The racing world lost one of its highest-profile supporters when award-winning musician Burt Bacharach died on Feb. 8 of this year, but Duvet Day made sure he had one last hit on his resume.
The 4-year-old Starspangledbanner filly overcame traffic to win the listed Astra Stakes on Jan. 21 at Santa Anita Park, highlighting a career that took a brief detour at the 2022 Keeneland April Horses of All Ages Sale.
“That particular filly was the last winner that Burt Bacharach had,” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “It was a big deal for him.”
McCarthy trained horses for Bacharach and his wife Jane for just under a year at the time of the musician's death, and he continues to condition the couple's horses for Jane, who remains active with the stable after Burt's death.
Bacharach had owned racehorses over the span of seven decades, including champion Heartlight No. One and Grade 1 winner Afternoon Deelites and Soul of the Matter
“He was a wonderful man, loved his horses,” McCarthy said. “He was very well-versed on the game.”
Duvet Day was already running for McCarthy and the Bacharachs prior to the 2022 Keeneland April sale, after the filly was purchased privately following a pair of runner-up efforts in her native Ireland. She went into the sale to dissolve the partnership, and when the ticket went to De Burgh Equine for $72,000, the Bacharachs remained part of the filly's ownership group. Elite consigned Duvet Day, as agent.
The time through the ring apparently did Duvet Day some good. She won her next two starts after the Keeneland April sale: first a 1 3/8-mile maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, and then an allowance optional claiming race at Del Mar.
McCarthy said the filly's gameplan changed after the sale, and the decision quickly paid dividends.
“Added furlongs and maturity,” the trainer said. “She'll come back and run next week going a mile and a half in the Santa Barbara (at Santa Anita Park). She's by Starspangledbanner out of a Montjeu mare, so there's plenty of stamina there. She gave me the impression she'd run all day. These races out here in California seem to get lighter and lighter all the time, so it's a good spot for her to be in.”
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Duvet Day finished the season facing graded stakes competition, but she was still seeking her first black type victory at the end of 2022. The Bacharachs also took on a new partner in the horse in Richard Schatz.
That streak was quickly snapped at the start of 2023 in the 1 1/2-mile Astra Stakes on Jan. 21, where Duvet Day overcame a slow start, and getting bottled in on the rail to get free at the right time, swing six wide, and pull away by 1 1/4 lengths. She followed that effort with her first graded black type, when she was third in the G3 Santa Ana Stakes on March 12 at the same track.
Even though McCarthy didn't gain or lose a horse when Duvet Day went through the Keeneland April ring, he still had plenty of incentives to shop at the racing age sales, which he gladly takes when the opportunity is right.
“You get to see what you're getting your hands on, if they're a multiple starter,” the trainer said. “You get an idea of what their ability level is. You see some of those that look they might be good candidates for the 'Ship and Win' program, or maybe they could use a firmer turf course, something like that. You're always looking for angles. Buying some of those horses that come from New York or Kentucky and taking them out to California has served us well.”
The Federal Trade Commission has issued a final rule that extends the effective date for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rule until May 22, 2023.
The FTC previously issued an order on March 27, 2023, approving the Anti-Doping Rule and putting it into effect as of that date.
Today's new FTC rule notes that a recent federal court decision delayed the implementation of the Anti-Doping Rule until May 1, and the FTC rule also notes that further extending the Anti-Doping Rule's effective date to May 22 will ensure that the horseracing industry has sufficient time to prepare for the Anti-Doping Rule to become effective.
The FTC's rule notes that the extension will also avoid the chaos and confusion that could occur if the Anti-Doping Rule became effective on May 1, during the lead up to the “Triple Crown” races scheduled during May.
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which recognized the Authority, includes a requirement that its rules (and any future modifications to those rules) must be submitted for approval to the FTC. The Act requires that the FTC approve submitted rules if it finds that they are “consistent with” the Act and the FTC's procedural rules governing the submission process.
The Commission vote to approve the final rule was 3-0.
The Kentucky Derby (and the Kentucky Oaks) is right around the corner, which means it's time for detailed looks at the horses that could fill the starting gate with Andrew Champagne of Catena Media and The Saratogian's Pink Sheet.
Check back with the Paulick Report regularly for updated rankings that include news, notes, and opinions on the 3-year-olds that figure to take center stage.
Most weeks, the Derby Bubble focuses on, well, the Kentucky Derby. However, this week, we'll look at the fillies and the 2023 Kentucky Oaks.
A field of 14 3-year-old females will line up on the first Friday in May. With just a week until that day, let's dive into the prospective field!
Kentucky-bred contenders will be highlighted in red, and will receive additional analysis into their breeders, broodmares, and auction histories. Pedigree notes are written by Joe Nevills.
#1: Wet Paint
Blame filly Wet Paint, ridden by Flavien Prat, captures the G3) Fantasy
Pedigree: Blame – Sky Painter (by Street Cry)
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: Godolphin (KY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 170
We'll start in the most logical place, with the filly that's emerged as the probable Kentucky Oaks favorite. Wet Paint comes into the Oaks on a streak of three straight stakes wins at Oaklawn Park. Most recently, she rallied from last to first to win the G3 Fantasy. She's coming into form at the right time for a barn that wins races as well as any on the circuit, and that's impossible to ignore.
Wet Paint was homebred in Kentucky by Godolphin, out of the Grade 3-placed Street Cry mare Sky Painter, who is herself a Godolphin homebred. The operation of Sheikh Mohammed Al-Maktoum entered into the family through second dam Skylighter, a Grade 2 winner who joined the broodmare band during Godolphin's acquisition of Stonerside Stable and its equine assets.
#2: And Tell Me Nolies
Santa Anita Oaks (G1) second And Tell Me Nolies and Ramon Vazquez following their win in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) last September
Pedigree: Arrogate – Be Fair (by Exchange Rate)
Owner: Peter Redekop
Trainer: Peter Miller
Breeder: Lara Run LLC (KY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 70
It's weird putting a horse second when she hasn't won her last three starts. However, And Tell Me Nolies has been chasing the undefeated Faiza, who is ineligible for Kentucky Oaks points and would be no worse than this race's second choice. This filly, meanwhile, won a pair of graded stakes races as a 2-year-old. Toss out her clunker in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, and assume Faiza doesn't exist (which, for the sake of the Kentucky Oaks, she doesn't), and her resume looks much, much better.
And Tell Me Nolies was bred in Kentucky by Lara Run LLC, out of the Grade 3-winning Exchange Rate mare Be Fair. She sold as a short yearling for $70,000 at the 2021 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, then she brought $230,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Lara Run acquired Be Fair, pregnant to Practical Joke, for $50,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
#3: Pretty Mischievous
Pretty Mischievous, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, wins the G2 Rachel Alexandra
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Pretty City Dancer (by Tapit)
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Breeder: Godolphin (KY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 103
Pretty Mischievous has never run a bad race. In six career starts, she's notched four wins and hasn't been worse than third. Two of those victories came in stakes races, and she may have moved just a bit too soon in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks. Furthermore, she's 2-for-3 at Churchill Downs, so you know she can handle this surface.
Pretty Mischievous is a Kentucky homebred for Godolphin, out of the Grade 1-winning Tapit mare Pretty City Dancer. Godolphin acquired the dam, pregnant to Medaglia d'Oro for $3.5 million at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
#4: Southlawn
3/25/2023 – Southlawn with Reylu Gutierrez aboaard wins the 56th running of the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography/ Jamie Newell
Pedigree: Pioneerof the Nile – Mo d'Amour (by Uncle Mo)
Owner: Robert Masterson
Trainer: Norm Casse
Breeder: WinStar Farm (KY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 100
The question is, which Southlawn do you think shows up on the first Friday in May? If it's the Southlawn that's won two straight at Fair Grounds, including a handy score in the Fair Grounds Oaks, she's got a big shot. However, it's worth noting she's 0-for-2 over the main track at Churchill Downs, and she wasn't better than fifth either time. Perhaps she's matured since her 2-year-old campaign, though, and if she has, she's a threat.
Southlawn was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, out of the Grade 2-placed Uncle Mo mare Mo d'Amour. Masterson bought Southlawn for $290,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
#5: Defining Purpose
Defining Purpose (Cross Traffic) wins the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on 4.7.23. Brian Hernandez up, Kenny McPeek trainer, Magdalena Racing owner.
Defining Purpose pulled off a 20-1 upset in the G1 Ashland, but perhaps that shouldn't have been such a surprise from a pari-mutuel standpoint. She'd misfired in the G3 Honeybee, but previously ran third in the Martha Washington behind Wet Paint after winning a minor stakes race. She may still have some ground to make up on the division leader, but it sure seems like she's moving the right way.
Defining Purpose was bred in Kentucky by Colette Marie VanMatre, out of the multiple stakes-winning Strong Hope mare Defining Hope, who was herself a homebred for VanMatre.
#6: The Alys Look
Cox Fillies Much the Best as The Alys Look Triumphs over Chop Chop in the Silverbulletday
Pedigree: Connect – Foul Play (by Harlan's Holiday)
Owner: Ike and Dawn Thrash
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: G. Watts Humphrey Jr. (KY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 54
If you throw out the October 2022 clunker where she had a nightmare trip, The Alys Look really hasn't done much wrong. She came onto the scene with a win in January's Silverbulletday, and she punched her ticket to the Kentucky Oaks with a third-place finish in the Fair Grounds Oaks. Cox has won this race twice, and between this one, Wet Paint, and another runner we'll talk about pretty soon, he's got every chance to walk away with a third bed of lilies.
The Alys Look was bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey Jr., out of the winning Harlan's Holiday mare Foul Play, who is herself a product of Humphrey's breeding program. This bloodline entered the Humphrey program through third dam Cyber Cat, who he acquired from his aunt, breeder Pamela Firman.
#7: Affirmative Lady
Arrogate filly Affirmative Lady, with Luis Saez in the irons, wins the G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks
Pedigree: Arrogate – Stiffed (by Stephen Got Even)
Owner: AMO Racing USA
Trainer: Graham Motion
Breeder: Alastar Thoroughbred Co, LLC (KY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 110
Affirmative Lady sits second on the Oaks leaderboard after a mild 8-1 upset in the G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks. She was winless as a 2-year-old but danced some big dances, including when she ran second in the G2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct. She may need to improve again in order to contend with the divisional heavyweights, but given her distance-heavy pedigree, it's safe to assume the nine-furlong trip will be right in her wheelhouse.
Affirmative Lady was bred in Kentucky by Alastar Thoroughbred Co., out of the Grade 3-placed stakes-winning Stephen Got Even mare Stiffed. She was a $210,000 purchase at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. The breeder acquired Stiffed for $320,000, pregnant to Pioneerof the Nile, at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale.
#8: Botanical
Chris Landeros pilots Botanical, a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro, to victory in the Bourbonette Oaks
Pedigree: Medaglia d'Oro – Daisy (by Blame)
Owner: LNJ Foxwoods and Clearsky Farms
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: Clearsky Farms & Godolphin (KY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 70
When she was shipped to Turfway Park late last year, Botanical blossomed (yep, sometimes a writer just has to take the low-hanging fruit). She won a pair of stakes races in March, and one of those efforts was an easy wire-to-wire score in the Bourbonette Oaks. Of course, the big question is whether or not she can replicate that type of form on conventional dirt.
Botanical was bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farms and Godolphin, out of the Grade 3-winning Blame mare Daisy. Botanical brought $220,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale.
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Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) wins the Darley Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland on 10.07.22. Tyler Gaffalione up, Mark Casse Trainer. DJ Stables owner.
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Wonder Gal (by Tiz Wonderful)
Owner: D.J. Stable
Trainer: Mark Casse
Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm, LLC & Clearsky Farms (KY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 48
What do we do with last year's champion 2-year-old filly? Wonder Wheel won two Grade 1 races last year and was second in another. This season, she just hasn't been the same horse. Her loss in the Suncoast was surprising. Her clunker in the Ashland was shocking. If Casse can orchestrate a return to her 2-year-old form, Wonder Wheel could have every chance…but as a handicapper, just how forgiving do you want to be?
Wonder Wheel was bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm and Clearsky Farms, out of the Grade 1-placed stakes-winning Tiz Wonderful mare Wonder Gal. D.J. Stable purchased Wonder Wheel for $275,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale.
#10: Promiseher America
American Pharoah filly Promiseher America and Jorge Vargas Jr. capture the G3 Gazelle
Pedigree: American Pharoah – Promisedyouheaven (by Unbridled's Song)
Owner: Hoffman Thoroughbreds and Tom McCrocklin
Trainer: Ray Handal
Breeder: Robert Low & Lawana Low (KY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 100
The G3 Gazelle wasn't seen as one of the premier Oaks preps of the season, but Promiseher America shook up the standings with a 26-1 upset. She raced just once as a 2-year-old and was eligible for a first-level allowance at the time of her Gazelle shocker, but rather than be conservative, the Handal barn took a shot, and it paid off. It's likely, however, that she'll need another significant step forward next week.
Promiseher America was bred in Kentucky by Robert and Lawana Low, out of the winning Unbridled's Song mare Promisedyouheaven. The filly brought $75,000 at the 2022 OBS Spring Sale. The Lows bought Promisedyouheaven with Promiseher America in-utero for $370,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
#11: Dorth Vader
Girvin filly Dorth Vader and Miguel Vasquez annex the G2 Davona Dale
Pedigree: Girvin – Hardcore Candy (by Yonaguska)
Owner: John Ropes
Trainer: Michael Yates
Breeder: John Ropes (FL)
Kentucky Oaks points: 70
Dorth Vader blew up the tote board by winning the G2 Davona Dale at odds of 46-1 back in March. She followed that up, though, with a distant fourth behind Affirmative Lady in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. A look at her form tells a story: She's won three stakes races going one turn, but is unproven at two-turn routes.
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#12: Gambling Girl
Gambling Girl
Pedigree: Dialed In – Tulipmania (by Empire Maker)
Owner: Repole Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Breeder: Gallagher's Stud (NY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 61
One of the more battle-tested horses on the Oaks trail, Gambling Girl has already raced nine times. She's won just twice, but her record includes four placings in Kentucky Oaks preps, including a second behind Promiseher America in the Gazelle. Pletcher's Hall of Fame career includes four wins in this race, most recently with Malathaat in 2021.
#13: Flying Connection
Nyquist filly Flying Connection, ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr., wins the G3 Sunland Park Oaks
Flying Connection wintered in New Mexico and has developed into a horse with ample early speed. That was a weapon in the Sunland Park Oaks, where she went wire-to-wire and locked up a third career stakes win. The waters are much, much deeper here, but at a minimum, one has to think she's a pace factor.
Flying Connection was bred in Kentucky by Liberty Road Stables, out of the Grade 1-placed stakes-winning Quiet American mare Free Flying Soul. The ownership group bought Flying Connection for $250,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. Free Flying Soul was purchased by Marsha Naify of Liberty Road Stables for $125,000 at the 2007 Barretts May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
#14: Mimi Kakushi
Mimi Kakushi wins the UAE Oaks
Pedigree: City of Light – Rite Moment (by Vicar)
Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Trainer: Salem Bin Ghadayer
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY)
Kentucky Oaks points: 50
We'll finish off this list with the shipper from Dubai. Mimi Kakushi has won three in a row, including the G3 UAE Oaks. She hasn't run since that February effort, though, and while the winner of the Kentucky Derby prep at Meydan is getting plenty of steam, it wouldn't be a shock if this one was one of the longer shots on the board in the Derby's sister race.
Mimi Kakushi was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds, out of the multiple Grade 2-winning Vicar mare Rite Moment. The filly sold as a yearling for $180,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton July Sale, then she brought $250,000 the following year at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Woodford Thoroughbreds bought Rite Moment, pregnant to Smart Strike, for $400,000 at the 2010 Keeneland November sale.
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday with racing from Aqueduct Racetrack and stakes action from Oaklawn Park.
The Cross Country Pick 5 requires bettors to pick the winner of five select races from tracks across the country. The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country with each week featuring a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, boasting a low 15 percent takeout, offers sequences with races from Aqueduct Racetrack and partner tracks across the country.
The sequence begins at 4 p.m. Eastern in Race 6 at Aqueduct, a six-furlong starter allowance for 3-year-olds and upward on the outer turf. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse will send up My Sea Cottage from Gulfstream Park amid a solid run of form. The Irish-bred son of Shalaa has finished first or third in each of his last four outings, and cuts back in distance after finishing a pacesetting third in a March 17 one-mile starter allowance where he was caught late and defeated three-quarters of a length.
The Ollie Figgins, III-trained Bustinupishardtodo, who has won his last two starts when sprinting on the dirt, makes his turf debut in his first start without a tag, while three-time winner Air Show tries turf for the first time since July on the heels of a pacesetting fourth-place finish in a March 26 claimer here for conditioner Rudy Rodriguez.
The second leg will feature the return of Grade 1-winner Zandon in Race 8 [5:06 p.m.], a one-turn mile optional claimer for older horses. Trained by Chad Brown, Zandon won last year's Blue Grass at Keeneland ahead of additional Grade 1 placings in the Kentucky Derby [third], Travers [third], and Pennsylvania Derby [second]. The son of Upstart has not raced since an even fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap presented by NYRA Bets on December 3.
Trainer Linda Rice will send out Lastchanceatglory as he vies for his 10th career win, returning to Rice's barn for the first time since a second-place finish on January 15 from which he was claimed by Domenick Schettino. He won next out on February 25 and was claimed back by Rice for $40,000. Graded stakes-placed High Connection, who makes his East Coast debut for Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, and the Michelle Nevin-trained Uncle Moonlight, a half-brother to multiple graded stakes-winner By the Moon, provide interest from posts 3 and 1, respectively.
The action switches to Oaklawn for the final three legs, beginning with the middle leg in Race 8 [5:18 p.m.], a six-furlong allowance for older horses. Tape to Tape has been a model of consistency since transferring to the barn of Larry Rivelli in October, including a four-race win streak from November to February that was snapped when defeated two lengths in his last outing on March 30 at Hawthorne. He faces a formidable opponent in Favorite Outlaw, who has finished a game second in both his outings since moving to the barn of Chris Hartman this year. Other challengers include Under the Gun, a last-out winner for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, and the Karl Broberg-trained Coltons Dream, who steps up from a runner-up finish in a starter allowance on March 26 at Oaklawn.
The penultimate leg will see a field of seven face off at one-mile in Race 9 [5:56 p.m.], the $150,000 Dig A Diamond for older fillies and mares. The Robertino Diodoro-trained Lovely Ride enters off two consecutive appearances in graded events, including a hard-fought second-place finish in the Grade 3 Bayakoa on February 4 behind next-out Grade 1 Beholder Mile-winner A Mo Reay. The Candy Ride mare has won four career stakes races, including Oaklawn's Pippin in January.
Lovely Ride will face a talented group that includes graded stakes-winner Butterbean, who makes her second start off an eight-month respite for trainer Ken McPeek, as well as Tap Dance Fever, who makes her first outing for conditioner Bret Calhoun after a dominant 4 1/2-length handicap victory last out in March at Tampa Bay Downs.
The sequence concludes in Race 10 [6:36 p.m.] from the Hot Springs oval with the $150,000 Bachelor for sophomores sprinting six furlongs. Graded stakes-winner Mo Strike makes his first start off a seven-month respite for conditioner Brad Cox. The son of Uncle Mo was last seen finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Hopeful in September at Saratoga Race Course to close out a juvenile campaign that saw him capture the Spa's Grade 3 Sanford.
The stakes-placed Ryvit enters from two consecutive victories for Steve Asmussen, while the Bret Calhoun-trained Release McCraken will vie to notch his fourth victory in a row after posting a three-length score in the Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby last out on March 25 at Sam Houston.
America's Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Aqueduct spring meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.
NYRA Bets is the best way to bet every race of the Aqueduct Racetrack spring meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.
