Tag: Racing

The 67th edition of the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Oaks has drawn a field of 10 for its nine-furlong run out of Del Mar's unique infield chute on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. It will go as Race 8 on Saturday's 10-race program.

The likely favorite in Del Mar's 3-year-old filly championship is Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Anisette, a stretch-running daughter of the Irish stallion Awtaad who has gone two-for-two in a pair of stateside starts this year since coming over from a brief 2-year-old campaign in England.

French expat Leonard Powell does the training for Anisette. He put Umberto Rispoli up on her at Del Mar on July 22 in the G2 San Clemente Stakes and that resulted in a 2 1/2-length tally. So naturally enough, Rispoli will be back up Saturday.

The two chief threats to the top one appear to be the New York shipper Be Your Best and the Irish-bred Impact Warrior, who made her American debut at Del Mar July 23 and ran an impressive second in a two-turn grass allowance test.

Be Your Best, by the British sire Muhaarar, is owned by Michael Ryan and trained by Horacio De Paz. They've gotten Del Mar's leading rider, Juan Hernandez, to sign on for the Oaks run. Impact Warrior wears the silks of Martin Schwartz and races out of the barn of Phil D'Amato. Hall of Fame rider Kent Desormeaux was up for the daughter of Saxon Warrior's recent Del Mar run and he'll be up once more Saturday.

Here's the full field for the Oaks from the rail out with riders and morning line odds:

1. And Tell Me Nolies (Antonio Fresu, 12-1);
2. Window Shopping (Hector Berrios, 6-1);
3. Infinite Diamond (Mike Smith, 12-1);
4. Ruby Nell (Edwin Maldonado, 6-1);
5. Anisette (5/2);
6. Impact Warrior (4-1);
7. Big Pond (Ramon Vazquez, 8-1);
8. Absolutely Zero (Mario Gutierrez, 50-1);
9. Be Your Best (4-1), and
10. Paris Secret (Joe Bravo, 15-1).

Besides the Oaks, racing fans will get to see a pair of special presentations over the course of Saturday afternoon. Prior to Race 6, Hall of Fame rider Laffit Pincay, Jr. will present his coveted Pincay Award to Del Mar race caller Trevor Denman in a special winner's circle ceremony that will include video/audio footage of some of his most noteworthy race calls. Then, prior to Race 8, Fernando Toro, the 82-year-old riding star who was inducted into racing's Hall of Fame this year, will have that feat honored with a special ceremony in the winner's circle that is expected to attract many of the Hall of Fame horsemen and women who call Del Mar their summer home.

First post for the Saturday program goes at 2 p.m.

The post Anisette Likely Favorite In 10-Strong Del Mar Oaks appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Dual Grade 1 winner Art Collector was euthanized on Thursday after developing laminitis, reported first by Horse Racing Nation. Bred and owned by Bruce Lunsford, the 6-year-old son of Bernardini had been based at Saratoga with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott this summer in preparation for an attempt at a third straight win in the G2 Charles Town Classic.

“He started to develop laminitis a couple of days ago and he went in a hurry,” Mott told the Thoroughbred Daily News. “He had a very good work on the fifth of August and was fine the next day. Then he developed what appeared to be a small foot abscess two days later. We were soaking it and treating it. We didn't think it was going to be anything serious, but it developed into laminitis in all four feet. He was with us in Saratoga and was in his stall. He started to get real uncomfortable on Tuesday. Yesterday was a bad day and it was getting worse and we had to make the decision to put him asleep.”

Art Collector began his career in the barn of trainer Joe Sharp, breaking his maiden at second asking at Kentucky Downs. He finished off the board three times before getting a break and resuming his career in the care of trainer Tommy Drury, Jr. Art Collector won two allowance races before giving Drury a career victory in the G2 Blue Grass Stakes during the COVID-postponed Keeneland meet, then the Ellis Park Derby, and was pointed for the 2020 Kentucky Derby before a minor hoof issue forced his scratch shortly before the race. The colt did make it to the Preakness Stakes, finishing fourth behind champion filly Swiss Skydiver, and later ran in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Transferred to Hall of Famer Bill Mott in mid-2021, Art Collector won Saratoga's Alydar Stakes before capturing his first G2 Charles Town Classic. He then won the G1 Woodward before finishing sixth in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic.

After a failed tilt at the G1 Saudi Cup, Art Collector resumed racing in 2022 with another pair of wins in the Alydar and Charles Town Classic, but finished an uncharacteristic fifth in the G2 Lukas Classic next out. Art Collector rebounded valiantly with a win in the 2023 G1 Pegasus World Cup, and this year ran second twice in the G2 New Orleans Classic and G2 Alysheba.

“He had a magnificent career,” Lunsford told HRN. “I've been in the game a long time, and he's one of the best I've ever had the fortune of being associated with. He took me to great heights and moments in this game. He was a member of the family, and obviously, we're heartbroken.”

The post ‘We’re Heartbroken’: Art Collector Euthanized Due To Laminitis appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Nine fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, will vie for top spot in the $200,000 Dance Smartly Stakes (G2T), a 1 1/16-mile test over the E.P. Taylor turf, on King's Plate Sunday at Woodbine.

Justify My Love (BRZ), trained by Paulo Lobo for her breeder, Stud Rio Dios Irmaos, and Bonne Chance Farm, arrives at the Dance Smartly off a sharp score in the $100,000 Indiana General Assembly Distaff on July 8. The winning time for 1 1/16 miles over “good” ground was 1:43.91. Justify My Love (BRZ) returned $26.

A Grade 2 winner in Argentina, it was the first stakes triumph since the 6-year-old mare came to North America for her 2022 campaign.

“She is doing really well,” said Lobo. “She has been pointing to this race since she won in Indiana. She's had three good workouts for me and now she's ready for this start. She is a happy horse.”

Sired by the Japanese-bred and -raced Agnes Gold, the grey will get her first test on the world-renowned E.P. Taylor turf, a course that Lobo believes will suit Justify My Love (BRZ).

“I think this course will be a good one for her to race on,” said Lobo. “That long stretch is something she will appreciate.”

Sporting a record of 5-2-2 from 15 starts, Justify My Love (BRZ) contested her first eight races at San Isidro in Argentina, where she won three times and posted six top-three finishes.

She finished sixth in her first two North American races, at Kentucky Downs in September and at Keeneland in October, before a victory at Churchill Downs on November 19.

Her racing passport also includes a stop at Gulfstream Park, where she finished seventh in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational (G3T) in January.

“I've always liked this horse,” said Lobo. “When she ran in Florida, she got sick after the race, so that was probably the reason she didn't run well that day. We brought her back and she's hitting her peak right now. She's feeling really good.”

Adam Beschizza, who won this year's Alywow and Ontario Colleen (G3T) with Mohawk Trail, will be in the irons Sunday. The multiple graded stakes-winning jockey will also partner Midnight in Malibu in The King's Plate later in the card.

Other starters include Moira, Canada's reigning Horse of the Year, Chad Brown trainee, stakes winner Salimah (IRE), multiple graded stakes winner Il Malocchio, and last-time out stakes winner Miss Dracarys. ​

The race is named after the Sam-Son Farm superstar who went undefeated in 1991 while taking the Canadian Triple Crown and becoming the first horse bred in Canada to win a Breeders' Cup race (G1 Distaff, 1991). She is a member of both the Canadian and American Racing Halls of Fame.

Sam-Son Farm has three wins – tops among all owners – in the race inaugurated in 1986. Bessarabian won the first edition.

The $150,000 Bold Venture (G3), a 6 ½-furlong Tapeta race for 3-year-olds and up, the $125,000 Soaring Free, at 6 ½ furlongs on the E.P. Taylor turf for 2-year-olds, and the $125,000 Catch A Glimpse, at 6 ½ furlongs over the E.P. Taylor for 2-year-old fillies, are also featured on The King's Plate card.

FIELD FOR THE GRADE 2 $200,000 DANCE SMARTLY ​

POST – HORSE – JOCKEY – TRAINER

1 – Souper Hoity Toity – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse

2 – Whimsical Dance – Jose Campos – Gail Cox

3 – Ready Lady – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Roger Attfield

4 – Ephrata (GB) – Ryan Munger – Josie Carroll

5 – Justify My Love (BRZ) – Adam Beschizza – Paulo Lobo

6 – Il Malocchio – Sahin Civaci – Martin Drexler

7 – Salimah (IRE) – Kazushi Kimura – Chad Brown

8 – Moira – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard

9 – Miss Dracarys – Javier Castellano – Neil Drysdale

FIELD FOR THE GRADE 3 $150,000 BOLD VENTURE ​

POST – HORSE – JOCKEY – TRAINER

1 – Candy Overload – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

2 – Flag of Honour (AUS) – Ryan Munger – Julia Carey

3 – County Final – Juan Crawford – Saffie Joseph, Jr.

4 – Last American Exit – Jose Campos – Harold Ladouceur

5 – Patches O'Houlihan – Daisuke Fukumoto – Robert Tiller

6 – Secret Reserve – Eswan Flores – Mike Mattine

7 – Border Town – Rafael Hernandez – Martin Drexler

8 – Told It All – Luis Contreras – Suzanne Drake

9 – Old Chestnut – Declan Carroll – Martin Drexler

10 – Souper Watson – Kazushi Kimura – Martin Drexler

FIELD FOR THE $125,000 SOARING FREE ​

POST – HORSE – JOCKEY – TRAINER

1 – Rhapsody – Kazushi Kimura – Kevin Attard

2 – Motskari – Jason Hoyte – Ted Holder

3 – Please Advise – Patrick Husbands – George Weaver

4 – Ready to Jam – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

5 – Dancing Duchess (S) – Adam Beschizza – Mark Casse

6 – Four Strong Winds – Rafael Hernandez – Catherine Day Phillips

7 – Triple Trea – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Barbara Minshall

8 – Bucyk – Javier Castellano – Kevin Attard

9 – Pontiac – Ryan Munger – Barbara Minshall

10 – Sugar Treat (S) – Adam Beschizza – Mark Casse

11 – Golden Canary (S) – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

FIELD FOR THE $125,000 CATCH A GLIMPSE ​

POST – HORSE – JOCKEY – TRAINER

1 – Bolt Enoree – Javier Castellano – Kevin Attard

2 – Sugar Treat (S) – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mark Casse

3 – Golden Canary (S) – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

4 – Crafty Oaks – Rico Walcott – Keith Edwards

5 – Ready to Jam – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

6 – Never Silent – Jose Campos – Catherine Day Phillips

7 – Living Magic – Antonio Gallardo – Phil Schoenthal

8 – Fourfiftyfour – Ryan Munger – Barbara Minshall

9 – Airosa – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard

10 – Rosa – Kazushi Kimura – Kevin Attard

11 – Dancing Duchess – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse

The post Dance Smartly Stakes: Justify My Love ‘Hitting Her Peak Right Now’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher could have as many as three chances to secure his fifth win in Saturday's Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama presented by Keeneland Sales, at Saratoga Race Course.

Pletcher previously won the 10-furlong test for sophomore fillies with Princess of Sylmar [2013], Stopshoppingmaria [2014], Malathaat [2021] and Nest [2022] and has entered Julia Shining, Gambling Girl and Chocolate Gelato as he looks to win this event for the third straight year.

The regally-bred Julia Shining [post 3, Luis Saez, 5-1 ML], by Curlin and out of the Pletcher-trained Grade 1-winning A. P. Indy mare Dreaming of Julia, is a full-sister to dual Champion Malathaat.

A Kentucky homebred for Stonestreet Stables, Julia Shining made a visually-appealing debut, rallying from 11th to win by 2 3/4-lengths traveling seven furlongs in October at Keeneland over next-out winner and eventual stakes-winner Positano Sunset.

She followed with a neck score in the nine-furlong Grade 2 Demoiselle in December at Aqueduct Racetrack, overcoming a bobbled start and a sloppy and sealed main track. Julia Shining has finished third in both of her starts this season, most recently landing three-quarters of a length back of returning rival Defining Purpose in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 1 Ashland on April 7 at Keeneland.

Julia Shining has breezed extensively over the Spa main track, including a bullet five-eighths in 1:00.71 on August 5.

“She should love the mile and a quarter,” Pletcher said. “It's not exactly the way we mapped it out going from the Ashland to here, but we got a couple of good solid breezes into her, so we're hoping we have her ready.”

Pletcher said Julia Shining will improve with age and racing.

“I still feel like she's physically maturing,” Pletcher said. “She's starting to fill out into her frame a little bit. She's another one similar to Malathaat that will continue to improve with maturity.”

Repole Stable's multiple graded stakes-placed New York-bred Gambling Girl [post, 7, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 8-1 ML] boasts a record of 11-2-3-3 for purse earnings of $544,910, more than doubling her $200,000 purchase price at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York-bred Yearling Sale.

Gambling Girl captured the state-bred Joseph A. Gimma sprinting seven furlongs in September at Belmont at the Big A and two starts later closed to complete the trifecta in the Demoiselle. She remained in training and finished second in the open-company Busanda traveling nine furlongs in January at the Big A before shipping to Oaklawn Park and finishing a deep-closing fourth behind her victorious returning rival Wet Paint in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Honeybee over a sloppy and sealed main track.

Gambling Girl returned to New York and finished a game second in the nine-furlong Grade 3 Gazelle on April 8 at Aqueduct and narrowly missed a 13-1 upset when closing to finish second, beaten a neck by Pretty Mischievous, in the nine-furlong Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

Gambling Girl was freshened ahead of a third-place finish in the nine-furlong Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 22 here, landing 8 3/4-lengths back of the victorious Wet Paint, who was a neck better than another returning foe in Sacred Wish.

Pletcher said the Dialed In bay should appreciate the added furlong.

“She's doing well. She had a bit of time off between the Oaks and the Coaching Club. Hopefully, that race under her belt with move her forward,” Pletcher said. “That's [the 10 furlongs] a big part of how we scheduled it out and gave her a bit of extra time between starts because we wanted to run twice here.”

Bred in the Empire State by Gallagher's Stud, Gambling Girl is out of the three-time winning Empire Maker mare Tulipmania, who is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes-winner Straight Story. Her third dam, Felicita, produced multiple Grade 1-winner and 2014 Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady.

Repole Stable's Chocolate Gelato [post 6, Jose Ortiz, 15-1 ML] could be a pace presence in a loaded field of 10 fillies as she looks to make her first start since an even fourth in her seasonal debut in the six-furlong Jersey Girl on June 11 at Belmont Park.

“I need to have a conversation with Mike Repole about it. We entered Chocolate Gelato to take a look and see what the pace scenario looks like,” Pletcher said. “It came up a larger field than we expected and it looks like there's a little more pace than we thought there might be. We'll see.”

The Practical Joke dark bay captured the one-turn mile Grade 1 Frizette in October at Belmont at the Big A ahead of an off-the-board effort in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in November at Keeneland. The $475,000 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training purchase has banked $299,350 through a record of 5-2-0-1.

Pletcher will have a pair of starters in Junipermarshmallow and Soviet Excess in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Lake Placid, a 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for sophomore fillies.

St. Elias Stables' Kentucky homebred Junipermarshmallow [post 5, Jose Ortiz, 12-1 ML] is perfect through two starts, rallying to best eventual dual stakes-winner Botanical in her October debut traveling 1 1/16-miles over firm Keeneland turf. She followed with another visually appealing score in the 7 1/2-furlong Wait a While in December at Gulfstream Park.

The stakes score garnered a 72 Beyer Speed Figure, but Pletcher said he likes the way Junipermarshmallow won and noted a strong five-eighths work in 1:02 flat Sunday over the Oklahoma training turf here.

“I thought it was impressive that she was able to win her first two starts like that,” Pletcher said. “I thought her breeze here on the turf leading up to this was very impressive. We're coming in off a bit of a break, but she's doing very well.”

Junipermarshmallow is out of the Danehill Dancer mare Elitiste, who is a half-sister to four-time Group 1-winner Alpha Centauri as well as Group 1-winners Alpine Star and Discoveries. She is a direct descendant of Hall of Famer Miesque.

Wertheimer and Frere's stakes-placed Kentucky homebred Soviet Excess [post 6, Dylan Davis, 15-1 ML] sports a record of 6-2-2-1 for purse earnings of $101,700.

The Uncle Mo bay finished a close second at third asking to next-out graded stakes-winner Queen Picasso in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight in March over the Gulfstream Park turf. She followed with a maiden score traveling one mile and 70 yards over the Gulfstream synthetic before besting winners in a return to turf at 7 1/2-furlongs over the Hallandale Beach oval.

She enters from an even third in the one-mile Wild Applause finishing two lengths back of runner-up and returning rival Tax Implications.

“She's pretty consistent and shows up every time. We'd expect her to put forth a good effort again,” Pletcher said.

Soviet Excess is out of the stakes-placed Tapit mare Westit. Her third dam, Ocean Drive, produced the Pletcher-trained multiple stakes-winner West Ocean.

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