Cindy's Horse Racing Website Index

Weekend Major Stakes Recap

Date: 09/08/04

The weekend recap is back with 9 major stakes across the country and in Europe from the long Labor Day holiday weekend. Here is a recap of them all courtesy of the NTRA and Breeders' Cup Limited.

Race:   $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (G2), 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles

Love of Money

Track:   Philadelphia Park
Finishing Order:   1-LOVE OF MONEY, 2-POLLARD'S VISION, 3-SWINGFORTHEFENCES
Margins:   8 1/2, 1, 3 1/4
Also ran:   NIIJON, PIES PROSPECT, SEPARATO, SONG OF THE SWORD, ROYAL ASSAULT, TAPIT, MY SNOOKIE'S BOY, WIMPLESTILTSKIN, MASTER DAVID
Winning Connections:   Owner: Jay Em Ess Stable; Trainer: Richard Dutrow, Jr.; Jockey: Robby Albarado
Time:   1:48 2/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge - Mace and Samantha Siegel's LOVE OF MONEY was a 12-to-1 longshot in an accomplished field of 12 3-year-olds to line up for Monday's Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park. A $70,000 2-year-old purchase at Timonium last year, Love of Money went to the front early under jockey Robby Albarado and improved his position to win by 8 1/2 lengths over Edgewood Farm's second choice POLLARD'S VISION, a length before Klaravich Stable's SWINGFORTHEFENCES third. Winchell Thoroughbreds lukewarm favorite TAPIT never threatened and finished ninth in his first start since the Kentucky Derby for trainer Michael Dickinson. Love of Money showed two victories and a second from three starts sprinting in New York prior to Monday. The dark bay colt by Not For Love didn't make his career debt debut until June 12 at Belmont Park after missing his juvenile campaign with a suspensory injury, according to winning trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr.

Race:   $250,000 Del Mar Breeders' Cup (G2), 3yos & up, one mile

Supah Blitz

Track:   Del Mar
Finishing Order:   1-SUPAH BLITZ, 2-DOMESTIC DISPUTE, 3-DURING
Margins:   Nose, 4, 1
Also ran:   TOUCH THE WIRE, SNORTER, RUSHIN' TO ALTER
Winning Connections:   Owner: Kagele Brothers and David Lieb; Trainer: Doug O'Neill; Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Time:   1:35 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge - Tom and Jerry Kagele and David Lieb's SUPAH BLITZ made an auspicious California debut Sunday with a nose victory in the Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap over David Bienstock and partners' second choice DOMESTIC DISPUTE. James McIngvale's DURING finished third as the favorite, four lengths behind the runner-up in the field of seven. Supah Blitz was purchased privately after finishing second in a Delaware Park allowance on Aug. 9 by trainer Doug O'Niell for his new owners. The 4-year-old Mecke colt was developed at Calder by trainer Manny Tortora and finished 13th in last year's Kentucky Derby behind Funny Cide. The dark bay Florida-bred had run well enough to finish second five times this year but Sunday's victory was his first trip to the winner's circle in 10 starts this year. The Kagele Brothers are co-owners of Santa Anita Handicap and Pimlico Special winner Southern Image, trained by Michael Machowsky.

Race:   $150,000 Arlington Matron (G3), fillies & mares, 1 1/8 miles

Adoration

Track:   Arlington Park
Finishing Order:   1-ADORATION, 2-TAMWEEL, 3-INDY GROOVE
Margins:   2, 2 3/4, 2 3/4
Also ran:   JULIE'S PRIZE, BARE NECESSITIES, ALLSPICE, HENNIE'S SONG
Winning Connections:   Owner: Amerman Racing Stables; Trainer: David Hofmans; Jockey: Victory Espinoza
Time:   1:49 3/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Distaff – Presented by Nextel - Amerman Racing Stables' 5-year-old mare ADORATION took another step toward her Breeders' Cup Distaff defense at Lone Star Park with a comfortable two-length victory in Saturday's Arlington Matron Handicap at Arlington Park. Trained by David Hofmans, Adoration, tied for third in the Nextel Distaff Division, in the World Thoroughbred Rakings, invaded from California for the engagement, her first start since capturing the Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 12. Turf Express Inc.'s local favorite TAMWEEL ran well to finish second in the field of seven. Adoration went wire-to-wire to upset the Distaff at Santa Anita last fall as a 40-to-1 longshot. Hofmans indicated he plans for her to have one more start before the Distaff in either the Overbrook Spinster Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 10 or the Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita on Oct. 3.

Race:   $900,000 Grosser Preis Von Baden (G1), 3yos & up, 1 1/2 miles (t)
Track:   Baden-Baden (Germany)
Finishing Order:   1-WARRSAN (IRE), 2-EGERTON (GER), 3-SHIROCCO (GER)
Margins:   Neck, 3/4, 2
Also ran:   SIMONES (IRE), GAMUT (IRE), MALINAS (GER), MUBTAKER, MOHANDAS (FR), OMIKRON (IRE), WELL MADE (GER), DANO-MAST (GER)
Winning Connections:   Owner: Saeed Manana; Trainer: Clive Brittain; Kevin McEvoy
Time:   2:32 3/5 (good)

Road to the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf – Saeed Manana's 6-year-old international performer WARRSAN (IRE) made the relatively short trip from trainer Clive Brittain's yard in England to Germany Sunday to capture the Grosser Preis Von Baden-Baden. Warrsan won the Coronation Cup at Epsom in early June over Godolphin's Doyen (IRE), top-ranked in the John Deere Turf Division. Warrsan finished a dull ninth last out behind Doyen in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on July 24. The son of Caerleon scored by a neck Sunday over Stall Reckendorf's EGERTON (GER) with Baron Georg von Ullmann's SHIROCCO (GER) three-quarters back in third. Favored MUBTAKER finished seventh after leading through the early stages. Warrsan, who ran well in races in Hong Kong and Dubai over the winter, may start next in the Prix de l'Arc Triomphe at Longchamp on Oct. 3, according to Brittain, who trained the marvelous filly Pebbles (GB) to win the Breeders' Cup Turf at Aqueduct in 1985.

Race:   $300,000 Niagara Breeders' Cup (G2), 3yos & up, 1 1/2 miles on turf

Strut The Stage

Track:   Woodbine
Finishing Order:   1-STRUT THE STAGE, 2-COLORFUL JUDGEMENT, 3-MARK ONE
Margins:   4, 3 3/4, 1 1/4
Also ran:   HYDROGEN, COMNTROL TOWER, LONGSHIP
Winning Connections:   Owner: Sam-Son Farms; Trai8ner: Todd Kabel; Jockey: Todd Kabel
Time:   2:25 2/5 (firm)

Road to the John Deere Breeders' Cup – Sam-Son Farm's 6-year-old STRUT THE STAGE was late getting started this year, finishing third in the Chinese Cultural Centre at Woodbine on July 25 in his first start since September. However, the son of Theatrical appears ready to join the John Deere Turf Division chase after a powerful four-length victory over stablemate COLORFUL JUDGEMENT in Monday's Niagara Breeders' Cup at 12 furlongs. Trained by Mark Frostad, Strut the Stage won the Niagara last year and appeared bound for the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita until forced to the sidelines. He certainly has family credentials for the race as his sire Theatrical won it in 1987 and his dam is a half-sister to Sam-Son's 1997 Turf hero Chief Bearheart.

Race:   $350,000 NetJets Prix du Moulin (G1), 3yos & up, one mile on turf
Track:   Longchamp (France)
Finishing Order:   1-GREY LILAS (IRE), 2-DIAMOND GREEN (FR), 3-ANTONIUS PIUS
Margins:   1, nose, neck
Also ran:   DENEBOLA, WHIPPER, PAOLINI (GER), LUCKY STORY, LA VIE, DEI COLORI (GB), MARTILLO (GER), AMERICAN POST (GB), ACTRICE (IRE)
Winning Connections:   Owner: Gustut Ammerland; Trainer: Andre Fabre; Jockey: Eric Legrix
Time:   1:37 2/5 (good/soft)

Road to the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile – Gestut Ammerland's 3-year-old filly GREY LILAS (IRE) won Sunday's NetJets Prix du Moulin at Longchamp by a length over Lagardere Family's 3-year-old colt DIAMOND GREEN (FR). Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier's ANTONIUS PLUS finished third, a nose behind the runner-up in talented field of 11. Trained by Andre Fabre, Grey Lilas was ridden by Eric Legrix after Gary Stevens had been aboard for her five previous starts this season before returning to the U.S. recently. The remarkable daughter of Danehill was turning back in distance from a convincing victory in the 12-furlong Prix de la Nonette at Deauville in her last start on Aug. 24. She had run well to finish second in the French 1000 Guineas and third in the French Oaks in the spring. Grey Lilas will be pointed next to the Prix de l'Opera on Oct. 3 at Longchamp while Diamond Green will likely go for the Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 25 at Ascot.

Race:   $400,000 Del Mar Derby (G2), 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles on turf
Track:   Del Mar
Finishing Order:   1-BLACKDOUN (FR), 2-TOASTED, 3-LAURA'S LUCKY BOY
Margins:   Neck, nose, half
Also ran:   TERROLPANE (FR), FAST AND FURIOUS (FR), SEMI LOST, PLACE COWBOY (IRE), BEDMAR (GB), LUCKY PULPIY, SUJIMOTO
Winning Connections:   Owner: Marsha Naify and Woodside Farm' Trainer: Julio Canani; Jockey: Corey Nakatani
Time:   1:46 3/5 (fir)

Road to the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile – Marsha Naify and Woodside Farms' BLACKDOUN (FR) remained perfect in three American starts Monday at Del Mar, rallying from last of 10 for a neck victory over Sidney L. Port Trust's TOASTED in the Del Mar Derby. The 3-year-old roan/gray colt raced in his native France in the spring before being purchased privately and placed with trainer Julio Canani. Jockey Corey Nakatani was aboard for Sunday's victory as well as previous tallies in the Oceanside Stakes and La Jolla Handicap earlier in the Del Mar meet. The son of Verglas appears to have a future in the U.S. with Canani, who won renewals of the Breeders' Cup Mile with Silic (FR) in 1999 and Val Royal (FR) in 2001, both French imports as well.

Race:   $250,000 Forego Handicap (G1), 3yos & up, seven furlongs

Midas Eyes

Track:   Saratoga
Finishing Order:   1-MIDAS EYES, 2-CLOCK STOPPER, 3-GYGISTAR
Margins:   1 3/4, 1 1/4, nose
Also ran:   STRONG HOPE, UNFORGETTABLE MAX, GOLD DOLLAR, A HUEVO, YESSIRGENERALSIR, EAVESDROPPER
Winning Connections:   Owner: Edmund Gann; Trainer: Bobby Frankel; Jockey: Edgar Prado
Time:   1:22 1/5 (fast)

Road to the Breeders' Cup Sprint – Even with Ghostzapper moving to the Classic Division, trainer Bobby Frankel's powerful stable remains strong in the Sprint Division this season with Edmund Gann's 4-year-old MIDAS EYES coming to hand at the right time. Saturday at Saratoga, Midas Eyes drew off in the stretch to capture the Forego Handicap by 1 3/4 lengths as Overbrook Farm's CLOCK STOPPER rallied for second in the solid field of 10 in the seven-furlong test. Edward P. Evans' GYGISTAR finished third, a nose before Eugene and Laura Melnyk's 9-to-5 favorite STRONG HOPE in fourth. Midas Eyes, now third in the Sprint Division of the World Thoroughbred Rankings, was coming back just 10 days after a sharp allowance score over the track on Aug. 25. The son of Touch Gold finished a respectable fourth in the Strub Stakes at Santa Anita in early February, but was sidelined until Saratoga with ankle problems. Purchased privately after breaking his maiden at Calder as a 2-year-old, Midas Eyes finished eighth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint last fall after a rough trip in the early going. Clock Stopper was finishing second as he did in the Smile Sprint at Calder and A.G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga in his two previous starts for trainer Dallas Stewart. The 4-year-old Gilded Time gelding remains on target for the Breeders' Cup Sprint with a final prep in the Phoenix Breeders' Cup at Keeneland on Oct. 8. Last September, Clock Stopper finished a fast-closing second in the Kentucky Cup Sprint at Turfway Park behind Cajun Beat, who would go on to capture the Sprint at Santa Anita for trainer Steve Margolis. Cajun Beat hasn't run since finishing fourth in the Dubai Gold Shaheen Stakes in late March. However, he is training for his return and first start since being placed with Bobby Frankel.

Race:   $200,000 Cradle Stakes (G3), 2-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles
Track:   River Downs
Finishing Order:   1-BELLAMY ROAD, 2-DIAMOND ISLE, 3-SCIPION
Margins:   2 3/4, neck, 6 3/4
Also ran:   FLYCOCK, COPY MY NOTES, QUICK BLEND, CAT TOURN, CAPWIKANN
Winning Connections:   Owner: Kinsman Farm; Trainer: Michael Dickinson; Jockey: Abel Castellano, Jr.
Time:   1:45 (fast)

Road to the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile – On an otherwise disappointing Monday afternoon for trainer Michael Dickinson (see Pennsylvania Derby above), Kinsman Stable's 2-year-old BELLAMY ROAD provided some satisfaction winning Monday's Miller Genuine Draft Cradle Stakes at River Downs. The son of Concerto had won his only previous start at Delaware Park by 7 1/2 lengths going six furlongs. Purchased for $87,000 at the OBS April 2-year-old sales, Bellamy Road set a slow pace and drew off to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Buckram Oak Farm's DIAMOND ISLE with Virginia Kraft Payson's even-money favorite SCIPION another neck back in third in the 1 1/16 miles test. Each of the top three appears to have a future in the Bessemer Trust Juvenile Division in the weeks ahead.

Previous weekend recaps:

Back to Horse-Races.Net main page

Want to keep up with what's new on this site?
Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.

On the Forum: