Soldier Rising likely for Red Smith

Soldier Rising, who finished second in all four Grade 1 marathon turf stakes for males on the New York Racing Association circuit in 2023, will be aimed at the Grade 2, $300,000 Red Smith at Aqueduct on Nov. 11, trainer Christophe Clement said Sunday.

Clement said there was some discussion between he and his owners about the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf, but the decision was made to stay home.

“At the end of the day, he had a very good year without winning,” said Clement, noting Soldier Rising’s runner-up finishes in the Man o’ War, Manhattan, Sword Dancer and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. “We’d like him to win a race. It seems to me and the owners that the Red Smith will be an easier race to win than the Breeders’ Cup Turf.”

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Clement was expected to pre-enter three horses in the Breeders’ Cup - Big Invasion and Roses for Debra in the Turf Sprint and Carson’s Run in the Juvenile Turf.

Evvie Jets to return in 2024

Evvie Jets, the mare who went from claimer to multiple graded-stakes winner, will return to the races in 2024, trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci said Sunday.

Evvie Jets was catalogued to be sold at the Keeneland November sale, but will be withdrawn, Kantarmaci said.

“Hopefully, she can make a couple of more wins with us and add more to her value,” said Kantarmaci, who trains Evvie Jets for the Estate of Robert Amendola, which is overseen by Michael Amendola.

Kantarmaci said that Evvie Jets is currently at In Front Farm in Hudson, N.Y., where she has spent the last few winters. Kantarmaci said he hopes to get her back to him in early winter so she could make her return to the races in April.

Evvie Jets made her first start of this year in April when she beat Whitebeam in the Plenty of Grace Stakes. Evvie Jets also won the Perfect Sting Stakes at Belmont and the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga. In her most recent start, Evvie Jets finished third in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland.

Since Kantarmaci claimed her for $80,000 in September 2021, Evvie Jets has won six of 16 starts and earned $689,709 for the Amendolas.

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