Tag: Bobby Flay

First Captain Kicks Off Year with Nail-Biting Win

10th-Gulfstream, $56,000, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 2-27, 4yo/up, 7f, 1:22.19, ft, head.

FIRST CAPTAIN (c, 4, Curlin–America {GSW & MGISP, $580,532}, by A.P. Indy) faced a small but contentious field for his 4-year-old debut, including GSWs Trophy Chaser (Twirling Candy) and Dennis' Moment (Tiznow)–the latter also a 'TDN Rising Star'–as well as black-type winners Real Talk (Gemologist) and Hello Hot Rod (Mosler). A 'TDN Rising Star' himself, First Captain was slowest of all out of the stalls, yet kept in touch with the tightly packed field from the back. Nearly five lengths behind and well off the rail at the :22.71 quarter, he was still in the rear at the :45.24 half-mile mark but making progress. Still wide, the 4-5 favorite loomed menacingly on the turn on the outside, getting occasional right-handed encouragement from Jose Ortiz. Just when it looked like he had too much to do, First Captain kicked into another gear just strides from the wire, inhaling frontrunner Doc Amster (Midshipman)–the only non-stakes winner in the field–in the last possible second by a head.

With only four previous starts under his girth, First Captain won his first three. He broke his maiden at first asking last April at Belmont, getting a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. With a second consecutive win, taking a Belmont allowance in May and accorded both a 95 Beyer and 'Rising Star' status, the $1.5-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling went into the GIII Dwyer S. in July and prevailed as the favorite. He flattened to third in Saratoga's Curlin S. later that month and Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey gave him plenty of time to regroup before his 4-year-old campaign.

Chef Bobby Flay bred First Captain and stayed in for a piece of the Curlin colt. As Flay recently detailed in an edition of Mating Plans, he is breeding the chestnut's dam, America, back to Curlin this year for a full-sibling. America also produced full-sisters to First Captain in 2019 and 2021. Her lone other mate has been Uncle Mo, by whom America has a 2-year-old colt named Kid American (a $550,000 RNA at KEESEP), and by whom she is expecting a foal this year. Flay also has America's half-sister Street Strut (Street Cry {Ire}), who is going to Constitution. Another half-sister to America produced 2020 GISW Paris Lights (Curlin) and the family goes back to Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom {Fr}), First Captain's fourth dam. Blush With Pride-winner of the 1982 GI Kentucky Oaks–was out of Broodmare of the Year Best in Show (Traffic Judge) and produced Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister). Sales History: $1,500,000 Ylg '19 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-4-0-1, $285,600. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

O-West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm LLC, Bobby Flay, & Woodford Racing, LLC; B-B. Flay Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III.

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APBs: McGaughey Troops Gearing Up in South Florida

A pair of highly regarded sophomores of 2021 are on the comeback trail for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey.

Courtlandt Farm's homebred Greatest Honour (Tapit–Tiffany's Honour, by  Street Cry {Ire}) was a serious early contender for the GI Kentucky Derby following flashy wins in Gulfstream's GIII Holy Bull S. and GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. last winter. After finishing a flat third as the 4-5 favorite in the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 27, however, McGaughey decided to hit the reset button on the bay.

“I wasn't really pleased with the way he was going after the Florida Derby,” McGaughey said. “So, we gave him some time. Then we gave him a little bit more time. He's been back training now. He was training at Courtlandt Farm then he came to Payson Park and we stepped it up a little bit when he got there. So, this is where we are.

McGaughey added, “He was always a tall horse and probably didn't carry as much weight as a 3-year-old that I'd like for him to. I think that's all come together now. I like everything he's been doing.”

Greatest Honour, produced by an unplaced daughter of bluehen mare Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister) and hailing from the same female family as Classic winners Rags to Riches and Jazil, has posted three workouts since late January at Payson Park, most recently completing a four-furlong breeze in :50.40 (21/24) Feb. 14.

“So far, he's doing really well,” McGaughey said. “He's been breezing weekly at Payson Park and hopefully he's probably a month or so away. I haven't gotten any timetable [for specific races] for him. I'm just sort of waiting to let him to tell me. But, so far, so good.”

Last year's GIII Dwyer S. 'TDN Rising Star' First Captain (Curlin–America, by A.P. Indy), meanwhile, has begun gearing up at McGaughey's Gulfstream base. A disappointing well-beaten third while suffering his first career defeat making his two-turn debut in Saratoga's 1 1/8-mile Curlin S. July 30, he was subsequently freshened after bypassing a potential start in the GI Pennsylvania Derby in September. He's breezed six times so far this year, including a five-furlong move in 1:01.46 (6/14) in Hallandale Feb. 14.

“There really wasn't anything the matter with him, I just wasn't all together pleased of where I stood with him, so I thought, 'Well, let's just give him some time,'” McGaughey said. “Time helped him a lot. He was at Barry Eisaman's and he did a great job with him. He got out here and had a really good bottom in him and he's been breezing ever since. Hopefully, we can find a spot for him down the road somewhere along the lines.”

The $1.5-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling is campaigned in partnership by West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, breeder Bobby Flay and Woodford Racing. First Captain, the first foal out of Flay's GSW & MGISP America, is bred on the same Curlin over A.P. Indy cross responsible for recently crowned champion Malathaat as well as GISWs Global Campaign and Idol.

“I just want them to have a good summer campaign, so I'm not in any hurry,” McGaughey concluded of the duo.

 

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Mating Plans: Bobby Flay

With the 2022 breeding season right around the corner, we will feature a series of breeders' mating plans over the coming weeks. Today we have owner/breeder, chef, and restaurateur Bobby Flay.

SUPER ESPRESSO (m, 15, Medaglia d'Oro–Amizette, by Forty Niner), to be bred to Not This Time

One of the hottest, proven sires of the new generation. Can infuse natural speed into this regally bred family of Courtly Dee.

TIZAHIT (m, 15, Tiznow–Never a No Hitter, by Kris S.), to be bred to Curlin

The mare has already produced a Grade I winner in Come Dancing (Malibu Moon). I'm hoping for another from one of the best sires of the last 30 years.

VERONIQUE (m, 11, Mizzen Mast–Styler, by Holy Bull), to be bred to Munnings

The dam of the track record-breaking speedster Nashville (Speightstown). Munnings has proven to provide powerful speed to his mares' progeny. Plus, it's the same nick as the Nashville mating.

WHITE HOT (IRE) (m, 9, Galileo {Ire}–Gwynn {Ire}, by Darshaan {GB}), to be bred to Into Mischief

The mare produced a Grade I-winning, Breeders' Cup champion in Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). It's easier to have lightning strike twice when you book a date with the current best sire on the continent. White Hot is a stunning mare, the highest-priced yearling filly [1,250,000gns at Tattersalls] in 2014 in the Western Hemisphere. She's by Galileo and is a three-quarter sister to English Derby champion Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).

AMERICAN CAVIAR (m, 3, Curlin–America, by A.P. Indy), to be bred to Street Sense

The full-sister to graded stakes winner First Captain will visit one of the top proven stallions under $100,000.

AMAGANSETT (m, 5, Tapit–Twirl {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), to be bred to Munnings

A Tapit mare from one of the best grass families in Europe. Munnings can provide potent influences on both surfaces.

AMERICA (m, 11, A.P. Indy–Lacadena, by Fasliyev), to be bred to Curlin

This mating created the winner of the GIII Dwyer S., First Captain, as a first foal. I'm looking forward to him adding to his resume as a 4-year-old in 2022. First Captain also topped the sale at Saratoga as a yearling ($1.5 million).

COVER SONG (m, 9, Fastnet Rock {Aus}–Misty For Me {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), to be bred to Into Mischief

The graded stakes winner and half-sister to the likes of U S Navy Flag (War Front) and Roly Poly (War Front) deserves the best mate, so that date has been set.

DAME DOROTHY (m, 11, Bernardini–Vole Vole Monamour, by Woodman), to be bred to Curlin

Repeating the same mating for this Grade I winner as her first foal, GSW Spice Is Nice (Curlin), who also brought over $1 million as a yearling. Dame Dorothy's Uncle Mo yearling colt topped session 1 at Saratoga last summer, bringing $1.6 million from Robert and Lawana Low.

LIFE WELL LIVED (m, 15, Tiznow–Well Dressed, by Notebook), to be bred to Constitution

The dam of Grade I winner American Patriot (War Front) will visit a sire I believe will continue his rise to the top of charts in North America. He can get turf, dirt, long and short. The choice was made to continue the quality progeny this mare produces over and over.

SINGING SWEETLY (IRE) (m, 5, Galileo {Ire}–Sing Softly, by Hennessy), to be bred to Not This Time

A Galileo mare I bought a couple of years ago in France with a big American back family. I'm a big proponent of importing European blood and matching it with some American proven blood. The results? We'll have to wait and see on this one.

STREET STRUT (m, 9, Street Cry {Ire}-Lacadena, by Fasliyev), to be bred to Constitution

The half-sister to my successful broodmare America, who produced First Captain as her first foal, comes from the family of Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister) and Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy). This sire has a chance of filling his sire's footsteps. It's a bet I have a lot of confidence in making.

RUBY LIPS (m, 12, Hard Spun–Its a Ruby, by Rubiano), to be bred to Constitution

The dam of MGSW Lone Rock (Majestic Warrior) and the GI Kentucky Oaks trail filly Gerrymander (Into Mischief) deserves a proven quality sire. Constitution is the answer.

AULD ALLIANCE (Ire) (m, 12, Montjeu {Ire}–Highland Gift {Ire}, by Generous {Ire}), to be bred to Frankel (GB)

A very deep Ballymacoll Stud family with black-type dominating her page. This is my only mare in Europe. When you have the opportunity to flatter a mare with the number one stud in Europe you say, 'yes, please and thank you.' This will be her fourth Frankel foal.

Let us know who you're breeding your mares to in 2022, and why. We will print a selection of your responses in TDN over the coming weeks. Please send details to: garyking@thetdn.com.

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Saturday’s Racing Insights: Well-Bred Medaglia d’Oro Colt Debuts at Gulfstream

11th-GP, $60K, Msw, 3yo, 1mT, 5:14 p.m. ET

Juddmonte, Winchell Thoroughbreds and Bridlewood Farm's PRINCIPE D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro), a $650,000 KEESEP yearling and half-brother to 'TDN Rising Star' and GIII Allaire DuPont Distaff Match Series S. heroine Spice Is Nice (Curlin), draws the fence in this grassy debut run for Todd Pletcher. The 7-2 morning-line favorite was bred by B. Flay Thoroughbreds.

Pletcher also campaigned the dark bay's dam, the Bobby Flay colorbearer and 'TDN Rising Star' Dame Dorothy (Bernardini) to a win in the 2015 GI Humana Distaff S. Dame Dorothy RNA'd for $3.1 million at the 2019 KEENOV sale. Her Uncle Mo colt sold for $1.6 million to Robert and Lawana Low, the second most expensive lot, at last summer's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.

Principe d'Oro is bred similarly to Medaglia d'Oro's GISWs Plum Pretty, Bolt d'Oro and Dickinson, who were produced by daughters of A.P. Indy.

TJCIS PPs

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