April, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Laki Runs Down Lebda To Win Frank Y. Whiteley Stakes

Hillside Equestrian Meadows' Grade 3 winner Laki, coming off a brief freshening, ran down multiple stakes-winning pacesetter Lebda inside the eighth pole and edged clear to a half-length victory in Saturday's $100,000 Frank Y. Whiteley at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md.

The ninth running of the six-furlong Whiteley for 3-year-olds and up was the second of six stakes worth $650,000 in purses on an 11-race Spring Stakes Spectacular program headlined by the $125,000 Federico Tesio, a 'Win and In' qualifier for Triple Crown-nominated 3-year-olds to the 146^th Preakness Stakes (G1) May 15, and the $125,000 Weber City Miss, a 'Win and In' event for 3-year-old fillies to the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) May 14.

With regular rider Horacio Karamanos aboard for trainer Damon Dilodovico, Laki ($10.20) completed the distance in 1:09.33 over a fast main track for his 11^th career win from 32 starts, pushing his lifetime earnings over the $800,000 mark.

The 6-year-old Cuba gelding has raced his entire career for Dilodovico, and over the years has grown close to his wife and assistant, Christine. Laki gave the Dilodovicos their first graded-stakes victory in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial (G3) last fall, also at Pimlico.

Laki has now won at least one stakes race each of the last five years, including the 2019 Whiteley.

“He means everything to us…the whole stable,” Dilodovico said. “He's our cornerstone.”

Winner of the Miracle Wood and Private Terms in back-to-back starts last winter as a 3-year-old at Laurel, Lebda was sent to the lead by jockey J.D. Acosta and held it through a quarter-mile in 23.33 seconds and a half in 45.55, with Laki tracking intently. The two straightened for home in front, going five-eighths in 57.15 before a stubborn Lebda finally yielded to his more experienced rival.

Lebda's Claudio Gonzalez-trained stablemate Eastern Bay was 4 ¼ lengths back in third, a head in front of Arthur's Hope. Whereshetoldmetogo, the 4-5 favorite, ran last of nine to snap a three-stakes win streak.

Laki was making his first start since running third in the seven-furlong General George (G3) Feb. 20 at Laurel Park. Since then, Laurel has seen its racing and training disrupted by an equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) quarantine and currently an ongoing evaluation and renovation of the main track, which caused the Spring Stakes Spectacular program to be transferred to Pimlico.

“It's been a crazy month for all of us horsemen here in the state. For him to do what he did, I just can't put it together,” Dilodovico said. “The last race we ran him he was letting me know he wasn't 100 percent. Not unsound, he just has a way about him. So, the rest was definitely warranted and it paid off.”

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3,975th Winner Makes Gerald Bennett All-Time Canadian-Born Leader

Gerald Bennett saddled the 3,975^th winner of his career Friday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., becoming the winningest Canadian-born Thoroughbred trainer of all time.

The 77-year-old trainer saddled Tampa Bay Downs shipper Baby Boomer ($12.40) for a victory in Race 3 to pass Frank Merrill Jr., a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Famer who won 19 Canadian championships and led all North American trainers three times by races won, as well as winning four Gulfstream titles between 1955-1980.

“Frankie Merrill had the record for the amount of wins for a Canadian-born trainer. I'm Canadian-born. I raced at Woodbine and all over the place. I tied him today in the third race at Tampa. This breaks the all-time record for wins,” said Bennett, who saddled West Side Warrior for a win at Tampa before scoring at Gulfstream with Baby Boomer, who led throughout under Emisael Jaramillo.

Bennett, a Springhill, Nova Scotia, native, began his training career in Canada in 1976 saddling horses alongside Merrill, who passed away in 1990.

“Frankie Merrill was big in the claiming game. When you're young starting out, you said, 'I'm going to be like Merrill,'” said Bennett, who ranks 13^th on the all-time North America races-won list.

Bennett, who is once again dominating at Tampa with a meet-leading 55 winners this year, has gone on to be an exceptional claiming trainer but still hasn't given up on “every horseman's dream.”

“I just go and try to buy young horses. We haven't got to the Kentucky Derby, but we've won a lot of stakes here and there,” said Bennett, whose only Grade 1 success came with Beau Genius in the 1990 Philip Iselin (G1) at Monmouth. “I've never had anyone pay a lot of money for a horse. We usually buy for $17,000-$25,000 and hope to get lucky. Sooner or later, the harder you work, you might get lucky and someday get to the Derby. That's every horseman's dream.”

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Oaks Contenders Crazy Beautiful, Millefeuille Complete Serious Preparations

Phoenix Thoroughbred's Crazy Beautiful, winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in her most recent start, completed her final major piece of work for Friday's Kentucky Oaks by working a half-mile in :49.20 under Danny Ramsey for trainer Kenny McPeek at Churchill Downs.

Also at Churchill Downs, Juddmonte Farms' Millefeuille worked five furlongs in :59.60 in company to produce the fastest of 29 works at the distance. Ailsa Morrison was aboard the Gulfstream Park Oaks runner-up for trainer Bill Mott.

At Belmont Park, Beach Haven Thoroughbreds' Maracuja, runner-up in the Gazelle (G3) in her most recent start, worked a half-mile in :48.20 for trainer Rob Atras. Maracuja is scheduled to head to Churchill Downs Sunday with a Monday arrival.

AVA'S GRACE – Cypress Creek Equine's Ava's Grace walked the shedrow at trainer Robertino Diodoro's barn a day after working a half-mile in :49.20.

According to Diodoro assistant Sean Williams, Ava's Grace is scheduled to jog two miles Sunday.

CLAIRIERE, PAULINE'S PEARL – Stonestreet Stables' homebreds Clairiere and Pauline's Pearl both galloped Saturday morning and are scheduled to have their final Oaks works Sunday morning. Trainer Steve Asmussen indicated he'll keep and eye on the weather before determining when exactly his star fillies will go out.

“Obviously we're expecting some rain (Saturday) so I don't know if we'll go right away or wait for a break or two,” Asmussen said.

COACH, TRAVEL COLUMN – Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Travel Column and Fantasy (G3) third-place finisher Coach had a scheduled walk day at trainer Brad Cox's Barn 22 following their respective five-furlong breezes in 1:00.40 Friday.

COMPETITIVE SPEED – John Minchello's Competitive Speed walked the shedrow for trainer Javier Gonzalez a day after working five furlongs in 1:02.40.

Gonzalez said Competitive Speed would return to the track Sunday morning.Chris Landeros has picked up the Oaks mount on Competitive Speed and Gonzalez said there was a chance the rider would have a get-acquainted session one morning next week.

CRAZY BEAUTIFUL – Phoenix Thoroughbred LTD's Crazy Beautiful, with exercise rider Danny Ramsey aboard, put in her final four-furlong work during the 15-minute period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks hopefuls.

Crazy Beautiful was clocked at :49.20, with splits of :12 and :23.60, then finishing up at 1:02.60 for five furlongs.

Trainer Kenny McPeek was beaming after stablemates Crazy Beautiful and King Fury put in pleasing simultaneous workout efforts.

“She had a breeze last week in :59, which was a bullet work,” McPeek said. “So today I just went a half with her, something simple, again just a basic maintenance work. She's eating good, and like King Fury, she's doing super good, fingers crossed.”

The filly is third on the Oaks leaderboard, after winning the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in her most recent outing.

“We had an issue with her last year, what we call scalping,” McPeek said. “Her front toes were cutting her in her back ankles. It is kind of a blacksmith issue, of leveling the feet. This year, it hasn't been an issue; we had to actually give her a little bit of a break, some turnout time, and she stopped doing it completely.”

MALATHAAT – Shadwell Stable's undefeated Malathaat merely had a “walk the shedrow” morning Saturday at Churchill Downs after accomplishing her final prep for Friday's Kentucky Oaks the day before.

The bay daughter of Curlin, four-for-four and a three-time stakes winner, came out of her half-mile drill in :48.40 under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez in good order, according to conditioner Todd Pletcher.

“She went well,” Pletcher said of the Friday prep. “Depending on the weather, we'll get her back on the track one way or another (Sunday).”

Malathaat is likely to be the favorite for the $1.25 million Run for the Lillies and will have Velazquez aboard for her nine-furlong journey.

MARACUJA – Beach Haven Thoroughbreds' Maracuja put in her final Oaks work Saturday morning at Belmont Park, going four furlongs in 48.20 in company for trainer Rob Atras. The daughter of Honor Code stepped up off an maiden sprint win at Aqueduct in February to be a strong second there in the April 3 Gazelle (G3) behind Oaks heavy hitter Search Results. Maracuja worked with 3-year-old New York-bred Horn of Plenty in what was her second move since the Gazelle, which was run over the Oaks' 1 1/8 miles.

The work was the 11^th fastest of 105 at the distance.

“I was very happy with it,” Atras said. “I wasn't worried about the time but the track must have been playing fast because the work didn't look that quick to me. She did it easily down the lane and had a nice even gallop out.”

Maracuja had hit the board in her first two starts and broke her maiden at odds-on but was a relative unknown at 18-1 in the six-horse Gazelle. She settled in fifth off a glacial half-mile in :50.09 but ran on gamely through the lane and was beaten just 2 ¾ lengths by Search Results, while 3 ¾ lengths clear of third. The significance of Maracuja's result, and subsequent 40 Oaks qualifying points she earned in the process, didn't register right away to Atras, though he's fully grasped it now.

“It's exciting,” Atras said. “Even up to a month ago, I never expected to be in the race (Oaks). Even after the race (Gazelle), it wasn't on my mind until it sank in that we had the opportunity to go.”

Atras indicated that Maracuja will ship from Belmont Sunday afternoon and figures to arrive at Churchill Downs early Monday morning. She'll be accompanied by his wife, Brittney, along with a groom. Atras will likely arrive in Louisville Thursday. Initial plans are for Maracuja to settle in Monday and get a feel for the track Tuesday morning.

MILLEFEUILLE – Juddmonte Farms' Millefeuille worked five furlongs in :59.60 with Ailsa Morrison aboard as she completed her major preparations for next Friday's Kentucky Oaks. The move was the best of 29 at the distance Saturday morning.

Working on the inside of Obligatory, who was fourth in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), Millefeuille produced splits of :12.60, :23.80, :35.80 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 and seven-eighths in 1:27.

“It looked good to me,” trainer Bill Mott said of the work that began after Millefeuille had galloped once around.

MORAZ – The California-based filly was said to have come out of her Friday drill (half mile in :48.20) at Santa Anita in good fettle Saturday morning according to assistant trainer Justin Curran, speaking at Churchill Barn 37 where the daughter of Empire Maker will be shipped to Sunday.

“They tell me she worked very well and is doing fine today,” Curran said. “Mike (trainer Michael McCarthy) has gone from Santa Anita up to Golden Gate (in the Bay Area) to run six horses on their big card this afternoon. He'll come to Louisville from there tomorrow and be training here Monday morning.”

PASS THE CHAMPAGNE – R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing, Blue Ridge Stables and James Brown's Pass the Champagne galloped Saturday morning at Palm Beach Downs.

Trainer George Weaver said the Ashland (G1) runner-up would have a similar exercise in the morning before beginning the trip to Churchill Downs that has an early Monday arrival time.

SEARCH RESULTS – Klaravich Stables' Search Results came out of her final Oaks work Friday in good order, according to trainer Chad Brown. The undefeated daughter of Flatter walked the shedrow Saturday morning and will return to the track Sunday and gallop, likely during the 7:30-7:45 Derby and Oaks training window.

WILL'S SECRET – Willis Horton's Honeybee (G3) winner Will's Secret walked trainer Dallas Stewart's Barn 34 at Churchill Downs following her half-mile breeze in :48.20 Friday morning.

“We're ready to roll,” Stewart said.

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY OAKS – Likely starters in the 147th running of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on Friday, April 30 in order of preference (with possible jockey and trainer): Search Results (Irad Ortiz Jr., Chad Brown); Travel Column (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Crazy Beautiful (Jose Ortiz, Kenny McPeek); Pauline's Pearl (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen); Malathaat (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher); Clairiere (Tyler Gaffalione, Steve Asmussen); Will's Secret (Jon Court, Dallas Stewart); Millefeuille (Joel Rosario, Bill Mott); Moraz (Umberto Rispoli, Michael McCarthy); Ava's Grace (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Pass the Champagne (Javier Castellano, George Weaver); Maracuja (Kendrick Carmouche, Rob Atras); Competitive Speed (Chris Landeros, Javier Gonzalez); Coach (Luis Saez, Brad Cox).

Next up in order of preference: Spritz (TBA, Rodolphe Brisset).

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Whirlwind 24 Hours For Kentucky Derby-Bound David Cohen

Jockey David Cohen traveled 1,000 miles to win at 1 1/16 miles Friday at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark..

Cohen's whirlwind journey began when he rode seven races Thursday at Oaklawn, the last at 5:36 p.m. (Central). A little less than two hours later, Cohen flew privately from Hot Springs to Louisville, Ky. (approximately 500 miles), arriving at 9:52 p.m. (Eastern). Cohen worked four horses early Friday morning at Churchill Downs and flew back to Hot Springs, arriving at 9:46 a.m., a little more than an hour before training hours ended at Oaklawn. First post was 1 p.m.

Cohen rode five races Friday at Oaklawn, winning the eighth, a 1 1/16-mile event for older $17,500 claimers, on heavily favored Lord Dragon ($3.60) for his major clients, trainer Robertino Diodoro and owner M and M Racing (Mike and Mickala Sisk). It was Cohen's 26th winner at the meeting.

“I've done this before, but it makes it a lot easier on a private jet,” Cohen said after his first mount Friday, the Diodoro-trained Wildwood Flash, finished seventh in the second race. “We were up at 3:20 (a.m.) our time (Central), because it was 4:20 their time (eastern). Robertino's assistant picked us at the hotel at 4:45, so that would have been 3:45 our time. Worked the first horse, Ava's Grace, the Oaks filly, at 5. Knocked out four workers, flew back and I actually had time to go home and lay down and take a shower and relax.”

In addition to Ava's Grace (Kentucky Oaks), Cohen worked two other horses previously based at Oaklawn, Keepmeinmind (Kentucky Derby) and Dreamer's Disease (Pat Day Mile), for potential stakes engagements next week at Churchill Downs. All three were for Diodoro, who accompanied the jockey on the quick trip.

Keepmeinmind, who finished sixth in his 3-year-old debut, the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 13 at Oaklawn, covered a half mile in :46.20 over a fast track, quickest of 108 works published at the distance. Keepmeinmind, shedding blinkers, breezed with stablemate Shasta Star, a 6-year-old mare.

Cohen called the work, “beautiful.”

“He went very strong,” said Cohen, Oaklawn's leading rider in 2019. “I actually put him behind another one of our horses, about 10 lengths. Just wanted to give him a good target and wanted to give him something to pass. As soon as he got up by that horse and went up on the inside, there was a little traffic outside. Opted to just go up the rail. That was one thing he was dealing with early on in his career. He wasn't wanting to go into some tight spots and kind of sucking out and giving up some much needed ground, which he did in the Breeders' Cup prep and the Breeders' Cup as well.”

Before breaking his maiden in the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs, Keepmeinmind finished second in the $400,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1) Oct. 3 at Keeneland and third in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Nov. 6 at Keeneland.

Keepmeinmind had been scheduled to make his 2021 debut Feb. 15 at Oaklawn – the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) – before severe winter weather led to multiple postponements of the race and interrupted the late-running colt's training schedule. Oaklawn lost eight live racing dates and 11 days of training (Feb. 12-22) because of heavy snow and arctic temperatures.

After finishing sixth in the Rebel, Keepmeinmind shipped to Keeneland and finished fifth in the $800,000 Blue Grass Stakes (G2) April 3. Keepmeinmind moved up to No. 20 on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard after Get Her Number was withdrawn from consideration, giving the colt the final starting position. Post positions will be drawn Tuesday.

Ava's Grace, in her 3-year-old debut, ran third in an entry-level allowance sprint March 4 at Oaklawn before finishing second in the $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) April 3. The 1 1/16-mile Fantasy, Oaklawn's biggest prize for 3-year-old fillies, marked the two-turn debut for the lightly raced Ava's Grace. She is safely in the field for the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) April 30. It is limited to 14 starters.

Dreamer's Disease, sixth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile, worked several times at Oaklawn, but didn't start at the meeting after falling behind in his training because of winter weather. The $500,000 Pat Day Mile (G2) May 1 will be his 3-year-old debut.

“Been a weird year,” Diodoro said between races Friday afternoon at Oaklawn. “We had a good meet. I'm happy with the meet, but just weird. Just how fast the meet went, those two weeks of the storm threw a couple of these 3-year-olds off schedule and just made the meet go so fast.”

Diodoro was Oaklawn's leading trainer in 2020 and entered Saturday with 38 victories to rank second in the standings. Friday was the 45^th day of the weather-shortened 51-day meeting.

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