Tag: bill mott

‘Just’ on Fire: Just F Y I Rolls in Sloppy Frizette for Red-Hot Justify

Just F Y I (f, 2, Justify–Star Act, by Street Cry {Ire}), up in time by a head sprinting on debut at a well-backed 7-2 at the Spa Aug. 26, provided a rolling Grade I double for owner George Krikorian and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott with a powerful performance in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI Frizette S. at a rainy Aqueduct Racetrack.

“[The track] was the big question and we didn't know,” Mott said after saddling his first Frizette winner since Confessional in 1998. “You don't know until you run them. We thought she was a nice filly and, in this day and age, I guess if you break your maiden impressively you're looking at going to a stakes race because there aren't many allowance races.”

As for a start in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, Mott added, “That would be the plan today. We'll wait and see how she comes back and go from there.”

The 9-2 chance found a perfect spot in an outside third through an opening quarter in :23.63 while navigating the one-turn mile over very sloppy going. The Krikorian homebred loomed boldly while four wide on the far turn, gained a narrow advantage at the top of the stretch and leveled off beautifully down the lane to win going away by 3 3/4 lengths over longshot Central Avenue (Street Sense). Life Talk (Gun Runner) was third. Favored Emery (More Than Ready), a runaway winner on debut in the Saratoga mud Aug. 30, was a disappointing fourth.

Krikorian and Mott were also represented one race earlier on the card by GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. winner War Like Goddess (English Channel).

“It's very special,” Mott said. “[Mr. Krikorian] has been a very good client and he sends me some horses that he thinks are going to be OK. I have a small group of horses for him, but they are all quite nice.”

Krikorian added, “It's very special. I couldn't be more pleased, I'm ecstatic.”

Pedigree Notes:

Triple Crown winner Justify, sire of last Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac Criterium des Pouliches heroine Opera Singer; Wednesday's GII Miss Grillo S. winner Hard to Justify; and Friday's GII Jessamine S. winner Buchu; is now responsible for four Grade I/Group 1 winners worldwide.

Out of a stakes-placed daughter of Krikorian's MGISW and savvy $35,000 FTKOCT yearling purchase Starrer (Dynaformer), Just F Y I hails from the female family of another accomplished set of fillies in MGISW Stellar Jayne (Wild Rush) and GISW Star Billing (Dynaformer).

This is also the family of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Uncle Benny (Declaration of War). Just F Y I's dam Star Act produced a 2023 full-sister to the victress and was bred to Life Is Good for 2024.

 

Saturday, Belmont The Big A
FRIZETTE S.-GI, $400,000, Belmont The Big A, 10-7, 2yo, f, 1m, 1:37.59, sy.
1–JUST F Y I, 120, f, 2, by Justify
                1st Dam: Star Act (SP, $147,605), by Street Cry (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Starrer, by Dynaformer
                3rd Dam: To the Hunt, by Relaunch
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-George Krikorian (KY); T-William I. Mott; J-Junior Alvarado. $220,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $277,750. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Central Avenue, 120, f, 2, by Street Sense
                1st Dam: Centring (MGISP, $509,102), by A.P. Indy
                2nd Dam: Composure, by Touch Gold
                3rd Dam: Party Cited, by Alleged
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Michael Stidham. $80,000.
3–Life Talk, 120, f, 2, by Gun Runner
                1st Dam: Touchy Feely, by Bernardini
                2nd Dam: Touched, by Touch Gold
                3rd Dam: Bay Barrister, by Miswaki
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($160,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $335,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable; B-Gun Runner Syndicate, Mulholland Springs LLC & Tom Grether Farms Inc. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $48,000.
Margins: 3 3/4, HF, 1. Odds: 4.80, 18.60, 1.90.
Also Ran: Emery, Irish Maxima, Princess Indy.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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A Graded Stakes Saturday We Never Want To End

The parade of graded stakes races this Saturday is like a Christmas tree laden with presents. Towards the end of the celebration, as the wadded paper congregates, there will be a customary wistfulness that slowly sets in. We never want it to end.

With 17, yes 17, graded races on the docket–nine of those have Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' status–it is going to be a splendid day to receive as Belmont at the Big A, Keeneland Race Course, Woodbine Racetrack, Gulfstream Park, Hastings Racecourse and Santa Anita Park hustle to apply the Scotch tape. Cue the carols, please.

Heading to the venerable Big A in Ozone Park, the graded menu expanded when last weekend's GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. was added to Saturday's slate. The 12-furlong grass test includes the reigning GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance (Dubawi {Ire}) who looking for some New York redemption after unseating his rider around the far turn in the late-July running of the GII Bowling Green S. at Saratoga. The Charlie Appleby trainee is set to face the queen of the blades in MGISW War Like Goddess (English Channel), who still has plenty of fight in her as she faces the boys again for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

If one Grade I wasn't enough for you on this card, then we are going to add two more just for good measure. The GI Frizette S. is a passageway to the GI Breeders' Cup NetJets Juvenile Fillies and Repole Stable has the 9-5 morning-line favorite in Life Talk (Gun Runner), who broke her maiden at second asking Aug. 31 at Saratoga by 6 1/2 lengths. The Todd Pletcher trainee will have to contend with Stonestreet's Emery (More Than Ready), who scratched out of Friday's GI Darley Alcibiades S. at Keeneland to run here for trainer Brad Cox. Also present is Godolphin homebred Central Avenue (Street Sense), who debuted a winner at Colonial Downs, and will try to stretch out for trainer Michael Stidam.

“She [Central Avenue] started going seven-eighths and we thought that might be a little short for her, but she got up anyways,” Stidham said. “She always looked in the mornings like she would come running late and she would [run like that]. The mile is going to be even more helpful for her style.”

The other top race of the day at 'Belmont West' is the GI Champagne S., which offers a ticket straight to the GI Breeders' Cup FanDuel Juvenile. Once again, Repole Stable held David Aragona's attention with 6-5 morning-line favorite Fierceness (City of Light). The 'TDN Rising Star' had his own way in the Saratoga mud Aug. 25 when the bay colt won that debut by 11 1/4 lengths. His main rival could be fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief), who is also entered in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.

Rounding out the action at Aqueduct is a trio of Grade III turf events which include the Waya S. with GISW McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the Belmont Turf Sprint with GSW Big Invasion (Declaration of War) and finally, English import Measured Time (Frankel {GB}) is up against GISP Webslinger (Constitution) in the Jockey Club Derby Invitational.

Locked | Sarah Andrew

The Keeneland Association which just kicked off its October meet on Friday, has its own take on Christmas come early. Taking to the Haggin Turf Course, the GI First Lady S. for older females sports a rematch of the July running of the GI Diana S. between Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio) and MGISW In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The former bested the latter at Saratoga and the Chad Brown stablesmates are set to do battle again. Not to be overlooked is the Joseph O'Brien trainee Jumbly (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) who returns to the U.S. after finishing fifth in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown Sept. 9.

Moving right along to some more Grade I festivities, the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity offers the winner a shot in the GI Breeders' Cup FanDuel Juvenile. 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) won at second asking by 7 1/4 lengths at Saratoga Sept. 1 with a 96 Beyer Speed Figure. The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm-owned chestnut colt for trainer Todd Pletcher will take on New York-bred undefeated hero The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso) for trainer Mike Maker and possibly the aforementioned Timberlake.

“He [Locked] was impressive the time he went two turns at Saratoga,” said Pletcher. “One reason he came here and Fierceness stayed in New York for the Champagne is that I thought the Champagne suited him better with the one start. It worked well that we could find a Grade I for both of them.”

The capstone to Keeneland's Super Saturday is the GI Coolmore Turf Mile, which allows access to the GI Breeders' Cup FanDuel Mile. Fresh off his 3 3/4-length first North American score in the GI Woodbine Mile, Master of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will challenge Up to the Mark (Not This Time), who was last seen winning GI Manhattan S. at Belmont. Lane's End recently announced that the 4-year-old colt trained by Todd Pletcher would head their way for stud duty at the conclusion of his racing career.

A pair of Grade II races will complete the Keeneland Saturday graded offering. First, the Woodford S. welcomes turf sprint specialist and G1 Nuthorpe S. at York victor Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) from the yard of Adam West. Meanwhile, MGSW and MGISP Wicked Halo (Gun Runner) tries to secure her spot in the GI Breeders' Cup PNC Bank Filly & Mare Sprint when she sets sail against six others in the Thoroughbred Club of America S.

Before heading west, both Gulfstream Park and Woodbine Racetrack card a graded race each. GSP Maryquitecontrary (First Dude) switches from Shug McGaughey's barn to David Fawkes, as she returns to her home track in the GIII Princess Rooney S, a race which also feeds into the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Up at Woodbine, the GIII Durham Cup S. finds G1 Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal {Ire}) making his first start in North America after trainer Simon Crisford scratched him from the GII Woodward S. last weekend.

Staying put in Canada, Hastings Racecourse cards the GIII BC Premier's H. for 3-year-olds and up. The race includes Accidental Hero (Mo Town), who bested his rival Sunbird (Orb) in the GIII BC Derby last month.

Anisette | Benoit

It would not be a graded Saturday without 'The Great Race Place' and Santa Anita Park has its share. Of course, the GI American Pharoah S., which TDN covered in a special edition on Friday, is a 'Win and You're In' event for the GI Breeders' Cup FanDuel Juvenile S. 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic) will square off against seven others in the feature, which includes stablemate Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso).

Speaking of juveniles, the fillies get their chance to shine in the GII Chandelier S. On the line is the opportunity to make the starting gate in the GI Breeders' Cup NetJets Juvenile Fillies. One of the top contenders is Laurent (Practical Joke). The Peter Eurton trainee was second Sept. 9 in the GI Del Mar Debutante S. The dark bay filly is in the blocks right next to the Zedan Racing's Dua (Arrogate). The Bob Baffert trainee was third in the GIII Sorrento S. at Del Mar Aug. 12.

In the race before the American Pharoah S., turf routers will load at the mouth of the downhill course for the GII Rodeo Drive S. Looking for a chance to return for the Breeders' Cup Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf is the undefeated Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}). The 3-year-old will take on older females for the first time. After coming over from England last spring, the Leonard Powell trainee won three in a row, including the GI Del Mar Oaks by 2 3/4 lengths.

Anisette is going to have to try and get past the 9-5 morning-line favorite Didia (Arg) (Orpen) though. She was the runner-up in the GI New York S. at Belmont Park June 9 and has a history of winning from off the bench for trainer Ignacio Correas. Add in some seasoned Southern California stayers like MGSW Closing Remarks (Vronsky) and MGSW Neige Blache (FR) (Anodin {Ire}), and the Rodeo Drive is going to be quite the shopping spree at the windows.

Here's to a Saturday of graded racing that never ends.

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Champion Sprinter Elite Power To Retire To Juddmonte After Breeders’ Cup

Defending Eclipse Champion Elite Power (Curlin), winner of last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, will take up stud duty upon retirement after defending his title at Santa Anita next month, Juddmonte Farm said in a press release Friday morning.

Bred by Alpha Delta Stables, the chestnut colt consigned by Lane's End was sold to Juddmonte for $900,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Out of MGSW Broadway's Alibi (Vindication), his dam was runner-up in the GI Kentucky Oaks. Sold as a broodmare for $2.15 million, she hails from the family of champion 2-year-old filly Eliza (Mt. Livermore).

Elite Power's stakes debut came in the GII Vosburgh S. last year when he won by 5 3/4 lengths. After his win in the Breeders' Cup, his 2023 campaign started in Saudi Arabia where he annexed the GIII Riyadh Dirt Sprint. Back stateside for his next start, he won the GII True North S. and followed that up with a victory in the GI Vanderbilt H.

To date, the Juddmonte colorbearer has amassed earnings of $2,735,711.

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Rescheduled Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Races Take To BAQ Turf

After significant rainfall cancelled the entire Friday and Saturday Belmont at the Big A cards, a pair of Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' Challenge races were moved from Sunday to Wednesday in order to allow everyone to dry out.

The GII Miss Grillo S., a pathway to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, brings together a cast of 12. Only Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott's Gala Brand (Violence) has graded experience. The chestnut filly delivered in her second start when she faced males and won the GIII With Anticipation S. Aug. 31 at Saratoga over next-out GI bet365 Summer S. hero Carson's Run (Cupid).

From the inside gates, Appellate (Constitution) from the Todd Pletcher barn and Hard to Justify (Justify) from Chad Brown's shedrow will tussle once again. The latter won on debut by a head over the former July 23 at Saratoga, but the Pletcher trainee made a start since Sept. 3 upstate and gained some valuable grass experience as a runner-up once again.

Meanwhile, Gainesway homebred Memorialize (Karakontie {Jpn}) for Graham Motion is looking to build on her own maiden victory, this one at second-asking, when the chestnut filly won confidently by three lengths Aug. 20 at Saratoga.

The boys get their chance later on the BAQ card when the GII Pilgrim S. goes off with GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf implications at stake. Leading the way is 'TDN Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road), who absolutely rolled from seemingly nowhere Sept. 2 at Saratoga to break his maiden by a neck at second asking.

“His last breeze was very good. He's training well and came out of his race in good order,” said the colt's trainer, Todd Pletcher. “He got a very wide trip, which maybe turned out to be a blessing with all that was going on at the eighth pole. Turning for home, I thought he had way too much to do, and he really kicked in late. He's had a little bit of experience, so hopefully that pays dividends.”

A pair of runners who might fly under the radar are Liam's Journey (Liam's Map) for Mike Maker and Fulmineo (Bolt d'Oro) for Arnaud Delacour.

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