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Month: May 2021
O’Brien Issues Update On Epsom Runners
Twenty years ago, Aidan O'Brien won the Derby for the first of his record eight times with Galileo (Ire), whose son Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) is currently ante-post favourite for the Cazooo Derby on June 5. The Ballydoyle trainer also has the favourite for the Cazoo Oaks, Santa Barbara (Ire), who is by another of his Derby winners, Camelot (GB).
Issuing an update on the G3 Ballysax S. winner Bolshoi Ballet, O'Brien said, “I am very happy with him, everything has gone well so far. He is a very well-balanced horse. He seems to get the mile and quarter very well and he is very relaxed, very off-handed, and tactically he is very easy to place in a race.
“We always thought middle distances wouldn't be a problem to him. Obviously you are never sure until you run over the mile and a half, but we always thought he would stay.”
The trainer also has the Galileo colt High Definition (Ire) among his Derby team of five and he said of the recent G2 Dante S. third, “Obviously, he had a very interrupted preparation–a week before the Dante he wouldn't have been able to run. He just came right a couple of days before. We knew he had to run if he was going to the Derby and we couldn't have been happier.
“Obviously, we were going to ride him patiently, kindly and gently, and that is what Ryan did. We were very happy with his run at York. He covered the last three furlongs quicker than anyone else in the race, so that is a very good sign for a horse like him.”
The quintet is completed by the Camelot colts Sir Lamorak (Ire) and Sir Lucan (Ire), as well as G1 Criterium International winner Van Gogh (American Pharoah).
“It's what the foundation of the thoroughbred is built on really,” added O'Brien of the Derby. “It is the ultimate test and they are tested in every way–speed, stamina, courage and balance.”
Along with Santa Barbara, the trainer's Oaks entries include the impressive G3 Musidora S. winner Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Divinely (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and La Joconde (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).
He said of the favourite, who was fourth in the 1000 Guineas on her seasonal debut, “It was a big risk going to the 1000 Guineas on only her second run, but she ran very well. This was always pencilled in to be her next run. She came out of the 1000 Guineas well and everything has gone well with her since. She hasn't been over that far before, but she is a Camelot filly and we are really looking forward to seeing her run. She was always very special in her work.”
Snowfall is also pleasing O'Brien, who said, “We always thought the world of Snowfall last year, but we could never get her to produce what she was doing at home. Maybe a little bit of time over the winter, maybe she matured from two to three and a little bit extra distance has helped her. Physically she has done well since and mentally she is lovely, so it is very possible that she could really take off.”
O'Brien could also have up to six runners in the Coronation Cup on Friday, June 4, including last year's Derby and Oaks winners Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The list is completed by Japan (GB) and his full-brother Mogul (GB), both sons of Galileo, as is fellow entrant Armory (Ire). Recent G2 Mooresbridge S. winner Broome (Ire), by Derby winner Australia (GB) is also engaged.
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‘Always’ in Control: Malibu Moon Filly Romps to Rising Stardom at Belmont
Just two days after her superstar sire died at the age of 24, Three Chimneys Farm's Always Carina (Malibu Moon) followed up a highly-graded debut victory with a facile allowance/optional claiming romp at Belmont despite a troubled start, earning 'TDN Rising Star' honors.
Unveiled at a nickel below even-money over a muddy, sealed track Apr. 11 at Aqueduct, the homebred shook off some intense early pace pressure and splashed clear in the lane to a four-length success, earning a 94 Beyer. Returning with a quartet of local interim breezes, capped by an easy half-mile move in :49 3/5 (31/64) May 15, the dark bay was backed to 2-5 to stretch her speed out to a flat mile. Stumbling significantly, albeit forward, at the start, Always Carina led early while pressed by Jordan's Leo (Malibu Moon) through a :23.34 quarter with Malibu Curl (Curlin) close behind in third.
The latter rival made a quick three-wide bid for the front midway around the turn, but Jose Ortiz still rode the chalk with confidence passing the five-sixteenths pole. She proved that confidence well-founded once straightening for home, quickly skipping clear under her own power. It was only a matter of how far from there, and Always Carina glided past the post 9 3/4 lengths to the good of Stand by You (Munnings).
The winner has a juvenile Palace Malice half-sister and a yearling half-sister by Gun Runner. She is the second foal out of Miss Always Ready, a $400,000 Keeneland April purchase in 2014, following Structor (Palace Malice), GISW, $710,880. Miss Always Ready was bred back to Palace Malice once more last spring. Second dam Miss Seffens was a five-time stakes winner with a career-high 108 Beyer who ran fourth in the 2000 GI Kentucky Oaks.
7th-Belmont, $89,240, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($80,000), 5-20, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:36.38, ft, 9 3/4 lengths.
ALWAYS CARINA f, 3, by Malibu Moon
1st Dam: Miss Always Ready, by More Than Ready
2nd Dam: Miss Seffens, by Dehere
3rd Dam: Noise Enough, by Bold Ruckus
Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $94,600. Click for the Equibase.com chart, VIDEO, sponsored by TVG or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.
The post ‘Always’ in Control: Malibu Moon Filly Romps to Rising Stardom at Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Trainer Morrison hopes Stay Well can run a big race in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood
Stay Well, a colt named to reflect the Covid-19 times rather than being a statement about stamina, makes a late bid to enter the Derby reckoning when he lines up in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood.
