It is a bit of a gamble. Monmouth Park is set to run for just 51 days this year and there will be 10 days of turf racing at the Meadowlands after that. New Jersey-breds do run for good money. At the 2023 Monmouth meet, the purse for a New Jersey-bred maiden race was $72,000. But with so few opportunities for Jersey-breds to run in restricted state-bred races, it's a constant struggle for the New Jersey breeding industry to convince people to breed in the state.

“I know breeding is important to people in this state,” Hall said. “It's just a matter of finding a way to get all the pieces to fit together.”

Could Max Player be one of those pieces?

In 1987, when there was year-round racing in the state, the New Jersey foal crop numbered 1,075. In 2023, it was all the way down to 110. Nine stallions stood in the state in 2023. The hope for Max Player is that his status as a Grade I winner will set him apart from the rest and that he will be the first choice among breeders and owners who remain interested in the New Jersey program.

Max Player is the first Grade I winner to stand in the state since 2004, the last year Evening Kris, the winner of the 1988 GI Jerome H., stood at Walnford Stud.

“Any time you bring a Grade I winner to your state it is a big deal, especially here because we have not had many,” said Mike Campbell, the executive director of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey. “It shows that George Hall and his partners have faith, not only in New Jersey racing, but also New Jersey breeding. We're happy he's here and hope he does well.”

Max Player had talent, but what he lacked was consistency. In just his third career start, he won the GIII Withers S. during the COVID year of 2020. He then ran third in both the GI Belmont S. and the GI Travers S. before finishing fifth in the GI Kentucky Derby, run in September because of the pandemic. It was more of the same when he finished off the board in the GI Preakness S. and, the following year, the Saudi Cup and the GIII Pimlico Special.

And then he turned into a star, at least for two months. He won the 2021 GII Suburban S. by a neck over G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) and came back two months later to win the Gold Cup over 2020 Gold Cup winner Happy Saver (Super Saver) in his next start.

“Winning a Grade I, especially one at Saratoga, is very tough,” Hall said. “You know you're going to be facing the best competition. To win that race, it was an amazing experience.”

After the Gold Cup win, Max Player again finished out of the money in his next four starts. His final appearance on the racetrack came in a Feb. 25, 2023 allowance race at Oaklawn in which he lost his action and had to be vanned off the track.

He was sent to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington after the Oaklawn race and was treated for an infection. He then spent time at Spy Coast Farm in Lexington for rehabilitation, and made a full recovery.

It was already too late for the 2023 breeding season, so Hall took a step back while deciding what to do. In the end, he owned a farm in New Jersey and thought there was an opening in the state for a Grade I-winning stallion.

“In terms of New Jersey, New Jersey-breds get bonuses and I have the farm here,” Hall said. “If I didn't have the farm, we probably wouldn't be here. It was pretty easy to just bring him up here and stand him here. If a stallion farm in Kentucky said they really wanted Max and were going to support him, I would have considered that. In the absence of that, I wanted to bring him up here. Hopefully, New Jersey breeding will get better now that Max is here and, hopefully, some other strong sires will come to New Jersey.”

Max Player's stud fee is $5,000, which, Hall hopes, people will come to realize is a bargain.

“He's got a Grade I, two thirds in Grade I races, he won graded stakes as 3-year-old and as a 4-year-old,” Hall said. “And the Grade I's were not run of the mill Grade I's. They are some of the biggest races on the calendar. That's our pitch.”

Hall's goal is for Max Player to attract 25 mares this year, a number he believes will increase once his foals hit the track and find some success.

“If he hits a home run, we will keep him in New Jersey,” Hall said. “That would be great and would mean more mares will come into the state. I'm not going to move him. He's here. It would be great if New Jersey racing and breeding could advance because of Max.”

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“After an impressive career on the racetrack, we are excited about his prospects as a sire,” majority owner and New Jersey resident George Hall said.

Max Player's resume also includes wins in the 2021 GII Suburban S. and 2020 GIII Withers S. and third-place finishes in the 2020 GI Belmont S. and GI Runhappy Travers S. Max Player, a $150,000 KEESEP RNA, posted a career record of 16-4-1-2 and earnings of $1,551,266.

Annestes Farms is hosting a meet and greet for breeders on Oct. 10 between noon and 6 p.m.

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3rd-OP, $106K, OC, 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 2:03 p.m.

Last seen checking in fourth in last July's GII Suburban S. at Belmont, MAX PLAYER (Honor Code) makes his 6-year-old debut Saturday in an optional claimer at Oaklawn. The picture of consistency throughout his career, the Steve Asmussen trainee was a Triple Crown contender in 2020, placing third behind Tiz the Law (Constitution) in both the rescheduled GI Belmont S. and the GI Runhappy Travers S. before finishing fifth behind future Horse of the Year Authentic (Into Mischief) in the GI Kentucky Derby. He was not a factor in the 2021 G1 Saudi Cup but returned to home soil a winner two starts later in the GII Suburban S. before posting a career-best effort with a win in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup with a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. Never better than fourth in his next four starts, Max Player was benched after trying to defend his title in the Suburban.

Breaking just to his inside, Caddo River (Hard Spun) will make his first start for Hall of Famer D Wayne Lukas after three years with trainer Brad Cox. TJCIS PPS

4th-OP, $90K, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 2:34 p.m.

A Calumet Farm homebred also out of the D Wayne Lukas barn, GAME KEEPER (Honor Code) is a half-brother to G1 Emirates Airline Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 winner Capezzano (Bernardini). Dam Cableknit is herself a half to champion sprinter and leading sire Speightstown (Gone West) as well as MGSW & MGISP Irap (Tiznow). Her half-sister Amour d'Ete (Tiznow) would go on to produce GI Preakness S. winner Early Voting (Gun Runner). TJCIS PPS

3rd-FG, $50K, Msw, 3yo, 7 1/2fT, 3:15 p.m.

Out of GI La Troienne S. winner Molly Morgan (Ghostzapper), KID KETCHUM (Tapit) is a Triple Crown-nominated colt racing out of the Brad Cox barn. Bred by Stonestreet Farm and owned by a large syndicate group of which Stonestreet remains a part of, the $200,000 Keeneland September yearling picks up jockey Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. for his debut. TJCIS PPS

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With the Fourth of July holiday weekend in the rear-view mirror, the summer turf season kicks into high gear starting with a pair of Grade I's at Belmont Park Saturday. The home team takes on a new wave of European challengers in the 1 1/4-mile GI Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational S., the first leg of the Caesars Turf Triple Series.

Tiz the Bomb (Hit It a Bomb), last seen finishing ninth behind longshot GI Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike (Keen Ice), finally gets back to the surface that he's shown plenty of success on previously. Tiz the Bomb scored back-to-back victories on the grass in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile S. Sept. 6 and Keeneland's GII Castle & Key Bourbon S. Oct. 10. He ended his 2-year-old campaign with just a half-length defeat to Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar Nov. 5, his most recent try on grass.

After an unsuccessful 3-year-old debut in the GIII Holy Bull S., Tiz the Bomb returned to form with two wins on the all-weather surface at Turfway Park, taking both the John Battaglia Memorial S. Mar. 5 and GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks S. Apr. 2. He defeated eventual Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike (Keen Ice) in the latter.

“We gave him a Kentucky Derby chance,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “He ran respectable, but he's certainly not as good on the dirt as he is on the grass.”

McPeek will also saddle Kentucky Derby 11th Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway), who will be making his first start on the turf. The GIII Sam F. Davis S. and the GII Tampa Bay Derby winner, previously trained by Brian Lynch, was third in Thistledown's GIII Ohio Derby June 25.

Topping the European contenders is Godolphin homebred Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who, barring his poor effort most recently in the G1 Cazoo Derby at Epsom June 4, previously won four straight, including a seven-length win in the Newmarket S. Apr. 29 over the same 1 1/4-mile distance he'll try Saturday.

Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), drawn wide in post 13, also exits a disappointing showing like his aforementioned rival in the Cazoo Derby. Prior to that, he showed good form in taking the G3 Derby Trial S. at Leopardstown May 8 and also when finishing second in the 2021 G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Also on tap over Belmont's turf course Saturday is the 1 1/4- mile GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S., which features a similar combination of American and European-bred contenders. Chad Brown brings a trio of options starting with 'TDN Rising Star' Haughty (Empire Maker), who ended her juvenile season with only a three-quarter length defeat to Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Nov. 5 at Del Mar.

McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) enters for Brown off a second- place finish in the 1 1/8-mile GIII Regret S. at Churchill Downs June 4. She was also second behind fellow Oaks rival New Year's Eve (Kitten's Joy) in the GII Edgewood S. May 6.

Rounding out Brown's entries is Consumer Spending (More Than Ready), who enters having won four of her last five starts. While no match for Pizza Bianca in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, she began her 3-year-old season with back-to-back wins. She turned the tables on Pizza Bianca in Aqueduct's Memories of Silver S. Apr. 24, then added the GII Wonder Again S. at Belmont June 9.

Hailing from the barn of Aidan O'Brien, Concert Hall (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is listed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite. The 2021 G3 Weld Park S. winner was stretched out in distance as a 3-year-old. Her form this season includes a third-place finish in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas May 22, a fourth-place finish in the G1 Cazoo Oaks June 3, and a fifth-place finish in the G1 Pretty Polly S. at Curragh June 26.

Five Line Up for Suburban

The Belmont dirt will showcase older horses going 1 1/4 miles in the GII Suburban S. Shug McGaughey brings in 'TDN Rising Star' First Captain (Curlin), who enters off a career-best performance in the GIII Pimlico Special S. May 20. Dynamic One (Union Rags) is listed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite in the field of five. After getting seven months off following his seventh-place effort in the GI Travers S. Aug. 28, he returned as a 4-year-old with increasingly positive results. He checked in third off the layoff in the GIII Challenger S. at Tampa Mar. 12, was second in the GIII Ben Ali S. Apr. 23, and most recently won the Blame S. June 4 at Churchill. The field also includes defending Suburban champion Max Player (Honor Code).

The Belmont card also includes the GIII Victory Ride S. for 3-year-old fillies. Marylou Whitney Stables's Pretty Birdie (Bird Song) was second in her last two, completing the exacta behind Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GII Eight Belles S. May 6 and Wicked Halo (Gun Runner) in the Leslie's Lady Overnight S. June 12. The field also includes Happy Soul (Runhappy), second last time in Pimlico's GIII Miss Preakness S. May 20.

Smaller Circuit Graded Stakes Attract Big Names

Horseshoe Indianapolis–formerly Indiana Grand–may've changed its name, but the industry's heavy hitters came with their runners just the same for the GIII Indiana Derby and GIII Indiana Oaks, scheduled to go as the last two races on the card.

In the nightcap contest for the colts, 75-1 longshot GII Rebel S. conqueror Un Ojo (Laoban) returns off a three-month layoff in his first attempt for trainer Robertino Diodoro. Conditioner Kenny McPeek's GISW Rattle N Roll (Connect) is cross-entered here and in the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows after ending his five-race losing streak last weekend in the July 2 American Derby at Churchill Downs. Texas Derby winner King Ottoman (Curlin), trained by Steve Asmussen, and the Brad Cox-trained Best Actor (Flatter)–a $330,000 KEESEP purchase for Gary and Mary West–round a talented, if lightly raced, field.

The Indiana Oaks is shaping up to be a battle of the trainers as McPeek and Cox send out a pair each. Juddmonte homebred Patna (Into Mischief) and GI Ashland S. third Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire) will fly the flag of the latter. Nine-length maiden winner Silverleaf (Speightster) and the rapidly improving Runaway Wife (Gun Runner) will look to cap a potentially big day for McPeek.

Shifting to Prairie Meadows for the evening, the GIII Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. attracted the evergreen gelding Rated R Superstar (Kodiak Kowboy), looking to rebound from a pair of disappointing efforts, including in Lone Star's May 30 GIII Steve Sexton Mile S. That race was won by the horse to his inside, the re-opposing Silver Prospector (Declaration of War). Warrant (Constitution), second last out in the GII Brooklyn H. June 11 and second Mar. 5 in the GI Santa Anita H., aims to secure his first win of the season.

A field of eight fillies will do battle for the GIII Iowa Oaks crown, led by the Todd Pletcher-trained Falconet (Uncle Mo) and local Panther S. victress Butterbean (Klimt). Candy Raid (Candy Ride {Arg}), a surprise winner of the Apr. 2 Bourbonette Oaks, is cross-entered in the Indiana Oaks.

Marathon Runners Chime In From Delaware

A big weekend of racing will also be rolling at Delaware Park as a field of 10 lines up to contest the grassy GIII Robert G. Dick Memorial S., featuring over half of the Keertana S. field, including first and second-place finishers Temple City Terror (Temple City) and Stand Tall (Uncle Mo).

The main track filly and mare marathoners will also have their day in the (most likely not present) Delaware sun in the GII Delaware Handicap, with the streaking Serena's Song S. and Obeah S. heroine Miss Leslie (Paynter) leading the charge.

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Voss also had a rooting interest in seeing Max Player do well in the $6 million G1 Classic, having bred the colt's dam, stakes winner Fools in Love, with her late-life partner, Bob Manfuso, who passed away in March 2020.

But much of Voss' attention was focused on Aloha West, a 4-year-old son of Hard Spun that she and Manfuso bred and who went into the G1 Sprint with relative anonymity.

“Well, I had certainly heard of him,” Voss said. “I had been following him, and praying.”

Purchased privately by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners following two starts for Gary and Mary West, Aloha West rallied for his first career stakes victory with an 11-1 upset in the six-furlong Sprint, beating Dr. Schivel by a nose on the wire.

“That was pretty exciting,” Voss said. “I've watched every one of his races. I don't know what they paid, but when Eclipse bought him they were very excited.”

Aloha West is out of the Speightstown mare Island Bound, a member of the broodmare band at 191-acre Chanceland Farm in West Friendship, Md. that was established by Voss and Manfuso in 1987. Island Bound was owned by Manfuso and made the final three starts of her racing career for Voss at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md. , after going 5-for-24 with trainer Ian Wilkes including a win in the 2012 G3 Winning Colors.

Hard Spun, who ran third in the 2007 G1 Preakness Stakes and went on to become a Grade 1-winning sprinter, stands at Darley's Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Ky. Aloha West was foaled April 16, 2017.

“I give Bob the credit for that. He always had a great relationship with Darley, and we bred several other mares to Hard Spun so we had been a supporter of Hard Spun from the get-go,” Voss said. “They had sent him to Japan and he had just come back when we sent [Island Bound] down there. We'd always liked Hard Spun. In fact, I just bred Parlay to Hard Spun this year.”

Aloha West went unraced at both 2 and 3, making his debut Feb. 7 at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., for trainer Wayne Catalano, winning the six-furlong maiden special weight by three-quarters of a length over a muddy track.

“I was wondering what happened to him, because he never showed up until last winter as a 4-year-old,” Voss said. “First time out, he kind of broke slow, trailed the field, and then circled the field and just won going away. That was exciting.”

Aloha West was brought along patiently by the connections, progressing through his conditions that included back-to-back optional claiming allowance victories over the summer at Saratoga. He was beaten a neck in the G2 Phoenix Oct. 8 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., in his Sprint prep.

“After Saratoga, they were going in the Ack Ack, which seemed like a natural for him to go a mile off of his two [sprint] races at Saratoga. The Ack Ack was the Saturday before the yearling sale, so I was counting on him getting some black type because I was selling his sister. Then they scratched and went in the Phoenix. It was a 'Win and You're In' and they were going three-quarters instead of a mile. I suspected Life is Good is probably why, and they figured they had a better shot in the Sprint.”

Aloha West got shuffled back at the start and chased the pace racing three-wide behind favored Jackie's Warrior. Tipped out in the stretch by jockey Jose Ortiz, he came with a steady run to catch Dr. Schivel in the final jump. 

It was another success story for the Voss-Manfuso partnership, also responsible for breeding such stakes winners as 2016 G1 Kentucky Oaks heroine Cathryn Sophia, four-time graded-stakes winner International Star, and multiple stakes winners Cordmaker and Las Setas.

“It's awesome,” Voss said. “I'm sorry I wasn't there.”

Max Player, trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, ran last in the Classic behind Knicks Go, the likely 2021 Horse of the Year that was bred in Maryland by Angie and Samantha Moore.

“Maryland was very well-represented,” Voss said. “Nobody was going to beat Knicks Go. They kept talking about how Max Player developed a better style of running, and I just felt like they were all chasing. He was wide on the first turn and he was digging and trying. I've got two half-sisters to his dam, so I'm not complaining.”

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Medina Spirit, winner of the G1 Kentucky Derby, finished second, with G1 Belmont and G1 Travers Stkes winner Essential Quality third and G1 Pennsylvania Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie fourth in the field of nine.

Knicks Go covered 1 1/4 miles on a fast track in 1:59.57 after setting fractions of :23.16, :45.77, 1:10.04 and 1:35.28. He paid $8.40 on a $2 win mutuel.

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To read previous editions of The Haiku Handicapper, click here.

#1 – Tripoli
Clearly loves Del Mar
Not facing West Coast patsies
This isn't his crowd

#2 – Express Train
His Del Mar triumph
Was a few stops ago now
Not sure he's got it

#3 – Hot Rod Charlie
Season of “almosts”
Culminates with a home game
Absolutely live

#4 – Essential Quality
The likely soph champ
Will the West Coast ship negate
His surplus of class?

#5 – Knicks Go
Fraction controller
Horse of the Year on the line
Should have no excuse

#6 – Art Collector
Lots of front-runners
Not all of them can endure
Seeing a step back

#7 – Stilleto Boy
Midwest to West Coast
Always brings his boxing gloves
Price play on bottom

#8 – Medina Spirit
Not the horse's fault
It'll be tough to feel good
If he wins the thing

#9 – Max Player
His ship's been righted
Just one start since July 4th
Might not be his race

Prediction
Which pace horse outlasts?
Knicks Go claims his spot on top
Eight and three follow

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“All's good,” Mott said. “He galloped today and he's good. He was strong and full of himself.”

Mott also touched on the news of champion turf horse Channel Maker, third in the Longines Turf in 2020, making it into the race after the Thursday defections of Domestic Spending and United: “We've got to be in to have a chance to win.”

Art Collector is a son of 2006 Classic runner-up Bernardini and 2011 Filly & Mare Turf fourth Distorted Legacy and will be his owner-breeder's eighth Breeders' Cup chance. His closest finish was when favorite First Samurai was third after a troubled trip in the 2005 Juvenile at Belmont Park.

“I've been in the business 33 years and don't own a horse farm,” Lunsford said. “I am in it to race and enjoy the experience. I would say it would clearly be the biggest win of my career if he could win. I own the mare and siblings and I have a half-brother, so that's great. With his dam, we only got beat a head and neck for second and she ran a huge race. We bred to Bernardini at a not-too-exorbitant price and obviously it's worked out well.

“As far as the 10-furlong distance, I think Bill's pretty comfortable with him, since he's won three at 9 furlongs and a lot of others haven't run or won at a mile and a quarter yet,” Lunsford continued. “It'll be an interesting race because of the pace.

“The reason we moved him to Bill is because of all the big races in New York. (Previous trainer) Tom (Drury) and I have a long history together and will continue to do so, just like I have had with Bill. Bill has this great ability to work his way around the New York races and my only (stipulation) with Bill was that if he's going to take him, I want him right outside his office. Bill is really happy with the horse. (Art Collector) is like a pet now and he's a good horse who I think can get better.”

Lunsford reflected on his most disappointing loss with the aforementioned First Samurai, who has gone on to become a credible stallion for Claiborne Farm.

“We obviously had a great trainer with Frankie (Brothers) and the best rider with (Jerry) Bailey that day, but he just had trouble at the gate and had to work his way to the front,” he said. “He got tired at the end and we got beat by a horse (Stevie Wonderboy) who never won again and a horse we beat in the Champagne, Henny Hughes. In the end, I think we were the best 2-year-old that year, along with Henny Hughes.”

Essential Quality/Knicks Go – Keeping to their same routine, Essential Quality went out before the break and Knicks Go was the last of the deep Brad Cox-trained arsenal to train Thursday morning. The two grays have both kept strong campaigns in 2021 in hopes of making it to the Classic at the end of the year. Knicks Go, the 5-2 morning line favorite, could sew up Champion Older Male honors with the win, while Essential Quality, the 3-1 second choice, could secure Champion 3-Year-Old honors with a good showing.

“It's been a great year for both horses and, obviously, they both performed well the second half of last year. Both horses have stayed in good form for the most part. Knicks Go had a little bit of a setback obviously. We felt like we may have rushed him a little bit with the Pegasus with the quick turnaround shipping halfway across the world or to the other side of the world for the Saudi Cup and then the Met Mile. But aside from those two bumps in the road, he's been ultra-consistent and proud of what he's accomplished. Essential has never missed a beat. He ran a big race in the Derby. His only defeat in his career and we could argue that he'd probably ran the best race that day, one of the better races, to end up fourth. But, both horses have had great years and hopefully we can add to their resume at Breeders' Cup Saturday.”

Express Train – Following his customary pattern, Express Train galloped his standard 1 1/2 miles this morning, with Amy Vasco aboard, in preparation for the Classic.

Trainer John Shirreffs supervised the exercise from the backstretch viewing stand.

“He likes this track a lot and he's doing well,” Shirreffs said. “This race looks like there'll be a lot of speed. If so, ideally, I'd like to see him break running, then follow the leaders in the second flight of horses. He likes to be outside of horses. That was how he won the San Diego Handicap here this summer.”

Hot Rod Charlie – Roadrunner Racing, William Strauss, Boat Racing and Gainesway Stable's Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Hot Rod Charlie left trainer Doug O'Neill's Barn Y just before after 8 o'clock and galloped about 1 ½ miles, two days before the Classic in which he is considered a serious contender. The Belmont Stakes and 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up drew post three and is listed as the 4-1 co-third choice in the Classic.

While the focus right now is the Classic, the fact that Hot Rod Charlie has steadily increased his speed figures and general performance level over the past year has his connections excited beyond the big race.

“The goal is to keep him in training next year,” O'Neill said. “We have a great group of owners and Gainesway is in, as well, so as long as he stays injury-free, we will have a chance to compete next year. Races like the ($12 million Dubai) World Cup and ($20 million) Saudi (Cup) could definitely on the horizon, if things work out well.”

Co-owner Strauss was very much on the same page: “As we think ahead and he continues to grow and develop and mature, we are definitely excited about next year with him. After we finished second in the Breeders' Cup (Juvenile) last year, we then plotted out how to get to the (Kentucky) Derby; how to get there and what prep races. After that, we plotted how to get to the Breeders' Cup Classic. When this is over, we're going to go and set our goal for next year. There's no obvious Derby-type race, but there are so many big races like Dubai and Saudi. Next week, the ownership group will get together with Doug and his team and strategize.”

Max Player – The connections of Max Player are seeing their patience rewarded in 2021 as they head into the Breeders' Cup Classic with a horse who appears to be peaking at the right time after winning his past two races.

The Honor Code colt, owned by George Hall and SportsBLX Thoroughbred Corp and trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, was considered a top 3-year-old last year after thirds in the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes, but lost some luster when he finished fifth in the both the rescheduled Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes last fall and then performed poorly in the Saudi Cup to begin this year. He started to make amends by winning the Suburban and followed that with a strong victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

“The horse has matured as expected pedigree wise, and he has stayed extremely sound,” Asmussen said. “He's very good. And, I think things have lined up with where he is with the draw (post nine), the way the racetrack's playing, and how he's doing right now. We expect him to show who he is Saturday.”

Max Player galloped once around the track Thursday.

Medina Spirit – Classic winner Medina Spirit stretched his legs this morning with two trips around Del Mar's main track this morning as he winds down his preparation for the Classic. The sophomore colt, trained by Bob Baffert, is looking to collect his fifth stakes victory of the year in the 10-furlong championship race.

Stilleto Boy – With owner Steve Moger looking on, Stilleto Boy galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Jose Sandoval early Thursday morning at Del Mar.

Winner of the Iowa Derby for previous ownership, Stilleto Boy will be making his fourth start for Moger and his brother, trainer Ed Moger Jr.

Stilleto Boy debuted for the Mogers at Del Mar in the La Jolla Handicap going 1 1/16 miles on the grass.

“We thought we would try him on grass,” Ed Moger Jr. said. “He ran good on it (finishing fifth beaten 2 ½ lengths in his lone turf try) and he will probably run on it again at some point.”

Tripoli – Pacific Classic winner Tripoli galloped Thursday morning with assistant trainer Juan Leyva aboard. Trainer John Sadler is expected to drive down from his Santa Anita Park base Thursday.

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In a year that has included passing Dale Baird to become the winningest North American trainer of all time, an emotional GI Arkansas Derby victory for his parents with Super Stock (Dialed In) and five top-level wins at the prestigious Saratoga meeting, including three from the first crop of a former barn superstar, Asmussen heads into the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar with a loaded, six-horse hand.

“Those are some very nice milestones and things that we will obviously enjoy looking back on, but we need to finish out the year strong,” Asmussen said.

“I feel like we have some excellent chances in the Breeders' Cup and we need to show up and have our horses perform to the best of their ability and finish the year off right.”

Excellent chances, indeed.

It comes full circle for Asmussen as his Breeders' Cup weekend begins with L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds's unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

The $300,000 KEESEP graduate and half-sister to the Asmussen-trained GI Runhappy H. Allen Jerkens S. winner and young Ashford Stud sire Echo Town (Speightstown) will be heavily favored over five rivals for her two-turn debut off the strength of eye-catching wins in the GI Spinaway S. at Saratoga Sept. 5 and the GI Frizette S. at Belmont Oct. 30.

Asmussen, of course, saddled Echo Zulu's leading freshman sire Gun Runner to a win in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic–the 55-year-old's second trophy in the big one–which was also held at the seaside track four years ago.

Standing at Three Chimneys Farm, the 2017 Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male is also responsible for the Asmussen-trained GI Hopeful S. winner Gunite. Gun Runner will also be represented by longshot Pappacap in the male dirt equivalent on 'Future Stars Friday.'

“It went extremely well the last time the Breeders' Cup was at Del Mar and we're trying to recreate some of the same magic,” Asmussen said. “We don't get to take Gun Runner back, but it is kind of fun that the first time we go back we have one from his first crop that's the favorite in the Juvenile Fillies.”

Of Gun Runner's fast start at stud, he continued, “It's dreaming. Meaning, Gun Runner, as special as he was and what an amazing ride he was–good 2-year-old, strong 3-year-old, great 4-year-old–then, how excited we were to have Gun Runner's progeny and for one to start out this fast… Better than we could've even hoped. Knowing how much better he got with time and for Echo Zulu to come out of the box like this–just absolutely special.”

California Dreaming…

Four of Asmussen's seven-career Breeders' Cup wins, including a Classic victory with the aforementioned Gun Runner, have come in Southern California. The three others–Tapizar (2012 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile), Untapable (2014 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff) and Mitole (2019 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint)-took place at Santa Anita.

The Asmussen barn has also been well-represented with Santa Anita Breeders' Cup placings from: Dust and Diamonds (second 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint); My Miss Aurelia (second 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic); Unbridled's Note (second 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint); Tapiture (second 2014 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile); Gun Runner (second 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile); Midnight Bisou (second 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff); and Storm Treasure (third 2008 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint).

Like his aforementioned celebrated quartet, Asmussen's 2021 Breeders' Cup troops arrived early in the Golden State to prepare, in fact, weeks ahead of the 38th World Championships. It's certainly worked well in the past, but exactly how important is it to get acclimated early to the West Coast?

“I think you said it, it's worked well in the past,” Asmussen said. “It's worked well for whatever reason. Just get acclimated and eliminate as many variables as we possibly can and go from there.”

Five More Major 'Players' for BC Saturday…

Asmussen will tighten the girth on five Breeders' Cup runners on Saturday's stacked program, led by J. Kirk and Judy Robison's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint headliner Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music).

A valiant fourth as the favorite after sitting right on a scorching pace in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he takes on his elders after a spectacular 110 Beyer Speed Figure performance in the GII Gallant Bob at Parx Sept. 25. He previously posted a heart-stopping neck victory over the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile 4-5 morning-line favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) in a GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. for the ages at the Spa Aug. 28.

Where does Jackie's Warrior, just a $95,000 KEESEP buy, rank with some of Asmussen's all-time top sprinters–dare we even mention the brilliant Mitole yet?

“I think that they're all individuals and comparing horses is unjust,” Asmussen fired back. “Because what makes them special is how they perform against competition, not talking about it. We have had the fastest horses in the world and are very proud of that.”

The future Spendthrift Farm stallion's resume also includes top-level wins in the 2020 GI Runhappy Hopeful S. and GI Champagne S.

“I think the most unique thing about Jackie's Warrior is the Gallant Bob was only the second time he had run six furlongs,” Asmussen said. “He's just fast.”

Previous 3-year-old winners of the Breeders' Cup Sprint include: Drefong (2016); Runhappy (2015); Trinniberg (2012); Silver Train (2005); Cajun Beat (2003); Squirtle Squirt (2001); Reraise (1998); Sheikh Albadou (GB) (1991); and Very Subtle (1987).

George Hall's and SportBLX Thoroughbreds Corp.'s GI Breeders' Cup Classic contender Max Player (Honor Code) has taken his game to the next level with a change in tactics, sitting right on the pace en route to breakthrough wins in the GII Suburban S. at Belmont July 3 and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. at Saratoga Sept. 4. He rallied from far back to third-place finishes in the 2020 GI Belmont S. and GI Runhappy Travers S. for previous trainer Linda Rice as well as a fifth-place finish in the GI Kentucky Derby in his first start for this stable.

“He was giving himself too much to do in quality races,” Asmussen said. “Spotting them seven, eight, 10 lengths-he put himself in a position that it was hard to show his ability. In the mornings, he was showing plenty and enough that with an opportunity, he could do enough with it. Getting him in the race early has allowed that. He stays well, so using some of him early hasn't cost him late and it's given him a chance.”

Stonestreet homebred Clairiere (Curlin), the first foal out of the talented three-time Grade I winner and 2015 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint rallying fourth as the favorite Cavorting (Bernardini), faces older fillies and mares for the first time in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. She headed an exacta for her leading sire and former Asmussen-trained two-time Horse of the Year Curlin in the GI Cotillion S. at Parx Sept. 25. She was also second to the ultra-talented, re-opposing 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) in the GI Alabama S. Aug. 21.

Asmussen will be double-fisted in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Listed as the second choice on the morning line at 7-2, GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. winner and $450,000 KEESEP graduate Silver State (Hard Spun) overcame a slow start and looked well on his way after leading in the stretch, but just couldn't close the door and had to settle for a close second in the Parx Dirt Mile S. last out Sept. 25. The Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing colorbearer, did, notably earn a career-best 104 Beyer in that effort. Silver State retires to Claiborne Farm for 2022.

Bloom Racing Stable's fan favorite and blaze-faced 6-year-old Snapper Sinclair (City Zip) goes turf to dirt in search of his first career graded win in the Dirt Mile following a rallying second in Santa Anita's GII Eddie D. S. Oct. 1.

“It's the goal,” Asmussen concluded of the year-end Championships. “We're obviously very fortunate to have horses of this level. We would expect them to perform well. It is the target.”

The post Amidst Monumental Year, Asmussen Heads Into BC Weekend ‘Guns’ Blazing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Each has won two Grade 1 races this year, and both enter the Classic off victories: 5-year-old Knicks Go put on a dominant show in the G3 Lukas Classic at Churchill on Oct. 2, and the 3-year-old Essential Quality won the G1 Travers by a neck on Aug. 28 at Saratoga. Joel Rosario will ride 5-2 favorite Knicks Go from post 5, while Luis Saez will be aboard Essential Quality at 3-1 in gate 4.

Embattled trainer Bob Baffert will send out this year's Kentucky Derby first-place finisher and recent G1 Awesome Again Stakes winner Medina Spirit from post 8 (4-1), with John Velazquez in the irons.

Doug O'Neill will saddle his G1 Pennsylvania Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie, with regular rider Flavien Prat to ride the 3-year-old from post 3 (4-1). Rounding out the group of sophomores taking on their elders is longshot Stilleto Boy for trainer Ed Moger, Jr.; the Awesome Again runner-up will break from post 7 under Kent Desormeaux.

Other Grade 1 winners in this year's edition include Whitney winner Art Collector (Bill Mott, Mike Smith, post 6, 8-1), Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Max Player (Steve Asmussen, Ricardo Santana, Jr., post 9, 8-1), and Pacific Classic winner Tripoli (John Sadler, Irad Ortiz, Jr., post 1, 15-1).  Rounding out the Classic field is G2 San Diego winner Express Train (John Shirreffs, Victor Espinoza, post 2, 20-1).

Breeders' Cup Turf 

1. (15-1) Rockemperor – Javier Castellano – Chad Brown
2. (20-1) United – John Velazquez – Richard Mandella
3. (4-1) Domestic Spending – Flavien Prat – Chad Brown
4. (20-1) Astronaut – Victor Espinoza – John Shirreffs
5. (20-1) Tribhuvan – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown
6. (20-1) Acclimate – Ricardo Gonzalez – Phil D'Amato
7. (8-1) Walton Street – James Doyle – Charlie Appleby
8. (20-1) Broome – Frankie Dettori – Aidan O'Brien
9. (12-1) Sisfahan – Cristian Demuro – Henk Grewe
10. (12-1) Yibir – William Buick – Charlie Appelby
11. (8-1) Gufo – Joel Rosario – Christophe Clement
12. (6-1) Teona – David Egan – Roger Varian
13. (9-5) Tarnawa – Colin Keane – Dermot Weld
14. (20-1) Japan – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien

Breeders' Cup Distaff

1. (8-1) Private Mission – Flavien Prat – Bob Baffert
2. (8-1) Royal Flag – Joel Rosario – Chad Brown
3. (4-1) Malathaat – John Velazquez – Todd Pletcher
4. (30-1) Blue Stripe – Frankie Dettori – Marcelo Polanco
5. (12-1) Clairiere – Ricardo Santana, Jr. – Steve Asmussen
6. (8-5) Letruska – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Fausto Gutierrez
7. (30-1) Horologist – Junior Alvarado – Bill Mott
8. (4-1) Shedaresthedevil – Florent Geroux – Brad Cox
9. (15-1) As Time Goes By – Luis Saez – Bob Baffert
10. (30-1) Marche Lorraine – Oisin Murphy – Yoshito Yahagi
11. (15-1) Dubar Road – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown

Breeders' Cup Mile

1. (12-1) Master Of The Seas – James Doyle – Charlie Appleby
2. (10-1) Smooth Like Strait – Umberto Rispoli – Michael McCarthy
3. (3-1) SPace Blues – William Buick – Charlie Appleby
4. (15-1) Raging Bull – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Chad Brown
5. (20-1) Vin De Garde – Yuichi Fukunaga – Hideaki Fujiwara
6. (5-1) Mo Forza – Flavien Prat – Peter Miller
7. (8-1) In Love – Alex Achard – Paulo Lobo
8. (15-1) Hit The Road – John Velazquez – Dan Blacker
9. (8-1) Mother Earth – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien
10. (8-1) Blowout – Joel Rosario – Chad Brown
11. (10-1) Got Stormy – Tyler Gaffalione – Mark Casse
12. (12-1) Pearls Galore – Billy Lee – Paddy Twomey
13. (15-1) Casa Creed – Junior Alvarado – Bill Mott
14. (12-1) Ivar – Joe Talamo – Paulo Lobo

Breeders' Cup Sprint

1. (6-1) Following Sea – John Velazquez – Todd Pletcher
2. (6-5) Jackie's Warrior – Joel Rosario – Steve Asmussen
3. (12-1) C Z Rocket – Florent Geroux – Peter Miller
4. (20-1) Matera Sky – Yuga Kawada – Hideyuki Mori
5. (8-1) Aloha West – Jose Ortiz – Wayne Catalano
6. (10-1) Firenze Fire – Tyler Gaffalione – Kelly Breen
7. (20-1) Lexitonian – Jose Lezcano – Jack Sisterson
8. (6-1) Special Reserve – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Mike Maker
9. (4-1) Dr. Schivel – Flavien Prat – Mark Glatt

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

1. (12-1) Going To Vegas – Umberto Rispoli – Richard Baltas
2. (15-1) Pocket Square – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Chad Brown
3. (12-1) Acanella – Colin Keane – Ger Lyons
4. (6-1) Rougir – Maxime Guyon – Cedric Rossi
5. (20-1) Queen Supreme – James Doyle – Andrew Balding
6. (4-1) Love – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien
7. (7-2) War Like Goddess – Julien Leparoux – Bill Mott
8. (4-1) Loves Only You – Yuga Kawada – Yoshito Yahagi
9. (15-1) My Sister Nat – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown
10. (20-1) Ocean Road – Oisin Murphy – Hugo Palmer
11. (30-1) Dogtag – Flavien Prat – Richard Mandella
12. (5-1) Audarya – William Buick – James Fanshawe

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

1. (7-2) Silver State – Ricardo Santana, Jr. – Steve Asmussen
2. (12-1) Pingxiang – Yuga Kawada – Hideyuki Mori
3. (4-1) Ginobili – Drayden Van Dyke – Richard Baltas
4. (30-1) Jasper Prince – Yuichi Fukunaga – Hideyuki Mori
5. (4-5) Life Is Good – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Todd Pletcher
6. (20-1) Restrainedvengence – Edwin Maldonado – Val Brinkerhoff
7. (12-1) Snapper Sinclair – Joel Rosario – Steve Asmussen
8. (10-1) Eight Rings – Juan Hernandez – Bob Baffert

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

1. (6-1) Glass Slippers – Tom Eaves – Kevin Ryan
2. (5-1) Emaraaty Ana – Andrea Atzeni – Kevin Ryan
3. (7-2) Golden Pal – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Wesley Ward
4. (6-1) Lieutenant Dan – Geovanni Franco – Steve Miyadi
5. (12-1) Arrest Me Red – John Velazquez – Wesley Ward
6. (8-1) A Case Of You – Ronan Whelan – Adrian McGuiness
7. (30-1) Charmaine's Mia – Flavien Prat – Phil D'Amato
8. (20-1) Caravel – Jose Ortiz – Graham Motion
9. (6-1) Kimari – Joel Rosario – Wesley Ward
10. (5-1) Gear Jockey – Jose Lezcano – Rusty Arnold
11. (12-1) Fast Boat – Tyler Gaffalione – Joe Sharp
12. (12-1) Extravagant Kid – Ryan Moore – Brendan Walsh

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

1. (20-1) Proud Emma – Flavien Prat – Peter Miller
2. (12-1) Estilo Talentoso – Jose Ortiz – Juan Arriagada
3. (12-1) Edgeway – Joel Rosario – John Sadler
4. (4-1) Ce Ce – Victor Espinoza – Michael McCarthy
5. (3-5) Gamine – John Velazquez – Bob Baffert
6. (5-2) Bella Sofia – Luis Saez – Rudy Rodriguez

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

1. (5-1) Modern Games – William Buick – Charlie Appleby
2. (6-1) Albahr – Frankie Dettori – Charlie Appleby
3. (8-1) Dakota Gold – Luis Saez – Danny Gargan
4. (8-1) Tiz the Bomb – Brian Hernandez, Jr. – Ken McPeek
5. (12-1) Slipstream – Joel Rosario – Christophe Clement
6. (8-1) Mackinnon – Juan Hernandez – Doug O'Neill
7. (20-1) Great Max – John Velazquez – Michael Bell
8. (12-1) Glounthaune – Ryan Moore – Aidan O'Brien
9. (20-1) Stolen Base – Umberto Rispoli
10. (6-1) Portfolio Company – Flavien Prat – Chad Brown
11. (15-1) Grafton Street – Tyler Gaffalione – Mark Casse
12. (30-1) Credibility – Mike Smith – Mark Casse
13. (15-1) Coinage – Florent Geroux – Mark Casse
14. (4-1) Dubawi Legend – James Doyle – Hugo Palmer

Breeders' Cup Juvenile

1. (9-5) Jack Christopher – Jose Ortiz – Chad Brown
2. (15-1) Jasper Great – Yuichi Fukunaga – Hideyuki Mori
3. (20-1) Oviatt Class – Kent Desormeaux – Keith Desormeaux
4. (15-1) Pappacap – Joe Bravo – Mark Casse
5. (20-1) Double Thunder – Flavien Prat – Todd Pletcher
6. (30-1) American Sanctuary – Florent Geroux – Chris Davis
7. (30-1) Giant Game – Joe Talamo – Dale Romans
8. (10-1) Barossa – Juan Hernandez – Bob Baffert
9. (8-1) Pinehurst – John Velazquez – Bob Baffert
10. (5-1) Commandperformance – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Todd Pletcher
11. (30-1) Tough To Tame – Sophie Doyle – Chris Davis
12. (5-2) Corniche – Mike Smith – Bob Baffert

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

1. (5-1) Pizza Bianca – Jose Ortiz – Christophe Clement
2. (12-1) Cairo Memories – Kent Desormeaux – Bob Hess
3. (12-1) Cachet – Luis Saez – George Boughey
4. (12-1) Turnerloose – Florent Geroux – Brad Cox
5. (8-1) Bubble Rock – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Brad Cox
6. (10-1) Hello You – John Velazquez – David Loughnane
7. (8-1) Consumer Spending – Flavien Prat – Chad Brown
8. (20-1) Sail By – Junior Alvarado – Leah Gyarmati
9. (6-1) Koala Princess – Joel Rosario – Arnaud Delacour
10. (30-1) Helens Well – Umberto Rispoli – Phil D'Amato
11. (10-1) Haughty – Tyler Gaffalione – Chad Brown
12. (8-1) Malavath – Ryan Moore – Francis-Henri Graffard
13. (6-1) Mise En Scene – Oisin Murphy – James Ferguson
14. (8-1) California Angel – Rafael Bejarano – George Leonard, III

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

1. (20-1) Desert Dawn – Ricardo Gonzalez – Phil D'Amato
2. (5-2) Hidden Connection – Reylu Gutierrez – Bret Calhoun
3. (15-1) Sequist – Junior Alvarado – Dallas Stewart
4. (12-1) Tarabi – Javier Castellano – Cherie Devaux
5. (5-2) Juju's Map – Florent Geroux – Brad Cox
6. (4-5) Echo Zulu – Joel Rosario – Steve Asmussen

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

1. (15-1) Twilight Jet – Leigh Roche – Michael O'Callaghan
2. (12-1) Kaufymaker – Jose Ortiz – Wesley Ward
3. (15-1) Go Bears Go – John Velazquez – David Loughnane
4. (20-1) Vertiginous – Javier Castellano – Brian Meehan
5. (12-1) Hierarchy – Oisin Murphy – Hugo Palmer
6. (4-1) Twilight Gleaming – Irad Ortiz, Jr. – Wesley Ward
7. (6-1) Armor – Ryan Moore – Richard Hannon
8. (5-2) Averly Jane – Tyler Gaffalione – Wesley Ward
9. (4-1) One Timer – E. Baird – Larry Rivelli
10. (15-1) Time To Party – Flavien Prat – Peter Miller
11. (12-1) Derrynane – Joel Rosario – Christophe Clement
12. (20-1) Run Curtis Run – Luis Saez – Michael Maker

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