Three-year-old filly In Lingerie rallied from fourth to defeat a good field of older mares in the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (gr. I) on Sunday afternoon at Keeneland.
Ridden to victory by John Velazquez, In Lingerie broke alertly and settled back about two lengths from the lead as Juanita rattled off fractions of :24.20, :47.97, and 1:12.41. Karlovy Vary and Starformer were her closest pursuers, while Mystical Star and Upperline were racing in mid-pack. Disposablepleasure, Aruna, Kitty in a Tizzy, and Tiz Miz Sue were the early trailers.
Turning for home, Mystical Star moved up to take over the advantage, but In Lingerie was finishing up strongly and took command of the lead just inside the eighth pole. Under steady urging from Velazquez, the filly drew off strongly in the final hundred yards or so to win by two lengths in 1:49.42 seconds.
Mystical Star finished second, slightly more than two lengths clear of third-place finisher Upperline. Starformer, Tiz Miz Sue, Aruna, Kitty in a Tizzy, Karlovy Vary, Juanita, and Disposablepleasure completed the order of finish.
The winner is a daughter of Empire Maker out of the Storm Cat mare Cat Chat. Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber, In Lingerie has now won seven of her four starts, with two seconds and a third. She has earned $712,265.
-Keelerman
Showing posts with label Karlovy Vary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karlovy Vary. Show all posts
Monday, October 08, 2012
Friday, October 05, 2012
Juddmonte Spinster Stakes Entries: Aruna goes for repeat victory
2011 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (gr. I) winner Aruna will look to secure a repeat victory in the prestigious $500,000 race when she heads to post against twelve others on Sunday at Keeneland.
Trained by Graham Motion, Aruna has had an on-and-off season this year, winning only the Sheepshead Bay Stakes (gr. II) while disappointing in races like the Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. I) and Beverly D. Stakes (gr. I). But she has had more than her share of excuses for her poor showings, and assuming she is able to avoid traffic, a repeat victory in the Spinster is will within her capabilities.
Other contenders in this extremely deep field include grade I winners Summer Soiree and Karlovy Vary, as well as grade II and III victors Juanita, In Lingerie, Tiz Miz Sue, Upperline, Smart Sting, Starfomer, Mystical Star, and Kitty in a Tizzy.
Post Positions:
1 Disposablepleasure
2 Juanita
3 Aruna
4 Summer Soiree
5 In Lingerie
6 Tiz Miz Sue
7 Upperline
8 Nefertini
9 Smart Sting
10 Starformer
11 Mystical Star
12 Karlovy Vary
13 Kitty in a Tizzy
-Keelerman
Trained by Graham Motion, Aruna has had an on-and-off season this year, winning only the Sheepshead Bay Stakes (gr. II) while disappointing in races like the Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. I) and Beverly D. Stakes (gr. I). But she has had more than her share of excuses for her poor showings, and assuming she is able to avoid traffic, a repeat victory in the Spinster is will within her capabilities.
Other contenders in this extremely deep field include grade I winners Summer Soiree and Karlovy Vary, as well as grade II and III victors Juanita, In Lingerie, Tiz Miz Sue, Upperline, Smart Sting, Starfomer, Mystical Star, and Kitty in a Tizzy.
Post Positions:
1 Disposablepleasure
2 Juanita
3 Aruna
4 Summer Soiree
5 In Lingerie
6 Tiz Miz Sue
7 Upperline
8 Nefertini
9 Smart Sting
10 Starformer
11 Mystical Star
12 Karlovy Vary
13 Kitty in a Tizzy
-Keelerman
Sunday, September 16, 2012
SAMITAR WINS THE GARDEN CITY STAKES!
Irish classic winner Samitar picked up her first U.S. grade I victory on Saturday afternoon when she held off a prolonged challenge from Somali Lemonade to win the $300,000 Garden City Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park in determined fashion.
Ridden to victory by Ramon Dominguez, Samitar was sent off as the odds-on favorite in the nine-furlong turf race, and after getting off to a good start, she settled into the fourth position as Karlovy Vary led the way through moderate fractions of :24.96 and :49.74 seconds. Ciao Bella was content to sit back in second, a length or two clear of Open Water. Trophy Wife, Somali Lemonade, and Tannery were the early trailers.
Karlovy Vary continued to lead the way through three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.86 seconds, but was passed shortly thereafter by Ciao Bella, who made a strong challenge to grab the lead turning for home. But her lead was short-lived, as Samitar was gearing up with a three-wide bid and took the advantage just inside the eighth pole. She appeared to be on her way to victory, but Somali Lemonade was finishing up strongly on the far outside, closing the gap with every stride. The two fillies hit the wire together with little between them, but the photo finish camera revealed Samitar the winner by a head. The final time was 1:48.74 seconds.
Tannery closed well to finish third, while Ciao Bella, Open Water, Trophy Wife, and Karlovy Vary completed the order of finish. The winner is trained by Chad Brown and owned by Martin S. Schwartz.
-Keelerman
Ridden to victory by Ramon Dominguez, Samitar was sent off as the odds-on favorite in the nine-furlong turf race, and after getting off to a good start, she settled into the fourth position as Karlovy Vary led the way through moderate fractions of :24.96 and :49.74 seconds. Ciao Bella was content to sit back in second, a length or two clear of Open Water. Trophy Wife, Somali Lemonade, and Tannery were the early trailers.
Karlovy Vary continued to lead the way through three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.86 seconds, but was passed shortly thereafter by Ciao Bella, who made a strong challenge to grab the lead turning for home. But her lead was short-lived, as Samitar was gearing up with a three-wide bid and took the advantage just inside the eighth pole. She appeared to be on her way to victory, but Somali Lemonade was finishing up strongly on the far outside, closing the gap with every stride. The two fillies hit the wire together with little between them, but the photo finish camera revealed Samitar the winner by a head. The final time was 1:48.74 seconds.
Tannery closed well to finish third, while Ciao Bella, Open Water, Trophy Wife, and Karlovy Vary completed the order of finish. The winner is trained by Chad Brown and owned by Martin S. Schwartz.
-Keelerman
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Garden City Stakes Entries and Post Positions
Here are the entries and post positions for the $300,000 Garden City Stakes (gr. I), to be run on Saturday at Belmont Park. The nine-furlong turf race has drawn an exceptional field of seven three-year-old fillies, including group I winner Samitar, Ashland Stakes (gr. I) winner Karlovy Vary, 2011 Jessamine Stakes (gr. III) winner Somali Lemonade, and three-time European stakes winner Tannery.
1 Tannery
2 Open Water
3 Samitar
4 Somali Lemonade
5 Ciao Bella
6 Karlovy Vary
7 Trophy Wife
-Keelerman
1 Tannery
2 Open Water
3 Samitar
4 Somali Lemonade
5 Ciao Bella
6 Karlovy Vary
7 Trophy Wife
-Keelerman
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Kentucky Oaks Entries and Post Positions
Here are the entries and post positions for the 138th running of the $1,000,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), to be run on Friday at Churchill Downs. The nine-furlong race is among the most prestigious races for three-year-old fillies in the country. The 2012 edition has drawn fifteen entries, of which fourteen will be allowed to start. The favorite is expected to be Grace Hall, winner of the Spinaway Stakes (gr. I) and Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II). Other major contenders are On Fire Baby, Summer Applause, and Believe You Can.
1 On Fire Baby
2 Grace Hall
3 Summer Applause
4 Eden's Moon
5 Hard Not to Like
6 Broadway's Alibi
7 Sacristy
8 Jemima's Pearl
9 Believe You Can
10 And Why Not
11 Karlovy Vary
12 Colonial Empress
13 Amie's Dini
14 Yara
Also eligible: Oaks Lily
(Note: Be sure to check out our Kentucky Derby Handicapping Contest, in which one lucky handicapper will win a free copy of "The 10 Best Kentucky Derbies," published by Eclipse Press. Read the details here!)
-Keelerman
1 On Fire Baby
2 Grace Hall
3 Summer Applause
4 Eden's Moon
5 Hard Not to Like
6 Broadway's Alibi
7 Sacristy
8 Jemima's Pearl
9 Believe You Can
10 And Why Not
11 Karlovy Vary
12 Colonial Empress
13 Amie's Dini
14 Yara
Also eligible: Oaks Lily
(Note: Be sure to check out our Kentucky Derby Handicapping Contest, in which one lucky handicapper will win a free copy of "The 10 Best Kentucky Derbies," published by Eclipse Press. Read the details here!)
-Keelerman
Saturday, April 14, 2012
TRIPLE CROWN COUNTDOWN -- April 13th, 2012
Here are my recaps of last week's major racing action, including I'll Have Another's impressive victory in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and Gemologist's determined triumph over Alpha in the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I). Enjoy!
Santa Anita Derby (gr. I)
My general impression of this race was that the top three finishers all ran spectacular races. I'll Have Another should be given a great deal of credit for his victory, for winning a race like that off of a two-month layoff -- and only his second start in seven months -- is not an easy task. Furthermore, he was a bit wide all the way around the racetrack, whereas the two horses immediately behind him got ground-saving rail trips.
As for Creative Cause, I thought he ran very well while racing without blinkers for the first time. The fact that he was able to race along the rail for the entire race and dive through a narrow hold around the far turn would seem to say that he will have no trouble with such scenarios in the Kentucky Derby. He did drift around somewhat when struck by the whip in the stretch, but settled down and finished strongly once the whip was put away and nearly outfinished the winner.
Blueskiesnrainbows, who was beaten just three-quarters of a length for everything, turned in a somewhat surprising performance, seeing that the former claimer was sent off at 42-1 and nearly pulled off a gate-to-wire upset. Under Joe Talamo, the colt opened up a 2 1/2 length lead early on while setting a fairly moderate pace of :23.11, :47.11, and 1:11.14. A fourth quarter in :24.22 nearly sealed the deal, as he led by a half-length passing the eighth pole, but just couldn't find enough late to stem off the late runs from I'll Have Another and Creative Cause. While he lacks the necessary graded earnings to enter the Kentucky Derby, he strikes me as a colt that could be a serious Preakness Stakes (gr. I) contender.
As for the rest, Paynter certainly ran well to finish fourth in what was not only his stakes and two-turn debut, but also his second start and his first beyond 5 1/2 furlongs. He is going to get much better with time and experience, so be sure to watch out for him in the future. Liaison disappointed once again, finishing a distant sixth, which makes me suspect that he may be best over Hollywood Park's Cushion Track, where he won the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) and Real Quiet Stakes last year. Midnight Transfer, who finished seventh, never got into contention after racing very wide throughout.
Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I)
Both the victorious Gemologist and the runner-up Alpha ran very well in this spot, thoroughly outclassing their opponents despite difficult trips. Gemologist looked simply terrific while bring his record to a perfect 5-for-5, as he was hung wide on both turns before powering clear in the homestretch. He seemed to lose focus a bit when he struck the front, but started running again when Alpha challenged him and dug in for a determined victory. I have the feeling that he had more left in the tank than he appeared to.
As for Alpha, he had to check pretty hard on the first turn, and was subsequently stuck along the rail for most of the race. Despite this, he hooked to the outside turning for home and charged hard to fall just a neck short. He proved to me that he can handle traffic and adversity, which will be useful in the Kentucky Derby.
Teeth of the Dog surprised me just a bit by finishing strongly for third. Unfortunately, he lacks the necessary graded earnings to make the Derby field. Perhaps we shall see him later this spring in the Preakness (gr. I) or the Belmont (gr. I).
Illinois Derby (gr. II)
Done Talking looked pretty good in the Illinois Derby (gr. II), charging from well off the pace to secure a clear victory. Admittedly, the final time was very, very slow -- 1:53.88 -- but the track was playing on the slow side all day. However, the final eighth in :14.03, following a fourth-quarter in :26.71, probably made Done Talking's late run look better than it really was.
Nevertheless, let's give some credit to Done Talking for managing to weave his way through traffic to secure a solid victory. Perhaps it wasn't the fastest performance we have ever seen, and perhaps it didn't earn him a very high speed figure, but the winner's purse $300,000 is enough to get him into the Kentucky Derby.
Morgan's Guerrilla ran very well too. The speedy colt was hung wide throughout, but was nevertheless able to open up a clear lead in deep stretch. He briefly looked home free, but Done Talking's late run simply proved too strong to hold off. He should only improve off of this effort.
But perhaps the most impressive performance in the race came from Hakama, who finished third. The usually speedy colt was bumped at the break, causing him to drop back to last. Sixteen lengths behind with three-eighths of a mile to go, Hakama made a seven-wide bid in the stetch to get up for third, beaten just 2 1/4 lengths. He'll be one to keep an eye on in the future.
As for favored Currency Swap, he was bumped hard and hung wide on the turns, which not surprisingly led to him throwing in the towel on the far turn. His eleventh-place finish should probably be forgiven.
Bay Shore Stakes (gr. III)
Trinniberg proved that he may be the best three-year-old sprinter in the country right now when he dominated his rivals in the Bay Shore Stakes. Never really threatened, the speedy colt broke well and went straight to the lead, setting a moderate early pace and finishing fast late to score by three lengths. Hardened Wildcat finished up well despite the slow pace to finish a clear second, 5 1/2 lengths ahead of the third-place finisher. He'll be one to watch in the future, so long as he has a fast pace in front of him.
Comely Stakes (gr. III)
Broadway's Alibi, not surprisingly, triumphed as the favorite in this one-mile event, leading the field from start-to-finish to win by 3 1/2 lengths. The Todd Pletcher-trainee gave the impression of having just a touch of stamina limitations, but she has nevertheless won four straight races and should be tough to beat in any one-turn race filly race in the country. A decision on whether or not she will start in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) next month is still being made.
Disappointing was Millionreasonswhy, who got a dream trip along the rail, but just didn't finish up like she should have, eventually winding up third. She should improve off of this effort.
Ashland Stakes (gr. I)
Stephanie's Kitten may have been the heavy favorite, but it was Karlovy Vary who took the $500,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) in gate-to-wire fashion. The daughter of Dynaformer got off to an excellent start and set a moderate pace of :24.34 and :48.97. From there, the race was hers to lose, and she did not give up her advantage. Hard Not to Like and Stephanie's Kitten attempted to make runs at her in the homestretch, but Karlovy Vary held them off safely to win by three-quarters of a length, with Hard Not to Like finishing second, 1 1/2 lengths clear of Stephanie's Kitten. The final time was 1:44.82.
Other Races of Note
*At Gulfstream Park last Saturday, Todd Pletcher unleashed yet another promising three-year-old maiden in Graydar, a son of Unbridled's Song. The colt was sent off as the third choice in a one-mile maiden special weight, but apparently should have been the odds-on favorite, for he got off to a great start and set a moderate pace before finishing up his final quarter in :24.23 to win by 8 1/2 lengths in the very sharp time of 1:35.78. Seeing that he was never really asked for a serious run, it's hard to imagine just how good this colt might be.
*At Santa Anita Park on April 12th, Achilles brought his record to a perfect 2-for-2 with an impressive victory in a one-mile turf race. After tracking a very moderate early pace of :24.14, :48.89, and 1:13.14, the son of Smart Strike finished up powerfully, with a final quarter in about :22.98, to win by a length while under a long hold late. The American Turf Stakes (gr. II) on the Kentucky Oaks undercard has been mentioned as a possible goal for the Neil Drysdale-trainee.
-Keelerman
Santa Anita Derby (gr. I)
My general impression of this race was that the top three finishers all ran spectacular races. I'll Have Another should be given a great deal of credit for his victory, for winning a race like that off of a two-month layoff -- and only his second start in seven months -- is not an easy task. Furthermore, he was a bit wide all the way around the racetrack, whereas the two horses immediately behind him got ground-saving rail trips.
As for Creative Cause, I thought he ran very well while racing without blinkers for the first time. The fact that he was able to race along the rail for the entire race and dive through a narrow hold around the far turn would seem to say that he will have no trouble with such scenarios in the Kentucky Derby. He did drift around somewhat when struck by the whip in the stretch, but settled down and finished strongly once the whip was put away and nearly outfinished the winner.
Blueskiesnrainbows, who was beaten just three-quarters of a length for everything, turned in a somewhat surprising performance, seeing that the former claimer was sent off at 42-1 and nearly pulled off a gate-to-wire upset. Under Joe Talamo, the colt opened up a 2 1/2 length lead early on while setting a fairly moderate pace of :23.11, :47.11, and 1:11.14. A fourth quarter in :24.22 nearly sealed the deal, as he led by a half-length passing the eighth pole, but just couldn't find enough late to stem off the late runs from I'll Have Another and Creative Cause. While he lacks the necessary graded earnings to enter the Kentucky Derby, he strikes me as a colt that could be a serious Preakness Stakes (gr. I) contender.
As for the rest, Paynter certainly ran well to finish fourth in what was not only his stakes and two-turn debut, but also his second start and his first beyond 5 1/2 furlongs. He is going to get much better with time and experience, so be sure to watch out for him in the future. Liaison disappointed once again, finishing a distant sixth, which makes me suspect that he may be best over Hollywood Park's Cushion Track, where he won the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) and Real Quiet Stakes last year. Midnight Transfer, who finished seventh, never got into contention after racing very wide throughout.
Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I)
Both the victorious Gemologist and the runner-up Alpha ran very well in this spot, thoroughly outclassing their opponents despite difficult trips. Gemologist looked simply terrific while bring his record to a perfect 5-for-5, as he was hung wide on both turns before powering clear in the homestretch. He seemed to lose focus a bit when he struck the front, but started running again when Alpha challenged him and dug in for a determined victory. I have the feeling that he had more left in the tank than he appeared to.
As for Alpha, he had to check pretty hard on the first turn, and was subsequently stuck along the rail for most of the race. Despite this, he hooked to the outside turning for home and charged hard to fall just a neck short. He proved to me that he can handle traffic and adversity, which will be useful in the Kentucky Derby.
Teeth of the Dog surprised me just a bit by finishing strongly for third. Unfortunately, he lacks the necessary graded earnings to make the Derby field. Perhaps we shall see him later this spring in the Preakness (gr. I) or the Belmont (gr. I).
Illinois Derby (gr. II)
Done Talking looked pretty good in the Illinois Derby (gr. II), charging from well off the pace to secure a clear victory. Admittedly, the final time was very, very slow -- 1:53.88 -- but the track was playing on the slow side all day. However, the final eighth in :14.03, following a fourth-quarter in :26.71, probably made Done Talking's late run look better than it really was.
Nevertheless, let's give some credit to Done Talking for managing to weave his way through traffic to secure a solid victory. Perhaps it wasn't the fastest performance we have ever seen, and perhaps it didn't earn him a very high speed figure, but the winner's purse $300,000 is enough to get him into the Kentucky Derby.
Morgan's Guerrilla ran very well too. The speedy colt was hung wide throughout, but was nevertheless able to open up a clear lead in deep stretch. He briefly looked home free, but Done Talking's late run simply proved too strong to hold off. He should only improve off of this effort.
But perhaps the most impressive performance in the race came from Hakama, who finished third. The usually speedy colt was bumped at the break, causing him to drop back to last. Sixteen lengths behind with three-eighths of a mile to go, Hakama made a seven-wide bid in the stetch to get up for third, beaten just 2 1/4 lengths. He'll be one to keep an eye on in the future.
As for favored Currency Swap, he was bumped hard and hung wide on the turns, which not surprisingly led to him throwing in the towel on the far turn. His eleventh-place finish should probably be forgiven.
Bay Shore Stakes (gr. III)
Trinniberg proved that he may be the best three-year-old sprinter in the country right now when he dominated his rivals in the Bay Shore Stakes. Never really threatened, the speedy colt broke well and went straight to the lead, setting a moderate early pace and finishing fast late to score by three lengths. Hardened Wildcat finished up well despite the slow pace to finish a clear second, 5 1/2 lengths ahead of the third-place finisher. He'll be one to watch in the future, so long as he has a fast pace in front of him.
Comely Stakes (gr. III)
Broadway's Alibi, not surprisingly, triumphed as the favorite in this one-mile event, leading the field from start-to-finish to win by 3 1/2 lengths. The Todd Pletcher-trainee gave the impression of having just a touch of stamina limitations, but she has nevertheless won four straight races and should be tough to beat in any one-turn race filly race in the country. A decision on whether or not she will start in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) next month is still being made.
Disappointing was Millionreasonswhy, who got a dream trip along the rail, but just didn't finish up like she should have, eventually winding up third. She should improve off of this effort.
Ashland Stakes (gr. I)
Stephanie's Kitten may have been the heavy favorite, but it was Karlovy Vary who took the $500,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) in gate-to-wire fashion. The daughter of Dynaformer got off to an excellent start and set a moderate pace of :24.34 and :48.97. From there, the race was hers to lose, and she did not give up her advantage. Hard Not to Like and Stephanie's Kitten attempted to make runs at her in the homestretch, but Karlovy Vary held them off safely to win by three-quarters of a length, with Hard Not to Like finishing second, 1 1/2 lengths clear of Stephanie's Kitten. The final time was 1:44.82.
Other Races of Note
*At Gulfstream Park last Saturday, Todd Pletcher unleashed yet another promising three-year-old maiden in Graydar, a son of Unbridled's Song. The colt was sent off as the third choice in a one-mile maiden special weight, but apparently should have been the odds-on favorite, for he got off to a great start and set a moderate pace before finishing up his final quarter in :24.23 to win by 8 1/2 lengths in the very sharp time of 1:35.78. Seeing that he was never really asked for a serious run, it's hard to imagine just how good this colt might be.
*At Santa Anita Park on April 12th, Achilles brought his record to a perfect 2-for-2 with an impressive victory in a one-mile turf race. After tracking a very moderate early pace of :24.14, :48.89, and 1:13.14, the son of Smart Strike finished up powerfully, with a final quarter in about :22.98, to win by a length while under a long hold late. The American Turf Stakes (gr. II) on the Kentucky Oaks undercard has been mentioned as a possible goal for the Neil Drysdale-trainee.
-Keelerman
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Ashland Stakes Entries and Post Positions
Here are the entries and post positions for the $500,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I), to be run on Saturday at Keeneland. A major prep race for the $1,000,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), this year's Ashland has drawn a very talented field of seven, led by Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. II) winner Stephanie's Kitten.
1 Dixie Strike
2 Hard Not to Like
3 Heart of Destiny
1 Dixie Strike
2 Hard Not to Like
3 Heart of Destiny
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