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Irish Imports Majestic Steps, Going Global Headline Sunday’s Sweet Life Stakes

An impressive winner of her U.S. debut going six furlongs on turf on Jan. 2, trainer Phil D'Amato's Irish-bred Majestic Steps figures tough right back among a competitive field of 12 sophomore fillies going the same distance out of Santa Anita's turf chute in Sunday's Grade 3, $100,000 Sweet Life Stakes.

D'Amato will also be represented by another Irish-bred in the Sweet Life, Going Global, who has been idle since defeating 13 rivals in open company going seven furlongs on synthetic Nov. 11 in Ireland. Although she's an unknown, she gets the services of Flavien Prat, which will likely ensure she gets ample pari-mutuel attention.

A four length maiden winner over the course on Jan. 2, trainer Simon Callaghan's impeccably bred Freedom Flyer rates a huge chance in what will be her sixth start. Another very interesting commodity is John Sadler's speedy Five Pics Please, who shipped in from Mountaineer Park and sped to a three quarter length gate to wire allowance tally here on Jan. 10.

Owned by Michael House, Majestic Steps did everything right in breaking her maiden here in her fifth career start Jan. 2. Mid-pack early as a field of nine fillies came out of the turf chute, she was in tight quarters between horses at the 3 ½ pole, knifed her way through while into the bridle, cut to the rail and appeared to idle a bit while awaiting room three sixteenths out.

With Umberto Rispoli at the controls, she unleashed an impressive turn of foot and like so many of D'Amato's turf runners, made a successful transition from a steady series of training track drills to a big performance sprinting on turf. Off at 8-1 in her U.S. debut, she figures to be a much shorter price in the Sweet Life, which will be her first group or graded assignment.

With a consistent diet of dirt drills on Santa Anita's inner training track to her credit, Going Global looms a huge question mark in this deep and competitive field. Owned by Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, Ray Pagano and John Rochfort, Going Global was off at 16-1 in her maiden win over synthetic on Nov. 11 and it'll be interesting to see how the betting goes in her U.S. debut.

A $450,000 2-year-old in training sale purchase last April, Freedom Flyer, who is by Constitution out of the Carson City mare Rebuke, was off as the 5-2 favorite in a field of 10 going six furlongs on turf Jan. 2 and registered a resounding gate to wire score under Ricky Gonzalez, who rides her back. Owned by James D. Branham and Marsha Naify, Freedom Flyer has been off the board just once in five starts and should be well supported in the Sweet Life.

Richard Mandella's Pizzazz, who has routed on turf in her last four starts, including a close fourth in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes at Del Mar two starts back on Nov. 28, would appear to have a big shot with Mike Smith riding back. A Bass Stables homebred daughter of War Front, she comes off a disappointing fourth in the one mile turf Blue Norther Stakes here on Dec. 31 and is one of several who figures to be rolling from off the pace.

Owned by Desert Sun Stables, Five Pics Please, who had not raced on turf in her previous three starts, was dismissed at 29-1 in her Southern California debut, but she sped to the lead with Rispoli and never looked back although she was tiring late. A Kentucky-bred daughter of the Indian Charlie stallion Cinco Charlie, she's out of the Congrats mare No Pictures Please. With Rispoli opting to stay with Majestic Steps, Sadler will look to Tyler Baze to execute a potential front-running heist.

Doug O'Neill's Plum Sexy, who closed much ground to be third, beaten 1 ¼ lengths by Five Pics Please on Jan. 10, would appreciate a fast pace and looms dangerous at a price with Heriberto Figueroa back aboard. Owned by C T R Stables, LLC, Wonderland Racing Stables, Bob and Sheila Bambauer and Steve Rothblum, Plum Sexy was a first-out maiden winner going 5 ½ furlongs on turf here and subsequently showed early speed before finishing eighth in the Jimmy Durante Stakes on Nov. 28 at Del Mar. With a hot pace likely, look or Plum Sexy to be back off the early pace on Sunday.

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

Race 7 of 9 Approximate post time 3:30 p.m. PT

Nimbostratus—Joel Rosario—122
Freedom Flyer—Ricardo Gonzalez—122
Going Global—Flavien Prat—122
Go Greta—Juan Hernandez—122
Squared Shady—Edwin Maldonado—122
Royal Address—Mario Gutierrez—124
Five Pics Please—Tyler Baze—122
Pizzazz—Mike Smith–122
Majestic Steps—Umberto Rispoli—122
Magical Thought—Ruben Fuentes—122
Plum Sexy—Heriberto Figueroa—122
I'm So Anna—Jessica Pyfer–124

First post time for a nine-race card on Sunday is at 12:30 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com.

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‘All Systems Go’ As Breeders’ Cup Third Leinster Readies For 2021 Debut In Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint

Leinster looms as a solid favorite in Saturday's $100,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint (G3) on the strength of a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at Keeneland.

The Rusty Arnold-trained 6-year-old son of Majestic Warrior is set to make his 2021 debut in the five-furlong turf sprint for 4-year-olds and up that will co-headline Saturday's 12-race program with the $100,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3). Saturday's program will also feature a mandatory payout of the Rainbow 6 jackpot pool and the return of undefeated 2019 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner Structor in an optional claiming allowance on turf.

Leinster, who is owned by Amy Dunne, Brenda Miley, Westrock Stables LLC and Jean Wilkinson, finished a length behind victorious Glass Slippers and a half-length behind runner-up Wet Your Whistle in the 5 ½-furlong Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in his 2020 finale.

“He's doing really well. We sent him to Ocala for about a month. He was on the farm and I picked him up when I got to Florida in early December. He's been here two months and all systems are go,” said Arnold, whose stable is based at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

Leinster raced evenly over a 'good' course in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, encountering a slight bumping incident in the stretch.

“He ran his race. I think the turf got a touch softer than what is his favorite, but he got in a great spot and made a run for the lead. He got bumped around a little, but when you're in these full fields, that's the way it goes,” Arnold said. “I was very proud of him. He fought right on to the wire. He got beat by what? A length? I was very proud of him. I think the soft turf hurt him more than the bumping around.”

Leinster was victorious in his two starts prior to the Breeders' Cup over a firm Keeneland turf course in the Shakertown (G2) and the Woodford Stakes (G2).

“I think [the Gulfstream course] should suit him well,” Arnold said. “He's got two track records and they were both in [midsummer], one at Keeneland and one at Saratoga. They were both on hard ground, and that's the way he likes it.”

Leinster ran 5 ½ furlongs in 1:00.86 to win the July 11 Shakertown in track-record time. He also set a record while winning the 5 ½-furlong Troy (G3) in 1:00.23 at Saratoga Aug. 3, 2019.

Arnold also entered Pat Madden LLC's Borracho, a 5-year-old son of Uncle Mo who is Grade 1 stakes-placed on dirt and who pressed the pace before fading in his Jan. 23 turf debut in a mile optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream.

Luis Saez has the return mount aboard Leinster, while Joe Bravo has the call aboard Borracho.

Silverton Hill LLC's High Crime is scheduled to make his first start at Gulfstream since finishing fourth in the Swale (G3) on dirt two years ago. The Darrin Miller-trained 5-year-old son of Violence has gone on to prove himself as a solid competitor on turf. In his most recent start of turf, he pressed the pace on his way to a half-length victory in a 5 ½-furlong optional claiming allowance at Keeneland.

Julien Leparoux has the call on High Crime.

Sam Wilensky and Harry Orgo's Harry's Ontheloose enters the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint off a fourth-place finish behind multiple graded-stakes winner Imprimis in the Janus stakes last time out. The 5-year-old son of Uncaptured previously finished third in the Claiming Crown Canterbury and won an optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream Park West, both at five furlongs on turf.

Junior Alvarado has the call aboard the Herman Wilensky-trained Florida-bred.

G. Watts Humphrey and Brendan O'Brien's Smart Remark, Nimet Arif Kurtel's Shared Legacy, and Santa Rosa Racing Stables' Inter Miami round out the field.

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Salute The Soldier Makes Noise In Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2

Thursday evening's fourth meeting of the 2021 Dubai World Cup Carnival was highlighted by the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2. Bahraini Fawzi Nass saddled the winner, Salute The Soldier, under a majestic ride from Adrie de Vries.

Capezzano and Mickael Barzalona set out to try and make every post a winning one, but with De Vries never too far away before closing to within hailing distance leaving the back straight.

A duel developed throughout the first part of the straight before Capezzano faltered, leaving Salute The Soldier with a clear advantage and one he was never likely to relinquish. Barzalona's mount was passed by eventual runner-up Thegreatcollection and was then denied third, in the final strides, by Ajuste Fiscal. That pair ran on from the back, but never looked likely to deny De Vries.

A 6-year-old gelded son of Sepoy, Nass' charge was registering a third carnival success after a pair last year, in a 1600m (one-mile) turf handicap and then, over the same trip but on dirt, Super Saturday's Group 3 Burj Nahaar.

De Vries said: “Things had not gone to plan in two runs so far this season so we decided to step him up in trip and it has worked perfectly.

“We went a good early pace but I was keen to pressure Mickael quite early and then my horse really picked up well. Perhaps we can look at the 2000m (1 1/4-mile) and Dubai World Cup.”

First contested in 1994, the 1900m (1 3/16 miles) feature, the only Thoroughbred dirt race on the card, has been won twice by subsequent Dubai World Cup winners, Moon Ballad in 2003 and Thunder Snow in 2018.

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Underpressure Repeats In Louisiana Premier Day Championship

Delta Downs hosted its richest program of the season Wednesday afternoon with another edition of Louisiana Premier Day. The program featured 10 stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses and over $800,000 in total purse money up for grabs.

The featured race was the $125,000 Louisiana Premier Day Championship and it was won for the second consecutive year by Mallory Richard's Underpressure, who rallied from last-to-first in the 1-1/16 mile event for older horses. Underpressure was ridden to victory by jockey Gerard Melancon, who also won the Distaff and the Gentlemen Starter on the same program.

After breaking last in a field of eight, Underpressure settled in about seven lengths from the pacesetter Double Star, who carved out fractional times of 23.88 seconds for the opening quarter mile, 48.46 for the half, and 1:39.98 for three quarters. As the field turned for home Underpressure began a sustained rally five wide as he passed rivals methodically before confronting Double Star in deep stretch.

During the final furlong Underpressure, who is trained by Chris Richard, wore down Double Star and went on to the victory by ¾ of a length, covering the distance over a fast track in 1:46.60. Jimi's a Star finished another 1 ¾-lengths behind the runner-up in third.

“I'm blessed to ride him,” said Melancon after the race. “He loves this track and the forty-eight second pace set up the race pretty well for him.”

Trainer Chris Richard was very humble when speaking of his star pupil following the win.

“He's a once in a lifetime horse; as solid as they come. I just try to not get in his way. His running style is to come from off the pace and he got the right set up today.

Underpressure has now won 14 races during his 40-race career. His bankroll now stands at $838,182 after earning another $75,000 for his tally on Wednesday.

Bred in Louisiana by James McIngvale, Underpressure is a 7-year-old gelding by Birdstone, out of the Charismatic mare Charming Colleen.

Sent to the gate at odds of 7-5, Underpressure paid $4.80 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Double Star paid $4.40 to place and $3.40 to show. Jimi's a Star was worth $8 to show.

No Parole was an easy winner of this year's $100,000 Louisiana Premier Day Sprint under jockey Diego Saenz for trainer Thomas Amoss and owners Maggi Moss and Greg Tramontin. No Parole won last year's Prince before scoring a Grade 1 win in the Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park a few months later. The 4-year-old son of Violence has now won six races from nine career starts.

No Parole covered five-furlong distance of the Sprint in a time of 57.37 second, the fastest clocking of the season at the distance.

There was plenty of drama in the $100,000 Distaff this year as Whispering Oaks Farm LLC's Quikfast N Ahurry survived a jockey's objection by Joe Stokes, who rode the runner-up Saints N Muskets. After several minutes of deliberation, the stewards disallowed the claim and made Quikfast N Ahurry the official winner. She was ridden by Gerard Melancon. Quikfast N Ahurry has now won five of 11 career starts. A 4-year-old filly by Closing Argument, Quikfast N Ahurry is trained by Steven Flint.

It was Southern Beauty who took the $100,000 Matron under jockey Diego Saenz who roused her to the lead turning for home in the five-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares. Southern Beauty is a 4-year-old filly who was making her eighth career start in the race for owner Allied Racing Stables LLC and trainer W. Bret Calhoun. The Matron victory was Southern Beauties first stakes score of her career. The win also marked the fourth winner of the day for Saenz.

The $100,000 Louisiana Premier Day Prince came down to the two favorites at the wire as Respect The Valleys, LLC's Standing Perfect edged out Jimmy Two Times. Standing Perfect was ridden to victory by Ashley Broussard and is trained by Lee M. Thomas. The win by Standing Perfect marked his second stakes score of the season. The 3-year-old son of Half Ours also took the Louisiana Legacy on January 11.

This year's $100,000 Louisiana Premier Day Starlet saw Jean Etienne Dubois' Australasia, who pushed her record to a perfect three-for-three as she dominated five rivals in the one-mile affair for 3-year-old fillies. Under jockey Diego Saenz the daughter of Sky Kingdom helped set the early pace before taking off and winning by 7-1/4 lengths. Australasia is trained by Brad Cox, who notched his 1,500th career win when she reached the finish line on Wednesday afternoon.

Joe Alfredo Castillo's 5-year-old mare Kris T was victorious in the $50,000 Ladies Starter under jockey Eguard Tejera. The Juan Larrosa trainee is now undefeated on the Delta Downs season with five wins in as many starts. Overall, she has now tallied 10 victories from 28 trips to the starting gate during her productive career.

Madelyn's Wild Max won the $40,000 Ragin Cajun Starter under leading jockey Tim Thornton, who got a leg up before the race from leading trainer Karl Broberg. Owned by End Zone Athletics Inc., Madelyn's Wild Max ran down Whacudposblygowrng in the final strides to record his 18th win from 78 career starts. The 10-year-old gelding was claimed by his current connections at Delta Downs on December 28 for $4,000.

This year's $40,000 Bon Temps Starter was won in front-running style by Gerald L. Averett, Jr.'s Wild Mallory under jockey Diego Saenz. The 6-year-old mare, trained by Ronnie Averett, has now won four times from 11 lifetime starts. The Bon Temps tally marked her second in row at Delta Downs this season.

And finally, the $50,000 Gentlemen Starter wrapped up the day as Greeley's Dealer was victorious under jockey Gerard Melancon. Greeley's Dealer is owned by End Zone Athletics and is trained by Karl Broberg, who had a training double on the program.

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