Calhoun: Derby Distance ‘Could Be A Great Equalizer’ For Last-Minute Entry Mr. Big News

Trainer Bret Calhoun announced late Monday that Mr. Big News, winner of the Oaklawn Stakes at 46-1 back in April, would be entered in the 146th Kentucky Derby. The 3-year-old son of Giant's Causeway hasn't run since finishing sixth in the G2 Blue Grass Stakes on July 11, and Calhoun had even been considering a switch to turf, since Mr. Big News is out of a daughter of Galileo.

“After the Blue Grass, I don't think we got quite the trip we wanted there, and it was a little bit disappointing,” Calhoun said. “So, I thought with his pedigree that maybe we should shift gears and try to make a top turf horse out of him, so we started pointing toward the (Grade 2) American Turf (1 1/16 miles on the grass at Churchill on the Kentucky Derby undercard).

“In the last week or so, we've gotten him over the turf course twice here (at Churchill), and its been very soft. We've had some rain, and its not drying out well. It looks like we're going to have some more rain and moisture throughout the week, so we felt like the turf course was going to be a little too soft for his liking. We started thinking about the Derby again, which had been in the back of our mind for the past month, knowing its probably not going to overfill. We really think he'll relish the mile and a quarter, he's training really well over the dirt here, so we decided to take a swing.

“Besides that, (owner) Chester Thomas has had a bad case of Derby fever the last few days!”

Bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Stable, Mr. Big News was a $95,000 yearling purchase for Thomas' Allied Racing Stable at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall sale. The colt has won two of his seven starts and earned $168,553.

In Saturday's rescheduled Run for the Roses, Mr. Big News drew post position nine and has morning-line odds of 50-1. He'll be ridden by jockey Tyler Gaffalione in the 1 1/4-mile dirt classic.

“The distance is definitely a key factor; you can't run him too far,” Calhoun said. “He's always finishing big, he's always galloping out strong, so I think that could be an equalizer in here. Obviously there's some horses on paper that are more talented, but I think the distance could be a great equalizer.”

Thanks to the National Turfwriters and Broadcasters Association (NTWAB), which has assembled a group of pool reporters providing independent reporting to members unable to be on the Churchill Downs grounds this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

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Siblings of Derby and Oaks Contenders on Offer at September Sales

With the racing and sales calendars turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, buyers at the upcoming Keeneland September Sale and Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase will have a unique opportunity.

Typically, the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks–as well as the rest of the Triple Crown trail for that matter–are long over by the time the major yearling auctions take place. But with those marquee sophomore races pushed back to the first weekend in September, buyers could have a chance to purchase a sibling to this year’s Derby or Oaks winner–or next month’s GI Preakness S. hero–just days after their victory as many of the top contenders have close relatives in either the Fasig or Keeneland catalogues.

 

Siblings of Derby Contenders

  • Mission Impazible Half-Brother to TIZ THE LAW (F-T Hip 73)

Tiz the Law (Constitution) sits at the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard and will be heavily favored to take home the roses on the First Saturday in September. The flashy bay has been flawless this season with a quartet of graded successes, capped by ultra-impressive scores in the June 20 GI Belmont S. and Aug. 8 GI Runhappy Travers S.

Tiz the Law’s yearling half-brother by Mission Impazible–out of GSW Tizfiz (Tiznow)–will be offered early in the Fasig-Tipton sale as part of the 164-hip New York-bred contingent. The gray is consigned by Sequel New York on behalf of breeder Twin Creeks Farm.

 

Honor A. P. captured the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, which was run in June this year, and followed suit with a late-rallying second behind Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile) in the Shared Belief S. Aug. 1. He is number four on the Derby leaderboard.

Immaculately bred by George Krikorian, Honor A. P. is out of MGISW and millionaire Hollywood Story (Wild Rush), who is also the dam of SW Miss Hollywood (Malibu Moon), MGSP Hollywood Star (Malibu Moon) and MSP Hoorayforhollywood (Storm Cat). The bay was an $850,000 purchase out of the Hill ‘n’ Dale consignment a the 2018 renewal of this sale when held at its usual venue in Saratoga in August. John Sikura’s operation will offer Honor A. P.’s yearling half-sister by Curlin near the end of this year’s two-day sale.

 

  • American Pharoah Half-Brother to KING GUILLERMO

(Kee Hip 395)

King Guillermo (Uncle Mo), number five on the Derby leaderboard, blew up the tote when dominating the GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby at odds of 49-1 back in March. The bay was last seen finishing second to the recently retired Nadal (Blame) in his division of the GI Arkansas Derby May 2.

Out of Slow Sand (Dixieland Band), King Guillermo has a yearling half-brother by American Pharoah in the Hunter Valley consignment at KEESEP. Bred by Carhue Investments, Grouseridge LTD and Marengo Investments, the colt was purchased by Ilse Smith Bloodstock for $190,000 at KEENOV.

 

  • Hard Spun Half-Brother to THOUSAND WORDS (Kee Hip 2727) The gritty Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile) made his way to number seven in the Derby standings. Winner of the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. earlier this year, the $1-million KEESEP buy was fourth in the GII San Felipe S. and looked like he might be off the Derby trail after finishing 11th in the Oaklawn S. in April. Rebounding with a second in the GIII Los Alamitos Derby in July, he bested favored GISW Honor A. P. In the Shared Belief S. last time Aug. 1.

Brookdale Sales consigns Thousand Words’ half-brother by Hard Spun at Keeneland. Bred in Florida by Hardacre Farm, the chestnut is out of MGSW Pomeroy’s Pistol (Pomeroy), who was purchased by Mike Ryan for $475,000 in foal to Arrogate at this year’s Keeneland January sale.

 

Dr Post (Quality Road) sits at number eight in the Derby standings after finishing second to Tiz the Law in the Belmont and third to Authentic (Into Mischief) in the GI TVG Haskell Invitational S. July 18.

Breeder Cloyce Clark purchased GSW Mary Delaney (Hennessy) with Dr Post in utero for $25,000 at Keeneland January. Eaton Sales offers her yearling filly from the first crop of Klimt at KEESEP.

 

  • Classic Empire Half-Sister to ATTACHMENT RATE (F-T Hip 99)

The Dale Romans-trained Attachment Rate (Hard Spun) sits at number 15 in the current Derby rankings. Third in the GIII Gotham S. back in March, the $200,000 KEESEP buy was most recently second to Art Collector (Bernardini) in the Runhappy Ellis Park Derby Aug. 9.

Machmer Hall Sales offers a yearling half-sister by Classic Empire during the postponed Fasig-Tipton Sale, typically held in August in Saratoga. Fergus Galvin purchased their dam Aristra (Afleet Alex) for $30,000 at KEENOV with this filly in utero. Unlike her VA-bred half-brother, the chestnut was born in New York and bred by Sequel Stallions NY and Lakland Farm.

 

  • Twirling Candy Half-Sister to NECKER ISLAND (Kee Hip 1410)

Necker Island (Hard Spun) is last, but not least on the leaderboard at number 19. Third in the GIII Indiana Derby July 8, he completed the trifecta in the Runhappy Ellis Park Derby Aug. 8.

His yearling half-sister by Twirling Candy will be up for grabs at Keeneland September. Out of Jenny’s Rocket (Mr. Greeley), the bay was bred by Stonestreet and is consigned by Elm Tree Farm.

 

Mr. Big News was a late addition to the field, announced Monday afternoon. Fifth in the GII Risen Star S. in February, he won the Oaklawn S. in April and was most recently sixth in the Blue Grass.

Don Alberto purchased Mr. Big News’s dam Unappeased (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for $675,000 in foal to Speightstown at the 2013 KEENOV sale. They offer her yearling colt by Carpe Diem as part of the Small Batch Sales consignment at Keeneland.

 

Siblings of Oaks Contenders

  • Danzing Candy Half-Brother to SWISS SKYDIVER (F-T Hip 577)

Topping the list of Oaks contenders is Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), who will likely vie with Gamine (Into Mischief) for race day favoritism. The chestnut filly has been on a tear this year, capturing the GII Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks, GIII Fantasy S. and GII Santa Anita Oaks. She showed guts when finishing a strong second to late Derby defection Art Collector in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. July 11 and completed her Oaks prepations with a win in the prestigious GI Alabama S. at Saratoga Aug. 15.

Checkmate Thoroughbreds will offer this leading lady’s yearling half-brother from the first crop of Danzing Candy, who was bred in California by Var Reeve and Stan Ray. Blue Chip Thoroughbreds purchased their dam Expo Gold (Johannesburg) with this colt in utero for $15,000 at the CTBA Sale in January.

 

  • Speightster Half-Sister to SHEDARESTHEDEVIL (Kee Hip 1182)

Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) has held her own on the Oaks trail this season, landing her at number four on the leaderboard. Winner of the GIII Honeybee S. in March, the bay was third to Swiss Skydiver in the Fantasy and returned to winning ways in a Churchill optional claimer June 5. She captured the GIII Indiana Oaks last time out July 8.

Woodford Thoroughbreds offers Shedaresthedevil’s half-sister by breeder WinStar Farm’s young stallion Speightster at Keeneland. Their dam Starship Warpspeed (Congrats) is also responsible for GSP Mojovation (Quality Road).

 

‘TDN Rising Star’ Donna Veloce (Uncle Mo) is number eight in Oaks points, but will likely be one of the preferred fillies come the First Friday in September. A $450,000 KEESEP purchase turned $800,000 FTFMAR juvenile, the bay has made just one start this year, capturing the GIII Santa Ysabel S. Mar. 8 by 4 1/4 lengths over eventual GI Ashland S. victress Speech (Mr Speaker). She breezed five furlongs in 1:00.80 Friday, a move her trainer Simon Callaghan deemed impressive enough to go to the Oaks off of.

Her dan Coin Broker’s (Ire) (Montjeau) yearling filly by War Front is part of the Paramount Sales consignment during Book 1 of KEESEP. The filly is bred by Orpendale and Chelston.

 

Gamine (Into Mischief) may be number nine in the Oaks standings based on points, but she was granted morning-line favoritism at Monday’s draw. A $220,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, the ‘TDN Rising Star’ topped the EASMAY sale at
$1.8-million and proved worth the price tag, crossing the finish line first in all four of her starts. The bay was nothing short of sensational when dominating both the GI Acorn S. and GI Test S. this summer.

Barbara Banke of Stonestreet Stables purchased Gamine’s dam Peggy Jane (Kafwain) for $200,000 at OBS April and she was stakes-placed for her Grace Stables. Gainesway consigns Peggy Jane’s yearling filly by Ghostzapper, who was bred and raised at Stonestreet.

 

  • Run Away and Hide Half-Brother to HOPEFUL GROWTH

(Kee Hip 3763)

Right behind Gamine at number 10 is Hopeful Growth (Tapiture). Off the board in the GIII Delaware Oaks July 4, she returned to winning ways with a victory in the GIII Monmouth Oaks Aug. 1.

A half-sister to ill-fated GSW Ten City (Run Away and Hide), Hopeful Growth is out of the unraced Maiden America (Rock Hard Ten), whose latest son by Run Away and Hide will be available at KEESEP. Consigned by Darby Dan Farm, the bay colt is bred by Darby Dan principal John Phillips’ Phillips Racing Partnership.

 

Dream Marie (Graydar) is the last of the Oaks top 12. The gray was second in the GIII Delaware Oaks July 4 and was fourth last time in the GIII Monmouth Oaks Aug. 1.

Out of the Curlin mare Lin Marie, Dream Marie has a yearling half-sister by Anchor Down in the Fasig-Tipton Sale. Consigned by Wynnstay Sales, the dark bay filly was bred by Wynnstay in partnership with GWR Consultants.

The post Siblings of Derby and Oaks Contenders on Offer at September Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Grants From The Foundation For The Horse Assist Equines Affected By Hurricane Laura

With the arrival of Hurricane Laura, which battered the East Texas and Louisiana coastlines as the region's strongest storm in over a century, The Foundation for the Horse is asking for financial help for horses that are being impacted due to evacuations or that otherwise may be in harm's way.

To provide immediate aid, The Foundation is donating $5,000 total to two groups it has worked with previously: the Texas A&M University Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) and the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association's Equine Committee.

Veterinarians within these groups are actively helping horses that are being evacuated or which may have to endure the hurricane in place. Texas A&M's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences is currently taking in and sheltering animals, and its VET will be deployed as needed to impacted areas. Similar efforts are underway in Louisiana as well.

The Foundation will work with agencies and veterinary members in Texas and Louisiana to identify the needs of the equine community. Supplies are not being accepted currently because the catastrophic storm is still occurring. Once the Foundation receives an assessment of need and distribution protocols from the agencies and veterinary members in the afflicted areas, The Foundation will work to support them with monetary and other resources as needed.

“The Foundation and the equine veterinary community know the tragic loss of life and incredible destruction and flooding that can and will be caused by Hurricane Laura,” said Foundation Advisory Council Chair Dr. Rick Mitchell. “We are compelled to reach out, together with our members, horse owners and industry leaders, as part of the effort to proactively support the disaster's equine victims.”

To make a gift to The Foundation in support of disaster relief or another area benefiting equine welfare, click here and navigate to the “Donate” button.

Learn more here.

The post Grants From The Foundation For The Horse Assist Equines Affected By Hurricane Laura appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Kentucky Derby Pedigree Corner: Storm The Court, Attachment Rate, And Sole Volante

Each day of Kentucky Derby week, we'll take a look at the pedigrees of some Derby contenders and how those pedigrees might factor into their ability to succeed at 1 1/4 miles.

Storm the Court
Court Vision x My Tejana Storm, by Tejano Run
Court Vision had no trouble getting the distance over dirt or turf. On the main track, he took the G2 Remsen Stakes (1 1/8 miles) and the G3 Iroquois Stakes (1 1/16 miles). After finishing 13th in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, he was moved to the turf, where he finished the year with a win at 10 furlongs in the G1 Hollywood Derby and one at 1 1/8 miles in the G2 Jamaica Handicap. He then became a star turf miler, taking home Grade 1 wins in the Breeders' Cup Mile, Woodbine Mile Stakes, and Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes.

Storm the Court, the winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile and champion 2-year-old male, is one of two graded stakes winners by Court Vision. The other is Mr. Havercamp, who is a Grade 2 winner at 7 furlongs and 1 1/16 miles, as well as a Grade 3 winner at 1 mile, all on the turf. His runners also include Canadian champion King and His Court, who is a stakes winner at 9 furlongs over Woodbine's all-weather main track, and finished third in the third leg of Canada's Triple Crown, the 1 1/2-mile Breeders' Stakes.

Despite having several examples to prove he can sire a distance runner, Court Vision's average progeny winning distance of 6.89 furlongs puts him in the lower half among this year's Derby sires.

My Tejana Storm spent her entire career racing at Philadelphia Park, where she won three times around one turn, once on the turf and twice on dirt.

Save for the Eclipse Award winner, My Tejana Storm's most successful runner is the U S Ranger filly Belleoftheprairie, who earned six figures as a multi-surface runner, excelling at the 5 furlong distance. He's Great, by Greatness, is a five-time winner racing exclusively at Charles Town, where those wins came between 4 1/2 and 7 furlongs. What a Wicked Game, by Tizway, went unplaced in seven starts in New Mexico.

Attachment Rate
Hard Spun x Aristra, by Afleet Alex
Hard Spun finished second in his own Kentucky Derby try in 2007, but he proved himself to be a versatile runner, taking the G1 King's Bishop Stakes at 7 furlongs and the G2 Lane's End Stakes and Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. He also finished second in the Breeders' Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles.

His own foals post an average winning distance of 7.64 furlongs, which is near the top of the list for this year's Derby sires. His most notable runner on the classic stage is Wicked Strong, who won the G1 Wood Memorial Stakes 1 1/8 miles en route to finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

Aristra won one of six starts racing in New Mexico and Pennsylvania, graduating in a Penn National maiden claimer in her final start, going 1 mile 70 yards on the main track. She was claimed for $5,000 that day.

Attachment Rate is her lone six-figure earner, having run second in the Ellis Park Derby (1 1/8 miles) and Unbridled Stakes (1 1/16 miles), and third in the G3 Gotham Stakes (1 mile). Aristra's next-best runner is Talk Less, a son of Blame who is a three-time winner in Ohio, all at distances at or near a mile. Arkadag, by Union Rags, is a two-time claiming winner at Laurel Park at 7 furlongs and 1 1/16 miles, both on the dirt. Rounding out the group is Base Jumper, a son of Arch who won twice at Finger Lakes, both at 1 mile 70 yards.

How did a nickel claimer get into the books of such high-end stallions? Aristra is a half-sister to four graded stakes producers, including the dams of champion Caledonia Road, Grade 1 winners Hymn Book and Data Link, and Grade 3 winner Strike The Bell.

Sole Volante
Karakontie x Light Blow, by Kingmambo

Karakontie, a Japanese-born homebred for the Niarchos family's Flaxman Holdings Ltd., spent most of his career racing in Europe. At two, he took the French G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère and Prix La Rochette, both at 7 furlongs. He came back at three to win the French 2000 Guineas at 1 mile, and he finished that season with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Sole Volante is a member of Karakontie's first crop of runners. However, the sire's average progeny winning distance of 7.34 furlongs is an excellent number for a rookie stallion at this point in the season.

Beyond Sole Volante, Karakonte's top runners include Kenzai Warrior, an English Group 3 winner at seven furlongs; multiple turf sprint stakes winner Karak; and Ketil, who is multiple Group 3-placed in France at 1 1/2 miles or longer.

Light Blow, also a Niarchos homebred, won once at an eye-popping 1 7/8 miles during a short racing career in England. She also ran second at about 1 1/4 miles on debut.

She has lived up to the lofty expectations of the Niarchos program as a broodmare. Sole Volante is her top earner, but she has already had an elite 3-year-old in Explode, a son of Trappe Shot who was a Sovereign Award finalist in 2019 off a campaign that featured wins in the G3 Canadian Derby at the classic distance. He went even further to finish third in the G3 BC Premier's Handicap at 1 3/8 miles.

Light Blow is also the dam of Light of Joy, by Kitten's Joy, who was stakes-placed in England at 1 1/2 miles.

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