Juddmonte Farm | Horse Racing Free Tips

Viadera Outlasts High Opinion In Ballston Spa

Chad Brown continued his winning ways in the first graded stakes on the Travers Day card at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. With three horses entered in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa, Brown claimed two of the top three spots, with Viadera taking the stakes for 4-year-olds and up by a nose while Kalifornia Queen finished third.

With a rain shower putting a brief damper on the day's festivities, the field of six broke evenly, with Tamahere, Brown's third starter, taking the lead over Platinum Paynter and Viadera. Tamahere and Platinum Paynter were several lengths ahead early, setting fractions of :22.60 for the first quarter and :47.55 for the first half-mile. As they approached the final turn, Tamahere's lead began to shrink, the field catching up to her as Platinum Paynter dropped back on the turn. Joel Rosario moved Viadera from the rail to the outside of Tamahere, positioning her for her closing run at the leader.

In the stretch, Tamahere looked like she could wire the field, Irad Ortiz, Jr. urging her to keep up the pace. To her inside, High Opinion and Luis Saez were riding the rail, taking advantage of the open lane, while Rosario had Viadera in a drive on Tamahere's outside. The two passed Tamahere and then hooked up inside the last sixteenth of a mile, with Viadera nosing out High Opinion at the wire. Kalifornia Queen, closing fast on Viadera's outside, rounded out the top three with Tamahere, New York Girl, and Platinum Paynter completing the field of six.

The final time for the 1 1/16-mile G2 Ballston Spa was 1:41.82. Find this race's chart here.

Viadera paid $3.60, $2.90, and $2.30. High Opinion paid $5.00 and $3.30. Kalifornia Queen paid $3.00.

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“Joel [Rosario] got in really good position this time and made sure there weren't too many horses in front of him in his way when he wanted to make his run. She got a nice, pocketed ground-saving trip, and once again she showed that she knows where the wire is. She's won a couple of close photo finishes now in her career,” Brown said after the race.” She has an affinity for the wire, this horse. If you train horses long enough you'll realize that certain horses know where it is on the winning end and some seem to come up on the losing end. She's one of the ones who knows where it is.”

“I think last time she was coming off a long layoff and the pace didn't work out all that well [fourth in the Faisg-Tipton De La Rose on August 8]. It was better here. She was sharper and I still thought the filly on the inside [High Opinion] probably had momentum on us going to the line, but she just has a way of always getting her nose down on the line,” Garrett O'Rourke, Juddmonte general manager, told the NYRA Press Office after the Ballston Spa. “She keeps winning photo finishes and everyone wants a horse with ability, but that competitive edge is fantastic as well.”

“It was a better trip today with horses being in front and I was able to track there for a little bit. Turning for home, I was clear. She always tries really hard. She's a very good filly,” Rosario said after the race. “At the last minute, I knew the horse was coming inside [High Opinion], but she was so game and fighting going forward, so I was never worried about it, but that horse came very close.”

Bred and owned by Juddmonte Farms, Viadera (GB) is a 5-year-old mare by Bated Breath (GB) out of the Beat Hollow (GB) mare, Sacred Shield (GB). The Ballston Spa is her first win of 2021, following a fourth-place finish in the De La Rose at Saratoga on Aug. 8. Her lifetime record is seven wins in 15 starts for career earnings of $618,641.

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Brown Prepares Lemista, Pocket Square For Diana At Saratoga

Trainer Chad Brown breezed a number of horses over the Belmont Park inner turf on Sunday morning, including Lemista and Pocket Square who are both on target for the $500,000 Grade 1 Diana on July 17 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The pair of Diana aspirants worked five furlongs in company with Lemista completing her work in bullet time of 1:01.80 outside of Pocket Square, who finished off in 1:01.89.

Owned by Peter Brant, Lemista earned a 100 Beyer in her North American debut in the Grade 3 Beaugay on May 8 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., finishing a late-closing second to Harvey's Lil Goil. The 4-year-old daughter of 2008 Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Raven's Pass was a Group 2 winner three starts back at the Curragh over yielding going.

Juddmonte Farm's Pocket Square, a Group 3 winner in France, was impressive in her North American debut on April 7 at Keeneland and subsequently was fifth as the lukewarm favorite in the Grade 1 Longines Just a Game on June 5 at Belmont.

“They both worked well with one another and are going to the Diana,” Brown said. “Lemista has relished the time in between her races. With Pocket Square, I'm drawing a line through the Just a Game. She was lined up so well going into that race and there were things I was hopeful she would be able to overcome, but it didn't quite work out.”

Brown has won the Diana six times, including the past five editions with talented turf distaffers Dacita [2016], Lady Eli [2017], Sistercharlie [2018-19], and Rushing Fall [2020].

On Saturday, Brown sent out Michael Ryan, Jeff Drown, and Team Hanley's Higher Truth for her stakes debut in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational, finishing a close third, beaten a half-length to Santa Barbara.

Brown said the daughter of the late Galileo will target the $700,000 Grade 3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational on August 8.

“I thought she ran well. I was proud of her effort,” Brown said. “It looked like she was in for a good chance late in the race and picked up a piece of it at the end. We'll probably move on to the next leg [of the Turf Triple series].”

Higher Truth arrived at the Belmont Oaks off two starts at ten furlongs, breaking her maiden by a half-length over the inner turf on April 22 before defeating winners on June 10.

“She's had three mile and a quarter races in a row, so she's gained a lot of experience and fitness,” Brown said. “I think down the road, she'll be able to run even further.”

Brown said he could have at least two fillies for the Saratoga Oaks as Rocky Sky, previously considered for the Belmont Oaks, opted to wait for the second leg.

Owned by Peter Brant, Rocky Sky is a two-time winner in her native Ireland, capturing the ten-furlong Salsabil last out on April 25.

“We thought she would benefit from more time going into the Saratoga Oaks, so that's where she's headed to,” said Brown.

Brown said recent allowance optional claiming winner Amy C will target the $150,000 Grade 3 Lake George, a one-mile inner turf test for sophomore fillies on July 13 at the Spa.

Owned by Madaket Stable, Michael Dubb, and Robert V. LaPenta, the 3-year-old daughter of Charming Thought broke her maiden in March at Deauville before shipping to North America.

“It was a nice first time from out of the country for us. It seems like she's ready for a stakes now,” Brown said.

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First Defence’s Tilsit Wins The Summer Mile

There was very little on form between the main protagonists for Saturday's G2 Summer Mile at Ascot, but one who did have some play in his profile was Tilsit (First Defence) and the Juddmonte homebred duly made that class edge tell to prevail for a career-best success. Last seen finishing a head second to Skalleti (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan over an extra furlong and 55 yards at ParisLongchamp May 30, the 4-1 favourite followed Century Dream (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) wide of the other runners throughout the early stages and stuck close as that stalwart kicked for home at the top of the straight. Taking until the furlong pole to master his veteran rival, the homebred who had won last year's G3 Thoroughbred S. at this trip was driven out by Kieran Shoemark to score by a 3/4 of a length, with Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) a length behind in third. “I felt we won quite cosily and he possibly wasn't doing a whole lot in front, but that's just him–he doesn't show much at home,” the jockey said. “Even cantering to the start, he was looking at everything. He's still relatively unexposed, so I think he can continue to progress.”

Despite the substandard nature of the opposition, very few horses can win a novice race by 19 lengths as Tilsit did on Newcastle's Tapeta last June and his next start saw him beat My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Goodwood's Thoroughbred S. at the end of July. Fourth on his 3-year-old finale in the G2 Joel S. at Newmarket in September, the homebred was sent to Riyadh for the Feb. 20 Neom Turf Cup but could manage only fifth in that 10 1/2-furlong contest prior to his European comeback when again in front of My Oberon but behind Skalleti in the Prix d'Ispahan. This puts the winner in the mix for the July 28 G1 Sussex S. and Shoemark thinks the race could suit. “When they set off into group 1 company again, I think the tempo of races are just run that little bit quicker and you can ride a little bit more efficient race,” he said. “He's won at Goodwood before last year and I do think he's better on quick ground too. He's an exciting prospect.” Charlie Hills's assistant Jamie Insole told the Racing Post, “You'd have to face Palace Pier, but every horse is beatable and Tilsit won at Glorious Goodwood last year, so likes the track.”

Tilsit is the first foal out of the once-raced Multilingual (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who hails from one of the finest families in the world of breeding. She is out of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Zenda (GB) (Zamindar), responsible for the brilliant four-times group 1-winning Irish 2000 Guineas hero and prominent sire Kingman (GB), the G3 Tercentenary S.-winning Remote (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and the G3 Cumberland Lodge S. third First Eleven (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Also the second dam of the Listed Carnarvon S. winner and G2 Gimcrack S. third Repartee (Ire) by Kingman's sire Invincible Spirit (Ire), the G2 Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen runner-up Fajjaj (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and the G3 Musidora S. third Ricetta (GB) (Camelot {GB}), Zenda is a half to the triple group 1-winning July Cup hero and leading sire Oasis Dream (GB) whose son Native Trail (GB) was flying his flag in the G2 Superlative S. on the big sprint's undercard on this afternoon.

The fourth dam is the matriarch Bahamian (Ire) (Mill Reef), producer of the G1 Irish Oaks winner Wemyss Bight (GB) who was in turn responsible for the four-times top-level winner Beat Hollow (GB) (Sadler's Wells). Also connected to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club-winning sire New Bay (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the star stayers Reefscape (GB) (Linamix {Fr}), Coastal Path (GB) (Halling) and Martaline (GB) (Linamix {Fr}), Multilingual has the unraced 3-year-old gelding Bilingual (English Channel), a 2-year-old colt by Kitten's Joy named Polyglot, a yearling filly by Noble Mission (GB) and a filly foal by No Nay Never.

Saturday, Ascot, Britain
BETFRED SUMMER MILE S.-G2, £110,000, Ascot, 7-10, 4yo/up, 7f 213yT, 1:43.73, g/s.
1–TILSIT, 127, c, 4, by First Defence
1st Dam: Multilingual (GB), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Zenda (GB), by Zamindar
3rd Dam: Hope (Ire), by Dancing Brave
O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-Charles Hills; J-Kieran Shoemark. £62,381. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 7-3-2-0, $234,843. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Century Dream (Ire), 127, h, 7, Cape Cross (Ire)–Salacia (Ire), by Echo of Light (GB). O-Abdulla Belhabb; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford. £23,650.
3–Al Suhail (GB), 127, g, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Shirocco Star (GB), by Shirocco (Ger). (1,100,000gns Ylg '18 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Meon Valley Stud (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £11,836.
Margins: 3/4, 1, NK. Odds: 4.00, 4.50, 5.00.
Also Ran: Top Rank (Ire), Haqeeqy (Ire), Regal Reality (GB), Sir Busker (Ire), Space Traveller (GB), Happy Power (Ire). Scratched: Duke of Hazzard (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Mandaloun Holds Off Weyburn To Win Pegasus Stakes

Squeezed to last place in the race's opening strides, Mandaloun had more than enough to do in the 1 1/16-mile Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. Florent Geroux settled the son of Into Mischief into stride at the back of the small field, waited patiently for the right moment, and then sent his mount sprinting to the front on the final turn, passing Weyburn and Dr. Jack to take the lead. As Mandaloun closed in on the wire, Mandaloun held off a determined Weyburn to win the Pegasus by a neck.

As the second horse under the wire in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 1, Mandaloun opted to bypass the last two Triple Crown classics in favor of training up to the Pegasus Stakes with the ultimate goal of the G1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth in July. Six weeks after the Derby, the Juddmonte colt, trained by Brad Cox, showed that he could overcome a troubled trip and a fast-closing Weyburn to win and gain experience over the Monmouth surface.

Entering the as the 3-10 favorite, Mandaloun broke from post two and was squeezed by Brooklyn Strong and Dr. Jack in the first furlong out of the gate, visibly checking as the field got into stride. Lugamo took a one-length lead over Weyburn, with Dr. Jack just behind them and then Brooklyn Strong and Mandaloun another length and a half back. With fractions of :24.67 for the first quarter and then 48.61 for the half-mile, Lugamo's pace set up for Mandaloun to overcome that early trouble.

On the backstretch, Geroux moved his colt into fourth, positioning Mandaloun for a move on the final turn. As Lugamo gave way to Weyburn and Dr. Jack, Mandaloun loomed up on the outside and picked up speed entering the stretch. In the final furlong, Mandaloun put more space between himself and Weyburn and Dr. Jack, but jockey Dylan Davis pushed Weyburn for another go at the eventual winner, closing the gap between them quickly. Geroux and Mandaloun were able to hold them off to cross the wire in front by a neck, with Dr. Jack in third. Brooklyn Strong and Lugamo rounded out the field. The final time was 1:44.63.

View the race's chart here.

Mandaloun paid $2.60, $2.10, and $2.10. Second-place Weyburn paid $3.00 and $2.20. Dr. Jack paid $2.60 to show.

After the race, Brad Cox was pleased with Mandaloun's performance in his first post-Derby start.

“We didn't expect that (being pinched at the start). We thought he might be on the lead or tracking a couple. We found ourselves last going into the first turn. But overall it was a big effort. I think he closed into a soft pace. He probably had to start his run a touch early given the fact that he was last. He ran a big race. Florent (Geroux) made the comment that he may have been looking around late. But he made the lead by himself. Overall it was a good effort for him to ship over here.”

“I think ultimately we're going to figure out what toll it took on him once we get back home (to Churchill Downs). The ship over for the race, the ship back. Things such as that. We'll put it all together and process it and let him tell us where he is over the next couple of weeks.”

“He made the lead and it looked like he was going to go on. Obviously the horse on the lead was setting softer fractions. You kind of expect that (he was forced to fight late). I don't think that's something that is totally unexpected. Overall it was a big race and we're proud of the effort. He responded when asked and was carried a touch wide and floated through the turn. But overall it was a good effort and hopefully he can bounce out of it in good order and be ready in five weeks (for the TVG.com Haskell Stakes).”

Florent Geroux, who has ridden Mandaloun in all of his starts, knew what his colt had left even after that uncertain start.

“Yes (he was pinched) a little bit (at the start). I didn't want to rush him. He was nice and relaxed during the race. It was nice to see that he was able to settle down on his own and everything worked out great. The important thing was not to rush him too hard (after the start).”

“I had a lot of horse. He was passing horses one by one. At the end when he made the lead maybe he was looking around a little. It was a new thing for him not having the whip for encouragement. I saw the other horse (Weyburn) coming inside of us. But he was still running pretty good at the end. He had to work for it but I don't think it was a really hard race on him. He did not come back blowing hard at all.”

Mandaloun is by Into Mischief out of the Empire Maker mare Brooch. He is bred and owned by Juddmonte Farms. His win in the Pegasus brings him to a record of four wins in seven lifetime starts, with $1,051,252 in earnings.

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