An 8 1/4-length tour-de-force tally in Keeneland's GI Central Bank Ashland S. accorded Nest the role of favoritism in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, but she was no match for the somewhat forgotten Secret Oath, dropping a two-length decision. A meritorious second to stablemate Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) in the GI Belmont S., the $350,000 Keeneland September grad reversed the Oaks form with a 12 1/4-length thumping of Secret Oath in the GI CCA Oaks July 23, good for a 104 Beyer Speed Figure that is a half-dozen points stronger than anything her six rivals has earned and nine more than Secret Oath's top. A GI Runhappy Travers S. start was an option next weekend, but she sticks with a path of lesser resistance for the Alabama.

“Whenever you're running four weeks off a huge effort like that, you're always concerned about if you're running back too soon,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, who won his third Alabama with 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) last year. “But, in her case, she's done so well since the race there's no reason not to.”

Wayne Lukas, who won the Alabama twice in the 1980s with Life's Magic in 1984 and with Oaks winner Open Mind five years later, looks to equal his former pupil. Secret Oath's second clash of the season with the boys in the GI Preakness S. resulted in a non-threatening fourth and she figures to strip fitter off the CCA Oaks, her first start in 63 days.

“She's really had a good month since that debacle in the [CCA Oaks],” Lukas said. “In fact, I feel like she's better now than any time I've had her. She's really flourished here at Saratoga. [Jockey] Luis [Saez] has worked her three times since that race so he's getting more familiar every day with her, too. So, that should help us as much as anything. We're anxious to run her.”

Gerrymander (Into Mischief) defeated next-out GIII Monmouth Oaks heroine and 'TDN Rising Star' Shahama (Munnings) in the GII Mother Goose S. June 25, but will probably need to find a few lengths to trouble the heavy hitters.

GI CCA Oaks winner NEST, who will run in Saturday's GI Alabama S. at Saratoga @TheNYRA, is photobombed by @kentuckyderby winner and GI Travers S. hopeful Rich Strike…only at the Spa!

Great shot by @SarahKAndrew. pic.twitter.com/807ChVlCH1

— TDN (@theTDN) August 18, 2022

Spendarella Vulnerable in Del Mar Oaks?

Gainesway Stable's Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) took her career record to three wins from as many starts with a convincing 1 3/4-length success in the GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland in April and, with trainer Graham Motion unafraid to tackle the deepest of deep waters, took that undefeated mark into the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 17. The $220,000 Keeneland September purchase had the misfortune of running into her fellow flawless rival Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who scored by 4 3/4 lengths first off the layoff and has since defeated the boys in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.

But Saturday's GI Del Mar Oaks figures something other than a walk in the park for Spendarella, who faces a fresh challenge from Euro import Txope (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The bay, previously trained by Philippe Decouz, was stakes-placed in France earlier this season on the synthetic and on the turf and was last seen posting a mild upset when proving 3/4 of a length too strong in the G2 German 1000 Guineas at Duesseldorf June 12. The bay most recently topped the Arqana Summer Mixed Sale on a bid of €1.2 million from the BBA Ireland on behalf of Yulong Investments. She makes her U.S. debut for the John Sadler barn and can be the fly in the favorite's ointment.

Spendarella in town and cruising around Del Mar on Thursday morning in preparation for Saturday's G1 Del Mar Oaks. Who is your pick?

@ceciliagphoto #horsephotos #horseracing #horseracingphotography #delmar pic.twitter.com/yHsdqh1opJ

— Horsephotos (@HorsephotosCom) August 19, 2022

With The Moonlight Backs Up For Lake Placid

Godolphin's With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) makes her third start in the last six weeks as the expected favorite in the GII Lake Placid S. back at the Spa. After failing to see out the 12-furlong distance of the G1 Cazoo Oaks June 3, the homebred completed a Frankel exacta behind McKulick (GB) in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational July 9 but turned the tables on that foe last time in the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational. The latter is missing this time around, but the Chad Brown barn is represented by a quartet–each lined up next to the other–including GIII Lake George S. one-two finishers Dolce Zel (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}, gate 5) and Eminent Victor (Mr. Z, post three); Consumer Spending (More Than Ready, post four), winner of the GII Wonder Again S. and third in the Belmont Oaks; and 'TDN Rising Star' Haughty (Empire Maker, gate six).

In non-graded stakes action Saturday, Grade I winner Rattle N Roll (Connect), who lost all chance at the start of the GIII Indiana Derby July 9, looks to return to winning ways in the $250,000 St. Louis Derby at FanDuel Racing (results in Monday's TDN), while 2-year-old males and females prep for next month's GI Pattison Summer S. and GI Natalma S., respectively, in the Soaring Free S. and Catch a Glimpse S. at Woodbine.

The post Saturday Preview: Rubber Match in the Alabama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Ridden by Joe Talamo, Flash of Mischief ran the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:46.59. He paid $6.60 as the third betting choice in the field of seven 3-year-olds.

Irish Unity, trained by Steve Asmussen, finished a head in front of Gagetown, the 8-5 favorite, with W W Crazy fourth, Two Worlds fifth, Hozier sixth and Ekatimorningstrike last.

Irish Unity and Brian Hernandez Jr. set the early fractions of :24.36, :48.16 and 1:12.54 for the opening six furlongs. Flash of Mischief was just a length behind, then engaged the front-runner at the top of the stretch, putting his head in front at the furlong pole and gradually edging away to the margin of victory.

The win was the fifth in 10 starts for Flash of Mischief, who was coming off a fourth-place finish to Jackie's Warrior in the G2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga. The latter came back to win Saturday's G1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial at the upstate New York track.

The post Flash Of Mischief, Talamo Edge Irish Unity In St. Louis Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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In an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, FanDuel Group CEO Matt King outlined plans for a sportsbook at the racetrack, but added “We're investing broadly to revitalize the track itself.” The Post-Dispatch reports plans for the track to bring back the St. Louis Derby – last run in 2006 – and fund it with a $250,000 purse.

The sportsbook could open as early as late January 2021.

The Illinois Racing Board has approved 53 days of live racing at Fairmount Park in 2021, with a meet extending from April 27-Sept. 6

Fairmount Park is also in the process of getting a casino license made possible through a gaming bill passed by the Illinois legislature in 2019. The track has been owned since 2000 by William Stiritz and Associates.

FanDuel and the horseracing network and advance deposit wagering company TVG are related through their common ownership by Flutter Entertainment.

Read more at St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The post Fairmount Park To Be Renamed FanDuel Sportsbook And Horseracing Through New Partnership appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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