Hoist the Gold Rises to the Occasion in the WAYI Phoenix

Hoist the Gold (Mineshaft) punched his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint with an overdue first graded stakes win in Friday's 'Win and You're In' GII Stoll Keenon Odgen Phoenix S. at Keeneland.

He finished third in the GI Runhappy Malibu S. at Santa Anita last December and second in this year's GI Churchill Downs S. on the Kentucky Derby undercard. He fell just a neck short in this spring's GIII Commonwealth S. in Lexington. Last seen finishing a well-beaten sixth in the GII Pat O'Brien S. Aug. 26 at Del Mar, the Dream Team One Racing homebred was installed as a 6-1 shot here.

Riding the rail, the hooded colt backed off along the backstretch as G1SW Sibelius (Not This Time) and MSW Doctor Oscar (Shackleford) battled for the lead. Fanned three wide around the far turn, the Dallas Stewart trainee took over past the eighth pole and held off his pursuers to take home his first graded stakes win by 3/4 of a length. Nakatomi (Firing Line) was second.

“When you show up with a nice horse and a jock [John Velazquez] that's won five Grade Ones for you, you got a lot of confidence,” Stewart said. “I didn't worry about a thing down the backside. It played out perfect. He got him out. The horse loves this track.”

Pedigree Notes:

Mineshaft, sire of 17 crops of racing age, now has 61 stakes winners and 24 graded stakes winners to his credit. Hoist the Gold is the second to race out of Tacit Approval, who is also responsible for a yearling filly named Anakarina (Vekoma). She foaled a colt by Mucho Macho Man this year. Second dam Punch Appeal (Successful Appeal) is a multiple stakes winner.

 

 

Friday, Keeneland
STOLL KEENON OGDEN PHOENIX S.-GII, $349,375, Keeneland, 10-6, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:09.13, ft.
1–HOIST THE GOLD, 120, c, 4, by Mineshaft
          1st Dam: Tacit Approval, by Tapit
          2nd Dam: Punch Appeal, by Successful Appeal
          3rd Dam: Okanagan Dawn, by Two Punch
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($47,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP). O/B-Dream Team Racing (KY); T-Dallas Stewart; J-John R. Velazquez. $200,725. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 24-4-6-3, $804,547. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Nakatomi, 120, g, 4, Firing Line–Applelicious, by Flatter. ($18,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $25,000 Ylg '20 FTKOCT; $205,000 4yo '23 FTKHRA). O-Qatar Racing and Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Arnold Zetcher LLC & Crestwood Farm (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward. $64,750.
3–Bango, 120, h, 6, Congrats–Josaka, by Smart Strike. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Tamaroak Partners LLC; B-Tamaroak Stable (KY); T-Gregory D. Foley. $32,375.
Margins: 3/4, NK, 2. Odds: 6.02, 2.58, 3.38.
Also Ran: Necker Island, Sibelius, Gulfstream Way, Manny Wah, Doctor Oscar, Top Gunner, Voodoo Zip, Baytown Bear.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Golden Pal Headlines Keeneland’s Friday Work Tab

Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Westerberg's Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), undefeated in four prior starts at Keeneland, worked five furlongs in 1:03.80 as he completed his preparations toward defending his title in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

“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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Shared Sense Leads Contentious Tenacious Stakes; Just Might Faces Comebacking Manny Wah In Scherer Memorial

Somewhat of an afterthought when the top horses in the Brad Cox barn are discussed, the Godolphin homebred Shared Sense has already put together a career that includes a pair of graded stakes scores and nearly $540,000 in earnings. He'll look to build on that resume as the 5-2 morning line favorite for Sunday's $75,000 Tenacious Stakes to be run over 1 1/16 miles at the Fair Grounds.

The winner of both the Indiana Derby (G3) and the Oklahoma Derby (G3) during his sophomore campaign, the 4-year-old ridgling by Street Sense has raced only three times this year. He finished a disappointing fifth in the Shaefer Memorial at Indiana Grand in his seasonal debut this summer, but bounced back with a game win the Tri State at Ellis Park. In his most recent run, he finished a hard-fought third behind his highly decorated stablemate Knicks Go in the Lukas Classic (G3) at Churchill Downs.

“He is a very, very hard trying horse,” Cox said. “I feel like he's moved forward from age three to four. We've always liked him, but to pick up two Grade 3's at age three, I thought that was a nice achievement. He's somewhat lightly raced. It took us a little while to get him back in the swing of things, but once we did, he started running well. The Schaeffer I don't have an answer for you there on him that day. We loved him that day but he didn't show up and we kind of hit the reset button with him.”

“We found the right spot for him (in the Tri State) and then I thought he ran a really good race in the Lukas Classic,” Cox continued. “He had a little bit of a setback after that race and we lost a little bit of time, but he has been training well. On a good day he can be a good grade three horse.”

A deep closer earlier in his career, Shared Sense has shown the ability to sit much closer early on in his recent starts.

“He has been able to put himself into the race a little bit more now,” Cox said. I don't know if that is him maturing a little bit or what but he definitely doesn't make it as tough on himself as he used to. He is a pretty basic work horse. His work last week was a really good work and that gives me confidence in him going into this race.”

A maiden winner at Fair Grounds on New Year's Day 2020, Lloyd Madison Farms IV's Major Fed would go on to finish second in a division of the Risen Star (G2) and then a better than it looks fourth in the Louisiana Derby (G1). Second behind Shared Sense in the Indiana Derby that year, he would later finish 10th of 15 in the Kentucky Derby, which was run in September. He has two allowance wins from four tries this year, and the long Fair Grounds stretch should work in his favor. At 9-2 in the morning line, trainer Greg Foley will give a leg up to Mitchell Murrill aboard the the 4-year-old son of Ghostzapper who will leave from post two of 10.

With a post time of 3:33 p.m. CT, the Tenacious is scheduled as race 8 on the 13-race card. The remainder of the field with post position, jockey/trainer and morning line odds is as follows: Pravin Patel's Ebben (post 1, Adam Beschizza/Juan Cano, 12-1 ML), a participant in both the 2018 Lecomte (G3) and Risen Star (G2) who was last seen winning a third-level optional claiming allowance over seven furlongs at Churchill; Floyd Sagely Properties and Keith Johnston's Trident Hit (post 3, David Cabrera/Ron Moquett, 6-1 ML), a four-time winner who finished fourth in the JA Hawk Memorial at Remington Park last out; Gulliver Racing, Craig Drager and Dan Legan's Pirate's Punch (post four, Corey Lanerie/Grant Forster, 10-1 ML), a two-time graded stakes winner who finished third in the 2020 edition of the locally run Mineshaft (G3); LTB and Miles Childers' Warrior in Chief (post six, Marcelino Pedroza, Jr./Bernie Flint, 20-1 ML), a four-time winner who earned black type by finishing a distant third in the mud two starts back in the Salute the Hero at Indiana Grand; Fly P Stable's Little Menace (post 7, Colby Hernandez/Tom Morley, 10-1 ML), who was claimed for $40,000 out of an authoritative victory over 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs last out; Lothenbach Stables' Happy American (post nine, James Graham/Neil Pessin, 10-1 ML), the winner of consecutive allowance races in scintillating, off the pace fashion at Churchill Downs; and the Estate of Jim Coleman, Jr.'s Chess Chief (post ten, Reylu Gutierrez/Dallas Stewart, 10-1 ML), the winner of the New Orleans Classic (G2) on March 21.

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Just Might Returns to Turf to Take on Comebacking Manny Wah in Richie Scherer Memorial

If you saw the race, there's no way you've forgotten Manny Wah's first time on turf. Last with a half furlong to go in January's Duncan F. Kenner Stakes, Miguel Mena sent Susan Moulton's 12.80-1 Manny Wah flying by six foes, the last of which was hard-used dueler, Just Might. Visually stunning, the only questions in people's minds were — why hadn't this 2019 Triple Crown nominee tried turf before and when would he get back on this surface. Wait no longer, the 16th renewal of the Richard R. Scherer Memorial $75,000 Stakes turf sprint is here.

Just Might was there for Manny Wah's next attempt in the Colonel Power last February but that day was rained off the turf, and Just Might held court again on the lead to win. Since then, 2-1 morning line favorite Just Might has won five out his last eight, including two stakes on the turf.

“He's won a lot of stakes on the turf and he likes this turf course,” Lovell said. “He's doing awesome so I thought we ought to give it a try. Hopefully he shows up like he has been, you know he's been so honest, and it's a nice race. He's been super. My horse is doing super. I pray for a great race and a safe one.”

Thanksgiving Classic romper Just Might's last four races have been on dirt. He won three of those, and was severely compromised in the Phoenix (G2) at Keeneland when he suffered a severe quarter crack. Back on turf where he has 4 wins out of 21 turf sprint tries, Just Might breaks from post 5 with Colby Hernandez back aboard. This 5-year old gelding owned by Michelle Lovell and Griffon Farms seems at the top of his game.

Manny Wah (post 8, 9/2 morning line, jockey Core Lanerie) has been on the shelf. But he's back, and this feisty bay 5-year old looks to come with the late kick to win again.

“That was a very explosive move he made when we ran him on the turf here the last time,” Manny Wah's trainer Wayne Catalno said. “He's everybody's favorite horse. It's nice having him back. We're really happy with him being back in action. He had a few minor things going on, some bone bruising, he just needed plenty of time. Our goal now is to get him ready for the Breeders' Cup this year. He could have won it last year.”

Finishing third in the Thanksgiving Classic to Just Might, Al Stall Jr's Pyron (8-1 morning line) earned a 96 Bris speed figure last out–only 4 points shy of Just Might's 100. Declan Carroll keeps the mount on this versatile runner who has 0 wins out of 3 starts on the grass but is making his first start on turf as a much improved 5-year old. Pyron will be coming late.

Mark Casse sends Lucky Curlin (8-1 morning line) out from post number 3. He scored his best Bris speed figure in his one win on the turf, where came running from behind at 7 furlongs against first-level optional claimers at Woodbine. Florent Geroux takes the mount on this 4-year old who has finished second twice against graded stakes company.

The rest of the field has early speed.

Steve Asmussen's Grinning Tiger (8-1 morning line, jockey Adam Bescizza) is another horse that shocked-and-awed when trying something new. In the $100k Crystal Waters on June 6, 2020 at Santa Anita, this seven-time dirt winner wired the field going 1 mile on the turf at odds of 92.00-1, holding off graded stakes star Lieutenant Dan. Breaking from the rail, front-runner Grinning Tiger is in deep against this field but seems to be in form after scoring his first turf sprint win while being put up for a $40k tag against first-level optional claimers at Remington Park.

Breaking from the 4-hole, The Connecter (6-1 morning line) will attempt to win his fourth turf sprint with Angel Suarez up. He will be making his second start for trainer Darien Rodriguez after finishing third in the $90k Metzen Memorial on December 4th at Gulfstream.

Turf sprint stakes winner Firecrow (post 7, 5-1 morning line, jockey Reylu Gutierrez,) has proven he can win on the lead or just off it for trainer Ronald Moquett.

And just outside of Manny Wah, turf sprint specialist Field Day makes his first start since finishing third in the Dade Park Dash at Ellis Park on July 4th, 2021. Breaking from post 9, Brian Hernandez Jr will likely send this 10-1 morning line front runner.

After a game defeat to Midnight Tea Time in last Saturday's third-level optional claimer at Fair Grounds, Juan Cano's Mr. Hustle will scratch.

Post Time is 3:02 pm CT. The Richard R. Scherer Memorial is race 7 of a 13 race Road to the Derby Kickoff Day card.

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Nitrous Ends Drought With Opening-Day Thanksgiving Classic Victory At Fair Grounds

Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC's Nitrous settled just off a torrid speed duel, kicked clear off the far turn, and held off the late run of favored Manny Wah by 1 ½ lengths to win the Opening Day $125,000 Thanksgiving Classic Stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La.

Breaking alertly under Adam Beschizza, Nitrous was fifth of six early but just four lengths off a 21.52 pressured first quarter set by defending champion Bobby Wicked One, who was pressed from the outside by Landeskog. Landeskog quickly put Bobby's Wicked One away on the backside but Nitrous was quick to pounce. The 4-year-old son of Tapit opened up off the far turn, and easily held off the late run of the Manny Wah in a final time of 1:09.78 for six furlongs. It was another half length back to Mr Money Bags in third.

With a career record of 18-4-3-2, Nitrous increased his bankroll to $547,796.

Nitrous had faced some of the sprint division's best for trainer Steve Asmussen during a nine-race losing streak, while more than holding his own. He won for the first time since taking Oaklawn Park's Bachelor in April 2019. Asmussen's assistant Scott Blasi was on-hand to saddle the winner, and liked what he saw early on.

“I was pleased when I saw the two horses hook up, and the two behind them seemed to put some pressure on them as well,” Blasi said. “I thought Adam (jockey Beschizza) had him in a great spot early. Once he got him outside where he likes to run, he finished up well.”

Beschizza, who won two on the day, was pleased the race played out how it looked on paper, which hinted that both Bobby's Wicked One and Landeskog would set hot and contested fractions.

“We knew Bobby's Wicked One was the main speed in the race and he usually sets pretty good fractions,” Beschizza said. “The two of them were going at it early, so I was happy with my position early on. It was perfect for him, as he likes a scrap, and once he set his eyes on the leader, I don't think there was going to be much getting by him. I'm sure he won't be done with his winning ways throughout the meet.”

Nitrous was beaten just a nose in Belmont's Woody Stephens (G1) in June 2019 and entered off a close third, beaten just a head, in Pimlico's October 3 Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash (G3). Blasi thinks that the best is yet to come.

“I thought his last race was really good at Pimlico, he was unlucky not to win that day,” Blasi said. “He seems to be rounding into form, we always thought a lot him and look forward to him improving off this.”

Landeskog and Bobby's Wicked One tired from their early exploits and finished fourth and sixth, respectively, and were split by fifth place finisher Tringale.

Racing resumes Friday at 1:00 p.m. CT with a nine-race card.

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