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‘Better Now Than She’s Ever Been’: Champion Monomoy Girl Readies For Next Saturday’s Ruffian

Eclipse Award-winning mare Monomoy Girl will kick off her 2020 graded stakes action in attempt to make a case for Champion Older Mare in next Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Ruffian on July 11 at Belmont.

The daughter of Tapizar arrived at Belmont Park on Wednesday alongside Grade 1 Runhappy Met Mile contender Warrior's Charge for trainer Brad Cox. Following a sensational 3-year-old campaign in 2018, which included five Grade 1 victories in the Ashland at Keeneland, Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, Acorn at Belmont Park, Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga and the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs, Monomoy Girl missed the entirety of her 4-year-old season.

She was sent to WinStar Farm last spring after a mild case of colic and suffered an injury to her hamstring last fall when preparing for a potential comeback.

Despite being forced to twice delay her long-anticipated return to action, Monomoy Girl put her winning ways on display last out, going a one-turn mile in a Churchill Downs allowance event that featured stakes winners Talk Veuve To Me and Fashion Faux Pas.

In her first start since defeating older fillies and mares in the 2018 Breeders' Cup Distaff, Monomoy Girl tracked the pace over a sloppy main track sitting a close fifth early on and received her cue from jockey Florent Geroux around the far turn before drawing off to a 2 ¾-length victory.

“She's doing awesome. It would help if we could have run a week or two earlier but it's a great spot to jump off her last effort,” said Liz Crow of BSW/Crow Bloodstock who manages Monomoy Girl on behalf of owners Monomoy Stable, Michael Dubb, the Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables.

Although the talented chestnut mare's career highlights have taken place in the two-turn Kentucky Oaks and Breeders' Cup Distaff, Crow said she can thrive going a one-turn mile. She owns victories going the distance in the Grade 1 Acorn in June 2018 as well as the Rags to Riches at Churchill Downs during her 2-year-old campaign.

Crow indicated a second victory in the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff on November 7 at Keeneland Race Course is the end goal.

“She's deadly going a one turn mile,” Crow said. “Her speed figures in the Acorn, Rags to Riches and her last start were great. But from here, she'll see a mile and a sixteenth to a mile and an eighth. The Personal Ensign is a little quick back after the Ruffian, but we do know that the Breeders' Cup is definitely the long term.”

Crow, who signed the ticket for Monomoy Girl when she went through the sales ring at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, was purchased for $100,000.

“It's amazing how much she's changed,” Crow said. “If you look at her you could mistake her for a colt. Her hips have widened, her shoulders have deepened, and looking her now as a 5-year-old she just doesn't look like the same horse. She's better now than she's ever been.”

Monomoy Girl has accumulated just over $3 million in lifetime earnings and has never finished worse than second in a dozen starts, 10 of which were victories.

The post ‘Better Now Than She’s Ever Been’: Champion Monomoy Girl Readies For Next Saturday’s Ruffian appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Equibase Analysis: Mr. Freeze Poised For Fireworks In Met Mile

The Fourth of July feature on a fantastic day of racing at Belmont Park is the Grade 1, $500,000 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap, otherwise known as the Met Mile. Historically one of the biggest races in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile division, this year's race lives up to that billing with eight horses running the one-turn mile trip.

Leading the field in terms of earnings is Code of Honor, who has earned more than $2.4 million to date, some of that when winning the Grade 1 Travers Stakes last summer two races after a second place finish (via disqualification of the winner) in the Kentucky Derby. Making his first start as a four year old last month, Code of Honor won the Grade 3 Westchester Stakes and appears set for even better.

The horse with the top earnings in the field is McKinzie, who has amassed a $3.4 million bankroll. McKinzie rallied from next-to-last in the 2019 Metropolitan Handicap and comes into the race off a “ridden out” win in the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes. Mr Freeze is another talented horse with $1.4 million in career earnings. Mr Freeze won the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes at this one-turn mile trip in February to prove he belongs at this level.

Vekoma won the Grade 2 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in April, 2019 and went into the Kentucky Derby well-regarded but finished 13th. A perfect two-for-two in 2020, Vekoma comes off a win in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at Belmont last month. Westchester runner-up Endorsed and Carter runner-up Network Effect hope to turn the tables on Code of Honor and Vekoma, respectively.

Hog Creek Hustle won the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes last June on Belmont Stakes day but is winless in seven races since then. Warrior's Charge rounds out the field of eight. He won the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap in February in the same manner he's earned all of his other three wins, leading from start to finish. As such, we know who will be trying to lead these on a merry chase from the start.

Mr Freeze and Vekoma are my two top contenders to win this year's Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap, but of the pair I will give Mr Freeze preference. The reason is he's a true dirt miler. Last September, Mr Freeze won the Ack Ack Stakes for a then career-best 115 Equibase Speed Figure and he hasn't really run a bad race since then. Stretching out to two-turns and a mile and one-eighth for the Fayette Stakes in October and the Clark Stakes in November, Mr Freeze finished respectably to the top horse in the handicap division in North America, Tom's d'Etat, winner of the Stephen Foster Stakes last weekend. After another big effort when second in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January, Mr Freeze cut back to a one turn mile and won the Gulfstream Park Mile in impressive fashion, duplicating the 115 figure earned in the Ack Ack. Once again Mr Freeze stretched out to nine furlongs for the Oaklawn Handicap when last seen in May, finishing third of 13. Incidentally, the winner of that race (By My Standards) came back to run second to Tom's d'Etat in the Foster. For this race, Mr Freeze is once again cutting back from a mile and one-eighth to a mile and if his last two efforts at a mile are any indication, he's going to be very tough to beat. On another positive note, jockey Manny Franco rode Mr Freeze just once previously, when victorious in the Gulfstream Park Mile.

Vekoma, although running just twice in 2018, was a top two-year-old as he won the Nashua Stakes in November in only the second start of his career. Similarly, he won the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in his second start as a three year old, before disappointing badly when 13th in the Kentucky Derby. Given nearly 11 months to mature after that, Vekoma made a very sharp debut as a four year old in March with a stirring victory in the Sir Shackleton Stakes with a career-best 109 figure. Improving sensationally in his second start of the year, Vekoma put to shame a good field in the Carter Handicap last month at Belmont when drawing off to a seven and one-quarter length win. The 116 figure earned in that race is the second best last race figure in the field, just one point shy of the 117 McKinzie earned last month at the same seven furlong trip. However, what Vekoma has going for him which McKinzie does not is being a four year old, Vekoma is still physically maturing and can improve. A perfect four-for-four in one-turn races in his career and with a perfect two-for-two record at Belmont, Vekoma is another strong contender to win this year's Metropolitan Handicap.

Code of Honor, like Vekoma, was a top three-year-old last year, winning the Fountain of Youth Stakes in March. After third place finishes in the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby, placed second in the latter race after the disqualification of Maximum Security, Code of Honor proved himself once again when winning the Dwyer Stakes at this one-turn mile trip at Belmont last July. Stretching out to a mile and one-quarter, Code of Honor won the Travers Stakes before a career-best effort and 114 figure when coming up a nose short in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, then was moved up to first after bumped by the original winner. The long campaign apparently took its toll as he finished seventh in the Breeders' Cup Classic. However, after seven months off, Code of Honor came back strongly to win the Westchester Stakes last month over the track with a 113 figure effort that bears improvement in his second start off that long layoff.

Endorsed led into the stretch in the Westchester but had no answer for Code of Honor in the late stages. The 112 figure was a career-best and he certainly could be a factor once more. McKinzie earned a 117 figure winning the Triple Bend Stakes last month in California and earned back-to-back 121 figures in two-turn races, winning the Whitney Stakes last summer at Saratoga then second in the Awesome Again Stakes. He finished second in the Breeders' Cup Classic to end his 2019 campaign. McKinzie, along with Hog Creek Hustle has mostly a deep closing style when he runs into a very hot pace as evidenced by his eighth to second place effort in last year's Metropolitan Handicap. Hog Creek Hustle earned a career best 106 figure when coming up a nose short in the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes last summer but has not come close to running that kind of race since. With only one “early” pace type in this race, Warrior's Charge (with a career-best 104 figure), I think the late charges of both McKinzie and Hog Creek Hustle may be a bit muted. Network Effect earned a career-best 111 figure winning the restricted Big Drama Stakes in May but was no match for Vekoma in the Carter and is another who may be held to a minor award.

Win Contenders:
Mr Freeze
Vekoma
Code of Honor

Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap – Grade 1
Race 9 at Belmont Park
Saturday, July 4 – Post Time 5:47 PM E.T.
One Mile
Three Years Olds and Upward
Purse: $500,000
T.V.: NBC 5 – 6 PM E.T.

The post Equibase Analysis: Mr. Freeze Poised For Fireworks In Met Mile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Met Mile, Manhattan Feature On America’s Day At The Races Telecast

America's Day at the Races, produced by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) in partnership with FOX Sports, returns this Thursday, July 2 on FOX Sports and MSG+ for the start of four days of holiday coverage and analysis of the best in thoroughbred racing from Belmont Park.

The acclaimed national telecast will air Thursday through Sunday on FS1, FS2 and MSG+ for 22 hours of television coverage, highlighted by a blockbuster Runhappy Met Mile Day card on Independence Day from Belmont including two classic Grade 1 races – the 127th running of the $500,000 Runhappy Met Mile for 3-year-olds and up and the 148th running of the $400,000 Manhattan for 4-year-olds and up on the turf.

The Runhappy Met Mile is one of the most prestigious American races outside of the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup. First run at Morris Park in 1891, the race was moved to Belmont Park in 1905, where it has been held most every year since and won by some of the most memorable horses in history, including Native Dancer, Tom Fool, Kelso, Forego and Ghostzapper. In 2016, Frosted set the race record of 1:32.73, winning by memorably lopsided 14 1/4 lengths.

Other stakes action from Belmont Park on Saturday will include the 134th running of the Grade 2 $200,000 Suburban Handicap for 4-years-olds & up going 1 ¼ miles; the Grade 3 $150,000 Poker for older horses going one mile on the turf; and the Grade 3, $100,000 Victory Ride for 3-year-old fillies going 6 ½ furlongs.

The week's stakes schedule kicks off on Thursday at Belmont Park with the 42nd running of the $100,000 Mount Vernon for 4-year-olds and up New York-bred fillies and mares going one mile on the Widener turf. The Mount Vernon is slated as Race 8 on Thursday's nine-race card at 5:04 p.m. Eastern.

Highlighting Friday's racing from Belmont Park will be the 7th running of the $80,000 License Fee for 4-year-olds & up (fillies & mares) headed 6 furlongs on the turf. Sunday's stakes races at Belmont will offer the 42nd running of the Kingston for New York-bred 4-year-olds and up headed 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

This week's America's Day at the Races schedule:

(All times Eastern)

Thursday, July 2:

1:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. (FS2)

1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (MSG+)

Friday, July 3:

1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (FS2)

1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (MSG+)

Saturday. July 4:

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (FS1)

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (MSG+)

Sunday, July 5:

1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (FS1)

1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (MSG+)

America's Day at the Races is also broadcast on NYRA'sYouTube channel, which boasts more than 40,000 subscribers. Fans can subscribe to NYRA's channel and set a reminder to watch the show on YouTube Live. NYRA's YouTube channel also hosts a number of race replays, special features, America's Day at the Races replays and more.

America's Day at the Races is presented by America's Best Racing, Runhappy, and Claiborne Farm. This weekend's broadcast team includes Greg Wolf, Andy Serling, Maggie Wolfendale, Richard Migliore, Acacia Courtney and Jonathon Kinchen.

NYRA Bets is the official online wagering platform of the Belmont spring/summer meet available to customers across the United States. In addition to a host of weekly special offers, NYRA Bets is currently offering a $200 deposit match bonus to new members.

NYRA Bets provides fans the opportunity to wager on racing from tracks around the world at any time. The NYRA Bets app is available for download for iOS and Android at NYRABets App. Watch and wager on the best racing while earning points on every bet.

For further details on the new member bonus, visit NYRABets.com/#sign-up-bonus.

Free Equibase-provided past performances are available for races that are part of the America's Day at the Races broadcast and can be accessed at https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

The 2020 Belmont spring/summer meet continues through Sunday, July 12. Live racing is offered Thursday through Sunday with a first post of 1:15 p.m. The 25-day meet features 22 graded stakes and 40 stakes races in total worth $7 million in purses.

The post Met Mile, Manhattan Feature On America’s Day At The Races Telecast appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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NYRA Teams With Delaware for Cross Country Pick 5

The New York Racing Association will team with Delaware Park to host a Cross Country Pick 5 encompassing all graded stakes July 4. The wager will feature the GIII Delaware Oaks, GIII Kent S., the GI Runhappy Met Mile, the GI Manhattan S. and the GII Suburban H.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. Free PPs are available here.

The post NYRA Teams With Delaware for Cross Country Pick 5 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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