Among this week's rulings, the seven-day prohibition on intra-articular injections prior to a timed workout continues to trip up stakeholders.

Six new individuals are facing possible sanctions for violations of this rule, to go with the 30 individuals whose cases have already been resolved. A typical first-time violation comes with a $3,000 fine.

One of the trainers in question is Ignacio Correas, whose trainee Didia violated the intra-articular injection rule prior to a timed workout dated Jan. 11 of this year. Didia subsequently won the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational S. on Jan. 27.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 11/09/2023

Licensee: George Weaver, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Dantrolene—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Typhoon Fury, who won at Aqueduct on 11/09/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Pending ADMC Violations

Date: 12/26/2023

Licensee: Manuel Badilla, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Shana Madel, who finished second at Golden Gate on 12/26/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 01/11/2024

Licensee: Ignacio Correas, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection violation

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Didia. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 12/14/2023

Licensee: Todd Pletcher, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Give Me Kisses, who finished fifth at Aqueduct on 12/14/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 01/14/2024

Licensee: James Tsirigotis, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection violation

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Melancholy Blues. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 01/03/2024

Licensee: Anthony Dutrow, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection violation

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Past Tense. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 11/23/2023

Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from House of Magic, who finished second at Del Mar on 11/23/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 01/05/2024

Licensee: Rohan Crichton, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection violation

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Oconee Life. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 01/05/2024

Licensee: Jose Delgado, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection violation

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Justintimeforwine. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 01/14/2024

Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection violation

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Uncle Curly. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

OTHER KEY RULINGS 

The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

California

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 01/27/2024

Licensee: Geovanni Franco, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Geovanni Franco, who rode King Apollo in the sixth race at Santa Anita Park on January 26, 2024, is suspended for 3 racing days (February 3, 4 and 9 2024) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules-careless riding – first offense in the last sixty (60) days).

Track: Santa Anita

Date: 01/27/2024

Licensee: Mario Gutierrez, jockey

Penalty: Three-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Mario Gutierrez, who rode Be Punctual in the fourth race at Santa Anita Park on January 26, 2024, is suspended for 3 racing days (February 3, 4 and 9 2024) for crossing over without sufficient clearance going into the first turn, causing interference; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding).

The post Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Jan. 23-29 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Asked if getting the milestone victory via DQ tarnished the achievement, Franco said with a smile, “It doesn't. I've won plenty of races by DQ and I'll take a winner any way they come.”

Franco has been riding at Del Mar since 2017, with a year off in 2022 when he moved his tack back to the Midwest. He returned to Del Mar this summer and had 12 wins. He has added five more at the oceanside oval this fall.

“It's truly humbling to have this 1,000th win at Del Mar,” Franco said. “To have been riding here the last five years makes it even better. I'll be happy to get many more.”

Franco rode his first winner at Mexico City's Hipodromo de las Americas in 2009. He went to Canada later that year and rode at Hastings Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. In March of 2010 he came to Santa Anita and rode the rest of the winter meet before heading up to Golden Gate Fields. He rode in Northern California through much of 2011 before finishing the year at Turf Paradise where he was the leading rider in 2012 and 2013.

He began branching out to other tracks in 2014, riding at Sunland Park, Santa Anita again, even Finger Lakes in New York and Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania. He settled in the Midwest in 2015, riding at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Remington Park in Oklahoma and Canterbury Park in Minnesota.

Runner-up aboard Lieutenant Dan in the 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, Franco has recorded top-level victories aboard Fault in the 2018 GI Santa Margarita S. and with Secret Spice in the 2019 GI Beholder Mile.

The post Franco Notches Career Win 1,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Sent off the 13-5 favorite with Geovanni Franco replacing the injured Umberto Rispoli in the irons, Motorious raced in about seventh position of the 12 runners down the backstretch, but not terribly far off the pace disputed by 60-1 Helladic (Kantharos) and Cal-bred standout 3-year-old Bus Buzz (Stay Thirsty). Kept purposely in the clear for the run around the turn, Motorious was five to six wide off the final corner, kicked it into another gear with a furlong to race and charged home down the middle of the course to score convincingly. Cherubic Factor (The Factor) outfinished the rail-rallying Beer Can Man (Into Mischief) for second.

“I got lucky enough to where Phil would let me work him a few times in the morning so I got pretty familiar with the horse,” said Franco of the chance to ride Motorious. “Being given the opportunity for me was a blessing and of him being open for the race. To get to ride him, it gave me a lot of confidence. And you know what, I didn't know how much he can run in the afternoon, but he can sure run. Phil told me he needed a clear break out of the gate, and he broke like a champion. From then on it was just a matter of time whenever I was going to ask him to go and he sure did.”

A two-time winner in seven English appearances for trainer Stuart Williams before being purchased by Craig Rounsefell's Boomer Bloodstock for 220,000gns at the 2021 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, Motorious made a course-and-distance allowance his first U.S. victory last November and took a down-the-hiller at Santa Anita just after the new year before finishing second to Lane Way (Into Mischief) in the Jan. 29 Clockers Corner S. up north. Popular winner of the GIII San Simeon S. Mar. 5, Motorious was making his first start since rallying into second behind Nobals (Noble Mission {GB}) in the GII Turf Sprint S. at Churchill May 6.

Pedigree Notes:

Motorious is one of 11 group/graded winners for his sire, who was only recently moved to Haras du Petit Tellier to stand as the property of Shadwell and a consortium of French breeders. Motorious's multiple Group 3-placed dam is also responsible for Matters Most (GB) (Advertise {GB}), runner-up in the Listed Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy S. in August, a now-yearling colt by Sergei Prokofiev (Scat Daddy) that sold for 82,000gns at last year's Tattersalls November Foal Sale and a filly by Ardad (Ire) foaled Mar. 23.

Saturday, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
GREEN FLASH H.-GIII, $153,500, Del Mar, 9-2, 3yo/up, 5fT, :56.07, fm.
1–MOTORIOUS (GB), 123, g, 5, by Muhaarar (GB)
1st Dam: Squash (GB) (MGSP-Eng), by Pastoral Pursuits (GB)
2nd Dam: Super Midge (GB), by Royal Applause (GB)
3rd Dam: Sabina (GB), by Prince Sabo (GB)
(55,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; 220,000gns 3yo '21 TATAHI). O-Anthony Fanticola; B-Kirtlington Stud & Mrs Mary Taylor (GB); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Geovanni Franco. $90,000. Lifetime Record: 15-6-4-2, $388,944. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Cherubic Factor, 120, g, 5, The Factor–Cherub, by Giant's Causeway. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($17,000 RNA Ylg '19 KEESEP; $46,000 2yo '20 OBSOPN). O-Exline-Border Racing LLC, Richard Hausman, William Dan Hudock and Susanna Wilson; B-David DiPietro (KY); T-Peter Eurton. $30,000.
3–Beer Can Man, 122, g, 5, Can the Man–Cheesecake, by Dynaformer. ($9,500 RNA Wlg '18 KEENOV). O-Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables LLC and Sterling Stables, LLC; B-Ron Patterson (KY); T-Philip D'Amato. $18,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, NO, HF. Odds: 2.60, 22.00, 6.50.
Also Ran: Turn On The Jets (Ire), Lane Way, Bus Buzz, Bran (Fr), Silent Poet, Fast Buck, Packs a Wahlop, Helladic, Kid Corleone. Scratched: Barristan The Bold (GB), Mas Rapido (GB), Noble Re
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

Motorious wins it well.

Motorious flies down the turf under @franco_geo to earn a trip to the @BreedersCup Turf Sprint. pic.twitter.com/1raipvpFpS

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) September 3, 2023

The post Motorious Motors Home In Green Flash, Earns BC Turf Sprint Berth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Geovanni Franco and John Velazquez each were assessed $200 fines from the Oaklawn stewards on Thursday for “misjudging the wire and striking his horse after the finish of the fourth race at Oaklawn Park on April 2, 2022.”

Franco was on the lead for most of the race aboard Background (Khozan) while Velazquez rallied from the back aboard Title Ready (More Than Ready). Background opened up late under urging to win by 1 1/4 lengths, while Title Ready was involved in a blanket finish whose 2-3-4 horses were separated by margins of a nose and two necks.

Although Oaklawn's pan shot of the replay doesn't show the immediate aftermath of the finish, the head-on shot reveals Franco whipping right-handed several times and riding hard almost to the traditional finish line while Velazquez delivers a single right-handed crack while also hustling his mount. Other riders shown in the frame are already easing up their horses.

Franco has ridden regularly at Oaklawn this meet while Velazquez has shipped in for stakes engagements. It was not immediately clear if either rider would be appealing.

Although this sort of misjudgment penalty has sporadically been imposed at Oaklawn over the years, it's always a bit more noticeable when it occurs on a big race day with a leading national jockey involved.

On the undercard of the 2021 Arkansas Derby, jockey Joel Rosario was fined $200 for misjudging the short-stretch finish aboard the 9-5 favorite Rushie (Liam's Map), who lost the $400,000 Oaklawn Mile S. by a nose.

The post Franco, Velazquez Fined for Misjudging Oaklawn Finish appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“The filly, that's a running machine, man,” said jockey Geovanni Franco, who was aboard for the work. “She was nice. That's a great experience for me. I was the work rider for [D. Wayne] Lukas and I'll do it again if he needs me. She felt good. That's a good feeling, man.”

Franco was deputizing for Secret Oath's regular rider Luis Contreras, who was out of town.

“Luis went home for a couple of days to be with his family and I know he'll be sick that I worked her without him,” Lukas said. “But having said that, the day came up and I thought he was going to be back, but he doesn't get in until 10 o'clock this morning. Geovanni did a beautiful job. He did a good job. He filled in nicely. I told Franco, I said, 'Luis owes you one now.'”

The five-furlong drill marked the second work for Secret Oath since her 7 1/2-length victory in the Feb. 26 GIII Honeybee S.

“We let her finish a little bit,” Lukas said. “I think she went the last quarter in :23 and change, so you know we saw her skip through there. But she did it the right way. It was a really solid work. These are ways of measuring where you're at and it's a measuring stick, these works. We're not concerned at this point on conditioning. We're trying to find out how sharp we've got her and everything showed up that way. So, now we just have to keep her happy.”

Franco was also aboard Call Me Jamal (Malibu Moon), who worked five furlongs in 1:00.00 (7/34) Thursday and is under consideration for the Arkansas Derby.

“I think he keeps improving and today I felt like he worked good,” said Franco, aboard for both of the gelding's victories at the meeting. “Hopefully, he keeps improving and keeps on getting his heart bigger.”

Trained by Mike Puhich, Call Me Jamal was a maiden winner over the Oaklawn oval last December and, after finishing eighth in the Jan. 29 GIII Southwest S., won a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer Feb. 26.

Moments after the work, Puhich said that Call Me Jamal remains under consideration for the Arkansas Derby and the Apr. 9 GI Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland.

“I'm leaving the door open both ways, but I'm probably leaning more towards here,” Puhich said. “The Blue Grass is going to come up just as tough. I think Lukas's filly is the best 3-year-old I've seen run all year, in my opinion, from a fan's standpoint.”

The post Bullet Drill for Secret Oath appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Owned by prominent Pacific Northwest heart surgeon Mark Dedomenico, Call Me Jamal was a front-running winner Dec. 18 under Geovanni Franco. In the 1 1/16-mile race, Call Me Jamal surrendered the lead in deep stretch before battling back to win by a head. It was his third career start and first around two turns.

“If he's as good in two weeks as he is today, he's definitely going,” Puhich said, referring to the Southwest. “He's ready.”

A chestnut son of the late Malibu Moon, Call Me Jamal is named after Seattle Seahawks All-Pro safety Jamal Adams.

The Southwest is Oaklawn's second of four Kentucky Derby points races. The series began with the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1.

Other locally based horses pointing for the Southwest include Dash Attack for trainer Kenny McPeek, Barber Road (John Ortiz), Ben Diesel (Dallas Stewart) and Osbourne (Ron Moquett).

Dash Attack, Barber Road and Ben Diesel finished 1-2-7, respectively, in the 1-mile Southwest. Osbourne finished second in the $400,000 Springboard Mile Stakes Dec. 17 at Remington Park in his last start.

All four horses recorded workouts over a fast track Friday morning. Dash Attack (:49.80), Ben Diesel (:49) and Osbourne (:49.20) went a half-mile. Barber Road (1:03.60) went 5 furlongs.

Smarty Jones third-place finisher Ignitis is under consideration for the Southwest, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said.

Like the Smarty Jones, the Southwest will offer 17 points to the top four finishes (10-4-2-1) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. Post positions for the Southwest will be drawn Jan. 24.

The post Maiden Winner Call Me Jamal Bringing Veteran Trainer Puhich To Southwest Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Gary Stevens, who permanently retired from riding in 2018, returned to Hot Springs Dec. 1 to begin laying the groundwork for the 2021-2022 Oaklawn meeting as the agent for Southern California-based jockeys Geovanni Franco and Tiago Pereira.

Stevens, 58, said he represented Corey Nakatani “during one of my retirements” and most recently had the book of Hot Springs native Drayden Van Dyke.

“So, not new at it,” Stevens said.

Stevens rode 46 career winners at Oaklawn, the first coming in the $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) in 1985 aboard Tank's Prospect for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Stevens' last major Oaklawn victory came in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) in 2018 aboard Sassy Sienna for trainer Brad Cox. Stevens retired for a third and final time later in 2018 because of a neck injury. He represented Van Dyke earlier this year and continued to work as a racing analyst for Fox Sports and the New York Racing Association.

Now, he'll be wearing two hats (agent and analyst) the next few months in Hot Springs.

“Tiago and I had been thinking about getting together for a long time,” Stevens said Dec. 3, opening day of Oaklawn's meet. “He was wanting to make a change, get out of California. I got a phone call from here at Oaklawn that they were running kind of short of riders, that some of the guys who normally rode here decided to stay in Kentucky. Geovanni, I know he had some real good success here in 2017, won some stakes and rode for the right people. Geovanni was wanting to make a new start. Just a good opportunity to come out here with two guys that can really ride and are hard workers.”

Franco, who missed opening weekend to ride in Puerto Rico, is named on five horses Friday, Day 4 of Oaklawn's scheduled 66-day live meeting that ends May 8. Stevens said Pereira is taking care of “some personal stuff” in his native Brazil and will arrive in Hot Springs Dec. 26. He will begin accepting mounts Dec. 31, Stevens said.

Franco rode regularly in 2016 and 2017 at Oaklawn, amassing 61 victories, including four stakes, and $2,573,621 in purse earnings. He rode 16 winners in his 2016 debut and 45 in 2017 to tie for third in the standings.

Franco capped his 2017 meeting by guiding Inside Straight ($41.40) to an upset victory in the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses for trainer Robertino Diodoro. Franco won three other stakes races in 2017 at Oaklawn – $125,000 King Cotton for older sprinters aboard Storm Advisory for Diodoro, $125,000 Gazebo aboard for 3-year-old sprinters aboard Rockshaw for trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs and the $150,000 Purple Martin for 3-year-old female sprinters aboard Golden Mischief for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

A native of Mexico, Franco relocated to Southern California shortly after the 2017 Oaklawn meeting ended. He won the $400,000 Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) for fillies and mares aboard Secret Spice for trainer Richard Baltas in 2019 at Santa Anita and finished second aboard Lieutenant Dan for trainer Steve Miyadi in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

Pereira won the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) in 2010 aboard Gloria de Campeao. He also won the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) Aug. 21 at Del Mar aboard Tripoli for trainer John Sadler.

Stevens and the still-active Borel were members of the 2018 Oaklawn riding colony. Stevens rode 26 winners to finish sixth in the standings. Stevens said he's tentatively scheduled to work for Fox throughout the expanded 2021-2022 Oaklawn meeting, adding Franco and Pereira also plan to stay until the end.

“We'll be here until they chase us out,” Stevens said.

Stevens won more than 5,000 races in his career, including nine Triple Crown events. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1997 and won an Eclipse Award in 1998 as the country's most outstanding jockey. Injuries led to his three retirements.

Stevens' son, T.C. was an exercise rider for Diodoro at the 2020 Oaklawn meeting.

The post Hall Of Famer Gary Stevens Back At Oaklawn As Jockey’s Agent appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Better known as CBD – and marketed widely for a variety of health benefits to humans – Cannabidiol is found in a number of equine products, including tincture oil, pellets, liniment spray and poultices. While it is believed to work as an anti-inflammatory there is limited research on the possible benefits of CBD in horses and its use remains controversial. Because it is not included in the CHRB's classification list of drugs, it becomes a Class 1/Penalty Class A by default, according to CHRB spokesman Mike Marten.

The TDN reports that under CHRB rules, first-time violations of penalty class A can lead to a minimum one-year suspension or maximum three-year suspension, with a maximum fine of $25,000, absent mitigating circumstances.

The Association of Racing Commissioners International lists Cannabidiol as a Class 2/Penalty Category B substance, and the CHRB began the process of changing CBD's classification in early 2021. On Jan. 21, the CHRB pushed back the proposed rule change to make Cannabidiol a Class 3/Penalty Category B drug to the February meeting, at which point it went out for public comment.

The complaint was not made public until May 17, 2021.

CBD is now listed as a Class 3/Penalty Category B drug, for which first-time violations can result in a fine of no more than $10,000 and a minimum 30-day suspension, absent mitigating circumstances.

According to a report in Daily Racing Form, jockey Geovanni Franco, who rode Roses and Candy to victory Nov. 22, admitted to McAnally assistant Dan Landers that he used a product containing CBD the day of the race. Roses and Candy won the day's third race. Geovanni rode another winner on the same card three hours later that did not test positive.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The post McAnally Trainee Disqualified Over CBD Positive; Separate Hearing To Determine Sanctions appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Owned and bred by Nick Alexander, Lieutenant Dan sat a close third early to pacesetter Charmaine's Mia, who was pressed to her immediate outside by Law Abidin Citizen.  Hand-ridden over the dirt crossing at the top of the stretch, Lieutenant Dan cruised to the lead and was never seriously challenged through the lane.

Off as the 5-2 favorite in a field of nine 3-year-olds and up, Lieutenant Dan, who notched his third consecutive victory today, paid $7.00, $3.80 and $3.20. The 5-year-old gelding by Alexander's stallion Grazen has now won eight of 16 career starts.

“It was so unexpected,” said Alexander of the horse's growing resume. “I think he was the seventh or eighth foal out of the mare (Excusabull), and the first seven did nothing so, we had very low expectations for this horse and he just continues to exceed them. He just loves to win.

“I love that turf course,” Alexander added. “We have always excelled on it and Grazen babies just seem to love that distance and that downhill. It is so beautiful.”

“He's a pretty fast horse and he's very versatile,” said Franco. “He broke sharp like he always does and put me in a nice spot where if they were going too slow, I could have gone and if they were going too fast, I could have sat back.

“All in all, he was the one taking me through the trip. At the end of the race he kept on going. I heard some noises of people coming but he never slowed down or waited for anybody.

“It was a great feeling to ride the hill again, it is definitely different than any other race or surface,” added Franco. “You have a lot of fun out there, especially when you have a horse like this one.”

Highly accomplished Snapper Sinclair, who shipped in from Churchill Downs for Steve Asmussen, kept to his task from off the pace and finished second in a solid effort, finishing a neck in front of the Bob Hess, Jr. Chaos Theory.  Off as the 7-2 second choice, he paid $4.40 and $3.20.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Chaos Theory was off at 36-1 and paid $10.80 to show while finishing a half length better than a late closing Gregorian Chant.

Fractions on the race were 21.61, 42.95 and 1:05.66.

The Eddie D is named for legendary retired Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye.

The post Lieutenant Dan Cruises In Eddie D. As Racing Returns To Santa Anita Hillside Course appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Owner-breeder Alexander also ran second in the $102,000 feature with his Carmen Miranda. Finishing third was George Krikorian's homebred Big Novel.

Connie Swingle, who was ridden by Giovanni Franco and is trained by Phil D'Amato, had scored the initial victory of her career in a straight maiden race at Del Mar on August 6 and her winner's share of $57,000 in the dash increased her bankroll to $108,000.

Final time for the 29th edition of the six panels was a solid 1:10.89. The winner paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.20. Carmen Miranda returned $6.80 and $4.00, while Big Novel paid $3.00.

The track's Pick 6 Single Ticket Jackpot wager went unsolved one more day and its carryover rose to $419,662 for Saturday's 11-race card, which will be off and running with an early first post of 1:30 p.m. PT.

GEOVANNI FRANCO (Connie Swingle, winner) – “Phil (trainer D'Amato) told me to play the break and get a good spot with her. We did that. She was running nice and easy and when we got to the turn, I think she was playing with them (other horses). When we straightened out in the lane she just went. She's very talented.”

PHIL D'AMATO (Connie Swingle, winner) “I think she showed her class down the lane. That's a very respectable time for Cal-bred 2-year-old fillies. I think she'll run on and the same for (runner-up) Carmen Miranda (whom he also trains). I think she's just kind of dying for two turns. On to Santa Anita.”

FRACTIONS:  :22.23  :45.04  :57.76  1:10.89

The stakes win is the second of the meet for rider Franco, but his first win in the Generous Portion. He now has five stakes wins at Del Mar.

The stakes win was the third of the meet for trainer D'Amato, but his second (Long Hot Summer, 2014) in the Generous Portion. He now has 32 stakes wins at Del Mar.

The winning owner and breeder is Nick Alexander of Del Mar and Santa Ynez, Calif.

The post Connie Swingle Leads 1-2 Alexander Finish In Del Mar’s Generous Portion Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post