cupid's claws | Horse Racing Free Tips

Acclimate, Rockemperor Among Seven Entered For Friday’s Hollywood Turf Cup

Phil D'Amato-trained Acclimate, John Shirreff's Astronaut, and Chad Brown-conditioned Rockemperor, last seen at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., in the $4 million Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, are among seven entered today for Friday's $250,000 G2 Hollywood Turf Cup.

A victory, or high placing, for Acclimate, Astronaut, or Rockemperor, would salve the sting of ill-starred efforts in the Breeders' Cup, in the case of Astronaut and Rockemperor after gaining entry through “Win and You're In” victories.

Astronaut rallied in the stretch for a half-length victory in the Del Mar Handicap at odds of 24-1 on Pacific Classic Day in August. Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza found no clear path in the BC Turf, however, had to check hard before the quarter pole and finished 12th of 14. Rockemperor won the Turf Classic at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., in October but was in tight quarters throughout in the BC Turf and finished eighth.

Acclimate, with one win and three narrow losses in graded events leading up to the BC Turf, was close to the pace early before fading to last.

The post position draw was scheduled this afternoon. The entrants, in alphabetical order: Acclimate (Ricky Gonzalez); Astronaut (Espinoza); Award Winner (Juan Hernandez); Cupid's Claws (Abel Cedillo); Friar's Road (Umberto Rispoli), Rockemperor (Flavien Prat), and Say The Word (Kent Desormeaux).

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Lone Rock Sets Track Record In TAA Stakes Win At Del Mar

Lone Rock, 2021's master of the long-distance dirt race, posted his sixth win of the year in the 1 5/8-mile Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at Del Mar. On the Breeders' Cup undercard, the 6-year-old gelding set a track record of 2:42.61, breaking the record for the rarely contested distance that has stood since 1957.

Coming off a last-out second in the Grand Prix American Jockey Club at Belmont Park, Lone Rock stayed a length off frontrunner Tizamagician from the break, biding his time throughout the marathon TAA Stakes. Locally Owned, who beat Lone Rock in the Grand Prix last-out, was third, with Cupid's Claws and Hapi Hapi rounding out the field. On the final turn, Lone Rock made his bid for the lead, pulling even with Tizamagician entering the stretch, as Locally Owned tired and fell back.

In the Del Mar stretch, Lone Rock took the lead easily, striding away from Tizamagician to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Cupid's Claws came on for third. Hapi Hapi and Locally Owned rounded out the order of finish. Find this race's chart here.

Lone Rock paid $5.00, $2.80, and $2.10. Tizamagician paid $2.60 and $2.10. Cupid's Claws paid $2.60.

Winning jockey Ramon Vazquez pledged to donate 10% of his earnings from his mounts on Breeders' Cup Saturday to the family of jockey Miguel Mena, who was killed in a pedestrian accident in Louisville, Ky., earlier this week.

“No special instructions for me. He just said to ride him like you know how. I had a good trip all the way. I was very confident in my horse and he was running well. At the eighth pole, I asked and he ran hard. He's a good horse,” Vazquez said after the race.

“It played out the way we thought it would. We expected (Tizamagician) would go and we would make him use a little bit to clear us. Then when it was time, he likes it on the outside and we could go get him. This is such a good horse. He makes our jobs easy,” Sean Williams, trainer Robertino Diodoro's assistant, told the Del Mar Press Office after the TAA Stakes.

Bred in Kentucky by Town & Country Horse Farms and Pollock Farms, Lone Rock is by Majestic Warrior out of the Hard Spun mare Ruby Lips. The gelding is owned by Flying P Stable and R.A. Hill Stable. Lone Rock was consigned by Taylor Made Sales and sold to Shortleaf Stable for $55,000 at the July 2016 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale. With this win, the 6-year-old gelding has six wins in eight starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of 13 wins in 36 starts and career earnings of $1,024,921.

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Pacific Classic Contenders Put In Final Works

Summer Wind Equine's Magic On Tap worked five furlongs under jockey Abel Cedillo in :59 flat this morning for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in a final prep for the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic which is now one week away. It was one of five works, at Del Mar and Saratoga, by nominees for the signature event of the summer season.

“It went well. We're running in the Pacific Classic,” Baffert said via text of Magic On Tap's exercise.

Working with stablemate Private Mission, who Del Mar clockers also timed in :59 for five furlongs, Magic On Tap completed a series of three workouts since finishing fifth in the $250,000 Grade 2 San Diego Handicap on July 17.

A stumble at the start severely compromised the 5-year-old son of Tapit's chances in the 1 1/16-mile San Diego Handicap, the major prep for the 1 ¼-mile TVG Pacific Classic. Magic On Tap had arrived at Del Mar with a record of three victories in six career starts and earnings of $228,800 and was fresh from a win in the seven-furlong Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., in May.

Later in the morning, Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella sent MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm's Tizamagician out for a five-furlong work in one minute flat with an interim clocking of :36.20 under exercise rider Austin Solis, the son of retired Hall of Fame jockey Alex Solis.

“He looked great. Couldn't be better,” Mandella said of the 4-year-old son of Tiznow.

Tizamagician has five wins in 18 career starts and earnings of $427,851. He stamped himself as a TVG Pacific Classic contender by winning the 1 ½-mile Grade 3 Cougar II Stakes on July 18.

Perry and Denise Martin's Mo Mosa, trained by Michael Maker, went five furlongs in 1:00.60 at Del Mar under exercise rider Marcelo Medina in a team work with stablemate Fight On. Track clockers recorded splits of :11.2; :23.0; :35.2, and a final quarter in :25.1.

“It was a great work, we were very pleased with it,” said Nolan Ramsey, in charge of the Del Mar string for Maker. “We need to speak with the owners. The Pat O'Brien is an option, but it (Pacific Classic) is still on the table for discussion.”

Mo Mosa finished fourth — behind TVG Pacific Classic nominees Express Train, Tripoli, and Royal Ship – in the San Diego Handicap shipping in from a stakes victory in May at Lone Star Park in Texas.

Cupid's Claws, owned by Flawless Racing and partners and trained by Craig Dollase, worked five furlongs from the gate at Del Mar in 1:00 under Umberto Rispoli.

“He looked good and he finished up very well,” Dollase said. “It's a go for the Pacific Classic.”

At Saratoga, Todd Pletcher-trained Dr Post worked four furlongs in :49.22, 27th of 80 at the distance. “We're pleased with his workout and he'll go west,” Pletcher said. “He is scheduled to ship on Tuesday.”

TVG Pacific Classic nominee The Great One went six furlongs in 1:13.20, but trainer Doug O'Neill said the 3-year-old is more likely to stay in competition with his age group peers in the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes on August 29. Trainer Mike McCarthy said Independence Hall, who worked Friday, still has the Charlestown Classic as the main target.

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Total Of Eight Stakes Races To Comprise Breeders’ Cup Undercard On Friday, Saturday

Flawless Racing, Masino Racing Stable, Brian Flanagan and Michael Jarvis' Cupid's Claws, who is coming off a 7¼-length win in the 1½-mile Tokyo City Cup (G3) Sept. 27 at Santa Anita, is the 124-pound highweight in the 13th running of the $200,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2) on Friday, the first of the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland.

The TAA and seven other stakes will precede the Breeders' Cup, which Keeneland is hosting for the second time. The event debuted here in 2015.

Here is a rundown of the supporting stakes on Friday:

Race 1, post time 11:30 a.m. – first running of the $125,000 Nyquist, 2-year-olds, 6½ furlongs

The race is named for Nyquist, who won the 2015 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland and was named champion 2-year-old male. The winner of his first eight races, Nyquist captured the 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1).

The nine horses entered in the Nyquist, from the rail out with riders and weights, are:

Highly Motivated (Javier Castellano, 118 pounds), Roderick (Irad Ortiz Jr., 118), Twilight Blue (Brian Hernandez Jr., 118), Upstriker (Joe Talamo, 118), Sir Wellington (Jose Lezcano, 118), Quick Tempo (Jose Ortiz, 118), Assertive Style (Florent Geroux, 115), Awesome Gerry (Tyler Gaffalione, 118), Saffa's Day (Ricardo Santana Jr., 118).

Race 2, post time 12:05 p.m. – first running of the $125,000 Songbird, 2-year-old fillies, 6½ furlongs

The race is named for Songbird, who opened her career with 11 consecutive wins including the 2015 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Keeneland. She was a champion at 2 and 3.

Fourteen horses and one also-eligible were entered in the Songbird. The field, from the rail out with riders and weights, is:

Lady Edith (Brian Hernandez Jr., 118 pounds), Off We Go (Luis Saez, 118), Roc's Princess (Jon Court, 118), Thinking (Jose Ortiz, 118), Mona Stella (Florent Geroux, 118), Joy's Rocket (Ricardo Santana Jr., 120), Novel Squall (Gabriel Saez, 118), Taylor's Tourist (Mitchell Murrill, 118), The Grass Is Blue (Irad Ortiz Jr., 118), Music City Star (Adam Beschizza, 118), Farsighted (Julien Leparoux, 118), Kela's Turn (Robby Albarado, 120), Guana Cay (Gerardo Corrales, 118), California Lily (Tyler Gaffalione, 118). Also-eligible: Princesstapiture (John McKee, 118).

Race 3, post time 12:40 p.m. – 16th running of the $150,000 Bryan Station, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles (turf)

Fourteen horses and four also-eligibles were entered in the Bryan Station. The field, from the rail out with riders and weights, is:

Enforceable (Adam Beschizza, 118 pounds), No Word (Jose Ortiz, 118), Taishan (Julien Leparoux, 118), Angelus Warrior (Manny Franco, 118), Pixelate (Umberto Rispoli, 122), Fancy Liquor (Florent Geroux, 122), Spanish Kingdom (Corey Lanerie, 118), Vanzzy (Jose Lezcano, 118), Order of Australia (IRE) (Ryan Moore, 118), Reconvene (Joe Bravo, 118), Mo Ready (Irad Ortiz Jr., 118), Fighting Seabee (Brian Hernandez Jr., 118), Don Juan Kitten (Flavien Prat, 118), Bye Melvin (John Velazquez, 118). Also-eligibles: Ajourneytofreedom (Tyler Gaffalione, 118), Ever Dangerous (Javier Castellano, 118), Mud Pie (Luis Saez, 118), Bama Breeze (Joel Rosario, 118)

Race 4, post time 1:15 p.m. – first running of the $150,000 McConnell Springs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, 6 furlongs

The nine horses entered in the McConnell Springs, from the rail out with riders, are:

Bye Bye J (Ricardo Santana Jr.), Amy's Challenge (Jose Lezcano), Headland (Tyler Baze), Into Chocolate (Jose Ortiz), Harmless (Luis Saez), Unique Factor (Joel Rosario), Unholy Alliance (Tyler Gaffalione), Wildwoods Beauty (Joe Rocco Jr.), Royal Charlotte (Javier Castellano). All starters carry 120 pounds.

Race 5, post time 1:50 p.m. – 13th running of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2) (formerly known as the Marathon), 3-year-olds and up, 1 5/8 miles

The 14 horses entered in the TAA, from the rail out with riders and weights, are:

Muralist (Juan Hernandez, 122 pounds), Farmington Road (Javier Castellano, 118), Rocketry (Irad Ortiz Jr., 122), Militiaman (Joel Rosario, 122), Tenfold (Tyler Gaffalione, 122), You're to Blame (John Velazquez, 122), Signalman (Brian Hernandez Jr., 122), Ry's the Guy (Chris Landeros, 122), Mirinaque (ARG) (Gerardo Corrales, 122), Dack Janiel's (Declan Cannon, 118), Job Security (Adam Beschizza, 122), Plus Que Parfait (Jose Ortiz, 122), Cupid's Claws (Flavien Prat, 124), Danny California (Manny Franco, 122).

The supporting stakes on Saturday are:

Race 1, 10:15 a.m. – 12th running of the $125,000 Perryville, 3-year-olds, 6 furlongs

The seven horses entered in the Perryville, from the rail out with riders and weights, are:

Nashville (Ricardo Santana Jr., 118), Little Menace (Tyler Gaffalione, 120), Fore Left (Flavien Prat, 118), Bango (Florent Geroux, 118), Wild Wes (Mitchell Murrill, 118), Relentless Dancer (Irad Ortiz Jr., 120), Cajun Brother (Luis Saez, 118).

Race 2, 10:45 a.m. – 73rd running of the $150,000 Lafayette Presented by Keeneland Select, 3-year-olds and up, 7 furlongs

The 12 horses entered in the Lafayette, from the rail out with riders and weights, are:

Engage (Jose Ortiz, 120 pounds), Dinar (Tyler Gaffalione, 120), Absolutely Aiden (Chris Landeros, 120), Midnight Sands (Irad Ortiz Jr., 120), Edgemont Road (Declan Cannon, 120), Sleepy Eyes Todd (Joel Rosario, 124), Everfast (Julien Leparoux, 120), Strike That (David Cohen, 122), Ebben (Corey Lanerie, 120), Mind Control (John Velazquez, 124), True Timber (Jose Lezcano, 120), Phat Man (Javier Castellano, 124).

Race 3, 11:20 a.m. – 10th running of the $125,000 Qatar Fort Springs, 3-year-old fillies, 6 furlongs

The 11 horses entered in the Qatar Fort Springs, from the rail out with riders and weights, are:

Ain't No Elmers (Adam Beschizza, 120 pounds), Anna's Fast (Jose Ortiz, 118), Artie's Princess (Flavien Prat, 120), Wicked Whisper (Ricardo Santana Jr., 120), Miss T Too (John Velazquez, 120), Fair Maiden (Corey Lanerie, 118), Merneith (Luis Saez, 118), Boerne (Javier Castellano, 118), Rising Seas (Gerardo Corrales, 118), Motivated Seller (Irad Ortiz Jr., 118), Regal Beauty (Brian Hernandez Jr., 118).

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