R Adios Jersey, Shivaree Wins FTBOA Stakes At Tampa Bay Saturday

Florida's Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry put its best foot forward today at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla., and even fans who didn't cash a ticket came away feeling like winners after a pair of breathtaking stakes races.

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 Victorious In Inaugural Stakes At Tampa Bay Downs

In today's other stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla., the 36th edition of the $100,000-guaranteed Inaugural for males, Florida-bred 2-year colt Cattin moved smartly to the lead on the turn for home under jockey Samy Camacho and continued like he'd appreciate more distance, winning by 2 ½ lengths from another Florida-bred, Lightening Larry.

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

Peter D’s Journeyman Stud Juvenile Victory Gives Trainer Blanco First Stakes Win

Peter D provided Andry Blanco the first stakes win of his brief training career in Saturday's $60,000 Journeyman Stud Juvenile, scoring a 1 ½-length length victory over the Tapeta racing surface at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

The Journeyman Stud Juvenile, a mile-and-70-yard stakes for Florida-bred 2-year-olds on Tapeta, kicked off the stakes action on Saturday's 10-race program that also featured the $60,000 Khozan Juvenile Fillies Sprint, a six-furlong stakes for Florida-bred 2-year-old fillies, and the $60,000 Miami Beach, a mile overnight handicap for 3-year-olds and up.

Peter D, a son of He's Had Enough who is also owned by Blanco, saved ground into the stretch before overtaking pacesetter Mr. Rum Runner and drawing away to a comfortable victory in his first race around two turns and over an all-weather surface.

“A friend of mine offered him to me. The horse breezed pretty well over the Tapeta at OBS. He showed me the horse and I liked him and put an offer in and bought him,” Blanco said.

Peter D ($11) won at first asking in a $25,000 maiden claiming race over Delaware Park's main track Aug. 26, before finishing an even-fifth in the five-furlong Hollywood Beach on turf at Gulfstream last time out. The Florida-bred gelding ran a mile and 70 yards in 1:44.67 under Leonel Reyes to break through with a stakes victory Saturday. Mr. Rum Runner, a maiden with two in-the-money finishes going into his first race on Tapeta, held second, 2 ½ lengths ahead of C My Meister, the 2-1 favorite in a field of eight.

Peter D was Blanco's fourth winner from the 40 starters he has saddled since launching his training career last year.

The 40-year-old Blanco arrived in the U.S. from Venezuela in 2003. He rode 49 winners from 381 mounts during a career that included a seven-year break between 2005 and 2013.

“I've been breaking babies at OBS and I've been pinhooking. I'm still doing it,” said Blanco, who is currently training a stable of four. “I gallop. I break my horses. I do everything with the horses.”

In the Khozan Juvenile Fillies Sprint, Palm Beach Racing Partnership's She's So Beautiful ($12.20) wore down favored Sea Art with a determined stretch drive to prevail by a neck.

The Carlos David-trained daughter of Air Force Blue, who had won two of four starts going into Saturday's race, stalked the pace while racing three-wide before responding to Samy Camacho's urging in the stretch to win her stakes debut. She's So Beautiful ran seven furlongs in 1:25.28.

Sea Art held second under Emisael Jaramillo, a neck ahead of late-closing Demurely, who was ridden by Luca Panici.

The post Peter D’s Journeyman Stud Juvenile Victory Gives Trainer Blanco First Stakes Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Cajun’s Magic Delivers A Win In Dr. Fager At Gulfstream

Stonehedge LLC's Gil and Marilyn Campbell collected their 16th success in the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series Saturday when Cajun's Magic edged stablemate Dean Delivers in the $100,000 Dr. Fager at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

“It's quite a thrill,” said winning trainer Michael Yates. “They've been such a big part in the Florida breeding industry. To be a part of the team is an honor, for sure.”

The Dr. Fager, a six-furlong open-division sprint, co-headlined Saturday's 13-race program with the $100,000 Desert Vixen, a six-furlong event for fillies won by My Sassenach, kicking off the 2021 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes, a tradition-rich series for juveniles sired by accredited stallions standing in Florida.

Cajun's Magic ($15) rallied from far off the pace to win a stretch duel with Dean Delivers by a neck to complete a Michael Yates-trained exacta in what turned out to be a two-horse race in the stretch.

“After they broke their maidens, Mrs. Campbell asked me which one I liked best. I said, 'Personally, at this point,' I feel like we have the exacta. I don't know which one's the best,” Yates said.

Saturday, Cajun's Magic proved the better Yates trainee by a very narrow margin in the Dr. Fager. Making his third start after finishing second in his debut and breaking his maiden by 4 ¾ lengths July 1, Cajun's Magic settled well off the pace under Jesus Rios, as Laki Lio set the pace along the backstretch, pressed by Hope in Him, the 8-5 favorite ridden by Samy Camacho, and Dean Delivers and jockey Miguel Vasquez. On the turn into the homestretch, Laki Lio and Home in Him began to falter as Dean Delivers took command and took the lead into the stretch. Cajun's Magic launched a three-wide drive on the far turn and quickly joined his stablemate, who was the 8-5 second choice in the wagering.

Cajun's Magic passed his stablemate in mid-stretch but was all-out to hold off a resurgent Dean Delivers approaching the wire. Gold Special rallied under Marcos Meneses to finish third, 10 lengths farther back. Home in Him checked in sixth of seven starters. Cajun's Magic ran the six furlongs in 1:11.01.

Both Cajun's Magic and Dean Delivers are sons of Cajun Breeze, who was owned and trained by Yates during his racing career in which he earned $246,000 the hard way while competing in allowance and stakes company in South Florida. Believing that the son of Congrats was a better horse than he showed on the racetrack, Yates took a leap of faith and stood him at stud upon his retirement in 2015. Cajun Breeze immediately proved to be a promising Florida stallion.

[Story Continues Below]

“It's pretty surreal. He's throwing some nice horses. I think the best is yet to come from him,” Yates said. “His first couple crops, he had some pretty small numbers from some pretty ordinary mares. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have bought half of him and have bred a decent number of mares to him. The proof's in the pudding.”

The Florida Sire Stakes has a storied history dating back to 1982, when it was created by Ocala Breeder and owner Dan Lasater. The six-race series has produced six Eclipse Award champions: Awesome Feather (2010 Juvenile Filly), Big Drama (2010 Sprint), Holy Bull (1994 Horse of the Year and 3-Year-Old Male), Smile (1986 Sprint), Brave Raj (1986 Juvenile Filly), and Not Surprising (1995 Sprint Champion).

The Florida Sire Stakes series will continue Aug. 28 with the $200,000 Affirmed and the $200,000 Susan's Girl for fillies, both slated for seven furlongs, and Sept. 25 with the $400,000 In Reality and the $400,000 My Dear Girl for fillies, both to be run around two turns at 1 1/16 miles.

The post Cajun’s Magic Delivers A Win In Dr. Fager At Gulfstream appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights