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FLORIDA’SDAILYRACINGDIGEST Cezanne Returns to Run In This Issue: Rosario to Ride Rock Your World in Lights Out to Take Kona Gold Kentucky Derby
BY SANTA ANITA Bubbles On Ice Pops a Champagne PRESS OFFICE______Performance in Memories of Silver ARCADIA, CA—Purchased for a Espinoza Wins Two in Storybook whopping $3,650,000 at Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale at Gulfstream Park in Comeback 2019 from the late J.J. Crupi’s New Castle Farm consignment by M.V. Antonacci Enjoying Change of Pace Magnier and idle since Aug. 1, the Bob Baffert-trained Cezanne came Mott Duo Heads Field of 12 back to the races in a massive way on Sunday at Santa Anita, as he rallied Gulfstream Park Charts into a blistering pace and came away with a nine-and-three-quarters-length Tampa Bay Downs Charts victory over odds-on favorite Brickyard Ride. With leading man Flavien Prat picking up his fourth win Florida Stallion Progeny List on the day and his second stakes score, Cezanne, a 4-year-old colt by Florida Breeders’ List Curlin, smoked home in 1:14.71 for six-and-a-half furlongs. Wire to Wire Business Place Taken in-hand out of the gate while stablemate Ax Man chased Brickyard Ride through a quarter- Featured Advertisers mile fraction of :21.18, Cezanne was Covert Appraisal Services next to last in a field of four at the rail Florida Department of Agriculture and moved into contention around the Fred Burton Paving far turn while well within himself. With Prat sitting motionless to the FTBOA five sixteenths pole, Cezanne fairly Journeyman Stud sailed by Brickyard Ride turning for Ocala Breeders’ Feed & Supply home and won in sensational fashion Ocala Stud as Baffert picked up his second win Peterson Smith on the day. RiceHorse Stables “It worked out well,” Prat said Seminole Feed after winning with him for the third Showcase Properties time in four mounts. “We had a fast Cezanne/BENOIT PHOTO Six K’s Training & Sales See KONA GOLD on page 3
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Continued from COVER pace in front of us and we were able to save ground. He gave me a good kick when I asked him. He ran really nice.” Fourth in the two turn Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 1, Cezanne, in his second career stakes assignment, was the sec- ond choice at 9-5 and paid $5.80 to win. “We knew there was going to be a hot pace,” Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes said. “Not sure how fast, but it ended up being fast, and you know Cezanne just ate them up. [Prat] gave him a wonderful ride and Bob had him ready. With the races coming up this spring and sum- mer, we should be look- ing really good with Cezanne.” Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and St. Elias Stable, Cezanne, who is out of the Bernardini mare Achieving, Cezanne now has three wins Flavien Prat/BENOIT PHOTO from four starts and with the winner’s take of $60,000, increased his earnings to $123,000. Brickyard Ride, who set similarly fast splits in winning the seven furlong San Carlos Stakes (G2) here on March 6, was unable to notch his third consecutive stakes win, but stayed gamely for the place, finishing a-length-and-quarter better than Fight On, while Ax Man checked in fourth and last. With a training double Sunday, Baffert has 32 wins through 50 racing days, two better than Phil D’Amato. Prat now has 89 wins, 38 clear of Juan Hernandez. Prat’s 16 stakes wins put him six in front of Umberto Rispoli. Tizamagician Romps as Heavy Favorite in Tokyo City
An attentive second to the quarter pole, the Richard Mandella- trained Tizamagician took charge from there as he romped to a massive nine-length win in Sunday’s $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (G3) at Santa Anita. Ridden by Flavien Prat, the 4-year-old colt by Tiznow got a marathon mile-and-one-half in 2:32.45. With a backstretch start and a short run to the far turn, Edwin Maldonado, aboard Zestful, gunned his mount to the lead from his outside post, with Tizamagician content to sit a close second for the first mile-and-a-quarter through leisurely quarter-mile splits of :24.12, :47.87, 1:13.01 and 1:38.66. “I wanted the other horse to clear me, because you can’t take a hold of my horse,” Prat said after winning his third Tokyo City Cup. “He settled very nice and it looks like a mile-and-a-half is a great distance for him.”
See TOKYO CITY on page 5
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Me and Mr. C Winner of the 2021 Grey Goose Turf Classic at Tampa Bay Downs
Me and Mr. C Photo by SV Photography Brent & Crystal Fernung, Owners 5571 NW 100th St., Ocala, FL 34482 Office: 352.629.1200 | Fax: 352.629.2101 [email protected] www.JourneymanStallions.com
Back to Top Page 5 Tokyo City page 3 Continued from Second in last year’s Tokyo City on Sept. 27 and most recently fifth, beaten four lengths going a mile-and-one- quarter in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 6, Tizamagician, who was paired for the first time today with Prat, picked up his first-ever stakes win and paid $3.20 as the 3-5 favorite in a field of five older horses. Owned by racing syndicate MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm, LLC, Tizamagician picked up $60,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $287,851. With the win, Tizamagician, who is out of the Dixie Union mare Magic Union, improved his overall mark to four wins with six seconds in 16 career efforts. “Not only does [the MyRacehorse syndicate] create people to own a piece of the horse, but they all have friends and the idea is, if they get their friends, they get people into racing and that’s what we need,” Mandella said after he too collected his third career win in the Tokyo City Cup. “We need people here, it’s not the same without them. It’s so strange to win races and nobody is here to cheer and celebrate with. It means everything in the world that people are here.” Off as the second choice at 7-2, Zestful was easily sec- ond, finishing two-and-three-quarters lengths in front of Lure Him In in third. Lure Him In finished 12 lengths in front of Ronamo followed by Multiplier. Racing resumes Friday at Santa Anita with first post time for a nine-race card at 1 p.m. PDT. Tizamagician/BENOIT PHOTO
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Back to Top Page 7 Rosario To Ride Rock Your World in Kentucky Derby PRESS RELEASE ______for this race, so you know, we have to live with it and In a development that had been rumored earlier in the week, go forward. Steve Andersen of Daily Racing Form reported early Saturday “We think with [Joel’s] evening that John Sadler had confirmed Joel Rosario would experience over the track, replace Umberto Rispoli aboard Runhappy Santa Anita Derby and just my relationship (G1)-winner Rock Your World in the Kentucky Derby May 1. with him and these owners In an interview on Thoroughbred Los Angeles radio Sunday [Hronis Racing, LLC and morning, Sadler acknowledged the difficult decision to make a Talla Racing, LLC], this rider change was his. gives us our strongest posi- “Let’s be very clear here, I was rooting for [Bob Baffert’s] tion. So, this is what we’re Concert Tour to win the [April 10] Arkansas Derby (G1) and going to do. I would love [then] this is all a non-conversation,” Sadler said. “We decided to for somebody to look this wait until after the Concert Tour race to see what was gonna hap- up. Am I the trainer that pen and nobody could’ve predicted [a disappointing third place Joel Rosario has won the finish], really. I mean, he was one to five or whatever and then he most races for in his career? didn’t run on. I think so. We were winning “So, when Joel came available—you know, these are agonizing titles together at Del Mar decisions and not easy. I want to be very clear, I think the world and if you say, ‘Okay, John Sadler/BENOIT PHOTO of Rispoli and I think the world of his riding. He’s a terrific rider Rosario with Chad Brown or Rosario with Todd Pletcher, which on our circuit and he’s been a great addition to California and will trainer has the most wins with this jock?’ I think it’s me. continue to be. But, I had to make a call and this is the call I made. “I’ll be shocked if it isn’t. One of the great stats in racing his- History will tell whether I’m right or wrong. Things could go bad, tory is Russell Baze and Jerry Hollendorfer. It’s like, there’s you know, overnight in this game, but this is the decision we made See DERBY WORKS on page 9
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Back to Top Page 9 Derby Works page 7 Continued from nobody even close. You know, the runs they had together. So, there’s definitely some good chemistry there and we just gotta hope things go our way in Kentucky.” Saturday at Santa Anita, Rock Your World worked five furlongs in :59.60 which was the sixth fastest of 72 that morning at the distance. Sadler said that Rock Your World would leave for Louisville, Sunday, April 26. By Candy Ride and bred in Kentucky by Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally and his wife Debbie, Rock Your World won his first start, a six furlong maiden special weight at six furlongs on turf her Jan. 1 under Rosario. Rispoli took over for a one mile turf win in the Pasadena Stakes Feb. 27 and orchestrat- ed a brilliant gate to wire triumph in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on April 3, his first start on dirt. – Santa Anita Press Office Third Time in Derby Benefits Team O’Neill
Hot Rod Charlie/LOU HODGES - HODGES PHOTOGRAPHY TwinSpires Louisiana Derby (G2)-winner Hot Rod Charlie had his penultimate Kentucky Derby workout at Santa Anita Saturday, going six furlongs under Flavien Prat in 1:14.20 as the son of Probable Kentucky Derby 147 Starters Oxbow prepares for the Run for the Roses on May 1. Doug O’Neill hopes the third time’s the charm, even though the Horse Jockey Trainer 52-year-old trainer has captured the world’s most famous race Essential Quality Luis Saez Brad Cox twice before, with I’ll Have Another in 2012 and Nyquist in 2016. Hot Rod Charlie Flavien Prat Doug O’Neill But it never gets old. Super Stock Ricardo Santana Jr. Steve Asmussen Hot Rod Charlie is sitting on go with 110 Kentucky Derby Like the King Drayden Van Dyke Wesley Ward qualifying points and Prat committed as his rider. Hot Rod Charlie Known Agenda Irad Ortiz Todd Pletcher is scheduled to have his final major Derby breeze this Saturday at Rock Your World Joel Rosario John Sadler Santa Anita. Bourbonic Kendrick Carmouche Todd Pletcher “Now it’s day to day to day, keep him injury free and keep mov- Medina Spirit* John Velazquez Bob Baffert ing forward,” O’Neill said. “I would think having gone through the Midnight Bourbon Mike Smith Steve Asmussen Derby twice before is an advantage. Mandaloun Florent Geroux Brad Cox “It is all horse-driven, based on who you’re going there with, Highly Motivated Javier Castellano Chad Brown but we’re very optimistic with Hot Rod Charlie. He’s already Helium Julien Leparoux Mark Casse shown he can ship and perform well at the highest level. Soup and Sandwich* Tyler Gaffalione Mark Casse “We’re excited, and the previous experience definitely is a ben- Dynamic One Jose Ortiz Todd Pletcher efit, I would think.” Sainthood TBA Todd Pletcher As to the origin of the colt’s name, O’Neill attributes it in part Hidden Stash Rafael Bejarano Vicki Oliver to the dam’s sire. “He’s out of [Indian Miss] by Indian Charlie, so Dream Shake TBA Peter Eurton I think that’s where it comes from, but Hot Rod? O Besos Marcelino Pedroza Greg Foley “I’m not sure about that, but for us it’s got a good ring to it.” Get Her Number TBA Peter Miller – Santa Anita Press Office *Florida-bred Highly Motivated Has Derby Work at Keeneland Possible Kentucky 147 Starter Klaravich Stables’ homebred Highly Motivated, runner-up to Caddo River TBA Brad Cox champion Essential Quality in the Toyota Blue Grass (Grade 2) here April 3, began his final preparation for an expected run in the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) presented by Woodford Reserve Next Up by working a half-mile in :47.20 over a fast main track Sunday King Fury Brian Hernandez Jr. Kenneth McPeek morning at Keeneland. Keepmeinmind David Cohen Robertino Diodoro The move was the best of 27 at the distance. Starrininmydreams TBA Dallas Stewart Trained by Chad Brown, Highly Motivated worked in company with Founder, who was fifth behind Essential Quality in the 2020 Out of race: Rebel’s Romance (IRE) (June 5 Belmont Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. The two came on Stakes); Greatest Honour (rest); Life Is Good (ankle chip); the track shortly after 9 a.m. and worked on even terms through Weyburn (May 8 Peter Pan); Panadol; Crowded Trade (May 8 fractions of :12.20, :23.60, :36 and :47.20 with Highly Motivated Peter Pan or May 15 Preakness); Concert Tour, Proxy; galloping out 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 and 6 furlongs in 1:15.60. Rombauer (May 15 Preakness); Drain the Clock (shorter dis- Highly Motivated set Keeneland’s track record for six-and-a-half tances); New Treasure (Ire); Hozier; Hockey Dad; Spielberg (rest); and Jackie’s Warrior (May 1 Pat Day Mile). See DERBY WORKS on page 11
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Back to Top Page 11 Derby Works page 9 Continued from furlongs with his 1:14.99 clocking in winning the Nyquist WATCH VIDEO Stakes during the first day of the Breeders’ Cup World Click here Championships. The colt is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs Monday, April 19 with Brown slated to arrive in Louisville on Wednesday, April 21. – Keeneland Press Office
Pletcher Four Training Well
Trainer Todd Pletcher’s squad of four Kentucky Derby con- tenders Bourbonic, Dynamic One, Known Agenda and Sainthood continue to train toward the first Saturday in May. All four are scheduled to have one additional work next weekend at Churchill Downs. Godolphin’s Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality and Juddmonte Farm’s Mandaloun had a scheduled walk day following their Saturday morning works at Churchill Downs. Shortleaf Stable’s Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Caddo River galloped about a mile-and-a-half at 5:15 a.m. Sunday morning. His Kentucky Derby status remains undecided. Highly Motivated (inside)/COADY PHOTO Trainer Brad Cox was expected to return to Louisville on place effort in the Arkansas Derby. Monday. There are currently three scheduled flights from Southern Exline-Border Racing, SAF Racing and Richard Hausman’s California to Louisville over the next 10 days – Friday, April 23, Santa Anita Derby third place-finisher Dream Shake worked Sunday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 27. five furlongs in :59.20 Saturday. The colt is scheduled to make D J Stable’s Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner his next start in the Derby or Pat Day Mile (G2). Helium jogged one-mile Sunday at Churchill Downs while Live Gary Barber’s fourth-place Arkansas Derby-finisher Get Her Oak Plantation’s Soup and Sandwich had a scheduled walk day. Number returned to Southern California following his fourth- See DERBY WORKS on page 13
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Back to Top Page 13 Derby Works page 11 Continued from BBN Racing’s Hidden Stash, the fourth-place finisher in the WATCH VIDEO Blue Grass, is scheduled to arrive Derby Week from trainer Vicki Click here Oliver’s Keeneland base. The colt will be stabled in Barn 17. M Racing Group’s Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)-winner Like the King recorded a six-furlong breeze in 1:12.80 Saturday at Keeneland. Trained by Wesley Ward, the three-time winner is tentatively scheduled to arrive Derby Week at Churchill Downs. Winchell Thoroughbreds’ multiple graded stakes-placed colt Midnight Bourbon along with Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen’s upset Arkansas Derby (G1)-hero Super Stock gal- loped about a mile-and-three-eighths at 6:45 a.m. Sunday at Churchill Downs. Midnight Bourbon is scheduled to work Monday at Churchill Downs while Super Stock would work next weekend, according to Asmussen. Barrett Bernard, Tagg Team Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds’ Louisiana Derby (G2) third place-finisher O Besos had a light gallop Sunday at 7:30 a.m. for trainer Greg Foley. The Orb colt is scheduled to have one more breeze prior to the Derby early next week.
Like the King (outside)/MICHAEL BURNS PHOTO Derby Also Eligible Notes The Curlin colt is stabled in Barn 7 at Churchill Downs. Stewart Racing and WinStar Farm’s third-place Lexington Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys’ Farm’s Lexington Stakes finisher Starrininmydreams is probable to enter the Pat Stakes winner King Fury will make his next start in the Kentucky Day Mile but could run in the Derby if there are enough defec- Derby or Preakness (G1), according to trainer Kenny McPeek. tions, according to co-owner and trainer Dallas Stewart.
Gulfstream Park Spring/Summer Florida-bred and Florida Sire Stakes Races and Bonuses Date Race Conditions Distance Purse May 1 Big Drama (Fla.) 3yo and older 6 fur. $75,000* April 18 May 29 Musical Romance (Fla.) 3yo and older, fillies and mares 6 ½ fur. $75,000* May 16 May 31 Soldier's Dancer (Fla.) 3yo and older 1 1/16 mi. turf $75,000* May 16 June 12 Ginger Punch (Fla.) 3yo and older, fillies and mares 1 1/16 mi. turf $75,000* May 30 July 3 Princess Rooney Invitational (G2) 3yo and older, fillies and mares 7 fur. $350,000** Invite July 3 Smile Sprint Invitational (G3) 3yo and older 6 fur. $200,000** Invite July 4 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint 3yo and older 5 fur. turf $75,000** June 20 July 31 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Dr. Fager 2yo colts and geldings 6 fur. $100,000 Closed July 31 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Desert Vixen 2yo fillies 6 fur. $100,000 Closed Aug. 14 Benny the Bull (Fla.) 3yo and older 7 fur. $75,000* Aug. 1 Aug. 21 Proud Man 2yo 7 ½ fur. turf $75,000** Aug. 8 Aug. 21 Sharp Susan 2yo fillies 7 ½ fur. turf $75,000** Aug. 8 Aug. 28 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Affirmed 2yo colt and geldings 7 fur. $200,000 Closed Aug. 28 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Susan's Girl 2yo fillies 7 fur. $200,000 Closed Sept. 11 Sheer Drama (Fla.) 3yo and older, fillies and mares 7 fur. $75,000* Aug. 29 Sept. 18 Armed Forces 2yo 1 mi. turf $100,000** Sept. 5 Sept. 18 Our Dear Peggy 2yo fillies 1 mi. turf $100,000** Sept. 5 Sept. 25 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes In Reality 2yo colts and gelding 1 1/16 mi. $400,000 Closed Sept. 25 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes My Dear Girl 2yo fillies 1 1/16 mi. $400,000 Closed Sept. 25 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Wildcat Heir 3yo and older 1 mi. $125,000 Closed Sept. 25 Hollywood Beach 2yo 5 fur. turf $100,000** Sept. 12
(Fla.) = Restricted to Florida-breds * Plus $25,000 Florida Sire Stakes Win Bonus ** Plus $25,000 Florida-bred Win Bonus
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Back to Top Page 15 Bubbles On Ice Pops a Champagne Performance in Memories of Silver BY KEITH MCCALMONT ______OZONE PARK, NY—Glen Hill Farm, Madaket Stables and Cheyenne Stables’ Bubbles On Ice (Ire) was victori- ous in her U.S. debut, edging Fluffy Socks by a head in Sunday’s $100,000 Memories of Silver, a mile-and-one- sixteenth inner turf test for sophomore fillies at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trained by Christophe Clement and expertly piloted by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, the Starspangledbanner chestnut was exiting back-to-back Group 1 sprints at the Curragh where she finished sixth in the Phoenix won by Lucky Vega in August and fourth to winner Shale in the Moyglare Stud in September. Kendrick Carmouche sent 21-1 Frost Me to the lead through an opening quarter-mile in :25.17 under moderate pressure from 59-1 Bravo Regina as Castellano angled Bubbles On Ice to the rail from the outermost post seven, saving ground from last on the heels of rail-riding 2-1 favorite Fluffy Socks. Bubbles On Ice (inside)/COGLIANESE PHOTO Frost Me continued to lead the parade down the back- question about the distance this afternoon. I’m delighted.” stretch with Bravo Regina to her outside in second. Ingrassia and Castellano said he was impressed with how Bubbles On Ice Sleek Lynx tracked in tandem behind the longshot leaders, while negotiated the tighter turns of the Aqueduct inner turf. Castellano waited patiently at the back of the pack aboard Bubbles “What really impressed me the most was the way she did it off On Ice as the half-mile was clocked in :51.09. a slow pace and tight corners,” Castellano said. “She should Oyster Box rallied outside of Bravo Regina into the final turn stretch out pretty well. It’s hard for horses to come off the pace as Bubbles On Ice followed suit with an outside move to get the when they go as slow as they did up front, and she did it well. I jump on Fluffy Socks, who was still saving ground on the rail really like this filly. I think she has a bright future ahead of her.” through three-quarters in 1:15.33. Bred in Ireland by Michael Begley, Bubbles On Ice banked Bubbles On Ice quickly picked off her rivals to emerge with the $55,000 in victory while improving her record to two wins from lead at the stretch call, but a game Fluffy Socks was angled to the five starts. She returned $9.80 for a $2 win ticket. center of the course by Irad Ortiz Jr. and loomed a serious threat. Live racing shifts to Belmont Park for the 48-day spring/sum- Bubbles On Ice and Fluffy Socks, with very little between them, mer meet which begins Thursday, April 22 and runs through battled gamely through the final strides with Bubbles On Ice pre- Sunday, July 11. First post on Thursday’s eight-race Opening Day vailing in a final time of 1:45.14 over the firm course. card is 1 p.m. EDT. It was three lengths back to Sleek Lynx in third, who won a show photo by a nose over Oyster Box. Ingrassia, Bravo Regina and Frost Me rounded out the order of fin- ish. Main-track only entrant Song of Innocence was scratched. Clement, who won the 2019 edition with Feel Glorious, said a ground-saving trip was key. “The first time out, I thought it was bet- ter that she was covered up,” Clement said. “She got a great ride and saved ground. She had a great-turn-of-foot. There was a small question mark on the distance, but she showed her form this afternoon.” Bubbles On Ice prepared for her U.S. debut at Payson Park in Florida where she recorded nine works dating back to Jan. 4. “When she first came here, I didn’t think she was handling the turns very well in her breezes,” Clement said. “Her past two works were good at Payson Park, so I was happy with that. She answered the
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Back to Top Page 17 Espinoza Wins Two in Storybook Comeback
BY SANTA ANITA PRESS OFFICE______ARCADIA, CA—Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza made a storybook return to the races Saturday after an extended absence of a month, during which he spent time in his native Mexico pro- viding love and care for his ailing 90-year-old mother, Gloria. The three-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winner and 2015 Triple Crown king on American Pharoah had two mounts Saturday, win- ning both with moves right out of National Velvet. Espinoza, who turns 49 on May 23, rallied from eighth and last on Achilleus to win the sixth race at a mile on dirt by a half-length for trainer John Sadler, with whom he has enjoyed great success in the past. It was Victor’s first ride since March 19 when he fin- ished second by a head on 7-1 shot American Heights. Espinoza scored another dramatic victory in the seventh race, courageously slipping Ce Ce through a narrow opening on the rail in the stretch to win by three-and-three-quarters lengths for Michael McCarthy. Espinoza had ridden the 5-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality to back-to-back Grade I victories last year, in the Beholder Mile Victor Espinoza/BENOIT PHOTO and the Apple Blossom Handicap. But it was business as usual Sunday morning for Espinoza, can pick up a few mounts here and there from guys who are going who was working horses at Santa Anita. to be riding in the Derby (on May 1). Unfortunately, it doesn’t “It was a good day,” Espinoza said of his return. “I started in look like we’re going to be riding in it this year, but maybe we can the right direction. My plan was to have Achilleus close to the stay at home and win a few.” lead, but he broke so slow it seemed like he wasn’t moving. My After his victories, Victor generously spent time chatting with experience has taught me one thing though: never give up until the media and greeting fans, his wide smile beaming all the while. race is over. Some of his well-wishers were in their early teens, providing “Many times, horses don’t have that motivation early on, and if Espinoza an up close and personal opportunity to cultivate a I give up, we don’t have a chance. Animals are smart, but no mat- nucleus of fresh faces for a sport in dire need of them. ter how far you are into a race, don’t give up on them. They greeted him like a rock star, eager for pictures and auto- “Ce Ce showed her class. She’s always been an amazing mare, graphs, with one distinct exception: Victor’s instrument is a she came back fresh and her race was excellent.” Thoroughbred, and he still plays it like a Stradivarius. Espinoza had more good news on the familial front. “My mother just turned 90 and Harvest Moon Breezes for never had any serious problems Santa Margarita until she fractured her back,” he said. “Then everything fell apart. Harvest Moon, a consistent daughter of But now she’s recovering and get- mega-sire Uncle Mo, worked five furlongs ting much better.” Sunday morning in 1:01.40 for this Added Espinoza’s agent of Saturday’s Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes eight years Brian Beach: “The for fillies and mares four and up at a mile- important thing winning with and-one-eighth. Sadler’s horse was it showed The bay filly trained by Simon Victor’s timing was still spot on. Callaghan for Alice Bamford and Michael “I’ve often told people Victor Tabor was fourth in her four-year-old debut can step away like this and be March 13, beaten seven lengths by champi- ready to ride when he comes back, on Swiss Skydiver, and prior to that a cred- because he’s always working out itable fourth behind another champion, and taking care of his body. Monomoy Girl, in the Breeders’ Cup “He’s not a partier or anything Distaff at Keeneland last Nov.7. like that. He’s always in tip-top Callaghan expects improvement in the shape . . . It’s like he never missed Santa Margarita. a beat.” “She’s doing well and she probably That’s all well and good, but needed her first race back a little bit,” two victories on Saturday, espe- Callaghan said. “This is definitely an easier cially as incredulous as they were, spot than she’s been running in.” assuredly can’t hurt business. Harvest Moon won the Grade 2 Zenyatta “The timing is good with the Stakes last Sept. 27 under Flavien Prat, who Kentucky Derby week coming has been aboard in her last six races and up,” Beach said. “Hopefully we Harvest Moon/BENOIT PHOTO will be back in the Santa Margarita.
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Back to Top Page 19 Antonacci Enjoying Change of Pace at Gulfstream BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE ____ three years ago. He always had an interest in thoroughbreds, so when I decided to go HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Philip Antonacci grew on my own, he said, ‘I’d like to come along up in one of the most prominent harness racing fam- and help and assist. We can put our minds ilies, but he has always been fascinated by the world together and come up with our own train- of thoroughbreds. ing plan,’” said Antonacci. “He’s at the His father, Frank Antonacci, whose Lindy Farms barn quite a bit. It’s been a great team has won five Hambletonians, has been inducted into effort.” the Harness Hall of Fame’s Hall of Immortals. Yet, Unfortunately, Takter was unable to the 26-year-old Connecticut native has opted for a attend the races Saturday. change of pace and embarked on a quest to succeed “I was on the phone with him. He’s as a thoroughbred trainer. won a lot of Hambletonians, but he said Antonacci, who has worked for several of the he was relieved to get this one across the world’s most respected thoroughbred trainers to line,” Antonacci said. achieve that goal, notched his first major milestone Antonacci, a graduate of Godolphin’s as a thoroughbred trainer Saturday at Gulfstream Flying Start program, became interested Park, where he saddled his first winner, Advanced in thoroughbreds while attending the Strategy, in the mile optional claiming allowance races at Saratoga and went on to work for feature on turf. Owned by Lindy Farms, Advanced trainers Wesley Ward, Australia’s Gai Philip Antonacci/RYAN THOMPSON PHOTO Strategy was Antonacci’s fifth starter. Waterhouse and Todd Pletcher. “He’ll definitely have a home forever, being my first winner,” “I grew up summers in Saratoga, so that’s when I started to get said Antonacci, who has 15 horses stabled at Payson Park. into it,” said the University of Pennsylvania graduate. “I actually Although he has become focused on his thoroughbred career, started off working for Wesley at Saratoga. He helped me a lot get- Antonacci has hardly left the standardbred world behind. In fact, he ting started, and he’s the one who introduced me to Gai is teaming with Jimmy Takter, the retired Harness Hall of Fame leg- Waterhouse, who put me in touch with the Flying Start program. end who has ventured into thoroughbred racing to assist Antonacci. If it wasn’t for them, I never would have gotten started in the thor- “He’s like the D. Wayne Lukas of standardbred racing. He retired oughbred game.” Mott Duo Heads Field of 12 For Closing Day Bewitch BY KEENELAND PRESS OFFICE __ The field for the Bewitch, with rid- ers and weights from the rail out, is: LEXINGTON, KY—Trainer Bill Mott’s Cambeliza (Hector Diaz Jr.), Delta’s duo of War Like Goddess and Delta’s Kingdom (Saez), Three Flamingos Kingdom headlines a field of 12 fillies (Brian Hernandez Jr.), Dominga and mares entered Sunday for the 59th (Florent Geroux), Pass the Plate (Rafael running of the $150,000 Bewitch Bejarano), Kalifornia Queen (Grade 3) on Friday, April 23. The race (Gaffalione), Dalika (Ger) (Miguel is the closing-day feature of the 15-day Mena), War Like Goddess (Leparoux), Spring Meet. Gun Society (Adam Beschizza), The mile-and-one-half grass test is Margaret’s Joy (Joe Talamo), English scheduled as the ninth race with a 5:30 Affair (Corey Lanerie) and Court p.m. post time on the 10-race program Return (John Velazquez). that begins at 1:05 p.m. War Like Goddess (#1)/COGLIANESE PHOTO George Krikorian’s War Like Goddess enters the Bewitch off a Elkhorn Winner Say the Word Heads to nose victory in last month’s Orchid (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Churchill Downs Julien Leparoux, who was aboard for the Orchid victory, has the call as he seeks his third victory in the race. War Like Goddess Agave Racing Stable and Sam-Son Farm’s Canadian champion will start from post eight. Say the Word, winner of Saturday’s Elkhorn (G2) by a length-and- Mott, who has won the Bewitch three times, also will send out a-half, was scheduled to head to Churchill Downs Sunday morn- Delta’s Kingdom for Maram LLC. Fourth in the Orchid, Delta’s ing and join the rest of trainer Phil D’Amato’s Kentucky string. Kingdom began the year with a runner-up finish to Always The victory in the mile-and-a-half Elkhorn was the second Shopping in the La Prevoyante (G3). Luis Saez has the mount and graded stakes triumph at the distance for Say the Word. The other will start from post two. came last year in the Northern Dancer Turf (G1) Presented by Also figuring to attract support is Madaket Stables, Michael Pattison at Woodbine. Dubb and First Row Partners’ Kalifornia Queen (Ger) trained by The Churchill stakes schedule has the $125,000 Louisville Chad Brown, who won the Bewitch in 2016 with Olorda (Ger). (G3) going a mile-and-a-half on the turf slated for May 15, a race A Group 2 winner last year in Germany, Kalifornia Queen fin- that could attract Elkhorn runner-up Channel Cat and fourth-place ished sixth in The Very One Stakes (G3) won by Antoinette at finisher Fantasioso (Arg). Gulfstream in February in her U.S. debut. Tyler Gaffalione has the “He showed signs that he was going to run a good one,” trainer mount and will start from post six. See ELKHORN on page 22
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