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Weekend Lineup Presented By Laurel’s Winter Sprintfest: First 50-Point Derby Prep Held At Fair Grounds

The Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes headlines a six-stakes card billed as Louisiana Derby Preview Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday and will offer a total of 85 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers with 50 points going to the winner. The $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes is also part of the card and will have 50 points to the winner up for grabs toward the Longines Kentucky Oaks.

The thirteen-race Fair Grounds card will air on TVG. In addition to racing from Fair Grounds and Santa Anita, TVG will be featuring racing from Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park, Aqueduct and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.

Live racing from Aqueduct Racetrack, Fair Grounds and Tampa Bay Downs will also comprise Saturday's broadcast of America's Day at the Races, the national telecast produced by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) in partnership with FOX Sports.

Presented by America's Best Racing and Claiborne Farm, America's Day at the Races will air from 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET on FS2, including four graded stakes from Fair Grounds, highlighted by the Risen Star.

Due to winter weather expected in Hot Springs, Oaklawn canceled its extended Presidents' Day weekend and is rescheduling the three graded stakes and one listed stakes. The Grade 3 Bayakoa Stakes, Grade 3 Razorback Handicap, and Grade 3 Southwest Stakes will now be run Saturday, Feb. 20, and the $150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes and $150,000 Downthedustyroad Stakes will be run Sunday, Feb. 21.

Saturday, Feb. 13

2:34 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park on TVG

Leinster looms as a solid favorite in Saturday's Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint on the strength of a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland last November. The Rusty Arnold trainee is set to make his 2021 debut in the five-furlong turf sprint for 4-year-olds and up. Leinster, a 6-year-old son of Majestic Warrior, finished a length behind victorious Glass Slippers and a half-length behind runner-up Wet Your Whistle in the 5 ½-furlong Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in his 2020 finale.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/GP021321USA6-EQB.html

3:23 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie Stakes at Laurel Park on TVG

With few remaining gaps on Hello Beautiful's resume, trainer Brittany Russell will seek to achieve a significant milestone for both herself and her stable star when they go up against seven rivals in Saturday's Barbara Fritchie. A graded win would fill an important blank on an otherwise stellar ledger for Hello Beautiful, a Maryland-bred daughter of Golden Lad that has won five career stakes and takes a three-race win streak into the richest and most prestigious event of the winter meet. Sporting a perfect 7-0 record over Laurel's main track, Hello Beautiful is three-for-four at seven furlongs including wins in the Maryland Million Nursery and Safely Kept last fall to cap her sophomore campaign.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/LRL021321USA7-EQB.html

3:53 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 3 General George Stakes at Laurel Park on TVG

Grade 3 winner Majestic Dunhill, exiting a pair of disappointing efforts off a career-best performance, trades the South Florida sunshine for Maryland's winter chill as he attempts to regain his winning form in the General George. Majestic Dunhill has placed in three stakes since, including the 2019 Polynesian at Laurel, and beat Share the Ride by a head to capture the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Stakes in the mud on Halloween at Belmont Park.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/LRL021321USA8-EQB.html

5:16 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park on TVG

Multiple graded-stakes winner Mischevious Alex is expected to be a short-priced favorite to capture Saturday's Gulfstream Park Sprint. Mischevious Alex, who is owned by Cash is King LLC and LC Racing LLC, joined trainer Saffie Joseph's stable for his 2021 campaign after a productive 3-year-old season that included victories in the Grade 3 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream and the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. Making his first start since finishing sixth in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes last August at Saratoga, the son of Into Mischief made a sweeping move into the stretch and drew off to win by 3 ¾ lengths in a Jan. 10 optional claiming allowance race.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/GP021321USA11-EQB.html

5:44 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 3 Mineshaft Stakes at Fair Grounds on FS2 and TVG

Godolphin's unbeaten homebred Maxfield, who was forced to miss the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 2019 and the Kentucky Derby last year, starts as a prohibitive favorite in the Mineshaft at 1 1/16 miles, which should serve as a perfect launching pad for what his connections hope will finally be a season-long campaign. Trainer Brendan Walsh has had to endure some obvious disappointments with Maxfield as he's started just four times in what is now his third season of racing. The son of Street Sense captured the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity in 2019 but missed the Breeders' Cup Juvenile with a minor foot injury and then got derailed off the Derby Trail last year when he came out of a June workout with a condylar fracture of his right front cannon bone.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/FG021321USA10-EQB.html

6:16 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 3 Fair Grounds Stakes at Fair Grounds on FS2 and TVG

Trainer Brad Cox is hoping a return to Cajun Country will inspire a return to form for Factor This, who figures to start as a solid favorite when he looks to defend his title in Saturday's Fair Grounds Stakes over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course. Factor This started his rise to national prominence in last year's Fair Grounds for Cox, as he set the pace and posted a surprise 8-1 win. He used that score as a springboard to another local tally in the meet's turf highlight, the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial, then followed that up with wins in Churchill Downs' Grade 2 Wise Dan Stakes and then the Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup at Ellis Park.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/FG021321USA11-EQB.html

6:47 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds on FS2 and TVG

The path to the Kentucky Oaks begins in earnest Saturday at Fair Grounds when Travel Column starts as what figures to be a strong favorite in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Travel Column announced her presence in the Grade 2 Golden Rod when she was sandwiched at the start, raced last-of-9 early, then got caught in traffic entering the far turn. She couldn't get out until midstretch, then hit another gear in an instant and won going away.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/FG021321USA12-EQB.html

7:18 p.m.—$400,000 Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on FS2 and TVG

Trainer Todd Fincher rolls into town with the undefeated Senor Buscador, who rates as an exciting newcomer in a sterling renewal of Saturday's Risen Star. Senor Buscador went from an unraced maiden in early November to a wise guy Kentucky Derby contender a little more than six weeks later, as he parlayed a 5 ½-furlong maiden win at Remington November 6 into a 5 ¾-length win in the Springboard Mile there Dec. 18. Among his chief contenders figures to be Winchell Thoroughbreds' Midnight Bourbon, who led every step of the way in the Grade 3 Lecomte on the Jan. 16 and has shown plenty of versatility in his career as well.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/FG021321USA13-EQB.html

7:20 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park on TVG

A longshot winner of the opening day Grade 1 La Brea Stakes, trainer Eoin Harty's Fair Maiden will seek to validate that victory as she heads a solid field of 12 older fillies and mares going seven furlongs in Saturday's Santa Monica Stakes. Dismissed at 20-1 in the La Brea, Fair Maiden rallied for an emphatic 2 ¼ length win, as a pair of Bob Baffert fillies, Golden Principal and Merneith, ran second and third. She will have to again contend with those two plus yet another Baffert runner, Qahira, who will be making her first Grade 1 appearance on Saturday.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA021321USA8-EQB.html

Sunday, Feb. 14

6:30 p.m.—$100,000 Grade 3 Sweet Life Stakes at Santa Anita Park on TVG

An impressive winner of her U.S. debut going six furlongs on turf on January 2, trainer Phil D'Amato's Majestic Steps (IRE) figures tough right back among a competitive field of 12 sophomore fillies going the same distance out of Santa Anita's turf chute in the Sweet Life Stakes. D'Amato will also be represented by another Irish-bred in the Sweet Life, Going Global (IRE), who has been idle since defeating 13 rivals in open company going seven furlongs on synthetic Nov. 11 in Ireland.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA021421USA7-EQB.html

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Sam-Son Farm To Be Recognized With Special Sovereign Award

Sam-Son Farm will be presented with the Special Sovereign Award during the 46th Annual Sovereign Awards Virtual Ceremony, which will be held in April. Selected by the Jockey Club of Canada's Stewards, the Special Sovereign Award honors those who have accomplished outstanding achievements and made a significant contribution to the Thoroughbred Industry in Canada.

Over the past five decades, Sam-Son Farm, a Canadian Thoroughbred breeding and racing operation founded in 1972 by Ernie and Liza Samuel, has been the recipient of four Eclipse Awards, 13 Hall of Fame Awards and 84 Sovereign Awards. Since its inception, Sam-Son Farm has enjoyed five Queen's Plate winners, eight Woodbine Oaks winners and 60 graded stakes winners.

Also to be recognized at this year's virtual awards, Michelle Gibson will receive the 2020 Outstanding Groom Award. Currently employed by Robert Tiller, she is the groom of 2017 Canadian Horse of the Year, Pink Lloyd.

Additionally, the finalists for the 2020 Sovereign Awards Media categories were announced Thursday. This year's entries were evaluated by media professionals within the industry selected from across North America. A 4-2-1 points system was used to determine the first, second and third place finalists in each category.

Digital Audio/visual and Broadcast Category:

Santino Di Paola – Dear Horse Racing
Horse Racing Alberta – Canadian Derby Year of the Mask
Woodbine Entertainment Group – The Queen's Plate

Photograph Category:

Rusty Barton – The Race Goes on a Year Without Fans
Michael Burns – Training Before Dawn
Lisa M. Thompson – One Rider Two Horses
Will Wong – Mambointheforest

Writing Category:

Muriel Lennox – Northern Dancer: A virile stable genius
Chris Lomon – The Pep-Talking Groom, Willy, and a Queen's Plate Crown
Bruce McDougall – Riding for Freedom

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Beloved Midwest Jockey J.J. Sunseri Succumbs To Injuries From Automobile Accident

He may have weighed 110 pounds – but most of that was his heart.

James “J.J.” Sunseri, 70, of Erlanger, Ky., born as Tito Libero Cavanti in Ascoli Piceno, Italy on May 4, 1950, passed away on Jan. 2, 2021, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Dec. 13, 2020.

Sunseri was adopted in the United States when he was thirteen by Joseph and Dorie (Osinski) Sunseri of Erie, Penn., who preceded him in death. He was a graduate of Erie Cathedral Prep High School in 1968. After high school, he spent a year at Penn State Behrend Campus where he found his passion for horses.

Sunseri spent his adult life as a professional jockey with nearly ten thousand Thoroughbred mounts over 45 years. He rode races in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, and Florida, entering the winner's circle 545 times. Sunseri also appeared in the movie “Dreamer” as the stunt jockey.

Sunseri received numerous awards over the course of his career including a Kentucky State Senate citation for his professional dedication. He was also a member of the Florence Elk Lodge #314 for 17 years serving in several capacities, including chaplain.

He was a great storyteller and dancer. He never forgot a birthday or special occasion for anyone in his huge extended family. He was always sending cards with underlines on the meanings he wished to emphasize. His love for his cousins and their children went beyond happiness. Mr. Santa is what he was! He gave love and smiles to all who knew him.

He is survived by his “Lady” Judith Costigan of Cincinnati OH, an uncle, and many aunts and cousins.

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Umberto Rispoli ‘So Excited’ To Pick Up Saudi Cup Mount on Max Player

Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli is living the American dream as he prepares for some choice rides at The Saudi Cup meeting.

The 32-year-old switched to California 14 months ago having enjoyed a fruitful spell in Hong Kong and success has followed him all the way to the West Coast of America. His first year in the states yielded more than $7 million in prize money and he currently lies second in Santa Anita's jockey standings after a sparkling start to 2021.

The only thing missing is a Grade 1 win to add to his top-level prizes collected in Italy, France, Japan and Hong Kong. He will attempt to add The Saudi Cup to his international haul of racing trophies when he rides Max Player in the world's most valuable race.

It will be his first ride for American Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and he is looking forward to partnering the 4-year-old, fifth in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness last year, in the meeting's glittering $20 million feature run over 1800m (1 1/8 miles) on Feb. 20.

Rispoli said: “I was so excited when I received the call. When I heard which horse I would be riding and for which trainer, I was like 'oh my goodness'.

“Max Player has run in some tough races, he always comes late. He looks like he needs a little something extra but he's getting more experienced.

“It would be a dream come true to win The Saudi Cup. I would be the happiest person in the world if I could win the race. This will be my first time in Saudi but the track is supposed to be very good. It's very exciting to both be riding over there and to be involved in the biggest race.”

Asmussen has also booked Rispoli to ride Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint runner-up Cowan in the $1.5million Saudi Derby, run on the dirt track over 1600m on the same day as The Saudi Cup.

Rispoli revealed: “I saw him at the Breeders' Cup and he ran a huge race. I got the impression you could go longer with him and he switches from the grass to the dirt. He was second on his first start back after the Breeders' Cup and he looks in fantastic order.

“He is the highest rated horse in the race and he might have a better chance than Max Player, but I have 100 per cent confidence in both of them.”

It would be fitting for Rispoli to grab a winner at The Saudi Cup meeting having impressed in some of the world's top races. He was twice champion jockey in Italy before enjoying plenty of success when based in France and then in the ultra-competitive racing scene in Hong Kong.

His move across the Pacific has been a roaring success and he just missed out on the jockeys' title at Del Mar's summer meet to Flavien Prat by a single winner.

Rispoli said: “Since I landed here it feels like home. It's a new challenge and a new chapter for me. If anybody would have told me it would go this way, I wouldn't have believed them.

“I've had great support from nice people and nice owners. The lifestyle is fantastic and since I've been riding here, I've been doing well. The numbers last year were unbelievable, some of the best of my career.

“Del Mar helps me a lot so I'm glad the Breeders' Cup is here this year. I love the place and I couldn't feel happier. I'm really excited about my second season, excited like a kid.

“I learned a lot in Hong Kong, you need a strong personality to succeed, but my time there was done. I am ambitious and one day I want to win an Eclipse Award. To do that I may have to move to the East Coast one day.”

Rispoli is clearly loving life in California but he does admit that racing in the state is going through a tricky period with a crackdown affecting trainers and jockeys.

He added: “In California things are very difficult at the moment. The trainers have a lot of restrictions for Lasix and the jockeys have whip restrictions. It's tough and I hope this isn't going to push the riders away. The fines are very high and you get banned quite easily so you end up missing a week.”

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