Month: September 2023

Cotillion: ‘Rock-Solid’ Pretty Mischievous Gets First Look At Parx Oval

Godolphin's Pretty Mischievous made the trip south from Saratoga Race Course to Parx Racing Wednesday and got her first look at the racetrack where she'll contest the Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion Stakes on a perfect late September morning Thursday in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Accompanied to the track by trainer Brendan Walsh on his pony, Pretty Mischievous and exercise rider Roger Horgan galloped once around the 1-mile oval shortly after the track opened for training at 6 a.m.

“She handled it all very well, just one turn of the track,” Walsh said as Pretty Mischievous peered over her stall screen as Gilmore, who the trainer will run in Saturday's co-featured betPARX Pennsylvania Derby, walked the shedrow. “It wasn't a particularly hard trip for them, coming down yesterday.”

Pretty Mischievous, the 2-1 favorite on Parx Director of Racing and Racing Secretary David Osojnak's morning line, comes into the Cotillion on a three-race win streak in Grade 1 stakes. She won the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs and Acorn at Belmont Park this spring, and the Test at Saratoga Race Course after the breakdown of Maple Leaf Mel in the final strides.

The homebred daughter of Into Mischief could take a significant step toward the 3-year-old filly championship with a Cotillion victory. She's won four of five with a second this season, after a 2-year-old campaign where she won three of four with a third.

Walsh marveled at the filly's consistent career that started with a maiden win Sept. 18, 2022 at Churchill Downs through the Aug. 5 Test.

“I was looking at her record the other day and it's unbelievable,” Walsh said. “It's a testament to her. Look, you have to have the ammunition, but it is a testament to her. I haven't had too many of them that have been able to keep it that consistent for that long. Generally, you hit some bump, or they'll back up, something. She's won seven of nine and the couple times she got beat she was second or third. It will be nice if we can pull it off again Saturday.”

Tyler Gaffalione, aboard Pretty Mischievous in her last three starts, takes the call again Saturday from post three in the field of nine entered in the 1 1/16-mile Cotillion.

Walsh left Pretty Mischievous and Gilmore in Saratoga to finish preparations for their Parx engagements and heads into Saturday feeling confident.

“She's doing great,” Walsh said. “I was up there for a few days for her last couple of works. I just didn't want to bring her all the way down (to Kentucky) and back up again for the race. She was doing so well up there. It made sense to leave her.

“I've been very, very happy both times with what I've seen coming back there. She's doing as good as maybe she's done at any point in the year, which is remarkable considering she's had a busy year but it doesn't surprise me. She's just rock-solid.”

The post Cotillion: ‘Rock-Solid’ Pretty Mischievous Gets First Look At Parx Oval appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Foley Tops Tatts Ireland Part Two With “Beautiful” Soldier’s Call Filly

It was a day for the die-hards at Part Two of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale where a filly by first-season sire Soldier's Call (GB) led the way at €45,000 to Joe Foley.

But the story of the sale was the strength of the Italian buyers, with Cristiana Brivio, who operates under the banner of Razza Latina, and Valfredo Valiani, two of the leading purchasers on the day. 

Foley, who also stands Soldier's Call at Ballyhane Stud, was repeating the trick from last year after topping this sale 12 months ago. 

“I am delighted to have found her, she has a great pedigree-her second dam [Ameerat] won the 1,000 Guineas and there is loads of page here,” said Foley.

He added, “She is a stunningly-beautiful filly, too, and looks a real classy type. She will run in the Clipper Logistics colours.”

Breeder David Laverty enjoyed a fine payday having purchased the filly's dam Ebbraam for just 1,000gns.

“I bought the mare via a Tattersalls Online Sale through Covid,” said the breeder who hails from County Armagh and keeps 10 to 12 mares. “From day one this filly has always been in proportion and is a great walker.

“The team at Ballyknock has done a great job with her prep. My father has been breeding horses for a lifetime and we have had the highs and very lows, it is nice to get a result for all of us.”

The session concluded with a turnover of €1,546,100 and a robust clearance rate of 81 per cent.A vibrant international atmosphere was maintained over both parts of the September Yearling Sale – yearlings have been purchased by representatives from 13 different countries, with over 80 shipping to Italy, the most popular overseas destination for new acquisitions. Horses are also travelling to the Far East with Thailand appearing on the buyers' sheet for the first time.

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins commented, “The demand witnessed over the last two days has carried through into today's session, resulting in lively trade and a clearance rate comparable to last year given the increased catalogue. The plethora of both international and domestic buyers throughout the week has significantly contributed to these results. We hugely appreciate the support of our loyal vendors who have recognised that Part Two of the sale has established itself as a viable option for selling commercial yearlings.”

He added, “We now turn our attention to preparing the catalogue for the Sapphire Sale with entries closing for foals, yearlings and broodmares on Friday, 20th October and the sale taking place on Friday, 16th November.”

All yearlings catalogued for the September Yearling Sale and Sapphire Sale are eligible for the €250,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes 2024.

The post Foley Tops Tatts Ireland Part Two With “Beautiful” Soldier’s Call Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Saudi Crown Ran ‘Two Serious Numbers’ In Preparation For Pennsylvania Derby

Brad Cox watched Saudi Crown finish second by the slimmest of margins in the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes July 1 at Belmont Park – he still cringes at bit thinking about the replay – and started thinking about September in Philadelphia.

“I love how he's doing,” Cox said Thursday morning from Kentucky, two days before Saudi Crown runs in the Grade 1, $1 million betPARX Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing just outside Philly. “We've been pointing for this ever since he ran second at Belmont.”

The 7-2 second choice on the morning line set by Parx Director of Racing and Racing Secretary David Osojnak, Saudi Crown looks to improve off his second in the Dwyer and second in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy last time out at Saratoga Race Course. Cox considered another path to get to the nine-furlong Pennsylvania Derby, one direct through Parx, but took a different route.

“We didn't know how we were going to get there,” Cox said. “We thought we were going to take the Smarty Jones path, then back to the Pennsylvania Derby, but the way the Jim Dandy came up, we thought we'd take a run there and he ran well. Ran a winning race. Then came out of it in good order.”

Saudi Crown made all the pace in the Dwyer and Jim Dandy before losing both by a nose. The most recent came after a rough stretch run in the Jim Dandy, where Saudi Crown wasn't affected, as Forte got up in the final jump on a sloppy track.

Cox didn't seriously consider running Saudi Crown, a $240,000 purchase at last year's OBS April sale for FMQ Stables, back in four weeks in Saratoga's Travers. He preferred the eight-week gap between the Jim Dandy and Pennsylvania Derby.

“I'm hopeful he'll move forward now with some time between races,” Cox said. “Running back in four weeks would have been asking a lot of him. He ran huge (in the Jim Dandy), a great race.”

Saudi Crown earned triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in his last two starts – a 106 in the Dwyer and 105 in the Jim Dandy. The son of Always Dreaming holds that edge over his 10 rivals in the Pennsylvania Derby, with only 10-1 longshot Gilmore earning a triple-digit figure when he recorded a 104 when third in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens at Belmont.

“Those are two serious numbers, and all of his numbers have been serious,” Cox said. “He's a good horse. A very good horse.”

The post Saudi Crown Ran ‘Two Serious Numbers’ In Preparation For Pennsylvania Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Making Waves: A Masterful 56 For Dubawi

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Master Of The Seas in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile at Woodbine on Saturday.

 

Dubawi Gelding Masters Woodbine Mile Foes

The Classic-placed Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) won his first race at the Grade I level for breeder Godolphin and Charlie Appleby in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile on Saturday (video).

Already a five-time group winner who was second in the 2021 edition of the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the 5-year-old was last seen taking the G2 Summer Mile S. at Ascot. One of four stakes winners for his listed-winning and G1 French 1000 Guineas second dam, Firth Of Lorne (Ire) (Danehill), Master Of The Seas is a half-brother to the dam of top-level winners Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

The 56th Grade/Group 1 winner worldwide for his Darley sire, Master Of The Seas is one of 37 winners from 76 runners (48%) in the U.S. Dubawi has accumulated 20 stakes winners (26%) in North America, including 10 Grade I winners.

 

 

Jockey Club Oaks Goes To Teofilo Filly

Godolphin homebred Eternal Hope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) secured her first victory at the graded level with a win in the GIII Fasig-Tipton Jockey Club Oaks Invitational S. for trainer Charlie Appleby on Saturday (video).

Already a listed winner and second in the G2 Prix Alex Head during her 2023 European campaign, the chestnut is the second foal and first winner for the winning Dubawi (Ire) mare Voice Of Truth (Ire), herself a half-sister to triple Group 1 winner and Classic-placed sire Rio De La Plata (Rahy). Eternal Hope is a half-sister to Blue Point (Ire) juvenile filly Word's Out (Ire), a yearling full-sister who is lot 168 as part of the Baroda Stud draft at the Goffs Orby Sale, and an Australia (GB) half-brother born this year. Voice Of Truth was picked up for €35,000 out of the Godolphin consignment by Gary Mullins carrying her Teofilo yearling at Goffs November in 2021.

Darley's Teofilo is responsible for 17 winners from 27 runners (63%) in North America. His four stakes winners (15%) are anchored by GI Saratoga Derby victor Nations Pride, and Eternal Hope is his third graded winner in that locale.

 

 

Sea Venture A Success

Lael Stables' Ready To Venture (GB) (Kingman {GB}) claimed a career high in the GIII Seaway S. at Woodbine on Sunday (video). Trained by Mike Stidham, the 5-year-old was making her first start in graded company.

A homebred for Roy and Gretchen Jackson who raced GI Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro (Dynaformer) and bred George Washington (Ire) (Danehill), the two-time U.S. stakes winner is the first foal out of the G3 Pinnacle S. third Wonderstruck (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). A half-sister to the aforementioned Classic winner George Washington and to three-time Group 1 winner Grandera (Ire) (Grand Lodge), her latest is a weanling filly by Too Darn Hot (GB).

Juddmonte's Kingman is responsible for 30 winners from 55 runners in the U.S. (54.5%). Eight of that cohort (14.5%) are stakes winners, with three-time Grade I winner Domestic Spending (GB) his best.

 

 

Sweet Like Sugar

Gregory Hoffman, R.T Racing Stable and Clay Scherer's Ever So Sweet (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) followed up a runner-up performance at Saratoga into a Belmont at the Big A victory on Saturday (video).

The Brad Cox trainee was bred by G. H. S. Bloodstock and J. C. Bloodstock, and brought €150,000 from Scherer as a Goffs Orby yearling in 2022. Ever So Sweet is one of three foals for her dam, the Exceed And Excel (Aus) mare Shine (GB), who is a full-sister to the listed winner and black-type producer Shamandar (Fr) and a half-sister to the listed winner and G3 Prix la Rochette second Hung Parliament (Fr) (Numerous). Third dam Blushing Heiress (Blushing John) won both the GII Wilshire H. and GIII Palomar H.

The progeny of Coolmore stallion Calyx are thriving as autumn arrives, and all three of his U.S. runners have now won, including the stakes-placed Angiolleta (Ire). Internationally, the G2 Coventry S. hero has 14 winners anchored by G2 Duchess of Cambridge heroine Persian Dreamer.

 

 

Too Darn Hot Filly Shines At The Meadowlands

It's Hot In Here (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who runs in the silks of Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, LLC, Michael Kisber and William Rucker, won at Monmouth Park at the Meadowlands late last week for trainer Chad Brown (video). She is the first runner and winner in North America for her Darley sire.

Part of the Ballylinch Stud breeding programme, she was making her second start after running third to future GI Natalma S. fourth Ozara (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) at Saratoga in August. The €110,000 Arqana August yearling selection of Mandore International Agency, the bay is the sixth foal and fifth winner produced by Listed Flaming Page S. second and GIII My Charmer H. third Janicellaine (Ire) (Beat Hollow {GB}). The dam has a yearling filly by Lope De Vega (Ire), who is consigned as lot 428 by Ballylinch to the Goffs Orby Sale next week and a weanling filly by Make Believe (GB). Janicellaine is also a half-sister to the star-crossed GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Chriselliam (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) among others.

Worldwide, Too Darn Hot has sired 15 winners. G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G3 Sweet Solera S. victress Fallen Angel (GB), G2 May Hill S. and G3 Prestige S. winner Darnation (Ire) and Carolina Reaper (GB), who claimed the G3 Zukunfts Rennen, are his trio of stakes winners so far.

 

 

Kodiac Filly Game Beneath The Twin Spires

Stonestreet Stables' Salt Spray (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) made her second start a winning one at Churchill Downs for trainer Wesley Ward on Thursday (video).

Bred by Denis Brosnan's Epona Bloodstock, Ltd., the 285,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling, who was picked up by Ben McElroy for Barbara Banke's operation, is out of Taste The Salt (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), who is a half-sister to G2 Norfolk S. winner Baitha Alga (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}). Taste The Salt has the juvenile filly Lady Of War (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), a yearling colt by Mehmas (Ire) who will be offered by Croom House Stud as lot 132 at the Goffs Orby Sale later this month, and a full-sister to the winner born this year, yet to come.

Tally-Ho's Kodiac has sired 38 winners from 76 (50%) to race in the U.S. Seven (9%) of them have won stakes, led by GII City of Hope Mile S. hero True Valour (Ire), and Grade III winners Campanelle (Ire), Island Of Love (Ire), and Spirit Of Xian (Ire). Dual Group 1 winner Campanelle, too, raced in the marigold-with-a-burgundy-vee Stonestreet silks.

 

The post Making Waves: A Masterful 56 For Dubawi appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights