In the fall of 2014, Recio launched South Point Sales. South Point became a prominent consignor at the breeding stock and yearling sales in Kentucky and Saratoga. At the same time, he began Rockbridge Bloodstock, a full-service bloodstock agency that quickly proved successful with matings, racing and broodmare purchases and stallion placement.

Recio was involved in the private purchase of multiple graded stakes winner Tonalist's Shape and had an especially strong record at the 2-year-old sales–13% of his juvenile purchases earned black-type, including 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint contender The Critical Way. Also adept at purchasing broodmare prospects, he secured a quartet of mares under his Rockbridge Bloodstock banner have produced stakes winners in 2021, in addition to securing sisters to recent Grade I winners Swiss Skydiver and Super Stock.

South Point sold several more good ones, including record-setting Grade II winner Stubbins, who was also mated on Recio's advice, graded stakes winner Proud Emma, GSW and GISP Fear the Cowboy and multiple stakes winner and Sovereign Award finalist She's the Berries.

Although Recio was a tremendous businessman in his own right, he will be remembered for his outgoing personality, the connections he made within the industry, and the people he brought together. Never one to turn down a drink at the Keeneland bar or a dinner at Jeff Ruby's, Recio had an astounding number of friends within the industry. The La Croix-filled South Point water cooler became the best spot on the sales ground for gossip, which he was more than happy to supply. He never knew a stranger, and spoke with an ease that truly was a gift.

While Recio loved the horse industry and his work, he took the greatest joy in spending time with his family and friends, whom he loved fiercely. He leaves behind his wife Nancy, his twins Wesley and Addison, whom he adored, his mother Lynn and father Bill, as well as his brother Gene, sister Katie Cauthen, brother-in-law Doug Cauthen, and niece Campbell Cauthen. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

TRIBUTES FROM THE INDUSTRY…
Mike was one of a kind, an irreplaceable fixture in this business and in Lexington. He treated everyone equally from employees to competitors to owners, and you always knew where you stood. This community is full of people from all walks of life that would tell you Mike Recio was their friend. He had a big heart and cared for his loved ones immensely. I can confidently say he lived his 46 years to the fullest. He loved this business, loved everything about trading horses, but the real joys of his life were his twins Wesley and Addison and wife Nancy. The void his loss has created cannot be filled. He will be missed and he is loved.  – John David Christman

Soup was 31-lengths the best storyteller I've ever known. There have been so many tears shed over these last several weeks, but so many of them have come from the laughter of remembering those incredible nights when he'd take over the dinner table with his most legendary tales. His best ones always came at his own expense and often with one of us secretly recording them so we could laugh just as hard about them later. He had the biggest heart of anyone I know, and it was filled to the brim with his love for Nancy and his two children. There's never been a prouder father than Soup, and it's the picture of him beaming with those squinty eyes and impossibly big Soup grin while holding Addison and Wesley that will always be with me. He will be missed every day by those of us who loved him, but I can promise you that his stories will be told wherever horses run and beer is served for as long as any of us are around. We'll try our best to tell them as well as you did, Soupy. – Bret Jones

We are heartbroken
Rest in Peace, Mike – South Point Sales (Twitter)

We are saddened by the loss of Mike Recio of SouthPointSales. It was truly an honor to work with him. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone in the thoroughbred industry. – The Green Group (Twitter)

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and many friends of Mike Recio. Mike was more than just a client of Fasig-Tipton, he was a great friend to many of us. Nobody enjoyed traveling to our various sales more than Mike, and we will dearly miss him and his infectious smile. – Fasig-Tipton (Twitter)

Mike Recio was a great horseman and most importantly, a great friend to so many. We will remember Mike's energy, enthusiasm and love of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Recio family and all of those who were fortunate to call him their friend.” – Keeneland (Twitter)

Our industry lost one of its sharpest minds and biggest personalities today, I've lost one of my best friends. First guy I met when I moved to KY 20 years ago, Soup has become family to me as he is to so many of us. Please share your stories and celebrate his life. Love you Mikey – Joe Miller (Twitter)

Today has been tremendously hard, seeing so many friends of Mike's and knowing how dearly he was loved by his family and friends. I will treasure every beer I had with him. He was a total legend – Tom Morley (Twitter)

Mike could always put a smile on your face. Will miss him dearly, but my heart goes out to his family and young children – Maggie Wolfendale (Twitter)

Brother we had so many laughs together, conversations, took many a Horse racing trip, & even sold some horses in between. You & Jake were my first 2 friends in Kentucky, Thank you Mike. My Folded hands to Nancy, Wes, Addi, Bill, Ella, Gene, & Katie. Till we meet again, gone too soon my boy – Ramiro Restrepo (Twitter)

Mike Recio, what a legend. Thank you for all you have done, I will miss seeing your smiling face and energy around the sales. Was always a pleasure to see you. We will hold a glass up to you, cheers Clinking beer mugsdear friend. – Atlas Bloodstock (Twitter)

The horse business lost a great ambassador today. Mike Recio was a good man: He will forever be remembered as a hardworking, fun loving character who was good for his word. There's not a sales complex in North America that won't miss his endless enthusiasm and welcoming smile. – Tom Ryan (Twitter)

Was lucky enough to have worked and learned under Mike for four years when I started out in the industry. Mike was more then a friend to me, he was like a 2nd dad who would tell me what I wanted to hear even if I didn't like it cause he genuinely cared about what was best for me. – Seth Wilkey (Twitter)

You are with angels now, please say hi to my grandma Betty…missing your larger than life personality at the sales so much my dear friend. My heart aches along with so many of us. Live Every Day. Going to miss you so so so much. – Carrie Brogden (Twitter)

To Share a tribute or story please contact Sue Finley or Gary King.

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“I'm looking forward to getting him back in action. The race came up a little tougher than I would have liked for his first race back, but he's training well,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “He had a strong work from the gate about eight days ago. That day, I thought he showed he's as good as ever.”

Chance It, the hero of the 2019 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series, has been out of action since finishing fifth in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) March 7, 2020.

The 4-year-old son of Currency Swap captured the Mucho Macho Man to kick off his 3-year-old campaign before starting in the Tampa Bay Derby, in which he dropped back early, made a mild run into contention at the top of the stretch, and faded late.

“There was no sense rushing him back. He's not a horse that will be sent to the breeding shed any time soon,” Joseph said. “He's a horse that can race at 5 and 6 years old, so we wanted to give him the time. He seems to have come back as good as ever.”

Chance It concluded his juvenile campaign with a sharp 7 ¼-length victory in the $400,000 FSS In Reality at 1 1/16 miles. The Florida-bred colt also won the $100,000 FSS Dr. Fager at six furlongs.

Edgard Zayas has the call.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Double Crown is also scheduled to make his 2021 debut in Sunday's Race 9 feature. The Kathy Ritvo-trained 4-year-old gelding completed his 2020 campaign with back-to-back graded-stakes placings. After finishing third in the Smile Sprint (G3) at Gulfstream, the son of Bourbon Courage closed to finish second behind heavily favored Yaupon in the Oct. 1 Chick Lang (G3) at Pimlico Race Course.

Double Crown had won back-to-back stakes at Gulfstream prior to placing in the Smile Sprint and Chick Lang.

My Purple Haze Stables' Cool Arrow, who defeated Double Crown in the Smile Sprint, is coming into Sunday's race off a third-place finish behind Miles Ahead, who captured Friday's featured Race 3 at Gulfstream Park as the 6-5 favorite.

Went West, Inter Miami and Man of Honor round out the field.

The Joseph-trained Tonalist's Shape, a multiple graded-stakes winner during the 2019-2020 Championship Meet at Gulfstream, is scheduled to make her 2021 debut in Saturday's Race 10, a seven-furlong optional claiming allowance for fillies and mares.

“She had a long year last year, so we decided to give her a break to freshen her up,” Joseph said.

Tonalist's Shape, who hasn't run since finishing fifth in the Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland Oct. 17, has been prepared for her first start of the year with a series of seven works, including a solid half-mile breeze that was second fastest of 67 May 16.

“She's a bit more tricky [than Chance It]. She's never been a good work horse. Her works have been OK. You're always curious to see how she comes back,” Joseph said. “She's always been a hard horse to read off her works. We hope she comes back with that same determination she had last year.”

Tonalist's Shape won her first five career starts, including the Forward Gal (G3) and Davona Dale (G2) before tasting defeat for the first time in her two-turn debut in the 2020 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). The daughter of Tonalist returned to win the 1 1/16-mile Hollywood Wildcat at Gulfstream before finishing fourth in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga, fifth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs and fifth in the Raven Run.

Tonalist's Shape is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in a field of nine that includes Saguaro Row, who finished third in the March 20 Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream before shipping to Belmont for a fifth-place finish in the May 2 Ruffian (G2)

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Also likely to join Four Graces on the front end early is Ciaglia Racing, Highland Yard, River Oak Farm and Dominic Savides’s Venetian Harbor (Munnings). A runaway winner of the GII Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita in February, the Colts Neck Stables-bred filly finished behind Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) in the May 1 GIII Fantasy S. and played the bridesmaid again, this time behind Speech (Mr Speaker) in the July 11 GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland. In her most recent trip to the post, she found the talented Gamine (Into Mischief) seven lengths too tough in Saratoga’s GI Test S. Aug. 8.

“We are just trying to win a race; that’s the first thing,” said trainer Richard Baltas. “If she runs well and bounces out of the race OK, we will eye the [GI] Breeders’ Cup [Filly and Mare Sprint].”

Manny Franco has the mount on Venetian Harbor and will break from post position five.

Looking to regain some of her earlier form is Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham and Legacy Ranch’s Tonalist’s Shape (Tonalist), who began her career with five consecutive victories in one-turn races for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The chestnut took six of seven starts in South Florida from September through May, including this winter’s GIII Forward Gal S. followed by the GII Davona Dale S. Off the board in the Mar. 28 GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, she bounced back to win the May 15 Hollywood Wildcat S. before finishing fourth in the nine-furlong GI Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga July 18. Most recently, Tonalist’s Shape was a troubled fifth in the GIII Charles Town Oaks Aug. 28.

“[The CT Oaks] was two turns and she did have trouble in that race,” Joseph said, referring to Tonalist’s Shape being checked approaching the sixteenth pole.”

He added, “There are no plans for her beyond this race. I am just curious to see how she would do back around one turn and hoping she will come back to her [good] form.”

Since the Charles Town Oaks, Tonalist’s Shape has worked twice at Gulfstream–a best-of-78 half-mile in :47.03 Sept. 27 and a best-of-seven 5/8ths in 1:00.62 Oct. 1.

“The two weeks between works was by design to keep her fresh,” Joseph explained.

The 3-year-old has been entered as a racing or broodmare prospect in Keeneland’s upcoming November Breeding Stock Sale and is catalogued as hip 155 in Book 1.

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Run at seven furlongs on the main track, the Raven Run will go as the ninth race on Saturday's 10-race program with a 5:30 p.m. ET post time. First post Saturday is 1:05 p.m.

Trained by Richard Baltas, Venetian Harbor will be making her first start since finishing second to Gamine in the seven-furlong Test (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 8. Prior to that, she had finished second to Speech in the Central Bank Ashland (G1) at Keeneland and to Swiss Skydiver in the Fantasy (G3) at Oaklawn Park with both those races being two-turn tests going 1 1/16 miles.

“We are just trying to win a race; that's the first thing,” Baltas said Wednesday morning from California. “If she runs well and bounces out of the race OK we will eye the Breeders' Cup (Filly & Mare Sprint-G1).”

Manny Franco has the mount on Venetian Harbor and will break from post position five.

Among those lining up to face Venetian Harbor are two runners with graded stakes success going seven furlongs.

Whitham Thoroughbreds' Four Graces won the Beaumont (G3) at Keeneland in July going seven furlongs and 184 feet over the Beard Course in a track record 1:24.90.

Trained by Ian Wilkes, Four Graces also won the Dogwood (G3) at Churchill Downs, where she finished second in her most recent start in the Eight Belles (G2). Julien Leparoux has the mount and will break from post position two.

Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham and Legacy Ranch's Tonalist's Shape won the Forward Gal (G3) going seven furlongs and the Davona Dale (G2) going a mile this winter at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Tonalist's Shape exits a troubled fifth in the Charles Town Oaks (G3) going 7 furlongs in her most recent start.

Rafael Bejarano has the mount on Tonalist's Shape, who will break from post position seven.

The field for the Lexus Raven Run, with riders and weights from the rail, is: Never Forget (Robby Albarado, 118 pounds), Four Graces (Leparoux, 120), Secondary Market (Tyler Gaffalione, 118), Finite (Ricardo Santana Jr., 120), Venetian Harbor (Franco, 120), Reagan's Edge (Florent Geroux, 118), Tonalist's Shape (Bejarano, 120), Fair Maiden (Corey Lanerie, 118), Grand Cru Classe (Martin Garcia, 118) and Secret Keeper (Brian Hernandez Jr., 118).

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“We got a couple cuts,” said Joseph. “He has a staple in his ankle from a cut he got. It looks like he should be OK. Within seven to 10 days we’ll decide. The main thing is the staple and when it gets taken out, how it’s going to be.”

Ny Traffic also lost his right front shoe in the Derby, in which he showed early speed to chase pacesetter and eventual winner Authentic while racing five wide before tiring.

“Would I say he ran his best race? No,” Joseph said. “I don’t know when he lost his shoe. When you’re at that level, you need to have everything go right. He wasn’t the best horse in the race to begin with, so he can’t afford to give away advantages.”

Ny Traffic, who came within a nose of defeating victorious Authentic in the July 18 GI Haskell at Monmouth, won his first start for Joseph in a Jan. 11 optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream. Prior to the Haskell, the New York-bred was third in the GII Risen Star S. before finishing runner-up in the GII Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds.

MGSW Tonalist’s Shape (Tonalist), fifth as the favorite in the GIII Charles Town Oaks last time out, is being considered for the GII Black-Eyed Susan on the Preakness undercard, according to Joseph.

“She’s back in Florida now,” he said. “We haven’t decided what to do with her yet. It’s possible she could run there.”

Tonalist’s Shape captured the GIII Forward Gal S. and GII Davona Dale during Gulfstream’s 2019-2020 Championship Meet.

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“The blinkers, I knew, could have that effect. I thought the blinkers for her was going to be hit or miss. It was either going to make a big difference or it was going to be a big mistake. It turned out to be a big mistake,” Joseph said. “We thought we were making the right decision. We had to give it a try. I'll take the blame for that. I can't blame her. She got a little rank going into the first turn. I think it was a complete throw-out race. I'll take the blame for that.”

The Sept. 4 Kentucky Oaks is still penciled in for a 'blinkers-off” Tonalist's Shape.

“I'm not going to let that race distract us. If all is well, we're going to stay on plan. She's earned a spot in the Oaks. If she stays the course, we'll probably give her a chance there. We'll see how she does,” Joseph said. “We'll talk it over with the owners, but I don't see any reason not to continue onwards.”

Math Wizard, who gave Joseph his first Grade 1 success while winning last year's Pennsylvania Derby at Parx, improved off a pair of disappointing 2020 efforts with a second-place finish behind Global Campaign in Saturday's Monmouth Cup (G3).

“He ran very good. He's just a hard-knocking horse,” Joseph said. “On his day, when he's doing good, he gives his all. I couldn't be more proud of him.”

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Perhaps the most formidable challenger is WinStar Stablemates Racing’s Paris Lights (Curlin). The Bill Mott trainee was third in a sloppy-track sprint at Gulfstream on debut Apr. 26, but took a big step forward to romp on the stretch-out at Churchill May 31 and then paired up 85 Beyer Speed Figures when taking a first-level allowance June 27 in similarly facile fashion. That 85 Beyer is the field’s best last-out number and is only eclipsed by an 89 and 87 earned by Tonalist’s shape several starts back. Mott, who won this race in 1997 with Ajina, will also saddle Godolphin’s versatile GII Fair Grounds Oaks and GIII Wonder Again S. third Antoinette (Hard Spun).

Crystal Ball (Malibu Moon) also carries the WinStar Stablemates silks and was third in her debut, going a mile at Santa Anita May 17 for Bob Baffert. The $750,000 Fasig-Tipton Gulfrstream grad aired by 6 1/4 lengths on the stretch-out June  14. Baffert took the 2017 CCA Oaks by a head over Mott-trained Elate (Medaglia d’Oro).

The Chad Brown stable took the GIII Peter Pan S. for sophomore boys with Country Grammer (Tonalist) on opening day, and could double up with Altaf (Medaglia d’Oro) here. The Shadwell homebred was just seventh in her grassy unveiling in Florida Apr. 2, but uncorked a visually impressive sweeping rally to don cap and gown by 6 1/2 lengths under the Twin Spires May 23.

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The Haskell will be broadcast live Saturday on NBC from 5-6 p.m. ET as part of their Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” series. The hour-long show will also broadcast the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes.
TVG will be live on site at Monmouth Park this weekend to feature the Haskell. In addition to Monmouth Park, TVG will be broadcasting racing from Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Woodbine and more all weekend.

Saratoga Live, the critically-acclaimed and award-winning television program, kicks off its fifth season broadcasting the 40-day summer meet at iconic Saratoga Race Course. Saratoga Live will feature more than 210 hours of live programming from Saratoga, which runs through September 7. Saratoga Live will appear each racing day beginning at 1 p.m. ET on FOX Sports and MSG Networks and offer full-card coverage of the Saratoga meet. In addition to daily national coverage on FS2, Saratoga Live will air on FS1 for a total of 31 hours.

2:18 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Trainer Christophe Clement will saddle a formidable pair of graded stakes winners in Decorated Invader and Gufo, both of who will carry winning streaks into the 36th running of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame over the inner turf. Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, William Freeman, William Sandbrook and Cheryl Manning, Decorated Invader arrives at the 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds off a victory in the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge on June 20 at Belmont Park, where the son of Declaration of War tracked the pace while saving ground along the rail, made his move at the quarter pole and drew off to a 4 ¾-length triumph.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR071820USA3-EQB.html

4:06 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

Trainer Chad Brown is well represented with three entries in the Matchmaker, including morning-line choice Beautiful Lover. The daughter or Arch won the 2019 Boiling Springs at Monmouth last May but has failed to find the winner's circle in four starts since. Beautiful Lover will be joined in the starting gate by stablemates Nay Lady Nay (IRE) and Tapit Today.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH071820USA9-EQB.html

4:40 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 3 Monmouth Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

Grade 1 winner-Math Wizard seeks his first victory since taking the Pennsylvania Derby last September when he faces nine challengers in the 1 1/8-miles Monmouth Cup. Math Wizard has been off the board in his two starts this season after ending his 2019 campaign with a fifth-place run in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Among those Math Wizard will face is multiple graded stakes-placed Bal Harbour, unraced since finishing sixth in the 2019 Grade 1 Cigar Mile, and Grade 3 winner Global Campaign.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH071820USA10-EQB.html

4:55 p.m.—$125,000 Grade 3 Trillium Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

The Trillium Stakes has attracted eight starters, including 2019 multiple Sovereign Award finalist Amalfi Coast, graded stakes-placed Painting, who rallied impressively to finish second to Jean Elizabeth in the Grade 3 Whimsical, and Live Oak Plantation's multiple stakes winner Souper Escape.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO071820CAN8-EQB.html

5:10 p.m.—$300,000 Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park on NBC

Less than a week after finishing sixth in the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland, Grade 1-winner Arklow will wheel back against eight rivals in the United Nations Stakes. Arklow captured the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic last October but is winless in four starts since. Breaking next to Arklow out of post No. 2 will be Standard Deviation, winner of the Jersey Derby at Monmouth last August.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH071820USA11-EQB.html

5:28 p.m.—$175,000 Grade 2 Royal North Stakes at Woodbine on TVG

Summer Sunday, one of two Stuart Simon trainees in the field, seeks to defend her crown in Saturday's Royal North Stakes. Bred in Ontario by Trinity West Stables and owned by Anne and William Scott, five-year-old Summer Sunday will look to make a return to the winner's circle for the first time since her victory in the Royal North last July. A daughter of Silent Name (JPN) out of the Millennium Allstar mare Dancing Allstar, Summer Sunday heads into the Royal North off a third-place effort in the Grade 3 Whimsical on June 21 at Woodbine.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/WO071820CAN9-EQB.html

5:46 p.m.—$1,000,000 Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on NBC

Multiple graded stakes-winner Authentic was installed as the 4-5 morning line favorite to extend Bob Baffert's record for victories in the Haskell Stakes, Monmouth Park's showcase race. Unbeaten in his first three career starts, Authentic was second to Honor A.P. in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in his last start on June 6. Baffert has won the Haskell a record eight times. Dr Post, trained by Todd Pletcher, was made the 5-2 second choice. In his most recent start, Dr Post finished second in the Belmont Stakes on July 20.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH071820USA12-EQB.html

6:16 p.m.—$350,000 Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Multiple graded-stakes winner Tonalist's Shape, who boasts six wins from seven starts, returns to action in Saturday's Coaching Club American Oaks, a nine-furlong test for sophomore fillies. Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., Tonalist's Shape reeled off four consecutive wins including victories in the Hut Hut, Grade 3 Forward Gal and Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park. Following an off-the-board effort in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, she returned to winning form last out with a commanding 3 3/4-length score in the Hollywood Wildcat at 1 1/16-miles on May 15 at Gulfstream.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR071820USA10-EQB.html

6:51 p.m.—$250,000 Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth Park on TVG

She's a Julie, winner of the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes on June 13, looms the one to beat when she breaks from the rail in the 1 1/16-miles Molly Pitcher Stakes. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, She's a Julie snapped a five-race losing skid when she prevailed in the Ogden Phipps. The daughter of Elusive Quality previously won the 2019 edition of the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MTH071820USA14-EQB.html

Sunday July 19

5:46 p.m.—$150,000 Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on FS1

Stakes-winner Speaktomeofsummer will look to stretch out in distance in taking another crack against graded stakes company as part of a six-horse field of sophomore fillies in the Lake Placid. Off a seven-month layoff, the Summer Front filly made her 3-year-old bow on June 20, running fourth in the Grade 3 Wonder Again at Belmont Park. Owned by Waterford Stable, Speaktomeofsummer broke her maiden at second asking, posting a three-length score in a one-mile contest in her turf debut in September at Monmouth Park, and capped her juvenile campaign with a two-length triumph in her stakes debut in the one-mile Chelsey Flower over good turf in November at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR071920USA9-EQB.html

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With the Oaks less than eight weeks away, the number of meaningful preps for the race is starting to dwindle. Most of the action will be in Saratoga, where the meet includes the GI Coaching Club American Oaks, the GI Test S. and the GI Alabama S., races that should have an impact on the Oaks picture.

1) SWISS SKYDIVER (Daredevil–Expo Gold, by Johannesburg)
O-Peter J Callahan. B-WinStar Farm (KY). T-Kenneth G McPeek. Sales History: $35,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 8-4-2-1, $677,980.
Last Start: 2nd GII Toyota Blue Grass S., KEE, July 11
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 310.

We keep flip-flopping between Swiss Skydiver and Gamine for the top spot and return Swiss Skydiver to No. 1 after her second-place finish against males in the Blue Grass. Considering that she ran that well against the boys and had reeled off three straight graded stakes wins against fillies prior to that, she’s done more than enough to deserve top billing in the Oaks. She’s as solid as they come and there are no knocks against her. It’s going to take a freakishly talented filly to beat her, and Gamine may well be that good. But she’s going to have to prove it on the racetrack.

Still amazing to think that trainer Kenny McPeek found her at the sales for just $35,000. Would be fun to see her in the GI Kentucky Derby and she has enough points to get in, but McPeek and owner Peter Callahan have said she is likely to go next in Oaks.

2) GAMINE (Into Mischief—Peggy Jane, by Kafwain)
‘TDN Rising Star’ O-Michael L. Petersen. B-Grace Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $220,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP; $1,800,000 2yo ’19 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: GISW, 3-3-0-0, $234,600.
Last Start: 1st GI Longines Acorn S., BEL, June 20
Next Start: GI Longines Test S., SAR, Aug. 8
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50.

Considering that she turned in one of the best races by a 3-year-old filly in decades when destroying the opposition in the GI Acorn S, Gamine very well could turn out to be a superstar. As good as Swiss Skydiver is, Gamine may just be better. No one knows what the ceiling is. But she definitely has more to prove, most importantly her ability to win around two turns or at a mile and an eighth. She did win her only two-turn race, beating Speech in an allowance race at Oaklawn, but wasn’t nearly as explosive or impressive that day as she was in the one-mile, one-turn Acorn. Trainer Bob Baffert has said the GI Longines Test S. at seven furlongs may be next for Gamine, which make for an unusual route to the Kentucky Oaks. Is it an indication that he believes her best distance is shorter than nine furlongs?

3) SPEECH (Mr Speaker—Scribbling Sarah, by Freud)
O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. B-Gail Rice (FL). T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $65,000 ylg ’18 OBSWIN; $95,000 RNA ylg ’18 FTKJUL; $190,000 2yo ’19 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: GISW, 7-2-4-1, $353,840.
Last Start: 1st GI Ashland S., KEE, July 11
Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 160.

If ever a horse were due for a big win.

Speech came into the Ashland having finished second in four straight races. She kept running into tough customers, whether it was Swiss Skydiver in the GII Santa Anita Oaks or Gamine in the Oaklawn allowance. The betting public thought it would happen again. Speech was the 4-1 second choice in the Ashland, while Venetian Harbor was sent off at 3-5. Venetian Harbor got the trip, getting a comfortable early lead. But Speech had no problem going by her. The losses to Swiss Skydiver and Gamine suggest that she will have a tough time beating the top two in the Oaks. She might just be a good filly who came around in the wrong year.

4) VENETIAN HARBOR (Munnings—Sounds of the City, by Street Cry {Ire})
O-Ciaglia Racing LLC, Highland Yard LLC, River Oak Farm & Dominic Savides. B-Colts Neck Stables LLC (KY). T-Richard Baltas. Sales History: $110,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP; $205,000 RNA 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 5-2-3-0, $323,400.
Last Start: 2nd GI Ashland S., KEE, July 11
Next Start: To Be Determined
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 90.

This is a very talented filly, but probably not a Kentucky Oaks winner. The question with her all along has been how far does she want to go? After the Ashland, it’s pretty obvious that nine furlongs is a stretch for her. She made the lead easily and the pace was not fast, but she had no answer when Speech came to challenge her. The story was the same when she cleared the field in the Fantasy only to be run down by Swiss Skydiver. Her connections must now decide if they even want to try the Oaks or look for shorter races like the Test.

5) SHEDARESTHEDEVIL (Daredevil–Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats)
O-Flurry Racing Stables LLC, Qatar Racing Limited & Big Aut Farms. B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY). T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $100,000 wlg ’17 KEENOV; $20,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo ’19 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 9-4-2-2, $501,768.
Last Start: 1st GIII Indiana Oaks, IND, July 8
Next Start: To Be Determined
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 90.

Rather than tackle the best of the division, trainer Brad Cox has been picking easier spots for Shedaresthedevil, a strategy that has been working. After winning an allowance at Churchill Downs by six lengths, she came back in the GIII Indiana Oaks, where she romped by five lengths. It’s gotten her back on track after she was a distant third in the GIII Fantasy S. at Oaklawn. She’ll need to step it up to be able to win the Oaks, but has at least proven she knows how to win. Her resume also includes a victory in the GIII Honeybee S.

6) TONALIST’S SHAPE (Tonalist—Hitechnoweenie, by Harlan’s Holiday)
O-Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham & Legacy Ranch, Inc. B-Sabana Farm (KY). T-Saffie Joseph, Jr. Sales History: $45,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP; $60,000 RNA 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 7-6-0-0, $357,425.
Last Start: 1st Hollywood Wildcat S., GP, May 15
Next Start: GI CCA Oaks S., SAR, July 18
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 60.

She was scratched out of the Ashland to go in the Coaching Club American Oaks. That’s a smart move by trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who, no doubt, figured out that the CCA Oaks was going to come up weak this year, a lot weaker than the Ashland. At six-for-seven lifetime, she has a remarkably good record. The lone defeat came in the Gulfstream Park Oaks, where she was a distant seventh to Swiss Skydiver as the 19-10 favorite. She came back to win the Hollywood Wildcat S. at Gulfstream, but didn’t face much that day. She will need to win the CCA Oaks convincingly to be considered a serious contender for the Kentucky Oaks.

7) SPICE IS NICE (Curlin—Dame Dorothy, by Bernardini)
‘TDN Rising Star’ O-Lawana L. & Robert E. Low. B-B. Flay Thoroughbreds LLC (KY). T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $1,050,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSP, 4-2-1-0, $106,080.
Last Start: 1st Alw/Opt. Clm., BEL, July 3
Next Start: GI Alabama S., SAR, Aug. 15
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 20.

A $1.05-million yearling purchase trained by Todd Pletcher, she fell out of the top 10 after a poor showing in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. She’s back after winning a July 3 allowance at Belmont, her first start in more than three months. She’ll go next in the mile-and-a-quarter Alabama. That means she’d have to come back in three weeks for the Oaks and cut back in distance. That’s not ideal, but neither is it impossible. She’s shown a lot of talent and the seven-figure price tag at the sales stands out. Should be getting better.

8) ENVOUTANTE (Uncle Mo—Enchante, by Bluegrass Cat)
O-Walking L Thoroughbreds LLC & Three Chimneys Farm; B-Jumping Jack Racing LLC (KY); T-Ken McPeek. Sales history: $250,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISP, 6-2-1-2, $125,748.
Last Start: 3rd GI Ashland S., KEE, July 11.
Next Start: GI Alabama S., SAR, Aug. 15. Equineline PPs.
KY Oaks Points: 20

Among the reasons Kenny McPeek gave for running Swiss Skydiver in the Blue Grass was that he felt he could still win the Ashland with Envoutante. Facing proven stakes horses, it was a tall order for a filly coming of an allowance win, but she didn’t embarrass herself. She finished third, beaten 6 3/4 lengths. She’s a late-developing filly who didn’t break her maiden until April, so she has every right to improve. A good showing in the Alabama could be her ticket into the Oaks.

9) BONNY SOUTH (Munnings—Touch the Star, by Tapit)
O/B-Juddmonte Farms (Ky). T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-0-0, $343,350.
Last Start: 4th GI Ashland S., KEE, July 11
Next Start: To Be Determined
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 110.

Unraced since winning the GII Fair Grounds Oaks on March 21, Bonny South didn’t show much in her return in the Ashland. She never seriously threatened and finished fourth in the five-horse field. With Beyer numbers in the mid-eighties, she appeared to be slower than her main rivals at Keeneland. Has more than enough points to get into the Oaks, but she would really have to improve to win a race at that level.

10) WATER WHITE (Conveyance–Uzume, by Unbridled’s Song)
O-E V Racing Stable; B-Richard Forbush (KY); T-Rudy Rodriguez. Sales history: $50,000 Ylg ’18 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: SW, 7-2-2-1, $270,275.
Last Start: 3rd GI Acorn S., BEL, June 20
Next Start: GI Coaching Club American Oaks, SAR, July 18. Equineline PPs. Kentucky Oaks Points: 64

After you get past the top three or four, the list gets pretty thin. That’s why a horse like Water White makes it into the Top 10. Yes, she was beaten 19 1/4 lengths in the Acorn, but Gamine thrashed everybody that day.  She picked up most of her Oaks points when winning the Busher Invitational in her previous start. Probably not a serious contender for the Oaks.

The post The TDN Oaks Top 10 For July 16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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In her last several workouts, the Tonalist filly has sported blinkers. She'll don the new equipment on Saturday as well, which Joseph believes will help her step up against the competition.

“She's already proven she's a nice filly, but we needed a couple more lengths to be one of the top fillies,” Joseph said on Wednesday's media teleconference organized by the NTRA. “It's almost scary how good she worked in the blinkers. I even asked some of the clockers that I respect, like Mike Welsch, and everyone seems to think she's much better in the blinkers.”

On Tuesday, Tonalist's Shape had her first workout at Saratoga and clocked a bullet three furlongs in 34.26 seconds, more than two seconds faster than any other breeze at the distance.

Tonalist's Shape was entered in last weekend's G1 Ashland at Keeneland, but scratched out of that tough field (won by Speech in track-record time) to point to the nine-furlong CCA Oaks instead.

Both the Ashland, a 1 1/16-mile route, and the Coaching Club will over 170 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the first four finishers.

“The Coaching Club seems like a spot where we were likely to be the favorite,” said Joseph. “That doesn't mean we're going to win, but it gives her the best shot to do so.”

In her seven career starts, Tonalist's Shape has only been defeated once, when seventh behind eventual G1 winner Swiss Skydiver in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. Most recently, the filly won the 1 1/16-mile Hollywood Wildcat Stakes at Gulfstream on May 15 by 3 3/4 lengths.

Entries for the CCA Oaks will be taken Wednesday afternoon, with the field expected to include: Altaf (Chad Brown), Antoinette (Bill Mott), Crystal Ball (Bob Baffert), Paris Lights (Bill Mott), and Velvet Crush (Rodolphe Brisset).

The post ‘Scary’ Good: Tonalist’s Shape Will Add Blinkers For CCA Oaks appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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