Tag: Racing

Godolphin's multiple graded stakes winner Wet Paint is set for her return to racing following her fourth-place finish as the favorite in last month's Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) when she faces fan favorite Hoosier Philly in Saturday's second running of the $175,000 Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes at Ellis Park.

A compact field of six 3-year-old fillies entered the one-mile Monomoy Girl, which will have a post time of 4:11 p.m. (CT) as Race 8. First post for the 10-race program is 12:50 p.m. and will also feature the inaugural running of the Chorleywood Overnight Stakes in Race 9.

Wet Paint is the most accomplished filly entered for the Monomoy Girl, having won four of seven lifetime starts. Her resume includes victories in the Honeybee Stakes (G3), Fantasy Stakes (G3) and Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn.

Trained by Brad Cox, who also conditioned the race's namesake Monomoy Girl, Wet Paint rallied from seven lengths off the early pace on the Kentucky Oaks but finished three lengths behind winner Pretty Mischievous. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione was named to ride the Blame filly for the first time and the duo will break from the rail.

Gold Standard Racing Stable's Hoosier Philly is expected to have several of her Hoosier State connections making the short drive across the river to Henderson, Ky. for the Monomoy Girl.

Trained by Tom Amoss, Hoosier Philly burst into stardom as a 2-year-old when she impressively won the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs. The gray daughter of Into Mischief returned to Fair Grounds in February but only managed a third and fourth place finish, respectively, in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) and Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). When she didn't qualify for the Kentucky Oaks, Amoss sent Hoosier Philly to Pimlico, where she ran a game second behind Taxed in the Black Eyed Susan (G2. Regular rider Edgar Morales will be back in the saddle and break from post No. 4.

The field for the Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

1. Wet Paint (Tyler Gaffalione, Brad Cox)

2. Flamand (James Graham, Elias Lopez)

3. Never Tell Patti (Rafael Bejarano, Eric Reed)

4. Hoosier Philly (Edgar Morales, Tom Amoss)

5. Champagne Calling (Julien Leparoux, Ian Wilkes)

6. Sabra Tuff (Rey Gutierrez, Dallas Stewart)

The post Kentucky Oaks Favorite Wet Paint Set For Return In Monomoy Girl Overnight appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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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.

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