Tag: Racing

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.”

The post Private Creed Sails Home In Franklin-Simpson appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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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.

The post BC ‘Win & You’re In’: Auguste Rodin Takes Irish Champion Stakes; Tahirya Dominates Matron appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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