October, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Medina Spirit Takes On Accomplished Elders in Awesome Again

Medina Spirit (Protonico) looks to secure his spot in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic as he faces his elders Saturday in the GI Awesome Again S. at Santa Anita. Winner of the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. here in January, the Florida-bred was second in both the Mar. 6 GII San Felipe S.–won by his former stablemate and recent GII Kelso H. victor Life is Good (Into Mischief)–and Apr. 3 GI Santa Anita Derby. The dark bay went wire to wire in the May 1 GI Kentucky Derby, a win that is now in question after a minor overage of betamethasone was detected in post-race testing. Third after setting the early pace in the GI Preakness S. May 15, he scored a facile, front-running victory in the Shared Belief S. at Del Mar last time Aug. 29. Medina Spirit was entered to run in last weekend's GI Pennsylvania Derby, but trainer Bob Baffert scratched him in favor of this test after the draw. Stablemate Azul Coast (Super Saver) breaks to Medina Spirit's outside here after taking a Del Mar optional claimer Aug. 22

GI Pacific Classic top two Tripoli (Kitten's Joy) and Tizamagician (Tiznow) both return in this spot. The former has run on the turf for most of his career, but sports a record of 3-2-1-0 since switching dirt, winning a local optional claimer June 19 and finishing second in the GII San Diego H. July 17. Tizamagician entered the Pac Classic off a win in the GIII Cougar II S. at Del Mar July 18.

GI Santa Anita H. victor Idol (Curlin) was sidelined after scoring that career high Mar. 6 and makes his first start off the bench in this Breeders' Cup qualifier. He boasts a strong worktab in preparation, most recently breezing a bullet six furlongs in 1:12 flat here Sept. 26.

John Shireffs sends out two in here in Express Train (Union Rags) and Midcourt (Midnight Lute). Winner of the GII San Diego H. July 17, Express Train was a well-beaten sixth in the Pac Classic, but is typically a consistent money earner and could get a piece here. MGSW Midcourt comes into this off an allowance win at this oval June 18. Shared Belief third Stilleto Boy (Shackleford) rounds out the field.

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2021 Awesome Again Stakes at a Glance

Being the Best of the West holds a special significance in a year when the Breeders’ Cup World Championships are held in California. Although the TVG Pacific Classic was a dress rehearsal for the Nov.

€1.2-Million Goffs Foal Topper Set For Debut

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. Today's Observations features the top lot of the 2019 Goffs November Foal Sale.

13.10 Newmarket, Mdn, £10,000, 2yo, 8fT
Godolphin's hitherto unraced AL NAFIR (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}), a Charlie Appleby trainee, topped the sheets when knocked down for €1.2-million at Goffs's 2019 November Foal Sale and is a son of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). He is thus a full-brother to MG1SW sire Ghaiyyath (Ire) and a half to GI Man O' War S. heroine Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Rivals to the March-foaled chestnut include the Richard Hannon-trained Duelist (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a once-raced half-brother to G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Sun Chariot S. heroine Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), who comes back off a debut fifth at Goodwood in August.

15.30 Newmarket, Mdn, £10,000, 2yo, 7fT
Westerberg and Coolmore's FIRST OFFICER (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}), a full-brother to G3 Give Thanks S. victrix Sizzling (Ire), is out of a half-sister to MGISW sire Court Vision (Gulch) and opens up for the in-form Roger Varian team here. Opposition features Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum's fellow newcomer Al Mubhir (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is a William Haggas-trained son of G1 Jebel Hatta third Muffri'ha (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).

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Churchill Colt To The Fore In The Star Appeal

Off the mark at the second attempt by five lengths at Down Royal Sept. 3, Demi O'Byrne's Snaffles (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) was one of a clutch of unexposed juveniles lining up for Friday's Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Star Appeal S. at Dundalk and ultimately proved strongest to open his black-type account in the seven-furlong test. Settled in the box seat by Shane Crosse tracking the leading duo Corviglia (Karakontie {Jpn}) and Leinster House (War Front) early, the 11-1 shot worked his way to the front with 150 yards remaining and fought hard to stay there as King X J (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) stayed on out wide to make the margin 3/4 of a length at the line.

“It was a lovely performance. I think he should be unbeaten, as first time out he was slowly away, got into all sorts of trouble and ran on well,” trainer Joseph O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell said. “Last time at Down Royal he was very laid-back but went and did it well in the end, he learned from that. I think he'll keep improving, if you saw him in the paddock before he's literally asleep. He's the most laid-back horse you'll ever get. He's a tall, sparely-made horse but a good-looking horse and I think he has a very bright future. They've all come to him today and Shane said he's just doing enough in front, because he's having a look at the stands and the whole lot. He's very genuine, will stay a mile very well and could stay further as he's so laid-back.”

Snaffles is the last known foal out of the dam, with her first being the six-times group-winning sire Libranno (GB) (Librettist) whose exploits included successes in the G2 Park S., G2 Richmond S. and G2 July S. Also responsible for the G3 Prix de Cabourg runner-up Al Muthana (Fr) (Pastoral Pursuits {GB}) and the G3 Brownstown S. and G3 Silver Flash S. runner-up Unforgetable (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), she is a half to the G3 Polar Cup-winning multiple Scandinavian champion Alyshakeys (Den) (Sendawar {Ire}).

IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF STAR APPEAL S.-Listed, €47,500, Dundalk, 10-1, 2yo, 7f (AWT), 1:25.32, st.
1–SNAFFLES (IRE), 131, c, 2, by Churchill (Ire)
1st Dam: Annabelle Ja (Fr), by Singspiel (Ire)
2nd Dam: Alamea (Ire), by Ela-Mana-Mou (Ire)
3rd Dam: Adjala (Ire), by Northfields
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. (£28,000 RNA Ylg '20 GOFOR; €11,000 Ylg '20 GOFOCT). O-D L O'Byrne; B-Lynch Bages, Camas Park & Arkle Bloodstock (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Shane Crosse. €28,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $47,596. *1/2 to Libranno (GB) (Librettist), MGSW-Eng, $620,826.
2–King X J (Ire), 131, c, 2, Cotai Glory (GB)–Star of Kings (GB), by Sea the Stars (Ire). (€25,000 Wlg '19 GOFNOV; £15,000 RNA Ylg '20 TATIRY; £100,000 2yo '21 TATGOR). O-Paul J Nolan; B-Tom and Hazel Russell (IRE); T-Michael O'Callaghan. €9,500.
3–Markaz Paname (Ire), 131, c, 2, Markaz (Ire)–Vale of Paris (Ire), by Vale of York (Ire). O-Mrs M Boylan; B-Mr Donal Boylan (IRE); T-Ger Lyons. €4,750.
Margins: 3/4, NK, NO. Odds: 11.00, 6.00, 3.30.
Also Ran: Corviglia, Leinster House, Star Girls Aalmal (Ire), The Entertainer (Ire), Cornman (Ire), Gaire Os Ard (Ire), Absolute Ruler, Lyrical Poetry (Ire). Scratched: Dirtyoldtown (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result.

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