CALIFORNIA CLASH Baffert, O'Neill 3-Year-Olds Vie - BloodHorse
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 BLOODHORSE.COM/DAILY
BENOIT PHOTO
CALIFORNIA CLASH
Baffert, O’Neill 3-Year-Olds Vie
in Robert Lewis Stakes
See page 4
IN THIS ISSUE
13 Schickel to Introduce Historical
Horse Racing Bill
15 Canadian International Back in 2021
Woodbine Schedule
23 Prime Factor Leaps Into Graded
Company in Holy Bull
BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE smartphone app PAGE 1 OF 43
A sire line so prolific, IT REPEATS ITSELF
SPEIGHTSTOWN
Brilliant NY Sprinter
MUNNINGS
Brilliant NY Sprinter
ECHO TOWN
Brilliant NY Sprinter
do Santana. Gobbling up
“with a furlong remaining he roared into contention under jockey Ricar
down the lane to score by
ground like he’d just joined the race, Echo Town drew clear strongly
Jerkens Stakes
3½ lengths” Brisnet.com after Echo Town’s dominant win in the Grade 1 H Allen
G1 winning sprinter by Speightstown
New for 2021: $10,000
2021 Fee: $17,500
Aisling Duignan, Dermot Ryan, Charlie O’Connor, Adrian Wallace, Robyn Murray or Blaise Benjamin. Tel: 859-873-7088. Fax: 859-879 5756.
CONTENTS
4 Baffert, O’Neill 3-Year-Olds Vie in Robert Lewis Stakes 26 Impressive Maiden Winner Zaajel Returns
in Forward Gal
7 Leading Sires (outside KY) by % Black-Type Winners
27 Kentucky Pharoah, Never Surprised Set
9 On Racing: When It Comes to This Eclipse Award, for Kitten’s Joy
No Means No
29 Con Lima Goes for Third Straight in Sweetest Chant
13 Schickel to Introduce Historical Horse Racing Bill
30 King Guillermo Heads West for San Pasqual
15 Canadian International Back in 2021
Woodbine Schedule 31 Share the Ride Carries Top Weight Again in Toboggan
18 Jesus’ Team Trains Toward Dubai World Cup 32 Joy’s Rocket Stretches Back Out
for Martha Washington
19 Stormborne Stallions Opens in Central Florida
34 Frost Giant Pensioned to ReRun in New York
20 Coal Front Sires First Foal
35 Goffs London Sale to Return in 2021
21 First Foal for Breaking Lucky Born in Louisiana
36 Horse Racing Ireland Releases 2020 Industry Figures
22 Caddo River Half Sister, Four Others Join Fasig Sale
38 Results & Entries
23 Prime Factor Leaps Into Graded Company in Holy Bull
25 Drain the Clock to Make Graded Debut in Swale Stakes
RICK SAMUELS
TAA accreditation:
The Gold Standard in aftercare.
A publication of The Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc.
and TOBA Media Properties, Inc. ON THE COVER
Medina Spirit breaks his maiden at Los Alamitos Race Course
Editorial Director General Manager
Evan Hammonds Scott Carling
Visuals Director Managing Editor
Anne M. Eberhardt Claire Crosby
Bloodstock Editor Digital Media Manager LATEST HEADLINES
Eric Mitchell Erin Morgan from Bloodhorse.com
Sales Editor Senior Web Producer
Meredith Daugherty Christine Wittmer » Winter Storm Delays Jan. 31 Card at Laurel Until Feb. 4
Assistant Editor Digital Content Coordinator
Molly Rollins Michelle Benson
Associate Editors Asst. Editor/NSCB Editor » Tampa Bay Downs Increases Purses for Second Time
Debbie Tuska
Byron King
Regional Sales Managers
Christine Oser Kristi Heasley » Fasig-Tipton Continues Fountain of Youth Sponsorship
Features Editor Catherine Johnston
Frank Angst Ellen Lambertus
Senior Correspondent Amanda Ramey
Bob Ehalt Director of Technology
Senior Columnist Courtney Bearse
Jay Hovdey Pedigree Analyst
Alan Porter
Contact Us:
Editor: cnovak@bloodhorse.com • Advertising: advertise@bloodhorse.com
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 3 OF 43
BAFFERT, O'NEILL
3-YEAR-OLDS VIE
IN ROBERT LEWIS STAKES
By Byron King
t @BH_Bking
B etween Bob Baffert and Doug
O'Neill, they have won eight run-
nings of the Kentucky Derby Presented
by Woodford Reserve (G1). In keeping
with that history, the two trainers hold
the best hands Jan. 30 in the $100,000
Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), Santa
Anita Park's second prep of 2021 for the BENOIT PHOTO
Kentucky Derby.
Baffert, a six-time Derby winner,
starts Medina Spirit and Spielberg, while Medina Spirit (left) battles with Life Is Good to the wire in the Sham Stakes at
Santa Anita Park
O'Neill, twice a Derby winner, also starts a
pair, Hot Rod Charlie and Wipe the Slate. The four are rivals. What the son of Protonico has done is chase Life Is
likely favorites. Good, the early Derby favorite, and remain competitive.
They already have attracted attention in the Kentucky Facing him in the one-mile Sham Stakes (G3) after
Derby Future Wager. In pool 2 which closed Jan. 24, Medina Spirit scored first out in a sprint at Los Alamitos
Medina Spirit was the sixth favorite for the Derby among Race Course, he cut into Life Is Good's lead, finishing
individual wagering interests at 21-1. Hot Rod Charlie was three-quarters of a length behind him in second.
40-1, Spielberg 47-1, and Wipe the Slate 87-1. Subsequently working with Los Alamitos Futurity
Zedan Racing Stables' Medina Spirit is the 5-2 (G2) winner Spielberg Jan. 22, the two were
morning-line choice in the Lewis, though he does not officially timed covering five furlongs in 1:01 1/5,
possess the grade 1 or grade 2 experience of some of his
(continued on page 5)
BENOIT PHOTO KEENELAND/COADY PHOTOGRAPHY
(L-R): Flavien Prat guides Spielberg to the winner’s circle after the Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos Race Course;
Hot Rod Charlie gallops ahead of his runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 4 OF 43
BAFFERT, O’NEILL 3-YEAR-OLDS
VIE IN ROBERT LEWIS STAKES
(continued from page 4)
though Medina Spirit was superior. XBTV.com video
shows him beginning a half-length behind Spielberg
and crossing the wire a half-length ahead, then pulling
away by a couple of lengths when both were urged for
another furlong on the gallop out.
Spielberg, a son of Union Rags owned by SF Racing,
Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables,
Siena Farm, and Robert Masterson, placed in two
grade 1s last year. The colt he beat in the Dec. 19 Los
Alamitos Futurity, The Great One, took a maiden race
at Santa Anita last week by 14 lengths for O'Neill.
Hot Rod Charlie, a half brother to 2019 sprint
champion Mitole, is the more accomplished of O'Neill's
duo, having been second in the TVG Breeders' Cup
Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare
Alliance (G1) Nov. 6 at Keeneland. The Oxbow colt
improved last fall with maturity and longer distance for
owners Roadrunner Racing, Boat Racing, and Strauss
Bros Racing.
O'Neill said Joel Rosario, the colt's new rider, has
worked him numerous times and couldn't contain a
smile after a workout earlier this month.
The trainer believes that seven-furlong maiden
winner Wipe the Slate—owned by Reddam Racing—
can also succeed routing, though he has speed
influences on the female side of his pedigree. His dam,
the Zensational mare Fancy and Flashy, won her only
race at 5 1/2 furlongs. She was elevated to third by
disqualification in one race at 1 1/16 miles in the 2015
Sunland Park Oaks.
"In the morning, if its any indication, he acts like
two turns will not be a problem. He doesn't get tired,"
O'Neill said of the Nyquist colt. "He runs kind of with
his head low, and to me, those kinds of horses really
have tremendous air."
Both colts breezed three furlongs at the end of their
gallops Jan. 27, stiffer-than-usual exercise with rain
forecast in California Jan. 28-29, O'Neill said.
Rombauer, Parnelli, Roman Centurian, and
Waspirant round out the field. BH
s Share this story
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 5 OF 43
CENTRAL KENTUCKY’S EQUINE DISCOUNT PRICE LEADER
ON THE TOP BRANDS OF EQUIPMENT YOU NEED.
WWW.CENTRALEQUIPMENT.COM │ TELEPHONE (859) 253-2611
Sponsored by
LEADING SIRES (OUTSIDE KY)
BY % BLACK-TYPE WINNERS
Stallion, YOB (Sire) Rnrs/ BTW/ BTH/ GSW/ Lifetime Chief Earner
Rank Farm, Stud Fee Wnrs % Rnrs % Rnrs G1W AEI (Earnings) '21 Earnings
1 Mr. Big, '03, (Dynaformer) 23 / 3 1 / 4.3% 1 / 4.3% 0/0 1.50 Big Fish $186,697
Rancho Temescal, CA, $4,500 $110,000
2 Golden Lad, '10, (Medaglia d'Oro) 27 / 8 1 / 3.7% 1 / 3.7% 0/0 1.53 Hello Beautiful $242,580
Northview Stallion Station, MD, $5,000 $60,000
- Great Notion, '00, (Elusive Quality) 27 / 4 1 / 3.7% 1 / 3.7% 0/0 1.49 Kenny Had a Notion $158,549
Northview Stallion Station, MD, $7,500 $60,000
4 The Big Beast, '11, (Yes It's True) 28 / 4 1 / 3.6% 2 / 7.1% 0/0 1.13 Hear My Prayer $153,609
Ocala Stud, FL, $4,000 $44,175
5 Adios Charlie, '08, (Indian Charlie) 34 / 4 1 / 2.9% 1 / 2.9% 0/0 1.42 Adios Trippi $110,625
Ocala Stud, FL, $4,000 $39,775
6 Flat Out, '06, (Flatter) 77 / 14 2 / 2.6% 2 / 2.6% 1/0 1.09 Pacific Gale $452,507
Mighty Acres, OK, $3,000 $120,280
- Competitive Edge, '12, (Super Saver) 39 / 9 1 / 2.6% 1 / 2.6% 0/0 1.24 Competitive Speed $293,839
Valor Farm, TX, $5,000 $46,035
8 Half Ours, '03, (Unbridled's Song) 45 / 6 1 / 2.2% 1 / 2.2% 0/0 0.93 Standing Perfect $205,036
Clear Creek Stud, LA, $3,000 $45,000
Listed above are the 2021 leading sires by % of black-type winners (from number of starters) with 23 starters or more (based on the top 80% of stallions
by starters), through January 28, 2021. Only stallions that stand, will stand, or stood in North America (excluding stallions that died or were exported
prior to the 2017 breeding season), and have runners in North America are included. Racing statistics are 2021 Northern Hemisphere only.
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 7 OF 43
Congratulations to the connections of Kentucky Derby (G1)
and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner AUTHENTIC
who became the 17 th Kentucky-bred in the
last 21 years to be named Horse of the Year,
and to the connections of all the other
Kentucky-bred Eclipse Award winners.
HORSE OF THE YEAR OLDER DIRT MALE
AUTHENTIC IMPROBABLE
Owners: Spendthrift Farm, My Owners: WinStar Farm, China Horse
Racehorse Stable, Madaket Stables, Club, and SF Racing
and Starlight Racing Breeder: St. George Farm and
Breeder: Peter E. Blum G. Watts Humphrey Jr.
Thoroughbreds
OLDER DIRT FEMALE
2-YEAR-OLD MALE MONOMOY GIRL
ESSENTIAL QUALITY Owners: Michael Dubb, Monomoy
Owner: Godolphin Stables, The Elkstone Group (Stuart
Breeder: Godolphin Grant), and Bethlehem Stables
Breeder: FPF LLC and Highfield Ranch
2-YEAR-OLD FILLY
VEQUIST MALE SPRINTER
Owners: Gary Barber, Wachtel WHITMORE
Stable, and Swilcan Stable Owners: Robert LaPenta, Ron
Breeder: Swilcan Stable Moquett, and Head of Plains Partners
Breeder: John Liviakis
3-YEAR-OLD MALE
AUTHENTIC FEMALE SPRINTER
Owners: Spendthrift Farm, My GAMINE
Racehorse Stable, Madaket Stables, Owner: Michael Lund Petersen
and Starlight Racing Breeder: Grace Thoroughbred
Breeder: Peter E. Blum Holdings LLC
Thoroughbreds
FEMALE TURF HORSE
3-YEAR-OLD FILLY RUSHING FALL
SWISS SKYDIVER Owner: e5 Racing Thoroughbreds
Owner: Peter Callahan Breeders: Fred Hertrich II and
Breeder: WinStar Farm John Fielding
WITH JAY HOVDEY
WHEN IT COMES TO THIS
ECLIPSE AWARD, NO MEANS NO
By Jay Hovdey
t @JayHovdey
T his post Eclipse Awards meeting of the Ab-
staining Killjoys will come to order. Thank you.
We will dispense with the roll call since all 28 of
us are here via Zoom. Would the member whose
background is dominated by the poster from the
movie "Hot to Trot" please change your camera
angle. And whoever has Def Leppard cranked up to
11, can it.
That's better.
As you know, the 2020 Eclipse Awards program
of Jan. 28 was remotely broadcast, ably hosted,
and as predictable as a Saratoga Race Course
ANNE M. EBERHARDT
sunrise. I know we all were pleased with the
championships of Whitmore and Channel Maker
because, as hidebound curmudgeons, we love it
when the old guys stick it to the kids. Peter Blum, who
gave us Authentic, should have received the award for for Authentic for Horse of the Year required no courage,
outstanding breeder for the same reason the previous but if I had known that Swiss Skydiver would not be
three winners were honored for the exploits of a single, among the three finalists I certainly would have put
superior individual. And Brad Cox was a bit of a surprise her on top. As it turned out, Swiss Skydiver received
in the trainer category over Steve Asmussen and Bob six votes for Horse of the Year, one less than finalist
Baffert, but four Breeders' Cup wins can go a long way Monomoy Girl, while finalist Improbable received none.
toward a trophy, unless you are Richard Mandella. If that makes sense, please now explain GameStop.
I will freely admit that I would like to have pulled It's no fun to hold your nose and vote, but that is
back my ballot for a couple of second thoughts. Voting what I did for Gamine as outstanding female sprinter.
Two of her six post-race samples came
back positive in 2020, hardly a percentage
to brag about. However, the samples after
her two grade 1 victories came back clean,
which amounts to a pretty weak justification,
especially since one of those races was called
the Test. Who said irony was dead?
Those members who are still subjecting
themselves to social media will have noticed
that our annual abstentions in the category
of apprentice jockey have raised the usual
firestorm of criticism. I may be exaggerating
SKIP DICKSTEIN/TIM LANAHAN
that slightly, but "firestorm" makes us feel
Gamine wins the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland
more important.
(continued on page 10)
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 9 OF 43
WITH JAY HOVDEY
WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ECLIPSE to give out something they called the Juvenile Oscar
AWARD, NO MEANS NO to actors under 18. The statue was half the size of
the traditional statuette, and the recipients included
(continued from page 9) Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, and Hayley Mills.
The practice ended in 1960. Two years later, Patty
We have been called upon to defend giving the Duke, 16, won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress
category a pass, as if we've just failed to vote for the in competition with nominees Thelma Ritter, Angela
flag, motherhood, and your favorite flavor of pie. I can't Lansbury, Shirley Knight, and Mary Badham, who
speak for the other 27 members, but it has been so was all of 9 when she played Scout in "To Kill a
long since I voted in the apprentice column that I can't Mockingbird." Duke and Badham were "apprentice"
recall when I went cold turkey. I'm fairly certain I voted actors judged by the same standards as their grownup
once for Corey Nakatani, or Corey Black, or some other peers and honored accordingly.
teenager named Corey. It has been argued that young riders benefit from
At some point, however, it occurred to me that the incentive of winning the Eclipse. I would answer
singling out beginners with an award of the same size that being a successful apprentice jockey should be
and heft as those given to grownups for doing the same its own reward. They are paid to learn their trade on
work was meddling with the primal forces of nature the job and in some cases, end up earning money in
(thank you, Paddy Chayefsky). Since nothing was going amounts they never dreamed possible. Sportswriters
to change, abstention from participation seemed the descend on their backstories like hounds to the hunt.
honorable choice.
The people who run the Academy Awards used (continued on page 11)
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 10 OF 43WITH JAY HOVDEY
WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ECLIPSE
AWARD, NO MEANS NO
(continued from page 10)
Their scrapbooks fill to overflowing. And then, when
they lose that magical five-pound weight break ...
poof. The coach turns into a pumpkin.
Most of the time, anyway. We Killjoys have
rejoiced in the exceptions to the rule. Winners like
Steve Cauthen, Chris McCarron, Richard Migliore,
Kent Desormeaux, Emma-Jayne Wilson, and Julien
Leparoux would have been who they became even
without their Eclipse Awards as apprentices. Too
often, though, the choices amount to a roll of the dice,
and the award ends up a high point in a career that
still had many miles to go.
As is stated in our bylaws, we do not abstain
because we are too lazy to parse the differences in
apprentice records, be they accomplished in Maryland,
New York, or Mahoning Valley. We abstain because
the category represents a dilution of the honor of being
called a champion jockey, when every rider out there is
faced with the same challenges and dangers each time
they throw a leg over a Thoroughbred. You are either a
jockey, or you're not.
So, on behalf of us 28 abstainers, here's wishing
2020 Eclipse winning apprentice Alexander Crispin a
successful, healthy career. You didn't need our votes.
We also send out enduring congratulations to Phil
Teator, Luis Ocasio, Omar Moreno, and all the other
young riders who had their brief turn in the national
spotlight alongside their full-fledged colleagues. They
can be proud of that very special horse statue sitting
on the mantel, which is one more than ever was
presented to Jorge Velasquez, Eddie Delahoussaye,
Alex Solis, or Joel Rosario.
Meeting adjourned. BH
s Share this story
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 11 OF 43The Bill Oppenheim Group
Publishers of Stallion Spectator Ratings
January 29, 2021
Joe McMahon
McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds
180 Fitch Road
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Solomini
Dear Joe,
You have asked for my candid opinion of Solomini’s prospects for success in the generous NY-bred program,
and I am happy to say I consider him an excellent prospect, surely one of the best prospects ever to retire to New
York. It’s no exaggeration to say had he not been controversially (and in my opinion, unfairly) disqualified from
his win in the G1 Los Alamitos Futurity he would be standing in Kentucky alongside the six other G1 winners
by Curlin who were standing in Kentucky at the beginning of 2020 breeding season for five-figure fees ranging
from $20,000 to $35,000.
Solomini’s form as a 2-year-old was top-class, so much so that he was an Eclipse Award finalist in the 2-year-
old colt division in 2017. After breaking his maiden over 6 ½ furlongs at Del Mar he was ‘officially’ placed in
three consecutive G1 races, namely second to Bolt D’Oro in the G1 Frontrunner; second to Good Magic in the
G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, with Bolt D’Oro third; and, after disqualification, third, after finishing in front of
McKinzie and Instilled Regard, in the G1 Los Al Futurity. Good Magic (also by Curlin) retired to Hill ‘n’ Dale
in Kentucky for $35,000 in 2019. Bolt D’Oro retired to Spendthrift for $25,000 in 2019. McKinzie retired to
Gainesway this year for $30,000, and Instilled Regard has retired to Taylor Made for $12,500. There’s absolutely
no doubt that had Solomini not been dq’ed he would be standing in Kentucky for a minimum of $15,000.
Besides his form at two which entitled him to Eclipse Award consideration I’d like to comment also that
Solomini possesses an excellent pedigree, as he is out of a Storm Cat half-sister to the successful Darley
stallion Midshipman, as well as to the dam of the promising sire Frosted, and he descends from the family of
another successful sire in Salse. When stallions end up in New York rather than Kentucky it is usually because
they don’t have the race record, or they don’t have the pedigree, or they don’t have the conformation to stand
in Kentucky. Solomini lacks none of these – he’s only in New York because of a disqualification, and at his
$5,000 fee he practically qualifies as a gift to NY breeders. Moreover, had he not been dq’ed he would have
scored a perfect 7/7 on a scale we use to predict sire success – in the big leagues - from 2-year-old form. It’s
not surprising he covered 123 mares last year, more than any other stallion in the state in 2020 including your
own very successful Central Banker.
I think to be able to breed to a horse with Solomini’s credentials for just $5,000 is excellent value, and would
be excellent value anywhere, not just in New York. I hope you continue to have good support for him as it will
be absolutely no surprise to see his name at the top of the list of NY sires from 2023 on.
With best regards,
Bill Oppenheim
Inquiries to Joe McMahon / 180 Fitch Road / Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-3426 / office@mcmahonthoroughbreds.com / www.mcmahonthoroughbreds.comSCHICKEL TO INTRODUCE a group that opposed HHR in court that advocates for
HISTORICAL HORSE RACING BILL conservatism and faith-based stances in the legislature.
By BloodHorse Staff Republicans control the Kentucky legislature.
"We applaud Chairman Schickel, President Stivers,
K entucky State Sen. John Schickel (Republican,
Union) announced plans Jan. 28 to introduce a bill
to preserve historical horse racing gaming in the state,
and all those working on this legislation to help one
of Kentucky's signature industries," said Ashli Watts,
president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of
according to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Commerce. "This bill will provide certainty for many
Schickel, the chairman of the Senate Licensing Kentucky businesses and employees relying on the
and Occupations Committee, said he will file the bill success of the horse industry to make a living and
when the Kentucky General Assembly convenes for the feed their families, and we ask all legislators for their
second part of the 2021 session that begins Feb. 2, and support in this effort."
that Senate president Robert Stivers will be among the The horse industry is responsible for more than
bill's co-sponsors. 60,000 direct and indirect jobs in Kentucky and $5.2
"This effort is about preserving a system of billion in economic impact statewide, according to
wagering we've known for live racing for decades and figures from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
historical horse racing for the last 10 years," Schickel The devices have been highly lucrative for racetrack
said in a news release from the Kentucky Chamber operators, and HHR has provided a boost for Kentucky
of Commerce. "This is about maintaining the status Thoroughbred Development Fund purses, generating
quo. Our immediate action as legislators is critical more than $15 million in the fiscal year 2020.
to protecting current and future jobs and economic Schickel said in the release he plans on hearing the
development across the Commonwealth." bill in a Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee
The bill is in response to a Kentucky Supreme meeting Feb. 4. BH
Court decision in September that ruled that one type s Share this story
of HHR gaming device did not fit the state's current
definition of pari-mutuel wagering, resulting in calls
for the legislature to clarify the definition. The devices
resemble slot machines, though their results are based
on previously run horse races.
The date of the intended filing comes a day after
representatives from the Kentucky Equine Education
Project, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce,
lawmakers, and state horsemen and track leaders meet
at Keeneland Feb. 1 to discuss HHR.
Angst: Kentucky Lawmakers to Discuss
Planned HHR Legislation
An HHR facility in Lexington at The Red Mile,
which the harness track operates with Keeneland,
suspended its HHR operations Jan. 24 in a move
meant to create urgency with lawmakers. Other HHR
gaming venues in the state have remained open.
Gov. Andy Beshear (Democrat) supports legislation
that would define HHR as legal, and Senate Majority
Floor Leader Damon Thayer (Republican, Georgetown)
and Rep. Adam Koenig (Republican, Erlanger) are
BYRON KING
among other HHR supporters.
A patron plays a historical horse racing device at Derby City
HHR faces opposition from The Family Foundation,
Gaming in Louisville
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 13 OF 43CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL BACK in bonuses to the top performers based on points
IN 2021 WOODBINE SCHEDULE accumulated in the designated graded turf routes for
By BloodHorse Staff fillies and mares. Other races in the series are the
$175,000 Dance Smartly Stakes (G2T) and $250,000
W oodbine unveiled its stakes schedule Jan. 29 for
the 2021 Thoroughbred racing season, featuring
the return of the $600,000 Pattison Canadian Inter-
Canadian Stakes (G2T). The winner of the Ladies of the
Lawn Series last year was Elizabeth Way.
The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by
national Stakes (G1T). The meet is scheduled to begin Budweiser, the first leg of the prestigious Canadian
April 17, subject to Ontario government COVID-19 Triple Tiara, headlines another major race card July
protocols. 25, which includes the $150,000 Plate Trial, a prep for
The lucrative program will offer more than $16.5 the Queen's Plate.
million in purses across 87 stakes and feature a pair of A strong Ontario-bred stakes offering includes
$1 million classics, including the iconic Queen's Plate the reinstatement of the Sir Barton Stakes, Shady
Aug. 22, as well as the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T) Well Stakes, and Clarendon Stakes, each carrying a
Sept. 18, a Breeders' Cup "Win And You're In" qualifier. $150,000 purse.
The Canadian International returns after a year hiatus Also in 2021, listed races have increased purses to
due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and will be $125,000, boosted from $100,000.
featured on the Woodbine Mile card along with the "Last year was obviously a challenging year for
$250,000 Canadian Stakes (G2T). the industry due to COVID-19," remarked Lawson.
"We are excited to bring back the Pattison Canadian "While Woodbine Entertainment and the horse racing
International as part of our world-class stakes schedule industry continue to be impacted, we are hopeful
for the 2021 Thoroughbred meet at Woodbine that the pandemic in Ontario improves in the coming
Racetrack," said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine months, allowing businesses and industries to safely
Entertainment. re-open, including our ability to start our 2021 meet as
The Natalma Stakes (G1T) and Summer Stakes (G1T), planned on Saturday, April 17."
both designated as Breeders' Cup "Win And You're In" Woodbine's stakes schedule is subject to approval
races, have each received notable purse increases to by The Jockey Club of Canada’s Graded Stakes
$400,000 from $250,000. Also increasing in purse Committee. BH
to $350,000 from $300,000 is the Highlander Stakes s Share this story
(G1T), which like the Canadian International,
returns after a year's pause. It will be
featured on the Queen's Plate card.
Purses for all grade 3 stakes races
at Woodbine are also receiving a 20%
increase to $150,000.
As usual, the Toronto racetrack
will host the first and third legs of the
Canadian Triple Crown, starting with the
162nd running of the historic Queen's
Plate and concluding with the $400,000
Breeders' Stakes Oct. 3. The second leg,
the $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, will
be run at Fort Erie Sept. 14.
The Woodbine schedule also includes
MICHAEL BURNS
the $600,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1T)
Oct. 17, the final leg of Woodbine's Ladies
of the Lawn Series, which offers $75,000 The Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine, won in 2018-19 by
Desert Encounter (pictured in 2019), returns in 2021
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 15 OF 432021 Woodbine Stakes Schedule
Date Purse Race Name Division Distance
May 1 150000 Whimsical Stakes (G3) F&M, 4YO+ Six Furlongs
May 2 150000 Jacques Cartier Stakes (G3) 4YO+ Six Furlongs
May 8 125000 Star Shoot Stakes 3YOF Six Furlongs
May 9 125000 Woodstock Stakes 3YO Six Furlongs
May 16 150000 Trillium Stakes (G3) F&M, 4YO+ 1 1/16 Miles
May 22 175000 Royal North Stakes (G2T) F&M, 4YO+ Six Furlongs (T)
May 23 175000 Connaught Cup (G2T) F&M, 4YO+ Seven Furlongs (T)
May 29 125000 Fury Stakes 3YOF (Can-Bred) Seven Furlongs
May 30 125000 Queenston Stakes 3YO (Can-Bred) Seven Furlongs
Jun 6 100000 Ballade Stakes F&M, 3YO+ (ONT Sired) Six Furlongs
Jun 12 100000 Great Lakes Stakes 4YO+ 1 1/16 Miles
Jun 12 150000 Bold Venture Stakes (G3) 4YO+ 6 1/2 Furlongs
Jun 13 150000 Sir Barton Stakes 3YO (Ont-bred) 1 1/16 Miles (T)
Jun 19 175000 Nassau Stakes F&M, 4YO+ One Mile (T)
Jun 26 150000 Selene Stakes (G3) 3YOF 1 1/16 Miles
Jun 27 150000 Marine Stakes (G3) 3YO 1 1/16 Miles
Jul 1 150000 Dominion Day Stakes (G3) 4YO+ 1 1/8 Miles
Jul 3 100000 Sweet Briar Too Overnight Stakes F&M, 4YO+ 6 1/2 Furlongs
Jul 10 100000 King Corrie Overnight Stakes 3YO 6 1/2 Furlongs
Jul 17 150000 Ontario Matron Stakes F&M, 4YO+ 1 1/16 miles
Jul 17 150000 Vigil Stakes (G3) 4YO+ Six Furlongs
Jul 18 150000 Ontario Colleen Stakes (G3T) 3YOF One Mile (T)
Jul 25 500000 Woodbine Oaks Presented By Budweiser 3YOF (Can-Bred) 1 1/8 Miles
Jul 25 150000 Plate Trial Stakes 3YO (Can-Bred) 1 1/8 Miles
Jul 25 100000 Niagara Stakes 4YO+ 1 1/8 Miles (T)
Jul 31 125000 My Dear Stakes 2YOF 5 1/2 Furlongs
Jul 31 100000 Zadracarta Stakes F&M, 4YO+ (ONT-Bred) Five Furlongs (T)
Aug 1 125000 Victoria Stakes 2YO 5 1/2 Furlongs
Aug 7 100000 Ontario Jockey Club Stakes 3YO+ Six Furlongs
Aug 14 150000 Seaway Stakes (G3) F&M, 4YO+ Seven Furlongs
Aug 14 125000 Greenwood Stakes 3YO 7 1/2 Furlongs (T)
Aug 15 175000 Dance Smartly Stakes (G3) F&M, 3YO+ 1 1/4 Miles (T)
Aug 15 250000 Bison City Stakes 3YOF (Can-Bred) 1 1/16 Miles
Aug 21 125000 Catch A Glimpse Stakes 2YOF 6 1/2 Furlongs (T)
Aug 21 125000 Soaring Free Stakes 2YO 6 1/2 Furlongs (T)
Aug 22 1000000 The Queen'S Plate 3YO (Can-Bred) 1 1/4 Miles
Aug 22 350000 Highlander Stakes (G1T) 3YO+ Six Furlongs (T)
Aug 22 150000 Singspiel Stakes (G3T) 3YO+ 1 1/4 Miles (T)
Aug 22 100000 Alywow Stakes 3YOF 6 1/2 furlongs (T)
Aug 22 175000 King Edward Stakes (G2T) 3YO+ One Mile (T)
Aug 29 200000 Muskoka Stakes 2YOF (Can-Bred) 6 1/2 Furlongs
Aug 29 200000 Simcoe Stakes 2YOC&G (Can-Bred) 6 1/2 Furlongs
Aug 29 100000 Algoma Stakes 3YOF (Can-Bred) Seven Furlongs
Aug 29 100000 Elgin Stakes 3YOC&G (Can-Bred) Seven Furlongs
Sep 4 150000 Hendrie Stakes (G3) F&M, 4YO+ 6 1/2 Furlongs
Sep 5 100000 Belle Mahone Overnight Stakes F&M, 3YO+ 1 1/16 Miles
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 16 OF 43Date Purse Race Name Division Distance
Sep 11 150000 Seagram Cup (G3) 4YO+ 1 1/16 Miles
Sep 11 150000 Vice Regent Stakes 3YO+ (Ont-Bred) Five Furlongs (T)
Sep 12 125000 Toronto Cup 3YO One Mile (T)
Sep 17 100000 Victorian Queen Stakes 2YOF (Ont-Sired) One Mile (T)
Sep 17 100000 Bull Page Stakes 2YOC&G (Ont-Sired) One Mile (T)
Sep 18 1000000 Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T) 3YO+ One Mile (T)
Sep 18 600000 Pattison Canadian International Stakes (G1T) 3YO+ 1 1/2 Miles (T)
Sep 18 250000 Canadian Stakes (G2T) F&M, 3YO+ 1 1/8 Miles (T)
Sep 19 400000 Natalma Stakes (G1T) 2YOF One Mile (T)
Sep 19 400000 Summer Stakes (G1T) 2YO One Mile (T)
Sep 19 125000 Ontario Racing Stakes 2YO Five Furlongs (T)
Sep 19 125000 Woodbine Cares Stakes 2YOF Five Furlongs (T)
Sep 25 125000 Duchess Stakes 3YOF Seven Furlongs
Oct 1 100000 Overskate Stakes 3YO+ (Ont-Sired) 7 1/2 Furlongs (T)
Oct 2 250000 Wonder Where Stakes 3YOF (Can-Bred) 1 1/4 Miles (T)
Oct 3 400000 Breeders' Stakes 3YO (Can-Bred) 1 1/2 Miles (T)
Oct 8 150000 Shady Well Stakes 2YOF (Ont-Bred) 5 1/2 Furlongs
Oct 8 150000 Clarendon Stakes 2YO (Ont-Bred) 5 1/2 Furlongs
Oct 9 100000 Eternal Search Stakes F&M, 3YO+ 7 1/2 Furlongs (T)
Oct 10 250000 Cup & Saucer Stakes 2YO (Can-Bred) 1 1/16 Miles (T)
Oct 16 150000 Ontario Fashion Stakes (G3) F&M, 3YO+ Six Furlongs
Oct 16 150000 Durham Cup (G3) 3YO+ 1 1/16 Miles
Oct 17 600000 E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) F&M, 3YO+ 1 1/4 Miles (T)
Oct 17 250000 Nearctic Stakes (G2T) 3YO+ Six Furlongs (T)
Oct 23 250000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes 2YOF (Can-Bred) 1 1/16 Miles
Oct 30 125000 Glorious Song Stakes 2YOF Seven Furlongs
Oct 30 125000 Display Stakes 2YO Seven Furlongs
Oct 30 250000 Coronation Futurity 2YO (Can-Bred) 1 1/8 Miles
Oct 31 125000 Ontario Damsel Stakes 3YOF 1 1/16 Miles
Oct 31 150000 Ontario Derby (G3) 3YO 1 1/8 Miles
Nov 7 175000 Bessarabian Stakes (G2) F&M, 3YO+ Seven Furlongs
Nov 13 150000 Maple Leaf Stakes (G3) F&M, 3YO+ 1 1/4 Miles
Nov 14 175000 Autumn Stakes 3YO+ 1 1/16 Mies
Nov 21 100000 South Ocean Stakes 2YOF (Ont-Sired) 6 1/2 Furlongs
Nov 21 100000 Frost King Stakes 2YO (Ont-Sired) 6 1/2 Furlongs
Nov 27 175000 Kennedy Road Stakes (G2) 3YO+ Six Furlongs
Nov 28 150000 Mazarine Stakes (G3) 2YOF 1 1/16 Miles
Nov 28 150000 Grey Stakes (G3) 2YO 1 1/16 Miles
Dec 4 100000 La Prevoyante Stakes F&M, 3YO+ (Ont-Sired) 1 1/16 Miles
Dec 4 100000 Steady Growth Stakes 3YO+ (Ont-Sired) 1 1/16 Miles
Dec 5 150000 Valedictory Stakes (G3) 3YO+ 1 1/2 Miles
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 17 OF 43JESUS' TEAM TRAINS TOWARD "Dubai will be (his) next race," D'Angelo said. "We
DUBAI WORLD CUP want a fresh horse for the Dubai World Cup."
By BloodHorse Staff Jesus' Team won a $25,000 claiming race
at Gulfstream May 8 after being transferred to
G rupo 7C Racing Stable's Jesus' Team resumed
training at Palm Meadows Training Center Jan.
29, kicking off preparation for a planned start in the
D'Angelo's stable last spring. He would go on to finish
third in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and second in the
Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) last year as
$12 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates a 3-year-old.
Airline (G1) at Meydan March 27. The Pegasus World Cup was the third grade 1
Jesus' Team enjoyed a week of frolicking in a placing from the colt, who captured the Claiming
round pen at Gulfstream Park's satellite training Crown Jewel Stakes at Gulfstream in December. He
center in Palm Beach County following his second- has a 3-5-3 record from 14 starts. BH
place finish in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup s Share this story
Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 23 at Gulfstream.
"He just jogged this morning," trainer Jose
D'Angelo said. "We're making a training schedule for
Dubai."
Jesus' Team's connections had considered the
$20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 20 as a possible target
following the 4-year-old son of Tapiture's runner-up
finish behind Knicks Go. That effort pushed Jesus'
Team's earnings over $1 million.
RICK SAMUELS
Jesus’ Team trains last fall before the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 18 OF 43STORMBORNE
STALLIONS OPENS
IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
By Eric Mitchell
t @BH_EMitchell
D anielle "Dani" Dougherty an-
nounced Jan. 29 the opening
of a new 65-acre stallion breeding,
mare care, foaling, and sales prep fa-
cility near Citra, Fla., north of Ocala,
named Stormborne Stallions.
The farm is standing Backtalk
(Smarty Jones—Apasionata Sonata,
by Affirmed), Finale (Scat Daddy—
Twinkle, by Lively One), Rogueish
(Into Mischief—Verdana Bold, by
LOUISE E. REINAGEL
Rahy), Matanzas Inlet (Kitalpha—
She's Stacked, by Stack), and Young
Danielle “Dani” Dougherty with Rogueish
Brian (Hard Spun—Glacier Peak, by
Pulpit).
"I am very excited about our new location and
opening up the stallion shed in 2021. Our facilities
are ideal for the upcoming season with a 24-stall
barn for the stallions and a separate wing set up for
foaling and mare care," said Dougherty, whose entire
career has been devoted to working with racehorses,
stallions, mares and foals, and sales preparation.
The newest stallion on Stormborne's roster is
Matanzas Inlet, a winning son of the late Kitalpha,
who was out of the 10-time grade/group 1 winner
and multiple champion Miesque. Matanzas Inlet is
out of the winning Stack mare She's Stacked, who
has produced four winners from as many to race.
Grade 2 winner Backtalk, a top-10 first-crop
and second-crop sire in Florida, leads the roster
with 36 winners to date, including dual Florida Sire
Stakes division winner Soutache and stakes winner
Starcloud. Rogueish's first foals arrive this year. All
the stallions stand for $2,500. BH
s Share this story
LOUISE E. REINAGEL
Backtalk
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 19 OF 43COAL FRONT SIRES FIRST FOAL
By BloodHorse Staff
S pendthrift Farm stallion Coal Front, the five-time
graded winner and earner of more than $1.8 mil-
lion, sired his first reported foal Jan. 26 when a filly
was born at Shade Tree Farm in Ocala, Fla.
"This is a good foal. Nice, big, strong filly with a lot
of leg, good shoulder, and hip. I like her best of the
three foals the mare's had," said Bert Pilcher, owner
of Shade Tree Farm. "She was quickly up and quickly
nursed, everything was perfect. If I owned the stallion,
I'd sure be happy about this foal. I think she's going to
ANNE M. EBERHARDT
be a knockout yearling."
Bred by Tracy Pinchin & Kenneth D'Oyen, the
flashy bay filly is out of the Wildcat Heir mare Defying
Gravity, an 11-time winner from the family of multiple Coal Front at Spendthrift Farm
graded stakes winner and sire Too Much Bling. 5-year-old season, scoring victories in the Razorback
Coal Front captured graded stakes at five different Handicap (G3), Godolphin Mile Sponsored By
distances from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City - District One
He won the Amsterdam Stakes (G2) and Gallant Bob (G2), and Parx Dirt Mile Stakes.
Stakes (G3)—in which he earned a 107 Beyer Speed Coal Front stands at Spendthrift Farm, where he is
Figure—as a 3-year-old and took the Mr. Prospector set to stand his second season for a fee of $5,000. BH
Stakes (G3) at 4. He carried his top form into his s Share this story
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 20 OF 43FIRST FOAL
FOR BREAKING LUCKY
BORN IN LOUISIANA
By BloodHorse Staff
T he first foal of graded stakes-win-
ning millionaire Breaking Lucky
was born Jan. 29 at Blue Star Racing in
Scott, La. Bred by 4M Ranch and Blue
Star Racing, the colt is out of the Unbri-
dled's Song mare Anea, who has already
produced one winner from two starters.
"If there is one word that I can use to
describe this colt, it would be strong,"
COURTESY OF BLUE STAR RACING
said Blue Star Racing owner Dex
Comardelle. "He is nicely put together,
has all the right angles, has good bone,
conformation, and lots of leg! If this first
Breaking Lucky at Blue Star Racing
colt is any indication of how the rest of
Breaking Lucky's crop will look, it's going
to be an exciting year." "Breaking Lucky had an incredible, quality book of
Breaking Lucky won Fort Erie's 2015 Prince of mares in his first year at stud with mares spread across
Wales Stakes—the second leg of Canada's Triple in the region," said Comardelle. "It's very special to have
his 3-year-old year. In 2016 he won the Seagram Cup his first foal born here at Blue Star Racing—where he
Stakes (G3) at Woodbine and went on to place in the began his stallion career."
Clark Handicap, Whitney Stakes, and Stephen Foster Hailing from the red-hot sire line of Lookin At
Handicap (all grade 1). In total, Breaking Lucky was on Lucky, Breaking Lucky stands for $5,000 at Pleasant
the board in 10 graded stakes and two black-type races, Acres Stallions in Ocala, Fla. BH
campaigned in two countries, and earned $1,196,376. s Share this story
Looking for Stallion BAL A BALI (BRZ)
2 x Track Record Holder
Information?
®
Dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing for more than 100 years December 2017 | No. 51| $50
BloodHorse Has It! FOR 2019
DOWNLOAD
THE FREE APP!
A WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE
AT YOUR FINGER TIPS
Lexington (1850-75)
By Edward Troye
ACCESS THE WORLD’S TOP SIRES AT STALLIONREGISTER.COM
Untitled-1 1 11/17/17 9:31 AM
StallionRegister.com, Stallion Register & Global Stallions App
StallionRegister.com | GlobalStallionsApp.com
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 21 OF 43CADDO RIVER HALF SISTER,
FOUR OTHERS JOIN FASIG SALE
By BloodHorse Staff
A half sister to Kentucky Derby Presented by
Woodford Reserve (G1) hopeful Caddo River
is part of a group of five recent supplements to
the Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale at Fasig-Tipton.
Babybel (Hip 665), a 4-year-old filly
by Bodemeister out of the Congrats mare
Pangburn, received a pedigree update when
Caddo River won the Jan. 22 Smarty Jones
Stakes at Oaklawn Park by 10 1/4 lengths for
owner Shortleaf Stable. The Brad Cox trainee is
COADY PHOTOGRAPHY
pointed for the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn
March 13.
Babybel is a winner of two of 14 starts and
The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale includes a half sister to
$34,875. She last raced Dec. 20 at Gulfstream
Caddo River, pictured winning the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park
Park, finishing fifth in a starter allowance race.
She is offered as a broodmare prospect by James
M. Herbener Jr., agent. Disobedient (Hip 667), and Zoology (Hip 668), a 4-year-
Another notable addition is Samandah (Hip 669), old Animal Kingdom filly related to a pair of graded
a 5-year-old daughter of Pioneerof the Nile, who is stakes winners.
related to Mnasek, second in the UAE One Thousand The Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale will be held
Guineas Presented by Longines at Meydan Jan. 28. Feb. 8-9 in Lexington. The catalog, including recent
Consigned as a broodmare prospect by Paramount supplements, is available online. Online bidding and
Sales, she is out of grade 2-winning Yankee phone bidding services will be offered. BH
Gentleman mare Washington Bridge. s Share this story
Other recent additions include Malibu Cat (Hip 664),
DO YOU HAVE AN EQUINE
PROPERTY FOR SALE
OR LEASE?
The BloodHorse Daily is a great
place to market your real estate.
For advertising options, pricing and
bonus distribution in your area:
Contact Amanda Ramey
859-276-6748
aramey@BloodHorse.com
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 22 OF 43PRIME FACTOR LEAPS INTO same five-furlong time of 1:00.50, XBTV.com video
GRADED COMPANY IN HOLY BULL shows Prime Factor working easier and galloping out
By Byron King in front.
Now Prime Factor will try to show that same
t @BH_Bking
promise in stakes competition at 1 1/16 miles, racing
W hen Prime Factor races Jan.
30 at Gulfstream Park in the
$200,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3),
against an expected eight foes,
led by Iroquois Stakes Presented
by Ford (G3) winner Sittin On
it will be his first start in a graded (Prime Factor) was brilliant Go, and stakes-placed runners
race—but not his first time running in his debut and has trained Papetu, Awesome Gerry, and
head-to-head with graded compe- Tarantino. Also entered are
tition. sharply since then … It’s promising maiden winners
The son of Quality Road, who always a big step to go from Greatest Honour and Amount, the
rolled by 8 3/4 lengths in his lone latter a Prime Factor stablemate.
start in a Dec. 12 maiden race at
(a) maiden race (to now) After dashing six furlongs
Gulfstream, has kept some high- against winners, giving in 1:10.38 in his debut, Prime
class competition in breezes this up experience, but he can Factor is the projected favorite.
year at Palm Beach Downs for A $900,000 purchase from the
trainer Todd Pletcher. His Jan.
hopefully overcome it.” 2019 Keeneland September
2 workmate, for example, was —TODD PLETCHER Yearling Sale, he is owned by
grade 2 winner Largent, runner- China Horse Club and WinStar
up in last week's Pegasus World Farm, the same team that has
Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T). the talented Life Is Good with trainer Bob Baffert in
Though both horses that morning were issued the California.
(continued on page 24)
COGLIANESE PHOTOS/RYAN THOMPSON
COGLIANESE PHOTOS/RYAN THOMPSON
Prime Factor scores handily in his debut at Gulfstream Park
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 23 OF 43PRIME FACTOR LEAPS
INTO GRADED COMPANY
IN HOLY BULL
(continued from page 23)
"He was brilliant in his debut and has trained
sharply since then. We kind of considered going
into an allowance race but that never materialized,"
Pletcher said of Prime Factor. "It's always a big
step to go from (a) maiden race (to now) against
winners, giving up experience, but he can hopefully
overcome it."
Pletcher is a two-time winner of the Holy Bull,
ANNE M. EBERHARDT
capturing it in 2012 with Algorithms and in 2018
with Audible. China Horse Club and WinStar Farm
were part owners in Audible.
Sittin On Go trains ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland
Irad Ortiz Jr. returns aboard Prime Factor after
also previously riding Amount and Awesome Gerry.
Luis Saez rides Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's "His debut was very professional. Again, we were
Amount, a son of Curlin who registered a 5 3/4-length limited in options," said Pletcher.
victory over maidens Dec. 26 at Gulfstream when Along with Jirafales and Greatest Honour, the two
sprinting seven furlongs. The colt is a half brother to Pletcher trainees carry low weight of 118 pounds, in
grade 3 winner Size and to grade 1-placed Mucho. receipt of six pounds from Sittin On Go, the race's only
stakes winner. The four others carry 120
pounds.
Sittin On Go, owned by Albaugh
Family Stables and trained by Dale
Romans, followed the Sept. 5 Iroquois
with a ninth in the Nov. 6 TVG Breeders'
Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred
Aftercare Alliance (G1) and a sixth in the
Nov. 28 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes
(G2). He has been training swiftly at
Gulfstream for his first start at age 3.
Corey Lanerie is back aboard the son
of Brody's Cause.
The Holy Bull is a Road to the
Kentucky Derby race that offers points on
a 10-4-2-1 scale to its top four finishers.
Last year's Holy Bull winner, Tiz the
Law, took the Curlin Florida Derby (G1),
Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA
Bets (G1), and Runhappy Travers Stakes
(G1) and was second to Authentic in the
Kentucky Derby. BH
s Share this story
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 24 OF 43DRAIN THE CLOCK TO MAKE Aftercare Alliance (G1) at Keeneland after pressing a
GRADED DEBUT IN SWALE STAKES solid early pace.
By BloodHorse Staff "We kind of threw him to the wolves in the
Breeders' Cup," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "He went
S lam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder Sta-
bles, and Michael Nentwig's Drain the Clock will
make his graded stakes debut Jan. 30 in the $100,000
too fast early on. We've regrouped since then, and he's
been training well. We feel like backing up to seven
furlongs will be a good distance for him."
Claiborne Farm Swale Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The son of Frosted finished second in a photo
Although also nominated to the $200,000 Holy Bull finish in his debut Aug. 22 at Saratoga Race Course
(G3)—the 1 1/16-mile Curlin Florida Derby Presented before taking a one-turn mile race at Belmont Park by
by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) prep that will more than eight lengths. Luis Saez has the call aboard
headline Saturday's 12-race program with five graded Likeable from the rail.
stakes—Drain the Clock will seek to remain undefeated Jump Sucker Stable, Claiborne Farm, and Adele
in South Florida in the seven-furlong undercard feature Dilschneider's By George will make only his second
for sophomores. career start in the Swale, following his 5 1/4-length
Drain the Clock captured his Sept. 12 debut in a maiden romp at Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 19. Irad
five-furlong off-the-turf maiden special weight race Ortiz Jr. has the call aboard the Christophe Clement-
at Gulfstream before winning a first-level allowance trained son of Into Mischief. The pair will leave from
optional claiming at six furlongs at Gulfstream Park the outside post 6.
West Oct. 28. The son of Maclean's Music was favored By George is the 2-1 morning-line favorite.
to win the Nov. 30 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs Stonehedge homebred Poppy's Pride will seek
but unseated his rider when a rein broke during the his fifth straight stakes victory Saturday. The son of
race. Khozan—who is eligible for a $25,000 win-only bonus
The Joseph trainee rebounded in a big way at offered to Florida Sire Stakes-eligible runners—came
Gulfstream Park Jan. 2, winning the six-furlong off a maiden victory to capture the off-the-turf Armed
Limehouse Stakes by 7 1/2 lengths. Forces Stakes at Gulfstream, the Juvenile Sprint Stakes
"His last race was a breakthrough race. We always for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park West, and the
thought a lot of him," Joseph said. "First time out he Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs Dec. 5.
showed that he could relax. Second time out was more Jim Bakke and Gerry Isbister's Ultimate Badger and
workmanlike. Third time out everything went wrong. West Point Thoroughbreds and Peacock Stable's King's
To see him come back like that was more impressive Ovation complete the field for the Swale. BH
than we could have imagined. It was satisfying to see s Share this story
him win like that."
For now, Joseph isn't ruling out a future stretch-out
to two turns for Drain the Clock.
"It's definitely in the back of our minds," Joseph
said. "We just want to take it step by step. The owners
are very realistic. They're not going to get Derby Fever.
They want to do what is right by the horse."
Edgard Zayas, who has been aboard Drain the Clock
for two of his three victories, has the return mount
from post 5.
Facing off against Drain the Clock will be Repole
COGLIANESE PHOTOS/LAUREN KING
Stable, St. Elias Stable, and Stonestreet Stables
Likeable, who will cut back in distance for the Swale
after finishing far back in the 1 1/16-mile TVG
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred
Drain the Clock wins the Limehouse Stakes at Gulfstream Park
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 25 OF 43IMPRESSIVE MAIDEN WINNER slop Nov. 12 at Gulfstream Park West—but she has
ZAAJEL RETURNS worked her way up the ranks to three straight wins.
The most recent of those was a three-length victory,
IN FORWARD GAL
again at 6 1/2 furlongs, in the Jan. 2 Glitter Woman
By Christine Oser
Stakes at Gulfstream. In between those two efforts,
t @BH_COser
the Competitive Edge filly rallied to win a six-furlong
S hadwell Stable's homebred Zaajel dazzled first
time out with a 7 1/4-length winning debut at
Gulfstream Park. On Jan. 30 she'll step up in compa-
starter optional claiming race Dec. 6.
"She's always doing better every day, and that's
happened from the very first day that she came to the
ny at the South Florida oval as she faces seven other barn," said trainer Javier Gonzalez. "When she came
3-year-old fillies in the $100,000 Forward Gal Stakes to us and started training and working and getting
(G3), which offers qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 scale condition, she was doing better. When we put her in
toward one of 14 spots in the Longines Kentucky Oaks company, she did better. Whatever we ask her to do,
(G1) starting gate April 30 at Churchill Downs. she did better. She's passed every test.
Todd Pletcher-trained Zaajel will cover the same "This is going to be a big test, but I think she can
seven-furlong distance in the Forward Gal as she did make it. She's doing good and she is one of those
in her maiden race. In that Dec. 20 event, the Street horses that is never going to make you look bad. I think
Sense filly shifted out from behind kickback in the early she's going to run a very good race."
stages in which she was fourth, raced four wide, and Jockey Leonel Reyes has ridden Competitive Speed
inched her way to the lead before drawing away under in all four of her previous starts and has the mount
Luis Saez. She'll have Saez back aboard Saturday when again in post 3.
she breaks from post 7. Competitive Speed will again face Legacy Ranch's
"She was very impressive in her debut and she's Coach Jer's Joy, who debuted in the same Oct. 31 maiden
trained great since then," Pletcher said. "Ideally, I'd special weight at Gulfstream Park West as Competitive
kind of like to run her in an allowance race, but we Speed and won. Coach Jer's Joy has not raced since that
don't really have an option at the moment. Considering effort. The Palace filly trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. will be
how well she ran at the distance and over the surface ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. from the outside.
here, we'll give it a try. The seven furlongs was no Stakes-placed Lady Traveler, allowance captor
problem in her debut." Wholebodemeister, and maiden winners Three Tipsy
John Minchello's Competitive Speed didn't cause Chix, Queen Arella, and Dial to Win complete the
the same stir when she won her first race in her field. BH
second start—a 6 1/2-furlong maiden claimer in the s Share this story
COGLIANESE PHOTOS/RYAN THOMPSON COGLIANESE PHOTOS/LAUREN KING
(L-R): Zaajel breaks her maiden Dec. 20 at Gulfstream Park; Competitive Speed wins the Glitter Woman Stakes at Gulfstream Park
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 26 OF 43KENTUCKY PHAROAH, enjoyed at least a 1 1/2-length advantage at every
NEVER SURPRISED SET point of call in posting a three-length victory that day.
He'll try the same mile trip Saturday.
FOR KITTEN'S JOY
"You look at his pedigree and you'd think he'd be
By Frank Angst
better suited once we got him on the turf," Sisterson
t @BH_FAngst
said. "We did actually have him (scheduled) to run
A pair of 3-year-olds that most recently registered
stakes wins on turf will try to take the next step
when Kentucky Pharoah and Never Surprised make
first time on the turf at Keeneland and it came off.
With the turf being canceled at Churchill Downs we
couldn't get him on the turf quick enough.
their graded stakes debuts in the $100,000 Kitten's Joy "He's run against some very good dirt horses. We
Stakes (G3T) Jan. 30 at Gulfstream Park. put him on the grass, and he seems to have improved
The two recent stakes winners will start from the and gone forward for it."
two outside post positions in the expected field of Should Saturday's race go well, the connections are
seven 3-year-olds set for the one-mile turf test. considering international options.
Calumet Farm homebred Kentucky Pharoah "We've discussed some ambitious spots after
finished off the board in his first two maiden starts this race moving forward with him, possibly take
last year but found success once trainer Jack Sisterson him over to Europe," Sisterson said. "We've briefly
moved the son of American Pharoah to the turf. In his discussed the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) with
debut on the grass, Kentucky Pharoah scored a front- him. He's got to improve massively, but he's a horse
end win in a one-mile maiden special race Dec. 19 at that's lightly raced and definitely going in the right
Gulfstream to close out his season. direction. It's pretty cool—and to have an owner that's
Off that effort Kentucky Pharoah made his stakes willing to do something like that. We'll see what this
debut and 3-year-old debut in the Dania Beach Stakes Saturday brings, but he's definitely doing great."
Jan. 2 again at one mile on the Gulfstream turf. He
(continued on page 28)
We’ve discussed some
ambitious spots after this
race moving forward with
(Kentucky Pharoah), possibly
take him over to Europe. He’s
got to improve massively, but
he’s a horse that’s lightly raced
and definitely going in the
right direction.”
—JACK SISTERSON
COGLIANESE PHOTOS/RYAN THOMPSON
Kentucky Pharoah wins the Dania Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 27 OF 43KENTUCKY PHAROAH, NEVER him down here and got him acclimated, but he's had
SURPRISED SET FOR KITTEN’S JOY a pretty steady series of breezes. He won his debut
going six and stretched out the next time. It seems
(continued from page 27) like he loves the grass, and we're happy with the way
he's coming up to it."
Repole Stable's Never Surprised also is Making his stakes debut will be Sigiloso, who
comfortable on the lead. After posting a 3 1/2-length showed little in his maiden debut sprinting on dirt
score in a turf sprint Nov. 8 at Aqueduct, the son of before thriving in his second start: a one mile maiden
Constitution, bred in Kentucky by Golden Pedigree, race for Florida-breds Jan. 13 on the Gulfstream
stretched out to 1 1/16 miles for the Central Park turf. A son of Khozan, Gelfenstein Farm's Sigiloso is
Stakes Nov. 28 also at Aqueduct. Never Surprised trained by Antonio Sano.
enjoyed a clear advantage throughout that race on While Eric Fein's Original has just a maiden win
his way to a 1 3/4-length victory. under his belt in three starts, that score came in his
That marked the final juvenile start for Never lone start on the turf, a 1 1/16-mile maiden race at
Surprised. He has been working regularly for Aqueduct. The son of Quality Road, bred in Kentucky
trainer Todd Pletcher ahead of his 3-year-old debut, by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, was purchased
registering five breezes from Dec. 17-Jan. 22 at Palm for $425,000 by Tonja Terranova at the 2020 Ocala
Beach Downs. Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in training
"He's two-for-two and he's been training well so where he was consigned by De Meric Sales. BH
this has kind of been our target with him since his s Share this story
last start at Aqueduct," Pletcher said. "We shipped
4
Broodmare Owners, take your pick...
REPORT OPTIONS TO HELP YOU FIND THE
BEST STALLION MATCH FOR YOUR MARE:
BROODMARE BROODMARE BROODMARE BROODMARE
ANALYSIS ANALYSIS PLUS SELECT SELECT PLUS
$199 $250 $199 $250
You choose up to 50 In a format similar to Use your stud fee and In a format similar to Broodmare
potential stallions, and the Broodmare Analysis, this location criteria to find up Select, this report uses your stud
report provides TrueNicks report adds TrueNicks to 50 stallions that rate B+ fee and location criteria to find up
rating, broodmare sire Enhanced Reports for each or better (A++, A+, A, B+) to 50 stallions that rate B+ or better
improvement index, mating, including cross- with your mare, essentially (A++, A+, A, B+) with your mare,
hypothetical 5-generation specific stats for number filtering out only the best essentially filtering out only the
pedigree, and top 5 of starters, auction results, nicking options. The report best nicking options, and features
horses bred on each cross. surface performance, win sorts stallions by TrueNicks TrueNicks Enhanced Reports for
Includes an Equineline percentages, average variant score and features each cross. Enhanced Reports add
catalog-style pedigree for winning distances, and TrueNicks ratings, five key data points for starters, auction
your mare. the top 15 horses bred on generation pedigrees, and results, surface performance, racing
each cross. top five horses bred on the statistics, and the top 15 racehorses
cross for each mating. bred on the cross.
VISIT TRUENICKS.COM TODAY
821 Corporate Drive | Lexington, KY 40503 | 859.276.6716
BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 PAGE 28 OF 43You can also read
