Month: April 2023

Gulfstream’s Royal Palm Meet Begins Thursday; G2 Princess Rooney Moved To Sept. 30

Following last weekend's thrilling conclusion to the 2022-2023 Championship Meet, courtesy of Forte's late-rallying triumph in the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa, live Thoroughbred racing at Gulfstream Park will resume Thursday on the first day of the Royal Palm Meet.

The Royal Palm Meet will get underway with live racing conducted Thursday through Sunday with a first-race post time set for 12:40 p.m.

The Royal Palm Meet will offer horsemen and fans an extensive and innovative stakes schedule that will include 42 stakes worth $3.945 million through Dec. 2.

The $100,000 Royal Palm Juvenile and the $100,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies will be contested on May 13 with an international flair. The winners of each of the five-furlong turf stakes will earn an automatic berth into one of six stakes for 2-year-olds at Royal Ascot in June, as well as a $25,000 equine travel stipend, in addition to the winner's share of the purse.

The $200,000 Princess Rooney (G2), which has been customarily featured on the Summit of Speed program in early July, has been repositioned on the schedule for the upcoming meet. The seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares, a traditional 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), will be renewed on Sept. 30.

The schedule for the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-olds sired by nominated stallions standing in Florida has also been adjusted to allow more spacing between races. The FFS series will kick off Sept. 9 with the $100,000 Desert Vixen for fillies and $100,000 Dr. Fager at six furlongs. The $200,000 Susan's Girl for fillies and the $200,000 Affirmed at seven furlongs will be contested Oct. 21, while the $300,000 My Dear Girl for fillies and $300,000 In Reality at 1 1/16 miles will be run Dec. 2.

The $100,000 Smile Sprint (G3), a six-furlong dash, will be run July 1, supported by the $75,000 Bob Umphrey Sprint, a five-furlong turf sprint.

Full-scale simulcasting will complement the live thoroughbred racing program with Silks open seven days a week. Gulfstream patrons will be able to watch and wager on the full cards of the upcoming Triple Crown events, the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1), for which Forte rates as the early-favorite, the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) and the June 10 Belmont Stakes (G1). Daily simulcasting of the Saratoga season will also be offered, in addition to racing signals throughout the country.

On Thursday's opening day program, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher will be represented by Greatitude, the 3-1 morning-line favorite in a well-balanced field of seven in Race 7, a seven-furlong optional claiming allowance for fillies and mares. The 4-year-old daughter of Dialed In hasn't raced since finishing off the board in the Forward Gal (G3) in February 2022. In her debut at Aqueduct, she set the pace and held gamely to finish third, just a neck behind eventual Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Kathleen O. She came back to graduate at Gulfstream by 2 ¾ lengths to earn a start in the Forward Gal. Carlos David-trained Peachy Weachy, who has finished first or second in 10 of 16 career starts, holds a considerable experience edge over the Pletcher trainee.

Ailsa Morrison, a very promising 7-pound apprentice who has been idled since October, returns to action aboard Matthew Williams-trained Extra Indy in Race 2.

The wagering menu for the Royal Palm meet mirrors that of the Championship Meet, featuring the 20-cent Rainbow 6 (last six races), 50-cent Early Pick 5 (first five races), and 50-cent Late Pick 5 (last five races). Multiple Pick 4, Bet 3, and Super Hi-5 wagers, as well as Daily Double, Trifecta, Superfecta, win, place and show, are also on the menu.

The post Gulfstream’s Royal Palm Meet Begins Thursday; G2 Princess Rooney Moved To Sept. 30 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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From Modest Beginnings, Angel Of Empire Taking Albaugh Family Stables Back To Kentucky Derby

Angel of Empire sold for $70,000 as a yearling and made his first career start at Horseshoe Indianapolis. But that modest resume works for Jason Loutsch, who owns Angel of Empire with father-in-law Dennis Albaugh (Iowa-based Albaugh Family Stables).

“A lot of our horses, we like to start at Ellis Park or Indiana,” Loutsch said. “We don't really care about where we break our maiden. We're not flashy like that. Our goal is to make the Kentucky Derby. If we break it at Prairie Meadows, (Horseshoe Indianapolis), Keeneland, Ellis Park, we don't care.”

After winning his career debut at one mile Aug. 9 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, Angel of Empire is headed to the Kentucky Derby after steadily climbing the 3-year-old ranks the last five months, punctuated by a sparkling 4 ¼ length victory in the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) Saturday at Oaklawn.

Angel of Empire ($11.40) marked the second consecutive Arkansas Derby victory for trainer Brad Cox and the first for jockey Flavien Prat and Albaugh Family Stables. Albaugh has had three Kentucky Derby starters – Brody's Cause (seventh in 2016), J Boys Echo (15th in 2017) and Free Drop Billy (16th in 2008) – and campaigned several other promising young prospects in recent years, notably 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Not This Time and Grade 3 winner Dennis' Moment.

Angel of Empire received a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 94, a career-high, for his victory in the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby. Angel of Empire had previously won an entry-level allowance race at 1 mile Nov. 14 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, finished second in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at 1 mile Jan. 1 at Oaklawn and won the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds. The Smarty Jones, Oaklawn's first Kentucky Derby points race, is Angel of Empire's only loss in five career starts around two turns.

“Brad has done a tremendous job in developing this horse,” Loutsch, a Des Moines, Iowa, homebuilder, said outside Oaklawn's Mainline Sports Bar about an hour after Angel of Empire's Arkansas Derby victory. “He ran really good at Indiana. Gave him a shot at the Smarty Jones and he ran great. Galloped out huge and we thought, 'Wow! We might have something.' We know he wants a mile and an eighth. After today, I know he wants a mile and a quarter. I think he can get the distance. We couldn't be more excited.”

Albaugh Family Stables bred Not This Time, who was retired shortly after his runner-up to Classic Empire in the 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) because of a leg injury, and purchased J Boys Echo ($485,00), Dennis' Moment ($400,000) Brody's Cause ($350,000), Free Drop Billy ($200,000) at high-end yearling sales. Angel of Empire has already earned $1,069,375 after bringing just $70,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Loutsch said he selected Angel of Empire, a son of champion and 2017 Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire.

“Pennsylvania-bred, $70,000,” Loutsch said. “We've spent a lot of money in books 1 and 2. And to buy a horse in book 5, Pennsylvania-bred, and going to the Kentucky Derby as probably one of the top five favorites is a great story. I just liked the pedigree. I'm so happy for Classic Empire. It's a funny story. We owned Not This Time and Classic Empire beat us (by a neck) in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and now he's paying us back.”

Angel of Empire is one of three horses Albaugh Family Stables could have in the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby May 6 at Churchill Downs. It also co-owns Jace's Road and Cyclone Mischief (each with 45 qualifying points) to rank 14th and 15th, respectively, on the latest Kentucky Derby leaderboard released by Churchill Downs. Angel of Empire (154) is No. 2. The Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters, with starting preference given to the 18 horses with the highest point totals collected in designated races like the Arkansas Derby. Invitations are also extended to the top point earners on the Europe and Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Angel of Empire arrived early Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs to begin preparations for the Kentucky Derby.

“Dream come true,” Loutsch said.

Angel of Empire and Jace's Road, who ran fifth in the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Jan. 28 at Oaklawn, are among three horses Albaugh Family Stables has with Cox, Loutsch said. Albaugh Family Stables also employs Dale Romans (trainer of Cyclone Mischief) and Kelly Von Hemel, who races primarily at Oaklawn and Prairie Meadows in Iowa.

Von Hemel trained multiple stakes winner Miss Macy Sue, the dam of Not This Time, for Dennis Albaugh. Miss Macy's Sue's 11 career victories included the $50,000 Carousel for female sprinters in 2007 at Oaklawn.

The post From Modest Beginnings, Angel Of Empire Taking Albaugh Family Stables Back To Kentucky Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Tylicki Dreaming Of Classic Glory For Fleetfoot Alongside Mentor Bolger

Freddy Tylicki, part-owner of the Jim Bolger-trained Fleetfoot (Ire), who advertised his Classic credentials with a gritty success at Leopardstown on Wednesday, has spoken glowingly about the Teofilo (Ire) colt's claims of major honours this season. 

Fleetfoot was placed on all three of his starts at two, bumping into some smart colts each time, including subsequent G1 National S. hero Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). 

But the Shadwell-bred colt made no mistake on his seasonal return, battling best to land the 1m maiden as a 7-4 favourite despite racing on unsuitable ground. 

That performance marked Fleetfoot down as a bright prospect, according to his part-owner Tylicki, who recalled how he has seen the potential in the horse ever since he was catalogued as part of the Shadwell dispersal at Goffs last year. 

Tylicki said, “I took notice of this horse once the catalogue was published for the Goffs February Sale last year. Two weeks beforehand, we had the February Sale at Tattersalls, where I saw two of his siblings. One of those was Mashaaer (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), who placed in the G1 Pretty Polly S. for Henry Spiller, and the other was a weanling by Blue Point (Ire).

“When I saw this fella in the flesh I was very impressed by him and, to cut a long story short, went off to Goffs to try and buy him. Unfortunately, I was completely blown out of the water but was ever so delighted to see that Mr Bolger bought him because the rest is history.” 

Fleetfoot was knocked down to Boherguy Stud, which is managed by Bolger's granddaughter Clare Manning, for €135,000. Having started his career at Bolger's Coolcullen Stables, Tylicki had forged a long and fruitful relationship with the legendary trainer, something the former jockey turned bloodstock agent says is enhancing his experience with Fleetfoot. 

He explained, “Life can be so good at times and so bad as well, but I obviously started with Mr Bolger and spent over three-and-a-half years there. It was a very tough school but it made a man out of me and got me on the right road in life. I knew exactly what I wanted in racing and in life when I left Mr Bolger's. We all know what happened to me in my career but I am now very focussed on the bloodstock side of things and, when I saw this horse, I absolutely fell in love with him, and so did Mr Bolger. It's such a pleasure to be a small part of the team that looked after me so well once upon a time and got me on the right road in life. I don't know how to describe my feelings, I am just overwhelmed with emotions and it's a great feeling. I won't forget this day in a hurry, that's for sure.”

Tylicki added, “Fleetfoot probably wasn't in love with the ground but he went on it and that is the main thing because he showed his versatility on the ground as well as the trip because there is no doubt that he will stay further in time. He just has that willing attitude that most of those good Teofilos have. Look, if there's one man to train a Teofilo, Mr Bolger is the man.”

Fleetfoot will now be aimed towards the Classics but just where the strapping colt lines out next is a different conversation for a different day according to Tylicki.

“He is entered in the Irish Guineas and Irish Derby and I think he is in the French 2,000 Guineas as well but, at this moment in time, all I am going to do is enjoy this evening! I am not sure where we will go but I am looking forward to the discussions once we know he came out of the race okay. The world is his oyster.”

The post Tylicki Dreaming Of Classic Glory For Fleetfoot Alongside Mentor Bolger appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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