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July 10 Insights

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ALLEN HOMEBRED DEBUTS AT BELMONT

1st-BEL, $90K, Msw, 2yo, 6fT, 1:00p.m.

Joe Allen homebred FORT TICONDEROGA makes his career bow in this spot for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. By fellow Allen homebred War Front, the bay is out of European SW & MGSP Ballet Pacifica (Minardi), who is also the dam of SW & GSP Secretary at War (War Front); MGSP Doswell (Giant's Causeway); and GSP Entrechat (Giant's Causeway). His second dam is MGISW Kostroma (Ire) (Caerleon), who also produced Grade I winner Ariege (Doneraile Court). Fort Ticonderoga enters off a half-mile bullet in :49 2/5 (1/4) at Belmont July 7. Graham Motion unveils another well-bred firster in PIQUA (Speightstown). The chestnut's second dam is GSW Danzigaway (Danehill), who is also responsible for MGSW & MGISP Silent Name (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) and SW & MGSP Galiway (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). TJCIS PPs

The post July 10 Insights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Weekend Lineup: International Challengers Take On Belmont Turf

There will be seven graded stakes races this weekend at Woodbine, Delaware Park, and at Belmont Park, which closes out its spring/summer meeting with two Grade 1 turf races as European and American 3-year-olds compete in the Belmont Oaks and Belmont Derby Invitationals. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern).

TVG will be broadcasting racing throughout the weekend from Delaware Park, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Woodbine and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app, which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.

“America's Day at the Races” will be broadcasting live on Saturday, July 10 on FS1 from 1-3 p.m., and on FS2 from 3-5:30 p.m. from Belmont. On Sunday, July 11, “America's Day at the Races” will be live on FS2 from 12:30-4 p.m., and on FS1 from 4-5 p.m.

Saturday, July 10

3:15 p.m. ― $150,000 Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park on TVG

Godolphin's Micheline looks to return to her winning ways leading a field of nine fillies and mares at Delaware Park in the Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial on turf. Trained by Mike Stidham and ridden from post 4 by Joe Bravo, Micheline won the Grade 2 Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs in March, but finished sixth in the Grade 1 Coolmore Jenny Wiley at Keeneland in April, and 10th last out in Monmouth's Grade 3 Eatontown on June 20, failing to launch a serious bid. Pocket Aces Racing's 5-year-old Temple City Terror defeated Bal Mar Equine's Dalika (GER) by three-quarters of a length in the black type Keertana Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 22, reversing the order of finish from the listed Albert M. Stall Memorial at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 13 when Dalika prevailed by 1 length. Trained by Brendan Walsh, Temple City Terror, a 5-year-old daughter of Temple City, will be ridden by Florent Geroux from post 5. Dalika, a six-time winner, is trained by Al Stall Jr., and will be ridden by Miguel Mena from post 8.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DEL071021USA5-EQB.html

4:06 p.m. ― $700,000 Grade 1 Belmont Oaks at Belmont Park on FS2

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has sent over Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg's Santa Barbara (IRE) from his base in Ireland, leading a European challenge of Nazuna (IRE) from England, and Cirona (GB) from France, among eight 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes at 1 ¼ miles on turf. The even-money morning line favorite, Santa Barbara, ridden by Ryan Moore from post 5, just missed winning the Group 1 Al Wasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh on June 27, losing a furious stretch-drive battle to 4-year-old Thundering Nights (IRE) by a neck. Hanako Varian's Nazuna, trained by Roger Varian, returns to the U.S. where she finished 10th in last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. In her lone start this year, Nazuna, a daughter of Kodiak (GB), finished second in the Grade 2 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on June 5. John Velazquez will ride from post 6. Bradley Thoroughbreds, Tim Cambron, Anna Cambron, Kent Starr, Sara Starr and Gary Finder's Cirona won the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte Stakes at ParisLongchamp on April 18. She lost a heartbreaker in the Group 1 Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp, headed in the final yards. Cirona is trained in by Christophe Ferland, but will be turned over to Chad Brown following this race. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph F. Graffeo, Del Toro, Eric Nikolaus, and Troy Johnson's Con Lima, and Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Michael Caruso's Plum Ali, the 1-2 finishers in the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Wonder Again Stakes at Belmont on June 3, are back again. Texas-bred Con Lima, trained by Todd Pletcher, is four of six this year, while the Christophe Clement-trained Plum Ali is seeking her first win of 2021. She captured the Grade 2 Miss Grillo at Belmont in 2020.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL071021USA-EQB.html#RACE7

4:21 p.m. ―$150,000 Grade 3 Selene Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

Three-year-old fillies are in the spotlight on Woodbine's all-weather surface Saturday in the Grade 3, 1 1/16-mile Selene Stakes. Trainer Mark Casse, a Hall of Famer in both Canada and the U.S., has entered three of the seven starters: Gary Barber's California Lily, Live Oak Plantation's Florida-bred Our Flash Drive and D.J. Stable's Danger. California Lily, ridden by Rafael Hernandez from post 2, finished third by less than a length in Woodbine's Grade 3 Star Shoot Stakes on June 19. Our Flash Drive (Patrick Husbands, post 3) was a 3 ¾-length maiden winner earlier on the June 19 Woodbine card. Danger (Emma-Jayne Wilson, post 6) is making her first start since breaking her maiden at Turfway Park last December. William T. Harrigan's Gote Go is the 2-1 morning line favorite off a solid 2-length score in a 1 1/16-mile allowance turf race at Churchill Downs on June 5 for trainer Roger Attfield. Steven Bahen has the mount from post 1.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO071021CAN7-EQB.html

4:38 p.m. ―$150,000 Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont Park on FS2

Magnifico Stable and Hubert Guy's Louisiana-bred Australasia, unbeaten in six starts, leads a field of 3-year-old fillies going 6 ½ furlongs in the Grade 3 Victory Ride. Trained by Brad Cox, Australasia faces seven runners in her first graded stakes try. After four wins against state breds, Australasia won an allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs by two lengths on April 30, and the listed 6-furlong Jersey Girl Stakes by 1 length over Bella Sofia at Belmont on June 6. Joel Rosario has the mount from post 7. Michael Imperio, Vincent Scuderi, Sofia Soares, Gabrielle Farm, Mazel Stable Partners, and Matthew Mercurio's Bella Sofia will be making just her third start. Trained by Rudy Rodriguez, Bella Sofia blew away the field when breaking her maiden at 6 furlongs by 11 ¼ lengths at Belmont on May 6 prior to the Jersey Girl. Manny Franco has the mount from post 1. Team D and Madaket Stables' Miss Brazil, third in the Jersey Girl, has won three of six starts for trainer Anthony Dutrow. Jose Ortiz will ride Miss Brazil from post 3.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL071021USA8-EQB.html

5:12 p.m. ―$1 million Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park on FS2

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg's Bolshoi Ballet leads nine runners in Saturday's 1 ¼-mile Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes on the turf for 3-year-olds. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Bolshoi Ballet, a son of Galileo (IRE), has won two of three starts this year, including the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes on April 11 at Leopardstown. However, he followed up that performance with a disappointing seventh-place finish, with no surge in the final furlong, as the 7-5 favorite in the Group? 1 Kazoo Derby at Epsom on June 5. Ryan Moore will ride from post 2. From France comes Teruya Yoshida's Tokyo Gold (FR), a winner of three of six starts, including a four-length score in the Group 2 Derby Italiano Universita' Campus Bio-Medico di Roma (Italian Derby) at Capannelle in Rome on May 23. Trained by Satoshi Kobayashi, Tokyo Gold will be ridden by John Velazquez from post 7. The Bill Mott-trained Du Jour won the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile American Turf presented by Derby City Gaming on May 1 at Churchill Downs for his third straight win this year. Owned by Natalie Baffert and Debbie Lanni, Du Jour will break from post 5 under Flavien Prat. Robert LaPenta, Augustin Stable and Madaket Stables' Hard Love is two for two this year, including a 1 1/8-mile allowance optional claiming win on June 5 at Belmont for trainer Jonathan Thomas. Manny Franco has the mount from post 6.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL071021USA9-EQB.html

5:15 p.m. ―$400,000 Grade 2 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park on TVG

A field of seven is set for Saturday's Grade 2 Delaware Handicap for older fillies and mares going 1 ¼ miles. Juddmonte's 4-year-old Bonny South, trained by Brad Cox, has been first or second in her last five starts, which includes a victory in Keeneland's Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes on April 16, and a second-place finish to Letruska, the No. 1 rated horse in the weekly NTRA National Thoroughbred Poll, in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont on June 5. Florent Geroux has the mount from post 5. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has entered the 5-year-old Queen Nekia (Sheldon Russell, post 2) and the 4-year-old Gibberish (Trevor McCarthy, post 1). Florida-bred Queen Nekia has won 10 races, including the Grade 3 Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park in February. Queen Nekia finished fourth in the Ogden Phipps. e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Gibberish, a four-time winner, finished second in the listed Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park last time out on June 6. Miracle International Trading's Dream Marie, trained by Matthew Wiliams and ridden by Joe Bravo from post 3, won the listed 1 1/16-mile Obeah Stakes at Delaware by 1 ¾-lengths over Cammarota Racing's Miss Marissa by 1 ¾ lengths. Miss Marissa, trained by Jim Ryerson, will be ridden from post 6 by Daniel Centano.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DEL071021USA9-EQB.html

Sunday, July 11

4:24 p.m. ― $150,000 Grade 3 Marine Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

San-Som Farm's Canadian homebred Tidal Forces is two for two this year leading six runners in a wide-open field of 3-year-olds in the 1 1/16-mile Marine Stakes on the all-weather surface at Woodbine. Trained by Gail Cox and ridden from post 1 by Emma-Jayne Wilson, Tidal Forces came from off the pace to score by a half-length in a 1 1/16-mile optional allowance claiming race at Woodbine on June 19. Breeze Easy Stable's Easy Time is making his first start since Feb. 12, when he finishing second in an optional allowance claiming race at Gulfstream Park by a neck for trainer Mark Casse. Rafael Hernandez has the mount from post 3. Casse is also starting Gary Barber's Frosted Over, who broke his maiden at 7 furlongs at Woodbine on June 20. Kazushi Kimura rides from post 2.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO071121CAN7-EQB.html

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Jockey Luis Saez Reflects On ‘Magnificent’ First Classic Win In Belmont Stakes

The pageantry of Belmont Park emanated off the television screen when Luis Saez watched as the track hosted its crown jewel, the Belmont Stakes, from his native Panama growing up.

When Saez began his professional riding career winning $10,000 claimers at the Miami Gardens-based Calder Race Course in 2009, the allure of Belmont remained strong, offering the then-apprentice jockey the opportunity to dream of competing in one of racing's marquee events.

In June of 2021, Saez blended aspiration and ability, fulfilling his dream of winning the Belmont Stakes – and garnering his first win in a Triple Crown race overall – when piloting 6-5 favorite Essential Quality to a 1 1/4-length victory over Hot Rod Charlie in the 153rd running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets.

Though nowhere close to the sport's pinnacle he would later reach, Saez was successful from the start of his career, winning 105 times in 479 mounts in 2009, surging to the top of the national apprentice jockey standings and earning an Eclipse Award nomination for top apprentice rider. That early ability was honed at the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey School in Panama City, giving Saez a strong foundation that helped lead to his eventual winner's circle trip following the “Test of the Champion.”

“I remember when we were in Florida, we always wanted to come to this place. It was my dream to be riding at Belmont,” Saez said. “I remember growing up watching the Belmont Stakes. It was something so big and special. To win it, it was magnificent for us. We're so blessed to be here.”

Saez has exceeded 200 wins in every full year since 2015 and is on pace to do so again in 2021. The now 29-year-old has amassed high win totals but not at the expense of quality, coming into his own by tallying 34 graded stakes wins since 2020. In the last year and a half, Saez has won 10 Grade 1 events, including his first-ever Breeders' Cup victory when guiding Essential Quality to a win in the Juvenile.

“Every year, I feel like I'm learning more and doing better,” Saez said.

That Juvenile win secured an Eclipse Award for top 2-year-old for Essential Quality. It also helped trainer Brad Cox notch his first Eclipse trophy as Outstanding Trainer. Just six months later, Saez facilitated another career milestone for Cox, who earned his first win in an American Classic when Essential Quality was feted with white carnations after the Belmont Stakes.

“He's always played a role in us being able to go to the next level,” Cox said. “He's played a big part in the success we've had. He's just always been very helpful in so many ways, and we look forward to continuing the relationship.

“He's very good from the gate and can get horses in position early in the race and he's great under pressure,” Cox added. “He's one of the best riders in the world and he's shown that over the last few years with winning some of the biggest races in the Middle East in addition to the Breeders' Cup and the Belmont. He's a very talented athlete, to say the least.”

Cox cited Saez's ride aboard Spelling Again five years ago in the Grade 2 Princess Rooney at Gulfstream Park in 2016 as an effort that epitomized the type of impact the rider could have on a talented horse. That win by a neck over Cali Star in the seven-furlong main track sprint was a harbinger of the special moments that would await the Saez-Cox tandem later on.

“One of the best rides I ever saw was when he rode a filly for us at Gulfstream in 2016 when he was on Spelling Again in the Princess Rooney, and he showed how strong he could finish there,” Cox said. “It was early on when we were picking up some graded stakes horses. He was always so hopeful.”

Cox said he appreciates the feedback from riders, especially ones who have developed a strong rapport with a horse.

“I may run 4-5 horses a day, but they ride 10 a day, and Luis is such a good horseman and such a good judge of pace,” Cox said. “His feedback is very helpful. He's an all-around great jockey.”

Essential Quality ran fourth in the Kentucky Derby on May 1, giving Cox half of the superfecta as stablemate Mandaloun was second to Medina Spirit, whose result is in question. Essential Quality was the favorite in the “Run for the Roses” as well but bumped at the start and finished 4 1/2 lengths back. Saez said he wanted to avoid trouble leaving the gate in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont, which he did, tracking Hot Rod Charlie's hot pace of 22.78 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and the half in 46.49 before overtaking him by the quarter-pole and fending off his late rally.

“It was something very special; he had a big shot to win the Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, we had an unlucky break, but I had a lot of confidence in him,” Saez said. “Stuff happens, but in the Belmont, he was magnificent. The only thing we were worrying about was having a clean break, and thank goodness he did it.”

A talented jockey with no live mounts is like an Aston Martin without high-octane fuel to power the V12 engine. That's where Kiaran McLaughlin has helped Saez take that next career step.

McLaughlin took over as Saez's agent in March 2020 after Richard DePass retired, and the partnership blossomed immediately, with Saez being assigned live mounts and making the most of his opportunities in winning Grade 1 contests with Vequist [Spinaway], the Woodward [Global Campaign], Fourstardave [Halladay], Ballerina [Serengeti Empress], Darley Alcibiades [Simply Ravishing] and Spinster [Valiance] among others.

McLaughlin knew Saez well from his time as successful trainer in which he compiled 1,577 wins from 1995 until retiring from his role as a conditioner last year to take Saez's book.

“He's very strong and does his homework. One of the best things he does is break well out of the gate and gives all his horses a chance,” McLaughlin said. “He gives them an excellent chance by being forwardly placed.

“He tries hard on all of them. For me as his agent, he never complains,” he added. “He's willing to go out and work in the morning any time. He's very appreciative of his position in the business and he's got a wonderful family and he's with them all the time he can be when he isn't riding. He likes to run and stay fit, so he's very diligent. He's great to work with and a great person.”

Saez parlayed his strong ending to 2020 into the early part of this year. Before there was Belmont Stakes glory on the line, Saez traveled halfway around the world to compete in the $12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup and led Mystic Guide to a win.

That success – and the Triple Crown trail that followed – made Saez reflect on his start at Belmont, where he went 0-for-4 in 2009 and did not return to ride at the track until 2013, where he went 66-76-72 in 515 mounts, including winning the Grade 2 Peter Pan with Freedom Child and the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay with Tannery. The Belmont Stakes win also mitigated the disappointment of 2019, when Saez crossed the wire first in the Kentucky Derby on Maximum Security before the horse was disqualified for interference and placed 17th.

“It's been a blessing for us. When we started here, it wasn't easy,” Saez said. “I know it's like that for everyone, but we just kept working hard. Kiaran has my book and he's been doing a great job. To win the Dubai World Cup and go on from there, it's been great.”

Saez, who has just more than 2,700 career wins, is on pace to crack the 3,000-win threshold in 2022. His career earnings of more than $140 million place him in the top-40 all-time.

Saez boasts the second-highest purse earnings [$4,066,246] at the current 48-day Belmont spring/summer meet and the veteran rider will look to add to those riches on Closing Weekend, piloting Hidden Enemy in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational and Ova Charged in the Grade 3, $150,000 Victory Ride on Saturday. On Closing Day, Saez has the call on Delta's Kingdom in the $150,000 River Memories.

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Australasia Seeks Seventh Straight Victory

Australasia (Sky Kingdom) looks to take her record to seven-for-seven and score her first graded win Saturday in Belmont's GIII Victory Ride S. The dark bay dominated her fellow Louisiana-breds with four straight wins–three of which were stakes–by a combined 24 1/4 lengths. Scoring her first win against open company on the GI Kentucky Oaks undercard May 1, she rallied to victory in the local Jersey Girl S. June 6.

Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot) completed the exacta in the Jersey Girl after running away to an 11 1/4-length graduation on debut at this oval May 6. Third-place finisher and Ruthless S. romper Miss Brazil (Palace Malice) also returns in this spot.

Red Ghost (Ghostzapper) is the only member of this field who already has a graded stakes win on her resume. Kicking off 2021 with an allowance score at Keeneland Apr. 16, the chestnut captured the GIII Miss Preakness S. last out May 14.

Inject (Frosted) also won a Keeneland allowance Apr. 15 and cruised home too a 5 1/4-length score in the Goldfinch S. against much lesser company last time at Prairie Meadows May 15.

Another of interest at a price is 'TDN Rising Star' Souper Sensational (Curlin). Winner of Woodbine's Glorious Song S. at two, the chestnut was third in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 20 and was fourth last out in the GII Eight Belles S. Apr. 30.

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