Sea The Stars | The Aga Khan Studs

Star Catcher takes Irish Oaks

Winning her third start in the last three months, Star Catcher (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) again relegated Fleeting (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) to second in the G1 Kerrygold Irish Oaks a month after defeating her at Royal Ascot.

Shooting straight to the lead under the on-fire Frankie Dettori in the 2400 metre race, she controlled the race all the way around the track. She had a bit of pressure with 600 metres to go but shrugged that off and started to pull away from the field as they hit the 400 metre mark.

The race wasn’t over yet, however and Fleeting made a late run to cut the margin down to half a length at the line. They were much the best over the rest of the field with race favourite Pink Dogwood (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) 4 ½ lengths behind in third.

“She’s a fabulous filly and she’s won a Classic, so that’s what it’s all about,” trainer John Gosden told Thoroughbred Daily News. “It’s no fluke and we’ve always liked this filly. I couldn’t believe it when she was beaten first time out at Chelmsford. Frankie said her best furlong was her last in the Ribblesdale and he was determined not to see a falsely-run race.”

“That’s Frankie, he has the courage to do that which comes from years of experience and having a clock in your head. He rode a quite beautiful race. She’s out of a good mare and is by Sea the Stars, who to me is a phenomenally good stallion. She’s very talented and can only get better with age, as she’s only just coming into to herself.”

The 3-year-old filly is one of three Group winners from her dam Lynnwood Chase (USA) (Horse Chestnut {SAF}). Star Catcher is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Cannock Chase (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid {USA}) and Group 2 winner Pisco Sour (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid) and hails from the family of Listed Scone Cup winner Special Missile (Smart Missile) and United States Champions Drefong (USA) (Gio Ponti {USA}) and Action This Day (USA) (Kris S {USA}).

Maximum Security returns to winning ways in G1 Haskell

After being defeated in his local prep for this race, Maximum Security (USA) (New Year’s Day {USA}) returned to the winner’s circle in the big dance when winning the G1 TVG.com Haskell Invitational.

The dramatic nature of Maximum Security’s career continued on Saturday thanks to Monmouth Park track management cancelling most of the card after running two races and moving the stakes races to later in the day.

There was very little drama for Maximum Security, however, as he showed a new dimension when stalking the pace as the race favourite in the 1800 metre race. Running to the outside of the field, he was close behind the leading Bethlehem Road (USA) (Quality Road {USA}) with King For A Day (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) close behind and looking to pull another upset over Maximum Security.

A 42-1 shot, Bethlehem Road conceded the lead as the field entered the turn and it was another battle between Maximum Security and King For A Day before the later had to check sharply and lost his momentum. Maximum Security wasn’t in the clear after that however, having to fend off Mucho Gusto (USA) (Mucho Macho Man {USA}) throughout the straight.

It was a tight battle but Maximum Security put a length on the second place runner at the line with the pair finishing eight lengths ahead of third placed Spun to Run (USA) (Hard Spun {USA}). There was a brief inquiry into King For a Day having to check up but that was quickly dismissed as Maximum Security’s connections celebrated his victory.

The race favourite for the G1 Kentucky Derby, Maximum Security crossed the line first but was disqualified due to interference. He returned to the races last month when he ran second to King For a Day in the Listed Pegasus Stakes at the same track.

Maximum Security is out of a winning half-sister to three-time Grade 1 winner Flat Out (USA) (Flatter {USA}) and is one of three winners from four to race for his dam.

Catalina Cruiser continues run in G2 San Diego Handicap

Taking his record to six wins in seven starts, Catalina Cruiser (USA) (Union Rags {USA}) paid back punters’ faith in him by winning the G2 San Diego Handicap by a length.

In a small field of four, the 5-year-old horse went straight to the lead with the rest of the field sticking close to him in the 1700 metre race. Catalina Cruiser galloped around the Del Mar dirt comfortably until Draft Pick (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}) put pressure on him as they started around the turn. Joel Rosario still sat chilly on his mount before urging Catalina Cruiser to run at the four metre mark.

It wasn’t a flashy win with the chestnut only doing what he needed to do to win by a length over Mongolian Groom (USA) (Hightail {USA}). It was the second win of the year for the entire, who won the G2 True North Stakes at Belmont Park last month in his seasonal debut. Catalina Cruiser’s only loss came in last year’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile when he finished sixth.

Verrazano’s Seek and Destroy much the best in Canada

Three-year-old Seek and Destroy (USA) (Verrazano {USA}) won her third career stakes on Saturday when shipping to Woodbine to win the Ontario Colleen Stakes for trainer Chad Brown and eFive Racing Thoroughbreds.

Running in the middle of three horses about a length behind the leaders, Luis Contreras looked to have his work cut out for him to get his mount to the lead as they entered the long straight. He guided Seek and Destroy along the rail until she cleared all but the leader and she easily took the lead from there to win by three lengths over Speedy Soul (Can) (Souper Speedy {USA}) with her ears pricked.

It was the fourth victory in seven starts for the $425,000 yearling purchase, who has won four of her last five starts. The 3-year-old is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Tammy The Torpedo (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}) and from the family of Grade 1 winner Carriage Trail (USA) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}).

Verrazano shuttled to Coolmore Australia in 2015 and has three winners from his first 15 runners in the country, including Listed stakes winner Mockery.

Double for Holy Roman Emperor

Former shuttle stallion Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) was in the headlines at the Curragh on Saturday when he had a Group double to kick off the stakes action at the Irish track.

The stallion’s 2-year-old Roman Turbo (Ire) stayed undefeated in two starts when winning the G3 Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Anglesey Stakes in the fourth race on the card. Three quarters of a length behind him was Starstangledbanner’s Lil Grey (Ire) with former shuttle stallion Zoffany rounding out the trifecta with Soul Search (Ire).

Roman Turbo is a half-brother to two-time Australian Listed winner Swacadelic (Ger) (Adlerflug) and from a full sister to Champion Shirocco (Ger) (Monsun)

One race later 2018 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Romanised (Ire) returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since last May’s victory with a one length win over New Approach’s (Ire) Hey Gaman (Ire) in the G2 Paddy Power Minstrel Stakes.

A half-brother to two stakes winners, Romanised is out of a half-sister to Hong Kong Horse of the Year Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and from the family of Australian Group 2 winner Rekindled Interest (Redoute’s Choice).

Holy Roman Emperor stood in Australia from 2007 to 2010 at Coolmore Australia before resuming shuttling services in 2015 and most recently stood at Aquis Farm in Queensland from 2016 to 2018.

Warrior’s Reward filly impresses at Del Mar

A $370,000 filly by former Spendthrift Australia shuttle stallion Warrior’s Reward (USA) turned heads at Del Mar on Saturday late in the card.

Two-year-old Pure Xena (USA) was making her debut in the race and quickly was among the leaders in the 1000 metre race. It looked as though Save The Story (USA) (Will Take Charge {USA}) would give her a run for her money on the top of the straight but that was quickly put to bed with Pure Xena quickly running past her. Pure Xena romped to an 11 ¼ length victory for trainer Brian Koriner and Jay Em Ess Stable with Hard Spun’s (USA) She’s So Special (USA) finishing half length behind Gold Included (USA) (Goldencents {USA}) for third.

Warrior’s Reward stood in Australia from 2015 to 2018 and has two winners from his first six Southern Hemisphere runners including Group 2 placed Mark The Horse.