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Maximum Security, Improbable Both Being Pointed to Awesome Again

Stablemates Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) and ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Improbable (City Zip) will face one another in Saturday’s GI Awesome Again S. at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert has confirmed.

Baffert had earlier discussed shipping Maximum Security to New York for the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, but instead will race him this weekend in his own backyard.

Via text, Baffert said he thought the race was a good fit for both horses because he likes the spacing and the fact that no one has to ship. The Jockey Club Gold Cup will be run Oct. 10, two weeks after the Awesome Again.

With the two Baffert stars set to meet one another, the Awesome Again could decide who will be the favorite in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. Coming off wins in the GII San Diego H. and the GI TVG Pacific Classic, Maximum Security will be favored in the Awesome Again, but Improbable has strong credentials, as well. He has won two in a row, the GI Hollywood Gold Cup and the GI Whitney S.

The list of possible starters for the $300,000 race also includes Higher Power (Medaglia d’Oro), Midcourt (Midnight Lute), Sharp Samurai (First Samurai), Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy o’Prdao) and Take the One O One (Acclamation).

A win in the Awesome Again, formerly known as the Goodwood S., will give Baffert six wins in the race. He is currently tied with Charlie Whittingham for most career wins in the event. The Awesome Again is a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier, though both Maximum Security and Improbable have already secured berths via their victories in the Pacific Classic and Whitney, respectively.

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Kentucky Derby Contenders Major Fed, Necker Island Among Nominees To Oklahoma Derby

Trainer Michael Maker has given a nod to Remington Park for Mo Mosa to run in the Grade 3, $200,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, Sept. 27.

He joins likely possibilities that include a couple of Kentucky Derby competitors – Major Fed and Necker Island – for this field looking for an Oklahoma Derby crown. A couple of other Kentucky Derby horses were nominated – Mr. Big News (third in Kentucky Derby) and NY Traffic (eighth in Kentucky Derby) – but it appears those two are working toward the Preakness, the final leg of this year's Triple Crown.

Dean Martini is expected to fly into Oklahoma City on Sunday, Sept. 20, to prepare for his run at the Oklahoma Derby. He, Shared Sense and Rowdy Yates are three horses that show an official workout since the Kentucky Derby and likely for the derby. The Oklahoma-bred Rowdy Yates has been stabled at Remington Park since late August.

Dean Martini, winner of the Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby at Thistledown on June 27, breezed a half mile at Churchill Downs on Thursday, Sept. 17 and covered the distance in :48.4 seconds, the eighth fastest of 37 that day. Shared Sense, the winner of the Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand on July 8, went five furlongs at Churchill Downs on Sept. 13, breezing in 1:00.4, the sixth fastest of 32 that worked the distance.

Rowdy Yates, with Oklahoma ties (L and N Racing, owners from Tulsa, Okla.) and the winner of the $100,000 Oklahoma Classics Juvenile and $75,000 Don McNeill Stakes at Remington Park last year, got the bullet work at Remington on Sept. 13, going five furlongs in 1:01, the fastest of 12 that morning.

Here's a look at those most possible for the Oklahoma Derby of the 22 nominees:

Major Fed

Owned by Lloyd Madson Farms IV, trained by Gregory Foley. Went off 43-1 in the Kentucky Derby and had a troubled trip. He ran second to Shared Sense in the Indiana Derby, a strong closing fourth to Wells Bayou in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby on March 21 at Fair Grounds and second in the Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds. Was ridden by James Graham in the Kentucky Derby. Graham rode Lone Sailor to an Oklahoma Derby win in 2018.

Necker Island

Owned by Raymond Daniels, Wayne Scherr and Will Harbut Racing, trained by Chris Hartman. Went off 49-1 in the Kentucky Derby and finished ninth after an eight-wide trip down the lane. Prior to the Kentucky Derby, he had finished third in the Indiana Derby to Shared Sense and third in the $200,000 Ellis Park Derby to Art Collector, who figured to be one of the favorites in the Kentucky Derby, but was scratched.

Shared Sense

Owned by Godolphin Racing, and trained by Brad Cox. This colt by Street Sense, out of the Bernardini mare Collective, won the Indiana Derby and has been first or second in five-of-nine starts lifetime. Has not been out since running fifth to Art Collector in the Ellis Park Derby.

Dean Martini

Owned by Raise the BAR Racing and David Bernsen, who also owns a computer wagering business in Point Loma, California. Trained by Tom Amoss. This 3-year-old gelding by Cairo Prince, out of the Friends Lake mare Soundwave, won the Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby at Thistledown on June 27 with jockey James Graham aboard. He followed that with a sixth place run in the Ellis Park Derby.

Avant Garde

Owned by Gelfenstein Farm of Ocala, Fla., trained by Jesus Lander. This gelded son of Tonalist, out of the Afleet Alex mare Dancing Afleet, is riding a four-race win streak at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., but all four victories have come in lesser company than he would face in a stakes race.

Mo Mosa

Owned by Perry and Denise Martin, trained by Michael Maker. This colt by Uncle Mo, out of the Eskendereya mare Roughing, competed in both the Grade 2, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby and the Grade 1, $500,000 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark. He did not fare well in those two huge races, but would get into this race off a win by 4-1/4 lengths in first-level allowance-company Aug. 22 at Ellis Park in his last start.

Rowdy Yates

Owned by L and N of Tulsa, trained by Steve Asmussen, this colt by Morning Line, out of the Yes It's True mare Spring Station, has won 5-of-11 starts lifetime, four of those in stakes races. Other than his Oklahoma stakes wins, he also took home the $100,000 Ellis Park Juvenile in 2019 and the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Park in January.

Remington Park features a five-date racing week, culminating with the Oklahoma Derby Day, Wednesday-Sunday, Sept. 23-27. The first race Wednesday through Saturday is at 7:07pm. The special Oklahoma Derby Day on Sunday, Sept. 27 begins at 3pm. All times are Central.

Tracked by more than 164,000 fans on Facebook and 10,500 Twitter followers, Remington Park has provided more than $248 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park is open daily for casino gaming and simulcast horse racing. The 2020 Thoroughbred Season continues through Dec. 20. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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Three Title Defenders Headline Nominees To Keeneland’s Fall Stars Weekend

Three defending champions – Uni (GB), Bowies Hero and Engage – are among the marquee names appearing on the lists of nominees to Fall Stars Weekend on Oct. 2-4, opening weekend of Keeneland's 17-day Fall Meet that precedes the Breeders' Cup World Championships at the track. The first post each day of the Fall Meet, which runs through Oct. 24, is 1:05 p.m. ET.

Featuring horses from the nation's leading owners, trainers and jockeys, Fall Stars Weekend comprises 10 stakes, nine of which are graded, worth $3.15 million. Five of those races are Grade 1 events, and nine of them are Breeders' Cup Challenge races that are “Win and You're In” contests that award the winners fees-paid berths into corresponding races for the 37th World Championships on Nov. 6-7.

“Fall Stars Weekend traditionally showcases many Breeders' Cup-bound horses, and this year these stakes take on even greater significance as we anticipate the World Championships at Keeneland,” Keeneland Director of Racing Bob Elliston said. “We value the enthusiastic support of our horsemen and our fans during this challenging time. No doubt, this Fall Meet and Breeders' Cup will look different from previous years, but we are committed to offering the same exceptional racing fans have come to expect from Keeneland.”

Click here for the list of horses nominated to Fall Stars Weekend stakes and their past performances. Here is a look at those nominations:

Opening day, Friday, Oct. 2 – Entries taken Sept. 29

Darley Alcibiades (G1): The 69th running of the $350,000 race for 2-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track is a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to be run Nov. 6.

The Darley Alcibiades attracted 32 nominees headlined by Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Swilcan Stable's Vequist. Trained by Butch Reid, Vequist rebounded from a narrow defeat in her debut at Parx to win Saratoga's Spinaway (G1) by 9½ lengths.

Another runaway Saratoga stakes winner nominated to the Darley Alcibiades is the Heider Family Stables' Thoughtfully. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Thoughtfully won the Adirondack (G2) by 5 lengths and is unbeaten in two starts.

Also among the nominees are Albaugh Family Stables' Girl Daddy, trained by Dale Romans, and Phoenix Thoroughbred's Crazy Beautiful, trained by Kenny McPeek. They are the 1-2 finishers in the Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 3.

Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2): A total of 34 sprinters have been nominated to the 168th running of the $200,000 6-furlong test for 3-year-olds and up on the main track that serves as a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) to be run Nov. 7.

Topping the nominees is defending champion Engage, owned by Woodford Racing. Unraced since finishing fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint, Engage is one of five Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix nominees trained by Steve Asmussen.

Two of the Asmussen nominees are Grade 1 winners at Saratoga this year: Phoenix Thoroughbred III and Three Chimneys Farm's Volatile (Alfred G. Vanderbilt) and L and N Racing's Echo Town (H. Allen Jerkens Presented by Runhappy). For Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Asmussen also trains the undefeated Yaupon, winner of the Amsterdam (G2) in his most recent start.

Four other Grade 1 winners are among the nominees, including 2017 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix winner Whitmore. The $3 million earner, who is owned by Robert LaPenta, trainer Ron Moquett and Head of Plains Partners, Whitmore claimed his Grade 1 victory in the 2018 Forego.

Another previous Keeneland winner among the nominees is Gatsas Stable and R.A. Hill Stable's Vekoma. Trained by George Weaver, Vekoma took the 2019 Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and in his past two starts won the Runhappy Metropolitan (G1) and Runhappy Carter (G1).

Other Grade 1-winning nominees are Maggi Moss and Greg Tramontin's No Parole, winner of the Woody Stephens Presented by Claiborne Farm at Belmont for trainer Tom Amoss, and Dan Agnew, Rodney Orr, Jerry Schneider and John Xitco's Collusion Illusion, winner of the Bing Crosby at Del Mar. He is trained by Mark Glatt.

Wagers: Guaranteed Pick 4 Presented by TVG that includes the two stakes.

Saturday, Oct. 3 – Entries taken Sept. 30

Shadwell Turf Mile (G1): The $750,000 test for 3-year-olds and up attracted 28 nominees for the “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1) to be run Nov. 7.

Topping the roster of nominees for the 35th running of the Shadwell Turf Mile are the past two winners of the race in Bowies Hero and Next Shares plus recent Fourstardave (G1) winner Halladay.

Agave Racing Stable, ERJ Racing, Madaket Stables and Rockin Robin Racing Stable's Bowies Hero is trained by Phil D'Amato. In the Shadwell Turf Mile, Bowies Hero would be cutting back to a mile for the first time since a runner-up effort in the American (G3) at Santa Anita in June.

Next Shares, owned by a partnership that includes trainer Richard Baltas, was fifth in the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7 in his most recent start. Prior to that, Next Shares had troubled starts in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland and Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.

The respective winners of those two races, Gary Barber's War of Will and Peter Brant's Raging Bull (FR), also are nominated to the Shadwell as is Gary Barber's star mare Got Stormy, who also is nominated to the First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare (G1) and the Woodford (G2) Presented by TVG.

Harrell Ventures' Halladay scored a front-running victory in the Fourstardave for trainer Todd Pletcher, who won the 2005 Shadwell with Host (CHI).

Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1): Grade 1 winners Jackie's Warrior and Dr. Schivel top a total of 30 nominees for the 107th running of the 1 1/16-mile dirt test for 2-year-olds. The $400,000 stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).

J. Kirk Robison's Jackie's Warrior has won all three of his starts for trainer Steve Asmussen. The colt debuted in June at Churchill and at Saratoga won the Saratoga Special (G2) and Runhappy Hopeful (G1) by daylight margins.

Red Baron's Barn, Rancho Temescal, William Branch and William Dean Reeves' Dr. Schivel delivered as the favorite in the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) for his second victory in four starts. Dr. Schivel now is trained by Mark Glatt.

Also among the nominees is Albaugh Family Stables' Sittin On Go. Trained by Dale Romans, Sittin On Go is perfect in two starts and took the Iroquois Presented by Ford (G3) by 2½ lengths at Churchill on Sept. 5. His sire is Brody's Cause, one of the four Breeders' Futurity winners for Romans.

First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare (G1): Robert LaPenta, Michael Dubb, Head of Plains Partners and Bethlehem Stables' Uni headlines the roster of 20 nominees for the 23rd running of the $350,000 race for fillies and mares to be contested over a mile on the Keeneland turf course. The stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) to be run Nov. 7.

Trained by Chad Brown, Uni could become the first runner to repeat in the First Lady. The champion turf female of 2019, Uni was third in her 2020 debut in the Just a Game (G1) behind other First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare nominees Newspaperofrecord (IRE) and Beau Recall (IRE) and then seventh as the favorite against males in the Fourstardave.

Got Stormy has finished in front of Uni in two of their three matchups with the one setback coming in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) that earned Uni the Eclipse Award. Trained by Mark Casse, Got Stormy recorded her first victory of 2020 in the Ladies Sprint (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12. In her lone Keeneland start, Got Stormy finished third in the 2019 Jenny Wiley (G1).

Also nominated is Jules Iavarone, Michael Iavarone and Jerry McLanahan's Lady Prancealot (IRE), who won last year's Pin Oak Valley View (G3) at Keeneland before taking the American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita.

Thoroughbred Club of America (G2): Grade 1 winners Mia Mischief and Bell's the One highlight a total of 17 fillies and mares nominated to the 40th running of the $200,000 dash run at 6 furlongs on the main track. The stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) to be run Nov. 7.

Stonestreet Stables' Mia Mischief, third in the TCA last year, won the 2019 Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill and most recently finished second in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland. The millionaire is trained by Steve Asmussen.

Lothenbach Stables' Bell's the One gave trainer Neil Pessin his first Grade 1 victory when she won the Derby City Distaff Presented by Derby City Gaming at Churchill on Sept. 5. Bell's the One has two wins in four Keeneland starts, including the Lexus Raven Run (G2) last fall.

Woodford (G2) Presented by TVG: The top three finishers from July's Shakertown (G2) and the top two finishers from the TwinSpires Turf Sprint Presented by Sysco (G2) at Churchill on Sept. 4 top a roster of 33 turf sprinters nominated to the 24th running of the $150,000 race for 3-year-olds and up going 5 ½ furlongs over the Keeneland turf course.

Amy Dunne, Brenda Miley, Westrock Stables and Jean Wilkinson's Leinster prevailed in a three-horse photo in the Shakertown over Susan and Jim Hill's Totally Boss and owner-trainer Wesley Ward's Bound for Nowhere. Rusty Arnold trains Leinster and Totally Boss.

Dunne also is a part owner of Diamond Oops, who edged Extravagant Kid by a neck in the TwinSpires Turf Sprint. Diamond Oops, who is also nominated to the Shadwell Turf Mile and Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix, is trained by Patrick Biancone and also owned by Diamond 100 Racing Club, D P Racing and Biancone.

Extravagant Kid, fifth and beaten 1¼ lengths in the Shakertown, is trained by Brendan Walsh for owner DARRS.

Wagers: $400,000 Guaranteed All-Stakes Pick 4 and $300,000 Guaranteed All-Stakes Pick 5.

Sunday, Oct. 4 – Entries taken Oct. 1

Juddmonte Spinster (G1): Champions Monomoy Girl and Midnight Bisou plus Shedaresthedevil and Swiss Skydiver, the 1-2 finishers in the recent Kentucky Oaks (G1), top a list of 24 fillies and mares nominated to the 65th running of the 1 1/8-mile main track test that carries a purse of $400,000. The stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) to be run Nov. 7. In 2019, Blue Prize (ARG) won both races.

Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables' Monomoy Girl, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2018, won that year's Central Bank Ashland (G1) in her lone Keeneland start. Trained by Brad Cox, Monomoy Girl has won all three of her 2020 races with the most recent coming in the La Troienne Presented by Oak Grove Racing and Gaming (G1) at Churchill on Sept. 4.

Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables and Allen Racing's Midnight Bisou, the champion older dirt female of 2019, already has earned a Breeders' Cup Distaff spot by virtue of her victory in the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill in June. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Midnight Bisou never has raced at Keeneland.

Qatar Racing, Flurry Racing Stables and Big Aut Farms' Shedaresthedevil has won her past three starts highlighted by a 1½-length victory over Swiss Skydiver in the Kentucky Oaks. Trained by Brad Cox, Shedaresthedevil also would be making her Keeneland debut.

Peter Callahan's Swiss Skydiver finished second against males in the Toyota Blue Grass in her lone Keeneland start. Trained by Kenny McPeek, Swiss Skydiver has four graded stakes victories this year highlighted by the Alabama (G1).

Also among the nominees are Peter Brant's Dunbar Road, winner of the 2019 Alabama; Calumet Farm's Vexatious, who defeated Midnight Bisou in the Personal Ensign (G1) to earn a Breeders' Cup berth; and Paul and Karen Eggert's Ollie's Candy, winner of the 2019 Clement Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar.

Bourbon (G2): Three Diamonds Farm's Fire At Will, winner of the off-the-turf With Anticipation at Saratoga for trainer Mike Maker, tops a list of 40 nominees to the 30th running of the 1 1/16-mile grass test for 2-year-olds. The stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) to be run Nov. 6.

Also included in the nominees are the 1-2 finishers in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf (L), Legacy Ranch's Big Fish, trained by David Hofmans, and Altamira Racing Stable, CYBT and Michael Nentwig's Ebeko (IRE), trained by Peter Miller.

Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select: Stonestreet Stables' undefeated Campanelle (IRE), already a two-time group winner in Europe, headlines the 27 nominees to the third running of the $150,000 race for 2-year-olds going 5½ furlongs on the grass. The Indian Summer is a “Win and You're In” race for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) to be run Nov. 6.

Trained by Wesley Ward, Campanelle debuted May 31 at Gulfstream Park and from there went on to win the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot in England and the Darley Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville in France.

In total, Ward trains 11 Indian Summer nominees. Included in that group are Ranlo Investments' Golden Pal, winner of the Skidmore at Saratoga and runner-up in the Norfolk (G2) at Royal Ascot; Breeze Easy's Outadore, winner of the Juvenile Turf Sprint (L) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12; and Stonestreet's Wink, winner of the Colleen at Monmouth who was second in the Prix d'Arenberg (G3) at Longchamp in France on Sept. 3.

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Thoroughbred Incentive Program Horse Show, Youth Ambassador Application Deadlines Approaching

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) reminds relevant parties that horse show applications are due September 30 and Youth Ambassador Program applications are due October 1.

Horse shows, horse trials, and other events interested in offering T.I.P. awards in 2021 must apply during the application period even if the information or show dates are tentative. Shows that offered awards in 2020 and shows that were approved for awards but canceled in 2020 still need to re-apply for 2021 dates. More information and the online application are available at tjctip.com/About/HSIGI.

“Offering T.I.P. awards is a great way of increasing participation from Thoroughbreds and their riders at horse shows, and we encourage applications from all interested groups in anticipation of a more typical horse show schedule in 2021,” said Kristin Werner, senior counsel of The Jockey Club and coordinator for T.I.P. “Similarly, our Youth Ambassador Program has proven to be an excellent opportunity for individuals to develop leadership skills while promoting the versatility of the Thoroughbred breed.”

Introduced in 2016, the T.I.P. Youth Ambassador Program selects about a dozen youth ambassadors on an annual basis to positively represent T.I.P. and the Thoroughbred breed.

The goal of the T.I.P. Youth Ambassador Program is to promote participation in T.I.P. with the mission to encourage retraining of Thoroughbreds into other disciplines upon completion of careers in racing or breeding. A youth ambassador's role is to positively represent T.I.P. and the Thoroughbred breed at his or her local barn, shows, competitions, or any other activities in which he or she may participate.

T.I.P. Youth Ambassadors must meet the following criteria:

· Be 18 years old or younger as of January 1, 2021

· Reside in the U.S. or Canada

· Own or lease a Thoroughbred with a T.I.P. number

· Participate in T.I.P. shows or programs

The Youth Ambassador Program application can be found on the T.I.P. website at tjctip.com/About/TBYPAM.

Created and announced in October 2011, T.I.P. recognizes and rewards the versatility of the Thoroughbred through sponsorship of Thoroughbred classes and high point awards at sanctioned horse shows, year-end performance awards, a recreational riding program, and non-competition awards. Additional information about T.I.P. is available at tjctip.com and on the T.I.P. Facebook page at facebook.com/tjctip.

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