Patiently ridden off the tempo in sixth for the most part, the 8-5 favourite eased forward off the home turn and lengthened clear in taking fashion once quickening to the fore at the furlong pole to easily account for Godolphin's Kind Of Kiss (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by an impressive 3 1/2 lengths.

“Delius is a nice horse, who will develop into a good middle-distance prospect,” commented trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. “The more we advance through the season, the better he will be. He quickened really nicely and won well, so that is most encouraging.”

Delius is the ninth of 11 foals and fifth scorer produced by a full-sister to Listed Chesham S. victrix Whazzat (GB) (Daylami {Ire}), herself the dam of G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest runner-up and dual Group-winning sire James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Descendants of his second dam Wosaita (GB) (Generous {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G1 Prix de Diane-winning matriarch Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), also include multiple Grade I-winning US champion and GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Uni (GB) (More Than Ready). The February-foaled bay is a full-brother to multiple Group-placed Listed Wolferton S. winner Juan Elcano (GB) and a half to G3 Hoppings S. victrix Nkosikazi (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). He is also kin to a 2-year-old filly by Sea The Moon (Ger) and a yearling filly by Kingman (GB).

1st-ParisLongchamp, €27,000, Mdn, 4-7, unraced 3yo, c/g, 10 1/2fT, 2:25.34, vhy.
DELIUS (GB), c, 3, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Whatami (GB), by Daylami (Ire)
2nd Dam: Wosaita (GB), by Generous (Ire)
3rd Dam: Eljazzi (Ire), by Artaius
Sales history: 675,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. *Full to Juan Elcano (GB), SW & MGSP-Eng, $175,305; and 1/2 to Nkosikazi (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), GSW-Eng. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Mr & Mrs David Brown (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro.

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“Brad is saying that he wants to go to the Ashland with her next, which she would have to do and perform well there to get to the Oaks,” Juddmonte USA General Manager Garrett O'Rourke said.

Brad, of course, is two-time GI Kentucky Oaks-winning trainer Brad Cox (Monomoy Girl 2018 & Shedaresthedevil 2020).

“If things don't go right, there's no pressure to keep moving forward,” O'Rourke continued. “If they do go right, well, it sets her up, you know? We'll see what happens.”

Betting on the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager totaled $69,717 ($48,334 in the win pool and $21,384 in exactas). Last year's champion 2-year-old filly Just F Y I (Justify), unraced since capping her perfect season with a win in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, closed as the second choice at 8-1. Just F Y I was scratched due to a fever just hours before what was to be her much-anticipated 3-year-old debut for Bill Mott in the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream Mar. 2.

“Obviously, look, I was a little surprised that's the way people bet it,” O'Rourke said. “It puts the pressure on when I saw that she was favored.”

O'Rourke added with a big laugh, “Also, remember, it wasn't a huge pool, so it only would've taken one or two of Brad's exercise boys to just put a few bets on her and ruin the price for the rest of us.”

Impel earned her 'Rising Star' badge with a visually impressive debut victory at a generous 7-2 sprinting at Fair Grounds Jan. 1. She aced her two-turn test with an explosive stalk-and-pounce 8 1/2-length victory in a deep optional claimer going 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park Mar. 3. She earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure in the latter. Impel returned to the worktab with a four-furlong breeze in :49.80 (52/74) at Fair Grounds Mar. 15.

Impel's leading sire Quality Road is responsible for 15 Grade I winners worldwide, including 2017 Kentucky Oaks heroine Abel Tasman. Juddmonte acquired Impel's Claiborne Farm-bred and stakes-winning dam/GII Gallant Bloom H. runner-up Your Love (Flatter) for $480,000 out of the ELiTE consignment on behalf of the late Paul P. Pompa, Jr. and WinStar Farm at the 2019 Keeneland November sale.

Your Love, a half-sister to GSW & MGISP Well Monied (Maria's Mon); GSW & GISP Happy American (Runhappy); MSW & GSP Jimmy Simms (Lost Soldier); and a full-sister to GSW & GISP Economic Model, is also responsible for a yearling filly by Curlin. After losing her pregnancy to Not This Time this year, Your Love recently checked back in foal to the promising young Taylor Made stallion, per O'Rourke. Impel is her first foal.

“She's come along beautifully,” O'Rourke said of Impel. “She's a lovely, big scopey filly. The well-bred ones that look good are the ones that are supposed to be good. It's nice when they are. I guess there was always a doubt in the back of mind about her staying. Her mother was a sprinter and the Quality Roads can go both ways. She was so impressive when she broke her maiden and also when she went the two turns so readily.”

O'Rourke concluded, “But from here on in, she's gonna have to step it up to be confident that she's an Oaks winner.”

The @juddmontefarms homebred #5 Impel stretches out and romps to stay perfect in R4 at Oaklawn Park for trainer @bradcoxracing with @christiantorr64 aboard!

A bright future ahead for this 3YO filly! You can add her to your TwinSpires #StableAlerts!

#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/xyjJS3FYeq

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) March 3, 2024

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“It's worth a try. There's $12 million reasons to do it,” he said.

The homebred winner of the seven-furlong GII Pat O'Brien S. when under the care of Bob Baffert in 2022, Laurel River was favored in many circles for that year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile before being withdrawn on the eve of the race.

He joined the barn of leading trainer Bhupat Seemar in the second half of 2023 and made his local debut in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint over 1200 meters Jan. 26, but weakened out to finish a disappointing seventh after racing handy. Laurel River was given another positive ride by Tadhg O'Shea in the G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday Mar. 2, but this time continued to find and ran up the score to the tune of 6 3/4 lengths.

“When you have a horse of that age and they've been off a long time–and he had excuses in his first race-you do start to wonder, 'well, was it excuses or was it age catching up with him,'” said O'Rourke. “But Bhupat was pretty confident that the second start of the layoff would be the improvement and it was huge improvement. He's got a little bit of age on him, but he's a relatively fresh horse for that age. It looks like he's still got all of his ability and his enthusiasm for the game and Into Mischiefs, as they usually do, stay sound and have good longevity, so hopefully there's a couple of more years in him.”

While the Burj Nahaar is the course-and-distance lead-up to the G2 Godolphin Mile, connections put their heads together and opted for the less-conventional option in the World Cup.

“The plan all along was to go to the Godolphin Mile, but when Bhupat looked at who was going and saw that Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) and Isolate (Mark Valeski)–who won it last year and is a confirmed front-runner as well–were both in there, he didn't want to get stuck in a speed duel,” O'Rourke explained.

For obvious reasons, there are plenty of obstacles to overcome.

“I feel like the 10 furlongs is a stretch for him, but that is a speed-favoring track and he might be the lone speed in there,” said O'Rourke. “Bhupat didn't really mind either way whichever way the family wanted to go, but he decided he wanted to get that easy lead. Looking at the field, it'll be the two Japanese horses [Ushba Tesoro {Orfevre} and Derma Sotogake {Mind Your Biscuits) and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) and it doesn't seem to go very deep after that. If you're going to take a shot, even if there's a doubt about the 10 furlongs, it seems like the year to try it and we're keen to do it. He can have a long rest afterwards.”

On pedigree, Laurel River is a horse who could appreciate the World Cup trip. He is bred on the exact same cross as Juddmonte's GI Kentucky Derby winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Mandaloun and his first two dams are by the operation's Empire Maker and fellow GI Belmont S. winner Touch Gold. Laurel River's dam Calm Water is a full-sister to Emollient, whose big-race victories include the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at nine furlongs on synthetic and a the GI American Oaks and GI Rodeo Drive S. going a mile and a quarter on the grass.

“It would suggest he is capable of doing it, but on pedigree, Elite Power (Curlin) should have gotten a mile and a half,” O'Rourke said with a laugh. “It's an indicator of what the genes should be, but it can't guarantee what the dominant genes are.

“He looks like a miler, he's a very strong, muscular horse. But some of those horses–on dirt anyways–if they're front-runners, they get stronger and they can get further as they get older. I think the key to him is being able to use that speed and get cruising out there in front and I would say, ideally eight to nine furlongs is his best distance. But older, stronger, front-runner–all those things can align and horses can get 10 furlongs with conditions in their favor.”

Win, lose or draw, O'Rourke indicated that Laurel River will train on next season, with an eye on the G1 Saudi Cup. There are no plans to return to the United States, he added.

The post Laurel River To Test 10-Furlong Waters In Dubai World Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The @juddmontefarms homebred #5 Impel stretches out and romps to stay perfect in R4 at Oaklawn Park for trainer @bradcoxracing with @christiantorr64 aboard!

A bright future ahead for this 3YO filly! You can add her to your TwinSpires #StableAlerts!

#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/xyjJS3FYeq

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) March 3, 2024

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The result represented a complete turnaround from his local debut Jan. 26 when he was an early factor in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint over 1200 metres, but faded tamely from 2 1/2 furlongs out and finished a distant seventh behind Mouheeb (Flatter).

Drawn wide in 14 for this contest over the mile, the homebred was well into stride and was restrained a bit through the opening exchanges before being allowed to stride into the lead by Tadhg O'Shea after the first 400 metres. Full of run at every stage of the race thereafter, Laurel River had amassed an imposing advantage turning them in and kept on very nicely to take it by eight lengths in good time.

Previously trained by Bob Baffert, the bay won four of his seven starts in the U.S., capped by his 3 3/4-length success in the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien at Del Mar in August 2022. Trainer Bhupat Seemar served as a Baffert assistant for some time.

“He's a high-class horse and, to be fair to him, he hadn't run in 18 months when we ran him over six furlongs,” said O'Shea. “We weren't disappointed the last time, but they're racehorses and not computers; sometimes they just need a run to get back on their A-Game.

“Hats off to Bhupat and the team and to Juddmonte for keeping the faith with him.”

Pedigree Notes

A predominantly breed-to-race operation, Juddmonte purchased Laurel River's second dam Soothing Touch for $550,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September sale, and while she didn't work out as a racemare, she's excelled in the breeding shed.

The mare is the dam of six winners from 10 to race, including her first foal Emollient (Empire Maker), victorious in the 2013 GI Central Bank Ashland S. and the Juddmonte-sponsored GI Spinster, and her four winners as a broodmare include G2 Prix de Malleret winner Raclette (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and French listed winner Ardent (Frankel {GB}). Soothing Touch has also accounted for Hofburg (Tapit), a stakes winner and third in the GI Belmont S; and SW Courtier (Tapit).

The second foal from Soothing Touch, Laurel River has a 2-year-old half-sister by Constitution, a yearling half-brother by the Tapit son and is due to foal a full-sibling to Laurel River this term.

The cross of Into Mischief over Empire Maker mares has resulted in 29 winners from 43 starters and six stakes winners, including GI Kentucky Derby hero Mandaloun, the Grade II winners Occult and Center Aisle and Juddmonte's sadly departed multiple stakes-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Taraz. When extending the cross to Unbridled-line mares, offspring include MGISW champion Covfeve, Grade I winner Gina Romantica and the additional graded scorers Largent and Maximus Mischief.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
BURJ NAHAAR SPONSORED BY EMIRATES SKYCARGO-G3, AED1,200,000, Meydan, 3-2, 3yo/up, 8f, 1:36.90, fs.
1–LAUREL RIVER, 126, h, 6, by Into Mischief
                1st Dam: Calm Water, by Empire Maker
                2nd Dam: Soothing Touch, by Touch Gold
                3rd Dam: Glia, by A.P. Indy
O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-Bhupat Seemar;
J-Tadhg O'Shea. AED720,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-US, 9-5-1-
0-1, AED1,034,620. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
   Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Qareeb, 126, h, 6, Speightstown–Flip Flop (Fr), by Zieten.
($360,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV; 50,000gns HRA '21 TATAUT).
O-Abubaker Kadoura; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (KY); T-Musabbeh Al
Mheiri. AED240,000.
3–Everfast, 126, g, 8, Take Charge Indy–Awesome Surprise, by
Awesome Again. ($47,000 Ylg '17 KEEJAN). O-Kildare Stud –
Frankie O'Connor; B-Extern Developments (KY); T-Doug
Watson. AED120,000.
Margins: 6 3/4, 3, 2 1/4.
Also Ran: Al Jaddaf (GB), Swing Vote (GB), Asad Zabeel (GB), Celtic Prince (GB), Justice Protecol (GB), King Ottoman, Thegreatcollection, Quality Humor, Southern Artist, Western Writer (Ire), Vagalame (Ire), Hypothetical (Ire), Royal Mews (Fr). Scratched: Sound Money. Click for the ERA chart and video.

Wow!

Laurel River turns the Burj Nahaar Sponsored By @emirates SkyCargo into an absolute procession for @BhupatSeemar, @OsheaTadhg and @JuddmonteFarms #SuperSaturday | #DubaiCarnival pic.twitter.com/rneJwci27D

— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 2, 2024

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The mare, Candy Strike (Candy Ride {Arg}), is a 4-year-old out of GSW & MGISP Scarlet Strike (Smart Strike), who is a half-sister to GISWs Tara's Tango (Unbridled Song) and Visionaire (Grand Slam).

Elite Power, a two-time winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, is standing his first season at Juddmonte Farms near Lexington, where his 2024 fee is $50,000.

The post First Mare Checked in Foal to Elite Power appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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In Virginia's first rendition of the 'Million', held under a scorching sun in front of the largest crowd ever assembled at Colonial Downs, the Juddmonte horse, under the expert guidance of Florent Geroux, took his time from the gate and eased into stride at the rear of the field. Early leader Strong Quality (Quality Road), with Kentucky Derby and Belmont S. winner Javier Castellano aboard, went out to assume command and had no trouble up front through fractions of :22.96 and :46.67. Set Piece was eased out up the backstretch and into the far turn, had to come widest of the frontrunners to get himself into striking position at the quarter pole, and closed determinedly past Santin (Distorted Humor) to nab the clear win. The final time of 1:58.19 was both a stakes and a track record for the 1 1/4 mile distance.

“You hate to be that far behind,” said Katie Tolbert, assistant to winning trainer Brad Cox. “But when you see fractions like that, and Florent knows him so well, it gives you a little confidence that he's gonna make sure to be there at the end.”

“It was great,” added Florent Geroux. “I thought it was going to be an expected pace and it obviously was not. But up the backside, I could see a lot of horses and how they were going and I thought we were going quick enough.”

Pedigree Note:

English-based Dansili is responsible for 90 graded/group winners across the globe. Set Piece, out of a winning Kingmambo mare, is a half to multiple stakes winner and GSP Alocasia (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in addition to six other winners. This is also the family of G1 Coral-Eclipse S. winner Elmaamul (Diesis {GB}), MG1SW Reams of Verse (Nureyev), MGSW Eagle Poise (Empire Maker), GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf victress Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Portodora is responsible for an unraced 3-year-old filly by Nathaniel (Ire) and last reported a yearling Kingman (GB) filly.

The 7-year-old #3 Set Piece powers down the stretch to take the G1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs with his regular pilot @flothejock aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing and owner @JuddmonteFarms!

#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ZAcn41kMvh

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 12, 2023

Saturday, Colonial Downs
ARLINGTON MILLION S.-GI, $1,000,000, Colonial Downs, 8-12, 3yo/up, 1 1/4mT, 1:58.19, fm.
1–SET PIECE (GB), 123, g, 7, by Dansili (GB)
           1st Dam: Portodora, by Kingmambo
           2nd Dam: High Walden, by El Gran Senor
           3rd Dam: Modena, by Roberto
1ST GRADE I WIN. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms (East) Ltd (GB); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $582,800. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng, 29-13-2-3, $1,684,733. *1/2 to Alocasia (GB) (Kingman {GB}), MSW & MGSP-Fr, $120,792. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Santin, 123, h, 5, Distorted Humor–Sentiero Italia, by Medaglia d'Oro. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $188,000.
3–Adhamo (Ire), 123, h, 5, Intello (Ger)–Foreign Tune (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€250,000 3yo '21 ARARC). O-Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, Louis Lazzinnaro LLC and Michael J. Caruso; B-Wertheimer et Frere (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown. $94,000.
Margins: 2, HF, NK. Odds: 5.70, 7.00, 4.20.
Also Ran: Never Explain, Win for the Money, Rockemperor (Ire), Strong Quality, Catnip, Strong Tide, Master Piece (Chi), Atone.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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A total of 963 Lots are set to sell over the four-day Tattersalls July Sale and features consignments from leading owner/breeders Cheveley Park Stud, Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms, Shadwell Estate Company and more.

The catalogue can be viewed online and is also available from Tattersalls and Tattersalls representatives.

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Elite Power went three-eighths in 36.02 on Saturday, June 24 in his first breeze since his 1 3/4-length score in the GII True North S. on Belmont Stakes Day. The 5-year-old chestnut is targeting Saratoga's GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. on July 29.

“He worked fine. We'll run in the Vanderbilt,” the Hall of Fame trainer said.

Mott indicated that Elite Power's main year-end goal is likely a title defense in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Also a 5-year-old, Cody's Wish covered a half-mile in 48.48 seconds on Monday, June 26 in his first breeze back since winning the GI Metropolitan H. on June 10 at Belmont Park.

“It was a nice breeze, very smooth,” Mott said.

Winner in 9-of-13 starts, Cody's Wish remains under consideration for Saratoga's GI Whitney H. on Aug. 5 that offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.

“That's possible,” Mott said of the Whitney. “It's [nine furlongs] always a question. He's won his Breeders' Cup going a two turn-mile, but he's not won at a mile and an eighth. You never know until they do it.”

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GOODNIGHT OLIVE
Goodnight Olive brought a salty four-race win streak into her stakes debut and then promptly reeled off two of the biggest Grade I prizes for female sprinters, making her a no-brainer choice for Eclipse champion female sprinter.

She debuted in 2021 with a runner-up finish in a Gulfstream maiden, then went to the sidelines for seven months, never to lose again. The dark bay reappeared at Keeneland's 2021 fall meet with an 8 1/2-length maiden score, followed it up with a nine-length allowance win at Aqueduct, and then took another seven-month break. She hadn't lost a step upon return this past June, smartly taking back-to-back allowances at Belmont and Saratoga by open lengths. Up against three Grade I winners, including reigning champion female sprinter Ce Ce (Elusive Quality), for her coming-out party in the GI Ballerina, Goodnight Olive was sent off at 5-1 but surged clear in the stretch to win with aplomb. Although lightly raced coming into the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, she again overpowered her foes, sizzled to a 101 Beyer Speed Figure, and kept her 2022 season flawless. In addition to her Eclipse as female sprinter, she was also a finalist for older dirt female.

Trainer Chad Brown has said Goodnight Olive is much like her Horse of the Year sire, not necessarily touted for soundness, but certainly for brilliance. Steve Laymon, founder of co-owner First Row Partners, won his second Eclipse as he also co-owned Dayatthespa (City Zip), champion grass mare of 2014.

Goodnight Olive got some time off following the Breeders' Cup and is gearing up for a 5-year-old campaign.

Early Impressions…
“A nice filly and a later-maturing type. We thought she would stand out in October and benefit from the additional time.” –John Moynihan, Stonestreet's bloodstock advisor

“Goodnight Olive really stood out to me at Fasig October. She was on the final day of the four-day sale, but once we saw her early on we knew we had to wait patiently to try and get her purchased. She was a bit offset but had so much athleticism in the way she moved and a lot of class with some edginess. She was on the smaller side (not anymore), but being almost a May foal and by Ghostzapper she was big enough. She had just enormous potential and she has certainly lived up to all of our expectations and then some.” –Liz Crow, agent for First Row Partners

–Jill Williams

ELITE POWER
A winner of five of his last six starts in 2022, Elite Power topped off his season with a defeat of both MGSW & MGISP C Z Rocket (City Zip) and last year's Eclipse champion Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) in the GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Though he didn't break his maiden until June, Elite Power went on a hot streak through the summer, working his way up the ranks with two wins against allowance company before stepping up in dominating fashion to take the GII Vosburgh S. at Belmont's Aqueduct meeting by 5 1/4 lengths Oct. 8.

Drawn mid pack as a 5-1 shot behind heavily favored Jackie's Warrior in the Sprint, Elite Power took his time early on under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., racing seventh as Super Ocho (Chi) (Dubai Sky) paced the field through tiring fractions of :22.12 and :44.99. Steadily advancing while three wide around the turn, Elite Power came running from the middle of the track to overtake the leaders with a sixteenth to run, hitting the wire 1 1/4 lengths ahead of his rivals.

“I had the perfect trip,” Ortiz, Jr. said of his Breeders' Cup ride aboard Elite Power. “He broke real sharp and I let him settle. I let the speed go. I was able to cut the corner around the turn. When I tipped him out, he was there for me. He kept going forward. He gave me a really good kick from the quarter-pole to the wire. He's a nice horse. I rode him with a lot of confidence.”

A $900,000 yearling for Juddmonte out of the Lane's End consignment, Elite Power beat out another son of Curlin and Mott trainee in Cody's Wish (Curlin) for the award. He remains in training for the 2023 season and most recently worked four furlongs in :48.80 (1/17) Jan. 25.

–Stefanie Grimm

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