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Golden Pal Sets Stakes Record in Woodford Repeat

It was another dazzling display by two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), who successfully defended his GII Woodford S. title while establishing a new stakes record at Keeneland Saturday.

In contrast to his last start in the GIII Troy S. at Saratoga Aug. 5, where he was restrained off the pace after a slow dispatch before just scraping in, the 1-5 favorite blasted out to the front here. The Florida-bred led through an opening quarter in :21.25, cornered for home in the four path and wasn't for catching in the stretch following a scorching half mile in :43.42 to make it a perfect four-for-four over the Keeneland lawn. It was 1 1/2 lengths back to Oceanic (Constitution) in second. The final time of 1:01.39 established a new stakes record and was a full 1.73 faster than his final clocking over good going last year.

The 2020 GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner and last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner had made only three previous attempts this term. After posting a career-high 110 Beyer in Keeneland's GII Shakertown S. Apr. 9, Golden Pal lost all chance after missing the break in Royal Ascot's G1 King's Stand S. June 14. He secured a head victory following an eventful trip at the Spa last out.

“Every time he runs, I get kind of nervous because he's so exceptional,” winning trainer Wesley Ward said. “We're real excited now to get on to the Breeders' Cup. We got our prep into him here on his home track at Keeneland, and 28 days from now we'll be ready to roll.”

Ward continued, “It's just like any other great athlete in any sport. Of all the horses I've ever trained–and fast ones–he's just unbelievable, just an extreme talent. The athleticism he has; he's just like a cat when he moves for such a big colt. He's got a brilliant mind to him as well. I really look forward to what he's going to be as a stallion. He's so smart in the barn, so quick and agile–I really look forward to his babies here.”

Pedigree Notes:

Golden Pal, one of 83 stakes/45 graded winners for leading sire Uncle Mo, is the first foal out of ultra-talented turf sprinter and 'TDN Rising Star' Lady Shipman, who came up just a neck short in her GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint bid at Keeneland in 2015. Lady Shipman failed to get into foal to Gun Runner for 2019 and her 2020 Justify foal died. The 10-year-old mare produced an Omaha Beach colt now named Lieutenant General in 2021 ($385,000 RNA at KEESEP) and an Uncle Mo filly named Luvwhatyoudo in 2022. She was bred back to Essential Quality. Lady Shipman's MSP full-sister Just Talkin brought $675,000 in foal to American Pharoah at the 2019 FTKNOV sale.

Saturday, Keeneland
WOODFORD S. PRESENTED BY FANDUEL-GII, $315,175, Keeneland, 10-8, 3yo/up, 5 1/2fT, 1:01.39 (NSR), fm.
1–GOLDEN PAL, 124, c, 4, by Uncle Mo
                1st Dam: Lady Shipman (GSW-Can, MSW & GISP-USA,
                                 $902,387), by Midshipman
                2nd Dam: Sumthingtotalkabt, by Mutakddim
                3rd Dam: Nannetta, by Falstaff
($325,000 RNA Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Westerberg Limited,
Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Randall E
Lowe (FL); T-Wesley A. Ward; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $176,700.
Lifetime Record: GISW-uS & GSP-Eng, 12-8-2-0, $1,815,131.
Click for eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating:
   A+.  Click for free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Oceanic, 120, g, 5, Constitution–Rockin Girl, by Rock Hard
Ten. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($75,000 Ylg '18 FTKJUL).
O-Surfside Stables, LLC; B-DP Racing, LLC (KY); T-Jordan Blair.
$66,500.
3–Artemus Citylimits, 120, g, 5, Temple City–Dene Court, by
City Zip. ($25,000 RNA Wlg '17 KEENOV; $34,000 Ylg '18
FTKFEB; $60,000 RNA 4yo '21 FTKHRA; $85,000 4yo '21
FTIDEC). O-Paradise Farms Corp., David Staudacher & Michael
Dubb; B-Gunpowder Farms LLC (ON); T-Michael J. Maker.
$28,500.
Margins: 1HF, NO, HF. Odds: 0.37, 13.48, 7.24.
Also Ran: Bad Beat Brian-(DH), Gear Jockey-(DH), Charcoal, All in Sync, County Final, Cadamosto (Ire). Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Golden Pal Sets Stakes Record in Woodford Repeat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Pharoah Filly Pulls off Matron Shocker

KatieRich homebred American Apple stalked, pounced and pulled off a 47-1 upset Saturday in the Big A's GII Matron S. Fifth in a pair of main-track dashes at Churchill early in the season, the bay improved to be third in a two-turn Ellis turf event July 15. She resurfaced to graduate by a nose at Kentucky Downs going 6 1/2 panels Sept. 14, but earned just a 58 Beyer Speed Figure compared to the mid-to-high 70s many of the others here had run.

Away well, American Apple tucked in just behind the speed through splits :22.55 and :46.06. She worked off the fence to overtake aptly named longshot pacesetter Fleetfooted (Speightster) in upper stretch, kicked on near the eighth pole and fended off co-favored Redefined late to hold on by a neck. Danse Macabre, who finished one spot ahead of Redefined when second in Saratoga's Aug. 21 Bolton Landing S. before annexing the lucrative Untapable S. at Kentucky Downs Sept. 13, could only manage third after drafting behind American Apple early.

“I brought her up Wednesday and it seemed like she shipped up fine,” said trainer Daniel Leitch, who was celebrating by far the biggest win of his young career. “We took her to the track on Friday and she was feeling good. It seemed like she shipped up fine and we figured she would run big today. She had been eating up and doing everything right since we got here.

“I figured the two horse [Danse Macabre] would be right there the whole time. I told [jockeu] Eric [Cancel] to sit off the two and just make a run at her, just like she did at Kentucky Downs. Thank God Eric went on with her and just sat behind. I was kind of nervous when he went on the inside because I was hoping there was a hole. Thank God a hole opened up. Everything worked out.”

Leitch previously worked for trainer Ray Handal and under former KatieRich private trainer Mark Hubley along with duties such as foal watch, sales prep and breaking yearlings. He took over as head trainer for KatieRich last September.

“We didn't think we were 30-1, but we thought there were seven speed horses in there,” said owner Larry Doyle. “We knew what we had and it was going to be a tough race. We were only here because there was nowhere else to run. If there were an easier spot, that's where we would have been.”

Of his trainer, Doyle said, “Daniel Leitch has been working for KatieRich for 12 years. He's homegrown. When [trainer] Mark Hubley retired last year and turned the reins over to him, we had all the confidence in the world in him.”

Doyle said American Apple would be considered for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint but could also return to New York for the Stewart Manor S. one day later.

Saturday, Belmont at The Big A
MATRON S.-GIII, $150,000, Belmont The Big A, 10-8, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:09.59, gd.
1–AMERICAN APPLE, 120, f, 2, by American Pharoah
                1st Dam: Miss Mary Apples (GSP, $171,172), by Clever
                                   Trick
                2nd Dam: Sacred Sue, by Holy Bull
                3rd Dam: Bootshine Girl, by Green Dancer
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN.O/B-KatieRich Farms (KY); T-Daniel Leitch; J-Eric Cancel. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-1, $185,700. *1/2 to Lady Apple (Curlin), MGSW & GISP, $1,078,324; 1/2 to Miss Red Delicious (Empire Maker), MSW, $203,425; 1/2 to Dr. Diamonds Prize (Pure Prize), SW-USA, GSP-Can, $240,903. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Redifined, 120, f, 2, More Than Ready–Mrs. Boss (Brz), by Wild Event. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($150,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Team D; B-Abdulrahman Aljasmi (KY); T-Anthony Dutrow. $30,000.
3–Danse Macabre, 122, f, 2, Army Mule–Sylphide, by Blame. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($11,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $27,000 RNA Ylg '21 FTKJUL; $55,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-NBS Stable and Elements Racing, LLC; B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (KY); T-Kelsey Danner. $18,000.
Margins: NK, 1HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 47.50, 2.55, 2.50.
Also Ran: Dontlookbackatall, Personal Pursuit, Sweetlou'sgotaces, How Lovely, Little Linzee, Fleetfooted, Sweet Harmony, Atomic Girl. Scratched: Apple Picker, Determined Jester.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

American Apple becomes the 18th graded stakes winner and 31st stakes winner worldwide for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Broodmare sire Clever Trick, born all the way back in 1976, is now the broodmare sire of 29 graded winners–including American Apple's half-sister, four-time dirt route GSW and 2019 GI Kentucky Oaks third Lady Apple–and SW/MGSP half-sister Dr. Diamonds Prize. Another precocious MSW out of dam Miss Mary Apples produced GSW grasser Nootka Sound (Lonhro {Aus}), and another half to American Apple was responsible for SW/GISP near $600,000 earner Parlor (Lonhro {Aus}). Larry and Karen Doyle's KatieRich paid just $37,000 for Miss Mary Apples as a KEESEP yearling. She was a debut-winning juvenile at Keeneland in April of 2002, and finished second in the Fashion S. and GII Schuylerville S. on this NYRA circuit in her subsequent two outings.

The post Pharoah Filly Pulls off Matron Shocker appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Up and Coming Curlin Colt Takes Vosburgh

Juddmonte's Elite Power (Curlin) showed a new dimension and continued his ascension while punching his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GII Vosburgh S. at Belmont at the Big A.

Heavily favored at 1-2 to win his fourth straight over just four rivals in this belated stakes debut, Elite Power broke on top and conceded the early lead to longshot Jalen Journey (With Distinction). He took a narrow advantage near the three-eighths marker, began to sneak away under confident handling in the stretch and was hand-ridden to a facile victory. It was 5 3/4 lengths back to Eastern Bay (E Dubai) in second.

Off the board in a pair of attempts at three, the chestnut has been perfect since kicking off the 2022 season with a third-place finish at Churchill May 7. A nine-length maiden winner beneath the Twin Spires June 5, he added two more victories in come-from-behind fashion, capturing a first-level allowance going a mile in Louisville June 30 and an optional claimer going six furlongs at Saratoga last time Sept. 3. He earned a co-career high 97 Beyer in the latter.

“He broke and he was closer than normal and that didn't seem to bother him,” winning trainer Bill Mott said. “He was fine where he was at. They went the first half in [:47.68], but you go to a race like the Breeders' Cup and they'll go :44. He's a good closer. If he gets a good, fast pace in front of him, he can close going six or seven [furlongs].”

Mott continued, “It gives you a lot of options that he can go from six [furlongs] to a mile throughout the course of the year. All things being equal, he'll probably race next year and have another race this year. I'll see what [Juddmonte general manager] Garrett O'Rourke wants to do. I'm sure he has some thoughts and ideas. It is nice to win a 'Win And You're In” and all your fees are paid.”

Pedigree Notes:

Elite Power, a $900,000 KEESEP graduate, becomes the 91st stakes/49th graded winner for leading sire Curlin. He is bred on the same Curlin/Vindication cross as GI Preakness S. winner Exaggerator. Elite Power's dam Broadway's Alibi, a MGSW & GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up and Robsham homebred, brought $2.15 million from Alpha Delta Stables while in foal to Smart Strike at the 2013 KEENOV sale. Elite Power's fourth dam is champion 2-year-old filly and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Eliza (Mt. Livermore). This is also the family of GISW and young sire Dialed In (Mineshaft).

Saturday, Belmont at The Big A
VOSBURGH S.-GII, $242,500, Belmont The Big A, 10-8, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:23.98, ft.
1–ELITE POWER, 120, c, 4, by Curlin
                1st Dam: Broadway's Alibi (MGSW & GISP, $521,500),
                                by Vindication
                2nd Dam: Broadway Gold, by Seeking the Gold
                3rd Dam: Miss Doolittle, by Storm Cat
   1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($900,000
Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Juddmonte; B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (KY);
T-William I. Mott; J-Jose Lezcano. $137,500. Lifetime Record:
7-4-0-1, $365,711. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ * Triple Plus*.
   Click for eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Eastern Bay, 120, g, 8, E Dubai–Chrusciki, by Polish Numbers.
O-Norman Lynn & Lola Cash; B-Nancy Lee Farms (MD);
T-Norman L. Cash. $50,000.
3–Drafted, 122, g, 8, Field Commission–Keep the Profit, by Darn
That Alarm. ($19,000 RNA Ylg '15 OBSAUG; $35,000 2yo '16
OBSMAR; 40,000 3yo '17 DUBSEP). O-Dublin Fjord Stables LLC,
Racepoint Stables, Kevin Hilbert & Thomas O'Keefe; B-John
Foster, Barbara Hooker & Field Commission Partnership (FL);
T-David P. Duggan. $30,000.
Margins: 5 3/4, 5, HF. Odds: 0.50, 9.10, 5.60.
Also Ran: Southern District, Jalen Journey. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Flightline Remains ‘Right on Point’

Unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Flightline (Tapit) continued his march towards the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday morning with another strong breeze at Santa Anita, where he worked five furlongs but was credited with six panels in 1:12.40 (1/2).

“He's right on point,” said trainer John Sadler following the 6:35 a.m. drill. “I had him in a 1:00 2/5. He went the first eighth in :12 1/5, the half in :48, five eighths in a 1:00 2/5 and he went out six furlongs in 1:12 3/5 and seven eighths in 1:25 4/5.”

The $1-million FTSAUG yearling was last seen airing in the GI TVG Pacific Classic S. Sept. 3 by nearly 20 lengths.

“This was perfect, it was a good work, nothing serious,” Sadler added. “The next two (on Oct. 15 and 22), we'll get a little more serious, but he was impressive today… He's right on schedule.”

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