Racing | Horse Racing Free Tips

Busy Sunday Morning In Florida For Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitees

Joseph Allen LLC's Doswell, who scored an impressive 1 ½-length front-running victory in the Dec. 16 Fort Lauderdale (G2), breezed seven furlongs on turf at Palm Meadows Training Center Sunday morning in preparation for a planned start in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream in Hallandale Beach, Fla., on Jan. 29.

The Barclay Tagg-trained lightly raced 7-year-old gelding was timed in 1:22.95 over a firm turf at Gulfstream's satellite training facility.

Three Diamond Farm's Atone and Calumet Farm's English Bee, Pegasus Turf reserve invitees who finished second and third, respectively, in the Fort Lauderdale, also breezed Sunday.

Mike Maker-trained Atone breezed five furlongs in 1:02.14 on dirt at Gulfstream, where Maker-trained Pegasus Turf invitee Field Pass also breezed five furlongs on the main track in 1:01.91. Graham Motion-trained English Bee breezed six furlongs in 1:12.05 on turf at Palm Meadows.

Sunday's Gulfstream worktab also included several other notable breezes. St. George Stable LLC's Letruska, a finalist for an Eclipse Award for Older Dirt Female, returned to the worktab for the first time since finishing off-the-board in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). The Fausto Gutierrez-trained mare, who won five straight races (three Grade 1 stakes) in a row prior to the Distaff, was timed in 37.20 seconds for three furlongs.

Grade 1 winner Drain the Clock breezed a half-mile in 48.14 seconds. Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Wonder Stables and Michael Nentwig's 4-year-old son of Maclean's Music most recently came off a 3 ½-month layoff to win a six-furlong optional claiming allowance in 1:08.63. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained colt defeated Gatsby, who came back to score a dazzling victory in Saturday's $75,000 Sunshine Sprint at Gulfstream.

Red Oak Stable's Make It Big, an undefeated 3-year-old trained by Joseph, breezed a half-mile in 49.62. The son of Neolithic captured the $400,000 Remington Springboard Mile Dec. 17.

The post Busy Sunday Morning In Florida For Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitees appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Battle Bling, Off Claim By Atras, Rallies From Last To Win Ladies

Michael Dubb's Battle Bling was a last-to-first winner of Sunday's $100,000 Ladies for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up going nine furlongs over the fast main track at Aqueduct Racetrack at Ozone Park, N.Y.

Battle Bling made her first start for trainer Rob Atras in the Ladies after being claimed for $62,500 out of a game second at 10-1 in an optional claimer on Dec. 19 at the Big A, defeated a neck by next-out stakes winner Maiden Beauty.

“When we claimed her, I was just happy she ran so well that day because she was longer odds,” Atras said. “Mike Dubb picked her out, and I liked her, but it was a great claim. We nominated and it looked like we had a shot with the short field. The weather has been tedious lately and training has been interrupted, but she's a nice filly. I've liked her since Day One. I'm glad Mike decided to claim her.”

Breaking from post 4 in the Ladies, Battle Bling emerged well under Trevor McCarthy while the Gary Sciacca-trained Exotic West stumbled at the start from post 1 and unseated rider Dylan Davis. Exotic West ran riderless behind the field before the outrider collared her and safely escorted her off the track while Davis sprung quickly to his feet.

Longshot Vienna Code was unbothered by the commotion to her inside and bounded away to take the lead in the first turn from Its Cold in Dehere while Battle Bling was shuffled back to last of five under Trevor McCarthy through an opening quarter-mile in 24.97 seconds.

With no change to the running order through a half-mile in 50.91, McCarthy began to get to work on the 4-year-old daughter of Vancouver, closing in on her rivals as the field passed the three-quarter marker and made their way into the final turn.

As Its Cold in Dehere faded from second approaching the top of the stretch, post-time favorite Miss Leslie and Battle Bling both made their run at the lead. Vienna Code continued to dig in along the rail and battle with Miss Leslie to her outside as Battle Bling took command in the center of the racetrack.

With a sixteenth to the finish, McCarthy gave Battle Bling a strong ride with right-handed encouragement as Miss Leslie continued to gain ground on her inside with late-running Kiss the Girl looming to her outside.

Battle Bling had something left in the tank and fought on gamely to hold off Miss Leslie by a neck with Kiss the Girl a half-length back in third. The final time for the nine furlongs was 1:57.11.

“On paper, it set up so beautifully,” McCarthy said. “I was able to follow the five [Miss Leslie], get the jump on her at the quarter-pole and fight them off. The track is a little tiring. We had some nice cover and we were able to get her going, open up a few lengths and make those guys really earn it.

“My filly is a big, long striding filly,” McCarthy added. “She doesn't have much punch, but when she does you got to get her rolling and she'll keep on going.”

Atras praised McCarthy's ability to adapt his ride to the slower pace.

“He sent and then noticed there was a little bit of speed and dropped back. They were going moderate – not slow, but not too fast,” said Atras. “He made a real bold move in the turn and I thought that was a great move that he made. Trevor is a strong rider and she held on.”

Angel Cruz, the regular rider of runner-up Miss Leslie, was proud of the 4-year-old Paynter filly's effort after entering the Ladies on a three-race win streak.

“My filly kept fighting and tried her best,” said Cruz, “At the top of the stretch, she came back with a fight. Trevor's horse came with a big kick. The longer she goes, the better she does. She's a better filly going long.”

Completing the order of finish were Vienna Code and Its Cold in Dehere.

A general steward's inquiry was conducted to review the start of the race regarding Exotic West, resulting in no change to the order of finish.

Bred in Kentucky by Royal Oak Farm and E. Kiely, Battle Bling's win in the Ladies was the first stakes victory of her career, taking home $55,000 to increase her total purse earnings to $203,867 and improve her record to 3-4-1 from 13 starts. A $2 win wager on Battle Bling paid $8.70.

Live racing returns to the Big A on Thursday with an eight-race card. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

The post Battle Bling, Off Claim By Atras, Rallies From Last To Win Ladies appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Hit The Road, Bodhicitta Prep At Santa Anita For Pegasus World Cup Day Races

Trainer Dan Blacker's Grade 1 stakes winning Hit the Road and the Richard Baltas-conditioned Bodhicitta, a Grade 2 winner, both worked over the Santa Anita turf late Sunday morning in preparation for major stakes engagements at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., on Pegasus World Cup Invitational Day, Jan. 29.

Hit the Road, a 5-year-old horse by More Than Ready, and Bodhicitta, a 6-year-old English-bred mare, came on Santa Anita's main track via the quarter mile chute at 11:42 and back-tracked around to the finish line, where they then came onto the turf and proceeded to the clubhouse turn.

Hit the Road, with Umberto Rispoli up, was a winner of the G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (turf) at Santa Anita on March 6, 2021, and was most recently a close third in the G2 City of Hope Mile on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 2. A winner of six races from 12 starts and $563,751, Hit the Road is prepping for the G1, $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at 1 1/8 miles.

With Bodhicitta taking the lead, Hit the Road came onto the turf course about an eighth of a mile behind her and cantered with his pony near the outside fence to the 5 ½-furlong pole, where he shifted down to the rail and in an aggressive move, was in full stride at the five-furlong marker. Clocked by Santa Anita track timer Dane Nelson going three furlongs in 36.14, he finished up five eighths of a mile in 58.42.

Owned by D K Racing, Radley Equine, Inc., Taste of Victory Stables, Tony Maslowski and Dave Odmark, Hit the Road has two graded stakes wins and five overall added money victories on grass included among a lifetime mark of 12-6-0-2.

Bodhicitta, who was ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr. and prepping for the G3, $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational at 1 1/16 miles, remained well in front of Hit the Road and hit the half-mile pole running in an equally aggressive move. Clocked the first quarter mile in 24.17, she finished up her half mile drill in 47.11.

A winner of the G2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap at Del Mar Aug. 8, 2020, Bodhicitta, made her first seven starts in Ireland and all four of her wins from 22 overall starts have come with Baltas in Southern California. Owned by Calvin Nguyen, Bodhicitta has banked $364,808.

The post Hit The Road, Bodhicitta Prep At Santa Anita For Pegasus World Cup Day Races appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf Could Lure Summer In Saratoga To Florida In Winter

Trainer Joe Sharp said he would like to run multiple stakes-winner Summer in Saratoga in the $500,000 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G3) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., on Jan. 29. He and co-owner Anderson Farms just want to make sure she fits.

“We're going to make a decision as it gets a little closer, but it's definitely under strong consideration,” Sharp said. “From what I'm gathering, it looks like her (handicapping) numbers will be pretty competitive in the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf. As long as we're both comfortable taking a shot, that might be what we do.”

Summer in Saratoga was fresh off a victory for then-owner Highlander Training Center in Keeneland's Grade 3 Dowager Stakes when the mare was sold for $630,000 at Fasig-Tipton's November sale. Sharp figured that probably was the last time he'd see the daughter of 2007 Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun. However, Anderson Farms owner David Anderson sent her back to Sharp. In her first and so far only start for her new owners, Summer in Saratoga won the $75,000 Blushing KD Stakes at the New Orleans Fair Grounds.

“Obviously you hope it would work out the way it did,” Sharp said of being able to keep Summer in Saratoga in his barn. “At that price range where she was expected to sell, most people would be purchasing her as a broodmare prospect. There was no guarantee you were going to get somebody who would want to continue to race her, let alone trust us to have her again. It really all came together nicely.”

Sharp had never before met David Anderson, who campaigns the now 6-year-old mare in the name of his farm in Ontario, Canada, and with Narola LLC. Success would come quickly, but not before facing a speed bump.

“We actually sent her up to New York,” Sharp said. “She got scratched in the paddock; she kind of sat down behind. So we brought her down to the Fair Grounds. She got herself back together and ran huge the other day. Corey (Lanerie, her regular jockey) happened to be in town. He knows her so well. It all worked out, basically first start for the new connections to get a win.”

Whether Summer in Saratoga races a full season or races a time or two before being bred would appear up to the 6-year-old mare.

“It's on a start-by-start basis, Sharp said. “From what I understood from Dave, as long as she's performing at a level that can add to her resume, then I think he's content to move forward with racing.”

Sharp has had Summer in Saratoga for all but her first two races. That span encompasses her seven victories, four coming in stakes – including in three of her last four starts.

“Honestly, this moment right now is probably my favorite version of Summer in Saratoga that I've been around,” he said. “There are probably a lot of different factors contributing to that, but mainly maturity. She has that being about her of a good horse that's very alpha and very confident. She makes my job easy.”

While Sharp's main winter base of the Fair Grounds has a series of turf stakes for fillies and mares, those purses don't come close to Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf's $500,000.

“The Fair Grounds series has been good to us over the years,” Sharp said. “But we get spoiled in the spring, summer and fall with the purse structure in Kentucky. So it's nice to have some big purse money to run for in January if you can be competitive. So we're grateful to Gulfstream for putting that on.”

The post Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf Could Lure Summer In Saratoga To Florida In Winter appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post