Each week members of the media around the country vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. The poll will run weekly through June 5. Find out the latest 2021 top 3-year-old rankings below. AMERICA’S TOP THOROUGHBREDS FOR APRIL 26, 2021
Tag: Racing
Malathaat Installed As 5-2 Morning Line Favorite For 147th Kentucky Oaks
Shadwell Stable's undefeated Malathaat has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in a field of 14 3-year-old fillies entered Monday for the 147th running of the $1,250,000 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) to be run at 1 1/8 miles Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs.
The centerpiece of Friday's 13-race program that features six graded stakes, the Longines Kentucky Oaks will go as the 11th race with a 5:51 p.m. (all times Eastern) post time. First post Friday is 10:30 a.m.
Live coverage of the Kentucky Oaks, which will reward the winner with a check of $767,250, will be provided by NBCSN's telecast from noon to 6 p.m.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, a three-time Kentucky Oaks winner, Malathaat comes into Friday's race off a victory in the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland on April 3 that served as her 2021 debut. John Velazquez, who won the 2004 Oaks for Pletcher on Ashado, has the mount and will break from post 10.
Co-second choice on the line at 3-1 are Klaravich Stables' Search Results and OXO Equine's Travel Column.
Trained by Chad Brown, Search Results is perfect in three starts with her most recent coming in Gazelle (G3) on April 3 at the Oaks distance of 1 1/8 miles. Irad Ortiz Jr., who has been aboard for two of those three victories, has the mount Friday and will break from post 12.
Travel Column could give the trainer-jockey combination of Brad Cox and Florent Geroux a third Oaks victory and second in a row.
Cox and Geroux teamed to win the 2020 Oaks with Shedaresthedevil and in 2018 won with the champion Monomoy Girl. Geroux has been aboard Travel Column for all five of her starts with the most recent being a victory in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Travel Column will break from post six.
Cox will have one other starter in the race in Kueber Racing's Coach (50-1). Third in the Fantasy (G3) in her most recent start, Coach will be ridden by Luis Saez and break from post nine.
Fourth choice on the line at 5-1 is Clairiere, one of two entrants for Stonestreet Stables and trainer Steve Asmussen, who is seeking his third victory in the race.
Clairiere, who has faced Travel Column in her past three starts with a victory in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) and runner-up finishes in the Golden Rod (G2) and Fair Grounds Oaks, will be ridden for the first time Friday by Tyler Gaffalione and break from post three.
Pauline's Pearl (20-1), winner of the Fantasy in her most recent start, will be ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., and break from post one.
In addition to Velazquez and Geroux, two other riders will be seeking another Oaks victory.
Jose Ortiz, who won the 2019 running on Serengeti Empress, will be aboard Phoenix Thoroughbred III's Crazy Beautiful (15-1) for trainer Kenny McPeek. Winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in her most recent start, Crazy Beautiful will break from post four.
Javier Castellano, who guided Cathryn Sophia to victory in the 2016 Oaks, has the call on Pass the Champagne (15-1) for trainer George Weaver. Owned by the partnership of R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, BlackRidge Stables and James Brown, Pass the Champagne was second to Malathaat in the Ashland in her most recent start. She will break from post five.
Going for a second training win in the Oaks is Dallas Stewart, who saddled Lemons Forever to victory in the 2006 renewal. Stewart trains Willis Horton Racing's Will's Secret, (30-1) winner of the Martha Washington and Honeybee (G3) prior to running third in the Ashland. Jon Court has the mount and will exit post 11.
The field for the Longines Kentucky Oaks, with riders and morning line odds from the rail out, is:
- Pauline's Pearl (Ricardo Santana Jr., 20-1)
- Maracuja (Kendrick Carmouche, 20-1)
- Clairiere (Tyler Gaffalione, 5-1)
- Crazy Beautiful (Jose Ortiz, 15-1)
- Pass the Champagne (Javier Castellano, 15-1)
- Travel Column (Florent Geroux, 3-1)
- Ava's Grace (David Cohen, 50-1)
- Moraz (Flavien Prat, 30-1)
- Coach (Luis Saez, 50-1)
- Malathaat (John Velazquez, 5-2)
- Will's Secret (Jon Court, 30-1)
- Search Results (Irad Ortiz Jr., 3-1)
- Competitive Speed (Chris Landeros, 50-1)
- Millefeuille (Joel Rosario, 20-1)
All starters will carry 121 pounds.
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Live Racing At Belterra Park Kicks Off April 29
The Belterra Park race meet kicks off April 29 and concludes Oct. 8, 2021. The 93-day race meet has a first post of 12:35 pm (Eastern) daily with eight live races. Belterra Park is a one-mile dirt oval with a 6 1/2-furlong chute, and a seven-furlong turf course.
There are fifteen stakes races for the season featuring The Best of Ohio series on May 28, showcasing five $100,000 stakes.
Returning to Belterra Park is leading rider of the 2020 meet John McKee, and leading trainer Larry Smith looking to defend their titles. The jockey colony should be competitive with riders; Santiago Gonzalez, Sonny Leon, Joseph Ramos and the 6th leading rider in racing history, Perry Ouzts.
Trainers targeting the Belterra meet in addition to last year's top trainer Larry Smith; Wesley Ward, Tim Hamm, Thomas Drury, James Chapman, Michael Evans II, and Ron Kahles who won at a 23% win clip last season. Belterra Park will have a 9% increase in purses to begin the 2021 racing season.
Belterra Park will be offering “drive-through” wagering for both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby from 12:00 am – 6:00 pm. There will be five lanes open for wagering; cash only, and wagering on the Oaks and Derby only. There will be pre-wagering on Oaks day for the Derby the following day. Just follow the signs from Kellogg Ave to the garage area. The drive-through area will be for wagering only and you may return to cash tickets at your convenience beginning at 9:00 am May 2nd in the grandstand area.
There is a rich history of Thoroughbred racing action in the Cincinnati area. From the early 20s as Coney Island Race Course to historic River Downs. Belterra Park is proud to continue Ohio racing. Free parking and free admission daily.
The post Live Racing At Belterra Park Kicks Off April 29 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Oaks Notes: Asmussen ‘Ecstatic’ With Clairiere, Pauline’s Pearl In His Quest For Third Oaks Victory
Stonestreet Stables' homebreds Clairiere and Pauline's Pearl turned in half-mile works at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., to complete their major preparation for Friday's 147th running of the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Pauline's Pearl was the first to work over a main track labeled as good during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses. She was clocked in :50.60.
Clairiere followed shortly thereafter, covering the distance in :49.60. Both fillies are trained by two-time Oaks-winning conditioner Steve Asmussen.
The draw for the Longines Kentucky Oaks will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday in the Aristides Lounge.
AVA'S GRACE – Cypress Creek Equine's Ava's Grace jogged two miles under exercise rider Walter Davila at 5:30 Sunday morning over a track labeled as good.
Sunday's activity marked the first day back on the track for Ava's Grace since working a half-mile in :49.20 on Friday with jockey David Cohen aboard.
Trainer Robertino Diodoro is scheduled to be on hand at the barn Monday morning.
CLAIRIERE, PAULINE'S PEARL – Stonestreet Stables' homebreds Pauline's Pearl and Clairiere completed their final Oaks preparations Sunday morning, working four furlongs over a “good” main track in a pair of maintenance solo drills.
Pauline's Pearl, a daughter of Tapit, was up first immediately after the track opened at 7:30 for Derby and Oaks horses, and went in 50.60, with splits of :13 and :25.40 under exercise rider Wilson Fabian. Clairiere, a Curlin filly, followed about a minute behind under Angel Garcia and went in :49.60, with splits of :11.80, :23.80, while galloping out in 1:03.40. Pauline's Pearl was credited with the 22nd fastest time of 27 at the distance, while Clairiere was 10th-fastest. Some 80 minutes later, Asmussen was beaming back Barn 38.
“We're ecstatic,” Asmussen said. “Pauline's Pearl went first and my first words to Wilson were 'How did she go?' and he said 'Beautiful.' Both are regular riders of the horses so they are good measures and extremely familiar with them.”
COACH, TRAVEL COLUMN – Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Travel Column and Fantasy (G3) third-place finisher Coach jogged at 7:30 a.m. with trainer Brad Cox watching from the five-eighths pole clocker stand.
“Both fillies bounced out of their work in good shape and we're ready for Friday,” Cox said. “Hopefully we get a favorable draw and we'll take our tactics from there.”
COMPETITIVE SPEED – John Minchello's Competitive Speed had a leisurely 1 ½-mile gallop under exercise rider Anthony Gallo Sunday morning for trainer Javier Gonzalez.
Competitive Speed was returning to the track for the first time since working five furlongs in 1:02.40 on Friday.
CRAZY BEAUTIFUL – Phoenix Thoroughbred LTD's Crazy Beautiful had a quiet Sunday morning at trainer Kenny McPeek's barn, walking the shedrow following her workout on Saturday. Assistant trainer Greg Geier said the filly showed no problems following the workout, and is on track for Friday's Kentucky Oaks.
On Saturday, Crazy Beautiful was clocked at :49.20 for four furlongs, with splits of :12 and :23.60, then finishing up in 1:02.60 for five furlongs.
MALATHAAT – Shadwell Stable's Malathaat, one of the likely favorites for Friday's $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks, returned to the racetrack Sunday morning following a walk day Saturday and jogged an easy mile under exercise rider Amelia Green for trainer Todd Pletcher.
The bay Curlin filly has raced four times so far in her career and gone to the winner's circle following each one. She closed out 2020 with a tally in the Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct in New York, then returned this year on April 3 at Keeneland in Lexington to get up for a head score in the Ashland (G1).
Pletcher has named Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez to handle the bay miss in the nine-furlong test that will be the 147th edition of the “Run for the Lillies.”
MARACUJA – Beach Haven Thoroughbreds' Maracuja came out of her final Oaks work in good shape and will ship to Churchill Sunday afternoon, according to trainer Rob Atras.
The daughter of Honor Code put in her final Oaks work Saturday morning at Belmont Park, going four furlongs in 48.20 in company with New York-bred stablemate Horn of Plenty. Atras plans on arriving Thursday.
MILLEFEUILLE – Juddmonte Farms' Millefeuille walked the shedrow at trainer Bill Mott's barn a day after working a best-of-29 at the distance five furlongs in :59.60.
MORAZ – Don Alberto Stable's homebred Moraz arrived at Churchill Downs shortly after noon Sunday following a flight from her Southern California base. Assistant trainer Justin Curran had a stall ready for her at Barn 37 following her flight of just more 2,000 miles.
The daughter of Empire Maker had put in her final Oaks prep with a :48.20 move Saturday morning at Santa Anita for trainer Michael McCarthy. The conditioner also scheduled a flight from L.A. Sunday and was expected to land in Louisville at some point this evening.
PASS THE CHAMPAGNE – R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing, BlueRidge Stables and James Brown's Pass the Champagne galloped Sunday morning at Palm Beach Downs.
Trained by George Weaver, Pass the Champagne will begin the van trip to Churchill Downs later Sunday with an early Monday morning arrival.
SEARCH RESULTS – Klaravich Stables' Search Results returned to the track for the first time since completing her final Oaks work Friday for trainer Chad Brown. The undefeated daughter of Flatter walked the shedrow Saturday morning and jogged once around the main track, which was listed as “good.” Sunday morning. Brown indicated Search Results will resume galloping Monday morning.
WILL'S SECRET – Willis Horton's Honeybee (G2) winner Will's Secret jogged at 7:30 a.m. for trainer Dallas Stewart.
She's scheduled to gallop at the same time Monday.
SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY OAKS – Likely starters in the 147th running of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on Friday, April 30, in order of preference (with possible jockey and trainer): Search Results (Irad Ortiz Jr., Chad Brown); Travel Column (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Crazy Beautiful (Jose Ortiz, Kenny McPeek); Pauline's Pearl (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen); Malathaat (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher); Clairiere (Tyler Gaffalione, Steve Asmussen); Will's Secret (Jon Court, Dallas Stewart); Millefeuille (Joel Rosario, Bill Mott); Moraz (Umberto Rispoli, Michael McCarthy); Ava's Grace (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Pass the Champagne (Javier Castellano, George Weaver); Maracuja (Kendrick Carmouche, Rob Atras); Competitive Speed (Chris Landeros, Javier Gonzalez); Coach (Luis Saez, Brad Cox).
Next up in order of preference: Spritz (TBA, Rodolphe Brisset).
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