Week of October 7, 2013

By Valerie Grash, Hello Race Fans Contributing Editor

Juveniles took center stage this weekend, and defending Breeders’ Cup champions fell short in their final preps before the big day.

With 13 “Win-and-You’re-In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge races successfully contested (and two—the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile and Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes—temporarily downgraded pending review and losing their status as “Win-And-You’re-In” races after being transferred from turf to Keeneland’s Polytrack), it was a busy weekend. Let’s begin with the juvenile races.

Keeneland’s autumn meet opened on Thursday with the featured 1 1/16 miles Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes—and what a race it was! Based on her impressive debut winning the one-mile Grade 2 Summer Stakes over males at Woodbine, My Conquestadory was made the 6-5 favorite. Displaying poise beyond her years (and experience), the Artie Schiller filly endured nightmarish traffic issues when stuck behind a wall of horses at the back of the pack, and yet when jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva asked she effectively weaved her way through an opening and powered to the lead as the field exited the final turn. She won by 1 3/4 lengths over 9-2 second choice Rosalind, a Broken Vow filly who last-out ran third in Grade 2 Pocahontas. It was another half length back to third-place finisher (and 42-1 longshot) Battlefield Angel. While her Alcibiades win earned her a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juveniles Fillies race, My Conquestadory could instead contest the open company Juvenile Turf—her connections have not yet committed to which race she’ll show up for, undoubtedly as she has yet to attempt dirt. Runner-up Rosalind will be aimed for the Juvenile Fillies race, however.

On Saturday, torrential rains arrived in Keeneland, leading to unpleasant racing conditions but a still fast track for the 1 1/16 miles Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity. After failing as the favorite last-out in the Grade 3 With Anticipation over the Saratoga turf, We Miss Artie (Artie Schiller) displayed a previously unknown predilection for Polytrack, battling Smarty’s Echo (Smarty Jones) down the stretch before pulling ahead to win by nearly three lengths. It was another two lengths back to third-place finisher Arctic Slope (Van Nistelrooy) while post-time favorite Solitary Ranger (U S Ranger) faded to ninth after battling General Jack (Giant’s Causeway) for the early lead. We Miss Artie is expected to contest the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey.

The rain continued on Sunday when the water-logged turf course forced the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes onto the main track—and a temporary downgraded (pending review) to non-graded status, not to mention it no longer served as a “Win-And-You’re-In” event for the Juvenile Turf. Tell that to 23-1 longshot Poker Player (Harlan’s Holiday) who had a devastating late turn of foot, getting up to defeat Grade 2 With Anticipation winner Bashart (War Front) by a length. Calder Dash victor Bon Accord (Showing Up) just a nose back of Bashart, and three-quarters of length in front of maiden All Cash (English Channel).

Significantly better weather greeted entrants at Belmont on Saturday, where juveniles intent on Breeders’ Cup glory contested the one-mile Grade 1 Frizette Stakes for fillies and the one-mile open company Grade 1 Champagne Stakes. Undefeated Grade 1 Spinaway victress Sweet Reason (Street Sense) broke awkwardly and trailed much of the early going, while last-out maiden winners Tea Time (Pulpit) and Artemis Agrotera (Roman Ruler) took the early lead. As they entered the stretch, Tea Time dropped back while Artemis Agrotera dug in, withstanding a late charge by Sweet Reason to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Spinaway runner-up Stopchargingmaria (Tale of the Cat) held on for third. For the top two, a rematch in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies is planned.

One race later, Havana (Dunkirk) took the lead from front-running Debt Ceiling as they rounded the final turn, and then held on bravely to survive the late-closing challenge of Honor Code (A.P. Indy) to win by a neck. Ride On Curlin (Curlin) finished 1 1/2 lengths back in third, while dominating Grade 1 Hopeful winner Strong Mandate showed nothing, never running much better than his seventh-place finish in the 9-horse field. Despite such a terrible showing, the D. Wayne Lukas-trained Strong Mandate will likely join Havana in contesting the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but runner-up Honor Code is unlikely, as notoriously conservative trainer Shug McGaughey has mentioned the November 20 Grade 2 Remsen Stakes better fits into his plans of a strong 3-year-old campaign.

Trainer Chad Brown continued his domination of Belmont’s juvenile turf races, capturing both the 1 1/16 miles Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes and the 1 1/16 miles Grade 3 Miss Grillo Stakes on Sunday. In the Pilgrim, it was Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s homebred Bobby’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) who absolutely subjugated not only his runner-up stablemate Shadow Banking (Harlan’s Holiday), but the rest of the 9-horse field, winning by 6 1/4 lengths. Named in honor of the late Bobby Frankel, Bobby’s Kitten will next appear in the BC Juvenile Turf, as will his stablemate Shadow Banking. In the Miss Grillo, French-raced Testa Rossi (Dr Fong) made the most of her U.S. debut for Chad Brown, roaring up from dead-last to claim the lead as they entered the stretch, and then fended off the late-charging Sky Painter (Street Cry) to win by a nose. Grade 1 Spinaway third-place finisher Dancing House (Tapit) finished third here in her turf debut, four lengths behind her stablemate Sky Painter and a half length ahead of fourth-place finisher Granny Mc’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), Chad Brown’s other entry. Thus far, none of the top four finishers’ connections have verified their future plans.

While not Breeders’ Cup “Win-and-You’re-In” Challenge races, two juvenile graded stakes events at Woodbine this weekend held importance for Canadian division honors. In Saturday’s 1 1/16 miles Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes, favored Madly Truly (Malibu Moon) proved she could be a force to be reckoned with next year as distances increase, winning by a length over late-closing Unspurned (Lemon Drop Kid)—both came out of that messy Grade 2 Natalma where favored Ready to Act hit the rail in the stretch while in the lead, losing rider Rajiv Maragh who Unspurned appeared to jump while on the turf. The scratch of Matador left only four entrants in the 1 1/16 miles Grade 3 Grey Stakes on Sunday—and one of those runners, Give No Quarter (Tiz Wonderful), was pulled up and eased on the far turn. That left maiden winner Ami’s Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday) to close from the back and win by a half length over another maiden winner, Big Bazinga (Bluegrass Cat), while three-time stakes winner Go Greeley (Horse Greeley) finished over 10 lengths back in third.

There were two “Win-and-You’re-In” contests this weekend that guaranteed entry into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. In the 6-furlong Grade 3 Phoenix Stakes, last year’s winner Sum of the Parts took the early lead and never looked back, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over the aptly-named Laugh Track, a son of Distorted Humor who last-out defeated the veteran Essence Hit Man in the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes at Woodbine. A head back in third was Go Blue Or Go Home, a Grade 3 winner who had defeated Sum of the Parts in the Karl Boyes Memorial Stakes at Presque Isle back in mid-June. Perhaps that’s the reason why the winner was sent to post at odds of 12-1. This was his first win since last year’s Phoenix, a situation for which his trainer Tom Amoss takes full responsibility. At odds of 29-1, he ran fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint, so don’t count him out this year. Laugh Track will be aimed for the Dirt Mile.

The second BC Sprint qualifier was the 6-furlong Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes. Making his first start since his runner-up finish behind Bahamian Squall in the late July Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap, defending Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Trinniberg failed to impress, finished dead-last in the 7-horse field and more than 22 lengths back of the winner, Points Offthebench. The 7-5 post-time favorite Goldencents finished second, a repeat of his runner-up performance behind the winner in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby the last time the two met. They will not, however, meet again in the Sprint—while Points Offthebench is headed in that direction, Goldencents will be aimed for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

The sole “Win-and-You’re-In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint was the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes, and once again defending champ Groupie Doll failed to fire, finishing third, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Presque Isle Masters runner-up Purely Hot. The winner was Judy the Beauty, who had been a fast-closing third in that PID Masters race, and here closed well to defeat front-running Gypsy Robin who ended up second. Despite her loss, Groupie Doll is still on target to run in the Filly and Mare Sprint, where she will very likely meet Judy the Beauty once more.

In the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes on Sunday, Emollient earned her way into the Breeders’ Cup Distaff starting gate as this year’s smashing 9-length Grade 1 Ashland winner made a victorious return to Keeneland, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over Grade 2 Top Flight winner Summer Applause. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back to last year’s Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks winner Wine Princess, the well-bred daughter of champion Azeri. As for Emollient’s Breeders’ Cup plans, trainer Bill Mott is not yet ready to commit.

Saturday’s torrential rain caused the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile to be taken off the turf and thus temporarily downgraded to a Grade 2 pending review by the American Graded Stakes Committee. It also ceased to be a “Win-And-You’re-In” contest for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, much to the chagrin of trainer Dale Romans who was counting on a win here with Silver Max to facilitate his BC entry. Still, it was an impressive wire-to-wire victory for the Badge of Silver colt, as he convincingly defeated defending Horse of the Year Wise Dan, snapping the 6-year-old gelding’s 9-race win streak that dates all the way back to August 2012.

Two races earlier, with a yielding turf, the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes was successfully run over the Keeneland turf course (albeit in a driving rainstorm). Better Lucky finished a head in front of rival Dayatthespa, while front-running Daisy Devine hung on for third, four lengths back of the top two, but 7 1/4 lengths ahead of fourth-place finisher Miz Ida. Hungry Island continues to disappoint, finishing a distant fifth, just a nose in front of Irish import Say.

At Belmont on Saturday, a firm turf course greeted the 12-horse field in the 1 1/8 miles Grade 1 Jamaica Handicap for 3-year-olds. It was Canadian shipper Up With the Birds who got the victory, first up off a layoff following his win in the final jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, the grassy 1 1/2 miles Breeders Stakes at Woodbine. As he is apt to do, the Stormy Atlantic colt made a powerful late move to get up to win by a half length over another late closer, Grade 1 Secretariat winner Admiral Kitten. Jack Milton—who defeated Up With the Birds by a neck in the April 5 Grade 3 Transylvanian—managed a third-placing, with the feel-good story Notacatbutallama in fourth. Trainer Malcolm Pierce had indicated that this was Up With the Birds’ final start of the year—and it may be enough to secure top Canadian 3-year-old male honors for him.

There’s no doubt who will be named Europe’s top 3-year-old filly, as the Group 1 French Oaks winner Treve remained undefeated in five lifetime starts by taking out the most prestigious of French classic races on Sunday, the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. It was a flawless and powerful performance, as the young miss defeated a 17-horse field that included such luminaries as last year’s Arc runner-up Orfevre who ran second again this year, Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) winner Intello who finished third and Grade 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Kizuna who came in fourth. If she hadn’t won so authoritatively, we’d undoubtedly be discussing the achievement of Moonlight Cloud a bit more, as George Strawbridge’s 5-year-old mare continued her phenomenal 3-race Group 1 win streak, capturing the Prix de le Foret by a dominating three lengths in what is likely to be her last European start. Her connections have indicated she may race in Hong Kong or Santa Anita, as her Prix de le Foret victory earned her a start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile where she would once again face Wise Dan.

Keep up with all the racing commentary and news at Raceday 360 Wire!

Last Week’s Races

2013 Alcibiades Stakes Replay
My Conquestadory wins with ease.

Video courtesy of Breeders’ Cup

2013 Phoenix Stake Replay
Sum fo the Parts takes the field all the way.

Video courtesy of Breeders’ Cup

2013 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes Replay
Judy the Beauty returns to winning form.

Video courtesy of Breeders’ Cup

2013 First Lady Stakes Replay
Better Lucky outduels Dayatthespa in the down pour.

Video courtesy of Keeneland

2013 Breeders’ Futurity Replay
We Miss Artie comes wide for the win.

Video courtesy of Breeders’ Cup

2013 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes Replay
Silver Max hands Horse of the Year Wise Dan his first loss of the year.

Video courtesy of Breeders’ Cup

2013 Jamaica Handicap Replay
Up with the Birds over Notacatbutallama.

Video courtesy of NYRA

2013 Frizette Stakes Replay
Artemis Agrotera benefits from Sweet Reason’s poor break.

Video courtesy of Breeders’ Cup

2013 Champagne Stakes Replay
Havana narrowly defeats a fast closing Honor Code.

Video courtesy of Breeders’ Cup

2013 Mazarine Stakes Replay
Madly Truly up in time.

Video courtesy of Woodbine

2013 City of Hope Mile Replay
No Jet Lag zips home.

Video courtesy of Partymanners

2013 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes Replay
Points Offthebench holds off Goldencents.

Video courtesy of Breeders’ Cup

2013 Bourbon Stakes Replay
Poker Player closes late for upset over Bashert.

Video courtesy of Trakus

2013 Spinster Stakes Replay
Emollient breaks slow and wins anyway.

Video courtesy of Trakus

2013 Miss Grillo Stakes Replay
Testa Rossi continues her winning streak in the U.S.

Video courtesy of NYRA

2013 Pilgrim Stakes Replay
Bobby’s Kitten is heading to the Breeders’ Cup.

Video courtesy of NYRA

2013 Durham Cup Stakes Replay
James Street with the mild upset.

Video courtesy of Woodbine

2013 Gray Stakes Replay
Ami’s Holiday remains undefeated.

Video courtesy of Woodbine

2013 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Replay
Undefeated 3-year-old filly Treve runs away with Europe’s biggest race.

2013 Prix de la Foret Replay
Moonlight Cloud puts in an explosive late run.

Download Brisnet.com Results Charts
2013 Alcibiades Stakes Chart
2013 Bourbon Stakes Chart
2013 Breeders’ Futurity Chart
2013 City of Hope Mile Stakes Chart
2013 Champagne Stakes Chart
2013 Durham Cup Stakes Chart
2013 First Lady Stakes Chart
2013 Frizette Stakes Chart
2013 Grey Stakes Chart
2013 Hawthorne Derby Chart
2013 Indiana Derby Chart
2013 Indiana Oaks Chart
2013 Jamaica Handicap Chart
2013 Mazarine Stakes Chart
2013 Miss Grillo Stakes Chart
2013 Phoenix Stakes Chart
2013 Pilgrim Stakes Chart
2013 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes Chart
2013 Shadwell Turf Mile Chart
2013 Spinster Stakes Chart
2013 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes Chart
2013 Woodford Stakes Chart

Check probable starters at Horse Racing Nation’s Stakes Tracker

See you at the track!

Stay in the loop, subscribe to the Weekly Roundup