Triple Crown Prep Races Highlight Busy Saturday
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Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Each Saturday NTRA and BloodHorse will provide a one-stop guide to the day's top stakes races in North America and beyond. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern).
Saturday April 6
3:38 p.m.—$250,000 Bay Shore Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct (TVG)
Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables' grade 1-winner Mind Control will abandon the Road to the Kentucky Derby to start in the seven-furlong Bay Shore, one of five graded stakes on the day at Aqueduct. Mind Control finished second last out in the grade 3 Gotham March 9, while showing a new dimension when battling from off-the-pace.
Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 6Entries: Bay Shore S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Much Better (KY)
Victor Espinoza
118
Bob Baffert
9/5
2
2Mucho (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
118
William I. Mott
5/2
3
3Mind Control (KY)
John R. Velazquez
123
Gregory D. Sacco
2/1
4
4Call Paul (PA)
Manuel Franco
123
Jason Servis
3/1
5
5Mount Travers (KY)
Junior Alvarado
118
Linda Rice
20/1
4 p.m.—$250,000 Commonwealth Stakes (G3) at Keeneland (TVG)
Churchill Downs Racing Club's Warrior's Club and Katherine Ball's Limousine Liberal finished a neck apart in last year's Commonwealth Stakes and the two will meet again Saturday as part of a 14-horse field going seven furlongs on the main track.
Keeneland, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 6Entries: Commonwealth S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Copper Town (KY)
Javier Castellano
118
Todd A. Pletcher
5/1
2
2Recruiting Ready (KY)
Luis Saez
120
Stanley M. Hough
7/2
3
3Proforma (KY)
Joe Bravo
120
Michael Stidham
20/1
4
4Uncontested (KY)
Trevor McCarthy
120
Jennifer Patterson
12/1
5
5Still Having Fun (MD)
Florent Geroux
118
Timothy L. Keefe
12/1
6
6Limousine Liberal (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
120
Ben Colebrook
3/1
7
7Supreme Aura (KY)
Adam Beschizza
118
Michael Stidham
30/1
8
8Uno Mas Modelo (KY)
Paco Lopez
118
Anthony T. Quartarolo
20/1
9
9New York Central (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
118
Steven M. Asmussen
20/1
10
10Runaway Ghost (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
Todd W. Fincher
15/1
11
11Bobby's Wicked One (KY)
Miguel Mena
118
Albert M. Stall, Jr.
8/1
12
12Richiesinthehouse (IL)
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
118
Larry Rivelli
15/1
13
13Warrior's Club (KY)
Jon Kenton Court
118
D. Wayne Lukas
10/1
14
14Majestic Dunhill (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
118
George Weaver
12/1
4 p.m.—$400,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita (TVG)
A pair of tremendously talented fillies, owner Kaleem Shah's Bellafina and Summer Wind Equine's Chasing Yesterday, will face each other for the first time as they head a field in the Santa Anita Oaks. Fresh of a gutty win in the grade 2 Las Virgenes Stakes, Bellafina seeks her third grade 1 victory for trainer Simon Callaghan. Chasing Yesterday, a half sister to 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah , comes off a facile win as the heavy favorite in the Sunland Park Oaks March 24.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 3Entries: Santa Anita Oaks (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Flor de La Mar (KY)
Joel Rosario
121
Bob Baffert
5/1
2
2Chasing Yesterday (KY)
Mike E. Smith
124
Bob Baffert
3/1
3
3Stirred (KY)
Drayden Van Dyke
121
Michael W. McCarthy
15/1
4
4Slewgoodtobetrue (SC)
Geovanni Franco
121
Peter Eurton
12/1
5
5Bellafina (KY)
Flavien Prat
124
Simon Callaghan
2/5
4:11 p.m.—$150,000 Excelsior Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct (TVG)
A well-rested Discreet Lover will make his first start since running eighth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) when the grade 1 winner bids to repeat as the winner in Saturday's 107th running of the Excelsior for 4-year-olds and up.
Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 7Entries: Excelsior S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Nicodemus (KY)
Junior Alvarado
118
Linda Rice
5/1
2
2Holiday Bonus (KY)
Ruben Silvera
118
Gregory DiPrima
30/1
3
3Monongahela (PA)
Jose Lezcano
118
Jason Servis
5/2
4
4Hit It Once More (NY)
Carlos J. Hernandez
118
Gary Sciacca
15/1
5
5Tour de Force (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
118
Rudy R. Rodriguez
15/1
6
6Discreet Lover (FL)
Manuel Franco
122
Uriah St. Lewis
9/5
7
7Shivermetimbers (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
118
Steven M. Asmussen
8/1
8
8Life's a Parlay (KY)
John R. Velazquez
122
Todd A. Pletcher
4/1
4:35 p.m.—$200,000 Shakertown Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland (TVG)
Defending champion Bound for Nowhere heads a field of 13 going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Perfect in two starts at the Shakertown distance at Keeneland, Bound for Nowehere also won the lucrative Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs. Saturday's race will mark his 2019 debut.
Keeneland, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 7Entries: Shakertown S. (G2T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Jazzy Times (KY)
Miguel Mena
121
Wesley E. Hawley
20/1
2
2Richard's Boy (CA)
Robby Albarado
121
Peter Miller
15/1
3
3Disco Partner (NY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
123
Christophe Clement
5/2
4
4Shakhimat (ON)
Julien R. Leparoux
121
Roger L. Attfield
30/1
5
5Bay Muzik (WV)
Corey J. Lanerie
121
Miguel Angel Silva
30/1
6
6Will Call (KY)
Javier Castellano
121
Brad H. Cox
6/1
7
7Square Shooter (KY)
Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.
121
Jeremiah C. Englehart
20/1
8
8Conquest Tsunami (ON)
Florent Geroux
123
Peter Miller
4/1
9
9Bound for Nowhere (KY)
Luis Saez
121
Wesley A. Ward
4/1
10
10Latent Revenge (KY)
Gabriel Saez
121
Gregory D. Foley
20/1
11
11Imprimis (FL)
Paco Lopez
123
Joseph F. Orseno
6/1
12
12Chaos Theory (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
123
Brendan P. Walsh
20/1
13
13Angaston (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
123
Lon Wiggins
20/1
4:47 p.m.—$300,000 Gazelle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct (TVG)
A talented six-horse field will square off in the final local opportunity to earn qualifying points for the Lonines Kentucky Oaks (G1) in the 124th running of the Gazelle for sophomore fillies. Trainer Todd Pletcher will have two chances in this year's event with Always Shopping and Off Topic.
Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 8Entries: Gazelle S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Afleet Destiny (KY)
Anthony Salgado
118
Uriah St. Lewis
15/1
2
2Espresso Shot (NY)
Eric Cancel
120
Jorge R. Abreu
9/5
3
3Off Topic (KY)
John R. Velazquez
118
Todd A. Pletcher
5/1
4
4Positive Spirit (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
122
Rodolphe Brisset
5/2
5
5Always Shopping (KY)
Manuel Franco
120
Todd A. Pletcher
3/1
6
6Proud Emma (KY)
Junior Alvarado
118
Peter Miller
6/1
5:06 p.m.—$200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita (TVG)
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's Vasilika, a winner of 12 out of her past 14 starts, heads a field of seven older fillies and mares in Saturday's Royal Heroine Stakes.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 5Entries: Royal Heroine S. (G2T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Vasilika (KY)
Flavien Prat
124
Jerry Hollendorfer
3/5
2
2Ms Bad Behavior (ON)
Mike E. Smith
120
Richard Baltas
4/1
3
3Meal Ticket (FL)
Drayden Van Dyke
120
Matthew Chew
8/1
4
4Cordiality (CA)
Joseph Talamo
120
Tim Yakteen
20/1
5
5Raven's Lady (GB)
Kent J. Desormeaux
120
James M. Cassidy
7/2
6
6Space Talk (GB)
Rafael Bejarano
120
Anna Meah
15/1
7
7Smoovie (CA)
Martin Garcia
120
Doug F. O'Neill
30/1
5:10 p.m.—$300,000 Madison Stakes (G1) Keeneland (TVG)
Conrad Farms' Shamrock Rose, champion female sprinter of 2018, tops a field of nine going seven furlongs on the main track. Trained by Mark Casse, Shamrock Rose won the grade 2 Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland last fall before earning divisional honors with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs in November.
Keeneland, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 8Entries: Madison S. (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Sultry (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
Eddie Kenneally
12/1
2
2Create a Star (OK)
Jon Kenton Court
118
C. R. Trout
20/1
3
3Divine Queen (KY)
Gabriel Saez
118
William B. Bradley
12/1
4
4Amy's Challenge (KY)
Alex L. Canchari
118
McLean Robertson
4/1
5
5Spiced Perfection (CA)
Javier Castellano
123
Peter Miller
7/2
6
6Late Night Pow Wow (WV)
Luis Saez
118
Javier Contreras
7/2
7
7Cathedral Reader (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
118
Dallas Stewart
15/1
8
8America's Tale (KY)
Paco Lopez
120
Bernard S. Flint
10/1
9
9Shamrock Rose (PA)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
123
Mark E. Casse
5/2
5:22 p.m.—$400,000 Carter Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct (TVG)
Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Vino Rosso will return to graded stakes company after posting a three-quarter length score in the one-mile Stymie on March 9 at Aqueduct. Favored World of Trouble, seeking his first graded win, awaits.
Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 9Entries: Carter H. (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Sir Ballantine (KY)
Michael J. Luzzi
115
Danny Gargan
20/1
2
2Vino Rosso (KY)
John R. Velazquez
120
Todd A. Pletcher
5/2
3
3Life in Shambles (KY)
Eric Cancel
117
Jason Servis
12/1
4
4Identity Politics (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
116
Chad C. Brown
8/1
5
5Skyler's Scramjet (KY)
Rajiv Maragh
117
Michelle Nevin
10/1
6
6Timber Ghost (KY)
Junior Alvarado
115
James A. Jerkens
30/1
7
7Honor Up (NY)
Jose Lezcano
116
Michelle Nevin
6/1
8
8World of Trouble (FL)
Manuel Franco
121
Jason Servis
1/1
5:45 p.m.—$500,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland (TVG)
D.J. Stable and Cash is King's Jaywalk, champion 2-year-old filly of 2018, was installed as the 8-5 favorite in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies. Trained by John Servis, she finished fourth in the grade 2 Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park in her seasonal debut.
Keeneland, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 9Entries: Central Bank Ashland S. (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Bizwhacks (KY)
Mario Gutierrez
121
Doug F. O'Neill
15/1
2
2Chocolate Kisses (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
121
Mark E. Casse
5/1
3
3Lady Kate (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
121
Eddie Kenneally
15/1
4
4Jaywalk (KY)
Javier Castellano
121
John C. Servis
8/5
5
5Feedback (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
121
Chad C. Brown
3/1
6
6Restless Rider (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
121
Kenneth G. McPeek
5/2
7
7Bell's the One (KY)
Florent Geroux
121
Neil L. Pessin
15/1
8
8Out for a Spin (VA)
Paco Lopez
121
Dallas Stewart
20/1
6 p.m.—$750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G2) at Aqueduct (TVG, NBCSN)
The triumvirate of graded stakes winners Tax, Tacitus and Haikal top a wide-open Wood Memorial.
Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 10Entries: Wood Memorial S. Presented by NYRA Bets (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Tax (KY)
Junior Alvarado
123
Danny Gargan
9/2
2
2Tacitus (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
123
William I. Mott
5/2
3
3Hoffa's Union (KY)
Dylan Davis
123
Mark E. Casse
6/1
4
4Haikal (KY)
Rajiv Maragh
123
Kiaran P. McLaughlin
7/2
5
5Final Jeopardy (KY)
Manuel Franco
123
Jason Servis
8/1
6
6Overdeliver (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
123
Todd A. Pletcher
20/1
7
7Not That Brady (NY)
Reylu Gutierrez
123
Rudy R. Rodriguez
20/1
8
8Grumps Little Tots (KY)
Jose Lezcano
123
Jason Servis
30/1
9
9Math Wizard (KY)
Eric Cancel
123
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
30/1
10
10Outshine (KY)
John R. Velazquez
123
Todd A. Pletcher
6/1
11
11Joevia (KY)
Nik Juarez
123
Gregory D. Sacco
30/1
6:23 p.m.—$1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland (TVG, NBCSN)
Gatsas Stable and R.A. Hill Stable's Vekoma has been installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite in a field of 14 entered. Trained by George Weaver, Vekoma has won two of three starts and finished third in the grade 2 Fountain of Youth in his 2019 debut.
Keeneland, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 10Entries: Toyota Blue Grass S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Somelikeithotbrown (NY)
Tyler Gaffalione
123
Michael J. Maker
10/1
2
2Vekoma (KY)
Javier Castellano
123
George Weaver
9/5
3
3Signalman (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
123
Kenneth G. McPeek
5/1
4
4Market King (KY)
Jon Kenton Court
123
D. Wayne Lukas
20/1
5
5Chess Chief (VA)
Paco Lopez
123
Dallas Stewart
30/1
6
6Dream Maker (KY)
Florent Geroux
123
Mark E. Casse
12/1
7
7Admire (KY)
Robby Albarado
123
Dale L. Romans
15/1
8
8Win Win Win (FL)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
123
Michael J. Trombetta
7/2
9
9Sir Winston (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
123
Mark E. Casse
15/1
10
10Lucky Lee (KY)
Chris Landeros
123
John C. Servis
20/1
11
11So Alive (KY)
Luis Saez
123
Todd A. Pletcher
15/1
12
12Parsimony (PA)
Mario Gutierrez
123
Doug F. O'Neill
20/1
13
13Moonster (KY)
John McKee
123
Dale L. Romans
30/1
14
14Aquadini (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
123
Dallas Stewart
30/1
7:14 p.m.—$1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita (TVG, NBCSN)
A winner of a record eight Santa Anita Derbies, including last year's running with eventual Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Justify , Bob Baffert again appears to be on racing's pole position as he sends out likely favorite Game Winner and top contender Roadster.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 8Entries: Santa Anita Derby (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Roadster (KY)
Mike E. Smith
124
Bob Baffert
5/2
2
2More Ice (FL)
Geovanni Franco
124
Jerry Hollendorfer
30/1
3
3Nolo Contesto (KY)
Joseph Talamo
124
John W. Sadler
6/1
4
4Synthesis (KY)
Rafael Bejarano
124
George Papaprodromou
30/1
5
5Instagrand (KY)
Flavien Prat
124
Jerry Hollendorfer
3/1
6
6Game Winner (KY)
Joel Rosario
124
Bob Baffert
4/5
Equibase featured race, click here.
7:50 p.m.—$150,000 Providencia Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita (TVG)
Separated by one length when last they met, Irish-bred Lady Prancealot and Truffalino, along with classy California-bred Apache Princess, head a field of 10 3-year-old fillies going a mile and one eighth on turf.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 9Entries: Providencia S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Apache Princess (CA)
Kent J. Desormeaux
120
J. Keith Desormeaux
6/1
2
2Lady Prancealot (IRE)
Joel Rosario
120
Richard Baltas
7/2
3
3Truffalino (KY)
Joseph Talamo
120
Richard E. Mandella
10/1
4
4Lakerball (CA)
Rafael Bejarano
120
Doug F. O'Neill
10/1
5
5Ladymidtown (KY)
Martin Garcia
120
Doug F. O'Neill
20/1
6
6Colonial Creed (KY)
Geovanni Franco
120
Richard Baltas
3/1
7
7Maxim Rate (KY)
Flavien Prat
120
Simon Callaghan
4/1
8
8Hostess (GB)
Drayden Van Dyke
120
Simon Callaghan
12/1
9
9Miss Flawless (FR)
Tiago Josue Pereira
120
Peter Miller
6/1
10
10Killarney Lass (KY)
Edwin A. Maldonado
120
Frank Lucarelli
20/1
8:20 p.m.—$600,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) at Santa Anita (TVG)
Two of the top older horses on the West Coast, John Sadler's Gift Box and Bob Baffert's McKinzie, head a field of six older horses.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, April 06, 2019, Race 10Entries: Santa Anita H. Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1McKinzie (KY)
Mike E. Smith
123
Bob Baffert
4/5
2
2Mongolian Groom (KY)
Geovanni Franco
114
Enebish Ganbat
30/1
3
3Prime Attraction (KY)
Kent J. Desormeaux
116
James M. Cassidy
5/1
4
4Gift Box (KY)
Joel Rosario
122
John W. Sadler
6/5
5
5Prince of Arabia (KY)
Joseph Talamo
114
James M. Cassidy
30/1
6
6Campaign (KY)
Rafael Bejarano
115
John W. Sadler
15/1