Jeff Drown | Horse Racing Free Tips

Fluffy Socks Gets 91 Beyer Speed Figure For Sands Point Win, May Target American Oaks Next

Head of Plains Partners homebred Fluffy Socks posted a sharp victory in Saturday's $200,000 Grade 2 Sands Point, garnering a 91 Beyer Speed Figure in the nine-furlong inner turf test for sophomore fillies at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Trainer Chad Brown said following the race that the now two-time graded stakes winner could potentially target the $300,000 Grade 1 American Oaks on December 26 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

Fluffy Socks, with the red-hot Joel Rosario up, split rivals down the lane to overtake pacesetting stablemate Higher Truth and fended off the late rally of stakes winner Runaway Rumour to secure a narrow neck score.

Fluffy Socks is by New York-based stallion Slumber, who stands at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, New York.

“Joel gave her a great ride. She consistently shows up,” said Brown's assistant Dan Stupp. “We've always really liked her. She really came through yesterday and came out of the race great.”

Fluffy Socks, who sports a consistent ledger of 10-4-3-1, entered the Sands Point from a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., on August 21. She notched her previous graded stakes triumph at the California oval when completing her juvenile season with a victory in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante.

All four of Fluffy Socks' wins have come over different ovals. During her 2-year-old season, she broke her maiden at second asking at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky., en route to a victory in her stakes debut in the Selima last October at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md.

Jeff Drown, Michael Ryan, and Team Hanley's Higher Truth earned black-type for the fourth straight race, finishing less than one length of victory all four times. The daughter of Galileo set an easy pace upfront and was poised for victory in the stretch run but was ultimately collared by Fluffy Socks inside the sixteenth pole.

Higher Truth, who contested all three legs of NYRA Turf Triple series for fillies, saw a considerable cut back in distance from the 1 3/8-mile Jockey Club Oaks Invitational, where she was a close second beaten three-quarters of a length. She previously was a respective second and third in the Grade 3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational and Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational.

“She comes up a touch short in her races, but she's been very consistent,” Stupp said. “I think she has a bright future ahead of her and she'll get better with age. She'll definitely stay.”

For the second week in a row, Brown secured a triumph in a major stakes race at both Belmont Park and Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. Some 90 minutes after the Sands Point, Shantisara bested stablemate Technical Analysis in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland.

Owned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, and Robert V. LaPenta, Shantisara tracked Technical Analysis' moderate fractions from third down the backstretch and took command in upper stretch to win by five lengths, earning a 99 Beyer.

Last week, Brown notched the exacta in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic with Rockemperor and Serve the King before Blowout and Regal Glory ran one-two in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland.

“It's been a fun run here the last few weeks,” Stupp said. “Shantisara has trained extremely well here since she arrived at Belmont. They did great with her at Saratoga. She had a nice campaign and a lot of confidence. You could see it in her training that she moved forward all throughout the fall. She just looked great before she left.”

Shantisara's Queen Elizabeth II victory followed triumphs in the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational and the Grade 3 Pucker Up at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill.

“Off that [Jockey Club] Oaks victory in the fall, you could just see how much she was improving,” Stupp said.

The post Fluffy Socks Gets 91 Beyer Speed Figure For Sands Point Win, May Target American Oaks Next appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Brown Pleased With One-Two Finish For Shantisara, Higher Truth In Jockey Club Oaks

Chad Brown trainees Shantisara and Higher Truth put on a show in Saturday's $700,000 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational with the Irish-bred fillies running one-two in the 11-furlong inner turf test to conclude the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Michael Ryan, Jeff Drown, and Team Hanley's Higher Truth, piloted by Jose Ortiz, set a moderate tempo with Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Robert V. LaPenta's Shantisara stalking outside in second position under Flavien Prat over the firm turf.

Higher Truth kicked on at the top of the lane but could not fend off her stablemate, who earned the half-length score in a final time of 2:16.91.

“It was a really good race and it's a shame one of them had to lose because they both ran their hearts out. I was proud of both of their efforts,” Brown said.

Shantisara, by Coulsty, made her first five starts in France before being transferred to Brown and making her North American debut with a runner-up effort in the Boiling Springs in June at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. She entered from a convincing three-length score under Prat in the nine-furlong Grade 3 Pucker Up in August at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Higher Truth competed in all three legs of the Turf Triple, missing by a half-length when third in the Belmont Oaks, and was a game second, defeated less than a length, in the Saratoga Oaks.

Brown said he would speak with the ownership groups of both horses to see if they want to race once more this season.

Peter Brant and e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' So Enchanting, a 3-year-old daughter of More Than Ready, graduated at fifth asking on the Saturday undercard to improve her record to 5-1-3-1.

With Irad Ortiz, Jr. up, the Kentucky-bred chestnut stalked in fourth position in the 1 1/16-mile turf test before engaging with pacesetter Miss Bonnie T at the eighth pole, taking command in the final sixteenth for a three-quarter length score.

So Enchanting, who was stretching out beyond one mile for the first time, has kept good company through five starts, including runner-up efforts sprinting six furlongs on the Belmont turf to launch her career, finishing in front of eventual stakes winners Bay Storm [on October 3] and Miss Brazil [on October 25].

“We always thought she had plenty of ability,” Brown said. “She stretched out nicely to a mile and a sixteenth which was good to see. She got a great trip yesterday. I was happy for her to break through and get the maiden win out of the way.”

Peter Brant's multiple Grade 1-winner Raging Bull closed to finish third under Frankie Dettori in Saturday's Grade 1 Woodbine Mile at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, contested over good going on the E. P. Taylor Turf Course.

“He didn't really handle the course. Frankie said he was struggling a little bit on the turn and lost some position there,” Brown said. “I was proud of him that he kicked in again when he got to the center of the track in the stretch. He found some firmer ground and kicked on.”

Raging Bull, a 6-year-old French-bred son of Dark Angel, boasts a record of 21-7-4-4 with purse earnings in excess of $1.6 million.

“If he comes out of it well I'm planning on making the final start of his career in the Breeders' Cup Mile,” Brown said.

Klaravich Stables' Domestic Spending and the Brant-owned Flop Shot breezed five furlongs in 1:00.80 in company Sunday on the Belmont inner turf.

Domestic Spending, a three-time Grade 1 winner, finished second last out in the Grade 1 Mr. D. on August 14 at Arlington Park. Brown said the 4-year-old Kingman gelding is likely to make his next start in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf in November at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif.

“They went fine. It was a good work for both of them,” Brown said.

Flop Shot, a 5-year-old son of New Approach, won the 2019 Group 3 Prix de Guiche in France for his former conditioner Andre Fabre. He last raced in June 2020, finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Fort Marcy.

Brown said Flop Shot was gelded earlier this year and is close to a return to action.

Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's impressive maiden winner Jack Christopher breezed five-eighths in company in 1:01.05 Saturday on the main track in preparation for the $500,000 Grade 1 Champagne, a one-turn mile offering a “Win and You're In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

The Munnings chestnut, purchased for $135,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, registered a 92 Beyer for a romping 8 3/4-length score on debut in a six-furlong maiden special weight on August 28 at Saratoga.

“He went well in company with a maiden. He's done everything right and settled into Belmont nicely,” Brown said.

Brown said the added distance shouldn't be an issue for the talented chestnut.

“It's still just one turn, so I think he'll be OK. I like the way he's training,” Brown said.

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Peter Brant and Robert V. LaPenta's graded-stakes placed Miles D breezed a bullet half-mile in :47.84 Saturday in Saratoga on the Oklahoma dirt training track.

A maiden winner in June at Belmont, the Curlin sophomore followed with a runner-up effort to Dynamic One in the nine-furlong Curlin and was third last out in the Grade 1 Runhappy Travers.

Brown said Miles D will not start in next weekend's Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and that he will look for other options.

“I'm not sure what I'm going to do with him yet. I'd like to give him a little bit more time,” Brown said.

Klaravich Stables' Public Sector worked a half-mile in :49.12 Saturday on the Oklahoma dirt training track. Brown said the Kingman sophomore, who won the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame and the Grade 3 Saranac at the Spa this summer, is probable for the $400,000 Grade 2 Hill Prince, a nine-furlong turf test for 3-year-olds on October 23.

W.S. Farish homebred Royal Flag, a 5-year-old multiple graded-stakes winning daughter of Candy Ride, worked a half-mile in :48.70 Saturday on the Oklahoma dirt training track.

Royal Flag won the Grade 3 Shuvee in July and closed to finish third in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign in August this summer at the Spa.

Brown said the chestnut, who sports a ledger of 11-5-3-2 with purse earnings of $435,520, will point to either the $250,000 Grade 2 Beldame on October 10 at Belmont or the Grade 1 Spinster on October 10 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., which offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

“This will be her last year of running. She's at the top of her game right now as a 5-year-old,” Brown said. “It would be nice to get her a Grade 1.”

The post Brown Pleased With One-Two Finish For Shantisara, Higher Truth In Jockey Club Oaks appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Aug. 19 Insights

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

MORE MOONSHINE TAKES ON WINNERS

4th-SAR, $103K, Alw, 3yo/up, f, 1 1/8m, 2:49p.m.

Summer Wind homebred MORE MOONSHINE (Malibu Moon) looks to make good on her 'TDN Rising Star' debut while trying two turns for the first time here. Making her first trip to the post in a seven-panel event in the mud at this oval July 18, the dark bay rallied five-wide to post a powerful victory, earning her diploma by 6 1/2 lengths and an 86 Beyer Speed Figure. More Moonshine is a full-sister to MGISW Moonshine Memories; SW & GSP Indian Evening (Indian Charlie); and SP Mo for the Money (Uncle Mo). Her dam Unenchanted Evening (Unbridled's Song) is a half-sister to Horse of the Year Favorite Trick (Phone Trick). TJCIS PPs

MOTT UNVEILS WELL-BRED FROSTED FILLY

5th-SAR, $100K, Msw, 3yo/up, f, 6 1/2f, 3:21p.m.

When Summer Wind Equine is listed as breeder, you know you are looking at a horse with a big pedigree and first time starter SILVER STRAND (Frosted) is no exception. Jeff Drown went to $575,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale to acquire the gray filly and her breeder, Summer Wind's Jane Lyon, stayed in for a piece. She is a daughter of the talented MGSW India (Hennessy), who has also produced Japanese MG1SW Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}) and SW Kareena (Medaglia d'Oro). India is out of Summer Wind matriarch, SW & GSP Misty Hour (Miswaki), who is also the dam of SW Pilfer (Deputy Minister), who in turn produced MGISW To Honor and Serve (Bernardini); GISW Angela Renee (Bernardini); and SW & GISP Elnaawi (Street Sense). TJCIS PPs

The post Aug. 19 Insights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Brown Prepares Miles D For Travers, Prat To Ride

Trainer Chad Brown said Peter Brant's Miles D will race in the $1.25 million Grade 1 Runhappy Travers on August 28 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where he will be ridden by jockey Flavien Prat.

Second to Dynamic One in the Curlin last out on July 30, a race named after his multiple champion-producing sire, Miles D broke his maiden by 2 ¼ lengths off seven month's rest going a one-turn mile on June 12 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

In his debut on October 11 at Belmont Park, Miles D was a close fourth behind subsequent stakes winner Caddo River and multiple graded stakes winner Greatest Honour. The winner of that event, Speaker's Corner, defeated winners on Saturday.

Miles D breezed a half-mile Saturday in :50.04 over the Saratoga main track.

“He's going to have to take a big step forward in the Travers, but he's training well,” Brown said.

On Saturday, Brown sent multiple Grade 1-winner Domestic Spending to Arlington Park for the Grade 1 Mister D., a race formerly known as the Arlington Million. Sent off as the heavy 2-5 favorite, the consistent son of Kingman tracked slow fractions set by Two Emmys and closed late to finish second beaten a neck behind the pacesetter.

Domestic Spending, owned by Klaravich Stables, secured three Grade 1 victories entering the Mister D. when capturing the Hollywood Derby on November 28 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., and arrived at nearly six month's rest to dead heat with Colonel Liam in the Bourbon Turf Classic on May 1 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. From there, he conquered the Manhattan on June 5 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

“I'm not sure if I'm going to train him up to the Breeders' Cup or not, we'll get him back home and see how he's doing,” Brown said.

Jeff Drown's New York-bred maiden winner Key Point won on debut going six furlongs on August 12 over the Spa main track. The son of Into Mischief registered an 82 Beyer for the victory.

“We're going to see how he comes out of the race and get him back under tack, but so far so good. We'll point to something at Belmont,” Brown said.

Brown sent out a handful of horses for turf works over the Oklahoma training turf on Sunday morning, including Rockemperor, who went a half-mile in :48.60 seconds in company with Flighty Lady.

Brown said Rockemperor, second to Cross Border in the Grade 2 Bowling Green on July 31 last out, will point to the $600,000 Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Invitational on August 28.

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