Tag: Racing

The 10-race New Year's Eve card at Fair Grounds on Sunday includes divisions of the Louisiana Futurity, each offering a $100,000 purse for state-breds.

Ten were entered for the 57th running Louisiana Futurity for fillies, headlined by Clearly a Test and Freeburn, while seven were entered the 61st running of the $100,000 Louisiana Futurity for males, with the focus on Carpis, an impressive debut winner for Sam David Jr. Both races will be run at six  furlongs.

Post time on Sunday is 12:45 p.m. (CT). The fillies division of the Louisiana Futurity is scheduled to go off at 5:15 p.m. as race 10. The male equivalent is slated for earlier on the card at 2:15 p.m. as race 4.

After testing her mettle against top-class juveniles at Saratoga over the summer, finishing fourth in a maiden special weight event, Brittlyn Stable's homebred Clearly a Test returned to her home state, broke her maiden, and earned black type in the Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial on Nov. 17, opening day at the New Orleans track. The Clearly Now filly backed that effort up with a game second-place finish in the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie Dec. 9. At the sixteenths pole in that race, she appeared to be the likely winner, but in the final stages, Clearly a Test was outfinished by Accommodate Eva.

“I don't think she saw (Accommodate Eva) until it was too late,” trainer Shane Wilson said. “She was concentrating so hard on catching (pacesetter and eventual third-place finisher Guitar Solo) on the rail. Whenever she passed that one, she saw (Accommodate Eva) and she accelerated to the wire with the outside horse. She's still a young horse figuring things out.”

Atop the respective trainer and jockey standings as of Friday, Dec. 28, Wilson and Jose Guerrero will look to continue their success, as Clearly a Test will be guided by Guerrero from post 6 as the 4-1 morning line second favorite.

World War IV Racing's homebred Guitar Solo reopposes Sunday and is tabbed at 9-2 odds.

Clearly a Test's main rival is the Coteau Grove Farms' homebred Freeburn. Also debuting out of state, Freeburn ran an impressive third to Halina's Forte for trainer Steve Asmussen on Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs. Facing state-bred maidens last out Dec. 10, the Mitole filly won by open lengths, despite running greenly in the stretch. Brian Hernandez Jr. retains the mount and will break the 7-2 morning-line favorite from post 9.

After winning last year's edition with Norah G, trainer Patricia West sends out Tom Galvin's Tommie G, who on a similar path as Clearly a Test exits the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie (fifth-place finish) after a runner-up finish in the Ferguson (second place).

Following is the complete field for the Louisiana Futurity fillies division from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, morning-line odds):

1. Lil Chilly (Erica Murray, Gary Scherer, 8-1);

2. Guitar Solo (Corey Lanerie, Allen Landry, 9-2);

3. Lulu's Magic (Edgar Morales, Shane Wilson, 12-1);

4. Custom Sunshine (Florent Geroux, Chasey Pomier, 12-1);

5. Radiant Rebel (Jareth Loveberry, David Terre, 20-1);

6. Clearly a Test (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 4-1);

7. Diamond Deal (Jamie Torres, Jayde Gelner, 10-1);

8. Platinum Minit (Rey Gutierrez, Dallas Stewart, 6-1);

9. Freeburn (Brian Hernandez Jr., Steve Asmussen, 7-2); and

10 Tommie G (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Patricia West, 8-1).

Unchallenged while making all the pace in a maiden special weight test Dec. 9 at Fair Grounds, Spring Run Thoroughbred Stable's homebred Carpis won by 2 1/4 lengths  at 34-1 odds, defeating 11 rivals by  lengths. The son of Star Guitar is trained by Sam David Jr. Made the 5-2 morning-line favorite, the chestnut gelding will break from post 5 under Erica Murray.

With as many wins as the rest of the field combined, Norman Stables' Strong Promise is tabbed second favorite at the 3-1. Along with Clyde Moran Sr. and Jeff Plotkin's Stovall, Strong Promise enters the Futurity after a disappointing run in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile. The Broken Vow colt trained by Jayde Gelner was sent off as the favorite but finished sixth under Florent Geroux, who returns in the irons on Sunday. If Strong Promise is able to right the ship, the Futurity would be the fourth stakes win on his record.

Following is the complete field for the Louisiana Futurity male division from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, morning-line odds):

1. Tdzshininluckystar (Chris Rosier, Roy Roberts, 5-1);

2. Deacon Jones (Alfredo Contreras, Javier Ortiz, 12-1);

3. Cajun Cyclone (Gerard Melancon, Ricky Courville, 8-1);

4. Stovall (Corey Lanerie, Samuel Breaux, 9-2);

5. Carpis (Erica Murray, Sam David Jr., 5-2);

6. Take Charge J J (Rey Gutierrez, Bret Calhoun, 9-2);

7. Strong Promise (Florent Geroux, Jayde Gelner, 3-1).

The post Freeburn, Carpis Head Divisions Of Louisiana Futurity On Fair Grounds’ New Year’s Eve Card appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Alifyfe Racing's graded stakes-placed Fingal's Cave appeared to have a daunting task ahead of her when racing from a 432-day layoff against stakes company in Thursday's $100,000 Bay Ridge, but responded to the challenge with ease as she posted a frontrunning 4 3/4-length victory in the one-mile test for New York-bred fillies and mares at Aqueduct Racetrack.

“It [the layoff] was longer, and the plan was to have her back over the summer and it got delayed,” said trainer David Donk. “It was the goal to get to a race and we targeted this race a couple of months ago. Fortunately, she was able to do it and she came through with flying colors.”

Ridden by Jose Lezcano, the 4-year-old Carpe Diem bay was engaged in an early battle for the lead with Bustin Bay through an opening quarter-mile in 23.30 seconds before Venti Valentine was asked to take up second position and apply pressure through a half-mile in 46.52. Fingal's Cave easily shook off her rival at the top of the lane and drew clear when asked by Lezcano, coasting under the wire in a final time of 1:37.45 and earning a 79 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She came out of it well and cooled out well, and it wasn't as hard of a race as I thought it might be,” said Donk. “She galloped out well, too, and I was pleased with it all. It was easy enough and wasn't a hard race on her and she was certainly fit enough to handle it, which is the main thing.”

Fingal's Cave made her first start since a game runner-up effort in the seven-furlong Grade 2 Raven Run last October at Keeneland where she was squeezed at the start and trailed the field 9 1/4 lengths off the pace before moving four-wide into the stretch and making a strong run down the lane. She rallied past all but one foe, finishing four lengths behind the victorious Wicked Halo. Fingal's Cave was later diagnosed with bone bruising and subsequently dealt with a minor foot issue before returning to regular training with Donk at Belmont Park.

Donk said he is still discussing future plans with the filly's owner, but said the Ruffian this spring at Belmont at the Big A could be a long term target. Donk also did not rule out a potential return trip to Keeneland for the Grade 1 Madison on April 6, or a try in the seven-furlong Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie on February 17 at Laurel Park.

“I'm not quite sure what we do from here. The focus is going to be from April to November I think, so we'll see,” said Donk. “There will be a lot of discussion. Maybe it's too far-fetched, but a race that intrigues me is the Ruffian at a flat mile in the beginning of May. [The Madison] is a good possibility – it's not an easy race, but who knows. We'll just have to see. We're just pleased she came back and ran so well.”

Bred in the Empire State by Chester and Mary Broman, Fingal's Cave has banked $370,500 in total purse earnings with wins in 5-of-6 lifetime starts, including an additional state-bred stakes score last August in Saratoga Race Course's Fleet Indian. A $75,000 purchase at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, Fingal's Cave's third dam is Antespend, a multiple graded stakes-winner who produced Grade 1-winner Friends Lake and graded stakes-winner Seeking the Ante.

The post Fingal’s Cave Returns From 432-Day Layoff ‘With Flying Colors’; May Target Races Like Madison, Ruffian appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Alifyfe Racing's graded stakes-placed Fingal's Cave made a successful return to the races after a 432-day layoff to post a strong victory in Thursday's $100,000 Bay Ridge, a one-mile test for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by David Donk, the 4-year-old daughter of Carpe Diem had not raced since posting a deep-closing runner-up effort after a troubled start in the Grade 2 Raven Run last October at Keeneland, but showed not signs of rust when coasting to a frontrunning victory over multiple graded stakes-placed Venti Valentine.

“432 [days]? I heard someone say the number and I tried not to dwell on it. As a trainer, boy could I have worked her a couple more times,” Donk said, with a laugh. “She's got a lot of class, so I think the class prevails.”

Guided to victory by Jose Lezcano, Fingal's Cave broke evenly from post 2 in the field of six and steadily inched to the front exiting the chute to establish command over the sharp-starting Bustin Bay through an opening quarter-mile in 23.30 over the muddy and sealed main track.

Venti Valentine tracked between Fingal's Cave and Bustin Bay down the backstretch before being asked to take up second position by jockey Manny Franco as Fingal's Cave maintained her advantage and quickened to mark the half-mile in 46.52. Approaching the turn, Fingal's Cave was met with the challenge from Venti Valentine as a patient Bustin Bay reengaged three-wide under Kendrick Carmouche and was asked for her best.

Venti Valentine came under a strong ride from Franco in the turn with Bustin Bay attempting to rally in the three-path, but Lezcano remained motionless aboard a loaded Fingal's Cave into the stretch after three-quarters in 1:11.46. Lezcano shook his reins at the eighth pole and Fingal's Cave responded with aplomb, drawing off strongly from Venti Valentine and pricking her ears just before crossing the wire 4 3/4 lengths in front in a final time of 1:37.45.

Venti Valentine preserved place honors by 1 1/2 lengths over the late-running Cairo Sugar, who bested Bustin Bay by a neck. Know It All Audrey and Sweetie completed the order of finish. Sweet Mystery was scratched.

Donk said he left race tactics in the capable hands of Lezcano.

“I thought there would be more pace. I was satisfied that horses could close today and that it wasn't a biased rail. Sometimes, when it gets wet and dries out, it changes throughout the day. But horses were closing,” Donk said. “I told him to ride her the way he thought was best. Jose is a really good rider and really kind. But she broke sharp and I thought being off the long layoff, she'd be a little fresh. I thought maybe one or two might be in front of her but when she was there, he did the right thing.”

Lezcano, who was aboard for the first time in the afternoon, said Fingal's Cave was highly professional.

“When we broke out of the gate, my filly did everything herself,” Lezcano said. “She's got a lot of class and broke pretty good and put herself there. I didn't ask her for nothing. When I asked her at the quarter [pole] she went on and won the race.

“When I got to the quarter, I still felt I had a lot left in the tank,” Lezcano continued. “When I asked her she went on well. I think she's very classy.”

Bred by Chester and Mary Broman, the talented Fingal's Cave has now won 5-of-6 lifetime starts, including an additional state-bred stakes triumph in the Fleet Indian last August at Saratoga Race Course. She earned $55,000 for her Bay Ridge triumph, boosting her total purse earnings to $370,500 while returning $6.20 on a $2 win ticket.

Franco, aboard the Jorge Abreu-trained Venti Valentine, said the multiple stakes-winning daughter of Firing Line gave her best effort with a trip that went to plan.

“I didn't want to be too far [back] – the track was carrying the speed. I was where I wanted to be and I was second best,” said Franco. “She was doing it by her own. She was taking me there. I thought it was Lezcano and me and I wanted to put the pressure, but the filly [Fingal's Cave] was ready.”

Live racing resumes Friday at the Big A with an eight-race card, featuring the $100,000 Alex M. Robb in Race 2. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

The post Fingal’s Cave Scores Off 432-Day Layoff In Thursday’s Bay Ridge appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post