Working outside of his multiple stakes-placed stablemate Blue Eyed George (Flameaway) and with exercise rider Walter Davila in the irons, Endlessly remained on even terms for the majority of the breeze, easing clear on the gallop out. He pulled up five furlongs in 1:02.80, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

In the immediate aftermath of the Jeff Ruby Steaks, a victory which took his record to five wins from six starts, connections announced their intentions to point for the GII American Turf S., but reversed course a few days later, with the Derby a possible target.

“After the Jeff Ruby, Mr. Amerman and I talked and we're going to leave all of our options open,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “We still have a few weeks to train here and have some time to make a final decision as to what we do next.”

In 2011, Animal Kingdom won the GIII Spiral S. before causing a 20-1 upset in the Derby in his first start on the main track.

Earlier Saturday, GII Rebel S. runner-up Common Defense (Karakontie {Jpn}) went a half-mile in :47.80 (3/111) outside of his Grade II-placed stable companion Real Men Violin (Mendelssohn). Common Defense covered his opening two furlongs in :24.60 and was out five-eighths in 1:01.40.

Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Endlessly returned to the work tab at @ChurchillDowns with a half-mile move in :49.60 outside Blue Eyed George. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/L8Mr2Z7Vck

— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 6, 2024

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“We're going to go ahead and see what happens here over the next few weeks,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “[Owner] Mr. [John] Amerman would like to keep all his options open.”

Endlessly earned enough points to qualify for the Derby when winning the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park in his last start, but that race was run over a synthetic surface, as was his prior race, a win in the El Camino Real Derby. His four prior starts were all over the turf, the reason why McCarthy was initially pointing for the American Turf. Endlessly has never run on the dirt.

“He doesn't need to show me much, at least from a resume standpoint,” McCarthy said. “He has to train and we'll need everything to go our way. You know how things are when you get close to Derby time, things happen. We'll be looking for a bit of luck and will hope he gets over the racetrack well. Mr. Amerman wants to be very open minded about it and feels there is an opportunity out there. Are we leaning towards the Derby? The answer is yes.”

McCarthy admitted that Endlesssly has not necessarily been working that well on the dirt surface at Santa Anita, where he is based.

“His works on the dirt have been very workmanlike,” the trainer said. “They've been decent. Decent without being eye-catching. But sometimes, you just have to take a chance and Mr. Amerman feels the same way.”

In six career starts, Endlessly has lost just once and has also recorded stakes wins in the GIII Zuma Beach S. and the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf S.

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A homebred for Pamela Cee Ziebarth, Sweet Azteca blasted right out of the gate and controlled the early tempo of :23.40 and :47.40 while in hand. As the dust settled with Green Up tracking just off the frontrunner's flank, Sweet Azteca showed no signs of slowing as she rounded the final turn and sailed into the stretch three lengths on top. Adare Manor blew by Green Up to chase the gray home, but couldn't catch the winner and finished three-quarters of a length in arrears.

“It felt like she was used to sprinting, so around the turn I tried to get her to relax, and she did the rest herself,” said Flavien Prat, who was aboard the winner. “At the turn for home, I felt the other horse coming and she picked it up herself.”

Sweet Azteca made one start as a 3-year-old last year for trainer Michael McCarthy, resulting in a Derby week win at Churchill Downs and an 85 debut Beyer Speed Figure. Benched until the GIII Las Flores S. at Santa Anita on New Year's Day, Sweet Azteca was outkicked for third after drifting out late, then roared back with a 12-length optional allowance win and a 91 Beyer over this surface going 6 1/2 furlongs Feb. 2. The Beholder Mile was her first try around two turns.

McCarthy previously won the Beholder Mile in 2020 with Ce Ce (Elusive Quality), who, like Sweet Azteca, was lightly raced and coming off a 6 1/2-furlong optional allowance a month prior. Ce Ce would go on to become the 2021 Eclipse champion female sprinter and a three-time Grade I winner, whose victories included the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

Pedigree Notes:

Sweet Azteca is the first graded winner for Sharp Azteca, a former Three Chimneys stallion who is standing the 2024 season at Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan. With two crops to the races, Sharp Azteca is responsible for six black-type winners. Sweet Azteca also is one of 93 stakes winners out of a mare by the late Grand Slam. Both Sharp Azteca and Grand Slam also won Grade I races at a mile during their racing careers: the first in the 2017 Cigar Mile, the second in the 1997 Futurity S.

A third-generation homebred for Ziebarth, Sweet Azteca is out of a family first nurtured by Ziebarth's late mother, Cecilia Straub Rubens. The Beholder Mile winner's fourth dam is the famed Straub Rubens mare Cee's Song. Sold for $2.6 million to Dromoland Farm in 2001, Cee's Song produced Horse of the Year Tiznow, MGSW & GISP Budroyale, GSW Tizdubai, and the dams of GISWs Oxbow and Paynter. The family is seeing a revitalization in 2024 as, in addition to Sweet Azteca, 'TDN Rising Star', GII Rachel Alexandra S. winner, and top GI Kentucky Oaks contender Tarifa (Bernardini) is a direct descendant.

So Sweetitiz has a 2-year-old colt named Mucho Dulce (Mucho Macho Man) and a yearling colt named Under the Big Sky (Tonalist). She is in foal for 2024 with a full-sibling to Sweet Azteca.

How sweet it is! SWEET AZTECA was more than up to the task, taking them all the way in Saturday's GI B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile at @santaanitapark. pic.twitter.com/iDV7G9HxF6

— TDN (@theTDN) March 10, 2024

Saturday, Santa Anita Park
BEHOLDER MILE S.-GI, $301,000, Santa Anita, 3-9, 4yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:36.40, ft.
1–SWEET AZTECA, 120, f, 4, by Sharp Azteca
           1st Dam: So Sweetitiz (MSW, $180,480), by Grand Slam
           2nd Dam: Sweetitiz, by El Prado (Ire)
           3rd Dam: Tizsweet, by Cee's Tizzy
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Pamela Cee Ziebarth (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy; J-Flavien Prat. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $301,200. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-crosspedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Adare Manor, 122, m, 5, by Uncle Mo
           1st Dam: Brooklynsway (GSW-USA, MSW & GSP-Can, $724,597), by Giant Gizmo
           2nd Dam: Explosive Story, by Radio Star
           3rd Dam: Maya's Note, by Editor's Note
($180,000 Ylg '20 FTKFEB; $190,000 RNA Ylg '20 FTKSEL; $375,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN). O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $60,000.
3–Green Up, 120, m, 5, by Upstart
           1st Dam: Green Punch, by Two Punch
           2nd Dam: Green Jeans, by Green Dancer
           3rd Dam: Duds, by Ack Ack
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. 'TDN Rising Star'. ($10,000 Ylg '20 EASOCT). O-Team Valor International, LLC; B-Althea Richards (VA); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $36,000.
Margins: 3/4, 5HF, 3/4. Odds: 3.40, 1.10, 4.60.
Also Ran: Desert Dawn, Window Shopping, Coffee in Bed, Interstatedaydream. Scratched: Kirstenbosch, Turnerloose.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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This Tuesday, an 11-race card kicks off at 2 p.m. ET under the picturesque San Gabriel mountains in Arcadia, California–six of which are graded stakes.

To entice the horseplayer, the Classic Meet sports a $1 Pick Six, a 14 percent takeout on both the .50 Early and Late Pick 5, and we will see the return of the $3 All-Turf Pick 3, which was announced during the recent Autumn Meet.

As for the graded lineup, of course the feature is once again the GI Malibu S. for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs on dirt.

Trainer Bob Baffert has GSW Speed Boat Beach (Bayern), GSW Fort Bragg (Tapit) and GISP Hejazi (Bernardini) ready to go. The Hall of Famer, who won last year's edition with 'TDN Rising Star' Taiba (Gun Runner), is seeking his sixth win in the Malibu. That would tie fellow Hall member Richard Mandella for most wins all-time in the race.

The 3-year-old fillies take the stage in the GI La Brea S. going seven furlongs. GISP Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief) looks to be the leading contender. The Michael McCarthy-trainee was most recently sixth at 'The Great Race Place' in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Nov. 4.

Baffert, who has won the last two La Breas, and with a record of nine overall, enters GSP Fast and Shiny (Bernardini), while trainer Brad Cox ships in SW Howl (Practical Joke).

Anisette | Benoit

In the GI American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on turf, GISW Anisette (GB) Awtaad (Ire) is the standout. The Leonard Powell-trainee won the GI Del Mar Oaks and GII San Clemente S. at Del Mar earlier this year. Most recently, Anisette was the runner-up in both the GII Rodeo Drive S. Oct. 7 and GIII Autumn Miss S. Nov. 5, both at Santa Anita.

Alongside the three Grade Is are the same number of Grade IIs, which all carry a purse of $200,000. The GII San Gabriel S. for 3-year-olds and up at nine furlongs on turf includes Easter (Fr). The Phil D'Amato-trainee won his first start for his new barn in the GII Seabiscuit H. at Del Mar Nov. 25. The 5-year-old Australian-bred by Exosphere (Aus) was previously based in New York with trainer Graham Motion.

The GII San Antonio S. is for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Present are Stilleto Boy (Shackleford), winner of this year's GI Santa Anita H.; GSW Newgrange (Violence); MGSW Brickyard Ride (Clubhouse Ride); and GSW Salesman (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Add in South American import Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify), who is a Argentinian multiple Group 1 winner, and this makes for a pretty salty affair.

In what might be the most open battle on the whole card, the GII Mathis Mile S. over the grass for 3-year-olds includes GSP Almendares (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), SW Dandy Man Shines (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) and GSP Panic Alarm (Ire) (Kuroshio {Aus}).

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#5 JULIAS DREAM ($3.20) makes her return to the turf a winning one, taking the lead in the stretch and holding off a late rally by Cheeky Gal to win the 3rd at @DelMarRacing.

The 2yo filly by @darbydanfarm's Flameaway was ridden by Flavien Prat for @mwmracing & Talla Racing. pic.twitter.com/F4DLIHWoQL

— TVG (@TVG) November 10, 2023

The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Julias Dream Back On Del Mar Turf And In Winner’s Circle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Notching a front-running win at first asking Sept. 10 at Del Mar, the 6-5 choice broke alertly from the rail, once again seized the lead and never looked back as she commanded the pole position through the checkered flag.

“Today, it seemed like she caught a flier [leaving the gate],” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “I was pleasantly surprised to see her put herself where she did. Umberto seemed in command up the backside, it was nice to see him put a little daylight in between him and everyone else coming to the quarter pole. We will keep her at one turn for now. I believe there is a stake in a few weeks time at Del Mar around one turn that may be something to think about. I think six and a half, seven [furlongs] would be her limit. We will find out.”

The winner's dam, who is a half-sister to GIII Beaumont S. heroine Gas Station Sushi (Into Mischief), foaled her only other offspring–a colt–Feb. 24 by Cloud Computing and she was bred to Greatest Honour for next year.

ANOAKIA S., $91,370, Santa Anita, 10-21, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.55, ft.
1–SANDY BOTTOM, 120, f, 2, by Omaha Beach
                1st Dam: Starlit Daydream, by Can the Man
                2nd Dam: Five Star Daydream, by Five Star Day
                3rd Dam: September Charmer, by Septieme Ciel
($145,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-James Daniell and Donna Daniell; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy; J-Umberto Rispoli. $54,822. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $104,022.
2–Tambo, 118, f, 2, Enticed–Flatter Me First, by Flatter.($29,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN; $25,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $70,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-SAF Racing, Neil A. Haymes, James E. McCadden and William Strauss; B-Thoroughbred by Design LLC (KY); T-Peter Eurton. $18,274.
3–Becky's Dream (Fr), 120, f, 2, City of Light–Corporate Queen, by Colonel John. ($15,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O/T-Jose R. Valdez; B-Yeguada Centurion S.L.U. (FR). $10,965.
Margins: 3/4, 3HF, 3HF. Odds: 1.20, 6.80, 4.00.
Also Ran: Dua, Cheeky Gal.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The $85,000 Anoakia Stakes at @santaanitapark went to SANDY BOTTOM ($4.40), a talented, undefeated daughter of @spendthriftfarm's Omaha Beach. @mwmracing trained and @umbyrispoli was in the irons for owners Daniell or Daniell.

One to go – wager on https://t.co/nBYFHiPrdh! pic.twitter.com/dnbBBuQwOJ

— TVG (@TVG) October 21, 2023

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“I had a really nice trip,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “My horse broke sharp today and he always puts himself in a good spot. I was tracking the pace, there were a couple of horses in front of me and I was saving ground the first turn. Around the 3/8 when I was ready to start making my move I was a little surprised because he is the kind of horse when you ask him he picks it up right away, but today it took him a couple of jumps to figure out that he had to start making his move. I wanted to go outside, but then I saw the rail open for me and saw the opportunity to come through and make up more ground, so I decided to come between horses. My horse is really professional–he came through the horses really well and after that he just passed everybody like the last couple of races. He's improving with every race.”

Pedigree Notes:

Endlessly is one of three graded winners and five stakes winners for his young sire. He is one of 80 worldwide stakes winners (20 group or graded) out of Langfuhr mares. Out of French import and SoCal SW/GSP Society Dream, dam Dream Fuhrever is a half to the dam of the Amermans' GISW Coffee Clique (Medaglia d'Oro) and MGSW Admission Office (Point of Entry). Another half-sister is responsible for this year's Hawthorne Derby winner Act a Fool (Oscar Performance). Dream Fuhrever produced a full-brother to Endlessly in March and was bred back to Oscar Performance for the fifth-straight year.

Sunday, Santa Anita Park
ZUMA BEACH S.-GIII, $201,500, Santa Anita, 10-8, 2yo, 1mT, 1:34.52, fm.
1–ENDLESSLY, 124, c, 2, by Oscar Performance
                1st Dam: Dream Fuhrever, by Langfuhr
                2nd Dam: Society Dream (Fr), by Akarad (Fr)
                3rd Dam: Society Bride, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
O-Amerman Racing LLC; B-Jerry Amerman (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $229,200. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ngannou, 118, c, 2, Mendelssohn–Fancy Kitten, by Kitten's Joy. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($120,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Wells Watson; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-Michael McCarthy. $40,000.
3–Grand Mo the First, 120, c, 2, Uncle Mo–Lilies So Fair, by Giant's Causeway. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($125,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $135,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $335,000 RNA 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Granpollo Stables LLC; B-John D. Gunther (KY); T-Victor Barboza, Jr.. $24,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1 1/4, HF. Odds: 0.80, 7.20, 7.50.
Also Ran: Ace of Clubs, Mici's Express, Formidable Man, Boltage, Pour Dompter (Fr). Scratched: Rothschild.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf winner #3 ENDLESSLY ($3.60) adds another graded score to his resume with a commanding victory in the GIII Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita!

The colt by @millridgefarm's Oscar Performance was ridden by @JJHernandezS19 for @mwmracing and Amerman Racing. pic.twitter.com/6XzLWQXkxg

— TVG (@TVG) October 8, 2023

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Lined up opposite 'TDN Rising Star' Boltage (Bolt d'Oro), the 5-2 second choice kept to what he knew after a winning debut over this same distance earlier in the meet July 30. Also facing two of his stablemates in this spot, Endlessly broke with the pack but was quickly outrun passing the wire the first time by. A keen Des Doigts (Hootenanny), chased intently by both Bear River (Flameaway) and Boltage, blitzed into the first turn through an opening quarter in :22.71. Bear River went on with it to take command up the backstretch as Endlessly checked in near the rear of the field. The top three began to come back to them as Boltage made an early move past a :46.61 half mile and Endlessly followed suit to pick up positions outside of horses. Three across the track at the quarter pole, Boltage tried to make a race of it but the Mike McCarthy trainee went right on by, opening up inside the final sixteenth to win going away.

“I had a good trip,” said winning jockey Juan Hernandez, also aboard for the maiden win. “Mike (trainer Mike McCarthy) told me the horse had really been training well. When you hear that, you don't get nervous out there if you get in a little trouble. You know the horse is going to run strong. My horse did that today. I was tracking the favorite (Boltage) and when I got by him I knew I was in good shape.”

“The horse had drawn a little bit outside today and I told Juan (Hernandez) just go ahead and bounce out of there and hopefully not get yourself stuck too far out in the middle of the racetrack around the first turn,” added McCarthy. “The horse was attentive to him and he put himself in a great spot. He looked like he was always traveling comfortably. It did look like Juan took it to him a little early. It just seemed like he couldn't wait any longer and he was able to finish off nicely.”

ENDLESSLY ($7.60), easily under @JJHernandezS19 in the $100,000 @DelMarRacing Juvenile Turf (G3). A colt by @millridgefarm's Oscar Performance who was trained by @mwmracing. Congrats to owners Amerman Racing!

Bet the late Pick 4 in the next on https://t.co/nBYFHiPrdh! pic.twitter.com/lNxwbFvIXm

— TVG (@TVG) September 10, 2023

Pedigree Note:

The third graded-stakes winner for sophomore sire Oscar Performance, Endlessly is out of an unraced Langfuhr mare who is a half-sister to the dam of both GISW Coffee Clique (Medaglia d'Oro), MGSW Admission Office (Point of Entry) and MGSP Royal Fury (Langfuhr). Dream Fuhrever has been a frequent visitor of Oscar Performance as Endlessly has a 3-year-old full-sister and a weanling full-brother with another full-sibling expected in 2024.

Sunday, Del Mar
DEL MAR JUVENILE TURF S.-GIII, $101,500, Del Mar, 9-10, 2yo, 1mT, 1:35.28, fm.
1–ENDLESSLY, 120, c, 2, by Oscar Performance
                1st Dam: Dream Fuhrever, by Langfuhr
                2nd Dam: Society Dream (Fr), by Akarad (Fr)
                3rd Dam: Society Bride, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Amerman
Racing LLC; B-Jerry Amerman (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy;
J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0,
$109,200. Werk Nick Rating: D+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Lord Bullingdon, 118, c, 2, Lord Nelson–Ms Silver Oak, by
Leroidesanimaux (Brz). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK
TYPE. ($22,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $55,000 2yo '23 EASMAY).
O-Colbart Stables and Michael McCarthy Racing Stable, Inc.;
B-Veloce LLC (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. $20,000.
3–Boltage, 120, c, 2, Bolt d'Oro–Ultimate Prize, by Smart Strike.
'TDN Rising Star'. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($20,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN; $240,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). O-Pin Oak
Stud LLC; B-Virginia Moore & Malia Hopkins (KY); T-Richard E.
Mandella. $12,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.80, 9.00, 1.10.
Also Ran: Andreadytorumble, Bear River, Glandford (GB), Sea Singer (Ire), Des Doigts. Scratched: Osage Creek.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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A Cannon Thoroughbreds, LLC homebred trained by Michael McCarthy, Smooth Like Strait campaigned for five seasons and won five graded events, including the 2021 GI Shoemaker Mile S, the 2020 GII Twilight Derby, and the 2020 GII Mathis Brothers Mile S. He was also runner-up to Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Mile and placed in six other Grade I races. The 6-year-old retires with a record of 26-7-9-3 and earnings of $1,813,863.

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