Tag: Racing

Damon's Mound, winner of the Grade 2 Saratoga Special this summer, will have a 60-day break before starting to train toward a sophomore campaign. Trainer Michelle Lovell told bloodhorse.com that the talented son of Girvin is still full of himself, but was being given time to “let him be a horse and grow up some.”

Making his first start on July 2 at Churchill Downs, Damon's Mound stamped himself an exciting prospect with a 12 1/2-length victory. He returned in his next start to win the Saratoga Special by 3 1/4 lengths, but got caught up in a speed duel in the G3 Iroquois, his first start around two turns, and faded to finish sixth.

Among the options for Damon's Mound in 2023 will be the Fair Grounds' Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race series, Lovell said.

“He is a very exciting horse who gave us such a thrill at Saratoga this year; a real gift,” Lovell told bloodhorse.com. “We are looking forward to more next year.”

The post ‘A Real Gift’: Talented 2-Year-Old Damon’s Mound Will Get 60-Day Break appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Track Announcer John G. Dooley summed it up. It gives you goosebumps to watch the magnificent Danjer run. The world champion lived up to the hype in the Grade 1 $269,627 Bank of America Challenge Championship to close out the richest night of Quarter Horse racing ever in the state of Indiana.

Danjer, ridden by regular pilot Cody Smith, was forceful out of the gate and in just a few strides was on top of the field of 10. The six-year-old FDD Dynasty gelding was powerful in every stride as Smith sat motionless aboard him, never even thinking about asking him for more. Danjer moved away from the field, coasting under the wire by one and three-quarter lengths for his fourth straight win. Purty Darn Quick and Stormy Smith finished second over Apollitical Hero and Edwin Escobedo.

Danjer was the overwhelming favorite, paying $2.20 for the win. The victory in the Bank of America Challenge Championship was his 19^th trip to the winner's circle and he now has more than $2 million in career earnings from 31 career starts. Danjer is owned by Dean Frey, Downtime Enterprises LLC, and Billy Smith. Frey also bred the superstar and trains him. Smith has been aboard him for 13 of his career wins, including the past two Bank of America Challenge Championships, making him a three-time winner of the Grade 1 event.

“He's one of a kind,” said Smith. “When you start riding him, you just don't want to mess him up and let him do his thing. He slipped a little leaving, but it didn't take him long to get his feet under him.”

Danjer isn't done yet for 2022. His connections already have a schedule in place for his next race.

“We plan to take him to California for the Champion of Champions for his next race,” commented Frey.

The Grade 1 $750,000 Champion of Champions race is set for Los Alamitos in November. Trials will be contested Sunday, Nov. 13 and it will mark the first trip to California for the reigning world champion.

One lucky racing fan made a trip to the betting windows thanks to Danjer. Katie Foster of Indianapolis was the winner of the $1,000 Megabet on the Bank of America Challenge Championship and selected Danjer for her wager and took home $1,100 in winnings for the wager.

The 20^th season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Live racing is conducted at 2:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday with Thursday post times set for 2:10 p.m. A total of 12 Saturdays will feature live racing in 2022 highlighted by the 28^th running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby and the 27^th running of the Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks set for Saturday, July 9. For more information on live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis.

The post World Champion Quarter Horse Danjer Lives Up To Hype At Horseshoe Indianapolis appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Second favorite Ask Victor More set a track record of 3:02.4 for about 1 7/8 miles in winning the final jewel in Japan's Triple Crown, the $2.8 million Kikuka Sho (G1) (Japanese St. Leger), Sunday at Hanshin Racecourse

Trainer Yasuhito Tamura and jockey Hironobu Tanabe each picked up their first classic victory with Ask Victor More, who was fifth in the Satsuki Sho (G1) (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and a close third in the Tokyo Yushun (G1) (Japanese Derby) earlier this year.

Ask Victor More broke sharply from stall 14 in the Kikuka Sho, and while a good five lengths behind pacesetter Seiun Hades maintained his position in second while without pressure and cruising in good rhythm.

As the field gradually made headway passing the 800-meter pole, the Deep Impact colt easily pinned the leader and drew away, leading the rest by about four lengths entering the stretch. He was only threatened by Boldog Hos and Justin Palace, who came charging up down the middle in the closing stages, but he prevailed by a nose to score his first win at the highest level in record time.

“I had a lot in my mind as to how I should ride in such a way that would produce good results for the colt,” Tanabe said, “and I am relieved that it worked out well. Although he we will be facing even tougher competition in the future, I feel that he is getting stronger with every race and hope that we can continue with good results.”

Boldog Hos was reserved in mid-division early while saving ground and slowly angled out away from the rails as the horses began to make their move soon after the 800-meter marker. Picking up speed turning for home down the middle lane, he was joined by Justin Palace on his inside and the two pulled away within the last furlong with tremendous late charge, with Boldog Hos managing to extend his stride to just miss at the wire.

Justin Palace was forwardly placed outside the race favorite two wide and kept a close watch on the foe through the early stages.

While Gaia Force failed to find another gear after the final turn, Justin Palace had plenty left in the tank to follow Boldog Hos, who came flying by on his outside and kept in tandem with that rival until just before the wire where he was outrun by the first two settled for third.

Race favorite Gaia Force was a fraction slow out of the gate and was rated around seventh or eighth along the rails for most of the way. Constantly covered by horses close in front and around, the Kitasan Black colt struggled to find space as the field began to make headway and only just found a clearing after entering the stretch where the gray was unable to pick up speed and faded to eighth.

Ask Victor More is campaigned by Hirosaki Toshihiro HD Co. Ltd. Bred by Shadai Farm, his dam is the Rainbow Quest mare Kartica.

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