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Trio Of Recent Stakes Winners Converge In 12-Horse Field For Turfway’s Wintergreen

The entry box was overfilled for Saturday's 37th running of the $125,000 Wintergreen Stakes at Turfway Park where recent local stakes winners Bella Conchita, Kate's Kingdom and Opening Buzz were entered to face nine rivals in the extremely competitive one-mile contest.

The Wintergreen Stakes was carded as Race 5 of 8 on Saturday's program with a post time of 7:55 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 5:55 p.m.

One of the likely favorites in the Wintergreen is Tommy Town Thoroughbreds' Opening Buzz, who is a perfect 2-for-2 over the Florence, Ky. oval with victories in a third-level allowance contest on Dec. 1 and the $125,000 Wishing Well Stakes on Jan. 28. Trained by Jonathan Wong, Opening Buzz has yet to compete at a distance greater than seven furlongs. However, the 4-year-old California-bred has shown versatility in her six lifetime starts. In her debut on June 11 at Golden Gate Fields, Opening Buzz broke her maiden in front-running fashion and in her last two efforts the daughter of Stanford tracked from more than five lengths off the early pace. Opening Buzz will be ridden by Walter Rodriguez and break from post No. 3.

Among her competitors in the Wintergreen is Dixiana Farms' $125,000 Likely Exchange Stakes heroine Bella Conchita. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Bella Conchita upset the field of 11 fillies and mares at odds of 16-1 in the Likley Exchange, the local prep for the Wintergreen. The 5-year-old daughter of Kitten's Joy will be ridden by Rafael Hernandez from post 8.

Stephen Screnci, Deters Company and Frank Taylor, et al.'s Kate's Kingdom will attempt to avenge her last-out defeat to Bella Conchita. A 5-year-old mare by former Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Animal Kingdom, Kate's Kingdom was the even-money favorite in the Likely Exchange when Bella Conchita defeated her by seven lengths. Previously, Kate's Kingdom rallied from more than five lengths off the early pace to win the Dec. 11, $125,000 My Charmer Stakes. Jockey Jack Gilligan will have the return mount in the Wintergreen from post 7.

Other top entrants in the Wintergreen field include Don't Tell My Wife Stables and Keith Desormeaux's $250,000 Bourbonette Oaks winner Candy Raid and Agave Racing Stable and Living The Dream Stables' former Grade 3 winner Burgoo Alley (IRE).

Here is the complete field for the Wintergreen from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

Grand Ave Girl (Luan Machado, Kenny McPeek);
Candy Raid (Jose Riquelme, Keith Desormeaux);
Opening Buzz (Rodriguez, Wong);
Tap Dancing Lady (David Haldar, Ron Kahles);
Purrfect (Fernando De La Cruz, Stidham);
Mejthaam (Abel Lezcano, Jimmy Corrigan);
Kate's Kingdom (Gilligan, Walden);
Bella Conchita (Hernandez, DeVaux);
Burgoo Alley (IRE) (Chris Landeros, Mike Maker);
Maybe Later (Santiago Gonzalez, Bill Morey);
Guana Cay (Manny Esquivel, Eric Foster);
Charges Dropped (Joe Talamo, Michael McCarthy).

Also-Eligibles: Bali Belle (Fernando De La Cruz, Gerardo Rodriguez); Fair Game (Declan Cannon, Vicki Oliver).

Fans can watch and wager every race from Turfway Park on www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Inc.

Racing will continue Wednesday-Saturday from Turfway Park with a first post of 5:55 p.m. For more information and to make dining reservations, visit www.TurfwayPark.com.

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‘We’re Happy’: Taiba, Country Grammer Settling In Well Ahead Of Saudi Cup

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia released the following notes on Wednesday in preparation for its flagship event, the $20 million Saudi Cup on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.

Cafe Pharoah (JPN) – Last year's best dirt horse in Japan, Cafe Pharoah, galloped for 800m with his race rider Joao Moreira. Naoto Suzuki, assistant to trainer Noriyuki Hori, was satisfied after watching the breeze, saying: “He had a good gallop as we planned. Joao told me he was stretching his legs well towards the finish and he still had plenty of energy. I might take him for a paddock schooling tomorrow but all options are open to him.”

Country Grammer (USA) and Taiba (USA) – The Bob Baffert-trained duo of Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer and triple Grade 1 winner Taiba each had an easy day on Wednesday. Owned fully or in part by Zedan Racing, the pair will seek to make principal owner Amr Zedan the first to win both the Dubai World Cup and The Saudi Cup.

“They are going well and we're happy,” said assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes. “We just jogged today on the training track, which is close to the barn. We will go to the main track on Thursday.”

Baffert also sends out Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman's Havnameltdown on Saturday, hoping to win a second consecutive Saudi Derby presented by Boutique Group after Pinehurst's success in 2022. The San Vicente Stakes winner did the same as his stablemates on Wednesday. All three breezed on Monday and tack-walked on Tuesday.

Crown Pride (JPN) – Koichi Shintani's Crown Pride had a gallop on the dirt track under jockey Yuga Kawada.

Masafumi Matsuda, assistant trainer to Shintani said: “Although Yuga is not riding him in The Saudi Cup, he was happy to help us in breezing him. After riding Yuga told me Crown Pride responded well to rider's direction and he also was handling the surface very well.”

Emblem Road (USA) and Scotland Yard (USA) – The pair were once again among the first horses to appear at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Wednesday morning. The Mitab Almulawah-trained pair are prominent in the thoughts of locals and continued their preparations with trackwork at 3am.

“We are very happy with both horses, they are both in good condition. Emblem Road was very good when he won last month and that was a perfect race for him as we didn't want to start him in a Group race as we want to protect our horse for the big races. Last time when he won he was maybe 90 per cent, but now he is amazing! He is still our favorite for sure,” stable representative Hisham Abdulwahed said.

“Last year we had Making Miracles and Emblem Road and Making Miracles finished fourth and ran a very good race but for us Emblem Road was always the favorite.

“Scotland Yard's homework from the very beginning has always impressed us so much and he is a beautiful horse. He came here about five months ago and he has been amazing since then.”

Geoglyph (JPN) – Galloped for 1000m on the dirt track.

“He travelled well and is getting familiarised with the new surroundings. I am glad he is in good form and has been the same as what he was at home. We will see how he is and decide tomorrow's training plan,” trainer Tetsuya Kimura said.

Jun Light Bolt (JPN) – Jun Light Bolt started his career as a turf horse but switched to dirt last summer. Having only four starts on dirt since then, he has won three races including the Grade 3 Sirius Stakes and Grade 1 Champions Cup, an automatic qualifying race for The Saudi Cup.

Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said: “After the Champions Cup last December, he had a short break at Northern Farm and came back to my barn in mid-January. Since then I have been tuning him up towards The Saudi Cup by giving him weekly fast work. His last gallop before leaving home was extremely satisfactory. I only needed some conditioning work here before the race and he did it this morning. Ryan Moore is going to ride him this week to have a first-time contact with the horse.”

Panthalassa (JPN) – Internationally-minded trainer Yoshito Yahagi was on hand to see Panthalassa breeze with his two stablemates Bathlat Leon, a runner in the 1351 Turf Sprint presented by stc, and Continuar, who goes for the Saudi Derby presented by Boutique Group, on the dirt track under his assistant, Yusaku Oka.

“He is a very good traveller. He handled the long trip from Japan without any issue this time as well and seems to be enjoying his stay in Saudi Arabia,” Yahagi said.

“He ran on dirt one time in Japan in his career but did not finish well. However, as the dirt surface is very different here at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, I have no worries. Competing in The Saudi Cup, for me, is a great opportunity to win the biggest money in the world.”

Remorse (IRE) – Al Rashid Stables' contender made his first appearance on the track on Wednesday morning, having an easy hack around the 2000m dirt course under assistant trainer Caroline Seemar, wife to reigning UAE champion conditioner, Bhupat.

The six-year-old gelded son of Dubawi arrived on Tuesday afternoon with banner-mate Freedom Fighter, who contests the Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Sports Boulevard.

On the circuit, Freedom Fighter was given about eight lengths lead on Remorse, while neither were under any urging.

“Both shipped over really well,” Caroline Seemar said. “We took them over to the main track and just let them get a feel for it. They worked a day before shipping and both are fresh and happy. They did an easy hack around there, going about 10 furlongs [2000m], and Remorse seemed to really like the track.”

Sunset Flash (IRE) and Lagertha Rhyme (IRE) – “We have had the same kind of routine and preparation with my mares,” trainer Naif Almindeel said.

“No problems, very happy and calm. They have had great careers for us in Saudi Arabia and it is a tremendous honour to have runners in the world's most valuable race.”

Vin de Garde (JPN) – Worked for one and a half laps on the dirt track and galloped for 800m under jockey Yuichi Fukunaga.

“He looks very well and worked beautifully today. The jockey said that the dirt track was very cushioned and seems to be suitable to him,” Kazuo Fujiwara, assistant to trainer Hideaki Fujiwara, said.

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Angel of Empire Ascends in Latest Poll of Kentucky Derby Hopefuls

Each week, members of the national media vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll. Week 4 of the 2023 NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the (NTRA) covers racing performances through Feb. 20, 2023. The 3-year-old poll represents horses competing up to and through the Triple Crown. Rankings are based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-1 voting system. First place votes are in parentheses.

Fourth Straight Stakes Win: Oeuvre Goes All The Way In Mardi Gras

Richard Perkins's homebred Oeuvre led at every call in the 79th running of the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes to rack up her third stakes win of the meet at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and her fourth in a row dating back to the Powerless at Hawthorne. The 4-year-old Illinois-bred beat seven older fillies and mares by 1 1/2 lengths.

Piloted by Jareth Loveberry and trained by Chris Block, Oeuvre completed 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.76 over the “firm” Stall Wilson Turf Course with the rail remaining 34 feet out.

“It's all her (Oeuvre),” Block said. “She's mature and has come into her own. She's really confident and she relaxes nicely. I didn't give Jareth (Loveberry) any instructions. I just told him good luck and have some fun out there. Congratulations to Mr. Perkins and thank you so much for putting her in our barn.”

Breaking sharpest in the Mardi Gras was Perfect Happiness, but Oeuvre took command in the early stages to set opening fractions of :22.64 and :47.75. Tracking three-wide was New Boss, who swung into the 7 path in the homestretch to pass Perfect Happiness and assume the role of Oeuvre's main threat. Goin' Good followed New Boss and both charged home on the outside willingly but could not make up the open-length advantage Oeuvre had built. New Boss finished second by 1 1/2 lengths over Goin' Good. It was another 1 length back to Astute.

“There was a little bit more speed to her outside today,” Loveberry said. “She broke comfortably and I didn't want to get shuffled back too much with the 3 (Astute) sitting inside of me, so I used her a little bit on the backside. She's able to shut off really easily now as she's getting more mature and relaxed. When we hit the turn and she switched leads, she dropped the bit and gave me the breath to finish up strong down the lane.”

Perfect Happiness, Miner's Queen, Minute Waltz, and Aboukir Bay completed the order of finish.

Oeuvre was sent off the 7-5 favorite and returned $4.80. $3.20, and $2.40. In equaling Surveillance with her third stakes score of the meet, she boosted her career record to 16-10-3-2 and earnings to $473,126.

Racing resumes at Fair Grounds on Thursday, Feb. 23 with a 1:15 p.m. CT first post. Scheduled to be contested on Saturday, February 25 are the inaugural runnings of the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion of the Year Half Ours Stakes at 1 mile 70 yards and the $75,000 Louisiana Broodmare of the Year Buttercup's Song Stakes at one mile – both written for 3-year-old Louisiana-breds and named for two of the great producing influences in Louisiana's breeding history. Written for fillies, the Buttercup's Song is slated as Race 6 with a 3:15 p.m. post time. For males, the Half Hours will go as Race 7 at 4:15 p.m.

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