Tom Pedulla presents key takeaways from the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets and other major developments Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Tag: Racing
Selenaia Ships In For Honeymoon, Scores In Stakes Debut
Fresh off of an airplane from Lexington, Irish-bred Selenaia proved much the best among a field of eight sophomore fillies in Saturday's $100,000 Honeymoon Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita as she sprinted to a 3¼-length victory under Joe Bravo.
Trained by Kentucky-based Jonathan Thomas, Selenaia finished 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.18 while making her first stakes appearance.
Breaking sharply, Selenaia was fourth under a snug hold, about 4½ lengths off of trainer Bob Baffert's speedy Fast and Shiny as the field crossed the finish line for the first time. Fourth by a similar margin heading to the far turn, she pulled Bravo to the fore midway around the turn, made the lead a quarter mile from home, and fairly sprinted to the wire under a hand ride in a most impressive Southern California debut.
“I've never been on her before, (but) I've seen her replays,” said Bravo. “Jonathan gave me a big heads up on her today and she broke away from there and was in control about it all. I really didn't want to make the move down the backside. Man, she stretched out across the wire so beautifully.
“Jonathan just has her (on the improve). She just keeps getting better. I'm excited to see what more she has in store.”
A one-mile maiden turf winner two starts back on Sept. 24 at the Meadowlands, Selenaia rallied for a 1¾-length win in one-mile allowance at Horseshoe Indianapolis on May 10. In steady training at Keeneland since her last start, Selenaia was off as the 5-2 second choice Saturdsy and paid $7.60.
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables LLC, Selenaia has three from four career starts. With the Honeymoon's winner's share of $60,000, her lifetime earnings increased to $106,230.
“It's a big relief that she got it done,” said Emmet Jolley, assistant to Thomas. “We were very confident coming into the race today that she would do well, but it was a step up. She did great, (the) distance was the question. Joe said when he got off that she would go further, so lots of options on the table. We will enjoy today and go from there.”
Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Broadway Girls, forwardly placed throughout, was second best on the day, finishing 2¼ lengths in front of race favorite Paris Secret.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Irish-bred Paris Secret never threatened for the win or place but outfinished pacesetter Fast and Shiny by a half length for third.
Fractions on the race were :23.47, :47.40, 1:12.12 and 1:35.92.
Selenaia, who was bred by D. G. Iceton, is out of the Declaration of War mare Dettoria. Cataloged in Book 2 of the 2021 Tattersalls October yearling sale and offered by Baroda Stud, she sold to her connections for $121,281.
The post Selenaia Ships In For Honeymoon, Scores In Stakes Debut appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Arcangelo Proves Best in Belmont Stakes to Give Trainer Antonucci History-Making Win
Ticker Tape Home Dominates Fury Stakes
Live Oak Plantation's Ticker Tape Home took the early lead and then toyed with her rivals en route to top prize in the $125,000 Fury Stakes on Saturday at Woodbine.
After tackling some tough rivals in a pair of stakes in Florida earlier in the year, Ticker Tape Home looked right at home in her return to Woodbine, as she thoroughly dominated eight foes in the seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies foaled in Canada.
Under Patrick Husbands, the dark bay daughter of Medaglia d'Oro glided out of the gate and seized control in the opening jumps and held a 1½-length advantage after an opening quarter in :23.13. Ticker Tape Home was still running comfortably and was a half-length in front after a half-mile in :45.83 with plenty left in the tank turning for home.
At the head of the lane, it was simply a question of how much the Mark Casse trainee would win by, with the answer coming in the form of a four-length triumph in a time of 1:22.15. Elysian Field and Me and My Shadow, finished second and third, respectively, to complete the Casse trifecta.
“She was really going into this race good,” said Husbands. “She ran a tough race (an eighth in the Suncoast Stakes on February 11 at Tampa Bay Downs). Then she came back here, and I got on her about five times, and she came into this race really good.”
Ticker Tape Home, who arrived at the Fury off a seventh in the Florida Oaks (G3) on March 11, is now 2-2-0 from eight starts.
After a second in her career bow last July at Woodbine, Ticker Tape Home took to the Saratoga turf for her next two tries, finishing eighth and fifth. She returned to the Toronto oval and proceeded to break her maiden courtesy of a 9 ¾-length win over seven furlongs on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course in October.
“She went into this race good and she's developing as a nice filly,” praised Husbands.
For Casse, it was his seventh Fury win. The dual hall of famer teamed with Live Oak and Husbands to sweep last Saturday's pair of graded stakes at Woodbine, the Royal North (G2T) with Our Flash Drive and the Belle Mahone (G3) with Souper Hoity Toity.
Sent off as the 8-5 choice, Ticker Tape Home returned $5.30 for the win.
Elysian Field, Me and My Shadow, Tito's Calling, Fashionably Fab, Speed Trap, Canadiansweetheart, Anam Cara and Courtly Ro rounded out the field.
Bred in Ontario by Sam-Son Farm, Ticker Tape Home was produced by the War Front mare Journey Home, a Grade 3 winner. Offered by her breeder at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale, Live Oak purchased her for $625,000.
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