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Gun Runner’s Cyberknife Posts Mild Arkansas Derby Upset

Saturday's $1.25-million GI Arkansas Derby was supposed to be all about Secret Oath (Arrogate), who had so dominated her peers that trainer D. Wayne Lukas and owner/breeder Briland Farm decided to roll the dice and bypass what would have been a far easier task in the GIII Fantasy S. The betting public largely endorsed the idea, sending the chestnut off as the 7-5 favorite, but in the end, it was not meant to be, as Gold Square LLC's Cyberknife (Gun Runner) was the recipient of a cerebral ride from Florent Geroux and ran away in the final furlong to score an upset of the mildest variety. Barber Road (Race Day) snagged second on the wire from Secret Oath, who raced well behind a strong pace and made what appeared to be a winning bid on the turn, only to peak on the run and peter out in the final stages.

With the exception of Secret Oath, who was pinched back in tight between GII Rebel S. winner Un Ojo (Laoban) and Ben Diesel (Will Take Charge), the Arkansas Derby field was off to a level beginning and they lined up five across the track with a circuit to travel, with Chasing Time (Not This Time) ceding the advantage to the rail-drawn Kavod (Lea) as they raced into the first turn. 'TDN Rising Star' Doppelganger (Into Mischief) was part of the pace three or four wide, while Geroux tucked Cyberknife into fourth position.

Kavod had the call after a stiff opening half-mile in :46.54, at which point Geroux made a key decision to allow Cyberknife to take a gap one off the rail between Kavod and Chasing Time, a choice that looked that much better when the latter was one of the first to call it a day and began backpedaling with 3 1/2 furlongs to race. Cyberknife was asked to engage Kavod approaching the five-sixteenths marker and looked to have that one at his mercy, but Secret Oath was winding up with a marauding sweep into contention. But while the filly was being driven along to try to bridge the gap, Cyberknife was more or less on cruise control–albeit a bit green–as he rolled down towards the fence in upper stretch. Put to a Geroux drive at the eighth pole, Cyberknife weaved in and out, but was always maintaining a safe advantage to the line. Barber Road rallied from the back to complete the exacta, as Secret Oath ran out of gas in the final 50 yards.

“Great effort with some high hopes for him,” Geroux commented. “We always thought he was very talented. Looks like he finally put it together and he's probably not even 100%, as he was zig-zagging down the lane. I'm hoping he's going to be a little straighter on the first Saturday in May. But, a very talented horse.”

Demoted from an apparent debut victory sprinting at Churchill Sept. 25, Cyberknife was a green second at 2-5 beneath the Twin Spires Nov. 5 before graduating by a half-length at odds-on in his first go at two turns at the Fair Grounds Dec. 26. A well-beaten sixth with blinkers added for the GIII Lecomte S. in New Orleans Jan. 22, Cyberknife regrouped with a three-length allowance tally in the Big Easy Feb. 19 and targeted this event. His 'TDN Rising Star' stablemate Zozos (Munnings) shipped to the Fair Grounds off a 10 1/4-length Oaklawn allowance success to be runner-up to top GI Kentucky Derby hopeful Epicenter (Not This Time) in the GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 26.

Lukas was making no excuses for Secret Oath.

“We got outrun today,” the Hall of Famer said. “Made that big move [on the second turn] and I thought she would sustain it, but she didn't. The race didn't unfold like you'd hope it to. It just didn't come together. We got bumped at the start and that got her back too far and then she made that monster move. It's hard to sustain it. She might have run that quarter pretty damn fast.”

Pedigree Notes:

Cyberknife is yet another feather in the cap for his boom stallion, who has now sired 10 stakes winners and six graded scorers (now three at Grade I level) from his first crop that has already yielded 37 individual winners.

Cyberknife is the second of Saturday's three Kentucky Derby prep winners to emerge from the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling Showcase, having hammered for $400,000. Hailing from the female family of G1 Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed (Tiznow), GSW Witty (Distorted Humor) and Grade I winner and Darley Japan sire American Patriot (War Front), Cyberknife is out of a six-time stakes-winning mare who is also responsible for a 2-year-old colt named Tapit Shoes (Tapit) and a colt by Horse of the Year Authentic foaled Mar. 4.

Saturday, Oaklawn Park
ARKANSAS DERBY-GI, $1,250,000, Oaklawn, 4-2, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:50.42, ft.
1–CYBERKNIFE, 119, c, 3, by Gun Runner
1st Dam: Awesome Flower (MSW & MGSP, $556,593), by Flower Alley
2nd Dam: Formalities Aside, by Awesome Again
3rd Dam: Well Dressed, by Notebook
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I
WIN. ($400,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEL). O-Gold Square LLC; B-Kenneth
Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent
Geroux. $750,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, $860,000. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+.
2–Barber Road, 119, c, 3, Race Day–Encounter, by Southern
Image. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($15,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV). O-WSS
Racing, LLC; B-Susan Forrester & Judy Curry (KY); T-John
Alexander Ortiz. $250,000.
3–Secret Oath, 117, f, 3, Arrogate–Absinthe Minded, by Quiet
American. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Briland Farm, Robert
Mitchell & Stacy Mitchell (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. $125,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 3/4, 4HF. Odds: 5.80, 10.00, 1.40.
Also Ran: Doppelganger, Kavod, Ben Diesel, We the People, Un Ojo, Chasing Time. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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White Abarrio Triumphs in Florida Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL–With no heavy favorite, the GI Curlin Florida Derby looked like it would likely go one of four ways on paper. The three winners of the four Florida-based GI Kentucky Derby preps–Simplification (Not This Time), White Abarrio (Race Day) and Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway)–were 2-1, 5-2 and 7-2, respectively, and 'TDN Rising Star' Charge It (Tapit), a flashy maiden winner hailing from the Todd Pletcher barn, was dispatched at 3-1.

While all four of those runners were a factor in this event, it was C2 Racing Stable's White Abarrio who punched his way to victory under a jubilant Tyler Gaffalione.

It was a beautiful day for racing at Gulfstream Park with temperatures in the mid-80s and sunny skies throughout the day as thunderstorms soaked Central Florida. The threat of those storms heading south diminished throughout the afternoon, but just as horses loaded in the gates for the grand finale, gray clouds swarmed over the Hallandale oval. Luckily, the rain held off during the 1:50.64 it took to run the nine-furlong event.

The top four betting choices were all in the mix early, but it was GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby hero Classic Causeway who took control going into the first turn.

He clocked an opening quarter in :23.67 with Simplification breathing down his neck and Pappacap (Gun Runner) keeping the pressure on to that one's outside. Charge It and White Abarrio ran in tandem just behind the top three, keeping a close eye on things as the half went in :47.24. Classic Causeway called it quits just moments later and Simplification and Pappacap charged ahead, neck and neck. White Abarrio wasn't going to let them get away that easy, coasting up behind them with Charge It hot on his heels.

White Abarrio swept up outside of the leading duo entering the far turn and Luis Saez guided Charge It to confront him in the four path. Simplification showed the way into the stretch and a stubborn Pappacap finally yielded as White Abarrio swept in front of him to lock eyes with Simplification. That meeting was quite brief however, as White Abarrio charged to the front with just a furlong left to run. Simplification tried his hardest to keep up with White Abarrio, but the gray kept on rolling to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The twice-raced 8 1/2-length maiden winner Charge It proved worthy of his conditioner's confidence, greenly, but gamely running on in the final furlong to be a clear second with Simplification a length back in third. GIII Best Pal S. winner Pappacap, a 16-1 shot, held fourth and Classic Causeway faded to a disappointing last.

It was the first Florida Derby win for both trainer Saffie Jospeh and rider Gaffalione, who have worked together since the start of their careers. It was Gaffalione's fifth win on the card and Joseph is leading trainer for the winter meet.

“It means the world to me,” said Joseph, choking back tears. “The Florida Derby is up there with the Kentucky Derby because we're based at Gulfstream. I'm just thankful and blessed that we have this opportunity. It's amazing.”

He added, “Tyler, as I said, when he started, I only had like 12 horses, but I rode him on my first ever good horse, a horse named Saraguera.”

“I don't even know what to say right now,” added Gaffalione, who was all smiles from the finish line straight through the post-race presser. “I feel like I'm on cloud nine. I'm just so thankful and I feel so blessed. This is all my childhood dreams come true. To win the Florida Derby, growing up down here, it's just so amazing.”

He continued, “Like Saffie said, we've been together for the past eight years now, and we've had a lot of success. We work well together, great communication. I have a lot of confidence in him and vice versa. I just feel so blessed and thankful to be given this opportunity, especially with them.”

Earning 100 points with this win to add to the 12 he already had, White Abarrio moves into third on the Derby leaderboard and will be Joseph's first Derby starter and Gaffalione's second, following War of Will (War Front).

It was the first Grade I win for brothers Mark and Clint Cornett's C2 Racing Stable. Mark Cornett picked White Abarrio out after his flashy maiden win and they negotiated a private purchase.

A $7,500 OBSWIN yearling purchase, White Abarrio was purchased by trainer Carlos Perez for $40,000 at OBS March after breezing in :10 2/5 for Clap Embroidery. Unveiled in a 6 1/2-panel event at Gulfstream Sept. 24, he split foes and kicked clear to graduate by 6 3/4 lengths, earning an 81 Beyer Speed Figure. Privately purchased by the Cornett brothers and transferred to Saffie Joseph after that victory, White Abarrio wired a one-mile optional claimer at this oval Oct. 29, matching his debut Beyer. Shipped to Churchill Downs next out, the gray checked in third in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. Nov. 27 and called it a season.

“I saw him win,” Mark Cornett said. “He came out of the one-hole, which as a first-time starter going 6 1/2 furlongs is very difficult to do, and raced inside the horses down the back side. He did something young 2-year-old first-time starters don't usually do, which is split horses at the quarter pole. He actually split three horses, went through like a seasoned horse and drew off, actually did it internally into some pretty good fractions.

So he ticked all my boxes and what I look for when I buy a horse, physically, pedigree-wise. That's why we ended up and bought it. We were lucky enough to be able to work a deal with the owner, and here we are today winning the Florida Derby.”

Making his seasonal debut in Gulftream's GIII Holy Bull S. Feb. 5, he stalked and pounced his way to a 4 1/2-length score over next-out GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. winner Simplification. White Abarrio had spiked a fever shortly before the Holy Bull, causing him to miss two works, so his connections opted to skip the Fountain of Youth and make sure their colt was fully recovered with an eye on the Florida Derby. He spiked another fever just 12 days out from this event, but Joseph was more confident in his fitness this time around. However, he still gave the colt a three furlong blowout in :34 4/5 this past Tuesday.

“Going into the Holy Bull, we had missed time, we had missed two works,” Joseph said. “I didn't believe in the Holy Bull we were going to win because he missed two key works in a big race. We were giving up a big fitness edge. To see him win that day, I thought it was remarkable.”

The Barbados native continued, “After that, we talked it over. He ran such a big race, and we figured, if he's good enough and able to win that race, he should be good enough to give him a good chance to win in the Florida Derby. Everything went perfect from then until 12 days ago, and we had a hiccup. In the back of your mind, you're like, geez, we should have run him in the Fountain of Youth, but it worked out.”

Bred by Spendthrift Farm, White Abarrio carries the stamp of the late B. Wayne Hughes's operation top to bottom. He hails from the third and final American crop of their former stallion Race Day, who was exported to Korea in 2020, and is out of an Into Mischief mare named Catching Diamonds, who the farm purchased for $425,000 at KEESEP. White Abarrio is her first foal and she has since produced a juvenile colt named Cage Match (Gormley) and a yearling colt by the late Lord Nelson. She is expecting another foal by that stallion this term. Catching Diamonds is a half to MGSW Cool Cowboy (Kodiak Kowboy) and the dam of GSW & GISP 'TDN Rising Star' Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief).

White Abarrio is the only graded winner and one of eight black-type scorers for Race Day, who was also responsible for GI Arkansas Derby runner-up Barber Road. He is the only Grade I winner, one of two graded winners and six black-type achievers out of a daughter of Into Mischief. The Tapit/Harlan's Holiday cross is also responsible for graded winners My Miss Lily and Just Wicked.

What They're Saying at the Florida Derby…

Todd Pletcher (Charge It, second): “Super pleased with the effort. To get a real education in a race like that was very encouraging. He got a little green down the lane. He kind of drifted in behind [White Abarrio] and felt like if he could have just run straight that last 100 yards, he was going to be right there. But I thought it was a huge effort, considering everything. Overcame some adversity, took some dirt, and did a lot of things right. Just didn't quite polish it off.”

It kind of took him a little while to get his wheels going, but once he straightened away it looked like he was going to punch on. But then he drifted in, and he had to correct. The inexperience hurt him a little in the end. I think he earned enough points and showed he's good enough now. Just got to see how he comes out of it and come up with a plan.”

Antonio Sano (Simplification, third): “I'm so happy today. We made the decision to run near the front today, because [Classic Causeway] was speed and [Pappacap] all the time is behind me. [Jockey] Jose [Ortiz] and I talked this morning and we said the last three-eighths you move the horse. I'm just so happy with him. He's very good. It's very important he ran well, and comes back well.”

Mark Casse (Pappacap, fourth): “I thought he ran great. He got me excited. I was just happy to see him show up again because of his last race, I just couldn't understand it. I thought [jockey] Edwin [Hernandez] gave him a great trip. He just got a little late. Maybe it's too far, I don't know. He showed up and gave his best. That's all I can ask.”

Brian Lynch (Classic Causeway, 11th): “[Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.] said he thought he was traveling until about halfway down the backside and then he just sort of ran out of horse. So, we'll do a little investigating but he look sound and he said he felt good. We'll regroup.”

Saturday, Gulfstream Park
CURLIN FLORIDA DERBY PRESENTED BY HILL 'N' DALE FARMS AT XALAPA-GI, $1,010,000, Gulfstream, 4-2, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:50.64, ft.
1–WHITE ABARRIO, 122, c, 3, by Race Day
                1st Dam: Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief
                2nd Dam: Grand Breeze, by Grand Slam
                3rd Dam: Breeze Lass, by It's Freezing
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($7,500 Ylg '20 OBSWIN; $40,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O-C2 Racing Stable LLC and La Milagrosa Stable, LLC; B-Spendthrift Farm, LLC (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $582,800. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-4-0-1, $823,650. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Charge It, 122, c, 3, Tapit–I'll Take Charge, by Indian Charlie. 'TDN Rising Star' 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Whisper Hill Farm, LLC; T-Todd A. Pletcher.$188,000.
3–Simplification, 122, c, 3, Not This Time–Simply Confection, by Candy Ride (Arg). 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($50,000 RNA Wlg '19 KEENOV). O-Tami Bobo; B-France & Irwin J. Weiner (FL); T-Antonio Sano. $104,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1, 3HF. Odds: 2.90, 3.20, 2.30.
Also Ran: Pappacap, O Captain, Steal Sunshine, Strike Hard, Cajun's Magic, King of Truth, Clapton, Classic Causeway.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Tiz the Bomb Flashes Home in Jeff Ruby Steaks

On a day of three 100-point prep races for the GI Kentucky Derby, it was TIZ THE BOMB (c, 3, Hit It a Bomb–Tiz the Key, by Tiznow)–a colt not officially pointing to the Derby–who won Saturday's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park to snag one of those coveted 100-point slots. Drifting from 6-5 out to 8-5, but still clearly favored as the gates flew in, Tiz the Bomb had a smooth break and sat a midfield trip on the outside through fractions of :23.25 and :47.06. Breathing menacingly down the leaders' necks, he was let go by Brian Hernandez, Jr. at about the six-furlong mark and quickly moved into contention. Tiz the Bomb overhauled a simultaneously moving Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile), who had unseated rider Manny Franco prior to the race, and took command with ease after a couple of left-handed taps, winning wrapped up with giant strides as he threw his ears forward crossing the wire.

Only eight races on the Kentucky Derby trail give as many as 100 points to the winner–good for a guaranteed spot in the Derby starting gate–but trainer Kenny McPeek suggested before the race that Tiz the Bomb will likely bypass the Derby and target the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket Apr. 30 and/or the G1 Cazoo Derby at Epsom June 4. He wasn't as firm on that stance immediately after the race.

“We're not going to make a decision quickly,” said McPeek, who said the ownership team wasn't going to rule out the Kentucky Derby. “We'll have to figure out some details. I do think the further he goes, the better. Just a real special colt. We've got some options and they're really great options. Right now, we'll enjoy this and go from there.”

He added regarding the Jeff Ruby Steaks trip: “Brian had him in a really good spot and it looked like he was going to have to carry some outside ground to get there, but he's a good-enough horse to handle it. I'm glad he had him out of trouble. This colt traveled the furthest distance and got it done anyway… We shouldn't rule out Kentucky right now. I think he might be able to handle that.”

The Turfway feature, now in its 51st running, has been contested under seven different names/sponsorships throughout the years and has produced two Kentucky Derby winners in Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}, 2011) and Lil E. Tee (At the Threshold, 1992).

The Jeff Ruby Steaks was Tiz the Bomb's second win in as many starts on Turfway's synthetic surface, as he was coming off a victory in the John Battaglia Memorial S. Mar. 5 after a sophomore dirt experiment that led to an off-the-board finish behind White Abarrio (Race Day) and Simplification (Not This Time) in the GIII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream Feb. 5. Those two were one-three in Saturday's GI Florida Derby. Last year, Tiz the Bomb was Keeneland's GII Bourbon S. winner and Del Mar's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up, in addition to victor of the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile S.

Pedigree Notes:

McPeek is known for his prowess in picking out horses at the sales that may be overlooked by others and going on to success with them. While no one would have called Tiz the Bomb a bargain at $330,000, as he was Hit It a Bomb's most expensive yearling by far and one of only two to bring six figures, it had to take nerves of steel to buy a yearling by an unproven sire for so far over that stallion's average and median. McPeek has been rewarded with Hit It a Bomb's most successful runner to date. The War Front stallion, who stands at Spendthrift and was winner of the 2015 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, has two graded winners and three black-type winners from two small crops to race.

In contrast, broodmare sire Tiznow, who is pensioned at WinStar, is no stranger to the stakes scene as he has 52 black-type winners out of his daughters, including GI Belmont S./GI Travers S./GI Florida Derby/GI Champagne S. winner Tiz the Law (Constitution), who was also second in the 2020 GI Kentucky Derby.

Tiz the Bomb was bred by Spendthrift after the farm had purchased Tiz the Key for $330,000–the same price her son would eventually bring–as a 2012 Keeneland September yearling. She's been bred exclusively to Spendthrift stallions, with 2-year-old filly Bel Rosso (Free Drop Billy), who sold for $180,000 at FTKOCT to Rocket Ship Racing, and a yearling colt by Mor Spirit in the pipeline. She delivered a Gormley filly Feb. 25. Tiz the Key hails from one of the best families in the stud book, as her fourth dam is Gay Missile (Sir Gaylord). Among Gay Missile's several influential foals were Lassie Dear (Buckpasser), dam of Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise (Secretariat), who in turn produced A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew). Gay Missile was out of blue hen Missy Baba (My Babu {Fr}), whose notable foals included Broodmare of the Year Toll Booth (Buckpasser).

Saturday, Turfway Park
JEFF RUBY STEAKS S.-GIII, $600,000, Turfway, 4-2, 3yo, 1 1/8m (AWT), 1:48.60, ft.
1–TIZ THE BOMB, 123, c, 3, by Hit It a Bomb
1st Dam: Tiz the Key, by Tiznow
2nd Dam: Cabbage Key, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Mayville's Magic, by Gone West
($330,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEL). O-Magdalena Racing, Lessee;
B-Spendthrift Farm, LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek; J-Brian
Joseph Hernandez, Jr. $351,400. Lifetime Record: GISP,
8-5-1-0, $1,044,401. Werk Nick Rating: A+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tawny Port, 123, c, 3, Pioneerof the Nile–Livi Makenzie, by
Macho Uno. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($430,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Peachtree Stable; B-WinStar
Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $114,000.
3–Rich Strike, 123, c, 3, Keen Ice–Gold Strike, by Smart Strike.
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-RED TR-Racing, LLC; B-Calumet
Farm (KY); T-Eric R. Reed. $57,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 3HF, 3/4. Odds: 1.60, 3.70, 26.20.
Also Ran: Dowagiac Chief, Royal Spirit, Cabo Spirit, Stolen Base, Red Run, Constitutionlawyer, Swing Shift, Great Escape, Optigogo. Scratched: Blackadder. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Shackleford Filly Game as they Get in Fantasy

Sekie and Tsunebumi Yoshihara's Yuugiri (Shackleford) looked in all sorts of bother as she was besieged from either side with time ticking away in Saturday's GIII Fantasy S. at Oaklawn Park, but she refused to lay down and battled her way to a neck defeat of Beguine (Gun Runner). Second choice Bubble Rock (More Than Ready) was third in her first try on a conventional dirt surface.

Quickly into stride from gate six, Yuugiri won the race into the first turn and set the pace from the two path, with Bubble Rock chasing from second and Beguine monitoring proceedings from the box seat in third. That trio would have the race to themselves, as it would happen. Yuugiri did it well on the engine and went along comfortably, sharp though the fractions were. On a long rein with Bubble Rock stalking her wherever she went and Beguine still traveling strongly, Yuugiri was shaken up 2 1/2 furlongs from home, but appeared to be going better than Bubble Rock to her outside. In the meantime, Beguine emerged as the more serious danger at the fence and was within a head as they entered the final eighth of a mile. But the pacesetter maintained a slender advantage as the duo came together late and proved a most determined winner. Stewards launched an inquiry into the final stages, but ultimately allowed the result to stand.

“That was really not the initial plan (go to the lead), but she broke so sharp,” said winning trainer Rodolphe Brisset. “[Jockey Florent Geroux] did good to just go with the flow. The fractions were pretty fast. It's very demanding to go to the wire, going :46 and change, and she did it. It's a fun one.”

A romping 7 1/4-length debut maiden winner at Churchill Downs Sept. 17, Yuugiri was a distant runner-up in the Oct. 31 Rags To Riches S. and filled the same spot when beaten a length by Fantasy favorite Dream Lith (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GII Golden Rod S. Nov. 27. She raced prominently in the GIII Honeybee S. in her sophomore debut Feb. 26 but weakened late to be third behind leading local lady Secret Oath (Arrogate) in an effort she was likely to be in need of and sure to come on for.

Pedigree Notes:

Yuugiri is the 19th stakes winner and seventh winner at the graded level for GI Preakness S. winner Shackleford, who was sold to Korean interests to continue his stallion career in that country in 2020.

The winner's dam was campaigned by Sekie and Tsunebumi Yoshihara to a victory for trainer Michael Matz in the grassy Forever Together S. and Yuugiri is her only winner from two of racing age. Yuzuru is a half-sister to the Winchester Farm-bred Nokaze (Empire Maker), the dam of Japanese Group 2 winner Air Almas (Majestic Warrior), Japanese stakes winner Air Fanditha (Hat Trick {Jpn}) and the promising Air Sage (Point of Entry), winner of three of six starts on the demanding JRA circuit. The Yoshiharas campaign those horses in Japan under the banner of Lucky Field, the literal translation of Yoshihara. Lucky Field has also raced 1997 Tenno Sho hero Air Groove (Jpn) (Tony Bin {Ire}) and MGSW/MG1SP Air Spinel (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}).

Yuzuru is the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Air Force Blue that has already been exported to Japan as well as a yearling colt by Nyquist. She was most recently bred to American Pharoah.

FANTASY S.-GIII, $600,000, Oaklawn, 4-2, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:43.65, ft.
1–YUUGIRI, 119, f, 3, by Shackleford
                1st Dam: Yuzuru (SW, $105,759), by Medaglia d'Oro
                2nd Dam: Macarena Macarena, by Gone West
                3rd Dam: Angelic Song, by Halo
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Sekie & Tsunebumi Yoshihara (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset; J-Florent Geroux. $360,000. Lifetime Record: MGSP, 5-2-2-1, $543,610. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Beguine, 119, f, 3, Gun Runner–Shananies Song, by Eltish. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($235,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP; $340,000 RNA 2yo '21 FTFMAR). O/B-Charles T. Matses; T-Daniel C. Peitz. $120,000.
3–Bubble Rock, 122, f, 3, More Than Ready–Reef Point, by Giant's Causeway. O/B-Shortleaf Stable, Inc.; T-Brad H. Cox. $60,000.
Margins: NK, 3, 2. Odds: 4.10, 11.30, 3.20.
Also Ran: I Feel the Need, Dream Lith, Heartyconstitution, Mariah's Fortune, Magic Circle. Scratched: Eda.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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