UPI Horse Racing Roundup – May 11, 2015
May 11th, 2015By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
An exciting weekend of Thoroughbred racing left a lot of question marks in the wake of some sizeable upsets.
Twilight Eclipse finally got his first Grade I win after being eclipsed by Main Sequence all of last year. But Beholder missed her weekend start at Santa Anita, leading to a big upset in a short field. Across the continent, Palace Malice was victim to an upset, too. And a hot Brazilian import looks set to make his mark on the American Turf.
Weekend U.S. Triple Crown action presaged not only the upcoming Preakness but also the Belmont Stakes.
Internationally, a spate of weekend preps more muddled than clarified the Epsom Derby picture while in Hong Kong and Australia, weekend victories had trainers dreaming of the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup.
Before we nod off to dreamland, consider this:
The Triple Crown
Saturday’s $200,000, Grade II Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park may have turned up at least one candidate for the Belmont Stakes. Madefromlucky, making his first start since finishing fourth in the Arkansas Derby, rallied to the lead at the top of the stretch in the Peter Pan and edged clear, winning by 1 length from Illinois Derby refugee Conquest Curlinate. The favorite, Two Weeks Off, was third, 2 1/2 lengths off the winner. Tiz Shae D and Wolf Man Rocket completed the order of finish. Madefromlucky, a Lookin At Lucky colt, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:48.39 for jockey Javier Castellano. He finished well back in the Arkansas Derby, behind Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah.
“The Belmont Stakes is something we’d talked about a while back,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “We felt he would keep going and going and going. We wanted to find out where he fit and the Peter Pan has historically been a good prep for the Belmont. He earned his way in if he comes out of this well and trains accordingly.”
The field is still taking shape for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, second leg of the Triple Crown and another potential step toward greatness for Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah. A testing mix of Derby runners and “new shooters” will provide plenty of competition.
Turf
Twilight Eclipse shadowed War Dancer through almost all of Saturday’s $400,000,
Grade I Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park, then dueled down the stretch with that one before bumping and prevailing by a neck. Hyper, making his first start since 2013, was third, followed by Dynamic Sky, favored Imagining and Hardest Core. Twilight Eclipse, who ran in the wake of champion Main Sequence all of last year, finally got his first Grade I win, finishing 1 3/8 miles on the firm inner turf course in 2:14.44 with Javier Castellano in the irons. It was the 6-year-old Purim gelding’s first victory since finishing 12th in the 2014 Dubai Sheema Classic but he had been losing by less than 1 length almost every race to top competition.
“It’s been very satisfying for everybody that’s involved and for his connections to get that Grade I,” said winning trainer Tom Albertrani. “I know we’ve been beaten in a couple of spots but he shows up every time. I think the horses were just that good — you know, you have horses like Main Sequence. Without a horse like (that) in the race, this horse looks like a champion himself …”
Here’s one to watch: Bal a Bali, a winner of 11 of 12 starts in his native Brazil, swept to a convincing, 1-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000, Grade III American Stakes at Santa Anita. Talco was second and Gabriel Charles third. Bal a Bali, a 5-year-old son of Put It Back, ran 1 mile on firm going in 1:35.69 with Flavien Prat riding for the new trainer, Richard Mandella.
“It really is fulfilling to get his first race in the U.S. under his belt, because he really had a serious problem coming out of quarantine when he had laminitis,” Mandella said, praising veterinarian Vernon Dryden for his work on the horse. “I can’t say enough about the job he did.”
He said Bal a Bali’s next start will be either the Grade I Manhattan at 1 1/4 miles on the Belmont Stakes undercard or the Grade I Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita on June 13.
Distaff
Two-time champion Beholder was scratched from Saturday’s $300,000, Grade I Vanity at Santa Anita with a fever, leaving Warren’s Veneda as the prohibitive favorite in a field of four. But that one didn’t seize the opportunity and it was My Sweet Addition, with Mike Smith rationing her speed on the lead, who held on to win by 1 length over Brazilian import Gas Total. Warren’s Veneda finished third, a head farther back, and Legacy was fourth and last. My Sweet Addiction, a 5-year-old Tiznow mare, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:49.73. There was no show wagering but that didn’t prevent some bridge-jumpers from inflating the place pool backing Warren’s Veneda.
“Everything just fell into place for this race,” said winning trainer Marty Jones. “Sometimes things go that way, you know. My mare had a great trip. The pace wasn’t too hot, Mike had her right where he wanted to be, everything just fell into place today. Sometimes things happen like that.”
Tyler Baze, who rode Warren’s Veneda, said, “They went way too slow. I had a good trip. We got to save all the ground and my mare really ran good, but the winner just had a lot left.”
Wedding Toast raced behind the pace set by stablemate Via Strata in Saturday’s $250,000, Grade II Ruffian Stakes at Belmont Park, came by the leaders turning for home and drew off easily to win by 4 lengths. Princess Violet was best of the rest with House Rules taking third and the previously undefeated Via Strata fading to finish next-last of six. Wedding Toast, a 5-year-old Street Sense mare bred by Darley and owned by Godolphin, ran the one-turn mile in 1:34.86 with Jose Lezcano up.
“One turn, middle distance races suit her,” said winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. She can go two turns, but she started off short this year, successfully, so we tried her a couple times. Now that this worked out we’ll keep her at a mile and up.” He said the Grade I Ogden Phipps on June 6 at 1 1/16 miles is the race “we’ll probably look at.”
Classic
Clearly it wasn’t his best distance but Palace Malice still didn’t show a lot as he made his first start since last August. Inserted in Sunday’s $100,000, 6-furlongs Diablo Stakes at Belmont as a backup plan, Palace Malice had a perfect view of a duel between Stallwalkin’ Dude and Clearly Now, with the former winning by a neck. It was 3 1/4 lengths farther back to 2013 Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice, who ran evenly. Stallwalkin’ Dude, a 5-year-old City Place gelding, finished in 1:09.48 under Angel Cruz, winning his fourth straight. Last year, Palace Malice, a son of Curlin, reeled off four consecutive graded stakes victories before going wrong in the Grade I Whitney at Saratoga. He had not raced since and missed last weekend’s Grade III Westchester with a bruise. Trainer Todd Pletcher shrugged off the Diablo effort.
“It was what we were expecting,” Pletcher said. “He got out-footed early and seemed to close pretty well. He galloped out well, so hopefully we got what we needed out of him. We knew it wasn’t ideal coming in, but the options we had were limited. Hopefully it moves him forward.”
Forward could include the Grade I Met Mile on June 6, where he might meet last year’s Belmont winner, Tonalist.
Filly & Mare Turf
Discreet Marq led the way in Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Beaugay Stakes at Belmont Park and held on to win by 3/4 length over Photo Call. Recepta finished third. Discreet Marq, a 5-year-old, New York-bred Discreet Cat mare, ran 1 1/16 miles on the firm inner turf in 1:42.15 with John Velazquez in the irons.
“Everything is good,” said winning trainer Christophe Clement. “It’s nice when they come back. That’s what good horses do — they win. Great trip, great ride. She’s a good filly. Life is good.”
Sprint
Kentuckian found another gear in the stretch run in Sunday’s $100,000, Grade III Lazaro Barrera Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita, drawing off to win by 6 1/4 lengths. Forest Blue was second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of The Gomper. Kentuckian, a Tiznow colt, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:20.97 with Mike Smith riding. It was his second win in three starts, sandwiched around a third-place showing in the San Pedro — behind two of the horses he embarrassed Sunday. “He reminds me of Holy Bull,” Smith said. “He has an unbelievably high cruising speed and stride.” Winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Kentuckian might go to the Grade III Affirmed Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on June 7 “if we do decide to go two turns.”
Paso Doble didn’t miss a step in Sunday’s $125,000 (Canadian) New Providence Stakes for Ontario-sired steeds at Woodbine, leading virtually all the way to a 2 3/4-lengths win. Phil’s Dream was second with San Nicola Thunder third. Paso Doble, a 9-year-old Bold n’ Flashy gelding, ran 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:08.77 with Eurico Da Silva up.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Skylander Girl was quickly out front in Saturday’s $150,000 (Canadian) Hendrie Stakes at Woodbine and stayed there, winning by 3 1/2 lengths over Miss Mischief with the favorite, Unspurned, settling for third. Skylander Girl, a 4-year-old daughter of Stroll, strolled 6 1/2 furlongs on the all-weather course in 1:15.12 with Emile Ramsammy in the irons.
“She was just running on cruise control. She’s a good filly and the best horse in the race today,” said Ramsammy.
International
The 3-year-olds
Kilimanjaro got by pacemaker Magic Dancer in the final furlong to take Saturday’s Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield as one-time Derby favorite Christophermarlow failed to fire. Kilimanjaro, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, covered 11 1/2 furlongs on good going in a pedestrian, at best, 2:35.17, finishing 1 1/4 lengths to the good of Magic Dancer. Christophermarlow, the previously undefeated, American-bred Tapit colt, was 2 lengths farther back in third and jockey Frankie Dettori said he needs firmer ground. O’Brien, asked if Kilimanjaro is a Derby prospect, said the High Chaparral colt did not appear to be stopping at the end of Saturday’s trip and will be evaluated. He was winless in two trips last year; now is undefeated in two this season.
In Saturday’s Oaks Trial at Lingfield, the top two fillies had French names as Toujours L’Amour bested Bellajou by 1 1/4 lengths with the favorite, Wedding Vow, third. Toujours L’Amour, a daughter of Authorized out of the Dansili mare High Heel Sneakers, trained by William Haggis, rallied from the back under Harry Bently to prevail in the long straight. She is not nominated to the Oaks and would require a supplement of 30,000 pounds sterling. “If I had to pay, it would probably be a no,” Racing Post quoted Haggis. “But I don’t have to pay and it could be a yes.”
At Longchamp in Paris, Make Believe led a 1-2 finish for trainer Andre Fabre in Sunday’s Group I Poule d’Essai des Poulains, or 2,000 Guineas. With Olivier Peslier aboard, the Makfi colt made all the going and held off stablemate New Bay by 3 lengths at the end. None of the cross-Channel invaders made much impression, with the Aidan O’Brien Highland Reel finishing fourth. Make Believe’s future course is TBD, according to Ted Voute, racing advisor to owner Prince Faisal. Voute said the Prix du Jockey Club is a possibility but, as a speedy type, Make Believe might fit in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Ervedya caught Irish Rookie in the final jumps to win Sunday’s Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, or 1,000 Guineas after the latter showed the way. Mexican Gold also ran well late to finish third. Ervedya, a French-bred daughter of Siyouni, scored her second straight win and fifth from seven starts. Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said she may be a candidate for the Coronation Stakes.
In Sunday’s Group 2 Prix Hocquart at Longchamp, the Fabre-trained Ampre won a tight duel with Aidan O’Brien charge Cape Clear Island. Ampre has won both his starts and is in the mix for the Prix du Jockey Club.
In Ireland, Success Days was an easy, 10-lengths winner in Sunday’s Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown and likely is targeted for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
Thursday’s big race in this group is the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York in the north of England. Elm Park will shoot for his fifth straight win for trainer Qatar Racing and trainer Andrew Balding.
Japan
Clarity Sky raced just behind the lead flight in Sunday’s Group 1 NHK Mile Cup for 3-year-olds at Tokyo Racecourse, found a path between horses after entering the stretch and determinedly worked past the leader, Albiano, to win by 1 length in 1:33.5. Musee Sultan was gaining at the end but settled for third. The favorite, Grand Silk, got home fifth. Clarity Sky is by 2001 NHK Mile winner Kurofune, a son of French Deputy. Winning jockey Norihiro Yokoyama picked up his second Group 1 win in as many weeks after landing the Tenno Sho (Spring) last weekend.
“The pace was pretty slow up to the fourth corner and the colt was so keen to go,” Yokoyama said. “It was tough but I was able to hold him in an ideal position. He’s won in record time here, so as long as his condition was good, I was confident he had a good chance today. I’m sure he will improve more seeing how he raced today at his young age.”
Sunday’s race was his first win in three tries this year.
Italy
Cleo Fan surged to a big lead with a couple furlongs to run in Sunday’s Group 1 Premio Presidente della Republica at Capannelle and held off Magic Artist by a neck. It was his first Group 1 win. Wake Forest finished third and the favorite, Priore Philip, a stablemate of the winner in Stefano Botti’s barn, got home sixth. Cleo Fan, a 4-year-old Mujahid colt, ran 10 furlongs in 1:59.80 under Umberto Rispoli.
France
War Dispatch, an American-bred colt by War Front, easily won his fourth straight race in Friday’s Prix de Guiche at Chantilly and is now a candidate for the Group I Prix du Jockey Club. The colt is owned by his breeder, Joseph Allen, and was making his debut on turf after previously running only on all-weather surfaces.
Hong Kong
Helene Happy Star overcame driving rain and the rest of the field to land Saturday’s HK Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Saturday at Sha Tin. Trainer John Moore said he now will point the 4-year-old British import to the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup on May 31, the final major event of the Hong Kong season.
“Then he’ll be put away for the summer,” Moore said. “I think he’s just coming to grips with things here and there’s further improvement for sure … He could be a Melbourne Cup horse. Seriously.”
Helene Happy Star made all the going to win by 3/4 length in 2:30.70 under Neil Callan. Renaissance Art was along for second and To The Limit finished third. It was the first win in Hong Kong for Helene Happy Star, who did finish fourth in the Hong Kong Derby.
Australia
French import Pornichet stormed to his second win in as many weeks Saturday in the Group 1 Bundaberg Rum Doomben Cup, prompting trainer Gai Waterhouse to an “I told you so” that the horse is Cox Plate material. With Blake Shinn up, Pornichet put paid to his rivals with a good bit to run and won off by 2 1/4 lengths from Weary with I’m Imposing third.
“I’ve been saying all along that this is a Cox Plate-type horse,” Waterhouse said.
She started beating those drums after the 4-year-old Porza gelding’s win last week in the Toowoomba Cup. Shinn had five wins on the day, also including Hot Snitzel in the Group 1 BTC Cup.
Elsewhere:
Monmouth Park
A.P. Indian led all the way in Saturday’s $75,000 Decathlon Stakes and got clear late to score by 2 3/4 lengths over the favorite, Favorite Tale. Saucy Don was third. A.P. Indian, a 5-year-old Indian Charlie gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.59 with Daniel Centeno in the irons.
Churchill Downs
Katie’s Eyes rallied five-wide into the stretch in Saturday’s $65,000 Unbridled Sidney Stakes for fillies and mares and got home first by 1 1/4 lengths over Free as a Bird. Richies Party Girl was third. Katie’s Eyes, a 4-year-old daughter of Leroidesanimaux, ran 5 furlongs on firm turf in 56.44 seconds with Florent Geroux up.
Golden Gate Fields
Central Heat was along late to take Saturday’s $65,000 Golden Poppy Stakes for fillies and mares by a neck over Theatre Star. The early leader, Sing and Tell, held on for third. Central Heat, a 6-year-old Unusual Heat mare, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:44.40 for jockey Russell Baze.
Sky Preacher got away to a daylight lead in Sunday’s $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes for 3-year-olds, then just did hold on to win by a nose over Harmonic. Ride Hard Kowboy was third. Sky Preacher, a Sky Mesa colt, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:36.59 with Alex Solis up.
News and notes:
There’s a push on to amend U.S. Treasury regulations that send “big winners” to an IRS window at the track, where their identity is recorded — and sometimes their winnings skimmed — for tax purposes. Did you hit the superfecta for $1 on the Kentucky Derby? It paid $634.10 and when you tried to collect, the machine told you to “see the man.” Win a little more and your payout is reduced by withholding, much as taxes are withheld from your paycheck. What’s wrong with this picture? Most players have no trouble offsetting a $634.10 win with losing tickets so they won’t owe tax on that amount anyway. It’s stupid, unnecessary paper shuffling. Except for the biggest of big hits, the same is true of the taxman takeout with the added problem that the withholding temporarily removes betting capital from the player’s bankroll, which impacts turnover. You can add your thoughts to those of the NTRA, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and thousands of others at www.NTRA.com/IRScomment.
