's a lesson in that for everyone out there.”

Honeysuckle had looked the model of composure on her way to post and it was an air which she maintained throughout the two-mile contest, as she coasted in the slipstream of the early leading duo of Silver Streak (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Goshen (Fr) (Authorized {Ire}), travelling with ease throughout. Asked to go on by Blackmore after jumping the penultimate flight, the mare breezed past the leaders unextended as though they were standing still and swiftly opened up a seemingly unassailable lead. Meeting the last hurdle perfectly, her historic victory was sealed as she powered farther clear of the field to finish six and a half lengths ahead of Sharjah, who finished runner-up for the second year in a row.

De Bromhead, who was landing his tenth win at the Festival and first in the Champion Hurdle, said, “I couldn't have been more relaxed watching her as she always seemed happy. It's amazing. Rachael is as good as any of them—male, female, she is as good as any of the guys. I'm ecstatic with the result but I'm delighted for them. She never ceases to amaze me. I'm not saying I would have predicted that but she is an incredible mare. She has just gone into a different zone the last year, she really has.”

He continued, “In the situation we are in we are lucky to be here. Fair play to the BHA, IHRB, Cheltenham and everybody to set up brilliant protocols and allow us to continue the sport.”

Now unbeaten in 11 races, Honeysuckle, bred at Dorset's The Glanvilles Stud by Geoffrey Guy, has played an important role over the last three seasons in waving the flag for a dwindling National Hunt breeding programme in Britain. She may yet bolster it further in years to come as she will become the crown jewel at her owner Kenny Alexander's burgeoning National Hunt stud in Scotland. New Hall Stud in Ayrshire, which he bought from Gordon Thom in 2016, has already produced Group 1 winners on the Flat, including Donna Blini (GB) (Bertolini), later the dam of Japan's Horse of the Year Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). It is now home to an elite band of jumps mares assembled by Peter Molony for Alexander, one of the few major owners in the National Hunt world to place a specific emphasis on racing fillies and mares.

Racing reprieve

To a degree, the jumping brigade has been holding its breath going into this year's Cheltenham Festival following the negative publicity surrounding the controversial photograph of Gordon Elliott which surfaced on social media a fortnight ago. The leading Irish trainer has just started a six-month ban but his Cullentra House stable celebrated victory in the race immediately following the Champion Hurdle, the G1 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle. Denise Foster is the interim licence-holder at the Elliott yard and her name thus enters the Cheltenham record books as the trainer of Black Tears (GB) (Jeremy), the second British-bred winner of the day who ousted hot favourite Concertista (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}) on the line.

The 7-year-old mare was also the second Grade 1 winner for the late Garryrichard Stud stallion Jeremy during the opening day following the emphatic victory of the imposing Appreciate It (Ire) in the G1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, a seventh winner of that particular race for the Festival's leading trainer Willie Mullins.

A number of horses have been removed from Elliott's stable over the last fortnight, including Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}), who is considered one of the bankers of the meeting and who runs in Thursday's G1 Marsh Novices' Chase.

The former Elliott-trained Galvin (Ire) (Gold Well {Ire}), the winner of all four of his starts this season coming into the Festival, provided a first Cheltenham victory for his new trainer Iain Ferguson, who had been responsible for breaking in the 7-year-old. Unfazed by his recent change of scene, Galvin continued his winning run with victory in the Sam Vestey National Hunt Chase under Jack Kennedy, who had earlier also partnered Black Tears.

The winners continued to be spread across a range of Irish stables, with 80/1 shot Jeff Kidder (Ire) (Hallowed Crown {Aus}) springing a surprise in the G3 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for Noel Meade and owners Albert Dravins and Eamonn Scanlon. But it wasn't all Ireland's day. The facile success of Appreciate It in the opener was almost mirrored by another odds-on favourite in the G1 Sporting Life Arkle Novices' Chase when Shishkin (Ire) (Sholokov {Ire}) continued his dominant run through that division with a 12-length win over the running-on Eldorado Allen (Fr) (Khalkevi {Ire}).

That success, the seventh in a row for Shishkin, including his win in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, put Nicky Henderson and Lambourn on the scoresheet, while one of the most heartening results of the day came immediately afterwards in the G3 Ultima Handicap Chase for Yorkshire-based trainer Sue Smith. Running in the race for the fifth time, the 11-year-old grey Vintage Clouds (Ire) (Cloudings {Ire}) summoned up a front-running performance replete with grit and courage to claim a first Festival win for himself and for his jockey Ryan Mania. The Scottish-born rider is best known for teaming up with Smith to win the 2013 Grand National aboard Auroras Encore (Ire). He retired from race-riding the following year at the age of just 25 before making a comeback in 2019.

“It's an unbelievable thrill. It's a shame that my first Festival winner comes under these circumstances, but it truly doesn't matter. It will be a very memorable day. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would come and ride a Cheltenham winner, especially so soon after coming out of retirement. I couldn't be happier.”

Mania will spend the rest of the week travelling between the more regular beat of Huntingdon and Hexham. Rachael Blackmore, however, second only to reigning champion Paul Townend in the Irish jockeys' table, has a near-full book of rides at Cheltenham this week, including the favourites in the first and last races on Wednesday's card.

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