aqueduct | Horse Racing Free Tips

Skims Becomes Newest Graded Winner For Frankel in Sands Point

Skims (GB) (Frankel {GB}) took over on the GII Sands Point S. turn under Hall of Famer John Velazquez and kept finding from there to turn the tables on Vergara (Noble Mission {GB})–who beat her by a head last time in the Dueling Grounds Oaks–while giving her superstar sire yet another graded winner. Victorious in her first two turf routes, the Andrew Rosen homebred was subsequently third in the GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland in April and again in Belmont's GII Wonder Again S. over yielding sod June 9. Fifth in the GIII Lake George S. at the Spa July 22, she disappointed as the favorite when seventh in that venue's restricted Riskaverse S. Aug. 25, but bounced back last time to be second when stretched to 1 5/16 miles at Kentucky Downs.

Away well from the rail, Skims tugged her way forward to sit just behind the leading duo and outside of familiar foe Vergara. She continued to apply pressure to the top two after an easy half in :50.90, and took over midway on the bend as frontrunner Hail To (Kitten's Joy) dropped anchor and backed up into Vergara. Skims was a couple lengths clear as she pointed for home and she comfortably fended off Vergara from there. Favored Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine, could only manage fourth from the back of the pack.

“She had really trained well since her last race,” said winning Hall of Fame conditioner Shug McGaughey, who was celebrating his second Sands Point win. “We were kind of in between this one and the [GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup] at Keeneland. [Owner/breeder] Andrew [Rosen] thought this race might be the right spot and when he said that I felt the same way. We figured it could come up a little more to our liking and all she had to do was ship down the road.”

He added, “I said from the inside, I thought if [Velazquez] broke well, then maybe he would be on the lead. He felt those two horses would go and he said he just wanted to reverse from what beat her at Kentucky Downs. He said he held her in there and then when he went, he said he had a lot of horse.”

McGaughey said the GI American Oaks Dec. 26 at Santa Anita could be a next target for Skims.

Rosen is an investor in the Kim Kardashian co-founded clothing and shapewear brand Skims.

“It's amazing. It's good to have a plan and have it come together and work out the way it did,” said Rosen, the retail and fashion executive best known for founding fashion label Theory.

“[Frankel] has really taken over, I think, as the best sire in the world. I was wondering when my Frankel was finally going to win a stake and it's exciting that it was today and I could be here.”

Saturday, Belmont
SANDS POINT S.-GII, $200,000, Belmont The Big A, 10-15, 3yo, f, 1 1/8mT, 1:51.14, gd.
1–SKIMS (GB), 118, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Royal Decree, by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Ticker Tape (GB), by Royal Applause (GB)
3rd Dam: Argent Du Bois, by Silver Hawk
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($235,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP). O/B-Andrew Rosen (GB); T-Claude R. McGaughey III; J-John R. Velazquez. $110,000. Lifetime Record: 9-3-1-2, $281,485. *1/2 to War Decree (War Front), GSW-Eng, GSW-Ire, $312,212. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Vergara, 118, f, 3, Noble Mission (GB)–Figure of Beauty, by Street Cry (Ire). ($130,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Gary Broad; B-Neil Jones (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. $40,000.
3–Eminent Victor, 118, f, 3, Mr. Z–Juliet Victor, by Unusual Heat. O-Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, LLC (Stuart Grant), Louis Lazzinnaro LLC and Michael J. Caruso; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $24,000.
Margins: 1, 1 1/4, HF. Odds: 4.60, 3.65, 4.20.
Also Ran: Pizza Bianca, Spirit And Glory (Ire), Canisy, Hail To, Lady Baffled. Scratched: Baby Man, Golden Rocket.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

It's a rare weekend that doesn't have a group/graded winner by Frankel, who ranks among the elite sires in the world with his 103 black-type winners from a mere seven crops of racing age. Skims is the Banstead Manor Stud's 73rd group/graded winner worldwide and he's one of the truly special stallions who can boast Grade/Group 1 winners on four continents: Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America.

Skims is out of an unplaced Street Cry (Ire) mare, a $385,000 Keeneland November broodmare purchase by Hugo Merry Bloodstock in 2012. Now the dam of two GSWs, including War Decree (War Front) in England, Royal Decree is out of Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}), whose GISWs included the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. in 2004. Ticker Tape traces to the spectacular mare Terlingua (Secretariat), her fourth dam, through that legend's GSW daughter Chapel of Dreams (Northern Dancer). English G1SW Crowded House (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and French G1SW Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) are part of this family, but most significant is Terlingua's GISW and breed-shaping son, Storm Cat (Storm Bird).

Royal Decree had fillies the last two years: a now-yearling by Lope de Vega (Ire) and a foal by Kingman (GB). She is back in foal to Too Darn Hot (GB). Skims is the 120th black-type winner out of a Street Cry daughter, four of which have been by Frankel.

The post Skims Becomes Newest Graded Winner For Frankel in Sands Point appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Signator Becomes 50th Rising Star for Tapit

Signator (Tapit) earned the 'TDN Rising Star' tag with a good-looking score at second asking at Belmont at the Big A. A $1.7-million OBSAPR acquisition after breezing in :20 4/5 for Eddie Woods, he finished up well to be second on debut going six panels at this oval Sept. 16 and was hammered down to 3-5 favoritism to go one better here. Away a beat slow from his inside stall, the gray tugged his way up the fence, sitting near the back of the tightly bunched group. Saving ground off a modest half-mile in :48.73 over a muddy surface, Signator was patiently handled under a smart ride from Javier Castellano, who didn't panic behind a wall of horses turning for home and got the opening he was looking for at the top of the lane. Signator dove through and rolled clear for an impressive 4 1/2-length score over Weekend Tizzy (Bernardini).

Signator is the 50th 'TDN Rising Star' for his perennial leading sire Tapit. He is a full-brother to $900,000 FTSAUG buy and GSW Thoughtfully. He is also a half to GSW Annual Report (Harlan's Holiday) and MSW Giant Payday (Giant's Causeway). His second dam is GISW Furlough (Easy Goer) and this is also the family of top-level scorers Dancing Spree, Fantastic Find and Finder's Fee. Signator also shares the same female family as GSW Feathered (Indian Charlie), dam of unbeaten sensation Flightline (Tapit).

1st-Belmont The Big A, $95,000, Msw, 10-14, 2yo, 1m, 1:37.89, my, 4 1/2 lengths.
SIGNATOR, c, 2, by Tapit
                1st Dam: Pension, by Seeking the Gold
                2nd Dam: Furlough, by Easy Goer
                3rd Dam: Blitely, by Riva Ridge
$1,700,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $71,250. O-West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, LLC, Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck), Phipps Stable, Langone, Ken, Hudson, Jr., Edward J. and Lane's End Racing; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. *Full to Thoughtfully, GSW, $168,214; and 1/2 to Annual Report (Harlan's Holiday), GSW, $186,587; Flores Island (Giant's Causeway), MSP, $244,070; and Giant Payday (Giant's Causeway), MSW, $429,710. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Signator Becomes 50th Rising Star for Tapit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Lea’s Nagirroc Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth with Futurity Win

Nagirroc got up late to win the GIII Futurity S. at Aqueduct Sunday and earn an automatic berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. The 7-2 shot sat just in behind the battling Gaslight Dancer and Vacation Dance who contested the pace through fractions of :22.09 and :44.78. Tipped out four wide into the lane, he reeled in the pacesetters in the dying strides to just get the best of a blanket finish.

“The main thing was trying to break clean,” said winning rider Manny Franco. “That was what we did, and after that, I don't want my horse to do too much [going] six furlongs. I think the speed is good on the outer track. My horse pulled me right into the race behind the speed and I think that was the key.”

Ian Wilson, assistant to winning trainer Graham Motion, added, “Last time, he was on the lead and we didn't feel like he needed to be on the lead [today]. Manny got him settled behind horses and once he got some space to go, he went. Once he tipped him out and got somewhere to go, it seemed like he was moving well and moving comfortably. He got there and that's all that matters.”

Nagirroc closed to second in his five-furlong debut over the turf at Indianapolis Horseshoe Aug. 22 for owners Corrigan Racing Stable and Tom Campbell and trainer Jim Corrigan. He came back to break his maiden over the Futurity's course and distance in his first start for trainer Graham Motion and new owners Madaket Stables, Little Red Feather Racing and William Strauss.

“In his first start, which wasn't for us, he broke pretty poorly and it probably cost him,” said Wilson. “So, last race, we wanted Manny to get him out of the gate. Today, we weren't as worried. He showed professionalism from start to finish. He's a classy horse.”

Pedigree Notes:

Nagirroc has a weanling half-sister by More Than Ready. His dam, Emma Spencer, was bred back to Audible this year. The mare is a half-sister to multiple Group 1-placed Johann Strauss (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}), Group 1-placed Mythical (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) and graded-placed Inchargeofme (High Chaparral {Ire}).

Nagirroc is the third graded winner for Claiborne stallion Lea, who has also been represented by last year's GIII Turnback the Alarm H. winner Gibberish and 2020 GIII Ontario Colleen S. winner Chart. He is the sire of 10 stakes winners.

Sunday, Belmont at the Big A
FUTURITY S.-GIII, $150,000, Belmont at the Big A, 10-9, 2yo, 6fT, 1:09.36, fm.
1–NAGIRROC, 120, c, 2, by Lea
               1st Dam: Emma Spencer (Ire), by Zamindar
               2nd Dam: Inchmina (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire)
               3rd Dam: Incheni (Ire), by Nashwan
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN.
O-Madaket Stables LLC, Little Red Feather Racing & William
Strauss; B-Chervenell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-H. Graham
Motion; J-Manuel Franco. $82,500. Lifetime Record:
3-2-1-0, $141,550. Werk Nick Rating: B
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Gaslight Dancer, 120, c, 2, City of Light–Raindrops
Droptops, by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST
GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($80,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL; $260,000
2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-Paradise Farms Corp., David
Staudacher, Skychai Racing LLC & Angelo Carlesimo;
B-Springhouse Farm (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $30,000.
3–Vacation Dance, 120, c, 2, The Lieutenant–Matinee
Express, by Zensational. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED
BLACK TYPE. ($45,000 Ylg '21 EASOCT; $140,000 RNA 2yo
'22 OBSMAR; $90,000 2yo '22 EASMAY). O-Sleeping Giant
Stables, LLC, America's Pastime Stables & KimDon Racing,
LLC; B-Harry Landry & James Hogan (NY); T-John C. Kimmel.
$18,000.
Margins: NK, HD, HD. Odds: 3.60, 1.75, 11.50.
Also Ran: Inflation Nation (Ire), Dunedin, Determined Jester, Power Attack. Scratched: Bourbon Therapy.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Lea’s Nagirroc Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth with Futurity Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Nest Romps in Beldame

Nest tuned up for her engagement in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland next month with an effortless victory in the GII Beldame S. at Aqueduct Sunday. Making her first start against her elders, the 1-9 favorite broke well from her inside post and was on the lead in the early strides before allowing Travel Column (Frosted) to take over heading into the first turn. Nest settled into third as Travel Column set the tempo with First to Act tracking in second as the quarter went up in :24.52 and the three fillies lined up across the track after a half in :49.01. Three wide on the far turn, Nest floated wider into the lane, but once straightened she produced an emphatic burst of speed to power clear to an 9 3/4-length victory.

“I was a passenger,” said winning rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. “She's doing so good right now. I broke good. Before, she used to break a step slow. Now, the last couple of times she's been breaking good out of there and that's a big advantage because I don't have to use that much. She put herself in the race and I just waited for my time to go. In the turn, I stayed away from the other horses because I was already going by them a little early, but I don't get in her way. I stayed away a little bit just to keep her there and let her do her thing.”

Winner of the GI Ashland S. in April, Nest was second in the GI Kentucky Oaks and against the boys in the GI Belmont S. She staked her claim to the top of the 3-year-old fillies division this summer at Saratoga with wins in the July 23 GI Coaching Club American Oaks and Aug. 20 GI Alabama S.

“She's going to race at four,” said co-owner Mike Repole. “She's so special. She's by Curlin and she's getting better. Those were three 'wow' performances we just saw out of her and she's improving every start. It's great for racing. She's a special filly.”

Repole will hold a strong hand at the Breeders' Cup, with Nest joined by GI Frizette S. winner Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke) and GI Hopeful S. and GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner Forte (Violence).

“Nest will probably be a top two or three favorite [in the Distaff],” he said. “Chocolate Gelato will be first or second choice [in the Juvenile Fillies], Forte will probably be first or second choice [in the Juvenile]. It's been an incredible blessing this year. Seven Grade Is and horses like this have made this year incredible.”

Pedigree Notes:

Marion Ravenwood, the dam of last year's GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol (Curlin), has also been represented this year by Sapling S. winner Lost Ark (Violence). The 14-year-old mare, a half-sister to graded placed Abstraction, was barren in 2021 and 2022 and was bred to Curlin this spring. She was purchased by co-breeder Ashview Farm for $400,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale.

Sunday, Belmont The Big A
BELDAME S.-GII, $242,500, Belmont The Big A, 10-9, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:52.38, ft.
1–NEST, 120, f, 3, by Curlin
                1st Dam: Marion Ravenwood (SW, $112,598), by A.P. Indy
                2nd Dam: Andujar, by Quiet American
                3rd Dam: Nureyev's Best, by Nureyev
($350,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable, Eclipse
Thoroughbred Partners & Michael House; B-Ashview Farm &
Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.
$137,500. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 10-7-2-1, $1,873,050.
*1/2 to Dr Jack (Pioneerof the Nile), MSP, $156,155;
Lost Ark (Violence), SW, $177,000; Full to Idol, GISW,
$426,964. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–First to Act, 123, f, 4, Curlin–First Passage, by
Giant's Causeway. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Andrew
Rosen; B-AR Enterprises, LLC (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III.
$50,000.
3–Hybrid Eclipse, 123, f, 4, Paynter–Super Plan, by Valid Wager.
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($37,000 2yo '20 EASMAY;
$107,000 4yo '22 FTKHRA). O-The Elkstone Group, LLC
(Stuart Grant); B-Alex Venneri Racing, LLC (KY); T-Brittany T.
Russell. $30,000.
Margins: 9 3/4, 5HF, 4 1/4. Odds: 0.05, 9.50, 48.25.
Also Ran: Travel Column, The Grass Is Blue.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Nest Romps in Beldame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post