HorseRacing
Saturday's Works: 25 Horses, Including Imagination's Santa Anita Bullet
2024-12-07
Imagination, the Grade 2 San Felipe winner trained by Bob Baffert, made a remarkable showing on Saturday morning at Santa Anita. His five-furlong time of 59.4 seconds stood out as the fastest among 41 workouts at that distance. In his previous start, he narrowly missed by a head to the older Tarantino in an allowance-optional claiming race on October 26 at Santa Anita.

Notable Works on Saturday

Imagination's Impressive Time

Imagination's lightning-fast five-furlong time of 59.4 seconds at Santa Anita was a sight to behold. This achievement showcases his exceptional speed and potential. In his recent race, he demonstrated his tenacity by coming close to victory. His consistent training and performance indicate a bright future ahead.

Getaway Car's Dual Works

Getaway Car, the Best Pal (G3) winner, had an eventful Saturday. He worked six furlongs in 1:13.4, both at Santa Anita. In his most recent race, he finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, showing his competitiveness. His multiple works suggest that he is in top form and ready for more challenges.

Other Graded Stakes Winners' Efforts

Howard Wolowitz (Munnings), a Grade 1 winner, worked four furlongs in 47.7 seconds at Palm Meadows. His previous work was seven days ago, and in his last start, he placed ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.Power Squeeze (Union Rags), a Grade 1 winner, worked five furlongs in 1:02.0 at Gulfstream Park. Her previous work was also seven days ago, and in her last start, she placed seventh in the Cotillion.Arzak (Not This Time), a two-time Grade 2 winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.4 at Fair Hill. His previous work was seven days ago, and in his last start, he placed sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.Fluffy Socks (Slumber), a two-time Grade 2 winner, worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Payson Park. Her previous work was seven days ago, and in her last start, she placed eighth in the Goldikova.Confidence Game (Candy Ride), a Grade 2 winner, worked six furlongs in 1:13.4 at Fair Grounds. His previous work was seven days ago, and in his last start, he placed seventh in an allowance race.High Oak (Gormley), a Grade 2 winner, worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Fair Hill. His previous work was seven days ago, and in his last start, he placed second in an allowance race.Olivia Darling (Palace), a Grade 2 winner, worked four furlongs in 47.5 seconds at Gulfstream Park. This was her first work since her last race, where she won an allowance race.Spirit Wind (Bahamian Squall), a Grade 2 winner, worked three furlongs in 36.1 seconds at Palm Meadows. This was her first work since her last race, where she placed third in the Dream Supreme.Spirit of Makena (Ghostzapper), a Grade 2 winner, worked three furlongs in 38.2 seconds at Santa Anita. His previous work was 146 days ago, and in his last start, he placed ninth in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship.Steal Sunshine (Constitution), a Grade 2 winner, worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Gulfstream Park. This was his first work since his last race, where he won an allowance race.Whatmakessammyrun (We Miss Artie), a Grade 2 winner, worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Santa Anita. His previous work was seven days ago, and in his last start, he won a claiming race.Jaxon Traveler (Munnings), a two-time Grade 3 winner, worked four furlongs in 51.7 seconds at Remington Park. This was his first work since his last race, where he won the Zia Park Sprint.Packs a Wahlop (Creative Cause), a two-time Grade 3 winner, worked five furlongs in 1:00.8 at Santa Anita. His previous work was seven days ago, and in his last start, he placed eighth in an allowance race.Bizzee Channel (English Channel), a Grade 3 winner, worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Turfway Park. This was his first work since his last race, where he placed seventh in a starter allowance race.Clear Vision (Artie Schiller), a Grade 3 winner, worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Gulfstream Park. His previous work was seven days ago, and in his last start, he placed fifth in an allowance race.Gray’s Fable (Gio Ponti), a Grade 3 winner, worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Fair Grounds. This was his first work since his last race, where he placed fifth in an allowance race.Midnight Mammoth (Midnight Lute), a Grade 3 winner, worked three furlongs in 35.0 seconds at Santa Anita. His previous work was five days ago, and in his last start, he won the Cougar II.Mufasa (Practical Joke), a Grade 3 winner, worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Gulfstream Park. His previous work was seven days ago, and in his last start, he placed 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.Nadette (Outstrip), a Grade 3 winner, worked three furlongs in 35.0 seconds at Santa Anita. This was her first work since her last race, where she placed eighth in the Matriarch.Tide of the Sea (English Channel), a Grade 3 winner, worked four furlongs in 50.6 seconds at Fair Grounds. This was his first work since his last race, where he placed 10th in an allowance race.Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), a Grade 3 winner, worked five furlongs in 59.1 seconds at Palm Meadows. His previous work was seven days ago, and in his last start, he placed fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.Watchtower (Demarchelier), a Grade 3 winner, worked five furlongs in 59.8 seconds at Santa Anita. Her previous work was six days ago, and in her last start, she won the Autumn Miss.Where’s My Ring (Twirling Candy), a Grade 3 winner, worked three furlongs in 36.4 seconds at Santa Anita. This was her first work since her last race, where she placed 10th in an allowance race.
Aqueduct: Tizzy in the Sky Prevails in the Go for Wand Stakes
2024-12-07
Photo: Sophie Shore / Eclipse Sportswire showcases the moment of victory. Tizzy in the Sky, a remarkable filly, achieved her first graded-stakes win in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Go for Wand. This one-mile test was for fillies and mares aged 3 and up at Aqueduct.

Jockey Flavien Prat: A Record-Breaking Season

In this remarkable victory, jockey Flavien Prat tied a single-season stakes win record with his 79th stakes conquest of the year, matching Irad Ortiz, Jr.’s mark set in 2022. Currently, he stands at 54 graded-stakes wins this year, just one away from tying Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey’s record of 55 in 2003. Among his wins this year were the Breeders’ Cup Classic aboard Sierra Leone and Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf aboard Moira. Prat, who moved his tack to New York full time in the spring of 2022, expressed his gratitude. “It’s been a great season and I’m very grateful. It means a lot to me. Just looking back, it’s been a great year, and I hope I can get the record.”

Tizzy in the Sky’s Journey to Victory

Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher for owner KimDon Racing, Tizzy in the Sky made a successful return from a six-month respite dating back to an off-the-board finish in the Ogden Phipps (G1) on June 8 at Saratoga Race Course. The 5-year-old daughter of Sky Kingdom built on previous stakes success in the local Top Flight Invitational in April and a runner-up effort to Dr B in this event last year.As the race began, Tizzy in the Sky emerged alertly from the inside post. Stonewall Star stumbled badly to her inside, and longshot Rachel’s Rock rushed up to take the lead exiting the chute. The opening quarter-mile was covered in 22.89 seconds over the fast footing, with Tizzy in the Sky and Comparative 1 1/2 lengths back. Trainer Todd Pletcher said, “We wanted her to be forward. I thought Flavien made the right call when he opted to pop outside and stalk instead of continuing to press the pedal. That was a smart move.”Prat coaxed Tizzy in the Sky to sweep up alongside Rachel’s Rock through the half-mile in 45.75 as Comparative commenced a three-wide bid under Manny Franco. Rachel’s Rock stalled at the top of the lane, and a loaded Tizzy in the Sky stuck her head in front. However, post-time favorite Occult was finding her best stride from well off the pace and gaining quickly down the center of the course with three-quarters elapsed in 1:10.63.Occult and her Chad Brown-trained stablemate Shidabhuti passed the tiring Comparative at the eighth pole while Movie Moxy came on the scene with a strong rally to make it three new challengers to Tizzy in the Sky. Occult drew nearer in the shadow of the wire, but ran out of ground as the game Tizzy in the Sky dug in for the win in a final time of 1:35.64.

Post-Race Reflections

Pletcher was pleased with the return effort after the mare spent her time off at Burke Equine. “That was a huge effort. We sent her out to Stowe Burke’s for a little freshening in Saratoga and kind of had this in mind if everything went well. We had to rush a little bit to have her ready, but she is such a willing horse. She trains very well, and her breezes are strong with good gallop-outs. I was worried inside the eighth pole after those fractions that she could hold off some of the late closers, and to her credit, that was a big effort.”Prat said Tizzy in the Sky was able to adapt to the pace scenario when Rachel’s Rock showed the way early. “I thought I could be the pace, but we weren’t as fast as the other one outside of us, but she was right there and once we got into the turn, she was able to press on. When I turned for home, she was looking around and I was hoping she didn’t have too much momentum. At the eighth-pole, they were coming, but it felt like she regrouped well.”Pletcher added a potential target for Tizzy in the Sky could be the nine-furlong $150,000 Ladies on January 11 around two turns here. She now boasts a 5-for-8 record at the Big A. “She loves it here,” Pletcher said. “I think she is even better around two turns here, but she overcame some pace pressure today and finished up well.”Bred in Kentucky by Westrock Stables, Tizzy in the Sky is out of the Tiznow mare Tiz the Tide, with her second dam Lajitas being a half-sister to dual Grade 1-winner Colonel John. She improved her record to 13: 5-4-0 and banked $110,000 in victory while returning $8.20 on a $2 win ticket.Ortiz, Jr. said Occult, who made her first start since a runner-up effort to reigning champion older dirt female Idiomatic in the Spinster (G1) in October at Keeneland, was again admirable in defeat. “She did good to get there for second, but she just missed getting it at the end. They were going pretty fast and I thought she (Tizzy in the Sky) was going to come back a little. But she did a good job to win it. My horse is always competitive.”
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"Stewart's Arqana Spree: Just the Beginning of His Ambitions"
2024-12-07
John Stewart, a prominent figure in the racing world, has made significant moves with his recent acquisitions. His approach and strategies have sparked both interest and debate.

John Stewart's Racing Journey and Impact

Signing for Prix Rothschild Runner-up

John Stewart's decision to sign for Prix Rothschild runner-up Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) for €1.6 million was a bold move. This acquisition added to his growing portfolio and demonstrated his confidence in the horse's potential. As he stated, "She was number one on my list so she was going home with me." This highlights his meticulous approach to selecting horses and his determination to build a strong team.The addition of this high-rated filly complements his earlier haul at Tattersalls, where he spent $8 million. It shows his ability to make significant purchases and expand his influence in the racing industry.

Bringing Diversity to the Herd

Stewart is focused on bringing diversity back to the herd in Kentucky. He believes that exporting horses for too long has led to a lack of diversity, and he is working to address this issue. By looking at the pedigrees of the horses he buys, he aims to introduce new bloodlines and strengthen the industry.This approach is not only beneficial for the horses themselves but also for the global racing community. It shows his commitment to the long-term health and sustainability of the sport.

Spending and Investing

Stewart views horses as assets in a portfolio, similar to stocks. He is not deterred by price and is willing to invest in high-quality horses. As he explained, "When you're getting into something, it costs more money but it's less risky to buy higher quality assets." This mindset has led him to make significant purchases and build a strong stable of horses.His spending this week was spurred on by the interactions with other owners. He thrives on challenges and uses them as motivation to achieve his goals. His determination to let his horses speak on the track and win races is evident in his actions.

Dealing with Doubters

Stewart has faced criticism and doubts from some in the racing community. However, he remains undeterred and continues to pursue his vision. He believes that by making bold moves and taking risks, he can bring attention to horse racing globally.His past successes against other owners, such as Mike Repole and LNJ Foxwoods, have only strengthened his resolve. He is confident in his abilities and is determined to prove his critics wrong.

Plans for Recent Additions

Stewart uses a variety of trainers for his horses. His team will carefully consider each addition and determine the best training options. For example, Village Voice is going to Chad Brown, while Vertical Blue is staying with Francis Graffard.This shows his strategic thinking and his ability to make decisions that are in the best interests of his horses. He is committed to providing the best possible care and training for each one.
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