Month: July 2022

Saturday’s Cross Country Pick 5 Features Races From Saratoga, Ellis Park

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday, featuring graded stakes action from Saratoga Race Course and racing from Ellis Park.

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

Saturday's sequence begins in Race 7 from Ellis Park at 4:40 p.m. Eastern with juveniles travelling one mile on the turf in a maiden special weight. Leading the field of 10 is the English Channel colt Anglophile for conditioner Brian Lynch. The chestnut finished third in his second outing, beaten a neck in a three-way photo finish in an off-the-turf maiden at the same distance and track on July 10. Salute the Stars, a first-time starter for trainer John Ortiz, enters from a string of recent works at Ellis, including a bullet half-mile handily from the gate in 47.80 seconds on July 5. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will also send out a promising first-time starter in Led Tasso, a son of Ghostzapper who worked a half-mile from the gate in 1:03.60 on July 19 at Churchill Downs.

The actions switches to Saratoga for the second leg as six sprinters try for Grade 1 glory in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap. Reigning Champion Male Sprinter Jackie's Warrior will attempt to add a fifth top-level score to his ledger and keep a perfect 4-for-4 record at Saratoga intact in his fourth start of the year. The son of Maclean's Music was a last-out winner of the Grade 2 True North on June 10 at Belmont and won the Grade 1 Churchill Downs in May.

Grade 1-placed New York-bred Ny Traffic will look to spring an upset and arrives at the Vanderbilt from two consecutive stakes victories, including against open company last out in the Chocolate Town at Penn National for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. The field also includes graded stakes-winners Long Range Toddy, trained by Dallas Stewart; and Willy Boi, who enters on a three-race win streak for trainer Jorge Delgado.

The middle leg features a salty group of sophomore fillies taking on a 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer in Race 8 at Ellis Park [5:10 p.m.]. Leading the charge is the Brad Cox-trained Famed, who was last seen finishing an even third in a Churchill allowance on June 18. The Uncle Mo filly was an impressive winner at second asking one start before finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Golden Rod in November at Churchill.

Steep opposition will be provided by debut maiden winner Solar Reign, who posted a 2 1/4-length score sprinting six furlongs at Ellis on July 10 for trainer John Ortiz; and Comedy Act, who graduated at fourth asking by 3 1/2 lengths before finishing third in her first try again winners on June 17.
Action will move back north to Saratoga for the final two legs, starting with the Grade 2 Jim Dandy in Race 9 [5:37 p.m.]. A formidable pair of contenders for four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown will look to add to their accomplishments after each winning a Grade 1 event this spring. Early Voting will be making his first start since a strong victory in the Grade 1 Preakness, while Zandon, winner of the Grade 1 Blue Grass in April, makes his first outing since a game third in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.

Dual classic-placed Epicenter will be sure to provide a strong challenge as he looks to regroup from runner-up efforts in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness for Asmussen. The son of Not This Time won the Grade 2 Risen Star and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby this spring. Grade 3 Ohio Derby-winner Tawny Port and two-time winner Western River complete the compact but talented field of five sophomores.

Closing out the sequence is Race 10 [6:13 p.m.] from the Spa, a 1 1/16-mile Mellon turf allowance for 3-year-olds and up. The regally-bred Capensis, by Tapit and out of multiple graded stakes-winner Tara's Tango, will face winners for the first time for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. A $2 million purchase at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Capensis was a strong debut winner by five lengths going the same distance on July 2 at Belmont Park.

Trainer Mike Maker sends out a pair of last-out winners in Exult, who returns from a 13-month layoff in his first start for Maker; and Ricochet, who won his first outing for Maker by a neck on July 1 at Belmont. Also featured are the stakes-placed Airman in his first outing for conditioner Tom Morley, and three-time winner C Falls for Norm Casse.

Saratoga Live will present daily coverage and analysis of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, July 30:
Leg A: Ellis Park – Race 7, maiden special weight (4:40 p.m. Eastern)
Leg B: Saratoga – Race 8, G1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (4:50 p.m.)
Leg C: Ellis Park – Race 8, allowance optional claiming (5:10 p.m.)
Leg D: Saratoga – Race 9, G2 Jim Dandy (5:37 p.m.)
Leg E: Saratoga – Race 10, allowance (6:13 p.m.)

The post Saturday’s Cross Country Pick 5 Features Races From Saratoga, Ellis Park appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Dubawi’s New London Battles To Gordon Success

Godolphin's highly regarded 3-year-old colt New London (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Bright Beacon {GB}, by Manduro {Ger}) bounced back from a first reversal in May's G3 Chester Vase to annex a 10-furlong Newmarket handicap last time and continued on an upward trajectory with victory in Thursday's G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon S at Goodwood. The 6-4 favourite, who had garnered 10-furlong tests at Newmarket last October and in April on seasonal return, settled off the tempo in sixth until inching closer in the straight. Coming under pressure with three furlongs remaining, he bounded to the front passing the quarter-mile marker and, having subdued G1 Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}) inside the final furlong, was driven out for a 1 3/4-length career high as that rival was collared for second by G3 Bahrain Trophy victor Deauville Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the dying strides.

“New London is a lovely horse and has done nothing but improve,” said assistant trainer Alex Merriam. “He ran in the Derby trial [at Chester] and then Charlie thought to miss the Derby, which I think paid the dividends. I am not sure of plans. He is not in the [G2] Great Voltigeur and Charlie said that we will let the dust settle and see how he comes out of it. We will make a plan next week to see where everything goes. I am sure Charlie will come up with the best plan. It is very hard to say [which is the best of the Godolphin St Leger hopefuls]. New London has won the Group race, the others have won handicaps and they are all nice, progressive horses. Dubawis tend to improve and are tough, and that is what you need. I think Will came a bit wide with his run, but he didn't mention anything untoward. Charlie's horses are in great order and long may it continue.”

Buick added, “New London is a proper horse, he always has been, and he is very exciting. The Derby prep didn't go well, but we are delighted to get him back and Charlie and his team have done a great job. He is a very good horse. We went a good pace and I wasn't following the horse I wanted to, so we were in front earlier than ideal. However, he is a strong galloper and saw it out well. This was always going to be a challenge for him and he has come through it with flying colours. He's got plenty of class, I'm delighted and there's plenty more to come. It's hard to be confident, but we can be hopeful about the [G1] St Leger trip. Those [additional] two furlongs are a long two furlongs, so we'll see. He relaxes well and gives himself every chance. Hopefully he will [stay the extended 14-furlong trip]. That was a deep Gordon field with the Derby second, he has passed the test and let's see if he can do it.”

Daniel Muscutt, rider of Deauville Legend, commented, “It was a good run and he found a rhythm behind the [eventual] winner. There was plenty of pace early doors and he cruised into the race nicely. He couldn't quite match New London's turn of foot, but he ground it out well. The last 100 yards he stuck on past Hoo Ya Mal and it was a gutsy effort with the penalty. I thought that [the penalty] was maybe the difference.”

Hoo Ya Mal's trainer George Boughey said, “We took the hood off, he relaxed and has run a great race. The plan has always been the [G1] Melbourne Cup and this is a stepping-stone to that. Ryan [Moore] was delighted, Gai [Waterhouse] is very happy and the owner who has come over to watch the race is very happy. Ryan said that he has run a very good race and that he did it all the right way round, which is what we wanted to see. Ryan lost his stick with about two-and-a-half furlongs to go, which might not have helped. It's all about just looking after him because he has a big career ahead in Australia.”

New London is the fourth of five foals and one of three winners produced by a daughter of G2 Falmouth S. runner-up Waldmark (Ger) (Mark of Esteem {Ire}). The March-foaled homebred bay is a full-brother to stakes-winning G2 Queen's Vase third Al Dabaran (GB) and half to a yearling colt by Too Darn Hot (GB). Descendants of Waldmark include her G1 St Leger-winning son Masked Marvel (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-winning grandson Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).

Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
JOHN PEARCE RACING GORDON S.-G3, £200,000, Goodwood, 7-28, 3yo, 11f 218yT, 2:33.80, g/f.
1–NEW LONDON (IRE), 129, c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Bright Beacon (GB), by Manduro (Ger)
2nd Dam: Waldmark (Ger), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Wurftaube (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £113,420. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0, $245,371. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Deauville Legend (Ire), 132, g, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Soho Rose (Ire), by Hernando (Fr). (€200,000 Ylg '20 ARDEAY). O-Boniface Ho Ka Kui; B-GB Partnership (IRE); T-James Ferguson. £43,000.
3–Hoo Ya Mal (GB), 129, c, 3, Territories (Ire)–Sensationally (GB), by Montjeu (Ire). (40,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT; £1,200,000 3yo '22 GOFLON). O-GO Bloodstock & Partners; B-Meon Valley Stud (GB); T-George Boughey. £21,520.
Margins: 1 3/4, NK, 2 3/4. Odds: 1.50, 14.00, 6.00.
Also Ran: Jack Darcy (Ire), Cresta (Fr), West Wind Blows (Ire), Al Qareem (Ire), Grand Alliance (Ire), Masekela (Ire), Sussex. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Blazing Sevens A Mix of Genius and Racing Luck

There are no bigger stages and brighter lights than Saratoga in the summer, and Blazing Sevens (Good Magic–Trophy Girl, by Warrior's Reward) showcased his razzle-dazzle with aplomb, blitzing a field of well-regarded debuters to loudly proclaim himself worthy of 'TDN Rising Star'-dom.

Beating out two others in the race by his freshman sire to become a fifth winner, and the first to get the TDN's stamp of approval, for Good Magic, Blazing Sevens added another layer of sheen to breeder Tracy Farmer's banner last Sunday. In addition to being represented by the talented juvenile, Farmer was also the owner and owner/breeder of the runner-up and third-place finishers in Woodbine's GIII Hendrie S.–Amalfi Coast (Tapizar) and La Libertee (Consitution), respectively–as well as the owner of GII Dance Smartly runner-up Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}).

Farmer purchased Blazing Sevens's dam Trophy Girl for $62,000 as a weanling at Fasig-Tipton November in 2013. The bay took a bit of time to get to the races, not debuting until Sept. 30 of her 3-year-old year, but managing to win twice in the opening months at four over Turfway's old synthetic track. She wouldn't hit the board again, and eventually retired due to injury after her final start in July of that year. Sporting a pedigree he really liked, Farmer retired Trophy Girl to his broodmare band, and she's fit into the operation like a well-tailored glove.

“He breeds, sells, races homebreds and buys yearlings, so when we do matings for him, we ultimately concentrate on planning matings that will work for his racing program if he decides to keep the resulting foals,” said TDN columnist and advisor to Farmer, Sid Fernando. “…In the case of Blazing Sevens, we recommended several proven stallions and only one unproven horse–Good Magic–for his dam. Tracy made the decision to use [the stallion].”

With only four on the ground so far, and two of racing age, the sampling is still small, but Team Farmer is happy with what they're seeing from Trophy Girl. The mare's first, an unnamed 3-year-old colt by Distorted Humor, did not reach his reserve at Keeneland September in 2020, so consigner Denali Stud took a different approach to Blazing Sevens, convincing Farmer to sell him in Keeneland's January sale last year. To their credit, the result was successful this go-around, with the colt bringing $140,000 from Chestnut Valley Farm. He would later sell again for $225,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale to Rodeo Creek Racing.

 

“He was a gorgeous yearling when we saw him at the sale,” said bloodstock agent Pete Bradley, who helped put together the Rodeo Creek Racing partnership on the colt. “We had a set price range and he fortunately fell into it. I wanted to buy him as a weanling but lacked the funds at the time.”

Blazing Sevens's score was well-timed as the focus now shifts to the yearling sales season, and this year's renewal of the Saratoga sale coming up shortly (Good Magic has two in the open sale and four more in the subsequent New York-bred auction). Breeding farms with young stallions will be eager to showcase early success, such as a 2-year-old winning at Saratoga and becoming a 'Rising Star' in the process. Good Magic also already has a stakes winner to his name in Vegas Magic, a filly who beat the boys in Pleasanton's Everett Nevin S. July 9.

As for their colt, Bradley says that if the horse is ready to go, and Chad Brown likes what he sees, the GI Hopeful S. at the end of the Saratoga meeting isn't out of the question, but he hesitates to make plans too far in advance. Whether or not it happens is a decision based on conditioner and charge, alone.

“The original plan was always to have him go longer. He's such a chill horse and he didn't look like he turned a hair after that debut,” he reported. “He's taken everything in stride.”

Tracy Farmer shares in the excitement, and is eager to see his stock continue to rise to the head of their class. He's even willing to put what he called 'a little peer pressure' into the universe.

“I hated to see [Blazing Sevens] go, but everything has worked out for the best,” admits Farmer. “And I would love to see him in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.” And there is perhaps no greater honor, and no more sought-after pressure, than a Derby dream fueled by early promise.

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No Violations Found in Review of Assiniboia Downs Race, Assiniboia’s CEO Disagrees

A determination has been reached in the unusual stretch run of Assiniboia Downs Racetrack's fifth race July 20, with no rules found to be violated and no change to the order of finish. The Manitoba Jockey Club (MJC), non-profit operator of Assiniboia Downs, had formally requested that its provincial regulator, the Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority (LGCA), conduct a review after jockey Sheldon Chickeness, aboard King Witt (Five Demon Bag), turned for home approximately five lengths in front before appearing to pull his mount up and allowing much of the field to pass. He then re-rallied to finish second.

In a letter from LGCA's Director of Operations Natasha Hohol, MPA, she said, “The LGCA initiated our standard investigative processes. In this case, this included such steps as interviewing witnesses, analyzing video replay, and reviewing wagering data. The LGCA has determined that no Rules of Thoroughbred Racing were violated. Therefore, adjustments to the order of finish are not required.”

Darren Dunn, CEO of Assiniboia Downs, indicated officials at the Manitoba track “strongly disagree with the conclusion.” The official statement from Dunn follows in full:

“I want to start by indicating from the outset that we understand and fully respect the right and responsibility that our regulator has to make the determination that they did related to this race. At the same time, I want to identify and recognize our right as the operator to respond to their findings and, to be clear, we strongly disagree with the conclusion they arrived at from this review.

“Our interpretation of the race is that the horse, King Witt, to our understanding, may have previously exhibited tendencies in how he navigates the turn for home and the early stretch drive of the racetrack that caused the jockey to believe that with a potential repeat of those tendencies, the safety of the other horses and jockeys in the race were in jeopardy and that this was reflected in his actions, exhibiting his concern.

“And, while we will always support and encourage efforts of jockeys to be safe in the saddle for themselves, their fellow riders and the horses in the race, a distinction, in our opinion, should be made when these actions occur and then affect the possible and likely ultimate outcome of the race through an overreaction by a jockey. We believe, in our opinion, that jockey Sheldon Chickeness did overcompensate in his handling of his mount, likely related to a safety concern, but given the clear lead the horse had at the time, he did affect, in our opinion, the final outcome of the race and the order of finish.

“We believe that, while consideration and understanding could be given to his safety intent, overriding this was the need to protect the wagering public in ensuring the integrity of the race remained intact and that the overcompensation by jockey Sheldon Chickeness should have been met with a determination of significant discipline against him.”

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