Countdown to the Cup - July 9, 2012
Advisory: This is the 2nd of 16 weekly news releases focusing on the horses and races leading to the 29th Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3 at Santa Anita Park. For more information, please visit www.breederscup.com. The Breeders’ Cup will be televised live on the NBC Sports Network and the Breeders’ Cup Classic will be shown live and in primetime on NBC.
BREEDERS’ CUP BERTHS ON THE LINE IN THE A GLEAM AT BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK AND AT PARX RACING WITH GREENWOOD CUP
Both ends of racing’s spectrum will be on display this weekend when female sprinters take center stage at Betfair Hollywood Park and marathon runners have their say at Parx Racing, with automatic starting berths into the Breeders’ Cup going to the winners. Saturday’s A Gleam (GII) at Hollywood will award the first automatic spot in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (GI) November 2 at Santa Anita while the Greenwood Cup (GIII) winner will gain entry into the Breeders’ Cup Marathon (GII) November 3.
As part of the enhancements of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, the winning connections of both races will receive free entry and a $10,000 travel allowance into the respective races.
The $200,000 A Gleam, run at seven furlongs over Hollywood’s Cushion Track, figures to draw a compact field, led by C R K Stable’s SWITCH, who was second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs.
Switch, a 5-year-old daughter of Quiet American trained by John Sadler, has knocked heads with the best of her generation in a distinguished career that includes GI wins in La Brea (2010) and Santa Monica (2011) at Santa Anita. She also finished a close second to champions Blind Luck and Havre De Grace in the Apple Blossom (GI) at Oaklawn Park and Vanity (GI) and Hollywood last year before coming up just short after a bold rally in the Filly & Mare Sprint. All told, Switch has won 5-of-20 career starts, with $1.2 million in earnings.
Switch has struggled to find her form in two starts this year, running fifth in the Humana Distaff (GI) at Churchill in May and fourth in the local Desert Stormer June 17 but confirmed her readiness for the A Gleam with a bullet six-furlong work in 1:12.20 at Hollywood July 7.
Trainer Bob Baffert will likely start two up and comers in the A Gleam in AMERICAN LADY and GLAMORISTA.
Kaleem Shah’s AMERICAN LADY looks like the filly to beat based on her local win in the Reminiscing June 1, which was her third win from six lifetime starts. The 4-year-old daughter of Stormy Atlantic has shown an affinity for Hollywood’s Cushion Track, winning 2-of-3 and seems poised for a breakthrough Saturday.
Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable’s Glamorista has done little wrong in five career starts, winning three times, including her most recent start in a June 21 allowance at Hollywood. The 5-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song has had her starts spread out but enters on the upswing and gives Baffert a strong duo.
George or Mary Claire Schmitt’s IZZY RULES, who won the Las Flores (GIII) in March at Santa Anita for trainer Jeff Bonde; Warren Williamson’s MILDLY OFFENSIVE, third in the Desert Stormer for trainer Carla Gaines; Ramona Bass, Claiborne Farms and Adele Dilschneider’s RUMOR, who won the Kalookan Queen at Santa Anita in January for trainer Richard Mandella; Stephen Weissman’s SUGARINTHEMORNING, a two-time stakes winner who was second most recently in the local Fran’s Valentine in May for trainer Ron McAnally and Ted and Judy Nichol’s TEDDY’S PROMISE, who upset the La Brea (GI) in December but was fifth in the Desert Stormer for trainer Ron Ellis, complete the prospective lineup for the A Gleam.
Long Distance Specialists Have Their Say at Parx
Saturday’s $200,000 Greenwood Cup, run at 1 1/2 miles, figures to be led by Jay Em Ess Stable’s REDEEMED, won Belmont Park’s Brooklyn (GII) June 8 by a resounding 10 lengths and Milesius in May for trainer Rick Dutrow. Redeemed, a 4-year-old son of Include who is 7-for-12 lifetime, stretched out to 1 1/2 miles in the Brooklyn and won his second career graded stakes, to go along with Aqueduct’s Discovery (GIII) to close out 2010.
Preston Stable’s BIRDRUN, who won the Greenwood Cup last year and was a game second in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon for trainer Bill Mott, has chased home Redeemed twice this year but rates as the main opposition. The 6-year-old son of Birdstone also won the Brooklyn last year but is winless in three starts this season. He kicked off his campaign running sixth in Aqueduct’s Excelsior (GIII) in March, was second behind Redeemed in the Milesius and then endured a nightmare start before finishing ninth in the Brooklyn.
Jer-Mar Stable’s WIN WILLY has rounded back in form of late for trainer McLean Robertson. The 6-year-old son of Monarchos won the Rebel (GII) at Oaklawn Park as a 3-year-old in 2009 and the Oaklawn Handicap (GII) there last year and secured his first win from four 2012 starts where he won Delaware Park’s Cape Henlopen June 28.
Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stable and Stuart Grant’s TECH FALL could also see action for Tony Dutrow. The 4-year-old son of Birdstone won an optional claimer at Aqueduct in March and was recently second behind Win Willy in the Cape Henlopen.
International Cast for American Oaks at Betfair Hollywood
Saturday's $350,000 American Oaks (GI), run at 1 1/4 miles over the turf for 3-year-old fillies, highlights the card at Hollywood. An international cast is expected to line up, with runners from the U.S., Great Britain and Ireland meriting top billing.
The U.S. contingent figures to be led by Conner or DeBruycker or Jacobsen’s MY GI GI for trainer Peter Eurton and Hronis Racing's LADY OF SHAMROCK for trainer John Sadler. The pair was separated by a nose in the local Honeymoon (GII) June 9, with My Gi Gi holding on over the odds-on favorite Lady Of Shamrock, who entered off a win in the Providencia (GIII) at Santa Anita In April. Shaka Glen Stable, Will Farish and ENL Stable’s COLONIAL FLAG, second in Churchill Downs' Regret (GIII) June 16 for trainer Michael Matz, also rates a look.
The European runners are led by Three Chimneys Racing's MISS CATO (GB), who won the Fernox at Sandown in April for trainer Rae Guest and Prince A.A. Faisal's NAYARRA (IRE), who was necked out in Newmarket's Nell Gwyn in April and has recently faced the best of her generation in the English 1000 Guineas (GI) at Newmarket in May and Epsom Oaks (GI) in June.
News and Notes
Alpha on the Comeback Trail
Godolphin Racing’s ALPHA, a multiple stakes winner who has not started since running 12th in the Kentucky Derby (GI) May 5, is back in training and pointing for a summer return. The 3-year-old son of Bernardini won Aqueduct’s Count Fleet in January and Withers in February (GIII) and was second there in the Wood Memorial (GI) in April prior to the Derby.
Alpha, who is 3-for-7 lifetime, finished second in Belmont’s Champagne (GI) last year before closing out his campaign with a troubled 12th in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs. He was pointing for the Belmont Stakes June 9 but was scratched the week of the race with a fever. Alpha signaled he’s close to a return when worked a bullet four furlongs in 47.33 at Saratoga July 9 and could start next in the Jim Dandy (GII) there July 28.
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Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships
A listing of the upcoming major stakes races this weekend:
BREEDERS’ CUP LADIES’ CLASSIC
July 14 – $400,000 Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park. Run at 1 1/16 miles for 3yo fillies.
BREEDERS’ CUP TURF
July 14 – $777,600 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. Run at about 1 1/2 miles on the turf for 3yos.
July 14 – $600,000 Man o’ War at Belmont Park. Run at 1 3/8 miles on the turf for 3yos & up.
July 14 – $200,000 American Derby at Arlington Park. Run at 1 3/16 miles on the turf for 3yos.
July 14 – $200,00 Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park. Run at 1 1/4 miles on the turf for 3yos & up.
July 14 – $150,000 Stars and Stripes at Arlington Park. Run at 1 1/2 miles on the turf for 3yos & up.
July 15 – $100,000 Sunset at Betfair Hollywood Park. Run at 1 1/2 miles on the turf for 3yos & up.
BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF
July 13 – $248,000 Falmouth at Newmarket. Run at 1-mile on the turf for fillies & mares.
July 14 – $350,000 American Oaks at Betfair Hollywood Park. Run at 1 1/4 miles on the turf for 3yo fillies.
July 14 – $250,000 Robert G. Dick at Delaware Park. Run at 1 3/8 miles on the turf for fillies & mares.
July 14 – $200,000 Modesty at Arlington Park. Run at 1 3/16 miles on the turf for fillies & mares.
BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT
July 14 – $100,000 Jersey Shore at Monmouth Park. Run at six furlongs for 3yos.
BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT
July 14 – $200,000 A Gleam at Betfair Hollywood Park. Run at seven furlongs for fillies & mares.
GREY GOOSE BREEDERS’ CUP JUVENILE
July 14 – $200,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship at Betfair Hollywood Park. Run at six furlongs for 2yos.
BREEDERS’ CUP TURF SPRINT
July 14 – $620,000 Darley July Cup at Newmarket. Run at six furlongs on the turf for 3yos & up.
BREEDERS’ CUP MARATHON
July 14 – $200,000 Greenwood Cup at Parx Racing, Run at 1 1/2 miles for 3yos & up.
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MAJOR STAKES RECAP JULY 4-8
A review of the major international races in the corresponding Breeders’ Cup divisions from last week.
| Race: | $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (GI), 3yos & up, 1 1/4 miles BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE |
| Track: | Betfair Hollywood Park |
| Finishing order: | 1 – GAME ON DUDE, 2 – RICHARD’S KID, 3 – KETTLE CORN |
| Margins: | 1 ½, 6 ¼, 4 ¼ |
| Also ran: | SPUD SPIVENS, LOVE THEWAY YOUARE, ANTHONY'S CROSS, THIRTYFIRSTSTREET |
| Winning connections: | Owner: Diamond Pride, Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable & Bernie Schiappa; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: Chantal Sutherland. |
| Time: | 2:04.19 (fast) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Classic – Diamond Pride, Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable and Bernie Schiappa’s GAME ON DUDE defeated stablemate RICHARD’S KID by 1 1/2 lengths to win Betfair Hollywood Park’s $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (GI) and earn a starting berth into the November 3 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita. As part of the enhancements of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, the winning connections of Game on Dude will receive free entry into the Classic and will receive a $10,000 travel allowance. Chantal Sutherland rode the winner for trainer Bob Baffert and guided the 5-year-old son of 1998 Classic winner Awesome Again to his third career grade I win. Game On Dude won the Santa Anita Handicap and Goodwood at Santa Anita in 2011, and also finished second in last year’s Gold Cup and Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. He is now 8-for-18 lifetime. This year, Game on Dude won the San Antonio (GII) at Santa Anita in February and Californian (GII) at Betfair Hollywood Park in June. Baffert indicated both horses will run next in the TVG Pacific Classic (GI) at Del Mar August 26. Richard’s Kid won the Pacific Classic, a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, in 2009 and 2010. Game On Dude was fourth in the Pacific Classic last year, but could use the race as a springboard to his ultimate goal later this fall. “We'll take him to Del Mar to see if he likes the track,” Baffert said. “Last year, he really didn't train well there. If he trains well, I'll run him in the Pacific Classic. If he doesn't, I'll just freshen him up and wait for the fall. He loves Santa Anita and the Breeders' Cup has been our goal.” Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMSjTIMrnBg
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| Race: | $350,000 Suburban (GII), 3yos & up, 1 1/8 miles |
| Track: | Belmont Park |
| Finishing order: | 1 – MUCHO MACHO MAN, 2 – HYMN BOOK, 3 – TRICKMEISTER |
| Margins: | 2 ½, 3, 2 |
| Also ran: | TO HONOR AND SERVE, STAY THIRSTY, BUFFUM, ENDORSEMENT |
| Winning connections: | Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; Trainer: Kathy Ritvo; Jockey: Mike Smith. |
| Time: | 1:46.58 (fast) |
Countdown to Breeders’ Cup Classic – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s MUCHO MACHO MAN delivered a powerful performance in winning Belmont Park’s $350,000 Suburban (GII) by 2 1/2 lengths over Hymn Book. Mike Smith was aboard for trainer Kathy Ritvo, guiding the 4-year-old son of 2000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Macho Uno to his sixth win from 16 lifetime starts. Mucho Macho Man was a stalwart on the Triple Crown scene in 2011, winning the Risen Star (GII) at Fair Grounds before running third in the Kentucky Derby, sixth in the Preakness and seventh in the Belmont Stakes. This year he’s 3-for-4, with a win in Gulfstream Park’s Sunshine Millions Classic in January and Gulfstream Park Handicap (GII) in March. Mucho Macho Man entered the Suburban off a disappointing third as the favorite in Churchill Downs’ Alysheba (GII) May 4 but signaled his return to form at Belmont. Ritvo indicated Saratoga’s Whitney (GI), a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic to be run August 4, could be next for Mucho Macho Man. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISoIejeWfaI
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| Race: | $150,000 Swaps (GII), 3yos, 1 1/8 miles |
| Track: | Betfair Hollywood Park |
| Finishing order: | 1 – BLUESKIESNRAINBOWS, 2 – NONIOS, 3 – LIAISON |
| Margins: | ¾, head, 2 ¼ |
| Also ran: | ROUSING SERMON, CALLED TO SERVE, EMPIRE WAY, ALL SQUARED AWAY |
| Winning connections: | Owner: Badboy Racing, Whizway Farms; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: Joe Talamo. |
| Time: | 1:50.89 (fast) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Classic – Badboy Racing and Whizway Farms’ BLUESKIESNRAINBOWS led every step of the way to post a three-quarter length win over NONIOS in Betfair Hollywood Park’s $150,000 Swaps (GII). Joe Talamo rode the winner for trainer Bob Baffert. It was the first graded stakes win for the son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner English Channel. Blueskiesnrainbows burst onto the scene when he almost upset Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another in the Santa Anita Derby (GI) in April, when he set a fast pace and finished third, beaten just a half-length. He entered the Swaps off a distant ninth in the American Turf (GII) at Churchill Downs in May but relished the return to the main track while winning for the third time in eight career starts. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrggxRcNAtk
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| Race: | $620,000 Coral Eclipse (GI), 3yos & up, about 1 1/4 miles (turf) |
| Track: | Sandown |
| Finishing order: | 1 – NATHANIEL (IRE), 2 – FARHH (GB), 3 – TWICE OVER (GB) |
| Margins: | ½, 2 ¾, 5 |
| Also ran: | CITYSCAPE (GB), CRACKERJACK KING (IRE), BONFIRE (GB), SRI PUTRA (GB), MONTEROSSO (GB), CITY STYLE |
| Winning connections: | Owner: Lady Rothschild & Newsells Park Stud; Trainer: John Gosden; Jockey: William Buick. |
| Time: | 2:06.94 (good/soft) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Turf – Lady Rothschild and Newsells Park Stud NATHANIEL (IRE) was a determined half-length winner over FARHH (GB) in the $620,000 Coral Eclipse (GI) at Sandown. John Gosden trained the winner, a 4-year-old son of Galileo (IRE) who was ridden by William Buick. Nathaniel was a major 3-year-old in Europe last year, winning the King Edward VII (GII) at Royal Ascot in June before beating a star-studded field in the King George and Queen Elizabeth (GI) at Ascot in July. The Eclipse was his first start of the season and moved his lifetime mark to four wins from eight starts. Gosden indicated Nathaniel will look to defend his title in the July 21 King George, which is a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Turf November 3 at Santa Anita. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znsslI2vShI
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| Race: | $505,000 United Nations (GI), 3yos & up, 1 3/8 miles (turf) BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE |
| Track: | Monmouth Park |
| Finishing order: | 1 – TURBO COMPRESSOR, 2 – AIR SUPPORT, 3 – AL KHALI |
| Margins: | 1 ¾, 2, neck |
| Also ran: | FREUD’S HONOR, SLIM SHADEY, BRILLIANT SPEED, ELDAAFER |
| Winning connections: | Owner: P and G Stable and Off The Hook; Trainer: Todd Pletcher; Jockey: Joe Bravo. |
| Time: | 2:12.88 (firm) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Turf – P and G Stable and Off the Hook’s TURBO COMPRESSOR led every step of the way in winning Monmouth Park’s $505,000 United Nations (GI) by 1 3/4 lengths over AIR SUPPORT and earn an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf November 3 at Santa Anita. As part of the enhancements of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, the winning connections of Turbo Compressor will receive free entry into the Turf and will receive a $10,000 travel allowance. Trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Joe Bravo teamed up on the winner, a 4-year-old son of Halo’s Image who won his first career graded stakes. Turbo Compressor won the Curlin at Saratoga and Rose at Calder last year on the main track but has stepped up his game on the turf this season, winning 3-of-4, including the Colonial Turf Cup in his last start June 16. Pletcher indicated Turbo Compressor, now 7-for-14 lifetime, could start next in Saratoga’s Sword Dancer (GI) August 18. Co-second choice BRILLIANT SPEED, third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs, never threatened and finished sixth.
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| Race: | $352,020 Dance Smartly (GII), fillies & mares, 1 1/8 (turf) |
| Track: | Woodbine |
| Finishing order: | 1 – DANCE SMARTLY, 2 – MOMENT OF MAJESTY, 3 – INGLORIOUS |
| Margins: | 1 ¾, ½, 1 ¼ |
| Also ran: | INDIAN POND, KISSABLE (IRE), MOONLIT BEAUTY, LODE LADY |
| Winning connections: | Owner: Glen Hill Farm; Trainer: Tom Proctor; Jockey: Julien Leparoux. |
| Time: | 1:48.02 (firm) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Glen Hill Farm’s MARKETING MIX remained undefeated in three starts at Woodbine with a 1 ¾-length win over MOMENT OF MAJESTY in the $352,020 Dance Smartly (GII). Julien Leparoux was in to ride the winner for trainer Tom Proctor and guided the 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro to her seventh win from 13 career starts. Marketing Mix won the Pucker Up (GIII) at Arlington Park and Mrs. Revere (GII) at Churchill Downs last year and entered off a win in the local Nassau (GII) June 2. Video: http://bit.ly/RQ2mfN
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| Race: | $150,000 Royal Heroine (GII), fillies & mares, 1-mile (turf) |
| Track: | Betfair Hollywood Park |
| Finishing order: | 1 – QUIET OASIS (IRE), 2 – MEGA DREAM, 3 – BRIECAT |
| Margins: | Head, neck, 1 ¼ |
| Also ran: | NEREID, NINTH INFANTRY, UP IN TIME (GB), CITY TO CITY, ALLSTAR HEART |
| Winning connections: | Owner: Paul Reddam; Trainer: Ben Cecil; Jockey: Mario Gutierrez. |
| Time: | 1:35.06 (firm) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Paul Reddam’s QUIET OASIS (IRE) rallied late to defeat MEGA DREAM by a head in Betfair Hollywood Park’s $150,000 Royal Heroine (GII). Ben Cecil trained the winner, a 4-year-old daughter of Oasis Dream (GB) who was ridden by Mario Gutierrez. Quiet Oasis won her second stakes of the meet, to go with the Wilshire (GIII) in April and rebounded from a tough half-length loss in her last start, the local Gamely (GI) May 28. Quiet Oasis began her career in Europe with trainer Brian Meehan and finished seventh in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf before heading to Cecil’s barn. She has now won four of her 10 lifetime starts and could surface next in Del Mar’s John C. Mabee (GII) August 12. Video: http://tinyurl.com/bpqpvjo
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| Race: | $150,000 Poker (GIII), 3yos & up, 1-mile (turf) |
| Track: | Belmont Park |
| Finishing order: | 1 – CLEAR ATTEMPT, 2 – COMPLIANCE OFFICER, 3 – YIELD BOGEY |
| Margins: | 1 ¾, ½, 1 1/2 |
| Also ran: | BOOTS AHEAD, RIGHT ONE (FR), VOODOO STORM, GOURMET DINNER |
| Winning connections: | Owner: Pam and Marty Wygod; Trainer: Bill Mott; Jockey: Jose Lezcano. |
| Time: | 1:34.01 (firm) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Mile – Pam and Marty Wygod’s homebred CLEAR ATTEMPT won his first career stakes with a 1 3/4-length win over COMPLIANCE OFFICER under Jose Lezcano in Belmont Park’s $150,000 Poker (GII). Trained by Bill Mott, Clear Attempt, a 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy, won his third race in 11 lifetime starts in what also marked his stakes debut. Clear Attempt has been patiently handled by Mott, breaking his maiden in June 2011 at Belmont and winning an entry level allowance at Churchill Downs in November before running second in a pair of optional claimers this year at Gulfstream Park in January and Belmont in May. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ0ydvOh3-U
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| Race: | $400,000 Smile Sprint (GII), 3yos & up, six furlongs BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACE |
| Track: | Calder Race Course |
| Finishing order: | 1 – GANTRY, 2 – INDIANO, 3 – CLOSE IT OUT |
| Margins: | 5, nose, nose |
| Also ran: | ARTEFACTO, APRIORITY, CAJUN BREEZE, ATLANTIC BULL, FIELD COMMISSION |
| Winning connections: | Owner: Brittlyn Stable; Trainer: Ron Faucheux; Jockey: Richard Eramia. |
| Time: | 1:10.52 (fast) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint – Brittlyn Stable’s GANTRY powered clear in midstretch to win Calder Race Course’s Smile Sprint (GII) by 5 lengths over INDIANO and earn an automatic starting berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint November 3 at Santa Anita in the process. As part of the enhancements of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, the winning connections of Gantry will receive free entry into the Sprint and will receive a $10,000 travel allowance. Richard Eramia rode the winner, a 5-year-old son of Pulpit trained by Ron Faucheux. Gantry has been a revelation of sorts since coming to Faucheux’s barn from trainer Mike Hushion last fall, winning 4-of-5 starts, including the Thanksgiving, Gaudin and Kenner stakes at Fair Grounds. He entered the Smile off a third in the Churchill Downs (GII) May 5 and has now won 7-of-13 career starts and is perfect in six starts at six furlongs, which has Faucheux thinking big later this fall. “Six furlongs is his game,” said Faucheux. “We had been thinking about taking him to Iowa for a race but then decided to come here instead and go for the big money and a chance to get into the Breeders’ Cup. Obviously the Breeders’ Cup is our goal now. He’ll probably have only one more race before that, maybe something easy back home in Louisiana.” Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjgbsCMUV_0
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| Race: | $150,000 Carry Back (GIIII), 3yos, six furlongs |
| Track: | Calder Race Course |
| Finishing order: | 1 – FORT LOUDON, 2 – TRINNIBERG, 3 – ANGELOFDISTINCTION |
| Margins: | Neck, 13 ¾, 4 ¾ |
| Also ran: | REX’S LAST TOUR, IT TAKES HEART |
| Winning connections: | Owner: – Jacks or Better Farm; Trainer: Stanley Gold; Jockey: Fernando Jara. |
| Time: | 1:10.57 (fast) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint – Jacks of Better Farm’s homebred FORT LOUDON collared heavily favored TRINNIBERG at the line to win Calder Race Course’s $150,000 Carry Back (GIII) by a neck. Trainer Stanley Gold and jockey Fernando Jara teamed up for the win with the 3-year-old son of Awesome Of Course. Fort Loudon swept through all three Florida Stallion Series races last year at Calder before running seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs to end his 2-year-old season. He returned at Gulfstream Park but struggled in a trio of Triple Crown preps—the Holy Bull (GIII), Fountain of Youth (GII) and Florida Derby (GI)—but got untracked at Calder in his last two, winning the In Summation in May and Unbridled June 9. Fort Loudon has now won half of his 14 career starts, with all seven wins coming over his home track of Calder. Multiple graded stakes winner Trinniberg, who won Belmont Park’s Woody Stephens (GII) in his last start June 9, lost nothing in defeat and was 13 3/4 lengths clear of third. Both runners could surface next in Saratoga’s King’s Bishop (GI) August 25.
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| Race: | $400,000 Princess Rooney (GI), fillies & mares, six furlongs |
| Track: | Calder Race Course |
| Finishing order: | 1 – MUSICAL ROMANCE, 1 – NICOLE H, 3 – NAKANO |
| Margins: | ½, 2 ¾, neck |
| Also ran: | FLYING TRIP, BOUQUET BOOTH, INDULGENCE, GOLDEN MYSTERY, LEOPARD ROCK, WILD BOUT TIFFANY, BELOVEDA, SPECTACULAR SKY |
| Winning connections: | Owner: Pinnacle Racing & Bill Kaplan; Trainer: Bill Kaplan; Jockey: Juan Leyva. |
| Time: | 1:10.92 (fast) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – Pinnacle Racing and trainer Bill Kaplan’s defending Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner MUSICAL ROMANCE won a hard-fought half-length decision over NICOLE H in Calder Race Course’s $400,000 Princess Rooney (GI). Juan Leyva rode the winner, a 5-year-old daughter of Concorde’s Tune who was voted female sprint champion on the basis of a 5-for-14 campaign than included a tough neck loss in the Rooney to go along with wins in the Presque Isle Downs Masters (GII) and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs. This year Musical Romance won the Inside Information at Gulfstream Park (GII) in March and is now 11-for-38 lifetime. Kaplan indicated Musical Romance could start next in Saratoga’s Ballerina (GI), a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Filly & Mare Sprint August 24 and was relieved his star filly was back on track to defend her Sprint title. “It was just a great race, and we were able to keep her on the road to the Breeders' Cup." Kaplan said.
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| Race: | $150,000 Azalea (GIII), 3yo fillies, six furlongs |
| Track: | Calder Race Course |
| Finishing order: | 1 – ANOTHER ROMANCE, 2 – CITIZEN ADVOCATE, 3 – REDBUD ROAD |
| Margins: | 1 ½, 1 ¾, neck |
| Also ran: | SINISTER TALE, DEFY GRAVITY, SAY A NOVENA, AWESOME BELLE, EXCLUSIVELY MARIA, DADDYS JEWEL |
| Winning connections: | Owner: Lewis Pell, Michael Eigner, Pinnacle Racing Stable; Trainer: Bill Kaplan; Jockey: Luca Panici. |
| Time: | 1:12.02 (fast) |
Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – Lewis Pell, Michael Eigner, Pinnacle Racing Stable’s ANOTHER ROMANCE won her graded stakes debut with a 1 1/2-length win over CITIZEN ADVOCATE in Calder Race Course’s $150,000 Azalea (GIII). Trainer Bill Kaplan and Luca Panici teamed up on the winner, a 3-year-old daughter of Saint Anddan who won for the fourth time in 15 career starts. Another Romance has won 4-of-5 since breaking her maiden at Calder in April, including the local Leave Me Alone in her last start June 9.
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About Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2012 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 15 races and purses totaling more than $25 million will be held Nov. 2-3 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and will be televised live by the NBC Sports Network. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
