Lubash just up to edge Kharafa and set course record in Mohawk

by Bill Heller

Two New York-bred turf titans, Aliyu Ben J Stables’ eight-year-old home-bred Lubash and Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch’s six-year-old gelding Kharafa, put on a spectacular show in the 37th running of the mile-and-a-sixteenth $200,000 Mohawk Stakes Saturday on Showcase Day at Belmont Park. Junior Alvarado got Lubash, the 7-2 second choice in the field of nine, up by a head over Kharafa, the even-money favorite ridden by Javier Castellano, in a course record 1:39.08.

“It’s fun, these two horses,” Lubash’s trainer, Christophe Clement, said. “He (Kharafa) is tough to catch, but it worked out. Sometimes you get lucky. We’ve been second three times (in this stakes), but it was our time to win it.”

Lubash is all about winning. He’s now nine-for-24 at Belmont. He had won three straight stakes this year before tiring to fourth behind Kharafa in the Ashley T. Cole Stakes at a mile-and-an-eighth on Sept. 20th. Lubash had beaten Kharafa in two of their previous three meetings.

Neither Lubash nor Kharafa were near an intense pace duel Saturday as 13-1 Notacatbutallama and 11-1 Orino battled through an opening quarter in 22.91 and a testing half-mile of 45.76. Then Irad Ortiz sent 20-1 With Exultation up three-wide to join them. After three-quarters in 1:09.15, With Exultation took the lead, but Kharafa and Lubash had dead aim and came at him quickly on the outside.

Kharafa had first shot at With Exultation and went by him to take a clear lead as Lubash began to confront him at the sixteenth pole. They separated themselves and fought it out to the wire with Lubash inching clear late.

Iron Power rallied to finish third at 8-1, 3 1/4 lengths behind Kharafa. With Exultation was just a neck behind Iron Power fin fourth. [VIDEO[3]]

Lubash is now 15-for-42 on turf with nine seconds and five thirds. He also has a win from three dirt starts for total earnings of more than $1,350,000.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2015/10/24/lubash-mohawk-15/

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Empire Dreams holds off Royal Posse to win the Empire Classic

by Bill Heller

Showing just how much improvement a Thoroughbred can make in a year, West Point Thoroughbreds’ four-year-old gelding Empire Dreams captured Saturday’s 40th running of the mile-and-eighth $300,000 Empire Classic by three-quarters of a length under Manuel Franco at Belmont Park. Empire Dreams, who went off at 7-2 in the field of nine, finished ninth by 17 lengths in the 2014 Empire Classic with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.

Royal Posse, the 5-2 second choice under Javier Castellano, was a brave second, 4 3/4 lengths clear of Full of Mine, a 71-1 longshot on the rail ridden by Angel Arroyo, in third. Johannesburg Smile, who went off at 52-1, finished fourth, another three lengths back.

Tom Albertrani trains Empire Dreams, a son of Patriot Act out of Ascended Dreams by Thunder Gulch, who was bred by Pegasus Dream Stable and sold for $35,000 as a two-year-old in April, 2013.

Albertrani gave Empire Dreams a vacation after last year’s Empire Classic and Empire Dreams has hiked his game considerably. He followed a second in the $100,000 Affirmed Success Stakes in his four-year-old debut May 3 with a three-quarters of a length victory in the $200,000 Commentator Stakes. After finishing second by three-quarters of a length in the $98,000 Saginaw Stakes, Empire Dreams was a wide eighth in the $100,000 Alydar Stakes. In his final start before the Empire Classic, Empire Dreams finished third in the $100,000 Evan Shipman.

Franco settled Empire Dreams in fifth early as Warrioroftheroses, who went off at 9-1 from the nine post under Jose Lezcano, sprung to an early two-length lead. Saratoga Snacks, the slight 5-2 favorite under John Velazquez, Royal Posse and 8-1 Sioux, who was ridden by Jose Ortiz, chased Warrioroftheroses through a quarter in :23.23 and a half-mile in :45.65.

After three-quarters of a mile in 1:09.78, Warrioroftheroses tired. Sioux rushed up to take a tenuous lead and Saratoga Snacks advanced into second. But Royal Posse, racing three-wide around the far turn, and an even wider Empire Dreams both powered past them in mid-stretch. “When I made my move, I knew I had a lot of horse,” Franco said.

Empire Dreams took a narrow lead on the outside of Royal Posse, who battled on bravely to the wire. Empire Dreams, though, prevailed. “It worked out perfectly,” Albertrani said. “Manny gave him a perfect ride, just nice and patient. There was a good pace in front of us and he just reeled them in. He loves this track, so it just worked out.” [VIDEO[3]]

Empire Dreams really loves Belmont Park. He has three wins and four thirds from eight starts. For his career, he is five-for-17 with six seconds, two thirds and earnings topping $670,000.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2015/10/24/empire-dreams-empire-classic/

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La Verdad much the best in Iroquois for sixth straight in ’15

by Sarah Mace

The connections of La Verdad’s rivals in the 6 1/2-furlong $150,000 Iroquois for filly and mare sprinters on Empire Showcase Day must have greeted the news with dismay that trainer Linda Rice had opted to run the multiple graded stakes winner in New York when she is also entered next weekend at Keeneland in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint or Sprint. And with good reason. Though forced into the unusual position of rating, Lady Sheila Stable’s star sprinter showed her class and dominated the field of 11 fillies and mares.

Partnered with regular jockey Jose Ortiz and looking to drive her 2015 record to a perfect six-for-six while bet down to 30 cents on the dollar, La Verdad broke toward the outside of the full field from post eight of ten. Typically on the lead at every point of call in 15 prior wins, on Saturday La Verdad found herself chasing the pace in fourth, as set by longshot the trio of Women Win (37-1), Atlantic’s Smile (83-1) and Uncle Southern (52-1).

After the leaders clocked an opening quarter in 21.88 and half-mile in 44.94, La Verdad advanced into third round the far turn, then took control at the top of the stretch. The millionaire then opened up at will on her way to a comfortable 3 3/4-length victory in a final time of 1:15.96. The talented but aptly-named (and truly tricky) Tricky Zippy closed into second, followed in third by veteran campaigner Willet. Completing the order of finish were Make the Moment, Here’s Zealicious, Miss Da Point, Isabelle, Uncle Southern, Atlantic’s Smile and Women Win. [VIDEO[2]]

Jose Ortiz commented on the unusual trip. “I didn’t think I would have to come from off the pace with this kind of filly; she always goes to the lead,” said Ortiz. “I didn’t break very fast, so I put her in the race and let her be comfortable, wherever she wanted to be. I think she was much the best, so it worked out very well. I sat there and asked a little bit and by the three-eighths pole she responded well. I knew I was going to pass [the two leaders], so I just had to worry about one behind me [Tricky Zippy].”

Ortiz added, “I guess I don’t have to go to the lead every time. She took a little bit of dirt and reacted very good. Linda will have to decide what she wants to do with her [next week] but it was pretty easy today, I tried to take care of her as best I could.”

Rice said, “It was a tough week; they weren’t easy decisions. But one thing I know about horse racing – it’s not easy to win [especially] if you don’t take what’s right in front of you.”

As to the Breeders’ Cup prospects for both of her pre-entered horses, La Verdad and Palace (entered to contest the Hudson in the following race), Rice said, “What we do from here, I’m sure the next couple of days will help us decide. We have several options. We might take one or both [La Verdad and Palace] of them to the Breeders’ Cup but more than likely we’ll go to the Fall Highweight with one and the de Francis Dash with the other. There’s nothing wrong with winning. We have the time to think things over.”

A 5-year-old daughter of Yes It’s True, now six-for-six in 2015, all in stakes, most recently scored a victory over Breeders’ Cup contenders Wavell Avenue and Dame Dorothy in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Handicap. In her win column also this year is the Grade 2 Honorable Miss, Dancin Renee for state-breds, Grade 3 Vagrancy and Grade 2 Distaff Handicap.

Lifetime, La Verdad’s record is stunning: 16 wins from 22 starts with two seconds and a third and a grand total of 11 stakes victories, including last year’s renewal of the Iroquois, all of which have translated into a whopping bankroll of $1,440,700.

Bred by Eklektikos Stable LLC and foaled at Chester and Mary Broman’s Chestertown farm in Chestertown. La Verdad was purchased privately by Rosenblum following her second allowance victory in November 2013.

She is one of three winners from three starters out of successful producer Noble Fire (Hook and Ladder), a stakes-placed runner bred by Chester and Mary Broman and also trained by Rice, who bought her for Eklektikos for $115,000 at the 2007 OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds in training.

Noble Fire is also the dam of Hot City Girl, winner of the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks for the same connections this year and earner of over $344,000. Noble Fire’s first foal N. F’s Destiny (Cuvee) is an eight-time winner of over $335,000. She currently has a Freud yearling filly, was not bred last year and this past spring went to Will Take Charge.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2015/10/24/la-verdad-iroquois-15/

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Palace returns to the winner’s circle after a game victory in the Hudson

by Bill Heller

Validating trainer Linda Rice’s difficult decision, Antonino Miuccio’s six-year-old gelding Palace rallied on the far outside under Cornelio Velasquez to defeat game, front-running Captain Serious by three-quarters of a length in the 38th running of the 6 1/2-furlong $150,000 Hudson Handicap as the 4-5 favorite in the field of nine in 1:15.68 on New York Showcase Day Saturday at Belmont. In doing so, Palace won his first race since taking the Grade 1 Forego Stakes by 3 1/2 lengths, his second consecutive Grade 1 stakes victory, at Saratoga on August 30, 2014.

Weekend Hideaway, who went off at 11-1 under Luis Saez, was third, just a neck behind Captain Serious. Drama King, who saved ground the entire way, was fourth at 42-1 under Irad Ortiz Jr., a length and a half behind Weekend Hideaway.

But the spotlight fell on Palace, who had been limited to just five starts since last year’s Forego Stakes, finishing third twice, fourth, fifth and sixth. Regardless, Rice cross-entered him in next week’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland and waited until the last minute to make her decision.

“I think he’s capable of winning the Sprint on a given day, but we just haven’t had a smooth ride this year,” Rice said. “It’s been a difficult year for him, some hiccups along the way.”

Not Saturday.

Breaking from the extreme outside post, Palace got away fourth as Jose Ortiz hustled Captain Serious to the lead from the two post. Ostrolenka, who was 13-1 with John Velazquez aboard, and Weekend Hideaway also broke sharply and settled in on Captain Serious’ flank. Captain Serious led Ostrolenka by just a neck, with Weekend Hideaway another half-length back in a 22.49 first quarter.

Both Ostrolenka and Weekend Hideaway pushed slightly ahead of Captain Serious on his outside while Palace rushed up four-wide to join them after a half-mile in 45.44.

Captain Serious, though, had plenty left, and regained the lead as Ostrolenka tired. Weekend Hideaway drew even on Captain Serious’ outside while Palace continued to gain three-wide and Drama King advanced on the rail on the inside of Captain Serious. After three-quarters in 1:09.30, the Hudson was wide open.

Weekend Hideaway pushed a head in front of Captain Serious again, but Captain Serious came again. Neither could hold off Palace. [VIDEO[3]]

“I had the best horse in the race,” Velasquez said. “He was great. He broke well, sat behind the speed. I just wanted to keep him out of trouble and get him in the clear early. I had a lot of horse the last part of the race. He was definitely the best.”

With each victory added to his already glossy resume, Palace makes it more difficult to remember that Rice once claimed him for Miuccio for $20,000 three years ago. He tipped off his potential winning his first start for Rice and Miuccio by 11 3/4 lengths. Right now, he is now 11-for-24 on dirt with five seconds and four thirds. He also has a win from three turf starts for total earnings of just under $1.5 million.

Rice indicated Palace will make the final start of his career in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight at Aqueduct Nov. 26, a race Palace won two years ago. Then he will head to Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky to begin his life as a stallion. “It’s time to move onto a new career,” Rice said. “He’s a great horse and I love him.”

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2015/10/24/palace-hudson-15/

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Get Jets runs down Fish Trappe Road to capture Sleepy Hollow

by Sarah Mace

Team D’s Get Jets (Scat Daddy) not only turned the tables on Sudden Surprise, to whom he finished second by a neck in last month’s Bertram F. Bongard, but also ran down the talented Fish Trappe Road in deep stretch to win the $250,000 Sleepy Hollow for 2-year-olds at one mile to kick off the stakes portion of the Empire Showcase Day card at Belmont Park on Saturday

Get Jets was drawn in post four of nine and reunited with jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., who was aboard for the chestnut colt’s debut maiden-breaker at Saratoga at six furlongs on August 19 and close second in the seven-furlong Bongard on September 27. Backers bet Get Jets down to even-money favoritism, confident in his ability to stretch out to a mile given the proper pace scenario.

After the break that pace scenario materialized as Fish Trappe Road (6-1) and longshot Spin Cycle (57-1) hooked up on the front end and ran the first quarter-mile in 23.09. Sudden Surprise tracked in third, while Get Jets settled four-wide in sixth for the run up the back stretch.

After Fish Trappe Road eventually assumed the sole lead, Sudden Surprise moved up into second and Get Jets began to launch his bid, advancing to third around the far turn.

At the quarter pole Fish Trappe Road enjoyed a narrow advantage, but Get Jets set his sights set on the leader and closed with determination down the middle of the track, gaining the top spot just inside the sixteenth pole before going on to a 1 1/2-length victory.

Sudden Surprise was picked off by maiden Governor Malibu for third and completing the order of finish were Celtic Chaos in fifth, Inside Straight, Forever in Love, Spin Cycle and Uno Emayo. After a half-mile in 46.13 and three-quarters in 1:10.53, Get Jets stopped the clock after a mile at 1:36.21. [VIDEO[3]]

Victorious jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., reported, “I got a pretty good trip. I broke out of there and he put me in a good spot. I waited for the time to pick it up. He was great, he started picking off horses around the three-eighths pole. He was going well. He was a little clear, that’s just how the race came up, so I got it done that way. He’s a baby, he’s only had two races but [trainer Anthony Dutrow has] done a great job with him. He was ready today.”

Dutrow said, “I’m really happy. His pedigree says he’d stretch out, and to watch him stretch out today was very gratifying and hopeful for him in his upcoming 3-year-old year. He got some pace today; he didn’t last time. There was no plan. Irad was just going to play it as it happened. I have to be very happy with today’s performance, and with the way he finished up.”

After his debut victory, runner-up performance in the Bongard and win in the Sleepy Hollow, Get Jets has compiled a $223,800 bankroll in his short career.

Bred by Pat Pavlish and foaled at Akindale Farm in Pawling, Get Jets fetched a gaudy $300,000 price tag at OBS April. Consigner Cary Frommer had purchased the colt for $162,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred sale in Saratoga.

The colt is the first winner for his dam Sunny, a winning daughter of Dixieland Band and a half-sister to multiple stakes Winner Wake Up Kiss and two other stakes performers. Wake Up Kiss is dam of $3.4 million dollar New York-bred earner and Grade 1 winner in Japan A Shin Forward. Also appearing in female family are Grade 1-winning millionaires Dare and Go and Go Deputy, and sire Quiet American.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2015/10/24/get-jets-sleepy-hollow/

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