Laobanonaprayer Cuts Back In Distance For Sunday’s NYSSS Fifth Avenue

Laobanonaprayer, owned and trained by Daniel Velazquez, headlines Sunday's $250,000 NYSSS Fifth Avenue, a seven-furlong sprint for eligible New York-sired juvenile fillies at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The Fifth Avenue is one of three stakes on Closing Day of the Big A fall meet, which also features the $250,000 NYSSS Great White Way at seven furlongs for eligible New York-sired juveniles and the $100,000 Garland of Roses at six furlongs for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

Laobanonaprayer, a Laoban bay bred in the Empire State by Christina Deronda, was purchased for $15,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. She made her first two starts at Delaware Park, finishing third on debut in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint in September and a good second to Celestial Cheetah when stretched out to one mile on Oct. 5.

Velazquez added blinkers and the services of rider Kendrick Carmouche for Laobanonaprayer's stakes debut in the one-mile Maid of the Mist for state-breds on Empire Showcase Day at Belmont Park and the filly responded with a 5 1/2-length romp that garnered a field-best 68 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She put me in a perfect spot and she was travelling easy,” said Carmouche. “She finished up really well. I think the cutback in distance will be even better for her. He told me she's been training really well. We'll just break and sit and watch it develop.”

The victory marked the first stakes score for Velazquez, who then doubled his stakes totals in the very next race when Brooklyn Strong – who is entered in Saturday's Grade 2 Remsen at the Big A – captured the Sleepy Hollow.

Carmouche leads all riders at the Big A fall meet with 16 wins and purse earnings of $968,619 heading into Thursday's card, boasting a 62 percent in-the-money record in tandem with Velazquez [27-4-7-6].

Laobanonaprayer, who Velazquez said is training without blinkers but will race with them on Sunday, has posted a pair of bullet works out of the Maid of the Mist score, including a five-eighths effort in 1:00.60 on Saturday on the Delaware Park dirt.

Carmouche will guide Laobanonaprayer from post 11 and he said he hopes to double up in stakes company for his good friend Velazquez.

“He's my little brother and I'm always rooting for him,” said Carmouche. “I won the stakes for him the other day and we'll try again on Sunday. You have to be in it to win it.”

Trainer Wayne Potts will saddle a pair of contenders for their dirt debuts in Dennis L. Deeb, Mary Lentini and Eric Miller's Athena Dancer and Domenic Dilalla's Ms Wicked.

Athena Dancer, a dark bay daughter of War Dancer out of the multiple stakes-winning Catienus mare Talking Treasure, earned a 62 Beyer when breaking her maiden at second asking on Nov. 20 on the Big A turf.

Potts has trained Athena Dancer, a $21,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, extensively over the Monmouth Park dirt and said the filly should handle the surface switch.

“I think Athena will be able to dirt and turf. She's a quiet, laid-back filly and does whatever you need her to do,” said Potts. “I was working her for several dirt efforts at Monmouth and I was never able to get a chance to run her on the dirt. She trains really good on the dirt. I was never able to breeze her on the grass but I thought she would grass and she did. She's doing very well.”

Bred in Ontario by Janeane Everatt, James Everatt and Arika Everatt-Meeuse, Ms Wicked made her first four starts at Woodbine Racetrack for trainer Cole Bennett, culminating in a last-to-first charge to win an open 1 1/16-mile maiden-claiming tilt on the Tapeta on Nov. 8.

The dark bay daughter of War Dancer is stakes-placed having completed the trifecta in the 6 1/2-furlong Muskoka, a sales stakes Tapeta sprint for juvenile fillies foaled in Canada.

She joined the Potts barn 10 days ago and worked a half-mile in company Sunday on the Belmont dirt training track in 51.24 seconds.

“I worked her behind a horse and she took the dirt very well,” said Potts. “She went an easy half-mile and the gallop out was very good. The whole question will be can she take all that dirt in her face, because she'll be coming from way back.”

Potts said a possible wet track wouldn't hinder the chances of either filly.

“If we get a wet surface, I don't think it will bother either one of those fillies,” said Potts. “They'll both have to step it up a little bit, but they're both worth giving a shot in this race.”

Dylan Davis has the call on Ms Wicked from post 6, while Jose Ortiz will guide Athena Dancer from post 9.

Cobra Farm and R R Partners' Gray Destiny, by Mission Impazible and out of the More Than Ready mare Happy Retreat, earned a 62 Beyer in her winning debut when 4 3/4-lengths the better of next-out winner Cara's Dreamer in a 1 1/16-mile off-the-turf state-bred maiden special weight on Oct. 30 at Belmont.

Trained by Christophe Clement, who leads all trainers at the Big A fall meet with 14 wins heading into Thursday's card, Gray Destiny was purchased for $50,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York-bred Yearling Sale.

Bred in the Empire State by Twin Creeks Farm, Gray Destiny has breezed twice since her maiden win including an easy half-mile in 50.54 on Nov. 28 on Big Sandy.

Jose Lezcano retains the mount from the inside post.

Jeremiah Englehart will saddle Twin Creeks Racing Stables' Pazzion and Fortune Farm's Flower's Fortune.

By Mission Impazible and out of the Big Brown mare Brown Eyes Blue, Pazzion rallied to a maiden victory last out on Oct. 26 in an open six-furlong sprint on a sloppy main track at Finger Lakes.

Flower's Fortune, by Effinex, completed the exacta in Pazzion's maiden win and followed with another runner-up effort on Nov. 22 at the Big A in a one-turn mile for state-breds.

Andrew Shivnarine Worrie retains the mount on Pazzion from post 5, while Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. will guide Flower's Fortune from post 12.

DutchessViews Farm's New York homebred Shanes Pretty Lady graduated by 3 3/4-lengths at first asking in a six-furlong state-bred sprint on Sept. 20 at Belmont for former conditioner Gary Gullo.

Last out, in her first start for trainer Todd Pletcher, the dark bay daughter of Bellamy Road trailed throughout in the six-furlong Key Cents for New York-breds on Nov. 15 at the Big A.

Joel Rosario picks up the mount from post 3.

Rounding out the field are maidens Vive La Liberty [post 7, Luis Cardenas], Tangerine Dream [post 2, Charlie Marquez], Jill's a Hot Mess [post 4, John Velazquez], U Should B Dancing [post 10, Junior Alvarado] and Pop the Bubbly [post 8, Manny Franco].

The NYSSS Fifth Avenue is slated as Race 6 on Sunday's 9-race card. First post is 12:20 p.m. Eastern.

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Woodbine Jockey Tests Positive For COVID-19; Live Racing Continues As Scheduled

The Woodbine Entertainment COVID-19 Health and Safety Committee confirmed today that an active jockey has tested positive for COVID-19.

Following Woodbine Entertainment's COVID-19 Prevention Protocols, the jockey will not be permitted to access Woodbine Racetrack for a minimum of 14 days while self-quarantining. At the conclusion of the 14-day self-quarantine, the jockey will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to being allowed to return to Woodbine Racetrack.

Since starting live Thoroughbred racing in early June, Woodbine Entertainment has established and enforced COVID-19 Prevention Protocols that include limiting access to the Woodbine Backstretch to essential personnel only, daily screening including temperature checks for those essential personnel accessing Woodbine property, mandatory wearing of face masks or face coverings, extensive disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces and common areas, the deployment of hand sanitizing stations throughout the property, including on the backstretch, and contacting tracing and other protocols to manage any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 exposure. Woodbine Entertainment's response and management of COVID-19 is captured in its Guide to Working and Racing Safely.

In following these established protocols, contact tracing has been performed and individuals who were in close contact with the jockey who tested positive are being notified. Those individuals, which includes one other jockey, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test prior to being permitted to return Woodbine Racetrack. Contact tracing also confirmed that the jockey who tested positive contracted COVID-19 outside of Woodbine Racetrack.

As part of regular COVID-19 Prevention Protocols, the jockey room, and other common areas, at Woodbine Racetrack received thorough electrostatic disinfection following the conclusion of racing on Saturday, November 14, the last day Woodbine Racetrack hosted live racing.

Considering the result of the contact tracing suggests exposure to the jockey who tested positive is limited, and with the confidence in the COVID-19 Prevention Protocols Woodbine Entertainment has established and enforced, and after reviewing with outside medical professionals, live racing will proceed today as scheduled.

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World Traveler Magic Wand To Be Bred To Justify In Australia

Magic Wand, a mare that's competed at the highest levels in seven different countries, will be bred to Triple Crown winner Justify at Coolmore's Australia base, Racing Post reports.

A 5-year-old daughter of Galileo, Magic Wand was a €1,400,000 (US$1,562,820) purchase as a yearling, and she has carried the Coolmore colors to wins including the Group 1 MacKinnon Stakes in Australia, the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes during England's Royal Ascot meet, and the G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes in Ireland.

Magic Wand has also finished second in Grade/Group 1 competition in the U.S., France, and Hong Kong, and she ran on this year's Saudi Cup card. Her U.S. exploits included finishing second in two runnings of the G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes and last year's G1 Arlington Million, along with a third in the G1 Man o' War Stakes.

She was retired in late October after developing a foot abscess while training toward a defense of her MacKinnon Stakes win in Australia.

Justify, a 5-year-old son of Scat Daddy, is in the midst of his second Southern Hemisphere breeding season in Australia, where he stands for an advertised fee of $66,000 Australian (US$43,282).

Read more at Racing Post.

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Woodbine: Dreaming Of Drew A Dream Come True For Minshall And Co.

Dreaming of Drew, a two-year-old daughter of Speightster, chases her first added-money title in the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes, one of two ($100,000 Overskate) features on Saturday's 11-race card at Woodbine.

Eight starters are slated to go postward in the 75th renewal of the Princess Elizabeth, a 1 1/16-mile main track race for Canadian-bred 2-year-old fillies.

Trained by Barbara Minshall, who has 380 career victories, Dreaming of Drew arrives at Saturday's engagement off a fourth-place finish in the Natalma Stakes (G1T) on Sept. 20 at Woodbine.

“She's training well,” said Minshall. “I'll make a couple of little equipment changes on her. I know she likes the synthetic track here. I just hope she settles well for a two-turn race and I expect a pretty good effort from her.”

It was the second straight stakes appearance for the Hoolie Racing Stable chestnut who lost by a nose to Alda in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes (6 ½ furlongs on the turf) on Aug. 23.

Bred by WinStar Farm, Dreaming of Drew launched her career on June 13 in a 4 ½-furlong test over the Toronto oval Tapeta. Sent off at 5-1, she put in a determined stretch run to finish second, 2 ½ lengths behind the winner.

Next time out, the Ontario-bred broke her maiden via a six-length romp as the 7-5 choice.

Minshall, Canada's champion trainer in 1996, is confident her young star will be up for Saturday's test.

“She is [still learning]. She's a very big horse and she has a ton of ability. That goes without question. She just has to totally get it all together, but she's a horse with a bright future. Hopefully, we can finish this season off with her having a nice race in the Princess Elizabeth, and then give her a nice break.”

Bred and owned by Yvonne Schwabe, Bequia, a dark bay daughter of Vancouver (AUS), will make her stakes debut on Saturday. Bodacious Miss goes after her second win in as many starts, Curlin's Catch, a daughter of Curlin, finished second in her career bow, Dance With Destiny looks to improve off a sixth-place finish in her debut, El Bayern tries for her second straight added-money crown after winning the Muskoka Stakes on August 30, Emmeline, trained by John Mattine, will go for her first win in what is her third (stakes) start, and Victorian Queen Stakes champion Il Malocchio is set to go postward in her fourth career start.

Princess Elizabeth-winning fillies Nipissing (2012), Roan Inish (2009), Ginger Gold (2001), Dancethruthedawn (2000), Deputy Jane West (1992) and Par Excellence (1979) all went on to win the Woodbine Oaks the following year.

The Overskate Stakes has drawn 10 hopefuls. Set for 7 ½ furlongs on the Inner Turf, the Ontario Sired race for three-year-olds & up includes last year's Overskate champion Dixie's Gamble (6-1-0 from 12 starts), who will make his season's debut on Saturday for trainer Josie Carroll, 2020 Vice Regent Stakes winner Not So Quiet (5-0-1 from 11 starts), multiple stakes winner Red Cabernet and (8-3-2 from 30 starts), and multiple stakes placed Royal Laser (5-4-5 from 26 starts).

The Princess Elizabeth is slated as race nine and the Overskate goes as race eight. First post time is 1:10 p.m. Fans can watch and wager on all the action via HPIbet.com.

$250,000 PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – El Bayern – Sheena Ryan – Mike Mattine

2 – Dance With Destiny – Luis Contreras – Josie Carroll

3 – Il Malocchio – Sahin Civaci – Martin Drexler

4 – Dreaming of Drew – Patrick Husbands – Barbara Minshall

5 – Bequia – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Kevin Attard

6 – Curlin's Catch – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse

7 – Bodacious Miss – Justin Stein – Steve Owens

8 – Emmeline – Kazushi Kimura – John Mattine

$100,000 OVERSKATE STAKES

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Royal Laser – Justin Stein – Sid Attard

2 – Forester's Turn – Kazushi Kimura – Robert Tiller

3 – Dun Drum – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Ian Black

4 – Dixie's Gamble – Luis Contreras – Josie Carroll

5 – Royal Wedding – Simon Husbands – Nathan Squires

6 – Red Cabernet – Steven Bahen – Ian Black

7 – Not So Quiet – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse

8 – Eskiminzin – Davy Moran – Carlos Grant

9 – Silent Jimmie – Daisuke Fukumoto – Paul Buttigieg

10 – Thor's Rocket – Sahin Civaci – Paul Buttigieg

 

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