Tag: Racing

Ceiling Crusher sprinted to a clear lead early, controlled the pace throughout, and romped away in the stretch to score a six-length win in the $150,000 Torrey Pines (G3) for 3-year-old fillies Saturday at Del Mar.

Flying Connection was best of the rest, finishing 3 1/2 lengths clear of Justique in third.

The 2-1 favorite in the field of eight, Ceiling Crusher returned $6.80 after completing the one-mile main track event in 1:37.41 under Edwin Maldonado. She clocked all the fractions: :22.14 for the opening quarter mile, :46:29 for the half mile, and 1:11.78 for six furlongs.

A California-bred daughter of Mr. Big trained by Doug O'Neill, Ceiling Crusher has never finished off the board in six career starts and added a fifth victory to her record while notching her first graded win.

The bay filly is campaigned by Wonderland Racing Stables, Todd Caddy, Time Kasparoff, and Ty Leatherman. Bred by Harris Farms, she is out of the Indian Charlie mare Palisadesprincess.

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Twice Group 1-placed in France, Kentucky-bred Ancient Rome made an auspicious U.S. debut Saturday when striking for victory in the $2-million Mint Millions (G3) Saturday at Kentucky Downs.

Uncoiling a determined outside rally under Jamie Spencer after rating in fourth then fifth through a half mile, the War Front colt was all out for a half-length triumph over pacesetter Stitched, who outfinished Smokin' T by a head for second.

Ancient Rome returned $15.31 after covering the one-mile trip in 1:33.37 on turf rated as firm.

Trained by Charlie Hills for Mrs. Fitri Hay, Ancient Rome has a 6-3-2 career line from 16 starts. The $1,176,600 winner's share of the Mint Millions purse lifted his lifetime bankroll to $1,528,247.

Bred by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt, Ancient Rome is out of the Sadler's Wells mare Gagnoa.

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Secret Money fired for her first stakes win Saturday when annexing the $1-million Big Ass Fans Music City (G3) for 3-year-old fillies at Kentucky Downs.

Sent off at 5-1 odds under Tyler Gaffalione, Secret Money easily held back favorite and runner-up Danse Macabre for a one-length triumph while rebounding with aplomb from a third-place finish in the Lake George (G3) July 21 at Saratoga.

The daughter of Good Samaritan covered 6½ furlongs in 1:15.14 on firm turf and returned $12.98.

Bling was second, three-quarters of length behind Danse Macabre.

Secret Money, trained by Brendan Walsh, has won half of her six career starts and earned $585,960, improving her lifetime earnings to $740,811. She is campaigned by Fortune Farm LLC (Richard Nicolai), Robert G. Hahn, and Matthew Hand.

Produced by Grade 1 winner Awesome Humor, by Distorted Humor, she was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm LLC.

Music City Quotes

Tyler Gaffalione, winning jockey Secret Money: “It feels amazing to win that kind of race here. Brendan has done a great job with that filly. He said he was pointing for this race a couple months back. And he brought her over ready to run. As soon as a spot opened up, she didn't hesitate. She ran right through and finished up very well. It all has to come together. You have to have the trip, have to have the luck. Everything has to fall into place and luckily it did for us today.”

Brendan Walsh, winning trainer Secret Money: “She's been very good all year. She hasn't put a foot wrong really. She had a horrible trip at Woodbine a couple of starts back. Came back, we decided we'd try to stretch her out, see if she'd get the mile at Saratoga. She ran really well, didn't quite get home, but ran a very respectable third in very good company. We always had this race in the back of our mind all year, the 6 1/2 we felt would hit her right between the eyes. Thankfully it did. I'm delighted. It's a great group of owners. It's Richard's first time here at Kentucky Downs, so it's been a great experience for him.

“Tyler gave her a great ride as usual.”

(On purse being raised to $1 million): “Absolutely. We're always thankful for a few bucks extra. Listen, it was great. This has always been a lucky track for us. It's nice to come and win a nice race like this.”

Richard Nicolai, winning co-owner, Secret Money and winning his first $1-million race in first trip to Kentucky Downs: “It feels great, let me tell you. I have good partners and a great trainer. A lot of patience. This filly really did her work for us today. I thought she had a tough race ahead of her, but she made it look easy, to be honest with you. We're really thrilled.”

“I love this place, and I love it a lot more after winning. It's a real experience, and they did a great job at this place. I can't wait to come back.”

Kelsey Danner, trainer, runner-up Danse Macabre: “She ran great. She just got beat. It was a great race.

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