Point of Honor | Horse Racing Free Tips

Saturday Insights: Full Siblings to Vasilika, Point of Honor Debut

5th-AQU, $80k, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 2:50p.m. ET
After hitting an eye-catching $735,000 at Keeneland September two years ago, and still missing his reserve, Mystic Quest (Curlin) will go to post here for his breeders Siena Farm in partnership with Cash Asmussen. At the helm for the full brother to MGISP & GSW Point of Honor and half to GI Frizette S. winner Wicked Whisper (Liam's Map) as well as two other stakes winners, Todd Pletcher sends out a colt carrying big expectations against a field of eight others from the far outside. This is the family of 10 other graded stakes horses including millionaire Mr Freeze (To Honor and Serve). TJCIS PPs

12th-GP, $60k, Msw, 3yo, 1mT, 5:43p.m. ET
With success running thick in the family, Klaravich Stables' $300,000 KEESEP procurement Growth Capital (War Front) will try to beat home a well-bred field of maidens in the night cap at Hallendale. His dam Room Service is half to $1.9 million KEENOV purchase Oscar Party (Dixie Union) and GSW Major Gain (More Than Ready). To Growth Capital's outside is stablemate in the Chad Brown barn, Thistle (Arrogate), who is the first foal of racing age for GSW High Ridge Road (Quality Road). The full-brother to MGISW Vasilika (Skipshot), Chasing the Crown, breaks from the outside of the field which also comprises of Father Red (Quality Road) who is half to GSW Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile) and Calumet homebred Double Clutch (Optimizer), whose dam claims GSW & MGSP Gear Jockey (Twirling Candy). TJCIS PPs

8th-OP, $84k, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 4:45p.m. ET
Rigney Racing sends out their flashy $450,000 FTKSEL graduate Ludwig (Mastery) to hopefully make some beautiful noise in this maiden race. His dam's first to the races, the female family includes GSW & MGSP Gemswick Park (Speightstown) and the dam of G1SW Poet's Voice (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). TJCIS PPs

10th-OP, $84k, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 5:49p.m. ET
Lundberg (Uncle Mo) is a $400,000 KEESEP graduate under the tutelage of Brad Cox, who sends out the colt for the partnership of Albaugh Family Stables and Donegal Racing. Dam Runway Ready (Mr. Greeley) is a half to GSW New York Central (Tapit) and GII Saratoga Special S. winner Corfu (Malibu Moon). This is the family of MGISW Peace Rules (Jules). Also in the field is $375,000 OBSMAR (:9 4/5) purchase Plausible Denile (Pioneerof the Nile), half-brother to three stakes horses including MGSW Lucy N Ethel (During). Trainer James Divito will send the grey to post after purchasing him as agent for owners Doubledown Stables. TJCIS PPs

6th-SA, $67k, Msw, 3yo, 6 1/2f, 6:05p.m. ET
By far the priciest of the notable debuters on Saturday, Ganadora (Quality Road) will carry the silks of Baoma Corporation to post as a $1 million score from the Keeneland September sale. Out of GSP Beloveda (Ghostzapper), who began her racing career in Poland before being imported to the States and recently changed hands for $510,000 at FTKFEB going to Gainesway, the filly is a half-sister to SP Mistress of Love (Scat Daddy) and two other winners including full-sister Hana Road. Through the second dam Mysterious Angel (Saint Ballado) there are at least 13 black-type earning runners. Bob Baffert sends Ganadora to the gates. TJCIS PPs

The post Saturday Insights: Full Siblings to Vasilika, Point of Honor Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Letruska Blooming Ahead of Fleur de Lis

St. George Stable LLC's Letruska (Super Saver) has proven near invincible since turning five and will try to add her sixth graded victory in Saturday's GII Fleur De Lis S. at Churchill Downs, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar this fall. Winner of last summer's nine-furlong GIII Suvee S., the bay later kicked off a two-race win skein when taking Gulfstream's GIII Rampart S. Dec. 12 before adding the Jan. 31 GIII Houston Ladies Classic S. A desperate head behind GI Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) in the Mar. 13 GII Azeri S., she came right back to nose out dual champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and third-place finisher GI Preakness S. heroine Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) in the GI Apple Blossom H. Apr. 17. Avenging her Azeri loss, she bounced home an easy winner over Bonny South (Munnings) with Shedaresthedevil back in third.

“She's in a good condition to run,” said trainer Fausto Gutierrez. “This is a very important race. We're going step by step for now and this is next race we had in mind. I know it's just 21 days from the [Ogden Phipps]. When a horse wants to run and they're ready to run, we have to let them run. She's at Keeneland training and we're looking forward to getting her to Churchill.”

Walking L Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's Envoutante (Uncle Mo) will try to punch her own ticket to the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Saturday. Winner of the GIII Remington Park Oaks and GII Falls City S. last term, she was fourth in the Azeri before finishing second to Shedaresthedevil in the Apr. 30 GI La Troienne S. Most recently, the dark bay strolled home a facile 4 1/4-length winner in Churchill's Shawnee S. May 29.

Robert and Lawana Low's Spice Is Nice (Curlin) has shown mixed form since her sparkling career debut at Gulfstream in January of 2020. Earning TDN Rising Star status following her 12-length triumph in that one-mile event, the daughter of Grade I winner Dame Dorothy (Bernardini) was runner up in the GII Davona Dale S. next before checking in fifth in the 8 1/2-furlong GII Gulfstream Park Oaks. Given a softer place to land for her return in a Belmont optional claimer in July, the chestnut responded with a 2 3/4-length win for trainer Todd Pletcher, but failed to carry that through next time out when a well-beaten sixth in last summer's GI Alabama S. Freshened for this season, she took an 8 1/2-furlong optional claimer at Keeneland in April before making it two straight in Pimlico's May 14 GIII Allaire DuPont Distaff S. over nine panels.

If anyone can benefit from a potential early speed duel it is Alpha Delta Stables' Point of Honor (Curlin). While winless since taking the 2019 GII Black-Eyed Susan S., the chestnut has hit the board in seven of eight starts since, including seconds in the GI Ogden Phipps S. and GII Beldame S. and thirds in the GI Personal Ensign S. and GI Apple Blossom S. In her latest trip to post, she rallied late to be sixth–beaten 4 1/2 lengths–in last November's Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland.

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Weaver Leaning Toward Sprint With Vekoma, Hoping For Hot Distaff Pace For Point Of Honor

Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables' multiple Grade 1-winner Vekoma worked five furlongs in 1:01.28 Sunday on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in preparation for a start in either the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint or Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

The 4-year-old Candy Ride chestnut is perfect in three starts this campaign, including a pair of G1 scores at Belmont in the Carter Handicap on June 6 and the Met Mile last out on July 4.

Weaver said Vekoma worked well in tandem with graded-stakes placed older horse Majestic Dunhill.

“He went in company with Majestic Dunhill, who has been a frequent workmate of his the past couple years. They worked together the whole way,” said Weaver.

A six-time winner from eight starts with more than $1.2 million in purse earnings, Vekoma has won at distances ranging from six furlongs on debut in September 2018 at Belmont up to 1 1/8-miles when capturing the 2019 G2 Blue Grass at Keeneland.

Weaver said both the Breeders' Cup Sprint and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile are still on the table for the versatile Vekoma.

“I'm leaning towards the Sprint, but the final decision will be made closer to the day,” said Weaver. “I think this horse would handle any track. He's a racehorse.”

Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, aboard for both G1 scores this season, is confirmed to ride.

Weaver also said Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Stetson Racing's Point of Honor, a 4-year-old Curlin chestnut, will make her next start in the G1 Breeders' Cup Distaff on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

Point of Honor captured the G2 Black-Eyed Susan in a productive sophomore season that included runner-up efforts in the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks and G1 Alabama at Saratoga.

Point of Honor has hit the board in all five starts this season [5-0-3-2], finishing second in the both the G1 Ogden Phipps on June 13 at Belmont and last out in the G2 Beldame Invitational on Oct. 4 on Big Sandy in a compact four-horse field.

“I thought she ran well last time,” said Weaver. “She's been running well all year, we just haven't got her to the winner's circle. She hasn't dodged any competition and she's been running in tough races all year and she's always right there in the mix of it.

“We are planning on going to the Breeders' Cup with her,” added Weaver. “We think it will benefit her to have a fuller field and going back to a two-turn configuration at Keeneland.”

The late-running Point of Honor has faced short fields in all but one start this season when she rallied for third, after breaking last-of-14, in the G1 Apple Blossom Handicap in April at Oaklawn Park.

Weaver said a larger field in the Distaff should present Point of Honor with a more favorable pace scenario.

“I think a bigger field would help her. There's been quite a few races this year that came up with short fields and she's really not able to adjust and adapt to slow paces and different scenarios,” said Weaver. “Truly, her best race comes when she can leave the gate and get in a comfortable rhythm and come running. She's really not one that you can try to place closer to the pace. There's only so much tinkering you can do with her. There's a certain style of running that she likes, so a fuller field with an honest pace around two turns will give her the best chance to win.”

Weaver said both Vekoma and Point of Honor will train up to the Breeders' Cup at Saratoga and ship in to Keeneland on Nov. 2.

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Horologist Upsets Point Of Honor, Dunbar Road In Beldame

Chasing a fast early pace in a field scratched down to just four runners, Horologist moved to the lead at the top of the stretch, then raced to an easy three-length victory over Point of Honor and Dunbar Road as the longest shot in the field in Sunday's Grade 2 Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Point of Honor made a belated bid along the rail to be second, with even-money favorite Dunbar Road, winner of the G2 Delaware Handicap last out, never threatening while third. Letruska, who set fast fractions and led by a wide margin for the first six furlongs, was last.

Ridden by Junior Alvarado, Horologist covered nine furlongs on a fast track in 1:49.01. She paid $16.20 for the victory, her seventh in 19 starts and second stakes win since Bill Mott took over her training earlier this year.

Racing for There's a Chance Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing and Abbondanza Racing, Horologist is a 4-year-old filly by Gemologist bred by Holly Crest Farm in New Jersey, where her three previous stakes victories were recorded at Monmouth Park: the Smarty N Classy Handicap and G3 Monmouth Oaks in 2019 and G3 Molly Pitcher this year in her first start for Mott.

Letruska, coming off a front-running win in the G3 Shuvee at Saratoga on Aug. 30, went to the front early under Kendrick Carmouche, taking a one-length advantage through a quarter mile in :23.10, then opened up by 3 1/2 lengths after a :45.52 half mile. Through six furlongs, timed in 1:09.05, Letruska extended her advantage to seven lengths.

Horologist was her closest pursuer throughout and began to eat into Letruska's lead before turning for home. She took command by 2 1/2 lengths with a furlong to run, the mile in 1:35.62, adding another half length to that margin at the finish.

Mott was winning the Beldame for the third time, having saddled Royal Delta in 2012 and Elate in 2017.

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