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.
Beaten only once since her debut and now the proud owner of two Group 1 titles including the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) goes into the unknown on Sunday as she bids to extend her tally in Chantilly's G1 Prix de Diane Longines. So assured at ParisLongchamp, where she also garnered the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day, the G3 Prix d'Aumale in September and G3 Prix de la Grotte in April, Yeguada Centurion SL's prized homebred now has to conquer new territory and a new trip. There should be no fears as far as stamina is concerned, being by Churchill who stayed this far at three out of a GIII Santa Barbara S. winner in Queen Blossom (Ire) (Jeremy).
Blue Rose Cen is after something rare and special here. Only the French legend Allez France in 1973, Divine Proportions in 2005 and Zarkava (Ire) in 2008 have completed the Marcel Boussac-Poule d'Essai des Pouliches-Diane treble, so there is that extra pressure on Christophe Head who looks to land this Classic 10 years on from the last of his aunt Criquette's in Treve (Fr).
“I think she is in prime form,” he said. “I'm crossing my fingers that everything goes well in terms of the longer trip. She is really one of those brilliant kinds and has been very professional the whole time. I have the feeling we can do it again–it's going to be a very nice race and of course we will encounter new fillies, good fillies, but I can't wait. She has a great mentality, has been easy to train and has been working brilliantly.”
Ready Yourself
This is as deep a Diane as has been seen for some time, with the Gosdens' representative Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) almost certainly up to this standard on the evidence of her electric performance in Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly S., Ballymore Thoroughbred Ltd's TDN Rising Star Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) looking so dominant in the early-season staging posts of the Listed Prix Rose de Mai and G3 Prix Penelope, Ballydoyle's Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) moving up to a more suitable trip still giving off the vibe that she is a top-class filly in the making, and Al Shira'aa Farms's unbeaten G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) prompting such notable comments from the normally reticent Carlos Laffon-Parias.
Any Other Rose?
Jannah Rose may have fared best in the draw on Thursday, with her middle position in seven meaning Christophe Soumillon can make an early decision as to where best to position her throughout those all-important early stages. Three winners in the last nine years emerged from that stall and six of the last nine were drawn between six and nine and it is interesting to note that in the G3 Prix Vanteaux and Saint-Alary she was also drawn middle to wide. In the latter, she was produced to beat Elusive Princess (Fr) (Martinborough {Jpn}) by just 3/4 of a length, but the manner of her performance suggests there will be plenty more to come faced with sterner opposition.
Carlos Laffon-Parias, who is part of the Head family having married Christopher's cousin Patricia, is after his first renewal and said, “I have come close before, but time is passing and I must win it before things become more complicated! I remain confident I will eventually win it and I hope that day is close at hand.”
Bridging The Gap
Blue Rose Cen has been putting some notable fillies in their place for some time now, but this is a different test and different day for a couple who are looking to make it closer. Never Ending Story was beaten over five lengths by Christopher Head's pride and joy in the Marcel Boussac, but that was after a troubled trip on contrastingly deep ground when things hadn't yet fallen into place for her. In one way, her five-length fifth in the Pouliches was a surprising backward step having looked so dynamic when slamming the 1000 Guineas third Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) in Leopardstown's Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial in April, but there is a nagging sense that middle distances and summer ground will see her make a leap forward as it did for her dam Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Behind Blue Rose Cen in the Grotte and Pouliches, Everest Racing's Lindy (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) also has solid claims for being more competitive this time, but stall 13 is a major disadvantage and she will need all the luck from there.
Ryan Moore believes that his mount's story is far from over. “I don't think we saw the best of my filly at all when she was fifth in the French 1000 Guineas last time,” he said. “She didn't run badly, but she didn't fire and pick up as I was expecting as I thought she had a big shot at winning that race. However, I think she remains a Group 1 filly and I hope she can prove it over a trip that she is bred to get. She could just surprise some fillies with more obvious claims.”
Best Of The Rest
Chantilly's card also features the G3 Prix du Bois Longines, with the TDN Rising Star fillies Les Pavots (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Ramatuelle (Justify) taking on Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard and Bruno De Montzey's unbeaten colt Zorken (Fr) (Goken {Fr}) and the G3 Prix du Lys Longines, where Maniatic (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) and Don Diego De Vega (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) provide further evidence of the merits of Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) having chased home that impressive G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero in this venue's Listed Prix de Suresnes last month.
Off the back of a star-studded season, No Nay Never will stand for €175,000 in 2023, which represents a €50,000 rise, while his dual Group 1-winning son Blackbeard (Ire) will join him on the Coolmore roster next year at a price of €25,000.
No Nay Never has had an exceptional year. Older filly Alcohol Free (Ire) landed the G1 July Cup at Newmarket, but it has been his Coolmore-owned and Aidan O'Brien-trained juveniles that have set tongues wagging this term.
Like his father, Blackbeard landed the G1 Prix Morny in Deauville before doubling his tally at the highest level in the G1 Middle Park S. at Newmarket.
While he was prematurely retired due to a training injury, Group 1 scorers Little Big Bear (Ire) and Meditate (Ire) sit at the head of the ante-post markets for the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas respectively.
Coolmore's director of sales, David O'Loughlin said, “No Nay Never has had an unbelievable year. The quality of the mares he got off the back of his success has really been shining through and, to have three individual Group 1-winning two-year-olds in the one year, he has caught the attention of a lot of people.
“It has been another big week for him with Meditate winning the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and she is now a leading fancy for the 1,000 Guineas. Little Big Bear is favourite for the 2,000 Guineas, so No Nay Never has a big chance for the first two Classics of the season. That means a lot for us because we are trying to win the Classics.”
Sioux Nation hails from the same sire line being a son of Scat Daddy, and enjoyed a terrific debut season at stud at Coolmore with 43 winners. He will have his fee increased from €10,000 to 17,500 next year. Blackbeard is being backed to make a similar splash in his debut season by O'Loughlin.
He said, “To get a horse like Blackbeard on the roster is hugely exciting as well. Breeders love fast horses and he proved himself of the highest quality this season and was reminiscent of his father when winning the G1 Prix Morny is some style before following up in the G1 Middle Park S. at Newmarket. That was the icing on the cake of another big season.
“Blackbeard is very like his father-the same colour, shape and he has the movement. Everything a breeder wants, he has. He's also out of a very fast mare who Eddie Lynam trained [Muirin (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire})] so I think a lot of people will be keen to use him.”
O'Loughlin added, “Commercially, what is driving the market is international appeal. When the international market zones in on a particular sire line, it puts a lot of value on that, much more than the domestic market can. No Nay Never is a good example of that as he has international appeal.
“Take Justify as another example, he has had two Group winners in Europe and three stakes winners in America. It's obvious that he is working both sides of the Atlantic-he has the dirt horses and horses who can do it in Europe as well. For breeders, it will help when they use Arizona, Blackbeard and Sioux Nation because they all hail from that exceptional Scat Daddy line. It's all the one line.”
Like Sioux Nation, Coolmore's Saxon Warrior (Jpn) made a big impression with his first crop of runners. As well as having the highly-touted Auguste Rodin (Ire) to look forward to this season, Saxon Warrior came up trumps with Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Victoria Road (Ire), one of 21 international winners in his first season.
O'Loughlin said, “Saxon Warrior had an exceptional year. Again, he's a horse with international appeal being a son of Deep Impact (Jpn), who was the best horse to stand in Japan. Auguste Rodin is a very special horse and Victoria Road crowned a remarkable year with his victory in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf.
“It's remarkable because Saxon Warrior wasn't the most precocious of horses and, for him to be getting all of these top-class two-year-olds is a big statement. He has some very good two-year-olds and who's to say that Greenland (Ire) won't be the best of them all. I know that a lot of people think he is a high-class horse to look forward to next year. Some big breeders have latched on to him after his debut season and I even sold a nomination to him out here in Keeneland the other day. They think the horse is great value at €35,000.”
Wootton Bassett will stand for €150,000, St Mark's Basilica's 2023 fee is €65,000, and Camelot (GB) is at €60,000. Churchill (Ire), the sire of dual Group 1 winner Vadeni (Fr), has had his fee increased to €30,000, Starspangledbanner (Aus) will stand for €50,000, Australia (GB) and Sottsass (Fr) for €25,000 and Ten Sovereigns (Ire) and Gleneagles (Ire) for €17,500.
Unbeaten sensation and guaranteed GI Breeders' Cup Classic favorite Flightline (Tapit) put in his final prep for the World Championships at Keeneland Saturday. The 'TDN Rising Star' covered five furlongs solo in 1:00.60 (4/62) shortly after 7:30 a.m. under assistant trainer Juan Leyva.
“I told Juan to go in a minute and change and out [seven-eighths] in 1:26, and that's what he did,” trainer John Sadler said. “Juan's a great work rider. It was not about going fast today, just getting around there happy today.”
Flightline arrived at Keeneland Sunday from his Santa Anita home base.
“He's had a good week and gotten settled in, and the track is a little similar to Del Mar,” Sadler said, noting that Flightline's schedule for next week will include returning to the track to jog Monday, gallop Tuesday through Friday and not go to the track the morning of the Classic.
Life Is Good Tops Pletcher Workers
Classic contender and 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 on his own at Keeneland Saturday with fractions of :12, :24.60, :49, 1:00.60 then out six furlongs in 1:13.20, seven-eighths in 1:25.80 and the mile in 1:39.80.
“He is a superior work horse,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Today was typical of what we have seen his whole career.”
Pletcher is confident his charge will get the 10-furlong distance this time after a failed effort in the G1 Dubai World Cup.
“He is hard to pull up at the end [of his workouts],” the conditioner said. “We are eager to run on a real track not like in Dubai, which was really deep that night. I think that played against him.”
Pletcher's other Classic pre-entrant Happy Saver (Super Saver) had what the trainer called a “spirited gallop” in lieu of a timed breeze.
“We let him two-minute clip the whole way around,” Pletcher said. “We are going to do similar to what we did before the [GI Met Mile]: just one breeze two weeks out. He tends to run better when he is fresh. He'll have a few more strong gallops. He won't breeze again.”
Also working this morning on the main track for Pletcher were GI Breeders' Cup Distaff runners Nest (Curlin) and Malathaat (Curlin). In company with recent maiden winner Inventing (Union Rags), Nest worked a half-mile in :50.40. Malathaat worked a half-mile in :49.60 with the 3-year-old maiden Old Point (Curlin).
Working on the grass together were GI Shadwell Mile winner Annapolis GI (Mile) and GII Pilgrim S. victor Major Dude (GI Juvenile Turf), who were timed in :50.40 for a half-mile.
Charlie Puts in Final Classic Prep
Gutsy GII Lukas Classic winner Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) also had his final breeze ahead of the BC Classic Saturday in Lexington, going six panels in company in 1:12.80.
“He looked good and I got him in 1:12 4/5,” trainer Doug O'Neill said.
Other O'Neill BC workers included Awake At Midnyte (Nyquist) (5f, 1:01.20, Distaff), Slow Down Andy (Nyquist) (5f, 1:00.40, GI Dirt Mile), Vegas Magic (Good Magic) (5f, 1:02.20, GI Juvenile Fillies) and Sharp Aza Tack (Sharp Azteca) (5f, 1:01 on the training track, GI Juvenile Turf Sprint).
Brown Breezes BC Contingent
Jack Christopher | Coady
Trainer Chad Brown sent out a dozen of his Breeders' Cup pre-entrants, with seven working on the dirt and five on the turf at Keeneland Saturday.
Working a half-mile on the dirt were MGISW Jack Christopher (Munnings) (:48.60, GI Sprint or Dirt Mile), Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) (:47.80, GI Filly and Mare Sprint), Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) (:47.20, GI Juvenile) and working in company I'm Very Busy (Cloud Computing) and Oxymore (Astern {Aus}) (:49.60 Juvenile Turf).
Working five furlongs on the dirt were Search Results (Flatter) (1:01.20, Distaff) and Pipeline (Speightstown) (1:01, Dirt Mile).
On the turf, which was rated as good, were Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) (4f, :49.80, Mile) in company with Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) (4f, :49.80, GI Filly and Mare Turf), In Italian (GB) (4f, :50.80, Filly and Mare Turf) and Virginia Joy (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) (5f, 1:02.60, Filly and Mare Turf) in company with Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}) (5f, 1:02.60, Mile).
“We did great,” a beaming Brown said following the works.
Other Keeneland BC Workers Saturday
On the main track were Kimari (Munnings) (5f, 1:01.40, Sprint or Filly and Mare Sprint) and Chi Town Lady (Verrazano) (5f, 1:01.80, Filly and Mare Sprint) in company for Wesley Ward; Willy Boi (Uncaptured) (4f, :49.20, Sprint) for trainer Jorge Delgado and Simplification (Not This Time) (5f, 1:00.40, Dirt Mile) for Antonio Sano.
Working on the turf course were Reckoning Force (Air Force Blue) (4f, :50.40, Juvenile Turf) and Cazadero (Street Sense) (4f, :50.40, Turf Sprint) for Brendan Walsh; Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile) (5f, 1:03.60, Turf Sprint) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (5f, 1:03.80, Turf Sprint) for Wesley Ward; Private Creed (Jimmy Creed) (3f, :39, Juvenile Turf Sprint) for Steve Asmussen; Tyler's Tribe (Sharp Azteca) (3f, :38.20, Juvenile Turf Sprint) for Tim Martin and Caravel (Mizzen Mast) (4f, :51, Turf Sprint) for Brad Cox.
BC Workers at Churchill Downs
MGISW Cyberknife (Gun Runner) put in his final work for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs Saturday, covering five furlongs in :59 flat. With regular rider Florent Geroux in the saddle, Cyberknife started his work about two lengths behind stablemate Forza Di Oro (Speightstown) and finished even at the completion of his work.
“With a week out from the Breeders' Cup it was the right move we wanted to see,” trainer Brad Cox said. “Both of these horses are really good work horses and I think matching up Cyberknife with him he'd get a lot out of his work. We ended up choosing to run in the Dirt Mile instead of the [GI Breeders' Cup] Classic because we thought it would be the most likely race he could win. The Classic came up a very deep field and even though Cyberknife is going to cut back in distance we feel he can handle the two-turn mile at Keeneland.”
Cox also worked GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint contender Lady Rocket (Tale of the Cat). She went five furlongs in 1:00.60 outside 3-year-old filly Girl With a Dream (Practial Joke). Cyberknife and Lady Rocket, along with Cox juveniles Chop Chop (City of Light) and Verifying (Justify), are scheduled to ship to Keeneland Monday.
Also on the Churchill worktab Saturday was GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint runner Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed), who went a half-mile in :47.80 outside of a stablemate.
Taiba Has Final Classic Work at Santa Anita
GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba (Gun Runner) had his final major workout for the Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday, going six furlongs at Santa Anita this morning in 1:13 flat under Juan Ochoa in company with Messier (Empire Maker), who was also clocked in 1:13.
“He went well,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He's not a great work horse, so he went with Messier. I was happy with it. He'll ship tonight for Kentucky].”
