Tag: Racing

Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stable and LNJ Foxwoods' classy 4-year-old colt Olympiad is set to return to Fair Grounds from his South Florida base as the 8-5 favorite in Saturday's 97th running of the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2).

Run at 1 1/8 miles, the New Orleans Classic was carded as Race 9 of 12 with a post time of 4:08 p.m. (all times Central). First post Saturday is noon.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, Olympiad cruised to a 2 ¼-length score in the $250,000 Mineshaft (G3) last month at Fair Grounds, stopping the timer in 1:42.01 for 1 1/16th miles and shaving .01 off the previous track record set by Pie In Your Eye way back in 1994.

The bay son of Speightstown has only finished worse than second once in his seven-race career – a troubled fourth-place finish in last year's $750,000 Cigar Mile (G1). Olympiad and Alvarado will break from post two.

“That's the kind of horse that makes your work very easy,” Alvarado said following the Mineshaft. “He leaves the gate, you nudge him a little bit, and he takes you for a nice ride the whole way. The longer stretch (at Fair Grounds) helped him today. He's a horse that needs more than a 1/16th mile stretch run to pick it up and he proved that today.”

The Godolphin homebred Proxy hopes to build off an impressive comeback win in his 4-year-old debut on February 25 for Mike Stidham. Second in both the Lecomte (G3) and Risen Star (G2) last year, the son of Tapit fell a bit flat in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland, finishing fourth in both. Apparently, the time off to mature did him some good.

“In the mornings he's a bigger, stronger, better horse now with a little more maturity,” Stidham said. “Last year he'd go out there in the mornings and he wasn't really interested in working well, but you can see from his tab leading up to this, he is doing things a little different now. He ran with blinkers in his last two starts (last year), but watching those races, we didn't see where they helped him so we didn't think twice about taking them off.”

The 5-2 second choice with Brian Hernandez, Jr. back aboard, Proxy will break from post 5.

“I couldn't be happier,” Stidham said. “He's had three really good works since his last race. He ran against top quality horses last year as a 3-year-old. It's just a matter of seeing if he's good enough to compete with the top horses this year, but he's given me every indication that he can. Given the way he ran in his last race, nine furlongs should absolutely be better than 1 1/16 miles for him. He was very relaxed and came home finishing nicely. I'm very much looking forward to the added distance with him.”

With the champion Echo Zulu and Epicenter favored in the Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) and Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), respectively, and Midnight Bourbon set to compete in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan, Saturday could be a monstrous day for trainer Steve Asmussen, who also sends forth Erv Woolsey and brother Keith Asmussen's Super Stock in the New Orleans Classic. Joel Rosario will ride from post three.

“He's never raced here but he has worked well here,” Asmussen said. “It's a good opportunity for him. I didn't like the trip he got last time (Razorback at Oaklawn). We think he is better than that and we think the change of scenery may just wake him up a little bit. It's a good race and we are hoping he goes out there and proves us right.”

Trained by Dallas Stewart, Estate of James Coleman's 2021 New Orleans Classic hero Chess Chief narrowly defeated Owendale to win his first graded stakes. The now 6-year-old horse finished his 5-year-old campaign with a victory in the $100,000 Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds prior to a sixth-place effort in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park. All five of his career wins have come at Fair Grounds. Reylu Gutierrez will have the call from post six.

The field for the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (race 9 at 5:44 pm CT) with post position, jockey/trainer and morning line odds:

1. Woodford Thoroughbreds and WinStar Farms' Promise Keeper (Tyler Gaffalione/Todd Pletcher, 3-1 ML), winner of the Peter Pan (G3) last year as a 3-year-old
2. Grandview Equine and Cheyenne Stables' Olympiad (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott, 8-5 ML);
3. Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen's Super Stock (Joel Rosario/Steve Asmussen, 8-1 ML);
4. Lothenbach Stables' Happy American (James Graham/Neil Pessin, 8-1 ML);
5. Godolphin's Proxy (Brian Hernandez Jr./Mike Stidham, 5-2 ML);
6. Estate of James Coleman's Chess Chief (Reylu Gutierrez/Dallas Stewart, 8-1 ML).

The New Orleans Classic is part of a tremendous program Saturday at Fair Grounds and is one of eight stakes on the card. The penultimate day of the Fair Grounds season is topped by the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), which will go as the finale and the $400,000 TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) (Race 11). The other stakes on the card are the $75,000 Crescent City Oaks (Race 3); $75,000 Crescent City Derby (Race 5); $75,000 Costa Rising (Race 6); $100,000 Tom Benson Memorial (Race 8); and $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic presented by Horse Racing Nation (G2) (Race 10).

Past performances for all of Fair Grounds races are available on www.Brisnet.com and fans can wager on www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Inc.

The post Track Record Holder Olympiad Returns In New Orleans Classic appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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You won't find many graded stakes races on the turf around the country without an entry from the Chad Brown barn.

In the case of Saturday's $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic (G2) presented by Horse Racing Nation at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Brown hopes that not only longer will be better but also some ageless enthusiasm will prevail.

The East Coast-based conditioner sends a pair of long-toothed, French-bred turf veterans in 7-year-old Sacred Life and 8-year-old Devamani, both of whom have traveled near and far for their connections in search of graded stakes glory.

Brown has tasted success in the Muniz before with 2019 Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar. He also won the 2012 edition with Casino Host and owns a 6-2-1-1 record in this marquee event for older turf horses in New Orleans.

Breaking from post two under Florent Geroux for the first time, Sacred Life was tabbed the 2-1 morning line favorite. Sacred Life has visited the winner's circle just once in his last eight, with that score coming in the Knickerbocker (G3) in October of last year. In his only start of 2022, the son of Siyouni flew late, but was compromised by a slow pace early, finishing a close sixth behind last year's Muniz champ Colonel Liam in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream.

His stablemate and work partner Devamani comes to the bayou off a pedestrian sixth place finish in the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs last month. Devamani (5-2) has shown an affinity for grass courses with some cut in the them, but with rain not forecasted Wednesday through Saturday, the Stall-Wilson turf course should be in firm condition for closing weekend.

Joel Rosario will break from the third post position outside his stablemate in the nine-horse field scheduled to run 1 1 /8 miles on the turf with the rails down.

Vying for favoritism once again will be Godolphin's homebred Santin (7-2).

Santin was bet down off his 12-1 morning line to the 2.70-to-1 public choice in his 4-year-old debut last month in the Fair Grounds Stakes (G3). The son of Distorted Humor had a compromised trip under Tyler Gaffalione but showed some late interest down the stretch just missing the board. The top four finishers from that race were separated by less than a length.

“He ran well in the Fair Grounds (Stakes) and it will benefit him having a run going into Saturday,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “He's been working very well. He's only run four times. He showed that he could mix it up with those seasoned, older horses. He just has to improve a little to put him right there again, which I think that he has. Chad's (Brown) two horses look tough, and there are some other proven, seasoned horses in there. It's going to take my horse another two or three starts to get to the point where they already are. All he lacks is experience. If he can stick right with them now, if he keeps improving, that should put him right up there with the very best turf horses this year.”

The lack of early pace in the favorites' running lines could be beneficial for the local longshot contingents like Cavalry Charge, Forty Under and Two Emmys, who used his front-running speed last year to a runner-up finish at huge odds.

Cavalry Charge (10-1) gutted out a determined front-running win in the Fair Grounds Stakes (G3) last month. Trainer Dallas Stewart and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. could find themselves on the lead once again in this race.

Recent stakes winners Cavalry Charge, Forty Under and Another Mystery will all carry 122 pounds. The rest of the field is slated to carry 118 pounds.

The field for the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2) presented by Horse Racing Nation (race 10 at 4:40 pm CT) with post position, jockey/trainer and morning line odds:

1. BW and HTS Stables LLC and Jason Grudzien's Peacock Kitten (Devin Magnon/Rylee Grudzien, 30-1 ML), whose only start on the Stall-Wilson turf course was an off the board finish in starter allowance company;
2. Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables LLC, Wonder Stables and Michael Caruso's Sacred Life (Florent Geroux/Chad Brown, 2-1 ML), a pace compromised sixth last time out in the Pegasus Turf Invitational (G1);
3. Michael Dubb, Sanford Goldfarb & Samuel Abraham's Devamani (Joel Rosario/Chad Brown, 5-2 ML), off the board last time in the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3);
4. West Point Thoroughbreds, William Sandbrook & Robert Masiello's Cavalry Charge (Brian Hernandez Jr./Dallas Stewart, 10-1 ML), front-running winner of the Fair Grounds Stakes (G3) last time out;
5. Three Diamond Farm's Forty Under (Mitchel Murrill/Michael Maker, 10-1 ML), winner of the Colonel E.R. Bradley two starts back at Fair Grounds;
6. Lothenbach Stables' Captivating Moon (Junior Alvarado/Chris Block, 15-1 ML), sixth in the Muniz last year;
7. Team Block's Another Mystery (Jareth Loveberry/Chris Block, 12-1 ML), coming off a dead heat victory in the John B. Connally Stakes (G3) at Sam Houston;
8. Wolfe Racing & Hugh Robertson's Two Emmys (James Graham/Hugh Robertson 10-1 ML), second at 24-1 in this race last year; and the
9. Godolphin homebred Santin (Tyler Gaffalione/Brendan Walsh, 7-2 ML), fourth as the favorite in the Fair Grounds Stakes (G3) last month.

The post Turf Veterans Sacred Life, Devamani Top Choices In Saturday’s Muniz Memorial Classic appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Texas Champions Day has been one of the most anticipated days of the annual Thoroughbred season since Sam Houston Race Park opened in 1994. The 2022 edition, set for Saturday, March 26, will shine the spotlight on the resurgence of Texas racing, showcasing the best thoroughbreds in the Lone Star State.

Purses for the seven features were increased to $100,000 in 2021 and will remain at this level again. Excellent weather is forecast for Saturday and competitive fields have been drawn for each of the Texas Champions Day stakes. The 10-race card will get underway at 5:55 pm (CT).

Singapore Flash Eyes Third Turf Victory This Season in the $100,000 Richard King

Stakes action will get underway in the second race with seven turf specialists in the $100,000 Richard King Stakes for 4-year-olds and upward at 1 1/8 miles on the Connally Turf Course.

Triple V Racing LLC's Singapore Flash, who was the runner-up in the 2021 Richard King, has rocketed into prominence this season on the Sam Houston turf. The 6-year-old gelded son of Shanghai Bobby began the year with a solid allowance victory on Jan. 20 for trainer J.R. Caldwell and jockey Lane Luzzi. He returned in the $75,000 Houston Turf here on Feb. 19, defeating 2021 Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Champion Older Horse Sunlit Song by a neck. His victory gave rising star Luzzi his first Sam Houston stakes score and was also very emotional for Caldwell.

“What a great finish with both horses laying it down the lane,” said Caldwell. “My horse ran an awesome race, but to beat a champion like Sunlit Song was an awesome feat. I am appreciative of my owners buying Singapore Flash and letting me run him here.”

Claimed for $40,000 last July at Colonial Downs, Singapore Flash has has never finished off the board at Sam Houston Race Park, and with the Houston Turf victory, has now won seven of his 22 starts and $217,875. He will break from post position six at odds of 2-5.

“He came out of that race in great shape,” added Caldwell, who will also saddle Lethal Move for Farmers Fillies Racing. “Singapore Flash really likes the Houston turf course and five weeks between the two stakes allows him to settle in. We're taking a shot with Lethal Move and might be able to run 1-2!”

Their rivals include Moojab Jr owned by John L. Pierce, who won the 2021 Houston Turf for trainer Paul Duhon and rider Iram Diego. The 8-year-old son of Moojab has won ten of his 44 career efforts and tops Singapore Flash in earnings with $290,671 banked to date. Stans Hookin Bull, who ran third in the Houston Turf, will break from the rail under Leandro Goncalves. Trained by Karen Jacks, the 4-year-old colt, sired by Lookin at Lucky, was a turf allowance winner at Sam Houston Race Park last March for owners Diamond W Racing Stable and Desra Schlansky.

Mr Money Bags The One to Beat in the $100,000 Spirit of Texas

Accredited Texas-bred colts and geldings will take to the main track in the six furlong $100,000 Spirit of Texas Stakes.

Erma Cobb's Mr Money Bags returns off a 2 ¾ length victory in last month's $75,000 H-Town Stakes. Bred by her late husband, Roy Wayne Cobb, the 6-year-old Silver City gelding was named 2019 TTA Horse of the Year and is a true “horse for the course” at Sam Houston Race Park. He will make his 26th career start Saturday evening in pursuit of his tenth stakes victory. The striking gray has won stakes for the past four years, beginning with the 2019 Jim's Orbit and Groovy Stakes here and has earned $631,776 in his noted career.

Last year, both Mr. Cobb and Mr Money Bags trainer Mike Neatherlin passed away, which was tragic for the Texas racing community. Thankfully, Mrs. Cobb retained ownership of the accomplished runner and named Neatherlin's daughter Jaylan Clary as trainer. Jockey Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez returns on the 1-2 morning line favorite. Well-regarded as a sprinter, Mr Money Bags also delivered at seven furlongs in the H-Town.

“Even though my horse likes to go to the lead, I did not need to push him early,” said Valdez-Jiminez. “I knew he had plenty left. He is the best horse I have ever ridden!”

The tears flowed for Mrs. Cobb following his Feb. 19 stakes victory as she spoke about how much her late husband adored Mr Money Bags.

“Roy was definitely a horse person and loved coming to the races and watching them run,” she explained. “He had so many offers to sell Mr Money Bags but turned them all down. He loved Mr Money Bags; we all do.”

Carbon Stryker, who has been competing at Delta Downs most recently for trainer Karl Broberg, merits consideration in the Spirit of Texas. The 4-year-old Crossbow gelding won the 2021 My Dandy here under jockey Ry Eikleberry, who has the return call at odds of 5-1. Owned by Zachary Roush, Carbon Stryker will make his 21st career start with a record of four wins, seven seconds and three third-place finishes.

Caldwell and Farmer Fillies Racing team up with He's a Suitor, a 5-year-old son of Hat Trick (JPN). Jockey Stewart Elliott will pilot the gelding, who exits a turf claiming win here on Feb. 22.

“Hats off to the great Texas champion Mr Money Bags,” said Caldwell. “It would be an honor to run second to him!”

The Spirit of Texas is carded as the third race of the evening with an approximate post time of 6:55 pm.

Undefeated Chief Brady Takes on Seven Rivals in the $100,000 Groovy Stakes

The $100,000 Groovy Stakes, which will run as the fourth race on the program, features a field of 3-year-old colts and geldings squaring off at the distance of six furlongs.

Southwestern Racing LLC's Chief Brady broke his maiden impressively at Sam Houston Race Park on Jan. 15 and stepped up to the stakes level with confidence one month later in the $75,000 Jim's Orbit. Jockey Jansen Melancon guided the chestnut son of Bradester before finding an opening on the rail and drawing off to a three-length victory. His final time, over the fast main track, was 1:12.20.

Melancon will guide the talented gelding out of the Mr. Nightlinger mare Indian Minnie for trainer Mindy Willis.

“This horse continues to impress me,” said Melancon. “In the Jim's Orbit, I saw the rail open and took the opportunity. It's a great feeling when you really get along well with a horse. He worked super for his return on Saturday. I feel really good about his chances!”

Luckys Special drew the far outside post as he makes his stakes debut for breeder and owner Victoria Lynn Heine. The gelding by Special Rate broke his maiden in his Jan. 22 debut at Sam Houston Race Park with two additional placings at the $50,000 allowance level. Trainer Michael Whitelaw sticks with rider Weston Hamilton.

Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen, who has won 13 leading trainer titles at Sam Houston, has entered Take A Limo. The My Golden Song gelding, bred and owned by Macassar Corporation, steps up to stakes competition off a impressive debut win on Feb. 19. Last year's leading rider Stewart Elliott, who is in a close battle this season with Ry Eikleberry, has the call. Asmussen also trains Brant Shafer's homebred Ironical, a son of Too Much Bling who makes his third career start. This would be the fourth Groovy Stakes victory for Asmussen, who won with Balkan (2001); Roundabout Jones (2003) and Expect Will in 2004.

Caldwell looks to have a strong contender with Highlander Training Center's Legally Lethal. The son of 2011 Florida Derby (G1) champion Dialed In broke his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion here on March 11 with Lane Luzzi aboard.

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