Tag: Racing

After posting the surprise upset in Saturday's Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, White Abarrio has jumped to fifth position in this week's NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. Trained by Rick Dutrow, White Abarrio defeated former poll leader Cody's Wish (third) by a total of 10 lengths in the nine-furlong contest.

Cody's Wish, previously riding a six-race win streak, dropped from first to second this week, while his stablemate from the barn of Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Elite Power, took over the top position off the strength of wins in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, G2 True North, and G1 Vanderbilt.

Last year's champion 3-Year-Old Filly Nest retains third position, having made her 2023 debut a winning one in the G2 Shuvee on July 23 for trainer Todd Pletcher. Fellow Pletcher trainee Up To The Mark sits fourth off two Grade 1 wins on the turf.

Sparked by a social media post requesting that voters honor the late Maple Leaf Mel, seven voters also placed the filly first in this week's poll. Maple Leaf Mel was on her way to an easy victory in the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday when she suffered a fatal injury.

This is Week 28 of the 2023 NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), covering racing performances through July 2. Voting is conducted by national media.

The Top Thoroughbred poll represents horses competing for Horse of the Year. The Top Thoroughbred Poll concludes on Tuesday, Nov. 7 following the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Rankings is done on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-1 basis with first place votes in parentheses, 2023 record and total points. A-S: Age-Sex, Sex: C-colt, G-gelding, H-horse, F-filly, M-mare, R-ridgling.

The post Whitney Winner White Abarrio Jumps To Fifth In NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll; Elite Power New Leader appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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OXO Equine's three-time winner Transect headlines a field of 3-year-olds seeking stakes glory in Sunday's $250,000 Ellis Park Derby.

The one-mile Ellis Park Derby was carded as Race 8 with a post time of 3:22 p.m. (all times Central).

The Ellis Park Derby is one of six stakes contests Sunday at Ellis Park. The program also features the $150,000 Groupie Doll Stakes (Listed), the $150,000 Ellis Park Juvenile, the $150,000 Ellis Park Debutante, the $150,000 Audubon Oaks and the $100,000 R.A. “Cowboy” Jones Memorial.

Transect finished a close fourth last time out in the Indiana Derby (G3), beaten only 3 ¾ lengths by Verifying. The chestnut son of Gun Runner broke his maiden at first asking this winter at Turfway Park. Following an easy one-length victory against first-level allowance competition at Turfway, the Paulo Lobo-trained Transect attempted to jump on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the Gotham Stakes (G3) but finished a disappointing 10th. Jockey Cristian Torres will have the mount on Transect from post No. 7.

The Ellis Park Derby field also features Kirk and Judy Robison's Iowa Derby winner How Did He Do That. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, How Did He Do That pulled off a 48-1 upset in last month's Iowa Derby when he dead heated with One in Vermillion. The son of Good Magic will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. from post 8.

Here's the complete field for the Ellis Park Derby from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

1. Tumbarumba (Rafael Bejarano, Brian Lynch)

2. Olazabal (Walter Rodriguez, Eric Foster)

3. Denington (Corey Lanerie, Kenny McPeek)

4. Loyal Company (Declan Cannon, Brendan Walsh)

5. Blue Light (Florent Geroux, Asmussen)

6. Release McCracken (Francisco Arrieta, Bret Calhoun)

7. Transect (Torres, Lobo)

8. How Did He Do That (Hernandez, Asmussen)

Later on the card, Flurry Racing Stable's ultra-consistent Interstatedaydream will attempt another stakes score against 10 filly and mare rivals that entered Sunday's 42nd running of the $150,000 Groupie Doll Stakes (Listed) at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.

The Groupie Doll Stakes, run at one-mile on the main track, will go as the finale on the 10-race card with a post time of 4:25 p.m. (all times Central).

In the Groupie Doll Stakes, Interstatedaydream will attempt to notch her sixth-career victory. Trained by Brad Cox, Interstatedaydream has only one off-the-board performance from 11 starts. Her resume includes victories in the 2022 Black Eyed Susan (G2) and Indiana Oaks (G3) along with a stakes victory this season in the Allaire DuPont. Cox is no stranger to winning the Groupie Doll, the top conditioner previously won the race with Matera (2021), Tiger Moth (2017) and Call Pat (2015).

Interstatedaydream will once again have the riding services of Florent Geroux and break from post No. 5.

Chief among Interstatedaydream's competitors in the Groupie Doll includes CHC Inc and WinStar Farm's multiple stakes winner Falconet; HWL Partnership's Iowa Distaff winner Coastal Charm and Gerald James and Hall Performance's recent Mari Hullman George Memorial winner Soul of an Angel.

Here is the complete field for the Groupie Doll Stakes in order of post positions (with jockey and trainer):

1. Nonviolence (Rey Gutierrez, Bret Calhoun)

2. Coastal Charm (Martin Garcia, Steve Hobby)

3. Falconet (Gerardo Corrales, Todd Pletcher)

4. Napa Candy (Rafael Bejarano, Vicki Oliver)

5. Interstatedaydream (Geroux, Cox)

6. She Can't Sing (Brian Hernandez Jr., Chris Block)

7. Hidden Connection (Cristian Torres, Bret Calhoun)

8. Soul of an Angel (Ajhari Williams, Gerald James)

9. Ice Orchid (Francisco Arrieta, John Ortiz)

10. Malloy (Mickaelle Michel, Wayne Catalano)

11. Be Like Water (Declan Cannon, Vicki Oliver)

The Groupie Doll stakes was first run in 1982 at Ellis Park when the event was known as the Stroh's Handicap. At the time, the Stroh's Handicap was the richest race at Ellis Park that ran for a $50,000-added purse.

The race eventually changed its name in 1987 to the Gardenia Stakes and, in 2015, was re-named the Groupie Doll Stakes in honor of the great mare who won this race in 2011 under jockey Greta Kuntzweiler for co-owner, trainer and breeder William “Buff” Bradley and his late father Fred Bradley.

The post How Did He Do That Among 3-Year-Olds In Ellis Park Derby; Interstatedaydream Headlines Groupie Doll appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Trainer Kathleen DeMasi has never been happier that a race she was pointing to never filled.

That was in early June, when DeMasi was looking for a dirt sprint for All That Magic, a filly of modest accomplishments through her first four career starts. DeMasi opted to try the 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna in a turf sprint instead, and has reaped since benefits beyond her wildest imagination.

The latest was All that Magic's gutsy nose victory over multiple stakes winner Train to Artemus in Sunday's $104,000 Incredible Revenge Stakes at 5½ furlongs on the turf at Monmouth Park – her first career stakes win and DeMasi's first stakes win since Nov. 29.

All That Magic is now 4-for-4 sprinting on the turf, with jockey Nik Juarez in the irons for those four consecutive wins.

“She's just amazing,” said DeMasi. “I wasn't really worried about the added distance (her previous three wins were at five furlongs on the grass) because she has been drawing away in her wins lately. My biggest concern was having just nine days rest. But she is just very good right now.”

Despite not breaking sharply, All That Magic was able to assume command quickly, with Train to Artemus – who had won eight of his previous 12 starts – on her flanks through an opening quarter in :21.95 and a half in :44.30. All That Magic dug in to hold on, with the late-running Can't Buy Love rallying for third, another three-quarters of a length back.

The winning time was 1:03.37.

“This is the first time she broke slowly in the four starts I have ridden her,” said Juarez. “I wanted her on the lead. I was a little worried when she wasn't on the lead immediately and she wasn't as comfortable as she usually is. I had to use her early to get the lead. But she's a talented filly.

“To do this again nine days later with a horse (Train to Artemus) hounding her the entire way really shows how impressive this was. It felt like a rushed pace for us, so for her to be able to throw it down in the lane and hold on says a lot about her class on the grass.”

DeMasi said the tardy break caused her some initial angst.

“Once I saw the break I was like, 'oh, that's not good,'” said DeMasi. “I saw she was being a little fussy at the gate. The guys did a great job getting her straightened out. She didn't break as sharply as she could have but Nik Juarez did a great job of getting her where she needed to be. She recovered well enough.

“She didn't get a breather, but I thought to win this race she had to be in front of Train to Artemus. I was a little concerned that horse was right on her hip the whole way and started thinking 'okay, I'll take second money.' But she dug in so gamely.”

Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the field of eight fillies and mares, 3 and up, All That Magic returned $3.60 to win. Owned by Pewter and Spedale Family Racing, All That Magic now shows a 5-1-1 line for eight career starts.

The win in the Incredible Revenge Stakes came nine days after a six-length romp at Monmouth Park against allowance company at five furlongs on the grass.

The post ‘She Is Just Very Good Right Now’: Off Nine Days’ Rest, All That Magic Hangs Tough For First Stakes Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Title defender Slew's Tiz Whiz appears the horse to beat when Emerald Downs presents the 88th renewal of the $150,000 Longacres Mile on Sunday, Aug. 13.

Seventeen horses, including two 3-year-olds, are nominated to the region's most famous race, which anchors a Championship Sunday quadruple-header also featuring the $50,000 Emerald Distaff, $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby, and $50,000 Washington Oaks.

Slew's Tiz Whiz bids to become only the fifth two-time Mile winner and join Stryker Phd (2014-15) as double winners at Emerald Downs. Trained by Tom Wenzel, the stretch running 5-year-old just won his second straight Governor's Stakes, and has racked up four wins, two seconds, and a third in his last seven starts. A Washington-bred by Slew's Tiznow, Slew's Tiz Whiz is 2 for 2 lifetime at the mile distance.

Last year, Slew's Tiz Whiz exploded in the final furlong to collar Papa's Golden Boy and win going away in 1:34.46. With Papa's Golden Boy finishing second, it marked the first Washington-bred exacta in a Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs.

Five Star General, scheduled to be ridden by two-time Kentucky Derby winner Mario Gutierrez, is one of only two horses to finish top three in three straight Miles—2nd in 2020, 3rd in 2021, 3rd in 2022. A well-traveled 7-year-old with starts at 14 different tracks, Five Star General is razor sharp this year with a win and two seconds from three starts including a front-running score in the $100,000 Evangeline Downs Mile. Trainer Grant Forster authored the biggest upset in Mile history with 60-1 No Giveaway in 2005.

Trainer Blaine Wright nominated Top Executive, fourth-place finisher last year as the 3 to 1 betting favorite, along with 3-year-olds Abeliefinthislivin and Prince Abu Dhabi, the latter two also nominated to the Muckleshoot Derby. Winner of the $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields, Prince Abu Dhabi has a 4-0-2 record in six starts with earnings of $139,200. Wright has been a key figure in recent Miles, compiling a win, three seconds and two thirds in the last five runnings.

Owner John Parker won in 2017 with Gold Rush Dancer and recently claimed Dirt Road Red for this year's race. A 6-year-old gelding, Dirt Road Red has reeled off five straight wins this season at Emerald Downs but jumps way up in class Sunday.

Justin Evans nominated $706,700 earner Zestful, a stretch-running 8-year-old that finished third in the Governor's Stakes and figures to improve around two turns.

Katonah and Il Bellator, first and third in the $150,000 Pleasanton Mile, were nominated by trainers Doug O'Neil and Jose Bautista, respectively.

Others include million-dollar earner Restrainedvengence, a close third in the 2019 Mile, Seattle Bold, claimed for $40,000 out of his gate to wire victory last week at Sacramento, and You're the Cause, last year's Top 3-Year-Old at Emerald Downs and 56 to 1 victor of the 2022 Muckleshoot Derby.

Emerald Downs again offers a special Championship Sunday all stakes $0.50 Pick Four. Last year's Pick 4 produced a record $67,847.05 payout to two winning tickets, following victories by Zippin Sevenz ($49), Tiz a Macho Girl ($45), You're the Cause ($115.60), and Slew's Tiz Whiz ($8.80).

Entries for all four Championship Sunday stakes will be drawn Wednesday morning.

$150,000 Longacres Mile, Sunday, August 13, 2023

Horse. . . . . . . . .Owner. . . . . . . .Trainer

Abeliefinthislivin (3c/KY) Peter Redekop BC Ltd. Blaine Wright
A Man's Man (7g/CA) Remmah racing Inc. Jorge Rosales
Arma d'Oro (5g/KY) A MacLennan, L Strandley, Estate of G Kelly Dan Markle
Dirt Road Red (6g/KY) John Parker Candi Cryderman
Exclusive Speaker (6g/KY) Michael Radovich Jorge Rosales
Five Star General (7h/KY) Elttaes Stable Grant Forster
Gold Crusher (6g/WA) Josh Dieringer and Frank Ortiz Justin Evans
Harmon (7g/KY) Michael Bean and Donna Perrone Monty Meier
Il Bellator (4g/KY) Theresa & Edward DeNike Jose Bautista
Katonah (4g/KY) R3 Racing LLC Doug O'Neill
Prince Abu Dhabi (3g/KY) Lance Kinross and Steve Kinross Blaine Wright
Restrainedvengence (8g/KY) Kelly Brinkerhoff and Bob Grayson Jr. Val Brinkerhoff
Seattle Bold (5h/CA) Peerenboom Racing Stables Dan Markle
Slew's Tiz Whiz (5g/WA) Slew's Crew Racing Tom Wenzel
Top Executive (5g/KY) John & Janene Maryanski & Riverbend Stable Blaine Wright
You're the Cause (4g/KY) WilWin Stable Debbie Van Horne
Zestful (8g/KY) Stable H.M.A. Justin Evans

The post Slew’s Tiz Whiz Nominated To Defend His Title In Longacres Mile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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