There is a new rock star emerging at Gulfstream Park this year who has everyone buzzing about his size, demeanor, and stature. And he is not a Thoroughbred! Master is a solid, 16.3 hands, draft cross, blue roan gelding owned by 1/ST Racing Chief Operating Officer Aidan Butler. FanDuel TV reporter/analyst (and assistant trainer) Andie Biancone’s laughter is infectious as she describes the first time she saw Master on the track.
Month: April 2023
Clan Des Obeaux: Two-time King George VI Chase winner has been retired
Two-time King George VI Chase winner Clan Des Obeaux is retired because of a minor injury.
Pletcher Trio Emerge From Wood Memorial Efforts In Good Order, Gazelle Runner-Up Gambling Girl Moves Up On Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard
Todd Pletcher's Belmont-based assistant Byron Hughes reported that the trainer's Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) aspirants exited their Saturday stakes efforts at Aqueduct Racetrack in good shape.
In the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, Pletcher was represented by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable-owned maidens Dreamlike [third] and Crupi [ninth] as well as Whisper Hill Farm's Classic Catch [fifth]. Pletcher also ran the duo of multiple graded stakes-placed Gambling Girl [2nd] and Frosty O Toole [6th] in the Grade 3 Gazelle.
“Everybody came back in good shape this morning. They were bright and alert this morning and were jogging up sound,” Hughes said.
In rounding out the trifecta under jockey Jose Ortiz, Dreamlike earned 30 points towards the Kentucky Derby, putting him at No. 30 on the leaderboard. Classic Catch earned the minimum allotment of 10 points.
Dreamlike, by Gun Runner, entered the Wood Memorial off a pair of runner-up efforts against maiden company at Gulfstream Park.
“It was big. He was still green,” Hughes commented. “Jose said he was still waiting on horses there down the stretch, so hopefully he'll put it all together and really take it to the next level. I think the blinkers helped, but he's still a little green so hopefully one day he'll figure it out.”
Gambling Girl, owned by Repole Stable, is currently 11th on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard with 61 total points, which would provide her with a spot in the 14-horse maximum event. She earned 40 points from her runner-up finish in the Gazelle and earned qualifying points when fourth in the Grade 3 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park as well as with respective second- and third-place finishes in Aqueduct's Busanda and Grade 2 Demoiselle. She is by Dialed In and was bred in the New York by Gallagher's Stud.
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‘He Really Loved Coming Down The Hill’: First Peace Cruises To First Stakes Win In Santa Anita’s John Shear
In his first try down Santa Anita's unique hillside turf course, First Peace found room at the rail turning for home and prevailed by one length over longshot Mas Rapido in the $100,000 John Shear Stakes for 3-year-olds Sunday as owners Rancho Temescal LLC and Red Baron's Barn LLC padded their meet-leading races-won number to 13.
Trained by Mark Glatt and ridden by Mike Smith, First Peace, a Kentucky-bred colt from the first crop of Three Chimneys Farm resident sire Funtastic, a Grade 1 winner on turf, got about 6½ furlongs in 1:11.50 on a course rated as firm.
Third, about five lengths off of speed merchant Helladic at the half-mile pole, Smith bided his time at the dirt crossing behind both Helladic and Nullarbor. When Helladic drifted out just a bit, Smith dove inside and was able to keep Mas Rapido safe in a big effort.
“He was oozing confidence from the time I got on him,” said Smith. “He really loved coming down the hill, so we may have a whole lot of fun with him coming down that hill. I wanted to make sure that I gave him a fair chance to get through and not put him in a spot that was going to be dangerous for both of us. When the horse on the lead came out, it gave us the opportunity, because I was so loaded, when I did ask him, he was in there quick.”
Shortening up out of three consecutive races at one mile on turf, most recently a second place finish in the Eddie Logan Stakes Dec. 30 First Peace was off at 4-1 and paid $10 for the win.
“I've been a big fan of this horse since the day he got into my barn,” said Glatt, who got his second win of the day, moving him into fourth place in the Classic Meet standings on closing day with his 23rd overall win. “Going a mile…He's an aggressive horse and he hasn't learned to quite settle (at that distance) and I think it's hurt him in a couple of his mile races, even though he's run really well in those races.
“I thought that down the hill was going to be right up his alley. Sometimes you never know unless you try it. If they like the layout…but he's a runner. He was able to relax a little and sit behind the speed and Mike did a wonderful job on him and pushed the button when he could and the horse responded.”
A $75,000 purchase by Rob Orr at the 2022 OBS June sale of 2-year-olds and horses of racing age, where Lucan Bloodstock consigned him, First Peace is out the Point of Entry mare Peace Opportunity. Third two starts back in the Cecil B. DeMille Stakes (G3) at Del Mar Dec. 4, First Peace is now 2-2-1 from six career starts. With Sunday's winner's share of $60,000, he increased his earnings to $141,300.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, English-bred Mas Rapido finished well but couldn't go with the winner, finishing 3 ¾ lengths in front of Valiancer.
Ridden by Hector Berrios, Valiancer saved ground at the rail to the top of the lane, angled out and out ran 3-5 favorite Conclude by three quarters of a length for third money.
Fractions on the race were :21.19, :43.20, and 1:05.65.
Live racing will resume with first post time at 1 p.m. (PT) for opening day of Santa Anita's Hollywood Meet on Friday, April 21. Santa Anita will be open for simulcast wagering, with free parking and admission, this Thursday through Sunday.
The post ‘He Really Loved Coming Down The Hill’: First Peace Cruises To First Stakes Win In Santa Anita’s John Shear appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
