Davona Dale | Horse Racing Free Tips

Fiona’s Magic Wires Davona Dale at 9-1; Champion Just F Y I Scratched with Fever

Stonehedge LLC's homebred Fiona's Magic (f, 3, St Patrick's Day–Mollie's Magic, by Factum) was catapulted into the spotlight on a Saturday reeling from several pre-race scratches of major players in significant graded events. Gulfstream Park's GII Davona Dale S. presented by FanDuel TV, a Road to the Kentucky Oaks race worth $200,000 as well as points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale, was not immune as Eclipse champion and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Just F Y I (Justify) developed a fever Saturday morning after shipping to Gulfstream from Payson Park. She was scratched just hours before what was to be her much-anticipated 3-year-old debut by her Hall of Fame trainer, Bill Mott.

“She was fine, but she spiked a fever and her temperature has just kept going up,” said Mott.

Undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' and former $1.15-million Keeneland September yearling Leslie's Rose (Into Mischief), who had been expected to mount the most serious challenge in the field to Just F Y I, inherited the mantle of heavy favoritism in the Davona Dale, but it was an under-the-radar Fiona's Magic at 9-1 who prevailed. A winner of two straight late last year while sprinting over this surface, Fiona's Magic made her sophomore debut with a runner-up finish in the Feb. 3 GIII Forward Gal S. at seven furlongs after relinquishing the lead at the top of the stretch to R Harper Rose (Khozan).

With expectations weighing on Leslie's Rose in the Davona Dale, Fiona's Magic popped out of the gate on top as 'TDN Rising Star' and Glitter Woman S. winner Into Champagne (Into Mischief) took a right turn before recovering to pressure from third as Cash Run S. runner-up Queen's Martini (Mucho Macho Man) tracked and Leslie's Rose found a sweet spot in the clear in fourth. Fiona's Magic was left alone for the :24.59 first quarter and was still running easily without a threat by the time the half was clocked in :47.47.

Tyler Gaffalione on the winner still rode confidently rounding the turn and began pumping his mount with gusto into the stretch as Leslie's Rose advanced and tried to find a seam to their inside. Irad Ortiz, Jr. couldn't quite get through on the favorite and shifted out, but Leslie's Rose was left with too much to do and could only muster third behind a driving Fiona's Magic and Into Champagne, who briefly looked a winner but couldn't match the determination of Fiona's Magic and settled for second by a half-length. Fiona's Magic covered the one-turn mile in 1:37.16.

Winning trainer Michael Yates also upset this race last year at 46-1 with Dorth Vader (Girvin), whose best finish to eventual divisional champion Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) in three tries as the season unfolded was a second in the GI Acorn S.

“I didn't give Tyler any instructions [Saturday],” said Yates. “I said, 'Ride the race how it comes up.'”

Yates did not have a plan for Fiona's Magic immediately following the race.

“[We'll] enjoy today and talk about the rest tomorrow. I thought she was very capable of it. She's been coming along steadily.”

Pedigree Notes:

Fiona's Magic becomes the first stakes winner for St Patrick's Day, a full-brother to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. She's a member of the first crop of the Journeyman Stallions-based sire, as well as just the second black-type winner for Factum as a broodmare sire. The latter's other stakes winner is Fiona's Magic's half-brother Cajun's Magic (Cajun Breeze).

The unraced Mollie's Magic has a 2-year-old colt named Blazing Hot (Khozan) and a yearling full-brother to Cajun's Magic. She was barren for 2024.

#4 FIONA'S MAGIC ($20.20) goes wire-to-wire in Gulfstream's $200,000 G2 Davona Dale Stakes presented by @FanDuelTV!

The Florida-bred filly, who was second in the G3 Forward Gal S. last out, was ridden by @Tyler_Gaff for Michael Yates and Stonehedge LLC. pic.twitter.com/4kDThsh9Ty

— TVG (@TVG) March 2, 2024

Saturday, Gulfstream Park
DAVONA DALE S. PRESENTED BY FANDUEL TV-GII, $210,000, Gulfstream, 3-2, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:37.16, ft.
1–FIONA'S MAGIC, 120, f, 3, by St Patrick's Day
1st Dam: Mollie's Magic, by Factum
2nd Dam: Seductive Lady, by Langfuhr
3rd Dam: You'll B Impressed, by Valid Appeal
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Stonehedge LLC (FL); T-Michael Yates; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $132,760. Lifetime Record: 5-3-2-0, $250,910. *1/2 to Cajun's Magic (Cajun Breeze), SW, $311,425. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Into Champagne, 120, f, 3, Into Mischief–Bedford Land, by Speightstown. 'TDN Rising Star'. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($300,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Six Column Stables, LLC, Randall Bloch, Jim Gladden, Mike Davis, and Michael Steele; B-Robert & Lawana Low (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes. $39,600.
3–Leslie's Rose, 120, f, 3, Into Mischief–Wildwood Rose (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 'TDN Rising Star'. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($1,150,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Whisper Hill Farm, LLC; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $19,800.
Margins: HF, 1 3/4, HF. Odds: 9.10, 4.20, 0.30.
Also Ran: Queen's Martini, Whocouldaskformo, New Diamond. Scratched: Just F Y I, Miss Sayely.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Fiona’s Magic Wires Davona Dale at 9-1; Champion Just F Y I Scratched with Fever appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Kathleen O. Keeps it Going in Davona Dale

Winngate Stables LLC's very promising Kathleen O. (Upstart) remained undefeated and stamped herself as a leading GI Kentucky Oaks contender with another impressive victory in Saturday's GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream.

Backed down to 2-1 favoritism from a 9-2 morning line, the rail-drawn dark bay trailed the deep field of seven early. Up a spot into sixth following an opening quarter in :23.38, she was under a ride rounding the far turn while racing in between horses. Stuck in a little traffic approaching the quarter pole, Javier Castellano found a lane as they straightened and Kathleen O. charged home in style while securing 50 qualifying points for this year's Kentucky Oaks. Previously unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Classy Edition (Classic Empire), a perfect three-for-three versus fellow New York-breds, was up for second.

The narrow winner of a somewhat key seven-furlong heat at Aqueduct first up in the mud in November, Kathleen O. most recently aired by 8 1/2 lengths in the track-and-trip Cash Run S. on New Year's Day.

“She did break good today, but she just doesn't have the speed to stay up with them,” winning trainer Shug McGaughey said. “The way she finished, pretty remarkable, especially over this track. I think this is a big move for a filly coming into this race off just two starts. I mean, I hope she keeps improving. Today, she had to make her room a little bit, so I'm sure she learned quite a bit today. That would be my preference to keep her here [for the Gulfstream Park Oaks] and not have to ship her for the Ashland [at Keeneland]. I'm pleased so far. I would think that [increased distance to 1 1/16 miles] shouldn't be a problem.”

Castellano added, “I liked the way she did it today. She doesn't have the speed to be close to the horses, but I loved the way she finished. She always breaks slow out of the gate, but that's her style. Every horse is different. Turning for home, I was loaded. I was just looking for the seam and trying to split horses and that's exactly what I did.”

Pedigree Notes:

Airdrie Stud's third-crop sire Upstart is in a sweet spot with his sophomores this year. Not only does he have Kathleen O., who was ranked third in this week's TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 prior to her Davona Dale score, but he also has the colt Zandon in a prominent spot on the TDN Derby 12. With the Davona Dale, Kathleen O. becomes Upstart's second graded winner. She was already one of his six black-type winners, with another seven runners knocking on the door with stakes performances.

Bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Bridlewood Farm and sold by Niall Brennan as a $275,000 Ocala Spring 2-year-old after working a :21 1/5 quarter, Kathleen O. is the first foal out of Quaver, who has since only visited Tapwrit, resulting in a 2-year-old colt named Tap Collector (a $65,000 OBS yearling purchased by PJ Campanella) and a yearling filly. Gainesway, Bridlewood, and the Tapwrit syndicate had bought Quaver with Kathleen O. in utero for $90,000 at the 2019 Keeneland January sale, then resold her at last year's Keeneland November sale in foal to Tapwrit for $140,000 to Lev Miller. Her dam is a half to GISW and young sire Cupid (Tapit), as well as to additional GSWs Heart Ashley (Lion Heart) and Ashley's Kitty (Tale of the Cat).

Quaver is one of six young Blame mares to produce a stakes winner to date. Blame–who entered stud the year before Upstart was born–had a repeat black-type winner of his own Saturday, with his Officiating taking Aqueduct's GIII Tom Fool S.

Saturday, Gulfstream
DAVONA DALE S. PRESENTED BY FANDUEL-GII, $200,000, Gulfstream, 3-5, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:36.23, ft.
1–KATHLEEN O., 120, f, 3, by Upstart
                1st Dam: Quaver (SP), by Blame
                2nd Dam: Skipper Tale, by Tale of the Cat
                3rd Dam: Pretty 'n Smart, by Beau Genius
   1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($8,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $50,000
Ylg '20 OBSOCT; $275,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Winngate
Stables, LLC; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD & Bridlewood
Farm, LLC (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III; J-Javier Castellano.
$121,520. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $226,280. Werk Nick
   Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Classy Edition, 120, f, 3, Classic Empire–Newbie, by
Bernardini. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($550,000 2yo '21
EASMAY). O-Low, Lawana L. and Robert E.; B-Chester & Mary
Broman (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $39,200.
3–Cocktail Moments, 118, f, 3, Uncle Mo–River Maid, by
Where's the Ring. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($135,000 Wlg
'19 KEENOV; $190,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $245,000 RNA 2yo '21
OBSMAR). O-Dixiana Farms LLC; B-Mark Stansell (KY);
T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $19,600.
Margins: 2, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 2.30, 3.80, 11.50.
Also Ran: Sweet Dani Girl, Outfoxed, Girl With a Dream, Mi Negrita. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Kathleen O. Keeps it Going in Davona Dale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Loaded ‘Edition’ of Davona Dale

A field of seven, including a pair of promising unbeaten 3-year-old fillies, will line up in Saturday's GII Davona Dale S. going a one-turn mile at Gulfstream.

The rail-drawn Kathleen O. (Upstart) could be any kind after delivering impressively in her first two attempts. The dark bay rallied from the back to post a head-turning 8 1/2-length victory after an eventful start in the track-and-trip Cash Run S. last time Jan. 1.

“You never know they're going to be this kind,” Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey said. “She had trained good. I was hoping she would run good in her first start, but the way she won her first start… I'm not one to run one back in a stake, but there wasn't anything else to run in. She was spectacular.”

Unbeaten New York-bred Classy Edition (Classic Empire) tries graded company for the first time in her first start of the season. The 'TDN Rising Star' made it three-for-three for Todd Pletcher in the six-furlong Key Cents S. versus state-breds at Aqueduct last time Nov. 21.

Girl With a Dream (Practical Joke) puts a three-race winning streak on the line following a sharp wire-to-wire tally in Gulfstream's GIII Forward Gal S. Feb. 5. Outfoxed (Valiant Minister), winner of Tampa's Gasparilla S. Jan. 15, also enters seeking a fourth straight tally.

The post Loaded ‘Edition’ of Davona Dale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Champion Vequist Recovered After Davona Dale Ninth, But Unlikely For Kentucky Oaks

Champion sophomore filly Vequist, winner of the 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, disappointed in her sophomore debut on Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park. The Butch Reid-trained daughter of Nyquist ran ninth as the 1-2 favorite in the G2 Davona Dale, and a post-race scope showed mucous in her lungs, indicative of a respiratory infection.

Reid told the Daily Racing Form that Vequist has since been shipped back north to Fair Hill training center in Maryland, under the care of Bruce Jackson. The filly has recovered and is doing well, but Reid said it would be difficult for her to make the Kentucky Oaks on April 30.

“Realistically, it's hard to see her doing enough over the next three weeks to make me lean towards running her in the Oaks,” Reid told DRF. “But obviously we haven't lost any faith in her off just the one bad race and we're looking forward to getting her back on the trail for the big races still to come later in the year.”