Mar. 9 Insights: Big Ticket Purchases Unveiled in California

6th-OP, $115k, Msw, 3yo, f, 1m, 4:18p.m. ET
Half-sister to last year's GIII Withers S. winner Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), FLASHY DANCER (Curlin) will be unveiled here for Gary and Mary West. Out of two-time Graded winner Actress (Tapit), who has also produced the winning Hot Rumor (Medaglia d'Oro), the second dam is Canadian champion Milwaukee Appeark (Milwaukee Brew). Riding a healthy work tab and picking up the services of Manny Franco, the morning line has Flashy Dancer tabbed at 8-5 odds. TJCIS PPs

4th-SA, $65k, Msw, 3yo, 6 1/2f, 5:03p.m. ET
In a well-met maiden field, PONY EXPRESS (Gun Runner) will be one of several high-priced auction horses to open his career here. Racing for Talla Racing LLC, Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds, the chestnut was acquired for $500,000 at KEESEP and is a half-brother to MSP Collaborate (Into Mischief), who had been sent to contest the 2021 GI Florida Derby after breaking his maiden by over 12 lengths. In addition to being a half-brother to two other multiple winners, Pony Express hails from the extended female family of champion Heavenly Prize. John Sadler sends this one to post.

To that one's outside, Santarena (Omaha Beach) will jump for Muir Hut Stables, LLC, Saints or Sinners and Dan J. Agnew from the barn of Mark Glatt. A $425,000 in-training purchase at EASMAY, the colt's second dam tallies daughter Catch the Moon (Malibu Moon), whose claim to fame is as the dam of GSW & MGISP Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow); GISW Girvin (Tale of Ekati); GSW Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John); and GSW Pirate's Punch (Shanghai Bobby). Santarena himself is a half-brother to SW & GSP Dubini (Gio Ponti), SW What A Catch (Justin Phillip), and SP Cancel This (Malibu Moon). This is the extended family of GISW Silver Max (Badge of Silver) and GSW & MGISP Shancelot (Shanghai Bobby).

Farthest of them all will be Winterfell (Arrogate), a $400,000 KEESEP purchase trained by Bob Baffert for the ownership group of SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan, and Tom J. Ryan. The colt is a half-brother to two other winners and hails from the family of G1 Epsom Oaks victress Casual Look. TJCIS PPs

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Raven’s Pass Colt Two-For-Two At Meydan

8th-Meydan, AED175,000, Hcp., 3-8, NH & SH 3yo/up, 1400m, 1:29.95, ft.
ELUSIVE TERRY (IRE) (c, 4, Raven's Pass–Bonding, by Violence) gave trainer Bhupat Seemar his fifth win of the evening while maintaining his perfect record at Meydan on Friday. A four-length winner of an Jebel Ali maiden on Jan. 27, the colt jumped a touch slow and was hustled up to contest the early pace. Glued to the rail, he applied pressure to My Kinda Day (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) on the turn. On top at the 400-metre marker, the 4-year-old held firm despite pressure from both sides and lifted to win by two lengths. “Drawn one, second start ever, first time at Meydan… he was good,” said Pat Cosgrave. “I thought he'd run his race at 300 metres but then he went on again–he's tough. I wouldn't be surprised if he's quite a good horse and if he goes a mile he'll be even better. He could keep improving and go out of handicaps at some stage, he's got no flaws.” Reflecting on an excellent night, Seemar added, “We came here with some good horses with good chances but it all has to drop right. It's a massive team effort, the guys at home do an excellent job and I just get to pick up the prizes.” Triple Venture (Elusive Quality) beat out Elraaed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) by a nose for second. Bonding has an unraced 3-year-old full-sister named Haydarieh (Ire) (Raven's Pass), and colts by Belardo (Ire) and U S Navy Flag born in 2022 and 2023, respectively. GIII Santa Ysabel S. winner and GI Las Virgenes S. third Itty Bitty Pretty (El Corredor) is under the third dam. Sales history: €123,962 2yo '22 GOFMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, AED. Click for the ERA chart and video.
O-Diarmuid Clohessy. B-ABCL Partners (Ire). T-Bhupat Seemar.

 

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Lucky Sweynesse Looks To Bounce Back in QSJC

Having endured a sub-optimal trip when only sixth to Victor the Winner (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) in defence of his crown in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup Jan. 26–not to mention some post-race veterinary issues–reigning champion sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) will look to atone for that effort in Sunday's G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, a race he also took out 12 months ago.

The 5-year-old, victorious in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint in December, was found to be lame in his right fore the morning after the Centenary Sprint, but turned in a smooth runner-up effort in a Feb. 20 trial over the dirt track and should be a warm item Sunday. James McDonald, who was in the saddle last year, looks for another hit-and-run Group 1 in Hong Kong.

California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) made the running and Lucky Sweynesse did the chasing in last year's Queen's Silver Jubilee, but the pacesetter couldn't quite see it out and settled for a sound second. The 6-year-old was very good in carrying 135 pounds to victory in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy over a mile on seasonal debut back in October, but those weight-bearing efforts can exact a toll, as he is winless in his last four, including a fourth in the G1 Stewards' Cup over the metric mile Jan. 21. A trip to the desert for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint could be in the offing with a return to something approaching his best form.

“He's entered for Dubai and we'll decide whether we will go depending on how he performs on Sunday,” said Cruz. “We hope for a good result.”

Zac Purton opted for California Spangle over Lucky Sweynesse last year and gets a leg up on Beauty Joy (Aus) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) from Tony Cruz Sunday afternoon. After besting Beauty Joy (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) in November's G2 Jockey Club Mile, Beauty Eternal was an even sixth behind Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and exits a solid second to the Dubai-bound Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) in the Stewards' Cup.

Cruz is a three-time winner of the Queen's Silver Jubilee, most notably with the legendary Silent Witness (Aus) back in 2005.

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