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Candy Ride Filly Takes Them All the Way in Edgewood

Florent Geroux nursed HEAVENLY SUNDAY (f, 3, Candy Ride {Arg}–Alien Giant, by Giant's Causeway)'s speed to perfection as the pair went wire to wire at 9-1 to annex the GII Edgewood S. presented by Forcht Bank Friday on the GI Kentucky Oaks undercard at Churchill Downs. A stampede followed them under the line with Revalita (Fr) (Recoletos {Fr}), Mission of Joy (Kitten's Joy), and Pipilio (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) just necks and heads apart vying for the place and show spots.

When the gates flew, Heavenly Sunday hopped and stuttered out of the stalls and immediately got sandwiched hard between two fillies as she tried to maintain her forward momentum and gain position. Undaunted, she extricated herself from the tight squeeze and shot to the front. Stablemate Flashy Gem (Bolt d'Oro) at 9-2 tracked while Heavenly Sunday set all the pace, ears pricked under a hard hold through fractions of :23.19 and :47.89. Ears still flicking on the turn as Flashy Gem went after her, Heavenly Sunday held sway in the stretch and was game all the way to wire, not for catching. Her final margin of victory was three-quarters of a length.

“I think there was an honest pace but I don't think I was going extremely fast,” said Geroux, who was winning the Edgewood for the third time since 2016. “It was just a good rhythm for her to keep her comfortable. It looked like the horse was trying to make a run for me at the end but my filly had a major turn of foot.”

One of the more lightly raced fillies in the Edgewood, Heavenly Sunday races for William Harrigan's Miacomet Farm. The $170,000 Keeneland September RNA had debuted last September at two with a seven-length score in a turf maiden special weight at Horseshoe Indianapolis, then followed up with an allowance at Keeneland before being put away for the winter. She has since been third in Gulfstream's GIII Sweetest Chant S. Feb. 4 and Keeneland's GII Appalachian S. Apr. 8. Heavenly Sunday was one of four runners in the Edgewood coming out of the Appalachian.

“We've been pointing towards this race since last fall at Keeneland,” said trainer Brad Cox, who also won the Unbridled Sidney S. earlier on the Churchill card with Breeders' Cup heroine Caravel (Mizzen Mast). “I was disappointed in her first two races this year because I thought she would win. She put it all together today.”

Pedigree Notes:

Heavenly Sunday's win makes her the 53rd graded winner among the 108 black-type winners for Lane's End's stalwart sire Candy Ride (Arg). While she's also the 197th stakes winner out of a daughter of the late Giant's Causeway, what's especially notable here is the cross. Four of Candy Ride's graded winners are from Giant's Causeway mares, including Horse of the Year and superstar young sire Gun Runner, as well as Churchill GSW and 2019 GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Liora.

Randal Family Trust bought the winner's dam in foal to Malibu Moon at the 2018 Keeneland November sale for $240,000 and bred her the next year to Candy Ride, resulting in Heavenly Sunday. Alien Giant was not bred for 2021 and lost her Game Winner foal in 2022 before delivering a colt by The Factor Jan. 29 this year. Although Heavenly Sunday marks the first graded winner in the immediate family in a few generations, Alien Giant's fourth dam, Victorian Queen (Victoria Park), was both the champion grass horse and champion older mare in Canada in 1975. She produced no fewer than three Grade I winners: Judge Angelucci (Honest Pleasure), War (Majestic Light), and Peace (Naskra).

Friday, Churchill Downs
EDGEWOOD S. PRESENTED BY FORCHT BANK-GII, $500,000, Churchill Downs, 5-5, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:42.40, fm.
1–HEAVENLY SUNDAY, 118, f, 3, by Candy Ride (Arg)
1st Dam: Alien Giant (SP), by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Alienation, by Rock Hard Ten
3rd Dam: Alienated, by Gone West
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($170,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Miacomet Farm (William Harrigan); B-Randal Family Trust (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $291,400. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-2, $428,833. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Revalita (Fr), 118, f, 3, Recoletos (Fr)–Ebareva (Ire), by Machiavellian. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. (€12,000 Ylg '21 ARQDOY). O-Wise Racing LLC; B-Sarl Darpat France (FR); T-Chad C. Brown. $94,000.
3–Mission of Joy, 120, f, 3, Kitten's Joy–Smart Mission, by Smart Strike. ($32,000 Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-RyZan Sun Racing, LLC and Madaket Stables LLC; B-Sam-Son Farm (ON); T-H. Graham Motion. $47,000.
Margins: 3/4, NK, HD. Odds: 9.68, 8.51, 7.21.
Also Ran: Papilio (Ire), Liguria, Girl Named Charlie, Cairo Consort, Sabalenka, Comanche Country (Ire), Flashy Gem, Preliminary (GB).
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Into Mischief Filly Not Playing in La Troienne

Making her first start since winning last fall's GIII Falls City S. at 45 cents on the dollar, Rigney Racing's Played Hard (Into Mischief) rewarded those that remained loyal to her from a pari-mutuel perspective with a near 9-1 upset in Friday's GI La Troienne S. at Churchill Downs. For the second time in as many races, Briland Farm's Secret Oath (Arrogate)–who won the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks on this program 12 months ago–took a dirty beat in Grade I company, having been pipped on the post in the Apple Blossom H. last time, while Search Results (Flatter), beaten a neck by Malathaat (Curlin) in the 2021 Oaks, was a brave third.

“I went to bed many nights dreaming of this moment,” said trainer and Louisville native Phil Bauer, who was unsaddling his first top-level winner. “Horse racing can be like climbing Mount Everest. Today, I feel like we've made it to the top. As a Louisville guy, this means everything to me. It's so hard to put into words what Tammi and Richard Rigney mean to me. They've supported me through the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows.”

Ridden for some speed by John Velazquez, Played Hard argued the early issue inside of Search Results and Society (Gun Runner), but when it was clear that Florent Geroux was intent on taking the latter to the top, Velazquez took a tug on Played Hard and pulled her to the outside to hound the front-runner from second. Society led through a half in a solid :47.28 and took the field into the second turn, but Played Hard was breathing down her neck and came calling for the lead with just under 2 1/2 furlongs to go. A few lengths behind, Secret Oath was making ominous progress after covering ground, but had to be asked by Tyler Gaffalione.

In front as they hit the top of the lane, Played Hard was urged along to maintain her advantage, but Secret Oath, six or seven wide off the final corner, looked to have the momentum down the center of the track while Search Results refused to lay down at the rail. Played Hard drifted out under a left-handed crop and she and Secret Oath brushed, but she boxed on gamely and was home narrowly best. A claim of foul against the winner was ultimately disallowed and the result stood as is.

“She's very brave. All the credit goes to Mr. Phil Bauer and his team,” said Velazquez, winning the La Troienne for the third time. “She's been working really good, and I didn't know if she had enough to beat Secret Oath today. But she put in a couple of good works here. I knew she was going to run well. The whole team did such a great job, to get her ready after a long layoff, and to run with this horse. I've got to give it to Phil, great job.”

Tyler Gaffalione said the incident in the stretch likely cost Secret Oath the race.

“Honestly, it felt a lot worse than it looked,” he said. “My filly must have been getting tired at that point, and we came together. I had pretty good position going into the first turn, then we ran into traffic, and a lot of shuffling, so I didn't want to get myself in a bad spot, so I got her out of there. She's got such a tremendous kick, that I wanted to rely on that.”

Off the board just once in eight previous runs beneath the Twin Spires, Played Hard romped home by 5 3/4 lengths in the GIII Locust Grove S. during Churchill's September meet last fall, then was third, but soundly defeated, in the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland ahead of her Falls City performance.

Pedigree Notes:

The 16th Grade I winner for her spectacular sire, Played Hard–a $280,000 Keeneland September acquisition–is out of daughter of SW Well Dressed, the dam of G1 Dubai World Cup hero Well Armed (Tiznow); GSW Witty (Distorted Humor), the dam of Grade III winner Bombard (War Front) and MGSP Amuse (Medaglia d'Oro); GISP Helsinki (Distorted Humor); and of the dam of GISW and current Darley Japan stallion American Patriot (War Front). Well Lived is the dam of the 3-year-old colt Highest Regards (Candy Ride {Arg}) and delivered a colt by Constitution Apr. 3. Played Hard is bred on a similar cross to champion Wonder Wheel as well as Grade III winner Comical. Rocket Can, who starts in Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby, has asecond dam by Tiznow.

Friday, Churchill Downs
LA TROIENNE S. PRESENTED BY TWINSPIRES-GI, $750,000, Churchill Downs, 5-5, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:42.48, ft.
1–PLAYED HARD, 123, m, 5, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Well Lived, by Tiznow
2nd Dam: Well Dressed, by Notebook
3rd Dam: Trithenia, by Gold Meridian
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($280,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Rigney Racing, LLC; B-Susan Casner (KY); T-Philip A. Bauer; J-John R. Velazquez. $441,750. Lifetime Record: 15-6-5-2, $1,420,140. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Secret Oath, 123, f, 4, by Arrogate
1st Dam: Absinthe Minded (MSW & MGISP, $607,747), by Quiet American
2nd Dam: Rockford Peach, by Great Above
3rd Dam: Strawberry Skyline, by Hatchet Man
O-Briland Farm; B-Briland Farm, Robert & Stacy Mitchell (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. $142,500.
3–Search Results, 123, m, 5, by Flatter
1st Dam: Co Cola (GSP), by Candy Ride (Arg)
2nd Dam: Yong Musician, by Yonaguska
3rd Dam: Alljazz, by Stop the Music
($310,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $71,250.
Margins: NK, HF, 1HF. Odds: 8.93, 1.68, 4.02.
Also Ran: A Mo Reay, Desert Dawn, Pauline's Pearl, Soul of an Angel, Sixtythreecaliber, Society, Classy Edition.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Oscar Performance Filly Takes the ‘Gold’ in Eight Belles

While Friday's GII Eight Belles S. was bet more or less like a coronation for the freaky and previously unbeaten Munnys Gold, Red Carpet Ready–whose own perfect record was tarnished last out–had other ideas. Away as the second choice almost 14 times the favorite's odds, Red Carpet Ready shadowed the pacesetting chalk early with both kept well off the inside. Red Carpet Ready put the screws to Munnys Gold around the turn after a :45.11 half, and quickly opened up as noses pointed for home. Munnys Gold dug in deep, however, and clawed back almost all of the ground she'd given up late, but Red Carpet Ready found the line with a long nose to spare.

“This filly had a good break, and she put us right in it,” said winning rider Luis Saez. “When she got the lead, I wanted her to open it up, but she was waiting a little bit. When she was alone, she waited for the other horse to come back. I was pretty worried about the other horse, because in the long stretch, she tried hard to catch us. Red Carpet Ready is a spectacular filly. She always tries really hard.”

Red Carpet Ready opened her account a 10-length winner in the local slop on a “Stars of Tomorrow” card last October, and doubled up in the following month's Fern Creek S. She saw out seven-eighths no problem to take Gulfstream's GIII Forward Gal S. Feb. 4, but could only manage third at 11-10 in the Mar. 4 GII Davona Dale over a one-turn mile behind huge longshot Dorth Vader (Girvin).

Winning conditioner Rusty Arnold added, “She wants to sprint and she loves it here. We're going to regroup and keep to sprinting. Luis rode her great. He took it to [Munnys Gold] and she was ready.”

Friday, Churchill Downs
EIGHT BELLES S. PRESENTED BY SYSCO-GII, $500,000,
Churchill Downs, 5-5, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:22.28, ft.
1–RED CARPET READY, 120, f, 3, by Oscar Performance
          1st Dam: Wild Silk, by Street Sense
          2nd Dam: Spun Silk, by A.P. Indy
          3rd Dam: Spunoutacontrol, by Wild Again
($180,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG; $100,000 RNA 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing; B-Lynn B. Schiff (KY); T-George R. Arnold, II; J-Luis Saez. $303,800. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-1, $588,670. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Munnys Gold, 118, f, 3, Munnings–Haraawa, by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($92,000 Wlg '20 FTKNOV; $300,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL). O-Robert E. and Lawana L. Low; B-Nicksar Farms (FL); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $98,000.
3–Accede, 118, f, 3, Into Mischief–Jibboom, by Mizzen Mast. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $49,000.
Margins: HD, 1 3/4, 2. Odds: 5.72, 0.41, 8.43.
Also Ran: Condensation, Olivia Twist, Sabra Tuff, Grand Love.
Scratched: Effortlesslyelgant, Positano Sunset.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

Red Carpet Ready is one of two graded winners and stakes winners from the first crop of talented turfer Oscar Performance (Kitten's Joy). Street Sense is the broodmare sire of a dozen graded/group winners worldwide. His one highest-level winner to date is Roaring Lion, by Oscar Performance's sire Kitten's Joy.

Red Carpet Ready is out of a half-sister to GISW sprinter Joking (Distorted Humor) and from the deep female family of Tale of the Cat, Fed Biz, et al.

Unraced Wild Silk, purchased for $70,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale, has a 2-year-old full-sister to Red Carpet Ready and yearling full-brother. The filly was a $65,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred sale acquisition by Deuce Greathouse's Pura Vida and has since been named Bougie Not Basic. Wild Silk produced a Not This Time filly Mar. 23.

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Runhappy’s Smile Happy Upsets Alysheba

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – 'TDN Rising Star' Smile Happy (Runhappy), eighth in last year's GI Kentucky Derby behind the re-opposing Rich Strike (Keen Ice), appears to have a very big season ahead of him after delivering a decisive 7-1 upset over a talented group of older horses assembled in Friday's GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs.

Smile Happy shadowed heavily favored last-out GII New Orleans Classic S. winner West Will Power (Bernardini) from an outside second through early fractions of :24.30 and :47.80. The Lucky Seven Stable colorbearer struck the front beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr. off the turn for home and kept on finding down the stretch to keep GI Pegasus World Cup winner Art Collector (Bernardini) safe by two lengths. West Will Power stayed on for third.

Winner of the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. beneath the Twin Spires as a 2-year-old, last term's GII Risen Star S. and GI Toyota Blue Grass S. runner-up made two previous starts this season at Oaklawn Park. Smile Happy kicked off his 4-year-old campaign with a smart victory in an optional claimer in the slop Mar. 16, and was most recently third as the favorite in the GIII Oaklawn Mile Apr. 1.

“I'm really not surprised,” winning trainer Kenny McPeek said. “He's tricky to deal with sometimes and the last couple of races, we've finally figured his number. We ran him back quickly at Oaklawn because he was difficult to train at Oaklawn. We got him back here and he's done everything right. But, we learned a value lesson in his last race at Oaklawn. He's a true alpha. He wants everything his own way. But, he can run like the wind. I'm really proud of him.”

It was another disappointing run from last year's monumental Derby upsetter Rich Strike, who was making his first start of the season in the Alysheba. He passed one rival home to finish fifth after trailing for most of the way.

“I'm unusually disappointed in the effort,” trainer Eric Reed said. “I'm not sure what's going on. I expected him to finish better. He was where he was supposed to be but he didn't fire at all.”

Pedigree Notes:

Smile Happy, a $175,000 KEENOV weanling and a $185,000 FTKSEL sale graduate, is one of three graded winners for Runhappy and one of 24 graded winners for broodmare sire Pleasant Tap. Smile Happy is the most recent produce from three-time winner Pleasant Smile, who brought $57,000 from Black Type Bloodstock at the 2014 KEENOV sale.

Friday, Churchill Downs
ALYSHEBA S. PRESENTED BY SENTIENT JET-GII, $600,000, Churchill Downs, 5-5, 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:41.29, ft.
1–SMILE HAPPY, 118, c, 4, by Runhappy
1st Dam: Pleasant Smile, by Pleasant Tap
2nd Dam: Relax and Smile, by Relaunch
3rd Dam: Bunch of Smiles, by Graustark
($175,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $185,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEL). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Lucky Seven Stable (Mackin); B-Moreau Bloodstock Int'l Inc. & White Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.. $368,280. Lifetime Record: GISP, 8-4-2-1, $1,019,890. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Art Collector, 123, h, 6, Bernardini–Distorted Legacy, by Distorted Humor. O/B-W. Bruce Lunsford (KY); T-William I. Mott. $118,800.
3–West Will Power, 120, h, 6, Bernardini–Wild Promises, by Wild Event. O-Gary and Mary West; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $59,400.
Margins: 2, 3/4, 8 1/4. Odds: 7.74, 3.84, 0.70.
Also Ran: Last Samurai, Rich Strike, Milliken. Scratched: Giant Game.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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