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Bombard Rates Slight Advantage For Saturday’s Daytona Stakes

With a recent race under his belt, Richard Mandella's Bombard perhaps rates a slim advantage over Mark Glatt's comebacking Law Abidin Citizen in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita. For older horses, the Daytona has attracted five older horses who will contest 6 ½ furlongs on turf.

A lightly raced 8-year-old gelding by War Front, Bombard led turning for home, but was collared by a razor sharp Gregorian Chant late when second, beaten a half length in a six furlong turf classified allowance here on April 25.

Owned by Perry Bass, Ramona Bass, Adele Dilschneider and Waddell Hancock II, Bombard, although winless in four starts last year, was nonetheless in top form for Mandella, evidenced by a narrow second place finish, beaten a neck, in a Grade III turf sprint at Kentucky Downs Sept. 12 and subsequent 3 ¼ length defeat in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland two starts back on Nov. 7.

With regular rider Flavien Prat back aboard Saturday, Bombard, who is four for nine over the Santa Anita turf, brings an overall mark of 17-5-6-2 and earnings of $399,771.

A graded stakes winner on both turf and dirt, Law Abidin Citizen has been idle since running a close third to top sprinter C Z Rocket in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 29 and with four wins from nine lifetime starts over the Santa Anita lawn, rates a huge chance with Abel Cedillo back aboard.

A 7-year-old gelding by Twirling Candy, Law Abidin Citizen has tremendous early speed and can be counted upon to press or make the early pace on Saturday. Owned by Dan Agnew, Gerry Schneider and John Xitco, Law Abidin Citizen is 28-7-4-6 overall with earnings of $519,167.

THE GRADE 3 DAYTONA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 5 of 9 Approximate post time 3 p.m. PT

Majestic Eagle—Mario Gutierrez—122
Bombard—Flavien Prat—122
Jamming Eddy—Tyler Baze—120
Law Abidin Citizen—Abel Cedillo—122
Commander—Juan Hernandez—120

First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

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Casse-Trained Helium Should ‘Sit A Better Trip’ In Saturday’s Matt Winn Stakes

Trainer Mark Casse's stakes quartet of Helium, Palazzi, Spanish Loveaffair and Tap It to Win are poised to return to form on Saturday's Stephen Foster Preview Day at Churchill Downs.

“I think all four of our horses are very live in those races,” Casse's assistant trainer David Carroll said. “Each one of them fit very well in their respective fields and I think we are setting up for a solid day of racing.”

D J Stable's Kentucky Derby (GI) 10th-place finisher Helium was installed as the co-second choice at 5-2 in the $150,000 Matt Winn (G3). Juddmonte's $300,000 Oaklawn Stakes winner Fulsome also is 5-2. The 2-1 morning line favorite is Bernard Racing, Tagg Team Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Terry Stephens' Kentucky Derby fifth-place finisher O Besos.

“He ran a solid effort in the Derby,” Carroll said of Helium. “I think he will be able to sit a better trip in the Matt Winn from just off the pace and I think he matches up with this field better.”

The 1 1/16-mile Matt Winn, carded as Race 9 at 4:55 p.m. (all times Eastern), shares the Saturday spotlight with the $150,000 Audubon (Race 5), $150,000 Blame (Race 6), $150,000 Shawnee (Race 7), $150,000 Regret (G3) (Race 8), $150,000 Aristides (Listed) (Race 10), and $110,000 Douglas Park Overnight Stakes (Race 11). The stellar program gets underway at 12:45 p.m.

The complete field for the Matt Winn (from the rail out with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Ready to Pounce (Brian Hernandez Jr., Neil Pessin, 15-1); Helium (Julien Leparoux, Casse, 5-2); O Besos (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley, 2-1); Southern Passage (Corey Lanerie, Dale Romans, 20-1); Fulsome (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox, 5-2); Hello Hot Rod (Francisco Arrieta, Caio Caramori, 20-1); Sittin On Go (Joe Talamo, Romans, 8-1); and Game Day Play (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro, 8-1).

One race after the Matt Winn, Live Oak Plantation's four-time winner Tap It to Win will hope to avenge his 11th-place finish in the $500,000 Churchill Downs (G1) as the 3-1 morning line favorite in the six-furlong Aristides.

“We've been working mentally with him a lot following that race,” Carroll said. “I think we've got him to a good place after the Churchill Downs. He got stuck in a speed duel that day and it wasn't the best of trips. I think drawing to the outside of this field should help him sit a better trip.”

The complete field for the Aristides from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Haunt (Gerardo Corrales, Reeve McGaughey, 10-1); Tough Love (Corey Lanerie, Brian Williamson, 10-1); Bango (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley, 4-1); Edgemont Road (Ricardo Santana Jr., Eddie Kenneally, 12-1); Empire of Gold (David Cabrera, Terry Eoff, 7-2); Long Range Toddy (Jon Court, Dallas Stewart, 15-1); Royal Daaher (Drayden Van Dyke, Jimmy DiVito, 10-1); Mojo Man (Francisco Arrieta, DiVito, 10-1); Sir Alfred James (Colby Hernandez, Al Stall Jr., 8-1); and Tap It to Win (Tyler Gaffalione, Casse, 3-1).

Earlier in the card, John Oxley's two-time winner Palazzi will have to overcome the rail draw in the 1 1/8-mile Audubon Stakes run over the Matt Winn Turf Course.

“We are supposed to get some rain Friday so we'll have to wait and see what the turf condition is like,” Carroll said. “He likes to be to the outside of horses and got into a tough trip in the American Turf (G2). He'll have to find a trip breaking from the rail but I think can bounce back from that race fairly well. He's been a very consistent horse since running on the grass.”

The only start Palazzi missed the board on the turf was in the $500,000 American Turf (G2). Arguably his best effort came at the end of January when he got up to win the $200,000 Texas Turf Mile at Sam Houston by a nose under Carroll's son Declan.

The full field for the Audubon from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Palazzi (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse, 7-2); Like the King (Chris Landeros, Wesley Ward, 7-2); Cave Hill (Declan Cannon, Brendan Walsh, 10-1); Hidden Enemy (IRE) (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen, 4-1); Haddassah (Mitchell Murrill, Kevin Attard, 15-1); Cellist (Julien Leparoux, Rusty Arnold II, 8-1); Holy Vow (David Cabrera, John Ortiz, 10-1); and Royal Prince (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox, 3-1).

Michael Hernon, Gary Barber and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Spanish Loveaffair will be in search of her first graded stakes glory in the Regret (G3). Run at 1 1/8 miles on the turf, Spanish Loveaffair was made the 5-2 morning line favorite.

“She took a little longer to come out of the (April 3) Appalachian (G2) but we got her back to Churchill and she's picked things up nicely the last few weeks,” Carroll said. “She's really flourished the last couple of weeks and I think will be ready for a top effort in this spot.”

The complete field for the Regret from the inside out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Oyster Box (Chris Landeros, Graham Motion, 6-1); Munnyfor Ro (Drayden Van Dyke, Brian Lynch, 12-1); Line Dancing (Julien Leparoux, Michael Matz, 12-1); Spanish Loveaffair (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse, 5-1); Barista (James Graham, Jimmy Baker, 5-1); Postnup (Brian Hernandez Jr., Cherie DeVaux, 12-1); Gam's Mission (Adam Beschizza, Cherie DeVaux, 5-1); Flown (Ricardo Santana Jr., Brendan Walsh, 9-2); and Saranya (Forent Geroux, Brad Cox, 5-1).

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Feedback to the GFS Roundtable Discussions

The 2020-2022 Godolphin Flying Start trainees were tasked to use their knowledge and creativity to come up with proposals for a new look U.S. Graded Stakes Program for 3-year-olds. These four round table discussions were published in TDN on May 15, 17, 19, and 21. The trainees were given the opportunity to respond to the feedback/questions they received from TDN readers.

3-Year-Old Turf Races – Angus Robertson, Brigitte Murphy, Tom Murphy (Click here)

Feedback: As you talked about maiden races running on the turf at Belmont for $90,000, I wonder if you think that if the U.S. does keep expanding their turf races, the result will be more European-bred horses being imported to take advantage of prize-money rather than U.S. breeding more for the turf?

Response: Regarding the maiden races and U.S. purse money, we concede there is definitely a risk of European horses coming in and exploiting the U.S. turf racing bonuses and incentives. However, we certainly don't believe this will disincentive U.S. breeders and trainers. We hang our hats on the belief that more international horses will promote the competitiveness of U.S. turf racing in general, and the notion that higher competitiveness will lead to greater pursuit of turf racing success by U.S. based stakeholders.

3-Year-Old Colts – George Broughton, Tommy Lyon Smith, Marine Moussa. (Click here)

Feedback: Could not agree more about the number of races regarded as prep races. Would have liked to have heard more about dirt and turf options. Ideas for sponsorship and funding of an enhanced sprint programme? Is there any way they could collaborate with sales houses?

Response: In response to the comment regarding the creation of new graded stakes races, we believe that it is more appropriate to make alterations to the program rather than add further races and devalue black-type. Here prize money is key with the graded stakes pattern committee reviewing graded stakes of at least $75,000 based on race condition and longevity. Here the aimed boost to prize money as well as the targeted races taking place on popular days will help greatly.

With regards the comment about sponsorship and funding and suggested collaboration with a sales company. One could follow the popular model in Australia and New Zealand however, this would create restricted listed races taking us out of the graded stakes system and our original brief. Therefore, a bonus in partnership with Fasig-Tipton or Keeneland could prove successful perhaps emulating the new Tattersalls Royal Ascot/Group 1 Bonus. Whilst it could be possible to tie in with existing bonus schemes we believe that the lack of focus on 3-year-old sprinters and routers in the current program requires there to be a new incentive to bolster these divisions which are currently dwarfed by the eight to nine furlong races.

3-Year-Old Fillies – David Skelly, Donncha McCarthy, Solene Hudbert (Click here)

Feedback: Nationwide race series could be difficult to implement, timing would need to be right, could we have more detail on that?

Response: We fully agree, timing is essential to implementing our series. To limit the amount of interference, we decided to implement it around the current schedule that is in place. The only change we intend to make is to introduce the Royal Tiara S. on the weekend of the G1 Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup during the Keeneland Fall Meet.

We believe that the current stakes schedule works well for 3-year-old fillies, but an incentive such as ours which will give each race an alternative purpose and attraction could further promote the graded stakes races in both field sizes and public following. The product is there, it's just a case of finding new and innovative ways to promote it and we believe our concept will help contribute to this.

Feedback: Would like to hear about more innovative funding ideas perhaps from other racing jurisdictions where the trainees are from or where they have had experience. Money makes the world go round!

Response: The funding models from each jurisdiction around the world differ hugely, meaning there are definitely positives and negatives to take from them. As outlined in our discussion, the basis of our funding will be nominations and declarations, sponsorship and betting handle. The nominations concept which we mirrored from that of the Breeders' Cup is a brilliant idea in our view and is one that is sustainable for the future.

All three of us have spent time in the southern hemisphere and one race that has an innovative funding model is 'The Everest'. The race is run over six furlongs and has brought together Australia's top sprinters for one of the most highly anticipated races of the season. The main revenue source for the races purse is through $600,000 'slots', 12 of which can be purchased by owners, or industry stakeholders and leased to connections of horses looking to run in the race. This race has proven to be one of the major success stories in a racing nation which is thriving.

Feedback: I liked how they looked into other sports; are there any other ideas from outside the horseracing industry that could be implemented?

Response: Our fantasy league idea from the 'Road to Royalty' was definitely inspired by the success of fantasy leagues in other sports. Fans update their teams on a weekly basis, keeping them informed and giving them an added incentive to follow the sport. All three of us believe horse racing has one of the most unique and visually impressive sports, though we don't believe its utilized the way it should be to gain a broader fanbase.

Formula 1 has gained a new found following in recent times as a result of the Netflix series 'Drive to Survive', which follows the drivers and key team members throughout the season, conveying brilliantly the excitement and drama of a brilliant sport. Were horse racing to replicate something similar we believe the sport and product have the power to gain a broader following and fan base, and give watchers and insight into how amazing horse racing truly is, as well as highlighting the care and attention race horses get on a daily basis.

Overall – Samantha Bussanich, Devon Dougherty and Erin McLaughlin (Click here)

Feedback: It would have been interesting to discuss the ideas relevant to the countries of origin that the ideas stemmed from, with the trainees being an international group many of the ideas may have been formulated based on similar concepts in their home racing jurisdiction. This could add further credibility to the idea as it would provide evidence based facts as to how it has improved their racing market.

Response: We acknowledge the ideas that arose from the round table discussions were an amalgamation of our fellow trainees' home racing jurisdictions and past experiences. Understanding the successes and strengths of international racing adds to the variety and credibility of the proposed innovations of the American racing calendar. Ideas such as more 3-year-old restricted graded sprint stakes was an example that has stemmed from trainees' backgrounds, and may be an emerging market for the calendar.

Feedback: I wish they would have expanded on the idea of the fantasy league a bit more; it's an interesting proposal. Who hosts it, app or web-based? One of the big reasons fantasy leagues are so popular in other sports is because they are well-done and engaging, how do the trainees think racing could offer something like that successfully.

Response: The development of a fantasy league could be beneficial to racing. The league should be accessible through an app and website. The league should be based off of other successful models such as Fantasy Football leagues in America. We cannot speak as to who should host it, but ideally it would be an organization that has strong ties to the racing industry and also with this sort of gaming experience.

The post Feedback to the GFS Roundtable Discussions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Juvenile Champion Vequist Targeting Fall Campaign Centered On Grade 1 Cotillion

Trainer Butch Reid, Jr. said Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Swilcan Stable's reigning champion 2-Year-Old Filly Vequist is aiming towards a late summer/fall campaign that may include a start at Saratoga.

Reid said the main target for Vequist is the Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion, a 1 1/16-mile test for sophomore fillies on September 25 at Parx.

“She's been training lightly down at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland and she'll be coming back to my barn at Parx in the next 10 days,” said Reid, Jr. “We're looking forward to a fall campaign with her and have our eye on the Cotillion. I could see us possibly getting her a start at the end of Saratoga. We're excited to get her back in action.”

A dark bay daughter of Nyquist out of the Mineshaft mare Vero Amore, Vequist graduated at second asking with a 9 1/2-length romp in the Grade 1 Spinaway in September at Saratoga. The talented filly followed with a second to Dayoutoftheoffice in the Grade 1 Frizette in October at Belmont before turning the tables on that foe with a two-length score in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in November at Keeneland.

Vequist has been on the shelf since finishing ninth in her seasonal debut in the Grade 2 Davona Dale in February at Gulfstream Park.

Reid, Jr has nominated a pair of unraced fillies owned by LC Racing to the $150,000 Astoria, a 5 ½-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies on Thursday, June 3, including Disco Ebo and Mainstay, who is a half-sister to Vequist.

“One of them will definitely come, but I'm not sure which one just yet,” said Reid, Jr. “They've put up a maiden race here [at Parx] and I'm thinking one will go in there. It's tough to ship and start in a stakes race first time out, but sometimes you have to take a chance.”

Reid said Mainstay, by Astern, is stockier than Vequist.

“She's a different horse than Vequist. She's a little shorter and a little more stout,” said Reid, Jr. “She has more of a sprinter type body where Vequist was long and languid and has a big, giant stride on her. This filly is a little more compact and speedier. She has a good turn of foot and I think she's a top-quality filly. We'll have some fun with her.”

Maintstay, bred in Kentucky by Swilcan Stables, breezed in company with Disco Ebo through their first three timed works at Parx before Reid Jr. said he was forced to separate them.

“They were very competitive and it was a really good match,” said Reid, Jr. “They went through their early paces together and then I was trying to get them to slow down a little bit, so I separated them for their last couple of breezes. We're very fortunate with this group. We're excited about our 2-year-olds this year.”

In her two works since being separated from Disco Ebo, Mainstay posted a bullet half-mile in 47.03 on May 15 at Parx and followed up with a sharp five-eighths from the gate in 1:00.02 on May 22 on the same track.

Disco Ebo, by Weigelia, is out of the Disco Rico mare Katarica Disco, who has produced eight winning foals to race, including stakes winners Fat Kat and Smooth B, who are full siblings to Disco Ebo.

Also among the talented family are Disco Rose, third in the 2015 Grade 2 Demoiselle at the Big A, who posted a record of 36-4-9-4 with purse earnings of $449,280; and the stakes-placed Pink Princess, who boasted a ledger of 66-16-19-7 with purse earnings of $572,135.

“There's four of them that made over $400,000 that are full brothers and sisters to her and I've had them all,” said Reid Jr. “Disco Rose was graded stakes placed in New York and made over $400,00 and Pink Princess made over a half-million. It's been a good family for us and we've taken nearly $2 million out of that mare. She's been very good to us and this one looks like she'll fit into that line as well.”

Disco Ebo, bred in Pennsylvania by St. Omer's Farm, worked a half-mile in 47.01 from the gate on May 19 at Parx and followed with another half-mile in 48.93 on May 26.

Reid Jr. said he will likely enter Susan C. Quack and Christopher J. Feifarek's Beren in Sunday's $100,000 Paradise Creek, a seven-furlong sprint for sophomores on the Widener turf.

The Pennsylvania homebred captured the six-furlong Gold Fever last out on May 9 at Belmont. By Weigelia, Beren is out of the multiple graded stakes winning Diamond mare Silmaril.

On June 17, 2006, Weigelia set a then Belmont inner turf course record for six furlongs of 1:07.04 in an allowance optional-claiming event.

“Beren is doing very well and we're thinking about entering him in the Paradise Creek,” said Reid, Jr. “His father held the track record at six furlongs on the turf for a while, so we may come up this weekend and try him on the turf. If it rained off, that wouldn't hurt either.

“Both the father and mother turf,” added Reid, Jr. “The mother is out of a Diamond stallion and he gets nothing but turf horses. We have to try him on it before the summer is over, so we may as well try it now.”

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