Dose Of Weekend Graded Stakes A Cure For Any Breeders’ Cup Hangover

Sailing into the weekend fresh off the Breeders' Cup might sound like a bit of a letdown, but there is some graded racing scheduled that will cure any hangover of the purple and white variety.

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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GII Presque Isle Downs Masters S. Serves As Monday’s Feature

After a weekend of graded racing action from Aqueduct to Woodbine, the scene shifts on Monday to Presque Isle Downs as they host the Masters S., a Grade II event going six and a half furlongs over the Tapeta. Out of this field of 12, most of the gravitas will be directed towards Roses for Debra (Liam's Map). With seven wins over nine races, the 4-year-old gray filly won the GIII Caress S. at Saratoga July 22 and then followed that up over the same turf course with a victory in the Smart N Fancy S. Aug. 25. Her ability to rate just off the speed makes her very dangerous and she's a deserving morning-line favorite at 7-5 from the barn of Christophe Clement. Opposing her though is the last out winner of the GIII Hendrie S. July 22 at Woodbine. From Josie Carroll's shedrow, Loyalty (Hard Spun) looks the part and has a win over this track when she won last year's Lady Erie S. The '23 edition of that black-type race was won by Jill Jitterburg (Cross Traffic), who enters here for Ryan Walsh. Also, not to be overlooked is Accomplished Girl (Street Boss) as she tries stakes company for the second time in her career under Saffie Joseph Jr. The post GII Presque Isle Downs Masters S. Serves As Monday’s Feature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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