Robin Goodfellow’s racing tips for Friday, June 26
Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Friday's meetings at Lingfield, Newmarket and Doncaster.
American Pharoah Halter Headlines Iowa Aftercare Organization’s Online Fundraising Auction
American Pharoah, one of the most famous horses in the world, is helping Thoroughbreds whose lives are spent far outside of the limelight, especially when their racing careers are over.
A halter worn by the 2015 Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup Classic winner headlines the upcoming silent auction raising money for the Iowa-based Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds (HART) aftercare organization.
The halter was donated by Kentucky's Ashford Stud, where American Pharoah has been a stallion since retiring after the unprecedented season that saw him not only become the first horse in 37 years to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes but to also capture the Breeders' Cup Classic.
In its 10th year, HART's silent-auction fundraiser will be conducted entirely online, starting at noon on June 26 and concluding July 3 at 8:30 p.m. Central. The auction features other memorabilia, services, photos, paintings, tack and more. All the proceeds go to HART's care, rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming of retired racehorses from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. Those wishing to donate outside of the auction may do so directly through HART's website at iahart.org.
“We're so grateful to Ashford Stud for donating this halter worn by one of the all-time greats,” said HART president Jon Moss. “This is a chance for a racing, horse or sports enthusiast to own this priceless memorabilia while helping horses that don't have a set future when they are through racing. HART finds safe, loving homes for our retired racehorses, preparing them for second careers in the show ring, eventing, trail riding or simply as pleasure or companion horses.”
An account with 32auctions is required for bidding. Auction items can be viewed in person July 3 starting at 3:30 p.m. CT in Prairie Meadows' Prairie Rose Room on the fourth floor in the Clubhouse.
To view items, create an online account or for more information, go to www.32auctions.com/hart2020.
Since 2011, HART has worked closely with the horsemen at Prairie Meadows to provide Thoroughbred horses a soft landing after their racing careers are over.
HART is accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and is a TAA grant recipient. Facilities and organizations that rehab, retrain and/or re-home horses receive support from the TAA after undergoing an arduous application process and are inspected annually to maintain accreditation. HART is Iowa's only TAA-approved organization.
HART's board includes a representative from the Iowa Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Associations, Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino and the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
“Our racehorses take care of us,” said Moss, who also is executive director of the Iowa HBPA. “All of us in racing owe it to take care of them when they are through racing. We thank Ashford Stud and American Pharoah for helping Iowa horsemen to do our part through HART. We also say thank you to all our contributors over the years without whose support HART would not continue to be the organization here to help horses find new homes.”
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‘Really Impressive’ Juvenile Winner County Final Switches From Turf To Dirt For Bashford Manor
John Ennis, Hayden Noriega and 47 Roses' eye-catching debut winner County Final will switch surfaces from turf to dirt in search of graded stakes glory in Saturday's $100,000 Bashford Manor presented by TwinSpires.com (Grade III), a six furlong-event for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs.
“This horse should absolutely love the slight stretch out in distance,” said jockey James Graham, who was aboard for the colt's four-length maiden victory June 5. “We opened up by three-to-four lengths mid-stretch on everyone but what was really impressive was how he extended his stride past the wire. He's a bigger colt with a really long stride. He's got a great mind, too, which is always nice for a younger horse.”
The six-furlong Bashford Manor will go as Race 8 of 11 with a post time of 4:43 p.m. (all times Eastern). The race shares the spotlight on Saturday with the $500,000 Stephen Foster presented by Coca-Cola (GII), $200,000 Fleur de Lis presented by Coca-Cola (GII) and $100,000 Regret presented by TwinSpires.com (GIII). First post is 1 p.m.
County Final, trained by Ennis, has been based at the Thoroughbred Training Center in Lexington. The $9,500 Keeneland September Yearling buy by Oxbow drew the outside post No. 7 in the Bashford Manor.
“I really like that we'll be the last horse to load in the gate,” Graham said. “If he breaks well, we'll be able to see what the other horses to our inside are doing in the early stages. He has speed and he trains well on the dirt. So, the switch from the turf to the dirt should be no problem either.”
The Bashford Manor field, which features all first-out maiden winners, from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Crown and Coke (Miguel Mena, James Lawrence II, 30-1); Hulen (Corey Lanerie, Steve Asmussen, 5-1); Gatsby (Tyler Gaffalione, Juan Alvarado, 4-1); Hyperfocus (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher, 4-1); Herd Immunity (Brian Hernandez Jr., Peter Miller, 9-2); Cazadero (Ricardo Santana Jr., Asmussen, 8-5); and County Final (Graham, Ennis, 6-1).
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Ageless Jockey Perry Ouzts Bags Five Winners Thursday At Belterra Park
Veteran reinsman Perry Ouzts defied the odds on Thursday at Belterra Park, winning with five of his seven mounts on the day. The wins included a natural hat trick in races two through four, and a late double in races six and seven.
Thursday's five wins came for five different trainers: Chris Hartman (Quiet Dawn, Race 2, $3.40); Susan Anderson (Drama Run, Race 3, $19.20); Doug Goodman (My Pal Dal, Race 4, $56.40); Robert Gorham (Northern Journey, Race 6, $2.60); and Barbara Riley (Aiken for Gold, Race 7, $4.00).
Perry Wayne Ouzts is the man! 🤯Putting a clinic on out at @BelterraPark! Just won 3 in a row! Closed 15 lengths back on 25/1 shot. pic.twitter.com/C9LH3lH1r5
— Blaise Bollman (@BlaiseLBC) June 25, 2020
The 65-year-old jockey recently returned to the races in mid-May, following nearly a 10-month break to recover from surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.
Ouzts' injury occurred last year on July 28 at Belterra, when his mount's bit broke and the bridle came apart. The horse was not injured, but Ouzts had to be taken off the course via ambulance, and an MRI later indicated the damage to his shoulder.
According to long-time agent and friend Jamie Fowler, the jockey didn't want to let an injury end his career; he wants to finish on his own terms.
It's hardly the first time the jockey has made the news for an injury. Perhaps the most memorable was in 2012, when Ouzts' “steel horse” was hit by a car at 65 miles per hour on I-275 outside of Cincinnati. Despite the motorcycle accident, Ouzts managed to arrive at what was then called River Downs in time to ride the entire card, even winning with his first two mounts of the day.
About five weeks after his return to the saddle, Ouzts' momentum is starting to pick up. He recorded doubles at Belterra on June 9, 10, and 24, and the five-win day this Thursday brings his overall total to 15 victories thus far in 2020.
He may turn 66 years old on July 7, but age is nothing but a number when you love what you do.
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