Steve Asmussen | Horse Racing Free Tips

Jackie’s Warrior, Former King of the Hill, Looks to Reclaim His Perch

In the world's current state of affairs, a lot can change in a few months' time. Racing is no different. One only has to go back to November to remember when Kirk and Judy Robison's Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) was the undisputed leader of his age group. But an odds-on loss on the sport's biggest stage took the bloom off of his rose for some, and these days, despite being a multiple Grade I winner, one could argue he is a forgotten colt as the GI Kentucky Derby trail kicks into high gear.

But opportunity knocks this Saturday, in the twice-delayed GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn, where the brilliant $95,000 Keeneland September grad will make his 3-year-old debut and get his long-awaited rematch with the rival who snatched away his Eclipse statuette with a conquest of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Essential Quality (Tapit).

“Steve [Asmussen]'s extremely happy with the horse, I personally love the draw, number four in a seven-horse field and you get the favorite down on the rail, so I think we're good to go,” Robison said Wednesday of the Southwest, which was originally supposed to run Feb. 15 but got pushed back two times due to inclement weather in Hot Springs. “Steve never considered another race. From 6-8 weeks ago, he was always on track for this race and I think when they announced Essential Quality was probably going there too, it scared a few people off, but that's where we wanted to go from day one. No excuses.”

After dominating a trio of historic 2-year-old stakes last summer and fall–the GII Saratoga Special S., GI Runhappy Hopeful S. and GI Champagne S.–Jackie's Warrior was regarded highly enough to be hammered down to 9-10 favoritism in the Juvenile, one of the shortest prices of the entire Breeders' Cup weekend. But the speedball was caught too close to a scorching pace of :22.58 and :45.31, and just faded late after making the lead in mid-stretch under Joel Rosario, ending up fourth, beaten 3 3/4 lengths by tripped-out closer Essential Quality.

The nature of that first defeat raised doubts about Jackie's Warrior's ability to see out two-turn races, considering his running style and sprint-leaning pedigree.

“I think there's always been some question about whether he could get a mile and a sixteenth against top-flight horses,” Robison said. “He was not able to do it that day, but I'm very confident he can get it done Saturday. It's a different circumstance, smaller field, and I think Rosario and Steve probably learned a lot from what happened in the Juvenile, so let's see what happens.”

As for potentially trying to throttle the horse's speed down to increase his staying chances, Robison said, “He really is freaky fast, and I remember Steve telling me a long time ago about horses, 'Never take away what they do well.' So if you have a horse who outbreaks the field, don't take that advantage away from the horse, let him go on. He's just a natural speed horse and I think that's what his style will be. The question is going to always be, how far can he take that kind of speed? We'll find out.”

And, if Jackie's Warrior doesn't continue on the Derby trail after Saturday, that will be just fine with Robison, a veteran of the game who deeply appreciates the prestige of big races beyond the Run for the Roses.

“If he turns into a multiple Grade I winner around one turn, that's not the end of the world,” he said with a laugh. “I don't get up in the morning dreaming about a Derby horse. People at cocktail parties only want to hear about the Derby, but most of us in the industry know with these Grade I sprints and one-turn mile races, how important they are. I'm not going to presume what Steve's going to do after this race, but having said that, I think he'll run extremely well.”

The post Jackie’s Warrior, Former King of the Hill, Looks to Reclaim His Perch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Favored Bankit Takes Road Show To Laurel, Wins John B. Campbell

Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing's well-traveled Bankit, making his 27th career start but first in Maryland, swept to the lead on the far outside and powered through the stretch to a 1 ¾-length triumph in Saturday's $100,000 John B. Campbell at Laurel Park.

The 67th running of the Campbell for 4-year-olds and up and the 38th edition of the $100,000 Nellie Morse for fillies and mares 4 and older, both at about 1 1/16 miles, were among six stakes worth $900,000 on a Winter Sprintfest program co-headlined by the $250,000 Runhappy Barbara Fritchie (G3) and $250,000 General George (G3).

Bankit ($5.40), favored at 8-5 against seven rivals, had raced in New York, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, West Virginia and Kentucky for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen before arriving at Laurel, where he registered his fourth career stakes victory and second in a row. The winning time was 1:42.07 over a fast main track.

It was the second consecutive stakes win on the card for jockey Sheldon Russell, following Maythehorsebwithu in the $100,000 Miracle Wood for 3-year-olds.

Bankit was unhurried in the early going as Zabracadabra, making his stakes debut, and Deal Driven, third in the Claiming Crown Iron Horse, dueled through fractions of 24.10 and 47.48 seconds, tracked by Dixie Drawl and Galerio, beaten a neck in the Jan. 16 Jennings at Laurel in his previous start.

Russell gave Bankit his cue rounding the far turn and the Central Banker gelding responded willingly, catching up to the leaders at the top of the stretch and opening up once in the clear. Galerio ran well to hold second, 1 ¼ lengths ahead of late-running multiple stakes winner Cordmaker.

It was another 1 ¼ lengths back to 18-1 long shot Deal Driven in fourth, followed by Forewarned, Dixie Drawl, Zabracadabra and Awesome D J.

“You can see on the Form he runs better with just a little bit of a stalking trip so I let him break sharp. A couple of the inside horses went, and he got into a good spot going into the first turn,” Russell said. “About the half-mile pole I felt I had a lot of horse. I opted to hang him out there five wide and he just got to running. And I knew at the top of the stretch, he pricked his ears, he's a professional horse to ride.”

Lucky Stride Proves Too Tough in $100,000 Nellie Morse
Sonata Stable's Lucky Stride (by Declaration of War) wrested the lead from 40-1 long shot and fellow multiple stakes winner Artful Splatter at the top of the stretch and went on to a popular 1 ¼-length win over a stubborn Landing Zone in the $100,000 Nellie Morse.

Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in a field of eight, Lucky Stride ($3.80) hit the wire in 1:43.38 with Julian Pimentel aboard for trainer Mike Trombetta, who also teamed up to win the 2018 Nellie Morse with In The Navy Now.

Pimentel settled Lucky Stride in third between horses as Flashndynamite, a 12-time career winner, ran the opening quarter-mile in 24.30 seconds and the half in 47.67 pressed by Artful Splatter to his outside. Artful Splatter took over the lead midway around the turn when Pimentel made his move on Lucky Stride followed on his right hip by Lucky Move.

Lucky Stride was set down for the stretch drive once straightened for home, with Landing Zone maneuvering into a challenging spot and persisting to the wire. It was three lengths back to Artful Splatter in third with Lucky Move fourth.

Daphne Moon, Flashndynamite, Wicked Awesome and Pat's No Fool completed the order of finish. Gracetown and Dreamer's Moon were scratched.

“I had a great trip,” Pimentel said. “I was able to be outside the whole time. I spoke with [Trombetta] and he didn't want me too far back but in contention. Last time at Laurel we faced a tough filly. Today we just needed to be in a good place.”

Lucky Stride won the 2019 Clasico Roberto Clemente (G3) and Clasico Dia del Veterano (G2) in Puerto Rico before joining Trombetta last summer, and has raced exclusively in stakes since. She was second to Allaire du Pont (G3) winner Eres Tu in the Thirty Eight Go Go Nov. 28 at Laurel and opened her 5-year-old season by winning the Wayward Lass Jan. 16 at Tampa Bay Downs.

The post Favored Bankit Takes Road Show To Laurel, Wins John B. Campbell appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Pink Kamehameha Gives Japanese Trainer Mori Second Straight Saudi Derby Triumph

Pink Kamehameha (JPN) ensured that both Japan and trainer Hideyuki Mori retained the US $1.5 million Saudi Derby sponsored by Al Rajhi Bank with a three-quarters of a length victory over Cowan (USA). The trainer had struck in last year's inaugural renewal with Full Flat.

Away alertly from post eight in the 12-horse line-up, the Japanese-bred son of Leontes, representing jockey Keita Tosaki and owner Hisako Kimura, stalked the pace set by Soft Whisper (IRE), who had the early advantage under Mike Smith. Tosaki never let the leader get too far in front and put that rival away turning into the straight.

The American invader Cowan rallied late between horses to finish second under Joel Rosario for trainer Steve Asmussen, a length clear of third-place finisher New Treasure (IRE) with Frankie Dettori aboard for British trainer John Gosden.

Quotes:

Keita Tosaki, jockey, Pink Kamehameha, 1st: “It was my first ride on him today but he produced a fantastic run even on his first time race over the dirt surface. As he has no issues with the starting gate, he jumped quickly from the gate today. He responded to me well and had a comfortable trip all the way.”

Hideyuki Mori, trainer, Pink Kamehameha: “Everything went perfect today. He showed a very good response to the jockey at the final turn, which was kind of surprising to me. He ran on dirt for the first time, but today's surface with a bit of rain affected track must suit him a lot.”

Joel Rosario, jockey, Cowan, 2nd: “He missed the break. Right when they opened the gate his head was turned, so he lost the break, but he came running. They went very fast up front and he almost got there. It was a good run from him.”

Frankie Dettori, jockey, New Treasure, 3rd: “He ran okay. He hit a flat spot on the turn but he stayed on well.”

Thady Gosden, assistant trainer, New Treasure: “He ran a huge race there. He got a little bit outpaced early on but he kept on well. The Japanese horse is clearly really good and got loose on the lead on the bit but (New Treasure) stayed on well. He has run really well and everyone is really proud of him.”

Ted Voute, racing manager to New Treasure's owner Prince Faisal bin Khaled: “He's been invited to the UAE Derby so we'll see what everyone thinks about that.”

Rest of jockey quotes

William Buick, Rebels Romance, 4th: “Really good run, he's stepped up on his last run in Meydan and considering it was only the fourth run of his life, you have to be pleased.”

Mike Smith, Soft Whisper, 5th: “I'm kind of lost for words, I thought she'd finish but it didn't happen.”

Mickael Barzalona on Meshakel, 10th: “I was never in the race. Normally, he takes me into the race, but today it wasn't happening.”

Cristian Demuro, Homeryan, 11th: “I was going well, but these races are very different to the races we have in France. They went fast and he was a little outpaced when we came into the final bend.”

The post Pink Kamehameha Gives Japanese Trainer Mori Second Straight Saudi Derby Triumph appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Team Switzerland Hopes To Neutralize Foes In Riaydh Dirt Sprint

When the winner's enclosure cameras flash in Saturday's $1.5 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint, the team behind Switzerland is fully prepared to say cheese. Carrying the orange and black colors of HH Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi's RRR Racing, the son of Speightstown enters the tough contest as one of the serious players, thanks to a strong score in Meydan's G3 Dubawi on Jan. 21–his third victory at the level and sixth lifetime.

“He came out of the race in great shape,” said Bhupat Seemar, assistant trainer to Satish Seemar. “For us, that was only his first run–he was with Doug (Watson) before and obviously Steve Asmussen before that–so I can only say what we've seen from him and he's been very good in the mornings at Zabeel (Stables). He's a superb horse in the mornings and a flamboyant galloper. Mickael Barzalona galloped (breezed) him Monday morning and he was really happy with him. He will ride him in Saudi.”

Last year, the same connections entered Gladiator King–also fresh of G3 success in Dubai–to finish a respectable third in this. Gladiator King was astern Switzerland last out, obviously needing the run, but never seriously challenging his banner-mate when the real running commenced.

“I hope he travels well and everything just goes according to plan,” Seemar continued. “I think there are some tough horses in there, but I really like how Switzerland is doing. The really tough ones could be the Japanese, especially Matera Sky, who is very quick and a class horse. He was second in it last year and was second here in the (G1 Dubai Golden) Shaheen. He's fast and will be on the lead, so if he's let loose, he'll be tough to peg back.”

Strategy will definitely be paramount for the chocolate-brown Switzerland. Quick enough to go to the front, he showed a new dimension when stalking wide and free of sand last out. If he wishes for a replay of that scenario, the post position will be of utmost importance. The barrier draw takes place on Wednesday.

“One thing he doesn't want is cover,” Seemar explained. “If you look at all his winning races in America, he was always on the lead and didn't face a lot of kickback. He tried it here a couple times–to take back behind horses–and it just didn't work out for him. If they're going really fast on the lead, he can hopefully lay off them out of the kickback and come running again like he did at Meydan. The draw is obviously important, as well. I would like to be in the first four somewhere early.”

Having a live contender once again on Saudi Cup Day is quite an accomplishment for UAE's reigning champion training yard, proving once again that Dubai's premier horses can stack up against some of the very best in the world. Maintaining such company remains the goal after Saudi, as well, as Switzerland will surely be turning his watch ahead to Dubai World Cup Day and the $1.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen.

Seemar: “We've been kind of lucky to be in this position. Last year, we had North America in the Saudi Cup and Gladiator King in the (Riyadh) Sprint, who was arguably the best sprinter in Dubai at the time. He got bumped in the race, which I think cost him second place, but he ran really well. The good thing is we've been there once and we know the script. We know what to do and what not to do, so we feel like we are in with a good chance with Switzerland.”

The post Team Switzerland Hopes To Neutralize Foes In Riaydh Dirt Sprint appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post