Wesley Ward | Horse Racing Free Tips

Midshipman Filly Picks Up Where She Left Off in Skidmore

Averly Jane, whose half-brother Chattel (Giant Oak) belied 22-1 odds when he took this race in 2018, followed in big bro's hoofsteps while remaining unbeaten in her first start since April and beating the boys. An 8 3/4-length debut romper at Keeneland Apr. 5, the Fasig-Tipton October value buy returned just 13 days later to also best males in the Kentucky Juvenile S. during GI Kentucky Derby week Apr. 28. She returned to the worktab in Lexington at the end of June, and was the public's pick here as a main-track only entrant and one of three signed on for Wesley Ward.

Rocketing out of the gate to clear early, the bay was still in total control after a :45 flat half and glided home all by herself the easiest of winners.

“When you're riding for Wesley Ward, you know they have speed and just hopefully they last and today, she did,” winning rider Tyler Gaffalione said. “She broke on top and I was able to just put my hands down and let her relax and she did everything on her own. She's a rocket. I had plenty left in the tank. We could have went a lot quicker even early on but we only used what we needed.”

Ward said of the winner, “She's a nice filly. We were kind of going back and forth with the [Sept. 5 GI] Spinaway. We'll talk it over with Gatewood Bell [of Hat Creek racing]. He picked her out and he does a great job picking horses out. We'll get with him and make a plan from there. It'll probably be the [GI Darley] Alcibiades [at Keeneland Oct. 8], which is in Gatewood's hometown. That's where she's trained her whole life.”

Averly Jane has a yearling half-brother by Brody's Cause. Her dam was not bred for 2021 but most recently visited World of Trouble.

SKIDMORE S., $120,000, Saratoga, 8-20, 2yo, 5 1/2f (off turf), 1:03.79, ft.
1–AVERLY JANE, 119, f, 2, by Midshipman
                1st Dam: Sh Sh Shakin', by Richter Scale
                2nd Dam: Capote's Gift, by Capote
                3rd Dam: Bubbles Darlene, by Fappiano
($35,000 Ylg '20 FTKOCT). O-Hat Creek Racing; B-University of
Kentucky (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $66,000.
Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $193,140. *1/2 to Chattel (Giant
Oak), SW, $111,540.
2–Pure Panic, 122, c, 2, Summer Front–Shock the World, by
Hansen. ($24,000 RNA Wlg '19 KEENOV; $42,000 RNA Ylg '20
KEESEP; $170,000 RNA 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O/B-Kendall E.
Hansen, M.D. Racing, LLC (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $24,000.
3–Overbore, 122, c, 2, Speightstown–Galina Point, by Saffir.
($275,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Peter Leidel; B-WinStar Farm, LLC
(KY); T-Wesley A. Ward. $14,400.
Margins: 7 1/4, 3/4, HD. Odds: 1.60, 5.90, 3.90.
Also Ran: Golden Bell, Catch the Smoke, Backnthewoods, Bonus Appreciation, Baytown Warrior, Barone Cesco. Scratched: Kaufymaker. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Breeders’ Cup Winner Golden Pal Lines Up In Friday’s Nunthorpe Stakes At York

The 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) champion Golden Pal lines up in the 5-furlong Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York on Friday. The Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes winner will receive an automatic berth into the US$1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) through the international Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 84 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

International challengers Golden Pal and Suesa (IRE) head a 15-runner field in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.

Trained by Wesley Ward and ridden by Frankie Dettori, Golden Pal returns to the UK for the first time this season. The 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo was last seen across the Atlantic when finishing second in the Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot in June 2020. Returning to the US, Golden Pal finished off his 2-year-old campaign in style when winning the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga, before cruising to victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland.

Winner of the Quick Call Stakes (G3) at Saratoga in his only start this year, Golden Pal is aiming to give Frankie Dettori his fourth win in this race.

The Newmarket based jockey flew up to York on Tuesday morning to exercise Golden Pal and said, “Wesley booked me on the horse a few weeks back. He is very pleased with the horse. I've seen him race a few times, but Wesley wanted me to have a sit on him before Friday. He's in good order and looks great. I didn't let him out of third gear, it was just to get a feel of him.'

Dettori added: “Wesley is the king of sprinters so I'm with the right trainer. The Nunthorpe Stakes is probably our best sprint so it's always very hard to win, but we are going to war with a good horse. He's an explosive horse and very quick. I'm looking forward to riding him.”

George Strawbridge's Suesa was last seen winning the King George Qatar Stakes (G2) at Goodwood on July 30. The 3-year-old filly, representing French trainer Francois Rohaut, suffered her only career defeat when finishing eighth as the favorite in the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot in June. Jockey William Buick is booked to ride.

Second that day in the King George Qatar Stakes was Dragon Symbol (GB), one of four occasions the son of Cable Bay (GB) has placed runner-up this season. The highly consistent 3-year-old was first past the post in the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot in June but following a stewards' inquiry was demoted to second place behind Campanelle (IRE). Trained by Archie Watson, Dragon Symbol was denied another Group 1 victory when finishing 1 ¼ lengths behind Starman (GB) in the Darley July Cup (G1) at Newmarket on July 10.

The Tim Easterby-trained Winter Power (IRE) leads the home challenge for Yorkshire. The 3-year-old daughter of Bungle Inthejungle (GB) was a comfortable winner of the listed John Smith's City Walls Stakes over the same course and distance last time out, with Moss Girl (IRE), for trainer Edward Bethell, 1-length behind in second.

They are joined by last year's Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes runner-up Que Amoro (IRE), one of two runners in the race for trainer Michael Dods, who also saddles stablemate Dakota Gold (GB). Other notable runners include the Robert Cowell-trained Arecibo (FR), runner-up in the King's Stand Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot in June, and the Group 1-placed Liberty Beach (GB), trained by John Quinn.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes winner to start in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which will be run at 5 Furlongs on the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 to receive the rewards.

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Verrazano’s Chi Town Lady Takes the Bolton Landing

Chi Town Lady outslugged her stablemate Poppy Flower late to take her record to two-for-two in Saratoga's Bolton Landing S. A debut winner at Keeneland Apr. 11, she was given a 5-1 chance in this black-type bow. Last at the break, the chestnut swiftly moved up the outside to be third as her barnmate clocked a first quarter in :22.43. Poppy Flower turned for home in front with Chi Town Lady ranging up on her outside. It was a battle of the wesley Ward-trained chestnuts in the lane with Chi Town Lady forging clear in the final strides to score.

“They both ran great races,” Ward said. “I think she [Chi Town Lady] is better on the grass, it's where she was always meant to be. Unfortunately, she had some minor shin issues that kept her from Ascot, which was originally the plan. It afforded me the time to let her come around and she did what she did today. She was great.”

The winner is the 15th black-type winner for her sire Verrazano. She is also the 31st stakes winner out of a daughter of the late Harlan's Holiday. Toni's Hollyday is also responsible for a yearling colt by Mendelssohn and a 2021 colt by Liam's Map. She was bred back to champion Game Winner.

Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

BOLTON LANDING S., $120,000, Saratoga, 8-18, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:05.87, yl.
1–CHI TOWN LADY, 122, f, 2, by Verrazano
1st Dam: Toni's Hollyday (SP, $119,047), by Harlan's Holiday
                2nd Dam: May Day Vow, by Broken Vow
                3rd Dam: May Day Bluff, by Pine Bluff
   1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Castleton Lyons; B-Castleton Lyons,
Kilboy Estate & Gavin Tierney (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward; J-John
Velazquez. $66,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $102,000.
2–Poppy Flower, 122, f, 2, Lea–Nisharora (Ire), by Excellent Art
(GB). ($9,500 RNA Ylg '20 KEEJAN). O-Arnmore Thoroughbreds,
LLC; B-Brenda Harding & Megan Jones (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward.
$24,000.
3–Kneesnhips, 122, f, 2, Connect–Miss Holiday Inn, by Tactical     Cat. ($30,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Joel Politi; B-Lantern Hill Farm
LLC (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss. $14,400.
Margins: 1 3/4, 3, HF. Odds: 5.40, 4.80, 12.20.
Also Ran: Stand Up Comic, Derrynane, Charlee O, Flip My Id, Cartel Queen, Fulminate. Scratched: Averly Jane, Golden Bell, Landslid.

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Star Devine Shines In Galway Stakes At Saratoga

Star Devine made a strong move from the outside and prevailed by a head in a blanket finish to capture Sunday's $120,000 Galway for 3-year-old fillies sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the Mellon turf at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Lawrence Goichman's Star Devine notched her first stakes victory, edging Illegal Smile to win for the second time in four career starts.

After a brief delay when Dr B broke through the gate and was re-loaded, Star Devine was sent away from the outermost post under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, stalking the pace in fifth position as Wink led the 10-horse field through the opening quarter-mile in :22.13 over firm going.

Out of the turn, Star Devine was kept four-wide with Wink, Mischiefful, and Illegal Smile to her inside with the half in :45.20. After briefly running eye-to-eye with Mischiefful, Star Devine pulled away and then gained on the pacesetter under Velazquez's right-handed encouragement.

Bye Bye made a strong bid up the rail and Illegal Smile, under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., challenged to the wire, but Star Devine outkicked her rivals to complete the course in 1:02.37 for trainer Jorge Abreu.

“I had not much of a choice [but to go to the outside],” Velazquez said. “I tried to cover up behind Irad and he didn't go in there. Jorge said, 'I don't care where you are, I just don't want you on the lead.' We got a good post from the outside and I saved it for the end. That's the way it worked out.”

Star Devine was a debut winner in April at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y., before running a competitive fourth in the Grade 3 Soaring Softly in May at Belmont Park. The Irish-bred ran third when stretched out to 1 1/16 miles on the Belmont turf on June 17 but was shortened up for the second running of the Galway while having Velazquez in the irons for the first time.

“I thought she was going to come from a little bit off the pace, but she broke so sharply and Johnny just took advantage of it,” Abreu said. “I knew she was going to run well. She was just looking for a little cut back. She's better going short than going long.

“I was a little concerned around the turn because I thought he was going to take her back and I thought, 'Don't do that', but then she kicked in again,” Abreu added. “He gave her a good ride.”

Off at 7-1, Star Devine paid $17 on a $2 win bet. The Fastnet Rock filly increased her career bankroll to $127,040 and will now target the 6 1/2-furlong $500,000 Music City on September 12 at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky.

“We're going to go to Kentucky Downs,” Abreu said. “I've had some good luck there and I like going there. We'll see how she comes out of it and that's where we'll aim.”

Illegal Smile, one of two entrants for trainer Wesley Ward along with Wink, bested Bye Bye by a head. It was the fourth time in eight starts [1-4-1] Illegal Smile has finished the runner-up.

“That was so close,” Ortiz, Jr. said. “It was a good race. My filly ran hard and gave me everything she had.”

Mischiefful, Tuscan Queen, Alwayz Late, Wink, Goin' Good, Li'l Tootsie, and Dr B completed the order of finish. What a Trick and main-track-only entrant Summer Brew scratched.

Live racing resumes Wednesday at Saratoga with a 10-race card featuring two stakes, starting with steeplechase action via the $150,000 Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard in the opener at 1:05 p.m. Eastern. The $120,000 Bolton Landing for 2-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf is carded as Race 9 at 5:39 p.m.

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