Tag: bowies hero

Three Title Defenders Headline Nominees To Keeneland’s Fall Stars Weekend

Three defending champions – Uni (GB), Bowies Hero and Engage – are among the marquee names appearing on the lists of nominees to Fall Stars Weekend on Oct. 2-4, opening weekend of Keeneland's 17-day Fall Meet that precedes the Breeders' Cup World Championships at the track. The first post each day of the Fall Meet, which runs through Oct. 24, is 1:05 p.m. ET.

Featuring horses from the nation's leading owners, trainers and jockeys, Fall Stars Weekend comprises 10 stakes, nine of which are graded, worth $3.15 million. Five of those races are Grade 1 events, and nine of them are Breeders' Cup Challenge races that are “Win and You're In” contests that award the winners fees-paid berths into corresponding races for the 37th World Championships on Nov. 6-7.

“Fall Stars Weekend traditionally showcases many Breeders' Cup-bound horses, and this year these stakes take on even greater significance as we anticipate the World Championships at Keeneland,” Keeneland Director of Racing Bob Elliston said. “We value the enthusiastic support of our horsemen and our fans during this challenging time. No doubt, this Fall Meet and Breeders' Cup will look different from previous years, but we are committed to offering the same exceptional racing fans have come to expect from Keeneland.”

Click here for the list of horses nominated to Fall Stars Weekend stakes and their past performances. Here is a look at those nominations:

Opening day, Friday, Oct. 2 – Entries taken Sept. 29

Darley Alcibiades (G1): The 69th running of the $350,000 race for 2-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track is a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to be run Nov. 6.

The Darley Alcibiades attracted 32 nominees headlined by Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Swilcan Stable's Vequist. Trained by Butch Reid, Vequist rebounded from a narrow defeat in her debut at Parx to win Saratoga's Spinaway (G1) by 9½ lengths.

Another runaway Saratoga stakes winner nominated to the Darley Alcibiades is the Heider Family Stables' Thoughtfully. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Thoughtfully won the Adirondack (G2) by 5 lengths and is unbeaten in two starts.

Also among the nominees are Albaugh Family Stables' Girl Daddy, trained by Dale Romans, and Phoenix Thoroughbred's Crazy Beautiful, trained by Kenny McPeek. They are the 1-2 finishers in the Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 3.

Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2): A total of 34 sprinters have been nominated to the 168th running of the $200,000 6-furlong test for 3-year-olds and up on the main track that serves as a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) to be run Nov. 7.

Topping the nominees is defending champion Engage, owned by Woodford Racing. Unraced since finishing fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint, Engage is one of five Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix nominees trained by Steve Asmussen.

Two of the Asmussen nominees are Grade 1 winners at Saratoga this year: Phoenix Thoroughbred III and Three Chimneys Farm's Volatile (Alfred G. Vanderbilt) and L and N Racing's Echo Town (H. Allen Jerkens Presented by Runhappy). For Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Asmussen also trains the undefeated Yaupon, winner of the Amsterdam (G2) in his most recent start.

Four other Grade 1 winners are among the nominees, including 2017 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix winner Whitmore. The $3 million earner, who is owned by Robert LaPenta, trainer Ron Moquett and Head of Plains Partners, Whitmore claimed his Grade 1 victory in the 2018 Forego.

Another previous Keeneland winner among the nominees is Gatsas Stable and R.A. Hill Stable's Vekoma. Trained by George Weaver, Vekoma took the 2019 Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and in his past two starts won the Runhappy Metropolitan (G1) and Runhappy Carter (G1).

Other Grade 1-winning nominees are Maggi Moss and Greg Tramontin's No Parole, winner of the Woody Stephens Presented by Claiborne Farm at Belmont for trainer Tom Amoss, and Dan Agnew, Rodney Orr, Jerry Schneider and John Xitco's Collusion Illusion, winner of the Bing Crosby at Del Mar. He is trained by Mark Glatt.

Wagers: Guaranteed Pick 4 Presented by TVG that includes the two stakes.

Saturday, Oct. 3 – Entries taken Sept. 30

Shadwell Turf Mile (G1): The $750,000 test for 3-year-olds and up attracted 28 nominees for the “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1) to be run Nov. 7.

Topping the roster of nominees for the 35th running of the Shadwell Turf Mile are the past two winners of the race in Bowies Hero and Next Shares plus recent Fourstardave (G1) winner Halladay.

Agave Racing Stable, ERJ Racing, Madaket Stables and Rockin Robin Racing Stable's Bowies Hero is trained by Phil D'Amato. In the Shadwell Turf Mile, Bowies Hero would be cutting back to a mile for the first time since a runner-up effort in the American (G3) at Santa Anita in June.

Next Shares, owned by a partnership that includes trainer Richard Baltas, was fifth in the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7 in his most recent start. Prior to that, Next Shares had troubled starts in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland and Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.

The respective winners of those two races, Gary Barber's War of Will and Peter Brant's Raging Bull (FR), also are nominated to the Shadwell as is Gary Barber's star mare Got Stormy, who also is nominated to the First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare (G1) and the Woodford (G2) Presented by TVG.

Harrell Ventures' Halladay scored a front-running victory in the Fourstardave for trainer Todd Pletcher, who won the 2005 Shadwell with Host (CHI).

Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1): Grade 1 winners Jackie's Warrior and Dr. Schivel top a total of 30 nominees for the 107th running of the 1 1/16-mile dirt test for 2-year-olds. The $400,000 stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).

J. Kirk Robison's Jackie's Warrior has won all three of his starts for trainer Steve Asmussen. The colt debuted in June at Churchill and at Saratoga won the Saratoga Special (G2) and Runhappy Hopeful (G1) by daylight margins.

Red Baron's Barn, Rancho Temescal, William Branch and William Dean Reeves' Dr. Schivel delivered as the favorite in the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) for his second victory in four starts. Dr. Schivel now is trained by Mark Glatt.

Also among the nominees is Albaugh Family Stables' Sittin On Go. Trained by Dale Romans, Sittin On Go is perfect in two starts and took the Iroquois Presented by Ford (G3) by 2½ lengths at Churchill on Sept. 5. His sire is Brody's Cause, one of the four Breeders' Futurity winners for Romans.

First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare (G1): Robert LaPenta, Michael Dubb, Head of Plains Partners and Bethlehem Stables' Uni headlines the roster of 20 nominees for the 23rd running of the $350,000 race for fillies and mares to be contested over a mile on the Keeneland turf course. The stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) to be run Nov. 7.

Trained by Chad Brown, Uni could become the first runner to repeat in the First Lady. The champion turf female of 2019, Uni was third in her 2020 debut in the Just a Game (G1) behind other First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare nominees Newspaperofrecord (IRE) and Beau Recall (IRE) and then seventh as the favorite against males in the Fourstardave.

Got Stormy has finished in front of Uni in two of their three matchups with the one setback coming in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) that earned Uni the Eclipse Award. Trained by Mark Casse, Got Stormy recorded her first victory of 2020 in the Ladies Sprint (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12. In her lone Keeneland start, Got Stormy finished third in the 2019 Jenny Wiley (G1).

Also nominated is Jules Iavarone, Michael Iavarone and Jerry McLanahan's Lady Prancealot (IRE), who won last year's Pin Oak Valley View (G3) at Keeneland before taking the American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita.

Thoroughbred Club of America (G2): Grade 1 winners Mia Mischief and Bell's the One highlight a total of 17 fillies and mares nominated to the 40th running of the $200,000 dash run at 6 furlongs on the main track. The stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) to be run Nov. 7.

Stonestreet Stables' Mia Mischief, third in the TCA last year, won the 2019 Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill and most recently finished second in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland. The millionaire is trained by Steve Asmussen.

Lothenbach Stables' Bell's the One gave trainer Neil Pessin his first Grade 1 victory when she won the Derby City Distaff Presented by Derby City Gaming at Churchill on Sept. 5. Bell's the One has two wins in four Keeneland starts, including the Lexus Raven Run (G2) last fall.

Woodford (G2) Presented by TVG: The top three finishers from July's Shakertown (G2) and the top two finishers from the TwinSpires Turf Sprint Presented by Sysco (G2) at Churchill on Sept. 4 top a roster of 33 turf sprinters nominated to the 24th running of the $150,000 race for 3-year-olds and up going 5 ½ furlongs over the Keeneland turf course.

Amy Dunne, Brenda Miley, Westrock Stables and Jean Wilkinson's Leinster prevailed in a three-horse photo in the Shakertown over Susan and Jim Hill's Totally Boss and owner-trainer Wesley Ward's Bound for Nowhere. Rusty Arnold trains Leinster and Totally Boss.

Dunne also is a part owner of Diamond Oops, who edged Extravagant Kid by a neck in the TwinSpires Turf Sprint. Diamond Oops, who is also nominated to the Shadwell Turf Mile and Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix, is trained by Patrick Biancone and also owned by Diamond 100 Racing Club, D P Racing and Biancone.

Extravagant Kid, fifth and beaten 1¼ lengths in the Shakertown, is trained by Brendan Walsh for owner DARRS.

Wagers: $400,000 Guaranteed All-Stakes Pick 4 and $300,000 Guaranteed All-Stakes Pick 5.

Sunday, Oct. 4 – Entries taken Oct. 1

Juddmonte Spinster (G1): Champions Monomoy Girl and Midnight Bisou plus Shedaresthedevil and Swiss Skydiver, the 1-2 finishers in the recent Kentucky Oaks (G1), top a list of 24 fillies and mares nominated to the 65th running of the 1 1/8-mile main track test that carries a purse of $400,000. The stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) to be run Nov. 7. In 2019, Blue Prize (ARG) won both races.

Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables' Monomoy Girl, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2018, won that year's Central Bank Ashland (G1) in her lone Keeneland start. Trained by Brad Cox, Monomoy Girl has won all three of her 2020 races with the most recent coming in the La Troienne Presented by Oak Grove Racing and Gaming (G1) at Churchill on Sept. 4.

Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables and Allen Racing's Midnight Bisou, the champion older dirt female of 2019, already has earned a Breeders' Cup Distaff spot by virtue of her victory in the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill in June. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Midnight Bisou never has raced at Keeneland.

Qatar Racing, Flurry Racing Stables and Big Aut Farms' Shedaresthedevil has won her past three starts highlighted by a 1½-length victory over Swiss Skydiver in the Kentucky Oaks. Trained by Brad Cox, Shedaresthedevil also would be making her Keeneland debut.

Peter Callahan's Swiss Skydiver finished second against males in the Toyota Blue Grass in her lone Keeneland start. Trained by Kenny McPeek, Swiss Skydiver has four graded stakes victories this year highlighted by the Alabama (G1).

Also among the nominees are Peter Brant's Dunbar Road, winner of the 2019 Alabama; Calumet Farm's Vexatious, who defeated Midnight Bisou in the Personal Ensign (G1) to earn a Breeders' Cup berth; and Paul and Karen Eggert's Ollie's Candy, winner of the 2019 Clement Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar.

Bourbon (G2): Three Diamonds Farm's Fire At Will, winner of the off-the-turf With Anticipation at Saratoga for trainer Mike Maker, tops a list of 40 nominees to the 30th running of the 1 1/16-mile grass test for 2-year-olds. The stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) to be run Nov. 6.

Also included in the nominees are the 1-2 finishers in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf (L), Legacy Ranch's Big Fish, trained by David Hofmans, and Altamira Racing Stable, CYBT and Michael Nentwig's Ebeko (IRE), trained by Peter Miller.

Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select: Stonestreet Stables' undefeated Campanelle (IRE), already a two-time group winner in Europe, headlines the 27 nominees to the third running of the $150,000 race for 2-year-olds going 5½ furlongs on the grass. The Indian Summer is a “Win and You're In” race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) to be run Nov. 6.

Trained by Wesley Ward, Campanelle debuted May 31 at Gulfstream Park and from there went on to win the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot in England and the Darley Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville in France.

In total, Ward trains 11 Indian Summer nominees. Included in that group are Ranlo Investments' Golden Pal, winner of the Skidmore at Saratoga and runner-up in the Norfolk (G2) at Royal Ascot; Breeze Easy's Outadore, winner of the Juvenile Turf Sprint (L) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12; and Stonestreet's Wink, winner of the Colleen at Monmouth who was second in the Prix d'Arenberg (G3) at Longchamp in France on Sept. 3.

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Brown Packs Triple-Punch in Churchill’s Turf Classic

A fixture in the highest level grass events on racing’s biggest days, Chad Brown offers a three-pronged attack in Saturday’s GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic S. Listed at 7-2 on the morningline is Rockemperor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), a close-up second in Santa Anita’s GII Charles Whittingham S. May 23, but subsequently demoted to third, followed by another runner-up finish in Belmont’s GI Manhattan S. July 4. Sacred Life (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) has proven consistent if not sparkling since his arrival in the U.S. last season. Second in the Lure S. and GII Bernard Baruch H. at Saratoga last summer, the French bred recorded his first American win in a Keeneland allowance last October before rounding out the year with a narrow second to Next Shares (Archarcharch) in Del Mar’s GII Seabiscuit H. in November. Fourth in his seasonal return in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Jan. 25, he returned from a six-month respite to win Monmouth’s Aug. 9 Oceanport S. Paco Lopez, who was aboard for his latest win, gets the return call. Brown also saddles last year’s GII American Turf S. scorer Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). In his most recent start, the 4-year-old was a 1 1/2-length winner in a Saratoga optional claimer July 18.

Known for his serious turn of foot is Gaining Ground Racing’s Factor This (The Factor), who holds a four-race winning skein heading into this. Third in his seasonal bow in the Colonel E.R. Bradley S. at the Fair Grounds Jan. 18, the 5-year-old won his next two at that venue-the Feb. 15 GIII Fair Grounds S. and GII Muniz Memorial Classic S. Mar. 21-before making it three straight with a neck score over English Bee (Enlish Channel) in Churchill’s GII Wise Dan S. June 20. The well-supported favorite for the 10-furlong Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup S. Aug. 2, he prompted the early pace and proved best late to score by a 1/2 length.

Bowies Hero (Artie Schiller) won last summer’s nine-furlong GII Eddie Read S. and the GI Shadwell Turf Mile S. at Keeneland later that October before finishing fifth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita. Given plenty of R&R after that effort, he returned with a second on the June 21 GIII American S. before having to settle for fourth in his title defense in the July 26 Eddie Read.

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Blitzkrieg, Espinoza Steal The Show In Santa Anita’s American Stakes

With a solid work under his belt and a post position advantage, trainer Doug O'Neill's Blitzkrieg was hustled to the lead and made every pole a winning one as he took Sunday's Grade III, $100,000 American Stakes by one length at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.  Ridden for the first time by Victor Espinoza, the 5-year-old gelding by War Front got a flat mile on turf in 1:33.46.

In his second Santa Anita start since running in four races in Dubai over the winter, Blitzkrieg broke from post four and enjoyed a half length advantage on speedy Bolo, who broke from the far outside, into the Club House turn.

Although he set brisk fractions, Blitzkrieg was never headed as he opened up 1 ½ lengths on Bolo into the far turn and he was large and in charge, leading by two lengths turning for home and was never challenged while holding classy Bowies Hero at bay late.

“His last work was phenomenal,” said Leandro Mora, assistant to O'Neill, who was returning from New York.  “He went six furlongs, on his own, in 58 and four (fifths) and galloped out in 1:12.  He worked so good, we were tempted to put him back on the dirt, but we stuck to the plan and I'm glad we did.  I told Victor that with Bolo drawn way outside, let's go and I think maybe we can steal it.  He's back no question.  This is the horse we thought we had all along.”

Well beaten at 57-1 in the Grade I Shoemaker Mile (turf) at Santa Anita on May 25, Blitzkrieg was off at 7-1 in a field of nine 3-year-olds and up and paid $16.80, $7.80 and $4.60.

Owned by R3 Racing, LLC and Calara Farms, Blitzkrieg, who was claimed for $25,000 11 starts back in January, 2019, got his second graded stakes win and now has six wins from 21 career starts.  With the winner's share of $60,000, he has earnings of $388,097.

“The pace was pretty quick, but he was doing it so easy,” said Espinoza.  “For me, every time I ride a horse like him with speed, I like to just sit up there and have fun.”

A two-time Grade I winner who had been away since running fifth in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Mile Nov. 2, Bowies Hero was in high gear late under Umberto Rispoli, finishing 2 ¼ lengths in front of Sharp Samurai.  Off at 6-1, Bowies Hero paid $6.40 and $3.80.

A multiple graded stakes winner who had been idle since Aug. 18, Sharp Samurai, who was attentive to the pace throughout under Abel Cedillo, dead heated for third with his stablemate Souter and paid $2.40 to show.

Souter, ridden by Evin Roman, was off at 72-1 and paid $8.00 to show.

Fractions on the race were 23.02, 46.42, 1:10.03 and 1:21.66.

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Improving Border Town May Have Edge Over Turf Veterans In Santa Anita’s American Stakes

In a field replete with classy veterans returning off extended vacations, Richard Mandella's fast-improving Border Town seeks his third consecutive win at the current Winter Spring Meeting in Sunday's Grade 3, $100,000 American Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.  To be run at a flat mile on turf, the American has attracted a deep and competitive field of 10 three year olds and up.

Trainer Mark Glatt will be well represented by multiple graded stakes winner Sharp Samurai, who has been idle since Aug. 18, and Phil D'Amato will send out a pair of classy comebackers, multiple Grade 1 winner Bowies Hero, idle since Nov. 2, and graded stakes winning Cleopatra's Strike, who's been idle 4 ½ months.

It is noteworthy that Flavien Prat, Santa Anita's runaway leading rider who enters closing week with 83 wins, has opted to ride upstart Border Town over Bowies Hero and perhaps several others in the American lineup.

BORDER TOWN
Owner:  Perry R. Bass, II & Ramona Bass
Trainer:  Richard Mandella
Winless in a pair of one mile turf maiden races with eastern-based Chad Brown in July and September of last year, this 4-year-old colt by War Front has run four solid races for Mandella and Prat, dating back to a head defeat in a one mile maiden race on Jan. 5.  Subsequently third under the same conditions Jan. 30, Border Town broke out with a big 3 ½ length maiden win going 1 1/8 miles on turf Feb. 28.  In his most recent start on May 24, he accelerated late to take a one mile turf allowance by one length, winning in-hand in a performance that has thrust him to center stage on Sunday.

SHARP SAMURAI
Owner: Red Baron's Barn, LLC & Rancho Temescal
Trainer:  Mark Glatt
One of the top turf horses on this circuit dating back to 2017, this 6-year-old First Samurai gelding has been idle since a close second in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap on Aug. 18.  A three-time graded stakes winner on grass, Sharp Samurai is five for eight over the Santa Anita turf course and is 7-2-2-1 at one mile on turf.  To be ridden for the first time by Abel Cedillo, who ranks a close third behind Mike Smith and Prat with 10 stakes wins at the current stand, Sharp Samurai has a solid work tab to his credit and rates a huge chance off the bench.

BOWIES HERO
Owner:  Agave Racing Stable, ERJ Racing, LLC, Madaket Stables, LLC & Rockin Robin Stables
Trainer:  Phil D'Amato
Idle since fifth at 16-1 in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile here on Nov. 2, this 6-year-old full horse by Artie Schiller rallied to win the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile two starts back at Keeneland on Oct. 5.  A winner of Santa Anita's Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile in March, 2018, classy Bowies Hero is 10-3-1-2 over the Santa Anita lawn and is 16-7-1-1 lifetime at one mile on grass.  The leading money earner in the field with $1,538,970, his overall mark stands at 22-8-1-3.  With Prat committed to Border Town, Umberto Rispoli will try his hand for the first time on Sunday.

CLEOPATRA'S STRIKE
Owner:  Slam Dunk Racing & Michael Nentwig
Trainer:  Phil D'Amato
Idle since a close second in the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at a mile and one quarter on turf Feb. 1, this 7-year-old Smart Strike gelding was also a close second two starts back, in the Grade 2 San Gabriel at a mile and one eighth on turf Jan. 4.  A winner of the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Stakes here four starts back at a mile and a quarter on Sept. 28, he's been ridden in three out of his last four race by Abel Cedillo, but will get the first-time services of Mike Smith on Sunday.  Originally based at Woodbine, he's flourished in D'Amato's care, posting a win, four seconds and a fourth place finish from six starts dating back to a nose defeat in the January, 2019 San Gabriel.

G3 AMERICAN STAKES
WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 10 of 12 Approximate post time 5 p.m. PT

  1. True Valour—Jose Valdivia, Jr.—124
  2. Jasikan—Ruben Fuentes–124
  3. Cleopatra's Strike—Mike Smith—124
  4. Blitzkrieg—Victor Espinoza—122
  5. Sharp Samurai—Abel Cedillo—122
  6. Souter—Evin Roman–122
  7. Border Town—Flavien Prat—122
  8. Bowies Hero—Umberto Rispoli—124
  9. King of Speed—Geovanni Franco—122
  10. Bolo—Drayden Van Dyke–122

First post time on closing day, Sunday is at 12:30 p.m.  For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

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