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UPI
a day ago
- Sport
- UPI
Sovereignty continues his reign among 3-year-olds with Jim Dandy win
July 28 (UPI) -- In a busy weekend of racing, Sovereignty stayed a step ahead in the ongoing 3-year-old battles with a handy victory in Saturday's Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga, while Lovesick Blues captured a spot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and Nysos took another step toward a spot in the Breeders' Cup Classic. There's more, too so let's roll: Classic Sovereignty remains firmly entrenched atop the 3-year-old division after Saturday's seemingly effortless addition of the Grade II Jim Dandy to his victories in the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Fountain of Youth. The Godolphin homebred colt by Into Mischief shrugged off a field composed of Derby and Belmont third-place Baeza, Arkansas Derby winner and Preakness Stakes third-place Sandman, Ohio Derby winner Mo Plex and Peter Pan Stakes winner Hill Road. Only Baeza was competitive, moving to challenge for the lead on the stretch turn, but then unable to keep pace though the final furlong, finishing second, 1 length back. The others were in a different race. "I just trusted my horse," jockey Junior Alvarado said. "I knew he'd pick it up when I asked him to." Trainer Bill Mott indicated before the race the Jim Dandy was a stepping stone to the Grade I Travers Stakes. He could meet another old rival in that 1 1/4-mile race as Journalism prepped last weekend with a win in the Grade I Haskell at Monmouth. Alvarado said Sovereignty should have no trouble stretching back out from Saturday's 1 1/8 miles to the 1 1/4 miles of the Travers. "We haven't asked him to do much to win this race," Alvarado said. While the 3-year-olds continue their intramural scrum, things are shifting among the older runners. The weekend's biggest revelation was Nysos, who rallied to an easy win in Saturday's $300,000 Grade II San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. The Nyquist colt wasn't asked for his best by jockey Flavien Prat and still won by 2 3/4 lengths from Mirahmadi, giving trainer Bob Baffert the 1-2 finish. Nysos was one of the hottest commodities on the 2024 Triple Crown trail before being sidelined with physical issues. Baffert said the Grade I Pacific Classic might be next. Distaff Running Away came after pacesetter Fondly turning for home in Saturday's $252,000 Grade III Monmouth Oaks, breezed by and ran on to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Fondly held second. A Gun Runner filly, Running Away stopped the timer at 1:46.26 for 1 1/16 miles on a fast track, with Victor Espinoza in the irons for trainer Wesley Ward. She has won four of her last five starts with a eighth-place finish in the Grade I Ashland at Keeneland in the middle of that string. Literate found her best stride in the final furlong of Saturday's $150,000 (Canadian) Grade III Trillium Stakes at Woodbine and outfinished the odds-on favorite, Caitlinhergrtness for a 1/2-length score. A 5-year-old Oscar Performance mare, Literate ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:43.23, bagging her first graded stakes victory. Sahin Civaci rode for trainer Martin Drexler. Turf Formidable Man stuck close to the pace and close to the rail in Sunday's $250,000 Grade II Eddie Read Stakes and Del Mar, closed to take the lead in the stretch and won going away, with long-time leader Cabo Spirit hanging on for the place. Stay Hot was third as Formidable Man finished the 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:48.55. Michael McCarthy noted the Breeders' Cup is at Del Mar again and that Formidable Man now has five win from five starts where the turf meets the surf. "He loves Del Mar," McCarthy said. "We'll space his races out and play it by ear." Filly & Mare Turf Daisy Flyer came flying through the final furlong of Saturday's $175,000 Lake George Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga and nailed pacesetting favorite Classic Q by a neck at the wire. Reining Flowers was a close third as Daisy Flyer finished 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:40.19. Jose Lezcano rode for trainer Rusty Arnold and owner-breeder Calumet Farm. The Mshawish filly got her second win, following a third, beaten just a neck in the Grade III Herecomesthebride Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 1. On Saturday at Woodbine, Candy Quest rallied from next-last of eight to win the $150,000 (Canadian) Grade III Ontario Colleen for 3-year-old fillies, hit the front by the sixteenth pole and won by 1 3/4 lengths over Somethinabouther. A Connect filly, Canda Quest ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.51, with Sahin Civaci riding for trainer Mark Casse. She was last seen finishing second in the tough Penn Oaks at Penn National. La Mehana swung out four-wide entering the stretch for the second time in Sunday's $250,000 Grade II Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga and left six rivals in her wake as she won by 8 3/4 lengths. The favorite, Bellezza, was best of the rest. La Mehana, a 6-year-old, French-bred mare, ran 1 1/2 miles on yielding turf in 2:30.54 with Flavien Prat up for trainer Miguel Clement. Sprint Lovesick Blues collared pacesetter Hejazi with a sixteenth of a mile to run in Saturday's $400,000 Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar and ran on to win by 1 3/4 lengths. The favorite, World Record, was third with an even effort. Lovesick Blues, a 7-year-old Grazen gelding who raced for a $28,000 claiming tag early in his career, finished 6 furlongs in 1:08.74 for jockey Geovanni Franco, picked up his first graded stakes win and earned a "Win and You're In" spot in the Breeders Cup Turf. Smoken Wicked pressed the pacesetting favorite, Macho Music, through the first few furlongs of Friday's $200,000 Grade II Amsterdam Stakes for 3-year-olds at Saratoga, disposed of that one and drew off to win by 5 3/4 lengths. Gunmetal and Gate to Wire filled out the trifecta, while Macho Music got home fourth. Smoken Wicked, a Louisiana-bred colt by Bobby's Wicked One, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:15.64. Patriot Spirit, the odds-on favorite, asserted himself in the stretch run of Saturday's $100,000 Reigh Count Stakes at Colonial Downs, drawing off to win by 4 lengths from Inveigled. The 4-year-old Constitution colt, with Mychel Sanchez riding for trainer Michael Campbell, toured 7 furlongs on a fast strip in 1:21.01. Filly & Mare Sprint Alani dueled to the lead in Saturday's $100,000 Love Sign Stakes at Colonial Downs, shook clear passing the quarter pole and ran on to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Happy Clouds. The favorite, Top Gun Girl, faded to finish next-last. Alani, a 4-year-old Competitive Edge filly, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.25 toting Andy Hernandez. Turf Sprint Pushiness jumped right to the lead in Saturday's $100,000 Daisycutter Handicap for fillies and mares at Del Mar, opened a daylight advantage and held on by a nose over late-running Uncorked. A 4-year-old Kantharos filly, Pushiness ran 5 furlongs on firm turf in 56.88 under Juan Hernandez. It was the fifth win for the Michael McCarthy trainee.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Bing Crosby Stakes Sings At Del Mar On July 26
A talented nine horse field will race to reach the finish line first in the grade 1 Bing Crosby ... More Stakes at Del Mar Back in 1937, Bing Crosby opened a piece of heaven on earth down at old Del Mar. No one is quite sure if this crooning superstar realized he was creating a haven for the sport of Thoroughbred racing, but he likely had a pretty good idea this seaside oval would flourish. In fitting fashion, one of the top races of the summer meet is named in his honor. Garnering grade 1 status and offering a Breeders' Cup Sprint berth to the winner, this six-furlong dash over the Del Mar dirt has long provided season highlights and this year's edition looks to be more of the same. The 2025 Bing Crosby offers up a talented nine horse field that will have somebody singing at the end. Let's take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. Runners are listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. 1 Crazy Mason (Greg Sacco, Christopher Elliot 6-1 ) -Shipping from the East Coast, this son of Coal Front has won three of four starts this year. Two starts back he won the Carter Stakes at Aqueduct. Would it be Crazy to think he could ship and win??? His closing style could have him there at the end considering the front-end speed in the race. 2 Dr. Venkman (Mark Glatt, Antonio Fresu 4-1 )-This son of Ghostzapper has three wins and four seconds in eight lifetime starts. He has been the bridesmaid in both stats this year, but we think he is the one here. A stalking trip might just provide that trip to the circle. 3 Hejazi (Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez 7-2 )- Nobody has won more Stakes races at Del Mar than Bob Baffert. He is not likely to add to that total here, but this New York-bred son of Bernardini can impact the race by contesting the early pace. Hejazi has two career wins, but has been in the money in eight of ten lifetime starts. 4 Smooth Crusein (Karen Headley, Kyle Frey 20-1 )- This three-year-old Florida-bred will be stepping up in class here. He ran against older horses in his last start and finished third in a four horse field at Santa Anita. This is a big ask for this son of Girvin and he can only hope for a Smooth trip. 5 World Record (Rodolphe Brisset, Flavien Prat 3-1 )- The speed of the speed in this one. Insanely fast early, his last two wins saw him on the lead with opening quarter miles that were 21 and change. If they leave this son of Gun Runner alone on the lead it will be over early. The home stretch at Del Mar will see plenty of excitement in the Bing Crosby Stakes on July 26 6 Roll on Big Joe (Robert Hess, Julien Leparoux 6-1 )- Grandson of Victory Gallop has four wins in five starts this year and was quite impressive in winning the grade 3 Kelly's Landing at Churchill Downs in his last start. In the money in fourteen of eighteen lifetime starts but has only managed one second in three starts at Del Mar. 7 Mbagnick (John Sadler, Armando Ayuso 5-1 )- After we figure out how to say this Chilean-bred's name we will decide if he has a real shot. John Sadler has saddled many winners at Del Mar, and this son of Practical Joke took'em gate to wire in winning his last start at this same distance on June 13. 8 Spirit of Makena (George Papapodromo, Abel Cedillo 20-1 )-This son of Ghostzapper won four of his first five career starts including two stakes victories. Injury sidelined him all of 2024 and he has a third-place finish in two starts this year but is winless since May of 2023. Coming back off such a layoff takes a lot of Spirit. The Bing and this field is a big asking. 9 Lovesick Blues (Librado Baracio, Geovani Franco 20-1 )-This California-bred is the veteran of the group with forty lifetime starts. Always a hard-knocker, this son of Grazen has been in the top three twenty-six times with eight wins. Although not likely to win, he is a horse that can be there at the end and pump up the exotic payouts.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Weekend Lineup: Return Of The King
Weekend Lineup: Return Of The King originally appeared on Paulick Report. Goldophin's dual classic-winning homebred Sovereignty looks to make headlines of his own in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy on July 26 at Saratoga Racecourse, a week after his rival Journalism secured his third G1 of the year in last weekend's $500,000 Jim Dandy is likely to be the most talked-about race of the weekend, but there is Breeders' Cup Win and You're In action across the pond and on the Pacific Ascot Racecourse on Saturday morning, two-time Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance will attempt to win his first English G1 and a return ticket to Del winner of the G1 Bing Crosby will have an ever-so-important win over the course and distance of the Breeders' Cup Sprint in runners will also be in the spotlight across the country. Saratoga hosts the G3 Lake George for 3-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles on July 26, and the G2 Glens Falls for older mares over 1 ½ miles on July 27. At Del Mar, 3-year-olds and older contest the G2 Eddie Read Stakes over 1 ⅛ miles on July 27. Saturday 5:41 pm - G2 Jim Dandy at SaratogaDual classic winner Sovereignty looks to remain atop the 3-year-old standings with a win in the Jim Dandy. Only four are brave enough to take on Godolphin's star homebred, led by Belmont Stakes third Baeza and Preakness third Sandman. G3 Ohio Derby winner Mo Plex appears to be the lone speed, and G2 Peter Pan winner Hill Road completes the Dandy Entries 8:30 pm - G2 San Diego at Del MarThe highly-regarded and lightly-raced Nysos stretches out around two turns for the first time in 17 months for the San Diego. The Bob Baffert-trained son of Nyquist's only defeat came in the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes, when finishing second to on Nysos is California handicap stalwart Express Train, who won this race in 2021. G3 winner Hall of Fame makes his first start under lease by Claiborne Farm for trainer Michael McCarthy. The son of Gun Runner last finished fourth to Mystik Dan in the G3 Blame in Diego Entries 9:00 pm - G1 Bing Crosby at Del MarNine sprinters have been entered for the six-furlong Bing Crosby, with the winner receiving a spot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint starting gate. Roll On Big Joe, winner last out of the G3 Kelly's Landing at Churchill Downs, is the only horse to have won multiple graded stakes this year, having also won the G3 Palos Verdes in Landing runner-up Dr. Venkman and the Rudolphe Brisset-trained World Record will likely receive more attention than Roll On Big Joe. Dr. Venkman has won three of four starts at Del Mar – the only loss coming in the 1 ¼ miles Pacific Classic last year. Winstar Farm and BBN Racing's World Record won the G2 Amsterdam last year and was narrowly beaten in the G3 Aristides last Crosby Entries This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Khaleej Times
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Raging Torrent aims to sweep to third Godolphin Mile victory for Doug O'Neill
American handler Doug O'Neill has never shied away from the international stage when he has the right horse, and on April 5, the California-based trainer is set to unleash another formidable contender on Dubai World Cup night. Grade 1 winner Raging Torrent will attempt to secure O'Neill his third career victory in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile - and his second in as many years following Two Rivers More twelve months ago. O'Neill's most notable victory in the contest came in 2007, with Spring At Last. "It's a real honor to have a horse classy enough to compete at meetings like this," said O'Neill, a two-time Kentucky Derby winner with an impressive global résumé, including a Japan Cup Dirt triumph in 2003 with Fleetstreet Dancer. "It's an incredible opportunity for the whole team and the owners, and I'm just grateful to be working with such a talented and determined athlete." A Rising Star A bargain $75,000 buy at the 2023 Ocala Breeze-Up Sale, Raging Torrent wasted no time proving his worth. After a dazzling debut at Del Mar, his true breakout moment came at Churchill Downs last spring, where he romped home in a seven-furlong allowance race in eye-catching fashion. "He's always been impressive, but that Churchill race was the moment we knew we had something special," O'Neill said. That promise turned into reality two races later at Del Mar, where Raging Torrent took on California sprinting legend The Chosen Vron in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes. After dueling through fast early fractions, he refused to back down, battling back to win by a neck and securing a spot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). "That race was special because The Chosen Vron is a legend," O'Neill recalled. "Horses usually back off when they eyeball him, but Raging Torrent dug in and proved how tough he is." Ready for the Big Stage Though he finished seventh behind Straight No Chaser in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, Raging Torrent rebounded spectacularly with Frankie Dettori aboard in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes, dominating the Boxing Day feature at Santa Anita. "After the Malibu, we immediately circled the Godolphin Mile as our next big target," said O'Neill, who is looking to repeat last year's thrilling victory when Two Rivers Over stormed home late to win. With Dettori - one of the most accomplished jockeys in Meydan history -set to ride again, O'Neill believes he has the perfect combination of horse and rider. "Having Frankie in the saddle is a huge asset," he said. "He knows this horse well, he's worked him, and he's already won on him. That experience is invaluable." Locked and Loaded Raging Torrent has been turning heads in the mornings, most recently clocking 1:12.20 for six furlongs at Santa Anita. He has since shipped to Dubai in fine form. "His appetite has been great, his energy level is high, and he handled the trip like a pro," O'Neill said. "It's all about keeping him happy and healthy until race day." While early in his career Raging Torrent showed limitations beyond a mile, O'Neill is confident that the one-turn Godolphin Mile will play to his strengths. "Not at all worried," he said. "He's got speed, he's got stamina, and he ticks all the boxes. Now we just need a clean trip." With final tune-ups set for this weekend, O'Neill will arrive in Dubai on April 3 to oversee the last crucial preparations. If all goes according to plan, Raging Torrent could add yet another international triumph to his trainer's impressive collection.
