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Reserved off the pace early, Kitodan unleashed a strong outside rally through the stretch and won the $750,000 Big Ass Fans Dueling Grounds Derby (G3) in a 20-1 upset Monday at Kentucky Downs.

Gerardo Corrales guided the 3-year-old Kentucky-bred Point of Entry colt to a four-length triumph in the 1 5/16-mile event. The victory marked the first in a graded stakes for the runner trained by Eric Foster, whose Foster Family Racing co-owns him with Douglas E. Miller, and William J. Wargel.

Final time was 2:15.41 on turf rated as good.

Double Clutch set the early tempo of :25.63, 52.29, 1:17.62 and 1:43.47 for a mile as Kitodan relaxed in ninth then seventh in the 12-horse field. Between rivals on the turn, he angled out nearing the quarter pole, and was ready to run with a shake of the reins.

Grand Sonata was second, 3 1/2 lengths in front of third-place finisher Mount Rundle. Favorite Ready to Purrform, who stalked from second early, faded and finished sixth.

Kitodan, who returned $43.48, earned his fifth win from eight starts this year and third stakes, including the Audubon Stakes at 40-1 odds against 3-year-olds June 4 at Churchill Downs. In April at Turfway Park he captured the Rushaway Stakes for trainer Mike Maker, then was claimed by Foster for $80,000 out of a third-place finish in an allowance-optional claiming race May 16 on the Churchill turf. He came into Monday's race after finishing fifth in the Evan Williams Turf Mile Stakes August 7 at Ellis Park but was ready for a top effort in the Dueling Grounds Derby.

Foster said that after worrying all week about the weather and turf course, he knew Kitodan was ready.

“This is the second time we've got to run him on the turf against 3-year-olds and he's getting stronger,” said Foster, who also won his first graded stakes and a Trace Adkins-signed guitar trophy that goes to the winners of Kentucky Downs' graded stakes.

“He's a nice horse,” Corrales said of Kitodan. “I had a lot of confidence in my horse. When I put him in the clear, I had a lot of horse. Lot of class. He's a nice 3-year-old. No trouble. Once I put him in the clear, he was fantastic.”

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione said of runner-up Grand Sonata's performance: “I was really proud of his effort today. I got in tight a couple of times but he never shied away. It's a shame the winner got away from us because he did run such a good race.”

The winner's share of the lucrative purse was $432,450, boosting Kitodan's lifetime bankroll to $779, 641.

Kitodan was bred by Flaxman Holdings Limited. His dam is the A.P. Indy mare Divine Presence. Lane's End sold him to Daniel Silva for $9,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Foster hopes to add to his graded stakes tally Saturday with Johnny Unleashed in the $1 million FanDuel Turf Sprint (G2) and $62,500 claim Recoded in the $1 million Mint Ladies Sprint (G3).

Monday's card also include the $500,000 Exacta Systems Dueling Grounds Oaks, which was won by Vergara in a thrilling finish with Skims, the runner-up by a head.

A 3-year-old Noble Mission filly trained by Graham Motion for owner Gary Broad, Vergara was ridden by Joel Rosario and finished the 1 5/16-mile trip in 2:14.95.

California Angel was third, 2 1/2 lengths behind Skims, and New Year's Eve was fourth in the 11-horse field.

Vergara sat just behind pacesetter Turnerloose, who set opening fractions on the good turf course of :25.40 seconds and :50.67. Rosario guided Vergara to the front and slowed down the pace to 1:16.11 for six furlongs into the sweeping far turn, while Turnerloose stayed on as Beechnut Trophy and Skims ran into contention.

Leaving the turn, Skims loomed on the outside as Vergara cut the corner in a mile timed in 1:42.46. Skims got the best of a stubborn Turnerloose in mid-stretch, and from there it was an all-out tussle to the finish line.

Motion's last stakes victory at Kentucky Downs came in 2017 with Miss Temple City in the Grade 3 Ladies Sprint, which then was worth $350,000.

Neil Jones bred Vergara in Kentucky from the Street Cry mare Figure of Beauty. With the Oaks victory, her second stakes win, her record improves to 3-1-2 from eight career starts. In her previous  start, she finished second by a head in Woodbine's Grade 3 Ontario Colleen.

The $291,200 winner's share of the Dueling Grounds Oaks purse boosted Vergara's lifetime earnings to $425,933.

She was a $130,000 purchase by Gary Broad/Walmac Farm from the Indian Creek consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Vergara returned $10,96.

The post Former Claimer Kitodan Hits Big Payday With Dueling Grounds Derby Win at 20-1 Odds, Vergara Takes Oaks appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The 20-cent Rainbow 6 gross jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $125,000 for Sunday's program at Gulfstream Park, where the popular multi-race wager has gone unsolved for three racing days since the August 13 mandatory payout.

Sunday's Rainbow 6 sequence will span Races 4-9, headlined by a first-level optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up. Victor Barboza Jr.-trained Petulante, who turned in a dazzling 9 ¼-length debut victory last time out, returns in the seven-furlong feature. Edgar Perez has the return call aboard the daughter of Arrogate.

The Rainbow 6 jackpot is paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70% of that day's pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30% is carried over to the jackpot pool.

The post Gulfstream Park: Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed At $125,000 Sunday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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It was another outstanding edition of  Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday at Louisiana Downs as each of the six stakes on the program showcased the quality of the Louisiana Thoroughbred.

Despite temperatures in the high 90s, tremendous performances were noted throughout the afternoon with glory to several experienced runners as well as juveniles.

Bisping Triumphs In Louisiana Cup Juvenile

Stakes action got underway in the second race with the running of the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings. A field of eight competed at 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track.

The winner was Anna Guillot's Bisping, a son of El Deal, bred by Adcock's Red River Farm LLC & J. Adcock.  He reunited with jockey Devin Magnon, who guided him from this inside post, taking command at the three-eighths pole and drawing clear. He prevailed by a margin of 3 ¾ lengths over Ranch Water in a final time of 1.05.90.

“Before he ever ran, I knew he was special,” said Magnon. “We have a bond and he does everything you ask of him very professionally.”

Trained by Ricky Courville, the dark bay gelding broke his maiden on May 19 at Evangeline Downs prior to running sixth in the $150,000 Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park.

“I had a race in him and took a shot,” said Courville. “We faced big horses in New York.”

World War IV Racing's Ranch Water ran second for trainer Allen Landry followed by Norman Racing Stables LLC's Easy Chance. Post time favorite King's Lute completed the superfecta for owner Claiming Cajuns LLc.

Sent off as the second choice in the wagering, Bisping paid $9.60 for the win, which was second in three starts. With the winner's share of $40,200, his earnings stand at $58,050. Courville said that the D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs will likely be his next start.

Cheapskate Diva Thrills Her Connections In Louisiana Cup Distaff

The first turf stakes of the card, the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff, drew nine fillies and mares who traveled 1 1/16 miles over the firm Franks Turf Course.

Cheapskate Diva was in fine form as she made her stakes debut for breeder-owner Keith Plaisance The 4-year-old filly by Animal Kingdom last ran on July 3 at Louisiana Downs, drawing off in a $25,000 turf allowance by 10 lengths under Carlos Marquez. Confidently handled Saturday, she was forwardly placed through early fractions of :23.77 and 48.39 before taking the lead at the top of the stretch and drawing clear by 1 ½ lengths. The final time, over the firm turf course was 1.41.92.

The Louisiana Cup Distaff also marked the first stakes win for trainer Joseph “Bobby” Felks.

“I give all the credit to Bobby,” said Marquez. “She used to be more hyper, but Bobby has worked with her and she did it easy for me today.”

Plaisance also praised Felks in the post-race interview.

“It was his idea to enter her in this,” said Plaisance. “Bobby felt she deserved a shot and to win over tough mares like Net a Bear and Fort Polk was amazing. My hat's off to Bobby.”

Fort Polk, a 6-year-old daughter of Behindatthebar, trained by Pat Mouton for owners Steve and Pat Roe completed the exacta. Alliaceous closed for third under rider Vicente Del-Cid and longshot Eve's Delight rounded out the top four.

Defending winner Net a Bear finished seventh and trainer Allen Landry felt the heat might have taken its toll on his multiple-stakes winner.

“She was sweating when we hauled in this morning,” said Landry. “We will give her some time off and see how she does.”

Cheapskate Diva has won four of her 10 efforts and earned $101,740. Her connections were undecided on her next start.

Free Like A Girl Sensational In Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

The $67,000 Louisiana Filly and Mare Sprint showcased a field of 11 Louisiana-bred fillies and mares going six furlongs on the fast main track.

Free Like a Girl returned to Louisiana Downs on Cup Day and was sent away as the 11-10 favorite in the six-furlong sprint.

Bred by retired jockey Kim Renee Stover and her sister, Lisa Osborne, the daughter of El Deal, had won seven of her 14 starts for owners Gerald Bruno Jr; Carl J. Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier, and Jerry Caroom. She was honored as 2021 Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) champion 2-year-old filly and continues to progress through her 3-year-old campaign.

She was back in state bred company today following starts in the Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn Park February 26 against the much heralded Secret Oath and her most recent race, a creditable third in the Iowa Oaks (G3) on July 9 at Prairie Meadows.

Jockey Pedro Cotto, Jr. was content to let her break from her far inside post, track the front-running Drop Dead Sexy, and confidently circle the field. She drew clear at the eighth pole and drew clear by a margin of 6 ½ lengths in 1.10.69,

“She likes being on the outside and having something to run at,” explained Pomier. “We were facing older horses and were not sure how it would pan out, but she's shown time and time again how much she loves her job.”

The connections remain loyal to Cotto, who has piloted Free Like a Girl in each of her Louisiana races.

“He rode for my dad when I was a kid and worked this filly as a baby,” Pomier added. “Pedro fits her and tells us that all he ever wants is to ride our filly.”

Drop Dead Sexy held on for second for current leading trainer Shane Wilson and

2021 Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner, Snowball completed the trifecta, followed by Spirited Beauty and Canada's Customs.

Free Like a Girl ($4.20) has now won eight of her 15 career starts, boosting her earnings to $464,073.

City Park Springs Upset In Louisiana Cup Turf Classic

The $67,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Classic attracted 11 runners going 1 1/16 miles over the Franks Turf Course.

City Park, a 5-year-old son of Temple City, bred by Warran Harang, returned to the winner's circle for the first time in 2022, under very confident handling by rider Joel Dominguez.

Breaking from the rail, he was eighth after the half-mile, before advancing four-wide and drawing clear in 1:41.23 over the firm turf course.

Owned by MAT Investments, LLC, City Park exited a seventh-place finish in the John Henry at Evangeline Downs last month.

“You can always make it happen when you are on the right horse and I had the right horse today,” said Dominguez. “The race set up well. I knew if they went fast up front, he would come running and that's what happened.”

Charlie G rallied for second under rider Joe Stokes, followed by Big Chopper and Jaci's Royalty. Defending winner Carlea's Dream, ran fifth under Iram Diego.

City Park was bet down to 5-1 from his 12-1 morning line and rewarded his backers with a $12.80 win payout. Trained by Eduardo Ramirez, the bay gelding has won six of his career efforts, topping the $200,000 mark in earnings this afternoon.

Janet Is Ready Captures Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies

Nine 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies competed in one of the best fields ever for the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies. Several first-time winners faced off in the 5 ½-furlong main track sprint.

Saddling her second winner on the Cup Day card was Chasey Deville Pomier as Janet is Ready notched the win in gate-to-wire fashion under rider Vicente Del-Cid.

The race was the third victory for the daughter of Custom for Carlos, who made her debut on May 13 in a $98,000 maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. After running second in Kentucky, she broke her maiden at Evangeline Downs and won the Prairie Gold Lassie on July 8 in Iowa, at odds of 21-1.

She drifted out as she approached the wire today, but still prevailed by one-length in 1:05.65, over Guitar Woman, Lady Flurry, and Nodah.

Owner Gerry Bruno was on hand for the race and talked about the team behind the filly.

“We bought her at the LTBA Yearling Sale ($5,500) and no one knows that I was Carl Deville's assistant at Monmouth Park when Chasey was seven, so we've been around for a long time,” said Bruno. “She was impressive today, despite drifting at the end.”

Janet Is Ready could be pointed to the DS Shine – Filly Division at Evangeline Downs.

Front-Running Score By Takes Two To Tango In Louisiana Cup Sprint

The $67,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Sprint closed out the Louisiana Cup Day card with 11 Louisiana-breds traveling six furlongs on the main track.

Takes Two to Tango, a 6-year-old son of Half Ours, added his sixth career victory for breeder-owner Melissa Cantacuzene.

Jockey Luis Quinonez guided the bay gelding to the wire in 1:10.89 over the fast track and spoke about his improvement following his third-place finish in the Louisiana Legends Sprint at Evangeline Downs.

“He broke very well today,” said Quinonez.  “Was very alert and when I called on him, he finished well. I thank the owner for this opportunity.”

Trained by J. Luis Garcia, Takes Two to Tango, has won five of his seven outs at Louisiana Downs.

“He never holds back,” said Cantacuzene. “He always gives 100%.”

Black Sword ran second under Vicente Del-Cid, followed by Brian's Iron Mike and Creole Charlie.

The post Cheapskate Diva, Takes Two To Tango Among State-Breds To Shine On Louisiana Cup Card At Louisiana Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Souper Hoity Toity, under Patrick Husbands, made it two straight stakes wins after taking the $153,400 Ontario Colleen Stakes (G3) Saturday at Woodbine.

Fresh off a score in the Selene Stakes (G3) on July 2, Souper Hoity Toity, a bay daughter of Uncle Mo out of Town Tour, by Speightstown, dug deep to make the grade in the one-mile turf Ontario Colleen for 3-year-old fillies.

Ladywearsthering, sent off as the 9-5 choice, broke running from the outside and grabbed the early lead, as longshot Guileful, to her outside, settled into second, with 27-1 Love to Run nestled into third spot. Super Hoity Toity, second choice on the tote board at 4-1, was fifth of nine through the opening quarter reached in :24.33.

It was status quo for the top trio, as Ladywearsthering, impressive in her winning debut on July 2, continued to roll along on the front end, holding a head advantage over Guileful after a half in :47.68.

Vergara, with David Moran in the irons, confronted Ladywearsthering in early stretch, eventually wresting the lead away from her rival, as Souper Hoity Toity, who appeared stalled in the turn for home, began to gather momentum with an energetic late burst.

At the wire, the Mark Casse trainee poked a head in front of a game Vergara, while Ladywearsthering finished third. Love to Run, also conditioned by Casse, was fourth.

The final time over a firm E.P. Taylor Turf Course was 1:35.01.

At one point, Husbands thought he had little shot at hitting the board.

“She spit the bit on me, and I could not get her going. Things were really going bad for me. I had no horse. I said, 'You know what? I'm not going around. I can find a way through the crowd.' And then she got gutsy by the eighth pole. At the eighth pole, I was on a different horse. But she loves to win. She's all class. She's a legit filly.”

Owned by Live Oak Plantation, Souper Hoity Toity, bred in Kentucky by Dr. Richard Holder and Coolmore, now has four wins from six starts.

Souper Hoity Toity returned $10.30.

The post ‘Things Were Really Going Bad For Me’: Souper Hoity Toity Knuckles Downs For Husbands, Wins Ontario Colleen appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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