Ashland | Horse Racing Free Tips

Pass The Champagne Ready For ‘Big Step Up’ In Ashland

Trainer George Weaver almost made a run at the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in 2019, but his entrant, Point of Honor, did not have enough qualifying points.

On Saturday, Weaver will send out Pass the Champagne for her stakes debut in the $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) at Keeneland, which carries 170 qualifying points toward the April 30 Oaks on a scale of 100-40-20-10 to the first- through fourth-place finishers.

“It is a big step up for her and first time going two turns,” Weaver said Friday morning after the Flatter filly galloped on the main track under exercise rider Nick Bush. “Rusty (Arnold) had her the first time she ran, and we liked what we saw in her debut. They (new owners) negotiated a price and bought her with an eye toward the Oaks if we could do it.”

Five weeks after her debut, Pass the Champagne scored her first career win by 2½ lengths for the new ownership group of R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing, Black Ridge Stables and James Brown.

“We expected her to run well (in her second start),” said Weaver, who will have Javier Castellano aboard Pass the Champagne for the first time in Saturday's Central Bank Ashland. “We're going to give it a shot.”

After Point of Honor failed to make the Oaks, she went on to win the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) two weeks later. She would go on to place second in three Grade 1 races and earn more than $700,000.

“They are different horses but I think Pass the Champagne has more natural speed,” Weaver said. “They are both class acting fillies.”

The post Pass The Champagne Ready For ‘Big Step Up’ In Ashland appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for April 1

The picture for the GI Kentucky Oaks might look a lot different late Saturday afternoon than it does at the present. There are four races on tap-the GIII Gazelle S., the GI Ashland S., the GIII Fantasy and the GII Santa Anita Oak–that will feature more than a dozen serious candidates for the last Friday in April. Five horses among our top 10 are slated to go.

Meanwhile, last weekend's action featured a win in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks for Crazy Beautiful (Liam's Map) and a strong showing for runner-up Millefeuille (Curlin), who rebounded off a poor effort the in the GII Davona Dale S. At Turfway, the loaded Brad Cox barn had Adventuring (Pioneerof the Nile) primed for a winning effort in the Bourbonette Oaks.

1) TRAVEL COLUMN (Frosted–Swingit, by Victory Gallop)
'TDN Rising Star' O-OXO Equine. B-Mr. & Mrs. Bayne Welker, Jr. & Denali Stud (KY). T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $850,000 ylg '19 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: MGSW & GISP, 5-3-1-1, $517,184.
Last Start: 1st GII Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28, 2nd GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13, 3rd GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE, Oct. 2
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Apr. 30
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 132

The likely favorite for the Oaks, Travel Column is as solid as they come. Since winning the GII Golden Rod S. last fall at Churchill, she hasn't missed a beat and defeated rival Clairiere in another head-to-head match up in GII Fair Grounds Oaks. The Oaks will be her toughest test to date and she may have to improve a bit to win it. Ran a 90 Beyer in the Fair Grounds race, which may not be good enough to win the Oaks. She will attempt to become the fifth horse since 2008 to parlay a win in the Fair Grounds Oaks into a victory in the Kentucky Oaks. Cox and jockey Florent Geroux have teamed up to win two of the last three runnings of the Kentucky Oaks.

2) CLAIRIERE (Curlin–Cavorting, by Bernardini)
O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-2-0, $350,492.
Last Start: 2nd GII Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 20
Accomplishments Include: 1st GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, FG, Feb. 13, 2nd GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Apr. 30
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 94

If Clairiere has a flaw it is that she may be dependent on a fast early pace. Fifth early, she was a bit closer when finishing second behind Travel Column in the Fair Grounds Oaks, but still had left herself with too much to do. Perhaps, the extra sixteenth of the mile in the Oaks will be to her liking. Trainer Steve Asmussen will be looking for his third win in the Oaks and his first since Untapable (Tapit) in 2014. Should have a hungry rider. Through March 29, Joe Talamo was just 8 for 112 on the year (7.14%). With Travel Column having won two of her three meetings with Clairiere, she will likely need to run an improved race to win.

3) WILL'S SECRET (Will Take Charge–Girls Secret, by Giant's Causeway)
O/B-Willis Horton Racing (KY). T-Dallas Stewart. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-3-0-2, $343,300.
Last Start: 1st GIII Honeybee S., OP, Mar. 6
Accomplishments Include: 1st Martha Washington S., OP, Jan. 30
Next Start: Possible for GIII Fantasy S., OP, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 60

The story here is the jockey. Jon Court, 60, has been riding for 41 years and broke in in 1980 at Centennial Park in Colorado, which hasn't run a race since 1983. Court picked up the mount for a maiden race back in October and has been there ever since. Got a very favorable trip in the GIII Honeybee S., where she got the lead after posting soft fractions. Rather than stay at Oaklawn for the Fantasy, trainer Dallas Stewart has entered his filly in the Ashland, which is looking like a very tough spot. Stewart won the Oaks in 2006 with Lemons Forever (Lemon Drop Kid). She is the first foal out of Girls Secret (Giant's Causeway), a winner of just one of six career starts.

4) MALATHAAT (Curlin–Dreaming of Julia, by A.P. Indy)
O-Shadwell Stable. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $1,050,000 ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-0, $172,150.
Last Start: 1st GII Demoiselle S., AQU, Dec. 5
Accomplishments Include: 'TDN Rising Star', 1st Tempted S., AQU, Nov. 6
Next Start: GI Central Bank Ashland S., KEE, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 10

At long last, we will get to see Malathaat perform as a 3-year-old. She hasn't run since winning the GII Demoiselle S. on Dec. 5 at Aqueduct. Was supposed to start her 3-year-old campaign in the Davona Dale S., but came down with a minor problem, which caused trainer Todd Pletcher to go back to the drawing board. Is the 9-5 morning line favorite in the Ashland. Can a horse win a race as tough as the Oaks off of just one prep?

5) SIMPLY RAVISHING (Laoban–Four Wishes, by More Than Ready)
O-Harold Lerner, Magdalena Racing & Nehoc Stables.
B-Meg Levy (NY). T-Ken McPeek. Sales History: $50,000 ylg '19 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-3-0-0, $414,200.
Last Start: 4th GII Golden Rod S., CD, Nov. 28
Accomplishments Include: 1st GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE,
Oct. 2, 1st P.G. Johnson S., SAR, Sept. 3
Next Start: GI Central Bank Ashland S., KEE, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 13

Like Malathaat, she will be making her first start of 2021 in the Ashland, where she is the second choice in the line at 5-2. The New York-bred filly was brought around slowly by trainer Kenny McPeek, but has showed her sharpness in the mornings. She breezed a half-mile at Gulfstream in 46.53 on March 6. Had an up-and-down year in 2020, peaking with an easy win in the GI Alcibiades S. only to return with fourth-place finishes in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and the Golden Rod. In the GII Golden Rod, she was sent off at 7-10 and was beaten four lengths.

6) BEAUTIFUL GIFT (Medaglia d'Oro–Sea Gift, by A.P. Indy)
O/B-Baoma Corporation (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-1, $99,600.
Last Start: 1st GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, Mar. 7
Next Start: GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50

Trainer Bob Baffert doesn't have nearly the ammunition for the Oaks that he has for the GI Kentucky Derby, but you can never count him out in a major race. She broke her maiden in October and then wasn't seen again until she won the GIII Santa Ysabel S. at Santa Anita on March 7. She goes next in the Santa Anita Oaks, where she will have had the benefit of a race. Baffert also has Kalypso (Brody's Cause) knocking on the door for the Oaks, but she may be better suited to shorter distances.

7) SEARCH RESULTS (Flatter–Co Cola, by Candy Ride {Arg})
O-Klaravich Stables Inc. B-Machmer Hall (KY). T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $310,000 ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 2-2-0-0, $161,500.
Last Start: 1st Busher Invitational S., AQU, Mar. 6
Next Start: GIII Gazelle S., AQU, Apr. 3
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50

Trainer Chad Brown has been very patient with this daughter of Flatter. She didn't make her first start until January and after winning a maiden race she sat out nearly two months before resurfacing in the March 6 Busher Invitational. A win there put her on the map so far as possible Kentucky Oaks starters go. Has never run beyond a mile or around two turns, but her pedigree suggests that won't be a problem. Brown also has The Grass Is Blue (Broken Vow), but her stock fell when was third in the Busher.

8) CRAZY BEAUTIFUL (Liam's Map–Indian Burn, by Indian Charlie)
O-Phoenix Thoroughbred III. B-Carolyn R. Vogel (KY). T-Ken McPeek. Sales History: $250,000 Ylg '19 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 7-3-3-0, $388,365.
Last Start: 1st GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, Mar. 27
Accomplishments Include: 'TDN Rising Star', 1st Ellis Debutante S., ELP, Aug. 9, 2nd GI Darley Alcibiades S., KEE, Oct. 2, 2nd GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27, 2nd GIII Pocahontas S., CD, Sept. 3
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Apr. 30
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 128

The group of Florida-based 3-year-old fillies wasn't particularly strong this year, so handicappers will have to evaluate what Crazy Beautiful was up against in her win in the Gulfastream Park Oaks. A $250,000 purchase at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling sale, she was a distant second in the GII Davona Dale and no doubt improved in what was her second start of the year. Plus, she did it impressively, closing from last after chasing slow early fractions. Kenny McPeek also won the 2020 Gulfstream Park Oaks with Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), who finished second in the Kentucky Oaks.

9) WHOLEBODEMEISTER (Bodemeister–Wholelottashakin, by Scat Daddy)
O/B-Sabana Farm (KY). T-Juan Avila. Lifetime Record: GSW,
7-3-0-1, $175,922.
Last Start: 1st GII Davona Dale S., GP, Feb. 27
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Apr. 30
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 52

Looks better after Crazy Beautiful came back to win the Gulfstream Park Oaks as she drilled that rival in the Davona Dale. But is still a tough read. She dominated in the Davone Dale, winning by 6 1/2 lengths at odds of 52-1. Before that, showed few signs that she might turn into a star. If the filly that won the Davona Dale shows up she is very much in the mix. But it's hard to have much faith in a horse who could be a one-race wonder.

10) ADVENTURING (Pioneerof the Nile–Questing {GB}, by Hard Spun)
O/B-Godolphin (KY). T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-1-1, $131,370.
Last Start: 1st Bourbonette Oaks, TP, Mar. 27
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Apr. 30
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50

Another tough read. She comes from the powerful Cox stable, has won two straight and looked good when winning the Bourbonette Oaks in her last start. But that win came over the Tapeta surfaced at Turfway and it's anyone's guess when it comes to whether or not she can beat top horses on dirt. Hails from the Godolphin stable, which has been on a tear all year. Definitely seems to be getting better with each start, but obviously hasn't faced the sort of top echelon fillies she will meet in the Oaks. With Geroux also riding Travel Column, she will need a new jockey at Churchill Downs.

The post TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for April 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Simply Ravishing Squares Off With Undefeated Malathaat In Ashland

Shadwell Stable's undefeated Malathaat and Harold Lerner, Magdalena Racing and Nehoc Stables' Simply Ravishing headline a field of six 3-year-old fillies for Saturday's 84th running of the $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland.

The Central Bank Ashland carries 170 points toward qualification for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on April 30 at Churchill Downs on a 100-40-20-10 scale for the first- through fourth-place finishers. The stakes will go as the ninth race on Saturday's 11-race program with a 5:30 p.m. ET post time. First post time Saturday is 1:05 p.m.

A total of 34 fillies that have run in the Central Bank Ashland have gone on to win the Kentucky Oaks, most recently champion Monomoy Girl in 2018.

Favored at 9-5 on Mike Battaglia's morning line is Malathaat, who is making her 2021 debut. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Malathaat closed her 2020 campaign with a victory in the Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct. Joel Rosario, who won the 2014 Central Bank Ashland with Rosalind (who won the race in a dead heat with Room Service), has the mount and will break from post five.

Trained by two-time race winner Kenny McPeek, Simply Ravishing (5-2) romped to a 6¼-length victory in last fall's Darley Alcibiades (G1) before finishing a troubled fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). The Central Bank Ashland will mark her 2021 debut.

Luis Saez, who has been aboard for all three of Simply Ravishing's victories, has the mount and will break from post position three.

Four fillies have completed the Alcibiades-Ashland double with the most recent being Take Charge Lady in 2001-2002. McPeek trained Take Charge Lady.

Other to have done it are Silverbulletday (1998-1999), Optimistic Gal (1975-1976) and Doubledogdare (1955-1956).

Willis Horton Racing's Honeybee (G3) winner Will's Secret is the third choice at 7-2. Trained by Dallas Stewart, who won the 2019 Central Bank Ashland with Out for a Spin, Will's Secret has won her past three races, including the Martha Washington (L) at Oaklawn Park. Jon Court has the mount and will break from post six.

The field for the Central Bank Ashland, with riders from the rail out, is: Curlin's Catch (Chris Landeros, 8-1), Pass the Champagne (Javier Castellano, 4-1), Simply Ravishing (Saez, 5-2), Moon Swag (Adam Beschizza, 10-1), Malathaat (Rosario, 9-5), Will's Secret (Court, 7-2). All starters will carry 121 pounds.

CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND POST POSITION DRAW QUOTE

Kenny McPeek, trainer of Simply Ravishing (post 3; Luis Saez to ride)

“It will be good to get her going. She has been ready for a while. It will be nice to be back to Keeneland, where she won the Alcibiades (G1). She has been ready since early to mid-March, but I did not want to ship her from Florida. I have (Alcibiades) runner-up Crazy Beautiful, and I did not want to run them against each other in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) (won by Crazy Beautiful.) Simply Ravishing is extremely talented and she won the Alcibiades, so it just seemed logical to run her back in the Ashland.”

The post Simply Ravishing Squares Off With Undefeated Malathaat In Ashland appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Keeneland: Champions, Breeders’ Cup Winners Top Nominees To Opening Weekend

Champion Gamine and additional winners of 2020 Breeders' Cup races at Keeneland – Aunt Pearl (IRE), Fire At Will and Golden Pal – are among marquee names nominated to stakes that are part of the April 2-3 opening two days of Keeneland's 15-day 2021 Spring Meet. A total of nine stakes worth a combined $2.5 million will be run.

The April 3 program will feature two classic preps, the 97th running of the $800,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and 84th running of the $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), which will award the respective winners 100 points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve and Kentucky Oaks (G1). As previously announced, the Toyota Blue Grass attracted undefeated champion Essential Quality, winner of the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, among the 151 nominees.

The $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) drew 88 nominees, including previously announced champion Vequist, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and Grade 1 winners Dayoutoftheoffice and Simply Ravishing.

Opening day of the Spring Meet will present a 10-race card that includes three stakes for 3-year-olds: the 36th running of the $150,000 Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select for fillies at the Beard Course distance of 7 furlongs and 184 feet; 33rd running of the $150,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3) at 1 1/16 miles on the turf; and the second running of the $100,000 Palisades Turf Sprint at 5½ furlongs on the turf.

Wagering that day will feature a $200,000-guaranteed Pick Four Presented by TVG.

The Beaumont, which offers 17 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks on a 10-4-2-1 scale to the first- through fourth-place finishers, attracted 35 nominees headlined by trainer Tim Hamm and Siena Farm's Dayoutoftheoffice. Winner of the Frizette (G1) last fall, Dayoutoftheoffice was second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in her most recent start.

Among the other nominees are Phoenix Thoroughbred III's Crazy Beautiful, who was second in last fall's Darley Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland for trainer Kenny McPeek, and trainer Todd Pletcher's Grade 2-winning duo of Shadwell Stables's Malathaat and Holly Hill Stables' Wholebodemeister.

These four fillies also are nominated to the Central Bank Ashland.

Three Diamonds Farm's Fire At Will, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) Presented by Coolmore America, tops a roster of 33 nominees to the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania. Trained by Mike Maker, Fire At Will has won two of three grass starts with the other victory coming in the Pilgrim (G2).

Other nominees to the race include LNJ Foxwoods and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' undefeated Annex, winner of the Palm Beach (L) for trainer Bill Mott, and Jim Bakke's Columbia (L) winner Winfromwithin, who is trained by Todd Pletcher.

Ranlo Investments' Golden Pal, easy winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2), is the most notable name among 21 nominees to the Palisades Turf Sprint. Trained by Wesley Ward, Golden Pal was second in his turf debut in the Norfolk (G2) at Royal Ascot and then took the Skidmore at Saratoga prior to his Breeders' Cup victory.

Ward, who has seven horses nominated to the race, also trains Breeze Easy's Outadore, who finished third behind Fire At Will in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Another nominee is Kristen Boice and Marylou Holden's Bodenheimer. Trained by Valorie Lund, he won Keeneland's Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select during the Fall Meet.

Entries for opening day will be taken Monday, March 29.

The first Saturday of the Spring Meet presents an 11-race card highlighted by the Toyota Blue Grass and Central Bank Ashland. Keeneland will offer a $500,000-guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Four and a $500,000-guaranteed All Stakes Pick Five that day.

Four other graded stakes join the two classic preps on the card, which is worth a total of $2.1 million: 20th running of the $300,000 Madison (G1) for fillies and mares at 7 furlongs on the dirt; 33rd running of the $200,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on the turf; 25th running of the $200,000 Shakertown (G2) for 3-year-olds and up at 5½ furlongs on the turf; and 34th running of the $200,000 Commonwealth (G3) for older horses at 7 furlongs on the dirt.

Michael Lund Petersen's Gamine headlines 23 nominees to the Madison. Trained by Bob Baffert, Gamine won the Acorn (G1) and Test (G1) before her track record-setting romp in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).

Also nominated to the Madison are the 3-4 finishers from the same Breeders' Cup race: Lothenbach Stables' Bell's the One, trained by Neil Pessin, and Lloyd Madison Farms IV's Sconsin, trained by Greg Foley. Frank Fletcher Racing Operations' Frank's Rockette, a three-time graded stakes winner who finished 11th against males in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), also is nominated. She is trained by Bill Mott.

In the Appalachian Presented by Japan Racing Association, Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Peter Deutsch, Michael Kisber, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables' Aunt Pearl (IRE) headlines the 39 nominees. Trained by Brad Cox, Aunt Pearl is perfect in three races, including the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G2) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) at Keeneland.

Among the other nominees are recent Grade 3 winners Domain Expertise, trained by Chad Brown and owned by Klaravich Stables, and Con Lima, trained by Todd Pletcher and owned in partnership by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph Graffeo, Eric Nikolaus, Del Toro and Troy Johnson.

The past three winners of the Shakertown – trainer Wesley Ward's Bound for Nowhere, Breeze Easy's Imprimis and Amy Dunne, Brenda Miley, Westrock Stables and Jean Wilkinson's Leinster – are among 24 horses nominated to this year's race.

Bound for Nowhere won the 2018 Shakertown by 4 lengths but was beaten a neck by Imprimis in 2019 and was third behind Leinster in 2020. Bound for Nowhere has not started since last July's Shakertown.

Joe Orseno trains Imprimis, who has a win and runner-up finish in two 2021 starts following a troubled trip in finishing 13th to close 2020 in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1).

Rusty Arnold trains Leinster, who was third in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Winner of the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint (G3) in his 2021 debut, Leinster could join Soaring Free (2004-2005) as the only other back-to-back Shakertown winner.

Allied Racing Stable's By My Standards, a four-time Grade 2 winner and earner of more than $1.8 million, heads the 19 nominees for the Commonwealth. Trained by Bret Calhoun, By My Standards finished eighth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in his lone Keeneland start.

Four Grade 1 winners are among the Commonwealth nominees: Jackpot Farm's Basin, trained by Todd Pletcher; Hronis Racing and Little Red Feather Racing's Cistron, trained by John Sadler; Something Special Racing's Hog Creek Hustle, trained by Vickie Foley, and Speedway Stables' Roadster, trained by Mike Stidham.

Entries for the blockbuster card will be taken Tuesday, March 30. Keeneland will livestream the post position draws for the Toyota Blue Grass and Central Bank Ashland at Keeneland.com beginning at 11:15 a.m. ET.

The post Keeneland: Champions, Breeders’ Cup Winners Top Nominees To Opening Weekend appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post