Tag: breeders’ cup juvenile turf sprint

Reef Runner Bests Unlucky Valiant Force at Gulfstream

8th-Gulfstream, $86,940, Alw (NW1X), Opt. Clm ($75,000), 2-7, 3yo, 5fT, :54.64, fm, 3/4 length.
REEF RUNNER (c, 3, The Big Beast–Paradise Bay, by Blame) was making his first start on the turf as the 15.90-1 longest shot in a field of seven and outsprinted a luckless 3-5 Valiant Force (Malibu Moon) to upset that one's seasonal debut. Ridden along from fourth by Paco Lopez, with the hot favorite underneath him, the Lieblong homebred was sent along three wide on the turn and had dead aim on pacesetting Esperon (Chitu) as they hit the top of the lane. Racing on his incorrect lead, Reef Runner nevertheless hit the front with time ticking away and went on to score by thee-parts of a length. While the winner had a clear run throughout, the same cannot be said for Valiant Force. Winner of the G2 Norfolk S. at 150-1 and runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint when last seen in November, the AMO Racing runner was shuffled back nearing the turn and just when it looked possible that he might get off the inside, he was kept in by Mackville (Speightster) with 2 1/2 furlongs to race. Valiant Force finally found daylight five wide off the home corner and he kicked on nicely, but had too much to overcome and settled for second. Valiant Force covered his final eighth of a mile in a race-fastest :10.94 per DRF Formulator. The winner's dam, a half-sister to dual Grade I-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags) and SW Forest Chatter (Dixie Chatter), produced a Street Sense filly in 2023. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $103,180. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Alex & JoAnn Lieblong (FL); T-David Fawkes.

 

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Big Evs Proves Equal To The Task in the Juvenile Turf Sprint

RP Racing's Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) came into Friday's GI Breeders' Juvenile Turf Sprint carrying great expectation. The 2-year-old's trainer, Mick Appleby, was making his Breeders' Cup debut, as was jockey Tom Marquand. Far from newcomers in their respective bases in the UK, the duo had to travel a long way for this year's World Championships at Santa Anita, but the voyage proved worth their while as the Irish-bred proved best in a blistering renewal of the five-furlong turf test.

“I'm still gobsmacked,” said a visibly moved Appleby following his first North American graded victory. “I can't believe it. He's been an absolute superstar all year and to come here and put in a performance like that is unreal.”

Accustomed to getting his way early against his fellow European rivals in four of five prior starts, Big Evs was given a crash course  in 'American' speed as 6-1 shot Crimson Advocate (Nyquist) blasted to the front, streaking through an eye-popping quarter in :20.71. Unrelenting, the 3-1 chance was not going to let her get away from him, pressing her relentlessly through a half in :43.65. Ready to pounce on the game front-runner leaving the quarter pole, Big Evs collared the gallant filly in early stretch, scooted clear through the lane and had enough to hold off the fast-closing longshot–G2 Norfolk S. winner Valiant Force (Malibu Moon)–by a half length. Group 3 scorer Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), partnered by Frankie Dettori, rounded out the trifecta for European-based horses, finishing 3/4 of a length behind the runner up at odds of 24-1.

“Just amazing. Once he got out the gates and we got in an early position, I knew we wouldn't be far away,” said Marquand, who was realizing his first Breeders' Cup win in his first attempt. “Turning for home nothing was going to catch him. He put his head down and galloped all the way to the line.”

“To ride a Breeders' Cup winner is a dream come true. He's just an exceptional horse.”

Hardly a surprise here, Big Evs has proven remarkably consistent overseas, having finished better than second in four of five starts. Runner up in his career debut at Redcar in May, the son of Freshman sire Blue Point reeled off a pair of wins in the Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot before eking out a front-running neck win in the Aug. 2 G3 Molecomb S. at Glorious Goodwood. Well supported for the G1 Nunthorpe S. at York Aug. 25, the colt faded to 14th behind winner Live In the Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire})–a contender in Saturday's GI Turf Sprint–behind  bounced back to take the G2 Flying Childers S. at Doncaster Sept. 15.

“Going into the race, I thought he had an outstanding chance, and when Tom rode him in a breeze earlier in the week he couldn't have been more bullish,” explained Appleby. “We'll enjoy it as it's a dream to be here never mind go and win. Hopefully he comes out the race in good order then we'll make a plan for next season. He really is a horse of a lifetime for us. I can't thank the team at home enough for all their hard work.”

Much to the dismay of trainer Jessica Harrington, Group 3 winner Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) was a vet scratch Friday. Third in the G1 Phoenix S. at the Curragh in August, he finished fourth last time out in the Sept. 30 G1 Middle Park S.

Pedigree Notes:
Darley's Blue Point continued his scintillating season while earning his second top-level winner at Santa Anita Friday. The sire of Rosallion (Ire), winner of the Oct. 1 G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp, Blue Point is responsible for no less than 41 thus far. The leading First season sire with over $1.7 million in earnings, the son of Shamardal currently ranks second overall among European-based sire with their juvenile offspring.

The winner's dam, Hana Lina (GB), is a daughter of European champion 2-year-old Filly and English Highweight juvenile filly Queen's Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge), a half-sister to European Horse of the Year and $6.6-million earner Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Danehill) and Classic winner and English Highweight 3-year-old filly Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). The latter is responsible for Highweight English and Irish juvenile filly Shale (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Queen's Logic also proved successful in the breeding shed, producing Lady Of The Desert (Rahy), herself a 3-year-old highweight at 5-7 furlongs.

Subsequent to her first black-type winner, Hana Lina foaled a Ribchester (Ire) filly last season and followed up with a colt by Earthlight (Ire) this term.

 

 

Friday, Santa Anita
BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT-GI, $920,000, Santa Anita, 11-3, 2yo, 5fT, :55.31, fm.
1–BIG EVS (IRE), 122, c, 2, by Blue Point (Ire)
         1st Dam: Hana Lina (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
         2nd Dam: Queen's Logic (Ire), by Grand Lodge
         3rd Dam: Lagrion, by Diesis (GB)
1ST GRADE I WIN. (50,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-RP Racing Ltd; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (Ire); T-Michael Appleby; J-Tom Marquand. $520,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW-Eng, 6-4-1-0, $748,283. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Valiant Force, 122, c, 2, Malibu Moon–Vigui's Heart, by Quality Road. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($75,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $100,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Amo Racing USA; B-Ramon Horta Rangel & Spendthrift Farm (KY); T-Adrian Murray. $170,000.
3–Starlust (GB), 122, c, 2, Zoustar (Aus)–Beyond Desire (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (55,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Branton Court Stud LLP (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. $90,000.
Margins: HF, 3/4, NK. Odds: 3.20, 23.10, 24.00.
Also Ran: No Nay Mets (Ire), Shards, Crimson Advocate, Committee of One, Cherry Blossom (Ire), Slider, Amidst Waves, Asean (Ire), Tiger Belle (Ire). Scratched: April Vintage, Givemethebeatboys (Ire), Hedwig.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Big Up for Big Evs

ARCADIA, USA — Tom Marquand arrived at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning in the company of his wife Hollie Doyle, and while she has been ruled out of riding Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint through a suspension incurred at home, Marquand is relishing his participation aboard Big Evs (Ire).

The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint favourite has shot straight to the top of the class among an exciting batch of first-crop runners for the top sprinter Blue Point (Ire). The son appeared to be made very much in his father's mould as he sped along the turf under Marquand as the sun was coming up, and the jockey was ebullient in his praise of the youngster on his return to the quarantine barn.

Marquand said, “It's my first time here and I've just been trying to take it all in. It's one of the most picturesque tracks in the world. I've always loved Goodwood, but this is a bit different. It's great to be here, especially with a horse like him. He looks in great shape and feels in great shape. He'll have to be fast but he is fast.”

Big Evs is also the first Breeders' Cup starter for his trainer Michael Appleby, who has prepared the colt beautifully for his debut season, in which he broke his maiden when winning the Listed Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot after finishing runner-up on debut at Redcar at the end of May. From Ascot he landed the G3 Molecomb S. at Glorious Goodwood before one disappointing run when down the field against his elders in the G1 Nunthorpe S. However, he bounced back three weeks later to post a decisive victory in the G2 Flying Childers S.

Appleby is set to appear at Santa Anita on Thursday morning, and Marquand's post-breeze report will surely have been music to his ears while he was en route to America.

The jockey added, “You almost want to try to pick a hole in a horse when you ride them, but to be honest you can't really. He looks to have taken the travel well and he's taken it all in his stride. He has a good draw and he'll have to be very good to win, but he is very good. That's the reality. 

“Obviously we've a couple of days to go but he's absolutely where you'd want him to be.”

 

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NJ-Bred Keeps Streaking in Futurity

Flashy and exciting New Jersey-bred Book'em Danno took his talents out of his home state Sunday to remain unbeaten in the rained-off Futurity S., which originally carried Grade III status as well as a “Win and You're In” berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint before the surface change. The Breeders' Cup will conduct a review of the race Monday to determine if an automatic invitation will be extended to the winner.

A 9 1/2-length debut romper against fellow state-breds at Monmouth Aug. 12, the dark bay gelding led home a 1-2-3 for NJ-breds in the open Smoke Glacken S. Sept. 9. He was further flattered when runner-up Sea Streak (Sea Wizard) ventured to Ozone Park last weekend to best a salty group of local maidens, and loomed very large here when the turf question was taken out of the equation.

Away a touch awkwardly from his outside draw, Book'em Danno sat perched out wide and within striking distance as Works for Me posted splits of :22.09 and :45.27. The chalk ranged up ominously entering the straight, leveled off and widened at will.

“He broke well and I had a good trip. Two horses went to the front and I was just stalking them from off the pace. When I asked him to go, he responded very well,” said winning pilot Jose Ortiz, fresh off a pair of Grade I scores Saturday at Keeneland.  “I rode him like much the best and he was much the best. I worked him in the morning and he showed in the morning that he's a good horse. I was very confident. I got a great post today and he just responded very well for me when I asked him. He's a nice horse.”

Despite Book'em Danno's success so far sprinting, as well as his sire's, trainer Derek Ryan said his trainee should stretch out: “He'll go as far as I want him to go. I had a horse a few years ago–[MGSW and 2009 GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. runner-up] Musket Man (Yonaguska)–and everyone told me [about stretching out], 'he's six furlongs, he can't do that.' You train them to do whatever you want.”

As for trying the one-mile Nashua S. Nov. 5, Ryan said, “We'll see what we're going to do with him. We might try the Nashua, but I don't like to over-run a young 2-year-old. Next year is a long year. I might be tempted to go a little farther, who knows.”

Pedigree Notes:

Book'em Danno is one of three black-type winners for his young sire (by Kantharos), and will be his first graded stakes winner should the American Graded Stakes Committee reinstate the race's original grade.

It was a very productive week for the winner's dam Adorabella, whose yearling colt by Classic Empire topped the first session of Fasig-Tipton's Midlantic Fall Yearlings sale. Read more here.

Sunday, Aqueduct
FUTURITY S.*, $145,500, Belmont The Big A, 10-8, 2yo, 6f (off turf), 1:09.47, ft.
1–BOOK'EM DANNO, 122, g, 2, by Bucchero
               1st Dam: Adorabella, by Ghostzapper
               2nd Dam: Alydorable, by Arch
               3rd Dam: Esprit d'Escalier, by Diesis (GB)
O-Atlantic Six Racing, LLC; B-Gregory J Kilka & Bright View
Farm (NJ); T-Derek S. Ryan; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $82,500. Lifetime
Record: 3-3-0-0, $200,625. *1/2 to Girl Trouble (Fast Anna),
MSW, $283,490. Click for the free Equineline catalogue-style
pedigree.
2–Works for Me, 120, c, 2, Daddy Long Legs–Bella's Game, by
Soldat. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-KatieRich Farms, Chris Connors &
Larry Appel (NY); T-Joseph R. Lee. $30,000.
3–Where's Chris, 120, c, 2, Twirling Candy–Sea Queen, by
Lemon Drop Kid. ($80,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $20,000 2yo '23
OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Nice Guys Stables; B-The
Neuman Group (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. $18,000.
Margins: 6HF, HD, 4 3/4. Odds: 0.40, 5.00, 4.70.
Also Ran: Jimmythetooth, Ruddy Buddy. Scratched: Apollo Ten, Lamorna, Please Advise. *Automatically downgraded when rained off the turf. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

 

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