Tag: Breeders’ Cup

Kitodan, who most recently scored a 20-1 upset in the Grade 3 Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs, will be entered in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland on Saturday, Nov. 5, trainer Eric Foster confirmed.

A 3-year-old Point of Entry colt, Kitodan has been an outstanding claim for Foster, who plucked the horse out of a Churchill Downs allowance optional claiming race on May 15 for $80,000, for new owners Foster Family Racing, Douglas Miller, and William Wargel.

Three weeks later, Kitodan won the Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs at odds of 40-1 in his first start under the Foster shedrow. He has since finished fourth in the American Derby on July 2 at Churchill Downs, and fifth in listed Evan Williams Turf Mile Stakes on Aug. 7 at Ellis Park.

In the 1 5/16-mile Dueling Grounds Derby, Kitodan was held in between rivals through the turn by jockey Gerardo Corrales, then angled out at the quarter pole and closed hard down the long Kentucky Downs stretch to draw away by four lengths.

In total, Kitodan has won five of 16 career starts for earnings of $779,641. The Dueling Grounds Derby was his first graded stakes victory.

Prior to the claim, Kitodan was owned by Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher, and he was trained by Mike Maker. He was entered for the tag in start following a victory in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park.

Foster acknowledged that his charge would be a longshot in the Breeders' Cup Turf, but having a horse in good form when the Breeders' Cup is on his home circuit was an opportunity too good to pass up.

“We won't know if he's a good fit or not until after the race,” Foster said. “I think with us, it's just maybe an opportunity of a lifetime. We don't take anything for granted, just thankful for the chance to compete.”

Kitodan was bred in Kentucky by Flaxman Holdings Limited, out of the A.P. Indy mare Divine Presence.

The post ‘An Opportunity Of A Lifetime’: Dueling Grounds Derby Winner Kitodan Pointing Toward Breeders’ Cup Turf appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Qatar Racing Limited, Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables' Caravel surged past pacesetting Twilight Gleaming passing the eighth pole and went on to post a 1¾-length victory in the 26^th running of the $300,000 Franklin (G3) for fillies and mares Sunday afternoon at Keeneland.

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Caravel covered the 5½ furlongs on a firm turf course in 1:02.59. It is the second victory in the race for Gaffalione, who guided Got Stormy to the win in the 2020 renewal.

Twilight Gleaming took the lead out of the gate and was hounded through fractions of :21.40 and :44.82 by Creative Credit to her inside while Caravel raced just behind the top two. At the head of the stretch, Gaffalione had Caravel in the three path with aim on the leaders, taking over after the eighth pole and securing enough of a cushion to hold off fast-closing Thundering Creed.

“The mare ran a great race,” Gaffalione said. “She broke alertly today. I knew (jockey) Johnny (Velazquez's) horse (Twilight Gleaming) was the one to beat, so I worked my way out to get behind her, and coming into the stretch, I attacked her as soon as I could. My horse was game, and she finished the job well.”

Star Devine was third, a nose behind Thundering Creed.

A 5-year-old Pennsylvania-bred daughter by Mizzen Mast out of the Congrats mare Zeezee Zoomzoom, Caravel notched her third Grade 3 victory and ninth stakes victory overall as she improved her record to 11-0-3 from 19 career starts. Sunday's victory was worth $143,375 and increased Caravel's earnings to $811,152.

Caravel is cataloged to Book 1 of Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale on Nov. 7. Hunter Valley Farm, agent, consigns the mare, who is Hip 224 and cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect.

“(Whether we go to the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint [G1]) will ultimately be up to the owners, but we'll talk to them about it,” Cox said. “I do know she's in the (Keeneland November Breeding Stock) sale, but there's been some talk about possibly running her next year as well, so who knows? At the end of the day I'm just proud of what she's been able to accomplish, and congratulations to the ownership group. She's a tough filly. She always brings it.”

For winning the Franklin, Caravel returned $6.88.

Twilight Gleaming was fourth and was followed in order of finish by Have A Good Day, Creative Credit, Brooke Marie, Tobys Heart, Querobin Dourada, Bout Time, and Elle Z.

The post ‘She Always Brings It’: Caravel Kicks Clear To Win Franklin At Keeneland, Possible For Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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