Christmas presents can bring smiles or smirks and sometimes something in between.
For coach Michael McCarthy, the news that the American Oaks (G2) was worth $302,500 for the 3-year-old filling has moved from Santa Anita . ParkThe main track progression is like receiving a gift card for an unfamiliar restaurant from Santa Claus. With 4 out of 10 race starters coming from McCarthy’s barn, and none of the 4 having an advantage when racing on dirt, he knew what to expect.
McCarthy said on TVG minutes before the 26th of December a match with all his owners the right to rake (their horses). “I feel like a prestigious race like this should be run on grass, whether it’s rescheduled or they did whatever they had to do to run it today. I can’t thank the owner. I own enough for wanting to keep running. It shares class 1 and I don’t know what will happen with the surface change.”
Like 4-5 favorites Go global Failing his dirty debut, McCarthy joins up with exactly the Eclipse Purebred Partner and the Thoroughbred TOLO’ Goddess Queen cast aside The most beautiful equal to 2 3/4 of the length to close the original tag of the winter encounter in Santa Anita.
“It’s very good. It’s spectacular,” McCarthy said of the win that followed Sunday’s win at the $201,500 Santa Anita Mathis Mile Stakes (G3) with $201,500 with Law professor when it is transferred from the grass to the dirt.
While American Oaks was automatically downgraded from 1st to 2nd because of the surface change, Eclipse founder and president Aron Wellman expects the US Ratings Commission to restore its 1st rating on resolution. problem next week.
“She did it well and did it in legal time (2:04.72 for 1 1/4 mile).” Wellman said. “She’s a real chubby and the chubby is second to her (Nicest) just second to the older folks in a graded stake, so there’s some form there.” It’s such an important race on the Southern California calendar that I hope the committee will uphold its 1st place status.”
While the Queen Goddess — daughter of Empire Maker bred by TOLO Thoroughbreds — having never raced on dirt, Wellman said she showed some brilliance while working on dirt during morning drills. The original plan was to test her in a dirt road race next year, but as a few rainy days lead to Sunday’s surface switch for the American Oaks 1 1/4 mile team, the timing seems perfect for rolling the dice and testing her on the main track.
“We were very excited for the chance to try her out on the dirt track, but as a 3-year-old, the pitch is where most of the options are. So our emotions weren’t stifled. hurt when the race goes on today,” said Wellman, whose team bought a 50% stake in the mare’s daughter Lemon Drop Kid. Royal Story earlier this year after she finished second in her debut on July 16. “She’s been training really well on the ground throughout the summer and we were intrigued by the prospect of someday giving she’s run on land. She’s done some things on dirt during special training. This opens up a whole new world of opportunities for her in 2022 and beyond.”
Coming fifth in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup presented by Dixiana (G1T) in her only other attempt, the Queen Queen took her third win in six starts. She is the first of three Royal Story ponies, who also produced Texas Tiaras , a 2 year old child Moon Malibu filthy people, and a yearning Mendelssohn dirty.
“We’re humbled to be a part of this, but Geoff Nixon and TOLO did all the dirty work,” Wellman said. “They bred her, they nurtured her, they raced for her, and were good enough to get us on board after she debuted. We’re thrilled to have this big win in the lake. her profile.”
Regardless of whether it’s a level 2 or level 1 win, American Oaks added an exclamation point to the 2021 campaign for Eclipse and its partners. Sunday’s win is the 23rd stake win for the stables, adding to a year that includes previous wins Hello West at Qatar Racing Breeders ‘Cup Sprint (G1) and Suzy is fast in Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot.
Wellman said: “The year 2021 has been a monster for us and I am grateful to our partners for the trust they have placed in us and excited that they can achieve such results. this.
Unlike most of her nine opponents, the Queen Mother clearly relishes turning into dirty play as jockey Juan Hernandez quickly guides her through a clear lead and is never seriously threatened. important in the test 10 times. She took a two-stage lead by one mile in 1:38.14 on the fast track and easily overcame the McCarthy-trained Nicest challenge in the final with $31.20 to win.
American pharoah , comes in second at 3 1/4 lengths to Head of Plains Partners’ Smooth socks , One Sleep purebred trained by Chad Brown.
Going global, starting 4-5 in six wins in seven starts in the US, racing in second by a mile with a promising but lackluster move on the way to the finish line Friday.
