Tag: fair grounds

Jonathan Wong Still Searching For First Win In Louisiana

Trainer Jonathan Wong, who was hit with a two-year suspension by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) for a metformin positive, has resurfaced in Louisiana, where he has 15 horses at a private training center but has yet to visit the winner's circle. Wong sent out his first starter in Louisiana on Feb. 13. But the same trainer who had one of the biggest stables in Northern California has struggled there, sending out just five horses without a winner.

The plaintiff states of Louisiana and West Virginia won a preliminary injunction in federal court in July that will keep the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority's rules from being implemented in those two states until a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of HISA gets decided in full. Because he was not under a suspension issued by the Louisiana Racing Commission, Wong is being allowed to compete in the Bayou State.

Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Inc., did not give Wong any stalls but is allowing him to race.

Wong did not start a horse between July 1 and Feb. 13, when he sent out his first Louisiana runner, Desoto's War (Warrior's Reward). He has made just four starts at Fair Grounds and one at Delta Downs.

According to one of his owners, Brent Malmstrom, who is helping with Wong's legal fight, Wong had 141 horses before he was suspended.

Malmstrom and Wong have maintained that the trainer is innocent because the positive for the drug, which is used in humans to treat Type II diabetes, was a matter of environmental contamination.

Wong did not return phone calls from the TDN seeking comment.

“Jonathan Wong may have done some things in the past,” he said. “I can't speak to that. All I can speak to is this: he didn't do this. We don't know where the drug came from. It's odd that at point in time when all this happened almost half of the metformin positives occurred at Horseshoe Indianapolis.”

The horse that tested positive was Heaven and Earth (Gormley) and the positive was found after the filly won a June 1 maiden special weight race at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Malmstrom acknowledged that this has been a difficult situation for Wong.

“The sad thing about this whole thing is that this cost him his marriage,” he said. “He's got four little children. He's doing whatever he can to survive as I, along with our lawyers, work on the legal side to figure out how to get relief.”

Malmstrom said that most of the horses Wong trained before the suspension have been sent to other trainers.

“He lost his entire business,” he said. “The bulk of the horses he has in Louisiana are mine. I don't turn my back on people when they're at their lowest point in life. Louisiana has been incredibly welcoming and we thank them. People deserve an opportunity to defend themselves and should have the right to earn a living while they are defending themselves. That's a fundamental thing.”

The Fair Grounds meet ends on March 24. Malmstrom said that after Fair Grounds closes Wong will focus on the meet at Evangeline Downs, which opens April 7.

Wong has been training since 2014 and has 1,194 career wins. His best year came in 2021, when he saddled 236 winners and won at a rate of 23%.

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The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Mar. 8

The GII Davona Dale S., run last Saturday at Gulfstream, was all about the return of Eclipse Award winner Just F Y I (Justify). But she was scratched with a fever, delaying her 3-year-old debut. At Aqueduct, Jody's Pride (American Pharoah) won the Busher S., picking up enough points to guarantee her a spot in the GI Kentucky Oaks. It will be a relatively quiet weekend for the horses on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks. The GIII Santa Ysabel at Santa Anita will be headlined by Kinza (Carpe Diem). She looks like the best 3-year-old filly in training, but will not be allowed to run in the Oaks because she is trained by Bob Baffert.

Here's a look at the fourth installment of our Kentucky Oaks Top 10:

1) TARIFA (f, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', GSW, 4-3-0-0, $278,925. Last start: WON Feb. 17 GII Rachel Alexandra S. Ky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 23 or GI Ashland S., Kee, Apr. 5

Tarifa will have one more prep before the Kentucky Oaks and if she passes that test she will likely be the favorite come the first Friday in May. Trainer Brad Cox still hasn't decided between the GII Fair Grounds Oaks or the GI Ashland S. She has had her first workout since her win in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, breezing a half-mile at the Fair Grounds Mar. 3 in :49.80. Considering that the Rachel Alexandra was her stakes debut, this filly is good now and figures to only get better for Cox.

2) JODY'S PRIDE (f, American Pharoah–Jody's Song, by Scat Daddy) O-Parkland Tbreds & Sportsmen Stable; B-Mr. Steve Weston (Ky); T-J Abreu. Lifetime Record: MSW & GISP, 4-3-1-0, $590,250. Last start: WON Mar. 2 Busher S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 65. Next Start: GIII Gazelle S., AQU, Apr. 6.

The connections of Jody's Pride, the runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, called an audible at the line of scrimmage and withdrew from the Davona Dale in order to run in the Busher S. at Aqueduct. It was a smart move. They knew they'd be the headliner against a weak field of competitors and that it was a good spot to pick up easy Oaks points. It worked out perfectly as she splashed her way over a sloppy track to win by 2 1/4 lengths with Jose Lezcano aboard. It was the third win in the race over a five-year span for trainer Jorge Abreu. She didn't have particularly good Beyer numbers coming into the race and, though she did improve, her Beyer was an 80. That means she's going to have to run faster in upcoming races. They will stay in New York and run next in the GIII Gazelle S. Her 65 Oaks points puts her at No. 1 on that list.

3) JUST F Y I (f, Justify–Star Act, by Street Cry {Ire}) O/B-George Krikorian (Ky); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo filly, GISW, 3-3-0-0, $1,317,750. Last start: WON Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. Next Start: TBD.

Things had gone perfectly for this daughter of Justify through her championship campaign in 2023 and early 2024. She was primed for her return in the Davona Dale, but came down with a fever, forcing trainer Bill Mott to scratch her. Normally, that would be a minor setback, but Just F Y I will now likely go into the Kentucky Oaks with just one prep. That could be a problem. “Her temperature is back to normal,” Mott said. “She looks bright and is eating well. Three races are possible if she recovers well, the Gulfstream Park Oaks, the Fantasy or the Ashland.” A high-quality filly, but she can't afford to have another setback.

4) KOPION (f, Omaha Beach–Galloping Ami, by Victory Gallop) O-Spendthrift Farm; B-Tall Oaks Farm (Ky); T-Richard Mandella. Sales history: $270,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $116,600. Last start: 2nd Feb. 10 GIII Las Virgenes S. Ky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start:GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, Mar. 9

Kopion is in an odd spot. She's not the best 3-year-old filly based in Southern California. Kinza is. But Kopion is California's top threat for the Kentucky Oaks. That's because Kinza is trained by Bob Baffert and will not be allowed to start in the Oaks. She's also not the best 3-year-old filly in the Richard Mandella barn. Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) is. But she has been sidelined and won't be making it to Churchill Downs. According to the Santa Anita notes team, Kopion, a daughter of Omaha Beach will, face off against Kinza again in Saturday's Santa Ysabel S. In some respects, a second-place finish will seem like a win.

5) POWER SQUEEZE (f, Union Rags–Callmethesqueeze, by Awesome Again) O-Lea Farms, LLC; B-Forging Oaks Farm (KY); T-Jorge Delgado. Sales history: $50,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $90,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: MSW, 5-3-1-0, $188,650. Last start: WON Feb. 10 Suncoast S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, Mar. 30.

The real test for this filly will come in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, the final Kentucky Oaks prep run in Florida. The connections have been running her in non-graded races and she has come through, winning the Cash Run S. at Gulfstream and the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. How good is she? We don't know yet. Sold for just $90,000 at last year's OBS June sale. She is trained by Jorge Delgado, who is not well known on the national scene, but is winning at a 30% clip on the year. For his career, his winning percentage is 22%.

6) INTRICATE (f, Gun Runner–Complex Analysis, by Distorted Humor) O-Bradley Thoroughbreds, Laura Leigh Stable, Scot Estes & Cambron Equine, LLC; B-LBD Stable, LLC (Ky); T-Brendan Walsh. Sales history: $200,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-1-0, $362,180. Last start: 2nd GII Rachel Alexandra S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 35. Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 23

Brendan Walsh will be looking to become the first trainer to win back-to-back runnings of the Kentucky Oaks since Wayne Lukas. Lukas won the 1990 Oaks with Seaside Attraction and the 1989 Oaks with Open Mind. Walsh enjoyed a terrific year last year with Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), who raised her profile in her Oaks win and went on to win the 3-year-old filly championship. Intricate has more to prove before she can be compared to her illustrious stablemate, but there's no reason why she won't have a similar year. Took a bit of a hit when second behind Tarifa in the Rachel Alexandra, but she ran well and was beaten by a top-class filly.

7) LESLIE'S ROSE (f, Into Mischief–Wildwood Rose {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Whisper Hill Farm; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services (Ky); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $1,150,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', GSP, 3-2-0-1, $89,950. Last start: 3rd Mar. 2 GII Davona Dale S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 15. Next Start: TBD.

A $1.15-million purchase at Keeneland September, this daughter of Into Mischief faced her biggest challenge to date in the Davona Dale S. The results were mixed. She didn't run terribly in what was her stakes debut. She finished third as the 3-10 favorite and was beaten 2 1/4 lengths. The race came after she posted big Beyer numbers in her maiden win and in an allowance race. Trainer Todd Pletcher reports that her next start will either be in the Ashland or the Gulfstream Park Oaks. She deserves one more chance, but a defeat in her next start would mean the bloom is off this rose.

8) WEST OMAHA (f, West Coast–Birthday Bash, by Medaglia d'Oro) O/B-Gary & Mary West Stables (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-2-0, $203,000. Last start: 3rd in Feb. 24 GIII Honeybee S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. Next Start: TBD.

Brad Cox is always loaded with talent in the 3-year-old filly division. It looks like Tarifa is his best prospect, but her stablemate West Omaha is still in the mix. After a win in the Silverbulletday S. presented by Fasig-Tipton, she disappointed when third in the GIII Honeybee. S. at Oaklawn as the 11-10 favorite. A little bit on the erratic side, she wins every other race. There can't be any excuses next time…she needs a major win to prove she has what it takes to win the Kentucky Oaks.

9) LEMON MUFFIN (f, Collected–Pelt, by Canadian Frontier)

O-Aaron Sones; B-Mr & Mrs Theodore R Kuster & Collected Syndicate (KY); T-D Wayne Lukas. Sales history: $20,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $140,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-1-4-0, $305,250. Last start: WON Feb. 24 GIII Honeybee S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GIII Fantasy S., OP, Mar. 30.

The remarkable story of Hall of Famer Wayne Lukas just keeps going and going. He's now 88, but has shown the world he's still more than capable of competing at the highest levels of the sport and against the very best trainers. He's also bold enough to do what few other trainers would. Prior to her win in the Honeybee, Lemon Muffin was still a maiden after five starts and had never run beyond six furlongs. On paper, she looked to be up against it in the Honeybee but scored the upset at 28-1. Was it a fluke? We'll find out in her next start. Having won the 2022 Oaks with Secret Oath (Arrogate), Lukas will be out to win his second Oaks in three years.

10) FIONA'S MAGIC (f, St Patrick's Day–Mollie's Magic, by Factum) O/B-Stonehedge, LLC (FL); T-Michael Yates. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-2-0, $250,910. Last start: WON Mar. 2 GII Davona Dale S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 60. Next start: GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, Mar. 30.

When the entries came out for the Davona Dale, Fiona's Magic was completely overshadowed by Just F Y I and Leslie's Rose. But when the dust cleared, Just F Y I had been scratched and Leslie's Rose didn't live up to her billing. That left a void and it was filled by this Florida-bred daughter of St. Patrick's Day (Pioneerof the Nile). She was bred by and is owned by Marilyn Campbell's Stonehedge Farm South, the Florida Breeder of the Year in 1997, 2013, and 2016. Trainer Michael Yates is not well known outside of Florida, but he has won the Davona Dale in back-to-back years. His 2023 winner was Dorth Vader (Girvin).

The post The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Mar. 8 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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‘TDN Rising Star’ Impel Impresses At Oaklawn To Stay Perfect

4th-Oaklawn, $140,000, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($125,000), 3-3, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:45.10, ft, 8 1/2 lengths.
IMPEL (f, 3, Quality Road–Your Love {SW & GSP, $335,000}, by Flatter) earned 'TDN Rising Star' honors with a dazzling debut win over a fast six furlongs at Fair Grounds Jan. 1. Entered as an also-eligible for last Friday's Cincinnati Trophy S. at Turfway, the Juddmonte homebred showed up in this spot as the 6-5 favorite instead and made the most of the swap. Always right off the hip of pacesetter Hayek (Cairo Prince), Impel was well in-hand turning for home and drew off with ease against an over-matched field to win by a geared-down 8 1/2 lengths. Another flashy debut winner, Merasol Sugar (Consitution), picked up the pieces in second. Juddmonte purchased stakes winner Your Love, a full-sister to GSW/GISP Economic Model and half to GSW/GISP Happy American (Runhappy) and GSW/MGISP Well Monied (Maria's Mon), for $480,000 out of the 2019 KEENOV sale and Impel is the dam's first foal. After losing her 2022 War Front foal, Your Love reported a filly by Curlin last year and was bred back to Not This Time for 2024. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $115,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

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Sunday Insight: $2M Full Sister To First Captain Debuts At Gulfstream

7th-GP, $89K, MSW, 3yo, f, 7f, 3:09 p.m.

Owned in partnership by Woodford Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Chris Larsen, SEDONA (Curlin) debuts Sunday at Gulfstream Park for trainer Shug McGaughey. The full-sister to MGSW/GISP and $1.5m FTSAUG yearling First Captain nearly topped 2022's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale when selling for $2,000,000. Dam America, herself a graded stakes winner and dual Grade-I placed, last went through the auction ring late last year at FTKNOV but failed to meet her reserve at $1,200,000. She also RNA'd for $3.1m at FTKNOV back in 2019. The family has produced plenty of pricey horses including America's half-sister Paris Bikini (Bernardini) who brought $1.95m at FTKNOV in 2020 and that mare's daughter, GISW Paris Lights (Curlin), who went to Spendthrift Farm on a final bid of $3.1m at KEENOV in 2021. TJCIS PPS

5th-FG, $57K, MSW, 3yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 3:45 p.m.

Spendthrift homebred Wine and Waves (Vino Rosso), running for Albert Stall, Jr., debuts on the grass Sunday in New Orleans. A daughter of MGSW/GISP Malibu Pier, she is a half to SW and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf runner up Coasted (Tizway) who went the way of Katsumi Yoshida for $1.3m at FTKNOV in 2017 and produced Japanese GSW Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}, runner up in last year's G1 DP World Dubai Turf. Malibu Pier is additionally responsible for MGSP Malibu Stacy (Tizway). Wine and Waves drilled four furlongs in a near-bullet :47 4/5 (2/54) Feb. 22 in preparation for her debut. TJCIS PPS

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