Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted June 5 Journalists Posted June 5 SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Undefeated GI Kentucky Oaks heroine and Godolphin homebred Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) will put her perfect seven-for-seven record on the line as she takes on six rivals in Friday's GI DK Horse Acorn S. at the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course. The Acorn is one of six graded stakes races on Friday's 14-race program, which also features three other Grade I events–the GI Ogden Phipps S., a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar; the GI New York S.; and the GI Just a Game S. Good Cheer, also the winner of this term's GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra S. Feb. 15 and GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 22, is the 1-2 morning-line favorite. The Acorn also includes 'TDN Rising Star' Shred the Gnar (Into Mischief), who makes her stakes debut after a pair of ultra-impressive wins. Recent Kentucky Oaks winners to double up in the Acorn include: Bird Town (Cape Town) (2003), Abel Tasman (Quality Road) (2017), Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) (2018), 'Rising Star' Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) (2023) and 'Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) (2024). “We're just enjoying the ride and she's a special filly,” Godolphin USA's Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan said of Good Cheer. “The longer they stay undefeated, a little more pressure comes on to keep that streak going.” Trainer Brad Cox added, “Someone asked me one word to describe her, and it's real easy–it's class.” The Ogden Phipps has also attracted a field of seven, led by last year's GI Personal Ensign S. winner and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff runner-up Raging Sea (Curlin), who launched her 5-year-old campaign with an impressive win in the GI Fasig-Tipton La Troienne S. on Kentucky Oaks Day. Trainer Chad Brown will also saddle defending Phipps winner Randomized (Nyquist), who held on to defeat champion Idiomatic (Curlin) by a head in wire-to-wire fashion. Raging Sea | Sarah Andrew She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) is another headliner on Friday's card, who towers over her seven rivals in the New York. The 3-5 morning-line favorite enters riding a three-race winning streak–the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. at Keeneland Oct. 12, the GI American Oaks at Santa Anita Dec. 26 and the GIII Modesty S. at Churchill Downs May 2. She is trained by Cherie DeVaux. She Feels Pretty | Sarah Andrew A wide-open renewal of the 11-deep Just a Game features a rematch of the GI Jenny Wiley S. one-two-three–Choisya (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) and Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach). The very troubled second-place finisher while making her U.S. debut that day Excellent Truth has been tabbed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Last year's GI Test S. winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Ways and Means (Practical Joke) is the horse to beat in the GII Bed o' Roses S. Ways and Means | Sarah Andrew Friday's card also features the GII Belmont Gold Cup, going two miles over the inner turf. The weather forecast in upstate New York continues to be very fluid, with rain expected over the next few days. America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on the networks of FOX Sports. The post Unbeaten Kentucky Oaks Heroine Good Cheer Headlines Acorn, One of Six Graded Stakes at the Spa Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article Quote
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