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In This Issue: R Adios Jersey Stays Undefeated With Charles Towns Oaks Score Heavy Favorite Essential Quality Outkicks Midnight Bourbon in Thrilling Travers Yaupon Repels Furious Firenze Fire to Win Forego Letruska Thrilling Winner of Personal Ensign Champion Gamine Dances to Ketel One Ballerina Victory Gufo Rallies to Impressive Victory in G1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer
Florida-bred Outfoxed/RYAN THOMPSON PHOTO Jackie’s Warrior Continues Saratoga Dominance in Winning G1 H. Allen “O” What A Day in FTBOA Florida Jerkens Memorial Sire Stakes at Gulfstream Gulfstream Park Charts Track Results & Entries Outfoxed Wins FFS Susan’s Girl Outfoxed produced a record-setting ef- Florida Stallion Progeny List and Octane Takes FSS Affirmed fort with a commanding 13 1/2 –length vic- tory ahead of runner-up Devilette. The Florida Breeders’ List BY BROCK SHERIDAN ______Susan’s Girl featured 11 2-year-old fillies by registered Florida stallions going seven Wire to Wire Business Place HALLANDALE BEACH, FL—LNJ Fox- furlongs on the fast track and is the second woods’ Outfoxed dominated the $200,000 leg of the three-race series that began July Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Own- 31 with the $100,000 Florida Sire Stakes Featured Advertisers ers’ Association Florida Sire Stakes Susan’s Desert Vixen at six furlongs. The filly divi- Big Lick LLC. sion of the series concludes Sept. 25 with Girl Saturday at Gulfstream Park while Florida Department of Agriculture Arindel homebred Octane lead from start to the $400,000 Florida Sire Stakes My Dear finish to win the $200,000 FTBOA Florida Girl at a mile-and-one-sixteenth. FTBOA Sire Stakes Affirmed two races later at the Peterson Smith Equine Hospital Hallandale Beach oval. See WHAT A DAY on page 3 Seminole Feed Page 2
Wire to Wire August 30, 2021 Back to Top Page 3 What A Day
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“She was super good before the race. It was just getting into the gate,” he said. “Once she got to the gate, she got a little nervous. After that she was perfect, all class.” Outfoxed is the fifth winner in the Florida Sire Stakes for Zayas, who won on Phantom Ro in the 2017 Dr. Fager, Chance It in the 2018 Dr. Fager, Two Sixty in the 2019 My Dear Girl and with Boca Boy in the 2020 In Reality. Purchased for $360,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale in April by bloodstock agents Alex Solis and Jason Litt, Outfoxed was consigned by Coastal Equine. She is from the first crop of Bri- dlewood Farm stallion Valiant Minister and is the first foal out of the stakes-winning mare Savingtime, by Kantharos. Savingtime also has a yearling filly by Bridlewood Farm resident Tunwoo and a weanling full-sister to Outfoxed. She also passed through the auction ring at OBS the 2020 Oc- tober Sale where Jesse Hoppel purchased her for $27,000 from the Abbie Road Farm consignment. It was Solis that played a key role in sending Outfoxed to Gulf- stream for the Florida Sire Stakes Susan’s Girl. “The racing manager, Alex Solis, let me know she was eligible for the race and he kept me updated on potential runners,” Mott said. “He kind of left it in my hands. We could run her in a maiden
Florida-bred Octane/LAUREN KING PHOTO race up here in Saratoga or down there. We thought it was a good spot, and it turned out to be. The winning margin was the largest in the 40-year-history of “We will have to make a decision on [her running in the Florida the Susan’s Girl, eclipsing the 10-length victory by Ivanavinalot Sire Stakes My Dear Girl] pretty soon,” Mott said after winning in 2002. his first Florida Sire Stakes race. Conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and ridden by Outfoxed earned $120,000 in the Susan’s Girl to increase her Edgard Zayas, Outfoxed was sent to the post as the 7-5 favorite career bankroll to $132,000. She was bred in Florida by Charles after shipping to Gulfstream from Saratoga where she was third be- and Susan Chu’s Baoma Corp. hind winner Echo Zulu in her first career start going five-and-a- See WHAT A DAY on page 5 half furlongs on July 15. Dear Mama Mia broke best of all from post 11 in the Susan’s Girl and was quickly joined by Devilette from post eight as Out- foxed was in no hurry early from post seven. Florida-breds Recent maiden special weight winner Devilette sprinted to the lead down the backstretch and was a length in front of Noble Dreamer in second as they finished the first quarter-mile in a hand- Make Florida Racing timed :23.06. Devilette took them into the turn as Noble Dreamer Did you know edged closer in second while Outfoxed began to make a big run Florida-bred while racing five-wide. Midway on the turn, Outfoxed was able to thoroughbreds won maneuver into the three path and took the lead with five-sixteenths 31.5% of races run at the of a mile to the finish. recent Gulfstream Park Championship Devilette remained in second but was no match for Outfoxed, Meet? who was suddenly five lengths in front with a furlong to run while continuing to pull away with every stride. Outfoxed finished in This demonstrates how vital Florida-breds 1:23.81 on the fast track with Devilette another 13 ½ lengths ahead are to the success of Gulfstream Park of Desert Vixen-winner My Sassenach in third. They were followed throughout the year—not just during the in order by Sequin Lady, Veiled Prophet, Noble Dreamer, Demurely, Spring/Summer season. Spectacular Gal, Dear Mama Mia, Rachel’s Rock and Lluvia. Outfoxed returned $4.80 on a $2 win ticket. Additional good news for “She broke good out of the gate. She dropped back a little bit. Florida breeders—66% of There was plenty of pace. A seven-furlong race can be very hard those Florida-bred winners during on 2-year-old fillies, so I let her sit a little,” Zayas said. “At the the Gulfstream Park Championship half-mile [pole], I didn’t want to go too wide, so I tucked her in Meet were sired by Florida a little bit. After that she was taking me very nice. She was very stallions. impressive. Outfoxed took some time to load into the starting gate, but Zayas Florida-breds: said he was never concerned. Race ‘Em or Chase ‘Em!
Wire to Wire August 30, 2021 Back to Top Page 4
Wire to Wire August 30, 2021 Back to Top Page 5 What A Day Continued from page 3 High Octane Performance in FSS Affirmed loping out three-quarters in 1:13. That told me that he can defi- nitely get the distance. I was very confident coming into this race,” Arindel came well-armed with four starters in the $200,000 David said. Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Octane is by the Arindel stallion Brethren and is out of Star Re- Sire Stakes Affirmed and it was their homebred Octane who took cruit, by Aldebaran. Octane is a full-brother to stakes-placed Gatsby home the $120,000 first prize. and also has a yearling full-sister. He is the third Florida Sire Stakes Facing a large field of 10 other 2-year-old colts and geldings by winner for Brethren, who also sired Cookie Dough. registered Florida stallions over seven furlongs, the Florida Sire The Affirmed is the second consecutive victory for Octane, who Stakes Affirmed is the second leg of the three race series for male won a Florida-bred maiden special weight in his second career start juveniles that began with the $100,000 Dr. Fager on July 31 and by a length-and-three-quarters going five furlongs at Gulfstream concludes Sept. 25 with the $400,000 In Reality at a mile-and-one- on July 17. In his first start, he was second to Lightening Larry sixteenth. under the same conditions on June 18. Arindel’s Gilligan broke fastest from post 10 but was quickly He earned $120,000 for winning the Affirmed and now has rev- joined by Octane, who also started well from post one along with enues of $170,000 from his three career starts. Awesome Crusader and Lightening Larry. Shortly after the start, Octane was let go at 10-1 in the Affirmed and paid $22.20 for jockey Emisael Jaramillo pushed Octane to the front on the inside a $2 win ticket. and took a half-length lead on Lightening Larry to his outside with “We want to thank Gulfstream management and the horsemen Big and Classy and Gilligan racing together in third just behind them. for working with us to put on another big day of racing featuring Octane increased his lead to a length as he clicked off the first some of the very best Florida-bred/Florida-sired juveniles,” two furlongs in :22.50 as Lightening Larry chased in second while Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association CEO still ahead of Big and Classy in third with King Cab fourth. Lonny Powell said. “When these stake purses grow and progress Octane continued to show the way by a length around the turn from the $200,000 stake races today to a national attention-getting with Lightening Larry still in pursuit in second with two lengths $400,000 each at the next big Gulfstream stage on Sept. 25, the farther back to Big and Classy and King Cab in a joint third. action and excitement will escalate even more. Octane tenaciously finished the half-mile in :45.24 but began “It’s not every day in our national industry that you get two 11 to increase his lead as he turned for home. Lightening Larry could horse stakes on one card. Many thanks to the participating owners, not keep pace as Dr. Fager-winner Cajun’s Magic began his late run trainers, jockeys and breeders and big congrats to the winners in in the stretch as Big and Classy remained in third. making this Florida Sire Stakes program the success that it is.” Octane crossed the wire three-and-a-quarter lengths in front of Total handle on the day at Gulfstream was $9,184,602, which Cajun’s Magic in second while Big and Classy finished three lengths was the second largest handle on Florida Sire Stakes farther back in third. Affirmed/Susan’s Girl day behind the $11,834,119 total handle They were followed in order by Cattin, Gold Special, Merlin, Awe- last year when $2.45 million was bet into a Rainbow 6 pool with some Crusader, Clapton, Lightening Larry, Gilligan and King Cab. a mandatory payout. The 2021 handle was more than $1 million Octane is trained by Carlos David, who won a Florida Sire Stakes more than the $8,101,635 bet in 2016—the third highest handle event for the first time while Jaramillo won the Affirmed for the third on an Affirmed/Susan’s Girl day at Gulfstream. time in four years after riding winners Garter and Tie in 2018 and Older horses by registered Florida stallions will also have an Breeze On By last year. It was the third Florida Sire Stakes victory opportunity to run at Florida Sire Stakes riches at Gulfstream on for Arindel, who won the 2018 Susan’s Girl and My Dear Girl with Sept. 25 in the $125,000 Wildcat Heir at one mile. Cookie Dough. “Carlos [David] was very confident coming in and [Octane] broke and he got out there with a great speed rider in Jaramillo and he just didn’t stop,” Arindel’s Brian Cohen said. “He ran great. Carlos did a great job with him. We like to support the Florida Sire Stakes program and Florida racing and we like to give it a good shot when we have them.” In addition to his confidence, David said he has great admiration for Octane because of the gelding’s tenacity. “I love this little horse. He’s small but he has a ton of heart,” David said. “He was a little bit nervous prior to his second start. He was a little wild behind the gate. I had to put a lot of gate work into him and teach him to stand right. He’s got some growing up to do, but I think he’s going to be all right. “I think the workout he had about a week ago was key. It was five furlongs, gal-
Wire to Wire August 30, 2021 Back to Top Page 6
*Further details apply—All terms of the FSS races and FTBOA purse supplements, including number of races, purse levels, race conditions, racing dates and the host track may change from year to year and may change at any point after the FSS FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSN. racing schedule for a particular year is announced, as they Lonny Powell, CEO governed by one or more of the following: the separate terms and conditions applicable to each of those programs; any rele- Tammy A. Gantt, Associate Vice President Membership Services & Events vant third-party agreements; the FTBOA’s Bylaws; the annual 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 awards plan submitted by the FTBOA to the Florida Division of 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474 Pari-Mutuel Wagering; and Chapter 550, Florida Statutes. www.ftboa.com • [email protected] www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse Pending state approval.
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Wire to Wire August 30, 2021 Back to Top Page 7 R Adios Jersey Stays Undefeated With Charles Towns Oaks Score
BY BROCK SHERIDAN ______
Averill Racing LLC and ATM Racing’s R Adios Jersey re- mained undefeated in five starts Friday night at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races with a three-and-one-quarter-length victory in the $400,000 Charles Town Oaks (Grade 3). Sent to the post at 5-1 in the field of 10 3-year-old fillies com- peting at seven furlongs around two turns, R Adios Jersey and jockey Paco Lopez sprinted to the lead from post eight and had a short lead on Goldfinch Stakes-winner Inject as they passed the finish line for the first time. R Adios Jersey extended her lead to a length around the clubhouse turn as recent Saratoga allowance- winner and 3-5 favorite Caramel Swirl moved up to join the chase with Inject in a joint second as the fillies finished the first quar- ter-mile in :23.24 on the fast track. R Adios Jersey began to increase the pace down the backstretch with a half-mile in :46.27 and continued to lead Caramel Swirl by a length going into the far turn as those two began to separate from Inject and the rest. Then Pauline’s Pearl, who won the Grade 3 Fan- tasy at Oaklawn in March, began to inch closer from mid-pack with a ground saving trip around the turn and was on even terms with Caramel Swirl in second as they tried to catch the front-run- ning R Adios Jersey turning for home. Pauline’s Pearl left Caramel Swirl at the eighth-pole and tried to challenge, but R Adios Jersey hit another gear and extended her lead under a strong ride from Lopez. Racing under the wire, R Adios Jersey competed the course in 1:24.37 as Pauline’s Pear finished second, a length and three-quar- Florida-bred R Adios Jersey/COADY PHOTO ters ahead of a late-running Allworthy in third. They were followed in order by Miss Leslie, Fabricate, Street Lute, Competitive Speed, Moon Swag and Inject. R Adios Jersey paid $12.80 to win. Florida-breds It was the first start in nearly five months for R Adios Jersey, who in her previous race won the $110,000 Stonehedge Farm Make Florida Racing South Sophomore Fillies with Lopez against fellow Florida-breds Did you know Florida-bred thoroughbreds on March 28 at Tampa Bay Downs on Florida Cup Day. won 36.8% of races run at the recent Tampa She won her first career start by nearly 13 lengths against $35,000 maiden claiming fillies at Gulfstream Park in December Bay Downs season? before winning a first level allowance going five-and-a-half fur- longs at Gulfstream on Feb. 3. She then took a $50,000 optional claiming starter allowance at Gulfstream on Feb. 28 before travel- This demonstrates ing to Tampa to win the Sophomore Fillies. how vital Florida-breds Trained by Georgina Baxter, R Adios Jersey is by Ocala Stud are to the success of stallion Adios Charlie out of the unraced mare Marion Theatre, by Tampa Bay Downs. the late Florida sire Montbrook. Marion Theatre is also a full-sister to stakes-winner Royal Lad and stakes-producer Velvet Charm and Additional good news for is a half-sister to stakes-producer Royal Mecke. Marion Theatre Florida breeders—72% of those has produced four other runners, who are all winners; and an un- Florida-bred winners during the raced 2-year-old colt, October Time, by Uncaptured. She also has Tampa Bay Meeting were sired a yearling colt by Greenpointcrusader and a weanling filly by The by Florida stallions. Big Beast. She was bred to Win Win Win in 2021. R Adios Jersey was bred in Florida by Ocala Stud and J. Michael O’Farrell Jr. and consigned by Ocala Stud to the 2020 Florida-breds: Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale where she was purchased by Race ‘Em or Richard Averill for $12,000. In her five career starts, she has earned $367,400. Chase ‘Em!
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Wire to Wire August 30, 2021 Back to Top Page 9 Heavy Favorite Essential Quality Outkicks Midnight Bourbon in Thrilling Travers
BY BRIAN BOHLS, NYRA PRESS OFFICE______Essential Quality has been nearly unflappable in high-pres- sure situations, with seven of his eight career wins coming as the SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Godolphin homebred Essential Qual- favorite. After going three-for-three as a juvenile, including wins ity earned the title of top juvenile last year and continued to bolster in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity and the Grade 1 TVG his bid to be named top 3-year-old male with another impressive Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Al- score in a prestigious race, outdueling Midnight Bourbon in the liance to become a champion, Essential Quality added scores this stretch to prevail by a year in the Grade 3 neck in Saturday’s $1.25 Southwest in February million Runhappy Travers at Oaklawn Park and (Grade 1) for sophomores the Grade 2 Toyota at historic Saratoga Race Blue Grass in April at Course. Keeneland. The 152nd edition of After running a com- the Runhappy Travers— petitive fourth in his the country’s oldest stakes only career non-win- race for 3-year-olds—saw ning effort in the Grade Essential Quality ace an- 1 Kentucky Derby pre- other test, navigating the sented by Woodford Re- classic mile-and-one-quar- serve, Essential Quality ter distance on the main has followed with three track to win for the eighth impressive wins, includ- time in nine career starts ing providing Cox first and tally his seventh win in an American graded stakes victory and Classic by taking the fourth Grade 1 triumph. 12-furlong “Test of the The announced crowd Champion” before his of 44,507 saw the Travers two Saratoga victories. serve as the finale of “He’s danced a lot of seven graded stakes, in- dances and shown up,” cluding six Grade 1s, on a Cox said. “His lone de- 13-race card, with reign- feat was the Kentucky ing Eclipse Award-win- Essential Quality (left) and Midnight Bourbon (#1)/CHELSEA DURAND PHOTO Derby, where we felt he ning 2-Year-Old Champion Essential Quality building on a 2021 that was right there in the mix. He’s done nothing wrong. We’re proud already saw him capture the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by of what he’s accomplished this year and he’s a very good horse NYRA Bets in June followed by a win in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy on with a fantastic resume.” July 31 at the Spa. Saez, aboard for all eight of Essential Quality’s stakes starts, The Brad Cox-trainee broke well from post two under jockey won his second career Travers, adding to his first aboard Will Take Luis Saez, who kept the 2-5 favorite in second position behind Mid- Charge in 2013. night Bourbon. Ricardo Santana Jr. ushered Midnight Bourbon to “It’s amazing, that’s my second Travers and I’m so thankful to the front from the inside post, leading the seven-horse field through be here and be a part of it in this amazing race,” Saez said. “To the opening quarter-mile in :24.18, the half in :48.96 and three- me, he’s the best horse, the horse of the year, and he deserves all quarters in 1:14.49 on the fast track. the credit.” Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Midnight Bourbon, runner-up in the Essential Quality paid $2.90 on a $2 win wager and improved Grade 1 Preakness to Rombauer in May at Pimlico, was kept to the his career earnings to more than $4.2 million. inside coming out of the final turn. Saez tapped into Essential Qual- Midnight Bourbon, the winner of the Grade 3 Lecomte in Jan- ity’s deep reserve, keeping him to task at the top of the stretch while uary at Fair Grounds, was entering off a Grade 1 Haskell effort in asking him to run down the pacesetter. But Midnight Bourbon which he clipped heels with Hot Rod Charlie and fell, unseating would not be put away easily as Essential Quality dug in gamely to the rider in the stretch in July at Monmouth. earn the red-and-white carnation blanket, with the Tapit colt hitting But Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen saw his charge the wire in a final time of 2:01.96. bounce back to finish five lengths clear of Miles D for second in “He broke well. We were hoping that he wouldn’t lose as much the Travers, giving Asmussen his best finish in the race from ground and have more of a ground-saving trip as opposed to the seven starters. Jim Dandy,” Cox said. “Luis did a good job of recognizing that Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown earned there wouldn’t be a whole lot of pace. He asked him to run out of black type in the Travers for the first time with his 12th all-time there and established good position and didn’t let Midnight Bour- starter, as Peter Brant and Robert LaPenta’s Miles D edged Keep- bon get too far away up the backside. I was a little worried up the meinmind by a neck under jockey Flavien Prat. backside once he cleared up with softer fractions. He’s a tremen- King Fury, Masqueparade and Dynamic One completed the dous horse. He’s a champion and he ran like one today.” order of finish.
Wire to Wire August 30, 2021 Back to Top Page 10 Yaupon Repels Furious Firenze Fire to Win Forego
BY KEITH MCCALMONT, NYRA PRESS OFFICE ______not ideal finishes this year and you’re not there until you get to the wire. Everybody’s always known what a brilliant horse he is, the SARATOGA SPRING, NY—William and Corinne Heiligbrodt’s talent that he’s shown, and for him to show up today on a stage and Yaupon turned back a furious challenge from Florida-bred beat five Grade 1 winners was amazing.” Firenze Fire to capture a dramatic renewal of Saturday’s $600,000 It was the second Forego victory for Asmussen, who captured Forego (Grade 1), a seven-furlong sprint for older horses at the 2019 running with the Heiligbrodt-owned Mitole, who went on Saratoga Race Course. to win that year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint en route to Eclipse Award honors as Champion Male Sprinter. Yaupon, a 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt, is undefeated in three starts at the Spa after winning a first-level allowance last July ahead of making the grade in the Grade 2 Amsterdam. He completed his sophomore season with a win in the Grade 3 Chick Lang in October at Pimlico before an off-the-board effort in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland. A $255,000 purchase by East Hickman Bloodstock at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Open Sale in June of 2019 where he was consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree, Yaupon finished eighth in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in March at Meydan to launch his cam- paign ahead of a swift score in the six-furlong Lite the Fuse at Pim- lico on July 4 that garnered a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure. Santana Jr. said he felt he could command the race throughout. “The last time I took him back, but I know the horse really well. Today, there was no speed in the race, so I decided to go and he’s a firing horse so thankfully we got the victory today,” Santana Jr. said. Santana Jr., who picked up his third Forego win after scores with Whitmore [2018] and Mitole, said he tried to focus on the task at hand in deep stretch. “That was kind of scary. That never happened to me before and the only thing I can think is don’t stop riding,” Santana Jr. said. In winning the Grade 3 Gallant Bob in September 2018 at Parx, Firenze Fire was savaged in deep stretch by Whereshetoldmetogo.
Florida-bred Firenze Fire (#8) and Yaupon/SUSIE RAISHER PHOTO This time around, with Firenze Fire the aggressor, Ortiz said the loss of momentum cost his charge the race. Yaupon, with Ricardo Santana Jr. up, and Firenze Fire, piloted “I had perfect position,” Ortiz said. “I stayed next to him by Jose Ortiz, ran one-two throughout the 42nd edition of the [Yaupon] and I thought I had him beat, but you saw what happened Forego with a determined Firenze Fire savaging his rival inside the inside the sixteenth [when] my horse tried to bite the other horse final sixteenth of a mile, biting at the headstall of Yaupon, who and I really had to get a hold of him to get him away from him. pulled away to secure the win by a head. “Honestly, it was really weird, I’ve never been in that [position] Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Yaupon set splits of before,” he added. “He got me too close to the horse when he did :23.09 seconds and :45.70 on the fast main track, with Firenze Fire that [savaging Yaupon]. The [gallop-out] was perfect; he came back at his flank and multiple Grade 1 winner Mind Control saving in great order, I think he should’ve won that race.” ground in fourth inside Doubly Blessed. Florida-bred Chance It, who is also a two-time winner of the Firenze Fire took dead aim racing outside of Yaupon out of the Florida Sire Stakes as a juvenile, closed to finish third by a nose turn and the rivals threw it down the length of the stretch with over Mind Control. Rounding out the order of finish were Whit- Yaupon securing his first Grade 1-win in a final time of 1:21.74. more, Mischevious Alex, Doubly Blessed and Lexitonian, who “It’s very exciting to have a winner of the Grade 1 Forego for stumbled at the start. the Heiligbrodts. But the finish made it that much more dramatic,” Whitmore, who was pulled up after the wire and vanned off, Asmussen said. “I will watch that replay many times. For that to was reported to be in good order by trainer Ron Moquett. happen in a Grade 1 at Saratoga with two horses on the lead, that Bred in Kentucky by Betz Lamantia, Coco Equine, and will be memorable. Magers & Burns, Yaupon banked $320,000 in victory while im- “Honestly, I watched it from the apron down the stretch. I was proving his record to six wins from eight starts. He returned $6 worried he was going to bite Ricardo,” he added. “We’ve had some for a $2 win ticket. Buy / Breed / Race / Sell Florida-breds!
Wire to Wire August 30, 2021 Back to Top Page 11 Letruska Thrilling Winner of Personal Ensign
BY NYRA PRESS OFFICE ______Letruska continued to roll on the front end through splits of :46.74 and 1:10.76 as Miss Marissa and Swiss Skydiver remained SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY—Putting her class and ability on display heads apart in behind as Harvey’s Lil Goil began to gain momentum yet again, St. George Stable homebred Letruska led from start to in the clear four wide. Letruska straightened for home with a one- finish and turned away a bevy of late challengers to solidify her po- length lead over Dunbar Road, who had closed from dead last to sition as the country’s top older female with a thrilling half-length move into a threatening position on the inside. triumph in Saturday’s Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign presented Digging in through the lane with each stride, Letruska held firm by Lia Infiniti (Grade 1) at Saratoga Race Course. up front as Bonny South joined the group of challengers inside the eighth pole, splitting horses and emerging from a three-way photo finish a head in front of Royal Flag for second. Dunbar Road checked in fourth, followed by Swiss Skydiver, As Time Goes By, Harvey’s Lil Goil, Miss Marissa and Graceful Princess. “I had concerns when they were running at her because these are very good horses and they are in good form. It’s not easy,” Gutierrez said. “She don’t have nothing to show to nobody. I’m very pleased with the way she run. Every place that she’s run, with all the horses she run against, she’s fast. She fights and she’s a real racehorse.” Letruska picked up $320,000 for her 16th career victory from 21 starts to close in on $2 million in lifetime purse earnings at $1,936,459. She is a head shy of being undefeated through six starts this year, but rebounded from her lone loss in the Grade 2 Azeri March 13 at Oaklawn Park by defeating champion Monomoy Girl by a nose in Oaklawn’s Grade 1 Apple Blossom April 17. In all, Letruska has won nine graded-stakes including the Group 1 Clasico Diamente and Group 1 Clasico Esmerelda in Mexico prior to her first U.S. start, a victory in the Copa Invitacional del Caribe in December 2019 at Gulfstream Park. The daughter of 2010 Letruska/COGLIANESE PHOTO Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver was bred in Kentucky. A “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the $2 million Longines Gutierrez said the plan calls for Letruska to run next in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar, the 74th running of $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) Oct. 10 at Keeneland as a prep the Personal Ensign for older fillies and mares was the fifth of seven for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. graded-stakes and fourth of six Grade 1 events worth a total of $4.6 “She has ability, but more she has a big heart. This a special million in purses on a blockbuster program highlighted by the horse,” he said. “To have this speed and to be able to run long dis- 152nd renewal of the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers. tances, and to have the big heart is special. Not for nothing, I think Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. for trainer Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska this is one of the best horses in the country.” logged a mile-and-an-eighth in 1:49.15 over a fast main track and Contested as the Firenze Handicap from 1948-85 and the John A. returned $3.50 on a $2 win bet. It was the third win of the day and Morris Handicap from 1986-97, the Personal Ensign was renamed first in the Personal Ensign for Ortiz Jr., voted the Eclipse Award to honor Odgen Phipps’ homebred mare that was retired following as champion jockey each of the past three years. her dramatic victory in the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Distaff that left her Each of her last three wins have come in Breeders’ Cup Distaff with a perfect 13-0 race record. She was inducted into the Hall of challenge races. She was dominant in her prior start, the Grade 2 Fame in 1993 followed by her trainer, Shug McGaughey, in 2004. Fleur de Lis June 26 at Churchill Downs, which came just three weeks after winning the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont Park with relative ease. “She’s a special horse. I am very excited and happy for the trainer, Fausto Gutierrez. He’s done such a great job with her. She’s doing great. She does all the hard work, I just pilot her. She’s easy to ride,” Ortiz Jr. said. “We always knew she was a nice filly, but she likes to fight. She’s a fighter.” Letruska would need to call on that tenacity in the Personal En- sign. Each of her eight opponents were graded-stakes winners in- cluding Swiss Skydiver, historic heroine of the Grade 1 Preakness against males last fall, who outbroke Letruska and held a short lead until Ortiz Jr. put his 5-year-old mare in front after an opening quar- ter-mile in :23.01 tracked by 42-1 long shot Miss Marissa. “The first part of the race was very important. We take the lead and take the control,” Gutierrez said. “Finally, she take control run- ning, it was :46 [for the half-mile] and I think today it was a good fraction. For sure, after that she had to be running. Races like this are important to win. I’m very happy because this is a race we put on the schedule.”
Wire to Wire August 30, 2021 Back to Top Page 12 Champion Gamine Dances to Ketel One Ballerina Victory
BY NYRA PRESS OFFICE ______Gamine extended her lead to two lengths approaching the stretch as Lake Avenue slipped through an opening on the inside to take SARATOGA, NY—More than a year after using Saratoga Race second with Ce Ce swinging out wide for a clear run. Gamine pow- Course as a springboard to the female sprint championship, ered through the lane, going six furlongs in 1:09.20 with Lake Av- Michael Lund Petersen’s multiple graded-stakes winning million- enue determinedly giving chase along the rail, before coming home aire filly Gamine returned to further strengthen her hold on the di- a length-and-three-quarters in front. Lake Avenue was a clear sec- vision with a command performance in Saturday’s $500,000 Ketel ond over Ce Ce, who got up late to edge Sconsin by a neck. One Ballerina (Grade 1). It was the second Ballerina victory for Baffert following Mar- ley’s Freedom in 2018 and fifth for Velazquez, having previously won with Haveyougoneaway [2016], Unbridled Forever [2015], Turbulent Descent and Happy Ticket [2005]. “She just kind of waited and then by the quarter pole, I asked her for what she needed to do, and she got it done,” Velazquez said. “I didn’t think there was much speed in the race. She’s a nice horse to relax. If they went fast, she was going to go fast. If they went slow, she was going to go slow, so that’s what I like about her. When she’s in the lead, she’s in control of herself.” “I’m a very happy man,” Petersen said. “I was very nervous today, only because she was giving so much weight away, so you just never know. I was thrilled to see she got the start we wanted. From there, I was just hoping she would hold on.” Gamine has won nine of 10 career starts, her lone loss coming when third in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), contested at a mile-and-one-eighth, last September at Churchill Downs. The $275,000 winner’s share of the Ballerina purse pushed her lifetime bankroll to $1,681,500 for the 4-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, who fetched $800,000 as a 2-year-old in training in 2019. “She is one amazing horse. They don’t come around like her Gamine/STACEY HETHERINGTON PHOTO very often, and I treat her like that, too,” Petersen said. “You never The Ballerina is a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the $1 mil- know when it will be the last time you’re going to see them like this lion Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar. so you just enjoy every race like it’s going to be the last win we get. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Gamine completed seven She is very special.” furlongs over a fast main track in 1:21.61, the fastest Ballerina since Other Grade 1 wins for Gamine have come in the one-mile Lady Tak ran 1:21.09 in 2004. Gamine matched Lady Tak’s stakes Acorn and seven-furlong Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in record of 1:20.83 winning last summer’s Grade 1 Longines Test, 2020 and May 1 Derby City Distaff. Three of her Grade 1 wins have and is now one of only seven horses to sweep both of Saratoga’s come at either Belmont Park or Saratoga. Grade 1 female sprints. “She sure does enjoy New York,” Barnes said. “She’s been good Other horses to complete the double include Love Sign [1980 and solid. The Gamine machine – that’s her.” Test, 1981 Ballerina], Lass Trump (1983, 1984), Lady Tak [2003, First run in 1979, the Ballerina is named for Howell E. Jackson’s 2004] and Turbulent Descent [2011, 2012]. Hall of Famer Lady’s filly that won the inaugural 1954 Maskette Handicap, now con- Secret [1985] and Dream Supreme [2000] are the only ones to win tested at Aqueduct as the Grade 3 Go for Wand Handicap. both races the same year. Sent off as the 1-5 favorite against six rivals, Gamine extended her win streak to four this year and five overall with her fifth career Grade 1 triumph, returning $2.70 for $2 win bet. Shopping Local Grows Our Economy Breaking from the rail under her regular rider, Hall of Famer John Velazquez, Gamine quickly established her typical front-run- Save Jobs. ning position while Estilo Talentoso attempted to keep pace, staying within a half-length through a quarter-mile in :23.20 seconds and a half in :45.68. Lake Avenue tracked in third with Gamine’s fellow Save Time. California invader Ce Ce sitting fourth. “We were down in the one hole, so you have to break and go from Support there. She handled the gate well, broke well and Johnny put her in the race,” Baffert assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said. “The 23 felt Local pretty comfortable, 45 was pretty comfortable. [They were gaining Business. on her] slightly, but once Johnny got her to switch leads, I wasn’t really concerned. They were moving but we were still running.” Wire to Wire August 30, 2021 Back to Top Page 13
Gufo Rallies to Friday Charts Impressive Victory in Click Here to View Entries for Gulfstream Park G1 Resorts World
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