Albertrani Gets Win With Wolfie’s Dynaghost, Prepares Sadler’s Joy For Monday’s Grand Couturier

Woodslane Farm's Wolfie's Dynaghost capitalized on the weather conditions on Saturday, besting a seven-horse field of optional claimers by two lengths in a 1 1/16 mile-contest that was moved off the turf at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

The effort marked the second win in three career starts for the sophomore Ghostzapper colt, who won his debut going seven furlongs in November over an off Aqueduct track in his only race as a juvenile. After being elevated in class in the 1 1/8-mile Grade 3 Peter Pan on May 8 at Belmont, Wolfie's Dynaghost ran fifth over a fast track.

Wolfie's Dynaghost was set to make his first start on turf before the weather altered plans. Instead, the Kentucky homebred earned a personal-best 87 Beyer for his win over the sloppy and sealed Big Sandy, improving to 2-for-2 on off tracks.

“He came out of it in really good shape and I thought it was a very impressive race out of him,” trainer Thomas Albertrani said. “We weren't quite sure what his preferred surface is. He's won twice on wet tracks. The Peter Pan was a bit of a head-scratcher; we don't know if it was the dry track he didn't prefer or maybe we were throwing him in the deep end. We always felt he had a lot of talent, but maybe it wasn't the right race to prep him up to.”

Wolfie's Dynaghost is a half-brother to stablemate Sadler's Joy, a four-time graded stakes-winner on the turf. Albertrani said he wanted to see if Wolfie's Dynaghost might agree with running on the grass but will likely keep him on the main track for now.

“I still have my doubts whether he might be a grass horse or not, but I think going forward, we'll probably run him back on the dirt again until he runs a bad run and then maybe change surfaces again and try the turf,” Albertrani said. “In the Peter Pan, he was galloping along on the lead and threw in the towel early. That's why we were a little confused and thought maybe the switch to turf might have been the way to go. But he showed yesterday that he does run well on a wet track as well, so we'll see what's in store next. We'll definitely try the dirt until he runs a bad one.”

Sadler's Joy has been unlucky with the weather, with rain and the prospect of soft turf preventing him from racing since finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Pan American on March 27 at Gulfstream Park. Despite rain over the weekend at Belmont, Albertrani said the forecast for Monday's holiday card at Belmont should be dry, allowing the 8-year-old veteran to compete in the 1 1/2-mile $150,000 Grand Couturier over the Widener turf.

“Luckily, it looks like tomorrow will be a good day for the turf, hopefully we don't have any more rain in the forecast,” Albertrani said. “He's doing well. We're looking forward to getting him back on track. He runs well fresh and he always tries. Hopefully, we get a little racing luck with him.”

Sadler's Joy, set to make his 37th career start, has won graded stakes in 2017, 2018, and 2019 and he crossed the wire first in the 2020 Grade 2 Bowling Green at Saratoga before being disqualified and placed fourth for interference.

Albertrani was set to run Sadler's Joy back in the $400,000 Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup going two miles on June 4. Inclement weather forced him to skip that contest but a start in the inaugural running of the Grand Couturier could set up a return engagement during the 40-day summer meet at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. that commences July 15 and runs through Labor Day, September 6.

Sadler's Joy drew post 3 in the 10-horse field on Monday and is listed at 5-1 on the morning line with Jose Ortiz set to ride.

“He does well fresh. I was looking forward to running him in the Belmont Gold Cup with the two miles, but the rains came and we already know he doesn't like soft turf, so we didn't want to try him there,” Albertrani said. “Hopefully, he does well there and we can look forward to Saratoga with him.”

The post Albertrani Gets Win With Wolfie’s Dynaghost, Prepares Sadler’s Joy For Monday’s Grand Couturier appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Claiming Crown: Fiya Wins Fifth In A Row; Jakarta Rallies In Distaff Dash

Robert Masiello's Fiya blazed to victory in Saturday's $90,000 Claiming Crown Canterbury at Gulfstream Park, collecting his fifth straight victory since being transferred to turf.

The Canterbury was one of nine stakes in the 22nd edition of the Claiming Crown, an annual event that pays tribute to claiming horses that provide the backbone of day-to-day racing programs at racetracks throughout the country.

Tom Albertrani-trained Fiya was in control throughout the five-furlong turf race for horses that started for a claiming price of $25,000 or lower in 2019-2020, scoring by 1 ½ lengths while providing jockey Luis Saez with his fifth of six victories on Saturday's program.

“He really is an incredible turf horse, since we've seen him go from dirt to turf, he just does things so easily,” Albertrani said. “From the first day I got him in the barn, I fell in love with him. He got my attention right away and looked like a superstar.”

Fiya broke cleanly from his No. 1 post position and quickly opened a clear lead on the backstretch and was never threatened thereafter.

“He's a special horse. When I rode him for the first time at Belmont, he showed me a lot of ability. I couldn't wait to be on him today,” Saez said. “He broke from there fast and took the lead. I know he was rolling, but he loves to run. I just let him run into the stretch and he just took off by himself.”

Fiya, who ran five furlongs in 55.63 seconds, finished second and third on dirt in his first two career starts at Laurel, where he came back to break his maiden in his turf debut and  win an allowance race. Purchased for $400,000 during the July 2020 Wanamaker's Online Auction and transferred to Albertrani, Fiya captured a Belmont allowance and the Maryland Million Turf Sprint at Laurel before capturing the Canterbury.

“Competition-wise for Claiming Crown, this was a good group of horses. He's an impressive horse,” Albertrani said. “Every time he runs, he just seems to run better and better. I think we'll give him a break now and bring him back later next year.”

Fully Loaded, who was closest in pursuit of Fiya throughout the race, finished second 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Harry's Ontheloose.

Jakarta Rallies to Win Distaff Dash
Three Diamonds Farm's Jakarta, third in the Buffalo Trace Franklin County (G3) in October, rallied under jockey Luis Saez to win the Distaff Dash, covering five furlongs in :56.48 over a firm turf course.

A 5-year-old mare who won the Powder Break over this course in May, Jakarta provided trainer Mike Maker with his record 18th victory in the Claiming Crown.

“Claiming Crown is always a fun day, a little different without fans this year,” Maker said. “I was glad to do it with Jakarta. She's been a great filly for us all year, so it's very rewarding. She didn't get away today as quick as she usually does, but her class prevailed.”

Jakarta raced third entering the turn behind the pacesetter My Sarasota Star before driving to the lead inside the final eighth. It was Jakarta's eighth victory in 18 starts. The Distaff Dash was open to fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $25,000 less in 2019-20.

Jakarta, who returned $3.60, was 2 ¼ lengths in front of Unaquoi, who rallied from 10th for the place. Thinkin Cowtown was third.

Walder's $6,250 Claim Wins $80,000 Glass Slipper
Walder Racing's Descente, claimed for $6,250 Oct. 18, drove past favored stablemate and defending champion Liza Star around the turn to win the $80,000 Glass Slipper by 3 ¾ lengths. Don't Get Khozy was second and Sky Chaser third.

Trained by Peter Walder and ridden by Miguel Vasquez, Descente was rated in second behind Liza Star past an opening quarter in :23.58 before taking the lead around the turn past a :45.89 half mile. The 4-year-old daughter of Bodemeister was driven home from there and returned $9.20.

The filly, who had been claimed in six of her last eight starts, covered the mile in 1:36.99. It was her seventh victory in 24 starts, boosting her earnings to $176,260. The Glass Slipper was for fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $12,500 in 2019-2020. Walder also won the Glass Slipper in 2015 with Moonshine Promise.

Queens Embrace Wears the Tiara
Spedale Family Racing LLC and Flying P Stable's Queen Embrace, claimed out of her last race at Aqueduct for $80,000, provided jockey Luis Saez with his fifth winner of the day, closing from eighth to win the $95,000 Tiara by 2 ¾ lengths over favored Sugar Fix.

Queens Embrace covered the 1 1/16 mile turf course in 1:40.26. It was the 3-year-olds sixth win in 12 starts. The daughter of Real Solution broke her maiden at Tampa in January for a $16,000 claiming tag. The Tiara was open to fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less the last two years.

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