GIII Chick Lang S. | Horse Racing Free Tips

Ryvit Takes Chick Lang, Favored Havnameltdown Euthanized

The day's graded stakes action at Pimlico got off inauspicious start with the injury and subsequent euthanasia of 4-5 choice Havnameltdown (Uncaptured) in the GIII Chick Lang S. Havnameltdown appeared flat-footed at the start but sped into contention as 5-1 Ryvit (Competitive Edge) assumed the helm through a :22.23 opening quarter. Exiting the far turn, the favorite took a bad step, unseating jockey Luis Saez and leaving the frontrunner in the clear as 5-2 second choice Super Chow (Lord Nelson) found himself in a very wide second. Several lengths ahead as Super Chow began his backward retreat straightening for home, the Steve Asmussen trainee remained clear of the closing Prince of Jericho (Munnings). Frosted Departure (Frosted) was a distant third.

This season's GII San Vincente S. and GIII Bob Hope S. winner was euthanized, while jockey Luis Saez was taken to Sinai Hospital in Baltimore for further evaluation. He was stable and conscious upon his departure from the track.

Ryvit's regular rider, Steve Asmussen's son Keith, was unable to ride the colt Saturday due to injury. When asked if the winb was bitterwseet, the elder Asmussen said, “No. It's great that the horse won and proved himself. I think it's unfortunate that Keith broke his finger on Thursday. I'm proud of him for making the decision of putting the horse in front of himself. I think it says a lot and proves who he is. Somehow, I think he'll have plenty of my support when he comes back.”

According to winning rider Tyler Gaffalione, “That was very unfortunate and hopefully, Luis [Saez] is okay. We were kind of heads up, and he just kind of disappeared. I looked back and I saw Luis coming off the side. Hopefully, nothing serious. I feel terrible Keith [Asmussen] wasn't able to ride him [Ryvit] today. He's a great young kid and an up-and-coming rider, so he'll get plenty of those.”

As for what's next, Asmussen added, “Coming off of here is everything we've wanted to see. Obviously the sprint stakes at Saratoga are lucrative and what we will aim for next.”

On the board in both starts at two, including a third in Churchill's Kentucky Juvenile S. last spring, Ryvit was sixth going six furlongs against Oaklawn maidens in February before breaking through over that track and trip Mar. 25. Back on top facing first level allowance company Apr. 14, he made it three straight with a score over GIII Sanford S. winner Mo Strike (Uncle Mo) in the Apr. 29 Bachelor S.

“The key to him has been getting away from the gates,” explained Asmussen. “Keith working him in the mornings and getting him to break is what turned him around. That's the only thing I said to Tyler, 'If you can get him to jump well from the gates, you'll like how he responds.' And that his what he did.”

Pedigree Notes:
Ryvit is the fifth graded winner for the Texas-based sire Competitive Edge (Super Saver). A $70,000 purchase out of the Texas Mixed August sale is the first foal to race out of the winless She Is Bedazzling, a $140,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling purchase. She produced a colt by Collected last season.

Havnameltdown Update from 1/ST racing:
In response to Havnameltdown's condition following the race, 1/ST racing issued a press release: “During the Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico, the number one horse, Havnameltdown, sustained an injury and immediately received on-track medical attention from an expert team of veterinarians, led by Dr. Dionne Benson. During the subsequent evaluation, she observed a non-operable left fore fetlock injury.”

“Due to the severity and prognosis of the injury, Dr. Benson and her counterparts made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Havnameltdown.”

“The loss of Havnameltdown will be felt across the entire horse racing community, and everyone at the Maryland Jockey Club and 1/ST Racing extends our heartfelt condolences to Havnameltdown's connections.”

“Over the past year, 1/ST Racing has worked tirelessly to implement numerous industry-leading reforms, including additional medication restrictions and new operational requirements, to enhance the existing health and safety measures with the intent of providing the safest racing environment possible. In addition, 1/ST racing and the Maryland Jockey Club observe the most stringent medication practices and restrictions, pre- and post-race testing protocols, equine security and surveillance measures, veterinary exams, injury management protocols and racing surface testing.”

“These measures are re-evaluated and expanded every year to ensure our athletes are fit to compete safely in any race associated with 1/ST Racing.”
Saturday, Pimlico
CHICK LANG S. PRESENTED BY CASE TRACTOR-GIII, $200,000, Pimlico, 5-20, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.33, ft.
1–RYVIT, 124, c, 3, by Competitive Edge
              1st Dam: She Is Bedazzling, by Medaglia d'Oro
              2nd Dam: Melissa Jo, by Fusaichi Pegasus
              3rd Dam: Takeaway, by Fly So Free
   1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($70,000 Ylg '21 TTAYHR).
O-L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt; B-Curt Leake (KY);
T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $120,000. Lifetime
Record: 7-4-1-1, $348,068. Werk Nick Rating: C.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Prince of Jericho, 120, c, 3, Munnings–Golden Review, by
Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($50,000 Ylg '21
FTKJUL; $85,000 Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-Michael Dubb and Morris
Bailey; B-Edward Seltzer (KY); T-Brittany T. Russell. $40,000.
3–Frosted Departure, 124, c, 3, Frosted–Undeterred, by More
Than Ready. ($50,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $100,000 Ylg '21
KEESEP). O-C and H Diamond Racing, LLC; B-Alastar
Thoroughbred Company, LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek.
$20,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 4, 3/4. Odds: 5.40, 6.20, 5.80.
Also Ran: Prove Right, Super Chow, Bristol Channel, Havnameltdown.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Preakness 148: Could It Be Magic?

Continuing on the heels of a stacked card Friday, Pimlico offers a robust eight-stakes offering Saturday, led by the $1.5 million GI Preakness S. With GI Kentucky Derby winning Mage (Good Magic) looming as the one to beat, the race suffered a notable blow Friday with the defection of Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense), shaving the field back to seven. Having not only showed a recency in form but also the ability to win at the highest level, none of the chestnut's rivals can really make the same claim. The lightly raced colt ran three times at Gulfstream Park this winter, culminating with a runner-up finish behind 'Rising Star' Forte (Violence) in the Apr. 1 GI Curlin Florida Derby. Sent off at 15-1 odds in the Run for the Roses, the Gustavo Delgado-trained colt came from well off the pace to win by a length, propelling his entire team into a ride of a lifetime.

“I think he came back from [the Derby] better than he did from the [Florida Derby] to be honest,” confirmed Gustavo Delgado Jr., his father's assistant

Throughout the week at Pimlico, Mage went through his paces like an old pro, never turning a hair despite the throng of spectators and media turning out to the see the reigning Derby winner.

“Professional, that's the best way to describe [his demeanor],” said Delgado, Jr. “[He's] very quiet. The track being so quiet with only a few horses at the same time [during the Preakness training period], that helps too.”

Added Ramiro Restrepo, who owns the 3-year-old with OGMA Investments LLC, Sterling Racing LLC and CMNWLTH, “He's so smart. I can't overstate that. He's a really intelligent horse. Not only does he take care of himself during his races, but he knows when to commence.

“The races are developing him race by race. We're just waiting to see how much he has in the well of talent. Every day, he's showing more and more signs of maturation and understanding his job as a racehorse. It's great to see it happening.”

GI Champagne S. winner Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) is winless in three starts this season, finishing a solidly beaten third last time out in the Apr. 8 GI Toyota Blue Grass S. Despite some of the shortcomings, the colt's trainer Chad Brown has already tasted victory on two prior occasions in the Preakness with 'fresh' horses–Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music) and Early Voting (Gun Runner). Additionally, he is responsible for guiding Good Magic through his championship juvenile season in 2017 before finishing runner-up in the Kentucky Derby the following spring. Fourth in that year's Preakness, Good Magic also won the GI Haskell Invitational S.

Setting up the race for a possible 'Magic' trifecta, Perform offers trainer Shug McGaughey the opportunity to win his first Preakness. At Pimlico's annual Alibi Breakfast Thursday morning, McGaughey took to the podium following an enthusiastic round of applause to discuss the chances of the Federico Tesio S. winner. Somewhat stayed while assessing his chances in the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the Hall of Famer spoke with the confidence of somebody who knows they have a legitimate contender. And supplementing the horse for $150,000 seemed to underscore that belief as well.

“If he hadn't run well [in the Tesio] we wouldn't be running here,” said McGaughey. “Although we didn't go into the Tesio thinking we'd run here if he ran well. He was not nominated to the Preakness. After the way he ran..[jockey] Feargal [Lynch] said he thought it was too bad the horse wasn't nominated because he thought he was a Preakness-type horse.”

You don't know if you're good enough until you try them. I've never won the Preakness and I won't win the Preakness if they're standing there in the stall.”

Trainer Bob Baffert is also represented with National Treasure (Quality Road) a first-out winner who has hit the board in four of five career starts. Third in the GIII Sham S. in January, he was last seen finishing fourth in the GI Santa Anita Derby. Baffert is bidding for his record-breaking eighth victory in the Preakness. His most recent victory was in 2018 with Triple Crown winner Justify.

Rounding out the field are a trio of stakes winners, Chase the Chaos (Astern {Aus}), Coffeewithchris (Ride On Curlin) and Red Route One (Gun Runner).

East vs. West in Chick Lang
It's East versus West in the six-furlong GIII Chick Lang S. Saturday afternoon. Representing the left coast is Havnameltdown (Uncaptured), a three-time graded stakes winner trained by Bob Baffert. Runner-up in last season's Del Mar Futurity, he finished a close-up second his latest start in the G3 Saudi Derby.

“He ran a great race,” Baffert said of the Saudi Derby. “A mile is a little bit too far for him. He's a sprinter. That's his distance, six to seven furlongs.”

Also having shown his affinity for three-quarters of a mile, four-time stakes winner Super Chow (Lord Nelson) enters the Chick Lang off an impressive 5 1/4-length score in Gulfstream's Hutcheson S. in March.

“The horse hasn't done anything wrong since he came to the barn as a 2-year-old,” said Jorge Delgado, who is based at Monmouth Park in the summer and Gulfstream Park in the winter. “His record is magnificent. In his eight starts he has run at [five] different racetracks with six wins, one second and one third. The last time he got beat [GIII Swale Feb. 4], he got beat by a horse that won at Churchill [Downs] on Derby Day [General Jim, GII Pat Day Mile]. So, he's been competing against real quality horses. I do know the race is going to be very competitive, but my horse is 100% ready to run this race.”

Never to be discounted on te big days, trainer Steve Asmussen saddles Ryvit (Competitive Edge), who rides a three-race winning skein. In his latest start, the colt took a muddy renewal of Oaklawn's Bachelor S. Apr. 29.

Motion Well Armed on Turf
Trainer Graham Motion once again presents a customary strong hand in Pimlico's graded turf features. Motion is represented by a trio of runners in the GIII Galorette S., headed by dual stakes winner Vergara (Noble Mission {GB}). Off since a runner-up finish in last fall's GII Sands Point S. at Aqueduct, the bay is reunited with Joel Rosario. The trainer also offers up Italian import Sopran Basilea (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and MSW Bipartisanship (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), runner up in a Keeneland allowance in her sole race in 2023.

Hoping to get a win early in the day is Chad Brown, who saddles SP Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio) in addition to SW Eminent Victor (Mr. Z), making her 2023 debut under Flavien Prat.

One race later in the nine-furlong GIII Dinner Party S., Motion returns with another three runners, including last out Keeneland winner Hurricane Dream (Fr) (Hurricane Cat). The French import will be accompanied by GI Hollywood Derby scorer Speaking Scout (Mr Speaker) and Easter (Fr) (Exosphere {Aus}), a winner going a mile in a Big A allowance Apr. 7.

Todd Pletcher brings to the fore 'TDN Rising Star' Emmanuel (More Than Ready), victorious in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby and GIII Canadian Turf earlier this winter. Most recently, he was seventh after a tardy start in the GI Maker's Mark Mile Apr. 14.

This winter's GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational winner Atone (Into Mischief) tries to bounce back following a lackluster ninth in the Muniz Memorial Classic S. Mar. 25.

Rounding out Pimlico's graded action is the GIII Maryland Sprint S. Trying to recapture their winning form are Grade III winners 'Rising Star' Prevalence (Medaglia d'Oro) as well as Willy Boi (Uncaptured). Likely to take much of the money at the windows, Straight No Chaser (Speightster) and GSW Wonderwherecraigis (Munnings) will try to successfully take the next step up to graded company following last out allowance wins. Wesley Ward returns with Nakatomi (Firing Line), winless in his last three starts, including a fourth-place finish in Keeneland's GIII Commonwealth S. Apr. 8.

Churchill offers it's solitary graded test of the day, the card's anchor the GIII Louisville S. Mike Maker offers a strong pairing led by last out GII Pan American winner Therapist (Freud). He also takes a shot with former claimer turned recent Gulfstream allowance winner Yamato (Artie Schiller).

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‘Mighty’ Performance in Chick Lang

William and Corinne Heiligbrodt's Mighty Mischief came into the GIII Chick Lang S. riding a two-race win streak and added win number three while annexing his first at the graded level Saturday. Favored Jaxon Traveler broke fastest but it was Mighty Mischief who quickly hit the front, carving out a :23.16. Prompted by Willy Boi (Uncaptured) as Jaxon Traveler ranged up three-wide through a :45.97 half, the 9-5 second choice cornered in front and opened up a little cushion through early stretch. Given some right-handed encouragement by Ricardo Santana Jr. late, he strode clear a 1 1/4-length winner over Jaxon Traveler, recording the Steve Asmussen exacta. Hemp rounded out the trifecta.

Mighty Mischief gave Asmussen his fifth victory in the Chick Lang, including Lantana Mob (2008), Mitole (2018)–named champion male sprinter of 2019–and Yaupon last year.

“This is a nice horse,” said Santana Jr. “We have a lot of confidence in him. We've always loved this horse from Day 1. He's improved a lot. They let me walk the first quarter. I was really happy. He was really comfortable. The first quarter, when they let me walk in :23, I knew I was going slow. I knew he was going to accelerate for home, and I just waited for company to come back to me. And when they came close to me, I had a lot left.”

Added Asmussen, “The only thing that could have been better is a dead heat. I think they're both very quality horses. The race might have been a little quick back for Jaxon Traveler [winner of the Apr. 24 Bachelor S.]. He didn't have as much speed as he normally does, and the race got away from him a little bit from the half-mile to the three-eighths.”

Mighty Mischief kicked off with a runner-up finish going six panels in the Oaklawn mud Feb. 7 before going wire-to-wire next time over that track and trip Mar. 19. Favored for his latest while facing optional claiming company, he once again wired the field with ease.

Pedigree Notes:
Mighty Mischief gives his sire his 41st group/graded stakes winner and 96th black-type winner overall. The winner's dam was acquired for $230,000 with this colt in utero at Keeneland November 2017 and descends from a female family near and dear to the Heiligbrodts. Wealth Creation is a half-sister to GSP Random Walk (Super Saver) and is a daughter of Heiligbrodt homebred stakes winner Lunargal (Yes It's True), herself a half-sister to GSW & GISP Astrology (A.P. Indy), the couple's graded-stakes winning juvenile Lunarpal (Successful Appeal) and a full-sister to SW Lunarlady. Her latest live foal was produced this spring, a filly by Mitole, who won the 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint en route to his Eclipse Award.

Saturday, Pimlico
CHICK LANG S.-GIII, $200,000, Pimlico, 5-15, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.74, ft.
1–MIGHTY MISCHIEF, 122, c, 3, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Wealth Creation, by Super Saver
2nd Dam: Lunargal, by Yes It's True
3rd Dam: Quiet Eclipse, by Quiet American
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN.
($290,000 RNA Ylg '19 FTKJUL). O-L. William & Corinne Heiligbrodt;
B-Heiligbrodt Racing Stable (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen;
J-Ricardo Santana, Jr. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0,
$255,200. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Jaxon Traveler, 124, c, 3, Munnings–Listen Boy, by After
Market. 'TDN Rising Star' ($80,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $140,000
2yo '20 OBSAPR). O-West Point Thoroughbreds & Marvin
Delfiner; B-A. Leonard Pineau (MD); T-Steven M. Asmussen.
$40,000.
3–Hemp, 120, g, 3, Super Ninety Nine–Tejano Sea, by Sea of
Secrets. O-Narrow Leaf Farm; B-David Baxter (MD); T-Anthony
Farrior. $20,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 2HF, 3/4. Odds: 1.80, 1.00, 13.30.
Also Ran: Willy Boi, Palatial Times, Shackled Love.

Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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‘Jaxon’ One to Beat in Chick Lang

West Point Thoroughbreds and Marvin Delfiner's TDN Rising Star Jaxon Traveler (Munnings) holds the hot hand coming into Saturday's GIII Chick Lang S. at Pimlico. A front-running winner in his first two starts at six panels last fall, the dark bay rounded out the season with a narrow score in Laurel's Maryland Juvenile Futurity over seven furlongs Dec. 5. Off thereafter, he found Sir Wellington (Palace) only a head too tough in Oaklawn's Gazebo S. Mar. 20. Favored in his latest, he bounced back at the Hot Springs oval to score at by 2 3/4 lengths in the Bachelor S. Apr. 24.

Riding a winning skein is William and Corinne Heiligbrodt's Mighty Mischief (Into Mischief). A close-up second in the mud at Oaklawn Feb. 7, the Steve Asmussen trainee went wire-to-wire there Mar. 19. Well-supported while stepping up to optional claiming company last time, the bay once again wired his competition, scoring by 4 1/2 lengths. In his latest work, Mighty Mischief fired a bullet four furlongs in :47.80 (1/29) at Churchill Downs May 4.

Hoping the speed falls apart in front of him, Narrow Leaf Farm's Hemp (Super Ninety Nine) won second time out at Laurel in February before finishing third going 5 1/2 panels in the slop against optional claiming company Feb. 28. Stretched to seven furlongs last time, he came from just off the pace in the muddy test to score with ease Apr. 10.

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