Thoroughbred Racing Roundup – August 5, 2013
August 5th, 2013By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
An upset win by a budding star in the historic Whitney Invitational at Saratoga highlighted weekend racing.
The action also featured a fitting climax to “Glorious Goodwood” in England and some big wins in the Sprint, Ladies’ Classic and juvenile divisions.
To spice things up, there were some unusual stewards’ rulings at Woodbine and Canterbury Park, likely causing a few wails from bettors on the wrong end of the decisions — or those who tossed their tickets too soon.
Here’s how it happened, starting with that classic at the Spa:
Cross Traffic, a late-developing 4-year-old, got the perfect trip he wanted in Saturday’s $750,000, Grade I Whitney Invitational at Saratoga and held on at the end to win by 3/4 length over an onrushing Successful Dan. Mucho Macho Man was third, followed by Ron the Greek and defending Breeders’ Cup Classsic champ Fort Larned. Cross Traffic, a gray colt by Unbridled’s Song, got a good run to the lead through the first turn, then set a brisk pace down the backstretch and into the stretch turn. Under some encouragement by jockey John Velazquez, he swerved sharply right nearing the wire but managed to hold on for the win. He ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:47.89 and earned a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic through the “Win and You’re In” program. The colt won his first two starts this winter at Gulfstream Park, then finished second by a head to Flat Out in the Grade III Westchester and second by a nose to Sahara Sky in the Grade I Met Mile.
“Being outside of Mucho Macho Man and Fort Larned — the other two speeds — we felt like we were in a good position,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “It worked out really well … He certainly deserved a Grade 1 after the Met Mile. I know we’ve had a couple of tough beats over the years, but that one kind of stands out as one of the toughest.”
Fort Larned’s trainer, Ian Wilkes, said his charge “just walked out of the gates. It wasn’t the start we were looking for. He got away bad.”
Other action in the Classic division:
Illinois Derby winner Departing, bouncing back from a sixth-place finish in the Preakness, romped home a winner by 8 3/4 lengths in Saturday’s $750,000, Grade II West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer. Ruler of Love showed the way early under Calvin Borel and held on for second. Overanalyze, with Rosie Napravnik up, finished third. Departing, a War Front gelding, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:51.47 in a race that slowed down as it went along. He now has five wins from seven starts and also finished third in the Grade II Louisiana Derby. Trainer Al Stall Jr. said he will target one of three Derbies for Departing’s next race — the Super Derby, the Pennsylvania Derby or the Indiana Derby.
Holiday Mischief wore down pacesetting favorite Sunbean in the stretch drive in Saturday’s $100,000 Super Derby Prelude at Louisiana Downs and won by a head over that rival. Runaway Steven was far back in third and the second-favorite, Carve, finished fifth. Holiday Mischief, an Into Mischief gelding, got 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.33. It was only his third career start and first stakes win.
Detouring across the water:
England
Winsili struck at long odds in Saturday’s Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, going to the lead late and holding well to win by a neck over Thistle Bird. Hot Snap was third in the 1 1/4-miles event for fillies and mares. Sky Lantern, the 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner, was blocked as she was making her move in the final furlong and lost all chance. She finished fifth. Winsili, a 3-year-old Juddmonte Farms homebred by Dansili, finished in 2:06.19. It was her third win from five starts, following a fourth-place showing in the 1 1/2-miles Ribblesdale at Ascot.
Trainer John Gosden said he plans to keep Winsili at 1 1/4 miles or less and said the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita “could be a possibility … But I’d have to get there a week early and school her in the paddock.”
Winsili dislikes being saddled, or any other sedentary activity, he explained. “If she has to wait, she will nearly throw herself on the ground with sheer frustration that she can’t get on and do what she wants to do,” Gosden said.
He noted Juddmonte master Prince Khalid also bred Midday, who won the Nassau three straight years from 2009 through 2011. “That’s some achievement,” he added. Midday also won the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2009.
France
Moonlight Cloud kicked in at the right time in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, taking the lead inside the furlong marker and drawing clear to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Lethal Force. Gordon Lord Byron was third in the 6 1/2-furlongs event, run over good to soft going at the seaside track. Moonlight Cloud, trained by Freddy Head and ridden by Thierry Jarnet, finished in 1:14.33. The 5-year-old Invincible Spirit mare now has nine wins from 16 starts but will be remembered forever as the rival who almost caught Black Caviar on the wire in the 2012 Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot. She came back from that effort to win the Gheest last year, then finished eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita.
Germany
Penelopa had to work through substantial traffic in Sunday’s Group 1 Preis der Diana – Deutsches Stuten-Derby at Dusseldorf, finally got free in the last 100 yards and rallied to win by 3/4 length over Secret Gesture, the Epsom Oaks runner-up. Adoya finished third in the 11-furongs race for 3-year-old fillies. Penelopa, a Giant’s Causeway filly, finished in 2:13.53 with Eduardo Pedroza up. It was the first win in four tries for Penelopa.
Back in North America:
Sprint
Justin Phillip came from behind a pace battle to win Sunday’s $400,000, Grade I Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga by 2 lengths. Bahamian Squall also passed the early leaders to finish second and Gentlemen’s Bet was third. The favorite, Delaunay, finished fourth and Caixa Eletronica completed the order of finish. The first two finishers exited the Grade II Smile Sprint Handicap at the Summit of Speed at Calder, won by Bahamian Squall with Justin Phillip fourth. Gentlemen’s Bet and Delaunay finished 1-2 in the Iowa Sprint Handicap at Prairie Meadows in their last race. Justin Phillip, a 5-year-old son of First Samurai, ran 6 furlongs Sunday in 1:08.59 with John Velazquez up. He finished second in this race last year, behind Poseidon’s Warrior, and finished fifth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
“Last year’s Vanderbilt was a good opportunity for him, and I thought he was unfortunate not to win that day,” said winning trainer Steve Asmussen. “For everything to work out, to have him in this position today – a good draw, a good set up – was very rewarding.”
Asked if he will consider moving on to the Grade I Forego on Aug. 31 at the Spa, Asmussen said, “You consider everything with him. He’s allowed us to do that. He’s never ducked anybody. He’s been nominated to about everything in the country.”
Delaunay’s trainer, Tom Amoss, said he will give his charge a little time to recharge. “His last two races weren’t good, and he’s telling us something,” Amoss said.
Ladies’ Classic
Lady of Fifty rallied five-wide into the lane in Saturday’s $300,000, Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar and went by to finish first, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of More Chocolate. Byrama also ran well late to take third while the favorite, Include Me Out, finished next-last of nine. Lady of Fifty, a 4-year-old After Market filly, toured 1 1/16 miles of all-weather track in 1:42.96 for jockey Corey Nakatani. She had finished third — behind Byrama and More Chocolate — in her last start, the Grade I Vanity at Hollywood Park.
“I felt a little bit funny about Lady of Fifty being back so far,” said winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. “When she came into the lane and was getting equal with them, I thought she’d have a chance of running them down and she did. It’s one of the best races she’s run. It’s a ‘Win and You’re In’ (for the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic), so I guess we’re in.”
Turf Mile
In Saturday’s $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby at Canterbury Park in Minnesota, Dorsett came from Chicago, then came from the clouds to pick up the winner’s check with a well-timed late run that found him 3 lengths clear at the wire. Another Arlington import, Coastal Breeze, finished second and Impassable Canyon was third. Dorsett, an Artie Schiller colt, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:35.69 with Lori Keith in the irons. It was his third career win and followed a fifth-place finish in the Grade III American Derby at Arlington.
“The trainer told me to let him find his feet. That was about it,” Keith said. “I was pretty confident throughout. I had a lot of horse at every given stage. I felt like all I had to do was push the button and that was the case.”
Turf Sprint
Silverette pressed the pace in Friday’s $100,000 Sportech Caress Stakes for fillies and mares at Saratoga, surged to the lead in the lane and held off Spun Cap late to win by a neck. The favorite, Madame Giry, ran evenly to finish third. Silverette, a 4-year-old Street Sense filly, got 5 1/2 furlongs over good turf in 1:01.27.
“She was doing it very within herself,” said winning rider Robby Albarado. “She’s very deceptive. It doesn’t look like she’s doing it that fast, but she’s moving.”
The Dale Romans trainee has five wins and four seconds from 10 career starts.
2-year-olds
Albert’s Hope got first run to the lead in the stretch in Sunday’s $150,000, Grade II Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar, then held off Celtic Moon in the final sixteenth to score by a 1/2 length. Guns Loaded finished third. Albert’s Hope, a Kentucky-bred Run Away and Hide gelding, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:16.71 with Alonzo Quinonez up. He now is 2-for-2, including a maiden win at Hollywood Park at 33-1 odds. Sunday, he was the favorite.
“I was kind of surprised by his first time out,” said winning trainer Mike Puype, “because I had never really pushed on this horse. I think there’s a little bit more even than you’ve seen today.”
He said he will move on to the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 4 to “give it a shot and see if he’s good enough. He doesn’t owe anyone anything after this win, considering what we paid for him.”
That was $40,000.
General Jack had his owner smelling roses after Saturday’s $100,000 Shakpoee Juvenile Stakes at Canterbury Park. The Giant’s Causeway colt tracked pacesetting Chairman Crooks, went by in the lane and won by 3 lengths as the odds-on favorite. A P Is Loose finished third. General Jack, with Victor Lebron up, ran 7 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:29.70. The win followed a close second behind Tiger Bourbon in his first career start at Belmont Park, also on the grass. The colt is co-owned by his trainer, Mike Maker, and Thomas Conway. Even though General Jack’s only experience has been on the lawn, Conway said, “I’m going to go home and start dreaming about the first Saturday in May.”
Rise Up dueled his way to the lead in Saturday’s $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile at Mountaineer Park, then kicked clear in the lane, winning by 4 3/4 lengths over Bisque. The odds-on favorite, Joedini, missed the start slightly and could do no better than a third-place showing. Rise Up, a Rockport Harbor colt out of a Johannesburg mare, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:11.10. Rosie Napravnik rode for trainer Timothy Hamm. He now has two wins and a second from three starts.
Yes I’m Lucky won a three-way battle for the lead in Sunday’s $60,000 Tyro Stakes over the Monmouth Park turf course, then slugged it out with Run for Logistics before finally pulling away for a 1 3/4-lengths victory over that rival. Manaus was along to take show money. Yes I’m Lucky, a Yes It’s True colt, ran 5 furlongs on good going in 56.93 seconds under jockey Paco Lopez. He now is 3-for-3 with the last two in stakes races — one on dirt, one on turf.
“Yes It’s True horses don’t necessarily like the turf,” said Eddie Plesa Jr., who trains the top two, “so I was hoping for his mother’s side to kick in. He ran great. Barring anything unforseen, they’ll both be back for the Sapling” — a Grade III on Sept. 1.
2-year-old fillies
On Rainbow Bridge collared the leaders inside the final furlong in Saturday’s $125,000 (Canadian) Nandi Stakes at Woodbine and went on to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Paladin Bay was second and Lia’s Miracle checked in third. On Rainbow Bridge, an Ontario-bred daughter of Bold Executive, won the Shady Well Stakes over the same course in her last outing, also beating Paladin Bay. She finished in 1:10.36 under Skye Chernetz.
“She’s very smart,” Chernetz said. “She’s so classy and does everything right. There was a lot of pressure but she handled it so well.”
Redgrass Cat came from next-last of 11 to win Saturday’s $50,000 Donnie Wilheit Memorial for 2-year-old fillies at Louisiana Downs by a neck over Thegirlinthatsong. The favorite, Nevada Deputy, found her progress arrested a couple times and had to settle for third. Redgrass Cat, a Bluegrass Cat filly, ran 7 1/2 furlongs on good turf in 1:30.68 with Lindey Wade in the irons. It was her first win after several good efforts at Churchill Downs and Lone Star.
Silver Valley pressed the pace in Saturday’s $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies at Mountaineer Park, took the lead when asked and won off by 4 lengths. Deliver finished second and Dream S’more was third. Silver Valley, a Silver Train filly, ran 6 furlongs on a fast strip in 1:12.71 with Ricardo Santana Jr. in the irons. She was coming off a fifth-place showing in the Grade III Schuylerville at Saratoga.
In other action:
Saratoga
Assateague tracked the leaders through the early furlongs of Saturday’s $100,000 De La Rose Stakes for fillies and mares, moved to the lead in the lane and held off Ruthenia to win by 1/2 length. The favorite, Laugh Out Loud, settled for third. Assateague, a 4-year-old Stormy Atlantic filly, ran 1 mile on the firm inner turf in 1:34.45 with Luis Saez up. It was her second straight win after a year-long dry spell and her first stakes victory.
“I was third and I had time,” Saez said. “When they came in for the turn, I thought she was beaten, but she won the race from there.”
Woodbine
Alpha Bettor got the better of the early leader, Ultimate Destiny, in the stretch in Saturday’s $150,000 (Canadian), Grade III Seagram Cup, winning by 3/4 length over that one. However, the stewards took another look at the start, determined that the No. 5 gate opened prematurely, giving Ultimate Destiny a head start on the field and ruled him a non-starter. That moved up Awesome Overture and Peyton to second- and third-place money, respectively. Alpha Bettor, a 4-year-old son of Alphabet Soup, who won the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Woodbine, ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:43.63 with Justin Stein aboard.
Stein said he was “stuck and had to wait it out” before making a move along the rail to secure the win. “He only really ran an eighth of a mile.”
Youcan’tcatchme lived up to her name in Sunday’s $100,000 (Canadian) Etobicoke Handicap for fillies and mares, leading all the way to a 2 1/4-lengths victory over Strike the Moon. Acting Naughty finished third. Youcan’tcatchme, a 4-year-old filly by The Daddy, ran 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:09.28 with Stein up.
Canterbury Park
There was another odd one here as Stoupinator outfinished won Saturday’s $100,000 Northbound Pride Oaks by a head. Kipling’s Joy and Raising Dakota dead heated for third but both were promoted to share second- and third-place money when Seeking Treasure was set down to sixth for interference. Stoupinator, a Stormy Atlantic filly, got 1 mile on firm turf in 1:35.78 under Alex Canchari.
Mountaineer Park
A slew of $100,000 stakes supported Saturday’s West Virginia Derby.
Brooklyn Cowboy took the 4 1/2-furlongs West Virginia Legislature Chairman’s Cup by 1 1/4 lengths over early leader Comisky’s Humor. Bet Seattle finished third. Brooklyn Cowboy, a 5-year-old Pomeroy gelding, got home in 52.13 seconds with Jose Montano aboard.
Santana also was aboard Ms Anna Destiny for the win in the West Virginia Secretary of State Stakes at 6 furlongs. Ms Anna Destiny rallied four-wide from mid-pack and went on to score by 4 lengths over Flattering Bea. The winner, a 5-year-old Anabaa mare, was clocked in 1:10.64.
Prissy was under pressure from Soft Whisper all the way in the West Virginia Senate President’s Cup but held that rival safe late to win by 1 length. Ask Me Anything finished third. Prissy, a 4-year-old filly by Unbridled’s Song, ran 1 mile and 70 yards on firm turf in 1:39.58 with Alan Garcia up.
Jasizzle cleared the way at the start of the Senator Robert C. Byrd Memorial by slamming into the favorite, Russell Road. Jasizzle then went on to dominate the 6-furlongs sprint, winning by 7 3/4 lengths over that rival, only to be set down to second for the early infraction. Rummy’s Command finished third. The 6 furlongs took 1:09.54. Russell Road, a fixture on the West Virginia circuit, picked up his 26th win from 44 career starts. The 7-year-old Wheaton gelding has 38 in-the-money finishes in those efforts.
Global Power led all the way to a 1 1/2-lengths victory over the favorite, Derby Kitten, in the West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker’s Cup. The latter, running from the back of the field, had to swing seven-wide to get a clear run. Cherokee Lord finished third. Global Power, a 5-year-old son of Pulpit, got 1 mile and 70 yards on firm turf in 1:38.49 under Scott Spieth.
Taptowne took command in the stretch run to win the $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes by 2 lengths over Whatthecatdrugin. Mordi’s Miracle finished third. Taptowne, a 5-year-old Tapit gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:44.90 with Calvin Borel handling the reins. The win helped salve second-place showings in the Grade II Oaklawn Handicap and the Grade III Prairie Meadows Cornhusker earlier in this year’s campaign for Churchill Downs-based trainer Tim Glyshaw.
Calder Race Course
Balino led from the early jumps in Saturday’s $75,000 Naked Greed Stakes for 3-year-olds and jetted off at the end to win by 6 lengths over Statutorial. Midnight Cello finished third. Balino, a Florida-bred Mr. Elway colt, ran 7 1/2 furlongs on yielding turf in 1:30.86 with Orlando Bocachica in the irons.
Nicki Starshine came from the back of the pack to win Saturday’s companion $75,000 Crystal Rail Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, edging pacesetter Love To Score by 1/2 length. Creative License finished third. Nicki Starshine, a Milwaukee Brew filly, was home in 1:34.05 with Pedro Monterrey Jr. up.
