Tag: isolate

Easy As Holiday Pie For Isolate In Al Maktoum Mile

Isolate (Mark Valeski) gave trainer Doug Watson a truly Festive Friday, leading home stablemate and G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 winner Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the AED1-million G2 Al Maktoum Mile at Meydan Racecourse.

Already a winner over track and trip in the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night at the end of March, the bay, making his first start back, settled in a good rhythm in second under Tyler Gaffalione for a few jumps. He took over a handful of strides later while shadowed by Listed UAE 1000 Guineas and G3 UAE Oaks heroine Mimi Kakushi (City Of Light), with Golden Goal to his outside in third. At the half-way point, he appeared to be just putting in a paid workout, with most of his rivals being asked to keep pace.

Barely extended, he surged away from his pursuers with a mere tap from Gaffalione, and won with every appearance of more to come. Golden Goal stayed on for second 3 1/2 lengths back, with Celtic Prince (GB) (Shamardal) getting up for third, 2 1/4 lengths to the good of Desert Wisdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who rallied past Mimi Kakushi for fourth.

“It's a pleasure to be here and thanks to connections for bringing me over,” said multiple Grade I-winning jockey Gaffalione. “He took control early and he seems a lot stronger this year. I have a ton of confidence in this horse and the way he ran today I don't think stepping up in distance would be a problem.”

“I take everything with a little bit of pressure, so I'm glad it's over,” added Watson. “He showed today that he's pretty classy and he should improve for the run. I'll leave it up to everyone else to decide if we go to Saudi [in February].”

A winner of the Tale of the Cat S. by six lengths at Saratoga last August, Isolate ran second by a nose in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. in September prior to packing his bags for the desert. He filled the runner-up spot in both the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint in February, and the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal in March, prior to his Dubai World Cup night heroics in the G2 Godolphin Mile.

 

Pedigree Notes

One of four stakes winners and two Pattern race winners for his Arkansas-based sire, Isolate is one of six winners from seven to race out of Tranquil Song (Unbridled's Song), who won as a 3-year-old. Since foaling her star progeny, her 3-year-old filly My Aunt Snookie (Cloud Computing) has won, while her Enticed juvenile colt For Your Pleasure has been placed. Her latest is a weanling colt by Tacitus, and she was bred to Cyberknife this spring.

His second dam, Travelator (A. P Jet), was a six-time stakes winner on the East Coast, before foaling two stakes winners in Hollywood Jet (Uncaptured) and Stone Silent (Adios Charlie). Another half-sister, the Forestry mare Fantasy Forest, is the dam of GIII Challenger S. winner Last Judgment (Congrats).

 

Friday, Meydan, Middle East
AL MAKTOUM MILE-G2, AED1,000,000, Meydan, 12-22, NH3yo/up & SH3yo/up, 1600m, 1:37.21, ft.
1–ISOLATE, 128, h, 5, by Mark Valeski
1st Dam: Tranquil Song, by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Travelator, by A. P Jet
3rd Dam: Rajadiddle, by Raja's Revenge
($70,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV). O-RRR Racing; B-Woodford
Thoroughbreds (FL); T-Doug Watson; J-Tyler Gaffalione.
AED600,000. Lifetime Record: MSW & GSP-US, 16-8-4-2,
AED1,587,015. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick
   Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Golden Goal (Ire), 126, g, 9, Dark Angel (Ire)–Golden Rosie
(Ire), by Exceed And Excel (Aus). (£240,000 Ylg '15 DNPAUG).
O-Dale Brennan; B-Yeomanstown Stud (IRE); T-Doug Watson.
AED200,000.
3–Celtic Prince (GB), 126, g, 8, Shamardal–Opera Comique (Fr),
by Singspiel (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE.
O-Bouresly Racing Syndicate; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Rashed
Bouresly. AED100,000.
Margins: 3HF, 2 1/4, 2 3/4.
Also Ran: Desert Wisdom (GB), Mimi Kakushi, Road Bloc, Mr Raj, Quality Humor, Royal Mews (Fr). Scratched: Secret Ambition (GB). Click for the ERA chart & video.

 

The post Easy As Holiday Pie For Isolate In Al Maktoum Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Inaugural Festive Friday Draws International Cast At Meydan

Friday marks the first edition of the Festive Friday card at Meydan, featuring two group races, three listed races and AED4.5 million in prize-money across the nine-race stand.

Returning to the scene of his 2023 G2 Godolphin Mile victory is Isolate (Mark Valeski), who will step out in the AED1-million G2 Al Maktoum Mile for trainer Doug Watson. Tyler Gaffalione will fly in for the race from the States.

“That was a great day and he's moving better this year than he did last year,” said trainer Doug Watson, who also runs Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), winner of this race in 2022. “They do a nice job out at Sheikh Rashid [Bin Humaid, owner]'s farm and he had a good summer off and came back looking a million dollars.

“We've worked him a few times over at Meydan–he loves going over there. There might be Saudi [Cup meeting] plans but we'll see how he runs here first.”

Royal Mews (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) is one of nine rivals signed on, and he will be ridden by Tadhg O'Shea.

“We're really looking forward to having Royal Mews back,” said Ryan Tongue, Racing Manager for owners Deva Racing of the three-time winner. “Isolate is the one to beat, but Tadhg O'Shea worked Royal Mews last week in blinkers for the first time and apparently he worked very well.”

Already in action this season is Road Bloc (Street Sense), who was third in a 1200-metre race at Sharjah on Nov. 26.

“He needed his first run and he's working very well at home,” said owner Sayed Hashish. “The draw is not ideal but we believe he will appreciate the distance.”

 

Godolphin & Shadwell Out In Force In Al Rashidiya

Seven of the 11 entrants of the G2 Al Rashidiya will bear either the royal blue of Godolphin or the blue with white epaulettes of Shadwell. Charlie Appleby sends out Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), and he is gunning for his fourth title in five years in the 1800-metre grass affair.

Not to be outdone, is fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who is already a six-time winner of this race. His Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a multiple group winner who was placed twice at Group 1 level last year, will break from stall seven.

G1 Jebel Hatta hero Alfareeq (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is one of three in the race for Shadwell, and holds pride of place, as he is the chosen mount of retained jockey Jim Crowley. The duo will leave from stall two.

 

Friday's Supporting Card High On Class

A trio of listed races anchor the supporting card, among them the AED500,000 Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash over the minimum trip of 1000 metres on grass. The youthful Mischief Magic (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), a winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in 2022, squares off with desert veterans Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), and Miqyaas (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Johnny Murtagh sends the progressive 4-year-old filly Ladies Church (GB) (Churchill {Ire}) into the fray, as well. She ran second ot Miqyaas in the G2 Blue Point Sprint in February.

“Miqyaas is doing well,” said Abo Bakr El Hefnawy, assistant trainer to Rashed Bouresly. “He raced once on dirt to be ready for this race.”

This season's G1 Al Quoz Sprint winner Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) makes his return on Friday in the 1400-metre Listed Business Bay Challenge on grass. His task is not the easiest, as among his 15 foes is GI Summer S. victor Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.

Rounding out the listed races is the Entisar S., conducted over 1900m on dirt. Bhupat Seemar saddles a pair of horses, including Western Symphony (Ire) (Shamardal) and Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“Godolphin thought Walk Of Stars was good enough to run in the Epsom Derby as a 3-year-old so he is a very exciting horse to have,” said Seemar. “We're going to experiment with Western Symphony and try him over the 1900m. His pedigree suggests he has a chance of getting in, albeit he is a Shamardal, because there is a lot of stamina on the dam side.”

The post Inaugural Festive Friday Draws International Cast At Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Isolate, Gaffalione Take Out the Godolphin Mile

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES —  Making just his third start in Dubai and stretching out to a mile for the first time in over two years, RRR Racing's Isolate (Mark Valeski) never gave his 13 rivals in Saturday's G2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by One Za'abeel as he put on a powerful front-running display to carry visiting jockey Tyler Gaffalione to an easy 5 1/2-length victory.

Not the fastest away from the stalls in the mile chute, the $70,000 Keeneland November weanling speared through from between horses to take up the running linking up with the course proper, as defending champion Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and his countrymate Win Carnelian (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) put the pressure on the pacesetter from the outside. Always holding that pair at bay as the field raced into the final 600 meters, Isolate was about two lengths clear into the stretch and lengthened away to score impressively. Law of Peace (Ire) (Shamardal) and Atletico El Culano (Uru) (Alcorano {Brz}) each raced near the tail of the field early, but powered home to fill out the minor placings. Bathrat Leon just held fourth over American ex-pat Everfast (Take Charge Indy).

“Tyler did a great job getting him out and going, getting a nice pace on and he stays a mile, we can definitely say that now,” said trainer Doug Watson, winning this race for the third time. “I wasn't quite sure until he turned in and there wasn't much going with him.”

He added, “I'm just thrilled for Sheikh Rashid (bin Humaid al Nuaimi) and the whole team at home. I've been here for almost 30 years, I've progressed from being in charge of the ambulance at the first Dubai World Cup to now having winners on the night. It's quite remarkable.”

Campaigned in the States by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Isolate was a two-time winner and third in the 2020 GIII Nashua S. for Kathy Ritvo before being transferred to trainer Tom Amoss, for whom he tallied four races, including last year's Work All Week S. at Hawthorne and a romping score in the Tale of the Cat S. at Saratoga. Just touched off in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. in September, Isolate was acquired by these connections and his two lead-up races locally were solid runner-up efforts to Tuz (Oxbow) in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint in February and to the commonly owned Sound Money (Flatter) in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal S. on Super Saturday.

Pedigree Notes:

Isolate is one of three stakes winners and becomes the first graded winner for his sire (by Proud Citizen), who bred by, raced for and began his stud career at Airdrie Stud before ultimately relocating to Arkansas. Isolate is out of a winning daughter of seven-times stakes winner and three-times graded-placed Travelator, the dam of SWs Hollywood Jet (Uncaptured) and Stone Silent (Adios Charlie) and the dam of Grade III winner Last Judgement (Congrats). Tranquil Song is also responsible for a 2-year-old colt by Enticed and a colt by Tacitus foaled Mar. 1.

 

The post Isolate, Gaffalione Take Out the Godolphin Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Reeves On a Roll at Saratoga

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing is enjoying a tremendous summer at Saratoga as they sit near the top of the leading owners list midway through the notoriously competitive race meet. So far, they've celebrated in the winner's circle alongside three stakes winners and an impressive debut-winning juvenile.

Dean Reeves, a native of Atlanta and the co-owner of a commercial contracting company in Georgia, formed Reeves Thoroughbred Racing with his wife Patti in 2009. The couple has campaigned a long line of Grade I performers since.

Reeves was on the Oklahoma backstretch with a smile on his face and a coffee in his hand the morning after their latest victory this week.

“It's just been crazy,” he said of their success at Saratoga. “We got off to a tremendous start right on the first weekend and we thought wow, how can we keep it going?”

City Man (Mucho Macho Man) got the ball rolling for his owners on opening weekend at the Spa with his definitive victory in the GIII Forbidden Apple S. Trained by Christophe Clement and owned in partnership with Peter and Patty Searless, the 5-year-old New York-bred has earned at least one stakes victory every year since his juvenile season, but the Forbidden Apple marked his first graded stakes score.

The win was doubly special as City Man is a son of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's 2013 GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero Mucho Macho Man.

“City Man is one of my favorite horses,” admitted Reeves. “We bought him as a 2-year-old and he has continued to get better and better. I think that right now, he's at the top of his game. He's a stunning individual and has really shown a lot of the talent that Mucho Macho Man can give them.”

Two days after Reeves got off the duck at Saratoga with City Man, Big Invasion (Declaration of War) replicated his stablemate's success with another Grade III score in the Quick Call S. The sophomore is on a brilliant win streak this year. After breaking his maiden at Gulfstream in February, he reeled off three straight stakes wins before he stepped up to graded company at Saratoga.

“Big Invasion seems to have a lot of talent,” Reeves said. “He is the kind of horse that looks like he can go five-and-a-half to seven furlongs. He seems to be able to go with whatever the pace is and then he still has that kick at the end. That makes him pretty dangerous.”

Earlier this week, Reeves went to the winner's circle with a third Saratoga stakes victor. Coming off a stakes win at Hawthorne, Isolate (Mark Valeski) led gate to wire to claim the Tale of the Cat S. by six lengths.

Reeves said he felt confident going into the race after watching the 4-year-old work four furlongs in :46 flat–best of 128–two weeks ago.

“He's been training really well,” he noted. “We needed to break well and Tyler [Gaffalione] got him out of the gate and into a great position. He had plenty left turning for home.”

Isolate's victory was cause for celebration on several accounts as it marked the 4,000th win for his trainer Tom Amoss.

“That was so special and so neat for it to be in a stakes race here at Saratoga,” Reeves said. “It couldn't have worked out any better. Tom has done a great job with Isolate and it was exciting to see him win.”

Reeves hopes that their hot streak continues as their stable's top performers prepare to return to the Saratoga starting gate.

This weekend, Big Invasion will compete in a field of seven in the five-and-a-half furlong Mahony S. on Sunday. If all goes well, Reeves said they have their eye on a trip to Keeneland for their turf sprinter this fall.

“We're really looking forward to the race on Sunday,” he said. “I think he'll be some good competition. Down the road, there are possibilities of a race at Keeneland that we would like to do prior to the Breeders' Cup. It's hard to take a 3-year-old in there against those really top horses, but we're going to play it by ear. I'm pretty confident in him.”

While Reeves was hoping to cheer on City Man in the GI Fourstardave H. this weekend, he said they opted to send the turf specialist to the Aug. 26 West Point H., where he will be defending his 2021 title.

“We were between a rock and a hard place,” Reeves explained. “We didn't have quite enough time to come back and catch [the Fourstardave]. The financially smart decision was to wait and run when we could give him more time for the West Point, which has a nice purse. As an owner I wanted to run in the Fourstardave, but fortunately Christophe and [assistant] Miguel have us in the right spot.”

Reeves said he makes a habit of relying on his trainers when it comes to mapping out his runners' racing schedules. He is quick to admit his bias as an owner and explained that his trainers remind him of the bigger picture when it comes to the bottom line.

“It helps us as owners to have trainers that are thinking about the dollars and cents,” he said. “Those types of trainers are helpful when they can just be honest with you about your stock. With Christophe, a lot of times as soon as we finish a race he has it in his head what he wants to do next. They really have thought through what they plan to do with each horse in order for it to be successful.”

Last summer, Reeves purchased a farm in Micanopy, Florida outside of Ocala. Managed by Nellie and Chetley Breeden along with Nellie's father Jimmy Gladwell, the farm allows Reeves to venture into acquiring future members of their racing stable as weanlings and overseeing their early days until they make it to training. Isolate, a $70,000 Keeneland November weanling, was one of their first purchases when they began focusing on shopping for weanlings.

Dean Reeves and Christophe Clement | Sarah Andrew

“I'm able to go in there and get a lot of value,” Reeves explained. “Patti and I come here to Saratoga for the New York-bred weanling sale. There's tremendous value and then we can put them in our program, get them to the farm and take our time with them. It gives us an advantage to really get to the horses earlier and see how they progress.”

“We've been involved in the New York-bred program for the last couple of years and that has really helped,” he added. “It's a great program. The purse money is there and we can go get some very nice New York-breds.”

As their racing stable continues to expand, so too has the number of people Reeves said are essential to its advancement.

“Our success has been because of a lot of people doing a lot hard work,” he emphasized. “We've won a lot of tremendous races, but the main thing is we're in it to have fun. Do we want to strive for those big races? Absolutely. Everyone is working hard and I think we'll have some more of those in our future.”

Winning the GI Breeders' Cup Classic with stable star Mucho Macho Man will always be an irreplaceable highlight for Reeves and his wife, but he said that there are a few races they still dream about.

“Patti wants to win the Arc de Triomphe and the Kentucky Derby, so I said, 'Okay, great. We'll put those two on the list and we'll try to win those.' We've been really blessed. The thing is, we're having a lot of fun. Win, lose or draw, we're enjoying it. It takes a team, and we've got a great one.”

The post Reeves On a Roll at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights