Tag: With The Moonlight

Tracy Farmer’s Fev Rover Bests Them All in E.P. Taylor

The trip might have been unusual, but rider Javier Castellano knew what he had under him as Fev Rover (Ire) (m, 5, Gutaifan {Ire}–Laurelita {Ire}, by High Chaparral {Ire}) captured Sunday's GI E.P. Taylor S. at Woodbine. The bay showed the way early from the rail, but was quickly under pressure as 50-1 Rocky Sky (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) dogged her from the outside through fractions of :25.66 and :50.29. The rest of the field was strung out and just after the half-mile mark, Fev Rover yielded to let Rocky Sky go while she dropped back to third for about three furlongs. She was far from done, however, and switched outside on the turn to come on again.

Entering the stretch, Fev Rover got the jump several paths to the inside of battling Charlie Appleby trainee With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), a MGSW/MGISP Godolphin homebred, and last year's Queen's Plate winner Moira (Ghostzapper), the reigning Canadian Horse of the Year. She swapped to her wrong lead about a furlong from home, but had the race in hand, prevailing by 2 1/4 lengths while With The Moonlight outgunned Moira. The latter had beaten Fev Rover in their respective last outs, the GII Canadian S. Sept. 9.

Final time for the 1 1/4 miles over the good course was 2:04.20.

“I expected it to be my horse in the lead,” said Castellano. “I felt a lot of pressure outside. I tried to ride a smart race.”

Fev Rover was no slouch before being imported to North America last year. Under the tutelage of Richard Fahey, she had raced in England, Ireland, France, and Bahrain, with her scores including the G2 Ghadwell Prix du Calvados at two and her placings including the G1 QIPCO One Thousand Guineas at three. Fahey, under Musley Bank Stables, consigned her to the 2021 Tattersalls December Mare Sale, where Tracy Farmer picked her up for 695,000gns. Shipped to North American and Mark Casse in 2022, she made just three starts at four, all at Woodbine, defeating Moira in the GII Canadian S. and finishing third via DQ in that year's edition of the E.P. Taylor. She opened her 2023 campaign with guns blazing, starting her year with three consecutive 99 Beyer Speed Figures. With the E.P. Taylor, Fev Rover was adding her second Grade I score following a victory over Gina Romantica (Into Mischief), winner of Saturday's GI First Lady S. at Keeneland, in the GI Beverly D. S. Aug. 12 at Colonial Downs, where she had earned a fees-paid berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. She also has captured the GII Nassau S. and finished third in the GI Diana S. at Saratoga this summer.

Casse had indicated prior to the E.P. Taylor that Fev Rover was indeed being pointed to the Filly & Mare Turf, which will be contested Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

 

Pedigree Notes:

Fev Rover is the first top-level winner for Gutaifan (Ire), who stands at Haras des Faunes in France. The MGSW & G1SP stallion has four black-type winners total, with Fev Rover the only one venturing to this side of the pond. The Dark Angel (Ire) sire raced solely at two.

The late Epsom Derby and Breeders' Cup winner High Chaparral (Ire), sire of Fev Rover's dam, has 69 stakes winners out of his daughters. Laurelita (Ire)'s last reported foal is a yearling colt by Gutaifan's sire, Dark Angel. From the extended family of GISW Seek Again (Speightstown), she also has a 2-year-old filly named Leveret (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), who has placed in one start in England this year.

Sunday, Woodbine Racetrack
E.P. TAYLOR S.-GI, C$766,000, Woodbine, 10-8, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/4mT, 2:04.20, gd.
1–FEV ROVER (IRE), 124, m, 5, by Gutaifan (Ire)
                1st Dam: Laurelita (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Chervil (GB), by Dansili (GB)
                3rd Dam: Nashmeel, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
(£20,000 Ylg '19 GOFFPR; 695,000gns 3yo '21 TATMA). O-Tracy Farmer; B-Manister House Stud (IRE); T-Mark E. Casse; J-Javier Castellano. C$450,000. Lifetime Record: GISW-U.S., SW & G1SP-Eng, GSW-Fr, GSP-Ire,19-6-4-3, $1,286,834. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–With The Moonlight (Ire), 124, f, 4, by Frankel (GB)
                1st Dam: Sand Vixen (GB) (GSW-Eng, $119,931), by Dubawi (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Fur Will Fly (GB), by Petong (GB)
                3rd Dam: Bumpkin (GB), by Free State (Ire)
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charles Appleby. C$150,000.
3–Moira, 124, f, 4, by Ghostzapper
                1st Dam: Devine Aida (MSW & GSP, $273,215), by Unbridled's Song
                2nd Dam: Passion, by Came Home
                3rd Dam: Rajmata, by Known Fact
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($150,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables LLC and SF Racing LLC; B-Adena Springs (ON); T-Kevin Attard. C$90,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1 3/4, 3 1/4. Odds: 4.05, 2.70, 1.55.
Also Ran: Skims (GB), Kalifornia Queen (Ger), Aspen Grove (Ire), Amazing Grace (Ger), Atomic Blonde (Ger), Consumer Spending, Rocky Sky (Ire).

Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Algiers Aims At Al Maktoum Challenge Double

Only four horses in the history of the Dubai World Cup Carnival have managed to win the first two rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge in the same year, with the last of the four, North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), completing the double in 2019. Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabousi's Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) could be number five, as he leaves from stall eight under James Doyle in Friday's G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Presented By Emaar.

The Simon and Ed Crisford charge blitzed the competition by 6 1/2 lengths when taking the first leg of the challenge in imperious fashion last month, and he is no stranger to group victories in the UAE, as he secured the G3 Jebel Ali Mile last February.

He might not be able to manage his previous stalk-and-pounce trip, as he faces a worthy opponent in Thunder Snow Challenge victor Salute The Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}), who went pillar to post in that affair.

Just below the top drawer in the past, Al Rashid Stables' 2022 G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 runner-up Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) defeated Bendoog (Gun Runner) in the Listed The Entisar when last seen in December.

Hassan Saleh Al Hammadi's Desert Wisdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a winner of the G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday last March, was second to Bathran Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night. He was never involved to finish sixth in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 in the wake of Algiers earlier this year.

'Prince' Eyeing Hat Trick

Godolphin's Valiant Prince (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), fresh off of a three-quarter length victory in the G2 Al Rashidiya going this course and distance here on Jan. 13, is hoping to run his winning thread to three in Friday's $180,000 G2 Singspiel S. Presented By Emaar. A winner of the Listed Ganton S. at York in June, the bay defeated fellow royal blue colourbearers Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Saeed bin Suroor and fellow Appleby trainee Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) last month.

“Valiant Prince has come out of the Al Rashidiya well. He has to carry a penalty for that win but has a nice draw in stall two and should be very competitive based on what he achieved last time out,” said Appleby. “I feel Ottoman Fleet has come forward since the Al Rashidiya, when he travelled well before getting a bit tired in the last 100 yards. He is better at the weights with Valiant Prince this time, which should put him bang there.”

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Dubai Future ran well to finish second in the Al Rashidiya and this course and distance suits him. This is another tough race but he heads into it in good form.”

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's listed hero San Donato (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) will attempt to regain his form after a seventh-place effort while racing in the rear for trainer Doug Watson in the G2 Al Rashidiya behind Valiant Prince.

Godolphin Quartet Tough To Get Past In Cape Verdi

One of the few races exclusively dedicated to fillies and mares at group level during the Dubai World Cup Carnival, the G2 Cape Verdi Presented By Emaar sees Godolphin field one third of the 12-horse field. Charlie Appleby's With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) towers above the dozen entered in the rankings at 112. After taking a stakes in England last May, the daughter of 2009 G2 Flying Childers S. victress Sand Vixen (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) traveled to America and ran with credit to take second in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. in July. A winner of the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational S. in her own right one month later, With The Moonlight was a close fifth in the GII Lake Placid S. on Aug. 20, but the Cape Verdi is her first try back.

Stablemate and Grade I heroine Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) could only manage fourth to the re-opposing Saeed bin Suroor duo of Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and White Moonlight (Medaglia d'Oro) in the IPI Tombe S. on Jan. 13.

“With The Moonlight is clear on official ratings and, while the trip will be on the sharper side, I feel that the style of racing at Meydan will suit her,” Appleby said. “Wild Beauty has definitely come on for her first start of the year and will hopefully be very competitive. I feel we have two fillies that should be bang there in the finish.”

Bin Suroor was also positive on his pair, and said, “Soft Whisper is a tough filly, who always tries in her races, and came out of her win in the Ipi Tombe S. in good form. She has been going well at home and I'm looking for another success from her. White Moonlight is a big, strong filly, who is improving all the time. Her latest piece of work went well and the step back up in trip will suit. We are hopeful of another good effort.”

Dirt Sprinters Eye Al Shindagha Laurels

Rounding out the quartet of group races on Friday is the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint presented by Emaar. Fielding 13 runners after two scratches, the 1200-metre affair is a contentious clash, with track-and-trip G3 hero Eastern World (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) one of the leading contenders. The Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi colourbearer was fifth in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen here on Dubai World Cup night when last seen.

Even with Eastern World at 111 on rankings is Shadwell's Mubakker (Speightstown), who was fifth in the G2 Godolphin Mile last March. Now seven, the Doug Watson-trained grey has not lost any talent with another year under his belt, as he was only 1 1/2 lengths behind Switzerland (Speightstown), and a like margin in front of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's 2021 G3 UAE 2000 Guineas victor Mouheeb (Flatter) in the G3 Dubawi S. on Jan. 6.

Another Watson trainee set to leave stall seven is Isolate (Mark Valeski) for RRR Racing. Placed in the GIII Nashua S. back in 2020 Stateside, the two-time stakes winner was second in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. in his final start for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Tom Amoss, and is making his desert bow for Doug Watson on Friday.

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Saturday Preview: Rubber Match in the Alabama

There is plenty to play for in Saturday's 142nd running of the $600,000 GI Alabama S. at Saratoga, where Nest (Curlin) and Secret Oath (Arrogate) face one another for the third time head-to-head–each with one victory to their credit–with divisional supremacy awaiting the winner.

An 8 1/4-length tour-de-force tally in Keeneland's GI Central Bank Ashland S. accorded Nest the role of favoritism in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, but she was no match for the somewhat forgotten Secret Oath, dropping a two-length decision. A meritorious second to stablemate Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo) in the GI Belmont S., the $350,000 Keeneland September grad reversed the Oaks form with a 12 1/4-length thumping of Secret Oath in the GI CCA Oaks July 23, good for a 104 Beyer Speed Figure that is a half-dozen points stronger than anything her six rivals has earned and nine more than Secret Oath's top. A GI Runhappy Travers S. start was an option next weekend, but she sticks with a path of lesser resistance for the Alabama.

“Whenever you're running four weeks off a huge effort like that, you're always concerned about if you're running back too soon,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, who won his third Alabama with 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) last year. “But, in her case, she's done so well since the race there's no reason not to.”

Wayne Lukas, who won the Alabama twice in the 1980s with Life's Magic in 1984 and with Oaks winner Open Mind five years later, looks to equal his former pupil. Secret Oath's second clash of the season with the boys in the GI Preakness S. resulted in a non-threatening fourth and she figures to strip fitter off the CCA Oaks, her first start in 63 days.

“She's really had a good month since that debacle in the [CCA Oaks],” Lukas said. “In fact, I feel like she's better now than any time I've had her. She's really flourished here at Saratoga. [Jockey] Luis [Saez] has worked her three times since that race so he's getting more familiar every day with her, too. So, that should help us as much as anything. We're anxious to run her.”

Gerrymander (Into Mischief) defeated next-out GIII Monmouth Oaks heroine and 'TDN Rising Star' Shahama (Munnings) in the GII Mother Goose S. June 25, but will probably need to find a few lengths to trouble the heavy hitters.

 

 

 

Spendarella Vulnerable in Del Mar Oaks?

Gainesway Stable's Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) took her career record to three wins from as many starts with a convincing 1 3/4-length success in the GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland in April and, with trainer Graham Motion unafraid to tackle the deepest of deep waters, took that undefeated mark into the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 17. The $220,000 Keeneland September purchase had the misfortune of running into her fellow flawless rival Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who scored by 4 3/4 lengths first off the layoff and has since defeated the boys in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.

But Saturday's GI Del Mar Oaks figures something other than a walk in the park for Spendarella, who faces a fresh challenge from Euro import Txope (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The bay, previously trained by Philippe Decouz, was stakes-placed in France earlier this season on the synthetic and on the turf and was last seen posting a mild upset when proving 3/4 of a length too strong in the G2 German 1000 Guineas at Duesseldorf June 12. The bay most recently topped the Arqana Summer Mixed Sale on a bid of €1.2 million from the BBA Ireland on behalf of Yulong Investments. She makes her U.S. debut for the John Sadler barn and can be the fly in the favorite's ointment.

 

 

 

With The Moonlight Backs Up For Lake Placid

Godolphin's With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) makes her third start in the last six weeks as the expected favorite in the GII Lake Placid S. back at the Spa. After failing to see out the 12-furlong distance of the G1 Cazoo Oaks June 3, the homebred completed a Frankel exacta behind McKulick (GB) in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational July 9 but turned the tables on that foe last time in the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational. The latter is missing this time around, but the Chad Brown barn is represented by a quartet–each lined up next to the other–including GIII Lake George S. one-two finishers Dolce Zel (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}, gate 5) and Eminent Victor (Mr. Z, post three); Consumer Spending (More Than Ready, post four), winner of the GII Wonder Again S. and third in the Belmont Oaks; and 'TDN Rising Star' Haughty (Empire Maker, gate six).

In non-graded stakes action Saturday, Grade I winner Rattle N Roll (Connect), who lost all chance at the start of the GIII Indiana Derby July 9, looks to return to winning ways in the $250,000 St. Louis Derby at FanDuel Racing (results in Monday's TDN), while 2-year-old males and females prep for next month's GI Pattison Summer S. and GI Natalma S., respectively, in the Soaring Free S. and Catch a Glimpse S. at Woodbine.

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Team Godolphin Goes One Better Again in Saratoga Oaks

The powerful team of owner/breeder Godolphin, trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick celebrated a second lucrative victory over the Saratoga turf in as many days as With The Moonlight led home a one-two finish for her sire in the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational Sunday. Having finished second to re-opposing McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the July 9 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational, she was backed at even-money with a perceived pace advantage on that rival and after stablemate Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) parlayed a second in last month's GI Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational to a victory in Saturday's GI Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational.

Visibly lathered, the bay and Buick allowed McKulick's stablemate Contemporary Art (Dubawi {Ire}) to show the way as they sat second by a couple of lengths. She sidled up to the pacesetter aggressively after six panels in 1:15.18 with McKulick swinging wide to join the fray. But neither Brown filly could run with the European raider in the stretch as she pulled away powerfully on her incorrect lead.

“She felt really good today,” Buick said. “I think the team had been really happy with the way she was training, so they were quietly confident going into it.

“She travels very well, which is key really. Our horses coming from Europe to here, they always improve with one run on these tracks. It's a lot different for them. Yesterday [with Nations Pride] and the filly today, they were always going to improve off that first run and I think they showed that.

“It's nice to come over here with two nice horses, two nice rides and two winners. It's a real privilege to be here to be honest. It really feels special.”

Scoring twice on all weather from four tries overall in England as a juvenile, With The Moonlight resurfaced to annex Newmarket's May 1 Pretty Poly S. convincingly over 10 panels, but faded abruptly to last in the G1 Cazoo Oaks the following month. She was ridden by Frankie Dettori in the Belmont Oaks.

“They went hard at Belmont and to be fair to Frankie, it was the first time he'd sat on her and I said, 'look, ride her like she'll get the trip,'” said Appleby, whose banner 2021 included eight Grade I wins in North America, including three on Breeders' Cup weekend. “On the evidence of today and evidence of that day, coming back a half a furlong suited her. She's got plenty of boot. You could almost bring her back to a mile. The more races she's got, the more experience she's got. She's learning how to do it. It was a good performance today.”

Appleby said With The Moonlight would not return for the 1 1/2-mile GIII Jockey Club Oaks Invitational downstate Sept. 17.

“The question mark was whether the Oaks would be something to look at, but that's clearly not an option for her,” Appleby said. “William said that was far enough for her today.”

Appleby isn't done for the Saratoga meet, however. He's pointing last year's champion turf male, GI Breeders' Cup Turf and Jockey Club Derby Invitational winner Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to the GI Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer S. Aug. 27.

“That's the plan,” he said.” He ships out on the 17th or 18th. He's in great order. It's been a long-term plan. We had a couple bumps in the road early on at Belmont [when third in GI Man o' War in May]. Unfortunately, the rain came in and there was no pace in the race. But, with what we've seen at home, we're very pleased with the way he's done so far. If he ships in well, he'll be a big player.”

Sunday, Saratoga
SARATOGA OAKS INVITATIONAL S.-GIII, $651,000, Saratoga, 8-7, 3yo, f, 1 3/16mT, 1:54.60, fm.
1–WITH THE MOONLIGHT (IRE), 121, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)
                1st Dam: Sand Vixen (GB) (GSW-Eng, $119,931), by Dubawi (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Fur Will Fly (GB), by Petong (GB)
                3rd Dam: Bumpkin (GB), by Free State (Ire)
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charles
Appleby; J-William T. Buick. $375,000. Lifetime Record:
GISP, 8-4-1-1, $559,271. *Full to Dream Castle (GB), G1SW-UAE,
GSP-Tur, MGSP-Eng, $863,725. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
*Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–McKulick (GB), 121, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Astrelle (Ire), by
Makfi (GB). (180,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Klaravich Stables,
Inc; B-Essafinaat UK Ltd (GB); T-Chad C. Brown. $130,000.
3–New Year's Eve, 121, f, 3, Kitten's Joy–Awesome Rafaela
(Brz), by Elusive Quality. ($110,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP;
$105,000 Ylg '20 FTKOCT). O-Marc Detampel & Fergus Galvin;
B-Stud TNT LLC (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $70,000.
'TDN Rising Star'.
Margins: 1 3/4, NK, 3/4. Odds: 1.15, 1.40, 10.80.
Also Ran: Contemporary Art, Oakhurst. Scratched: Walkathon.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

With The Moonlight is the 63rd graded/group winner for her talented sire, and is bred on the same cross as this year's G1 Tattersalls Irish One Thousand Guineas heroine Homeless Songs (Ire) and last year's G1 Epsom Derby winner Adayar (Ire). Dubawi, meanwhile, is the broodmare sire of 27 grade/group winners worldwide.

Dam Sand Vixen, meanwhile, cost approximately $205,000 as a Tattersalls breeze-up buy and was a Group 2 winner as a juvenile. With The Moonlight's older full-brother Dream Castle (GB) took the 2019 G1 Jebel Hatta in Godolphin blue.

Sand Vixen has an unraced 2-year-old filly by Cracksman (GB), yearling filly by Blue Point (Ire) and a foal colt by Earthlight (Ire).

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