Final Breeders’ Cup Preps in the Books
October 16th 2011 11:53
Final Breeders’ Cup Preps in the Books
A contribution for Thoroughbreds Worldwide and RacingWrite by Vicki L Vison. Words and photography by Vicki L Vinson and Sue Rosenbach.
The Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park is the oldest race of its kind in the U.S. at one mile on the dirt for 2 yr. old colts. It is a race that could showcase future greatness having been won by the likes of Triple Crown winners Count Fleet and Seattle Slew as well as eleven more Racing Hall of Fame members. This year’s edition of the race was won by the favorite Union Rags a Dixie Union colt out of the Gone West mare Tempo. With this being a “win and you’re in “ race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile the performance by Union Rags overcoming trouble along the way should make him one of the favorites in the race next month. Closing from the back of the pack for 2nd was Alpha and finishing 3rd was Right to Vote. Union Rags is trained by Michael Matz who is best known as the conditioner of the ill-fated Barbaro, Union Rags races for the Chadds Ford Stable.
Union Rags wins the Champagne Stakes ridden by Javier Castellano
(photo: Sue Rosenbach)
At the same distance for the fillies on the Belmont Card last Saturday was another “win and you’re in” race the Frizette Stakes. This race was named for the filly that won the 1907 Rosedale Stakes and went on to become one of the most important foundation matrons of the 20th century. The race was won by My Miss Aurelia with a final time of 1:35.22, slightly better than the time of Union Rags that day at 1:35.55. My Miss Aurelia is a bay filly by Smart Strike out of My Miss Storm Cat. The filly won the race in gate to wire fashion under jockey Corey Nakatani with a final winning margin of 5 ½ lengths, surely another one headed toward favoritism in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies race. She is trained by Steve Asmussen for the owner partnership of Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton. Running second in the race was the favorite Stopshoppingmaria and closing from last for the show was Miss Netta.
My Miss Aurelia exits the tunnel at Belmont Park
(photo: Sue Rosenbach)
About the time things were wrapping up on the East Coast the two features of the day at Santa Anita were about to take place on the West Coast. The first stakes was the Ancient Title a race that has led to success in producing winners of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Heavy favorite going into the race was the Bob Baffert trainee The Factor, a horse known for great speed right out of the gate. The only thing The Factor had not factored into his race plans for the day was the longshot Sirocco Strike breaking right on top with him and pushing him into a speed duel. While The Factor faded to 4th place in the end the Cal Bred Amazombie was rating in 5th place saving ground along the rail, he swung four wide coming into the stretch and pulled away for the win. Amazombie is a bay gelding by Northern Afleet out of the In Excess mare Wilshe Amaze and runs for trainer Bill Spawr who is part owner of the horse with Thomas C. Sanford. Showing a nice closing turn of foot for second was The Factor’s stable mate Irrefutable and following in third was Mensa Heat. With a final time for the 6 furlong race of 1:08.24 and a “win and you’re in” birth this Cal Bred may be headed to Kentucky for the Breeders’ Cup.
No. 5 is Amazombie with Mike Smith up, along the rail is Mensa Heat who would end up third
(photo: Vicki L Vinson)
The final stakes was not a “win and you’re in” event but it still bears strong indications for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The question is does the winner of this year’s Oak Tree Mile really want to run against Goldikova the winner of the last three runnings of the race? The Oak Tree Mile was won this year by the Florida bred Jeranimo. Owned by B. J. Write who originally wanted to name his horse Geronimo but it was already taken, in this case the name of the dam helped solve the name crisis as Jeranimo is by Congaree out of the mare Jera. Jeranimo broke on top but rated kindly in second finally pulling away in the stretch for the win. Jeranimo was ridden by Martin Garcia and is trained by Michael Pender. Coming in second after trailing for most of the race was Mr. Commons and winding up third was John Johny Jak.
Jeranimo with Martin Garcia in the saddle
(photo: Vicki L Vinson)
A contribution for Thoroughbreds Worldwide and RacingWrite by Vicki L Vison. Words and photography by Vicki L Vinson and Sue Rosenbach.
The Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park is the oldest race of its kind in the U.S. at one mile on the dirt for 2 yr. old colts. It is a race that could showcase future greatness having been won by the likes of Triple Crown winners Count Fleet and Seattle Slew as well as eleven more Racing Hall of Fame members. This year’s edition of the race was won by the favorite Union Rags a Dixie Union colt out of the Gone West mare Tempo. With this being a “win and you’re in “ race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile the performance by Union Rags overcoming trouble along the way should make him one of the favorites in the race next month. Closing from the back of the pack for 2nd was Alpha and finishing 3rd was Right to Vote. Union Rags is trained by Michael Matz who is best known as the conditioner of the ill-fated Barbaro, Union Rags races for the Chadds Ford Stable.
Union Rags wins the Champagne Stakes ridden by Javier Castellano
(photo: Sue Rosenbach)
At the same distance for the fillies on the Belmont Card last Saturday was another “win and you’re in” race the Frizette Stakes. This race was named for the filly that won the 1907 Rosedale Stakes and went on to become one of the most important foundation matrons of the 20th century. The race was won by My Miss Aurelia with a final time of 1:35.22, slightly better than the time of Union Rags that day at 1:35.55. My Miss Aurelia is a bay filly by Smart Strike out of My Miss Storm Cat. The filly won the race in gate to wire fashion under jockey Corey Nakatani with a final winning margin of 5 ½ lengths, surely another one headed toward favoritism in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies race. She is trained by Steve Asmussen for the owner partnership of Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton. Running second in the race was the favorite Stopshoppingmaria and closing from last for the show was Miss Netta.
My Miss Aurelia exits the tunnel at Belmont Park
(photo: Sue Rosenbach)
About the time things were wrapping up on the East Coast the two features of the day at Santa Anita were about to take place on the West Coast. The first stakes was the Ancient Title a race that has led to success in producing winners of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Heavy favorite going into the race was the Bob Baffert trainee The Factor, a horse known for great speed right out of the gate. The only thing The Factor had not factored into his race plans for the day was the longshot Sirocco Strike breaking right on top with him and pushing him into a speed duel. While The Factor faded to 4th place in the end the Cal Bred Amazombie was rating in 5th place saving ground along the rail, he swung four wide coming into the stretch and pulled away for the win. Amazombie is a bay gelding by Northern Afleet out of the In Excess mare Wilshe Amaze and runs for trainer Bill Spawr who is part owner of the horse with Thomas C. Sanford. Showing a nice closing turn of foot for second was The Factor’s stable mate Irrefutable and following in third was Mensa Heat. With a final time for the 6 furlong race of 1:08.24 and a “win and you’re in” birth this Cal Bred may be headed to Kentucky for the Breeders’ Cup.
No. 5 is Amazombie with Mike Smith up, along the rail is Mensa Heat who would end up third
(photo: Vicki L Vinson)
The final stakes was not a “win and you’re in” event but it still bears strong indications for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The question is does the winner of this year’s Oak Tree Mile really want to run against Goldikova the winner of the last three runnings of the race? The Oak Tree Mile was won this year by the Florida bred Jeranimo. Owned by B. J. Write who originally wanted to name his horse Geronimo but it was already taken, in this case the name of the dam helped solve the name crisis as Jeranimo is by Congaree out of the mare Jera. Jeranimo broke on top but rated kindly in second finally pulling away in the stretch for the win. Jeranimo was ridden by Martin Garcia and is trained by Michael Pender. Coming in second after trailing for most of the race was Mr. Commons and winding up third was John Johny Jak.
Jeranimo with Martin Garcia in the saddle
(photo: Vicki L Vinson)
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