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Cox: ‘Pace Could Set Up Well’ For West Will Power In Stephen Foster

Big weekends in horse racing are usually synonymous with several entries from the Brad Cox barn and that is the case for Saturday's Steven Foster Day at Ellis Park where the Louisville-based conditioner has five stakes entrants including West Will Power, the 7-2 second choice on the morning line odds in the $1 million Stephen Foster (Grade 1).

“We're looking forward to this weekend at Ellis. There are some really fun races and we have a lot of horses ready to compete from our barn,” Cox said Wednesday from his Churchill Downs base. “We've got five entered in the stakes Saturday and two stakes starters on Sunday with Zozos (in the Hanshin Stakes) and Squire Creek (in the Maxfield).”

In the Stephen Foster, Gary and Mary West's West Will Power was tabbed as the 7-2 second choice on the morning line odds behind Lucky Seven Stable's multiple graded stakes winning colt Smile Happy (3-1). West Will Power dueled on the lead in the $600,000 Alysheba Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs but gave way late to Smile Happy. Prior to the Alysheba, West Will Power dominated six rivals by 4 ¾ lengths in the New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds.

“I think the pace could set up well for him in the Foster,” Cox said. “He's the type of horse that likes to be either on the lead or sit just off the leader's hip. He was impressive at Fair Grounds this winter and ran well last time at Churchill. I think he got a lot out of that race and fits well moving forward in the Foster.”

Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Stephen Foster will go as Race 10 of 12 at 4:26 p.m. (all times Central). First post is 11:45 a.m. The Stephen Foster is the centerpiece of a six pack of stakes events Saturday at Ellis Park. The other featured races on the program are the $400,000 Fleur de Lis (G2), the $400,000 Wise Dan (G2), the $225,000 American Derby (Listed), the $225,000 Kelly's Landing (Listed) and the $225,000 Tepin.

Cox will also send Set Piece (GB) to post in the Wise Dan Stakes as the heavy 4-5 morning line favorite.

“He's such a cool horse and developed into a barn favorite,” Cox said. “He always shows up and runs hard. We'll see how the pace shakes out in this race. He likes to come from off the pace but has been training well at Churchill out of the Arlington Stakes (G3).”

Hunter Valley Farm's A Mo Reay was tabbed as the 8-5 favorite in the Fleur de Lis (G2) where she will take on a well-matched field of eight fillies and mares.

“I think the mile-and-an-eighth distance in the Fleur de Lis should suit her well,” Cox said. “She's a Grade 1 winner and a very consistent filly.”

Cox's other Saturday stakes starters are Godolphin's Wadsworth as the 9-5 favorite in the American Derby and Miacomet Farm's Heavenly Sunday, the 5-2 second choice in the Tepin Stakes.

“I think both Wadsworth and Heavenly Sunday both have big shots Saturday,” Cox continued. “Wadsworth ran a big race last time out to just miss in the Caesars Stakes. Heavenly Sunday is quick from the gates and we'll see how the pace shakes out early in the Tepin.”

Here are the full fields, with morning line odds, for all six stakes Saturday from Ellis Park:

The $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (GI), Race 10:

1. Proxy (Joel Rosario, Mike Stidham, 4-1)

2. Stilleto Boy (Kent Desormeaux, Ed Moger Jr., 6-1)

3. Speed Bias (Luis Saez, Ron Moquett, 12-1)

4. Rattle N Roll (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 4-1)

5. Smile Happy (Corey, McPeek, 3-1)

6. West Will Power (Prat, Cox, 7-2)

7. Last Samurai (Cristian Torres, Wayne Lukas, 6-1)

8. Happy American (James Graham, Neil Pessin, 20-1)

The $400,000 Wise Dan (G2), Race 9:

1. Harlan Estate (Declan Cannon, Whit Beckman, 10-1)

2. Tut's Revenge (Francisco Arrieta, Shea Stuart, 20-1)

3. Camp Hope (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 5-1)

4. Get Smokin (Ricardo Santana Jr., Mark Casse, 5-1)

5. Play Action Pass (Tyler Gaffaione, Robert Medina, 12-1)

6. Kittansett (Cristian Torres, Paulo Lobo, 12-1)

7. Cowboy Justice (GB) (James Graham, Conor Murphy, 20-1)

8. Set Piece (GB) (Geroux, Cox, 4-5)

9. Stitched (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Gregory Foley, 20-1)

10. Hozier (Julien Leparoux, Rodolphe Brisset, 15-1)

The $400,00 Fleur de Lis (G2), Race 8:

1. Bellamore (Martin Garcia, Simon Callaghan, 5-1)

2. Moon Swag (Luis Saez, Brendan Walsh, 6-1)

3. Royal Take Charge (Cristian Torres, Al Stall Jr., 6-1)

4. Soul of an Angel (Luis Reyes, Gerald James, 30-1)

5. Pauline's Pearl (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen, 3-1)

6. A Mo Reay (Flavien Prat, Cox, 8-5)

7. Heartyconstitution (Tyler Gaffalione, Joe Sharp, 5-1)

8. Music Street (Julien Leparoux, Whit Beckman, 30-1)

The $225,000 Kelly's Landing (Listed), Race 6:

1. Fortin Hill (Gerardo Corrales, Paulo Lobo, 12-1)

2. Bango (Tyler Gaffalione, Greg Foley, 2-1)

3. Miles Ahead (Martin Garcia, Paul McGee, 9-2)

4. Happy Jack (Rafael Bejarano, Doug O'Neill, 5-1)

5. Marsalis (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen, 6-1)

6. Surveillance (James Graham, Keith Desormeaux, 6-1)

7. Tejano Twist (Francisco Arrieta, Chris Hartman, 3-1)

The $225,000 American Derby (Listed), Race 3:

1. Mo Stash (Luis Saez, Vicki Oliver, 2-1)

2. Wadsworth (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox, 9-5)

3. Desert Duke (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman, 8-1)

4. Gigante (Tyler Gaffalione, Steve Asmussen, 4-1)

5. Hidden Path (Flavien Prat, Todd Pletcher, 6-1)

6. Sharar (Julien Leparoux, Todd Pletcher, 8-1)

The $225,000 Tepin, Race 11:

1. Sandra D (David Cohen, Steve Margolis, 20-1)

2. Safeen (Luis Saez, Eddie Kenneally, 5-1)

3. Heavenly Sunday (Geroux, Cox, 5-2)

4. Wonderfull Lady (FR) (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh, 8-1)

5. Xigera (Julien Leparoux, Phil Bauer, 2-1)

6. Meta Physical (Adam Beschizza, Jeff Hiles, 20-1)

7. Girl Named Charlie (Edgar Morales, Tom Amoss, 6-1)

8. Santa Fe Gold (Francisco Arrieta, Bret Calhoun, 15-1)

9. Klassy Bridgette (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman, 15-1)

The Stephen Foster is a “Win and You're In” Challenge Series event for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). The winner of the Stephen Foster will receive an automatic entry to the 2023 running of the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic and have their pre-entry and entry fees waved along with a travel stipend if they are traveling outside the state of California. The Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held at Santa Anita on Nov. 3-4.

Fans can watch and wager on Stephen Foster Day on www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated. The Ellis Park simulcast signal will feature expert handicappers Scott Shapiro and Kaitlin Free along with live interviews from Ellis Park by Joe Kristufek.

The entire Stephen Foster Day card will be broadcast on FanDuel TV and the FanDuel TV+ app. Live on-site coverage will begin Friday with Caleb Keller. He'll be joined Saturday and Sunday by Todd Schrupp, Gabby Gaudet, Scott Hazleton and Caton Bredar.

For more information about Stephen Foster Day, visit www.ellisparkracing.com.

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WOTA Forum Set for Nov. 2

The World Tote Association (WOTA) will hold the second annual Racing and Betting Forum, which has been scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 2, from noon to 5:30 p.m. in Arcadia, CA. The event is being held in conjunction with this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships, set for Nov. 3 and 4 at Santa Anita Park.

This year's forum will discuss several key issues affecting pool betting, including attracting a younger audience and how sustainability issues in horse racing will impact on betting.

The forum will be held at the Le Meridien Pasadena Arcadia hotel. For more information or to register, visit the WOTA website.

The post WOTA Forum Set for Nov. 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Samay Dominates ‘Win & You’re In’ Gran Premio Pamplona In Peru

Avenging her only defeat, Stud Wall Street's 4-year-old Samay cruised to a seven-length victory in Sunday's 1 1/4-mile Gran Premio Pamplona (G1) at Hipodromo de Monterrico in Lima, Peru.

With this win, the daughter of Power World gained an automatic starting position and fees paid into the $2-million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) in November at Santa Anita via the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In.

Samay joins Make It Snappy, winner of the Cartier Paddock Stakes (G1) in South Africa, and Songline, who won the Victoria Mile (G1) in Japan, as the first runners to earn free starting positions into this year's Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Samay, trained by Juan Suarez and ridden by Carlos Herrera, improved her record to nine wins in 10 starts, with her only defeat coming in last year's Gran Premio Pamplona, when she finished third.

In Sunday's race, Samay broke alertly from post 3 as the 5-1 favorite in a field of 13 fillies and mares. She was reserved off the pace by Herrera through the first six furlongs, while Stud Dos G's 4-year-old Raika, who finished second in last year's race, prompted the early pace after breaking on top and opening a four-length lead over Abundancia through the first 800 meters. Approaching the far turn, Samay moved up smoothly along the inside, while Abundancia took a brief lead over the Raika at the top of the lane. Then suddenly, Herrera shifted Samay off the rail and into another gear and the filly responded with a formidable surge, rolling past Abundancia and drawing off to an impressive finish. Abundancia held on for second, with Raika finishing third.

Samay completed the 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.22 over a course listed as firm. She has won four consecutive races, including her first group stakes win in the May 28 Clasico Republica Argentina (G3) her previous start.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 80 Graded/Group stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

As a part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Samay to start in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which will be run at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita. Breeders' Cup will also provide a 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. 23 to receive the rewards.

The Grand Premio Pamplona was the fifth and final Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race in South America for the 2023 season. The season's South American Challenge races and winners appear below.

Race Date	Track	Race Name	Distance	BCWC Division	Winner
12/17/22	SIS	Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini Stakes (G1)	1 1/2 Miles (T)	Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1)	The Punisher (ARG)
5/1/23	PAL	Gran Premio Criadores (G1)	1 1/4 Miles	Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1)	Belleza de Arteaga (ARG)
5/29/23	CHS	Gran Premio Club Hípico Falabella (G1)	1 1/4 Miles (T)	FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1)	Lukka (CHI)
6/18/23	GVA	Grande Premio Brasil (G1)	1 1/2 Miles (T)	Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1)	Raptor's (BRZ)
6/28/23	MON	Gran Premio Pamplona (G1)	1 1/4 Miles (T)	Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1)	Samay (PER)

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Valiant Force Sets Sights on Breeders’ Cup

Amo Racing's longshot G2 Norfolk S. winner Valiant Force (Malibu Moon) will target the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, trainer Adrian Murray revealed. The colt has already secured a spot in the starting gate at Santa Anita Park in California on Nov. 3 as the race was a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series qualifier for the Future Stars Friday card.

“He's probably going to be aimed at the Breeders' Cup now in November,” Murray said. “He will more than likely run before then but having talked to the owner he is keen to go there, so that will be our big target for him.

“He's a horse with a lot of speed, so I would say we will stick to five furlongs for the time being.”

Murray sent out three runners during the Royal Ascot meeting, including Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who was third in the G2 Coventry S. He is also owned by Amo Racing.

“He's a really nice horse and I think he's going to be a really good horse down the road, there's lots of improvement to come from him yet,” Murray said. “He might go for a Group One at the Curragh, but we will need to sit down and have a discussion. He's entered for a couple of Group Ones but it might be the Phoenix Stakes for him. He's entered in all the good races anyway, but we're not going to rush him though.”

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