PRACTICALLY DARK ($7.60) got the action started in the second race, with Goodbye Note in a deadheat for second combing for a pleasantly surprising $40 exacta! Not a shocker, ROJA ($2.80) won the Andy Guest Stakes and soon the Bob Baffert trainee SABINO CANYON ($9.40) won the Petramalo Mile Stakes combing with favored Bravaro for a $30 exacta, The Tyson Gilpin Stakes, the day’s 6th event was taken by heavily favored MASHALLAH ($2.80). MY BOY PRINCE ($6.60) captured the Van Clief Stakes with SUPERCHARGER ($8.40) taking his third straight score in the prestigious Secretariat (G2) for this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1) winning trainer Cherie DeVaux. GIMME A NOTHER ($5.20) won the Beverly D. (G2) and BURNHAM SQUARE ($3.60) won the Arlington Million four his fourth straight stakes victory.
Fun Saratoga Opening Saturday!
MASHALLA ($3.10) unsurprisingly took the opener with Feminism second for a $8.44 exacta. EPONINE ($4.32) won the second race and Accent finished second completing an $11.12 exacta. SHELZAWA ($5.28) captured the third event with Nonconsecutivetrms, the runner-up for a $29.92 exacta. GRACE AND GRIT ($7.20) reported home first in the fourth race and when BOOKED ($4.74) took the Sanford (G3), he completed a $113.02 Early Pick Five, Euro invader TITLE ROLE ($16.68) won the Belmont Derby (G1) by a nose and MORNING PRAYER ($6.38) took the nightcap sending our fans home smiling.
Entertaining but Chalky Stephen Foster (G1) Card
Well, the rains indeed came. The early part of the card was a bit of a washout, but later on, the magical Churchill Downs track crew did their typical great job and got the main track raceable. The turf was rated good and those races were slated late in the card, mainly under some sunshine! BLACKOUT TIME ($6.72) got us started in the fourth and BRING THE SMOKE ($6.42) won the sixth, IMMERSIVE ($5.34) was unbelievably game in the Fleur de Lis (G2). Then ALPYLAND ($3.68) and Immortalized reprised their Penn Mile (G3) performances for a $15.46 exacta. LAGYNOS ($5.00) extended his winning streak to five in the Wise Dan (G2). MAGNITUDE ($7.16) put in a magnificent performance to win the featured Stephen Foster (G1) with Baeza breaking slowly again but running on for a $20.24 exacta leaving favored Sovereignty in their wake. TAM TAM ($6.04) captured the nightcap with East Jabip second for a $33.18 exacta, sending everyone home with a smile.
Half-price Report Due to Inclement Weather Forecast
The Full-Card Pope Jude Report for Saturday’s Stephen Foster (G1) Day will be only $5.00 due to predicted inclement weather.
Belmont (G1) Day Boon
Belmont (G1) Day at Saratoga kicked off with SENIOR OFFICER ($4.52) in the second race. NATIVE MELODY ($8.24) won the fourth event with Speightful Lily second for a $43.54 exacta and Helen’s Revenge third for a $31.67 50-cent tri. BOOK’EM DANNO ($5.72) lived up to his Saratoga love in the Truer North (G3) with Bentornato second for a $13.90 exacta. REEF RUNNER ($12.48) took the Jaipur (G1) with defending champion AG Bullet second for a $61.94 exacta. Speedy ENGLISHMAN ($10.56) turned the tables on Crude Velocity in the Woody Stephens (G1) and set a $20.58 exacta. NYSOS ($4.94) won the Met Mile (G1) with Knightsbridge second for a $26.56 exacta followed by Journalism for a $13.18 50-cent trifecta. Saratoga specialist DETERMINISTIC ($11.84) won the Resorts World Casino Manhattan (G1) stylishly. Kentucky Derby winner GOLDEN TEMPO ($14.00) asserted his class in the Belmont (G1) with SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN ($8.18) taking the nightcap for a $2314.47 Pick 5 and a $226.97 Pick 4, more than enough to buy dinner, even in New York.
Celebrating Preakness (G1) Day at Laurel Park
WICKEDDIVINE ($5.20) got Preakness (G1) day started in the second race. In the fourth event, STRIKER HAS DIAL ($16.40) posted the upset over a tough field. Favored OBLITERATION ($3.40) won the Chick Lang Stakes with Shane’s Wonder second for a $9.60 exacta and Igniter third for an $18.60 $1 trifecta. Millionaire FORT WASHINGTON ($7.80) asserted his class in the Dinner Party (G3). It was reported post-race that he was the first horse in 100 years to win back-to-back editions of this traditional Preakness (G1) day feature. WARMING ($19.80) showed her love of turf in the Gallorette (G3) and combined with Child of the Moon for a $98.40 exacta! CHASING LIBERTY ($9.20) took the Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes with Outlaw Kid a nose back for a $75 exacta. The Pick 3 paid $115.65 for 50-cents. New trainer Kelly Breen found the answer with GRANT THE GREAT ($3.40) in the nightcap, ending a fun and profitable day at Laurel.
Pope Jude Fans Score Some Boxcar Payoffs on Kentucky Derby (G1) 152 Card
POWERSHIFT ($4.14) got the day started in the opener, with runner-up Silent Way keying a $10.72 exacta. OUT OF THE WOODS ($26.14) took the second race with Sovereign Law finishing second for a whopping $299.98 exacta. VIBE ($16.48) reported home on top in the third and giving us a $128.42 Pick Three, Then YELLOW CARD ($7.80) annexed the 5th event. TOUR PLAYER ($8.70) won the sixth race with CRUDE VELOCITY ($5.14) grabbing the Pat Day Mile (G2). He combined with Englishman for a $10.80 exacta. STARK CONTRAST ($4.40) won the American Turf (G1) with Remember Mamba second for a $15.58 exacta. Old friend RHETORICAL ($5.92) unsurprisingly won the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1). The 152nd Kentucky Derby (G1) was won in dramatic come-from-behind fashion by the Cherie DeVaux-trained GOLDEN TEMPO ($48.24). Cherie became the first female trainer in history to win the Kentucky Derby(G1)! GILDED BANDIT ($5.68) was our last winner of the day and keyed a final Pick Three payout of $117.18 for 50-cents.
Pope Jude Fans Enjoy Three Pick Threes at Keeneland Saturday
CONSOLIDATED ($32.68) got the party started in the second race with CAPTURING ($11.46) taking the third event and MORUNNING ($4.80) out running his field in the fourth to end a $388.93 Pick 3. FLOODLITES ($6.52) grabbed the seventh with Watchatalkingabout second for a $12.20 exacta. WORKS FOR ME ($10.34) reported home on top in the eighth event with STARS AND STRIPES ($5.30) following in the Ben Ali (G3) finishing a $49.92 Pick 3. BURNHAM SQUARE ($4.56) absolutely crushed the VisitLEX Elkhorn (G2) field ending another Pick 3 for $32.66 send players home pleased with their day.
Some Bright Spots on the Stonestreet Lexington (G3) Card
Stonestreet Lexington (G2) Day kicked off with California interloper WEST COAST DREAM ($8.44) reporting to the winners’circle in the opener. First-timer PINTO ($6.92) won the fourth race, combining with Rockin Robin for an $11.78 exacta. ORIGINAL SIN ($14.48) captured the sixth event,with Authentic Strike completing a $51.32 exacta. WEST END KID ($5.72) won the finale with Heeere’s Johnny second for a $10.58 exacta to end a nice afternoon.
Toyota Blue Grass (G1) Day Chalkfest
Although the weather cleared some, Saturday’s Keeneland card was both chalky and a bit of a crapshoot. GILDED BANDIT ($8.32) got us off the mark in the second race. SIPPIN PRETTY ($6.10) continued he winning ways in the third. SAUDI CROWN ($4.02) captured the Commonwealth (G3). MY BOY PRINCE ($12.12) aced the Valvoline Global Shakertown (G2) and combined with Yellow Card for a $59.52 exacta! FURTHER ADO ($3.70) romped in the Toyota Blue Grass (G1) in a race reminiscent of his 20-length maiden breaker at Keeneland last October.
Florida Derby (G1) Day Report a Big Source of Winners
SOVEREIGN LAW ($8.40) kicked off the Curlin Florida Derby (G1) day action in the second race. IMMORTALIZED ($5.00) won the Cutler Bay Stakes with QUATROCENTO ($4.00) capturing the Appleton. GRANDE ($2.20) unsurprisingly took the Ghostzapper (G3) with SULTANA ($39.20) reporting home on top in the Orchid (G3)! PROM QUEEN ($8.20) won the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and then TAM TAM ($7.80) got home on top in the Sanibel Island Stakes. PENTATHLON ($10.00) took the Army Mule Stakes for Shug and SWEET REBECCA ($5.40) was the Sand Springs victress. COMMANDMENT ($5.80) eked out the score in the Curlin Florida Derby (G1), stamping his ticket to the Kentucky Derby. It was a lovely day!
Louisiana Derby (G2) Day Provides Lots of Winners
BRAKEN POPPA ($2.20) asserted her dominance in the Fasig-Tipton Crescent City Oaks to get the chalkfest started. WAY TO BE MARIE ($4.20) defended her crownin the Tom Benson Memorial Stakes and then NOT TO WORRY ($6.40) lived up to his excellent worktab in his debut. NINE PART ($3.40) put in a hellacious late kick to win the Costa Rising Stakes and Louisiana-bred TOUCHUPONASTAR ($4.40) became a multi-millionaire in the New Orleans Classic (G2). LAGYNOS ($5.20) won the Muniz Memorial Classic (G2) and then LIFE OF JOY ($9.40) won the Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks . EMERGING MARKET ($6.00) captured the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. He combined with Pavlovian for a $77.60 $2 exacta and Golden Tempo completed a $71.60 50-cent trifecta. GOOD FAMILY ($12.80) broke her maiden in the 13th Race and DIRTY STRAIGHT UP ($2.80) predictably won the nightcap, finishing off a $130.85 Pick Four.Ten winners in 14 races - not too shabby.
From an NHC release:
Jude Feld of Lexington, KY, won Saturday’s $10,000 NHC Charity Challenge, presented by NTRA Charities and benefiting the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) and Old Friends Farm.
Competing among 44 sports and racing personalities, Feld compiled a mythical bankroll of $83.16, selecting horses from eight races chosen by contest organizers. Ellis Starr of Equibase finished in second-place with a bankroll of $79.60.
Donations of $5,000 will be made to the TAA and Old Friends, a Thoroughbred retirement farm chosen by Feld, a broadcaster for Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) and now a three-time winner of the NHC Charity Challenge.
“Hard to believe I’ve won this event three times,” said Feld. “It’s so fun for me to compete against my friends and colleagues who are super sharp. One of my best pals, Ellis Starr, was second. We did a radio show together in Lexington 25 years ago. I’m hoping Old Friends has a spot for me!”
The 27th NHC is presented by Caesars Sportsbook, Horseshoe Las Vegas, and RTN and is supported by official partners America’s Best Racing, Brisnet, Daily Racing Form, Equibase, EquinEdge, Morningline.io, Race Lens, Twinspires, and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Pope Jude Fans Happy on Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2) Day
Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2) is often an important day on the Triple Crown trail, Pope Jude fans got started early when LINCOLN’S LAW ($15.60) won first time out in the second race. TIZ DASHING ($24.80) continued the price parade in the fourth event. LION’S LAKE ($24.20) took the Herecomesthebride (G3) and KNIGHTSBRIDGE ($2.40) won the Gulfstream Park Mile (G3). JUST BASKING ($29.00) surprised the The Very One (G3) field as expected and then SHE BE SMOOTH ($13.60) punched her ticket to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in the Davona Dale (G2). LUSH LIPS ($5.40) ran a corker in the Honey Fox (G3) and COMMANDMENT ($6.80) combined with Chief Wallabee for a $22.00 exacta in the Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2) sending everyone home in a great mood!
Pope Jude Fans Cash Lots of Breeders' Cup Tickets
Breeders’ Cup Friday kicked off with CONDUCTED ($5.40) with Proton second ($28.80 exacta) and Plutarch third ($12.95 50-cent trifecta). MOHAVEN ($5.60) took the third race and QUEEN MAXIMA ($4.80) the Ken Maddy Stakes OCEAN BEAR ($6.60) won the Golden State Juvenile with Sammy Davis second ($40.60 exacta). CY FAIR ($12.00) captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) with Brussels second ($126.00 exacta). TED NOFFEY ($3.60) cruised to an easy score in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1),stamping himself the early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite.
Saturday saw MODUS BESTIA ($6.20) get the party started in in the second race. BENTORNATO ($5.40) did not disappoint in the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and SCYLLA ($17.20) followed that one up with a victory in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). FOREVER YOUNG ($9.00) gave Japan their first Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), a race they have been coveting for a long time, with Sierra Leone second ($34.60 exacta), Fierceness third ($30.05 50-cent trifecta) and Journalism fourth ($20.74 dime super). International star NOTABLE SPEECH (7.20) eked out the victory in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) and NYSOS ($3.40) won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) to no one’s surprise.
Chalky Cards Plague Keeneland's Racing
The recent weekend cards at Keeneland have not been “up to snuff.” Shorter fields and weak runners, other than in the Grade 1 races, have offered little to entice bettors. Granted, the Breeders’ Cup is fast approaching and many trainers are laser-focused on their runners hopefully heading for Del Mar glory. Last Saturday’s card offered a slight uptick but we can only hope closing week will favor more opportunities for the local trainers and better prices. INDY MAGIC ($4.82) got us started last Saturday with Perryville (G3) victor BARNES ($5.22) and heavily favored Captain Cook combing for a $9.20 exacta. SOLEMN VOW ($10.74) in the seventh race reminded us again that, “experience is the best teacher.” The surprise of the day was BACKGAMMON ($15.32), who we had pegged as a 5/2 shot and returned over twice the price!
Lots of Winners on DraftKings Travers (G1) Day
BOTTAS ($6.90) started the party early, Then THEN ($4.00) followed. ANNASCAUL ($6.60) was the next winner with BIG DOM ($8.50), MAY DAY READY ($5.70), GALLANT GRETA ($5.10), THORPEDO ANNA ($3.50) and PATCH ADAMS ($7.00) continuing the chalkfest. HOPE ROAD ($6.10), BOOK’EM DANNO ($3.80), SOVEREIGNTY ($2.60) and DANCIN JANE ($5.70) continued in succession to close out the card - 12 winners out of 14 races…not too shabby.
Alabama (G1) & King's Plate Days Spell Success
Saturday’s Saratoga/Woodbine report was exciting for Pope Jude fans. TENNESSEE BELLE ($4.10) kicked off the Spa action with IT’S OUR TIME ($12.00) combining with Hero Declared for a $26.60 exacta. BOBROVSKY ($9.40) continued the roll with ASSERTIVENESS ($5.90) closing out the afternoon.
In Canada, SHE FEELS PRETTY ($2.90) won the E.P. Taylor (G1) with Diamond Rain second for a $6.00 exacta. In the King’s Plate, MANSETTI ($38.70) lit up the board with Tom’s Magic second for a $273.10 exacta and Notorious Gangster third for a $131.87 trifecta for 20-cents. GAS ME UP ($7.40) won the bet 365 King Edward (G2) with TWO OUT HERO ($4.40) winning the 11th race, partnering with Casson in second for a $14.40 exacta, capping off a $50.24 20-cent Pick Three. Only those four races were covered on the day.
Pope Jude Fans Enjoy Spa and Arlington Million Saturday
Success started early and ended late Saturday as WHAT’S UP BRO ($7.00) took the opener at the Spa. TRADING TROUBLE ($4.10) won the third with Charlottesuniverse second for a ($13.20) exacta. LAURELIN ($6.40) won the Saratoga Oaks (G1) to remain undefeated and Euro shipper EL CORDOBES ($10.00) put in a powerful closing charge to win the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer (G1).
At Colonial Downs, WITTY ($8.00) captured the Van Clief Stakes with CHARLENE’S DREAM ($7.20) taking the Beverly D. (G2) and FORT WASHINGTON ($13.40) winning the historic Arlington Million (G1) for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey.
Excellent Saratoga/Del Mar Saturday Report
It was an extra-long day with Saratoga kicking off at 12:37 (ET) and Del Mar finishing at 10:02 (ET), but it was worth it! SOLDIER N DIPLOMAT ($3.90) started us off by living up to his nearly $1 million purchase price in the second race. SIDE EYE ($9.50) took the fifth and NORTH END LADY ($11.60) captured the sixth making the report three-for-three to begin the day. SOVEREIGNTY ($3.00) ran his usual great race in the Jim Dandy (G2) with Baeza second for a $6.00 exacta. HEDGE THE RISK ($7.10) took the nightcap to end the card on a super high note!
CAPTAIN SPARROW ($7.40) started us off at Del Mar with Self Sufficient second for a $20.40 exacta and Jaguar Son third for a $14.90 50-cent trifecta. $3 million baby BRANT ($3.60) reported home on top in the fourth and NYSOS ($2.20) came as no surprise in the San Diego Handicap (G2). PUSHINESS ($6.60) won the Daisycutter Handicap with Uncorked second for a $29.20 exacta on a rather chalky afternoon.