New York-based trainer Todd Pletcher wasn’t at Keeneland Oct. 8, but the Hall of Famer’s impact on a pair of back-to-back Grade 1 races late in the afternoon was unmistakable.
Tag: Racing
Rougir Prevails In Woodbine’s E. P. Taylor, Provides Brant, Brown Second Top-Level Win Saturday
Owner Peter Brant and trainer Chad Brown enjoyed two victories at the highest level about an hour apart Saturday, including Rougir's game neck victory over Queen's Plate victress Moira, who ultimately was disqualified and placed eighth for interference.
Flirting Bridge, who finished third, a head behind Moira, was moved up to second, and Fev Rover placed to third in the nine-horse field.
Brant, who campaigns Rougir in partnership with Michael Tabor, and Brown also were represented in fine style at Keeneland when stablemates In Italian and Regal Glory finished a respective first and second in the First Lady (G1).
Rougir, ridden by Kazushi Kimura, found her best stride late and was got up in time in the E. P. Taylor, finishing the 1 ¼-mile turf test in 2:02.62 on firm going. She returned $12.60.
Adventuring, riding a two-race win streak, went to the front as Lemista and Mylady picked up the chase in second and third, respectively. Rougir settled into seventh of nine through an opening quarter in :26.78, while Moira, the even-money choice, sat sixth.
Adventuring held a 1 ½-length lead at the half, reached in :51.39, as Mylady and Lemista continued to apply pressure on the front-runner. Rougir, running comfortably in seventh, was then steadied at the nine-sixteenths, causing her to get knocked off stride and seemingly out of it as the field entered the turn for home.
While Rougir looked to get back into the race, Moira was guided to the rail and began to take aim at new leader Flirting Bridge.
Midway down the lane, Rougir came running with a determined outside bid, but still had plenty of work to do as the wire drew closer.
Under urging from Kimurashe wouldn't be denied, getting up to notch a neck victory over Moira. A subsequent claim of foul by the rider of Lemista demoted Moira to eighth.
A 4-year-old Territories filly, Rougir came in off a fifth in the Beverly D. Stakes (G1) August 13 at Churchill Downs but rebounded with aplomb Saturday while earning her first North American Grade 1 win.
Bred in France where she began her career, Rougir closed her French campaign with a victory in the Prix de l'Opera (G1) before finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) in her North American debut to end her 2021 campaign. She began 2022 with victory in the Beaugay (G3) at Belmont Park in May and after three unplaced finishes got back to the winner's circle Saturday.
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Cazadero Rockets Last To First In Nearctic At Woodbine
Cazadero, under Patrick Husbands, closed with authority to win the $255,500 Nearctic Stakes (G2) Saturday at Woodbine.
The six-furlong turf stakes for 3-year-olds and upward, attracted a competitive field of eight, including Cazadero, a 4-year-old son of Street Sense out of Wild Gams, by Forest Wildcat.
Into the Sunrise took control soon after the gates opened and was immediately confronted to his outside by 2020 Nearctic winner and multiple stakes victor Silent Poet, and 4-5 choice Bound for Nowhere, the Wesley Ward trained and owned bay who came into the race off a smart score in the Grade 2 Highlander on July 2 at Woodbine.
Ahead by a half-length after a quarter reached in :22.93, Into the Sunrise continued to be hounded by the duo of Silent Poet and Bound for Nowhere, as Husbands and Cazadero could see them all from in eighth.
As the field came off the turn for home, through a half in :45.29, Silent Poet and Bound for Nowhere enveloped the leader and then looked to separate themselves from their rivals down the long E.P. Taylor stretch. Cazadero, still last, began to pick up momentum in early stretch and started to gain steadily on the lead pair.
Mid-way down the lane, Cazadero was in full flight, gliding past the frontrunners en route to a 2 ¼-length score. Bound for Nowhere bested Silent Poet by a head for second. Ice Chocolat finished fourth.
Final time for six panels over firm going was 1:09.11.
“I just looked at the form and saw that this is the second time he's gone on the turf,” said Husbands, aboard for the first time. “In the last race, he came off the pace, flying. I just tried to ride him back the same way.”
It was the fourth win from 10 starts for Cazadero, trained by Brendan Walsh for Marc Detampel.
Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, the gelding came into the Nearctic off a closing third in a 5 ½-furlong turf allowance optional claiming race (he was listed for $62,500) at Saratoga on August 27.
Cazadero, who returned $18.40, notched his first stakes score in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor on June 27, 2020, at Churchill Downs.
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In Italian Gives Chad Brown Sixth Victory In Keeneland’s First Lady
With three of six entrants in the field for Saturday's Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland, trainer Chad Brown was confident in his aim for a sixth victory in the $750,000 contest. However, it was third-choice In Italian who delivered a mild surprise over her favored stablemate Regal Glory, leading all the way to win by a length. Both fillies are owned by Peter Brant.
In Italian (Dubawi) and jockey Joel Rosario completed a mile over the firm turf in 1:33.22.
“She's (In Italian) developed – we got her out there on the lead, letting her do what she wants to do,” Brown said. “We really like to come to this race. The only thing I was worried about was the layoff. She hadn't run since the Diana (G1 in July at Saratoga). (Owner) Mr. (Peter) Brant and I got together, and I wanted to run her in between, but he wanted a fresh horse for the Breeders' Cup, and that decision proved right. She overcame the layoff today and got a good prep she needed going forward.”
Bred in Great Britain by Fairway Thoroughbreds, In Italian was a $609,434 yearling purchase at the Tattersalls October sale by Brant's White Birch Farm. The 5-year-old has won five of her eight starts for earnings of $989,183.
Riding the defeated favorite Regal Glory was her regular partner, Jose Ortiz.
“The other filly (In Italian) is very nice,” Ortiz said. “She got loose on the lead again and she's doing great. Chad has done an amazing job with the two of them (In Italian and Regal Glory). Regal is a little bit older, but the other filly is tough. I feel like I had a great trip and I had every opportunity to beat her and I didn't. I'm just very proud of Regal's effort today.”
The remaining order of finish is as follows: Princess Grace, Technical Analysis, Market Rumor, and Vigilantes Way.
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