NEWS
Blood-Horse, March 6, 2024
Kinza (by Carpe Diem) Towers
Over Santa Ysabel Foes
Michael Lund Petersen's impressive grade 3 winner Kinza towers over a field of eight 3-year-old fillies in the 1 1/16-mile $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park March 9.
Entering off a breathtaking 7 1/2-length debut victory at Santa Anita Dec. 29, the New York-bred daughter of CARPE DIEM was made the even-money favorite in the Feb. 10 Las Virgenes Stakes (G3). Chased throughout by Santa Ynez Stakes (G3) winner Kopion, Kinza remained unfazed and appeared to win with something left by two lengths.
The Santa Ysabel offers qualifying points to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale. However, Kinza will be ineligible to earn points as trainer Bob Baffert is barred from racing at Churchill Downs.
As the only entry with more than a maiden win to her name, Kinza's credentials will likely make her a heavy choice among the bettors. Yet, the race appears wide open behind her as these developing fillies will look to spring an upset.
Beerman Family Trust and Sayjay Racing's She's a Tempest has been steadily proving herself to be a classy filly. Second to Kopion three starts back in a maiden race, she followed up by defeating fellow Santa Ysabel contender Ultimate Authority going one mile at Santa Anita Jan. 5. Off that performance, the daughter of Connect took a shot against Kinza and ran a solid third, beaten 3 1/2 lengths, in the Las Virgenes. Trainer Steve Knapp will add blinkers.
After losing by a head to She's a Tempest, Leslie and Pierre Amestoy and Roger Beasley's Ultimate Authority returned Feb. 2 to win by a half-length in a one-mile maiden special weight over Where's My Ring.
Despite still being a maiden, Michael McMillan's Where's My Ring has kept good company. Following a fourth in the Surfer Girl Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita, the Twirling Candy filly took a shot at the big prize in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Nov. 3, finishing eighth. Sent back to maiden ranks by trainer Val Brinkerhoff for her next two starts, she would be defeated by Kinza before that loss to Ultimate Authority.
Kinza wins the Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita Park
TDN, February 11, 2024
KINZA PASSES TWO-TURN TEST IN LAS VIRGENES
Looking every bit a 'TDN Rising Star', Kinza (Carpe Diem) stepped up in class and took home her first graded win with a professional gate-to-wire performance at 'The Great Race Place.'
To kick start her career over the same surface Dec. 29, the chestnut became a meteoric star when she won by an eyecatching 7 1/2 lengths for trainer Bob Baffert. Putting in quality workouts since, the filly was well-supported at the windows as the even-money choice over rival Kopion (Omaha Beach). The Richard Mandella trainee at odds of 6-5 here, arrived with a pair of wins under her belt, one of which was a 5 1/4-length score last out in the GIII Santa Ynez S. Jan. 7.
Kinza took the opening round of the Kentucky Oaks points race by wrangling the lead from the bell, which gave her the upper hand into the first turn. Holding the rail position up the backstretch, the 3-year-old remained committed to the pace as the far turn arrived.
Though Kopion was called upon to pull even just before the top of the lane, she could not muster the speed to catch Kinza, who went on to win by two lengths.
"She acts like a filly that can handle (two turns)," said assistant to Bob Baffert, Jimmy Barnes. "You don't know until you do it, but she had shown in the morning, in her workouts that she could go further. I was more concerned there was so much speed, with the small field and a lot of speed. Unfortunately, our other filly (Nothing Like You {Malibu Moon}) she's got speed, but she was on the rail and she doesn't have that kind of speed, so she had to kind of take back and make some kind of trip and she probably doesn't want to do that."
Pedigree Notes: Kinza is the 13th stakes winner and third worldwide graded/group stakes winner for her Louisiana-based sire. The first to the races for her dam, the winner counts a 2-year-old filly by Instagrand as a half-sister. A $100,000 purchase by MTC at the 2014 Keeneland September Sale, Secret Wonder visited Honest Mischief for this season.
Saturday, Santa Anita Park
LAS VIRGENES S.-GIII, $100,000, Santa Anita, 2-10, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:37.03, ft.
1--KINZA, 120, f, 3, by Carpe Diem
1st Dam: Secret Wonder, by Quality Road
2nd Dam: Maxinkuckee Miss, by Langfuhr
3rd Dam: Wini Jones, by Seeking the Gold
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN.
($17,000 Wlg '21 FTNMIX; $30,000 Ylg '22 OBSOCT; $350,000 2yo '23 EASMAY). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-JD Business Ventures LLC, Brushy Hill Stable & Carpe Diem Syndicate (NY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000.
Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $99,000. Werk Nick Rating: B.
January 29, 2024
CARPE DIEM GETS FIRST STAKES HORSE OF 2024
Seize the Night was 2nd by half al length in the $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Jan. 27. Winner of $354,112, the gelding made a late bid between rivals to be up second. The multiple stakes placed winner of 4 races is owned by Willis Horton Racing LLC and was bred in Kentucky by Cove Spring Farm LLC.
The next day at Oaklawn MR. KEATING (pictured left) won a $115,000 maiden special weight defeating Olivier, the full-brother to Horse of the Year FLIGHTLINE. Fanning to the outside at the top of the lane MR. KEATING cleared late by one length. Owned and bred by Marylou Whitney Stables LLC and trained by Norm Casse, MR. KEATING is out of an extended female family which includes champion 3-year-old filly BIRD TOWN. Lifetime record 4-1-1-2, $110,750.
TDN
December 29, 2023
CARPE DIEM’s Graded Placed SW
FINGAL’S CAVE takes NY’s Bay Ridge,
5 time winner in 6 starts!
BAY RIDGE S., $100,000, Aqueduct, 12-28, (S), 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:37.45, my.
1--FINGAL'S CAVE, 121, f, 4, Carpe Diem--Barbie On a Budget, by Mineshaft.
($75,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Alifyfe Racing, LLC; B-Chester Broman & Mary R.
Broman (NY); T-David G. Donk; J-Jose Lezcano. $55,000. Lifetime Record: GSP,
6-5-1-0, $370,500.
2--Venti Valentine, 126, f, 4, Firing Line--Glory Gold, by Medaglia d'Oro. O-NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and Parkland Thoroughbreds; B-Final Furlong Racing Stable & Maspeth Stable (NY); T-Jorge R. Abreu. $20,000.
3--Cairo Sugar, 120, f, 3, Cairo Prince--Spun Sugar, by Awesome Again. ($6,000 Ylg '21 SARAUG; $43,000 RNA 2yo '22 WANNYB). O-AP Stable;
B-Kaz Hill Farm (NY); T-Jorge R. Abreu. $12,000.
Margins: 4 3/4, 1HF, NK. Odds: 2.10, 2.55, 13.60.
Also Ran: Bustin Bay, Know It All Audrey, Sweetie. Scratched: Sweet Mystery.
Not seen in over a year since she put her four-win undefeated NYRA record on the line to run second to MGISP Wicked Halo (Gun Runner) in the GII Lexus Raven Run S. at Keeneland, Fingal's Cave made her return to the races a success as she won the Bay Ridge S. in convincing fashion.
Backed as the 2-1 choice Thursday, the New York-bred powered to a short lead over Venti Valentine up the backstretch. Setting all the fractions, the 4-year-old turned up the heat past the quarter pole and easily cleared off to seal the deal over her pursuers.
"432 [days off]? I heard someone say the number and I tried not to dwell on it," said David Donk. "As a trainer, boy could I have worked her a couple more times [laughs]. She's got a lot of class, so I think the class prevails."
The winner is her dam's first offspring, but she does have a yearling half-brother by Honest Mischief. Barbie on a Budget visited Epicenter for next year. Fingal's Cave has an extended female family which also includes GII Rebel S. longshot hero Un Ojo (Laoban) and this week's GI Malibu S. runner-up Hejazi (Bernardini). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2023
UNIFIED, SON OF CANDY RIDE, RELOCATES
TO LACER @ AZTEC EQUINE, IN SUNSET,LA
David Tillson and partners acquired the multiple Graded stakes winner from Lane's
End Farm. "UNIFIED has settled in well, he is in wonderful shape and is acclimating to
his new home," Tillson reported. UNIFIED will be the only son of Candy Ride standing
in Louisiana.
UNIFIED is one of three sons of Candy Ride ranked among the top eight Third Crop
Sires, #1 Gun Runner #6 UNIFIED and #8 Mastery. In this year’s Kentucky Derby there
were two sons of Candy Ride and one son of Gun Runner. This is a very successful line
that is a much-needed influence in Louisiana and the Southwest.
UNIFIED is the sire of 3-year-old filly UNIFIED ALLIANCE, an easy winner of Saratoga’s
5 ½ furlong Coronation Cup Stakes run yesterday over the main track. Tillson added,
“this really is a great start for UNFIED, an exceptional racehorse and sire.”
UNIFIED is a handsome horse with a powerful sprinter’s physique. He broke his maiden at first asking in 1:08.4, earning a 102 Equibase figure. Stakes Winner of the Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes (G3) with a 118 Equibase. Additionally, UNIFIED won the G2 Peter Pan Stakes and G3 Bay Shore S., both in New York. Second by a neck in the G1 Carter Handicap, UNIFIED retired with nearly half-million dollars in earnings.
UNIFIED will join leading general sire in Louisiana, Carpe Diem and first crop yearling sire Bobby’s Wicked One for the 2024 breeding season.
"The predominant goal of this stallion station is to offer speed-oriented sons of prominent sires who are of the conformational type that compliment mares of the Southwestern region," concluded Tillson.
UNIFIED will be owned by Unified Stud, LLC and units (shares) will be available for purchase. He will stand for $3,500 live foal.
For more information contact David Tillson, cell: (337) 315-2439, e-mail: david@thestockexchange.biz.
March 12, 2023
WELL CONNECTED FOOLISH DELIGHT ROLLS BY 6 LENGTHS!
FOOLISH DELIGHT (f, 3, Carpe Diem--More Than Folly, by More Than Ready), never off the board in six prior starts, entered off a third-place finish just behind Saturday's Arizona Oaks winner Una Palabra (McCracken) in Turf Paradise's Princess of Palm S. Feb. 18 while two starts back she took second by a half-length in the Borderplex S. over this same track Jan. 29. A popular choice at 1-5 Sunday, the chestnut trailed the field out of the gate and took her time getting into stride while racing last. Once she had her feet under her into the far turn, Foolish Delight posed a challenge while racing six wide around the bend and easily dispatched of early pacesetter Zanarazzi (Khozan), drawing off for the six-length win in the six furlong allowance at Sunland. Out of a full-sister to the dam of both champion turf female Regal Glory and G1 SW Cafe Pharoah.
Sales History: $40,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. | Lifetime Record: 7-2-3-2, $81,341.
O-Christa Utt, Greg Green, M.C.M Stables, LLC and Corie O'Connor;
B-E. H. Beau Lane (KY); T-Greg Green.
February 28, 2023 | Blood Horse Daily
CARPE DIEM
ON TOP AGAIN
IN LOUISIANA
thru 2/26/2023
February 21, 2023 | TDN
AMERICAN-BRED
WINNERS ABROAD
Carpe Babel, f, 3, Carpe Diem--Willathewest, by Gone West.
Busan, 2-19, Hcp. (C4), 1200m. B-Mill Ridge Farm et al (KY).
*Won by nine lengths as the 1-5 favorite. *1/2 to Senora Roma
(Verrazano), SP, $209,428. **$4,500 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $35,000
2yo '22 OBSJUN.
October 27, 2022 | TDN
CHANCHENG PRINCE LATEST IMPRESSIVE WINNER FOR CARPE DIEM
IN HONG KONG:
Chancheng Prince, g, 5, Carpe Deim--Bliss, by Flashy Bull. Sha Tin,
10-26, Hcp. (C3), 1650m (AWT), 1:37.33. B-Mystic Bloodstock (KY).
*$150,000 2yo '19 OBSAPR. VIDEO
October 3, 2022
2YO WINNER #6, CARPE DIEM TOPS LA JUVENILE SIRE LIST
11th-Prairie Meadows, $32,583, Msw, 10-2, 2yo, 6f, 1:12.36, ft, 6 1/2 lengths. PRESENT TIME (f, 2, Carpe Diem--I Know That Mom, by Distorted Humor), given a 33-10 chance in this career bow, broke slowly before rushing up to take charge through a :23.06 quarter. Shaking off a pair of challengers on the turn and edging away past a :47.55 half, the $40,000 Keeneland September grad poured it on in the stretch under little to no urging for a sharp 6 1/2-length success. The Steelman (Dialed In) was another 4 1/2 lengths clear for the place. The winner's second is MGSW/GISP Tar Heel Mom (Flatter), a half-sister to GSW Scrappy T (Fit to Fight), who famously almost caused Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet) to go down before finishing second in the GI Preakness S. Her unraced dam has a yearling Speightstown colt who sold for $210,000 at KEESEP and produced a colt by Improbable this season before visiting Global Campaign. Sales History: $40,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $18,900. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. O-Kent V. Kunz, Reunion Racing Stables LLC & Kevin Eikleberry; B-Upson Downs Farm & Winstar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Kevin Eikleberry.
July 30, 2022 | BloodHorse Daily
THAT'S THREE STRAIGHT WINS FOR FINGAL'S CAVE
Ali Fyfe's Alifyfe Racing's Fingal's Cave just keeps on running. The 3-year-old filly, a daughter of Carpe Diem, won her third race without a loss, winning the third race at Saratoga Race Course July 29 by 3 3/4 lengths.
Fingal's Cave, bred in New York by Chester and Mary Broman, won for the first time in open company and around two turns, covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.97.
In her first three starts, Fingal's Cave has won by a combined 21 1/4 lengths.
"She's OK," trainer David Donk said. "I wasn't surprised at the first two wins because of the competition. There was much better competition today. I had a lot of respect for Brad's horse."
That would be Gary and Mary West's Insignia, who went off as the 6-5 favorite for trainer Brad Cox. Fingal's Cave, who was ridden by Jose Ortiz, was 7-5. Curragh Stables' Spiked was second with Insignia finishing third.
"She is a nice filly," Donk said. "We'll find out in a little bit how nice she is."
The next step for Fingal's Cave will be against statebreds in the $200,000 Fleet Indian Stakes on Aug. 26 at 1 1/8 miles.
June 30, 2022 | TDN
RANKS AMONG NATION’S TOP 20 SIRES OF
2-YEAR-OLDS WITH FIRST WINNER
5th-Churchill Downs, $120,727, Msw, 6-30, 2yo, 5f, :57.70, ft, 2 1/4 lengths.
ROMAN GIANT (c, 2, Carpe Diem--Bestinthebusiness, by Ghostzapper) began his career on the grass at Keeneland Apr. 28 where he contested the early lead but faded late to finish fifth. Kept on the same surface May 19 at Churchill, he showed improvement to finish a closer third before switching to the dirt when last seen running second June 9 at Churchill Downs. Off at 6-5 in Thursday’s race, Roman Giant put a quick two lengths on the field from the break. Three Zero (Kantharos) tried to keep pace from second but would get no closer than a half-length as Roman Giant held strong down the stretch to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Stormin Army (Army Mule). The winner, the first foal from his dam, has a yearling half-sister by Mastery and a newborn half-sister by Complexity. Sales History: 10,000 Ylg ‘21 KEESEP; $55,000 2yo ‘22 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 4-1-1-1, $107,680.
O-Mike McCarty; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen.
3/5/22
GRADE 2 PERFORMANCE FOR SON OF CARPE DIEM
O Captain by Carpe Diem was slow into stride in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream, fanning four wide the 3-year-old started to find his stride approaching the stretch and rallied to get third, just a length behind In Due Time. A Gulfstream 9 1/4 length maiden special weight debut winner in August of 2021, O Captain did not return until 2022 in the Limehouse S. on New Year's Day, where he ran third. Bred by WinStar Farm LLC,
O Captain is out of the A.P. Indy mare Mama Nadine. O Captain is one of 15 stakes horses by Carpe Diem and is the first Grade 2 performer for his sire.
2/18/22
CARPE DIEM LEADS ALL SIRES OUTSIDE KY
CARPE DIEM leads all stallions in LA for 2022 by earnings and leads all stallions outside KY by earnings and is co-leader by number of 2022 stakes horses with four. O Captain placed in the Limehouse S. on New Year’s Day and other 3-year-old stakes runner ups include Champagne Poetry and Tyler’s Dream and 4YO SW WAIT FOR NAIROBI was 2nd in the Wishing Well S.
1/6/2022
NEW STAKES HORSE, CARPE DIEM FILLY
2ND BY NOSE IN THE RUTHLESS STAKES
GUN RUNNER's SHOTGUN HOTTIE rallied late to get the win by a nose over Champagne Poetry in the $100,000 Ruthless S. at Aqueduct. The 7 furlong test for 3-year-old fillies was run over a good track in 1:24.91. Second betting choice Champagne Poetry was narrowly outkicked at the wire. "She made a great run and so did the runner-up," said winning trainer Bill Morey. Champagne Poetry was bred in Kentucky by St. Elias Stables, LLC and races for owner Jonathan Hardoon and trainer Chad Summers.
Champagne Poetry (right) by Carpe Diem
Click image to enlarge
January 25, 2022 | Blood Horse Daily
NEW LA STALLION CARPE DIEM LEADS THE STATE IN 2022
Recently purchased from WinStar Farm CARPE DIEM stands at Acadiana Equine @ Copper Crowne for $3,500 live foal. With 22 juvenile winners in 2021, CARPE DIEM is poised to see substantial 3-year-old action in 2022. Chief earner in 2022 is 3-year-old Aqueduct maiden special weight winner CHAMPAGNE POETRY. 3-year-old O Captain placed in the Limehouse S. at Gulfstream Park on New Year’s Day.
January 23, 2022 | TDN
Another Impressive Winner by a son of Speightstown, Speightster Filly Impresses at Oaklawn
9th-Oaklawn, $84,000, Msw, 1-23, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:10.83, ft, 3 3/4 lengths.
HOT AND SULTRY (f, 3, Speightster–Hot Water, by Medaglia d'Oro) burst out of the gate at Oaklawn Sunday with her mind on running and never looked back, toying with the field for a facile 3 3/4-length score. The dark bay was sent as the 8-5 choice and kept a narrow advantage through :21.97 and :46.21 splits. She changed leads on cue coming off the turn, batted off her rivals, and drew clear in the stretch, easing up late as Little Mombo (Into Mischief), who had gotten within a head two furlongs from home, chased her to the wire. Her final time of 1:10.83 for the six furlongs was significantly faster than the earlier division on the card, won by Peace Peddler (Gun Runner) in a similar trip, by the identical margin, in a final time of 1:11.73. Hot and Sultry came into the race with the highest previous Beyer–77–in the field, earned in her Dec. 18, runner-up debut over track and trip. Peace Peddler had finished third to her in that joint debut. A half to Tracksmith (Street Sense), SW & GSP, $282,133; Hot and Sultry claims as her third dam 2001 champion 3-year-old filly and GISW Xtra Heat (Dixieland Heat). The winner's dam, Hot Water, has a 2-year-old colt by Runhappy that brought $7,000 at Keeneland September from Adco Farms and a yearling filly by Omaha Beach that hammered to The Elkstone Group for $160,000 at Keeneland November. She was bred back to War of Will. Sales History: $475,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $67,200. O-Alex & JoAnn Lieblong; B-Cobalt Investments, LLC (KY);
T-Steven M. Asmussen.
January 14, 2022 | TDN
CARPE DIEM Filly
Takes NY MdSpWt
5th-Aqueduct, $80,000, Msw, 1-13, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:11.68, ft, neck.
CHAMPAGNE POETRY (f, 3, Carpe Diem--C J Oz, by Colonel
John), third in her unveiling sprinting six panels over the turf
here Dec. 31, was given a 3-1 chance while trying the main track
this time. Up to pressure favored Glitter Up (Connect) through
initial splits of :22.57 and :45.96, the bay battled with that rival
through the stretch, gaining a neck advantage at the wire.
C J Oz produced a colt by Always Dreaming last season.
Champagne Poetry's second dam, Home From Oz, is a full-sister
to Grade I winner and leading sire Tapit (Pulpit). Sales history:
$9,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $20,000 Ylg '20 EASOCT. Lifetime
Record: 2-1-0-1, $53,600.
O-Jonathan Hardoon; B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (KY); T-Chad
Summers.
Click box above to view race
May 7, 2021 | TDN - Originally published May 5, 2021
Landmark 1-2 Flies the
Flag for Speightstown
Click image to
read article
BOBBY'S WICKED ONE
2021 FEE: $3,500 LIVE FOAL
Sons of SPEIGHTSTOWN have dominated the G1 Churchill
Downs Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard in recent
years.
This past weekend SPEIGHTSTOWN sons, FLAGSTAFF and LEXITONIAN ran 1st and 2nd.
Two years ago, BOBBY'S WICKED ONE (Speightstown-Wicked Charm), ran 2nd to 2019 Champion Male Sprinter, MITOLE,
while defeating 2020 Champion Male Sprinter, WHITMORE.
BOBBY'S WICKED ONE stands at Acadiana Equine at Copper
Crowne for a 2021 fee of $3,500
5th-Indiana Grand, $31,000, Msw, 4-14, 3yo/up, f/m, 5 1/2f, 1:06.31, ft, 3 1/2 lengths.
DARK HONEY (f, 3, Astrology--Oaks Lily {SP}, by Badge of Silver), tiring to ninth sprinting six furlongs over Turfway's synthetic surface Mar. 27, was sent off at 5-2 to do better on the traditional dirt.
Up to challenge Khozys Crown (Khozan) through a :22.98 quarter, the bay took over on the far turn, extended her lead into the stretch and was ridden out late en route to a 3 1/2-length score over favored firster Win Or Cellar (Strong Mandate). The winner is a half to Yarek (Drosselmeyer), GSW & G1SP-Per. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $18,857.
O–Arnaldo Monge; B–Kings & Queens Farm (KY); T–Rey Hernandez.
April 14, 2021 | TDN
HALF TO GSW/G1SP YAREK BY ASTROLOGY WINS BY 3 1/2
Horologist kicked off her 2021 campaign with a victory in the
Top Flight Invitational.
April 10, 2021 | Paulick Report
HOROLOGIST MAKES SUCCESSFUL RETURN FROM LAYOFF IN TOP FLIGHT INVITATIONAL
Three-time graded stakes winner Horologist recaptured her 2020 form in notching a comeback triumph in Saturday's 80th running of the $100,000 Top Flight Invitational, a nine-furlong test for older fillies and mares at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the New Jersey-bred daughter of Gemologist is owned by There's A Chance Stable, Medallion Racing, Abbondanza Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Paradise Farms Corporation and David Staudacher.
Last season, Horologist put together a successful 4-year-old campaign which earned her New Jersey Horse of the Year honors. Her accomplishments included triumphs in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park and the Grade 2 Beldame Invitational at Belmont Park, where she finished ahead of graded stakes winners Point of Honor and Dunbar Road. Horologist capped off her prosperous season in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland when ninth to Monomoy Girl.
Off the five-month respite, Horologist broke sharply from post 5 but allowed Grade 3 Comely victress Mrs. Danvers to dictate terms into the first turn. Jockey Junior Alvarado kept Horologist one path to the pacesetter's outside in second through easy opening fractions of 24.72 for the quarter-mile and 49.55 for the half-mile over the fast main track.
Around the far turn, Horologist inched her way up to even terms with Mrs. Danvers and put up a furious bid when asked. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche started getting busy aboard Mrs. Danvers, who was a persistent customer toward the inside. Just outside the eighth pole, Horologist put a nose in front and never relinquished, taking her 5-year-old debut by one length in a time of 1:52.14.
It was another neck to Sonata Stable's Lucky Stride, last-out winner of the Nellie Morse at Laurel Park, who was compromised at the start but produced a late-closing effort to complete the trifecta.
Queen Nekia, Thankful and Flashndynamite completed the order of finish.
The victory was a fifth overall stakes win for Horologist, who defeated her Garden State-bred counterparts in the 2019 Smart N Classy and Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks for former trainer John Mazza.
Returning $4.00 as the even-money favorite, Horologist upped her lifetime earnings past the three-quarter million mark to $770,439 and a record of 21-8-2-4.
The win was a third stakes triumph of the 11-day Aqueduct spring meet for Mott and Alvarado, who previously teamed up with Modernist in the Grade 3 Excelsior as well as Grade 3 Distaff Handicap winner Paris Lights who, like Horologist, also was making her first start of 2021.
“Coming off the layoff, this track is very tiring and I didn't want to be on the lead and have someone putting pressure on me the whole way,” said Alvarado, who was aboard Horologist for her Beldame Invitational triumph. “It took me a little bit to get her settled, but when she settled on the backside, I knew it was good. When she [Mrs. Danvers] came back to me, I knew we were good after that. Turning for home, I had to ask her a little bit, but it's not easy coming from a layoff on this track going a mile and an eighth. She really tried. I was pretty happy with the way she did it. She was the class of the race.”
Carmouche said Hall of Fame trainer Shug McCaughey left the ball in his court in terms of setting the pace.
“Shug said I could do either way; if I wanted the lead or if I wanted to sit off it,” Carmouche said. “I figured coming out of there, I'd see what happens. If I let Junior have the lead, it was going to be too easy, and I'd rather do it than have him do it. The filly ran well. She fought back gamely it was just a better horse beat us today.”
Bred by Holly Crest Farm, Horologist is out of the Stephen Got Even mare Cinderella Time.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Aqueduct with a nine-race card featuring the $100,000 Plenty of Grace for fillies and mares going one mile over the inner turf. First post is 1:20 p.m. Eastern.
The daughter of Gemologist out of Cinderella Time (by Stephen Got Even), finished 2020 with $345,334 in earnings. She has won seven of 20 career starts and earned $715,439. Holly Crest Farm bred Horologist in New Jersey.
John Bowers Jr.'s homebred Royal Urn was named champion sprinter and champion older male after his successful campaign that finished with three stakes wins. The son of Kantharos , out of the King of Kings mare Born to Royalty, won the John J. Reilly Handicap and New Jersey Breeders Handicap at six furlongs by a combined six lengths. Royal Urn showed his versatility and stretched out to 1 1/16 miles in the Dan Horn Handicap for his third stakes win of 2020. He finished his championship campaign with $172,250 in earnings under the care of trainer Kelly Breen.
Hope Haskell Jones and Isabelle de Tomaso's homebred Pianzi is the champion 3-year-old after his three consecutive wins from July 17 through Aug. 30. The son of Shanghai Bobby out of Faker (Petionville) broke his maiden in his second start of the year on July 17 by 4 3/4 lengths. Trained by Cal Lynch, Pianzi came back to win consecutive allowance optional claiming races Aug. 8 and Aug. 30, both by two lengths. Pianzi finished 2020 with earnings of $132,815.
Pickin' Time gave breeder/owner Bowers and Breen their second champion as he took home champion 2-year-old honors. Racing in the name of Bowers' Roseland Farm Stable, Pickin' Time had a successful campaign winning three races at distances from 4 1/2 furlongs to a mile. The Stay Thirsty half brother to Royal Urn broke his maiden in his first start July 4 at Monmouth Park going 4 1/2 furlongs. Pickin' Time finished second in the Sapling Stakes at one mile before cutting back to six furlongs to win the Smoke Glacken Stakes at Monmouth. His best race of the year came in the Nashua Stakes (G3) winning the one-mile event over the Aqueduct Racetrack oval by 2 1/4 lengths. Pickin' Time finished his 2-year-old season with earnings of $193,025.
Ballybrit Stables homebred Bramble Bay is the champion turf runner after her three-win season. Bramble Bay won over the Gulfstream Park turf course in May prior to shipping to Monmouth Park and winning the Jersey Girl Handicap at one mile on the turf. The daughter of Bullet Train out of Regal Rose (Empire Maker), is trained by Michael Dini. Bramble Bay earned $119,830 during her championship campaign and has career earnings of $196,988.
Born to Royalty was honored as broodmare of the year in 2020. Bowers owns the 19-year-old mare, who is a daughter of Teenage Queen. Teenage Queen, also owned by Bowers, was named New Jersey's broodmare of the year in 2007. Born to Royalty has produced 10 foals of which nine have started and seven are winners. She has a yearling New Jersey-bred colt by Tonalist .
Hey Chub is the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey's stallion of the year for the fifth time in his career. The 21-year-old son of Carson City out of Donna Doo (Spend A Buck), was a multiple stakes winning New Jersey-bred who hit the board in 30 of his 36 starts and earned $441,755. He sired 13 winners and three black-type performers in 2020, including New Jersey Breeders' Handicap runner-up Chublicious, who has career earnings of $676,753.
Multiple graded stakes winner Horologist has been named 2020 New Jersey-bred horse of the year and champion older female by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey.
Owned by partners There's A Chance Stable, Medallion Racing, Abbondanza Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Paradise Farms, and David Staudacher, Horologist started her championship campaign in California with trainer Richard Baltas and was later transferred to the care of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott in June. Under Mott's supervision, Horologist won the Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park and the Beldame Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park. She also finished second in the Nellie Morse Stakes at Laurel Park and was third in the La Troienne Stakes presented by Oak Grove Racing and Gaming (G1) at Churchill Downs.
March 1, 2021 | Blood-Horse
HOROLOGIST NAMED NEW JERSEY-BRED HORSE OF THE YEAR
Daughter of Gemologist also was named the state's champion older female.
February 22, 2021 | Blood-Horse
BOBBY'S WICKED ONE'S SIRE SPEIGHTSTOWN LEAPS TO TOP OF SIRES LIST RANKING
WinStar Farm's son of Gone West has $5,267,482 in progeny earnings through Feb. 21.
Grade 1 winner Charlatan couldn't hold off the hard-charging Mishriff in the Saudi Cup, but second-place was still worth a handsome $3.5 million. The colt bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings has now earned $3,747,200 in five starts for owners SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet, Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding, and Golconda Stables.
Matera Sky was second by a quarter-length to Copano Kicking in the Saudi Arabian Airlines Riyadh Dirt Sprint. Owned by Tsuyoshi Ono, the seasoned international handicap horse has repeatedly been on the cusp of greatness. The grade 3 winner was second in the 2019 Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News (G1) and second last year in the Saudia Cup Sprint. Out of 33 lifetime starts, he has seven wins and nine seconds. Matera Sky has career earnings of $3,019,611.
Speightstown has been a top-10 sire eight times since 2010, rising as high as second in 2013 with $11,257,879 in progeny earnings, a mere $73,029 behind leading sire Kitten's Joy . Reynaldothewizard was Speightstown's top earner in 2013 with $1.38 million.
The first two months of 2021 have been particularly rewarding for WinStar that also stands Paynter , currently the second-ranked North American sire. The 12-year-old son of Awesome Again has $4,101,188 in Northern Hemisphere progeny earnings so far, according to Equineline.
Paynter's top earner this year is multiple grade 1 winner Knicks Go, who got off to a strong start Jan. 23 by winning the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1). Korea Racing Authority's 5-year-old horse also competed in the Saudi Cup where he battled on the front end with Charlatan for much of the 1,800-meter (1 1/8-mile) race. He faded to fourth in the long stretch but still added $1.5 million to his bankroll.
"We are extremely excited about the start Speightstown and Paynter have gotten for 2021," said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager for WinStar. "With Charlatan, Nashville, Performer, and Lady Speightspeare all in training, we hope Speightstown will continue to lead the way.
"Paynter has gotten off to a tremendous start as well. Because of his popularity, we have increased his stud fee to $10,000," Walden continued. "He still provides real value as a proven sire of racehorses."
Paynter stood for $10,000 in 2019 and then initially had his 2021 fee lowered to $7,500 though Knicks Go had won the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1). Knicks Go has now won six of 19 starts and has career earnings of $4,588,995.
Other U.S.-based sires represented by top performers at King Abdulaziz Racetrack include Calumet Farm's leading turf sire English Channel , the sire of the Neom Turf Cup runner-up Channel Maker; and, Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa's Kantharos , who is the sire of Al Rajhi Bank Saudi Derby runner-up Cowan.
WinStar Farm's champion sprinter Speightstown vaulted to the top of the North American sire standings following second-place finishes Feb. 20 by his 4-year-old son Charlatan in the $20 million Saudi Cup and by his 7-year-old son Matera Sky in the $1.5 million Saudi Arabian Airlines Riyadh Dirt Sprint.
The 23-year-old son of Gone West has $5,267,482 in Northern Hemisphere progeny earnings through Feb. 21, according to The Jockey Club Information System's Equineline. Prior to the Saudi Cup weekend, Speightstown ranked ninth by progeny earnings.
January 11, 2021 | Blood-Horse
BOBBY'S WICKED ONE
Enters Stud at Acadiana Equine
The 6-year-old son of Speightstown is a grade 1-placed, grade 3 winner.
BOBBY'S WICKED ONE wins the 2019 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland
Grade 1-placed, graded stakes winner Bobby's Wicked One has been retired and will enter stud at Acadiana Equine at Copper Crowne in Louisiana.
The 6-year-old son of Speightstown will be syndicated for 50 shares and will stand this year for $3,500, according to David Tillson with Acadiana Equine.
"He looks like a Speightstown with a lot of power," said Tillson.
Bobby's Wicked One was bought for $130,000 by Autumn Hill Farm at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale out of the Claiborne Farm consignment. The colt went to the races with trainer Al Stall Jr. who watched him beat future grade 1 winner and champion Mitole by more than five lengths in his debut. Bobby's Wicked One placed in a couple stakes at 3 and then put it all together at 4 when he won the Commonwealth Stakes (G3) at Keeneland and was runner-up in the Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by Twinspires.com (G1) to Mitole.
Bobby's Wicked One retired with a 6-4-1 record out of 18 starts and earnings of $547,673.
Bred by Ramona Bass in Kentucky, Bobby's Wicked One is out of the winning Ghostzapper daughter Wicked Charm, who is a half sister to record-setting grade 1 winner and 2020 North American leading turf sire English Channel . The family also has produced multiple European champion Committed, grade 1 winner Pharma, and multiple graded stakes winner and 2001 Arlington Million Stakes (G1T) runner-up Hap.
Big Time with jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. aboard pulls away to win the 30th running of the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography
Louisiana Champions Day Lassie
Fair Grounds, 12-12-20, 6 furlonogs
2YO Accredited Louisiana Bred Fillies, $100,000
BIG TIME
Astrology–Kitty's Got Class
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Valene Farms LLC
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
2nd
Taylor Avenue
Mshawish–Aqualane Shores
Breeder: Summer Hill Farm
Owner: Commonwealth New Era Racing
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
Jockey: Adam Beschizza
3rd
Tecate Time
Karakontie (JPN)–Urge to Splurge
Breeder: Carrol J. Castille
Owner: Whispering Oaks Farm LLC
Trainer: Steven B. Flint
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill
December 13, 2020 | TDN
ASTROLOGY'S BIG TIME Stays Undefeated Winning $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie S.
LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY LASSIE S., $100,000, Fair Grounds, 12-12, (S), 2yo, f, 6f, 1:11.97, my.
1--BIG TIME, 122, f, 2, by Astrology
1st Dam: Kitty's Got Class, by Old Forester
2nd Dam: Dancing Courtesan, by Doneraile Court
3rd Dam: Dancing Rhythm, by Flying Pidgeon
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. ($30,000 RNA Ylg '19 ESLYRL). O-Valene Farms LLC; B-Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson (LA); T-Dallas Stewart; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $92,704. *1/2 to Classy John
(Songandaprayer), MSW, $208,952.
2--Taylor Avenue, 122, f, 2, Mshawish--Aqualane Shores, by
Friends Lake. ($70,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV; $110,000 Ylg '19
FTKOCT). O-Commonwealth New Era Racing; B-Summer
Hill Farm (LA); T-W Bret Calhoun. $20,000.
3--Tecate Time, 122, f, 2, Karakontie (Jpn)--Urge to
Splurge, by Successful Appeal. O-Whispering Oaks Farm
LLC; B-Carrol J Castille (LA); T-Steven B Flint. $11,000.
Margins: 3HF, 6 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 2.60, 5.50, 14.70.
Also Ran: Rue Lala, Strummer, Twin Sisters, Spirited Beauty, Mrs. Judy. Scratched: Platinum Sky.
Big Time became her dam's second winner in three years on Louisiana Champions Day with a clear-cut first stakes success. Having belied debut odds of 38-1 to wire a field of open Churchill maidens when last seen June 18, Big Time was off near the back of the field, then made up ground along the inside to race in the leader's slipstream into and around the turn. Waited with in upper stretch, she first seemed reluctant to rally underneath the pacesetter, but was carefully guided through there by Brian Hernandez, Jr. and went on to join half-brother Classy John, who won the LA Champions Day Juvenile in 2018. The fifth stakes winner for her sire, Big Time has a yearling halfbrother named My Man Louie (Custom for Carlos) and a weanling half-sister by Cross Traffic. Kitty's Got Class was most recently bred to Gemologist.
October 5, 2020 | By Karen Johnson, Blood-Horse Daily
HOROLOGIST UPSETS DUNBAR ROAD IN BELDAME
Horologist, the longest shot on the board in the $136,500 Beldame Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park Oct. 4, posted an easy victory over three rivals in the 1 1/8-mile main-track race for older fillies.
Owned by There's A Chance Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing, and Abbondanza Racing, Horologist rumbled home a three-length winner under jockey Junior Alvarado.
The New Jersey-bred 4-year-old daughter of Gemologist is trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, who enjoyed a stellar weekend at Belmont Park. On Oct. 3, he won the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) with Channel Maker and the Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) with Frank's Rockette.
Horologist broke on top, but Letruska was sent to the lead from her rail post by jockey Kendrick Carmouche, and Alvarado was content to let his mount track the pacesetter in second position. Horologist was several lengths behind the leader as they headed into the far turn, and Letruska had been motoring on the front end, putting up fractions of :23.10, :45.52, and 1:09.05.
Horologist began to cut into that advantage
around the turn and by the three-sixteenths
pole was rolling on by Letruska, who was taxed
from her early efforts and finished fourth and
last. Point of Honor finished second and was
followed by the even-money favorite, Dunbar Road.
"I waited until the five-sixteenths just to check a
little and see where she was," Alvarado said.
"When I tapped her on the shoulder and she
lowered her head instead of picking it up, I
wasn't sure how much I had, but I wanted to
use what I had to open up."
The final time on the fast track was 1:49.01.
The winner returned $16.20 for a $2 win wager.
Bred by Holly Crest Farm, Horologist is the first foal out of the Stephen Got Even mare Cinderella Time. The filly elevated her earnings to $695,439. She has a record of 7-2-4 from 19 starts.
This was Horologist's third start for Mott, who won the Beldame for a third time. She came to Mott's barn from Richard Baltas, who conditioned the filly in California. Prior to that, she was trained by the late John Mazza, who died this year at 82. Horologist broke her maiden for Mazza in her debut at Monmouth Park in 2018 when she won a state-bred race by 20 3/4 lengths.
Since coming under Mott's care, Horologist also won the July 18 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park and was third in the Sept. 4 La Troienne Stakes Presented by Oak Grove Racing and Gaming (G1) in her start before the Beldame.
"(Horologist) was nominated for the Spinster (G1) and there was a suggestion we go there after Midnight Bisou didn't go in there, but I didn't want to make another trip with her," Mott said. "Junior said he felt like they were going too fast, and then he heard (Dunbar Road) coming, so he shook her up a little bit and she was right there. When (Dunbar Road) started moving up on the backside, I thought she was going to inhale them."
Mott said that the owners of Horologist "made the decision not to supplement" the filly to the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Keeneland Nov. 7.
September 9, 2020
COURT VISION sires Canadian stakes winner while his champion 2-Year-Old
STORM THE COURT finishes sixth in the KENTUCKY DERBY
STORM THE COURT (c, Court Vision--My Tejana Storm, by Tejano Run)
O-Exline-Border Racing LLC & David A Bernsen LLC;
B-Stepping Stone Farm (KY); T-Peter Eurton.
Sales History: $5,000 Ylg '18 FTKFEB; $60,000 2yo '19
OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo, GISW, 10-2-1-3, $1,310,451.
VISIONS OF JOY took the Alberta Bred Stakes at Lethbridge on Sunday, just a tick off the track record with a late stretch drive. The day before STORM THE COURT ran in the first Kentucky Derby to be run in September and without the general public in attendance.
If there's a such thing as a sneaky-good sixth, STORM THE COURT ran it in the Derby. He was actually the between-calls leader first time through the homestretch, and although jockey Julien Leparoux opted not to slug it out on the front end with Authentic, he didn't concede an inch at the fence positionally while transitioning to stalk mode. On the far turn, this $60,000 OBSAPR COURT VISION bay (previously a $5,000 FTKFEB yearling) had four horses parked directly to his outside and one just behind him ratcheting up the mid-pack pressure, but STORM THE COURT still didn't crack. By virtue of saving so much ground, the juvenile champ was able to re-bid and briefly fight for a share of third as the field swung for home, but he could not sustain that momentum and ran on respectably despite being spent. Ten furlongs on dirt is probably not his thing, but this was still a better-than-it-looks performance.
August 23, 2020
STORM THE COURT TUNES UP AT DEL MAR AND COURT VISION RUMMERS TAKE 1ST & 3RD IN ETERNAL SEARCH STAKES
Eclipse Award winner STORM THE COURT (Court Vision) worked a bullet five furlongs in :59 flat (1/73) and could make his next start in the G1. Kentucky Derby Sept. 5. He was most recently second trying the turf for the first time in the G2 La Jolla H. Aug. 9, also opening the door for a start in the G2 Del Mar Derby Sept. 6.
*It was a bit fast, the rider didn’t realize they were going as fast as they were, but that’s better than the alternative,” trainer Perter Eurton told the notes team. Should STORM THE COURT make the trip to Kentucky, Julien Leparoux has the mount.
In Canada COURT RETURN settled off the pace in the C$100,800 Eternal Search S., hustled five-wide on the far turn, she chased into the stretch and got up late under a hand ride. COURT RETURN set the track record on July 2 for the 1 1/16th on the inner turf of 1:41.28 to break her maiden. With two consecutive wins COURT RETURN’s record stands at 10 starts, 2 wins, 3 seconds, $116,342. COURT VISION’s Desdemona set the early pace and held on for the show to raise her earnings to $116,177.
Blood-Horse Daily
July 28, 2020
Ridden by Joe Bravo, Horologist covered 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.88 and paid $9.40 for the win — her sixth overall from 17 career starts. Owned by There's a Chance Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing and Abbondanza Racing, the 4-year-old daughter of Gemologist is trained by Bill Mott. She was bred by Holly Crest Farm.
Winner of the G3 Monmouth Oaks in 2019 when trained by John Mazza, Horologist made her last five starts for trainer Richard Baltas, most recently being pulled up before the finish of the G2 Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita on May 31.
Horologist, breaking from the outside No. 10 post, sat just off the pace as longshots Wrong Color and Our Super Freak battled on the front end through fractions of :23.64, :47.09 and 1:11.32. Wrong Color threw in the towel before turning into the stretch, but Our Super Freak only stubbornly gave way in deep stretch.
“I just didn't want to lose ground going around the first turn,” said Bravo. “I was so scared of getting away slowly and getting carried 10 wide. I was able to breathe and relax a lot better when I was able to fit her in and get over and there were only two horses in front of us. At times she was pulling me. Nothing to say other than she ran well.”
Cameron Beatty of There's a Chance Stable said: “Sometimes the horse goes to something new that they're not familiar with (in reference to Horologist pulling up in her last start in the Santa Maria). It's all a risk. Me and my partners took the risk. We regrouped and we decided to bring her back to Monmouth Park. We knew she loved it here. She's 5-for-5 here now. She just loves it here. I love it here. It's unbelievable that she's a multiple graded stakes winner now as Jersey-bred. Just a tremendous feeling of accomplishment.”
July 18, 2020 | Paulick Report
Jersey-Bred Horologist Affirms Her Love Of Monmouth With Molly Pitcher Triumph
New Jersey-bred Horologist ran her Monmouth Park record to a perfect 5-for-5 on Saturday, winning the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes by two lengths at the Oceanport, N.J., track. Our Super Freak finished second at odds of 40-1, with 3-2 favorite Royal Flag finishing 5 1/2 lengths farther back in third.
Joe Bravo guides Horologist to victory over Our Super Freak
in the Molly Pitcher
July 19, 2020
LTBA Earmarks $100,000 Contribution to Enable Running of Louisiana Cup Day at Louisiana Downs
The Board of Directors of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, voted at their June 16th meeting to earmark $100,000 dollars to be used for Louisiana Cup Day at Louisiana Downs in hopes that a card will be put together.
Louisiana Cup Day is a day of racing designed to showcase accredited Louisiana bred thoroughbreds at Louisiana Downs. The event includes multiple Louisiana bred stakes races.
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, and its effects on racing, Louisiana Downs cut the stakes program from its condition book this year in order to keep overnight purses at a solid level. Consequentially, Louisiana Cup Day was suspended for 2020.
Not satisfied with this turn of events, Roger Heitzmann, Executive Director of the LTBA; Ed Fenasci, Executive Director of the HBPA and David Heitzmann, director of Racing at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, put their heads together to work on a plan to revive the Louisiana bred stakes day. “We have been working on possible ways to bring back Louisiana Cup Day,” said Roger Heitzmann. “I believe we can get there, but a lot depends on handle. We can’t count on the funds we normally receive from slots and video poker. Hopefully field size remains at a good number. Larger fields will help entice the patrons to wager on Louisiana Downs.”
“Roger presented us with a plan which we believe will work,” said Warren Harang III, President of the LTBA. “We will be creative and work outside the box to accomplish this. We will be utilizing funds that we don’t normally use for purse supplements. Helping the horsemen of Louisiana is always our mission. Adding back six black-type races helps the the breeders, the horsemen participating in the races, as well as the track itself.”
Each of Louisiana’s four racetracks has a day designated for Louisiana bred thoroughbred stakes. In addition to Louisiana Cup Day at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, there is Louisiana Premier Night at Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana Legends Night at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, as well as Louisiana Champions Day at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
Louisiana Downs has opened the meet with good number so far. If Louisiana Cup Day is added back to the schedule, it will likely be run near the end of the meet in late September.
July 3, 2020
Woodbine Pair Win on
Consecutive Days for
their Sire, COURT VISION
Racing exclusively at Woodbine, RED QUEEN’S COURT has on the board performances in her last 2 starts entering today’s race for maidens. Showing early speed RED QUEEN’S COURT set a pressured pace, shook clear at the top of the stretch then held the win safe. The previous day, COURT RETURN broke a step slowly, moved up and stalked the pace, closed fast while three and four-wide on the turn, swept to the lead in the final furlong, widened when asked and then taken in hand at the end to win by 8 ¼ length against maidens.
July 2, 2020
DAVID
TILLSON
ELECTED TO
LTBA BOARD
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association has elected four members to the Board of Directors for three year terms: Val Murrell, David Tillson, Daniel Guidry and Keith Hernandez. MK Election Services LLC, as an Impartial Balloting Agency, certified that the results of the election are true and accurate, etc.
Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye meet with the four earlier this year, exchanging thoughts and ideas, and recommended and endorsed them for election to the Board of Directors.
Tillson added, “Our industry and association is going through the toughest of times. I hope we can come together to make changes to grow and improve the LTBA.”
July 1, 2020
THREE YEAR OLD JEBOLOGIST TAKES MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT BY 9 LENGTHS
Second in his racing debut in March at Penn, JEBOLOGIST returned after a start at Laurel finishing off the board. Taking on nine others JEBOLOGIST bobbled leaving the gate, settled, ran out while rallying into the stretch drawing clear from the outside before five furlongs and widened under mild urging to win the 6 furlong test by 9 lengths in 1:1.41.
June 27, 2020
CHAMPION 2YO STORM THE COURT TAKES THIRD IN G3 OHIO DERBY
Third in the March 7 San Felipe S.-G2, the juvenile champion of 2019 has earned $1,285,451, from 8 starts, 2 wins and 3 thirds. In the Ohio Derby-G3, STORM THE COURT vied for the early lead four then three wide the entire trip and finished with courage. With 36 points, STORM THE COURT currently sits in 13th by points for the 2020 Kentucky Derby.
June 30, 2020
Fort Erie Maiden Special Weight Winner Returns to take Two Consecutive Allowance Tests in 2020
STRATEGIC VISION won a 5 furlong allowance on June 15 by 7 ¼ lengths and returned on June 30 to win at 6 furlongs by 8 ¼ lengths. Today he set the pace, had the lead on the turn and with a clear lead through the stretch he was kept to task.
June 27 2020
GEMOLOGIST JUVENILE STAKES WINNER IN 2019, TAKES SECOND IN DANIEL STEARNS CLEVELAND GOLD CUP STAKES
Winner of three stakes at 2, 2019, LIBERATE made his first start of the year in May at Tampa, running fifth. Returning to Thistledown where he broke his maiden in his racing debut and then took the Cleveland Kindergarten S. after a victory in the Hoover S. at Belterra, LIBERATE won a 5 ½ furlong allowance on June 9. Coming back in less than 3 weeks for $75,000 1 1/8 mile Cleveland Gold Cup Stakes, LIBERATE’s jockey, Gerardo Corrales lodged a claim of foul against the rider of the winner for alleged interference in the stretch, after review, the stewards upheld the original order of finish. LIBERATE raised his earnings to $241,860 for owners Winstar Farm LLC, Blazing Meadows Farm LLC and Michael Lewis.
June 24, 2020
ASTROLOGY'S STAKES PLACED ASPECT TAKES AOC AT DELAWARE
A debut winner at 2 and stakes placed in second career start, both at Delaware Park, ASPECT returned here to get up late and win the 6 furlong $45,000 allowance optional by 1 ¼ length in a final time of 1:07.92 raising career earnings to $144,465.
April 28, 2020
STORM THE COURT
COMPLETES FINAL WORK
FOR ARKANSAS DERBY
By Christine Oser, BloodHorse Daily
Storm the Court (inside) wins the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park
Juvenile male champion Storm the Court completed major preparations for the Arkansas Derby (G1) with a quick half-mile work April 27 at Santa Anita Park. The Peter Eurton trainee worked the four furlongs on a fast main track in :47 3/5, the fourth fastest time of 41 at the distance. "I was pretty pleased with it. Just something short; we've been doing some longer ones and he ships tomorrow so I didn't want to do it," Eurton said. "But he looked really good getting out there stretching his legs. "Monday's exercise followed a six-furlong drill in 1:13 3/5 April 20 and a five-furlong work in 1:00 3/5 April 15. The Court Vision colt is scheduled to fly to Oaklawn Park Tuesday morning ahead of the May 2 Arkansas Derby.
Campaigned by David Bernsen, Exline-Border Racing, Dan Hudock, and Susanna Wilson, Storm the Court will be making his third start of the year in the Arkansas Derby after closing out 2019 with a victory in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). He returned Feb. 9 to finish fourth in the San Vicente Stakes (G2), then finished third in the March 7 San Felipe Stakes (G2) after showing speed three wide out of the gate, then stalking the pace of the winner, Bob Baffert-trained Authentic. "The first start he probably needed the race, I didn't really have him geared up. The last race he obviously had a bit of a wide trip because of Bob's other horse (Thousand Words), but he ran respectfully and finished third against two nice horses," Eurton said. "I'm hoping third time's the charm. "Storm the Court is entered in the second division of the Arkansas Derby.
Southern California-based trainer Peter Eurton said Tuesday afternoon that he plans to have two entrants in the $750,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) May 2 at Oaklawn, including juvenile champion Storm the Court.
Storm the Court worked 6 furlongs in 1:13.60 Monday morning at Santa Anita in advance of the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby, which will mark his first start outside California. Storm the Court, at odds of 45-1, secured an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 2-year-old male with a front-running victory in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita.
Eurton said he also plans to enter Shooters Shoot, a first-level allowance winner at a mile April 11 at Oaklawn, in the Arkansas Derby.
“Very pleased with his work,” Eurton said of Storm the Court. “Very pleased with Shooters Shoot. I know it's going to be tough on both ends with Bob's two horses, but we're willing and game.”
Eurton was referring to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who is pointing unbeaten Nadal (3 for 3) and unbeaten Charlatan (2 for 2) for the Arkansas Derby. Nadal won the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 14 at Oaklawn in his last start. Charlatan, who has never run in a stakes race, has won his two starts by a combined 16 lengths.
Storm the Court, in his 3-year-old debut, finished fourth behind Nadal in the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes (G2) Feb. 9 at Santa Anita and third behind another unbeaten Baffert trainee, Authentic, in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) March 7 at Santa Anita in his last start.
Eurton said he had the Arkansas Derby in the “back of his mind,” but the decision became straightforward after other major traditional April Kentucky Derby preps like the Santa Anita Derby, Blue Grass and Wood Memorial were shelved because of the Covid-19 crisis.
April 22, 2020
‘Willing And Game’:
Champion Storm The Court
Confirmed For Arkansas Derby
By Jennifer Hoyt, Paulick Report
Storm the Court, ridden by Flavien Prat, wins the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Breeders' Cup World Championship Friday at Santa Anita Park on November 1, 2019: in Arcadia, California.
Kaz Ishida/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
“We didn't have many other choices, to be honest with you,” Eurton said. “We had so many different options that we were going to go with, but unfortunately they're all gone the other direction.”
The Kentucky Derby was moved from May 2 to Sept. 5 Oaklawn responded by shifting the Arkansas Derby from April 11 to May 2.
“It kind of worked out good for me,” Eurton said. “It got the needed weight I wanted to get back on him. He's trained by himself the whole time and that really helped because he's so competitive. It keeps his metabolism a little bit lower. His weight looks really good. Is he good enough? Hey, we're going to find out. He's got the style. I think he'll like the racetrack, I really do. Seems like a speed-favoring racetrack, so looking forward to it.”
Eurton, who has a string at Oaklawn for the first time this year, said he will not attend the race.
Storm the Court, a son of Court Vision, races for Exline-Border Racing LLC, David Bernsen, Susanna Wilson and Dan Hudock. Storm the Court has a 2-0-2 record from six lifetime starts and earnings of $1,232,951.
Post positions for the Arkansas Derby will be drawn Sunday. A plane carrying Southern California-based horses to Arkansas is scheduled to arrive Tuesday.
The Arkansas Derby offers 170 points (100-40-20-10) to the top four finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby.
April 16, 2020
GEMOLOGIST SIRES THE FIRST
2YO WINNER OF 2020
Thoroughbred Daily News
2nd-Gulfstream, $65,800, Msw, 4-16, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :52.13, ft. QUINOA TIFAH (f, 2, Gemologist--Atrea, by Storm Cat), drawn widest of all in post seven, was off as the 6-1 second choice in the first baby race of the season. She chased from second as the Wesley Ward-trained 1-5 favorite Lime (Iqbaal) sped through an opening quarter in :21.90. The Arindel homebred was under a ride as Lime appeared to be on cruise control up by about two lengths approaching the quarter pole. Quinoa Tifah took a run at the heavy chalk as they straightened for home and fought her way past to graduate by 3/4 of a length.
"She's been training so great all winter," said Arindel's Brian Cohen. "She's not really built like a 4 1/2-furlong type filly. She's a bigger, athletic type. We weren't really planning on running her in the first couple of races. We were pushing her works farther apart, aiming for May, June and July. But she's been so quick and doing everything so easily, she was reminding us of [Arindel's graded-stakes winner] Cookie Dough, having that kind of frame to her. No one was touching her, so we said, 'Maybe we should aim her for the early races.'"
The winner's dam is also responsible for a yearling colt by Brethren and was bred back to that sire for 2020. This is the extended female family of GISWs Super Saver, Imagining, Girolamo, Got Lucky, Bluegrass Cat, et al. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $43,000. O/B-Arindel (FL); T-Juan Alvarado.
Click here to watch video
April 16, 2020
EQUIBASE ANALYSIS:
Horologist Should Get Perfect Stalking Trip in
Apple Blossom
By Ellis Star, Paulick Report
The Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap drew a big field of 14 and although there are a number of horses with the qualifications to win, it appears there is only one which will be in front shortly after the gate opens. That one is Serengeti Empress, who drew the 11 post position and who has led from start to finish in all four of her stakes wins, including last month in the Grade 2 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn.
Cookie Dough, who won the Grade 3 Royal Delta Stakes in February after stalking the pacesetter, draws just inside Serengeti Empress and will likely try to keep that one honest. Ce Ce enters the Apple Blossom off a win in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile last month and although she draws the extreme outside must be considered a legitimate contender to win her second grade 1 race in a row.
Horologist won the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks last summer and enters the race off a win in the Nellie Morse Stakes so could be improving back to graded stakes winning form. Street Band won the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes last September before three poorer efforts but if able to reach back to last summer's form could be a factor as well.
The talent in this year's Apple Blossom doesn't stop there as Point of Honor makes her second start following nearly seven months off and won the Grade 2 Black Eyed Susan Stakes last May before runner-up efforts in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes and Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks. Come Dancing is another horse with the right credentials to be effective in this type of race as she won the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes and the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Stakes last summer. However, it must be noted that all eight of her career wins have come around one turn and the Apple Blossom is a two turn race. Additionally, she is returning from four and one-half months off while running in a route without a prep race.
Go Google Yourself is a multiple stakes winner who has won three of her last four races including the Grade 3 Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn in February. Queen Nekia hopes to improve off a third place finish behind Cookie Dough in the Royal Delta. Similarly, Saracosa may have improving to do off her third place effort behind Serengeti Empress in the Azeri. Ollies Candy won the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes last July and makes her second start following a layoff, hoping to improve off a third place effort behind Ce Ce in the Beholder Mile. Lady Apple won the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic in January to kick off her four year old campaign before finishing 20 lengths behind Serengeti Empress in the Azeri. Coldwater and Awe Emma round out the full field.
Horologist gets slight preference as my top win contender in this year's Apple Blossom Handicap. She won just one of five dirt sprints to start her career then last spring when tried at a mile she won to kick off four victories in succession. The last of those four came in the Monmouth Oaks in August with a then career-best 103 Equibase Speed Figure. Following that, Horologist only managed third, ninth and fifth place finishes but may have turned a corner last month with a big effort in the Nellie Morse Stakes. In that race, Horologist moved up from third after a half-mile and battled head-and-head with the eventual winner. Although beaten a nose on the wire, Horologist was nine and one-half lengths in front of the next horse. With that effort, Horologist earned a new career-best 110 figure, which is the highest in the field and one point better than the 109 figure Ce Ce earned in the Beholder Mile. Considering Horologist is making her second start off two months away and her stalking style may put her right behind potential early leaders Serengeti Empress and Cookie Dough, she may get the lead in the stretch and hang on for the win in this very tough and talented field.
Owner Cameron Beatty celebrates with jockey Angel Suarez after Horologist's upset of Jaywalk in the 2019 Monmouth Oaks
If not for having drawn the outside 14 post in the Apple Blossom, Ce Ce might be my top choice. As it is, I think she has just about as much probability to succeed as Horologist because she's a lightly raced four year old and has won two in a row since returning from an eight month layoff in February. Following a sprint prep to begin her 2020 campaign, Ce Ce stretched out to a mile for the Beholder Mile Stakes last month in California and dominated by three and one-quarter lengths with a 109 figure. Victor Espinoza has been the only jockey she's had in five races, including three wins, and rides her again. Given the pattern of layoff-sprint-route-route strongly suggests an even better effort than in the Beholder Mile, and with a good stalking style which is benefited by the early speed of Serengeti Empress, Cookie Dough and perhaps others, Ce Ce could win her second grade 1 stakes in a row.
Street Band doesn't appear nearly as probable to win as the top two contenders, but she's not entirely improbable either. Although Street Band has won five of 15 races, she's been inconsistent as she's never run two good races in a row, always regressing following wins with fifth, fourth, seventh, third and eighth place efforts. That historical record might actually bode well for her chances in the Apple Blossom as she has finished third and fourth in her two starts this year. Ignoring the fourth place effort on a sloppy track last month in the Azeri Stakes, Street Band may have a say in the outcome of this race if she improves off her third place effort prior to that in the Houston Ladies Classic when beaten just a neck for second by Serengeti Empress with a 103 figure. When winning the Cotillion Stakes last September, Street Band earned a career best 114 figure so if able to run back to that effort she would be capable of winning the Apple Blossom.
Queen Nekia is an interesting longshot in the Apple Blossom, particularly when considering any exacta and/or trifecta bets as I think the potential for a faster than average early pace benefits her late running style. Claimed for $25,000 out of a winning effort in January with a 100 figure, Queen Nekia improved to a competitive 108 figure when third, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the Royal Delta Stakes last month. In that race, Queen Nekia brushed the gate at the start then was steadied in traffic in the first turn. Then, moving up from fourth to within a half-length of the leader with an eighth of a mile to go, Queen Nekia battled fiercely to miss second by a nose on the wire. Likely to be in fifth or sixth in the early stages of the Apple Blossom, if the pace is much faster than average Queen Nekia might sneak her way into the top three in the late stages.
Cookie Dough and Serengeti Empress are two horses I am on the fence about in terms of being win contenders. Cookie Dough earned a 109 figure winning the Royal Delta Stakes last month with a great trip stalking the early leader, but her 10 post may dictate a strategy to go for the lead and the rail from the start. She could get second in the early stages behind the more likely early leader Serengeti Empress, but the cost of doing so may make her vulnerable to the stalkers and closers in the late stages. Similarly, Serengeti Empress, who has only won when on the lead from the start in her route races, seems committed to go as hard as she can to get to the front early. Having to clear the 10 horses inside of her in the gate while saving enough for the late stages in a 14 horse field is likely to be a bit more problematic then it was last month when having to clear six other horses in the Azeri Stakes. That effort earned Serengeti Empress a career-best 106 figure and that may be another obstacle in winning the Apple Blossom as that figure needs to be improved upon to get to the 110 and 109 figures Horologist and Ce Ce earned, respectively, in their most recent starts.
The rest of the field, with their best representative - Equibase - Speed Figures, is Awe Emma (94), Coldwater (90), Come Dancing (112), Lady Apple (104), Ollies Candy (103), Point of Honor (98) and Saracosa (99).
Win Contenders:
Horologist
Ce Ce
Street Band
Contender for exacta and trifecta wagers:
Queen Nekia
Apple Blossom Handicap
Saturday, April 18 – Post Time 6:16 PM ET
One Mile and One Sixteenth
Fillies and Mares, Four Year Olds and Upward
Purse: $600,000
April 15, 2020
STORM THE COURT, NADAL,
& CHARLATAN WORK FOR ARKANSAS DERBY
By Jay Privman, DRF.com
Charlatan went six furlongs in 1:12.20, while five-furlong works were recorded by Nadal (59.80 seconds) and champion Storm the Court (1:00.60). All three are pointing to the Grade 1, $750,000 Arkansas Derby on May 2 at Oaklawn Park, a race that offers 170 points overall, with 100 to the winner, for the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5.
Peter Eurton, who trains Storm the Court, said he ideally wanted to work Storm the Court twice more, every six days, before heading to Oaklawn.
“It’s a little cramming, but he’s pretty fit,” Eurton said. Storm the Court most recently was third in the San Felipe.
After several days of rain that forced postponement of workouts, three California-based runners with designs on the Arkansas Derby all got in significant drills Wednesday morning at Santa Anita.
Click here to watch video
(Will need to click on Replays - 3/17 - 10th race)
JOHN DOUGH (g, 3, Court Vision--I Am Jane Dough {MSW, $169,457}, by My Golden Song), a 53-10 chance at first asking, drifted back to sit midfield from his rail draw for the opening five-eighths of a mile. Checked off heels nearing the quarter pole with the better part of a seven-length deficit to bridge, the homebred split rivals once into the clear and charged through between runners late to score by two lengths going away. The winner's treble stakes-winning dam is responsible for John Dough's 2-year-old full-sister Rosie Jane and was most recently bred to Dialed In. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $21,180.
March 17, 2020
COURT VISION's JOHN DOUGH wins impressively in debut!
Thoroughbred Daily News
March 15, 2020
GEMOLOGIST's GSW
HOROLOGIST ($394,105)
2nd in Nellie Morse S. in her first start since returning from California
Thoroughbred Daily News
Arrifana noses out Horologist | MJC/Jim McCue
NELLIE MORSE S., $100,000, Laurel, 3-14, 4yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:35.95, ft.
1--ARRIFANA, 120, f, 4, Curlin--Vaulcluse (SW), by A.P. Indy. 1ST BLACK TYPE
WIN. O-Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck), LNJ Foxwoods & Millennium
Farms; B-Gunpowder Farms LLC (KY); T-Kelly Rubley; J-Julian Pimentel.
$60,000. Lifetime Record: GSP, 6-5-1-0, $230,400. *1/2 to Lukes Alley (Flower
Alley), Ch. Older Horse-Can, GISW-US, MGSW-Can, $795,122.
2--Horologist, 122, f, 4, Gemologist--Cinderella Time, by Stephen Got Even.
O-There's A Chance Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing &
Abbondanza Racing LLC; B-Holly Crest Farm (NJ); T-Richard Baltas. $20,000.
3--Needs Supervision, 124, f, 4, Paynter--Moroccan Rose, by Carson City.
($22,000 Ylg '17 KEESEP; $55,000 2yo '18 EASMAY). O-Howling Pigeon Farms
LLC, Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable & Madaket Stables LLC; B-Mike Abraham
(KY); T-Jeremiah O'Dwyer. $10,000.
Margins: NO, 9HF, 4HF. Odds: 0.60, 5.40, 7.10. Also Ran: Lady Banba, Victim of Love, Bye Bye Bertie, Jennemily.
Making her first appearance since a runner-up effort in the GIII Comely S. at Aqueduct last November, 'TDN Rising Star' Arrifana was made to work for it, but ultimately got the favorable end of a bobber over Grade III winner Horologist in Saturday's Nellie Morse S. Horologist earned her career best E Speed Figure, 110.
January 23, 2020
Connections Celebrate Championship for Storm the Court
Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner earns
2-year-old male Eclipse Award.
By Tracy Gantz , Blood-Horse
Anne Eberhardt
Storm the Court and his connections after the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park
The Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) played a major role in determining the 2019 2-year-old male championship, but not in the normal way.
Eight Rings, the odds-on favorite, ducked in sharply shortly after the start bumping Storm the Court. Both horses lost their riders. The incident could have ended their
2-year-old seasons, but each returned to win a grade 1 event.
Storm the Court, a son of Court Vision —My Tejana Storm, by Tejano Run, bred in Kentucky by Jim Power's Stepping Stone Farm, was a $60,000 2-year-old auction purchase and had only a maiden victory prior to the Futurity. He had worked so well for trainer Peter Eurton before his debut, however, that his owners spent $12,000 to make him eligible to the Breeders' Cup.
A few weeks after that $12,000 payment, Storm the Court debuted at Del Mar for owners Exline-Border Racing, Dan Hudock, and Susanna Wilson. He battled with 1-5 favorite Garth, took the lead, lost it, and then regained it to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
"He is so mentally tough, as he proved in his debut," said Justin Border. "He won just staring that other horse in the eye."
Border and Ryan Exline have been here before. They had a piece of Eurton-trained Champagne Room, champion 2-year-old filly in 2016.
This time they are the majority owners. They have brought friends and family into the Storm the Court partnership under the Exline-Border Racing name, including Exline's father, Rick, and one of Ryan's brothers, Kyle. Exline said that David Bernsen,
co-owner of two-time Eclipse champion sprinter Roy H, bought into Storm the Court after his maiden victory.
Exline and Border thrive on having partners. "It has provided us with an opportunity to have far more horses than we could have on our own," said Exline.
Following the Del Mar Futurity, Eurton took his time with Storm the Court, who responded well and finished third behind Eight Rings and American Theorem in the
Sept. 27 American Pharoah Stakes (G1).
The owners and the trainer decided to step up to the Nov. 1 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), and the gamble paid off. Storm the Court, ridden by Flavien Prat, shocked the crowd at 45-1 to defeat fellow longshot Anneau d'Or by a head. Thus did the colt who had overcome so much grab a championship and position himself for a run at this year's Triple Crown events.
2019 Leading Sires of 2YOS
Northern Hemisphere-Born Progeny
Year-to-Date – Standing NA – by Worldwide Earnings
2020 Locations and Fees
Sorted by number of 2019 2YO Winners
Louisiana Horse
Winter 2020
