HOLY WILD FINISH BATMAN
Stretch battle in Gotham city
SAMRAAT tracked 3 wide all the way in the Gotham at Aqueduct on Saturday and won a stretch fight with rivals Uncle Sigh and In Trouble (on rail). The winner posted a 96 Beyer (as did Uncle Sigh).
SAMRAAT (‘Emperor) is trained by Rick Violette Jr. and is a sizy New York-bred by Noble Causeway. Interesting to watch this 5 for 5 colt win this race under a hand ride while his inside 2 rivals were under heavy pressure.
SPOT PLAY – Pulpit colt posts 87 Beyer in Swale win
SPOT ON: Just purchased by Joe Moss through Nick Zito, the 3yo Pulpit colt blows by No Nay Never in the Swale Stakes GULFSTREAM PARK PHOTO
SEE SPOT RUN
Grey colt blows past 2 to 5 No Nay Never
Trainer Nick Zito has been on a mission for a couple of years, doing everything he can to acquire a horse for owner Joseph Moss that would be a force in major 3-year-old stakes.
The Hall of Fame trainer’s mission finally produced results Saturday at Gulfstream Park, where he saddled newly purchased Spot for a 2 ½-length upset victory over heavily favored No Nay Never in the $200,000 Swales Stakes (G3).
Privately purchased from owner/breeder Curtis Green following a fifth-place finish in the Hutcheson Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream on Feb. 1, Spot lagged well off an solid early pace before launching a sweeping move on the turn into the homestretch and drawing away to a decisive victory in the seven-furlong stakes for 3-year-olds.
“First, I’ve got to thank the Lord. Second, I have to thank Mr. Moss. He’s an elderly gentleman who loves this sport. He’s just looking for horses like this. He’s been trying for a two years now. We’ve gone to a couple sales and things haven’t worked out,” a visibly emotional Zito said. “I watched this horse run a month ago, and I know Mr. Green very well. I approached him, and he said, ‘Why not?’ Mr. Moss is getting up there in age and has so much guts, it’s amazing.”
No Nay Never, who had gone undefeated during a 2-year-old campaign that included victories in England in the Norfolk (G2) at Royal Ascot and in France in the Prix Morny (G1), closely stalked pacesetter Can’t Stop the Kid along the backstretch before taking the lead on the turn and opening a clear lead in the stretch. Making his first start on dirt and beyond six furlongs in his 2014 debut, the Wesley Ward-trained 2-5 favorite came up a little short nearing the wire and was no match for the Spot’s outside charge.
“He was fresh and hadn’t run in a while. He came out quick, broke on top, but I had to rate a little bit because the horse inside (Can’t Stop the Kid) had speed and I let him go. But that horse stopped so quick, and when my horse got on the lead he seemed to completely lose his momentum,” No Nay Never’s jockey Javier Castellano said. “(Spot) got the jump on me and my horse responded when I asked him. Unfortunately he did all of the hard work in the race.”
No Nay Never finished 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Brothersofthetime, the 28-1 longest-priced horse in the field that earlier in the day had been reduced to six by the scratch of Havana, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up due complications with a quartercrack.
Spot, who was sent to post under jockey Jose Lezcano at 9-1 odds, ran the seven furlongs in 1:22.44, a final time built on fractions of 22.24, :44.49 and 1:09.68.
“He broke good and the speed went very good in front of him. When I asked him, he came running and he gave me the kick that I needed to win the race,” Lezcano said. “The horse that finished second had to go on the pace the whole way and gave me the opportunity to win the race. When I really asked him, he took off very good.”
After purchasing the gelded son of Pulpit for Moss, Zito became increasingly pleased with his training.
“I expected improvement. He hadn’t run in a while. We got him, and we started to like him. Sometimes they go to a new place and things change,” Zito said. “I said, ‘Havana will keep the field down, let’s do it.’ That’s what I did. I figured he would keep out of trouble, and it worked out perfectly.”
Zito, who has saddled two Kentucky Derby winners (Strike the Gold in 1991 and Go for Gin in 1994), stopped short of committing Spot to the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
“I want to thank Mr. Green again for selling me this horse. Everybody is saying Kentucky Derby, but I don’t know,” Zito said. “I wish there were a mile race here. I’ll figure it out. You never know, if he keeps his composure, because these are real horses,.”
RAINBOW’S POT OF GOLD
On Saturday $729,838 was bet into the Rainbow Six pool, and after no single ticket was left with the winners of each of the day’s final six races, the Rainbow Six carryover grew to $1,974,813. That sum will carry over into Sunday’s 11-race card. The 10-cent Rainbow Six has not been fully paid out since January 10th. Those with six winners Saturday were paid $81,697.28
HARD NOT TO LIKE AND HER COMEBACK WIN
Canadian-bred HARD NOT TO LIKE won her 2014 opener in fast time for 1 1/16 miles on the grass on Friday at Gulfstream. The filly is owned by Garland Williamson (near horse with binoculars) and his wife Marie (4th from right) – GULFSTREAM PARK PHOTO
Hard Not to Like, who captured the only graded stakes of her career last winter at Gulfstream Park, made a successful local return in Friday’s featured seventh race.
Ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, the 5-year-old daughter of Hard Spun raced on the inside from post one before moving around pacesetter Street Gem on the far turn and taking command down the stretch for a 2 ¾-length victory.
Favored in the field of eight older mares at 3-5, Hard Not to Like ($3.40) ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:39.30 on a firm turf course. It was her first start outside of graded stakes company since beating an allowance field at Woodbine on Aug. 26, 2011.
She now has two wins in three lifetime starts at Gulfstream, rallying for a half-length victory in the Marshua’s River (G3) last January in her 4-year-old debut. She was second in the Ashland (G1) in 2012 and last year finished second in the Gallorette (G3) and third in the Ballston Spa (G2).
“We were hoping to get an allowance race for her, and I’m glad it went,” Matz said. “I’m very pleased with the outcome.”
Street Gem ran a quarter-mile in 22.46 seconds, a half-mile in 46.32 and six furlongs in 1:09.64 before giving way. Unbelievable Dream, at 11-1, came on late for second while Royal Fury edged Street Gem for third by a head.
“John was able to save all the ground, and made a nice run at the end,” Matz said. “I think this will give her a world of confidence, and hopefully we can go on from there.”
MORE CANADIAN STUFF –
DEBMAR STABLES’ SAVVY HESTER led all the way to win an allowance/optional claiming race at Gulfstream on Saturday for trainer RICKY GRIFFITH
chart from Thoroughbred Daily News
5th-GPX, $42,750, Opt. Clm. ($62,500), NW2X, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 1:39 3/5, fm.
SAVVY HESTER (f, 4, Heatseeker {Ire}–Changeable, by Miswaki) Lifetime Record: MSP, 15-3-6-2, $159,052.
O-Debmar Stables. B-Runnymede Farm Inc & The Peter J Callahan Revocable Trust Dated (KY). T-Ricky Griffith.
*$15,000 yrl ’11 KEESEP.
SANDY LANE GOLD CUP NEXT SATURDAY
Major Marvel heads field of 11
DASHING DAVID by LEMON DROP KID, is in the Sandy Lane Gold Cup – he just raced at Gulfstream Park and could attract attention next Saturday.
THE XXXIII SANDY LANE BARBADOS GOLD CUP (GR. 1. – INT. – BAR)
3-YEAR-OLDS AND OVER (WEIGHT FOR AGE) 1 1/8 miles Turf
1 DASHING DAVID(IRE) 105 4 125 JOSEPH JR. S. $0.00
B.c. 4 Lemon Drop Kid – Myarhini, by Fantastic Light
* Just came over from Europe and was 9th in the MacDiarmida Stakes at Gulfstream
2 KNIGHT RIDER 105 4 118 WALCOTT JR. E $125,641.00
Ch.g. 4 Storm Arrow – Stargayzer, by Nosferatu
*Barbados bred
3 AREUTALKINTOME 130 8 122 YEARWOOD D $463,349.00
B.h. 8 by Zwick (Arazi) – Bossa Nova by Nosferatu
*Barbados-bred Triple Crown winner
4 MAJOR MARVEL(USA) 135 8 129 MAKER M $0.00
B.g. 8 Bernstein – Ms Isadorable, by Royal Academy
*Invades from Florida for Ken and Sarah Ramsey and Mike Maker
5 DAGA(USA) 108 6 124 WARD A $228,103.00
B.m. 6 by Stormy Atlantic – Disrupt by Deputy Minister
*Top mare in Barbados
6 DISCREETWON(USA) 116 5 129 PARRAVICINO J.P R $89,578.00
B.h. 5 by Discreet Cat – Empress of India by Dancing Brave
*Barbadaos runner bred in US
7 ARISTODEMUS(USA) 130 5 129 DEANE SCM E $225,958.00
Ch.h. 5 by Giant’s Causeway – Ethyl Mae, by Woodman
*Won last year’s Barbados Gold Cup
8 INDIAN OFFICER(USA) 92 5 129 PARRAVICINO J.P R $84,530.00
B.h. 5 Officer – Herats Goldengirl by Gold Alert
*Barbados runner bred in US
9 SHARED ADVENTURE(USA) 137 5 129 JOHN B $192,381.00
B.h. 5 by Wildcat Heir – Starship Elaine, by Petionville
*Top rated Barbados horse, big speed
10 JAKESAM(USA) 114 6 129 ISSA N $22,235.00
Gr.h. 6 by Smoke Glacken – Deputy Sarah, by Deputy Commander
*2nd El Camino Real Derby, 2nd California Derby, Bob Baffert, moved to Barbados and now top runner there
11 NOMINEE(USA) 110 5 129 DE SILVA JR. K $0.00
B.h. 5 Awesome Again – La Porta, by Distorted Humor
*Trinidadian top runner
AWESOME AGAIN’S NOMINEE invades from Trinidad
TRINIDAD EXPRESS STORY
By Glen Mohammed
JOCKEY Nobel Abrego will replace Emile Ramsammy aboard this country’s representative, Nominee, in the 1,800-metre Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Gup next week Saturday at the Garrison Savannah, in Barbados.
The Kenny De Silva jnr-trained five-year-old bay son of Awesome Again entered quarantine along with trainer John O’Brien’s Island Star, who is set to compete in the 2,000-metre Tanglewood Stakes. Both horses leave for Barbados on (Carnival) Monday. They will be accompanied by groom Barry ‘Ra Ra’ Marcelle, who was certified by US Homeland Security to accompany the horses.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Abrego-to-pilot-Nominee-in-Gold-Cup-247409641.html
KENT LAYNE at GARRISON SAVANNAH CHAT GROUP INTERVIEWS TRACKSIDE
Canadian jockey SHANNON BEAUREGARD and others talk about the Gold Cup on a recent morning trackside. The grey horse at the beginning of the video is Gold Cup starter JAKESAM.
Thank you to racing aficionado Kent Layne for doing these interviews.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152018239893177
KENTUCKY DERBY POINTS
Rank Horse Points Owner(s) Trainer Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings
1. Samraat 60 My Meadowview Farm (Leonard Riggio) Rick Violette Jr. $450,000
2. Intense Holiday 53 Starlight Racing (Jack & Laurie Wolf & Donald & Barbara Lucarelli) Todd Pletcher $327,500
3. Wildcat Red 50 Honors Stable Corp. Jose Garrofalo $410,000
t-4. Albano 24 Brereton C. Jones Larry Jones $150,000
t-4. Uncle Sigh 24 Wounded Warrior Stables (George “Chip” McEwen) &
Anthony C. Robertson Gary Contessa
$150,000
6. Tapiture 22 Ron Winchell Steve Asmussen $300,738
7. Vicar’s in Trouble 20 Ken & Sarah Ramsey Mike Maker $160,000
8. General a Rod 20 J. Armando Rodriguez Mike Maker $140,000
9. Havana 14 Michael Tabor, John Magnier & Derrick Smith Todd Pletcher $660,000
10. Cairo Prince 14 Namcook Stables (Terry Murray), Paul Braverman, Harvey Clarke &
Craig Robertson III Kiaran McLaughlin $470,000
11. Honor Code 14 Lane’s End Racing (Will Farish) & Dell Ridge Farm LLC (Mattie Justice)
Shug McGaughey III $340,000
12. Tamarando 12 Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams Jerry Hollendorfer $490,000
13. Midnight Hawk 12 Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. (John Sikura),
Mike Kitchen, Mike Pegram, Mike Tice & Joel Quenneville Bob Baffert $84,000
14. Bond Holder 11 Reddam Racing, LLC (J. Paul Reddam) Doug O’Neill $333,000
15. Rise Up 10 Paul and Andrena Van Doren Tom Amoss $786,633
16. We Miss Artie 10 Ken & Sarah Ramsey Todd Pletcher $262,000
17. Candy Boy 10 C R K Stable LLC (Lee and Susan Searing) John Sadler $260,000
18. In Trouble 10 Team D Tony Dutrow $170,000
19. Noble Moon 10 Treadway Racing Stable (Jeff Treadway) Leah Gyarmati $145,000
20. Ami’s Holiday 10 Ivan Dalos Josie Carroll $136,145
21. Cleburne 10 Donegal Racing (Jerry Crawford et al) Dale Romans $102,044
22. Tanzanite Cat 10 James L. & Ywachetta H. Driver Cody Autrey $99,000
23. Top Billing 10 W.S. Farish & E.J. Hudson Jr. Shug McGaughey III $40,000
24. Strong Mandate 6 Robert C. Baker & William L. Mack D. Wayne Lukas $442,500
25. Casiguapo 5 All American Horses (Jorge Wagner) Mario Morales $271,050
AND, ICYMI
APPRENTICE HANOVER, Ontario’s hottest horse, won his 8th straight race last night at Woodbine. Congrats to Brad Grant and Ben Wallace and this really cool horse!
