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Raymundos Secret Chasing Third Straight Win In Sunday’s Goldikova

In top form and bidding for her third consecutive win, trainer Phil D'Amato's Raymundos Secret, along with Simon Callaghan's classy Maxim Rate, head a field of seven fillies and mares three and up going one mile on turf in Sunday's Grade 2, $200,000 Goldikova Stakes at Santa Anita.

A gutty gate to wire winner of the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes going a mile and one eighth on turf Sept. 5, Raymundos Secret should relish the cutback in distance, as she's won four out of her five starts at a flat mile.

Second in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive at a mile and one quarter on turf here Sept. 26, Maxim Rate has three wins from six tries at one mile on grass and will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli, who guided her to a pair of wins this past summer at Del Mar.

RAYMUNDOS SECRET

Owner: Sierra Racing & Sterling Stables, LLC

Trainer: Phil D'Amato

Idle since October of last year, this 4-year-old Florida-bred filly was off at 4-5 and stalked the pace en route to taking a second condition allowance by a neck at one mile on turf Aug. 14 in what was her first start for D'Amato. Off as the 7-5 favorite in the Grade 2 Mabee on Sept. 5, she held sway by a neck under Flavien Prat, who rides on Sunday and is now a perfect three for three with her. A first-out maiden $32,000 claiming winner at one mile on grass Jan. 16, 2019, Raymundos Secret now has five wins from seven starts as she bids for her second consecutive Grade 2 victory.

MAXIM RATE

Owner: Slam Dunk Racing & James D. Branham

Trainer: Simon Callaghan

A one mile turf allowance winner on July 10 at Del Mar, this 4-year-old Exchange Rate filly gutted out a game neck victory in an ungraded stakes going a mile and three eighths on Aug. 16. Most recently second, beaten 1 ¼ lengths in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive at a mile and one quarter on turf Sept. 26 with Luis Saez, she'll be reunited with Rispoli on Sunday as she seeks her second graded stakes victory. With an overall mark of 12-4-3-0, she has earnings of $282,185.

THE GRADE 2 GOLDIKOVA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 9 of 11 Approximate post time 4:30 p.m. PT

Hang a Star—Victor Espinoza—122
Maxim Rate—Umberto Rispoli—124
Raymundos Secret—Flavien Prat—126
Atomic Blonde—Mike Smith—122
Zee Drop—Mario Gutierrez—122
Silberpfeil—Juan Hernandez—124
Tonahutu—Abel Cedillo–122

First post time for an 11-race card on Sunday, which is closing day of Santa Anita's current Autumn Meeting, is at 12:30 p.m. There will be mandatory payouts in the 20 cent Rainbow Pick Six Jackpot and all other exotic wagers. Santa Anita's races and entire simulcast production can be viewed live and free of charge at santaanita.com.

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‘Would Not Be A Better Turf Course In The Country’: Fair Hill Opens After Renovations

The new Turf Course at Fair Hill was used for the first time yesterday since improvements to the track were completed this year. Fair Hill-based trainer, Graham Motion galloped his three 2020 Breeders' Cup contenders, Mean Mary, Alda, and Invincible Gal, along with last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner, Sharing, giving the course its first run.

Construction on the historic track began in 2019 and took just over a year to finish. The one-mile course was realigned for consistent width and the turns were widened. An advanced irrigation system was installed for efficient drainage and the surface was replaced with a Kentucky Bluegrass Mix. New distance poles, finish pole and running rails were also erected to give it a fresh look.

“There would not be a better turf course in the country right now without exception,” said Motion. “Everyone was very pleased with how it handled, particularly the grade down the backside and up the front side. The turf is in beautiful shape.”

The Turf Course at Fair Hill is part of the newly constructed Special Event Zone at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Cecil County. Owned by the State of Maryland, the venue also features a new Ian Stark-designed cross-country course, updated timber course and new competition arenas built within the turf track's infield. The enhanced turf track will offer more opportunities for training, as well as the potential to host more racing days at Fair Hill in the future.

The investment in the facility by the State of Maryland addressed Fair Hill's aged equestrian infrastructure and ensures the opportunity to sustain Fair Hill's future as one of the premier equine sports venues in the world. The Fair Hill Foundation is currently leading Proud Past – Infinite Future, The Campaign for Fair Hill, to raise private funding to leverage and match state funds for the $20 million project.

Initially designed by William du Pont, Jr. in the late-1920s, The Turf Course at Fair Hill was modeled after the original design of Aintree Racecourse in England. Completed in the 1930s, the track hosted its first race in 1934. It has held many notable Steeplechase events throughout its history including four of the six runnings of the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase (1986-1988, 1991) and the American Grand National in the 1970s.

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Quartet Of Steeplechase Events To Be Streamed Live For Free This Fall

With COVID-19 eliminating, or severely limiting, live spectators at fall steeplechase races from Pennsylvania to Georgia, race organizers were struggling with decisions on whether or not to continue with their race plans. Since the pandemic, and with events not allowed to have spectators in much of the U.S., there has been a large decrease in equestrian events. Many of those employed in the industry face potential unemployment and financial hardship. Additionally, many non-profits usually receive funding and increased awareness through relationships with steeplechase race meets.

In an effort to help alleviate the hardship on the industry and their partners, the National Steeplechase Association has stepped up and is livestreaming several fall race meets. These efforts by NSA allow the horses to race, while spectators enjoy the sport from their homes, and associated non-profits – including land conservation organizations, community hospitals and food banks— continue to have a spotlight on their great work. Over the past years, steeplechase events have contributed millions to community nonprofits.

“We wanted to provide a venue for the steeplechase/racing industry to be able to get horses out and receive some financial support in the form of purse money while continuing to create exposure for non-profit beneficiaries,” explained Dr. William Allison, co-chairman of the Virginia Gold Cup Association, the organization that oversees the Virginia Gold Cup and the International Gold Cup. “Thanks to the NSA, horsemen have been able to continue training their equine athletes and fans can still enjoy the racing through Live Stream viewing.”

Race fans and equestrian enthusiasts can easily “Jump into Fall!” and view the Live Stream at http://nsa.network.video/ on the following dates:

Saturday, Oct. 24 – International Gold Cup; The Plains, Virginia
Sunday, Nov. 1 – Pennsylvania Hunt Cup; Unionville, Pennsylvania
Saturday, Nov. 7 – Steeplechase at Callaway; Pine Mountain, Georgia
Sunday, Nov. 15 – Steeplechase of Charleston; Hollywood, South Carolina

Race day start times generally kick off at 12:30 pm; final start times will be posted on the NSA website 48 hours before each race meet. Expert commentary will be provided by industry insiders Megan Connolly and Joe Clancy, with guest appearances from other sporting notables.

Unlike flat track racing, steeplechase racing provides the thrills and excitement of Thoroughbred horses racing over fences. By most accounts, the first steeplechase race was held in 1752 in Ireland. Today's sport is a true celebration of the long and close relationship between man and the horse. Riders depend on the athleticism, strength, speed and sure-footedness of their horses to carry them safely over varied fences.

“While COVID restrictions have made race meets challenging this year, we hope to be able to bring in new spectators who may want to see and learn about steeplechase racing,” said Al Griffin, president of the NSA. “It's an exciting sport that relies on a partnership between riders and horses—not something you see with other sports. The live stream provides an opportunity for the public to see what it's all about, free of charge.”

This year, the Live Stream will capture that excitement as well as gorgeous fall scenery in some of the country's most beautiful equestrian regions. The complimentary Live Stream productions have been sponsored by Brown Advisory, Charleston's The Post & Courier, Bruton Street-US and the Virginia Equine Alliance.

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Mr. Buff On The Muscle Ahead Of His Bid To Repeat In Empire Classic

Chester and Mary Broman's Mr. Buff will look to defend his title in the nine-furlong $175,000 Empire Classic, the feature event on Saturday's 11-race Empire Showcase Day card at Belmont Park, offering eight stakes races worth $1.2 million.

Trained by John Kimmel, the 6-year-old Friend Or Foe chestnut sports a record of 39-14-7-4 with purse earnings in excess of $1.1 million. He enters the Empire Classic from a pair of off-the-board efforts in graded races, including a last-out fifth in the Grade 1 Whitney on Aug. 1 at Saratoga.

The 17.2 hands tall Mr. Buff has breezed consistently on Big Sandy under regular rider Junior Alvarado in preparation for his title defense.

“He's giving me every indication that he's doing well,” said Kimmel. “He's training well and breezing well. Junior gets on him for all his breezes and says he feels terrific. I can't say anything negative about the way he's coming into the race.

“He's had a nice little break,” added Kimmel. “There weren't any New York-bred races for him at the Saratoga meet and this was the first restricted race he was eligible for that he fit.”

The eight-time stakes winner spent his winter at Aqueduct, capturing the Alex M. Robb against state-breds in December and the open Jazil in January ahead of a 20-length score over state-breds in the Haynesfield at one mile on the Big A main that matched a career-best 106 Beyer Speed Figure.

Kimmel said he is hopeful Mr. Buff will return to winning ways on Saturday.

“He's trying to repeat,” said Kimmel. “He's had a good little break coming into it and plenty of preparation breezes. Hopefully it will be enough and he can come out and do his thing.”

Whisper Hill Farm's Frost Me, a Frosted gray bred in the Empire State by Gallagher's Stud, will be among the favorites in Saturday's $150,000 Maid of the Mist at one-mile on Big Sandy for juvenile fillies.

Frost Me earned a 54 Beyer for a debut score at 1 1/16-miles in an off-the-turf maiden allowance tilt on Oct. 12 over a sloppy Belmont main. With Jose Ortiz up, Frost Me was an in-hand 2 ¾-length winner over the more experienced Maid of the Mist-rival Cara's Dreamer.

“It's a little out of my normal routine to run a horse back on a short turnaround like that, but considering the competition it's probably a pretty winnable spot for her,” said Kimmel. “Jose Ortiz said to me that in her first race she was very green and looking around a lot and that there was a lot more in the tank.

“She's come out of the race in good order and she's eating well and happy going back and forth to the track,” added Kimmel. “She's not giving me any signals that the last race knocked her for a loop. We'll take a shot.”

Despite being entered on turf for her debut, Kimmel said he is confident Frost Me can handle any surface.

“I think she can run on anything. I was just looking for a long race and that's why I entered her on the grass,” said Kimmel. “She has a lot of stamina. She just does not get tired. She may not be the quickest thing, but she has a lot of stamina.”

Kimmel will also be represented on Empire Showcase Day by John McClutchy's Arrowheart in the day's opening race, a 1 1/16-mile turf maiden for state-bred juveniles.

After running third on the Saratoga turf at second asking on Sept. 4, Arrowheart was again third last out under Benjamin Hernandez in a one-mile turf maiden on Sept. 26 at Belmont captured by Breadman, who is entered in Saturday's Sleepy Hollow for trainer John Terranova.

“Breadman is a nice horse. He was by far the best that day and my horse got in a little tight in certain spots in that race,” said Kimmel. “Maybe he can work out a little better trip, he has the experience now of two starts on the grass. He's in the one-hole, so he'll have to figure out an inside out trip.”

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