Kendrick Carmouche | Horse Racing Free Tips

6-Year-Old Chateau Makes Graded Stakes Debut Winning One In Tom Fool

Michael Dubb's Chateau made his graded stakes debut on Saturday, and the veteran 6-year-old proved it was worth the wait after surging to the front and having plenty left in the tank en route to a gate-to-wire 3 1/2-length score in the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap for 4-year-olds and up at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.

Chateau, who had made just two previous stakes appearances through his first 32 career starts, broke sharp under meet-leading rider Kendrick Carmouche from post 3, leading the six-horse field through swift opening fractions of 22.81 seconds for the quarter-mile with the half in 46.18 over the fast main track.

Chateau built on his advantage approaching the turn and was never seriously challenged in the stretch, besting a charging Wendell Fong to complete the six-furlong course in 1:12.10.

Chateau, who earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure for a 1 1/2-length win against allowance company on January 18 going six furlongs, again led at every point of call at the Big A for trainer Rob Atras. The Flat Out gelding notched consecutive wins for the first time since 2018, when he won three in a row at the claiming and allowance levels.

“That was emotional,” Atras said. “He came running out of the gate and put away the other speed horse [Happy Farm], who is no slouch. Kendrick broke him so sharp. We had a plan; obviously it was no secret. He put away that horse and was controlling the race and got a little separation. When they turned for home, it didn't look like anyone was coming and Kendrick still had some horse. It was an amazing performance.

“We've always liked him and Kendrick has really figured out how to ride him. He's been a big help.”

Atras, who took over the training duties last year, has seen Chateau go 2-2-2 in his last six starts and now could earn the right to face even more challenging competition in the Grade 1, $300,000 Carter Handicap, with the seven-furlong sprint on the undercard of the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino on April 3 at Aqueduct.

“It might be pushing it for distance, but off this race anything is possible,” Atras said. “We'll see how he comes out of the race and go from there.”

Off at 7-2, Chateau returned $9.60 on a $2 win wager. The Kentucky bred improved his career earnings to $477,769.

“When you read into it and there's a lot of speed, nine times out of ten, it doesn't happen that way. I knew my horse had to be forwardly placed,” Carmouche said. “I figured him out last time. This time I knew Rob had given him enough time in between races where he could carry his speed a little longer.

Carmouche has been aboard for his last two victories.

“The track is a little different than last time and is a little deeper,” Carmouche said. “The speed is carrying. But no matter what I just had to let him run his race and carry him home.”

Gold Square's Wendell Fong, who gave trainer Natalia Lynch her first career win in the Fire Plug in January at Laurel Park, outkicked Speed Pass by 3 1/4 lengths for second.

“It set up perfect. He did everything he was supposed to do and our goal was to see if he could handle the track and he did his job today,” said Lynch, who said she excepts Wendell Fong to go to the Carter. “It's just really good to see him compete at this level again.”

Added Wendell Fong rider Trevor McCarthy: “He got a good break. The Baffert horse [No. 5, Speed Pass] broke bad and then rushed up to get position and I thought that was the horse that would take me there and be a good horse to follow. When I tipped out, he finished up strong. He just couldn't catch the speed horses. They were going at a pretty decent fraction and speed is pretty good here at Aqueduct.”

Pete's Play Call, the favorite, finished fourth, with Happy Farm and Share the Ride completing the order of finish.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Aqueduct with an eight-race card highlighted by the $100,000 Biogio's Rose, a one-turn mile for state-bred fillies and mares 4-years-old and up in Race 7. First post is 1:20 p.m. Eastern.

The post 6-Year-Old Chateau Makes Graded Stakes Debut Winning One In Tom Fool appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Nicky The Vest Gives Runhappy Initial Stakes Winner In Gander

Robert LaPenta's Nicky the Vest rewarded his even-money favoritism in his stakes debut, taking command in the turn and drawing away from a seven-horse field to win by 11 3/4 lengths in Sunday's $100,000 Gander for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.

After Nicky the Vest won his first start on Dec. 18 in a one-turn mile at the Big A, trainer Jonathan Thomas saw him replicate that effort at the same track and distance, cruising in the stretch under meet-leading rider Kendrick Carmouche to easily outkick Lobsta. Nicky the Vest, a Runhappy colt, became his sire's first stakes winner.

Nicky the Vest broke sharply from post 5, staying in second position behind pace-setter Lobsta with the opening quarter-mile in 23.61 seconds and the half in 47.17 on the fast main track.

Carmouche urged Nicky the Vest outside of Lobsta to take command with three-quarters of a mile in 1:12.33. He continued to press on in the stretch, completing the course in a final time of 1:37.94 while geared down in the final 70 yards.

“He broke real sharp, had me in a good spot and the track has been good with forward positioning,” said Carmouche, who won his sixth stakes of the meet. “When I asked him, he responded very, very well. Jonathan Thomas and his assistant and their team did a good job of getting this horse back to the races after a couple months off.

“As long as I got my horse going at the pace he's going, I don't worry about the person next to me,” Carmouche added. “I figured once I asked him, he should respond and he got me to the winner's circle.”

Purchased for $110,000 at the 2019 OBS Yearling Sale, Nicky the Vest more than doubled his career earnings in improving to 2-for-2, upping his bankroll to $88,500.

“We were very pleased with him,” Thomas said. “He trained that way leading up to it and it's always nice to see what you're seeing in the morning replicated in the afternoon.

“We felt we needed to get him out of there,” he added. “His stamina is a key strength of his and we didn't want to get him in behind horses and have him take dirt. That's an unknown variable with him. We didn't want to do that today, so we planned on being aggressive.”

Nicky the Vest, bred by Highclere, returned $4.30 on a $2 win wager. Thomas said he could possibly target the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham going one mile on March 6 at Aqueduct in a race that offers 50-20-10-5 qualifying points to the top-four finishers towards the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.

“Because we gave him 60 days between his maiden win and this start, I'd feel comfortable we could contemplate that,” Thomas said. “But we'll leave that up to the team.

“John Panagot [LaPenta's racing manager] will be a big barometer here,” he continued. “We'll digest the race and see how he comes out of it and keep a lot of options open. If we do step out [outside of New York-bred company], he's run well here on this track so it stands to reason we would stay here.”

Lobsta, making his first stakes appearance in his third career start for trainer Gary Sciacca, finished a half-length in front of Perfect Munnings for second.

“This horse is a really classy horse,” said Lobsta rider Eric Cancel, who notched four victories on the day in addition to his runner-up effort. “He likes to run on the lead and his brother [2020 Gander winner Chowda] was the same way, so I just figured to ride him the same way. He was in a perfect spot. As soon as they pushed the button on the other horse. He kept on for second and fought well the whole way.”

Dancing Buck, Horn of Plenty, Uno and Re Created completed the order of finish.

Live racing at Aqueduct will continue with a special eight-race Presidents Day holiday card on Monday, highlighted by the $100,000 Hollie Hughes for state-bred 4-years-old and up going six furlongs in Race 7 at 4:25 p.m. Eastern. First post is 1:20 p.m.

The post Nicky The Vest Gives Runhappy Initial Stakes Winner In Gander appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Nicky the Vest Becomes Runhappy’s First Stakes Winner With Gander Romp

Nicky the Vest, an impressive debut winner in December at Aqueduct, proved that no effort was no fluke with an authoritative romp in the New York-bred Gander S. Sunday at the Big A, becoming the first black-type winner for Claiborne Farm's Runhappy (by Super Saver) in the process.

Unveiled as an 11-2 proposition against Empire-bred foes over track and trip Dec. 18, the $110,000 OBS October grad shook off some early pace pressure and kicked away to a 3 1/4-length score. Hammered late to go off as the clear favorite here, the bay badgered frontrunning Lobsta through splits of :23.61 and :47.17 and poked his head in front passing the three-furlong pole. Creeping clear approaching the lane, he made a break for it three-sixteenths out and never faced an anxious moment from there, cruising home under wraps as a much-the-best winner. Lobsta, a full-brother to 2020 Gander winner Chowda, did well to hold the place in a three-way photo.

“We were very pleased with him. He trained that way leading up to it and it's always nice to see what you're seeing in the morning replicated in the afternoon,” said winning trainer Jonathan Thomas. “We felt we needed to get him out of there. His stamina is a key strength of his and we didn't want to get him in behind horses and have him take dirt. That's an unknown variable with him. We didn't want to do that today, so we planned on being aggressive.”

Asked about a potential start in the GIII Gotham S. Mar. 6 at Aqueduct, Thomas added, “Because we gave him 60 days between his maiden win and this start, I'd feel comfortable we could contemplate that. But we'll leave that up to the team.” Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

GANDER S., $100,000, Aqueduct, 2-14, (S), 3yo, 1m, 1:37.94, ft.
1–NICKY THE VEST, 118, c, 3, by Runhappy
1st Dam: Tazarine, by Cat Thief
2nd Dam: Doppio Espresso, by Java Gold
3rd Dam: Eastern Dawn, by Damascus
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. ($110,000 Ylg '19 OBSOCT). O-Robert V.
LaPenta; B-Highclere (NY); T-Jonathan Thomas; J-Kendrick
Carmouche. $55,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $93,500.
*1/2 to Moms Choice (Kitten's Joy), SP, $269,234. **First SW
for sophomore sire (by Super Saver).
2–Lobsta, 118, c, 3, Emcee–Salty Little Sis, by Chief Seattle.
O-Eddie F's Racing; B-Fedwell Farms (NY); T-Gary Sciacca.
$20,000.
3–Perfect Munnings, 123, c, 3, Munnings–Our Perfect Ten, by
Medaglia d'Oro. ($50,000 Ylg '19 SARAUG). O-JP Racing Stable;
B-Tammy & Robert Klimasewski (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.
$12,000.
Margins: 11 3/4, HF, NO. Odds: 1.15, 5.90, 2.65.
Also Ran: Dancing Buck, Horn of Plenty, Uno, Re Created.

The post Nicky the Vest Becomes Runhappy’s First Stakes Winner With Gander Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

American Power Gives Trainer Atras First Graded Win In Toboggan

American Power made his first stakes appearance in 16 months a winning one, dueling pacesetter Pete's Play Call in the stretch before taking command in the final sixteenth of a mile to win the 128th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan for 4-year-olds and up by a half length on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.

Owned by Sanford Goldfarb, Irwin Goldfarb and the Estate of Ira Davis, American Power was making his first stakes start since running fourth in the Grade 1 Vosburgh in September 2019 at Belmont Park. The 6-year-old son of Power Broker broke well from the outermost post under jockey Kendrick Carmouche and stalked the pace of Pete's Play Call, who led the five-horse field through the opening quarter-mile in 24.08 seconds and the half in 48.11 on the fast main track.

Pete's Play Call, under rider Jorge Vargas, Jr., maintained his slim lead out of the turn, staying near the rail as American Power sustained pressure to his outside when straightened for home. The duo continued to go stride-for-stride until American Power earned the advantage in deep stretch, completing the seven-furlong course in a final time of 1:24.28.

American Power, trained by Rob Atras, won his third consecutive race overall in taking the first graded stakes of 2021 on the New York Racing Association calendar. The effort built on his victory by a head against claimers on October 12 at a one-turn mile at Belmont followed by a 3 ¼-length score against optional claimers going seven furlongs on December 11 at the Big A.

“He had been training well going in,” Atras said. “When Kendrick rode him last time, he broke sharp and it seemed like he really got his confidence back. Kendrick had a game plan going in and it worked out great. The outside post definitely helped.”

Off at 4-1, American Power, bred in Kentucky by Gary and Mary West Stables, returned $9.20 on a $2 win wager. He improved his career earnings to $499,359 and also netted Atras his first career graded stakes victory.

“It feels great. I'm not sure if it's relief or what it is, but it's just a great feeling,” said Atras, who trained his first winner in 2009.

Carmouche, the Aqueduct winter meet's leading rider, registered his second Toboggan win, adding to his triumph in 2017 aboard Green Gratto.

“I had the best position looking at the whole screen,” Carmouche said. I thought Manny [Franco, aboard Share the Ride] would go a little bit with the other horse, but I had him in the position where he had to take back. I let the one horse go as easy as he can. When I got to the three-eighths pole I had so much horse I just made it a race home and make me or Vargas win the race. That's the way I looked at it and the horse ran good.

“Congratulations to Rob and his owners. That was Rob's first graded stakes win. It's a cold, brisk day but the winner's circle made us warmer,” he added.

American Power improved to 3-for-3 since Atras removed blinkers.

“These older horses know how to run,” Atras said. “When they're younger sometimes the blinkers helped because they need to focus up a bit. It came to the point where he didn't really need them. It's all about having confidence, ability and heart, and he has all three.”

Michael Dubb's Pete's Play Call, who won the Gravesend in his 8-year-old debut on January 2 at Aqueduct, finished 2 ¾-lengths clear of 6-5 favorite Share the Ride for runner-up status. The Rudy Rodriguez trainee has finished first or second in six of his last seven starts.

“He had no excuses,” Vargas, Jr. said “I would have liked to have been just behind [the pace], but we had the one hole, so we really had to go from the gate. He was just second best today.”

Drafted and Stan the Man completed the order of finish.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Aqueduct with a nine-race card, highlighted by the $100,000 Jimmy Winkfield for sophomores going seven furlongs in Race 8. First post is 12:20 p.m. Eastern.

The post American Power Gives Trainer Atras First Graded Win In Toboggan appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post