While the snow on the ground and in the forecast for the following day framed the $250,000 Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack with icy thoughts of winter, the winner did a pretty nice job of igniting thoughts of a certain Saturday in May. Young, developing 3-year-olds who can successfully navigate two turns are a precious commodity at this time of year and Klaravich Stables' Risk Taking surely fits into that coveted category.
Tag: Racing
Candy Man Rocket Prevails in Sam F. Davis
After catching and recovering from COVID-19 this winter, trainer Bill Mott could now be at risk of catching something much more desirable — Derby fever.
Patience Pays Off As Counterparty Risk Victorious In Endeavour Stakes
Klaravich Stables' Counterparty Risk cut the corner turning for home under jockey John Velazquez and held firm for a one-length victory from New York Girl in Saturday's Grade 3, $175,000 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes for older fillies and mares. Margaret's Joy rallied for third.
The 4-year-old Irish-bred, making only her fourth start, is trained by Chad Brown. Her time for the 1 1/16 miles on the grass was 1:43.20. Counterparty Risk is by Australia, out of the Acclamation mare Anklet.
Counterparty Risk rated in fourth for the opening six furlongs as No Mercy Percy, a 23-1 longshot, led through fractions of :24.31, :49.40 and 1:13.56. New York Girl tracked the leader before making her move at the top of the stretch but couldn't hold off the winner.
The victory was the fourth on the card for Velazquez. The favorite, Counterparty Risk paid $3.80 for her second career victory.
“She's a real exciting prospect for us moving forward,” Brown said by telephone. “(Her winning a Grade 3 in her fourth start) is a credit to her and my team. She has had some injuries, none serious, but always inconveniencing and requiring patience.
“(Owner) Seth Klarman is extremely patient and always puts the horses' interests first. She ran super today and got a terrific ride from Johnny V, which is what you expect from a Hall of Famer. She shot through the opening turning for home and showed a great turn of foot. We are very grateful for her ability and my team's preparation,” Brown said.
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A More Aggressive Masteroffoxhounds Proves Best In San Marcos
Confidently handled by Joel Rosario, Rockingham Ranch's Masteroffoxhounds sat a reserved second to the top of the lane and unleashed an impressive stretch run while hand ridden to take Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Trained by Richard Baltas, the 4-year-old colt by War Front got a mile and one quarter on turf in 2:01.39.
With a hillside start, veteran 7-year-old Acclimate made an easy lead and set relatively mild splits of 24.41, 49.37, 1:14.19 and 1:38.49 under Tyler Baze, but Rosario had his prey measured and went on to a solid score in his third start for Baltas since being imported from Ireland late last summer.
“I was worried it was going to be a slow pace, and it was slow at 14 and change,” said Baltas. “He was impressive last time and (trained) well going into this race…I told Joel to sit second and he did it perfectly. He let the horse in front relax, but (that) horse is getting old.
“I changed the bridle and I changed the exercise rider. I just wanted him to be more aggressive. … He's trained forwardly and we're fortunate to have him.”
A rousing 4 ¼-length allowance winner at 1 3/8 miles on turf Nov. 28 at Del Mar, Masteroffoxhounds was the second choice at 8-5 and paid $5.40, $2.60 and $2.40.
Masteroffoxhounds, who is out of the Galileo mare Outstanding, was one for six in Ireland and registered his first graded stakes victory today, improving his overall mark to 9-3-1-1. With the winner's share of $120,000, he increased his earnings to $172,942.
“The whole time I was tracking the horse in front with a nice stride,” said Rosario, who was aboard Masteroffoxhounds for the first time in the San Marcos. “I had a lot of confidence in my horse. I was keeping him focused a bit in the last part, but (he) was much the best in the end.”
A multiple graded stakes winning California-bred gelding, Acclimate was second best on the day, finishing 1 ½ lengths in front of Starting Over. Off at 6-5, Acclimate, in his 21st career start, paid $2.60 and $2.40.
Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Starting Over was off at 19-1 and paid $5.00 to show.
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