Tag: Charge It

Life Is Good Headlines Star-Studded Saturday of Racing

Holiday weekends are often synonymous with exciting race cards and this Fourth of July weekend is no exception with a dozen graded events on tap Saturday that include some of racing's best. The highlight of the day's action is the return of 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief), who is making his first start back since finishing fourth in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 26 in Belmont's GII John A. Nerud S.

A dominant winner of last year's GII Kelso H. and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and this term's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S., Life Is Good spent some time at WinStar after his return from Dubai and has been breezing steadily at Belmont for Pletcher since Memorial Day weekend. Flavien Prat climbs aboard the fleet-footed bay for the first time Saturday.

“Flavien has proven he rides really well in any occasion,” said Pletcher, who indicated this race is a prep for the GI Whitney S. “There might be some similarities to Flightline (Tapit) and Life Is Good, but we'll have a talk about the horse a little bit. He's got kind of a quiet touch, so that should suit him well.”

While Life Is Good will certainly be the heavy favorite, there is one member of this five-horse field who could give him a run for his money. Godolphin homebred Speaker's Corner (Street Sense) kicked off 2022 with a trio of seemingly effortless victories in the GIII Fred Hooper S., GII Gulfstream Park Mile and GI Carter H. He received a 114 Beyer Speed Figure for that win, which trumps Life Is Good's best figure of 110 in the Pegasus. The bay enters this off a third-place finish behind unbeaten sensation Flightline in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Met Mile June 11 and Jose Ortiz takes over the controls from Junior Alvarado, who will be riding for trainer Bill Mott in Kentucky.

The Nerud certainly looks like a match race between these two formidable foes as Repo Rocks (Tapiture), Harvard (Pioneerof the Nile) and War Tocsin (Violence) are overmatched to say the least.

Also on tap at Belmont Saturday is the GIII Dwyer S. for sophomore colts. The regally bred Charge It (Tapit) looks to rebound in this cutback in trip after a poor effort in the GI Kentucky Derby, where he finished 17th. The 'TDN Rising Star' was a green, but good second in the GI Curlin Florida Derby in April and the Run for the Roses may have just been too much too soon. You can count on Pletcher to have the colt ready to roll in this softer spot and his back-to-back bullets on the local training track affirm that. With the colt's regular rider Luis Saez at Churchill Downs for Americanrevolution (Constitution), the Hall of Famer calls on his right-hand man John Velazquez to take over the reins.

Chad Brown has an intriguing runner in the Dwyer in Peter Brant's Nabokov (Uncle Mo). The $775,000 KEESEP buy earned his diploma at this oval when extended to two turns last time in his second start May 15.

Cox Holds Strong Hand at Churchill

Churchill Downs also offers a pair of intriguing graded events and Brad Cox has a strong chance to take both. He sends out Juddmonte homebred Mandaloun (Into Mischief)–who is making his first start since a well-beaten ninth in the G1 Saudi Cup–in the GII Stephen Foster H., a Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' event. The colt was promoted to first via DQ in both the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Haskell Invitational S. last year and crossed the line first in the GIII Louisiana S. in January. Cox also saddles Caddo River (Hard Spun) off a trio of optional claimer scores.

Olympiad | Coady

That pair face some stiff competition from New York in Olympiad (Speightstown) and Americanrevolution (Constitution). The Bill Mott-trained Olympiad is a perfect four-for-four this season, topped by wins in the GIII Mineshaft S., GII New Orleans Classic and GII Alysheba S. Meanwhile, Americanrevolution, who shares the same connections as Life is Good, looks to return to winning ways. Capturing the GI Cigar Mile Dec. 4, the chestnut spent six months on the shelf and was a disappointing fourth in his return in the track-and-trip Blame S. June 4.

The GII Fleur de Lis S. attracted just five distaffers, but two of them are Grade I winners. Cox sends out Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), whose trio of Grade I wins includes the 2020 GI Kentucky Oaks. The bay was run down last time by this field's other top-level scorer Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) in this venue's GI La Troienne S. May 6. That Stonestreet homebred ran back in the local Shawnee S. June 4, finishing fourth as the heavy favorite behind She's All Wolfe (Magna Graduate).

Sprinters Star at Gulfstream

Female sprinters get a chance to secure a spot in the Breeders' Cup Saturday at Gulfstream in the GII Princess Rooney S., a 'Win and You're In.' Champion Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) won this event last term en route to a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint and she will be heavily favored to defend her title. Winner of the GII Azeri S. earlier this year, the chestnut was third behind champion Letruska (Super Saver) and last-out GI Ogden Phipps S. winner Clairiere (Curlin) in the GI Apple Blossom H. Apr. 23.

Her biggest competition will come from claim-to-fame Glass Ceiling (Constitution), winner of the GIII Barbare Fritchie S. and GIII Distaff H. The bay enters off a third to Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot) in the GII Bed O'Roses S. June 10.

Male sprinters get a chance at graded glory in Hallandale too in the GIII Smile Sprint S. The race will go through GI Woody Stephens S. winner Drain the Clock (Maclean's Music), who makes his first start since finishing seventh in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen S. Mar. 26.

Delaware & Canada Also Offer Graded Action

Sophomores will be in the spotlight at Delaware Park Saturday with the GIII Delaware Oaks and GIII Kent S. Ruthless S. winner Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner) looks like the one to beat. The bay receives Lasix for the first time off a third-place finish in Aqueduct's GIII Gazelle S. Apr. 9.

The GIII Kent S. features 3-year-old colts on the grass and the likely favorite is Harrell Ventures' Main Event (Bernardini), winner of the Cutler Bay S. He was last seen finishing ninth in the GII American Turf S. at Churchill May 7. He faces Brad Cox runner Tommy Bee (Medaglia d'Oro), who was second in a trio of listed stakes.

Woodbine hosts four graded events Saturday: the GIII Selene S. for 3-year-old fillies, the GIII Marine S. for sophomore colts, the GII Nassau S. for older fillies and mares, and the GII Highlander S. for older male turf sprinters. Jonathan Thomas could win both the sophomore events with Catiche (Arrogate) in the Selene and Fuerteventura (Summer Front) in the Marine.

Lady Speightspeare (Speightstown), winner of this venue's GII Bessarabian S., faces SW & MGSP Crystal Cliffs (Fr) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) and GSW Plum Ali (First Samurai) in the Nassau. The Highlander is topped by the Wesley Ward-trained Bound for Nowhere (The Factor), a two-time winner of the GII Shakertown S. at Keeneland.

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Some Derby Day Fact ‘N Figs

You've all done the donkey work. Maybe you've resigned yourself to the skinny prices about Zandon (Upstart) and Epicenter (Not This Time) and there's a good chance you've debated–internally or otherwise–whether Mike Battaglia got it right from the perspective of the morning line. Or, you argue, 'It's a 20-horse field, there isn't a snowball's chance in hell I am betting one of the favorites when there is value to be found elsewhere.'

Surely, you reason, there isn't much that separates the market leaders from horses like 'TDN Rising Star' Messier (Empire Maker), whose sire couldn't quite get to Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) here some 19 years ago. You contend that, despite his obvious lack of experience, Taiba (Gun Runner)–named a 'TDN Rising Star' as recently as Mar. 5–has as much or more or even much more talent than the 19 fellow sophomores that will gather at the top of the Churchill stretch just before 7 p.m. Eastern time Saturday.

You have likely marveled at the boundless energy displayed by Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), just the second Japanese-bred horse to make a Derby appearance, and you have struggled trying to figure out how he fits into your betting strategy. Many will deem him a must-use for exotics, while others will take a stand based on a starting price that figures to be pretty short, a whole lot less than his 20-1 morning line in any case.

There is also the Florida form to be considered, represented by GI Curlin Florida Derby hero White Abarrio (Race Day) and Simplification (Not This Time), the second of two runners in the race for his boom sire and the idea of many of a very live longshot.

T.D. Thornton has done a yeoman's job over the last six months laying out his Derby pecking order–his final assessment can be reviewed here–and we strongly encourage you to use the TDN's Kentucky Derby Special Edition, with a great Steve Sherack cover story on Steve Asmussen's Derby quest, as a resource for Saturday's big race. But to lighten things up just a bit, here is a bit of Derby Day whimsy.

Letter (Im)perfect…

Zandon is joined in Saturday's field by fellow 'Z' horse 'TDN Rising Star' Zozos (Munnings), but they'll have to 'overcome' history, as no 'Z' horse since Zev in 1923 has been draped with the roses. Believe it or not, this isn't the first time a Derby has had more than one 'Z' horse, as Z Fortune and Z Humor were 10th and 14th, respectively, behind Big Brown in 2008. And if you're backing Simplification, 'TDN Rising Star' Smile Happy (Runhappy) or even Summer Is Tomorrow (Summer Front), take heart. Horses that begin with the 20th letter of the alphabet have won the Derby on 19 occasions, most recently with double 'S' Super Saver back in 2010.

Minnesota Front and Center on Derby Day…

The popularity of racing in Minnesota has continued to grow over the past several years, owing in large part to some forward-thinking execs at Canterbury Park who have increasingly focused on the customer experience. Those tuning into Saturday's broadcast from the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' will have plenty of rooting interest, as Zozos is owned and bred by Minnesota's own Barry and Joni Butzow, while native son Jeff Drown campaigns morning-line pick Zandon. And Minnesotan Bob Lothenbach will be watching when Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) runs for the third straight season in the GI Derby City Distaff. She defeated 2019 GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Serengeti Empress (Alternation) in a thriller in the COVID-delayed renewal in September 2020.

O Canada…

Two-time graded winner and GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby runner-up Messier would become the third Kentucky Derby winner bred north of the border were he to get home first Saturday afternoon. The $470,000 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling Showcase grad was bred by Sam-Son Farm in Ontario, also the birthplace of Sunny's Halo, who took down the 1983 Derby when total purse money was, wait for it, a whopping $250,000. E. P. Taylor's Northern Dancer is the third of the trio, having broken ground for Canada in 1964. Only one Canadian-bred has placed in the race since–eventual Triple Crown spoiler Victory Gallop was second in 1998.

Will It Be A Day for the Grays?…

The Derby has drawn a trio of gray colts for the third time in four years, with Florida Derby runner-up Charge It (Tapit) and Barber Road (Race Day) joining White Abarrio. Since 1930, grays in the Derby have a record of 8-3-10 from 112 starters. There were three gray winners between 1997 and 2005 (Silver Charm, Monarchos and Giacomo).

Five Thrives in Derby…

Since the use of the starting gate for the Derby began back in 1930, the post with the highest strike rate has been gate five (smile happy, Smile Happy), with 10 winners from 92 starters (10.9%). The second most prolific winning barrier is the 10 hole, with nine winners from 85 runners (10.6%). As has been widely noted, post position 17 has yet to toss up a Derby winner (apologies to any Classic Causeway fans out there) and just three horses to have started from there have run in the first three. Next worst is gate six, with two winners.

A Reason to Root for Rich Strike…

The unfortunate 11th-hour defection of the Wayne Lukas-trained Ethereal Road (Quality Road) means that Rich Strike (Keen Ice) draws into the Derby in gate 20. We don't need to point out that the handsome chestnut is hopelessly overmatched on paper, but it is not hard to be happy for trainer Eric Reed. About a week before Christmas in 2016, Reed and his wife Kay suffered an unspeakable loss when their Mercury Training Center went up in flames, with a reported 23 horses–mostly yearlings–perishing. But he has persevered–his runners won 80 races in 2021, his best result since 2014–and it does the heart good to see him on a stage such as this one.

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Busy Saturday Morning for Kentucky Derby and Oaks Workers

It was an action-packed Saturday morning at Churchill Downs for GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks workers.

At 5:15 a.m., the Brad Cox-trained duo of GI Arkansas Derby winner Cyberknife (Gun Runner) and GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby runner-up and 'TDN Rising Star' Zozos (Munnings) worked six furlongs together in 1:11.20 (1/4) and 1:11.40 (2/4), respectively. At 7:30 a.m., GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. winner Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile), with newly named jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr., worked five furlongs for Cox in 1:01.60 (30/57). “There's a lot of excitement leading into these final Derby works,” Cox said. “You start to get a little anxious as the days near closer to the Derby. Things went very smooth this morning.”

 

The Kenny McPeek tandem of GI Toyota Blue Grass S. runner-up and 'TDN Rising Star' Smile Happy (Runhappy) and GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks S. winner Tiz the Bomb (Hit It a Bomb) worked a half-mile together in :48 (28/130).

“I like that this is a home game for us,” McPeek said. “Both Brian [Hernandez, Jr.] and Corey [Lanerie] have been around this oval all their lives, and both are solid journeyman riders. I don't have much concern about them finding their way around there. Both Corey and Brian are due a signature horse, so maybe one of them's got it this week.”

 

Todd Pletcher breezed the trio of GII Wood Memorial S. winner Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) (four furlongs in :48.60) (55/130); and GI Curlin Florida Derby runner-up and 'TDN Rising Star' Charge It (Tapit) and Louisiana Derby third Pioneer of Medina (Pioneerof the Nile), who worked a half-mile together in :47.40 (9/130).

“From here, we'll do the usual stuff–like visiting the gate and galloping. We'll be galloping up to the Derby,” Pletcher said.

 

Other Derby horses on the worktab Saturday include: Arkansas Derby runner-up Barber Road (Race Day) (four furlongs in :48.80) (67/130); GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby winner Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway) (six furlongs in 1:13.20) (3/4); and GII Rebel S. winner Un Ojo (Laoban) (four furlongs in :47.60) (14/130). Happy Jack (Oxbow), a distant third in the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, covered a mile in 1:39.60 (1/1) at Keeneland. Florida Derby winner White Abarrio (Race Day) breezed a half-mile in :48.28 between races during an impromptu workout on Saturday afternoon's program at Gulfstream Park. “Wow. That's all I can say is 'wow,'” trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. said. “He worked super.”

 

Four Kentucky Oaks candidates had their final works Saturday morning at Churchill Downs: Bourbonette Oaks heroine Candy Raid (Candy Ride {Arg}) (four furlongs in :48.80) (67/130); GI Central Bank Ashland S. runner-up and 'TDN Rising Star' Cocktail Moments (Uncle Mo) (five furlongs in 1:00.80) (15/57); unbeaten GII Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Kathleen O. (Upstart) (four furlongs in :47.80) (20/130) and GIII Gazelle S. heroine Nostalgic (Medaglia d'Oro) (four furlongs in :48.60) (55/130).

“She's not necessarily a strong morning worker,” Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey said of Kathleen O. “So, we're very pleased with what we saw today. I'm excited. We're excited. We got through today and we know she always shows up on race day. This morning was right up there with some of her best. We're glad to be back in Kentucky with her and we're thinking with her running style she'll appreciate the longer stretch here [at Churchill Downs].”

Desert Dawn (Cupid), upset winner of the GII Santa Anita Oaks, worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 (19/53) at Santa Anita Saturday.

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Friday’s Kentucky Derby/Oaks Update

It was a busy Friday morning at Churchill Downs with 10 GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks contenders logging their penultimate work prior to the first weekend in May.

Half of those workers were from Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher's barn–Oaks contenders GII Gulfstream Park Oaks runner-up Goddess of Fire (Mineshaft) (five furlongs, 1:00.80); GI Central Bank Ashland S. winner Nest (Curlin) (four furlongs, :49.80); and unbeaten G3 UAE Oaks heroine Shahama (Munnings) (five furlongs, 1:00.80) and Derby contenders GI Curlin Florida Derby runner-up Charge It (Tapit) (five furlongs, 1:00.40) and GII Wood Memorial S. winner Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) (four furlongs, :50.20).

“Nest went a nice half in about :50 and galloped out nicely,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We were looking for a little bit more from Goddess of Fire and Shahama. Goddess of Fire hasn't run since the Fair Grounds Oaks and Shahama hasn't run since the UAE Oaks. So, we were looking for a little bit of a stronger work from them. They galloped out well and I was pleased with how they went.”

Pletcher added, “With Charge It, we were looking for a good, solid breeze. He went a minute and four-fifths with a super big gallop out. We were really happy with that. With Mo Donegal, with the Wood just 13 days ago, we were just looking for an easy half in :50. He had a nice gallop out as well. All the horses got over the track well. The track still had a little moisture in it from yesterday but they all handled it well.”

Other Derby and Oaks contenders that worked Friday at Churchill Downs were GI Arkansas Derby runner-up Barber Road (Race Day) (six furlongs, 1:16.40); GIII Fantasy S. runner-up Beguine (Gun Runner) (five furlongs, 1:01); Ashland runner-up Cocktail Moments (Uncle Mo) (five furlongs, 1:01.20); GII Rachel Alexandra S. winner Turnerloose (Nyquist) (five furlongs, 1:01.20) and GII Louisiana Derby runner-up Zozos (Munnings) (six furlongs, 1:12.40).

“It was another really strong move,” trainer Brad Cox said of Zozos. “He galloped out really well around the turn and is really doing well over this track. He's a quick horse as he showed in the Louisiana Derby but he settles into his works nicely.”

At Gulfstream, meanwhile, GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. winner and Florida Derby third Simplification (Not This Time) worked five furlongs in :59.42. “I'm so happy. The work was impressive. He did it very handily, very easy,” trainer Antonio Sano said. “Junior [Alvarado] worked the horse. He told me, 'Your horse wins the Derby.”

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