Tag: Racing

Blue Devil Racing Stable's homebred debut winner Dune Road is possible to make his next start in the $150,000 Jerome on Jan. 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack. The one-turn mile for sophomores offers 10-5-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points to the top-five finishers.

Trained by Carlos Martin, the Kentucky-bred Speightstown gelding graduated Dec. 8  with a gate-to-wire performance under Kendrick Carmouche in a one-turn mile maiden claimer. The dark bay marked fractions of :22.97, :46.53 and 1:12.39 through six furlongs over the fast main track, then kicked clear at the quarter pole en route to a 2 1/2-length score in a final time of 1:38.10. He garnered a 68 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I was surprised he showed that much speed. In the morning, he had always been steady and didn't show 22 and change speed, but he broke so sharp that Kendrick just left him alone,” Martin said. “I was pretty happy. He was ready to run but the way we usually prepare our horses, you would hope they keep improving moving forward. We don't crank them to the gills first time out, so I'm optimistic that was a pretty good effort all things considered.”

Martin said he is hopeful that Dune Road will continue to improve with racing experience.

“He's still a work in progress. It took his mind a while to come around,” Martin said. “We gelded him three or four months ago and he's a little on the quirky side, but he was very professional in the paddock and in the race. He broke sharp and was on cruise control. I watched the replay and he was a little green not switching leads, so I still believe there's some improvement there.”

Dune Road, a half-brother to stakes winner Kentucky Ghost, is out of the graded stakes-winning After Market mare Closing Range, who is a half-sister to graded stakes winner Stupendous Miss.

“He's a compact horse — more a medium size. He's got a lot of Speightstown in him even though he's not chestnut,” Martin said. “He's a handy, athletic type of horse — well-made and solid.

“The dam has had a couple nice horses like Kentucky Ghost, who has earned over half a million,” Martin added. “He has an interesting pedigree, so he's a horse that hopefully can get better and distance doesn't seem like it will be an issue. He'll run on.”

Martin said he has nominated Dune Road to the Jerome and will keep an eye on how tough the race comes up.

“The 'non-winners of one' is the day before and if the Jerome is coming up light, you have to consider all the options,” Martin said.

 

The post Connections Considering Jerome, KY Derby Points For Debut Winner Dune Road appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert won his eighth Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in 10 years on Saturday, but it wasn't with the 2-year-old most were expecting.

Wynstock, the longest-priced entrant of the trio Baffert saddled in the $200,000 race, led virtually all the way at 13-1 odds, then survived a stewards' inquiry to earn his second consecutive win since he was stretched out.

The victory was especially sweet for Baffert because Wynstock, a New York bred son of Solomini and the Flatter mare Timberlea, is owned by Dr. Edward Allred, the owner of Los Alamitos, and F. Jack Liebau, the vice president of the Los Alamitos Racing Association. He was bred by Empire Equines LLC.

After beginning his career by disappointing twice as the favorite in races at 6½ furlongs, Wynstock dominated maidens by 7½ lengths going a mile Oct. 15 in his first collaboration with jockey Kyle Frey.

The surprising result – the chestnut was also 13-1 that day – enabled Frey to retain the mount in the Los Alamitos Futurity, and Wynstock responded with a half-length victory over 4-1 second choice Stronghold. The Baffert-trained Coach Prime, the 4-5 favorite, was another half length back in third.

Stewards Luis Jauregui, David Nuesch and Kim Sawyer conducted an inquiry into some bumping between Wynstock and Stronghold inside the final eighth of a mile, but ruled both horses contributed to the incident and there was no change to the order of finish.

Wine Me Up, the third Baffert entrant and 19-10 second choice, and Ace of Clubs completed the order of finish.

Pushing his earnings to $162,740, Wynstock, who was purchased from the Caliente Thoroughbreds consignment for $700,000 at the OBS April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.53. He returned $29.40 for the win making him the highest-priced winner of the Futurity since the race has been run at Los Alamitos.

Stronghold, racing around two turns for the first time, outfinished Coach Prime by a half length for second.

“To have this moment is special,'' said Baffert. “I'm so excited. I'm just so happy (for Dr. Allred). He and I go way back. He bought this horse and trusted me.

“I thought (Wynstock) would be on the lead today because when I sent him long the first time that's how he won. I couldn't believe he got beat twice going short before that because he had shown so much in the morning.

“When he went long we put (Frey) on him and he got him away from there so I told Kyle I'd leave him on this horse because they get along great together.

“This horse looked outstanding coming into the paddock today. He was on his toes and actually looked like he was going to run in the Champion of Champions. He's a stout, beautiful horse.

“(Coach Prime) was sort of in and out the whole way. He got a little warm behind the gate and got shuffled back a bit. He's still green.''

The Los Alamitos Futurity was Frey's first graded stakes success in Southern California and his second stakes win at this venue. He had previously won the Dark Mirage Stakes in 2021 with Samurai Charm.

“Relaxing isn't an issue for this horse,'' said Frey. “Just getting out of the gate is and he did that perfectly today. He has the heart of a lion. He swelled up when (Stronghold) came up on our inside.'' (On the inquiry): “(Stronghold) got us first.''

The Los Alamitos Futurity provided Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis, but only Stronghold (5points) and fifth-place finisher Ace of Clubs (1 point) earned points. Baffert-trained runners are ineligible for points because of Churchill Downs Inc.'s ban of the trainer from entering horse in the Derby and other races through 2024.

The post Baffert-Trained Wynstock Pulls 13-1 Upset In Los Alamitos Futurity, Favored Stablemate Third appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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