Tag: breeders’ cup classic

West Will Power Holds Off Rattle N Roll in Stephen Foster

Gary and Mary West homebred West Will Power (h, 6, Bernardini–Wild Promises, by Wild Event) punched his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic with a half-length victory over the streaking Rattle N Roll (Connect) in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI Stephen Foster S. at Ellis Park.

The 2-1 favorite sat a perfect, stalking trip beneath Flavien Prat in second through fractions of :23.74 and :46.97. He hit the front right outside of the quarter pole, set sail for home and stayed on to hold the fast-finishing Rattle N Roll safe. Longshot Happy American (Runhappy) was third.

The Stephen Foster, originally slated for Churchill Downs, is the first Grade I race in history to take place at Ellis Park.

“I think he can handle a mile-and-a-quarter in the Breeders' Cup Classic,” winning trainer Brad Cox said. “I was much more confident with him getting a target to track off in this race. We'll see how the figures come back, but I'm very proud of the way this horse has developed. It's a credit to the Wests and this horse to have the patience to improve with age. It's taken him a while to get to this level. It's really cool to go down in the history books by winning the first Grade I in the history of Ellis Park.”

West Will Power, second in last year's GI Clark S., posted a powerful victory with a career-high 109 Beyer Speed Figure in the GII New Orleans Classic S. Mar. 25. He entered off a third-place finish as the favorite in the GII Alysheba S. May 5.

“He was cruising all the way around there,” Prat said. “He just carried me home to the wire down the stretch. I was really impressed by the way he won this winter at Fair Grounds in the New Orleans Classic. It was a different setup last time out in the Alysheba. He came back here to Ellis and the race shape was much more to his style.”

Pedigree Notes:

West Will Power becomes the 17th Grade I winner for Bernardini. Grade III winner Wild Promises, a half-sister to MGSW Icy Atlantic (Stormy Atlantic) hailing from the extended female family of MGISW Jolie's Halo (Halo), had only one foal after West Will Power, an unraced 4-year-old filly named Cross Your Heart (Curlin). Wild Promises, a $200,000 KEENOV purchase by the Wests in 2012, brought $3,700 from Pam Schutz at the 2018 KEENOV sale.

Saturday, Ellis Park
STEPHEN FOSTER S.-GI, $1,000,000, Ellis, 7-1, 4yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:47.93, ft.
1–WEST WILL POWER, 124, h, 6, by Bernardini
      1st Dam: Wild Promises (GSW, $699,610), by Wild Event
      2nd Dam: Frosty Promise, by Frosty the Snowman
      3rd Dam: Has Promise, by Skip Trial
1ST GRADE I WIN. O-Gary and Mary West; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $599,260. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 17-7-7-1, $1,745,390. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Rattle N Roll, 124, c, 4, Connect–Jazz Tune, by Johannesburg. ($55,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $210,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Lucky Seven Stable (Mackin); B-St. Simon Place (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $196,600.
3–Happy American, 124, g, 5, Runhappy–Queen of America, by Quiet American. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($385,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Lothenbach Stables, Inc. (Bob Lothenbach); B-Claiborne Farm (KY); T-Neil L. Pessin. $97,300.
Margins: HF, 1HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.07, 6.90, 48.94.
Also Ran: Last Samurai, Smile Happy, Stilleto Boy, Speed Bias, Proxy. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs.

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Vino Rosso’s Laugh Now On Cue Breaking Maiden as Sire’s First Winner

2nd-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $34,000, Msw, 5-15, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :52.90, ft, 2 lengths.
LAUGH NOW (c, 2, Vino Rosso–Little Pao, by Tiznow) had the last laugh here, and broke his maiden as well as tallied the first victory as a sire for Vino Rosso (by Curlin). The stallion also had  the third place finisher Zaino in the Royal Palm Juvenile S., a qualifier for Royal Ascot. Eighth last out at Keeneland Apr. 27 after breaking inward and tiring on that unveiling, conditioner John Ennis armed his colt with a pair of first-time blinkers here, and the 2-1 shot did not disappoint. Dueling briefly with firster Untroubled (World of Trouble) before drawing away from that challenger, the bay held firm over his early shadow by two lengths on the wire in :52.90 for the trip.

The second to the races for a young mare, Laugh Now is her last registered foal thus far, though the mare did visit Goldencents for 2023. Dam Little Pao is a half-sister to SW Carson City Babe (Carson City)–herself dam of SP Monster Wave (Stormy Atlantic); SW Pressed (Chester House); stakes-placed Silver Indy (Silver Charm) and Court Mischief (Empire Maker); and the dam of SP Diva Treva (Outwork). This is the extended female family of GSW Cinco Charlie (Indian Charlie) and at least five other Graded stakes winners. Sales history: $39,000 RNA Wlg '21 KEENOV; $20,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $21,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart.
O-Noriega, Hayden, Arnold, Mark, 47 Roses, LLC and Selima Holdings, LLC; B-BF Bloodstock (Pam Robinson) (KY); T-John Ennis.

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Frankie Dettori: Country Grammer Has ‘Rock-Solid Saudi Cup Credentials’

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA–Country Grammer (Tonalist) brings rock-solid credentials to the G1 Saudi Cup at Riyadh, according to his legendary rider Frankie Dettori, who says the Bob Baffert-trained 6-year-old can go one better than last year in Saturday's showpiece.

Dettori also described Baffert's other runner in the race, the unexposed Taiba (Gun Runner), as a force to be reckoned with as the 52-year-old spoke alongside fellow luminary in the saddle, Joao Moreira, in the build-up to the world's richest race.

“Country Grammer is very solid and never runs a bad race–touch wood he doesn't start now,” Dettori joked at a media event at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh Thursday morning.

“He was second last year, is tough and has travelled before, which is a plus. I would be foolish to say that I am confident but I am very pleased to ride him and he will give his best.”

Baffert has had the Saudi Cup on Country Grammer's agenda for a while now and elected to sidestep taking on the unbeaten champion Flightline (Tapit) in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland in November, a decision Dettori hopes will be vindicated on Saturday.

He explained, “Bob and the Zedan Racing Stables, they skipped the [Breeders' Cup] Classic because they thought it would be tough to beat the good horse [Flightline]. He has been aimed at these two races, the Saudi Cup and then on to Dubai, so this was always the plan. We have 48 hours to go so fingers crossed we can get there and everything goes to plan.”

On Baffert's other runner Taiba, Dettori added, “He is also very solid. He has very little mileage on the clock and is a horse who I feel is still improving. He will be thereabouts as well.”

Moreira will partner the Noriyuki Hori-trained Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah), a general 14-1 chance for the Saudi Cup, and said that the 6-year-old has been filling him with confidence in track work this week.

“Being realistic, this is probably one of the strongest dirt races in the world,” Moreira said. “However, this horse has impressed me in track work and is taking me into the race with a bit of confidence. I know we are challenging good horses but I am faithful that this horse can give his best.”

The Saudi Cup meeting will be the biggest event that Dettori has ridden at since announcing his farewell tour over Christmas. Like Dettori, Moreira is planning on exiting the stage, but said that he is hopeful of riding for another two seasons before calling time on his career.

He said, “I don't know if many people know but I have developed some health issue, which is pretty much a hip joint. People think I can just go there and get a hip replacement but it's been recommended by the doctors not to do it right now. I am in a great deal of pain and, what's best for me psychologically is to decide to do it [retire] on my terms. I'm not doing it right now and will continue to ride for another year and a half, maybe two years.”

Dettori, who was described as being an “idol” by Moreira, is more definitive on his retirement and explained that the Breeders' Cup remains the most likely curtain call.

He said, “I gave myself a year to do my last farewell. I am in Saudi Arabia just because I was asked to be here, I'd usually be in Dubai, and after that I will do the European programme. Royal Ascot should be my last meeting in England and then possibly the Breeders' Cup will be my last, or if something in the Melbourne Cup or other things materialise. But this year is my last. I will be 53 in December and I will finish on the top. It's hard to choose the right moment and my heart wants to carry on but I want to have another life after racing.”

Asked if he thinks that he will change his mind about retiring this year, Dettori responded, “At the moment, the plan is to stop at the end of the season. I am sure I am going to be asked that question a million times before then.”

On the next chapter, he added, “I have my eye on working in the media. That is the route that I am thinking of taking. There are other things, like buying a few horses and becoming a bloodstock agent, things like that, but I will have a couple of months to sit back and look at the whole picture. Not training, no, I wouldn't have the patience.”

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Dubai In Play For Godolphin’s Lemon Pop Following February S.

Stepping up to the top level for the first time in what has already been a productive career, Godolphin's Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) ran a strong 1600 metres and comfortably held a final-furlong rally from the classy Red le Zele (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) to land Sunday's February S. at Tokyo Racecourse. A fourth consecutive American-bred winner of the 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, Lemon Pop will remain over shorter trips and holds an invitation to the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in five weeks' time. Despite the obvious appeal of such a journey, connections were playing it close to the vest post-race.

“Lemon Pop has been invited to Dubai, but we won't be making a decision on this for some time yet,” said Godolphin Japan President Harry Sweeney, who purchased the chestnut in the name of Paca Paca Farm for $70,000 as a weanling at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale. “Thrilled that Lemon Pop has won a Group 1 race at his first attempt and won in good style. We are relieved that he now has a JRA Group 1 on his curriculum vitae which will be very important for his next career whenever he finishes racing.”

Handed a good draw in gate seven, Lemon Pop was in the vanguard early, but was content to drift back a few spots as the mare Shonan Nadeshiko (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) took the 16-strong field through an opening half-mile in a solid :46.60. Tipped out into the four path with about 600 metres to travel, Lemon Pop traveled strongly into the race and was under a long hold–having yet to be asked for his best–as the field hit the quarter pole. Finally given a dig by Ryusei Sakai approaching the final furlong, Lemon Pop pinched a break as Red le Zele flashed and loomed a momentary danger, but the favourite had the race well and truly in safe keeping and proved a clear-cut winner. Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro) nearly unseated jockey Suguru Hamanaka at the break and was a long last down the backstretch, but rallied strongly to finish third.

The other US-bred winners of the race include Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}) in 2020 and Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) the last two years.

The victory was the second at group level for Lemon Pop, who rebounded from a tough loss in the G3 Musashino S. over course and distance Nov. 12 to reverse form with Gilded Mirror (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G3 Negishi S. over seven panels Jan. 29. Jockey Keita Tosaki had ridden Lemon Pop to each of his seven previous wins, but opted for fourth-placed Dry Stout (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) Sunday, much to Sweeney's surprise.

“[We] were shocked to read in the sports papers just two weeks ago that Keita Tosaki had decided to get off Lemon Pop to ride another horse,” said Sweeney. “We then had to scramble to find a replacement and we are delighted with Sakai-san's performance today. It was a pressure ride for him too as he was riding Lemon Pop, the favourite, for the first time and in a Group 1 race.”

Added the winning jockey: “I am grateful to be given the chance to ride such a strong and favored horse and am happy we won. He responded well and pulled away strongly all the way to the wire.”

'TDN Rising Star' Shirl's Speight (Speightstown) sat an inside trip from a disadvantageous low draw and was beaten about 10 lengths into ninth.

“From what the jockey was telling me, he wasn't enjoying the kickback that much, but I think he ran an OK race,” said trainer Roger Attfield. “I just think he's a superiour turf horse, but we gave it a try.”

Pedigree Notes:

On behalf of former Darley executive Olly Tait and his wife, Blandford Bloodstock went to 165,000gns for Unreachable from the Juddmonte draft at the 2012 Tattersalls December Mares Sale. Unreachable is a daughter of Harpia, a full-sister to the highly influential Danehill as well as Eagle Eyed and Shibboleth, etc., and is a half-sister to the stakes-placed First Word (Chester House) and the young American regional stallion Redesdale (Speightstown). This is also the family of Dundonnell (First Defence), a Group 3 winner in England, a listed winner in Hong Kong and Group 3-placed in Dubai.

Unreachable was offered in foal to Good Magic at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale but was led out unsold on a bid of $55,000. The mare was privately acquired by Jay and Christine Hayden's Saintsbury Farms and the colt the mare was carrying at the time–an Ontario-bred now named Equivoque–would go on to fetch $325,000 from China Horse Club/Gandharvi at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Unreachable is also the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Good Magic and a yearling colt by Maclean's Music. A Maximum Security colt out of Lemon Pop's half-sister Regal Rags (Union Rags) was sold for $110,000 at Keeneland November last fall. Unreachable, now 14 years of age, was entered for, but was unsurprisingly withdrawn from this year's Keeneland January Sale when again in foal to Maclean's Music.

Lemon Pop is the 10th worldwide Grade I/Group 1 winner for his sire, who was pensioned from stud duties at Lane's End in 2021 and is his second top-level winner out of a Giant's Causeway dam. The late 'Iron Horse' is now the broodmare sire of 32 G1SW/GISW.

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
FEBRUARY S.-G1, ¥232,860,000, Tokyo, 2-19, 4yo/up, 1600m, 1:35.60, gd.
1–LEMON POP, 128, h, 5, by Lemon Drop Kid
1st Dam: Unreachable, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Harpia, by Danzig
3rd Dam: Razyana, by His Majesty
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. ($70,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV). O-Godolphin; B-Mr & Mrs Oliver S Tait (KY); T-Hiroyasu Tanaka; J-Ryusei Sakai; ¥123,403,000. Lifetime Record: 11-8-3-0, ¥288,439,000. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Red le Zele (Jpn), 128, h, 7, Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)–French Noir (Jpn), by French Deputy. O-Tokyo Horse Racing; B-Shadai Farm; ¥48,972,000.
3–Meisho Hario (Jpn), 128, h, 6, Pyro–Meisho Ohi (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). O-Yoshio Matsumoto; B-Mishima Bokujo; ¥30,486,000.
Margins: 1HF, 2HF, 1. Odds: 1.20, 8.00, 9.70.
Also Ran: Dry Stout (Jpn), Admire Lupus (Jpn), Speedy Kick (Jpn), Helios (Jpn), Soliste Thunder (Jpn), Shirl's Speight, Kenshinko (Jpn), Sekifu (Jpn), Auvergne (Jpn), Keiai Turquoise (Jpn), T M South Dan (Jpn), Shonan Nadeshiko (Jpn), Jasper Prince.
Click for the JRA chart.

 

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