Santa Anita Racetrack | Horse Racing Free Tips

Hopkins Leaves Rivals ‘Green’ With Envy in Palos Verdes

Hopkins (Quality Road) gave his outstanding Lane's End-based stallion a sixth 'quality' winner over the course of the last five days, kicking clear late to easily prevail in Sunday's GIII Palos Verdes S. at the Great Race Place.

Nicely away from gate two beneath Juan Hernandez, the $900,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase was content to lay second as Straight No Chaser (Speightster)–favored by about $900– drilled the opening couple of furlongs in :21.80. Asked to claim the front-runner as the half went up in a slick :44.10, Hopkins hit the front leaving the three-sixteenths pole and, though unwilling to swap over to his correct lead, kept on well to score in smart time.

“I just played the break and I just watched the other horses,” said Hernandez. “I saw the one [Straight No Chaser] broke really fast, he broke way better than me, and I broke better than the outside horses. So, I just let him go and sat behind him and waited for the quarter pole to ask my horse to go…When I asked him…he picked it up really well and he got the job done.”

Having run a 104 Beyer in defeat on opening day 2021, Hopkins graduated in his second start off a nine-month absence last October and ran back to that effort with a hard-fought allowance win at Del Mar the following month. Sixth to stablemate Country Grammer (Tonalist) when trying a route of ground for the first time in the Dec. 26 GII San Antonio S., he cut back to this trip and was tagged late to drop a head decision when last seen Jan. 15. Hopkins has been given an entry for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Mar. 25.

Pedigree Notes:

Hopkins is the 68th stakes winner and 33th graded winner for Quality Road and is bred on the same cross over mares by Deputy Minister or Deputy Minister-line mares as Grade I winners Abel Tasman, City of Light and Spring Quality and other graded winners Guest Suite and Long Haul Bay.

John Mayer's Nursery Place purchased Hopkins's stakes-placed dam for $85,000 in foal to Morning Line at the 2015 Keeneland January Sale about four months after the mare's son Saratoga Heater (Temple City) became a stakes winner in New York-bred company. Madaket Stables, a part-owner of Hopkins, is also involved with Hot Spell's 4-year-old son Of a Revolution, a narrowly beaten runner-up in last year's GIII Gallant Bob S. at Parx Racing.

After not producing a live foal for two seasons, Hot Spell dropped a Daredevil filly in 2022 and was put in foal to American Pharoah.

Sunday, Santa Anita Park
PALOS VERDES S.-GIII, $200,500, Santa Anita, 2-5, 4yo/up, 6f, 1:08.80, ft.
1–HOPKINS, 120, h, 5, by Quality Road
          1st Dam: Hot Spell (SP), by Salt Lake
          2nd Dam: Sizzlin' Sara, by Saratoga Six
          3rd Dam: Relasure, by Relaunch
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($900,000
Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket
Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Golconda Stable, Siena
Farm LLC and Robert E. Masterson; B-Nursery Place (KY);
T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $120,000. Lifetime Record:
7-3-3-0, $244,700. *1/2 to Of a Revolution (Maclean's Music),
MGSP, $218,280; 1/2 to Saratoga Heater (Temple City), SW,
$396,078. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report &
5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style
pedigree.
2–Radical Right, 120, g, 4, First Samurai–Emily, by Sky Mesa.
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($42,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP;
$260,000 3yo '22 FTIDEC). O-Tom Kagele; B-Richard Shultz (KY);
T-Peter Miller. $40,000.
3–Straight No Chaser, 120, c, 4, Speightster–Margarita Friday,
by Johannesburg. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($110,000 2yo '21 EASMAY). O-MyRacehorse; B-John Eaton &
Steve Laymon (KY); T-Dan Blacker. $24,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1HF, 1. Odds: 2.10, 6.00, 2.10.
Also Ran: Howbeit, McLaren Vale, Escape Route.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO,
sponsored by TVG.

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Satisfying San Marcos Score For Struggling Prat

Let go as the fourth betting choice at overlaid odds for Sunday's GII San Marcos S., Prince Abama (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) came with a stinging late rally to peg back Masteroffoxhounds (War Front) for his second success at the graded level.

Midfield for the run through the stretch for the first time, Prince Abama drifted back a spot passing the three-quarter pole, but was nicely relaxed under a long hold from Flavien Prat, spotting front-running Evan Harlan (Temple City) and the stalking Masteroffoxhounds about five lengths. Slipped a bit of rein fully 3 1/2 furlongs from home, Prince Abama was ridden along with about three lengths to find midway on the turn and was steered off the heels of Yes This Time (Not This Time) and into the clear at the three-sixteenths. Roused sharply left-handed as Masteroffoxhounds struck to the front at the furlong grounds, Prince Abama hit top gear and whooshed home down the center of the course to score cozily.

Fed a steady diet of stakes races since taking a mile allowance at Del Mar last September, Prince Abama was third in the GII City of Hope Mile Oct. 1 and improved one spot in the restricted Lure S. going the same distance four weeks later. He negotiated the tricky step up to 12 panels wtih aplomb, taking out the GII Hollywood Turf Cup Nov. 25 and was most recently fourth to Dicey Mo Chara (GB) (Adaay {Ire}) in this track's GII San Gabriel S. Dec. 26, a race in which he appeared to be making a winning bid only to be chopped out at a crucial stage.

Prat, the regular rider for Horse of the Year Flightline, had ridden just seven winners from 101 mounts entering Sunday's action, and he was understandably relieved to taste big-race success.

“It is always great to get some winners,” the Frenchman said. “I can't thank Phil enough for his support. He has been a great supporter of mine and I really appreciate it.

Pedigree Notes:

A graduate of the 2019 Goffs Sportman's Yearling Sale, Prince Abama is one of five winners from as many to race from his dam, a half-sister to Canadian SW & GSP Nymphenburg (San Romano). Second dam Schonbrunn was a full-sister to 1985 Queen's Plate heroine La Lorgnette, whose son Hawk Wing was a two-time Irish and English champion while winning the seven-furlong G1 National S. at two, the G1 Eclipse S. at three over a mile and a quarter and the 2003 G1 Lockinge S. at a mile. He was also runner-up in the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Derby in 2002. Prince Abama is the last listed produce for Abama Lady.

Sunday, Santa Anita
SAN MARCOS S.-GIII, $202,500, Santa Anita, 2-5, 4yo/up, 1 1/4mT, 2:01.42, fm.
1–PRINCE ABAMA (IRE), 124, g, 5, by Tamayuz (GB)
                1st Dam: Abama Lady, by Mr. Greeley
                2nd Dam: Schonbrunn, by Val de l'Orne (Fr)
                3rd Dam: The Temptress, by Nijinsky II
(€29,000 Ylg '19 GOFSPT). O-Michael House; B-Mr T. Jones
(Ire); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Flavien Prat. $120,000. Lifetime
Record: 12-4-4-1, $459,553. Werk Nick Rating: C+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Masteroffoxhounds, 124, h, 6, War Front–Outstanding (Ire),
by Galileo (Ire). O-Rockingham Ranch;
B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Philip D'Amato.
$40,000.
3–Opry, 124, g, 7, Declaration of War–That Voodoo Youdo,
by Speightstown. ($180,000 Ylg '17 KEESEP; $57,000 5yo '21
KEENOV). O-David A. Bernsen, LLC, Mark Gorman & Andrew
Schwindt; B-Crosshaven Bloodstock (KY); T-George
Papaprodromou. $24,000.
Margins: NK, HF, NK. Odds: 5.30, 3.00, 12.10.
Also Ran: Say the Word, The Grey Wizard (Ire), Dicey Mo Chara (GB), Yes This Time, Avenue, Evan Harlan, Cash Equity (Fr).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Jan. 24-30

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

With the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) having gone into effect on July 1, the TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant HISA-related rulings from the same week.

California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 01/22/2023
Licensee: Randy Rennon, owner
Penalty: Suspended license
Violation: Failure to comply with financial agreement
Explainer: Owner Randy Rennon (dba Summer Knights Stables, Inc), having failed to comply with a Financial Agreement dated November 26, 2020, at Del Mar Race Track, is suspended for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility – Farrier Kyle Baze $820.00). Suspension to commence on January 29, 2023.During the term of this suspension, all licenses and license privileges of Randy Rennon (dba Summer Knights Stables, Inc) are suspended and pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1528 (Jurisdiction of Stewards), subject is denied access to all premises in this jurisdiction.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 01/27/2023
Licensee: Rolando Quinonez, trainer
Penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: Excessive use of whip during training hours
Explainer: Trainer Rolando Quinonez is fined $1,000.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rules #1874 (Disorderly Conduct – excessive use of riding crop during training) and #1530 (Cases Not Covered by Rules and Regulations) at San Luis Rey Training Center on September 14, 2022. Furthermore, Rolando Quinonez must be evaluated by the Winners Foundation for anger management and comply with any recommendations made by Winners Foundation.

NEW HISA STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal, except for the voided claim rulings which were sent to the TDN directly. Some of these rulings are from prior weeks as they were not reported contemporaneously.
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Violations of Crop Rule
Aqueduct
Katherine “Katie” Davis – violation date January 20; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Gulfstream Park
Shaun Bridgmohan – violation date January 21; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Jaime Alexis Torres – violation date January 22; $250 fine, laceration on his mount Talking Like Mom from the crop

Oaklawn Park
Ramsey Zimmerman – violation date January 28; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Ricardo Santana – violation date January 28; $250 fine, raising his wrist above his helmet when using the crop during the seventh race

Parx Racing
Anthony Salgado – violation date January 20; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Penn National
Ricardo A Chiappe – violation date January 20; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 9 strikes

Tampa Bay Downs
Carlos Eduardo Rojas- violation date January 18; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Carlos Eduardo Rojas – violation date January 18: Rojas has accumulated a total of 23 points for violations of HISA Rule 2280 (b), (1), though six of the points are under appeal and a stay has being granted, so the total points is reduced to 17 points. “Jockey Carlos E. Rojas is hereby suspended 15 calendar days based on points accumulated for multiple violations. To be serve from Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 through and including Wednesday, February 15, 2023.”

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MSW Kudos Passes Away at Old Friends

Kudos, a MSW gelding, died on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., announced president and founder Michael Blowen.

The 26-year-old bay Thoroughbred (Kris S.–Souq, by Damascus) was found dead in his paddock during late-afternoon feeding. A reason for his death is unknown at this time. Necropsy results are pending to get an accurate cause of death. Bred and owned by longtime Old Friends supporters, Jerry and Ann Moss, Kudos was foaled in Kentucky on Apr. 17, 1997.

Trained by Richard Mandella his entire career, Kudos began racing in 1999, but did not win his first race until his eighth career start as a 4-year-old in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita on Mar. 17, 2001. He then won his next three consecutive races, two allowance races and the Jim Murray Memorial H. at Hollywood Park for his first stakes victory.

In 2002, he won two more stakes races–the San Marino H. at Santa Anita, and the GI Oaklawn H., which was his first-graded stakes win and the biggest win of his career. In that race, he came back from 15 lengths to win by 4 3/4 lengths.

As a 6-year-old in 2003, he won the GII Californian S., while finishing second in the GII San Pasqual H., and third in the GI Santa Anita H., the GI Oaklawn H., the race he won the previous year, and the GI Hollywood Gold Cup, his final race.

Kudos retired with seven wins, five seconds, four thirds, and $1,238,935 in earnings in 24 career starts. In 2006, the Mosses donated Kudos to Old Friends for his retirement. He was the second horse they retired to Old Friends; the first was Ruhlmann.

“Kudos was one of our first stars and enchanted us for nearly 17 years,” said Blowen. “He was a great symbol of our growth. I can't thank Jerry and Ann and (racing manager) Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs enough for allowing us to spend all this time with their treasure.”

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