Brown Pleased With One-Two Finish For Shantisara, Higher Truth In Jockey Club Oaks

Chad Brown trainees Shantisara and Higher Truth put on a show in Saturday's $700,000 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational with the Irish-bred fillies running one-two in the 11-furlong inner turf test to conclude the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Michael Ryan, Jeff Drown, and Team Hanley's Higher Truth, piloted by Jose Ortiz, set a moderate tempo with Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Robert V. LaPenta's Shantisara stalking outside in second position under Flavien Prat over the firm turf.

Higher Truth kicked on at the top of the lane but could not fend off her stablemate, who earned the half-length score in a final time of 2:16.91.

“It was a really good race and it's a shame one of them had to lose because they both ran their hearts out. I was proud of both of their efforts,” Brown said.

Shantisara, by Coulsty, made her first five starts in France before being transferred to Brown and making her North American debut with a runner-up effort in the Boiling Springs in June at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. She entered from a convincing three-length score under Prat in the nine-furlong Grade 3 Pucker Up in August at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Higher Truth competed in all three legs of the Turf Triple, missing by a half-length when third in the Belmont Oaks, and was a game second, defeated less than a length, in the Saratoga Oaks.

Brown said he would speak with the ownership groups of both horses to see if they want to race once more this season.

Peter Brant and e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' So Enchanting, a 3-year-old daughter of More Than Ready, graduated at fifth asking on the Saturday undercard to improve her record to 5-1-3-1.

With Irad Ortiz, Jr. up, the Kentucky-bred chestnut stalked in fourth position in the 1 1/16-mile turf test before engaging with pacesetter Miss Bonnie T at the eighth pole, taking command in the final sixteenth for a three-quarter length score.

So Enchanting, who was stretching out beyond one mile for the first time, has kept good company through five starts, including runner-up efforts sprinting six furlongs on the Belmont turf to launch her career, finishing in front of eventual stakes winners Bay Storm [on October 3] and Miss Brazil [on October 25].

“We always thought she had plenty of ability,” Brown said. “She stretched out nicely to a mile and a sixteenth which was good to see. She got a great trip yesterday. I was happy for her to break through and get the maiden win out of the way.”

Peter Brant's multiple Grade 1-winner Raging Bull closed to finish third under Frankie Dettori in Saturday's Grade 1 Woodbine Mile at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, contested over good going on the E. P. Taylor Turf Course.

“He didn't really handle the course. Frankie said he was struggling a little bit on the turn and lost some position there,” Brown said. “I was proud of him that he kicked in again when he got to the center of the track in the stretch. He found some firmer ground and kicked on.”

Raging Bull, a 6-year-old French-bred son of Dark Angel, boasts a record of 21-7-4-4 with purse earnings in excess of $1.6 million.

“If he comes out of it well I'm planning on making the final start of his career in the Breeders' Cup Mile,” Brown said.

Klaravich Stables' Domestic Spending and the Brant-owned Flop Shot breezed five furlongs in 1:00.80 in company Sunday on the Belmont inner turf.

Domestic Spending, a three-time Grade 1 winner, finished second last out in the Grade 1 Mr. D. on August 14 at Arlington Park. Brown said the 4-year-old Kingman gelding is likely to make his next start in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf in November at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif.

“They went fine. It was a good work for both of them,” Brown said.

Flop Shot, a 5-year-old son of New Approach, won the 2019 Group 3 Prix de Guiche in France for his former conditioner Andre Fabre. He last raced in June 2020, finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Fort Marcy.

Brown said Flop Shot was gelded earlier this year and is close to a return to action.

Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's impressive maiden winner Jack Christopher breezed five-eighths in company in 1:01.05 Saturday on the main track in preparation for the $500,000 Grade 1 Champagne, a one-turn mile offering a “Win and You're In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

The Munnings chestnut, purchased for $135,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, registered a 92 Beyer for a romping 8 3/4-length score on debut in a six-furlong maiden special weight on August 28 at Saratoga.

“He went well in company with a maiden. He's done everything right and settled into Belmont nicely,” Brown said.

Brown said the added distance shouldn't be an issue for the talented chestnut.

“It's still just one turn, so I think he'll be OK. I like the way he's training,” Brown said.

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Peter Brant and Robert V. LaPenta's graded-stakes placed Miles D breezed a bullet half-mile in :47.84 Saturday in Saratoga on the Oklahoma dirt training track.

A maiden winner in June at Belmont, the Curlin sophomore followed with a runner-up effort to Dynamic One in the nine-furlong Curlin and was third last out in the Grade 1 Runhappy Travers.

Brown said Miles D will not start in next weekend's Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and that he will look for other options.

“I'm not sure what I'm going to do with him yet. I'd like to give him a little bit more time,” Brown said.

Klaravich Stables' Public Sector worked a half-mile in :49.12 Saturday on the Oklahoma dirt training track. Brown said the Kingman sophomore, who won the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame and the Grade 3 Saranac at the Spa this summer, is probable for the $400,000 Grade 2 Hill Prince, a nine-furlong turf test for 3-year-olds on October 23.

W.S. Farish homebred Royal Flag, a 5-year-old multiple graded-stakes winning daughter of Candy Ride, worked a half-mile in :48.70 Saturday on the Oklahoma dirt training track.

Royal Flag won the Grade 3 Shuvee in July and closed to finish third in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign in August this summer at the Spa.

Brown said the chestnut, who sports a ledger of 11-5-3-2 with purse earnings of $435,520, will point to either the $250,000 Grade 2 Beldame on October 10 at Belmont or the Grade 1 Spinster on October 10 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., which offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

“This will be her last year of running. She's at the top of her game right now as a 5-year-old,” Brown said. “It would be nice to get her a Grade 1.”

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Saffie Joseph, Jr. Points Mischevious Alex To Forego At Saratoga

Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. said Cash is King and LC Racing's Mischevious Alex had a good breeze back on Friday in his first timed work since an off-the-board finish in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 31 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The 4-year-old Into Mischief bay worked a half-mile solo in :48.45 on the main track in preparation for a start in the $600,000 Grade 1 Forego at seven furlongs on the main track on Travers Day August 28.

“He's bounced out of the race good. We haven't seen anything to deter us running back in the Forego,” Joseph, Jr. said. “He got the thumps last time pretty bad. Hopefully, that was the reason for his performance.”

A multiple graded stakes winner, Mischevious Alex has won 3-of-5 starts this year, including scores in the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., in February and the Grade 1 Carter Handicap in April at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.

Joseph Jr. said Friday's breeze have him confidence that Mischevious Alex could return to form in the Forego.

“He went a good half by himself. Hopefully, the real Alex shows up and if he does, he'll have a good chance,” Joseph, Jr. said.

Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, and Michael Nentwig's Drain the Clock, a sophomore son of Maclean's Music, also breezed Friday covering a half-mile in :48.83 on the main track.

Boasting a record of six wins and two seconds from nine starts, Drain the Clock bested Jackie's Warrior by a neck on June 5 at Belmont in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens.

Last out, in the 6 1/2-furlong Grade 2 Amsterdam, Jackie's Warrior turned the tables with a romping 7 1/4-length score over a sloppy and sealed Saratoga main track.

Joseph Jr. said he is hopeful Drain the Clock will one-up his familiar foe in the $500,000 Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial on Travers Day.

“No one was beating Jackie that day. He ran dynamite. Maybe our horse didn't run his best that day but all credit to Jackie,” Joseph, Jr. said. “We have no excuse. We had a good trip. The record is one and one. He's beat us once, we beat him once. We'll try again in the Allen Jerkens.”

John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing, Paul Braverman, and Team Hanley's Ny Traffic, a 4-year-old New York-bred son of Cross Traffic, breezed a half-mile in :48 flat Sunday on the main track.

The talented colt finished second in a trio of graded events last year, including the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby in March at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La., the Grade 3 Matt Winn in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., in July in which he finished just a nose back of Authentic.

Ny Traffic won his seasonal debut in May at Belmont by 6 3/4-lengths sprinting seven furlongs against fellow state-breds in an optional claimer and followed with a close second in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile in June at Monmouth.

Last out, Ny Traffic faded to fourth in the nine-furlong Grade 3 Monmouth Cup on July 17.

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“He went good this morning. It was his first breeze back since Monmouth, I had him in 47 and 4. It was a good work back,” Joseph Jr. said. “There's a possibility he could go in the Forego or the Charles Town Classic.”

Joseph Jr. said Ny Traffic will breeze again next weekend before he decides on cutting back to seven furlongs for the Forego or stretching out to nine furlongs for the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic at Charles Town in Charles Town, W.Va. on August 27.

Overall, Joseph, Jr. said he has been pleased with Ny Traffic's performances this season.

“He won his debut at Belmont and in his second race at Monmouth he ran second but it was a good race,” Joseph, Jr. said. “Last time he disappointed a little bit if you just look at the running lines, but the reality is that he acted up pre-race back at the barn and I think he lost his race there. It wasn't a true run.”

Joseph, Jr. said e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Gibberish will turn back to nine furlongs for the $120,000 Summer Colony on August 22 at the Spa.

Last out, the 4-year-old daughter of Lea was a game second to Miss Marissa in the 10-furlong Grade 2 Delaware Handicap on July 10.

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Collaborate Works for Florida Derby

Three Chimneys Farm and e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Collaborate (Into Mischief), last seen with a 'TDN Rising Star' graduation at Gulfstream Feb. 27, tuned up for an expected start in the Mar. 27 GI Curlin Florida Derby with a sharp four-furlong work in :47.05 (1/51) at the Hallandale oval Sunday. He worked in company with Sound Machine (Into Mischief), a 4-year-old stakes-winning filly.

“He showed great progression today. He's always been a good work horse,” trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. said. “He worked with Sound Machine. She was a little keen early on. She was on the outside and was leading and they finished head-and-head and he galloped out stronger than her.”

Collaborate graduated by a geared-down 12 1/2 lengths on the GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. undercard after completing a one-turn mile in 1:36.35.

“He has the looks physically; he's big, tall. Few are comparable to him in looks. As big as he is, he's very athletic, very fluid, very efficient mover,” Joseph said. “Watching him work today, you don't even know he's working that quick. He came the last quarter in :22 4/5 and galloped out. You don't think he's going that fast, but when you look at the clock, he is.”

Collaborate will be making just the third start of his career in the Florida Derby.

“I think he's a special horse,” Joseph said. “Obviously, we're asking a lot of him to make his third start in the Florida Derby and have to face a horse like Greatest Honour and a few others that will be more seasoned. I feel like he's a horse who has the ability to overcome seasoning.”

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Second Chances: Collaborate

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

After holding his own with his Saffie Joseph, Jr.-trained stablemate and last year's narrow GI TVG.com Haskell S. runner-up Ny Traffic (Cross Traffic) in a weekend breeze, the highly regarded Collaborate (c, 3, Into Mischief–Quiet Temper, by Quiet American) will look to earn his diploma going a mile at second asking at Gulfstream Park Saturday.

The Three Chimneys Farm and e Five Racing colorbearer, a $600,000 FTSAUG yearling, was working up a storm at Joseph's Gulfstream base heading into his debut and was off as the 7-5 chalk in a deep-looking maiden special weight going six furlongs in the slop in Hallandale Feb. 6 (video).

Off a beat slowly from post 10, Collaborate was immediately outfooted and under a ride beneath Tyler Gaffalione in the early stages. He began to find his stride and advanced some while hung out about four wide down the backstretch and got into the race a bit more from sixth with a quarter of a mile to go. He continued with a steady grind in the stretch and rallied between horses to finish a close fifth–beaten just 1 1/4 lengths–in a blanket finish. The race was won by the Todd Pletcher-trained, first-time starter Democracy (Quality Road). Collaborate earned a 72 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

“He had a really strong work with Ny Traffic the other day [five furlongs in 1:00.29 (2/28) at Gulfstream Feb. 21], and since the race, he's done well,” Joseph said.

“We're going to stretch him out to a mile Saturday–it looks like the track is going to be fast this time–and, hopefully, we get to see the horse that we think he is.”

Collaborate will face 10 rivals–including first-time starter Bennyfromthebronx (Tapit) from the Chad Brown barn, a half-brother to the talented Charlatan (Speightstown)–in the fifth race on the GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. undercard. He will exit from post four with Gaffalione back in the irons.

The son of leading sire Into Mischief is out of 2010 GII Fair Grounds Oaks heroine Quiet Temper and hails from the extended female family of Phipps GISWs Furlough, Dancing Spree, Fantastic Find, Heavenly Prize and Oh What a Windfall. The Triple Crown nominee was bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys.

“Obviously, we wanted to win first time out and there was some disappointment, but having said all that, I thought he gained valuable experience and a lot of education from it,” Joseph said.

“Hopefully, we can build on it this Saturday and get a much better result.”

Previous standouts featured in 'Second Chances' include: GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P. (Honor Code), GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner and Royal Ascot G2 Norfolk S. runner-up Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags), GII Los Alamitos Futurity winner and MGISP Spielberg (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway), and MSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

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