Classic Champion Thoroughbreds: September 2018

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Juddmonte Beresford Stakes Racing Roundup

(Bloggers note: to watch videos of the past performances for the horses entered in this race, you will need to register with At the Races. Click on any horse entered in the race and you can watch the video for free.)

This Sunday the European road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby takes us across the pond to Naas Racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland, where MOUNT EVEREST is trending as the morning-line favorite in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes (Group 2).

Mount Everest comes into this race with a 1-1-0 record in three starts for trainer Jim Bolger including a win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden race. Here’s the chart call and link to watch the video of that race.

MOUNT EVEREST close up, soon led, joined 3 furlongs out, led again and stayed on best in final furlong.

Galileo, the sire of Cape of Good Hope, is a Classic Champion Thoroughbred and multiple Group Stakes winner that compiled a 6-1-0 record in eight starts with $2,245,373 in career earnings.

Galileo made only one start as a two-year-old, easily winning by an impressive 14 lengths.

As a three-year-old, Galileo won his season debut in the Ballysax Stakes. He followed that with his first Group win in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trail Stakes (Group 3). Galileo then earned classic honors with wins in the Vodafone Epsom Derby (Group 1) and the Budweiser Irish Derby (Group 1). His last group win was in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (Group 1).

As a stallion, Galileo was champion sire in 2008 and from 2010 to 2017 with 73 Group One winners and numerous Classic Champion Thoroughbreds:

Capri (St. Leger, Irish Derby,), Found (Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe), Frankel (2,000 Guineas), Australia (Epsom Derby, Irish Derby), Ruler Of The World (Epsom Derby), Magician (Irish 2,000 Guineas), Gleneagles (2,000 Guineas, Irish 2,000 Guineas), The Gurkha (French 2,000 Guineas), Churchill (2,000 Guineas, Irish 2,000 Guineas), Roderic O’Connor (Irish 2,000 Guineas), Treasure Beach (Irish Derby), Capri (Irish Derby, St. Leger), Soldier Of Fortune (Irish Derby), Order Of St George (Irish St. Leger), Cape Blanco (Irish Derby), Sixties Icon (St. Leger) and New Approach (Epsom Derby).

With an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, Mount Everest is the best-bred horse in this herd and he has the potential to earn Group Stakes honors.

Galileo is also the sire of JAPAN who comes into this races off a maiden win for trainer Aiden O’Brien in the Exchange Inn Ballybunion & Kevin's Bar Listowel Irish EBF Maiden race. Here’s the chart call of that race:

JAPAN chased leaders, 5^th hallway, pushed along 2½ furlongs out, ridden into 3^rd under 2 furlongs out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead close to home.

Japan also has an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and I look for him to be competitive in this race.

SOVEREIGN is also sired by Galileo and he comes into this race off a maiden win in his third start for trainer Aiden O’Brien. Here’s the chart call of that race:

SOVEREIGN chased leader, improved to dispute after 1 furlong and soon led, pushed along to assert 2 furlongs out, clear entering straight, kept on strongly final furlong, eased close home.

Sovereign has room to improve off his maiden win and with an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® I look for him to be competitive.

Honorable mention goes to Guaranteed and Power of Now. Guaranteed has a B Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and Power of Now has a C profile. However, their Behavior Index could potentially make them competitive in this race.

EUROPEAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer

1. Mohawk (IRE), 10, Aidan O’Brien

2. Sydney Opera House (GB), 4, Aidan O’Brien

3. Cape of Good Hope (IRE), 2, Aidan O’Brien

4. Victory Command, (IRE), 1, Mark Johnston

Friday, September 28, 2018

Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes Racing Roundup

The Road to the Kentucky Derby will span two continents this Saturday with the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park and the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) at the Newmarket Racecourse Rowley Mile in Suffolk, England. On Sunday, the European road to Derby glory continues with the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes (Group 2) at Naas Racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland.

Let’s look at the Royal Lodge where Beatboxer is trending as the morning line favorite in the overseas markets.

Undefeated in two starts for trainer John Gosden, Beatboxer comes into this race off an easy win in the Smarkets Betting Exchange Novice Stakes (Plus 10). Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

BEATBOXER made virtually all, clear final 2 furlongs easily.

Scat Daddy, the sire of Beatboxer, was a multiple graded stakes winner who compiled a 5-1-1 record in nine starts with $1,334,300 in career earnings.

As a two-year-old, Scat Daddy was 3-0-1 in five starts with wins in the Sanford Stakes (G2) and Champagne Stakes (G1), and he finished second in the Hopeful Stakes (G1).

In his season debut as a 3-year-old, Scat Daddy finished third in the one-mile Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and followed up with wins in the 9-furlong Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) in route to a eighteenth-place finish in the Derby.

Scat Daddy’s best runners on the Derby Trail include Triple Crown winner, Justify, as well as Mendelssohn, Flameaway, Combatant, Daddy Long Legs, Daddy Nose Best, El Kabeir, Frac Daddy, Azar and Dice Flavor who was my long shot pick to win the 2013 El Camino Real Derby (G3).

Beatboxer has a B Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® but his Behavior Index makes him competitive in this race.

Cape of Good Hope comes into this race with a 1-1-0 record in four starts for trainer Aiden O’Brien including a second-place finish in the Superlative Stakes (Group 2) last out. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE led, driven over 2 furlongs out, ridden and headed over 1 furlong out, stayed on to take narrow second inside final furlong, not pace of winner.

Galileo, the sire of Cape of Good Hope, is a Classic Champion Thoroughbred and multiple Group Stakes winner that compiled a 6-1-0 record in eight starts with $2,245,373 in career earnings.

Galileo made only one start as a two-year-old, easily winning by an impressive 14 lengths.

As a stallion, Galileo was champion sire in 2008 and from 2010 to 2017 with 73 Group One winners and numerous Classic Champion Thoroughbreds:

With an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, Cape of Good Hope is one of the best-bred horses in this herd and he has the potential to win this race.

Arthur Kitt comes into this race with a 2-1-0 record in three starts for trainer Tom Dascombe including a second-place finish in the Solario Stakes (Group 3). Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

ARTHUR KITT soon led, ridden and headed over 1 furlong out, soon outpaced by winner.

Camelot, the sire of Arthur Kitt, is a Classic Champion Thoroughbred and multiple Group stakes winner that compiled a 6-2-0 record in 10 starts with $2,990,639 in career earnings.

Undefeated in two starts as a two-year-old, Camelot won the Racing Post Trophy Stakes (G1) to finish the racing season.

As a three-year-old, Camelot won the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1), Investec Epsom Derby (G1), Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) and he finished second in the Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes (G1).

Camelot returned to racing as a four-year-old to win the High Chaparral E.B.F. Mooresbridge Stakes (G3) and he finished second in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1).

As a stallion, Camelot has sired from his first crop Latrobe, winner of the Irish Derby (G1) and a runner-up in the Irish St. Leger.

With an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, Arthur Kitt has the breeding to win this race.

Honorable mention goes to Fox Tal and Mohawk who also have good breeding but will need to improve their game to earn Group stakes honors.

American Pharoah Stakes Racing Roundup

Let’s look at the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) which is the first Grade One race on the Kentucky Derby Trail and a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Race.

Game Winner heads a herd of five as the 6-5 morning line favorite and he comes into this race with a 2-0-0 in two starts including a win in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) last out for Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

GAME WINNER bumped with a rival early, stalked three deep then four wide on the backstretch, continued outside on the turn and three deep into the stretch and rallied under left handed urging to the lead in deep stretch to prove best.

Game Winner stalked the pace and pulled away from pacesetter Rowayton in the stretch to easily win by 1½ lengths.

Candy Ride, the sire of Game Winner, was bred in Argentina and during his racing career he was undefeated in six starts.

In his maiden debut as a three-year-old, Candy Ride won the Premio El Quimico, a six-furlong sprint, by 12 lengths. He went on to finish the season with a win in the one-mile Gran Premio San Isidro (G1) by eight lengths and another win by eight lengths in the one-mile Joaquin S de Anchorena (G1).

As a four-year-old, Candy Ride was shipped to America where won his U.S. debut in an 8 ½ furlong Allowance Optional Claiming race at Hollywood Park on June 7, 2003. A month later, he ran on the turf winning the 9-furlong American Handicap (G2) and in August, Candy Ride was able to carry his speed to a 3¼-length victory in the 10-furlong Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) in a record time of 1:59.11.

Game Winner has a C Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® but his Behavior Index makes him competitive in this race.

A long shot I like is Jefe (8-1) and he comes into this race with an 0-1-2 record in three starts for trainer Keith Desormeaux. Here’s the video and chart call of his last race:

JEFE saved ground stalking the pace, moved up the inside on the second turn, came out into the stretch and was clearly second best.

Curlin, the sire of Jefe, was an outstanding racehorse that compiled an 11-2-2 record in 16 career starts with $10,501,800 in career earnings.

Curlin did not start as a two-year-old. But, at the age of three, Curlin was 6-1-2 in nine starts with $5,102,800 in earnings including wins in the Rebel Stakes (G3) and Arkansas Derby (G2) en route to a third-place finish in the 2007 Kentucky Derby (G1). He went on to win the Preakness Stakes (G1) and he finished second in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

Other important stakes wins include the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), twice, Dubai World Cup (G1), Stephen Foster Handicap (G1), Woodward Stakes (G1), and the UAE Jaguar Trophy Handicap.

In six crops as a stallion, Curlin has sired the 2013 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Palace Malice and the 2016 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Exaggerator. In addition, Curlin produced the classic-placed runners Good Magic (second, 2018 Kentucky Derby), Tenfold (third, 2018 Preakness), Ride On Curlin (second, 2014 Preakness), Keen Ice (third, 2015 Belmont) and Irish War Cry (second, 2017 Belmont).

With an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, Jefe has the breeding to win this race. But, he’ll need to improve his game and the stretch out in distance could be a plus in his favor.

Gunmetal Gray (9-5) comes into this race off a maiden win last out for trainer Jerry Holllendorfer. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

GUNMETAL GRAY stalked inside then a bit off the rail, bid between horses on the backstretch and outside of a rival on the second turn, took the lead leaving that turn and drew off inside in the stretch under urging and steady handling late.

Gunmetal Gray was clearly the best of the eight-horse herd as he pulled away in the stretch to win by 6¾ lengths.

Exchange Rate, the sire of Gunmetal Gray, was a graded stakes winner who compiled a 6-2-2 record in 15 starts with $479,803 in career earnings. He fared best mostly in sprint races finishing second in both the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (G3) and Best Pal Stakes (G3) as a two-year-old.

At the age of three, Exchange Rate was able to stretch out and win the 8½-furlong Risen Star Stakes (G2) en route to a fourth-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2), a ninth-place finish in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) and a 12-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

His only stake win came as a five-year-old in the seven-furlong Tom Fool Handicap (G2).

Gunmetal Gray has a low E Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® but his Behavior Index makes him competitive.

*****

A total of 35 races comprise the Road to the Kentucky Derby. In addition, there are seven races on the European road to the Kentucky Derby and there three races on the Japan road to Derby glory.

2018/2019 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer

1. Cairo Cat, 10, Ken McPeek

2. Tight Ten, 4, Steve Asmussen

3. Pole Sitter, 2, Brad Cox

4. Tobacco Road, 1, Steve Asmussen

Friday, September 14, 2018

Iroquois Stakes Racing Roundup

(Blogger’s note: this will be an abbreviated Iroquois Stakes roundup as I was at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this past week)

The much anticipated journey on the 2018-2019 Road to the Kentucky Derby begins Saturday at Churchill Downs with the 37^th running of the $150,000 Iroquois Stakes (G3). Post time for the Iroquois is 5:26 p.m. ET., and Tight Ten has been tabbed as the 2-1 morning line favorite.

Tight Ten comes into this race for trainer Steve Asmussen with a 1-1-0 record in two starts including a second-place finish in the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2). Here’s the video of that race.

With an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® Tight Ten has the best breeding of all the horses in this herd and he should improve in the stretch out in distance.

Asmussen also trains Tobacco Road (6-1) who comes into this race with a 2-0-0 record in three starts including a first-place finish in the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes. Here’s the video of that race. Tobacco Road has a B Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®.

Pole Setter (6-1) comes into this race for trainer Brad Cox with a 1-0-0 record in 2 starts including a sixth-place finish last out in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Stakes. Pole Setter also has a B Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®. Here’s the video of his maiden win.

Everfast (12-1), Cairo Cat (8-1) and My Sixth Sense (10-1) could also potentially be a factor in this race.

*****

A total of 35 races comprise the Road to the Kentucky Derby. In addition, there are seven races on the European road to the Kentucky Derby and there three races on the Japan road to Derby glory.