Tag: Racing

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.

The post Ask Victor More Lowers Track Record In Winning Japanese St. Leger appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Ironstone, under leading rider Kazushi Kimura, was at the top of his game in taking the $177,300 Ontario Derby (G3) on Sunday at Woodbine.

A headstrong The Minkster quickly grabbed the lead in the 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds and was joined by an equally strong-willed Ironstone, who settled into second spot as the field navigated the first turn.

The Minkster clicked off an opening quarter in :24.47 as Kimura kept close tabs on the leader, with Bringer of Rain, Mannix, and late-closing Luckman rounding out the early order.

Not long after the opening panel, Luckman made a rapid move from last to second, just to the outside of The Minkster, as Ironstone remained nestled along the rail through a half reached in :48.67.

Still on top as the field straightened for home, The Minkster was soon confronted by the presence of Ironstone, who eventually wore down his rival just past the furlong marker to earn a 2 ¾-length victory in a time of 1:49.15 on the all-weather main track. Bringer of Rain was third and Mannix was fourth.

“We've been teaching him to be a little more comfortable in the morning time,” said Kimura.

For the connections of Ironstone the afternoon result was indeed a sweet one.

The son of Mr Speaker had posted a trio of thirds in 2022, along with a fourth in the Queen's Plate and a runner-up effort in the Prince of Wales, the opening two jewels in the Canadian Triple Crown.

On Sunday, the multiple stakes-winning gray colt delivered his finest triumph to date.

“This win is very special for me,” said trainer William Armata. “This horse has taken me places I've never been in my career, the Queen's Plate, and the Prince of Wales. It was just a phenomenal run. I was very happy with both performances. Unfortunately, we couldn't win, but we were in the big dance. He showed today he was the boss.”

It was the third win, to go along with four seconds and a trio of thirds, from 12 starts for the Tequesta Racing Inc. and Jupiter Leasing Co. sophomore, who was bred in Ontario by Kingview Farms. His dam is the Unbridled's Song mare Casey's Dreamin'.

Last year, Ironstone went 2-3-0 from six engagements, the victories coming in stakes events, the Simcoe and Clarendon.

“I'm very proud of myself and I'm proud of my crew and everyone that deals with the horse,” said Armata. “It's all a team effort. I know there's an 'I' in Ironstone, but I'm proud of everybody. I just want to thank the owners for giving me an opportunity to train a horse like Ironstone. It's just been an unbelievable run.”

Sent off at 7-5, Ironstone paid $4.80 for the win.

The post ‘He Showed Today He Was The Boss’: Ironstone Powers To Ontario Derby Triumph appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Pocket Aces Racing and Somewhere Stable Kentucky's Temple City Terror uncorked a sweeping move on the far turn that propelled her to the front at the top of the stretch en route to a three-length victory in the $294,688 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) for fillies and mares Sunday at Keeneland.

Trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Temple City Terror covered the 1 1/2 miles on a firm turf course in a stakes record 2:27.98. The victory gave Gaffalione a sweep of the three weekend stakes and an overall fifth stakes victory of the Fall Meet.

Flying Fortress and Beside Herself jockeyed for the early lead through fractions of :22.66 and :48.14 with Beside Herself taking over with just less than seven furlongs to go. Temple City Terror raced next to last in the run down the backstretch and did not begin to move until Beside Herself had clocked a mile in 1:39.14.

On the turn, Gaffalione steered Temple City Terror to the outside and in the clear to quickly pass half the field. She hit the top of the stretch with a full head of steam four wide and never was challenged in the run to the finish.

A Keeneland sales graduate for $22,000 from breeder Upson Downs Farm consignment, Temple City Terror notched her first graded stakes victory and picked up $174,375 with the triumph that swelled her career earnings to $696,218 with a record of 6-5-5 from 28 career starts. She is a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Temple City out of the More Than Ready mare It Takes Two.

As the second choice in the field of 10, Temple City Terror returned $7.94 to her backers. Luck Money, ridden by Vincent Cheminaud, rallied for second and finished two lengths in front of Sister Otoole under Luis Saez.

It was another three lengths back to Coastana with Flying Fortress, Mia Martina, Core Values, favored Beside Herself, Stand Tall, and Go Big Blue Nation following in order.

Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) Quotes

Brendan Walsh (trainer of Temple City Terror): “Unbelievable (how she's developed). If you had told me three years ago that she was going to do something like this, I'd have said you were crazy. Once she got her maiden – I think she took eight or nine starts to break her maiden – she gradually, gradually improved. She's as honest as the day is long, and she leaves it all out there. It's great for syndicates like this (owners Pocket Aces Racing and Somewhere Stable Kentucky) to have a horse as good as her, and she's just a pleasure to train.”

On what he learned from the development of Temple City Terror: “I think we learn to be patient, more than anything. Sometimes we can be a little bit too quick to brush them aside. But we stuck with her. To be fair, we did think she'd get better as she got older. She's turned into a lovely, strong mare now, and I just think she's improved as she's gotten stronger.”

Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider): “I was able to look at the (video) screen going by the stands for the first time and I saw :22 and change. I was comfortable with where I was. My (mare) was doing everything very easily. They kept coming back to me, and I didn't want to take anything away from her. She was in good stride, so I just let her be.”

Vincent Cheminaud (rider of runner-up Luck Money): “The last time (when finishing third in the Sept. 13 AGS Ladies Marathon [G3] at Kentucky Downs) she ran very good, and today she ran very good. I had a good trip. She finished good, but the winner was better today. We traveled very good, and my filly was perfect.”

Luis Saez (rider of third-place finisher Sister Otoole): “It was a good trip. We saved ground. Into the stretch she made a move, but the winner was just really tough.”

Flavien Prat (rider of beaten favorite Beside Herself, who finished eighth): “She was really aggressive. I couldn't get her relaxed. She broke well, and I tried to make the lead when I saw I could. I was trying to stay off the leader (early), but she was pulling me a lot and never relaxed after that.”

The post Unchallenged Temple City Terror Charges To Dowager Victory In Stakes Record Time appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Souper Hoity Toity, ridden by Patrick Husbands, scored her third stakes win of the year when capturing the $127,250 Ontario Damsel for 3-year-old fillies Sunday at Woodbine.

After lively opening splits of :23.86 and :47.93 set by Crystal Ship, Souper Hoity Toity, the 1-5 choice, third and gaining steadily around the turn for home, assumed command just after the stretch call and went on to notch a half-length score in a time of 1:43.44 for the 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather main track. Love to Run was second and Crystal Ship finished third.

“I was getting the perfect trip,” said Husbands. “I put her in the clear by the three-eighths pole and she flattened right out on me by the three-eighths pole, going into the quarter pole and down the lane, but she's all class and she just fought to win. She's all class from day one.”

Owned by Live Oak Plantation and trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, the daughter of Uncle Mo out of Town Tour, by Speightstown, finished fourth in her career bow at Ellis Park in August 2021 before reeling off two straight scores at Woodbine. She launched her sophomore campaign with back-to-back Grade 3 victories, taking the Selene on July 2 and the Ontario Colleen on August 6.

Souper Hoity Toity arrived at the Ontario Damsel off a troubled trip in the October 1 Duchess Stakes, where she was checked on heels at the quarter pole but still came running to secure the runner-up prize.

Now 5-1-0 from eight starts, Souper Hoity Toity was bred in Kentucky by Dr. Richard Holder and Coolmore. Live Oak Plantation bought her from Pike Racing for $550,000 at the 2021 OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training.

The dark bay paid $2.70 for the win.

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