The Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff has been around since the event’s 1984 inception and has cemented itself as one of the most legendary Breeders’ Cup races. Featuring thrilling finishes from some of the sport’s top stars, the Distaff is a can’t-miss race each year and the 2020 edition is just days away on Nov. 7.
Tag: Racing
Flashy 2-Year-Old Drain The Clock Making ‘Next Move Forward’ In Wednesday Allowance
Slam Dunk Racing's Drain the Clock is set to make a greatly anticipated return to action Wednesday at Gulfstream Park West, where the son of Maclean's Music will likely be a heavy favorite in the featured optional claiming allowance for 2-year-olds.
The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained colt debuted in a Sept. 12 off-the-turf maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park, where he sprinted to the lead from his rail post position, shook off mild pressure and drew away to score by six lengths. The son of Maclean's Music ran five furlongs in slop in 58.73 seconds as the 8-5 favorite.
“He's a horse who, early on, showed a lot of promise. We thought we'd get him started on the turf. He trained well enough on dirt also, but we thought the turf would be easier fitness-wise to get him started in,” Joseph said. “He won nicely that day on the slop and we decided to keep him on the dirt and see where he stacks up. It's a nice spot, hopefully, to make a next move forward.”
Omaha City, who finished third, went on to graduate next time out in the Hollywood Beach Stakes on turf.
“Our horses, we don't press them to win first time out. If they win first time out, like him, that means they're just much better than the competition,” Joseph said. “You'd expect him to improve off that run. He's trained well. He had a nice five-eighths workout last week. He's going an extra furlong, but it doesn't seem like it should be an issue.”
Samy Camacho picks up the mount from leading rider Edgard Zayas, whose wife is scheduled to give birth to their second daughter Wednesday.
Joseph is also scheduled to saddle Don and Rebecca Ming's Worlds On High, another recent debut winner, in Wednesday's feature. The son of Shanghai Bobby captured a $50,000 maiden claiming race by 2 ¼ lengths under returning Alberto Burgos.
“He won nicely that day. Ideally, I would have liked to run him in a starter allowance, but there hasn't been one,” Joseph said. “I don't think he has the class of Drain the Clock, but again, you would think he'd improve second time out. It'll be interesting to see how he fits this time.”
Kathleen O'Connell-trained The Distractor, who also graduated against $50,000 claiming maidens while winning his debut by 7 ½ lengths at Gulfstream Park West Oct. 11, is also entered in the field of six juveniles.
Wednesday's feature is carded as Race 6 and will be included in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 sequence, which will span Races 4-9. The Rainbow 6 will have a guaranteed pool of $125,000.
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Santa Anita Wraps Autumn Meet With Zero Racing Or Training Fatalities
Santa Anita Park concluded the Autumn meet as the safest racetrack in the nation, without a single racing or training fatality since the horses returned from Del Mar on Sept. 5. During that time period, which includes the 16-day Autumn racing meet which was delayed because of the Bobcat Fire in the neighboring San Gabriel Mountains, 1,106 horses raced over the dirt track and turf course. Additionally, horses recorded over 51,200 training sessions, including 3,771 timed workouts over the main track and 487 over the training track.
The main dirt track has not had a racing fatality in 2020, including the 2019-20 Winter/Spring meet which began in December.
In 2020 there have been five racing fatalities from 5,069 starts, or 0.98 fatalities per 1,000 starters, well below the national average.
In addition to hosting some of the most prestigious races in the nation, Santa Anita is home to the largest training facilities in the country, operating nearly year-round with over 400,000 annual training sessions.
“These results are the efforts of the racing community to put the safety of the horse first at every turn, including additional veterinary regulations and observations, training approvals and analysis of entries,” said Aidan Butler, Chief Operating Officer of 1/ST Racing. “Last year, we set a course to reform the sport of horse racing for the next generation. This year, we are seeing the results of the hard work everyone has put into this effort.
“We especially appreciate the dedication of the owners, trainers, veterinarians and hardworking men and women who care for the horses, of the jockeys who have adapted their riding styles, the California Horse Racing Board which regulates the sport, and veteran trackman Dennis Moore and the entire Santa Anita track crew, who tirelessly work the surface day and night with safety top of mind.
We acknowledged last year that this modernization would likely lead to a short-term impact on Santa Anita's field size, but as these reforms become the national standards, California is ahead of the implementation curve which strengthens the sport in our state. We sincerely thank the bettors who have continued to support our racing product during this transition.
“On behalf of everyone at Santa Anita, we'd also like to let our fans know how much we've missed their passionate voices cheering these horses at The Great Race Place and we look forward to welcoming everyone back just as soon as we are able to do so.”
Live racing will return to the Arcadia oval at Santa Anita Park as tradition dictates on Dec. 26.
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Past Stars Honored With Inaugural Stakes Races On Indiana Champions Day
Indiana sired and bred horses will be in the spotlight Wednesday, Oct. 28 for the inaugural Indiana Champions Day at Indiana Grand. The event features 12 races, including four stakes, with purses for the day of more than $550,000.
Two of Indiana's past superstars are honored with the inaugural running of races in their honor. The $100,000 Lady Fog Horn and the $100,000 Unreachable Star will be joined by the 22nd running of the $75,000 Crown Ambassador and the 23rd running of the $75,000 Indiana Stallion Fillies.
Expect Indy has been tagged as the early morning line favorite in the Lady Fog Horn Stakes running at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles. The seven-year-old Indiana sired standout from the Cipriano Contreras Stable will be seeking her second straight win in stakes action at Indiana Grand. She was a winner in her last start in the $75,000 Richmond Stakes. Expect Indy starts from post three with Emmanuel Esquivel aboard at odds of 2-5. Gumpster Stable owns the Mr. Mabee mare, who has in excess of $540,000 in career earnings.
Unbridled Beast is the overwhelming favorite in the Unreachable Star Stakes, slated as Race 11 on the program. The grey son of Unbridled Express, 2019 Champion Sire in Indiana, is currently on a four-race win streak, including two stakes in his last two outings. Trained by Randy Matthews, Unbridled Beast will begin from post eight at even odds with Rodney Prescott aboard for owner Mike Neafus and Matthews.
Betsdownletsride will start off the Crown Ambassador Stakes as the early choice at odds of 1-5. The Sangaree freshman gelding is undefeated in three starts this year for owners Darlene and Herb Likens. Contreras also trains Betsdownletsride, who will be ridden by Esquivel from post one.
The Indiana Stallion Fillies kicks off stakes action on the card in Race 7 with Hungarian Princess listed as the early morning line favorite. Starting from post two at odds of 2-5, the Pataky Kid filly, owned and bred by Swifty Farms, was more than a six-length winner in her last start in the City of Anderson Stakes. Trained by Kim Hammond, Hungarian Princess will seek to add another win to her credentials with Sammy Bermudez aboard.
Indiana Champions Day will include numerous awards, including a special “Back on Track Champions” to a group of five members of the Indiana General Assembly, who were key to reopening racing earlier this year after COVID-19 shutdowns. Also, 2019 award winners will be announced and the first 100 guests who visit the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (ITOBA) tent will receive a snack pack, including a betting voucher. Several philanthropic donations are also part of the afternoon's activities. The 12-race program begins at 2:05 PM.
Racing continues Monday through Thursday until Thursday, Nov. 19. All-Quarter Horse racing is set for Saturday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 24. For more information, go to www.indianagrand.com.
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