Tag: Racing

Leinster Has Girth Troubles, Kicks Off Anyway In Woodford Stakes At Keeneland

Leinster had a more eventful trip than it might appear in Saturday's Grade 2 Woodford Stakes, owing to the strap from his over girth coming loose from its keepers, but it didn't hinder what was otherwise a stellar performance in the turf sprint.

The 5-year-old son of Majestic Warrior carried on what has already been a successful 2020 at Keeneland, after winning the track's marquee turf sprint race of the July meet, the G2 Shakertown Stakes, in track-record time. Adding another Keeneland win puts him in a strong position to carry that home-course advantage into the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at the same track.

On Saturday, Leinster broke sharply under jockey Luis Saez, and stayed within striking distance of leader Just Might. The strap on Leinster's girth was already loose and swinging by the time the field got through an opening quarter in :21.90 seconds, but Saez remained secure in the irons throughout the trip.

Just Might led the field through the turn and held on to the advantage, but Leinster gradually drew even with the pace setter approaching the final eighth, and he kicked on to win by a half-length over a late-gaining Extravagant Kid. Just Might continued on for third.

Leinster stopped the clock in the 5 1/2-furlong race in 1:01.59 over a fast turf course, a tick slower than his course-record time at the same distance in the Shakertown, which he completed in 1:00.86. He won the race for owners Amy Dunne, Brenda Miley, Westrock Stables, and Jean Wilkinson, and he was trained by Rusty Arnold. Leinster paid $7.80 to win as the favorite.

To view the full race chart, click here.

Quotes from the $150,000 Woodford Presented by TVG, courtesy of the Keeneland notes team

Rusty Arnold (winning trainer of Leinster)

“We had a little setback – he had a foot problem. We actually were going to run him at Kentucky Downs. We didn't get to run. Maybe it's a blessing because he stayed right here on his home track. He got to work on this turf course a couple of times – I think that's a big edge. Worked out good.”

Luis Saez (winning rider)

“He broke pretty sharp. He put me on the lead, but we didn't really want to be there. We wanted to track somebody. We had a perfect position, and I had a lot of horse. He just took off.”

Tyler Gaffalione (rider of runner-up Extravagant Kid)

“I am very pleased with his effort today. He has a tendency to kind of wait on horses when he makes the lead, so I was trying to time it right. We got beat by a really nice horse. I am pleased with what my horse gave today and I am looking forward to next time.”

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Channel Maker Takes His Second Edition Of The Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Gate To Wire

Accomplished Channel Maker had things all his way in Saturday's Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, leading the 1 1/2-mile contest gate to wire with jockey Manny Franco. Franco hustled the 6-year-old gelding out of the gate early and faced initial pressure from rival Cross Border going into the first turn. After Cross Border settled a bit, Franco was able to slow the pace somewhat, going from a :22.89 opening quarter to a :49.41 half mile. As closers began rallying going into the sweeping Belmont turn, Franco asked Channel Maker for run early into the turn, and pressed him in the last furlong, where he kept daylight between himself and Laccario. The Bill Mott trainee was never seriously threatened and finished with his characteristic high-headed running style.

Mott also saddled the winner of the G2 Gallant Bloom earlier in the card.

The final time was 2:25.99. Laccario finished second, followed by Sadler's Joy. Channel Maker went off at odds of 5-2 and paid $7.60 to win. Favored Rockemperor (IRE) was fifth.

This is Channel Maker's second victory in the Joe Hirsch, including his win in the 2018 edition. He was second in last year's race.

He is owned by Gary Barter, Wachtel Stable, R.A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. His previous credits include a win last out in the G1 Sword Dancer as well as last year's G1 Man o' War, and the G2 Bowling Green in 2018.

Channel Maker was bred in Ontario by Tall Oaks Farm and is the son of English Channel and Horse Chestnut (SAF) mare In Return.

See the full chart here.

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Fire At Will Upsets Public Sector In Belmont’s Pilgrim

Kendrick Carmouche put Three Diamonds Farm's Fire At Will on the lead shortly after the start of Saturday's Grade 2 Pilgrim Stakes, and the son of Declaration of War never looked back, scoring an easy two-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile turf contest for 2-year-olds.

Public Sector, the 4-5 favorite for trainer Chad Brown, closed under Javier Castellano to be second but was never a threat to the winner. Step Dancer finished third and Shawdyshawdyshawdy finished fourth in the field of six.

Trained by Mike Maker, Fire At Will paid $29 for the win after covering the distance on firm turf in 1:43.46.

Sixth in his only previous turf race, a 1 1/16-mile maiden event at Saratoga, Fire At Will was the only stakes winner in the field, having won the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga on Sept. 2 — a race that was taken off the grass and run at seven furlongs on a sloppy main track.

Following that victory, Maker shipped him to Kentucky where Fire At will trained up to the Pilgrim at the Churchill Downs trackside training center.

In the Pilgrim, Fire At Will posted fractions of :25.58, :50.35, 1:15.09 and 1:37.67 en route to his final time. He opened a commanding 3 1/2-length lead at the furlong pole and coasted home for the victory.

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