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Everything posted by Wandering Eyes
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Monomoy Girl (f, 3, Tapizar-Drumette, by Henny Hughes) continued her domination of the 3-year-old filly division with an authoritative three-length victory over Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga Sunday. Sent off the 1-2 favorite, Monomoy Girl was hustled out to the early lead and set a measured pace with longshot Gio Game (Gio Ponti) sitting right alongside and 6-5 second choice Midnight Bisou a threatening presence in third. Monomoy Girl inched clear turning for home and, while Midnight Bisou made a mild bid in upper stretch, she never looked in any danger as she strode clear, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.46. Chocolate Martini (Broken Vow) was third. Monomoy Girl has now won four straight Grade I events, starting with the Apr. 7 GI Ashland S., and including the May 4 GI Kentucky Oaks and June 9 GI Acorn S. Lifetime Record: 9-8-1-0, $1,675,750. O-M Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group & Bethlehem Stables. B-FPF LLC & Highfield Ranch (Ky). T-Brad Cox. View the full article
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Calumet Farm’s Bravazo (Awesome Again) recorded his final principal work leading up to Sunday’s GI Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, negotiating a half-mile in :48.77 over the Oklahoma training track listed as ‘good.’ “What we’re trying to do is just put him on his toes for the Haskell,” explained Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. “A shake-the-trees type work. Just a good solid work. I put a nice little 2-year-old in there [Derby Date, by Will Take Charge] to see if he can run a little bit. They work well those two.” Winner of the GII Risen Star S. in February, Bravazo finished sixth in the May 5 GI Kentucky Derby before finishing a fast-closing second in the GI Preakness S. May 19. He came home sixth in the GI Belmont S. June 8. “I was very disappointed, but the Belmont, the way it unfolded and everything, compromised his chances completely,” Lukas explained. “We wanted to get up in those fractions going down the backside, and put some pressure on Justify and see if we can run with him the last quarter. [Justify] got the first run away, [and] we couldn’t get out; we were pinned there. I said with five-eighths left to go that we weren’t going to beat anybody. We wasted ourselves.” Following the Haskell, Lukas plans to forge on to the GI Travers S. Aug. 25. “He had a complete physical after the Belmont–70-something X-rays, a complete, Grade A bill of health,” stated Lukas, adding, “I tell you most of these horses after the Triple Crown are either tired, used up and need a little rest because that’s a hard series. Some of them will flourish and get stronger and fill up, and he’s one of them. He’s a very tough horse. Our schedule right now is the Haskell and the Travers. I think he’s one of the horses that can handle that.” Sporting Chance Jim Dandy Bound; Travers Possible.. Last year’s GI Hopeful S. winner Sporting Chance (Tiznow) remains on target for the July 28 GII Jim Dandy S., and may continue on to the Travers, Lukas confirmed yesterday. The Robert Baker and William Mack-campaigned colt finished sixth in his most recent start in the Preakness. “Mentally, his gene pool kicked in. His sire was very difficult to train,” said Lukas. “This one has got some quirks about him. If he shows up with his best race, and I think he likes this racetrack, if he shows up he’ll be very tough in the Jim Dandy, but he’s got to bring his ‘A’ game.” View the full article
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Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie concluded its 22nd Thoroughbred Season Thursday with a record increase of 14.7% in average daily handle over 2017. That increase topped last year’s increase over 2016 of 11.7%, which set a track record a year ago. Daily average on-track handle on Lone Star increased 5.7% from 2017 and daily average export Handle increased by 17.6%. Daily average attendance also increased 3.3% over 2017. View the full article
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The Equine Sales Company will move its 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale, traditionally held in early May, to an earlier date in 2019, it was announced Sunday. The sale will be held Tuesday, Apr. 2 with a breeze show scheduled for Mar. 31 in Opelousas, Louisiana. “Our Board of Directors and Sales Committee responded to feedback received from our dedicated buyers and consignors and think this will be good fit for everyone,” said Foster Bridewell, sales director at the Equine Sales Company. “Many 2-year-olds in this region have traditionally been prepared to race opening weekends of Evangeline Downs, Louisiana Downs and Lone Star Park. This shift in date will allow buyers and their trainers to purchase horses that will hopefully be ready to run in the early Summer races.” View the full article
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Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie), A Raving Beauty (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and New Money Honey (Medaglia d’Oro), first, third and sixth, respectively, in Saturday’s GI Diana at Saratoga, came out of the race well according to trainer Chad Brown yesterday morning. “[Sistercharlie]’s good,” said Brown. “She’s such an exceptional talent. She was able to persevere and get there. The runner-up [Ultra Brat {Uncle Mo}] ran a huge race as well. Hats off to her, a real top effort, but I’m thankful we got on the right side of that photo.” A private purchase by Peter Brant, the 4-year-old, who is a Group 3 winner in France, was runner up in last year’s GI Belmont Oaks in July before sitting out the rest of the season. She added a victory in Keeneland’s GI Jenny Wiley S. in April and came home in second last time out in the GII New York S. at Belmont June 8. Brown also saddled GI Just a Game winner A Raving Beauty, who was forced to take up at the quarter-pole, but closed late to finish third, and New Money Honey, winner of the 2016 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the GI Belmont Oaks last year. Brown said both appeared to be in good condition Sunday. “A Raving Beauty had a real unfortunate trip,” said Brown. “Things didn’t open up for her, but she showed a lot of courage to comeback late. Everybody came back good, so far, so we’ll look to move forward from here.” Gronkowski on target for Travers tilt… Chad Brown confirmed GI Belmont S. runner-up Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus}) and GIII Lecomte S. winner Instilled Regard (Arch) returned from their Saturday works in good order. Gronkowski, who was working for the first time since June 23 covered four furlongs in :48.33, the 15th fastest of 167 at the distance Saturday. According to Brown, the bay remains on target for the GI Travers S. Aug. 25. Instilled Regard, who finished fourth for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in the May 5 GI Kentucky Derby prior to transferring to Brown’s care, breezed three furlongs in :37.88. It was the 16th fastest of 26 works at the distance Saturday. “I was very pleased with both horses,” he said. “The way Gronkowski went, I’m optimistic and hope he can make the Travers. Instilled Regard’s first breeze for us went really well. He came to us in good condition. It was nice to get him back on the worktab and we’re thankful to have him in the barn.” Brown added Grade II winner Backyard Heaven (Tizway), who worked five furlongs in 1:01.77 (25/41) Saturday, remains on target for the GI Whitney S. Aug. 4. View the full article
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Hronis Racing’s MGISW Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky), scratched from Saturday’s GII San Diego H.–which was ultimately won in dominant fashion by his undefeated stablemate Catalina Cruiser (Union Rags)–worked five furlongs Sunday in a sharp :59.60 beneath exercise rider Juan Leyva. As of Sunday morning, Sadler said the colt will be pointed to a start in the GI TVG Pacific Classic Aug. 18., while plans are undecided for Catalina Cruiser. “Accelerate will go in the Pacific Classic, that’s the plan,” Sadler said. “I really haven’t thought much about [sending Catalina Cruiser to the East Coast].” Accelerate has stamped himself as one of the top older horses in the country by virtue of wins in the GI Santa Anita H. and GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita earlier this year. Catalina Cruiser, meanwhile, has made only three starts and led wire-to-wire in a 6 3/4-length score in the San Diego–his first start around two turns. View the full article
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Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen’s GSW and GISP sprinter Bobby Abu Dhabi (Macho Uno–Wadena, by Saint Ballado) died of a sudden cardiac event during training Sunday morning at Del Mar, falling abruptly and throwing jockey Victor Espinoza to the track. Espinoza was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital with undetermined injuries after his mount suffered an apparent heart attack and died at approximately 9:05 a.m. Sunday. “It is with great sadness that I can confirm this morning we lost our boy, Bobby Abu Dhabi, to a sudden cardiac arrest on the track,” tweeted Rockingham Ranch’s Brian Trump. “While we are deeply saddened and heartbroken by this loss, our thoughts are currently with [Hall of Fame] jockey Victor Espinoza.” Espinoza, 46, lay motionless for several minutes before being fitted with a neck brace and being taken to an ambulance on a stretcher. His agent, Brian Beach, reported from the hospital that Espinoza was being examined after experiencing shoulder pain and numbness. Bobby Abu Dhabi, who was in training for the GI Bing Crosby S. next Saturday, posted a record of 4-2-1 from nine career starts and amassed earnings of $375,100. He hit his best stride in 2018, placing second in the GI Triple Bend S. in March prior to capturing the GII Kona Gold S. at Santa Anita Apr. 21. His last race came in Belmont’s GII True North S. June 8, pressing the pace and holding on to finish third. View the full article
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A day after Catalina Cruiser dominated the $200,000 San Diego Handicap (G2), trainer John Sadler worked last year's San Diego winner at Del Mar. View the full article
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John Quinn's decision to reroute Signora Cabello from the valuable Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury July 21 to Sunday's group 2 Prix Robert Papin paid off when she was driven home by Frankie Dettori. View the full article
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Monmouth Park hit the halfway mark of its 2018 meet Saturday and reported across-the-board gains in handle and attendance. Despite poor weather for most of the month of May that saw 73% of turf races moved to the main track, Monmouth’s live handle rose 8% ($11,513,732 total), total handle increased 10% ($94,574,544 total) and attendance was up 5% (254,820 overall) when compared to the similar juncture a year ago. “The numbers are very encouraging as we move into the second half of the season,” said Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of Darby Development, operators of Monmouth Park. “We have good momentum entering Haskell week for what I’m sure will be another memorable running of our signature race next Sunday.” The GI Betfair.com Haskell Invitational headlines a stakes-filled card next Sunday, July 29. Monmouth’s 2018 meet runs through Sunday, Sept. 9 before racing shifts north to the Meadowlands for six all-turf cards through the end of September. View the full article
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Gary Broad’s GIII Ohio Derby winner Core Beliefs (Quality Road) will make his next start in next Sunday’s GI Betfair.com Haskell Invitational S. at Monmouth Park, trainer Peter Eurton said Sunday. While Eurton said he was considering a softer spot for the relatively lightly raced colt, Broad expressed interest in shipping to New Jersey for the $1-million race, according to Eurton. “My owner wants to come–he says it’s the chance of a lifetime,” said Eurton from his summer base at Del Mar. “He wants to take on Good Magic (Curlin) and the rest.” Core Beliefs broke his maiden at third asking in his first try over a route of ground and was immediately placed in Grade I company, finishing third behind the formidable duo of subsequently Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy) and MGISW Bolt d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro). He followed with a hard-fought runner-up finish behind Blended Citizen (Proud Citizen) in Belmont’s GIII Peter Pan S. May 12. The bay put it all together in the June 23 Ohio Derby, closing to score by a nose over Lone Sailor (Majestic Warrior), who could also show up in the Haskell starting gate. “When he broke his maiden it was his first experience going two turns,” Eurton said. “Then his first start against winners, he gets Justify. He stumbled badly in the Peter Pan and was in an elongated sprint for a mile and an eighth and got nailed. That was a really good effort. So was the Ohio Derby. He seems to be coming into his own.” Core Beliefs is scheduled to fly East from California on Tuesday, with Eurton joining him on race day after taking a redeye flight. “His works up to this, especially Saturday, have been very good,” Eurton continued. “That will give him eight days to recover from the work. I’m pretty confident he is going into the Haskell as good as we could possibly hope.” View the full article
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Like some two-year-old maidens and newcomer races that promise to give us a first glimpse of future stars, it’s equally exciting observing a young stallion progress in his first two years with runners at the races. And we are all just as pleased when a new super sire appears on the scene, especially one that promises to contribute to our longer races. The latest that could possibly fit that description is the 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot (GB), who has come up with two G1 winners among his first crop in Irish Derby hero Latrobe (Ire) and Belmont Oaks heroine Athena (Ire). The son of Montjeu (Ire) made rapid late progress last year with his first juveniles but it was to be expected that he’d really shine with his first three-year-olds. And there’s no doubt that Camelot has the profile to go all the way to the top. In terms of his elite runners, he’s already got the best set of ten runners as assessed by Timeform, among the sires who retired in 2014. Currently they have an average rating of 111.1, a figure we can expect to be much higher by the end of the season. But it will need to be if he’s to break into the top ten sires in the past 20 years – he’s currently 6.7lbs per horse shy of where Galileo (Ire) was at the end of year two, and 7.8lbs per horse adrift of Frankel (GB). That said, top-class stallions don’t have to get to the front this soon in their career. It took six years before Galileo to put together a set of ten horses that had the best average Timeform rating among his contemporaries. Furthermore, Camelot’s ratio of Stakes winners – another metric that should rise through the year – is currently identical to what Galileo recorded at the end of his second year. It’s not hard to imagine him joining Galileo, Sea The Stars (Ire) and Teofilo (Ire) as top-class sources of quality staying horses, particularly if breeders trust him with their best mares. View the full article
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Another trainer with a French target in mind for his Classic winner is David Simcock who is eyeing the G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret as an autumn aim for his G1 The Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Teppal (Fr) (Camacho {GB}). The filly disappointed in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot behind Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastecraftsman {Ire}) but Simcock is happy to draw a line through that performance. “She had a bad blood test after Ascot. She has had a month quiet and is just starting up again,” he said on Sunday. Teppal will obviously not take up her entry in the G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood with Simcock preferring to focus on later in the season. “We might well look at something like the Foret in October. It was disappointing [at Ascot] and something had to be wrong, but she seems back on track now. I’m absolutely in no doubt we wouldn’t have beaten the winner, but I expected a good run from her. I was disappointed, but there were reasons that came to light,” he added. View the full article
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Off the track since her seasonal return when fourth in the G3 Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp Apr. 15, Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) showed no rustiness as she made all to get back to winning ways in Sunday’s G2 Kilboy Estate S. at The Curragh. Sent off the 5-4 favourite, last year’s G2 Debutante S. winner and G1 Moyglare Stud S. runner-up was bounced out to lead by Ryan Moore and there were no dramas as she completed her task with authority, putting 2 3/4 lengths between her and the Listed Celebration S. winner I’m So Fancy (Ire) (Rajj {Ire}) at the line. MAGICAL (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Fr, $941,139), by Pivotal (GB) 2nd Dam: Cassandra Go (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire) 3rd Dam: Rahaam, by Secreto O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €67,850. View the full article
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Signora Cabello (Ire) (Camacho {GB}), who posted a career high with a narrow victory in Royal Ascot’s June 20 G2 Queen Mary S. last time, franked that effort with another game performance in Sunday’s G2 Darley Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte. The bay has not looked back since registering an Apr. 28 debut fourth at Beverley and also annexed a May 7 novice heat at Bath and York’s May 18 Listed Marygate Fillies’ S. in her penultimate start. She was alert at the break here and accepted a tow in second, positioned on the shoulder of G2 Norfolk S. runner-up Pocket Dynamo (Dialed In), through the early stages of this first overseas foray. Stoked up to gain a slender advantage soon after passing halfway, the even-money favourite did not require the full Frankie Dettori treatment when strongly pressed inside the final furlong and was ridden out to hold the late surge of Sexy Metro (Fr) (Diamond Green {Fr}), a shade cosily, by a neck. Signora Caballo (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) is the leading performer and latest foal produced by G3 Princess Margaret S. runner-up Journalist (Ire) (Night Shift), whose black-type quartet features G3 Firth of Clyde S. placegetter Emirates Girl (Unbridled’s Song). Journalist is kin to G2 Flying Childers S. victor Sheer Viking (Ire) (Danehill) and she is also a granddaughter of Spanish Habit (Habitat), whose own progeny is headed by G1 1000 Guineas heroine and G1 Irish One Thousand Guineas second Las Meninas (Ire) (Glenstal). Spanish Habit’s descendants also include G1 Golden Jubilee and G1 Nunthorpe S. hero Kingsgate Native (Ire) (Mujadil) while Signora Caballo’s fourth dam Donna Cressida (Don {Ity}) landed the G2 Player-Wills S. and boasts Australia’s G1 Futurity S. heroine Aqua d’Amore (Aus) (Danehill) among her descendants. Sunday, Maisons-Laffitte, France DARLEY PRIX ROBERT PAPIN-G2, €130,000, Maisons-Laffitte, 7-22, 2yo, c/f, 5 1/2fT, 1:04.34, gd. 1–SIGNORA CABELLO (IRE), 125, f, 2, by Camacho (GB) 1st Dam: Journalist (Ire) (GSP-Eng), by Night Shift 2nd Dam: Schlefalora (GB), by Mas Media (GB) 3rd Dam: Spanish Habit, by Habitat (20,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-Phoenix Thoroughbred & Zen Racing; B-Diomed Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-John Quinn; J-Lanfranco Dettori. €74,100. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 5-4-0-0, €182,946. *1/2 to La Presse (Gone West), GSP-Eng; Emirates Girl (Unbridled’s Song), SP-Fr & Ger; and Plagiarism (Lonhro {Aus}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Sexy Metro (Fr), 128, c, 2, Diamond Green (Fr)–Mindset (Ire), by Vettori (Ire). O-Gerard Augustin-Normand, Alain Jathiere & Ecurie Jules Ouaki; B-Mathieu Daguzan-Garros (FR); T-Didier Guillemin. €28,600. 3–True Mason (GB), 128, c, 2, Mayson (GB)–Marysienka (GB), by Primo Dominie (GB). (25,000gns Wlg ’16 TATFOA; 120,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-Khalifa Dasmal; B-Simon Balding (GB); T-Karl Burke. €13,650. Margins: NK, 3/4, SHD. Odds: 1.00, 2.50, 12.00. Also Ran: Pocket Dynamo, Simply Striking (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article
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Ken Condon is readying his Classic winner Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) for a tilt at the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville Aug. 12. The colt was a leading fancy for the G1 St James’s Palace S. at Royal Ascot following his authoritative victory in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh, however Robert Ng’s 3-year-old failed to give his true running when beaten six lengths into seventh place behind Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}). “He’s had a bit of a rest [since Ascot] and the plan is the Jacques le Marois at Deauville,” Condon said. “A straight mile again should suit. He worked during the week and we were happy with that. A reproduction of his Curragh run, given what US Navy Flag has done, would make him very competitive.” Romanised’s pedigree suggests another couple of furlongs could be within his remit and Condon is considering upping him in trip at some stage this season. “We are considering 10 furlongs but it might not happen until the Irish Champion Stakes. After the Jacques le Marois we are probably looking at the [G1] Prix du Moulin [at ParisLongchamp] but we’ll be more informed after he runs again.” View the full article
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Last year’s winner of the inaugural running of The Everest Redzel (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) will take in a similar build up campaign as he bids for a repeat win in the A$13m race at Randwick in October. The 5-year-old was last seen finishing fourth to English (Aus) (Encosta De Lago {Aus}) in the G1 Doomben 10,000 in May after which co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden decided to give Redzel a month’s break. “He really enjoyed that month off,” Peter Snowden told Racing And Sports. “He went straight out after the 10,000 and had four weeks up in Brisbane in the sun which was fantastic. He’s very fresh at the moment,” he added. Snowden plans to run Redzel in a barrier trial at Gosford or Rosehill in two weeks time before letting him takes his chance in the two prep races that he won last year en route to his big pay day at Randwick. “His first start will be on the first of September in the [G3] Concorde Stakes. Then he’ll run two weeks later in The [G2] Shorts and then he’ll have a month between The Shorts and The Everest with a trial in between. It worked so well last year so we’ll try to get him in a similar vein this year,” Snowden said of the horse who will run in the slot of Yulong Investments in this year’s Everest. View the full article
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War Heroine Speeds to Victory in San Clemente
Wandering Eyes posted a topic in The Rest of the World
In a large field that appeared to be loaded with speed for the $200,000 San Clemente Stakes (G2T) July 21 at Del Mar, Gary Barber's War Heroine was simply fastest. View the full article -
Larry Best’s OXO Equine, which got the Del Mar meet off to a scintillating start with the ‘TDN Rising Star’ performance of Brill (Medaglia d’Oro) last Wednesday, celebrated another impressive debut victory when Rowayton (c, 2, Into Mischief-Rosemonde, by Indian Charlie) reported home an easy 1 1/2-length winner at the oceanside oval Saturday. The 4-5 favorite contested the early pace with 27-1 longshot Truck Salesman (Can the Man) through fractions of :22.35 and :46.00. He put that foe away entering the stretch and strode clear with authority before being geared down late as Dueling (Violence) rallied belatedly for second. Pirate’s Punch (Shanghai Bobby) was third. The time for the five furlongs was :58.61. Rowayton, a $320,000 FTSAUG yearling, is the first foal out of the unraced Rosemonde. The mare is a half-sister to Canadian champion Miss Mischief (Into Mischief). Best also owns ‘TDN Rising Star’ Instagrand (Into Mischief), a first-out winner at Los Alamitos in June. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,000. O-OXO Equine LLC. B-H Allen Poindexter. T-Jerry Hollendorfer. View the full article
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Gary Barber’s War Heroine (f, 3, Lonhro {Aus}-War Tigress, by War Chant), tabbed a ‘TDN Rising Star’ after her debut win over the main track at Del Mar last November, held on to a fast-diminishing neck advantage to earn her first graded victory in the GII San Clemente S. at the oceanside oval Saturday. The 10-1 shot set the pace through fractions of :22.85 and 46.85 with Ms Bad Behavior (Blame) a tracking second. She grimly held off the stretch-long challenge of Ms Bad Behavior and had just enough left to hold off the late-rallying Ollie’s Candy (Candy Ride {Arg}), completing the mile on the turf in 1:34.60. War Heroine, who opened her sophomore campaign with a sixth-place effort in the Jan. 7 GII Santa Ynez S., moved to the lawn to win the Feb. 11 Sweet Life S. down the hill at Santa Anita. Fifth when shipped east and stretched to a mile for the Mar. 3 Busher S., she was making her first start since winning an optional claimer down the hill Apr. 29. The winner was a $37,000 KEESEP yearling. Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-0, $240,945. O-Gary Barber. B-Waymore LLC. T-Peter Miller. View the full article
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Sistercharlie All Class in Narrow Diana Score
Wandering Eyes posted a topic in The Rest of the World
Peter Brant's Sistercharlie needed every bit of the Saratoga Race Course stretch and all of her class to notch her latest grade 1 triumph July 21 as she nailed 15-1 longshot Ultra Brat on the wire to take the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1T). View the full article