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Kitten’s Joy’s Kameko Back On Top In the Joel

Saddled with a five-pound penalty as a result of his G1 2000 Guineas triumph, Qatar Racing’s Kameko (Kitten’s Joy) proved himself one of the better winners of that Classic in recent times when overcoming the extra burden to take the G2 Shadwell Joel S. over the same Newmarket mile on Friday. Settled behind the leading duo early by Oisin Murphy, the 85-40 second favourite needed rousing to get to last year’s winner Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) but responded by usurping that rival with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining. At the line, he had half a length to spare over the strong-finishing Regal Reality (GB) (Intello {Ger}) who was having one of his better days, as the 7-4 favourite Benbatl faded late to be the same margin behind in third. “I’m delighted for Sheikh Fahad and everyone,” Murphy said. “To give weight away to older horses is a very difficult task and he stuck his head out and did everything right in the race. He ran straight as a die. He is so tough and consistent and, on ratings, I think that will rate higher than his Guineas win as to give weight away to older horses shows what a top horse he is. He is a very intelligent horse. I took him down in a hack canter and I had him really quiet at the gate. If I lit him up at all, he would have travelled really on the bridle. I was happy for him to race a little lazily today.”

Kameko was coming back from some reversals here, but he had also done that at two when following runner-up placings in Sandown’s G3 Solario S. and the G2 Royal Lodge S. also over this track and trip with a dominating success in the G1 Futurity Trophy on Newcastle’s Tapeta in November. Having conquered Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal) in the June 6 Classic here, he has surprisingly gone three starts without making the frame but each effort had a valid excuse attached. Out of his ground over a mile and a half when tried in the July 4 G1 Epsom Derby, he was denied a clear run in the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood July 29 and was again stretched too far when fourth for the third consecutive time in York’s G1 Juddmonte International over an extended 10 furlongs last time Aug. 19.

While he was slightly lethargic during the Guineas, he was markedly more so here as early as halfway but was still able to gain the advantage well before the final furlong and there was a feeling from there that he was only doing enough to stay in command. Regal Reality had shown when winning the Aug. 9 G3 Sovereign S. that he can be a force to be reckoned with at this trip and his proximity does not undermine Kameko’s prospects of shaking up Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in next month’s G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. That target is set in stone according to Andrew Balding. “It’s a bit of a relief, as this was a tough task giving weight away to older horses,” he said. “I thought that Benbatl would have gone a slightly stronger gallop and he hit a flat spot but picked up well, so it’s nice to get back on track. The QEII has been on his agenda the whole season and I just hope the ground isn’t too soft by then. He hasn’t had a lucky season at all and it has felt like trying to put a square peg in a round hole since the Guineas.”

Kameko will be the second member of his immediate family to tackle the QEII, with the dam Sweeter Still (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) a half to the G1 Racing Post Trophy hero Kingsbarns (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was third in the 2013 edition. Sweeter Still, who was successful in the GIII Senorita S. and placed in the GII Providencia S. and GII Honeymoon H., is also a half to the G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial S. winner Belle Artiste (Ire) (Namid {GB}). This is the family of the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf runner-up Ace (Ire) (Danehill), who was fifth in the 2004 QEII, and his G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup-winning full-brother Danish (Ire) and the triple group 1 runner-up Hawkeye (Ire) also by that sire. Her 2-year-old daughter of Big Blue Kitten had sold to Atlantic Bloodstock for only $5,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Sale, but went to David Redvers for £200,000 at the Arqana 2020 Breeze Up Sale at Goffs UK. Eleven days before this race, Capital System Co. paid $190,000 for her yearling filly by Optimizer.

Friday, Newmarket, Britain
SHADWELL JOEL S.-G2, £80,000, Newmarket, 9-25, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:34.41, gd.
1–KAMEKO, 131, c, 3, by Kitten’s Joy
1st Dam: Sweeter Still (Ire) (GSW-US, $311,603), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire)
2nd Dam: Beltisaal (Fr), by Belmez
3rd Dam: Ittisaal (GB), by Caerleon
($90,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP). O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Andrew Balding; J-Oisin Murphy. £45,368. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Eng, 9-4-2-0, $510,817. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Regal Reality (GB), 130, g, 5, Intello (Ger)–Regal Realm (GB), by Medicean (GB). O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £17,200.
3–Benbatl (GB), 130, h, 6, Dubawi (Ire)–Nahrain (GB), by Selkirk. O-Godolphin; B-Darley (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor. £8,608.
Margins: HF, HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 2.13, 8.50, 1.75.
Also Ran: Tilsit, Zabeel Prince (Ire), Top Rank (Ire). Scratched: Duke of Hazzard (Fr), Urban Icon (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Wide Open Field Of Seven To Contest Sunday’s Tokyo City Cup

In a marathon devoid of any clear standout, Richard Mandella's Tizamagician, Bob Baffert's Azul Coast and John Sadler's Combatant all figure prominently among a field of seven 3-year-olds and up in Sunday's Grade 3, $100,000 Tokyo City Cup, to be contested at a mile and one half at Santa Anita Park.

A gate to wire first condition allowance winner going one mile on Sept. 5 at Del Mar, Tizamagician broke his maiden on Jan. 1 and now has two wins from six starts this year. A non-threatening fifth on turf in the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap Aug. 9, Azul Coast was second to his eventual Kentucky Derby winning stablemate Authentic five starts back in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes Jan. 4.

Combatant, an upset winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 7, has been well beaten in three subsequent graded stakes.

TIZAMAGICIAN

Owner: MyRacehorse.com & Spendthrift Farm, LLC

Trainer: Richard Mandella

The only horse in the field to exit a win in his last start, this 3-year-old Tiznow colt will hope to stretch his considerable speed an additional half mile on Sunday. A close fourth to current Preakness hopeful Thousand Words subsequent to his maiden win in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 1, Tizamagician ran what appears to be the best race of his career on Sept. 5 and will retain the services of Drayden Van Dyke.

AZUL COAST

Owner: Mike Pegram, Karl Watson & Paul Weitman

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Fifth, beaten 7 ¾ lengths on turf in the Grade III La Jolla Handicap last time out, Azul Coast showed much promise early, breaking his maiden going one mile at first asking on Dec. 8 at Los Alamitos and then running a respectable second to an outstanding horse in the Grade III, one mile Sham. Last, beaten 13 ½ lengths by Honor A.P. two starts back in the Santa Anita Derby, Azul Coast, a colt by Super Saver, was then a handy 1 ¼ length winner of the El Camino Real Derby three races back at Golden Gate Fields. Ridden by five different jockeys in as many starts, he'll be handled for the first time on Sunday by Luis Saez as he bids for his first graded stakes win in his sixth career start.

COMBATANT

Owner: Hronis Racing, LLC

Trainer: John Sadler

Although a winner at 9-1 of the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap four starts back on March 7, he's been soundly beaten in three consecutive races since; the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap (turf) on Aug. 22, the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap on July 25 and the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap May 2. Like the rest of the field, he'll be trying a mile and one half for the first time. With his Big 'Cap win, he does have proven ability at a mile and one quarter but he'll have to overcome an unattractive form cycle with Umberto Rispoli up.

THE GRADE 3 TOKYO CITY CUP WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 10 of 11 Approximate post time 5 p.m. PT

Cupid's Claws—Flavien Prat—122
Combatant—Umberto Rispoli—126
Tizamagician—Drayden Van Dyke—118
Bold Endeavor—Tyler Baze—122
Muralist—Juan Hernandez—122
Potantico—Abel Cedillo—122
Azul Coast—Luis Saez—120

First post time for an 11-race card on Sunday is at 12:30 p.m. Although there is no pubic admittance, Santa Anita's races can be viewed free of charge via the track's livestream video at santaanita.com

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Frontrunning Fighting Mad Tops ‘Win And You’re In’ Zenyatta Stakes

An impressive gate to wire winner of her last two starts, the Gary and Mary West homebred Fighting Mad looms a standout in Sunday's Grade 2, $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita. The Zenyatta, to be contested at a mile and one sixteenth, has attracted a field of five fillies and mares aged three and up.

Trainer Simon Callaghan's Harvest Moon, a 3-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo, has won her last three starts and is an up and comer that will attract considerable pari-mutuel attention. Hard Not to Love, a Grade 1 winner and well accomplished, comes off a dull sixth behind Fighting Mad in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch at Del Mar and will hope to rebound for trainer John Shirreffs.

Named for the legendary winner of the 2009 Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita who then became Horse of the Year in 2010 for owners Jerry and Ann Moss and trainer John Shirreffs, the Zenyatta is a Breeders' Cup “Win & You're In” Challenge Race qualifier to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

FIGHTING MAD

Owner: Gary & Mary West

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Ridden aggressively on the lead going a mile and one sixteenth in her last two starts by Abel Cedillo, she took the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes by 3 ¼ lengths on May 31 and prevailed by a half length in the Grade 1 Hirsch on Aug. 2. A winner of five out her eight starts, this 4-year-old daughter of New Year's Day is at the top of her game and looms strictly the horse to beat in the Zenyatta.

HARVEST MOON

Owner: Alice Bamford & Michael B. Tabor

Trainer: Simon Callaghan

A one mile maiden winner in her second start on July 20 at Los Alamitos, she then rallied to win a first condition allowance at the same distance by 4 ¼ lengths on July 27 at Del Mar. Off again as the 3-2 favorite, she responded with a solid 1 ¼ length score in the Grade 3, one mile Torrey Pines Stakes Aug. 22 and looms a very legitimate danger on Sunday. With Flavien Prat set to ride for the fourth consecutive time, Harvest, who has won three out of her four races, looms a legitimate threat.

HARD NOT TO LOVE

Owner: Mercedes Stables LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, Scott Dilworth, Dorothy & David Ingordo, Steve Mooney

Trainer: John Shirreffs

Often quirky in the paddock and on the racetrack due to the fact she only has the use of one eye, Hard Not to Love will try to bounce back from a 13 ¼ length drubbing at the hands of Fighting Mad in the Aug. 2 Clement Hirsch. Second, beaten 3 ¼ lengths by Fighting Mad two starts back in the Grade 2 Santa Maria, Hard Not to Love, a 4-year-old Ontario, Canadian-bred filly by Hard Spun is winless in three two turn starts since taking the Grade 2, seven furlong Santa Monica Stakes on Feb. 15.

THE GRADE 2 ZENYATTA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 4 of 11 Approximate post time 2 p.m. PT

Fighting Mad—Luis Saez—126
Proud Emma—Ricardo Gonzalez—122
Harvest Moon—Flavien Prat—118
Hang a Star—Tyler Baze—122
Hard Not to Love—Mike Smith—122

First post time for an 11-race card on Sunday is at 12:30 p.m. Although there is no public admittance, Santa Anita's races can be viewed free of charge via the track's livestream video at santaanita.com

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Belardo’s Isabella Giles Bounds To Rockfel Triumph

Paul and Clare Rooney’s Isabella Giles (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) registered a pair of six-furlong wins–at Leicester in June and at Newbury in July–but lost her unbeaten tag when fourth in Ascot’s July 26 G3 Princess Margaret S. before bouncing back to claim a first black-type score for her freshman sire (by Lope de Vega {Ire}) in Goodwood’s Aug. 29 G3 Prestige S. when upped to seven furlongs last time. Aided by a strong tailwind over the same distance in Friday’s G2 Shadwell Rockfel S. at Newmarket, the 11-5 chance continued on an upward trajectory with a decisive two-length defeat of Nazuna (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). Racing second after breaking on the lead, she regained control before halfway and kept on relentlessly under a drive once shaken up at the quarter-mile marker to double her stakes tally in game fashion. Nazuna threatened throughout the final quarter mile, but was unable to strike a late blow. She finished 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Alba Rose (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), while even-money favourite Monday (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) came under pressure far too early for comfort and was 5 1/2 lengths further back in a well-beaten fourth.

“She put up a very classy performance, she’s got a wonderful temperament, she settles into a lovely rhythm and can find her own way in a race,” said winning trainer Clive Cox. “She doesn’t have to lead, but is so relaxed that finding a rhythm and setting your own fractions worked perfectly. Adam [Kirby] got his fractions right and she made a good job of it. I think she is definitely a filly to get a mile next year, which is really exciting, and I’m delighted for Clare and Paul Rooney to have such an exciting possibility as a Classic contender. I’m over the moon.” Looking ahead to possible targets, Cox added, “She is very well balanced, she has won at the track and is a filly that has a little bit of scope. She’s got a wonderful mind and clearly a big level of ability. She is in the [G1] Fillies’ Mile [back at this venue], but she has done pretty good this year. She wouldn’t have blown a candle out there, but we will see how she comes back. It was a ‘Win and You’re In’ race for the Breeders’ Cup, but I’m not sure. Next year beckons over a mile, and I think we will be looking that way.”

Roger Varian, trainer of runner-up Nazuna, expressed delight with his charge and also revealed short-term options. He said, “She is a lovely filly and we were not here just to make up the numbers. I really like her and I’m delighted she has run up to our expectations. Andrea [Atzeni] thinks she will stay a mile and there are lots of nice options. There’s the [G3] Oh So Sharp back here in a couple of weeks or there is the [GI] Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf, which is a race we were second in with Daahyeh last year after winning this.”

Isabella Giles, one of three scorers out of G3 Firth of Clyde S. victress Majestic Dubawi (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), is a half-sister to MSW G3 Goldene Peitsche and G3 Silberne Peitsche placegetter Majestic Colt (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), a yearling colt by Nathaniel (Ire) and a weanling filly by Fascinating Rock (Ire). Descendants of her third dam South Shore (GB) (Caerleon), herself a winning half-sister to MG1SW sire Soviet Line (Ire) (Soviet Star), include MG1SP G3 Round Tower S. winner Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and G2 Vintage S. and G2 Oettingen-Rennen victor Dark Vision (Ire) (Dream Ahead).

Friday, Newmarket, Britain
SHADWELL ROCKFEL S.-G2, £80,000, Newmarket, 9-25, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:22.55, gd.
1–ISABELLA GILES (IRE), 126, f, 2, by Belardo (Ire)
1st Dam: Majestic Dubawi (GB) (GSW-Eng), by Dubawi (Ire)
2nd Dam: Tidal Chorus (GB), by Singspiel (Ire)
3rd Dam: South Shore, by Caerleon
(€45,000 Ylg ’19 GOFSPT). O-Paul & Clare Rooney; B-Ballylinch Stud (IRE); T-Clive Cox; J-Adam Kirby. £45,368. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0, $96,759. *1/2 to Majestic Colt (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), MSW & MGSP-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Nazuna (Ire), 126, f, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Night Fever (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (60,000gns Ylg ’19 TATOCT). O-Mrs H Varian; B-Barouche Stud Ireland Ltd (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £17,200.
3–Alba Rose (GB), 126, f, 2, Muhaarar (GB)–Reckoning (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (100,000gns Ylg ’19 TATOCT). O-Dr J Walker; B-Mascalls Stud (GB); T-Mark Johnston. £8,608.
Margins: 2, 3 1/4, 5HF. Odds: 2.20, 10.00, 10.00.
Also Ran: Monday, Santosha (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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