Weekend Stakes Rundown: Gold Cup Day
Image:
Description:
Photo: Keeneland | Coady Photography
Lady Eli has shipped west to run in the Gamely at Santa Anita
Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes races in North America. This week a pair of grade 1 races at Santa Anita Park and graded stakes at six other racetracks. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern) and full previews can be found through the hyperlink for each race.
Saturday, May 27
4:52 p.m.—$100,000 Red Bank Stakes (G3T) at Monmouth Park
Wertheimer and Frere's homebred All Included will look to secure his second straight graded score following his first stakes win last time out April 1 in the Appleton Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park. The only other graded winner in the field is Albert Frassetto's Can'thelpbelieving, who won the Aug. 21 Cliff Hanger Stakes (G3T) at Monmouth.
Red Bank S. (G3T)
Monmouth Park, Saturday, May 27, 2017, Race 9
- 1m
- Turf
- $100,000
- 3 yo's & up
- 4:52 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Weekend Express (KY) | Jose C. Ferrer | 116 | Timothy A. Hills | 30/1 |
| 2 | 2All Included (KY) | Eddie Castro | 123 | Todd A. Pletcher | 9/5 |
| 3 | 3Synchrony (KY) | Mitchell Murrill | 116 | Michael Stidham | 5/1 |
| 4 | 4Can'thelpbelieving (IRE) | Antonio A. Gallardo | 116 | H. Graham Motion | 9/2 |
| 5 | 5Rose Brier (VA) |
Paco Lopez | 116 | Matthew T. Hartman | 7/2 |
| 6 | 6Call First (KY) | Jose C. Ferrer | 116 | Gina Perri | 30/1 |
| 7 | 7Marengo Road (KY) |
Julian Pimentel | 116 | Michael J. Trombetta | 20/1 |
| 8 | 8Irish Strait (NJ) | Orlando Bocachica | 116 | H. Graham Motion | 6/1 |
| 9 | 9Special Envoy (VA) | Joe Bravo | 116 | Arnaud Delacour | 6/1 |
| 10 | 10Schoolofhardrocks (KY) | UNKNOWN | 116 | J. Willard Thompson | 30/1 |
| 11 | 11Encryption (KY) |
UNKNOWN | 116 | Kelly J. Breen | 9/2 |
| 12 | 12Adirondack King (KY) |
Nik Juarez | 116 | John C. Servis | 5/1 |
| 13 | 13Just Call Kenny (VA) | Paco Lopez | 116 | Patrick B. McBurney | 6/1 |
4:55 p.m.—$175,000 Nassau Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine
Multiple grade 1 winner and 2015 Canadian Horse of the Year Catch a Glimpse will return to her roots in Canada. After a maiden loss at Saratoga Race Course, Catch a Glimpse began an eight-race win streak at Woodbine that spanned her juvenile and sophomore seasons. Among those victories was the 2015 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Keeneland and the 2016 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T).
Nassau S. (G2T)
Woodbine, Saturday, May 27, 2017, Race 8
- 1m
- Turf
- $175,000
- 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 4:55 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Stormy Victoria (FR) | Alan Garcia | 116 | Christophe Clement | 2/1 |
| 2 | 2Catch a Glimpse (KY) |
Florent Geroux | 125 | Mark E. Casse | 8/5 |
| 3 | 3Involuntary (KY) |
Gary Boulanger | 116 | Josie Carroll | 15/1 |
| 4 | 4Caren (ON) | Jesse M. Campbell | 120 | Michael P. De Paulo | 5/1 |
| 5 | 5Shelbysmile (KY) |
David Moran | 118 | Brendan P. Walsh | 6/1 |
| 6 | 6Southern Gem (KY) |
Rafael Manuel Hernandez | 116 | Sid C. Attard | 12/1 |
| 7 | 7Starship Jubilee (FL) | Eurico Rosa Da Silva | 116 | Kevin Attard | 15/1 |
5 p.m.—$150,000 Daytona Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park
Stormy Liberal drew best on the outside of the six-horse field. Since December all four of the gelding's starts have come on the downhill turf course, and he's gone to the winner's circle after the last three, including a victory in the Siren Lure Stakes April 23.
Daytona S. (G3)
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, May 27, 2017, Race 3
- About 6 1/2f
- Downhill turf
- $150,000
- 3 yo's & up
- 2:00 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Ambitious Brew (CA) | Mike E. Smith | 124 | Martin F. Jones | 5/2 |
| 2 | 2Blackjackcat (KY) | Rafael Bejarano | 122 | Mark Glatt | 6/1 |
| 98 | 3Eddie Haskell (CA) | SCRATCHED | 0 | UNKNOWN | - |
| 3 | 4Roy H (KY) |
Edwin A. Maldonado | 122 | Peter Miller | 7/2 |
| 4 | 5Home Run Kitten (KY) | Joseph Talamo | 122 | David E. Hofmans | 5/1 |
| 5 | 6Stormy Liberal (KY) | Norberto Arroyo, Jr. | 122 | Peter Miller | 6/5 |
5:21 p.m.—$100,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs
Carl Moore Management's sprinter Finley'sluckycharm will put her unbeaten record at Churchill Downs on the line. Conditioned by three-time Winning Colors-winning trainer Bret Calhoun, Finley'sluckycharm is a perfect four-for-four at Churchill.
Winning Colors S. (G3)
Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 27, 2017, Race 10
- 6f
- Dirt
- $100,000
- 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 5:21 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Mayla (MD) | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | 120 | W. Bret Calhoun | 15/1 |
| 2 | 2Sweetgrass (KY) | James Graham | 120 | Ian R. Wilkes | 4/1 |
| 3 | 3Covey Trace (KY) |
Gabriel Saez | 120 | William J. Denzik, Jr. | 30/1 |
| 4 | 4Ramona's Wildcat (LA) | Declan Cannon | 120 | Thomas M. Amoss | 20/1 |
| 5 | 5Game Time Decision (IL) | Corey J. Lanerie | 120 | Brad H. Cox | 15/1 |
| 6 | 6Finley'sluckycharm (KY) |
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | 120 | W. Bret Calhoun | 3/5 |
| 7 | 7Athena (KY) |
Joseph Rocco, Jr. | 122 | Helen Pitts | 4/1 |
| 8 | 8Pleasant Tales (KY) | Miguel Mena | 120 | Dallas Stewart | 12/1 |
6:03 p.m.—$300,000 Gamely Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita is home to the mare that figures to be Lady Eli's toughest challenger in the Gamely. The Richard Mandella-trained Avenge is set to make her seasonal debut in what will be her first outing since a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T), where she was just a length behind Lady Eli and race-winner Queen's Trust.
Gamely S. (G1T)
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, May 27, 2017, Race 5
- 1 1/8m
- Turf
- $300,000
- 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 3:03 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Avenge (KY) | Flavien Prat | 124 | Richard E. Mandella | 2/1 |
| 98 | 2September Stars (IRE) | SCRATCHED | 0 | UNKNOWN | - |
| 2 | 3Pretty Girl (ARG) | Mike E. Smith | 122 | Paulo H. Lobo | 12/1 |
| 3 | 4Goodyearforroses (IRE) | Corey S. Nakatani | 122 | Richard Baltas | 4/1 |
| 4 | 5Mokat (KY) |
Rafael Bejarano | 122 | Richard Baltas | 8/1 |
| 5 | 6Lady Eli (KY) |
Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 124 | Chad C. Brown | 4/5 |
6:09 p.m.—$100,000 Arlington Classic (G3T) at Arlington International Racecourse
When 10 3-year-olds passed the box for 1 1/16-mile race it wasn't surprising to see trainer Mike Maker's name on the entry's list, but three times? The horseman has Prize Fight, Gorgeous Kitten, and Fast and Accurate entered.
Arlington Classic S. (G3T)
Arlington International Racecourse, Saturday, May 27, 2017, Race 8
- 1 1/16m
- Turf
- $100,000
- 3 yo
- 5:09 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Prize Fight (FL) |
Santo Sanjur | 117 | Michael J. Maker | 15/1 |
| 2 | 2Mas Mischief (KY) |
Edgar Perez | 117 | Eduardo Rodriguez | 30/1 |
| 3 | 3Gorgeous Kitten (KY) | Christopher A. Emigh | 119 | Michael J. Maker | 6/1 |
| 4 | 4Sakonnet (KY) |
Carlos H. Marquez, Jr. | 117 | Anthony J. Granitz | 10/1 |
| 5 | 5Red Corvette (KY) |
Julio E. Felix | 117 | Gary M. Scherer | 20/1 |
| 6 | 6Fast and Accurate (PA) |
Channing Hill | 124 | Michael J. Maker | 9/2 |
| 7 | 7Parlor (KY) |
Jesus Lopez Castanon | 117 | Eddie Kenneally | 7/2 |
| 8 | 8Cowboy Culture (KY) |
Shaun Bridgmohan | 119 | Brad H. Cox | 4/1 |
| 9 | 9Giant Payday (KY) |
Chris Landeros | 117 | Ian R. Wilkes | 5/1 |
| 10 | 10Don't Split Tens (IL) | Jose Valdivia, Jr. | 117 | Chris M. Block | 8/1 |
7:05 p.m.—$200,000 Monrovia Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park
Nick Alexander's homebred Enola Gray began 2017 with two victories from her first two starts and will seek her first graded win in the Monrovia. She comes into the race off a four-length score in the Irish O'Brien Stakes, which marked her third win over the Santa Anita hillside turf course in as many starts.
Monrovia S. (G2)
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, May 27, 2017, Race 7
- About 6 1/2f
- Downhill turf
- $200,000
- 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 4:04 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Swift Lady (FL) | Martin Garcia | 122 | Bob Baffert | 15/1 |
| 2 | 2Spy Ring (IRE) | Mike E. Smith | 117 | James M. Cassidy | 20/1 |
| 3 | 3Watch This Cat (KY) |
Rafael Bejarano | 122 | Richard Baltas | 10/1 |
| 4 | 4Illuminant (PA) |
Flavien Prat | 124 | Michael W. McCarthy | 9/5 |
| 5 | 5Coniah (CA) | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 122 | William E. Morey | 8/1 |
| 6 | 6Juno (BRZ) | Kent J. Desormeaux | 122 | Neil D. Drysdale | 6/1 |
| 7 | 7Paquita Coqueta (CHI) | Gary L. Stevens | 122 | Richard E. Mandella | 6/1 |
| 8 | 8Enola Gray (CA) | Tyler Baze | 122 | Philip D'Amato | 5/2 |
| 9 | 9Anita Partner (IRE) |
Brice Blanc | 122 | Jeff Mullins | 12/1 |
7:39 p.m.—$500,000 Gold Cup (G1) at Santa Anita Park
Midnight Storm looked like he was going to lock down a top-level score on dirt turning for home in the March 11 Santa Anita Handicap Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino (G1). He had a 1 1/2-length advantage on Shaman Ghost with a furlong to go in the Big 'Cap, but could not hold off his late charge. Midnight Storm will have another shot at a grade 1 win on dirt in the Gold Cup, and he won't have to contend with Shaman Ghost, who came back to win the Pimlico Special Handicap (G3) May 19.
Gold Cup at Santa Anita S. (G1)
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, May 27, 2017, Race 8
- 1 1/4m
- Dirt
- $500,000
- 3 yo's & up
- 4:39 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1American Freedom (KY) |
Martin Garcia | 122 | Bob Baffert | 4/1 |
| 2 | 2Follow Me Crev (KY) | Kent J. Desormeaux | 122 | Vladimir Cerin | 4/1 |
| 98 | 3Texas Ryano (KY) | SCRATCHED | 0 | UNKNOWN | - |
| 3 | 4Prime Attraction (KY) |
Jamie Theriot | 122 | James M. Cassidy | 30/1 |
| 4 | 5Midnight Storm (KY) |
Flavien Prat | 124 | Philip D'Amato | 5/2 |
| 5 | 6Cupid (KY) |
Rafael Bejarano | 124 | Bob Baffert | 6/1 |
| 6 | 7Big John B (FL) | Mike E. Smith | 122 | Philip D'Amato | 8/1 |
| 7 | 8Accelerate (KY) |
Tyler Baze | 122 | John W. Sadler | 4/1 |
| 8 | 9Hard Aces (KY) | Santiago Gonzalez | 122 | John W. Sadler | 8/1 |
Sunday, May 28
4:52 p.m.—$125,000 Marine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine
Sam-Son Farm's homebred Malibu Secret has drawn the 2-1, morning-line favoritism for the Marine, off a 2 3/4-length win to break his maiden April 28 at Woodbine. His only prior start came at 2, when he ran second in the Vandal Stakes in August to fellow Marin entrant Channel Maker.
Marine S. (G3)
Woodbine, Sunday, May 28, 2017, Race 8
- 1 1/16m
- All Weather Track
- $125,000
- 3 yo
- 4:52 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Montu (KY) | David Moran | 121 | Michael J. Doyle | 10/1 |
| 2 | 2Conquest Lemonraid (ON) |
Patrick Husbands | 117 | Mark E. Casse | 6/1 |
| 3 | 3Megagray (ON) | Jesse M. Campbell | 117 | Michael Keogh | 8/1 |
| 4 | 4Souper Tapit (FL) | Florent Geroux | 117 | Mark E. Casse | 7/2 |
| 5 | 5Malibu Secret (ON) | Eurico Rosa Da Silva | 117 | Malcolm Pierce | 2/1 |
| 6 | 6Channel Maker (ON) |
Rafael Manuel Hernandez | 117 | William I. Mott | 5/2 |
| 7 | 7Minister's Strike (KY) | Gary Boulanger | 119 | Mark E. Casse | 20/1 |
7 p.m.—$200,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park
Stretched out to 12 furlongs in the San Luis Rey Stakes (G2T) in March at Santa Anita, Itsinthepost found his calling. He stalked and pounced to break through by a length, then shipped to Keeneland to win the Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) at the same distance April 22. He'll have to dial back to 1 1/4 miles, however, in the Whittingham.
Charles Whittingham S. (G2T)
Santa Anita Park, Sunday, May 28, 2017, Race 7
- 1 1/4m
- Turf
- $200,000
- 3 yo's & up
- 4:06 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Liam the Charmer (KY) |
Victor Espinoza | 122 | Michael W. McCarthy | 6/1 |
| 2 | 2Ashleyluvssugar (CA) | Gary L. Stevens | 124 | Peter Eurton | 4/1 |
| 3 | 3Itsinthepost (FR) | Tyler Baze | 126 | Jeff Mullins | 5/2 |
| 4 | 4Prince of Arabia (KY) |
Santiago Gonzalez | 122 | James M. Cassidy | 30/1 |
| 5 | 5Syntax (IRE) | Rafael Bejarano | 122 | Philip D'Amato | 6/1 |
| 6 | 6Up With the Birds (ON) | Flavien Prat | 124 | Philip D'Amato | 8/1 |
| 7 | 7Frank Conversation (KY) | Mario Gutierrez | 124 | Doug F. O'Neill | 12/1 |
| 8 | 8Patentar (FR) | Martin A. Pedroza | 122 | Simon Callaghan | 10/1 |
| 9 | 9A Red Tie Day (KY) | Corey S. Nakatani | 122 | Richard Baltas | 12/1 |
| 10 | 10Texas Ryano (KY) | Joseph Talamo | 124 | Carla Gaines | 6/1 |
7:40 p.m.—Lone Star Handicap (G3) at Lone Star Park
Trainer Bob Baffert has shipped Danzing Candy to the Southwest following an optional-claiming allowance win at Santa Anita May 5, which was his first victory since the 2016 San Felipe Stakes (G2). In to challenge is Texas-bred multiple graded stakes winner Texas Chrome, who is seeking his first victory since the Sept. 25 Oklahoma Derby (G3).
Lone Star Park H. (G3)
Lone Star Park, Sunday, May 28, 2017, Race 9
- 1 1/16m
- Dirt
- $200,000
- 3 yo's & up
- 6:40 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Danzing Candy (KY) | Mike E. Smith | 121 | Bob Baffert | 7/5 |
| 2 | 2Carouse (KY) | Iram Vargas Diego | 112 | Steven M. Asmussen | 20/1 |
| 3 | 3Neck 'n Neck (KY) |
Richard E. Eramia | 118 | Steven M. Asmussen | 5/1 |
| 4 | 4Shotgun Kowboy (OK) | Luis S. Quinonez | 120 | C. R. Trout | 4/1 |
| 5 | 5Texas Chrome (TX) | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | 121 | J. R. Caldwell | 9/5 |
Monday, May 29
6:45 p.m.—$100,000 All American Stakes (G3) at Golden Gate Fields
Accomplished runners of all stripes have entered the Memorial Day feature in the Bay Area. Five graded winners are in the field, led by millionaire Alert Bay, who earned his first graded score last time out in the April 29 San Francisco Mile (G3T) at Golden Gate Fields. Two-time graded winner G.G. Ryder came in second in the San Francisco Mile, and both will have to fend off Southern California invaders Dalmore, Point Piper, and Flamboyant.
All American S. (G3)
Golden Gate Fields, Monday, May 29, 2017, Race 7
- 1m
- All Weather Track
- $100,000
- 3 yo's & up
- 3:51 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Street Lad (KY) |
Frank T. Alvarado | 122 | Jerry Hollendorfer | 15/1 |
| 2 | 2Dalmore (FL) |
Norberto Arroyo, Jr. | 122 | J. Keith Desormeaux | 6/1 |
| 3 | 3Ike Walker (KY) |
William Antongeorgi III | 122 | Jerry Hollendorfer | 12/1 |
| 4 | 4Star Student (KY) |
Julien Couton | 122 | Dan L. Markle | 12/1 |
| 5 | 5Point Piper (KY) | Abel Cedillo | 122 | Jerry Hollendorfer | 6/1 |
| 6 | 6Alert Bay (CA) |
Juan J. Hernandez | 122 | Blaine D. Wright | 2/1 |
| 7 | 7G. G. Ryder (CA) | Irving Orozco | 122 | Jerry Hollendorfer | 5/1 |
| 8 | 8Flamboyant (FR) | Brice Blanc | 122 | Patrick Gallagher | 7/2 |
| 9 | 9Camino Del Paraiso (CA) | Ricardo Gonzalez | 122 | O. J. Jauregui | 15/1 |