Keeneland | Horse Racing Free Tips

Washington-Bred Bodenheimer Outruns Indian Summer Foes Into Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

Sent immediately to the front under Brian Hernandez Jr., Kristin Boice and Marylou Holden's Bodenheimer ran his way into a possible start in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint by going wire to wire in the third running of the $150,000 Indian Summer Stakes on Sunday at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

Trained by Valorie Lund, Bodenheimer – a 2-year-old son of Atta Boy Roy bred in Washington by Larry Romaine – ran 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:02.70. He paid $10.20 for the win.

Cowan, sent off at 5-2, closed well in the stretch to be second but was never a threat to the winner. Agog finished third, with Good With People fourth in the field of a half-dozen juveniles.

The Indian Summer is a Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race giving the winner a fees-paid berth into the Juvenile Turf Sprint to be run at Keeneland on Nov. 6.

Bodenheimer, purchased by Lund for $27,000 at the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association Yearling Sale in 2019, ran his record to 3-for-4 with the victory, starting with an 11 1/4-length maiden win on turf at Canterbury Park on July 29 and a neck win in the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes on dirt at Prairie Meadows. He was coming off his lone defeat when fifth in the Juvenile Turf Sprint behind Outadore at Kentucky Downs.

The post Washington-Bred Bodenheimer Outruns Indian Summer Foes Into Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Brazilian-Bred ‘Var’-y Impressive in Shadwell Mile

Undefeated in three Argentinian starts, including two daylight wins at Group 1 level, and competitive in stakes company in this country, Ivar (Brz) (Agnes Gold {Jpn}) settled in the latter third of the field, was ridden quietly into the final 2 1/2 furlongs by Joe Talamo and exploded through the Keeneland stretch to up-end a high-class field in Saturday’s GI Shadwell Turf Mile, locking up a spot in the gate for the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile over the same course and distance exactly five weeks down the line.

Drawn widest in a field reduced to nine by a pair of scratches–including GI Fourstardave H. winner Halladay (War Front)–Ivar was getting blinkers off for the Shadwell and settled off the rail in about seventh position passing halfway as Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) set the pace in advance of the lightly raced Born Great (Scat Daddy). Still traveling strongly around the bend, Ivar followed the move of favored ‘TDN Rising Star’ Analyze It (Point of Entry), was pulled off that one’s heels and into the clear and covered his final two furlongs in a slick :22.39 en route to a one-length success. Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) caboosed the field for the opening six panels and was home even more quickly than the winner (:22.13) while traveling 34 feet less, according to Trakus. Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was a perfect-trip third. The final time of 1:33.99 was the fastest Shadwell Mile against the clock since the race sponsor’s Altibr (Ire) (Charnwood Forest {Ire}) covered the distance in 1:33.72 in 2000.

“We were very worried about the [outside 11] post position, but his style if you see his races in Argentina, he always comes from off the pace–way off the pace,” said winning trainer Paolo Lobo. “Today, it worked very well. I was very concerned because of the first turn. Joe [Talamo] rode him 100% magnificent.”

Winner at home of the G1 Gran Criterium and G1 Estrellas Juvenile, each by a half-dozen lengths, Ivar was a never-nearer fifth in his U.S. debut in Churchill allowance company May 21 before adding blinkers and Talamo for a coast-to-coast, two-length allowance tally June 18. He attended fractions of :44.77 and 1:07.86 when last seen in the Sept. 7 Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs and was not disgraced in being defeated less than two lengths into third.

Pedigree Notes:

The sire of 31 winners from three crops in his time in Japan, Agnes Gold has since been responsible for 23 group winners in South America and seven top-level winners in addition to Ivar. The 4-year-old’s American-bred dam was a Group 2 winner in Brazil and was represented there by three winners from as many to race before being sold for $67,000 in foal to Hard Spun at Keeneland November in 2017. That produce, a colt named Hard Strike that cost $75,000 as a FTKJUL yearling last year, is campaigned by Walking L Thoroughbreds and Ken McPeek and was a maiden winner at first asking going a mile over the Ellis Park turf course July 4. May Be Now, closely related to GISW Al’s Gal (English Channel) and his SW/GSP full-sister Ann of the Dance, is also the dam of a yearling filly by Cupid and a filly foal by Hard Spun and was among the first book of mares bred to dual-surface GISW Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), like Agnes Gold a paternal grandson of the legendary Sunday Silence. The cross of Sunday Silence over Smart Strike mares is also responsible for GSWs Bright Thought (Hat Trick {Jpn}) and Epos (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}).

Saturday, Keeneland
SHADWELL TURF MILE S.-GI, $750,000, Keeneland, 10-3, 3yo/up, 1mT, 1:33.99, fm.
1–IVAR (BRZ), 126, c, 4, by Agnes Gold (Jpn)
1st Dam: May Be Now, by Smart Strike
2nd Dam: Dans La Ville (Chi), by Winning
3rd Dam: Syracuse, by Sharp-Eyed Quillo
O-Bonne Chance Farm LLC & Stud R D I LLC; B-Stud Rio Dois Irmaos (BRZ); T-Paulo H Lobo; J-Joseph Talamo. $450,000. Lifetime Record: 7-5-0-1, $579,413. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: B.
2–Raging Bull (Fr), 126, h, 5, Dark Angel (Ire)–Rosa Bonheur, by Mr. Greeley. (€90,000 Ylg ’16 GOFORB). O-Peter M Brant; B-Dayton Investments Limited (FR); T-Chad C Brown. $150,000.
3–Without Parole (GB), 126, h, 5, Frankel (GB)–Without You Babe, by Lemon Drop Kid. (650,000gns RNA Ylg ’16 TATOCT). O-John D & Tanya Gunther; B-Mr John Gunther (GB); T-Chad C Brown. $75,000.
Margins: 1, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 14.40, 3.00, 10.10.
Also Ran: Casa Creed, Flavius, Parlor, Bowies Hero, Analyze It, Born Great. Scratched: Halladay, Spectacular Gem.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton

The post Brazilian-Bred ‘Var’-y Impressive in Shadwell Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Essential Quality Nabs Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Spot With Dominant Breeders’ Futurity Score

Essential Quality entered the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland with the wind behind him after an electric debut score last month, and he lived up to the hype on Saturday with another powerful victory.

The Breeders' Futurity also earned the 2-year-old son of Tapit a “Win and You're In” berth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, which will be held next month at Keeneland.

Essential Quality got a clean start out of the gate and past the finish line for the first time, and he entered the first turn in second behind pace setter Upstriker. Those two led the proceedings through an opening quarter in :23.97, and they remained a relatively untested lead duo through the backstretch. Jockey Luis Saez pressed the leader aboard Essential Quality as they cleared the half-mile in :48.86, but Upstriker continued to hold off his adversary.

That changed as the backstretch turned into the bend, when Essential Quality drew even with Upstriker, then put a head in front on the outside, with the pacesetter fighting to hold off his rival. Essential Quality finally put away the early leader heading into the stretch, and he kicked clear to win by 3 1/4 lengths.

Keepmeinmind, a 52-1 longshot, staged a rally from the middle of the pack to finish second, ahead of third-place Super Stock. Upstriker carried on for fourth.

Essential Quality won the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:44.37 over a fast main track for owner Godolphin and trainer Brad Cox. He paid $5.80 to win as the favorite.

The colt is undefeated in two starts heading into this year's Breeders' Cup, after winning his debut at Churchill Downs by four lengths on Sept. 5. Saturday's race was his first around two turns.

Essential Quality is a Kentucky homebred for the Godolphin operation, out of the Grade 3-placed Elusive Quality mare Delightful Quality; herself a Godolphin homebred.

To view the race's chart, click here.

Quotes from the $400,000 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, courtesy of the Keeneland notes team

Brad Cox (winning trainer of Essential Quality)

“We've had some very nice 2-year-old fillies, but this is probably the best (2-year-old colt) I've had as far as talent goes. He's our first Grade 1 winner as a 2-year-old colt. He means a lot to us. He showed us from Day 1 that he's special, very talented. Luis (Saez) did a good job of getting him to relax. He's a very green horse. That was my concern today – could he put it all together? And he did. He pulled up a bit on the backside. He's got some learning to do. If he can figure it out, he's a serious animal.”

Luis Saez (winning rider)

“I thought he was gonna be right there. Second start. I never rode him before. I was watching the replay when he ran last time, and he looked like 'Wow, what a horse.' And today he proved that he's a very good horse. He did it pretty easy. He was a little green when he came to the track – he was looking around a little bit, but he took off. He was running. What a horse. I'm so glad I'm on this horse.”

David Cohen (rider of runner-up Keepmeinmind)

“We had a little bit of trouble in the first turn with horses on the outside coming in, but I was happy I was able to maintain somewhat of a position. Down the backside, he got into a beautiful spot. He's still a bit green. I was very happy with his courage and his finish. His gallop-out was tremendous.”

The post Essential Quality Nabs Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Spot With Dominant Breeders’ Futurity Score appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

‘Quality’ Remains Unbeaten in GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity

Attempting to follow up on a victory by fellow Godolphin-bred Maxfield (Street Sense) in last year’s GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, Essential Quality (Tapit) thoroughly dominated his competition to score, thus earning a trip to next month’s GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Three paths wide into the first turn as Upstriker (Upstart) assumed the earning advantage, Essential Quality pressed that rival through an initial quarter in :23.97. Challenging for the lead despite pilot Luis Saez kept his feet set firmly in the dashboard, the homebred poked his head in front following a half in :48.86. Moving clear heading rounding the home turn, Saez asked his mount for more down the lane and the grey obliged, winning by a strong three-length margin over 52-1 longshot Keepmeinmind. Super Stock rounded out the trifecta.

Following the race, winning rider Luis Saez said, “Today he proved that he’s a very good horse. He did it pretty easy. He was a little green when he came to the track–he was looking around a little bit, but he took off. He was running. What a horse. I’m so glad I’m on this horse.”

An impressive four-length winner in his career debut going six furlongs at Churchill Downs Sept. 5, Essential Quality earned TDN Rising Star status in that sparkling performance as the 9-5 favorite. In his latest tightener for the Breeders’ Futurity, the colt worked five furlongs at Churchill in :59.80, the fourth fastest of 57 at the distance Sept. 26.

“We’ve had some very nice 2-year-old fillies, but this is probably the best [2-year-old colt] I’ve had as far as talent goes,” said trainer Brad Cox. “He’s our first Grade I winner as a 2-year-old colt. He means a lot to us. He showed us from Day 1 that he’s special, very talented. Luis did a good job of getting him to relax. He’s a very green horse. That was my concern today–could he put it all together? And he did. He pulled up a bit on the backside. He’s got some learning to do. If he can figure it out, he’s a serious animal.”

Pedigree Notes:
Essential Quality’s MSW and GSP dam is a daughter of Contrive (Storm Cat), whose daughter Folklore (Tiznow) won the 2005 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Belmont Park. Contrive was purchased by Godolphin for $3 million in foal to Pleasantly Perfect at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. The 11-year-old Delightful Quality is the dam of a yearling colt by Uncle Mo, was barren to the same stallion for 2020 and was bred to Uncle Mo’s GI Kentucky Derby winning son Nyquist this past season. Essential Quality is bred on the cross over Gone West that is responsible for Tapit’s Grade I winner Zazu and additional graded winners Flashback, Bandbox, Ticonderoga and Golden Hawk.

Saturday, Keeneland
CLAIBORNE BREEDERS’ FUTURITY-GI, $400,000, Keeneland, 10-3, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:44.37, ft.
1–ESSENTIAL QUALITY, 122, c, 2, by Tapit
1st Dam: Delightful Quality, by Elusive Quality
2nd Dam: Contrive, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Jeano, by Fappiano
TDN Rising Star 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Luis Saez. $240,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $295,144. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Keepmeinmind, 122, c, 2, Laoban–Inclination, by Victory Gallop. O-Southern Equine Stable LLC; B-Southern Equine Stables, LLC (KY); T-Robertino Diodoro. $80,000.
3–Super Stock, 122, c, 2, Dialed In–Super Girlie, by Closing Argument. ($70,000 Ylg ’19 KEESEP). O-Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen; B-Pedro Gonzalez & P.J. Gonzalez (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $40,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, 1HF, 4HF. Odds: 1.90, 52.70, 10.40.
Also Ran: Upstriker, Founder, Calibrate-(DH), Dixie’s Two Stents-(DH), King Fury, Notary.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

The post ‘Quality’ Remains Unbeaten in GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post