Tag: gotham

Deterministic Fires Fresh Off Layoff in Gotham

Deterministic (c, 3, Liam's Map–Giulio's Jewel, by Speightstown), tabbed as a 'TDN Rising Star' in a visually impressive, come-from-behind debut score after a slow start going seven furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 12, fired fresh off the bench to capture Saturday's GIII Gotham S. at a rain-soaked Aqueduct.

Working up a storm for trainer Christophe Clement this winter at Payson Park in Florida, including a five-furlong bullet in 1:01 4/5 (1/8) Feb. 17, Deterministic was well supported at odds of 7-2 here.

The $625,000 KEESEP yearling purchase raced in an inside fifth over the sloppy going as longshot Maximus Meridius (Maximus Mischief) led the way through an opening quarter in :23.42. Ridden along by Joel Rosario in fourth rounding the far turn, narrow GIII Wither S. runner-up El Grande O (Take Charge Indy) began to turn the screws on the pacesetter as favored Just a Touch (Justify) began to wind up with a move of his own on the extreme outside as well.

El Grande O, racing all the way out in about the 10 path, kicked for home and looked well on his way once again. But Deterministic was just finding his best stride, however, and kicked on smartly along the inside down the lane to power clear by two lengths.

Just a Touch, favored at 8-5 off a sharp debut score for Brad Cox in the Fair Grounds slop Jan. 27, leveled off late and was up for second. El Grande O was third. Maximus Meridius tired to fourth.

“He was very impressive,” said Miguel Clement, assistant to his father and winning trainer Christophe Clement. “He confirmed what we believed all along that he's top class. His works have been top class, as well as his win at Saratoga. He validated it all today.”

As for what's next, he continued, “Let's enjoy this for a few days and come up with a plan. I thought he was very impressive today. I don't think the distance is an issue with him whatsoever. We always thought he wanted to go long. The longer, the better.”

Rosario added, “He felt great. He was more in the game today in his second time out and first time going long. He did everything really well and so we're excited for him and where he'll take us.”

The Gotham awards 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-five finishers.

Pedigree Notes:

Deterministic was the second new graded winner on the afternoon for Liam's Map, his 11th graded winner overall and is a 24th worldwide stakes winner. Deterministic's hammer price of $625,000 was the most expensive of the 58 (75 through the ring) of his sire's progeny reported as sold in 2022. Most of the action in Deterministic's pedigree is in the third dam, the stakes-winning Amelia. A half-sister to the talented European sprinter Bertolini (Danzig) and SW Alchemilla (Deputy Minister), she is the dam of seven winners, among them five full black-type scorers, including GSW & GISP Kindergarden Kid (Dynaformer); MGSW & GISP Rainha da Bateria (Broken Vow); Japanese group winners Rabbit Run (Tapit) and Asakusa Genki (Stormy Atlantic); GSW Assateague (Stormy Atlantic); and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up He's Had Enough (Tapit). Amelia's dam Aquilegia (Alydar) was a full-sister to champion Althea. Giulio's Jewel, a half-sister to the GII Lake Placid S. runner-up Duff One (Harlan's Holiday), passed away after foaling a Frosted filly in 2022.

 

Saturday, Aqueduct
GOTHAM S.-GIII, $300,000, Aqueduct, 3-2, 3yo, 1m, 1:36.37, sy.
1–DETERMINISTIC, 118, c, 3, by Liam's Map
                1st Dam: Giulio's Jewel, by Speightstown
                2nd Dam: Acadiana, by Tiznow
                3rd Dam: Amelia, by Dixieland Band
'TDN Rising Star'. 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES
WIN. ($625,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-St. Elias Stable, Ken
Langone, C. Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable; B-Hinkle
Farms (KY); T-Christophe Clement; J-Joel Rosario. $165,000.
Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $222,750. Werk Nick Rating: A.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Just a Touch, 118, c, 3, Justify–Touching Beauty, by Tapit.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($170,000 RNA
Ylg '22 KEESEP; $125,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo '23
OBSAPR). O-Qatar Racing, Resolute Racing and Marc
Detampel; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.
$60,000.
3–El Grande O, 119, c, 3, Take Charge Indy–Rainbow's Song,
by Unbridled's Song. O-Barry K. Schwartz; B-Stonewall Farm
(NY); T-Linda Rice. $36,000.
Margins: 2, HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 3.90, 1.70, 5.30.
Also Ran: Maximus Meridius, Capital Idea, Deposition, Lightline, Bergen, Eliminate, Facenda, Air Cav. Scratched: Khanate, Slider.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Deterministic Fires Fresh Off Layoff in Gotham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Champion Forte Returns on Action-Packed Saturday

Last year's champion 2-year-old colt and 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence) kicks off his sophomore season in the GII Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park, one of 14 graded stakes races on tap Saturday.

The Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable colorbearer concluded his campaign with his third straight win at the top level in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland Nov. 4.

“It seems like he's gotten even better and better since [the Breeders' Cup],” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “It's great to have won with the foundation he has and the experience he has going into these races.”

Last term's GI Champagne S. winner and fellow 'Rising Star' Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) also makes his first start of 2023. He was fourth after some trouble at the start for trainer Chad Brown in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

The Fountain of Youth field also includes Bill Mott-trained stablemates Rocket Can (Into Mischief) and Shadow Dragon (Army Mule), one-two across the line in the local prep GIII Holy Bull S. Feb. 4. The rail-drawn GIII Swale S. winner General Jim (Into Mischief) will be scratched, according to trainer Shug McGaughey.

The Fountain of Youth offers 100 GI Kentucky Derby points (50-20-15-10-5).

The stacked 14-race program at Gulfstream also features: the GII Davona Dale S., led by unbeaten 3-year-old filly Red Carpet Ready (Oscar Performance); the GII WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile S., headlined by last term's runaway GIII Dwyer S. winner and 'Rising Star' Charge It (Tapit); the GII Mac Diarmida S.; GIII Honey Fox S.; GIII Herecomesthebride S.; GIII Canadian Turf S.; and GIII The Very One S.

Big 'Cap Day at Santa Anita

The GI Santa Anita H. anchors a 12-race card at the Great Race Place Saturday. A wide-open field of 11 includes: GISWs Defunded (Dialed In), second last time in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S.; GI Clark S. winner Proxy (Tapit); and GI Hollywood Gold Cup S. winner There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge); last out GII San Pasqual S. winner Newgrange (Violence); and last year's Big 'Cap second and third-place finishers Warrant (Constitution) and Stilleto Boy (Shackleford).

Sophomores, meanwhile, will take centerstage in the GII San Felipe S., which offers 50-20-15-10-5 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby.

Four horses formerly trained by Bob Baffert, including the top two on the morning-line in GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile third and GIII Sham S. third National Treasure (Quality Road) and $3.55-million EASMAY topper and last-out maiden winner Hejazi (Bernardini), will now be eligible to earn Derby points after transferring to the barn of trainer Tim Yakteen. Yakteen will also saddle comebacking GII Los Alamitos Futurity winner Practical Move (Practical Joke).

Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) dives right into the deep end for Hall of Famer Richard Mandella following a jaw-dropping debut victory going six furlongs Jan. 29. Skinner (Curlin), Grade I-placed as a maiden last term, kicked off his sophomore season with a visually impressive maiden win of his going a mile here Feb. 12.

Nine turf milers, led by 9-5 morning-line favorite Hong Kong Harry (Ire) (Es Que Love {Ire}), will line up in the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. The Big 'Cap undercard also includes the GII Buena Vista S.

Derby Points on the Line in Gotham

A wide open and overflow field of 15 3-year-olds have been entered for Saturday's GIII Gotham S. going a one-turn mile at the Big A.

The two-for-two Eyeing Clover (Lookin At Lucky), favored at 4-1 on the morning-line, takes on stakes company for the first time for red-hot trainer Brad Cox.

Former Bob Baffert runners GII Los Al Futurity S. runner-up Carmel Road (Quality Road) and GII San Vicente S. third Fort Warren (Curlin) make their first starts for Tim Yakteen and Brittany Russell, respectively.

Lugan Knight (Goldencents) was a game last out winner over track and trip in the Jerome S. Jan. 7.

The Gotham carries 100 Kentucky Derby points (50-20-15-10-5).

Aqueduct's 10-race card also includes the GIII Tom Fool H. for older sprinters.

The post Champion Forte Returns on Action-Packed Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Jack Wolf Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast

As the managing partner of Starlight Racing, Jack Wolf is a part of a team that can always be counted on to have several prospects for the GI Kentucky Derby. That's the case again this year as the trio of Starlight, SF Racing and Madaket Stables will have horses in Saturday's GII San Felipe S., the GIII Gotham S. and the John Battaglia Memorial. To discuss those runners and Starlight's philosophies when it comes to trying to acquire Derby candidates Wolf was the Green Group Guest of the Week on this week's TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland.

As was the case last year, the Starlight horses have been transferred to trainer Tim Yakteen, who is taking over for Bob Baffert. Baffert, due to a ban imposed by Churchill Downs, is not eligible to run horses in this year's Derby.

“We sort of went down this road last year and it seems to be working,” Wolf said. “The transfer seems to be working a lot more smoothly than last year. Last year, Bob was also serving a suspension (from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission). We're fortunate to have Bob working with us and trying to continue on to have these particular horses be eligible for the Derby points. Bob, (SF Racing Managing Partner) Tom Ryan and Tim have done a great job working together to try pull this off up to this point.”

Among the four Starlight horses that will be running in Derby preps this weekend, Wolf wasn't shy about listing who he believes is the best. It's San Felipe starter National Treasure (Quality Road), who is coming off a third-place finish in the GIII Sham S.

“I got on him as a Derby horse a couple of months before the end of the year,” Wolf said. “I just like how things are setting up for him, hopefully, for the next three races. I just really like the horse. He's not peaking too soon. Bob Baffert always says you get Derby Fever in January and February. But you don't know what you have until April comes around. So even though this horse may have a little case of second-itis, I think from a pedigree standpoint and the way he's been set up for the San Felipe he's our best hope.  That's who I have my money on.”

Starlight, SF Racing and Madaket were among the first major owners to pool their resources at the sales, which mas become a growing trend in the sport. That means more competition for the trio when it comes to acquiring expensive horses, but Wolf said he believes his team can outperform their rivals.

“We've got better bloodstock agents and better operation than the other ones,” he said. “But, yes, they're buying a lot of stock.  Mike (Repole) and Vinnie (Viola) put a little bit more money into it than we do. Maybe we put a little bit more money into it than the group Brad Cox has assembled. I like those guys. It's fun to compete with them and have at it.”

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by Coolmore, Lane's End, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association,  XBTV, and West Point Thoroughbreds, Randy Moss, Zoe Cadman and Bill Finley took a look back at the win by Confidence Game (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GII Rebel S. and trainer Keith Desormeaux's knack for developing modestly priced sales horses into stars and a looked ahead to this week's major races, including the GII Fountain of Youth S., the GII San Felipe S. and the GI Santa Anita H. In other news, the team discussed the reinstatement of controversial trainer Rick Dutrow and a TDN column by Sid Fernando that reasons that SGF-1000, the drug Jason Servis has admitted to using on his horses, is not a performance-enhancing drug.

The post Jack Wolf Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

NYRA Releases Winter Stakes Schedule For Aqueduct

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the stakes schedule for the 2021-22 winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack.

With 46 stakes races on offer worth nearly $6 million in purses, the 56-day winter meet begins Thursday, Dec. 9 and runs through Sunday, March 27. Live racing will generally be conducted Thursday through Sunday through the end of February with a holiday break set for Dec. 20 – 29 and the addition of a special Presidents' Day card on Monday, Feb. 21. March will then feature a Friday-Sunday schedule of live racing through the conclusion of the winter meet on March 27.

As previously announced, and in accordance with New York City requirements, fans seeking to enter Aqueduct Racetrack must demonstrate proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Originally closed to the public during the height of the COVID-19 emergency in March of 2020, Aqueduct then became the site of a New York State mass vaccination center in January 2021. It will re-open to the public on Thursday, Nov. 11, Opening Day of the 18-day 2021 Aqueduct fall meet, which runs through Sunday, Dec. 5.

The Aqueduct winter meet stakes action commences on Saturday, Dec. 11 with the $100,000 Garland of Roses for fillies and mares, 3-years-old and up headed six furlongs on the main track. The 2021 NYRA stakes program draws to a close with the $100,000 Bay Ridge on December 30 for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up and the $100,000 Alex M. Robb on Dec. 31 for New York-breds 3-years-old and up.

January racing will open on New Year's Day with the one-mile $150,000 Jerome, the first of three Kentucky Derby prep races at the Big A winter meet. The Jerome will offer 10-4-2-1 qualifying points to the top-four finishers.

The nine-furlong $100,000 Busanda for sophomore fillies on January 23 will provide 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top four finishers. The winter meet graded stakes calendar will open with the Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan, a seven-furlong sprint for older horses on Jan. 29.

New York's road to the Kentucky Derby continues at the Big A winter meet with the nine-furlong Grade 3, $250,000 Withers on Feb. 5, offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers.

The Monday, Feb. 21 Presidents' Day card will be highlighted by the $100,000 Maddie May for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies going one mile. There will be no live racing on Thursday, Feb. 17 to accommodate the Presidents' Day card.

A total of 12 racing cards are set for March, featuring eight stakes' days, including two graded events. The centerpiece of the March racing calendar is the one-mile Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham on March 5, which provides 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers. The Gotham Day card includes the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap for 4-year-olds and up going six furlongs; the $250,000 Busher Invitational for 3-year-old fillies offering 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-four finishers; and the $125,000 Stymie for 4-year-olds and up.

The final weekend of the winter meet will feature a 10-stakes card on New York Claiming Championship Day, Saturday, March 26 and the $100,000 East View on Sunday, March 27.

Admission to Aqueduct, which will be open to the public on live race days only, is free of charge. The gates will open daily at 11 a.m. First post during the Aqueduct fall and winter meets is 12:30 p.m.

Fans visiting Aqueduct should use the Clubhouse Entrance to provide the required proof of vaccination. Preferred parking will be $10 daily in the Clubhouse lot and general parking with be in the Conduit lot. All parking fees must be paid via credit card.

For the complete winter meet stakes schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/stakes-schedule/

The post NYRA Releases Winter Stakes Schedule For Aqueduct appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights