Month: June 2022

Chad Brown Duo Looks Formidable In Pennine Ridge

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown will send out a pair of formidable contenders in Unanimous Consent and Napoleonic War in search of his third score in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Pennine Ridge, a nine-furlong inner turf test for sophomores at Belmont Park.

The Pennine Ridge is a key local prep for the Caesars Turf Triple series for sophomores which kicks off with the Grade 1, $1 million Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational on July 9. The Turf Triple continues with the Grade 1, $1 million Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 6 at Saratoga Race Course and concludes with the $1 million Caesars Jockey Club Derby Invitational in September at Belmont. Oscar Performance [2017] and Catholic Boy [2018] parlayed Pennine Ridge wins to Belmont Derby success.

Brown, who won the Pennine Ridge previously with Camelot Kitten [2016] and Peter Brant's Demarchelier [2019], holds a strong hand in Saturday's renewal.

Klaravich Stables' Unanimous Consent, by Almanzor, is undefeated in three starts, including a 1 3/4-length score in the Woodhaven at 1 1/16-miles last out over firm footing at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Manny Franco saved ground aboard Unanimous Consent in the Woodhaven as Chanceux, who finished third in Sunday's Paradise Creek at Belmont, set moderate splits. Franco gained position down the backstretch and made a five-wide move in upper stretch to sweep to a comfortable score that garnered a career-best 81 Beyer Speed Figure.

Unanimous Consent has breezed back four times out of the Woodhaven win, including a five-eighths effort in 1:02.11 on May 13 in company with Masen, who posted a comfortable score in last Sunday's Seek Again at Belmont.

The Brant-owned Napoleonic War might also be undefeated if not for a troubled trip in the Grade 3 Transylvania in April at Keeneland. The War Front bay was shuffled back to last through the far turn before launching a wide bid to finish fourth, defeated 1 1/2-lengths by the victorious Sy Dog.

Napoleonic War, a debut dead-heat winner in January over the Tampa Bay Downs turf, exited the Transylvania to post a narrow nose score in a 1 1/16-mile optional-claiming event on May 5 at Belmont.

Unanimous Consent will exit the outermost post 7 under Franco, while Flavien Prat will pilot Napoleonic War from post 4.

Stuart Janney III's multiple graded-stakes placed homebred Limited Liability enters from a visually-impressive allowance win on April 16 over good turf at Keeneland.

Trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, the Kitten's Joy grey rated last-of-12 in the 1 1/16-mile test before making an eight-wide move in upper stretch to arrive in the final strides for a narrow neck score.

“He ran good and you could kind of tell at the eighth pole that he was probably going to get there. It was a good race,” McGaughey said.

Limited Liability, piloted through all four career starts by Jose Ortiz, rallied to a sharp debut win in July at Saratoga ahead of third-place finishes in the Grade 3 With Anticipation in September at the Spa and the Grade 2 Pilgrim in October at Belmont.

McGaughey said he will look for Limited Liability, out of the Blame mare Hold Harmless, to make a similar late charge.

“We brought him back and our game plan was to get him back [off the pace] and make the one run and that's what he did. That's what we'll try to do here,” McGaughey said. “Any time they win, it helps their confidence. The older he gets, the better he'll get. He's by Kitten's Joy and out of a Blame mare.”

Ortiz retains the mount from post 3.

WinStar Farm and Siena Farm's graded-stakes placed Emmanuel will make his turf debut for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

The More Than Ready bay posted a pair of front-running scores to launch his career, graduating in December at Gulfstream by 6 3/4-lengths and following in January with a 4 1/2-length optional-claiming win at Tampa Bay Downs.

Emmanuel tried his luck on the Road to the Kentucky Derby series in his next two starts, finishing an even fourth in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth in March at Gulfstream and a pacesetting third last out in the nine-furlong Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 9 at Keeneland.

Emmanuel has posted his last two breezes over the Belmont inner turf, including a half-mile effort in :48 flat Sunday in company with graded-stakes placed sophomore filly A Mo Reay [:48.40].

“He's had two breezes now over the course. I thought the one yesterday was particularly good,” Pletcher said. “He's got a lot of turf in his pedigree so it's something that's been on the back of our minds, but he had been doing well enough on the dirt that we felt like we had to continue on the Derby trail.

“He ran a solid race in the Blue Grass. That form held up pretty well,” Pletcher added. “But we want to see where he fits on the grass and open up some options with him.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the call from post 6.

Rounding out the field are the stakes-placed Daunt [post 2, Trevor McCarthy] for conditioner Robert Ribaudo and Elizar [post 5, Joel Rosario], who makes his stateside debut for trainer Christophe Clement. Gilded Age is entered for the main-track only.

The Pennine Ridge is slated as Race 9 on Saturday's 10-race card. First post is 1 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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Tiz The Bomb Will Focus On Turf Campaign, Target NYRA’s Turf Triple Series

Magdalena Racing's Tiz the Bomb, who has won over three different surfaces, will turn his focus to a turf campaign and a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational for sophomores travelling 1 1/4 miles over the turf on July 9 at Belmont Park.

“That's where we're headed,” owner and trainer Kenny McPeek said. “He should be set for the race on July 9.”

The Caesars Belmont Derby is the first leg of the Caesars Turf Triple series at NYRA and is followed by the 1 3/16-mile Grade 1, $1 million Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 6 at Saratoga Race Course and the 1 1/2-mile $1 million Caesars Jockey Club Derby in September at Belmont.

Tiz the Bomb was last seen finishing ninth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 7, defeated 12 1/2 lengths by upset winner Rich Strike after breaking slowly and finding his best stride late. The Kentucky Derby marked a return to dirt for Tiz the Bomb, who punched his ticket to Louisville with a 2 1/4-length win in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks over synthetic at Turfway Park.

“I thought he really needed to break clean and be positioned to run better in the Derby, but he didn't disgrace himself,” McPeek said. “It could have gone better, but we gave him his chance, which he deserved.”

The bay son of Hit It a Bomb broke his maiden at second asking in an off-the-turf maiden in July at Ellis Park, splashing home an impressive 14 1/4-length winner. He made his next three outings over the turf, earning wins in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile and Grade 2 Bourbon before finishing a game second to Modern Games in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar to close out his juvenile campaign.

McPeek said that while Tiz the Bomb has shown proficiency over the dirt, he will now focus on turf races going forward.

“I definitely think he's significantly better on the grass,” said McPeek. “We gave him his dirt try and he's a lovely horse. I'm excited. These next couple races are really good spots for him – great distances and surfaces.”

Tiz the Bomb, out of the winning Tiznow mare Tiz the Key, was a $300,000 purchase by McPeek at 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase. He boasts a consistent record of 9-5-1-0 and earnings in excess of $1 million, making him the leading progeny for his sire by earnings.

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Hukum Powers To Coronation Cup Glory

Shadwell's homebred 5-year-old entire Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Aghareed, by Kingmambo) struck four times at Group 3 level in 2020 and 2021 before annexing Meydan's Mar. 5 G2 Dubai City of Gold and went postward for his European return in Friday's G1 Dahlbury Coronation Cup at Epsom coming back off a seventh in March's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. Stepping out of the shadow of his hitherto unbeaten full-brother Baaeed (GB), he was unmatched in the closing stages of the 12-furlong contest and powered clear of a select field to secure a career high in impressive fashion. Hukum broke smartly and raced to the fore through the early strides before accepting a tow in fourth. Making smooth headway once leaving Tattenham Corner behind, the 11-4 chance loomed large on the bridle with three furlongs remaining and lengthened clear once hitting the front at the quarter-mile marker to easily account for last year's hero Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) by 4 1/4 lengths. Aidan O'Brien trainee High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was a half length back in third with 9-4 second favourite Manobo (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) another 4 1/4 lengths adrift in fourth.

“He's been a wonderful horse for me, he's won numerous Group 3s and then the Group 2 in Dubai,” said winning trainer Owen Burrows. “He then ran probably his best race there in the Sheema Classic, when he was drawn a bit wide, they didn't go very quick and he was only beaten about a length-and-a-half. I always felt that there was one of these in him and I'm just thrilled he's done it for the team back home and also for the horse himself. I'm thrilled for everybody. We've got reduced numbers, but it's still a big thrill for me that I'm still training for Shadwell and for Sheikh Hamdan's family. Hopefully, this will document that we can get the job done and entice a few more owners and horses in. Timing wise, this has been brilliant. It's been a tough time and we've had to reduce the team, but the guys I've got left have been brilliant. They've really got their heads down and worked hard. John, my head man, rides Hukum all the time and is leading up today, my assistant Rob is back at home holding the show on the road. They are a great team and we'll celebrate this win”

Looking ahead, Burrows continued, “He was pretty impressive there and we'll have to get our heads together and see where we go next. It's important to have a little bit of juice in the ground, but he's pretty versatile. He'll be in the [G1] Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at the beginning of July and he's in a German Group 1 in August. He's also in the [G1] Irish St Leger and then we possibly thought about Canada. I half intimated this might be his only sighting this year in England, but we might have to rethink that now. The [G1] King George [VI & Queen Elizabeth S.] would be the obvious one, but we'd have to see what the ground is like and have a chat with the team. He wasn't entered for the Arc originally, but he should get a bit of juice in the ground there and it's definitely an option.”

Winning rider Jim Crowley added, “What a difference a year makes. I got a lot of stick last year and had a much more willing partner this year. He's got high expectations with his brother, so it's nice to win a big Group 1 with him. Owen didn't tie me down, which was good. I've been in the game long enough now to do my own thing and at the top of the hill they were going quite slow, so I decided to press forward and get him into a prominent position so we could be close enough turning in. Everybody was looking at each other at the top of the hill and the last thing I wanted to do was to get caught flat footed coming down the hill. I was quite happy to go and sit where I did and the rest of it was easy. It could have gone wrong for sure.”

“We're thrilled to win a Group 1 with this horse, he's been so consistent and we've sort of set him aside for this,” said Shadwell's Angus Gold. “I thought Jim gave him a lovely ride and was in a perfect spot throughout. He was too good for them on the day and I think the horse deserved it. He's been incredibly consistent and in the shadow of his little brother, so it was nice to see him win at the top level.”

Reflecting on the performance of runner-up Pyledriver, trainer William Muir said, “He has run a tremendous race. Have we ever made the running, no, but he lobbed away in front so you couldn't make any qualms on that. Turning in, I'm thinking Hukum is cantering and he was better than us today. We've beaten him the last two times and he has beaten us today, there is not a great deal between us. We've run great and Hukum was on his day so well done to Owen. I thought he was lame, but Frankie [Dettori] said he was alright. They were going pretty steady, but I wouldn't make that any excuse because Frankie has dictated his own fractions and we haven't gone very fast. You wanted to be towards the fore and that's where the first two were the whole way round. On the day the other horse had that bit more in the tank than we did. He looked fabulous, the King George has now gone through my mind if he goes home and is really well. He is in the [G2] Hardwicke [at Royal Ascot], but after that and a long break I think we will go to the King George.”

Hukum, the fourth of eight foals and one of three winners from as many runners out of Listed Prix de Liancourt victrix Aghareed (Kingmambo), is a full-brother to last term's G1 Prix du Moulin and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. victor and this year's G1 Lockinge S. hero Baaeed (GB). He is also kin to the unraced 3-year-old filly Zaghaareed (GB) (Intello {Ger}), the untested 2-year-old colt Naqeeb (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Night of Thunder (Ire). His dam Aghareed is the leading performer for GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and GI Flower Bowl Invitational heroine Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), herself kin to Listed Prix Charles Laffitte victrix Kareemah (Ire) (Peintre Celebre). The April-foaled bay's fourth dam, Listed Cheshire Oaks runner-up Bashayer (Mr. Prospector), is a full-sister the dual stakes-winning Sarayir, herself the dam of three black-type winners headed by G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S. heroine Ghanaati (Giant's Causeway). Bashayer's stakes-placed full-sister Wijdan is the dam of GII New York S. winner Makderah (Ire) (Danehill) and G2 Premio Ribot victrix Oriental Fashion (Ire) (Marju {Ire}). Bashayer, a daughter of MGSW British champion Height of Fashion (Fr) (Bustino {GB}), is also kin to five black-type winners headed by MG1SW sires Nashwan (Blushing Groom {Fr}) and Nayef (Gulch).

Friday, Epsom Downs, Britain
DAHLBURY CORONATION CUP-G1, £445,000, Epsom, 6-3, 4yo/up, 12f 6yT, 2:36.40, gd.
1–HUKUM (IRE), 128, h, 5, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Aghareed (SW-Fr), by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Lahudood (GB), by Singspiel (Ire)
3rd Dam: Rahayeb (GB), by Arazi
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Owen Burrows; J-Jim Crowley. £252,360. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, 15-9-1-2, $892,671. *Full to Baaeed (GB), Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 7-9.5f, MG1SW-Eng & G1SW-Fr, $1,539,980. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Pyledriver (GB), 128, h, 5, Harbour Watch (Ire)–La Pyle (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire). (10,000gns RNA Wlg '17 TATFOA). O-La Pyle Partnership; B-Knox & Wells Ltd & R Devlin (GB); T-William Muir & Chris Grassick. £95,675.
3–High Definition (Ire), 128, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Palace (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £47,882.
Margins: 4 1/4, HF, 4 1/4. Odds: 2.75, 2.00, 7.00.
Also Ran: Manobo (Ire), Palavecino (Fr), Living Legend (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Schnell Meister Looks To Bounce Back in Yasuda Kinen

So strong and so accomplished are the 18 runners signed on for Sunday's G1 Yasuda Kinen that Vin de Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who went this close to winning the G1 Dubai Turf on a magical evening for Japan this past March, is no better than a 30-1 roughie in early wagering. Seventeen others, including four females, will head to the post for the country's premier spring mile event, which offers the winner a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, in early November.

After besting Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup at this course and distance last May, Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) was a cracking third to Danon Kingly (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and the enormously talented Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in this event before turning the tables on Danon Kingly in the G2 Mainichi Okan over 1800 metres in October. He found only Gran Alegria too strong in the G1 Mile Championship in November, but was a highly disappointing eighth in the Dubai Turf on seasonal debut Mar. 26.

“The results were unfortunate in Dubai,” said trainer Takahisa Tezuka. “They weren't representative of his ability. After the race, I sent him to the farm for two months. He recovered right away, and things have all gone smoothly since returning to the stable. His physique has changed since he turned four and he's much more of a miler now. The change to the Tokyo 1,600 meters should be a plus.”

 

Fine Rouge (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) was narrowly beaten in the G1 Shuka Sho going 10 furlongs last October, but has a pair of strong efforts at the mile under her belt this term. Second to the in-form Elusive Panther (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) when blocked at a crucial stage of the G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai at headquarters Feb. 6, the bay bobbled when about to commence her rally in the sex-restricted G1 Victoria Mile May 15 and could not quite reel in the classy Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune {Jpn}).

“She hasn't been able to give it all she has in her last two starts, but she's run consistently,” said Yu Ota, assistant to trainer Tetsuya Kimura. “I think she can compete well against male horses. If she can go to the gate in good shape and get a smooth trip, things should go well.”

Elusive Panther was having his first run of the season in the Tokyo Shimbun Hai and carries a four-race winning streak overall into what is clearly his toughest task to date.

Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) has a similarly progressive profile to Elusive Panther and while it appears he handles any underfoot conditions, he does seem to up his game when there is juice in the ground. The dark bay rattled home from third last to run down Ho O Amazon (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the Apr. 24 G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup at Hanshin over a course listed as good, but which appeared to be easier than that.

Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah), a two-time winner of the G1 February S. on the local dirt track, tries the grass for just the second time in his career, while dual Group 3 victress Lotus Land (Point of Entry) stretches back out to arguably her best trip, having attacked the line to be runner-up to Naran Huleg (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) in the six-furlong G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen Mar. 27.

 

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