Tag: Breeders’ Cup

Three Witches An Upset Winner In Gulfstream’s Princess Rooney

After seven straight races at Florida's Gulfstream Park, Three Witches (Into Mischief) might have to pack a suitcase. An upset winner of Saturday's GIII Princess Rooney S., she's headed to Santa Anita to line up in an all-expenses paid spot in the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

After breaking her maiden in her debut last July, the 4-year-old took some time off before returning to the track to post three straight on-the-board finishes. Sixth in a one-mile spot two back March 10, she again went to the sidelines only to return a winner last time out facing optional claimers Aug. 27.

The only runner in the field to have never lined up in a stakes spot, Three Witches got a good early tempo to run at as Poiema (Neolithic) charged out of the gate and asserted herself up front through an opening quarter in :22.17. The field quickly spaced themselves out with the eventual winner floating back to fifth and held out in the clear nearly six paths off the fence. Racing between rivals into the far turn, the 10-1 shot wasn't making up any ground yet but really began to move into the final quarter mile past a half in :44.37. Angled outside of the leading runners, Three Witches had clear sailing home but had to contend with the closing speed of 7-5 favorite Maryquitecontrary (First Dude) who chased her home but had to settle for a narrow second.

 

“She's run some decent races where she showed some glimpses of hope and then she'd disappoint after a couple races,” said trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. “We gave her a break and she came back to win well. Today, she put it together. Obviously, she had to make a jump, and she did.”

“The Breeders' Cup, we'll talk about. It's another jump up. She earned the right to go. We'll have to decide. [Owner] Bob [Edwards] is going to make that decision. I'll give him feedback on how she's doing, but he'll make the call,” Joseph added.

Pedigree Note:

Into Mischief picked up his 67th graded-stakes winner with Three Witches's win Saturday. Layreebelle, though unraced herself, was a $525,000 KEENOV RNA in 2018 and has already produced MGSW Kid Cruz (Lemon Drop Kid) along with GSW Spellbound (Bernardini) who herself foaled MGSW Soothsay (Distorted Humor). Another of her daughters, Rebelle (Hard Spun), produced GII Woodward S. runner up Film Star (Flatter). The dam is herself a half-sister to GISP Magical Illusion (Pulpit), better known as the grand-dam of Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy) through her daughter, Broodmare of the Year Stage Magic. The winner has an unraced 2-year-old full-brother who brought $450,000 as a yearling at the FTSAUG sale, a yearling Candy Ride (Arg) half-sister who sold for $375,000 at last month's Keeneland September Sale and a weanling half-brother, also by Candy Ride (Arg).

Saturday, Gulfstream Park
PRINCESS ROONEY INVITATIONAL S.-GIII, $200,000, Gulfstream, 10-7, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:22.89, ft.
1–THREE WITCHES, 119, f, 4, by Into Mischief
           1st Dam: Layreebelle, by Tale of the Cat
           2nd Dam: Voodoo Lily, by Baldski
           3rd Dam: Cap the Moment, by For The Moment
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($350,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-e Five Racing Thoroughbreds; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.; J-Leonel Reyes. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 7-3-1-2, $199,870. *1/2 to Kid Cruz (Lemon Drop Kid), MGSW, $792,985; 1/2 to Spellbound (Bernardini), GSW, $231,750. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Maryquitecontrary, 123, f, 4, First Dude–Mary Kate 'n Kelly, by Mecke. O/B-R. G. Lundock (FL); T-David Fawkes. $40,000.
3–R Adios Jersey, 119, m, 5, Adios Charlie–Marion Theatre, by Montbrook. ($12,000 2yo '20 OBSMAR). O-Averill Racing LLC, ATM Racing and Jayson R. Werth; B-Ocala Stud & J. Michael O'Farrell Jr. (FL); T-Georgina Baxter. $20,000.
Margins: HF, 3HF, 3/4. Odds: 10.20, 1.40, 1.60.
Also Ran: Bluefield, Olivia Darling, Rosie's Halo, Poiema, Flakes. Scratched: Last Leaf.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Yuugiri Outduels Wicked Halo To Win Thoroughbred Club Of America Stakes, Earn Breeders’ Cup Berth

It took every step of the Keeneland stretch for Yuugiri and Wicked Halo to decide the winner of the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes, and at the end of it, a fortuitous head bob at the finish line gave Yuugiri the win by a nose.

Saturday's victory also secured the 4-year-old Shackleford filly a “Win and You're In” berth to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park.

Yuugiri broke quickly from the gate, and was placed on the lead several paths wide by jockey Flavien Prat, just outside of Happy Soul, while post time favorite Wicked Halo took command of the rail from the inside post. Happy Soul and Yuugiri put a couple lengths of distance on Wicked Halo, setting an opening quarter-mile in :22.12 seconds.

As the two leaders dueled through the turn, jockey Tyler Gaffalione moved up behind them aboard Wicked Halo and swung his mount three-wide to find an open lane. Those three were on practically even terms as they turned for home, going a half-mile in :45.48 seconds.

Happy Soul began fading as the three went around the quarter pole, leaving Yuugiri suddenly with the inside advantage after racing a couple paths off the rail, where Wicked Halo had begun the race. Wicked Halo appeared to have the momentum over her rival, as she gained a half-length after the three-sixteenths pole, but Yuugiri refused to relent, and began regaining ground in the final sixteenth of a mile.

The two horses drew even as the wire approached, but it still appeared as though Wicked Halo would hold Yuugiri off in the end. In the final stride, Yuugiri had just enough to get a nose in front in a head-bob battle. They were five lengths ahead of third-place Last Leaf.

“She was really game today,” Prat said. “When Wicked Halo went by us and took the lead, it felt like (Yuugiri) wasn't done yet and was just getting going. So I just kept pedaling and she was very game and brave.”

Yuugiri completed the six-furlong race in 1:10.44 over a fast main track. She paid $5.67 to win as the betting public's second choice.

Rodolphe Brisset saddled Yuugiri for owners/breeders Tsunebumi and Sekie Yoshihara. She is out of the stakes-winning Medaglia d'Oro mare Yuzuru, who was also campaigned by the Yoshiharas.

“I don't have to describe much (about the grit this filly has); I mean, she just showed it,” Brisset said. “She has a big heart and followed it to the wire and got her nose down. This one is sweet, you know? It's my first stakes (win) at Keeneland. It feels good. We're home here; we love Keeneland. To be able to win one like this here, it means the world.”

Saturday's victory improved Yuugiri's record to seven wins in 14 starts, with earnings of $1,191,670. It was her third win in her last four stakes, coming into the Thoroughbred Club of America off a victory in the listed Open Mind Stakes on Sept. 16 at Churchill Downs. Two starts prior to that, she won hte Saylorville Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

Yuugiri's modus operandi has been to focus on one turn during her 4-year-old campaign, but she had seen plenty of success at the route distance last year. She won the G3 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park ahead of a start in the Kentucky Oaks, where she set the early pace before fading to 13th.

If Yuugiri is successful in her bid for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, she would be the first horse to parlay the TCA into a win in that race since champion Groupie Doll in 2012.

“We've been in the game long enough,” Brisset said. “We know how to act ourselves – I mean, there's a little pressure – but we'll take care of her first, make a plan and see what happens. It's a big one for sure and we may be coming.”

The post Yuugiri Outduels Wicked Halo To Win Thoroughbred Club Of America Stakes, Earn Breeders’ Cup Berth appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Blinkers Off: Timberlake Cruises Clear In ‘Win and You’re In’ Champagne

Timberlake rallied from off the pace, engaged pacesetter General Partner on the outside in early stretch, then easily shook off that rival to score a convincing victory in the $500,000 Champagne (G1) for 2-year-olds Saturday at Belmont at the Big A.

Rebounding from a runner-up finish in the Hopeful (G1) Sept. 4 at Saratoga, Timberlake earned his first win at the top level and second overall from four career starts when covering the Champagne's one-turn mile in 1: 35.90 on a sloppy (sealed) track.

Ridden by Florent Geroux for trainer Brad Cox, the Into Mischief colt returned $11.80.

General Partner hung on for second, and Dancing Groom was third. Favorite Fierceness finished seventh in the eight-horse field after he lunged at the start, then was bumped and jostled.

Timberlake relaxed in fifth along the inside in the early running, then was deftly angled to the outside entering the lane. He was ready to roll when Geroux gave the cue and proved best with a sustained rally, scoring by 4 1/4 lengths.

Owned by WinStar Farm and Siena Farm, Timberlake scored a 9 1/4-length win going seven furlongs on July 21 at Ellis Park to break his maiden in his second start. In his subsequent outing and sporting blinkers, the Hopeful, he appeared en route to victory but could not repel 54-1 longshot Nutella Fella, who won by 1 1/2 lengths. The blinkers came off for Saturday's race and the equipment change helped him settle.

The Champagne is a “Win And You're In” qualifying event for the $2-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and Timberlake received an automatic, fees-paid berth while stamping himself a horse to watch for the 1 1/16-mile event Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.

The fixture is also a points race for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4 at Churchill Downs, and Timberlake earned 10 points toward a potential start in the first jewel of the Triple Crown.

Timberlake improved his lifetime earnings to $375,600 with the Champagne's $275,000 winner's share of the purse. He was bred in Kentucky by St. Elias Stables. Produced by the Lookin At Lucky mare Pin Up (IRE), he was purchased by Maverick Racing and Siena Farm for $350,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September yearling sale, where Gainesway consigned him.

Champagne Quotes

Brad Cox, winning trainer of Timberlake (No. 3, $11.80): “He ran good. I was very proud of him. He got a good, clean trip today. Florent [Geroux] did a great job. He got away well. We had a bit of a rough trip in the Hopeful. I thought with a little bit of a cleaner run he maybe would have got to the wire first, but that's the way it goes. I'm very proud of the effort today. It was a huge win.”

On if removing blinkers was to help the horse relax on the stretch out: “Totally. He's a young horse. We used blinkers early on just to keep him focused and we felt like he needed them early. He trained very well leading up to the Hopeful and looking back it would have been great to take them off, but he was also coming off a victory, too. He's a young horse continuing to learn and I think he put it all together today. I want to congratulate WinStar for the opportunity — it's a big win for them as well.”

On garnering a “Win and You're In” and Kentucky Derby points: “You obviously turn your attention to the Breeders' Cup as it comes up first. We'll get him back to Kentucky and see how he comes out of it and let him tell us if we take a march towards Santa Anita. We'll enjoy this victory and go from there.”

Dustin Dugas, assistant to winning trainer Brad Cox of Timberlake (No. 3): “They went pretty quick up front and Florent [Geroux] did a very good job just sitting chilly and it unfolded the way it did. He just broke OK – he wasn't the fastest to get in stride, but he handled it really well. Florent rode a great race and was very patient with him.

“He's excellent [in the barn]. He's really, really cool and trains great. The guys down in Kentucky have always loved him.”

Elliott Walden, CEO of winning co-owner WinStar Farm of Timberlake (No. 3): “We talked about it and thought this was a good spot. The Champagne is a great race, a stallion-making race. We're excited to win it, it's the first time we've ever won it.

“Brad [Cox] did a great job taking the blinkers off. I think that helped settle him a little bit. We saw what happened last time and you learn from each race. He learns from each race and he was just great-minded today. He was very rank last time when he didn't break well and was up behind heels. Brad worked him twice without blinkers and made the decision not to have them today and it all worked out well.

“He's accomplished a lot in a short period of time. I think [two turns] will be good, but we'll see. He's a big strong horse with a beautiful pedigree, a two-turn type pf pedigree.”

Florent Geroux, winning jockey aboard Timberlake (No. 3): “They did [pick the right race]. I thought I was going to California at first, then Keeneland I was named on there and I had to take off my horses to come here but it was just the best spot today with the one-turn mile and a good setup in front of him. I think it set him up perfect for the Breeders' Cup and hopefully the horse comes back healthy and we can move forward. He's not the quickest horse out of the gate, but he always puts himself in a good position. We knew what we had. Last time he was the favorite in the Hopeful and had a little bit of trouble and was very rank. Today, we took the blinkers off and he was way more relaxed and [I'm] hoping he is going to improve again.”

Manny Franco, jockey of runner-up General Partner (No. 4): “He ran great. He did what he knows to do and went to the lead and was second best today and ran a really good race. He's going to keep improving, which I like.”

Trevor McCarthy, jockey of third-place Dancing Groom (No. 2): “We really liked him coming into the race and he had been training really good. He was the only horse that had gone a mile and won at a mile. We knew that the distance would be really good and there were a lot of sprinters today, so we thought there's going to be a pretty hot pace and just break well and get into a good rhythm and let him come home running. He ran an awesome race today, he's still two, he's going to mature over time and there's a bright future for the horse.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr., jockey of seventh-place finisher and beaten favorite Fierceness (No. 6): “He hopped at the start. He moved right when they opened the gate. After that, I just tried to give him a good trip. I sat in the clear from third or fourth trying to bide my time. I made a little run and that was it. After the break, it was hard to catch up.”

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Practical Move Doing Well After Friday’s Comeback Win

Trainer Tim Yakteen reported GI Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move (Practical Joke) was in good order the day after winning his return from a nearly six-month layoff on Friday.

“He's in great shape,” Yakteen said Saturday morning.

Returning in an allowance going a mile on dirt, Practical Move stalked a lively pace and then drew off in the stretch to notch a comfortable four-length victory under Ramon Vazquez. The winning time was 1:35.14, which earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure according to Daily Racing Form.

Yakteen and Practical Move's owners will now decide whether to move on to the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita. Practical Move is a candidate for either the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile or the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.

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