February, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Busy Weekend For Derby Preps on Both Coasts

Saturday's graded stakes races stretch out from coast to coast and feature significant GI Kentucky Derby implications, but not entirely for the reasons we've come to expect. In South Florida, it is business as usual for the Derby preps while on the West Coast all things Kentucky Derby took an unprecedented turn.

On the heels of a very successful GI Pegasus World Cup weekend, Gulfstream Park offers a tremendous card with five graded races, including the 34th running of the GIII Holy Bull S. named for the Hall of Famer and 1994 Horse of the Year, who won that year's GI Florida Derby. Forty Kentucky Derby points are on the line with the winner collecting the lion's share.

Cyclone Mischief (Into Mischief) enters off a 5 3/4-length allowance romp at a mile over this surface Jan. 8. The $450,000 KEESEP yearling purchase is out of a half to GSW Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft) and hails from the female family of MGIW Composure (Touch Gold).

“I think he's one of the best 3-year-olds in the country, and he's training like one,” trainer Dale Romans said. “There are a lot of good horses out there, but we're in a good spot right now.”

Legacy Isle (Shackleford) would be undefeated and the only stakes winner so far of the bunch after wiring the Mucho Macho Man S. on New Year's Day, but was disqualified for bothering a rival in the lane and was placed second.

Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott entered two in the Holy Bull, Rocket Can (Into Mischief) and Shadow Dragon (Army Mule).

The GIII Claiborne Swale S. doesn't offer any Derby points and isn't considered a Derby prep, but it is named after the 1984 Derby winner and Hall of Famer who died suddenly eight days after the GI Belmont S.

The streaking Super Chow (Lord Nelson) drew the outside in the six-runner test, which will be contested at seven furlongs. The winner of five of his six career races is coming off three straight listed stakes wins and makes a jump back into graded company. He broke his maiden in his debut July 2 at Gulfstream and was third in the GII Saratoga Special S. before shipping back to Florida to collect his last three wins.

“He's in his best shape ever,” trainer Jorge Delgado said. “He's been maturing race to race. He's been showing a lot of class. From race to race, he's a more professional horse. He's becoming a man.”

Not to be overshadowed by the boys, 10 fillies are set to race seven-eighths on the main track in the GIII Forward Gal S.

Atomically (Girvin) is the likely favorite in her first start since an even seventh-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 4. It was her first start for trainer Todd Pletcher after being sold privately to a group headed by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners after winning the Florida Sire My Dear Girl S. over the Gulfstream Park main track Oct. 1.

Ginger Brew S. winner Cairo Consort (Cairo Prince) is the 2-1 morning-line favorite against eight other sophomore turf fillies in the 1 1/16-mile GIII Sweetest Chant S. The Todd Pletcher-trained filly won Woodbine's Catch A Glimpse S., was second in the GI Natalma S. and third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. This race will be her first start beyond a mile.

Only four will line up in the GIII Robert B. Lewis S., a 1 1/16-mile test offering 41 Road to the Derby points to the top-four finishers on a 20-8-6-4-2 scale. This is where the race's Kentucky Derby implications take a turn. Each of the four runners are trained by a single trainer and that trainer–currently–is forbidden from participating in racing at Churchill Downs.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has saddled a record 10 winners of the Robert B. Lewis–including the last four in a row–sat in a Louisville courtroom for two days this week. His team of attorneys is seeking an injunction against his two-year ban from competing at Churchill Downs following Medina Spirit's post-race positive for the prohibited steroid betamethasone after crossing the wire first in the 2021 Derby. Medina Spirit also won the 2021 Lewis.

Arabian Lion (Justify) will lead his stablemates. The $600,000 OBSAPR 2-year-old was a dismal fifth in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 17 at odds of 2-5 but has been working lights out for his return here.

Newgate (Into Mischief) hasn't reached the winner's circle since breaking his maiden at Del Mar but was a short second in the GIII Sham S. a month ago. The $850,000 KEESEP yearling was also second to last week's GIII San Vicente S. winner and stablemate Havnameltdown (Uncaptured) in the GIII Bob Hope S. at Del Mar Nov. 20. Maiden winner Hard To Figure (Hard Spun) and maiden Worcester (Empire Maker) round out the Baffert quartet.

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‘One Of Those Days Where Everything Goes Your Way’: Irad Ortiz Equals Gulfstream Record With Seven Straight Wins

Leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. equalled the record for most wins by a jockey on a card at Gulfstream Park Friday after riding the winners of seven consecutive races on a nice-race program.

Ortiz shares the Gulfstream record with four other jockeys: Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey (3/11/96), Tyler Gaffalione (7/4/17), Luis Saez (1/24/18; 3/29/18) and Paco Lopez (3/21/20).

Ortiz became the only jockey in Gulfstream history to win seven races in a row.

“It feels great. Everything worked out so good today. Everything came out perfect out there. It was one of those days where everything goes your way, so you enjoy it,” Ortiz said. “We had some live horses, and we always try to look on the positive side with them and ride them all with confidence. But every day doesn't work like today. It's hard, but today was one of those days.”

The 30-year-old jockey, who was recently awarded the Eclipse Award for the 2022 racing season, swept Races 2-8 on the nine-race card.

“It's my first time winning seven races in one day,” Ortiz said. “So, I feel great.”

The three-time Championship Meet titlist at Gulfstream guided Dignified ($7.20) to victory in Race 2 to start his streak before also scoring aboard Little Jewel ($4.20), Lakota Territory ($5.60), Riveting Spirit ($7), Tape to Tape ($4.20), Rhymes Like Dimes ($4.40) and Six Minus ($7.40) in Races 3-8, respectively.

Ortiz, who finished fifth aboard favored Maclin in Race 1, finished seventh aboard Turn On the Charm in Race 9.

Ortiz leads the Championship Meet standings with 44 winners, 10 more than defending champion Luis Saez.

The post ‘One Of Those Days Where Everything Goes Your Way’: Irad Ortiz Equals Gulfstream Record With Seven Straight Wins appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘Best We Have In The UAE’: Algiers Inspires Dubai World Cup Dreams After Dominating Al Maktoum Challenge

There were Dubai World Cup whispers after Algiers (Shamardal) routed the field in G2 Maktoum Challenge Round 1 last month and they turned to shouts after the gelding was every bit as impressive in Round 2 (Presented by Emaar).

Facing a classy field, including World Cup sixth Remorse and G1 winners Salute The Soldier, First Constitution and Atletico El Culano, Algiers (pictured) was forced to sit wide under James Doyle off a fast early pace and the rider employed patient tactics. That was until the home turn, when he said 'go!' and the response was immediate, Algiers charging away from the field and winning, eased down, by six lengths from Bendoog, with Remorse third.

“It was fantastic, he switched leads at the right time in the race and did what he had to do,” said winning joint-trainer Simon Crisford after his horse became the fifth to win the first two legs of the Maktoum Challenge. “Obviously we'll talk to his owner, Hamdan Sultan [Alsabousi], and make a plan now, but on the back of that effort we'll have to strongly push for the Dubai World Cup.”

Doyle, enjoying his sixth winner of a fine Carnival, was impressed by how the gelding saw out the 1900metres (1 3/16 miles).

“It's the furthest he's run on dirt,” he said. “I didn't want to ride him aggressively, but he jumped so well I could have led. I chose to take him back and then one went up my inside and pushed me wide, so then he over-raced throughout. He did well to achieve what he has without ever being in a rhythm.

“He's the best we have in the UAE and this opens up options now, whether it be here or Saudi.”

Doyle also took the night's other feature, the Group 2 Singspiel Stakes (Presented by Emaar). It produced the finish of the night with Valiant Prince needing every step of the 1800metres to deny the game Alfareeq.

Charlie Appleby's gelding took his Meydan Racecourse record to four from four with this last-ditch win, which saw him join Alfareeq right on the line and win by a short-head. It was a first Singspiel Stakes win for Appleby, but a second for Doyle who was also successful on True Story back in 2015.

“I thought I was going to win nicely, but Alfareeq is tough and he battled back,” said the jockey. “He loves it here, he's growing up all the time and his racing manners today were perfect, he relaxed really well in the race. He showed all the attributes of a horse going in the right direction.”

The G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday, March 4th, is next for Valiant Prince, ahead of the Group 1 Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup day.

Another one eyeing March 25th is Tuz, who gave trainer Bhupat Seemar a win in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint despite his top sprinter Switzerland staying at home.

The six-year-old, whose career began in Russia, was only sixth to that stablemate in the G3 Dubawi Stakes last time but blasted off in front here under Jose Da Silva, soon making it one way traffic and beating UAE newcomer Isolate by three lengths, with Freedom Fighter third.

“He's got speed to burn. I told Jose to use the draw [1] to his advantage and that is the only way to do it with him,” said Seemar. “He's a really nice horse. It might be Super Saturday and the Golden Shaheen, but we'll have to see where Switzerland goes.”

Fillies dancing in the Moonlight

There was more Godolphin success in the night's big fillies' race, the 1600metre G2 Cape Verdi (Presented by Emaar), which went to Appleby for the fourth time in five years. His With The Moonlight had a busy summer in America, winning the G3 Saratoga Oaks, and was much too good for her 11 rivals here, easily passing the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained White Moonlight inside the final furlong and winning by three-quarters of a length under William Buick. The Spanish-trained Samedi Rien was third, ahead of last year's runner up Ascot Brass.

“She's a really good filly and it was a nice place to start her back,” said Buick. “She was taking on some race-fit fillies here and she'll come on a good bit from that experience.”

It was a double for Appleby who earlier took the 2410metre Vazirabad Handicap (Presented by Emaar) with First Ruler who was the first leg of Doyle's treble. The four-year-old was third on the opening night of the Carnival but improved for that run this time. Travelling well throughout, he came with a smooth run down the centre of the track and won by a length from Get Shirty, despite hanging towards the inside rail.

“I was a bit worried about the draw [11] beforehand, but there was a contested lead early, which meant we were able to slide into quite a nice position,” said Doyle. “We had a dream run round after that although I would have preferred the ones in front to have taken me further, as he can lug a bit.”

Earlier denied on Alfareeq, jockey Dane O'Neill gained recompense in the last which went to Moqtarreb, a first Carnival winner in his first season training for Emirati handler Ali Al Badwawi.

Seventh, beaten three lengths, on his previous start here three weeks ago, the seven-year-old was strongest at the line after several had been in contention in the last 200metres, eventually beating UK raider Ouzo by three-quarters of a length, with Zainhom third.

At the start of the card, Panamanian rider Oscar Chavez celebrated his first UAE Group 1 in style with a decisive victory in the opening Maktoum Challenge Round 2 for Purebred Arabians. Riding Hayyan for trainer Majed Al Jahoori, the rider made a big move down the back straight to take the lead from Hiab Al Zaman and then never looked back, crossing the line well clear of last year's winner Rajeh in second.

The Carnival continues next Friday, February 10th, when the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas and G2 Blue Point Sprint is among the highlights.

The post ‘Best We Have In The UAE’: Algiers Inspires Dubai World Cup Dreams After Dominating Al Maktoum Challenge appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Champion Elite Power to Return on Saudi Cup Undercard

Recently crowned champion sprinter Elite Power (Curlin) will launch his 5-year-old campaign in the $1.5-million G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard Feb. 25.

The Juddmonte colorbearer capped a five-race winning streak with a powerful, come-from-behind victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland last out Nov. 5. Elite Power, a $900,000 Keeneland September graduate, has posted five workouts for Hall of Famer Bill Mott since the beginning of the new year at Payson Park, including a five-furlong breeze in 1:02.80 (4/8) Feb. 2.

“He had his program tailored out pretty much immediately after the Breeders' Cup that we would go to the Saudi Cup Sprint,” Juddmonte USA General Manager Garrett O'Rourke said.

“Bill [Mott] gave him a little break and has him back in full work now and everything is–touch wood–on target. The horse is doing well and looking good. He seems in great form.”

Looking further ahead this season, O'Rourke added, “I want to clarify it with [Juddmonte] first, but, at the moment, the plan is for him to come back [to the U.S. afterwards] and look to an end-of-the-season campaign. Give him a little break, target some of the summer races and work on up to Breeders' Cup.”

Juddmonte, founded by the late Saudi Prince Khalid bin Abdullah in 1980, was represented in all three prior runnings of the card's main event with MGSW & MGISP Tacitus (Tapit) (fifth, 2020; and seventh, 2021) and promoted GI Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun (Into Mischief) (ninth, 2022).

“It's building into a magnificent event and slotting right into the international racing schedule,” O'Rourke said. “By the time you finish with the Breeders' Cup, you're thinking about the Saudi Cup. It's nice to be able to share our best horses and be able to take on the elite of the world at international events like this. The Saudi Cup is firmly established now as that type of an event.”

Juddmonte homebred Laurel River (Into Mischief), meanwhile, scratched by regulatory veterinarians the day before last year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, has been given the green light to resume training with Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. The 5-year-old was last seen recording a career high in Del Mar's GII Pat O'Brien S. last summer.

“We gave him 60 days of doing nothing and another 60 days of just bringing him back slowly and he's here on the farm now and galloping every day,” O'Rourke said. “We checked him out then, we've checked him out again now and everything checks out perfectly fine. He's going back to Bob Baffert in the next week. We always do the right thing by our horses and I'm very confident that the horse is absolutely 100 percent. He's a very capable and talented horse.”

He concluded, “The value of having scrutiny of horses going into big events has been a huge boost to the public's confidence that we're doing all the right things. We will always stand by and respect the decisions that the professionals make.”

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