LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Having watched a turf horse of his work fast on the dirt early Friday morning, trainer Chad Brown knew that his top 3-year-old dirt filly Ways and Means would likely produce a fast time when it came to her final move before next Friday’s Kentucky Oaks.
He wasn’t expecting her to fire the fastest work of the morning. So when Ways and Means went a half-mile in 46.18 seconds over the glib Churchill Downs main track, Brown wasn’t overly excited.
Fantastic Moon was unable to win France’s most important Group 1 of the season Oct. 1 at Longchamp, but he’ll have a much better chance to land France’s first Group 1 of the 2024 flat season Sunday at Longchamp.
A disappointing 11th in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a race in which he did not appear to be overmatched, Fantastic Moon was one of nine older horses whose names passed the entry box for the Prix Ganay. The 1 3/16-mile contest not only is France’s first Group 1, it annually opens Group 1 flat-racing competition across Europe.
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Friday, April 26
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 51
Track: Fast
LOUISVILLE, Ky – Fierceness was unquestionably the center of attention Friday morning at Churchill Downs, and the reigning juvenile champion certainly did not disappoint his ever-growing legion of supporters. He likely cemented his status as the Kentucky Derby favorite with an eye-catching work moments after the start of the special Derby-Oaks training session at 7:30 a.m.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For nearly a quarter of a century, the trainer-jockey team of Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez was arguably the most successful in racing. The duo combined to win 1,866 races – including a Kentucky Derby in 2017 with Always Dreaming and a Belmont Stakes with the filly Rags to Riches in 2007 – and more than $163 million in purse money.
In recent years, the two have found more of their success with other partners. But for Kentucky Derby 150, the band is back together.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Media Mogul gets the added distance trainer Boyd Caster believes he will appreciate Sunday, when the half-brother to champion Arcangelo moves to 1 1/8 miles for the eighth race at Oaklawn Park.
“I’d have entered him if it was a mile and a half,” quipped Caster.
Battle of Normandy was rained out of his intended 4-year-old debut on April 10 when turf races at Keeneland were moved onto the main track. Alas, a similar fate might await the colt Tuesday at Churchill Downs.
The last time Living Magic came to New York, she won the Chelsey Flower Stakes at 16-1, bettors perhaps thrown off by a poor performance in her only previous start on the turf.
Turned out, Living Magic had an excuse in that prior turf run as she had scoped full of mucus after the race.
Sunday, Living Magic returns to New York for the $150,000 Memories of Silver Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going a mile at Aqueduct. Once again, she comes into the race off a poor result on turf, but the excuses are much more apparent.
Dandy Man Shines won the restricted Let It Ride Stakes at Del Mar last fall by unleashing a late rally that carried him to the front in early stretch.
A change in tactics – racing closer to the front – led to a disappointing fifth in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita on March 3.
For the 4-year-old gelding’s next start, an allowance race at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Sunday, the former strategy will be utilized.
“He wants to lay back and make one run,” trainer Jeff Mullins said. “I think he’s got as good a shot as anyone.”
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine’s road to the $1 million King’s Plate in August begins Sunday for Ontario-bred Midnight Mascot in the Woodstock Stakes, an open six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds.
Midnight Mascot is making his season debut for trainer Mark Casse, who said he’s bypassing the Woodstock with reigning Canadian champion 2-year-old My Boy Prince while pointing him to the restricted Queenston Stakes here June 9.
