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.
Tag: Racing
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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Boldor Rallies Wide In The Slop For King Cotton Victory At Oaklawn
Ed and Susie Orr's Boldor is now two for two on the year after securing his second straight stakes victory in Saturday's $150,000 King Cotton Stakes at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark. He was coming off a victory in the Sam's Town Stakes at Delta Downs Jan. 4.
Breaking from post five of six under jockey David Cabrera, Boldor settled into fourth place early as Mr. Jagermeister grabbed the early lead through fractions of :22.52 and :45.78 for the first half mile, while being pressed the whole way by Seven Nation Army. The winner came four wide into the stretch and kicked in late to wear down his rivals for the one-length victory in 1:09.86 for six furlongs over a sloppy track. Seven Nation Army finished a neck in front of Mr. Jagermeister for second.
“I thought I was going to be a little bit more off of it,” Cabrera said. “He broke really sharp. I just let him get comfortable. Pick a spot. He responded to me really good down the lane. I'm pretty happy that (trainer) Steve (Asmussen) gave me the opportunity, that's for sure.”
Grade 2 winner Flagstaff, the 11-10 favorite, finished fourth. He was followed by Strike Power and Mucho.
“I just couldn't get him going,” jockey Florent Geroux said of Flagstaff. “He was just out-paced. I don't know if he didn't like the track. I just couldn't get him going. He was lost and I was riding really hard. Made a nice finish at the end, buy just had too much to do.”
Boldeo, a 5-year-old Munnings gelding, improved his record to 5-2-1 in 14 starts and has now earned $335,197. He returned $21.60, $6.80 and $4 at odds of 9-1.
Live racing resumes Sunday with a special 12:30 first post to accommodate fans wishing to be home in time to watch the Super Bowl.
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