To win, she'll have to get by likely frontrunner Leggs Galore (Bayern), sent out by Phil D'Amato, who is coming off a big effort, winning last out down the hill in the Jan. 15 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint S. She carries four fewer pounds than Going to Vegas and will almost certainly set the pace.

Coming after them both will be George Krikorian's homebred Mucho Unusual (Mucho Macho Man), who, after a strong 2021 season, looks to improve on her second-place finish in last year's Buena Vista S. where she finished in front of Going to Vegas. She and Going to Vegas will both need to overcome outside post positions (Going to Vegas in the 10, Mucho Unusual in the 11), but have the class to do so.

The post Going to Vegas Ready to Roll in the Buena Vista appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Idle since running fourth in the one mile turf Solana Beach Stakes versus statebreds at Del Mar Aug. 15, Leggs Galore was plenty ready today, rattling off splits of 22.27, 44.66 and 1:06.86 while never challenged at any point.

“She saddled great, she was fresh and happy,” said D'Amato. “She just needed a little rest and recuperation after a long year last year. She has come back great. I think she is a double threat, I think she can (get a) mile just as easily as she can sprint on the grass. We will check our options, but down the road we want to see if we can get a graded stake win and make her a broodmare at the end of the year.”

The defending champ in the race and a three-time turf stakes winner coming into Saturday, Leggs Galore was off as the 5-2 second choice in a field of 12 older fillies and mares bred or sired in California and she paid $7.20, $5.20 and $4.60.

Out of the Indian Charlie mare Cashing Tickets, Leggs Galore notched her fourth stakes win and seventh overall win from 12 career starts. With the winner's share of $90,000, she increased her earnings to $440,208.

“I was a little worried about crossing the dirt (at the top of the lane) because she has a tendency of jumping in the other chute (off of Santa Anita's Club House turn), but she took it like the champ she is. She just skipped right over it and kicked for home really good.”

D'Amato ran one-two, as his Alice Marble, who was close to the pace throughout, was easily second finishing 2 ½ lengths in front of Eddie's New Dream. Off at 9-1 with Flavien Prat, Alice Marble paid $9.40 and $6.60.

Eddie's New Dream, who was also attentive to the pace, finished a head better than favored Warren's Showtime and paid $6.60 to show with Mario Gutierrez up.

Warren's Showtime, whose customary late bid fell short today, was off at 5-2 with Juan Hernandez and was beaten by less than four lengths.

Carded as race eight, the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint Presented by John Deere was the third of five stakes for California-bred or sired horses on a 10-race Cal Cup program.

The post Leggs Galore Goes All The Way In Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf SPrint appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

On Tuesday, some initial progeny of prized stallion Bolt d'Oro, whom Mick trained to win the 2017 Del Mar Futurity, battle eventual Triple Crown champion Justify in the 2018 Santa Anita Derby and go on to run in the Kentucky Derby, had an impact on the prestigious Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale.

From Joe Nevills in The Paulick Report:

“The Grade I-winning son of Medaglia d'Oro was responsible for the sale's most expensive yearling by a first-crop sire, when a half-brother to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra sold to Larry Best's OXO Equine for $1.4 million …

“Bolt d'Oro yearlings were received incredibly well in Saratoga. Ten of the 12 that went through the ring sold for an average of $407,000 and he had three yearlings sell for $500,000 or more.”

Here at Del Mar on Friday, Shelbe, who became the first (and still only) female trainer to win the Grade 1 Debutante (Union Strike, 2016), saddled Ruis Racing's Cool Your Jets ($8.40) to win the fifth race. It was the first win in 16 lifetime starts for Cool Your Jets and the second win for Shelbe Ruis from six starters at the meeting.

It will be something of an upset for Sedamar, a 5-year-old Ruis-homebred daughter of Richard's Kid, to win the Solana Beach, a mile turf test for California-bred older fillies and mares. Among her chief rivals are Warren's Showtime (6-5 morning line), a multiple graded-stakes winner, and Leggs Galore (5-2), who finished ahead of Warren's Showtime twice in three matchups this year.

But Ruis has reason to believe it could happen.

“I think she has a chance to win if she gets the right trip,” Ruis said earlier this week. “I think she could have won her last race (4th in the Osunitas Stakes) against open company.”

The field for the Solana Beach from the rail out with jockeys and morning line odds in parenthesis: Pulpit Rider (Flavien Prat, 5-1); Leggs Galore (Ricky Gonzalez); Nardini (Kyle Frey, 12-1); Sedamar (Drayden Van Dyke, 4-1); Warm Summer (Abel Cedillo, 15-1); Cassie Belle (Tyler Baze, 15-1), and Warren's Showtime (Juan Hernandez).

The post Sedamar Could Cap Big Week For Ruis With Win In Solana Beach At Del Mar appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

As expected, Leggs Galore was hustled away from the gate by Ricky Gonzalez and she held a 1 ¾-length advantage over Chilean-bred Brooke as the field straightened up for their run up the backside with long-striding Warren's Showtime ambling along while next to last.

Although Leggs Galore spurted clear, commanding a two-length edge on Brooke at the quarter pole, Warren's Showtime was in high gear under Hernandez, who wheeled four-wide at the top of the lane.  From there, there was no stopping the 4-year-old daughter of Clubhouse Ride, as she broke a six-race losing streak while notching her second career graded stakes victory.

Most recently a close second to Leggs Galore in the statebred Fran's Valentine Stakes at one mile on turf May 9, Warren's Showtime was off as the 2-1 favorite in a field of eight fillies and mares three and up and paid $6.00, $3.00 and $2.20.

“She's a racehorse, she lays it down every time, she gives everything she can give and that's all you could ask,” said Lewis, who also trained both the sire and dam of the winner.  “Juan is a really good rider and he's a got a good agent, so it works well together.  I had a little anxiety, but I felt like today was going to be her day.  It looked like there would be a realistic pace. …She looks like a million dollars and by the way, she's close to getting to that point.  We're hoping she does, but she's just a wonderful filly and gives you what she can.

“Today was her day.  I told Juan to be as patient as he could because we knew they were going to go fast today. …I am very excited about the future for Clubhouse Ride.  He's a beast.”

By millionaire Clubhouse Ride, out of Warren's Grade I stakes winning Affirmative mare Warren's Veneda, Warren's Showtime notched her sixth stakes win and improved her overall mark 20-7-2-9.  With the winner's share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $697,431.

“We've been knocking on the door the last few times, we were third, second, just missing the winner, but today I think the pace was the key,” said Hernandez, who registered his second stake win and third overall victory on the day.  “That was a good pace for us because she was flying at the end…Today, I kind of moved a little earlier, so when I passed the other filly, I said, 'I got it.'”

Gallant in defeat, Leggs Galore finished a neck in front of Brooke and paid $3.40 and $2.20  while off at 7-2.

Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Brooke, who pressed the pace throughout, was third-best and paid $4.00 to show while finishing 1 ¼ lengths better than Ippodamia's Girl.

Fractions on the Wilshire were 22.45, 45.97, 1:10.04 and 1:22.19.

Live racing will resume at Santa Anita with opening day of the track's Autumn Meet on Oct. 1.

The post Warren’s Showtime Reels In Leggs Galore As Cal-Breds Run 1-2 In Wilshire appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Should the four-year-old gray daughter of 2014 Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Bayern win, it would give her four stakes victories at the meet, her only loss coming in the Mizdirection Stakes, when she experienced a troubled trip.

“She's training well, so hopefully it's all systems go for Sunday,” said D'Amato, who holds a 48-43 lead over runner-up Peter Miller in the trainers' standings, exceeding his expectations.

“I thought my stock would take a little longer to blossom,” he said, “but we struck early on and kept it rolling.

“It's basically a credit to my owners and my team. We hope to keep things going like they're going.”

Owned and bred by William Sims, Leggs Galore on May 9 won the Fran's Valentine stretching out to a mile for the first time, leading throughout against California-breds.

She has won six of her last seven starts, including a string of five straight prior to her Mizdirection mishap.

Despite being five wins behind, with eight horses entered the final two days of the meet to D'Amato's 13, Miller still holds a mathematical chance of capturing the title.

Miller has three horses entered today: 2-1 morning line favorite Texas Wedge and 5-1 chance Commander in the third race and 9-5 favorite None Above the Law in the ninth.

Sunday, Miller has five entered: 8-5 Paid Informant in the second, 4-5 Neptune's Storm in the seventh, 5-2 Laurel Canyon in the eighth, 12-1 Querelle in the ninth, and 3-1 Gypsy Blu in the 11th and final race.

D'Amato has eight entered today: Lips Like Sugar, 30-1 in the first; Tilted Towers, 8-1 in the third; Hollywoodhellraiser, 15-1 in the fifth; Ready Soul, 6-1 in the seventh; Palace Coup, 5-1 in the eighth; Cargo, 8-1 in the ninth; and Red King, 5-2, and Acclimate, 9-5, in the 11th.

D'Amato has five entered Sunday: Burgo Alley, 5-2 in the first; On Mars, 2-1 and Beguiled, 5-1, in the second; Leggs Galore, 3-1, in the sixth; and Big Clare, 5-1, in the 11th.

Stay tuned.

The Wilshire, race nine of 11 with a 1 p.m. first post time: Quiet Secretary, Jessica Pyfer, 8-1; Brooke, Umberto Rispoli, 5-1; Gidgetta, Mario Gutierrez,6-1; Querelle, Trevor McCarthy, 12-1; Warren's Showtime, Juan Hernandez, 5-2; Leggs Galore, Ricardo Gonzalez, 3-1; Stela Star, Flavien Prat, 4-1; and Ippodemia's Girl, Joe Bravo, 12-1.

The post D’Amato Leads Trainer Standings Going Into Santa Anita’s Final Weekend appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Among the speed contingent, Phil D'Amato's Leggs Galore will try to once again pose an elusive target on the lead, while John Sadler's comebacking Stella's Star is a dedicated deep closer who will get the services of leading rider Flavien Prat.

Owned and bred in California by Ben and Sally Warren, Warren's Showtime is winless in five starts at the current meet, dating back to a close third going a mile on turf in the opening day Lady of Shamrock on Dec. 26. Favored in three out of her five outs, Warren's Showtime ran one of her best races in finishing second, beaten three quarters of a length by Leggs Galore as the 3-5 favorite in the one mile turf Fran's Valentine Stakes on May 9.

With an abundance of speed signed up for the Wilshire, Warren's Showtime could get the assist she needs to turn the tables on Leggs Galore and notch her second graded stakes win. By Clubhouse Ride out of the Grade 1 stakes winning Affirmative mare Warren's Veneda, Warren's Showtime has been a gem of consistency, posting an overall mark of 19-6-2-9, with earnings of $637,431.

A winner of five consecutive turf sprints prior to tasting defeat at 6-5 in the one mile turf Mizdirection Stakes two starts back on April 17, Leggs Galore bounced back with a tremendous effort in the Fran's Valentine as she held a two length advantage virtually throughout en route to posting a career-best 96 Beyer Speed figure as she held Warren's Showtime safe by three quarters of a length.

A 4-year-old California-bred filly by Bayern that is owned by her breeder William Sims, Leggs Galore will no doubt be intent upon replicating her Fran's Valentine score under regular rider Ricky Gonzalez. A three-time stakes winner, Leggs Galore, who is out of the Indian Charlie mare Cashing Tickets, has six wins from nine starts and will be facing graded stakes competition for the first time.

Idle since May of 2020, Irish-bred Stela Star closed much ground to be second, beaten a half length by Warren's Showtime in her U.S. debut, the one mile turf China Doll Stakes, two starts back on March 7, 2020. Subsequently off as the 9-5 favorite in the Grade 3 Honeymoon Stakes May 30, 2019, Stela Star was 14 lengths off the lead after the first half mile and flew to be second, beaten a neck by multiple stakes winner Laura's Light.

Owned by Hronis Racing, Inc., Stela Star, a 4-year-old filly, was a Group 3 winner in Ireland and no doubt has a huge future in front of her. With Prat engaged, she may be able to overcome the layoff and improve upon her overall mark of 6-2-2-0.

THE GRADE 3 WILSHIRE STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 9 of 11 Approximate post time 5 p.m. PT

1. Quiet Secretary—Jessica Pyfer—122
2. Brooke—Umberto Rispoli—122
3. Gidgetta—Mario Gutierrez—122
4. Querelle—Trevor McCarthy—122
5. Warren's Showtime—Juan Hernandez—124
6. Leggs Galore—Ricardo Gonzalez—124
7. Stela Star—Flavien Prat—122
8. Ippodamia's Girl—Joe Bravo—122

The post Warren’s Showtime Rates Big Chance In Sunday’s Wilshire appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

With a pair of scratches earlier in the day, the Fran's Valentine was reduced to a field of four older California-bred fillies and mares. To the surprise of no one, Leggs Galore bounced out of the gate from her rail post and turned the race into a virtual parade to the far turn, with Kristi's Tiger a length and a half off the lead three furlongs out and Warren's Showtime another half length back.

With the chestnut Warren's Showtime in high gear mid-way around the turn, she had the leader well within her sights while two lengths back turning for home, but Leggs Galore never backed up and in fact maintained her advantage on the gallop out around the Club House turn.

“The main thing with her is trying to get her to relax, get a breather down the backside,” said Gonzalez, who has now ridden the 4-year-old daughter of Bayern in her last six starts, winning five of them.  “I knew that if she got it, that little breather, that she would be just fine because her speed is her main weapon and she proved that today.”

A well beaten sixth as the 6-5 favorite in the six furlong turf Mizdirection Stakes versus open company here on April 17, Leggs Galore was the second choice today at 2-1 and she paid $6.00 and $2.60 with no show wagering.

“It opens the big door, to where we have two options and just kind of pick the right spot that suits her best,” D'Amato said, when asked by TVG's Britney Eurton about winning around two turns.  “There's a nice little Grade 3 at the end of the meet and I might try her in there,” said D'Amato.  “I think it's the Wilshire ($100,000, at one mile on turf June 20).  When I saw 23, I was thinking 22 and change, 23 if we are lucky, and when I saw that, I thought we had no excuses and we'll see what she's made of.  Ricky did a beautiful job.”

Out of Sims' Indian Charlie mare Cashing Tickets, Leggs Galore now has three stakes wins and six victories from nine overall starts.  With today's winner's share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $322,708.

Ridden by Juan Hernandez, consistent Warren's Showtime was perhaps done in by the short field as much as anything else, as she attended the pace, but was unable to threaten the winner despite mounting a solid stretch rally.

Off at 3-5, Warren's Showtime paid $2.10 to place while finishing 3 ½ lengths clear of Pulpit Rider.

Fractions on the race were 23.00, 46.77, 1:10.96 and 1:22.93.

The Fran's Valentine, named for the multiple Grade 1 stakes winning Earl Scheib homebred daughter of Saros, is part of the lucrative Golden State Series.  Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for eligible California-bred or sired horses.

Live racing resumes on Friday, with first post time for an eight-race card at 1 p.m.  Fans are advised that admission gates will open at 7 a.m. for Preakness Day simulcasting on Saturday, with Infield Admission gates opening at 9 a.m.

The post Leggs Galore Outfoots Fran’s Valentine Rivals At Santa Anita appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Breaking like a rocket from her outside post position, Leggs Galore opened up a four- length cushion after the first quarter mile and it was readily apparent no one was capable of pressuring her, thus assuring the brilliantly fast grey her second consecutive stakes win over the course in what may've been her best effort to date.

“This race, she really started to remind me of Enola Gray (a California-bred gray that was a multiple stakes winner on turf and a winner of the 2017 Irish O'Brien) the way she won today,” said D'Amato, who notched his meet-leading 10th stakes victory.  “I gave Ricky the option.  I just told him to play the break, if they wanted to come get her she could rate, she's done it before, but I mean she broke like a rocket and there was no looking back.”

A handy winner of the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint on Jan. 16, Leggs Galore was off as the 6-5 favorite in a field of seven older fillies and mares bred or sired in California and she paid $4.60, $2.60 and $2.20.

“She's just so special, she's so fast and talented,” said Gonzalez, who has now ridden her to four consecutive wins.  “Phil said she's rated before, so I had options but the way she broke there was only one way, just keep going.  She was so relaxed, she was looking around, her ears were pricked, just having fun out there.  I was just a happy passenger.”

Out of the Indian Charlie mare Cashing Tickets, Leggs Galore is now unbeaten in five turf starts from seven overall races.  With today's winner's share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $262,208.

In what amounted to a separate race, Bella Vita, who was third around the turn, drove up the rail in a solid effort for second money, finishing 2 ¼ lengths in front of Sadie Bluegrass.  The second choice at 8-5 with Flavien Prat, Bella Vita paid $2.60 and $2.20.

A non-threatening second into and around the turn, Sadie Bluegrass held third by a head over Nardini.  Based at Golden Gate Fields, Sadie Bluegrass was ridden by Brayan Pena and paid $3.40 to show while off at 5-1.

The Irish O'Brien gave Gonzalez a riding double and D'Amato picked up his 21st overall win, putting him third in the standings, one behind Bob Baffert and Peter Miller.

Fractions on the race were 21.94, 44.37 and 56.08.

The Irish O'Brien is part of the lucrative Golden State Series.  Sponsored by the CTBA, the Golden State Series is for eligible California-bred or sired horses.

The post Shades Of Enola Gray: Leggs Galore Speeds To Irish O’Brien Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Presented by John Deere, the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint is part of the CTBA's lucrative Golden State Series for eligible older fillies and mares bred or sired in California.

Breaking from post position two in a field of nine, Leggs Galore went right to the lead, enjoyed a one length advantage three furlongs from home and easily repelled a challenge mid-way around the turn from Mo See Cal to register her first stakes victory.

“I knew it was going to be hard for them to beat her,” said Gonzalez.  “She was doing it so easily, and running so relaxed.  She had a lot left in the tank…The trip went exactly how it was planned, and it couldn't have gone any better.  She loved it.”

A 4-year-old daughter of Bayern, out of the Indian Charlie mare Cashing Tickets, Leggs Galore had been idle since taking a first condition allowance in open company going 5 ½ furlongs on turf here Oct. 10.  Ridden for the third consecutive time by Gonzalez, Leggs Galore was off as the second choice at 5-2 and paid $7.60, $4.60 and $2.80.

“She runs very well fresh and she'd been training as good as she can possibly train, so I was expecting a big performance, but that was pretty impressive today,” said D'Amato.  “I think being able to steadily develop her and the turf has moved her up here…Jack Sims has been really good with that and I think that helped with the success today.”

Winless in two tries versus open maiden allowance company at Oaklawn Park in March and April, Leggs Galore is now unbeaten in four Southern California starts and is thus four for six.  With today's winning purse of $90,000, she increased her earnings to $202,208.

Far back early, the second and third place finishers closed well but never threatened the winner.

Off at 7-1 with Joel Rosario, Nardini paid $6.00 and $3.60 while finishing a half length in front of Warren's Showtime.

The 6-5 favorite with Juan Hernandez, Warren's Showtime found her best stride late to be third by a head over She's Devoted and returned $2.20 to show.

Fractions on the race were 22.84, 45.09 and 56.84.

The post Leggs Galore Rolls To Fourth In A Row In Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post