February, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Classic Causeway Handles Pace Pressure, Bursts Clear In Sam F. Davis

Twice graded stakes-placed before this Saturday, Classic Causeway returned from a two-month layoff to put in an impressive performance in the Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The 3-year-old son of Giant's Causeway deftly handled early pace pressure and pulled clear from his rivals in the lane, winning by about four lengths as the 8-5 favorite under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Trained by Brian Lynch, Classic Causeway covered 1 1/16 miles over the fast main track in 1:42.80.

Classic Causeway races for his breeders, Kentucky West Racing LLC and Clark M. Cooper. The Davis victory earns him 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby; the colt already had six points, and the new total of 16 puts him at the top of the Derby leaderboard.

Breaking from the three-post in a field of 12, Classic Causeway was very sharp early to get inside position around the clubhouse turn. He was quickly joined by the drawn-in also eligible entry Little Vic on the outside, who remained at the eventual winner's throatlatch through fractions of :22.66 and :46.67.

Rounding the far turn, Ortiz sat motionless on Classic Causeway to allow Little Vic to draw even. When Ortiz went to work at the head of the lane, Classic Causeway burst clear from his rivals with ease. Racing a bit greenly down the stretch, first getting out then drifting back to the rail, Classic Causeway made it an easy victory by about four lengths.

Shipsational came from well off the pace to gain second, while Volcanic ran evenly to finish third. Strike Hard and God of Love rounded out the top five.

Bred in Kentucky by his owners, Classic Causeway is out of the multiple stakes-winning Thunder Gulch mare Private World. He won on debut at Saratoga, then ran third in the G1 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland and second in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. Overall, the colt has won two of his four starts for earnings of $331,100.

Classic Causeway dominates the Sam F. Davis

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Merck Animal Health Forms Research Fellowship With Gluck Equine Research

Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA is pleased to announce a new partnership with the University of Kentucky's Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center. The two-year Merck Equine Research Fellowship will support research fellow Izabela De Assis Rocha, PhD candidate, in her study of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) and Sarcocystis neurona.

“The Gluck Equine Research Center is a preeminent leader in equine health and scientific advancement, and we are thrilled to bolster our relationship through this new research fellowship,” said Dr. Wendy Vaala, director of strategic development and innovation, companion animal and equine, Merck Animal Health. “EPM is a disease of particular interest and passion for our equine team, and Dr. Rocha's work is nothing short of outstanding. We look forward to following her research as she continues to unravel the mysteries surrounding EPM and its primary causative agent, S. neurona.”

Dr. Rocha says she has been fascinated by all topics related to the nervous systems of animals and humans since her earlier years in veterinary school.

“During my residency in equine medicine, I was able to appreciate how little we know about the neurologic diseases of horses compared with other disorders, such as colic and lameness,” Dr. Rocha says. “Moreover, I had a very challenging EPM case that led me to the conclusion that the answers we needed in equine neurology would mostly likely come from fundamental and translational research than from clinical practice alone.”

Initial funding of the Merck Equine Research Fellowship is $30,000 per year for a minimum of two years beginning in 2022. The fellowship ensures the continuation of equine research, which is vital to creating attractive learning opportunities to safeguard the future of equine health and research.

“I feel honored to be awarded this fellowship,” Dr. Rocha said. “I see it as a celebration of joint efforts between academia and industry to advance the field of equine medicine and the training of the future generation of scientists.”

The Gluck research fellowship underscores Merck Animal Health's continued unconditional commitment to the next generation of equine researchers and practitioners. Another example of Merck Animal Health's student support is the provision of $25,000 in scholarships for veterinary students intent on pursuing careers in equine medicine. Five outstanding students set to graduate in 2023 from veterinary schools across the country each received a $5,000 Merck Animal Health Scholarship awarded by The Foundation for the Horse in December 2021.

Classic Causeway All the Way in Sam F. Davis

Classic Causeway (c, 3, Giant's Causeway–Private World, by Thunder Gulch), a good second when last seen in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. Nov. 27, ran to the money as the 8-5 favorite in Saturday's GIII Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa.

He shot out to the front from his inside draw and was hounded on the lead through fractions of :22.66 and :46.67. Still traveling nicely despite continued pressure rounding the far turn, he began to shake clear as they spun for home and took care of business from there to score by four good-looking lengths. Shipsational (Midshipman) was second; Volcanic (Violence) was third.

The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.80.

Saturday, Gulfstream
SAM F. DAVIS S.-GIII, $200,000, Tampa Bay Downs, 2-12, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42.80, ft.
1–CLASSIC CAUSEWAY, 118, c, 3, by Giant's Causeway
               1st Dam: Private World (MSW, $166,058), by Thunder Gulch
               2nd Dam: Rita Rucker, by Dmitri
               3rd Dam: Darlease, by Temperence Hill
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN.
O-Kentucky West Racing LLC & Clarke M. Cooper;
B-Kentucky West Racing LLC & Clarke M. Cooper Family
Living Trust (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $120,000.
Lifetime Record: GISP, 4-2-1-1, $301,100. Werk Nick Rating:
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Shipsational, 122, c, 3, Midshipman–Regal Approach, by
Thunder Gulch. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($27,000 Wlg '19
KEENOV; $210,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O-Iris Smith Stable,
LLC; B-Bertram R. Firestone (NY); T-Edward R. Barker.
$40,000.
3–Volcanic, 118, c, 3, Violence–Pulpit Angel, by Pulpit.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($230,000 Ylg
'20 KEESEP). O-Breeze Easy, LLC; B-Don Alberto Corporation
(KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $20,000.
Margins: 3 3/4, 1, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.60, 7.80, 8.80.
Also Ran: Strike Hard, Golden Glider, God of Love, Little Vic, Kitten Mischief, Mr Rum Runner, Make It Big, Unpredictable Bay, Trademark. Scratched: Howling Time.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Nest Takes Off with Suncoast Victory

With a third place effort in the Tempted S. Nov. 5 at Belmont Park the only blemish to her otherwise perfect four race record, Nest used her neck victory Dec. 4 in the GII Demoiselle S. as a springboard into the winner's circle here.

Carrying great expectations as the 1-5 overwhelming favorite, Nest briefly drifted out after the break, but went into the first turn comfortably stalking from third to the outside of the field. Glued to Alittleloveandluck (Arrogate) as the pair tracked a frontrunner through a moderate pace in :24.52 and a half in :49.29, they left the early leader behind coming off the final turn. Nest found her best stride by the final sixteenth, spurting clear to a geared down six length victory.

The winner is a full-sister to GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol as well as a half to stakes placed Dr Jack (Pioneerof the Nile). Marion Ravenwood, a half to sire Abstraction (Pulpit), has three stakes winners from five foals to race. Purchased by Ashview Farm for $400,000 at 2017 Keeneland November, the mare's offspring have justifiably been sought after in the auction ring: Total Cooperation (Tiznow) bringing $525,000, Idol bringing $375,000, and Nest dropping the hammer at $350,000, all at Keeneland's September sale. The 2-year-old half-brother by Violence named Lost Ark recently brought $275,000 from Steven Young as a yearling. Marion Ravenwood was barren last year, and is expecting a foal this season after visiting both Curlin and Quality Road. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

SUNCOAST S., $100,000, Tampa Bay Downs, 2-12, 3yo, f, 1m 40y, 1:39.30, ft.
1–NEST, 124, f, 3, by Curlin
1st Dam: Marion Ravenwood (SW, $112,598), by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Andujar, by Quiet American
3rd Dam: Nureyev's Best, by Nureyev
($350,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and House, Michael; B-Ashview Farm; Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr..$60,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $265,000. *Full to Idol,GISW, $416,964.
2–Alittleloveandluck, 122, f, 3, Arrogate–Points of Grace, by Point Given. ($135,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP). O/T-Michael Dini; B-Helen Barbazon & Joseph Barbazon (FL). $20,000.
3–Blamethechampagne, 118, f, 3, Candy Ride (Arg)–Quippery, by Forest Wildcat. ($210,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Six Column Stables, LLC, Bloch, Randall L., Gladden, Jim, Riverview Racing, et al.; B-Popatop, LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes.$10,000.
Margins: 6, 3 1/4, NK. Odds: 0.30, 4.50, 32.20.
Also Ran: Ha' Penny, Princess Elin, Peaceful Surprise, Mining Chrome. Scratched: Mirth 'n Merriment.

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