Tag: Racing

Mandaloun, Basso Turn In Final Breezes For Haskell At Monmouth

Kentucky Derby runner-up Mandaloun and Basso turned in their final works this morning ahead of next Saturday's $1 million Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., with Belmont Stakes runner-up Hot Rod Charlie due to arrive later today from California.

Mandaloun went five furlongs in 1:02 breezing while Basso was clocked in 1:02.2 breezing for the same distance over the Monmouth Park strip.

“An easy maintenance work,” said Blake Cox, the son of Brad Cox, Mandaloun's trainer. “He went the five-eighths in 1:02 and was out in about 1:13.3 and he galloped out very well.

“We asked him a little bit and he picked it up. A very solid work.”

Mandaloun, who arrived at Monmouth Park on Tuesday, has the advantage of a race over the track, having won the TVG.com Pegasus Stakes here on June 13.

Cox said Mandaloun will have a light schedule next week. His father is due in the day of the race, he said.

“We'll just gallop steady into the race,” said the younger Cox. “This was a good work seven days out. We stayed on schedule.”

Gregg Sacco, the trainer and part owner of Basso, was similarly pleased with his colt's work.

“Kind of what we wanted to go,” said the Monmouth Park-based Sacco, who will mark his Haskell debut. “I didn't want him to go too fast because he had a stiff work last week. He galloped out in 1:14 and change.

“We're all set to go. It was actually a picture-perfect work. Isaac Castillo (who will ride Basso in the race) was on him. He couldn't have been any happier with him.”

Sacco said Basso would have a week of maintenance work next week and planned to have the son of Cairo Prince school in the paddock and at the gate.

The Doug O'Neill-trained Hot Rod Charlie, the Louisiana Derby winner who was third in the Kentucky Derby, was on a flight that was due to arrive at 4:30 p.m. He is expected to van into Monmouth Park around 6 p.m.

Midnight Bourbon, the Preakness runner-up, Monmouth Park-based Pickin' Time, and Following Sea are the other probables for the 54th edition of the G1 Haskell Stakes. Todd Pletcher, who trains Following Sea, had Dr Jack listed as a possible starter as well, but Saturday said that the Pioneerof the Nile colt, who was third in the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park in his last start, would not start in the Haskell.

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Jesus’ Team, Sole Volante Reunite Sunday In Gulfstream’s City Of Dania Stakes

A lot has happened since the last time Jesus' Team and Sole Volante clashed at Gulfstream Park 13 months ago. Jesus' Team went on to become multiple Grade 1 stakes-placed while competing against some of the best horses in the world, while Sole Volante went on to run in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1).

The two 4-year-olds will reunite in Sunday's $60,000 City of Dania at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., a mile overnight handicap in which Jesus' Team will carry 127 pounds, nine pounds more than the horse that had defeated him in a stakes-quality optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream June 10, 2020.

While acknowledging the disparity in weight assignments, trainer Jose D'Angelo is willing to accept the challenge for Jesus' Team first start since Grupo 7C Racing Stable's color-bearer finished sixth in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) March 27.

“I think he's come along very good. He is good and sharp. I think it is a good spot for him coming off a layoff,” D'Angelo said. “I know he has to carry a lot of weight, but I think it is not a big deal.”

Jesus's Team won a $25,000 claiming race in his first race after winning a $35,000 maiden claiming race and first race after being transferred to D'Angelo. The son of Tapiture finished second, beaten by three-quarters of a length by Sole Volante, in his next start before eight consecutive stakes races. D'Angelo and Jesus' Team hit the road to face the best company in the country for the rest of the year and faring extremely well. The Kentucky-bred colt went on to finish third in the Preakness (G1) and Jim Dandy (G2) before finishing second behind Knicks Go in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland.

“For me, it was amazing. Jesus represents to me the best horse I've trained,” said D'Angelo, who was the leading trainer in Venezuela before venturing to South Florida in 2019. “He gave me the best moments of my life, professionally speaking. When you come to this country. You see all the big horses and big trainers. To have a horse that has the ability to take you there with him, it was amazing.”

Jesus' Team returned to Gulfstream to capture the Claiming Crown Jewel in his final start of 2020 before making his 2021 debut in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), in which he again finished second behind Knicks Go. Unfortunately, the D'Angelo trainee seemed to lack the same competitive spirit in Dubai.

“The race was not a good race for him. The horse wasn't training very good in Dubai,” D'Angelo said. “Sometimes that happens, and you never know.”

After enjoying some rest and relaxation and putting on some weight, Jesus' Team has produced a series of strong breezes at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County, in preparation for the City of Dania.

Samy Camacho is scheduled to ride Jesus' Team for the first time since his second-place finish behind Sole Volante last year.

Patrick Biancone-trained Sole Volante will be seeking his first win in five starts since his decision over Jesus' Team last year. The son of Karakontie went on to finish off the board in the Belmont and Derby before a couple of uneventful efforts on the turf. Following a four-month break, he raced evenly to finish fourth in a mile optional claiming allowance on the main track May 22.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's gelding had established himself as a Triple Crown prospect early last year when he won the Sam Davis (G3) and finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2)

Luca Panici has the return mount on Sole Volante, who will be equipped with blinkers for the first time.

Harold Queen's Noble Drama, a multiple stakes winner and fan favorite at Gulfstream; Rodney Lundock's Pro Quality, who was just a neck behind Noble Drama; Lawson Racing Stables' I'm a G Six, an impressive winner of a mile optional claiming allowance last time out; Willow Lane Stable Inc.'s Highestdistinction, who is slated to make his 2021 debut Sunday after winning his last two starts of 2020; and IAB Stables and Walter Fralick's Quenane, a veteran campaigner with 14 career wins; round out the field.

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Queen’s Plate Trail Heats Up Sunday With Marine, Queenston Stakes At Woodbine

The $150,000 Grade 3 Marine Stakes and $125,000 Queenston Stakes share the spotlight this Sunday at Woodbine.

A key prep on the road to this year's Queen's Plate (August 22, at Woodbine), the 1 1/16-mile main track Marine, for three-year-olds, has attracted some notable Canadian-breds hoping for a shot at Plate glory.

The Marine is complemented by the Queenston, a seven-furlong race over the Tapeta for Canadian-bred three-year-old colts & geldings, also an important race ahead of the Plate.

Kevin Attard, in search of his first Marine crown, will send out Haddassah, a bay son of Air Force Blue, who will be making his first stakes appearance.

Bred and owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling, Haddassah is listed as the 8-1 fourth choice in the Queen's Plate Winterbook.

The bay gelding's first career start came last November at Woodbine, in a 1 mile and 70-yard main track race that had originally been scheduled for the turf.

Second at the stretch call, Haddassah rallied to secure a half-length win as the 9-5 mutuel choice.

After a series of steady spring works, the Ontario-bred finished a solid third in his 3-year-old debut on June 13, a 1 1/16-mile test over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

“With Haddassah, we had to run him against older horses,” noted Attard. “The scheduling with everything doesn't leave much time or room for error. We had to get him going and it was against older horses, and on the turf. It wasn't ideal, but all things considered, I thought he ran a good race. He's come back and worked really well in the interim. We're excited to see him run against his own age group, going a mile and a sixteenth. We're looking forward to it.”

Attard won't make any Queen's Plate plans quite yet.

“He's a horse that has a lot of raw talent, but I don't know if a mile and quarter is going to be in his realm. He has a lot of ability and talent. He enjoys what he does, so hopefully, everything comes together for him.”

Candy Overload, Easy Time, Frosted Over, Keep Grinding [trained by Attard's father, Tino, and owned by Attard's son, Joshua] and Tidal Forces comprise the rest of the Marine field.

Sam-Son Farm has the most Marine wins (six) for owners, while Sandy Hawley holds the riding record with five Marine crowns. The most recent horse to notch the Marine-Plate double was Shaman Ghost, who achieved the feat in 2015.

Attard will be represented in the Queenston – a race that features several Plate hopefuls – in the form of Red River Rebel.

Tabbed at 25-1 in the Queen's Plate Winterbook, the son of Reload has already experienced stakes success having taken last year's running of the Frost King.

Red River Rebel finished fourth in his first start of 2021, a 6 ½-furlong test on the Tapeta.

“I've only had him for about three weeks,” said Attard. “He's settled in well and obviously, he's an exciting horse to have. We're going to give him a shot here. He's had a race under his belt and we have him good and tight. We gave him a little blowout this morning [Wednesday] and he went a nice and easy half-mile with Rafael Hernandez, who will be riding him on Sunday. I'm excited to see him run. He's a very impressive-looking individual. Hopefully, he runs a big race.”

Artie's Storm, Candy Overload (cross-entered), first-time winner Del Griffith, Download, Gretzky the Great, Canada's champion 2-year-old male, Master Spy, winner of the 2020 Cup & Saucer Stakes, and stakes-placed Tio Magico complete the Queenston field.

Last year, Halo Again, under Rafael Hernandez, won the Queenston in a time of 1:23.63.

The Marine is race seven on Sunday's 11-race card. The Queenston is race eight. First post time is 1:20 p.m. Fans can also watch and wager on all the action via HPIbet.com.

FIELD FOR THE $150,000 GRADE 3 MARINE

POST – HORSE – JOCKEY – TRAINER

1 – Tidal Forces – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Gail Cox

2 – Frosted Over – Kazushi Kimura – Mark Casse

3 – Easy Time – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse

*4 – Candy Overload – Daisuke Fukumoto – Krista Cole-Simpson

5 – Haddassah – Keveh Nicholls – Kevin Attard

6 – Keep Grinding – Justin Stein – Tino Attard

* cross-entered in Queenston

FIELD FOR THE $125,000 QUEENSTON

POST – HORSE – JOCKEY – TRAINER

1 – Candy Overload – Daisuke Fukumoto – Krista Cole-Simpson

2 – Red River Rebel – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard

3 – Artie's Storm – David Moran – Paul Buttigieg

4 – Master Spy – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse

5 – Del Griffith (S) – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Timothy Hamm

6 – Gretzky the Great – Kazushi Kimura – Mark Casse

7 – Download (S) – Justin Stein – Michael De Paulo

8 – Tio Magico – Luis Contreras – Gail Cox

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Snow Lantern Delivers ‘Very Special’ Redemption For Richard Hannon In Falmouth

Trainer Richard Hannon hailed Snow Lantern's victory in Friday's Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes as “very special” and admitted he was relieved to have settled a score eight years after her mother's defeat by a neck in the same race.

The three year old Frankel filly and jockey Sean Levey were the decisive winners of the Group One feature contest on day two of the Moët & Chandon July Festival at Newmarket, defeating QIPCO 1000 Guineas winner Mother Earth (5-1) and a high class field.

Afterwards Hannon admitted the result provided some compensation following the defeat of her dam, Sky Lantern, in 2013 when the winner Elusive Kate kept the race after a stewards' enquiry.

Owned and bred by the Keswick family's Rockclife Stud, Snow Lantern prevailed by half a length, with Alcohol Free, the 5-2 favorite, another neck away in third.

Hannon said: “It is very special because there was a score to settle in terms of Sky Lantern a few years ago. The stud, Rockcliffe Stud, hadn't bred a Group One winner until today.

“We went to York to try and bag a Listed races but it didn't work out. She has learned to settle since then and I always thought she was not just good, but extremely good – this filly has a pedigree.

The Richard Hannon-trained Sky Lantern wins the G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot 2013

“Sky Lantern is by Red Clubs and she was exceptional and I think this filly is exceptional. She has that pedigree being a Frankel out of a Classic-winning mare. She was a little bit unlucky in the Coronation, as you know, and she looked exceptional when she won her novice at Newbury.

“Normally in the Falmouth there are two or three nice fillies but all the good fillies were there today and she showed how good she is and what she is capable of.

“All you feel is relief more than anything. After she ran at York you are out on a limb and she needed to do something otherwise you look a bit of a plonker. I think she showed that at Royal Ascot on ground that probably didn't suit her.

“She has been working absolutely awful, as she does, and I took her to Newbury and she worked moderately there. She is one of those fillies that is not moody or anything but she just doesn't do a lot at home, but she is extremely good.

“I'm delighted for Rockcliffe Stud after everything that has gone on with the mare and she has always created a lot of interest and a big following. Of course you feel immense pleasure but it is more relief than anything.”

Asked about the way the race unfolded for jockey Levey, Hannon added: “She looked like she was going to struggle for room and if you struggle for room it is generally because you have not got the horse but he had the horse and it is great for him.

“Sean is riding great but a winner like this does an awful lot for him and for us. I think I shouted down there and I never shout because as soon as I shout they tend to stop.

“You look around and all the people were looking at you but they were shouting louder than me. She is a Frankel and he is having a phenomenal year, but her revs are a little bit high sometimes.

“She will get a mile and a quarter I think. She is in Nassau and the Sussex Stakes. I'd probably say she would go to the fillies' race (the 10-furlong Nassau Stakes at Goodwood). She is also in the Juddmonte International. I'm very hopeful she will stay in training next year. I love her.

“These Group One races you need to be at your best and there are no weak ones at all. I'm delighted to win one and not be unlucky for a change.”

On Sky Lantern he added: “You don't want to win a race in the stewards' room and when the day is over and I think 'do you want to win a race in that way?' That is done and today is great all these years on.”

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of runner-up Mother Earth, said: “She ran very well and we're delighted with her run. I'm not too sure in terms of where next – there may be a fillies' race in France for her but we'll wait and see how she is.

“We'll keep her to these fillies' races. We could try her over further but she's got plenty of speed.”

Oisin Murphy, the jockey of third home Alcohol Free, said: “She relaxed well in front and I just felt the race went to plan apart from at the three (furlong pole) when we got racing a little early. I tried to save horse but the last 50 yards told.”

Kieran Shoemark, who was aboard fourth home, Lady Bowthorpe, added: “It was a good run and I think the 10 furlongs of the Nassau Stakes (at Goodwood) will really suit her. She'll get the extra two furlongs easy and she was unlucky here.

“She didn't get the splits so I had to switch out and she's run well. I have no doubts that she's the best filly in the race.”

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