Tag: Breeders’ Cup

Repole Stable's Chocolate Gelato overtook pacesetter You're My Girl entering the stretch and edged away to capture the $400,000 Frizette (G1) by one length Sunday at Aqueduct.

Chocolate Gelato came into the Frizette off an 8 1/2-length maiden victory at second asking going six furlongs on August 14 at Saratoga Race Course, where she defeated next-out winner Take Charge Briana.

The dark bay daughter of second crop sire Practical Joke proved capable of stretching out to a one-turn mile in the 75th running of the Frizette, which is a Breeders' Cup “Win And You're In” qualifier for the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 4 at Keeneland. A total of eight fillies have captured the Frizette-Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies double, including last year's winner Echo Zulu.

Chocolate Gelato broke inwardly from post 3 but was immediately corrected by Ortiz, Jr. and secured a close fifth position down the backstretch as impressive New York-bred maiden winner You're My Girl established frontrunning tactics through an opening quarter-mile in :23.14 and a half-mile in 46.90 over the sloppy and sealed main track. Stakes winner Vedareo was two paths to her outside in second with Grade 1 Spinaway winner Leave No Trace sitting in between horses in third.

Around the far turn, Chocolate Gelato split foes and found herself on even terms with You're My Girl nearing the quarter-pole as the two recorded three-quarters in 1:12.66.

Chocolate Gelato gained a narrow advantage around the three-sixteenths pole, but You're My Girl put up a stubborn run to the inside and fought her rival in deep stretch. However, there was no sugarcoating Chocolate Gelato, who kept You're My Girl at bay and secured a one-length conquest in a final time of 1:38.57.

You're My Girl finished another 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Leave No Trace, followed by American Rockette, Vedareo and The Great Maybe completing the order of finish. Raging Sea was scratched.

Chocolate Gelato provided Hall of Fame conditioner Todd Pletcher with his fourth Frizette win after saddling Adieu [2005], Devil May Care [2009] and Dreaming of Julia [2012] to victory. She returned $5.30 for a $2 win wager as the 8-5 post time favorite.

Pletcher said the effort gave him confidence that his filly is capable of the two-turn journey that lies ahead of her in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, and praised runner-up You're My Girl for a valiant effort.

“She settled through and handled the mile really well. I liked the way she turned off, and it gives you the impression two turns is going to be within her range,” Pletcher said. “I think she got there a little bit early and was waiting a bit. She [You're My Girl] didn't give up — that's a nice filly. She fought back, so I was proud of our filly for staying on to the wire. That was a nice field she beat.”

Ortiz, who captured his first Frizette win, said Chocolate Gelato's move around the far turn was done with no asking.

“She was there for me and at the three-eighths pole, she hit the clear and was moving forward on her own,” Ortiz said. “She got to the horse on the lead and was thinking a little bit. It's only her third start; she's still learning and I had to work a little more aggressive on her, but she kept responding and got the job done.

“The way she moved, I didn't want to get in her way,” Ortiz, Jr. added. “I let her do her thing and she was moving already so I said, 'Alright, it's time to go,' and I didn't want to get in her way. I had a lot of confidence in her. She's a nice filly, so I ride her with confidence. When I asked, she was there for me.”

Prior to her maiden victory, Chocolate Gelato was third on debut going 5 1/2 furlongs on July 14 at Saratoga en route to her second-out win one month later. Pletcher noted how the dynamics of the racetrack at Saratoga had changed considerably from the beginning of the meet.

“Mike [Repole] and I talked about it after the race. After the first week at Saratoga, that first group of babies that we ran – I don't think we were expecting the track to be as demanding as it was,” Pletcher said. “I don't think a lot of our 2-year-olds were as fit as we thought they were. She's a perfect example of one who improved a lot in her second start.”

John Terranova, trainer of runner-up You're My Girl, applauded his filly for a “game effort” and did not rule out pursuing a start in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. The Gatsas Stables, R.A. Hill Stable and Hidden Brook Farm-owned Overanalyze filly was a 14 1/2-length winner on debut against fellow Empire Sate breds on September 2 at Saratoga.

“It was the second start of her life. It was a big run coming back in her second start. A very nice filly won,” Terranova said. “We'll talk to the boys and see what everyone wants to do and see how she is more importantly and figure it out.”

You're My Girl also impressed her jockey Joel Rosario, who praised the filly for her determination in her first start at one mile.

“She hung in there really well,” Rosario said. “She ran a big race. It looked like for a second that horse was going to go away from me, but she came back and was fighting so that was a good race for her going long the first time.”

Banking $220,000 in victory, Chocolate Gelato enhanced her lifetime earnings to $290,350 through a 3-2-0-1 record.

Bred in Kentucky by Vincent Colbert, Chocolate Gelato was bought for $475,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select Sale in March, where she was consigned by SGV Thoroughbreds. She is out of the Candy Ride mare Special Treat and hails from the prominent matriarchal bloodlines of Get Lucky, Numbered Account and La Troienne.

The post ‘Two Turns Is Going To Be Within Her Range’: Chocolate Gelato Punches Breeders’ Cup Ticket With Frizette Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Kirsten Rausing's homebred Alpinista provided trainer Sir Mark Prescott his first victory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at ParisLongchamp on Sunday. The mare earned an automatic place in the $4-million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win And You're In.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 82 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 4-5.

The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was the centerpiece of five Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races in Paris on Sunday. (Race reports follow below.).

Backed into 3-1 favoritism as the rain fell at Paris, Alpinista rewarded her supporters with a sensational victory in the 1½-mile French showpiece.

The 5-year-old traveled prominently throughout the race under Luke Morris before taking up the running with a furlong and half to go. The wonder mare showing all her toughness to hold off a late challenge by Vadeni to win by ½-length, with last year's winner Torquator Tasso a neck behind back in third.

It was a first Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victory for her trainer Sir Mark Prescott, in his 52^nd year as a trainer, and a sixth consecutive G1 success for the daughter of Frankel.

Reflecting on the victory, an emotional Prescott said: “I'm lucky to get a good one at this stage of my career.

“It's absolutely marvelous but the last 100 yards absolutely killed me. Such a relief she held on. Luke has ridden for us for 11 years and Miss Rausing has had horses with us for 36, so I'm very lucky. I trained her grandmother so it's hard to think of a better day.

“You felt she was always going to win but it was just an enormous relief when she got there.”

Luke Morris, also celebrating his first success in this race, added: “Things went to plan. It was very nice and smooth. I was concerned after we got all that rain whether she'd be quite as effective but she's a remarkable mare. She's so versatile and so tough. I couldn't believe how well she was going, coming into the straight. I was just trying to conserve her for as long as I could. When I needed her, she dug in very deep.”

The gray daughter of Frankel out of the Hernando mare Alwilda, completed the race in 2:35:71 in ground listed as very soft.

Belbek Provides Andre Fabre Sixth Win In Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere

Nurlan Bizakov's Belbek  got up in the shadow of the posts under Mickael Barzalona to win the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1), a “Win and You're In” for the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).

An outsider in the market having only finished fifth in the Darley Prix de Cabourg (G3) at Deauville last time out, the Andre Fabre-trained 2-year-old relished the testing conditions at ParisLongchamp to win by a neck.

Belbek secured a one-two-three for France, with the Christophe Ferland-trained Gamestop in second, and Breizh Sky  a neck behind in third.

It was a sixth success in the race for French maestro Andre Farbe and a trip to the U.K. for the Vertem Futurity Trophy (G1) looks to be the next on the agenda for Belbek

Fabre said: “We always thought he had a lot of ability, but he didn't find the right conditions and in his first races he failed to settle. This time, helped by the pace and probably the softer ground, he settled well. He's good-looking, well-bred, and a good horse. He might go for the Racing Post Trophy [Vertem Futurity].”

A bay son of Showcasing out of the Makfi mare Bee Queen, Belbek completed the seven furlongs in 1:22:98.

The pre-race favorite, The Antarctic, was declared a non-runner.

Blue Rose Cen Runs Away With Prix Marcel Boussac

Blue Rose Cen provided trainer Christopher Head his biggest success to date when landing the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac-Criterium des Pouliches (G1) by an impressive  six lengths. The winner secured an automatic berth into the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

Blue Rose Cen, a bay daughter of Churchill out of the Jeremy mare Queen Blossom, was stepping up to Group 1 company for the first time after winning the Prix d'Aumale (G3) over course and distance last time out. Blue Rose Cen completed the 1-mile in 1:40:45.

The 2-year-old raced prominently throughout the race under Aurelien Lemaitre before surging clear of her rivals down the home straight. She was chased home by the Irish-trained Gan Teorainn and Never Ending Story, who finished second and third respectively.

Reflecting on his filly's success, Head said: “I knew she would be okay on the testing ground because it was soft last time she ran, and I think she can go further than a mile. A mile-two would be easy for her. “It's surprising how well she won because it was a good race. She was jumping from a Group 3 to a Group 1 against all the Europeans, it wasn't like she was just running against French horses.”

Place Du Carrousel Wins Prix de l'Opera, Connections Eye Breeders' Cup

Al Shaqab Racing & Ballylinch Stud's Place Du Carrousel made it a double on the day for trainer Andre Fabre and jockey Mickael Barzalona when winning the Prix de l'Opera Longines (G1). The victory secured the winner an automatic berth into the $2-million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

Place Du Carrousel flashed down the outside to deny favorite Nashwa by three-quarters of a length, with Above The Curve a short head behind in third.

A trip to Keeneland for the Breeders' Cup could be next on the cards for the 3-year-old winning filly who was introduced at 8-1 with Paddy Power for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

After the race, Fabre said: “She really enjoyed the soft ground, but she's always shown quality. She won a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud in April and then was second in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary here in May, but the ground probably made the difference today.

“She's a big, scopey filly with the pedigree to train on. The Breeders' Cup could be an option for her next. If not, she will stay in training and she will run over a mile and a half next season.”

A bay daughter of Lope de Vega  out of the Duke Of Marmalade mare Traffic Jam, Place Du Carrousel finished the race in 2:12:64.

Juvenile Filly The Platinum Queen Wins Prix de l'Abbaye 

Middleham Park Racing's The Platinum Queen became the first 2-year-old since 1978 to win the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (G1).

It was a first G1 success for the daughter of Cotai Glory, who was runner-up to Highfield Princess in the “Win and You're In” Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1), and second in the Coral Flying Childers Stakes (G2) at Doncaster last time out.

The only 2-year-old in the field, The Platinum Queen made the best of her weight allowance to hold off White Lavender by a short neck, with the French-trained Coeur De Pierre filling third place.

Winning jockey Hollie Doyle was full of praise for the juvenile post-race and said: She's done that brilliantly. She had a bit up her sleeve and she had the race put to bed, but half a furlong out she idled. Luckily, I got some company, and she stuck her neck out again.

“Her biggest asset is her speed. She was either going to go on this ground or wouldn't, but thankfully it worked out well. All credit to Mr. Fahey, who is an exceptional trainer of this type of horse.”

The Platinum Queen, a bay daughter by Cotai Glory out of the Kodiac mare Thrilled, finished the 5-furlong contest in 58:65.

(NOTE: The Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines is a “Win And You're In” for the US$1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) which is restricted to runners 3-years-old and older. The Platinum Queen's connections are permitted to transfer the waived entry fees for her to start in another Breeders' Cup Juvenile race based upon the requisite conditions.)

The post Alpinista Rolls To Victory In ‘Win and You’re In’ Arc, Four Others Secure Breeders’ Cup Berths At ParisLongchamp appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Rodeo Creek Racing's Blazing Sevens earned a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory in the Champagne (G1) Saturday at Aqueduct and is possible to ship to Keeneland next weekend to prepare for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) November 4 at the Lexington, Kentucky oval.

Blazing Sevens bested a field of six 2-year-olds, all of which were winners at first asking. He settled at the rear of the field early on under Flavien Prat, and advanced through each point of call down the backstretch and moved in between horses around the far turn. Swinging five-wide at the top of the stretch, Blazing Sevens collared Verifying just outside the sixteenths pole and drew off to a 3 1/4-length score.

Blazing Sevens provided four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Chad Brown with his fourth victory in the prestigious one-turn mile test for juveniles, having also won with Practical Joke [2016], Complexity [2018] and Jack Christopher [2021]. The dark bay colt additionally provided freshman stallion Good Magic, second to Firenze Fire in the 2017 Champagne, with his first Grade 1 winner as a sire.

“He looks good this morning,” Brown said on Sunday. “Some of them are leaving today, but there's a good chance I'll ship most of them over there [to Keeneland ahead of time].”

Brown expressed concern over the sloppy and sealed track conditions on Saturday after Blazing Sevens ran a distant third over similar conditions in the Grade 1 Hopeful on September 5 at Saratoga Race Course under Manny Franco.

“I could tell he hated the track. The fact that he got third and galloped out OK was amazing because Manny [Franco] told us that day he hated the track and that he never felt good under him,” Brown said. “These young horses, you're always learning about. They're going to catch different surfaces. These are inexperienced horses and you're going to learn a lot about them as you go. Sometimes it's going to go your way and other times you're going to have to retreat. It went our way and this horse moved forward.”

The victory was a sweet one for owners John and Carla Capek of Rodeo Creek Racing, who have three other 2-year-olds that also are trained by Brown.

“[They] are at different stages of getting on the track. Blazing Sevens is the farthest along in that endeavor, but we're excited for all of them,” said John Capek. “This is our second crop of racing horses. We're looking forward to these 2-year-olds and we have a crop of yearlings that are in training right now that we're excited about as well.”

Blazing Sevens was initially slated for a start in next Saturday's Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, but the connections ultimately ruled in favor of running locally in his final prep for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, citing an extra week in between races.

“We were booked for Keeneland a while ago on the probability we might get there and at the last minute we decided to race here as opposed to racing there next weekend, so I think all in all we made the right choice to come here,” Capek said. “Even given the conditions today, the horse ran really well. We were a little concerned with the slop, but he came through and turned it on at the end. Flavien did a great job.”

Purchased for $225,000 from the Eaton Sales consignment at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale, Blazing Sevens is the first progeny out of the two-time winning Warrior's Reward mare Trophy Girl.

The post ‘This Horse Moved Forward’: Champagne Victor Blazing Sevens Sets Sights On Breeders’ Cup Juvenile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post