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Weekend Lineup: Kentucky Derby Has Finally Arrived

Having been postponed from their usual May dates due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 146th edition of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks finally take place beneath the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. The Derby and Oaks anchor eight hours of live broadcasts from NBC Sports on September 4 and 5. On Friday, NBCSN will show the Kentucky Oaks and other stakes races from Churchill Downs on a three-hour show from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

On Saturday, NBC will air five hours of coverage from Churchill Downs including six other stakes races and culminating with the 146th run for the roses. The broadcast runs from 2:30-7:30 p.m. ET.

Saratoga's final weekend of racing will be broadcast on Fox Sports' “Saratoga Live,” and as a bonus for racing fans, the NYRA-produced show will also show live races from Churchill during Kentucky Derby week that are not telecast on NBC or NBCSN. Highlights of the week include the 67th running of the Woodward Stakes for older horses on September 5.

Del Mar also winds down its summer meet this weekend, ending on Labor Day. All Del Mar races will be shown on TVG as part of their comprehensive on-site coverage.

Fans of international racing can tune in to TVG on Saturday morning as international superstar Enable (GB) competes in the September Stakes at Kempton in preparation for her fourth appearance in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October. She won the Arc in 2017 and 2018 and was second last year. Post time for the September Stakes is approximately 9:35 a.m. ET/6:35 a.m. PT.

Friday September 4

3:05 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 2 Eight Belles Stakes at Churchill Downs on NBCSN

Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred Four Graces, riding a three-race win streak, headlines the field for the Eight Belles. Trained by Ian Wilkes, Four Graces has won four of five career starts and has posted Grade 3 wins in her past two starts in the Beaumont at Keeneland and the Dogwood at Churchill Downs.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090420USA8-EQB.html

3:40 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs on NBCSN

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gainesway Stables' Sharing, winner of the 2019 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last fall and the Tepin at Churchill Downs in her 2020 debut, tops a field of eight for the Edgewood. Trained by Graham Motion, Sharing will be making her first start since finishing second in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Manny Franco has the mount Friday and will break from post position three.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090420USA9-EQB.html

4:15 p.m.—$400,000 Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs on NBCSN

Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman's McKinzie will attempt to become the first repeat winner of the Alysheba when he takes on seven rivals. Trained by Bob Baffert, McKinzie romped to a 4 ¾-length victory in last year's Alysheba. Fifth in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap going a mile in his most recent start, McKinzie will be ridden Friday by Mike Smith and break from post position two. Looming as the top challenger to McKinzie is Allied Racing Stable's By My Standards. Runner-up in the Grade 1 Whitney in his most recent start and a winner of three of five starts in 2020, By My Standards is trained by Bret Calhoun.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090420USA10-EQB.html

4:50 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs on NBCSN

Monomoy Girl, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2018, headlines of a field of eight for Friday's 35th running of the La Troienne. Trained by Brad Cox, Monomoy Girl has won five Grade 1 races in her career that has produced more than $3 million in earnings. Two of her biggest victories came at Churchill Downs where she won the 2018 Kentucky Oaks and the 2018 Breeders' Cup Distaff. Winner of the Grade 2 Ruffian in her most recent start, Monomoy Girl will be ridden in the La Troienne by Florent Geroux and break from post position eight. Among the competition lined up to face Monomoy Girl is defending champion She's a Julie and Vexatious, who upset Midnight Bisou in Saratoga's Grade 1 Personal Ensign on August 1.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090420USA11-EQB.html

5:45 p.m.—$1,250,000 Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on NBCSN

Michael Lund Petersen's brilliant two-time Grade 1 winner Gamine and Peter Callahan's Swiss Skydiver, winner of the Grade 1 Alabama in her most recent start, headline a field of nine 3-year-old fillies entered for the 146th running of the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks. Gamine, the even-money morning line favorite, comes into the Oaks off blowout victories in the Grade 1 Acorn by 18 ¾ lengths going a mile and the Grade 1 Test going seven furlongs. Swiss Skydiver has won her past four starts against fillies with a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes the boys the lone blemish in the past six months.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090420USA12-EQB.html

6:20 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 2 Turf Sprint Stakes at Churchill Downs on FS2

Diamond Oops, making his return to the grass for the first time since finishing second in last fall's Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile, and Grade 2 winner Bound for Nowhere head a deep field of 14 grass sprinters and one also-eligible in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint. Diamond Oops is a three-time graded stakes placed runner on dirt to go with his grass success. Trained by Patrick Biancone, Diamond Oops will be making his first start since June and be ridden by Florent Geroux out of post position one.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090420USA13-EQB.html

Saturday September 5

1:26 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 2 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Trainer Tom Albertrani entered the improving pair of Beau Belle and Lovely Lucky in Saturday's Glens Falls, a 1 3/8-miles inner turf marathon for older fillies and mares. Mark T. Anderson's Beau Belle, a 5-year-old Giant's Causeway mare, is out of the graded-stakes winning Royal Solo mare Binya, who produced Dynaire – the dam of the popular Grade 1-winning Albertrani trainee Sadler's Joy. Beau Belle graduated in her 15th start last July over a yielding Saratoga turf in a maiden special weight and followed with an allowance score a month later again over yielding turf, both races at 1 3/16-miles.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR090520USA4-EQB.html

2:40 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 3 Red Bank Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

Antonio Arriaga knows exactly what he's up against in Saturday's $150,000 Grade 3 Red Bank Stakes, a one-mile turf race. The horse that Arriaga will saddle, Share the Ride, was claimed two starts back for $16,000, has never gone two turns in his 14-race career and is trying the turf for just the second time. The first time was the 5-year-old gelding's last start, when he was fourth in the Get Serious Stakes at Monmouth Park going 5½ furlongs on August 23.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH090520USA5-EQB.html

2:55 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 2 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs on NBC

Multiple stakes winners Field Pass and Smooth Like Strait top a field of eight entered for the American Turf. Three Diamonds Farm's Field Pass, a two-time Grade 3 winner, comes into Saturday's race off a seventh-place finish in the Saratoga Derby Invitational. Prior to that, he had won the Grade 3 Transylvania at Keeneland and the Audubon at Churchill Downs.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090520USA8-EQB.html

3:35 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 2 Pat Day Mile Stakes at Churchill Downs on NBC

Echo Town, No Parole and Rushie head a field of nine for the Pat Day Mile. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Echo Town comes into Saturday's race off a 3 ¼-length victory in the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens at Saratoga on August 1. No Parole, winner of the Grade 1 Woody Stephens at Belmont before faltering as the favorite in the Allen Jerkens, is trained by Tom Amoss. Rushie, third in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes, cuts back to a one-turn race for the first time since his debut last October at Santa Anita.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090520USA9-EQB.html

4:07 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs on NBC

The Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby will begin Saturday afternoon when 10 2-year-olds go to the post for the Iroquois. The Iroquois offers 17 points toward the 2021 Run for the Roses on a 10-4-2-1 scale to the top four finishers. Topping the entries is Stephen Fidel's Therideofalifetime, runner-up in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special in his most recent start. Trained by Ignacio Correas IV, Therideofalifetime will be ridden by Florent Geroux and break from post position 10.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090520USA10-EQB.html

4:21 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Dr Post, the runner-up in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes in June, will make his Saratoga Race Course debut as one of two talented entrants for trainer Todd Pletcher in the Jim Dandy for sophomores going nine furlongs. St. Elias Stable's Dr Post hasn't finished off the board in four starts this year. After running fourth in his lone start as a juvenile, the Quality Road colt won his first two races of 2020, breaking his maiden in March going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park before stepping up to stakes company at the same track, winning the 1 1/16-mile Unbridled in April.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR090520USA9-EQB.html

4:39 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 2 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes at Churchill Downs on NBC

Klaravich Stables' Newspaperofrecord (IRE), winner of the 2018 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs, heads a field of eight fillies and mares for the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile. Trained by Chad Brown, Newspaperofrecord returned to the races in June following an 11-month layoff to win the Grade 3 Intercontinental and followed that effort up with a front-running score in the Grade 1 Just A Game.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090520USA11-EQB.html

4:57 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 2 Prioress Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Reagan's Edge will look to turn the tables on Frank's Rockette in Saturday's Prioress, a six-furlong sprint for sophomore fillies. Previously campaigned by David Ingordo, husband of trainer Cherie DeVaux, Reagan's Edge was purchased privately by Lael Stables following a last-out second in the Grade 3 Victory's Ride held July 4 at Belmont Park.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR090520USA10-EQB.html

5:08 p.m.—$125,000 Grade 3 Vigil Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

Multiple graded stakes winner and 2017 Canadian Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd faces eight rivals in the $125,000 Vigil Stakes. Sovereign Award winner and 22-time stakes champion Pink Lloyd chases another stakes crown in a race he has owned the past three years. Trained by Robert Tiller for Entourage Stable, the 8-year-old gelded son of Old Forester goes after his fourth consecutive Vigil score.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO090520CAN9-EQB.html

5:17 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 1 Derby City Distaff Stakes at Churchill Downs on NBC

Joel Politi's Serengeti Empress, the 2019 Kentucky Oaks winner who is coming off a victory in the Grade 2 Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga, heads a field of 10 fillies and mares in the Derby City Distaff. Trained by Tom Amoss, Serengeti Empress has won two of three starts at the seven-furlong distance with her lone loss coming to champion Covfefe in last year's Grade 1 Test Stakes.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090520USA12-EQB.html

5:30 p.m.—$500,000 Grade 1 Woodward Handicap at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Juddmonte Farms' three-time graded stakes winner Tacitus has been Grade 1-placed on four occasions, and will seek his first triumph at such level when he faces a field of five competitors in Saturday's 67th running of the Woodward going 1 ¼ miles. The 4-year-old gray or roan son of prolific sire Tapit out of champion Close Hatches was a runaway winner of the Grade 2 Suburban going the 1 ¼-mile distance on July 4 at Belmont Park. With Hall of Famer John Velazquez up, he tracked a leisurely pace, took command at the quarter pole and drew off by 8 ¾ lengths in a final time of 1:59.40. This was his first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on May 2 and marked his first victory since taking the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by NYRA Bets in April 2019 at Aqueduct.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR090520USA11-EQB.html

5:50 p.m.—$1,000,000 Grade 1 Turf Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs on NBC

A field of 10 top older grass runners will go to post in the 34th running of the Turf Classic, one of six graded stakes that will precede the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby. Factor This, riding a four-race win streak, and Somelikeithotbrown, winner of the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga in his most recent start, will be the starting top weights with 124 pounds in the Turf Classic. Trained by Brad Cox, Factor This counts the Grade 2 Wise Dan at Churchill Downs among his scores in his win streak.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090520USA13-EQB.html

7:01 p.m.—$3,000,000 Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on NBC

Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law, dominating winner of the Grade 1 Travers and Belmont Stakes, has been installed as the 3-5 morning line favorite in a field of 18 horses entered for Saturday's 146th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby. Tiz the Law is the lowest-priced morning line favorite since 1989 when the entry of Easy Goer and Awe Inspiring was 3-5. Trained by Barclay Tagg, Tiz the Law has won six of seven starts with the lone blemish coming at Churchill Downs in last November's Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club in which he finished third over a sloppy track. The New York-bred son of Constitution is four-for-four in 2020.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/CD090520USA14-EQB.html

9:05 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

The 63rd edition of the John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar has drawn a field of eight older fillies and mares headed by a pair of on-the-rise 4-year-olds in Raymundos Secret and Lady Prancealot. Raymundos Secret comes into the mile and one-eighth Mabee off a photo-finish tally in a one-mile allowance race at Del Mar on August 14. Lady Prancealot, who does her running out of the barn of trainer Richard Baltas, comes into the Mabee off a series of stakes tries against some of the better grass fillies and mares on the west coast.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR090520USA10-EQB.html

Sunday September 6

5:11 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

A field of six juvenile fillies will seek Grade 1 black type in Sunday's 129th running of the Spinaway going seven furlongs over the main track. Trainer Tim Hamm shipped Dayoutoftheoffice for a victory in the Grade 3 Schuylerville on opening day at the Spa and will invade for another stakes engagement for juvenile fillies with Esplanande, who is unbeaten in three starts all against Ohio-breds. Owned and bred by Hamm's Blazing Meadows Farm and WinStar Farm, the dark bay daughter of Daredevil won her debut by 6 ¼ lengths at Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio before defeating Buckeye State native colts in the Hoover on July 3 at Belterra and the Cleveland Kindergarten on August 8 at Thistledown.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR090620USA9-EQB.html

5:45 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Four-time graded stakes winner Come Dancing will look to win a race at historic Saratoga Race Course for a third consecutive year, returning to the site of her lone Grade 1 win when she competes in the six-furlong Honorable Miss for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up going six furlongs. Blue Devil Racing Stable's Come Dancing won all of her graded stakes races across all three NYRA-operated tracks during a stellar 5-year-old campaign in 2019, with none of the victories by less than 3 1/4 lengths. The Malibu Moon mare started that stretch with a 7 ¾-length win in the Grade 3 Distaff last April at Aqueduct Racetrack before a 6 ¾-length romp in the Grade 2 Ruffian in May at Belmont. Staying on form, Come Dancing won the Grade 1 Ballerina going seven furlongs last August and registered another win in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom back at Belmont last September.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR090620USA10-EQB.html

8 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes at Del Mar on TVG

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert sends out a pair of entries in the six-horse field for the Del Mar Debutante. Princess Noor broke her maiden at Del Mar on August 22 while Illumination ran second in her debut on August 15.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR090620USA9-EQB.html

8:30 p.m.—$200,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Derby at Del Mar on TVG

A field of 12 was entered for the Del Mar Derby, which will be contested over 1 1/8-miles on the turf, including the filly California Kook who ran second last time out in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on August 22.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR090620USA10-EQB.html

The post Weekend Lineup: Kentucky Derby Has Finally Arrived appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Tacitus Chasing Long-Sought Grade 1 Victory In Saturday’s Woodward

The prestigious event for older horses honors William Woodward, the late owner of Bel Air Stud who campaigned father-son Triple Crown-winning pair of Gallant Fox and Omaha and was chairman of the Jockey Club from 1930-50. Since its inception in 1954, the Woodward has attracted high caliber horses such as all-time greats Kelso (1961-63), Buckpasser (1966), Damascus (1967), and Forego who won four consecutive runnings from 1974-77. For four straight years, the Woodward was championed by a winner of the Kentucky Derby with Seattle Slew (1978), Affirmed (1979), Spectacular Bid (1980) and Pleasant Colony (1981) all winning the prestigious event. More recent prominent winners of the Woodward include Mineshaft (2003), Ghostzapper (2004), Saint Liam (2005), Curlin (2008), Rachel Alexandra (2009) and Gun Runner (2017) whose Woodward victories would help cement Horse of the Year honors in their respective years.

Trainer Bill Mott's record of four Woodward victories is tied with fellow Hall of Famers Elliot Burch and Bobby Frankel. Mott will look to become the race's all-time leading conditioner in the prestigious race when saddling Tacitus, who boasts lifetime earnings of $2,817,500.

Mott has sent out Hall of Famer Cigar (1995-96), To Honor and Serve (2012) and Yoshida (2018) to victory in the Woodward.

The 4-year-old gray or roan son of prolific sire Tapit out of 2014 Champion Older Filly Close Hatches was a runaway winner of the Grade 2 Suburban going the 1 ¼-mile distance on July 4 at Belmont Park. With Hall of Famer John Velazquez up, he tracked a leisurely pace, took command at the quarter pole and drew off by 8 ¾ lengths in a final time of 1:59.40. This was his first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on May 2 and marked his first victory since taking the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by NYRA Bets in April 2019 at Aqueduct.

“He'll be a fresh horse going in,” Mott said. “He had done a lot of travelling earlier in the year. The Oaklawn race could have been a mistake, but at least we came back and capitalized on the next race being the Suburban. Right after Oaklawn, we decided we would wait for it.”

During his sophomore campaign last year, Tacitus won the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby en route to his Wood Memorial score. He finished in the money in his remaining five starts during his 3-year-old season when elevated to third in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby followed by runner-up finishes in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, Grade 2 Jim Dandy and Grade 1 Runhappy Travers at Saratoga. He capped off his 2019 campaign with a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on September 28.

Mott said Tacitus has matured from age 3 to 4.

“His energy level has been good,” Mott said. “Naturally, he's a more mature horse from last year, which is normal. He feels good early in the morning before he goes out and he gets geared up and anxious to go once he gets going. He's good to ride and he's easy enough on himself to where he can take care of himself.”

Jockey Jose Ortiz, who piloted Tacitus to his two graded stakes wins last year, will return to the saddle from post 2.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will attempt to level up to even terms with Mott, Burch and Frankel in terms of Woodward victories when he saddles the formidable duo of Moretti and Spinoff.

Owned by Repole Stable and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Moretti arrives at the Woodward off a victory in the 1 ¾-mile Birdstone on August 2, which he won by 1 ½ lengths. Second in the Grade 2 Suburban to Tacitus, Moretti defeated allowance company at Oaklawn Park on May 2 at Oaklawn Park as the lukewarm favorite before winning his first stakes race in the Flat Out on June 11 over a sloppy main track at Belmont Park.

“There's limited opportunities of Grade 1s going a mile and a quarter, so we'll give him a chance to do that,” said Pletcher, who sent out Woodward winners Lawyer Ron (2007), Quality Road (2010) and Liam's Map (2015).

Bred in Kentucky by Thor-Bred Farm, Moretti is by multiple champion producing stallion Medaglia d'Oro out of the Grade 1 winning Concerto mare Rigoletta, who also produced Grade 1 winner Battle of Midway. He was acquired for a lucrative $900,000 from the Gainesway consignment barn at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale.

Jockey Jose Lezcano will have the mount from post 3.

Pletcher also will send out Wertheimer and Frere's Spinoff, a newly minted stakes winner who took the Alydar on August 9 at the Spa where he registered a career-best 99 Beyer.

The homebred son of Hard Spun out of Grade 1-winner Zaftig was previously stakes-place three times, including a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special in 2018. During his sophomore season, Spinoff was a close second to By My Standards in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds en route to off-the-board placings in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Belmont Stakes. He capped off his 3-year-old season with a decisive 5 ¾-length victory against winners last August at Saratoga defeating graded stakes winners Lone Sailor, Cairo Cat and Control Group exactly one year prior to his last out win.

“Spinoff seems to like Saratoga a lot,” Pletcher said. “He's shown us hints along the way that he has potential for that breakthrough performance I thought the Alydar was arguably his strongest race. He's 2-for-2 around two turns here at Saratoga so that's encouraging as well. He's finally matured and putting it all together.”

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. will pilot Spinoff from post 5.

Sagamore Farm and WinStar Farm's Global Campaign will attempt to replicate his winning ways from the last out Grade 3 Monmouth Cup when making his Grade 1 debut in the Woodward for trainer Stanley Hough.

The well-bred Curlin colt was a determined winner of his last effort, where he controlled a moderate pace throughout, lost the lead at the furlong marker to last year's Woodward runner-up Bal Harbour, but re rallied along the rail to get the victory by 1 ½-lengths over fast-closing Woodward-rival Math Wizard. A consistent five-time winner of eight starts, Global Campaign won his first two races which took place at Gulfstream Park before making the grade in the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont Park last May over eventual Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston. In his only start at Saratoga, Global Campaign was third in last year's Grade 2 Jim Dandy.

Bred in Kentucky by co-owner WinStar Farm, Global Campaign is out of the A.P. Indy mare Globe Trot, making him a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Bolt d'Oro.
Leaving from post 4, Global Campaign will be piloted by Luis Saez.

Following a well-beaten fifth in last Friday's Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, Math Wizard will seek to make amends while attempting his second Grade 1 victory for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.

Owned by John Fanelli, Khalid Mishref, Cash Is King Racing, LC Racing, Collarmele Vitelli Stable, Ioannis Zoumas and Bassett Stables, Math Wizard was a deep-closing winner of last year's Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx in his only graded staeks victory to date. The chestnut son of Algorithms owns three others placings against graded stakes company, where he was third in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby last July and second in both the Grade 3 Ohio Derby last June and Grade 3 Monmouth Cup in July.

Jockey Joel Rosario, who guided Yoshida to a 2018 Woodward score, has the mount from post 1.

Rounding out the field is William L. Clifton, Jr.'s Prioritize, a winner on both dirt and turf.

Trained by Jimmy Bond, Prioritize began his career on grass, where he was a first out winner over the Gulfstream Park green in April 2018 before third-place finishes against stakes company on the NYRA circuit in the Better Talk Now at Saratoga and the Grade 3 Hill Prince at Belmont Park, where he was beaten by a length both times.

In his dirt debut, the son of two-time Grade 1 winner Tizway won for a $35,000 tag on December 20 at Aqueduct and defeated allowance company three starts later at Saratoga, where he defeated Grade 1 Kentucky Derby contender Money Moves.

Jockey Eric Cancel piloted Prioritize to his last two efforts and retains the mount from post 6.

The Woodward is slated as Race 11 on Saturday's action-packed 12-race card, which also features the Grade 2, $150,000 Jim Dandy for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles over the main track, the Grade 2, $200,000 Glens Falls for older fillies and mares over the inner turf at 1 3/8 miles, and the Grade 2, $200,000 Prioress for sophomore fillies at six furlongs. Saturday's program offers a first post of 11:45 a.m. Eastern. Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

The post Tacitus Chasing Long-Sought Grade 1 Victory In Saturday’s Woodward appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘He Looked At Me Like I Was Crazy’: Gatsas Looks Back At Shadow Caster’s Forego Upset

When owner Mike Gatsas runs four-time stakes winner Funny Guy in Saturday's Grade 1, $300,000 Forego presented by America's Best Racing, he will be reminded of his first graded stakes triumph 20 years ago when Shadow Caster pulled a 50-1 upset in the prestigious sprint at Saratoga.

The native of Manchester, New Hampshire, who operates under the moniker Gatsas Thoroughbreds alongside his brother Ted, had only owned horses for about five years and had just made the transition from former trainer Charlie Assinakopolous to John Terranova, who also conditions Funny Guy.

Shadow Caster arrived at the Forego with 28 starts under his belt but still appeared to be overmatched against the likes of multiple graded stakes winners Richter Scale and Successful Appeal.

“I remember saying to John, 'Let's get into the Forego' and he looked at me like I was crazy,” Gatsas recalled. “We took a leap of faith. I had just moved my horses to Terranova's barn at the time a month and a half prior to the Forego. But he went in there and outraced himself for sure and beat a very, very good field.”

Shadow Caster recorded a 113 Beyer for his upset victory in the Forego, which was a Grade 2 contested at 6 1/2 furlongs in 2000.

“That was a good field of sprinters and he had never faced anything quite like that, but he pulled it off,” Terranova said. “The following year, they changed it to a Grade 1, otherwise that would have been [my first Grade 1 win].”

Funny Guy won't be arriving at the Forego as quite as big an underdog as Shadow Caster, but the 4-year-old Big Brown bay has still yet to prove himself against open graded stakes company. However, the versatile New York-bred has defeated some of the best the Empire State-bred program has to offer, like multiple stakes-winner Mr. Buff, who was second to Funny Guy twice this year in the Commentator and John Morrissey.

“He's another good New York bred coming up. He's certainly in top form right now and the best of his life so far,” Terranova said. “We'll see how he goes from here. It seems as if he looks to be running the better races of his career whereas some of the top ones have maybe run a little bit less than what they've run before, but it's hard to say for sure.”

Funny Guy, who Gatsas owns in partnership with R.A. Hill Stable and Swick Stable, has displayed versatility from several different standpoints. In addition to winning stakes races at distances ranging from 6 ½ furlongs to 1 1/8 miles, he also has found the winner's circle when demonstrating different running styles.

In the Commentator, he came from off the pace under a well-timed ride by Rosario to record a 101 Beyer and followed up with a stalk-and-pounce triumph in the Morrissey, where he tracked just a length off the pace to draw off to a two-length win.

Jockey Joel Rosario was aboard for both efforts and Gatsas praised the jockey for executing well-timed rides in his last two starts.

“He has multiple gears and if you get into a little traffic, Joel can take hold and let him out a bit and he responds to Joel when he does that,” Gatsas said. “He's a very smart horse. On days of the race, he rests because he knows he's going to war. But he has those multiple gears and we've seen that in the morning with him, too.”

Gatsas also owned multiple New York-bred champion Gander, who finished a game second to Lemon Drop Kid in the Woodward just two weeks after Shadow Caster won the Forego. He also currently co-owns Vekoma, winner of the Grade 1 Runhappy Carter and Grade 1 Runhappy Met Mile, with R. A. Hill Stable.

Despite having not yet won a graded stakes race, Gatsas still holds Funny Guy in high regard and said that he is already one of the best horses that he has owned.

“We've had some real nice horses and it looks like Funny Guy might rise to the top of the list,” Gatsas said. “We had Shadow Caster and Gander with John as well. I think Funny Guy is going to surprise a lot of people. It's a bigger and tougher field but no bigger or tougher than Shadow Caster's field. He's doing great now and Joel staying on shows how much confidence he really has. We're lucky to have such a jockey on him as Joel, he has tremendous confidence in this horse.”

For the past two decades, Terranova has been one of the go-to trainers for Gatsas, who also has horses with George Weaver.

“I've been in the business almost 25 years and all trainers have been gentleman and excellent horsemen. I brought a bunch of horses to John and [wife] Tonja and we've become family,” Gatsas said. “My daughter and son and John and his whole family have become friends. We've done a lot together and had some real good horses. We had [Grade 1 winner] Negligee, who was owned by my son [Matthew Gatsas of Sovereign Stables] and went to the Breeders Cup with her.

“We've done quite well over the years with he and Tonja; they are hard-working, great people. They care about their horses and they care about their owners. To have a relationship this long is pretty unique.”

A big run from Funny Guy could mean a trip to Keeneland for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

“I'm not faint of heart to run in the Breeders' Cup,” Gatsas said. “I supplemented Gander for a lot of money to go to the Breeders' Cup in 2000. If he comes out great and John says 'Hey let's take a shot' I'm sure we'll be in Kentucky. I'm thinking he'll run really well on Saturday. He's that good right now.”

Terranova also would be in favor of taking a shot in the Breeders' Cup.

“If he were to show up and everything went well, it would be something for sure we would give great consideration to,” Terranova said.

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Face Mask Campaign Raises $20,000 For Saratoga Springs Non-Profits

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today presented a $20,000 donation to several non-profit organizations as a result of a joint initiative with the City of Saratoga Springs to raise funds for the community through the sale of limited-edition Saratoga Race Course face masks.

The campaign, which launched in mid-June and was immediately met with high demand from racing fans, raised a total of $20,000 which will be divided evenly between AIM Services, Inc.; Franklin Community Center; Shelters of Saratoga and the SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children).

NYRA worked with City of Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly to identify the program's four beneficiaries, which provide food, shelter and other critical resources during a time of increased need resulting from the coronavirus global health pandemic. A portion of proceeds from all mask sales was donated to the non-profits.

“It was great to see this level of support for a campaign that not only serves as a unique sign of the times, but benefits the collective health of the Saratoga community in so many ways,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “We thank our fans for their enthusiasm surrounding the face masks, as well as Mayor Kelly and the City of Saratoga Springs for their continued partnership and leadership.”

“We are all grateful to NYRA and the Saratoga mask initiative for helping us 'Mask Up' and raise funds for four of our local non-profits,” said Mayor Kelly. “NYRA has demonstrated once again their commitment to the safety and well-being of our entire community. When we get through this, we will be able to look back with pride on the many ways the community pulled together. NYRA's example is just one of many that make Saratoga Springs such a special place to live, work and visit.”

A limited number of three-pack sets of Saratoga face masks remain available for purchase for $24.95 at Shop.NYRA.com.

The Saratoga reusable cloth face masks come in a variety pack featuring three individual designs: a red mask with a white Saratoga logo; a white mask with a red Saratoga logo; and a navy-blue mask with a red Saratoga logo. The masks include a white border and stretchable elastic ear straps with an interior pocket for a replaceable filter.

Saratoga face masks are for personal use only; not a replacement for medical grade personal protective equipment.

Founded in 1979, AIM Services, Inc. provides residential and community-based services to people with disabilities, including individuals with traumatic brain injuries and those looking for nursing home transition or diversion. The agency provides services to individuals in Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.

Franklin Community Center is a non-profit human service agency that has provided basic necessities and services to individuals and families in Saratoga Springs for more than 25 years. The Center serves more than 6,000 people annually through a variety of programs, including a food pantry, afterschool prevention, and safe and affordable housing.

Since 1991, Shelters of Saratoga has provided assistance to people who are facing homelessness by providing safe shelter, supportive services and sustainable strategies with the mission to end homelessness in the greater Saratoga region. Programs include emergency and case-managed shelters, outreach services, drop-in centers and affordable housing.

The SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children) provides backpacks filled with child-friendly, non-perishable, easily consumed foods to local children on weekends and when other resources aren't available. The bags are distributed weekly to all six elementary, middle and high schools in the Saratoga Springs Central School District.

The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Racing at Saratoga is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. Closing week will run Wednesday, September 2 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

Under New York state guidelines, Saratoga Race Course is operating without spectators in attendance.

Saratoga Live presents daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit NYRA.com/SaratogaLive.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.

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