November, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Knicks Go May Target Pegasus World Cup For Final Start

Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner and defending G1 Pegasus World Cup champ Knicks Go could cap his brilliant career in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 29 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The Pegasus may turn into a showdown between two of the standouts of the 38th Breeders' Cup, Knicks Go, the likely 2021 Horse of the Year, who won the Classic by 2 ¾ lengths, and Life Is Good, who cruised to a 5 ¾ length victory in the G1 Dirt Mile.

Trainer Brad Cox said Sunday morning at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., that the Korea Racing Association star was a possibility for the Pegasus before heading off to start his stud career at Taylor Made Farm.

“If he comes out of it good and he trains well, we'll point for the Pegasus,” Cox said. “It's a good purse, it's a surface he likes and if he's doing well, there have been horses that won the Breeders' Cup and ended their careers with that, between the likes of Gun Runner and City of Light. It's always a nice race that you can pick off hopefully before going off to stud.”

Knicks Go kicked off a superb 2021 season with a 2 ¾ length gate-to-wire score in the Pegasus World Cup. He won five of seven starts during the season and has 10 wins from 24 career starts.

Spendthrift Farm's Life Is Good was knocked off the Triple Crown trail in March when a bone chip was found in his left rear ankle. The chip was removed by surgery and during his recovery he was transferred from Bob Baffert in California to Todd Pletcher in New York. Life Is Good was a narrow second in his comeback race, the seven-furlong G1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and won the one-mile G2 Kelso Handicap by 5 ½ lengths at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., on Sept. 25. The Dirt Mile was his return to two-turn racing and should set him up for Gulfstream's big race.

“That's what we'd spoke about prior to the race that our sort of two-race plan was the mile and then stretch him out further in the Pegasus,” Pletcher said Sunday. “He certainly ran well enough to proceed in that direction if everything goes smoothly, but we haven't really had any time to really firmly discuss our entire plans yet. I'm sure once everybody gets back to their headquarters, we'll have that conversation.”

Life is Good came into the Breeders' Cup with a big reputation and he delivered a strong performance, leading from gate to wire under Irad Ortiz, Jr. He completed the mile in 1:34.12 after opening fractions of :21.66, :44.94, and 1:08.76.

“It was everything that we were hoping for and then maybe even more,” Pletcher said. “The horse had trained spectacularly coming into the race and I felt like he was sitting on a big race. When he broke cleanly, you could tell they were going quickly and there were some other horses trying to be involved. My first concern was just, hopefully, he hadn't gone too fast, but it seemed like he was relaxed and settled. In spite of the fact that he was rolling right along, he was doing it comfortably.

“I think that's kind of what we've come to expect from him. It's one of those horses that's extremely fast, has a very high cruising speed, and the ability to continue doing it. What was even more impressive to me than the :21 and four and 44 and change and 1:08 and change, is that he essentially won geared down. Then Irad had to reach up and grab a hold of him in the middle of the turn. Galloping out, he was still full of horse. I don't think he could have been any more impressive.”

Trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday that Classic runner-up Medina Spirit is a possibility for the Pegasus World Cup. He said the primary goal is the Saudi World Cup because the colt's owner is from Saudi Arabia and that it was too early to decide whether to run at Gulfstream first.

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Breeders’ Cup Notes: Clement, Yahagi Get First BC Victories, Ward Wins Juvenile Turf Sprint For Third Consecutive Year

There were 14 World Championship races this weekend at Del Mar and no one main base of operations had a stranglehold on the victors.

Domestically, four winners were based in Kentucky, three in New York and two in California, European runners accounted for three victories and Japan posted its first two World Championships victories.

In all, six foreign-breds won Breeders' Cup races, a record for a single year. Plus, winning owners came from Japan, England, Ireland, South Korea, and the UAE.

The Kentucky-based winners were Twilight Gleaming (IRE) in the Grade 2 Juvenile Turf Sprint, Golden Pal in the G1 Turf Sprint, Aloha West in the G1 Qatar Racing Sprint, and Knicks Go in the G1 Longines Classic.

The New York-based winners were Echo Zulu in the G1 NetJets Juvenile Fillies, Pizza Bianca in the G1 Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Life Is Good in the G1 Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile.

The California-based winners were Corniche in the G1 TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Ce Ce in the G1 Filly and Mare Sprint.

The European-based winners were Modern Games (IRE) in the G1 Juvenile Turf, Space Blues (IRE) in the G1 FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF ,and Yibir (GB) in the G1 Longines Turf.

The Japan-based winners were Loves Only You (JPN) in the G1 Maker's Mark Filly and Mare Turf and Marche Lorraine (JPN) in the G1 Longines Distaff.

Godolphin Becomes First Owner and Breeder to Win Three Races at One Championship

Godolphin, led by its prominent sire Dubawi (IRE), produced several firsts at the just-concluded Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

With victories by Modern Games (IRE) in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Space Blues (IRE) in the G1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup l Mile presented by PDJF, and Yibir (GB) in the G1 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, Godolphin became the first owner and breeder to win three races at a single Championship and Dubawi (IRE) became the first sire to have three of his offspring win Breeders' Cup races in a single year.

Charlie Appleby trained all three winners and William Buick rode all three winners.

Irad Ortiz Jr. Wins Fourth Consecutive Bill Shoemaker Award

Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode three winners and added a second-place and three fourth-place finishes, won the 19th annual Bill Shoemaker Award given to the most outstanding jockey in the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships hosted by Del Mar.

Ortiz's victories came on Twilight Gleaming (IRE) in the G2 Juvenile Turf Sprint, Golden Pal in the G1 Turf Sprint, and Life Is Good in the G1 Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile. He finished second in the G1 Longines Turf on Broome (IRE).

William Buick also rode three winners, but had no other top-four finishes that formed the basis for the Shoemaker Award tiebreaker with jockeys riding an equal number of winners. Buick's wins came on Modern Games (IRE) in the G1 Juvenile Turf, Space Blues (IRE) in the G1 FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF, and Yibir (GB) in the G1 Longines Turf.

Joel Rosario and Jose Ortiz each rode two winners.

Rosario won aboard Knicks Go in the G1 Longines Classic and Echo Zulu in the G1 NetJets Juvenile Fillies and Ortiz was victorious on Pizza Bianca in the G1 Juvenile Fillies Turf and Aloha West in the G1 Qatar Racing Sprint.

Shoemaker remains the oldest jockey to ride a Breeders' Cup winner when he guided Ferdinand to victory in the 1987 Classic at Hollywood Park. He was 56 years, 3 months, and 2 days old at the time.

On Friday, Mike Smith recorded his record-enhancing 27th Breeders' Cup victory aboard Corniche in the G1 TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Smith is a week younger than Shoemaker was when he rode Ferdinand to the 1987 victory.

Two Jockeys Claim Initial Breeders' Cup Victories

Yuga Kawada, who was making his Breeders' Cup debut, and Oisin Murphy, who was riding in his fifth World Championships, each posted their initial Breeders' Cup victories on Saturday.

Kawada scored with his second mount, Loves Only You (JPN) in the G1 Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf and Murphy won with his 11th overall mount, Marche Lorraine (JPN) in the G1 Longines Distaff.

Clement, Yahagi Notch First Breeders' Cup Victories

Christophe Clement saddled his first Breeders' Cup starter in 1997; Yoshito Yahagi saddled his first Breeders' Cup starter on Saturday.

By the end of the weekend, both trainers had added Breeders' Cup winner to their resumes.

Clement won with his 42nd starter when Pizza Bianca won the G1 Juvenile Fillies Turf on Friday.

Yahagi did him one better by winning with his first two starters: Loves Only You (JPN) in the G1 Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf and Marche Lorraine (JPN) in the G1 Longines Distaff.

Knicks Go, Golden Pal Claim Second Different Breeders' Cup Victory

Until this year's World Championships, only four horses had won two different Breeders' Cup races.

Add two more to the list.

Two 2020 winners at Keeneland came back in different races this year to return to the winner's circle in different races. Knicks Go, winner of the 2020 G1 Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile, scored a front-running victory in the G1 Longines Classic and Golden Pal, winner of the 2020 G2 Juvenile Turf Sprint, repeated his front-running performance to win the G1 Turf Sprint.

The other four winners were Zenyatta, 2008 Distaff and 2009 Classic; Beholder, 2012 Juvenile Fillies and 2013 and 2016 Distaff; Stephanie's Kitten, 2011 Juvenile Fillies Turf and 2015 Filly & Mare Turf; and Secret Circle, 2011 Juvenile Sprint and 2013 Sprint.

Ward Wins Juvenile Turf Sprint for Third Consecutive Year

The past three years, the Breeders' Cup World Championships have started with the G2 Juvenile Turf Sprint and for the past three years, Wesley Ward-trained runners have been the first to visit the winner's circle.

Twilight Gleaming (IRE) opened this year's event Friday afternoon with a half-length score to follow in the hoofprints of Four Wheel Drive in 2019 and Golden Pal in 2020.

Two other trainers besides Ward have won the same race in three consecutive years: D. Wayne Lukas, who did it twice, and Chad Brown.

Lukas won the Distaff in 1985, 1986, and 1987 with Life's Magic, Lady's Secret, and Sacahuista, respectively, and the 1986, 1987, and 1988 Juveniles with Capote, Success Express, and Is It True, respectively.

Brown won the Juvenile Fillies Turf in 2016, 2017, and 2018 with New Money Honey, Rushing Fall, and Newspaperofrecord (IRE), respectively. Bob Baffert won the Classic from 2014-2016 with Bayern, American Pharoah, and Arrogate.

Channel Maker, Firenze Fire Make Fifth Breeders' Cup Starts

A total of seven horses have made five starts in the Breeders' Cup World Championships with Channel Maker and Firenze Fire joining the club Saturday.

Channel Maker finished fifth in the Longines Turf, his fourth appearance in that race to go with a Juvenile Turf start in 2016 at Santa Anita.

Firenze Fire finished eighth in his third Sprint start. Previously he had run in the Juvenile and Dirt Mile.

Other five-year starters are Better Talk Now (all in the Turf), California Flag (all in the Turf Sprint), Kona Gold (all in the Sprint), Obviously (IRE) (four times in the Mile and once in the Turf Sprint), and Perfect Drift (all in the Classic).

Gun Runner 10th Classic Winner to Sire a Breeders' Cup Winner

When Echo Zulu won Friday's G1 NetJets Juvenile Fillies, she made 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Gun Runner the 10th Classic winner to sire a Breeders' Cup winner.

The other Classic winners to have sired World Championships winners are A.P. Indy, American Pharoah, Awesome Again, Curlin, Ghostzapper, Pleasantly Perfect, Tiznow, Unbridled, and Wild Again.

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Five Favorites Won Over the Weekend

Five favorites delivered victories from the 14 Championship races during the 2021 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar.

The winning favorites were Echo Zulu (G1 NetJets Juvenile Fillies), Corniche (G1 TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance), Golden Pal (G1 Turf Sprint), Life Is Good (G1 Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile), and Space Blues (IRE) (G1 FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF). Echo Zulu and Life Is Good were odds-on choices.

The highest price winner of the weekend was Marche Lorraine (JPN) in the G1 Longines Distaff with a $101.80 win mutual on a $2 bet.

The post Breeders’ Cup Notes: Clement, Yahagi Get First BC Victories, Ward Wins Juvenile Turf Sprint For Third Consecutive Year appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Walk In The Park Gelding Tops First Day of Tattersalls Ireland November

A gelding by Walk In The Park (Ire) (lot 166) topped Sunday's session of the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale at €85,000. Out of Windermere Sky (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}), the bay was offered by Walshtown Stables, agent and went to Adrian Costello of Park Farm. Windermere Sky is a full-sister to Lord Windermere (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}), a dual Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival winner and a half to Sub Lieutenant (Ire) (Brian Boru {GB}), a Grade 2 winner over fences and hurdles.

“The sire is one of the leading stallions around at the moment, this horse has a top pedigree, and he is definitely the finest yearling here today,” said Costello. “He is fit to go to any sale, and anyone would be glad to own him, he is definitely a bit special. He will come back to a store sale, with luck the Derby Sale. He is a lovely big horse, he is an athlete all day long.”

Railstown Stud consigned lot 124, a gelding by Soldier of Fortune (Ire)–Mo Bury (Ire) (Overbury {}). Tally-Ho Stud shelled out €68,000 for the bay, who was produced by a half-sister to G1 Gold Cup winner Native River (Ire) (Indian River {Fr}).

The third dearest lot on the day was lot 119, a son of No Risk At All (Fr) already named Cinammon Roll (Fr). From the draft of Ballincurrig House Stud, he caught the eye of Alan Harte at €65,000. His dam is a half-sister to the stakes-placed hurdler Luna Riska (Fr) (No Risk At All {Fr}).

At the conclusion of Sunday's trade, 119 lots sold (68%) from 174 lots offered for a gross of €1,543,850. The average had improved 41% to €12,974 and the median increased 136% to €8,500.

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Life Was Good, Very Good

There is talk that Breeders' Cup winners Knicks Go (Paynter) and Life Is Good (Into Mischief) will meet in the Jan. 29 GI Pegasus S. at Gulfstream. I'll take Life Is Good. He was that good Saturday in the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Nothing against Knicks Go or any of the other winners over the weekend at Del Mar, but the best horse over the 14 races that make up the Breeders' Cup was Life Is Good. He put in a sensational performance in the Dirt Mile in an effort that suggested that, if he stays healthy, he is on the verge of becoming one of the brightest stars this sport has seen in a while. I can't wait for his 4-year-old year.

It's not that he snuck up on anyone. In March, he won the GII San Felipe S. at Santa Anita by eight lengths over Medina Spirit (Protonico) and was so dominant that it was easy to see him winning the GI Kentucky Derby. Maybe even the Triple Crown. Then his luck turned. He suffered a slight injury to a hind leg and had to have ankle surgery to remove a chip. The Triple Crown races were out.

Things got even more complicated when his trainer, Bob Baffert, got into hot water. The owners, WinStar Farm and the China Horse Club, pulled him out of the Baffert barn and sent him to Todd Pletcher in New York.

The result was that they had to hit the reset button. He was ready to go again, but the plan was to bring Life Is Good along slowly and start off sprinting. He ran a huge race in defeat when second behind star sprinter Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial and then beat a couple of tomato cans in the GII Kelso H.

Still not ready for a mile-and-a-quarter, Life Is Good went into the Dirt Mile instead of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. On paper, he was easily the best horse, but he still had to prove it.

It turned into one of those races where it wasn't that he won, it was how he won. Unlike in the Classic, where no one went after Knicks Go early, Life Is Good never got a breather. Chased by the Baffert-trained Eight Rings (Empire Maker) and the Japanese entrant, Jasper Prince (Violence), Life Is Good sizzled through an opening quarter-mile in :21.88. They kept applying the pressure through a half-mile in :44.94 and six furlongs in 1:08.76. On the same day where pace pressure did in favorites Gamine (Into Mischief), Jackie's Warrior and Letruska (Super Saver), Life Is Good had every right to give up after being pushed so hard so early. Instead, he put it in another gear and drew off to win by 5 3/4 lengths. The final time for the mile was 1:34.12, good for a Beyer figure109. (Knicks Go got a 112).

“It was just an amazing race,” said WinStar President and CEO Elliott Walden. “I feel like he was one of the better horses I've ever been around. Because his season had gotten broken up, he hadn't been able to put races together back to back to back. Yesterday, to see him put it all together like that was just amazing.”

“I was a little worried,” Walden said of the fast early pace. “I was worried when Ginobili (Munnings) made a little move to him at the two-and-a-half. I knew that Ginobli loved Del Mar and he is a good horse in very good form. But then he didn't get to him and when Life Is Good spurted away I felt very good about it.”

Perhaps the only knock on Life Is Good is that he's never gone beyond a mile-and-a-sixteenth, but there's nothing to suggest that nine, and even 10, furlongs will be beyond his reach.

Walden confirmed that the Pegasus is next on Life Is Good's schedule and added that the G1 Saudi Cup is a possibility. That could be the start of a very good 4-year-old year.

In the meantime, it's tempting to look back at what might have been. This horse obviously has the talent it takes to win a Kentucky Derby. After all, he beat Medina Spirit twice, in the GIII Sham S. before thrashing him in the San Felipe. Since then, Medina Spirit won the Derby and the GI Awesome Again S. and finished second in the Classic.

Nonetheless, Walden would rather look ahead than in the rear view mirror.

“Yes, I think he is the best 3-year-old in the country and I think he showed that yesterday,” he said. “It's unfortunate that he couldn't show that in the Derby and some of the other big races we're always trying to win. But, at the same time, you take what the horse gives you. And you have to be grateful for that. He's such an athlete that we're just lucky to have him. I always felt like if you take care of the horse they will take care of you.”

Considering that he is a 3-year-old Grade I winner with a stellar pedigree, it's a relief that WinStar and the China Horse Club are going to bring Life Is Good back next year. Then again, why retire a horse when it seems like his career is just getting started? After a terrific win in the Breeders' Cup, the best is surely yet to come.

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