Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables, and William Strauss’ Nagirroc built on a promising maiden win of winning her first attempt at bet level on October 9 Future Shares (G3T) for 2 year olds go six laps on courtyard at Aqueduct race track.
Now 2 for 2 for trainer Graham Motion and his ownership team, Nagirroc secured a spot in “Win and You’re In” in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) when he won it. 132nd tournament out of $150,000 Futurity Stakes.
Nagirroc leaves turret 2 in good order and establishes a tight fourth along the tracks as the New York mixed girl winner Dancing on holiday scored an opening quarter mile of 22.09 seconds ahead of the company going, with 8-5 favorites Gaslight Dancer consistent with his outward moves. Franco made a three-point wide move in the upper half as Vacation Dance made the first half: 44.78.
At the beginning of this segment, Vacation Dance and Gaslight Dancer continue to fight, with a regrouping Nagirroc winning with every stride. Nagirroc took the advantage from Gaslight Dancer as soon as he got past the sixteenth column to win with a score of 1:09.36.
Manuel Franco said his biggest concern is getting a clean break.
“That’s what we did, and after that, I didn’t want my horse to have to do too many (go) six hairpins,” Franco said. “I think the pace is good on the outside track. My horse pulled me right into the race behind the speed and I think that’s the key.”
Motion’s assistant coach Ian Wilson said he was impressed with the stalking effort.
“He did exactly what we wanted. Last time, he took the lead and we didn’t feel he needed to take the lead (today),” Wilson said. “Manny helped him settle into a seat behind the horses and once he had some space to go, he went. When he took him out and went somewhere, it looked like he was in the middle of nowhere. move well and move comfortably. He gets there and that’s all that matters.”
King Cause goes Wire to Wire in Knickerbocker Staking
Nice Guys Stables’ Cause King may be the oldest horse in the ten fields, but the seven-year-old son of Creative cause pulled out a nasty 15-1. He landed his first ranked bet win for coach Mike Maker in the $150,000 Knickerbocker (G3T) game for 3-year-olds and went up nine ramps across the courtyard at the Aqueduct.
Knocked out by Kendrick Carmouche, King Cause made his 33rd match in the Knickerbocker, finishing second in the September 14 handicap at Kentucky Downs. His third win this year, in addition to an optional score requiring two to start again Del Mar and win the aggregate bet on the Kentucky Cup Classic in April at Lawn Park.
King Cause wins Knickerbocker Stakes at Belmont Park
Breaking through turret 4, King Cause was rushed forward by Carmouche to set up the order to exit the slide, gaining a length advantage over last year’s Queen’s Plate winner, Safe Behavior with multiple winners classified bets Pixelate in third place through a quarter-mile opening in: 25.33 on corporate turf.
The field focuses on the first turn, causing Eons stable, but King Cause still clear to lead half-mile call in: 50.90. With more rearward separation, Safe Behavior and Pixelate inched closer when Field Pass ready to make his move outside from Wednesday. King Cause was gently lured by Carmouche through 3/4 in 1:14.87 and began to outpace his opponents, maintaining a steady rhythm on the final turn.
King Cause, under the encouragement of the right wing, plunged into the lane with a clear advantage and held back the Pixelate and Safe Conduct duo, recording a two-way stretch win with a score of 1:50.06.
Steve Spielman of Nice Guys Stables said he trusts his horse.
“He’s in good form and his numbers are right here. We think he’s got a good shot,” said Spielman. “He had some bad luck in the race, but the horse always gave his best. He liked to go first and he got the ride right and Kendrick did a great job. He had the right fractions. fit and he’s tough when he’s on the lead at the beginning of the stretch.”
Spielman said King Cause is no stranger to beating the odds, recalling how the dark bay overcame the illness that nearly took his life following his victory at Saratoga in August 2020.
Spielman said: “He’s a good carrier. He’s a great horse. He’s been really sick for a while and we saved his life. He’s been off for over a year and he’s already paid. give us our money back,” Spielman said. “I have to thank Burleson Ranch for all the time it took to keep this horse alive. It had a rare infection they couldn’t get rid of. It was right after the Saratoga race. This horse. came back and rewarded us. He’s a gift that never stops giving.”
“Coming to the race today, not so much speed,” added Carmouche. “I counted for me to break through and see where I was. Those guys held on, and I was able to go as slow as I could and make myself the winner. He exploded home. After the splits. That number, you have to expect him to come home fast.”
Bred in Kentucky by Bret Jones, King Cause made an $82,500 win, increasing his earnings to $601,228. He returns $32.80.
This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse Staff.
