SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 BLOODHORSE.COM/DAILY ANNE M. EBERHARDT ANNE M. THE HIGHS AND LOWS After Whitmore, LaPenta Hopes for Another Champion See page 4 IN THIS ISSUE 11 U. S. Attorneys: Sufficient Probable Cause for Wiretaps 12 New Purse Structure Could Benefit Puerto Rico 18 Brother to Songbird Among Saratoga’s Debuting Juveniles BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE smartphone app PAGE 1 OF 38 A NEW LEVEL OF RACING DECEMBER 3, 2021 –MAY 8, 2022 DECEMBER Live Racing Returns S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 December 3 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 $1.25 Million Arkansas Derby on April 2 JANUARY S M T W T F S 2 Year-Old Racing in December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Stall Applications Due Oct. 21 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Condition Books Now Available 30 31 FEBRUARY For more information please contact: S M T W T F S Oaklawn Racing Office 1 2 3 4 5 [email protected] 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 501-363-4300 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 MARCH S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 APRIL S M T W T F S 1 *2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 *Arkansas Derby Day MAY S M T W T F S HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1-800-OAKLAWN • OAKLAWN.COM 8 CONTENTS 4 After Whitmore, LaPenta Hopes for Another Champion 8 Leading KY Sires by Black-Type Winners 9 On Racing: Powell Proving He’s No Flash in the Pan 11 U. S. Attorneys: Sufficient Probable Cause for Wiretaps 12 New Purse Structure Could Benefit Puerto Rico 15 Souper Sensational Faces Up-And-Comers in Prioress 16 Public Sector, Founder a Brown Combination in Saranac 18 Brother to Songbird Among Saratoga’s Debuting Juveniles 20 Texas Ryano Represented by First Winner at Del Mar 21 Hong Kong Season Opens Sept. 5 at Sha Tin 22 Godolphin Lands Sale-Topping Frankel Colt at BBAG 24 Starman Aims for Newmarket-Haydock Sprint Double 26 Best of British Bloodstock Awards Honors Lady Balding 29 Results & Entries SKIP DICKSTEIN TAA a ccreditation: The G o l d S t a n d a r d in aftercare. A publication of The Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc. and TOBA Media Properties, Inc. ON THE COVER Robert LaPenta (right) leads Whitmore into the winner’s circle after the Editorial Director General Manager 2018 Forego Stakes at Saratoga Race Course Claire Crosby Scott Carling Visuals Director Digital Media Manager Anne M. Eberhardt Erin Morgan LATEST HEADLINES Bloodstock Editor Senior Web Producer from Bloodhorse.com Eric Mitchell Christine Wittmer Digital Content Coordinator Features Editor » Monmouth's Sapling Safe Harbor for American Sanctuary Frank Angst Michelle Benson News Editor Regional Sales Managers Byron King Kristi Heasley » Colonial Downs Produces Record Average Daily Handle Catherine Johnston Sales Editor Ellen Lambertus Lauren Gash Amanda Ramey Assistant Editors Director of Technology Debbie Tuska Courtney Bearse Christine Oser Senior Columnist Molly Rollins Jay Hovdey Senior Correspondent Pedigree Analyst Bob Ehalt Alan Porter Contact Us: Editor: [email protected] • Advertising: [email protected] BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 PAGE 3 OF 38 AFTER WHITMORE, LaPENTA HOPES FOR ANOTHER CHAMPION By Bob Ehalt t @BobEhalt wning Thoroughbred racehorses for the Olast 20 years has taught Robert LaPenta to expect wild swings of emotions. Good news, followed by bad news, followed by more bad news and then some good news. "This is a game where you talk about the highs and lows and unfortunately the lows are 90% of the time and the highs are 10%," LaPenta said. "At least the highs are incredible." The last week, in particular, has taken LaPenta on one of those rather volatile swing EBERHARDT ANNE M. of emotions. Owner Robert LaPenta gives a thumbs-up after a win at Pimlico Race Course It all started Aug. 28 in the Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. As LaPenta looked on, Then on the gallop-out, while the Spa crowd was his champion sprinter Whitmore broke slowly from the still buzzing from runner-up Firenze Fire trying to bite gate and was last in the early stages. A gelding who will the victorious Yaupon, there were gasps as jockey Joel always hold a special place in LaPenta's heart, he spent Rosario quickly pulled up Whitmore and hopped off six years watching him turn in one gallant effort after him. another for him, Sol Kumin's Head of Plains Partners, "Seeing that felt like a punch in the gut," LaPenta and part-owner and trainer Ron Moquett. But on this said. afternoon, Whitmore finished fifth in the field of eight. (continued on page 5) There’s no question there’s a special place in my heart for (Whitmore) and a lot of other people, too … He will be remembered for a long, long time.” —ROBERT LaPENTA ANNE M. EBERHARDT Whitmore with Joel Rosario heads out to the track for what would be his final career start in the Forego Stakes at Saratoga Race Course BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 PAGE 4 OF 38 AFTER WHITMORE, LaPENTA HOPES FOR ANOTHER CHAMPION (continued from page 4) “ ” getting started There were dire initial thoughts as Whitmore At the JRHA Select Sale on July 12th… was taken off the track via a horse ambulance, but His only first crop yearling in the catalogue sold for ¥200 million or there was a huge sigh of relief when subsequent tests revealed the injury to be relatively minor and treatable. The ownership group was told Whitmore $1,800,000 could return to the races after surgery to deal with a bone chip, yet after such a long and stellar career the At the JRHA Select Sale on July 13th… group happily decided to retire the 8-year-old. His only second crop foal in the catalogue sold for ¥135 million or Then, just four races later, LaPenta's spirits were uplifted when Miles D, a 3-year-old colt he owns in $1,200,000 partnership with Peter Brant, finished a game third in the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) in just his At The Saratoga Sale on Aug 9th… fourth career start. A colt sold for "What Miles D did in the Travers was very, very impressive," LaPenta said, "especially with so little $825,000 seasoning." and a filly for And now a week later, a slice of the future will be $625,000 on display for LaPenta Sept. 4 when his 2-year-old colt Misbehaved, an $875,000 buy earlier in the year, makes his debut in the seventh race at the Spa. "We're excited about him and the future," LaPenta said. WATCH OUT FOR MORE Sadly, Whitmore has become part of the past, FIRST CROP YEARLINGS AT though memories of his accomplishments will never KEENELAND SEPTEMBER! leave LaPenta's heart. "There's no question there's a special place in my heart for him and a lot of other people, too," said LaPenta, who also owned Belmont Stakes (G1) winners Da' Tara and Tapwrit and the champions War Pass and Uni as well as the Travers winner and Claiborne Farm stallion Catholic Boy. "The texts and emails I have received asking for saddlecloths and hats is incredible. He will be remembered for a long, long time." In 43 career starts, the gelding won 15 times with Undefeated Triple Crown winner 13 seconds and five thirds while earning $4,502,350. & the best son of SCAT DADDY His durability and consistency made him a fan favorite and he achieved rock star status last year at 7 when he won the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) in his fourth appearance in the race and was later named Aisling Duignan, Dermot Ryan, Charlie O’Connor, Adrian Wallace, the champion sprinter of 2020. Robyn Murray or Blaise Benjamin. Tel: 859-873-7088. Fax: 859-879 5756. (continued on page 6) BLOODHORSE DAILY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 PAGE 5 OF 38 AFTER WHITMORE, LaPENTA HOPES FOR ANOTHER CHAMPION (continued from page 5) "Whitmore became a national hero. We already have Keeneland calling. They want to have a Whitmore Day. Oaklawn Park wants to name a stakes after him. Rarely, if ever, do you see a horse run hard and be competitive all the time. When he ran, it wasn't a question of if he would run well and be in the top three, it was a question of whether he would win or not," LaPenta said. "The Breeders' Cup and the Eclipse Award were the icing on the cake for SKIP DICKSTEIN us." Moquett bought Whitmore, a son of Pleasantly Perfect and the first foal out of the Scat Daddy mare Melody's Spirit, privately from breeder John Liviakis for $37,000 after the colt did not sell at the 2015 Ocala Breeders' Sales 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. He was gelded before his Nov. 6, 2015, career debut at Churchill Downs, which was a 7 1/4-length win at 15-1 odds.