Faiza | Horse Racing Free Tips

Taxed Leads Home Grey Exacta in Black-Eyed Susan

Running for a $50,000 tag as recently as last November, 11-1 chance Taxed (Collected) proved one of the biggest bargains on the afternoon, coming from off the pace to peg Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief) while also leaving the previously undefeated and piping-hot 3-5 choice Faiza (Girvin) in her wake in the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan S. at Pimlico Friday.

Last season's GII Golden Rod S. winner Hoosier Philly was intent on getting to the front, and she did so dutifully, as Sacred Wish (Not This Time), Merlazza (Medaglia d'Oro) and Faiza drafted in behind on her outside flank through an opening quarter in :23.44. The rail-skimming Scared Wish tried to creep up on the leader, but promptly had that door slammed in her face, losing some ground in the process. With Hoosier Philly still narrowly in front and Merlazza and Faiza keeping her honest, Taxed was only about four lengths away and moving easily following a :47.24 half. Given her cue leaving the far turn, the grey swung out four wide while inching closer to the front turning for home, gradually reeled in the drifting pacesetter and overtook her game, but tiring rival at midstretch en route to a 3 3/4-length victory. The GI Starlet winner Faiza was a clear third over 14-1 shot Balpool (Uncaptured).

“I had a very good trip,” said winning rider Rafael Bejarano. “I put her in the position the way that I wanted and went from there. I followed the favorite [Faiza], came to the stretch and let her out. My horse responded really good and she finished really well. She has improved a lot.”

In regard to the beaten favorite, Bob Baffert explained, “She broke well and was in a good spot. When the running started, she did not have that kick that she usually has. She ran a good race; she just wasn't good enough today. We are still trying to figure her out. [Flavien] Prat said she had the trip. She did everything right but win.”

He added, “It was a good test for her, this being her first time shipping. We are proud of her; at least she was right there. Those two fillies [Taxed and Hoosier Philly] looked good in the paddock; I thought they would run well. We will go home with her and regroup.”

The victory gave Bejarano's his first graded victory since the 2021 GII Jessamine S. on California Angel, while it was trainer Randy Morse's first since the 2014 GI Stephen Foster S. with Moonshine Mullin.

“It's hard to compete with these guys who go in and spend millions of dollars on young horses,” said Morse. “I'm not knocking them–I'd like to be in their position. Most of my better horses have been claimed.

“I won the Stephen Foster, that was a Grade I. Even if it's a claiming race, a win's a win.”

Claimed for $50,000 while facing maidens at Churchill Downs last November, Taxed returned to be fourth behind future GI Central Bank Ashland S. winner Defining Purpose (Cross Traffic) in the Year's End S. at Oaklawn Dec. 31 before posting a solid runner-up finish to Wet Paint (Blame) in the Martha Washington S. Jan. 28. Fading to ninth after pursuing the early pace in a sloppy renewal of the GIII Honeybee S. Feb. 25, a race also won by Wet Paint, she came home an improved second to that familiar foe after shedding the blinkers in the GIII Fantasy S. Apr. 1.

“She was just always pulling, too rank,” explained Morse. “Because every time she ran, she looked like she was going to win, and she just didn't have any finish. As you see now that she's relaxing behind horses and settling. It's made a huge difference.”

Taxed wound up in the Black-Eyed Susan after failing to draw into the May 5 GI Kentucky Oaks as the first also-eligible.

The filly's owner, Omaha, Nebraska, resident Richard Bahde, has owned horses for 30 years, racing primarily in Kentucky and Arkansas. According to Bahde, the win marked his first win at this level.

“I started out in the bull rings in Nebraska with $5,000 claimers and then I met [trainer Randy Morse] and he took me to a whole different level. We have had a lot of fun together.”

When asked about Taxed's latest win, he enthused, “When she made her move on that turn, I knew we had it won. She loves her job, she loves to run and once she got clear to the outside, it was over. She went past [Hoosier Philly] like she was standing still.”

Pedigree Notes:

Taxed's Black-Eyed Susan victory gives her the distinction of being the initial graded winner for sophomore sire Collected, who stands at this breeder's Airdrie Stud. Her dam, three times stakes placed through a 15-race racing career, won at distances ranging from six to eight furlongs and was purchased by Brereton Jones for $75,000 in foal to Congrats at Keeneland November in 2015. A 100% winner-producer from her four foals to make the races, Yankee Union has an unraced juvenile colt by Airdrie's Preservationist (Arch) named In a Jam who was picked up by D J Stable for $50,000 at Fasig-Tipton July and is training forwardly at Casse Training Center. She is also the dam of a yearling filly by American Freedom and foaled a filly by Complexity Mar. 31.

Friday, Pimlico
GEORGE E. MITCHELL BLACK-EYED SUSAN S.-GII, $300,000, Pimlico, 5-19, 3yo, f, 1 1/8m, 1:49.45, ft.
1–TAXED, 118, f, 3, by Collected
1st Dam: Yankee Union (MSP, $164,064),by Yankee Gentleman
2nd Dam: A Touch of Romance, by El Prado (Ire)
3rd Dam: Dance Account, by Private Account
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($27,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $105,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-Richard Bahde; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Randy L. Morse; J-Rafael Bejarano. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 8-2-2-0, $379,644. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Hoosier Philly, 124, f, 3, Into Mischief–Tapella, by Tapit. ($510,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Gold Standard Racing Stable, LLC; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss. $60,000.
3–Faiza, 124, f, 3, Girvin–Sweet Pistol, by Smart Strike. ($90,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL; $725,000 2yo '22 EASMAY). 'TDN Rising Star' O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $30,000.
Margins: 3 3/4, 2 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 11.00, 6.30, 0.60.
Also Ran: Balpool, Merlazza, Cats Inthe Timber, Towhead, Comparative, Sacred Wish. Scratched: Frosty O Toole, Miracle, Pate.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Black-Eyed Susan Card Kicks Off Preakness Weekend

BALTIMORE, MD–The past two weeks has seen the kind of drama that one might expect in soap opera, laden with twists and turns that have left even the most seasoned turfwriters scratching their heads in disbelief. However, despite the all head-snapping headlines, the days leading up to this year's Preakness at Pimlico were business as usual. Thursday morning's activity matched the Baltimore weather, brisk and clear, with everything seemingly running without any major glitches. Following a brief hiatus because of the COVID pandemic, the morning tours were back in force at Pimlico, and given the robust turnout, it appeared fans remained eager to come out and experience racing's biggest events. Meanwhile, the 1/ST team of vets were clearly getting their steps in, making their rounds throughout the Preakness barns, while the typical mass of reporters milled about waiting for the reigning Kentucky Derby champ Mage (Good Magic) to make his way to the track promptly after the break at about 8:45a.m.

Faiza Puts Unbeaten Record on the Line
Friday's card at Pimlico is highlighted by a trio of graded stakes, anchored by the nine-furlong GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan S. The one clearly to beat is the undefeated Michael Lund Petersen's Faiza (Girvin), who has reeled off four consecutive graded victories, including the GI Starlet S. last December. This season, she won the GIII Las Virgenes S. and GIII Santa Ysabel S. before taking the GII Santa Anita Oaks.

“She's very professional. She's got a really good mind,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “Every time [Flavien] Prat rides, he says there is so much more in the tank because she doesn't win by a lot. I think [the Black-Eyed Susan] is going to be a step up. She will be running against more horses, so you never know. But she's doing really well.”

In Faiza's latest start in the Apr. 8 Santa Anita Oaks, she rolled home an impressive 6 1/2-length winner.

“She was really on when he asked her to go. I trained her a little bit stiffer for that one because I figured it was going to be a tougher race,” Baffert explained. “She looks great. She's healthy. She's really in the zone right now. I think she would have been tough in the [Kentucky] Oaks, but we'll find out in the Black-Eyed Susan.”

Flying a bit under the radar is Madaket Stables' Balpool (Uncaptured), who rides a two-race win skein. A comfortable winner going a mile at the Big A Apr. 7, the Florida-bred followed up with another in an off-turf renewal of the Memories of Silver S. at that venue Apr. 29.

“We were kind of scratching our heads as to what kind of filly she was,” admitted trainer Rob Atras. “That allowance race came up, so we figured we'd give her another shot in there and she really handled that field well that day. She really finished up good and kind of ran away from them. We got a little lucky with the stake [coming off the turf] but she still beat a couple decent fillies in there so, to me, it looks like she's progressing and getting better with every start. We're kind of excited about her and we're hoping that if we do run that she'll take another step forward.”

Brad Cox offers a two-pronged attack with Don Alberto's Merlazza (Medaglia d'Oro) and Godolphin homebred Comparative (Street Sense). The former won two of her first three starts before adding a victory in Oaklawn's Valley Of The Vapors S. Apr. 22.

“We have been pointing to this race with her since she won the first level allowance at the Fair Grounds [Mar. 25],” confirmed Cox.

Florent Geroux, who was aboard for her first three starts before being replaced by Joel Rosario for her latest, gets back aboard Friday.

In regard to her latest victory, Cox explained, “I just liked the way the race came up at Oaklawn. I thought she fit very well. It was a bit oddly run since there wasn't much pace and she sat behind horses and Joel did a good job of getting her out and letting her finish up.”

Although stepping up to graded company for the first time, Cox remains confident the Don Alberto homebred is up to the task.

“She's had two solid works since at Churchill and she shipped well and looks amazing,” he said. “I think she'll handle the mile and an eighth. It's her first attempt at graded stakes company but I think she's that caliber.”

And another reason to run at Pimlico?

“I obviously want to keep her away from Wet Paint,” he said with a chuckle.

Comparative needed several tries to get going, but finally broke through going 8 1/2 furlongs at the Fair Grounds in February before making it two straight in a Keeneland optional claimer Apr. 7. Luis Saez was aboard for both her career victories.

“I think Merlazza is probably a little bit quicker off the blocks than Comparative, but I think I would like Luis to keep Comparative involved [early],” Cox explained. “I think she does her best running when she's up close, and she showed that in her last two. She's stepping up in competition and we're going to need to see her move forward.”

Friday Undercard Packs Competitive Affairs
Cox also packs a punch in the six-furlong GIII Miss Preakness S. with morning line favorite Key of Life (Mo Town). The winner of three consecutive races last season, including the Myrtlewood S. at Keeneland, the bay finished third in the mud in the Dixie Belle S. at Oaklawn in February before annexing two straight in the Purple Mountain S. followed by the seven-furlong Beaumont S. at Keeneland Apr. 16.

“That's a good race,” said Cox of the Miss Preakness. “It's not a big field but it's a competitive group. There are some other fillies in there with speed, so I think it's going to be a jock's race. Flavien [Prat] is going to have to figure out a trip from down on the inside. They'll obviously need to get out and get some position, but hopefully, we can have enough late so she can finish down the lane.”

Trying to play the role of spoiler in the Miss Preakness is undefeated Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic). All three of her wins have been recorded while facing New York-bred competition, including her sole start in 2023 in the East View S. at Aqueduct Mar. 24. She is campaigned by famed Hall of Fame football coach Bill Parcell's August Dawn Farm.

In the male handicap division, Twin Creeks' Law Professor (Constitution) will try and collect his first graded score since taking the 2021 renewal of the GII Santa Anita Mathis Mile. Victorious in last season's Tapit S. at Kentucky Downs before finishing runner-up to Life Is Good in the GI Woodward S. and a fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, the gelding launched 2023 with a win in the Queen's County S. at Aqueduct in January before coming home third in Oaklawn's GIII Razorback H. Feb. 18. Well supported in a muddy renewal of the nine-furling Excelsior Apr. 1, he came home a 4 1/4-length winner. Manny Franco, who was aboard for both wins this season, gets the call.

Also coming into this year's Pimlico Special off a win is Lucky Seven Stable's Rattle N Roll (Connect), victorious in the GIII Ben Ali S. at Keeneland Apr. 22. Trained by Ken McPeek, the chestnut won three races at the stakes level, including the GIII Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.

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Faiza For Fun In the Santa Anita Oaks

Michael Lund Petersen's 'TDN Rising Star' Faiza (Girvin) was never really asked for a full effort by Flavien Prat in extending her unbeaten streak to five with a facile success in Saturday's GII Santa Anita Oaks at the Great Race Place.

Beaten for speed and content to sit wide off a longshot front-runner, the $90,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling turned $725,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic breezer was patiently handled down the backstretch before making a run towards the front on the turn. Dueling briefly with Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief) into the stretch, Faiza put the race to bed within a few strides, scampering clear to win as much the best. And Tell Me Nolies (Arrogate) ran on for second ahead of Window Shopping (American Pharoah) in third. Clearly Unhinged faded to fourth. Faiza remains under the care of Bob Baffert, making her ineligible for a start in the GI Kentucky Oaks.

“I'm very excited,” said Petersen, who also campaigned champion and fellow Fasig-Tipton purchase Gamine (Into Mischief). “Five out of five that's more than you ever dream about. It's very nice being on day like this and winning a race. It makes it all worth it.”

A supremely easy winner of her Nov. 12 debut at Del Mar, for which she was accorded 'Rising Star' status, Faiza was fully extended in winning the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Dec. 10. A hard-fought, half-length winner of the GIII Las Virgenes S. Jan. 28, Faiza remained in this barn past the Feb. 28 transfer deadline that would have allowed her to run in the GI Kentucky Oaks and went on to best And Tell Me Nolies by 2 1/4 lengths in the GIII Santa Ysabel S. Mar. 5.

Pedigree Notes:

Faiza is out of a daughter of MGSW & MGISP Pomeroy's Pistol, also the dam of $1-million KEESEP yearling Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile), a graded winner at ages two and three and now standing stud at Spendthrift Farm. Sweet Pistol, who was purchased by Brereton C. Jones for $33,000 at the 20176 Keeneland November Sale, is the dam of the 2-year-old filly Her Best Friend (Cairo Prince), a $160,000 graduate of last year's Keeneland September sale and currently in training at The Thoroughbred Center. She produced a Complexity filly in 2022 and was most recently bred back to the son of Maclean's Music.

Saturday, Santa Anita
SANTA ANITA OAKS-GII, $401,500, Santa Anita, 4-8, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:43.27, ft.
1–FAIZA, 124, f, 3, by Girvin
1st Dam: Sweet Pistol, by Smart Strike
2nd Dam: Pomeroys Pistol, by Pomeroy
3rd Dam: Prettyatthetable, by Point Given
'TDN Rising Star' ($90,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL; $725,000 2yo '22 EASMAY). O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Brereton C Jones (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Flavien Prat. $240,000. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-5-0-0, $642,000. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–And Tell Me Nolies, 124, f, 3, Arrogate–Be Fair, by Exchange Rate. ($70,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $230,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-Peter Redekop B C Ltd; B-Lara Run LLC (KY); T-Peter Miller. $80,000.
3–Window Shopping, 124, f, 3, American Pharoah–Delightful Joy, by Tapit. 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK-TYPE. ($700,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Perry R Bass II & Ramona S Bass; B-International Equities Holding Inc. (KY); T-Richard E Mandella. $48,000.
Margins: 6HF, HF, 4 1/4. Odds: 0.80, 6.40, 5.30.
Also Ran: Clearly Unhinged, Venganza, Don't Get Pickled, Cliquish, Gila. Scratched: Princess Bettina. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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All Eyes on Final Round of Major Derby Preps

A week after champion and 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence) solidified his status as the horse to beat on the first Saturday in May, the final round of major GI Kentucky Derby preps offering 100 points to the winner will share the spotlight on an absolutely stacked Saturday afternoon of racing.

Forte's Todd Pletcher-trained stablemate and fellow 'Rising Star' Tapit Trice (Tapit), an impossible come-from-behind winner in the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 11, will exit from the rail in a deep renewal of the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland. Luis Saez has the mount aboard the Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable colorbearer, who has been tabbed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite.

“Not exactly the draw we wanted, but he did win the allowance race at Gulfstream Park from post one [going a mile Feb. 4],” Pletcher said.

The Blue Grass field of 11 also includes: runaway GIII Gotham S. winner Raise Cain (Violence); last term's GI Champagne S. one-two 'Rising Star' Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) and Verifying (Justify); and GII Risen Star S. runner-up Sun Thunder (Into Mischief).

Blazing Sevens adds blinkers following a head-scratching eighth in the GII Fountain of Youth S. Mar. 4. Verifying was fourth as the favorite in a sloppy renewal of the GII Rebel S. Feb. 25. Sun Thunder closed into slow fractions to finish fifth in the GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 25.

Practical Move (Practical Joke), ranked in the second spot behind Forte on TDN's Derby Top 12 brought to you by Fasig-Tipton, will shoot for his third straight victory for Tim Yakteen in the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby. Last term's GII Los Alamitos Futurity S. winner kicked off his sophomore campaign with an impressive victory over the re-opposing duo of Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Skinner (Curlin) good for a field-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure in the GII San Felipe S. Practical Move is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the field of nine.

Yakteen will also tighten the girth on former Bob Baffert runner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile third-place finisher National Treasure (Quality Road). The last-out GIII Sham S. Jan. 8 third-place finisher was a late scratch from the San Felipe due to a bruised foot.

Yakteen saddled Taiba (Gun Runner) and Messier (Empire Maker) to a one-two finish in last year's Santa Anita Derby. Both were previously trained by Yakteen's aforementioned former boss.

“When you run horses, they are all your horses,” Yakteen said. “It gives you the same feeling.”

A field of 13, led by the Brad Cox-trained impressive GIII Withers S. winner and 5-2 morning-line favorite Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), will look to punch their ticket to Louisville via the Big Apple in the GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct. The Gary and Mary West homebred is drawn widest of all in post 13.

“I think he's a horse that does like a mile and an eighth and beyond,” Cox said. “Since he's already shown success in New York, we decided that would be the best spot for him.”

Cox also trains distant GIII Gotham S. runner-up Slip Mahoney (Arrogate), who makes his two-turn debut in the Wood.

Pletcher and the late Hall of Famer “Sunny” Jim Fitzsimmons currently share the record of seven Wood Memorial victories.

Pletcher will have three chances to capture the standalone record via last out Gulfstream optional claimer winner Classic Catch (Classic Empire) and highly regarded maidens Dreamlike (Gun Runner) and Crupi (Curlin). The rail-drawn Dreamlike adds blinkers following a pair of runner-up finishes in South Florida. Crupi was seventh while making his sixth career start in the GII Risen Star S. Feb. 18.

“It's an interesting trio,” Pletcher said. “One thing we feel good about is all three horses will appreciate the mile and an eighth.”

Breeders' Cup Winners Return at Keeneland…

A pair of Breeders' Cup winners will return to Lexington to kick off their 2023 campaigns on the Blue Grass undercard.

Champion female sprinter Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), last seen putting an exclamation point on a brilliant campaign in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland Nov. 5, will take on four rivals, including GI Cotillion S. heroine Society (Gun Runner), in the GI Madison S. The 2022 GI Ballerina H. winner is the 2-5 morning-line favorite.

Last term's 42-1 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint upsetter Caravel (Mizzen Mast), meanwhile, will face males once again a race later in the 5 1/2-furlong GII Shakertown S.

Keeneland's 11-race card also includes the GII Appalachian S. and GIII Commonwealth S., respectively.

Pair of Kentucky Oaks Preps on Tap…

Who will be favored in this year's wide-open GI Kentucky Oaks?

We'll have our answer following Saturday's GII Santa Anita Oaks and GIII Gazelle S. at Aqueduct.

A field of six, topped by the imposing Chad Brown-trained duo of unbeaten Busher S. heroine Shidabhuti (Practical Joke) and Busanda S. winner Occult (Into Mischief), could vie for favoritism in South Ozone Park. Brown won the 2021 renewal with Search Results (Flatter), who followed with a painful second in the Kentucky Oaks.

Unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Faiza (Girvin), winner of Santa Anita's GIII Las Virgenes S. Jan. 28 and GIII Santa Ysabel S. Mar. 5, is the headliner in the Santa Anita Oaks, but remains ineligible for the Kentucky Oaks. Last term's GI Starlet S. heroine is a perfect four-for-four for Baffert, who is currently banned from competition at Churchill Downs.

The Santa Anita Oaks field of nine also includes last term's GI TVG Del Mar Debutante S. winner and Santa Ysabel second-place finisher And Tell Me Nolies (Arrogate); and impressive Santa Anita maiden winners Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief) and Window Shopping (American Pharoah).

Saturday's graded stakes action is rounded out by Aqueduct's GI Carter H. and GIII Bay Shore S. and Santa Anita's GII Charles Whittingham S. and GIII Monrovia S.

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