Michael Lund Petersen's Adare Manor (m, 5, Uncle Mo–Brooklynsway, by Giant Gizmo), who so often shows her best on the front end, took her California tactics on the road with a 5 1/2-length score in Oaklawn's $1.25-million GI Apple Blossom S. Saturday while conceding between one and six pounds to her rivals. Flying Connection (Nyquist), who shipped in from Sunland Park after three straight stakes wins in New Mexico for the red-hot Todd Fincher barn, closed late to nab second over Mar. 24 Shantel Lanerie S. winner Free Like a Girl (El Deal). Last year's GI CCA Oaks winner Wet Paint (Blame), previously unbeaten in three stakes at Oaklawn, never got involved and finished sixth.

The 3-5 choice, Adare Manor showed old habits die hard as she went clear early under Juan Hernandez, running comfortably with her ears flicking back and forth, and set fractions of :23.68 and :46.95 while Honor D Lady (Honor Code) applied pressure to her outside. Even while Honor D Lady loomed and last summer's GIII Molly Pitcher S. winner Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner) threw her hat into the mix, Adare Manor never looked seriously threatened. She quickened on the turn, kicked clear with ease and opened up by daylight to hasten home an authoritative winner while Hernandez took a peek under his right arm as the pair's distance on the field remained intact. She got the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.48.

“[Trainer Bob Baffert] had her ready today,” said Hernandez. “They had a lot of confidence in her. I just felt it right away when I jumped on her. She was so calm and she was ready to run great. She loves a mile and a sixteenth. If you saw her, she's huge. She's really a big filly, so she needs a lot of distance in her races.”

A $375,000 Donato Lanni purchase at the 2021 OBS June sale after working a furlong in :10 1/5, Adare Manor won the GIII Las Virgenes S. at three by 13 lengths, had a five-win streak going at four that included the GI Clement L. Hirsch S. and three other graded races, and kickstarted her 5-year-old campaign with a 102 Beyer as the runner-up in the GI Beholder Mile S. at Santa Anita Mar. 9. Seven of her eight career wins have been on the front end, with the lone exception being a stalking trip in last summer's Clement L. Hirsch.

Pedigree Notes:

Adare Manor is one of 49 graded winners and 100 black-type winners overall for exceptional Coolmore America stallion Uncle Mo, a regular among North America's leading sires. She is the second of her sire's progeny to win the Apple Blossom following Unbridled Mo's victory in 2018. She is, however, the lone stakes winner to date out of a Giant Gizmo mare. The latter was relocated to Panama following the 2019 breeding season after standing at Canada's Gardiner Farm. Uncle Mo does have four stakes winners out of mares by Giant Gizmo's sire, the late Giant's Causeway, who was a fellow Coolmore sire, as well as Mar. 30 GI Florida Derby third Grand Mo the First.

Stock in Brooklynsway has risen dramatically since Adare Manor's assent up the stakes ranks. Winner of the 2016 GIII Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland, she was a $170,000 RNA at Fasig-Tipton's November sale in 2017, then went through the same ring in 2020 at the Winter Mixed Sale, where Town & Country picked her up in foal to Into Mischief for $95,000. Adare Manor, then a short yearling, sold at the same sale to Walmac Farms and Gary Board for $180,000 before being pinhooked the next year. Brooklynsway has a 2-year-old filly by Ghostzapper named Nosleeptilbrooklyn, who went to Boardshorts Stables at Keeneland September for $500,000, and a yearling full-brother to Adare Manor. The mare was a $1.2-million RNA at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale; she has aborted her 2024 Tapit foal.

#4 ADARE MANOR scampered away!

The 3-5 choice wins the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) under @JJHernandezS19 for trainer Bob Baffert. She is a daughter of @coolmoreamerica Uncle Mo that runs for Michael Lund Petersen. pic.twitter.com/qxBxmK8wVV

— TVG (@TVG) April 13, 2024

Saturday, Oaklawn
APPLE BLOSSOM H.-GI, $1,250,000, Oaklawn, 4-13, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:42.48, ft.
1–ADARE MANOR, 123, m, 5, by Uncle Mo
       1st Dam: Brooklynsway (GSW-USA, MSW &
                 GSP-Can, $724,597), by Giant Gizmo
       2nd Dam: Explosive Story, by Radio Star
       3rd Dam: Maya's Note, by Editor's Note
($180,000 Ylg '20 FTKFEB; $190,000 RNA Ylg '20 FTKSEL;
$375,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN). O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Town
& Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY); T-Bob Baffert;
J-Juan J. Hernandez. $675,000. Lifetime Record: 16-8-5-0,
$1,736,600. Werk Nick Rating: A.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Flying Connection, 118, f, 4, by Nyquist
                1st Dam: Free Flying Soul (MSW & MGISP, $423,177),
                                 by Quiet American
                2nd Dam: Ruby Surprise, by Farma Way
                3rd Dam: Santa Rosalia, by Bold Bidder
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($250,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Brad King,
Randy Andrews, G. Chris Coleman, Jim Cone, Suzanne Kirby
and Lee Lewis; B-Liberty Road Stables (KY); T-Todd W. Fincher.
$225,000.
3–Free Like a Girl, 117, m, 5, by El Deal
                1st Dam: Flashy Prize, by Flashy Bull
                2nd Dam: Rich Peace, by Rizzi
                3rd Dam: Lockpeace, by Hold Your Peace
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($5,500 Ylg '20 ESLYRL). O-Gerald Bruno,
Jr., Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom; B-Kim Renee
Stover & Lisa Osborne (LA); T-Chasey Deville Pomier.
$112,500.
Margins: 5HF, 3/4, 2. Odds: 0.70, 26.20, 58.30.
Also Ran: Shotgun Hottie, Taxed, Wet Paint, Bellamore, Misty Veil, Honor D Lady.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Easy Win for California Shipper Adare Manor in Apple Blossom appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The only GIII Azeri S. entry to not have tried stakes company, Tiny Temper (Arrogate) ran like a giant down the lane on Saturday afternoon in Hot Springs in the prep for next month's GI Apple Blossom S.

Breaking her maiden at second asking over the slop as a late juvenile at Churchill Downs, the bay was not seen until she ran fourth against allowance company at Ellis Park last summer. Taking a break until the beginning of this year, the older filly faced off-the-turf allowance foes at Fair Grounds Jan. 25 and won by a half-length with a Beyer figure of 92.

Stepping into much deeper waters as an 11-1 shot here, the 4-year-old spotted the field several lengths as favorite Hot and Sultry (Speightster) and Bellamore (Empire Maker) traded blows into the first turn. Looking like a little engine who could up the backstretch, Tiny Temper chased the pace around the far turn and hugged the rail into the lane.

Tiny Temper (far left) makes her run | Coady Photography

As the leaders looked like they were in slow motion, fellow longshot Misty Veil (Tonalist) highjacked the lead with a furlong left. However, it was James Graham's mount who tipped to the two path, ranged up to the outside of her target and got her picture taken with a gutsy performance.

“Don't be afraid to get in there,” said trainer Dallas Stewart. “She (Tiny Temper) showed up big today. We believed in her all along. It's just taken a while. Hopefully, we'll get back to the Apple Blossom. After she won (Jan. 25 entry-level allowance at Fair Grounds), I was like: 'We need to be serious about what we're doing with her quick.' Just get in some good races. This was on the (radar), for sure.”

Pedigree Notes:
Out of three racing crops, this was the 18th stakes winner and 12th graded stakes winner for deceased sire Arrogate. Out of SW Forestier (Forestry), the winner's dam is responsible for a 3-year-old colt by Gun Runner, who Repole Stable bought for $350,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale. Her last registered foal is currently a 2-year-old colt by McKinzie.

Saturday, Oaklawn Park
AZERI S.-GII, $400,000, Oaklawn, 3-9, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:45.58, gd.
1–TINY TEMPER, 117, f, 4, by Arrogate
          1st Dam: Don't Blame Me (GSP), by Blame
          2nd Dam: Forestier, by Forestry
          3rd Dam: D'Youville Nurse, by Dr. Blum
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($240,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $310,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP; $155,000 RNA Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-Mark H. Stanley and Nancy W. Stanley; B-Alan S. Kline Revocable Trust (KY); T-Dallas Stewart; J-James Graham. $222,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, $354,240. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Misty Veil, 121, m, 6, Tonalist–Genuine Class, by Birdstone. ($210,000 6yo '24 KEEJAN). O-Resolute Racing; B-William Humphries & Altair Farms LLC (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $74,000.
3–Bellamore, 121, m, 6, Empire Maker–Smart N Soft, by Smart Strike. ($170,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '20 OBSAPR; $675,000 RNA 5yo '23 FTKNOV). O-Kaleem Shah, Inc.; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $37,000.
Margins: NK, 1HF, 3/4. Odds: 11.80, 16.60, 4.40.
Also Ran: Shotgun Hottie, Hot and Sultry, Soul of an Angel, Comparative, Saddle Up Jessie.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

What a finish in the G2 Azeri Stakes at @OaklawnRacing!

#7 TINY TEMPER ($25.60) comes from behind with @James_D_Graham in the irons for trainer @DallasStewart3 and owners Mark Stanley & Nancy Stanley. pic.twitter.com/cyDNpXCE1o

— TVG (@TVG) March 9, 2024

The post Arrogate’s Tiny Temper Goes Last To First In Azeri appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The Apple Blossom is such a mainstay in the older filly and mare ranks that it might be a surprise to all but those with the longest memories that the first several winners were males. It's the last 50 years that have been devoted exclusively to the ladies, resulting in a steady diet of champions in the older mare division. Despite past winners including Zenyatta, Azeri, Paseana (Arg), and Susan's Girl, the Apple Blossom seems to get better and better. Surely races don't get more exciting than in 2021 when Letruska, Monomoy Girl, and Swiss Skydiver–eventually all three Eclipse champions–came off the final turn together for an epic showdown.

Following are some of the most important Apple Blossom winners by what impact they've had on the sport through their sons and daughters.

Close Hatches (2010, First Defence–Rising Tornado, by Storm Cat), bred by Millsec, LTD.: Her first foal was Tacitus (Tapit), now a young sire whose first foals have been arriving this spring. He won three graded stakes, but also placed in six Grade I events, including the Kentucky Derby, Belmont S. , and Travers S.

Dream of Summer (1999, Siberian Summer–Mary's Dream, by Skywalker), bred by James Weigel: This lovely California-bred has consistently punched above her weight, producing GISW and sire Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway), GISW Vexatious (Giant's Causeway), and MGSW & GISP Destin (Giant's Causeway). Her current 3-year-old filly, Summer Promise (Uncle Mo), is a 'TDN Rising Star' and was runner-up in the GIII Schuylerville S. last year.

GISW Queen Goddess, descended from 1995 winner Heavenly Prize, was last seen winning the Pegasus F/M Turf Jan. 28 | Coglianese

Heavenly Prize (1991, Seeking the Gold–Oh What a Dance, by Nijinsky II), bred by Ogden Phipps: This Phipps homebred Hall of Famer produced MGISW Good Reward (Storm Cat) and GSW Pure Prize (Storm Cat), while her daughters and granddaughters have already imparted upon the sport GISWs Persistently (Smoke Glacken), Queen Goddess (Empire Maker), and Instilled Regard (Arch); GSW & MGISP Stays in Vegas (City Zip); and SW & MGISP Faithfully (Smart Strike).

Halo America (1990, Waquoit–Ameriangel, by Halo), bred by John Franks: Young sire and GI Preakness S. winner Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music) is out of this gray's MGSP daughter Quick Temper (A.P. Indy).

Gorgeous (1986, Slew o' Gold–Kamar, by Key to the Mint), bred by Hermitage Farm, Inc., A. G. Clay, and R. N. Clay: Her descendants include English champion and G1SW Music Show (Ire) (Noverre); Venezuelan champion La Alpujarra (Ven) (Pioneerof the Nile); four-time GISW Turbulent Descent (Congrats); GISW Swift Temper (Giant's Causeway); GSW & MGISP All Included (Include); and a number of other black-type winners.

Bayakoa (Arg) (1984, Consultant's Bid–Arlucea {Arg}, by Good Manners), bred by Haras Principal: Despite limited opportunities, this Hall of Famer and two-time Breeders' Cup winner is the granddam of MGISW and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned (E Dubai), MGISW Affluent (Affirmed), and GSW Walkabout (Stroll).

Love Smitten (1981, Key to the Mint–Square Angel, by Quadrangle), bred by E. P. Taylor: A full-sister to the dam of Gorgeous, above, the final three of her five living foals were all black-type winners, but she'll be remembered best as the dam of the glorious Swain (Ire) (Nashwan). The globetrotting English and Irish champion was a MG1SW on the grass, but it was his placings on the dirt in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic and G1 Dubai World Cup just a neck and a nose behind Silver Charm that endeared him to American audiences.

Track Robbery (1976, No Robbery–Left At Home, by Run For Nurse), bred by Edgar Kitchen: Dam of MGSW & MGISP Train Robbery (Alydar), she's also granddam to GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Cat Thief (Storm Cat) and GISW Pohave (Holy Bull). A great-granddaughter is GSW and $2.2-million Summer Wind broodmare purchase Tapicat (Tapit).

Miss Baja (1975, Mr. Leader–Double Tollgate, by Carry Back), bred by Spears-Olsson Breeding Syndicate: She produced GSW Stoneleigh's Hope (Damascus), while her descendants include two winners of Keeneland's GI Darley Alcibiades S. in the last decade, Peace and War (War Front) and British Idiom (Flashback). The latter also won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and was named an Eclipse champion. Others tracing to Miss Baja include GSW & GISP Rushie (Liam's Map), GSW Princess Pietrina (Spectacular Bid), and Argentina's MGSW & G1SP Papa Inc (Arg) (Include).

Summertime Promise (1972, Nijinsky II–Prides Promise, by Crozier), bred by Paul Mellon: U.S. GISW and Japanese graded producer Teddy's Promise (Salt Lake) descends from her, as do GSWs and useful sires Carson City (Mr. Prospector) and General Meeting (Seattle Slew).

Susan's Girl (1969, Quadrangle–Quaze, by Quibu {Arg}), bred by F. W. Hooper, Jr.: They don't come more hale and hearty than this Hall of Famer, multiple champion, and winner of 24 black-type events ranging from the Kentucky Oaks to the Apple Blossom, so it should be no surprise her triple Grade I-winning son Copelan (Tri Jet) would sire a number of tough and successful Florida-breds.

The post Background Check: Apple Blossom appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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6th-BEL, $90K, MSW, 3yo/up, 7f, 3:37 p.m.

   Owner/Breeder Godolphin debuts 3-year-old homebred SHREVEPORT in this elongated sprint at Belmont Thursday. The son of leading sire Tapit is out of the MGISW Seventh Street (Street Cry {Ire}) who took both the GI Apple Blossom H. and the GI Go for Wand H., making him a full-brother to GII Demoiselle S. winner and GI Ketel One Ballerina H. runner-up Lake Avenue. Trainer Bill Mott has prepared the gray colt for debut with a pair of Payson Park bullets last month, working four furlongs from the gate Apr. 4 in :49 (1/18) and five furlongs Apr. 11 in 1:01 1/5 (1/4). Jose Lezcano picks up the ride.

One gate to the outside is Mugged (Street Sense) for owner Centennial Farm and trainer James Jerkins. Purchased for $140,000 from the Fasig-Tipton Select Sale, this colt is out of a half-sister to GSW Proceed Bee (Bernstein).

Most intriguing of the non-firsters is Breakwater (Flatter). A son of GSW Quiet Harbor (Silver Deputy), he is from the immediate family of MGSW and sire Ironicus (Distored Humor). Trainer Shug McGaughey unveiled this colt for owner/breeder Janney Stuart III with a third-place effort Apr. 3 at Gulfstream. TJCIS PPs

The post Thursday Racing Insights: Godolphin Debuts Well-Bred Tapit Colt at Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Several of Lukas's fillies included Landaluce, Terlingua, Lady's Secret, Life's Magic, Family Style, Lucky Lucky Lucky, Miss Huntington and the list goes on. When I think back of my first years working at the track, two fillies come to my mind: Heatherten and Sefa's Beauty. Both mares at one time were trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

One prestigious thing that both athletes had in common was that they both were winners of the GI Apple Blossom H. at Oaklawn Park. The Apple Blossom has been known to attract the finest fillies and mares to the Hot Springs track. The race has usually produced several champions, including Horse of the Year honorees Zenyatta and Havre de Grace.

What also is interesting is neither of these mares [Heatherten nor Sefa's Beauty] were inducted in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, their careers were before internet so there are no charts to see how they ran. Were they speed favoring? Off the pace? No pictures or videos. The only photo I found was one I purchased on eBay of Sefa's Beauty winning at Fair Grounds. Also, I reached out to Barbara Livingston who had a photo of Heatherten and her groom Randy.

What I do have is some statistics that are mind boggling. Both fillies made over 50 starts with a better than [combined] 44% win average.

Sefa's Beauty was a bargain at $30,000 and was purchased at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling sale. She was by Lt. Stevens out of Delightful Vie. Sefa's Beauty's record is 52 starts, 25 wins, 7 seconds and 8 thirds with earnings of $1,171,628.

Mott took over training when she was 4-years-old and she won 11 races before going out a winner in the Sixty Sails H. at Sportsman's Park in Cicero, Ill.

Sefa's Beauty raced under the colors of Farid Sefa. Jockeys Pat Day and Randy Romero were the mare's pilots while under Mott's care.

Sefa's Beauty only had two foals, both by Fappiano. One of them, Sefapiano, stood at stud in Michigan for a while, but was later moved to Louisiana. Sefapiano's best offspring was Jonesboro, who was a multiple graded stakes winner and stands at stud in Arkansas.

Unfortunately, she died prematurely on Oct. 25, 1989 at Taylor Made Farm. Sefa's Beauty is buried at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. She was owned by Farid Sefa until her death.

And then there was Heatherten. A big, beautiful gray mare by Forceten out of Heather Road by The Axe II. In 1984, while I was working at Churchill Downs, I remember walking through the barn area after feed time and would pass Mott's barn. You could not miss the tall mare in the corner stall weaving back and forth like she was listening to a disco song from the 70s.

Heatherten was purchased for $29,000 in 1980 at the Keeneland September yearling sale. In 53 starts, Heatherten had won 21 races, with 7 seconds and 4 thirds with earnings of $1,022,699.

She raced from ages three to six and had four different trainers: Robert Holthus, John Palmer, Jack Van Berg and finally Mott. From what I can see thanks to the Daily Racing Form and Equibase, John Franks had her until she was sold to [Fontainebleau Farm] for $650,000 in foal to Theatrical (Ire).

On June 2, 1984, Heatherten won the Locust Grove S. at Churchill Downs. Only eight days later on June 10, she was traveling to New York for the GI Hempstead H. at Belmont Park and she won. And 20 days later she headed back to Louisville and won the Fleur de Lis H. again at Churchill Downs. Talk about tough! In total Heatherten won five Grade I stakes races. And, still today some 38 years later, Heatherten's name can be seen in the Oaklawn program as she remains the track record holder for 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.20, which was set in the Apple Blossom in 1984.

She had several winners in Japan. Her best runner was Three Diamond (Jpn) (Theatrical {Ire}) with earnings of approximately $441,667. Heatherten was sent to Japan in 1991, while in foal to Theatrical (Ire). On June 20, 1999, the big mare passed away.

Overall, both fillies ran three times in the prestigious Apple Blossom.

Sefa's Beauty ran second in 1983; she won the Apple Blossom in 1985 and finished third in 1986.

Heatherten's quest for the Apple Blossom started in 1983, but she finished 10th; in 1984 she finished first and in 1985 she finished second.

This week, Oaklawn honored the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame members and one special trainer that came in was William I. Mott. I had the chance to sit and talk about both legends. Mott used to gallop horses that he trained and he rode both Heatherten and Sefa's Beauty in the mornings. Sefa's Beauty he said was easy to train, while Heatherten was an anxious mare that you had to be prepared for her next move. Both girls were groomed by Randy, one of Bill's best grooms, who would always wear a suit when taking his stakes fillies to the paddock on race day.

I had the past performances of both mares to show Bill. He looked at them with amazement and asked, “Did I do that?” Yes, Mr. Mott, you sure did!

The post Letter to the Editor: A Tale of Two Apple Blossom Winners, by Catherine Riccio appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Both are previous winners of the Hot Springs signature race, as the Fausto Gutierrez-trained Letruksa won the Apple Blossom in 2021 and the Mike McCarthy-conditioned Ce Ce took the 2020 edition. The two have otherwise taken divergent paths, so much so that in spite of twice running on the same card last year, they were in different divisions: on Nov. 6 at Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup, Letruska ran in the GI Distaff and Ce Ce won the GI Filly & Mare Sprint, while on Aug. 28 at Saratoga, Letruska won the GI Personal Ensign and Ce Ce finished third in the GI Ballerina.

In addition to both being previous Apple Blossom winners, both 6-year-old homebred mares were named champions for their outstanding seasons last year. Letruska's 2021 campaign included six graded wins, four of which were Grade Is as she dominated the division for the Older Dirt Female title, and Ce Ce won three graded races, culminating in a powerful Breeders' Cup win that propelled her to Champion Female Sprinter. Both mares have won their most recent starts as Letruska took Gulfstream's Feb. 26 GIII Royal Delta S. and Ce Ce won Oaklawn's Mar. 12 GII Azeri S.

Based on her dominance last year in the division, her proven prowess at two turns, and her devastating speed, Letruska will be the favorite. However, Ce Ce has proven time and time again that she can't be counted out with her tracking and pouncing style. She will also carry an impost three pounds under Letruska's. The latter's connections are looking long term with an end goal of rectifying her Breeders' Cup loss last year.

“The idea is to go back to the Breeders' Cup, especially now that it's on this side the country,” said Gutierrez Thursday. “We have more chances to check what mistakes we had last year and make much better decisions this year. The idea is to run here in the Apple Blossom and maybe three or four more races and try to win the Breeders' Cup. But we need to go step-by-step and now the most important race is the Apple Blossom.”

To add another splash of intrigue to the Apple Blossom field beyond the top two are a pair of Grade I-winning 4-year-olds, who have both signaled they are poised for big 2022 campaigns. Steve Asmussen's Clairiere (Curlin), winner of the 2021 GI Cotillion S. and a constant factor on the board in last year's 3-year-old division, shook off winter rust by tuning up for the Apple Blossom with a huge 6 1/2-length optional allowance score at Fair Grounds Mar. 16. Maracuja (Honor Code), victress of Saratoga's GI Coaching Club American Oaks for trainer Rob Atras, wore down the frontrunner in the stretch of her 2022 debut, an optional allowance over this track and trip Apr. 1.

The short field also has a deserving longshot in Jerry Hollendorfer's Miss Imperial (Maclean's Music), who is a multiple black-type winner at Assiniboia Downs. The former claimer has notched 14 career wins, which is difficult at any level, but she's never run against this type, nor in a graded event. However, her best races have come on the lead and she gets nine pounds from Letruska, so she could very easily change the complexion of the race if she and the champ get into a punishing speed duel.

If either Letruska or Ce Ce prevail, the winner will be just the fourth mare to win the Apple Blossom more than once, joining Paseana (Arg) (Ahmad {Arg}), Azeri (Jade Hunter), and Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}). All three of those mares are in the Hall of Fame.

The post Eclipse Champions Clash in Apple Blossom appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Cox reiterated Tuesday afternoon that Shedaresthedevil's first 2022 target remains the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles March 12 at Oaklawn. Shedaresthedevil opened her 2021 campaign with a victory in the Azeri, holding off expected Eclipse Award winner Letruksa by a head under regular rider Florent Geroux.

“It was a good move,” Cox said, referring to Sunday's breeze. “Pointing for the Azeri. I think it's going to be a realistic goal to get to the Azeri. Obviously, it's a prep for the Apple Blossom.”

Shedaresthedevil hasn't started since a sixth-place finish in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar. Shedaresthedevil, as a racing/broodmare prospect, sold for $5 million at Fasig-Tipton's Fall Mixed Sale Nov. 9, but her new connections decided to keep her in training with Cox for a 2022 racing campaign.

Flurry said the 5-year-old daughter of Daredevil received a 30-day break following the Breeders' Cup and was in light training at new co-owner Mandy Pope's farm in Florida before returning to Cox in early January at Fair Grounds.

“They had her in Ocala, Mandy Pope's team did, and she came back and looked amazing,” Cox said. “She looked as well as she's ever looked, so I'm excited about getting her started this year and hopefully make her presence felt in some Grade 1s throughout the year.”

The Azeri is the final major local prep for the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at 1 1/16 miles April 23.

In addition to the Azeri, Shedaresthedevil won the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies in 2020 at Oaklawn before capturing the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) later that year at Churchill Downs. She was a finalist for an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly of 2020.

Shedaresthedevil has bankrolled $2,331,458 after winning 9 of 17 career starts. She is a three-time Grade 1 winner.

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The Fleur de Lis, at 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up, is carded as Race 5 at 2:45 p.m. (all times Eastern). The first of 12 races will get underway at 12:45 p.m. The Fleur de Lis is one of seven stakes events on Saturday's closing day program at Churchill Downs. The other stakes are the $600,000 Stephen Foster (G2), $300,000 Wise Dan (G2), $150,000 Bashford Manor (G3), $150,000 Debutante (Listed), $150,000 Tepin and $150,000 War Chant.

The Fleur de Lis is a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” race for the $4 million Longines Distaff (G1) on Nov. 6 at Del Mar. The winner will receive an all entry fees paid berth to the season ending championship event.

Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska scored a front-running victory in the $500,000 Ogden Phipps (G1) earlier this month on the Belmont Stakes undercard. The 5-year-old Super Saver mare has 14 wins from 18 lifetime starts including a victory in the $1 million Apple Blossom (G1) in April where she re-rallied against multiple champion Monomoy Girl.

“She's in a good condition to run,” Gutierrez said. “This is a very important race. We're going step by step for now and this is next race we had in mind. I know it's just 21 days from the (Ogden Phipps). When a horse wants to run and they're ready to run, we have to let them run. She's at Keeneland training and we're looking forward to getting her to Churchill.”

Gutierrez, who was a top trainer in his home country of Mexico, has been primarily training in the U.S. in 2021. Letruska's only blemish in her 5-year-old campaign was a runner-up effort to Shedaresthedevil in the $350,000 Azeri (G2).

Jose Ortiz has the mount in the Fleur de Lis from post position No. 6.

Among Letruska's challengers in the Fleur de Lis is Walking L Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's Grade 2 winner Envoutante. Trained by Kenny McPeek, Envoutante cruised to a 4 ¼-length victory in last month's $150,000 Shawnee Stakes, the local prep for the Fleur de Lis on May 29.

Envoutante, a 4-year-old filly by Uncle Mo, finished 2 ¼ lengths behind Letruska in the Azeri. Arguably the biggest win in Envoutante's career was a six-length win in last year's $200,000 Falls City (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Her regular pilot Brian Hernandez Jr. will be in the saddle from post 4.

Another top filly that entered the Fleur de Lis is Robert and Lawana Low's $150,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff Match Series (G3) winner Spice Is Nice. The Curlin filly is a four-time winner for trainer Todd Pletcher. The regally-bred Spice Is Nice is out of Pletcher's former Grade 1-winning mare Dame Dorothy. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez has the mount from post 5.

Also entered in the Fleur de Lis is Kueber Racing, Barlar LLC, Madaket Stables and Little Red Feather Racing's recent $200,000 Ruffian (G2) winner Vault. The Brad Cox trainee will attempt to get her first victory at 1 1/8 miles. The seven-time winning mare be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post 3.

The complete field for the Fleur de Lis from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

1. Point of Honor (Javier Castellano, Shug McGaughey)
2. Antoinette (Florent Geroux, Bill Mott)
3. Vault (Gaffalione, Cox)
4. Envoutante (Hernandez, McPeek)
5. Spice Is Nice (Velazquez, Pletcher)
6. Letruska (Ortiz, Gutierrez)

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The victory earns Letruska an expenses-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Distaff, scheduled for early November in Del Mar.

It was the second Grade 1 win for both Letruska and Gutierrez; the mare defeated champion Monomoy Girl last out in the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park.

“Today, she confirmed what we saw in the Apple Blossom,” Gutierrez said. “She's progressed with age and taking the blinkers off. She ran like a big horse. When she would run on the lead, she never saw the other horses. She has improved so much more. She has this class to her. She really likes to run.

“Now we need to focus on the Breeders' Cup with the form that we have. These races are really tough. We'll check how she does. She's a very sound filly and I hope she continues like this.”

The anticipated speed duel with Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil did not materialize as Letruska was able to clear away from that rival down the backstretch, setting measured fractions of :23.49 and :45.87. Ortiz held a 1 1/2 length advantage heading into the turn, and Letruska extended that lead to nearly three lengths without being asked to mark three-quarters in 1:10.26.

Shedaresthedevil was unable to match strides with the winner down the lane, and late-running Bonny South moved up from last to gain second. At the finish, however, Letruska was all alone and geared down to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Queen Nekia filled out the super, while Water White finished last of the five. Both Swiss Skydiver and Valiance were scratched.

“She was breaking a little bit slow, but she broke good today,” Ortia said. “I was able to put her on the lead and make the other horses chase me. Florent [Geroux, aboard Shedaresthedevil], if he wanted to beat me, he had to run with me. She couldn't keep up with me by the three-eighths pole. When I looked back and saw her three lengths behind me, I was very happy.”

Bred in Kentucky by her owner, Letruska is out of the graded stakes-placed Successful Appeal mare Magic Appeal, a half to Grade 1 winner J P's Gusto. Letruska is a half-sister to the Grade 1-placed Trigger Warning; St. George purchased the dam, Magic Appeal, with Letruska in utero for $100,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November sale. She began her career in Mexico, winning a pair of G1 races, then came to the United States with her trainer in late 2019. Letruska has blossomed this year as a 5-year-old, winning three of her four starts including back-to-back Grade 1's. Overall, the mare's record stands at 14 wins from 19 starts for earnings of over $1.4 million.

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Monomoy Girl was sold to Spendthrift Farm for $9.5 million at the conclusion of her 2020 racing season, and MyRacehorse leased her 2021 racing rights. MyRacehorse then sold shares in that experience to 10,200 individuals earlier this year. The 6-year-old daughter of Tapizar won the G3 Bayakoa and was second to Letruska in the Apple Blossom thus far this season.

The full statement from MyRacehorse is as follows:

“MyRacehorse, after collaborating with our partners, Spendthrift Farm, and trainer Brad Cox, have decided to give Monomoy Girl a brief break from training, with the expectation of the 6-year-old mare returning for a second-half of the year campaign on the racetrack.

“The two-time Eclipse Award champion didn't bounce out of her gutsy second-place finish in last month's Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap as quickly as we would have hoped. While there are no serious physical issues with Monomoy Girl, she recently has been experiencing some minor muscle strains and hamstring soreness.

“After a thorough veterinary work-up, Dr. Wes Sutter of Kentucky Equine Hospital advised us that giving Monomoy Girl a short break from training would be very beneficial for the mare.

“Monomoy Girl will receive her freshening at WinStar Farm in Kentucky, where she will be turned out for 30 days while being hand-walked. Dr. Sutter has also cleared Monomoy Girl to begin a swimming regime in two weeks' time.

“'We fully expect Monomoy Girl to return for a second-half of the year campaign and anticipate more terrific performances to come from our wonderful mare,' said Spendthrift general manager, Ned Toffey. 'We're happy that she will be spending her turnout time at WinStar, which has an amazing facility for horses who are getting a break from training. We look forward to getting Monomoy Girl back to Brad's barn after this brief respite, which we believe will do her a world of good.'”

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