Sinistra scores special victory for Grusmark at long odds in the Evan Shipman

by Sarah Mace

Chevalier Stable’s Sinistra, a 4-year-old gelding by New York-based Stonesider[2] (Saratoga Stud LLC[3]), won his first stakes victory in Thursday’s $100,000 Evan Shipman Stakes for New York-breds as the longest shot on the board at 27-1, while giving trainer Karl Grusmark his first stakes win at the Spa. The Evan Shipman, run at 1 1/8 miles over a sloppy (sealed) main track, is the first of 10 stakes restricted to New York-breds on the Saratoga calendar.

Sinistra, who was making his Saratoga debut in his twenty-second career start, was forwardly placed by jockey Rosie Napravnik after the break and navigated the clubhouse turn three wide, two lengths behind speedsters Escapefromreality and Big Business.

Still three wide around the far turn in third position, Sinistra came under a ride at the top of the stretch and edged closer to the leaders.

[4]Still with a length to make up with a furlong to go, Sinistra kept on advancing and just got up in the final jumps to secure the victory over Big Business by a head. Escapefromreality finished a neck back in third. Completing the order of finish were Awesome Vision, Sailmate, Beautyinthepulpit, Moneyinyour Pocket and Fox Rules. After moderate early fractions of 24.59, 49.90 and 1:14.55 in the mud, and mile run in 1:39.17, the final time for nine furlongs was 1:51.96. [VIDEO[5]]

Napravnik, aboard Sinistra for the first time, said, “We sat pretty close to the pace, and I think he’s the type of horse where he doesn’t have a huge kick but he’ll keep grinding away, and he was sticking his neck out. Karl [Grusmark] told me he was kind of one-paced. He just kept grinding away. He’s a horse with a lot of heart.”

Grusmark said, “I’ve won races here through the years since the ’70s and this is the first stake [I’ve won] at this track. It’s very exciting. Anytime you win a good race, it’s very satisfying.”

In in his only prior stakes appearance Sinistra had finished a close second to graded stakes winner Zivo in the Kings Point at Aqueduct in February at 29-1, and his winning performance in the Shipman came as less of a surprise to his trainer than to most.

Said Grusmark, “We weren’t considered to be a good choice by the public, but we knew this horse loved the mud and he loved the distance. We’ve never had a chance to run him a mile and an eighth. This was his first opportunity and he ran like we thought he would. He’s just kind of a plodder. You get him in a good position early and he just kind of stays and wears horses down.”

When asked what he plans next for his charge, Grusmark said “The next New York-bred stakes race!” Sinistra, who raced throughout the winter at Aqueduct, cleared his state-bred conditions in late June. He has four wins, six seconds and three thirds from 22 starts and has earned $258,259

Bred by Edward L. Shapoff, foaled at Rojan Farm in Schuylerville and campaigned under the banner of Shapoff’s Chevalier Stable, Sinistra is one of three winners, and the first black type winner out of Margin for Error, Chevalier Stable’s placed daughter of Dixie Brass.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2014/07/31/sinistra-evan-shipman/

---

Favorite Bullheaded Boy wins debut for Gary Barber, gives Bullsbay first winner

by Sarah Mace

Gary Barber’s Bullheaded Boy got his career off to an auspicious start and gave his sire, first year stallion Bullsbay, his first winner, when he captured his debut at Saratoga on Thursday afternoon in a five-furlong maiden special weight for New York-bred 2-year-olds for the potent duo of Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez.

After being bumped at the break, Bullheaded Boy, 3-5 post time favorite, got right into gear and chased duelers Scorecard Harry and Watergate a length off the pace through early fractions of 22.54 and 46.20.

Rounding the turn four wide, Bullheaded Boy launched his bid in upper stretch, passed the two pacesetters and was left with the task of running down Persuasive Devil, who cut the corner in the turn to get into contention.

Persuasive Devil hung on with determination, but Bullheaded Boy prevailed in the final sixteenth, getting the victory by a half-length in a final time of 58.67 over the sloppy (sealed) going. [VIDEO[2]]

Bred by Zeke Kobak and Danny Bramer and foaled on May 2, 2012 at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Bullheaded Boy is the first starter out of Sister Dyer, a placed daughter of Pulpit. The colt’s second dam is 2-year-old Grade 2 dirt route winner Belterra, who won all three starts as a juvenile and earned over $300,000.

After failing to meet his reserve when offered as a weanling, Bullheaded Boy was purchased by 2-year-old pinhooker Justin Casse for $40,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred sale last summer. When Casse Sales consigned the colt at OBS June, Casse recommended him to his client Gary Barber, and purchased him on Barber’s behalf for $115,000.

Casse said, “I wouldn’t have bought him [as a yearling] if he wasn’t a NY-bred. He was my favorite horse in the New York-bred sale. I know what it’s like to sell New York-breds and it’s always very lucrative. He was so pretty. I knew it didn’t matter who he was by, he would sell well if I could get him to work fast [as a 2-year-old].”

Casse added that the colt would probably be at his best going longer distances.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2014/07/31/bullheaded-boy-debut/

---

Nonna Jo wins Spa unveiling after spirited stretch duel

by Sarah Mace

Nonna Jo, a first time starter by Majestic Warrior, outdueled speedy fellow-firster Myfourchix (Henny Hughes) in the stretch to win a five-furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-old New York-bred fillies at Saratoga Racetrack on Wednesday afternoon.

Nonna Jo broke alertly from post two under jockey Jose Ortiz, but ceded the lead in the early stages to Myfourchix to her inside, who broke from the one-hole.

Tracking the pacesetter a length back through rapid early fractions of 22.15 and 45.40, Nonna Jo engaged Myfourchix in midstretch, dueled with determination in the final furlong and pulled away in the final sixteenth to the get the victory by 1 1/2 lengths. The final time for five furlongs over the fast going was 58.45. [VIDEO[2]]

Neal Terracciano, who trains the bay filly for Lianna Stables Inc., said that Nonna Jo’s strong performance on debut came as no surprise, saying that she “was working great” at Belmont.” With recorded works dating back to mid-April, Nonna Jo posted two strong gate moves, including a five-furlong bullet on June 29. Terracciano did express concern about her being drawn near the inside though.

“I watched two dirt races and the inside was dead,” said Terracciano. “I knew [Myfourchix in post 1], being by Henny Hughes, would have speed. Once [Myfourchix] took over, I knew I was OK, because being inside today is a little bit tough, so far from what I’ve seen. I told the jock, ‘You break good, she’s fast. Just keep her on the outside.’”

In high spirits, Terracciano added “I’ve got a great owner, I’ve got a great team, I’ve great people on the farm. I’ve got everything. It’s so good. It’s Italian-American day so I had to win one of them!”

Bred by Vincent A. Vivolo, Jr. and foaled on March 11, 2012 at Summit View Farm in Greenwich, Nonna Jo is the first winner for her dam Spenny, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Menifee who won three dirt sprints. Spenny currently has a yearling colt by Girolamo named Mr Curiosity and a weanling filly by Marsh Side.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2014/07/30/nonna-jo-unveiling/

---

Tax Package wraps up a victory in Spa debut

by Sarah Mace

Tax Package, a colt by Pioneerof the Nile, kicked off Saratoga’s first Sunday card with a strong performance in a 5 1/2-furlong, $73,000 maiden special weight for New York-bred 2-year-olds.

Owned by Klaravich Stables Inc. in partnership with William H. Lawrence and trained by Chad Brown, Tax Package came into his debut with a steady series of Saratoga drills behind him dating back to early May, including two solid moves out of the gate.

One of six first-time starters in the field of eight, Tax Package settled in fourth after breaking from post six under Irad Ortiz, Jr., then moved into third as Navy Blue shot to the front from post two and opened up daylight on the field through a strong opening quarter-mile in 22.37.

Rounding the far turn Tax Package advanced in company three-to-four wide, and took over the lead in upper stretch before becoming locked in battle with second-time starter Thank You, who had moved up from sixth in the turn.

In the final stages Tax Package managed to shake off his stubborn rival with a quick burst of speed and went on to get the win by a decisive 1 1/2 lengths. Thank You in second just kept a nose in front of advancing Broman homebred Thirst for Glory who finished third. Following Thirst for Glory across the line were Navy Blue, Cosmo Storm, Desert Million, G R’s Giant and Sandler. The final time for the 5 1/2 furlongs over a fast track was 1:05.87; the win by Tax Package put his trainer Chad Brown on the board with his first victory of the meet. [VIDEO[2]]

Bred by Grapestock LLC  and George Reeb and foaled on February 4, 2012, Tax Package is the first offspring of D’ Country, a stakes-placed Ontario-bred daughter of out of D’wildcat who won going both short and long at Woodbine. The colt was purchased by Nick de Meric for $170,000 at last summer’s Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale.

Currently D’ Country has a yearling filly by Posse and a weanling colt by Soaring Empire.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2014/07/20/tax-package-spa-debut/

---

Graeme Crackers scores determined debut victory on opening day at Saratoga

by Sarah Mace

 

[Updated 7/19]

Ralph M. Evans’ homebred Graeme Crackers (Macho Uno) took the first New York-bred juvenile filly race of the 2014 Saratoga meet, out-battling fellow first-time starter The Lewis Dinner in the stretch to secure the victory by a determined half-length. The 5 1/2-furlong dash was run as race 6 on the opening day card for a purse of $73,000.

Trained for Evans by Rick Violette and drawn in the outside post of seven, Graeme Crackers had jockey Jose Ortiz in the irons, looking for his third victory of the day. After breaking alertly, the grey/roan filly set up outside pacesetter In Spite of Mama, who led by a diminishing length for the first three-eighths of a mile.

On even terms with In Spite of Mama at the head of the stretch, Graeme Crackers was asked for run in upper stretch only to face a new challenger in the form of The Lewis Dinner. As the two battled to the finish, Graeme Crackers stubbornly held on to a narrow advantage, crossing the wire a half-length winner. The final time for 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:05.42. Full Tap, finished third, followed by In Spite of Mama, Serious Happiness and Loon River. Saluda went to her nose at the start and lost jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. Both horse and rider appeared to escape injury in the incident. [VIDEO[2]]

Violette said later, “She’s done everything right without being a star. She’s probably a grass horse and wants to go longer. Two half-siblings have been very good grass horses, but you have to get your career started. She’s supposed to stretch out, being by Macho Uno. She was very game, and that was probably the best thing. She got hooked, she got headed, and she came back.”

Foaled on April 14, 2012 at Victory Lane Farm in Millbrook, Graeme Crackers is out of Graeme Central, a multiple winner by Graeme Hall bred in New York by Sez Who Thoroughbreds and trained by Violette. All three of her starters are winners, led by the City Zip colt Ampersand who earned $223,904.

 

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2014/07/18/graeme-crackers-debut-victory-saratoga/

---

Bustin It crushes it in Rockville Centre

by Sarah Mace

Maiden runner and second-time starter Bustin It (Bustin Stones) caught a flyer at the bell and never looked back, scoring a much-the-best victory in the inaugural running of Belmont’s $125,000 Rockville Centre Stakes* for New York-bred 2-year-olds, the final stakes race of the Belmont spring/summer meet.

Five juveniles lined up for the Rockville Centre after the early scratch of Cosmo Storm. A narrow second choice in the betting (1.05-1), Bustin It debuted a very strong runner-up in open company to Nonna’s Boy (Distorted Humor) over a muddy (sealed) track at Belmont on June 13. Nonna’s Boy is a top Pletcher/Repole prospect scheduled to make his next start in the Sanford Stakes on Saratoga’s opening weekend. Post time favorite (even money) was International Star (Fusaichi Pegasus), who broke his maiden well for Mike Maker and Ken and Sarah Ramsey in an open turf sprint in his unveiling on June 21. Since his debut, Bustin It had posted a pair of bullet works at three and four furlongs for trainer Mike Mareina, who co-owns the blaze-faced chestnut colt with S J Bee Stable and Kuehne Racing.

Exploding out of the gate under jockey Rajiv Maragh, Bustin It quickly opened up daylight on the field even before most of his rivals were properly into stride.

International Star pursued in second and mounted a bid three furlongs out, but Bustin It let it out another notch under a motionless Maragh, and extended his lead, ultimately winning by seven lengths on cruise control.

After clocking early fractions of 22.87 and 45.93, Bustin It stopped the clock after six furlongs at 1:11.69. Following runner-up International Star across the line were Midnight Nick, Elusive New Yorker and Essence at Noon. [VIDEO[2]]

Maragh said, “I think the experience had a lot to do with [the improvement in his second start]. He’s a typical 2-year-old, still learning the ropes, but it was a drastic improvement from his first race to today. He was much more focused, and he knew what it was about today. He left the gate, willing. He’s naturally fast.”

Trainer Mareina added, “I thought he ran well. It worked out just like I wanted. I told [jockey] Rajiv [Maragh] to open up out of the gate – he’s super quick – then once you open up sit on him and maintain a couple length lead; don’t burn him up early. Rajiv rode him absolutely perfect, and when he asked he kicked away and was throttled down.”

If all goes as planned, the chestnut colt, now a $90,000 earner, will start next in the $200,000 Funny Cide on Saratoga Showcase Day.

Bustin It, bred Casey Newick LLC and foaled at Meadow View Thoroughbreds in Canajoharie, is the third runner and third winner out of I Drink Alone, a winning New York-bred daughter of Intidab bred by Phil Trowbridge and Kip Elser. Out of stakes performer Grab Gingerly, I Drink Alone is a half-sister to stakes winner and graded stakes-placed Pavo ($304,991). Her second foal May Shares (Stonesider) is also a stakes winner, having beaten the boys as a juvenile in the Island Sun overnight stakes last October.

Bustin It, the second stakes winner for his sire Bustin Stones who stands at Waldorf Farm[3] in North Chatham, was purchased by Kuehne Racing for $70,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred preferred yearling sale.

*Rockville Center, for which the stakes is named, is a village located just southeast of Belmont Park named for Mordecai “Rock” Smith, an 18th century preacher, community leader, blacksmith, farmer, and justice of the peace.

 

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2014/07/13/bustin-it-rockville-center/

---

Hangover Kid makes the grade in Bowling Green thriller

by Sarah Mace

After knocking on the door against graded rivals ever since his third-place finish in the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth last summer, Hangover Kid earned his first full-blown graded victory when won a tight photo in the Grade 2, $200,000 Bowling Green for older horses. Run at 1 1/2 miles on the Widener Turf Course, the Bowling Green was the final graded stakes of the Belmont spring/summer meeting,

A 6-year-old horse by Lemon Drop Kid and homebred for Steve Taglienti’s Four Tags Stable, Hangover Kid was last seen finishing second in the Grade 2 Monmouth with big closing move. For the Bowling Green he was reunited after nearly two years with jockey Jose Lezcano, who rode him seven times before, including for his maiden-breaker in 2011. Although he was stretching out from nine furlongs to a mile and a half, he had previously recorded a victory at 1 3/8 miles, and, because he is a strong closer, the extra furlong seemed well within his scope.

Third choice in the six-horse field at 9-2, Hangover Kid was content to save ground from his inside post, tracking the pace in third as the race unfolded. Meanwhile, 18-1 longshot Horvat Clan enjoyed an uncontested lead, clocking comfortable fractions of 25.63, 51.93, 1:17.53 and 1:42.03 for a mile.

Caught behind a wall of horses in upper stretch, Hangover Kid found a seam just inside the eighth pole and scooted into second behind the new leader and 3-5 favorite Grandeur, who had rallied three wide.

Hangover Kid and Grandeur battled head to head to the wire, with Hangover Kid just getting the nod. It was another 3/4 lengths back to Sky Blazer, who rallied into third while Boisterous, Reflecting, and Horvat Clan completed out the order of finish. The final for 12 furlongs was 2:28.18.  [VIDEO[2]]

Lezcano said, “I know the pace was slow, and [Servis] told me to keep him right there. When I asked him, he gave me a very good kick. I prayed it would open up for me, and when [John Velazquez aboard No. 3 Boisterous] went out a little bit, my horse took off.”

Jason Servis reported by telephone, “It was thrilling; I wish I could have been there. I felt really good having Lezcano on him; he’s been riding unbelievable. The only thing I told him is ride him like you own him.”

Servis also has big plans for Hangover Kid for later on in the year. “We’d like to go to the Breeders’ Cup with him,” Servis said. “This race – being a graded stakes – got him points. I don’t know where he’ll go next, but the Breeders’ Cup is the ultimate goal.”

Winner of the West Point Stakes for New York-breds last summer in Saratoga, Hangover Kid last year secured two graded stakes placings at long odds. He came from last in a field of 12 to finish second in Aqueduct’s Grade 3 Red Smith Handicap at odds of 23-1, and mounted a strong late rally to finish third in Monmouth’s Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at odds of 47-1 in a field of eight. His runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes last month came at odds of 19-1.

Hangover Kid, whose record now stands at 7-7-3 from 24 starts with $625,203 in earnings, is the most successful of four winners out of Absolute Patience, an unraced Maryland-bred daughter of Rakeen. Absolute Patience currently has a 2-year-old filly by Munnings named Hold the Nutmeg and a yearling colt by Looking at Lucky named Revive and Resurge, both registered New York-breds. Revive and Resurge is catalogued for the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale in Saratoga this summer (Hip 218[3]). Although she did not produce a foal this year, according to Bruce Grossman, who manages Four Tags Stable,  Absolute Patience was bred back to Lemon Drop Kid in 2014.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2014/07/12/hangover-kid-bowling-green/

---

Flipcup on top in exciting 3-way finish in New York Oaks

by David Mattice

The Finger Lakes card on Saturday concluded with a three horse photo finish in the 28th renewal of the $75,000 New York Oaks. Flipcup scored a narrow victory over a stubborn Alwaysinstilettos and a closing Storied Lady.

The bay filly trained by William Mott completed the one mile and one-sixteenth route in a time of 1:46.55 She was directed to the neck triumph by John Davila, Jr.

The $214,209 earner registered her fourth career victory and paid $4.30, $2.70 and $2.10. Alwaysinstilettos returned $6.80 and $3.50 for finishing second and Storied Lady paid $2.60 for third.

Team Penny Racing, Wachtel Sable and Brous Stable were the winning owners that were presented a trophy by trainer Eileen Muller. Muller won the 2013 running of the annual test for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies with Miss Rubycubes.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2014/07/12/flipcup-new-york-oaks/

---