Making the Grade, which will run through the 2021 Triple Crown races, focuses on the winners or top performers of the key races, usually from the previous weekend, who could make an impact on the Triple Crown. We’ll be taking a close look at impressive winners and evaluating their chances to win classic races based upon ability, running style, connections (owner, trainer, jockey), and pedigree.
Tag: Racing
Sensational Star Stretch Was Closing Time For Brandothebartender
For once, the old man was not late to the party. Brandothebartender, at age eight the oldest horse among seven California-breds in Sunday's $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes at Santa Anita, flew late under Umberto Rispoli to win going away by 1 ¼ lengths, his first recognized win in his last 20 starts, going back to Dec. 31, 2018. Trained by Craig Dollase, the California-bred gelding by Tribal Rule got six furlongs on turf in 1:08.51 at the Arcadia, Calif., track.
Taken in-hand from his outside post, “Brando,” although a joint last with Prodigal Son heading to the far turn, was only four lengths off the lead. Turning for home with two horses beat, Rispoli angled five-deep and Brandothebartender did the rest, easily reeling in the front-runners for a decisive win.
“He's such a versatile horse,” said Rispoli, who's ridden Brandothebartender eight times, finishing second three times and third on four occasions. “He's a fighter, he's the kind of horse that you will love for life. … Obviously today the key was to be on the outside and give him a clean run, without any trouble. Last time, that stakes on the dirt (third by a neck in the one mile Tiznow on Feb. 28), I thought I was the winner at the quarter pole, but he's old. He can save his energy, he knows to do it, so I'm glad that he gave me back the stakes today.”
Off at 5-2 in his fourth career appearance in the Sensational Star, Brandothebartender paid $7.40, $3.80 and $2.60.
“I'm just so happy for these owners,” said an ebullient Dollase. “They're new to the business and we've had a lot of seconds and thirds, but the wins have been tough to come by. Looking at the race, I thought he could win because of the way it set up. It looked like there was plenty of speed and there was. I loved the outside post today and it worked out. This horse brings it every time. He's eight years old, but he doesn't know it!”
Claimed 25 starts back for $40,000 by owners Flawless Racing, Brian Flanagan and Michael Jarvis, Brandothebartender notched his second career stakes win, with his first coming in the California Flag Handicap at five furlongs on turf here on Oct. 20, 2018.
Out of the Stravinsky mare Frysland, Brandothebartender is now 42-7-6-15 and with today's winner's share of $60,000, has earnings of $608,364.
(Although Brandothebartender won a 1,000 yard race five starts back on Dec. 19 at Los Alamitos, it does not count as a Thoroughbred win, as it was a mixed breed race).
Jamming Eddy, who was third, about one length off the lead set by favored Jetovator at the top of the lane, finished second by a neck over Desmond Doss. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Jamming Eddy was off at 4-1 and paid $4.40 and $2.80.
Desmond Doss, who battled back gamely under Abel Cedillo, was the third choice at 3-1 and paid $2.80 while finishing a nose better than Jetovator.
Fractions on the race were 21.44, 44.67 and 56.62.
The Sensational Star is part of the lucrative Golden State Series which is sponsored by the CTBA and is for eligible California-bred or sired horses.
Racing will resume with an eight-race card on Friday, with first post time at 1 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
The post Sensational Star Stretch Was Closing Time For Brandothebartender appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Florida Snowbird Mind Control Gearing Up For April 3 Carter At Aqueduct
Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables' multiple Grade 1-winner Mind Control breezed six furlongs in 1:13 flat Saturday at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida in preparation for a start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Carter Handicap on April 3 on the Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino undercard at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.
“He had a great work yesterday going three-quarters in 1:13 solo and he galloped out strong,” trainer Gregg Sacco said. “He came out of the work super and was bucking and jumping this morning. We have one more work next Saturday at Palm Meadows and then he will fly to New York.”
Mind Control finished third last out in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up won by Sleepy Eyes Todd on December 19 at Gulfstream Park.
“We gave Mind Control a little break after he ran in the Mr. Prospector and he has come back as good as ever,” said Sacco. “He had six weeks off at Good Chance Farm and it did him a world of good. He came back really fresh and happy.”
Mind Control is a three-time Grade 1 winner with scores in the 2018 Hopeful at Saratoga, the 2019 Woody Stephens at Belmont and the 2019 H. Allen Jerkens at Saratoga. He has enjoyed previous success at the Big A, where he is 4-for-5, with scores in the 2019 Grade 3 Bay Shore and last year's Grade 3 Toboggan and Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap.
Sacco said Mind Control is in fine fettle approaching his seasonal debut.
“This might be his last season to race, so we'd like to make every race count. Going into a Grade 1 off the layoff, we wanted to make sure he had all the preparation needed,” said Sacco. “We had an alternative here next weekend at Gulfstream in the Sir Shackleton, but Mind Control loves Aqueduct and he's training as good as we can expect. He looks fantastic, his coat is great and his weight is great. He's really wintered well.”
The 5-year-old Stay Thirsty bay will look to make amends for a sixth-place effort in last year's Carter, won by Vekoma over a sloppy main track in June at Belmont Park.
“We had the Carter penciled in last year and unfortunately with the pandemic it was set back to Belmont on a sloppy day, which he hates,” said Sacco. “This year, I hope we catch good weather.”
Sacco said Junior Alvarado, currently enjoying a productive winter at Gulfstream Park, will have the call on Mind Control in the Carter. Alvarado was aboard for a rallying 1 1/4-length score in last year's Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap at the Big A.
“Junior is one-for-one on him and rode him terrific. He worked him a few times last winter for us in New York,” said Sacco. “Junior is having an outstanding winter here and riding lights out. He made a good choice to come to south Florida this year and show off his skills and I think he'll come back to New York with a head of steam.”
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Kentucky Oaks Will See Another Round In Travel Column, Clairiere Rivalry
The dust has settled after a thrilling 14-race card Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, with the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and Oaks (G2) in the rearview mirror. Both the local Derby and Oaks offered 100-40-20-10 qualifying points for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, and the April 30 Longines Kentucky Oaks, and several of the top finishers emerged with both races firmly on their calendar.
The connections for several of the major players had a chance to sleep on the results, evaluate how their respective horses came out of their races, and plot a path to Churchill Downs. Fair Grounds media caught up with several trainers Sunday morning to get their thoughts moving forward.
(For comments on the Louisiana Derby, click here).
Fair Grounds Oaks:
Brad Cox, trainer, Travel Column (1st): She'll go to Churchill later this week (with Mandaloun). She came out of it good, scoped good, looked good. I was super happy with her. She's a good work horse and she should be fit. She's had two races and that was our plan all along, to come down here and run twice and have a horse who is the third race off the layoff (in the Kentucky Oaks). It's similar with what we're doing with Essential Quality (for the Derby). It's a really good rivalry (with Clairiere). I was confident with the race unfolded and I think she'll be able to get another 1/16th of a mile. She's by a son of Tapit (Frosted) and she showed in the Golden Rod she can come from off of it as well.
Scott Blasi, assistant trainer to Steve Asmussen, Clairiere (2nd): I love Clairiere stretching out to a mile and an eighth. The pace yesterday was very moderate and it really didn't benefit her running style. I thought it was an A-effort considering everything and she should move forward a lot off of it. With her breeding and her running style, the distance at Churchill should really benefit her.
David Carroll, assistant trainer to Mark Casse, Souper Sensational (3rd): She came out of the race good, cleaned up her feed, all is well. Talking to Mark, and he'll be in contact with Mrs. (Charlotte) Weber (owner), we'll get her up north and prepare her for the Oaks, and if everything looks good, we'll take a shot. She'll leave Tuesday night for Churchill and we'll train her there and see how she's doing and make a decision closer to the race. Based on yesterday she deserves the chance. We'll let her get settled in up there and go from there.
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