Weekend Stakes Rundown: Not So Calm Before the Storm
Image:
Description:
Photo: Mathea Kelley/Dubai Racing Club
Multiple grade 1 winner Hoppertunity returns to racing in the Comma to the Top Stakes 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. The weekend ahead of Breeders' Cup still has plenty of intrigue, with quality graded events from coast to coast. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern) and full previews can be found through the link for each race.
Saturday, Oct. 28
3:43 p.m.—$200,000 Athenia Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park
Decked Out drew widest in the group, which is tricky because the race starts at the end of the clubhouse turn. The 4-year-old took the American Oaks (G1T) three back, but since then has rolled a pair of fifth-place finishes on the West Coast. She is going to need some pace to settle behind and make her late run, and this event may be shorter than her optimal distance.
Belmont Park, Saturday, October 28, 2017, Race 7Entries: Athenia S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Elysea's World (IRE)
Javier Castellano
116
Chad C. Brown
5/1
2
2Queen Caroline (VA)
Joe Bravo
120
Michael R. Matz
20/1
3
3My Impression (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
120
Claude R. McGaughey III
8/1
4
4Juno (BRZ)
Junior Alvarado
118
Neil D. Drysdale
10/1
5
5Time and Motion (KY)
John R. Velazquez
120
James J. Toner
6/1
6
6Thundering Sky (KY)
Rajiv Maragh
120
George Weaver
15/1
7
7Off Limits (IRE)
Joel Rosario
123
Chad C. Brown
2/1
8
8Westit (GB)
Manuel Franco
113
Carlos Laffon-Parias
15/1
9
9Puca (KY)
Jose Lezcano
120
William I. Mott
15/1
10
10Penjade (FR)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
116
Chad C. Brown
12/1
11
11Firsthand Report (PA)
Luis Saez
120
Todd A. Pletcher
20/1
12
12Decked Out (KY)
Nik Juarez
120
J. Keith Desormeaux
8/1
13
13Conquest Tizfire (KY)
Joe Bravo
116
James L. Lawrence, II
30/1
4:16 p.m.—$200,000 Turnback the Alarm Handicap (G3) at Belmont Park
Chief rivals in the Turnback the Alarm include Charles Fipke's Verve's Tale, winner of the grade 3 Comely Stakes last fall and most recently fourth behind Elate in the Beldame Invitational Stakes (G1), and Beldame third Eskenformoney.
Belmont Park, Saturday, October 28, 2017, Race 8Entries: Turnback the Alarm H. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1A Place to Shine (KY)
Joe Bravo
113
Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr.
15/1
2
2Tejana (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
115
Claude R. McGaughey III
6/1
3
3Miss Sky Warrior (KY)
Javier Castellano
118
Kelly J. Breen
8/5
4
4Verve's Tale (KY)
Joel Rosario
117
Barclay Tagg
7/2
5
5Birdatthewire (KY)
Manuel Franco
116
Thomas F. Proctor
8/1
6
6Indian Paint (KY)
Nik Juarez
114
Kelly Rubley
20/1
7
7Eskenformoney (KY)
John R. Velazquez
121
Todd A. Pletcher
3/1
4:37 p.m.—$125,000 Ontario Fashion Stakes (G3) at Woodbine
After placing in two of her last three graded stakes starts, Stormy Victoria will look to secure her first graded win. She prepped for the synthetic-track sprint with a 1 3/4-length optional-claiming allowance win sprinting on the Belmont grass Sept. 22.
Woodbine, Saturday, October 28, 2017, Race 8Entries: Ontario Fashion S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Northern Kiss (KY)
Christopher Husbands
117
Blair A. Miller
20/1
2
2Southern Ring (ON)
Patrick Husbands
119
Malcolm Pierce
7/2
3
3Stormy Victoria (FR)
Luis Contreras
117
Christophe Clement
5/2
4
4Minks Aprise (KY)
Jesse M. Campbell
119
Roger L. Attfield
9/2
5
5Sugar Jones (ON)
David Moran
117
Michael Mattine
15/1
6
6Moonlit Promise (KY)
Gary Boulanger
119
Josie Carroll
3/1
7
7Code Warrior (FL)
Anne Sanguinetti
119
Rachel Halden
10/1
8
8River Maid (ON)
Emma-Jayne Wilson
117
Robert P. Tiller
8/1
4:49 p.m.—$200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) at Belmont Park
While it may not be the premier field that will go to post in next weekend's Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), the field for the Bold Ruler is deep. Stallwalkin' Dude is the defending race winner and most recently finished a closing third in the six-furlong Vosburgh Stakes (G1) in late September.
Belmont Park, Saturday, October 28, 2017, Race 9Entries: Bold Ruler H. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Tale of S'avall (KY)
Manuel Franco
117
Barclay Tagg
12/1
2
2Awesome Banner (FL)
Jose Lezcano
118
Kenneth Decker
15/1
3
3Ready for Rye (KY)
Joe Bravo
115
Thomas Albertrani
20/1
4
4Green Gratto (NJ)
Kendrick Carmouche
116
Gaston Grant
30/1
5
5Tommy Macho (KY)
Javier Castellano
116
Todd A. Pletcher
10/1
6
6Tom's Ready (PA)
Joel Rosario
116
Dallas Stewart
8/1
7
7Stallwalkin' Dude (FL)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
122
David Jacobson
4/1
8
8Beasley (KY)
Junior Alvarado
114
Mark A. Hennig
20/1
9
9Seymourdini (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
118
Linda Rice
3/1
10
10Mr. Crow (KY)
Luis Saez
115
Todd A. Pletcher
5/1
11
11Divining Rod (KY)
Daniel Centeno
118
Arnaud Delacour
7/2
5:18 p.m.—$70,000 Comma to the Top Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Last seen finishing sixth, 10 3/4 lengths behind stablemate Arrogate in the March 25 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), multiple grade 1 winner Hoppertunity is set to return to racing. Before going to Dubai, the Bob Baffert-trained 6-year-old son of Any Given Saturday registered a one-length win over Mor Spirit in San Antonio Stakes (G2) in February.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, October 28, 2017, Race 5Entries: Comma to the Top S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1The Lieutenant (KY)
Victor Espinoza
122
Michael W. McCarthy
20/1
2
2Top of the Game (KY)
Kent J. Desormeaux
122
Vladimir Cerin
6/1
3
3Irish Freedom (KY)
Rafael Bejarano
118
Bob Baffert
5/2
4
4Hoppertunity (KY)
Flavien Prat
126
Bob Baffert
9/5
5
5El Huerfano (CA)
Corey S. Nakatani
122
Peter Miller
5/1
6
6Curlin Rules (KY)
Drayden Van Dyke
122
John W. Sadler
4/1
7
7Avanti Bello (CA)
Evin A. Roman
126
Doug F. O'Neill
8/1
5:30 p.m.—$200,000 Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland
After facing Arrogate or Gun Runner or both in his past three stakes tries, Neolithic will take a break from those accomplished rivals when he tries to nail down his first stakes win. Awaiting the Harlan's Holiday colt will be grade 2 winners Honorable Duty and McCraken, who like Neolithic, also boast grade 1 placings.
Keeneland, Saturday, October 28, 2017, Race 9Entries: Hagyard Fayette S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Giuseppe the Great (KY)
Chris Landeros
118
Nicholas P. Zito
15/1
2
2Neolithic (KY)
Robby Albarado
121
Todd A. Pletcher
2/1
3
3Fear the Cowboy (KY)
Jesus M. Rios
123
Efren Loza, Jr.
15/1
4
4The Player (KY)
Calvin H. Borel
121
William B. Bradley
4/1
5
5Honorable Duty (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
123
Brendan P. Walsh
9/5
6
6McCraken (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
120
Ian R. Wilkes
4/1
7
7Malibu Pro (KY)
Joseph Rocco, Jr.
121
McLean Robertson
15/1
6:30 p.m.—$100,000 Hawthorne Derby at Hawthorne Racecourse
Voodoo Song ships into Illinois with designs on his fifth win in six starts. Racing for a $40,000 claiming tag in July, the English Channel colt began a four-race win streak at Saratoga Race Course, which was capped by a score in the Saranac Stakes (G3T). He came in second, three-quarters of a length behind Just Howard, in his last start, the Commonwealth Derby (G3T) at Laurel Park Sept. 30.
Hawthorne Race Course, Saturday, October 28, 2017, Race 6Entries: Hawthorne Derby
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Imposing Will (KY)
Jose E. Lopez
116
Michele Boyce
20/1
2
2High On Sugar (KY)
Anthony Y. Nunez
116
Leonard M. Slager
30/1
3
3Voodoo Song (NY)
Edgar Perez
124
Linda Rice
9/5
4
4Phat Man (KY)
Christopher A. Emigh
122
Joe Sharp
6/1
5
5Thirsty Actor (KY)
Channing Hill
116
Wayne M. Catalano
15/1
6
6Adonis Creed (KY)
Shaun Bridgmohan
116
Brad H. Cox
9/2
7
7Blue Sky Kowboy (IL)
Julio E. Felix
116
Michele Boyce
12/1
8
8All Right (KY)
Dean A. Sarvis
116
Kellyn Gorder
15/1
9
9Bronson (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
116
Michael J. Maker
5/1
10
10My Bariley (KY)
Santo Sanjur
116
Anthony J. Granitz
10/1
11
11Red Corvette (KY)
Carlos H. Marquez, Jr.
116
Gary M. Scherer
30/1
7:19 p.m.—$200,000 Twilight Derby (G2T) at Santa Anita Park
A trio of 3-year-olds are riding quality winning streaks into the 1 1/8-mile grass test, and they're all coming from different directions. Heading up the home team is Sharp Samurai, who has won three straight stakes races in Southern California. From the East Coast comes Just Howard, who has won four straight grass races in Maryland. Representing the Midwest is Cowboy Culture, who dominated the May 27 Arlington Classic (G3T), then returned from a more than three-month layoff to win the Sept. 6 Centaur Stakes at Indiana Grand.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, October 28, 2017, Race 9Entries: Twilight Derby (G2T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Cistron (KY)
Tyler Baze
120
John W. Sadler
20/1
2
2Cowboy Culture (KY)
Florent Geroux
124
Brad H. Cox
6/1
3
3Big Score (KY)
Flavien Prat
122
Tim Yakteen
4/1
4
4Bowies Hero (KY)
Kent J. Desormeaux
120
Philip D'Amato
5/1
5
5Just Howard (MD)
Fergal Lynch
124
H. Graham Motion
4/1
6
6Sharp Samurai (KY)
Gary L. Stevens
124
Mark Glatt
7/2
7
7Troublewithatee (KY)
Corey S. Nakatani
120
Philip D'Amato
20/1
8
8Channel Maker (ON)
Drayden Van Dyke
120
William I. Mott
10/1
9
9Profiteer (KY)
Mike E. Smith
120
Claude R. McGaughey III
6/1
10
10Dangerfield (KY)
Kyle Frey
120
Doug F. O'Neill
50/1
11
11Ann Arbor Eddie (CA)
Mario Gutierrez
120
Doug F. O'Neill
20/1
Sunday, Oct. 29
2:01 p.m.—$100,000 Chelsey Flower Stakes at Belmont Park
The morning-line favorite in a wide-open field is Wise Racing's debut winner Night Time Lady, a Midnight Lute filly who broke her maiden by a neck going seven furlongs on the Belmont grass Oct. 7.
Belmont Park, Sunday, October 29, 2017, Race 3Entries: Chelsey Flower S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
10
1Raucous (KY)
Joe Bravo
122
Christophe Clement
15/1
14
1AOh Zap (KY)
Joe Bravo
122
Christophe Clement
15/1
1
2Fairy Link (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
122
Peter D. Pugh
20/1
2
3March X Press (NY)
Jose L. Ortiz
122
Todd A. Pletcher
6/1
3
4English Soul (NY)
Manuel Franco
122
Raymond Handal
20/1
4
5Night Time Lady (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
122
Chad C. Brown
7/2
5
6Mrs. Ramona G. (FL)
Luis Saez
122
Jeremiah C. Englehart
6/1
6
7Radiant Beauty (KY)
Junior Alvarado
122
Rudy R. Rodriguez
4/1
7
8Eighty Six Mets (MD)
Nik Juarez
122
Kelly Rubley
30/1
8
9Wise Gal (KY)
Steve D. Hamilton
122
Dove P. Houghton
10/1
9
10Jody's Song (NY)
Joel Rosario
122
Jorge R. Abreu
12/1
11
11Golden Orb (KY)
Javier Castellano
122
Christophe Clement
6/1
12
12Go Noni Go (KY)
John R. Velazquez
122
Michael J. Maker
8/1
13
13Bramble Queen (IL)
Jose Lezcano
120
Michael Dini
12/1
15
14Drama Run (FL)
Kendrick Carmouche
122
Anthony T. Quartarolo
12/1
16
15Oldfashioned Style (FL)
Rider TBA
122
Gary C. Contessa
5/2
4 p.m.—$200,000 Spendthrift Juvenile Stallion Stakes at Churchill Downs
Zayat Stables' Ezmosh will try to build on an impressive maiden win at the Churchill September meeting. After that two-length score Sept. 16 in Louisville, the Oklahoma-bred son of Tizway delivered a credible performance when sixth in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity Stakes (G1) Oct. 7 at Keeneland.
Churchill Downs, Sunday, October 29, 2017, Race 7Entries: Spendthrift Juvenile Stallion S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1John Tippmann (KY)
Robby Albarado
120
Kenneth G. McPeek
4/1
2
2Just Be Frank (KY)
Francisco C. Torres
118
William R. Helmbrecht
20/1
3
3El Rubio (KY)
Jack Gilligan
120
Jose Lozano Sanchez
20/1
4
4Dream Baby Dream (KY)
Shaun Bridgmohan
118
Steven M. Asmussen
10/1
5
5Ezmosh (OK)
Florent Geroux
120
Brad H. Cox
1/1
6
6O'Malley's March (KY)
Eduardo E. Perez
120
Robert M. Gorham
20/1
7
7Captivating Moon (KY)
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
120
Chris M. Block
9/2
8
8Fight On (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Steven M. Asmussen
9/2
5 p.m.—$200,000 Spendthrift Juvenile Filly Stallion Stakes at Churchill Downs
Sagamore Farm homebred Southampton Way returns to dirt for the first time since finishing second in the Adirondack Stakes (G2) in August at Saratoga. Trained by Horacio DePaz, the daughter of Into Mischief will try to secure her first stakes win.
Churchill Downs, Sunday, October 29, 2017, Race 9Entries: Spendthrift Juvenile Filly Stallion S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Southampton Way (MD)
Robby Albarado
120
Horacio DePaz
4/1
2
2Mia Mischief (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
120
Steven M. Asmussen
1/1
3
3Aerial Assets (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
118
Kelly J. Breen
20/1
4
4Cinema Doll (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
120
William R. Connelly
20/1
5
5Foxy Mischief (FL)
Jon Kenton Court
120
Rick Hiles
15/1
6
6Breaking Beauty (KY)
Channing Hill
120
Wayne M. Catalano
15/1
7
7Wendy Peffercorn (KY)
Eduardo E. Perez
120
Robert M. Gorham
50/1
8
8Bibbidibobbidi Boo (IN)
James Graham
123
Michael E. Lauer
20/1
9
9Sultry (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
120
Eddie Kenneally
7/2
7:30 p.m.—$100,000 Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park
Lull, a War Front filly, has hit the board in seven of her 10 starts, which include three wins. Her most recent victory was the Sept. 9 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint Stakes. She finished third in her last start, the Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland.
Santa Anita Park, Sunday, October 29, 2017, Race 9Entries: Autumn Miss S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Kathy's Song (KY)
Tyler Baze
120
Richard Baltas
15/1
2
2Miss Southern Miss (KY)
Kent J. Desormeaux
122
J. Keith Desormeaux
6/1
3
3Beautiful Becca (KY)
Mario Gutierrez
120
Jerry Hollendorfer
20/1
4
4Tapped (KY)
Mike E. Smith
120
Richard Baltas
6/1
5
5Chocolate Coated (KY)
Gary L. Stevens
120
Neil French
12/1
6
6Storm the Hill (KY)
Corey S. Nakatani
122
Peter Miller
6/1
7
7Domestic Vintage (KY)
Joseph Talamo
120
Neil D. Drysdale
20/1
8
8Spin Me a Kiss (CA)
Edwin A. Maldonado
120
Philip D'Amato
10/1
9
9Meadowsweet (KY)
Evin A. Roman
120
Clifford W. Sise, Jr.
4/1
10
10Reverse (ON)
Drayden Van Dyke
120
Richard Baltas
15/1
11
11Lull (KY)
Flavien Prat
122
Christophe Clement
7/2
12
12Bernina Star (KY)
Santiago Gonzalez
120
James M. Cassidy
30/1
13
13Sandy's Surprise (KY)
Victor Espinoza
120
Doug F. O'Neill
20/1
14
14Almost Carla (KY)
Stewart Elliott
120
William E. Morey
20/1