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Thanksgiving Brings Trio of Graded Stakes To The Table

Horse racing fans will tuck in to a traditional helping of graded stakes on Thursday at both Churchill Downs and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Coast-to-coast Grade III gatherings include a dirt and turf race in the GIII Falls City S. and the GIII Cardinal S. before swinging out west to the Jimmy Durante Turf Course for the GIII Red Carpet S.

Into Mischief's Played Hard the Favorite in Falls City

With only six drawn for the Falls City under the Twin Spires, there is no question that trainer Phil Bauer has the upper hand with deserving favorite Played Hard (Into Mischief). Once again, the daughter of the Spendthrift super sire commands respect after winning the GIII Locust Grove S. on track Sept. 17, and the 4-year-old filly followed that with a third-place effort against the formidable 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) and consistent Army Wife (Declaration of War) in the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland Oct. 9. If she rates well and gets a fast main track, look for her to overwhelm this bunch. Her bloodline sports a strong sire, but her dam Well Lived (Tiznow) not only has a Horse of the Year in her background, but her full-brother Well Armed was a multiple Grade I winner.

Sodbusters Take to the Matt Winn

The Matt Winn Turf Course is back in action in November after a controversial summer and fall. Is the new grass ready? The question will dog its path. A staple this time of year is the GIII Cardinal S. Not to be missed, this field of 10 includes older females that will be contesting the nine furlongs. The Al Stall, Jr. trainee Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}) is the only millionaire earner in the bunch, and with over 30 starts to her credit, she comes to Churchill from Keeneland after running sixth on Nov. 5. in the one-mile Fall Harvest S., presented by Mint Gaming Hall. Stretching out back out to the nine-furlong distance seems to be in her favor. The last time she took to this course, she won the Aug. 13 GI Beverly D S., rallying past Princess Grace (Karakontie {Jpn}) just before the wire.

Others that will oppose her include the morning-line favorite at 9-5, the Godolphin homebred Adventuring (Pioneerof the Nile). Well-bred for the turf being out of champion Questing (GB) (Hard Spun), the 4-year-old filly was most recently seen in the GI E.P. Taylor S. at Woodbine Oct. 8. where she lost the lead in the stretch and was ultimately moved up a place after the DQ of Moira (Ghostzapper). Controlling the fractions up front will be a key to her success. A longer shot on the board that is worth a look is Eddie Kenneally's 5-year-old mare Curly Ruth (Curlin). Her tactical ability could be an asset in a race like this, especially if the pace falls apart. Out of Rutherienne (Pulpit), she will be looking to improve on a poor showing against the talented Bleecker Street (Quality Road) in the GIII Modesty S. on the May 6 Kentucky Oaks undercard.

Green Rolled Out for the Red Carpet

An 11-furlong turf test will challenge this collection of fillies and one mare. The spinster in this lot is Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners's Sister Otoole (Amira's Prince {Ire}), a 5-year-old out of O' Toole. Trained by Graham Motion, her experience over the course of 18 starts, including running third last time out to Temple City Terror (Temple City) in the GIII Rood and Riddle Dowager S., gives her a distinct advantage over this field as the 5-2 morning-line favorite.

Opposing her is a 4-year-old filly by American Pharoah that has contested races at six different tracks over the past year. Scarabea was under the care of Jack Sisterson, but now the Calumet homebred makes the move to Eoin Harty's barn. Routing on the turf against some solid competition, she will need to take a step forward after running fifth in the GI Rodeo Drive S. at Santa Anita Oct. 8.

One other entry to scrutinize is Mark Glatt's Bellstreet Bridie (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}), a 3-year-old filly who makes her stateside debut here. She has nine starts under her belt this year for trainer Michael Bell, but the major question she has to answer is class. Making her stakes debut, she will have to raise her game significantly for her new outfit.

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Distaffers and Juveniles in the Spotlight Sunday

With two graded events for distaffers and four for juveniles, including including four Breeders' Cup qualifiers, Sunday is basically Saturday part two from coast-to-coast.

The day's main event is the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland, A “Win and You're In” event, where champions Malathaat (Curlin) and Letruska (Super Saver) face off yet again. Malathaat looks to make amends for a solid third in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and she enters off a win in Saratoga's GI Personal Ensign S. Aug. 27.

Letruska, who won last year's Juddmonte, finished third in that prestigious Saratoga event and was off the board in her prior start in the GI Ogden Phipps S. Tyler Gaffalione takes over the controls for the first time from the Ortiz brothers, who both stayed home to ride in New York.

The other four members of this six-horse field will be likely be running for third and that group is topped by GIII Locust Grove S. winner Played Hard (Into Mischief).

Distaffers take center stage at Belmont as well with 3-year-old filly leader Nest (Curlin) taking on her elders for the first time in the GII Beldame S. at Aqueduct. Heavily favored against four severely overmatched competitors, the bay should be able to secure a very easy victory here ahead of a likely next start in the Breeders' Cup. Runner-up in the GI Belmont S., Nest romped by 12 1/4 lengths in the GI CCA Oaks at Saratoga July 23 and dominated that venue's GI Alabama S. next out Aug. 20.

“She's run well against the boys and all the best fillies of her generation, but first time against elders is always a challenge,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “She showed a lot of talent and class in her races against 3-year-olds and we would expect her to handle the step up.”

MGSW Travel Column (Frosted) stretches back out after a failed effort in the GI Ballerina H. Aug. 28 and First to Act (Curlin) enters off a good second in the Summer Colony S. Aug. 19.

Juveniles Compete for Breeders' Cup Berth

Aqueduct hosts a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Sunday in the GIII Futurity S. Several competitors enter off strong maiden wins, including Nagirroc (Lea), who graduated over this course and distance Sept. 24 in his first start for Graham Motion.

“He's been pretty classy in the morning since I've got him,” said Motion. “I haven't had him for that long and I was impressed with what he had done, but I certainly would not have expected him to run the way he did. I thought it was a very good effort. He won very comfortably.”

Inflation Nation (Ire) (Speightstown) missed by a head on debut at Saratoga, but got it done next out there Sept. 1 for Christophe Clement.

Mike Maker sends out Gaslight Dancer (City of Light), who did no running on dirt in his Churchill unveiling in August, but graduated by five lengths when switched to turf at Kentucky Downs Sept. 3.

Determined Jester (Practical Joke) takes on the boys in this event after breaking her maiden in Colonial's Rosies S. in her third career start Sept. 6.

Meanwhile at Keeneland, 2-year-old turf routers get their chance to earn a spot in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf starting gate in the GII Castle and Key Bourbon S. GIII With Anticipation S. winner Boppy O (Bolt d'Oro) leads this large and competitive field. He has already proven this distance is right up his alley.

Steve Asmussen has a live on here in Gigante (Not This Time), who ran away to a 6 3/4-length score over Rarified Air (Honor Code) in the Kitten's Joy S. going 1 1/16 miles at that venue Sept. 6.

Kentucky Downs Juvenile S. winner Reckoning Force (Air Force Blue) makes his first start for Brendan Walsh here after a quartet of races for Joseph O'Brien. Third-place Really Good (Hard Spun) adds blinkers this time.

Keeneland also plays host to a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in the Indian Summer S. Wesley Ward sends out the favorite there in the filly Love Reigns (Ire) (U S Navy Flag). The 'TDN Rising Star' captured Saratoga's Bolton Landing S. last out Aug. 21.

While they may not be “Win and You're Ins,” Santa Anita also hosts a pair of juvenile turf events in the GIII Surfer Girl S. and GIII Zuma Beach S., which will likely contain potential Breeders' Cup competitors.

The fillies are up first in the Surfer Girl, which is being run at graded status for the first time this year. European import Comanche Country (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}) is two-for-two since coming to America, most recently taking the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf S. Sept. 10. Sell the Dream (Munnings) and Excelia (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) were second and third in that event.

Packs a Wahlop (Creative Cause) tops the Zuma Beach after a decisive score in the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. and is two-for-two on grass. Dandy Man Shines (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) was fourth in that event and is still a maiden. Also of interest here is undefeated Cal-bred Giver Not a Taker (Danzing Candy), who took the state-bred I'm Smokin S. last out Sept. 9 at Del Mar.

The post Distaffers and Juveniles in the Spotlight Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Crazy Beautiful Headlines Field Of Eight For Friday’s Comely At Aqueduct

Multiple graded stakes-winning Crazy Beautiful made an impressive seasonal turf debut last out but will return to more familiar surroundings on a dirt track as part of an eight-horse field of 3-year-olds fillies competing at 1 1/8 miles in the $200,000 Grade 3 Comely on Friday at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.

Crazy Beautiful, owned by Phoenix Thoroughbred III, had racked up all five of her stakes wins on dirt before trainer Kenny McPeek moved the Liam's Map daughter back to turf for the first time since her successful career debut in July 2020. Crazy Beautiful ran a competitive second, finishing one length behind winner Navratilova, in the 1 1/16-mile G3 Valley View on October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

After posting three graded stakes wins in 1 1/16-mile main track races earlier this campaign – capturing the G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks in March, the G2 Summer Oaks in May at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks in July at Delaware Park in Wilmington, Del., – McPeek said the return foray to grass was prompted by scheduling limitations more than a desire to deviate from what had been a successful sophomore blueprint for the Kentucky bred.

“There weren't any options for straight 3-year-old fillies at the time,” McPeek said. “She was doing well and she continues to do well after her last start. It looks like the Comely will be a good spot for her.”

Crazy Beautiful has compiled a 4-2-0 record in eight starts in 2021. Her only off-the-board efforts have come against top-flight competition, with a 10th in the G1 Kentucky Oaks on the eve of the Kentucky Derby on April 30 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and a sixth-place showing in the G1 Alabama in August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

McPeek said the 72nd edition of the nine-furlong Comely could facilitate a start in the $300,000 G1 American Oaks on the grass that is slated for Opening Day of Santa Anita's winter/spring meet on December 26.

“The goal is to get her to the American Oaks at the end of the year,” he said. “The Valley View gave me a test drive that she can handle the turf just fine. She's shown previously that she can run on anything.”

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche will ride Crazy Beautiful for the first time, breaking from post 4.

Three Diamond Farm's Army Wife has finished in the money in each of her last eight starts dating to October 2020 for trainer Mike Maker. The Declaration of War filly won the prestigious G2 Black-Eyed Susan on the eve of the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., before posting a 3 3/4-length score in the G3 Iowa Stakes in July at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa.

Elevated to G1 levels, Army Wife held her own, earning black type twice, starting with a third-place effort behind Clairiere and winner Malathaat in the Alabama before garnering another third in the Cotillion behind Obligatory and a winning Clairirere in September at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Penn.

Army Wife, 4-1-1 in 11 career starts, will see rider Luis Saez in the irons from post 6.

Victories in her last four starts – and five wins in her last six races – has earned Vegas Weekend a seat at a higher stakes table as she makes her first stakes appearance in her 12th career start.

Trained by Rob Atras, the Mineshaft filly has won at distances ranging from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles, which she accomplished in an off-the-turf claiming contest in August at the Spa.

Claimed for $50,000 out of a win traveling nine furlongs on August 19 at Saratoga, Vegas Weekend bested optional claimers by three-quarters of a length off the layoff going seven furlongs on November 12 at the Big A.

Atras said he wasn't worried about the cut back in distance last out in Vegas Weekend's first start for new connections.

“When she won the mile and an eighth, we were hoping to keep her going further but when she works in the morning she shows a pretty good turn-of-foot,” Atras said. “I wasn't worried about running her seven-eighths.”

Owned by Sanford Goldfarb, Alan Khan, and Koshanostra Stables, Vegas Weekend seems ready to wheel back after another positive effort, her conditioner said.

“I think having that race is good for her,” Atras said. “It's a little bit quick back, but she's a nice, sound filly and she came out of the race good.”

Manny Franco will ride from the outermost post.

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Rigney Racing's Played Hard, fifth in the Alabama over the summer going 1 1/4 miles, garnered a personal-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure for her runner-up effort last out to fellow Comely contender Crazy Beautiful in the 1 1/16-mile Seneca in October at Churchill.

Trained by Phil Bauer, Played Hard will be making her Aqueduct debut, breaking from post 5 with Martin Garcia aboard.

Rounding out the field is Shalimar Gardens, owned by Barry Schwartz, who was fourth in her stakes debut in the Grade 2 Raven Run last out in October at Keeneland for trainer Horacio DePaz [post 3, Hall of Famer John Velazquez]; Bees and Honey, making her stakes bow in her fifth career start for trainer J. Reeve McGaughey [post 7, Jose Lezcano]; Hybrid Eclipse, fourth in the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks, for trainer Linda Rice [post 1, Dylan Davis]; and Ninetypercentbrynn, who will be seeking her first stakes win in her first graded stakes appearance for trainer Butch Reid [post 2, Eric Cancel].

The Comely is slated as Race 9 on the 10-race card with a post time of 3:43 p.m. Eastern. First post is 11:50 a.m.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

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