Palace Pier records another Group 1 in Lockinge
Last year’s European Champion 3-Year-Old Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) returned to the Group 1 level better than ever on Saturday with a victory in the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. over 1600 metres.
Racing down the Newbury straight, Palace Pier raced near the rear in the line of horses closest to the outside rail. That line broke up with 600 metres left to run and Frankie Dettori quickly showed his hand when looking over his shoulder before asking Palace Pier to run.
The race was over in a matter of strides with Palace Pier having a clear lead in the final 200 metres and never seriously asked for his best near the line. Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) put in one of the best runs of her career to finish second by 1.5l with the rest of the field over 5l behind her.
“What he did between the three and the one was mindboggling,” Dettori told Thoroughbred Daily News. “He usually hits a flat spot, but he just took off today and was just a bit bored in front.”
Palace Pier is out of Beach Frolic (GB) (Nayef {USA}), who was sold for 2.2 million gns (AU$4,389,000) at last December’s Tattersalls December Mare Sale. Beach Frolic is a half-sister to former Australian runner Bonfire (GB) (Manduro {Ger}), who ended his career with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in 2017.
Rombauer upsets Preakness
Going off at odds of 11.80-to-one, Rombauer (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}) powered down the Pimlico stretch as a popular winner of Saturday’s G1 Preakness S. over 1900 metres.
G1 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit (USA) (Protonico {USA}) went straight to the lead while Rombauer raced in midpack less than 5l off the leader. As they entered the far turn, it looked like Midnight Bourbon (USA) (Tiznow {USA}) would be the serious challenger to Medina Spirit as they opened up on most of the field. However, it was at that moment that Rombauer was getting into his best stride.
He chased them down outside the final 200 metres and galloped on by with Midnight Bourbon’s attempts to stick with him proving futile. Showing how much he had left under him, jockey Flavien Prat only gave his mount a few taps after taking the lead. In the end, Rombauer was an easy 3.5l winner over Midnight Bourbon with Medina Spirit 4l ahead of the fourth place horse.
“I was pretty confident going to the three-eighths pole, and then I was behind two - some of the favourites in the race,” said Prat. “I was travelling well, and I thought, well, maybe if he switched it and give me a good kick, I might be able to run them down.”
Rombauer is one of three stakes horses for his Cowboy Cal (USA) dam Cashmere (USA). That mare is a half-sister to multiple Graded stakes winner California Flag (USA) (Avenue Of Flags {USA}) and his fellow multiple Graded stakes-winning full sister Cambiocorsa (USA). A successful producer, Cambiocorsa has produced four stakes winners and five stakes horses overall with her Grade 1-placed daughter Vionnet (USA) (Street Sense {USA}) the dam of European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}).
Fifth Group 1 win for Gran Allegria
Gran Allegria (Jpn) led home a trifecta for the late stallion Deep Impact (Jpn) in the G1 Victoria Mile at Tokyo on Sunday.
The star mare, who is trained by Kazuo Fujisawa, claimed her fifth Group 1 win with ease, winning by 4l under jockey Christophe Lemaire, powering home over her rivals from the back of the field.
Rambling Alley (Jpn), trained by Tasuo Tomomichi, finished second, while the Sakae Kuneida-prepared Magic Castle (Jpn) completed a sweep of the placings for Deep Impact.
The winner was bred by Northern Farm and is raced by Sunday Racing.
Mauritian jockey Juglall dies in fall
Nooresh Juglall, the reigning champion jockey in Mauritius who rode successfully in Singapore from 2014 to 2019, has succumbed to injuries suffered in a heavy fall on the opening day of the racing season at the Champ de Mars on the island nation Saturday. He was two months shy of his 30th birthday.
According to reports, the accident happened when the horses crossed a road over the track. Golden Tractor (SAF) (Captain Of All {SAF}), the mount of Benny Woodworth, fell right in front of the Juglall-ridden Rule The Night (SAF) (Var {USA}). The latter could not avoid the stricken Golden Tractor, who was having his first run at the Champ de Mars and jumped the crossing, located just prior to the entry of the straight at the tight-turning track.
Juglall was unconscious and was rushed to a clinic, where he slipped into a coma and passed away a short time later. Woodworth suffered a serious elbow injury. Golden Tractor was euthanised after fracturing a shoulder. Four jockeys fell throughout the course of the program.
According to Sporting Post, Juglall is survived by his wife Chaaya and a child; his father Satanand; his mother Kavita; a sister Sweta; and a younger brother Tajesh, who also trained at the SA Jockey Academy and also rides in Mauritius.
Somelikeithotbrown avenges 2020 loss
Second in the G2 Dinner Party S. last year, Somelikeithotbrown (USA) (Big Brown {USA}) went one better in 2021 with a victory in course record time.
Tracking the pacesetter from his second place spot in the 1700 metre race, Somelikeithotbrown made his move with about 500 metres left to run. Collaring the leader and then pulling away in the straight, Somelikeithotbrown had enough left in the final 100 metres to hold off Talk Or Listen (Ire) (Alhebayeb {Ire}) by 1l when stopping the clock in 1:40.09. The race for second was close with Midnight Tea Time (USA) (Midnight Lute {USA}) just a head behind Talk or Listen with two horses dead-heating for fourth 0.5l behind him.
“He showed me some speed early on, and I got him to relax on the first turn and that was the key,” said jockey Jose Ortiz. “He relaxed nicely and from the half-mile pole to the 3/8ths pole I was just waiting and waiting and when I asked him to go he did.”
By former shuttle stallion Big Brown (USA), Somelikeithotbrown is one of two stakes winners for Marilyn Monroan (USA) from four foals. They hail from the family of champions Stevie Wonderboy (USA) (Stephen Got Even {USA}) and Big Blue Kitten (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}).
Al Aasy wins again in Al Rayyan
It was a second straight victory and third career Group 3 win for Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) when he galloped home to a G3 Al Rayyan S. victory at Newbury.
Staying at the 2400 metres he’d won at last out, Al Aasy was near the rear of the five horse field until the final 600 metres. It was clear he had plenty left in the tank when he took the lead with 200 metres left and barely gave jockey Jim Crowley anything to do as he romped to a 4l win over Thunderous (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) with Classic winner Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in third.
Al Aasy is one of two stakes performers for his Shamardal (USA) dam Kitcara (GB), whose half-brother is Listed Winter Cup winner Kapour (Ire) (Toylsome {GB}). Kapour was retired last March when in the care of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. Their family also includes Australian stakes winner Carzoff (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}), who retired after the G3 JRA Colin Stephen Quality last Spring.
Mighty Mischief goes all the way in Chick Lang
It was another stakes winning weekend for Spendthrift sire Into Mischief (USA) when his son Mighty Mischief (USA) went gate to wire in the G3 Chick Lang S. at Pimlico.
The colt flashed his speed early in the 1200 metre dirt race and always had a firm grip on the lead. Favourite and stablemate Jaxon Traveler (USA) (Munnings {USA}) made a late run but could get no closer than 1.25l to the winner, who was scoring his first stakes victory.
“The only thing that could have been better is a dead heat,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “I think they’re both very quality horses. The race might have been a little quick back for Jaxon Traveler. He didn’t have as much speed as he normally does, and the race got away from him a little bit from the half-mile to the three-eighths.”
Mighty Mischief has been on a tear this Autumn with a second in his debut followed by two victories before this run. Mighty Mischief is out of the winning Super Saver (USA) mare Wealth Creation (USA), whose dam is stakes winner Lunargal (USA) (Yes It’s true {USA}). That mare is a half-sister to three stakes winners, led by the Grade 3-winning duo of Lunarpal (USA) (Successful Appeal {USA}) and Astrology (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}).
Mean Mary returns a winner in 2021 debut
Mean Mary (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) was last seen when a non-factor at the Breeders’ Cup in November, but the 5-year-old put that behind her in Saturday’s G3 Gallorette S. at Pimlico.
Going off as the favourite, the mare proved six months off didn’t matter much when breaking on top. She always had a few lengths on the field until Vigilantes Way (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) tried to collar her in the stretch but it was just what Mean Mary needed to pick up the pace again. Mean Mary buckled down to hold off the second place runner by 0.5l with Great Island (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) 1l back in third for a Scat Daddy first-third.
“Could not have asked for a better comeback. I was a little nervous; first time she’s run without Lasix,” said trainer Graham Motion. “That’s all I said to Luis (Saez) is to make sure she was settled. She wants to be pretty wound up. Perfect comeback. Couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
Mean Mary was one of two stakes runners on the card for Grade 1 winner Karlovy Vary (USA) (Dynaformer {USA}), whose Bye Bye Melvin (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) finished fourth in the G2 Dinner Party S. the race before the Preakness. This is also the family of Champion War Pass (USA) (Cherokee Run {USA}) and Grade 1 winner Jack Milton (USA) (War Front {USA}).
Special Reserve earns first stakes victory in Maryland
Claimed for US$40,000 (AU$51,441) three starts ago, Special Reserve (USA) (Midshipman {USA}) gained his first stakes victory on Saturday in the G3 Maryland Sprint Match Series S. at Pimlico.
Coming into the race after a second in a Grade 3 last out, Special Reserve almost immediately entered a duel for the lead with Strike Power (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) in the 1200 metre dirt race. By the time they were half way through the turn, that duel was multiple lengths ahead of the field. With 200 metres left to run, Strike Power finally gave up and Special Reserve went on to win by 1.75l with Frosted Grace (USA) (Mark Valeski {USA}) finishing third 1.5l behind Strike Power.
By Darley America's sire Midshipman (USA), Special Reserve is out of Hard Spun’s (USA) Love Spun (USA). That mare is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed Original Spin (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) and that one’s stakes winning full brother Humor At Last (USA).
Sir Lucan earns first stakes victory
Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) saw his full brother Sir Lucan (Ire) enter the G1 Epsom Derby picture on Saturday with a win in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats S. at Navan.
Racing over 2600 metres as part of a duo sent out by Ballydoyle, Sir Lucan raced a few lengths behind the leader. Stablemate Wordsworth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) pressured the leader early on before taking up command with Sir Lucan close behind. It wasn’t until they entered the final 500 metres that Sir Lucan got serious but he had to work to get the lead. Wordsworth wouldn’t give in and it took until the final strides of the race for Sir Lucan to secure his victory by 0.5l over Wordsworth with fellow Camelot (GB) runner Party House (Ire) 3.5l back in third.
Sir Lucan is out of Sparrow (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a Group 3-placed granddaughter of the great Urban Sea (USA) (Miswaki {USA}). His second dam is a full sister to Galileo (Ire) and Black Sam Bellamy (Ire). Sparrow also has a Caravaggio (USA) 2-year-old colt named The Lute Player (Ire).
The King Cheek kicks off Pimlico card
The King Cheek (USA) (Laoban {USA}) gave War Chant (USA) one of his two US stakes victories as a damsire on Saturday with a victory in the Sir Barton S. to kick off the Preakness Day card.
The gelded son of Laoban (USA) was the first of multiple front-running winners at Pimlico on Saturday when breaking on top in the 1700 metre race. His victory wasn’t as easily gained as some others, however, when he was confronted by Hozier (USA) (Pioneerof The Nile {USA}) in the stretch and even lost the lead to that rival. The King Cheek fought back gamely late to get his head back in front with that duo over 9l ahead of the third-placed Romp (USA) (Orb {USA}).
“This was kind of a last-second entry,” said trainer Jamie Ness. “(The racing office) called me and said ‘You got any 3-year-olds that are doing good?’ I said, ‘Yeah. For what?’ They said, ‘The Sir Barton,’ and I said, ‘All right, let's go.’ I ran him back-to-back in 10 days.”
Out of a half-sister to the stakes-placed dam of stakes winner Akemi (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). The King Cheek sees multiple Australian runners in his family. Under his third dam is of G2 Blamey S. winner Lidari (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}) and that one’s Australian-based half-brother Laristan (Fr) (Sinndar {Ire}).
Rising Star Cachet first winner for Aclaim
Cachet (Ire) gave sire Aclaim (Ire) a breakthrough win at Newmarket on Saturday when the filly became the first winner for her sire and earned Thoroughbred Daily News Rising Star status.
Racing over 1200 metres, Catchet was always among the leaders and took command just outside the 400 metre mark. The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned filly didn’t have to do much from there, motoring home to a 5.5l victory over Godolphin homebred Before Dawn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).
“This doesn't come as a huge surprise as she is a filly that is quite near the top of the pile at the moment,” trainer George Boughey told Thoroughbred Daily News. “We will speak to Harry (Herbert), but she looks like the type of filly for the (Group 3) Albany (at Royal Ascot). She came from the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale and if she wins at Royal Ascot there is a £125,000 (AU$226,664) bonus.”
Cachet is the second foal out of the Teofilo (Ire) mare Poyle Sophie (GB), a half-sister to the dam of Grade 3 winner Whisper Not (GB) (Poet’s Voice {GB}). That gelding is a half-brother to Hong Kong runner Win For Charity (GB) (Equiano {Fr}).
