Month: October 2022

Bayside Boy and jockey Tom Marquand came from the back of the pack to spring a 33-1 surprise in the QIPCO Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) Saturday at Ascot.

The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a Breeders' Cup Challenge 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the $2-million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland and Bayside Boy earned an automatic, fees-paid berth with Saturday's triumph.

The pre-race focus for Queen Elizabeth II Stakes had all been on Inspiral and Frankie Dettori who was chasing a third win in a row on the card.

However Inspiral fell out of the stalls and gave away crucial ground. It was to prove a deficit she could not make up.

With the favorite out of the picture, the race was set up to be a battle between Modern Games and Jadoomi, who'd got a break on the field after accelerating with three furlongs to go.

That was before Bayside Boy delivered a remarkable late surge to land his first Group 1.

Speaking to ITV immediately after the race, winning trainer Roger Varian commented, “We thought he was a lively outsider. We're not going to say we thought he'd win because he had to step up massively but he had very good juvenile form.

“He won the Champagne Stakes and he was third in the Dewhurst. We had high hopes for him this season, but he really didn't enjoy the firm ground in the summer.

“He won nicely at Sandown last time, that must have been a good confidence booster for the horse but we're delighted with him today. I'm looking forward to watching it again, he showed a great turn of foot.”

Bayside Boy, who covered the one-mile contest in 1:45.43 on good to soft turf, is a 3-year-old by New Bay from the Anabaa mare Alava. He was bred in Ireland by Ballylinch Stud, who campaigns him in partnership with Teme Valley and also enjoyed a victory one race later on the card as co-owner with James Wigan of Bay Bridge in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1).

The post Bayside Boy Scores 33-1 Upset In ‘Win and You’re In’ Queen Elizabeth II Stakes At Ascot appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Bay Bridge, jockey Richard Kingscote, and trainer Sir Michael Stoute sprung an almighty shock as they claimed the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) Saturday at Ascot, with the previously unbeaten Baaeed finishing fourth.

Last seen placing fifth in the Coral Eclipse (G1), Bay Bridge came out on of an intense duel with Adayar, with My Prospero running on strongly to claim third late on.

Into the home straight all eyes were on previously unbeaten Baaeed and Jim Crowley, who tracked William Buick on Adayar. The pair made their bid for glory with a little over 2 ½ furlongs to go and prevailed at 10-1 odds.

Despite moving into contention Baeed failed to accelerate in his customary style. All the while, Kingscote and Bay Bridge enjoyed a smooth passage up the inside and lay down a strong challenge, eventually winning by half a length.

Speaking to ITV immediately after the racing Kingscote commented, “We came here knowing we had a nice horse but taking on one of the best around. You can't be afraid of one horse and that's why.

“It's perfect to ride beautiful horses like this, they've always liked him back home and he looked like he had a big one in him and on that ground he showed he's a really lovely animal.

“He was a bit fresh and ran with enthusiasm in the first three quarters but he was going so well on the turn and he responded by knuckling down really well when William came to us.”

Bay Bridge, a 4-year-old by New Bay out of Hayyona, by Multiplex, finished the approximate 1 1/4-mile trip in 2:09.46 on good to soft turf. He is campaigned by James Wigan and Ballylinch Stud, the latter also landing the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) one race earlier with Bayside Boy, who is co-owned by Teme Valley.

With the victory, Bay Bridge garnered an automatic, fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland via the Breeders' Cup Challenge 'Win and You're In' series.

The post Bay Bridge Captures ‘Win and You’re In’ Champion Stakes At Ascot, Previously Unbeaten Baaeed Fourth in Swan Song appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Undefeated Iowa standout Tyler's Tribe was introduced to the Keeneland turf course Saturday morning, working three furlongs in :39.80 with jockey Kylee Jordan aboard.

“I'd say we stick with the plan,” trainer Tim Martin, who co-owns the 2-year-old Sharp Azteca gelding with Tom Lepic, said after the work.

And the plan is?

“The 5½ on the turf,” Martin said of the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), his choice for Tyler's Tribe instead of the $2-million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. Both races are Nov. 4 at the Lexington track.

“Kylee was comfortable with him out there,” Martin continued. “I was a little concerned when he bobbled a bit, but he was trying to jump the cones (on the course that were set up near the outer rail). Maybe he has a future as a jumper.”

The time of the work did not concern Martin.

“He always works in :38 or :39,” Martin said. “If he gets with another horse, he'll work a bullet. I know he is a fast horse and I know he can run.”

Tyler's Tribe, who has won his five starts by a combined 59¾ lengths, will do the majority of his training up to the Breeders' Cup on the main track with another thee-furlong breeze on the turf scheduled for Oct. 29.

The post Iowa-Bred Star Juvenile Tyler’s Tribe Works On Keeneland Turf Toward Breeders’ Cup Start appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Keeneland-based Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) candidate Hot Rod Charlie worked a half-mile in :49.40 Saturday morning over a fast track for trainer Doug O'Neill.

The move was the colt's first since his victory over Kentucky Derby (G1) winner  Rich Strike in the Lukas Classic (G2) at Oct. 1 Churchill Downs.

“It was a good, relaxed work,” said Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard the 4-year-old by Oxbow. “He went well within himself. I'm very happy right now. He's in a great mindset.”

Owned by Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, Strauss Bros Racing, and Gainesway Thoroughbreds, Hot Rod Charlie has made two previous Breeders' Cup starts. At Keeneland in 2020, he was second in the Juvenile (G1) at odds of 94-1 and last year at Del Mar was fourth in the Classic (G1).

“He's grown up a lot (since the Juvenile),” Gaffalione said. “He's much bigger, much more powerful and much more mature. Right now, it seems like he's the complete package.”

In the Lukas Classic, Hot Rod Charlie finished a head in front of Breeders' Cup Classic candidate Rich Strike after an intense stretch battle.

“He loves competition,” Gaffalione said. “In the mornings when he works by himself, he can be a little bit lackadaisical and kind of lazy getting into stride, but once he finds a stride he gets going. In the race (the Lukas Classic), he made the lead and his ears came forward and he was kind of just waiting on the other horses. When Rich Strike came to his outside he re-engaged. He's very tenacious. He won't back down from a fight.”

Also on the work tab for O'Neill on Saturday were Breeders' Cup possibles Awake At Midnyte (Distaff [G1] or Filly and Mare Sprint [G1]; half-mile in :49.80), Slow Down Andy (Classic or Dirt Mile [G1]; half-mile in :48.60) and Vegas Magic (Juvenile Fillies [G1]; 5 furlongs in 1:01.80).

Another O'Neill runner, B Dawk, worked five 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 for the listed Perryville Oct. 22 at Keeneland.

The post ‘I’m Very Happy Right Now’: Gaffalione Radiates Confidence After Hot Rod Charlie’s Keeneland Workout appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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