Across a triad of tracks, including Aqueduct, Woodbine and Churchill Downs, we find both Grade II and Grade III races over the turf and the Tapeta which should come as a welcome dose.

First on Saturday, the Big A cards the GIII Pebbles S., which is a one mile battle on the Inner Turf. If Chad Brown trainee Rhiannon (Medaglia d'Oro) can build on her first grass attempt at second asking, which was an impressive seven-length score Sept. 16, then she's the pick.

Before we send the bay filly straight to the winner's circle, don't count out her stablemate, Startup Mentality (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who debuted a winner at Monmouth Park July 22. Nor should we negate the talent of GI Coaching Club Oaks runner-up Sacred Wish (Not This Time). The George Weaver trainee finished just off the board in the GIII Valley View S. at Keeneland Oct. 27.

Towards the end of the Aqueduct card the renewal of the GII Red Smith S. includes a number of experienced older turf experts who will take on the 3-year-old upstart and younger brother to MGISW Nest (Curlin) in Lost Ark (Violence). Last seen winning the off the turf GI Jockey Club Invitational Oct. 7 during the Belmont at the Big A meet, the Todd Pletcher trainee is going to have his work cut out for him against the likes of MGISP Soldier Rising (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and GSW Verstappen (War Front).

The Sunday action concludes in Ozone Park with the GIII Long Island S., which will be headlined by GSW Vergara (Noble Mission {GB}).

Heading to Canada, Woodbine Racetrack puts on a pair of Saturday graded stakes races in the GIII Maple Leaf and the GII Bessarabian. Both have large fields, but the latter might be the most intriguing with several alums present from the GIII Ontario Fashion S. Oct. 14. Out of the bunch, look for GSW Loyalty (Hard Spun) to get back to her winning ways for Gainesway Stable and LNJ Foxwoods.

Trucking down to Churchill Downs that same afternoon, the GIII River City S. is a nine-furlong route over the Matt Winn Turf Course. You'll recognize stalwarts GISW Rockemperor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and GSW Cellist (big Blue Kitten), plus older colts like GSW Kitodan (Point of Entry), GSP Smokin' T (War Front) and GSW Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro). A mark of consistency, SP Siege of Boston (War Front) takes his first shot at graded company for owner Joseph Allen and trainer James Toner.

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'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega [Ire}) continued his dominance over the New York turf and picked up his second straight graded stakes win Friday at the Spa, taking the GIII Saranac S. under Tyler Gaffalione for e Five Racing. Victorious just three weeks back with a come-from-behind effort in the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. Aug. 11, the Chad Brown trainee was bet like the class of the field, going off at 1-5 while facing just four rivals.

Much closer to the front in his third try over the 1 1/16-mile distance, Carl Spackler stayed right up outside of Taking Candy (Twirling Candy) to pace the group through a moderate opening quarter in :23.58. The favorite allowed his rival to go on with it up the backstretch but was never out of range as the top pair opened up a clear advantage over the remaining three entries. Restrained while racing several paths off the rail, he stayed patient under Gaffalione as the field began to group up into the far turn. Head to head with Taking Candy past the quarter pole, Carl Spackler always seemed to have the measure of his rival and, once set down for the run into the final eighth, cruised right on past and opened up. Gafflione took one look behind and rode hands and heels to the wire for the easiest of wins. Taking Candy held on for second ahead of Lost Ark (Violence), the half-brother to champion 3-year-old filly Nest (Curlin).

“Once we had a target, I felt pretty good,” said winning trainer Chad Brown. “I thought we would be on the lead actually, but Tyler [Gaffalione] knows this horse so well and, with all his horses, he comes well prepared. These short fields with a short price can be tricky sometimes, and I just said, 'Look, ride it loose and if you go to the lead, which I expect, fine. If someone really wants to go, it's even better,' because with a target, it worked out perfect.”

“He was traveling well within himself,” added Gaffalione. “I just wanted to try and get him to shut off. We have bigger things down the road, so didn't want to do too much today.”

Pedigree Note:

Carl Spackler is one of 116 stakes winner and 65 group/graded winners worldwide for his prolific sire. His dam Zindaya, herself a graded-stakes winner for Chad Brown in America, has produced several well-received offspring in Europe including a pair of Tattersalls October Yearling Book 1 entries in Tribal Warrior (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who brought 280,000gns and her 2021 Frankel filly for 450,000gns, both by the Godolphin operation. Zindaya is a half-sister to GISW Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley). She reported a full-sister to Carl Spackler last year who is set to sell with Ballylinch Stud as lot 213 during Book 1 of this year's October sale, was not bred for 2023, and visited Uncle Mo for 2024.

The pretty face #2 Carl Spackler takes the G3 Saranac S. at Saratoga!

The 3-year-old colt is trained by Chad Brown, owned by @e5Racing and ridden by @Tyler_Gaff!

#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/OM94chhWej

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) September 1, 2023

Friday, Saratoga
SARANAC S.-GIII, $169,750, Saratoga, 9-1, 3yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:42.23, gd.
1–CARL SPACKLER (IRE), 124, c, 3, by Lope de Vega (Ire)
                1st Dam: Zindaya (GSW, $567,240),
                                  by More Than Ready
                2nd Dam: Aristocratic Lady, by Kris S.
                3rd Dam: American Dynasty, by Quiet American
'TDN Rising Star.' (350,000gns RNA Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-e Five
Racing Thoroughbreds; B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (IRE);
T-Chad C. Brown; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $96,250. Lifetime Record:
5-3-1-0, $432,250. Werk Nick Rating: C+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Taking Candy, 118, c, 3, Twirling Candy–Taking Aim, by
Trappe Shot. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($155,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL; $400,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-Lael
Stables; B-KatieRich Farms (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. $35,000.
3–Lost Ark, 118, c, 3, Violence–Marion Ravenwood, by A.P.
Indy. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($275,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP).
O-Harrell Ventures, LLC; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables
(KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $21,000.
Margins: 3HF, 3/4, HF. Odds: 0.25, 6.70, 6.60.
Also Ran: Mendelssohns March, Yacowlef (Ire). Scratched: Activist Investing (GB), Freedom Trail, Gilmore.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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“Sometimes when you come up to a big event like the Breeders' Cup, you can get a little nervous and try to overdo things,” said trainer Wesley Ward. “But we are just sticking with the plan.”

Also working Friday for Ward was Stonestreet Stables's 'TDN Rising Star' Love Reigns (U S Navy Flag), who breezed five furlongs in 1:08 in anticipation of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Joining that pair on the work tab Friday morning was the D.J. Stable's owned and Marke Casse-trained duo of GI Darley Alcibiades S. winner Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf pre-entrant Webslinger (Constitution). Each worked a half-mile, with Wonder Wheel going in :48.40 on the dirt and Webslinger covering the same distance on the grass in :50.40.

Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence) and Lost Ark (Violence), both pre-entered in the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile S., to work in company–the pair went a half-mile in :48.80. Shortly after, Pletcher's two GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies entries, Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke) and Atomically (Girvin), also went a half together in :49.80.

Manny Wah (Will Take Charge), trainer Wayne Catalano's GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint pre-entry, covered the same half-mile distance in :47.40.

Last seen taking down the GIII Iroquois S. at Churchill Downs Sept. 17, Curly Jack (Good Magic) had his first timed workout over the Keeneland track Friday, going a half-mile in :49.80.

“This is his last work going into the race,” said trainer Tom Amoss. “I know the big question on everyone's mind is the time between races and how he will respond to that. I am very comfortable with that. Today's work was designed to be an easy half-mile with a good gallop out. We got just that.”

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Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Forte (Violence) and Harrell Ventures' Lost Ark (Violence), the respective winner and sixth-place finisher in the Oct. 8 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, breezed a half-mile together in :49.20 immediately after the track's second renovation break at 9 a.m. Both are candidates for the $2-million GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Keeneland clockers caught the two in fractions of :13.40, :25, and out in 1:02, 1:15.80 and 1:30.20. (Click here for a video of the work).

“That was a pretty standard breeze from them,” Pletcher said. “They're both solid work horses and are always willing. We were just hoping to see more of what they normally do.”

Pletcher was happy with the colts' performances in the Breeders' Futurity.

“We felt like [Forte] handled the added distance [of 1 1/16 miles] and the two turns; he certainly looked like he relished it,” Pletcher said. “Lost Ark had a rough trip into the first turn and that kind of took him completely out of position. He finished up with some interest, so that was encouraging.”

Also working Thursday, GI Frizette S. winner Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke) worked in company with Florida Sire My Dear Girl S. winner Atomically (Girvin) following the first renovation at 7:30 a.m. Pointing towards the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the pair clocked the half-mile in :49 flat (11/26).

Fractions for the work, according to Keeneland clockers, were :13.20, :25.20, and out in 1:01.80, 1:15.20 and 1:30.

“I thought it was perfect,” Pletcher said. “Went off nicely, finished up well, good strong gallop out. Both got over the track [as if] they like it. It was a well-executed breeze.”

Thursday's work tab at Keeneland also included GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint contender Slammed (Marking), who worked three furlongs in :36.80 (6/9) for trainer Todd Fincher.

“That was a good way to start the day. She was very happy out there,” said jockey Florent Geroux, who was aboard for the work.

Slammed earned a berth in the F/M Sprint with her victory in the GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. at Keeneland Oct. 8.

Also Thursday, two Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” victors owned by Susan Moulton and trained by Wayne Catalano–Manny Wah (Will Take Charge) and Andthewinneris (Oscar Performance)–returned to the work tab following their victories during Fall Stars Weekend.

Manny Wah, winner of the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Oct. 7, worked a half-mile in :47.40 for the second-fastest move of 26 at the distance. Manny Wah is headed for the $2-million GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint, a race in which he finished fifth in at Keeneland in 2020.

The GII Castle & Key Bourbon winner Andthewinneris worked a half-mile in :48.60 (8/26) with splits of :12.40 and :24.40. Andthewinneris is a candidate for the $1-million GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf that will close Future Stars Friday Nov. 4.

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“Idol fits the profile of what we are looking for,” said Taylor Made's Ben Taylor. “He's by a world-class sire and out of a world-class producer. He's got the looks and he's a G1 talent. It's the same ingredients Not This Time possessed when he arrived at Taylor Made.”

Himself a Churchill Downs track-record setter, Idol's full sister Nest has banked more than $1.8 million thus far in her racing career while his 2-year-old half-brother, Lost Ark (Violence), won the Sapling S. at Monmouth Park in August by 7 ½ lengths.

For more information on Idol, or to set up an inspection, contact Travis White or Liam Benson at (859) 885-3345.

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Shuffled back at the start, but securing a mid-pack spot on the inside, Lost Ark was content to let Bourbon Spirit (Liam's Map) battle it out up front for the :23.94 quarter and :47.51 half. Angled out quite wide on the turn, Lost Ark swished his tail as he unfurled a powerful stride to mow down Bourbon Spirit and finish much the best as the even-money favorite.

“I did not want or expect him to be too far back,” said winning rider Javier Castellano. “It was his first time going two turns and first time going longer so those were my only concerns. I got the ideal trip inside and once I took him out he took off and galloped away. Very professional horse.”

Lost Ark's previous outing came July 3 at Belmont, where he attended the pace before pulling clear for a 5 1/2-length score as he posted a 79 debut Beyer in the 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight. His dam has now produced two GISWs, a SW, and a MSP from six foals to race. She did not produce foals the last two years, but is currently carrying a full-sibling to Nest and is entered in Keeneland's November sale on opening day. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

SAPLING S., $203,500, Monmouth, 8-27, 2yo, 1m, 1:37.20, ft.
1–LOST ARK, 117, c, 2, by Violence
               1st Dam: Marion Ravenwood (SW, $112,598), by A.P. Indy
               2nd Dam: Andujar, by Quiet American
               3rd Dam: Nureyev's Best, by Nureyev
($275,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Harrell
Ventures, LLC; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY);
T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Javier Castellano. $120,000. Lifetime
Record: 2-2-0-0, $169,500. *1/2 to Dr Jack (Pioneerof the
Nile), MSP, $156,155; 1/2 to Nest (Curlin), MGISW,
$1,735,550; 1/2 to Idol (Curlin), GISW, $426,964.
2–Bourbon Spirit, 117, c, 2, Liam's Map–Gifted Glory, by
Tapit. ($115,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $200,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP).
1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Flurry Racing Stables LLC and Titletown
Racing Stables; B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.
$40,000.
3–Major Dude, 117, c, 2, Bolt d'Oro–Mary Rita, by Distorted
Humor. ($550,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE.
O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Clearsky Farms (KY); T-Todd A.
Pletcher. $20,000.
Margins: 7HF, HD, 2 3/4. Odds: 1.00, 9.40, 4.60.
Also Ran: American Blaze, Freedom Road, Saloon, V Mart, Minister for Magic.

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“These two mares represent active families competing at the highest level of racing,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Nest is responsible for some of the most dominating performances of the season, prevailing in [last] Saturday's GI Alabama at Saratoga by 4 1/4 lengths. The fact that Mo Donegal and Nest ran 1-2 in the Belmont speaks to their quality. We are proud that both Nest and Mo Donegal are graduates of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale and excited to offer their dams, who are carrying full siblings to these Grade I winners, at the November Sale.”

Marion Ravenwood also is the dam of 2021 GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol (Curlin), who set Churchill Downs' 1 3/16-mile track record in 2020; and Lost Ark (Violence), a 5 1/2-length maiden winner in his career debut in July at Belmont. Lost Ark is entered in Saturday's Sapling S. at Monmouth Park.

Callingmissbrown also is the dam of the impressive 2-year-old 'TDN Rising Star' filly Prank (Into Mischief), who earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure in her career debut at Saratoga last month.

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There is a tight connection between horse and dam in the name of Belmont 2yo winner Lost Ark. Marion Ravenwood is Indiana Jones's co-protagonist in the 1981 movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The film signaled a late 20th-century return to great-scale action spectaculars and was incredibly successful. Marion Ravenwood, played by Karen Allen, is a unique and thought-provoking character, and not just a mere love interest and/or sidekick–“Indy, I am now your G*dam partner” is her famous line, spoken while holding a precious medallion, after a fire destroys her tavern in Nepal. Some of Marion's spirit and energy is echoed in this winning colt, who won by 5 1/2 lengths on his debut, repelling multiple challenges.

OUIJA BOARD DISTAFF S., $200,000, Lone Star, 5-30, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:35.13, fm. PARK AVENUE, 123, f, 4, Quality Road–Remarkable, by Indian Charlie. ($450,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Hronis Racing LLC; B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-John W. Sadler; J-Victor Espinoza. $112,512. Lifetime Record: GSP, 11-4-3-1, $316,412.

Autostrada, f, 4, Quality Road–Cry to Kat's Me, by Street Cry (Ire). Lone Star, 7-3, 1 1/8mT, 1:50.88. Lifetime Record: 11-1-2-2, $49,752. B-KatieRich Farms (KY). *$375,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $25,000 3yo '21 KEENOV.

Some stallions' names are like a vein, or a stock shelf, for the naming of their progeny. Take Quality Road (Elusive Quality–Kobla, by Strawberry Road): two of his recent Lone Star winners are called Park Avenue (the Manhattan opposite of Skid Row) and Autostrada (Italian for interstate highway). Making sense is beautiful and often underappreciated. Serendipitous bonus: Park Avenue beat Avenue de France (Cityscape) into second.

An Italian native, Andrea Branchini now lives in Lexington, Ky., where he works in the equine transport industry.

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1st-BEL, $90K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:00 p.m.

LOST ARK (Violence), a $275,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, is a half-brother to GISW & recent GI Belmont S. runner-up Nest (Curlin), as well as GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol (Curlin). Trained by Todd Pletcher, Lost Ark worked a bullet from the gate June 26, going four furlongs in :47 1/5 (1/48) and picks up jockey Flavien Prat for his debut. TJCIS PPs

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