December, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Longshot Dura Erede Digs Deep To Deny Top Knife In Japan’s Hopeful

Dura Erede claimed this Wednesday's Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, nosing out his rival Top Knife at the wire to outshine the other hopefuls in Japan's year-end test for 2-year-olds. The 90-1 longshot debuted in June this year and broke his maiden in his third career start in August. The son of Duramente came into this race after putting in a fourth-place finish in the G2 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes (1,800m) on November 19.

The dark brown colt has given trainer Manabu Ikezoe and Kazakhstan native-jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev—who is riding in Japan under a short-term license for the first time—their first JRA-G1 victories.

Top Knife was sent up front as the race got underway and led the 18-horse field while Dura Erede pressed the pace from the outside in second all the way into the stretch. As the two dueled running up the hill, Top Knife briefly shook off the persistent Dura Erede and put close to a length lead between him 100 meters out. However, the stubborn Duramente colt found another gear and dug in with enormous force to overtake his rival at the wire, notching a photo-finish victory.

“It's the same good feeling as when I won my first G1 race in Germany—I'm very happy. I couldn't tell if we won, it was so close, but my colt broke well and it was the plan to chase the pace in second so everything went well. After two close seconds last weekend, I'm so happy that I came in first in the last G1 race of the year,” commented jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev in an interview after the race.

King's Reign was off a bit slow, first sitting in fourth from the rear and then improved position in the backstretch up to a mid-pack seat before taking the widest route into the lane. Although with a lot of ground to cover, the Rulership colt stormed down the straight with the fastest closing speed and put away Fantom Thief at the wire while finishing 1-1/4 lengths behind the runner-up for third place.

Race favorite Mikki Cappuccino rushed up close to the pace after breaking sharply from the widest stall and stalked the two frontrunners in third. The Epiphaneia colt continued to chase the leaders in early stretch but failed to further threaten and was overtaken by Fantom Thief and then King's Reign before the finishing line and was fifth.

Other Horses:
4th: (1) Phantom Thief—reserved in 7th on rails, switched paths for room, dug in with 2nd-tied fastest late speed but caught before wire
6th: (9) Seven Magician—sat in mid-field and 3-wide, closed in well while briefly dueling with King's Reign 100m out
7th: (2) Hearts Concerto—saved ground in 10th, showed 2nd-tied fastest late speed, no match for winners
8th: (4) Serendipity—traveled in mid-pack, two-wide, bumped rival in early stretch, unable to reach contention
9th: (3) Sea Wizard—fourth on the rails, sustained bid until 100m out, nothing left thereafter
10th: (14) J Palms—settled 10th to 11th and 3-wide, struggled climbing hill, passed tired rivals
11th: (6) Gruner Green—sat in 6th, made rapid headway rounding final corner, showed little in stretch
12th: (13) Wurttemberg—bobbled at start, ran rails around 4th from rear, showed mild effort
13th: (7) Born in Grande—ran in 10th to 11th, near rear coming into lane, failed to respond
14th: (17) Jun Tsubamegaeshi—gradually made headway up to 7th in backstretch, drifted out in last turn, nothing left
15th: (5) Fate—traveled in 3rd, 5th entering lane, came up empty after early efforts
16th: (10) Gastrique—reserved 4th to 5th from rear, made bid turning into straight, never fired
17th: (12) Monde Plume—missed break, trailed near rear, was through early
18th: (16) Ska Paradise—followed in rear, never a factor

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Multiple Stakes-Winning Digger Still Teaching Life Lessons A Decade After His Final Race

When a graded stakes-placed dark bay gelding named Digger crossed the finish line third in the 2011 Mister Diz at Pimlico Race Course, his connections knew it was time for the veteran of 39 starts to turn the page and look to a new life beyond the racetrack.

It was then that he was sent to New Vocations – a non-profit that retrains and rehomes retired racehorses – and adopted by Verena Brassfield to spend the rest of his days on a tranquil 600-acre farm in Tennessee.

“I've always had a thing for Thoroughbreds and I couldn't ask for a better horse,” said Brassfield. “I had a Thoroughbred before him who passed away, and at first, I didn't want another horse. But then someone gave my husband the website for New Vocations, and the first picture I saw was my baby. I said, 'That's him.' A week after I applied, I got a call that I was approved.”

Digger, a Maryland-bred son of Yonaguska, made his first outing as a juvenile in 2006 and graduated at fourth asking by an impressive 9 1/2 lengths that December at Laurel Park. As a sophomore, he captured three more stakes at Laurel in the Deputed Testamony by a dominating 11 3/4 lengths, the Northern Dancer and the Jennings Handicap to close out the year.

In 2008, Digger moved north to the NYRA circuit, where he scored a pair of victories at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. The following year saw his greatest Empire State successes when he earned four victories at NYRA tracks, led by a determined score in the Gravesend to cap his productive campaign.

Ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Digger showed his typical frontrunning tactics and raced with Pashito the Che tracking close in second. Digger put 1 1/2 lengths between him and Pashito the Che at the stretch call and was able to fend off his determined rival by a nose in a final time of 1:11.66 for six furlongs over the inner dirt.

Digger earned one more stakes victory to kick off his 2010 campaign with a 3 3/4-length victory in Laurel Park's Fire Plug, and visited the winner's circle for the last time in March 2011 before owner Repole Stable and trainer Bruce Brown decided to retire the evergreen veteran at age 7.

“I watched the replays of his races and if someone had told me then that one day he would be mine, I would have told them they were crazy,” Brassfield said. “He was a good racehorse, and he could run, and still can. When he takes off in the paddock, he leaves everybody behind.”

Digger was sent to one of New Vocations' Ohio facilities where he was cared for until Brassfield saw his posting and applied for adoption in the spring of 2012. It was not long before she was approved, and Digger found his forever home. While Digger needed a great deal of patience and commitment to learn how to be ridden beyond racing, Brassfield was determined to help the beloved gelding settle down and enjoy his retirement.

New Vocations, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded by Dot Morgan in 1992 and is one of 81 facilities accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), an accrediting body that fundraises and awards funds to its accredited organizations throughout the year.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and its horsemen support the efforts of the TAA with each owner who participates at a NYRA racetrack donating $10 per start to Thoroughbred aftercare. Additionally, horsemen donate 1.5 percent of the purchase price of horses claimed on the circuit to the TAA and to the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's (NYTHA) TAKE THE LEAD program, which provides veterinary exams and the funds for transportation and retraining costs for horses at NYRA racetracks.

“Digger was donated to our program on Feb. 5, 2012, by Mike Repole and was in our program for four months before he was adopted,” said Anna Ford, the Thoroughbred Program Director for New Vocations. “He was a very classy guy.”

Brassfield said Digger has been the best teacher she could ask for.

“He's so happy, but in the beginning, he was crazy,” said Brassfield, with a laugh. “He was headstrong and if the boy doesn't like you, you'll know it. He's honest, and I said, 'Even if I can't ever ride him, he has his forever home.' He gives me everything I need just by being here. He taught me more than any horse could have taught me.”

10 years after stepping off the racetrack and with much patience and gradual improvements, Digger enjoys some light riding and flatwork and has settled in beautifully to his retirement. Brassfield describes Digger as “a puppy,” his gentle nature and intelligence allowing him to teach even the youngest of horse lovers.

“I started training him and working with him every day,” said Brassfield. “He's good with kids – another boarder at the farm says Digger is the only horse she trusts with her 3-year-old daughter. He's not spooky, he's willing and there's nothing I can't throw at him that's he's not willing to accept. He has a sense of humor and likes things a certain way.”

Digger, who once ran Beyer Speed Figures exceeding 100, leads a quieter life these days, enjoying his time out of the spotlight and with his devoted owner. Though he is a bit limited in his abilities under tack, Digger enjoys the occasional trail ride and flatwork, along with his time to himself in his large paddock with a herd of friends.

“He does trail riding and we did lessons for a little dressage, but other than that, he's leisure and pleasure. He has 30 or 40 acres to roam with about eight other horses. He loves it and loves being out there,” Brassfield said. “All the mares in the pasture are his according to him. He has made one friend that came two months ago, a Quarter Horse that he gets along with. But really, he gets along with all the horses.”

Brassfield said her relationship with Digger has been one of the greatest privileges of her life.

“I call him 'Schatzi,' which in German means 'treasure,'” said Brassfield. “When I go out to get him, I call him the love of my life. I'm the lucky one to have found him. I swear to God, he gave me a chance, and that's the only way this worked. I count my blessings that I've had him for over 10 years now. We have a good time and I'm so happy I have him.”

New Vocations, which operates nine facilities in six states with their main office located in Lexington, K.Y., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization accredited by both the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) and the Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA). Since its inception in 1992, New Vocations has placed over 8,000 retired Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses into new homes at the conclusion of their racing careers. To learn more about New Vocations and/or to make a donation, visit www.horseadoption.com.

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Keeneland Supplements 15 Horses To 2023 January Horses Of All Ages Sale

Keeneland has announced that 15 horses are in the latest round of supplements to the 2023 January Horses of All Ages Sale. Catalog pages for these horses will be appear online at Keeneland.com and in the Equineline Sales Catalog App on Tuesday, Jan. 3. The January Sale will cover four sessions from Jan. 9-12, 2023.

Among the highlights of these supplements are:

– Ack Naughty, a multiple stakes-placed daughter of Afleet Alex whose second foal, Practical Move, won the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity by 3¼ lengths on Dec. 17. Ack Naughty sells in foal on an early cover to Upstart, and she is consigned by ELiTE, agent.

– Madone, a 4-year-old daughter of Vancouver who won the 2021 G2 San Clemente and G3 Senorita. A dual listed stakes winner at two, Madone sells as a broodmare or racing prospect and is consigned by Eaton Sales, agent.

– Reinvestment Risk, a 4-year-old son of Upstart who was runner-up to future champion Jackie's Warrior in the G1 Runhappy Hopeful and Champagne at two following an impressive 7 ¾-length debut win at Saratoga. He also finished second in the 2022 G1 Carter and G1 Churchill Downs Presented by Ford. Reinvestment Risk sells as a stallion prospect and is consigned by ELiTE, agent.

Other prominent supplements include daughters of such stallions as Bolt d'Oro, Munnings, Street Sense, Tapit and Zoffany as well as mares in foal to Practical Joke and Violence.

These supplements bring the total number of horses cataloged to the January Sale to 1,614.

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Sharp Purse Increase Announced for Qatar’s Signature Race

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) this week announced significant purse increases for the 2023 three-day racing H.H. The Amir Festival, including a boost to $2.5 million for the signature H.H. The Amir Trophy. The festival–which is set for Feb. 16-18 and falls a week before the $20 million G1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack–will again be contested at Al Rayyan Racecourse.

The H.H. The Amir Trophy, which was previously worth $1 million, is a 1 1/2-mile turf test for 3-year-olds and up.

“Certainly, raising the value of prizes in the most valuable equestrian festivals will bring about a new era in the history of the event, which is expected to be rich excitement contesting among horse owners, trainers and jockeys who have already expressed their great happiness with this development,” H.E. Issa Bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, said. “In fact, this increase will enhance the development of racing and motivate owners to have the best horses and reap such prize money. Naturally, this will lead to raising the standard of racing to match the immense support from the authorities, who spare no effort to this effect and facilitate all requirements for success both at home and overseas.”

Overall, the total prize money for the three-day festival has been increased by more than the double from a year ago to nearly $10 million.

“All the races will be significant and valuable as all owners, trainers and jockeys aspire to be present at the winner's enclosure in this renewal, which will be marked by a new standard of maximized motivations given the generous increase in the prize money. This will eventually lead to the further development of Qatar's horseracing,” Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, said.

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