breeders' cup turf | Horse Racing Free Tips

Broome Raids For Sword Dancer

Ballydoyle's Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), whose most recent trip across the Atlantic resulted in a strong runner-up effort behind Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf, faces nine others–including defending champion Gufo (Declaration of War)–in Saturday's GI Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Invitational S. at Saratoga. The 12-furlong event earns the winner a fees-paid berth into this year's Turf at Keeneland Nov. 5.

The 6-year-old entire comes into the Sword Dancer a relatively fresh animal, as he will be making just his fourth start of the season at the weekend. A first-up fifth in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup over 10 panels, Broome took command of the June 18 G2 Hardwicke S. at the Royal meeting after a quarter-mile and boldly led the balance, staying up the rise to score by 3 1/4 decisive lengths.

“He made the running. It was a good effort and we were delighted with him,” said trainer Aidan O'Brien, in search of a first win at the historic upstate New York oval. “It was probably his best run of the year, really. We felt he came back every bit as good if not better than before. He's a horse that's maturing very well.”

Off at longshot odds when last seen in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO S. back at Ascot, he locked up with G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) at midway and ultimately got the better of that battle, but weakened out two furlongs down and finished better than a dozen lengths in back of Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) in fourth.

O'Brien does not believe that forecast rains Friday will dampen Broome's chances.

“I don't think he'll mind it. He has form with ease in the ground,” O'Brien said. “I spoke to the lads and they're happy with the way he's training. Hopefully, he will run well.”

Ryan Moore, who rode Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) to a runner-up effort behind Gufo last summer, retains the call.

The post Broome Raids For Sword Dancer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Defending Champion Cool Day Takes On Argentine Horse Of The Year Mirinaque In Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini

Led by defending champion Cool Day (ARG), multiple Group 1-winner Village King (ARG), and 2020 Argentine Horse of the Year Mirinaque (ARG), a wide-open field of 19 runners has been entered for Saturday's 1 ½-mile Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional (G1) at Hipódromo de San Isidro. The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional winner will receive an automatic starting position into the 2022 $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the 2022 Breeders' Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held on Nov. 4-5 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional, South America's most prestigious race, is the first Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race of the 2022 season.

Francisco Pérez Werthein's 4-year-old Cool Day (ARG), a son of John F Kennedy (IRE), won the 2020 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional by a half-length over favored Pinball Wizard (ARG) in a thrilling stretch drive in just his fourth start. It was also the sixth victory in the race for trainer Alfredo Gaitan Dassie. Cool Day was sidelined with an injury for the next 10 months, but returned on Oct. 30 at San Isidro to win the 1 ½-mile Gran Premio Copa–Alfredo Lalor (G1) by 2 ½ lengths. Cool Day will be ridden by Eduardo Ortega Pavon from post 17.

Haras El Angel De Venecia's 7-year-old Village King (ARG) has been a stakes winner in both Argentina and in the United States. Trained by Carly Etchechoury, Village King, a bay son of Campanologist out of the Pleasant Tap mare Villard, has won eight times in 20 starts. Following a third-place finish in the 2017 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, Village King was sent to the U.S. where he made his next eight starts for trainer Todd Pletcher, highlighted by a win in the 2018 Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct. After an eighth-place finish in the Man o' War (G1) at Belmont Park in May 2019, Village King was returned to Argentina and won his first race on more familiar ground, taking the 1 ½-mile Progreso (G2) at San Isidro.

Following a second-place finish in the Copa De Oro, Village King finished third in last year's Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, just slightly more than a half-length behind Cool Day. He continued his solid form into 2021, reeling off three consecutive turf victories at San Isidro, taking the Miguel Alfredo Martinez de Hoz (G1), the Porteno (G3) and the 25 de May–Copa Dr. Enrique de Hoz (G1). The streak ended Oct. 24 in the Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) on dirt at Maronas Nacional Racecourse in Uruguay, where he finished fourth, 6 ¼ lengths behind Aero Trem (BRZ). Martin Valle has the mount, breaking from post nine.

Mirinaque, an internationally campaigned 5-year-old, owned and trained by Maria Cristina Munoz, won four races on dirt during his 2019-20 season as a 3-year-old, including the Group 1 Nacional at Palermo. He finished second, just three-quarters of a length behind Nao Da Mais (BRZ) in the 2019 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini and also finished second in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano. Those performances earned him the Argentine Champion 3-year-old and Horse of the Year titles.

He was sent to the U.S. in 2020, but did not win any of his five starts there. He finished fifth in the TVG Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, and his best result was a runner-up placing in the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on the Saturday Breeders' Cup undercard at Keeneland. This year, after a seventh-place finish in the Red Sea Turf Handicap at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia, Mirinaque was sent back to Argentina, and in June finished second in the Gran Premio 25 De Mayo–Copa Dr. Enrique Olivera (G1). He finished fifth in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano as the 3-1 second choice, and in his most recent start on Nov. 19, finished second in the 1 ½-mile Dardo Rocha Internacional (G1) on dirt at La Plata in Argentina. Mirinaque will be ridden by Gustavo Calvente from post five.

Las Monjitas Polo's 3-year-old Vespaciano (ARG), by Daniel Boone (BRZ), has won three of his four career starts, all at San Isidro. Trained by Carlos Daniel Etchechoury, Vespaciano broke his maiden on May 8 in a 7-furlong race, and won again at 7 furlongs on June 16 in the listed Clasico Manuel Anasagasti. He stepped up in class to the Group 1 Gran Premio Dos Mil Guineas on Aug. 7 at 1 mile, and came from last to first to win it by 4 lengths. Vespaciano suffered his first defeat in his most recent start, the 1 ¼-mile Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1) on Oct. 16. Sent off as the 2-1 favorite, Vespaciano took the lead passing the half-mile pole and battled hard down the stretch before finishing third behind Zodiacal (ARG). Vespaciano will be ridden from post three by Adrian Giannetti.

Elegante De 9's Sandino Ruler (ARG) has won three of his last four starts on dirt after an unsuccessful North American campaign in which he went winless in six starts. Trained by Juan Saldivia, Sandino Ruler, a 6-year-old son of Roman Ruler, won three consecutive races at Palermo, first taking the 1 1/8-mile Invierno Stakes on July 5. He won his next two starts, capturing the Peru Stakes (G2) on July 26 and then the 1 ¼-mile Italia Stakes (G3) on Sept. 26. His streak was stopped, however, when he finished eighth at the 5-1 third choice in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano. Juan Noriega has the mount, starting from post one.

Also of interest is Los Vikingos' 4-year-old Athelsta (URU) who will be making his first start in Argentina after nine races at Maronas in Uruguay. Trained by Facundo Santesteban, Athelsta has won six times, including his last five. A son of Midas Touch (GB) out of the More Than Ready mare Mas Que Lista, Athelsta won his two most recent races at 1 1/2 miles, and by a nose both times. On Oct. 3, Athelsta took the Gran Premio de Honor Stakes and followed up that score by taking the Clasico Carlos Pellegrini on Nov. 6. Athelsta will break from post 19 under jockey Fabian Hector.

As a part of the benefits of the Challenge series, the Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini–Internacional to start in the 1 ½-mile Longines Breeders' Cup Turf. Breeders' Cup also will provide a $40,000 travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 24, 2022, to receive the rewards.

The post Defending Champion Cool Day Takes On Argentine Horse Of The Year Mirinaque In Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Breeders’ Cup Spot Up for Grabs in Carlos Pellegrini

The first automatic fees-paid berth to the 2022 Breeders' Cup will be handed out this Saturday in Argentina when the G1 Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini, also known as the 'South American Arc', is run at the historic Hipodromo de San Isidro. The winner will punch their ticket to the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, to be held in 2022 at Keeneland.

Contested over 2,400 meters, about 1 1/2 miles, on the massive San Isidro turf course with about a three-furlong stretch run, the Pellegrini was won last year in a thrilling three-way duel by rail-running Cool Day (Arg) (John F Kennedy {Ire}) (video), who is back to defend his title. Bred by the historic Haras Abolengo farm, the 4-year-old chestnut went to the bench for over 10 months after his 2020 Pellegrini score, ruling out a Breeders' Cup try, but returned with a dominant 3 1/2-length victory in the G1 Gran Premio Copa de Oro here Oct. 30.

The most important race in South America, the Pellegrini is named after Carlos Enrique Jose Pellegrini, the first president of the Argentinian Jockey Club and one of its founding members when it was created in 1882. The race was first run in 1887, as the International Grand Prix, over 3,000 meters (about 1 7/8 miles) with Stiletto streaking to victory in 3:27 2/5. It quickly lived up to its 'international' billing, with French raider Athos II taking the trophy in 1890 and 1892. Overall, horses bred in countries other than Argentina have won the Pellegrini 17 times, with Brazilian Nao da Mais (T H Approval) being the most recent successful invader in 2019. The race regularly attracts horses from Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay.

The grand finale of the racing season in Argentina, the Pellegrini holds a US$200,000 purse and unofficially bestows the title of the best horse in South America. It's the headliner of 'International Day' at San Isidro, which also features the 2,000-meter G1 Gran Premio Copa de Plata, similar to the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff or GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, the 1,600-meter G1 Gran Premio Joaquin S. de Anchorena, similar to the GI Breeders' Cup Mile and the 1,000-meter G1 Gran Premio Alzaga Unzue, similar to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. The Anchorena has been won by names well familiar to U.S. racing fans, including the legendary Candy Ride (Arg) (Ride the Rails) and Lord At War (Arg) (General {Fr}) as well as 2014 GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. hero Winning Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize).

The Pellegrini is also a major social event on the Argentine calendar, with tens of thousands of people, including many Argentine celebrities, flocking to San Isidro for the race every year. The attendance record was set in 1986 when over 100,000 people showed up to see undefeated Fain (Arg) (Dancing Moss {GB}) take the trophy, and approximately 60,000 people are expected to attend this year.

Uruguayan jockey Irineo Leguisamo, considered the most decorated South American jockey of the 20th century, holds the record for most victories in the Pellegrini with 10 from 1924 through 1962; no other rider has won more than four. Juan Lapistoy and Alfredo Gaitan Dassie share the record for most Pellegrini conquests by a trainer with six apiece. Gaitan Dassie, who trains Cool Day, has a chance to take over the record by himself Saturday. Fourteen fillies and mares have defeated the boys in the Pellegrini, and there were dead heats for the win in 1915 and 1923.

Other contenders in this year's running include venerable 7-year-old Village King (Arg) (Campanologist), who ran in the U.S. in 2018 and 2019, picking up a score in the 2018 Red Smith S. and running third in the GII Pan American S. the following spring. This year, he is undefeated in three starts over the San Isidro lawn, picking up a pair of Group 1 triumphs in the 2,000-meter Gran Premio Martinez de Hoz and 2,400-meter Gran Premio 25 de Mayo (video). Mirinaque (Arg) (Hurricane Cat) also boasts U.S. graded stakes success. Though winless since taking the G1 Argentine Derby in 2019, he ran second in last year's GII Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. at Keeneland on the Breeders' Cup undercard and was a narrow runner-up to Village King in the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo. Overall, 19 horses are entered in the field.

The Carlos Pellegrini goes as the 13th race on a 17-race card Saturday at San Isidro with a scheduled post time of 7:35 local time (5:35 p.m. ET).

The post Breeders’ Cup Spot Up for Grabs in Carlos Pellegrini appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Rockemperor Tabbed As Morning-Line Favorite In Hollywood Turf Cup

Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, Dubb, Kisber and Caruso's Rockemperor will go favored in Friday's headliner at Del Mar – the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup – a Grade 2 crucible for 3-year-olds and up that has attracted seven long-winded competitors and will be contested at a testing mile and one half on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.

The marathon will be run for the 40th time (the first 32 editions were conducted at now-closed Hollywood Park) on the holiday weekend nine-race card as the 7th Race and will reward its winner with $150,000.

Rockemperor, an Irish 5-year-old horse by the Danehill sire Holy Roman Emperor, comes into the headliner off a troubled trip in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 6. The bay horse could only finish eighth of 14 that afternoon but he's been a steady sort throughout his career with 15 in-the-money placings in his 21 starts. He's currently sporting a bankroll that reads $954,404 and either a first- or second-place finish Friday would make him a racing millionaire.

Rockemperor is trained by eastern kingpin Chad Brown, who has been a regular participant in the fall turf stakes at Del Mar in recent years and the conditioner has nabbed the saddle services of Del Mar's leading rider, Flavien Prat, for the Friday journey.

Here's the complete lineup for the feature from the rail out with riders and morning line odds:

Amerman Racing's Award Winner (Juan Hernandez, 12-1)
William and Suzanne Warren, Jr.'s Friar's Road (Umberto Rispoli, 3-1)
Agave Racing Stable or Sam-Son Farm's Say the Word (Kent Desormeaux, 4-1)
John M.B. O'Connor's Astronaut (Victor Espinoza, 8-1)
Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable or Gary Barber's Cupid's Claws (Abel Cedillo, 12-1)
The Ellwood Johnston Trust, Timmy Time Racing, et al's Acclimate (Ricky Gonzalez, 4-1)
Rockemperor

Acclimate also ran in the BC Turf, but finished far back in the field. The 7-year-old gelding by California sire Acclamation is a seven-time winner of $633,872. He was beaten only a whisker in the mile and one-quarter John Henry Turf Cup at Santa Anita on October 2 in his race before his Breeders' Cup try. He's conditioned by Phil D'Amato.

Friar's Road was just a nose behind Acclimate in the John Henry in his most recent attempt. The 4-year-old Quality Road colt works out of the barn of trainer Mike McCarthy and appears to have found a home running long on the grass.

Say the Word, a 6-year-old gelding by More Than Ready, has purse earnings of $672,792. He was a fast-closing third in the Hollywood Turf Cup last year. D'Amato trains him, also.

Astronaut was victorious in the Del Mar Handicap at 11 furlongs on turf on August 21. The 4-year-old colt is by Quality Road and races out of the barn of conditioner John Shirreffs.

Last year's Hollywood Turf Cup was captured by Donegal Racing, Bulger and Coneway's Arklow, who set a stakes record of 2:26.31 in the process.

The post Rockemperor Tabbed As Morning-Line Favorite In Hollywood Turf Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post