Weekend Stakes Rundown: Woodbine Turf Showcase
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Photo: Michael Burns
World Approval is the 7-2 morning-line second choice in the Woodbine Mile
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 there are three races with Breeders' Cup implications on the Woodbine grass and two at Churchill Downs in the juvenile ranks. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern) and full previews can be found through the link for each race.
Saturday, Sept. 16
3:27 p.m.—$125,000 Bold Venture Stakes (G3) at Woodbine
Good Bye Greg will look for his fourth straight win, but first stakes victory in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint. The 6-year-old son of Teuflesberg is a synthetics specialist (he has a 7-2-1 record from 10 starts on the surface), and won his only start on the Woodbine main track, which came back in June of 2014 in an optional-claiming allowance.
Woodbine, Saturday, September 16, 2017, Race 6Entries: Bold Venture S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Ikerrin Road (IRE)
David Moran
118
Vito Armata
12/1
2
2Boreal Spirit (ON)
Gary Boulanger
118
Jennifer Shafer
6/1
3
3Puntrooskie (FL)
Patrick Husbands
120
Donald C. MacRae
12/1
4
4Good Bye Greg (FL)
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
118
Larry Rivelli
2/1
5
5Unbridled Juan (ON)
Luis Contreras
118
Josie Carroll
5/2
6
6Majestic Slew (KY)
Rafael Manuel Hernandez
118
Michael P. De Paulo
10/1
7
7Circle of Friends (ON)
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
114
Robert P. Tiller
3/1
4:18 p.m.—$100,000 Locust Grove Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs
John Gunther's homebred Tiger Moth, a winner in her last two stakes starts, will look to extend her streak. A daughter of Street Sense and a half sister to Gunther's grade 2 winner Last Gunfighter , Tiger Moth has come from far off the pace in her stakes wins, the Mari Hulman George at Indiana Grand and the grade 3 Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis Park.
Churchill Downs, Saturday, September 16, 2017, Race 8Entries: Locust Grove S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Brooklynsway (ON)
Robby Albarado
121
Bernard S. Flint
10/1
2
2Blue Prize (ARG)
James Graham
121
Ignacio Correas, IV
7/2
3
3Mo d'Amour (KY)
Florent Geroux
121
Rodolphe Brisset
4/1
4
4Romantic Vision (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
121
George R. Arnold, II
4/1
5
5Fuhriously Kissed (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
121
Ian R. Wilkes
5/1
6
6Sweetgrass (KY)
Chris Landeros
121
Ian R. Wilkes
6/1
7
7Tiger Moth (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
121
Brad H. Cox
3/1
4:29 p.m.—$250,000 Canadian Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine
Gestuet Faehrhof's homebred Quidura just got caught at the wire and lost by a head to Lady Eli last time out in the Diana Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course and looms as the commanding favorite in the Canadian. Since relocating to the U.S. from Germany, the Dubawi filly has won or placed in all five of her starts, including a score in the Pin Oak Valley View Stakes (G3T) and placings in this year's Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T) and the New York S. Presented by NYRA Bets (G2T).
Woodbine, Saturday, September 16, 2017, Race 8Entries: Canadian S. (G2T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Quidura (GB)
Junior Alvarado
117
H. Graham Motion
1/1
2
2Moonlight Sky (KY)
Rafael Manuel Hernandez
115
Roger L. Attfield
15/1
3
3Starship Jubilee (FL)
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
121
Kevin Attard
9/2
4
4Grizzel (IRE)
David Moran
114
Michael J. Doyle
12/1
5
5Elysea's World (IRE)
Jose L. Ortiz
115
Chad C. Brown
7/2
6
6Southern Gem (KY)
Luis Contreras
115
Sid C. Attard
20/1
7
7Involuntary (KY)
Gary Boulanger
115
Josie Carroll
6/1
5:10 p.m.—$250,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park
After a minor foot injury added some extra time off, Whitmore is set to return to the races. Trainer Ron Moquett hopes the De Francis Dash sets Whitmore on a path to the $1.5 million TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 4 at Del Mar.
Laurel Park, Saturday, September 16, 2017, Race 9Entries: Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Struth (MD)
J. D. Acosta
118
Kieron Magee
12/1
2
2Mr. Jordan (FL)
Edgar S. Prado
118
Edward Plesa, Jr.
12/1
3
3Awesome Banner (FL)
Tyler Gaffalione
118
Kenneth Decker
7/2
4
4Whitmore (KY)
Feargal Lynch
122
Ron Moquett
7/5
5
5Blu Moon Ace (MD)
Gerald Almodovar
118
Kevin S. Patterson
9/2
6
6Chublicious (NJ)
Victor R. Carrasco
118
Claudio A. Gonzalez
8/1
7
7Favorite Tale (PA)
Paco Lopez
118
Guadalupe Preciado
5/1
5:20 p.m.—$150,000 Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs
Ten City broke his maiden April 19 at Keeneland by seven lengths. He earned black-type in his second start June 30, when he won the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) at Churchill and defeated Copper Bullet, who came back to win the Saratoga Special Stakes Presented by Coors Light (G2). Ten City comes into the Iroquois off a third-place effort in the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes after a troubled trip.
Churchill Downs, Saturday, September 16, 2017, Race 10Entries: Iroquois S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Ten City (KY)
Jack Gilligan
122
Kenneth G. McPeek
3/1
2
2Hollywood Star (KY)
Robby Albarado
118
Dale L. Romans
5/2
3
3Pont Du Gard (LA)
Florent Geroux
118
Ignacio Correas, IV
15/1
4
4Tres Equis (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
118
Michael J. Maker
8/1
5
5Ebben (KY)
James Graham
118
Steve Margolis
20/1
6
6Smart Remark (KY)
Manoel R. Cruz
118
Victoria H. Oliver
15/1
7
7Flameaway (ON)
Julien R. Leparoux
120
Mark E. Casse
4/1
8
8Big Gemmy (NY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
118
W. Bret Calhoun
15/1
9
9The Tabulator (KY)
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
120
Larry Rivelli
6/1
10
10Mo Diddley (NY)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
Mark E. Casse
10/1
5:31 p.m.—$300,000 Northern Dancer Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine
Gestut Brummerhof's homebred Messi hasn't visited the winner's circle in more than a year, but he'll return to the location of his last victory Saturday. The two-time graded winner's last score came in the Sky Classic Stakes (G2T) at the Toronto track in August of 2016. Messi may be the only North American graded winner in the field, but favoritism Saturday will almost surely land on Godolphin's group 1 winner Hawkbill, who is scheduled to make his first North American start.
Woodbine, Saturday, September 16, 2017, Race 10Entries: Northern Dancer Turf S. (G1T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1English Illusion (ON)
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
119
Daniel J. Vella
20/1
2
2Camp Creek (ON)
Rafael Manuel Hernandez
119
Kevin Attard
20/1
3
3Noble Thought (KY)
Patrick Husbands
119
Malcolm Pierce
5/1
4
4Messi (GER)
Jose L. Ortiz
121
H. Graham Motion
4/1
5
5Pumpkin Rumble (PA)
Jesse M. Campbell
119
Kevin Attard
12/1
6
6Seeking Albert (ON)
David Moran
112
Michael P. De Paulo
20/1
7
7Johnny Bear (ON)
Luis Contreras
119
Ashlee Brnjas
15/1
8
8Hawkbill (KY)
Colm O'Donoghue
123
Charles Appleby
3/5
5:45 p.m.—$200,000 Sands Point Stakes (G2T) at Belmont Park
John Oxley's La Coronel will look to rebound from a pair of losses against tough competition. Following back-to-back scores in the Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G3T) and the Edgewood Stakes Presented by Forcht Bank (G3T), the Colonel John filly has finished fifth in the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot and fourth in the Lake Placid Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga last time out.
Belmont Park, Saturday, September 16, 2017, Race 9Entries: Sands Point S. (G2T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Bonita Bianca (NY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
116
Rudy R. Rodriguez
2/1
2
2Fifty Five (NY)
Joe Bravo
118
Chad C. Brown
12/1
3
3La Coronel (KY)
Jose Lezcano
118
Mark E. Casse
4/1
4
4Fault (KY)
Flavien Prat
118
Michelle Lovell
15/1
5
5Chastise (KY)
Luis Saez
116
Todd A. Pletcher
10/1
6
6Uni (GB)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
116
Chad C. Brown
3/1
7
7Empressof the Nile (KY)
Dylan Davis
116
H. James Bond
20/1
8
8Vue Fantastique (FR)
Manuel Franco
118
Fabrice Chappet
7/2
9
9Defiant Honor (KY)
Nik Juarez
116
James J. Toner
5/1
10
10Inflexibility (ON)
Javier Castellano
116
Chad C. Brown
6/1
5:50 p.m.—$200,000 Pocahontas Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs
Two stakes winning juvenile fillies will put their undefeated records on the line in the Pocahontas. Bruce Tallisman's Take Charge Paula enters the 1 1/16-mile stakes off a frontrunning, three-length win in the White Clay Creek Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs Aug. 9 at Delaware Park. Kelly's Humor enters the Pocahontas off a one-length win in the seven-furlong Ellis Park Debutante Stakes, where she raced near the back of the field, traveled seven wide in the turn, and rallied from fifth in the stretch to score.
Churchill Downs, Saturday, September 16, 2017, Race 11Entries: Pocahontas S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Lady Freedom (KY)
Florent Geroux
118
Rodolfo Garcia
30/1
2
2Firstmate (MN)
Kendrick Carmouche
120
Joe Sharp
20/1
3
3Snowfire (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
118
Mark E. Casse
6/1
4
4Harbor Lights (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Steven M. Asmussen
8/1
5
5Primo Extremo (KY)
Walter De La Cruz
118
Jason DaCosta
8/1
6
6Vision of Justice (KY)
Gabriel Saez
118
Greg Burchell
20/1
7
7Take Charge Paula (KY)
James Graham
120
Kelly J. Breen
6/1
8
8Sunny Skies (KY)
Robby Albarado
120
Kenneth G. McPeek
4/1
9
9Sultry (KY)
Joseph Rocco, Jr.
118
Eddie Kenneally
10/1
10
10Upset Brewing (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
William B. Bradley
5/1
11
11Patrona Margarita (TX)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
118
W. Bret Calhoun
20/1
12
12Kelly's Humor (KY)
Shaun Bridgmohan
120
Brad H. Cox
9/2
6:34 p.m.—$800,000 Woodbine Mile (G1T) at Woodbine
After World Approval finished fifth in the 1 1/4-mile Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park June 10, trainer Mark Casse had his ornery protégé cut back to eight furlongs for the first time since his second start. That move led to the gelding's second grade 1 victory when he took the Aug. 12 Fourstardave Handicap by 2 1/4 lengths over the inner turf at Saratoga.
Woodbine, Saturday, September 16, 2017, Race 12Entries: Ricoh Woodbine Mile S. (G1T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1World Approval (FL)
John R. Velazquez
124
Mark E. Casse
7/2
2
2Tower of Texas (ON)
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
121
Roger L. Attfield
12/1
3
3Long On Value (VA)
Joel Rosario
117
William I. Mott
15/1
4
4Best Bard (ON)
Rafael Manuel Hernandez
117
Norman McKnight
50/1
5
5Dragon Bay (KY)
Gary Boulanger
121
Stuart C. Simon
20/1
6
6Deauville (IRE)
Jamie P. Spencer
121
Aidan P. O'Brien
5/2
7
7Conquest Panthera (KY)
Patrick Husbands
121
Mark E. Casse
12/1
8
8Mondialiste (IRE)
Jose L. Ortiz
121
David O'Meara
8/1
9
9Arod (IRE)
Harry Bentley
117
David Simcock
20/1
10
10Lancaster Bomber (KY)
Wayne Lordan
112
Aidan P. O'Brien
9/2
11
11Dutch Connection (GB)
Mickael Barzalona
119
Charles Hills
6/1
12
12Glenville Gardens (KY)
Luis Contreras
119
Sid C. Attard
20/1
Sunday, Sept. 17
3:50 p.m.—$200,000 Summer Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's undefeated Hemp Hemp Hurray will look to build on two eye-catching performances with an automatic Breeders' Cup berth on the line. The 2-year-old Artie Schiller colt trounced a short field by 7 1/4 lengths in the Aug. 6 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park, but first showed promise with a four-length debut victory at Belmont July 9.
Woodbine, Sunday, September 17, 2017, Race 6Entries: Summer S. (G2T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Untamed Domain (KY)
Joe Bravo
122
H. Graham Motion
7/2
2
2Differential (ON)
Gary Boulanger
122
Mark E. Casse
15/1
3
3Follow My Lead (KY)
Emma-Jayne Wilson
122
Nicholas Nosowenko
20/1
4
4Admiralty Pier (KY)
Luis Contreras
122
Barbara J. Minshall
10/1
5
5El Dulce (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
122
Todd A. Pletcher
3/1
6
6Hemp Hemp Hurray (ON)
John R. Velazquez
122
Wesley A. Ward
2/1
7
7Count Alexander (KY)
Slade Callaghan
122
Mary Lightner
6/1
8
8Empirically (FL)
Joel Rosario
122
Roy S. Lerman
8/1
5:24 p.m.—$250,000 Natalma Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine
While Golconda Stables' undefeated filly March X Press is the only stakes winner in the field, trainer Mark Casse comes with a loaded hand. The race will feature will feature Wonder Gadot, one of three 2-year-old fillies co-starring in the race from the Casse barn. The Medaglia d'Oro filly is a full sister to Solemn Tribute, last year's King Edward Stakes (G2T) runner-up at Woodbine.
Woodbine, Sunday, September 17, 2017, Race 9Entries: Natalma S. (G1T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Dooder (NY)
John R. Velazquez
121
Chad C. Brown
6/1
2
2Mo Big Cat (ON)
Jesse M. Campbell
121
Mark E. Casse
20/1
3
3March X Press (NY)
Jose L. Ortiz
121
Todd A. Pletcher
5/2
4
4Delamar (KY)
Jerome Lermyte
121
Roger L. Attfield
20/1
5
5Pretty Lady (KY)
Gary Boulanger
121
Mark E. Casse
12/1
6
6Golden Orb (KY)
Luis Contreras
121
Christophe Clement
7/2
7
7Capla Temptress (IRE)
Joel Rosario
121
Marco Botti
8/1
8
8Wonder Gadot (ON)
Patrick Husbands
121
Mark E. Casse
3/1
9
9Dixie Moon (ON)
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
121
Catherine Day Phillips
8/1