tracy farmer | Horse Racing Free Tips

Sir Winston Wins Stretch Battle To Take Valedictory At Woodbine

Sir Winston won the 2019 Belmont Stakes at 1 1/2 miles and Sunday at Woodbine he had no trouble covering that distance again, taking the Grade 3 Valedictory Stakes. The G1 winner battled fellow Mark Casse trainee Frosted Over down the stretch at the Toronto, Ontario racetrack, taking back the lead in the last jumps before the wire.

In a crowded field of 14, Jelgo and Collective Force were the fastest out of the gate before Collective Force took over down the stretch the first time. War Bomber streaked to the lead on the far outside as they approached the first turn, getting out to a three-length advantage around the bend and onto the backstretch. Behind him were Collective Force and Frosted Over, who stalked the moderate pace with fractions of :24.78 for the first quarter, :50.36 for the half mile, and 1:16.23 for six furlongs. As the field approached the far turn, Frosted Over made his move for the lead, Patrick Husbands and Sir Winston following.

Around the far turn, the Casse trainees were on even terms, with Frosted Over on the rail and Sir Winston on his outside. They stayed even as they straightened into the Woodbine stretch, with Frosted Over showing a head in front as the two battled down the straight. Sir Winston was not done, digging in and pulling past the 3-year-old in the last sixteenth of a mile. At the wire, Sir Winston was three-quarters of a length in front of Frosted Over, with Collective Force holding on for third and Burning Man fourth.

The final time for the 1 1/2 miles was 2:31.51.

Sir Winston paid $5.30, $2.90, and $2.80. Frosted Over paid $4.70 and $4.40. Collective Force paid $10.60.

Bred in Kentucky by owner Tracy Farmer, Sir Winston is by Awesome Again out of the Afleet Alex mare La Gran Bailadora, a G3 stakes winner. The 5-year-old horse was a $50,000 RNA consigned by Denali Stud at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. With his win in the G3 Valedictory, Sir Winston has two wins in four starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of six wins in 19 starts.

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Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Albert The Great Euthanized At 23

Multiple graded stakes winner Albert the Great was euthanized November 19 at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm based in Georgetown, KY, where he has been pensioned since 2017.

According to attending veterinarian Dr. Bryan Waldridge, the 23-year-old stallion was euthanized due to chronic sinus infection.

Campaigned by owner Tracy Farmer and trainer Nick Zito, the son of Go for Gin had a short but very prestigious career. He earned his first graded stakes as a 3-year-old capturing the GR2 Dwyer Stakes in 2000 and, later that year, the GR1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. At Saratoga that summer he fell just a stride or two short of victory in the GR1 Travers Stakes.

At 4 he captured the Widener Handicap (G3) at Hialeah Park, the Suburban and Brooklyn Handicaps (G2) at Belmont Park, and ran second in four other GR1 contests, including the GR1 Woodward and Whitney Stakes.

Albert the Great retired from racing in 2001 following a third place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic with a 8-6-4 record from 22 starts, 15 of which were made in graded stakes. His lifetime earnings totaled $3,012,490. He entered stud in 2002 at Three Chimneys Farm before relocating to Pin Oak Lane in 2008.

He sired such GR1 winners as Moonshine Mullin, Albertus Maximus, and Nobiz Like Shobiz, who is currently retired at Old Friends.

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“Albert the Great was aptly named,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “He was the master and everyone else was just a serf. He didn't need you to be his friend, just his servant. He was certainly a unique iconoclast and he'll be missed. Our thanks to Three Chimneys, Tracy and Carol Farmer, and Nick Zito,” Blowen added. “They raised a great one.”

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Albert the Great Euthanized

GISW Albert the Great (Go For Gin) was euthanized Friday at Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky, where he has been pensioned since 2017. According to attending veterinarian Dr. Bryan Waldridge, the 23-year-old stallion was euthanized due to chronic sinus infection.

Campaigned by owner Tracy Farmer and trainer Nick Zito, he earned his first graded stakes while capturing the 2000 GII Dwyer S. and, later that year, he added the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup. At Saratoga that summer, he was a close-up second in the GI Travers S. At four, he captured the GIII Widener H. at Hialeah Park, GII Suburban H. and GII Brooklyn H. at Belmont Park, and ran second in four other Grade I contests, including the GI Woodward S. and GI Whitney S.

Albert the Great retired from racing in 2001 following a third-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic with a eight wins, six seconds and four thirds from 22 starts, 15 of which were made in graded stakes. His lifetime earnings totaled $3,012,490. He entered stud in 2002 at Three Chimneys Farm before relocating to Pin Oak Lane in 2008. At stud, he sired such Grade I winners as Moonshine Mullin, Albertus Maximus and Nobiz Like Shobiz, who is currently retired at Old Friends.

The post Albert the Great Euthanized appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Skygaze Graduates To Graded Stakes Winner In Maple Leaf

A trio of Mark Casse horses led the Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes early and it was a Casse trainee in the lead at the finish, with Skygaze, a daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, getting her first graded stakes victory at Woodbine Racetrack.

In the 10-furlong Maple Leaf, Broadway Lady took the lead in the race's opening furlong, Crystal Glacier and Skygaze traveling easily behind her. Broadway Lady set a slow pace, logging a first quarter in :24.93, a half-mile in :50.15, and six furlongs in 1:15.23, but Skygaze closed the gap easily on the far turn.

Skygaze moved easily to the lead at the one-mile mark, steadily gaining ground in the last quarter of a mile to win by 4 1/2 lengths. Sister Otoole rallied from far back to take second. Merveilleux came on late to finish third.

The final time for the 1 1/4-mile Maple Leaf was 2:03.65. Find this race's chart here.

Skygaze paid $8.30, $4.70, and $3.30. Sister Otoole paid $7.80 and $4.30. Merveilleux paid $4.40.

Bred in Kentucky by Normandy Farm, Skygaze is out of the Marquetry mare Skyscape. The 4-year-old filly was consigned by Gainesway and sold to owner Tracy Farmer for $300,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. With her win in the G3 Maple Leaf, Skygaze has three wins in five starts in 2021 for a lifetime record of six wins in 13 starts and career earnings of $281,684.

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