Robin Goodfellow’s Racing Tips: Best bets for Thursday, March 11
Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Thursday's meetings at Wincanton, Southwell, Carlisle and Newcastle.
Month: March 2021
Rob James: Jockey banned for 12 months over dead horse video
Irish amateur jockey Rob James is banned for 12 months, with the last eight months suspended, after a video emerged showing him climbing on to the back of a dead horse.
Champion Swiss Skydiver Makes 4-Year-Old Debut In Saturday’s Beholder Mile
Last year's Eclipse Champion 3-year-old Filly, Swiss Skydiver arrived at Santa Anita from her Gulfstream Park base on Tuesday and is poised to make her 4-year-old debut as she heads a field of eight older fillies and mares in Saturday's Grade 1, $300,000 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita.
Trained by Kenny McPeek and owned by Peter J. Callahan, Swiss Skydiver, who defeated males two starts back in the Grade I Preakness Stakes, has been idle since running seventh at odds of 2-1 in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland Nov. 7.
Other prominent Beholder contenders include Simon Callaghan's multiple graded stakes winning Harvest Moon and Bob Baffert's scintillating recent allowance winner As Time Goes By.
Arguably the most incredible story in American racing last year, Swiss Skydiver, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Daredevil, out of the Johannesburg mare Expo Gold, ran at nine different tracks with six different jockeys in 10 starts from coast to coast, winning five, while running second twice and third once.
With four works on her comeback tab in February, Swiss Skydiver had her final work in preparation for the Beholder Mile this past Saturday at Gulfstream. Although McPeek had hoped for five furlong move in about a minute, she encountered unexpected company and was clocked in 58.09 breezing, best of 39 at the distance.
With all five of her wins coming in graded stakes, Swiss Skydiver was ultra impressive in her lone Santa Anita appearance, going gate to wire while taking the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks by four lengths on June 6 at odds of 3-5. Her first Grade 1 win came in Saratoga's iconic Alabama Stakes on Aug. 15, as she pressed the early pace en route to a resounding 3 ½ length score at even money.
In winning the Preakness Oct. 3, she got the jump on Kentucky Derby winner Authentic and was tenacious late in posting a neck victory over the eventual Breeders' Cup Classic winner and Horse of the Year. Well supported in the Distaff, Swiss Skydiver stumbled at the break and never threatened thereafter, ending the year with 2020 earnings of $1,794,320.
A first-out maiden winner going seven furlongs at age two on Nov. 16, 2019 at Churchill Downs, Swiss Skydiver, who will be ridden for the third consecutive time by Robby Albarado, is 12-6-3-1 overall with total earnings of $1,845,480.
Although a winner of four consecutive races, from her maiden victory on July 3 at Los Alamitos, through her victory here in the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes Sept. 27, Harvest Moon, a 4-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo, was dismissed at 16-1 in the Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 7, but ran a very respectable fourth, beaten 2 ½ lengths, after pressing the pace throughout. Owned by Alice Bamford and Michael B. Tabor, Harvest Moon was bred in Kentucky by Alice Bamford and is out of the Shamardal mare Qaraaba.
A two-time graded stakes winner, Harvest Moon will likely engage Swiss Skydiver early, thus ensuring a lively pace. With four wins from six starts, Harvest Moon has earnings of $340,720.
Heavily favored at odds-on in all four of her starts, As Time Goes By comes off a rollicking nine length one mile allowance win here on Jan. 17, as she pressed the early pace and crushed four rivals under Joel Rosario at 3-5. A four length maiden winner going six furlongs two starts back, As Time Goes By appears to be coming to her best in what will be her first stakes assignment.
A 4-year-old filly by 2015 Triple Crown Champion American Pharoah, As Time Goes By is out of the Dehere mare Take Charge Lady, who was a multiple graded stakes winner earner of more than $2.4 million that coincidentally, was trained by McPeek. Owned by Michael B. Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier, As Time Goes By will be ridden for the first time by Mike Smith.
THE GRADE 1 BEHOLDER MILE WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 8 of 9 Approximate post time 4 p.m. PT
- Swiss Skydiver – Robby Albarado – 124
- Golden Principal – Juan Hernandez – 120
- Harvest Moon – Flavien Prat – 122
- Sanenus – Umberto Rispoli – 122
- Miss Story D – Tyler Baze – 120
- As Time Goes By – Mike Smith – 12
- This Tea – Abel Cedillo -120
- Clockstrikestwelve – Tiago Pereira – 120
First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 12:30 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com.
The post Champion Swiss Skydiver Makes 4-Year-Old Debut In Saturday’s Beholder Mile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for March 11
It was an eventful weekend on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks, with major preps at Aqueduct (Busher Invitational S.), Oaklawn (GIII Honeybee S.) and at Santa Anita (GIII Santa Ysabel S.). The winners of all three of those races have made their way into our Oaks Top 10. Kalypso (Brody's Cause), who was third in the Santa Ysabel, drops out as trainer Bob Baffert has said he won't point her to the Oaks.
There's nothing on tap for the 3-year-old fillies this weekend but there will be a huge race Mar. 20 as the top two on our list, Clairiere (Curlin) and Travel Column (Frosted), are set to meet in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks.
1) CLAIRIERE (Curlin–Cavorting, by Bernardini)
O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $270,492.
Last Start: 1st GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13
Accomplishments Include: 2nd GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 54
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has had a lot of success in the Kentucky Oaks, winning it in 2005 with Summerly (Summer Squall) and in 2014 with Untapable (Tapit). Both fillies won the GII Fair Grounds Oaks on their way to the winner's circle at Churchill Downs and now Asmussen takes the same path with the talented daughter of Curlin. Since 2005, five winners of the Fair Grounds Oaks have gone on to win the Kentucky Oaks, including Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro). Received a ton of support in the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, where she is the 7-2 favorite. Still must contend with rival Travel Column, who beat her in the Golden Rod S. and lost by just a neck in the GII Rachel Alexandra S.
2) TRAVEL COLUMN (Frosted–Swingit, by Victory Gallop)
'TDN Rising Star' O-OXO Equine. B-Mr. & Mrs. Bayne Welker, Jr. & Denali Stud (KY). T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $850,000 ylg '19 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP,
4-2-1-1, $269,184.
Last Start: 2nd GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28, 3rd GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE, Oct. 2
Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 32
A classy filly from the Brad Cox barn, Travel Column worked a sharp five furlongs Saturday, posting a bullet :59.20 workout. An $850,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, she could be the Oaks favorite. All she has to do to achieve that is defeat our No. 1 horse, Clairiere, in the Fair Grounds Oaks. The two are very evenly matched. She broke her maiden at Churchill in September, so the track surface will not be an issue come Oaks day.
3) WILL'S SECRET (Will Take Charge–Girls Secret, by Giant's Causeway)
O/B-Willis Horton Racing (KY). T-Dallas Stewart. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-3-0-2, $343,300.
Last Start: 1st GIII Honeybee S., OP, Mar. 6
Accomplishments Include: 1st Martha Washington S., OP, Jan. 30
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 60
A newcomer to the top 10, Will's Secret jumps all the way up into the third spot off of a win in the Honeybee. Winning for the third straight time, she enjoyed a perfect ride from Jon Court, who got her to the lead and then slowed the pace down to a walk. They went the half mile in 49.70. Filly has faced Clairiere once, finishing third behind her in an October maiden race at Churchill Downs. Court, at age 60, will be looking to win the Oaks for the first time. Trainer Dallas Stewart won the Oaks in 2006 with Lemons Forever (Lemon Drop Kid).
4) ZAAJEL (Street Sense–Asiya, by Daaher)
O/B-Shadwell Stable (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $84,140.
Last Start: 1st GIII Forward Gal S., GP, Jan. 31
Next Start: Possible for GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10
Has a lot of upside but also has a lot to prove. The Shadwell Stable homebred was explosive in her debut, winning by 7 1/4 lengths and came right back to win the GIII Forward Gal S. at seven furlongs. It's worth noting that her dam (Asiya) never won beyond seven furlongs. Trainer Todd Pletcher said she may go next in the Fair Grounds Oaks, which is setting up to be a bear of a race. Closed at 28-1 in the Oaks Future Wager.
5) MALATHAAT (Curlin–Dreaming of Julia, by A.P. Indy)
'TDN Rising Star' O-Shadwell Stable. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $1,050,000 ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-0, $172,150.
Last Start: 1st GII Demoiselle S., AQU, Dec. 5
Accomplishments Include: 1st Tempted S., AQU, Nov. 6
Next Start: Possible for GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, Mar. 27
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10
Missed her planned start in the GII Davona Dale S. after she had a minor problem and missed some training time. It looks like she will come back in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, where she will have to play catch-up. Whatever was bugging her is in the past as she has had two workouts since Feb. 28. The latest was a five furlong breeze on Saturday. Still, might not be the best way to go into the Kentucky Oaks, off just one prep. Like Zaajel, is owned by Shadwell Stable. Cost $1.05 million at Keeneland September. Her dam won the Gulfstream Oaks by an incredible 21 3/4 lengths before finishing fourth as the favorite in the 2013 Kentucky Oaks.
6) SIMPLY RAVISHING (Laoban–Four Wishes, by More Than Ready)
O-Harold Lerner, Magdalena Racing & Nehoc Stables.
B-Meg Levy (NY). T-Ken McPeek. Sales History: $50,000 ylg '19 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-3-0-0, $414,200.
Last Start: 4th GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE,
Oct. 2, 1st P.G. Johnson S., SAR, Sept. 3
Next Start: GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, Mar. 27
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 13
A little late to get going, but trainer Kenny McPeek appears to have her ready after working four times at Gulfstream Park. Her scheduled start in the Mar. 27 Gulfstream Park Oaks comes after she finished fourth as the odds-on favorite in the GII Golden Rod S. in November. Like Malathaat, she will have only one prep for the Kentucky Oaks, which might not be the best way to go into the race.
7) VEQUIST (Nyquist–Vero Amore, by Mineshaft)
O-Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable & Swilcan Stable. B-Swilcan Stables (KY). T-Robert E. Reid, Jr. Sales History: $120,000 RNA ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly & MGISW, 5-2-2-0, $1,237,500.
Last Start: 9th GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, KEE, Nov. 6 1st GI Spinaway S., SAR, Sept. 6, 2nd GI Frizette S., BEL, Oct. 10
Next Start: Uncommitted
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 24
Her race in the Davona Dale, where she was ninth and beaten a city block, remains a mystery. What happened? Trainer Butch Reid said there's nothing new to report on his Eclipse Award-winning filly and that her next race has yet to be picked out. Coming off a terrible race and with not much time left before the Oaks, it's no certainty she will make the race. But we will keep her in the Top 10 until the connections say the Oaks is not in her future. Can you draw a line through her last race or not?
8) BEAUTIFUL GIFT (Medaglia d'Oro–Sea Gift, by A.P. Indy)
O/B-Baoma Corporation (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-1, $99,600.
Last Start: 1st GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, Mar. 7
Next Start: GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50
It's been an odd year for the California-based 3-year-old fillies. No one has stepped forward to claim the top spot in the division and most of the fillies racing there have yet to run a big speed figure. The latest to emerge is Beautiful Gift, who earned an 87 Beyer when winning the Santa Ysabel. There were only four horses in the race and three were trained by Bob Baffert. Scored a narrow win over Moraz (Empire Maker), who was just a head back at the wire. A win in Santa Anita Oaks would solidify her standing as the top 3-year-old filly based in Southern California.
9) SEARCH RESULTS (Flatter–Co Cola, by Candy Ride {Arg})
O-Klaravich Stables Inc. B-Machmer Hall (KY). T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $310,000 ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 2-2-0-0, $161,500.
Last Start: 1st Busher Invitational S., AQU, Mar. 6
Next Start: GII Gazelle S., AQU, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50
A very interesting prospect from the barn of Chad Brown. Made just her second lifetime start in the one-mile Busher Invitational, which she won by a half-length. She didn't beat the best field, but she showed a lot for a horse who had merely broken her maiden and had never raced beyond six furlongs. “I like the way she galloped out and I think she's going to be a good filly in the future. Two turns will be even better,” jockey Javier Castellano said after the win. The Gazelle, which is next, is run at a mile-and-an-eighth and will be an important test for the daughter of Flatter.
10) PAULINE'S PEARL (Tapit–Hot Dixie Chick, by Dixie Union)
O/B-Stonestreet Stables LLC (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: GSP, 4-1-1-1, $101,500.
Last Start: 2nd GIII Honeybee S., OP, Mar. 6
Next Start: Possible for GIII Fantasy S., OP, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 20
Looks like the second best 3-year-old filly in the Steve Asmussen barn. She didn't break her maiden until Feb. 12, and didn't take much money when making her stakes debut in the Honeybee. At 18-1, ran a sharp second behind Will's Secret. A Stonestreet Stables homebred, she is by Tapit, which means she probably hasn't peaked. Dam Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union) won the GI Spinaway S. in 2009 for Asmussen. She never won beyond seven furlongs or was even tested at a distance longer than that.
The post TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for March 11 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
