Justify | Horse Racing Free Tips

Saturday Racing Insights: Second-Crop Sires Continue Their First-Crop Battle At Keeneland

2nd-KEE, $100K, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 1:05 p.m.
At the end of last year, it was Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) that reigned supreme over Good Magic (Curlin) and Justify (Scat Daddy) in the first-crop sire race when Spendthrift's own sewed up the title by more than $275,000 in world-wide earnings.

Now second-croppers, they come together in Race 2 at Keeneland for another battle on Saturday. Bred by WinStar Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher, LE BAR (Bolt d'Oro) carries the flag for the 2022 first-crop leader and is part of a female family which includes GSW Emotional Kitten (Kitten's Joy). Ridden by Luis Saez, the bay colt was a $350,000 Ylg FTNAUG purchase up at Saratoga in 2021 for Starlight and Harrell Ventures.

He will face-off against Good Magic's EQUIVOQUE, an Ontario bred out of Unreachable (Giant's Causeway) who is responsible for Japanese star Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid), victor in the G1 February S. Second dam Harpia (Danzig) is a full-sister to G1SW Danehill. The chestnut colt, who sold outright to the CHC for $240,000 '22 KEENOV after partnering with Gandharvi when they bought him for $325,000 as a yearling at the FTNAUG sale, is also trained by Pletcher. Irad Ortiz will pilot when he breaks from the extreme outside.

Not to be left out, Justify is represented by Dixiana homebred JUST A PHOTO. The dark bay colt is the first to make the races for his mare Photographer (War Front), whose second dam MGSW Hostess (Chester House) is a half-sister to Pretty 'n Smart (Beau Genius). She is responsible for Santa Anita GI Gold Cup hero, Cupid (Tapit). From post nine, jockey Brian Hernandez has the call for trainer Kenny McPeek. TJCIS PPS

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Observations: Justify Duo Debut For Ballydoyle

Observations web blurb: Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring.Wednesday's Observations features a pair of Justify colts debuting for Ballydole at Leopardstown.

1.55 Leopardstown, Mdn, €15,000, 3yo, f, 10fT
ALL TIME GREAT (Justify) is the third foal out of the GI E. P. Taylor S. and G2 Ribblesdale S. heroine Curvy (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who has produced the GIII Cecil B. DeMille S. runner-up Caisson (War Front). From the family of the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-winning sire Power (GB), the February-foaled chestnut is partnered by Seamie Heffernan as Ballydoyle continue to put their Classic hopes under the microscope.

2.30 Leopardstown, Mdn, €12,500, 3yo, c/g, 10fT
THE BLACK TIGER is another progeny of Justify to represent Rosegreen on the card, with Ryan Moore opting for this unraced half-brother to the G3 Prix des Chenes scorer and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Criterium International-placed Ancient Rome (War Front) and his full-sister Etoile, who captured the G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies' Sprint S. on her debut. The dam Gagnoa (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), who was twice a group 3 winner and was placed in three Classics including when second in the G1 Prix de Diane, is kin to the Derby hero Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Also from Ballydoyle is The Prairie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a son of the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Again (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who was fourth at Killarney in October, while Jessie Harrington introduces Yuesheng Zhang's Dubawi Delight (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a gelded son of the famed Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) who was a 425,000gns Book 1 purchase.

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Alexandroupois Centre Stage On Sunday

Providing it survives a morning inspection, with the ground currently heavy and more rain forecast, Leopardstown's intriguing Sunday fixture will see a trio of Classic trials flooded with a big Ballydoyle presence including the exciting 'TDN Rising Star' Alexandroupolis (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Due to make his eagerly-awaited second career start in the G3 P W McGrath Memorial Ballysax S., the centre of much attention at Rosegreen oozed class when beating his talented stablemate and eventual G1 Criterium International runner-up Espionage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the extended mile maiden at Galway in September won by the yard's Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) two years earlier.

Moore's Choice…

From the family of Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), staying is going to be Alexandroupolis's game and Ryan Moore places his confidence in him ahead of the unlucky Criterium Arqana runner-up Denmark (GB) (Camelot {GB}) and Mohawk Chief (Quality Road), who captured the seven-furlong Leopardstown maiden in October won by the stable's former talented Galileo duo Cliffs Of Moher (Ire) and Star Of India (Ire). Surprisingly, this renowned Derby trial has only supplied the Blue Riband winner once since 2002 and that was Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), not among the 11 Aidan O'Brien-trained colts to prevail which include subsequent Epsom heroes Galileo (Ire) and High Chaparral (Ire).

A Familiar Tale…

O'Brien and Moore combine earlier on the card with another 'TDN Rising Star' in Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G3 Ballylinch Stud “Red Rocks” 2000 Guineas Trial S., which unlike the proceeding G3 Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” 1000 Guineas Trial S. is light on overall quality. Ridden too forcefully when second in the G2 Futurity S. at The Curragh in August, Hans Andersen again did too much early when fifth in the G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. behind Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Given that he had beaten that peer in his maiden at the Currragh, more patient tactics might see him regain his spark in a weak-looking renewal of this recently-upgraded contest.

The Story Is Still Young…

If the 2000 Trial lacks strength-in-depth, that cannot be said of the following 1000 Guineas Trial which could have a bearing on the picture for the Newmarket Classic and again it is Ballydoyle who feature prominently with the G3 Silver Flash S. winner and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac third Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Bearing in mind the improvement her dam Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) found from two to three, it could be that she is still some way off a peak and it would be no surprise if she can make a leap as the 2005 winner Virginia Waters (Kingmambo) did from here to Newmarket. The stable also has the 10-length Naas maiden winner Dame Kiri (Justify), while opposition to Ballydoyle includes Martin Schwartz's highly-regarded Roscommon auction series race scorer Impact Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) and John Oxley's Naas maiden winner Madly Truly (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) from the always-to-be-respected Paddy Twomey and Joseph O'Brien stables, respectively.

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Tapiture Half-Sister To Mo Forza Debuting at Hanshin

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses:

Saturday, April 1, 2023
1st-HSN, ¥10,480,000 ($79k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m
TAKE A STAB (JPN) (f, 3, Justify–It Was Magic, by War Front) is the first foal out of a daughter of 2011 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Misty For Me (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the dam of three-time Group 1 winners Roly Poly (War Front) and U S Navy Flag (War Front) and of Grade III winner Cover Song (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), whose daughter Contemporary Art (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was a Gulfstream allowance winner Mar. 26. This is also the family of European champion Fasliyev and Group 1 winner Ballydoyle (Ire). B-K I Farm

2nd-HSN, ¥10,480,000 ($79k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
YOUR DESTINY (f, 3, Oscar Performance–Rendezvous Point, by Kingmambo) is closely related to mutiple Grade III turf winner Kitten's Point (Kitten's Joy) and cost Paca Paca Farm $140,000 on behalf of Godolphin at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. Also a half-sister to Kafuji Taurus (Declaration of War), a winner of nine of his 10 career starts and his last seven at Ohi Racecourse near Tokyo, the Mar. 23 foal is out of a half-sister to MGSW sprinter Five Star Day (Carson City). B-Crosshaven Bloodstock (KY)

6th-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($79k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
NAGI (c, 3, Street Sense–Caramel Snap, by Smart Strike), a half-brother GSW & GISP Caramel Swirl (Union Rags), was produced by a daughter of GSW Fast Cookie (Deputy Minister), whose notable produce include three-time Grade I-winning Darley sire Frosted (Tapit) and Grade III winner Indulgent (Bernardini). The latter is the dam of May Fane (Uncle Mo), who is scheduled to make her first trip to the races Saturday at Gulfstream for Bill Mott (see Saturday Insights). MGSW & GISP third dam Fleet Lady (Avenue of Flags) is responsible for champion and Darley sire Midshipman (Unbridled's Song). B-Godolphin (KY)

Sunday, April 2, 2023
2nd-HSN, ¥10,480,000 ($79k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m
ROUGE ATHENA (f, 3, Tapiture–Inflamed, by Unusual Heat) is a half-sister to 2019 GI Hollywood Derby hero Mo Forza (Uncle Mo) and was her supplemented dam was purchased by Shadai Farm for $525,000 with this foal in utero about a month later at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale. Inflamed, a full-sister to GSW Burns, foaled this filly May 1, 2020, was bred to Uncle Mo on a late cover and was exported to Japan. She is also the dam of a 2-year-old colt by the star Coolmore stallion. B-Teruya Yoshida (KY)

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