February, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Coach Chasing Third Straight Win In Rescheduled Bayakoa

Trainer Brad Cox tries to continue his dominance in Oaklawn's two-turn stakes series for older fillies and mares in Saturday's $250,000 Bayakoa (G3) at 1 1/16 miles.

The Bayakoa originally was scheduled Feb. 5 before being postponed because of a winter storm that closed the Hot Springs, Ark. track last weekend. The Bayakoa was redrawn Monday, with the original cast of seven again entered. The field will be reduced by at least one after trainer Phil Bauer said Mariah's Princess would be scratched.

Probable post time for the 1 1/16-mile Bayakoa, the eighth of 11 races, is 3:47 p.m. (Central). The 10th race is the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses at 1 1/16 miles. First post Saturday is 12:10 p.m. (Central).

Cox has won four of Oaklawn's last five two-turn stakes races for older females, dating to the $150,000 Pippin in January 2021 with Getridofwhatailesu. Cox then captured the $250,000 Bayakoa (G3) with two-time Eclipse Award winner Monomoy Girl and the $350,000 Azeri (G2) with Shedaresthedevil. Monomoy Girl, in what would be her final career start, was beaten a nose by Letruska in the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) last April to deny Cox a four-race sweep in 2021.

Cox found the winner's circle again in the $150,000 Pippin Jan. 8 with Coach (Commissioner), who is the 5-2 program favorite Saturday. Cox also has the 3-1 co-second choice in the program in multiple stakes winner Matera.

Freshened following last April's $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) for 3-year-old fillies, Coach is seeking her third consecutive victory. She was a sharp two-length allowance winner in her Dec. 17 comeback race at Oaklawn.

“Obviously, Coach loves Oaklawn,” Cox said. “She's better than she's ever been. She always tries hard. She's very competitive. Obviously, it's a step up. The way she's training, I feel like she can step another step forward. It will be her third run off the layoff, so I'm excited about her.”

Blue-blooded Matera – Tapit out of Oaklawn stakes winner Miss Macy Sue – captured an allowance race last March in Hot Springs in her first start for Cox. The $1.4 million Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate added stakes victories at Horseshoe Indianapolis (formerly Indiana Grand) and Ellis Park before closing 2021 with a runner-up finish in the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) Nov. 20 at Churchill Downs.

“Matera missed a little bit of time once she arrived at Oaklawn,” Cox said. “Had an illness. Nothing major at all, we just missed some time. Got her back going and she's had three works since. This was obviously a race we were pointing for, this and the Houston Ladies Classic (Jan. 30). Waiting for this gave us an opportunity to work her once more. She's a little behind where we expected her to be, given the fact she ran in November, and missed a little time. But she's done extremely well once we got her back to the track and training, so we'll see where we are.”

The Bayakoa entrants from the rail out:

Matera, Florent Geroux to ride, 119 pounds, 3-1 on the morning line
Miss Bigly, Ramon Vazquez, 119, 9-2
She's All Wolfe, Francisco Arrieta, 119, 12-1
Jilted Bride, Joel Rosario, 119, 8-1
Mariah's Princess, Martin Garcia, 119, 5-1
Queen Goddess, David Cabrera, 119, 3-1; and
Coach, Ricardo Santana Jr., 122, 5-2.

Mariah's Princess, however, will be scratched after not training satisfactorily, Bauer said in a text message Wednesday night. Mariah's Princess has won her last two starts by a combined 9 ¼ lengths, including a three-length score in the inaugural $150,000 Mistletoe Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles Dec. 4.

“Tough game,” Bauer said.

Southern California-based Queen Goddess exits a front-running 2 ¾-length victory in the $300,000 American Oaks (G1) for 3-year-old fillies Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. The 1 ¼-mile American Oaks, moved from the grass to the main track because of rain, marked the dirt debut for Queen Goddess, a 4-year-old daughter of Empire Maker who races for her breeder, TOLO Thoroughbreds, & Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

Trainer Michael McCarthy said Queen Goddess arrived in Hot Springs Feb. 1 after being flown via FedEx to Memphis and vanned approximately 190 miles. Queen Goddess worked an easy half-mile in :53.40 Monday in advance of the Bayakoa, which is a major local prep for the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 12 and, ultimately, the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 23. The Azeri and Apple Blossom are also 1 1/16-mile races.

“Looks like on paper she should be right there, with a little bit of speed outside of her,” McCarthy said. “The controlling speed looks to be inside, so David can get himself into a good position going into the first turn and let the chips fall as they may.”

Queen Goddess made her first five career starts on grass. In addition to winning at 1 ¼ miles, Queen Goddess broke her maiden at 1 1/16 miles Aug. 7 at Del Mar and finished fifth in the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Oct. 16 at Keeneland.

“This is a mile and a sixteenth, so a little different strategy, a little different race shape,” McCarthy said. “We'll see. She's certainly earned the chance to go ahead and compete.”

The consistent Miss Bigly ran third behind Matera in the Chilukki and second behind Coach in the Pippin. Trained by Phil D'Amato, Miss Bigly has finished first, second or third in 19 of 25 lifetime starts.

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Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: Feb. 12, 2022

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hanshin, Kokura and Tokyo Racecourses. Sunday's group-level action at Tokyo includes the G3 Kyodo News Hai featuring 3-year-old colts out Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou (Sligo Bay {Ire}) and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf runner-up Coasted (Tizway), each sourced for seven-figure pricetags at U.S. breeding stock sales:

Saturday, February 12, 2022
2nd-KOK, ¥9,900,000 ($85k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200mT
ANGELSILICA (f, 3, Dark Angel {Ire}–Brave Anna, by War Front) hit the board in a pair of appearances over this distance at Fukushima to begin her career, but was ninth when stretched to seven furlongs when last seen at Chukyo Dec. 19. A $150K Keeneland September purchase by the Maeda family's North Hills, the bay–who celebrates her calendar birthday Saturday–is out of the 2016 G1 Cheveley Park Stud S. heroine Brave Anna, one of two $3-million purchases by Masahiro Miki at Fasig-Tipton November last fall when offered in foal to Quality Road. Brave Anna is a full-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero and Spendthrift stallion Hit It a Bomb, GSP Border Town and SP Threeandfourpence. B-Mrs E Stockwell (KY)

2nd-TOK, ¥11,400,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1400m
BEAT EMOTION (c, 3, Quality Road–J. Quirk, by Unbridled's Song), a half-brother to 2021 GIII Remington Park Oaks victress Lady Mystify (Bernardnini), fetched $190K at KEESEP in 2021 and was resold to prominent owner Yuji Hasegawa for $600K at FTFMAR last year after breezing a furlong in :10 2/5 (see below). The colt's third dam is Cee's Song (Seattle Song), whose produce include Horse of the Year/MGISW Tiznow, MGSW & MGISP Budroyale and GSW Tizdubai. J. Quirk was purchased for $725K by Breeze Easy in foal to Gun Runner at KEENOV last fall. B-Scott & Evan Dilworth (KY)

10th-HSN, ¥35,040,000 ($302k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 2000mT
AIR SAGE (c, 4, Point of Entry–Nokaze, by Empire Maker) won three of his first four starts at three, including a tough front-running score in a 13-furlong allowance at Sapporo in August (see below, SC 4) that led to a respectable eighth in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) in October. The half-brother to GSW Air Almas (Majestic Warrior) was produced by a half-sister to the dam of GSP Yuugiri (Shackleford), who is gearing up for her sophomore debut in the near future. Another half-brother to Air Sage, Air Fanditha (Hat Trick {Jpn}), is entered for the Listed Rakuyo S. (1600mT) in the race immediately following this event. B-Winchester Farm (KY)

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All-Stakes Cross Country Pick 5 Features Racing From Aqueduct, Oaklawn, Tampa

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host an all-stakes Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring racing action from Aqueduct Racetrack, Oaklawn Park and Tampa Bay Downs.

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

Saturday's sequence kicks off at Tampa Bay Downs with the $150,000 Suncoast [Race 8, 3:49 p.m.], a one mile and 40 yard test for sophomore fillies offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-four finishers. A field of eight is led by Nest, a bay daughter of Curlin, who captured the Grade 2 Demoiselle last out at the Big A for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. Maiden winners Peaceful Surprise and Princess Elin will look to spring an upset.

Action switches to Aqueduct for the second leg featuring the $100,000 Gander [Race 8, 4:30 p.m.], a one-turn mile for New York-bred sophomores led by stakes winners Barese and Geno. Barese, undefeated in two starts, captured the Rego Park last out for trainer Mike Maker; while Geno enters from a neck score in the NYSSS Great White Way for conditioner David Donk. Impressive maiden winner Bold Journey, a half-brother to Grade 1-winning New York-bred Americanrevolution, will make his stakes debut for Hall of Famer Bill Mott.

A field of seven older fillies and mares line up in the middle leg in the Grade 3 Bayakoa [Race 8, 4:47] at Oaklawn, a 1 1/16-mile test led by the multiple graded stakes placed Coach for trainer Brad Cox. The 4-year-old Commissioner bay boasts a record of 5-2-1-1 at Oaklawn and will look to make the grade from the outermost post under Ricardo Santana, Jr.

The penultimate leg will see an overflow field of 13 sophomores square off in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis [Race 10, 4:54 p.m.], a 1 1/16-mile event offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers. A wide-open field includes a trio of contenders for Hall of Famer Mark Casse in graded stakes winner God of Love, two-time winner Golden Glider and maiden winner Volcanic. Steep opposition will be provided by the Grade 1-placed Classic Causeway for trainer Brian Lynch; undefeated multiple stakes winner Make It Big for Saffie Joseph, Jr.; and the multiple New York-bred stakes winner Shipsational for conditioner Edward Barker.

The sequence concludes with the Grade 3 Razorback [Race 10, 5:56] for older horses from Oaklawn as Lone Rock cuts back to 1 1/16 miles for the first time in eight starts for conditioner Robertino Diodoro. The multiple graded stakes winning son of Majestic Warrior won 7-of-9 starts last season, including scores in the 12-furlong Grade 2 Brooklyn at Belmont Park and the 13-furlong Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Del Mar. He will need to overcome the Cox-trained graded stakes winner Plainsman and the 9-year-old multiple graded stakes winner Rater R Superstar, who enters from a score in the Fifth Season at Oaklawn for trainer Federico Villafranco.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, which features a low 15 percent takeout, will continue each Saturday throughout the year.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, Feb. 12:
Leg A: Tampa – Race 8, $150K Suncoast (3:49 p.m.)
Leg B: Aqueduct – Race 8, $100K Gander (4:30 p.m.)
Leg C: Oaklawn – Race 8, G3 Bayakoa (4:47 p.m.)
Leg D: Tampa – Race 10, G3 Sam F. Davis (4:54 p.m.)
Leg E: Oaklawn – Race 10, G3 Razorback (5:56 p.m.)

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‘Vibrancy’ Returns To Goffs With Buoyant February Trade

KILDARE, Ireland–The ever-changing nature of the bloodstock sales scene, particularly through two years of pandemic-induced disruption, has prompted regular use of the phrase 'direct comparisons do not apply'. This is certainly true of this year's February Sale at Goffs, which was extended to three days for the first time in a while. So while the fluctuations of percentage points in different sectors of the market may mean little, what can be gleaned from the returns over the last three days is that there has been a pleasingly solid if unflashy start to the Irish sales year.

Even being able to hold a live sale is not something that any of the auction houses have been able to take for granted in recent times, but when this auction last happened in roughly the same format two years ago, just before the world ground to a juddering halt, a smaller catalogue resulted in 293 horses sold for an average of €13,920 and median of €6,500. Now, in this new world of covid compliance officers and masks here and there, the bloodstock world continues to rally in the face of adversity, and both those markers improved significantly this week, to €17,103 (+25%) and €9,000 (+12.5%). The turnover was €6,020,200 for 352 horses sold at a clearance rate of 72%.

“We are pleased to have kicked off 2022 in a positive way and, perhaps more importantly, with a feeling of normality,” said Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby.

“The result has been a sale of vibrancy that picked up the positivity of the Goffs November Foal & Breeding Stock Sale with strong competition in each category. Of course comparisons with 12 months ago are legally redundant but it is heartening to see that the sale has made significant progress when compared to 2020 by rising by nigh on 50%.”

He added, “As in November we would like to pay particular tribute to the Shadwell Estates draft from Derrinstown Stud and from Baroda Stud as their blue blooded consignment added additional depth to the catalogue although there were several other drafts of note for which we are also most appreciative whilst we are grateful to the entire vendor group for supporting the sale as their first choice in such huge numbers. They have been rewarded with a broad and eclectic buying bench from home and abroad all of which was backed up by a significant online presence.

“So all in all a very encouraging start to 2022 which allows us to look forward with a degree of hope and confidence.”

For the final session of broodmares offered on Thursday, the overall tally was increased by takings of €1,751,200 for 109 sold (76%) at an average of €16,006.

The only mare sold with a covering to the promising young sire Mehmas (Ire) commanded the top price of the final day, with Recife (Ger), a daughter of Giant's Causeway out of a full-sister to the GI Beverley D S. winner Dynaforce (Dynaformer) fetching a bid of €110,000 from Rathbran House Stud.

“She's a lovey young mare by a superb broodmare sire, and she's from a very good family,” said John Rowe, manager of the Co Meath-based farm after signing for lot 476, who was offered by Baroda Stud.

Now seven, Recife ran only once in her native Germany, but that outing did result in victory, and her family is fairly liberally sprinkled with black type, including her half-brother, the GI Secretariat S. runner-up Stormy Len (Harlan's Holiday). Her first foal, a Kodiac (GB) colt who has just turned two, was bought by Rabbah Bloodstock for 90,000gns and the mare also has a yearling filly by Churchill (Ire).

With the Group 1 winner White Moonstone (Dynaformer) having been a late withdrawal from the sale, the leading light from the Godolphin draft was lot 565, the Raven's Pass mare Belonging (GB), who was signed for by Charles Shanahan at €90,000. Covered last May by Dark Angel (Ire), the 12-year-old mare has two winners to her name to date and is a half-sister to the stakes winners Desideratum (GB) (Darshaan {GB}) and Poet Laureate (GB) (Highest Honor {Fr}).

Tally-Ho Stud took home another of the Godolphin offerings, lot 580,Panegyric (GB) (Monsun {Ger}), who was offered in foal to Cracksman (GB) and sold for €85,000.

The first foals of the Arc winner Sottsass (Fr) are arriving this season and a mare carrying a member of his second crop, the Listed-placed Bellajeu (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), was the selection of Ghislain Bozo of Meridian International, with Francois Drion signing the ticket on his behalf at €57,000. Consigned as lot 546, the 10-year-old hails from a family cultivated by the late Peter Harris at Pendley Farm. Bellajeu's third dam is the G1 Yorkshire Oaks winner Connaught Bridge (GB) (Connaught {GB}), whose descendants include G1 Middle Park S winner Primo Valentino (Ire).

Last through the ring was the supplementary lot 599D, Bridal Knot (Ire), a 5-year-old Walk In The Park (Ire) sister to the multiple Grade 1-winning chaser Might Bite (Ire) (Scorpion {Ire}) who was bought for €90,000 by father and son, both named Seamus Byrne.

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