Month: February 2023

Godolphin’s Lemon Pop Secures Breeders’ Cup Classic Berth With February Stakes Win In Japan, U.S.-Based Shirl’s Speight Unplaced

Prominent throughout, Godolphin's 2-1 favored Lemon Pop surged to the front into the stretch under jockey Ryusei Sakai to win Sunday's $1.9-million February Stakes (G1) on dirt at Tokyo Racecourse by 1½ lengths over Red le Zele.

With his victory in the one-mile race, Lemon Pop gained the first automatic berth into this year's $6-million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In.

Charles Fipke's Canadian-based Shirl's Speight, runner-up in last year's FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) at Keeneland and the first foreign entrant in the history of the February Stakes, finished ninth of 16 runners.

Lemon Pop, bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. S. Oliver Tait, is a 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid out of Unreachable, by Giant's Causeway. Trained by Hiroyasu Takana, Lemon Pop earned his eighth win in 11 starts, and completed the mile in 1:35.60 over a track listed as standard. Lemon Pop came into the race off a half-length win in the seven-furlong Negishi Stakes (G3) at Tokyo on Jan. 29.

Before a crowd of 46,121, the 40th February Stakes unfolded with the 6-year-old mare Shonan Nadeshiko taking the lead, followed closely by Helios and Keiai Turquoise while Sakai settled Lemon Pop three-wide and a couple of lengths behind in fifth place.

Gradually improving position, Lemon Pop came out of the last turn in fourth, unleashed a furious stretch drive overhauling Helios 300 meters out to grab the lead. Lemon Pop then held off the fast-closing Red le Zele for the win.

“I'm grateful to have been given the chance to ride such a strong and favored horse and am happy we won,” said winning jockey Sakai. “I rode him in workouts and found out he was laid-back and very easy to ride. Today, we sat near the pace, just as planned. He responded well and pulled away strongly, all the way to the wire.”

Red le Zele, the 9-1 third choice, who finished sixth in last year's race, was reserved second from the rear after breaking from post 15, the second widest stall. After shifting wide for a clear path, Red le Zele stormed down the stretch but failed to catch the winner.

Sent off as the 10-1 fourth favorite, Meisho Hario stumbled a few strides after his break and chased the field from the rear. Entering the lane last, the chestnut displayed the second fastest late drive and picked off his rivals one by one to dig in for third, 2 1/2 lengths behind Red le Zele.

Shirl's Speight, trained by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, broke well from stall two, ran in mid-field on the rail, shifted a path out for his stretch run but struggled to find room or demonstrate his good late speed, and finished ninth.

“From what the jockey (Joao Moreira) was telling me, he wasn't enjoying the kick-back that much, but I think he ran an OK race,” said Attfield. “I just think he's a superior turf horse, but we gave it a try.”

Now in its 16th season, the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, on Nov. 3-4.

As a part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Lemon Pop to start in the 1 ¼-mile Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.

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I’m A Cowboy, Sunlit Song Among Standouts In Texas Preview Day Stakes At Sam Houston

Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday hosted Texas Preview Day with five stakes saluting Texas Thoroughbreds. The races serve as a springboard to Texas Champions Day, set for March 25, and the majority of Saturday's stakes winners are expected to return for the seven Champions Day stakes, each offering a $100,000 purse.

Breeders Ronald and Margaret Ellerbee won two of the five stakes Saturday: the $75,000 H-Town Stakes with Gold Pilot and the $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf with Imaluckycharm, both sired by late Texas stallion My Golden Song, who overall sired four of the five stakes winners on the card. The son of Unbridled's Song died last summer at Valor Farm at the age of 19.

I'm A Cowboy Last To First In Jim's Orbit

The first stakes of the Texas Preview Day card was the $75,000 Jim's Orbit for 3-year-old colts and geldings going six furlongs on the main track.

GFB Racing LLC's I'm a Cowboy made the most of his second start this season at Sam Houston with regular rider Alfredo Contreras aboard. The gelded son of Bradester out of the Benny the Bull mare Benny's Bombshell was unhurried early, but gained command and crossed the wire in a final time of 1:12.26 over the fast main track.

“So often you can lead your horse over, all settled and ready, but you don't have racing luck,” said trainer Danny Pish following the race. “In the last two races we didn't have too much luck but today he was fit and ready and had the perfect trip.”

Owner-breeder Steve Gee was on hand to see I'm a Cowboy take the next step forward.

“I want to thank Danny and his team for taking such good care of our horse,” said Gee. “We love the folks at Valor Farm. I am sure they are pleased with the success of Bradester, but I can't think of anyone happier than me.”

Bling Bling Bling ran second for Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen, and Texas owners William and Corinne Heiligbrodt. Just Whiskey another promising son of Bradester completed the trifecta for trainer Randy Mayfield.

Sent off at odds of 4.60 1, I'm a Cowboy rewarded his supporters with a win payout of $11.20. He earned $54,003 for his first stakes victory and his second career win.

The Texas Thoroughbred Association sponsors the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series (TSSS), a set of races for progeny of nominated Texas-based stallions. The series features three sets of races, each split into two divisions (colts/geldings and fillies) for a purse of $75,000 per division. In 2005, the Texas Thoroughbred Association named the colts and gelding division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for Jim's Orbit, who won the Ohio Derby (G2) prior to competing in the 1988 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Sunlit Song Dazzles In Houston Turf Stakes

The first of two turf features, the $75,000 Houston Turf Stakes attracted an exceptional field of the top accredited Texas-bred turf specialists. Three past champions went into the starting gate, but there would be no denying Sunlit Song in the 1 1/16-mile test on the firm Connally Turf Course.

The 8-year-old son of My Golden Song was bred by Carolyn R. Barnett and is owned by Barnett and Becky Harding. Mindy Willis trains the gray gelding who was the runner-up last year, but did not disappoint as the favorite today.

Despite an awkward break, jockey Stewart Elliott settled Sunlit Song through the early stages of the race, with defending champion Singapore Flash setting early fractions of :25.15 and :49.88. Sunlit Song began gaining momentum on the backside, and took the lead at the top of the stretch. He drew clear by a margin of three lengths, in a final time of 1.44.79

“He jumped right when the gates opened., but still did what he had to do,” explained Elliott. “ Despite the break, he put me into position and just did the rest so easily. That was it!”

Willis shared that last year her charge was recovering from a quarter crack, but was training very well after some time off. She was thrilled with his victory today, his 15th in 38 lifetime races.

“He amazes me every time he steps foot on the track,” she said. “He has always run well here, but as a Texas-bred, I'd like him to get Texas horse of the year by himself this year (after sharing honors with Redatory two years ago. Carolyn, Becky and I make a great team and of course, we were so lucky to have Stewart ride.”

Barnett and Harding also bred runner-up Truly Danzig, a half brother to Sunlit Song. Leandro Goncalves had the call aboard the 6-year-old son of Etesaal.

“My two boys ran first and second,” said Barnett, who has bred the family of Sunlit Song since 1977.

Stans Hookin Bull rallied to complete the trifecta for trainer Karen Jacks, followed by 2022 winner Singapore Flash.

Sunlit Song ($3.80) has earned $568,626 since making his debut on February 17, 2018 at Sam Houston. Willis plans on running the intrepid turf star on Texas Champions Day.

Izatiz Scores Second Stakes Of Meet In Two Altazano

The very accomplished Izatiz did not disappoint as the heavily favored choice in the $75,000 Two Altazano for Texas-sired 3 year-old fillies.

Billy Clevenger's homebred has been a force this season at Sam Houston. The daughter of My Golden Song out of the Tiznow mare Tiz Tiz ran second in the Darby's Daughter on January 7, and upped her game with conviction on January 28 when she cleared a full field by a margin of 7 ½ lengths in the Bara Lass, marking the first stakes victory for Clevenger and trainer David Gomez.

On Saturday, she challenged early leader Bubbles and Bling before breaking free and rallying to a clear lead. Under Jansen Melancon, she crossed the wire of the six-furlong event in 1:12.49. Waving Bye closed nicely under Floyd Wethey for second, followed by Missingyoucrazy and Hop on It.

“I put her into position and she relaxed for me,” said Melancon. “This filly handles herself like a veteran; it was push-button once she got clear.”

Gomez has been impressed with Izatiz since her runner-up effort in the Pan Zareta, a division of the TSSS, in her career debut last June at Lone Star Park. Her victory last month in the Bara Lass over a sloppy track was dominant.

“Last time she won easily, but today she dug in and that's what we wanted to see,” stated Gomez. “She got down and ran. She just keeps getting better and better.”

Clevenger was thrilled to see his filly earn her second career stakes. He and his wife, Linda have enjoyed seeing Izatiz flourish and applaud the care that Gomez and Christy Hamilton give their homebred.

“Christy sings “My Girl” to Izatiz every day and made sure Jansen knew the song,” Linda Clevenger said..

Sent off as the 2-1 favorite Izatiz ($6.00) improved her record to 3-3-0 from seven start and earnings of $170,910.

The Two Altazano Stakes is named in honor of Two Altazano, the talented Texas-bred filly, owned by the late Harold V. Goodman, who won the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) in 1994. She also captured the 1994 Sam Houston Oaks with Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day in the saddle.

Gold Pilot Surges Clear In H-Town Stakes

The seven-furlong $75,000 H-Town Stakes always attracts some of the top Texas-bred older horses. Last year's edition pitted two highly respected Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horses of the Year, Direct Dial and Mr Money Bags, with Mr Money Bags emerging victorious.

This year's winner, Gold Pilot ran an exceptional race under jockey Jose Alvarez, rallying with authority or his seventh career victory.

Purchased for $15,000 at the 2018 TTA yearling and mixed sale by prominent Texas owners Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch, the 6-year-old son of My Golden Song prepped for the H-Town with a victory January 20 at Sam Houston. While trainer Bret Calhoun was at Fair Grounds Saturday, his longtime assistant Hernan Zamudio saddled the gelding, who was bred by the Ellerbees.

Jon Newbold, ranch manager at Highlander Training Center, was in the winner's circle following the victory by Gold Pilot.

“He didn't away very well but came running at the end,” said Newbold.” It takes a whole team and so much credit goes to (stallion) My Golden Song. His offspring are like a fine wine; they just get better with age.

Sanders and Hirsch have been solid supporters of Texas Thoroughbred racing with stakes winners including Chief of Affairs, Zippit E, and Kat's Infatuation.

Ridden by Jose Alvarez, Gold Pilot ($3.80) completed seven furlongs in 1:24.07 by a margin of four lengths over Too Much Action.

Fan favorite Algebra ran third followed by Sunday Bling.

Imaluckycharm Tops No Mas Tequila In Miss Bluebonnet Turf

Saturday stakes action concluded with the running of the $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf. A field of 11 Texas-bred fillies and mares competed at the distance of one mile on the Connally Turf Course.

Trainer Karen Jacks won last year's edition with No Mas Tequila and came prepared for victory with three turf runners Saturday. It was the 4-year-old Imaluckycharm who topped her stablemates in gate-to wire fashion with rider Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez in the saddle.

The Ellerbees bred the daughter of My Golden Song out of the Street Boss mare Foxy Boss. Owned by Carl Moore Management LLC, Imaluckycharm was a turf allowance winner last April at Sam Houston before running third in two stakes last summer at Lone Star Park.

“She's a big, long-striding filly,” said Jacks. “She was full of herself and got an easy pace. No Mas had to chase her and that's how it happened.”

Both were coming off a layoff, and Valdez-Jiminez was asked about letting Imaluckycharm take the early lead.

“She was very fresh and I didn't want to fight with her, so I let her go,” he said. “The fractions were very slow (:25.15; :50.74), so that worked for me.”

Breeder Margaret Ellerbee was pleased to see the half sisters complete the exacta. She commented on the front-running victory of Imaluckycharm.

“When she took off, I didn't think there was any catching her,” she said. “I was impressed; she's so big and good looking! And Karen Jacks has been super; we couldn't ask for a better trainer.”

Imaluckycharm rewarded her backers with a $12.20 win payout. No Mas Tequila, a 6-year-old daughter of Northern Afleet out of Foxy Boss, ran second for owner James Sills followed by longshot Tudela and last year's Miss Bluebonnet Turf runner-up Tahitian Breeze.

The post I’m A Cowboy, Sunlit Song Among Standouts In Texas Preview Day Stakes At Sam Houston appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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2023 Mating Plans, Presented by Spendthrift: Paul Manganaro

With the breeding season underway, the TDN staff is continuing the '2023 Mating Plans' series, presented by Spendthrift Farm, to find out what stallions breeders have chosen for their mares this year, and why. This week Paul Manganaro talked us through his plans for the year. Manganaro said that he owns most of his mares in partnership with a group of close friends.

DREAM YOUR DREAMS (m, 10, Tapit – Takesmybreathaway, by Gone West) to be bred to Into Mischief

I have a long history with this mare's family. I owned her dam with my father. She's an elegant, two-turn type of filly who didn't show much on the racetrack, but has a genetic pool that is second to none. Her female line goes back to the great Numbered Account (Buckpasser) and she is a half-sister to Grade I winner Frost Giant (Giant's Causeway).

I was looking to put a little more speed and substance into her and thought that using the old Bull Hancock theory — breed the best to the best and hope for the best – really pertained to this mating.

SMUGNESS (m, 4, Gun Runner – Claire's Song, by Unbridled's Song) to be bred to Street Sense

Smugness is another one that I am very familiar with her family. She's from the family of GISW Hard Not To Love (Hard Spun) and champion Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro). We purchased her third dam Hard Knocker (Raja Baba) as a yearling. We raced her and produced several foals out of her, including Smugness's second dam Chimichurri (Elusive Quality).

This mare will be going to Street Sense. My good friend of 40 years John Williams taught me a lot about the importance of good conformation. Now that I'm doing a lot more racing, I realize that you have to have a sound structure to have a chance, so I place a lot of emphasis on that aspect. This is a wonderful physical match combined with the fact that this is her first foal and I always like to use a proven stallion with a young mare.

Roadrunner's Honor is in foal to Maxfield and will visit Justify this year | courtesy Paul Manganaro

ROADRUNNER'S HONOR (m, 6, Honor Code – Wild Idle, by Seeking the Gold) to be bred to Justify

This Grade III-placed mare is from a strong female family. Her second dam is 1996 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies champion Storm Song (Summer Squall). She has a Munnings yearling filly and is in foal to Maxfield for this year.

This year she will go to Justify. This mating breeds type-to-type on physical and I believe that Justify is one of the future stars of the stallion shed. With a $100,000 stud fee this year, I'm hoping that by the time she drops her foal, he is worth substantially more than that.

ON MY WAY (m, 17, Giant's Causeway – It's Our Time, by Seeking the Gold) to be bred to Jackie's Warrior

This mare comes from a deep Manganaro family. My family purchased her second dam Leo's Lucky Lady (Seattle Slew) as a yearling, raced her and bred everything out of her. We kept a few of her daughters including It's Our Time, the dam of On My Way.

We sold On My Way as a yearling and then I bought her back two years ago. She was in foal to Vino Rosso at the time and she was already the dam of GSW King Zachary (Curlin). We sold the Vino Rosso colt for more than we bought the mare for and now she has a Quality Road yearling and is in foal to Twirling Candy.

We chose Jackie's Warrior for her this year. This is another mating that matches up really well physically. I gave it a five-out-of-five rating. This family tends to need some speed and if Jackie's Warrior can't provide speed, I don't know who can.

ENCHANTED JASMINE (m, 9, War Chant — Sharaiji Blossom, by Saint Ballado) to be bred to Olympiad

We purchased this mare at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton February Sale as a maiden mare. She's a half to Grade II winner Dothraki Queen (Pure Prize) and under the second dam, her pedigree includes a champion in Hong Kong and a champion grass mare in Canada.

We are going to breed her to Olympiad. I bought a share in Olympiad. With his physical presence, durability and consistency, I think he'll be a really good match for this mare.

JANE MAST (m, 4, Distorted Humor – Coming Attraction, by Tapit) to be bred to Bolt d'Oro

Jane Mast had a world of talent. She ran twice, including a very impressive maiden win at Saratoga. Unfortunately an injury forced her to retire early. She's from a superb Phipps family. Her third dam is My Flag (Easy Goer).

We're excited to have the opportunity to breed her to Bolt d'Oro. It's a good match on pedigree and physical. With the start he got off to in his freshman year, we're hoping that he can provide her that early development and class.

RED ROSES TOO (m, 4, Nyquist – Wishful Splendor, by Smart Strike) to be bred to Not This Time

We purchased this mare's second dam Kaylem Ho (Salem) at the end of her career. We bred her to Smart Strike, which produced this mare's dam Wishful Splendor, who was a stakes winner herself and produced Grade II winner Juanita (Mineshaft).

Red Roses Too is currently in foal to Maclean's Music and for this year we are going to go with Not This Time. It's a really good physical match. There's a lot of soundness and consistency in this female family. Wishful Splendor had 14 foals to race and 12 winners, including several stakes winners. Kaylehm Ho had 15 winners from as many to race. We're breeding their soundness and consistency with the quality and class that Not This Time can provide.

SO HONEST (m, 8, To Honor and Serve — French Park, Ecton Park) to be bred to Nashville

So Honest comes from the family of MGISW Palace (City Zip). She's one of our better-looking mares and is the winner of over $64,000. We've had a little bit of bad luck with her. She came up empty in her first year, then she had a City of Light that is now two, and then she was empty the next year. This year she is in foal to Nyquist and will be going back to first-year sire Nashville.

I didn't really plan on considering Nashville for her, but when I was at WinStar and they pulled him out of the stall, I knew I had to make it happen. If he can reproduce himself physically, he will be very popular in the commercial market. I don't think you can train speed into a horse. You have to provide it through the genetic pool and this horse should do that for her.

Interested in sharing your own mating plans? Email garyking@thetdn.com.

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