UPI Thoroughbred Racing Roundup – October 27, 2014
October 27th, 2014By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
Dramatic finishes marked a big weekend in Australia, a budding superstar capped the season in England and the world awaited the Breeders’ Cup as Thoroughbred racing rolled through the weekend.
It gets harder and harder to identify the really great horses as racing becomes more international, retirement pressures increase with value and medication issues cloud comparisons.
But there’s no denying that the aptly named Adelaide, in becoming the first European-based horse to win the Cox Plate, showed brilliance. And, back home in
England, Elm Park showed the promise of success in winning Saturday’s Group 1 Racing Post Trophy.
Sunday’s top features at Sha Tin previewed the four Group 1 Longines Hong Kong International Races in December with old favorites Military Attack, Gold-Fun and Ambitious Dragon showing they still have what it takes.
Of course, there’s also the potential for stardom in many of the 13 races comprising the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita.
Australia
Coolmore and trainer Aiden O’Brien sent Adelaide “down under” with the highest of expectations and, despite some handicaps, they were rewarded handsomely in the Group 1 Cox Plate Saturday at Mooney Valley. With Ryan Moore up, the Galileo colt started well outside in the field of 14 and wasn’t much better off, five-wide, as they came around the banked turn into the relatively short stretch. But the 3-year-old was in full flight, hit the front 50 yards from home and held on to win by a short head over Fawkner. Silent Achiever was another short neck back in third and Side Glance a further short head in arrears in fourth. None of those, however, appeared in danger of catching Adelaide. The winner now has four wins, three seconds and a third from eight career starts. The victories also include the Grade I Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park. He was third with a troubled trip in the Group Prix Noel at Longchamp in his last previous outing.
Lankan Rupee returned to his winning ways at the right time, coming out on top in a blanket finish in Saturday’s Group 1 Sportingbet Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley. With Craig Newitt at the controls, Lankan Rupee jumped to the lead from an outside post position and appeared to have the race in hand nearing the 100 yards. But seven others came charging at him and the margin of victory was only a short head over Angelic Light. Six others were within 1 length of the winner. Lankan Rupee, who had been defeated in his two previous starts, once by Angelic Light and once by Buffering, ran 6 furlongs on good going in 1:10.33. He is a 5-year-old gelding by Redoubt’s Choice. The victory sets up a head-to-head confrontation with Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes and Group 1 Darley July Cup winner Slade Power in the VRC Sprint Classic on Nov. 8. Slade Power is due for retirement after that Group 1 race. But the Sprint Classic also is the penultimate leg of the Global Sprint Challenge and, should he win, Slade Power would be eligible for a US$1 million bonus should he extend his career a month and win the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin. Why would that not be tempting?
England
Elm Park had things all his own way in Saturday’s Group 1 Racing Post Trophy for 2-year-old colts and fillies at Newmarket. After his front-running, 2 3/4-lengths victory, the Phoenix Reach colt dropped dramatically on the odds boards for next year’s Derby. He has won four straight races for trainer Andew Balding and owners, Qatar Racing and Kingsclere Racing. Jockey Andrea Atzeri allowed no drama in Saturday’s race, leading early and winning with authority. Aloft appeared ready to challenge late but settled for second with Celestial Path third. Eight went to the post in the 1-mile test, run over soft turf.
Hong Kong
Sunday’s HK Group 2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy was run at 1 mile but is an important prep for the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup in December at 2,000 meters, or about 10 furlongs. Military Attack, a one-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year, got there first, edging Gold-Fun by a short head in 1:34.37. Ambitious Dragon, a two-time local Horse of the Year, returned from an 18-month injury layoff to finish a dramatic third, just 3/4 length farther back. The reigning HK Horse of the Year, Designs on Rome, was never involved and finished eighth. Military Attack, previously trained by John Moore, ran for the first time for Caspar Fownes.
“It’s a surprise to beat Gold-Fun at that distance, but he had a decent preparation,” said Fownes. “I gave Military Attack a really nice prep,” Fownes said. “I trained him just nice for the race. I expected him to run fourth or fifth and then I’d have walked away extremely happy. To come out and do that is great. And there is improvement, for sure.”
He said to look for Military Attack in the Group 2 Longines Jockey Club Cup at 2,000 meters on Nov. 23 as a final prep for the big race on Dec. 14.
Sunday’s HK Group 2 Premier Bowl featured candidates for both the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint and the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile. But it was Aerovelocity who found the most velocity late to land the top prize despite missing the break in the 1,200-meters race.
“It was unusual,” said jockey Zac Purton “He was standing in the gates really well but he just curled himself up and went into a coil, so when the gates opened he just went up. I was lucky to stay on him.”
After waiting patiently behind the field, Purton found room on the rail in the final 100 yards and was just up to nip pacesetting Super Jockey by a head. Smart Volatility was third and Able Friend finished fourth after looming boldly.
“He’s proved he’s worthy to take his place in the international trial race next month and we’ll take it from there,” said winning trainer Paul O’Sullivan, referring to the Group 2 BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint on Nov. 23. “We can relax on our laurels for four weeks before we have to come back. It would be nice to win one of those international races in December, but we’ll have to see how he goes next time.”
Japan
Toho Jackal rallied from a pace-stalking position to win Sunday’s Group 1 Kikuka Sho, or Japanese St Leger, by 1/2 length from Sounds of Earth in course-record time of 3:01.0 for 1,500 meters. Gold Actor finished third as the favorites, One and Only and To the World, were nowhere to be found at the finish. Toho Jackal, a Special Week colt, was scoring his first group victory.
“I tried to relax him going into the track but the colt controlled himself well,” said winning rider Manabu Sakai. “I wanted to make use of the ideal draw we had. He responded willingly to my urging and was able to exert his late spurt after waiting within the pack until the right moment.”
The race was the third leg of the Japanese Triple Crown but a sweep of the series was not in the offing as the first two races were split.
Back in North America:
Sprint
Salutos Amigos came from the middle of the pack with a late stretch move to take Saturday’s $200,000, Grade III Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont Park. Confrontation led for a brief time but couldn’t keep pace in the final sixteenth and settled for second, 3 1/2 lengths back. Romansh was only a neck farther back in third and the favorite, River Rocks, checked in fourth. Salutos Amigos, a 4-year-old gelding by Salute the Sarge, ran 7 furlongs on a good track in 1:21.87 with Cornelio Velasquez up.
“I think we made the right move staying home,” said winning trainer David Jacobson. “Now we’re going to make some phone calls and see if we can go to the Breeders’ Cup. I don’t know if it’s still an option, but if it is, we’re going to be on a plane Monday to go to California. I was just waiting for a spectacular performance, and we got it.”
Salutos Amigos, who is pre-entered for the Sprint, finished fourth in the Grade I Vosburgh Invitational in his last start before the Bold Ruler.
Classic
Pick of the Litter split the leaders in the stretch run in Saturday’s $200,000, Grade II Hagyard Fayette Stakes and prevailed by a neck over Departing and another 1 length over Long River. Pick of the Litter, a 4-year-old Kitten’s Joy colt, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:49.48 for jockey Corie Lanerie. It was his first graded stakes win and sixth overall from 19 starts. Lanerie said the colt has been a bit of a mystery to him and trainer Dale Romans.
“This horse has always shown in the past that he had the potential to be a really good horse. For some reason, it wouldn’t just all click at one time. Dale and I kept talking, ‘We know he’s a good horse.’ We didn’t know why he’s just not getting there, but we knew he could do it. Today he put it all together.”
Filly & Mare Turf
Lexie Lou, the Queen’s Plate and Woodbine Oaks winner, translated her talent nicely to the Golden State, rallying to win Saturday’s $100,000 Autumn Miss Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita by 1 1/4 lengths over Diversy Harbor. Zindaya showed the way and held on for show money. Lexie Lou, a daughter of Sligo Bay, covered 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.70 with Corey Nakatani up. Winning owner Gary Barber, who lives in the Los Angeles area, said the filly’s only recent loss, a 10th-place finish in the Grade II Canadian at Woodbine, was due to soft turf that day.
“We got a firm course today and she loved it,” Barber said. “She proved she can win in open company and I’ll put her against open 3-year-olds right now on grass. With the exception of Untapable, I think she can run with anyone. We don’t have her schedule planned out yet, but we’ll keep her here for the winter and take her back to Woodbine in April.”
Savvy Hester dueled her way to the lead in Saturday’s $100,000 (Canadian) River Memories Stakes at Woodbine, then fought off a late bid by Dance Again to win by a head. Silent Star was along for third. Savvy Hester, a 4-year-old Heatseeker filly, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:36.69 with Justin Stein up for trainer Ricky Griffith.
“She’s always been that kind of filly,” Stein said. “She likes to fight and she tries very hard. I was a little surprised to be on the lead. She broke sharp. Ricky gave her some time off and that made all the difference.”
Distaff
Dame Dorothy overcame a stumbling start to win Sunday’s $200,000, Grade III Turnback the Alarm Handicap for fillies and mares at Belmont Park by a diminishing 1/2 length over late-running Catch My Drift. Toasting finished third and the favorite, Tapit’s Word, checked in fifth. Dame Dorothy, a 3-year-old Bernardini filly, got 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.50 with Javier Castellano up.
Todd Pletcher, who trains Dame Dorothy for owner Bobby Flay, said, “She’s obviously a filly we’ve held in high regard since her 2-year-old year. Bobby has been very patient with her. We felt like we had a very talented filly and she’s taken a little while to get to this point, but it’s very gratifying that we have.”
2-year-old fillies
Vivian Da Bling had way too much for seven rivals in Friday’s $100,000 My Trusty Cat Stakes at Delta Downs. Leading all the way, the Too Much Bling filly kicked clear in the lane to get home first by 8 lengths, never asked for her best run. Zelda Can Dance waltzed home second, 1 length in front of Pitcher. Vivian Da Bling, with Chris Rosier in the irons, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:27.86. She won her first two starts this summer at Lone Star Park and finished fourth in the Grade II Adirondack at Saratoga in her only other outing for trainer Bret Calhoun. Friday’s win earned Vivian Da Bling an automatic berth in the $400,000, Grade III Delta Downs Princess on Nov. 22.
Saturday, on the Belmont Park turf, Miss Chatelaine rallied from next-last of 10 in the $100,000 Chelsea Flower Stakes at Belmont Park, split rivals to get to the front and won by 1 1/4 lengths over Ack Naughty. Margaret Reay finished third. Miss Chatelaine, a Pulpit filly, ran 1 mile on yielding ground in 1:40.93 with Joel Rosario in the irons.
West Coast Belle, whose last start was on the East Coast at Monmouth, nonetheless got her directions perfectly straight in the stretch run of Sunday’s $58,000 Rags to Riches Stakes at Churchill Downs, winning off by 6 3/4 lengths at double-digit odds. Simply Confection was second, 1/2 length in front of Taylor S. West Coast Belle, a Tapit filly, got 1 mile on a fast track in 1:37.38 with Channing Hill up. The $2 exacta paid $1,097 and the $2 tri was worth $6,587.80. Winning trainer Wayne Catalano said the race went according to plan.
“It’s great when a plan comes together,” he said. “It doesn’t always work out like that but today was exactly how we wrote it down.”
Sharla Rae outfinished Wedding Blush in Saturday’s $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes at Golden Gate Fields, winning by a neck over that rival. Bennett Jean finished third and the favorite, Sea Mona, faded to get home sixth. Sharla Rae, an Afleet Alex filly, ran 1 mile on the all-weather track in 1:38.67 under Kyle Frey. The race originally was carded for the turf.
2-year-olds
Golden Actor, an impeccably bred colt making his third start this month, took full command in the stretch run of Saturday night’s $200,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs and drew off to win by 4 1/4 lengths. Control Stakes was second, Incremental third and the favorite, Big Big Easy, faded to finish fifth. Golden Actor, by Curlin out of the Theatrical mare Clever Actress, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:39.82 with Jose Gallego up for trainer Ignacio Roncancio. He finished second in his first start at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 4, then returned to win at Gulfstream Park West just nine days later.
Sunday, on the Belmont Park turf, Vision Perfect rallied from mid-pack to take the
$100,000 Awad Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths from Zandar. Gustnado blew from last of seven to finish third. Vision Perfect, a Pollard’s Vision colt, ran 1 mile on yielding turf in 1:39.39 with Manuel Franco in the irons. The race is named for the winner of the 1995 Arlington Million and 1997 Sword Dancer.
Conquest Tsunami blasted right to the lead in Sunday’s $58,000 Street Sense Stakes on “Stars of the Future” opening day at Churchill Downs. With Shaun Bridgmohan up, the Stormy Atlantic colt was in command all the way and won by 2 3/4 lengths over Nun the Less. Far Right was a head farther left in the frame, finishing third. Conquest Tsunami ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:37.00. Assistant trainer Norman Casse said the choice of a next race is wide open, including the Delta Jackpot and the Kentucky Jockey Club.
Elsewhere around the ovals:
Santa Anita
Pure Tactics led from the start in Sunday’s $75,000 Lure Stakes, shook off the competition in the lane and won by 6 1/2 lengths. Power Ped was second and Starspangled Heat finished third. Pure Tactics, a 5-year-old son of Pure Prize, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.22 with Rafael Bejarano aboard. The race is named for the two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile — among many other top races.
Gulfstream Park West
Mellow Fellow lagged early in Saturday’s $100,000 Gin Rummy Champ Stakes, circled the field turning for home and went on to post the 18-1 upset by a nose over fellow long shot Full Moons Back. Yet another double-digit chance, Moonwalker, finished third, completing a $1 trifecta payout of $3,641.90. The favorite, Speechify, left his backers speechless with an eighth-place finish. Mellow Fellow, a 4-year-old gelding by The Cliff’s Edge, got 5 furlongs of firm turf in 57.16 with Rodney Soodeen in the irons.
