Independence Hall Upset in Sam F. Davis

Undefeated Independence Hall (USA) (Constitution {USA}) came into the Sam F. Davis as not only the race favourite but a Kentucky Derby favourite on Saturday but left with a defeat.

The colt had to weather a fast pace in the 1700 metre race at Tampa Bay Downs and looked for a small run in the stretch that he may be able to pull off the win. But it was the late closing Sole Volante (USA) (Karakontie {Jpn}) who made up more than 15ls to win over Independence Hall by 2.5l with the third-place finisher more than 13l behind Sole Volante.

“We love him a lot,” trainer Patrick Biancone told Thoroughbred Daily News. “He’s fantastic on the turf and in America, the life is the dirt, so I ran him in a sprint race at Gulfstream just to see if he could handle it and let him take some kickback. He’s a very interesting young horse. We’ll see how he comes back first, the plan first was to go to Fair Grounds because this horse has a lot of stamina, but nothing is cast in stone.”

Already a Listed winner before this score, Sole Volante is the second graded stakes winner for second season sire Karakontie (Jpn). The stallion has shown an affinity for mares who also have his great-granddam Miesque (USA) (Nureyev {USA}) in their pedigree with both his graded winners having inbreeding to the mare.

A half-brother to Grade 3 winner Explode (USA) (Trappe Shot {USA}), Sole Volante is from a full sister to Group 1 Oaks winner Light Shift (Kingmambo {USA}) – who is also the dam of Champion Ulysses (Galileo {Ire}) – and a half-sister to Champion Shiva (Hector Protector).

Venetian Harbor Bolts to Las Virgenes Victory

Making only her third career start, Venetian Harbor (USA) (Munnings {USA}) looked like the real deal when bolting home to a 9.25l victory in the Grade 2 Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita.

An impressive winner of her maiden last out, the 3-year-old filly was the heavy favorite for the 1600 metre race and was never in danger, leading the field by open lengths a multiple points. Venetian Harbor toyed with her rivals before shrugging them off in the stretch and romping home to a victory that makes her one of the early favourites for the Oaks.

“I am very happy that she got the two turns, that was a little bit of a concern today. She had never been two turns and this is a tiring track. She trains at San Luis Rey, she is doing good down there I didn’t want to change anything. She delivered today. It looks like now she may have to do some moving around, hopefully she comes back well and we will see (where we go next). She passed the first test,” said trainer Richard Baltas.

The filly is out of the Street Cry (Ire) mare Sounds Of The City (USA) and descends from Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Safely Kept (USA) (Horatius {USA}). The victory gave Venetian Harbor her first 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

Toronado Double at Lingfield

Swettenham’s Toronado (Ire) found success at Lingfield on Saturday when runners by the stallion won the first two races of the day.

The winning spree started with Torodo Dorado (GB) winning this third straight race and staying undefeated in 2020. Racing over 1600 metres, the 4-year-old gelding made it a suspenseful race when winning by just a neck over Flying Dragon (FR) (War Command {USA}).

The 4-year-old gelding continues the top week for his granddam Tanaghum (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), who is also the dam of this week’s impressive Winter Derby trial winner Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Tanaghum is also the granddam of Darley’s Group 1 winning shuttle stallion Ribchester (Ire).

One race later, Almufti also raced to victory over 1600 metres for his second win in his last three starts. Finding hard luck in the running Almufti proved to be the best once he was able to find clear running to win by a length over Dream Ahead’s (USA) Silent Attack with Iffraaj’s (GB) Corazon Epinado (Ire) in third.

Toronado’s first Southern Hemisphere crop is three and includes the stakes winning Still A Star among his four Australian stakes horses.