UPI Horse Racing Roundup – March 31, 2014
March 31st, 2014By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
World Cup night in Dubai produced a truly international result while the Kentucky Derby field started to take shape in weekend races in Florida and Louisiana.
In Dubai, horses from Hong Kong, Japan, Ireland, England and South Africa all won on the World Cup card before the Godolphin “home team” finally broke through in a big way with a surprise win in the $10 million World Cup itself.
At home, Constitution and Vicar’s In Trouble punched their tickets to Churchill Downs.
Around those marquee events, there were some important races in the U.S. divisions and a Global Sprint Challenge race in Japan. Gordon Lord Byron won a Group 1 race in Australia.
Here’s what happened, around the world and around the clock:
Dubai
(With RICHARD GROSS)
African Story produced a storybook ending for the home team Saturday night, winning the $10 million Dubai World Cup going away in an upset.
Before the stunning, 2 3/4-lengths victory for the horse owned by Godolphin racing, the spoils of the year’s richest day of racing had been spread around the globe — two races won by the Japanese, two by Hong Kong runners and the others by horses from Ireland, England and South Africa.
Several course records were set under the desert skies at the plush Meydan racecourse as the best of the racing world contested eight Thoroughbred races worth a total of $27 million.
Dubai World Cup, $10 million, Group 1
In a full field of 16 runners, African Story did not stand out before the World Cup. The 7-year-old, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, had struggled since he won the Godolphin Mile on the 2012 World Cup card. Last year he finished fifth in the World Cup itself and, this year, he had been unimpressive in two earlier races over the Meydan course. Saturday it was a different story as African Story came from off the pace, caught pacesetting Mukhadram in the final 100 yards and drew off to an easy win in course-record time of 2:01.61. Mukhadram, who held second, is owned by Sheik Hamdan bin Rasheed al Maktoum, who, amid smiles, presented the winning trophy to Sheik Mohammed bin Rasheed al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and master of Godolphin. Cat O’Mountain, another Godolphin runner, finished third as top runners from Japan, Hong Kong and England all trailed well in their wake. De Sousa was up in his irons celebrating as African Story crossed the wire. After being shut out through the first seven of the night’s Thoroughbred races, the hopes of Sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin apparently were pinned not on African Story but on Prince Bishop, winner of two prep races earlier in the Dubai season. But Prince Bishop was off to a slow start, trailed early and never figured in the outcome. Fortunately for Godolphin, trainer Saeed bin Suroor had seen something in African Story.
“The Boss (Sheik Mohammed) asked me 10 days ago ‘Who do you have that’s the best horse?’ I told him, ‘African Story is a horse that has the class to win the Dubai World Cup.’ Then, luckily, for the draw on Wednesday, he got number 6.”
Bin Suroor said two years ago before African Story won the Godolphin Mile on World Cup night that he was the organization’s best chance on that card.
“This one is one of the best horses I’ve had,” the trainer added. “This horse is something really special. You see the speed he showed. We’ll keep him in training. We’ll take him back to Europe for the second half of the season.”
Mukhadram, making his first start over the Tapeta all-weather surface, turned in a creditable performance that gives trainer William Haggas many options for the remainder of his season.
Dubai Sheema Classic, $5 million, Group 1
Gentildonna, a two-time Japan Cup winner in her native land, fought through traffic, then produced a devastating stretch run to win the Dubai Sheema Classic by 1 1/2 lengths over Cirrus Des Aigles. Ambivalent finished third. The race hit a black patch when Mars suddenly veered to the outside rail on the first turn, then dropped rider Richard Hughes to the turf. Mars reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack but Hughes was reported not seriously injured. The incident occurred well back in the field and did not affect the winner. Gentildonna, reunited with Ryan Moore, who rode her to victory in November’s Group 1 Japan Cup, raced inside near the middle of the field and appeared hopelessly blocked midway down the stretch. But Moore quickly and dramatically moved her outside the leaders to find a seam, drove through and was clearly the best. The 5-year-old mare, by Deep Impact, finished 2,410 meters in a course-record time of 2:27.25. Last year, Gentildonna finished second in the Sheema Classic, behind only St Nicholas Abbey. She has posted multiple Group 1 wins in Japan in addition to the back-to-back triumphs in the Japan Cup.
Dubai Duty Free, $5 million, Group 1
Just A Way, a rising star in Japan, blew away a stellar field in the Dubai Duty Free, drawing off at the end to win by 6 1/4 lengths. Vercingetorix, a South African horse who had been undefeated, finished best of the rest. Dank, based in England and winner of two Grade I races in America last season, finished third in her 2014 debut. Just A Way, with Yuichi Fukunaga in the irons, ran 1,800 meters on good turf in 1:45.52, one of several course-record times posted during the evening. He raced comfortably near the rear of the field until the stretch turn, came widest of all around the leaders and exploded to the finish with only mild encouragement in the final 200 meters.
“Amazing,” said Fukunaga. “I just ride him.”
Just A Way, a 5-year-old son of Heart’s Cry, wound up 2013 with his only victory of the year — a significant one in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo Racecourse. He prepped for Saturday’s race with an easy win in the Group 2 Nakayama Kinen early this month.
Dubai Golden Shaheen, $2 million, Group 1
Sterling City got clear in the late going and went on to win the Golden Shaheen by 3/4 length over fellow Hong Kong runner Rich Tapestry, completing a dominating sweep for Hong Kong and jockey Joao Moreira of the night’s two sprint races after Amber Sky won the grass event. Sterling City, a 4-year-old Nadeem gelding, ran 1,200 meters on the all-weather track in 1:10.88. Trained by the venerable John Moore, Sterling City picked up his first international Group 1 victory. Moreira said his mount, more accustomed to the turf, was not comfortable early in the race as the leaders kicked back track debris at him.
“Once I got him out in the clear, without dirt flying back in his face,” Moreira said, “he was fine.” United Color finished third in the Golden Shaheen. Renaldothewizard, last year’s winner, was fourth. Zee Bros, one of only three American-based horses on the entire card, led the field into the stretch but faded late and finished sixth.
Al Quoz Sprint, $1 million, Group 1
Amber Sky, based in Hong Kong, blazed down the grassy straight course and held off all challengers in the final yards to win the Al Quoz Sprint. Autoug was second and defending champion Shea Shea, who was shuffled back to last early, got through rivals to finish third. Amber Sky, a 4-year-old, Australian-bred gelding by Exceed and Excel, ran 1,000 furlongs on good turf in course-record time of 56.21 seconds with Joao Moreira in the irons for trainer Ricky Yiu.
“The key is to have a good horse underneath,” Moreira said. “I was able to let him go early and he still had a good kick at the end.”
Amber Sky, who has advanced through the ranks at Hong Kong, had not raced since January when he won the local Group 1 Kent & Curwin Centenary Cup Sprint down the Sha Tin straight course in 55.86 seconds.
UAE Derby, $2 million, Group 2
On a night when American-based horses were noted for their absence, an English horse bred in the United States and named Toast of New York jumped up to win the UAE Derby. The son of Thewayyouare shadowed the pace through the entire race, went by the weary leader in the stretch and scored by an easy 2 1/2 lengths over Asmar with Emirates Flyer third and Giovani Boldini fourth. With Jamie Spencer up for his second straight win on the card, Toast of New York covered 1,900 meters on the Tapeta all-weather track in 1:57.92. The victory earned 100 qualifying points — easily enough to get Toast of New York into the Kentucky Derby starting gate in the unlikely event his owners and trainer Michael Buckley should so desire. The UAE Derby distance is only 1/2 furlong shorter than the 1 1/4 miles of the Kentucky Derby, which is run on the dirt.
Asked if Toast of New York could handle the dirt, Spencer said, “I’d be the wrong one to ask.” But, he added, “He’s a good horse. He’s always been a good horse.”
He now has three straight wins, all on artificial surfaces.
Dubai Gold Cup, $1 million, Group 2
Certerach took the lead midway down the lane in the 2-miles Gold Cup and then just did hold off the onrushing Cavalryman to score by a neck. Star Empire finished third. Certerach, representing Ireland and ridden by Jamie Spencer, finished in track-record time of 3:23.14 over good going.
“He got there a bit too early and idled,” Spencer said of the stretch run. Certerach drifted in sharply in the final 100 meters, forcing Silvestre de Sousa, aboard Cavalryman, to wait for room. De Sousa filed an objection but, after an examination of the replay, withdrew it. Certerach, a 6-year-old, Irish-bred son of Halling, was making his third start of the season at Meydan. In his previous outing, he finished third behind Cavaleryman and Star Empire.
Godolphin Mile, $1 million, Group 2
Variety Club grabbed the lead at the start of the Godolphin Mile and held it throughout, winning by 1 length over last year’s winner, Soft Falling Rain. Both are from South Africa. The local favorite, Shuruq, owned by Sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing, made a late run to take third. Variety Club, a 6-year-old, finished in 1:37.28 over the all-weather Tapeta track.
“He did it pretty effortlessly,” said winning rider Anton Marcus. Variety Club came to Dubai this season after a long string of victories in South Africa for trainer Joey Ramsden. He won his first start at Meydan and finished second to Shuruq in the other.
In the evening’s opening event, the $250,000, Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for purebred Arabians, Rabbah de Carrere found an opening on the rail in the final 100 meters and came through to win by 3/4 length under Olivier Peslier. Djainka des Forges was second and Musharab finished third. Rabbah de Carrere ran 2,000 meters in 2:17.76.
Kentucky Derby preps
Vicar’s In Trouble and promising star Constitution punched their Kentucky Derby tickets with weekend victories in Louisiana and Florida.
Vicar’s In Trouble, the second likely Derby contender owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, won Saturday’s $1 million, Grade I Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. Constitution, trained by multiple Derby contender Todd Pletcher, took the $1 million, Grade I Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
The Louisiana-bred son of Into Mischief, contested the early lead under jockey Rosie Napravnik, took over when asked and won by 3 1/2 lengths over the favorite, Intense Holiday. Commanding Curve finished third as the 1 1/8 miles went in 1:50.77 over a fast track. The colt now has three wins and two thirds from five lifetime starts. Intense Holiday came into Saturday’s race off a win in the Grade II Risen Star, in which Vicar’s In Trouble finished third.
The Ramseys also own We Miss Artie, who earned his way into the Run for the Roses with a victory in last weekend’s Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park
“You know he’s a tiny horse,” Napravnik said. “But he’s got a great big heart.”
Constitution was all-out to win at Gulfstream.
Wildcat Red got the early lead as jockey Javier Castellano struggled to keep Constitution under control as he stalked the pace. Constitution came to challenge for the lead heading into the stretch, secured the inside position and that pair dueled to the wire, with Constitution prevailing by a neck. General a Rod had every chance but weakened in the stretch and finished third. Cairo Prince, idled since winning the Grade II Holy Bull in January, finished fourth. Constitution ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.16.
Constitution now has won all three of his career starts, all at Gulfstream. However, he did not race as a 2-year-old. No horse has won the Kentucky Derby without racing at age 2 since Apollo in 1882.
“I’m very, very proud of him,” Pletcher said. “It’s a testament to the quality of horse he is, to go from a maiden to an allowance to a Grade I and to show a different running style and get some dirt in his face and put in an effort like that against much more seasoned horses.”
All of the top four finishers in the Florida Derby could return in Louisville.
Kentucky Oaks preps
In Tune got the job done as the favorite in Saturday’s $300,000, Grade II Gulfstream Oaks at Gulfstream Park but she didn’t have much to spare. After stalking the pace set by Whomping Willow, the Unbridled’s Song filly took a short lead in the stretch, then was all out to hang on, winning by a neck over House Rules. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to America in third. In Tune, with Javier Castellano up, covered 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:50.19. She now has three wins from three starts, all at Gulfstream Park. It was her first stakes race.
“It’s rare that you have one come along this quickly, said Pletcher, who also trains In Tune. “She stepped up in class and distance each time and passed every test. So I’m very proud of her.”
Untapable confirmed her status as one of the favorites for the Kentucky Oaks with a runaway victory in Saturday’s $400,000, Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks. With Rosie Napravnik aboard, the Tapit filly tracked the pace set by Fiftyshadesofgold, easily went by that rival when asked and won off by 7 3/4 lengths. Fiftyshadesofgold held second and Unbridled Forever finished third. Untapable ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.09. She now has four win from six career starts. The victories include two over the Churchill Downs strip and one of those was the Grade II Pocahontas Stakes last fall.
“She had a ton left today,” Napravnik said after the race. “We’ll see you all in Kentucky.”
Mike Smith, who rode the runner-up, added of Untapable, “You might have seen the best filly in the world out there.”
Other international racing
Australia
Gordon Lord Byron continued his push to the top of international standings among milers with a narrow victory in Saturday’s Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill. Ridden along in mid-pack by Craig Williams, Gordon Lord Byron produced just enough in the straight to nip Speediness, who appeared to have the race in hand in the final few hundred meters. El Roca finished third. Gordon Lord Byron got 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:30.95 over soft going. The 6-year-old son of Byron won the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock last fall, finished second to Moonlight Cloud in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp and then was fourth in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin. Trainer Tom Hogan said Gordon Lord Byron will contest either the Doncaster Mile or the TJ Smith Stakes on April 12, with the shorter race more likely if the course looks to be on the softer side. While Hogan said he and the horse had been well cared for by Australian authorities, he was criticial of the extended quarantine period and limited facilities facing horses entering the island continent, especially to race at Sydney.
“I hope they can sort it out,” he said.
Japan
Sunday’s Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo Racecourse is one of two top-level sprints on the Japanese racing calendar, along with the Sprinters Stakes. With champion sprinter Lord Kanaloa retired, this race was relatively wide open and drew 18 starters. Of those, it was Copano Richard taking down the winner’s share, finishing 3 lengths to the good of Snow Dragon while running 1,200 meters in 1:22.2 on soft going. The favorite, Straight Girl, finished third. The winner is a 4-year-old colt by Daiwa Major, trained by Toru Miya and ridden by Mirco Demuro. Last season, he posted three group victories but Sunday’s was his first Group 1 triumph.
“Today’s distance was probably a little short for him,” Demuro said. “But the ground helped us a lot. He’s a very good horse and this was a great win for him.”
It was the third race in the Global Sprint Challenge, which offers a $1 million bonus for a horse winning three races in three different racing jurisdictions. Snitzerland won the opening leg, the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes in Australia, and Hong Kong’s Sterling City copped the second, Saturday’s Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Back in the States:
Classic
Palace Malice continued his march to the top of the division with a commanding victory in Saturday’s $400,000, Grade II New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds. With Mike Smith up for trainer Todd Pletcher, Palace Malice stalked the early pace while well off the rail, came five-wide into the stretch and drew off easily, winning by 4 3/4 length in a hand ride. The favorite, Normandy Invasion, was second, 6 3/4 lengths in front of Sunbean. Palace Malice, a 4-year-old Curlin colt, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:48.93. The winner of last year’s Belmont Stakes and Grade II Jim Dandy, Palace Malice finished sixth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, then bounced back to win the Grade II Gulfstream Park Handicap in his 2014 seasonal bow.
“He might be better than he was last year,” Smith said. “He did that pretty handily today.”
Micromanage managed a macro victory in Saturday’s $100,000, Grade III Skip Away Stakes at Gulfstream Park, coming from off the pace and drawing off to a 4 1/4-lengths win. Norumbega rallied from far back to finish second and the favorite, Sr. Quisqueyano, was third. Micromanage, a 4-year-old Medaglia d’Oro colt, ran 1 3/16 miles on a fast track in 1:55.36 with Javier Castellano up. He had not won since last July, when he took the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park. The Skip Away was his first graded stakes win and his first start in blinkers. Trainer Todd Pletcher said he will look for one more start before targeting the Brooklyn Handicap on Belmont Stakes at in New York.
Distaff
Gamay Noir rallied from last of six to post a 49-1 upset win in Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Unlimited Budget was always close to the lead but was outfinished while the favorite, Devil’s Cave, faded from the pace to get home third. Gamay Noir, a 4-year-old Harlan’s Holiday filly, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:49.84 under Paco Lopez. It was her fourth win from 15 starts and first victory in a graded stakes. She was claimed for $100,000 in January.
Turf
Newsdad raced last through the first mile of Saturday’s $200,000, Grade II Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream Park, advanced three-wide around the final turn and outfinished Vertiformer to win by a neck. Slumber, the favorite, also produced a late rally but fell 1/2 length farther short and settled for show money. Newsdad, a 6-year-old son of Arch, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm going in 2:22.77, missing the course record by only 0.14 second. Joel Rosario had the mount for trainer Bill Mott. Newsdad won the Pan American in 2012 and finished third in last year’s edition. He was idle for nearly a year after that, returning to finish seventh in an allowance race earlier this month.
“He likes to skip a year,” Mott quipped. “I wasn’t really confident. I thought he might run well. He’s had a long layoff and this was only his second start back. I wasn’t sure if he was totally there yet.”
Mott said he is looking at the Grade II Fayette Stakes on the Keeneland main track because Newsdad “is a pretty special horse on the synthetic surface.”
Skyring led from the early going in Saturday’s $300,000, Grade II Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Handicap at Fair Grounds, then held on to win by a neck over the favorite, Amira’s Prince. Burn the Mortgage was 3 lengths farther in arrears in third. Skyring, a 5-year-old son of English Channel out of the Seattle Slew mare Violet Lady, ran about 9 furlongs on soft turf in 1:52.01.
“When we turned for home and he switched leads for me, he kicked so hard I would have been surprised if anyone came and ran him down,” said winning rider Joe Rocco Jr.
Skyring is owned by Calumet Farm and trained by D. Wayne Lukas. An infrequent winner, Skyring last visited the winners’ circle in May of 2013, when he captured the Grade II Dixie Stakes at Pimlico.
Filly & Mare Turf
Anjaz sprinted right to the lead in Saturday’s $150,000, Grade III Orchid Stakes at Gulfstream Park, ran along at a good clip and drew clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Viva Rafaela ran second all the way and Clearbrook finished third. Anjaz, a 5-year-old Street Cry mare, got 1 1/2 miles on firm going in 2:24.70.
“The race played out really good,” said winning rider Rajiv Maragh. “She broke really sharp and took me around the track very comfortably in the beginning and I had a lot left to finish with.”
The winner was bred by Darley and is owned by Godolphin Racing, putting a little icing on the World Cup victory scored by Godolphin’s African Story earlier in the day, halfway around the world. Godolphin’s owner, Sheik Mohammed bin Rasheed al Maktoum, personally greeted Anjaz’s trainer, Tom Albertrani, at the World Cup welcome reception on Thursday evening in Dubai. For Anjaz, it was her first win in the United States. She earlier raced in England.
Turf Mile
Hey Leroy rallied from last of nine to capture Saturday’s $100,000, Grade III Appleton Stakes, winning by a neck in the final strides over pacesetter Mr. Online. The favorite, Salto, settled for third. Hey Leroy, a 4-year-old gelding by Any Given Saturday, finished the 1 mile on firm going in 1:32.49 for jockey Alex Solis. He had been a consistent check-earner on the local circuit for the past year but was making his first graded stakes start for trainer Manuel Azpura.
“He’s going to be a nice horse,” Azpura said.
Moone’s My Name came from well back in Saturday’s $75,000 American Beauty Stakes at Santa Anita, worked through some traffic issues and finally outfinished Unusual Hottie for a 1-length victory. Fanticola finished third and the favorite, Bee Brave, reported home fourth. Moone’s My Name, a 6-year-old, British-bred mare by Intikhab, ran 1 mile on firm going in 1:33.23 with Victor Espinoza in the irons.
Sprint
Happy My Way had things all his own way in Saturday’s $100,000 Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The 4-year-old Wilco gelding went right to the lead under jockey Joe Bravo and kicked clear late, winning by 5 3/4 lengths. Dad’z Laugh finished third. Happy My Way got 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:14.66.
Marathon
Majestic Harbor took over in the final quarter mile in Saturday’s $100,000, Grade III Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita, drawing off to win by 3 lengths. Ever Rider was along for second and Segway, the early leader, rolled in third. The favorite, Blueskiesnrainbows, was prominent early but faded to finish fifth. Majestic Harbor, a 6-year-old son of Rockport Harbor, ran 1 1/2 miles on a fast track in 2:29.97 with Tyler Baze aboard. Trainer Sean McCarthy, who picked up his first stakes win, said Majestic Harbor had just the right experience for his first try at 12 furlongs.
“You’d better settle down and get into a good rhythm,” he said. “And that’s just what he did.”
Asked where he will go next, McCarthy said, “To get a beer.”
Dirt Mile
Fury Kapcori contested the lead on the backstretch in Sunday’s $75,000 Santana Mile at Santa Anita, dropped back a bit and then came again through the stretch and won by 3/4 over pacesetter Appealing Tale. Clubhouse Ride was up for third. Fury Kapcori, a 4-year-old Tiznow colt, finished in 1:34.50 with Rafael Bejarano in the irons.
News and Notes
The uproar over allegations against trainer Steve Asmussen has prompted Ogden Mills Phipps, head of the U.S. Jockey Club, to threaten support for federal legislation of racing and a national ban on all race-day medication. In a tough statement, Phipps said Friday the Jockey Club will act at its Aug. 10 Round Table if the major racing states do not adopt uniform medication policy by then.
“Enough is enough,” he said.
International racing authorities also weighed in on the undercover investigation that resulted in charges of abuse and medication irregularities.
“The adoption of a national uniform medication program is paramount to the reform of medication rules in North America and demonstrates the value of regulatory authorities working together to harmonize racing rules,” said Louis Romanet, chairman of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities.
Romanet said IFHA, meeting during the Asian Racing Conference in Hong Kong next month, will reaffirm its commitment to actively address all issues related to horse welfare and medication.
