October, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Poetic Flare Retires To Shadai Stallion Station

Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}–Maria Lee {Ire}, by Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), the top-rated 3-year-old miler of 2021, has been retired from racing and will stand at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan from next year.

Winner of the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace S., the colt has provided his master trainer Jim Bolger with perhaps the pinnacle of his parallel career as a breeder, for he not only bred, owned and trained Poetic Flare's sire and fellow Classic winner Dawn Approach, but he also trained his grandsire New Approach (Ire), whose five Group 1 victories included the Derby. Furthermore, Bolger bred Poetic Flare's first two dams and trained his third dam.

Poetic Flare was not among Monday's five-day confirmations for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on QIPCO British Champions Day, which would have provided a potentially thrilling rematch with top older miler Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who beat the 3-year-old by just a neck in a pulsating finish to the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in August.

“I'm sure many racegoers will be disappointed not to see him at Ascot, and I am disappointed myself that he is not going there, but it was not possible,” Bolger told TDN on Tuesday. “He will be standing at Shadai and will be leaving soon for Japan.”

Of the sale of a colt to the Yoshida family's powerful stallion operation, he added, “This is a first for me, but it is a great opportunity for the horse and I will be supporting him with mares myself, even though it won't be that straightforward.”

Poetic Flare started his career by winning the first 2-year-old race of the 2020 season at Naas but a growth spurt meant that he wasn't seen again until lining up for the G1 Darley Dewhurst S. some seven months later. He finished 10th that day, almost nine lengths behind the winner St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), but finished his juvenile campaign in style by winning the G3 Killavullan S. at Leopardstown just a week later. Another seven days after that his stablemate and fellow Bolger-bred Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) gave another boost to the sireline by winning the G1 Vertem Futurity at Doncaster. The pair would meet again the following May at The Curragh when Mac Swiney narrowly got the upper hand in testing conditions for the Irish 2000 Guineas, but by then Poetic Flare had already won the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and contested the French equivalent, finishing sixth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

Campaigned rigorously by Bolger, the powerfully built Poetic Flare bounced back at Royal Ascot to post a commanding victory in the G1 St James's Palace, beating runner-up Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) by 4 1/2 lengths. The following month he was back in action in the G1 Sussex S., in which he was beaten into second by Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), with the G1 Falmouth S. winner Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}) behind him in third.

His narrow defeat in the Jacques Le Marois was followed by what transpired to be the final start of his career when finishing less than a length behind St Mark's Basilica for third in the G1 Irish Champion S. on his first attempt over 10 furlongs.

Ridden throughout his career by Bolger's son-in-law Kevin Manning in the colours of the trainer's wife, Jackie, Poetic Flare, who is out of the Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire) mare Maria Lee (Ire), raced 11 times for five wins and four places, with his earnings just passing £1 million.

He is a member of the fourth crop of the former champion 2-year-old Dawn Approach, who went on to complete the 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace S. double later emulated by his son. Dawn Approach spent the first seven seasons of his stud career at Darley's Kildangan Stud in Ireland, but as support for him dwindled he returned to his birthplace of Bolger's Redmondstown Stud in 2021, where he covered around 40 of his breeder's own mares.

Shadai Stallion Station on the Japanese island of Hokkaido is currently home to 31 stallions. Teruya Yoshida lost his flagship sire Deep Impact (Jpn) in July 2019 after the multiple champion suffered a cervical fracture.

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Day 1 Of Thoroughbred Makeover Sees Early Leaders In Dressage, Show Jumping

The first day of preliminary competition is in the books at the 2021 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, with Dressage and Show Jumper taking the spotlight as the competition's two most popular classes this year.

The 2021 “Mega-Makeover” includes separate competition years to accommodate horses from the postponed 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover, as well as the scheduled 2021 event. While both 2020 and 2021 horses competed side-by-side in arenas today, their scores are ranked separately.

2020 Dressage: Elbow Room, trained by Helen Pianca

Elbow Room (D'Funnybone – Show Me the Carats, by More Than Ready) and Helen Pianca danced across the Rolex Arena into the overnight lead in the 2020 competition year for Dressage, earning a 77.414 on their test plus a 48.00 for their demonstration ride, for a combined score of 125.414. The demonstration ride allows trainers to showcase their horse's strengths and any advanced maneuvers they may be developing not already demonstrated in the test.

“He handled the atmosphere like a professional,” said Pianca, a professional from Granville, Ohio. “We had one little bobble in our demo ride, but other than that he felt pretty flawless. We lost some training time when I had a baby, so he had a few months off in the earlier part of this year, and I think he would have been just as good last year, honestly — he's been a professional since I got him. He's my first 'me' horse — now that I have kids, I want a horse for myself! For me personally, I can't beat a Thoroughbred.”

Elbow Room is a 2014 16-hand chestnut gelding, bred in New York by EKQ Stables Corp. He sold as a weanling at Keeneland November in 2014 for $40,000, then sold again as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Preferred New York Bred Yearling Sale for $75,000. He went on to make 23 starts with four wins, retiring in July of 2019 from Finger Lakes with earnings of $36,970. He'll return in the Freestyle on Thursday.

2021 Dressage: My Dad Louie, trained by Jaclyn Schellhase

Jaclyn Schellhase and My Dad Louie. Photo courtesy CanterClix

Stepping out in Western tack in the second year Western dressage was available as an entry option in the discipline, My Dad Louie (Regal Ransom – Indigo Girl, by Leestown) and Jaclyn Schellhase top the overnight standings for 2021 Dressage. The pair earned a 72.500 on their test and a 50.00 on their demonstration ride, for a total score of 122.500.

Primarily a barrel racer, Schellhase, a professional from Canton, Ga., applied My Dad Louie's flatwork foundation from barrel racing to a new-to-her discipline.

“He's a great mover and he's very responsive, so I thought he could help me step out of my comfort zone and we could do this together,” she said. “In our demo, we started with just the same maneuvers as the test, but then added in some extended canter, which felt like it went beautifully.”

Schellhase has already connected My Dad Louie to new owners, who have come to the Thoroughbred Makeover to cheer their new horse on, with plans to make him an all-around horse. He is a 2015 16-hand dark bay/brown gelding, bred in Louisiana by Randy Davis & Associates Inc. He made 21 career starts with three wins, earning a total of $47,610. His last race was in August of 2020 at Louisiana Downs. He'll also compete in the Barrel Racing on Wednesday and Thursday, and roll his times to the T.I.P. Barrel Racing Championship.

2020 Show Jumper: Canton Comet, trained by Samantha Fawcett

Samantha Fawcett and Canton Comet. Photo courtesy CanterClix

Canton Comet (Shanghai Bobby – Katie's Ten, by Rock Hard Ten) and Samantha Fawcett have a nearly nine-point lead on the rest of the 2020 Show Jumper discipline after the first day of competition, receiving marks of 175.50 and 175.00 for a round score of 175.25.

“I purchased her as a 3-year-old from Kentucky with the goal of sending her to the 2020 Makeover; my intentions were actually to sell her then. I'm very glad that did not happen, because we've decided to keep her to develop her further in show jumping,” describes Fawcett, a professional from Alton, Ontario. “We kept everything really straightforward with the extra time and focused on her dressage. She really grew into herself and really started to blossom over the past winter. She's exceeded our expectations!”

Canton Comet is a 2016 16.3-hand black mare bred in Kentucky by Kirby Chua. She sold for $80,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September in 2017, and went on to make nine starts with one win. Her final start was in August of 2019 at Arlington, where she retired with $20,698 in earnings. She'll return in the Show Hunter on Wednesday.

2021 Show Jumper: Absolute Drama, trained by Emily Clayton

Emily Clayton and Absolute Drama. Photo courtesy CanterClix

Absolute Drama (Big Drama – Perfect Charm, by Charismatic) and Emily Clayton outshone the rest in the 2021 competition year for Show Jumper, earning scores of 152.25 and 155.75 for a round score of 154.00

“I'm shocked, actually,” describes Clayton, a professional from Lafayette, Louisiana. “He's only four — I just wanted to give him a good ride. We focus on flatwork a lot at home, and a lot of work went in, but he's pretty easygoing and level-headed. Our first round was our best round.”

Absolute Drama already has a new home lined up after the Thoroughbred Makeover and will head to his new owners once he and Clayton return home. A 2017 15.3 hand dark bay/brown gelding, Absolute Drama was bred in Louisiana by EPIC Thoroughbreds, LLC and made four starts, never breaking his maiden. He retired with $450 in earnings from Evangeline, making his final start in July of 2020. He'll return in the Show Hunter on Wednesday.

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Lost And Found Presented By LuibriSYN HA: Too Young To Retire, Older Runners Flaunt New Skills At Thoroughbred Makeover

The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America began rather modestly in 2013 with 26 off-track Thoroughbreds at Pimlico Race Course. This year's renewal held Oct. 12-17 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington has attracted hundreds of entrants showcasing the endless skills of the breed. The competition has achieved the original goal of creating demand for former racers that too often were considered one-trick ponies known only for speed. Along the way, the Makeover has brought attention to the value of high-mileage Thoroughbreds for their “been there, done that” attitudes suited for countless activities when properly retrained.

This month's Lost and Found spotlights three of those so-called “war horses” entered in the Makeover—Granny's Kitten, Imperative and Talk Show Man.

Granny's Kitten (Kitten's Joy-Granny Franny, by Grand Slam)

Record: 32-6-5-4 and $480,928

Stakes wins: 2017 Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap (G3) at Fair Grounds, 2016 Alphabet Soup Handicap at Parx Racing

Age: 9

Gail Canan was aware of Granny's Kitten, thanks to a friend who knew him well during his racing days for breeders Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker. The mellow fellow's pedigree and record made him an attractive stallion prospect but when no deal was finalized, he was channeled to Canan and subsequently gelded so that he could easily transition to life with pasture mates.

Instead of choosing a discipline for Granny's Kitten, she is going to let him pick. She said he seems to enjoys cross country jumping so she is hoping to reshape him into an eventer.

Canan marvels at his attitude that she describes as “unflappable” regardless of his surroundings or tasks.

“That longevity (of racing) says a lot about the constitution of the horse,” said Canan. “He is always ready for a new adventure. I can take him anywhere (because) he was so well traveled. His first time at a show grounds, he was a little 'looky' but not like he was going to be naughty. He was more like, 'This is interesting.' He was a little hesitant when I took him cross country as if he was saying 'I am not sure what you want.' He looked around a lot, just checking what was going on.”

Granny's Kitten wins the Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap

Some off-track Thoroughbreds have flashbacks when hearing a public address system for the first time, but Granny's Kitten was unfazed after racing 32 times.

Granny's Kitten won his first two career starts at ages two and three and then spent most of the next several years in the stakes ranks. His most profitable triumph was the 2017 Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap (G3) at Fair Grounds.

As a former exercise rider who grew up participating in horse shows, Canan said she understands both worlds of OTTBs.

“They know a lot more than you think they know, but you might have to ask [for some things] in a different way than they're used to, such as with flying lead changes,” she said. “I encourage people to not overlook a horse that might be a little older and has raced a lot. If they have raced for that long, there is something about them. Give them a chance.”

Caban believes that after changing caretakers and barns for years, the workaday racers have a great appreciation for stability.

“It is like they know 'this is my home and this is my person,'” she said.

Imperative wins the Big Bear Stakes in 2016

Imperative (Bernardini-Call Her, by Caller I.D.)

Record: 50-7-8-4 and $3,302,812

Stakes wins: 2017 and 2014 Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2)

Age: 11

After racing 50 times from coast to coast and earning more than $3 million, Imperative remains eager for any new assignment.

“He has the most incredible work ethic of any horse I have ever met,” said Louise Atkins who acquired him via the National Thoroughbred Welfare Organization. “He is very smart and retains everything he is taught. We started with very small local shows, he was tense and distracted but did his job.”

Atkins said in his early time away from the track, Imperative was aloof and distant but is now so attentive and curious that he has been nicknamed The Mayor. He craves attention and is exceptionally social with equine pals.

“He hates to do anything alone so we kind of cater to him a little bit,” she said.

Atkins said Thoroughbreds that had an abundance of racing are more likely to remain sound in their second careers.

“For someone looking for an OTTB, I recommend going through a reputable agent or a resale organization,” she said. “We take horses from the track and start their turnout and transition them to regular life. We assess their temperament and needs. It takes the guess work out for someone looking for a partner.

Talk Show Man enjoys a celebratory beer. Photo courtesy Lindy Gutman

Talk Show Man (Great Notion-Mark Me Special, by Haymaker)

Record: 40-8-2-7 and $456,556

Stakes wins: 2018 and 2014 Maryland Million Turf Stakes at Laurel Park; 2015 Henry S. Clark Stakes at Pimlico

Age: 11

Talk Show Man made all but three of his 40 starts in his native Maryland and he saw plenty of action on major event days that would prepare him for a new career.

“He's seen so many things,” said Lindy Gutman who will ride him in the Makeover. “He ran on big race days like Maryland Million Day and Preakness Day when the areas around the track were so different than other days with banners, tents, bands, flyovers and lots of people.”

Gutman opted to enter the ranch division of the Makeover to add to their versatility.

“I really like to try new things and I like to be able to take my horses anywhere,” Gutman said.

Talk Show Man was a bit hesitant around strangers during his early retraining but he has since become exceptionally social.

“He will even poke you with his ear so that you'll rub it,” Gutman said. “He likes you to jam your knuckle way down in there and rub. It's really gross, but he will walk up to strangers while I'm riding him and give them one of his ears. It's funny to see their expressions when I tell them what he wants and they go to gently rub on the outside of his ear and he keeps pushing it at them. I have to tell them that he wants them to poke their knuckle in there and look for his brain!”

Gutman had four previous off-track Thoroughbreds, but Talk Show Man is her first restart.

“There is an OTTB out there for everyone, but not every OTTB is for just anyone,” she said. “Take the time to find the horse that works for you. I never thought that I'd ride OTTBs again, at age 53, because I'm not a brave rider and I was wrong. Plus, the OTTB people are the absolute best. They are so supportive of each other. I'm happy to talk to anyone about why they need an OTTB.”

Talk Show Man raced throughout his career for his breeder Dr. Michael Harrison, who channeled him to Gutman for the Makeover.

Liane Crossley is a Lexington-based freelance writer who has spent her entire career in Thoroughbred racing-related jobs in barns, press boxes and offices. She has worked for stables from Saratoga to Ak-Sar-Ben and from Canterbury Park to Oaklawn Park and about another dozen tracks in the eastern two thirds of America. A longtime contributor to Thoroughbred Times, her articles have appeared in Keeneland Magazine, Blood-Horse, Daily Racing Form, Thoroughbred Daily News, Breeders' Cup website, Horse Illustrated, European Bloodstock News, KyForward, Horse Illustrated, Young Rider and other publications. She is a seasonal member of Keeneland's media department.

The post Lost And Found Presented By LuibriSYN HA: Too Young To Retire, Older Runners Flaunt New Skills At Thoroughbred Makeover appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Japanese Trainer Mori Sending Quartet To Breeders’ Cup

Trainer Hideyuki Mori will send four Japanese-based American-bred horses under his care to the Breeders' Cup, according to the Daily Sports newspaper, including 2-year-old colt Jasper Great (Arrogate), who became the first Japanese winner for his late sire (by Unbridled's Song) with a victory over the past weekend.

Mori has become an active buyer at American bloodstock sales and acquired Jasper Great for $200,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling Showcase. The half-brother to GISW Power Broker (Pulpit) and SW Fierce Boots (Tiznow) was sent off at debut odds of 6-1 in an 1800-meter newcomers' event at Hanshin Oct. 9 and made all the running en route to a 10-length victory. He goes in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

WATCH: Jasper Great airs on debut

Owner Kazuo Kato, who campaigns the 'Jasper' horses, is also set to be represented by 6-year-old Jasper Prince (Violence), a $60,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $100,000 OBS March breezer who would be making his second appearance at the Breeders' Cup. The bay argued the early pace in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland before giving way at longshot odds. Jasper Prince most recently resumed from a May layoff to defend his title in the seven-furlong Listed Enif S. at Chukyo Sept. 11 and is a candidate for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Pingxiang (Speightstown), a $100,000 KEESEP graduate, was pre-entered for, but failed to draw into the field for last year's Sprint. The 4-year-old, winner of allowance events over seven furlongs at Tokyo in April and at Hanshin in July, could join Jasper Prince in the Dirt Mile.

Matera Sky (Speightstown) is ticketed for the Sprint, a race in which he finished eighth behind Mitole (Eskendereya) at Santa Anita in 2019. A $140,000 KEENOV weanling and $350,000 KEESEP yearling, the veteran would be making his seventh overseas start at Del Mar and has proven his mettle when pitched in against international competition. Runner-up to X Y Jet (Kantharos) after setting the pace in the 2019 G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, the chestnut has finished second in both runnings of the valuable Saudi Sprint, going down by a neck to New York Central (Tapit) after appearing home free in the inaugural renewal in 2020 before being run down by Japanese-based Copano Kicking (Spring At Last) this past February.

Also expected to make the trip from Japan are Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the 2019 G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) and this year's G1 FWD QE II S. winner, for the Filly & Mare Turf; and Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) for the Distaff. Both are trained by Yoshito Yahagi.

According to reports, the horses will enter the export quarantine Oct. 21 and are scheduled to depart Tokyo's Narita Airport Oct. 29.

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