Tag: Todd Pletcher

Essential Quality Draws Post 14, Installed As 2-1 Favorite In 147th Kentucky Derby

Morning line favorite Essential Quality (2-1) has drawn post position 14 for the 147th edition of the Kentucky Derby. The undefeated juvenile Champion has won all five of his starts, including gutting out a win after stretch-long battle in his final prep over Highly Motivated in the G2 Blue Grass Stakes. A homebred son of Tapit for Godolphin, Essential Quality will be ridden by Luis Saez and is the first Derby starter for reigning champion trainer Brad Cox.

The Kentucky Derby will go as the day's 12th race with a 6:57 p.m. post time. NBC will provide live coverage from 2:30-7:30 p.m.

In addition to Essential Quality, Cox will have one other runner in the starting gate: Juddmonte's Mandaloun (15-1). Winner of the Risen Star (G2), Mandaloun will be ridden by regular pilot Florent Geroux and break from post seven.

The odds were 7-1 that trainer Todd Pletcher, with four Kentucky Derby contenders, would draw both the rail and the outside post in the 20-horse field. As it happens, his G1 Florida Derby winner Known Agenda (6-1, third choice) drew the inside under Irad Ortiz, Jr. while longshot G2 Wood winner Bourbonic (30-1) is on the outside under Kendrick Carmouche.

“It certainly wasn't the one we were hoping for,” Pletcher said of Known Agenda's inside post.

Pletcher will have two other runners in the gate: Repole Stable, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable's Dynamic One (20-1), and WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.'s Sainthood (50-1). Jose Ortiz will be aboard Dynamic One and break from post 11 and Corey Lanerie has the mount on Sainthood and exit post five.

Second choice on linemaker Mike Battaglia's morning line at 5-1 is Hronis Racing and David Talla's undefeated Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Rock Your World.

Trained by John Sadler, Rock Your World has won all three of his starts with the first two coming on grass. Joel Rosario, who won the 2013 Kentucky Derby on Orb, has the mount Saturday and will break from post 15.

Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing and Strauss Bros Racing's Hot Rod Charlie is the fourth choice at 8-1.

Trained by two-time Kentucky Derby winner Doug O'Neill, Hot Rod Charlie captured the Louisiana Derby (G2) in his most recent start and closed 2020 with a runner-up finish to Essential Quality in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Flavien Prat, winner of the 2019 Kentucky Derby on Country House, has the mount and will break from post nine.

One other trainer will be seeking to add his Kentucky Derby win total and it could be a record-breaker.

Bob Baffert is tied with Ben Jones for most Kentucky victories with six and he will shoot for No. 7 with Zedan Racing Stables' Medina Spirit (15-1).

Runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby in his most recent start, Medina Spirit will be ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby winner John Velazquez and break from post eight.

Another rider trying to add to his Kentucky Derby victory total is Mike Smith. Smith, a two-time winner including the most recent Triple Crown winner Justify, has the call on Winchell Thoroughbreds' Midnight Bourbon (20-1) for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Runner-up in the Louisiana Derby, Midnight Bourbon will break from post 10.

Asmussen will have one other entrant in the race: Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Super Stock (30-1) who is owned by his father Keith Asmussen and Erv Woolsey. Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount on Super Stock and will break from post 18.

  1. Known Agenda – Todd Pletcher – Irad Ortiz, Jr. (6-1)
  2. Like The King – Wesley Ward – Drayden Van Dyke (50-1)
  3. Brooklyn Strong – Danny Velazquez – Umberto Rispoli (50-1)
  4. Keepmeinmind – Robertino Diodoro – David Cohen (blinkers off**) (50-1)
  5. Sainthood – Todd Pletcher – Corey Lanerie (50-1)
  6. O Besos – Greg Foley – Marcelino Pedroza (20-1)
  7. Mandaloun – Brad Cox – Florent Geroux (15-1)
  8. Medina Spirit – Bob Baffert – John Velazquez (15-1)
  9. Hot Rod Charlie – Doug O'Neill – Flavien Prat (8-1)
  10. Midnight Bourbon – Steve Asmussen – Mike Smith (20-1)
  11. Dynamic One – Todd Pletcher – Jose Ortiz (20-1)
  12. Helium – Mark Casse – Julien Leparoux (50-1)
  13. Hidden Stash – Vicki Oliver – Rafael Bejarano (50-1)
  14. Essential Quality – Brad Cox – Luis Saez (2-1)
  15. Rock Your World – John Sadler – Joel Rosario (5-1)
  16. King Fury – Ken McPeek – Brian Hernandez, Jr. (20-1)
  17. Highly Motivated – Chad Brown – Javier Castellano (10-1)
  18. Super Stock – Steve Asmussen – Ricardo Santana, Jr. (30-1)
  19. Soup and Sandwich – Mark Casse – Tyler Gaffalione (30-1)
  20. Bourbonic – Todd Pletcher – Kendrick Carmouche (30-1)

The post Essential Quality Draws Post 14, Installed As 2-1 Favorite In 147th Kentucky Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Malathaat Installed As 5-2 Morning Line Favorite For 147th Kentucky Oaks

Shadwell Stable's undefeated Malathaat has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in a field of 14 3-year-old fillies entered Monday for the 147th running of the $1,250,000 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) to be run at 1 1/8 miles Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

The centerpiece of Friday's 13-race program that features six graded stakes, the Longines Kentucky Oaks will go as the 11th race with a 5:51 p.m. (all times Eastern) post time. First post Friday is 10:30 a.m.

Live coverage of the Kentucky Oaks, which will reward the winner with a check of $767,250, will be provided by NBCSN's telecast from noon to 6 p.m.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, a three-time Kentucky Oaks winner, Malathaat comes into Friday's race off a victory in the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland on April 3 that served as her 2021 debut. John Velazquez, who won the 2004 Oaks for Pletcher on Ashado, has the mount and will break from post 10.

Co-second choice on the line at 3-1 are Klaravich Stables' Search Results and OXO Equine's Travel Column.

Trained by Chad Brown, Search Results is perfect in three starts with her most recent coming in Gazelle (G3) on April 3 at the Oaks distance of 1 1/8 miles. Irad Ortiz Jr., who has been aboard for two of those three victories, has the mount Friday and will break from post 12.

Travel Column could give the trainer-jockey combination of Brad Cox and Florent Geroux a third Oaks victory and second in a row.

Cox and Geroux teamed to win the 2020 Oaks with Shedaresthedevil and in 2018 won with the champion Monomoy Girl. Geroux has been aboard Travel Column for all five of her starts with the most recent being a victory in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Travel Column will break from post six.

Cox will have one other starter in the race in Kueber Racing's Coach (50-1). Third in the Fantasy (G3) in her most recent start, Coach will be ridden by Luis Saez and break from post nine.

Fourth choice on the line at 5-1 is Clairiere, one of two entrants for Stonestreet Stables and trainer Steve Asmussen, who is seeking his third victory in the race.

Clairiere, who has faced Travel Column in her past three starts with a victory in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) and runner-up finishes in the Golden Rod (G2) and Fair Grounds Oaks, will be ridden for the first time Friday by Tyler Gaffalione and break from post three.

Pauline's Pearl (20-1), winner of the Fantasy in her most recent start, will be ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., and break from post one.

In addition to Velazquez and Geroux, two other riders will be seeking another Oaks victory.

Jose Ortiz, who won the 2019 running on Serengeti Empress, will be aboard Phoenix Thoroughbred III's Crazy Beautiful (15-1) for trainer Kenny McPeek. Winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in her most recent start, Crazy Beautiful will break from post four.

Javier Castellano, who guided Cathryn Sophia to victory in the 2016 Oaks, has the call on Pass the Champagne (15-1) for trainer George Weaver. Owned by the partnership of R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, BlackRidge Stables and James Brown, Pass the Champagne was second to Malathaat in the Ashland in her most recent start. She will break from post five.

Going for a second training win in the Oaks is Dallas Stewart, who saddled Lemons Forever to victory in the 2006 renewal. Stewart trains Willis Horton Racing's Will's Secret, (30-1) winner of the Martha Washington and Honeybee (G3) prior to running third in the Ashland. Jon Court has the mount and will exit post 11.

The field for the Longines Kentucky Oaks, with riders and morning line odds from the rail out, is:

  1. Pauline's Pearl (Ricardo Santana Jr., 20-1)
  2. Maracuja (Kendrick Carmouche, 20-1)
  3. Clairiere (Tyler Gaffalione, 5-1)
  4. Crazy Beautiful (Jose Ortiz, 15-1)
  5. Pass the Champagne (Javier Castellano, 15-1)
  6. Travel Column (Florent Geroux, 3-1)
  7. Ava's Grace (David Cohen, 50-1)
  8. Moraz (Flavien Prat, 30-1)
  9. Coach (Luis Saez, 50-1)
  10. Malathaat (John Velazquez, 5-2)
  11. Will's Secret (Jon Court, 30-1)
  12. Search Results (Irad Ortiz Jr., 3-1)
  13. Competitive Speed (Chris Landeros, 50-1)
  14. Millefeuille (Joel Rosario, 20-1)

All starters will carry 121 pounds.

The post Malathaat Installed As 5-2 Morning Line Favorite For 147th Kentucky Oaks appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

‘Rising Star’ Malathaat Favored For Oaks 147

'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin), undefeated in four career starts and winner of her seasonal debut in the GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland Apr. 3, was made the 5-2 favorite from gate 10 on Mike Battaglia's morning line for Friday's 147th running of the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

One of three in the race for her outstanding sire, Malathaat–a daughter of 2013 Oaks fourth Dreaming of Julia (A.P. Indy)–defeated Millefeuille (Curlin, gate 14) in the GII Demoiselle S. last December and was very game in the Ashland, where she outfinished Pass the Champagne (Flatter, gate 5) by a head, with GIII Honeybee S. winner Will's Secret (Will Take Charge, gate 11) a distant third. The $1.05-million Keeneland September grad has the services of John Velazquez, who won the 2004 Oaks aboard the Todd Pletcher-trained Ashado (Saint Ballado). Pletcher is a three-time winner of the race.

The last two horses pulled by Churchill racing secretary Ben Huffman were a pair of fillies that got to know one another very well over the winter. 'TDN Rising Star' Travel Column (Frosted) was allotted post position six for trainer Brad Cox, who sent out Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) to upset the COVID-delayed Oaks of 2020 last September. Travel Column defeated Clairiere (Curlin) by a length in last year's GII Golden Rod S. beneath the Twin Spires, but the Stonestreet runner exacted her revenge with a neck success over Travel Column in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. in February, but the latter reversed form comprehensively when last seen in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Florent Geroux, who was in the irons last year and for Monomoy Girl (Tapizar)'s tally in 2018, goes for a third win in four years on Travel Column, while Clairiere will leave from gate three for two-time Oaks-winning conditioner Steve Asmussen.

Chad Brown has yet to win an Oaks, but will have every chance to right that wrong with Klaravich Stables' Search Results (Flatter). The 3-1 morning-line second pick, also undefeated in three runs including a 2 3/4-length defeat of Maracuja (Honor Code) in the GIII Gazelle S. Apr. 3, will have to work out a trip from the 12 hole for Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Friday, Churchill Downs, post time: 5:51 p.m. ET

LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS-GI, $1,250,000, 3yo, f, 1 1/8m

1 Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), Santana, Jr., Asmussen, 20-1

2 Maracuja (Honor Code), Carmouche, Atras, 20-1

3 Clairiere (Curlin), Gaffalione, Asmussen, 5-1

4 Crazy Beautiful (Liam's Map), Ortiz, McPeek, 15-1

5 Pass the Champagne (Flatter), Castellano, Weaver, 15-1

6 Travel Column (Frosted), Geroux, Cox, 3-1

7 Ava's Grace (Laoban), Cohen, Diodoro, 50-1

8 Moraz (Empire Maker), Prat, McCarthy, 30-1

9 Coach (Commissioner), Saez, Cox, 50-1

10 Malathaat (Curlin), Velazquez, Pletcher, 5-2

11 Will's Secret (Will Take Charge), Court, Stewart, 30-1

12 Search Results (Flatter), Irad Ortiz, Jr., Brown, 3-1

13 Competitive Speed (Competitive Edge), Landeros, Gonzalez, 50-1

14 Millefeuille (Curlin), Rosario, Mott, 20-1

The post ‘Rising Star’ Malathaat Favored For Oaks 147 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Caddo River Out of Derby

Shortleaf Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Caddo River (Hard Spun) will not make the line-up for Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby after spiking a fever over the weekend.

“We noticed he was off his feed and took his temperature yesterday afternoon. It was slightly elevated,” trainer Brad Cox said. “It's just really bad timing being this close to the Derby. We drew blood on him [Sunday] morning and his white cell counts were a little high. We just can't run him on Saturday with being a little off his game.”

The defection of the GI Arkansas Derby runner-up will allow GII Remsen S. winner Brooklyn Strong (Wicked Strong) to enter the Derby field. The Mark Schwartz colorbearer, most recently fifth in the Apr. 3 GII Wood Memorial, is scheduled to work at Parx Monday morning for trainer Daniel Velazquez and could ship into Churchill Downs Tuesday morning if all goes well.

After sending his Derby quartet out to jog Sunday morning, trainer Todd Pletcher announced a Derby rider for Sainthood (Mshawish). The GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up will be ridden next Saturday by Corey Lanerie.

“We know how well Corey rides Churchill,” Pletcher said. “That was the key element in giving him the mount. We're thinking along the lines that we did with [2010 Derby winner] Super Saver and Calvin Borel. [Borel] rode this track so well and that earned him the mount then.”

Lanerie has ridden in the Derby four times with his best finish a runner-up effort aboard Lookin At Lee (Lookin at Lucky) in 2017.

Hronis Racing and Talla Racing's unbeaten GI Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World  (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing and Strauss Bros Racing's GII Louisiana Derby winner Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) arrived at Churchill Downs shortly after noon Sunday following a flight from Southern California.

Trainer Steve Asmussen sent out his GI Kentucky Oaks contenders to work under the Twin Spires Sunday. Stonestreet Stables' homebreds Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) and Clairiere (Curlin) completed their final Oaks preparations both working four furlongs over a “good” main track in a pair of maintenance solo drills.

GIII Fantasy S. Pauline's Pearl worked immediately after the track opened for Derby and Oaks horses at 7:30 and went in :50.60, with splits of :13 and :25.40 under exercise rider Wilson Fabian.

GII Rachel Alexandra S. winner Clairiere followed about a minute behind under Angel Garcia and went in :49.60, with splits of :11.80, :23.80, while galloping out in 1:03.40.

Pauline's Pearl was credited with the 22nd fastest time of 27 at the distance, while Clairiere was 10th fastest. Just over an hour later, Asmussen was beaming back Barn 38.

“We're ecstatic,” Asmussen said. “Pauline's Pearl went first and my first words to Wilson were 'How did she go?' and he said, 'Beautiful.' Both are regular riders of the horses so they are good measures and extremely familiar with them.”

The post Caddo River Out of Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights