Tag: Racing

Juddmonte homebred Masen earned his first graded stakes victory in the $250,000 Poker Stakes (G3) on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Trainer Chad Brown, a four-time Eclipse Award-winner, saddled two 4-year-old sons of Kingman in the one-mile Widener turf test for older horses, including the 1-5 favorite Masen and 7-2 second choice Public Sector, who was third.

Wolfie's Dynaghost, with Luis Saez up, broke well and led the five-horse field through an opening quarter mile in :24.05 over the firm going as Flavien Prat settled a rank Masen into second position.

Masen was traveling well down the backstretch as the Jose Ortiz-piloted Public Sector angled outside of a ground-saving Sanctuary City and two-wide Penalty into a stalking position through a half-mile in :48.26.

Wolfie's Dynaghost led the field into the turn as Prat maneuvered Masen to the outside and into the clear, taking command at the stretch call with Public Sector launching an outside rally and Sanctuary City cutting the corner.

Masen, under right-handed encouragement from Prat, stayed on strong to the wire for a one-length win in a final time of 1:34.16. Wolfie's Dynaghost completed the exacta by a nose over Public Sector, who was a nose better than fourth-place Sanctuary City. Penalty rounded out the order of finish.
The victory marked the fifth stakes win of the meet for Prat.

“He broke well and when I asked him to switch off, it took him a little while,” Prat said. “It was a slow pace, so that didn't help, but after that he switched off nice for me. He has a great turn of foot, so I wasn't so worried about the slow pace. It was only a matter of getting him to switch off. After that, I was fine.”

Masen, a three-time winner at Leopardstown for former conditioner Ger Lyons, finished second by a nose to Shirl's Speight on debut for Brown in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) in April at Keeneland. He followed last out with a five-length romp in the Seek Again Stakes on May 22 over good going at Belmont in which the pacesetting Wolfie's Dynaghost faded to last of three runners.

Brown said Saturday's winning effort will propel Masen to the $500,000 Fourstardave (G1) August 13 at Saratoga Race Course, which offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) in November at Keeneland.

“He ran back just inside a month, which is a little tight for him, but I wanted to get another race between now and the Fourstardave. It worked out,” Brown said. “[He was] a little headstrong off the slow first quarter, but he did settle nicely after that. Flavien indicated that he was pretty much in control from there and just decided when he wanted to take over.”

Brown said he was a little concerned with Masen being headstrong in the opening strides from the gate.

“I didn't want to take too much out of him, having to reposition him to the outside of Wolfie's Dynaghost, who ran a much better race this time and I expected him to. He's a nice horse,” Brown said. “We anticipated a better fight from him today and he gave it to us. Luckily, Masen was able to find a little bit more.”

Klaravich Stables' Public Sector enjoyed a tremendous sophomore season, winning the Grade 2 Hall of Fame and Grade 3 Saranac at Saratoga, along with the Grade 2 Hill Prince at Belmont. He arrived at the Poker from an off-the-board effort in the Turf Classic (G1) in his seasonal debut on May 7 at Churchill Downs.

“[It was] a good regroup race from him after drawing a line through his race at Churchill over a turf course he didn't like,” Brown said. “He needs a little more pace to run at. He just missed second by a nose and was coming steadily. I think he prefers a mile and a sixteenth and a mile and an eighth anyway, which we know. We will build off this and figure out where we're going to go next.”

Wolfie's Dynaghost, with Saez up for the first time, ran back to his solid form when second in the Grade 3 Appleton in April at Gulfstream Park for trainer Tom Albertrani.

“He broke pretty sharp. He made the lead and he was trying until the end,” Saez said. “I think Saratoga will be a better spot for him. The turn out there is short and the track is fast. I think he'll like it there.”

Bred in Great Britain by his owner, Masen is out of the Smart Strike mare Continental Drift, whose dam, Intercontinental, was 2005 champion turf female for Brown's late mentor Bobby Frankel. In addition to Intercontinental, Masen's third dam, blue hen Hasili, produced four other Grade 1 or Group 1 winners for Juddmonte.

Masen banked $137,500 for his Poker victory while improving his record to 9-5-2-1. He returned $2.60.

The post Headstrong Early, Masen Settles To Capture Belmont’s Poker Stakes In First Graded Score appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Lothenbach Stables' Grade 1 winner Bell's the One completed her major preparation ahead of next Saturday's $200,000 Chicago Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs with a swift five-furlong move in :59.60 Saturday morning.

With jockey Corey Lanerie in the saddle for trainer Neil Pessin, Bell's the One started about four lengths behind regular breeze partner Grove Daddy and exercise rider Kevin “Alf” Mudd. At the head of the lane, Lanerie tipped the 6-year-old Majesticperfection mare to the outside and drew away from Grove Daddy, who completed five furlongs in 1:01.

Bell's the One has won four of her 11 lifetime starts at Churchill Downs. Her most notable win was in the 2020 Derby City Distaff (G1) in which she defeated former Kentucky Oaks (G1) Serengeti Empress by a nose. She was fourth in this year's edition of that race May 7, which followed her runner-up finish in the Madison Stakes (G1) April 9 at Keeneland in her season bow. Overall, she has an 11-5-2 record from 24 career starts and more than $1.6 million in earnings.

This will be the second time the Chicago Stakes has been run at Churchill Downs. The storied race was previously run at Arlington, the track where Bell's the One broke her maiden in 2018. The other time the Chicago was run at Churchill Downs was in 2017 when Finley'sluckycharm defeated nine rivals as the heavy 1-5 favorite.

Saturday's Chicago Stakes is expected to include multiple graded stakes winner Sconsin, Grade 3 winner Lady Rocket, and two-time stakes winner Bayerness. Entries for the seven-furlong event will be drawn Wednesday.

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The race for leading owner at Royal Ascot went down to the final race Saturday, with Godolphin edging out Coolmore to win the award for the second successive year.

Both owners had five winners across the meeting, with Godolphin taking the title by virtue of three second places compared to one for Coolmore.

Hugh Anderson, Godolphin Managing Director (UK and Dubai) said: “I am delighted to have received the Leading Owner trophy on behalf of Godolphin and our principal, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.

“It has been a fantastic week for our whole team, from Godolphin Stables to Moulton Paddocks and our breeding operation and stallions. Winning this trophy is testament to the hard work of the entire team, all of whom deserve congratulation.

“I must also thank Ascot for putting on the most marvelous festival of outstanding racing.”

Ryan Moore secured his ninth leading jockey title with seven victories, two ahead of William Buick. Danny Tudhope also had a memorable week with four winners, as did Australian rider James McDonald with three.

“It has been a good week,” Moore said. “The horses have run well, and it's satisfying when the ones you think will win do so. This is a great meeting and it has been good to have the crowds back.”

Broome's victory in Saturday's Hardwicke Stakes sealed an 11th leading trainer award for Aidan O'Brien. The Ballydoyle handler sent out five winners in total, one more than Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby.

“It is marvelous – a great reflection of all the hard work by the team at home,” O'Brien said.

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Naval Crown charged up the stands' rail to give Charlie Appleby a second victory in the Platinum Jubilee (G1) Stakes Saturday at Royal Ascot, leading home a one-two finish for the Newmarket trainer in the process.

Naval Crown, sent off a 33-1 chance under James Doyle, was too strong for stablemate Creative Force in a thrilling finish to the six-furlong contest, and in doing so exacted revenge for finishing second to the same rival in last year's Jersey Stakes.

Creative Force raced down the middle of the track with the main body of runners and fought his way to the front on the far side, only for his stablemate to be a neck ahead of him on the other side of the track.

U.S. raider Campanelle, trained by Wesley Ward, lost her unbeaten Royal Ascot record but went down on her sword in a dead-heat for third with Australian representative Artorius, less than a length behind the winner.

“Both horses were in great nick,” Appleby said. “One thing that Naval Crown had coming into the race was that he was still learning the sprinting game. He'd only sprinted once in his life, and that was in the Al Quoz (Sprint [G1]). When I took him to Saudi and he hit the lid so quick (unplaced in the Turf Sprint Cup [G3])… it was all a bit of a mess unfortunately, although we saw there his natural pace.

“This is a stiff six furlongs and we knew there would be plenty of pace. I said just hang on to the coat tails of them if you can. I'm not saying we're not good enough to beat the Australians, but I said he will finish, because this horse has won over seven. He was fourth in a Guineas, so he's a rock-solid horse.

“Creative Force ran a blinder. From that draw (Post 1), it was always away from him, but (William Buick) gave him a fantastic ride, and it was just like the Jersey last year – they were ding-donging away with themselves in the end. They are two fantastic Dubawis.

“Had it been easier ground, I'd obviously have put Creative Force bang up there; he's always been there and done it on the big stage. Naval Crown is cutting his teeth at the sprinting division now, and he's learning fast. One thing about Naval Crown is that he's a young sprinter – it's only his second start over the six.

“I see no reason why we shouldn't be going to the July Cup (G1) now on what we've seen today. We hadn't really planned beyond this – we thought we'd just be following the Australians home to be fair. It was a great ride by James. He said that at halfway that he knew he had to get over to that rail, keep hanging away there, and he knew he'd be in the hunt.”

Doyle said: “At halfway I just got a lovely draft into the race behind Home Affairs, and he kind of dropped away around the 2 ½ mark. We had to be pretty brave and kick for home, but Naval Crown has campaigned over further. We knew the last furlong would be a fair way, but he's got the stamina in his legs from going further.

“He's very genuine. He owes me a big day, to be fair – he was red-hot favorite for the race in Saudi, and we had a bad draw. He jumped impeccably but just completely tore off. It was a bit of a disaster, but it taught us one thing, that he's definitely a sprinter, so we dabbled with the idea and he ran a cracking race in the Al Quoz. That kind of taught him plenty that would have stood him in good stead today.

“This race is one of the highlights of the week, so to be able to win it again, and to do it for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Charlie – they've had an awesome week so far – it's great to play a small part in that.

“Any season, to get two classic winners right at the start of the season is incredible and sets the bar quite high – it's a tough act to follow. This is what it's all about. It's really tough when you're going into the last day here [without a winner]. Charlie said to me this morning, 'Why are you looking so grumpy?' I said, 'I'm running out of bullets!' So for this fella to get us out of jail is brilliant. William said it was about time I pulled my finger out – he's been winding me up all week – so when you get one on the board, it settles everything down a bit.”

Campanelle's trainer Wesley Ward said: “I was watching from the box. It was tough to tell with all those horses. I was just elated it was such a big performance. I am very proud of her.

“The race went just as we hoped. She jumped well, and those on the speed have been doing well because of the weather conditions here. She would have preferred the going a little softer. She was out in front, she ran a beautiful race, and there are no excuses.”

Sam Freedman, co-trainer of Artorius, said: “There was barely a gap there and he poked his head through. He has run a wonderful race. It was hard to see as the near side and the far side were so far apart and I had a bad angle of the TV. I could not tell whether he was third, fourth or fifth.

“I am very proud. The whole team at home has done a really good job. I think they are all up watching. The guys say he will probably stay here for the July Cup. The track is little bit different to Ascot, but it is a stiff finish again.”

The post Naval Crown Leads 1-2 Finish In Platinum Jubilee For Godolphin, Trainer Appleby, Sire Dubawi; U.S. Runner Campanelle In Dead Heat For Third appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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