Weekend Stakes Rundown: a Classic, a Derby, and More
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Photo: Coady Photography
Stanford wins the 2016 Charles Town Classic
Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes in North America. This week we have big stakes cards at Charles Town and Laurel Park, a pair of graded stakes at Santa Anita Park, and more. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern) and full previews are available through the links below.
Saturday, April 22
2:50 p.m.—$125,000 Weber City Miss Stakes at Laurel Park
Her career didn't get under way until the first week of January, but so far Jenda's Agenda has done nothing wrong. The undefeated filly will look to stretch her speed and talent in the Weber City Miss, a "Win and You're In" event for the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) May 19.
Weber City Miss S.
Laurel Park, Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 4
- STK
- About 1 1/16m
- Dirt
- $125,000
- 3 yo Fillies
- 2:50 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Lights of Medina (KY) | Feargal Lynch | 116 | Todd A. Pletcher | 7/2 |
| 2 | 2Frank's Folly (KY) |
Alex Cintron | 116 | Kelly J. Breen | 15/1 |
| 3 | 3Jenda's Agenda (KY) | Trevor McCarthy | 122 | J. Larry Jones | 3/5 |
| 4 | 4Forever Liesl (FL) | Jevian Toledo | 116 | Michelle Nevin | 4/1 |
| 5 | 5Star Super (KY) |
Sheldon Russell | 116 | Cathal A. Lynch | 10/1 |
4:33 p.m.—$125,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park
Todd Pletcher could find himself with another contender on the Triple Crown trail when he sends out late bloomer Action Everyday in the Tesio. St. Elias Stables' Action Everyday didn't debut until late December and won each of his first two races at Tampa Bay Downs before finishing a well-beaten fourth in the March 4 Gotham Stakes (G3) last time out.
Federico Tesio S.
Laurel Park, Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 7
- STK
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $125,000
- 3 yo
- 4:33 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Hashtag Alex (KY) | Carol Cedeno | 118 | John C. Servis | 15/1 |
| 2 | 2Action Everyday (KY) |
Trevor McCarthy | 116 | Todd A. Pletcher | 5/2 |
| 3 | 3Twisted Tom (NY) | Feargal Lynch | 122 | Chad C. Brown | 7/2 |
| 4 | 4O Dionysus (MD) | Jevian Toledo | 122 | Gary Capuano | 5/2 |
| 5 | 5Carradine (NY) | Cornelio H. Velasquez | 118 | Linda Rice | 8/5 |
5:30 p.m.—$100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park
A pair of Phil D'Amato trained stakes winners—Syntax and Papacoolpapacool—are prominent in the turf marathon race. Syntax finished second last time out in another turf marathon—the San Luis Rey (G2T)—but the 5-year-old son of Haatef's last win came in the 2015 Kent Stakes (G3T) at Delaware Park.
San Juan Capistrano S. (G3T)
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 4
- About 1 3/4m
- Turf
- $100,000
- 3 yo's & up
- 2:29 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Generoso (URU) | Tiago Josue Pereira | 122 | Paulo H. Lobo | 12/1 |
| 2 | 2Power Foot (KY) | Norberto Arroyo, Jr. | 122 | Neil D. Drysdale | 7/2 |
| 3 | 3Runasaurus Rex (AB) | Edwin A. Maldonado | 122 | Michael Pender | 30/1 |
| 4 | 4Inordinate (KY) |
Corey S. Nakatani | 122 | Richard Baltas | 2/1 |
| 5 | 5Syntax (IRE) | Rafael Bejarano | 122 | Philip D'Amato | 8/5 |
| 6 | 6Papacoolpapacool (KY) |
Flavien Prat | 122 | Philip D'Amato | 3/1 |
5:30 p.m.—$250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland
Itsinthepost, campaigned by longtime owner Jed Cohen in the name of his Red Baron's Barn, comes off a March 25 conquest of the San Luis Rey at the same 1 1/2-mile distance as the Elkhorn. Danish Dynaformer turned in a nice effort in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T) last time out, coming from well back with a late rally to get to within 1 1/4 lengths of grade 1 winner Wake Forest.
Dixiana Elkhorn S. (G2T)
Keeneland, Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 9
- 1 1/2m
- Turf
- $250,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 5:30 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Interpol (ON) | Jose Lezcano | 118 | James J. Toner | 12/1 |
| 2 | 2Danish Dynaformer (ON) | Paco Lopez | 118 | Roger L. Attfield | 6/1 |
| 3 | 3Red Rifle (KY) |
Corey J. Lanerie | 118 | Todd A. Pletcher | 6/1 |
| 4 | 4Itsinthepost (FR) | Tyler Baze | 120 | Jeff Mullins | 4/1 |
| 5 | 5Bigger Picture (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | 118 | Michael J. Maker | 7/2 |
| 6 | 6Bullards Alley (KY) | Marcelino Pedroza | 118 | Tim Glyshaw | 20/1 |
| 7 | 7Grey Wizard (KY) |
Joe Bravo | 118 | Jose Fernandez | 30/1 |
| 8 | 8Taghleeb (KY) | Luis Saez | 118 | Michael J. Maker | 4/1 |
| 9 | 9Charming Kitten (KY) | Julien R. Leparoux | 118 | Michael J. Maker | 6/1 |
| 10 | 10Roman Approval (KY) |
Joel Rosario | 118 | Michael J. Maker | 20/1 |
| 11 | 11Chocolate Ride (KY) |
Shaun Bridgmohan | 118 | Brad H. Cox | 12/1 |
5:35 p.m.—$1.25 million Charles Town Classic at Charles Town
Stanford will look for a repeat win in Charles Town's premier race, but will have to fend off Imperative, who defeated him in the Jan. 28 Poseidon Handicap. Imperative also has a Charles Town Classic victory on his record, when he pulled a 26-1 shocker in 2014.
Charles Town Classic S. (G2)
Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races, Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 11
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $1,250,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 5:35 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Stanford (KY) |
John R. Velazquez | 118 | Todd A. Pletcher | 8/5 |
| 2 | 2Sunny Ridge (NJ) | Manuel Franco | 118 | Jason Servis | 6/1 |
| 3 | 3Gangster (KY) | Mario Gutierrez | 118 | Doug F. O'Neill | 10/1 |
| 4 | 4Matt King Coal (FL) | Horacio Karamanos | 118 | Linda Rice | 8/1 |
| 5 | 5Imperative (KY) |
Javier Castellano | 118 | Robert B. Hess, Jr. | 3/1 |
| 6 | 6War Story (KY) |
Tyler Gaffalione | 118 | Jorge Navarro | 5/1 |
| 7 | 7Bodhisattva (CA) | Xavier Perez | 118 | Jose Corrales | 15/1 |
| 8 | 8Cautious Giant (KY) |
Jacob Radosevich | 118 | Jeffrey A. Radosevich | 20/1 |
7:17 p.m.—$250,000 Illinois Derby (G3) at Hawthorne Racecourse
American Equistock's Multiplier raced three times at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in 2017, finishing third in his debut to fellow Illinois Derby entrant Hollywood Handsome. In Multiplier's second start, he finished second to the well-regarded Souper Tapit by a neck. The son of The Factor won his third start going the same distance as his previous two races, a mile and 70 yards.
Illinois Derby (G3)
Hawthorne Race Course, Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 5
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $250,000
- 3 yo
- 6:17 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Multiplier (KY) |
James Graham | 123 | Brendan P. Walsh | 9/2 |
| 2 | 2Hedge Fund (KY) | Jose Valdivia, Jr. | 123 | Todd A. Pletcher | 3/1 |
| 3 | 3It's Your Nickel (KY) | Channing Hill | 123 | Kenneth G. McPeek | 6/1 |
| 4 | 4Stand and Cheer (KY) | Christopher A. Emigh | 123 | Scott Becker | 8/1 |
| 5 | 5St. Louie Guy (FL) | Victor Santiago | 123 | Scott Becker | 6/1 |
| 6 | 6Mr. Misunderstood (KY) | Florent Geroux | 123 | Brad H. Cox | 7/2 |
| 7 | 7Hollywood Handsome (KY) | Robby Albarado | 123 | Dallas Stewart | 4/1 |
7:30 pm.—$200,000 Californian Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park
Collected and Cupid, a pair of Bob Baffert-trained runners who did their fair share of damage during their 3-year-old campaigns, will face each other and a unique field in the Californian. While Cupid is scheduled to make his seasonal debut, Collected started his 4-year-old season in style April 1, when he bested former stablemate Dortmund to win the Santana Mile by 3 3/4 lengths at Santa Anita.
Californian S. (G2)
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 8
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $200,000
- 3 yo's & up
- 4:38 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Collected (KY) |
Martin Garcia | 122 | Bob Baffert | 8/5 |
| 2 | 2Cupid (KY) |
Rafael Bejarano | 124 | Bob Baffert | 3/1 |
| 3 | 3Prospect Park (KY) | Flavien Prat | 122 | Clifford W. Sise, Jr. | 7/2 |
| 4 | 4Prime Attraction (KY) |
Santiago Gonzalez | 122 | James M. Cassidy | 10/1 |
| 5 | 5Texas Ryano (KY) | Mike E. Smith | 126 | Carla Gaines | 15/1 |
| 6 | 6Follow Me Crev (KY) | Kent J. Desormeaux | 122 | Vladimir Cerin | 5/2 |
8 p.m.—$75,000 Mizdirection Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino's Coppa started her career with three straight victories, including an out-of-town win in the Victory Ride Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park, but ended her 3-year-old season with off-the board finishes in the Prioress Stakes (G2) and Unzip Me Stakes. The 4-year-old Yesbyjimminy filly will make her 2017 debut in the Mizdirection down the Santa Anita hillside turf course.
Mizdirection S.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 9
- STK
- About 6 1/2f
- Downhill turf
- $75,000
- 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 5:10 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Watch This Cat (KY) |
Corey S. Nakatani | 126 | Richard Baltas | 9/2 |
| 2 | 2Desert Steel (CA) | Flavien Prat | 124 | Simon Callaghan | 5/1 |
| 3 | 3Coppa (FL) | Joseph Talamo | 126 | Philip D'Amato | 10/1 |
| 4 | 4Do the Dance (KY) |
Stewart Elliott | 126 | Gary Sherlock | 20/1 |
| 5 | 5Riri (KY) |
Rafael Bejarano | 122 | Philip D'Amato | 5/1 |
| 6 | 6Coniah (CA) | Kent J. Desormeaux | 122 | William E. Morey | 15/1 |
| 7 | 7Perfect Pic (ON) |
Santiago Gonzalez | 122 | James M. Cassidy | 8/1 |
| 8 | 8Smoove It (CA) | Tiago Josue Pereira | 126 | Doug F. O'Neill | 6/1 |
| 9 | 9Paquita Coqueta (CHI) | Gary L. Stevens | 126 | Richard E. Mandella | 6/1 |
| 10 | 10Swift Lady (FL) | Martin Garcia | 126 | Bob Baffert | 4/1 |
Sunday, April 23
3:05 pm.—$100,000 Memories of Silver Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
Last-out Florida Oaks (G3T) winner and New York-bred Fifty Five will return to her home state in the Memories of Silver, over the same Aqueduct turf course where the Get Stormy filly broke her maiden in November.
Memories Of Silver S.
Aqueduct Racetrack, Sunday, April 23, 2017, Race 4
- STK
- 1 1/16m
- Turf
- $100,000
- 3 yo Fillies
- 3:05 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Dynatail (KY) |
Rajiv Maragh | 120 | Michael Dini | 4/1 |
| 2 | 2Party Boat (KY) |
Joel Rosario | 120 | H. Graham Motion | 3/1 |
| 3 | 3Art Institute (FL) | Kendrick Carmouche | 118 | Thomas F. Proctor | 20/1 |
| 4 | 4Fifty Five (NY) | Jose L. Ortiz | 122 | Chad C. Brown | 6/5 |
| 5 | 5Super Marina (KY) |
Manuel Franco | 120 | George Weaver | 12/1 |
| 6 | 6Thirstforthecup (KY) |
Rider TBA | 116 | Todd A. Pletcher | 5/2 |
| 7 | 7Team of Teams (KY) | John R. Velazquez | 118 | James A. Jerkens | 6/1 |
4:19 p.m.—$125,000 Whimsical Stakes (G3) at Woodbine
Canadian Horse of the Year Caren will make her 2017 debut in the six-furlong main-track sprint Sunday. Caren notched four wins from nine starts last season, scooping two-thirds of the Canadian Triple Tiara with scores in the Bison City and Wonder Where Stakes. The 4-year-old daughter of Society's Chairman also added wins in the Ontario Colleen (G3) and Carotene Stakes.
Whimsical S. (G3)
Woodbine, Sunday, April 23, 2017, Race 7
- 6f
- All Weather Track
- $125,000
- 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 4:19 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Galina Point (ON) |
Gary Boulanger | 117 | Mark E. Casse | 6/1 |
| 2 | 2Euroboss (KY) |
Luis Contreras | 117 | Michael Stidham | 10/1 |
| 3 | 3Secretariat Humor (KY) |
Alan Garcia | 117 | Roger L. Attfield | 12/1 |
| 4 | 4Crumlin Spirit (ON) | David Moran | 119 | Michael J. Doyle | 20/1 |
| 5 | 5Caren (ON) | Jesse M. Campbell | 124 | Michael P. De Paulo | 4/1 |
| 6 | 6Southern Ring (ON) | Eurico Rosa Da Silva | 119 | Malcolm Pierce | 3/1 |
| 7 | 7Skylander Girl (ON) |
Rafael Manuel Hernandez | 117 | Alexander P. Patykewich | 8/1 |
| 8 | 8River Maid (ON) | Patrick Husbands | 121 | Robert P. Tiller | 2/1 |
7:30 p.m.—$75,000 Siren Lure Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Rockingham Ranch's Stormy Liberal will look to earn his third straight stake over the Santa Anita hillside turf course Sunday, following scores in the Jan. 29 Clocker's Corner and March 4 Joe Hernandez. A $40,000 claim by Peter Miller in October, the Stormy Atlantic gelding also placed in the San Simeon Stakes (G3T) since the claim.
Siren Lure S.
Santa Anita Park, Sunday, April 23, 2017, Race 8
- STK
- About 6 1/2f
- Downhill turf
- $75,000
- 3 yo's & up
- 4:41 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Stormy Liberal (KY) | Norberto Arroyo, Jr. | 126 | Peter Miller | 6/5 |
| 2 | 2Eddie Haskell (CA) | Mario Gutierrez | 124 | Doug F. O'Neill | 6/1 |
| 3 | 3Coastline (KY) |
Tyler Baze | 124 | Philip D'Amato | 3/1 |
| 4 | 4Richard's Boy (CA) | Victor Espinoza | 126 | Peter Miller | 5/2 |
| 5 | 5Ambitious Brew (CA) | Mike E. Smith | 126 | Martin F. Jones | 7/5 |