Amoss said, “Hoosier Philly was not herself this morning with a minor foot issue. Out of an abundance of caution, agreement with the state vets, & doing the right thing by her, she will be withdrawn from the CCAO. We look forward to getting back to the track in the future.”

The CCA Oaks field now has five 3-year-old fillies remaining with Brad Cox's Wet Paint (Blame) serving as the 2-1 morning-line favorite.

Hoosier Philly was not herself this morning with a minor foot issue. Out of an abundance of caution, agreement with the state vets, & doing the right thing by her, she will be withdrawn from the CCAO. We look forward to getting back to the track in the future. @stable_gold

— Tom Amoss Racing (@TomAmossRacing) July 22, 2023

The post Hoosier Philly Out Of CCA Oaks With Minor Foot Issue At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

As he approaches his 87th birthday on Sept. 2, the racing legend has won a graded stake, finished second in two others, and made his presence felt at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale with the purchase of five yearlings for $2.725 million, led by of a son of Medaglia d'Oro for $1.35 million.

After skipping the past two Saratoga seasons due to a combination of the Covid-19 pandemic and a downturn in talent in his stable, Lukas returned in July with the star filly Secret Oath (Arrogate) and 15 others he felt had the quality to compete at the tough meet in upstate New York. While the Briland Farm homebred disappointed, finishing a distant second to Nest (Curlin) in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks on July 23, Lukas said he is satisfied with the way things worked out in the opening weeks of the season. Through Sunday's 24th day of the 40-day meet, Lukas' stable had a record of 3-4-2 from 19 starts– 47 percent in the money–and  earnings of $433,259.

“I think we've done all right, except for that one race,” he said after supervising the morning training from the back of his pony. “That one race bothers me and is nagging at me a little bit. I'm talking about the Coaching Club Oaks. That really bothered me. I know that our filly is so much better than that and we didn't get a chance to showcase her yet.”

Lukas said he was unhappy with the way jockey Luis Saez rode Secret Oath in the CCA Oaks and discussed that race after he worked her five furlongs in 1:01.55 on Aug. 9. Lukas described the breeze over the Oklahoma training track as “brilliant.”

“If you take that one out of it, I think everything else has been real fine,” Lukas said. “I really have enjoyed getting some of the 2-year-olds started and so forth. I think we can finish up here with a little flourish.”

BC Stable's 2-year-old Bourbon Bash (City of Light) sent Lukas to the winner's circle on Saturday to celebrate his eight-length victory in a maiden special weight race. He said the colt could make his next start in the GI Hopeful, a race Lukas has won a record eight times.

“He's been training really strong,” Lukas said. “He's a very immature looking horse, if you look at him closely, but he's starting to get his act together. Having the one out and the rest of the field didn't have any, he got away beautifully and Flavien (Prat) put him on cruise speed and away he went.”

Lukas said the Hopeful on the final day of the meet could be a good fit.

“We're right here,” he said. “You know me, when they're good I like to run them back. That was not a hard race on this horse. ”

On Aug. 9, the second night of the Saratoga Sale, Lukas purchased the Medaglia d'Oro colt for John Bellinger, a partner in the new BC Stable, that owns Bourbon Bash and Summer Promise (Uncle Mo), who was second in the GIII Schuylerville S. on opening day. It was the first time in a while that Lukas bought a seven-figure yearling.

“I don't know it just exactly. It had to be had to be mid-2000s–2005, 2006, 2007, somewhere in there,” he said. “We've been active in the sales, but we're buying $400,00-$500,000 ones which is not to be watered down. But this horse, we got into a bidding war with I think WinStar and some of those people. That was plenty for him, but he was something else. Good horseman all said the same thing. Actually, Kenny McPeek and I were talking and he said it was the No. 1 horse in the sale for him.”

Lukas said he called Bellinger a couple of hours before the session started and proposed buying the horse.

“I said, 'I think the best horse in the sale is selling tonight,'” Lukas said “I said, 'we can probably put together a group of three or four, or, John, you can just step up if you want to and we'll just try to buy him.'”

Lukas told him the colt would sell for “north of a million, for sure” and Bellinger agreed have Lukas jump into the bidding.

Lukas on his pony | Mike Kane

Naughty Gal's victory in the GIII Adirondack S. was Lukas's third graded stakes victory of 2022 and matched his combined total for the previous seven seasons. He expects to bring her back in the GI Spinaway S. on the closing weekend of the meet. With $2,614,795 in earnings through Sunday he is a cinch to have his best year since 2014 when he topped $4.7 million. His success has brought him new business.

“Surprisingly, yes. It really has,” he said. “I don't know if the exposure or the fact that people were sitting back and saying 'He's old. I wonder if he's still got it?' You know, that attitude. Then when you bang, bang, bang start to get on the front page again, they probably think 'Well, hell, he's out there and he's doing okay, we can give him another horse.' I don't think anybody questions that we can train. I think that's probably a given. But at my age they could sure question the work ethic and some of that and I think they feel comfortable.”

Among the additions to his stable in recent months were 14 horses owned by former client Willis Horton Racing LLC.

“Not only that, I've gotten a couple of new ones in the sale ring by buying yearlings, which is now a three-year look down the road,” he said. “So they must think I'm doing okay, physically.”

Lukas has made a few concessions to his age–using a cane when he is walking and steps to get up off the ground and onto his horse–but said he only feels old when he looks in the mirror. Earlier in the meet he had a mild case of Covid-19, which kept him away from the stable. It was a far different than his bout in 2020 when he said he thought he might die from the virus.

Lukas is confident in Secret Oath | Mike Kane

Secret Oath steps back into the spotlight this week and will face Nest again Saturday in the 142nd running of the Grade I Alabama S. The outcome could have a significant impact on the 3-year-old filly championship. Secret Oath beat Nest in the GI Kentucky Oaks then ran fourth in the GI Preakness S. Nest came out of her runner-up performance in the Oaks to finish second in the GI Belmont S. and ran away from Secret Oath in the CCA Oaks to win by 12 1/4 lengths.

Lukas said Saez told him after that Secret Oath “never felt better” under him. In the CCA Oaks, Secret Oath was closer to the pace and was wide in her first start in some eight weeks. At the top of the stretch, when it looked like the two stars would battle to the wire, Nest easily ran away from her rival.

With a race over the track and couple of breezes since the race, Lukas said he is confident that Secret Oath is capable of winning the 1 1/4-mile Alabama. She will be his 14th starter in the race. He was won it twice, most recently with Open Mind (Deputy Minister) in 1989

“I think it's just a trip,” Lukas said. “She actually is doing better right now than any time. I really feel that. I think she's filled out and getting stronger and everything. The work really put a punch on that line that she is better and Luis, when he worked her, said the same thing.”

“So we're down to a trip. We've got to get a trip, the trip we got in the Oaks back in Kentucky. If we get that I am not afraid of anybody.”

Lukas praised Nest, trained by is former assistant Todd Pletcher, and said the rivalry is something to look forward to.

“This thing's going to get down to where–this is not Alydar and Affirmed–but I think we could have a great fall with these two fillies,” he said.

The post D. Wayne Lukas Turns Back Time at Summer in Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The CCA Oaks is one of the revered traditions in the sophomore filly ranks. Like so many other races that have a century's worth of history, it has changed both distances and venues multiple times. The race began at nine furlongs in 1917 and was shortened to that distance again in 2010 after spending most of its tenure at 11 and 12 furlongs, in addition to 15 years at 10 furlongs. It's primarily been a fixture at Belmont Park, spent a few years at Aqueduct in the 1960s, and has now been at Saratoga since 2010. August Belmont, Jr.–breeder of Man o' War and a key builder of Belmont Park–was instrumental in molding the event after the Epsom Oaks. Many of the most celebrated fillies of the sport, including the legendary champions Ruffian and Twilight Tear, have won the CCA Oaks. The 106th edition of the storied race will be run Saturday.

Following are the most compelling CCA Oaks winners in reverse chronological order. They haven't been reviewed by their own pedigrees or race records, but simply by what impact they have delivered through their sons and daughters.

Music Note (2005, A.P. Indy–Note Musicale {GB}, by Sadler's Wells): This still-active mare in the Godolphin broodmare band produced last year's wildly impressive G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide, as well as last year's GIII Penn Mile winner Gershwin. She delivered a full-sister to Mystic Guide Apr. 23.

My Flag (1993, Easy Goer–Personal Ensign, by Private Account): This Phipps family mare did her bit to continue the legacy of her Broodmare of the Year dam. She had four stakes performers, including champion Storm Flag Flying, and her daughters and granddaughters have already produced 14 additional black-type horses, including July 9 GII Suburban S. winner Dynamic One.

Sky Beauty (1990, Blushing Groom {Fr}–Maplejinsky, by Nijinsky II): She is another mare who hailed from a wonderful family. Although her only stakes-winning foal was MGSW and Argentinean leading sire Hurricane Cat, she's leaving her mark in North America as well through GISW and sire Violence.

Chris Evert (1971, Swoon's Son–Miss Carmie, by T. V. Lark): This lovely chestnut is probably best remembered today for her grandson, champion and eight-time Grade I winner Chief's Crown, but the long list of other horses descended from her five daughters include MGISWs Classic Crown, Sightseek, and Tates Creek; GISWs Dominican and Etoile Montante; and more recent stars like May 7 GI Derby City Distaff winner Obligatory, as well as MGSW/MGISP Bonny South.

Music Note is the most recent CCA Oaks winner to turn into a notable producer | Sarah Andrew

Lady Pitt (1963, Sword Dancer–Rock Drill, by Whirlaway): It may be a surprise to learn Lady Pitt was never a Broodmare of the Year since she's so prevalent in pedigrees today, but just two of her 10 foals were stakes winners: GISW The Liberal Member and MGSW/MGISP Blitey. The latter launched a Phipps family dynasty all on her own. Among her important descendants are champion Heavenly Prize, MGISWs Dancing Spree, Finder's Fee, Good Reward, and current sensation Flightline, as well as GISWs Furlong, Fantastic Find, Oh What a Windfall, Persistently, and Instilled Regard.

Bramalea (1959, Nashua–Rarelea, by Bull Lea): A number of stakes winners trace to this mare, but it's her son, Irish and English champion Roberto, who put her on the map as a factor in pedigrees and will keep her there. Roberto was a leading sire in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom, as well as a leading broodmare sire. His continued influence through one of his major sons, Lear Fan, was recently detailed in TDN. Roberto has played a major part through both his sons and daughters in pedigrees of several significant stallions, including Giant's Causeway and Kitten's Joy.

Levee (1953, Hill Prince–Bourtai, by Stimulus): Named Broodmare of the Year in 1970, her foals included champion Shuvee (who also won the CCA Oaks in 1969 and has a Grade II event named after her, which will be run Sunday at the Spa) and three other stakes winners. Among the high-class horses produced by her daughters and granddaughters are champion Sacahuista, MGISW Raging Fever, and G1 Irish St. Leger winners Meneval and Strategic Choice.

High Voltage (1952, Ambiorix {Fr}–Dynamo, by Menow): Her three stakes winners included champion Impressive and eventual notable sire Bold Commander. Among the best foals produced by her daughters was MGISW and sire Majestic Light.

Cherokee Rose (1951, Princequillo {GB}–The Squaw II {Fr}, by Sickle {GB}): The brilliant Horse of the Year Ack Ack traces directly to her, as does Venezuelan champion Sweet Candy (Ven) and GISWs Reluctant Guest and Just the Time.

Real Delight (1949, Bull Lea–Blue Delight, by Blue Larkspur): This Calumet mare produced three stakes winners, but tracing to her through her daughters are Broodmare of the Year Sweet Tooth and her foals, including champion Our Mims, MGISW and leading sire Alydar, and GISW Sugar and Spice; plus champion Christmas Past, MGISWs Codex and Grand Slam, and many more high-class runners.

How (1948, Princequillo {GB}–The Squaw II {Fr}, by Sickle {GB}): A full-sister to fellow CCA Oaks winner Cherokee Rose (above), How produced just three foals, but one of them was 1965 Broodmare of the Year Pocahontas, who in turn produced champion and important sire Tom Rolfe, MSW and sire Chieftain, and a number of other accomplished runners.

Scattered (1945, Whirlaway–Imperatrice, by Caruso): The dam of Alabama winner Here and There and Hempstead winner Disperse, this King Ranch mare may not remain a significant force in Thoroughbred pedigrees, but her great-grandson is the breed-shaping Quarter Horse racing stallion Dash for Cash. According to the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), he “defined Quarter Horse racing from the time he stepped onto the track” until his death. His ashes are buried at the foot of his life-sized bronze at the breed's Hall of Fame and Museum. Dash for Cash's trainer nearly 50 years ago was one D. Wayne Lukas.

MGISW and $3.2-million Fasig-Tipton sales mare Hard Not to Love traces to 1921 CCA Oaks winner Flambette | Benoit

Vagrancy (1939, Sir Gallahad III {Fr}–Valkyr, by Man o' War): This Belair Stud champion produced English champion Black Tarquin, as well as Test and Diana winner Vulcania. Her descendants include Broodmares of the Year Banja Luka and Natashka. Among the most notable stakes winners tracing to her are Horse of the Year Ferdinand, multiple European champion Distant Relative (Ire), and champion Questing, who also won the CCA Oaks in 2012.

Black Helen (1932, Black Toney–La Troienne {Fr}, by Teddy {Fr}): Although she didn't produce any stakes winners herself, Black Helen originated her own branch of the immortal La Troienne line through her daughters. Among her descendants were U.S. champions But Why Not, Princess Rooney, and Pleasant Tap; Canadian Horse of the Year Travelling Victor; and GI Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin.

Flambette (Fr) (1918, Durbar II {Fr}–La Flambee {Fr}, by Ajax {Fr}): A Belair Stud foundation mare, Flambette produced Gazelle winner Flambino and two other stakes winners. Her daughters produced champion and Triple Crown winner Omaha, Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Johnstown, and champions Gallorette and Jacola. Among other top horses descended immediately from her were champions Phalanx and Nadir, Kentucky Derby winner Decidedly, and G1 Two Thousand Guineas winner Mark of Esteem (Ire). More recent GISWs tracing to her include Hard Not to Love, Avenge, Union Strike, and Secret Spice, in addition to Canadian Horse of the Year Wonder Gadot.

Cleopatra (1917, Corcyra {GB}–Gallice {GB}, by Gallinule {GB}): Three of this mare's foals were black-type winners, including champion Pompey. Her descendants include Broodmare of the Year Gaga, who produced not only Horse of the Year and good sire Tom Fool, but also champion Aunt Jinny.

The post Background Check: CCA Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The rematch of the most accomplished 3-year-old fillies in the land puts two Hall of Fame trainers, very friendly rivals indeed, back together on the big stage of Saratoga Race Course.

Seventy-nine days after Secret Oath beat favored Nest by two lengths in the GI Kentucky Oaks, the stars of the division meet again for the first of what could be two showdowns at Saratoga this summer. The historic GI Alabama S. will be run Aug. 20.

“If you're going to be the best, you better beat the best,” Lukas said. “I think it'll be a super-good race, a great crowd pleaser. I respect the other horses that are going, too.”

(Click below to watch Zoe Cadman's video with Wayne Lukas on Secret Oath.)

The nine-furlong CCA Oaks drew a field of five. From a low of four last year to twice having seven start, the race has averaged 5.5 starters since it was moved from Belmont Park to Saratoga in 2010. Also in the field are GIII Iowa Oaks winner Butterbean (Klimt), unbeaten Society (Gun Runner) and GIII Gazelle S. winner Nostalgic (Medaglia d'Oro).

Nest at Saratoga last week | Sarah Andrew

There is no question who the headliners are, though.

“They are two very good fillies and it seems like the race will go through them, but at Saratoga, strange things can happen,” Pletcher said with a knowing smile.

Just last year, Pletcher's unbeaten 1-5 favorite Malathaat (Curlin), finished second to 14-1 Maracuja (Honor Code) in the CCA Oaks.

Secret Oath carried the 86-year-old Lukas back to Saratoga after a two-year absence. He brought along 15 other runners, but getting the Briland Farm homebred into the Spa's championship-making races was the primary reason for his return. Five of the last six Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old fillies won either the CCA Oaks or the Alabama. The sixth, Covfefe (Into Mischief) in 2019, did not run in either race, but had a victory in the GI Test S. on her resume.

Following her win in the Kentucky Oaks, Lukas ran Secret Oath in the GI Preakness S. She finished fourth, 6 1/4 lengths behind Early Voting (Gun Runner), and Lukas said she would get a bit of a breather and then prepare for Saratoga. The Preakness was her fifth race of 2022, second in two weeks and her second against males; she was third in the GI Arkansas Derby.

Lukas said Secret Oath has flourished between Pimlico and Saratoga and exceeded his expectations.

“We haven't missed a day,” he said. “I thought that she put on weight and got a little bit stronger and filled out more than I thought she would. I didn't back up that much on her. I just didn't put those works real close together.”

Secret Oath on Thursday | Sarah Andrew

Like his old boss, Pletcher moved his standout filly up, who is co-owned by Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House, to the Triple Crown series after the Kentucky Oaks. Despite stumbling at the start, Nest turned in a solid second by three lengths to stablemate Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) in the GI Belmont Stakes.

“The one thing that we were monitoring closely after Belmont was how she came out of it,” Pletcher said. “And we were saying, 'OK, if we need a little more time we will go to the Alabama.' But she's done so well out of the race. I think she's gained weight since she ran in the Belmont. She's trained super. She's just doing really, really well. The concern when you run against colts is that it can potentially knock something out of them. In her case, she was so well-prepared and well-bred for the distance that it wasn't a hard race on her.”

While Nest had an easy three weeks, Pletcher said it was clear right away that she did not need another month before her next start.

Nest opened the year with easy victories in the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs and the GI Ashland S. at Keeneland. She was the 2-1 favorite in the 14-horse Kentucky Oaks, while Secret Oath was next at 4-1. Lukas figured Nest was the horse to beat in the Oaks, a race he had not won since 1990 with Seaside Attraction (Seattle Slew).

“I'm not a very good handicapper, but I thought she was,” he said. “I talked to Todd and he told me he really liked her. That was good enough for me. I respect his opinion. He told me that he really liked her and he said, 'I think it will be the two of us.'”

Pletcher was spot-on with that analysis and figured that Secret Oath was the standout in that crowd. Before the Arkansas Derby she had romped over females in three straight races at Oaklawn Park.

“It was a loaded Oaks,” Pletcher said. “There were a lot of nice fillies with really strong records coming in. We felt that as impressive as she was, and she had the race against colts and kind of had a rough trip that day, that she certainly seemed liked the one to beat.”

Lukas said he did not tell jockey Luis Saez just to focus on Nest.

“We thought we had to beat them all,” Lukas said. “Luis thought that when she was in front of us he could go get her whenever he wanted to, and pretty much did when he was ready to. I told him not to go too early. I thought we had to beat them all in the Oaks. That's the prestigious one. That's the one you want.”

Saez was never far from Nest in the early stages of the Oaks, but he was a few paths off the rail, while Nest and Irad Ortiz, Jr. were committed to the inside. Secret Oath surged to the front at the top of the stretch and took command.

Pletcher and Lukas in 2006 | Horsephotos

“She's a super-impressive filly,” Pletcher said. “We love Nest and saw how strong Secret Oath could be in the Oaks. I think we would have made it a little closer if we got a little bit of a different trip. We kind of got bottled up for a moment in the far turn. And that's when Secret Oath kind of blew the race open. We're looking forward to the rematch and see what happens.”

Pletcher is the career leader in wins in the CCA Oaks with seven. Lukas has a pair of victories, the most recent in 1989 with champion Open Mind (Deputy Minister) a few weeks after Pletcher joined his staff following his graduation from the University of Arizona. Pletcher worked for Lukas until late in 1995 when he opened his own stable.

As he discussed the race, Pletcher said aside from the meeting of two top fillies, the storyline should be about how well Lukas is doing this year.

“He's an amazing man,” Pletcher said. “I've always said I think he's the greatest horse trainer of all time. Not only when you think about what he's done in the Thoroughbred business, but before that he dominated Quarter Horses. A lot of people have trained horses and won lot of races, but you can really say he's the guy that changed the training game.

“For him to still achieve at the highest level after all these years, it's remarkable that he continues to have the passion for it and the desire to come out here every morning and do it. It's great to see him still competing at the highest level.”

The post ‘A Great Crowd Pleaser’ as Hall of Famers Clash in CCA Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Zedan Racing Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Taiba (Gun Runner) was made the narrow 7-5 Haskell favorite by oddsmaker Brad Thomas and was utterly brilliant in his first two career starts, winning his Mar. 5 debut by a wide margin for Bob Baffert before belying his relative inexperience to take out the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Apr. 9 after being switched to the barn of Tim Yakteen. Somewhat surprisingly sent out the 5.80-1 second-elect in the GI Kentucky Derby, the $1.7-million Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream purchase retreated to finish a well-beaten 12th after racing in a prominent position early on.

The chestnut is now back with Baffert, who certainly knows his way to the Monmouth winner's circle, having won the Haskell on nine previous occasions. Can Taiba add to the record?

“We know he's lightly raced but I feel he's doing really well,” Baffert said. “I wanted to watch him train. I wasn't really convinced he was going to the Haskell. He breezed really well. He's a big, strong heavy horse who won't light it up in the mornings, but I was surprised what he did first out [to breeze]. I let him dictate if he was ready or not. I wasn't going to throw him into the deep end of the pool.

“I would have liked an extra week with him,” Baffert admitted. But he's doing really well. He has speed and he doesn't get tired. The two turns won't be a problem for him. The Kentucky Derby was a tall order for him. I don't know what happened in the Derby. I wasn't around. The Haskell is a great race and there are some really good horses in here. I hope the horse shows up.”

Even if he does fire his best shot, he will be made to work for it given the presence of undefeated 'Rising Star' Jack Christopher (Munnings), who could well jump the Haskell favorite. Perfect in four trips to the post, the bald-faced chestnut was the likely choice in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year after gliding home much the best in the GI Champagne S., but was sidelined by injury on the eve of the race. Winner of the GII Pat Day Mile first off the seven-month hiatus May 7, he stormed home to take the seven-furlong GI Woody Stephens S. by double digits June 11, earning some high praise from his trainer.

“This horse is an exceptional talent,” Chad Brown said following the Woody Stephens. “This is my 15th year of training and I've never had a dirt horse with this much pure brilliance. He reminds me a lot of Ghostzapper when I worked for Bobby Frankel. He's a brilliant horse that can probably run any distance.

“Everybody wants to have horses like this–horse of a lifetime– including me.”

The Haskell serves as a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland the first weekend of November.

An equally inviting battle is in the cards at the Spa, where Secret Oath (Arrogate) and Nest (Curlin), both winners of important Grade Is and each exiting a run against the boys in a Triple Crown race, go head to head in the CCA Oaks. Mike Kane has our detailed preview.

UN Highlights Haskell Undercard…

The first three home in the June 11 GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan S. at Belmont renew acquaintances in the GI United Nations S. Tribhuvan (Ire) (Toronado {Ire}), who led every step of the 10 furlongs at Belmont, looks to join the likes of English Channel, Presious Passion and–going back to the days when the race was held as the Caesars at Atlantic City–Sandpit (Brz) as back-to-back winners of the race. Stablemate Adhamo (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) has a gap of 3 1/2 lengths to bridge, while Gufo (Declaration of War) should find Saturday's mile and three-eighths journey more to his liking. The two Grade Is anchor a run of five consecutive graded events, beginning with the GIII Monmouth Cup–where Brown fields the two market leaders–continuing with a contentious renewal of the GIII WinStar Matchmaker S. and concluding with GISW Search Results (Flatter) getting a fair bit of class relief in the GIII Molly Pitcher S.

In Other Action…

In Saturday's GII Connaught Cup at Woodbine, one of two steppingstones to the GI Woodbine Mile in September, 'TDN Rising Star' Shirls Speight (Speightstown) will have to overcome gate 14 and 13 other rivals, including last year's 1-2 finishers Avie's Flatter (Flatter, gate 13) and Olympic Runner (Gio Ponti, gate 12). The road to the GI Del Mar Oaks begins with the GII San Clemente S., where Phil D'Amato saddles four European imports, led by Bellabel (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), who makes her first start since thumping her competition in the Jan. 2 Blue Norther S. at Santa Anita. Saratoga also stages the GIII Caress S. in which defending champion Caravel (Mizzen Mast) faces a challenge from 'TDN Rising Stars' Star Devine (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Tobys Heart (Jack Milton) as well as the progressive Bout Time (Not This Time).

The post ‘Rising Stars’ Rendezvous at the Jersey Shore appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“Not by us,” Asmussen said, shaking his head.

Asmussen promptly made the case for the 4-year-old filly, a Stonestreet Stables homebred daughter of Cavorting (Bernardini), who will seek her third win in four starts this year in the GII Shuvee S. Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

“She's a multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire by one of the greatest horses of all time out of one of the greatest horses of all time,” he said. “I do not believe Clairiere has ever been underappreciated or ever will be underappreciated. Because of who she is, she's more than a little special.”

Cavorting, a former 'TDN Rising Star' trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, won six graded stakes, three of them Grade I, and earned just north of $2 million.

The nine-furlong Shuvee will be the fifth round of the cross-country series between Shadwell Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) and Clairiere, both of whom were bred by Stonestreet. Malathaat finished in front of Clairiere in each of their three meetings as 3-year-olds–the GI Kentucky Oaks and the GI CCA Oaks and GI Alabama S. at this track–but Clairiere prevailed in their most recent showdown, winning the GI Ogden Phipps by a head June 11.

“It was where she finally turned the tables on the champion, Malathaat, the deserved 3-year-old filly champion last year,” Asmussen said. “We competed well against her, but did not come out on the right side of it. Obviously, things have changed now.”

In the 1 1/16 mile, one-turn Phipps, which was part of the GI Belmont S. program, Malathaat and Clairiere sat far back off the torrid pace set by champion Letruska (Super Saver) and Search Results (Flatter). They launched their rallies pretty much in tandem approaching the half-mile pole, ran past the tiring Letruska at the top of stretch and caught Search Results inside the sixteenth pole. Malathaat had a slight lead, but Clairiere finished just a bit better under Joel Rosario.

Asmussen said her talent has always been evident–carrying her to a 5-4-2 record and $1,799,592 in earnings in her 13 career starts–and feels that she is getting better.

“She is first class all the way. Always has been. Never been anything but,” he said. “First time out,  two turns, broke her maiden against an eventual graded stakes winner and has never done anything but keep the best company. I do think that with maturity she has broken through to a new level.”

Asmussen noted that Clairiere is the top-ranked female in the weekly NTRA poll, putting her at the top of the division.

Despite her sterling record, because she has consistently been in top races–seven of them Grade I–Clairiere has only been the favorite twice. She won both, the GI Cotillion S. in September, and her season-opener, a stakes-quality optional claimer in March at the Fair Grounds.

In addition to Malathaat, Clairiere is likely to face two other millionaires, Bonny South (Munnings) and 'Rising Star' Crazy Beautiful (Liam's Map) in the $200,000 race for older fillies and mares that is on the undercard of the GI Coaching Club American Oaks. Together, those four have earned over $5.9 million and won 13 graded stakes, five of them Grade I.

“It's Saratoga,” Asmussen said. “It's the best in the world.”

The post Clairiere Going After Saratoga Glory in the Shuvee appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said the filly “worked really well” after she covered five furlongs in company with champion Corniche (Quality Road) in 1:01.44 under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. on the main track.

Secret Oath and Nest ran one-two in the GI Kentucky Oaks. They then jumped into the Triple Crown series with Secret Oath finishing fourth in the GI Preakness S. and Nest running second to stablemate Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) in the Belmont. Secret Oath and Nest could also meet in the GI Alabama Aug. 20.

Nest is a member of Pletcher's battalion of runners headed to graded stakes at Saratoga. Life is Good (Into Mischief) breezed a half-mile in :49.49 on July 15 for the GI Whitney S. Aug. 6. Americanrevolution (Constitution), runner-up in the GII Stephen Foster, and Dynamic One (Union Rags), winner of the GII Suburban, are on course for the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Sept. 3.

Pletcher said that Charge It (Tapit) will train up to the GI Runhappy Travers Aug. 27. In his first start since a 17th-place finish in the GI Kentucky Derby, the Whisper Hill Farm homebred crushed his competition in the GIII Dwyer S. July 2 at Belmont Park, winning by 23 lengths.

“It's the first time I've ever watched a race at Belmont and actually looked at that Secretariat pole as they were coming to the finish line,” Pletcher said. “It was like, 'wow'. He's a horse that we've thought a lot of from the beginning. He showed he's still a little green in the Florida Derby and displaced his palate in the Kentucky Derby, so I think we're starting now to get it all together. From a talent perspective, he is as good as good as anyone in the crop, if he can just continue to mature.”

Jeff Drown's Zandon (Upstart) worked a half-mile in :49.69 Saturday in preparation for his scheduled start in the GII Jim Dandy July 30.

The Jim Dandy, the local prep for the Travers, will be Zandon's first race following his third-place finish in the GI Kentucky Derby May 7.

Meanwhile, Brown's two other graded stakes-winning 3-year-old colts, GI Preakness S. star Early Voting (Gun Runner) and the unbeaten Jack Christopher (Munnings) worked at Belmont Park. Jack Christopher is headed to the GI Haskell Invitational S. next weekend at Monmouth Park. Brown has not yet made the call on whether Early Voting will go in the Haskell or the Jim Dandy.

“I'll decide in the morning,” Brown said. “I'll see how all the horses come out before I make a decision.”

Brown was pleased with the way Zandon handled the breeze.

“The horse worked super,” he said.

Zandon's work under veteran exercise rider Kriss Bon was his first at Saratoga this summer and satisfied a couple of goals.

“Just to get him to stretch his legs,” Brown said. “He's been working along down at Belmont. I freshened him up after the Derby. I'm really pleased with him. He put some weight on. He really looks better than ever right now. I have just given him a little bit of a breather from the racing end of it anyway. Our plan was just to get him over the track and get him a good feel for it and he couldn't have went any better.”

Despite his strong performance in the Derby, Zandon was never a possibility for the Belmont because Brown said he doesn't consider him a mile and a half horse. But Brown is confident that he will be sharp off a nearly three-month break between races.

“Just knowing the horse, he'll run good, fresh,” Brown said. “I can just see it in his training. The way he's matured, the way he's worked gives me a lot of confidence that he will be ready to go.

Early Voting worked four furlongs in :49.25 and Jack Christopher was timed in :49.80 for the same distance.

The post Pletcher and Brown Stars Highlight Saratoga Worktab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“She's doing really well but we had setbacks with how the weather has gone and we're not anticipating making the Azeri,” Atras told the New York Racing Association notes team. “We've played it safe down there with her. Usually by early February the weather starts to level out but they had a couple storms come through that hindered our progress.”

Atras was not completely ruling out a prep race in the interim.

“If we can get a race in and it works that's definitely a possibility. Right now, we're just focused on getting her ready,” he said.

A midpack seventh behind 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) in last year's GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, The $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grad turned the tables in the CCA Oaks, scoring by a head at better than 14-1. Well-beaten by the Kentucky Oaks winner in the GI Alabama S. in August, Maracuja was last seen finishing fourth in the GI Cotillion S. at Parx Sept. 25.

The post Maracuja To Miss Azeri appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Watch G1 winner GUARANA i/f Into Mischief sell for $4,400,000 at The November Sale! Congrats to all the connections!#FasigNovember @HillnDaleFarm @Three_Chimneys @spendthriftfarm pic.twitter.com/7qU0uJ9OqW

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) November 9, 2021

The post Guarana Takes The Lead at FTKNOV appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The Honor Code gray posted a swift half-mile breeze in 47.67 seconds Sunday in company on the main track in her first work back since upsetting Malathaat in the nine-furlong CCA Oaks on July 24.

“She went a little quicker than I thought, visually,” Atras said. “She broke off a little quick and was rolling along and galloped out real nice. I never get too concerned about the time, but she did it well within herself. That's all that matters to me.”

A $200,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Maracuja graduated at third asking in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden sprint in February at Aqueduct Racetrack and followed with a closing second in the Grade 3 Gazelle in April, finishing 2 3/4-lengths back of Search Results.

Maracuja exited post 2 in a 13-horse field in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks in April at Churchill Downs and closed up the rail for seventh in a race won by Malathaat by a neck over Search Results.

Last out, in a compact field of four, Maracuja tracked closer to the pace in third under Ricardo Santana, Jr., and battled gamely to the wire to best Malathaat by a head.

“She broke so sharp in the last race and we were hoping for that,” Atras said. “We were hoping she could be a little more tactical. That would definitely be an advantage to her going forward.

“I knew you could throw the Oaks out and she was capable of better,” Atras added. “I thought if she took a step forward from the Gazelle she could be a contender, if not for the win, then for second. She definitely took a big step forward last time. Right out of the gate, she showed that she was live that day.”

The probable field for the Alabama includes Army Wife (Mike Maker), Clairiere (Steve Asmussen), Crazy Beautiful (Kenny McPeek), Malathaat (Todd Pletcher), Played Hard (Phil Bauer) and Will's Secret (Dallas Stewart).

Atras said Dennis Narlinger's graded stakes placed Sadie Lady, who worked a half-mile in 48.11 Sunday on the main track, is slated to make her next start in the $100,000 Union Avenue, a 6 1/2-furlong main track sprint for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

“She's doing well,” Atras said. “It was a good work and she's on target for that race.”

The post Atras Hopes CCA Oaks Winner Maracuja Can Be ‘More Tactical’ In Alabama appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post