Tag: GI Alabama S.

‘Unfinished Business’ — Champion Nest Back in Training for 5-Year-Old Campaign

After an abbreviated three-race campaign in 2023, Nest (Curlin) has returned to training for her 5-year-old season.

Mike Repole bought out his partners in the champion 3-year-old filly of 2022–Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House–for a co-topping $6 million at last fall's Fasig-Tipton November sale.

“When we put her in the sale, I really went there with a game plan of she might retire as a broodmare,” Repole said.

“The Japanese were bidding on her and I've seen so many of these horses go to Japan, and, honestly, I didn't want her to go. If it was Mandy Pope, Coolmore or Spendthrift bidding on her, I would've probably let her go. So, I now owned her 100 percent without partners and I thought, 'You know what? Let's race her.'”

Repole continued, “We gave her time and she's training now at Stonestreet in Ocala. She should be back to Todd (Pletcher) by May 1. I'm excited to watch her run at Saratoga and into the year.”

Nest's sensational sophomore campaign was led by a trio of wins at the top level–the GI Central Bank Ashland S., GI Coaching Club American Oaks and GI Alabama S.–and also runner-up finishes in the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Belmont S., respectively.

Nest brought a co-topping $6 million at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November sale | Fasig-Tipton

Fourth as the favorite in that term's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland, Nest kicked off her 4-year-old stand a bit later than anticipated due to a fever, but she showed no signs of rust with a stylish 2 1/4-length victory over MGISW Clairiere (Curlin) in the GII Shuvee S. at Saratoga July 23. She didn't look anything like herself in her next two attempts, however, beaten both times as the favorite behind future champion Idiomatic (Curlin), finishing a punchless third in the GI Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga Aug. 25 and a well-beaten fourth by 11 1/4 lengths in the GI Spinster S. at Keeneland last out Oct. 8.

“She started late last year,” Repole said. “She ran a great first race and it was probably a little bit too much, too soon. We'll try to get her there a little bit earlier this year–maybe get a race into her in either June or July. We'll get her a nice spot and go from there. We're excited about bringing her back.”

Were any issues discovered with the bay following her head-scratching effort in Lexington last fall?

“Yeah, she was fourth,” Repole replied with a laugh. “And Nest doesn't usually run fourth. She had three races in like an eight-nine week period and it was just too much. She's had a really good rest and I think we have some unfinished business.”

One of 21 Grade I winners for the mighty Curlin, Nest was bred in Kentucky by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables. She brought $350,000 from Repole Stable and company as a yearling out of the Ashview Farm consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September sale.

Her stakes-winning A.P. Indy dam Marion Ravenwood–also responsible for 2021 GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol (Curlin); MSW & GSP Lost Ark (Violence); and MSP Dr Jack (Pioneerof the Nile)–brought $2.6 million from Coolmore's M. V. Magnier in foal to Curlin at the 2022 Keeneland November sale.

Repole is also vested in Nest's aforementioned big brother Idol, who began his career at stud as a Repole Stable/Taylor Made Stallions Venture in 2023 after carrying the colors of Calvin Nguyen during his racing career.

As for Nest, Repole concluded, “She's healthy, happy and sound. And ready to race one more year and maybe make a run for champion older filly.”

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Bejarano’s Trip To Spa Results In Three-Day Suspension

Rafael Bejarano's trip from Kentucky to New York to ride just one mount Saturday in the GI Alabama S. resulted in disqualification from fifth to sixth and a subsequent three-day suspension issued Sunday by the Saratoga Race Course stewards for “careless riding.”

The incident involved Bejarano and the 4-1 Taxed (Collected) swerving inward and cutting off the 5-1 Gambling Girl (Dialed In) and Irad Ortiz, Jr. about 70 yards into the 10-furlong stakes.

The Equibase chart stated Bejarano's filly “stumbled at the start recovering inwards a step, raced to the outside of Gambling Girl, and tucked directly in front impeding that rival.”

Gambling Girl “bobbled heavily” and “lost two to three lengths of ground,” the chart stated.

Ortiz objected after finishing sixth and the stewards lit the inquiry sign before making the DQ official.

Bejarano opted not to appeal his days, and will serve them Aug. 26, 27 and 30.

Riding primarily at Ellis Park this summer, the 41-year-old Bejarano is currently tied for second in the standings there in wins. He ranks third in purse earnings.

 

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Uncle Mo Filly Wins First Out At Spa On Friday

1st-Saratoga, $105,000, Msw, 8-18, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:11.29, my, 1 1/2 lengths.
COREY AND QUINN (f, 3, Uncle Mo–Youcan'tcatchme {Ch. Female Sprinter-Can, MGSW, $425,710}, by The Daddy) debuted as the 7-5 favorite here and after yielding the front up the backstretch to Spun Special (Hard Spun), the bay filly took over the lead around the far turn. With a sixteenth left, she found more to turn back a charge from La Girvina (Girvin) to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Out of an extended female family which includes GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Alabama S. heroine Princess of Sylmar (Majestic Warrior), the winner's dam is responsible for Arnie (City of Light), a 2-year-old colt who was purchased last year for $400,000 Ylg KEESEP by CRK Stable. She foaled Feb. 11 a filly after being bred back to Street Sense and she visited Maxfield for next year. Sales History: $250,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Robert V. LaPenta, Madaket Stables LLC and ERJ Racing, LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

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Defining Purpose Has Written A Rags-To-Riches Story

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y. – Katsumi Yoshida's Defining Purpose (Cross Traffic) brings a solid resume and a sounds-like-fiction backstory to the GI Alabama S. on Saturday.

Now owned by one of the world's top breeding operations, Yoshida's Northern Farm, the gray 3-year-old filly was rejected by buyers when she was offered at sale as a short yearling at Keeneland in January 2021. Colette VanMatre, the Indiana businesswomen who runs a tiny breeding business, decided she would race Defining Purpose. Last year, VanMatre reached out to trainer Kenny McPeek, who agreed to assess the filly and deemed her a racing prospect.

On VanMatre's request, McPeek brought in partners, including Magdalena Racing, run by his wife Sherri. Defining Purpose broke her maiden at Churchill Downs in her second start on Nov. 17 and secured some black type on Dec. 31 with a win in the Year's End S. at Oaklawn Park. Three races later, she pulled off a 20-1 upset in the Grade I Ashland S. at Keeneland on April 7. When Yoshida completed the private purchase for over $1 million after her seventh-place finish in the GI Kentucky Oaks, Defining Purpose had earned $556,188 in purse money for the VanMatre-McPeek group.

Yoshida left her in McPeek's care and he saddled her for a 1 ¼-length score in the GIII Indiana Oaks on July 8.

Among the fillies, Defining Purpose is scheduled to face in the historic Alabama is the Godolphin homebred Wet Paint, whom she has finished behind in three races this year.

McPeek, twice a winner of the Alabama, said the race was not part of his long-term plan for Defining Purpose.

“Actually, I was probably leaning against it until she ran so well in the Indiana Oaks,” he said. “Then, as she's gone on, physically and timing-wise it looks like it's an ideal spot for her. Having a chance to see who she might run against is going to be interesting. Look, she deserves a chance in another Grade I.”

With the Ashland victory, Defining Purpose had plenty of points to qualify for the Kentucky Oaks. As is her style, she was prominent early under Brian Hernandez, Jr., but weakened in the stretch.

“She ran kind of flat that day. She didn't fire her best shot,” McPeek said. “She does better when we space her races pretty good. I think that five, six, seven weeks is really good for her. She's had a pretty good spacing for this one.”

Defining Purpose came to Saratoga after her Indiana Oaks triumph over Taxed (Collected), who she will face again the Alabama, and has worked three times.

VanMatre is a commercial property manager in the Indianapolis metro area. About 15 years ago, she became interested in trying to develop a second business that she could do in retirement. VanMatre had a friend who bred dogs and since she was a fan of racing, decided to breed Thoroughbreds. In 2010, she purchased for $2,000 On the Point (Point Given), an unraced 3-year-old Pennsylvania-bred, who has become the foundation mare of VanMatre's On the Point Stable.

On the Point's first foal did not make it to the races, but the second, the Indiana-bred 2014 filly Defining Hope became a successful race horse for the breeder and now owner. In the care of trainer Barbara McBride, she compiled a record of 5-2-2 from 12 starts, was the top state-bred filly at 2 and 3 and earned $306,238. She was retired at the end of 2017 and joined her dam in VanMatre's broodmare band. Following the recommendation of Cecil Seaman, she sent Defining Hope to Cross Traffic in 2019 and the mating produced the second foal, Defining Purpose. Her 2-year-old filly Defining Joy (Runhappy) is being prepared for the races by McPeek. She was bred back to Cross Traffic this year.

“The contract was already signed for a repeat on Cross Traffic,” VanMatre said. “I really liked what I got with Defining Purpose. That decision was already made before she won the Ashland.”

VanMatre intended to sell Defining Purpose, who is a Kentucky-bred foaled at Margaux Farm, as a short-yearling, but ended up retaining her as an RNA when bidding stopped at $14,000. In an interview after the Ashland victory, VanMatre said, “When she didn't sell and meet her reserve, I thought, there's a reason–there's a purpose–that she's still mine.” VanMatre had a name for her youngster and set out to find a trainer for her. She compiled some names of candidates and asked for advice. VanMatre said that Michael Hardy, the former general manager at Margaux and now head of sales at Goffs, pointed her toward McPeek.

Defining Purpose | Mike Kane

“He said, 'Well, based on your list, I think Kenny would make the best match for you,'” she said. “I thought so, too, because he really is all about developing the bloodline, and he's just a good horseman.”

VanMatre contacted McPeek, who said he would take a look at Defining Purpose.

“She came into us as kind of nondescript 2-year-old filly,” McPeek said. “I didn't know a lot about her when she came in or the breeder.  When she sent her to us, she kept saying 'What do you think? What do you think?' We worked her a couple times and the filly is a pretty nice filly. She's doing everything right. She's willing and she's fast and she showed some early talent.”

McPeek agreed to train her and to Matre's request to find some partners. He established her value based on how she looked and trained and Magdalena and James Ball bought in.

“When we went to run her, I looked and saw that she was $14,000 as a short yearling,” McPeek said with a chuckle. “That kind of surprised me because I thought she was worth a lot more than that. And obviously she is.”

After the maiden win, McPeek ran her back nine days later in the GII Golden Rod S., where she was fifth of eight. From there, she was off to Oaklawn and showed herself to be a stakes-caliber runner against the likes of Wet Paint (Curlin) and Taxed.

“She jumped through a lot of hoops and seemed like the more we asked her the better she did,” he said.

McPeek felt that she fell off form a bit in two races over wet tracks at Oaklawn, but wanted to try her in the Ashland.

“I told the group, 'Look, if she's ever going to win a Grade I, if we space her here, I think this is the best shot she'll have.' And she pulled it off. She keeps that the rest of her life.”

Following the Ashland, McPeek was approached by a representative of Yoshida. The sale was finalized after the Kentucky Oaks.

“Mr. Yoshida elected keep her with me a little longer,” McPeek said. “I'm not sure how many years she'll race but we're thrilled to keep her in the barn.”

Much has changed with Defining Purpose since McPeek took VanMatre's call.

“She's gone from $14,000 RNA to a seven-figure-plus filly and now with a shot to win a second Grade I,” he said. “The Alabama, I've won it a couple of times. I think she's the kind of filly that could handle it.”

VanMatre will be watching the Alabama back in Indiana. Her plan to get into something she could carry on into retirement has gone from a small investment 13 years ago into a big payoff in 2023.

“Yeah,” she said, “it's kind of surreal.”

 

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