MATCH RACE

 

FLORIDA DERBY STRICTLY TWO-HORSE RACE
Longshots lured to make match-race a field of 10

 

We will have to wait until 6:48 p.m. this evening to find out which of the top 2 Kentucky Derby contenders at this point will suffer his first loss.

Yes, there are 10 horses in the 1 1/8 mile race and anything can happen in horse racing, but other than the third unbeaten horse in the racem Takeittotheedge (1 for 1, a sprint, maiden win) and maaaaybe Majesto, this should be a 2-horse race, a virtual match race.

Mohaymen is 1-1 in the early odds and he’s 5 for 5 with 2 handy stakes scores at Gulfstream already and three 95 Beyer Figures in succession.

The best news for this grey Tapit colt who cost $2.2 million at auction, is that he has the ability to stalk the pace and charge in the strtech.

Nyquist, owned by Canadian J. Paul Reddam, is 6 for 6 and coming off a sizzling sprint stakes win in his season debut at Santa Anita and he has travelled cross-country for this test. It’s an interesting move from the same people who sent Frank Conversation from California to Dubai for the UAE Derby (he was beaten a long way).

Perhaps they want to see, now, if the colt is read for the eastern boys.

A hot pace could materialize if some of the longshots in this field decide to go for it. Any one of Copingaway, Chovanes, Fashionable Freddy or Isofass could show brief speed or maybe Takeittotheedge charges clear and is better than everyone? At 20 to 1 in the morning line, Takieittothedge, trained by Dale Romans, is the mystery card. A son of Broken Vow and a 7 length maiden winner in fast time, he could be the key to the race.

 

 

 

 

The Beast of the East vs. The Best in the West.

The showdown that usually takes place on the first Saturday in May will be celebrated five weeks earlier this year when Shadwell Stable’s Mohaymen and Reddam Racing LLC’s Nyquist meet in Saturday’s $1 million Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

The Battle of the Coasts in the 65th running of the key Triple Crown prep will be a particularly special occasion since both colts will bring undefeated records into the 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds that drew a field of 10 Wednesday.

“This is why you get up early and go to the barn – for opportunities like this. To have our colt No. 2 and Mohaymen No. 1 and have that matchup five weeks before the Kentucky Derby is awesome,” said Doug O’Neill, trainer of the Eclipse Award-winning Nyquist, rated second at 6-5 behind even-money morning-line favorite Mohaymen for Gulfstream’s signature event.” I think it’s awesome for the sport and exciting for all the connections.”

The Florida Derby will be the centerpiece of a 14-race program featuring eight stakes (seven graded). First-race post time is set for noon.

Nyquist, who went to the track to school in the starting gate Wednesday morning after arriving from his Santa Anita homebase late Tuesday afternoon, will have more at stake than Mohaymen, above and beyond the $600,000 winner’s share of the purse and bragging rights. The connections of the son of Uncle Mo have the added incentive of a $1 million bonus available to any 2015 Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale graduate who wins the Florida Derby.

“Bonuses are great anytime,” said Mohaymen’s trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin, said. “I think it’s great that we have the two best colts in the country racing against each other Saturday. It’s a great race. It’s something that doesn’t happen very often. It’s a plus for the industry and it’s a plus for the owner and trainer, if they happen to win it Saturday.”

Nyquist, who was purchased for $400,000 at the March Fasig-Tipton sale held at Gulfstream Park, was honored as the 2015 2-year-old champion following a perfect season capped by an impressive triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland Oct. 31. The Kentucky-bred colt also captured the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and the FrontRunner (G1) at Santa Anita during his 5-for-5 season. He enters the Florida Derby off a 1 ½-length victory in his 2016 debut in the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita Feb. 15.

J. Paul Reddam, O’Neill and jockey Mario Gutierrez teamed to capture the 2012 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) with I’ll Have Another. Although the $1 million bonus was added incentive to ship Nyquist to Gulfstream, O’Neill maintained the Florida Derby has always in his plans due to its place on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

“We love the five weeks out. That put us strongly on the map for the race. The Florida Derby made all the sense,” O’Neill said.

“After we got lucky in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, that was the decision we made, where he’d go in the San Vicente and then the Florida Derby. Usually in life, when you make a plan, you’ve got to call some audibles, but so far things have unfolded they way we wanted,” he added. “The million-dollar bonus does come into play a little bit, but it was our intent to go in the Florida Derby.”

O’Neill understands the challenge that faces Nyquist in his highly anticipated meeting with Mohaymen.

“What impresses me about [Moyhaymen]? His determination and his will to win. He just gets it done. There were a couple of long stretch runs where no one could get by him. I think his ability to get the job done and his pedigree is second to none. Then, Kiaran McLaughlin and his whole crew are Grade 1. He’s got a lot of strength behind him,” O’Neill said. “We’re optimistic that we can compete with him and hoping we can beat him. He’s got a lot in his corner for sure.”

Mohaymen, a son of Tapit who brought a winning bid of $2 million at the 2014 Keeneland September sale, has more than lived up to his pedigree and price tag. The Kentucky-bred colt, who capped a three-win juvenile season with a victory in the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct, has taken to the Gulfstream track in a big way during the Championship Meet, capturing the Lambholm South Holy Bull (G2) by 3 ½ lengths and the Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth (G2) by 2 ¼ lengths. Word that Nyquist would ship to Gulfstream didn’t alter McLaughlin’s long-standing plan to run Mohaymen in all three preps at the Hallandale Beach track.

“It didn’t affect a lot. We were staying on course. I liked the five weeks out from the Kentucky Derby and we were here training. We’re going to have to face 19 others or 18 others on May 7th hopefully, so it’s not a big deal. Nothing’s changed,” McLaughlin said. “We’d rather face him later in the Derby than now, but this is an important race, the Grade 1 Florida Derby. We’re not a Grade 1 winner, so it’s a very important race and we’re ready to go.”

Although Nyquist has three Grade 1 wins, O’Neill understands why Mohaymen earned morning-line favoritism.

“I think Mohaymen has home-court advantage and he is every professional handicapper’s pick from what I’ve read,” O’Neill said. “He’s the Derby favorite to this point. We’ve got to beat him to earn our respect that way.”

Although the ultimate goal is the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown, McLaughlin said Mohaymen and jockey Junior Alvarado are prepared to go all out to win the Florida Derby.
“We want to win the race. If we have to empty him out, no problem. It’s a Grade 1 and we need to try to win one,” said McLaughlin, noting that five weeks between the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby would be sufficient time to bring his colt back to peak form.

Nyquist drew No. 4, while Mohaymen the No. 9 at Wednesday’s post position draw.

“It’s hard to gauge. Prior to the draw, we didn’t know if they’d be a bad post for him,” O’Neill said. “No. 4 is just fine. Like the rest of them, we have to leave the gate running and get good position.

“Mario knows Nyquist better than any of us. He’s going to leave there with confidence and play it by ear. When Mario leaves the paddock with the horse, it’s all up to him.”
Jacks or Better Farm’s Fellowship, who finished third behind Mohaymen in both the Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth, is rated third at 15-1 in the morning line.

 

TURFWAY’S SPIRAL STAKES – GOOD BETTING RACE, IMPACT ON KY. DERBY QUESTIONABLE

On the Polytrack at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., AIROFORCE is listed as the 3 to 1 morning line favourite in a field of 12 for the $500,000 Spiral Stakes despite being beaten 39 lengths in his last race. The grey Colonel John colt, a stakes winner on slop and yielding grass, did not take to the dirt at Fair Grounds in the Risen Star it seems, and now he tries synthetic for John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse.

He would be hard to play.

The race has any number of win candidates including horses #2, 3 and 4: SURGICAL STRIKE (Red Giant), JENSEN (Haynesfield) and Woodbine stakes winner DON’T BE SO SALTY (Tiz Wonderful).

AZAR, from post 12 is a Todd Pletcher trainee by Scat Daddy would could be favoured and KASSEOPIA, 2nd to Riker in the Grey Stakes (G3) at Woodbine last year, is on the way up for Team Valor and Gary Barber.

Picks – Jensen, Kasseopia, Azar

 

 

JACQUES CARTIER, WHIMSICAL STAKES LAUNCH WOODBINE’S OPENING WEEKEND

 

 

 

 

 

Older sprinters will highlight the opening day card at Woodbine next Saturday and it should be a battle between the winter raced and conditioned horses vs. the stay-at-home guys.

STACKED DECK, in line for a Sovereign Award on Friday night for champion Sprinter in Canada, wintered in Florida with Barbara Minshall for owner Brunce Lunsford and his first local workout was a sizzler on the Tapeta last week. He was 10th in the jacques Cartier last year but is a much better horse since that race.

Reigning champion Calgary Cat is not nominated, neither is Phil’s Dream, and both have been working in quck times this spring.

Frank DiGiulio’s GOODOLDHICKEYGAME has had many good workout times this spring and he could be in the line-up.

NOMINATIONS – 6 furlong s – $125,000 TO BE RUN SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AMI’S FLATTER
b.c.4 by Flatter(A.P. Indy) – Galloping Ami(Victory Gallop)
Ivan Dalos Josie Carroll
CHIEF EXCHANGER
gr/ro.g.6 by Exchange Rate(Danzig) – Lady Silverrod(Marquetry)
Quest Realty Susan S. Cooney
COMMUTE
b.c.4 by Hold Me Back(Giant’s Causeway) – Royal Humor(Distorted Humor)
Grossberg, Gabe and Sagamore Farm Mark E. Casse
FRENCH QUARTER
dk b/.g.5 by Shakespeare(Theatrical (IRE)) – Cent Nouvelles(Storm Bird)
Norseman Racing Stable John Mattine
GOODOLDHOCKEYGAME
ch.g.4 by Old Forester(Forestry) – Domasca Bella(Domasca Dan)
Frank D. Di Giulio Jr. Robert P. Tiller
HAMMERSTEIN
dk b/.c.4 by Bernstein(Storm Cat) – Prized Stamp(Prized)
William Sorokolit Darwin D. Banach
PASSION FOR ACTION
b.c.4 by Speightstown(Gone West) – Maritime Passion(Stormy Atlantic)
Benjamin Hutzel Michael P. De Paulo
PUNTROOSKIE
dk b/.g.5 by In Summation(Put It Back) – Siren Cove(Montbrook)
Tucci Stables Nicholas Gonzalez
PURE SENSATION
gr/ro.g.5 by Zensational(Unbridled’s Song) – Pure Disco(Disco Rico)
Patricia A. Generazio Christophe Clement
SORRY ABOUT THAT
gr/ro.g.7 by Mobil(Langfuhr) – Sterling Slipper(Classy Prospector)
Barbara O’Grady Laurie Silvera
STACKED DECK
dk b/.g.5 by First Samurai(Giant’s Causeway) – Bel Air Beauty(Smart Strike)
Bruce Lunsford Barbara J. Minshall
SUMMATION TIME
dk b/.h.5 by In Summation(Put It Back) – Load Up(Dove Hunt)
Waterford Stable LLC Christophe Clement
SWEET GRASS CREEK
ch.g.4 by Wando(Langfuhr) – Sweet Bama Breeze(City Zip)
Gustav Schickedanz Michael Keogh
THE GREAT WAR
b.c.4 by War Front(Danzig) – Guide(Pulpit)
Tabor, Smith, Magnier, Mrs. John and Allen, Joseph Wesley A. Ward
UNDRAFTED
ch.g.6 by Purim(Dynaformer) – French Jeannette(French Deputy)
Welker, Wes, and Kumin, Sol Wesley A. Ward
VEGAS STRIP
b.h.5 by Harlan’s Holiday(Harlan) – Untamed Passion(Pulpit)
Zayat Stables LLC Reade Baker

 

The WHIMSICAL STAKES has just 11 nominations and the fillies and mares set to ru in this dash include SKYLANDER GIRL, who has been working like a buzzsaw this spring for owner/trainer Alex Patykewich. The $4,000 yearling purchase was 2nd in the race last year to Unspurned, who is not nominated this year.

Of course, in the spring at Woodbine, you must ‘ward’ off the horses from Wesley’s barn; Wesley Ward has nominated his SHRINKING VIOLET and she has been training at Turfway and, most recently Keeneland.

The 6-year-old Congaree mare was 2nd in the Ontario Fashion Stakes at Woodbine in 2013 and beaten only 4 lengths in the Highlander last year to Go BLue or Go Home.

A very dangerous gal if she comes in for the race.

Entry day for Saturday is Wednesday and Thursday for Sunday.

(Photo of SKYLANDER GIRL by Michael Burns)

 

 

HISTORIC MOU Signing Kicks Off  Collaborative Partnership Between  Canadian and Chinese Equestrian Industries

Beijing, China, March 31, 2016 – During a nationally-televised meeting in Beijing, CHI, delegates from Equine Canada (EC) industry associations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the China Horse Industry Association (CHIA) for the purposes of working together, and ultimately opening the borders for trading horses and knowledge, between the two countries.

“I am truly honoured to witness Canada and China forging this important relationship,” said Al Patterson, President of Equine Canada. “I think it is great we made this big step to move forward. This future partnership provides a valuable opportunity to both Canada and China through our breeders and educators.”

Patterson added, “The EC industry organization affiliates have joined forces with the federation to develop stronger partnerships to ensure a strengthened vision for international trade.”

The Canadian delegation that travelled to China included Darryl Kaplan from Standardbred Canada, Haidee Landry from the Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA), Grant Watson from the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) and industry liaison, Hao Zhang.

Professor Jia Youling, President of the CHIA, was optimistic about the collaboration, stating, “As one of the leading countries in the world for horses, Canada has produced many of the best horses. I am confident we can build a long relationship, built on mutual benefits.”

Canadian Senator, Victor Oh, who was in Beijing for the historic meeting, spoke about the larger impacts of the signing. “Today, we are signing this MOU to grow the equine industries in both countries. I look forward to the role that equine will play in strengthening the trade relationship between Canada and China.”

In addition to Senator Oh, Canada was represented by senior officials from the Canadian Embassy in China. Canadian and Chinese delegates, and government officials, will continue to meet and collaborate on the next steps to move this new relationship forward in the coming months.

Landry, Vice President of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association and EC Board member, summed up the importance of the significant day by saying, “I’m proud to be part of Equine Canada’s initiatives to move our industry forward by forging a new partnership with the China Horse Industry Association. The Canadian Quarter Horse Association is pleased to be working with Equine Canada on this important trade mission.”

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“The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society is honoured to be part of this historic MOU signing between Equine Canada and the China Horse Industry Association. The friendship and bonds made between both associations and other invited industry leaders will provide the base for a long-term relationship that will benefit both countries. The respect shown to the Canadian Thoroughbred breeding industry and their desire to do business with the home of Northern Dancer was communicated throughout our meetings. Producers of all types of Canadian-bred horses will benefit from this new partnership.”
– Grant Watson, Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) President

“Standardbred Canada was absolutely honoured to be part of this historic trip. China has the largest population in the world, and the horse industry is clearly on the cusp of a major boom. We have met with breeders, horse people, and many top-level officials in the Chinese horse industry. Billions of dollars of investment will be made into the business of horses in China, and it bodes well for Canada, the Canadian horse, and the relationship between our two countries.”
– Darryl Kaplan, Standardbred Canada Representative