modern games | Horse Racing Free Tips

Baaeed Heads Champion Cast

Shadwell's Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will conclude his racing career against eight rivals in Saturday's £1.3-million QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot, with the unbeaten luminary drawn in stall one as the final fields were confirmed on Thursday morning. Like the 2016 hero Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the William Haggas flagbearer is on the inside in a contest that should be staged on ground no worse than soft and very likely good-to-soft. Last year's Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is in six in the day's feature event, with a favourable draw in four also handed to James Wigan and Ballylinch Stud's Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}).

Haggas is clearly bullish on his chances and said: “I think people want to see a really, really top horse stay unbeaten and win in style. Staying unbeaten is terribly important now that we are nearly there. Frankel obviously was unbeaten, but few are in a career at that level. It would be sad if he was beaten, but not for the people who beat him.

“I respect Adayar very much, as I respect Bay Bridge, who looked a fantastic horse at Sandown, but they've got to go to beat him.”

Cheveley Park Stud's G1 Coronation S. and G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois heroine Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) meets nine in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S., with the 2020 hero The Revenant (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) heading the opposition, providing the underfoot conditions suit.

“Modern Games will be declared and we will be on weather watch from thereon,” trainer Charlie Appleby told the Nick Luck Daily podcast Wednesday. “If the description was soft then he would be unlikely to run, but the decision will be made potentially on the day.”

Inspiral's trainers John and Thady Gosden also have the returning 'TDN Rising Star' Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S., which has attracted a field of 14, while in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S. last year's winner Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is one of 18. The opening G2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup sees Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) bid for a third consecutive renewal against KHK Racing's St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The former's participation was cemented with the additional precipitation Wednesday.

“It should be fine,” said Trueshan's trainer Alan King. “They had 4-5mm last night so it's good-to-soft, soft, and that should be fine for him. I don't see it drying out much.”

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Kyprios The Eyecatcher in Latest Longines WBRR

The latest edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR) were released Thursday, with winners from Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend climbing into prominent positions on the list.

Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) ran his seasonal record to six wins from as many appearances with a spectacular performance in the G1 Qatar Prix du Cadran over 4000 metres, where he had some 20 lengths between him and the next-nearest competitor. Also victorious this term in the G1 Gold Cup, G1 Goodwood Cup and G1 Irish St Leger, the 4-year-old was raised from a rating of 120 to 124, equal-seventh with G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. hero Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), dual Japanese Group 1 winner Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}).

The latter was beaten narrowly into third in defence of his title in this year's Arc by Kirsten Rausing's outstanding Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is new to the WBRR on a rating of 123 following her narrow success over Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}, 125) in the ParisLongchamp feature. Her season also includes victories in the G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Courtesy of his towering score in the GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile in Canada last month, Godolphin's Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) now sits on 122 as he prepares for Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. and a clash with the 3-year-old filly Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}, 121) at Ascot, with a return trip to the Breeders' Cup likely thereafter. 'TDN Rising Star' Taiba (Gun Runner) has also been rated on 122 on the strength of his three-length tally in the GI Pennsylvania Derby last month.

In Australia, Godolphin's Anamoe (Aus) (Street Boss) took the G1 Might and Power S. at Caulfield in Melbourne Oct. 8, adding to his wins in the G1 Winx S. and G1 George Main S. Now rated 121, the homebred is expected to be favoured for the G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday week.

'Rising Star' Flightline (Tapit, 139), who continues his build-up to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 5; and Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}, 135), who swansongs in Saturday's G1 QIPCO British Champions S., remain at the top of the WBRR.

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Modern Games ‘Miles’ the Best at Woodbine

When last seen on these shores, Godolphin's Modern Games (Ire) (c, 3, Dubawi {Ire}–Modern Ideals {GB}, by New Approach {Ire}) was embroiled in the controversy of all controversies, when erroneously scratched, then allowed to run–albeit for purse money only–in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, which he duly won. The homebred is likely back on his way to the Breeders' Cup after pummeling overmatched rivals by five lengths in Saturday's GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile, for which Modern Games earns an all-expenses-paid trip to Keeneland.

Allowed to drift back to sit worse than midfield as Get Smokin (Got Stormy) set a strong tempo in advance of War Bomber (Ire) (War Front), the chestnut still found himself in the latter half of the field, in some traffic and very much on hold as they raced into the final three-eighths of a mile. Waiting for the precise moment to pull the trigger, William Buick set Modern Games alight once heads were turned for home, beating GI Maker's Mark Mile winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Shirl's Speight (Speightstown) to a spot while angling out and around fellow European raider Finest Sound (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). Once into the clear, Modern Games let down beautifully and motored through the final couple of furlongs to score decisively. Ivar (Brz) (Agnes Gold {Jpn}) was along late to take a photo for second over Finest Sound. Modern Games is the first 3-year-old to win the Woodbine Mile.

Winner of this year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) in his first post-Breeders' Cup appearance in May, Modern Games failed to see out the extended 10-furlong trip when beaten 5 1/4 lengths into third by the exciting Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club June 5. Fractionally disappointing when fifth as the 8-5 favorite in the G1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville July 10, Modern Games ran Europe's top horse Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) to 1 3/4 lengths when last seen in the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood July 27.

Pedigree Notes:

Modern Games is one of four winners from five to the races for his dam, also responsible for this year's Listed Royal Windsor S. winner Modern News (GB) (Shamardal) and Mawj (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), second in the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot before taking out the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. during Newmarket's July meeting. Modern Games was produced by a half-sister to G1SW Ultra (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}) and Synopsis (Ire) (In The Wings {GB}) and his deeper female family also includes Bosra Sham and Hector Protector. Modern Ideals is the dam of a yearling filly by Mastercraftsman (Ire).

Saturday, Woodbine
RICOH WOODBINE MILE S.-GI, C$1,017,200, Woodbine, 9-17, 3yo/up, 1mT, 1:32.77, fm.
1–MODERN GAMES (IRE), 123, c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
                1st Dam: Modern Ideals (GB), by New Approach (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Epitome (Ire), by Nashwan
                3rd Dam: Proskona, by Mr. Prospector
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charles Appleby; J-William T. Buick.
C$600,000. Lifetime Record: GSW & G1SP-Eng, G1SW-Fr, GISW-USA, 11-6-2-1, $1,858,773. *1/2 to
Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), GSW-Eng, $119,745;
Modern News (GB) (Shamardal), SW & MGSP-Eng, SP-UAE,
$201,610. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ivar (Brz), 122, h, 6, Agnes Gold (Jpn)–May Be Now, by
Smart Strike. O-Bonne Chance Farm, LLC & Stud R D I, LLC.;
B-Stud Rio Dois Irmaos (BRZ); T-Paulo H. Lobo. C$200,000.
3–Finest Sound (Ire), 122, g, 5, Exceed And Excel
(Aus)–Amplifier (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Sheikh Mohammed
Obaid Al Maktoum (Ire); T-Simon Crisford. C$110,000.
Margins: 5 1/4, NK, 1HF. Odds: 0.75, 2.80, 25.70.
Also Ran: Shirl's Speight, Town Cruise, Mighty Heart, Wakanaka (Ire), March to the Arch, War Bomber (Ire), Get Smokin, Homer Screen (Brz).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Trio of Woodbine Grade I’s Headline Saturday Stakes Action

Three Grade I events, all of which are Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' qualifiers, north of the border at Woodbine will take the spotlight among nine graded stakes this Saturday as the racing calendar transitions to fall with all of the major summer meets now wrapped up.

The $1-million GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile serves, along with the Queen's Plate, as the centerpiece of the Woodbine meet, and this year's renewal features an 11-horse field that includes last year's winner Town Cruise (Town Prize), who will be looking to bounce back from three off-the-board finishes following his wire-to-wire score in this race last September. The likely favorite, however, will be Godolphin's Modern Games (Dubawi {Ire}), who returns to America for the first time after his controversial purse-money-only win in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, who swept the three Grade I's on this card last year, Modern Games started his 3-year-old campaign off with a score in the G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains before running third in the G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, fifth in the G1 Haras d'Etreham Prix Jean Prat and second when last seen in the G1 Qatar Sussex S. July 27 at Goodwood.

Appleby doesn't have an entry in this year's GI Natalma S. for juvenile turf fillies, but will be represented by last-out G3 Circus Maximus Prix Francois Boutin hero Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the GI Summer S. Other contenders in that one-mile test for juvenile turf males include Klaravich Stables' Appraise (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) for Chad Brown and Philip My Dear (Silent Name {Jpn}), who overcame stretch traffic to take the local Soaring Free S. Aug. 20.

Stakes action over the flat at 'Belmont at the Big A' will get underway with the GIII Caesars Jockey Club Derby Invitational and GIII Jockey Club Oaks Invitational for 3-year-old turf males and fillies, respectively. The former features a rubber match between Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway), who upset the July 9 GI Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational S. and Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who was second that day and exacted revenge when taking the GI Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational S. Aug. 6 at the Spa. Adding intrigue is progressive German invader Ardakan (GB) (Reliable Man {GB}). Trained by Markus Klug, the gray scored a victory in the G2 Premio Derby Italiano May 22 and was eighth in the G1 German Derby before running third last out with a 111 Timeform Rating against elders in the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin Aug. 14 at Hoppegarten.

The Jockey Club Oaks also features a hopeful for Germany, Toskana Belle (Fr) (Shamalgan {Fr}), who ships in for legendary German trainer Andreas Wohler. The chestnut, who captured the G1 German Oaks Aug. 7 at Dusseldorf, looks like the only realistic alternative to Klaravich Stables' McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who annexed the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. July 9 before running second in the G3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational S. Aug. 7.

Churchill Downs will host five stakes Saturday, including Kentucky's first two graded events for 2-year-olds in the GIII Iroquois S. and GIII Pocahontas S., which are also the first two-turn graded dirt races for juveniles on the calendar in the U.S. The clear horse to beat in the Pocahontas for fillies is Three Chimneys Farm's Grand Love (Gun Runner), who was an impressive 4 3/4-length debut victress Aug. 21 at Saratoga with an 84 Beyer, nine points higher than the closest figure run by any rival.

The Iroquois looks much more competitive on paper, with undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Damon's Mound (Girvin), who followed up a 12 1/2-length debut romp with a 3 1/4-length score in the GII Saratoga Special S., clashing with fellow 'Rising Stars' Jace's Road (Quality Road) and Echo Again (Gun Runner), each of whom steps into stakes company after dominant first-out scores last month. Echo Again ran the fastest Beyer of any 2-year-old this summer at Saratoga, receiving a 94 for his 6 3/4-length rout when bet down to 3-5 Aug. 20.

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