Pure Sensation Looks to Pick Up Baton for Clement in Jaipur

From 2016 to 2018 the GI Jaipur S. was won by a gray Patricia Generazio homebred from the Christophe Clement barn, starting with Pure Sensation (Zensational) in 2016 when the race was a Grade III. The following year, Pure Sensation was fourth to his stablemate Disco Partner (Disco Rico), who set a new world record en route to a one-length score. The Jaipur was upgraded to a Grade II in 2018 and Disco Rico successfully defended his title with Pure Sensation finishing third. In 2019, Pure Sensation skipped the Jaipur, which was boosted to a Grade I, and Disco Partner completed the trifecta behind World of Trouble (Kantharos). With both of those speedster retired to stud, Pure Sensation stands out as the one to beat in Saturday’s renewal.

Capturing the Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup just a week before last term’s Jaipur, Pure Sensation followed suit with a win in the GIII Parx Dash S. July 6 and was third next out in Saratoga’s GIII Troy S. Aug. 3, where Disco Partner finished second. Returning to winning ways in the GIII Turf Monster S. at Parx Sept. 2, the native New Yorker was fifth when last seen in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 2.

Should Pure Sensation burn himself out early, Oleksandra (Aus) (Animal Kingdom)–the lone female in the field–could be the one who picks up the pieces. Rallying from well back to take Saratoga’s Smart N Fancy S. Aug. 17, she was third next out in the GIII Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint S. Sept. 7. Back in the winner’s circle at Keeneland in the GIII Buffalo Trace Franklin County S. Oct. 11, the dark bay was second to the speedy Jolie Olimpica (Brz) (Drosselmeyer) last time in the GII Monrovia S. at Santa Anita May 25.

Stubbins (Morning Line) seeks his second graded stakes score in this event. Winner of Keeneland’s GII Woodford S. Oct. 5, he was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and kicked off this term with a third in the GIII Daytona S. May 23.

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Unbeatens Meet Grade I Winner in Acorn

Unbeaten ‘TDN Rising Star’ Gamine (Into Mischief) will look to take her record to a perfect three-for-three while making her stakes debut in the GI Longines Acorn S. at Belmont Park Saturday.

The highly regarded $1.8-million Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old sale topper debuted with the easiest of victories as the 1-9 favorite sprinting at Santa Anita Mar. 7, then gamely held off the hard-knocking subsequent GII Santa Oaks runner-up Speech (Mr Speaker) by a neck in front-running fashion in her two-turn debut in an optional claimer at Oaklawn May 2. The even-money morning-line favorite will be on the engine from her rail draw with Hall of Famer Johnny Velazquez in the irons.

“We took our time with her, let her develop,” Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said of the Michael Lund Petersen colorbearer. “Her two races have been really nice races. I could have stayed home and run her here two turns in the [Santa Anita] Oaks, but I wanted to give her a couple extra weeks. I thought the Acorn with the bigger, wider turns, I think she’ll like that. And it’s a lot of prestige.”

Perfect Alibi (Sky Mesa), heroine of last summer’s GI Spinaway S. at Saratoga, is the seven-horse field’s lone graded winner. A well-beaten second behind British Idiom (Flashback) in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. at Keeneland Oct. 4, she kicks off her sophomore season following a fourth-place finish behind last year’s champion 2-year-old filly in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita.

“She’s been ready to run for about three months,” newly minted Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said. “She’s always been very, very professional. If anything, she’s a little better work horse than she was. Last year, if you wanted to give some confidence to another horse you’d just work them with her because she’d let anybody beat her–except when they run in the afternoon. This year and recently, she’s been a little more aggressive in her works.”

The lightly raced and unbeaten Casual (Curlin) paired up 90 Beyer Speed Figures in a pair of hard-fought tallies, including an optional claimer going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs last time May 22. She makes her stakes debut for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen here.

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Short, But Talented Field Set for Woody Stephens

The streaking Mischevious Alex (Into Mischief) will look for his fourth straight score, third at the graded level, versus four fellow sophomores in Saturday’s GI Woody Stephens S. at Belmont Park.

A jaw-dropping seven-length winner of Gulfstream’s GIII Swale S. at this same seven-furlong distance, the speedy bay outslugged 10 rivals for a sharp decision in the GIII Gotham S. going a one-turn mile last time at the Big A Mar. 7.

“I’d love to be running in the Belmont,” trainer John Servis said. “But I wanted to run him shorter first back off the layoff and then stretch him out after that. The Woody Stephens seemed like a good spot.”

Mischevious Alex, campaigned in partnership by Cash is King and LC Racing, fired a five-furlong bullet in :59 4/5 (1/70) at Parx June 9.

“He’s training very good coming into the race,” Servis said. “We had some time between races with the coronavirus and I eased off on him a little bit because we didn’t have a schedule.”

‘TDN Rising Star’ Echo Town (Speightstown) could find himself in the garden spot if Mischevious Alex hooks up with the rail-drawn ‘TDN Rising Star’ No Parole (Violence).

Echo Town was a painful second when a head short of Long Weekend (Majesticperfection) in the Bachelor S. at Oaklawn Apr. 25, then refused to lose after dueling throughout in an optional claimer at Churchill Downs May 25. The 9-5 morning-line favorite makes his first start beyond six furlongs here.

If you forgive No Parole’s eighth-place finish when stretched to 1 1/16 miles in a sloppy renewal of the GII Rebel S., the Louisiana-bred has been ultra-impressive in his four other trips to the post, including a front-running optional claiming tally going six furlongs in Hot Springs last time Apr. 24.

“We think he’s a top sprinter,” trainer Tom Amoss said.

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Owners Allowed to Return to Alameda County Fairgrounds

The Thoroughbred Owners of California announced that horse owners will be allowed on grounds for racing at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, beginning immediately. Owners must follow these guidelines on the grounds:

  • Owners will be permitted one guest per owner.
  • Owners will be permitted to watch only the race their horse is entered in.
  • Owners must abide by the safety protocols of the Alameda County Fair (including wearing a face mask and social distancing).
  • Owners will be restricted to access only the apron and paddock areas.

The Alameda County Health Department has also approved outside dining at the Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds will be hosting Trackside Terrace outdoor patio dining on the second level of the grandstand. Those who are participating in the dining experience will be allowed to stay for the full duration of the race card. To purchase tickets, click here.

 

 

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