Shared Sense Takes Show On The Road To Aqueduct For Discovery

Godolphin's Shared Sense has proven himself against highly competitive graded stakes company during his sophomore campaign and will try to end a prosperous season on a high note when facing four other 3-year-olds in Saturday's 76th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Discovery at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.

The 1 1/8-mile event over the main track honors Alfred G. Vanderbilt II's 1935 Horse of the Year, who notched three straight victories in both the Brooklyn Handicap and Whitney Handicap from 1934-36. Regarded as one of the greatest horses of the 20th century, Discovery's notable resume earned him a spot in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1969.

Trained by Brad Cox, Shared Sense, who boasts a consistent 10-4-2-0 record and lifetime earnings of $447,745, arrives at the Discovery off a two-length triumph in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby on September 27 at Remington Park. The bay son of Street Sense took command with a furlong and a half out to the finish, holding off an inside rally from two-time winner Mo Mosa. The victory registered a career best 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

Two starts earlier, Shared Sense made his nine-furlong debut a winning one when capturing the Grade 3 Indiana Derby on July 8 at Indiana Downs by three lengths over subsequent Kentucky Derby contestants Major Fed and Necker Island.

Shared Sense has earned his four trips to the winner's circle at four different tracks. Prior to becoming a graded stakes winner, he was elevated to first in his third career start going two turns for the first time in a Churchill Downs maiden special weight last November and defeated winners going one mile on February 29 at Oaklawn Park.

“He definitely knows how to take his show on the road,” said Jimmy Bell, President of Godolphin's North American operations.

Since his Oklahoma Derby triumph, Shared Sense has put together a series of five works over the Churchill Downs main track, including a five-furlong breeze in 1:01 flat on November 21.

Bell said he is hopeful Shared Sense can parlay a successful campaign into his 4-year-old season.

“We've sort of chosen the path less traveled,” Bell said. “He's done fantastic this year. He's been a bit of an overachiever. He's run against some tough competition here, there and yonder. We gave him a bit of a breather after the last go around. It's the last chance to run against straight 3-year-olds and there's always some tough knockers up there in New York, so we're giving it a chance.”

Godolphin vies for their second Discovery triumph after winning in 2013 with Romansh.

A Kentucky homebred, Shared Sense is the first progeny out of the Bernardini mare Collective, who is full sister to graded stakes winner and multiple Grade 1-placed Penwith.

Jockey Jose Lezcano will climb aboard Shared Sense for the first time from post 1.

Dual stakes-winner Monday Morning Qb will return to the Big A after finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Withers on February 1.

Owned by Chuck Zacney's Cash Is King Racing and LC Racing, Monday Morning Qb bested his Maryland-bred counterparts last out in the Maryland Million Classic on October 24 at Laurel Park, where he sat close to the pace and drew off to a 3 ¼-length triumph over Grade 3 Pimlico Special winner Harpers First Ride.

However, it was his runner-up effort in the September 7 Federico Tesio at Laurel, his first start since the Withers, that really captured the attention of trainer Robert 'Butch' Reid, Jr., finishing 1 ½ lengths behind next-out Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Happy Saver.

“The Tesio was really the race that set him up,” said Reid. “He showed that day how nice of a horse he really is, and I thought it was impressive for him to run like that off a layoff. He came out of his last race well and put up some nice, sharp breezes since that effort. It's a good opportunity to run against straight 3-year-olds and we're looking forward to running on Saturday.”

Reid commented on his horse's size and said that even as a 2-year-old, he displayed an imposing stature.

“He was over 1,200 pounds as a 2-year-old, so he's a big, heavyset dude,” Reid said.

Reid blamed the result in the Withers on a poor break but said that he has developed and matured well since his last outing in New York.

“He doesn't switch leads well turning for home and he hasn't come out of the gate well, which is what cost him in the Withers,” said Reid. “He's a much-improved horse since then.”

Bred in Maryland by Cary Frommer and Bowman and Higgins Stable, Monday Morning Qb is by Grade 1-winning millionaire and second-crop sire Imagining and is the first progeny out of the Not For Love mare How My Heart Works.

Dylan Davis will pilot Monday Morning Qb from post 2.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott will send out Forza Di Oro after a sharp victory in a first-level allowance event in his first start in 10 months.

Owned and bred by Don Alberto Stable, Forza Di Oro dwelt at the start of his September 2019 debut at Belmont Park before closing to finish second to eventual multiple graded-stakes placed Ajaaweed. The Speightstown chestnut graduated at second asking in October 2019 in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Belmont ahead of a disappointing off-the-board effort last December in the Grade 2 Remsen at the Big A that sent Forza Di Oro to the shelf.

Forza Di Oro, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, enters the Discovery from an impressive victory off the layoff when rallying to a neck score after a hesitant start in a 1 1/16-mile allowance tilt against older horses on October 9 at Belmont Park.

“That's nothing compared to last year,” said Mott assistant Leana Willaford of the slow start last out. “Last year, first time out, he stood in the gate and spotted the field many lengths but still came running to be second. We did a lot of gate work with him and he was able to win second out.

“He came out of the Remsen with a little problem, so we gave him a little time,” added Willaford. “He came back and won well. We thought he was a good horse last year and I still think he is, but we had to get him over a few little speedbumps.”

Junior Alvarado has been aboard for all of Forza Di Oro's career starts and retains the mount from post 3.

Trainer Dale Romans will send Jim Bakke and Gerald Ibister's Attachment Rate after a sharp first-level allowance triumph on October 29 going 1 1/16 miles over a sloppy main track at Churchill Downs.

The last-out victory provided a touch of class relief for the Hard Spun chestnut, who raced against stakes company in his previous six starts, which included a third-place effort in the Grade 3 Gotham on March 7 at the Big A, where he finished two lengths to Mischevious Alex. Prior to his last out allowance score, Attachment Rate was 14th to Authentic in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on September 5.

Jockey Jose Ortiz will be aboard from post 5.

Rounding out the field is LLP Performance Horse's Ralston, who invades from South Florida and makes his first start outside of the Sunshine State for trainer Carlos David.

The son of second-crop sire Tapiture defeated winners last out going one mile at Gulfstream Park West, where he led at every point of call to defeat stablemate Glory of Florida.

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche will pilot Ralston from post 4.

The Discovery is slated as Race 3 on Aqueduct's 10-race program, which offers a first post of 11:50 a.m. Eastern. America's Day at the Races will present daily television coverage of the Aqueduct fall meet with coverage to air on FOX Sports and MSG Networks.

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Thoroughred Industry Employee Awards Winners Announced Thursday

The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, now in its fifth year in the United States, concluded Thursday afternoon with winners being announced via a virtual awards ceremony hosted by Studio 46 Media in Lexington, Kentucky. Jill Byrne, Vice President of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs, was once again the master of ceremonies.

Jimmy Bell, President of Godolphin in America commented: “The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone's lives in so many ways. But in our industry, we are all very fortunate to have an enormous group of talented and dedicated frontline workers who have continued their hard work, often requiring endless hours, to provide the care for our equine athletes. The Thoroughbred business could not function without them and we truly appreciate what they do.”

Dan Metzger, President of the Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, said: “It doesn't matter if we celebrate the achievements of these outstanding individuals in person or through a virtual platform, we are still reminded how important they are to the Thoroughbred industry. Their passion and commitment cannot be understated, nor can we say and do enough to show our appreciation. Metzger further commented, “And on behalf of TOBA, the Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club and the HBPA, thank you to Godolphin for asking us to be a part of such an important program that rewards these fine men and women for their significant contributions to our great sport.”

The recording of the Virtual Ceremony is available at www.tiea.org. The full list of winners and runners-up is as follows:

Administration Award
Winner: Dionne Johnson, Business Manager, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Inc. (NYTHA)
(Runners-up: Lynelle Fox Smith, Executive Director, Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; Michele Holbrook, Office Manager, Silver Springs Stud)

Dedication to Breeding Award
Winner: Helen Otero, Stallion Administrator, Coolmore America
(Runners-up: David Kyle, Plant Manager, Fasig-Tipton Company, Inc.; Steve Avery, General Farm Manager, Taylor Made Sales Agency)

Dedication to Racing Award
Winner: Gregory Smothers, Head Rider, Niall Brennan Stables
(Runners-up: Marcelo Arenas, Assistant Trainer, Leah Gyarmati Stables; Patrick “Shawn” Autry, Assistant Stable Manager, McPeek Racing)

Leadership in Breeding Award
Winner: Wayne Clem, Assistant Yearling Manager, Claiborne Farm
(Runners-up: Matt Lyons, VP and COO, Candy Meadows Farm; Christy Holden, General Manager, Country Life Farm LLP)

Leadership in Racing Award
Winner: Carmen McShane, Assistant Trainer, D/M Racing
(Runners-up: Roy Smith, Track Superintendent, Indiana Grand Racing and Casino; Cindy Hutter, Assistant Trainer, George Weaver Racing)

Newcomer Award
Winner: Aaron West, Racing Operations Manager, Bradley Thoroughbreds LLC
(Runners-up: Robert Cole, Intern/Co-op Program Student, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association; Alexis Kolasa, Administrative Assistant, Denali Stud)

Community Award
Winner: Maria Cristina Silva, Backstretch Program Coordinator, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

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Second Chances: Speaker’s Corner

In this continuing series, TDN’s Senior Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.

How much buzz was there ahead of Speaker’s Corner (c, 2, Street Sense-Tyburn Brook, by Bernardini)’s debut run on closing day at Saratoga?

Considering patient Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott’s two-for-48 record with debuting juvenile runners sprinting in dirt maiden special weights at the Spa the past five seasons (stat courtesy DRF Formulator), the Godolphin homebred was nonetheless hammered down as the 3-5 favorite facing eight rivals on the GI Runhappy Hopeful S. undercard.

The bay’s flashy worktab included a five-furlong move from the gate in :59 4/5 (3/20) Aug. 24 and a four-furlong bullet in :46 (1/109) Aug. 31, respectively.

Not off to the sharpest of beginnings from post two, Speaker’s Corner raced on the inside in some traffic and was urged along by Junior Alvarado in seventh through an opening quarter in :22.39.

Still with plenty to do approaching the quarter pole, he was tipped out off the turn for home and finished with interest down the lane to just grab third, beaten 6 3/4 lengths by good-looking second-time starter Team Merchants (Nyquist).

Speaker’s Corner earned a 59 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

Speaker’s Corner was produced by an unraced daughter of GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff heroine Round Pond (Awesome Again), a $5.75-million acquisition by Sheikh Mohammed’s operation at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

This same Street Sense over Bernardini cross is also responsible for Godolphin’s unbeaten GISW Maxfield and recent GIII Oklahoma Derby winner Shared Sense.

“As with most first-time starters, he was quite green,” Godolphin President Jimmy Bell said. “Hopefully, he got some needed racing experience and we look forward to seeing him stretch out in the not-too-distant future. He’s shown above average ability throughout most of his works. Time will tell.”

Speaker’s Corner has returned to the worktab since his unveiling with a pair of moves over the Oklahoma training track, including a five-furlong breeze in 1:02.89 (7/9) Sept. 25.

Previous standouts featured in ‘Second Chances’ include: GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Skidmore S. winner and Royal Ascot G2 Norfolk S. runner-up Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), MGISW and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Paradise Woods (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway), MSW and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), MGISP Spielberg (Union Rags), GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. runner-up Candy Tycoon (Twirling Candy); and Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. third Ambivalent (Constitution).

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Godolphin’s Shared Sense ‘Really Has Done No Wrong’ Ahead Of Ellis Park Derby

A missed break. A pace scenario that fails to materialize. An upstart contender who uncorks the race of their life.

Any of the above of scenarios can undo even the most overwhelming of favorites, which is why horsepeople often remind everyone that races are conducted on the track, not on paper. All that being said, Sunday's $200,000 RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Derby features an entity that would need an exceptional amount of circumstances to converge to keep it from declaring victory on the day.

While Bruce Lunsford's homebred colt Art Collector looms as the dominant equine athlete in the Ellis Park Derby field, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Godolphin operation might hold the strongest collective hand for the race. In addition to standing Bernardini, sire of Art Collector, Godolphin also has their own homebred entrant in Shared Sense, a son of Darley stallion Street Sense who brings his own share of momentum into the nine-furlong test.

The Ellis Park Derby offers 85 qualifying points (50-20-10-5) toward the Kentucky Derby on September 5.

The same week Art Collector announced himself as a leading sophomore contender with his victory in Keeneland's Grade 2 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on July 11, Shared Sense made his own statement as one his classmates will have to tangle with if they want to land some of the division's better races. In his first try against graded-stakes company, the bay colt captured the Grade 3 Indiana Derby by three lengths on July 8 over a field that included fellow Ellis Park Derby contender Necker Island.

When Art Collector did his thing a few days later at Keeneland, it actually made Shared Sense's victory at Indiana Grand all the more impressive as the two colts had met in an allowance-optional claiming race at Churchill Downs on June 13 with Art Collector prevailing handily by 6 ½ lengths. It will take a massive step forward for Shared Sense to close that gap this Sunday but, as the upsets which peppered the racing landscape last weekend demonstrated, there is always reason for confidence when you're armed with a contender whose form is going in the right direction.

“I think any time you open the gates, any one is liable to stub their toe or miss the break like we saw last weekend (with Tom's d'Etat in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes) where you can stumble at the gate and cost yourself everything,” said Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin's U.S. operations. “We're going in with no illusions. Art Collector is the best horse on paper and in the flesh and I think it's his race to lose really, and only if he's not himself or certain things happen beyond their control that we're in position to take advantage of.

“I think obviously Art Collector is the overwhelming, deserving favorite. But we're going to get a pretty good measure of how Shared Sense will tackle the upper echelon of 3-year-olds. His win in the Indiana Derby was enough to give us confidence that he can step up and enter a race like the Ellis Park Derby with horses like Art Collector in it.”

Having a homebred son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense in the conversation at this point in the year was expected from the Godolphin team, only many figured it would be Grade 1 winner Maxfield as the subject matter. A condylar fracture suffered in June sent that undefeated colt to the sidelines and, while that gut punch still stings, Shared Sense has quietly stepped up as a contender to carry Sheikh Mohammed's blue silks to Louisville come September.

Trained by Brad Cox, Shared Sense broke his maiden via disqualification at Churchill Downs last November 30 and, after finishing sixth in the Smarty Jones Stakes during his seasonal bow on January 24, he captured a one-mile allowance-optional claiming test at Oaklawn Park on February 29.

A venture on turf would follow next time out with a run in the War Chant Stakes on May 23, but that experiment was shelved when Shared Sense finished sixth. His progress has been built in increments rather than dynamics, but there were always indicators that he could swim in deeper waters.

“His only real blemish could be attributed to us where we took a chance and ran him on the grass in the War Chant and he came from out of the clouds, was almost last and finished well enough,” Bell said. “So you take that race out of there and he's had a win, a second and his second was to Art Collector. So he really has done no wrong in basically his last four races.

“When he got beat down at Oaklawn Park over a muddy track in the Smarty Jones, there were some nice horses that ran that day. He's just been a horse who has done very little wrong. He's been a little unlucky, this that and the other, but the Indiana Derby was a big boost. He got a proper Beyer and a proper (Ragozin) out of that number.”

Shared Sense was not an original Triple Crown nominee and would need to be supplemented for $45,000 (plus entry fees) into the Kentucky Derby field should he make a definitive case for himself this weekend.

“It'd be a little overly speculative to be making any comments on that but…. (Art Collector) is genuinely one of the top 3-year-olds and one of the reasons we chose the Ellis Park Derby is to get a line on (Shared Sense),” Bell said. “It didn't make a lot of sense to be shipping a long ways out of here when you have an opportunity like this at Ellis Park. So I certainly think the results would speak for themselves.”

The presence of both Shared Sense and Art Collector in the Ellis Park Derby field also serves as a mini tribute the all-around prowess of Darley's 17-year-old stalwart Bernardini, the 2006 Preakness Stakes winner and 3-year-old champion.

In addition to siring 4-5 favorite Art Collector, Bernardini is also the broodmare sire of 9-2 second choice Shared Sense, who is out of the unraced mare Collective. Bernardini's rise up the ranks as a broodmare sire is particularly notable for a stallion his age as his daughters have also produced such standouts as Maxfield, 2019 Kentucky Oaks heroine Serengeti Empress, and Grade 1 winner Dunbar Road.

“I think Bernardini probably as quickly and as rapidly as any young stallion has stamped himself as being just a phenomenal broodmare sire,” Bell said. “He's shown that ability to get that top-class colt and his daughters, whether or not they are great racemares, it seems the blood is there and the production speaks for itself. It's been really amazing the success he's had as a broodmare sire as young as he is. Usually you begin to see that late in their careers but … almost as soon as those fillies are retired they start showing up as producers.”

Hence, even if Art Collector gets the better of their runner again this weekend, it will still go down as a victory for one of the industry's most successful global operations.

“I think Sheikh Mohammed takes enormous satisfaction in having a stallion making such a contribution to the breed,” Bell said. “If we by chance were to get nipped, we'd still love to keep the Bernardini connection going. If we can't do it with the broodmare sire in Shared Sense, maybe Bernie can get it done with Art Collector.”

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