September 8, 2014 www.PaulickReport.com SPECIAL

Jet Lag? Turkish a Long Way From Home By Natalie Voss

It’s not unusual for buyers to travel to Keeneland from its high takeout. The business is regulated by the Turkish around the world in September, but it is a little out of the Jockey Club, which is overseen by the Ministry of Agricul- ordinary for a yearling to fly some 19 hours to be here. For- ture. The Jockey Club owns 13 , including Cuvee, tunately, Hip 118, a son of City Zip and Distorted Humor Lion Heart, Powerscourt, Sea Hero, Victory Gallop, and Yo- No Dress Code, seems to be taking it all in stride. naguska. Most are privately owned. “He is very well-minded,” said Murat Sancal, trainer and Sancal says that many are hoping the influx of good blood- representative for owner Omer Halim Aydin. “He’s so easy lines can help build the Turkish at home to handle, so smart. He’s very balanced.” and ultimately build a reputation at international classics. With the international goal in mind, many Turkish horses The colt is consigned by Mill Ridge Sales. His dam, No Dress with American pedigrees are growing and training here— Code, shipped to Turkey after being purchased by Aydin at at Elmendorf Farm in and at Churchill Downs. the 2012 Keeneland November sale for $110,000. At The Jockey Club is working on deals to bring in three more that time, No Dress Code’s best offspring, a by City Zip, American stallions for next breeding season; Utopia (JPN) had a Grade 2 win in the Santa Ynez but had finished third is one of them. The other two horses have not been publicly in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Since then, that filly, Re- announced. PRS neesgotzip, has not finished out of the money and improved to second in the 2013 Turf Sprint for trainer Peter Miller and the Lanni Family Trust. The colt made it into select sessions at other auction hous- es and is nominated to the European Breeders’ Fund, so why bring him to Keeneland? “We really like buying and selling at Keeneland. We shop here a lot. We know it’s a good place to sell and buy,” said Sancal. No Dress Code is the latest in a string of major acquisitions by Turkish buyers. Aydin also purchased Common Hope out of the 2011 November sale for $125,000 just months after she delivered the Candy Ride (ARG) who would become Shared Belief. Aydin has a full brother to Shared Belief who could show up in U.S. sales, and a half-brother by Henrythenavigator.

In a time when wagering has declined in much of the world, Turkey has succeeded at getting fans to the track despite ASK RAY

QUESTION: What do you make of Keeneland’s new dirt track? ANSWER: The new drainage system is fascinat- ing from a technology standpoint. No idea how the track is going to play from a potential speed/closer, in- side/outside bias standpoint, but it can’t be worse than the old dirt track. I think we’ll see much better horses coming in for the Juddmonte Spinster () and other Fall Stars Weekend stakes. Safety is paramount.

148027-LookfortheStar-cvrBanner-PRS.indd 1 9/5/14 4:40 PM www.PaulickReport.com Page 2 Spotlight Tapit By Frank Mitchell

The leading sire in the country this year, the 13-year-old Tapit was unbeaten at 2, then showed even better form at gray Tapit has gone from strength to strength with each 3 when victorious in the G1 Wood Memorial, and many of crop of racing age. His first included champion juvenile his offspring follow a similar pattern in establishing their filly , and the current crop of 3-year-olds form. Nearly all the Tapits have speed, that most indispens- has this year’s winner , as well as able quality of a racehorse, and most can carry it an ex- the star filly , winner of the and tended mile, which allows them to see out the trip even at Mother Goose. the graded stakes level. The volume of the stallion’s A good-sized horse whose height stakes winners, which cur- and balance place him near the rently number 53, is good, but midpoint of the breed, Tapit has their quality is excellent, and been a positive force for qual- that is the key factor in propel- ity, early maturity, soundness, ling a stallion into the top-level. class and versatility. If there is a As evidence of the quality of surface that the Tapits cannot Tapit’s stock, his horses on the race on, it surely has not been racetrack include more graded invented. stakes winners and Grade 1 winners than the runners of any A survey of his progeny’s suc- other sire this season. cess over the last month shows high-class performances over Tapit currently has 12 stakes dirt, turf and synthetic with rac- winners in 2014, and nine of ers age 2 through 5. those are graded stakes win- ners. And with credentials like these, Tapit has gotten better books of Since the graded stakes are endowed with most of the mares each season, and this year, Horse of the Year Havre money in purses, it is natural that Tapit is the leading sire de Grace produced a filly by Tapit. Last year, Horse of the by earnings, which can be a relatively blunt instrument in Year produced a colt by the leading sire. gauging stallion success. Not so in this case, however, and Tapit’s stud fee in 2014 reflects the measure of his suc- Neither of those elite prospects is likely to go to the sales cess. because their owners like to race, but the buyers at sales have become ever more attentive about buying Tapit’s sons The gray son of and the mare Tap Your and daughters. There are 47 yearlings by Tapit cataloged Heels stood for $150,000 live foal at . The for the first four days of the Keeneland September sale, horse has stood his entire career at that farm, beginning and some of them are guaranteed to light up the board. PRS with a stud fee of $15,000 as a first-year stallion in 2005.

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Call us toll-free at 866-678-4289 or visit NTRAadvantage.com. www.PaulickReport.com Page 3 Honor Roll Sweet Reason is not a one-track pony By Ray Paulick

on it and have her get better and come back and do it again, it shows how special she is. She might be one of those hors- es that is a once-in-a-lifetime horse for a trainer.” Sweet Reason provided Gyarmati with her first career G1 victory. It was not the first top-class filly raised at the family- owned Bettersworth Westwind Farms of Bowling Green, Ky. In business for more than 100 years and consigning to Keeneland nearly half that time, Bettersworth Westwind is run by brothers Mike, Brent and Kevin Harris (along with Brent’s wife Beth). Their grandfather, J.R. Bettersworth bred and raised My Juliet, the 1976 champion sprinter in

NYRA Photo North America.

(2011, Bay Filly, Street Sense – Livermore Leslie, by Mt. Livermore Leslie, the dam of Sweet Reason, was purchased Livermore. Consigned by Bettersworth Westwind Farms by Brent and Beth Harris for $26,000, in foal to Eurosilver, to 2012 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, purchased at the 2007 Keeneland January Sale of Horses of All Ages. by Jeff Treadway for $185,000) After Don’t Forget Gil, the mare’s 2006 filly by Kafwain, be- came a graded stakes winner in 2009, Brent Harris started Everyone knows Sweet Reason loves Saratoga. In addition looking for better stallions to breed Livermore Leslie to and to her 2-year-old maiden and Grade 1 Spinaway victories struck a foal-share deal with current WinStar Farm stallion at the Spa in 2013 the daughter of Street Sense won this seasons director Darren Fox, who was then at Darley. “I had year’s G1 Test in sharp fashion. foal-shared the year before with Street Sense (producing stakes winner Sweet Reason) and asked if they would be But Sweet Reason is not a one-track pony. Sandwiched interested because it’s the only way I could afford to breed between those races at Saratoga, among other races, was to anything that good,” Harris said. a good second to G1 Ballerina winner Artemis Agrotera in the G1 Frizette at Belmont Park last fall and a huge win Livermore Leslie produced a 2012 filly by Rockport Harbor over 12 filly rivals in the G1 Acorn at Belmont in June. She’s the Harrises sold for $115,000 at last year’s Keeneland been as consistent and solid as a racehorse can be, since sale and she was pinhooked by Becky Thomas for $420,000 Jeff Treadway picked her out of the Bettersworth West- at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale. The wind Farms consignment at the 2012 Keeneland Septem- mare has a Midshipman filly, Hip 779, in this year’s Keene- ber Yearling Sale for $185,000, then turning her over to land sale, a colt by Shackleford at her side and is in foal to Leah Gyarmati to train. 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb. “You get lucky and a horse pops up and wins a big race; “I really like the Midshipman filly,” Brent Harris said. “She’s that happens here and there,” Gyarmati said after the Test. really athletic-looking, decent size and has a pretty top line on “But, to keep going with it, the consistency, and to develop her.If she’s anything like Sweet Reason, there’s a lot to like.” PRS

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Back Ring Getting to know Glen Hill Farm’s Craig Bernick

What’s your favorite part of the game? Racing. I like going to the races with horses that we bred After the sales or bought and watched develop. When they’re good, l like stepping them up and running in big races. The reason follow me to... I’m in the sport is because I like big races. What would you be doing if not running Glen Hill Farm’s BOUR BON racing’s racing and breeding operation? I hate to think about it. I didn’t come over from Ireland Joseph Clay’s with $100 in my pock- Farm to Table Restaurant et. All I’ve wanted to do is horses. I’d probably and Craft Cocktail Bar be doing something in the heart of that sounds great to Paris, Kentucky! other people but really boring to me. 1.859.987.1662 Do you have a moment for reservations that defines why you’re www.bour-bon.com doing this? I hope we haven’t had it What about gives you the most hope? yet. The best moments Racing is truly the best part – it’s a great sport. I think there’s so far are when my an opportunity for people who primarily race, if they could ever grandfather (Leonard get organized, to make the sport better. That’s what needs to Lavin) gets to the races happen and I don’t think it’s impossible. with me and we are lucky enough to win a graded stakes and he can be in the winner’s circle. That’s very special. Have you Googled anything lately? Who in the world is Ernie Semerski from Highland Park, Il- Best racetrack food? linois? Hattie’s chicken sandwich at Saratoga. I get it at the little booth there when you walk in. What’s the “go to” app on your iPhone or smart phone? I use the social media apps a lot, plus Equineline, and a bunch Best horse you ever saw? of apps for our daughter Cora. Probably Cigar. I saw him in Chicago (Arlington Park) and Belmont for the Breeders’ Cup. Goldikova was a pretty What’s No. 1 on your bucket list? good one, too. I watched her run at the Breeders’ Cup I would like to win the Kentucky Derby when my Grandpa is still and in France. alive. That would be the dream. PRS www.PaulickReport.com Page 5

Around the Town

By The Galloping Gastronome

Evolving from a convivial and upscale bar, the Blue Heron Steakhouse opened its kitchen to diners on New Year’s Eve and is a welcome addition to the revitalization of the Jeffer- son Street corridor near downtown Lexington. Located in a renovated historic home, the Keith Clark-operated eatery The Perfect Trip is serving Tuesday through Sunday. Along with specialty drinks, the bar offers a wide variety of wines and a selection of over 30 different beers. The menu specializes in steakhouse fare using choice cuts of beef, * depart usa 28th Sept which accompany a variety of sides that incorporate locally- grown vegetables. * Arrive Dublin If you and your dining companion are especially ravenous, try the 40-ounce Porterhouse Steak for Two, served Peter Goffs Orby Yearling Sale Luger style; the waiter made it sound very appealing, but we weren’t quite up to the challenge! Chicken, lamb, and 30th sept-1st oct pork are offered, as well as daily specials, which generally include a seafood selection. One of the most popular en- trées, only served on Friday and Saturday, is the slow-roast- * Arrive Paris ed herb-crusted Creekstone Farm premium beef prime rib. This tender and juicy 12-ounce cut is accompanied by two Arqana ‘Arc’ HIT Sale sides and horseradish sauce on request. 4th OCtober The appetizer menu features oysters, both raw and char- grilled, flown in from the East Coast, and a grilled thick cut of bacon served with tomatoes, sweet onions, and steak * Arc meeting sauce. Sounded interesting, but we shared a jumbo lump crab cake that was quite tasty. For dessert, we indulged at longchamp in the profiteroles with a chocolate sauce—yummy! Inside 4th-5th oct dining and patio seating are available; reservations are rec- ommended.

blueheronsteakhouse.com * Arrive London 185 Jefferson St. Tatts Oct Yearling Lexington, KY 40508 859-254-2491 Sale - Book 1 7th-9th Oct About

For advertising inquiries please call Emily at 859.913.9633

Ray Paulick - Publisher [email protected] Emily Alberti - Director of Advertising [email protected] Elaine Hatton (ITM) + 353 87 901 3000 Scott Jagow - Editor-in-Chief [email protected] Carter Carnegie (GBRi) + 44 207 152 0197 Mary Schweitzer - News Editor [email protected] Capucine Houel (FRBC) + 33 1 49 10 23 33 Natalie Voss - Features Writer [email protected] Emily White - Weekend Editor [email protected] Daniel Krüger (GTM) + 49 162 733 2339 Frank Mitchell - Contributing Writer Kerry Murphy (EBF) + 44 1638 667960 COPYRIGHT © 2014, BLENHEIM PUBLISHING LLC www.destinationeuroperacing.com www.PaulickReport.com Page 6

Five to Watch A look at some of the sale’s top hips By Frank Mitchell

Hip 29 (Filly by Curlin x Leslie’s Lady, by Tricky Creek): top-ranked filly at 2 and 3 on the Irish Handicap. Misty for This filly is a half-sister to a pair of Grade 1 stakes win- Me is one of ’s classic winners, accounting for the ners. Her half-sister is champion 2-year-old and 3-year-old Irish 1,000 Guineas, and she also won the Prix Marcel Bous- filly Beholder (by Henny Hughes), a five-time G1 winner, in- sac and the Pretty Polly Stakes. cluding the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Distaff, and their half-brother is the promising young sire Into Mischief Hip 108 (Colt by Smart Strike x My Miss , by (Harlan’s Holiday), who won the G1 Hollywood Futurity and Sea of Secrets): A daughter of leading sire Smart Strike, was second in the G1 Malibu. A February foal, this filly is this colt is a full brother to the champion juvenile filly My Miss by Horse of the Year Curlin, sire of Belmont Stakes winner Aurelia, the winner of three G1 stakes. Their dam is one of and leading 4-year-old Palace Malice. the best performers by the Storm Cat stallion Sea of Se- crets, and she has produced two stakes horses from three Hip 72 (Colt by Medaglia d’Oro x Mini Chat, by Deputy to race. Minister): By the sire of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexan- dra, this colt is a half-brother to G1 winner Dixie Chatter Hip 143 (Colt by Tapit x , by Danehill): This (Dixie Union), winner of the Norfolk Stakes at 2. Juvenile colt is by one of the best stallions in the world and out of one class is emphasized by the second dam, champion Phone of the best racemares. Peeping Fawn was the leading Eu- Chatter, winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. ropean 3-year-old filly in 2007, and she won four G1 races, including the Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks. This is her third Hip 86 (Filly by x Misty for Me, by Galileo): foal. Peeping Fawn is one of two G1 winners out of Maryinsky This filly is by Australian champion racehorse and leading (Sadler’s Wells), a half-sister to Better Than Honour (Deputy sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill) and is out of a mare who won Minister), the dam of Belmont winners (A.P. three times at the G1 level in Europe, when she was the Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold). PRS

148023-FirstYearlings-half-PRS.indd 1 9/5/14 4:37 PM