Tag: Racing

Irish-bred Balnikhov deftly wove through traffic in the stretch, then came flying on the outside to catch front-runner Wit late and win the $300,000 Bryan Station (G3) for 3-year-old turf runners Saturday at Keeneland.

With Tyler Gaffalione aboard for trainer Phil D'Amato, Balnikhov came from next to last in the 12-horse field and scored by a neck while covering one mile in 1:35.48 on a fast track. He retuned $15.28.

Wit, the 2-1 favorite, hung on for second, and was a half length to the good of third-place finisher Axthelm.

Belmont Derby (G1) winner Classic Causeway dictated the early pace, leading through six furlongs in 1:11.87 but was swamped in the final furlong and finished sixth.

A son of Adaay owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, and Old Bones Racing Stable LLC,, Balnikhov began his career in France before notching his first U.S. win and first stakes victory in the Oceanside Stakes July 22 at Del Mar. He was a creditable fourth in the Del Mar Derby (G2) Sept. 3 in his start prior to the Bryan Station. He was ready to race Saturday and broke through for his first graded win with a gutsy performance.

Balnikhov, whose dam is the First Defence mare Leeward, has an overall record of 5-3-2 from 14 starts and $398,343 in earnings. His record includes a runner-up finish in the American Turf (G2) in May at Churchill Downs after finishing second in the listed Singletary Stakes April 2 at Santa Anita in his U.S. debut.

BRYAN STATION (G3) QUOTES

Billy Koch (of Little Red Feather Racing, co-owner of winner Balnikhov): “(Jockey) Tyler (Gaffalione) did an amazing job. That was a crazy ride. I haven't even watched the replay, but I know he was buried down on the rail. It got a little nerve-wracking, but then I saw once he got clear – he has that big turn of foot. Congratulations to (co-owner) Madaket (Stables) and Sol (Kumin of Madaket), Andrew Molasky (of co-owner Old Bones Racing Stable) – I know he's watching too. And (trainer) Phil (D'Amato), what an incredible job. Special thanks to (trainer) Chris Davis, who helped us out while we were here. Incredible ride by Tyler. To all the Little Red Feather (Racing) partners out there, congratulations. Listen, any day at Keeneland is amazing. The weather's been beautiful and the people here are so nice and so gracious. So any win at Keeneland is special, but to win a race like this is really special.”

Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider): “I want to thank the connections for this opportunity. That was a lot of fun to ride. Also (California-based jockey) Umberto Rispoli (who rode Balnikhov at Del Mar in his previous two races) – he helped me out a lot, telling me how to ride the horse. It worked out well. Man, he's got some turn of foot. All I had to do was find space. I was wanting to get out but they were fanning out. A spot opened up inside and I followed Joel (Rosario on Ready to Purrform) and I was able to find some room.”

Jose Ortiz (rider of runner-up Wit): “Horse had a great run. We hit the quarter pole and I was just waiting, and I was able to wait as long as I wanted to. When I asked him to go, he just ran really nicely. The last couple jumps the horse (Balnikhov) came running and beat us. I think my horse ran a very good race and I had no problem with my trip. It was perfect.”

The post Balnikhov Captures Bryan Stakes With Gutsy Stretch Run appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Trainer Norman Cash and Lola Cash's Double Crown wheeled back off just one week's rest to post a 42-1 upset victory in Saturday's Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso Handicap for 3-year-olds and up traveling a one-turn mile at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet.

Piloted to victory by J.D. Acosta, Double Crown stunned the field of six with a rallying effort from 2 1/2 lengths off the pace to give Cash the first graded stakes win of his career. It was also the first graded victory for the son of Bourbon Courage, who previously earned two placings in 2020 at the sprint distance when third in the Grade 3 Smile Sprint at Gulfstream Park and runner-up to Grade 1 winner Yaupon in the Grade 3 Chick Lang at Pimlico Race Course.

“It's a first graded stakes win for the boss, Mr. Cash, who is a great guy to work for,” said Jay Libertini, assistant to Cash. “He had a death in the family, so he couldn't be here. We all love Mr. Cash and his family, and we're excited for him.”

Double Crown emerged well from post 5 and settled towards the rear of the field as Empty Tomb skimmed the rail to lead the compact field through an opening quarter-mile in :24.32 over the fast going. Post time favorite Baby Yoda, with Hall of Famer Javier Castellano up, rushed up on the outside to challenge for the lead with Shackqueenking on even terms to his inside through a half-mile in :48.60.

Shackqueenking and Empty Tomb matched strides approaching the turn while Baby Yoda was asked for more from Castellano and engulfed his rivals to take charge after three-quarters in 1:13.11. With Baby Yoda appearing to draw clear down the stretch, Double Crown went wide and rallied strongly under urging from Acosta, chipping away at Baby Yoda's margin before finally inching clear just past the sixteenth pole to win by 1 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:37.16.

Baby Yoda held second 8 1/4 lengths ahead of Shackqueenking with Empty Tomb another 1 1/4 lengths back. Morello, who stumbled at the start, and Title Ready completed the order of finish.

It was the sixth graded win for Acosta, who said he felt confident in his horse.

“I saw Javier stay wide and he had the best horse. So, when he made the move, I was able to follow him down the stretch and then put him on the outside,” said Acosta. “I felt like I had plenty of horse and I thought I was going to win.

“At the eighth-pole, I thought I was going to get it,” Acosta added. “I looked back and I was hoping no one else was going to catch us and when I asked my horse, he took off and he was strong.”

The 5-year-old Double Crown was haltered by Cash for $40,000 out of a close runner-up effort going one mile in June at Churchill Downs. He arrived at the Kelso on the heels of a fourth-place finish one week ago in the Maryland Millions Classic at Laurel Park where he was bumped at the start and forced four-wide in the turn before flattening out down the stretch.

Libertini said Double Crown has been a special part of the barn.

“This horse, we claimed for $40,000 and has done nothing wrong for us,” said Libertini. “He's had a couple of strong seconds. We really thought last weekend in the Maryland Million Classic that he was going to win. He got a bad trip, and he was hung wide. We thought he'd be second in the stretch, but he got bumped and flattened out to fourth. He came out of the race really well, so I asked the boss, 'Where do you want to go with him?' ”

Acosta said a cleaner trip made the difference for Double Crown.

“I had a perfect trip. I ended up being wide,” said Acosta. “Last time, this horse got bumped really hard, so the trainer told me don't get in trouble. He broke fast and I was between horses and I thought, 'I don't want to get in trouble.'”

The Kelso was the 12th start of the year for Double Crown, adding to an optional claiming win on August 8 at Colonial Downs and a runner-up finish in the Polynesian on September 24 at Pimlico. His other two stakes victories came as a sophomore in the Roar and Carry Back at Gulfstream.

Bred in Maryland by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowman and Rebecca Davis, the consistent Double Crown's record now stands at 24-6-8-1 with total purse earnings of $548,265. He returned $86.50 for a $2 win wager and banked $165,000 in victory.

Castellano said Baby Yoda, who Acosta had ridden to victory on debut for a $10,000 tag, was simply second best.

“My horse ran a good race. When I asked him, he responded,” Castellano said. “Unfortunately, the other horse finished really strong.”

The Kelso awarded the top-four finishers a free nomination and starting fee in the Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile slated for December 3 at the Big A.

The post Double Crown, Trainer Cash Tally First Graded Wins With 42-1 Kelso Upset appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Lea Farms' Super Chow led at every point of call and sailed unchallenged to a five-length triumph in the $200,000 Bowman Mill Stakes for 2-year-olds Saturday at Keeneland.

The Lord Nelson colt sprinted to the early lead and easily repelled mild challenges on the home turn, then shook clear to the decisive win under Chantal Sutherland.

Super Chow finished the six-furlong test in 1:12.06 on a track rated as fast. He returned $10.96.

Super Chow opened clear advantage from the start, leading by 1 1/2 lengths from favorite Sir Lancelot through an opening quarter in :22.50 and a half mile in :46.27. Bourbon Bash, tracking from fourth, then third, attempted a challenge entering the stretch, but could not run with the winner and finished second, 1 3/4 lengths in front of Raise Cain, who rallied from last of six to take the show spot. Sir Lancelot tried to bid between rivals on the home turn but tired to finish fourth.

Super Chow won his career debut this summer at Saratoga, where he was subsequently third in the Saratoga Special (G3). He rebounded to win an allowance optional claiming contest in front-running fashion Sept. 10 at Pimlico in his start prior to Saturday's dominant performance.

Trained by Jorge Delgado, Super Chow has earned $205,850 during his four-start career.

Bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm from the Warrior's Reward mare Bonita Mia, Super Chow was a $75,000 purchase from consignor Eisaman Equine at the OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training in April.

The post Super Chow Goes Wire To Wire In Bowman Mill appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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