September, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

The Mean Queen Overtakes Snap Decision In Lonesome Glory

Buttonwood Farm's The Mean Queen bested the boys for a second consecutive Grade 1 start, ending Snap Decision's nine-race winning streak in a gritty stretch duel in Thursday's $150,000 Lonesome Glory, a 2 1/2-mile steeplechase event for older horses on Opening Day of the Belmont Park fall meet.

Trained by Keri Brion, the 5-year-old Doyen mare entered from a 4 3/4-length victory in the Grade 1, $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard on August 18 at Saratoga Race Course.

With Richard Condon up, The Mean Queen, the 7-5 second choice, tracked in third position as Bodes Well led the seven-horse field through the first circuit of the Belmont turf course with Amschel in second and 4-5 favorite Snap Decision, under Graham Watters, settled near the back of the pack in fifth.

Bodes Well attempted to sprint away from the field in the final run down the backstretch as Snap Decision advanced into third position beside The Mean Queen. The two rivals found their best run midway around the final turn easily overtaking Bodes Well to set up a memorable stretch duel.

Snap Decision, carrying a field-high 164 pounds, loomed large with his outside position turning for home but The Mean Queen, assigned 157 pounds, continued to find more, powering through the wire a two-length winner in a final time of 4:37.83.

“I thought the race would pretty much go exactly like that, but I didn't know if that would be the outcome,” Brion said. “She's so tough and I said to Richie, 'If you can just get her a neck in front of him, that's our best chance because she'll never let him pass.' That's how she works in the morning. Everything she works with, even if they're going slow, she's just like, 'No. You're not getting past me.'

“Snap came up to her and she kept that neck around the bend,” added Brion. “I knew at the eighth-pole she wasn't going to let him get past. She's just something else.”

The Mean Queen has provided Brion with a number of memorable moments this year, including a victory in April at Ireland's Wexford Racecourse that made her the first U.S.-based trainer to win an Irish hurdle race.

Condon was full of praise for The Mean Queen and her formidable foe.

“They are the two best [steeplechase] horses in America at the moment. The public were really watching this race and the hype between the two horses was really immense,” Condon said. “To get the ride in such a big race against a horse like Snap Decision was just great, and full credit goes to Keri and the mare herself. That was a serious performance.”

Condon said he was a little bit concerned about racing room approaching the stretch run.

“I knew he [Snap Decision] was there, and he made an attempt to keep me in behind Bodes Well,” Condon said. “I made a move sooner than I had planned, but I was delighted to have the rail to guide me to the wire with a top notch animal underneath me.

“That was a proper Grade 1 by American standards,” Condon added. “Snap Decision lost nothing in defeat. I think the two of them are proper Grade 1 horses and they would be able to compete in Grade 1 races in Ireland and England. That's the caliber of horse they are. America is lucky to have them.”

Bruton Street's Snap Decision posted a nine-race win streak dating to 2019 and entered from a Grade 1 win in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois in June at Percy Warner for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Fisher.

Snap Decision's pilot said he is hopeful of turning the tables in the Grand National at Far Hills, should the two foes meet again.

“He was carrying seven pounds more than her. Lucky enough at Far Hills, in four weeks' time, we'll all go off at level weights,” Watters said. “You'd like to think judging off the weights, he'd be able to beat her by open lengths. I thought I was a winner turning in, but the closer we got to the line I could feel that weight getting to me more and more.”

Redicean completed the trifecta with Amschel, Bodes Well, Brianbakescookies and Galway Kid rounding out the order of finish.

Bred in Ireland by Kevin Purfield, The Mean Queen banked $90,000 in victory while improving her career ledger to 8-6-1-0. She returned $4.90 for a $2 win bet.

Live racing returns Friday at Belmont with a nine-race card highlighted by the $100,000 Allied Forces in Race 7 and the $100,000 Christiecat in Race 8. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern.

The post The Mean Queen Overtakes Snap Decision In Lonesome Glory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Optimism High Ahead Of Grants Pass Downs’ Fall Meet

It's nearly post time for the fall meeting at Grants Pass Downs.

Coming off a record-setting spring/summer meeting, optimism is high as Oregon's premier racing facility begins an 18-day fall meeting Monday, Sept. 20, extending through Tuesday, Nov. 9. The eight-week season features racing every Monday and Tuesday at 5:15 p.m., and Sunday racing programs on Sept. 26 and Oct. 17 at 1 p.m.

Last year's fall meet was enormously successful, establishing records for largest total handle, average handle, average field size, and total purses paid. The momentum carried into 2021, with the 17-day spring/summer meeting establishing new records for total handle ($6,919,434) and average handle ($407,026).

“By any measure, our spring/summer meet was a great success, and I am optimistic this fall will see even better results,” said Grants Pass Downs President Randy Evers. “The track is in beautiful condition and the horses are really enjoying their cool morning workouts. Race night sponsorships are at an all-time high and we look forward to providing fans with excellent customer service and a fun night at the races.”

Since the permanent closure of Portland Meadows in 2019, Grants Pass Downs has become the epicenter of Oregon racing, securing a 99-year lease agreement with the Josephine County Fairgrounds.

Under the leadership of Evers and CEO Travis Boersma, Grants Pass Downs has made substantial upgrades throughout the 64-acre facility located west of downtown Grants Pass:

• Installing a new state-of-the-art safety rail to ensure the welfare of riders and horses and raise the standard of the meet.

• Widening the track to improve conditions for racing, with an additional 800 tons of sand laid in anticipation of wet fall weather.

• Adding a new chute making possible six-furlong thoroughbred races and 440-yard quarter horse races.

• Installing lights for evening racing.

• Building the Flying Lark restaurant and entertainment venue on the southwest corner of the Fairgrounds.

Ladies have dominated the jockeys' ranks at recent meets with Joree Scriver edging Mckenzie King for both the 2020 fall title and 2021 spring/summer crown. In fact, women jockeys finished first, second and fifth (Taylor Smith) at the 2021 spring/summer meet.

Amongst trainers, Quinn Howey has operated the track's most successful outfit, capturing last year's fall title 12-9 over Jorge Rosales and the 2021 spring/summer crown 13-9 over Billy Christian.

Several important stakes races enhance the action with the $25,000 guaranteed Grants Pass Mile—the state's richest and most prestigious event for Thoroughbreds—set for Monday, Nov. 9. Quarter Horses also are prominent at Grants Pass Downs, with the $40,000-added Far West Futurity scheduled Monday, Nov. 8.

Two stakes are scheduled opening week—$14,600 Siskiyou Stakes for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up Monday and $13,000-added Applegate Stakes for 3-year-olds and up Tuesday. Both are 5 ½ furlongs.

Monday's opener features eight races, five Thoroughbred and three Quarter Horse.

2021 fall racing dates: Monday, Sept. 20, 5:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 21, 5:15 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 26, 1 p.m.; Monday, Sept. 27, 5:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 28, 5:15 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 4, 5:15. P.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 5, 5:15 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 11, 5:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 12, 5:15 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 17, 1 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 18, 5:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 19, 5:15 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 25, 5:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 26, 5:15 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 1, 5:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 2, 5:15 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 8, 5:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 9, 5:15 p.m.

The post Optimism High Ahead Of Grants Pass Downs’ Fall Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Trail Riders, Watch Out For Wasps In Cooler Weather

Though it's intuitive to think that cooler weather would slow the battle against flying insects, this isn't the case with wasps, reports EQUUS magazine. During spring months, wasps are focused on collecting protein-rich food for their larvae and don't spend much time bothering humans, unless their nest is in danger.

However, once the larvae mature in late summer or early fall, all the wasps begin seeking food solely for themselves – and the competition can get fierce. The wasps seek out sugary foods, and become more aggressive and resolute in their quest. Wasp stings to both horses and humans are more common in the fall.

If riders come upon aggressive wasps while trail riding, leaving the area as quickly as possible can minimize the stings. If the group is large, splitting into two groups, one that has passed the wasps and those not yet to the danger area. Horses that are stung tend to buck, so the possibility of being unseated and landing in the middle of the swarm is real.

Once all riders are safely away from the wasps, check over both horses and riders for stings. If a horse has been stung, he may have localized swelling at the site of the sting, and some may break out in hives. If hives appear, the horse's veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatories or steroids. Few horses develop systemic anaphylaxis to wasp venom, but if the stung horse is having trouble breathing, a call to the vet is in order.

TDN Rising Stars on Parade at Newbury and Chantilly

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features 'TDN Rising Star's at Newbury and Chantilly.

13.00 Ayr, Nov, £14,000, 2yo, 7f 50yT
Jaber Abdullah's 120,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling MARHABA THE CHAMP (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is a son of MGSW G1 Cheveley Park S., G1 Haydock Sprint Cup and G1 Prix de l'Abbaye placegetter Lady of the Desert (Rahy). The Kevin Ryan trainee is confronted by a baker's dozen in this debut.

13.45 Newbury, Cond, £16,500, 2yo, f, 7fT
Godolphin's SILK ROMANCE (IRE) (Shamardal), a daughter of G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Lyric of Light (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), attained 'TDN Rising Star' status when posting an impressive 5 1/2-length tally over this trip in an Aug. 27 Newmarket novice heat last time and faces three prior winners in this four-runner heat. They are G2 Prix du Calvados fifth Fast Attack (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), G3 Solario S. sixth Star From Afarhh (GB) (Farhh {GB}) and Windsor novice scorer Heredia (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

14.03 Chantilly, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, 8fT
Juddmonte's once-raced RACLETTE (GB) (Frankel {GB}) snagged a 'TDN Rising Star' badge when impressing over 7 1/2 furlongs in a winner-producing debutantes' contest at Deauville last month. The Andre Fabre-trained daughter of MGISW distaffer Emollient (Empire Maker) encounters Al Shaqab Racing's Deauville debut scorer Welwal (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}), a half-brother to G3 Prix de la Grotte third Epistrophy (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), who was stylish when annexing the winner-producing colts' equivalent heat for the Jean-Claude Rouget stable on the same Aug. 8 card.

14.55 Newbury, Cond, £18,000, 2yo, c/g, 8fT
Godolphin's 900,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 acquisition KING OF CONQUEST (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) annexed an Aug. 22 seven-furlong maiden at Sandown on debut and returns in this renowned Haynes, Hanson & Clark conditions test won last year by subsequent MGSW G2 Great Voltigeur S. victor Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Five-strong opposition includes Juddmonte's once-raced Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who comes back off an Aug. 5 debut win over this distance at Sandown and is a Ralph Beckett-trained son of G1 Prix de la Foret third Mirabilis (Lear Fan).

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