April, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Sea the Stars’ Emily Upjohn a New Rising Star

The birds were hoarse about Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) ahead of her 3-year-old bow on a Sandown card that John Gosden takes very seriously and the major Oaks mover did not disappoint as she galloped to a 9 1/2-length success in Friday's Nordoff Robbins Charlie Watts Memorial Fillies' Novice S. Sent off the 5-4 favourite for the 10-furlong contest won in similarly devastating fashion by the stable's Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) in 2008, the bay who races for Tactful Finance stuck close to the leader Follow That Star (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) throughout with Frankie Dettori full of horse at every step. Eventually allowed to steam ahead passing the three-furlong pole, the bay duly opened up to inflict the heavy defeat on that rival and the Haggas newcomer Remembering (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), both in receipt of seven pounds. Race Replay.

Emily Upjohn, who had earned her penalty when getting up late on debut over an extended nine furlongs on Wolverhampton's Tapeta in November, is understandably now hot property for the Epsom Classic won by the yard's Taghrooda (GB) in 2014. Interestingly, that stellar performer was also a daughter of Sea the Stars who had been due to run in the 10-furlong handicap on this card only to be scratched. When it is remembered that Gosden holds the record of Sandown Classic Trial winners at nine and has won the Gordon Richards four times since 2012 including Friday's renewal, it is clear that this fixture holds special import to Clarehaven and it will be no surprise if this filly becomes the latest luminary to emerge from it.

“I rode her the other day and thought wow. Not many horses take my breath away, but you like to see them do it in the afternoon,” Dettori said. “When I rode her the other morning, we just did routine work and didn't press any buttons but she gave me the right feel. We went quite slow in the race actually, nobody wanted to go a proper pace as they are all still learning, so I kicked way early because I knew that she's a lengthener and that the sprint would not suit me. I'm very confident she'll get a mile and a half and physique-wise she's very mature for a three-year-old. She's a big girl, but she's not slow so she's everything you want really. I'm overwhelmed and delighted and we can now pitch her up in a trial and see what happens. Enable was big and it never stopped her! If they're good, they go at Epsom.” Thady Gosden added, “The Musidora would be the obvious choice, York's a great track and it will be a hot race but she's done it well today.”

Emily Upjohn, a 60,000gns snip for Blandford Bloodstock at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2, also shares with Taghrooda an Aga Khan heritage, being a granddaughter of the renowned owner-breeder's important mare Hazaradjat (Ire) (Darshaan (GB). The dam Hidden Brief (GB) (Barathea {Ire}), who was third in the Listed Prix Petite Etoile, is therefore a full-sister to the talented Hazarista (Ire) who captured the G3 Blue Wind S. and was third in the G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks. One of her half-sisters Hazariya (Ire) (Xaar {GB}), who took the G3 Athasi S., produced his G1 Epsom and Irish Derby hero Harzand (Ire) also by Sea the Stars, as well as three other stakes winners including Harasiya (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) who was also third in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. Another, the Listed Finale S. winner Hazarafa (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}), is in turn the dam of Hazapour (Ire) (Shamardal) whose career exploits included wins in the G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and G3 Amethyst S.

This is one of the Aga Khan's strongest dynasties, also featuring the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. heroine Seal of Approval (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), last year's G1 Irish Derby, G1 St Leger S. and G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and the group scorers Hunaina (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), Swashbuckling (Ire) (Raven's Pass), Vadream (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) and Hamariyna (Ire) by Sea the Stars' son Sea the Moon (Ger). Hidden Brief, who Lordship Stud sold to Gaelic Bloodstock for just 16,000gns at the 2019 Tattersalls December Mares Sale, also has a yearling daughter of Cappella Sansevero (GB).

6th-Sandown, £11,000, Novice, 4-22, 3yo, f, 9f 209yT, 2:14.09, gd.
EMILY UPJOHN (GB), f, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Hidden Brief (GB) (SP-Fr), by Barathea (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hazaradjat (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Hazy Idea (GB), by Hethersett (GB)
(60,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $12,802. O-Tactful Finance & S Roden; B-Lordship Stud & Sunderland Holding Inc (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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CT Scans Provide Valuable Information For Equine Head Injury Evaluation

The information provided by CT imaging can be extremely valuable to veterinarians attempting to diagnose equine ailments, especially in horses suffering from head problems.

The anatomical information provided by a CT scan can help vets identify many issues, including subtle lesions which are often hard to diagnose on X-ray.

Dr. Susanne Stieger-Vanegas, with the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University, and Dr. Ashley Hanna, with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, reported that diseases affecting the head occur fairly frequently. The equine head is a complex structure both anatomically and spatially; both CT and MRI are helpful in eliminating overlapping images of anatomic structures.

CT scans are especially helpful in evaluating bones and air-filled structures. They have proven immensely valuable in evaluation of sinuses, ear and dental issues, and in trauma to the skull.

In addition, using contrast with a CT scan allows vets to determine tissue viability and vascular anatomy. CT scans can also assist with the removal of masses found in the head.

The duo conclude that CT use in horses may eliminate the need for other diagnostic imaging to evaluate head issues and that the modality is becoming more widely available.

Read the article here.

Weekend Lineup Presented By Del Mar Ship & Win: Two Champions Face Off At Oaklawn

A pair of Eclipse Award winners will face off in Saturday's Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., with $1 million on the line for the 1 1/16-mile contest.

Letruska, the Eclipse Award 2021 Champion Older Dirt Female, will be making her second start of 2022 after the G3 Royal Delta in her seasonal bow. Ce Ce, named Eclipse Award 2021 Champion Female Sprinter after her Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint triumph, won Oaklawn's local prep for the Apple Blossom and appears more than capable of getting the distance.

Also on Saturday is the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2), a 1 1/8-mile contest. Fearless, last-out winner of the G3 Ghostzapper at Gulfstream, ships in for trainer Todd Pletcher and has been tabbed as the morning-line favorite in a field of eight.

Up in Lexington, Ky., Saturday's feature at Keeneland is the G2 Elkhorn Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on the turf course. Channel Maker is the morning-line favorite for trainer Bill Mott, but both Phantom Currency and Two Emmys could be likely to vie for that spot when the field breaks from the gate.

Steeplechase action is highlighted by the return of 2020 Eclipse Award winner Moscato in the G2 Temple Gwathmey at Middleburg, with a post time of 2:30 p.m.

4:44 PM – G3 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland

Two-time Canadian Horse of the Year Mighty Heart, the multiple graded stakes-placed Proxy and Santa Anita Handicap (G1) runner-up Warrant headline a field of eight entered Wednesday for Saturday's 91st running of the Ben Ali (G3) for 4-year-olds and up.

The Ben Ali, run at 1 1/8 miles on the main track, will be run as the eighth race on Saturday's 10-race program with a 4:44 p.m. ET post time. First post Saturday is 1 p.m.

Lawrence Cordes' homebred Mighty Heart will be making his 2022 debut for trainer Josie Carroll. Winner of three stakes in 2021 and a four-time Sovereign Award winner, Mighty Heart has had six works since returning from a short layoff. His two most recent works were at Keeneland.

James Graham has the mount Saturday and will leave from post position two.

Godolphin's homebred Proxy returned to the races following a 10½-month layoff with an allowance victory at Fair Grounds, which was followed by a runner-up effort to Olympiad in the New Orleans Classic (G2) on March 26.

Trained by Mike Stidham, Proxy chased the likes of Hot Rod Charlie, Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon on the Kentucky Derby trail before a fourth-place finish in the Stonestreet Lexington (G3) in his final start of 2021.

Brian Hernandez Jr., who has been aboard Proxy for his two starts this year, has the call Saturday and will break from post position three.

Twin Creeks Racing Stable's Warrant, beaten a head by Express Train in the Big Cap in his most recent start, closed his 2021 campaign with a victory in the Oklahoma Derby (G3). Trained by Brad Cox, Warrant will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post position five.

Ben Ali Entries

4:54 PM – Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn

Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska recorded her breakout victory nationally in last April's Apple Blossom when she edged two-time Eclipse Award winner Monomoy Girl by a nose. Letruska rode that momentum to three more Grade 1 victories and an Eclipse Award as the country's champion older dirt female. Her more calculated 2022 racing schedule resumes Saturday, with an eye on winning the Breeders' Cup Distaff this fall at Keeneland.

Female sprint champion Ce Ce won the local prep for this race, the G2 Azeri, and returns to Hot Springs seeking to repeat her 2020 victory in the Apple Blossom. Though she won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint last fall, the Michael McCarthy trainee has no trouble stretching out when asked.

A pair of Grade 1 winners in Clairiere and Maracuja have also been entered in the Apple Blossom, each having begun her 2022 campaign with an allowance victory last out. Longshot Miss Imperial completes the five-horse field for this 1 1/16-mile contest.

Apple Blossom Entries

5:16 PM – Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland

Susan and Jim Hill's Phantom Currency and Wolfe Racing and Hugh Robertson's Two Emmys top a field of nine horses entered Wednesday for Saturday's 37th running of the $350,000 Elkhorn (G2) for 4-year-olds and up going 1 1/2 miles on the Keeneland grass.

The Elkhorn will go as Saturday's ninth race with a 5:16 p.m. ET post time. First post Saturday is 1 p.m.

Trained by Brian Lynch, Phantom Currency returned to the races after more than year layoff to post a wire-to-wire victory in the Appleton (G3) at Gulfstream Park on April 2. Prior to that, he won his only two starts of 2021 highlighted by a front-running score in the Mac Diarmida (G2).

Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount on Phantom Currency and will break from post position four.

Two Emmys comes into Saturday's race off a 2½-length wire-to-wire victory in the Muniz Memorial Classic (G2) Presented by Horse Racing Nation at Fair Grounds on March 26. Winner of the Mr. D. (G1) last summer at Arlington, Two Emmys was caught at the wire here last fall in the Sycamore (G3) going the 1½-mile distance.

Trained by Mac Robertson, Two Emmys will be ridden by James Graham and break from post position three.

The morning-line favorite, multiple Grade 1-winner Channel Maker, will be making his first start of 2022 for trainer Bill Mott. He'll leave from post five under Luis Saez.

Elkhorn Entries

6:41 PM – Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn

The other million-dollar race at Oaklawn Park this weekend, the 1 1/8-mile handicap has drawn a field of eight.

Southern California-based Idol has been idle for most of the last year, but the Grade 1 winner is scheduled to launch another comeback in Saturday's $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles.

Trained by Richard Baltas, Idol was a candidate for last year's Oaklawn Handicap after winning the $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) in March 2021 at Santa Anita. But Idol has run just once since the Santa Anita Handicap, finishing a well-beaten sixth in the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Oct. 2 at Santa Anita.

Meanwhile, race-favorite Fearless won the G3 Ghostzapper with ease after a defeat in the G2 Gulfstream Park Mile by Speaker's Corner, next-out winner of the G1 Carter. Fearless is trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, and will be ridden by Jose Ortiz.

Second choice on the morning line is Plainsman for trainer Brad Cox. The veteran won the G3 Razorback before falling short in the G2 Essex to Rated R Superstar, who also runs back here for trainer Federico Villafranco.

Oaklawn H. Entries

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California Thoroughbred Foundation Equine Library Headed To Cal Poly Pomona

The California Thoroughbred Foundation is donating the contents of the Carleton F. Burke Library in Arcadia— one of the most extensive collections of equine literature found anywhere — to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

“This is such a rare and specialized collection that it is a great match with an academic library,” said Foundation president Ada Gates Patton. “Officials from Cal Poly Pomona approached us about acquiring the library, with proposed expert management of books and increased public access.

“The Foundation does not have resources like those at Cal Poly. In addition, with more and more material available on the Internet, in-person use of the library decreased in recent years, followed by a two-year closure because of the pandemic. So after studying the proposal carefully, our board voted for the donation. This will benefit anyone interested in publications about horses, whether for serious study or just pleasure reading.”

The university intends to digitize research books for worldwide access, exposing the Burke Library to a far wider audience than the Foundation could offer.

“We have been privileged to own this unique collection and open it to the public, and we look forward to its professional preservation and even wider availability at Cal Poly Pomona,” said Gates Patton.

The Burke Library has been housed in the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association building in Arcadia, across the street from Santa Anita Park. One positive factor influencing the decision was that the collection will remain nearby, as Pomona is just 20 miles from Arcadia.

“The Burke Library has long been an important resource for many in the horse world,” said CTBA president Doug Burge. “The CTBA has been proud to have the library on our premises, but we understand that its care and accessibility will be greatly enhanced at Cal Poly Pomona.”

Carleton F. Burke was the first chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, director of racing at Santa Anita, and a secretary-treasurer of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He died in 1962, and the following year the library was named for him in recognition of his contributions to racing.

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