Classic Champion Thoroughbreds: November 2016

Friday, November 25, 2016

Kentucky Jockey Club Racing Roundup

(Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, this will be an abbreviated edition of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) blog.)

The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes us takes us this Saturday to the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs where McCraken will go to the starting gate as the 7-2 morning line favorite in 90^th running of the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2). Post time is 5:56 p.m. ET.

McCraken comes into this race with a 2-0-0 record in two starts for trainer Ian Wilkes. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

MCCRAKEN was unhurried early, fanned into the seven path entering the lane, rallied down the lane, took over command and drew away late under a brisk drive.

McCraken is the worthy favorite in this spot and I look for him to be competitive in the stretch out to 8½ furlongs.

Wild Shot (4-1) comes into this race for trainer George Arnold with a 1-1-1 record four starts. He was one of my picks in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity Stakes (G1) at Keeneland where he finished third to Classic Empire. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

WILD SHOT set the pace early from off the rail, stayed on the inside entering the lane and faltered late in the stretch run.

Trappe Shot, the sire of Wild Shot, raced mostly in sprints from the age of two to four, compiling a 6-2-0 record in 12 starts with $703,884 in career earnings. However, he did stretch out to route racing winning the 8 ½ furlong Long Branch Stakes and finishing second in the nine furlong Izod Haskell Invitational (G1).

Trappe Shot’s best runner to date on the Kentucky Derby Trail has been My Man Sam who finished second in the nine furlong 2016 Toyota Blue Grass (G1) stakes.

I look for Wild Shot to be competitive in this race.

Just Move On (5-1) comes into this race with a 2-1-1 record in five starts for trainer Patrick Byrne. Here’s the video and chart call of his last race:

JUST MOVE ON tracked the pace early, shifted into the four path in the far turn, split horses at the top of the lane, took over command in the stretch and drew clear in the final stages.

A repeat of his last race performance will make Just Move On competitive in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2).

Honorable mention goes to Silent Decree (15-2), Uncontested (5-1) and Romeo O Romeo (15-1).

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This is the fifth consecutive year for Churchill Downs to use a Leaderboard points system to determine eligibility to get into the Kentucky Derby starting gate. A total of 35 races comprise the Road to the Kentucky Derby and a significant change to the schedule is that the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) will replace the Grey Stakes (G3) as a qualifying race.

In addition, Churchill Downs has partnered with the Japan Racing Association to feature the Cattleya Sho Stakes and Hayacinth Stakes as two qualifying races in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

The winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) will receive 10 points while the second-place finisher will receive 4 points, the third-place finisher will receive 2 points and 1 point will be awarded to the fourth-place finisher. Here’s a look at the current leaders:

2016/2017 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Classic Empire, 30, Mark Casse, $1,459,520

2. Not This Time, 18, Dale Romans $430,210

3. Practical Joke, 14, Chad Brown, $690,000

4. Gunnevera, 10, Antonio Sano, $738,600

5. Lookin At Lee, 10, Steve Asmussen, $275,600

6. Gormley, 10, John Sherriffs, $200,000

7. Klimt, 4, Bob Baffert, $380,000

8. Hot Sean, 4, Bob Baffert, $180,000

9. Syndergaard, 4, Todd Pletcher, $160,000

10. Dangerfield, 2, Doug O’Neill, $132,500

11. Straight Fire, 2, Keith Desormeaux, $96,000

12. Favorable Outcome, 2, Chad Brown, $50,345

13. Wild Shot, 2, Rusty Arnold, II, $50,000

14. Recruiting Ready, 2, Horacio DePaz, $43,750

15. Midnight Pleasure, 1, Craig Dollase, $54,000

16. J Boys Echo, 1, Dale Romans, $50,000

17. Big Gray Rocket, 1, Bob Baffert, $25,000

18. No Dozing, 1, Arnaud Delacour, $25,000

19. Honor Thy Father, 1, Kenny McPeek, $16,203

Remsen Stakes Racing Roundup

The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes us to the Empire State Saturday where Takaful will go to the starting gate as the 7-5 morning line favorite in the 102^ndrunning of the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack. Post time is 3:20 ET.

Takaful comes into this race off of an eight length maiden win at Belmont Park on October 29 for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Here’s the video and chart call:

TAKAFUL hustled from the gate, cut a swift pace just off the inside in hand until roused continuing just off the inside for home, took to the rail straightened away, drew clear under a drive to the finish.

Takaful led from gate to wire and looked good in his maiden debut to win the 6½ furlong sprint by an impressive eight lengths.

Bernardini, the sire of Takaful, did not race as a 2-year-old but at the age of three, he was a fast colt that won races from a mile to 10-furlongs.

He broke his maiden on his second start running a mile at Gulfstream Park in 1:35.57. That’s the kind of time I like to see a young colt run in a mile. Bernardini went on to become a Classic Champion Thoroughbred, compiling a 6-1-0 record in eight starts with $3,060,480 in career earnings.

Notable races won by Bernardini in route to becoming the 2006 Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old Male include: Withers Stakes (G3, 8-furlongs), Preakness Stakes (G1, 9½-furlongs), Jim Dandy Stakes (G2, 8½ furlongs), Travers Stakes (G1, 10 furlongs), Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1, 10 furlongs) and he finished second, a length behind Invasor, winner of the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1, 10 furlongs).

Takaful is taking a big step up in class. However, with an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® he has the breeding to be competitive in this race.

A recent bullet work out could have Takaful ready to run another good race.

Win With Pride (15-1) is young colt trained by Todd Pletcher and with an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® he’s the best bred horse in race. He comes into the Remsen with a 1-0-1 record in two starts. Here’s the video and chart call:

WIN WITH PRIDE, widest and just off the pace, rallied to the lead near stretch, repulsed challenges and drew out through the final sixteenth.

Win With Pride easily won his debut in a route race and trainer Pletcher is optimistic about his stretch out in the nine furlong Remsen Stakes (G2).

"We feel that the added distance will be to his liking and I like the fact that he's got a two-turn race under his belt," said Pletcher in an Aqueduct news story. "He seemed to show improvement in his second start, so we're looking forward to it…"He acts like he wants more ground.”

Distorted Humor, the sire of Win With Pride, made his first start in February of his three-year-old racing season and he did not run in the Kentucky Derby. Overall, he compiled an 8-5-3 record in 23 starts and his most notable stakes wins were in the Amsterdam Stakes (G2), Salvator Mile Handicap (G3), Commonwealth Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G3), Churchill Downs Stakes (G2) and the Ack Ack Handicap (G3).

As a stallion, Distorted Humor has sired numerous graded stakes winners, including the classic champions Funny Cide, winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) and Drosselmeyer, winner of the 2010 Belmont Stakes (G1). Distorted Humor also is the grandsire of I’ll Have Another, winner of the 2012 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Another step forward can make Win With Pride competitive in this race.

Lead Astray (15-1) comes into this race with a 1-0-0 record in two starts for trainer Shug McGaughey. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

LEAD ASTRAY coaxed from the gate, chased four then three wide in closest aim of the front, came under coaxing three furlongs from home, spun five wide into upper stretch, took over command at the eighth pole, edged clear under a drive and held safe kept busy to the wire.

Lead Astray has yet to run in a route race and he’s stepping up to stakes competition. With an A+ profile, he also has good breeding and his trainer must be confident that he will handle the stretch out to nine furlongs.

Malibu Moon, the sire of Lead Astray, made only two starts as a two year old, compiling a 1-1-0 record, before a slab fracture ended his racing career.

At stud, Malibu Moon sired the 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb. In addition, he’s sired several horses that have been competitive on the Derby trail such as Danzig Moon, Mr. Z and Stanford. Other nice runners sired by Malibu Moon include Life At Ten, Devil May Care, Declan’s Moon, Ask the Moon, Prospective, Kauai Katie, Moon Catcher and Malibu Mint.

Lead Astray has room to improve in his third start of the season and I look for him to be competitive.

Newman (10-1) also has an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and he comes into this race with a 0-1-1 record in two starts for trainer Tom Albertrani. Here’s the video and chart call of his last race:

NEWMAN remained along the inside route after the field had been sent on its way, was pulling hard on the left side of the bit proceeding along the backstretch, tracked the front runners, with clear sailing along the rail corridor for the asking all throughout the trip around of the trip, availed of the previously-described openness issuing a bid cutting the corner into the lane, worked his way to a narrow advantage only to get engaged upon by the eventual winner, failed to keep pace with well under a sixteenth remaining and had to settle for the place.

Newman was also sired by Bernardini, the sire of Remsen morning line favorite, Takaful. However, despite his good breeding, I’m not too keen on him for the win and if he fails to take another step forward there are others like You’re to Blame (10-1), No Dozing (4-1) and Mo Town (5-1) who could factor in the exotics.

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In addition, Churchill Downs has partnered with the Japan Racing Association to feature the Cattleya Sho Stakes and Hayacinth Stakes as two qualifying races in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

The winner of the Remsen Stakes (G2) will receive 10 points while the second-place finisher will receive 4 points, the third-place finisher will receive 2 points and 1 point will be awarded to the fourth-place finisher. Here’s a look at the current leaders:

2016/2017 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Classic Empire, 30, Mark Casse, $1,459,520

2. Not This Time, 18, Dale Romans $430,210

3. Practical Joke, 14, Chad Brown, $690,000

4. Gunnevera, 10, Antonio Sano, $738,600

5. Lookin At Lee, 10, Steve Asmussen, $275,600

6. Gormley, 10, John Sherriffs, $200,000

7. Klimt, 4, Bob Baffert, $380,000

8. Hot Sean, 4, Bob Baffert, $180,000

9. Syndergaard, 4, Todd Pletcher, $160,000

10. Dangerfield, 2, Doug O’Neill, $132,500

11. Straight Fire, 2, Keith Desormeaux, $96,000

12. Favorable Outcome, 2, Chad Brown, $50,345

13. Wild Shot, 2, Rusty Arnold, II, $50,000

14. Recruiting Ready, 2, Horacio DePaz, $43,750

15. Midnight Pleasure, 1, Craig Dollase, $54,000

16. J Boys Echo, 1, Dale Romans, $50,000

17. Big Gray Rocket, 1, Bob Baffert, $25,000

18. No Dozing, 1, Arnaud Delacour, $25,000

19. Honor Thy Father, 1, Kenny McPeek, $16,203

Friday, November 18, 2016

Delta Downs Jackpot Racing Roundup

The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes us takes us to Vinton, Louisiana Saturday for the 15^th running of the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) at Delta Downs racetrack. Gunnevera heads the field of 10 juvenile Thoroughbreds as the lukewarm 5-2 morning line favorite. Post time is 4:45 p.m. ET.

Gunnevera comes into the race for trainer Antonio Sano with a 2-1-0 record in five starts including a win in the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) and, in his last race, he finished fifth in the Breeders’ Futurity Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

GUNNEVERA was unhurried early, swung into the six path in the far turn and leveled out late in the stretch.

To date, Gunnevera’s best race was the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) and with a C Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, he’s yet to perform on the same level as his sire, Dialed In, who has an A profile.

In his only start as a two year old Dialed In won a 6½ furlong maiden special weight by a half a length at Churchill Downs in November 2010. As a three year old, Dialed In won the one mile Holy Bull Stakes, finished second in a 9-furlong Allowance Optional Claiming race at Gulfstream Park, and won the Florida Derby (G1) by a head over Shackleford en route to an eighth place-finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Gunnevera can perhaps he can be competitive in the Jackpot. But, despite his favoritism, I’m not too keen on him.

Balandeen (10-1) comes into this race for trainer Chris Hartman with a 2-1-0 record in five. Early on, Balandeen struggled finishing off the board in his first two starts.

In August, Balandeen broke his maiden at Del Mar and followed that with a win at Churchill Downs on September 23. Last month, Balandeen finished second in the Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs on October 30. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

BALANDEEN tracked the pace early, shifted into the four path in the turn while making a bid but was no match for the winner in the stretch run.

The fractions were fast in this race and Balandeen stalked the pace about two lengths off the leaders. The finish time of 1:35.55 is in the time zone of what I like to see young colts run on the Kentucky Derby Trail.

Bernardini, the sire of Balandeen, did not race as a 2-year-old but at the age of three, he was a fast colt that won races from a mile to 10-furlongs.

With an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, Balandeen is the best bred colt in this race and he has room to improve in his stretch out to 8½ furlongs.

J Boys Echo (8-1) comes into this race with a 1-1-0 record in two starts for trainer Dale Romans, including a 5½ length maiden win at Keeneland on October 27. Here’s the video and chart call of his last race.

J BOYS ECHO stalked the pace early, angled off the rail entering the lane, was bothered and steadied sharply, altered to the rail and drew away late in the stretch under a steady drive.

I like how J Boys Echo showed a lot of composure and control when he was steadied sharply at the rail on the far turn. He recovered nicely and then went on to win by 5½ lengths.

Mineshaft, the sire of J Boys Echo, was an outstanding route racer who compiled a 10-3-1 record in 18 lifetime starts. He began his racing career in England at the age of three, winning a maiden weight for age race at Newmarket. In November, Mineshaft was shipped to America where he won two more races to close out the season with a 3-1-1 record in nine starts.

As a four year old, Mineshaft really proved himself as a champion and compiled a 7-2-0 record in route to earning Horse of the Year and Champion Older Horse honors. In nine starts, Mineshaft won the New Orleans Handicap (G2), Ben Ali Stakes (G3), Pimlico Special Handicap (G1), Suburban Handicap (G1), Woodward Stakes (G1) and the Jockey Club Gold Club Stakes (G1).

With an A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, J Boys Echo also has nice breeding and he has room on improve in his third start of the season. Another move forward will make him competitive in the Delta Downs Jackpot (G3).

Dangerfield (12-1) ships in from California for trainer Doug O’Neill and he comes into this race with a 1-1-0 record in four starts including a 4¼ length maiden win in the Oak Tree Juvenile Stakes at Pleasanton. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

DANGERFIELD prompted the pace to the second turn, rallied three wide and got to terms into the stretch, pushed away to mid-stretch and drew clear under steady urging.

I like the way Dangerfield pressed the pace and then took command in the stretch to draw away to a 4¼ length victory. Dangerfield has a low profile score but his Behavior Index can, perhaps, make him competitive.

Into Mischief, the sire of Dangerfield, was precocious as a two year old and he easily won his maiden debut by 2½ lengths at Santa Anita Park on October 21 2007. He went on to finish second in the Hollywood Prevue Stakes (G3) and followed that with a win in the 8½-furlong CashCall Futurity (G1). The finish time of 1:40.82 was just a few ticks off of the record time of 1:40.74 set by Afternoon Deelites and the second fastest time of 1:40.78 set by Valiant Nature.

In his debut as a three year old in February 2008, Into Mischief finished second in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) and after an extended break, he returned to racing in October winning the Damascus Stakes by two lengths. In December, Into Mischief finished his racing season with a second-place finish in the Malibu Stakes (G1).

After struggling in his previous races, Dangerfield scored a nice win in his last outing and another move forward off of that effort can make him competitive in the Delta Downs Jackpot (G3).

Honorable mention goes to Hot Sean (7-2) and Pat On the Back (15-1), who also have low profile scores. However, their Behavior Index could potentially make them competitive and factors in the exotic wagers.

Hot Sean ships in from California for Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert and he comes into this race with a 2-1-0 record. Here’s the video and chart call of his last race.

Pat On the Back (15-1) comes into this race for trainer Ken McPeek with a 3-1-0 record in five starts, including a 1½ length win in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes at Belmont Park on October 22. Here’s the video and chart call of that race.

*****

In addition, Churchill Downs has partnered with the Japan Racing Association to feature the Cattleya Sho Stakes and Hayacinth Stakes as two qualifying races in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

The winner of the Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) will receive 10 points while the second-place finisher will receive 4 points, the third-place finisher will receive 2 points and 1 point will be awarded to the fourth-place finisher. Here’s a look at the current leaders:

2016/2017 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Classic Empire, 30, Mark Casse, $1,459,520

2. Not This Time, 18, Dale Romans $430,210

3. Practical Joke, 14, Chad Brown, $690,000

4. Lookin At Lee, 10, Steve Asmussen, $275,600

5. Gormley, 10, John Sherriffs, $200,000

6. Klimt, 4, Bob Baffert, $380,000

7. Syndergaard, 4, Todd Pletcher, $160,000

8. Straight Fire, 2, Keith Desormeaux, $96,000

9. Favorable Outcome, 2, Chad Brown, $50,345

10. Wild Shot, 2, Rusty Arnold, II, $50,000

11. Recruiting Ready, 2, Horacio DePaz, $43,750

12. Midnight Pleasure, 1, Craig Dollase, $54,000

13. Big Gray Rocket, 1, Bob Baffert, $25,000

14. No Dozing, 1, Arnaud Delacour, $25,000

15. Honor Thy Father, 1, Kenny McPeek, $16,203

Sunday, November 6, 2016

American Dubai Trainer Rodney Richards Joins Team of Classic Champion Thoroughbreds, LLC

Classic Champion Thoroughbreds, LLC is thankful and pleased to announce that Rodney Richards, trainer of the 2016 Kentucky Derby prospect American Dubai, will join our team scouting horses for sale at auction.

At the recent Fasig-Tipton Fall Yearlings October Sale, Richards picked from our Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® shortlist Hip 293 as a young colt he really liked on day one of the three-day sale.

A bay colt by Curlin out of Party Chatter by Pleasant Colony, Hip 293 brought the hammer down for $350,000 as the day one sale topper. A half-brother to MSW/GSP Rock Candy, Hip 293 was consigned by VanMeter-Gentry Sales and purchased by agent Justin Casse for Joe Minor’s JSM Equine. Here’s the video of the sale:

On day three, Richards’ best pick of the day was Hip 1034, which also sold as the $350,000 sale topper. A bay colt by Bernardini out of Desert Gazelle by Smart Strike, Hip 1034 purchased by Stonestreet Stables from the consignment of Brookdale Sales, agent. Here’s the video of the sale:

Overall, Fasig-Tipton cataloged 1,250 yearlings for the October sale and I created a shortlist of 23 colts that had an A+ or A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® Grade Index. Of those, six colts sold for over $100,000. Here’s a look at those horses:

Richards liked all of the above mentioned colts, but hips 293 and 1034 were his two best of the sale picks.

“Those two colts had the ideal body type characteristics and beautiful, fluid stride I look for in young Thoroughbreds,” said Richards. “Both colts have a lot of similarities and could develop into a classic runner.”

A third-generation Oklahoma horseman, Richards has always been around racehorses. His great-uncle Horace Hines was a trainer and his uncle Kenneth Richards was a jockey turned trainer, as was his dad, Jerry Richards. While his uncles stayed in Oklahoma, his father rode and trained on the West Coast, primarily at fair meets.

Born in Claremore, Okla., in 1966, Richards is part Native American. He graduated from Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Okla., now a four-year institution known as Haskell Indian Nation University. He ran track while in college and played football, his love for the latter a natural result of growing up in Sooner country.

Richards first made his living breaking young horses for others, but friends encouraged him to take up training and he took out his license in 2003. Like the two generations before him, Richards raced primarily Quarter Horses, traveling to Remington Park, Arapahoe Park and Blue Ribbon Downs. He also saddled a few Thoroughbreds in those years.

Richards now maintains a public stable of about 15 head and is the primary trainer for Richard Keith’s growing stable of young horses. He met Keith when the latter was searching for a new trainer for his then-three Thoroughbreds; a mutual friend introduced the two. Not long afterward, in 2013, Richards and his father, Jerry, traveled to the Ocala sales, marking the first time he selected horses for Keith. They brought back two, including the filly Giacomo Belle, who has two wins and a second in nine starts.

The next time Richards returned to the Ocala sales, Keith came along, with the goal to select Derby-caliber horses. With the help of Lexington-based bloodstock agent Fletcher Mauk, the team selected American Dubai, among others, at the 2015 March sale.

“You want to spend smart money at the sales. You don’t want to just ‘buy horses,’ ” Richards said. “American Dubai caught my eye. He’s got the body type I like.”

While American Dubai is Richards’ first attempt at reaching the Kentucky Derby, he is not—or not yet—the trainer’s top earner. That distinction goes to King’s Water Lilly, winner of the 2009 Enchantress Stakes. The filly compiled a 3-4-3 record in 16 starts for earnings of $238,884 in her three-year career for owner Oscar Aguilar’s 4 Eagles Racing Stables.

Richards and his wife, Starlyn BigRope, a three-quarter Apache, make their home in Mescalero, N.M., near Ruidiso. The couple has two children, a four-year-old Chasen Rope and one year old MorningStar.

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The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale begins this Tuesday, November 8, and continues through November 20.

The Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® is a powerful sales analytical tool that helps buyers make the best decisions and investments when purchasing horses at auction. In addition, it also a powerful tool that helps horse owners and breeders take the guesswork out of breeding their horses.

If you would like the team of Classic Champion Thoroughbreds, LLC to help you make the best decisions and investments at auction or, if you are making plans to breed your horses for next year, please feel free to contact us at Classic Champion Thoroughbreds, LLC.

(Parts of this blog were compiled, with permission, from a Keeneland news story about Rodney Richards.)