Tag: michael mccarthy

Tapwater, McCarthy Duo Top Marathon Santa Barbara Lineup

LNJ Foxwoods' Tapwater heads a field of eight fillies and mares going a marathon mile and one half on turf in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Santa Barbara Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.  Trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, Tapwater will be making her second career graded stakes appearance.

Trainer Michael McCarthy's recent allowance winner Go Big Blue Nation will also be making her second stakes appearance and will command considerable attention with turf ace Umberto Rispoli aboard for the first time and McCarthy's Rideforthecause, a Grade 2 winner in Canada this past September, could also figure prominently as the leading money earner in the field.

A 5-year-old mare by Tapit, out of the Indian Charlie mare Fiji Moon, Tapwater was most recently fourth, beaten 3 ¼ lengths by highly respected Charmaine's Mia going one mile on turf in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes at Santa Anita on April 3.  A sharp classified allowance winner going a mile on grass two starts back on Feb. 12 with Flavien Prat, she'll be reunited with the meet's leading man on Saturday and will be stretching out off of six consecutive races at one mile.

Tapwater, who will be making her third start of the year, brings an overall mark of 9-3-2-0 and earnings of $154,940.

Owned by Cannon Thoroughbreds, LLC, Go Big Blue Nation flew late under apprentice Alexis Centeno to win a second condition allowance on April 4 at a mile and one quarter on turf by a half length and will hope to employ similar tactics when ridden by Rispoli for the first time on Saturday.  Claimed out of a maiden $75,000 win eight starts back on Jan. 12, 2020, Go Big Blue Nation, a 4-year-old filly by Animal Kingdom, earned a career best 87 Beyer Speed figure and rates a huge chance stretching out a quarter of a mile.

Trained in Canada by Gail Cox, Rideforthecause was an even sixth, beaten 2 ½ lengths by multiple graded stakes winner Mucho Unusual in her first start for McCarthy, the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel Stakes at a mile one eighth on turf Dec. 27.  Subsequently seventh, beaten seven lengths in an even effort by Charmaine's Mia in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine, Rideforthecause will be ridden for the second time in a row by Mario Gutierrez.

A winner of the Grade 2 Canadian at a mile and one eighth over the Woodbine turf four starts back on Sept. 12, Rideforthecause was subsequently fourth as the 5-2 favorite in Woodbine's Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes Oct. 18 and will hope to regain her Canadian form in the Santa Barbara.

Phil D'Amato's Carpe Vinum, a close third to Go Big Blue Nation April 4, pressed the pace and was fifth, beaten 3 ¼ lengths two starts back going a mile and one half on turf in the Grade 3 Astra Stakes Jan. 17 and thus rates a solid chance in what will be her third start of the meet.  Owned by MyRacehorse and Joey Platts, Carpe Vinum, a 4-year-old daughter of Carpe Diem, will be ridden for the third consecutive time by Jose Valdivia, Jr.

GRADE III SANTA BARBARA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS
IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 7 of 9  Approximate post time 4 p.m. PT

  1. Catch the Eye—Kent Desormeaux—122
  2. Rideforthecause—Mario Gutierrez—124
  3. Tapwater—Flavien Prat—122
  4. Carpe Vinum—Jose Valdivia, Jr.—122
  5. Star of Africa—Abel Cedillo—122
  6. Neige Blanche—Juan Hernandez—124
  7. Go Big Blue Nation—Umberto Rispoli—122
  8. Dynapower—Cesar Ortega—122

First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m.  For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

The post Tapwater, McCarthy Duo Top Marathon Santa Barbara Lineup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Rombauer ‘Made A Nice Little Progression From 2 To 3,’ Will Start In Preakness Stakes

John and Diane Fradkin's Rombauer, third in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) in his most recent start, is headed to the May 15 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.

“That's the plan,” trainer Michael McCarthy said Monday.

The homebred son of Twirling Candy automatically qualified for a starting berth in the 146th Preakness with his victory in the El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 13 at Golden Gate Fields. He was third, beaten 5¾ lengths in the Blue Grass behind champion Essential Quality and Highly Motivated, who finished fourth and 10th, respectively, in Saturday's Kentucky Derby (G1).

Since Rombauer has been most effective running from off the pace, McCarthy said the Blue Grass did not suit him because there was no early speed in the race at Keeneland.

“The horse laid a little closer than I would have liked but ran a credible third,” McCarthy said.

Rombauer was second by three-quarters of a length in the American Pharoah (G1) on Sept. 26 at Santa Anita and completed his 2-year-old season with a fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) on Nov. 6 at Keeneland.

“He's done everything and made a nice little progression from 2 to 3,” McCarthy said. “He's put on a little weight. He's a horse that takes pretty good care of himself, so he's been pretty easy that way.”

McCarthy said that Rombauer will have his final work at Santa Anita and will ship to Pimlico early next week.

Get Her Number, who defeated Rombauer by three-quarters of a length in the American Pharoah, will not run in the Preakness, trainer Peter Miller said Monday.

The post Rombauer ‘Made A Nice Little Progression From 2 To 3,’ Will Start In Preakness Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Hall Of Famer Espinoza Scores Riding Double On First Day Back: ‘It’s Like He Never Missed A Beat’

Victor Espinoza is back.

The Hall of Fame jockey made a storybook return to the races Saturday after an extended absence of a month, during which he spent time in his native Mexico providing love and care for his ailing 90-year-old mother, Gloria.

The three-time Kentucky Derby winner and 2015 Triple Crown king on American Pharoah had two mounts Saturday, winning both with moves right out of National Velvet.

Espinoza, who turns 49 on May 23, rallied from eighth and last on Achilleus to win the sixth race at a mile on dirt by a half-length for trainer John Sadler, with whom he has enjoyed great success in the past. It was Victor's first ride since March 19 when he finished second by a head on 7-1 shot American Heights.

Espinoza scored another dramatic victory in the seventh race, courageously slipping Ce Ce through a narrow opening on the rail in the stretch to win by 3 ¾ lengths for Michael McCarthy.

Espinoza had ridden the 5-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality to back-to-back Grade I victories last year, in the Beholder Mile and the Apple Blossom Handicap.

But it was business as usual Sunday morning for Espinoza, who was working horses at Santa Anita.

“It was a good day,” Espinoza said of his return. “I started in the right direction. My plan was to have Achilleus close to the lead, but he broke so slow it seemed like he wasn't moving. My experience has taught me one thing though: never give up until the race is over.

“Many times, horses don't have that motivation early on, and if I give up, we don't have a chance. Animals are smart, but no matter how far you are into a race, don't give up on them.

“Ce Ce showed her class. She's always been an amazing mare, she came back fresh and her race was excellent.”

Espinoza had more good news on the familial front.

“My mother just turned 90 and never had any serious problems until she fractured her back,” he said. “Then everything fell apart. But now she's recovering and getting much better.”

Added Espinoza's agent of eight years Brian Beach: “The important thing winning with Sadler's horse was it showed Victor's timing was still spot on.

“I've often told people Victor can step away like this and be ready to ride when he comes back, because he's always working out and taking care of his body.

“He's not a partier or anything like that. He's always in tip-top shape. … It's like he never missed a beat.”

That's all well and good, but two victories on Saturday, especially as incredulous as they were, assuredly can't hurt business.

“The timing is good with the Kentucky Derby week coming up,” Beach said. “Hopefully we can pick up a few mounts here and there from guys who are going to be riding in the Derby (on May 1). Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we're going to be riding in it this year, but maybe we can stay at home and win a few.”

After his victories, Victor generously spent time chatting with media and greeting fans, his wide smile beaming all the while.

Some of his well-wishers were in their early teens, providing Espinoza an up close and personal opportunity to cultivate a nucleus of fresh faces for a sport in dire need of them.

They greeted him like a rock star, eager for pictures and autographs, with one distinct exception: Victor's instrument is a Thoroughbred, and he still plays it like a Stradivarius.

The post Hall Of Famer Espinoza Scores Riding Double On First Day Back: ‘It’s Like He Never Missed A Beat’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Independence Hall, Magic On Tap Face Brazilian Royal Ship In Californian

Trainer Michael McCarthy's classy Independence Hall heads Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita, an iconic steppingstone to the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup, which will be run on Memorial Day, May 31.  The Californian, for 3-year-olds and up, has a attracted a field of five to the Arcadia, Calif., track.

A Grade 3 winner going a one turn mile at age 2 in New York, Independence Hall, a 4-year-old colt by Constitution, comes off a solid fourth-place finish, beaten 2 ½ lengths, in the G1 Santa Anita Handicap March 6 and will be shortening up a furlong while retaining the services of leading man Flavien Prat.

A troubled third two starts back in the G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park Jan. 23, Independence Hall was keen early in the Big 'Cap and tired a bit late to be beaten a half length for third by race favorite and previously unbeaten Maxfield.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC and Kathleen and Robert Veratti, Independence Hall was originally trained by eastern-based Michael Trombetta and will be making his fifth start for McCarthy on Saturday.  With four wins, two of them stakes, from nine starts, Independence Hall is the top money earner in the field with $630,600.

Idle 15 months, Bob Baffert's Magic On Tap came back to the races running on March 28, as he stalked the early pace and drew off to an impressive 1 ½-length allowance win going 1 1/16 miles with Prat up.  A Summer Wind Equine homebred, Magic On Tap is a 5-year-old horse by Tapit that has good natural speed and tremendous upside as he tries stakes competition for the first time in what will be his fifth start.

With Prat opting to stick with Independence Hall, Magic On Tap, who has two wins and as many seconds from four starts, will be ridden for the first time by Umberto Rispoli.

Perhaps the biggest question mark in Saturday's Californian is Brazilian-bred Royal Ship, who comes off a fast finishing fifth-place finish on turf to talented Hit the Road in the G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on March 6 for trainer Richard Mandella.  A Group 1 winner on grass in his native Brazil, he raced twice on dirt in his 11 starts, finishing third in his seven furlong debut in July  2019 and a troubled fourth in the G3 Native Diver Stakes two starts back on Nov. 21 at Del Mar.

With a recent race to his credit, Royal Ship, a 5-year-old gelding by Midshipman, looms dangerous in what will be his fifth stateside start for Mandella with regular rider Mike Smith back aboard.  A winner of five consecutive turf races in Brazil, Royal Ship, who will be making his 12th career start, need only finish as well on dirt as he did in the grassy Kilroe on March 6 to be a major factor Saturday as he seeks his first local win.

GRADE II CALIFORNIAN WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS
IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 8 of 9  Approximate post time 4:30 p.m. PT

  1. Growth Engine—Tyler Baze—122
  2. Magic On Tap—Umberto Rispoli—122
  3. Country Grammer—Abel Cedillo–124
  4. Royal Ship—Mike Smith—122
  5. Independence Hall—Flavien Prat–122

First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m.  For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

The post Independence Hall, Magic On Tap Face Brazilian Royal Ship In Californian appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights