Highlander Stakes | Horse Racing Free Tips

Life Is Good Headlines Star-Studded Saturday of Racing

Holiday weekends are often synonymous with exciting race cards and this Fourth of July weekend is no exception with a dozen graded events on tap Saturday that include some of racing's best. The highlight of the day's action is the return of 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief), who is making his first start back since finishing fourth in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 26 in Belmont's GII John A. Nerud S.

A dominant winner of last year's GII Kelso H. and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and this term's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S., Life Is Good spent some time at WinStar after his return from Dubai and has been breezing steadily at Belmont for Pletcher since Memorial Day weekend. Flavien Prat climbs aboard the fleet-footed bay for the first time Saturday.

“Flavien has proven he rides really well in any occasion,” said Pletcher, who indicated this race is a prep for the GI Whitney S. “There might be some similarities to Flightline (Tapit) and Life Is Good, but we'll have a talk about the horse a little bit. He's got kind of a quiet touch, so that should suit him well.”

While Life Is Good will certainly be the heavy favorite, there is one member of this five-horse field who could give him a run for his money. Godolphin homebred Speaker's Corner (Street Sense) kicked off 2022 with a trio of seemingly effortless victories in the GIII Fred Hooper S., GII Gulfstream Park Mile and GI Carter H. He received a 114 Beyer Speed Figure for that win, which trumps Life Is Good's best figure of 110 in the Pegasus. The bay enters this off a third-place finish behind unbeaten sensation Flightline in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Met Mile June 11 and Jose Ortiz takes over the controls from Junior Alvarado, who will be riding for trainer Bill Mott in Kentucky.

The Nerud certainly looks like a match race between these two formidable foes as Repo Rocks (Tapiture), Harvard (Pioneerof the Nile) and War Tocsin (Violence) are overmatched to say the least.

Also on tap at Belmont Saturday is the GIII Dwyer S. for sophomore colts. The regally bred Charge It (Tapit) looks to rebound in this cutback in trip after a poor effort in the GI Kentucky Derby, where he finished 17th. The 'TDN Rising Star' was a green, but good second in the GI Curlin Florida Derby in April and the Run for the Roses may have just been too much too soon. You can count on Pletcher to have the colt ready to roll in this softer spot and his back-to-back bullets on the local training track affirm that. With the colt's regular rider Luis Saez at Churchill Downs for Americanrevolution (Constitution), the Hall of Famer calls on his right-hand man John Velazquez to take over the reins.

Chad Brown has an intriguing runner in the Dwyer in Peter Brant's Nabokov (Uncle Mo). The $775,000 KEESEP buy earned his diploma at this oval when extended to two turns last time in his second start May 15.

Cox Holds Strong Hand at Churchill

Churchill Downs also offers a pair of intriguing graded events and Brad Cox has a strong chance to take both. He sends out Juddmonte homebred Mandaloun (Into Mischief)–who is making his first start since a well-beaten ninth in the G1 Saudi Cup–in the GII Stephen Foster H., a Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' event. The colt was promoted to first via DQ in both the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Haskell Invitational S. last year and crossed the line first in the GIII Louisiana S. in January. Cox also saddles Caddo River (Hard Spun) off a trio of optional claimer scores.

Olympiad | Coady

That pair face some stiff competition from New York in Olympiad (Speightstown) and Americanrevolution (Constitution). The Bill Mott-trained Olympiad is a perfect four-for-four this season, topped by wins in the GIII Mineshaft S., GII New Orleans Classic and GII Alysheba S. Meanwhile, Americanrevolution, who shares the same connections as Life is Good, looks to return to winning ways. Capturing the GI Cigar Mile Dec. 4, the chestnut spent six months on the shelf and was a disappointing fourth in his return in the track-and-trip Blame S. June 4.

The GII Fleur de Lis S. attracted just five distaffers, but two of them are Grade I winners. Cox sends out Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), whose trio of Grade I wins includes the 2020 GI Kentucky Oaks. The bay was run down last time by this field's other top-level scorer Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) in this venue's GI La Troienne S. May 6. That Stonestreet homebred ran back in the local Shawnee S. June 4, finishing fourth as the heavy favorite behind She's All Wolfe (Magna Graduate).

Sprinters Star at Gulfstream

Female sprinters get a chance to secure a spot in the Breeders' Cup Saturday at Gulfstream in the GII Princess Rooney S., a 'Win and You're In.' Champion Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) won this event last term en route to a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint and she will be heavily favored to defend her title. Winner of the GII Azeri S. earlier this year, the chestnut was third behind champion Letruska (Super Saver) and last-out GI Ogden Phipps S. winner Clairiere (Curlin) in the GI Apple Blossom H. Apr. 23.

Her biggest competition will come from claim-to-fame Glass Ceiling (Constitution), winner of the GIII Barbare Fritchie S. and GIII Distaff H. The bay enters off a third to Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot) in the GII Bed O'Roses S. June 10.

Male sprinters get a chance at graded glory in Hallandale too in the GIII Smile Sprint S. The race will go through GI Woody Stephens S. winner Drain the Clock (Maclean's Music), who makes his first start since finishing seventh in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen S. Mar. 26.

Delaware & Canada Also Offer Graded Action

Sophomores will be in the spotlight at Delaware Park Saturday with the GIII Delaware Oaks and GIII Kent S. Ruthless S. winner Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner) looks like the one to beat. The bay receives Lasix for the first time off a third-place finish in Aqueduct's GIII Gazelle S. Apr. 9.

The GIII Kent S. features 3-year-old colts on the grass and the likely favorite is Harrell Ventures' Main Event (Bernardini), winner of the Cutler Bay S. He was last seen finishing ninth in the GII American Turf S. at Churchill May 7. He faces Brad Cox runner Tommy Bee (Medaglia d'Oro), who was second in a trio of listed stakes.

Woodbine hosts four graded events Saturday: the GIII Selene S. for 3-year-old fillies, the GIII Marine S. for sophomore colts, the GII Nassau S. for older fillies and mares, and the GII Highlander S. for older male turf sprinters. Jonathan Thomas could win both the sophomore events with Catiche (Arrogate) in the Selene and Fuerteventura (Summer Front) in the Marine.

Lady Speightspeare (Speightstown), winner of this venue's GII Bessarabian S., faces SW & MGSP Crystal Cliffs (Fr) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) and GSW Plum Ali (First Samurai) in the Nassau. The Highlander is topped by the Wesley Ward-trained Bound for Nowhere (The Factor), a two-time winner of the GII Shakertown S. at Keeneland.

The post Life Is Good Headlines Star-Studded Saturday of Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Silent Poet Dashes To Victory In Highlander Stakes At Woodbine

Trying Grade 1 stakes company for the first time, Caravel darted out to the lead early in the Highlander Stakes, but Silent Poet was fastest at the end in the last of the stakes races on the Queen's Plate card at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. The Stronach Stables 6-year-old gelding hung back in third for the first five furlongs of the six-furlong Highlander and took over the lead in the stretch to find the wire first and get his first Grade 1 victory.

Chuck Willis was fastest out of the gate, but Caravel, fresh off her Grade 3 win in the Caress at Saratoga, took over in the first quarter of the Highlander, leaving Chuck Willis in second on the rail and Silent Poet in third on her outside. The filly held on to the lead through early fractions of :22.35 for the first quarter and :45.16 for the half-mile, but, as the field hit the top of the stretch, Silent Poet kicked into gear, passing the filly to take the lead with Admiralty Pier out toward the middle of the track mounting his challenge. At the wire, Silent Poet was a half-length in front, with Admiralty Pier passing Caravel for second, the filly holding off City Boy for third. Honey Won't, Chuck Willis, Old Chestnut, and Turned Aside rounded out the field.

The final time for the six furlongs over a firm E.P. Taylor turf course was 1.07.98. Find this race's chart here.

Silent Poet paid $21.90, $9.80, and $4.70. Admiralty Pier paid $9.60 and $5.20. Caravel paid $2.10.

Bred in Ontario by Adena Springs, Silent Poet is by Silent Name, sired by Sunday Silence, out of the unraced mare Cara Bella, by Ghostzapper. Trained by Nicholas Gonzalez, he was ridden by Justin Stein. The G1 Highlander is Silent Poet's first win in three starts in 2021 for a lifetime record of 11 wins in 21 starts.

The post Silent Poet Dashes To Victory In Highlander Stakes At Woodbine appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Silent Name’s Silent Poet Bounces Back in GI Highlander

Silent Poet, a winner of both the GII Connaught Cup and his second-straight running of the GII Nearctic S. last term, bounced back from a trio of off-the-board efforts to upset Sunday's GI Highlander S. at Woodbine. The 9-1 shot sat perched just behind odds-on and in-form filly Caravel, took over from that foe with relative ease in the stretch and kept finding to hold off a furious late bid from Admiralty Pier. Caravel held on for third.

The winner, who was 12th in the 2018 Queen's Plate, was last seen checking in fifth when attempting to defend his Connaught Cup title July 18.

This was the first Grade I win for trainer Nick Gonzalez, who was visibly emotional after the race. Gonzalez lost his wife and longtime assistant trainer Martha last October. Silent Poet was one of her favorites.

“[Jockey] Justin [Stein] and I have been talking about it right up until this race,” Gonzalez said of what made the difference Sunday. “'He said 'You know, Nick, we drew two inside post positions his first two starts [this year]… I break, 'Poet' breaks well, and I've got these guys on the outside of me chirping, chirping, chirping, and 'Poet' wouldn't relax.' He used himself a lot more than he would of in the first eighth of the race. And he backed up both times… “When the overnight came out and we had the eight hole, Justin came by in the morning and said, 'Nick, I think we're going to be able to get a nice trip today.' Everything worked out.”

Sunday, Woodbine
HIGHLANDER S.-GI, C$395,500, Woodbine, 8-22, 3yo/up, 6fT, 1:07.98, fm.
1–SILENT POET, 124, g, 6, by Silent Name (Jpn)
1st Dam: Cara Bella, by Ghostzapper
2nd Dam: Cargo, by Caro (Ire)
3rd Dam: Aerturas (Fr), by Manado (Ire)
1ST GRADE I WIN. O-Stronach Stables; B-Adena Springs (ON);
T-Nicholas Gonzalez; J-Justin Stein. C$252,000. Lifetime
Record: 22-11-4-2, $873,108. Werk Nick Rating: C.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Admiralty Pier, 123, g, 6, English Channel–Full Steam Ahead,
by Kitten's Joy. ($100,000 Ylg '16 FTSAUG). O-Hoolie Racing
Stable, LLC & Bruce Lunsford; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Barbara
J. Minshall. C$70,000.
3–Caravel, 118, f, 4, Mizzen Mast–Zeezee Zoomzoom, by
Congrats. ($330,000 RNA 3yo '20 WANOCT). O-Bobby Flay &
Elizabeth M. Merryman; B-Elizabeth M. Merryman (PA); T-H.
Graham Motion. C$35,000.
Margins: HF, 1 1/4, 3/4. Odds: 9.95, 12.45, 0.55.
Also Ran: City Boy, Honey Won't, Chuck Willis (Ire), Old Chestnut, Turned Aside. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

Silent Poet becomes the first Grade I winner in the Northern Hemisphere for perennial leading Canadian sire Silent Name (he has a previous highest-level winner in Brazil). The son of legendary Japanese-based breed shaper Sunday Silence has eight graded or group winners altogether. He stands at the Stronach family's Adena Springs North.

Former fellow Stronach colorbearer and stallion Ghostzapper is also the broodmare sire of Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy), two more Grade I winners and 15 graded winners overall. The now Hill 'n' Dale resident was represented earlier on the card by GIII Ontario Colleen S. heroine Our Flash Drive.

Silent Poet's unraced dam is a half to Stronach Stable's Red Bullet (Unbridled). Cara Bella sold to Stone Farm for $60,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale carrying a full-brother to Silent Poet who would sell for $130,000 two Septembers later. She has a 2-year-old Broken Vow colt and a foal colt by Liam's Map. She was bred back to the latter for 2022.

The post Silent Name’s Silent Poet Bounces Back in GI Highlander appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Caravel Headlines Highlander

The fleet-footed filly Caravel (Mizzen Mast) rides a hot streak into her first try for Graham Motion and first at the highest level in the GI Highlander S. at Woodbine. Bred and raced by her previous trainer Elizabeth Merryman, the gray captured The Very One S. at Pimlico May 14 and followed suit with a win in Monmouth's Goldwood S. June 25. Bobby Flay bought into the filly after that score and she carried his silks to victory in Saratoga's GIII Caress S. July 24. While Merryman remains part-owner, Caravel was transferred to Motion after that win as previously agreed upon in the terms of Flay's purchase.

Turned Aside (American Pharoah) seeks redemption in this first try in Grade I company. The handsome bay won four of nine starts for previous trainer Linda Rice, including Saratoga's GIII Quick Call S. and culminating with Aqueduct's Turf Sprint Championship S. last November. Sent through the ring at Keeneland January as part of the dispersal of his late owner Paul Pompa's stock, the 4-year-old summoned $725,000 from West Point Thoroughbreds and D J Stable and was sent to Mark Casse. Turned Aside has not been quite the same horse since leaving New York, finishing fourth in Tampa's Turf Dash S. Feb. 24 and failing to fire when ninth in Keeneland's GII Shakertown S. Apr. 3. He has run well off the layoff in the past and displays a series of strong works over the local synthetic in preparation for this.

City Boy (City Zip) represents the estate of late Woodbine legend Gustav Schickedanz in this event. The hard-knocking 7-year-old has not seen the winner's circle since the 2019 GII Nearctic S., but has finished a close second in this last three outings, most recently in a five-panel turf event here Aug. 1.

The post Caravel Headlines Highlander appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post