Venus Valentine Upsets 2016 Rachel Alexandra Stakes

THE WEEKEND WRAP UP

Feb. 20th – 21st

70-1 Longshot Venus Valentine Upsets Gr. 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes

70-1 shots aren’t supposed to wreak havoc over favorites, but that’s exactly what happened when Venus Valentine went from last to first in the final sixteenth of this year’s Gr. 2 $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes. The 3-year-old Tom Amoss trainee came up the rail, unleashing a turn of foot that resulted in an impressive one-length victory over Midnight On Oconee.

The race could not have set up more perfectly for Venus Valentine, who was the only clear cut trailer on paper. Out of the gate, the nine horse field was lead by Lovable Lyss, who set fractions of 23.02, 46.33 and 1:11.91, while Finley’sluckycharm stalked in second. Venus Valentine settled as the early trailer fourteen lengths behind the pace, narrowing the gap to 10 ¼ lengths by the three-quarter call. Midnight On Oconee had tracked in third and moved into the lead on the stretch as favorite Stageplay attempted to live up to bettors expectations, but did not fire and finished fifth. Michael Stidham trained Shaken went up to challenge Midnight On Oconee, but both were unable to ward off Venus Valentine, who came up the rail with unrelenting closing power. The final time for the 1 1/16 mile race was 1:45.24. Corey Lanerie was aboard for the win.

Purchased at the Keeneland September 2014 yearling sale for $140,000, Venus Valentine is a 3-year-old daughter of Congrats and Valentine Fever (Stormin Fever). Kentucky-bred by owners Rosemont Farm LLC, the filly stands a record of 5-2-0-0 with Saturday’s Rachel Alexandra being her first graded stakes win. To date she has earned $145,185.

The Rachel Alexandra Stakes is the first of eight Kentucky Oaks preps carrying points of 50-20-10-5. Venus Valentine is currently the top ranked filly on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 50 points — 10 points more than Songbird, who follows closely in second with 40 points.

Remaining Kentucky Oaks preps carrying points of 50-20-10-5 include: UAE Oaks (Meydan 2/25), Busher S. (Aqueduct 2/27), Davona Dale (Gulfstream 2/27), Santa Ysabel (Santa Anita 3/5), Honeybee (Oaklawn 3/12), Sunland Park Oaks (Sunland Park 3/20) and Bourbonette Oaks (Turfway Park 4/2).

Payouts
Venus Valentine $150.40 $37.00 $16.60
Midnight On Oconee —- $10.60 $70.00
Shaken ————————– $6.20
Royal Obsession

$1.00 Exacta → $543.40
$0.50 Trifecta → $1,909.05
$0.10 Superfecta → $1,321.10

Gun Runner Heads Kentucky Derby Leaderboard After Gr. 2 Risen Star Win

Fair Grounds presented an action packed card this past Saturday with a slew of stakes races highlighted by the $400,000 Gr. 2 Risen Star Stakes – a Kentucky Derby prep race contested over 1 1/16-miles on the dirt. 5-1 Gun Runner was victorious in this year’s rendition of the race, holding off a late closing Forevamo and Mo Tom.

With the scratch of Dolphus and laoban late last week, the Risen Star saw a field of eleven runners break from the gate. Candy My Boy set out as the early leader, with Bistraya closely in second, setting fractions of 22.95, 46.38 and 1:11.33 before being “gunned down” on the stretch by Asmussen trained Gun Runner, who went on to win by a half-length in 1:43.94. Favorite Airoforce was bumped at the start and went 3-4 wide on the first turn, finishing tenth, while second favorite Mo Tom also sustained a bump at the start, trailed the field for three-quarters of the race before unveiling a late charge that was only good enough for third, one length behind second place finisher Forevamo.

Gun Runner is a Kentucky-bred son of Candy Ride and Quiet Giant (Giant’s Causeway). The 3-year-old colt was bred by Besilu Stables LLC and is co-owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Three Chimneys Farm. Saturday’s Risen Star Stakes marks his first graded stakes win, making him 3-for-4 with $306,920 in career earnings.

The Risen Star Stakes is the first of eight Kentucky Derby preps carrying points of 50-20-10-5. Gun Runner currently heads the leaderboard on the road to the Kentucky Derby with 50 points, 21 points ahead of Nyquist.

Remaining Kentucky Derby preps carrying points of 50-20-10-5 include: Fountain of Youth (Gulfstream 2/27), Gotham (Aqueduct 3/5), Tampa Bay Derby (Tampa Bay Downs 3/12), San Felipe (Santa Anita 3/12), Rebel (Oaklawn 3/19), Sunland Derby (Sunland Park 3/20) and Spiral Stakes (Turfway Park 4/2).

Payouts
Gun Runner $12.20 $7.00 $4.80
Forevamo ——— $33.80 $12.20
Mo Tom —————— $3.00
Candy My Boy

$1.00 Exacta → $167.60
$0.50 Trifecta → $323.25
$0.10 Superfecta → $945.87

Underdog Iron Rob Wins Baffle Stakes

Breaking as the longest shot in the four horse field, Iron Rob rallied with determination to win Sunday’s eighth running of the Baffle Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Unfortunately, the highs of victory soon turned to concern as Iron Rob was pulled up by jockey Santiago Gonzalez in the clubhouse turn and vanned off the track.

Challenging favorite Tiz a Billy straight out of the gate, Iron Rob settled into second as the small group made their way up the backstretch of the 6 ½ furlong dirt sprint. Heading the turn, Iron Rob pressured the leader and took over the first position as the dueling pair headed for the wire, winning by a half length.

“He’s fine,” said trainer George Papaprodromou. “He stumbled coming out of the gate. Santiago was holding him the whole way. Crossing the wire, he was holding him even. He jumped off because he didn’t want to have him keep galloping out or to have to jog back after.” Several hours after the incident, connections reported that the colt remained well.

Iron Rob is a bay 3-year-old colt by Twirling Candy. In his nine career starts, he has earned $110,520 for owner Kretz Racing LLC and has won twice. Iron Rob paid $13.60 to win and $3.80 to place.

Majestic Harbor Back to Winning Ways in Mineshaft

Majestic Harbor was back to his winning ways on Saturday, February 20th in the Gr.3 Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course. It was his first stakes win since 2014 and the first win after a seven race losing streak for the 8-year-old son of Rockport Harbor.

The January 16th Louisiana Stakes, also run at Fair Grounds, was the season debut for Majestic Harbor, who lead early and was then bumped hard. He finished fifth in that race, but came back strong in the mornings for trainer Paul McGee. Out of the gate in Saturday’s four-horse race, jockey Corey Lanerie and Majestic Harbor went to the lead and maintained their position through a half-mile in :48.09 and six furlongs in 1:12.30. Eagle was angled out to gain running room entering the stretch while last year’s Risen Star Stakes winner, International Star, sent off as the 3-5 favorite, was stuck inside. Eagle got up enough to hook with Majestic Harbor at the eighth pole, but the latter still had enough run left to hit the wire a head in front. The final time of the 1 1/16 mile race was 1:42.86.

Saturday’s victory brings Majestic Harbor’s record to 9 wins, 8 seconds, and 6 thirds from 39 career starts, totaling $990,254 in earnings. Bred by Liberation Farm and Brandywine Farm, Majestic Harbor is a half brother to 2014 Gr. 1 Arkansas Derby winner Danza, who was third in the 2014 Kentucky Derby.

Payouts
Majestic Harbor $15.00 $5.80
Eagle —————— $3.20
Point Piper
International Star

Chocolate Ride Takes Fair Grounds Handicap Once Again

Chocolate Ride won the 2015 edition of the Gr. 1 Fair Grounds Handicap and repeated his victory in the race in the 2016 running on Saturday, February 20th. The 6-year-old gelding by Candy Ride led at every point of call of the race, fending off Roman Approval by 1 ¾ lengths for the victory.

Under jockey Florent Geroux, Chocolate Ride took the lead immediately and set fractions of :24.31, :49.72, and 1:13.91. Departing ran close enough to Chocolate Ride to appear as though he may be a factor, but the leader stayed ahead easily and drew off by three lengths in the early stretch. In the final furlong, Roman Approval, who was near the back of the field, made his move and closed rapidly to get up for second. Departing held on for third another length back. The final time for the 1 1/8-mile race was 1:49.31.
Chocolate Ride, the favorite in the field of nine, brought his earnings to $521,191 with Saturday’s victory. From 16 starts he now has 7 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds. Trainer Brad Cox stated that the March 26 Mervin H. Muniz Handicap (G2) is a likely choice for the gelding’s next start.

Payouts
Chocolate Ride $4.60 $2.60 $2.40
Roman Approval —- $3.40 $2.80
Departing —————– $2.80

Off the Tracks Remains Undefeated in the Margate Handicap

Keeping her perfect record intact, Off the Tracks rallied to capture Sunday’s $65,000 Margate Handicap at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old bay filly by Curlin completed the 6 ½ furlong dirt sprint in 1:17.29 – winning by 4 ¼ lengths.

After being bumped breaking from the gate by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies participant Tap to It, Off the Tracks recovered quickly to settled into second. Stalking pacesetter Ballet Diva, Off the Tracks sprang into action as the field of seven raced for home – pulling away with each stride. Fractions for the race: 22.97, 45:65, 1:10.65 and 1:17.29. Favorite Tap to It finished fifth.

“I was very impressed with her today,” said trainer Roderick Rodriguez. “The track is so fast, I was afraid it was going to take a toll on her at the end. But she’s just an incredible filly. The sky is the limit with her.”

To date, Off the Tracks has earned $151,094 and has won all three of her career starts. The filly, owned by J Stables, was purchased for $50,000 at the Keeneland September 2014 yearling sale and is aiming for a start in the Kentucky Oaks come May.

Payouts
Off The Tracks $5.80 $3.60 $3.40
Sugar Cone ——— $12.20 $7.00
Daddy’s Great Bay ——— $6.00
Ballet Diva

$1 Trifecta $237.60
$1 Superfecta $918.00

Clipthecouponannie Remains Unbeaten in Franklin Square

Repole Stable’s filly Clipthecouponannie stepped up in class Saturday in the Franklin Square Stakes and dug in to beat Frosty Margarita by a half-length to remain unbeaten.

Out of the gate, Clipthecouponannie was side by side with Wonderment, but was able to edge away under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. The field of four was small but did not lack competition. They completed the first quarter in :22.94 and half in :46.00. Frosty Margarita came on to challenge as they completed the half and was able to take the lead briefly in the stretch but could not maintain it. Clipthecouponannie battled with her throughout the stretch and gamely shook off her competition to win. Five lengths behind Frosty Margarita, Wonderment finished third, and Red Atlantic rounded out the field. The final time for the six-furlong contest was 1:11.15.

Clipthecoupon is a 3-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo and is trained by Todd Pletcher. She is now 3-for-3 with career earnings totaling $142,200. Clipthecouponannie paid $3.10 for the win and $2.10 for place.

Order of finish: Clipthecouponannie (1st), Frosty Margarita (2nd), Wonderment (3rd), Red Atlantic (4th)

Paulina’s Love Strikse in Gr. 2 Buena Vista

Paulina’s Love and jockey Gary Stevens teamed up once again to take the $200,000 Gr. 2 Buena Vista Stakes contested over one mile on the Santa Anita turf, Saturday, February 20th. The Richard Baltas trainee conquered the eleven horse field holding off a late charging Stormy Lucy by a neck.

With the scratch of pace challenger Glory, Paulina’s Love shot straight to the front to chase Moanin – making her first start since May of last year – who set an opening quarter of 22.84 and half mile of 46.36. Gary Stevens patiently waited in second no more than two lengths off the early leader down the backstretch. When the field reached the far turn, Paulina’s Love made her move to take over the lead after six furlongs in 1:10.90, but was immediately challenged by favorite Her Emmynency and Joe Talamo. Not surrendering the lead, the chestnut filly opened up a 1-½ length lead at the 1/8th pole, and held off the late charge of Stormy Lucy to win by a neck in 1:36.06.

Jockey Gary Stevens, now a perfect 3-for-3 on the filly, never doubted her chances. “I rode her with a lot of confidence, like she was the favorite. She doesn’t mind, she lets me do what I want, whatever the pace scenario is. When she’s done, I’d like to take her home and put her in my backyard.”

Assistant trainer David Meah explained the importance of spacing between her starts. “Seven to eight weeks is a huge thing for her. Four or five weeks, she doesn’t fire like this. But seven to eight weeks and she can fire.”

Off the board three times in thirteen career starts with four wins, Paulina’s Love is a Louisiana-bred daughter of Mizzen Mast and Electric Cove (Spinning World). The 4-year-old is owned by KM Racing Enterprise Inc. and Head of Plains Partners LLC. Saturday’s Gr. 2 Buena Vista Stakes marks her first stakes victory since debuting at Santa Anita back in October of 2014. To date she has accumulated $304,990 in career earnings.
Payouts

Paulina’s Love $9.60 $4.80 $3.80
Stormy Lucy ——– $4.60 $3.20
Keri Belle —————— $5.00
Her Emmynency

$1 Superfecta → $394.00

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 NOTEWORTHY 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.

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