Gazelle | Horse Racing Free Tips

Search Results Back in Action in Distaff

Last term's GI Acorn S. heroine and narrow GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Search Results (Flatter) returns to action in Saturday's GIII Distaff H. at Aqueduct. The even-money morning-line favorite concluded her sophomore campaign with a third-place finish as the favorite in the GI Longines Test S. at Saratoga Aug. 7. Search Results is two-for-two at the Big A, including a win in last April's GIII Gazelle S.

“She's doing well. She's freshened up well down at Payson,” trainer Chad Brown said. “This is a good spot and we know that she likes Aqueduct.”

The in-form Glass Ceiling (Constitution), claimed by trainer Charlton Baker for $40,000 last May, enters riding a three-race winning streak, led by Laurel's GIII Barbara Fritchie S. Feb. 19.

Last year's GII Mother Goose S. and GIII Forward Gal S. winner Zaajel (Street Sense) makes her first start since finishing fifth in the GII Beldame S. Oct. 10.

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‘Valentine’s’ Day at the Big A?

Venti Valentine (Firing Line), a dominating seven-length winner with a flashy 92 Beyer in the Busher Invitational S. Mar. 5, will be favored over seven rivals to punch her ticket to the GI Kentucky Oaks via Saturday's GIII Gazelle S. at Aqueduct.

The New York-bred fell just a neck short of Nest (Curlin) two back in last December's GII Demoiselle S. over track and trip, the only blemish in her four career starts.

“We knew she had talent early on, and turning from two to three, you could see the right change on her,” trainer Jorge Abreu said of Venti Valentine's development. “She got stronger, she was more focused and she showed that in her last race.”

Nostalgic (Medaglia d'Oro), fourth at second asking in the Demoiselle, failed to take to turf as the 4-1 favorite in her sophomore unveiling at Gulfstream Feb. 5. The Godolphin homebred rebounded in style, however, with a visually impressive optional claiming tally back on dirt in Hallandale Mar. 3.

'TDN Rising Star' Classy Edition (Classic Empire), a winner of her first three versus fellow New York-breds, including a pair of stakes, held her own in her first try against open company finishing second behind the talented Kathleen O. (Upstart) in the one-turn mile GII Davona Dale S. Mar. 5.

The Gazelle offers 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-four finishers.

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NYRA: Wood Memorial Purse Will Increase To $1 Million If Grade/Group 1 Winner Starts

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the stakes schedule for the 15-day Aqueduct Racetrack spring meet, which will feature 13 stakes worth $2.7 million in total purses. The spring meet will open on Thursday, March 31 and continue through Sunday, April 24.

The spring meet is highlighted by the 97th running of the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino, a nine-furlong test for sophomores on Saturday, April 9.

Should any horse in the field register a Grade 1 or Group 1 victory prior to running in the Wood Memorial, NYRA will increase the total purse by $250,000 if the qualifying horse is declared an official starter.

The lucrative Wood Memorial card features the first Grade 1 of 2022 on the NYRA circuit in the $300,000 Carter Handicap, a seven-furlong sprint for older horses. The stakes-laden day is headlined by the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino, which offers 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers.

Bolstering the Wood Memorial day card are a trio of Grade 3 races, including the $250,000 Gazelle at nine furlongs for sophomore fillies offering 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-four finishers; the $200,000 Bay Shore, a seven-furlong sprint for sophomores; and the $150,000 Distaff Handicap at seven furlongs for older fillies and mares.

Also featured on the Saturday card is the $100,000 Danger's Hour at one-mile on turf for 4-year-olds and up. Completing the weekend at the Big A on Sunday, April 10 is the $100,000 Top Flight Invitational at nine furlongs for older fillies and mares.

Opening Weekend of the spring meet on Saturday, April 2 will feature the Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior at nine furlongs for older horses. Following the Wood Memorial card, the Big A will offer the $100,000 Plenty of Grace at one-mile on turf for older fillies and mare on Saturday, April 16.

Closing weekend of the Big A spring meet offers the $200,000 NYSSS Times Square at 6 1/2-furlongs for eligible New York-sired sophomores and the $100,000 Woodhaven for sophomore turf routers on Saturday, April 23.

The 15-day spring meet will conclude on Sunday, April 24 with the $200,000 NYSSS Park Avenue at 6 1/2-furlongs for eligible New York-sired sophomore fillies and the $100,000 Memories of Silver for sophomore filly turf routers.

Follow this link for the full 2022 Aqueduct Racetrack spring stakes schedule.

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Maracuja Breezes In Preparation For Alabama At Saratoga

Beach Haven Thoroughbreds' Maracuja completed her preparations for Saturday's $600,000 Grade 1 Alabama with a solid half-mile breeze Sunday on the Spa main track.

Trained by Rob Atras, the daughter of third crop sire Honor Code went to the track at 6:00 a.m. and breezed in :49.61. This was her second work back since upsetting Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks-winner Malathaat in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 24 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

“She worked a half-mile in 49 and change and galloped out nicely,” Atras said of the work. “She went in company with an unraced 2-year-old. They just went head-and-head.”

One start prior to the CCA Oaks, Maracuja exited post 2 in a 13-horse field in the Kentucky Oaks in April at Churchill Downs and closed up the rail for seventh in a race won by Malathaat by a neck over Search Results.

In a compact field of four assembled for the CCA Oaks, Maracuja tracked closer to the pace in third under Ricardo Santana, Jr. and battled gamely to the wire to best Malathaat, who was pressed throughout, by a head.

“The way Malathaat had to run last time compromised her, I thought,” Atras said. “It won't be an easy task to run against her again. Ultimately, I'll leave it up to Ricardo. Hopefully, she will get the same kind of break and see how the race sets up. You never know how tricky it can be with a short field with not much pace.”

Boasting a consistent 6-2-2-1 record and $407,100 in lifetime earnings, Maracuja broke her maiden at third asking going 6 ½ furlongs at Aqueduct Race Track in Ozone Park, N.Y., before finishing second in the Grade 3 Gazelle on April 3 at the Big A.

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