UPI Horse Racing Roundup – May 26,2015
May 26th, 2015Memorial Day Edition
By ROBERT KIECKHFER
UPI Racing Writer
Preparations are well under way for the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs and American Pharoah’s assault on the Triple Crown at Belmont Park — races that go to the post only hours apart on Saturday, June 6.
American Pharoah is back at Churchill Downs where trainer Bob Baffert will plot his path the third leg of the American Triple Crown. Meanwhile, the field for the “original” Derby is far from set, with a couple of the most fancied prospects not yet even eligible.
In France, Solow was an impressive winner at Longchamp, potentially setting up a dramatic showdown at Royal Ascot with Hong Kong champion miler Able Friend — and others. And Al Kazeem was a weekend winner, possibly setting him on a collision course with California Chrome at Ascot.
Oh … and there was plenty of racing worth noting during the long U.S. Memorial Day weekend — much of it on the grass. Let’s start grazing.
The Triple Crown
American Pharoah is back galloping at Churchill Downs after his romping win over the slop in the Preakness Stakes. Now only the Belmont stands between him and the first Triple Crown sweep since Affirmed in 1978.
“These are just our easy days,” Jimmy Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert, said Saturday. “So we’re basically just keeping him happy and keeping some weight on him. We won’t get serious until another week or so.”
American Pharoah enjoyed a breeze in the slop on Monday. Barnes said Baffert will drop by on Tuesday morning and likely put together the rest of the training schedule then.
The remainder of the field for the 1 1/2-miles Belmont is still taking shape and there will be no shortage of rivals. Nick Zito is training Kentucky Derby 11th Frammento at Saratoga. Zito was responsible for two recent Triple Crown derailments as he saddled Birdstone to deny Smarty Jones in 2004 and D’Tara, who won the Belmont in 2008 as Big Brown was eased. Zito also has seven seconds and three thirds in this race. Tale of Verve, who finished a long shot second in the Preakness, galloped 1 1/2 miles around the Belmont track on Sunday. UAE Derby winner Mubtaahij, the eighth-place finisher in Louisville, breezed 5 furlongs on Sunday. And Sheik Hamdan al Maktoum, in a rare interview with Reuters, said it would be foolhardy to ignore his Frosted, who finished a closing fourth in the Kentucky Derby.
Sheik Hamdan said he respects American Pharoah and allowed, “He might find another gear to complete the Triple Crown. But do not forget, it is 37 years since Affirmed.”
Others likely for the race are Conquest Curlinate, Keen Ice and War Story. Trainer Todd Pletcher has not announced his intentions for Florida Derby winner Materiality, Blue Grass winner Carpe Diem and Peter Pan winner Madefromlucky.
The Investec Derby
Sixteen 3-year-olds remain on the list for the June 6 Investec Derby at Epsom but, oddly, two of the most intriguing candidates have yet to be formally added to the mix. Those would be Golden Horn, undefeated winner of the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York earlier this month, and the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly Found (Sunday’s Irish 1,000 Guineas). It would need 75,000 pounds sterling to get either of them into the race. O’Brien’s 3-year-old colts have provided some disappointments this season, at least as far as Derby prospects go. But on Saturday, Gleneagles wrapped up the “Guineas double” by overcoming traffic problems to win the Tattersalls’s Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh by 3/4 length. O’Brien said after the Galileo colt won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month that he likely wasn’t a candidate for the 1 1/2 miles of the Derby. After Saturday’s race, he didn’t sound so sure.
“He works like a miler but he showed something today he has never shown before,” the conditioner said.
Gleneagles is nominated to the Derby, as is O’Brien trainee Geovanni Canaletto, who on Sunday finished second, beaten a neck by the filly Curvy, in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh. O’Brien also has Hans Holbein and Kilimanjaro in through Friday’s scratching deadline and those are the only two from Ballydoyle still being offered by most British bookmakers. Also among the 16 still in the race are Storm the Stars and Best of Times, who ran 1-2 on Saturday in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood, going 1 furlong short of the Derby distance. A French runner, Epicuris, and a German, Rogue Runner, also have been left in.
Karpino won Monday’s Group 2 German 2,000 Guineas at Cologne with relative ease and trainer Andreas Wohler said the German Derby likely is his goal. But he added the Cape Cross colt, unbeaten in three starts, will stay 1 1/2 miles and that he is entered in “every big race.”
On the filly side, Found came up just short of catching Pleascach in the late going in Sunday’s Group 1 Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh. Pleascach trailed two stablemates until 2 furlongs were left, then kicked away from the field, seemingly an easy winner. But with Ryan Moore timing the move, Found came in dogged pursuit and missed by 1/2 length. Devonshire, a Godolphin runner, was third. Trainer Jim Bolger said Pleascach likely will move along to the Group 1 Irish Derby. O’Brien said he’s still not sure what path Found will take but that it still could involve either the Derby or the Oaks.
And in France, Queen’s Jewel overcame a slow start to coast to an easy win in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp. The Pivotal filly, under Maxime Guyon, worked her way to the lead with 2 furlongs to run and was geared down at the end while winning by 3 lengths. She remains unbeaten in three starts.
Ireland
Al Kazeem got through between rivals in the late going to land Sunday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Gold Cup at the Curragh by a neck. Fascinating Rock finished a short head farther back in second, early leader Postponed was third and The Grey Gatsby faded late and settled for fourth. Al Kazeem, a 7-year-old son of Dubawi, now has two wins and a second this season. The second was to Cirrus Des Aigles in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp early this month. He now could be targeted to attempt a repeat win in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot — the race California Chrome is set to contest.
France
The anticipated shootout between Solow and Cirrus Des Aigles never materialized in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan as the latter broke a shoe early in the race and was not persevered with. That left it to Solow, who surged by pacesetting Gailo Chop in the stretch run to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Sparkling Beam was third and Cirrus Des Aigles trailed. Solow, now undefeated in six starts since being dropped back in distance, covered 9 furlongs and 55 yards on good going in 1:51.30 with Maxime Guyon aboard. The 5-year-old, dappled grey Singspiel gelding backed up his win in the Group 1 Dubai Turf on World Cup night and now has the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes to look forward to at Ascot. That’s the race that finally lured Able Friend from Hong Kong. Solow’s trainer, Freddy Head, also has had plenty of success in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, a race that could feature rehabbing two-time U.S. turf champ Wise Dan.
Japan
While thinking about 3-year-olds, Mikki Queen unleashed a furious charge down the long Tokyo Racecourse stretch to capture Sunday’s Group 1 Yushun Himba, or Japanese Oaks, by 3/4 length from the favorite, Rouge Buck. Culminar finished third. Mikki Queen, a Deep Impact filly, rallied from far back, took advantage of a big opening when the field fanned out into the lane and finished the 2,400 meters in 2:25.0 under Suguru Hamanaka. It was her first Group 1 win in her fifth career start.
Back in North America:
Turf
Ashleyluvssugar tracked the pace in Sunday’s $200,000, Grade II Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita, endured some tight quarters on the final turn and finally got free to win by 1/2 length as the odds-on favorite. A pair of Brazilian-breds, Ganesh and Going Somewhere, filled out the trifecta. Ashleyluvssugar, a 4-year-old Game Plan gelding, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:30.10 with Gary Stevens at the controls. It was the gelding’s third straight stakes win.
Winning trainer Peter Eurton said, “Our goal, for me, and I hope it’s the same for everyone, is to go in the San Juan Capistrano, which has always been a fun race and I’ve always thought it would be pretty cool to win.”
The San Juan Capistrano is a Grade III at 1 3/4 miles on June 28.
Stevens added, “I know Pete has never won the San Juan Capistrano and I’ve never won the San Juan so hopefully you’ll see us in there at the end of the meet.”
Xtra Luck tracked the early pace in Saturday’s $100,000, Grade III Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs, took over after a mile and drew clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths. For Greater Glory and Golden Soul were along to finish second and third while the holiday weekend favorite, Patrioticandproud, weakened late to finish fourth. Xtra Luck, a 4-year-old Exchange Rate gelding, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:28.24 with Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard. The Neil Howard trainee was stepping up from the allowance ranks.
Winning trainer Neil Howard said he got the idea Xtra Luck might like longer distances “when he was second going a mile and three-eighths in an allowance race last fall. So we figured if the opportunity ever presented itself, we’d go for it. I’m glad we did. We’ll maybe go to Chicago with him.”
Saturday’s $200,000 Snow Chief Stakes for Cal-bred 3-year-olds at Santa Anita turned into a battle of closers as Neveradoubt outfinished Temple Keys by 1/2 length and Grazen Sky by a similar margin. The favorite, Zinfor, seized a brief lead in the lane but faded to finish fifth as the $1 trifecta returned $7,111.70. Neveradoubt, a Decarchy colt, ran 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:51.26 with Flavien Prat riding.
Turf Mile
Sky Treasure rallied from last of 12 to pull a big upset in Saturday’s $200,000 (Canadian), Grade II Nassau Stakes for fillies and mares. Deceptive Vision also ran well in the stretch, finishing second by 1 length. Overheard was third and the favorite, Stellar Path, settled for fourth. Sky Treasure, with Gary Boulanger aboard, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.54 — a little less than 2 seconds off Wise Dan’s course record.
Go West Marie rallied four-wide into the stretch in Saturday’s $125,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for state-bred distaffers at Santa Anita and edged away to a 1 1/4-lengths score over Chati’s On Top. My Monet led into the stretch and held on for show money. Go West Marie, a 4-year-old Western Fame filly, ran 1 mile on firm going in 1:38.81 — fully 7 seconds slower than Wise Dan’s course record.
Turf Sprint
A Lot had a lot of backing in Saturday’s $100,000 Paradise Creek Stakes for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park and rewarded his supporters with a 5 3/4-lengths triumph. The Tapit colt sat just off the pace for the first few furlongs, then took command when jockey John Velazquez let him run. Croninthebarbarian was second, a nose in front of Enjoy the Show. A Lot got 7 furlongs on firm turf in 1:21.71. Earlier this year, A Lot finished second in the Grade II Dania Beach at Gulfstream Park and second again in the Grade II American Turf Stakes on Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Bill Mott trains A Lot and also trained the race’s namesake, who broke his maiden by 11 lengths at Belmont Park in 1991.
“He looked like Paradise Creek breaking his maiden,” Mott said with a smile after the race. “He won at seven-eighths his first time.”
Filly & Mare Turf
Hard Not to Like had to wait for running room in Monday’s $300,000, Grade I Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita, then was just up in time to nip pacesetting Fanticola by a neck. Blingismything was third and the favorite, Danza Cavalo, finished fifth. Hard Not to Like, a 6-year-old, Ontario-bred mare by Hard Spun, ran 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:49.87 with Victor Espinoza in the irons.
Lee Vickers, assistant to winning trainer Christophe Clement, said, “I thought she always looked the winner, but I thought she was going to be the unluckiest loser of the day … That was a brilliant ride, but the man’s on fire and he rode with confidence, that’s all I can say.”
Kenzadargent raced behind the leaders in Monday’s $75,000 Miss Liberty Stakes for fillies and mares at Monmouth Park, saving all the ground, then got through along the rail en route to a 3 1/4-lengths victory. Patsy’s Holiday led briefly and held second, a neck in front of Evidently and another neck to the good of Tokyo Time. Kenzadargent, a 4-year-old, French-bred filly by Kendargent, ran 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 1:41.10 under Jose Lezcano. She ran well in France in Group company and won her first two U.S. starts last year. This was her 2015 debut.
“That was an impressive performance,” Lezcano said of Monday’s effort.
Distaff
Sheer Pleasure had things all his own way in the stretch run in Saturday’s $200,000 Melair Stakes for Cal-bred 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. After tracking the pace, jockey Tyler Baze set the Birdonthewire filly to her task and she quickly pulled clear of the field, winning by 7 1/4 lengths. Thermodynamics was second and Barbara Beatrice another 7 3/4 lengths back in third. Sheer Pleasure ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.78.
Sprint
Distinctiv Passion led all the way in Monday’s $100,000, Grade III Los Angeles Stakes at Santa Anita and held off the odds-on favorite, San Onofre, by a neck under the wire. Wild Dude and War Academy were third and last in the four-horse field. Distinctiv Passion, a 5-year-old son of With Distinction, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.00 with Edwin Maldonado up. It was his first start since finishing 14th in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on the Meydan turf on World Cup night. Winning trainer Jeff Bonde said the trip to Dubai was “a totally wasted race” because the course was totally unsuited to American horses. He said to look for Distinciv Passion in the Bing Crosby at Del Mar.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Sunday Rules led throughout Saturday’s $150,000 Spring Fever Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares at Santa Anita, winning by 3 lengths as the odds-on favorite. Sidepocket Run and Tribal Gal filled out the trifecta. Sunday Rules, a 4-year-old daughter of Tribal Rules, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.93 with Tyler Baze riding.
Street Story stalked the pace in Monday’s $100,000, Grade III Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs, drew even with the leaders while four-wide in the lane and edged clear, winning by 1 1/2 lengths. Heykittykittykitty was along for second and the favorite, Spring Included, finished third. Street Story, a 4-year-old Street Cry filly, ran 6 furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:10.39 with Florent Geroux up. It was her first win since last June at Belmont Park when she took the Grade III Victory Ride Stakes.
“I was pretty much sure I could win this stakes,” Geroux said. “I had to keep her in the clear as much as possible and it went great.”
Dirt Mile
G.G. Ryder outfinished Outside Nashville by 1 1/4 lengths in Monday’s $100,000, Grade III All American Stakes at Golden Gate Fields. Pepper Crown was along for third and the favorite, Summer Hit, faded to get home fifth. G.G. Ryder, a 4-year-old colt by Chhaya Dance, ran 1 mile on the all-weather track in 1:36.14 under Ricardo Gonzalez. He was fresh off a victory in the Grade III San Francisco Mile over the same course.
Majestic City set a pressured pace in Monday’s $200,000, Grade III Lone Star Park Handicap, then finally got clear late to win by 2 lengths over the favorite, Carve. Tapiture was third. Majestic City, a 6-year-old son of City Zip, went off as a $6.50-1 long shot and finished 1 1/16 mile on a sloppy track in 1:43.31 with Charles Lopez aboard. He scored his first win since October of 2013.
Motown Men got by pacesetting Spirit Rules in deep stretch to win Saturday’s $150,000 Tiznow Stakes for California-breds at Santa Anita by 3/4 length. Solid Wager put in a good late run to finish third. Motown Men, a 6-year-old Decarchy gelding, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:35.77 for jockey Tyler Baze.
Elsewhere:
Woodbine
Ol’ Fashion Gal outfinished the favorite, Don’t Leave Me, to win Sunday’s $150,000 (Canadian), Grade III Selene Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by a head. Leading Edge finished third, another 1 3/4 lengths in arrears. Ol’ Fashion Gal, a Sky Mesa filly, ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:44.73 with Alan Garcia up. It was her first race over an all-weather surface and her third win from six starts.
“She broke well and I wanted to be close to the pace,” Garcia said. “It worked out well.”
Belmont Park
Monday’s holiday stakes were for New York-breds. The turf was firm and the track was fast.
Invading Humor and Mah Jong Madness surged to the lead as a team in the stretch run in the $125,000 Mount Vernon Stakes for fillies and mares, then Invading Humor kicked away to a 2-lengths victory. Mah Jong Madness held second, 1/2 length ahead of the favorite, Old Harbor. With Rajiv Maragh up, the 5-year-old Invasor mare got 1 mile on the grass in 1:32.87.
Empire Dreams got by pacesetting Readthebyline inside the final furlong to win the $200,000 Commentator Stakes by 1/2 length. The favorite, Saratoga Snacks, was third, just a nose farther behind. Empire Dreams, a 4-year-old Patriot Act gelding, ran 1 mile on the main track in 1:35.42 under Javier Castellano.
Ostrolenka shadowed the pace in the $125,000 Mike Lee Stakes for 3-year-olds and drew off in the final furlong to win by 2 lengths over Good Luck Gus. Battle of Evermore rallied from last of nine to finish third. Ostrolenka, a Musket Man colt, ran 7 furlongs in 1:23.65 with John Velazquez riding.
Quezon was bumped at the start of the $125,000 Bouwerie Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, spotting the field some 5 lengths but came back to win by 3 1/4 lengths over Lakeside Sunset. Temper Mint Patty was another 2 lengths back in third. Quezon, a Tiz Wonderful filly, ran 7 furlongs in 1:23.17 with Manuel Franco up.
Lubash got up a full head of steam entering the stretch run in the $125,000 Kingston Stakes, got to the front with a sixteenth to run and scored by 1 length over Kharafa, the odds-on favorite. King Kreesa showed the way early and held third. Lubash, an 8-year-old son of Freud, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.07 under Junior Alvarado.
A critical eye found Sheriffa, a 9-1 long shot in the $200,000 Critical Eye Stakes and the 4-year-old Posse filly shot out to a daylight lead and coasted home first by 2 1/4 lengths. Saythreehailmary’s was the best of the rest, 2 3/4 lengths better than Easy Living. Sheriffa, with Jose Ortiz up, got 1 mile in 1:37.32.
Gulfstream Park
Morning Calm was the odds-on favorite in Monday’s $60,000 Raymond Earl Handicap and his backers needed to stay calm as the Broken Vow colt broke last of six. Under a confident ride by Eddie Castro, Morning Calm move up on the turn and was much the best in the final furlong, winning by 3 1/2 lengths from Best Plan Yet. Rizwan finished third. Morning Calm finished 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:29.33.
Sweet Basil and Phaniebdancing dueled the who way through Saturday’s $60,000 Alachua Handicap for fillies and mares before the former edged clear late to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Imposing Grace and Onna Bugeisha completed the order of finish. Sweet Basil, a 4-year-old Pulpit filly, got 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:46.71 with Edgar Prado riding.
Monmouth Park
Stiffed rallied from last of eight to post a 35-1 upset win in Sunday’s $75,000 Monmouth Beach Stakes for fillies and mares. Got Lucky led briefly late and finished second, 1/2 length back. It was a long way further up the stretch to Amblin Easy in third. Stiffed, a 4-year-old Stephen Got Even filly, ran 1 mile and 70 yards on a fast track in 1:41.25 for jockey Gabriel Saez.
Red Vine saved ground while tracking the pace in Saturday’s $75,000 Majestic Light Stakes, moved up along the inside on the turn and went on to win by 2 lengths over Valid. Souper Lucky was third, another 8 lengths in arrears. Red Vine, a 5-year-old son of Candy Ride, ran 1 mile and 70 yards on a fast track in 1:40.51 under Joe Bravo.
Canterbury Park
El Seventyseven rallied by pacesetter Rockin Home late in Monday’s $75,000 Honor the Hero Stakes and went on to win by 1 3/4 lengths over that one. Castletown finished third. El Seventyseven, an 8-year-old Stormy Atlantic gelding, ran 5 furlongs on good turf in 57.36 seconds with Leandro Goncalves in the irons.
Prairie Meadows
Jessica’s Star stalked the pace in Monday’s $75,000 Jim Rasmussen Memorial Stakes, took over late and won by 1 length over a close, Lahshad. Smack Smack ran evenly to get show money. Jessica’s Star, a 4-year-old Magna Graduate gelding out of the Dynaformer mare Bimini Knot, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.15 with Alex Canchari up.
Bobcat Jim was just up at the wire to nip odds-on favorite Delaunay by a neck in Saturday’s $75,000 Ed Skinner Memorial. It was another 4 3/4 lengths back to Broadway Empire in third. Bobcat Jim, a 5-year-old Sharp Humor gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.19 with Shane Laviolette in the irons.
Yucca rallied four-wide in to the lane, got by the leaders and went on to win Saturday’s $75,000 Prairie Rose Stakes for fillies and mares by 1 1/4 lengths. Beau Ravelle was second and Electric Temptress finished third. Yucca, a 4-year-old daughter of Cactus Ridge, got 6 furlongs in 1:10.58 with Glenn Corbett riding.
