Thu, 10/05/2023 - 14:55

Breeders' Cup Classic: Arcangelo has first California workout

Debra A. Roma

Arcangelo will bring a four-race winning streak that includes the Travers (above) and Belmont Stakes into the Breeders' Cup Classic.

A little more than a week after his arrival from New York, the star 3-year-old Arcangelo worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 at Santa Anita on Thursday, the start of his local preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4.

“It was a nice first work over the surface,” trainer Jena Antonucci said. “I’m boring. I have no complaint.”

Arcangelo, unraced since a one-length win on a muddy track in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga on Aug. 26, was ridden by his regular exercise rider Robert Mallari in the workout.

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 14:25

Talented but green Life Talk moves on to Frizette

By David Grening

Life Talk wins maiden at SAR Aug 31 2023

Barbara D. Livingston

Life Talk veered inward during the stretch run of her maiden win, but Todd Pletcher believes she is making progress.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Life Talk brings experience, a win at the distance, and the backing of solid connections into Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette Stakes at Aqueduct.

A daughter of Gun Runner, Life Talk has displayed signs of greenness in her first two starts, both at Saratoga. In her 6 1/2-furlong debut on July 30, she was beaten a head by Alys Beach in a race where she lost position at the start and had to rally wide yet still looked like a winner in deep stretch only to get denied on the wire.

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 14:00

Master of The Seas tries to fill big shoes for his connections

By Marcus Hersh

Julie Wright

Master of The Seas earned a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile with this victory in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile on Sept. 16.

Master of The Seas is nowhere near the best miler in Europe but may be favored to beat the best male turf horse in America, Up to the Mark, on Saturday.

Those two and seven others, among them 2022 race winner Annapolis, square off in the featured Grade 1, $1 million Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland.

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 13:10

Streaking Anisette crosses paths with Didia in Rodeo Drive

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Anisette is undefeated in the United States and on an impressive four-race winning streak.

This has been a perfect year so far for the 3-year-old filly Anisette, who is unbeaten in three starts in the United States, including two graded stakes at the Del Mar summer meeting.

It has not been a perfect year for the outstanding older mare Didia, who was withdrawn from a key start in the Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes at Colonial Downs on Aug. 12 after sustaining a cut on her head in the weeks before the race that needed a few stitches.

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 12:40

Thoroughbred Club of America a pivotal race for Wicked Halo

By Nicole Russo

Wicked Halo finishes 3rd in BC F-M Sprint at KEE Nov 5 2022

Debra A. Roma

Wicked Halo, shown competing in the 2022 Breeders' Cup, is the proven class of the TCA Stakes but finished third at odds-on in her last start.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The seven-time stakes-winning millionaire Wicked Halo has been incredibly consistent throughout her career, and her accomplishments loom large as she comes to the Grade 2, $350,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland. However, she was the beaten favorite last time out and will have to rebound against some of the same foes, including the upwardly mobile Yuugiri.

The Thoroughbred Club of America, which has a field of seven, is a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 12:10

Maryquitecontrary reboots at home track in Princess Rooney, part of mandatory Rainbow 6

By Mike Welsch

Debra A. Roma

Maryquitecontrary is 0 for 3 since winning the Grade 2 Inside Information (above) at Gulfstream Park in January.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Although Joe Catanese was the trainer of record for her first seven starts, Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey had her this summer, and she now resides in the barn of David Fawkes, nobody knows Maryquitecontrary better than exercise rider Lisa Bartkowski, who believes the Grade 2 winner is ready to get back to her winning ways in Saturday’s $200,000 Princess Rooney Invitational at Gulfstream Park.

Wed, 10/04/2023 - 17:40

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf: Pilgrim win makes Agate Road serious contender

By Marcus Hersh

Susie Raisher/NYRA

Agate Road captured Wednesday's Grade 2 Pilgrim at Aqueduct, propelling him to the top of the list for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

A rare Wednesday graded stakes race in New York added at least a hint of clarity to the North American murk that is the 2-year-old male turf division. As of early Wednesday afternoon, a grand total of one male 2-year-old on the continent had so much as cracked 80 on the Beyer Speed Figure scale in a turf race at six furlongs or longer.

Wed, 10/04/2023 - 16:53

Hard to Justify gives Brown ninth Miss Grillo win

By David Grening

Adam Coglianese/NYRA

Hard to Justify holds on to win the Grade 2 Miss Grillo at Aqueduct.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- Hard to Justify won her first race, overcoming a difficult trip. Wednesday, she won her second race, with a much smoother run.

Hard to Justify, sitting an up-close second under Flavien Prat, spurted away from longshot Whimsically in upper stretch and held off a late-running Life’s an Audible to win Wednesday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Miss Grillo Stakes by a half-length at Aqueduct.

It was one length back to 59-1 shot Whimsically, who finished 2 3/4 lengths in front of favored Gala Brand.

Wed, 10/04/2023 - 13:35

Breeders' Cup Sprint: Asmussen mulling options with Gunite, Echo Zulu

By Mike Welsch

Echo Zulu wins the Ballerina at SAR Aug 26 2023

Debra A. Roma

Echo Zulu is unbeaten in three starts this year, including this 2 1/4-length victory in the Ballerina.

Trainer Steve Asmussen has been dealt a very strong hand for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita. How he chooses to play those cards could prove a key element in determining the outcome not only of that event but two other Breeders’ Cup races that same day, the Dirt Mile and Filly and Mare Sprint.

Wed, 10/04/2023 - 12:25

Breeders' Cup Turf: Arc-placed Westover, Onesto take on loaded field

By Steve Andersen

For the first time since 2016, two of the top three finishers from the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France appear bound for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.

Westover and Onesto were no match for 9-5 favorite Ace Impact in Sunday’s $5.29 million Arc de Triomphe at 1 1/2 miles at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, losing by 1 3/4 lengths. Westover (6-1) led briefly in the stretch, and finished a short head in front of Onesto (55-1).

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