hard not to love | Horse Racing Free Tips

Background Check: CCA Oaks

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is the GI Coaching Club American Oaks, a significant 3-year old filly event on the Saratoga calendar.

The CCA Oaks is one of the revered traditions in the sophomore filly ranks. Like so many other races that have a century's worth of history, it has changed both distances and venues multiple times. The race began at nine furlongs in 1917 and was shortened to that distance again in 2010 after spending most of its tenure at 11 and 12 furlongs, in addition to 15 years at 10 furlongs. It's primarily been a fixture at Belmont Park, spent a few years at Aqueduct in the 1960s, and has now been at Saratoga since 2010. August Belmont, Jr.–breeder of Man o' War and a key builder of Belmont Park–was instrumental in molding the event after the Epsom Oaks. Many of the most celebrated fillies of the sport, including the legendary champions Ruffian and Twilight Tear, have won the CCA Oaks. The 106th edition of the storied race will be run Saturday.

Following are the most compelling CCA Oaks winners in reverse chronological order. They haven't been reviewed by their own pedigrees or race records, but simply by what impact they have delivered through their sons and daughters.

Music Note (2005, A.P. Indy–Note Musicale {GB}, by Sadler's Wells): This still-active mare in the Godolphin broodmare band produced last year's wildly impressive G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide, as well as last year's GIII Penn Mile winner Gershwin. She delivered a full-sister to Mystic Guide Apr. 23.

My Flag (1993, Easy Goer–Personal Ensign, by Private Account): This Phipps family mare did her bit to continue the legacy of her Broodmare of the Year dam. She had four stakes performers, including champion Storm Flag Flying, and her daughters and granddaughters have already produced 14 additional black-type horses, including July 9 GII Suburban S. winner Dynamic One.

Sky Beauty (1990, Blushing Groom {Fr}–Maplejinsky, by Nijinsky II): She is another mare who hailed from a wonderful family. Although her only stakes-winning foal was MGSW and Argentinean leading sire Hurricane Cat, she's leaving her mark in North America as well through GISW and sire Violence.

Chris Evert (1971, Swoon's Son–Miss Carmie, by T. V. Lark): This lovely chestnut is probably best remembered today for her grandson, champion and eight-time Grade I winner Chief's Crown, but the long list of other horses descended from her five daughters include MGISWs Classic Crown, Sightseek, and Tates Creek; GISWs Dominican and Etoile Montante; and more recent stars like May 7 GI Derby City Distaff winner Obligatory, as well as MGSW/MGISP Bonny South.

Music Note is the most recent CCA Oaks winner to turn into a notable producer | Sarah Andrew

Lady Pitt (1963, Sword Dancer–Rock Drill, by Whirlaway): It may be a surprise to learn Lady Pitt was never a Broodmare of the Year since she's so prevalent in pedigrees today, but just two of her 10 foals were stakes winners: GISW The Liberal Member and MGSW/MGISP Blitey. The latter launched a Phipps family dynasty all on her own. Among her important descendants are champion Heavenly Prize, MGISWs Dancing Spree, Finder's Fee, Good Reward, and current sensation Flightline, as well as GISWs Furlong, Fantastic Find, Oh What a Windfall, Persistently, and Instilled Regard.

Bramalea (1959, Nashua–Rarelea, by Bull Lea): A number of stakes winners trace to this mare, but it's her son, Irish and English champion Roberto, who put her on the map as a factor in pedigrees and will keep her there. Roberto was a leading sire in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom, as well as a leading broodmare sire. His continued influence through one of his major sons, Lear Fan, was recently detailed in TDN. Roberto has played a major part through both his sons and daughters in pedigrees of several significant stallions, including Giant's Causeway and Kitten's Joy.

Levee (1953, Hill Prince–Bourtai, by Stimulus): Named Broodmare of the Year in 1970, her foals included champion Shuvee (who also won the CCA Oaks in 1969 and has a Grade II event named after her, which will be run Sunday at the Spa) and three other stakes winners. Among the high-class horses produced by her daughters and granddaughters are champion Sacahuista, MGISW Raging Fever, and G1 Irish St. Leger winners Meneval and Strategic Choice.

High Voltage (1952, Ambiorix {Fr}–Dynamo, by Menow): Her three stakes winners included champion Impressive and eventual notable sire Bold Commander. Among the best foals produced by her daughters was MGISW and sire Majestic Light.

Cherokee Rose (1951, Princequillo {GB}–The Squaw II {Fr}, by Sickle {GB}): The brilliant Horse of the Year Ack Ack traces directly to her, as does Venezuelan champion Sweet Candy (Ven) and GISWs Reluctant Guest and Just the Time.

Real Delight (1949, Bull Lea–Blue Delight, by Blue Larkspur): This Calumet mare produced three stakes winners, but tracing to her through her daughters are Broodmare of the Year Sweet Tooth and her foals, including champion Our Mims, MGISW and leading sire Alydar, and GISW Sugar and Spice; plus champion Christmas Past, MGISWs Codex and Grand Slam, and many more high-class runners.

How (1948, Princequillo {GB}–The Squaw II {Fr}, by Sickle {GB}): A full-sister to fellow CCA Oaks winner Cherokee Rose (above), How produced just three foals, but one of them was 1965 Broodmare of the Year Pocahontas, who in turn produced champion and important sire Tom Rolfe, MSW and sire Chieftain, and a number of other accomplished runners.

Scattered (1945, Whirlaway–Imperatrice, by Caruso): The dam of Alabama winner Here and There and Hempstead winner Disperse, this King Ranch mare may not remain a significant force in Thoroughbred pedigrees, but her great-grandson is the breed-shaping Quarter Horse racing stallion Dash for Cash. According to the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), he “defined Quarter Horse racing from the time he stepped onto the track” until his death. His ashes are buried at the foot of his life-sized bronze at the breed's Hall of Fame and Museum. Dash for Cash's trainer nearly 50 years ago was one D. Wayne Lukas.

MGISW and $3.2-million Fasig-Tipton sales mare Hard Not to Love traces to 1921 CCA Oaks winner Flambette | Benoit

Vagrancy (1939, Sir Gallahad III {Fr}–Valkyr, by Man o' War): This Belair Stud champion produced English champion Black Tarquin, as well as Test and Diana winner Vulcania. Her descendants include Broodmares of the Year Banja Luka and Natashka. Among the most notable stakes winners tracing to her are Horse of the Year Ferdinand, multiple European champion Distant Relative (Ire), and champion Questing, who also won the CCA Oaks in 2012.

Black Helen (1932, Black Toney–La Troienne {Fr}, by Teddy {Fr}): Although she didn't produce any stakes winners herself, Black Helen originated her own branch of the immortal La Troienne line through her daughters. Among her descendants were U.S. champions But Why Not, Princess Rooney, and Pleasant Tap; Canadian Horse of the Year Travelling Victor; and GI Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin.

Flambette (Fr) (1918, Durbar II {Fr}–La Flambee {Fr}, by Ajax {Fr}): A Belair Stud foundation mare, Flambette produced Gazelle winner Flambino and two other stakes winners. Her daughters produced champion and Triple Crown winner Omaha, Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Johnstown, and champions Gallorette and Jacola. Among other top horses descended immediately from her were champions Phalanx and Nadir, Kentucky Derby winner Decidedly, and G1 Two Thousand Guineas winner Mark of Esteem (Ire). More recent GISWs tracing to her include Hard Not to Love, Avenge, Union Strike, and Secret Spice, in addition to Canadian Horse of the Year Wonder Gadot.

Cleopatra (1917, Corcyra {GB}–Gallice {GB}, by Gallinule {GB}): Three of this mare's foals were black-type winners, including champion Pompey. Her descendants include Broodmare of the Year Gaga, who produced not only Horse of the Year and good sire Tom Fool, but also champion Aunt Jinny.

The post Background Check: CCA Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Sunday Racing Insights: Godolphin Unveils Secret Spice Half At Woodbine

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

4th-WO, $123K, Msw, 3yo, f, 7f (AWT), 2:49 p.m. ET

Godolphin and trainer Michael Stidham unveil 3-year-old filly AIOLI, a daughter of Darley's Medaglia d'Oro. She is out of a half-sister to Loving Vindication (Vindication), who has produced Canadian Horse of the Year Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro) and GISW Hard Not to Love (Hard Spun). Aioli is a half-sister to GISW Secret Spice (Discreet Cat), who sold at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale for $1.4 million to Japan's Katsumi Yoshida. Aioli most recently worked four furlongs in :48 2/5 (4/9) May 8 over the all-weather at Fair Hill. Leading Woodbine jockey Kazushi Kimura gets the ride. TJCIS PPs

The post Sunday Racing Insights: Godolphin Unveils Secret Spice Half At Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Hard Not to Love To Gainesway/Whisper Hill

Hard Not to Love (Hard Spun–Loving Vindication, by Vindication), victorious in the 2019 GI La Brea S. at Santa Anita, was the latest mare to shine at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale Tuesday, selling to a partnership consisting of Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway for $3.2 million. The Ontario-bred, cataloged as hip 184, was consigned to the sale by Lane's End and is a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro) and SW & GSP Solemn Tribute (Medaglia d'Oro). Her second dam is GSW/GISP Chimichurri (Elusive Quality). Hard Not to Love was trained by John Shirreffs for a partnership including Mercedes Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, Scott Dilworth and David Ingordo, among others. Hard Not to Love aborted her Curlin foal this year.

The post Hard Not to Love To Gainesway/Whisper Hill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Much to Love with Grade I-Winning Fasig-Tipton Offering

Whatever Hard Not to Love (Hard Spun – Loving Vindication, by Vindication) may have lost with the absence of one eye, she gained with the loyal following that developed over her career as she won the hearts of racing fans and earned the respect of the racing community.

“She was special because she dealt with a problem that I knew she was thinking about and I knew was on her mind, but she had the class and the style and the substance to fight through the issue,” said Terry Finley, whose West Point Thoroughbreds campaigned the filly along with Mercedes Stables, Scott Dilworth, David and Dorothy Ingordo and Steve Mooney. “She was very special to all the racing fans and all the people in the business out on the West Coast and especially to John Shirreffs and his barn. There was a lot of goodness around her career and I think she really drove home the things that cause us all to love this great business.”

After a three-year campaign marked by wins in the GI La Brea S. and GII Santa Monica S. and placings in four additional graded stakes races at Santa Anita, Hard Not to Love will be offered this week at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

“She's sure appropriately-named,” said Fasig-Tipton's Boyd Browning. “Everybody cheered for her and you wanted to see her get to the winner's circle. To watch her grow and develop and to see her accomplishments on the racetrack was pretty remarkable and I would say that her offspring are going to be hard not to love also. She combines all the elements of what you look for in a brilliant broodmare prospect and she provides a world of opportunities.”

Bred by Anderson Farms, Hard Not to Love was picked out by David Ingordo at the 2017 Keeneland September Sale.

“She came out and was just a queen-looking physical,” Ingordo recalled of the moment he first saw the daughter of Hard Spun. “She was very correct in front and was a very strong filly behind.”

On the day of her $400,000 purchase, the filly's pedigree listed just one stakes-winning half-brother as offspring of her Saratoga allowance-winning dam Loving Vindication (Vindication). But later that afternoon, the yearling's 2-year-old half-sister placed in a Grade I. The filly, named Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro), would become a multiple graded stakes winner and 2018 Horse of the Year in Canada.

“Since then, there have been other different family members that have popped up, so the family just became explosive and all at Grade I levels,” Ingordo said.

Hard Not to Love as a yearling at the Keeneland September Sale. | Louise Reinagel

Hard Not to Love was sent to McKathan Brothers Training in Ocala and had just turned two when Ingordo received a call about a paddock accident. The filly's eye had to be removed surgically.

“She was broken into training, from saddling to breezing, without ever having the benefit of that eye,” Ingordo said.”But we had a group of six fillies in the partnership and she was the star from day one.”

“You get really excited when [you have a horse with] John Shirreffs and you can start to hear it in his voice,” Finley said. “He said, 'It will probably take me a little while to get this filly to the races, but she's a good one.' So everybody was really excited and John was right on with this filly; she was a runner from the start.”

Early in her 3-year-old season, Hard Not to Love debuted with a front-running, three-length win at Santa Anita to earn the 'TDN Rising Star' nod.

After two more trips to the winner's circle over allowance company, she stepped up to Grade I company in the GI La Brea S. Up against a quality field that included MGSW Bellafina (Quality Road) and GIISW Bell's the One (Majesticperfection), Hard Not to Love rallied from the back of the field to win be over two lengths and earn a 102 Beyer Speed Figure.

“It was a good group of fillies, but I thought from the feel I got around the barn that she was sitting on a big effort,” Finley recalled. “I knew going into the far turn that they were going to have a difficult time trying to contain her. She ran by a couple of fillies that turned out to be exceptional and she did it with style and grace and with a flourish. I think that's been her calling card is the ability to finish with a flourish.”

The accomplished bay kicked off her 4-year-old campaign with a 3 1/2-length winning performance in the GII Santa Monica S. and then ran second in her next two starts against top company in the GI Beholder Mile S. and the GII Santa Maria S.

“Hard Not to Love was certainly at the top of her game posting those back-to-back graded stakes wins,” Browning said. “They were quality races against quality competition. She was also very, very consistent. An eight-time graded stakes performer, very versatile in terms of the distances she ran and was a fun filly to watch because sometimes she would be on the lead and other times she would close.”

Hard Not to Love wins by 2 1/4 lengths in the 2019 GI La Brea S. | Benoit

After placing in two more graded stakes in California, Hard Not to Love was retired this year with five wins in 12 career starts, placing in all but two.

“Hard Not to Love's hallmark for me, and it's something I look for in any horse, is when they're consistently competing at a high level,” Ingordo said. “She showed up every race, competed against the best of her generation and left it all on the track each time.”

Ingordo said he strongly believes that if it were not for the dedication of John Shirreffs, the talented filly never would have had the chance to show off her ability.

“There's no doubt in my mind that if Hard Not to Love was in a mega-trainer's barn, they would have sent her home,” he said. “She was a talented filly and she had a great mind, but you had to teach her and work through some things. John's process was well thought out and was for the filly's best interest. Having Hard Not to Love with John Shirreffs is like being in private school versus public school, and we got a valedictorian.”

The 5-year-old will begin her new career as a broodmare after selling as Hip 184 on the 'Night of the Stars.'

“Hard Not to Love will be a successful broodmare because she had style, class and elegance and she was able to put all those together and perform on the racetrack,” Finley said. “She always had that sparkle in her eye and I think people that know the business can see those special ones.”

Along with the success of her half-sister Wonder Gadot, who sold for $2 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Hard Not to Love's pedigree received another Grade I boost since her yearling purchase with the success of GI Beholder Mile S. victress Secret Spice (Discreet Cat).

“She has a fantastic depth of pedigree,” Browning explained. “She also offers a lot of breeding opportunities being by Hard Spun and out of a Vindication mare. From a sire-line perspective, she can be bred to a lot of different stallions that stand all over the world. She combines race record, pedigree and physical looks and presents a fabulous scenario for someone looking to have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams come November the 9^th.”

For Ingordo, Hard Not to Love offers everything that he seeks out in a broodmare prospect.

“They have to have some speed and Hard Not to Love is a very fast horse,” he said. “They have to have a good physical presence and I feel like Hard Not to Love is one of the better-looking horses that will walk through any sales ring this year, next year or two years from now. Then when you take into account her race record and pedigree, those are all the things that you need to have a blue hen, foundation-type mare.”

The post Much to Love with Grade I-Winning Fasig-Tipton Offering appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post