On May 21, Pimlico Race Course will host the second jewel of North American horse racing’s Triple Crown, as a talented group of 3-year-olds (minus the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner) will contest the Preakness Stakes.
Month: May 2022
Another Sonny Day at Belterra Park
It was back to business as ususal for jockey Sonny Leon on Friday afternoon as he returned to Belterra Park six days after his ride of a lifetime aboard Rich Strike (Keen Ice) in an unforgettable edition of the GI Kentucky Derby.
Coming off his first-ever graded stakes win in the Run for the Roses, Leon ran second in race one, third in race two, and won going away in race three. Fittingly, the 3 3/4-length victory aboard Runway Rosie (Tonalist) in the $18,800 allowance contest was for trainer Eric Reed. Prior to the race in the paddock, he shared an enthusiastic high-five with Rich Strike's groom, Jerry Dixon Jr. After the winner's circle photo, he posed with a '2022 Kentucky Derby Winner' sign and the crowd applauded as they watched a congratulatory video on the main screen with well-wishes from Belterra's racing community.
Leon wrapped up Friday's card with two more second-place finishes and a win in the finale.
“We had a very good moment last week but right now we've got to go back to reality,” Leon said at the end of the day. “We had a couple wins today. We made a Sonny day.”
Throughout the afternoon and even half an hour after the races had finished, fans gathered around the paddock waving racing programs and Kentucky Derby Woodford Reserve bottles. Leon willingly obliged their requests for signatures and photos, taking in all the added fanfare in stride.
“That was fun,” he said. “This is my first time having a moment like this. I took pictures with a lot of people and gave a lot of signatures.”
A native of Venezuela, Leon moved to the U.S. in 2015. He first started out at Gulfstream Park before moving his tack to the Ohio and Kentucky circuits. With several jockey titles at Mahoning Valley already to his credit, he is currently ranked among the top five jockeys at this year's Belterra race meet.
Leon first rode Rich Strike last December at Fair Grounds, finishing fifth to Epicenter (Not This Time) in the Gun Runner S. Leon described Rich Strike as “a little green” in the race in New Orleans, but noted that the colt gained valuable experience and learned a lot since then.
Leon said he was not nervous as Kentucky Derby day dawned. He was just thrilled to be running in the Kentucky Derby.
“My dream came true when Eric Reed called me Friday morning and said, 'Man, we got in,'” Leon recalled. “That was my best moment when I heard from him. I got super excited. I spoke with my wife and she was excited. I didn't know he was going to win the Kentucky Derby, but I knew in that moment that I would ride in the Kentucky Derby. I wanted to just enjoy my moment and that's what I did.”
The ultra-impressive ride Leon gave Rich Strike that day has been analyzed all week, but for the jockey himself, he believes the keys to his success were about having patience and knowing his horse.
“I knew they went fast in the beginning,” he explained. “I wanted to go to the inside to save ground, which was perfect. We saved a couple lengths there. I stayed far away because that's the way this horse likes to run. When I got to the three-eighths, I found a lot of traffic but I didn't get desperate. That was a good move, to be patient. When turning for home, I had to wait until they opened up the rail. I didn't know where to go because I still had a few horses in front of me. The rail opened up and wow, that was amazing because my horse got clear and he answered beautifully.”
'Wow' is a term Leon uses a lot when talking about Rich Strike and their accomplishments together.
“We have a very good connection and that is what was so special for me,” he said. “What can I say? We did it.”
On Thursday, Rich Strike's connections announced that they would skip the GI Preakness S. and instead, point toward the GI Belmont S. It was a decision that Leon supports wholeheartedly.
“I think it was a very wise move,” he said. “The horse needed some time to get a good recovery and get some rest. The Belmont is going to be a perfect distance for him. It's a long distance and a deep track. I think he's going to be tough.”
Until then, Leon plans to soak up every opportunity that his outstanding Derby performance provides, be it in a Grade I at Belmont or a claiming race at Belterra.
“My next goal is to go to the Belmont and enjoy that moment. It's a big race. It's going to be a tough race, but I think my horse, Rich Strike, can do it. After that we'll see what happens, but I'm happy to go back home and go to Belterra Park to win a couple more races.”
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Poule d’Essai des Poulains: Where did they come from?
A diverse field is led by the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Modern Games (Ire) and ranging from some fancy homebreds to a €5,000 yearling purchase. Iffraaj (GB) features prominently among the entries for the colts' Classic, as sire, grandsire or great-grandsire of six of the 16 runners in the field.
WELWAL (GB), Shalaa (Ire)–Cheriearch (Arch)
Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Breeders: Oceanic, A Gravereaux and OTI Management
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Sales history: €80,000 at Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale (Mandore International Agency).
Pedigree insight: A half-brother to the stakes-placed duo of Epistrophy (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Chic Cherie (Fr) (Muhaarar {Ire}) out of a listed-winning miler.
SCHERZO (FR), Wootton Bassett (GB)–Persian Belle (GB) (Machiavellian)
Owner: Al Wasmiyah Farm
Breeders: T de la Heronniere, Mme D and A de la Heronniere
Trainer: Elias Mikhailides
Sales history: €70,000 at Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale (private sale), €420,000 Arqana Arc Sale (Charles Gordon-Watson Bloodstock).
Pedigree insight: Group 2 winner Volta (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Group 1-placed Calvados Blues (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) are among his seven winning half-siblings. Their unraced dam is sister to American Grade II winner Beautyandthebeast (GB) and half to German Group 1 winner and sire Neatico (Ger) (Medicean {GB}).
TEXAS (FR), Wootton Bassett (GB)–Texalova (GB) (Dream Ahead)
Owner: Ecurie Jeffroy
Breeders: SCEA Prairies, T Jeffroy, B Jeffroy
Trainer: Henri Devin
Sales history: not sold at €110,000, Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale.
Pedigree insight: A third generation homebred for the Jeffroy family, he is the second foal of an unraced half-sister to Meydan Group 2 winner Frankyfourfingers (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}).
NIRLIIT (FR), Iffraaj (GB)–Llanita (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire})
Owner: Ecurie La Vallee Martigny EARL, Guy Pariente, Ecurie de Pradel, Bernard Giraudon
Breeders: Ecurie La Vallee Martigny EARL
Trainer: Christophe Escuder
Sales history: N/A
Pedigree insight: Half-sister Almeida Girl (GB) (Temple City) was a multiple winner and listed-placed, giving Llanita two black-type performers from her first two foals. The mare was herself stakes-placed, both in France and America.
MAKING MOVIES (IRE), Dabirsim (Fr)–Grace Lady (Fr) (Muhtathir {Fr})
Owner: Ecurie Hugo and Pierre Pilarski and Jean-Philippe Dubois
Breeders: Jean-Philippe Dubois
Trainer: Didier GuilleminSales history: €125,000 at Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale (private sale).
Pedigree insight: A half-brother to the Group 2-placed duo of Epic Hero (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Alhadab (Fr) (Camelot {GB}), his dam won the G2 Prix Corrida and is herself out of a winning hurdler.
NESR SHALGHODA (GB), Due Diligence–Lady Macduff (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB})
Owner: Elbashir Salem AB Elhari
Breeder: Whitsbury Manor Stud
Trainer: Romain Le Dren Doleuze
Sales history: 9,000gns Tattersalls December Foal Sale, £16,000 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, 45,000gns Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale.
Pedigree insight: A family synonymous with Hampshire's Whitsbury Manor Stud; granddam Tamora (GB) (Dr Fong) is a half-sister to the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Gilt Edge Girl (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire}) and G2 Flying Childers winner Godfrey Street (GB) (Compton Place {GB}).
MODERN GAMES (IRE), Dubawi (Ire)–Modern Ideals (GB) (New Approach {Ire})
Owner/Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Pedigree insight: The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner is a half-brother to recent listed winner Modern News (GB) (Shamardal) and Saturday's 'TDN Rising Star' Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), while their dam is a half-sister to the French-based stallion and former champion juvenile Ultra (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}).
TRIBALIST (GB), Farhh (GB)–Fair Daughter (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire})
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Car Colston Hall Stud
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Sales history: 130,000gns at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Book 3 (Stroud Coleman Bloodstock).
Pedigree insight: Tribalist is the first foal of an unraced half-sister to G1 Racing Post Trophy winner Crowded House (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and to the dam of Group/Grade 1 winners Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}).
THE ACROPOLIS (IRE), Churchill (Ire)–Hairy Rocket (GB) (Pivotal {GB})
Owner: Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg
Breeder: Frank Dunne
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Sales history: €140,000 at Goffs November Foal Sale (Camas Park Stud).
Pedigree insight: The dam won twice and was third in the G2 Queen Mary S. She is a half-sister to Rockliffe Stud's listed-placed Marsh Hawk (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who is in turn the dam of the stakes-placed Mohawk King (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}).
LASSAUT (FR), Almanzor (Fr)–Lady Family (Fr) (Sinndar {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'.
Owner/Breeder: Riviera Equine SARL and Haras d'Etreham
Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
Sales history: Bought back by his breeder at €67,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale.
Pedigree insight: His dam is a half-sister to Group 2-winning sprinter Family One (Fr) (Dubai Destination), while his granddam's half-sister has produced the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner G Force (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and Group 3 winner Louvain (Ire) (Sinndar {Ire}), who is herself the dam of Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast).
CLAYMORE (FR), New Bay (GB)–Brit Wit (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire})
Owner: Mary Slack
Breeder: Günther Schmidt
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam
Sales history: €5,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale (Ardglas Stables), £10,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-up Sale (Mutlaq Menahi Almutairi).
Pedigree insight: His dam is an unraced daughter of Listed Harvest S. winner Brisk Breeze (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}).
CALIF (GER), Arion (Ger)–Cherry Danon (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire})
Owner: Stall Hanse
Breeder: Gestut Brummerhof
Trainer: Dominik Moser
Sales history: Not sold at €95,000, BBAG September Yearling Sale.
Pedigree insight: His dam was a Group 3-winning miler and runner-up in the German 1000 Guineas before going on to produce four black-type horses. Granddam Sherifa (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) is a full-sister to the dam of multiple Group 2 winner and sire Sommerabend (GB) (Shamardal).
ANCIENT ROME, War Front–Gagnoa (Sadler's Wells)
Owner: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Westerberg
Breeder: Orpendale, Chelston and Wyatt
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Sales history: N/A
Pedigree insight: His full-sister Etoile is a Group 3 winner over six furlongs, but there is also stamina in the family. His dam, who was runner-up to Zarkava (Fr) in the Prix de Diane, is a three-parts-sister to Derby winner Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).
ROCK BOY (Fr), Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)–Frasque (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB})
Owner: Team Calas
Breeder: Legendary Rent Club
Trainer: Richard Chotard
Sales history: Bought for €16,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale (Guy Petit).
Pedigree insight: He is one of two black-type performers for his dam, along with the G2 Derby Italiano placegetter Alastor (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) from her first three foals. Frasque, a minor winner over a mile, is a half-sister to G3 Prix Thomas Bryon winner Makaan (Swain).
BAYSIDE BOY (IRE), New Bay (GB)–Alava (Ire) (Anabaa)
Owner: Teme Valley and Ballylinch Stud
Breeder: Ballylinch Stud
Trainer: Roger Varian
Sales history: 200,000gns graduate from Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Richard Ryan).
Pedigree insight: His half-brother Forest Ranger (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) was a dual G2 Huxley S. winner. They are out of a French listed winner over 9 1/2 furlongs who now has three black-type performers to her credit.
TUMBLER (FR), Kingman (GB)–Distorion (GB) (Distorted Humor)
'TDN Rising Star'.
Owner/Breeder: Wertheimer & Frere
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Pedigree insight: Tumbler has two listed-placed half-siblings and his dam is a half-sister to Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Falco (Pivotal {GB}), who is now standing as a jumps stallion in Britain.
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Pick 6 Carryover Of $39,560 Into Saturday’s Card At Belmont Park
Saturday's 11-race card, which features five graded stakes races highlighted by the Grade 1, $700,000 Man o' War, will be bolstered by a Pick 6 carryover of $39,560 after the multi-race wager went unsolved on Friday's program.
The $1 Pick 6 returned $6,593 to bettors who selected 5-of-6 winners correctly.
The sequence began with a price in Race 4 as the Timothy Hills trainee Seaver [No. 6, $37.40] upset the $40,000 state-bred maiden claimer under Luis Rodriguez Castro to give Hills his first victory of the meet. Race 5 saw jockey Dylan Davis earn his 1,000th career victory aboard the Christophe Clement-trained Heels Together [No. 5, $8.90] in a $40,000 maiden claiming race.
Principled Stand [No. 8, $9.90] earned the third win of his career under Irad Ortiz, Jr. in Race 6 for meet-leading trainer Chad Brown before Amalfi Princess [No. 2, $23.80] provided the second-largest price in the sequence in Race 7 under Luis Saez for conditioner Mike Maker.
Jacqueline Davis rode Shadolamo [No. 6, $14.80] to a $25,000 claiming victory in Race 8 sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs over the main track for owner/trainer Eduardo Jones.
With the carryover already confirmed, a field of 10 arrived at the gate for Race 9 following the late scratch of Gold Bullion [No. 11]. Tickets alive to Gold Bullion moved to post time favorite Mischief Mogul [No. 4, $2.80], who subsequently dead-heated with Civil Service [No. 5, $4.90] after a thrilling duel to the finish of the six-furlong turf maiden claimer. Mischief Mogul, trained by Jeffrey Englehart, was ridden by Luis Saez with the Linda Rice-trained Civil Service piloted by Jose Lezcano.
Saturday's Pick 6 begins in Race 6 at 3:39 p.m. Eastern. The lucrative card will feature the Grade 3, $150,000 Vagrancy in Race 3; the Grade 3, $150,000 Runhappy in Race 5; the Grade 1, $700,000 Man o' War in Race 8; the Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan in Race 9; and the Grade 3, $150,000 Beaugay in Race 10. First post is 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the spring/summer meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.
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