santa anita | Horse Racing Free Tips

Girvin’s Blessed Touch Catches Eye at Second Asking

4th-Santa Anita, $62,500, Msw, 10-8, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.17, ft, 8 3/4 lengths.
BLESSED TOUCH (f, 2, Girvin–Blushing Touch, by Street Boss) had to contend with a slow start and a lost path on debut Sept. 11 at Del Mar, ultimately finishing fifth at a similar distance as this baby dash. Breaking outwardly to end up the rail-side part of a sandwiched Carson Jen (Gun Runner) as the fillies left the blocks, Drayden Van Dyke sent his charge to the lead and never looked back, edging away on the turn after :21.85 and :44.56 splits. Blessed Touch spurted away in the lane to a stylish 8 3/4-length margin and rewarding her backers with 5-1 odds. 'Insights' runner California Rocket (Justify) came on well to grab second while other highlight Riley G (Flatter) weakened to fourth as the heavy 4-5 favorite. Blessed Touch has a yearling half-sister by American Freedom who is the last registered offspring for the dam. GSW Bryan's Jewel (Rockport Harbor) makes an appearance under the second dam while Champion older horse, track-record setter Left Bank (French Deputy) graces the page beneath the third dam. This is also the extended female family of GISW Lucifer's Stone (Horse Chestnut {Saf]). Sales history: $32,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $140,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $38,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Pierre Jean Amestoy, Jr., Leslie A. Amestoy and Roger K. Beasley; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Tim Yakteen.

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Distaffers and Juveniles in the Spotlight Sunday

With two graded events for distaffers and four for juveniles, including including four Breeders' Cup qualifiers, Sunday is basically Saturday part two from coast-to-coast.

The day's main event is the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland, A “Win and You're In” event, where champions Malathaat (Curlin) and Letruska (Super Saver) face off yet again. Malathaat looks to make amends for a solid third in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and she enters off a win in Saratoga's GI Personal Ensign S. Aug. 27.

Letruska, who won last year's Juddmonte, finished third in that prestigious Saratoga event and was off the board in her prior start in the GI Ogden Phipps S. Tyler Gaffalione takes over the controls for the first time from the Ortiz brothers, who both stayed home to ride in New York.

The other four members of this six-horse field will be likely be running for third and that group is topped by GIII Locust Grove S. winner Played Hard (Into Mischief).

Distaffers take center stage at Belmont as well with 3-year-old filly leader Nest (Curlin) taking on her elders for the first time in the GII Beldame S. at Aqueduct. Heavily favored against four severely overmatched competitors, the bay should be able to secure a very easy victory here ahead of a likely next start in the Breeders' Cup. Runner-up in the GI Belmont S., Nest romped by 12 1/4 lengths in the GI CCA Oaks at Saratoga July 23 and dominated that venue's GI Alabama S. next out Aug. 20.

“She's run well against the boys and all the best fillies of her generation, but first time against elders is always a challenge,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “She showed a lot of talent and class in her races against 3-year-olds and we would expect her to handle the step up.”

MGSW Travel Column (Frosted) stretches back out after a failed effort in the GI Ballerina H. Aug. 28 and First to Act (Curlin) enters off a good second in the Summer Colony S. Aug. 19.

Juveniles Compete for Breeders' Cup Berth

Aqueduct hosts a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Sunday in the GIII Futurity S. Several competitors enter off strong maiden wins, including Nagirroc (Lea), who graduated over this course and distance Sept. 24 in his first start for Graham Motion.

“He's been pretty classy in the morning since I've got him,” said Motion. “I haven't had him for that long and I was impressed with what he had done, but I certainly would not have expected him to run the way he did. I thought it was a very good effort. He won very comfortably.”

Inflation Nation (Ire) (Speightstown) missed by a head on debut at Saratoga, but got it done next out there Sept. 1 for Christophe Clement.

Mike Maker sends out Gaslight Dancer (City of Light), who did no running on dirt in his Churchill unveiling in August, but graduated by five lengths when switched to turf at Kentucky Downs Sept. 3.

Determined Jester (Practical Joke) takes on the boys in this event after breaking her maiden in Colonial's Rosies S. in her third career start Sept. 6.

Meanwhile at Keeneland, 2-year-old turf routers get their chance to earn a spot in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf starting gate in the GII Castle and Key Bourbon S. GIII With Anticipation S. winner Boppy O (Bolt d'Oro) leads this large and competitive field. He has already proven this distance is right up his alley.

Steve Asmussen has a live on here in Gigante (Not This Time), who ran away to a 6 3/4-length score over Rarified Air (Honor Code) in the Kitten's Joy S. going 1 1/16 miles at that venue Sept. 6.

Kentucky Downs Juvenile S. winner Reckoning Force (Air Force Blue) makes his first start for Brendan Walsh here after a quartet of races for Joseph O'Brien. Third-place Really Good (Hard Spun) adds blinkers this time.

Keeneland also plays host to a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in the Indian Summer S. Wesley Ward sends out the favorite there in the filly Love Reigns (Ire) (U S Navy Flag). The 'TDN Rising Star' captured Saratoga's Bolton Landing S. last out Aug. 21.

While they may not be “Win and You're Ins,” Santa Anita also hosts a pair of juvenile turf events in the GIII Surfer Girl S. and GIII Zuma Beach S., which will likely contain potential Breeders' Cup competitors.

The fillies are up first in the Surfer Girl, which is being run at graded status for the first time this year. European import Comanche Country (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}) is two-for-two since coming to America, most recently taking the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf S. Sept. 10. Sell the Dream (Munnings) and Excelia (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) were second and third in that event.

Packs a Wahlop (Creative Cause) tops the Zuma Beach after a decisive score in the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. and is two-for-two on grass. Dandy Man Shines (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) was fourth in that event and is still a maiden. Also of interest here is undefeated Cal-bred Giver Not a Taker (Danzing Candy), who took the state-bred I'm Smokin S. last out Sept. 9 at Del Mar.

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Oct. 9 Insights: Baffert Unveils Pair of Justify Colts

6th-SA, $61K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 3:38 p.m. EDT

Bob Baffert unveils a pair of colts by his undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify in ARABIAN LION and Elwood Blues. Arabian Lion summoned $600,000 at the OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 flat. Out of SP Unbound (Distorted Humor), the chestnut enters off a trio of bullet works all in company with Elwood Blues. The pair most recently breezed a best-of-59 five furlongs in :58 4/5 at Santa Anita Oct. 2 with Elwood Blues. The group known as the Three Amigos went to $380,000 at KEESEP for Elwood Blues, a son of GSW & GISP Blingismything (Arch). TJCIS PPs

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Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings Sept. 27-Oct. 3

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: Los Alamitos
Date: 10/02/2022
Licensee: Juan Hernandez, jockey
Penalty: One-day suspension, $278 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Having violated the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2280 (Use of Riding Crop) and pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – Class 3), Jockey Juan Hernandez, who rode COUNTRY GRAMMER in the eighth race at Santa Anita Park on October 1, 2022, is suspended for one (1) day (October 9, 2022), and fined $278.00 (10% of jockey's portion of the purse) for one (1) strike over the limit. Furthermore, Jockey Juan Hernandez is assigned three (3) violation points that will be expunged on April 2, 2023, six (6) months from the date of final adjudication pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties. Jockey Juan Hernandez has accrued a total of six (6) points.

Florida:
The following was reported on the Association for Racing Commissioners International's recent rulings website.
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 10/05/2022
Licensee: Herbert Miller, trainer
Penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: STEWARD'S RULING FINAL ORDER # 2022-037344 – F.S. 550.2415 = METHOCARBAMOL. $1000 FINE IMPOSED AND DUE 10/20/22 TO GULFSTREAM PARK HORSEMENS BOOKKEEPER. LOSS OF PURSE IMPOSED ALSO. “I'LL FIGURE IT OUT”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 10/05/2022
Licensee: Lis Duco, trainer
Penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: STEWARD'S RULING FINAL ORDER # 2022-037253 – F.S. 550.2415 VIOLATION = TRANEXAMIC ACID. $1000 FINE IMPOSED AND DUE 10/20/22 TO GULFSTREAM PARK HORSEMENS BOOKKEEPER. LOSS OF PURSE ALSO IMPOSED. “AMOR LEJANO”

Kentucky:
Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 10/01/2022
Licensee: Keith York, owner-trainer
Penalty: Suspended license
Violation: Disorderly conduct
Explainer: Keith York is hereby suspended for disorderly conduct and his formal rejection from Ellis Park that occurred on September 29, 2022.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 10/02/2022
Licensee: Sonny Leon, jockey
Penalty: 15-day suspension
Violation: Intentional attempt to interfere during racing
Explainer: After being represented at a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Sonny R Leon, who rode Rich Strike in the tenth race at Keeneland on Oct. 1, 2022, is hereby suspended 15 racing days, October 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, and October 29, 2022, for intentionally attempting to interfere with and impede the progress of a rival by repeatedly making physical contact with another rider into the stretch.

NEW HISA STEWARDS RULINGS
Note: While HISA has shared these rulings over the past week, some of them originate from prior weeks.

Violations of Crop Rule:
Albuquerque Downs
Luis Ramon Rodriguez–ruling date September 18, 2022
Alejandro Medellin–ruling date October 1, 2022
Miguel Angel Perez–ruling date October 1, 2022

Aqueduct
Manny Franco–ruling date September 29, 2022
Jose Ortiz–ruling date September 29, 2022
Jose Lezcano–ruling date September 30, 2022

Churchill Downs
Jose Riquelme–ruling date September 25, 2022
Edgar Moorales–ruling date September 25, 2022
Joseph Talamo–ruling date September 25, 2022
Joseph Rocco, Jr.–ruling date September 30, 2022
Corey Lanerie–ruling date October 2, 2022

Delaware Park
Carlos Eduardo Lopez–ruling date October 1, 2022
Prairie Meadows
Cassidy Fletcher–ruling date October 2, 2022

Remington Park
Erick Medellin–ruling date September 28, 2022
Presque Isle Downs
Helen Alice Beckman–ruling date September 28, 2022
Eduardo Rojas–ruling date September 30, 2022

Voided Claims
Churchill Downs
Violent Gigi–ruling date September 21, 2022
Beverly's Charge–ruling date September 21, 2022
Mine Own Star–ruling date September 25, 2022
Indimaaj–ruling date September 25, 2022
Supremacy – ruling date September 28, 2022

Horseshoe Indianapolis
Rio Lady–ruling date September 27, 2022

Violations Involving Forfeiture of Purse
Albuquerque Downs
Luis Ramon Rodriquez–$500 fine; 3-day suspension; 5 points; 7-day additional suspension due to accumulation of 11 HISA points

Appeal Request Updates
Albuquerque Downs

Luis Ramon Rodriquez
Crop rule violation
Ruling date September 18, 2022
Appeal filed September 28, 2022
Stay denied

Oscar Ceballos (rider of horse owned by Joseph Peacock, Jr.)
Crop rule violation
Ruling date September 25, 2022
Appeal filed October 3, 2022
Stay granted

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