Potential contenders for the 2021 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve are set to square off on Saturday in the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, an important late-season Grade 2 race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
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Spectators back at Haydock, Kempton, Lingfield and Ludlow next week after relaxation of restrictions
The tracks - all in Tier 2 areas - can welcome up to 2,000 spectators. Priority will be given to owners and racecourse annual members but tickets are expected to go on sale.restrictions.
From The Horse’s Mouth: D’Amato Assesses His Hollywood Turf Cup Quartet
Phil D'Amato is ready to tee it up with a foursome and take a big swing hoping to find the 'Cup.
But, rather than golf, the Thoroughbred trainer is sticking to his primary game and saddling four horses for Friday's featured $200,000, Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup. D'Amato's quartet for the 1 ½-mile grass marathon, all with different ownership going as separate betting interests, is comprised of Red King, Say the Word, Gregorian Chant and Acclimate.
“They're all running,” D'Amato confirmed this morning. “They're all kind of uniquely different horses and have different running styles and they've all trained well for the race.”
A capsule look alphabetically, with D'Amato's comments.
Acclimate. A son of Acclamation and an Old English Rancho homebred, the 6-year-old gelding will be making his first start in over a year but last season here won the Grade 2, 1 3/8 mile Del Mar Handicap. “He had a bunch of little things to take care of and then it (comeback) got complicated by the COVID situation and the fires near Santa Anita,” D'Amato said. “One setback after another; but his last few works have indicated to me that he's back close to being his old self.”
Gregorian Chant. The 4-year-old English-bred hit the board in his last three starts for owners Slam Dunk and Old Bones Racing and comes in off a third-place finish in the Lure Stakes at Santa Anita that produced a career-best Beyer Speed Figure. “He was gelded (in May) and he's improved every race since,” D'Amato said. “We want to stretch him out (first time beyond 1 1/8 miles) and see what he can do.”
Red King. A victory this past summer in the Del Mar Handicap provided entrée to the $4 million Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland. But things didn't work out when he finished ninth of 10. “He needs some pace to run at and there was zero pace in the race,” D'Amato said. “We were stuck wide on a slow pace and couldn't kick with those other really good horses. He's back here now, happy and healthy and hopefully we'll get the kind of effort we did last summer.”
Say the Word. The 5-year-old gelded son of More Than Ready, owned in partnership and bred by Sam-Son Farm, is a newcomer to D'Amato's stable and comes in off a victory in the Grade 1 Northern Dancer at Woodbine. “He's worked twice here and looked very good,” D'Amato said. “We're looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
The field from the rail with jockeys and morning line odds in parenthesis: North County Guy (Mario Gutierrez, 15-1); Oscar Dominguez (Irad Ortiz, Jr., 15-1); Red King (Umberto Rispoli, 5-1); Say the Word (Flavien Prat, 5-1); Arklow (Joel Rosario, 5-2); Gregorian Chant (Ricardo Gonzalez, 20-1); Acclimate (Tyler Baze, 12-1); Laccario (Manuel Franco, 3-1); Ward 'n Jerry (Jose Valdivia, Jr., 20-1); Proud Pedro (Juan Hernandez, 20-1); Marckie's Water (Tiago Pereira 30-1), and Another Mystery (Mike Smith, 10-1). Listed as also eligible are Tartini (Tyler Baze 30-1) and Fivestar Lynch (Abel Cedillo, 30-1).
The post From The Horse’s Mouth: D’Amato Assesses His Hollywood Turf Cup Quartet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Orglandes Flies Late To Capture Red Carpet; Del Mar Pick 6 Hit For $248,187
New York invader Orglandes turned it on late under champion jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. to take down honors by a half length in the Grade 3 Red Carpet Handicap at Del Mar on Thanksgiving Day at the seaside track north of San Diego, Calif.
The winner, who is owned by the partnership of Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Wonder Stables, is a 4-year-old French-bred filly by the Irish sire Le Harve and she ran the demanding 11 furlongs on turf in 2:15.85. As the 11-10 favorite, she returned $4.20, $3.40 and $2.80 across the board in capturing her initial stakes victory.
Finishing second in the seventh edition of the Grade 3 test for fillies and mares was Bederian, Kamberian or Nakkashian, et al's Going to Vegas and third was Hronis Racing's Quick.
Stewards lit the inquiry sign after Orglandes bumped with Blame Debbie in midstretch but unanimously ruled it did not affect the outcome of the race.
“I had no special instructions,” Ortiz said. “Just ride her. I liked where I was throughout the race. We thought this would be a better distance for her. The last time (winning allowance race at Belmont Park on October 9) it was too short for her (nine furlongs). She got 'racy' on me. But this distance is much better for her. She did well with it.”
Jose Hernandez, assistant to trainer Brown, said: “I wasn't really worried (about the inquiry). There was a little bump but nothing serious. Chad talked to the jockey in the morning. He said just to break and play off of it. It's a mile and three-eighth, a long race, so the jockey can do what he feels. The pace was good and he was in a really good position and then made a strong finish.”
Orglandes took home $60,000 from the $102,500 purse which pushed her career earnings to $154,772. She raced in her native France as a 2- and 3-year-old, then was purchased privately by American interests and her outing today was her third U.S. start. She's won four of 10 lifetime starts and now races out of the powerhouse barn of champion trainer Chad Brown.
Going to Vegas, off at odds of 15-1, paid $11.80 and $6.20, while Quick, who went postward at 8-1, returned $5.00 to show.
In the day's Pick Six wagering, a single ticket holder betting out of the Maryland hub was the only one to ring the bell with all six winners and took down a prize of $248,187. That fan had wagered $13,753 on his ticket.
Racing resumes at Del Mar Friday with first post at 12:30 p.m.
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