Allen Jerkens | Horse Racing Free Tips

Grade 1 Winner Drain The Clock Returns To Action With Front-Running Allowance Win At Gulfstream

Slam Dunk Racing and Madaket Stable's Drain the Clock made an eye-catching return to action Friday at Gulfstream Park with a sizzling front-running victory in the Race 7 feature, a six-furlong optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up.

The Grade 1 stakes winner, who hadn't seen racing action since finishing fourth in the Aug. 28 H. Allen Jerkens (G1) at Saratoga, set fractions of 22.08, 44.42 and 56.19 seconds while under heavy outside pressure from Gatsby and asserted his class in the stretch to win by a half-length in a quick 1:08.63.

“At the top of the stretch, I said, 'Go on Champ!' Normally, I watch a race and watch it very nervous. With him, I never thought he would get beat,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “I don't think we have him fully cranked, so to see him back like that…”

Tyler Gaffalione rode Drain the Clock for the first time Friday.

“There was speed on the inside and outside of us. Saffie told me to use him going away from there. He broke alertly and put himself in a great spot. He took a lot of pressure the whole way around there but he's a classy horse, very classy individual, and he responded when I asked him,” Gaffalione said.

“He's a racehorse. You can see on his form, he's very consistent. He shows up every time. Coming off the layoff, it's not an ideal situation taking that much pressure, but he handled everything great and Saffie always does a great job getting them ready.”

Sent to post as the 2-5 favorite, the 4-year-old son of Maclean's Music had won three races in four prior starts at Gulfstream, including last season's Swale (G3), before hitting the road to win the Bay Shore (G3) at Aqueduct and the Woody Stephens (G1) at Belmont. His only loss at Gulfstream came in a second-place finish in the two-turn Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2).

“I think he's going to have a big year,” said Joseph, who mentioned the Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3) on Feb. 19 as a likely target.

Gatsby held second, 5 ¼ lengths ahead of Where Paradise Lay.

Todd Pletcher-trained Nocturnal, the 2-1 second choice who was out of action since a Feb. 28 optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream, was never a factor after breaking a step slowly from his rail post position.

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Undefeated 3-Year-Old Life Is Good, Now In Pletcher’s Barn, Expected To Return In Jerkens

Undefeated sophomore colt Life Is Good, formerly in the barn of embattled trainer Bob Baffert but now conditioned by Todd Pletcher, is expected to make his return to the races in the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 28, reports the Daily Racing Form.

The son of Into Mischief has not raced since March due to injury, when he was sent to his co-owner WinStar Farm to recover. WinStar trainer Destin Heath had the colt in training at Keeneland until mid-July, when he was shipped up to Pletcher' barn in New York. Life Is Good has now breezed twice at Saratoga since his arrival. WinStar's Elliott Walden indicated that the Jerkens will be used a step toward a return to two-turn races later in the year.

Also pointed to the Jerkens are Jackie's Warrior, last weekend's runaway winner of the G2 Amsterdam for trainer Steve Asmussen, as well as Pletcher trainee Following Sea, elevated to second last out in the G1 Haskell.

“That's our current target,” Pletcher told DRF of Life is Good and the Jerkens. “See how the horse continues to train, but you're not going to find any easy spots to come back in, I wouldn't think.”

New Lady Pleasantry Arrives At Our Mims Retirement Haven

Our Mims Retirement Haven is pleased to announce the arrival of Pleasantry to the farm. This sweet senior lady has had quite a journey. The stakes-placed mare arrived on May, 19, 2021, to the farm in Paris, Kentucky, via Florida TRAC, where she resided for 11 years.

Born April 15, 1992, Pleasantry is by Cutlass, out of the Master Derby mare Logiealmond. She had 13 starts winning $72,455 and was trained by Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens (who also campaigned War Front, Devil His Due, Belong to Me and many other known names in Thoroughbred history). Pleasantry's breeder/owner also had an illustrious career in the Thoroughbred industry, with the latest winner being Country House, the 2019 Kentucky Derby winner.

Pleasantry has had 12 foals, sired by such names as Rubiano, Wagon Limit and Full Mandate.

Florida TRAC reached out to Our Mims Retirement Haven owner/President Pete Mirabito late last fall, inquiring about an opening for the mare. Diagnosed with Cushings, she wasn't tolerating the Florida heat and humidity. Katie Schmit, TRAC Farm Manager commented on the Florida TRAC Facebook page that Pleasantry has “handled the trip with her usual class and grace and is looking forward to meeting her new friends at her forever home.”

Jimmy Jerkens, the son of Allen Jerkens, trained Pleasantry during winter racing while his father was in Florida. He remembered Pleasantry, sired by Cutlass, who he also remembered well. He said “She was sort of a small chestnut with a white face, and I remember she tried really hard and certainly had 'desire.'” Jimmy was also happy to hear she has a soft landing now at the Haven.

Haven President Pete Mirabito said “Jeanne built Our Mims Retirement Haven for horses like Pleasantry: horses who have contributed to the industry as best they could and are now ready for a forever home where they can roll in the bluegrass and relish in the love and adoration of their fans”. He also added, “I am looking forward to getting to know Pleasantry and watching her find her place among “the ladies of Our Mims”. I am grateful to Florida TRAC for taking such great care of this wonderful soul and to all our loving supporters who keep Jeanne's dream alive.”

“It is very heartbreaking when we lose one of our residents here because we love them all dearly”, said Ann Cheek, OMRH Vice President and Farm Manager. “But the excitement of getting a new 'lady,' knowing she will spend the rest of her life in peace and comfort, always helps with that heartbreak, because they reminded us of what our mission is.”

OMRH became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2006: Founded by Jeanne Mirabito. Featured in Barbara Livingston's More Old Friends, the Haven specializes in “restoring health and spirit in aged mares.” The Haven is supported through donations, and its online shop.

Our Mims Retirement Haven is accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Council. OMRH has received grants from Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), After The Finish Line (ATFL) and the Annenberg Foundation.

Current horses include Exciting Bucket, Braggin Rights, Jo Jo's Gypsy, Play Book, Kidnap Katie, My Heart Sez Yes, Theheartofdixie, Alpha Heat, Sweet Ambition, and the OMRH mascot, Tea Bisquit. Our Mims grandson, Elmhurst, arrived at the Haven in October of 2011, and passed at the age of 31 on January 4, 2021.

Weekend Lineup: Whitney Leads ‘Win And You’re In’ Races At The Spa

Historic Saratoga Race Course will feature three Grade 1 events on Saturday, led by the $750,000 Whitney at 1 1/8 miles with an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic on the line. The card is bolstered by the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes, a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Distaff; and the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial for 3-year-olds sprinting seven furlongs. The card will be broadcast on Saratoga Live beginning at 1 p.m. ET on FOX Sports and MSG Networks.

TVG will be live on site this weekend at Del Mar covering a loaded weekend of racing that includes two Breeders' Cup Challenge Series “Win and You're In” races – the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes and the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes as well as the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes which will serve as a prep race for the Kentucky Derby in September.

Fans of international racing can also tune in to TVG to watch racing from Goodwood Racecourse in England. Coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. PT/8:30 a.m. ET on Saturday.

NBC Sports presents three hours of live horse racing this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, highlighted by the $250,000 Bing Crosby Stakes.

Saturday August 1

3:28 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Reigning champion older dirt female Midnight Bisou, the No. 1-ranked horse on the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, will seek a 14th graded stakes victory when she aims to defend her title in the Personal Ensign. Midnight Bisou, a dark bay 5-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute, has put together a sensational record of 21-13-5-3 with purse earnings of $7,371,520. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Midnight Bisou will attempt to be the first horse to score back-to-back Personal Ensign triumphs since John C. Oxley's champion Beautiful Pleasure did so in 1999-00. This year, Midnight Bisou has sustained her winning form, displaying an inside-closing effort in the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup in February and last out won the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs by 8 ¼ lengths.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080120USA5-EQB.html

5:30 p.m.—$100,000 Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

In a season of unusual happenings, Saturday's Shared Belief Stakes fits right in. The 3-year-old feature – which has drawn six runners – breaks new ground in that it is the first time a Kentucky Derby prep race has been conducted at the seaside oval in its 81-year history. Heading the lineup is Honor A.P., the No. 2 ranked horse on the NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll, who comes into the race off a tally in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on June 6. Honor A.P. was second in the San Felipe at Santa Anita in his race prior to that and has been training forwardly at Del Mar for his prep. Mike Smith, who has handled Honor A.P. in all four of his starts so far, once again has the call Saturday.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080120USA2-EQB.html

5:31 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks at Monmouth Park on TVG

With the top six finishers back from the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks on July 4, as well as fourth-place Acorn Stakes finisher Lucrezia, the Monmouth Oaks field has several accomplished fillies. Dream Marie, off her second-place finish to Project Whiskey in the Delaware Oaks, where she was beaten a half-length, certainly fits. Dream Marie signaled her arrival as a potential stakes winner after winning a $50,000 starter allowance at Gulfstream Park in December, following that up with a win in a $75,000 optional claimer on January 20 and a second on May 15 in the Hollywood Wildcat.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH080120USA11-EQB.html

5:42 p.m.—$750,000 Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

A field comprised of five millionaires – including three horses in the top 10 of the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll – will make up a talented group of older horses assembled for the 93rd running of Saturday's Whitney going 1 1/8 miles. Trainer Al Stall, Jr. saddled subsequent Breeders' Cup Classic winner and champion Blame to victory in the 2010 Whitney off a four-race win streak. This year, the conditioner sends out red-hot Tom's d'Etat, who also arrives at the race off similar form with four straight wins. Owned by Gayle Benson's G M B Racing, the 7-year-old son of Smart Strike enters the Whitney off graded stakes triumphs in the Grade 2 Fayette on October 26 at Keeneland, the Grade 1 Clark on November 29 at Churchill Downs and the Grade 2 Stephen Foster on June 27 at Churchill Downs. Tom's d'Etat also leads all Whitney entrants with three victories at the Spa. As a 3-year-old, he broke his maiden at third asking by four lengths and won an allowance optional claiming event by nine lengths the following year. Last season, he was a one-length winner of the Alydar.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080120USA9-EQB.html

6:18 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

A rematch featuring the superfecta of last month's Grade 1 Woody Stephens will highlight another high-caliber contest, with No Parole looking to propel his 3 ¾-length victory into more glory in Saturday's H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. No Parole, owned by Maggi Moss and Greg Tramontin, is unbeaten going one turn, registering a perfect 4-for-4 ledger in sprints. Overall, the Tom Amoss trainee has won 5-of-6 starts, including his gate-to-wire win in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens on June 20.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080120USA10-EQB.html

6:50 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS2

Grade 1-winning veterans Channel Maker and Sadler's Joy, who together have combined to earn more than $4.7 million in purses during their lengthy careers, will attempt to put the brakes on frustrating losing streaks Saturday in the Bowling Green on the inner turf. Channel Maker has gone winless in nine starts since his neck victory in the Grade 1 Man o' War in May 2019 at Belmont Park, also contested at the Bowling Green distance. Most recently, he finished fourth by a length after pressing the pace into the stretch of the 1 ¼-mile Manhattan on July 4 at Belmont. Sadler's Joy earned his lone career Grade 1 victory in the 2018 Sword Dancer at Saratoga. The 7-year-old gelding capped his 2019 campaign by winning the Grade 3 Red Smith last November at Aqueduct, but has gone winless in four tries this year.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080120USA11-EQB.html

9:30 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar on NBCSN and TVG

The Bing Crosby appears likely to have nine starters Saturday when the venerable sprint stakes will be run for the 75th time. Multi-millionaire McKinzie was slated to head up the Crosby field for this go-round, but trainer Bob Baffert has called an audible and indicated he'd rather run him later in the meet at seven furlongs in the Pat O'Brien Stakes on August 29. Stepping up to fill the role of favorite in the Crosby is Fashionably Fast, a 5-year-old gelding who is just what his name indicates. The son of the late Lucky Pulpit has won six of his last seven starts, each time using his exceptional speed to make or stalk the pace. His last outing – the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes over seven panels at Santa Anita on June 7 – saw him run a sharp second to McKinzie.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080120USA10-EQB.html

Sunday August 2

9:30 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

Three Grade 1 winners are slated to start in the six-horse field of fillies and mares assembled for the Clement L. Hirsch. Ce Ce, winner of the Grade 1 Beholder Mile and Apple Blossom Handicap this year, comes in off a third-place finish behind fellow Hirsch entrant Fighting Mad in the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita on May 31. Hard Not to Love, who took the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes last December, was second in the Santa Maria while Ollie's Candy seeks her first victory since taking last year's edition of the Clement L. Hirsch.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080220USA10-EQB.html

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