Breeders' Cup | Horse Racing Free Tips

Fan-Favorite Bodexpress Under Consideration For Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Following a triumphant, near track-record setting victory at Gulfstream Park West this weekend, fan-favorite Thoroughbred Bodexpress could be targeting the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 7 at Keeneland. Trainer Gustavo Delgado told the Daily Racing Form that the 4-year-old exited his allowance win in good order, and that either the Dirt Mile or the Grade 1 Clark at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27 may be his next targets.

“The main thing about the Dirt Mile is that it's around two turns at Keeneland, which suits him perfectly,” said assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr.. “The subject of going to the Breeders' Cup just came up this morning, so we'll need a few days to assess everything before making a final decision. One concern is whether he'd be able to get into the field if the race were to overfill, which looks very possible. If not, the Clark would likely be the choice, since he's already shown he runs well at Churchill Downs.”

Bodexpress gained notoriety when he dropped jockey John Velazquez at the start of the 2019 Preakness Stakes and took a solo tour around the Pimlico oval. Overall, the Bodemeister colt has three wins, four seconds and three thirds in his 16 lifetime starts, earning $412,500.

Ruled Out Of Breeders’ Cup Due To Muscle Soreness, Ghaiyyath Retired To Stud

Ghaiyyath, the son of Dubawi who put up not one, not two, but three of the four best performances of any racehorse in the world this year, has been retired from racing and will stand at Kildangan Stud next year.

He retires with four G1 victories to his name, three of which he won this year – and all in outstanding fashion: The Coronation Cup, the Eclipse and the Juddmonte International.

Ghaiyyath was a high-class juvenile, breaking his maiden at Newmarket by five lengths before going on to take the G3 Autumn Stakes in October 2017.

Charlie Appleby's charge won the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange in an unbeaten three-year-old campaign, before reappearing at four to win the G2 Prix d'Harcourt.

Last September, Ghaiyyath recorded his first G1 victory in sensational style, winning the Grosser Preis von Baden by an astounding 14 lengths. This was the best performance in Germany this century.

Ghaiyyath has flourished this year, kicking off his 2020 campaign with another wide-margin Group win, this time taking the Dubai Millennium Stakes at Meydan by eight and a half lengths.

Upon his return to Europe, he added a second top-flight victory to his record, breaking the course record at Newmarket in the G1 Coronation Cup, beating Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck.

Better was still to come, as he beat a field of the highest class in the G1 Eclipse, including Enable, earning him a Timeform rating of 133.

His fourth G1 win came at York this August, where he won a vintage renewal of the Juddmonte International by three lengths, once again making every yard of the running.

Charlie Appleby reported that the plan had been to look towards the Breeders' Cup but in preparation for the race, after a piece of routine work at the weekend, the horse showed signs of soreness behind. After veterinary investigation, the horse was found to be muscle sore.

Charlie Appleby said: “Ghaiyyath has had a fantastic career, winning nine of his 13 races. His high-class cruising speed and relentless style of galloping was a joy to watch and as I have said before, this year he came together both physically and mentally and looked the finished article. It is obviously disappointing not to be taking him to the Breeders' Cup but the exertions of a long season, which started in Dubai in January, were starting to show and the decision has been made to retire him.

“He was an outstanding part of the Moulton Paddocks team and I know that his numerous top-level successes gave our Principal, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, a great deal of pleasure.”

Joe Osborne, Managing Director of Godolphin in Ireland, said, “Ghaiyyath is a great addition to our roster: his superior ability as a racehorse combined with his looks and his pedigree will make him a sought-after option for breeders. We are delighted he will be standing at Kildangan Stud next season.”

Ghaiyyath is bred on the same hugely successful Dubawi/ Galileo cross that has also produced Classic winner and sire of the moment Night Of Thunder.

The post Ruled Out Of Breeders’ Cup Due To Muscle Soreness, Ghaiyyath Retired To Stud appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Top Turf Sprinter Battaash To Skip Breeders’ Cup, Return In 2021

Undefeated in three straight group races this season, Battaash had been under consideration for a trip to the United States to contest the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 7. Instead, trainer Charlie Hills told racingpost.com that the 6-year-old son of Dark Angel will be given a break for the winter and return in 2021.

“We don't know what the ground is going to be like in America,” Hills explained. “I know it's quick at the moment, but it can change very quickly there. I'm sure he'd handle everything over there too, but you're asking him to do something very different. It's a shame, but there could always be another time.”

This year, Battaash won the G1 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 20, the G2 Qatar Stakes at Goodwood on July 31, and the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Aug. 21. Overall, the gelding has 13 wins from 23 starts to his name.

Weaver Leaning Toward Sprint With Vekoma, Hoping For Hot Distaff Pace For Point Of Honor

Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables' multiple Grade 1-winner Vekoma worked five furlongs in 1:01.28 Sunday on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in preparation for a start in either the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint or Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

The 4-year-old Candy Ride chestnut is perfect in three starts this campaign, including a pair of G1 scores at Belmont in the Carter Handicap on June 6 and the Met Mile last out on July 4.

Weaver said Vekoma worked well in tandem with graded-stakes placed older horse Majestic Dunhill.

“He went in company with Majestic Dunhill, who has been a frequent workmate of his the past couple years. They worked together the whole way,” said Weaver.

A six-time winner from eight starts with more than $1.2 million in purse earnings, Vekoma has won at distances ranging from six furlongs on debut in September 2018 at Belmont up to 1 1/8-miles when capturing the 2019 G2 Blue Grass at Keeneland.

Weaver said both the Breeders' Cup Sprint and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile are still on the table for the versatile Vekoma.

“I'm leaning towards the Sprint, but the final decision will be made closer to the day,” said Weaver. “I think this horse would handle any track. He's a racehorse.”

Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, aboard for both G1 scores this season, is confirmed to ride.

Weaver also said Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Stetson Racing's Point of Honor, a 4-year-old Curlin chestnut, will make her next start in the G1 Breeders' Cup Distaff on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

Point of Honor captured the G2 Black-Eyed Susan in a productive sophomore season that included runner-up efforts in the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks and G1 Alabama at Saratoga.

Point of Honor has hit the board in all five starts this season [5-0-3-2], finishing second in the both the G1 Ogden Phipps on June 13 at Belmont and last out in the G2 Beldame Invitational on Oct. 4 on Big Sandy in a compact four-horse field.

“I thought she ran well last time,” said Weaver. “She's been running well all year, we just haven't got her to the winner's circle. She hasn't dodged any competition and she's been running in tough races all year and she's always right there in the mix of it.

“We are planning on going to the Breeders' Cup with her,” added Weaver. “We think it will benefit her to have a fuller field and going back to a two-turn configuration at Keeneland.”

The late-running Point of Honor has faced short fields in all but one start this season when she rallied for third, after breaking last-of-14, in the G1 Apple Blossom Handicap in April at Oaklawn Park.

Weaver said a larger field in the Distaff should present Point of Honor with a more favorable pace scenario.

“I think a bigger field would help her. There's been quite a few races this year that came up with short fields and she's really not able to adjust and adapt to slow paces and different scenarios,” said Weaver. “Truly, her best race comes when she can leave the gate and get in a comfortable rhythm and come running. She's really not one that you can try to place closer to the pace. There's only so much tinkering you can do with her. There's a certain style of running that she likes, so a fuller field with an honest pace around two turns will give her the best chance to win.”

Weaver said both Vekoma and Point of Honor will train up to the Breeders' Cup at Saratoga and ship in to Keeneland on Nov. 2.

The post Weaver Leaning Toward Sprint With Vekoma, Hoping For Hot Distaff Pace For Point Of Honor appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post