Tom Pedulla presents five key takeaways from the command performance of Knicks Go in the Lukas Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs and other major developments on the Road to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Nov. 5 and 6 at Del Mar:
Tag: Racing
Private Mission Powers Clear to Win Zenyatta Stakes
Staying home at Santa Anita Park paid off for Baoma Corporation's Private Mission.
Cairo Memories Moving Forward Toward Breeders’ Cup With Surfer Girl Triumph
A close third heading into the far turn, the Bob Hess Jr. conditioned Cairo Memories set sail for home leaving the quarter pole and was never threatened through the lane en route to a 2 ¼-length score in Sunday's $200,000 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, the 2-year-old filly by Cairo Prince got one mile on turf in 1:34.27 and will now likely start in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 5 at Del Mar.
“She's been doing everything right,” said Hess. “We were encouraged by the way she broke her maiden and she's been moving forward in her training. Hopefully, this sets us up for the Breeders' Cup dance.”
A 4 ½-length one mile maiden turf winner in her debut Sept. 5, Cairo Memories was the second choice in a field of 11 at 4-1 and paid $10.00, $4.60 and $3.00.
“She brought some new energy from her first start,” said Desormeaux. “I think she was excited. I spent more time in the post parade calming her down…I worked her at Del Mar and before I ever rode her I thought she was great…I was with the owners in the paddock and that was the longest wait because I wanted to see how deep the water was, and she's shown (now) that she could really swim.”
Owned by David Bernsen, LLC and Schroeder Farms, LLC, Cairo Memories, who is out of the Indian Charlie mare Incarnate Memories, picked up $120,000 for the win, hiking her earnings to $162,000.
The 3-2 favorite with Flavien Prat, Irish-bred Helens Well rallied from next to last to finish second by a neck over Hemmerle and paid $3.00 and $2.40.
Off at 12-1 with Joe Bravo, Hemmerle was out-run late to finish third by a neck over Irish-bred Sterling Crest and paid $5.40 to show.
Fractions on the race were 22.14, 45.72, 1:10 flat and 1:22.26.
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Mackinnon Takes Zuma Beach For Third Consecutive Victory
It's on to the Breeders' Cup for Doug O'Neill-trained Mackinnon as he accelerated powerfully off the turn for home and took Sunday's $200,000 Zuma Beach Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Mackinnon got one mile on turf in 1:33.80. With the Zuma Beach being his third win in a row at the trip, it's on now to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf on Nov. 5 at Del Mar.
Mid-pack, about six lengths off the lead at the half mile pole, Mackinnon saved ground at the rail around the turn, idled into third position at the top of the lane and blew by eventual runner-up Silver Surfer and early pacesetter Thirty Four Coupe in deep stretch in a huge effort.
“He's getting better every race,” said Hernandez, who has now ridden him in his last four races. “He broke good, there was little speed, and he felt a little tired on the right side, so he changed leads to the right side. That's why I had to check a little bit and decided to stay inside and save ground and make one run.
“He came with a huge run today…He's improved a lot because the last couple of times I rode him, I had to work a little hard in the stretch with him. Today, I asked him a little and after that, he just took off again.
A winner of Del Mar's Juvenile Turf on Sept. 6, Mackinnon was off as the 6-5 favorite in a field of 10 juveniles and paid $4.40, $2.60 and $2.40.
“We didn't get the most ideal trip,” said O'Neill. “He was a little green early but Juan said once we got the first half mile behind us, he settled nicely. And as you could see, he finished up real well. If he comes out of this in good shape, it's on to the Breeders' Cup.”
English-bred Silver Surfer appeared to take control in upper stretch, but was no match for the winner. Off at 5-2 with Flavien Prat, Silver Surfer paid $3.20 and $2.60 while finishing 1 ¼ lengths clear of Picota.
Ridden by John Velazquez, English-bred Picota was off at 17-1 and paid $5.60 to show.
Fractions on the race were 22.33, 46.08, 1:09.85 and 1:21.90.
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