Thoroughbred Racing Roundup and Fourth of July Extra
July 5th, 2011By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
Independence Day weekend in the United States produced a slew of upsets while England featured a stirring renewal, with international flavor, of the Coral-Eclipse Stakes.
The British contest, in fact, overshadowed what turned out to be largely unpredictable racing in the former colonies as a trio of international stars faced off at Sandown, outside London.
In the end, it was So You Think rebounding from defeat at Royal Ascot to reel in pacesetting Workforce in the final 100 yards of Saturday’s Group 1 Coral-Eclipse for a hard-won, 1/2-length victory.
Workforce, the 2010 Investec Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, got first run on the former Australian superstar and with the testing final furlongs of the Sandown course still to go, it appeared So You Think might have too much left to do. But with Seamie Heffernan providing the encouragement, So You Think gradually whittled down the gap. Drawing even with 100 yards to run, Workforce finally was the one unequal to the task and So You Think edged clear.
Sri Putra was 5 lengths farther back in third and the globetrotting, multiple Group 1-winning filly, Snow Fairy, finished fourth, another 3 3/4 lengths in arrears in her delayed seasonal debut.
The victory avenged So You Think’s defeat by Rewilding in the late going of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and trainer Aidan O’Brien said a bit more fitness may have made the difference for the 5-year-old son of High Chaparral.
“He has a lot of choices open to him now, like the Irish Champion Stakes, the Juddmonte International, and he could get a break now and be trained for the Cox Plate,” O’Brien said. “There is a little bit of a quarantine issue but he could go back to Australia if that got sorted, otherwise he would have so many races open to him. We will have to go home, talk about it and hopefully come up with the right plan.”
France
Mutual Trust, with Maxime Guyon up, won a tight, three-way decision in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Jean Prat for 3-year-olds at Chantilly. The favorite, Zoffany, was a head back at the line and Strong Suit missed by another nose. Mutual Trust, a son of Cacique, now is unbeaten in four starts for trainer Andre Fabre.
Weekend racing that could impact the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in November at Churchill Downs:
Classic
Flat Out was flat out the best – and at odds of more than 13-1 – in Saturday’s $300,000, Grade II Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. After tracking a quick early pace, jockey Alex Solis sent the 5-year-old son of Flatter out to the lead early in the stretch run and the Florida-bred quickly accelerated to post a 6 1/2-length victory. Hymn Book was along for second and Rodman, the pacesetting favorite, faded to finish third. Flat Out ran the 9 furlongs in 1:46.64 over a fast track.
“Today he was laying perfect,†said winning trainer Charles Dickey of Flat Out, who finished sixth in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs two weeks ago. “I’ve tried to think of several reasons why he didn’t run his normal race (last time). He came out of it fine and he’s better off running than standing in his stall.” It was Flat Out’s fourth win from nine starts. Dickey said Sunday, “We still don’t know just how good he is. I talked to the owner and we decided we’ll find out how good he is in the Breeders’ Cup.”
None of the “big-name” 3-year-olds turned out for Saturday’s $150,000, Grade II Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park but that didn’t deter Dominus from starting to make a name for himself. The Virginia-bred Smart Strike ridgeling was quickly on the lead, never headed and home first by 1 3/4 lengths over the favorite, Adios Charlie. Cool Blue Red Hot finished third. Dominus, with Julien Leparoux up, got the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:41.74.
Winning trainer Steve Asmussen called Dominus, now with two wins and two second from four starts, “a special horse. Hopefully this is just a steppingstone to big things.” He said he now can target the July 30 Jim Dandy at Saratoga or the July 31 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. “Obviously, with the 3-year-old races that are left, we think we are in good shape. It’s an extremely wide-open year,” Asmussen added.
Turf
Teaks North had a ground-saving trip into the stretch bend in Saturday’s $750,000, Grade I United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park, got through between rivals and went on to win by 1/2 length over Chinchon. Stacelita, the lukewarm favorite, finished third and Bourbon Bay was fourth. Teaks North, a 4-year-old, Florida-bred Northern Afleet gelding, ran the 1 mile and 3 furlongs on firm turf in 2:13.28 with Eddie Castro in the irons.
“It unfolded exactly as I had hoped,” said winning trainer Justin Sallusto. “He has a tremendous kick for the last quarter of a mile and you saw that today.”
Teaks North came into the race off a victory in the local prep for the U.N., the Grade III Monmouth Stakes on June 12. Sallusto said the Breeders’ Cup Turf now is in his future. Saturday’s race was a “Win and You’re In” event for the Turf.
Turf Mile
Courageous Cat pressed the pace in Saturday’s $300,000, Grade I Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park, moved to a short lead at the top of the stretch and then gamely dueled to the wire to score by a neck over Caracortado. Victor’s Cry was well back in third. Courageous Cat, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred son of Storm Cat out of the Rahy mare Tranquility Lake, got the 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.19 with Patrick Valenzuela handling the reins. Courageous Cat finshed second to Goldikova in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Mile and owner Marty Wygod said he is looking forward to a rematch.
“I’m looking for revenge,” he said. “If you notice, in all his races, he goes to his left lead right after he takes the lead. When somebody runs up to him, then he’ll start to do well again. You could see he wasn’t going to give it up today.”
Sprint
Smiling Tiger led all the way to a 3 1/4-lengths win in Saturday’s $250,000, Grade I Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood Park. Camp Victory made up some ground late to finish second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of the favorite, Amazombie. Smiling Tiger, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Hold That Tiger colt, ran 7 furlongs in 1:21.22 under Joel Rosario.
“Every day he seems to be a better animal,” said winning trainer Jeff Bonde. “He was like a big, skinny teenager as a young horse and the older he’s gotten, he’s put on muscle mass and filled out. He’s become a professional where before he was kind of a goof off as a young guy. We’re trying to win the Breeders’ Cup with him.”
Flashpoint flashed some serious speed in Sunday’s $150,000, Grade III Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth Park, dominating in the lane and winning by 7 lengths. C J Russell, Chip Shot and Zero Rate Policy completed the order of finish. Flashpoint, a Florida-bred Pomeroy colt, ran the 6 furlongs in 1:08.73 with Cornelio Velasquez up for trainer Wesley Ward.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Devil By Design, making her first start since last November for trainer Bill Mott, stayed in touch with the leaders early in Sunday’s $100,000, Grade III Chicago Handicap at Arlington Park, came three-wide for room in the lane and was up to win by 1 3/4 lengths. La Rocca finished second and the favorite, Tidal Pool, faded to get home third. Devil By Design, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred Medaglia d’Oro mare, ran 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:25.54 with Corey Nakatani in the irons.
“This filly had been off a little while but I had a ton of confidence in her,” Nakatani said. “Ken (McCarthy, assistant to trainer Bill Mott) told me just to be patient with her and give her a chance to win. She’s got class and this is her favorite distance. I felt very confident where I was at. I just bided my time and when I asked her, she kicked on.”
Form went the way of the boater hat in Sunday’s $150,000, Grade III Bed o’ Roses Handicap at Belmont Park as the first three-finishers all sported double-digit odds. Tamarind Hall, a mid-level claimer, stalked the pace and then easily drew off in the stretch to win by 5 1/4 lengths. Kid Kate and Spa City completed the trifecta, worth $3,704 for a $2 plunge. The favorite, Hilda’s Passion, pressed the pace and threw in the towel, finishing next-last of seven. Tamarind Hall, a 4-year-old, Florida-bred Graeme Hall filly, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:23.82 with David Cohen in the irons.
“Ever since I got her back to Finger Lakes, she’s just been a different horse from the winter,” said winning trainer Jeremiah Englehart. Still, he said, “I really thought we’d be running for second. I didn’t think there was a shot of beating Hilda’s Passion.”
Dirt Mile
Kensei stalked the pace in Saturday’s $200,000, Grade III Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park, worked his way to a short advantage at the top of the lane and battled to the line to win by 3/4 length over Soaring Empire. Rule was third and the even-money favorite, Morning Line, settled for a fading fifth-place finish. Kensei, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred son of Mr. Greeley, finished in 1:36.83. “He broke sharp and the other horses went for the lead,” said winning jockey Edgar Prado. “I was in the garden spot. I was very happy with my position early. He was running pretty easily around there and made his move when I started to ask him. He really dug in.”
Juvenile
Jack’s in the Deck rallied by early leader Team Six in the stretch run of Sunday’s $150,000, Grade II Futurity at Belmont Park and drove clear, winning by 4 lengths. Team Six held second, a nose in front of the favorite, Tarpy’s Goal. Jack’s in the Deck, a Maryland-bred Love of Money colt out of the Partner’s Hero mare Thracian, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:13.36 as the pace slowed to a stroll in the final furlong.
“I really didn’t know what to expect,” winning rider Joe Bravo said. “The horse showed some talent his first time out, but the minute the race started he showed me that he had these horses today and he looks like he’s got a good future ahead of him.”
Exfactor circled five-wide around the leaders in Saturday’s $100,000, Grade III Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs and charged down the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Power World. Friscan was third and the even-money favorite, settled for fourth after a troubled start. Exfactor, a Kentucky-bred Exchange Rate colt out of the Prized mare Bright Magic, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.30 with Calvin Borel up. The colt now has two wins and a second from three starts. Winning trainer Bernie Flint said Exfactor’s potential is “unlimited, because if I can keep him coming from behind like that, we’ve got the Breeders’ Cup right here. The best 2-year-olds in the country have always come out of Churchill Downs. I don’t care what anybody says, whatever price they were or whatever it is, it’s the pinnacle of 2-year-old racing.”
Mel Beach forced the issue into the stretch in Saturday’s $100,000 Frank Gomez Memorial at Calder Race Course, emerged into the stretch with a short lead in some traffic, then got straightened out and drew off to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Argentine Tango. The favorite, Hello Prince, finished third. Mel Beach, a Florida-bred Pomeroy colt out of the Pentelicus mare Stars In Your Eyes, ran 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:07.01. Mel Beach had finished second in each of his first three starts. “Today everything fell into place and he picked the best day to win,” said winning rider Orlando Bocachica. Winning trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. said the colt will go on to the Florida Stallion Stakes series.
Juvenile Fillies
Millionreasonswhy rallied by the leaders in the stretch run of Sunday’s $150,000, Grade II Matron Stakes at Belmont Park and worked clear to win by 2 lengths over early leader Say a Novena. Dancing Anna finished third and the favorite, Defy Gravity, struggled home fifth. Millionreasonswhy, a Kentucky-bred Grand Slam filly out of the A.P. Indy mare In Secure, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:12.68 with John Velazquez in the irons.
“She wants longer,” said winning trainer Ignacio Correas IV. “We’ll look at Saratoga. She’ll take us there.”
Redbud Road came from mid-pack with a wide move in Saturday’s $100,000 JJ’sdream Stakes at Calder Race Course, dueled down the lane with stablemate Awesome Belle and prevailed by 1/2 length. The odds-on favorite, Frolic’s Revenge, prompted the pace but hung in the stretch and finished third. Redbud Road, a Florida-bred Awesome of Course filly out of the Tactical Advantage mare Ladyinareddress, got the 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast main strip in 1:07.18 with Luis Saez aboard. “I love it,” said winning trainer Stanley Gold.
“The only thing better would have been a dead heat.” He said both Redbud Road and Awesome Belle will advance to the Florida Stallion Stakes series.
News and notes:
Canterbury Park lost its Fourth of July weekend racing to the shutdown of Minnesota government in a budget impasse. Ramsey County Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin Saturday denied Canterbury’s request that the Minnesota Racing Commission continue to operate during the state shutdown. With no regulatory body in place, Canterbury was forced to cancel racing programs for July 3 and 4. Racing on July 1 and 2 had already been called off, even though the MRC is fully funding by the state’s two tracks. “This is potentially devastating to Minnesota’s racing industry,” said Canterbury President Randy Sampson.
Fourth of July Extra!
A trio of races on the Fourth of July could provide some direction to “colonial” pretenders for this fall’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile.
The likelihood, however, is that the best of the U.S. runners entering the gate at Churchill Downs in November will have to face not only 3-time defending champion Goldikova from our French “ally,” but also some of the best runners representing the British “oppressors.”
Holiday races that could impact the Turf Mile, and another Breeders’ Cup World Championship event:
Turf Mile
Wise Dan stalked the pace in Monday’s $175,000, Grade II Firecracker Handicap at Churchill Downs, got to the lead four-wide at the top of the lane and edged clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths over the favorite, Baryshnikov. Strike Impact was third. Wise Dan, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Wiseman’s Ferry gelding, ran the 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.59 with Jon Court up. He was let go at odds of better than 14-1.
“Jon rode him perfectly and that’s what this horse has needed all along,” said winning trainer Charlie Lopresti. “He had him sit back and just make one big run with him. I wanted that kind of a race. I didn’t want him in a speed duel. He needed to learn how to relax and he’s grown up and matured.”
Celtic Princess pressed the pace in Monday’s $150,000, Grade II Royal Heroine Stakes for fillies and mares at Hollywood Park, took over turning for home and got away to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Harmonius. Andina finished third. Celtic Princess, a 7-year-old, Brazilian-bred mare by Public Purse, ran the 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.74 with Rafael Bejarano in the irons. Winning trainer A. C. Avila said his main task with Celtic Princess has been keeping her health. And, he added, “She’s now a Breeders’ Cup nominee. Last month, the owner paid the $25,000 nomination fee.”
Daveron split rivals turning for home in Monday’s $200,000 Dr. James Penny Memorial Handicap for fillies and mares and quickly shook clear, driving off to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Gitchee Goomie. Check the Label finished third and the favorite, Desert Sage, checked in fourth. Daveron, a 6-year-old, German-bred mare by Black Sam Bellamy, ran the “about” 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.34 with Eddie Castro handling the reins. Graham Motion trains the mare for Team Valor International.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Her Smile briefly had nowhere to go in the stretch run of Monday’s $250,000, Grade I Prioress Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park. But suddenly the rail opened, jockey Javier Castellano gave the go-ahead to the Virginia-bred Include filly and she shot through to win by 1/2 length over Pomeroy’s Pistol. The favorite, Alienation, led briefly at the top of the lane but faded to finish third. Her Smile, owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.44.
“It was a jockey’s dream trip,†said Castellano, currently the leading rider at Belmont Park. “I had to choose the best direction to take, and I’m glad it opened along the rail. It was a short cut – the best way to go.”
Flay was more excited than a first-time Iron Chef. “Yes, first Grade 1!” He exulted, leading Her Smile into the winner’s circle.
“It was awesome, a great feeling,” said Flay, a very involved owner whose More Than Real won the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last fall.
Winning trainer Todd Pletcher said the Test Stakes at Saratoga could be next for Her Smile.
