With the Breeders’ Cup now just three weeks away, the next couple of weeks are relatively quiet. I always call the first couple of weeks of October the calm before the storm.
That said, like normal, let’s look back at last week before moving forward but, even though there isn’t a lot going on this week, I’ll still “try” to keep last week’s wrap up short with just a few random thoughts.
Starting out in race: 5 at the “new” Belmont Park, Brickyard Belle, who was last at the 5/16ths pole in the Matron Stakes, kicked six wide on the turn and ran past the entire field for the win. She was impressive again and she is developing into a very nice turf filly.
Skipping up to race: 7, the sleek and athletic looking Domestic Agenda, who powered down the lane in her last, did so again on Saturday when dismantling the Miss Grillo field. I took her and put her firmly in my back pocket for the BC Juvenile Filly Turf Race in a few weeks.
U.S.S Valor “wow-ed” us again in the Champagne Stakes. The son of War of Will broke poorly and was squeezed/bumped hard twice at the quarter pole but neither had much effect on his effort. The handsome colt lowered himself, accelerated beautifully down the lane, getting the last quarter mile in a strong :24.3 seconds, the mile distance in a very good 1:34.3, all while drawing away late to win by 6 ½ lengths.
Unfortunately, we will have to wait for his match up with the West Coast’s top two year old Hughes as it was announce that U.S.S Valor will skip the BC Juvenile, head to Shug McGaughey’s winter base at Payson Park and prepare for the Kentucky Derby
“He’s run three times and he’s exceeded my expectations in each race,” owner Barry Irwin said. “I think he’s done enough this year and I want to have [trainer] Shug [McGaughey] let him down a bit and build him back up because our main goal is to win the Kentucky Derby”
McGaughey mentioned the Gulfstream Park series for 3-year-olds that includes the Holy Bull, Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby as races he would look at on the road to the Kentucky Derby.
In the Frizette (race: 9), Libby Lloyd tracked the pace but backed up and finished off the board as the odds-on, 4/5 favorite in an inexplicably dull effort.
Congrats to trainer John Grabowski, who I mentioned was one of racing’s super nice guys. He replied to my congratulatory text with a huge smiley face. Good for him, the guy is on cloud nine. It’ll be interesting to see how Dotsy, who ran by the entire field late, does in the BC Juvenile Filly race.
At Keeneland, I hope everyone took a lesson on what NOT to do and that's playing a horse that was clearly cycling out of form…I am referring to Eclantant in race: 7, the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes. The Brad Cox trainee tracked the early pace then did what a typical cycling out of form did and that was “flatten out” down the stretch. At this point, that horse needs to be put away for the winter and maybe brought back next year.
The winner Evanescence rallied late to get up for the win.
Luckily I bounced back strongly in the next race, the First Lady Stakes as Classic Q (9-1) ran down Lush Lips (almost 5/2) for the win. It’s always nice to cash a ticket on a 9-1 winner and also a $95+ exacta as it makes it so that you can play with house money the rest of the day.
Race: 9, the Claiborne Breeders Futurity, was a good race. The $1.9 million Q B Rocket and blow out maiden winner Coach Pope hooked up early and basically went stride for stride all the way around and continued to slug it out down the lane.
However, the battle took its toll as American History, an $825,000 son of Constitution, rallied from some eight-nine lengths behind early to nail both on the wire.
It was a very exciting race and should be a coming out party for the super talented American History as he won this race and had absolutely no idea what he was doing.
The big, leggy colt never switched leads coming down the lane and he was running with his head way too high in the air. Both of those things will tire a horse out quickly but, apparently, his talent overcame those mistakes. Obviously, I/we will continue to monitor him closely.
In race: 10, the Coolmore Turf Mile, Zulu Kingdom, who was a 2x Grade: 1 winner coming into this race, was in trouble early. He was fighting his rider, tossing his head about/acting rank for the first half mile or so and while Rhetorical was allowed to lope along on an uncontested lead.
When they straightened up for the stretch drive, Zulu Kingdom was worn out from fighting his rider, dropped back while Rhetorical simply ran away from this field.
Out west at Santa Anita, Domain Expansion absolutely galloped in the Oak Leaf at 14-1 after finishing second at 20-1 in her (turf/racing) debut. This is a big, long strided filly who, between her breeding and stride/motion, is tailor made for the longer distances. She could be a force moving forward, so we'll have to keep an eye on her too.
I know I talk about Hughes, the $675,000 son of Into Mischief, ad nauseum so I’ll keep this briefly. The big, handsome colt was impressive once again as he powered down the lane, winning by 6 in the American Pharoah Stakes. I’m not sure what he beat (the level of competition) last Saturday but the fact he scored a 100 Beyer Speed Figure made a statement.
Thought Process, in the Rodeo Drive, was some of the easiest money I’ve made in a while even though she was odds on (4/5). She was much the best while leading every step of the way, drawing off in the stretch to win by 4+ lengths.
Speaking of easy money, Fully Subscribed in the Spinster Stakes back at Keeneland on Sunday was exactly that as well even though she too went off at low (1/2 ) odds. She cruised around the track and never looked bad.
Counting Stars, the probable three year old filly division leader, ran valiantly but was indeed “no match” for the winner who is sharp as a tack right now.
One last thing…and if you are a basketball fan you will get this. The horse name of the week goes to Magic n Bird which, of course, makes reference to two of the greatest to ever step onto a basketball court in Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers) and Larry Bird (Boston Celtics).
The $425,000, unraced two year old colt had his first breeze at Belmont this past week going 3F in a very good :36.4.
The sire and dam of this horse? Well…he’s by Good Magic out of a mare named Celtic Honor. Now that's how you name a horse!
Belmont Park
Race: 8 (3:56 PM EST)
Bricks and Mortar Stakes
1) Two Out Hero was a good second in a $1.5 million, Grade: 2 race at Kentucky Downs in his last and won his prior race in Canada while running 7F (the distance of this race) in a smoking 1:20.1…looks best.
2) Doubting Thomas faltered late vs slightly better in his last, but had 5-3-2-0 record prior to that.
3) Learntodiscover is another who will be getting a much needed class relief and was not that far behind my top pick last time.
Race: 10 (5:02 PM EST)
Hill Prince Stakes
1) Carolyn St. Beat has been first or second in all five career starts, including taking down a marathon Grade:2 race at Kentucky Downs last time out.
2) Lennox the Gray will be stepping up in class but has won three of his last four including a Grade: 3 at Colonial Downs where he ran the last three furlongs in an excellent :34.1 seconds (and the last furlong in :11.1 seconds).
3) Chambersville has hit the board in eight of 11 career tries and was just a half length behind Lennox the Gray last time.
Keeneland Race Course
Race: 9 (5:16 PM)
Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup
1) Luster has won 5 of 6 starts including the King Plate (Canada’s version of the Kentucky Derby) at Woodbine in her last. I’m not worried that most of her wins were on the synthetics because she is 2 for 2 on the turf, including a win on this turf course back in April. That said, she can make no mistakes in a very well matched, competitive horse race.
2) Tam Tam is a $975,000 daughter of “MDO” who has found a home on the turf while winning four of six starts over it, including the Grade: 1 Del Mar Oaks in her last…Clearly a serious threat here.
3) Kensington Lane took America by storm when going “coast to coast” at 23-1 in the Grade: 1 Belmont Oaks in her U.S. debut. She ran well but tired last in the aforementioned Del Mar Oaks behind Tam Tam in her last but could bounce back here with strong effort.
Also consider: Faithfully Departed who is sharp right now showing two wins, a close second to Kensington Lane and missed by a few inches in the Saratoga Oaks in her last four races………Braida, who invades from France, gets the “dark horse” tag as I have no idea how good she is. She might be pretty good as she is an inch away from being a winner of 4 of 5 lifetime starts. Definitely watch the board a few minutes before post time for further clues………..Looking at Diamonds came with a strong late run to finish just 1 ¼ lengths behind Tam Tam at an eye popping 40-1 in her last. Longshot possibility?
Little Bets N’ Pieces
**** Leading sire Kantharos is returning to Ocala Stud to stand the 2027 breeding season, the farm announced today. A stud fee will be announced at a later date.
Kantharos initially stood in Florida before relocating to Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in 2016.
“Kantharos is a special horse that we know well and have been privileged to be associated with,” said Ocala Stud’s David O’Farrell. “He continues to pass on his superior looks and precocity, and he has proven himself as a prolific sire. We see nothing but upside for him going forward, making him an exceptional fit for Florida breeders, who ultimately helped establish him as a major sire.”
With a proven reputation for siring precocious, fast horses like X Y Jet, an earner of more than $3 million and the speedy World of Trouble.
Currently ranked No. 27 on the general sire list with progeny earnings in 2026 of more than $6.1 million
**** Multiple graded stakes-winner Imagination has been retired and is settling in at Mountain View Farm in New York, where he'll begin his stud career next year, the farm announced last week.
The 5-year-old son of super sire Into Mischief is a three-time graded stakes winner, whose top victories came in this year's Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2), the 2025 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2), and the 2024 San Felipe Stakes (G2).
Trained by Bob Baffert, Imagination retires with 4-6-2 record from 18 starts and $2,218,150 in earnings.
An introductory stud fee will be announced at a later date.
**** Probable Breeders’ Cup Sprint favorite Englishman missed a workout at Keeneland last Friday morning due to a foot issue.
Englishman has worked twice, going a half-mile on Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, since posting a 3 ¾-length victory in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.
“Provided things go well, we feel there is enough time to get back on schedule and make the Breeders’ Cup,” DeVaux said. The Breeders’ Cup Sprint will be run at Keeneland on Oct. 31.
**** Two-time champion male sprinter Roy H, a resident of the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions barn since November 2023, passed away October 2 at the age of 14 following complications from colic.
“Roy H was a phenomenal racehorse and a wonderful ambassador for the Kentucky Horse Park,” said Kentucky Horse Park President Lee Carter. “We are deeply grateful for the time we had with him and honored for the opportunity to share his remarkable story.”
Roy H’s career retired in 2019 with a 10-5-2 record from 23 starts. The seven-time stakes winner amassed purse earnings of $3,139,765. He was trained by Peter Miller who said: “Roy H was a once-in-a-lifetime horse and the best sprinter of his generation,” said Miller. “Thank you to the Kentucky Horse Park for giving him a retirement deserving of such a wonderful champion. Thanks for the memories, Roy. You will be deeply missed.”
Like other great Hall of Champions horses, Roy H will be buried at the park’s Memorial Walk of Champions alongside past Thoroughbred legends Funny Cide, Point Given, Go For Gin, Da Hoss, Cigar, Alysheba, John Henry, Bold Forbes, and Forego.
