Gun Runner Filly Does the ‘Talk’-ing In the Demoiselle

Dropping out of a pair of Grade I races, Repole Stables and Todd Pletcher's Life Talk (Gun Runner) earned 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with an impressive win in the GII Demoiselle S.

Second by a head to future GISP Alys Beach (Omaha Beach) on debut, Life Talk came back with a 6 1/2-length win at second asking upstate in August. Unfortunately for daughter of Gun Runner, she then twice ran into likely 2-year-old filly champion Just F Y I (Justify) in both the GI Frizette S. (in which she finished third) and at last month's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies where she was fourth.

Always bet like a winner Saturday, Life Talk broke at even money under Irad Ortiz, Jr. and enjoyed a rail-hugging trip as the field stacked up six wide to her outside into the first turn. Most of All (Quality Road) kept pace a half-length back as the fillies sorted themselves out but the field of eight remained tightly bunched as the favorite handled the tempo through a :24.10 opening quarter. Kept just off the rail over a main track listed as muddy, Life Talk cruised up front into the far turn, shook off Most of All passing the quarter pole and was left to contend with a strong closing run from both Shimmering Allure (Enticed) and Dolomite (Unified) to her outside. Shimmering Allure got closest but Life Talk was up to the task and kicked away again into the final sixteenth, opening up to the wire to win in front-running fashion.

“Obviously, [the good break] was all Irad [Ortiz, Jr.] and Todd [Pletcher] coming up with a game plan,” said Amelia Green, assistant to winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “With how the track's playing today, you need to get position and like Irad said, she warmed up good and he made the most of it. No one else wanted the lead, so he made the most of that situation. She seemed happy out there and did everything very professionally.”

“It is great to see her back in this performance,” added Irad Ortiz, Jr. “Because it was a great race [in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies], she ran so good to get beat last time. She got beat by three lengths and she come back maybe a little quick after that tough race, flies back all the way here but we have a great team, they all do a great job, the assistants and the trainer. She was one hundred percent.”

Pedigree Note:

The 26th stakes winner and 19th graded winner for sire Gun Runner, Life Talk is out of a winning Bernardini mare who has produced two other winners from as many to race. As a broodmare sire, Darley's late stallion Bernardini has sired the dams of 82 stakes winner. The dam, a half-sister to GSW Indian Firewater (Indian Charlie), saw her yearling Maclean's Music filly bring $140,000 in January's Keeneland Horses of All Ages Sale while her wealing Bolt d'Oro filly brought a final bid of $250,000 last month at Keeneland November. Touchy Feely is due on a cover to Cyberknife in 2024.

 

Saturday, Aqueduct
DEMOISELLE S.-GII, $250,000, Aqueduct, 12-2, 2yo, f, 1 1/8m, 1:51.10, my.
1–LIFE TALK, 118, f, 2, by Gun Runner
                1st Dam: Touchy Feely, by Bernardini
                2nd Dam: Touched, by Touch Gold
                3rd Dam: Bay Barrister, by Miswaki
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($160,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $335,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable; B-Gun Runner Syndicate, Mulholland Springs LLC & Tom Grether Farms Inc. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $137,500. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $364,250. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Shimmering Allure, 120, f, 2, Enticed–Shimmering Tale, by Wild Again. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($40,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). O-Walking L Thoroughbreds, LLC; B-Clifton Farm, LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $50,000.
3–Dolomite, 118, f, 2, Unified–Sunset Ridge, by Algorithms.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (NY); T-Chad C. Brown. $30,000.
Margins: 3 3/4, 1, 8 1/4. Odds: 1.00, 5.20, 8.50.
Also Ran: Most of All, Caldwell Luvs Gold, Vino Rouge, Ringy Dingy, Cozee Rags. Scratched: Caress.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Brown Can Equal Whittingham Record In Hollywood Derby

The late Charlie Whittingham won his first Hollywood Derby back in 1967 with Tumble Wind and the last of his four victories in the race in 1989 with Live The Dream. Chad Brown added his name to the list of Hollywood Derby winners courtesy of Annals of Time (Temple City) in 2016 and followed up with Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in 2018 and Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}) two years later. In Saturday's renewal of the nine-furlong event, Brown will send out a pair of lightly raced sophomores while looking to draw even with the 'Bald Eagle.'

Favored at 9-5 on the morning line is Program Trading (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who will try to give Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables a record-breaking three wins in the race. The ridgling made rapid progress this season, capping a three-race winning streak with a head defeat of Webslinger (Constitution) in the GI Saratoga Derby over yielding turf Aug. 5. Accordingly made the 7-10 chalk for the Sept. 9 GIII Virginia Derby, the bay led into the final furlong only to be upstaged by Integration (Quality Road), who franked the form in the GII Hill Prince S. in his next appearance.

“He was a little close to a fast pace,” Brown said of the Virginia Derby. “It might have did him in in the end where he got caught by a good horse. Hopefully he'll work out a better trip this time.”

Brown also sends out Redistricting (GB) (Kingman {GB}) for Klaravich, who exits a two-length Aqueduct allowance victory Oct. 28.

“He finished well,” Brown said, “and I think he's ready to step back up into a big race like this.”

Webslinger has been out of the top three just once in his eight starts this term and was a luckless third when last seen in the GII Twilight Derby on the Breeders' Cup undercard Nov. 4.

The two horses that finished ahead of him also line up here. Seal Team (GB) (War Front) came from worse than midfield to upstage Godolphin's Silver Knott (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) by a half-length, but might need a touch of luck from the widest alley in this field of nine.

Two-year-old fillies head to the post in the co-featured GIII Jimmy Durante S. Brown looks set to saddle the favorite in the one-mile test in the form of Lady de Berry (Practical Joke), a debut sixth to future GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Just F Y I (Justify) on Saratoga debut Aug. 26 before graduating impressively going two turns over the Keeneland turf course Oct. 27. Go With Gusto (Medaglia d'Oro), third in the GI Summer S., failed to draw into the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and was a mildly troubled second in the Qatar Gold Mile in the Breeders' Cup Friday lidlifter. She tries sex-restricted company for the first time in her career.

Cigar Mile Anchors Big Weekend at the Big A

Downgraded though it has been and lacking a standout runner, Saturday's GII Cigar Mile H. still offers a half-million dollar purse and a full field of 12 to challenge handicappers.

Trainer Todd Fincher makes a rare appearance on the New York circuit, but he brings in a horse with a big chance in the form of Joe Peacock Jr.'s Senor Buscador (Mineshaft). Two-for-three over this distance, including the GIII Ack Ack S. going Churchill's one-turn configuration last October, the 5-year-old entire took advantage of a strong pace up ahead to upset the GII San Diego H. at Del Mar this past July. Fourth in the GI Pacific Classic and third in the GI Awesome Again S., he ran on decently to finish seventh, beaten 5 1/4 lengths, behind White Abarrio (Race Day) in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 4.

“He ran really good in the Breeders' Cup,” Fincher said. “He just got way, way back–almost 19 lengths back. I think he started his run too early. He made up a ton of ground down the backside and he actually flattened a little down the lane, which I've never seen him do.”

Senor Buscador worked a best-of-27 five furlongs over the Belmont training track in 1:00 4/5 Nov. 25 in preparation for the Cigar Mile.

Qatar Racing's Everso Mischievous (Into Mischief) looks the main danger as he goes for his fourth straight victory and fifth from seven starts. Picked up for just $85,000 at last year's Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale, the bay broke his maiden at second asking and has not tasted defeat in five months, including wins in the Sept. 23 Harrods Creek S. at Keeneland and the GII Forty Niner S. over this course and distance Oct. 28, where he had the re-opposing Dr Ardito (Liam's Map) and Accretive (Practical Joke) in his wake.

Dornoch (Good Magic), the full-brother to recently retired GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage, looks a handful facing nine other juvenile males in the GII Remsen S. The $325,000 KEESEP acquisition was second in his first two trips to the races, including the Aug. 26 Sapling S. at Monmouth, and was an impressive 6 1/4-length maiden winner at Keeneland Oct. 14. Moonlight (Audible) matched Dornoch's 90 Beyer Speed Figure when airing by eight in a local rained-off maiden Sept. 28, but was fractionally disappointing when runner-up to Liberal Arts (Arrogate) in a sloppy renewal of the GIII Street Sense S. at Churchill Sept. 29. Rick Dutrow, Jr. has won with eight of his last 24 starters dating back to the Breeders' Cup Classic. The following afternoon he sent out Where's Chris (Twirling Candy) to upset the previously unbeaten Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in the Nashua S.

The fillies' counterpart, the GII Demoiselle S., is topped by Repole Stable's Life Talk (Gun Runner), third in the local GI Frizette S. Oct. 7 ahead of an even fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Shimmering Allure (Enticed) is the most experienced of this group, having made six previous racetrack appearances. A maiden winner at fourth asking in a restricted event at Churchill in September, the $40,000 Fasig-Tipton July grad was a midpack fourth in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. at Keeneland Oct. 6, but bounced back to best Vino Rouge (Vino Rosso) by three convincing lengths in the Nov. 5 Tempted S.

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Cigar Mile Program Headlines Saturday Stakes Action

Enjoy your day at the Big A.

Led by the GI Cigar Mile H. and three other graded events, Aqueduct's loaded 10-race card will be in the spotlight in South Ozone Park Saturday.

Zandon (Upstart), winner of the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. and third-place finisher in the GI Kentucky Derby this spring, cuts back to a one-turn mile for Chad Brown in the feature. The dark bay, favored at even-money on the Cigar Mile's morning-line, also finished third in the GI Runhappy Travers S. and second in the GI Pennsylvania Derby last time Sept. 24.

Fellow Grade I-winning sophomore White Abarrio (Race Day) will also shorten up here. He tired to fifth after setting the pace in the Pennsylvania Derby last time. The handsome gray has been firing bullets at Saffie Joseph, Jr.'s Gulfstream Park base for this.

Two-time Grade I winner Mind Control (Stay Thirsty), drawn widest of all in post seven (he'll move in one slot with the scratch of O Besos), will look to close out his career on top. The 2018 GI Hopeful S. winner and 2019 GI H. Allen Jerkens S. winner was moved up to first via disqualification after falling a neck short in a roughly run renewal of the Parx Dirt Mile S. last out Sept. 24. The 6-year-old boasts a record of 7-4-2-1 at Aqueduct, including a trio of graded wins. A stud deal for Mind Control will likely be finalized in the days following the Cigar Mile, according to Rick Sacco, racing manager for co-owner Red Oak Stable.

“He's been a great horse for us and accomplished a lot before he even came to us, but he's been a real neat horse to be around,” said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who seeks a record-extending sixth Cigar Mile victory. “He enjoys his job and has always liked Aqueduct.”

Juveniles, meanwhile, will take centerstage in the GII Remsen S. and GII Demoiselle S., both at the demanding distance of 1 1/8 miles.

Stonestreet homebred Julia Shining (Curlin), a full-sister to champion 3-year-old filly and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Malathaat, will head straight into the deep end versus six rivals in the Demoiselle. The bay kicked off her career with an eye-catching come-from-behind victory for Pletcher going seven furlongs at Keeneland Oct. 16. She is the 3-5 morning-line favorite for the Demoiselle. Malathaat, also trained by Pletcher, won this same race in 2020.

“Physically, they're a little bit different, but they're both very impressive fillies to watch train and she's shown talent from the beginning,” Pletcher said. “I always felt like the further she gets the opportunity to go, the better she'll get. That's why we have been pointing for the Demoiselle.”

A field of seven will also line up for the Remsen, led by unbeaten Rocky Run S. winner Tuskegee Airmen (Street Sense) and New York-bred Arctic Arrogance (Frosted), a last out winner of the Sleepy Hollow S.

Aqueduct's Saturday program also includes the GIII Go For Wand S. for older fillies and mares.

Welcome to Hollywood

A very deep field of 11 have been entered for the GI Hollywood Derby at Del Mar. New York shippers 'Rising Star' Wit (Practical Joke) and Celestial City (Uncle Mo) are the top two on the morning-line. Slightly favored Wit just missed by a neck for Pletcher in Keeneland's GIII Bryan Station S. Oct. 29. Celestial City posted a come-from-behind win for Shug McGaughey in Aqueduct's GII Hill Prince S. Oct. 22.

The Hollywood Derby field also includes: GIII La Jolla S. winner and GII Twilight Derby winner Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile); Cinema S. winner War At Sea (War Front); and Let It Ride S. winner Handy Dandy (Fury Kapcori).

Del Mar's Saturday card also includes a wide-open renewal of the grassy GIII Jimmy Durante S. for 2-year-old fillies.

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Malathaat–Miraculously–Leads Home Curlin 1-2-3 in Demoiselle

‘TDN Rising Star’ Malathaat (Curlin) did not look like a winner through the first mile of Aqueduct’s GII Demoiselle S., but turned things around late with a surprisingly strong rally to keep her perfect record in tact.

Away well from her rail draw, the 2-5 favorite settled in a ground-saving third as an eager Traffic Lane took control, clicking off a :23.69 first quarter with Juddmonte homebred Millefeuille (Curlin) pressing from second. Losing some traction as the half went in :48.50, the $1.05-million KEESEP buy was passed by Malibu Curl (Curlin) and looked like she was not taking to the muddy surface as another foe went by her on the backstretch. Splitting horses at the hope of the lane, Malathaat came alive in the lane, swallowing up ground late to nail Millefeuille just before the wire for a 3/4-length score. Malibu Curl completed a trifecta for leading sire Curlin.

A debut winner going seven panels at Belmont Oct. 9, Malathaat romped by 7 3/4 lengths next out in the one-mile Tempted S. at Aqueduct Nov. 6.

“In her first two wins, she was pretty straightforward and didn’t get a lot of dirt in her face or anything like that,” conditioner Todd Pletcher said. “She was on-and-off the bridle and a little bit green, still, and there was a little bit of traffic, but in the end, she found more and showed the quality filly that she is. Some lesser quality horses might have thrown in the towel at some stage, but when she got rolling, she was impressive.”

He continued, “She wasn’t comfortable inside. I think she was unsure of the footing early on. Sometimes drawing the rail is great and this time it seemed to have backfired on us a couple of times. In the final eighth of a mile, she was able to get into her comfort zone and rhythm and that’s when she showed what she’s all about.”

“Her class was what kept her going and got here there on time,” said Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez. “She was never comfortable and not running into a spot I wanted. She never really put that much effort into keeping a spot. Finally, when I tipped her out heading to the quarter-pole, she started running.”

Pedigree Notes:

Malathaat is the 35th graded winner for leading sire Curlin and one of 72 black-type scorers by the Hill ‘n’ Dale stalwart. She is also one of two graded winners at Aqueduct Saturday out of an A.P. Indy mare, following GIII Go For Wand H. heroine Sharp Starr. Malathaat is a daughter of Grade I winner and fellow ‘TDN Rising Star’ Dreaming of Julia (A.P. Indy), who was campaigned by Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stables with Pletcher and Velazquez. Out of dual Grade I victress Dream Rush (Wild Rush), Dream of Julia is a half-sister to ‘TDN Rising Stars’ Dream Pauline (Tapit), a two-time Grade III winner, and Atreides (Medaglia d’Oro), a stakes-winning young stallion. Malathaat is the third foal out of Dreaming of Julia, but the first to make the races. The 10-year-old mare has since produced a yearling colt by Medaglia d’Oro and a weanling Curlin filly. She was bred back to Medaglia d’Oro.

Saturday, Aqueduct
DEMOISELLE S.-GII, $150,000, Aqueduct, 12-5, 2yo, f, 1 1/8m, 1:52.36, sy.
1–MALATHAAT, 120, f, 2, by Curlin
1st Dam: Dreaming of Julia (GISW, $874,500), by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Dream Rush, by Wild Rush
3rd Dam: Turbo Dream, by Unbridled
‘TDN Rising Star’ 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($1,050,000 Ylg
’19 KEESEP). O-Shadwell Stable; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred
Holdings LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-John R. Velazquez.
$82,500. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $172,150.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus* Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Millefeuille, 118, f, 2, Curlin–Bandana, by War Front.
O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-William I. Mott. $30,000.
3–Malibu Curl, 118, f, 2, Curlin–Prospector’s Moon, by Malibu
Moon. O/B-Woodslane Farm (KY); T-Thomas Albertrani.
$18,000.
Margins: 3/4, 4HF, 1. Odds: 0.45, 3.15, 8.00.
Also Ran: Cafe Society, Traffic Lane, Celestial Cheetah. Scratched: Caramocha, Dollar Mountain.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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