December, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Equibase Analysis: Olympiad Should Get The Gold In Cigar Mile

The Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap is always a race to look forward to as we enter December, and the 2021 edition is no different. In terms of achievements, the field of eight is led by multiple graded stakes winner Code of Honor, with $2.9 million in career earnings. However, Code of Honor has run just four times this year and his only win came in the Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin Stakes in August. Independence Hall enters the race off a win in the Grade 2 Fayette Stakes at the end of October, but similar to Code of Honor has just that one win to his credit in 2021 (from six races). Ginobili may be bringing the best recent credentials into this year's Cigar Mile as he just finished second in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile following a win in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes.

Then there's a pair of horses untried at this level in Americanrevolution and Olympiad. Americanrevolution just won the Empire Classic Stakes by 11 ¾ lengths, while Olympiad won an allowance race in mid-October. Plainsman won the Grade 3 Ack Ack Stakes at the beginning of October before a disappointing third place effort as the favorite in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap at the end of the month. Following Sea won the Grade 2 Vosburgh Stakes the second week of October then finished third of nine in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint and may find these opponents a bit easier. Pipeline rounds out the field as a colt who earned his first career win in September before a third place finish in the Perryville Stakes in October.

Top three win contenders:
Olympiad is the most lightly raced horse in the field, having run just four races to date. Two were in 2020 as a 2-year-old where he finished third before winning by nearly three lengths last summer at Saratoga. For whatever reason Olympiad was given a year off by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, and similar to his career debut 13 months earlier the colt was a bit short of 100% as he finished second this September. His next race and his most recent on October 14 was telling, as Olympiad controlled the pace in front from start to finish but even more notably held off a dogged rival throughout the stretch to win.

Improving to a career best 106 Equibase Speed Figure from 103 one month earlier, Olympiad appears to be on a pattern to take a big step forward. Jockey Joel Rosario, who rode Following Sea to victory in the Vosburgh Stakes in October as well as rode Plainsman to win the Ack Ack Stakes that same month, has never ridden Olympiad but gets aboard for the first time. This is significant in my opinion because Rosario, whose 2021 earnings stand at $32.9 million, is on a path to break the all-time yearly record for a jockey which stands at $34.1 million. As such, every mount through the end of the year takes on added significance and so Rosario's choice of riding Olympiad in a race where the winner's share of the purse is $450,000 is yet another reason I think this colt can post the upset and win the Cigar Mile Handicap.

Ginobili enters the Cigar Mile out of the toughest last race of any in the field where he was not disgraced when second of eight in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile behind Life Is Good. In that race, Life Is Good was sent to the front on fractions that would be impossible for most horses to maintain but won by almost six lengths. Ginobili raced in fifth and fourth in the early stages before showing a burst of speed to get to second, and was even lapped on the winner before Life is Good drew off in the stretch. That effort earned a 111 Equibase figure which was rock solid. Previous to that, Ginobili earned a 110 figure effort winning the Pat O'Brien Stakes in August and shows this horse has what it takes physically and mentally to win this race.

Following Sea is another coming out of a big race, the Breeders' Cup Sprint, where he finished third of nine. Although passed in the stretch by winner Aloha West, Following Sea had some traffic issues in the race as he was on the rail on the far turn and early in the stretch but lost his path. Jockey John Velazquez, who rides again in the Cigar Mile, had to angle the horse off the rail to find a path and although the momentum Following Sea had lost earlier could not be totally regained, he did surge late to get third and earn a 107 Equibase figure. One race earlier in the Vosburgh Stakes, Following Sea earned a career-best 117 figure which is one of the best in the field. One slight question is whether he will like this one-mile trip he is running for the first time as much as those two six furlongs sprints. Other than that, Following Sea appears to have what it takes to contend for top honors in the Cigar Mile.

The rest of the field, with their best Equibase Speed Figures, is Americanrevolution (117), Code of Honor (120), Independence Hall (109), Pipeline (104) and Plainsman (107).

Win Contenders, in preference order:
Olympiad
Ginobili
Following Sea

Cigar Mile Handicap presented by NYRA Bets– Grade 1
Race 10 at Aqueduct
Saturday, December 4 – Post Time 4:13 PM E.T.
One Mile
Three Years Olds and Upward
Purse: $750,000

Ellis Starr is national racing analyst for Equibase.

The post Equibase Analysis: Olympiad Should Get The Gold In Cigar Mile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Shadwell Draft Propels Final Session as Tattersalls December Ends

Demand for bloodstock continued in Newmarket on Thursday, albeit at a lower price bracket, as Adaalah (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a member of the Shadwell draft, brought 82,000gns to top the fourth and final session of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale as the curtain fell on the sales season at Park Paddocks for 2021.

Thanks in part to larger drafts from the aforementioned Shadwell, Juddmonte and Godolphin, the former pair having lost their patrons earlier this year, turnover at the December Mare Sale was in excess of 60 million gns, with 788 lots sold from 964 offered (82%) for an aggregate of 62,412,700gns. This was an improvement of 45% on the sale total from 2020. Both the entire sale's average and median were also up at least 30%, with the former at 79,204gns (+35%) and the latter at 26,000gns (+30%).

Four mares made seven figures led by Waldlied (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) (lot 1839) at 2.2 million gns, and followed by 2-million gns buy Cayenne Pepper (Ire) (Australia {GB}) (lot 1840). Sunday Times (GB) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) (lot 1810) and Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) (lot 1798) rounded out the quartet at 1.8 million gns and 1 million gns, respectively.

Consigned as lot 2277, Adaalah, in foal to Eqtidaar (Ire), was purchased by Najd Stud. A daughter of the dual listed winner Muteela (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who was also second in the G3 Supreme S. and G3 Oak Tree S., Adaalah's stakes-winning and dual group-placed granddam Nufoos (GB) (Zafonic) is responsible for G1 Middle Park S. hero Awzaan (GB) (Alhaarth {Ire}), G3 Sweet Solera S. victress Muraaqaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the stakes-placed Hajras (Ire) (Dubai Destination).

“We don't know plans yet, I need to call Saudi and find out,”said Saud Al Qahtani, who was bidding on behalf of Najd Stud's Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz. “She may stay here with other mares or she may ship to Saudi. We have also bought lot 1790, Under The Stars (Ire) (300,000gns), who is in-foal to Frankel (GB). They may stay with Ted Voute, who, of course, reared this year's champion Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}).

Adaalah's foal of 2021 was knocked down for 15,000gns by BBA Ireland at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

“This mare is by Oasis Dream, which was very attractive for us,” continued Al Qahtani, who also signed for two other mares on Thursday, among them Shadwell's winning Etaab (Street Cry {Ire}) (lot 2328), in foal to Muhaarar {GB}, for17,000gns. “He is a good broodmare sire. She has had a very nice foal this year by the same stallion. We are hoping to build a significant operation in Europe.”

Another Shadwell consignee, Sareeha (Ire) (Shamardal), caught the eye of JD Moore at 52,000gns. Lot 2379, out of the winning Saraha (GB) (Dansili {GB}), has one run to her name. The second dam is the Listed Prix Charles Laffitte victress Kareemah (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) and this is the extended family of champion and Shadwell royalty Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}).

“She is for a client, we like her profile and she is by Shamardal,” JD Moore said. “She looked green on her start at Chelmsford in September. We will make plans when she gets to her new yard.”

Completing the top three lots was Brook Stud's Golden Wattle (Ire) (Australia {GB}) (lot 2294). Charlie Peate acquired the 3-year-old after she left the ring for 40,000gns. Her dual Group 3-winning dam Chrysanthemum (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who was also third in the G1 Pretty Polly S., already has G3 Classic Trial winner Cunco (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) to her credit.

Thursday's session benefitted from Shadwell's offerings, with five of the top 10 lots hailing from that consignment. Of the 163 fillies or mares offered, 105 sold (64%) for a gross of 845,700gns. The average increased to 8,054gns and the median was also up to 5,000gns, gains of 59% and 67%, respectively.

Taking a fortnight of selling into account, a staggering total of 1,667 lots sold from 2,034 offered (82%) across the Tattersalls December Yearling, Foal, and Mare Sales. The gross was 98,781,700gns, up 35% on 2020's 73,353,300gns during the first year of the covid pandemic. The average and median were also higher than their 2020 counterparts-59,257gns average (+20%) and 25,000gns median (+25%).

At the conclusion of the 2021 Tattersalls December Mares Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented, “Beginning with Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the 2021 Tattersalls sales season has consistently outperformed expectation and the global demand throughout this week's December Mares Sale has seen the momentum sustained to the very end.

“Record medians at both the December Yearling Sale and December Foal Sale demonstrated the extraordinary depth in all sectors of the market and we have seen that replicated over the past four days with buyers from throughout the world all contributing to a sale which has not only comfortably surpassed last year's returns but also the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

“The 2021 Tattersalls December Mares Sale has produced turnover well in excess of 60 million guineas, 45% higher than last year, wide-margin gains in average and median, an impressive clearance rate above 80% and an unprecedented 164 fillies and mares which have sold for 100,000 guineas or more. Annual turnover at Tattersalls has leapt from 260 million guineas in 2020 to more than 320 million guineas this year, a figure bettered only twice and a clear demonstration of a wider industry which has quickly regained confidence and vibrance after the rigours of last year.

“The four outstanding seven figure lots, Waldlied, Cayenne Pepper, Sunday Times, and Flotus, all paid tribute to the consistent demand for bloodstock of the highest quality which has been the feature of the 2021 Tattersalls sales season, but the real highlight has been the opportunity to welcome back so many international buyers to Park Paddocks. The Tattersalls December Mares Sale showcases the very best breeding stock to be found in Europe, and the easing of travel restrictions has seen the return of the uniquely international atmosphere to this historic fixture with international buyers competing at all levels of the market. Buyers from America, Australia, France and Japan have been particularly prominent and the throng of overseas participants have faced strong competition throughout from their British and Irish counterparts.

“As well as recognising the massive contribution from the buyers we must also pay tribute to the consignors who every year make the Tattersalls December Sale a highlight of the international bloodstock sales calendar. The major consignments from Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms and Shadwell Estates, as well as the dispersal of Sir Robert Ogden's fillies and mares, proved to be hugely popular and the support of the top consignors from Britain, Ireland and France has yet again been rewarded with the unrelenting global demand which has long been the hallmark of Europe's premier sale of breeding stock.”

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Shoplifted, Gold Double To Stand At Valor Farm

'TDN Rising Star' Shoplifted (Into Mischief–Shopit, by Yes It's True) and Gold Double (Medaglia d'Oro–Fiftyshadesofgold, by My Golden Song) will enter stud for the upcoming breeding season at Valor Farm in Texas.

Bred by Machmer Hall, Craig and Carrie Brogden, Shoplifted was a $525,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $800,000 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream breezer and raced for Robert Clay's Grandview Equine, Everett Dobson's Cheyenne Stable and the Roth family's LNJ Foxwoods. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Shoplifted won his maiden by 4 1/2 lengths at first asking at Saratoga in 2019 and was runner-up to stablemate Basin (Liam's Map) in the GI Hopeful S. before closing out the season with a victory in the Springboard Mile S.

Also placed in the GI Woody Stephens S. and GI H. Allen Jerkens S., Shoplifted hails from the female family of GISWs Miss Shop (Deputy Minister) and Power Broker (Pulpit), MGSW Imprimis (Broken Vow) and GSW & MGISP Trappe Shot (Tapit). Shoplifted will stand for $5,000.

Gold Double, bred and owned by Valor Farm's Douglas Scharbauer, is a son of Texas-bred Fiftyshadesofgold, who carried the famed Scharbauer silks to victory in the GIII Eight Belles S. Gold Double hit the board in all five starts, including a Fair Grounds maiden win. Fiftyshadesofgold, Texas's Horse of the Year for 2014, is a daughter of Valor stallion My Golden Song, a perennial leading sire in the Lone Star State. Gold Double's female family includes Alysbelle, a full-sister to Alysheba. He will stand for $1,000.

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Laurel to Cancel Live Racing Dec. 3-5

The Maryland Jockey Club confirmed the cancellation of live racing at Laurel Park through Sunday, Dec. 5 as work continues to complete repairs to the track and to analyze recent equine injuries. While racing is suspended, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the Maryland Jockey Club are working with industry experts to analyze surface composition and maintenance procedures directed at the safest possible racing surface.

According to a MJC press release: “Until now, and through collaborative measures among industry participants, Maryland racing has experienced the lowest fatality rate in its history. The safety, health and welfare of equine athletes is the primary responsibility of all stakeholders in Maryland and must be taken seriously. The Maryland racing industry remains laser focused on this problem and collectively pledges to do whatever is necessary to ensure that Maryland's historic racing industry remains world-class.”

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