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WEEKEND RACING RESULTS

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Knup Solutions
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Many top races ran over the weekend at tracks like Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs, and Santa Anita Park, including two Road to the Derby qualifying races. Some of the biggest racing names going into the weekend were Concert Tour, Capo Kane, La Signare, Nova Rags, and Moonlight d’Oro.

Let’s first look at the Road to the Derby qualifying races:

Withers Stakes and Sam F. Davis Stakes

The two qualifying races for the Kentucky Derby, each awarding the top four finishers qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 scale, were the Withers Stakes and Sam. F. Davis Stakes.

Running at Aqueduct Racetrack as Race 8 on Saturday, the $250,000 Withers Stakes (G3) saw a snowy and icy track. The field of nine 3-year-olds covered 1 1/8 miles, with Risk Taking (+250) crossing the line first.

Trained by Chad Brown, the son of Medaglia d’Oro is now 2-for-2 at the two-turn, 1 1/8 mile distance.
The runner won by 3 3/4 lengths after taking a strong lead in the stretch, holding off Overtook (+600). With his victory, the colt now enters the Kentucky Derby contender list.

The entire order of finish for the Withers was Risk Taking, Overtook, Capo Kane, Royal Number, Eagle Orb, Civil War, Donegal Bay, Shackqueenking, and Mr. Doda.

The other qualifying race was Saturday’s Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, which ran as Race 11. The event witnessed Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott’s Candy Man Rocket (+1000) and Nova Rags (+400) finish 1-2.

Candy Man Rocket won the 1 1/16-mile race by a length after showing no problems stretching out to the distance. He was coming off a dominant win in a maiden race on Jan. 9 at Gulfstream Park.

The entire order of finish for the Sam F. Davis was Candy Man Rocket, Nova Rags, Hidden Stash, Boca Boy, Known Agenda, Lucky Law, Joe Man Joe, Ricochet, Smiley Sobotka, Last Investment, Milean, and Runaway Magic.

Other Results from Weekend Racing

There were a few other big races over the weekend, like the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. Gary and Mary West’s Concert Tour (+160) was able to overcome stablemate Freedom Fighter (+250) to win by a half-length.

The seven-furlong race was the Bob Baffert-trained Concert Tour’s second win in two starts. The San Vicente serves as a crucial race for runners looking to get on the Triple Crown trail.

Saturday’s $100,500 Thunder Road Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita saw Hit the Road (+400) win by 3 3/4 lengths to take his third straight victory under Umberto Rispoli. He completed the one mile on firm turf in 1:33.35, and he was followed by Bob and Jackie in second.

Masteroffoxhounds (+250) scored his first graded stakes victory in Saturday’s $200,500 San Marco Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park. The 4-year-old son of War Front stumbled at the start but recovered to run past the favorite Acclimate (+200) in the 1 1/4-mile race. His record now sits at 3-1-1 from nine starts.

Be sure to check JAZZ Horse Racing for all the latest news on the Kentucky Derby Prep Races and odds; weekend graded stakes recap and results; as well as up to the minute reports on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

CONCERT TOUR SCORES SAN VICENTE VICTORY

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Knup Solutions
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Saturday’s $200,000 San Vicente Stakes (G2) was a highly anticipated race given its position as a lead-up race on the Triple Crown trail. The event saw Gary and Mary West’s homebred runner Concert Tour overcome stablemate Freedom Fighter in the stretch.

Both racehorses are trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, and Concert Tour was able to pull ahead a half-length under jockey Joel Rosario.

Concert Tour’s Second Win

The San Vicente gave Concert Tour his second victory in two starts. The 3-year-old Street Sense colt was coming off a Jan. 15 debut victory at Santa Anita. The runner wore blinkers in both of the outings.

“Freedom Fighter just broke like a rocket ship; he’s really fast and been doing really well. Rosario was trying to teach this horse how to rate a little bit, and I thought they were going to get into a speed duel,” Baffert said.

“I think it was a good race for both of them. I learned a lot about (Concert Tour), how he wants to run, and maybe he doesn’t need blinkers. He’s pretty sharp. That’s why we have these races. Now they go to where I can stretch them out. This horse has two races under his belt, but those were two really good horses.

“I think the timing is perfect for (them). I think from here you can take that big jump that you want to take. He’s going to have to really step it up now, but now he’s ready for it.”

In 2020, Baffert won that year’s edition of the San Vicente with Nadal, who was also guided by Joel Rosario. In 2019, Rosario was aboard Sparky Ville to win, giving him his fourth San Vicente victory. Baffert has won it a total of 11 times.

The San Vicente Running

Rider Drayden Van Dyke guided Freedom Fighter in this year’s edition of the San Vicente, setting fractions of :23.41 and :45.98 through a half-mile.

The Chosen Vron sat in second early on, with Concert Tour moving into the third spot as Rosario led him three-wide around the turn, and he made it up to second in the stretch. Concert Tour kept pushing, but Freedom Fighter was not letting up easily.

Concert Tour eventually made it up and passed Freedom Fighter, registering 1:24.06 on the fast track.

“It was a good trip,” Rosario said. “After the other horse went to the lead, I thought the 2 horse (The Chosen Vron) was going to go faster, but he took his time, and I thought I was in a good spot.

“He was a little green, and he cut away a little bit at the last part when I took the lead. I thought that was a good race.”

Concert Tour crossed the line first as the heavy favorite, followed by Freedom Fighter, who finished 2 3/4 lengths ahead of The Chosen Vron in third. The rest of the field followed with Found My Ball and Uncle Boogie.

Mr. Impossible was a scratch before the race. The runner’s only start was a second-place finish to Concert Tour, and he will now run in a maiden special weight race on Feb. 7.

Be sure to check JAZZ Horse Racing for all the latest news on the Kentucky Derby Prep Races and odds; weekend graded stakes recap and results; as well as up to the minute reports on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

WEEKEND GRADED HORSE RACES

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Knup Solutions
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This weekend is set to see some big graded horse races taking place on Saturday at tracks like Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Santa Anita, and Aqueduct Racetrack.

Let’s take a look at the odds for some of this weekend’s top-graded horse races. They are currently available at JAZZSports.ag.

Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream Park Race 6 – Suwannee River Stakes (G3) Odds

  • La Signare +140
  • Great Island +250
  • Logic N Reason +350
  • Drop a Hint +800
  • Loving Moment +1000
  • Mylastfirstkiss +1500
  • Makeme Dream +2000

The Suwannee River Stakes (G3) is the highlight race at Gulfstream Park. The field of seven is being led by La Signare (+140). The 6-year-old mare is coming off a fifth-place run in the Oct. 10 Flower Bowl Stakes (G1) and third in the Sept. 5 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2).

Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay Downs Race 8 – Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) Odds

  • Fancy Liquor +300
  • Greyes Creek +400
  • Admission Office +600
  • Get Smoking +800
  • Eons +800
  • Armistice Day +1000
  • Delaware +1200
  • By Your Side +1200
  • Atone +1500
  • Talk or Listen +1500
  • Sole Volante +1500
  • Proven Strategies +1500

Tampa Bay Downs Race 10 – Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes (G3) Odds

  • Counterparty Risk +250
  • Logic N Reason +350
  • New York Girl +400
  • Eres Tu +600
  • Kelsey’s Cross +600
  • Irony of Reality +800
  • Margaret’s Joy +1000
  • No Mercy Percy +1200

Tampa Bay Downs Race 11 – Sam F. Davis (G3) Odds

  • Smiley Sobotka +300
  • Nova Rags +400
  • Boca Boy +500
  • Know Agenda +600
  • Runaway Magic +800
  • Candy Man Rocket +1000
  • Millean +1200
  • Ricochet +1500
  • Lucky Law +2000
  • Joe Man Joe +2000
  • Last Investment +3000
  • Tiz Tact Toe +3000

Tampa Bay Downs is set to see three big races on Saturday. The sizable field of 12 in the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) is led by Fancy Liquor (+300) as the favorite. The 4-year-old Lookin At Lucky colt is coming off a fifth-place run in the Dec. 26 Tropical Park Derby.

Two races after the Tampa Bay Stakes is the Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes (G3). The field of eight has many impressive runners, including Counterparty Risk (+250). Trained by Chad Brown, the Australia Filly is looking to build on her runner-up effort last time out in the Dec. 26 Lady of Shamrock Stakes at Santa Anita.

The last big race on the card is the Sam F. Davis (G3). The field of 13 is led by the Dale Romans-trained Smiley Sobotka (+300). The Brody’s Cause colt finished second in the Nov. 28 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Santa Anita Park

Santa Anita Race 3 – Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) Odds

  • Moonlight d’Oro +100
  • Kalypso +250
  • Moraz +250
  • Brilliant Cut +800
  • Honor America +1000

Santa Anita Race 4 – San Marcos Stakes (G2) Odds

  • Acclimate +200
  • Salvator Mundi +250
  • Masteroffoxhounds +250
  • Oscar Dominguez +350
  • Cleopatra’s Strike +800
  • Starting Over +1500

Santa Anita Race 7 – San Vicente Stakes (G2) Odds

  • Concert Tour +160
  • Freedom Fighter +250
  • The Chosen Vron +250
  • Found My Ball +300
  • Uncle Boogie +1200

Santa Anita Race 8 – Thunder Road Stakes (G3) Odds

  • Bob and Jackie +250
  • Hembree +350
  • Somebeyay +400
  • Hit the Road +400
  • Border Town +600
  • Campaign +800
  • Award Winner +1200
  • Restrainedvengence +1500

Santa Anita Park will host four graded stakes races, starting with the Las Virgenes Stakes (G3). The field of five is led by Moonlight d’Oro, a Medaglia d’Oro filly who is coming off a Dec. 13 maiden special weight race win.

Acclimate (+200) is the name to watch among the field of six in the San Marcos Stakes (G2). The gelding from Acclamation most recently ran third in the Jan. 16 Unusual Heat Turf Classic Stakes at the track.

Concert Tour (+160) is the strong favorite in the San Vicente Stakes (G2), while Bob and Jackie (+250) lead the field in the Thunder Road Stakes (G3).

Aqueduct Racetrack

Aqueduct Racetrack Race 8 – Withers Stakes (G3) Odds

  • Risk Taking +250
  • Capo Kane +300
  • Donegal Bay +350
  • Overtook +600
  • Royal Number +600
  • Eagle Orb +1000
  • Shackqueenking +1000
  • Mr. Doda +3000
  • Civil War +5000

The last big race to look out for is the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. The 1 1/8-mile event is led by Risk Taking (+250), who will be making his first graded stakes appearance after winning a Dec. 13 maiden special weight race at the track.

SAN VICENTE STAKES PREVIEW

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Knup Solutions
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There will be six sophomores covering a distance of seven furlongs as they compete in the Grade II, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday. The race is set to have a field of six as it runs as Race 7 on the card.

The San Vicente Stakes plays an important role as a prep race to the Grade I Santa Anita Derby on April 3.

Concert Tour Leading San Vicente Stakes Field

The favorite coming into the San Vicente Stakes is Gary and Mary West’s Concert Tour, whose odds sit at +160. The Street Sense colt is Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s first-time maiden winner in the race.

Concert Tour is coming off an impressive showing last time out on Jan. 15, when he ran six furlongs and crossed the line 3 1/2 lengths ahead. With that performance, it looked as if Concert Tour could handle a longer distance with ease.

That was Concert Tour’s only performance of his career so far, and he will be joined once again by top jockey Joel Rosario in the San Vicente.

The Chosen Vron, Freedom Fighter

Owned by Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker, and Richard Thomburgh, The Chosen Vron is coming in at +250. The gelding from Veronnsky broke sharply from the gate on Dec. 27 to win his debut, going 6 1/2 furlongs.

In that outing, the California-bred runner led for most of the race against a field of nine other rivals, and he crossed the line 6 3/4 lengths ahead of the next best runner. He was joined by John Velazquez in that race and won as the favorite.

The Chosen Vron will change riders as Mike E. Smith has the call this time out.

Another top runner in the San Vicente Stakes field is the +250 Freedom Fighter, owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm, and Robert Masterson.

The Violence colt is Baffert’s other entrant in the race. He has not run since Aug. 1, when he broke his maiden at first asking as the favorite among a field of nine other runners. In that race, Freedom Fighter won by a head as he demonstrated his speed.

He will be joined by jockey Drayden Van Dyke, and the runner has been training well leading up to the San Vicente Stakes.

Other To Watch

Another one of the runners who will look to make it difficult for the favorite is Reddam Racing’s Found My Ball. The California-bred runner trained by Doug O’Neill is coming in at +300.

He has a career record of one win and one third-place run from two races. His purse earnings sit at $43,200.

Found My Ball is coming off a strong maiden special weight victory at Santa Anita on Jan. 22, and he closed out his 2020 season with the third-place finish in another at the track on Oct. 4. Jockey Mario Gutierrez will join him.

The entire field for the San Vicente Stakes listed in post position is Freedom Fighter (+250), The Chosen Vron (+250), Uncle Boogie (+1200), Found My Ball (+300), and Concert Tour (+160).

Make sure to check Jazz Horse Racing for all the latest horse racing news.

WITHERS STAKES, SAM F. DAVIS STATES PREVIEW

By
K. Abrahams
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WITHERS STAKES, SAM F. DAVIS STATES PREVIEW

Two more Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying races are set to run on Saturday. The Grade 3 $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs both offer qualifying points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale.

Here is a preview of each of the exciting events:

Withers Stakes

The Withers is set as Race 8 on Aqueduct’s Saturday card, and it is open to 3-year-old runners. With a field of nine, it will cover a distance of 1 1/8 miles around two turns.

It is an important lead-up to the Derby, as the last two winners have made it into the final field.
In this year’s edition, the one to beat is Capo Kane, coming in at 9-5. The 3-year-old colt from Street Sense is trained by Harold Wyner and will break from Post 1 under jockey Dylan Davis.

He is 2-1-0 out of three career starts, and his current purse earnings sit at $114,500.
Bred in California, Capo Kane is coming off two straight wins by a combined length of 11 furlongs.

Those victories included a maiden race at Parx Racing in November and a win in the Jerome Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct on New Year’s Day. The latter was another Kentucky Derby qualifying race.

Capo Cane already holds 10 qualifying Derby points, so a victory will improve his standing even more on the leaderboard.

Some of the other big names coming into the Withers Stakes include Donegal Bay at 7-2 and Overtook at 5-1, both trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher.

The entire field listed by order of post position includes Shackqueenking (10-1), Royal Number (15-1), Capo Kane (9-5), Mr. Doda (20-1), Risk Taking (5-1), Overtook (5-1), Donegal Bay (7-2), Civil War (20-1), and Eagle Orb (6-1).

Sam F. Davis Stakes

The Sam F. Davis Stakes will run as Race 11 at Tampa Bay Downs, and it is open to 3-year-olds. The sizable field of 13 runners will cover 1 1/16 miles at the track.

The overflow field is set to include names like Hidden Stash, Known Agenda, and Smiley Sobotka.
Hidden Stash, a Constitution colt, is receiving a lot of attention coming into this one. While he doesn’t have as much stakes experience as the other runners, he is coming into the race in good shape and will break on the rail.

Trained by Vicki Oliver, he finished fourth and third in two maiden races last summer in Kentucky, followed by a 1 1/16-mile maiden score at Keeneland on Oct. 24. He then went on to win an allowance optional claiming race at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28.

Two of his biggest rivals will be the graded-placed Known Agenda and Smiley Sobotka. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, Known Agenda is a Curlin colt with a record of 1-1-1 from three career starts.

Dale Romans trains Smiley Sobotka, and the Brody’s Cause colt is 1-2-0 from three career starts, coming off a runner-up effort in the Nov. 28 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

The entire field listed by order of post position includes Hidden Stash, Joe Man Joe, Known Agenda, Millean, Smiley Sobotka, Runaway Magic, Boca Boy, Nova Rags, Candy Man Rocket, Ricochet, Lucky Law, Last Investment, and Tiz Tact Toe.

Be sure to check JAZZ Horse Racing for all the latest news on the Kentucky Derby Prep Races and odds; weekend graded stakes recap and results; as well as up to the minute reports on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

KENTUCKY DERBY FAVORITES EARLY LOOK

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Knup Solutions
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KENTUCKY DERBY FAVORITES EARLY LOOK

The 147th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve is set to take place on May 1. Each day we move closer to the Derby, the standings and Kentucky Derby favorites become more clear.

These are heavily based on the contenders’ performances in Road to the Kentucky Derby races, which award the top four finishers qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 scale.

Let’s take a look at some of the favorite horses on the Road to the Kentucky Derby:

Life Is Good (+600)

The current leader among Kentucky Derby favorites on the odds board is CHC INC. and WinStar Farm’s Life Is Good. The 3-year-old colt from Into Mischief currently holds the No. 14 spot on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 10 total points.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Life Is Good is a perfect 2-for-2 in his career with earnings of $94,200. He has one start so far in 2021, which was an impressive victory in the Jan. 2 Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. In that narrow win, he demonstrated speed with a 112 Speed Figure.

Life Is Good is expected to run for Baffert in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 6.

Essential Quality (+800)

Holding the No. 1 spot on the Derby leaderboard with 30 total points is Godolphin’s Essential Quality. The horse is the second choice based on odds. The 3-year-old Tapit colt is trained by Brad Cox.

His career record is a perfect 3-0-0 from three starts, and his purse earnings sit at an impressive $1,335,144. His most recent performance came back on Nov. 6. In that race, he scored the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) at Keeneland.

Essential Quality is set to return in the middle of February, either in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 13 or the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park Feb 15.

Caddo River (+1500)

Shorter Stable’s Caddo River holds the No. 11 spot on the Derby leaderboard with 10 total points. Cox trains the 3-year-old Hard Spun colt as well.

Caddo River is 2-2-0 from four career starts, and his purse earnings sit at $166,092. He has one start this year, which was a Jan. 22 victory in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park. With that victory, he started receiving more attention as he secured a spot on the Derby trail.

Keepmeinmind (+2000)

Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith’s Keepmeinmind holds the second spot on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 18 total points. Roberino Diodoro trains the 3-year-old colt from Laoban.

Keepmeinmind has yet to run in 2021, and his career record is 1-2-1 from four starts. His earnings are at $394,320.

To close out his 2020 season, the colt scored the Nov. 28 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. Keepmeinmind is preparing to make his 2021 debut in the Southwest Stakes.

Medina Spirit (+2000)

Zedan Racing Stables’ Medina Spirit holds the fourth spot on the Derby leaderboard. He has received increased attention following his victory in the Jan. 30 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita.

The 3-year-old Protonico colt has a career record of 2-1-0 from three starts, and his earnings are at $105,200.

Be sure to check JAZZ Horse Racing for all the latest news on the Kentucky Derby Prep Races and odds at JazzSports.ag

LADY APPLE RETIRED

By
Mia Kyle
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LADY APPLE RETIRED

Following Houston Ladies Classic

Following her third-place effort in the Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) on Jan. 31 at Sam Houston Race Park, Phoenix Thoroughbred III’s multiple graded stakes winner Lady Apple retired. It was announced on Feb. 1 that the 5-year-old daughter of Curlin was retired to her owner’s broodmare band.

Lady Apple brought in $1.2 million at The November Sale, Fasig Tipton’s premier breeding stock sale last fall at Keeneland. She was part of the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment.

Amer Abdulaziz is CEO of Phoenix Thoroughbreds.

“She has been a fantastic race mare for us, and she’ll be an excellent addition to our breeding operation;” said Abdulaziz. “She has a top-class pedigree with a race record to match, while the cross with Quality Road looks very exciting. We are seeing some excellent results from our breeding operation around the globe; and adding horses such as Lady Apple can only add to that.”

Career Performances

Lady Apple has won six of her 19 total career starts, and she has over $1 million in purse earnings. Her most impressive runs have come at the grade 3 level; and she was trained by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

When she first started racing, Lady Apple raced in partnership with KatieRich Farms, which is her breeder. Her first career performance was a fifth-place run in a maiden special weight race at Oaklawn Park. Following that maiden special weight performance; she went on to win her next two starts, with the most prominent of those races being the Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn.

With that impressive victory, she qualified for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). She finished out that big event by finishing third.

While Lady Apple exited the race with a third-place finish; it did not take her long to begin winning once again. Next time out, she scored the Iowa Oaks (G3) at Prairie Downs. She then went on to suffer a loss once more before winning the Remington Park Oaks (G3) at Remington Park.

Last Career Victory before Lady Apple Retired

Lady Apple’s most prominent career victory was the 2020 edition of the Houston Ladies Classic Stakes; which was her last win before retiring. In that outing, she overcame Serengeti Empress and Street Band, both grade 1 victors.

Following that victory, Lady Apple ran in two more races last year, both of which resulted in runner-up finishes.

Lady Apple was bred in Kentucky; and she is the top runner produced by Clever Trick mare Mary Apples, who is a grade-2 placed runner. The mare has produced a total of 11 winners, and she is the dam of Miss Red Delicious and Dr. Diamond Prize, both black-type winners.

Affirmed, who won the Triple Crown in 1978; along with the grade 1-winning Senor Pete, also came from the same family as Mary Apples. Harbor View Farm’s Affirmed retired in 1978 with a career record of 22-5-1 from 29 starts and earnings of $2,393,818. Rutherford Mike G’s Senor Pete retired in 1990 with a career record of 2-2-1 from 8 starts and earnings of $234,568.

Make sure to check Jazz Horse Racing for all the latest horse racing news.

WEEKEND RECAP – KD QUALIFIERS

By
John Miller
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WEEKEND RECAP - KD QUALIFIERS
WEEKEND RECAP - KD QUALIFIERS

Last weekend witnessed many exciting races unfold at tracks like Santa Anita, Gulfstream, and Sam Houston. Let’s start by looking at the weekend recap of the two Kentucky Derby qualifying races:

Holy Bull and Robert B. Lewis Stakes

The two most anticipated races were undoubtedly the Jan. 30 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park and the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita, as they both awarded Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers.

Greatest Honour, a 3-year-old Tapit colt, demonstrated himself to be a Derby contender with his Holy Bull victory. It took the runner four attempts to break his maiden, but he showed no trouble winning his first stakes start.

Trained by Shug McGaughey, Greatest Honour covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.19 after coming in as the second betting choice. He entered the race after scoring a maiden win on Dec. 26, going the same 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull distance. In his three prior maiden races, the colt finished on-the-board each time.

With his victory, Greatest Honour was awarded ten derby points. Tarantino came in second, earning four points, Prime Factor in third earning two points, and Papetu in fourth earning one point.

Greatest Honour exits the Holy Bull with a 2-1-2 record from five career starts and almost $200,000 in earnings.

Medina Spirit took the other big weekend race after a three-way photo finish in the Robert B. Lewis. Coming in as the even-money favorite, he battled top runners Hot Rod Charlie and Roman Centurian to the finish.

The Bob Baffert-trained runner ran 1 1/16 miles on a good track in 1:46.26 to score the victory. He was awarded ten Derby qualifying points, with the rest of that order being completed by Roman Centurian with four points, Hot Rod Charlie with two, and Spielberg with one.

Houston Ladies Classic and Connally Turf Cup

The weekend recap over at Sam Houston Race Park on Jan. 31, St. George Stables’ homebred Letruska led the field to score the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3). She led at each point of call after coming in as the favorite in the 1 1/16-mile event for older fillies and mares.

Letriska broke well under jockey Jesus Castanon in what would become her third graded stakes win, despite being the jockey’s first time aboard the runner. They registered fractions of :23.66, :48.56, and 1:12.99 through the opening six furlongs.

The runner was challenged along the backstretch and around the turn by Motion Emotion

She was able to push forward to cross the line first. Ujjayi also moved up to overtake Motion Emotion and finish second. As a result, the rest of the field followed with Lady Apple, Figure It Out, Motion Emotion, Jeweled Princess, and She’s Out Fastest.

The $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes (G3T) also ran at Sam Houston on Jan. 31. The event witnessed Terry Hamilton’s Spooky Channel score his second graded stakes victory.

The race was the runner’s 6-year-old debut, and he was able to hold off challenger Ajourneytofreedom by a neck. Coming off a five-month layoff, there were some questions surrounding the son of the English Channel. His last performance was a fourth-place run in the Dec. 12 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park.

Spooky Channel finished the race in 2:30.94 on firm turf.

The rest of the field followed with Ajourneytofreedom, Conviction Trade, Tenfold, Signalman, Celerity, Strong Tide, Henley’s Joy, Marzo, Changi, Vettori Kin, and Tut’s Revenge.

Be sure to check JAZZ Horse Racing for all the weekend recap of the graded stakes and results; as well as up to the minute reports on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACES RESULTS

By
John Miller
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KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACES RESULTS

Big moves in 2021 Kentucky Derby Future

After a day that featured three Kentucky Derby prep races there were a number of changes to the odds.  Drain the Clock won the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream by an easy 6 lengths and saw his future book odds go from 150/1 to 65/1. 

The Holy Bull stakes also at Gulfstream Park was dominated by Greatest Honour who breezed to a five length victory and saw his odds go from 50/1 to 20/1.  Not to be left out, Santa Anita offered the Robert Lewis Stakes that saw a spectacular stretch duel that was won by the Even money favorite Medina Spirit in a three horse photo.  Medina Spirits odds dropped from 30/1 to 20/1 while second place finisher Roman Centurian went from 150/1 to 50/1 and 3rd place finisher Hot Rod Charlie dropped to 25/1.

Derby hopes fade for others

While there were some amazing performances, there were also a number of disappointments:

Road to The Kentucky Derby Odds
Sitting on Go100/1 to 150/
Awesome Gerry100/1 to 150/1
Amount65/1 to 100/1
Prime Factor (3rd in Holy Bull)20/1 to 30/1
Never Surprised100/1 to 150/1
Likeable175/1 to 250/1
By George125/1 to 175/1
Wipe the Slate75/1 to 125/1
Spielberg50/1 to 100/1

In other moves during the week

After Bob Baffert declared in a TVG interview that his best Derby prospect might be Bezos the unraced three year old dropped from 40/1 to 17.5/1.  Concert Tour found significant support from bettors and dropped from 20/1 to 12.5/1.  Mutasaabeq who scratched from the Holy Bull drifted up to 45/1 

Be sure to check JAZZ Horse Racing for all the latest news on the Kentucky Derby Prep Races and odds; weekend graded stakes recap and results; as well as up to the minute reports on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

WEEKEND GRADED RACES

By
K. Abrahams
-
0
WEEKEND GRADED RACES

This weekend is a big one in horse racing, with many notable graded races taking place, including Kentucky Derby qualifiers. Some of the most anticipated events are running at Gulfstream Park, Aqueduct, Santa Anita Park, and Sam Houston.

** Before we continue with the article, make sure to check the latest odds and place your horse racing bets at mega online sportsbook JazzSports.ag.

Here’s a look at some of the big races this weekend:

Saturday Graded Races At Gulfstream

Gulfstream Park Race 4 – Kitten’s Joy Stakes (Grade 3)

The $100,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes will see a field of seven 3-year-olds cover one mile on turf. Some of the top names include the favorite Never Surprised (+180), second-choice Kentucky Pharoah (+250), and It’s a Gamble (+450).

Gulfstream Park Race 6 – Swale Stakes (Grade 3)

The $100,000 Swale Stakes is restricted to 3-year-olds and covers seven furlongs. The field of six is led by names like By George (+200), Drain the Clock (+250), and Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher’s Likeable (+300).

Gulfstream Park Race 9 – Forward Gal Stakes (Grade 3)

With a purse of $100,000, the Forward Gal is open to 3-year-old fillies. There are eight runners entered into the race, and it will cover seven furlongs.

Some of the top names leading the field are Zaajel (+140), Lady Traveler (+400), and Coach Jer’s Joy (+450).

Gulfstream Park Race 10 – Sweetest Chant Stakes (Grade 3)

Running right before the highlight race at Gulfstream Park, the $100,000 Sweetest Chant is open to 3-year-old fillies. The field of eight is set to cover one mile on turf.

It is being led by Todd Pletcher’s Con Lima (+250), Honey Pants (+300), and White Frost (+450).

Gulfstream Park Race 11 – Holy Bull Stakes (Grade 3)

The highlight race on Gulfstream’s Saturday card, the $200,000 Holy Bull Stakes is a Kentucky Derby qualifying race. The first four finishers will be awarded points on a scale of 10-4-2-1.

It is open to 3-year-olds and covers 1 1/16 miles. Some of the leading names include Greatest Honour (+250), Prime Factor (+300), and Sittin On Go (+500).

Other Saturday Graded Races

Aqueduct Race 4 – Toboggan Stakes (Grade 3)

The $150,000 Toboggan Stakes is the highlight race on Aqueduct’s card. It is open to 4-year-olds and up and will cover seven furlongs.

The leading runners among the small field of five are Share the Ride (+160), Pete’s Play Call (+180), and Stan the Man (+250).

Santa Anita Race 5 – San Pasqual Stakes (Grade 3)

The $200,000 San Pasqual is open to 4-year-olds and up. The field of five will cover 1 1/8 miles, with top names including Idol (+180), King Guillermo (+200), and Express Train (+200).

Santa Anita Race 7 – Robert B. Lewis Stakes (Grade 3)

The other Kentucky Derby qualifying race of the weekend is the $100,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes. The first four finishers will receive points on a 10-4-2-1 scale.

Open to 3-year-olds and covering 1 1/16 miles, the field includes names like Medina Spirit (+250) and Spielberg (+350).

Sunday Graded Races

Sam Houston Race 8 – Houston Ladies Classic (Grade 3)

One of Sunday’s highlight races, the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic is open to 4-year-old-and-up fillies and mares. The field of seven will cover 1 1/16 miles and include names like Letruska (-105), Motion Emotion (+350), and Lady Apple (+400).

Sam Houston Race 9 – John B. Connally Turf Cup (Grade 3)

The $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup is open to 4-year-olds and up and covers 1 1/2 miles. The sizable field of 12 includes many impressive runners like Spooky Channel (+250), Conviction Trade (+350), and Tut’s Revenge (+450).

Be sure to check JAZZ Horse Racing for all the latest horse racing news; weekend graded stakes recap and results; as well as up to the minute reports on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

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