Weekend Wrap-Up

THE WEEKEND’S BEST STORIES

July 10-12

Team Casse Scores in American Derby
It’s good to be Mark and Norman Casse. The father and son team have been taking the US racing scene by storm, sending horses out in some of the biggest graded stakes races across the country. The weekend resulted in yet another win with 3-year-old World Approval taking the Grade III American Derby going 1 1/8 miles on turf at Arlington Park, hitting the wire a neck in front of Crittenden.

The gelding, by Northern Afleet, acts more like a colt around the barn. “We have to keep him behind extra cross-bars so he doesn’t bite people,” Norman Casse said via text. “He’s very mean and aggressive in the barn, but on the racetrack he’s very game, gutsy and tough.”

Jose Lezcano had the ride and stalked a rather slow pace (the quarter in 25.46 and half in 52.46) eagerly before letting loose on the stretch. “I’m very happy with the race,” Norman Casse added. “It was a perfect ride.”

Saturday’s win marked the first graded stakes victory for the Casse-trained gelding, owned and bred by Live Oak Plantation.

 
California Chrome Out for Remainder of 2015
Just last week, fans eagerly welcomed home California Chrome after what seemed like an eternity abroad. The 2014 Horse of The Year and last year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner last ran a solid second in the $10,000,000 Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse before being sent off to Royal Ascot—an ill decision, on majority owner Perry Martin’s part, that has cost Chrome his 4-year-old campaign. The decision went against the advice of trainer Art Sherman and pleas of the Coburn’s, all of whom put the colt’s health and best interests second to none.

Now, it seems that Martin’s mismanagement has cost Chrome his career.

“As far as I know he has a bruised bone,” Brianne Sherman posted on California Chrome’s Facebook fan page, “and he will most likely be taking the rest of the year off.” Setting off a domino effect, the racing community took to social media in a frenzy for answers on Sunday afternoon.

Then it was confirmed.

“X-rays reveal cannon bone bruise yesterday. California Chrome will not run in Arlington Million,” Sherman Racing tweeted shortly after. The news has been a major blow and fans have not been shy in expressing their anger towards Perry Martin.

“DAP = Dumb Perry Martin! What a class A jerk of the highest order,” one fan tweeted.

While the lashing prevailed, Triple Crown winning owner of American Pharoah, Ahmed Zayat, tweeted kind words, “Sad to hear about Chrome. Get well soon.”

Steve Coburn has taken much of the lashing for Martin’s decisions and yet Martin was reluctant to share the news with the 30% owner of DAP. “@CalChrome will not be running in the Arlington Million due to a bruised bone. We just found out through the DAP Facebook page,” Steve and Carolyn Coburn tweeted out Sunday afternoon.

“He’s very upset right now,” son Scott Coburn said, via direct message, of his father’s emotional state regarding the matter on Sunday evening.

 
The Fillies Love Mike Smith
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, most notably associated with riding Zenyatta, is well known for his ability to bring out the best in the fillies he rides. Saturday, July 11th, got off to a good start for Smith, who piloted 4-year-old filly Zuzu’s Petals to a thrilling neck win in race 7, a starter allowance at Los Alamitos Race Course. He later went on to finish second aboard the Gary Mandella-trained Living The Life (IRE) in the Great Lady M., a Grade II stakes contested over 6 ½ furlongs on the dirt.

“I was really proud of both fillies on Saturday,” Smith said over the phone. “But Living The Life impressed me the most. She ran a big one for me.”

Topping off the weekend for him was a filly by the name of One True Kiss. The daughter of Warrior’s Reward set out in race 3, a maiden special weight going 5 ½ furlongs on dirt. It was a short field of five, but she closed like a freight train on the stretch, breaking her maiden by 1¾ lengths over the Doug O’Neill-trained Land Over Sea.

When asked what his secret is with the fillies, Smith joked, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Me good at riding fillies? I suppose they just like my charm.”

 
Gary Mandella Looking Forward to Irish Bred Mare’s Future
Son to Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, Gary Mandella has followed in his father’s footsteps on the racetrack. On Saturday, Mandella junior sent out Living The Life (IRE) in the Grade II Great Lady M Stakes, where she finished a game second just 3 ½ lengths behind Baffert-trained Fantastic Style.

“A much improved effort on dirt,” Mandella, who had been nervous about the race prior to the start, stated. “It’s taken her a while to accept kick back.”

The 5-year-old, by Footstepsinthesand (GB), went off at 10-1 and returned a generous $7.40 for place. She is owned by HnR Nothhaft Horse Racing LLC and was piloted by Mike Smith.

“She came out of the race well,” added Mandella. “Next start, Presque Isle Masters.”

 
Calamity Kate Proves No Calamity in Delaware Oaks
If you didn’t play Calamity Kate to win or show in the Delaware Oaks, held Saturday (7/11), you missed out on some serious money! Not only did the filly go off at 50-1, she destroyed the field, leading a gate-to-wire scorcher that stopped the clock at 1:41.79, just 0:00.27  above the 1 1/16 mile track record set by Lies of Omission in 1998.

Edgar Prado was aboard the Kelly Breen-trained filly, who ran second to Condo Commando in the Demoiselle Stakes in November of 2014. Payouts returned $110.80 for the win, $20.80 for place, and $79.40 for show.

1 ¾ lengths behind the winner, Peace and War finished second for trainer Graham Motion. Hip Hop N Jazz finished third for trainer Tom Proctor.

$1.00 Exacta payout: $294.00

$1.00 Trifecta payout: $3,930.20

$1.00 Superfecta payout: $15,862.80

 
War Story 5k Shy Fasig-Tipton Reserve and Headed For Haskell
Looch Racing Stables gelding, who ran second in the Grade II Risen Star Stakes and most recently finished fourth in the Ohio Derby, topped out at a whopping $545,000 in the Fasig-Tipton sale on Friday, July 10th. Moments after the gelding left the stage, connections of War Story confirmed to EverythingEq that he had failed to meet his reserve, just $5,000 shy of $550,000.

Last weekend, at Gulfstream Park, Loooch Racing owner Ron Paolucci voiced that if the gelding did not sell he would be headed to the Haskell on Sunday, August 2nd.

When asked Friday evening whether the Haskell was still in the cards, Paolucci said, “I would say so. We’ve got a date with the Pharoah.”

An update with more details will follow later this week.

 
Victor Espinoza Loaded For Del Mar Opening Day
There’s no denying that Victor Espinoza is on fire this year. The 43-year-old jockey scored back-to-back wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes of 2014 and 2015 and went on to break a 37-year Triple Crown drought piloting American Pharoah in this year’s Belmont Stakes, becoming immortal in the sport of kings.

He’s had the ride on Stellar Wind, Hard Aces, Finnegan’s Wake, and a slew of other graded stakes winners this year. He’s been on just about every major TV talk show, made appearances at the biggest sporting events, and is now up for an ESPY award for best jockey. Life couldn’t possibly get any better — except, it probably will.

Espinoza is headed for Del Mar and is loaded up for opening day. The superstar jock is slated to ride Indian Nate in race 1, Texas Ryano in race 4, California Song in race 5, Hot Lightning in race 7, Forest Blue in the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes (race 8), and Los Gatos in race 10.

Fans can also catch him riding Benesh in race 1, Mechaya in race 5, and Causeway Carolyn in race 10, this Friday, July 17th.

 
American Pharoah Puts In Killer Work
Haskell bound American Pharoah is all business now that he has been confirmed to race in New Jersey on August 2nd. The Triple Crown winner put in a blazing hot work on Sunday, June 12th, going 5-furlongs in 0:59.20 over the Santa Anita dirt.

Pharoah tied for second at the distance with the Peter Eurton-trained gelding L’s Choice, and was outrun by a 2-year-old unraced filly, by Scat Daddy, Pretty N Cool (KY), who recorded a 5-furlong work in 0:59.00.

The Haskell field better watch out!

Watch American Pharoah’s 7/12/15 work below.

 
Hall of Famer Heads to Del Mar with Eclipse Award Winning Apprentice Jockey
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith and 2014 Eclipse Award-winning jockey Drayden Van Dyke packed their bags and headed over to Del Mar following their races at Los Alamitos on closing day, July 12th. The two jocks are said to be renting out a condo just minutes from the track at Del Mar, so you’re bound to see them around town. Don’t get too excited ladies, Smith is off the market, but Van Dyke is up for grabs.

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