Nyquist Remains Undefeated, Suddenbreakingnews Surges In Southwest

THE WEEKEND WRAP UP

Feb. 13th – 15th

Nyquist Remains Undefeated In San Vicente

Santa Anita welcomed a large crowd on Monday, February 15^th, for a Presidents’ Day celebration that saw Nyquist reign supreme in the $200,000 Gr. 2 San Vicente S. The seven furlong race is one of two preps Team O’Neill had mapped out for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, and they could not have been more pleased with the 1 ½ length win over Exaggerator.

Nyquist, the 1-5 favorite, broke alertly from post position one and was sent out by jockey Mario Gutierrez to face Sheikh of Sheikhs. The two dueled for the lead through 22.50 for the opening quarter with Exaggerator tracking in third. Reaching the far turn, Exaggerator applied pressure three-wide as Sheikh of Sheikhs weakened. At the top of the stretch, Exaggerator put pressure on the favorite, who went on to win in a dashing 1:20.71 – the fastest seven furlongs this meet and third fastest in San Vicente history (The Factor ran 1:20.34 in 2011 and Georgie Boy holds the record of 1:20.01 set in 2008). Exaggerator, who was using this race as a tune-up to stretch out, finished 2 ½ lengths in front of the other Doug O’Neill trainee, Denman’s Call, who finished third.

Complete fractions for the race: 22.50, :44.49, 1:08.56, and final time of 1:20.71

“He hasn’t run since November, so we know he was going to be rank, but I also believe in his talent,” Gutierrez explained. “I wasn’t worried about Exaggerator today.”

Trainer Doug O’Neil was elated with the victory and suggested that the Florida Derby on April 2 as a possible destination for the colt. “I haven’t talked to Paul (Reddam). The original plan was the Florida Derby and there’s a bonus involved, of course, so we’ll huddle up and play it by ear and do whatever is in the best interest of Nyquist for sure.”

Kentucky-bred by Summerhill Farm, Nyquist is a son of Uncle Mo and Seeking Gabrielle (Forestry), and is owned by Reddam Racing. Purchased for $400,000, by Dennis O’Neill, at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-year-olds in training sale last March, the bay colt wrapped up 2015 as Eclipse Award champion 2-year-old colt, undefeated in five starts. Currently 6-6 with $1,733,600 in earnings, Nyquist is the top ranked contender on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 30 points. His combined winning margin totals 12 ¾ lengths.

Payouts
Nyquist $2.80 $2.10 $2.10
Exaggerator — $2.40 $2.10
Denman’s Call —— $2.60

Suddenbreakingnews Powerful in Southwest Stakes

Suddenbreakingnews was 14th going into the far turn but bore down like a freight train on the rest of the field on Monday, February 15th to win the Gr. 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The 3-year-old gelding was making his season debut.

Siding Spring took control early and maintained his lead, setting fractions of :23.10, :47.06, and six furlongs in 1:12.30. American Dubai sat close to Siding Spring in a stalking position, then took the lead briefly in the stretch. He couldn’t hold off Whitmore, out for trainer Ron Moquett, however, and relinquished the lead. From the back of the field came Suddenbreakingnews, flying by in time to snatch the lead and go on to win by 2 ¾ lengths over Whitmore. American Dubai was another half-length back in third. The final time for the 1 1/16 mile race was 1:45.14.

The Southwest is a Kentucky Derby qualifying points races, and the second at Oaklawn Park. Suddenbreakingnews earned 10 points, Whitmore 4 points, American Dubai 2 points and fourth-place finisher Collected earned 1 point.

From 6 career starts he Suddenbreakingnews has three wins and three seconds, all of which have been under jockey Luis Quinonez for trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel. According to Von Hemel, the gelding’s next start is tentatively the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park on March 19. Monday’s victory gave Suddenbreakingnews his first graded stakes victory. The son of Mineshaft has earned $443,032.

Payouts
Suddenbreakingnews $10.20 $4.40 $3.20
Whitmore —————— $4.80 $3.80
American Dubai —————— $7.40

$1 Trifecta → $288.80

Frank Conversation Captures El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate

A field of thirteen runners took to Golden Gate’s polytrack on February 13^th on a quest to earn Kentucky Derby points going 1 1/8 in the Gr. 3 $200,000 El Camino Real Derby. Doug O’Neill trained Frank Conversation, with Mario Gutierrez in the irons, got the job done, finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of runner-up Tusk.

Breaking from post eleven, Frank Conversation got off to a good start and settled into mid-pack for the first half of the race. Up front, Kelly with a Twist set fractions of :23.73, :48.37 and 1:13.15 while Touched by Austism stalked closely in second. As the field rounded the final turn, the frontrunners began to fade and Gutierrez urged Frank Conversation forward, taking over the lead at the top of the stretch. Tusk and Juan Hernandez pursued the eventual winner eagerly to the wire, but were not able to catch him. Frank Conversation stopped the clock at 1:50.64, just one second over the track record of 1:49.54 set by Delightful Kiss in 2008.

Frank Conversation is a Kentucky-bred colt by Quality Road and out of Rushen Heat (Unusual Heat). Purchased for $120,000 at the OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training, the 3-year-old has earned more than double his price tag in just six career starts with $230,450 to date. He is owned by Reddam Racing LLC, the same owners of top Kentucky Derby pointed Nyquist. Last out, Frank Conversation won the California Derby at Golden Gate. Saturday’s El Camino Real Derby was his first graded stakes win and he currently sits 16^th with 10 points on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

Payouts
Frank Conversation $5.20 $3.40 $2.80
Tusk ——————— $8.00 $4.40
Kasseopia (GB) —————– $3.80

Tepin Untouchable In Gr.3 Endeavor S.

The 2015 Female Turf Eclipse Award winner, Tepin made her 5-year-old debut in Saturday’s Gr.3 Endeavour Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The Casse Racing trainee returned victoriously – completing the 1 1/16 mile field trip in 1:42.91 and winning by 3 ½ lengths.

Heavily favored, the bay mare broke sharply and stalked early leader Lovely Loyree until springing into action as the field of seven headed for home. With a flick of the stick by jockey Julien Leparoux, Tepin accelerated in the blink of an eye to easily win her first race of 2016.

“It was a perfect scenario for her comeback race,” Leparoux said. “They went slow the first part, which was great, and she relaxed beautiful and finished up strong. There is nothing much I can say except that it was perfect. She’s got a big heart and she had a great kick at the end.”

Purchased as a yearling for $140,000 at the Fasing-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale by Robert Masterson, the daughter of Bernstein has earned $2,565,973 in her 16 career starts. Her record currently stands at 16-8-3-1 with her most notable win being the Breeders’ Cup Mile last year.

Payouts
Tepin —— $2.60 $2.10 $2.10
Lady Lara (IRE) — $3.40 $2.60
Lovely Loyree ———- $4.20

Bolo Catches Favored Obviously to Win Gr. 2 Arcadia S.

In a matchup that was billed between Om and proven Gr. 1 veteran Obviously, it was 4-year-0ld Bolo who rallied in the final 110 yards to win his first graded stakes in the Gr. 2 Arcadia at Santa Anita on Saturday, February 13^th.

The dark bay or brown son of Temple City, Bolo had been either on the lead or just off the early pace in three previous turf victories and used his early speed to settle nicely off favorite Obviously, who set quick fractions of :22.70 for the quarter and :45.67 for the half mile. Bolo moved up between Obviously and Om to challenge for the lead into the far turn only to have Obviously kick away, covering six furlongs in 1:09.13. Once the field reached the top of the stretch, Bolo was aggressively ridden by jockey Flavien Prat to stay in touch with the winner. It wasn’t until he switched to his right lead in the final sixteenth of a mile that he delivered an extra burst to catch Obviously, winning by a neck in 1:33.09 – the fastest mile on the turf this meet.

Prior to the race, trainer Carla Gaines discussed getting Bolo into position early with jockey Flavien Prat. “The horse had a terrific trip. All I told Flavien was to let him break and find his place in the race. I felt he’d be sitting right behind the leaders and he would still have a kick home. That’s exactly what happened. I’m just so thrilled,” said Gaines.

With this victory in the Gr. 2 Arcadia, Bolo is now undefeated in three starts over the turf course at Santa Anita. The options for his next start include the Gr. 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on March 12 or the Gr. 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1-¼ on the main track. Part-owner Keith Brackpool is open to the possibility of running in the Big Cap, commenting, “It seems like every other horse I hear about is being considered for Dubai. So we’ve got lots of options.”

Payouts
Bolo $17.40 $7.20 $3.00
Obviously – $3.00 $2.10
Om ————– $2.10

Persistence Pays Off for Tara’s Tango in Gr. 2 Santa Maria

Tara’s Tango came close to capturing her first graded stakes victory in the Gr. 2 Summertime Oaks, but lost to eventual Eclipse Award winner Stellar Wind by just a nose.  She then finished 10^th in the Cotillion and 3^rd in the Santa Monica. On February 13^th, her efforts in graded stakes company finally paid off when she rallied from just off the pace to win the Gr. 2 Santa Maria over a game Yahilwa.

The gray or roan daughter of Unbridled’s Song sat a perfect trip in the Santa Maria, tracking a three horse speed duel among Living the Life, Yahilwa and unexpected pace rival Birdatthewire. As the three battled through a half mile in :46.97, Tara’s Tango tracked a comfortable fourth. Reaching the far turn, jockey Martin Garcia kept Tara’s Tango behind the speed duel before unleashing his bid three-wide approaching the quarter pole. Wearing down a stubborn Yahilwa on the stretch, Tara’s Tango went on to win by a half-length in 1:44.48. Third place finisher Living the Life (IRE) was three-quarters of a length behind runner-up Yahilwa.

The surprise in the race was the lackluster fifth place finish of favorite Birdatthewire, who captured the Gr. 1 La Brea on opening day and ran second in the Gr. 2 La Canada at this same 1-1/16 distance four weeks earlier. Jockey Mike Smith felt that her chances were compromised before the start. “She just ran off,” he said. “She wouldn’t load today; she was really leaning against the back of the gate so that when she kicked it, she got off slow. She got up and there was only one thing on her mind and that was ‘get to the front.’”

The win by Tara’s Tango in the Gr. 2 Santa Maria continues a winning trend of graded stakes foals produced by dam Scarlet Tango, who produced Gr. 2 winner Scarlet Strike and Gr. 1 winner Visionaire. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer feels that the way the race set up allowed Tara’s Tango to emerge victorious. “I don’t know what happened to Mike’s horse (Birdatthewire),” Hollendorfer stated, “but she was running up to the front and I think one of the key things was that Martin [Garcia] let her go so that he could make his own race.”

Tara’s Tango is a Kentucky-bred by owners Stonestreet Stables LLC. Prior to Saturday’s win, the 4-year-old filly had only won against allowance company after breaking her maiden back in July of 2014. To date she holds a record of 9-3-3-1 with $318,004 in career earnings. The Santa Maria marks her first graded stakes win. Her connections did not indicate a possible next start, but the next logical step could be the Gr. 1 Santa Margarita at 1-⅛ -miles on March 19.

Payouts
Tara’s Tango $5.80 $3.20 $2.60
Yahilwa ———– $3.80 $2.80
Living the Life ———– $3.20

Penwith Makes Breakthrough in Royal Delta

Godolphin Racing’s 5-year-old mare Penwith finally made her graded stakes breakthrough on Saturday, February 13th, taking the Gr. 2 Royal Delta Stakes at Gulfstream Park by three lengths. The daughter of Bernardini was making her second start off a nearly year-long layup.

Best Behavior, the second choice in the race, took the lead after race favorite Sandiva got a slow start. Best Behavior set fractions of :23.77 and :47.31 with Penwith putting pressure on her outside flank. After three-quarters in 1:11.30, jockey Luis Saez gave Penwith the go-ahead and the pair edged up to take the lead. They were alone as the field turned for home, and maintained an easy lead throughout to hit the wire in a final time of 1:43.16. Sandiva, running for the first time on the main track, fell short in her attempt to close, but beat Best Behavior for second.

The Royal Delta is Penwith’s second straight win off of her layup; the first came in an allowance optional claiming in late January. From 13 starts, Penwith now has 5 wins, 1 second, and 2 thirds to her name, with earnings of $404,635.

Payouts
Penwith $8.80 $3.80 $2.20
Sandiva (IRE)  $2.80 $2.10
Best Behavior ——- $2.20

Destin Handles the Distance in Gr. 3 Sam F. Davis

Capturing his first graded stakes victory in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, Destin proved he can go the distance handling the 1 1/16 mile in 1:43.67. The dapple grey colt, trained by Todd Pletcher, sparked Kentucky Derby buzz with his sizzling stretch run on Saturday.

Going off at 4-1, Destin broke nicely and settled into a comfortable fourth, tracking pacesetter Morning Fire by three lengths. Heading into the turn, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez urged Destin forward and he quickly took over the lead. Racing in between Morning Fire and Rafting into the stretch, Destin pulled away to win by 2 ¼ lengths and ran the second fastest Sam F. Davis Stakes since its inauguration in 1991.

“The perfect trip,” Velazquez said. “Once I put him to the clear on the backstretch, he settled into a nice rhythm. He’s very talented, but still very green.”

The 3-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway was purchase for $400,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale by Twin Creeks Racing Stables. This race was his first time in blinkers and increased his career earnings to $180,700. While he did not earn Kentucky Derby points, it is expected that he will return for the Tampa Bay Derby.

Payouts
Destin $10.00 $3.80 $3.00
Rafting ——- $4.20 $3.00
Morning Fire ——- $3.00

Stonetastic is Fantastic in the Miami Shores Handicap

Stonetastic was a silver bullet in Sunday’s $65,000 Miami Shores Handicap at Gulfstream Park – leading the field of eight mares wire-to-wire over the 6 ½ furlong dirt sprint. Shaking loose from presser More Than A Party at the quarter-mile pole, Stonetastic pulled away and was hand ridden home by jockey Paco Lopez to win by about eight lengths.

The gray mare by Unbridled’s Song was purchased by Stoneway Farm as a yearling at the Keeneland September Sale for a mere $77,000 in comparison to her career earnings – $510,000. Trained by Kelly Breen, Stonetastic has won 5 of her 15 career starts and finished 8th in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint last year.

Stonestatic paid $3.00 to win, $2.40 to place, and $2.10 to show.

La Macchina Upsets in Essex Handicap

La Macchina, who was last out in a $20,000 allowance optional claiming race, showed he has what it takes to run with the “big” guys, rallying to win the $100,000 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. His other lone stakes attempt, the Kentucky Downs Juvenile in 2014, resulted in an off the board finish.

Out of the gate, La Macchina ran at the back of the pack as Texas Bling set the pace. He took the field through a quarter in :24.10, half in :48.40, and six furlongs in 1:13.23. Jockey Channing Hill and La Macchina advanced throughout the final turn and angled out in the stretch to obtain running room. He powered down on the field and overtook it to win by a half-length. Ain’t Got Time was second and Carve was another length back in third. The final time for the race was 1:45.27.
La Macchina was claimed by owner O`zbekiston Racing in his last start in 2015 — a seven furlong contest for non-winners of two races — with his new trainer becoming Otabek Umarov, and is now 2-2 for the new connections. From 12 starts, La Macchina has 3 wins and 3 seconds with earnings of $129,350.

Payouts
La Macchina $24.60 $8.00 $3.80
Ain’t Got Time —– $5.20 $3.20
Carve ——————– $2.80

$1 Trifecta → $170.30

Swift Lady Blazes to Victory in the Sweet Life Stakes

Valentine’s Day was a sweet one for Swift Lady, who tackled Santa Anita’s downhill turf course to win the $75,000 Sweet Life Stakes by 2-½ lengths.

The daughter of Awesome of Course broke right on top and was challenged by 18-1 longshot Uptown Twirl with Corps de Ballet chasing in third through a :21.52 opening quarter and 43.91 half mile. The swift fractions took a toll on both Uptown Twirl and Corps de Ballet and they tired to finish fifth and eighth, respectively. However, Swift Lady’s early speed was not hindered by the pace pressure or the early fractions. She opened up a 2-½ length lead at mid-stretch and went on to win by only a quarter length less in a final time of 1:13.04.

Swift Lady is a Florida-bred filly trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Baoma Corporation. In June of 2015 she was sold through the OBS 2-year-olds and Horses of Racing Age sale for $170,000 and to date has made $122,420 in four career starts. Sunday marked her first stakes win.

Payouts
Swift Lady $4.20 $3.00 $2.60
Nodiac ———- $4.60 $3.40
Decked Out ———— $4.20

Weep No More Has Noting to Cry About in Suncoast Stakes

Up and comer Weep No More kept her hot streak going in Saturday’s $60,000 Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Winning by 2 ¾ lengths against a field of nine 3-year-old fillies, Weep No More and jockey Victor Lebron traveled the mile and forty yard dirt race in 1:41.69.

Buried eight horses back, Weep No More was loaded and ready, but had nowhere to go until headed into the home stretch – carefully working her way up the rail. Ducking behind the leaders and swinging wide, Weep No More found more and flew to the wire.

“I watched the replay of how she ran last time and wanted to give her the same trip because the way she reacted in that race was amazing,” Lebron said. “As soon as I pushed the button, she was there. They were a little spread out going into the turn, so I kind of pushed the button just a little bit earlier this time just to put myself in a better spot so that if anything happened, I had the option to go inside or outside.”

The chestnut daughter of Mineshaft has won two of her last three starts and has earned $42,269. She is trained by Rusty Arnold and owned by Glenn S. Bromagen

Payouts
Weep No More $29.60 $12.80 $5.80
Valuable Charmer —- $11.40 $6.80
Smart Shopping ————– $3.40
Missalaney

$1 Trifecta → $931.80
$1 Superfecta → $8,539.00

Call Pat Surges to Win Bayakoa Stakes

Miller Racing LLC gained another graded stakes win on Sunday afternoon as Call Pat surged late under jockey Joseph Rocco, Jr. to win the $100,000 Gr. 3 Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The 6-year-old daughter of Lawyer Ron won the 2015 Groupie Doll Stakes and has hit the board in other graded attempts throughout the past year. The Bayakoa was her 2016 debut.

As the field of eight horses loaded into the gate, Sarah Sis was the obvious favorite, as fans looked to see more success from the Ingrid Mason trainee. After a good break for all, Sarah Sis headed to the front of the field, though it was Meshell who took the lead. Call Pat, as per usual, settled at the back of the pack. Streamline settled on the rail, biding her time as Meshell set fractions of :24.10, :48.88, and 1:14.36, and found an opening as the field entered the stretch. She had enough in the tank to battle past Meshell, but could not best Call Pat. The winner trailed, about 10 lengths back, coming out of the turn and kicked it into high gear when asked by Rocco, Jr. The duo angled out and bore down on the field, coming up on Streamline and Meshell hard enough to hit the wire a half length ahead. Streamline finished second while Meshell was another neck back in third. The final time for the race was 1:45.81.

Call Pat, who began her career at Oaklawn Park in March 2013, now has 6 wins, 5 seconds, and 5 thirds from 29 career starts with earnings of $404,589. Trainer Brad Cox cross-entered Call Pat in the Bayakoa and the Royal Delta Stakes at Gulfstream Park, but ultimately went with the Bayakoa. He has not said where he hopes to run the mare next.

Payouts
Call Pat $6.80 $4.20 $3.20
Streamline — $4.60 $3.80
Meshell ————- $5.60

$1 Trifecta → $109.80

Fred Cappy Capossela Stakes

Aqueduct cancelled the February 14th card due to weather conditions including high wind and sub-zero wind chills.

THE WEEKEND WRAP-UP COVERS 3-YEAR-OLD KENTUCKY DERBY AND OAKS PREPS, BREEDERS’ CUP “WIN AND YOU’RE IN” RACES, AND STAKES RACES FEATURING PROMINENT HORSES. TRACKS COVERED INCLUDE SANTA ANITA, DEL MAR, LOS ALAMITOS (TB), GULFSTREAM PARK, TAMPA BAY DOWNS, AQUEDUCT, BELMONT PARK, SARATOGA, KEENELAND, CHURCHILL DOWNS, OAKLAWN, MONMOUTH PARK AND FAIR GROUNDS.

 Follow us on Twitter @EverythingEqLLC