Victress of the G3 Prix de Reservoirs in her 2-year-old finale at Deauville in October of 2020, the chestnut finished off the board in her first three sophomore starts before a trio of agonizingly close finishes, running second by a head in the G3 Prix Chloe, fourth by a neck in the G1 Prix Rothschild and third by a neck in the G2 Prix de la Nonette. Undeterred, bettors made her an 11-5 favorite against 13 rivals in the Prix de l'Opera and Rougir obliged, finally ending up on the right side of a photo and getting up by a nose in the last jump. Shipped to Del Mar in her final start for trainer Cedric Rossi, she was seventh with a troubled trip in the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

“She's been training very well,” Brown told the NYRA notes team. “We took the winter to get her acclimated and such and she's been coming along nicely. We know that she has some good form last year and it looked like maybe she needed a break after a long campaign. We gave her extra time and brought her along slow. Her last string of works have been impressive and she has a nice turn of foot. [The Beaugay] might be a touch short for her, but it's a starting point.”

Should Rougir falter, Brown brings backup in last year's Beaugay runner-up Lemista (Ire) (Raven's Pass). Victress of The Curragh's G2 Kilboy Estate S. at three in 2020, the dark bay came up a half-length short off the bench in the Beaugay, earning a 100 Beyer, but failed to build on that in two more starts as a 4-year-old, checking in last of eight in the GI Diana S. and running a non-threatening third in the GI Beverly D. S.

“This filly has come along well. She got sick on us after the Beverly D.,” Brown said. “When she returned home from Arlington she had to go to the shelf for a while, so we took our time and brought her back and she's another one that's been training well.”

Fringe contenders are headlined by Plum Ali (First Samurai), who goes for her third straight stakes victory. Undefeated in three starts to begin her career, including a score in the local GII Miss Grillo S., the chestnut then went seven starts without a trip to the winner's circl before getting back on track with a tally in the Winter Memories S. in her 3-year-old finale Nov. 14 at Aqueduct. Given the winter off by trainer Christophe Clement, she returned with a half-length triumph in the Big A's Plenty of Grace S. Apr. 16.

The post Rougir Debuts for Brown in Beaugay appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Jockey Manny Franco sent Plum Ali to the lead out of the gate, a departure from her usual racing position behind horses. The 3-year-old filly set early fractions of :23.77, :49.72, and 1:15.28, a moderate pace that allowed Plum Ali to stay a length ahead of the field of ten others.

Into the stretch, the filly was able to stretch her lead out to three lengths, her moderate early pace ensuring she had plenty left in the tank to hold off the closers. At the wire, she was 3/4 of a length in front of the bunched trio of White Frost, Miss Dracarys, and Gam's Mission. Runaway Rumour, Invincible Gal, Bipartisanship, Flown, Out of Sorts, Quinevere, and Batyah rounded out the order of finish.

The final time for the 1 1/16 miles over good turf was 1:45.11. Find this race's chart here. 

Plum Ali paid $11.20, $5.40, and $3.40. White Frost paid $4.40 and $3.60. Miss Dracarys paid $6.20.

The idea was to be forwardly-placed. She ran very well. He [Manny Franco] gave her a great ride. She's been very unlucky and the filly deserved this,” trainer Christophe Clement said after the race. “The idea was to be 1-2-3 and, if possible, on the lead. If anybody took us on, then sit second or third. Nobody took them on and when I saw the 49 and change and 1:15, I knew she was going to be pretty tough. She's a very nice horse.”

“She broke sharp and I let her do her thing. We ended up on the lead and it worked out,” Franco told the NYRA Press Office after the Winter Memories. “After we broke like that, I wasn't thinking to take back. If they wanted to take the lead, they would have to go faster than me. In the second part of the race, they let me slow down the pace and that was it. She handled it really well.

Bred in Kentucky by Stone Farm, Plum Ai is out of the Stroll mare Skipping. She is owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Michael J. Caruso. Consigned by Stone Farm, Plum Ali was purchased by Cromwell Bloodstock for $65,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Her win in the Winter Memories is her first in seven starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of four wins in 11 starts.

The post Plum Ali Scores Gate-To-Wire Win In Winter Memories appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Cherie DeVaux trains Gam's Mission, winner of the Grade 3 Regret at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., this spring who since has finished fourth in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., and fifth in the Grade 3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Plum Ali, trained by Christophe Clement, won the Grade 2 Miss Grillo last fall and this year has two graded stakes placings.

Also scheduled for Oct. 29 is the new $150,000 Myrtlewood for 2-year-old fillies going 6 furlongs on the main track.

The Myrtlewood drew 24 nominations headed by Barry and Joni Butzow's undefeated Sea Level. Trained by Brad Cox, Sea Level won the E.L. Gaylord Memorial Stakes at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Okla., in her most recent start.

The post Gam’s Mission, Plum Ali Lead List For Valley View At Keeneland appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

“Every race she's had this year has been a Group 1 and she's been running very well in them,” said O'Brien's traveling assistant T.J. Comerford. “I suppose the ground was bad at Epsom when she ran in the Oaks. Quicker ground suited her better taking on the older fillies [in the Pretty Polly] and she ran well.”

Roger Varian also made the trip across the pond with a strong contender in Nazuna (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). The bay was second in a Doncaster handicap Sept. 10 and completed the exacta in the G2 Rockfel S. 15 days later. Failing to fire in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Nov. 6, she was second last out in the Princess Elizabeth S. at Epsom June 5. Varian called on Belmont expert John Velazquez to guide Nazuna here.

Rounding out the European trio is Group 3 winner Cirona (GB) (Maxios {GB}). Following an allowance win with runner-up efforts in the G3 Priz des Reservoirs and Criterium du Languedoc last term, the dark bay opened 2021 with a victory in the G3 Prix de la Grotte in April and missed by a head in the Prix Saint-Allary May 24. She enters off a non-factor 10th in the G1 Prix de Diane Longines June 20. Cirona will be saddled by Christophe Ferland here, but part-owner Pete Bradley indicated she would be transferred to Chad Brown after this race.

“A filly like this is right in Chad's wheelhouse,” said Bradley. “It doesn't look like there will be firm going up there. I don't think some cut in the ground ever hurts with 90% of European horses. I don't see where the turf will be problematic regardless of what it is this week.”

The top two from the local prep for this event, the GIII Wonder Again S., return here in Con Lima (Commissioner) and Plum Ali (First Samurai). Only off the board once in 11 starts, the dark bay scored a decisive victory in the Honey Ryder S. May 1 and followed suit with a half-length defeat of Plum Ali in the Wonder Again June 3. Winner of this venue's GII Miss Grillo S. last term, Plum Ali was third in the GII Appalachian S. prior to the Wonder Again.

“She shows up and runs well every time,” said Todd Pletcher. “She finished up the mile and an eighth really well last time and being a daughter of Commissioner, you'd think the mile and a quarter would be within her scope. We're happy with the way she's doing and looking forward to giving her a shot.”

The first two home in the GIII Regret S. also return here in Gam's Mission (Noble Missioon {GB}) and Spanish Loveaffair (Karakontie {Jpn}). Gam's Mission has a lifetime record of three-for-four and stakes winner Spanish Loveaffair has been a consistent performer in graded company.

Rounding out the field is a horse making her first start in graded company, but who hails from a barn that can't be ignored in a turf stakes. The Chad Brown-trained Higher Truth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won a pair of 10-furlong events over this course Apr. 22 and June 10.

The post Santa Barbara Headlines Belmont Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“It was a nice maintenance work. They both worked well and finished well,” said Clement. “One will go to the River Memories and the other will go to the Oaks. They were the best workers of my barn this morning.”

Plum Ali (by First Samurai), runner-up last out in the nine-furlong Grade 3 Wonder Again, is pointed to Saturday's $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational, first leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies.

Mutamakina (Great Britain-bred by Nathaniel) will be part of a strong one-two punch for Clement along with R Unicorn Stable's Call Me Love, who worked a half-mile solo Monday on the inner turf, in preparation for Sunday's 12-furlong $150,000 River Memories on the Widener turf for older fillies and mares.

Call Me Love, a 5-year-old Sea The Stars chestnut, won a 1 1/16-mile optional-claiming event last out on May 23 on firm Belmont turf.

Call Me Love was winless in five starts against graded company last year, completing the exacta in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Beaugay at Belmont and the 1 1/16-mile Ballston Spa at Saratoga.

Clement said he was pleased with the easy half-mile breeze.

“It was easy by design,” said Clement. “She's very fit. We let her stretch her legs a little bit.”

The post Plum Ali Has Final Tightener For Saturday’s $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The consistent son of Declaration of War kept a never-off-the-board record intact when making up 17 lengths to finish a late-closing third to Domestic Spending in the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes at Belmont Park, Elmont, N.Y. on June 5, registering a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure. He arrived at the 10-furlong engagement off a narrow runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Man o' War Stakes on May 8, where he made a five-wide move in the upper stretch with dead aim on pacesetter Channel Cat, coming up a nose shy of victory.

“He was a bit erratic in the Manhattan. We've got to work on that,” Clement said. “I may put blinkers on him, I'm not sure yet. We'll come back somewhere going a mile and a half or mile and three-eighths and get him going longer.”

Clement mentioned the $500,000 Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer on August 28 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. as a likely target and said Gufo could run once before said start.

During his 3-year-old season, Gufo won the English Channel Stakes at Gulfstream Park and Grade 3 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park before coming up a head shy of victory to Domestic Spending in the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes. He successfully sought redemption next out in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes.

Clement has twice won the Sword Dancer Invitational, with Winchester [2011] and Honor Glide [1999].

Also pursuing Grade 1 turf action from the Clement stable is Plum Ali, who displayed a strong turf of foot with a close second when chasing a leisurely pace in the Grade 3 Wonder Again Stakes at Belmont Park on June 3. Owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Michael Caruso, Plum Ali will target the 10-furlong $700,000 Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational on July 10, the first leg of the Turf Triple series for fillies.

“She should get the distance,” Clement said. “She came out of the Wonder Again in good shape. We'll work her next week.”

Plum Ali, a daughter of First Samurai, began her racing career with wins in her first three starts, including the Grade 2 Miss Grillo Stakes on October 4. In two starts as a 3-year-old, Plum Ali gathered more graded stakes black type when third in the Grade 2 Appalachian Stakes before the last-out Wonder Again.

Clement has won the Belmont Oaks twice when raced as the Garden City Handicap with Miss World [2009] and Voodoo Dancer [2001].

R Unicorn Stable's Call Me Love earned her first North American triumph in a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming event over the inner turf on May 23.

The daughter of Sea the Stars earned black-type twice last season with second-place finishes in the Grade 3 Beaugay Stakes at Belmont Park and the Grade 2 Ballston Spa Stakes at Saratoga.

Call Me Love registered her second work since her last out triumph when breezing a half-mile in 49.45 seconds over the inner turf on Sunday morning.

Clement mentioned the $100,000 Perfect Sting on July 3 at Belmont, going one mile for fillies and mares, as an option for Call Me Love.

“Call Me Love worked well today,” Clement said. “There's one stake this meet for fillies on the grass and it's a mile which is a little on the short side for her, but we're going to have a look at it. I think she wants to go further.”

Clement said he would send stakes winners Bye Bye and Bubbles On Ice to the one-mile $100,000 Wild Applause Stakes on June 26.

Owned by Bach Stables, Bye Bye is a winner of both her efforts on grass, most recently in the Grade 3 Soaring Softly Stales on May 15. Bubbles On Ice, owned by Glen Hill Farm, Madaket Stables, and Cheyenne Stables, was fifth in the Hilltop Stakes on May 15 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, M.D. last out after capturing her North American debut in the Memories of Silver Stakes on April 18 at Aqueduct.

The post Clement May Send Gufo In Sword Dancer appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The festival runs from Thursday through Saturday, June 5, culminating with the 153rd running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. The festival will encompass 17 total stakes, including eight Grade 1s on Belmont Stakes Day, capped by the “Test of the Champion” for 3-year-olds in the 1 1/2-mile final leg of the Triple Crown.

Thursday's nine-race card, which offers a 3:05 p.m. Eastern first post, features a trio of stakes offerings, including the Grade 3, $200,000 Intercontinental, a seven-furlong turf sprint for older fillies and mares; and the $150,000 Astoria, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies on Big Sandy. The Wonder Again will go as Race 8 at 6:45 p.m. Eastern.

While both Pletcher-trained fillies are good from gate, the veteran conditioner said he expects Jouster to be more forwardly placed.

“I think Jouster is naturally quicker and Con Lima has shown that she can sit just off the pace,” Pletcher said.

Starlight Racing's Jouster, a Noble Mission bay, will make her first appearance since a 1 1/2-length gate-to-wire score over Wonder Again rivals Gift List and Plum Ali in the one-mile Grade 2 Appalachian on April 3 over a Keeneland turf course rated good.

A $360,000 purchase at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Jouster is out of the Street Cry mare Playtime, who is a daughter of champion 2-year-old filly Storm Flag Flying and granddaughter of multiple Grade I-winner My Flag from the family of Champion Older Mare Personal Ensign.

Jouster has won three of her last four starts with the lone loss coming by a nose to Domain Expertise in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Florida Oaks on March 6 at Tampa Bay Downs.

“She's a naturally fast filly and it seems like she's starting to settle a bit,” said Pletcher. “It's sort of a pivotal race for us in terms of which direction we go with her. If she can handle a mile and an eighth, we may look at some of those races that are a little longer. If not, we'll cut back in distance. We're eager to find out how she does.”

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph Graffeo, Del Toro, Eric Nikolaus and Troy Johnson's graded-stakes winner Con Lima, a Texas-bred daughter of Commissioner, boasts a record of five wins and four seconds from 10 starts.

Con Lima, who has made her last seven starts at Gulfstream Park, made the grade via the disqualification of Spanish Loveaffair in the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride, a 1 1/16-mile turf test on February 27. She followed that effort with a fourth in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks over dirt on March 27 ahead of a dominant four-length score last out in the 1 1/16-mile Honey Ryder over good turf.

Pletcher said the versatile filly is coming into the race in fine fettle.

“She trains and runs consistently well,” said Pletcher. “She's better on the turf, but handles dirt OK, also. We'll see how she handles the mile and an eighth and how it all plays out for her.”

Luis Saez will pilot Jouster from post 5, while Flavien Prat has the call aboard Con Lima from post 2.

Trainer Christophe Clement will also saddle a strong pair in Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables' Plum Ali and Brereton C. Jones' homebred Creative Cairo.

Plum Ali, by First Samurai, won her first three career starts, culminating in a 2 1/4-length score in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Miss Grillo in October at Belmont. She completed her campaign with a closing fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in November at Keeneland.

Plum Ali made her seasonal debut with a close third in the Appalachian, just two lengths in arrears of Jouster.

“I think she is a top-class filly. At Keeneland, she was a bit unlucky because of the pace scenario,” said Clement. “I have a small question mark if she will stay a mile and an eighth or mile and a quarter. But we're giving it a try and we'll find out. Her race at Keeneland was actually a very good race. She finished third in a good race. The pace was against her, but she finished well. She's trained well since.”

Creative Cairo, by Cairo Prince, prevailed by a nose in a nine-furlong turf route at second asking on April 10 at the Big A. The Kentucky homebred steps into stakes company for the first time from a nearly two-month layoff.

“She has improved in her morning works since she broke her maiden at Aqueduct,” said Clement. “It's just worth it to give her a shot in a stake because she has improved in the way she trains.”

Plum Ali will exit post 10 under Joel Rosario, while Manny Franco will guide Creative Cairo from post 8.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gianni Fittipaldi's Mia Martina, trained by Graham Motion, enters off short rest from a closing fourth in the Hilltop, a one-mile event won by Alda on May 14 over firm turf at Pimlico Race Course.

The Not This Time bay, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. up, rallied from 16 lengths off the pace to finish just 2 1/4-lengths behind the winner.

“She didn't have a great trip in the Hilltop. It was nobody's fault; just one of those things,” said Motion. “I didn't feel like she had a hard race, so for that reason, I don't mind running her back in three weeks. Plus, I think she'll appreciate the mile and an eighth.”

A winner at first asking on the Gulfstream Park West turf for former trainer Juan Avila, Mia Martina won first out for Motion in a 1 1/16-mile optional-claimer on the Gulfstream turf in January. She closed late to be fourth in the Grade 3 Florida Oaks before a difficult dirt debut in which she was eased.

“The Gazelle was a white wash. I just put a line through it,” said Motion.

Mia Martina will look to get back on track from the inside post under Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Chad Brown will have a pair of contenders in Fluffy Socks and Technical Analysis as he looks to win his fourth Wonder Again following scores by Lady Eli [2015], New Money Honey [2017], and Cambier Parc [2019].

Head of Plains Partners' Fluffy Socks, a Kentucky homebred daughter of Slumber, made the grade in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante traveling one-mile over firm Del Mar turf in November to close out her juvenile campaign.

“She's doing really well. After she won late last year at Del Mar, we tucked her away for a little bit and just planned on focusing on this turf series for 3-year-old fillies,” said Brown. “She doesn't seem to have any distance limitations—longer the better—and a real, true mile and a quarter filly. When you look at the top and bottom of her pedigree, it fits, and she's coming in really well.”

The talented bay won the Selima over yielding Pimlico turf in October ahead of a nose loss to Ingrassia when second in the Chelsey Flower in November over a soft Belmont turf.

Fluffy Socks enters from a closing second in the 1 1/16-mile Memories of Silver over firm Aqueduct turf on April 18.

“She got into a lot of trouble in her last race and, as you can see last year when we were developing her, she's a little better when you get a race under her belt,” said Brown. “She's trained that way, too. Now that she's got a race, she's sharpened up a bit in her training, too.

“She might be closer to the pace as we stretch her out,” he added. “But you would hope there's some pace in the race for her to make one run.”

Klaravich Stables' Technical Analysis, a bay daughter of Kingman bred in Ireland by Rabbah Bloodstock Limited, graduated at second asking over good Aqueduct turf in November to complete her 2-year-old season.

Technical Analysis enters from a 2 3/4-length score in a 1 1/16-mile optional-claiming event on firm Belmont turf on April 29.

Brown said he has high hopes for progeny of the talented Kingman, who in 2014 won the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas, St. James's Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois en route to being named Cartier Horse of the Year in Europe.

“She's very talented. Fortunately, we were onto Kingman early as a young stallion,” said Brown. “He was a remarkable racehorse who was unfortunately maybe a little bit overshadowed by Frankel, running around the same time for Juddmonte, but he only lost one time and appeared to really like firm ground. It doesn't always work out, but we've been a big supporter of Kingman from the very first crop. Now that ship has sailed and he's harder to buy, but we've been fortunate to buy the ones we have and nearly all of them have turned out to be runners.”

Brown said he is hopeful Jose Ortiz will be able to engineer a measured, one-run trip for the Irish-bred filly out of the Sea The Stars mare Sealife.

“I keep looking at that [damsire] Sea the Stars and thinking, even though she's been keen in her races, she's a beautiful, big, scopey horse and if we can keep working with her and Jose to get her to settle a little bit, she'll have no problem with the distance,” said Brown.

Ortiz, Jr. will guide Fluffy Socks from post 7, while Technical Analysis will emerge from post 9 under Ortiz.

Amerman Racing's Gift List, trained by Brian Lynch, was a 4 1/4-length winner of the Grade 2 Edgewood last out on April 30 over a Churchill Downs turf rated good. The Bated Breath chestnut launched her career in England with trainer Karl Richard Burke, winning a pair of starts before joining Lynch for her sophomore season.

Gift List completed the exacta behind Jouster in the Appalachian in her North American debut ahead of her Edgewood coup.

Hall of Famer Javier Castellano will be aboard Gift List from post 6.

Completing the field are I Get It [post 3, Kendrick Carmouche], and Alwayz Late [post 4, Jose Lezcano].

The post Pletcher, Clement Each Have Formidable Pair In Wonder Again Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Spanish Loveaffair (Karakontie {Jpn}) looks to rebound after being disqualified from her victory in Gulfstream's GIII Herecomesthebride S. last out Feb. 27. Opening her account with a pair of wins in Hallandale, including the Sharp Susan S. last summer, the bay checked in second to 'TDN Rising Star' Aunt Peal (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in this venue's GII Jessamine S. Oct. 7 and was sixth to that rival in the Breeders' Cup. She crossed the line 2 3/4 lengths clear in the Herecomesthebride, but was disqualified for interference and placed fourth.

'TDN Rising Star' Jouster (Noble Mission {GB}) seeks her black-type badge in this test. Earning her diploma by 8 3/4 lengths at third asking when switched to the turf at Gulfstream Jan. 10, the bay followed suit with an optional claimer win there Feb. 7 and missed by a nose in the GIII Florida Oaks at Tampa Mar. 6.

The post Plum Ali Makes Seasonal Bow in Appalachian appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Clement said he was pleased with both efforts before the pair ship to Lexington, Ky., for the Breeders' Cup Future Stars Friday at Keeneland. Plum Ali galloped out in 48.37 while Momos went in 49.22, according to DRF.

“They had an easy work on dirt and looked great,” Clement said. “I'm very happy with the two of them. They came back in good shape. Now, it's just about keeping them happy as they ship off to Kentucky tomorrow, and we'll go from there.”

The duo will look to give Clement his first career Breeders' Cup win after a slew of close calls, with the conditioner saddling six runners-up, six third-place finishes and eight fourth-place efforts in 38 previous starts entering this year's World Championships from November 6-7.

Owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Bethlehem Stables, Plum Ali will put her 3-for-3 record on the line in the $1 million contest going one mile. The First Samurai filly made a successful debut on July 23 at Saratoga, posting a come-from-behind two-length victory going 1 1/16 miles. Cut back to the Juvenile Fillies Turf distance in her stakes debut, she again tracked the early speed before showing great closing speed, powering home a 2 ¾-length victor in the Mint Juvenile Fillies on September 7 at Kentucky Downs.

Stepping up to graded stakes company, Plum Ali improved her Beyer Speed Figure for a third consecutive race, netting an 82 for her 2 1/4-length win in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Miss Grillo on October 4 over firm Belmont turf.

Momos, owned by Ironhorse Racing Stable and Secure Investments, also posted a debut win at the Spa, winning by 6 ½ furlongs over the main track on July 18. The son of Distorted Humor stayed on the same surface for a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on August 7 before making his turf debut last out with a third-place effort – one length behind winner Second of July – in the Grade 3 Futurity going six furlongs on October 11 at Belmont.

The post Clement, Hoping For First Breeders’ Cup Win, Works Pair For Future Stars Friday Races appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Time for the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf was 1:42.03. Plum Ali paid $4.30 to win as the favorite of five runners contesting the Miss Grillo.

Caldee finished second, with Editor At Large getting up for third. She was followed by Mashnee Girl and Director's Cut. There were four scratches from the original field of entries.

Owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Bethlehem Stables, Plum Ali was bred in Kentucky by Stone Farm and sold for $65,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

“She's a very nice filly,” said Clement. “She's won in different scenarios, different tracks and different jockeys. That's what good horses do. They face the challenge and they win. It's very exciting. It's nice when they keep facing these things and win. [At the top of the stretch] the [top]-three finishers were together, so nobody has any excuses.

“Just like anything else, I'll only go to the Breeders' Cup [Juvenile Fillies Turf] if she's training great and doing great. I'm very happy. She's done everything right.”

Plum Ali made a winning debut at Saratoga on July 23, taking a maiden special weight race by two lengths, then traveled to Kentucky Downs to win the Mint Juvenile Fillies Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths.

“Christophe always said to me she was the nicest 2-year-old turf filly in the barn,” said Dubb. “We knew this winter when was she on the farm that she was above average, but we didn't know how good she was.

“She seems, with every race, to be maturing. She had more composure in the paddock today. She's just going forward the right way and we hope we can get one more race out of her this year.”

In the Miss Grillo, Plum Ali was near the back early while saving ground as Caldee led through fractions of :24.81, :48.06 and 1:11.58 for the first six furlongs. Ortiz asked Plum Ali for run going into the far turn and was bidding for the lead by the time the field hit the top of the stretch. She opened up by one length at the furlong pole and passed the mile marker in 1:35.60 with a clear lead and held sway to the finish. Caldee held off Editor At Large by a nose for second, with 15 1/2-length margin back to Mashnee Girl in fourth.

“She's very classy. I had the opportunity to work her twice and got to know her a little bit these past couple of week,” said Ortiz. “The first week, she worked well. The second week, she worked amazing. She gave me a lot of confidence going into the race. She had a great trip and I followed the right horse and when I was ready to make my move, I did.”

The post Plum Ali A Perfect 3-For-3 After Popular Miss Grillo Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post