stakes schedule | Horse Racing Free Tips

Millionaire Marathoner Lone Rock Headed To New Oaklawn Race

Lone Rock was a $40,000 claimer when he came to Oaklawn for the 2021 meeting. He returns a multiple Grade 2 stakes winner and with $1,024,921 in career earnings.

And the marathon runner may not be done this year.

Trainer Robertino Diodoro said Tuesday morning that Lone Rock is under consideration for the inaugural $200,000 Tinsel Stakes for 3-year-olds and up Dec. 18 at Oaklawn. The 1 1/8-mile Tinsel is among four new races added to Oaklawn's 2021-2022 stakes schedule to accommodate an expanded season (66 days) and December opening, the second-earliest in track history.

A two-time allowance winner at the 2021 Oaklawn meeting, Lone Rock flourished after targeting races beyond the American classic distance (1 ¼ miles) and surpassed $1 million in career earnings with a 1 ½-length victory in the $250,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (G2) Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

Lone Rock set a 1 5/8-mile track record (2:42.61) under Oaklawn regular Ramon Vazquez.

Lone Rock has bankrolled $722,884 in winning 6 of 8 starts (all in 2021) since Diodoro re-claimed the now-6-year-old Majestic Warrior gelding for $40,000 last November at Churchill Downs on behalf of New York owner Jason Provenzano (Flying P Stable).

“He was meant to be a good horse,” said Diodoro, Oaklawn's leading trainer in 2020. “Horses are like athletes. You see some of these kids come out of college, or they're in college, and they're rock stars and then they go pro and they're nowhere to be found. Sometimes, it's the other way around. Guy's mediocre in college, but takes the next step and goes to the pros. Same thing with these horses.”

In Lone Rock's case, he became a pro at long, long distances.

Prior to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Lone Rock had captured an April 11 allowance race at Oaklawn, $130,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes April 27 at Churchill Downs, $400,000 Brooklyn Stakes (G2) June 5 at Belmont Park and the $120,000 Birdstone Stakes Aug. 5 at Saratoga.

The April 11 race, Isaac Murphy and Brooklyn were all 1 ½ miles. The Birdstone was 1 ¾ miles. Lone Rock also finished second in another 1 ½-mile race, the $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes for older horses, March 13 at Oaklawn.

“The farther the better,” Diodoro said.

Lone Rock began his racing career with mega-successful Oaklawn owner John Ed Anthony of Hot Springs, who covets long-winded, two-turn runners, and now-retired trainer Will VanMeter. Lone Rock, prior to being gelded, closed his 2018 campaign with a victory in Remington Park's $75,000 Jeffrey A. Hawk Memorial Stakes at 1 mile and 70 yards.

Diodoro originally claimed Lone Rock for $40,000 from Anthony and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott in July 2020 at Saratoga. Mott, on behalf of himself and Paradise Farms Corp., took the gelding back for $40,000 approximately three months later at Keeneland.

“We were kicking ourselves for running him back for the $40,000,” Diodoro said. “But we had to win some races. We were in a little bit of whatever. We just got lucky to get him back.”

Diodoro said Lone Rock received a brief freshening at Turf Paradise in Phoenix following the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance before shipping to Oaklawn. The gelding arrived Saturday in Hot Springs, Diodoro said.

“We're going to train him here for 10 days and see how he trains and then we'll make a decision whether to give him a break or continue on,” Diodoro said. “Our original plan was to give him a break. A few things have unfolded in the last little bit, so we're going to see. So far, he seems good. We want to make sure he's 100 percent.”

Overall, Lone Rock has a 13-4-2 record from 36 lifetime starts. Lone Rock began 2021 with a 1 1/16-mile allowance victory at Oaklawn. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was his fifth career stakes victory.

The post Millionaire Marathoner Lone Rock Headed To New Oaklawn Race appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Weekend Lineup Presented By Stonestreet Bred & Raised: Breeders’ Cup Bonanza

The 14-race Breeders' Cup World Championships has returned to Del Mar, with a blockbuster weekend of racing set to enthrall both fans and bettors alike. Future Stars Friday will pit the best 2-year-olds against one another in five different races, and the remaining nine World Championships contests have been carded for Saturday where The Turf Meets The Surf.

A total of nine horses were entered Monday for the 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic, led by the Brad Cox-trained duo of Knicks Go and Essential Quality. Each has won two Grade 1 races this year, and both enter the Classic off victories: 5-year-old Knicks Go put on a dominant show in the G3 Lukas Classic at Churchill on Oct. 2, and the 3-year-old Essential Quality won the G1 Travers by a neck on Aug. 28 at Saratoga. Joel Rosario will ride 5-2 favorite Knicks Go from post 5, while Luis Saez will be aboard Essential Quality at 3-1 in gate 4.

Embattled trainer Bob Baffert will send out this year's Kentucky Derby first-place finisher and recent G1 Awesome Again Stakes winner Medina Spirit from post 8 (4-1), with John Velazquez in the irons.

Doug O'Neill will saddle his G1 Pennsylvania Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie, with regular rider Flavien Prat to ride the 3-year-old from post 3 (4-1). Rounding out the group of sophomores taking on their elders is longshot Stilleto Boy for trainer Ed Moger, Jr.; the Awesome Again runner-up will break from post 7 under Kent Desormeaux.

Other Grade 1 winners in this year's edition include Whitney winner Art Collector (Bill Mott, Mike Smith, post 6, 8-1), Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Max Player (Steve Asmussen, Ricardo Santana, Jr., post 9, 8-1), and Pacific Classic winner Tripoli (John Sadler, Irad Ortiz, Jr., post 1, 15-1). Rounding out the Classic field is G2 San Diego winner Express Train (John Shirreffs, Victor Espinoza, post 2, 20-1).

The full lineup of stakes action is listed below, with all times Eastern:

Friday

5:50 p.m. – Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

Hat Creek Racing's undefeated Averly Jane is the 5-2 morning line favorite in a field of 12 and two also-eligibles for the 5-furlong dash. Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard Averly Jane who will exit post position eight for trainer Wesley Ward who has won this race the past two years with Four Wheel Drive and Golden Pal.

BC Juvenile Turf Sprint Entries

6:30 p.m. – Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

The $2 million NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to be run at 1 1/16 miles drew a field of six headlined by L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' undefeated Echo Zulu. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the two-time Grade 1 winner has won her three starts by a combined 16 ¾ lengths. Listed at 4-5 on the morning line, Echo Zulu will break from post six and be ridden by Joel Rosario.

The top challengers to Echo Zulu are 5-2 co-second choices Juju's Map, winner of the Alcibiades (G1), and Hidden Connection, winner of the Pocahontas (G3). Albaugh Family Stables' Juju's Map has won her past two starts by a combined 10 lengths under Florent Geroux. Trained by Brad Cox, who won this race in 2019 with British Idiom, Juju's Map will break from post position five.

Hidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds' Hidden Connection is 2-for-2 with the victories coming by a combined 16 ¾ lengths. Trained by Bret Calhoun, Hidden Connection will be ridden by Reylu Gutierrez and break from post two.

BC Juvenile Filliles Entries

7:10 p.m. – Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Bobby Flay's homebred Pizza Bianca is the lukewarm 5-1 morning line favorite in a field of 14 for the 1-mile race. Runner-up in the Natalma (G1) at Woodbine in her most recent start, Pizza Bianca is trained by Christophe Clement and will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post position one.

BC Juvenile Fillies Turf Entries

7:50 p.m. – Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile

An East-West matchup of undefeated Grade 1 winners headlines a field of 12 entered for the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to be run at 1 1/16 miles.

Jack Christopher was scratched from the field late Thursday night, so a pair of Todd Pletcher trainees will step into the East Coast mantle: Commandperformance and Double Thunder.

Speedway Stables' Corniche is 2-for-2 and owns a victory in the American Pharoah (G1) for four-time Juvenile winning trainer Bob Baffert. Listed at 5-2 on the morning line, Corniche will be ridden by Mike Smith from post position 12.

BC Juvenile Entries

8:30 p.m. – Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Rabbah Bloodstock's Dubawi Legend (IRE) is the 4-1 morning line favorite for the 1-mile test that drew a field of 14 and two also-eligibles. Trained by Hugo Palmer, Dubawi Legend will be ridden by James Doyle and break from post position 14.

BC Juvenile Turf Entries

Saturday

3:05 p.m. – Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

In the Filly & Mare Sprint, Michael Lund Petersen's Gamine is the 3-5 morning line favorite to repeat in the race she won by 6 ¼ lengths in track-record time last year at Keeneland. Trained by Bob Baffert and to be ridden by John Velazquez from post five in the six-horse field, Gamine is undefeated in four starts at the 7-furlong distance.

BC Filly & Mare Sprint Entries

3:40 p.m. – Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg's Golden Pal, who kicked off last year's World Championships at Keeneland with a gate-to-wire victory in the Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2), is the 7-2 morning line favorite in a field of 12 with six also-eligibles for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) to be contested over 5 furlongs.

Trained by Wesley Ward, Golden Pal will be attempting to become the fifth horse to win different Breeders' Cup races. He comes into Saturday's race off a 2 ¼-length victory in the Woodford (G2) at Keeneland last month. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount and will break from post three.

BC Turf Sprint Entries

4:19 pm. – Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.'s Life Is Good is the 4-5 morning line favorite for the $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) that drew a field of eight.

A neck away from being perfect in five starts, Life Is Good won the 1-mile Kelso Handicap (G2) by 5 1/2 lengths in front-running fashion. Now trained by Todd Pletcher, Life Is Good will break from post five and be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

BC Dirt Mile Entries

4:59 p.m. – Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Back to defend a title is Mrs. A.M. Swinburn's Audarya (FR) in the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) to be contested at 1 3/8 miles over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course with a field of 12.

Trained by James Fanshawe, Audarya (5-1 on the morning line in the field of 12) comes into this year's race off a fourth-place finish in the Prix de l'Opera Longines (G1). William Buick has the mount and will break from post 12.

The morning line favorite for the race at 7-2 is George Krikorian's War Like Goddess. War Like Goddess has won her past four starts and is undefeated in three starts at the 1 3/8-mile distance for trainer Bill Mott. Julien Leparoux has the mount and will break from post position seven.

BC Filly & Mare Turf Entries

5:38 p.m. – Breeders' Cup Sprint

J. Kirk and Judy Robison's Jackie's Warrior is a neck away from being undefeated in one-turn races in 2021 and enters Saturday's Sprint off a 6 ¾-length romp in the Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx on Sept. 25. Listed at 6-5 on the morning line in the field of nine, Jackie's Warrior is trained by Steve Asmussen and will be ridden by Joel Rosario from post two.

BC Sprint Entries

6:20 p.m. – Breeders' Cup Mile

The $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) presented by PDJF, drew a field of 14 and two also-eligibles headed by 3-1 morning line favorite Space Blues (IRE). Owned and bred by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby, Space Blues enters the Mile off a victory in the Qatar Prix de la Foret (G1) last month. William Buick has the mount and will break from post position three.

Topping the U.S. contingent is Bardy Farm and OG Boss' Mo Forza. Trained by Peter Miller and 5-1 on the morning line, Mo Forza has compiled a 6-3-2-0 record at Del Mar and has won the past two renewals of the Del Mar Mile (G2). Flavien Prat will ride from post six.

BC Mile Entries

7:00 p.m. – Breeders' Cup Distaff

One of heaviest morning line favorites over the two days is St. George Stable's Letruska at 8-5 for the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) in which she heads a field of 11 fillies and mares.

Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska has won her past five starts and is six for seven in 2021 with the victories coming at six tracks and the past three at the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Distaff. Four of her victories came in Breeders' Cup Challenge races. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount and will break from post six.

BC Distaff Entries

7:40 p.m. – Breeders' Cup Turf

The second richest race of the Championships, the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) which drew a full gate of 14 and two also-eligibles, is headed by Tarnawa (IRE), who beat the boys in this race last year at Keeneland.

Owned by the H.H. Aga Khan Studs and trained by Dermot Weld, Tarnawa (9-5 on the morning line) has won one of three starts in 2021 and enters this year's race off a runner-up finish in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1). Colin Keane, who was aboard for the victory at Keeneland last year, will ride Saturday and break from post position 13.

Second choice on the morning line, Chad Brown-trained Domestic Spending was scratched from the race on Thursday evening. Also scratched Thursday was the Richard Mandella trainee United. Those defections allowed Bolshoi Ballet (Aidan O'Brien) and Channel Maker (Bill Mott) into the main body of the field.

BC Turf Entries

8:40 p.m. – Breeders' Cup Classic

A total of nine horses were entered for the 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic, led by the Brad Cox-trained duo of Knicks Go and Essential Quality. Each has won two Grade 1 races this year, and both enter the Classic off victories: 5-year-old Knicks Go put on a dominant show in the G3 Lukas Classic at Churchill on Oct. 2, and the 3-year-old Essential Quality won the G1 Travers by a neck on Aug. 28 at Saratoga. Joel Rosario will ride 5-2 favorite Knicks Go from post 5, while Luis Saez will be aboard Essential Quality at 3-1 in gate 4.

BC Classic Entries

The post Weekend Lineup Presented By Stonestreet Bred & Raised: Breeders’ Cup Bonanza appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

NYRA Releases Winter Stakes Schedule For Aqueduct

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the stakes schedule for the 2021-22 winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack.

With 46 stakes races on offer worth nearly $6 million in purses, the 56-day winter meet begins Thursday, Dec. 9 and runs through Sunday, March 27. Live racing will generally be conducted Thursday through Sunday through the end of February with a holiday break set for Dec. 20 – 29 and the addition of a special Presidents' Day card on Monday, Feb. 21. March will then feature a Friday-Sunday schedule of live racing through the conclusion of the winter meet on March 27.

As previously announced, and in accordance with New York City requirements, fans seeking to enter Aqueduct Racetrack must demonstrate proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Originally closed to the public during the height of the COVID-19 emergency in March of 2020, Aqueduct then became the site of a New York State mass vaccination center in January 2021. It will re-open to the public on Thursday, Nov. 11, Opening Day of the 18-day 2021 Aqueduct fall meet, which runs through Sunday, Dec. 5.

The Aqueduct winter meet stakes action commences on Saturday, Dec. 11 with the $100,000 Garland of Roses for fillies and mares, 3-years-old and up headed six furlongs on the main track. The 2021 NYRA stakes program draws to a close with the $100,000 Bay Ridge on December 30 for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up and the $100,000 Alex M. Robb on Dec. 31 for New York-breds 3-years-old and up.

January racing will open on New Year's Day with the one-mile $150,000 Jerome, the first of three Kentucky Derby prep races at the Big A winter meet. The Jerome will offer 10-4-2-1 qualifying points to the top-four finishers.

The nine-furlong $100,000 Busanda for sophomore fillies on January 23 will provide 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top four finishers. The winter meet graded stakes calendar will open with the Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan, a seven-furlong sprint for older horses on Jan. 29.

New York's road to the Kentucky Derby continues at the Big A winter meet with the nine-furlong Grade 3, $250,000 Withers on Feb. 5, offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers.

The Monday, Feb. 21 Presidents' Day card will be highlighted by the $100,000 Maddie May for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies going one mile. There will be no live racing on Thursday, Feb. 17 to accommodate the Presidents' Day card.

A total of 12 racing cards are set for March, featuring eight stakes' days, including two graded events. The centerpiece of the March racing calendar is the one-mile Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham on March 5, which provides 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers. The Gotham Day card includes the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap for 4-year-olds and up going six furlongs; the $250,000 Busher Invitational for 3-year-old fillies offering 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-four finishers; and the $125,000 Stymie for 4-year-olds and up.

The final weekend of the winter meet will feature a 10-stakes card on New York Claiming Championship Day, Saturday, March 26 and the $100,000 East View on Sunday, March 27.

Admission to Aqueduct, which will be open to the public on live race days only, is free of charge. The gates will open daily at 11 a.m. First post during the Aqueduct fall and winter meets is 12:30 p.m.

Fans visiting Aqueduct should use the Clubhouse Entrance to provide the required proof of vaccination. Preferred parking will be $10 daily in the Clubhouse lot and general parking with be in the Conduit lot. All parking fees must be paid via credit card.

For the complete winter meet stakes schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/stakes-schedule/

The post NYRA Releases Winter Stakes Schedule For Aqueduct appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Weekend Lineup: Sophomores, Maryland Million In The Spotlight

Grade 2 stakes for 3-year-olds highlight the weekend stakes schedule as Belmont Park hosts the Hill Prince on turf and Keeneland presents the Lexus Raven Run for fillies on the main track. Additionally, Laurel Park is the site of the 36th Jim McKay Maryland Million Day on Saturday. First post for the 12 stakes Maryland Million card, which will be televised on TVG, is 11:30 a.m. ET.

Races in this weekend's rundown are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Full previews, when available, can be found through the link for each race.

TVG will feature racing from Keeneland, Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Woodbine and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.

“America's Day at the Races” will be broadcasting live from Belmont Park on Saturday, Oct. 23 on FS2 from 12:30 – 5:30 pm. On Sunday, Oct. 24, “America's Day at the Races” will broadcast from Belmont Park on FS2 from 12:30 – 2:00 pm and on FS1 from 2:00 – 5:30 pm.

Friday, October 22

4:44 PM ET – $150,000 Sycamore Stakes (Gr. 3T) at Keeneland on TVG

Trainer Mac Robertson sends out morning line favorite Two Emmys in the 1 ½ mile Sycamore Stakes (G3T), a race that attracted a field of 12. The Kentucky-bred gelded son of English Channel has not raced since upsetting odds-on favorite Domestic Spending (GB) in Arlington's Mr. D Stakes (G1T), formerly known as the Arlington Million. Two Emmys finished second in a 2019 starter allowance race in his only previous Keeneland start. Glynn County, trained by Mike Maker, finished third in the aforementioned Mr. D and third in the Calumet Turf Cup (G2T) last out. The Kentucky-bred son of Kitten's Joy will start from the rail.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE102221USA8-EQB.html

Saturday, October 23

1:55 PM ET – $150,000 Hendrie Stakes (G3) at Woodbine on TVG

Six fillies and mares are scheduled to contest the 6 ½ furlong Hendrie Stakes on Woodbine's All-Weather Track. Our Secret Agent, trained by Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, is the morning line favorite. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Secret Circle is winless in four 2021 starts but has hit the board in three graded stakes races this year at Woodbine. Amalfi Coast (ON), winner of Woodbine's G3T Ontario Fashion Stakes most recently for trainer Kevin Attard, is expected to be the main challenger.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO102321CAN3-EQB.html

4:21 PM ET – $200,000 Nobel Damsel (G3T) at Belmont Park on FS2

High Opinion just missed in the G2 Ballston Spa Stakes in her most recent start for trainer Anthony Dutrow and leads a field of 10 fillies and mares in the one-mile G3T Noble Damsel. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Lemon Drop Kid will make her 10th career start and her second graded stakes start. Trainers Chad Brown and Shug McGaughey each have two entries in the Noble Damsel, with the former having won the race five times.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL102321USA8-EQB.html

4:52 PM ET – $400,000 Hill Prince Stakes (G2T) at Belmont Park on FS2

Eleven 3-year-olds are set to run in the nine-furlong Hill Prince over Belmont's inner turf course. Never Surprised, trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Todd Pletcher and owned by Repole Stable, has a lifetime record of 4-2-2-0, with two graded stakes placings in two 2021 starts. The Kentucky-bred Constitution colt was last seen after a seven-month layoff in Saratoga's G3T Saranac Stakes where Public Sector (GB) prevailed by a length. That foe, trained by multiple Eclipse Award winner Chad Brown, also is entered in the Hill Prince and boasts three wins in five 2021 starts, including back to back graded stakes wins at Saratoga.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/BEL102321USA9-EQB.html

5:16 PM ET – $250,000 Lexus Raven Run Stakes (G2) at Keeneland on TVG

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has a powerful duo entered in the 13-horse Grade 2 Lexus Raven Run field, led by 3-1 morning line favorite Obligatory. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Curlin has a pair of Grade 1 stakes placings this year, including a second-place finish in the Cotillion Stakes on September 25. Mott also has Caramel Swirl, a daughter of Union Rags, entered. The Godolphin color bearer finished fourth as the odds-on favorite in the G3 Charles Town Oaks in her most recent start, and broke her maiden at Keeneland in April by 10 ¼ lengths.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE102321USA9-EQB.html

Sunday, October 24

4:12 PM ET – $150,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes (Gr. 3T) at Keeneland on TVG

Ten fillies and mares, including Grade 2 stakes winner Micheline, are entered for the 12-furlong Dowager Stakes. Trained by Michael Stidham for Godolphin, the Kentucky-bred Bernardini filly won the G2T Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in March for her lone win in five 2021 starts. Florida-bred Key Biscayne won the listed Monroe Stakes at Gulfstream Park, a one-mile dirt contest in July originally scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the turf. In her most recent start, the daughter of Brethren trained by Mike Maker placed second in a 1 1/8-mile allowance optional claiming race on Saratoga's inner turf course.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE102421USA7-EQB.html

The post Weekend Lineup: Sophomores, Maryland Million In The Spotlight appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post