The Ellis Park meet will open Friday, July 7 and run through Sunday, Aug. 27. The stakes program has been increased by $1.65 million since 2022 (all prize money includes funds distributed by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund and is pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission).

There are four new stakes events on the calendar, including the $300,000 GIII Pucker Up S., which was previously run at Arlington Park and Churchill Downs.

The Pucker Up is one of seven stakes events across Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend on Saturday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug. 6.

There are six stakes events scheduled on Sunday Aug. 13, headlined by the $250,000 Ellis Park Derby for 3-year-olds run at one-mile on dirt.

The post Ellis Park Releases $3-Million Stakes Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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For trainer Steve Asmussen, the key was riding Super Stock like Ricardo Santana did in the Arkansas Derby: getting into the race as part of the pace. That happened, and Super Stock hounded the early pace before taking command and drawing off to a 3 3/4-length victory over There Goes Harvard.

Asmussen got be North America's all-time winningest trainer by caring about every race. But Super Stock also holds a special attachment to the trainer. His parents, Keith and Marilyn, own the son of Florida Derby winner Dialed In in partnership with Nashville talent mogul Erv Woolsey, a long-time client.

“He ran a very good race, and it's great to see him back in the winner's circle,” Asmussen said by phone following Super Stock's first victory since the Arkansas Derby, after which he finished 16th in the Kentucky Derby. “Obviously he's a very special horse for the whole family. He makes a lot of people happy when he wins.

“The Lone Star race, the racetrack was absolute sea of water, drawn 13, just was never in the right spot,” he said of the Texas Derby. “And I did not like his trip in Iowa at all, and that was the change in tactics.”

Which was: “To ride him like he did in the Arkansas Derby.”

Ellis Park allowance winner Colonel Bowman broke for the early lead, setting legitimate fractions into the stretch. Super Stock stalked in second place throughout before taking over the lead and pulling away for the clear win over runner-up There Goes Harvard. The final time over the mile and a sixteenth was 1:48.89.

“He broke good, and I was happy when he was in the place I wanted him to be,” said Santana, in from Saratoga to ride Sunday at Ellis Park for Asmussen. “When I was sitting second to that other horse, I knew he would be running hard at the end.”

Jockey Joe Talamo was pleased with runner-up There Goes Harvard's effort.

“We had a really good trip,” he said. “I really thought I had the winner turning for home. Hats off to them (Super Stock and Ricardo Santana). They kept running. But my horse ran a really good race.”

It was another two lengths back to Indiana Derby runner-up Sermononthemount and jockey James Graham. Colonel Bowman tired to fourth in the field of six 3-year-olds.

“He ran good, I thought,” said Graham. “They were just quicker than him early. I was trying to be aggressive. I just wasn't quick enough to hold my spot. He tried to run them down. They went fast the first quarter, backed it up and then went again. I just couldn't get back on terms.”

Super Stock went off as the even-money favorite and paid $4 to win. The colt now has three wins in 12 starts, with two seconds and two thirds, while increasing his career earnings to $957,677.

“He's trying, he's trying,” Asmussen said of Super Stock nearing millionaire status.

The post Super Stock Back On Top In Ellis Park Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Colonel Bowman earned a shot at stakes company by taking an Ellis Park allowance race.

“He's trained very well up to the race,” said Jorge Abrego, who oversees Cox's Ellis Park operation. “It was his first time going two turns last time; he handled it very well. After the race, he came back good, breezed a couple of times really good. I'm very excited because it's a mile and an eighth. I think he'll run well. I like the horse. I'm not really scared of the competition. I think he has a big shot to win the race.”

Abrego, who was around Colonel Bowman all spring at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., says he's noticed a change.

“He gallops a mile and a half every day,” he said. “Second round, he gets stronger and stronger. I think the two turns for him is very good.”

Cox entered three horses in the $125,000 RUNHAPPY Groupie Doll for fillies and mares: stakes-winning and graded stakes-place Dreamalildreamofu, sprint specialist Lady Rocket, and Indiana Grand stakes-winner Matera, who needs a scratch to run. When it was suggested that he was going to be busy in the paddock saddling horses, Abrego quipped, “I hope it keeps me busy in the winner's circle!”

The post Cox Prepares Colonel Bowman For Ellis Park Derby, Three Fillies For Groupie Doll appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Asmussen has a leading contender for the $200,000 RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Derby in Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner Super Stock. If that colt — owned by Asmussen's parents Keith and Marilyn and renowned Nashville talent promoter Erv Woolsey — runs to his Arkansas Derby performance — he's going to be very tough to beat. Of course, if he runs to his subsequent pair of fourth-place finishers in the Texas and Iowa Derby, then the 1 1/8-mile stakes is wide open. (Super Stock also finished 16th in the Kentucky Derby, but no horse has to apologize for finishing up the track in the Derby's cavalry charge.)

Darren Fleming, who oversees Asmussen's Ellis Park division, was around Super Stock at Oaklawn Park and in Texas.

“I think Super Stock will run well,” Fleming said. “He's gotten to stay here and train. He likes being where he's going to run. Hopefully that makes him run better. He's coming our way. The Derby took a lot out of him.”

Asmussen also has Costa Terra, a debut winner by a nose at Ellis, in the $125,000 RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Juvenile and Iowa Distaff winner Josie and Iowa Distaff third-place finisher Himiko in the Groupie Doll. Ricardo Santana Jr. comes in from Saratoga to ride every horse but Himiko, who will have Joe Talamo aboard.

Fleming said Costa Terra “has been training really well. I think he'll take the step forward good.”

Costa Terra could become the third stakes-winner from the first crop of horses sired by Asmussen's 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner. Costa Terra is owned by Ron Winchell, who campaigned Gun Runner with Three Chimneys Farm.

Josie makes her first start for Asmussen after being sold at Fasig-Tipton's July auction to KatieRich Farms for $300,000. She was previously trained by Brad Cox.

The post Arkansas Derby Winner Super Stock Could Benefit From Running At Home In Ellis Park Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“First and foremost, she's named my daughter, Sally,” said Johnsen, who before becoming a full-time horseman was a noted racetrack operator who ran and owned part-interest in Lone Star Park and Kentucky Downs until those tracks were sold. “That's most important. Secondly, she is our first graded-stakes winner.”

Now Sally's Curlin returns off a 3 1/2-month layoff in Ellis Park's $125,000 RUNHAPPY Groupie Doll, part of Sunday's blockbuster five-stakes card at the RUNHAPPY Meet at Ellis Park that includes the $200,000 RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Derby. Sally's Curlin has raced at Ellis Park once before, winning an entry-level allowance race at the Groupie Doll's mile distance in 2019.

“She worked like the wind Saturday,” Johnsen said by phone from Texas. “We were looking forward to a strong 5-year-old campaign from Sally. And then she just kind of lost her focus in the spring and we gave her some time off. She's coming back from that break, and the word is that she's training as good as ever.”

Said trainer Dale Romans: “It's all positive with Sally's Curlin. We gave her a little freshener, and she came back better than ever. Hopefully she jumps up and runs to her old form.”

Corey Lanerie has the mount.

Sally's Curlin — a $160,000 Keeneland yearling by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin — was among the first horses purchased by CJ Thoroughbreds when Johnsen and his son, C.J., launched the syndicate. The mare is owned in partnership with Left Turn Racing and Casner Racing.

Sally's Curlin required five starts to win, doing so the first time she ran in blinkers. Aggressively placed in the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks off that victory, she beat one horse but rebounded to win at Ellis Park. That was immediately followed by a 9 1/4-length second-level allowance victory at Churchill Downs and the Grade 3 Chilukki Stakes that provided CJ Thoroughbreds its initial graded-stakes triumph. In fact, including her maiden win, Sally's Curlin is 4 for 4 at a mile on dirt.

Sally started her 4-year-old season with victory in Gulfstream Park's Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at seven-eighths of a mile in mid-March. Then COVID hit and she didn't race until July, finishing fifth in Keeneland's Grade 1 Madison then third in Churchill Downs' delayed Grade 1 Derby City Distaff, both with exceedingly tough fields. Five disappointing races later, including her last two starts on grass, and it was time for a break and chance at a reset.

“Her 4-year-old year got messed up by COVID-19 and the race cancellations,” Johnsen said. “We had so many high hopes after that Hurricane Bertie effort, when she ran a super-good speed figure and the race of her life. And then we just couldn't run her at her favorite tracks and favorite distances for a long time. It was very disappointing. Having said that, she is Grade 1 stakes-placed, and she ran a great race that day at Churchill…. I'm hoping the old Sally will show up.”

Of course, the last time Sally ran at Ellis, it launched that her three-race win streak. Johnsen promised before the Ellis victory that if she won, he would donate $500 to the Kentuckiana Friends of V foundation that raises money for cancer research and programs. Bob Valvano and Mike Pratt happened to be broadcasting their sports-talk show on Louisville's ESPN 680 that day as part of a KFOV fund-raiser.

It turns out that KFOV is having a golf fundraiser on Monday in Louisville. Johnsen knows a good-luck charm when he experiences one, saying, “If Sally wins the Groupie Doll, we'll donate $1,000. One of the best races of her career was at Ellis Park. We're hoping that setting will create some more success for her. She is the ultimate one-turn mile horse, and that's perfect for her.”

The post Sally’s Curlin Tries To Regain Her Mojo In Ellis’ Groupie Doll appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Grade 3 Indiana Derby had a heavy favorite in Churchill Downs' Matt Winn winner Fulsome. But the time-honored racing tenet is that you don't run away from one horse. Indeed, Sermononthemount finished second at 18-1 as Mr. Wireless rolled to victory in the 1 1/16-mile stakes. Fulsome finished a non-threatening third.

The 1 1/8-mile Ellis Park Derby would not appear to have a prohibitive favorite in its field of six 3-year-olds. While Super Stock won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, he also finished fourth in the Texas Derby and Iowa Derby following a 16th in the Kentucky Derby. Also entered: Indiana Derby fourth-place finisher Starrininmydreams, Ellis Park allowance winner Colonel Bowman, allowance runner-up (by a nose) There Goes Harvard and Ellis maiden-winner Hanks.

The Ellis Park Derby is part of a five-stakes Sunday card that also features the $125,000 RUNHAPPY Groupie Doll for fillies and mares, $125,000 RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Juvenile, $125,000 RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Debutante and $100,000 Audubon Oaks.

“He's a horse that wants some pace up front and be allowed to finish. And we really didn't get that in the Indiana Derby,” Amoss said. “He's also a horse, in my opinion, that would rather come around than go inside. He kind of likes to have one of those trips where he's not crowded in any shape or form, and he didn't get that either. But he still ran well. The Ellis Park Derby is a logical race for us because No. 1, it's right there. It's very attractive purse-wise, and I like the distance.”

The Indiana Derby “was a race on paper that I thought was worth rolling the dice,” he said. “I think that's kind of what's happening again… I see a field in the Ellis Park Derby with a lot of horses that are up and coming and improving, but certainly no horse in there that would scare another one out.”

James Graham has the return mount on Sermononthemount. Graham turned out to be prescient when he said this before the Indiana Derby: “He tries his butt off every time, so you have to take a little bit of a shot — and he's doing good. What if Fulsome has a bad day? And hopefully we have a good day. Give it a shot and see what happens.”

Mr. Wireless validated his Indiana Derby victory by taking last Saturday's Grade 3 West Virginia Derby.

“He showed he is legit by the results of the West Virginia Derby,” Amoss said. “So that's nice, too.”

Sermononthemount didn't run well on turf when claimed for $50,000 at the Fair Grounds in March. Two races later, Amoss put him in for a $30,000 claiming race as a confidence-builder, and off that win began tackling stakes company. The result was third in the Prairie Mile and then the Indiana second.

“The Ellis Park Derby will give him a chance to really show what he can do at more distance,” Amoss said. “He's an improving young horse.”

The post Amoss Hopes Sermononthemount Will ‘Really Show What He Can Do’ In Ellis Park Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Racing secretary Dan Bork said maiden races likely will top the record $50,000 achieved in 2019 before the pandemic forced cutbacks last year in the wake of a three-month shutdown. Average daily purses should top $350,000, which would be the highest in Ellis Park's 99-year history. Those numbers include Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund supplements, for which the vast majority of horses are eligible.

The condition book, which details the races for which entries will be taken on a given day, will be finalized in May after the Kentucky Derby, Bork said. Meanwhile, a 14-race stakes schedule was announced today, highlighted by the highly successful Kentucky Downs Preview Day now becoming Preview Weekend on Aug. 7-8 with the two new races. Six stakes received $25,000 purse increases over last year.

The Preview races — all on grass and designed as stepping stones to Kentucky Downs' lucrative stakes in early September— now total seven with the addition of the $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at a mile and a sixteenth and the $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Derby for 3-year-olds at a mile and an eighth.

All the Kentucky Downs Preview stakes carry a purse of $100,000 with the exception of the $125,000 Preview Turf Cup, a 1 1/4-mile prelude to Kentucky Downs' $1 million, Grade 2 Calumet Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles.

“We should have very quality racing,” said trainer Larry Jones, the Hopkinsville native and long-time Henderson resident who has spent most of the summers of his training career at Ellis Park. “With the extra stakes and the money the way it is, it's going to bring in a lot better outfits – horses that maybe would have gone to Saratoga will stay and race at Ellis. I'm looking forward to it. It reminds you of days gone by.”

The Preview Dueling Grounds Derby and Oaks are set for Saturday Aug. 7, along with the Preview Turf Sprint. The remaining four stakes are scheduled for Sunday Aug. 8: the Preview Turf Cup, Preview Ladies Sprint, Preview Ladies Turf and Preview Mint Million Mile.

The winner of each of the Preview Weekend stakes receives an automatic spot with the entry fees waived in the corresponding stakes at Kentucky Downs.

Five dirt stakes take center stage a week later on Aug. 15, headlined by the $200,000 Ellis Park Derby. Last year's running of the 1 1/8-mile race was captured by Keeneland's Grade 2 Toyota Blue Grass winner Art Collector. Also that day again will be the Groupie Doll for fillies and mares, the Ellis Park Juvenile and Ellis Park Debutante — each increased to $125,000 from 2020 — along with the $100,000 Audubon Oaks at seven-eighths of a mile.

The Eddie Kenneally-trained Lady Kate won last year's Groupie Doll and then finished second to two-time champion Monomoy Girl in Churchill Downs' Grade 1 La Troienne. Sconsin, who is trained by Greg Foley, went from a third-place finish in last year's Audubon Oaks to victory in Churchill Downs' Grade 2 Eight Belles and a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

The purse for every stakes includes $25,000 in KTDF supplements for registered Kentucky-breds.

“We've been delighted with how horseplayers and fans have responded to our stakes being super-sized into festival-type days,” said Jeff Hall, Ellis Park's director of racing operations. “Now we're going from two to three days that will provide some of the best racing programs outside of Saratoga and Del Mar. And I dare say on the two stakes-packed Sundays that we could be right up there with both coasts.

“Since creating Kentucky Downs Preview Day in 2018, the program has just blossomed and succeeded in its mission of providing launching pads to Kentucky Downs. We're thrilled to add two more stakes, filling a void in the 3-year-old grass divisions and expanding the series to a weekend.”

The stakes schedule kicks off July 4 with the $75,000 Ellis Park Turf for fillies and mares and the $75,000 Good Lord for older sprinters on July 17.

Boosting Ellis Park's purses is the unique relationship the track has with Kentucky Downs, which through an arrangement with the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association will transfer $4.2 million into Ellis' purse account this year. That money will be split equally between unrestricted association purses and KTDF funds, for which the transfer requires approval of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and its KTDF advisory committee.

“The three-way deal among Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park and the Kentucky HBPA has proven a win-win-win for all parties and the state and really helps strengthen the entire circuit,” said Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky HBPA. “Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend is so fitting because it also casts the limelight on Kentucky Downs several weeks before they open. Ellis adding two 3-year-old turf stakes will keep those horses in Kentucky throughout the summer and heading into Kentucky Downs.

“Kentucky tracks were hit hard last year with COVID restrictions and the three-month shutdown. It's so great to see things coming back to some sort of normalcy. The Ellis meet should be sensational — the barn area full and crowds as large as the governor permits. There will be no better place in the Tri-State area to break out of cabin fever than at Ellis Park.”

Ellis Park 2021 stakes schedule
Each includes $25,000 KTDF*

Sunday July 4 — $75,000 Ellis Park Turf, fillies & mares, 3 years old & up; 1 1/16 miles (turf).

Saturday July 17 — $75,000 Good Lord, 3-year-olds & up, 6 1/2 furlongs.

Saturday Aug. 7 — $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Oaks, 3-year-old fillies, 1 1/16 miles (turf); Kentucky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles (turf); $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Sprint, 3-year-olds & up, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf).

Sunday Aug. 8 — $125,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup, 3-year-olds & up, 1 1/4 miles (turf); Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Sprint, fillies & mares 3 years olds & up, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf); $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf, fillies & mares 3 years old & up, one mile (turf); $100,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Mint Million Mile, 3-year-olds & up, mile (turf).

Sunday Aug. 15 — $200,000 Ellis Park Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles; $125,000 Groupie Doll, fillies & mares, 3 years old and up, mile; $125,000 Ellis Park Juvenile, 2-year-olds, 7 furlongs; $125,000 Ellis Park Debutante, 2-year-old fillies, 7 furlongs; $100,000 Audubon Oaks, 3-year-old fillies, 7 furlongs.

*Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund

The post Pair Of Stakes Races Added To Ellis Park’s 2021 Racing Season appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Attachment Rate was defeated 3 1/4 lengths by Art Collector at Ellis, and his top four finishes in the G3 Matt Winn and G3 Gotham have earned the son of Hard Spun a total of 35 points toward the Run for the Roses. That places the Dale Romans trainee 18th on the leaderboard, ensuring him a spot in the starting gate.

“(The Ellis Park Derby,) that's the best race he's run for us so far, I think,” Romans told Horse Racing Nation. “With that being said, we should probably try the Derby.”

“If there's any way that there would be an open spot, he will be there for sure,” trainer Chris Hartman told Horse Racing Nation. “I think he'll probably be able to run a mile and a quarter. Class would be the other thing. I don't know. I know Wayne would love to run him in the race and it's going to have to have a lot of things unfold for him to get in there. You never can tell, I guess.”

The post Ellis Park Derby’s Attachment Rate, Necker Island Hope To Run For Roses appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“I just spoke with Jimmy Bell from Godolphin, and we have elected to bypass the Kentucky Derby and take it off of our radar,” trainer Brad Cox told HRN. “He will remain in training, and we will campaign him through the fall, but we will not point for the Kentucky Derby.”

Over his nine-race career, Shared Sense has compiled a record of three wins and two seconds for earnings of $327,745.

Among the options being considered for Shared Sense include the Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park on Sept. 27.

Read more at Horse Racing Nation.

The post Godolphin, Cox Elect To Bypass Kentucky Derby With Shared Sense appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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However, several 3-year-olds previously tagged as major contenders were disappointing on Saturday and Sunday and have since dropped out of Kentucky Derby contention. Uncle Chuck and Country Grammer will both seek other spots, as will Shivaree.

At Ellis Park, a trio of potential candidates finished poorly, including Indiana Derby winner Shared Sense (5th), Ohio Derby winner Dean Martini (6th), and Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Anneau d'Or (8th). Dean Martini and Anneau d'Or will go elsewhere, but Shared Sense remains in contention for now.

Caracaro made the biggest jump up this week with his second-place finish in the Travers, and he seems to have a lot of potential upside moving forward into the Kentucky Derby.

There are several contenders remaining on this list who will require defections from the top 20 point-earners to make the main body of the Derby field. Those are expected to occur, including, at the very least, the filly Swiss Skydiver, who is expected to run in the Kentucky Oaks. The full points leaderboard is available here: Kentucky Derby Oaks Leaderboard

Where did your favorite Derby horse end up? Be sure to click on the expandable boxes for each Derby candidate to get all the latest information in the first edition of The Derby 20!

Tiz the Law

Connections

Owner: Sackatoga Stable

Trainer: Barclay Tagg

Jockey: Manny Franco

Breeder: Twin Creeks Farm

Pedigree

Sire: Constitution

Dam: Tizfiz, by Tiznow

Sales Record: $110,000 yearling at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-Bred Sale

372

Derby Points

Race record: 6-0-1 from seven starts, $2,015,300

Major races: G1 Travers (1st), G1 Belmont (1st), G1 Florida Derby (1st), G3 Holy Bull (1st), G2 Kentucky Jockey Club (3rd), G1 Champagne (1st)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

1st

Paulick Report Ranking

He's the Belmont Stakes winner, the Travers winner, he's undefeated in 2020, and he looks like a model of consistency for trainer Barclay Tagg. It's hard to bet against Tiz the Law, a colt whose running style makes him hard to beat. The Travers was impressive, and that 109 Beyer is miles above what any other 3-year-old has done this year. All that considered, his one race at Churchill Downs was a bit of a flop, and Tiz the Law seems to need to be kept in the clear on the outside to do his best running. If we get a full gate of 20 horses, that could pose a problem, especially if he draws near the inside. The colt also hasn't been seriously tested this year, so it remains to be seen if he'll have the heart to win a battle to the wire. Of course, he may not need it; Tiz the Law hasn't been tested because no other horse has been able to run with him.

Read More

• Tagg: Tiz The Law 'Did Everything A Good Horse Ought To Do'
• Tiz The Law Solidifies Kentucky Derby Favoritism With Overpowering Victory In Runhappy Travers Stakes
• 'The Pinnacle Of What We Hope For': Tiz The Law A 'Star Pupil' On And Off The Track
• Belmont Winner Tiz The Law 'Getting A Little Bit Tough' In Morning Workouts
• Belmont Winner Tiz The Law To Stand At Ashford Stud Upon Retirement
• More here

Honor A. P.

Connections

Owner: C R K Stable

Trainer: John Shirreffs

Jockey: Mike Smith

Breeder: George Krikorian

Pedigree

Sire: Honor Code

Dam: Hollywood Story, by Wild Rush

Sales Record: $850,000 yearling at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select sale

140

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-3-0 from five starts, $382,200

Major Races: Shared Belief Stakes (2nd), G1 Santa Anita Derby (1st), G2 San Felipe (2nd)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

2nd

Paulick Report Ranking

This big, beautiful colt has all the talent to get the job done on the first Saturday in September, but he's a little bit lighter on experience than some of his rivals. The loss in the Shared Belief shouldn't affect him long-term; it was an oddly-run race and the distance was a bit short for Honor A. P. to show his best. That said, Shirreffs can be sure to have Honor A. P. ready to give his best effort next out, and with Mike Smith in the saddle his chances to visit that hallowed winner's circle at Churchill Downs are that much better.

Read More

• Reversal Of Fortune For Top Two Finishers In Shared Belief
• Thousand Words Re-Enters Kentucky Derby Picture, Beating Honor A.P. In Shared Belief
• Honor A. P. To Stand At Lane's End Upon Retirement
• Bloodlines: Honor A.P. Charts The Course For His Classy Family
• Shirreffs: Exciting, Gratifying To See Honor A.P.'s Santa Anita Performance
• More here

Art Collector

Connections

Owner/Breeder: Bruce Lunsford

Trainer: Tommy Drury

Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.

Pedigree

Sire: Bernardini

Dam: Distorted Legacy, by Distorted Humor

Sales Record: (homebred)

150

Derby Points

Race Record: 5-1-0 from nine starts, $664,380

Major Races: Ellis Park Derby (1st), G2 Blue Grass Stakes (1st)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

3rd

Paulick Report Ranking

After an impressive win in the Blue Grass, this colt did exactly what he needed to do in the Ellis Park Derby. Jockey Brian Hernadez gave him just enough of a workout in the final eighth of a mile, and while his 100 Beyer at Ellis may have been a bit of a regression from his 103 in the Blue Grass, Art Collector showed he can both handle early pressure and be tractable. He'll have to take another step forward to beat Tiz the Law and Honor A. P., but the colt has shown he's certainly capable of doing so. On a side note, it's hard not to root for this trainer and jockey, both of whom are underrated and getting a shot at the big dance.

Read More

• Art Collector Records Front-Running Win In Runhappy Ellis Park Derby
• Drury 'Hit The Lottery' With Ellis Park Derby Favorite Art Collector
• Breeders' Cup Presents Connections: 'I Still Can't Find The Words'
• It's Official: Art Collector To Use Ellis Park Derby As 'Steppingstone' To First Saturday In September
• Hernandez: 'You're Always Thinking About The Derby'
• More here

King Guillermo

Connections

Owner: Victor Avila (Victoria's Ranch)

Trainer: Juan Carlos Avila

Jockey: Samy Camacho

Breeder: Carhue Investments, Grouseridge Ltd. & Marengo Investments

Pedigree

Sire: Uncle Mo

Dam: Slow Sand, by Dixieland Band

Sales Record: $150,000 at the OBS April sale

90

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-1-1 from five starts, $340,350

Major Races: G1 Arkansas Derby (2nd), G2 Tampa Bay Derby (1st)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

4th

Paulick Report Ranking

It was unclear how talented this colt might be after his Tampa Bay Derby victory, but his second-place finish to Nadal in the Arkansas Derby was impressive. The long layoff from May to September could be a concern, but he's a lightly-made animal so there's no reason to think it wouldn't benefit him. King Guillermo is already at Churchill Downs getting used to the surface, and I'll keep a close eye on his works, but as of right now it looks like he'll be a major contender.

Read More

• Straight Sets: Nadal Takes Second Division Of Arkansas Derby For Baffert Sweep
• Arkansas Derby: King Guillermo Gets Feel For Oaklawn Surface
• Breeders' Cup Presents Connections: Jockey Camacho Stays Humble Heading To The 'Big Time'
• Named For Martinez' Late Father, King Guillermo A Longshot Dream Come True
• More here

Caracaro

Connections

Owner: Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing, LLC

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Breeder: SF Bloodstock

Pedigree

Sire: Uncle Mo

Dam: Peace Time, by War Front

Sales Record: $95,000 weanling at Keeneland November

60

Derby Points

Race Record: 1-3-0 from four starts, $238,800

Major Races: G1 Travers Stakes (2nd), G3 Peter Pan Stakes (2nd)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

5th

Paulick Report Ranking

This lightly-raced colt ran a big race in the Peter Pan, especially first time against winners, and took another big step forward in the Travers. He's got all the reason in the world to move up again in the Derby, his third start off the layoff. Caracaro may have been soundly defeated by Tiz the Law, but the late-developing colt ran a solid race and earned his spot in the Run for the Roses.

Read More

• On To The Derby For Travers Runner-Up Caracaro; Rice Keeping Max Player's Options Open
• Caracaro 'In Another Category' Than Delgado's Other Derby Starters
• 'Really? I Did That?' Castellano Hoping To Add To Record Six Travers Wins
• Country Grammer Shows Long-Distance Chops Winning Peter Pan
• More here

Ny Traffic

Connections

Owner: John Fanelli, Cash is King LLC, LC Racing and Paul Braverman

Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.

Jockey: Paco Lopez

Breeder: Brian Culnan

Pedigree

Sire: Cross Traffic

Dam: Maime Reilly, by Graeme Hall

Sales Record: $27,000 RNA at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old in training sale

110

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-3-2 from nine starts, $565,470

Major Races: G1 Haskell Stakes (2nd), G3 Matt Winn (2nd), G2 Louisiana Derby (2nd), G2 Risen Star (3rd)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

6th

Paulick Report Ranking

Progressive colt showed up in a big way in the Haskell, and looked like he'd handle the extra distance of the Kentucky Derby with ease. Ny Traffic has had a good deal of racing experience, and is taking a step forward with each race. He's tactical and gritty, so he should be able to make some noise on the first Saturday in September. 

Read More

• 'Another Jump Forward': Joseph Pleased With Ny Traffic's Haskell Performance
• Authentic Just Lasts In Desperate Haskell Finish; Baffert Wins For Ninth Time
• Ny Traffic Bound For Jersey's Haskell After Sharp Gulfstream Drill
• More here

Thousand Words

Connections

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Abel Cedillo

Breeder: Hardacre Farm

Pedigree

Sire: Pioneerof the Nile

Dam: Pomeroy's Pistol, by Pomeroy

Sales Record: $1,000,000 yearling at Keeneland September sale

83

Derby Points

Race Record: 4-1-0 from seven starts, $327,000

Major Races: Shared Belief Stakes (1st), G3 Los Alamitos Derby (2nd), G3 Bob Lewis Stakes (1st), G2 Los Alamitos Futurity (1st)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

7th

Paulick Report Ranking

Most analysts had understandably written off this colt after a couple of sub-par performances, but after watching his workout in company with Cezanne, it was easy to see that he'd found a new groove. After the Shared Belief win, Baffert explained that Thousand Words had gotten a bit sour, but the Hall of Fame trainer seems to have gotten a better idea of what makes this colt tick. Another one to keep a close eye on in the mornings leading up to the Run for the Roses.

Read More

• Reversal Of Fortune For Top Two Finishers In Shared Belief
• Thousand Words Re-Enters Kentucky Derby Picture, Beating Honor A.P. In Shared Belief
• Baffert 1-2 In Los Alamitos Derby As Uncle Chuck Defeats Thousand Words
• More here

Authentic

Connections

Owner: Spendthrift Farm, MyRacehorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC, and Starlight Racing

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Mike Smith

Breeder: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC

Pedigree

Sire: Into Mischief

Dam: Flawless, by Mr. Greeley

Sales Record: $350,000 yearling at Keeneland September sale

200

Derby Points

Race Record: 4-1-0 from five starts, $1,011,200

Major Races: G1 Haskell Stakes (1st), G1 Santa Anita Derby (2nd), G2 San Felipe (1st), G3 Sham Stakes (1st)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

8th

Paulick Report Ranking

I sincerely doubt this colt wants a mile and a quarter, but I doubted him in the Haskell over nine furlongs too. He's got heart, and he's got the tactical speed to be dangerous, but I can't seem him winning the Kentucky Derby. Mike Smith, his regular rider, seems likely to pick Honor A. P. over Authentic for the first Saturday in September.

Read More

• Baffert Breezes Derby Candidates Uncle Chuck, Authentic
• Bloodlines: Authentic's Haskell Win Brings Latest Success For Into Mischief, MyRacehorse
• Baffert: Haskell Winner Authentic 'Still Has A Lot Of Improving To Do'
• More here

Sole Volante

Connections

Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone

Trainer: Patrick Biancone

Jockey: Luca Panici

Breeder: Flaxman Holdings Limited

Pedigree

Sire: Karakontie

Dam: Light Blow, by Kingmambo

Sales Record: $20,000 2-year-old at OBS April sale

30

Derby Points

Race Record: 4-1-1 from seven starts, $323,310

Major Races: G2 Tampa Bay Derby (2nd), G3 Sam Davis (1st)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

9th

Paulick Report Ranking

He'll need the right trip to win the Derby, but his late-closing style could be especially dangerous when there appears to be plenty of speed signing on for the first Saturday in September. Biancone admitted that he rushed Sole Volante to the Belmont 10 days after winning an allowance race, and that he runs better fresh, so I won't hold the Belmont sixth against him.

Read More

• Sole Volante Breezes On Grass In Advance Of Kentucky Derby
• Sole Volante To Train Up To Kentucky Derby; Ete Indien Suffers Setback
• Luca Panici Feeling 'Confident' In Long-Time Partnership With Sole Volante
• Sole Volante To Wheel Back In 10 Days For Belmont Stakes
• More here

Max Player

Connections

Owner: George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbreds Corp.

Trainer: Linda Rice

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Breeder: K & G Stables

Pedigree

Sire: Honor Code

Dam: Fools in Love, by Not For Love

Sales Record: $150,000 RNA at Keeneland September yearling sale

60

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-1-3 from five starts, $373,500

Major Races: G1 Travers (3rd), G1 Belmont Stakes (3rd), G3 Withers (1st)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

10th

Paulick Report Ranking

He ran willingly enough in the Belmont, and all reports from the colt's camp were positive leading up to his third in the Travers. Rice hasn't determined whether he'll point to the Derby yet, but Max Player's late-running style should put him in contention if he does.

Read More

• On To The Derby For Travers Runner-Up Caracaro; Rice Keeping Max Player's Options Open
• Rice Hoping Rosario Keeps Max Player Closer To The Pace In Travers
• 'Level-Headed' Max Player Puts In Final Work For Saturday's Travers
• How Much Was That Horse Worth? Max Player Valued At Seven Figures After Withers Score
• 'Everything Is Going Smoothly' With Travers Contender Max Player
• More here

Dr Post

Connections

Owner: St. Elias Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Joe Bravo

Breeder: Cloyce Clark

Pedigree

Sire: Quality Road

Dam: Mary Delaney, by Hennessy 

Sales Record: $400,000 yearling at Keeneland September

83

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-0-1 from three starts, $188,850

Major Races: G1 Haskell (3rd), G1 Belmont (2nd)

Next Expected Start

possible for Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

11th

Paulick Report Ranking

Unimpressive performance in the Haskell, and Dr Post appears to be more of a one-paced grinder than the kind of horse who can win the Kentucky Derby. Down the road, he ought to try some marathon distances, because he looks like the type to run all day long.

However, should the colt's racing tactics change, he might be worth a second look.

Read More

• Dr Post, Authentic Top Probables For 'Win And You're In' Haskell Stakes
• Aftermath: Pletcher, Rice Ponder Next Starts For Belmont's Second- And Third-Place Finishers
• Vincent Viola: 'The Belmont Is Absolutely The Race That I Covet The Most'
• More here

Enforceable

Connections

Owner: John Oxley

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Breeder: Clearsky Farms

Pedigree

Sire: Tapit

Dam: Justwhistledixie, by Dixie Union

Sales Record: $775,000 RNA at Keeneland September sale

43

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-2-2 from ten starts, $397,150

Major Races: G2 Blue Grass Stakes (4th), G2 Risen Star (2nd), G3 Lecomte (1st), G1 Breeders' Futurity (3rd)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

12th

Paulick Report Ranking

Distance should help this well-bred colt, and Casse seems happy with his recent workouts. Enforceable's late-running style might be a detriment, but with the right draw and the right trip, anything is possible.

Read More

• Casse: Enforceable 'Has Grown Up A Lot,' But Will Need 'Plenty Of Pace' In Kentucky Derby
• Art Collector Breezes Half-Mile At Churchill In Ellis Park Derby Prep
• Enforceable Tabbed As Lukewarm Favorite In 14-Strong Louisiana Derby
• After Lecomte Win, Casse Hoping To Keep Triple Crown Prep Party Going In Smarty Jones
• More here

Major Fed

Connections

Owner/Breeder: Lloyd Madison

Trainer: Greg Foley

Jockey: James Graham

Pedigree

Sire: Hard Spun

Dam: Aristra, by Afleet Alex

Sales record: $200,000 yearling at Keeneland September sale

38

Derby Points

Race Record: 1-2-1 from six starts, $215,600

Major Races: G3 Indiana Derby (2nd), G2 Risen Star (2nd)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

13th

Paulick Report Ranking

He hasn't gotten that top-level win yet, but Major Fed has a dedicated team behind him dedicated to his success. He will skip the Ellis Park Derby and point straight to the Kentucky Derby, and while he won't be lower than 20-1 on Derby day, the power of the home team may propel Major Fed beyond his race record.

Read More

• Major Fed Team Decides To Skip Ellis Park Derby, Train Up To Kentucky Derby
• Art Collector Breezes Half-Mile At Churchill In Ellis Park Derby Prep
• 'Unlucky The Last Two Races,' Major Fed Tries To Get Back In Gear In Indiana Derby
• Matt Winn Stakes: Major Fed 'A Step Above' For Team Foley
• More here

Attachment Rate

Connections

Owner: Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Joe Talamo

Breeder: Mr. and Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III

Pedigree

Sire: Uncle Mo

Dam: Symbolic Gesture, by Bernardini

38

Derby Points

Race Record: 1-3-1 from eight starts, $143,732

Major Races: Ellis Park Derby (2nd), G3 Gotham (3rd)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

14th

Paulick Report Ranking

Clearly second-best to Art Collector in the Ellis Park Derby, but Romans plans to point this son of Hard Spun to the Run for the Roses. And why not? It's his home track, and the Virginia-bred is improving a bit this year. 

Read More

• Art Collector Records Front-Running Win In Runhappy Ellis Park Derby
• 'Later Developing' Attachment Rate Gives Romans A Shot In Matt Winn
• More here

Shared Sense

Connections

Owner.Breeder: Godolphin

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Pedigree

Sire: Street Sense

Dam: Collective, by Bernardini

20

Derby Points

Race Record: 3-2-0 from nine starts, $327,745

Major Races: G3 Indiana Derby (1st)

Next Expected Start

possible for Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

15th

Paulick Report Ranking

Big run at Indiana Grand, and his pedigree says he should love every inch of a mile and a quarter. He improved late in the Ellis Park Derby, so another furlong might be to his liking at Churchill Downs. Shared Sense will need a couple of defections, but it appears likely he'll get them.

Read More

• Shared Sense Completes Trainer Brad Cox's Indiana Derby, Oaks Double
• Trainer Brad Cox Has 'Two Live Shots' With Indiana Derby, Oaks Starters
• More here

Pneumatic

Connections

Owner/Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Joe Bravo

Pedigree

Sire: Uncle Mo

Dam: Teardrop, by Tapit

25

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-0-1 from four starts, $166,850

Major Races: G1 Belmont Stakes (4th), G3 Matt Winn Stakes (3rd)

Next Expected Start

Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park on Aug. 15

16th

Paulick Report Ranking

Expected to make it into the main body of the field even without points earned in this weekend's Pegasus Stakes, the lightly-raced Pneumatic has a lot of upside for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. He'll need to step forward to compete with the best on this list, but Saturday's performance should answer some questions.

Read More

• Matt Winn Third Pneumatic Nominated To Triple Crown; Belmont, Haskell Among Options For Next Start
• Equibase Analysis: Pneumatic Might Just Drill Foes In Matt Winn
• More here

Necker Island

Connections

Owner: Raymond Daniels and Wayne Scherr

Trainer: Chris Hartman

Jockey: Mitchell Murrill

Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC

Pedigree

Sire: Hard Spun

Dam: Jenny's Rocket, by Mr. Greeley

Sales Record: $250,000 yearling at Keeneland September

14

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-0-3 from 10 starts, $199,730

Major Races: Ellis Park Derby (3rd), G3 Indiana Derby (3rd)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

17th

Paulick Report Ranking

A step below the best, but the Derby is for dreamers and mid-level trainer Chris Hartman has continued to show that he can work with the best when given the chance.

Read More

• $100,000 Claim Necker Island Jumps Into Indiana Derby For New Trainer Chris Hartman
• More here

Rushie

Connections

Owner: Jim and Donna Daniell

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Breeder: Ocala Stud

Pedigree

Sire: Liam's Map

Dam: Conquest Angel, by Colonel John

Sales record: $70,000 2-year-old purchase at OBS March sale

40

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-1-2 from six starts, $189,351

Major Races: G2 Blue Grass Stakes (3rd), G1 Santa Anita Derby (3rd)

Next Expected Start

possible for Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

18th

Paulick Report Ranking

Rushie isn't nominated to the Triple Crown, but he's run well enough in a couple of Derby preps and has enough points to make the main field on his own. It'll be interesting to see what happens moving forward with this colt.

Read More

• Rushie's 'Natural Speed' Will Play To His Advantage In Blue Grass
• More here

Finnick the Fierce

Connections

Owner: Rey Hernandez and Arnaldo Monge

Trainer: Rey Hernandez

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Breeder: Paige Jillian Blu Sky Stables

Pedigree

Sire: Dialed In

Dam: Southern Classic, by Southern Image

25

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-1-2 from nine starts, $191,290

Major Races: G1 Arkansas Derby (3rd), G3 Lecomte Stakes (4th), G2 Kentucky Jockey Club (2nd)

Next Expected Start

Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5

19th

Paulick Report Ranking

Expected to make the main field via defections, the one-eyed Finnick the Fierce will draw plenty of fan-favoritism. He's a cool colt who's run well intermittently, and a good performance could put him in the mix on Derby day.

Read More

• Finnick The Fierce, Man In The Can Breeze In Advance Of Blue Grass
• Jeff Ruby Steaks: One-Eyed Finnick The Fierce 'Seems To Have Taken To The Polytrack'
• More here

Storm the Court

Connections

Owner: David A Bernsen, Exline-Border Racing LLC, Dan Hudock, and Susanna Wilson

Trainer: Peter Eurton

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Breeder: Stepping Stone Farm

Pedigree

Sire: Court Vision

Dam: My Tejana Storm, Tejano Run

Sales Record: $60,000 2-year-old at OBS April sale

36

Derby Points

Race Record: 2-1-3 from nine starts, $1,310,451

Major Races: G3 La Jolla (2nd), G3 Ohio Derby (3rd), G2 San Felipe (3rd), G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (1st), G1 American Pharoah (3rd)

Next Expected Start

possible for Kentucky Derby

20th

Paulick Report Ranking

Second in a graded stakes on the turf last weekend, Storm the Court remains possible for the Kentucky Derby. He hasn't produced a top-level win this year, but keeps hitting the board or getting close to it on the dirt. It seems unlikely his connections will go back to the dirt after that turf success, however.

Read More

• Eurton Hoping To Hit Storm The Court's Reset Button In Grassy La Jolla
• Juvenile Champ Storm The Court Made 3-1 Morning Line Favorite In Saturday's $500,000 Ohio Derby
• 'Willing And Game': Champion Storm The Court Confirmed For Arkansas Derby
• More here

The post The Derby 20 Presented by NYRA Bets: Several Disappointing Performances Lead To Changes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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