Churchill Downs | Horse Racing Free Tips

Second Chances: Nightmare Debut ‘Effort’ for Liam’s Map Filly

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.

Off as the 2-1 favorite on debut, it was an uphill battle from the start for Effortlesslyelgant (f, 2, Liam's Map–County Clare, by Uncle Mo) at Churchill Downs Nov. 23.

“It was kind of what I'd call a nightmare scenario, but that's horse racing,” owner Alex Lieblong said with a laugh.

Off a beat slowly from post three, the $475,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase was on the move and traveling nicely to race in a close seventh as the field of 12 bunched up through an opening quarter in a swift :21.81 for their six-furlong journey.

Forced to steady sharply in traffic nearing the three-eighths pole, Effortlesslyelgant had her work cut out for her with only two rivals beaten as they approached the top of the stretch. Quietly making some progress down the lane, jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. tipped the gray out into the clear with a furlong remaining and she came blitzing home over the top in a field-best :12 to finish a promising fourth, beaten just 1 1/2 lengths behind fellow firster Neutralize (Runhappy).

Trained by Norm Casse, Effortlesslyelgant received a 66 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

“She was a tick slow coming out and then that one filly came over on her,” Lieblong said. “That started the rodeo and it just kept progressing. To be honest, I think at the end, Santana said, 'Well, I'm gonna let her relax and get her somewhat of a good feeling coming out of the race.' He never hit her with the stick–never touched her. It's a tough old game, but she looks like she has some talent.”

Effortlesslyelgant is the first runner that Lieblong has had with Casse. She will spend the winter at Oaklawn Park. The chairman of the Arkansas Racing Commission also recently sent horses to Riley Mott for the first time. The son of Hall of Famer Bill Mott won the first race of his fledgling training career in November.

“It's time to get some of these younger guys a leg up,” Lieblong said. “Because the industry needs 'em.”

Bred in Kentucky by Offshoot Farm LLC, Effortlesslyelgant is the first foal out of the unraced 8-year-old Uncle Mo mare County Clare, a half-sister to the ill-fated MGSW Indyanne (Indian Charlie). Effortlesslyelgant is bred on the same cross as Crazy Beautiful, one of seven graded winners for young sire Liam's Map. Lieblong has enjoyed previous success with the Lane's End stallion via GISW Wicked Whisper (Liam's Map), who sold for $2.9 million to Whisper Hill Farm at last month's Fasig-Tipton November sale.

“We were really tickled with the filly and her family,” Lieblong said of Effortlesslyelgant. “She looked a lot like Indyanne, who Bo Hunt had also purchased. I like Liam's Map–he can get you a good horse.”

The 'Second Chances' honor roll is headed by two-time Breeders' Cup winner and new Ashford Stud stallion Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner and Lane's End stallion Honor A. P. (Honor Code), GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Cody's Wish (Curlin) and MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags).

This term's GI Carter H. winner and new Darley stallion Speaker's Corner (Street Sense), GI Preakness S. third-place finisher Creative Minister (Creative Cause), Curlin S. winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Artorius (Arrogate) and Cinema S. winner and GII Del Mar Derby third War At Sea (War Front) have also been featured in the series.

Other standouts include: GSW Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), GSW & MGISP Spielberg (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway), MSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}); and GISP A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo).

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Six Horses at Churchill Test Positive for EHV-1

Five additional horses stabled at Churchill Downs have tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) after an initial case Tuesday of a horse showing symptoms consistent with the contagious disease. Churchill immediately quarantined the barn of the horse in question and 13 exposed horses also stabled in the barn were tested, with their confirmed positives returned Thursday morning. The initial horse, reportedly trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., has also tested positive and is being treated at a Lexington-area clinic.

Several tracks across the country have banned shippers from Churchill and the Louisville track itself is restricting movement out of the backside. Churchill is working with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to ensure maximum effectiveness of its health and safety protocols.

The five additional horses testing positive for EHV-1 are asymptomatic. EHV-1 is a relatively common viral disease that can be managed and is treatable. Clinical symptoms include fever, hind limb ataxia, and dripping urine.

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Bolt d’Oro’s Instant Coffee Grinds It Out in KY Jockey Club

After traveling the GI Kentucky Derby trail through the first half of this year with MGISW Cyberknife (Gun Runner), Al Gold's Gold Square and Brad Cox took the first step down the long road to the 2023 Derby Saturday at Churchill Downs, winning the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. with Instant Coffee (Bolt d'Oro).

Rallying to victory on debut going seven panels at Saratoga Sept. 3, the $200,000 KEESEP buy came from way out of it to be fourth behind next-out GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and likely champion Forte (Violence) going this distance in Keeneland's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity S. Oct. 8.

Hammered down to 3-2 favoritism off that effort, Instant Coffee held his breath a moment at the break and was jostled by his neighbor when making his entrance. Settling in sixth, the bay bided his time as 24-1 shot Gigante (Not This Time) dictated terms, coasting through early splits of :24.76 and :50 flat. Creeping up the outside to improve his position on the backstretch run as Cyclone Mischief (Into Mischief) charged up to take command, Instant Coffee ranged up four wide turning for home to take on the top two as Curly Jack (Good Magic) launched a bid on the fence. They were four abreast with a sixteenth left to run, but that only lasted a moment as Instant Coffee kicked into high gear, powering home to a convincing 1 1/4-length score. Curly Jack held second and Hayes Strike (Connect) filled the show spot. Instant Coffee earned 10 points towards a spot in the gate for the Run for the Roses.

“This is one of the biggest reasons why we do this–to be on the Road to the Kentucky Derby,” Cox said. “We're extremely proud of this colt to win like that in just his third start. He really does whatever you ask of him in the morning. It was a pretty slow pace but Luis kept after him and he was able to keep grinding out the win.”

“He broke a little bit slow today so we got behind the pace,” winning jockey Luis Saez said. “I was a little worried because they weren't really going fast at all up front and I was pretty wide. I could tell around the far turn my horse was trying very hard and I was very confident in him. We were able to make a big run into the lane and he kept finding more. He's a young horse who's just getting started and figuring things out.”

Pedigree Notes:

Instant Coffee is the third graded winner for his freshman sire Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) and his first on dirt. He is also the fifth black-type scorer for the young Spendthrift stallion, providing the late B. Wayne Hughes' operation with a sweep of Churchill's graded events Saturday, following Into Mischief's daughter Hoosier Philly's win in the GII Golden Rod S. Instant Coffee is the third graded winner and ninth black-type achiever out of a daughter of Uncle Mo. He is the first foal out of SP Follow No One, who has since produced a yearling filly by Frosted. She aborted her Speightstown foal this year and was bred back to Maclean's Music. Instant Coffee's second dam is MSW Miss Red Delicious (Empire Maker), who is a half-sister to MGSW & GISP Lady Apple (Curlin) and GSW American Apple (American Pharoah).

Saturday, Churchill Downs
KENTUCKY JOCKEY CLUB S.-GII, $399,625, Churchill Downs, 11-26, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:45.25, ft.
1–INSTANT COFFEE, 122, c, 2, by Bolt d'Oro
                1st Dam: Follow No One (SP), by Uncle Mo
                2nd Dam: Miss Red Delicious, by Empire Maker
                3rd Dam: Miss Mary Apples, by Clever Trick
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($200,000
Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Gold Square LLC; B-Sagamore Farm, LLC
(KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Luis Saez. $238,440. Lifetime Record:
3-2-0-0, $322,815. Werk Nick Rating: A.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Curly Jack, 122, c, 2, Good Magic–Connie and Michael, by
Roman Ruler. ($180,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Michael
McLoughlin; B-Betz/J.Betz/Burns/Camaquiki/C.Kidder/et al
(KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss. $77,400.
3–Hayes Strike, 122, c, 2, Connect–Plaid, by
Deputy Commander. O/B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G.
McPeek. $38,700.
Margins: 1 1/4, HD, NO. Odds: 1.54, 2.62, 22.88.
Also Ran: Red Route One, Denington, Gigante, Cyclone Mischief, Freedom Trail, Western Ghent.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Into Mischief ‘Philly’ Shows ‘Em ‘Hoos’ Boss in Golden Rod

Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief) ran to her billing and kept her perfect record in tact Saturday, scoring her third straight win at Churchill Downs in the GII Golden Rod S.

A debut winner going 5 1/2urlongs at this oval Sept. 25, the $510,000 KEESEP acquisition showed two turns was no problem, charging home to a 7 1/2-length victory in a sloppy renewal of the 1 1/16-mile Rags to Riches S. Oct. 30. She prepped for this with a series of bullet drills and was duly made the 2-5 favorite.

Stumbling a bit at the break, Hoosier Philly quickly jumped into the bridle and kept tabs from fourth, running off the fence as 13-1 shot T Max (Connect) clocked a :24.29 first quarter. Charging up to take control as the half-mile went in :47.79 with Pure Paline (Curlin) hot on her tail, the gray bounded clear at the top of the lane and was on cruise control from there, coasting home to an effortless five-length score. She earned 10 points towards a spot in the GI Kentucky Oaks starting gate. Knockyoursocksoff (Kitten's Joy) was best of the rest in second with Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) in third and Pure Pauline filling out the superfecta.

“I've said multiple times, and I hope it doesn't come across as arrogant, I've never seen any horse like her,” said Tom Amoss, who trained 2019 Oaks winner Serengeti Empress (Alternation). “I've been training since 1987 and she's different than anything I've ever had come in my barn. The instructions to [rider] Edgar [Morales] were pretty simple, he was on the best horse and ride her with confidence.”

He continued, “Now, she'll get a break by design and will bring her back as a 3-year-old. She's a filly but I have entertained the thought of putting her on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.”

“She's unbelievable,” Morales said. “I had so much horse the entire race. I got behind horses a little bit going into the first turn but kept her outside and she was moving so easily. It's so much fun to ride her and so easy, too. She knows exactly what to do and when to do it.”

Pedigree Notes:

Hoosier Philly is graded winner number 57 for the all-conquering Into Mischief and one of 116 black-type winners for the Spendthrift kingpin. She is the 33rd graded scorer out of a daughter of Tapit, who was represented by his 30th Grade I winner as a sire Friday at Churchill in GI Clark H. victor Proxy. Tapella is a daughter of unbeaten stakes winner Princess Arabella (Any Given Saturday), who is also responsible for MGSP Ulele (Candy Ride {Arg}). Cheyenne Stables purchased Tapella for $750,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and she won two of eight starts. Hoosier Philly is her first foal and she has since produced a yearling filly by Mastery and weanling colt by Justify. She was bred back to Munnings for 2023.

Saturday, Churchill Downs
GOLDEN ROD S.-GII, $400,000, Churchill Downs, 11-26, 2yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:43.94, ft.
1–HOOSIER PHILLY, 122, f, 2, by Into Mischief
                1st Dam: Tapella, by Tapit
                2nd Dam: Princess Arabella, by Any Given Saturday
                3rd Dam: Tortuga Lady, by Thunder Gulch
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($510,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Gold
Standard Racing Stable, LLC; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY);
T-Thomas M. Amoss; J-Edgar Morales. $242,470. Lifetime
Record: 3-3-0-0, $432,610. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Knockyoursocksoff, 122, f, 2, Kitten's Joy–Fateer, by
Eskendereya. ($80,000 RNA Wlg '20 KEENOV). O-Town &
Country Racing, LLC; B-Zayat Stables (KY); T-Chris M. Block.
$78,700.
3–Pretty Mischievous, 122, f, 2, Into Mischief–Pretty City
Dancer, by Tapit. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh.
$39,350.
Margins: 5, NK, HF. Odds: 0.48, 24.16, 5.15.
Also Ran: Pure Pauline, Defining Purpose, T Max, American Rockette, Take Charge Briana. Scratched: Black Forest, Mustang Lady.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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