Month: January 2022

New NYRA Rule Forces 10-Year-Old Backsideofthemoon Off Grounds; Trainer To Continue Racing Gelding At Parx

A regulation implemented by the New York Racing Association last April has required 10-year-old Backsideofthemoon to be moved off the grounds, reports the Daily Racing Form. The rule forbids horses age 10 and old from training or racing at Saratoga, Belmont, or Aqueduct.

Trainer Patrick Reynolds believes the gelding is still sound and fit enough to race, so his career will continue at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa. Backsideofthemoon was entered in a race on Monday, Jan. 24, but track conditions forced the cancellation of that card.

Instead, Backsideofthemoon worked at Belmont Park on Jan. 26 and was shipped to Parx late in the morning. He will be trained by Michael Aro at Parx, a trainer with whom Reynolds has a working relationship.

The Parx racing office plans to bring the race back next week.

Backsideofthemoon is a multiple stakes-winning, graded stakes-placed son of Malibu Moon. His record stands at 8-10-10 from 57 starts with earnings of $816,016.

Read more at the Daily Racing Form.

The post New NYRA Rule Forces 10-Year-Old Backsideofthemoon Off Grounds; Trainer To Continue Racing Gelding At Parx appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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TDN Oaks Top 10 for Jan. 27

Most of the heavyweights when it comes to the leading contenders for the GI Kentucky Oaks have yet to surface in 2022, but that doesn't mean that there hasn't been any activity. Kathleen O. (Upstart) looked like a filly with unlimited potential when winning the Jan. 1 Cash Run S. at Gulfstream for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and fellow Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen looks to have another top prospect in La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro). A half-sister to Grade I winner Clairiere (Curlin), she won last Saturday's Silverbulletday S. at the Fair Grounds.

But it's hard to imagine anyone replacing Asmussen's Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) in the top spot in these rankings anytime soon. The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, who will be named 2021 2-year-old filly champion next month, comes into 2022 with impeccable credentials, which include three Grade I wins.

Here's a look, albeit an early one, at the top 3-year-old fillies who are aiming for the May 6 Oaks

1) ECHO ZULU (Gun Runner–Letgomyecho, by Menifee) 'TDN Rising Star' O-L and N Racing LLC & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/Ramsby (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $300,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $1,480,000. Last Start: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 30.

Asmussen is in no hurry with his 3-year-old filly star, who has yet to have her first work of 2022. He said she will likely make her first start this year in March, which would mean two preps for the Oaks. There's no reason for him to be in a hurry as all he really needs to accomplish during prep season is to make sure he brings her back at the same level she was at the end of last year. If that happens, she's going to be hard to beat in the Oaks. She may have been overshadowed by some of the older male stars that raced in 2021, but Echo Zulu had what was nothing short of a spectacular year. She was four-for-four, won the GI Spinaway S, the GI Frizette S and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. And they never came close to beating her. Her smallest margin of victory during the year was four lengths, the result in the Spinaway. Asmussen will be seeking his third Oaks win.

2) KATHLEEN O. (Upstart–Quaver, by Blame) O-Winngate Stables, LLC; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. & Bridlewood Farm (KY); T-Shug McGaughey. Sales History: $8,000 wnl '19 KEENOV; $50,000 yrl '20 OBSOCT; $275,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $104,760. Last Start: 1st Cash Run S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

While Kathleen O. has not accomplished as much as some on this list, it's all about potential. McGaughey doesn't ordinarily push his young horses, but he had this one ready to break her maiden in her career debut, a Nov. 12 maiden race at Aqueduct. That set her up for a run in the Jan. 1 Cash Run S. at Gulfstream, where she dominated in a very impressive effort. She hesitated at the start and then was bumped and shut off. She overcame all that to win by 8 1/2 lengths. Not bad for a horse who brought just $8,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale, the first of three times she was sold at auction. She worked a half-mile on Jan. 22 at Payson Park, which was her first work in 30 days, which may be a cause for concern. She is the first horse ever owned by newcomer Pat Kearney.

3) JUJU'S MAP (Liam's Map–Nagambie, by Flatter) O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich III; T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $190,000 yrl '20 KEEJAN; $300,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $620,800. Last Start: 2nd GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

If not for Echo Zulu she would have been last year's champion 2-year-old filly and the leading contender for the Kentucky Oaks. A member of the potent Brad Cox stable, she broke her maiden at Keeneland in her second career start before winning the GI Darley Alcibiades S. by 4 1/4 lengths. She might have run the best race of her life in the Juvenile Fillies, where she was second, but ran into a buzz saw in Echo Zulu. She has yet to have her first work of 2022 and Cox said he has not decided yet where she will make her 3-year-old debut.

4) EDA (Munnings–Show Me, by Lemon Drop Kid) O-Baoma Corporation; B-Nathan McCauley (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $240,000 yrl '20 KEESEP; $550,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-0, $370,000. Last Start: 1st GI Starlet S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

Though she was the 11-10 favorite and was facing just five others, Eda picked up a big win in the GI Starlet S. last December at Los Alamitos. She had looked good in her prior two starts, both wins, in the Desi Arnaz and the Anoakia, but both were sprints. Asked to go1 1/16 miles and two turns at Los Al, she passed the test, wining by a half-length for jockey Juan Hernandez and trainer Bob Baffert. For now, she can't run in the Oaks because Churchill Downs has suspended Baffert for two years. That's also why she didn't pick up any points in the Starlet, a race where 10 points is awarded to the winner. But none of that means she won't be in the Oaks. Baffert could still find a court that will rule that he can participate in the Oaks and the GI Kentucky Derby. If not, the owner, Baoma Corporation, has the option of moving her to another trainer.

5) GERRYMANDER (Into Mischief–Ruby Lips, by Hard Spun) O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Pollock Farms (KY); T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $375,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $235,500. Last Start: 1st Tempted S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 4.

Chad Brown came very close to winning his first Kentucky Oaks last year when Search Results (Flatter) finished second, beaten just a neck. While Brown is best known for his turf runners, he's perfectly capable of developing top dirt horses and it looks like he has another one in Gerrymander. After finishing second, 7 1/4 lengths behind Echo Zulu, in the Frizette, she came back to win the Tempted S. over a quality field that includes two other members of this Top 10 poll. She's had just one work this year, a three-furlong breeze Jan. 23 at Payson Park in :38 flat. Brown said he has yet to pick out any races for her.

6) LA CRETE (Medaglia d'Oro–Cavorting, by Bernardini) O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $159,460. Last Start: 1st Silverbulletday S. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 19. KY Oaks Points: 0.

Has yet to run that fast. She got a 67 Beyer when breaking her maiden and then a 74 when winning the Silverbulletday in a gutsy effort. She was passed in the stretch by Fannie and Freddie (Malibu Moon) but came back just before the wire to win by a length. Everything about her suggests she will continue to get better. She is a half-sister to the talented Clairiere (Curlin), who was fourth in last year's Oaks before going on to win the GI Cotillion S. at Parx. If she's as good as her big sister she will be a filly to be reckoned with this winter and spring.

7) NEST (Curlin–Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy) O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Michael House; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $350,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $205,000. Last Start: 1st GII Demoiselle S. Next Start: Suncoast S., Tam, Feb. 5. KY Oaks Points: 10

Seeking to win his second straight Oaks and his fifth overall, which would tie him with Woody Stephens for most career Oaks wins, Todd Pletcher has taken aim on the race with Nest. After finishing third in the Tempted, she won the GII Demoiselle S., which is contested at 1 1/8 miles. Nest will make her 3-year-old debut Feb. 5 at Tampa Bay Downs in the Suncoast S. The Suncoast is run at a mile-and-40-yards. Pletcher said the GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland will be her next target after that.

8) MAGIC CIRCLE (Kantharos–Magic Humor, by Distorted Humor) O-J.W. Singer LLC; B-Manitou Farm, LLC (KY); T-Rudy Rodriguez. Sales History: $50,000 yrl '20 KEEJAN; $110,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $194,000. Last Start: 1st Busanda S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 13.

A $110,000 purchase at the OBS April 2-year-old sale, Magic Circle was trounced by Echo Zulu in the Frizette last year, but has really come on since then. She finished second in the Tempted, third in the Demoiselle and then won the Busanda. Perhaps more of a blue-collar horse, she'll need to do more to be considered a top Oaks candidate, but there's no reason why she can't continue to improve. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez said he's not sure where she's going to run next, but Rodriguez rarely ships out of New York.

9) HIDDEN CONNECTION (Connect–C J's Gal, by Awesome Again) O-Hidden Brook Farm & Black Type Thoroughbreds; B-St. Simon Place (KY); T-W. Bret Calhoun. Sales History: $49,000 RNA wnl '19 KEENOV; $40,000 yrl '20 KEESEP; $55,000 RNA 2yo '21 OBSAPR; $85,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $307,525. Last Start: 4th GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 19. KY Oaks Points: 0.

She blew the competition away when winning the GIII Pocahontas S. at Churchill Downs by 9 1/4 lengths for the team of trainer Bret Calhoun and jockey Reylu Gutierrez. But she crashed back down to earth when a distant fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Did she not run her race in the Breeders' Cup or was she overmatched after beating suspect competition in the Pocahontas? She's been a regular on the work tab this year with her most recent work coming on Jan. 23 when she went six furlongs in 1:15.20 at the Fair Grounds.

10) ADARE MANOR (Uncle Mo–Brooklynsway, by Giant's Causeway) O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $180,000 yrl '20 FTKFEB; $190,000 RNA yrl '20 FTKSEL; $375,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-0, $56,600. Last Start: 1st MSW. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

Another Baffert runner, her status for the Oaks also remains up in the air. Unlike a lot of Baffert horses, she took her sweet time to get good. After finishing second and fourth in a pair of maiden sprints, she exploded in her first try around two turns, winning a one-mile maiden at Santa Anita by 12 lengths. She got a 93 Beyer for the win, a big number considering that Echo Zulu got a 94 in the Breeders' Cup. Will obviously need to prove she can beat better, but is an interesting prospect.

The post TDN Oaks Top 10 for Jan. 27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Stolen Base Leads The Field In Newly-Named Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile

Sam Houston Race Park will host its annual Houston Racing Festival on Sunday, Jan. 30. A special post time of 1:45 pm (CT) has been set for the marquee day of the 2022 Thoroughbred meet with six featured stakes.

As previously reported, two graded stakes will be contested: the Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic and the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf. A very promising forecast of clear skies and temperatures in the mid-60's is on tap for the Sunday afternoon program.

One of the undercard stakes features a very competitive field and a new name in honor of Robert L. Bork, former Sam Houston Race Park president. The $200,000 Texas Turf Mile for 3 year-olds has been renamed the Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile. Bork, who made a tremendous impact on the racing industry, nationally and in Houston, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2021 at the age of 83.

Members of the Bork family will present the trophy following the running of the Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile. Dan Bork, who serves as assistant racing secretary/stakes coordinator at Churchill Downs and racing secretary at Ellis Park, speaks proudly of his father's accomplishments in the racing industry.

“My father was a respected racing executive for over four decades,” he said. “He truly loved horse racing and the development of Sam Houston Race Park as the first Class 1 racetrack in Texas meant a great deal to him. His wife, Judith, my son, Owen, my sister Dina and brother Michael look forward to honoring him on Sunday.”

A field of eleven will enter the starting gate for this one-mile feature for 3-year-olds on the Connally Turf Course.

Stolen Base, who competed in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, has been tabbed as the 3-1 morning line choice. The son of Bodemeister is owned by Three Diamonds Farm and Deuce Greathouse. Trained by Mike Maker, he won his debut at Saratoga last July and advanced directly into stakes competition. The Kentucky-bred colt ran second in the Grade 2 Bourbon at Keeneland before finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 5. Giovanni Franco has the call and will break from post position seven.

“He had some traffic issues in the Breeders' Cup, but ran a credible race,” said Maker, who will also saddle Pure Panic and Grantham in the Bob Bork. “Stolen Base has been working well for his 3-year-old season.”

Horses trained by Eclipse Award winning trainers Steve Asmussen, Todd Pletcher, and Brad Cox will also be in the mix. Asmussen will saddle Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC homebred Red Run and Down Cold, who is owned by L and N Racing LLC and Team Hanley. Joel Rosario has the call on Red Run, sired by Gun Runner. Veteran rider Stewart Elliott, who rides first call for Asmussen in Texas and Oklahoma, will guide the gelded son of Mastery.

“He is a very talented son of Gun Runner and in the capable hands of Joel,” said Asmussen. “Down Cold had a nice win at Sam Houston (on January 6) and deserves the opportunity to run at this level.”

Pletcher, who won the 2017 Houston Ladies Classic with Unbridled Mo, will ship in Chanceux for Harrell Ventures, LLC. This will be just the fourth start for the Speightstown colt, who ran second in the $100,000 Dania Beach earlier this month at Gulfstream Park.

“That was his first start around two turns, so we thought this race would be a good fit, plus the Harrells live in Houston” said Pletcher. “Very nice of Sam Houston to name the race after Bob Bork, who was such an admired leader in our industry.”

Cox, who won the 2018 Houston Ladies Classic with Tiger Moth, will be represented by Bloodline, owned by Karl and Cathi Glassman. The son of Uncle Mo will make his stakes debut after winning a main track allowance at Fair Grounds on December 31. He will also ship Dean Maltzman's homebred Kaely's Brother from Fair Grounds, who last competed in the $75,000 Sugar Bowl on December 27.

The Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile will run as the sixth race on the card with an approximate post time of 4:23 pm (CT). The field, from the rail, with riders and morning-line odds:

  1. Bloodline, Marcelino Pedroza, Jr , 12-1;
  2. Dowagiac Chief, James Graham, 8-1;
  3. Malibu Thunder, Ezequiel Lara, 50-1;
  4. Chanceux, Reylu Gutierrez., 4-1;
  5. Down Cold, Stewart Elliott, 15-1;
  6. Pure Panic, Richard Eramia, 5-1;
  7. Stolen Base, Giovanni Franco, 3-1;
  8. Kaely's Brother, Adam Beschizza, 6-1;
  9. Screwball, Ry Eikleberry, 20-1;
  10. Grantham, Tyler Gafflione, 6-1;
  11. Red Run, Joel Rosario, 11-1.

The post Stolen Base Leads The Field In Newly-Named Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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David Cohen Hoping For Return Trip To Kentucky Derby With Dash Attack

A year after riding in his first Kentucky Derby, David Cohen could smell the roses again in 2022 with unbeaten Dash Attack, the 7-2 second choice in the program for the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds Saturday at Oaklawn.

Cohen guided Dash Attack (2 for 2) to victories in his Dec. 5 career debut and the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1, the latter Oaklawn's first of four Kentucky Derby points races.

Cohen had never been on Dash Attack before the chestnut son of Munnings closed with a rush to capture his career debut at Oaklawn for trainer Kenny McPeek. The Smarty Jones came roughly 9 ½ years after Cohen and McPeek teamed to win the $1 million Travers Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds at Saratoga with Golden Ticket.

“That's what David meant in the interview (following the Smarty Jones) – to circle back with Kenny – it's great,” said Cohen's longtime agent, Bill Castle. “After winning with Golden Ticket, to try and repeat like that, 'Wow!'”

Dash Attack is among 12 horses entered in the Southwest, which goes as the ninth of 11 races Saturday. Racing begins at 12 p.m. (Central), with probable post time for the Southwest 4:22 p.m.

The projected Southwest field from the rail out:

  1. Ben Diesel, Jon Court to ride, 117 pounds, 10-1 on the morning line
  2. Dash Attack, David Cohen, 122, 7-1
  3. Don'tcrossthedevil, Ramon Vazquez, 117, 30-1
  4. Kavod, Francisco Arrieta, 117, 12-1
  5. Costa Terra, Tiago Pereira, 117, 12-1
  6. Osbourne, David Cabrera, 117, 8-1
  7. Ignitis, Luis Contreras, 117, 10-1
  8. Barber Road, Ricardo Santana Jr., 117, 5-1
  9. Classic Moment, Martin Garcia, 117, 12-1
  10. Newgrange, John Velazquez, 122, 2-1
  11. Call Me Jamal, Geovanni Franco, 117, 30-1
  12. Vivar, Florent Geroux, 119, 12-1

Dash Attack collected 10 points for his Smarty Jones victory and ranks ninth on the official Kentucky Derby leaderboard released Sunday by Churchill Downs.

The Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters, with starting preference given to horses with the highest point totals earned in designated races like the Smarty Jones and the Southwest, which also offers 17 to the four finishers (10-4-2-1).

Castle said McPeek asked him before the Oaklawn meeting began Dec. 3 if Cohen would be interested riding a “talented unraced baby” the trainer had, aka Dash Attack, in his career debut. McPeek didn't have to ask twice, Castle said.

“Just thrilled to be on him,” Castle said. “Just fortunate.”

Both of Dash Attack's victories have come at 1 mile over an off track. He was a 1 ¼-length winner of his career debut at odds of 10-1, then won the Smarty Jones by two lengths at odds of 7-1.

“Kenny told me he had some issues with the horse physically early on and that's why he was a late bloomer and was probably about 80 percent fit going into the first race,” Cohen said. “Naturally, first time out, two turns, off track, sitting in the pocket, you expect a horse to get better for the next time out. We were hoping that he didn't regress of that effort, but he came out of that race very well.”

The Smarty Jones marked Cohen's 20th career victory for McPeek, according to statistical provider Equineline. More than half (13) came in 2012, including the Travers.

“It's a blessing,” Cohen said, referring to Dash Attack. “Kenny and I, we've linked up in the past for some big wins, the Travers being one of them. To have this year come around and have a horse this early, it's a blessing.”

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Cohen, 37, finished seventh aboard Keepmeinmind in last year's Kentucky Derby for trainer Robertino Diodoro, the jockey's major client. His Kentucky Derby debut came a little more than seven years after a severe leg injury (he was kicked by a horse in the paddock before a Feb. 1, 2014, race at Aqueduct) and the subsequent deaths of deaths of his father (cancer) and sister (head injury) threatened to derail the jockey's once-promising career.

Cohen rode his first winner in 2004 and ranked sixth nationally in victories (288) and 24th in purse earnings ($7,357,326) – both career highs – in 2009 competing in New York and the Mid-Atlantic, according to Equibase, racing's official data gathering organization. Golden Ticket, a 33-1 long shot, dead-heated with favored Alpha in the prestigious Travers, billed the “Midsummer Derby.”

“In those years, Kenny was a tremendous supporter, from Golden Ticket to graded stakes horses like that,” Castle said. “We're fortunate to have fallen into Kenny's barn right now.”

After not riding in 2015 and 2016, Cohen returned to the saddle in late 2017 and rode 37 winners in his Oaklawn debut in 2018 to finish third in the standings. Cohen rode 75 winners the following year at Oaklawn to end Ricardo Santana Jr.'s six-year hold on the title. Now, he's winning races for McPeek again.

“He's always done a good job for me,” McPeek said. “He's going to stay on this horse until he gets beat, I suppose. He's a good rider. I think he's equally excited.”

Dash Attack completed major preparations for the Southwest with a 5-furlong maintenance workout in 1:01.40 Monday morning under Cohen. The track was fast.

“Just let him stretch his legs and finish up,” McPeek said. “Pretty basic stuff for us.”

The Southwest is part of a stakes tripleheader Saturday.

The $200,000 Martha Washington for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles has drawn a field of six, including multiple stakes winner Optionality and powerful Dec. 31 allowance winner Secret Oath. Nine horses are entered in the $150,000 King Cotton for older sprinters, including Grade 1 winner Collusion Illusion, track record holders Hollis and Nashville and defending champion Boldor.

Newgrange and Collusion Illusion were scheduled to arrive Wednesday following a flight from Southern California, where both horses are based.

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