Tag: Racing

WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.'s Falconet notched her first stakes victory, pouncing from off the pace in Sunday's $150,000 Ladies, a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares that is the first stakes of the 2023 winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher and ridden by Jose Lezcano, Falconet improved from a last-out fourth-place finish in the Comely (G3) on November 25 at the Big A where she stumbled at the start and ran on to be defeated just 2 1/2 lengths by Sixtythreecaliber.

Falconet fared much better in the Ladies, breaking well from the outermost post 5 as Exotic West and the Kendrick Carmouche-piloted Battle Bling, who won this event last year, vied for command to her inside. The former put her head in front as the field reached the first turn and marked an opening quarter-mile in 23.47 seconds over the muddy and sealed main track with Falconet stalking in third position.

Lezcano asked Falconet for more down the backstretch, coming to even terms with Battle Bling to her inside after a half-mile in 47.84, well in hand and full of run as Exotic West continued to hold steady in front. Battle Bling came under light urging from Carmouche in the turn as Sweet Willemina and Tonal Vision launched wide bids from the back of the pack, but Falconet came away with the clear advantage as the field reached the top of the stretch through three-quarters in 1:13.52.

Battle Bling, who was swung to the four-path by Carmouche, battled on valiantly down the lane to overtake second position from Tonal Vision and chipped away at her foe's margin, but could not catch a runaway Falconet, who was wrapped up just before the wire to post the two-length score in a final time of 1:52.15.

Battle Bling completed the exacta by three lengths over Sweet Willemina, who ran on well to land show honors 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Tonal Vision. Exotic West faded in the stretch and completed the order of finish in fifth.

Byron Hughes, Pletcher's Belmont Park-based assistant, said he was pleased with the ride from Lezcano.

“I thought he did a good job keeping her in the clear and getting her in a good rhythm,” said Hughes. “She responded to him and was able to kick there coming off the turn and held on.”

Lezcano, who rode Falconet for the first time, said the filly showed her class today.

“She broke good for me and she was there the whole way,” Lezcano said. “When I asked her, she went on and won the race. She did everything right today.”

Falconet, a 4-year-old filly by Uncle Mo and out of Grade 1 winner Birdatthewire, by Summer Bird, entered with two runner-up efforts in stakes company as a sophomore, posting good efforts in the Iowa Oaks (G3) at Prairie Meadows and Seneca Overnight at Churchill Downs. Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, she banked $82,500 in victory and improved her record to 3-3-0 from seven career starts. She returned $4.20 for a $2 win ticket.

The Rob Atras-trained Battle Bling took a three-race win streak into the Go for Wand (G3) on December 3 at the Big A where she was bumped at the break and finished eighth. Atras said it was good to see Battle Bling deliver an admirable performance in her first start back despite a tough trip.

“Kendrick said she doesn't really love that track, but she was more herself today,” Atras said. “Kendrick said she warmed up real good and she kept running. I think the traffic didn't help, but I was happy just to get her back.”

Carmouche, who rode the daughter of Vancouver to a graded score two starts back in the Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm Handicap, shared Atras' sentiments.

“I was saving ground and sitting in there the whole race,” said Carmouche. “If I could have got out a little earlier, I probably could have made a race of it but Lezcano had me blocked in the whole way.

“My filly ran a good race,” Carmouche added. “She really don't like the sloppy track, but we got her back to where she was and ran really well. We're really pleased with that.”

The post ‘She Was There The Whole Way’: Falconet Cruises To First Stakes Victory In Ladies At Aqueduct appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Christophe Clement-trained stablemates City Man and Decorated Invader will be pointed to the $1-million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park following their respective 1-2 finish in Saturday's Fort Lauderdale (G2).

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Peter and Patty Searles' City Man got a patient ride from jockey Joel Rosario to find room inside late and surge to a 1 ½-length victory, while West Point Thoroughbreds, William Freeman, William Sandbrook, and Cheryl Manning's Decorated Invader emerged from a three-way photo to get second by a neck.

The Fort Lauderdale serves as Gulfstream's local prep for the Pegasus Turf for 4-year-olds and up. Both races are contested at 1 1/8 miles.

“The two horses came back in good shape and looked good to me this morning,” Clement said Sunday. “We'll speak to the owners, but the idea would be to train them for the Pegasus.”

Now 6, City Man's win was his eighth career stakes win and third in a row following back-to-back stakes victories over fellow New York-breds at Aqueduct. He earned his first graded triumph last summer in the Forbidden Apple (G3) at Saratoga.

“He had some very good races [last] year and we just hope we can keep his form for one more race,” Clement said. “The idea is to run in the Pegasus then we'll pull the plug, send him to Ocala, and give him a break afterward.”

Co-owner Dean Reeves was excited about City Man's performance, both as a prelude to the Pegasus and as a tribute to his sire, Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Mucho Macho Man, who Reeves also campaigned.

“We were thrilled. It's just such a satisfying win and I'm just so proud of City Man and of course his stallion,” he said. “It's a double win for me.”

Reeves praised both Rosario – aboard for 17 of City Man's 26 starts including seven of his nine wins – and Team Clement for their contributions to City Man's success.

“They do such a great job. They'll have him ready for the Pegasus. There was always [talk about] the race in Dubai, but I think we'll just stay right here. They've got the track in great shape The turf course, they've done a nice job with that. Right now we'll just come on back and run in the Pegasus,” Reeves said. “Joel is just a consummate professional. His ability, he just moves your horse up. You've just got a heck of a shot when he's on your horse.”

Decorated Invader had to overcome drawing the outermost post in a full field of 12 but was put into contention right away by jockey Tyler Gaffalione pressing 34-1 long shot pacesetter Winfromwithin and still there at the end.

It was the fourth race this year for the 6-year-old Decorated Invader since coming back Sept. 24 at Pimlico after 16 months between starts. He won the 2019 Summer (G1) at Woodbine as a juvenile in his stakes debut and won three more stakes in 2020 – the Cutler Bay at Gulfstream, Pennine Ridge (G2) at Belmont Park and National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) at Saratoga.

“I thought he ran very well because he had the terrible post. It was very encouraging. Let's not forget he was a very nice 2-year-old. It took me a while to get his form back but I loved the race yesterday,” Clement said. “As long as both horses are doing well and training well, hopefully we'll be able to run them in the Pegasus.”

The Fort Lauderdale was just the third time Decorated Invader had gone as far as 1 1/8 miles, also the distance of his Hall of Fame victory.

“Everybody is just thrilled. It was a tough post, but we just couldn't be happier with the ride Tyler gave him and the fight he showed down the lane, because they went pretty quick,” said West Point Executive Vice President Tom Bellhouse. “It was really the dynamic of being forwardly placed and his tactical speed. It's an element I think he's always had but he always had such a powerful kick that he just kind of did his own thing before.

“I think everybody was thrilled with the way he ran and I think that dynamic will keep him competitive in a lot of big races,” he added. “We always thought all along that if we could compete at a high level in the Fort Lauderdale that the Pegasus would be on the horizon.”

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said following the Fort Lauderdale that he would train sixth-place finisher Colonel Liam with the Pegasus Turf in mind. Colonel Liam won the Pegasus Turf in 2021 and 2022, and the race Saturday was his first since running ninth in the Dubai Turf last March.

The post Clement Stablemates City Man, Decorated Invader, 1-2 In Fort Lauderdale, Could Face Off In Pegasus Turf appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Dublin Fjord Stables, Racepoint Stables, Kevin D. Hilbert and Thomas E. O'Keefe's multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Drafted, who turned 9-years-old with the New Year, earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure for his gutsy nose score in the Gravesend on Friday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by David Duggan, the gray son of Field Commission will now turn his attention to a title defense in the Toboggan (G3) on Jan. 28 at the Big A.

Drafted closed out his 8-year-old campaign in dramatic fashion, flying from last-of-five in the six-furlong Gravesend to nip the stakes-winning Laurel Park shipper Little Vic by a nose at the wire under a well-timed ride from Luis Rodriguez Castro. He defeated a short but talented field that included graded stakes-winner Morello and multiple stakes-placed Three Two Zone after the original field of 12 was reduced to a quintet of runners due to scratches.

“Even though it scratched down to a short field, there were some key runners in there,” said Duggan. “Morello is solid and Little Vic is solid, so it wasn't like they were getting rid of the dead weight. Obviously, we were worried about the pace, but we got a decent enough pace. He showed up.”

The Gravesend was the fourth stakes victory of the year for Drafted, who also notched graded scores in the aforementioned Toboggan and the Runhappy (G3) at Belmont Park, as well as the Mr. Prospector at Monmouth Park.

Duggan said Drafted has shown heart throughout the year despite a handful of tough races when fifth in both the Carter Handicap (G1) at the Big A and the Forego (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

“He's come back just fine and we just play the hand we're dealt,” said Duggan. “We over-faced a little in two or three of his races this year, but there wasn't a whole lot of options. You always worry how that affects the older horses, but it didn't affect him.”

Drafted first arrived in Duggan's care in late 2020, shipping in from the barn of trainer Doug Watson after competing in Dubai from December 2017 to February 2020. Upon Drafted's arrival, Arturo Parada, a longtime groom for Duggan, was tasked with caring for the seasoned gelding. Parada, who formerly worked for trainer Nick Zito, came to work for Duggan 17 years ago when he decided to stay in New York instead of moving to Florida.

While Parada cares for a handful of Duggan's trainees, he said Drafted holds a special place in his heart.

“He's super,” said Parada. “When I come in the morning, he's very nice and he's very quiet. I take care of five horses, but this one I spend more time with. He's nine, but he doesn't act it. He's perfect.”

Parada said some fine tuning and patience has allowed Drafted to reach his full potential this year.

“Oh my goodness,” said Parada, with a laugh. “When this horse came here, he didn't want his blanket and was scared of everything, so I spent a lot of time working with him. He didn't like the bridle we were using, but we switched the bridle and he's so much better now.”

Duggan, who manages his stable with his life, Lara, said Parada has not only become a key part of his training operation, but of his family as well.

“He just showed up one morning and was fantastic,” Duggan said, with a laugh. “He's like our adopted son. He's been as good and reliable as Drafted.”

The post ‘He’s Super’: Nine-Year-Old Drafted In Fine Fettle For 2023 Campaign appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Unhurried early, Tina and Jerry Moss's Lady T came running late to take Saturday's $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) under Victor Espinoza.

Trained by John Shirreffs, Lady T got six furlongs in 1:09.65 over a Santa Anita main track that was listed as fast.

Fifth and on the move midway around the turn, Lady T was about 3 ½ lengths off of dueling leaders Doris Mae and Manorelli approaching the quarter pole. Four-deep turning for home, Lady T outran favored Samurai Charm to the sixteenth pole and overtook the front-runners close home to win going away.

“I think the race set up better for her today,” said Espinoza, who has been aboard for 10 of Lady T's 11 starts. “Having the outside post helped her a lot. She can be a little complicated, so things have to go her way or if not, then she doesn't perform as she should.

“She a little funny because she looks at everything, she sees everything more than I do or anyone else. Sometimes she has a bad habit of wanting to go out and (she) starts lugging out. And when that happens, it is hard for me to control her. Today, from the outside post, I didn't have to do much with her, just let her run.”

A 3-year-old filly by Into Mischief, Lady T, who was second, beaten a nose in a six furlong allowance Nov. 27 at Del Mar, was off at 2-1 in field of eight fillies and mares three and up and paid $6.80 for the win.

Purchased for $235,000 as a Keeneland September Yearling, Lady T, who was second in the Summertime Oaks (G2) going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita four starts back on June 12, got her first stakes victory Saturday and is now 11-2-6-0 overall. With the winner's share of $60,000, she has earnings of $229,700.

“This is a great way to end the year and this is a nice filly,” said Shirreffs. “We really like this filly and maybe we found out what she wants to do. We've tried her two turns and today, it looked like she did this very well. Yes, we'll keep her sprinting for now. Victor gave her a great ride, he's patient with her and saved the best for last.”

In a huge effort, Manorelli dueled from the outset with Doris Mae but couldn't hold off the winner late, finishing second by a half length over her pace nemesis.

Doris Mae finished 1 ¼ lengths in front of Samurai Charm, who appeared fourth-best on the day.

Fractions on the race were :21.97, :44.26. and 56.79.

LAS FLORES (G3) STAKES QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES
VICTOR ESPINOZA, LADY T, WINNER: “I think the race set up better for her today. Having the outside post helped her a lot. She can be a little complicated, so things have to go her way, if not then she doesn't perform as she should. Today she seemed like it worked out well.

“She's a little funny because she looks at everything, she sees everything more than I do or anyone else. Sometimes she has a bad habit of wanting to go out and starts lugging out, and when that happens it is hard for me to control her. Today from the outside post, I didn't have to do much with her, just let her run.

“Thank you and Happy New Year to Tina and Mr. Moss, we had a great run this year and looking forward to next year.”

TRAINER QUOTES
JOHN SHIRREFFS, LADY T, WINNER: “This is great way to end the year and this is a nice filly. We really like this filly and maybe we found out what she wants to do. We've tried her two turns and today, it looked like she did this very well. Yes, we'll keep her sprinting for now. Victor gave her a great ride, he was patient with her and saved the best for last.”

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