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D’Angelo Trainees Sweep Florida Sires Stakes At Gulfstream

After Welcome Back barely prevailed in the $100,000 Desert Vixen for fillies, Bentornato proved much the best in the $100,000 Dr. Fager, giving trainer Jose D'Angelo a sweep of Saturday's FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

In the first leg of the series for 2-year-olds sired by accredited Florida stallions, Soldi Stable LLC's Welcome Back eked out victory by a nose following a troubled trip, while Leon King Stable Corp.'s never gave D'Angelo an anxious moment while scoring by 7 ½ lengths.

“I'm very happy,” D'Angelo said. “Last year, it was my goal to pick up and train horses for the Florida Sire Stakes. We worked hard at the sales. Thank God, we won both races.”

Bentornato, it should be noted, is Italian for “welcome back”.

Bentornato, who was purchased fBentornatoor $170,000 at the OBS March sale for 2-year-olds in training, remained undefeated in three starts while following up a 4 ¼-length triumph in the six-furlong Proud Man at Gulfstream Park Aug. 12.

“I was very confident in him today. In his last stake he wasn't really ready because he had a fever before the race and missed a couple of very important workouts,” D'Angelo said. “For this race, I just worked him two times, easy for him, without company. Last race I had to push him to get ready.”

The son of Valiant Minister, the 2-5 favorite in a field of nine, broke alertly from his outside post position and advanced along the backstretch to hook up with Dickens approaching the far turn without pressure from jockey Emisael Jaramillo. Asked to pick up the pace on the far turn, Bentornato quickly opened up a clear lead on the turn into the homestretch and drew off with authority. Bentornato ran six furlongs in 1:11. 44 off half-mile fractions of 22.33 and 45.51 seconds.

Dickens, who was coming off a third-place finish in the Sanford (G3) at Saratoga, held gamely to finish second, 1 ½ lengths ahead of Jive.

Bentornato will be pointed toward the next two legs of the Florida Sire Stakes, the $200,000 Affirmed at seven furlongs Oct. 21 and the $300,000 In Reality at 1 1/16 miles Dec. 2.

“I think he will go longer, because of the way he trains,” D'Angelo said.

Welcome Back, who inherited the role of favorite when 7-5 morning-line favorite R Harper Rose was scratched Saturday morning due to a fever, was coming off an impressive debut victory that came against winners on Tapeta in a July 29 optional claiming allowance.

The strapping, long-striding daughter of Adios Charlie, got away from the gate well to chase pacesetter Field of Greens along the backstretch with Epona's Hope to her outside. Jockey Edwin Gonzalez was forced to check Welcome Back on the far turn when Epona's Hope made an outside move to the lead, allowing Mist to get the jump on her with an outside move of her own. Gonzalez made a four-wide move on the turn into the homestretch as Mist set her sights on Epona's Hope. It took Welcome Back time to get untracked and employ her huge stride, but she was able to prevail over Mist by a nose at the wire.

“My filly was a little green, between horses, she'd never run between horses. So today she was between horses and she's so big, so I have to check a little when the 8 [Epona's Hope] comes down. She almost clipped heels,” Gonzalez said. “When I take her out, she grabbed her spot, and she came running.”

Welcome Back ($3.60) ran six furlongs in 1:14.28 off half-mile fractions of 23.46 and 46.68 seconds. Mist finished second under Emisael Jaramillo, a half-length ahead of Epona's Hope and jockey Edgar Perez.

The Soldi Stable homebred sported an equipment change that may well have meant the difference between victory and defeat.

“We put on her today a new bit. She looked much better today because when Edwin wants to move her, she responds very well,” D'Angelo said. “I'm very happy with the race.”

Welcome Back will be pointed toward the $200,000 Susan's Girl, the seven-furlong second leg of the Florida Sire Stakes series Oct.21. The $300,000 My Dear Girl, the 1 1/16-mile series final, is scheduled for Dec. 2.

“I think the hard race for her is going to be this one because she's perfect to go long,” D'Angelo said. “I was afraid this race was going to be too short for her, so I'm happy she won the race.”

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Private Creed Sails Home In Franklin-Simpson

Mike McCarthy's Private Creed halted a six-race winless stretch as he held back filly Playlist to comfortably land the $1-million Exacta Systems Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Kentucky Downs.

Already a winner over the track's European-style turf course after taking the Juvenile Sprint last September, the son of Jimmy Creed had not visited a winner's circle since October when taking the Indian Summer at Keeneland, but he would not be denied Saturday while notching his third victory from 11 career starts and cementing his status as a horse to watch for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) in November at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Joel Rosario for trainer Steve Asmussen, Private Creed rallied along the rail to overtake front-runner Sweet Cherry Pie in the stretch as Playlist, the lone filly in the field, charged up from the outside but had to settle for second.

Private Creed, who won by 2 1/4 lengths, returned $14.02 after completing 6 ½ furlongs in 1:17.03.

Sweet Cherry Pie hung on for third.

Scoring his first win from six starts this year and first in a graded stakes, Private entered off a rallying second-place finish in the Mahony at 5 1/2-furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 13. HIs record includes a creditable third in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. The $585,960 winner's share of the Franklin-Simpson purse boosted his lifetime bankroll to $1,248,286.

Bred in Kentucky by Sierra Farm, Private Creed is out of the Sky Mesa mare South Andros. He was a $155,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale, where Mason Springs consigned him.

Franklin-Simpson Quotes

Jockey Joel Rosario, 1st, Private Creed – On riding a repeat winner: “It seems like they run really well over the track. This horse tries had all the time. It seems like he really loves it here.

How was your trip: “It looked like I was in a good spot right in the beginning of the race. It looked like he was responding really well for me and getting over the track really well. We had to work things out turning for home. The horse that was in front of me kind of moved off the rail a little bit and then he came back in. I had horse and was just trying to keep riding him and hopefully if I can maybe go inside at some point and then come out. He came off the rail and I just took it.”

Steve Asmussen, winning trainer, Private Creed:

“Had a lot of confidence in him off the race at Saratoga. It was a little soft, but he needed it and he trained beautifully into this race. And this was the target for him since he won over here last year. Very important for us to have a little success here, with (major client) Ron (Winchell) being a partner on owning the racetrack.

(And now the target is next year's $1-million Ainsworth Turf Sprint against older horses?) “Absolutely. Hope we have another Snapper Sinclair on our hands. But it is great to have a horse that has an affinity for this course because of how rich the purses are.”

(How about Joel Rosario?) “Dream trip. Just as good as it gets. He got away from there well, so he put him in hand and he was comfortable. He's a really big horse; and that was away extremely well for him. And Joel put him in the pocket, came right up the fence.”

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint? “Absolutely. Heck yes. Whether we run him back between now and then I'm not sure. We'll have to see how much this took out of him.”

(This was 6 1/2 furlongs. Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint is five furlongs at Santa Anita) “I think when he's right, he's extremely good and we're very thankful. Scott (Blasi) did a wonderful job with him. Off the race at Churchill we were very concerned. Big open gash on him and stuff, but it healed up extremely well. It did take longer than we were wanting it to, but he was back just in time. He clipped heels and I believe it was his other leg hitting himself.”

Wesley Ward, trainer, runner-up Playlist: “She ran great. We had to run her against the boys because she didn't get in the other day (in the Music City). I was happy with her. Really happy. I think she's going to go on to be a really good horse.”

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BC ‘Win & You’re In’: Auguste Rodin Takes Irish Champion Stakes; Tahirya Dominates Matron

Auguste Rodin gave Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore a fifth successive win Saturday in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown.

The victory earned Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Westerberg's 3-year-old son of Deep Impact an automatic berth into the $4-million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In.

The Irish Champion Stakes was one of three Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races conducted Saturday at Leopardstown, along with the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes (G1) and the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes (G2).

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 80 Graded/Group stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

The Irish Champion Stakes was a tactical masterclass from the Ballydoyle team as eventual runner-up Luxembourg (4-1) and Point Lonsdale cut out the early running with Auguste Rodin (the 11-4 favorite) sitting in behind. The British challengers, King Of Steel, Nashwa, and Alflaila, all settled at the rear of the field. With 2 furlongs to go, Ryan Moore angled his mount out to challenge and drove to the front close home to score by a half-length, with the fast-finishing Nashwa back in third under Hollie Doyle.

Saturday's victory marked another remarkable comeback from the winner, who recovered from his QIPCO 2000 Guineas (G1) disappointment to win the June 3 Betfred Derby (G1) at Epsom. Auguste Rodin was racing for the first time since finishing last of 10 in the July 29 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (G1) at Ascot.

Following the race, O'Brien told FanDuel TV that the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita is under consideration for Auguste Rodin.

“I'd say there is a very strong possibility because the lads love the Breeders' Cup, and the Breeders' Cup is where everyone wants to be at that time of year,” O'Brien said. “We'll see how he is in a week or 10 days, but there is a very strong possibility that's where he could be.”

Ryan Moore paid tribute to O'Brien for getting Auguste Rodin back to his best.

“It's very satisfying for him to come back and prove how good he is,” he said. “Cantering to the start, he felt in a really good place and he floated around there. He's a very well-balanced horse, a beautiful mover, and it never really felt in any real doubt. I'm delighted with him. It's a fantastic job by Aidan (O'Brien) to get him back. He's beaten some proven Group 1 horses there, so it's satisfying.”

Auguste Rodin completed the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:02:68 over a course listed as good, good-to-firm in places.

Tahirya Dominates Matron Stakes

The Aga Khan's Tahiyra showed her class under a confident Chris Hayes to claim her fourth career Group 1 and win the one-mile Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes (G1). This victory secured the daughter of Siyouni an automatic entry into the $2-million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

Sent off as the 5-6 favorite for trainer Dermot Weld, Tahirya had not raced since her June 23 win in the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. She traveled strongly in midfield through the early stages with Just Beautiful making the early running. The 3-year-old filly showed a smart turn of foot to go to the front approaching the final furlong and ran on strongly to score by 1 3/4 lengths. The Tom Clover-trained Rogue Millennium finished second, with Just Beautiful back in third.

After the race, trainer Dermot Weld said: “She's an amazing animal, I have a wonderful team and it's great credit to them. We have a lot to look forward to with her. The Breeders' Cup has to be a possibility and there's a decision to be made as to whether she stays in training next season.”

Tahirya completed the mile in 1:37:50.

Diego Velazquez Leads 1-2 for O'Brien in KPMG Champions Juvenile

Diego Velazquez remained unbeaten after quickening past stablemate Capulet in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes (G2) to gain an automatic berth into this year's $1-million Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). Auguste Rodin won this race for the same connections 12 months ago.

A son of Frankel, Diego Velazquez was following up an impressive debut win in a maiden race at The Curragh. He was sent off at odds of 8-15 on Saturday, but was made to work hard for victory. It was not until the final half-furlong before Ryan Moore urged his mount past Capulet to win by a half-length. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Atlantic Coast was a further 3 1/4 lengths back in third.

The Smith, Magnier, Tabor, Westerberg, Brant-owned Diego Velazquez completed the 1-mile contest in a time of 1:40:46.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winners of the Challenge Series winners to start at this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 23 to receive the rewards.

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Vergara Goes Distance For First Graded Win In Ladies Marathon At Kentucky Downs

Gary Broad's Vergara once again found the undulating turf at Kentucky Downs to her liking in winning the $1-million Ladies Marathon (G3), the first of six graded stakes worth a combined $6.7-million on Kentucky Downs' 12-race card Saturday.

Winner of last year's Dueling Grounds Oaks at the Franklin, Kentucky track, the 4-year-old Noble Mission filly scored her first win of 2023 Saturday and first in a graded stakes after tracking from second as pacesetter Grenall laid down slow early fractions in the 1 5/16 mile contest. Drawing to within a half length of the leader nearing the home turn, Vergara easily wrested the lead and continued on to score by three-quarters of a length from Transient, who came on from last and menaced in the closing stages.

Sinfiltre finished third, another three-quarters of a length behind Transient.

Trained by Graham Motion and ridden by Joel Rosario, Veragra completed the trip in 2:10.9 and returned $6.52 for the victory, her fourth 13 career starts. She came into the Ladies Marathon off a fifth in the Glens Falls (G2) Aug. 3 at Saratoga.

Bred in Kentucky by Neil Jones and produced by the Street Cry mare Figure of Beauty, she was a $130,000 purchase by Gary Broad/Walmac Farm from the Indian Creek consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Vergara w named for actress Sophia Vergara, famous for her role in the television series “Modern Family”. The winner's share of $608,280 made her a millionaire in her 13th career start for Motion. She has lifetime purse earnings of $1,102,213.

Ladies Marathon Quotes

Joel Rosario, winning jockey, Vergara: “She broke really well. The horse that set up the speed (Glenall), I got a little behind her. They were going a little slow. I guess at some point she was tugging a little bit, but very comfortable. Graham told me just to be comfortable with her. She likes it here. I'd like to thank Graham and all the team.

“Every time a horse came to her, she was wanting to do it. She always tries really hard, this filly. Like I say, she likes it here.”

Assistant trainer Alice Clapham, 1st, Vergara – “Joel said she was a little keen because they slowed it down quite a bit. He said she just loves it around here. She won here last year. When they slowed it down again, he said he was just going to go for home and she did all the rest on her own. He said there was more there. With them taking the rail down and having the fresh track, he said it was really nice. When she won last year … when they like this course … they come back and just bounce around here again. She loves going up and down the hills.

(Trainer Graham Motion, she said, was on a plane when the race was run. He is returning from France, where he spent time, along with his wife, Anita, with her dad, who was celebrating his 80th birthday this week).

“Everyone has been saying she has been training great since she ran at Saratoga. They were all saying she was doing really good and they proved to be right. It's great to win here. It's a great place to come and enjoy it. The weather has been great fun to be here.”

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., 2nd, Transient – “We had enough of a chance to run her down. She is a kind of a difficult filly to relax, Tyler (jockey Gaffalione) did a great job in getting her to relax. I'm proud of that. Obviously, the winner was going well at the top of the stretch. We were close enough, but we just could not run her down today. On the day we were second best. You always want to be first, but that's racing. You can't win them all and I am proud of the filly, she ran good, and she came back well. You can't complain.”

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