Tag: Racing

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg's Golden Pal worked five-eighths over the Oklahoma training turf Friday in 59.78 in company with Lyrical Poet [1:01.22] in preparation for the Grade 3, $300,000 Troy, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for older horses on August 5.

Golden Pal, working to the outside of his stablemate, was timed by NYRA clockers through three-eighths in 36 flat and out six furlongs in 1:12.40 as the pair galloped out strongly through the turn and onto the backstretch.

“As every work goes by, I'm relishing them because he's heading to stud next year,” Ward said. “I just enjoy watching an extreme talent like that breeze every week. That's what trainers love – seeing great horses breeze and breeze great.”

Golden Pal boasts a record of 10-6-2-0 for purse earnings in excess of $1.4 million led by scores in the 2020 Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland and last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.

He is undefeated in two starts at Saratoga, including scores in the 2020 Skidmore and last year's Grade 3 Quick Call. Golden Pal, who captured the Grade 2 Shakertown in April at Keeneland in his seasonal debut, enters the Troy from an off-the-board effort in the Grade 1 Kings Stand on June 14 at Ascot.

Ward said Golden Pal continues to train well as he looks to build on a campaign that he hopes will see his charge join Goldikova and Beholder as three-time Breeder's Cup winners.

“He was doing good going into Ascot and he's doing just as good now,” Ward said. “I don't think there's too many that will go 3-for-3 at the Breeders' Cup, but that's what we're shooting for.”

The 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt is out of the 11-time stakes-winning turf sprinter Lady Shipman, who captured Saratoga's Coronation Cup and Smart N Fancy in 2015.

Lyrical Poet, a 5-year-old Kitten's Joy gelding owned, bred and trained by Ward, is out of the speedy Bring the Heat mare One Hot Wish, who won a pair of sprints for Ward led by an 8 1/2-length allowance romp at Gulfstream Park in 2008 that garnered a 91 Beyer. He was last seen posting a three-quarter length allowance score on April 21 over good Keeneland turf.

“That's a nice horse. He's a barn favorite,” Ward said. “We're hoping to find him an allowance race.”

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A quartet of locally-based horsemen will be counting on their Monmouth Park experience to provide an edge against an arsenal of graded stakes winners invading for Saturday's Grade 1, $600,000 United Nations Stakes to be run over the grass course at 1 3/8 miles.

The U.N., as it has been known since it was inaugurated 68 years ago, will be contested by 10 top turf runners on the stacked undercard for the Grade 1, $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes.

The U.N., which is a three-turn race on this course, has Breeders' Cup implications as well as it traditionally has been an important step on the road to the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf.

Moreover, over the years eight of the past U.N. participants have gone on to victory in the Turf, so there are more than bragging rights at stake.

“It's an excellent and very tough field. That's why they have these big races on these big days,” said Kelly Breen, who has won three Monmouth Park training titles.

Breen will saddle the New Jersey-bred He'spuregold for Roseland Farm Stable in the U.N.

Four-time Eclipse-Award winner Chad Brown has won the U.N. four times, Mike Maker has won the race twice, and the two trainers have combined for six victories in the last eight runnings. Now they're back for more.

Maker is sending Glynn County, who finished sixth in the Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes here last out and Temple, who was the runner-up to dual Grade 1 winner Gufo in the 1½- mile Pan American (Grade 2) in his prior race.

Brown takes a double shot with 2021 U.N. winner Tribhuvan, who won the Grade 1 Manhattan by open lengths on the Belmont Park course June 11, and Adhamo, the runner-up to his stablemate that day despite a troubled trip.

“Our horse is going to fit here just on the change in distance. We've always thought that he could run all day. I didn't plan on going this far in this caliber of race. I would have like to have a little bit of an easier spot. But he ran well and finished up well in his last race,” said Breen of his charge's winning effort in the one-mile Irish War Cry for state-breds here on July 10. “I think the track is going to be hard and fast, based on the weather we have here this week. We'll be forwardly placed. If we get beat by a better horse, we get beat. But we're going to give it our best shot.”

Gufo, trained by Christophe Clement, finished third in the Manhattan and will look to turn the table on the Tribhuvan and Adhamo, though he and regular rider Joel Rosario might be compromised by his far outside post. Kentucky Ghost, the winner of the 1 1/16-mile Cliffhanger Stakes in his last efforts, returns from Kentucky for trainer Vicky Oliver.

The Gerald Bennett-trained Carpenter's Call, Epic Bromance, and Mohs are the other locals who only need to walk over from their stalls to take their place in the starting gate.

Epic Bromance ran a solid third behind Tribhuvan last year and was also third in the Monmouth Cup after setting the pace most of the way.

“This is a great race, and it's very historic. We're lucky to be in the race. There are a couple of really nice horses in there,” said Kent Sweezey, who trains the 6-year-old gelding for Harriet Sawyer's Epic Racing. “It came up tougher than what we thought it would. When we ran in the prep race and finished third, we thought that would maybe put us in the top five of the horses, but unfortunately for us, there is a bunch of really good ones in there.

“Chad's horse looks like he has a lot of speed. So do we. So we're maybe going to play the break. Jose Ferrer has won more races than any other rider in the race so he knows the turf course pretty good.

“If he can outbreak Chad's horse that's really good. If he can't, he can sit right behind him. This has been our goal all year long since this horse was third last year and he's trained great for it.”

Mohs is conditioned by Pat McBurney, who has been a fixture on the Monmouth backside for decades and has won a slew of graded stakes races on this turf course. Mohs comes into the U.N. after a sixth-place finish in the Monmouth Stakes in his last and retains the services of top local rider Jairo Rendon.

“Since it's our home track and he's a bit of a handful, I really think he might take to that kind of distance,” said McBurney. “Other than this being a Grade 1, it's the perfect time to try it. It's obviously very deep company. He was closing so well in his last race going a mile and an eighth, and he relaxes under Jairo in his races. If he gets the distance he could maybe pick something up in there.

“He handles the turf pretty good. There are a couple in there who look like they're three or four lengths faster than us but you need a good trip. To try the marathon distance, this is the track to do it.

“He had a mile breeze over the course and went really easy the first but his last half was really good. We were teaching him to go along at a steady pace and then pick it up. In the marathons you can never be too far back because the pace seems like it's steady and then it's a sprint to the finish. Jairo knows him very well.”

The field for the U.N. from the rail, with riders and odds, is: Adhamo, Flavien Prat, 3-1; Carpenters Call, Sammy Camacho, 20-1; Temple, Jose Ortiz, 6-1; Tribhuvan, Manny Franco, 5-2; He'spuregold, Paco Lopez, 20-1; Mohs, Jairo Rendon, 20-1; Glynn County, 10-1; Mike Smith; Kentucky Ghost, Florent Geroux, 12-1; Epic Bromance, Jose Ferrer, 12-1; and Gufo, Joel Rosario, 3-1.

The United Nations will be run as the 11th of 14 races on the Haskell Day card. The supporting card offers three additional graded stakes: the $400,000 Grade 3 Monmouth Cup; the $400,000, Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes, and the $200,00, Grade 3 WinStar Matchmaker Stakes.

Post time for the Haskell Stakes, which will be televised by CNBC and TVG, is approximately 5:45 PM and will be run as the 12th of 14 races on the card. First post on Haskell day is at noon.

Gates open at 9 a.m. for the Haskell day card. Parking is free.

The post Four Local Trainers Taking A Shot In United Nations appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Gold Cup winner Kyprios is on course to lead Aidan O'Brien's customary strong raiding party for next week's Qatar Goodwood Festival.

O'Brien saddled his first winner at the meeting in 2000 and has since notched a further 21 victories, most recently with Mogul in the 2020 G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes.

Kyprios is aiming to confirm the Gold Cup form with Stradivarius in the G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup on Tuesday, July 26, a race in which his older rival has yet to taste defeat in four previous appearances.

O'Brien, who twice won the two-mile feature with the great Yeats, said: “We are happy with Kyprios and the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup has always been the plan since Ascot.

“We were delighted with him in the Gold Cup – we weren't sure about the trip going there but he looked like he got it well. Before he went to Ascot, he ran over a mile and six and looked very comfortable over that trip. I think he is a very versatile horse.

“He is still learning and is a relaxed horse who takes everything in his stride, so we think there is more improvement to come. He is straightforward to ride and uncomplicated. I think he is well-balanced and doesn't over-race. Goodwood is an unusual track, but he seems to be okay going left or right-handed.

“Stradivarius has been an unbelievable horse, and I think everyone has enjoyed watching him.”

Order Of Australia, who landed the 2020 G1 Breeders' Cup Mile, is set to take on Baaeed for a third time in the G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes on Wednesday, July 27.

The five-year-old finished second to the Shadwell superstar in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp in September and made the frame again when third on his comeback in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Order Of Australia has since posted a dominant front-running victory in the G2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh on July 17, a race he won last year before finishing fifth in the Qatar Sussex Stakes.

O'Brien said: “The plan is for Order Of Australia to run in the Sussex Stakes, provided everything goes well between now and then. He has come out of the Curragh well. We think he is in a good place this year and we have been very happy with his two runs. He is much better on quick, fast ground. He has won on soft ground but good ground or better is his preferred surface.”

Of his other entries, O'Brien said: “The plan at the moment is for Concert Hall to run in the Qatar Nassau Stakes. She is just back from America and seems very well, so we are thinking of letting her take her chance.

“New York City has a couple of entries and, if he is to go anywhere, it would probably be the World Pool Lennox Stakes. He had a break and then came back at the Curragh over five furlongs. He got a bit tired but we think he has progressed from it. We always thought seven might be within his range. We will speak to Ryan [Moore] closer to the time and see what the race looks like.

“Emily Dickinson is a possible for the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes. She only ran last weekend and we are just going to see how she is, but she is in good form and the trip will suit. She came home very well last time out and looks like a filly who will have no problem getting further.

“We have not decided about the Vintage Stakes yet. Hans Andersen only won last weekend whereas Greenland is still a maiden and the other horse [Age Of Kings] ran at Leopardstown last night. We will decide nearer the time. The Vintage Stakes is a prestigious race and we like to have something good for it. If a horse does go to stud, it looks very good on their CV.”

The post Kyprios Out To Cement Top Stayer Status In Tuesday’s Goodwood Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Trainer Kevin Attard will have two chances to net his second consecutive victory in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser, one of four stakes on Sunday's 11-race card at Woodbine.

Inaugurated in 1956, the filly classic, which has attracted 10 Canadian-foaled three-year-old fillies carrying 121 pounds over one mile and one-eighth on the Tapeta, will go postward as race 9 at 5:27 p.m. ET. The winning connections will receive $300,000.

Sunday's card also features the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes (see separate race preview), a key race ahead of the Queen's Plate (August 21), the Grade 2 $200,000 Dance Smartly Stakes, and Grade 3 $150,000 Hendrie Stakes. ​

After winning last year's Oaks with eventual Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Munnyfor Ro, Attard will look to duplicate that success with the duo of Moira and Souper Flashy.

Moira, a daughter of Ghostzapper-Devine Aida, arrives at Sunday's engagement off a gutsy head score in the seven-furlong Fury Stakes on June 11 at Woodbine. Owned by X-Men Racing LLC, Madaket Stables LLC and SF Racing LLC, the bay, bred in Ontario by Adena Springs, has two wins and a second in three career starts. She won her debut, the 1 1/16-mile main track Princess Elizabeth Stakes, by 4 ¼ lengths last October, and completed her rookie campaign with a runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes in November.

Rafael Hernandez, aboard for the Fury triumph, will once again be in the irons.

“It was the first time aboard in the races, but Kevin let me work her twice before the race, and it let me know how she reacted in the morning,” said Hernandez after the win. “It helped me a lot in the race. That was the plan [a strong gallop out]. Kevin told me, 'Raffi, after the race, I just want you to give her a big, huge gallop out.' And that's what I did, and she galloped out great.” ​ ​

Attard is anticipating another strong showing from Moira.

“We had high hopes for her from the beginning. This was the race we were hoping that she could make. Now, we're just around the corner, so hopefully everything goes well over the next few days. She had a good race to start her three-year-old campaign. It wasn't where we wanted to start her off, but circumstances dictated that we go that route. Now, we've given her enough time to recover from that race and prepare for this race. She's coming into it in good shape. I'm happy with the way she's training and I'm happy with her physical appearance as well. Everything seems like it's gone according to plan.”

A lifetime winner of 607 races, Attard is pleased with how one of his stable stars has developed from two to three.

“I just think she's a good horse. Any time you can get a horse like that in your barn, you really appreciate it. She's given it her all every start. It's been a limited campaign so far, but she is an honest type, likes her job and has a world of talent.” ​

Souper Flashy, a Terra Racing Stable homebred, brings a 2-1-0 mark from four starts into the Oaks.

The daughter of Souper Speedy-Flashy's Legacy came from out of the clouds to win her career bow last September. Eleventh of 12 at the half-mile juncture in the 6 ½ furlong Tapeta race, Souper Flashy rallied to secure a half-length victory at 18-1.

After finishing second to Moira in the Princess Elizabeth, the bay filly made her three-year-old debut on May 12 at Woodbine, posting a 3 ½-length score at six panels on the main track.

She heads into the Oaks off a fourth in the Fury Stakes.

“She's a nice filly, an Ontario-sired filly who is going to be taking a step up in company. The distance might be a little more than she prefers, but the way the race is shaping up, it's a good opportunity to take a stab at it. There aren't many opportunities to run against registered Canadian-breds for half a million dollars.”

Bizymaline, a daughter of Fed-Biz-Tourmaline, has two wins from six appearances for owner Anthony Di Paola and trainer Santino Di Paola. Bred by Al and Bill Ulwelling, the dark bay, supplemented to the Oaks, finished fifth in her debut last October before breaking her maiden next time out. Her most recent victory came on May 14, a one-length triumph at 1 1/16 miles over the Woodbine Tapeta.

Curlin Candy, bred and owned by Robert Marzilli, will attempt to go one better than her last three efforts. Trained by Mike De Paulo, the bay daughter of Curlin-Caren is 0-4-0 from six starts. She made her debut last July, finishing second to Diabolic in the 5 ½ furlong main track My Dear Stakes.

Loaded Vixen, supplemented to the race, has a record of 1-2-1 from eight starts. A daughter of Reload-Asheba, the chestnut filly, bred by Joey Gee Thoroughbreds and owned by Bruno Schickedanz, notched her first win in her most recent start, a 3 ½-length triumph at seven panels on the Woodbine Tapeta on June 17. Trained by Mike Dunslow, the Ontario-bred began her three-year-old campaign with consecutive runner-up efforts. ​ ​

Maccool's Girl, a Chiefswood Stables homebred, will be making her stakes debut on Sunday. Trained by Rachel Halden, the daughter of Candy Ride (ARG)-Finn's Girl took to the turf for her first start this June, a half-length win at 1 1/16 miles. The dark bay heads into the Oaks off a fourth-place finish over 1 1/8 miles on the Woodbine Tapeta on July 2. Halden teamed with Chiefswood and Nipissing to win the 2013 edition of the race.

Pioneer's Edge, also a Chiefswood Stables homebred, sports a 1-1-0 mark from three appearances. Trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Josie Carroll, the grey daughter of Pioneerof the Nile-Leading Edge was fifth in her most recent start, the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Selene Stakes on July 2. Unraced at two, she won her opener in May, a seven-furlong dash on the Woodbine main track. Carroll won the 2011 Oaks with Inglorious and the 2020 running with Curlin's Voyage.

Sahlabiya, bred by Anderson Farms Ont. Inc., is set to make her first start outside of the U.S. Trained by Chad Brown, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro-Orchard Beach, owned by Shadwell Stable, has tested the Belmont turf courses in both of her races, a third to kick-off her career on May 1 and a runner-up performance on June 17. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Sister Seagull, a homebred for Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry, will load into the starting gate off a maiden-breaking win on June 5. The daughter of Hard Spun-Sweet Kitten notched a 2 ¾-length victory at 1 1/16 miles. Trained by Catherine Day Phillips, who won the 2016 Oaks with Neshama and the 2018 edition with the Fitzhenrys' Dixie Moon, the chestnut, 1-0-1 from five starts, is making her stakes debut on Sunday. ​ ​

Swoop to Finish, a daughter of American Pharoah-Swoop and Strike, could deliver Sam-Son Farm, the leading owner in Oaks history, its ninth win. Trained by Gail Cox, the dark bay filly made her first trip to the winner's circle in her most recent appearance, a 2 ¼-length victory at 1 1/16 miles over Woodbine's Inner Turf on June 16. Fashioning a record of 1-1-0 from four starts, she will be taking her first shot at stakes company on Sunday.

The Woodbine Oaks is the first leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara, which continues at the Toronto oval with the 1 1/16-mile Bison City Stakes on August 14 and concludes with the Wonder Where Stakes at 1 ½ miles over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course on September 11.

The Grade 2 $200,000 Dance Smartly Stakes, for fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up, marks the start of the lucrative Ladies of the Lawn Series. Launched in 2019, the series consists of three premier turf races for fillies and mares, the Grade 2 Dance Smartly, Grade 2 Canadian Stakes and Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes. If a horse sweeps all three legs, the winning owner receives a $250,000 bonus.

For more information on the Ladies of the Lawn Series, click here.

First race post time for Sunday's stakes-filled program is 1:00 p.m. Fans can watch and wager on all the action via HPIbet.com and the Dark Horse Bets app.

$500,000 WOODBINE OAKS PRESENTED BY BUDWEISER (Race 9)

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Swoop to Finish – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Gail Cox
2 – Souper Flashy – Luis Contreras – Kevin Attard
3 – Moira – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard
4 – Loaded Vixen – Patrick Husbands – Mike Dunslow
5 – Maccool's Girl – Steven Bahen – Rachel Halden
6 – Sahlabiya – Kazushi Kimura – Chad Brown
7 – Sister Seagull – Antonio Gallardo – Catherine Day Phillips
8 – Bizymaline – Declan Carroll – Santino Di Paola
9 – Curlin Candy – Gary Boulanger – Mike De Paulo
10 – Pioneer's Edge – Justin Stein – Josie Carroll

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