OLDSMAR - For so many of the horsemen and jockeys who have returned to Tampa Bay Downs, yesterday’s Opening Day card was like a family reunion. Seeing people they haven’t crossed paths with in six or seven months, and often much longer, is a priceless feeling. No one really comes here to get rich, although a select few will profit handsomely through equine talent, training and riding skills, determination and the one variable – luck – everyone hopes lands on their shoulder. But in addition to the weather, which you can’t help mentioning if you’ve come here from just about any track except Gulfstream, it’s the friendships and the shared responsibility of putting on a great show that fill hearts with hope and a strong reminder of why they entered the sport/business in the first place. “Everyone is real nice here. It’s gotten to where racing is real businesslike, but here at Tampa it’s still like a family deal,” said owner-trainer Robert G. Smith, who owns 104-acre Wesfield Farm in Ocala and has 12 stalls on the Oldsmar backside. “We don’t see most of these people all summer, so it’s like coming home for the holidays. “Even the people who come to the races, people we’ve gotten to know over the last 10 years, come up and want to know how your horse is doing,” Smith said. His operation, while large, is also a family affair. His wife Saronda and sons Drake and Rhett all are actively involved, sharing the good times and working as a team through the dry spells. “When you run your horses in the right spots, you can win races and make money here,” said Smith, who trained former 6 ½-furlong track record-holder White Merlot (Drake owned the filly). But with everyone chasing the same pot of gold, other benefits to being here are heightened in importance. “You look at the job (the track’s maintenance department) does with the dirt course and the turf course, they are both safe and consistent,” Smith said. “They do a heck of a job, and that helps make it a good place to run a horse.” Before Antonio Gallardo won five Tampa Bay Downs riding titles, including three in a row from 2014-2016, he struggled to make a name for himself after arriving stateside from Spain, his homeland. Some observers pointed to his 2013 Challenger Stakes victory aboard Flatter This for trainer Kathleen O’Connell as a key turning point for the jockey, but Gallardo knows “belonging” at Tampa Bay Downs extends beyond having the confidence to compete on the track. “For me, this is home. This is where my business started to pick up, and it’s where I’m raising my family,” said the 35-year-old Gallardo, whose 2,300-plus career victories include 11 graded stakes. “And a lot of people watch Tampa, so no matter where you go during the summer, they’re going to know you.” Gallardo and his wife, Polliana, have also formed lasting relationships with members of the Tampa Bay Downs fan base they richly cherish. “Walking back after a race, I can hear people say my name. It’s a great feeling that they come here to see you,” he said. Looking for more insight into what makes this place feel like that well-worn couch your pop falls asleep on every Sunday? Consider the case of owner-trainer Juan Arriagada’s 10-year-old gelding Native Hawk, dismissed by some before today’s third race as too old for the rigors of racing. But with jockey Jose Batista keeping the ancient warrior within striking distance of pace-setter Bazoo throughout, Native Hawk did what he has always done best – try. His effort resulted in a head victory, the 19th of his career and his 11th victory in 31 career starts (with six seconds and five thirds) on the Oldsmar dirt. “He has that competitive spirit. He likes to win,” said Arriagada, who plans to run Native Hawk two or three more times before retiring him to a nearby farm. “When he wins, he comes back to the barn feeling he’s the best of the best. When he comes out of his stall tomorrow, he’ll be acting powerful because he knows what he did. That old man is pretty amazing.” Tampa Bay Downs might not have the restorative powers of the Fountain of Youth, but it’s a great place to slow the inevitable onslaught of time – for trainers, jockeys, fans and horses, all eager to extend the welcome to newbies. Around the oval - - The victory aboard Native Hawk was one of two today for Batista, who also won the second race on 3-year-old filly Peppermint Class, a first-time starter, for owner Mastic Beach Racing and trainer Diane Morici. Batista recently returned to action at Gulfstream Park after being sidelined almost four months with ankle and heel fractures suffered in a fall at Monmouth. He had four seconds from 15 mounts at Gulfstream, and his agent, Eddie Joe Zambrana, welcomed him back with a crushing bear hug after the victory on Peppermint Class. Jesus Castanon also rode two winners. He won the sixth race, the “Happy Thanksgiving” purse, on Cerulean, a 4-year-old filly owned by Tobin Stables and trained by Kerri Raven. Castanon added the eighth race on Remuda, a 3-year-old colt bred and owned by Godolphin and trained by Eoin Harty. Nominations released for Inaugural, Sandpiper Stakes. The first two stakes races of the 2022-2023 meet, the Inaugural for 2-year-olds and the Sandpiper Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, have each drawn 21 nominations. The $100,000, 6-furlong events will be run Dec. 3. Among the nominations for the 37th running of the Inaugural is Lea Farms, LLC’s colt Super Chow, who won the $200,000 Bowman Mill Stakes on Oct. 29 at Keeneland by 5 lengths in his most recent start. Jorge Delgado trains Super Chow, who finished third in the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes on Aug. 13. Also nominated to the Inaugural are stakes winners Acoustic Ave, owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and trained by Christophe Clement, and the gelding Howgreatisnate, owned by Imaginary Stables and trained by Andrew Simoff, as well as stakes-placed Freedom Road, owned by Pinnacle Racing Team and trained by Gregory Sacco. Dorth Vader, a 2-year-old Florida-bred filly who won the Juvenile Fillies Sprint Stakes on Oct. 29 at Gulfstream Park in her most recent start, is among the leading nominees for the 45th Sandpiper. She is owned by her breeder, John Ropes, and trained by Michael Yates. Other top Sandpiper nominees include stakes-placed Florida-bred Oh Darlin, owned by Laurie Plesa and trained by her husband, Edward Plesa Jr., and Personal Pursuit, owned by Tracy Farmer and trained by Mark Casse. Rare occurrence, indeed. Yesterday’s card marked only the second Opening Day at Tampa Bay Downs this century without a turf race. The 4th and 6th races were switched to the main track due to wet grounds. The last time it happened was Dec. 17, 2002 – three days after the originally scheduled Opening Day card was cancelled due to heavy rains, followed by severe flooding. The 11th race was carded for the turf, but the grounds still proved too wet for an attempt. The only other Opening Day card without a grass race since the turf course debuted on May 2, 1998 occurred on Dec. 18, 1999, when the only scheduled turf race on the card was switched to the main track due to persistent showers and wet ground. Given this history, racing fans can expect plenty of spectacular turf racing this season at the track once known as Sunshine Park.
Attendance - 2,770; Handle - $180,965. ITW - $97,673. ISW - $2,961,911.
HALLANDALE BEACH - Lael Stables’ Navy Goat overcame a slow pace by saving ground and employing a strong late kick to capture the $60,000 Juvenile Fillies, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for 2-year-old Florida-bred fillies on Tapeta, Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The Juvenile Fillies co-headlined Saturday’s 11-race program with the $60,000 Juvenile, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for Florida-bred 2-year-olds on Tapeta. Favored Navy Goat ($5.40), who was purchased for $450,000 out of the OBS April sale, scored by 2 ½ lengths under Samy Camacho while running 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather surface in 1:44,46. Oh Darlin, the 3-1 second betting choice ridden by Kevin Krigger, finished second, a neck ahead of Luck in the Dusk. Oh Darlin, who was stretching out around two turns for the first time after graduating by three lengths in a five-furlong maiden test on Tapeta, broke alertly to set a controlled pace around the first turn and along the backstretch. Navy Goat settled near the rear of the closely packed field of seven fillies as Oh Darlin took a narrow lead into the stretch. The Eddie Plesa Jr.-trained pacesetter fought off all challenges to open a clear lead in the stretch, only to fall victim to Navy Goat, who found room and her best stride to overtake the second choice with a rail surge inside the sixteenth pole. “She broke a touch slow and there was not much pace, so I thought for a while that she was a little bit in trouble,” trainer Arnaud Delacoeur said. “But he did manage to get her to settle and wait, and she made a big run.” Navy Goat, who finished third in her Aug. 20 debut in a five-furlong turf race at Monmouth, graduated in a mile turf event at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 14. “I thought she ran very well at Kentucky Downs, but she needed a little bit of time because we shipped there and we were running back quick, so she was not quite ready for the big races in the fall,” Delacoeur said. “But this was a perfect spot, we gave her plenty of time and obviously she likes the track. I’ll have to see what our options are, but I believe that we’ll try her in one of those 3-year-old stakes on the turf at some stage.” In the co-featured Juvenile, NBS Stable’s Anamnestic emerged on the outside of a hotly contested stretch drive with a late surge to finish first, only to be disqualified for interference. Palm Beach Racing Partnership’s Dangerous Ride took the safest route to the finish line, surging late along the rail while avoiding the trouble that resulted in the disqualification from first to fifth of Anamnestic. Dangerous Ride ($14.40) was awarded his first stakes victory in his fifth consecutive stakes start since winning his debut May 22 at Gulfstream. The son of Lord Nelson saved ground while closely tracking pacesetter Cheerful Charlie along the backstretch and around the turn into the homestretch. Edwin Gonzalez found room along the rail at the top of the stretch and sent the Florida-bred colt inside the tiring Cheerful Charlie. Dangerous Ride caught Big Save for second, but Anamnestic had gotten the jump on him from the outside to prevail by three-quarters of a length. The stewards, however, subsequently ruled that Anamnestic had caused considerable stretch trouble, placing the first-place finishes behind the favorite and fourth-place finisher Souper Blessing. Cheerful Charlie was awarded third. “It was pretty even at the end. I think he fought at the end. There was a little something going on on the outside. At first, I wondered why he didn’t go out, but he would have ended up in the whole thing so it’s a good thing he saved ground,” Dangerous Ride’s trainer Carlos David said “He decided to stick with the rail and he came up and fought to get second. We’re happy.”
Saffie Joseph Jr.-Trained Maiden 2YO ‘Miles’ the Best Vegso Racing Stable’s Lord Miles made an auspicious and eventful debut in Saturday’s Race 6, a six-furlong maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds. The homebred son of Curlin, who fell several lengths off the pace when negatively reacting to kickback along the backstretch, regained his focus after jockey Edgard Zayas took him to the outside of horses, launching a stretch drive that overpowered his competition on his way to a going-away win. “He’s not the fastest out of the gate, but today he broke sharp and then he got outkicked. Then when the kickback hit him, he didn’t know what to do. Edgard did a good thing getting him to the outside,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “It took him a little time to get going, but at the top of the lane after he got going, he really put the race to bed in a few strides.” Lord Miles ($7.40) ran six furlongs in 1:13.02 while scoring by 5 ¾ lengths over runner-up Big Data. There Be Dragons finished another three-quarters of a length back in third. Lord Miles is the first foal out of Lady Esme, a daughter of Majestic Warrior. “He’s trained like a good horse, but you have to do it on race day. It was an encouraging debut,” Joseph said. “Our horses tend to improve on a race. Most Curlins don’t really win first time out, so you would think that he’s bred to get better.” Joseph expected to take it one step at a time with Lord Miles. “We’ll probably run back in an allowance during the Championship Meet. Then, if he passes that test, we’ll get more ambitious,” he said.
HALLANDALE BEACH - Eddie Plesa Jr. was impressed enough with how well Oh Darlin had prepared for this year’s OBS April Sale that he decided to take a calculated gamble on her even after she developed a physical issue following her final breeze for the 2-year-olds in training sale. The veteran South Florida trainer with 2,467 career wins bought Oh Darlin for his wife, Laurie, with a winning bid of $40,000, knowing the Florida-bred filly would need some time before going into training and embarking on her racing career. “It was the kind of issue that I looked at as an opportunity. It was also the kind of issue that I couldn’t buy the horse for somebody else. You can’t buy horses that have issues for other people.” Plesa said. “In my mind I wanted a discounted price and I thought the $40,000 was a discounted price. I think if she didn’t have that issue, she would have brought well into the six figures.” Oh Darlin, thus far, has proven to be a solid investment and will make her stakes debut Saturday at Gulfstream Park in the $60,000 Juvenile Fillies, a mile-and-70-yard stakes for 2-year-old Florida-bred fillies on Tapeta. The daughter of Uncaptured is also eligible for a $15,000 purse supplement offered to a Florida Sire Stakes nominated winner. The Juvenile Fillies will co-headline Saturday’s card with the $60,000 Juvenile, a mile-and-70-yard stakes for 2-year-old Florida-breds on Tapeta that will also offer a $15,000 purse supplement for an FSS-nominated winner. Oh Darlin, who missed the lucrative 2022 Florida Sire Stakes series, was a little unlucky in her Oct. 7 debut, in which she experienced bumping at the start before a four-wide bid fell just a nose short of catching Hoax, the Todd Pletcher-trained favorite in the 5 ½-furlong dash on Tapeta. In her Oct. 28 return, she closely attended the pace on the inside before making a sweeping move to the lead on the turn and drawing clear by three lengths to graduate in a five-furlong race on Tapeta. “It didn’t work out [in her debut] but in the big picture, what has it done? It’s given her another race. It gives her more experience,” Plesa said. Although Oh Darlin has already proven herself on the all-weather surface, she will be making her first start around two turns Saturday. “It’s a question mark. I’ve had a number of Uncaptureds and they seem to be better sprinting than they do going around two turns,” Plesa said. “She’s been on the Tapeta, so we know she likes the Tapeta. It’s not a big field numbers-wise. She drew a good [rail] post, so if she’s going to get the two turns, barring the unforeseen, it will be Saturday.” Kevin Krigger has the return mount on Oh Darlin, 8-5 in the morning line. Lael Stables’ Navy Goat, who graduated on turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 18 in his most recent start, is also slated to make her stakes debut Saturday. The Arnaud Delacoeur-trained daughter of Army Mule was purchased for $450,000 at the OBS April Sale. Navy Goat, who finished a wide third in her Aug. 16 debut at five furlongs over Monmouth Park’s turf course, overcame a bump at the start of the mile race at Kentucky Downs before registering a narrow victory to graduate. Camacho is scheduled to ride Navy Goat for the first time. Nova Stable’s Esoteric is set to make her two-turn debut on Tapeta following a pair of promising main-track starts. The daughter of Khozan won at first asking Sept. 23 at Gulfstream following a nine-wide drive under Chantal Sutherland. The Ron Spatz trainee recovered from bumping at the start of her Oct. 29 return to finish third in the Juvenile Fillies Sprint for Florida-breds. Sutherland returns aboard Esoteric, who is eligible for the FSS purse supplement. Miracles International Trading Inc.’s Extra Indy, Orlando Barrera’s La Panda, NBS Stable’s Luck in the Dusk, and Patrick Biancone Racing LLC and Amy Dunne’s Luck in Malibu round out the field. The Juvenile will bring together a pair of stakes-experienced 2-year-olds in Palm Beach Racing Partnership’s Dangerous Ride and Spencer MacDonald’s Cheerful Charlie. Dangerous Ride, a son of Lord Nelson, is scheduled to make his fifth consecutive stakes start Saturday. The Carlos David trainee, who most recently finished second in the Juvenile Sprint for Florida-breds on the main track, debuted with a victory at Gulfstream Park on Tapeta. Edwin Gonzalez has the return mount aboard Dangerous Ride. Cheerful Charlie, a son of Adios Charlie who is eligible for the FSS purse supplement, has been stakes-placed in all three of his stakes appearances. The Luis Olivares trainee most recently finished second in an optional claiming allowance on dirt following three straight stakes starts on Tapeta – a third-place finish in the 5 ½-furlong Proud Man, a close second in the mile-and-70-yard Armed Forces and a third-place finish in the five-furlong Hollywood Beach. Jose Morelos is scheduled to ride Cheerful Charlie for the first time. Live Oak Plantation’s Souper Blessing, who finished third in the Juvenile Sprint, graduated on Tapeta in his previous start, a six-furlong maiden special weight race in which he closed from well off the pace and drew away to win by 3 ¼ lengths at Presque Isle Downs. Sam Camacho has the return call on Souper Blessing.
Arindel’s Maximo, a 10-length winner in a mile-and-70-yard maiden special weight race on Tapeta prior to a pair of poor showings in the FSS Affirmed and the Armed Forces, will return as a gelding in the Juvenile, in which he will race without blinkers for the first time. Edgard Zayas has the call on the son of Brethren. NBS Stable’s Anamnestic, Roger Lauren’s Tigre, Dan Hurtak’s Captain Anthony and Alex and Joanne Lieblong’s Big Save round out the field.
HALLANDALE BEACH -1/ST Racing and Gaming is aware of an irregularity in the betting pool for the Quinella on the first race on Nov. 11 at Gulfstream Park. The account from which this wager was played has been identified and that account has been closed. Our team is working with the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (TRPB) and other agencies to investigate the full impact of the manipulation of the pool, which appears to involve offshore betting sites. “Integrity and safety are the two cornerstones of 1/ST’s foundation, and we are continuing to thoroughly review all actions associated with this incident,” said Aidan Butler, CEO of 1/ST Racing and Gaming. “Ensuring the protection of our stakeholders, including the important constituency who wager on our races, is of paramount importance.” “TRPB’s Wagering Integrity Unit is assisting the investigation into the betting,” said Curtis Linnell, Executive Vice President of the TRBP. “There is no indication at this time of malfeasance by any participants in the race itself.” Pari-Mutuel pools are, by their very nature, self-correcting as parties effectively wager against each other with the racing association taking the identical commission percentage on the bets regardless of the odds. The odds are transparent as they are determined by the amount of money bet on an individual interest or, in the case of exotic wagers, on the combination. Because of the manipulation, the Quinella wager on the race returned a higher price than it traditionally would have paid. The Quinella wager is a marginal bet, generating much smaller pools than straight bets and other exotic wagers, thus it can be easier to manipulate. Most horseplayers traditionally place an Exacta box bet instead of a Quinella – picking the first two finishers in either order. Gulfstream Park has removed the Quinella from the betting menu effective immediately.
The $2 exacta in the race paid $18.60 with the favorite and second choice finishing 1-2, but the quinella paid $42.40. While the exacta pools at Gulfstream are mostly in the over $100,000 range, the quinella pools are usually in the $5,000 to $7,000 range. In this one, the quinella pool was an unheard of $24,280.
HALLANDALE BEACH - Jockey Edgard Zayas celebrated his 2,000th career victory in style Friday at Gulfstream Park, rallying Wonder Stables, Madaket Stables and Golconda Stable’s 3-year-old filly Miss You Ella to a popular triumph in the $70,000 Cellars Shiraz. Trained by Sunshine Meet leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., Miss You Ella ($6.60) completed one mile and 70 yards in 1:43.81 over the all-weather Tapeta course to become a stakes-winner for the first time after placing twice previously, including the Sweetest Chant (G3) on Feb. 5. Miss You Ella rated in mid-pack as Frippet led through an opening quarter-mile in :25.72 seconds until Omixochitl took over after a half in :51.95. Zayas tipped outside on the far turn and set his sights on the leader, gaining steadily through the stretch before edging past approaching the wire. “My plan was to try to follow [Omixochitl]. The last time they ran together, she beat her,” Zayas said. “I thought if I had a shot to beat her, I just had to follow her around and see if I could finish it. As soon as she got in the clear, she finished up really strong. She keeps improving every race.” Zayas reached the milestone four months after returning from surgery on his left shoulder that ended his 2021 season last December, the subsequent recovery and rehabilitation keeping him out of action until June 24. Miss You Ella was the fifth of six mounts on the day for Zayas, 29, who had run second five times after getting No. 1,999 on Oct. 29, including twice Friday. It was Zayas’ seventh stakes win since coming back, following Lynx in the Florida Sire Stakes Desert Vixen and Susan’s Girl, Turbo in the Juvenile Sprint, Chasing Artie in the Bobby Umphrey Sprint, Blind Spot in the Our Dear Peggy and Clapton in the Gil Campbell Memorial. “It feels amazing,” Zayas said. “It was a little harder than I thought to get the last one, but we were close a few times and hopefully there’s more to come.” Zayas notched a second straight win aboard Bass Stables’ Avow ($3.60), the 4-5 favorite trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, in Race 9 to move into a tie with Leonel Reyes for second in the rider standing with 17 wins, trailing only Miguel Vasquez’s 29. A native of Puerto Rico where he attended jockey school, Zayas ventured directly to South Florida to launch his professional career, making his debut on Oct. 28, 2012 and winning his first race on Nov. 17, 2012 aboard Five Afternoons, both at Calder Race Course, later Gulfstream Park West. He developed a friendship with Hall of Famer Angel Cordero Jr., who took him under his wing and worked with him daily to develop his riding style during the 2012-2013 Championship Meet. Zayas went on to win 203 races in 2013 including his first Gr. 1 on Starship Truffles in the Princess Rooney Handicap, and became a finalist for the Eclipse Award as champion apprentice. Zayas has won more than 200 races in six of his nine full seasons, winning several riding titles in South Florida and earning victory No. 1,000 on Aug. 12, 2017 at Gulfstream on Highborn. He has personal single-season highs of 1,447 starters in 2020, 285 wins in 2014 and $8.44 million in purse earnings in 2021. Among the top horses Zayas has ridden are $5.5 million earner Gunnevera and fellow graded stakes-winners Sharp Azteca, Consumer Credit, C. Zee, Favorite Tale, Isabella Sings, Dearest, Shakhimat, Drain the Clock and Wholebodemeister. Zayas enjoyed a breakout 2020-2021 Championship Meet ranking fifth with 74 wins and nearly $2.8 million in purse earnings, followed by 2021 spring-summer and fall meet titles. Before having surgery, he had 11 wins to start 2021-2022 Championship Meet including victories in the Claiming Crown Tiara on Sugar Fix and Claiming Crown Express on Face of Victory.
“Hopefully we keep the support from all the trainers and all the owners and we have a good upcoming winter meet,” Zayas said. “It’s even more special to [get No. 2,000] for Saffie. I’ve won so many races for him and been riding for him for a long time. But, I have to thank everyone for always supporting me for all these years.” During his recovery and rehabilitation, Zayas was able to spend some quality family time with his wife, Ashley, and daughters, Lillian (5) and Lilah (21 months), who celebrated in the winner’s circle after the race. “For them to be here is very special,” Zayas said. “Their support means everything.”
The three Florida-breds who competed in Friday's first day of Breeders' Cup racing at Keeneland all flopped big time.
In the Netjets Juvenile Fillies, Atomically finished seventh under Luis Saez at odds of 6-1. She earned a check of $20,000.
In the Juvenile Fillies Turf, Delight finished 10th at odds of 9-1. She earned $10,000.
In the Juvenile Turf Sprint, Speed Boat Beach finished ninth at 5-1. He earned $10,000.
Disappointing, but there are five more competing today.
HALLANDALE BEACH - Gr. 1 winner White Abarrio sizzled in his return to the work tab Friday at Gulfstream Park for the first time since his fifth-place finish in the Sept. 24 Pennsylvania Derby. Regular exercise rider Vicente Gudiel was aboard as White Abarrio breezed four furlongs in :46.42 seconds over a fast main track, ranking first of 55 horses. “We gave him a little freshening after the Pennsylvania Derby and today was his first work. He worked very good, obviously,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “It was a little quicker, ideally, than you’d like for the first work back but he did it well enough. “He worked super good. I guess because he’s fresh he worked a little faster just because he’s feeling so good in that aspect,” he added. “We’re happy with how he went and how he came out of it.” After winning his first two starts and running third in the Kentucky Jockey Club at 2, White Abarrio began his 3-year-old campaign with victories over his home track in the Feb. 5 Holy Bull and April 2 Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa. The Florida Derby earned White Abarrio a shot at the Kentucky Derby, where he ran 16th following a wide trip from Post 15. Runner-up to favored Tawny Port in the Ohio Derby, he wound up seventh behind Cyberknife as the third choice in the Haskell prior to the Pennsylvania Derby, where he was fifth by eight lengths and matched a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure.
“We were very disappointed at Monmouth. It was kind of a throwout race,” Joseph said. “He didn’t win the Pennsylvania Derby but I thought he ran credible. On the figures he ran top numbers … so it was a good confidence builder to get him back.” Joseph indicated White Abarrio will make his next start in the Gr. I Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) Dec. 3 at Aqueduct. “Our main goal now is to cut him back in distance to the one-turn mile,” he said. “He’ll probably stay on a Thursday or Friday work schedule every week until then.” The 20-cent Rainbow 6 gross jackpot pool at will be guaranteed at $50,000 today during an 11-race program highlighted by a pair of stakes for 2-year-olds. First race post time is 12:25 p.m.
Two horses were live to take down the jackpot heading into Friday’s Race 9 finale, won by Tiz a Giant ($4.20). Multiple tickets with all six winners each returned $140.10.
A pair of youngsters by Girvin were each sold for $110,000 to share honors atop the Open session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2022 October Yearling Sale. Hip No. 418, a dark bay or brown colt consigned by Boutte Sales, Agent, went to Champion Equine. He’s out of stakes- placed OBS graduate Absoulute Heaven, by Not For Love, a daughter of stakes-winning OBS graduate Princess Caveat. D J Stable purchased Hip No. 610, a bay filly consigned by Camelot Acres Racing and Sales. She’s a half -sister to stakes- winning OBS graduate Little Chesney, out of Liberty Flag, by Kingmambo. Hip No. 639, a daughter of OBS graduate Sharp Azteca consigned by Moreau Bloodstock Int’l, Inc., Agent, went to New Day Training Center for $85,000. The dark bay or brown filly is out of Miss Subtle, by Misremembered, a daughter of graded stakes-winning OBS graduate Subtle Aly.
Hip No. 304, a daughter of Good Magic consigned by Beth Bayer, Agent, was sold for $75,000 to Sean S. Perl Bloodstock. The chestnut filly is out of Rivercane, by Awesome Again, from the family of graded stakes-winner Scott’s Scoundrel.
Hip No. 663, a son of Awesome Slew consigned by Boutte Sales, Agent, went to Antonio Sano for $70,000. The chestnut colt is out of Selective Memory, by Malibu Moon, a half-sister to graded stakes-placed Strong Barows.
Hip No. 252, a daughter of Yoshida (JPN) consigned by Sweet River Thoroughbreds, Agent, was purchased by Antonio Sano for $65,000. The chestnut filly is out of On Cloud Nine, by Unbridled’s Song, a daughter of graded stakes-winner Statuette.
RiceHorse, Agent, went to $62,000 for Hip No. 299, a daughter of OBS graduate World of Trouble consigned by Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent. The dark bay or brown filly is out of Remington Rose, by Take Charge Indy, a half-sister to stakes-placed Twirl Girl.
Hip No. 370, a daughter of Girvin consigned by Double Tap Sales, Agent, was purchased for $57,000 by III Beauty’s Thoroughbreds. The gray or roan filly is out of OBS graduate Sweet Dreams Diva, by Rockport Harbor, a half-sister to graded stakes-placed stakes-winner Good Morning Diva
Hip No. 297, a son of OBS graduate Coal Front consigned by Kaizen Sales (Richard Kent), Agent, went to Julie Davies, Agent, for $55,000. The dark bay or brown colt is out of Ready Witted, by More Than Ready, from the family of grade one stakes-winner Love and Pride.
John C. Oxley went to $55,000 for Hip No. 578, a daughter of Mendelssohn consigned by Abbie Road Farm (Lisa McGreevy), Agent. The bay filly is out of J. A. Curlin, by Curlin, a daughter of stakes-winner Victory With Class.
Hip No. 344, a son of Khozan consigned by Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent, was sold to Mathis Stable for $52,000. The chestnut colt, a half-brother to graded stakes- placed Pedaltothemedal, is out of Something Brewing, by Meadowlake, a half-sister to grade one stakes-winner El Brujo.
Frank Bertolino paid $50,000 for Hip No. 420, a daughter of Not This Time consigned by Bobby Jones Equine, Agent. The bay filly is out of OBS graduate Ahaya, by Indian Charlie, a half-sister to grade one winner Rail Trip and to the dam of Chop Chop, second by a nose in Keeneland’s Alcibiades Stakes (G1) on October 7.
Hip No. 463, a son of Rogueish consigned by Las Palmas Farm, went to Saffie Joseph Jr. for $50,000. The bay colt is out of OBS graduate Born to Jazz, by Student Council, a half-sister to graded stakes-placed stakes-winner Born to Dance.
For the Open session, 256 yearlings sold for $ 4,367,900, compared with 281 bringing $5,224,500 a year ago. The average price was $17,062, compared with $18,593 in 2021, while the median price was $13,000, compared with the $15,000 figure a year ago. The buyback percentage was 30.2% compared with 16.6% last year.
A colt by Mitole and a filly by the Factor were both purchased by D. J. Stable for $210,000 to share honors at the top of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2022 Selected Sale of Yearlings. Hip No. 122, a son of champion OBS graduate Mitole consigned by Bobby Jones Equine, Agent, is a bay colt out of Eenie Meenie Miney, by Uncle Mo, a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Tableaux. Hip No. 150, a bay filly by The Factor out of Honey Trap, by Medaglia d’Oro, consigned by Stuart Morris, Agent, is a half-sister to OBS October/March graduate Delight, winner of Keeneland’s Gr. II Jessamine Stakes last week. Hip No. 201, a son of Good Magic consigned by Bobby Jones Equine, Agent, was sold to DILLIGAF, for $160,000. The chestnut colt, a half-brother to graded stakes-winning OBS graduate Sarah Sis, is out of Emerald Gal, by Gilded Time.
CSV went to $155,000 for Hip No. 203, a son of Ghostzapper consigned by K P Sales, Agent for Westbury Stable. The chestnut colt is out of Hannahanna, by Malibu Moon, a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Silent Bird.
Hip No. 100, a son of Awesome Slew consigned by Sue Vacek, Agent, was sold to Champion Equine for $150,000. The bay colt, a half-brother to stakes-placed OBS graduate Reckling, is out of Cash Reserve, by Distorted Humor, a daughter of graded stakes-winner Private Treasure.
Hip No. 4, a son of OBS graduate Sharp Azteca consigned by Sweet River Thoroughbreds, went to Mathis Stable for $130,000. The dark bay or brown colt is out of Peppermint Fire, by Sidney’s Candy, from the family of graded stakes-placed stakes-winner Madam Fireplace.
Hip No. 30, a daughter of champion OBS graduate Mitole consigned by Abbie Road Farm (Lisa McGreevy), Agent, was sold to Classic Bloodstock for Gary Anderson for $125,000. The dark bay or brown filly is out of Sinister Siren, by Empire Maker, a half-sister to stakes-placed Unanimously, from the family of champion OBS graduate Delightful Mary.
FMQ Stables went to $125,000 for Hip No. 66, a son of Not This Time consigned by Whitman Sales, Agent. A half-brother to graded stakes-placed OBS graduate Scotland, the dark bay or brown colt is out of Varus, by Vicar, a half-sister to stakes- placed Cape Good Hope.
Hip No. 137, a daughter of Mendelssohn also consigned by Whitman Sales, Agent, was sold to R & E Bloodstock for $115,000. The dark bay or brown filly, a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Market Town, is out of Geographic, by Empire Maker, from the family of champion Slew o’ Gold.
CSV went to $110,000 for Hip No. 144, a daughter of Mendelssohn consigned by Sennebec South Farm. The bay filly is out of Guise, by Exchange Rate, from the family of graded stakes-winner Phoenix Tower.
Hip No. 131, a son of OBS graduate Coal Front consigned by Kaizen Sales (Richard Kent), Agent for Spendthrift Farm, was purchased for $105,000 by Janice Geeding. The dark bay or brown colt is out of stakes-placed Fairy Star (AUS), by More Than Ready, a half-sister to grade one stakes-placed Lizard Island.
Hip No. 14, a daughter of OBS graduate Sharp Azteca consigned by Goldencents Thoroughbreds, Agent, was sold to de Meric Sales for $100,000. The dark bay or brown filly is out of Reign Suzanne, by Street Hero, a half-sister to graded stakes- winning champion Academic.
Hip No. 106, a daughter of Nyquist consigned by Beth Bayer, Agent, was sold for $100,000 to Dew Sweeper II. The chestnut filly is out of graded stakes-placed stakes-winner Citizen Advocate, by Proud Citizen, a half-sister to the dam of champion Caledonia Road.
For the Selected Yearling Sale, 125 horses sold for $6,101,000 compared with 104 yearlings bringing $4,539,000 a year ago. The average price was $48,808, up 34% compared with $43,644 last year, while the median price was $40,000, rising 25% compared with $32,000 in 2021. The buyback percentage was 33.2%; it was 22.4% a year ago.
Augustin Stable’s Delight earned a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with a powerful victory in Friday’s $320,463, Gr. II Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland. The 2-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Mendelssohn took the lead at the start and never looked back, drawing away in the stretch to a five-length victory.
It’s her first stakes win for trainer Jonathan Thomas, giving Delight a 4-2-0-2 career record with earnings of $211,905. The two-time OBS graduate was sold by Stuart Morris, Agent, at the 2021 October Selected Yearling Sale and then purchased for $400,000 out of the Paul Sharp consignment at the 2022 March Sale after turning in an Under Tack eighth in :10 1/5.
HALLANDALE BEACH - Forced to make a career decision last spring due to the closure of Arlington International, Edgar Perez opted to return to South Florida, where he had first ridden without much success shortly after venturing from Venezuela in 2009. The 42-year-old journeyman, who eventually found a welcoming and comfortable home on the Chicago circuit until this year, has reason to celebrate his move to Gulfstream Park, where he is enjoying the most successful season of his career. “I’m very very happy. The first time at Gulfstream I didn’t do much. Then, I went to Delaware and Chicago,” Perez said. “I came back to Gulfstream and I am thankful for the opportunities. I’m very happy here. I like the weather; I like Miami; I like the track; I like the Tapeta.” During his first full-time meeting at Gulfstream Park in years, Perez finished third in the jockey’s standings behind South Florida mainstays Miguel Vasquez and Leonel Reyes in both wins and purses-won while riding the winners of 75 races and more than $2.4 million in purses during the recently concluded Royal Palm Meet. “It was a good meeting for me with 75 wins,” said Perez, who enjoyed a five-win day on June 24. “Everything is good for me. I’m happy.” Perez had even greater reason to celebrate his return to Gulfstream Saturday on the second day of the Sunshine Meet when he rode Atomically to an upset victory over heavily favored Lynx in Saturday’s $400,000 My Dear Girl, the 1 1/16-mile final leg of the 2022 Florida Sire Stakes series for 2-year-old fillies sired by accredited Florida stallions. The Jose Pinchin-trained daughter of Girvin, who had previously finished third in her debut and graduated by seven lengths prior to making her first start in the lucrative FSS series Saturday, made a sweeping move to the lead on the turn into the stretch under Perez and drew away by 6 ¾ lengths over Lynx, who had dominated the first two legs of the series in the $100,000 Desert Vixen and the $200,000 Susan’s Girl. “She’s a very nice filly. The first time, she wasn’t ready. The second time, she ran big. Saturday, she won easy going long,” said Perez, whose 2022 purses-won total soared to more than $2.8 million -- $720,000 more than his previous career high achieved in 2018 - with nearly three months to go. Agent Rene Douglas has been able to book mounts for Perez for a wide range of trainers at Gulfstream, where the resurgent jockey notched stakes victories aboard Armando De La Cerda-trained California Frolic (English Channel, Not Surprising), Elizabeth Dobles-trained Don’t Get Khozy (Surfside), Fausto Gutierrez-trained Omixochitl, and Michael Maker-trained Me and Mr. C (Mr. Steele) during the Royal Palm Meet. Perez has been named to ride Fernando Abreu-trained Boris in Saturday’s Hollywood Beach, a five-furlong test for 2-year-olds on Tapeta. Perez has ridden 902 winners since departing Venezuela, where he was the regular rider for trainer Gustavo Delgado’s superstar, Bambera, a winner of nine Group 1 stakes, including the 2009 Classico del Caribe at Puerto Rico’s Camarero Race Track.
HALLANDALE BEACH - Gulfstream Park announced a significant purse increases for maiden special weight and allowance races for the 2022-2023 Championship Meet, which will get under way Dec. 26, as well as substantial purse increases for the same conditions during the current Sunshine Meet from Dec. 1 through Dec. 24.
Gulfstream’s Championship Meet will once again feature Pegasus World Cup Day with the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), $1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1), and $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G3), as well as the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) April 1 and $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) March 4. Maiden special weight purses will total $84,000 (including $14,000 from FTHA-FOA) beginning opening day of the Championship Meet Dec. 26 – an increase of $24,000. Allowance races will total $86,000-$88,000 (including $14,000 from FTHA-FOA) – an increase of $25,000. The Sunshine Meet’s December calendar will see maiden special weight purses total $70,000 ($10,000 from FTHA-FOA) and allowance purses total between $71,000-$73,000 ($10,000 from FTHA-FOA). Increases will be $10,000. December will also mark the start of racing on Gulfstream’s new turf course, which has been enhanced with new drainage and irrigation systems.
HALLANDALE BEACH - Gatsby pulled off a gutsy debut victory over heavily favored Golden Pal at Gulfstream Park on April 11, 2020. His three-quarters of a length triumph in a 4 ½-furlongs maiden special weight race is being viewed more and more as a significant upset as Golden Pal continues to rattle off graded-stakes victories, including the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Carlos David-trained Gatsby has gone on to prove that his stunning debut victory wasn’t a complete fluke, establishing himself as a stakes-winner who can routinely stand up to tough competition in South Florida. The 4-year-old homebred son of Brethren will be among the top contenders in Saturday’s $100,000 Gil Campbell Memorial. The mile handicap for Florida-bred 3-year-olds and up, which offers an additional $50,000 for Florida Sire Stakes eligible entrants, will be a supporting feature on Saturday’s program that will be co-headlined by the $400,000 In Reality and the $400,000 My Dear Girl, the final legs of the 2022 Florida Sire Stakes series. Undefeated Lynx will represent Arindel and David in her attempt to sweep the 2022 FSS series for fillies in the My Dear Girl. Gatsby is a 4-year-old full brother to Octane, who captured the seven-furlong Affirmed and the 1 1/16-mile In Reality during last year’s FSS action. The Gil Campbell Memorial, in which Gatsby will carry highweight of 123 pounds, will require him to race beyond seven furlongs for the first time. “I think he’ll get the distance. He’s Octane’s full brother. They’re both pretty similar,” Arindel’s Brian Cohen said. “It might be that seven furlongs is his distance and a mile is a little too far, but he’s doing really well. I think he should get the mile, and Chantal knows him.” Jockey Chantal Sutherland will seek to remain undefeated aboard Gatsby Saturday, having visited the winner’s circle both times she has ridden him dating back to Sept. 9, 2021. “Chantal rides him well,” Cohen said. “He doesn’t want the lead. He wants a target. Dean Delivers drew outside of us, but it would be nice if he could get to the outside of Deal Delivers and stalk him.” Gatsby is rated second in the morning line at 9-5 behind 8-5 favorite Dean Delivers, a 3-year-old who is coming off a pair of sharp optional claiming allowance victories. “What I like about Gatsby is that now that he’s late in his 4-year-old year, he’s become more rateable,” David said. “Chantal Sutherland understands the horse and knows how to relax him. She knows how to get the best out of him.” Gatsby and Sutherland were reunited for a seven-furlong optional claiming allowance Sept. 4 just five days shy of a year since they had last teamed for a victory. Sutherland closely tracked the pace aboard Gatsby, who kicked in through the stretch to score by a neck. Gatsby, who captured the Sunshine Sprint Stakes during the Championship Meet, will be joined in the Gil Campbell Memorial field by Clapton, an Arindel 3-year-old homebred son of Brethren who finished third in the Carry Back stakes at Gulfstream before finishing off-the-board last time out in the Smarty Jones (G3) at Parx. Edgard Zayas has the call aboard Clapton. Stonehedge Farm’s Dean Delivers finished second in the Swale (G3), a half-length behind My Prankster, during the Championship Meet. The Michael Yates-trained 3-year-old gelded son of Cajun Breeze defeated older rivals two starts back by 5 ¼ lengths while running six furlongs in a swift 1:09.39. Miguel Vasquez has the call aboard Dean Delivers, who will also seek to win beyond seven-furlongs for the first time while receiving four pounds from Gatsby. Harold Queen and trainer David Fawkes’ Noble Drama, a 7-year-old gelding with nearly $750,000 in earnings, won back-to-back overnight handicaps at the one-turn mile distance last year before gong on hiatus. The son of Gone Astray, who is out of a half-sister to champion Big Drama and a full sister to multiple Gra.1 winner Sheer Drama, has finished fourth in his first two starts this year. “This will be his third race, which should be his best race, and it’s his best distance – a flat mile going one-turn,” Fawkes said. Noble Drama, who has been assigned 122 pounds, is a seven-time stakes-inner thus far during his five seasons of competition. “He’s been a wonderful horse and he’s great to have around the barn. He’s a cool horse. He’s good to deal with. Anyone can gallop him,” Fawkes said. “You don’t even know he’s in the barn. He’s quiet. He’s just the nicest horse.” Emisael Jaramillo has the call aboard Noble Drama. Jacks or Better Farm Inc.’s Shivaree, a four-time stakes-winner who finished second behind Tiz the Law in the 2020 Florida Derby; William and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Spendthrift LLC’s Cattin, a stakes-winning son of Neolithic; Glassman Racing LLC’s Klugman, who followed up a third-place finish in the Not Surprising Stakes with a 7 ¼-length optional claiming allowance win at a mile; and Ricardo De Anda’s Sociallongdistance, a one-time winner in five career starts; round out the field.
All entrants in the Gil Campbell Memorial with the exception of Klugman are eligible for the $50,000 Florida Sire Stakes bonus, which will be distributed on a 70%-20%-10% basis.
MORRISTON - Florida-based Pleasant Acres Stallions has announced the arrival of the graded stakes-winning son of Tapit – Magic on Tap – for the 2023 breeding season with a $5,000 fee. There are a limited number of lifetime breed rights available.
“Helen and I, and the entire team at Pleasant Acres Stallions, are thrilled to have Magic on Tap begin his stallion career at our farm,” said Joe Barbazon, owner of Pleasant Acres Stallions. “This is an absolute win for Florida breeders! Magic on Tap is of the same cross as Constitution and Essential Quality – who stand for $85,000 and $75,000 in Kentucky.” After breaking his maiden in his first race going 6.5 furlongs, Magic on Tap went on to capture the Gr. II Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita Park last year where he beat Gr.1 winner Eight Rings for a two-length victory. Magic on Tap’s tactical speed excelled - he posted four triple-digit E Speed Figures.
Magic on Tap was purchased in utero for $2.5 million by Jane Lyon’s Summer Wind Equine. Lyon has owned and/or bred a stable full of impressive racehorses and broodmares, including multiple Gr. 1 winner McKinzie, Gr. 1 winner Chasing Yesterday and Gr. 1 winner Flightline. Flightline (Tapit / Feathered, by Indian Charlie) was bred by and partially owned by Summer Wind Equine and is currently considered the “World’s Best Racehorse” with a rating of 139 in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.
Summer Wind Equine owns Littleprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman / Exclusive Rosette, by Ecliptical) – the dam of American Pharoah. Lyon retains partial ownership of Magic on Tap and Summer Wind Equine is committed to supporting this young stallion’s exciting new breeding career! The arrival of Magic on Tap to Pleasant Acres Stallions was brokered by Stallion Company of Lexington and the Lifetime Breeding Rights arrangements will be handled by Director of Stallion Services Christine Jones at 352-804-6618.
Magic on Tap hails from an impressive generational female line of accomplished racehorses. His first dam, Aubby K (Street Sense / Lilly Capote, by Capote) had nine starts with four victories and two thirds, winning the $300,000 Gr. 1 Humana Distaff Stakes at Churchill Downs and the $150,000 Gr. II Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park. She was purchased in 2015 by Summer Wind Equine for $2.5 million – in foal to Tapit – carrying Magic on Tap. She has produced four foals – three starters and two winners – a GSW and a GSP.
His second dam, Lilly Capote (Capote / London Lil, by London Company) is also a GSW – having won the $150,000 Gr. III Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs, the Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, and the black-type Indian Summer Stakes at Keeneland. She has had great success as a broodmare with seven starters and six winners and progeny earnings in excess of $1 million.
Magic on Tap’s third dam, London Lil (London Company / Lil’s Day, by Misty Day) is a GSW (Gr. III La Prevoyante Handicap) along with multiple additional stakes wins. She is the dam of eight winners, including a GSW and a BTW. Magic on Tap’s sire, Tapit (Pulpit / Tap Your Heels, by Unbridled) is America’s most dominant sire of his time. Standing at Gainesway in Kentucky for $185,000 in 2022, he has emerged as one of the most influential and breed-shaping stallions of the past half-century. Tapit is #1 on the Lifetime Sires by Progeny Earnings in North America with nearly $160,000,000, 890 winners, 143 BTWs (11.9%), 92 GSWs and 28 G1Ws.
Magic on Tap joins Amira’s Prince, Bellavia, Bucchero, Curlin’s Honor, Gone Astray, Gunnevera, Leinster, Long On Value, Neolithic, No Never No More, Rushie, and Sweetontheladies, at the 220-acre farm located just northwest of Ocala.
HALLANDALE BEACH - Gustavo Guevara broke through with his first victory in the U. S. Sunday with his first stateside starter, when Hidden Warrior rallied to win Race 4 at Gulfstream Park. A native of Venezuela, Guevara most recently trained in Panama before venturing to South Florida in July. “Thanks to God and my family,” said an emotional Guevara, who was joined by his wife, Carla, and their daughters, Valeria and Natalia, in the Gulfstream winner’s circle. The 47-year-old trainer, who estimated that he had saddled 200 winners in Venezuela and Panama, currently trains six horses at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County. Guevara claimed Hidden Warrior ($13.80) for $12,000 out of an Aug. 6 maiden special weight race, in which the 3-year-old son of Khozan faded to sixth after contesting the pace into the stretch. Sunday, Hidden Warrior stalked the early pace before kicking strongly through the stretch to graduate by 2 ¼ lengths under Romero Maragh.
Friday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed The 20-cent Rainbow 6 gross jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $450,000 Friday. First-race post time is set for 12:25 p.m. The multi-race wager has gone unsolved for the 16 days following an Aug. 13 mandatory payout.
The big question surrounding Gone Astray Kiss is, "Are you losing money for the year when your horse has run 10 times through Sept. 15 while earning $6,468?"
Only Anthony Foglia knows for sure.
Foglia is the owner and trainer of the 8-year-old New Jersey-bred gelding by Gone Astray. He's been both since mid-2020 - before that he was only the trainer. When Gone Astray Kiss closed out the 2019 campaign at Mahoning Valley on Dec. 2, 2019 he was owned by Jeff Zook and trained by Foglia. When he made his return at Monmouth Park on July 7 of 2020, Foglia was listed as both. It is not known if Foglia forked over any money for the gelding or if Zook gave him away to make room for a horse who might bring in some cash.
After his last start this month, Gone Astray Kiss sports a lifetime record of 2-2-12 in 80 tries. He's earned $125,434. But, in his 10 starts of 2022, he has a pair of fifths, three sixths, four sevenths and an eighth. Foglia is lucky that his Monmouth races include paydays for those also-ran finishes.
GAK hasn't won a race since May 13 of 2017, which comes to five years and four months ago. That was his best year of seven - two victories, a second and two thirds in 17 starts, earnings of $38,065.
Does Foglia just love this horse and doesn't want to see him retire? Does he think GAK can still win a race? Or even finish in the money? Time will tell - GAK should be ready to go again, he hasn't run since Sept. 4.
One last question! Who are the people who keep betting on him?
HALLANDALE BEACH - Rodney Lundock’s Maryquitecontrary, the only 3-year-old in a field of highly experienced fillies and mares, captured Saturday’s $65,000 Sheer Drama at Gulfstream Park. The daughter of First Dude raced on the outside while stalking the early pace contested by Restofthestory and Frankly My Dear past fractions of :23.04 and :45.89 seconds for the first half mile of the seven-furlong stakes for Florida-breds. Corey took over the lead on the turn into the stretch, and was quickly joined on her outside by Starship Nala with Maryquitecontrary looming further outside. Starship Nala opened up a clear lead in mid-stretch, but the long-striding 3-year-old surged inside the 16th-pole to get to the finish line first by a neck. Favored at 9-5 on the basis of two victories and a second-place finish behind multiple stakes- winner Last Leaf in the Azalea Stakes, Maryquitecontrary ran seven furlongs in 1:23.42 under Luca Panici. “I wanted to stay clear, because every time I’ve ridden her, she was clear. She needed time to get herself together on the turn because she has such a long stride,” Panici said. “She has a good brain because at the end when she has a target she goes after it.” Starship Nala finished second under Jesus Rios, 3 ¼ lengths ahead of a late-rallying Don’t Get Khozy and Edgar Perez. The Joe Catanese-trained Maryquitecontrary was the new face in the field, in which six horses were exiting the Aug. 16 Surfside Handicap won by Don’t Get Khozy, followed by Restofthestory, Corey and Race Day Speed.
Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed The 20-cent Rainbow 6 gross jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $300,000 on today’s program. First-race post time is set for 12:25 p.m. The multi-race wager has gone unsolved for the 12 days following an Aug. 13 mandatory payout. The Rainbow 6 sequence will span Races 4-9, headlined by the $55,000 North Miami, a five-furlong overnight handicap for fillies and mares on Tapeta, in Race 8.
HALLANDALE BEACH - Trainer Jose D’Angelo stepped up the pace of his already successful Royal Palm Meet Sunday at Gulfstream Park, saddling the winners of the first three races on the program.
Marc Tacher’s Sonata Stable is the owner of all three winners: Candenza ($3.60) in Race 1, Peter D. ($4) in Race 2 and Carabinero ($3.80) in Race 3. D’Angelo moved into third in the trainer’s standings with 27 victories while upping his 2022 win-total to 129. “I knew from the entries that we would have three very good chances today,” said D’Angelo, who has also enjoyed success at Saratoga, Monmouth and Penn National during the summer months. Jesus’ Team, who put D’Angelo on the map as an up-and-coming trainer while finishing third in the 2020 Preakness Stakes, second in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and second in the 2021 Pegasus World Cup, was sidelined a year ago and has battled back from bouts with salmonella and laminitis. “He’s doing very well. He went to the gate (Saturday) and worked very good,” Delgado said. “I think he needs three or four more breezes for me to see where I am with him.” Sonny Leon, who moved his tack to Gulfstream Park from the Ohio circuit after winning the Kentucky Derby aboard Rich Strike, rode the winners of the first two races Sunday, while Emisael Jaramillo was aboard for D’Angelo’s third winner of the day. It was Jaramillo’s first visit to the winner’s circle since returning Friday from a two-month hiatus while recovering from multiple injuries in a July 8 spill. “I’m happy to be back riding again – this is my profession,” said Jaramillo, who went on to score aboard Kaeko ($5.60) in Race 7. “It’s a risky profession, but when you are healthy and you ride good horses for good trainers, this is the best profession in the world.” Friday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed The 20-cent Rainbow 6 gross jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $250,000 on Friday’s program. First-race post time is set for 12:25 p.m. The multi-race wager has gone unsolved for the 10 racing days following an Aug. 13 mandatory payout.
The Affirmed, the seven-furlong second leg of the Florida Sire Stakes series, will co-headline Saturday’s program with the $200,000 Susan’s Girl, a seven-furlong sprint for fillies in the lucrative series for 2-year-old offspring of accredited stallions standing in Florida. “He’s been impressive. He surprises me every day with his training. He is a very smart horse,” trainer Jorge Delgado said. “He’s ready for a race. It’s hard for me to keep him settled because he wants to do so much every day. Thank God, we don’t have any more breezes before the race. My job is just to keep him happy.” Awesome Strong offered an attention-grabbing debut May 6 at Gulfstream Park, breaking free of traffic on the turn to score going away by six lengths, completing 4 ½ furlongs in a swift 51.62 seconds. CSLR Ranch Partners’ Bill Childs and son Alex Childs were so impressed with the performance that they proceeded to purchase him for $500,000, agreeing to the steep price tag knowing that the son of Awesome Slew was eligible for the lucrative Florida Sire Stakes series. They were hardly stricken by buyer’s remorse when Awesome Strong came back to dominate Florida-sired rivals Aug. 5 in the $100,000 Dr. Fager at Gulfstream. Away from the gate alertly, he set a solid pace along the backstretch and far turn before drawing clear in the stretch by 4 ¾ lengths under returning rider Miguel Vasquez in the six-furlong first leg of the Florida Sire Stakes. Although it was his first start for his new owners, it was his second start for trainer Jorge Delgado. The owners were new in the game. They didn’t know many people in the game, so they said, ‘Let’s just call the trainer who trained the horse and see if he wants to train the horse.’ I said, ‘Of course, I want to train the horse,’” Delgado recalled. “I was very sad when the owners sold the horse but very happy when the new owners said I was going to keep training the horse.” Awesome Strong didn’t exactly take Delgado by surprise with the sensational start of his career. “My exercise riders who have been with me from the beginning loved him. They said, ‘He’s smart. He’s very professional in his training,” Delgado said. “Every time he breezed, he showed a lot of talent, so the first time he ran, we were expecting big things out of him.” Vasquez, Gulfstream’s leading rider who has been aboard for both victories, has the return mount aboard Awesome Strong. Arindel’s Turbo, who finished a clear second behind Awesome Strong in the Dr. Fager, is scheduled to return in the Affirmed. The son of Brethren had previously captured his June 19 debut by 2 ¾ lengths over a next-out winner. Arindel will also be represented by Maximo, another homebred son of Brethren who graduated by 10 ½ lengths in a two-turn race on Tapeta. Edwin Gonzalez has the call on Turbo, whom he rode in his debut victory, while Emisael Jaramillo is scheduled to ride Maximo. Stonehedge LLC’s This Run’s for You will seek to rebound from an off-the-board finish as the favorite in the Dr. Fager. The Kathleen O’Connell trainee attended the pace into the stretch before fading to seventh in the first leg of the Florida Sire Stakes just 11 days after producing a brilliant debut performance. The gelded son of Khozan scored a front-running 11-length victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight race for state-breds. Edgar Perez will return aboard the Stonehedge LLC homebred. Gary Barber and D J Stable LLC’s Bouncer, a son of Adios Charlie who was purchased for $190,000 in June at the OBS horses of racing age sale, enters the Affirmed off an impressive debut victory Aug. 20. Trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Bouncer rated off the pace before making a three-wide sweep into the stretch and edging away to a one-length victory in the 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight race for Florida-breds. Sonny Leon has the return call.
Magic Cap Stables’ Apocalypso is also scheduled to make his stakes debut in his second start Saturday. The son of red-hot freshman sire Girvin debuted in a 6 ½-furlong maiden special weight race for Florida-breds, in which he raced four-wide before taking the lead on the turn into the homestretch and resisting late pressure to prevail by a neck. Edgard Zayas will be back aboard the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained colt. William Churly and Shadowbrook Farm Inc.’s Cajun Hope will be a popular upset pick for many trip handicappers after performing gamely in the face of adversity in his last three starts. The Michael Yates-trained son of Cajun Breeze most recently hit the gate at the start of the Dr. Fager and raced extremely wide but ran gamely in the stretch to get up for a third-place finish behind Awesome Strong and Turbo. Marcos Meneses has the return mount board Cajun Hope, who previously graduated in a six-furlong open maiden special weight race despite bobbling at the start. Champion Equine LLC’s Commandant will attempt to rebound from sixth-place finish in the Dr. Fager that followed an impressive debut victory in which the son of Girvin surged in the stretch to prevail over Cajun Hope after racing eight-wide into the stretch. Luca Panici has the mount on the David Braddy trainee, who was purchased for $300,000 at the OBS April sale. Corinne and William Heiligbrodt’s Undalay, Robyn Kaiser’s Ensign Skip and Granpollo Stable’s Gran Slash round out the field. The Affirmed will be followed Oct. 1 by the $400,000 In Reality.
HALLANDALE BEACH - St. George Stable’s Mounsieur Coco cavorted over Gulfstream Park’s Tapeta Course Saturday while capturing the $65,000 Proud Man Stakes, providing trainer Fausto Gutierrez with a lot of hope for the future of the 2-year-old son of Bolt d’Oro. “I think we need to go north and try to get to the Breeders’ Cup,” Gutierrez said. “I want to go to the turf.” Mounsieur Coco stalked pacesetter J R’s Pride during fractions of :21.95 and :45.84 seconds before drawing away to win impressively by 4 ½ lengths under Miguel Vasquez, completing 5 ½ furlongs on the all-weather surface in 1:04.16. The 1-2 favorite, who had finished fourth on dirt after a troubled start in his July 16 debut, graduated by 6 ½ lengths in a 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight on Tapeta with the addition of blinkers just eight days prior to Sunday’s stakes victory. “He was the best of the 2-year-olds we had. He had very good workouts. He is a very consistent horse,” Gutierrez said. “The first race, he was surprised at the start without blinkers. Now the horse has experience. He relaxed very nice.” Mounsieur Coco’s stablemate, Mariachi Crush, closed late to finish second, a head in front of Cheerful Charlie. Gutierrez reported that Letruska, St. George Stable's 2021 champion older female, exited her third-place finish in Saturday’s Personal Ensign at Saratoga in good order. The 6-year-old daughter of Super Saver made her first start in the U. S. at Gulfstream, beating the boys in the 2019 Copa Invitational del Caribe at 1 ¼ miles. Magic Cap Stable’s Twelve Volt Man provided leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. with his third victory on today’s card while denying Gutierrez a sweep of the co-features by edging favored Chocolate Bar by a half-length in the $55,000 Miami Shores. Twelve Volt Man ($15.20) settled in mid-pack for the first half-mile of the 1 1/16-mile overnight handicap before entering contention with a wide sweep on the turn into the homestretch. He caught Chocolate Bar, the 8-5 favorite who had saved ground closely stalking the pace before taking the lead at the top of the stretch. Twelve Volt Man, who ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.15 under Edwin Gonzalez, was making his first start since finishing fourth in the Ghostzapper on the Curlin Florida Derby undercard on April 2. Chocolate Bar finished 3 ¾ lengths ahead of I’m a G Six. Florida Sire Stakes Morning Lines (To be run Saturday, Sept. 3): $200,000 Affirmed - 7 furlongs Post horse jockey odds
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1 Undalay Reyes 30-1 2 Ensign Skip Prado 30-1 3 Apocalypso Zayas 8-1 4 Cajun Hope Meneses 12-1 5 Awesome Strong Vasquez 5-2 6 Bouncer Leon 9-2 7 Gran Slash Morelos 15-1 8 This Run’s For You Perez 4-1 9 Commandant Panici 12-1 10 Maximo Jaramillo 10-1 11 Turbo Gonzalez 6-1 $200,000 Susan’s Girl - 7 furlongs: Post horse jockey odds
------------------------------------------------------------- 1 My Cajun Lady Vasquez 5-1 2 Shiloh Perez 10-1 3 Cajun Tease Morelos 4-1 4 Lynx Zayas 5-2 5 Girl Bye Leon 15-1 6 Guardian Angel Gonzalez 10-1 7 Time Passage Krigger 7-2 8 High Fashion Lady Sutherland 6-1
Former jockey and long-time Ocala breeder and pinhooker Rudy Delguidice suffered a catastrophic injury in a spill at Classic Mile on July 2. Following is the initial report by Bruno DeBerdt:
Our good friend and fellow horseman Rudy Delguidice was seriously injured in a riding accident last weekend. He will require intensive care once released from the hospital, and we are seeking support to assist in offsetting the high cost of his rehabilitation.
As you all know, Rudy is one of the most accomplished hands-on horseman in the Ocala area and his love for the horses is clearly shown in how horses respond to him. Rudy has touched us all in one way or another with his genuine smile and is a true mentor and teacher to anyone wanting to work in the horse industry. Rudy is a strong individual but will require our support to get him back to work continuing doing what he loves best - working with horses. Your donations will be used to help cover the rehabilitation costs and are managed by RED Excel (Kristen Brew Browing). Any and all support is much appreciated.
(The GoFundMe effort has already produced more than $119,000 . . . much more is needed. Go to GoFundMe - Rudy DelGuidice - online to make a donation).
HALLANDALE BEACH - There were 18 tickets with all six winners in Gulfstream mandatory Rainbow 6 payout Saturday, with each ticket returning $72,766. The Rainbow 6 started with 8-1 shots winning the first two legs of the sequence. The winning horses were: Race 6: Small Reason $19.40 Race 7: Tigre $19.20 Race 8: Ghostinyou $7.80 Race 9: Celestial Graze $17.80 Race 10: Pudding $5.40 Race 11: Frenchmen Street $12.40
There was a $311,588 carryover and $1,247,813 of new money wagered.
Pudding Wins the Benny the Bull Smile Sprint (G3) runner-up Pudding drove past a game Gatsby in the stretch to win Saturday’s $65,000 Benny the Bull, covering seven furlongs in 1:24.22. Owned by trainer Elizabeth Dobles and Imaginary Stable and ridden by Leonel Reyes, Pudding was rated off a :22.26 and :44.90 set by King Cab before moving three-wide entering the stretch and driving by Gatsby. Pudding, a 7-year-old daughter of Two Step Salsa, has won 10 of 36 starts and is 12-4-2-4 at Gulfstream.
Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman’s Havnameltdown is two for two and a graded stakes-winner after setting the pace in Sunday’s $202,500, Gr. III Best Pal Stakes, turning back a bid from fellow OBS graduate Agency (March ’22) after turning for home and beating him to the wire by 2 1/2 lengths.
After winning his first two starts for trainer Bob Baffert, he has earned $168,000. The 2-year-old Florida-bred colt by Uncaptured is a two-time OBS graduate, sold first by Beth Bayer, Agent, at the 2021 October Yearling Sale and then purchased for $200,000 out of the Blas Perez Stables consignment at the 2022 Spring Sale after breezing an Under Tack in :9 4/5. Omar Aldabbagh, Todd Cady and Ty Leatherman’s unbeaten Vegas Magic, ignored at 14-1 in the $200,500, Gr. II Sorrento Stakes on Saturday, saved ground early, came out for the drive, caught the leaders a sixteenth out and was best by a length and a quarter. It’s the second straight stakes win for the 2-year-old daughter of Good Magic, purchased for $100,000 out of the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2022 OBS March Sale after turning in an Under Tack eighth in :10 2/5. Trained by Doug O’Neill, she’s now three for three and has earned $205,200. Monarch Stables’ Last Leaf scored her third straight stakes victory in the $100,000 Audubon Oaks at Ellis Park on Sunday. The 3-year-old graded stakes-placed daughter of Not This Time came around horses to reach contention turning for home then eased away in the stretch to win by a length and three quarters. Trained by Ron Spatz, she has compiled five stakes wins, a 15-7-1-2 career record and earned $332,647. A two-time OBS graduate, she was sold by Sharon Biamonte, Agent, at the 2020 Winter Mixed Sale and then purchased for $23,500 out of the Kaizen Sales consignment at the 2020 October Selected Yearling Sale. Paradise Farms Corp., David Staudacher, Three Diamonds Farm and Mike Maker’s Top Recruit was on the pace from the start of Sunday’s $124,250 Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes, battled to the wire and was best by a head. Fellow OBS graduate Roman Giant (March ’22) checked in third. It’s the first stakes win for the 2-year-old colt by Midshipman, purchased for $170,000 out of the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2022 OBS March Sale after breezing an Under Tack eighth in :10 flat. Trained by Mike Maker, he’s now 3-2-0-1 and earned $155,840. Patricia’s Hope LLC’s Back to Ohio ran past pacesetting fellow OBS graduate Lady Lottie (January ’21) at the head of the stretch of Saturday’s $100,000 Best of Ohio Stakes at Thistledown and beat her to the wire by 5 1/2 lengths. It’s the first stakes win for the 2-year-old daughter of Midshipman, now 3-2-1-0 with $94,200 in earnings for trainer Larry Rivelli. Consigned to the 2022 OBS Spring Sale by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, she was sold for $385,000 after turning in an Under Tack eighth in :9 4/5. Colts Neck Stables' Nothing Better pressed the pace in Sunday’s $102,000 Rainbow Heir Stakes at Monmouth Park, took the lead turning for home and eased away late to score by two lengths. It’s the first stakes win for the 5-year-old son of Munnings, trained by Jorge Duarte Jr., now 15-5-1-3 with $211,817 in earnings. At the 2019 OBS Spring Sale, he was purchased for $230,000 out of the Brick City Thoroughbreds consignment after an Under Tack eighth in:10 1/5.
KHK Racing’s Shahama pressed the pace in the early going of Sunday’s $245,000, Gr. III Monmouth Oaks, took command at the head of the stretch and drew away to score by 2 1/2 lengths. Fellow OBS graduate Shotgun Hottie (April ’21) closed to finish second. It’s the second graded stakes win for the 3-year-old daughter of Munnings, consigned to the 2021 OBS April Sale by Eddie Woods, and purchased for $425,000 after turning in an Under Tack quarter in :21 flat. The half-sister to champion Lookin At Lucky, now trained by Todd Pletcher, has compiled a 7-5-1-0 record and earned $435,984. R3 Racing LLC’s Sharp Aza Tack is two-for-two and a stakes-winner after an effortless 7 1/4-length frontrunning victory in Saturday’s $102,000 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park, with fellow OBS graduate Bart’s Dream (March ’22) checking in third. Shipped east by trainer Doug O’Neill after breaking his maiden at Santa Anita in June, the 2-year-old colt by OBS graduate Sharp Azteca has earned $100,200. He was purchased for $100,000 out of the RiceHorse Stable consignment at the 2022 OBS March Sale after breezing an eighth in :10 flat at the Under Tack Show.
Granpollo Stable’s Grand David tried stakes company for the first time in Saturday’s $75,000 Bear’s Den Stakes at Gulfstream, pressed the pace, took over in the stretch and drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths, with fellow OBS graduate California Frolic (April ’21) rallying for second. It’s the third straight win for the 3-year-old colt by Tapiture, trained by Victor Barboza Jr., now 10-3-2-2 with $129,510 in earnings. He was sold for $70,000 by Golden Rock Thoroughbreds, Agent for Global Thoroughbreds, at the 2021 OBS April Sale after turning in an Under Tack quarter in :21 flat.
From New York and Florida in the east, through Ohio, Indiana and Iowa in the Midwest and out west to California, OBS graduates posted weekend stakes victories from coast to coast. Michael Dubb and Michael J. Caruso’s Hot Peppers fought a three-way battle for the lead in Saturday’s $145,500, Gr. III Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont Park, took charge in the stretch and held off a late challenge to score by three quarters of a length. It’s the second straight stakes victory for the 3-year-old Florida-bred filly by Khozan, trained by Rudy Rodriguez, now 7-5-1-0 with $277,950 in earnings. A two-time OBS graduate, she was sold at the 2020 October Selected Yearling Sale and then purchased for $16,000 out of the De Meric Sales consignment at the 2021 June Sale after breezing an Under Tack eighth in :10 1/5. Flurry Racing Stables’ Interstatedaydream scored her second straight graded stakes win in the $200,000, Gr. III Indiana Oaks on Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The 3-year-old Gr. I stakes-placed daughter of Classic Empire pressed the pace, took the lead, was headed by another rival, regained the lead in the stretch and drew away to a 2 1/4-length victory. Purchased for $175,000 out of the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2021 OBS Spring Sale after turning in an Under Tack eighth in :10 1/5, she’s now 6-4-1-1 for trainer Brad Cox, and has earned $468,825. HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud’s High Connection tracked the early lead in Saturday’s $125,000 Las Alamitos Derby, took the lead on the outside after turning for home and eased away late to win by a length and three quarters. Fellow OBS graduate Win the Day (April ’21) settled for third. It’s the first stakes victory for the lightly-raced 3-year-old graded stakes-placed colt by Connect, trained by Bob Baffert, now 4-2-2-0 with earnings of $149,000. After breezing an Under Tack eighth in :10 flat at the 2021 OBS March Sale, he was purchased by Narvick International for $290,000 out of the Sequel Bloodstock consignment. OBS grads picked up a pair of stakes wins at Prairie Meadows.
Bradley Thoroughbreds, Cambron Equine, Zane Carruth and Brady Carruth’s Jilted Bride was rated off the pace in the $100,000 Iowa Distaff Stakes, circled horses to reach contention on the turn and was up in the final yards to score by a head. It’s the first stakes score for the 5-year-old graded stakes-placed Florida-bred mare by Wicked Strong, a two-time OBS graduate. After going through the ring at the 2018 October Selected Yearling Sale, she was purchased out of the de Meric Sales consignment for $150,000 after working n Under Tack quarter in :20 4/5. Trained by Steve Asmussen, she’s now 19-5-6-7 and has earned $470,922. William L. Heiligbrodt, Corrine Heiligbrodt, Madaket Stables and Spendthrift Farm’ s Macron, rated in the early going of the $100,000 Iowa Sprint Stakes, moved to challenge for the lead on the turn, took command a furlong from home and drew away to a 2 3/4-length victory, with fellow OBS graduate Oil Money (June ‘18, October ’17) checking in third. It’s the first stakes win for the 4-year-old son of Frosted, also trained by Asmussen, now 13-4-4-1 with $340,973 in earnings. Consigned to the 2020 OBS March Sale by S B M Training and Sales, Agent, he went through the ring after breezing an Under Tack eighth in :10 flat. Omar Aldabbagh, Todd Todd and Ty Leatherman’s Vegas Magic is 2-for-2 and a stakes-winner after closing with a rush in deep stretch to get up in the final jump and take the $76,800 Everett S. Nevin Stakes at Pleasanton by a nose. The 2-year-old daughter of Good Magic, trained by Doug O’Neill, has earned $85,200. She was purchased for $100,000 out of the Wavertree Stables consignment at the 2022 OBS March Sale after turning in an Under Tack eighth in :10 2/5. Jason DaCosta and Calypso Stable’s unbeaten Lady Lottie got the ball rolling on Friday at Belterra Park with a wire-to- wire victory in the $75,000 Jim Morgan Memorial Tah Dah Stakes, holding off a late run by fellow OBS graduate Back to Ohio (April ’22) by a neck. Two for two for trainer Jason Dacosta, she has earned $65,340. The 2-year-old daughter of Tamarkuz was purchased for $5,500 out of the Thoroughstock consignment at the 2021 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.
HALLANDALE BEACH - After a respectable sixth in the April 2 Curlin Florida Derby at 1 1/8-miles, Steal Sunshine successfully cut back to seven furlongs today at Gulfstream Park, rallying from last to score an upset victory in the $75,000 Carry Back, reminiscent of the racing style of the Hall of Fame Florida-bred who the race is named after. Owned by Carrie Brogden and Little Red Feather Racing, Steal Sunshine followed up a strong late-closing starter allowance victory at a mile last time out with an even more impressive eye-catching stretch surge in the seven-furlong stakes for 3-year-olds. The Bobby DiBona-trained son of Constitution took complete advantage of a blistering early pace set by King Cab, who set fractions of :21.79 and :43.84 seconds for the first half-mile with Octane, and Cattin and Reddington in hot pursuit. Last by several lengths along the backstretch and far turn under a patient Lionel Reyes, Steal Sunshine quickly caught up to the field entering the turn with a wide sweep into the stretch, where his fresh legs carried him past his tiring rivals to a 2 ¼-length victory. “I took a shot running him in the Florida Derby," DiBona said. "He ran very respectable and put on a good show against some of the better horses. We’ve been thinking in the barn, ‘Long, long, he’ll run all day.’ I know that but he’s been compromised by slow fractions at times. Today, I said, ‘They’re going to be smoking. Maybe this is what he’s been waiting for – something to run at.’ He showed it today.” Steal Sunshine ran seven furlongs in 1:22.77 to capture his first stakes race and his third victory in eight starts. He was so far back early even his No. 2 ‘chicklet’ wasn’t visible on the TV screen. “I saw the fractions, but I needed to see his head stick into the screen somewhere," DiBona said. "Then, I saw him on the screen on the move and then he angled out. I looked up and saw 43-and-change, and I said, ‘Oh, yeah, he’s coming." He destroyed the field today.” Strike Hard finished second, a half-length ahead of Clapton.
Sunday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed The multi-race wager went unsolved on the first day after a lucky bettor hit the jackpot for a $118,521 payoff. Sunday’s Rainbow sequence will span Races 4-9, featuring a contentious 1 1/16-mile optional claiming starter allowance on Tapeta. Kathleen O’Connell’s all-weather specialist Uno Tiger will seek to regain his winning form. The 5-year-old son of Macho Uno was riding a three-race winning streak on Tapeta before stepping up to stakes company last time out and finishing a close third in the Soldier’s Dancer. Uno Tiger is slated to clash with Joe Orseno-trained Lamplighter Jack, who is riding a three-race winning streak of his own on Tapeta.
HALLANDALE BEACH - Octane has been away from the races for nine months, but the manner in which the Arindel homebred gelding dominated the 2021 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series has been hard to forget. The Carlos David-trained 3-year-old son of Brethren is scheduled for a long-awaited return to action Saturday in the $75,000 Carry Back at Gulfstream Park, a seven-furlong test for 3-year-olds. It will be his first start since his dominating victory in the $400,000 FSS In Reality last September. “He had a great year," David said. "He gave us much joy. We gave him some time off. He was kind of on the small side, so we wanted to give him some time off and let him grow and see what he can do as a 3-year-old. He’s grown. He’s bigger. He’s smarter. He’s done everything right. His last workout was a few days ago and it was awesome. This race has been in our sights for his return.” Octane set the pace in his June 18, 2021 debut before settling for second behind subsequent multiple-stakes winner Lightening Larry, who most recently won the Gr. III Chick Lang on the Preakness Stakes undercard at Pimlico. “He was green. He was still trying to figure it out, and after that race he was a different horse,” David said. The David trainee came right back to capture a five-furlong maiden special weight race a month later before scoring a front-running victory in the $200,000 Affirmed, the seven-furlong second leg of the Florida Sire Stakes series. Octane successfully stretched out around two turns in the In Reality, the 1 1/16-mile final leg of the Florida Sire Stakes series in which he encountered bumping at the start and stiff pace pressure before drawing away in the stretch. “He’s versatile. I think seven-eighths is perfect for him coming back,” David said. Arindel will also be represented in the Carry Back by Clapton, a homebred son of Brethren. The Juan Alvarado-trained colt finished off the board in the Curlin Florida Derby on March 26 before capturing an optional claiming allowance on June 11. Emisael Jaramillo has the return mount aboard Octane, while Edgar Zayas has been named to ride Clapton. Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. is also represented by two horses in the Carry Back field – David Melin, Leon Ellman and Laurie Plesa’s King Cab and Glassman Racing LLC’s Klugman. King Cab, a gelded son of Noble Bird, was an easy front-running winner in the seven-furlong Sophomore Stakes for Florida-bred 3-year-olds at Tampa Bay Downs three starts back.
“He kind of ran them off their feet the first part and they couldn’t catch him,” Plesa said. King Cab has finished second behind older horses in his two most recent starts at Gulfstream. Last time out, he set the pace before having to settle for second in the Big Drama for Florida-breds behind Willy Boi, who came right back to win last Saturday’s Gr. III Smile Sprint. King Cab overcame a slow break to capture his Aug. 6 debut going away but finished far behind Octane in the FSS Affirmed in his second race following another slow start. The gelding was sent to the sidelines for five months and came back to register a front-running optional claiming allowance by more than seven lengths. Although he failed to carry his speed in his first and only attempt around two turns a month later, he rebounded with his front-running score at Tampa Bay Downs. “He’s a horse that’s got a lot of speed," Plesa said. "He’s still learning how to run. I’m working with him to try to get him to relax a little bit more. He’s had problems switching leads down the lane. He’s never learned to switch leads down the lane. I’m hopeful he might. He switches leads in the morning.” Klugman, who won two of his first four career starts in front-running fashion, is coming off a third-place finish in his Tapeta debut in the June 11 Not Surprising. “He’s a horse that’s an up and comer. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him,” Plesa said. “I ran him in the stake on the [all-weather] and he didn’t like it. He finished third but someone had to finish third, that’s how I look at it.” Prior to his stakes placing, the son of Practical Joke scored a four-length victory in a seven-furlong optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream. Kevin Krigger is scheduled to ride King Cab for the first time Saturday, while Edgar Perez has been named on Klugman. Miracle’s International Trading's Strike Hard is the most battle-tested entrant in the Carry Back. The son of Flashback has won three starts in 10-race career, in which he has run in three graded stakes, including the Curlin Florida Derby. After finishing seventh in Gulfstream’s premier Triple Crown prep, Strike Hard captured a mile optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream and finished fifth in the Texas Derby at Lone Star Park. Junior Alvarado has the call aboard the Matthew Williams trainee. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Spendthrift Farm’s Cattin enters the Carry Back off a mile starter allowance victory that followed a third-place finish behind King Cab in the Sophomore at Tampa. The Ralph Nicks-trained son of Neolithic finished fourth and third behind Octane in the Affirmed and In Reality, respectively, before closing out his juvenile campaign with a victory in the six-furlong Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs. Miguel Vasquez is scheduled to ride Cattin for the first time. Amy E. Dunne’s Reddington, who graduated by 10 ½ lengths in his fifth career start last time out; and Carrie Brogden and Little Red Feather Racing’s Steel Sunshine, a starter allowance winner in his most recent start; round out the field. Racing resumes Friday with a 2:55 p.m. first race post and a $125,000 gross jackpot carryover in the Rainbow 6.
Frank Fletcher Racing Operations and Ten Strike Racing’s Lady Rocket went right to the lead in Saturday’s $200,000, Gr. III Chicago Stakes at Churchill Downs and never looked back en route to a 2 3/4-length victory.
That’s two graded stakes wins for the 5-year-old daughter of Tale of the Cat, trained by Brad Cox, now 14-7-3-2 with $699,588 in earnings. The two-time OBS graduate was sold by The Acorn at the 2018 October Selected Yearling Sale and then purchased for $420,000 out of the de Meric Sales consignment at the 2019 Spring Sale after turning in an Under Tack eighth in :10 flat. Three Diamonds Farm’s Army Wife pressed the pace in Thistledown’s $250,000 Lady Jacqueline Stakes, took over turning for home and held on gamely for a three-quarter length victory. Fellow OBS graduate She’s Pure Silver (June ’21) settled for third. It’s the third stakes victory for the 4-year-old graded stakes-winning daughter of Declaration of War, consigned by Grassroots Training & Sales to the 2020 OBS Spring Sale, where she breezed an Under Tack eighth in :10 1/5 before she was sold for $190,000. Now 14-5-1-5 for trainer Mike Maker, she has earned $786,272. Belladonna Racing’s Bout Time tried stakes company for the first time in Saturday’s $108,000 Goldwood Stakes at Monmouth Park, swung out for the drive after saving ground on the turn, ran past the leaders inside the eighth pole and scored by 2 1/4 lengths. It’s the second straight win for the 4-year-old daughter of Not This Time, trained by Cherie DeVaux, now 5-3-1-0 with earnings of $171,488. She was purchased for $200,000 out of the Harris Training Center consignment at the 2020 OBS Spring Sale after breezing an Under Tack eighth in :9 4/5.
LAUREL, MD – Champion Maryland jockey Sheldon Russell is nearing a return to the races more than nine months after being hurt in a pre-race spill at Laurel Park. “He’s doing great,” Russell’s agent Marty Leonard said. “He’s been getting back on horses for a couple weeks now and feeling good. He’s really close to returning to riding.” The 34-year-old Russell was originally hurt last Sept. 9 when 2-year-old Maryland-bred filly Little Bit of That got spooked and reared heading to the track before what was to be her career debut. Russell was thrown and landed on his right foot, toes-first, and was diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury, involving both the bones and ligaments in the middle part of his foot. Russell underwent successful surgery to repair the injury and, following a long recovery and rehab, began getting on horses again in April but was back on the sidelines after breaking his collarbone during morning training.
“He was probably about a week away from returning when that happened, so it was another minor setback,” Leonard said. “It was about an eight to 10-week injury.” Russell is married to Brittany Russell, leading trainer this year during Laurel’s spring stand as well as the subsequent Preakness Meet at Pimlico Race Course. Ironically, it was Little Bit of That’s victory on Mother’s Day, May 8, that clinched the mom-of-two’s first meet championship. At the time of his injury last fall, Russell led all jockeys in Maryland in purses earned and was second in wins. He has won more than 1,500 races and $43 million in purses since 2007, overcoming several injuries during his career. “He’s gone through this a few times. He’s resilient and relentless, he really is,” Leonard said. “We’re just going day by day and we’re going to let him tell us when he’s ready to go. When he’s ready to go, I’m sure we’ll have a horse to get on.” Tiz No Clown All Business in Maiden Triumph Experience and a familiarity with the racing surface proved to be a winning combination for Tiz No Clown, who graduated in style with a 2 ½-length maiden special weight triumph, and became the first winner for Pleasant Acres Stallioons' freshman sire No Never No More. Owned and trained by Charles Town-based William Earl Atkins, Tiz No Clown ($9.80) won the six-furlong maiden special weight in :59.29 seconds over a fast main track with Yomar Ortiz aboard for the first time. The win came six weeks after the colt finished first by 1 ¼ lengths in a 4 ½-furlong maiden claiming event May on 12 at Pimlico Race Course, but was taken down and placed third for coming over from his outside post position out of the starting gate. “He got it back today, in a maiden special weight,” Atkins said. “That was a good deal.” Tiz No Clown broke sharply and raced alongside Ice Cold Frosty in the early stages before getting away to a clear lead leaving the backstretch. Tall Order, favored at 6-5, moved into a challenging position around the far turn but Tiz No Clown straightened for home in command and opened up through the lane. Ice Cold Frosty held second over Lacey Gaudet-trained stablemate Quincy Cafe, with Tall Order fourth. Bred in Maryland by Stephen Smith and Denise Jones, Tiz No Clown was the only horse in the field of six that had raced previously. After the last start, Atkins decided to regularly make the 90-minute trip from West Virginia to Maryland to further his education. “I’ve been bringing him here and working him every week and I’ve been working him at home. We live in Charles Town and we trailered him in here to work him over this surface, and I said, ‘OK, now he’s ready to go,’” Atkins said. “The first time I ran him here he wasn’t sure of the dirt and he was climbing real bad, so he did no good. The second time I ran him was when I ran him at Pimlico, and the dirt there is more like it is at Charles Town where he trains, and he won, but they set him down, I said what we needed to do was trailer him over to Laurel and work him over the surface and let him get used to it. So, that’s what we did. It worked out perfect.” In addition to regular gallops, Tiz No Clown had one timed breeze at Laurel prior to his breakthrough win, a three-furlong move in 36.80 seconds on June 15 which ranked second of 15 horses on the day. “He’s fast and the thing about it is, this horse can go all day. When I train him down here, this horse can go two laps at Laurel and comes back and doesn’t even break a sweat. He can go a mile, mile and a sixteenth; there isn’t a distance this horse can’t go,” Atkins said. “I sure do like him a lot. He’s so easy. When we ship in, he’s so quiet he never does anything wrong. Nothing. And he’s still a colt, too.”
The 37th Jim McKay Maryland Million on Oct. 22 at Laurel is a late-season goal for Tiz No Clown. “He’s Maryland Million nominated, so that’s where he’ll go,” Atkins said. “Now I can give him a little break because he won. It’ll be a little while before they write an allowance race for 2-year-olds, so I’ll just give him a break for a couple of months and just play with him and then bring him back.”
HALLANDALE BEACH - Edgard Zayas had spent quality time with his family during his six months on the sidelines, and wife Ashley and daughters Lilah (18 months) and Lillian (5) were the first to greet the 28-year-old jockey following his first race back at Gulfstream Park this afternoon. Following surgery on his left shoulder and a lengthy rehabilitation period, Zayas had three mounts on the program, including Flag Woman, who set the pace before fading to fifth in Race 3. “It feels good, getting back after six months,” Zayas said. “The shoulder felt great, no problem at all. I was hoping for better results but I’m happy to be back.” Zayas also rode Don’t Get Khozy, who finished fifth in Race 7, and Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Li Li Bear, who checked in eighth in Race 8. Zayas has ridden 1930 winners since venturing to South Florida to launch his career in late 2012, benefitting from early mentoring from Hall of Famers Angel Cordero and Edgar Prado. He was an Eclipse Award finalist for outstanding apprentice jockey in 2013 after riding more than 200 winners and notching a Grade 1 victory aboard Starship Truffles in the Princess Rooney at Calder. Zayas, who has gone on to ride more than 200 winners in six of nine complete years of his career, while winning numerous riding titles at Gulfstream and Gulfstream Park West.
Perez Rides Five Winners Edgar Perez continued a very solid Royal Palm Meet today, riding five winners on the 10-race program. Perez rode three straight winners – Alternate Rock ($9) in Race 3, Great Uncle ($5.40) in Race 4 and Laniakea Storm ($6.40) in Race 5 – before scoring back-to-back aboard Dignified ($41.60) in Race 8 and Sequin Lady ($6) in Race 9. “It’s been a great day, unbelievable,” Perez said. The Venezuela native, who had been a fixture on the Chicago circuit for years after riding his first U.S. race in South Florida in 2009, switched his tack to Gulfstream this spring and summer due to the closure of Arlington Park. “I’m thankful for the opportunities. My agent [Rene Douglas] told me I will do good here,” Perez said. “I like it here. I like the Tapeta, everything.” Three of Perez’s victories were on the all-weather surface. In Race 7, a seven-furlong starter allowance for fillies, jockey Franklin Gonzalez Jr. notched his first U.S. victory aboard Awesome Annmarie ($19.20). The Venezuela native had been winless in 32 races since making his U.S. debut April 28 at Gulfstream.
Saturday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed The Rainbow 6 gross jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $200,000 Saturday. The multi-race wager has gone unsolved for five racing days following a June 11 mandatory payout. The Rainbow 6 sequence will span Races 7-12, including the $75,000 Powder Break, a mile-and-70-yard stakes for fillies and mares on Tapeta, in Race 10. David Fawkes-trained Grand Ave Girl, who captured the Monroe Stakes on turf last time out, is rated at 7-5 in morning line.
LAUREL, MD – Having its own independent ambulance service, considered a rarity among U.S. thoroughbred racetracks, enabled the Maryland Jockey Club to quickly and effectively respond to a call for help from its elderly community. The MJC was among several companies that answered a request sent out by the Maryland State Office of Commercial Ambulances Licensing & Regulation in the early morning hours of June 14 following an explosion and resulting fire at the Larkin Chase Center senior care facility in Bowie, Md. Located about 35 minutes southeast of Laurel Park, where live racing is currently being conducted during a 37-day summer meet that began June 3, the Larkin Chase Center had 112 displaced residents that needed to be moved from an emergency holding area located in a city gymnasium across the street from the facility.
Ryan Allen, a licensed paramedic and the MJC’s Director of Health & Safety, and MJC emergency medical technician Tony Posinski staffed the ambulance that was dispatched and ultimately able to move three individuals to nearby facilities.
“Most tracks contract with AMR [American Medical Response] to provide ambulance service for them. We don’t contract with anybody. We run our own in-house ambulances. We own it, I operate it, and we’re registered with the state. We comply with all of the exact same rules as the commercial ambulance companies,” Allen said. “This call came out, and we had an ambulance available.” Allen said eight commercial ambulance companies from around the state, including the MJC, responded to the call. “The initial response was to get the residents out of that building, because they didn’t know how bad the damage to the building was,” Allen said. “It was really easy to move the residents into that gymnasium and hold them there, but obviously they can’t stay there very long. The call came out at about 7 a. m. and we had a unit there at about 10:30, which was pretty standard with all the responding units.” The MJC has an ambulance on the track during each of its live race days, which run Fridays through Sundays during the ongoing summer meet. The next live program is Friday, June 17. In his eighth year with the MJC, Allen said that Maryland is somewhat unique in that its ambulances are not regulated by the Department of Health as in most states, but report to a distinct governing body, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems. “The idea was that we had the resources, we had the availability, and it was really fortunate that we were able to help get those people out and get them re-housed within about five hours,” he said. “We were able to provide some relief to them and their loved ones. We explained we were there to take care of them, get them re-housed to a temporary situation and get them safe and comfortable. I’m very glad that we were able to help them out with that. It was really easy for the MJC to be able to do it.”
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL –Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. made an unexpected visit to the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle Saturday. Not that Sister Lou Ann was a surprise winner of the $75,000 Martha Washington, but her trainer had planned on being at Belmont Park to saddle Skippylongstocking for a start in the Belmont Stakes. After experiencing flight delays and eventually a cancellation, Joseph decided to remain in South Florida to carry out his saddling duties at Gulfstream. The winner’s circle ceremony at Gulfstream turned out to be a memorable and emotional one following the Ken and Sarah Ramsey home-bred’s front-running victory in the mile stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf. Sister Lou Ann’s first stakes victory came less than two weeks after Sarah Ramsey’s passing. “To win for Mr. Ramsey after Mrs. Ramsey passed away, this is for her. This is a special win,” said Joseph, approximately two hours before the Belmont Stakes was scheduled to go to post. “Mr. Ramsey, the one thing he wants to do is to make sure to run as Ken and Sarah Ramsey, he told me. He was adamant about that happening. He wants to make sure to keep the tradition going on.”
Sister Lou Ann, the 2-1 favorite ridden by Leonel Reyes, went right to the front to set the pace before shaking off a mild challenge by Saturday Night Gal on the turn into the homestretch and drawing clear by 1 ¼ lengths. The daughter of Frosted ran the about 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:48.60 over a ‘good’ turf. Saturday’s victory was the first stakes success for Sister Lou Ann, who was making her first start since finishing a close second in the Wait a While Stakes at Gulfstream Dec. 3. Saturday Nite Girl held second, a neck in front of Jan’s Girl. The Joseph-trained Miss You Ella finished fourth after a troubled trip.
In the co-featured $75,000 Not Surprising, Julian De Mora Jr.’s California Frolic, who captured the English Channel on turf on May 7, came right back to win on Gulfstream’s Tapeta course. The 3-year-old son of California Chrome, who has won three of four starts since being claimed for $50,000, raced from well off the early pace before making moving to the lead at the top of the stretch and holding off Treasure King by a neck. California Frolic ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.59 under Edgar Perez. Joseph-trained Treasure King finished second, 5 ¼ lengths ahead of Klugman.
Ocala Stud Farm's Girvin has given Florida's freshman sires their first stakes-winner - Devious Dame - who followed up her sensational debut with a convincing victory yesterday in the $150,000 Astoria Stakes at Belmont Park.
The 2-year-old filly bred by Ocala Stud, Joe O'Farrell 3rd, David O'Farrell et al, and trained by Norm Casse, came from off the pace in the 5 1/2-furlong race, looped the field on the turn, and powered past the pace-setter in mid-stretch. The $240,000 OBS March purchase by owner John Oxley drew off by 5 1/4 lengths and was eased at the end by rider Joel Rosario, paying $2.90.
Devious Dame earned a check for $82,500, and added to the $35,560 she collected for her 5-furlong maiden-breaker at Churchill Downs, which she won by 5 1/2 lengths, she now has a bank account of $118,060. The budding star has received Equibase 'E' speed figures of 87 and 86.
Of 39 first-year sires who have had at least one runner thus far, Girvin is in third place with $126,120 in the till.
Hip No. 1087, a son of Curlin consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, was sold to Gus King for $370,000 to top the final session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2022 June Sale of Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age. The chestnut colt, who breezed a quarter in :21 3/5 at Saturday’s Under Tack session, is out of stakes placed Distracting, by Distorted Humor, a half sister to grade one stakes winner Streaming. Hip No. 983, a daughter of Collected consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, was sold to Sequel Bloodstock, Agent, for $260,000. The bay filly, who breezed an eighth in :10 1/5 at Saturday’s Under Tack session, is out of Hottalabamba, by Into Mischief, a daughter of graded stakes placed So Long Sonoma.
Hip No, 795, a daughter of Irish War Cry consigned by Thorostock LLC, Agent, whose eighth in :9 4/5 was the fastest work at of the sale the distance at Friday’s Under Tack session, went to Jebel Ali Stable for $250,000. The dark bay or brown filly is a half sister to stakes placed Jamaican Don out of D D Renegade, by Medalist, from the family of grade one stakes winner Lite Light.
Hip No. 994, a son of Pioneerof the Nile who breezed a quarter in :21 2/5 on Saturday, went to MyRacehorse for $250,000. Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, Agent, the bay colt is out of graded stakes winner I’m a Looker by Henny Hughes, from the family of grade one stakes winner Dortmund.
Justin Casse, Agent, went to $250,000 for Hip No. 1090, a daughter of American Freedom consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent. The dark bay or brown filly, who breezed an eighth in:10 1/5 on Saturday, is out of Honey Ride, by Candy Ride (ARG), a daughter of grade one stakes winner Tarlow.
Hip No. 970, a daughter of Ghostzapper consigned by All Dreams Equine, Agent, was sold to Shepherd Equine Advisors, Agent for Larry Hirsch, for $240,000. The dark bay or brown filly, who breezed an eighth in :10 1/5 on Saturday, is out of High Authority, by Uncle Mo, a half sister to graded stakes winning OBS graduate Adios Charlie.
Hip No. 1109, a daughter of Practical Joke consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, was sold to Scott & Evan Dilworth LLC for $230,000. The dark bay or brown filly, whose Under Tack quarter in :20 4/5 was Saturday’s co-fastest, is a half sister to graded stakes placed stakes winner Forewarned out of graded stakes placed stakes winner Fortune Play, by Five Star Day.
Randy Bradshaw paid $210,000 for Hip No. 972, a son of Accelerate consigned by Pike Racing, Agent. The chestnut colt, whose eighth in :10 flat was co-fastest at Saturday’s Under Tack session, is out of History Supreme, by Speightstown, a daughter of graded stakes placed Bahama Bound.
Hip No. 783, a daughter of Bee Jersey consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, was sold to NBS Stable / John Ballantyne for $200,000. The chestnut filly, whose quarter in :20 4/5 was co-fastest at the distance on Friday, is out of graded stakes placed Dance Secretary (IRE), by Danehill Dancer, a half sister to champion Perfect Soul (IRE).
Frank Alosa, Agent for Gentry Farm, went to $200,000 for Hip No. 947, a son of Girvin consigned by Dynasty Thoroughbreds. The dark bay or brown colt, whose eighth in :10 flat was co-fastest at the distance at Saturday’s Under Tack session, is out of stakes placed Grinch, by Salt Lake, from the family of stakes winner Miss Missile.
Hip No. 984, a daughter of Good Magic consigned by New Horizon Farm, Inc., Agent, was sold to Peter Miller, Agent, for $200,000. The bay filly is a half sister to grade one stakes placed Thirteen Squared out of graded stakes winner House of Fortune, by Free House.
For the session, 206 two-year-olds sold for a total of $9,594,900, compared with 166 grossing $8,397,450 at last year’s third session. The average was $46,577, compared with $50,587 a year ago, while the median price was $25,000, identical to 2021. The buyback percentage was 20.5%; it was 16.2% last year. Five older horses sold for $85,000, averaging $17,000 with a $13,000 median price. For the entire sale, 658 two-year-olds sold for a record $27,082,500, compared with 567 bringing 2021’s old mark of $24,626,450, The average was $41,159, compared to 2021’s $43,433, while the median price was a sale record $25,000 compared with $20,000 in 2021. The buyback percentage was 18.3%; it was 16.9% last year.
Hip No. 525, a daughter of Uncle Mo consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, Agent, went to Donato Lanni, Agent, for $725,000 to top the second session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2022 June Sale of Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age. The bay filly, who breezed an eighth in :10 flat at Wednesday’s Under Tack session, is out of Ultralight Beam, by Giant’s Causeway, a half-sister to graded stakes-winner His Race to Win. Donato Lanni, Agent, went to $625,000 for Hip No. 560, a daughter of Flatter consigned by Julie Davies LLC, Agent, who worked Wednesday’s fastest eighth, clocked in :9 4/5. The gray or roan filly is out of Wicked Ride, by Candy Ride (ARG), a half-sister to Gr. I stakes-winning OBS graduate Wickedly Perfect
Hip No. 544, a son of Munnings consigned by Dark Star Thoroughbreds (Stori Atchison) was purchased by Benjamin Gase for $300,000. The chestnut colt, who breezed an eighth in :10 1/5 on Wednesday, is a half-brother to graded stakes-winner Great Island out of Voyage, by Rahy.
Hip 695, a son of More Than Ready consigned by Kings Equine, Agent for Spendthrift Farm, was sold to Lane’s End Racing for $250,000. The dark bay or brown colt, whose Under Tack eighth in :10 flat was co-fastest at the distance on Thursday, is out of Brandy, by Unbridled’s Song, a daughter of stakes-winner Alienated.
Chris Coleman paid $230,000 for Hip No. 519, a daughter of Mshawish consigned by Blas Perez Stables, Agent. The bay filly, who breezed an eighth in :10 1/5 on Wednesday, is a half-sister to graded stakes-placed OBS grad Skippylongstocking, entered in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, as well as graded stakes-placed stakes-winning OBS graduate Moonlite Strike, out of Twinkling, by War Chant.
Hip 655, Luke the Legend, a son of Ride On Curlin consigned by Crystal Eclipse Stable, was purchased by Big Sky Racing for $230,000. The chestnut colt, whose eighth in :10 flat was co-fastest at the distance on Thursday, is out of Awesome Sunrize, by Awesome Again, a half-sister to graded stakes-winning OBS graduate Stubbins.
Hip No. 541, a daughter of Hit It a Bomb consigned by Woodside Ranch, Agent, was sold to Sarah Kelly for $200,000. The bay filly, who breezed an eighth in :10 flat on Wednesday, is out of Voided Contract, by Zensational, from the family of champion Smarty Jones.
Hip No. 613, a daughter of Candy Ride (ARG) consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, was sold to D. J. Stable LLC for $185,000. The gray or roan filly, who breezed an eighth on Thursday in :10 2/5, is a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Copper Bullet out of Allegory, by Unbridled’s Song.
Hip No. 473, a daughter of Empire Maker consigned by Tom McCrocklin, Agent, was sold to David Ingordo, Agent, for $160,000. The gray or roan filly, who turned in an Under Tack quarter in :21 2/5 on Wednesday, is out of Tapital Gang, by Tapit, a daughter of graded stakes-winner Yearly Report.
Hip No. 550, a son of Tapiture consigned by CM Thoroughbreds, went to Mike Pender, Agent, for $150,000. The chestnut gelding, second in a maiden dash at Gulfstream prior to the sale, is out of War Angel, by Declaration of War, from the family of graded stakes-winner Slew of Pearls. For the session, 217 horses grossed $9,414,000, compared with 205 selling for a total of $8,472,600 at last year’s second session. The average was $43,382 compared with $41,330 a year ago, while the median price was $25,000, compared to $17,000 in 2021. The buyback percentage was 19.9%; it was 16.3% last year.
Hip No. 191, a daughter of Bolt d’Oro consigned by Niall Brennan Stables, Agent, was sold to Greg & Caroline Bentley for $290,000 to top the first session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2022 June Sale of Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age. The bay filly, whose eighth in :10 flat was co-fastest at the distance at Tuesday’s Under Tack session, is a half-sister to graded stakes-placed Top of Mind out of stakes-winner Over the Edge, by Thunder Gulch. Marette Farrell, Agent for Exline-Border Racing LLC, paid $240,000 for Hip No. 331, a daughter of Candy Ride (ARG) consigned by All Dreams Equine, Agent. The bay filly, who breezed an eighth in :10 1/5 on Tuesday, is out of Seaside Escape, by Bernardini, a full sister to Gr. I stakes-winner Cavorting.
Hip No. 116, a daughter of Adios Charlie consigned by Ocala Stud, went to Champion Equine LLC for $235,000. The bay filly, whose quarter in :21 flat was fastest at the distance at Monday’s Under Tack session, is out of stakes- placed Miss Melinda, by Malibu Moon, a daughter of graded stakes-placed stakes-winner Black Escort.
Hip No. 54, a son of Nyquist consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, was sold to Mike Maker for $220,000. The bay colt, who turned in an Under Tack eighth on Monday in :10 1/5, is out of graded stakes-winner Livin Lovin, by Birdstone.
Hip No. 236, a daughter of Liam’s Map consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, was sold to Patrice Miller, EQB Inc, Agent, for $160,000. The bay filly, who breezed an Under Tack eighth in :10 2/5 on Tuesday, is out of Pretty U, by Pomeroy, a full sister to graded stakes-winning OBS graduate Pomeroys Pistol.
Clay Scherer, Agent, went to $150,000 for Hip No. 123, a daughter of Redesdale consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, Agent. The chestnut filly, who breezed a quarter in :21 1/5 at the Under Tack Show on Monday, is out of Miz Midtown, by Exchange Rate, a daughter of stakes-winner Midtown Miss.
Hip 217, Picchero, a daughter of Bucchero consigned by Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds, was sold for $150,000 to Cherie DeVaux, Agent. The chestnut filly, whose eighth on Tuesday in :10 flat was the session’s co-fastest, is out of Pick the Double, by Double Honor, from the family of graded stakes-winner Accredit.
Hip No. 130, a daughter of Bayern consigned by Paul Sharp, Agent, was purchased for $140,000 by Ryan Zabrowski. The dark bay or brown filly, whose eighth in :10 flat was co-fastest at Monday’s Under Tack session, is a half-sister to graded stakes-placed stakes-winner Bishop’s Pond out of stakes-winner More for Me, by More Than Ready.
Mike Akers, Agent, went to $140,000 for Hip No. 246, a daughter of Square Eddie consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), Agent. The bay filly, whose Under Tack eighth in :10 flat on Tuesday was the session’s co-fastest, is a full sister to stakes-placed Square Peggy out of Puff Pastry, by Momentum.
For the session, 184 horses grossed $7,107,500, compared with 196 selling for a total of $7,756,400 at last year’s first session. The average was $38,628 compared with $39,573 a year ago, while the median price was $25,500 compared to $20,000 in 2021. The buyback percentage was 33%; it was 18.3% last year.
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Today’s live racing card at Gulfstream Park has been canceled due to heavy rains from a tropical storm system making its way across South Florida. Ditto for Sunday's program. A tropical storm warning remained in effect early this morning by the National Weather Service. The Gulfstream Park facility will remain open for simulcast and casino wagering.
Live racing is scheduled to resume Thursday with a 1:05 post time and a $700,000 guaranteed Rainbow 6 jackpot.
Hip No, 795, a daughter of Irish War Cry consigned by Thorostock LLC, Agent, breezed an eighth in :9 4/5 to post the fastest work at the distance at the fifth session of the Under Tack Show for the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2022 June Sale of Two Year Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age. The dark bay or brown filly is a half sister to stakes placed Jamaican Don out of D D Renegade, by Medalist, from the family of grade one stakes winner Lite Light. Three horses shared honors for the session’s fastest quarter, clocked in :20 4/5. Hip No. 783, consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, is a chestnut filly by Bee Jersey out of graded stakes placed Dance Secretary (IRE), by Danehill Dancer, a half sister to champion Perfect Soul (IRE)
Hip No. 823, a dark bay or brown filly by Uncaptured consigned by Tom McCrocklin, Agent, is out of E Built This City, by City Zip, a half sister to stakes placed Anyriderill Do.
Hip No. 860, consigned by RiceHorse Stable (Brandon & Ali Rice), is a dark bay or brown colt by Outwork out of Fade to Black, by Street Cry (IRE), from the family of champion OBS graduate Kitten’s Joy.
Hip No. 792, a son of Good Magic consigned by Bold Arrow Thoroughbreds breezed three eighths in :33 3/5. The bay colt is out of Dark Before Dawn, by Ghostzapper, a half sister to stakes winner Dashing Debby. Five horses turned in eighths in :10 flat. Hip 759, Goodmornincaptain, a bay colt by Army Mule consigned by McKathan Bros. Sales, Agent, is a half brother to stakes winner Jurojin out of Copelan County, by Gibson County.
Hip 789, a chestnut filly by Rainbow Heir consigned by Randy Miles, Agent, is a half sister to stakes placed Distinction Bird out of Dare I Dream, by OBS graduate Delaware Township.
Hip 811, also consigned by Randy Miles, Agent, is a dark bay or brown colt by Mo Town out of Dixie Babe, by Dixie Union, a daughter of stakes winner Bluegrass Sara.
Hip 843, a chestnut filly by Bustin Stones consigned by Silvestre Chavez Thoroughbreds, Agent, is out of E. Queen, by E Dubai, from the family of graded stakes winner Kingpost.
Hip 861, consigned by Marcial Galan, Agent, is a dark bay or brown colt by Mark Valeski out of Faith Proof, by Idiot Proof, a half sister to stakes winner Centerofattention.
Hip No. 768, a son of Tiznow consigned by GOP Racing Stable Corp., Agent, turned in the only quarter in :21 flat. The bay colt is out of Country Drive, by Shirocco (GER), a half sister to graded stakes placed stakes winner Bodecream. A pair of youngsters breezed quarters in :21 1/5.
Hip No. 762, a gray or roan colt by Get Stormy consigned by Niall Brennan Stables, Agent, is a half brother to stakes placed Talkthetalk out of Cosmic Energy, by Unbridled Energy.
Hip No. 874, a bay filly by Palace consigned by Silvestre Chavez Thoroughbreds, Agent, is a half sister to graded stakes placed Surf and Turf out of First in Time, by Broken Vow, from the family of grade one stakes winner Changeintheweather,
Two horses turned in quarters in :21 2/5.
Hip No. 753, consigned by McKathan Bros. Sales, Agent, is a gray or roan colt by Munnings out of Compulsion, by Pioneeruarters in :21 1/5.of the Nile, a half sister to stakes winner Justin Squared.
Hip No. 882, a dark bay or brown colt by Street Sense consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, is a half brother to graded stakes winning OBS graduate The Tabulator out of Fly to the Stars, by Giant’s Causeway.
Hip No. 634, a son of Constitution consigned by Blue River Bloodstock, Inc., Agent, worked three-eighths in :33 1/5 to post the fastest work at the distance at the fourth session of the Under Tack Show for Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2022 June Sale of Two Year Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age. The bay colt is out of Arana, by Hard Spun, from the family of graded stakes winner Clearing. Three horses shared honors for the session’s fastest quarter, stopping the timer in :21 flat. Hip No. 573, a dark bay or brown colt by Bal a Bali (BRZ) consigned by Cruzin’ Thoroughbreds, Agent, is out of Winged Fury, by War Chant, a daughter of champion Fiji (GB).
Hip No. 685, also consigned by Cruzin’ Thoroughbreds, Agent, is a bay colt by Blame out of graded stakes placed stakes winner Bling On the Music, by Too Much Bling.
Hip No. 741, Major Deal, consigned by Galvan Brothers Equine, is a bay gelding by Klimt out of Christiansted, by Artie Schiller, from the family of graded stakes winner Mad Flatter.
A trio of youngsters breezed quarters in :21 2/5. Hip No. 687, consigned by Britton Peak, Agent, is a bay colt by Blame out of stakes placed Blithely, by Exchange Rate, a half sister to graded stakes winner Merry Meadow.
Hip No. 702, a bay filly by Uncaptured consigned by Ocala Stud, is a full sister to stakes placed Bet On Mookie out of Brown Glaze, by War Front, from the family of graded stakes placed stakes winning OBS graduate Lucky Livi.
Hip No. 724, consigned by GOP Racing Stable Corp., is a bay colt by Lord Nelson out of Cash Is Queen, by Unbridled’s Song, a half sister to graded stakes winner Name Changer.
Twelve horses tied for the session’s fastest eighth, clocked in :10 flat. Hip 599, Magnified, consigned by Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds, is a chestnut colt by Tunwoo out of Adios Ashley, by Adios Charlie, a daughter of stakes winner Ashley River.
Hip 606, Canela de Oro, a gray or roan filly by Majestic City consigned by Golden Noguez, Agent, is out of Agustina de Aragon, by Political Force, from the family of champion Leroidesanimaux (BRZ).
Hip 618, a dark bay or brown colt by Connect consigned by Champions of the Future, is out of champion Along Came Polly (SAF), by Judpot, from the family of champion Young Rake.
Hip 624, consigned by Goldencents Thoroughbreds, a dark bay or brown filly by Tapwrit, is out of Ammalu, by Boston Harbor, a half sister to graded stakes winner Sapphire N’ Silk.
Hip 652, a bay filly by Always Dreaming consigned by A Rebel Colt Consignment, is out of stakes winner Away We Go, by Tizway, from the family of grade one stakes winner Ogygian.
Hip 655, Luke the Legend, a chestnut colt by Ride On Curlin consigned by Crystal Eclipse Stable, is out of Awesome Sunrize, by Awesome Again, a half sister to graded stakes winning OBS graduate Stubbins.
Hip 670, consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, is a dark bay or brown filly by Munnings out of Beautiful Princess, by Giant’s Causeway, from the family of graded stakes winner Forest Music.
Hip 695, consigned by Kings Equine, Agent for Spendthrift Farm LLC, is a dark bay or brown colt by More Than Ready out of Brandy, by Unbridled’s Song, a daughter of stakes winner Alienated.
Hip 700, an Irish-bred bay colt by Caravaggio consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, is out of stakes placed Brioniya, by Pivotal, a daughter of graded stakes placed stakes winner Bahia Breeze.
Hip 706, consigned by Marcial Galan, Agent, is a chestnut colt by First Samurai out of stakes placed Button Girl, by Mizzen Mast, a half sister to graded stakes winner Coracle.
Hip 713, a bay colt by Quality Road consigned by Centofanti Thoroughbreds, Agent, is out of graded stakes winner Call Pat, by Lawyer Ron.
Hip 715, consigned by GOP Racing Stable Corp, is a dark bay or brown colt by West Coast out of Canadian River, by Smart Strike, a half sister to graded stakes winner Montgomery’s Arch.
Hip No. 116, a daughter of Adios Charlie consigned by Ocala Stud, worked a quarter in :21 flat to post the fastest work at the distance at the opening session of the Under Tack Show for Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2022 June Sale of Two Year Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age. The bay filly is out of stakes-placed Miss Melinda, by Malibu Moon, a daughter of graded stakes- placed stakes-winner Black Escort. Nine horses shared honors for the fastest eighth, stopping the timer in :10 flat. Hip 2, Gambito, a bay colt by Astern (AUS) consigned by Fast Horses, Agent, is a half brother to champion La Poetesa out of grade one stakes winner La Dalila (CHI), by Milt’s Overture.
Hip 9, a dark bay or brown colt by Army Mule consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), Agent, is out of Lady Halite, by Medaglia d’Oro, from the family of graded stakes winning OBS graduate Buffalo Man.
Hip 23, consigned by Shooting Star Sales LLC, is a chestnut colt by Bucchero out of Law of Attraction, by Soldat, from the family of graded stakes winner Native Bombshell.
Hip 36, a bay colt by Astern (AUS) consigned by Grassroots Training & Sales LLC, Agent, is out of Lexi Tap, by Pleasant Tap, a half sister to graded stakes winner Irish Jasper.
Hip 37, consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), Agent, is a dark bay or brown filly by Girvin out of Libbyris, by Algorithms, a half sister to champion Roy H.
Hip 82, a dark bay or brown filly by Candy Ride (ARG) consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, is out of Malhama, by Tiznow, from the family of champion Paradise Creek.
Hip 112, consigned by Centofanti Thoroughbreds, Agent, is a bay filly by Into Mischief out of stakes winner Miss Hollywood, by Malibu Moon, a daughter of grade one winner Hollywood Story.
Hip 130 a dark bay or brown filly by Bayern consigned by Paul Sharp, Agent, is a half sister to graded stakes placed stakes winner Bishop’s Pond out of stakes winner More for Me, by More Than Ready.
Hip 164, Roll On Big Joe, consigned by Gayle Woods, Agent, is a colt by Prospective out of Nina’s Gift, by Victory Gallop, from the family of grade one stakes winner Norway Boy.
There were two quarters in :21 1/5. Hip No. 123, consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, Agent, is a chestnut filly by Redesdale out of Miz Midtown, by Exchange Rate, a daughter of stakes winner Midtown Miss.
Hip No. 124, a gray or roan colt by Cinco Charlie consigned by L. G., Agent, is out of Mlle. Minuit, by Midnight Lute, from the family of graded stakes winner Yestday’s Kisses.
Three horses were clocked in :21 2/5. Hip No. 137, consigned by Davis Breaking and Training, Inc., Agent, is a gray or roan filly by Cross Traffic out of Mo Wicked, by Uncle Mo, from the family of grade one stakes winner Wickedly Perfect.
Hip No. 141, a bay colt by Jimmy Creed consigned by Goldencents Thoroughbreds, is out of Ms Giavonna, by Medaglia d’Oro, from the family of grade one winner Pampered Princess.
Hip No. 167, a bay colt by Always Dreaming consigned by Niall Brennan Stables, Agent, is a half brother to graded stakes winner Major General out of No Mo Lemons, by Uncle Mo.
One of the most bizarre stories in racing takes another step forward today in the first race at Monmouth Park.
The culprit is Gone Astray Kiss, an 8-year-old New Jersey-bred gelding by Pleasant Acres' stallion Gone Astray. What makes him so intriguing is that Gone Astray Kiss has raced 71 times, compiling an oh-no record of 2-2-12, with earnings of $119,716. His two victories came in the same season - at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 8 of 2017 and May 13 of 2017 at Monmouth Park. He paid $6.80 in the Tampa race competing for $16,000, and $20.20 at Monmouth competing for $7,500.
Gone Astray Kiss is now owned and trained by Anthony Foglia, who may just be having a good time with him. The last time Gone Astray Kiss finished in the top 3 was a third-place finish on July 3 of last year at Monmouth - he was 38-1 that day. It's possible there are bettors who want to own a souvenir ticket in case the gelding becomes a record-holder of some kind somewhere down the line.
GAK took a six-month vacation, returning at Monmouth on May 8 - amazingly - in a $75,000 allowance race. He finished eighth by 17 1/2 lengths at odds of 53-1. It appeared Foglia was just trying to get a race in him, thus the class he faced. However, he's in another $75,000 allowance today, and is 30-1 in the morning line. If the souvenir hunters don't show up to bet a few bucks, GAK could go off at 100-1.