Month: July 2022

Nashwa Takes Up The Mantle In The Nassau

After the wins of Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) on the first two days of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, it is up to Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to maintain the stranglehold of the favourites in the meeting's premier contests on Thursday. Looking a standout in the feature G1 Qatar Nassau S., Imad Al Sagar's G1 Prix de Diane heroine gets nine pounds from the older fillies and mares in a race which has been won by the Classic generation in seven of the last 10 editions. Third in the G1 Oaks, where stamina was probably the main issue, she is the apple of Thady Gosden's eye and he said, “She ran a very good race in the Oaks at Epsom, she just didn't quite see out the mile and a half. She's a well-balanced filly with excellent tactical speed. She switches off well, we think she'll handle the track and she's very versatile technically as well.”

 

The Dream Is Still Alive

If there is one among the older brigade who could defy the weight-for-age, it is the impressive May 29 G1 Prix d'Ispahan winner Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) who was undone by easy ground when subsequently sixth in the G1 Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh June 26. This has been Ed Walker's target for some time and all the boxes are ticked. “The ground was the problem at the Curragh last time and also she got a bit crowded, which made her a bit keen,” he explained. “Keenness has always been a bit of a thing for her, but she's been quite good this year. On that ground, though, Kieran [Shoemark] said she was wheel-spinning. We can put a line through that. The win in the Prix d'Ispahan was great. It was really quick ground there–I walked the track and there's no way it was the good-to-soft that they were calling it–but she settled great that day. When she settles she has a deadly turn of foot and the faster the ground the better.”

 

The Long And Winding Road

Jon and Julia Aisbitt have had some smart fillies down the years who have come close to this standard, including Malabar (GB) (Raven's Pass) who won two group races here, and there is the prospect that the William Haggas-trained Lilac Road (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) could be the best they have bred. Third on her sole visit to this track in the Listed Conqueror Fillies' S. last May, the homebred was only fifth behind Dreamloper and Ville De Grace (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) in the nine-furlong G2 Dahlia S. at Newmarket a year later but bounced out of that race to win York's G2 Middleton Fillies' S. just 11 days later. From a stable which has lines to every top-class filly and mare in Europe, she has to be respected despite needing further progression to land a prize such as this. “The only reason she hasn't run since is that there aren't many races for fillies when they've won their Group 2,” her trainer explained. “There's only really the Pretty Polly, in which we ran two others. Also it was soft ground, which she doesn't want. She's fresh and well and she's in good shape. She'll run a good race, but whether she's quite up to that class we'll find out.”

 

Royal Approval

Goodwood's G2 Richmond S. was once one of the most important juvenile races in the calendar, but the recent record of the race which once boasted the likes of J. O. Tobin and Warning is distinctly hit-and-miss. Paul Cole was one of its biggest fans in his heyday in the 80s and 90s and it seems significant that the three-times-winning Whatcombe legend has targeted it with the Hayses' exciting Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Off the mark by five lengths over this track and six-furlong trip May 20, he went on to finish third in the June 14 G2 Coventry S. and of those who were behind him in that novice the re-opposing Bluelight Bay (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) has won at Windsor June 25, Mischief Magic (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) captured the competitive maiden here on Tuesday and Show Respect (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) has been second in the G2 July S. Oliver Cole now shares the trainer's licence and said, “The horse is in really good form and we decided to skip the July S. at Newmarket, because he's a big horse and we wanted to give him a bit more time between races as he's still growing. He ran in the Coventry on pretty quick ground and I don't think the ground worries him. We didn't have enough cover in the Coventry, so arguably there's improvement there.”

 

More Lurkers?

Tuesday and Wednesday's pattern races for the 2-year-olds here were won by unexposed types setting foot in that company for the first time and the Richmond has an intriguing pair in Raed El Youssef's Al Karrar (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Other hopefuls include Balding's dual winner Chateau, Tom Clover's impressive Windsor scorer Al Karrar and Nick Bradley Racing and Elaine Burke's Marshman (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}). Successful on debut by 3 3/4 lengths in a Windsor maiden over this trip June 20, Shadwell's Goffs Autumn cast-off Al Karrar has been kept fresh for this by Tom Clover and it is telling that the fifth home at Windsor, Swift Asset (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), is the chosen representative of the Richard Hannon stable always keen to target this. Marshman warrants respect as Karl Burke's representative and he gave all the right vibes on his winning debut at Ayr July 3. “His work at home has been excellent. He's been working with Lethal Levi, Holloway Boy and Cold Case which are some of Karl's fastest colts,” Bradley said. “When he won he was a little green, he made a mess of the start and was again green at the finish, but he's probably my best chance of the week on the figures.”

 

How Ya Doin?

Not seen since his surprise second in the Derby, the £1.2-million colt Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}) reappears in the G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon S. under the auspices of George Boughey. Three times the price of last year's Blue Riband runner-up Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) at 150-1 at Epsom June 4, Go Bloodstock's representative looks to boost that form after it took a knock in the King George. “His work is good, he's the highest-rated horse in the race and he goes there with a good chance,” Boughey said. “He's in the Leger and while he's not in at York [in the Great Voltigeur], he could go to York–the plan is pretty fluid at the moment, what he does over here. I'd like to see him in the Leger and I think that's very much the plan for Gai and Adrian [Bott].” Charlie Appleby has saddled four runners over the first two days of the festival and has had two winners, a second and a third with New London (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) the forecast favourite following his handicap win at Newmarket's July Festival. Abdulla Al Mansoori's 'TDN Rising Star' West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) was ninth in the Derby after starting off too fast and has since shown that he has come off that experience a better horse when winning Hamilton's Listed Glasgow S. by 7 1/2 lengths 13 days ago.

 

Click here for the group fields.

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Manitoba Regulator: No Rules Violated In Strange Assiniboia Downs Race

The regulatory body that oversees Thoroughbred racing in the Canadian province of Manitoba has ruled that no rules of Thoroughbred racing were violated in an oddly run race at Assiniboia Downs on July 20.

“The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) initiated our standard investigative process at the completion of race 5 on July 20, 2022 held at Assiniboia Downs,” a statement from the organization read. “Steps included interviewing witnesses, video replay analysis and reviewing wagering data. After this investigation, the LGCA determined that no rules of thoroughbred racing were violated and therefore, no adjustments to the order of finish are required.”

The Manitoba Jockey Club, operators of Assiniboia Downs, formally requested what it called a “full and complete review” of the race, a $5,000 maiden claiming contest run over 7 1/2 furlongs.

King Witt, ridden by jockey Sheldon Chickeness, led by as much as four lengths, according to the Equibase chart. The chart footnotes state that “King Witt dueled inside early, opened up out of the first turn, increased margin, took a good lead into the stretch, drifted out and appeared to be stopping in early stretch, was passed by three horses to his inside, started to run again when the winner went by him on the inside just after passing the eighth pole, gave his  best from mid-stretch to the wire lapped on the winner, couldn't get to that one.”

Mucho Express, trailing the field midway through the race, rallied under jockey Antonio Whitehall to beat King Witt by a neck. The winner was the third choice in the wagering at 5.65-1, with King Witt second choice at 3.75-1. Belbedevil, the 7-10 favorite was never a factor, finishing seventh of eight runners. A $1 exacta paid $28.80 and the 20-cent trifecta to 8.75-1 shot Notable Nora paid $44.12.

“When I watched the race in real time, my first reaction was that the jockey was pulling the horse up due to a potential injury,” Darren Dunn, CEO of the Manitoba Jockey Club, said when requesting regulators review the race. “When the jockey re-engaged the horse after the balance of the field caught up and then began to aggressively ride the horse to the finish line, the sudden change was very concerning.

“Though in our opinion there would not have been any adjustment to the ultimate order of finish in the race, due to a lack of any interference with any other horses, that there was no inquiry posted by the Stewards created great concern with the public from a perception standpoint. As such, we felt we needed to act and make this formal request,” Dunn continued.

“To be clear, we have full confidence in our regulator and Stewards and value the significant experience they bring to our industry. We trust that they may already be reviewing this situation on their own. However, in light of what we saw last night as an operator and the significant feedback we have received, we felt an obligation on behalf of our customers and ASD Live brand to crystalize our position of concern on this very important matter. While we can't instruct or direct our regulator on how to act on this matter, our request is for a formal review and the issuance of a statement on their findings that we can share with the public.”

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‘She’s Progressed’: Clairiere Will Try To Emulate Her Dam In Personal Ensign

Stonestreet Farms' homebred filly Clairiere made two outings at Saratoga Race Course last summer, posting two on-the-board efforts in Grade 1 company with a third in the Coaching Club American Oaks and a runner-up finish in the Alabama behind subsequent Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Malathaat. The daughter of Curlin found the Spa's winner's circle this year when she turned back Malathaat for the second race in a row in Sunday's Grade 2 Shuvee for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

“I'm very happy with how she came out of the race,” said Asmussen. “It was very gratifying. She ran solid races here last year in the Coaching Club and Alabama, and it was great to see her in the winner's circle.”

Clairiere, who picked up her first Grade 1 victory in the Cotillion last year at Parx Racing, entered the Shuvee from a memorable victory over Malathaat in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on June 11 at Belmont Park. She has won 3-of-4 outings this year, her only loss a good second to 2021 Champion Older Mare Letruska in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap in April at Oaklawn Park.

Asmussen said Clairiere, the first foal out of 2016 Grade 1 Personal Ensign-winner Cavorting, will now look to join her mother on the storied list of Personal Ensign winners in this year's running on Aug. 27.

“She's progressed. She's racing royalty with the pedigree she has, and she has always kept great company,” said Asmussen. “She's won a couple of Grade 1s and then the Shuvee, [so] her eye is on the prize in the Personal Ensign this year. We feel great going into it off of her last race and love how she's feeling about herself. We expect her to finish off the year very strongly.”

Among Asmussen's other stakes caliber horses at Saratoga is Grade 1-winner Gunite, who will make his return to graded company in Sunday's Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam for sophomores sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track.

A son of Gun Runner, who Asmussen conditioned to six Grade 1 victories, Gunite boasts a 7-for-8 in-the-money record that includes a 5 3/4-length romp in the Grade 1 Hopeful last September at Saratoga.

He finished his juvenile campaign with a distant fifth in the Grade 1 Champagne in October at Belmont Park before returning as a sophomore with a runner-up finish in a Churchill Downs optional claimer in June and a determined victory in the seven-furlong Maxfield on July 3 at the Louisville oval.

Asmussen said the Amsterdam will be a springboard for Gunite to the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial on August 27.

“It's quite obvious that he's a better one-turn horse at shorter distances,” said Asmussen. “We didn't waste him in the Derby preps and we've got him coming into Saratoga for the Amsterdam and hopefully off of that, the Allen Jerkens as his goal for the summer.”

Gun Runner was also well-represented in the female juvenile division last year as Asmussen conditioned Wicked Halo to graded stakes success in the Grade 2 Adirondack at the Spa, just has he did with her mother, Just Wicked, in 2015.

While Just Wicked stretched out and remained in graded company after her Adirondack win, Asmussen said he opted to take a more conservative approach with Wicked Halo, giving her time off and bringing her back in sprints as a sophomore.

“Her mother had won the Adirondack and I jumped her off into two-turn races from there. I did too much too soon,” said Asmussen. “So, Wicked Halo's career has been guided by the mistakes I made with her mother. I think it's proven to have paid off. We have a solid filly with a lot of future to her.”

This year, Wicked Halo picked up a graded placing when third in the Grade 2 Eight Belles en route to two stakes victories at Churchill in the Leslie's Lady on June 12 and the Tepin on July 2. Both Gunite and Wicked Halo are homebreds for Winchell Thoroughbreds, the longtime clients of Asmussen who co-owned Gun Runner with Three Chimneys Farm.

“Both of them are horses that did some early advertising for Gun Runner last summer,” said Asmussen. “They're two excellent homebreds for Winchell and are both coming off recent stakes wins at Churchill and have run well at Saratoga. I'm very fortunate to get to continue to run them.”

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Letter to the Editor: F-T Saratoga Sale to Feature 17 Yearlings from Phipps Families

By B. Jason Brooks

The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Selected Yearling Sale is less than two weeks away and potential buyers are marking up their sales catalogs while researching the accomplished families of those being offered.

At the 2019 Saratoga Sale, four yearlings tracing back to Phipps foundation mare Blitey sold for a collective $4.05 million, one of them being an undefeated Tapit colt named Flightline who has become a multiple Grade I superstar.

Thoroughbred Daily News columnist and pedigree expert Sid Fernando recently noted in story that the Phipps female “families have given past and present breeders a deep foundation on which to build upon and create their own top-class horse.” A look at recent Grade I winners confirms that this is true at the highest levels.

Last year, an impressive 12 Grade I races were won by 10 different horses from families with Phipps female lines, including Aloha West (Hard Spun), Corniche (Quality Road), Essential Quality (Tapit), Flagstaff (Speightstown), Flightline, Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), Maxfield (Street Sense), Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot), Queen Goddess (Empire Maker) and Got Stormy (Get Stormy), multiple of which are Saratoga Sale graduates.

Through the first seven months of this year, four Grade Is (23 graded stakes wins) have been won by horses from families with Phipps female lines. The Grade I winners this year include Flightline, adding his second Grade I in his first start as a 4-year-old, as well as Shirl's Speight (Speightstown), There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge) and Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile).

That's an impressive dozen different winners from families with Phipps female lines winning 16 different Grade I races. An exclamation mark added when considering all graded stakes, with 23 of them being won this year by horses from families with Phipps female lines. This level of current success demonstrates the “deep foundation” that Fernando referred to and makes these influential families attractive to breeders and buyers.

A deep dive into the families of the 214 yearlings to be offered at the boutique Saratoga Sale finds that 17, or 8%, are out of top-class mares from families with Phipps female lines, including descendents of Personal Ensign, Blitey, Lady Be Good, Get Lucky, Ten Cents A Dance, and La Troienne mares Belle Histoire and Big Hurry, among others.

On top of their first-rate female families, these blue-blooded yearlings are sired by elite stallions, including Tapit (hips 4 and 179), Curlin (hip 15), Into Mischief (hips 74, 75, 102, 131, 164), Uncle Mo (hips 98, 160, 210), War Front (hip 69), Arrogate (hip 79), Catalina Cruiser (hip 39), Kantharos (hip 211), Oscar Performance (hip 182), and Union Rags (hip 73). Also of note is that Hip 179 is a filly that shares the same sire (Tapit) and Phipps female family (Blitey) as Flightline.

The 2022 Saratoga Sale will provide buyers another chance to purchase yearlings with top-class pedigrees from influential Phipps families which are currently excelling in graded and Grade I races. Like Flightline, some of the yearlings making their way through the sales ring of the Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion in August will become the Thoroughbred stars of tomorrow on the track and subsequently carry on the Phipps legacy in the breeding shed.

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