Wed, 09/25/2019 - 15:00

Daahyeh, Jezebel's Kitten on collision course in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Coady Photography
Jezebel’s Kitten romps in the $494,000 Juvenile Fillies at Kentucky Downs for trainer Brad Cox.

Daahyeh and Jezebel’s Kitten are stabled on different continents and appear to be on the same career path this fall.

The 2-year-old fillies each won her stakes debut – Daahyeh the Group 3 Albany Stakes against 24 rivals at Royal Ascot in England in June, Jezebel’s Kitten in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Turf on Aug. 31.

They are being prepared for important stakes that could lead to a trip to Santa Anita for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at a mile on Nov. 1.

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 14:56

Decorated Invader one of few confirmed runners for Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Michael Burns
Decorated Invader wins the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine by 1 3/4 lengths.

In a world of Juvenile Turf uncertainty, at least Decorated Invader looks pretty good.

The Christophe Clement-trained, New York-based colt ran a strong losing race making his career debut at Saratoga, won a maiden there in decisive fashion, and returned Sept. 15 at Woodbine to capture the Grade 1 Summer Stakes, ridden out to a 1 3/4-length victory.

“As of today, the Breeders’ Cup is the plan,” Clement said Wednesday morning from Belmont, where he plans to get Decorated Invader back on the work tab with an easy Sunday drill.

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 14:36

Tax among 11 in Remington Derby

Susie Raisher
Tax works a half-mile over the Belmont training track in 50.40 seconds on Friday.

Grade 2 Jim Dandy winner Tax has drawn post 5 in a field of 11 for the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, to be run Sunday at Remington Park. Entries for the 1 1/8-mile race were taken Wednesday.

The Oklahoma Derby is one of eight stakes on the card, which has a special post of 3 p.m. Central. The program includes the Grade 3, $200,000 Remington Park Oaks, which drew a field of four, including Fantasy winner Lady Apple.

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 14:30

Conditions a perfect fit for Sistercharlie in Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf

Emily Shields
Sistercharlie will try to become the first repeat winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

When Sistercharlie won last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, she did so following a 12-week layoff over soft turf, ground that is not particularly to her liking.

This year, when Sistercharlie seeks to become the first repeat winner in the 21st running of the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita, she is expected to do so with four weeks between starts and over firm turf, the type of ground over which she thrives.

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 14:10

Team Griggs looks strong for Oklahoma-bred stakes

Dustin Orona Photography
Multiple stakes winner Perfect to Please races in an optional-claimer at Lone Star on Sunday.

Trainer Veronica Griggs has had two of the top Oklahoma-bred turf performers in her barn the past several years in Perfect to Please and Pacific Typhoon. The horses have racked up five stakes wins and a number of allowance races between them and will be looking for more Friday night when Remington Park puts on three turf stakes for horses bred in Oklahoma.

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 14:06

Conditions look good for Got Stormy in Breeders' Cup Mile

Barbara D. Livingston
Got Stormy, coming off a second in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, will train up to the Breeders' Cup Mile.

While we wait to see whether the connections of Bricks and Mortar decide to run their horse in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, it might be a good time to wonder if there’s not another North American horse better suited to winning the race.

The filly Got Stormy finished second to outsider La Tormenta on Sept. 21 in the Woodbine Mile, but don’t let that defeat obscure the signs she figures to be a major player in the Mile.

“I don’t like to sound cocky, but we’ll be going out to Santa Anita with the utmost confidence,” trainer Mark Casse said Tuesday.

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 14:00

Midnight Bisou returning to her roots for Breeders' Cup Distaff

Barbara D. Livingston
Midnight Bisou (left) defeats Elate by a nose in the Personal Ensign. She is 6 for 6 this year.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Midnight Bisou is coming back to where it all began, back to Santa Anita as presumptive favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Undefeated this year in six starts, with 11 wins overall and $3.2 million in earnings, Midnight Bisou will be heavily favored Saturday in the Grade 2 Beldame at Belmont Park, after which another low-odds scenario is likely for the Distaff.

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 13:40

All eyes on Santa Anita as fall meet opens

Emily Shields
Santa Anita will run 10 graded stakes over the next two weekends, and the Breeders’ Cup will be part of its 23-day meeting.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Santa Anita will be the subject of international attention beginning Friday and through its 23-day autumn meeting, and not just because of the 10 graded stakes on the opening two weekends or the Breeders’ Cup races on Nov. 1-2.

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 13:10

Dennis' Moment gives connections second chance in Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Coady Photography
Dennis’ Moment won a maiden race by 19 1/4 lengths and the Iroquois (above) by 1 3/4 lengths.

Perhaps, now is the time.

Three years ago, owner Dennis Albaugh and trainer Dale Romans brought Not This Time to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. At that time, Romans said Not This Time had the potential to be the best horse he ever trained.

Not This Time was beaten a neck by Classic Empire in the Juvenile, emerged from the race with an injury, and never raced again.

This year, when the Breeders’ Cup returns to Santa Anita for the 10th time, Albaugh and Romans also will be returning with another top contender for the $2 million Juvenile in Dennis’ Moment.

Wed, 09/25/2019 - 12:56

Several division leaders in danger of missing Breeders' Cup Sprint

Benoit Photo
Roy H, who hasn't started since winning the Palos Verdes in January, is likely to miss the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

The biggest story when it comes to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita might not be who will run in the race, but who won’t.

The list of potential no-shows among the elite of the division could start with two-time reigning champion Roy H, who defeated Imperial Hint by a length at Del Mar in 2017 and Whitmore by 3 3/4 lengths at Churchill Downs a year ago.