April, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Classic Laurels For Kurofune’s Sodashi

The undefeated white filly Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune), once again defeated arch-rival Satono Reinas (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) at Hanshin on Sunday. The order of finish had been the same in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies last December and both fillies were making their 3-year-old bows. It was also a new course record of 1:31.10 for the 1600 metres, breaking the mark set by Black Moon (Jpn) (Admire Moon {Jpn}) in 2017.

Second choice in the wagering at 5-2 versus Satono Reinas's 2-1 favouritism, the striking white filly jumped well and found an ideal position tracking Stutti (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) from the fence in second. Passed by several foes to sit fourth entering the far turn, Sodashi split horses in upper stretch, took command from distance relation and new leader Meikei Yell (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) at the 200-metre mark and flashed home to win by a neck.

Satono Reinas broke a step slowly from the widest gate in 18, and was trapped very wide near the rear of the field for the backstretch run. She started to weave up in between horses by the 300-metre mark, and let down strongly out in the centre of the course to just miss. Fine Rouge (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) also rallied well from midfield to take third, a half-length back. Akaitorino Musume (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was another neck back in fourth.

“It's a great feeling,” said pilot Hayato Yoshida, who was celebrating his first Classic win and third Group 1 win. “There was a lot of pressure with many doubting how strong a white filly could be, so I'm thrilled we were able to prove them wrong. I was a bit worried that the fast track would be a disadvantage, but she responded beautifully and ran well holding off the others closing in on us which I saw and made me driver her to the wire. Her potential is limitless and I look forward to her future starts.”

Sodashi won on debut at Hakodate going 1800 metres on July 12 and stepped up to take the G3 Sapporo Nisai S. on Sept. 5. She added yet another win in the G3 Artemis S. at Tokyo on Halloween cutting back to 1600 metres for the first time and sealed her championship season with a victory over her rival Satono Reinas in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies on Dec. 13.

Pedigree Notes

The first foal out of the four-time winner and popular painted wonder Buchiko, Sodashi has a 2-year-old full-sister. Her dam is a half-sister to Japanese MSW Yukichan (Jpn) (Kurofune), the granddam of G2 Tulip Sho, G3 Kokura Nisai S. and G3 Fantasy S. heroine Meikei Yell (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), who ran last in the Japanese 1000 Guineas behind Sodashi on Sunday. Buchiko was barren to the cover of Maurice (Jpn) for 2020, but returned to that stallion last spring.

Fourth dam Storm and Sunshine (Star de Naskra), who struck in the 1986 GII Test S. and GIII Post-Deb S., foaled GII Bel Air H. hero Smile Again (Wild Again), SW & MGSP Halo Sunshine (Halo) and SW & MGSP Montecito (Seeking the Gold). The last-named threw SW and G3 Give Thanks S. and G3 Athasi S. runner-up Bunairgead (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}).

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
OKA SHO (JAPANESE 1000 GUINEAS)-G1, ¥237,870,000, Hanshin, 4-11, 3yo, f, 1600mT, 1:31.10 (NCR), fm.
1–SODASHI (JPN), 121, f, 3, by Kurofune
           1st Dam: Buchiko (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn)
           2nd Dam: Shirayukihime (Jpn), by Sunday Silence
           3rd Dam: Wave Wind, by Topsider
O-Makoto Kaneko Holdings; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Naosuke
Sugai; J-Hayato Yoshida. ¥131,859,000. Lifetime Record: Ch.
2yo Filly-Jpn, 5-5-0-0. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Satono Reinas (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)
           1st Dam: Balada Sale (Arg), by Not For Sale (Arg)
           2nd Dam: La Balada (Arg), by Confidential Talk
           3rd Dam: La Baraca (Arg), by Mariache II (Arg)
(¥100,000,000 Wlg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Satomi Horse Company;
B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥49,170,000.
3–Fine Rouge (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Kizuna (Jpn)
           1st Dam: Passion Rouge (Jpn), by Boston Harbor
           2nd Dam: Sexy Coconuts (Jpn), by Dance in the Dark (Jpn)
           3rd Dam: Coco Passion (Fr), by Groom Dancer
(¥33,000,000 Wlg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Genichi Mutsui; B-Northern
Farm (Jpn); ¥29,595,000.
Margins: NK, HF, NK. Odds: 2.60, 2.30, 14.30.
Also Ran: Akaitorino Musume (Jpn), Art de Vivre (Jpn), Kukuna (Jpn), Stutti (Jpn), Enthusiasm (Jpn), Ho O Ixelles (Jpn), Minnie Isle (Jpn), Ginestra (Jpn), Dtripe (Jpn), Elizabeth Tower (GB), Blue Bird (Jpn), Songline (Jpn), Shigeru Pink Dia (Jpn), Yoka Yoka (Jpn), Meikei Yell (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart & video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Midnight Bourbon, Soup And Sandwich Post Derby Tune-ups At Churchill Downs

On a seasonably cool Sunday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) contenders Midnight Bourbon and Soup and Sandwich continued their preparation for the first Saturday in May with published workouts beneath the Twin Spires.

Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred G3 winner Midnight Bourbon breezed five furlongs in 1:00.40 while Live Oak Plantation's G1-placed Soup and Sandwich worked a half-mile in :48.80.

Soup and Sandwich, the runner-up finisher in the $750,000 Florida Derby (G1), worked at 5:30 a.m. (all times Eastern) with jockey Declan Carroll aboard through fractions of :12.60 and :24.60. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.60 and completed seven-eighths of a mile in 1:27.40. The striking gray son of Into Mischief worked on the outside of two-time winner Natural Power, who completed a half-mile in :49.20.

“This was the first time I've seen him work because he's been in Florida,” said trainer Mark Casse's assistant, David Carroll. “He has a big stride on him and really got over the track well. I told Declan to just let him do his thing and gallop out nicely. I think he's starting to find his stride. The Derby will be the first time he'll be led over from his own stall and I think it'll benefit him getting experience over the track.”

Soup and Sandwich has not finished off the board in three lifetime starts. He dominated Florida-bred competition in his debut at Gulfstream by 7 ¼ lengths. He returned in a first-level allowance at Tampa Bay Downs where he bested two rivals by 2 ¾ lengths. The homebred finished 2 ¾ lengths behind Known Agenda in the Florida Derby after dueling on the lead for the majority of the 1 1/8-mile race.

Two hours after Soup and Sandwich recorded his published workout, Midnight Bourbon took to the track and breezed on the outside of stablemate Jackie's Warrior through fractions of :12.40, :24.80 and :36.80. The duo galloped out together through five furlongs in 1:13.20 and completed seven furlongs in 1:27.40.

Like fellow Derby contender Soup and Sandwich, Midnight Bourbon has never finished off the board. Through seven lifetime starts, he's recorded two wins, two seconds and three third-place finishes. Most recently, the son of Tiznow finished second to Hot Rod Charlie in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2).

The field for the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve continues to take shape even with the completion of the qualifying races. As of Sunday morning, the last horse in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby was Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) runner-up Sainthood with 40 points. He's scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Sunday along with stablemate Known Agenda.

UPCOMING ARRIVALS – Several contenders from trainer Todd Pletcher's squad are scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Sunday including Derby contenders Known Agenda and Sainthood along with Oaks runner Malathaat, according to senior director of the stable area Steve Hargrave.

Sainthood and Malathaat are both scheduled to van approximately 75 miles from Keeneland to Churchill Downs at 11 a.m. Sunday. Known Agenda is slated to arrive later in the afternoon from South Florida. Pletcher's New York-based runners Bourbonic and Dynamic One are scheduled to van Sunday evening to Louisville and arrive at approximately 5 a.m. Monday.

Pletcher will be stabled in Barn 42 at Churchill Downs

DOWN THE STRETCH – Travel plans for UAE Derby (G2) runner-up Panadol continue to be finalized. Trainer Salem bin Ghadayer reported that a decision on the colt's plans to run in the Derby would be finalized in the upcoming days. … Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Clairiere worked five furlongs in 1:02 Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. The Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) runner-up worked inside of multiple graded stakes winner Finite. … Trainer Kenny McPeek stated Lexington Stakes (G3) winner King Fury would run in either the Derby or Preakness (G1). “We'll see how he comes out of the (Lexington) and if he gets enough points to get in the Derby,” McPeek said. “I think the Derby distance of 1 ¼ miles will hit him perfectly.” … The first day of the exclusive training period for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders will start Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and run through Thursday, April 29. Derby and Oaks horses will have a 15-minute training window where they will be the only horses on the track.

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Bind Filly a Sentimental Pinhook for Granger

When lifelong owner and breeder Nathan Granger picked up a filly by his late stallion Bind, bred by his partner Jay Adcock, for just $13,000 at the ESLA September Sale, he knew right away that she was something special. So special in fact, that he gave her a name of the highest honor in the Granger family, WUPKAR, which stands for Wake Up, Pray, Kick Ass, Repeat. This was the slogan of Granger's son Ross, who was diagnosed with an astrocytoma in his brain stem shortly after his high school graduation and passed away 16 months later.

“We went through a horrible time five years ago,” Granger said. “My oldest son, Ross, the oldest of five, was diagnosed with a brain tumor right after high school graduation. He was going to go pitch in college. His mantra during the time he was ill was WUPKAR, Wake Up, Pray, Kick Ass, Repeat. He really lived by that until he passed. He spoke with youth groups, baseball teams, etc. about his faith and living every day in the fullest. He was phenomenal. He was my hero.”

Granger, who owns about 15 mares in partnership and has three horses in training, originally purchased WUPKAR with the intention of adding her to his racing stable.

“I bought her at the yearling sale very cheap because of a small issue on an x-ray,” Granger said. “It was a youth issue, nothing that would stop her from performing. She was a picture and everything you'd want in a racehorse. She was just that good. Initially the plan was to run her, but I have a lot of horses, so sometimes I have to sell a good one to pay for all the others.”

Granger entered the filly in the Texas 2-year-old Sale Wednesday, where she summoned $150,000 from Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch after breezing in :10 flat. After hearing the meaning behind her unusual name, WUPKAR's new owners decided to keep it.

“Al Pike told them the story and they said they would keep the name,” Granger said. “I was thrilled. I actually cried. I did intend to race her, but she was just so good. Hopefully she will win a lot of races down the line and people will ask what the name means and we can tell them about it.”

In keeping with their son's wishes, the Grangers started the Ross Granger Memorial Fund in his honor.

“Ross' illness was 16 months, so he really told us everything he wanted,” Granger said. “One of the things he wanted to do was set up a memorial fund. We had taken out a general cancer policy out on all of our kids because a buddy was selling them, so the first $20,000 of the fund was Ross' own money that he put up. We give five $2,000 scholarships every year to kids in our area and we also help other families whose children have brain tumors like Ross.”

Click here to learn more about the Ross Granger Memorial Fund.

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Flintshire’s Cheshire Academy in Noailles Upgrade

White Birch Farm's Cheshire Academy (Fr) (Flintshire {GB}), who was victorious over 10 furlongs at Pau in both prior starts, retained his perfect record–after a fashion–when stewards intervened to promote the Jean-Claude Rouget trainee from a second-place finish, at the expense of 4-5 favourite Pretty Tiger (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), in Sunday's G3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp. The 37-10 chance was slowest away and raced towards the rear until turning for home in this black-type bow. Nudged along to reduce arrears with 500 metres remaining, he came under increased pressure passing the quarter-mile marker and, impeded by the errant Pretty Tiger when set to pounce deep inside the final furlong, kept on well to finish a sliver behind that subsequently demoted rival.

“I didn't see the incident live, but from watching the head-on replay it was obvious and, with a nose between the two, I am not surprised the stewards took the 'winner' down,” explained trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. “This horse has a great potential, he has improved physically with time, but is very immature and still on the weak side. He would have preferred faster ground and the jockey said it was too soft for him. He quickened like a good one in the straight and will now go straight to the [June 6 G1] Prix du Jockey club [at Chantilly]. That will give him time to get stronger and, even if he doesn't win, it should set him up for the [July 14 G1] Grand Prix de Paris over one-and-a-half miles back here. That could be his race and, with time, he should definitely develop into a nice horse.”

Cheshire Academy is the first of two foals produced by stakes-winning GI Flower Bowl S. runner-up Danza Cavallo (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}), herself full to MGSW Scandinavian champion Brownie (Fr) and one of three stakes winners out of the Listed Prix Urban Sea runner-up Tropical Mark (GB) (Mark of Esteem {Ire}). Tropical Mark is a granddaughter of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Tropicaro (Fr) (Caro {Ire}), who produced G3 Prix La Force scorer The Scout (Kris {GB}) and is the ancestress of G1 Premio Vittorio di Capua victor Amaron (GB) (Shamardal). Danza Cavallo, who is also a half-sister to GSW G1 Prix du Cadran third Trip To Rhodos (Fr) (Rail Link {GB}), has a yearling filly by Almanzor (Fr) to come.

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX NOAILLES-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-11, 3yo, 10 1/2fT, 2:20.55, sf.
1–CHESHIRE ACADEMY (FR), 128, c, 3, by Flintshire (GB)
1st Dam: Danza Cavallo (Fr) (SW-Fr & GISP-US, $343,202), by Sunday Break {Jpn})
2nd Dam: Tropical Mark (GB), by Mark of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Tropical Zone (GB), by Machiavellian
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€77,000 Ylg '19 AROCT). O-White Birch Farm; B-SF Bloodstock SC (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, €57,750. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
*2–Pretty Tiger (Ire), 128, c, 3, Sea The Moon (Ger)–Fast and Pretty (Ire), by Zamindar. (€105,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Bernard Giraudon; B-Chevotel de la Hauquerie (IRE); T-Fabrice Vermeulen. €16,000.
3–Gregolimo (Fr), 128, c, 3, Galiway (GB)–Kendannemarie (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). (€23,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Mme Meryl de Watrigant, Jerome Vallier & Ecurie Pierre Pilarski; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Simone Brogi. €12,000.
Margins: (NO, 2HF, 3/4). Odds: 3.70, 0.80, 20.00.
Also Ran: Tokyo Gold (Fr), Media Stream (GB), Sa'ad (Fr), Baha Mar (Fr), Mythico (Fr), Fourviere (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

*Demoted from first.

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