A number of important works toward the Breeders’ Cup took place Friday at Keeneland and Churchill Downs, with Tepin and Rachel’s Valentina the biggest names on the work tabs.
Nyquist was hurried from the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 7 into the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 26, winning both races to assume the role of leading 2-year-old in California. The buildup to his next start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland on Oct. 31 is unfolding at a more tranquil pace.
Two weeks out from the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic and it was time for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin to get a gauge on the readiness of his 3-year-old Frosted for what will be the toughest race of his career. Frosted gave McLaughlin all positive signs Friday morning with a strong five-furlong workout in 59 seconds.
Gomo, winner of the Grade 1 Alcibiades, will miss the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies due to an ankle chip discovered after a routine gallop several days after the Alcibiades. She is scheduled for surgery at Rood and Riddle Clinic in Lexington within the next several days.
Some 2-year-olds come around quickly, while others need a race or two. Both types will start Sunday in the $70,000 Speakeasy Stakes at Santa Anita.
Closing Intentions picked a good time to run a big race when she won the $50,000 Championship Distaff Starter Final on Sept. 13 in her last start. She will try to double up when she runs in a $16,000 claimer for fillies and mares that headlines a 10-race card Sunday at Hastings. The 1 1/16-mile race drew six horses and goes as the ninth race. Post time for the first race is 1:50 p.m. Pacific.
Eventually, Bob Baffert might try to stretch Pretty N Cool out in distance, but for now, he’s content to keep her sprinting. Looking for a spot to keep her short, Baffert landed on Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Matron Stakes going six furlongs at Belmont Park.
Graham Motion is getting pretty good at this. After sending out Holiday Star to win the Sycamore Stakes on Thursday, the 51-year-old trainer now has eight victories in marathon turf stakes at Keeneland, and he’s aiming to do even better.
Trainer Scott E. Young saddles Kips Hog Wild (#3, ML 7-2) in Friday's third race at Remington Park, the seven-furlong Oklahoma Classics Starter Allowance Stakes. Since Jan., 1, 2014, Young is winning at a 40 percent clip when saddling a horse switching from turf to dirt, for a return on investment of $4.30. Check out the Positive ROI report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
Wagering at Emerald Downs increased sharply in 2015 thanks in part to bigger purses and a burgeoning horse population.
