The top two contenders for the Woodbine Oaks and King’s Plate, Mission of Joy and Kalik, each tired in Grade 1 assignments at Belmont Park in New York on July 8. Whether it was the distance (10 furlongs), the company, or the fact that both three-year-olds were coming off career-best efforts, Mission of Joy and Kalik’s outings made their positions a bit more precarious regarding their spot atop the Canadian classic rankings.
KALIK, the Chad Brown-trained colt who won the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge Stakes at 9 furlongs on the Belmont turf on June 3, was very wound up before the Belmont Derby (G1). The colt was out of sorts by the time the race began and rather than being close to the pace, he was well off the pace under Irad Ortiz. The son of Collected never got involved from that point and wound up eighth, eight lengths behind Far Bridge, whom he defeated in the Pennine Ridge. Kali earned an 82 Beyer Figure.
Bred by Anderson Farms, Kalik has never raced on Tapeta but he is expected to head north for the Aug. 20 Plate.
The Kitten’s Joy filly MISSION OF JOY has also been on a roll this year. The filly, trained by Graham Motion, had won four of her last five races including the Grade 3 Regret Stakes at Churchill Downs in which she earned a lifetime best 91 Beyer Figure.
In the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks on Saturday. Mission of Joy was eager behind a slow pace at the outset of the 10 furlong race. She was still under a strong hold nearing the quarter pole while tracking the two leaders and she moved nicely between fillies in the two-path into the stretch. After getting to the flank of the front runner, however, Mission of Joy slipped back and wound up seventh, three lengths behind Aspen Grove, the winner. Her Beyer was 81.
As the Woodbine Oaks is on July 23, it is unlikely Mission of Joy will come for that race but she could still make the trip for the Plate.
The Oaks contenders list is headed by TICKER TAPE HOME, winner of the Fury Stakes on June 10 for Live Oak Plantation and trainer Mark Casse. The $625,000 yearling purchase has done her best running at distances shorter than one mile but has the breeding to handle the 1 1/8 miles of the Oaks.
WICKENHEISER, second to older mares on June 4, had a booming workout on Sunday for trainer Kevin Attard. The Lemon Drop Kid filly, owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling and Clay Schere, went 6 furlongs in 1:12.80, beating older male Keep Grinding, who went in 1:13.40.
TITO’S CALLING, 3rd in the Selene Stakes (G3) will go into the Oaks as one of the favourites for Zilli Racing Stables and trainer Armata Jr.
On July 7 at Saratoga, BIG BRASS BED, owned by Peter Brant, worked four furlongs in 50.80 on the grass. This daughter of Nyquist won her maiden at 1 1/16 miles on the Monmouth turf and was recently a troubled fourth in an allowance/optional race on turf at Belmont Park. Chad Brown trains.
Other than the US-based sophomores, locally-based STANLEY HOUSE continues his preparation for the July 23 Plate Trial. The dark bay son of Army Mule had a 5 furlong workout on July 9 in 1:00.80 for owners John and Diana Russell. The colt is trained by Ross Armata, Jr. who is currently subbing for Mike DePaulo.
ENJOYTHESILENT had his first test around two turns on July 7 at Woodbine. The dark bay gelding by Silent Name (Jpn) was rated some three lengths off a slow pace (25.20, 51) but rallied well to be a close third behind the older Nonno’s Little Boy. He earned a 78 Beyer Speed Figure according to Daily Racing Form.
Enjoythesilent was recently supplemented to the Canadian Triple Crown. Owned by Lanni Bloodstock and Daniel Plouffe, the gelding also attracted new owners in the Canuck Racing Club before his latest race.
Just ahead of Enjoysilent in that race as the front runner, EL COHETE, a Plate hopeful. The Society’s Chairman gelding was beaten by only a nose and he earned a 79 Beyer Figure. El Cohete is trained by Armata, Jr. for Rocco d’Alimonte and Frank Annecchini.
HEMLO GOLD, named for the Hemlo mine in northern Ontario, won his maiden on July 9 in his first attempt at 1 1/16 miles. The chestnut colt by Not Bourbon – Charge the Net by Will Take Charge came from last to win by three-quarters of a length for owner Rob Cudney and trainer Liz Elder. The colt earned a 66 Beyer Figure, a career best.
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