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Arrogate’s Affirmative Lady Upsets Gulfstream Park Oaks

A year after Secret Oath gave her late sire Arrogate a first winner of the GI Kentucky Oaks, the stallion looks to have a legitimate chance to add to that total posthumously in the form of Affirmative Lady (Arrogate), who made multiple runs to cause an 8-1 upset in Saturday's GII Gulfstream Park Oaks.

A breakthrough maiden winner with first-time blinkers over track and trip at first asking Feb. 26, the AMO Racing USA colorbearer got a good spot at the fence through the early exchanges as Flakes (Frosted) took advantage of her innermost draw to set the pace from Infinite Diamond (Bee Jersey) and a three-wide last out GII Davona Dale S. upsetter Dorth Vader (Girvin).

Quietly ridden down the backstretch by Luis Saez, Affirmative Lady had about three lengths to find entering the turn and was ridden aggressively inside of a weakening Infinite Diamond to be in striking position turning for home. Pulled out into the three path, she found yet another gear and raced over the top of rivals en route to a two-length victory over a game Sacred Wish (Not This Time). Flakes held for third, while Dorth Vader could do no better than fourth.

“When she broke her maiden here five weeks ago, I thought it was really impressive and the timing was good,” winning trainer Graham Motion said. “I think she really wants to go further. I think she'll really appreciate a mile and an eighth, to be honest.”

Affirmative Lady came within a neck of earning her diploma at third asking in the GII Demoiselle S. at Aqueduct Dec. 3 and added a third-place finish, still as a maiden, in the Busanda S. in South Ozone Park Jan. 14. She recorded co-career high 70 Beyer Speed Figures in the Demoiselle and her last-out maiden victory.

Affirmative Lady earned 100 points in the Gulfstream Park Oaks to seal her spot in the starting gate for the GI Kentucky Oaks.

“There's a big race going a mile and an eighth in May, so we'll think about that,” Motion said. “Look, if she comes out of it OK, we have to [run]. That's what she wants to do.”

Pedigree Notes:

Affirmative Lady, a $210,000 KEESEP yearling turned $400,000 OBS April breezer (:10 2/5), becomes the seventh stakes/fifth graded winner for the gone-too-soon Arrogate. Broodmare sire Stephen Got Even is now responsible for 17 stakes/five graded winners. MSW & MGSP Stiffed, a $320,000 purchase by Affirmative Lady's breeder Alastar Thoroughbred Co. while in foal to Pioneerof the Nile at the 2018 KEENOV sale, produced a filly by Nyquist in 2021 ($170,000 KEESEP yearling) and a filly by Connect this year.

Saturday, Gulfstream Park
GULFSTREAM PARK OAKS PRESENTED BY FANDUEL TV-GII,
$255,000, Gulfstream, 4-1, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:44.69, ft.
1–AFFIRMATIVE LADY, 122, f, 3, by Arrogate
          1st Dam: Stiffed (MSW & MGSP, $256,559), by Stephen
                Got Even
          2nd Dam: High Noon Nellie, by Silver Deputy
          3rd Dam: Full and Fancy, by Marfa
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($210,000
Ylg '21 KEESEP; $400,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-AMO Racing
USA; B-Alastar Thoroughbred Co, LLC (KY); T-H. Graham
Motion; J-Luis Saez. $150,350. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-2,
$270,568. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report &
5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com
catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Sacred Wish, 122, f, 3, Not This Time–Indian Wish, by Indian
Charlie. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($80,000
Wlg '20 KEENOV; $70,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP; $50,000 2yo '22
EASMAY). O-Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables,
Steve Adkisson, Christopher T. Dunn and Anthony Spinazzola;
B-John R. Penn (KY); T-George Weaver. $48,500.
3–Flakes, 122, f, 3, Frosted–Tell a Great Story, by Bluegrass Cat.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($50,000 2yo '22
OBSAPR). O-BC Racing LLC; B-Arindel (FL); T-Juan Alvarado.
$29,250.
Margins: 2, HD, NK. Odds: 8.50, 9.10, 30.50.
Also Ran: Dorth Vader, Miracle, Infinite Diamond, Atomically,
Just Katherine.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs.
VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Sioux Nation Represented By First U.S. Stakes Winner in Cutler Bay

When the markets opened for Saturday's Cutler Bay S. at Gulfstream Park, the tote read 1-9 on the U.S.-debuting Behind Enemy Lines (GB) (Sioux Nation) and the early action proved spot on, as the bay enjoyed a smooth trip and pounced late to become the first American stakes winner–and fifth overall–for his successful young sire (by Scat Daddy).

Last seen dominating a Dundalk all-weather maiden for Joseph O'Brien and previous owner Justin Casse, Behind Enemy Lines was a bit tardy from the stalls, but recovered to race on the back of pacesetting Drinking Problem (Gormley) and nicely covered up down the backstretch. Going comfortably into the final three furlongs, he was steered out and around favored Harry Time (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) nearing the stretch and kicked home smartly to score cozily at final odds of 16-5.

Behind Enemy Lines went through the Tattersalls sales ring on two occasions, selling for 88,000gns as a weanling in late 2020 and for 90,000gns during Book 2 of the auction house's October Yearling Sale the following October. He was among the first group of horses ticketed for the inaugural Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale last March (see below for under-tack video), but was led out unsold on a bid of just over €173,000. He was a well-beaten ninth in a six-furlong grass maiden at the Curragh last August before breaking through last time. Behind Enemy Lines is the second black-type winner to emerge from the 2022 Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up, joining this year's Listed Al Bastakiya S. winner Go Soldier Go (Tapiture).

From the extended female family of Eclipse Award and GI Breeders' Cup Mile hero Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Mawj (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and SW & MGSP Modern News (GB) (Shamardal), the winner is kin to the 2-year-old colt Looking Bere (Fr) (Le Brivido {Fr}) and a yearling colt by Whitecliffsofdover (War Front). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

CUTLER BAY S., $145,000, Gulfstream, 4-1, 3yo, 7 1/2fT, 1:30.35, fm.
1–BEHIND ENEMY LINES (GB), 118, c, 3, by Sioux Nation
1st Dam: Autumn Snow (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
2nd Dam: Epic Similie (GB), by Lomitas (GB)
3rd Dam: Epitome (Ire), by Nashwan
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (88,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 90,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT; €173,228 RNA 2yo '22 GOFDUB). O-Rockingham Ranch, Talla Racing LLC & David A Bernsen; B-The Brigadier Partnership (GB); T-Jack Sisterson; J-Jose L Ortiz. $87,203. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $94,672.
2–Anglophile, 118, c, 3, English Channel–Trustmore Lovemore, by Kitten's Joy. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. O-LFG Racing, LLC; B-Upson Downs Farm & Louie W Wright (KY); T-Brian A Lynch. $28,130.
3–Dunedin, 120, c, 3, Munnings–Faith in Cathy, by Hold Me Back. ($140,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. O-NBS Stable; B-Parkway Farm Inc. (KY); T-Kelsey Danner. $14,065.
Margins: 2, NK, 3/4. Odds: 3.20, 16.60, 3.70.

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Karakontie Filly Off The Mark on FL Derby Day Debut

1st-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 4-1, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:36.29, fm, 1 1/4 lengths.
SPANSIVE (f, 3, Karakontie {Jpn}–Fleur de Cerise, by Bernardini), off as the 2-1 favorite from a morning line of 6-1, was given a well-judged ride from the front by Jose Ortiz and had something left late to graduate nicely on debut in the Curlin Florida Derby day lid-lifter. Nicely into stride and asked for just enough speed to make the lead, the dark bay took them through an opening quarter in a modest :25.27 and controlled things through a half in :49.50 while taking token pressure from Millennium Park (Curlin), a Glen Hill-homebred daughter of turf MSW/MGSP Compelled (War Front) who was trying the turf for the first time. Fellow firster Gloria's Princess (Cairo Prince), a half-sister to GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup heroine Harvey's Lil Goil (American Pharoah) and bet in half from her morning line of 12-1, rolled up outside the top two in upper stretch after stalking the pace from third and looked to have all the momentum, but given the race shape, Spansive had plenty to offer in the final furlong and reported home a 1 1/4-length winner. Spansive is out of a daughter of former Dogwood Stables runner Cotton Blossom (Broken Vow), who was trained by this conditioner to win the 2007 GI Acorn S. A $20,000 Keeneland September yearling, Spansive was knocked down to West Bloodstock on behalf of Mike Repole for $145,000 at last year's OBS June Sale after breezing an eighth of a mile in :10 1/5. Fleur de Cerise is the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Tapwrit, a yearling filly by McKinzie and foaled a colt by Raging Bull (Fr) on St. Patrick's Day. Sales history: $20,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $145,000 2yo '22 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Repole Stable; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher.

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Wicked Halo Storms To Matron S. Win At Oaklawn

Despite inclement weather in the Hot Springs area on Friday afternoon, Wicked Halo (Gun Runner) returned to action off the break and won the inaugural running of the Matron S. over a wet track with Tyler Gaffalione in-town to ride for the weekend. The 4-year-old filly was making her first start of the year for trainer Steve Asmussen after she ran third in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland Nov. 5.

Prior to that, the classy sprinter strung together a number of stakes victories starting as a juvenile in the GII Adirondack S. at Saratoga Aug. 8 of that year. As a 3-year-old, Wicked Halo won four in-a-row starting at Churchill Downs June 12 in the Leslie's Lady Overnight S. and then in the Tepin S. July 2. She then stepped up to declare victory in the GII Prioress S. at Saratoga Sept. 2 and in the GII Lexus Raven Run S. Oct. 22.

After a trio of scratches, the even-money favorite in this comeback spot was content to settle in third, as Pretty Birdie (Bird Song) and I'm the Boss of Me (Midshipman) tore through the early fractions at :21.15 for the first quarter mile. Around the far turn as rival on the tote Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile) hugged the fence, the gray filly took the overland route and down the lane challenged the 3-2 shot to her outside. With a powerful late kick, she passed the Brad Cox trainee to win by 1 3/4 length.

“Talented group of mares and the exciting part is for her to come back running that fast,” said Steve Asmussen. “She finished off the year in spectacular fashion. I think she had four stakes wins and then was third in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. She got a little break off that. For her to come back and beat a filly the quality of Matayera in such a competitive fashion is very exciting.”

The winner's dam Just Wicked out of Wicked Deed (Harlan's Holiday), also successful in the Adirondack S. in Saratoga Springs, is a full-sister to GSW My Miss Lilly. Wicked Halo is bred on the same Gun Runner and Tapit cross as GISW Society and MGSP Red Route One, who will contest the GI Arkansas Derby on Saturday. Recent siblings include a 3-year-old full-brother named Wicked Again, a yearling full-sister and her dam just foaled another colt by Gun Runner.

MATRON S., $250,000, Oaklawn, 3-31, 4yo/up, f/m, 6f,
1:09.31, my.
1–WICKED HALO, 117, f, 4, Gun Runner–Just Wicked (GSW,
$208,460), by Tapit. O/B-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY);
T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $162,500. Lifetime
Record: MGSW, 12-7-0-4, $1,032,700.
2–Matareya, 117, f, 4, Pioneerof the Nile–Innovative Idea, by
Bernardini. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $50,000.
3–I'm the Boss of Me, 117, m, 5, Midshipman–Glory Park, by
Deputy Commander. ($47,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Danny
Brown, Charis Brenneman and Greg Compton; B-Edward A.
Seltzer (KY); T-Greg Compton. $25,000.
Margins: 3/4, 6 3/4, 12HF. Odds: 1.00, 1.50, 12.60.
Also Ran: Pretty Birdie. Scratched: Dealing Justice,
Samurai Charm, Teddy's Barino.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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