Tag: Racing

Gulfstream: Eldon’s Prince Chases Third Stakes In A Row In Friday’s Pulpit Stakes

Gentry Farms' Eldon's Prince is scheduled to seek his third-straight stakes victory on Friday's opening day program of the 2021-2022 Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park, where the son of Cairo Prince figures as the horse to beat in the $75,000 Pulpit Stakes.

The Pulpit, a mile turf race for 2-year-olds which drew a field of 12, will co-headline an 11-race program with the $75,000 Wait a While, a mile turf stakes for juvenile fillies. The Pulpit and Wait a While will kick off a $14.26 million stakes schedule for the Championship Meet that will run through April 3.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Eldon's Prince has shown versatility in his three-race career, having won the Proud Man at a mile on turf and the off-the-turf Armed Forces while sprinting on dirt.

“He finds a way to win,” Joseph said. “He's a horse, as the distances get longer, he'll want to go further. I think he's going to be a horse that will go a mile-and-an-eighth, a mile-and-a-quarter, a mile-and-a-half on the grass, but this is a good race to get him started. Hopefully, he'll run as well as he's run before.”

A $280,000 purchase at the OBS April 2-year-olds-in-training sale, Eldon's Prince debuted on turf at Gulfstream Sept. 18, rallying from off the pace to finish second in a 7 ½-furlong maiden special weight race. He came right back to graduate in the Proud Man, overcoming a rough start and drawing away to a six-length victory. Cutting back to seven furlongs on the main track, the Ontario-bred colt rallied from seventh to prevail by a head in the Armed Forces.

“He's not super flashy as far as speed in the morning, but he's super steady. He'll gallop out super strong in all of his works,” Joseph said. “On the dirt, you can see that he's even. I think his preferred surface is going to be turf. I know he won on dirt, but I think he just won on ability. He's a horse that can overcome things.”

Edgard Zayas has the return mount aboard Eldon's Prince.

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Silverton Hill LLC's Red Danger also brings stakes experience on both turf and dirt into the Pulpit. The son of 2013 Florida Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb captured the $500,000 Juvenile Sprint over Kentucky Downs turf Sept. 29. After finishing fourth in the Bourbon (G2) on turf at Keeneland, the Brendan Walsh-trained colt finished second behind Howling Time in the Oct. 31 Street Sense at 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Churchill Downs.

Julien Leparoux, who was aboard in the Street Sense, has been awarded the return call.

Cammarota Racing LLC's Baron Cesco is slated to stretch out to a mile after showing considerable promising sprinting both on turf and Tapeta. The Antonio Sano-trained son of Klimt debuted with a front-running victory Aug. 6 at Saratoga. After finishing far back in the off-the-turf Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga, Baron Cesco finished a late-closing third in the Hollywood Beach over Gulfstream's turf after being held up in traffic on the backstretch. The Kentucky-bred colt enters the Pulpit off a second-place optional claiming allowance over Gulfstream's Tapeta course.

Wendall Yates, Troy Johnson, Carroll Boys Racing and Marita Weston's C My Meister enters the Pulpit off a pair of third-place stakes finishes. The Kelsey Danner trainee, who broke his maiden at Gulfstream in his turf debut, finished third in the Aug. 21 Kitten's Joy at Colonial before checking in behind a pair of next-out-winners while finishing third in the Oct. 23 Juvenile for Florida-breds at Gulfstream.

Live Oak Plantation's Biz Biz Buzz, a Michael Trombetta-trained son of Fed Biz who finished third in the Futurity (G3) on turf at Belmont two starts back; Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Speaking Scout, a Graham Motion-trained son of Mr. Speaker who finished second in a Keeneland allowance last time out; and My Racehorse.com's Duke of Love, a Josie Carroll-trained son of Cupid who is coming off an impressive debut victory over Woodbine's Tapeta; are promising Pulpit entrants.

Peacock Stable's Sport Pepper, Carl Hess Jr.'s Concrete Glory, Joker Racing LLC's Kitodan, John Minchello's Fast N Ready, and GU Racing Stable LLC's Always Gambling, round out the field.

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Gulfstream: Casse-Trained Duo Of Lemieux, Palmach Will Try Turf In Friday’s Wait A While

D. J. Stable LLC's Lemieux and Palmach will both seek to a make successful transition from Tapeta to turf in Friday's $75,000 Wait a While at Gulfstream Park for a Hall of Fame trainer who knows a thing or two about surface switches.

Trained by Mark Casse, Lemieux and Palmach will both try to duplicate their recent respective dazzling front-running victories over Gulfstream's newly installed Tapeta course in the Wait a While, a mile turf stakes for 2-year-old fillies that will co-headline Friday's opening day of the 2021-2022 Championship Meet with the $75,000 Pulpit, a mile turf event for 2-year-olds.

Lemieux is the more seasoned and accomplished of the two fillies, but the daughter of Nyquist is scheduled to make her turf debut in her sixth career start.

“I think she can do a little bit of anything. She is by Nyquist out of a The Factor mare – that's turf. Even the way she moves, I felt like she would like turf,” Casse said. “Her last start was on Tapeta, which she didn't mind either. I think she'll like the grass.”

Lemieux finished second in her first two career starts behind next-out winners before breaking through to graduate at Saratoga in an Aug. 21 off-the-turf maiden special weight race. The daughter of 2016 Florida Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Nyquist finished far back on the Churchill Downs' main track in the Pocahontas (G3) but rebounded with a dominating 6 ½-length front-running victory in a Gulfstream optional claiming allowance on Tapeta last time out.

“That was what I expected from her all along. I always felt she was on the A-Team from the beginning,” Casse said. “She ran well. She did break her maiden at Saratoga. Obviously, the race at Churchill was disappointing, but she rebounded in her last race and has trained well up to this race.”

Palmach came up short to finish fifth in his Sept. 10 career debut on Gulfstream's turf but graduated on the Tapeta course next time out with a front-running four-length romp.

“We were disappointed in her first start, but she came back and ran so much better. She's always trained well and showed a lot of ability,” Casse said. “I think she'll probably like turf too.”

Both Lemieux and Palmach likely would have run on turf instead of Tapeta last time out, but Casse was more than happy to have the all-weather surface as a viable alterative while the turf course was undergoing renovation during the Fall Meet.

“I think, unfortunately, early on Tapeta was misrepresented and misunderstood. That's unfortunate because, to me, it's superior to any other surface,” said Casse, who has dominated the trainer standings for many years at Woodbine, where the main track is an all-weather surface. “I've said all along that horses weren't bred to run on dirt. They were bred to run on the grass. Especially, here in the U.S., we can only run so many grass races because our grasses can't hold up. Tapeta is the closest thing to grass.”

Edwin Gonzalez, who rode both fillies in their recent victories, will ride Lemieux, while Emisael Jaramillo has the call on Palmach.

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Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Sister Lou Ann, who finished second in her off-the-turf debut at Gulfstream Sept 24, enters the Wait a While off a front-running 7 ½-length score at a mile and 70 yards on Tapeta in her second career start Oct. 20.

“We tried to get her on the turf, but it rained off. We gave her a shot. The number was slow, but she got second. We ran her on Tapeta, which was the closest thing to turf at the moment, and I thought she won convincingly,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “We're hoping that when we get her on the turf, she'll do equally as good or better.”

Edgard Zayas has the return mount aboard the homebred daughter of Frosted.

Monarch Stables Inc.'s Last Leaf, a stakes winner over the Gulfstream turf course, enters the Wait a While off a third-place finish after dueling for the early lead in an optional claiming allowance on Tapeta. In her previous start and turf debut, the Ron Spatz-trained daughter of Not This Time pressed the pace before winning by a neck in the $75,000 Hollywood Beach, beating the boys at five-furlongs on turf.

Miguel Vasquez has the return mount aboard the Kentucky-bred filly, who has also won twice on dirt at Gulfstream.

Stuart Janney III's Gun Boat and Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd.'s Lia Marina are both slated to make their stakes debuts in the Wait a While while coming off maiden-breaking victories in New York.

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey will be represented by Gun Boat, a homebred daughter of War Front who broke through to graduate in her third career start in a six-furlong sprint on turf at Aqueduct Nov. 11. Julien Leparoux is scheduled to ride the Kentucky-bred filly for the first time Friday.

Trainer Christophe Clement-trained Lia Marina is coming off a hard-fought six-furlong maiden score on turf at Belmont Park in her second career start. Tyler Gaffalione has been named to ride the daughter of Uncle Mo for the first time in the Wait a While.

Qatar Racing's Sunstrike, an Irish-bred daughter of Dark Angel, is scheduled to make her U.S. debut in the Wait a While. The Brendan Walsh-trained filly won one of six starts in England. Paco Lopez has the call.

Average Joe Racing Stables' Myfavoritedaughter and DeLuca and Sons Stable's High Arabian round out the field.

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‘Incredible’ Honeysuckle Wins 13th Straight Race Under Rachel Blackmore

Henry de Bromhead's superstar mare Honeysuckle extended her unbeaten run to a lucky 13 with a third consecutive Hatton's Grace Hurdle victory.
For the third year in succession, Rachael Blackmore guided the 7-year-old home at her favorite Fairyhouse by eight lengths to kickstart her season in style in the headline Grade 1 race on Sunday.

The heavy favorite watched on as Willie Mullins' Stormy Island did all the early running, but the unbeaten Champion Hurdler and queen of National Hunt racing had it sewn up by the third last.

After claiming the BARONERACING.COM Hatton's Grace Hurdle, De Bromhead said: “I'm delighted with that, Rachael was brilliant on her and they are just a lethal combination, in fairness to them.

“She was really psyched before the race, she was trying to bite and kick and the only one who was getting away with it was me, actually.

“She probably gave me a fright last year so we might have done a little bit more this year for it, but when you've only so many runs – with a lot of mine I'd let them progress, but she was pretty straight.

“She's an incredible mare and to be associated with her is amazing. The reception she's got from everyone here is incredible.

“I'm at the stage now where I tell myself 'she's going to get beaten this time'. I'm nervous before she runs but we're so lucky to have her as well. I had convinced myself all week that she was going to get beaten.”

Honeysuckle made it a magnificent seven out of seven wins in races at Fairyhouse and De Bromhead indicated she would be heading for the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown next.

He added: “I think it will be the Irish Champion Hurdle next, touch wood she'll be OK. That route has worked before so we can back off her for a few weeks now, we haven't really discussed anything after today.

“It's fantastic to have [owner] Kenny (Alexander) and his family over today and it's amazing.”

De Bromhead lauded “brilliant” Blackmore for not letting Stormy Ireland get too far out ahead after Mullins' horse bolted to the front of the field virtually from the off.

The win came as Honeysuckle stepped back up in trip having not raced over 2m4f since winning this contest last year, and De Bromhead reiterated just how lucky he feels to have her under his command.

He added: “We have run her on quicker ground, in her maiden hurdle, but it was safe today.

“They were racing from a long way out. Stormy Ireland went a right gallop and we saw at Punchestown last year, you wouldn't want her getting too far in front but Rachael was aware.

“She (Stormy Ireland) stopped quite quickly, so then I was looking for the dangers behind. I just have to try to remember how brilliant Rachael is and try not to worry as much. How lucky are we to be associated with her.”

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Japan: Superstar White Filly Sodashi Tries Dirt, Faces Cafe Pharoah In Sunday’s Champions Cup

There's a slight gear change this coming Sunday, when the top racing action in Japan moves west from Tokyo to the Chukyo Racecourse near Nagoya for the Grade 1 Champions Cup. The race started out as the Japan Cup Dirt back in the year 2000, when it was run at Tokyo over 2,100 meters (about 1 5 /16 miles). After a few other changes with the venues and the distance of the race, it has been run at Chukyo over 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) since 2014, when it also got its current name, the Champions Cup.

It's an international race and makes up the final leg of the Japan Autumn International series of races. There have been 19 nominations for a maximum 16 runner field this year, and all eyes will be on the superstar filly, Sodashi, as she tries to become a Grade 1 winner on both turf and dirt. There was one horse nominated from overseas (American Theorem), but the American 4-year-old will not be among the runners.

The 22nd Grade 1 Champions Cup will be Race 11 on the Sunday card at Chukyo, with a post time locally of 15:30 (1:30 am ET). The final line-up and the barrier draw will be available later in the week.

Here's a look at some of the top dirt horses expected to take on the race:

Sodashi: The 3-year-old filly by Kurofune is already something of a legend, being such a stunning looking white horse, and also proving she's a bit special on the racecourse too. This will be her first start on dirt, however, and she does have to overcome her last result, when she finished tenth in the Grade 1 Shuka Sho in October, but trainer Naosuke Sugai thinks she has what it takes here.

“On her breeding, dirt races should be fine, and with the weight of 54kg (119lbs) she'll carry here against the older horses, she must have a good chance. Her hindquarters have rounded out more, and it looks as if she'll be suited to racing on dirt,” said the trainer.

It'll be Sodashi's first time to run at Chukyo, and just one of her six wins has come racing to the left.

Chuwa Wizard: The defending champion of the race has had four races since last year's victory, including two overseas. In his latest race, he finished third in the JBC Classic at Kanazawa over 2,100 meters in November, and it leads him nicely into this race again, where he defends his crown.

Trainer Ryuji Okubo stated: “He was coming back from injury last time, but having taken good care with him, he was able to put in a strong race.

Jockey Keita Tosaki also noted that racing from an inside gate, the dirt on the inside was quite deep and this had some effect on the horse's performance.

“This next race he'll be back at the track where he won last year,” Tosaki said.

The jockey certainly knows the horse well, having ridden him in his last five starts, including last year's Champions Cup.

Cafe Pharoah: The 4-year-old colt by American Pharoah has an impressive record in dirt races, having won five out of his eight starts on the surface. His last race was the Grade 3 Hakodate Kinen in July, where he finished ninth, in what was his first race on turf. Back on dirt this time, he should be poised for a big run.

Trainer Noriyuki Hori said: “We passed on the Sapporo Kinen after his run in the Hakodate Kinen, and gave him a break at the farm. He came back to the stable on Oct. 9, and he's been working well since. His weight's around 519kg (1,144 lbs). He's eating well and is relaxed, showing that he's in good overall condition.”

Cafe Pharoah finished sixth in last year's Champions Cup, when starting second favorite.

T O Keynes: It's a 50 percent win strike rate for the 4-year-old colt. He was having his first run in a while in the JBC Classic last time since winning the Teio Sho at Oi back in June. He finished fourth in that last race, and trainer Daisuke Takayanagi believes he's better than that result suggests.

“It was his first race for a while last time, and he wasn't very good at the gate. That and a muddling pace didn't make for a good race for him, although he still ran quite well. He seems more relaxed now and he'll be back at Chukyo where he's shown he can win,” said the trainer recently.

The horse by Sinister Minister looks set to be ridden by jockey Kohei Matsuyama.

Casino Fountain: The Funabashi based NAR runner has only ever run in NAR races, but with 23 races in his career, he has won 12 times and racked up prize money of over JPY200 million on the NAR circuit.

Trainer Takayuki Yamashita commented: “He was quite worked up in the preliminaries last time before the JBC Classic, and it seemed to cost him the race. Also racing right-handed, he didn't respond too well and couldn't keep things up until the finish. He's come out of the race well though and isn't tired at all.”

Jockey Mirco Demuro has been booked to ride the 5-year-old by Casino Drive, in a bold bid to hit the big time here.

Inti: Now a 7-year-old, Inti is always an interesting horse to watch, and has finished third in the Champions Cup for the past two years. Once again trainer Kenji Nonaka and jockey Yutaka Take team up for another effort to pull off a win in the race. The horse is coming off a fourth place finish in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai over 1,600 meters at Morioka in October, making it the same rotation as last year going into this race.

“It was one of his smoothest ever runs last time, and while not perfect in the finish, he used his legs well. He's had a short break at the farm, with this race as his next target,” said trainer Nonaka.

Sunrise Hope: The 4-year-old by Majestic Warrior is an interesting runner here, having finished first or second in four of his last five starts, which include a win in his most recent race, the Grade 3 Sirius Stakes over 1,900 meters at Chukyo in October. Trainer Tomohiko Hatsuki is pleased with the horse's progress.

“Two starts ago he wasn't suited by the tight Kokura track, but back at where he's had success last time, he ran a smooth race, got a good forward position and managed to go on and win. After that I've had this race in mind for him,” said the trainer recently.

Jockey Hideaki Miyuki, who caused a big upset in the recent Queen Elizabeth II Cup, will once again ride Sunrise Hope.

Meisho Hario: The famous Meisho colors will be carried by the 4-year-old colt by Pyro, and he has now managed to finish in the first two in his last four races, including a narrow win in his latest race, the Grade 3 Miyako Stakes over 1,800 meters at Hanshin in November.

Recent comments from assistant training staff at the stable were: “He was challenged late in his last race by the horse on the outside that eventually finished second, but he found a bit extra, so it was a good performance to get the win. He's come out of the race very well.”

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