Think Short to Go Long

Just as much as a Breeders’ Cup victory in the Mile, Turf or Classic can make stallion prospects, the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (formerly known as the Distaff) winners are much prized as broodmare prospects following their racing careers—and some actually succeed at it.

For example, 1993 BC Distaff winner Hollywood Wildcat went on to produce Ivan Denisovich who was G1-placed in France, England and the U.S., and his three-quarter brother War Chant won the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Canadian Triple Crown victress and 1991 BC Distaff winner Dance Smartly produced two Queen’s Plate winners, Scatter the Gold and the filly Dancethruthedawn, as well as Plate Trial victor Dance With Ravens.

Then there is the quintessential overachiever: undefeated 1988 BC Distaff winner Personal Ensign who produced multiple-G1 placed Our Emblem (sire of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem), G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup victor Miners Mark, and G1 Oaklawn Handicap winner Traditionally—in addition to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly champion and multiple G1 winner My Flag, who herself produced Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly champion and Breeders’ Cup Distaff runner-up Storm Flag Flying.

Female sprinters are perhaps not held in as high esteem as their route-loving counterparts—both when racing and later in the breeding shed—but history bears out their legacy is just as strong:

• In 1936, the four-year-old Blue Larkspur mare Myrtlewood was named both champion U.S. sprinter and champion handicap female. As a broodmare, Myrtlewood produced 1942 Kentucky Oaks winner Miss Dogwood and 1943 champion two-year-old filly Durazna, and through her daughters and their progeny are found Mr. Prospector and Seattle Slew.

• A daughter of Kentucky Derby winner and handicap champion Swaps, out of the War Admiral mare Searching—a Racing Hall of Fame member herself—whose second dam was the influential La Troienne, five-year-old mare Affectionately was named champion sprinter in 1965. Her son Personality won the Wood Memorial, Preakness, Jim Dandy and Woodward en route to being named 1970 Horse of the Year.

• Being the half-sister to champion Dr. Fager didn’t guarantee success, but Ta Wee excelled, being named champion sprinter in 1969 and 1970. As a broodmare, she produced several stakes winners (Entropy, Tweak, and Tax Holiday), but her multiple-track record-setting son Great Above sired 1994 champion three-year-old and Horse of the Year Holy Bull.

• My Juliet won the Vosburgh against males the year she was named champion sprinter (1976). Her multiple-G1 winner daughter Stella Madrid (Frizette, Spinaway, Matron, Acorn) produced the FR-G1 placed Isle de France and 2002 Japanese champion older mare Diamond Biko; another daughter Tis Juliet won the G1 Shuvee.

• 1977 champion sprinter What a Summer produced graded-turf stakes winner Gather The Clan, whose progeny include multiple-graded stakes winner Greater Good, multiple-G1 victress Pure Clan, and Swift Girl who produced G1-placed Quick Little Miss and G1 Frizette victress (and BC Juvenile Fillies third-place finisher) Sky Diva.

• 1982 champion sprinter Gold Beauty was another overachiever like Personal Ensign. Her champion son Dayjur lost the 1990 Breeders’ Cup Sprint to filly Safely Kept, but was still named champion three-year-old colt in England and France. Her daughter Maplejinsky won the G1 Alabama and G1 Monmouth Oaks—and subsequently produced multiple G1 victress and Triple Tiara winner Sky Beauty, and Silence Beauty, dam of multiple-G1 winner Tale of Ekati. Maplejinksy’s unraced daughter Our Country Place produced Breeders’ Cup Distaff victress Pleasant Home, as well as Matlacha Pass, dam of the tragic multiple-G1 winner Pine Island, and multiple-graded stakes winning daughter Country Hideaway who produced G1 Test runner-up Boca Grande.

This is by no means a comprehensive or even controlled scientific study, merely anecdotal observations. Maybe those with more insightful knowledge of breeding can chime in. However, at first glance, it appears that, while celebrating the achievements of fillies and mares like Zenyatta and others running in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (“Ladies’ Classic”) this fall, we should be looking to the female sprinters as the future broodmare producers—going short themselves, but producing those who go long.

Fillies First Watch—Jolie’s Shinju

On Saturday (approximately 1:40 a.m. EST here in the U.S.), the Aussies will get their first look at Singapore Triple Crown winner Jolie's Shinju when she runs in the 8f G2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley. If you haven’t had a chance to watch this exciting 5-year-old mare in action, you won’t want to miss her campaign for the October 24 AUS-G1 Cox Plate.

Although Japanese-born and Singapore-raced, this daughter of G1 Donn victor Jolie’s Halo has deep blueblood American breeding. Out of the Danzig mare Endearing Quality, her third dam is 1967 US champion handicap mare Straight Deal, who finished third behind Damascus in the Aqueduct Handicap that year, as well as third behind track-record-setting Stupendous in the Whitney. She is a direct damline descendent of blue hen mare La Troienne, and closely related to successful sire Belong to Me, recent Jersey Derby winner Endymion, G1 Jim Dandy victor Scorpion, G1 QEII Challenge Cup winner Alwajeeha, G1 Delaware Handicap victress Adored, G1 King’s Bishop winner Commemorate, and Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles.

A sampling of her recent races will give you an idea of the impressive turn-of-foot Jolie’s Shinju displays, beginning with her May 31 victory in the SING-G1 Patron’s Bowl:



On June 21, she took out the SING-G2 Singapore Derby Trial, wire-to-wire:



Her July 12 SING-G1 Singapore Derby victory is most impressive, as she ran her last half faster than the first, while easily pulling away from the field:



* Special thanks to Sid Fernando for getting me hooked on this talented mare; you can read his excellent blog here.

Before Rachel Alexandra, There Was Good Gamble

Contrary to what some sources claim, Rachel Alexandra is not the first 3-year-old filly to win a route dirt race against older males in New York since 1887. In fact, five 3-year-old fillies have won the typically-season-ending Aqueduct Handicap over 1-1/16 mile—Wild Thyme (1903), Black Maria (1926), Black Mammy (1930), Coequal (1934) and Good Gamble (1935).

To 22-year-old Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt’s good fortune, he purchased Good Gamble for $4,500 at a mid-May Belmont paddock sale, and a few days later, ridden by jockey Sammy Renick, she won the Acorn by five lengths, at 30-1. Less than two weeks later, she finished third—a mere half-length behind Florida Derby victress Black Helen and her stablemate Bloodroot—in the Coaching Club American Oaks.

Black Helen would go on to be the first filly winner of the prestigious American Derby (over defeated Kentucky Derby favorite—and daughter of Preakness victress Nellie Morse—Nellie Flag) since Modesty in 1884. After a loss to Triple Crown winner Omaha in the Arlington Classic, Black Helen won the Maryland Handicap over colts en route to being named 1935’s champion 3-year-old filly, 1991 Hall of Fame inductee and producer of, through her daughters and their descendants, Princess Rooney, Pleasant Tap, and Go for Gin.

Surely, a tough act to follow. However, Good Gamble became quite a phenom herself with an ambitious campaign not even Jess Jackson would attempt, both in number of races and in the quality of her competition.

On June 29 at Aqueduct, Good Gamble challenged the top 3-year-old colts, and finished second by 1-1/2 lengths in the Dwyer—to Triple Crown victor Omaha.

Moving on to Saratoga, Good Gamble won the Test on August 2, and just five days later, she defeated not only her female rivals, but also 3-year-old males in the 1-1/16 mile Saranac Handicap at Saratoga, winning wire-to-wire over a field that included Wood Memorial victor Today.

The Saranac third-place finisher Esposa, one of her most persistent filly rivals, would go on to become a two-time (1937, 1938) champion handicap mare, counting among her many wins the 1937 Whitney Handicap and 1938 Hawthorne Gold Cup—as well as a win over Seabiscuit in the Bowie Handicap, and several second-place finishes behind Triple Crown victor War Admiral. Esposa also twice finished behind the great Discovery in the Whitney, including as a 3-year-old.

One week after her Saranac victory, shouldering a top weight 125 lbs, Good Gamble finished second, three length back, to 111 lbs lightweight Alberta, in the Alabama. As had happened several times before (and would again), Good Gamble’s bad behavior delayed the race start.

With Triple Crown winner Omaha on the sidelines, the Travers offered a tantalizing opportunity for the red-hot filly, but, as the 120 lbs top weight, Good Gamble failed to place, finishing fourth in a field of eight. The winner Gold Foam, a $5,000 claimer, was nearly as big an upset winner as 100-1 Jim Dandy had been in 1930 over Gallant Fox, while third-place finisher Count Arthur would become a stubborn adversary for our heroine.

Before 15,000 spectators at Aqueduct on September 14, the gutsy 3-year-old filly attempted to replicate the feat of her sire Chance Play, victor of the 1928 Aqueduct Handicap. In what turned out to be a “ding-dong” battle with Count Arthur, Good Gamble won by a nose, with heavily-favored 4-year-old top-weight champion miler King Saxon in third (he would be disqualified, however, and another filly Vicaress placed third). Good Gamble’s time of 1:43 3/5 not only set a new race record, but was a mere 3/5 second off the track record.

A son of Kentucky Derby winner Reigh Count, Count Arthur was no slouch—winner of that year’s Manhattan Handicap and Saratoga Cup, he also ran second in the American Derby and Lawrence Realization Stakes as well as in the Potomac, Washington, and Continental handicaps. Among the many additional wins Count Arthur would record over his next three years of racing was the 1936 Jockey Club Gold Cup.

A noted miler who occasionally won longer, King Saxon in 1935 won the Carter and Metropolitan handicaps (among others), and finished a distance second to Discovery in the Brooklyn (but ahead of Omaha).

Of the other older horses Good Gamble defeated in the Aqueduct, Only One won the Dixie and American Legion handicaps, finished second to Discovery in the Butler, and third in both the Metropolitan and Washington handicaps. 4-year-old Chicstraw had been runner-up in the 1934 Potomac Handicap, and finished second in the 1935 Delaware Handicap (before it was restricted to mares). Good Gamble’s 3-year-old stablemate Good Harvest won the Jerome and Yorktown handicaps, and, in the following year, would win the Metropolitan.

A mere week after her Aqueduct Handicap win, Good Gamble again defeated Count Arthur and a field of ten other 3-year-olds, this time in the Potomac Handicap at Havre de Grace—becoming the third filly to win in the race’s 17 year history.

As a 4-year-old, Good Gamble won the inaugural Queens County Handicap at Aqueduct before finishing second to her older stablemate Discovery in the Brooklyn Handicap—his third victory in that race. After a second-place finish behind Esposa in the Empire Handicap (giving Esposa a 10 lbs weight advantage), Good Gamble surprisingly turned the tables on her rival, breaking the Empire City track record by two full seconds in winning the 1-3/16 mile Butler Memorial Handicap on July 11—toting 119 lbs to Esposa’s 97 lbs.

To that point, Good Gamble had run 9 times in 1936, winning 3 times and running second 4 times, and this victory took her lifetime earnings over the $50,000 mark. Next out, however, she failed as the pacesetter in the Massachusetts Handicap, finishing last of eleven, but rebounded in capturing the seven furlong American Legion Handicap at Saratoga, over Carter Handicap place-getters Sation and Cycle.

Unfortunately, she was eased in finishing last of six against her stablemate Discovery in the Saratoga Handicap. Discovery next shouldered 143 lbs in the Merchants’ and Citizens’ Handicap at Saratoga—and finished last in a field of 5, with 4-year-old mare Esposa (with a mere 100 lbs) defeating Count Arthur (107 lbs). The second high-weight, Mantagna (108 lbs) finished third. Back down to 126 lbs, Discovery captured his third straight Whitney next out.

About a month before her Aqueduct Handicap victory, John Kieran of the New York Times did a special piece for his column Sports of the Times, called “The Vanderbilt Jewels.” Hanging out in Saratoga Barn 56, owner Alfred G. Vanderbilt and his trainer Bud Stotler introduce Kieran to the “White Diamond Express”—their champion Discovery, who would not only win the 1935 Horse of the Year title over Triple Crown winner Omaha, but also later, as a broodmare sire, produce Bold Ruler and Native Dancer.

After Discovery, what was the owner’s next choice in the White Diamond line?

“Good Gamble—she’s the best filly around,” said the young owner.


Sources:

“Belmont Purse Won by Good Gamble” The Washington Post, May 22, 1935

“Omaha, 7-10, First in Dwyer Stakes; Good Gamble Next” New York Times, June 30, 1935

“Good Gamble, 7-2, Breaks Empire City Track Record” New York Times, July 12, 1936.
John Kieran, “The Vanderbilt Jewels” New York Times, August 29, 1935

“Good Gamble, 10-1, Wins By a Nose at Aqueduct” New York Times, September 15, 1935 (with photo)

“Good Gamble is Victor at Aqueduct” The Washington Post, September 15, 1935.

“Renick Rides Vanderbilt’s Good Gamble to Victory in $10,000 Added Event” New York Times, September 22, 1935

“King Saxon Fourth as Good Gamble Captures Inaugural Feature at Aqueduct” New York Times, June 9, 1936 (with photo)

Rachel Alexandra's Date with History

Rachel Alexandra to Woodward!, originally uploaded by Rock and Racehorses.

With the news that Rachel Alexandra will indeed aim for the G1 Woodward Handicap against older males on September 5, questions have been raised regarding the historical importance of such an undertaking. As I wrote previously, no filly or mare has ever won the Woodward—the last filly to attempt it was 4-year-old Lady’s Secret who finished second to Precisionist in 1986—and only thirteen 3-year-olds have won the race in 55 years, the last being Holy Bull in 1994. The only 3-year-old filly to place in the Woodward was CCAO and Alabama winner Summer Guest who finished third behind Key to the Mint and Autobiography in 1972.

Beyond the Woodward itself, when was the last time a 3-year-old filly ran against older males over a route distance on dirt in North America in a graded or its equivalent race—and been successful?

In his excellent blog, Colin’s Ghost has already examined the two best examples—1944 Pimlico Special winner Twilight Tear, and 1945 Washington Park Handicap victress Busher. But, how many others are there? By examining the history of great handicap races, the results are quite remarkable.

Metropolitan Handicap:
Only 4 mares have won the Metropolitan, all at the age of 4—Gunfire (1903), Black Maria (1927), Nimba (1928), and Gallorette (1946)—and the two most recent place getters, Honest Lady (second, 2000) and Lady’s Secret (third, 1986), were both 4-year-olds. Only sixteen 3-year-olds colts and geldings have won the Met Mile since 1891, the latest being Honour and Glory, in 1996. How have fillies fared? The great Beldame in 1904 ran third behind Irish Lad and Toboggan, while Casseopia finished third against Voter and The Winner in 1897.

Brooklyn Handicap:
Reina (1902), Tokalon (1906), Gallorette (1946) and Conniver (1948) are the only mares to win the Brooklyn, although several have been runners-up: Gunfire (1903), Regret (1917), Good Gamble (1936), Gallorette (1948) and, most recently, Life’s Magic (1985). While thirteen 3-year-old colts/geldings have won, the last being Any Given Saturday in 2007, the only 3-year-old filly place-getter was Fleam, who finished third behind Discovery and Dark Secret in 1934.

Suburban Handicap:
Five mares have won the Suburban—Imp (1899), Beldame (1905), Bateau (1929), Harmonica (1948) and Busanda (1951)—and none were 3-year-olds. In fact, no 3-year-old filly has placed in this race, and, since first being run in 1884, only seven 3-year-old colts and geldings have won, the last being Buffle in 1966.

Whitney Handicap:
Six mares have won the Whitney, beginning with Black Maria who won the inaugural race in 1928, followed by Bateau (1929), Esposa (1937), Gallorette (1948), Lady’s Secret (1986) and Personal Ensign (1988)—none were 3-year-olds. However, Esposa did finish second at age 3 in 1935 behind Discovery, and then repeated that performance in 1936 before winning as a 5-year-old—and then finished second, at age 6, to the Triple Crown victor War Admiral. In all, twelve 3-year-old colts/geldings have won, the last being Easy Goer in 1989. In 1996, 4-year-old Serena’s Song finished second, a neck behind Mahogany Hall, runner-up in both the Suburban and Brooklyn handicaps.

Jockey Club Gold Cup:
The only mare to win the JCGC is the great Shuvee who won back-to-back editions in 1970 and 1971. Three-year-olds have done well in this race, though, with 34 winners since 1919, including Curlin in 2007. The first 3-year-old filly to place was a daughter of Man O’War, Judy O’Grady who finished second behind Firethorn in 1935. Her daughter Irish Nora produced, by Triple Crown winner Count Fleet, Kiss Me Kate who finished third behind eventual Horse of the Year Counterpoint and reigning Horse of the Year Hill Prince on route to winning champion 3-year-old filly honors in 1951. In 1976, Coaching Club American Oaks victress Revidere finished third behind Great Contractor, while in 1982, champion filly Christmas Past fleshed out the trifecta behind two 4-year-old warriors, Lemhi Gold and Silver Surprise.

Manhattan Handicap:
Now run on turf, prior to 1970 this was a dirt race, albeit contested over various distances. In those years when it was at least 8 furlongs and run on dirt, filly/mare winners include the only 3-year-old filly winner Lady Primrose (1887), in addition to older mares Firenze (1888), Los Angeles (1889), and Harem Lady (1969). Other 3-year-old fillies that ran successfully in the Manhattan: Jacoba finished third behind Belmont winner The Finn in 1916; Kentucky Oaks winner Untidy ran second to Little Chief in 1923; Princess Tina was runner-up to Preakness winner Victorian in 1928; and 1935 JCGC runner-up Judy O’Grady repeated that performance, this time behind Count Arthur.

Aqueduct Handicap:
First run in 1902, the second winner of this race was a 3-year-filly named Wild Thyme. The brilliant Black Maria won back-to-back editions, at age 3 in 1926 and 4 in 1927. Other 3-year-old filly winners are Black Mammy (1930), Coequel (1934), and Good Gamble (1935), while Alabama victress Maskette (1909) finished second to Firestone during her 3-year-old campaign. Sixteen 3-year-old colts/geldings have won over the years, but the last was Damascus in 1967—the same year that 5-year-old mare Straight Deal finished third. In 1947, the mares Gallorette and Elpis finished second and third respectively, behind the great Stymie. One quirk: the colt Cannonade won the race at age 2.

Washington Park Handicap:
A recently-defunct race (or so it appears), this race has an impressive list of winners: Armed, Swaps, Coaltown, Round Table, Majestic Light and Spectacular Bid. When run on dirt, at a distance of at least 8 furlongs, there have been, in addition to 3-year-old victress Busher (1945), several mare winners: Late Date (1935), War Plumage (1940), Sickles Image (1953) and Pucker Up (1957). In 1949, 3-year-old Lithe, daughter of champion filly Alcibiades, ran third behind Coaltown and Armed.

Santa Anita Handicap:
No filly or mare has even won the Big ‘Cap, although a couple have come close, including runners-up Next Move (1951), Gamely (1969) and Island Fashion (2004)—none were 3-year-olds. From its inception in 1935 until 1969, it was open to 3-year-olds, but no longer, and only one 3-year-old has ever won this race, colt Stagehand (1938).

Hollywood Gold Cup:
Three older mares have won the Gold Cup—Happy Issue (1944), Two Lea (1952), and Princessnesian (1968). Only three 3-year-old colts/geldings have won this race—Round Table (1957), Quack (1972), and Island Whirl (1983)—but in 1946, the 3-year-old filly Honeymoon finished second behind Triplicate. The two other mare runner-ups are Bewitch, who finished behind Citation in 1951, and Cascapedia in 1977. Honeymoon (1947), A Gleam (1953) and Manta (1971) were older when they finished third.

Pimlico Special:
Defunct between 1959 and 1987, this race was first won in 1937 by War Admiral, and counts among its victors Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, Armed, Assault, Citation and Tom Fool. The 3-year-old filly Twilight Tear’s victory over Devil Diver in 1944 marks the only time a filly or mare has won, but champion 3-year-old filly Bridal Flower finished third behind subsequent Horse of the Year Assault and Stymie in 1946—she had previously defeated Assault in the Roamer Handicap.

Massachusetts Handicap:
Despite its spotty recent history, the Mass Cap has long drawn top handicap horses—but it’s never been won by a filly or mare. Three mares have been runners-up, namely CCAO winner Elpis (1947), Suburban victress Harmonica (1948), and Canadian International champion Drumtop (1970). Gallorette (1946) once finished third, but perhaps the most notorious place finisher was 4-year-old mare Fair Knightess, workmate of the great Seabiscuit, who ran third to him in 1937 edition. Only four 3-year-old colts/geldings have won; no placings by 3-year-old fillies.

Michigan Mile and One-Eighth Handicap:
Sporadic history with this race, first run in 1958 and for the last time in 1993, but three mare winners: Old Hat (1965), My Juliet (1977), and Glorious Song (1980). Named Canadian Horse of the Year in 1980, Glorious Song was a wonderful broodmare, producing exemplary sires Rahy and Singspiel. My Juliet produced, among others, multiple-G1 victress Stella Madrid and G1 Shuvee winner Tis Juliet.

Clark Handicap:
Overall, 11 fillies and mares have won the Clark Handicap since its inception in 1875 (although it was restricted to 3-year-olds until 1902). They include (with age):

1904 Colonial Girl (5)
1908 Polly Prim (5)
1910 Kings Daughter (7)
1927 Helen’s Babe (4)
1934 Esseff (4)
1945 Sentiment Sake (4)
1951 Wishful (5)
1959 Las Olas (4)
1970 Watch Fob (5)
1972 Fairway Flyer (3)
2000 Surfside (3)

Notice, the most recent two winners. Fairway Flyer, third-place finisher in the Kentucky Oaks behind the outstanding Susan’s Girl, and eventual 3-year-old champion filly Surfside—daughter of Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew, out of the Eclipse-winning mare Flanders—who defeated a field that included Aptitude and Guided Tour. When Surfside won the Clark, it was a G2; the graded system did not exist when Fairway Flyer won. The only other 3-year-old filly that has even placed in the Clark is Ashland Oaks winner Anna M. Humphrey who finished second behind the great 7-year-old Audacious in 1923.

Other notable recent placings in important handicaps include 4-year-old filly Glorious Song’s second place effort behind Winter’s Tale in the 1980 Marlboro Cup Handicap; 5-year-old Heavenly Prize’s third place finish behind Cigar in the 1996 G1 Donn Handicap; and, of course, 5-year-old Life is Sweet’s third place finish in the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup this year.

So, what does it all mean? While fillies and mares have had some success in open company against older males on dirt, they are relatively few in numbers—but extraordinary in talent. Additionally, most were well-seasoned campaigners, age 4 and above. Whether through misfortunate injuries or simply bad historical timing, none of these great mares were able to accomplish what Rachel Alexandra may do on September 5—win a G1 dirt route vs. older males as a 3-year-old. That’s pretty incredible.

[edited to add]
Gulfstream Park Handicap:
Sid Fernando reminded me that, in 1983, 4-year-old mare Christmas Past won the G1 Gulfstream Park Handicap, so I went back into this race to find that 6-year-old mare Rampart defeated the great Armed in the third running of this race, back in 1948. The only other mare place-getter in the history of this race is 5-year-old Intencion, back in 1954.

Goldikova Crushes FR-G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois

Goldikova not only destroyed her male competition in the FR-G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois by six lengths, she took a full second off the 1981 race record, leading her trainer Freddie Head to declare she may in fact rival the celebrated Miesque in talent. According to reports, she will break until the FR-G1 Prix de la Foret on October 3 before returning to defend her Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile title in early November.

Here’s the race video in French. Goldikova breaks second from the left, with her jockey in white cap, white sleeves and light blue (#6)—just watch her accelerate from the field mid-race with her ears back. Wow!




At The Curragh in the IRE-G3 Royal Whip, mare Deauville Vision was beaten out for third by Red Rock Canyon, as Curtain Call outdueled Casual Conquest for the win, while in the IRE-G3 Phoenix Sprint the fillies Girouette and Perfect Polly battled to a photo finish, with Girouette getting the nod. The colt Icelandic got third, while 2-1 favorite Vocalised finished fifth behind Croisultan. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Filly runner-up Heart Shaped only beat the unfortunately-named Gluteus Maximus in the soft going.

BC Runners Goldikova, Heart Shaped in Action on Sunday

Sunday Preview:
Sunday’s top European race promises to be the FR-G1 Prix du Jacques Le Marois at Deauville, with the very-talented Goldikova taking on the top-rated racehorse in the world, UAE-G1 Dubai Duty Free winner Gladiatorus. Off four consecutive victories last year—culminating in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile—Goldikova was well-beaten stretching out to 9f first out this year, in the FR-G1 Prix d’Ispahan. However, she rebounded with victories in the ENG-G1 Falmouth Stakes and FR-G1 Prix Rothschild—the latter of which she also won last year, and both at her preferred distance.

In addition to Goldikova , last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf runner-up, 3-year-old Heart Shaped, makes her first start in open company, in the IRE-G3 Phoenix Sprint at The Curragh. Other fillies/mares entered: 4-year-old Girouette who last out won the listed Sweet Mimosa Stakes over 4-year-old Perfect Polly who’s also in here as well as the unfortunately-named 3-year-old Statue of Liberty filly Gluteus Maximus who has only 1 win in 10 starts. The likely-favorite 3-year-old colt Vocalised—disappointing last out in the FR-G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains—is by Vindication out of Serena’s Tune, daughter of the great American champion filly Serena’s Song. The sentimental choice will be 8-year-old gelding Benbaun in his 48th career start (37 stakes); he comes in off a victory in the IRE-G3 Sapphire Stakes.

Also at The Curragh, in the IRE-G2 Royal Whip Stakes, 6-year-old mare Deauville Vision takes on a field that includes salty 8-year-old PA-bred Lord Admiral, runner-up in the IRE-G3 Meld Stakes last out, and promising 4-year-old colts Curtain Call and Casual Conquest, the latter winner of the IRE-G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in May.


Saturday Results in Australia:
With her inside run blocked in the stretch, Fritz’s Princess could only muster a fourth-place finish in the AUS-G2 Premiere Stakes, just behind 3-year-old Phelan Ready who took third. The winners—in a dead-heat—were longshots Mentality and Kroner.

In the AUS-G2 Liston, Typhoon Tracy didn’t win, but her third-place showing was promising against much saltier open company. The winner Predatory Pricer is already G1-placed—and a half-brother to international sprinter Takeover Target. Second-place Whobegotyou is a G1 winner who does well first up as he was here.

In the AUS-G3 Cockram, poor little Romneya looked good around the final turn, but her 127 top weight got to her late and she wilted to ninth; the winner Cats Whisker, only carrying 119, was able to nose out Annesong (123), while 12-1 longshot Flying Ruby got third.

Aussie "Zenyatta" Typhoon Tracy Seeks to Continue Win Streak

Saturday in Australia (late Friday night here in the U.S.) sees the first G2 races of the new season, and both feature exciting fillies and mares racing in open company.

At Rosehill, in the AUS-G2 Premiere Stakes, 7-year-old Fritz’s Princess makes her second start in two weeks, after finishing fourth of 11 in the G3 Missile Stakes. Before her 9-month injury-induced break, Fritz’s Princess enjoyed the best form of her career, including a third-place finish behind Typhoon Zed and Keen Commander in the AUS-G1 Galaxy, a second-place finish behind Absolut Glam in the AUS-G1 Winter Stakes, and a superb win in the AUS-G2 Shorts over Hot Danish.

Her top competition in the 6f event includes last year’s Premiere victor Triple Honour, AUS-G1 V.R.C. Classic winner Turffontein, and newly-minted 3-year-old Phelan Ready, winner of the AUS-G1 Golden Slipper this past April. It’s a tough spot for him, going up against seasoned older horses, but the weight-for-age conditions will help.

Approximately 20 minutes after the Premiere, at Caulfield the other AUS-G2 race will be run, the 7f Liston Stakes. A much larger field for this, with several top fillies and mares including favorite Typhoon Tracy, an undefeated 4-year-old Red Ransom mare last seen in March winning the AUS-G1 Coolmore Classic. This will be her first foray into open company, in what will be the beginning of a Cox Plate campaign. Also in here is the 5-year-old mare Zarita—winner of the AUS-G1 South Australian Oaks and AUS-G1 South Australian Derby as a 3-year-old—who didn’t win any of her 10 races last campaign, but was third in the AUS-G3 St. George Stakes in February, and only 1.5 lengths back of Niconero in the AUS-G1 Australian Cup in March. The other mare in the field, 4-year-old Gallica makes her first start after finishing off-the-board in the AUS-G1 AJC Oaks in April, but she won the AUS-G1 Schweppes Oaks at Morphettville in March. She appears to want longer than 7f.

[Let me mention here that Typhoon Tracy is a favorite of blogger friend Anne from Melbourne; check out her blog Cat Politics for a nice mixture of horse racing and music from Down Under]

Also at Caulfield, older mares go in the AUS-G3 Cockram Stakes over 6f. The top-weight favorite is the gutsy 4-year-old Romneya, last seen in March running out of the money in the AUS-G1 Robert Sangster Stakes. An interesting connection for Americans: Romneya’s dam Mannington is a half-sister to Bollinger, the dam of recent Kentucky Derby hopeful Friesan Fire.

Last year’s Cockram winner, 5-year-old Princess Gisella is back for new connections after selling for $140k at the 2009 Australian Broodmare sale; the idea is to increase her value this campaign with more group wins or placings. Lee Freedman-trained Marchelle Belle has won 6 of nine starts, including the listed Tasmanian Oaks in February, and the Yalumba Masters first-up on August 1—a race in which Princess Gisella finished fourth. The second and third-place finishers in that race, Annesong and With Apologies respectively, are here as well.


Thursday Results in Europe:
Profound Beauty breezed to victory against 3-year-old colt Mourayan in the IRE-G3 Ballyroan Stakes, with the other filly in the field, Shreyas, five lengths back in third. Profound Beauty's next target: IRE-G1 Irish St. Leger on September 12.

In the FR-G3 Prix Minerve, Zarkava’s half-sister finished out of the money, as Kalla nipped Peinture Rare by a short head, followed 2.5 lengths back by Pearlescence in third, just a neck in front of Zerkerya; Jakonda was fifth in the 10-horse field.

Favored Soneva won the FR-G3 Prix de Lieurey, and may aim for the FR-G1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp next. Wilside finished third, a length behind the Dr. Fong filly Emergency; Sweet Hearth was 10th in the 11-horse field, but relatively close-up with the main pack. Article Rare scratched.