Month: June 2023

Quarter Horse Trainer Ebert Munoz Found With Needles, Syringes, ‘Russian Tablets’; Summarily Suspended In New Mexico

The New Mexico Racing Commission has issued a summary suspension of trainer Ebert Munoz, ranked among the top 100 Quarter Horse trainers in the United States by earnings in 2022.

At Ruidoso Downs on June 18, 2023, Munoz was found to be in possession of hypodermic needles, syringes, and “an unlabeled box of Russian tablets,” according to the ruling posted on the Association of Racing Commissioners International website.

Munoz is scheduled to be present at a summary suspension hearing on June 24, 2023, at the offices of the board of stewards at Ruidoso Downs.

The trainer has held a license since 2012, but saw his career statistics jump dramatically in 2022 with 10 winners, 12 seconds, and four third-place finishers from 58 starters for career-best earnings of $340,952.

The majority of those earnings were courtesy of No Mires A La Luna, winner of the Grade 1 Namehimastreaker New Mexico Classic Championship Stakes on Oct. 30, 2022. No Mires A La Luna was a multiple Grade 1-placed runner as a 2-year-old, including finishing third in the G1 All American when conditioned by Kenneth “Trey” Ellis. Ellis is currently under suspension through March of 2024 over four positives at Louisiana Downs for zilpaterol, a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in cattle heading to slaughter in order to increase body fat and muscle.

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Tasleet’s TDN Rising Star Bradsell Wins The King’s Stand

Bouncing back to the form which saw him win last year's G2 Coventry S., Victorious Racing's TDN Rising Star Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}–Russian Punch {GB}, by Archipenko) survived an inquiry to capture the G1 King's Stand S. to reward Archie Watson's supplementary entry. Always travelling strongly for Hollie Doyle tracking the 7-4 favourite Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) throughout, the 14-1 shot mastered that mare inside the final furlong en route to a length verdict. There was significant interference for the stewards to analyse, as the winner drifted across the runner-up in the closing stages, but the 3-year-old's authority at the line ultimately proved decisive. The 50-1 shot Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) was 1 3/4 lengths away in third. The King's Stand is a “Win And You're In' GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint qualifying race.

“Well done to Archie for supplementing him and stepping him back in trip, which he's really relished today,” Doyle said. “All credit to Mick Murphy, who rides him every day because he's really turned a corner in the last few weeks. You can tell. The way he travelled into it was unbelievable and he quickened up nicely.”

Having beaten Persian Force (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never) in a star-studded Coventry, Bradsell's career went briefly South as he injured himself when fourth in the G1 Phoenix S. at The Curragh and he many have needed his comeback when third in the G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial S. here in April. Beaten 9 1/4 lengths by the Phoenix hero Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) when third again in Haydock's G2 Sandy Lane S., this was his first try at five and the early signs showed why connections had come to that decision.

Whereas Jason Hart was moving on the eventual runner-up two out, Hollie still sat motionless as they pulled away from the rest up the centre with the speed dying out on both wings. Soon in command, Bradsell drifted left to intimidate Highfield Princess and while there was definite interference, the officials saw enough to let Archie Watson's colt keep the race and banish memories of his heartbreaking loss of the 2021 G1 Commonwealth Cup with Dragon Symbol (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) in the stewards' room.

“When Dragon Symbol had the race taken away, it was terrible and I know we're seen as a big yard, but to be winning a Group 1 here is the best thing on the planet,” the trainer said. “There was dread when that bing-bong happened, especially having just been chinned in the Coventry, but it's amazing and I'm so pleased for everyone involved. This horse was like a bull in a china shop over the winter and Michael Murphy had to put up with a lot. He had to trot for months and Michael does a fantastic job with him, day in, day out.”

“We just felt this year he was showing a lot more speed in his races and not getting home over six,” Watson added. “I thought we'd get a proper tow into the race today and I didn't want to sound arrogant, but nothing could take us off the bridle until deep into the race and it was kind of what we really felt with him. I thought he showed up best of the horses in the Commonwealth Trial and got a bit tired late, but I knew it couldn't have been tiredness in the Sandy Lane so it was an easy decision to pull back to five. I imagine the Nunthorpe will be the plan.”

John Quinn is considering coming back on Saturday for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S. “Jason thought she was getting going again and he's certainly got a case,” he said. “The only thing that's holding us back is–and I don't make excuses, whatever the result is, well done to whoever–when you can run her and run her, she's better. If she ran well today, Saturday was always right in mind. We are leaving her down tonight and I'll go and have a look at her–if she's okay, she will run.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Bradsell's Listed Radley S.-winning dam Russian Punch, whose 2-year-old colt Tribal Rhythm (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) was a £150,000 purchase by Manor House Farm at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale. From the extended family of the G1 Phoenix S. runner-up Run To Jenny (Ire) (Runnett {GB}), her 2022 foal by Twilight Son (GB) unfortunately died.

Tuesday, Royal Ascot, Britain
KING'S STAND S.-G1, £627,500, Ascot, 6-20, 3yo/up, 5fT, 1:00.91, gd.
1–BRADSELL (GB), 127, c, 3, by Tasleet (GB)
1st Dam: Russian Punch (GB) (SW-Eng), by Archipenko
2nd Dam: Punch Drunk (GB), by Beat Hollow (GB)
3rd Dam: Bebe De Cham (GB), by Tragic Role
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. TDN Rising Star. (12,000gns Ylg '21 TATSOM; £47,000 2yo '22 GOFTY). O-Victorious Racing; B-Mrs D O'Brien (GB); T-Archie Watson; J-Hollie Doyle. £355,855. Lifetime Record: 6-3-0-2, $612,660. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Highfield Princess (Fr), 130, m, 6, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Pure Illusion (Ire), by Danehill. (29,000gns RNA Ylg '18 TATDEY). O/B-Trainers House Enterprises Ltd (FR); T-John Quinn. £134,913.
3–Annaf (Ire), 133, c, 4, Muhaarar (GB)–Shimah, by Storm Cat. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (16,000gns 2yo '21 TATAHI). O-Fosnic Racing; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Michael Appleby. £67,519.
Margins: 1, 1 3/4, HF. Odds: 14.00, 1.75, 50.00.
Also Ran: Twilight Calls (GB), Equilateral (GB), Desert Cop (GB), Marshman (GB), Mitbaahy (Ire), Existent (GB), Raasel (GB), Coolangatta (Aus), Vadream (GB), Mooneista (Ire), Happy Romance (Ire), Dramatised (Ire), Twilight Gleaming (Ire), Cannonball (Aus). Scratched: Chipstead (GB), Manaccan (GB).

 

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Win And You’re In: Triple Time Posts 33-1 Shocker In Royal Ascot’s Queen Anne Stakes

Triple Time made a sensational debut at G1 level by causing a 33/1 shock in Royal Ascot's opening day Queen Anne Stakes for Kevin Ryan and Neil Callan. Making his first start of the campaign after being forced to miss the Lockinge Stakes, Triple Time was always to the fore in a steadily-run contest.

The Frankel colt led with two furlongs remaining and was soon challenged by Inspiral under Frankie Dettori. Inspiral looked the more likely winner entering the final furlong but her effort flattened out close home, with Triple Time running on gamely to prevail by a neck.

Light Infantry (14/1) finished two and a half lengths back in third, just ahead of 7/4 favorite Modern Games, who could never land a blow.

It was a third Royal Ascot winner for Triple Time's dam Reem Three, following 2018 Britannia winner Ostilio and 2019 Wokingham victor Cape Byron, also for owner-breeder Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.

The victory earned Triple Time an expenses-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Mile this fall at Santa Anita Park, courtesy of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

Ryan said: “Triple Time was in great shape coming into the race. We've always had great faith in the horse; Sheikh Mohammed Obaid has been very patient. Unfortunately, he got a bit of stomach cramp just before the Lockinge and we had to take him out, and he's only had one ordinary run; that was in France in October on deep ground. Now hopefully we will have a full season with him, and he's got his Group One, which is great.

“I am delighted for all my team, and my family. Umar, who looks after him, has done a magnificent job, and Sheikh Mohammed Obaid has been a big, big supporter of ours. He's so patient, and I'm delighted to have a big one for him, especially here.

“Triple Time is up there with the best I've had – he's very good. He's not a keen horse but he's got a massive stride, and he's not the type of horse you can break that stride. He's very tough. We knew we had him as good as we could get him without a run and it's paid off.

Reflecting on his late withdrawal at Newbury, Ryan said: “He was alright within half an hour at Newbury – the vets didn't take any chances and took him to the hospital. In case it was proper colic the vet had to give him a sedative straightaway, which was absolutely the right thing to do. Horses give you grey hairs sometimes!

“We've still got some very important horses to run, but it's lovely to get it on the first day and we can enjoy the rest of the week. It shows the wellbeing of the horses, as well, which is always a good sign.”

Callan said: “I am speechless for once and a bit emotional as well. The one thing Kevin has always said is that this is the best horse he has ever trained. That's quite a big call to make, because he's had a lot of good horses, but he believed in this horse. And Umar, who rides him every day, said to me going out of the chute, just ride him like his dad [Frankel].

“He wasn't really keen today, he's just a bit sensitive in his mouth. He was throwing his head up a bit. The more rein I was giving him, the more he was racing on his own because I didn't anticipate them going like that, so I just stayed on my own and let him relax. Once he relaxed into his rhythm, we went over and joined them for a bit of company. When I got to the two-and-a-half, I let him roll and I really thought it was going to have to be a good one to get past him, because he was fighting to the line for me.

“I am obviously very happy. I wear my heart on my sleeve. It's just me, the way I am. But look at this [gesturing to the crowd] – it's just amazing. When I came back from riding in Hong Kong, I didn't really know what to expect. I rode very competitively there, as I did here before I left. But you are not guaranteed anything in this game and you have to work for what you get. I was lucky that when I came back Kevin Ryan gave me some support.”

John Gosden said of Inspiral: “She switched off and did everything right. She just hit the front and the other one came back, but they are two very nice ones and there's a lot of nice horses behind them. We would look at races like the Sussex or the Jacques Le Marois that she won in Deauville last year, but she's back on song – that's the main thing.”

When asked if she has a habit of starting slowly, Gosden added: “A little bit, but that's her style – she doesn't want to break on the lead, she's not one of those. But she did everything right, came to win her race, got in front and just got caught on the line. But a very nice run for the first run back this year. She will come on for the race again, it's not often you come to a Group One and say they'll come on for the race. She's back to her best and ran a lovely race, I couldn't be more pleased with her.”

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Cody’s Wish Remains Firmly Atop NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll

The NTRA's Top Thoroughbred Poll remains led by multiple Grade 1 winner Cody's Wish, trained by Bill Mott, after his dominant performance in the Grade 1 Met Mile. Last fall's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner is off to a big start in 2023, as is his Hall of Fame conditioner: Mott-trained Elite Power is second in this week's poll after a win in February's Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) and in Saturday's G2 True North.

Grade 1 Ogden Phipps winner Clairiere remains in third this week after her late-running victory for trainer Steve Asmussen, while the Chad Brown-trained In Italian stays in fourth by remaining undefeated this season with wins in the G1 Jenny Wiley and G1 Just A Game.

Defunded, winner of the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup for trainer Bob Baffert, ranks fifth, while G1 Manhattan and G1 Turf Classic winner Up to the Mark ranks sixth for Todd Pletcher. Brad Cox trainee Caravel bested the boys yet again in the G1 Jaipur and ranks seventh, while G2 Oaklawn Handicap winner Proxy is eighth for Mike Stidham. G2 Alysheba winner Smile Happy ranks ninth for trainer Ken McPeek, while G1 Pegasus World Cup winner Art Collector closes out the rankings in 10th for Bill Mott.

The full Top Thoroughbred Poll is as follows:

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