Insight Outcomes: Gina Romantica Stars at Tampa

This week featured three busy days of profiled runners, with Into Mischief's Gina Romantica the undisputed headliner of the “Insighted” horses. Two others to keep an eye on are a pair of Upstart fillies: Micro Share, who won at Santa Anita, and Green Up, who was victorious at Gulfstream. Micro Share had been a subject of Insights earlier in her career and Green Up was named a 'TDN Rising Star' based on a facile romp.

Friday's Insights: Into Mischief Filly Stretches Out for Baffert

4th-Santa Anita, $67,000, Msw, 3-11, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:38.42, ft, 4 1/2 lengths.

It was MICRO SHARE (f, 3, Upstart–Who'sbeeninmybed, by The Daddy)'s turn to shine after a second last out in eventual GIII Las Virgenes S. winner Adare Manor (Uncle Mo)'s maiden. Shine she did, splitting horses at the five-sixteenths pole, sweeping to the lead under a Mike Smith hand ride, and coasting home 4 1/2 lengths to the best of $750,000 Keeneland September buy Brocade (Into Mischief). Micro Share, herself an OBS April $450,000 purchase after breezing :20 4/5, is conditioned by Richard Mandella and was part of a November Insights. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

9th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-11, 4yo/up, f/m, 1m 70y (AWT) (off turf), 1:41.99, ft, 2 lengths.

It wasn't Watch It (Tapit)'s day in this off-turf maiden, her second of two career starts taken off the turf. With some top Group 1 winners in Europe close up in her family, Watch It would likely appreciate her next start staying on the grass. Barclay Tagg's SANURA (f, 4, Kitten's Joy–Nehantic Kat {MSW & MGSP, $394,481}, by Tomorrows Cat) took home the win. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Saturday's Insights: American Pharoah Filly Arrives at Aqueduct

1st-AQU, $80K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:20 p.m.

Racing was cancelled at Aqueduct Saturday due to a winter storm. With Bells on (American Pharoah) will have to find another spot for her debut.

6th-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 3-12, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:11.35, gd, 1 1/4 lengths.

The multiple stakes-producing dam of GINA ROMANTICA (f, 3, Into Mischief–Special Me, by Unbridled's Song) was profiled by TDN in 2019, complete with a photo of Gina Romantica as a foal. Sold for $1.025 million at Keeneland September, Gina Romantica looks to be another special one out of her Machmer Hall dam with her 1 1/4-length debut win margin belying the ease of her flying-on-the-outside victory. With her eye-catching debut, big pedigree, and prominent connections–Chad Brown trains her for Peter Brant–it's a good bet this won't be the only time we hear her name. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

6th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-12, 3yo, 7 1/2fT, 1:29.10, fm, neck.

While Gina Romantica was impressing at Tampa, the same connections brought back Watasha (Into Mischief) from a nearly eight-month layoff at Gulfstream only to have the party spoiled by Arnmore Thoroughbreds homebred RIOT HOUSE (g, 3, Violence–Tuttipaesi {Ire} {GSW & GISP-USA, MSW-Ity, $586,313}, by Clodovil {Ire}). A $450,000 Keeneland September purchase, Watasha ran evenly. Riot House was coming off an almost nine-month layoff of his own and a trainer switch from Wesley Ward to Danny Gargan. His sire is currently ranked in the top 15 of active sires standing in the U.S. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

9th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-12, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.53, sy, 2 1/4 lengths.

Second-time starter UNIKEE (c, 3, Unified–Yankee Union {MSP, $164,064}, by Yankee Gentleman) prevailed over debuting Cape Trafalgar (Lord Nelson) in the slop. Hector Berrios aboard Cape Trafalgar alleged interference against Miguel Vasquez and Unikee in the stretch, but stewards disallowed the claim. Both the winner and the runner-up were previous sales horses, with Unikee hammering for $50,000 at OBS last June after working a furlong in :10 1/5 and Cape Trafalgar bringing $325,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky. He was the second-highest sales yearling for the late Lord Nelson that year. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Sunday's Insights: Half to Maxfield Debuts in Hallandale

4th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-13, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:10.04, ft, 6 3/4 lengths.

Pedigree handicappers had to love Godolphin homebred Loved (Medaglia d'Oro), a half-sister to MGISW Maxfield (Street Sense), but it was Team Valor's GREEN UP (f, 3, Upstart-Green Punch, by Two Punch) who went to post at 2-5. Green Up sold for a mere $10,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Midlantic yearling, but has had her connections high on her future–including a GI Kentucky Oaks nomination–after consistently working lights out for Todd Pletcher. She more than delivered Sunday, stalking from second before outclassing her opponents for a 6 3/4-length win and 'TDN Rising Star' honors. No one was going to beat Green Up this day, but Loved got some dirt in her face and an education. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

11th-Gulfstream, $60,000, Msw, 3-13, 3yo, f, 7 1/2f T, 1:28.93, gd, 4 1/2 lengths.

Claimed for $50,000 from Steve Asmussen by Jeff Hiles at Churchill last November, HOWBOUTDEMAPPLES (f, 3, Tiznow–Apple Down Under, by Lonhro {Aus}) made her first visit to the winner's circle at the expense of Personal Best (Tapit) and Get By (Get Stormy), who were both making their racing debuts. Both Personal Best–her Grade I-winning dam's first foal–and Get By–a full-sister to 2020 GIII Honey Fox S. winner Getmotherarose–moved up from the rear of the 12-horse field to finish midpack. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

9th-Oaklawn, $90,000, Msw, 3-13, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.70, ft, 3/4 length.

It was firster SISAWAY NOW (c, 3, Tiznow–Run Away's Sis, by City Zip) who graduated over fellow first-timer Be There (Medaglia d'Oro). The latter was knocked sideways by a rival at the start with a fierce slam and never fully recovered. Sisaway Now paid $92.40 for the win. Be There is the first foal out of GIII Miss Grillo S. and GIII Boiling Springs S. winner Tin Type Gal (Tapit). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Insight Outcomes: Gina Romantica Stars at Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Insight Outcomes: Kimari and Prevalence Win, Taiba Is a ‘Rising Star’

Welcome to Insight Outcomes, where we take a look at how the previous week's “Insighted” horses fared. Insights generally focus on well-bred and/or well-sold horses early in their careers, but occasionally we also have a returning older horse that's made a splash. That was the case this week.

Thursday's Insights: GISW Kimari Looms Large in Gulfstream Allowance

3rd-Gulfstream, $55,000, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 3-3, 4yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:16.10, ft, 5 1/4 lengths.

If her 5 1/4-length tour de force in this Gulfstream allowance is any indication, 'TDN Rising Star' and GISW KIMARI (m, 5, Munnings–Cozze Up Lady {GSW, $407,169}, by Cozzene) has the potential for a big year ahead. Making her first start since for her new connections since being purchased for $2.7 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale, Kimari was hard held early, merely got the whip waved at her in what was the most serene of hand rides, and pricked her ears as she crossed the wire. The bay won last April's GI Madison S. on the dirt at Keeneland, but has also been runner-up twice at Royal Ascot on the lawn (the 2020 G1 Commonwealth Cup and the 2019 G2 Queen Mary S.).

“She's been doing great,” trainer Wesley Ward said immediately after the race. “She's an immensely talented horse that's been plagued by physical injuries throughout her career and always overcame them. [Lately] she's been very, very sound.”

Ward has been Kimari's trainer from the outset, first for Ten Broeck Farm and now for the partnership of Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Westerberg Limited, and Jonathan Poulin. He indicated the team was leaning toward a defense of her Madison title for Kimari's next start. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

 

Saturday's Insights: Well-Bred Siblings to Graded Winners Debut

2nd-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-5, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:23.38, ft, head.

There can be only one winner and it was the George Arnold trainee VETERANS HIGHWAY (f, 3, Quality Road–New Wave {SP, $122,423}, by Tale of the Cat), featured back in a January Insights on debut, who broke her maiden by a head with Todd Pletcher's $250,000 Keeneland September buy Falconet (Uncle Mo), the first foal for 2015 GI La Brea S. winner Birdatthewire (Summer Bird), filling out the exacta. Veterans Highway's dam is a half to dual surface GISW General Quarters (Sky Mesa) and a full-sister to Japanese MGSW A Shin Top (Tale of the Cat). The homebred winner hails from the always-prominent team of G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. and W. S. Farish. Other highlighted firsters in the race got some education, including Tiffany's Mo (Uncle Mo), Blini (Tapit), and Peligroso (Honor Code), while Signal from Noise (Arrogate) scratched. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

4th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-5, 3yo, 7f, 1:23.63, ft, neck.

It was Oak Ridge Farm's homebred FELIX (c, 3, Cupid–City by the Bay {MSW, $172,240}, by City Zip) who put his December second-place finish behind Saturday's GIII Gotham S. runner-up Dean's List (Speightstown) to good use as he bested a field of well-regarded debuters, including Town Branch (Street Sense), whose older full-brother Speaker's Corner would win the GII WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile S. impressively later on the card with a 106 Beyer Speed Figure. For the record, like Town Branch, MGSW Speaker's Corner didn't win his unveiling either. Hidden Plan (Street Sense), Mendenhall (Pioneerof the Nile), and Super Quality (Competitive Edge) each got some experience in their first outing. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

8th-Gulfstream, $55,700, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 3-5, 4yo/up, 1m, 1:34.94, ft, 4 3/4 lengths.

PREVALENCE (c, 4, Medaglia d'Oro–Enrichment, by Ghostzapper), a Godolphin homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' last year who dabbled in graded company early in his career, came back after a freshening, shook off the rust, and got a 99 Beyer Speed Figure in an uber-impressive 4 3/4-length score. His lovely family includes his great-granddam Desert Stormer (Storm Cat), who beat the boys in the 1995 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. His own dam is a half-sister to GSW Sahara Gold (Seeking the Gold), herself the dam of MGISW Better Lucky (Ghostzapper). Also returning from the bench was another 'TDN Rising Star' in Stage Raider (Pioneerof the Nile), a half to Triple Crown hero Justify (Scat Daddy). Stage Raider had the misfortune of stumbling at the start and has only lost two races, both to Prevalence. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

2nd-Santa Anita, $68,000, Msw, 3-5, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.97, ft, 7 1/2 lengths.

TAIBA (c, 3, Gun Runner–Needmore Flattery {MSW, $732,103}, by Flatter) had the sort of debut that keeps dreams alive and drives big auction prices. The colt was a $1.7-million Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream 2-year-old (:10 1/5) for Zedan Racing Stables, worked smartly last spring and summer, then went to the sidelines for five months before making a start. He returned to the worktab in November, cranked up with a bullet 1:12 3/5 six-furlong move (1/12) Feb. 27 at Santa Anita, and registered a powerhouse 7 1/2-length win Saturday to be named Gun Runner's latest 'TDN Rising Star'. The romp was good for a 103 Beyer Speed Figure, co-highest for a 3-year-old to date in 2022. Debuting in the same race was Tenth Street Don (Practical Joke), who raced wide. He was also a 2-year-old purchase, going to Holly and David Wilson for $240,000 at OBS April after working a furlong in :10 1/5. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

2nd-Aqueduct, $77,600, Msw, 3-5, 3yo, 1m, 1:39.59, ft, 1/2 length.

Chad Brown stablemates bookended the field, with $300,000 Keeneland November weanling buy and last August's 'Insighted' ELECTABILITY (g, 3, Quality Road–Spindle, by Hard Spun) prevailing to win his second start while Don the Jeweler (Into Mischief) settled at the back of the pack and drifted out late. Electability is from the same family as MGISW Lion Heart (Tale of the Cat). Don the Jeweler was an $875,000 Keeneland September yearling whose dam is a half-sister to GISWs Include Me Out (Include) and Check the Label (Stormin Fever). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Insight Outcomes: Kimari and Prevalence Win, Taiba Is a ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Saturday’s Insights: $1.3-Million Full to Dream Tree Debuts in Hallandale

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

3rd-GP, $60K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 12:58 p.m. ET

The third-priciest juvenile to sell at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream 2-year-old sale when he brought $1.3 million after working an eighth in :10, Palm Island (Uncle Mo) is unveiled for the partnership of Michael B. Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg Limited (Michael Kuessner). His full-sister Dream Tree won the first five of her career, including the 2017 GI Starlet S. and two other graded races. Palm Island has been working well for Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, including a bullet 1:01 for five furlongs (1/9) at Palm Beach Downs Jan. 29. He'll have to get by Nitrous Channel (Nyquist), another pricey Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream grad trained by former Pletcher assistant George Weaver. The $625,000 FTFMAR buy (who also worked in :10 flat) debuts for R. A. Hill Stable (Raymond A. Hill), Reeves Thoroughbred Racing (Dean Reeves), and Spedale Family Racing, LLC (Salvatore A. Spedale). His third dam is a half to champion and blue hen Serena's Song (Rahy). Nitrous Channel is bred similarly to Palm Island as both are out of Afleet Alex mares and by a champion and leading sire father-son duo.

6th-GP, $60K, Msw, 3yo, 1m70y (AWT), 2:27 p.m. ET

Robert and Lawana Low plucked My Romeo Lima (Malibu Moon) out of the 2020 Keeneland September yearling sale for $610,000–the most expensive yearling that year by the late Spendthrift sire–and turned him over to Pletcher. No doubt they're hoping lightning can strike twice, as their 2016 Malibu Moon purchase at the same sale, also trained by Pletcher, would go on to become 'TDN Rising Star' Magnum Moon, eventual winner of the GI Arkansas Derby. My Romeo Lima is out of 2013 GII Vagrancy H. runner-up Fantasy of Flight (Tiznow).

3rd-SA, $69K, Aoc, 4yo/up, 7f, 4:32 p.m. ET

Michael Lund Petersen's Shaaz (Uncle Mo) takes on fellow winners after a Dec. 26 green but triumphant debut over this surface, where he notched a gaudy 105 Beyer Speed Figure. The $1.1-million topper from the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old sale (an eighth in :10) gets blinkers and has fit in four works since his win, including a bullet five panels in :59 (1/17) Jan. 20. A Bob Baffert trainee, Shaaz is a half to GSW Azar (Scat Daddy) from the extended family of MGSW Coal Front (Stay Thirsty) and GISW Twilight Agenda (Devil's Bag).

The post Saturday’s Insights: $1.3-Million Full to Dream Tree Debuts in Hallandale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Jan. 7 Insights: More Than Ready Rising Star Returns in Tampa Allowance

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

2nd-TAM, $31.5K, Alw/Opt. Clm ($75K), 3yo, 1m 40y, 1:09 p.m. ET

WinStar Farm and Siena Farm's EMMANUEL (More Than Ready) ran away to a well-bet debut victory and 'TDN Rising Star' honors last month at Gulfstream and will get his first two-turn test in this salty Tampa allowance early on Friday's card. Bought for $350,000 at Keeneland September, the bay was backed down to 7-5 against nine rivals when unveiled over a mile Dec. 11, shook off some early pace pressure and cruised home a 6 3/4-length winner. His rider that day, Luis Saez, travels across the Sunshine State to keep the mount. Emmanuel's main competition appears to be Conrad Farms' Golden Glider (Ghostzapper), who also impressed in a first-out victory, albeit with a totally different running style. Supported at 7-2 in a 12-horse field when unveiled going 1 1/16 miles Nov. 27 at Woodbine, the Mark Casse trainee dropped back to last before passing every rival and sweeping to the lead late for a one-length graduation. Fringe contenders include Trigger Happy (Gun Runner), who returns in just 11 days after romping to a 9 1/4-length debut score Dec. 27 at Hawthorne, Boitano (Nyquist), who earned his cap and gown for Godolphin and Eoin Harty here Nov. 27, and Cloud Play (Into Mischief), last seen running a close third in the Fitz Dixon, Jr. Memorial Juvenile S. Oct. 11 at Presque Isle. TJCIS PPs@JBiancaTDN

The post Jan. 7 Insights: More Than Ready Rising Star Returns in Tampa Allowance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights