Synchrony Seeks Hat Trick in Fair Grounds Stakes
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Photo: Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges Jr.
Synchrony wins the 2019 Fair Grounds Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course
Pin Oak Stud homebred Synchrony could become only the second horse to win three consecutive runnings of the $150,000 Fair Grounds Stakes (G3T) Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Trained by Michael Stidham, the 7-year-old son of Tapit kicked off last season by winning the 1 1/8-mile turf test by 1 1/4 lengths. This year present a bigger challenge for the talented grass runner, who has not raced since October when he finished off the board in the City of Hope Mile Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park.
"At the end of last year, there was a question as to whether or not we were going to bring him back for his 7-year old year," Stidham said. "Because of his health and desire for racing, we decided to give him a little break and then bring him back to Fair Grounds, which is his favorite track.
"His level of enthusiasm is the same as when we first got him years ago. Getting him over a million dollars in earnings is a goal, but we are also still chasing that elusive grade 1, and we think he's still capable of getting that done."
Synchrony has worked steadily at Fair Grounds in preparation for his season debut and enters the race with six timed works under his belt. He last breezed four furlongs Feb. 8 in :48 3/5.
"In his last work, Synchrony broke off and was just doing his thing nice and easy, when a gray horse came up beside him," Stidham said. "That horse happened to be (grade 3 Mineshaft Stakes favorite) Silver Dust. He ran by us on the turn, but then Synchrony showed his grit, came back at him, and almost got him at the wire. They galloped out together. You would never plan something like that with those two horses, but it was just really cool to see."
Jockey Joe Bravo, who was aboard for Synchrony's two victories in this race, will have the call once more from post 2.
Mystery Giver is the only horse to win three consecutive runnings of the Fair Grounds Stakes. Trained by Richard Scherer, the Illinois-bred took the race from 2002-04 before it was awarded graded status.
Switching to grass in the hope to improve his chances at reaching the Fair Grounds winner's circle is L and N Racing's Tone Broke. One of the youngest competitors in the 14-horse field, the Broken Vow colt finished off the board in the Jan. 18 Louisiana Stakes (G3) on the Fair Grounds dirt for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Tone Broke will depart from post 8 with Ricardo Santana Jr.
Fast Boat Seeks First Stakes Win in Colonel Power
Brad Grady's Fast Boat will look for his first stakes win in the $100,000 Colonel Power Stakes on the turf, having just missed last out in the Jan. 26 Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.
Trained by Joe Sharp, the gelded son of City Zip has not raced at Fair Grounds since March when he took an allowance race over the 5 1/2-furlong Colonel Power distance.
"We feel pretty confident for Saturday," Sharp said. "Most times you don't like breaking from post 1, but he's a horse that likes being down inside of horses. We were really pleased with his race last time out, and I think going 5 1/2 furlongs suits him much better."
Fast Boat wins an allowance race in October at Keeneland
Chaos Theory will look to repeat in the sprint. Owned by Marc Detampel, Sunshine State Racing, and Bottle Rocket Stable, Chaos Theory will enter off a nine-month layoff that trainer Brendan Walsh hopes will give the Curlin gelding a leg up.
"We gave him some time off," Walsh said. "He had some issues. Nothing major, but he needed some time. We brought him to Palm Meadows and have been working him over the turf there. He won this race last year, and we're expecting a good run from him. He looks as good as he ever was."
Chaos Theory will depart post 2 under Joel Rosario.
Mitchell Road Looks to Repeat in Albert Stall Memorial
Mrs. J.V. Shields and E.J.M. McFadden Jr.’s Mitchell Road will look to retain her crown in the $100,000 Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on the grass.
Following her score in the Albert Stall Memorial last year, the 5-year-old daughter of English Channel trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott earned her first graded stakes victory, wiring the field in the Gallorette Stakes (G3T) at Pimlico Race Course.
Out of the War Chant mare Quake Lake, Mitchell Road is a half sister to Country House, who was awarded the 2019 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) following the disqualification of Maximum Security. She enters off a runner-up finish in the Jan. 25 South Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
"In her last race, she didn't break as cleanly as she usually does," said Riley Mott, his father's assistant. "If we're lucky enough to break well Saturday, we expect her to be right up near the front like she usually is and to put in the effort she shows every time she runs. She's got a win over the Fair Grounds turf course as well, so we're coming into the race really confident in her."
Mitchell Road will partner with Rosario from post 2.
Mitchell Road's likely competition will come from Heider Family Stables' Zofelle, who shipped to the United States in October after beginning her career in Great Britain. Unbeaten in three starts for Walsh, the Zoffany filly earned her first stateside stakes win last out when she stormed home from the back of the pack to win the Pago Hop Stakes at Fair Grounds.
"She has done nothing wrong since she's gotten here to the states," Walsh said. "She's worked very well since her last race. It's nice to give her a chance to slowly work her way up the class ladder. Obviously, this will be the toughest test for her since she's been here. She's got to step up and do it again, but we have complete confidence in her. Hopefully with a good run Saturday, we can work our way into graded stakes competition."
Zofelle will break from post 12 with Florent Geroux.
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Saturday, February 15, 2020, Race 6Entries: Colonel Power S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Fast Boat (KY)
Adam Beschizza
118
Joe Sharp
3/1
2
2Chaos Theory (KY)
Joel Rosario
118
Brendan P. Walsh
4/1
3
3Made You Look (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
118
Philip A. Bauer
8/1
4
4Powell (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
118
Michael Stidham
8/1
5
5Star of Kodiak (KY)
Mitchell Murrill
118
Christopher Davis
6/1
6
6Malpais (KY)
Gabriel Saez
118
Joe Sharp
8/1
7
7Nicky Numbers (KY)
Miguel Mena
118
Allen Milligan
20/1
8
8Early Mischief (KY)
James Graham
118
James E. Baker
20/1
9
9Just Might (KY)
Colby J. Hernandez
118
Michelle Lovell
20/1
10
10Blind Ambition (KY)
Florent Geroux
118
Mark E. Casse
9/2
11
11McFeely (KY)
Shaun Bridgmohan
118
John Ney
20/1
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Saturday, February 15, 2020, Race 8Entries: Albert M. Stall Memorial S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Flower Party (IRE)
Shaun Bridgmohan
118
Michael Stidham
30/1
2
2Mitchell Road (KY)
Joel Rosario
122
William I. Mott
5/2
3
3Notapradaprice (KY)
Javier Castellano
118
Eddie Kenneally
8/1
4
4She'sonthewarpath (KY)
Chantal Sutherland
118
Steve Margolis
20/1
5
5Quick Witted (KY)
Joe Bravo
118
Ignacio Correas, IV
20/1
6
6Elsa (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
118
Michael Stidham
15/1
7
7Don't Tell Marge (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
Neil J. Howard
10/1
8
8Irisa (ARG)
James Graham
118
Ignacio Correas, IV
12/1
9
9Stave (KY)
Gabriel Saez
118
J. Larry Jones
15/1
10
10Makealitlemischief (KY)
Mitchell Murrill
118
Bernard S. Flint
20/1
11
11Aife (KY)
Colby J. Hernandez
118
Matt A. Shirer
15/1
12
12Zofelle (IRE)
Florent Geroux
122
Brendan P. Walsh
7/2
13
13May Lily (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Gregory D. Foley
20/1
14
14Quebec (KY)
Adam Beschizza
122
Joe Sharp
6/1
15
15Area (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Steven M. Asmussen
12/1
16
16Makeme Dream (KY)
Robby Albarado
118
Jeff Engler
30/1
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Saturday, February 15, 2020, Race 10Entries: Fair Grounds S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Wound Tight (CA)
Kent J. Desormeaux
122
Robert B. Hess, Jr.
6/1
2
2Synchrony (KY)
Joe Bravo
118
Michael Stidham
3/1
3
3Botswana (KY)
Edgar Morales
118
Bentley Combs
30/1
4
4Factor This (KY)
Shaun Bridgmohan
118
Brad H. Cox
8/1
5
5Dontblamerocket (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
122
Norm W. Casse
9/2
6
6Classic Covey (KY)
Junior Alvarado
118
William I. Mott
6/1
7
7Honovi (KY)
Colby J. Hernandez
118
Brendan P. Walsh
30/1
8
8Tone Broke (ON)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Steven M. Asmussen
20/1
9
9Captivating Moon (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
118
Chris M. Block
10/1
10
10Space Mountain (KY)
Florent Geroux
118
Michael J. Maker
20/1
11
11Sailing Solo (KY)
Mitchell Murrill
118
Louie J. Roussel, III
20/1
12
12Midnight Tea Time (KY)
Joel Rosario
118
Joe Sharp
12/1
13
13Spectacular Gem (KY)
James Graham
122
James E. Baker
20/1
14
14The Great Day (ARG)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
Ignacio Correas, IV
15/1