Tag: Triple Crown

Tapit Trice got the best of Verifying in a thrilling stretch-long battle in the $1-million Blue Grass (G1) then withstood a foul claim to prevail Saturday at Keeneland.

Ridden by Luis Saez, Tapit Trice covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 flat but had to wait out claim of interference lodged by Verifying's rider Tyler Gaffalione before stewards let the result stand. The two horses had lightly brushed in the final sixteenth.

As Verifying pressed pacesetter Clear the Air early, Saez had Tapit Trice ideally positioned in midpack down the backstretch. Verifying moved to lead around the second turn and Tapit Trice was soon to engage, throwing down a unrelenting challenge as the two matched strides toward the finish line. Tapit Trice made a powerful lunge and scored the victory by about a neck.

Blazing Seven was third, Sun Thunder was fourth, and Raise Cain fifth in the field of 11 3-year-olds.

Sent off at 8-5, the Tapit colt was following up on his March 11 victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and with Saturday's triumph stayed perfect in all three starts this year for Todd Pletcher, who trains the colt for Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill and breeder Antony Beck's Gainesway Stable.

Pope purchased the son of Tapit for $1.3 million at the 2021 Keeneland's September Yearling Sale from the Gainesway consignment, which subsequently bought back in as a partner.

Tapit Trice ($5.28) is out of the stakes-winning Dunkirk mare Danzatrice, a half sister to champion Jaywalk.

The race awarded Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points on a 100-40-30-20-10 basis to its top five finishers.

Tapit Trice now has 150 points, good for fourth place on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard. The Derby is limited to the top 20 point earners and invitees that pass the entry box.

Verifying picked up 40 points and increased his total to 54. Blazing Sevens earned 30 points for finishing third to boost his total to 46. Sun Thunder picked up 20 points for finishing fourth to give him 54 points, and Raise Cain added 10 points for fifth and a total of 64 points. The current cut line is 45 points.

Blue Grass Quotes:

Todd Pletcher (winning trainer of Tapit Trice): “He didn't jump well, but then he gained a little momentum. It got a little hairy going into the first turn, but when he was able to secure that spot (jockey) Luis (Saez) was able to take him out in the clear down the backside. That was the position we hoped to get into, and once he got into that stride I thought we were in good shape. Yeah (slow out of the gate), that's him. We're not going to make him into a quick horse. The distances, as they stretch out, we always felt like would make him better. I think (the 1¼ miles of the Kentucky Derby-G1 Presented by Woodford Reserve) is right in his wheelhouse.”

Mandy Pope (whose Whisper Hill Farm co-owns Tapit Trice with Gainesway Stable): “It is so awesome (to get Tapit Trice a Grade 1 win). It's unbelievable for me. It's dreams come true and a lot of hard work from a lot of people.”

On the motivation behind her commitment to Thoroughbred sales and racing

“It's the determination that quality does pay off and quality is worth all the effort. From pedigree to the physical to the trainers to the barn crew at each of our farms who raise the horses and break them – they're all quality people and it's a quality effort. Hopefully quality continues up the road.”

On being ready to have one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby

“We'll have one of the favorites.”

Antony Beck (owner of Gainesway, which bred Tapit Trice): “He's absolutely outstanding. It's wonderful to be partners with Mandy (Pope). It's a great friendship. We both love, love horses; we both love the sport. Tapit (sire of Tapit Trice standing at Gainesway Farm) has been an incredible stallion and this is another one of his incredible horses. I also want to thank John Fort (of Peachtree Stable), who selected Danzatrice (dam of Tapit Trice) for me as a 2-year-old. Without that, we wouldn't be here.”

Luis Saez (winning rider):

On the objection from jockey of runner-up Verifying: “I just feel like I was riding Tapit Trice perfectly. We came and passed the other horse (runner-up Verifying) clear and then when I was in front I felt like somebody hit my horse from behind. I feel like the other guy (jockey Tyler Gaffalione) tried to look for a chance and look for a foul. That's what I feel. I didn't feel like we would come down. I kept the horse straight and he won the race.

“Yes, definitely (the early move to get clear down the backside was key). First of all, we had a tough (post one) position, especially with him, because he takes a little while to get going. In the first turn we had an opportunity to put him in the clear. I made a little move early, because the pace was pretty slow, so I could get behind the horse we were supposed to beat. I know we have to beat everybody, but that was the horse (Verifying) to follow, so we were right there, and when he made his move we were right on top of him.”

Tyler Gaffalione (rider of runner-up Verifying): “He really ran a huge race and tried very hard. (Tapit Trice) kind of came in on me in the stretch, but my horse really tried hard today, especially in the stretch. He dug in and almost got it done.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of third-place finisher Blazing Sevens): “I got a good trip. I was a step slow trying to get into position, and then (found) a perfect spot going into the first turn beside the winner. Then I let him go and I sat right behind him. After that everything was perfect. He stayed (running) and can go farther for sure. Didn't work out for him today. He's a nice horse.”

Florent Geroux (rider of fourth-place finisher Sun Thunder): “I was at the back of the pack and I weaved my way through traffic. We took fourth place, all went great but he was really out of reach from the first two.”

Brian Hernandez Jr. (rider of sixth-place finisher Mendelssohns March): “We had a really good trip and a good position going into the first turn. I thought we were in a good spot coming down the backside, but Tapit Trice (got the) jump on us early. He started to make his move and we just got kind of pinned in there. He seemed like he stepped up for only his third race. (Mendelssohns March) was there for me the entire way. The other horses were just a little more seasoned and got the better of him today.”

The post Tapit Trice Denies Verifying In Blue Grass Thriller appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Whatever the outcome of Saturday's Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, trainer Terunobu Fujita will have already made history when his colt Mandarin Hero breaks from the gate at approximately 2:43 p.m. PT.

Mandarin Hero will be the first horse from Japan to compete in the G1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, which was inaugurated in 1935. Fujita made the trip from his training base outside of Tokyo to Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday. He was at Santa Anita Friday morning to oversee his charge's training, which included a once-around gallop on the main track.

“He's ready,” Fujita said.

For handicappers, Mandarin Hero is the wild card in a competitive nine-horse field set for the Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles. The Japanese-bred son of Shanghai Bobby, who has raced exclusively at Japan's NAR circuit's Oi Racecourse near Tokyo, won all four starts last year as a 2-year-old. In his one outing this season on Feb. 25, he was a fast-closing second to be beaten just a neck in the 1 1/8-mile stakes.

The results have certainly been encouraging; the caveat to his form is Japan's NAR circuit is considered in quality to be a cut below the more well-known Japan Racing Association. That said, NAR-based and Oi Racecourse regular Marche Lorraine crossed the ocean to capture the 2021 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar, so all the facts leave handicappers with a fascinating puzzle to solve.

Mandarin Hero arrived at Santa Anita last Friday. On Monday, he raised eyebrows among U.S.-based observers when he worked a half mile in a slow 53.60 seconds under jockey Kazushi Kimura. Fujita, 46, said the slow-tempo work was by design.

“He did all his major work in Japan. We didn't want to do too much,” Fujita said. “Just get him some good exercise.”

Mandarin Hero has broken slow in all his races and come running late. On Thursday, after a one-mile gallop, Mandarin Hero went to the starting gate for schooling under Kimura. He stood in the starting stall with an assistant starter, which they do not have in Japan, then popped the gate and streaked a quarter mile.

Fujita said Mandarin Hero seemed to display a new dimension in the move, which caught him somewhat by surprise. Fujita was very encouraged by the quickness Mandarin Hero showed out of the gate.

“He's usually not that fast out of there. He was quick. Everyone did a really good job,” Fujita said.

Mandarin Hero, who is owned by Hiroaki Arai, will break from post eight in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby. He is 8-1 on Jon White's morning line. The Santa Anita Derby, which is one of six stakes on Saturday's card, will be broadcast live by NBC and its Peacock streaming service starting at 1 p.m. Also on the broadcast is the G1 Blue Grass from Keeneland.

The field in post position order:

1. I Don't Get It, Mario Gutierrez, 20-1;
2. Dazzlemesilver, Kent Desormeaux (50-1);
3. Geaux Rocket Ride, Flavien Prat (3-1);
4. One in Vermillion, Hector Berrios (50-1);
5. Practical Move, Ramon Vazquez (8-5);
6. National Treasure, John Velazquez (3-1);
7. Skinner, Victor Espinoza (4-1);
8. Mandarin Hero, Kazushi Kimura (8-1);
9. Low Expectations, Umberto Rispoli (30-1).

The post Japan’s History-Making Santa Anita Derby Starter Mandarin Hero Made 8-1 On Morning Line appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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As a longtime racing fan and Thoroughbred owner, Al Gold dreamed of having a horse good enough to compete in the Kentucky Derby. After making his dream a reality last year with multiple Grade 1-winner Cyberknife, who finished 18th, Gold will hope to go back to Louisville for seconds when Slip Mahoney tries to earn his way into the Derby starting gate in Saturday's 98th running of the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The Brad Cox-trained Slip Mahoney, who picked up 20 points for his last-out runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Gotham here, is 30th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard entering Saturday's nine-furlong test which offers 100-40-30-20-10 qualifying points to the top-five finishers.

Gold, a native of New Jersey and resident of Saratoga Springs, New York, has been a horseplayer and fan for over 50 years and has owned thoroughbreds since 2004. Last year, Cyberknife provided Gold with his first Grade 1 triumph when the son of Gun Runner won the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.

Although Gold did not get the result he wanted in the “Run for the Roses,” he said he thoroughly enjoyed the moment.

“We didn't fare very well, but it was a great experience to enjoy it with my friends and family. It was great to do the walkover with my wife and kids,” Gold said. “A couple friends walked over with us too, which was very nice. We spent three or four days with them in Louisville going to different restaurants, going to the races. It was everything you would expect from an experience like that, and hopefully we can do it again this year.”

Gold also campaigns the Cox-trained Instant Coffee, who won the Grade 3 Lecomte in January at Fair Grounds Race Course before finishing a disappointing sixth in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby two weeks ago at Fair Grounds.

To qualify for the Derby, Slip Mahoney will need to hit the board in a talented field led by stablemate Hit Show, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, who enters from a 5 1/2-length romp in the Grade 3 Withers on February 11 at the Big A.

“This year, we had a couple quality 3-year-olds. One of them didn't run very well in New Orleans, but we're looking forward to Slip hopefully running well in New York,” Gold said. “We have a lot of tough horses coming into this race, some that had bad trips in the Gotham. Hit Show will be back in there and he'll probably be the favorite. I'm confident but hopefully we'll do well. I'm looking forward to the race.”

Slip Mahoney, who has made all four of his starts at the Big A, displayed tactical speed in his two outings entering the Gotham. Following a runner up to Kentucky Derby hopeful Tapit Trice going a one-turn mile on December 17, he battled gamely down the lane to defeat fellow Wood Memorial contestant Crupi in a January 21 maiden event. But he was taken out of his element in the Gotham after stumbling out of the gate and was forced to make up nearly a dozen lengths from 13th-of-14 down the backstretch.

Despite the rough start, Slip Mahoney advanced with a wide run and went from eighth-to-second in the last two points of call to finish 7 1/2 lengths behind the victorious Raise Cain.

“We weren't expecting him to break that badly and be so far behind the field,” Gold recalled. “Hopefully, this time we break sharper and stay with the field and he makes a good account for himself. He did run well and pass all except the winner from the top of the lane home. He's training well and we expect good things from him.”

Boasting regal bloodlines, Slip Mahoney is by 2016 Champion 3-Year-Old Colt Arrogate and out of the Grade 1-winning A.P. Indy mare Got Lucky. He is a close relative to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver as well as Grade 1-winner Girolamo and graded stakes winner and producer Daydreaming. He is a direct descendant of the prolific broodmare Numbered Account as well as influential matriarch La Troienne.

But despite his blue blooded status, Gold only had to spend $150,000 to purchase Slip Mahoney at the 2021 Keeneland Yearling Sale.

“At the time, Arrogate was not much of a sire. He may have had one winner. That aspect helped us,” Gold said. “His dam was a Grade 1 winner, who made nearly a million dollars, so it was a little less than we thought we would pay. The horse was a bit on the small side and Arrogate was cold at the time. Those were the reasons we got the horse relatively cheap. A month later, he probably would have gone for three times the price when Arrogate's offspring started winning races.”

Joe Hardoon, Gold's bloodstock and racing manager, signed the ticket for Slip Mahoney and said he was particularly impressed by how well Slip Mahoney handled himself after being shown so many times.

“It was late in the afternoon when we looked at him and he was still showing himself really well. If you go too late in the day a lot of times, they're tired and exhausted from being shown all day,” said Hardoon. “We went back and saw him the next morning and he was still showing himself great.”

Hardoon reflected on Slip Mahoney's Gotham run and said having to overcome adversity sets him up well for the Wood Memorial.

“He took a little while to come along mentally. Every time he walked over to the races, he got more professional,” Hardoon said. “Last time, he missed the break and in his two maiden races before that he broke sharp, so that was a little bit of a surprise. It didn't look like he had any problem passing horses and he made a wide move. He probably ran about a mile and an eighth that day with all the ground he lost.”

Gold said Instant Coffee, who could turn his focus to the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes on May 20 at Pimlico Race Course, might race next in the Grade 3 Lexington on April 15 at Keeneland. A viable backup plan would be the nine-furlong Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan on May 13 at Belmont Park.

“The Preakness is probably the first choice, but nothing is set in stone. There's the Preakness, the Peter Pan, or the Lexington as well,” Gold said.

Gold said the newly-retired Cyberknife, who took up stallion duty at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky and stands for a $30,000 stud fee, is off to a good start.

“He's got a full book and he's been having fun every day,” Gold said. “The reports are that a couple mares he's covered are in foal. We're looking forward to seeing the babies next spring. We're very excited about that. We're excited to see his offspring. We had a great time in his two years of racing. Now we're looking forward to seeing some of the 2-year-olds we have coming up and hope that these 3-year-olds have a good year.”

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