Tag: Fierceness

Pletcher Group Leads Keeneland Workers; White Abarrio Back On Track

Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out a total of 12 horses, all of whom are pre-entered in next weekend's Breeders' Cup races, for half-mile works at Keeneland Friday morning in advance of their Saturday departure to Santa Anita.

GII Pilgrim S. winner Agate Road (Quality Road) (Juvenile Turf) worked in company with Haul (Army Mule) in :49 flat (32/63). GI Darley Alcibiades winner Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) (NetJets Juvenile Filles) went in company with GII Chandelier runner-up Scalable (Speightstown) (Juvenile Fillies) in :49.20 (37/63).

About Candied, Pletcher said, “She worked very well. She worked on the inside of Scalable. Finished up nicely, galloped out good. She was a little late on her lead change, which has kind of been a thing with her. But she did get it the second time when Luis (Saez) asked for it. And once she did, she leveled off nicely, finished up strong and galloped out great.”

As for Pletcher's older horses, GII Suburban S. winner Charge It (Tapit) (Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile) worked in :48.60 (17/63) while GI Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Bright Future (Curlin) (Classic or Dirt Mile) worked in company with Dreamlike (Gun Runner) (Dirt Mile or Classic) in :48.40 (9/63).

'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) (FanDuel Juvenile) went in company with Noted (Cairo Prince) (Juvenile) in :48.60 (17/63).

 

Life Talk (Gun Runner) (Juvenile Fillies) was in company with GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner Locked (Gun Runner) (Juvenile) in :48 flat (6/63).

“Locked just does everything so easily and effortlessly,” Pletcher said. “He's a colt that we had high expectations for when he came in. He's a very quiet, laid-back colt. Unassuming, until we got serious with him, and then it was like, wow, this is a really nice colt. I thought his debut was sneaky impressive. I thought his mile maiden win at Saratoga was the most impressive 2-year-old performance of the meet. Then to come here and win (the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity) from an outside draw and a wide trip the entire way, I thought that was a very determined effort on his part. He's done everything well since then. We've been blessed with some very good 2-year-olds, and I think that he's right there with them.”

Life's an Audible (Audible) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) ran in company with Appellate (Constitution) in :48.80 (25/63).

GI Coolmore Turf Mile winner Up to the Mark (Not This Time) (Turf or Mile) breezed in company with Be You (Curlin) in :48.80 (25/63).

“Up to the Mark has had two good breezes now since his win in the (Coolmore) Turf Mile,” said Pletcher. “I thought we got what we wanted in terms of some good conditioning. Strong gallop out, seems to be doing well. We're going to continue to lean towards going in the Turf.”

At Santa Anita Friday, White Abarrio (Race Day) worked five furlongs in :59.80 (3/39). According to private clocker Gary Young, the 4-year-old went the final quarter mile in :22.80.

 

Trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., White Abarrio was originally slated to work this past Monday but that drill was postponed. Connections attributed the delay to an issue with White Abarrio's shoes. Noted blacksmith Ian McKinlay flew in Monday and re-shod White Abarrio. He galloped Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday prior to Friday's drill.

“He worked great. He cooled out great. We're thrilled,” Chip Dutrow said.

Working for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies was Chatalas (Gun Runner) for trainer Mark Glatt. Winner of the GII Chandelier S. Oct. 7, the filly worked five furlongs 1:01.00 (15/39).

Trainer Peter Eurton worked a trio of 2-year-old Breeders' Cup contenders: Flattery (Flatter), Stay Hot (Summer Front) and Dark Vintage (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Flattery worked four furlongs on the training track in :48 flat (2/12). Stay Hot worked four furlongs on the training track in a bullet :47.40 (1/12). Dark Vintage worked four furlongs on the main track in :47.40 seconds (2/37).

Trainer John Sadler worked the Speakeasy winner, Slider (Jimmy Creed), who went five furlongs in :59.80 (3/39).

Working towards the Juvenile Turf was Endlessly (Oscar Performance) for trainer Michael McCarthy. He drilled four furlongs in :47.80 (8/37).

Rounding out Friday's Breeders' Cup workers were Elm Drive (Mohaymen) and Where's My Ring (Twirling Candy), who is on the also-eligible list for the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Elm Drive, pre-entered in the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint, worked five furlongs on the training track in 1:03.20 (5/6) for trainer Phil D'Amato.

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Pletcher Breezes Breeders’ Cup Dozen at Keeneland

Trainer Todd Pletcher breezed a remarkable 12 of his intended Breeders' Cup starters at Keeneland on Thursday morning over the main track. 

Heading the dozen was GI Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful Bright Future (Curlin), who arrived in Kentucky this week from Saratoga. He worked five furlongs in 1:01.40. Also working five furlongs for a possible Breeders' Cup start was Charge It (Tapit), who covered the distance in 1:01.20. 

“We originally were going to work all of our Saturday (Nov. 4) horses tomorrow but with rain in the forecast for tomorrow, we moved it up a day,” Pletcher said. “It was a good morning, and I was pleased with all the works. They did what we wanted them to.” 

Among the dozen workers were three Grade I winners from Keeneland's Fall Stars Weekend. 

Coolmore Turf Mile winner Up to the Mark (Not This Time) breezed a half-mile in :50.20 in company with 2022 Coolmore Turf Mile winner Annapolis (War Front); Darley Alcibiades winner Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) worked a half-mile in :49; and Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner and `TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) worked a half-mile in :48.20. 

The remainder of the Pletcher brigade each worked half-miles: `TDN Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road) (:49.60), `TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) (:48.40), Life Talk (Gun Runner) (:49), Life's an Audible (Audible) (:50), Noted  (Cairo Prince) (:49.60) and Scalable (Speightstown) (:49.60). 

Pletcher said he planned to give his runners one more work at Keeneland next Thursday or Friday before shipping to Santa Anita on Oct. 28. 

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A Graded Stakes Saturday We Never Want To End

The parade of graded stakes races this Saturday is like a Christmas tree laden with presents. Towards the end of the celebration, as the wadded paper congregates, there will be a customary wistfulness that slowly sets in. We never want it to end.

With 17, yes 17, graded races on the docket–nine of those have Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' status–it is going to be a splendid day to receive as Belmont at the Big A, Keeneland Race Course, Woodbine Racetrack, Gulfstream Park, Hastings Racecourse and Santa Anita Park hustle to apply the Scotch tape. Cue the carols, please.

Heading to the venerable Big A in Ozone Park, the graded menu expanded when last weekend's GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. was added to Saturday's slate. The 12-furlong grass test includes the reigning GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance (Dubawi {Ire}) who looking for some New York redemption after unseating his rider around the far turn in the late-July running of the GII Bowling Green S. at Saratoga. The Charlie Appleby trainee is set to face the queen of the blades in MGISW War Like Goddess (English Channel), who still has plenty of fight in her as she faces the boys again for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

If one Grade I wasn't enough for you on this card, then we are going to add two more just for good measure. The GI Frizette S. is a passageway to the GI Breeders' Cup NetJets Juvenile Fillies and Repole Stable has the 9-5 morning-line favorite in Life Talk (Gun Runner), who broke her maiden at second asking Aug. 31 at Saratoga by 6 1/2 lengths. The Todd Pletcher trainee will have to contend with Stonestreet's Emery (More Than Ready), who scratched out of Friday's GI Darley Alcibiades S. at Keeneland to run here for trainer Brad Cox. Also present is Godolphin homebred Central Avenue (Street Sense), who debuted a winner at Colonial Downs, and will try to stretch out for trainer Michael Stidam.

“She [Central Avenue] started going seven-eighths and we thought that might be a little short for her, but she got up anyways,” Stidham said. “She always looked in the mornings like she would come running late and she would [run like that]. The mile is going to be even more helpful for her style.”

The other top race of the day at 'Belmont West' is the GI Champagne S., which offers a ticket straight to the GI Breeders' Cup FanDuel Juvenile. Once again, Repole Stable held David Aragona's attention with 6-5 morning-line favorite Fierceness (City of Light). The 'TDN Rising Star' had his own way in the Saratoga mud Aug. 25 when the bay colt won that debut by 11 1/4 lengths. His main rival could be fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief), who is also entered in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.

Rounding out the action at Aqueduct is a trio of Grade III turf events which include the Waya S. with GISW McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the Belmont Turf Sprint with GSW Big Invasion (Declaration of War) and finally, English import Measured Time (Frankel {GB}) is up against GISP Webslinger (Constitution) in the Jockey Club Derby Invitational.

Locked | Sarah Andrew

The Keeneland Association which just kicked off its October meet on Friday, has its own take on Christmas come early. Taking to the Haggin Turf Course, the GI First Lady S. for older females sports a rematch of the July running of the GI Diana S. between Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio) and MGISW In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The former bested the latter at Saratoga and the Chad Brown stablesmates are set to do battle again. Not to be overlooked is the Joseph O'Brien trainee Jumbly (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) who returns to the U.S. after finishing fifth in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown Sept. 9.

Moving right along to some more Grade I festivities, the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity offers the winner a shot in the GI Breeders' Cup FanDuel Juvenile. 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) won at second asking by 7 1/4 lengths at Saratoga Sept. 1 with a 96 Beyer Speed Figure. The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm-owned chestnut colt for trainer Todd Pletcher will take on New York-bred undefeated hero The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso) for trainer Mike Maker and possibly the aforementioned Timberlake.

“He [Locked] was impressive the time he went two turns at Saratoga,” said Pletcher. “One reason he came here and Fierceness stayed in New York for the Champagne is that I thought the Champagne suited him better with the one start. It worked well that we could find a Grade I for both of them.”

The capstone to Keeneland's Super Saturday is the GI Coolmore Turf Mile, which allows access to the GI Breeders' Cup FanDuel Mile. Fresh off his 3 3/4-length first North American score in the GI Woodbine Mile, Master of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will challenge Up to the Mark (Not This Time), who was last seen winning GI Manhattan S. at Belmont. Lane's End recently announced that the 4-year-old colt trained by Todd Pletcher would head their way for stud duty at the conclusion of his racing career.

A pair of Grade II races will complete the Keeneland Saturday graded offering. First, the Woodford S. welcomes turf sprint specialist and G1 Nuthorpe S. at York victor Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) from the yard of Adam West. Meanwhile, MGSW and MGISP Wicked Halo (Gun Runner) tries to secure her spot in the GI Breeders' Cup PNC Bank Filly & Mare Sprint when she sets sail against six others in the Thoroughbred Club of America S.

Before heading west, both Gulfstream Park and Woodbine Racetrack card a graded race each. GSP Maryquitecontrary (First Dude) switches from Shug McGaughey's barn to David Fawkes, as she returns to her home track in the GIII Princess Rooney S, a race which also feeds into the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Up at Woodbine, the GIII Durham Cup S. finds G1 Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal {Ire}) making his first start in North America after trainer Simon Crisford scratched him from the GII Woodward S. last weekend.

Staying put in Canada, Hastings Racecourse cards the GIII BC Premier's H. for 3-year-olds and up. The race includes Accidental Hero (Mo Town), who bested his rival Sunbird (Orb) in the GIII BC Derby last month.

Anisette | Benoit

It would not be a graded Saturday without 'The Great Race Place' and Santa Anita Park has its share. Of course, the GI American Pharoah S., which TDN covered in a special edition on Friday, is a 'Win and You're In' event for the GI Breeders' Cup FanDuel Juvenile S. 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic) will square off against seven others in the feature, which includes stablemate Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso).

Speaking of juveniles, the fillies get their chance to shine in the GII Chandelier S. On the line is the opportunity to make the starting gate in the GI Breeders' Cup NetJets Juvenile Fillies. One of the top contenders is Laurent (Practical Joke). The Peter Eurton trainee was second Sept. 9 in the GI Del Mar Debutante S. The dark bay filly is in the blocks right next to the Zedan Racing's Dua (Arrogate). The Bob Baffert trainee was third in the GIII Sorrento S. at Del Mar Aug. 12.

In the race before the American Pharoah S., turf routers will load at the mouth of the downhill course for the GII Rodeo Drive S. Looking for a chance to return for the Breeders' Cup Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf is the undefeated Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}). The 3-year-old will take on older females for the first time. After coming over from England last spring, the Leonard Powell trainee won three in a row, including the GI Del Mar Oaks by 2 3/4 lengths.

Anisette is going to have to try and get past the 9-5 morning-line favorite Didia (Arg) (Orpen) though. She was the runner-up in the GI New York S. at Belmont Park June 9 and has a history of winning from off the bench for trainer Ignacio Correas. Add in some seasoned Southern California stayers like MGSW Closing Remarks (Vronsky) and MGSW Neige Blache (FR) (Anodin {Ire}), and the Rodeo Drive is going to be quite the shopping spree at the windows.

Here's to a Saturday of graded racing that never ends.

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Second Chances: Connections ‘Remain Very High’ on Quality Road Colt Following Educational Debut

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

After working in company with his elder graded stakes-placed stablemate Slip Mahoney (Arrogate) in an Aug. 19 move for trainer Brad Cox over the Oklahoma training track, there was plenty of chatter behind Air of Defiance (c, 2, Quality Road–Faypien, by Ghostzapper) heading into his Saratoga debut.

Despite proving no match for the jaw-dropping 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) across Union Ave. six days later, Air of Defiance lost little in defeat while gaining some valuable racing experience in the process.

Drawn on the fence over a muddy and sealed track, the 5-1 second choice lunged at the start and rushed up beneath Ricardo Santana, Jr. to race in third in the early stages.

The Gold Square LLC colorbearer began to drop back sharply following an opening quarter in a swift :22.02 and was heading the wrong way while under a ride rounding the far turn in the six-furlong affair.

Left with a ton to do as they straightened for home, Air of Defiance began to figure it out in the stretch. He was guided off the fence down the lane, split rivals shortly thereafter and finished with interest to complete the exacta, albeit 11 1/4 lengths adrift the aforementioned Todd Pletcher-trained first-time starter. Air of Defiance earned a 70 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

The son of Quality Road brought $400,000 from Al Gold's advisor Joe Hardoon out of the Eaton Sales consignment at last year's Keeneland September sale.

Air of Defiance's dam Faypien, a graded winner around two turns and also the runner-up as the favorite in the 2017 GI Test S. at the Spa, realized $875,000 from breeder Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings at the 2018 FTKNOV sale.

The Quality Road over Ghostzapper cross has also produced GSW Guest Suite. Air of Defiance is bred similarly to Quality Road's GISWs Abel Tasman, City of Light and Spring Quality.

“We are hoping to run Air of Defiance Oct. 1 at Churchill,” Gold said. “He lost to a monster of Pletcher's. I'm hopeful he breaks a little better next time and the experience of his first race will enable a better outcome. We remain very high on the horse.”

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