Weekend Stakes Rundown: Super Saturday
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Belmont Park
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 we have grade 1 races at Belmont Park, Keeneland, and Santa Anita Park. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern) and full previews can be found through the link for each race.
Saturday, Oct. 7
3:25 p.m.—$200,000 Woodford Stakes (G2) at Keeneland
Since his upset victory in the 2015 TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Keeneland, Mongolian Saturday's only other victory in 12 starts was back at the Lexington racetrack in 2016, when he took the Woodford by a half-length. He's winless in seven starts since last year's Woodford, but showed signs of life last time out with a second-place finish in the Turf Monster Stakes (G3T).
Keeneland, Saturday, October 07, 2017, Race 5Entries: Woodford S. Presented by Keeneland Select (G2T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Conquest Panthera (KY)
Robby Albarado
124
Mark E. Casse
7/2
2
2Bucchero (IN)
Fernando De La Cruz
120
Tim Glyshaw
15/1
3
3Commend (KY)
Jose Lezcano
120
William I. Mott
3/1
4
4Indy Hill (KY)
Jon Kenton Court
118
D. Wayne Lukas
20/1
5
5Latent Revenge (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
120
Gregory D. Foley
12/1
6
6Mongolian Saturday (KY)
Javier Castellano
120
Enebish Ganbat
3/1
7
7Balandeen (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
Chris A. Hartman
15/1
8
8Hogy (KY)
Florent Geroux
122
Michael J. Maker
5/2
9
9Mongol Bull (KY)
Edgar Perez
120
Bradlee Rainwater
20/1
3:59 p.m.—$75,000 Obviously Mile at Santa Anita Park
Blackjackcat will seek his fourth consecutive win, and if all goes according to plan, trainer Mark Glatt hopes to make the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar. The Tale of the Cat gelding's last three victories have all been at a mile in Southern California. He began with a Santa Anita allowance score July 2, took the Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar July 23, and stepped up again to win the Aug. 20 Del Mar Mile (G2T).
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, October 07, 2017, Race 2Entries: Obviously Mile S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Blackjackcat (KY)
Kent J. Desormeaux
126
Mark Glatt
4/5
2
2Bird Is the Word (KY)
Flavien Prat
119
G. F. Almeida
5/1
3
3He Will (CA)
Rafael Bejarano
122
Jerry Hollendorfer
4/1
4
4Mach One Rules (WA)
Evin A. Roman
126
Frank Lucarelli
12/1
5
5Cistron (KY)
Tyler Baze
123
John W. Sadler
5/1
6
6Tequila Joe (KY)
Joseph Talamo
122
Michael W. McCarthy
6/1
4 p.m.—$250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at Keeneland
It's safe to say Finley'sluckycharm hasn't run a poor race in a long, long time. Since an off-the-board finish in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) in February of 2016, the Twirling Candy filly has won six of her eight starts—including two grade 3 victories—but her only losses were tight runner-up efforts to Paulassilverlining in the July 26 Honorable Miss (G1) and to Constellation in the 2016 La Brea (G1).
Keeneland, Saturday, October 07, 2017, Race 6Entries: Thoroughbred Club of America S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Bendable (KY)
Javier Castellano
122
Richard E. Mandella
6/1
2
2Vertical Oak (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
120
Steven M. Asmussen
5/1
3
3I'm a Looker (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
120
Brad H. Cox
10/1
4
4Finley'sluckycharm (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
122
W. Bret Calhoun
3/5
5
5Grace's Treasure (KY)
Jesus Lopez Castanon
120
Michael Ann Ewing
20/1
6
6Chalon (KY)
Paco Lopez
118
Peter Miller
12/1
7
7True Romance (KY)
Joe Bravo
120
Timothy A. Hills
20/1
8
8Ivy Bell (KY)
Shaun Bridgmohan
120
William J. Denzik, Jr.
8/1
4:13 p.m.—$500,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park
Gold Square's talented 2-year-old Aveenu Malcainu, who was impressive in a pair of wins against New York-breds, will take on open company at the top level. The Into Mischief colt won his debut July 28 and is coming off a 2 1/2-length victory in the Aug. 25 Funny Cide Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
Belmont Park, Saturday, October 07, 2017, Race 8Entries: Champagne S. (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Kowboy Karma (KY)
Alex Cintron
122
J. Larry Jones
12/1
2
2Blame It On Honey (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
122
Anthony Farrior
50/1
3
3Stronger (KY)
Manuel Franco
122
Eric J. Guillot
15/1
4
4Enticed (KY)
Junior Alvarado
122
Kiaran P. McLaughlin
10/1
5
5Master Manipulator (KY)
Angel S. Arroyo
122
Eric J. Guillot
20/1
6
6Good Magic (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
122
Chad C. Brown
7/2
7
7Bahamian (MD)
Mario Gutierrez
122
Simon Callaghan
5/1
8
8Aveenu Malcainu (NY)
Luis Saez
122
Jeremiah C. Englehart
6/1
9
9Honorable Treasure (KY)
Dylan Davis
122
Kenneth G. McPeek
6/1
10
10Full of Run (KY)
Nik Juarez
122
Jason Servis
15/1
11
11Hazit (KY)
John R. Velazquez
122
Todd A. Pletcher
4/1
12
12Firenze Fire (FL)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
122
Jason Servis
10/1
4:35 p.m.—$400,000 First Lady Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland
Anchored by the presence of grade 1 winner Dickinson, the First Lady lacks for little in terms of overall quality. Though Dickinson prevailed over the course in April, when she bested Lady Eli in the Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T), the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro has dropped her last three starts—a byproduct of being in one of racing's toughest divisions.
Keeneland, Saturday, October 07, 2017, Race 7Entries: First Lady S. (G1T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1One Liz (IL)
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
124
Wayne M. Catalano
20/1
2
2Delectation (GB)
Eduardo Pedroza
121
Andreas Wohler
15/1
3
3Dona Bruja (ARG)
Declan Cannon
124
Ignacio Correas, IV
5/2
4
4Roca Rojo (IRE)
Javier Castellano
124
Chad C. Brown
2/1
5
5Zipessa (KY)
Joe Bravo
124
Michael Stidham
10/1
6
6Dickinson (KY)
Paco Lopez
124
Kiaran P. McLaughlin
5/2
7
7Hawksmoor (IRE)
Julien R. Leparoux
124
Arnaud Delacour
4/1
4:48 p.m.—$500,000 Hill Prince Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park
Bricks and Mortar scored stakes wins on the turf in the July 4 Manila at Belmont and then in the Aug. 4 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga. He checked in third last time out in the Saranac Stakes (G3T) after encountering trouble at the start.
Belmont Park, Saturday, October 07, 2017, Race 9Entries: Hill Prince S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Secretary At War (KY)
Junior Alvarado
116
James A. Jerkens
15/1
2
2Yoshida (JPN)
Manuel Franco
116
William I. Mott
7/2
3
3Small Bear (KY)
Luis Saez
116
Jeremiah C. Englehart
20/1
4
4Frostmourne (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
120
Christophe Clement
5/2
5
5Lucullan (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
116
Kiaran P. McLaughlin
8/1
6
6Bricks and Mortar (KY)
Joel Rosario
120
Chad C. Brown
3/1
7
7Hieroglyphics (KY)
John R. Velazquez
116
Todd A. Pletcher
12/1
8
8Ticonderoga (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
118
Chad C. Brown
10/1
9
9Rocketry (KY)
Nik Juarez
116
James A. Jerkens
8/1
5:10 p.m.—$500,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland
After an 11-length maiden-breaking win, GMB Racing's Lone Sailor will step into stakes company for the first time. He will take on Free Drop Billy and Givemeaminit, who were only a head apart in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) last time out Sept. 4 at Saratoga—second and third, respectively—and a neck behind winner Sporting Chance.
Keeneland, Saturday, October 07, 2017, Race 8Entries: Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Lionite (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
121
Steven M. Asmussen
12/1
2
2Ezmosh (OK)
Javier Castellano
121
Brad H. Cox
6/1
3
3Lone Sailor (KY)
Florent Geroux
121
Thomas M. Amoss
12/1
4
4Ten City (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
121
Kenneth G. McPeek
10/1
5
5Bravazo (KY)
Jon Kenton Court
121
D. Wayne Lukas
30/1
6
6Lone Rock (KY)
Joe Bravo
121
William B. Van Meter
30/1
7
7Givemeaminit (LA)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
121
Dallas Stewart
7/2
8
8Bourbon Resolution (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
121
Ian R. Wilkes
8/1
9
9Free Drop Billy (KY)
Robby Albarado
121
Dale L. Romans
2/1
10
10Crea's Bklyn Law (KY)
Joseph Rocco, Jr.
121
Michael Dilger
20/1
11
11Captivating Moon (KY)
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
121
Chris M. Block
20/1
12
12Ready Prospector (LA)
Miguel Mena
121
Oscar Modica
30/1
13
13Enticed (KY)
Jose Lezcano
121
Kiaran P. McLaughlin
15/1
5:23 p.m.—$750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park
Without Gun Runner or Arrogate to contend with, Donegal Racing and Calumet Farm's Keen Ice stands out in the Gold Cup. The 5-year-old son of Curlin has built a multimillion-dollar career out of running second or third behind America's best runners of the last couple of years, but he's also repeatedly proved he's a worthy competitor.
Belmont Park, Saturday, October 07, 2017, Race 10Entries: Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Diversify (NY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
126
Richard A. Violette, Jr.
7/2
2
2Highland Sky (KY)
Rajiv Maragh
126
Barclay Tagg
20/1
3
3Good Samaritan (KY)
Joel Rosario
122
William I. Mott
8/1
4
4Pavel (KY)
Mario Gutierrez
122
Doug F. O'Neill
5/2
5
5Rally Cry (KY)
John R. Velazquez
126
Todd A. Pletcher
6/1
6
6Destin (KY)
Luis Saez
126
Todd A. Pletcher
12/1
7
7Keen Ice (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
126
Todd A. Pletcher
9/5
5:45 p.m.—$1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1T) at Keeneland
The boys had nothing for Miss Temple City at Keeneland last year, which sent her into the record books. She became the first female runner to capture both the Maker's 46 Mile Stakes (G1T) in the spring and the Shadwell Turf Mile last October. Having recently gotten back in the win column after a first half of the year full of starts and stops, she will will aim to duplicate her best self once more.
Keeneland, Saturday, October 07, 2017, Race 9Entries: Shadwell Turf Mile S. (G1T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Tyler U (KY)
Robby Albarado
123
Troy S. Wismer
50/1
2
2Divisidero (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
126
William B. Bradley
9/2
3
3Suedois (FR)
Daniel Alexander Tudhope
126
David O'Meara
15/1
4
4Le Ken (ARG)
Corey J. Lanerie
126
Ignacio Correas, IV
30/1
5
5Dimension (GB)
Chris Landeros
126
Conor Murphy
20/1
6
6Ballagh Rocks (KY)
Jose Lezcano
126
William I. Mott
10/1
7
7Mondialiste (IRE)
Feargal Lynch
126
David O'Meara
4/1
8
8Miss Temple City (KY)
Edgar S. Prado
123
H. Graham Motion
3/1
9
9Flatlined (KY)
Joseph Rocco, Jr.
126
Charles L. Dickey
20/1
10
10Heart to Heart (ON)
Florent Geroux
126
Brian A. Lynch
7/2
11
11Christian C (IL)
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
126
Wayne M. Catalano
50/1
12
12Offering Plan (NY)
Javier Castellano
126
Chad C. Brown
15/1
13
13Applicator (KY)
Shaun Bridgmohan
126
Mikhail Yanakov
30/1
14
14American Patriot (KY)
Joe Bravo
126
Todd A. Pletcher
15/1
6:02 p.m.—$300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1) at Santa Anita Park
The fact that Roy H's connections feel like they had the best horse and didn't win in the July 29 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) adds a little spice to the mixture in the key prep for the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). Ransom the Moon got a clean trip as the loose champion sprinter Drefong—who ducked in leaving the chute at Del Mar and dropped jockey Mike Smith—floated Roy H six paths wide late in the turn in the Bing Crosby, which Ransom the Moon won.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, October 07, 2017, Race 6Entries: Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Ransom the Moon (ON)
Flavien Prat
126
Philip D'Amato
5/2
2
2Giant Expectations (NY)
Gary L. Stevens
122
Peter Eurton
3/1
3
3Edwards Going Left (CA)
Tyler Baze
119
John W. Sadler
10/1
4
4American Anthem (KY)
Mike E. Smith
119
Bob Baffert
3/1
5
5Mr. Hinx (CA)
Drayden Van Dyke
119
Steven Miyadi
15/1
6
6Roy H (KY)
Kent J. Desormeaux
122
Peter Miller
8/5
Sunday, Oct. 8
4:13 p.m.—$400,000 Frizette Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park
Looking to rebound off a third-place finish in the Spinaway Stakes (G1) Sept. 2 at Saratoga is Klaravich Stable's Separationofpowers. The daughter of Candy Ride made an eye-popping debut July 30 at the Spa, where he bested a field of eight by 11 3/4 lengths. Returning in the Spinaway, she broke alertly from the gate, engaged in a speed duel up front, and faded.
Belmont Park, Sunday, October 08, 2017, Race 7Entries: Frizette S. (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Maya Malibu (KY)
Javier Castellano
120
H. Graham Motion
4/1
2
2Go (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
120
Anthony T. Quartarolo
20/1
3
3Strategic Dreams (FL)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
120
Rudy R. Rodriguez
12/1
4
4Separationofpowers (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
120
Chad C. Brown
9/5
5
5Drama Run (FL)
Jose A. Bracho
120
Anthony T. Quartarolo
10/1
6
6Purrfect Miss (KY)
Manuel Franco
120
Jeremiah C. Englehart
5/1
7
7Wall of Compassion (KY)
Joel Rosario
120
Rudy R. Rodriguez
12/1
8
8Teen Angel (KY)
Dylan Davis
120
Corby Caiazzo
30/1
9
9Caledonia Road (FL)
Junior Alvarado
120
Ralph E. Nicks
12/1
10
10Critique (KY)
John R. Velazquez
120
Todd A. Pletcher
6/1
4:46 p.m.—$500,000 Flower Bowl Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park
Zhukova will look to make a triumphant return to Belmont in the Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T). Zhukova made an immediate impression in her North American debut, when she won the Man o' War Stakes (G1T) by six lengths against males May 13. The Irish-bred returned to her native country for her last two races, a fourth in the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) and an eighth in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (G1).
Belmont Park, Sunday, October 08, 2017, Race 8Entries: Flower Bowl S. (G1T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Grand Jete (GB)
Javier Castellano
119
Chad C. Brown
9/5
2
2War Flag (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
119
Claude R. McGaughey III
8/1
3
3Dacita (CHI)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
123
Chad C. Brown
3/1
4
4Zhukova (IRE)
Patrick J. Smullen
123
Dermot K. Weld
2/1
5
5Beauly (GB)
Manuel Franco
119
Brendan P. Walsh
15/1
6
6Guilty Twelve (KY)
Christopher P. DeCarlo
119
H. Graham Motion
12/1
5:10 p.m.—$250,000 Bourbon Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland
Flameaway is one of two stakes winners in the field. He captured the Skidmore Stakes Aug. 18 at Saratoga when it was washed off the grass going 5 1/2 furlongs in the mud. This would be his first time on the turf and he is well bred for it, by Scat Daddy out of a Fusaichi Pegasus mare whose family includes group 1 winners Salsabil and Marju.
Keeneland, Sunday, October 08, 2017, Race 8Entries: Dixiana Bourbon S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Tigers Rule (KY)
Miguel Mena
118
Vickie L. Foley
15/1
2
2Fred'stwirlincandy (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
118
Lon Wiggins
15/1
3
3Tap Daddy (KY)
Florent Geroux
118
Steven M. Asmussen
4/1
4
4Wicked Trick (KY)
Shaun Bridgmohan
118
Raymond Handal
30/1
5
5High Providence (FL)
Jon Kenton Court
118
Jason H. Meaux
15/1
6
6Budro Talking (LA)
Joe Bravo
120
Danny Pish
10/1
7
7King Valero (KY)
Cesar A. Ordaz
118
Alejandro Gonzalez
20/1
8
8John Tippmann (KY)
Robby Albarado
118
Kenneth G. McPeek
8/1
9
9Captivating Moon (KY)
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
118
Chris M. Block
5/1
10
10Trenton Traveler (FL)
Sophie Doyle
118
Mary Lightner
30/1
11
11Machtree (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
Mark E. Casse
6/1
12
12Flameaway (ON)
Julien R. Leparoux
118
Mark E. Casse
6/1
13
13Admiralty Pier (KY)
Luis Saez
118
Barbara J. Minshall
6/1
14
14Arawak (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Wesley A. Ward
10/1
15
15Shared Value (KY)
Jack Gilligan
118
Thomas M. Amoss
30/1
5:30 p.m.—$100,000 LA Woman Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park
The hype has reached a crescendo for Don Alberto Stable's Unique Bella, who has been wowing onlookers during her last handful of works in preparation for a return to racing. A shin injury sent the Tapit filly—who was a favorite for the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at the time—to the sideline in March.
Santa Anita Park, Sunday, October 08, 2017, Race 5Entries: L.A. Woman S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Sturdy One (ON)
Norberto Arroyo, Jr.
122
Ian Kruljac
20/1
2
2Cuddle Alert (CA)
Edwin A. Maldonado
122
Reed Saldana
15/1
3
3Bad Ju Ju (CA)
Drayden Van Dyke
122
Peter Miller
6/1
4
4Princess Karen (KY)
Kent J. Desormeaux
119
Jeff Bonde
8/1
5
5Unique Bella (PA)
Mike E. Smith
121
Jerry Hollendorfer
1/5
6
6Dis Smart Cat (CA)
Gary L. Stevens
122
Matthew Chew
20/1
7
7Lunar Empress (KY)
Flavien Prat
122
Richard Baltas
15/1
5:45 p.m.—$500,000 Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland
Morphed into a graded stakes-winning professional at the age of 5, a new career looms for Romantic Vision, as she is set to join owner G. Watts Humphrey Jr.'s broodmare band for 2018. But with many of the top distaffers training up to the Breeders' Cup, the Spinster represents an opportunity for Romantic Vision—or one of her dozen challengers—to grab a top-level victory.
Keeneland, Sunday, October 08, 2017, Race 9Entries: Juddmonte Spinster S. (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Martini Glass (KY)
Paco Lopez
124
Keith Nations
12/1
2
2Katalust (OH)
Ricardo Feliciano
124
Anthony F. Rini
50/1
3
3You Know Too (KY)
Alex Cintron
121
Michael E. Gorham
15/1
4
4Duchess of Duke (IN)
Luis H. Colon
124
Anthony F. Rini
50/1
5
5Tiger Moth (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
124
Brad H. Cox
6/1
6
6Lockdown (KY)
Jose Lezcano
121
William I. Mott
3/1
7
7Turkish Tabby (KY)
Robby Albarado
124
Brendan P. Walsh
20/1
8
8Bar of Gold (NY)
Luis Saez
124
John C. Kimmel
7/2
9
9Factory of Faith (KY)
C.J. McMahon
124
Michael Ann Ewing
30/1
10
10Blue Prize (ARG)
James Graham
124
Ignacio Correas, IV
5/1
11
11Romantic Vision (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
124
George R. Arnold, II
5/1
12
12A Place to Shine (KY)
Alex Jimenez
124
Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr.
30/1
13
13Mo d'Amour (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
124
Rodolphe Brisset
10/1
7:50 p.m.—$100,000 Ballerina Stakes (G3) at Hastings Racecourse
C R K Stable's She's a Warrior ships north of the border from her Southern California base with hopes to break through for her first graded victory. The Majestic Warrior filly has placed in three of the five graded races she's entered—third-place runs in the 2016 Las Virgenes (G2), Santa Anita Oaks (G1), and Torrey Pines (G3).
Hastings Racecourse, Sunday, October 08, 2017, Race 7Entries: Ballerina S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Sailingforthesun (BC)
Sahin Civaci
122
Robert J. Anderson
10/1
2
2Citizen Kitty (WA)
David G. Lopez
122
Jeffrey Metz
5/2
3
3Yukon Belle (BC)
Antonio Ambrosio Reyes
117
Barbara Heads
8/1
4
4Notis the Jewell (BC)
Richard Harvey Hamel
122
William McLaren
5/1
5
5She's a Warrior (KY)
Mario Gutierrez
122
Peter Eurton
9/5
6
6Princess Katie (BC)
Silvino Morales
122
Robert Gilker
15/1
7
7Victress (KY)
Amadeo Perez
122
Robert Gilker
9/2