Glorious Goodwood: Al Husn lands Nassau Stakes, Desert Hero wins for the King
Al Husn lands the Nassau Stakes while Desert Hero wins for the King and Queen on day three of Glorious Goodwood.
Month: August 2023
Two-Year-Old Spotlight Presented By Stonestreet Bred & Raised: Big-Time Families At Ellis Park
Summer means an increased focus on 2-year-olds, most notably at some of the country's most prominent meets.
Each week, we'll look at a race of interest to those looking for horse racing's next rising stars.
The Paulick Report 2-Year-Old Spotlight, presented by Stonestreet Bred & Raised, is hosted this week by Emily White, who takes a look at Sunday's fourth race at Ellis Park, a six-furlong maiden special weight on the main track, featuring a salty field of 12.
It may not be Saratoga or Del Mar, but as White notes, the pedigrees in this field are just as noteworthy as any you'd find at the two premiere summer tracks.
Watch this week's 2-Year-Old Spotlight video below:
The post Two-Year-Old Spotlight Presented By Stonestreet Bred & Raised: Big-Time Families At Ellis Park appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
NYRA To Host Whitney Two-Day Pick 6 Wager, Cross-Breed Cross Country Pick 5
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will host the Whitney 2-Day Pick 6, a special two-day all-stakes wager, kicking off with the Grade 2, $500,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame on Friday's card and concluding with five races on Saturday's lucrative Whitney Day card at Saratoga Race Course.
The Whitney 2-Day Pick 6, featuring a $0.20 minimum and low 15 percent takeout, includes a mandatory payout.
The Whitney 2-Day Pick 6 sequence will kick off in Race 8 on Friday at 5:08 p.m. Eastern with the Grade 2, National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, a one-mile inner turf test for sophomores featuring a trio of contenders for trainer Chad Brown in Appraise, Mischievous Angel and Carl Spackler.
The sequence concludes with five races on Saturday's Whitney Day program, beginning in Race 6 at 3:17 p.m. with super mare Caravel, the reigning Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner, headlining the Grade 3, $300,000 Troy for 4-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the Mellon turf.
The sequence continues in Race 7 [3:51 p.m.] with the restricted $135,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles over turf ahead of the first Grade 1 in the sequence in Race 8 [4:26 p.m.] as Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks-winner Pretty Mischievous takes on undefeated Maple Leaf Mel in the seven-furlong $500,000 Test for sophomore fillies.
A talented field of nine line up in the penultimate leg [Race 9, 5:01 p.m.] in the Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational for 3-year-olds going 1 3/16 miles over the Mellon turf as Grade 1-winning filly Aspen Grove will battle the boys, including recent Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational-winner Far Bridge.
The wager concludes with the 96th running of the nine-furlong Grade 1, $1 million Whitney [Race 10, 5:42 p.m.] as Cody's Wish puts his six-race win streak on the line while attempting his first win beyond one mile.
Whitney 2-Day Pick 6 – August 4-5
Leg A: Saratoga Race Course – Friday, Race 8, G2 NMRHOF (5:08 p.m. Eastern)
Leg B: Saratoga Race Course – Saturday, Race 6, G3 Troy (3:17 p.m.)
Leg C: Saratoga Race Course – Saturday, Race 7, Lure (3:51 p.m.)
Leg D: Saratoga Race Course – Saturday, Race 8, G1 Test (4:26 p.m.)
Leg E: Saratoga Race Course – Saturday, Race 9, G1 Saratoga Derby (5:01 p.m.)
Leg F: Saratoga Race Course – Saturday, Race 10, G1 Whitney (5:42 p.m.)
NYRA will also host a special cross breed Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday, featuring Grade 1 thoroughbred action from Whitney Day at Saratoga Race Course and standardbred racing from the Hambletonian card at Meadowlands Racetrack.
Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/
Please note, current New York State regulations allow NYRA to accept wagering only on standardbred races that take place in New York. As such, this cross breed Cross Country Pick 5 will not be available on-track at any NYRA facility or to NYRA Bets customers located in New York State. The cross breed Cross Country Pick 5 is available to NYRA Bets customers outside of New York State.
Saturday's Cross Country Pick 5 kicks off at the Meadowlands in Race 10 at 3:31 p.m. Eastern with the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks as Walner Payton squares off with Railee Something in the trotting Classic for sophomore fillies.
The action switches to Saratoga for the Grade 1, $500,000 Test in Race before returning to the Meadowlands for the $1 million Hambletonian [Race 12, 4:38 p.m.] as Celebrity Bambino heads a competitive group of 3-year-old trotters that includes Oh Well, Winner's Bet and Point of Perfect.
The sequence concludes at the Spa with the Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational [Race 9, 5:01 p.m.] and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney [Race 10, 5:42 p.m.]
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 Saratoga Race Course and partner tracks across the country.
Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence will be available for download at https://www.nyra.com/
Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, August 5
Leg A: Meadowlands – Race 10, Hambletonian Oaks (3:31 p.m. Eastern)
Leg B: Saratoga Race Course – Race 8, G1 Test (4:26 p.m.)
Leg C: Meadowlands – Race 12, Hambletonian (4:38 p.m.)
Leg D: Saratoga Race Course – Race 9, G1 Saratoga Derby (5:01 p.m.)
Leg E: Saratoga Race Course – Race 10, G1 Whitney (5:42 p.m.)
The FOX Sports family of networks will present expansive coverage and analysis of Whitney Day beginning with Saratoga Live on FS2 at 12:30 p.m. Coverage then picks up on FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY which will air from 3-6:00 p.m. on FOX. Saratoga Live will complete the live coverage of Whitney Day on FS2 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/
NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.
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Dubawi’s Al Husn Upsets Nashwa And Blue Rose Cen In The Nassau
Shadwell's Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Hadaatha {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) caused an upset when usurping Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the dying strides of Newcastle's G3 Hoppings S. when last seen and repeated the dose with a game performance for a career high in a stellar renewal of Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood.
This year's G2 Dahlia S. runner-up and Listed Rothesay S. victrix was let go at generous odds of 9-1 and broke smartly from the outside stall to find a smooth rhythm in a close-up second for the most part. Shaken up to gain a narrow advantage from the pacesetting Above The Curve (American Pharoah) passing the quarter-mile marker, she refused to yield thereafter and was driven out inside the final furlong to withstand the rallying effort of that rival by a half-length. Last year's winner Nashwa posed an ominous threat on the outside throughout the final quarter-mile, but was unable to find the necessary kick when it mattered most and was the same margin further adrift in third. Christopher Head trainee and dual Classic heroine Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) fell foul to Goodwood's notorious traffic problems and was unable to produce her usual flourish along the far-side rail, finishing a neck away in fourth.
“Al Husn is a remarkable filly and she has won seven of her last eight now,” said Roger Varian after his charge joined the who's-who of elite-level distaffers and became his breakthrough in the 183-year-old contest. “The truth is none of us really knew how good she was, because she is one of those who just beats what is in front of her and is never particularly flashy. She has such an admirable attitude. We thought we would come here and run very well, but I am obviously delighted, and delighted Sheihka Hissa is here. To have a Group 1 for her and with a homebred filly like this, it's fantastic. The Nassau is a fantastic race, steeped in prestige and history. It is one of the magical races for fillies to win. It will be forever in her stud book and hopefully when she's done racing, she can go to the farm and be a great mare for them. It is very special for us, we went very close a couple of years ago in the same colours with Zeyaadah, so it's nice to go one better today. She is not the biggest filly, but she is very well made. We trained her mum, Hadaatha, who was third in the [G1] Prix de l'Opera, so we always had faith that Hadaatha would breed a very good one.”
Looking ahead to Group 1 options down the line, Varian added, “Let's enjoy today and see how she is tomorrow. She is in the [G1] Prix Jean Romanet [at Deauville] in two-and-a-half weeks' and the [G1] Yorkshire Oaks, if we fancy going up to a mile and a half, although I'm not sure about that. Later in the year, races like the [G1] Prix de l'Opera I'm sure will be considered and who knows, perhaps something at Santa Anita for her.”
Crowley Back Where He Belongs
Rider Jim Crowley's fortunes took an upward turn and his winning percentage was a small measure of compensation to offset an excessive sanction imposed earlier in the week for his ride aboard Hukum in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot. “Al Husn was so tough there,” he said. “She is not a big filly, but she is a little terrier who tries and is so tough. She has improved with every run and it's just great to nick a race like that with her. She is a very good filly and we were in the right place at the right time. It is the nature of the track and, when I saw the French filly get that [inside] draw, I thought they were going to need a bit of luck. I had to commit on her a long way out and we had the luck today. It was a steady, tactical affair and she was in the right place, but she still had to kick on two out and fend them off, which she did. It was a great performance, Roger's done a fantastic job with her and she's just kept on improving all season. Coming here today, she still had to step up, and she did. She might possibly get further, but we have never really thought about it. It is something we can talk about.”
No Repeat For Nashwa
Nashwa's rider Hollie Doyle felt the tactical nature of the contest contributed to defeat of the reigning champion, as did a fast-emptying tank in the conditions, and explained, “There was no pace early on and they got racing early coming down the hill. Nashwa relaxed beautifully, I tried to hold on to her for as long as I could and I went there with a double handful at the two-furlong pole. One-and-a-half furlongs out I went to win my race, pushed the button and she quickened. I just think, in the final furlong, I lacked a bit of stamina. It has happened a few times now and it confirmed what we might have thought. Take nothing away from the winner, who is very good.”
Thady Gosden was in agreement with Doyle's musings and said, “She has run a very good race, but they went a slow pace and it's very difficult to pick up in this ground. She travelled into the race well, but you can't quicken on ground like this and that has sucked the class out of her. She won last time over a mile and showed a brilliant turn-of-foot in ground that was not as soft and easier to quicken through. Today she has run a very good race, but couldn't quite show that brilliance we have seen before.”
Head Positive Despite Blue Rose Cen Reversal
Fourth-place finisher Blue Rose Cen was experiencing defeat for just the second time in her nine latest starts and Christophe Head uplifted spirits with a positive attitude in the aftermath. “She ran a nice race, she did her race, and for sure would have been closer in a different position,” he said of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane heroine. “It was a very tactical race so, of course, it was a possibility that kind of thing could happen. It's different here, so we need to accept that, even with a strong possibility of winning, there is still a possibility to fail. I think Blue Rose Cen ran a very nice race and she will now get into the rest of her programme. We will have to discuss with Leopoldo to see what the team want to do with her. This was a nice opportunity because we need to exist at this level. It hasn't been won by France since the beginning, so it was a challenge.”
Pedigree Notes
Al Husn is the fourth of seven foals and one of two scorers produced by stakes-winning G1 Prix de l'Opera third Hadaatha (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), herself a daughter of stakes-winning G1 1000 Guineas third Hathrah (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}). Hathrah is one of seven black-type performers out of the multiple stakes-placed Zivania (Ire) (Shernazar {Ire}), headed by MG1SP sire Ivan Luis (Fr) (Lycius) and G3 UAE 2000 Guineas-winning sire Stagelight (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). The April-foaled homebred bay is kin to a yearling filly by Siyouni (Fr) and a weanling filly by No Nay Never.
AL HUSN WINS THE NASSAU!
More Group 1 success as the progressive and remarkably tough homebred filly upholds previous form in style at Glorious Goodwood
@varianstable | @JimCrowley1978 | @hissa_hamdan pic.twitter.com/B5xyxFZ8Uf
— Shadwell Stud (@ShadwellStud) August 3, 2023
Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR NASSAU S.-G1, £600,000, Goodwood, 8-3, 3yo/up, f/m, 9f 197yT, 2:13.37, sf.
1–AL HUSN (IRE), 135, f, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Hadaatha (Ire) (SW-Eng & G1SP-Fr, $109,194), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hathrah (Ire), by Linamix (Fr)
3rd Dam: Zivania (Ire), by Shernazar (Ire)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Roger Varian; J-Jim Crowley. £340,260. Lifetime Record: 10-7-1-0, $603,021. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Above The Curve, 135, f, 4, American Pharoah–Fabulous (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith & Westerberg; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Joseph O'Brien. £129,000.
3–Nashwa (GB), 135, f, 4, Frankel (GB)–Princess Loulou (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). O-Imad Al Sagar; B-Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £64,560.
Margins: HF, HF, NK. Odds: 9.00, 7.00, 2.75.
Also Ran: Blue Rose Cen (Ire), Caernarfon (GB), Never Ending Story (Ire).
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