Tag: thoroughbred

Derby Notes: Highly Motivated Impresses First Day At Churchill, Caddo River Confirmed To Race

Klaravich Stables' Highly Motivated, runner-up to likely Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) in his most recent start, made his first appearance on the main track at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning galloping under exercise rider Peter Roman.

Highly Motivated arrived Monday morning from Keeneland where he had been training since the Blue Grass. Trainer Chad Brown plans to work Highly Motivated on Saturday, weather permitting. Rain is in the forecast for Saturday.

Trainer Brad Cox reported Tuesday morning that Shortleaf Stable's Arkansas Derby (GI) runner-up Caddo River would run in the Kentucky Derby. He's scheduled to work Saturday.

Unseasonably cool temperatures are expected to arrive in the Louisville area overnight Tuesday with snow showers early Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – Trainer Todd Pletcher sent his quartet of Kentucky Derby hopefuls out in groups of two for 1 3/8-mile gallops Tuesday morning.

Going first during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Derby and Oaks hopefuls were St. Elias Stable's Known Agenda with Hector Ramos aboard and Repole Stable, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable's Dynamic One with Carlos Perez Quevedo aboard.

Coming out just before 8 o'clock were Calumet Farm's Bourbonic with Ramos aboard and WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.'s Sainthood with Amelia Green aboard.

Pletcher has penciled in Saturday as the work day for his Derby runners but noted, “There could be some weather coming in and we will watch that and could move the works to Friday.”

CADDO RIVER, ESSENTIAL QUALITY, MANDALOUN – Trainer Brad Cox confirmed Tuesday morning that Shortleaf Stable's Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Caddo River would run in the Kentucky Derby.

“If all goes well after his work on Saturday, we'll run in the Derby,” Cox said. “He came out of the Arkansas Derby in great shape. He's a sound horse who is training well.”

All three of his Derby contenders galloped about 1 ½ miles Tuesday morning. Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality trained at 5:15 a.m. with Edvin Vargas in the saddle. About 45 minutes later, Caddo River trained with Gustavo Abrego in the saddle. At 7:30, during the exclusive training session for Derby and Oaks contenders, Juddmonte Farm's Mandaloun trained with Fernando Espinoza in the boot.

All three horses are scheduled to work Saturday morning, according to Cox.

HELIUM, SOUP AND SANDWICH – Live Oak Plantation's Soup and Sandwich, along with D J Stable's Helium, galloped 1 ½ miles early Tuesday beneath the Twin Spires.

Trainer Mark Casse's assistant David Carroll reported both horses would work this weekend. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione rides Soup and Sandwich in the Derby while Helium will be ridden by Julien Leparoux.

HIGHLY MOTIVATED – With exercise rider Peter Roman aboard, Klaravich Stables' Highly Motivated galloped during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses.

Highly Motivated arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday and following shortly thereafter was trainer Chad Brown.

“He got around there good this morning and I am pleased with the way he shipped in,” said Brown, who has started five horses in the Kentucky Derby with his best finish coming in 2018 when Good Magic was runner-up to eventual Triple Crown winner Justify.

Highly Motivated closed his 2020 campaign with a track record-setting performance in the Nyquist Stakes at Keeneland. A third-place finish in the Gotham (G3) opened 2021 followed by the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass that marked his first start around two turns.

“I thought the Blue Grass was a really good race and that was the first time he had been on the lead,” Brown said. “I am confident he can handle the two turns and I think he will move forward in this race.

“We shut him down on purpose (after the Nyquist) and worked backward from the Derby. He has hit all the marks getting here.”

KEEPMEINMIND – Spendthrift Farm, Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith's Keepmeinmind galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Enrique Benitez at 5:45.

Sitting at No. 22 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, the Robertino Diodoro trainee's next work date is to be determined.

KING FURY – Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm's King Fury galloped a mile and a half shortly after 5:30 with Danny Ramsey aboard for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Winner of the Lexington at Keeneland in his most recent start, King Fury sits at No. 21 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. He is scheduled to work Saturday.

MIDNIGHT BOURBON, SUPER STOCK – Winchell Thoroughbreds' multiple graded stakes-placed colt Midnight Bourbon had a scheduled walk day following his five-furlong move in :59.80 Monday morning at Churchill Downs.

Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen's upset Arkansas Derby (G1) hero Super Stock galloped about 1 3/8 miles with Juan Vargas aboard. He's scheduled to work Saturday.

O BESOS – Barrett Bernard, Tagg Team Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds' O Besos will have his final work prior to the Kentucky Derby Wednesday or Thursday morning at Churchill Downs.

Jockey Marcelino Pedroza will be aboard for the work and also ride O Besos in the Kentucky Derby.

“He's maturing even more as every day goes by,” Pedroza said. “The first time I worked this horse I couldn't believe he won going six furlongs. He loved the extra distance in the Louisiana Derby.”

O Besos had a light gallop Tuesday morning with exercise rider Margarito Fierro.

Pedroza and Fierro share a common bond entering the Kentucky Derby as both riders are overcoming life changing events. Pedroza lost his mother last year at 44-years-old to brain cancer while Fierro was once told he'd never gallop again because of colon cancer. TwinSpires.com's Andrew Brown reported the remarkable story here: https://bit.ly/3dwZBlx.

STARRININMYDREAMS – Stewart Racing and WinStar Farm's third-place Lexington Stakes (G3) finisher Starrininmydreams galloped about 1 ½ miles at 6:30 a.m. under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

Starrininmydreams sits No. 23 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Likely starters in the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles on Saturday, May 1 in order of preference (with possible jockey and trainer): Essential Quality (Luis Saez, Brad Cox); Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O'Neill); Super Stock (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen); Like the King (Drayden Van Dyke, Wesley Ward); Known Agenda (Irad Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Rock Your World (Joel Rosario, John Sadler); Bourbonic (Kendrick Carmouche, Todd Pletcher); Medina Spirit (John Velazquez, Bob Baffert); Midnight Bourbon (Mike Smith, Steve Asmussen); Mandaloun (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Highly Motivated (Javier Castellano, Chad Brown); Helium (Julien Leparoux, Mark Casse); Soup and Sandwich (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse); Dynamic One (Jose Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Sainthood (TBA, Todd Pletcher); Hidden Stash (Rafael Bejarano, Vicki Oliver); O Besos (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley); Get Her Number (TBA, Peter Miller).

Possible starters within the Top 20 on the preference list: Dream Shake (TBA, Peter Eurton).

Next up in order of preference: King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr.); Keepmeinmind (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Starrininmydreams (TBA, Dallas Stewart).

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Letter To The Editor: ‘Petty Jealousy And Elitism’ The Motivations Behind MyRacehorse Bashing

Dear horse racing Twitter, and the industry at large:

Do better. Stop shooting yourself in the foot. Stop creating division and strife where there is no reason for it; we have enough issues as a sport.

Over the weekend, yet another tweet made the rounds mocking a MyRacehorse owner. While there were prominent industry members that defended the legitimacy of ownership through micro shares, there were multitudes chiming in with condescending disdain for the “fake” ownership through MyRacehorse.

For years, the industry has discussed and lamented how to bring in new participants. No significant changes have occurred since the creation of syndicates, until MyRacehorse. When the model was first launched, I was skeptical. However, there is no denying that the model is working. MyRacehorse is bringing in thousands of new owners to the industry, and yet somehow many in and around the industry view that as a bad thing.

In the “Sport of Kings,” one of the greatest appeals is the ability for the underdog to win at the highest level. Yes, million-dollar horses win the Kentucky Derby, but so do California-breds that would have brought a small fraction of that price if offered at auction. When syndicates like Team Valor, West Point, or Starlight win the Derby, their co-owners are not met with challenges to the legitimacy of their ownership. Yet it seemed as soon as Authentic crossed the wire, Twitter was exploding with condescension for the ecstatic micro shareholders. So, what is the difference?

Was Animal Kingdom celebrated because he was trained by Graham Motion, and not Bob Baffert? Did the shareholders in Authentic just suffer as collateral damage from “Baffert in the winner's circle” fatigue? That can't be it, because there was no issue with the Starlight partners in Justify, also trained by Baffert. Likewise, Starlight bought in after Justify had broken his maiden, so it can't be that MyRacehorse bought in later.

As a $350,000 yearling, Authentic brought the same price as Always Dreaming. With syndicate owned Derby winners selling for much more and much less, he was neither “too expensive” nor “too cheap” to support.

The only true difference that can be noted in the industry's reception to successful syndicates seems to be share price. It is the height of ignorant elitism to think that writing a bigger check makes you more of an owner. Any individual willing to spend their money to own any piece of a horse is an owner. Working with syndicates, and advocating for ownership through them, I have said, “Nobody asks how much of the horse you own when you're in the winner's circle” many times. And that was true, until MyRacehorse. 

Are people jealous they didn't come up with the model first? Or that they chose not to buy in and have missed out on ownership of some truly spectacular horses? Do they feel that owners with MyRacehorse didn't suffer through enough failure to have “earned” the levels of success achieved? I truly don't know the answer, but there isn't an explanation I have come up with that is anything other than petty and self-sabotaging. 

The one argument I've seen that almost makes sense is that MyRacehorse is a “scam.” I say almost makes sense because they are the most transparent entity I have seen. The reason everyone can criticize share prices and number of owners is because that information is readily available. They can complain about fees, and claim to be defending those buying in, because those fees are explicitly stated on the website. MyRacehorse is utterly open about what your financial contribution goes to, from acquisition of the horse, to training costs, to overhead and management fees. And you know who I've not yet seen complain about those things? Actual MyRacehorse owners. I have seen them defend their ownership, I have seen them express gratitude for all the information provided ahead of commitment, I've seen them brag about the access to their horses they have, and I have seen them celebrate their horses on the track.

And the part the entire industry should be celebrating? I have seen them progress to individual ownership. 

As MyRacehorse continues to blaze new trails in the industry, they appear to be striving to continue to bring in more owners, and to help those owners fulfill their horse ownership dreams, whether that is always at the micro share level or something more. I wish I could say it's baffling to me that the industry is so opposed to such a positive force of change, but it's really just par for the course. The industry faces a multitude of challenges to long term success, and is consistently divided on every aspect of them. While most issues have legitimate arguments on both sides, there is no reason to dismiss new participants for not spending enough money on the sport other than petty jealousy and elitism. As an industry, we need to do better.

*I do not work for nor do I own shares through MyRacehorse

–Erin O'Keefe, Farm Manager & Bloodstock Services, BTE Stables

If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, please write to info at paulickreport.com and include contact information where you may be reached if editorial staff have any questions.

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Midnight Bourbon Posts Swift Five-Furlong Breeze, Gives Connections A Scare When Briefly Loose In Barn Area

On a brisk Monday morning in Louisville, Winchell Thorougbreds' multiple graded stakes-placed colt Midnight Bourbon continued his serious preparation for the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) with a swift five furlong move in :59.80, the fastest of 13 horses at the distance.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Midnight Bourbon worked in company with recent Turfway Park maiden winner Bajan Rum through fractions of :12.40, :24, :35.60. The TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.80 and completed seven furlongs in 1:26, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

Midnight Bourbon then managed to give his connections a bit of a scare when he got away from his hotwalker near the barn area, and enjoyed a brief jaunt around the bathing area between barns. He was quickly apprehended by another hotwalker, and appeared to escape unharmed. The incident was captured on camera by WHAS11's Kent Spencer.


Tuesday will be the first day on the track for Blue Grass (G2) runner-up Highly Motivated, who arrived at trainer Chad Brown's Barn 25 at 8 a.m. (all times Eastern) from Keeneland. Brown is scheduled to be at Churchill Downs Tuesday.

BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher sent his four hopefuls for the Run for the Roses out for 1 3/8-mile gallops Monday morning.

Pletcher utilized the 7:30-7:45 training window for Derby and Kentucky Oaks candidates to send out St. Elias Stable's Known Agenda with Hector Ramos aboard, Repole Stable, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable's Dynamic One with Carlos Perez Quevedo aboard and WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.'s Sainthood with Amelia Green aboard.

Calumet Farm's Bourbonic galloped after 9 o'clock with Ramos aboard.

Pletcher said Monday morning that no rider has been confirmed for Sainthood, who comes into Derby 147 off a runner-up finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park March 27.

CADDO RIVER, ESSENTIAL QUALITY, MANDALOUN – Godolphin's Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality and Juddmonte Farm's Mandaloun jogged at 6:20 a.m. Monday at Churchill Downs for trainer Brad Cox while stablemate Caddo River galloped at 5:15 a.m.

“(Essential Quality and Mandaloun) both came out of their Saturday works in good shape,” trainer Brad Cox said. “We're gearing up. It's getting exciting around the barn and we're ready for the Derby.”

Shortleaf Stable's Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Caddo River plans to run in the Kentucky Derby remain tentative.

HELIUM, SOUP AND SANDWICH – D J Stable's Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Helium along with Live Oak Plantation's Florida Derby (G1) Soup and Sandwich had a scheduled walk day at trainer Mark Casse's Barn 36 at Churchill Downs.

“We had an easy day around the barn today,” Casse's assistant David Carroll said.

Both horses are scheduled to work this weekend.

HIGHLY MOTIVATED – Klaravich Stables' homebred Highly Motivated, runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) in his most recent start April 3, arrived at Churchill Downs at 8 o'clock Monday morning from Keeneland.

The Chad Brown trainee had worked a half-mile in :47.20 Sunday morning that was the best of 27 at the distance.

KEEPMEINMIND – Spendthrift Farm, Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith's Keepmeinmind jogged two miles early Monday morning under exercise rider Enrique Benitez for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) here last fall, Keepmeinmind had worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 under Benitez at Keeneland on Saturday and arrived at Churchill Downs on Sunday.

He currently sits No. 22 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

KING FURY – Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm's King Fury galloped 1 ½ miles at 5:30 under exercise rider Danny Ramsey for trainer Kenny McPeek.

He needs one defection to make the field of 20 for the first Saturday in May.

MIDNIGHT BOURBON, SUPER STOCK – Winchell Thoroughbreds' multiple graded stakes placed-colt Midnight Bourbon worked five furlongs in :59.80 in company with stablemate Bajan Rum (five furlongs, 1:00.80).

“We're obviously very excited about who Midnight Bourbon is,” Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said. “Physically, he's an absolutely beautiful horse. Going over the track now, he's as good as he's ever been. He's always had a big frame, now there's just more of him in the right spots.”

Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen's upset Arkansas Derby (G1) hero Super Stock had a scheduled walk day.

O BESOS – Barrett Bernard, Tagg Team Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds' Louisiana Derby (G2) third-place finisher O Besos jogged about one mile under Margarito Fierro at 6:30 a.m. Monday at Churchill Downs.

O Besos is scheduled to work Wednesday.

STARRININMYDREAMS – Stewart Racing and WinStar Farm's third-place Lexington Stakes (G3) finisher Starrininmydreams galloped about 1 ½ miles at 6:30 a.m. under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

Starrininmydreams sits No. 23 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Likely starters in the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles on Saturday, May 1 in order of preference (with possible jockey and trainer): Essential Quality (Luis Saez, Brad Cox); Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O'Neill); Super Stock (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen); Like the King (Drayden Van Dyke, Wesley Ward); Known Agenda (Irad Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Rock Your World (Joel Rosario, John Sadler); Bourbonic (Kendrick Carmouche, Todd Pletcher); Medina Spirit (John Velazquez, Bob Baffert); Midnight Bourbon (Mike Smith, Steve Asmussen); Mandaloun (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Highly Motivated (Javier Castellano, Chad Brown); Helium (Julien Leparoux, Mark Casse); Soup and Sandwich (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse); Dynamic One (Jose Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Sainthood (TBA, Todd Pletcher); Hidden Stash (Rafael Bejarano, Vicki Oliver); O Besos (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley); Get Her Number (TBA, Peter Miller);

Possible starters within the Top 20 on the preference list: Caddo River (TBA, Brad Cox); Dream Shake (TBA, Peter Eurton)

Next up in order of preference: King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr.); Keepmeinmind (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Starrininmydreams (TBA, Dallas Stewart).

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Weekend Lineup: Highly-Anticipated Showdown Looms Between Monomoy Girl, Swiss Skydiver

After last week's showdown of top sprinters C Z Rocket and Whitmore, Oaklawn Park will once again be the nation's focus for a much-anticipated battle between Eclipse Award-winning females Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver in Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.

Monomoy Girl, owned by MyRacehorse, Spendthrift Farm and Madaket Stables, and trained by Brad Cox, is a two-time Eclipse Award winner, who captured the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff in 2018 and in 2020. Swiss Skydiver, owned by Peter Callahan and trained by Kenny McPeek, was voted champion 3-year-old filly last year. Swiss Skydiver won the 2020 Grade 1 Preakness Stakes over Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve winner and future Horse of Year Authentic. Swiss Skydiver finished seventh to Monomoy Girl in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff.

The Grade 1, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap for older horses at 1 1/8 miles will be run two races earlier on the Oaklawn program.

TVG will be broadcasting every race, every day with expanded coverage of Keeneland's Spring Meet, which runs through April 23. In addition to racing from Keeneland, Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, TVG will feature racing from Oaklawn Park, Aqueduct 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 also be live on Saturday on FS2 from 5-8 p.m. ET featuring the Apple Blossom and the Oaklawn Handicap. On Sunday, “America's Day at the Races” will air from 1-2:30 p.m. ET on FS2, 2:30-5:30 p.m. ET on FS1, and from 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET on FS2.

Friday, April 16

5:30 p.m. ―$100,000 Grade 3 Baird Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland on TVG

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Madaket Stables and Heider Family Stables' 4-year-old filly Speech returns to Keeneland, the site of her greatest career triumph, in Friday's Grade 3 Baird Doubledogdare Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Speech is the 8-5 morning line favorite in the seven-horse field. Last July, the bay filly captured Keeneland's Grade 1 Central Bank Ashland Stakes by three lengths. W.S. Farish's Royal Flag, the 5-2 second choice trained by Chad Brown, is making her first start since capturing the Grade 3 Turn Back the Alarm Handicap at Aqueduct last November. Juddmonte Farms' Bonny South, second in both last year's Grade 1 Alabama Stakes and the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, should also figure in the picture for trainer Brad Cox.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE041621USA9-EQB.html

Saturday, April 17

5:30 p.m. ―$200,000 Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland on TVG

Trinity Farm's homebred 7-year-old gelding Red Knight, winner of last fall's Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland, drew the outside post position in a field of 10 runners for Saturday's Grade 2 $200,000 Elkhorn Stakes going 1½ miles on the grass. Listed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite, Red Knight, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by James Graham, finished second in the 2019 edition of the Elkhorn. Joseph Allen's North Dakota, fourth to Red Knight in last year's Sycamore, will be making his first start since finishing 10th in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational in January for trainer Shug McGaughey. Three Diamonds Farm's Tide of the Sea, trained by Mike Maker, won a 1 ½-mile allowance race at Keeneland last October, and captured the Grade 3 W. L. McKnight at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 23, also at 1 ½ miles.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/KEE041721USA9-EQB.html

5:49 p.m.― $1 million Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park on TVG and FS2

A wide-open renewal of Saturday's Grade 2 $1 million Oaklawn Handicap at 1 1/8 miles could be the right spots for shippers from California and Florida among the 10 horses entered. CRK Stable's 4-year-old Express Train, trained by John Shirreffs, is in from the West Coast following a second-place finish in the Grade 1 1 ¼-mile Santa Anita Handicap on March 6, and a 3 ¼-length victory in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes prior to that. The Todd Pletcher- trained lightly raced 5-year-old gelding Fearless won the Grade 2 WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes last out on Feb. 27 for his fourth win in seven starts. Rupp Racing's Owendale was second by a head in the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic Stakes at the Fair Grounds on March 20, and was third in Oaklawn's Grade 3 Razorback Handicap on Feb. 27. Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing's 4-year-old Silver State is two for two at Oaklawn this year, including a neck victory over Danny Caldwell's Rated R Superstar in the 1 1/16-mile Essex Stakes on March 13.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/OP041721USA9-EQB.html

7:09 p.m. ―$1 million Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on TVG and FS2

A clash of female titans will be on display this Saturday at Oaklawn as 2020 Eclipse Awards winners Monomoy Girl, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, and Swiss Skydiver, trained by Kenny McPeek and ridden by Robby Albarado, square off in the Grade 1 $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap, leading a six-horse field of fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles. The 6-year-old even-money morning line favorite Monomoy Girl, owned by MyRacehorse, Spendthrift Farm and Madaket Stables, is 14 of 16. The daughter of Tapizar was the champion 3-year-old filly in 2018 and the champion older dirt female of 2020. Monomoy Girl opened 2021 with a two-length win in Oaklawn's Grade 3 Bayakoa Stakes on Feb. 28. Peter Callahan's 4-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver also won her 2021 debut, capturing the Grade 1 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita by 2 ¾ lengths on March 13. A bay daughter of Daredevil, Swiss Skydiver, 2-1 on the morning line, won the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, the highlight of a season in which she raced at nine different tracks and earned the 3-year-old filly Eclipse Award. Not to be overlooked is St. George Stable's 5-year-old Letruska,12 of 17, who was second last time out in Oaklawn's Grade 2 Azeri Stakes.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/OP041721USA11-EQB.html

7:51 p.m. ―$200,000 Grade 2 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita Park on TVG

The 4-year-old Independence Hall, third in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational and fourth in the Santa Anita Handicap, is the 8-5 morning line favorite against four rivals in Saturday's Grade 2 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita Park for trainer Michael McCarthy. Brazilian-bred Royal Ship, trained by Richard Mandella, is seeking his first win in the U.S after winning five straight in his home country in 2019. The bay 5-year-old gelding returns to the main track following a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita on March 6. Magic On Tap, a 5-year-old son of Tapit, trained by Bob Baffert, steps into stakes company for the first time following an impressive 1 1/16-mile allowance win in over the track on March 28.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA041721USA8-EQB.html

Sunday, April 18

5 p.m. ―$100,000 Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup Stakes at Santa Anita Park on TVG

Last September, MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm's Tizamagician finished second in the Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita Park. The 4-year-old son of Tiznow returns for Sunday's demanding 1 ½-mile Grade 3 test in a five-horse field. Trained by Richard Mandella, Tizamagician, comes into the race off a fifth-place finish in the Santa Anita Handicap on March 6 and a second in the Grade 2 San Pasqual on Jan. 30. The 6-year-old gelding Zestful, trained by Mark Glatt, finished fourth in the Grade 2 San Pasqual. In November of 2019, Zestful finished second by three-quarters of a length in the listed 1 ¾-mile Marathon Stakes at Santa Anita.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA041821USA3-EQB.html

7:53 p.m. ―$100,000 Grade 3 Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita Park on TVG

The 4-year-old Brickyard Ride, owned Alfred Pais and trained by Craig Lewis, leads the Grade 3 $100,000 Kona Gold Stakes Sunday at Santa Anita. A California-bred son of Clubhouse Ride, Brickyard Ride has won four of his last five starts, including a four-length win in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs on March 6 at Santa Anita. The Bob Baffert-trained 6-year-old gelding Ax Man, won the listed Santana Mile by 4 ½ lengths in his last start on March 28.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SA041821USA8-EQB.html

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