Tag: Kenny McPeek

Patrick Smith, Joe Clancy Earn Media Honors For 2020 Preakness Coverage

Patrick Smith of Getty Images and Joe Clancy of ST Publishing Inc., will be recognized this weekend for outstanding journalism coverage of the 2020 Preakness (G1) at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md.

Smith, a staff photographer at Getty, has been named recipient of the Jerry Frutkoff Photographer Award for his photo of Preakness winner Swiss Skydiver and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Authentic coming down the stretch of the 145th Preakness. The image was published by Getty on Oct. 3, 2020.

“I loved the facial expression of [Robby] Albarado as he went nose-to-nose with the filly to defeat the Kentucky Derby winner,” Smith said. “All the excitement we dream of when photographing racing was there.”

Smith also acknowledged co-worker Rob Carr for his support and vision and his late grandfather Paul Szugaj for his love of Thoroughbred racing. “I would be remiss if I didn't say anytime I'm against the rail photographing racing – those two are on my mind.”

Clancy was named recipient of the David F. Woods Memorial Award for his story of the 2020 Preakness entitled 'Force of the Filly,' in the November 2020 edition of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred. Clancy also received the Woods in 2015 and 2017.

“I was kicking around the Pimlico barn area the day before the Preakness, taking notes, talking to people,” Clancy said. “The place felt empty, a little strange due to the Covid restrictions on attendance and media access. It was October, not May. And then I saw Kenny McPeek hosing Swiss Skydiver's legs outside the barn and thought of all the horses I hosed when I worked in my father's barn. I wandered over, said hello, fed the filly a mint or two and Kenny and I talked horses for a while. It was amazing. I remember walking away hoping she would win so I could write about it. She had to come through on the track and did she ever. The battle with Authentic was just what the 2020 Preakness needed and it was an honor to tell her story.”

https://midatlantictb.com/index.php/midatlantic-tb/featured-articles/1085-force-of-the-filly-swiss-skydiver-proves-resolute-in-history-making-score-for-mcpeek

Clancy is the owner, publisher editor and writer for ST Publishing Inc., parent company of thisishorseracing.com internet and editor of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, a monthly magazine published by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association. In 2014 he won an Eclipse Award for excellence in writing. Clancy lives in Fair Hill.

Smith and Clancy will be recognized Friday at Pimlico.

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View From The Eighth Pole: Ownership Of Oaks Contender Crazy Beautiful Has Horse Industry Looking The Other Way

When post positions are drawn Monday for the 147th running of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, one of the leading contenders will be Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Crazy Beautiful, a Liam's Map filly trained by Kenny McPeek, who bought her as agent for $250,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale.

Within weeks of that sale, the man who would become Crazy Beautiful's owner – Amer Abdulaziz of Phoenix Thoroughbred III – would be identified under sworn testimony in federal court as a conspirator to launder some of the estimated $4 billion scammed from people around the globe in a cryptocurrency ponzi scheme known as OneCoin.

Dubai-based Abdulaziz was named by Konstantin Ignatov, whose sister, Ruja Ignatova, is said to be the mastermind behind OneCoin (she has disappeared but the story of her and OneCoin is told in the BBC podcast The Missing CryptoQueen). Konstanin Ignatov pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and money laundering and is now cooperating with the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York that is prosecuting several cases related to OneCoin.

Ignatov said that not only was the Phoenix Thoroughbred founder laundering OneCoin funds, Abdulaziz stole 100 million euros from the operation and spent the money on racehorses, according to investigative journalist Matthew Russell Lee, who reports on courtroom activities at the Southern District of New York.

Ignatov testified in the trial of attorney Mark Scott, who was convicted of money laundering and bank fraud in connection with OneCoin and like Ignatov is awaiting sentencing.

When Scott was arrested and interviewed by the FBI in September 2018, he admitted to closing a OneCoin fund in Ireland and wiring the money to a “financial adviser” in Dubai named “Amar something” who ran the Phoenix Investment Fund.

The government showed that more than 185 million euros were transferred to Phoenix between February and April 2017. In a forfeiture letter to the judge in the Mark Scott trial in which the government is seeking $393 million in funds from Scott, acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss could not have been more clear in her assessment of Abdulaziz.

She wrote: “Scott subsequently transferred approximately 185,000,000 euros from the Bank of Ireland to the accounts of another one of Ruja's money launderers named Aamer Abdulaziz.”

A government exhibit in the Mark Scott trial showed the various wire transfers involving OneCoin funds

Through an agent, Abdulaziz first starting buying high-priced horses in early 2017 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale of 2-year-olds in training. By year's end he had spent more than $20 million and was building a massive worldwide portfolio of bloodstock holdings that included horses for both racing and breeding.

That spending continued into 2018 when Abdulaziz' profile was elevated beyond the insular world of bloodstock sales. Phoenix Thoroughbred struck a deal to have NFL star tight end Rob Gronkowski take part ownership of a namesake colt, Gronkowski, running in that year's Belmont Stakes won by Triple Crown winner Justify.

 

By now, nearly everyone in racing had heard of the big-spending Phoenix operation, which Abdulaziz had hailed as the “world's first regulated Thoroughbred fund” that was designed to show a profitable return to its investors. Except no one seemed to have any idea who the actual investors were or why they would put their trust in someone who was a relative unknown until he started spending tens of millions of dollars to buy horses.

The following March while in Dubai for the World Cup, British television host Nick Luck conducted an interview with Abdulaziz, who directed some comments to skeptics.

“People are always asking, 'Who are these guys? Are they serious? Are they going to be there next year?'” Abdulaziz said. “I can tell you now, on your show, we are here to stay.”

Luck responded: “The other question they always ask is, 'Where's the money coming from?'”

“It's a registered fund,” said Abdulaziz. “Transparency is very important. If anyone has any doubt we are more than happy to have them come and sit with us in our office. … There are third party regulators.”

It has since been reported that Phoenix was not regulated in Luxembourg, as Abdulaziz has said.

“Most of the people we have managed to bring to the fund so far are pension funds, insurance companies or high net worth individuals from Europe, America or Australia,” Abdulaziz told Luck. “We would like to give our investors the opportunity to come to the races, network with a lot of people, open doors for them.”

Yet those investors were never identified or seen at major racing events where Phoenix horses competed. When Crazy Beautiful won the Gulfstream Park Oaks, trainer McPeek confirmed, none of the people in the crowded winner's circle were affiliated with Phoenix Thoroughbred.

None of the people in the crowded winner's circle after Crazy Beautiful's Gulfstream Park Oaks victory was affiliated with Phoenix Thoroughbred, according to trainer Kenny McPeek

Abdulaziz told Luck in 2019 that Phoenix has a half dozen other funds, including a hospitality fund worth “about a billion dollars.” He said that he has another fund “where I have all the basketball players involved with me in the U.S.”

Since the initial revelations about Phoenix and Abdulaziz were first made in United States federal court proceedings, horse racing regulators around the world have begun to restrict the operation's activities. According to published reports, authorities in France, the United Kingdom and even his home country, the United Arab Emirates, have said Phoenix can not race horses there. Most recently, Australian authorities said they will freeze any prize money won by Phoenix out of concerns over where its funds came from. Sources have said several horse sales in Europe will no longer accept Abdulaziz' money.

No U.S. racing regulators or racetracks have yet banned Phoenix and major sales companies Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland have not said Abdulaziz and his money are not welcome.

The standard answer from these organizations is: Amer Abdulaziz has not been indicted or convicted of any crime.

And that is true. It is also true that Abdulaziz has vehemently denied any illegal activity and has threatened to take legal action against anyone who says otherwise.

It is also true that Amer Abdulaziz, who once was so prominent at American racetracks and sales grounds, has not traveled to the United States since these OneCoin money laundering revelations were made in federal court. He knows the fate that very likely awaits him. If federal charges were to be filed against Abdulaziz, there is no extradition treaty between the United Arab Emirates and the United States, so Dubai serves as a safe haven for him.

Class-action suits have been filed against OneCoin and more criminal cases are pending. This case is not going anywhere soon. Will Phoenix Thoroughbred assets get dragged into the case? That's anyone's guess.

American regulators and Thoroughbred industry businesses have been looking the other way ever since the money laundering allegations were first made against Abdulaziz and Phoenix in November 2019. It's not a good look for an industry that routinely seems to value money over ethics.

That's my view from the eighth pole.

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Oaks Contenders Crazy Beautiful, Millefeuille Complete Serious Preparations

Phoenix Thoroughbred's Crazy Beautiful, winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in her most recent start, completed her final major piece of work for Friday's Kentucky Oaks by working a half-mile in :49.20 under Danny Ramsey for trainer Kenny McPeek at Churchill Downs.

Also at Churchill Downs, Juddmonte Farms' Millefeuille worked five furlongs in :59.60 in company to produce the fastest of 29 works at the distance. Ailsa Morrison was aboard the Gulfstream Park Oaks runner-up for trainer Bill Mott.

At Belmont Park, Beach Haven Thoroughbreds' Maracuja, runner-up in the Gazelle (G3) in her most recent start, worked a half-mile in :48.20 for trainer Rob Atras. Maracuja is scheduled to head to Churchill Downs Sunday with a Monday arrival.

AVA'S GRACE – Cypress Creek Equine's Ava's Grace walked the shedrow at trainer Robertino Diodoro's barn a day after working a half-mile in :49.20.

According to Diodoro assistant Sean Williams, Ava's Grace is scheduled to jog two miles Sunday.

CLAIRIERE, PAULINE'S PEARL – Stonestreet Stables' homebreds Clairiere and Pauline's Pearl both galloped Saturday morning and are scheduled to have their final Oaks works Sunday morning. Trainer Steve Asmussen indicated he'll keep and eye on the weather before determining when exactly his star fillies will go out.

“Obviously we're expecting some rain (Saturday) so I don't know if we'll go right away or wait for a break or two,” Asmussen said.

COACH, TRAVEL COLUMN – Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Travel Column and Fantasy (G3) third-place finisher Coach had a scheduled walk day at trainer Brad Cox's Barn 22 following their respective five-furlong breezes in 1:00.40 Friday.

COMPETITIVE SPEED – John Minchello's Competitive Speed walked the shedrow for trainer Javier Gonzalez a day after working five furlongs in 1:02.40.

Gonzalez said Competitive Speed would return to the track Sunday morning.Chris Landeros has picked up the Oaks mount on Competitive Speed and Gonzalez said there was a chance the rider would have a get-acquainted session one morning next week.

CRAZY BEAUTIFUL – Phoenix Thoroughbred LTD's Crazy Beautiful, with exercise rider Danny Ramsey aboard, put in her final four-furlong work during the 15-minute period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks hopefuls.

Crazy Beautiful was clocked at :49.20, with splits of :12 and :23.60, then finishing up at 1:02.60 for five furlongs.

Trainer Kenny McPeek was beaming after stablemates Crazy Beautiful and King Fury put in pleasing simultaneous workout efforts.

“She had a breeze last week in :59, which was a bullet work,” McPeek said. “So today I just went a half with her, something simple, again just a basic maintenance work. She's eating good, and like King Fury, she's doing super good, fingers crossed.”

The filly is third on the Oaks leaderboard, after winning the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in her most recent outing.

“We had an issue with her last year, what we call scalping,” McPeek said. “Her front toes were cutting her in her back ankles. It is kind of a blacksmith issue, of leveling the feet. This year, it hasn't been an issue; we had to actually give her a little bit of a break, some turnout time, and she stopped doing it completely.”

MALATHAAT – Shadwell Stable's undefeated Malathaat merely had a “walk the shedrow” morning Saturday at Churchill Downs after accomplishing her final prep for Friday's Kentucky Oaks the day before.

The bay daughter of Curlin, four-for-four and a three-time stakes winner, came out of her half-mile drill in :48.40 under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez in good order, according to conditioner Todd Pletcher.

“She went well,” Pletcher said of the Friday prep. “Depending on the weather, we'll get her back on the track one way or another (Sunday).”

Malathaat is likely to be the favorite for the $1.25 million Run for the Lillies and will have Velazquez aboard for her nine-furlong journey.

MARACUJA – Beach Haven Thoroughbreds' Maracuja put in her final Oaks work Saturday morning at Belmont Park, going four furlongs in 48.20 in company for trainer Rob Atras. The daughter of Honor Code stepped up off an maiden sprint win at Aqueduct in February to be a strong second there in the April 3 Gazelle (G3) behind Oaks heavy hitter Search Results. Maracuja worked with 3-year-old New York-bred Horn of Plenty in what was her second move since the Gazelle, which was run over the Oaks' 1 1/8 miles.

The work was the 11th fastest of 105 at the distance.

“I was very happy with it,” Atras said. “I wasn't worried about the time but the track must have been playing fast because the work didn't look that quick to me. She did it easily down the lane and had a nice even gallop out.”

Maracuja had hit the board in her first two starts and broke her maiden at odds-on but was a relative unknown at 18-1 in the six-horse Gazelle. She settled in fifth off a glacial half-mile in :50.09 but ran on gamely through the lane and was beaten just 2 ¾ lengths by Search Results, while 3 ¾ lengths clear of third. The significance of Maracuja's result, and subsequent 40 Oaks qualifying points she earned in the process, didn't register right away to Atras, though he's fully grasped it now.

“It's exciting,” Atras said. “Even up to a month ago, I never expected to be in the race (Oaks). Even after the race (Gazelle), it wasn't on my mind until it sank in that we had the opportunity to go.”

Atras indicated that Maracuja will ship from Belmont Sunday afternoon and figures to arrive at Churchill Downs early Monday morning. She'll be accompanied by his wife, Brittney, along with a groom. Atras will likely arrive in Louisville Thursday. Initial plans are for Maracuja to settle in Monday and get a feel for the track Tuesday morning.

MILLEFEUILLE – Juddmonte Farms' Millefeuille worked five furlongs in :59.60 with Ailsa Morrison aboard as she completed her major preparations for next Friday's Kentucky Oaks. The move was the best of 29 at the distance Saturday morning.

Working on the inside of Obligatory, who was fourth in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), Millefeuille produced splits of :12.60, :23.80, :35.80 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 and seven-eighths in 1:27.

“It looked good to me,” trainer Bill Mott said of the work that began after Millefeuille had galloped once around.

MORAZ – The California-based filly was said to have come out of her Friday drill (half mile in :48.20) at Santa Anita in good fettle Saturday morning according to assistant trainer Justin Curran, speaking at Churchill Barn 37 where the daughter of Empire Maker will be shipped to Sunday.

“They tell me she worked very well and is doing fine today,” Curran said. “Mike (trainer Michael McCarthy) has gone from Santa Anita up to Golden Gate (in the Bay Area) to run six horses on their big card this afternoon. He'll come to Louisville from there tomorrow and be training here Monday morning.”

PASS THE CHAMPAGNE – R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing, Blue Ridge Stables and James Brown's Pass the Champagne galloped Saturday morning at Palm Beach Downs.

Trainer George Weaver said the Ashland (G1) runner-up would have a similar exercise in the morning before beginning the trip to Churchill Downs that has an early Monday arrival time.

SEARCH RESULTS – Klaravich Stables' Search Results came out of her final Oaks work Friday in good order, according to trainer Chad Brown. The undefeated daughter of Flatter walked the shedrow Saturday morning and will return to the track Sunday and gallop, likely during the 7:30-7:45 Derby and Oaks training window.

WILL'S SECRET – Willis Horton's Honeybee (G3) winner Will's Secret walked trainer Dallas Stewart's Barn 34 at Churchill Downs following her half-mile breeze in :48.20 Friday morning.

“We're ready to roll,” Stewart said.

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY OAKS – Likely starters in the 147th running of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on Friday, April 30 in order of preference (with possible jockey and trainer): Search Results (Irad Ortiz Jr., Chad Brown); Travel Column (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Crazy Beautiful (Jose Ortiz, Kenny McPeek); Pauline's Pearl (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen); Malathaat (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher); Clairiere (Tyler Gaffalione, Steve Asmussen); Will's Secret (Jon Court, Dallas Stewart); Millefeuille (Joel Rosario, Bill Mott); Moraz (Umberto Rispoli, Michael McCarthy); Ava's Grace (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Pass the Champagne (Javier Castellano, George Weaver); Maracuja (Kendrick Carmouche, Rob Atras); Competitive Speed (Chris Landeros, Javier Gonzalez); Coach (Luis Saez, Brad Cox).

Next up in order of preference: Spritz (TBA, Rodolphe Brisset).

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‘We’re Coming With A Beast’: McPeek Says Swiss Skydiver Ready To Take On Monomoy Girl In Apple Blossom

Shortly after weights were released early Saturday afternoon, trainer Kenny McPeek said champion Swiss Skydiver “absolutely” would return to Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark., for a showdown with champion Monomoy Girl in the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles April 17.

“We're coming with a beast,” McPeek said.

Post positions for the Apple Blossom and the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G1) for older horses April 17 will be drawn Tuesday. Monomoy Girl was assigned top weight of 124 pounds for the Apple Blossom, 2 pounds more than Swiss Skydiver.

In her first start against older horses, notably Monomoy Girl, Swiss Skydiver finished seventh in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 7 at Keeneland after stumbling at the start of the 1 1/8-mile race. The Distaff was a weight-for-age race, with Monomoy Girl carrying equal top weight of 124 pounds. Swiss Skydiver carried 121.

“Fair enough,” McPeek said, referring to the Apple Blossom weights. “After this race, we'll have to give her weight then.”

Swiss Skydiver earned an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly of 2020 following a coast-to-coast campaign that saw the daughter of Daredevil capture 5 of 10 starts, including the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn, $200,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G2) at Santa Anita, $200,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) at Gulfstream Park and the $500,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. Swiss Skydiver also toppled males, including future Horse of the Year Authentic, in the Preakness – the third leg of the revamped 2020 Triple Crown – Oct. 3 at Pimlico under two-time Oaklawn riding champion Robby Albarado.

Swiss Skydiver launched her 2021 campaign with a sharp 2 ¾-length victory under Albarado in the $300,000 Beholder Mile (G1) March 13 at Santa Anita.

McPeek said Swiss Skydiver will be vanned from Churchill Downs, where she worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 Saturday morning over a fast track, “probably” arriving Tuesday night “as long as the weather's clear when she can travel.”

“Robby Albarado's coming down to get on her every day,” McPeek said. “My regular team will be with her.”

Two-time Eclipse Award winner Monomoy Girl completed major preparations for the Apple Blossom with a half-mile work in company just after the track opened Sunday morning at Oaklawn for trainer Brad Cox.

Monomoy Girl had been scheduled to breeze Saturday morning, but the work was postponed because of an off track. Working over a fast track under regular rider Florent Geroux, Monomoy Girl went in :47.60 and galloped out five furlongs in :59.60 and six furlongs in 1:12.80, according to clockers. Monomoy Girl (on the outside) worked with stablemate Owendale, a millionaire graded stakes-winning male who is scheduled to run in the Oaklawn Handicap. Monomoy Girl started about a length behind Owendale and finished about a length ahead.

“Just great, as usual,” Geroux said. “Just maintenance – nice and easy – and finished up very strong. Seemed like the track was a little quick this morning. She handled it perfectly. Very pleased with her and just can't wait for next Saturday.”

Monomoy Girl will be making her first start since winning the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) Feb. 28 at Oaklawn in her 2021 debut. She was the county's champion 3-year-old filly of 2018 and champion older dirt female last year. Overall, Monomoy Girl has won 14 of 16 lifetime starts.

Multiple graded stakes winner Letruska, also ticketed for the Apple Blossom, worked just before the first surface renovation break Sunday morning at Oaklawn for trainer Fausto Gutierrez.

The speed Letruska recorded a half-mile bullet (:47.20) and galloped five furlongs in :59.40, according to clockers, with a last quarter-mile in :23.

“I was looking for an easy work,” Gutierrez said. “When I checked the time, I think she went fast. She's got a lot of speed. I think it's OK and she's in good form.”

Gutierrez said three-time reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. would have the mount in the Apple Blossom. Letruska (118 pounds) was the only other probable listed by the Oaklawn racing department Sunday morning. Letruska (12 for 17 overall) finished second, beaten a head by Shedaresthedevil, in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 13 at Oaklawn. Shedaresthedevil captured Oaklawn's $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) and the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) last year for Cox and co-owner Staton Flurry of Hot Springs. Swiss Skydiver was second in the Kentucky Oaks, the nation's biggest race for 3-year-old fillies.

The Oaklawn racing department listed nine probables Sunday morning for the Oaklawn Handicap – Express Train (122 pounds), Fearless (119), Owendale (119), Enforceable (118), Silver State (118), Warrior's Charge (118), Rated R Superstar (116), Silver Prospector (116) and Guest Suite (115).

Express Train finished second, beaten a half-length, in the $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) March 6 at Santa Anita for trainer John Shirreffs, who won the Apple Blossom twice (2008 and 2010) with future Hall of Famer Zenyatta.

Silver State has won four consecutive starts for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, including Oaklawn's $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes Jan. 23 and $500,000 Essex Handicap March 13.

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