The gray is out GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic heroine Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song), who was bred and raced by Gary Seidler and Peter Vegso. Initially, she was purchased by Brushwood Stable for $2.8 million as the fourth highest price at the 2011 Keeneland November Sale.

Five years later at the same auction, Whisper Hill made the mare the sales topper when Mandy Pope took her home for $3.8 million, while Tap My Belle's older full-sister, Unrivaled Princess, was in-utero.

Of course, Unrivaled Belle's most famous produce to date is also another full-sister to this Gulfstream first-time starter–two-time Eclipse Award recipient Unique Bella. Winner of the GI Beholder Mile and GI La Brea S., the champion was purchased for $400,000 by Don Alberto at the 2015 Keeneland September Sale.

Unrivaled Belle claims a 2-year-old colt and a yearling one of the same sex, while Unique Bella–herself a dam–also has a 2-year-old colt and she foaled a filly last year. All four offspring are by multiple leading sire Into Mischief.

Tap My Belle's second dam, MGSW Queenie Belle (Bertrando), is also responsible for the dam of GIII Gotham S. victor Raise Cain (Violence). TJCIS PPS

The post Sunday’s Insights: Well-Bred Daughter Of Tapit And Unrivaled Belle Makes The Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Also making her first start is Robert Evans homebred Reconcile (War Front) for trainer Linda Rice. The gray filly's dam is a half-sister to GIII Comely S. heroine Raging Sea (Curlin), while third dam GSW Welcome Surprise (Seeking the Gold) is a half-sister to Horse of the Year A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew). TJCIS PPS

8th-GP, $70K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 3:33 p.m. ET.
Down in Hallandale, Whisper Hill Farm homebred Tapit's Starlet (Tapit) will make her debut. The Ralph Nicks trainee is a half-sister to GIII Lexington S. runner-up Unbridled Honor (Honor Code). A $1 million purchase by Whisper Hill at the 2011 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, dam Silvery Starlet is a half-sibling to GI Cigar Mile champ El Corredor (Mr. Greeley) and GI Haskell Invitational H. victor Roman Ruler (Fusaichi Pegasus).

Kuldeep Singh Rajput's Gandharvi Racing has Urgence (Into Mischief) set for her inaugural run. Trained by Brendan Walsh, the $575,000 Keeneland September buy is out of SP Divine Elegance (Uncle Mo), who went for $750,000 to Breeze Easy at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale while in foal to Tapit. Urgence's extended female family includes MGISP Standard Deviation (Curlin) and GI Kentucky Oaks victress Believe You Can (Proud Citizen). TJCIS PPS

6th-OP, $115K, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 3:50 p.m. ET.
Another homebred debuting is Ken McPeek trainee Common Defense (Karakontie {Jpn}), whose female family includes MGSW Fearless (Ghostzapper). Under third dam MGISW Aldiza (Storm Cat) we find the dams of MGISP Lone Sailor (Majestic Warrior) and GIII Peter Pan S. champ Timeline (Hard Spun). TJCIS PPS

The post Sunday’s Racing Insights: Well-Related Daughter Of Arrogate Makes The Races At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

5th-GP, $60K, Msw, 3yo, F, 1m, 3:09 p.m.

Making her first career start Wednesday for owner Whisper Hill Farm is I'M BAFFLED (Medaglia d'Oro), a 3-year-old purchased by Mandy Pope for $1.1 million from Denali Stud at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The striking bay filly is out of the GSP Distorted Humor mare Baffled, making her a half-sister to GIW and current Winstar stallion Constitution (Tapit) along with respective graded-stakes winners Jacaranda (Congrats) and Boynton (More Than Ready). Baffled herself, a half-sister to MGIW Emcee (Unbridled's Song), brought $3.5 million on a final bid from Bridlewood Farm and Don Alberto Corp. at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale in foal to Tapit and off the success of Constitution's racing career. Three-years later, Don Alberto Corp. would purchase her outright in foal to Medaglia d'Oro for $1.8 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale. Trainer Ralph Nicks has had I'm Baffled working consistently at Gulfstream Park in preparation for her debut, including her most recent prep where she went four-furlongs in :47 4/5 Mar. 13 to be eighth-fastest of 65 at the distance. Leading sire Medaglia d'Oro is getting around 11% winners from first-time starters and has thrown such successful fillies as champion Songbird and Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. I'm Baffled gets Lasix here and picks up Tyler Gaffalione for her career debut going a mile on the dirt.  TJCIS PPs

The post Wednesday’s Racing Insights: $1.1 Million Filly Debuts for Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Trained by Ralph Nicks for Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm LLC, Doll Baby broke alertly from the gate to assume the early lead in Race 4, a seven-furlong maiden special weight race for sophomore fillies and continued on to prevail by a length under Jose Ortiz.

“It was just awesome and it was at a distance mama liked,” Pope said of her homebred filly by Tapit. “Hopefully, she's Groupie Doll incarnated. It's only one race but a good start.”

Mandy Pope

Groupie Doll won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) back-to-back in 2012-'13 at seven furlongs to be honored with the Eclipse Award as outstanding female sprinter both years. Bred by trainer Buff Bradley and his late father, Fred, Groupie Doll was purchased at the Keeneland November sale for $3.1 million by Pope. After finishing fourth against colts in the Cigar Mile, Groupie Doll closed out her career with a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the 2014 Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Doll Baby is Groupie Doll's third winner from her first five foals.

The post Groupie Doll’s Tapit Daughter Doll Baby Impressive In Debut appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Out of two-time Eclipse Award-winning Groupie Doll, Doll Baby has five full-siblings, and is the third winner among them. She also has a 2-year-old half-brother by Justify. The dam sold for $3.1 million in 2013 at Keeneland November to Mandy Pope after a stellar career which included back-to-back victories in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Groupie Doll came up barren in 2021 after a visit to leading sire Into Mischief, and is expecting a foal by Speightstown this season. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $31,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O/B-Whisper Hill Farm, LLC; T-Ralph E. Nicks.

The post Daughter of Groupie Doll Comes Out Running at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Winning jockey Emisael Jaramillo rode the 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro through comfortable early fractions in the one-mile stakes, leaving the filly with plenty of reserve in the stretch to register a two-length victory.

“We were comfortable in the front, good pace,” Jaramillo said. “When I asked her for run, she ran easy, because the first part of the race was easy for her.”

Dance d'Oro, trained by Ralph Nicks for owner Whisper Hill Farm LLC, was making her stakes debut in what was her 11th career race. Following a three-month layoff, the filly romped to a 9 1/4 length victory in a September 24 optional claiming race at Gulfstream, followed by a third-place effort in a handicap on Nov. 21.

“Her first race back was amazing, and maybe she bounced a little bit because she ran so hard,” Nicks said. “Today was another huge effort.”

Dance d'Oro raced to the front up the backstretch, followed by a non-menacing Gran Baby, and opened up on the field when she led the six-horse field into the stretch. Don't Get Khozy made a late run, but was no match for the winner. Allworthy, the 8-5 favorite, ducked in at the start out of the chute and finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up.

“It has to be maturity,” Nicks said of the filly's improvement. “She's always had talent, but it was hit and miss. She's getting a little more consistent.”

Nicks said he would likely keep Dance d'Oro in South Florida throughout Gulfstream's winter Championship Meet before making a decision on upcoming races.

“We'll stay here through the winter and see from there,” Nicks said.

The post Dance D’Oro Gets First Stakes Win In Rampart At Gulfstream appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

In the fourth race, the fifth edition of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association City of Ocala Florida Sire Stakes for registered state-bred fillies and mares, unbeaten 3-year-old R Adios Jersey engineered a tour de force, dominating four rivals for an 11-length victory.

Two races later, in the FTBOA Marion County Florida Sire Stakes for registered state-bred males, owners, trainers, and spectators were left gasping as 4-year-old colt Shivaree defended his 2020 Marion County title with a desperate rally in the final strides that deprived 5-year-old gelding R Mercedes Boy of victory by a head.

Both winners earned $60,000 from the $100,000 purses, but it was the thrills they provided along the way that proved priceless. Shivaree's winning time of 1:22.58 for the seven-furlong distance was .02 seconds faster than R Adios Jersey, but it should also be mentioned she was geared down late while Shivaree was all-out at the finish.

Jockey Paco Lopez knew R Adios Jersey was virtually flying during the early stages of the City of Ocala. But the 3-year-old filly felt so comfortable beneath him, he decided it would be counter-productive to try to slow her down.

By the time she got to the 1/8-mile pole of the seven-furlong race, her four Florida-bred rivals were vying for second place. R Adios Jersey continued to roll, improving her record to 6 for 6.

An overwhelming favorite in the wagering, R Adios Jersey paid $2.40 to win. She probably would have set a stakes record had not Lopez throttled her back in the final yards, still posting a time of 1:22.60, .20 seconds off Surprise Wedding's 2017 stakes mark. Starship Nala finished second and Bramble Berry was third.

R Adios Jersey, who won the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks on Aug. 27 in her previous start, is owned by Rich Averill's Averill Racing, Anthony Mattera's ATM Racing, and retired major league baseball outfielder Jayson Werth. Georgina Baxter trains the daughter of Adios Charlie-Marion Theatre, by Montbrook, who was bred in the Sunshine State by Ocala Stud and J. Michael O'Farrell, Jr.

First-place money raised R Adios Jersey's career earnings to $427,400.

“That was kind of easy, but when you have a very nice, fast filly like that, it can look easy. I wanted her to go in :22 (seconds) and :46 (for the quarter-mile and the half), but (:21.79) and (:44.35). … she's just very fast,” Lopez said. “She wanted to go so hard but I didn't fight her too much, because she was doing it very comfortable. She was really sharp today and Georgina did a great job getting her ready.”

Lopez has ridden R Adios Jersey in all but one of her starts, including the Charles Town Oaks and the Florida Cup Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes here in March.

Bradenton, Fla., resident Averill, who owns Rich Averill Masonry, has built an impressive racing resume since emerging on the scene in 2005 with Florida Oaks and G2 Delaware Oaks winner R Lady Joy. With such prominent stakes winners as Lady's Island, Pay Any Price, R Angel Katelyn, Paradise Dancer, and G2 Saratoga winner R Free Roll to his credit, Averill keeps proving he's a major player.

As is customary when he competes in a stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs, he brought close to 100 family members, co-workers, friends, and friends of friends to enjoy R Adios Jersey's sheer brilliance.

“We wanted this race for the hometown team, and it's great when the plan comes together,” Averill said. “Every race, she has done better and better and better. She's 6 for 6 and you can't ask for more than that. We're taking things one race at a time with her, and we'll figure out what's next.

“I always try to plan a party here with my friends and family and co-workers, and right now it's a feeling of stress relief because I don't have to answer all the questions of 'why didn't you win.' It's fun to get new people into the game, like Anthony, who moved down from New Jersey, and Jayson, and today is a day they will always remember in a good way.”

In the Marion County, Shivaree bettered his record to 5 for 23 the hard way, digging into a deep reserve of desire in the final strides to edge a tiring but game R Mercedes Boy. Samy Camacho rode the winner for breeder-owner Jacks or Better Farm and trainer Ralph Nicks.

Shivaree, the 2020 G1 Curlin Florida Derby runner-up, raised his lifetime bankroll to $546,294.

Camacho said the race unfolded as he expected, with Shivaree making a bold move on the turn for home, until Averill Racing and partners' R Mercedes Boy kept going inside the 1/8-mile pole under Lopez.

“I was a little worried when that horse gave another kick,” said Camacho, who surprised more than a few people by knowing he'd gotten there just in time. “But my horse kept trying. I rode this horse in two stakes at Gulfstream this year and finished second by a neck and second by a head, so I know him and he did a great job. He tries all the time.”

Nicks, who watched the race from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., was worried when Shivaree went wide on the turn for home. But the son of Awesome of Course-Garter Belt, by Anasheed, seemed to thirst for a victory that was his first in 364 days – since last year's Marion County.

“He's gritty and he's very competitive. He makes up for his size in try,” Nicks said. “I knew he would keep grinding and luckily he had room to get there. Very rarely is he not competitive.”

Shivaree paid $4.40 as the wagering favorite. His time was .90 seconds off his 2020 stakes record. Well Defined, the 2019 G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes winner, finished third, a length and a quarter behind R Mercedes Boy.

The post R Adios Jersey, Shivaree Wins FTBOA Stakes At Tampa Bay Saturday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Cattin's time for the six furlongs was 1:10.90. The victory lifted the spirits of Gulfstream Park-based trainer Ralph Nicks, whose father, long-time trainer Morris Nicks, died on Nov. 25 at 74 after a prolonged fight against cancer.

In the Inaugural, Camacho had close to a dream trip after breaking from the No. 4 post on Cattin, who improved to 2-for-4. “I think I got the perfect trip, because two horses (Magical Mousse, the fourth-place finisher, and Full Disclosure) were fighting on the lead and I was able to sit fourth or fifth early,” said Camacho, who also won the third race on the Florida-bred gelding Morgan Point for breeder-owner Robert C. Roffey, Jr., and trainer Chad Stewart.

“I got a chance to go inside (Lightening Larry) and when I put my horse in the clear, I thought the race was over. I feel great because Ralph Nicks gave me this great opportunity, and I want to keep it going.”

Camacho also won last year's Inaugural with Poppy's Pride. Grand Valley finished a non-threatening third.

Cattin, who is owned by Corinne Heiligbrodt, William Heiligbrodt, and Spendthrift Farm, was bred by Curtis Mikkelsen and Patricia Horth. The son of Neolithic-Adios Dawn, by Adios Charlie, fulfilled all the eligibility requirements, thus collected $80,000 from the purse.

He paid $11.40 to win.

Ralph Nicks's assistant, Sonny Righter, said hopes were high entering the Inaugural after Cattin finished a solid third in his most recent start, the mile-and-a-sixteenth Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association Florida Sire In Reality Stakes on Sept. 25 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

“I thought he would run good today,” Righter said. “I was worried he might get shuffled back early, but Samy got him back in the race pretty quick and he caught a good trip after that. He was feeling good going into the race and he ran huge.”

The post Cattin Victorious In Inaugural Stakes At Tampa Bay Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Nicks passed the majority of his career between Louisiana Downs and Oaklawn Park. Since records began being tracked in 1976, Nicks saddled 819 Thoroughbred winners including Run Johnny in the 1999 Aristides Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs and Golden Sonata in the 2004 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3).

He is also the father of Breeders' Cup-winning trainer Ralph Nicks.

“Dad was an all-in horseman for the last 30 to 40 years of his life,” Ralph told bloodhorse.com. “If he had an afternoon off he was out buying supplies and hay for the rest of the week. He never took days off.”

Read more at bloodhorse.com.

The post Trainer Morris Nicks, Father Of Ralph Nicks, Dies At Age 74 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

His passing was confirmed by his wife Ellen in a Daily Racing Form story that broke the news Sunday. His son, the trainer Ralph Nicks, told DRF that his father had requested no funeral services to be held. According to DRF, Nicks grew up on a farm in Texas and galloped horses and rode in match races before spending a summer at age 17 working at Ruidoso Downs. He began training shortly thereafter, around 1965, at Oaklawn Park.

According to Equibase, Nicks won graded stakes with the sprinter Run Johnny in the 1999 GIII Aristides H. at Churchill Downs and with Golden Sonata in the 2004 GII Oaklawn Breeders' Cup S. at Oaklawn Park.

Nicks won the 2011 Louisiana Downs training title. He had retired from running a stable in 2018, citing health issues.

The post Trainer Morris Nicks Dies at 74 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post