October, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Pharoah Filly Pulls off Matron Shocker

KatieRich homebred American Apple stalked, pounced and pulled off a 47-1 upset Saturday in the Big A's GII Matron S. Fifth in a pair of main-track dashes at Churchill early in the season, the bay improved to be third in a two-turn Ellis turf event July 15. She resurfaced to graduate by a nose at Kentucky Downs going 6 1/2 panels Sept. 14, but earned just a 58 Beyer Speed Figure compared to the mid-to-high 70s many of the others here had run.

Away well, American Apple tucked in just behind the speed through splits :22.55 and :46.06. She worked off the fence to overtake aptly named longshot pacesetter Fleetfooted (Speightster) in upper stretch, kicked on near the eighth pole and fended off co-favored Redefined late to hold on by a neck. Danse Macabre, who finished one spot ahead of Redefined when second in Saratoga's Aug. 21 Bolton Landing S. before annexing the lucrative Untapable S. at Kentucky Downs Sept. 13, could only manage third after drafting behind American Apple early.

“I brought her up Wednesday and it seemed like she shipped up fine,” said trainer Daniel Leitch, who was celebrating by far the biggest win of his young career. “We took her to the track on Friday and she was feeling good. It seemed like she shipped up fine and we figured she would run big today. She had been eating up and doing everything right since we got here.

“I figured the two horse [Danse Macabre] would be right there the whole time. I told [jockeu] Eric [Cancel] to sit off the two and just make a run at her, just like she did at Kentucky Downs. Thank God Eric went on with her and just sat behind. I was kind of nervous when he went on the inside because I was hoping there was a hole. Thank God a hole opened up. Everything worked out.”

Leitch previously worked for trainer Ray Handal and under former KatieRich private trainer Mark Hubley along with duties such as foal watch, sales prep and breaking yearlings. He took over as head trainer for KatieRich last September.

“We didn't think we were 30-1, but we thought there were seven speed horses in there,” said owner Larry Doyle. “We knew what we had and it was going to be a tough race. We were only here because there was nowhere else to run. If there were an easier spot, that's where we would have been.”

Of his trainer, Doyle said, “Daniel Leitch has been working for KatieRich for 12 years. He's homegrown. When [trainer] Mark Hubley retired last year and turned the reins over to him, we had all the confidence in the world in him.”

Doyle said American Apple would be considered for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint but could also return to New York for the Stewart Manor S. one day later.

Saturday, Belmont at The Big A
MATRON S.-GIII, $150,000, Belmont The Big A, 10-8, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:09.59, gd.
1–AMERICAN APPLE, 120, f, 2, by American Pharoah
                1st Dam: Miss Mary Apples (GSP, $171,172), by Clever
                                   Trick
                2nd Dam: Sacred Sue, by Holy Bull
                3rd Dam: Bootshine Girl, by Green Dancer
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN.O/B-KatieRich Farms (KY); T-Daniel Leitch; J-Eric Cancel. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-1, $185,700. *1/2 to Lady Apple (Curlin), MGSW & GISP, $1,078,324; 1/2 to Miss Red Delicious (Empire Maker), MSW, $203,425; 1/2 to Dr. Diamonds Prize (Pure Prize), SW-USA, GSP-Can, $240,903. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Redifined, 120, f, 2, More Than Ready–Mrs. Boss (Brz), by Wild Event. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($150,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Team D; B-Abdulrahman Aljasmi (KY); T-Anthony Dutrow. $30,000.
3–Danse Macabre, 122, f, 2, Army Mule–Sylphide, by Blame. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($11,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $27,000 RNA Ylg '21 FTKJUL; $55,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-NBS Stable and Elements Racing, LLC; B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (KY); T-Kelsey Danner. $18,000.
Margins: NK, 1HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 47.50, 2.55, 2.50.
Also Ran: Dontlookbackatall, Personal Pursuit, Sweetlou'sgotaces, How Lovely, Little Linzee, Fleetfooted, Sweet Harmony, Atomic Girl. Scratched: Apple Picker, Determined Jester.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

American Apple becomes the 18th graded stakes winner and 31st stakes winner worldwide for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Broodmare sire Clever Trick, born all the way back in 1976, is now the broodmare sire of 29 graded winners–including American Apple's half-sister, four-time dirt route GSW and 2019 GI Kentucky Oaks third Lady Apple–and SW/MGSP half-sister Dr. Diamonds Prize. Another precocious MSW out of dam Miss Mary Apples produced GSW grasser Nootka Sound (Lonhro {Aus}), and another half to American Apple was responsible for SW/GISP near $600,000 earner Parlor (Lonhro {Aus}). Larry and Karen Doyle's KatieRich paid just $37,000 for Miss Mary Apples as a KEESEP yearling. She was a debut-winning juvenile at Keeneland in April of 2002, and finished second in the Fashion S. and GII Schuylerville S. on this NYRA circuit in her subsequent two outings.

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Background Check: Spinster

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is Keeneland's GI Juddmonte Spinster S., always a stellar race that also has a number of notable producers to its credit.

First run in 1956, the Spinster has become one of the most coveted prizes on the racing calendar. There's just something special about the fall event and the copious champions it has attracted in front of the home crowd. Juddmonte, honored with the Eclipse as outstanding breeder five times and recognized as one of the most savvy and illustrious breeders in the world, has sponsored the Spinster since 2005.

Five mares have won the race twice, giving the sport 61 individual winners from 66 runnings of the Spinster. Two–the William Schettine-bred Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady and the phenomenal Phipps blue hen Numbered Account–were previously featured in our “Background Checks” for the GI Alcibiades S., GI Test S., and GIII Schuylerville S.

Following are the some of the other most important Spinster winners by what impact they have had on the sport through their sons and daughters.

Miss Linda (Arg) (1997, Southern Halo–Miss Peggy {Arg}, by Fitzcarraldo {Arg}): The dam of just one winner from a half-dozen foals, this Argentinean-bred is an unlikely addition here. However, a grandson is MGISW Lord Nelson, a young stallion who died last year at age nine after a multi-year battle with laminitis and whose name keeps popping up with winners.

Clear Mandate (1992, Deputy Minister–Dream Deal, by Sharpen Up {GB}): A homebred for G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. and his aunt, Pamela H. Firman, this striking chestnut produced GISW and sire Strong Mandate, MGSW/MGISP and sire Newfoundland, and SW and sire Full Mandate. Her first three yearlings sold at Keeneland September in three consecutive years for $3.2 million, $3.3 million, and $2.5 million, respectively.

Inside Information (1991, Private Account–Pure Profit, by Key to the Mint): Just five foals out of this wonderful Phipps homebred made it to the races, including 2005's champion 3-year-old filly and MGISW, Smuggler. Another daughter produced MGSW Gone Astray, while English MGSW Kessaar (Ire) also descends from her. Multiple consecutive generations on both Inside Information's sire and dam side have been part of the Phipps stable since 1946.

Bayakoa (Arg) (1984, Consultant's Bid–Arlucea {Arg}, by Good Manners): This marvelous Argentinean-bred champion and two-time Spinster winner only had four foals, with just two making it to the races and only one winning. Before she had a winner of her own, Bayakoa's first unraced daughter had foaled four-time GISW Affluent. Another daughter added GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned and GSW Walkabout. This summer's GIII Regret S. winner at Churchill Downs, Walkathon, also descends from Bayakoa.

Track Robbery (1976, No Robbery–Left At Home, by Run For Nurse): This chestnut's best foal was MGSW & MGISP Train Robbery. Her two daughters by Alydar each produced a Grade I winner: Breeders' Cup Classic winner Cat Thief and Triple Bend Breeders' Cup Invitational H. victor Pohave. Track Robbery was bred in Kentucky by Edgar Kitchen.

Glorious Song (1976, Halo–Ballade, by Herbager {Fr}): Bred in Ontario by E. P. Taylor, Glorious Song was a Canadian Hall of Famer and an American champion who was even better as a broodmare. Her sons included Rahy, a GSW-U.S. & G1SP-Eng runner who was among North America's leading sires during his tenure, and Singspiel (Ire), a U.S. champion who was also a GI/G1 winner in England, Canada, and Japan, as well as winner of the Dubai World Cup before it was a group event. Glorious Song's daughters and descendants are responsible for Group 1 winners Vivlos (Jpn), Mezzo Soprano, Cheval Grand (Jpn), Verxina (Jpn), Campanologist, and Danon Chantilly (Jpn).

Susan's Girl (1969, Quadrangle–Quaze, by Quibu {Arg}): Another two-time Spinster heroine, Susan's Girl had a signature son in Copelan. Winner of three Grade I races at two and a homebred for Fred Hooper, Jr., Copeland was a stalwart in the Florida stallion ranks who got better than 10% black-type winners from starters.

Straight Deal (1962, Hail to Reason–No Fiddling, by King Cole): A homebred champion for Bieber-Jacobs Stable, Straight Deal produced three stakes winners from her 10 foals, including GISW Desiree. Her daughters and granddaughters additionally produced GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Dangerous Midge; MGISW Adored; GISWs Qualify, Scorpion, and Alwajeeha; MGSW and excellent sire Belong to Me; and MGSW and GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles.

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Up and Coming Curlin Colt Takes Vosburgh

Juddmonte's Elite Power (Curlin) showed a new dimension and continued his ascension while punching his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GII Vosburgh S. at Belmont at the Big A.

Heavily favored at 1-2 to win his fourth straight over just four rivals in this belated stakes debut, Elite Power broke on top and conceded the early lead to longshot Jalen Journey (With Distinction). He took a narrow advantage near the three-eighths marker, began to sneak away under confident handling in the stretch and was hand-ridden to a facile victory. It was 5 3/4 lengths back to Eastern Bay (E Dubai) in second.

Off the board in a pair of attempts at three, the chestnut has been perfect since kicking off the 2022 season with a third-place finish at Churchill May 7. A nine-length maiden winner beneath the Twin Spires June 5, he added two more victories in come-from-behind fashion, capturing a first-level allowance going a mile in Louisville June 30 and an optional claimer going six furlongs at Saratoga last time Sept. 3. He earned a co-career high 97 Beyer in the latter.

“He broke and he was closer than normal and that didn't seem to bother him,” winning trainer Bill Mott said. “He was fine where he was at. They went the first half in [:47.68], but you go to a race like the Breeders' Cup and they'll go :44. He's a good closer. If he gets a good, fast pace in front of him, he can close going six or seven [furlongs].”

Mott continued, “It gives you a lot of options that he can go from six [furlongs] to a mile throughout the course of the year. All things being equal, he'll probably race next year and have another race this year. I'll see what [Juddmonte general manager] Garrett O'Rourke wants to do. I'm sure he has some thoughts and ideas. It is nice to win a 'Win And You're In” and all your fees are paid.”

Pedigree Notes:

Elite Power, a $900,000 KEESEP graduate, becomes the 91st stakes/49th graded winner for leading sire Curlin. He is bred on the same Curlin/Vindication cross as GI Preakness S. winner Exaggerator. Elite Power's dam Broadway's Alibi, a MGSW & GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up and Robsham homebred, brought $2.15 million from Alpha Delta Stables while in foal to Smart Strike at the 2013 KEENOV sale. Elite Power's fourth dam is champion 2-year-old filly and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Eliza (Mt. Livermore). This is also the family of GISW and young sire Dialed In (Mineshaft).

Saturday, Belmont at The Big A
VOSBURGH S.-GII, $242,500, Belmont The Big A, 10-8, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:23.98, ft.
1–ELITE POWER, 120, c, 4, by Curlin
                1st Dam: Broadway's Alibi (MGSW & GISP, $521,500),
                                by Vindication
                2nd Dam: Broadway Gold, by Seeking the Gold
                3rd Dam: Miss Doolittle, by Storm Cat
   1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($900,000
Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Juddmonte; B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (KY);
T-William I. Mott; J-Jose Lezcano. $137,500. Lifetime Record:
7-4-0-1, $365,711. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ * Triple Plus*.
   Click for eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Eastern Bay, 120, g, 8, E Dubai–Chrusciki, by Polish Numbers.
O-Norman Lynn & Lola Cash; B-Nancy Lee Farms (MD);
T-Norman L. Cash. $50,000.
3–Drafted, 122, g, 8, Field Commission–Keep the Profit, by Darn
That Alarm. ($19,000 RNA Ylg '15 OBSAUG; $35,000 2yo '16
OBSMAR; 40,000 3yo '17 DUBSEP). O-Dublin Fjord Stables LLC,
Racepoint Stables, Kevin Hilbert & Thomas O'Keefe; B-John
Foster, Barbara Hooker & Field Commission Partnership (FL);
T-David P. Duggan. $30,000.
Margins: 5 3/4, 5, HF. Odds: 0.50, 9.10, 5.60.
Also Ran: Southern District, Jalen Journey. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Jack Christopher Heads Brown’s Breeders’ Cup Hopefuls On Keeneland Work Tab

A clear, crisp Saturday morning brought horses out in force with 191 workers on the fast main track and nine more on the firm turf course.

Trainer Chad Brown had six workers of note headlined by three-time Grade 1 winner Jack Christopher, who breezed a half-mile on the main track in :48.40. Jack Christopher is considered a leading contender for the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) or Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Other Brown workers eyeing the Breeders' Cup: Search Results (Distaff), a half-mile in :48, and Goodnight Olive (Filly and Mare Sprint), a half-mile in :49.40. Also working on the dirt for Brown was Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana invitee Dolce Zel, who covered a half-mile in :48.60.

Working on the turf for Brown were McKulick (Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana) going five furlongs in 1:02 in company with Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) nominee Virginia Joy.

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