Brooke Marie Best In Pan Zareta At Fair Grounds

In a field full of early foot, the late turn of Castleton Lyon's Brooke Marie proved best in Saturday's $75,000 Pan Zareta Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La.

Speedster Elle Z set the pace from the inside post and was joined by far outside drawn Short Summer Dress and a surprisingly keen Elle's Town through opening fractions of :21.92 and :45.97 over a turf course rated as firm. Her speed on full display, Elle Z led every step of the way except the last inch, the one that counts, as she was seized by the marvelous Brooke Marie and jockey Adam Beschizza, who stopped the timer in 1:04.61 for the 5 ½ furlong distance. Kela's Turn (34-1) edged Elle's Town (36-1 for third). The 2.00-1 favorite Love and Money, exiting a first-level allowance win at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., settled into the pocket early but failed to seriously threaten thereafter, settling for fifth.

Training forwardly by all accounts at Keeneland and at Fair Grounds coming in, this Lemon Drop Kid mare has shown tremendous growth and maturity since joining Eddie Kenneally's barn last April.

“We freshened her up this summer and being a big mare expected her to need a race,” assistant trainer on the grounds Kelly Wheeler said. “She really impressed us at Keeneland and came out of the race well. We thought this was a good spot for her even though it was a bit of a step up and she proved that she belongs with this kind.”

Given a sensational ride by perennial meet title contender Beschizza, Brooke Marie broke sharp and settled five lengths back in seventh at the first call. Patiently going two-wide when there was no room in the tightly bunched mix, Beschizza took his live mount four-wide gaining position to fifth behind the slow starting Yes It's Ginger, who had rushed up into a stalking spot. That rival came back to her at the top of the stretch, pushing Brooke Marie out one lane five wide into the fresh paths of the Fair Grounds lawn. Fully extended, Brooke Marie surged to perfection for the head victory.

“She has done phenomenal since Eddie got a hold of her,” winning rider Adam Beschizza said. “She is like a fine wine; she seems to be improving with age. She's not one-dimensional–she's universal, she can close, she can stalk, be on the lead. She is a delight to ride as a jockey and I'm sure she is to train.”

With a field full of live horses looking to assert their presence at Fair Grounds, the last out wire-to-wire winner showed a new trick up her sleeve with her late-kick tactical advantage. With only 6 ¾ lengths separating first to last in the field off 11, others showed grit and growth sure to be on display for the Nelson J. Menard Memorial Stakes, the next fillies and mare turf sprint stakes on January 1st.

After going all out with a clear indication of returned form, Elle Z's connections were left wondering what else they could have done.

“She ran hard but just didn't quite hold on,” jockey Mitchell Murrill said. “Not enough. Elle Z's a great horse herself, but I guess today wasn't her day. She may have got a little tired on me towards the end, but she gave 110%. All I can ask for.”

The win was Brooke Marie's fifth overall, but first in a stakes (13-5-3-1). With the victory, the 5-year-old daughter of Lemon Drop Kid boosted her career bankroll to $281,230.

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Protonico To Stand For $10,000 During 2022 Breeding Season

Castleton Lyons has announced that top-five second crop sire Protonico will stand for $10,000 LFSN in 2022.

The sire of Kentucky Derby winner and champion 3-year-old colt contender Medina Spirit, who also won the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes and was second in the Breeders' Cup Classic, from his first crop has also sired two stakes horses from his second crop to race, bringing his lifetime AEI to 6.33 compared to Curlin (2.28), Tapit (2.24), Into Mischief (2.10) through Nov. 8.

His 2021 yearlings averaged $63,833 with a median of $66,000, and top prices of $120,000 and $100,000.

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Sire of Medina Spirit, Protonico’s ’22 Fee Announced

Second Crop sire Protonico (Giant's Causeway-Alpha Spirit, by A.P. Indy), standing at Castleton Lyons, will stand for $10,000 LFSN in 2022, up from $5,000 this season. From his initial crop, the dark bay is responsible for GI Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, who is also among the leading candidates for Champion 3-year-old colt honors this season. Campaigned by Zedan Racing Stables, the Florida bred won this year's GI Awesome Again S., GIII Robert B. Lewis S. and Shared Belief S. Additionally, he finished runner up in GI Breeders' Cup Classic, GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby and third in the GI Preakness S. Trained by Bob Baffert, the dark bay currently has five wins from 10 career starts with over $3.5 million in earnings. Protonico, winner of four graded starts during his racing career including the GII Alysheba S., also finished runner up in the GI Clark S.

The 10-year-old sire is also responsible for a pair of stakes horses from his second crop to race bringing his lifetime AEI to 6.33 (through 11/8/21). This term, his 2021 yearlings averaged $63,833, from six sold, with a median of $66,000. The top priced offerings by the sire this season sold for $120,000, and $100,000 at Keeneland September.

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Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award Entries Close Dec. 31

The entry deadline for the 2021 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, presented annually by Castleton Lyons, is Dec. 31. The award is given to the author of the best book–as judged by a panel–on any aspect of Thoroughbred racing for work published this past year. Named for the late Castleton Lyons owner, the award rewards the winner with $10,000 and a Tipperary Crystal trophy. For further details, including the entry form, visit castletonlyons.com.

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