Tag: Racing

Reagan Jack Racing's Unified Alliance made every pole a winning one in Friday's $150,000 Coronation Cup for sophomore fillies, at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The Coronation Cup was originally scheduled for 5 1/2-furlongs over the Mellon turf but was moved to the main track due to stormy weather late in the day Thursday that softened the Spa lawn. Unified Alliance, who made her first start for trainer Tom Morley after six outings in the care of John Servis, was hoping to make her turf debut but parlayed her past main-track experience for a third career score.

“We were sitting at the table with claps of thunder and bolts of lightning [last night], and I said, 'I could really do with this going on for four more hours just to really knock it on the head,'” Morley said. “It didn't last four hours, but we got enough [rain]. She actually worked really, really well on the grass at Belmont, so we were definitely going to roll the dice and see if she could turf today, but obviously it cut up into an easier race when it came off.”

The Unified dark bay broke alertly under Hall of Famer Javier Castellano and led the compact field of four through splits of 22.48 seconds and 45.63 over the fast main track with main-track only entrant L Street Lady, who bested Unified Alliance by one length last out in the six-furlong Jersey Girl at Belmont Park, tracking from the outside in second position.

The Florent Geroux-piloted Anna's Arabesque was in tight approaching the turn and saved ground until the head of the stretch before tipping out to take a run at the leader as L Street Lady failed to fire. Unified Alliance opened up by 2 1/2 lengths at the top of the lane and had plenty in the tank to secure the 1 1/2-length win in a final time of 1:03.80.

Anna's Arabesque completed the exacta by 6 3/4-lengths over L Street Lady with Wildhawk rounding out the order of finish. My Sweet Affair, Love Appeals, Love Reigns, Violet Gibson and Bosserati were scratched.

Castellano said a quick break this time around made all the difference after a troubled start in the Jersey Girl.

“She stumbled out of the gate last time,” Castellano said. “She's still learning a little bit. Today, it was only five and a half [furlongs] – she broke sharp out of the gate. I let her dictate the pace and she was sharp today. I really like the way she did it today. She was very professional and I think she's going to be a very good filly in the future.”

Castellano captured two-thirds of the Triple Crown this year, taking the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby in May with Mage and the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets in June aboard Arcangelo. He is off to a flying start at Saratoga, having captured Thursday's featured Grade 3 Schuylerville with Becky's Joker to kick off the stakes action on Opening Day of the 40-day summer meet.

“I'm thankful and thank God everything is going in the right direction. I just hope we keep doing well and keep our momentum going,” Castellano said.

Unified Alliance, a $60,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale purchase, was a 10 1/4-length winner of a seven-furlong optional-claiming sprint on April 3 at Parx. She followed with a pair of stakes efforts in New York, finishing a distant fourth in an off-the-turf edition of the one-mile Memories of Silver on April 29 over a sloppy and sealed main track at Aqueduct Racetrack ahead of her effort on June 11 in the Jersey Girl.

“She shipped in to me when she ran at Belmont, and she was a little warm with us that day when I saddled her for John,” Morley said. “I think it was just the fact that she shipped in from Monmouth in the morning and then she went straight into the paddock and got quite warm and nervous. Then she went out on the track and definitely calmed down. Today, the energy was right – it was just a really good energy in there [the paddock]. She wasn't too hot, but she was on her toes and she was ready to do her thing.”

Morley said he would like to get the ultra-consistent dark bay onto the grass.

“We'll talk about it,” Morley said. “She was entered on the turf today and Javier is still adamant that we should explore that option with her, but obviously we've had her for one start on the dirt and she's won a stake up here. We'll get her home, make sure she's OK and see where we're at.”

Rigney Racing's Anna's Arabesque, trained by Philip Bauer, entered from an off-the-turf maiden score with Geroux aboard traveling 5 1/2-furlongs over a sloppy and sealed main track on June 29 at Ellis Park.

“Broke good, tried to make the pace for a little bit but was overtaken by the winner,” Geroux said. “From there, just sat chilly and tried to catch them at the end but they just kept on running away from me.”

Bred in Kentucky by Calvin Crain and Shane Crain, Unified Alliance banked $82,500 in victory while improving her record to 7-3-2-1. She returned $7.50 for a $2 win bet as the 5-2 third choice.

Live racing resumes Saturday at Saratoga with an 11-race card featuring the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana in Race 4 [2:46 p.m. Eastern], the Grade 3, $175,000 Kelso in Race 9 [5:45 p.m.] and the Grade 3, $175,000 Sanford in Race 10 [6:19 p.m.]. First post is 1:10 p.m.

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

The post Unified Alliance Outruns Three Rivals In Off-Turf Coronation Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Klaravich Stables' Randomized scored a commanding gate-to-wire triumph in Friday's second running of the $135,000 Wilton at Saratoga Race Course.

The Nyquist bay made amends for a disappointing stakes debut last out when sixth in the Grade 1 Acorn on June 9 at Belmont Park by posting a sharp score in the one-mile Wilton which was contested out of the Wilson Chute and restricted to sophomore fillies which have never won a sweepstakes other than state-bred.

Randomized made every pole a winning one to break her maiden two starts back going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct. After being unable to flaunt frontrunning tactics in the Acorn, where she finished 11 1/2 lengths behind the victorious Pretty Mischievous, she was able to regain her pacesetting form and fend off a late rally from Just Katherine to win by 1 1/2 lengths for trainer Chad Brown.

Breaking from the outermost post 4 under Irad Ortiz, Jr., Randomized cleared the field and was in front exiting the chute, leading Unsung Melody by 1 1/2 lengths through an opening-quarter mile in 24.18 seconds over the fast main track. Stablemate Accede and Just Katherine took up the rear of the compact field.

Around the far turn through a half-mile in 47.49, Unsung Melody tried launching a bid with Luis Saez going to the right hand aboard his charge. Ortiz, Jr. still sat calm aboard Randomized and did not began asking his charge until upper stretch through three-quarters in 1:11.27. Just Katherine began making up ground towards the rail, but Ortiz, Jr. took a peek back and implored Randomized for more. Just Katherine, with Hall of Famer Javier Castellano up, switched leads to pursue an outside rally, but Randomized kept her foe at bay to win in a final time of 1:35.83.

Just Katherine finished 10 lengths ahead of Unsung Melody with Accede completing the order of finish. Sacred Wish was scratched and will point to next Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga.

Ortiz, Jr. said he intended to be on the lead with his eye on Unsung Melody, who was stretching out in distance.

“That was my goal to be on the lead without using too much, but I realized the other filly had showed speed before, she came from six furlongs,” Ortiz, Jr. said. “I had that in mind, but if my filly helped me and break the way she break, I will go for it. And then if he goes, I'll sit second, but we are so good, we are better than the other one and I was able to clear. It was perfect.”

Brown said he was happy with Ortiz, Jr.'s well-executed ride.

“I gave the option [of going to the lead] for him. It looked like there was a speed horse on the inside, so I told Irad just to break and just see what happens inside,” Brown said. “He told me, 'in that first turn, it looked like I had an easy lead, so I just went for it.' When she broke her maiden impressively two back, she was on the lead. So, it might prove to be that she's happiest there.”

Brown has opened the possibility of targeting the Grade 1, $500,000 Test going seven furlongs on August 5 at Saratoga, a race he previously won with Klaravich Stables' Separationofpowers in 2018.

“You'd think a cut back [would suit]. It's a pretty good group this year. It's shaping up to be a really fast race. She might have to put her hat in the ring for that race. I think it would make sense,” Brown said. “For this filly that we had high hopes for – we ran her in a Grade 1 last time and she didn't run well – for her to get back into form and have a nice, impressive win in a listed stake here, it's time maybe for her to go back up in class and run in a better race next time.”

Despite another distant effort, Brown's confidence in Accede, third in the Grade 2 Eight Belles in May at Churchill Downs, has not wavered.

“She ran so well at Churchill and now two times in a row, she's had disappointing results. I think she'll be a fine horse. I just have to go back to the drawing board with her,” Brown said.

Randomized returned $4.60 for a $2 win wager and banked $74,250 in victory which enhanced her lifetime earnings past the six-figure mark to $135,850.

Randomized is out of the Elusive Quality mare French Passport, who is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winning millionaire Smooth Air. She was bought for $420,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Live racing continues Saturday with an 11-race card, featuring the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana in Race 4 [2:46 p.m. Eastern], the Grade 3, $175,000 Kelso in Race 9 [5:45 p.m.] and the Grade 3, $175,000 Sanford in Race 10 [6:19 p.m.]. First post is 1:10 p.m.

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.

The post Gate-To-Wire Wilton Victory Could Put Randomized On Path To Grade 1 Test appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Last year's heroine, Nashwa, is back winning on the Group 1 stage after a storming performance to land the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on Friday in the driving rain, after a fine ride from Hollie Doyle who was winning her seventh Group 1 in the saddle.

Persistent rain deemed to give the advantage to George Boughey's Via Sistina who went off at evens, but John & Thady Gosden's 4-year-old Nashwa proved too strong. Doyle kept her mount towards the rear of the field and as the pace quickened with Remarquee hitting the front, Hollie and Nashwa found a gap to put the race to bed in a matter of strides.

The devastating turn of pace showed huge potential as she looks to defend her Nassau crown next week.

Gosden senior said: “She has had a difficult spring. She didn't come to herself, but went over to France and it helped her by going there.

“This filly needs to race and so I phoned up Teddy (Grimthorpe), and Mr Imad Al Sagar was brilliant. I said I'd like to supplement this filly and he said, 'you believe that's right', and I said 'yes'. So he said, 'do it'. He is very trusting.

“The mile was no problem – she is a powerful filly with speed and it will set her up nicely for the Nassau, but it just happens to be a lovely Group One on the way.”

Doyle and Nashwa recorded back-to-back Group 1 wins last year in the Prix de Diane and Qatar Nassau Stakes, before a second placed effort in the Prix de l'Opera. Their return in 2023 had yet to go to plan following odds-on defeats in France and Newcastle, but her year looks just to have started.

The Qatar Nassau Stakes takes place at Goodwood next month, and Nashwa may take aim at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day in October.

What a performance!

Nashwa strikes late to secure the Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes in emphatic style under Hollie Doyle for John & Thady Gosden @Tattersalls1766 @HollieDoyle1 pic.twitter.com/hD9OXJJYYY

— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) July 14, 2023

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Trainer Gary Contessa was still watching replays on Friday morning of Lee Pokoik's Becky's Joker, who launched what appears to be a promising career with a debut victory in the Grade 3, $175,000 Schuylerville on Opening Day at Saratoga Race Course.

Becky's Joker, a daughter of third-crop sire Practical Joke, entered the six-furlong Schuylerville off nothing more than a Saratoga work tab, breezing a sharp three furlongs in 34.88 seconds over the main track en route to Thursday's score.

Despite breaking slow, she recovered quickly and was a close fourth by the first point of call before splitting foes in upper stretch to draw away to a 3 1/4-length score to spring a 21-1 upset as the second longest shot in the seven-horse field. The effort garnered a 75 Beyer Speed Figure.

The sizable bay stands 16.3 hands high and, “towers over everybody” in the barn according to Contessa, who confirmed the filly for the seven-furlong Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway on September 3 at the Spa.

“She came back sound and they tell me she looked great this morning,” said Contessa, who was catching a flight to Nashville to watch his son's baseball tournament. “She honestly can only get better. She's got a lot more left in the tank, so we're looking forward to seeing what she can come up with next. As big as she is, and as big as her stride is, she's going to get better as the distances stretch out. I think seven-eighths is going to hit her right between the eyeballs in the Spinaway.”

Contessa commented on the soundness and the good mind of his newly minted graded stakes winner.

“Knock on wood, she's been very, very sound and very healthy. Everything has gone our way so far, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that it continues,” Contessa said. “She's trained as well as any horse I've ever had as a 2-year-old. No matter what you ask her to do, she's push button and picks it up to another gear. Her mind is so good. She had it figured out and she's really a smart filly.”

Contessa's last graded stakes victory before the Schuylerville took place with Pokoik's Sippican Harbor, who pulled a 16-1 upset in the 2018 Grade 1 Spinaway.

Both Becky's Joker and Sippican Harbor were initially slated to be pinhooked before their racing careers, but ended up not being sold at public auction.

“With Lee Pokoik, we have a program where we buy well-bred fillies as weanlings and then we try to resell them as yearlings. This year, we sold an American Pharoah filly that we paid $200,000 for and sold her for $475,000. We sell them for profit, but they don't all get sold,” Contessa said. “We bought her and Sippican Harbor, tried to resell them. We just couldn't get them sold. Then, I won a Grade 1 with Sippican Harbor. I only get them to train if we don't get them sold. That's the game plan, but so far it's been very successful with the ones that we haven't been able to sell. They've turned out to be some of our best ones.”

For the past couple of years, Contessa has worked as private trainer and general manager for Nick Beaver's Belle Gable Stable.

“I had a two-year contract and I sat down with Nick and I told him that we could reduce our overhead by 25-35 percent if we just gave his horses to a public trainer and that's what we did. We gave his horses to Rick Sillaman, who has a public stable at Laurel and Delaware,” Contessa said. “A bunch of my owners asked me if I would come back and train their young horses, which is really my specialty.”

One can expect Contessa, who has 10 stalls on Saratoga's Oklahoma backstretch, to unleash more promising young talent throughout the meet.

“All these babies are ready to run, so we're going to have a real presence,” Contessa said. “This was a great win to start with and we have even more pretty nice horses awaiting their turn.”

Contessa added that he could have stalls at Belmont Park later this year.

“I'm sure I will, but I'm going to stay at Saratoga until the very end,” Contessa said.

Bred in Kentucky by Warren J. Harang, Becky's Joker is out of the Elusive Quality mare Becky's Best – a half-sister to graded stakes winner Vertical Oak- the dam of graded stakes-placed sophomore Giant Mischief.

The post Becky’s Joker ‘Towers Over Everybody’: 16.3 Juvenile Filly Will Progress To Spinaway appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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