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September 4, 2019 Contact: Jim Gluckson, Breeders’ Cup, 212-230-9512

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships Newsletter

Advisory: This is the third of nine weekly news releases focusing on the horses and races leading to the 36th Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2 at Santa Anita. For more information, please visit www.breederscup.com. The Breeders’ Cup will be televised live on NBC and NBCSN. You can follow all the contenders’ activity leading up to the Breeders’ Cup with Equibase’s free “Road to the Breeders’ Cup” Virtual Stable notification service.

A Thread of Blue and Digital Age to meet again in Club Derby Eclipse Sportswire photo

Jockey Club Derby, Kentucky Turf Sprint Offer ‘Cup Bids

Saturday’s inaugural $1 million Jockey Club Derby Invitational at takes on added significance as the race is a “Win and You’re In” for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, while the $700,000 “Win and You’re In” Runhappy Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G3) at Kentucky Downs will offer an automatic starting berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Both races will be televised on NBC (4:30-6 pm ET) as a part of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In- Presented by America’s Best Racing” program.

Run at 1 ½ miles, the Jockey Club Derby is the third and final leg of the New York Racing Association’s newly minted Turf Trinity which began with the (G1) in July and continued with the Saratoga Derby Aug. 4. The Jockey Club Derby drew a field of nine, with Leonard Green’s A THREAD OF BLUE and Klaravich Stable’s DIGITAL AGE, the 1-2 finishers of the Saratoga Derby, leading the way. The former, a 3-year-old son of Hard Spun led every step of the way for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and again looks like the controlling speed, while the latter, a son of Invincible Spirit (IRE), closed stoutly late to miss by a length for trainer Chad Brown. A Thread of Blue is 5-for-10 lifetime, which includes a win in ’s Palm Beach (G3) in March, while Digital Age is 3-for-5 lifetime, including the American Turf (G2) at in May.

The foreigners are led by SPANISH MISSION, who won the (G3) two-back at Newmarket for trainer David Simcock, and SAN HUBERTO (IRE), who is undefeated in two starts but is stepping up to stakes competition for the first time for trainer Fabrice Chappet. HENLEY’S JOY won the Belmont Derby for trainer Mike Maker but was just fifth at Saratoga, while TONE BROKE enters off wins in the restricted Queen’s Plate at Woodbine and Breeders’ Stakes at Fort Erie for trainer . CURRENT, PEDRO CARA (FR), and KADAR are also entered for the “Win and You’re In” Jockey Club Derby Invitational.

Defending Two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Champion Stormy Liberal Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders’ Cup Photo

Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint Highlights a Lucrative Day at Kentucky Downs

The ”Win and You’re In” Runhappy Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint is shaping up as one of the stronger turf sprints of the year and highlights a card that also includes the $1 million Kentucky Turf Cup (G3), $500,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3), and $500,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint (G3). Run at six furlongs, the Turf Sprint is expected to attract Rockingham Ranch’s reigning two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner STORMY LIBERAL, who is still looking for his first win after four starts this year. The 7- year-old son of Stormy Atlantic ended 2018 with a win at Churchill Downs in the Turf Sprint for trainer Peter Miller but has been a bit unlucky this year, as he’s run well without winning, including a third-place finish in the (G1) at Meydan in Dubai in March. Stormy Liberal is 12-for-34 lifetime and enters off a third-place finish in Del Mar’s Green Flash (G3) August 17.

David Palmer’s WET YOUR WHISTLE figures to love the long stretch, like he did at Woodbine when rallying late to win the Highlander (G1) in June for trainer Mike Trombetta. The 4-year-old son of Stroll is 5-for-12 lifetime was recently fourth in the Troy (G3) at Saratoga August 3. Amy Dunne’s LEINSTER won the Troy in a breakthrough performance for trainer Rusty Arnold and will look to back it up. The 4-year-old son of Majestic Warrior has won three straight and after going winless in his first 13 career starts and clearly rates as the now horse. Seven runners will face the top trio in the “Win and You’re In” Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint, with CAUTIOUS GIANT, IMPRIMIS, SMART REMARK, UNDRAFTED, WHITE FLAG, JAZZY TIMES and TOTALLY BOSS completing the field.

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News and Notes

Saratoga Juvenile Turf Winners Have Sights Set on Breeders’ Cup

Both Walking L ’ FIGHTING SEABEE and Toby Morton and Chuck Howitz’s CRYSTALLE, who won Wednesday’s $150,000 With Anticipation (G3) and Thursday’s $100,000 P.G. Johnson, respectively, at Saratoga, have designs on the Breeders’ Cup later this fall.

Fighting Seabee, a 2-year-old son of Summer Front, made it 2-for-2 for trainer Kenny McPeek, as he doubled up on a maiden win at Ellis Park July 6. The $105,000 yearling purchase has proven a quick return on investment and has his trainer looking forward to a potential trip to Santa Anita later this fall.

“It's a good position to be in and hopefully he takes us to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf," McPeek said.

Crystalle, a 2-year-old daughter of , was controversially disqualified from an easy debut victory at Saratoga August 4 but made amends in the P.G. Johnson for trainer John Kimmel, as she overcame a slow pace and closed impressively for the win.

"We're thinking about Breeders Cup,” Kimmel said. “Now, we'll probably point to the Miss Grillo (G2, Sept. 29 at Belmont Park) and take it from there."

Vino Rosso Bypasses Woodward, to Use Gold Cup as Classic Prep

Trainer waited until scratch time to pass on Saturday’s $750,000 Woodward (G1, see race recap below) with Mike Repole’s homebred , and instead will use Belmont Park’s September 28 (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, as a final prep for the race.

Vino Rosso, a 4-year-old son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner , was third in another automatic Classic qualifier, Saratoga’s “Win and You’re In” Whitney (G1) Aug. 3, and was 7-2 on the morning line for the Woodward before Pletcher ultimately chose the spacing of the Gold Cup, which is run at 1 ¼ miles, the same distance as the Classic and the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1), a race the 5-for-13 Vino Rosso won in May.

“It was a really tough decision with Vino Rosso," Pletcher said. "We wavered back and forth for a long time. Our main focus is to get him to the Breeders' Cup Classic in good fashion. We felt like running twice was not the best way to get there. He's always run okay at Saratoga but is a little better at mile and a quarter. With that thinking running a mile and a quarter five weeks from the Classic (in the Jockey Club Gold Cup) will hopefully put us in a better position.

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COUNTOWN TO THE BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

A listing of the upcoming major stakes races this weekend:

BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC

September 7 – $300,000 Super Derby (G3) at Louisiana Downs. Run at 1 1/8 miles for 3yos.

September 7 – $250,000 British Columbia Derby (G3) at Hastings Park. Run at 1 1/8 miles for 3yos.

LONGINES BREEDERS’ CUP TURF

September 7 – $1 million Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) at Kentucky Downs. Run at 1 ½ miles on the turf for 3yos & up.

TVG BREEDERS’ CUP MILE

September 8 – $518,919 Prix du Moulin (G1) at Longchamp. Run at 1-mile on the turf for 3yos & up.

MAKER’S MARK BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY & MARE TURF

September 7 – $500,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (G3) at Kentucky Downs. Run at 1-mile on the turf for fillies & mares.

BREEDERS CUP TURF SPRINT

September 7 – $700,000 Runhappy Turf Sprint (G3) at Kentucky Downs. Run at six furlongs on the turf for 3yo & up.

September 7 – $500,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint (G3) at Kentucky Downs. Run at six and a half furlongs on the turf for fillies & mares.

September 7 – $384,000 Sprint Cup (G1) at Haydock. Run at six furlongs on the turf for 3yos & up.

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Preservationist fights to the wire in the Woodward Eclipse Sportswire photo

MAJOR STAKES RECAP August 31-September 2

A review of the major global races in the corresponding Breeders’ Cup divisions from last week. Winning jockeys’ names are in parenthesis in each recap. The top Breeders’ Cup Points' leaders and Breeders’ Cup Challenge winners by division are listed at the end of each section. Breeders’ Cup Point earners are limited to horses who finish first, second or third in Graded Stakes races. Horses based outside of the U.S., who have not won a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, are selected into World Championships races by the Breeders’ Cup Racing Directors/Secretaries Panel at the Pre-Entry stage, Oct. 21. An asterisk in the points section denotes a foreign contender. A complete Breeders’ Cup Points list is available at:https://members.breederscup.com/championships/pointsleaderboard.aspx

Race: $750,000 Woodward (G1), 3yos & up, 1 1/8 miles Track: Saratoga Finishing Order: 1 – PRESERVATIONIST, 2 – BAL HARBOUR, 3 – YOSHIDA (JPN) Margins: ½, ½, ¾ Also ran: TOM’S D’ETAT, MONGOLIAN GROOM, WOODERSON, MR. BUFF, FOREWARNED Winning Owner: Centennial Farm; Trainer: Jimmy Jerkens; Jockey: Junior Connections: Alvarado. Time: 1:48.11 (fast)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Classic – Centennial Farm’s PRESERVATIONIST (Junior Alvarado) split horses in deep stretch for a half-length win over BAL HARBOUR in Saratoga’s $750,000 Woodward (G1). Jimmy Jerkens trained the winner, a 5-year-old son of Arch who rebounded from a disappointing fourth-place finish in the local August 3 “Win and You’re In” Whitney (G1), which was an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Jerkens has taken the patient approach with Preservationist, as he made his stakes debut a winning one in just his eighth lifetime start in Belmont Park’s Suburban (G2) in July, and the Woodward raised his lifetime mark to 6-for-10. Jerkens mentioned another Classic “Win and You’re In,” Belmont’s Sept. 28 “Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) as a next possible start, should he decide to prep for the Classic at Santa Anita. "I'm sure we'll take a look at the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but he's run pretty close together his last three starts,” Jerkens said. “Obviously, the year-end goal you have to look at the Breeders' Cup Classic as to where we want to be. We'll come up with a plan to get there ready." The Gold Cup would be a logical spot for Red Oak Stable’s homebred Bal Harbour, who was stepping up off a second-place finish in the Monmouth Cup (G3) July 20 for trainer Todd Pletcher, who clearly has the 4- year-old son of First Samurai on the upswing. China Horse Club International and WinStar Farm’s YOSHIDA (JPN), who won the Woodward last year for trainer Bill Mott, rallied late for third after running second to divisional leader McKinzie in the Woodward and could go straight to the Classic, a race he finished fourth in last year at Churchill Downs. Video: The Woodward

Race: $300,000 Smarty Jones (G3), 3yos, 1 1/16 miles Track: Parx Racing Finishing Order: 1 – SPUN TO RUN, 2 – GRAY MAGICIAN, 3 – TOP LINE GROWTH Margins: Head, 4 ¼, 10 Also ran: CAIRO CAT, BETHLEHEM ROAD, MAJID Winning Owner: Ronald Donaldson; Trainer: Juan Carlos Guerrero; Jockey: Paco Connections: Lopez. Time: 1:44.14 (good)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Classic – Ronal Donaldson’s SPUN TO RUN (Paco Lopez) won his first career stakes with a head victory over GRAY MAGICIAN in Parx Racing’s $300,000 Smarty Jones (G3). The 3-year-old son of Hard Spun has come to hand this summer for trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero, as he entered off a third-place finish in Monmouth Park’s July 20 “Win and You’re In” Haskell Invitational (G1), an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Spun to Run is now 3-for-8 lifetime but all three wins have come in his last four starts, which gives him a puncher’s chance in the local Sept. 28 (G1). ABR Video: Smarty Jones Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Classic – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Challenge Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Higher John W. Sadler Hronis Racing LLC Winner BCC (GB) Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. , Winner BCC Maximum Security Jason Servis Gary & Mary West Winner BCC McKinzie Michael E. Pegram , Karl Watson , Paul Weitman Winner BCC Seeking the Soul Dallas Stewart Charles E. Fipke Winner 44 Midnight Bisou Steven M. Asmussen Bloom Racing Stable LLC, Madaket Stables LLC,

Allen Racing LLC 32 William I. Mott Farms, Inc. 30 Code of Honor Claude R. McGaughey W. S. Farish III 26 Elate William I. Mott Claiborne Farm; Adele Dilschneider 16 Omaha Beach Richard E. Mandella Fox Hill Farms Inc. 16 Preservationist James A. Jerkens Centennial Farms 14 Bob Baffert Gary & Mary West 14 Vino Rosso Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable LLC 10 Jonathan Thomas Robert V. La Penta , Madaket Stables LLC, Siena Farm, Twin Creeks Racing Stable LLC 10 Yoshida (JPN) William I. Mott WinStar Farm, LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC,

China Horse Club, SF Racing 8 Draft Pick Peter A. Eurton CRK Stable, LLC 4 (IRE) 0 Antonio Sano Margoth

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Race: $288,288 Longines (G1), 3yos & up, 1 ½ miles (turf) Track: Baden Baden Finishing Order: 1 – (IRE), 2 – DONJAH (GER), 3 – LACCARIO (GER) Margins: 14, 4 ¼, 4 ½ Also ran: COLOMANO (GB), ACCON (GER), AKRIBIE (GER), AMIRO (GER), ASHRUN (FR), COMMUNIQUE (IRE) Winning Owner: Godolphin; Trainer: Charlie Appleby; Jockey: . Connections: Time: 2:30.08 (good)

Countdown to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf – Godolphin’s GHAIYYATH (IRE) (William Buick) wowed onlookers with an astonishing 14-length win over DONJAH (GER) in Baden Baden’s $288,888 Longines Grosser Preis von Baden (G1). The 4-year-old son of (IRE) won his first career group 1 and improved to 5-for-7 lifetime for trainer Charlie Appleby and rebounded off a disappointing third in the Prix Ganay (G1) at Longchamp in his last start April 28. The von Baden win ensures Ghaiyyath a return trip to Longchamp, as he’s in line for the historic Oct. 6 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), which this year is a “Win and You’re In” for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf. Video: Longines Grosser Preis Von Baden

Race: $250,00 Del Mar Derby (G2), 3yos, 1 1/8 miles (turf)

Track: Del Mar Finishing Order: 1 – NODLE, 2 – ORIGINARIE (IRE), 3 – NEPTUNE’S STORM Margins: Neck, head, neck Also ran: HACKBERRY, KINGLY, MOODY JIM (IRE), NOLO CONTESTO, VISITANT, PARSIMONY Winning Owner: Jerry Moss; Trainer: John Shirreffs; Jockey: . Connections: Time: 1:46.98 (firm)

Countdown to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf – Jerry Moss’ homebred NODLE (Victor Espinoza) held off a late charge from ORIGINARIE (IRE) for a neck win in the $250,000 Del Mar Derby (G2). John Shirreffs trained the winner, a 3-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile who improved on his neck second in his stakes debut in the local Oceanside and moved his lifetime mark to 3-for-8. Nodle has clearly blossomed since moving to the turf, as he was 0-for-4 on the main track but is now 3-for-4 since switching surfaces, and looms a leading contender for the local Hollywood Derby (G1) Nov. 30 at Del Mar. Daniel Weiner’s NEPTUNE’S STORM, who chased the pace early, tired in the lane as the 2-1 favorite for trainer Richard Baltas. Video: Del Mar Derby

Race: $250,000 Virginia Derby (G3), 3yos, 1 1/8 miles (turf) Track: Colonial Downs Finishing Order: 1 – ENGLISH BEE, 2 – JAI’S SOLITUDE, 3 – CEDIT SWAP Margins: Head, ½, 2 Also ran: TRACKSMITH, CRITICAL DATA (IRE), CHANGI, SOLIDIFY, SHOOTIN THE BREEZE Winning Owner: ; Trainer: Graham Motion; Jockey: Jorge Vargas. Connections: Time: 1:52.94 (firm)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Turf – Calumet Farm’s homebred ENGLISH BEE (Jorge Vargas) held off JAI’S SOLITUDE for a head win in Colonial Downs’ $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby (G3). The 3-year-old son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner won his first career graded stakes and added to a resume that also includes the James Murphy at Pimlico in May. English Bee is now 4-for- 9 lifetime and could be a candidate for the Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar. Video: New Kent County Virginia Derby

Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Winner Acclimate Philip D'Amato The Ellwood Johnston Trust, Timmy Time Racing BCC Winner Annals of Time Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables Inc , William H. Lawrence BCC Winner Bricks and Mortar Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables Inc , William H. Lawrence BCC Winner (GB) Prince Khaled Abdullah 14 Channel Cat Todd A. Pletcher Calumet Farm 6 Robert Bruce (CHI) Chad C. Brown Convento Viejo LLC 6 Sadler's Joy Woodslane Farm * Japan (GB) Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael Tabor * (IRE) Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael Tabor * Ziyad (GB) Carlos Laffon-Parias Wertheimer et Frere

Race: $250,000 Bernard Baruch (G2), 3yos & up, 1 1/16 miles (turf) Track: Saratoga

Finishing Order: 1 – QURBAAN, 2 – SACRED LIFE (FR), 3 – DREAM FRIEND Margins: 2 ½, 2 ¼, 2 ¼ Also ran: EMARAATY (GB), OLYMPICO (FR), MARCH TO THE ARCH Winning Owner: Shadwell Stable; Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin; Jockey: Joel Connections: Rosario. Time: 1:45.20 (soft)

Countdown to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile – Shadwell Stable’s QURBAAN () burst through on the inside and scooted clear late for a 2 ½-length win over SACRED LIFE (FR) to repeat in Saratoga’s $250,000 Bernard Baruch (G2). Kiaran McLaughlin trained the winner, a 6-year-old son of 2004 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner who broke a seven-race losing streak, dating back to last year’s Baruch. Qurbaan made his first 13 starts of his career in Europe for trainer Francoise Rohaut but has really taken his game to the next level in the U.S., as he’s been knocking heads with the best of the turf division while hitting the board in a trio of Grade I’s. He’s now 7-for-22 lifetime and figures a leading contender for ’s Oct. 5 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), which he finished third in last year. The Shadwell is a “Win and You’re In” for the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile. Video: Bernard Baruch

Race: $200,000 Saranac (G3), 3yos, 1 1/16 miles (turf) Track: Saratoga Finishing Order: 1 – GLOBAL ACCESS, 2 – GOOD GOVERNANCE (GB), 3 – SEISMIC WAVE Margins: Neck, 1, head Also ran: RINALDI, POWER PLAYER Winning Owner: Live Oak Plantation; Trainer: Mike Trombetta; Jockey: John Connections: Velazquez. Time: 1:41.80 (firm)

Countdown to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile – Live Oak Plantation’s homebred GLOBAL ACCESS (John Velazquez) was up late for a neck win over GOOD GOVERNANCE in Saratoga’s $200,000 Saranac (G3). The 3-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway has been a solid second level stakes runner this year for trainer Mike Trombetta but is clearly raising his form of late, as he entered off a solid third in the local Hall of Fame (G2) Aug. 2. Global Access is now 4-for-11 lifetime and is a candidate for Belmont Park’s October 4 (G2), with the Hollywood Derby (G1) as a potential long-range goal. Seth Klarman’s Good Governance lost nothing in defeat as the favorite for trainer Chad Brown and the son of Kingman (GB) appears to have a bright future, as he entered off nothing but a debut win locally Aug. 4. He too is a candidate for the Hill Price and Hollywood Derby, as is Juddmonte Farm’s homebred SEISMIC WAVE, who was third for trainer Bill Mott. Video: The Saranac

Race: $150,000 Red Bank (G3), 3yos & up, 1 1/16 miles (turf) Track: Monmouth Park Finishing Order: 1 – DIVISIDERO, 2 – FIREY SPEECH, 3 – MARAUD Margins: 1, 2 ¼, 3 Also ran: SAY THE WORD, DIAMOND KING Winning Owner: Gunpowder Farm & Brereton Jones; Trainer: Julian Pimentel; Connections: Jockey: Kelly Rubley. Time: 1:34.37 (firm)

Countdown to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile – Gunpowder Farm and Brereton Jones’ DIVISIDERO (Julian Pimentel) overtook favored FIREY SPEECH in midstretch for a one-length win in Monmouth Park’s $150,000 Red Bank (R3). Kelly Rubley trained the winner, a popular 7-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy who has won a slew of graded stakes over the years, including Churchill Downs’ Turf Classic (G1) in 2016 and 2017 when trained by Buff Bradley. Divisidero, who won for the first time in four starts this year, moved his lifetime record to 7-for-28 and could be in line for another run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, a race he finished a close fourth in last year at Churchill Downs. ABR Video: Red Bank

TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Winner Bolo Carla Gaines Golden Pegasus Racing Inc. BCC Winner Got Stormy Mark E. Casse Gary Barber , Southern Equine Partners, LLC BCC Winner (FR) David O'Meara Elwick Stud BCC Winner (IRE) Ken Condon Robert Ng 46 Bricks and Mortar Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables Inc , William H. Lawrence 10 Raging Bull (FR) Chad C. Brown White Birch Farm, Inc. 10 Valid Point Chad C. Brown e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, Michael J. Ryan 6 Prince Earl Philip D'Amato Old Bones Racing Stable, LLC, Todd Marrshall * (IRE) Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Susan Magnier , Michael Tabor, Flaxman Holdings Limited * (FR) Karl Burke John Dance * Line of Duty (IRE) Charlie Appleby Godolphin * (GB) William John Haggas Roy & Gretchen Jackson * Suedois (FR) David O'Meara George Turner, Clipper Logistics * (GB) Sir Michael R. Stoute Cheveley Park Stud Ltd.

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Race: $250,000 Glens Falls (G2), fillies & mares, 1 3/8 miles (turf) Track: Saratoga Finishing Order: 1 – MRS.SIPPY, 2 – EMPRESSOF THE NILE, 3 – SANTA MONICA (GB) Margins: ¾, 2 ¼, 1 Also ran: GET EXPLICIT, FOOLS GOLD, LADY MONTDORE, VIOLET BLUE Winning Owner: Andrew Stone; Trainer: Graham Motion; Jockey: Roel Rosario. Connections: Time: 2:13.62 (firm)

Countdown to the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Andrew Stone’s homebred MRS. SIPPY (Joel Rosario) bested her Graham Motion-trained stablemate EMPRESSOF THE NILE for a three quarters of a length win in Saratoga’s $250,000 Glens Falls (G3). The 4-year-old daughter of Arch made her U.S. debut a winning one after going 2-for-9 in Europe for trainer David Simcock. Mrs. Sippy entered off a distant seventh-place finish in Haydock’s Pinnacle (G3) June 8 but clearly improved for her new trainer, who mentioned a step up in class is looming for her next start, which could come in Belmont’s Park’s Oct. 6 Flower Bowl (G1), which is a “Win and You’re In” for the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Unicorn Stable’s SANTA MONICA (GB) was a flat third as the favorite for trainer Chad Brown and couldn’t find the form that netted her the Sheepshead Bay (G2) at Belmont in May. Video: Glens Falls Stakes

Vasilka and Flavien Prat after winning the John C. Mabee Photo by Eclipse Sportswire

Race: $200,000 John C. Mabee (G2) fillies & mares, 1 1/8 miles (turf) Track: Del Mar Finishing Order: 1 – VASILIKA, 2 – JULIET FOXTROT (GB), 3 – TOINETTE Margins: Nose, 2 ¼, 1 ½ Also ran: PAVED, MEAL TICKET, ELYSEA’S WORLD (IRE), LA FORCE (GER), AHIMSA, QUEBEC, IPPODAMIA’S GIRL Winning Owner: weakened. Owners- 1, All Schlaich Stables, Jerry Hollendorfer, Connections: Gatto Racing & George Todaro; Trainer: Hollendorfer; Jockey: Flavien Prat Time: 1:46.46 (firm)

Countdown to the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – All Schlaich Stables, Gatto Racing, George Todaro’s, and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s VASILIKA (Flavien Prat) nailed JULIET FOXTROT (GB) on the line by a nose to repeat in Del Mar’s $200,000 John C. Mabee (G2). The 5-year- old daughter of Skipshot has been a win machine since being claimed for $40,000 in February 2018, as she’s now 13-for-16 for her new connections, which includes eight graded stakes. Vasilika, who is now 18-for-34 lifetime, won the Gamely (G1) in May but rebounded off a rare loss when she was third at odds- on in local Yellow Ribbon (R2) Aug. 3. She’ll likely look for a defense of her title in the “Win and You’re In” Rodeo Drive (G1) at Santa Anita September 28, a race she won last year. The Rodeo Drive is an automatic qualifier for the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Video: John C. Mabee

Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Winner Enable (GB) John Gosden Prince Khaled Abdullah BCC Winner Sistercharlie (IRE) Chad C. Brown White Birch Farm, Inc. 34 Vasilika Jerry Hollendorfer All Schlaich Stables LLC, Jerry Hollendorfer , Gatto Racing LLC, George Todaro 26 Rushing Fall Chad C. Brown e Five Racing Thoroughbreds 22 Cambier Parc Chad C. Brown OXO Equine LLC 18 Beau Recall (IRE) Brad Cox Nick Cosato , Medallion Racing 16 Magic Wand (IRE) Aidan P. O'Brien Michael Tabor , Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith 15 Santa Monica (GB) Chad C. Brown R Unicorn Stable 14 Homerique Chad C. Brown White Birch Farm, Inc. 10 Holy Helena James A. Jerkens Stronach Stables, Inc. 6 Mrs. Sippy H. Graham Motion Andrew Stone * Deirdre (JPN) Mitsuru Hashida Toji Morita * I Can Fly (GB) Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael Tabor * (IRE) Joseph O'Brien Mrs. C C Regalado - Gonzalez 0 La Force (GER) Patrick Gallagher Roberta Williford , Ward Williford, Charles (Chuck) Winner * Magical (IRE) Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael Tabor

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Race: $250,000 Prioress (G2), 3yo fillies, six furlongs Track: Saratoga Finishing Order: 1 – ROYAL CHARLOTTE, 2 – BREAK EVEN, 3 – RISKY MANDATE Margins: 1 ½, 2 ½, neck Also ran: BREAK CURFEW, KEPT TRUE Winning Owner: First Row Partners & Parkland Thoroughbreds; Trainer: Chad Connections: Brown; Jockey: . Time: 1:09.45 (fast)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – First Row Partners and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ ROYAL CHARLOTTE (Javier Castellano) pulled clear late from the previously undefeated BREAK EVEN for 1 ½-length win in Saratoga’s $250,000 Prioress (G2). Chad Brown trained the winner, a 3-year-old daughter of Cairo Prince, who rebounded off her only career defeat when a distant sixth in the local Test (G1) Aug. 3. Royal Charlotte won the Victory Ride (G3) at Belmont Park in July and is now 5-for-6 lifetime. Brown mentioned Keeneland’s Oct. 19 Raven Run (G2) as a potential next start. Klein Racing’s homebred Break Even saw her unbeaten streak end after winning her first six starts for trainer Brad Cox. The daughter of Country Day had won four stakes, including Churchill Downs’ Eight Belles (G2) in May, and entered off a win in the local on the turf July 14 but tired in the lane. Video: The Prioress

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Winner Come Dancing Carlos Martin Blue Devil Racing Stable BCC Winner Stormy Embrace Kathleen O'Connell Matalona Thoroughbreds, LLC 28 Serengeti Empress Thomas M. Amoss Joel Politi 26 Bellafina Simon Callaghan , Inc. 24 Marley's Freedom Bob Baffert Cicero Farms LLC 14 Covfefe Brad Cox LNJ Foxwoods 12 Danuska's My Girl Jerry Hollendorfer Bad Boy Racing LLC 10 Royal Charlotte Chad C. Brown First Row Partners 9 Dawn the Destroyer Kiaran P. McLaughlin Stonestreet Holdings LLC 6 Anonymity Richard E. Mandella LNJ Foxwoods 6 Chalon Arnaud Delacour Roy & Gretchen Jackson 6 Minit to Stardom Jose M. Camejo Brittlyn Stable, Inc.

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Race: $350,000 Hopeful (G1), 2yos, seven furlongs Track: Saratoga Finishing Order: 1 – BASIN, 2 – SHOPLIFTED, 3 – GOZILLA Margins: 6 ½, neck, 2 Also ran: AMERICAN BUTTERFLY, BY YOUR SIDE, INSIDE RISK Winning Owner: Jackpot Farm; Trainer: Steve Asmussen; Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Connections: Time: 1:23.48 (sloppy)

Countdown to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – Trainer Steve Asmussen saddled the top-3 finishers of Saratoga’s $350,000 Hopeful (G1), but it was Jackpot Farm’s BASIN (Jose Ortiz) who was clearly the best as he rolled to a 6 ½-length win over SHOPLIFTED. The 2-year-old son of Liam’s Map entered off a local maiden win July 21 in his second career start, which gave him an experience edge over both Shoplifted and Zayat Stable’s favored third-place finisher GOZILLA, who dominated in local debut maiden wins July 27 and Aug.10, respectively. Basin was second on debut at Churchill Downs in June and clearly flourished this summer in Upstate New York and rates as a leading contender for the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Asmussen was non-committal about where his trio would run next, but Oct. 5 figures to be a key day, as Belmont Park hosts the Champagne (G1) and Keeneland hosts the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1), and both races are “Win and You’re In” events for the Juvenile and logical landing spots for any number of the trio. Video: The Hopeful

Race: $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1), 2yos, seven furlongs Track: Del Mar Finishing Order: 1 – NUCKY, 2 – WRECKING CREW, 3 – DEFENSE WINS

Margins: 2 ¾, ½, 1 ¾ Also ran: GINOBILI, FORE LEFT, GARTH, EIGHT RINGS (DNF), STORM THE COURT (DNF) Winning Owner: Rockingham Ranch; Trainer: Peter Miller; Jockey: Norberto Connections: Arroyo. Time: 1:25.52 (fast)

Countdown to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – Rockingham Ranch’s NUCKY (Norberto Arroyo) shocked the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) at 35-1 when he beat his Peter Miller-trained stablemate WRECKING CREW by 2 ¾ lengths in a race that saw odds-on favorite EIGHT RINGS throw jockey Drayden Van Dyke soon after the start. Nucky, a 2-year-old son of 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner , entered off a win in a local maiden-claimer Aug. 21 and improved in a big way in what was his stakes debut after going winless in three starts in Kentucky before his Del Mar unveiling. The race was marred by the early misfortune of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stable’s Eight Rings, who entered off a dominant debut win by 6 ¼ lengths over the track Aug. 4 for trainer Bob Baffert but lost his race soon after the start when he veered in badly and tossed Van Dyke around the three-quarter pole, in an incident that also caused STORM THE COURT to toss jockey Flavien Prat. Both Nucky, Wrecking Crew, and Eight Rings are logical candidates for Santa Anita’s September 27 (G1), which is a “Win and You’re In” for the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Video: Del Mar Futurity

TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner

10 Basin Steve Asmussen Jackpot Farm 10 Nucky Peter Miller Rockingham Ranch, David A. Bernsen 10 Wrecking Crew Peter Miller Rockingham Ranch, David A. Bernsen 6 Collusion Illusion Mark Glatt Dan J. Agnew , Rodney E. Orr, Jerry Schneider , John V. Xitco

6 Green Light Go Jimmy Jerkens Farm 6 Shoplifted Steve Asmussen Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables LLC, LNJ Foxwoods 4 By Your Side Eddie Kenneally Anderson Stables, LLC

4 Defense Wins Doug F. O'Neill CTR Stables LLC, Great Friends Stable LLC, Kramer Racing, RAP Racing. KT Racing, Steven Keh, Thomas Mansor 4 Gozilla Steve Asmussen Zayat Stables and Gary Barber 4 Phantom Boss Jorge Periban Bada Beng Racing LLC, Tom Beckerle, Terry C. Loviinger, Amanda Navarro 4 Scabbard Eddie Kenneally Joseph Sutton

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Race: $350,000 Spinaway (G1), 2yo fillies, seven furlongs Track: Saratoga Finishing Order: 1 – PERFECT ALIBI, 2 – FRANK’S ROCKETTE, 3 – FIGURE OF SPEECH Margins: 1 ¼, 5, 1 Also ran: MISS PEPPINA, SHIPPY, RISKY MISCHIEF, MUNDAYE CALL Winning Owner: Tracy Farmer; Trainer: Mark Casse; Jockey: Irad Ortiz. Connections: Time: 1:23.44 (fast)

Countdown to the Cup Juvenile Fillies – Tracy Farmer’s PERFECT ALIBI (Irad Ortiz) closed late for a 1 ¼-length win over heavily favored FRANK’S ROCKETTE in Saratoga’s $350,000 Spinaway (G1). The 2-year-old daughter of Sky Mesa made it two in a row over Frank’s Rockette for trainer Mark Casse, as the pair also ran 1-2 in the local Adirondack Aug. 4. Perfect Alibi won on debut at Churchill Downs in May and suffered her only career defeat when second in Belmont Park’s Astoria in June. She’s now 3-for-4 lifetime and has Casse looking forward to the fall as the distances stretch out. “I think the farther she runs, the better she likes it,” Casse said. “Now, we have to decide if we go to the Frizette (G1) or the Alcibiades (G1). Hopefully, if all goes well, we'll head to the Breeders' Cup (Juvenile Fillies). I think she's proven she at least deserves a chance." Both Keeneland’s Oct. 4 Alcibiades and Belmont Park’s Oct. 6 Frizette are “Win and You’re In” races for the Juvenile Fillies. Frank Fletcher’s homebred Frank’s Rockette was odds- on for trainer Bill Mott, even though the daughter of lost to Perfect Alibi when second in the Adirondack, as she suffered a brutal trip that day and was likely best, though the Spinaway may have hinted that she will be better going shorter. Video: The Spinaway

Bast takes Del Mar Debutante Photo by Eclipse Sportswire

Race: $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1), 2yo fillies, seven furlongs Track: Del Mar Finishing Order: 1 – BAST, 2 – INSPIRESSA, 3 – COMICAL Margins: 8 ¾, ½, head Also ran: LAZY DAISY, STELLAR SOUND, PURE XENA, POWERFULATTRACTION, LEUCOTHEA Winning Owner: Baoma Corporation; Trainer: Bob Baffert; Jockey: Drayden Van Connections: Dyke Time: 1:23.73 (fast)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies – Baoma Corporation’s BAST (Drayden Van Dyke) broke her maiden in a big way with a dominant 8 ¾-length win over favored INSPIRESSA in the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1). Bob Baffert trained the winner, a 2-year-old daughter of 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner , who entered off a local debut second August 11 and clearly moved up off that experience builder and with the addition of blinkers. Bast sold for $500,000 at the Fasig Tipton Saratoga yearling sale and clearly looks like a bargain after her breakthrough win, which has Baffert thinking big later this fall. “We’ll definitely look at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and races like that down the road,” Baffert said. Hronis Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds’ Inspiressa was favored off a sharp local debut win August 11 for trainer John Sadler and the daughter of The Big Beast is another candidate for the Juvenile Fillies. The top-two could prep in Santa Anita’s Sept. 27 Chandelier (G1), which is a “Win and You’re In” for the Juvenile Fillies. Video: Del Mar Debutante

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner 16 Perfect Alibi Mark E. Casse Tracy Farmer 10 Bast Bob Baffert Baoma Corp. 10 Frank's Rockette William I. Mott Fletcher Racing Operations 8 Comical Doug F. O'Neill Erik Johnson , Gary Barber , Dave Kenney, Madaket Stables LLC 6 Inspiressa John W. Sadler Hronis Racing LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, Inc., William Sandbrook 4 Powerfulattraction Peter A. Eurton Exline - Border Racing LLC, , Robin Christensen , Steve Dorfman , Dan Hudock , Susanna Wilson 0 Green Destiny Steven M. Asmussen Clearsky Farms 0 Sharing H. Graham Motion Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Gainesway Stable

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Race: $300,000 Turf Monster (G3), 3yos & up, five furlongs (turf) Track: Parx Racing Finishing Order: 1 – PURE SENSATION, 2 – DUBINI, 3 – HOLLYWOOD Margins: 3, 1 ¼, neck Also ran: FIELDER, JUSTAHOLIC, SMOKIN NITRO, NICE TUNE, VISION PERFECT, TEXAS WEDGE, ROCKET HEAT, AMBLIN MAN Winning Owner: Patricia Generazio; Trainer: ; Jockey: Paco Connections: Lopez. Time: :57.80 (firm)

Countdown to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – Patricia Generazio’s homebred PURE SENSATION (Paco Lopez) outclassed his 10 rivals and won Parx Racing’s $300,000 Turf Monster (G3) for the third straight year with a 3-length win over DUBINI. The 8-year-old son of Zenzational has been one of the top turf sprinters in the country over the past several seasons for trainer Christophe Clement and shows no signs of slowing down, as he’s now 4-for-5 this year. Pure Sensation, who won the Parx Dash (G3) in July and entered off a third-place finish in Saratoga’s Troy (G3) Aug. 3, is now 14-for-35 lifetime and looms leading contender yet again for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, a race he finished eighth in at Keeneland in 2015, third in at Santa Anita in 2016, and fifth in at Del Mar in 2017. ABR Video: Turf Monster

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – Breeders’ Cup Challenge (BCC) Winners and Points Leaders

Points Horse Trainer Owner BCC Battaash (IRE) Charles Hills Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum Winner 10 Wet Your Whistle Michael J. David W. Palmer Trombetta 6 Disco Partner Christophe Clement Patricia Generazio 6 Eddie Haskell Mark Glatt Phillip Wood , Jim Hailey 5 Pure Sensation Christophe Clement Patricia Generazio 4 Leinster George R. Arnold II Amy Dunne 4 Mr Vargas Brian J. Koriner Samantha Siegel 3 Stormy Liberal Peter Miller Rockingham Ranch, David A. Bernsen * Soldier's Call (GB) Archie Watson Clipper Logistics * So Perfect Aidan P. O'Brien Derrick Smith , Mrs. John Magnier , Michael Tabor * Spinning Memories Pascal F. Bary Sutong Pan Racing Bloodstock (IRE)

0 Totally Boss George R. Arnold II Jim Hill , Susan Hill

*** About Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, ’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 championship races (13 Grade 1 events and one Grade 2 race) with purses and awards totaling more than $30 million, will be held on November 1-2 at in Arcadia, Calif., and will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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