Tag: Repole Stable

Bright Future Follows In Dad’s Hoofprints In Jockey Club Gold Cup

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's lightly raced Bright Future (Curlin), a well-backed 7-2 in Saturday's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. at Saratoga, dug down deep beneath the ageless Javier Castellano to hold off Proxy (Tapit) by a nose and punch his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

“It was a good spot to try a Grade I and he delivered a big performance,” winning trainer Todd Pletcher said. “In order to go to the next one, he's going to need to make another move forward. It appears to be pretty wide open, the older horse division. I guess we will learn a little more in California tomorrow or Monday. We'll see.”

Showing good speed from his wide draw, the $350,000 KEESEP yearling chased pacesetting Warrior Johny (Cairo Prince) through a half-mile in :48.86. Clocking the front-runner's every move into the final half-mile, Bright Future was felt for and came with a two-wide run around the turn and was on even terms at the quarter pole.

Set down in upper stretch, Bright Future went by Warrior Johny with relative ease and got the bob in over the aforementioned last-out GIII Monmouth Cup S. winner. The latter raced just behind the pace, found daylight about four off the inside at the three-sixteenths and attacked the line willingly, but was on the losing end of the photo.

Bright Future, a sharp debut winner going a mile at Gulfstream last March, was third in his only subsequent start at three. He won two of four previous tries this term, including a last out optional claiming victory at the Spa with a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure July 21. He was eased in his lone prior attempt versus stakes company in the 12-furlong GII Brooklyn S. June 10.

“He's a horse that we've always thought a lot of,” Pletcher said. “I've got to give the Violas and the Repoles a lot of credit because we've had to kind of tap on the brakes a few times along the way and they gave him time to develop. We probably got a little ambitious when we tried the Brooklyn, maybe didn't have quite the foundation to be ready to go a mile and a half at that stage. We regrouped with the allowance race here and I thought it was a powerful performance, so from that time on we've been pointing for this and the horse has trained exceptionally well. Coming into it, we were optimistic he was ready to make a move forward.”

Winning co-owners Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola also teamed up to campaign Curlin's Vino Rosso, who concluded his career with an emphatic win in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic after getting controversially disqualified from a win in this same race at Belmont Park in 2019.

“I had a horse by Curlin named Vino Rosso that couldn't put it together at three, but now [Bright Future] has put it together at four,” Repole said. “I named the horse Bright Future for a reason. I knew he was going to be a later 3-year-old, 4-year-old horse and so far his name is fitting right now.”

After celebrating his first GI Kentucky Derby win aboard Mage (Good Magic) earlier this spring, the momentum has continued into the summer for Castellano. He is also the regular rider of GI Belmont S. winner and GI Travers S. winner Arcangelo (Arrogate).

“Thank God,” Castellano said. “I've been blessed, very lucky and very fortunate to ride the best horses, especially with Todd Pletcher, one of the best trainers in the country. He gave me the opportunity to ride this horse and that's the key. Keep positive and working hard, and see everything come around.”

Pedigree Notes:

Bright Future becomes the 22nd winner at the highest level for leading sire Curlin. He is the first Jockey Club Gold Cup winner for Curlin, a back-to-back winner of this race in 2007-08. Bellamy Road is also the broodmare sire of fellow Grade I winners Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) and Cave Rock (Arrogate).

Bright Future's dam SW & GSP Sophia's Song is also responsible for the 2-year-old colt Booth (Mitole), a $225,000 OBS March purchase by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Jackpot Farm; a Tiz the Law colt of 2022; and a Maxfield colt of this year. She was bred back to Jackie's Warrior.

Saturday, Saratoga Race Course
JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP S.-GI, $1,000,000, Saratoga, 9-2, 3yo/up, 1 1/4m, 2:03.00, ft.
1–BRIGHT FUTURE, 126, c, 4, by Curlin
                1st Dam: Sophia's Song (SW & GSP, $155,892),
                                by Bellamy Road
                2nd Dam: Dreamscape, by Mt. Livermore
                3rd Dam: Big Dreams, by Great Above
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($350,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable; B-Clearsky Farms (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; Javier Castellano. $550,000. Lifetime Record: 7-4-0-2, $716,940. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue style pedigree.
2–Proxy, 126, h, 5, Tapit–Panty Raid, by Include. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Michael Stidham. $200,000.
3–Tyson, 126, c, 4, Tapit–Honouring, by Smart Strike. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($250,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP). O/B-Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc & Stretch Run Ventures, LLC (KY); T-Josie Carroll. $120,000.
Margins: NO, 2 1/4, NO. Odds: 3.75, 4.10, 5.50.
Also Ran: Clapton, Duke of Love, Rattle N Roll, Warrior Johny, Unbridled Bomber.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV .

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Quality Road’s Agate Road Defies All Logic In ‘Rising Star’ Turf Debut

Repole Stable and St Elias Stable's Agate Road (c, 2, Quality Road–Yellow Agate, by Gemologist) was hammered into even-money favoritism for his turf and two-turn debuts on the strength of a near-miss runner-up effort in a rained-off maiden Aug. 5. At the end of 8 1/2 very eventful furlongs Saturday afternoon at the Spa, the $650,000 Keeneland September purchase was named a 'TDN Rising Star'.

Drawn widest in a field of 10, Agate Road was behind the eight ball right from the opening bell, as he broke a good two paths to his outside, costing himself any shot at securing a forward position. To make matters a bit more complicated, he didn't take the first turn particularly well and settled near the tail of the field as 11-1 Ocala Rocket (Hard Spun) led them along at a moderate early clip. Racing with just two behind as they hit the backstretch, but still patiently handled by Irad Ortiz, Jr., Agate Road found himself with about eight lengths to find banking around the final turn, but was forced to take the scenic route, conceding ground to add to his trouble line through the opening 6 1/2 furlongs. But, switched out widest into the lane and despite being bothered by a shifting-out rival nearing the furlong grounds, Agate Road steamed home down the center of the course to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a race he really had no business winning. He becomes the 15th 'Rising Star' for his sire.

Agate Road is the second winner from three foals to race out of Yellow Agate, a $70,000 Keeneland November weanling turned $210,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by China Horse Club who validated 13-10 favoritism in the GI Frizette S. in 2016. The mare is also responsible for Agate Road's year-older full-sister Plentitude, a maiden winner at first asking over the Tampa main in April track before taking an allowance sprinting over the Belmont turf course in June. She was most recently fourth in the Blue Sparkler S. at Monmouth July 8

The dam of the yearling filly Gin's Beach Road (Quality Road), a $650,000 acquisition by Live Oak at last month's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, Yellow Agate aborted her Constitution foal of 2023 before being bred once again to Quality Road.

6th-Saratoga, $105,189, Msw, 9-2, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:46.79, fm, neck.
AGATE ROAD, c, 2, by Quality Road
1st Dam: Yellow Agate (GISW, $291,503), by Gemologist
2nd Dam: Lemon Sorbet, by Lemon Drop Kid
3rd Dam: Flabbergasted (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
Sales history: $650,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $78,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

O-Repole Stable & St Elias Stable; B-CHC Inc (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher.

 

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Gun Runner’s Life Talk Speaks Loudest at the Spa

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–It turned out that breeder John Mulholland's trip from Lexington to Saratoga Race Course this week didn't turn out the way he had hoped, but it was not a waste of time.

Life Talk (Gun Runner), a filly he co-bred, took care of that Thursday, rolling to a 6 1/2-length victory in the second race. Sent off at 2-5 in the field of six 2-year-old maiden fillies going one mile on the dirt, Life Talk made a wide move coming off the turn, zipped past the competition and ran away. After taking the lead under Irad Ortiz, Jr., she lugged in noticeably, but was already on her way to an impressive victory. Like Talk, trained by Todd Pletcher for Repole Stable, completed the eight furlongs in 1:38.18 and paid $2.80.

Mulholland Springs LLC, Gun Runner Syndicate and Tom Grether Farms Inc. bred Life Talk, who sold for $335,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale. Life Talk is out of the Bernardini mare Touchy Feely, owned by Mulholland Springs.

“She's had a handful of foals now,” Mulholland said. “We raced her first foal, the Majesticperfection named Feeling, but this is clearly the most talented one so far. She looks like she could be anything. It's pretty exciting for us. It's a family we've owned for over 30 years.”

Mulholland said he was in town for the final weekend of the Saratoga season because it looked like he might have two fillies he bred in the GI Spinaway S. on Sunday. He said Saratoga Secret (Arrogate) trained by D. Wayne Lukas, the runner-up in the GIII Schuylerville S., will miss the race with a shin issue. Life Talk had a troubled trip while finishing second by a head on July 30, but was still being considered for the stakes.

“They opted to run in this race,” Mullholland said. “I was hoping to have two in the in the Spinaway, but this is an OK consolation. Beggars can't be choosers, so this is nice.”

Pletcher's assistant, Tristan Barry, said Life Talk delivered a solid performance, a big improvement over her debut.

“She did everything professionally today,” he said. “Broke sharp from the gate then sat a good trip and did what nice horses do.”

Life Talk was in a stalking position through opening splits of 24.30 seconds, 48.45 and 1:13.32. She circled the two in front coming off the turn and was gone.

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. said the filly was much better in her second start.

“For sure. Every step of the way,” he said. “She broke better. She put me in a perfect spot in the first part of the race and from there I was just biding my time.

2nd-Saratoga, $105,000, Msw, 8-31, 2yo, f, 1m, 1:38.18, ft, 6 1/2 lengths.
LIFE TALK (f, 2, Gun Runner–Touchy Feely, by Bernardini) got her picture taken at Saratoga minutes after being represented as a breeder by Kentucky Downs maiden winner Buttercream Babe (Twirling Candy) when overwhelming five rivals. Drawn the fence while stretching out to the mile off a near-miss second to Alys Beach (Omaha Beach) on 6 1/2-furlong debut July 30, the $335,000 Keeneland September purchase was away cleanly enough from the one hole and took up a position towards the back of the field as Paradise Lane (Quality Road) took over from Rising Inflation (Mitole) as they turned up the backstretch. Consigned to a three-wide run around the far turn, Life Talk began to zero in on Paradise Lane nearing the stretch, took over while drifting down towards the inner part of the track with a furlong and a half to travel and pulled readily clear to take it by 6 1/2 lengths as the 2-5 jolly. Backstretch Rose (Army Mule) outfinished Rising Inflation to complete the exacta. Life Talk is the third winner from three to race out of a half-sister to GSW Indian Firewater (Indian Charlie). Her dam has a yearling filly by Maclean's Music, a weanling Bolt d'Oro filly and was bred to Cyberknife this season. Sales history: $160,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $335,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $78,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Repole Stable; B-Gun Runner Syndicate, Mulholland Springs LLC & Tom Grether Farms Inc (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher.

Race report by Alan Carasso

 

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Big Dreams in Mind for City of Light’s New Rising Star

Named in honor of Mike Repole's beloved grandmother, Nonna Mia (Empire Maker) won her second career start by 12 lengths for Repole Stable in 2008 and she went on to place in the GI Frizette S. and GIII Tempted S. as a juvenile that year. The mare's first two foals Nonna's Boy (Distorted Humor) and eventual Grade I victor and sire Outwork (Uncle Mo) were both debut winners early in their 2-year-old years and her third foal Nonna Bella (Stay Thirsty) claimed her first two career starts at three.

Last Friday in Saratoga, Nonna Bella's son Fierceness (City of Light)–a second-generation homebred for Repole Stable–showed the same precocity that his family before him has displayed in his 11 plus-length dominating maiden score, but the Repole team is confident that with a sire like City of Light, the new 'TDN Rising Star' has much more to show.

“City of Light was very well received at the outset, got big books of mares, and they sold exceptionally well,” recalled Repole Stables General Manager Eddie Rosen. “But I think you have to remember that he didn't emerge until late in his 3-year-old year and then his 4-year-old year is when he excelled and was spectacular. I think he's one of those sires, like Curlin was, where you have to have some patience and understanding that the best is yet to come.”

City of Light earned his first Grade I victory in the 2017 Malibu S. four months after his maiden win and he went on to claim three more top-level scores including the 2018 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

As a shareholder in City of Light, who is now a second-crop sire, Repole Stable has been a supporter of the Lane's End stallion from the get-go. They bred Nonna Bella to the son of Quality Road in his second year at stud hoping to emulate the cross that produced one of Quality Road's best daughters.

“Nona Bella is by Stay Thirsty–a son of Bernardini who Mike raced as well,” Rosen explained. “One of my favorite fillies of recent date is Dunbar Road, who is by Quality Road out of a Bernardini mare, so it was a nick that I thought would work.”

Fierceness as a foal at Lane's End | courtesy Lane's End Farm

 

And “work” it did as Fierceness was a standout from the start when he was foaled at Lane's End. While initially slated to go through the sales ring, he was ultimately withdrawn from Keeneland September and retained by his breeder.

Like his dam, granddam and both his grandsires, Fierceness was sent to represent the Todd Pletcher barn and he turned heads early there as well.

“He came into our Monmouth division and quickly showed that he was at the head of the class there,” Pletcher shared. “When we brought him in to Saratoga and got serious with some of his breezes, we were impressed with what we were seeing.”

Going into his debut with eight published works under his belt, Fierceness was sent off at even money and quickly turned the six furlong contest into a one-horse race. Taking the lead early, the bay opened up over the Saratoga slop to win in hand, coming home in 1:09 2/5.

“We knew that he had good gait speed from his works and we had a sloppy track, so we talked to Irad and said to make sure you get away from the gate alertly,” explained Pletcher. “We didn't want to be behind a bunch of horses in a sloppy track. So he broke alertly and it was a pretty straightforward performance from there. At the eighth pole you felt good about it and then he opened up impressively and Irad took him in hand late and the time was exceptional. It was everything you could hope for in a debut.”

“There are a lot of them where you're wishing for the wire or hoping to get there in time, but this was one where you could kind of sit back and enjoy the ride,” Rosen added with a laugh.

The 95 Beyer Speed Figure that Fierceness earned in his debut is the co-second highest number of any 2-year-old so far this year.

“It gives you a lot to look forward to,” Rosen said. “I think when you have a 2-year-old that wins like that first-time out, obviously dreams come to mind and the biggest dream is the first Saturday in May. But it's a long time between now and then.”

As for the rest of the colt's juvenile season, Pletcher said they are aiming to take on the Oct. 7 GI Champagne S. ahead of a trip to the Breeders' Cup.

Pletcher is looking forward to debuting another City of Light colt soon. Enlighten, a $450,000 yearling purchase for Centennial Farms, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.55 (1/23) on Aug. 27 at Saratoga.

“We're high on the City of Lights that we have,” Pletcher said. “There are so many good-looking ones that resemble City of Light, who greatly resembles Quality Road. I love to see that in a stallion line when they pass along similar conformation and looks.”

City of Light has 34 winners on the year thus far. On the same card that Fierceness debuted on, the stallion's 3-year-old daughter White Chocolate drew clear to break her maiden definitively for Chad Summers and Gold Square LLC. City of Light's six stakes winners are led by G3 UAE Oaks victress Mimi Kakushi, GI Alcibiades S. runner-up Chop Chop, and GSP Gaslight Dancer, who returns to the starting gate on Saturday in the Gun Runner S. at Kentucky Downs.

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