Guineas victory for Kitten’s Joy’s Kameko
All the pre-race attention was focused on Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) leading up to this year’s edition of the Group 1 2000 Guineas but on Saturday, it was Kameko (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}) who stole the show.
Kameko raced in midpack close to the near rail in the 1600 metre race down the straight, never too far from the pace setting Persuasion (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). Half-way through the race, Persuasion was joined by a group including Pinatubo, who entered a battle with Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) for the lead.
Angling closer to the middle of the track, Oisin Murphy tried to find a gap to get Kameko to the lead but his first attempt was foiled when Kameko was squeezed by Wichita as that rival drifted out. Once the running was clear, Kameko blitzed past Military March (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and joined the battle between Wichita and Pinatubo for the lead.
Racing down the center of the track, Kameko spoiled Wichita’s winning hopes as he gained on the No Nay Never colt to flash under the line first by a neck. Pinatubo did well to finish a length behind Wichita for third with Military March giving Godolphin the second half of a third-fourth finish.
“This means the absolute world to me, it’s the stuff of dreams,” Murphy, who secured his first British classic with the win, told Thoroughbred Daily News. “To do it for these connections on a son of Roaring Lion’s sire–you couldn’t make it up. As a physical, he’s not super tall but is so broad and obviously has huge heart room. He could have hardly blown out a candle just now, so he must have a tremendous amount of ability.”
Trained by Andrew Balding, Kameko was securing his second Group 1 victory after closing out last season with a 3.25l win over Innisfree (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy.
Not surprisingly with the Epsom Derby only a month away, talk quickly turned to that race with trainer Andrew Balding saying he was leaning that way if connections agreed.
“I would be keen on the Derby and I’ve got the feeling that Sheikh Fahad would be too,” he said. “I’ve just got to persuade David Redvers, as he’s worried about what breeders think if you win a Derby but I can’t get my head around that. There are mixed messages on pedigree, but I think he could stay a mile and a half.”
Much like Qatar Racing’s champion Roaring Lion (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}), Kitten’s Joy son Kameko was purchased by Redvers for what now looks like a bargain at US$90,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Bred by Calumet Farm in Kentucky, the colt is the first winner from two runners out of Grade 3 winning Sweeter Still (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}). That mare was purchased for only US$1,500 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale two months after Kameko sold.
A half-sister to Group 1 winner Kingsbarns (Ire) (Galileo) and Group 3 winner Belle Artiste (Ire) (Namid {GB}), Sweeter Still also hails from the family of Group 1 Dubai World Cup winner African Story (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Windsor Park Stud’s dual-Group 1 winning stallion Rip Van Winkle (Ire) (Galileo).
Terebellum wins Group 2 Dahlia Fillies’ S.
One day after siring the Lingfield Oaks Trial winner, Sea The Stars (Ire) saw his second stakes winner in as many days when Terebellum (Ire) won the Group 2 Dahlia Fillies’ S. by 1.25l.
The Godolphin-owned filly raced keenly in the 2000 metre affair back in third as Bubble And Squeak (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) led the field with Godolphin’s Magic Lily (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) 1l behind her. Racing past the 600 metre mark Magic Lily took the lead but was soon confronted by Terebellum, who steadily gained on her before taking the lead. In the final 200 metres Terebellum’s only worry was Queen Power (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}), who was within 1l of her at one stage.
It was obvious in the final 100 metres that Frankie Dettori’s mount had more than enough left as he put away the stick and Terebellum coasted to a 1.25l victory over Queen Power with Magic Lily in third.
Bred by Alan O’Flynn, Terebellum was sold for €400,000 at the Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale to Godolphin Australia. The filly secured her first stakes victory in the Group 2 Prix de la Nonette last year to become her Group 3 winning dam’s first stakes winner.
Terebellum hails from the family of Italian Champion Sound of Freedom (Ire) (Duke of Mamalade {Ire}) and Group 1 winner Charge d’Affaires (GB) (Kendor {Fr}) among others.
Regally bred Ambition scores Group 2 Prix Corrida
Racing over 2200 metres at Lyon-Parilly in France on Saturday, Ambition (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) lived up to her pedigree when winning the Group 2 Prix Corrida.
Racing second to last in the small field, Ambition was content to gallop along as Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) set the pace with her ears pricked. There were no changes in the position of the field for much of the race until the final 300 metres when the jockeys finally focused their mounts on chasing down the leader with Grand Glory still looking strong until the fading stages of the race.
It took until the final 100 metres for her to be headed with Ambition taking over and winning by a neck. Grand Glory stayed on for second with Spirit Of Nelson (Ire) (Mount Nelson {GB}) edging out Amarena (Fr) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), who had to be checked when going for the lead soon after Ambition took over.
Bred on a similar cross to Friday’s Group 1 Coronation Cup winner Ghaiyyath (Ire} (Dubawi {Ire}), Ambition is the first foal out of New Approach’s (Ire) Group 1 Oaks winner Talent (GB) from the family of Group 2 winner Thomas Hobson (GB) (Halling {USA}) with Talent also a half-sister to two stakes horses.
Reliable Man’s Adrian wins Derby trial
In a weekend full of Derby trials in multiple countries Reliable Man’s (GB) Adrian (Ger) took out the Listed Racebets Derby Trial at Dusseldorf as a prep for the German Derby.
Racing over 2200 metres, Adrian went straight to the lead of the tightly bunched field and happily set an honest pace up front. While a few runners attempted to pressure him, once Adrian was let loose in the final stages, the race was all over. Adrian pulled away to win over Deia (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) with Minotauros (Fr) (Tiberius Caesar {Fr}) third.
A €52,000 Baden-Baden September Yearling Sales graduate, Adrian is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Anna Katharina (Ger) (Kallisto {Ger}) and Listed winning Attica (GB) (Tai Chi {Ger}) out of a half-sister to German Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Aspectus (Ire) (Spectrum {Ire}).
Already Group 3-placed in a previous Derby trial, Adrian is now one of 12 stakes winners for Westbury Stud’s Reliable Man, led by Group 1 VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound and New Zealand Oaks winner Sentimental Miss.
Misriff scores first stakes victory in Listed Newmarket S.
Switching back to turf after his second in the Saudi Derby on dirt last out, Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) became the second stakes winner and third stakes horse from three foals out of his dam.
Racing the furthest from the rail among the leaders, Mishriff pressured Cherokee Trail (USA) (War Front {USA}) during the early stages as Godolphin’s Volkan Star was close up on the rail. With 500 metres left to run, Mishriff started pulling away from the leaders as Waldkonig (GB) (Kingman {GB}) tried to chase him down.
In the closing stages, Waldkonig had to worry more about Volkan Star nabbing him for second as Mishriff powered home to a 4l victory. Volkan Star’s late surge saw him finish second by a neck over Waldkonig with the fourth-placed Cherokee Trail 4.25l behind the pair.
One of four stakes winners from the first crop of Make Believe, Mishriff touts a very international pedigree as the son of the winning Contradict (GB) (Raven’s Pass {USA}).
That mare’s Group 3 winning dam Acts of Grace (USA) (Bahri {USA}) is a half-sister to Group 1 winner and successful sire Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Group 3 placed Kodiac (Ire) among five other stakes horses.
Also from the family of Coolmore Australia’s Pride of Dubai, Acts of Grace was imported to Australia in 2016 and has a 2-year-old filly named Miss Balooshi (Pride of Dubai), a yearling colt by So You Think (NZ), and was covered again last season by Pride of Dubai.
Honor A.P. takes home first Grade 1 in Santa Anita Derby
Second last out in the Grade 2 San Felipe S. in his stakes debut, Honor A. P. (USA) (Honor Code {USA}) went one better in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.
The flashy colt began well and placed himself just behind the duelling leaders early in the 1800 metre race while Shooters Shoot (USA) (Competitive Edge {USA}) set the pace next to race favourite Authentic (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}). Honor A. P. continued to bide his time a few paths off the rail as the field entered the far turn as three horses duelled for the lead. Jockey Mike Smith decided to send Honor A. P. after the leaders half-way through the turn and he entered the straight near abreast with them on the far outside.
He quickly took the lead from there and galloped away from the field to win by 2.75l over the previously undefeated Authentic with 12-1 shot Rushie (USA) (Liam’s Map {USA}) third.
“He gives every indication that he can go a mile and a quarter, just the way he galloped out today,” Smith said. “I mean I had to pull him up. He just keeps going with that big stride, it’s almost as if horses have to take two (strides) to his one, it seems like. He just really reaches. John has done a great job with just putting in some really good long works into him and really galloping him out. So he had a lot of air in him today.”
With three months until the Kentucky Derby, trainer John Shirreffs said he’d prefer to run the colt at least one more time but it will depend on Honor A. P.
“It’s up to him whether we run him again before the big dance,” he said. “We have to see how the horse comes out and how he feels, but you’d always prefer to run. Running is probably the best option rather than training up to it, but we’ll wait and see how it all happens.”
An $850,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale graduate, Honor A. P. is the second graded stakes winner from the first crop of Champion Older Dirt Male Honor Code. Trained by Shirreffs, he’s also the first graded stakes winner for his Shirreffs-trained Grade 1 winning dam Hollywood Story (USA) (Wild Rush {USA}).
The dam of seven winners from eight to race, dual-Grade 1 winner Hollywood Story is also the dam of Listed winning Miss Hollywood (USA) (Malibu Moon {USA}) and two other stakes horses outside of her new Grade 1 winner.
Their extended family includes Saratoga Grade 1 winner Annals Of Time (USA) (Temple City {USA}) and Argentina Group 1 winners Honey Nov (Arg) (Romanov {Ire}) and Top One Scape (Arg) (Cityscape {GB}).
Improbable flies home in Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup
Two-year-old Grade 1 winner Improbable (USA) (City Zip {USA}) scored his second career Grade 1 victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita.
One of two runners out of last year’s Kentucky Derby to win a Grade 1 on Saturday, Improbable broke a bit slower than the leaders in the 1800 metre race but quickly went to second behind Brown Storm (Chi) (Scat Daddy {USA}). Racing a few paths off the rail at that horse’s hip, Improbable gradually drew even with the leader as they entered the turn before taking complete control.
By mid-turn, Improbable had multiple lengths on the field and looked a complete winner 400 metres out with only Higher Power (USA) (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) able to get within 5l of him when finishing second by 3.25l with Tenfold (USA) (Curlin {USA}) third, 7.75 behind Improbable.
“It’s awesome, walking back it’s just kind of getting it into my head, I just won the Hollywood Gold Cup, there’s so much history in that race. To be a part of it, I’m blessed,” said jockey Drayden van Dyke. “It was how he has been working in the mornings, I worked him several times going seven furlongs and these gallop outs that he would give me were just unbelievable. He was doing unbelievable for this race, he was sitting on a big one and he ran a big one.”
Second in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby and fourth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby last year, Improbable was given three months off after finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Preakness S., his worst career finish. The colt finished fourth and fifth respectively in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile to end his season before kicking this year off with a second in the Oaklawn Mile S.
A US$110,000 weanling-turned US$200,000 yearling, Improbable is owned by the partnership of WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and SF Racing. The colt’s third dam is Listed winning Turkish Tryst (USA) (Turkoman {USA}), who is also the dam of Grade 1 winner and successful sire Hard Spun (USA) (Danzig {USA}).
Vekoma snatches first Grade 1 in Carter
One of four stakes winners on the day to run in the last two editions of the Kentucky Derby, Vekoma (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}) added a first Grade 1 win to his resume in the Runhappy Carter Handicap at Belmont Park.
Racing as the favourite in the 1400 metre race, Vekoma went straight to the front on the sloppy track before settling behind American Anthem (USA) (Bodemeister {USA}) for much of the race. As they hit mid-turn, Vekoma started his move and had the lead as they entered the straight. Relishing the sloppy conditions, Vekoma left the rest of the field in his wake as he flew home to win by 7.25l over Network Effect (USA) (Mark Valeski {USA}) with the pacesetting American Anthem in third.
"He's a really nice horse. I really like the way he did it today,” said jockey Javier Castellano. “The way he handled the track today was amazing. I didn't have any concern before the race because I rode him in the slop in the Kentucky Derby and he loved it, a mile and a quarter was just too far. He cut back in distance and we got what we were looking for today."
Off Saturday’s victory, trainer George Weaver earmarked the July 4 Metropolitan Handicap as the next start for the colt over the same track.
A $135,000 Keeneland September graduate, Vekoma is one of two winners from two to race out of Grade 1 winning Mona de Momma (USA) (Speightstown {USA}). The four-year-old, who won last year’s Grade 2 Toyota Blue Grass S. before finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby, hails from the family of successful sires Mr. Greeley (USA) (Gone West {USA}) and Street Sense (USA) (Street Cry {USA}).
It was the fifth career win in seven starts for the Candy Ride son with Vekoma undefeated in 2020 with two victories.
Swiss Skydiver adds Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks to resume
Skipping tomorrow’s Group 1 1000 Guineas in England due to logistical issues, Swiss Skydiver (USA) (Daredevil {USA}) instead flew to California where she easily annexed the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks.
Running as the favourite in the four horse field, Swiss Skydiver went straight to the lead in the 1700 metre race with American Pharoah’s (USA) Mereneith (USA) racing at her hip. Swiss Skydiver galloped happily with her ears up down the backstretch with jockey Mike Smith sitting calmly on the filly.
As the rest of the jockeys asked their mounts to pick up the pace coming into the turn, Smith and Swiss Skydiver looked comfortable while starting to pull away from the field. It was over from the time they broke from the gate with Smith not needing to move on his mount to pull away to a 4l victory over Speech (USA) (Mr. Speaker {USA}) with Mereith third.
A $35,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase by trainer Kenny McPeek for owner Peter Callahan, it was the third straight victory for Swiss Skydiver. The filly has been a prominent figure on the Kentucky Oaks trail in 2020 with wins in both the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks and Grade 3 Fantasy earlier this year.
“She’s good, just keeps getting better too,” said McPeek. “I was reluctant to bring her. We thought maybe we ought to wait for the Ashland with a short field and everything. She’s easy to be around, she loves to run. They asked me to bring her vet records, I said ‘There aren’t any!’ They went 22 and changed speed early, which kind of surprised me, but she’s got it in her. She’s getting better too, I think.”
From the first crop of More Than Ready’s (USA) Grade 1 winning son Daredevil (USA), the filly is a half-sister to Verrazano’s (USA) Listed-placed Miss Hot Legs (USA) and from the family of Grade 1 winner Mistical Plan (USA) (Game Plan {USA}).
Newspaperofrecord back on track in Intercontinental
Undefeated as a 2-year-old before making only three starts last year, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) showed flashes of her 2-year-old brilliance when winning the Grade 3 Intercontinental S.
The 4-year-old went straight to the lead where she battled with Jakarta (USA) (Bustin Stones {USA}) a few lengths in front of the field early on. Newspaperofrecord soon took a clear lead and opened up by multiple lengths half-way through the 1400 metre race.
Irad Ortiz Jr. only had to give his mount a few reminders down the stretch as she galloped home a winner by 4l over stablemate Regal Glory (USA) (Animal Kingdom {USA}) to lead home a Chad Brown-trained top four.
“She ran brilliantly… I wasn't looking to really let her rip off fractions like that, knowing I have to get her out to a mile next time and on short rest in the Just a Game [on June 27],” said Brown. “I have a little something to work with there, but she's a top-class horse and we'll let her tell us if she's ready to run back in that timeframe. If so, it would be terrific. If she needs more time, we're always going to do right by her.”
A 200,000gns Tattersalls October Yearling graduate, Newspaperofrecord is one of 10 Group 1 winners for former shuttle stallion Lope de Vega (Ire).
The filly is out of Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Sunday Times (GB) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who is also a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 Irish Derby and Group 1 Mackinnon third Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {Ire}).
Code Of Honor returns with Westchester victory
One of last year’s top 3-year-olds, Code Of Honor (USA) (Noble Mission {GB}) showed he’s come back just as strongly as he left with a 0.5l victory in the Grade 3 Westchester at Belmont Park.
Racing over 1700 metres, Code Of Honor raced wide down the backside in midpack on the sloppy track. As the field entered the turn, Godolphin’s Endorsed (USA) (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) took over the lead but Code Of Honor was looming large as he circled the field.
Endorsed still had a sizeable lead as they entered the stretch with Code Of Honor challenging him with 100 metres left to run. The duel was short lived with Endorsed yielding but still staying within 0.5l of the winner at the line with the third place Forewarned (USA) (Flat Out {USA}) 6l behind the duo.
"I think he beat a pretty good horse in Endorsed,” said trainer Shug McGaughey. “They were pretty far in front of the rest of them. Coming off that long layoff, I was very pleased. I figured he'd like the track. Sometimes when it's like that and its open, anything can win, but I think the two best horses ran one-two.
While the stakes schedule has had to be remodelled after the early season delay due to COVID-19, McGaughey said Code Of Honor could see a Grade 1 sooner rather than later with the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap on July 4 a potential target moving forward.
The winner of four of eight races as a 3-year-old, including the Grade 1 Runhappy Travers S. and Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, Code Of Honor was named a finalist for the Eclipse 3-Year-Old Colt category for his season.
The best runner for Frankel’s (GB) multiple Grade 1 winning brother Noble Mission (GB), the 4-year-old colt is out of Grade 3 winner Reunited (USA) (Dixie Union {USA}) and bred on a similar cross to Australian Group 1 winner Foundry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Code Of Honor is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Big League (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) and from the family of Japanese Group 3 winner Live Concert (USA) (Singspiel {Ire}).
Air Force Blue sires first winner
Air Force Blue (USA) (War Front {USA}) has started his stallion career with a 100 per cent strike rate after his daughter Beauty Queen (USA) won on debut at Gulfstream Park as his first runner.
Settling in midpack early in the 900 metre race, Beauty Queen made a move around the turn to race just behind the leaders. The filly was able to collar them in the final 100 metres, getting stronger as the race went on to win going away by 1.75l.
Watch: Beauty Queen (USA) win on debut at Gulfstream Park
Hailing from an active family, the filly’s relatives include this year’s Grade 3 UAE 2000 Guineas winner Fore Left (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}) and last year’s Grade 2 King Edward S. winner Synchrony (USA) (Tapit {USA}) fourth in the Grade 2 Fort Marcy S. at Belmont on Saturday.
Shuttling to Coolmore Australia in 2017, Air Force Blue’s first Australian runners will hit the track later this year with 59 live foals reported for the stallion from that crop.
$3.65 Million Cezanne wins on debut
Patiently handled by trainer Bob Baffert, Cezanne (USA) (Curlin {USA}) paid off his connections’ patience when cruising to an impressive debut victory 15 months after bringing US$3.65 million at the Fasig-Tipton Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale last year.
Making his debut over 1300 metres on dirt, the colt raced just behind the leader in a tight pack. After about 300 metres, Cezenne found a hole and challenged for the lead, drawing even with the leader. The colt proved to be a little green in the stretch but was too much the best to be bothered, winning by 2.25l
.
Owned by the Coolmore partners and St. Elias Stables, the colt is the third stakes winner for the regally bred Achieving (USA) (Bernardini {USA}) after Grade 3 winner Arabian Hope (USA) (Distorted Humor) and Listed winning Counterforce (USA) (Smart Strike {Can}).
Achieving herself is the half-sister to three stakes winners and is a granddaughter of top broodmare Better Than Honour (USA) (Deputy Minister {USA}). The dam of Grade 1 Belmont S. winners Rags to Riches (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}) and Jazil (USA) (Seeking The Gold {USA}), Better Than Honour is a daughter of bluehen mare Blush With Pride (USA) (Blushing Groom {USA}).
Charlatan to miss Kentucky Derby
Charlatan (USA) (Speightstown {USA}), winner of the first division of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, will be forced to miss the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby in September after he was found to have a small ankle injury trainer Bob Baffert said on Saturday. The story was first reported by the Paulick Report on Saturday.
When an x-ray couldn’t address why Charlatan had filling in his ankle, the colt was sent for an MRI that picked up the injury.
“It is so small that the X-ray couldn’t see it, but the MRI picked it up,” Baffert told Thoroughbred Daily News. “You can see a tiny little something thing irritating the area. His ankle had a little fill in the front. We will take it out immediately and flush it. It is really small, but we have these MRIs now that are pretty good. You can really see a lot. It is minor, but we just have to do right by the horse. He will be back.”
With the colt set to miss at least 45 days, the first two legs of the Triple Crown are off the table as is Baffert’s goal of sending the colt to the Grade 1 Haskell. While Baffert said the October 3 Preakness may be a future target, he admitted it is a longshot.
“He will be ready for something in the Breeders’ Cup for sure, whether that be the [Dirt] Mile or what not,” he said. “The Preakness may be on the table depending, but it is a longshot. It is still an option, but it is a long ways off.”
Racing for SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stable, Stonestreet Stables, Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding and Golconda Stable. Charlatan is undefeated in three starts with the Arkansas Derby his first stakes victory. It was announced the week after that victory that Charlatan’s breeding rights had been secured by Hill ‘n’ Dale.
Set to have an exciting hand for this year’s Triple Crown races, Baffert’s barn suffered a blow last week as well when fellow Arkansas Derby winner Nadal (USA) (Blame {USA}) had to be retired after suffering a condylar fracture.
