The two 4-year-olds will reunite in Sunday's $60,000 City of Dania at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., a mile overnight handicap in which Jesus' Team will carry 127 pounds, nine pounds more than the horse that had defeated him in a stakes-quality optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream June 10, 2020.

While acknowledging the disparity in weight assignments, trainer Jose D'Angelo is willing to accept the challenge for Jesus' Team first start since Grupo 7C Racing Stable's color-bearer finished sixth in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) March 27.

“I think he's come along very good. He is good and sharp. I think it is a good spot for him coming off a layoff,” D'Angelo said. “I know he has to carry a lot of weight, but I think it is not a big deal.”

Jesus's Team won a $25,000 claiming race in his first race after winning a $35,000 maiden claiming race and first race after being transferred to D'Angelo. The son of Tapiture finished second, beaten by three-quarters of a length by Sole Volante, in his next start before eight consecutive stakes races. D'Angelo and Jesus' Team hit the road to face the best company in the country for the rest of the year and faring extremely well. The Kentucky-bred colt went on to finish third in the Preakness (G1) and Jim Dandy (G2) before finishing second behind Knicks Go in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland.

“For me, it was amazing. Jesus represents to me the best horse I've trained,” said D'Angelo, who was the leading trainer in Venezuela before venturing to South Florida in 2019. “He gave me the best moments of my life, professionally speaking. When you come to this country. You see all the big horses and big trainers. To have a horse that has the ability to take you there with him, it was amazing.”

Jesus' Team returned to Gulfstream to capture the Claiming Crown Jewel in his final start of 2020 before making his 2021 debut in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), in which he again finished second behind Knicks Go. Unfortunately, the D'Angelo trainee seemed to lack the same competitive spirit in Dubai.

“The race was not a good race for him. The horse wasn't training very good in Dubai,” D'Angelo said. “Sometimes that happens, and you never know.”

After enjoying some rest and relaxation and putting on some weight, Jesus' Team has produced a series of strong breezes at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County, in preparation for the City of Dania.

Samy Camacho is scheduled to ride Jesus' Team for the first time since his second-place finish behind Sole Volante last year.

Patrick Biancone-trained Sole Volante will be seeking his first win in five starts since his decision over Jesus' Team last year. The son of Karakontie went on to finish off the board in the Belmont and Derby before a couple of uneventful efforts on the turf. Following a four-month break, he raced evenly to finish fourth in a mile optional claiming allowance on the main track May 22.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's gelding had established himself as a Triple Crown prospect early last year when he won the Sam Davis (G3) and finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2)

Luca Panici has the return mount on Sole Volante, who will be equipped with blinkers for the first time.

Harold Queen's Noble Drama, a multiple stakes winner and fan favorite at Gulfstream; Rodney Lundock's Pro Quality, who was just a neck behind Noble Drama; Lawson Racing Stables' I'm a G Six, an impressive winner of a mile optional claiming allowance last time out; Willow Lane Stable Inc.'s Highestdistinction, who is slated to make his 2021 debut Sunday after winning his last two starts of 2020; and IAB Stables and Walter Fralick's Quenane, a veteran campaigner with 14 career wins; round out the field.

The post Jesus’ Team, Sole Volante Reunite Sunday In Gulfstream’s City Of Dania Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The graded stakes-winning son of Karakontie is slated to come off a four-month layoff in Race 10, a mile optional claiming allowance on dirt on a 12-race program highlighted by the $75,000 Martha Washington Stakes, a mile turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

“We gave him a good break and two months on the farm to give him a chance to be a horse,” trained Patrick Biancone said. “We don't expect too much. We just want him to have a good run in his first race back.”

Sole Volante distinguished himself as a strong contender on the Road to the Triple Crown in 2020 when he won the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs before finishing second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). Unfortunately, the Kentucky Derby (G1), the Preakness (G1) and the Belmont Stakes (G1) were postponed until later in the summer and fall.

Sole Volante came off a three-month layoff to win an optional claiming allowance, a stakes-quality mile race in which Jesus' Team, who would go on to finish third in the Preakness and second in both the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G2), finished second. Ten days later, the gelding owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and assistant trainer Andie Biancone finished sixth in the Belmont Stakes. The Biancone trainee went on to finish 11th in the Derby after being squeezed at the start before finishing off the board in a pair of turf stakes.

“He was ready early, but like everybody, everything was delayed because of problems with COVID,” Biancone said. “He was a little bit over the top when it came the right time. In May, he was just perfect.”

Sole Volante began his career with back-to-back victories on turf in a maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park West and the Pulpit Stakes at Gulfstream Park in the fall of 2019. He finished a promising third in his dirt and 2020 debut in the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream prior to his strong performances at Tampa Bay Downs.

Saturday's one-turn mile race attracted a strong field of six older horses, including graded-stakes winner Trophy Chaser, who is scheduled to make a long-awaited return from a 13-month layoff. The Juan Carlos Avila-trained son of Twirling Candy, who won the 2020 Challenger Stakes at Tampa.

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Panici was unseated from his mount Bourbon Highway leaving the chute in the one-mile event. According to Panici's agent, Kevin Meyocks, Panici will see a specialist in the coming days. “They say there's no surgery. He just needs time to heal,” Meyocks said.

Panici has won 724 races since coming to the U.S. from Italy, where he rode more than 500 winners. In 2020 Panici came back from two injuries, a fracture collarbone in February and two broken ribs in April.

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The Tropical Park Derby, a 1 1/16-mile turf stakes for 3-year-olds, will be accompanied on Saturday's 11-race program by the $75,000 Tropical Park Oaks, a 1 1/16-mile turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies, and the $75,000 H. Allen Jerkens, a two-mile turf stakes for 3-year-olds and up.

Patrick Biancone-trained Sole Volante will return from an 11-week freshening since finishing sixth in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and an 11th-place finish following a troubled start in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. Turf will hardly be foreign territory for the 3-year-old gelded son of Karakontie, who launched his career with back-to-back victories over the Gulfstream Park turf course last year.

“Even at the Kentucky Derby we were debating [about running Sole Volante on turf] because they have that race [Grade 2 American Turf} the same day. We were contemplating it,” said Andie Biancone, assistant trainer to her father, Patrick. “We know he's a turf horse. It's just because he has such a big heart that he takes to the dirt. We're really happy to get him back on turf.”

Sole Volante debuted with a three-length romp in his debut at Gulfstream Park West before coming right back to register a two-length score at Gulfstream in the Pulpit Stakes, in which King Guillermo finished third. Having shown himself to be extremely gifted and bred to run long, Sole Volante was given a chance to show what he could do on dirt with an eye toward the Triple Crown.

“When they're that good that time of year, you have to try them on the dirt,” said Andie Biancone, who was given Sole Volante by her father on her 22nd birthday. “He did really well because he has so much heart, but turf is really his preferred surface.”

Following a solid third in the one-turn mile Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream, Sole Volante stamped himself as a Triple Crown candidate with a 2 ½-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. He earned his way into the Kentucky Derby field with a second-place finish in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), won by King Guillermo. Unfortunately, the Kentucky Derby was postponed from the first Saturday in May to Sept. 5 and the Preakness (G1) was postponed from the second Saturday in May to Oct. 3, making the Belmont Stakes the first leg of the 2020 Triple Crown. Sole Volante prepped for the Belmont with a triumph in a June 20 stakes-quality allowance at Gulfstream, defeating Jesus' Team, who would go on to finish second in the Preakness, and Florida Derby runner-up Shivaree.

Although he wasn't at his best in the Belmont and Kentucky Derby, he provided Andie Biancone memories that will last a lifetime. Unable to travel due to an illness, Patrick Biancone entrusted his daughter to oversee Sole Volante's training at Belmont Park and Churchill Downs.

“It was really cool that my dad put that trust in me,” she said. “It was really cool. I still haven't processed it.”

Sole Volante breezed six furlongs on turf in 1:11.40 at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park's satellite training facility in Palm Beach Count, Sunday for his return to turf.

“I think he's training better than ever,” Andie Biancone said.

Luca Panici has the return mount aboard Sole Volante.

Calumet Farm's Dack Janiel's will also make the switch from dirt to turf Saturday to run in the Tropical Park Derby.

“It's not so much as trying the turf as it is taking advantage of the last race for just 3-year-olds,” trainer Jack Sisterson said.

Dack Janiel's is coming off a third-place finish behind a victorious Jesus' Team in the Claiming Crown Jewel at Gulfstream Dec. 5. In his prior start, the son of Tonalist showed the way to mid-stretch before finishing third in the Thoroughbred AfterCare Alliance (G2) on the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup program at Keeneland.

Dack Janiel's has run twice on turf, finishing third at Fair Grounds in January before graduating in an off-the-turf maiden special weight race in his next start. The homebred colt didn't run on turf again until June, when he showed the way before weakening to third late at Churchill Downs.

Julien Leparoux has the call.

Trainer Todd Pletcher is scheduled to saddle a pair of Tropical Park Derby starters, Robert and Lawana Low's Colonel Liam, who was beaten by less than a length while finishing fourth in the Aug. 15 Saratoga Derby Invitational; and Waterford Stable LLC's Summer to Remember, who is twice stakes-placed over Gulfstream's turf course. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call on Colonel Liam, while Luis Saez has been named to ride Summer to Remember.

Trainer Michael Maker is scheduled to send out four starters in the Tropical Park Derby, which drew 10 entries Sunday. Skychai Racing LLC and Sand Dollar Stable LLC's Fancy Liquor has the highest profile of the Maker quartet, having captured the American Turf on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. In his most recent start, the son of Lookin At Lucky finished second in the Bryan Station on the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup undercard at Keeneland. Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Don Juan Kitten and Gelfenstein Farm and Andy Blanco's Angelus Warrior, Maker-trained stablemates of Fancy Liquor, finished eighth and 10th, respectively, in the Bryan Station. Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher's Me and Mr. C., who finished fourth in the Gio Ponti at Aqueduct last time out, rounds out the Maker contingent.

Tyler Gaffalione has the mount aboard Fancy Liquor; Edgard Zayas has the call on Don Juan Kitten; Miguel Vasquez will ride Angelus Warrior; Joe Bravo has the mount aboard Me and Mr. C.

Anderson Stables LLC's By Your Side, a graded-stakes winner at Saratoga on dirt in 2019, and Walking L Thoroughbreds LLC's Fighting Seabee, who captured the With Anticipation (G3) at Saratoga in 2019; round out the field.

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Biancone has been overseeing the 5-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky's daily activities at Keeneland this week while subbing for her father, Patrick Biancone, who had been fighting cancer for several months. Although he is cancer-free now, the elder Biancone is in a Covid-19 high-risk group and so opted not to travel from his South Florida base at Palm Meadows Training Center.

Andie Biancone, who serves as his assistant trainer and exercise rider, also has represented her father at the Belmont Stakes and Kentucky Derby with Sole Volante.

“It's been a crazy year,” said the 23-year-old Biancone, who admits that her busy schedule has somewhat affected her grades for her online courses at the University of Florida.

She's able to escape all the craziness for a little while, at least, when she climbs aboard Diamond Oops, who enters the Sprint off back-to-back wins in the Phoenix at Keeneland and the Twin Spires Turf Sprint.

“Even without winning all those races, he's special to us. My dad always believed in him and has always been high on him. This past year with my dad getting sick, he's been my escape. I've been getting on him every day. It sounds super lame, but it's like therapy. He has such a big heart. It's so amazing being around him,” she said.

“I've been galloping him for about a year and a half. A couple of months ago, he literally dropped me and he stopped and waited for me to get back on him. He waited for me on the track and I got back on him,” she added. “He's so intelligent. His last breeze, I got emotional. I was, like 'What did I do to deserve such an amazing animal in my life?' ”

The versatile Diamond Oops, who was Grade I stakes-placed on turf and dirt last year, ran in the 2019 Dirt Mile, in which he encountered a troubled start and finished eighth at Santa Anita. He came right back to win the seven-furlong Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream seven weeks later and stretched out to finish fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream. He rallied from 12th to win the 5 1/2-furlong Twin Spires Turf Sprint and stalked the pace before kicking in late to win the Phoenix.

“He has such a big heart and is so intelligent, he's like a person. He has a huge personality,” Biancone said. “He's the light in our lives, for my dad, for me.”

Biancone would like to see Diamond Oops get a similar trip in the Sprint as he got in the Phoenix.

“He's really versatile. You can cover him easily. He's a really good stalker. Hopefully, he gets a good break and come with that closing kick,” she said. “When he sees another horse in front of him, it's game on.”

Florent Geroux has the return mount aboard Diamond Oops, who is owned by Diamond 100 Racing Club LLC, Amy Dunne, D P Racing LLC and Patrick Biancone Racing LLC.

The post ‘The Light In Our Lives’: Andie Biancone Enjoying The Ride With Breeders’ Cup Hope Diamond Oops appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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To read previous editions of The Haiku Handicapper, click here.

#2 – Max Player
Can't knock his hustle
Don't love the late-game barn change
Should gain some ground late

#3 – Enforceable
Looked good at Fair Grounds
But fell off the map quickly
Blue-blood would surprise

#4 – Storm the Court
How many horses
Finish third at Thistledown
Then win the Derby?

#5 – Major Fed
A fine Grade 3-type
Punching against heavyweights
Tricky assignment

#7 – Money Moves
One start in six months
An optional claimer loss
This guy's pocket change

#8 – South Bend
Which will be longer:
Touchdown Jesus's wingspan
Or lengths off winner?

#9 – Mr. Big News
First-class pedigree
Exit-row coach race record
Minor check at best

#10 – Thousand Words
His ship's been righted
Knocking around four-horse fields
What's his true level?

#11 – Necker Island
A wonderful claim
Who's lost to a lot of these
He'd be an upset

#12 – Sole Volante
Churchill plays turfy
Which might be his best surface
A player, if he's right

#13 – Attachment Rate
Has some wins in him
Don't reckon this'll be one
He'll grow up nicely

#14 – Winning Impression
A pair of sevenths
Never held back Dallas Stewart
From trying longshots

#15 – Ny Traffic
Loves to run second
Pack animal tendencies
Wait for a mile race

#16 – Honor A. P.
Mike Smith had options
This one got the final rose
Serious win threat

#17 – Tiz the Law
All that's left to do
Is avenge his Churchill loss
And he's a man now

#18 – Authentic
Nail-biting Haskell
Begs the question if he peaked
For the May Derby

Prediction
Long-awaited bout
“Law” staves off Honor A. P.
Twelve and two follow

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Storm the Court
Court Vision x My Tejana Storm, by Tejano Run
Court Vision had no trouble getting the distance over dirt or turf. On the main track, he took the G2 Remsen Stakes (1 1/8 miles) and the G3 Iroquois Stakes (1 1/16 miles). After finishing 13th in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, he was moved to the turf, where he finished the year with a win at 10 furlongs in the G1 Hollywood Derby and one at 1 1/8 miles in the G2 Jamaica Handicap. He then became a star turf miler, taking home Grade 1 wins in the Breeders' Cup Mile, Woodbine Mile Stakes, and Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes.

Storm the Court, the winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile and champion 2-year-old male, is one of two graded stakes winners by Court Vision. The other is Mr. Havercamp, who is a Grade 2 winner at 7 furlongs and 1 1/16 miles, as well as a Grade 3 winner at 1 mile, all on the turf. His runners also include Canadian champion King and His Court, who is a stakes winner at 9 furlongs over Woodbine's all-weather main track, and finished third in the third leg of Canada's Triple Crown, the 1 1/2-mile Breeders' Stakes.

Despite having several examples to prove he can sire a distance runner, Court Vision's average progeny winning distance of 6.89 furlongs puts him in the lower half among this year's Derby sires.

My Tejana Storm spent her entire career racing at Philadelphia Park, where she won three times around one turn, once on the turf and twice on dirt.

Save for the Eclipse Award winner, My Tejana Storm's most successful runner is the U S Ranger filly Belleoftheprairie, who earned six figures as a multi-surface runner, excelling at the 5 furlong distance. He's Great, by Greatness, is a five-time winner racing exclusively at Charles Town, where those wins came between 4 1/2 and 7 furlongs. What a Wicked Game, by Tizway, went unplaced in seven starts in New Mexico.

Attachment Rate
Hard Spun x Aristra, by Afleet Alex
Hard Spun finished second in his own Kentucky Derby try in 2007, but he proved himself to be a versatile runner, taking the G1 King's Bishop Stakes at 7 furlongs and the G2 Lane's End Stakes and Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. He also finished second in the Breeders' Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles.

His own foals post an average winning distance of 7.64 furlongs, which is near the top of the list for this year's Derby sires. His most notable runner on the classic stage is Wicked Strong, who won the G1 Wood Memorial Stakes 1 1/8 miles en route to finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

Aristra won one of six starts racing in New Mexico and Pennsylvania, graduating in a Penn National maiden claimer in her final start, going 1 mile 70 yards on the main track. She was claimed for $5,000 that day.

Attachment Rate is her lone six-figure earner, having run second in the Ellis Park Derby (1 1/8 miles) and Unbridled Stakes (1 1/16 miles), and third in the G3 Gotham Stakes (1 mile). Aristra's next-best runner is Talk Less, a son of Blame who is a three-time winner in Ohio, all at distances at or near a mile. Arkadag, by Union Rags, is a two-time claiming winner at Laurel Park at 7 furlongs and 1 1/16 miles, both on the dirt. Rounding out the group is Base Jumper, a son of Arch who won twice at Finger Lakes, both at 1 mile 70 yards.

How did a nickel claimer get into the books of such high-end stallions? Aristra is a half-sister to four graded stakes producers, including the dams of champion Caledonia Road, Grade 1 winners Hymn Book and Data Link, and Grade 3 winner Strike The Bell.

Sole Volante
Karakontie x Light Blow, by Kingmambo

Karakontie, a Japanese-born homebred for the Niarchos family's Flaxman Holdings Ltd., spent most of his career racing in Europe. At two, he took the French G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère and Prix La Rochette, both at 7 furlongs. He came back at three to win the French 2000 Guineas at 1 mile, and he finished that season with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Sole Volante is a member of Karakontie's first crop of runners. However, the sire's average progeny winning distance of 7.34 furlongs is an excellent number for a rookie stallion at this point in the season.

Beyond Sole Volante, Karakonte's top runners include Kenzai Warrior, an English Group 3 winner at seven furlongs; multiple turf sprint stakes winner Karak; and Ketil, who is multiple Group 3-placed in France at 1 1/2 miles or longer.

Light Blow, also a Niarchos homebred, won once at an eye-popping 1 7/8 miles during a short racing career in England. She also ran second at about 1 1/4 miles on debut.

She has lived up to the lofty expectations of the Niarchos program as a broodmare. Sole Volante is her top earner, but she has already had an elite 3-year-old in Explode, a son of Trappe Shot who was a Sovereign Award finalist in 2019 off a campaign that featured wins in the G3 Canadian Derby at the classic distance. He went even further to finish third in the G3 BC Premier's Handicap at 1 3/8 miles.

Light Blow is also the dam of Light of Joy, by Kitten's Joy, who was stakes-placed in England at 1 1/2 miles.

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At the end of a Derby trail that had a four-month detour, we have a final picture of which consignors had the most success producing horses who earned Derby qualifying points for this year's race, both in quantity and quality. Of the 18 horses with intentions to run as of Monday afternoon, 15 went through the ring at least once at public auction, and all but two of those earned points for their consignors in this year's Kentucky Derby Consignor Standings.

Tiz The Law has been the de facto leader of his division for much of the Derby prep season, and when he ascended to the top of the points standings, his consignor Sequel New York joined him. The son of Constitution was Sequel's only graduate to earn points on this year's Derby trail, but the postponement of the race from May to September left him and Sequel with an astronomical 372 points as the runners descend on Churchill Downs.

Tiz the Law's accumulation journey began at Churchill Downs, where he earned two points for a third-place effort in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. He then picked up 10 points when he won the G3 Holy Bull Stakes, and he cemented himself as a top contender following a 100-point triumph in the G1 Florida Derby. From there, Tiz the Law piled it on during his summer campaign, earning 150 points by winning the Belmont Stakes, and another 100 points in the G1 Travers Stakes.

Sequel was the top consignor by Derby points, both in the overall standings and among consignors of yearlings. The top point-getter among consignors specializing in 2-year-old sales was Randy Bradshaw, who had 150 points on the lone strength of Nadal.

A son of Blame, Nadal picked up 40 points in the G2 Rebel Stakes, then earned 100 points by winning the second division of the G1 Arkansas Derby.

Nadal was an incredibly successful pinhook for Bradshaw, who bought him for $65,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, then sold him for $700,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

Taylor Made Sales Agency led all consignors on this year's Kentucky Derby trail by the number of horses that earned qualifying points, with nine.

The group was led by Shotski, a Blame colt who picked up 19 points with a win in the G2 Remsen Stakes, a second in the G3 Withers Stakes, and a fourth in the G2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. The Taylor Made Grade 1 graduate board added another name last fall when Eight Rings, by Empire Maker, won the G1 American Pharoah Stakes and earned 10 points. Texas Swing, a son of Curlin, also earned 10 points with a third in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby.

Other Taylor Made graduates to pick up points on the Derby trail include Three Technique (Mr Speaker, 9 points); Scabbard (More Than Ready, 9 points); Arkaan (Into Mischief, 4 points); Cosmo (Distorted Humor, 4 points); Earner (Carpe Diem, 2 points); and Super John (Super Saver, 2 points).

Taylor Made will also send graduate Mr. Big News, a son of Giant's Causeway, into the Derby starting gate without any qualifying points.

A pair of juvenile consignors tied for the most point-earners, each with three.

Top Line Sales graduates picked up a combined 131 points on the Derby trail, led by Ny Traffic, a son of Cross Traffic who earned 110 points with runner-up efforts in the G1 Haskell Stakes, G2 Louisiana Derby, and G3 Matt Winn Stakes, along with a third in the G2 Risen Star Stakes.

The Top Line consignment also featured Candy Tycoon, an earner of 20 points by Twirling Candy, and Gozilla, by Flatter, who earned one point.

Wavertree Stables also saw three graduates earn points, including Country Grammer, a first-crop Tonalist colt who got 50 points for winning the G3 Peter Pan Stakes.

Independence Hall, also from a first-crop sire in Constitution, picked up 14 points with a win in the listed Jerome Stakes and a runner-up effort in the G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes. Rounding out the trio of first-crop point-earners was Wrecking Crew, who picked up five points with a third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and a fourth in the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity.

Though the horse enters the first Saturday in September with no qualifying points, Wavertree Stables' graduates on this year's trail also include Money Moves, a son of Candy Ride who is a likely Derby starter.

As the field of potential Derby starters stands through Monday afternoon, Lane's End is the only consignor with multiple graduates scheduled to enter the starting gate.

Max Player, a first-crop son of Honor Code, has 60 points after winning the G3 Withers Stakes and finishing third in the Belmont Stakes and G1 Travers Stakes. Sole Volante, also a first-cropper by Karakontie, picked up 30 points with a victory in the G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes and a runner-up effort in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby.

Lane's End finished with the second-most point-earners on this year's Derby trail, with five.

The group was topped by Wells Bayou, a Lookin at Lucky colt with 104 points from winning the G2 Louisiana Derby and running second in the G3 Southwest Stakes. Arkaan, by Into Mischief, who earned four points with a third in the listed Pegasus Stakes. Express Train, by Union Rags, earned one point for running fourth in the American Pharoah Stakes.

The post Kentucky Derby Consignor Standings Presented By Keeneland: Final Countdown Sees Sequel New York, Taylor Made On Top appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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With gameday jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. in the irons, Bruce Lunsford homebred Art Collector (second in the TDN Kentucky Derby Top 12) went five-eighths of a mile in a 1:00.80 (XBTV video) under the watchful eye of trainer Tom Drury, Jr. Art Collector enters the Derby on a four-race winning streak, including the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. July 12 and a defeat of Attachment Rate (Hard Spun) in the Aug. 1 Runhappy Ellis Park Derby.

“He really loves this track here at Churchill,” Drury said. “He galloped pretty strong yesterday on his first day back at Churchill and turned in a really strong work today. The difficult part is out of the way and now we just need to keep him happy and healthy until Saturday.”

Louisville native Lunsford added in an NTRA teleconference: “He did exactly what we wanted. He worked in basically ’12s’ and I would say that he came out of it looking like he hadn’t really done much. There wasn’t any sense in taking any unnecessary chances. [Tom and Brian] were very happy with the work and how he handled it. He looks terrific.”

Art Collector figures to be a clear second wagering choice to GI Belmont S. and GI Runhappy Travers S. hero Tiz the Law (Constitution), who works at Saratoga either Saturday or Sunday.

Caracaro (#11 TDN Derby Top 12) was ruled out of Derby contention by trainer Gustavo Delgado after suffering a slight injury to his right front leg during the gallop out of a six-furlong breeze at Saratoga Friday morning. The GIII Peter Pan S. and Travers runner-up was timed in 1:12.26 for his move, but exercise rider J.J. Delgado dismounted when he felt there was an issue.

“I don’t know how bad it is, but later on we’re going to x-ray and find out,” assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr. said. “It’s disappointing because he worked so well. He just took a bad step and he wasn’t feeling right. His work had already been done. I don’t think it’s going to be that bad, but we’ll know more once we do the proper examination.”

Ny Traffic (Cross Traffic, #10), who nearly came back on ‘TDN Rising Star’ Authentic (Into Mischief) when last seen in the GI TVG.com Haskell S. July 18, was also in action up at Saratoga, breezing five furlongs in :59.45 just after the renovation break with David Cohen up.

“I thought he went super. It’s what we wanted,” said trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. “I got him in 59 and change and out in 1:12 [for six furlongs. I just wanted to see him cool out good and scope good. With our fingers crossed and with a good eight days [before the Derby], we have a very good chance. Today was important. I just wanted to see him come out of the work good.”

Sole Volante (Karakontie {Jpn}, #8)) is taking a somewhat less-conventional approach to his pre-Derby preparation and in that vein, the GIII Sam F. Davis S. winner and runner-up to King Guillermo (Uncle Mo) in the GII Tampa Bay Derby, went five furlongs over the Palm Meadows turf course in :57.80 to the delight of co-owner and assistant trainer Andie Biancone.

“He worked really well. We did a shorter work today to get a little speed into him,” said Biancone. “He worked very well and came back great.”

Luca Panici has the call on the gelding, a distant sixth to Tiz the Law in the Belmont in his most recent racetrack appearance.

“I’m excited to be there. I’m thankful to the connections for giving me this opportunity with a good horse. I’m very, very happy to be a part of this team,” Panici said. “I’m very, very proud and proud of the people who work with me.”

Back at Churchill, the morning’s other breezers included:

• Major Fed (Ghostzapper), five furlongs in :59 flat (:12.20, :23.80, :47, out six furlongs in 1:12)
• Necker Island (Hard Spun), a half-mile in :48.40 with Miguel Mena (:12.60, :25, :36.60) (XBTV video)
• Rushie (Liam’s Map), five-eighths in 1:01.60 (:12.80, :24.80) (XBTV video)
• Winning Impression (Paynter), five furlongs in :59.20 (:11.80, :23.40, :34.60, :47, out three-quarters in 1:12.60) (XBTV video)

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Also working toward the Derby were Winning Impression (5 furlongs in :59.20), Major Fed (5 furlongs in :59), Necker Island (4 furlongs in :48.40) and Rushie (5 furlongs in 1:01.60).

Working toward the Oaks were Speech (4 furlongs in :47.60), Shedaresthedevil (5 furlongs in 1:01.40), Bonny South (4 furlongs in :48.20) and Tempers Rising (4 furlongs in :47).

There were also Derby hopefuls working at Saratoga and Palm Meadows Friday morning.

At Saratoga, Ny Traffic covered five furlongs in :59.45; Dr Post (4 furlongs in :49.60) and Money Moves (5 furlongs in 1:00.14). At Palm Meadows, Sole Volante worked five furlongs on firm turf in :57.80.

On the Oaks front, four other fillies worked from coast to coast.

Donna Veloce worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 at Del Mar; Dream Marie worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 at Gulfstream Park West; Hopeful Growth worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 at Monmouth; and, Project Whiskey worked a half-mile in :47.82 at Parx.

ART COLLECTOR – Bruce Lunsford's Art Collector put in his final work prior to next Saturday's Kentucky Derby with a five-furlong move in 1:00.80 with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the saddle.

“He really loves this track here at Churchill,” trainer Tommy Drury said. “He galloped pretty strong yesterday on his first day back at Churchill and turned in a really strong work today. The difficult part is out of the way and now we just need to keep him happy and healthy until Saturday.”

Owned by Louisville native Lunsford, Art Collector brings many local ties together for the first Saturday in September.

“It's really an honor being local to Kentucky, training for a local owner and running in the biggest horse race in the world,” Drury said.

ATTACHMENT RATE – Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's $200,000 Ellis Park Derby runner-up Attachment Rate galloped 1 ½ miles under exercise rider Faustino Herrarte at 7:30 a.m. Friday.

Attachment Rate is scheduled to work on Sunday. Trainer Dale Romans is due back in Louisville Saturday from Saratoga.

AUTHENTIC – Spendthrift Farm LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC and Starlight Racing's $1 million Haskell (GI) winner Authentic is scheduled to arrive Monday at Churchill Downs.

CARACARO – Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing's $1 million Travers Stakes (GI) runner-up Caracaro has been removed from Kentucky Derby contention with a soft tissue injury, according to trainer Gustavo Delgado.

DR POST – St. Elias Stable's Haskell third-place finisher Dr Post worked a half-mile in :49.60 Friday at Saratoga. His plans for the Derby remain in question.

ENFORCEABLE – John Oxley's Enforceable galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Paolo Perez at 5:40 Friday morning at Churchill Downs.

The Mark Casse trainee is scheduled to work at 5:15 Saturday morning, weather permitting, with Derby rider Adam Beschizza scheduled to be aboard.

FINNICK THE FIERCE – Trainer and co-owner Rey Hernandez said Finnick the Fierce returned to the track Friday at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington. He will ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.

FIRST LINE – Noda Brothers' Saratoga maiden special weight winner First Line no longer remains under consideration for the Derby according to vice president of racing Ben Huffman.

HONOR A. P. – C R K Stable's $100,000 Shared Belief runner-up Honor A. P. is scheduled to work Saturday at 12:45 p.m. PDT at Del Mar and slated to arrive at Churchill Downs Monday.

KING GUILLERMO – Victoria's Ranch's King Guillermo galloped 1 ½ miles Friday at 7:30 a.m. with exercise rider Edgar Medina in the saddle. He is scheduled to breeze Saturday or Sunday at 7:30 a.m. pending inclement weather.

Owner Victor Martinez is due in Louisville Saturday.

MAJOR FED – Lloyd Madison Farm's $300,000 Indiana Derby (GIII) runner-up Major Fed cruised five furlongs in :59 at 5:15 a.m. with jockey James Graham in the saddle.

Trained by Greg Foley, Major Fed began his work at the half-mile pole and clipped through early fractions of :12.20, :23.80 and :47. He continued around the turn and completed a six-furlong gallop out in 1:12.

“I wanted to put a good work in him this morning and focus on making sure he finished through the wire,” Foley said. “He was moving pretty good around there. James tapped him on the shoulder once and he lowered his body to continue galloping out well. The big relief was how easy he seemed to do it because back at the barn he really wasn't tired.

“We're sort of taking in this entire Derby experience. Being from Kentucky and Churchill being our home track, this is the race every owner, trainer and jockey dreams of winning. This is why we put in the hard work. I always thought about making that walkover for the Derby and it's sure going to be special for me, our family, our owners and everyone in our barn.”

Major Fed will have a walk day Saturday and could return to the track for a light jog Sunday.

MAX PLAYER – George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbred's $1 million Travers Stakes (GI) third-place finisher Max Player galloped 1 ½ miles at 6 a.m. with exercise rider Juan Vargas in the saddle.

Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. will have the call in the Derby.

MONEY MOVES – Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's two-time winner Money Moves still remains under Derby consideration according to assistant racing secretary and stakes coordinator Dan Bork.

Money Moves worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 Friday at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher. He is nominated to the $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU (GII).

NECKER ISLAND – Raymond Daniels and Wayne Scherr's Necker Island worked a half-mile in company in :48.40 under jockey Miguel Mena during the 7:30 training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses.

Working with Kurilov, Necker Island posted fractions of :12.60, :25 and :36.60 before galloping out strong to the half-mile pole.

“I thought it was a great work and it was the first time Miguel had been on him,” trainer Chris Hartman said. “He finished well and other than the little hiccup at the start with the '25' it was exactly what I wanted to see.”

It was the first work for Necker Island since finishing third behind Art Collector in the Ellis Park Derby.

Hartman said Necker Island would walk the shedrow the next two days and then return to the track Monday with a likely visit to the starting gate.

“I may stand him at the gate every day,” said Hartman, who claimed Necker Island for $100,000 in June. “We'll play it by ear and see how he participates. That's one of the things about training horses, learning to work with them.”

NY TRAFFIC – John Fanelli, Cash is King and Paul Braverman's Ny Traffic worked five furlongs in :59.45 at Saratoga under David Cohen for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

“He went in company and sat a few lengths off his target,” Joseph said via text. “He went on by readily and worked well.”

Ny Traffic is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.

RUSHIE – Jim and Donna Daniell's Rushie worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 under exercise rider Osman Cedeno for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Working on his own at 9 o'clock, Rushie produced fractions of :12.80 and :24.80 in the work that was the 26th fastest of 36 at the distance.

“He worked (five furlongs) in :59 last week at Del Mar and today looked like a good leg stretcher with a solid gallop out,” McCarthy said. “He got over the track well and was well within himself.”

Rushie, who would have to be supplemented to the Derby, also is under consideration for the $500,000 Pat Day Mile Presented by LG&E and KU on Derby Day.

“I'm not sure (about which race),” McCarthy said. “The money doesn't have to be in until Tuesday morning so we will watch things the next 24 to 48 hours and get the Daniells and go from there.

“This is the kind of year to take a shot. You have two very good horses in Tiz the Law and Art Collector and then there is Authentic and Honor A. P. and then everybody else is in the same boat. I think he will get a good setup in both races … there is a lot to think about.”

SHIRL'S SPEIGHT – Charles Fipke's $100,000 Marine Stakes winner Shirl's Speight is scheduled to work at Woodbine Sunday and ship to Churchill Downs Monday, according to trainer Roger Attfield

SOLE VOLANTE – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's Soul Volante worked a half-mile on firm turf in :57.80 Friday morning at Palm Meadows.

“He breezed really well and cooled out perfect,” trainer Patrick Biancone said via text. “He will ship to Churchill Downs tomorrow.”

STORM THE COURT – David A Bernsen LLC, Exline-Border Racing LLC, Dan Hudock and Susanna Wilson's 2-year-old champion Storm the Court is slated to arrive at Churchill Downs Sunday on a flight from San Diego to Louisville. He is scheduled to work Saturday at Del Mar.

Julien Leparoux has the call in the Derby.

THOUSAND WORDS – Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm's Shared Belief Stakes hero Thousand Words is scheduled to arrive Monday with stablemate Authentic to trainer Bob Baffert's Barn 33 at Churchill Downs.

Florent Geroux has the call in the Derby.

TIZ THE LAW – Sackatoga Stable's Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law is scheduled to breeze Saturday or Sunday at Saratoga before his Monday arrival at Churchill Downs.

WINNING IMPRESSION – West Point Thoroughbreds' and Pearl Racing's graded stakes placed Winning Impression worked five furlongs in :59.20 Friday morning at 6 o'clock under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

“I thought he really cruised around there well,” trainer Dallas Stewart said. “We're ready to go. You got to be in it to win it.”

Winning Impression rocketed through early fractions of :11.80, :23.40, :34.60 and 47 and completed a six-furlong gallop out in 1:12.60. Joe Rocco Jr. has the call in the Derby.

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