Tag: brad cox

Arkansas Derby Wrap: Super Stock ‘Fantastic’, Baffert Noncommittal On Derby for Concert Tour

Super Stock (Dialed In) emerged in “fantastic” shape from his victory in Saturday's GI Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, Steve Asmussen, the colt's Hall of Fame trainer, said Sunday morning. The bay is scheduled to be flown early this week to Kentucky, Asmussen said, where the colt will join the trainer's string at Churchill Downs to begin preparing for the GI Kentucky Derby May 1.

Bought for $70,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, Super Stock gave Asmussen his fifth Arkansas Derby victory and is co-owned by Asmussen's 79-year-old father Keith. The colt received his early schooling at the family's famed El Primero Training Center near Laredo, TX and gave Steve Asmussen's oldest son Keith his first stakes win as a jockey in August's Texas Thoroughbred Futurity at Lone Star Park. Asmussen has yet to win the Kentucky Derby with 21 starters.

In addition to his father, mother, wife and three sons, Asmussen said his mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law were among those present to cheer the family horse Saturday.

“Can't even remember the last time we were all at the same race,” an emotional Asmussen said following his record 95th career Oaklawn stakes victory. “Meant to be.”

Bob Baffert was noncommittal after the race about a trip to Louisville for Arkansas Derby third finisher Concert Tour (Street Sense), who suffered his first loss in four career starts.

“We'll see how he works back,” Baffert said. “Churchill, I don't like to run there unless they're going to be really live. We'll see how he comes out of this race and see how he trains forward. I didn't really want a hard race out of it, but we still wanted to win. I've won Derbies off of losses. You learn about your horse and see if there is improvement to be made. The horse will tell us.”

Caddo River came out of the Arkansas Derby in “great shape,” Jorgito Abrego, who oversees trainer Brad Cox's Oaklawn division, said Sunday morning. Cox said immediately following the Arkansas Derby that he would consult with John Ed Anthony, Caddo River's owner/breeder, before making a decision regarding the Kentucky Derby.

The post Arkansas Derby Wrap: Super Stock ‘Fantastic’, Baffert Noncommittal On Derby for Concert Tour appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Milestone Keeneland Win For Juddmonte As Juliet Foxtrot Takes Jenny Wiley Field Wire To Wire

Juddmonte Farms' homebred Juliet Foxtrot (GB) took the lead out of the gate and cruised to a two-length victory over Tamahere (FR) to win the 33rd running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes for fillies and mares on a soggy Saturday afternoon at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

The performance marked the 16th graded stakes victory at Keeneland for Juddmonte. In honor of the historic milestone, Juddmonte received a Keeneland Pitcher as part of Keeneland's signature Milestone Trophy Program. Juddmonte becomes the fourth owner to win a Keeneland Pitcher.

It is the fourth victory in the race for Juddmonte, whose previous triumphs came with Tates Creek in 2002 and Intercontinental (GB) in 2004 and 2005.

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Juliet Foxtrot covered the 1 1/16 miles on a yielding turf course in 1:44.51. It is the first victory in the race for Cox and Gaffalione and was the third winner of the afternoon for Cox.

Gaffalione put Juliet Foxtrot right on the lead and led the field of six through fractions of :24.35, :49.45 and 1:13.72 with Tamahere tracking in second.

Juliet Foxtrot maintained a daylight margin into the stretch and never was threatened in the run down the lane.

The victory, the first Grade 1 for Juliet Foxtrot, was worth $180,000. A 6-year-old daughter of Dansili (GB) out of the King's Best mare Kilo Alpha (GB), Juliet Foxtrot increased her earnings to $701,831 with a record of 20-6-2-3.

Sent off as the favorite, Juliet Foxtrot returned $5.40, $3.40 and $2.80. Tamahere, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., returned $4 and $3.20 and finished a neck in front of La Signare (FR), who paid $3.80 to show under John Velazquez.

It was another three-quarters of a length back to Etoile (FR), who was followed in order by Maxim Rate and Micheline.

Post-race quotes:

Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider of Juliet Foxtrot [GB])
“She really relished the ground. They said that they worked her a couple weeks back over a turf course similar to this and they said she just ate it up. As soon as she broke, I could feel that I had a ton of horse and she was loving every bit of it. I just put my hands down when she broke and she came right back to me. It was an easy ride today.”

Garrett O'Rourke (of winning owner Juddmonte Farms)
“I think there was a confidence that she would be able to handle the soft turf because she had been here a couple years ago and we had a filly that we knew, Gaining (GB), that had won here, and we knew Gaining liked the soft turf and they had worked together on soft turf.

“Tessa (Bisha, trainer Brad Cox's assistant) and Brad both said she loves this. That's a while ago. She's run some great races since. She has been Grade 1-placed and placed in this race last year. It was brave on behalf of everybody at Juddmonte to make the move to keep her (in training) for one more year to try to win that elusive Grade 1. This is huge for the mare. She looked absolutely magnificent today, and for as consistent of a performer as she's been, I just think she thoroughly deserves it, which makes it all the more sweet for us.”

On Juddmonte earning its 16th graded stakes win here to receive a Keeneland Pitcher – part of the track's signature Milestone Trophy Program. Only three other owners have earned the Keeneland Pitcher: Claiborne Farm [Fall 1968], Bwamazon Farm [Spring 1983] and William S. Farish [Spring 2003].

“It's taken a lot of effort over the years and a tremendous amount of commitment from (the late) Prince Khalid and now his family and sons. It's a great tribute for the effort and planning and perseverance of the whole operation. And it's been a fun ride.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of runner-up Tamahere [FR])
“She was sitting in a good spot and when the horse in front opened up entering the far turn, we ended up being second best.”

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Dansili’s Juliet Foxtrot Wires Jenny Wiley

Looking for a seemingly elusive Grade I badge, Juddmonte Farms' Juliet Foxtrot (GB) (Dansili {GB}) finally broke through the glass ceiling, posting a career high win in Saturday's GI Coolmore Jenny Wiley S. at Keeneland. The victory represented Juddmonte's 16th graded stakes win at the Lexington oval. It is also the fourth victory in the race for Juddmonte, whose previous triumphs came with Bobby Frankel trainees Tates Creek in 2002 and Intercontinental (GB) in 2004 and 2005.

Sent off the 8-5 choice for her 2021 debut, the 6-year-old broke sharply and was sent to the fore by Tyler Gaffalione, carving out an initial quarter mile in :24.35 over the rain-saturated turf course. Prompted by an eager Tamahere (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and La Signare (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) down the backstretch, the homebred continued to show the way through a half in :49.45. Spurting clear approaching the quarter pole, the English-bred was given her head in the stretch, and despite Tamahere's best effort, the favorite rolled home a two-length winner. La Signare held third.

“She really relished the ground,” said winning rider Tyler Gaffalione. “They said that they worked her a couple weeks back over a turf course similar to this and they said she just ate it up. As soon as she broke, I could feel that I had a ton of horse and she was loving every bit of it. I just put my hands down when she broke and she came right back to me. It was an easy ride today.”

Added Juddmonte's Garrett O'Rourke, “I think there was a confidence that she would be able to handle the soft turf, because we had a filly that we knew, [French Group 3 winner] Gaining (GB), that had won here, and we knew Gaining liked the soft turf and they had worked together on soft turf.”

Recording only a single win in eight starts for Charlie Hills overseas, Juliet Foxtrot kicked off her 4-year-old and U.S. campaign with three consecutive victories, including the GIII Modesty S. at Arlington. She hit the board in all three remaining starts that season, including the GI First Lady S. and GI Matriarch S. Last season, she finished sixth in Churchill's GIII Mint Julep S. in May before resurfacing with a third, 1 1/4 lengths behind the victorious Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) in last year's Jenny Wiley. Fourth in the GII Distaff Turf Mile in September, she took a soggy renewal of Pimlico's GIII Gallorette S. before rounding out the season with a close-up third in the latest renewal of the Matriarch in November.

Added O'Rourke, “She has been Grade I-placed and placed in this race last year. It was brave on behalf of everybody at Juddmonte to make the move to keep her [in training] for one more year to try to win that elusive Grade I. This is huge for the mare. She looked absolutely magnificent today, and for as consistent of a performer as she's been, I just think she thoroughly deserves it, which makes it all the more sweet for us.”

Pedigree Notes:
Juliet Foxtrot becomes the 22nd Group 1 winner for her superstar sire, Dansili (GB). The 6-year-old is one of five winners out of Kilo Alpha (GB), in addition to Group 3-placed Alpha Bravo (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and listed placed Bravo Sierra (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). The winner's 14-year-old dam, a half-sister to multiple stakes winner and Group 1 placed Runaway (GB) King's Best), produced a Bated Breath (GB) filly last season. This is the family of MGSW Navajo Princess (Drone), the dam of multiple champion Dancing Brave (Lyphard) and European and the French Highweighted route mare Jolypha (Lyphard).

Saturday, Keeneland
COOLMORE JENNY WILEY S.-GI, $300,000, Keeneland, 4-10, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 1:44.51, yl.
1–JULIET FOXTROT (GB), 118, m, 6, by Dansili (GB)
1st Dam: Kilo Alpha (GB) (SW-Fr), by King's Best
2nd Dam: Anasazi (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Navajo Princess, by Drone
1ST GRADE I WIN. O-Juddmonte Farms; B-Juddmonte Farms
Ltd. (GB); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $180,000. Lifetime
Record: 20-6-2-3, $701,831. Werk Nick Rating: A+.
   Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tamahere (Fr), 118, f, 4, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Alatasarai (Ire), by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: May (GB), by Montjeu (Ire)
3rd Dam: Wanton (GB), by Kris (GB)
(€27,000 Ylg '18 AROYRG). O-Swift Thoroughbreds, Inc.,
Madaket Stables LLC and Wonder Stables; B-E.A.R.L. Elevage
Du Sarai (FR); T-Chad C. Brown. $60,000.
3–La Signare (Fr), 118, m, 6, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: La Teranga (Fr), by Beat Hollow (GB)
2nd Dam: Adrastea (Ire), by Monsun (Ger)
3rd Dam: Akasma (Ger), by Windwurf (Ger)
O-Madaket Stables LLC, Tim Cambron, Anna Cambron and
Bradley Thoroughbreds; B-Moussa Mbacke (FR); T-Brendan P.
Walsh. $30,000.
Margins: 2, NK, 3/4. Odds: 1.70, 2.70, 8.90.
Also Ran: Etoile (Fr), Maxim Rate, Micheline.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

 

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Mandaloun, Helium Breeze At Churchill Downs; Pletcher Squad Due To Arrive Sunday

With three weeks remaining until the first Saturday in May, the preparation for the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) continued to heat up at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., where Juddmonte Farm's Mandaloun cruised five furlongs in :58.80 and D J Stable's Helium clipped five-eighths of a mile in :59.20 over a fast track Saturday morning.

Mandaloun, the winner of the $400,000 risen Star at Fair Grounds, worked alongside Grade 2 winner Bonny South through opening fractions of :23.40 and :46.60 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:11.40 and seven furlongs in 1:25.60, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

“I thought they both worked great,” trainer Brad Cox said. “They both worked fast but looked like they were doing it really easy.”

Following Mandaloun's work at 5:30 a.m. (all times Eastern), Cox darted to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport to catch his flight to Hot Springs, Ark., where he will saddle Caddo River in Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1).

Two hours later at 7:30 a.m., $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Helium worked alongside of stablemate Ghost of the Mambo through fractions of :11.80, :23.20 and :35.40 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12. Jockey Julien Leparoux was aboard Helium while Declan Carroll rode the workmate.

“Everything went as smoothly as we could've drew it up,” trainer Mark Casse's local assistant David Carroll said. “He came in from Florida on Wednesday and has been doing very well since.”

Helium arrived with stablemate and fellow Kentucky Derby runner Soup and Sandwich, who is scheduled to breeze Sunday morning, according to Carroll. Owned by Live Oak Plantation, Soup and Sandwich – runner-up last out in the Florida Derby (G2) – galloped about 1 ½ miles at 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

Godolphin's early Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality galloped at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. He's scheduled to work two times prior to the Derby.

Other Derby contenders that trained Saturday morning at Churchill Downs were Winchell Thoroughbreds' Midnight Bourbon, who galloped at 5:50 a.m. and Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds' O Besos, who galloped at 5:30 a.m.

UPCOMING ARRIVALS – Several contenders from trainer Todd Pletcher's squad are scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Sunday including Derby contenders Known Agenda (Florida Derby winner) and Sainthood along with Oaks runner Malathaat, according to senior director of the stable area Steve Hargrave.

Sainthood and Malathaat are both scheduled to van approximately 75 miles from Keeneland to Churchill Downs at 11 a.m. Sunday. Known Agenda is slated to arrive later in the afternoon from South Florida. Pletcher's New York-based runners Bourbonic and Dynamic One are tentatively scheduled to arrive Monday.

Pletcher will be stabled in Barn 42 at Churchill Downs.

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