Tag: beholder mile

That’s A Mo Reay! Uncle Mo Filly Upsets The Beholder Mile

There were ostensibly no moons hitting eyes like big pizza pies on a dreary Saturday at Santa Anita, but the 4-year-old filly who was up in the final jump to take the GI Beholder Mile S.?–that's A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo).

A $400,000 purchase by Adrian Regan and Fergus Galvin's Hunter Valley Farm out of last year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale, the dark bay swerved a clash with returning Grade I winners Secret Oath (Arrogate) and Clairiere (Curlin) in the GII Azeri S. in favor of a second career appearance at the top level, and the decision paid off handsomely, as she chinned odds-on Fun to Dream (Arrogate) right on the line for her biggest conquest to date.

Off at 79-10, A Mo Reay raced outside of Awake At Midnyte (Nyquist) rounding the first turn and had tugged her way up into a three-wide third as Ganadora (Quality Road) set the pace from a well-held Fun to Dream down the backstretch.

Fun to Dream was allowed to stride into the lead fully three furlongs from the line and drifted out into the lane while maintaining a clear lead. The odds-on chalk boxed on gamely nearer the inside, but A Mo Reay refused to lie down and was shoved across the line first by Flavien Prat to cause the upset.

“She really dug in when it was time to run, and she was travelling well all around,” the Frenchman said. “I watched her previous race and I talked to [trainer] Brad [Cox who watched the race from Oaklawn Park] and he was really high on her and really wanted her in this race. He was right.”

A Mo Reay made the first nine starts of her career for MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm, finishing third to eventual champion Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) in the 2021 GI Frizette S. as a maiden before graduating in the last of four juvenile starts that December. A Laurel allowance winner last June, she was third in the Riskaverse S. over the Saratoga turf course and fifth in the grassy GIII Pebbles S. before changing hands at FTKNOV. A Mo Reay took an off-turf renewal of the Dec. 31 Pago Hop S. at the Fair Grounds before wearing down Lovely Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the Bayakoa last time.

Pedigree Notes:

A Mo Reay is the 12th top-level scorer for Uncle Mo, four of which were produced by Unbridled-line mares (Golden Pal, Unbridled Mo and Outwork). Other graded scorers by Uncle Mo from the same line include Grade III winners Uncle Vinny, Uncle Chuck and Girl Daddy.

Margaret Reay, a longshot second to Lady Eli (Divine Park) in the 2014 GIII Miss Grillo S. for Zayat Stables, was purchased by T & G Farm of Kentucky for $180,000 in foal to California Chrome at the 2018 Keeneland January Sale and is also the dam of the 3-year-old colt Upgrade (Flatter)–a $550,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Mike Repole and St. Elias–and a yearling filly by Gun Runner. She was most recently covered by Quality Road.

Saturday, Santa Anita
BEHOLDER MILE S.-GI, $501,500, Santa Anita, 3-11, 4yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:36.25, gd.
1–A MO REAY, 122, f, 4, by Uncle Mo
1st Dam: Margaret Reay (GSP, $133,455), by Pioneerof the Nile
2nd Dam: Legendary Stacey, by Include
3rd Dam: Ruth Ann d'Or, by Tour d'Or
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($400,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $400,000 3yo '22
FTKNOV). O-Hunter Valley Farm; B-T & G Farm of Kentucky LLC
(KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $300,000. Lifetime Record:
12-5-1-3, $692,650. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Fun to Dream, 120, f, 4, by Arrogate
                1st Dam: Lutess, by Maria's Mon
                2nd Dam: Alchema, by Menifee
                3rd Dam: Madeira M'dear, by Black Tie Affair (Ire)
O-Natalie J. Baffert and Connie Pageler; B-Connie Pageler &
Bob Baffert (CA); T-Bob Baffert. $100,000.
3–Midnight Memories, 122, f, 4, by Mastery
                1st Dam: Tiz Midnight (GSW & GISP, $339,800), by Midnight Lute
                2nd Dam: Tough Tiz's Sis, by Tiznow
                3rd Dam: Leaseholder, by Taylor's Falls
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Michael E. Pegram, Paul Weitman &
Karl Watson (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $60,000.
Margins: HD, 2 1/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 7.90, 0.90, 8.40.
Also Ran: Desert Dawn, Kirstenbosch, Awake At Midnyte, Pauline's Pearl, Ganadora.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Tapit Trice Tries Two Turns In Tampa Bay Derby

Trainer Todd Pletcher has unsaddled the winner of the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby a record five times–no one else has more than two to their credit–and he stands a fair chance to make it a half-dozen Saturday afternoon when he sends out the two favorites on the morning line.

Pegged at odds of 8-5 is Whisper Hill Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' Tapit Trice (Tapit), who will attempt to provide his sire with a fourth winner of the race since in its last 10 runnings (Ring Weekend, 2014; the Pletcher-conditioned Tapwrit, 2017; and Tacitus, 2019). A $1.3-million Keeneland September yearling, the gray colt has made each of his three career starts to date over a one-turn mile, and he could scarcely have been more impressive in running away from his surprisingly preferred stablemate Shesterkin (Violence) by some eight lengths in a Feb. 4 Gulfstream allowance.

“He's a colt we've had high hopes for all along,” said Pletcher following that test. “The exciting thing about him is the further he goes, the better he'll get.”

Should those words prove correct, they'll all be running for minor awards, as Tapit Trice owns the two best Beyer Speed Figures in the field, including a 92 last time that towers over his rivals.

Shesterkin is also a candidate to appreciate extra real estate, as his dam Freedom Star (Street Cry {Ire}) was a five-time winner at a distance of ground, including the 2010 GIII Azeri S.

While GIII Sam F. Davis S. hero Litigate (Blame) is passing on a return to Oldsmar in favor of the GII Louisiana Derby in two weeks' time, those that finished behind him that day are not without their chances. Groveland (Street Sense) rallied up the rail after encountering a bit of traffic to round out the Davis exacta ahead of Classic Car Wash (Noble Bird), who came from far back to photo the comebacking Classic Legacy (Into Mischief) out of third. The latter, a homebred half-brother to MGISW Art Collector (Bernardini), is intriguing at a price with a race under his belt.

'Justify'-able Optimism In Florida Oaks

The Pletcher barn also has claims in the afternoon's co-featured event, the GIII Florida Oaks. Don Alberto's Alpha Bella (Justify) graduated in her first start on the turf down at Gulfstream Dec. 11 and was relegated to second last time behind a rabbit-out-of-the-hat victory by her stablemate Cairo Consort (Cairo Prince) in the GIII Sweetest Chant S. three races after Tapit Trice's romp. Alpha Bella is a half-sister to Andina del Sur (Giant's Causeway), who caused a 13-1 upset in this race for trainer Tom Albertrani in 2018 after finishing third in the Sweetest Chant.

Chad Brown has won the last two runnings of the Oaks and three overall and is represented by Klaravich Stables' morning-line favorite Free Look (Tapit), runner-up in the GII Miss Grillo S. at Aqueduct ahead of an even fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in November.

Tampa also stages the 3-year-old turf colts' counterpart, the Columbia S., the GII Hillsborough S. and the GIII Challenger S.

Azeri Lures A Pair Of Top-Level Winners

Saturday's GII Azeri S., a final course-and-distance prep for next month's GI Apple Blossom H., has attracted a cracking field of eight dirt distaffers, led by returning Grade I winners Clairiere (Curlin) and Secret Oath (Arrogate).

Save for an off day when down the field in last year's GI Personal Ensign S., Stonestreet Stables' Clairiere was a model of consistency in 2022, with a record of 3-1-1 from her five other runs, including a thrilling defeat of champion Malathaat (Curlin) in the GI Ogden Phipps S. in June. The homebred took down that one's colors yet again in the GII Shuvee S. the following month, but had to settle for third to Malathaat in a memorable renewal of the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Reigning GI Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath is perfect in three starts against her own sex over the Oaklawn main track, having annexed the Martha Washington S. and GIII Honeybee S. ahead of a third in the GI Arkansas Derby. The chestnut was soundly defeated by Eclipse Award winner Nest (Curlin) in the GI CCA Oaks and GI Alabama S. and led into the final eighth of a mile in the Distaff before weakening into fifth.

Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire) won last year's GII Black-Eyed Susan S. and GIII Indiana Oaks, but makes her first start since being upset in the Aug. 23 Cathryn Sophia S. at Parx.

Fun To Dream Goes For Five Straight In Beholder

Cal-bred Fun to Dream (Arrogate) is a deserving favorite heading into Saturday's GI Beholder Mile S. at Santa Anita, but has some questions to answer in what is clearly her stiffest test to date. An allowance winner in her only effort going long last October, she stretches out off three consecutive scores at seven furlongs, having bested the reopposing Awake At Midnyte (Nyquist) in the GI La Brea S. Dec. 26 and GII Santa Monica S. Feb. 4.

Standing in her way is Stonestreet's Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), already proven at the Grade I level after upsetting Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) in the La Troienne S. last May. The gray resumed from a near seven-month absence with a smooth success in the GIII Houston Ladies' Classic Jan. 28.

A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo) is unbeaten in two starts since being purchased for $400,000 at Fasig-Tipton November and swerves the Azeri despite winning Oaklawn's GIII Bayakoa S. Feb. 4.

Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah) looms the one to beat in Saturday's GIII San Carlos S. at the Great Race Place, while 'TDN Rising Star' Frank's Rockette (Into Mischief) looks a handful in the GIII Hurricane Bertie S. at Gulfstream.

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Background Check: Beholder Mile

In this continuing series from last year, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is Santa Anita's GI Beholder Mile S., the first Grade I event of the year in the distaff division.

Formerly the Vanity, formerly run at Hollywood Park, and formerly run at distances up to 1 1/4 miles, the Beholder Mile has had one constant: class. Some of the most decorated racemares of our sport have won it since it was inaugurated in 1940, including Hall of Famers Busher, Bewitch, Silver Spoon, Gamely, Azeri, Zenyatta, and, of course, Beholder, the multiple champion who won the 2016 edition and for whom the race is now named.

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

Byrama (GB) (2009, Byron {GB}–Aymara {GB}, by Darshaan {GB}), bred by Ermyn Lodge Stud Limited: Five years after winning the last Vanity run at Hollywood Park, this mare produced Known Agenda (Curlin), winner of the 2021 GI Florida Derby. The popular young stallion is currently standing his second season at Spendthrift Farm, where he was among the top 30 stallions in the nation by number of mares bred last year.

Hollywood Story (2001, Wild Rush–Wife for Life, by Dynaformer), bred by Vinery: The best of her four stakes performers to date is 2020 GI Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P. (Honor Code). The flashy young Lane's End stallion will have his first yearlings at the sales this year; he was among the top 10 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearlings himself when he sold in 2018.

Gorgeous (1986, Slew o' Gold–Kamar, by Key to the Mint), bred by Hermitage Farm, Inc., A. G. Clay, and R. N. Clay: Bred to the finest stallions of her time, Gorgeous “only” produced one stakes winner from her 11 foals, the French listed SW & MGSP Stunning (Nureyev). However, genetic gold has since been bubbling to the surface through her descendants, which 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 several other black-type winners.

Bayakoa (Arg) (1984, Consultant's Bid–Arlucea {Arg}, by Good Manners), bred by Haras Principal: From just four foals and only two daughters to make it to the breeding shed, Bayakoa is the granddam of GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned (E Dubai), MGISW Affluent (Affirmed), and GSW Walkabout (Stroll), as well as the ancestor of seven more stakes performers, including 2022 GIII Regret S. winner Walkathon (Twirling Candy) and last month's GIII Palos Verdes S. runner-up Radical Right (First Samurai).

Track Robbery (1976, No Robbery–Left At Home, by Run For Nurse), bred by Edgar Kitchen: Her MGSW & MGISP Train Robbery (Alydar) produced GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Cat Thief (Storm Cat) while another Alydar daughter produced GISW Pohave (Holy Bull) and is the granddam of GSW and $2.2-million Summer Wind broodmare purchase Tapicat (Tapit). Cat Thief is turning into a first-rate broodmare sire with runners out of his daughters including champion 2-year-old colt and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), as well as Chilean champion and U.S. GISW Wow Cat (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky).

It's in the Air (1976, Mr. Prospector–A Wind Is Rising, by Francis S.), bred by Happy Valley Farm: Best remembered as the first champion sired by Mr. Prospector and her sale for $4.6 million to Darley at Keeneland November in the 80s, she produced four stakes performers but it's her descendants a generation or more removed that have proved more valuable. Those tracing to her include 2021 G1 Dubai World Cup winner and new 2023 Darley stallion Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) and his five-time GISW dam Music Note (A.P. Indy); U.S. GISW and English/French/Australian G1SW State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); English G1SW and U.S. MGISW Storming Home (GB) (Machiavellian); French G1SW and U.S. GISW Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}); and Australian G1SWs Glencadam Gold (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}) and Alverta (Aus) (Flying Spur {Aus}).

Tallahto (1970, Nantallah–Legato, by Dark Star), bred by Howard B. Keck: She produced two GISWs in son Prince True (Majestic Light) and daughter Hidden Light (Majestic Light) and her descendants include group winners in Japan, Australia, and South Africa, but her best thus far is undoubtedly grandson and GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller (El Prado {Ire}). He has sired GI/G1 winners in both the U.S. and Australia.

Countess Fleet (1951, Count Fleet–Honor Bound, by Bull Dog {Fr}), bred by Robert Lehman: Although she's got a number of stakes performers on multiple continents tracing to her, it'll likely be champion and Breeders' Cup winner Storm Song (Summer Squall) that is her legacy. One of Storm Song's daughters produced four black-type winners, including multiple European champion and MG1SW Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Two Lea (1946, Bull Lea–Two Bob, by The Porter), bred by Calumet Farm: The best of her three black-type winning sons on the racetrack was champion and dual Classic winner Tim Tam (Tom Fool), but her best in the breeding shed was seven-time stakes winner On-and-On (Nasrullah {GB}). As a sire, On-and-On's sons included 1968 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Forward Pass, while he is also the broodmare sire of breed-shaping stallion Alydar (Raise a Native).

Be Faithful (1942, Bimelech–Bloodroot, by Blue Larkspur), bred by Idle Hour Stock Farm Co: The number of high-class stakes winners tracing to this mare is significant with the very finest going through her Kentucky Oaks- and Beldame-winning daughter Lalun (Djeddah {Fr}). The impact of Lalun's champion son Never Bend (Nasrullah {GB}) and Travers-winning son Bold Reason (Hail to Reason) as sires is staggering. The former sired Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Mill Reef, as well as Broodmare of the Year Courtly Dee, who is considered one of the greatest broodmares of the last century and still churns out top-class winners tracing directly to her with great regularity. Not to be outdone, Bold Reason came up with an extraordinary daughter of his own in Fairy Bridge, dam of MG1SW Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer), whose mark on the breed as a sire is unparalleled.

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As Time Goes By Wires the Beholder

As Time Goes By (American Pharoah), second behind Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) in last year's GI Beholder Mile, got the job done in the 2022 renewal of the race with an authoritative victory at Santa Anita Saturday. Sent off the 1-5 favorite while facing just three rivals, the dark bay mare was away half a step slowly, but was hustled out to the early lead. She was clear down the backstretch as the quarter went up in :22.76 and the half in :46.22. In front by three lengths at the top of the lane, As Time Goes By held off Miss Bigly, who gave valiant chase to the wire.

“She broke a little flat footed,” said winning jockey Flavien Prat. “We kind of brushed each other and after that I had to hustle her a little bit to get in the race, but after that I was travelling well and I felt like I was in control. It felt like when she felt that filly coming at her, she kind of regrouped and went on again so, it was nice.”

As Time Goes By, winner of last year's GII Santa Margarita S. and GII Santa Maria S., was eighth in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff before ending the year with a win in the GIII Bayakoa S. at Los Alamitos. She opened 2022 with a 13 1/2-length romp in the Jan. 1 GIII La Canada S.

“She gets better with age,” said winning trainer Bob Baffert. “She is such an exciting and classy mare. She never breaks a sweat. I think the longer the better with her.”

Pedigree Notes:

As Time Goes By became American Phaorah's fourth Group/Grade I winner and gave him his second graded winner of the afternoon at Santa Anita, following Forbidden Kingdom's win in the GII San Felipe S. The Triple Crown winner was also represented Saturday by Disco Pharoah, a 19 1/2-length maiden winner in the first race at Aqueduct.

“These Pharoah horses are fast,” Baffert said. “It's a great day for Pharoah horses. American Pharoah has meant so much to racing.”

Take Charge Lady produced Charming (Seeking the Gold), dam of champion Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway) and Grade I winner Omaha Beach (War Front). The blue hen mare is also the dam of Grade I winner Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy) and champion Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song).

Saturday, Santa Anita
BEHOLDER MILE S.-GI, $490,000, Santa Anita, 3-5, 4yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:37.55, ft.
1–AS TIME GOES BY, 122, m, 5, by American Pharoah
1st Dam: Take Charge Lady (Broodmare Of The Year, MGISW, $2,480,377), by Dehere
                2nd Dam: Felicita, by Rubiano
                3rd Dam: Grand Bonheur, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
   1ST GRADE I WIN. O-Tabor, Michael B., Magnier, Mrs. John,
and Smith, Derrick; B-Orpendale & Chelston (KY); T-Bob
Baffert; J-Flavien Prat. $300,000. Lifetime Record: 14-7-3-1,
$955,600. *1/2 to Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy), GISW,
$1,103,496; and Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song), Ch.
3-year-old Colt, MGISW, $3,924,648. Werk Nick Rating: B.
   Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Miss Bigly, 122, m, 6, by Gemologist
1st Dam: Miss Puzzle (Aus) (SP-NZ), by Citidancer (Ire)
2nd Dam: Miss Tree (Nz), by Oregon
3rd Dam: Miss Kiwitea, by Truly Vain (Aus)
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($120,000 Wlg '16 KEENOV; $20,000 Ylg
'17 KEESEP). O-Agave Racing Stable, Living The Dream Stables,
LLC and Rockin Robin Racing Stables; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (KY);
T-Philip D'Amato. $100,000.
3–Varda, 120, f, 4, by Distorted Humor
1st Dam: She'll Be Right, by Sky Mesa
2nd Dam: Boogie Beach Blues, by Cure the Blues
3rd Dam: Lonely Beach, by Kennedy Road
($100,000 Ylg '19 SARAUG; $700,000 2yo '20 OBSAPR).
O-Baoma Corporation; B-Masters 2013 LLC & Distorted Humor
Syndicate (NY); T-Bob Baffert. $60,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 7, 7HF. Odds: 0.30, 8.30, 9.10.
Also Ran: Envoutante. Scratched: Founder's Day, Moonlight d'Oro. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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