Maiden Dream Bigger overpowers rivals in New York Breeders’ Futurity

By Sarah Mace

Twice a beaten favorite in the New York-bred maiden special weight ranks, Repole Stable’s Dream Bigger put the world on notice Monday that he was wasn’t fooling around anymore.

Shipping in to Finger Lakes with his maiden status, a pair of seconds and jockey Jose Ortiz in tow, the grey son of New York sire Mission Impazible dominated the richest race of the season in Farmington, winning the 57th running of the $204,713 New York Breeders’ Futurity for New York-bred juveniles by more than 10 lengths

This year’s New York Breeders’ Futurity attracted the first- through fourth-place finishers of the local prep, the $114,000 Aspirant Stakes on September 9: Listentoyourheart, Mission Wrapitup, A Maize Zing Rip and Disco Deano. Also throwing her hat in the ring, as the lone filly of the field, was My Italian Rabbi, winner of the $108,000 Lady Finger Stakes run on the same day.

Still, Dream Bigger, who is conditioned by Rudy Rodriguez, came into the race with a Beyer edge even over his stakes-winning rivals. Earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 81 when second in his debut to impressive Sackatoga Stable prospect Tiz the Law on August 8 at Saratoga, he notched a 77 when second by three-quarters of a length on September 15 at Belmont. The next highest Beyer in the field was 75, earned by My Italian Rabbi in the Lady Finger. Finger Lakes bettors no doubt also took the hint that the presence of top NYRA jockey Jose Ortiz could mean that Dream Bigger was sitting on a big race. The colt was sent off as the 4-5 favorite, accordingly.

Breaking from post three, Dream Bigger powered confidently to the front the of the pack, ridden by Ortiz as if he knew he was on the best horse. As he led by by three-quarters of a length through early fractions of 22.65 and 45.76, the only rival able to exert even token pressure was the filly My Italian Rabbi (2-1), despite her slow break.

Once Dream Bigger hit the head of stretch, however, the race was, for all practical purposes, over. He powered home, extending his lead to more than six lengths by midstretch. By the finish line, Dream Bigger was 10 3/4 lengths to the good. The final time for the six furlongs over the fast dirt track was 1:11.01.

My Italian Rabbi held second, four lengths ahead of Mission Wrapitup in third. Completing the order of finish were Listentoyourheart, A Maize Zing Rip, Disco Deano and Dr Mac.

Bred by Sequel New York, Twin Creeks Racing and Pamela Zielinski, Dream Bigger is the most recent reported foal, and one of two winners, out of Downtown Daria, a Kentucky-breed winner by Sky Mesa. The mare’s Noonmark filly Downtown at Noon placed in the Niagara at Finger Lakes in 2017 and earned just shy of six figures. Downtown Daria has been bred back to Mission Impazible.

Dream Bigger took three trips through auction ring. Northface Bloodstock purchased him for $15,000 as a weanling out of the 2017 Fasig-Tipton New York fall mixed sale. Returning next summer in the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale, he brought $65,000 from Whetstone Farm. Mike Repole went to $205,000 to take him home from the OBS spring 2-year-old sale this spring. From the pair of seconds and the Futurity victory, Dream Bigger has earned $150,828.

New York sire Mission Impazible[2] stands at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2019/09/30/dream-bigger-ny-breeders-futurity/

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Baby Boss calls the shots in Arctic Queen

By Sarah Mace

Neal Allread’s Baby Boss showed heels to a field of New York-bred fillies and mare sprinters in the 20th running of the $50,000 Arctic Queen Stakes at Finger Lakes on Monday, taking command shortly after the break, and pouring it on in the stretch to earn her second career stakes victory for trainer Jeremiah Englehart.

The blaze-faced 4-year-old bay daughter of Frost Giant[2] was sent off at odds of 9-5, but had stiff competition for popularity. Charlton Baker-trainee Forever Changed vied for favoritism (1.65) with a coupled entry of Chester and Mary Broman homebreds trained by Chris Progno – New Girl in Town and Investment Invite (1.75).

Exiting post three (of eight) under Luis Colon, the Baby Boss didn’t get out of the gate the fastest of the bunch, but remedied that situation well before the first point of call, rushing up to the lead and opening up a length advantage. She was pursued by a cluster of five rivals all jockeying for position to get first run at her, chief among them sophomore Forever Changed and New Girl in Town, who vied throughout for second.

Cruising through opening splits of 22.34 and 45.70 while extending her lead to two lengths, Baby Boss got a couple of sharp reminders from her pilot to keep her mind on business once she straightened away for the drive. The filly responded by pouring it on, ultimately crossing the finish line a 5-length winner in a final time of 1:10.65 for six furlongs over the fast track.

Forever Changed won the battle for second, finishing 2 1/2 lengths ahead of New Girl in Town. Longshot Tax Me Naught (42-1) completed the superfecta followed home by Dragoness, Investment Invite, Crashing Connie and Ohmygollymsmolly.

The Arctic Queen score improved Baby Boss’ record to five wins, one second and one third from 15 starts and was her second career stakes victory. In her fourth career start in April 2018 she won her stakes debut in the Park Avenue Division of the New York Stallion Stakes. She suffered a win drought after that, but has been rounding back into form of late with back-to-back victories at Laurel in February and June. In her most recent start, she tired after setting the pace in the Union Avenue at Saratoga on August 15.

Bred by Eric Bishop, Baby Boss is one of three winners from three foals to start out of Wild in Montana, a Kentucky-bred multiple winner by Yankee Victor. Neal Allread purchased Baby Boss for $23,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic spring sale of 2-year-olds for $23,000. Her earnings now stand at $214,690.

Wild in Montana has a juvenile by Verrazano named Lasagna who has not yet started and her most recent reported foal is a yearling colt by Big Brown.

Baby Boss’ sire Frost Giant stands at Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions LLC[3].

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2019/09/30/baby-boss-arctic-queen/

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Fifty Five successfully defends title in John Hettinger Stakes

By Sarah Mace

It can be risky to take consistency for granted, but Peter M. Brant’s Fifty Five appears to be the exception that proves the rule. Successfully unleashing her patented winning move in late stretch, the 5-year-old daughter of Get Stormy captured her second edition of the $125,000 John Hettinger Stakes at Belmont Park Sunday as the 1-2 favorite.

A winner of 10 races in 21 starts, with only two off-the-board finishes in her career, this dream horse has now earned $917,788. Her stakes wins total seven, led by the Grade 3 Florida Oaks.

Despite Fifty Five’s apparent dominance in the New York-bred female turf division, there was no shortage of would-be spoilers signed on for this year’s Hettinger, which is run at a nine furlongs on the inner turf. The size of the field field yielded one potential Achilles heel for Chad Brown-trainee when she drew the outside post of nine. Given the short run into the clubhouse turn, regular rider Javier Castellano would have his work cut out to get position without losing too much ground early. Castellano was up to the challenge.

Able to make her way over into the three-path by the first turn, Fifty Five set up shop in fifth just three lengths off the pace. Wish Upon, on the lead, posted very moderate early splits of 25.12 and 49.61.

Travelling comfortably, along the backstretch, Fifty Five began to move while rounding the far turn, got set down for the drive three wide and began picking off her foes.

Striking the front past the furlong marker, she was called upon to dig in as War Canoe, outrunning her 9-1 odds, made a menacing rally into second. Fifty Five responded and held, securing the win by three-quarters of length. Further back by 2 3/4 lengths 9-1 Wegetsdamunnys got third. After a mile in 1:36.45, the final time was 1:47.67.

Castellano was all admiration for his mount. “She’s a special horse,” the pilot said. “She’s very consistent and I like the way that she did it today. You can see the pace was slow, but she was close to it and in a good position. Usually, she isn’t that close but with the way the pace was, she was in a good comfortable rhythm and in a good spot in the race. She got the job done. She just knows how to win. I thought I had the best horse in the race and I’m glad to get it done.”

Chad Brown’s assistant Whit Beckman said “She appreciates this turf course a lot. The wider turns give her a little more room to negotiate, although she set herself a little closer today going with the trend. Javier [Castellano] knows her very well. I didn’t have to tell him much as he has ridden her in many of her starts.”

Bred by John and Sandy Crowe’s Empire Equines and foaled at Berkshire Stud[3] in Pine Plains, Fifty Five is one of two winners out of Empire’s homebred stakes-placed mare Soave by Brahms. Fifty Five RNA’d for $24,000 at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sales only to emerge as Get Stormy’s first stakes winner when she won the Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs. Brant purchased the filly privately from Empire Equines after the Grade 3 Florida Oaks, which she won for trainer Tom Bush. She moved to Brown’s barn after changing hands.

 

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2019/09/22/fifty-five-hettinger-2019/

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Dot Matrix on point in Ashley T. Cole

By Sarah Mace

Dot Matrix, a 6-year-old gelded son of Freud campaigned by Marshall Gramm’s Ten Strike Racing, is in career form these days. He underscored the point Sunday with a half-length victory over a deep field in the 44th running of the $125,000 Ashley T. Cole for New York-breds at 1 1/8 miles over the inner turf at Belmont Park.

The victory was Dot Matrix’ fifth win in his last nine starts and his second career stakes tally. Second by just a neck last out in the West Point at Saratoga, the flashy bay sealed the deal this time around when he wrested the lead from tenacious pacesetter Voodoo Song.

As a testament to the strength of the field assembled for this year’s Ashley T. Cole, Dot Matrix was let got at odds of 8-1 – the second longest price of seven — despite his recent success.

The post time favorite was Gucci Factor (8-5), winner of his last three, most recently the Grade 3 Poker on June 16. Also, in the mix was Grade 1 winner Voodoo Song (3-1), unplaced in two 2019 starts and seeking to regain his form after a late start to training this year. Other stalwarts from this competitive division included multiple stakes winners Offering Plan (9-2), who beat Dot Matrix by a nose in the West Point, and Therapist (7-1), also by Freud

The lone speed on paper, Voodoo Song followed the script and took control of the pace after the break. He led the field unchallenged through a first half-mile in 48.14 and three-quarters in 1:11.78. Favorite Gucci Factor, meanwhile, had a disastrous break, lurching to the right just before the gate opened, smashing the wall and spotting the field 13 lengths.

Dot Matrix marked Voodoo Song from the start, pursuing 2 1/2 lengths behind. Closing the gap in the far turn he began to turn on the pressure. Dot Matrix engaged Voodoo Song at the head of the stretch then got a head in front around the furlong maker.

Voodoo Song fought on bravely on the inside, but ultimately to no avail. Dot Matrix crossed the line a half-length winner. A half-length behind Voodoo Song, Offering Plan closed well from far back get third, while Therapist completed the superfecta.

Completing the order of finish were Red Knight and Gucci Factor, whose trip was ill-fated from the start, and Memories of Peter After one mile in 1:35.08, Dot Matrix completed the nine furlongs in 1:46.57.

Luis Saez said, “What a nice trip! He broke so perfect. I let Voodoo Song take the lead because I knew he was the target. I had plenty of horse at the half-mile pole and, when we came to the stretch, I was worried a little bit because Voodoo Song tried to come back. But my horse was responding very well.”

Brad Cox’s assistant Dustin Dugas said, “He’s a hard-knocking horse who has been around here forever, and it’s nice to finally break through up here. He runs well everywhere else, but to finally get it done in his own state is nice. Luis knows him so well and gave him a terrific ride. He was a lot closer than I thought he was going to be, but he was comfortable cruising along. Luis rode him so confidently. It kind of helped the horse out as well. It was a nice victory.”

Voodoo Song’s pilot was encouraged by an improved effort in his third 2019 start. Said Jose Lezcano, “He broke running and he ran a good race. It was a good effort and [Dot Matrix] just got up to get him in the end, but it was an encouraging effort.”

A consistent runner for Abby Adsit in 2016 and 2017, Dot Matrix joined Brad Cox’s barn in late December 2017. Since then he has won six of 11 starts including his first stakes victory last year at Indiana Grand, when he captured the Warrior Veterans Stakes. For his career, he has won nine times in 28 starts, with four seconds and four thirds and earned $455,487.

Bred by Truxton Stables and foaled at Winslow Stevens and Philippe Lasseur’s Keane Stud[3] in Amenia, Dot Matrix is one of five winners from five foals to start out of six-time winner Aunt Dot Dot by Gulch. Aunt Dot Dot’s second foal, PA-bred Aunt Ellipsis by Successful Appeal, is also a stakes winner. The mare’s most recent foal is a juvenile filly by Normandy Invasion named Dash Dot Dot who has not yet started. She was bred this year to Sharp Azteca.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2019/09/22/dot-matrix-ashley-t-cole/

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Congratulations in order to Grade 2 Kelso winner and new millionaire Pat On the Back

By Sarah Mace

Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, and Nehoc Stables’ Belmont-loving Pat On the Back earned the first graded victory of his career on Saturday when he rallied to win Belmont’s Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso Handicap. The extra icing on the Kelso cake for his connections was that the $165,000 winner’s share of the purse pushed Pat On the Back’s earnings over $1 million.

In 25 prior starts, Pat On the Back had already compiled a top-notch resume, and came into the Kelso looking for his eighth stakes victory. A 5-year-old horse by Congrats, Pat On the Back was precocious, winning the Aspirant and Sleepy Hollow at two for trainer Ken McPeek. He picked up the Ontario County Stakes the following year. In 2018 and 2019, the chestnut really came into his own in the barn of Jeremiah Englehart, taking down four major New York-bred stakes: the Saginaw and Empire Classic last year and Affirmed Success and Commentator in 2019.

Unplaced in a pair of Grade 3 tries at two and three and a solid fifth in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile last year, Pat On the Back has largely stuck to the state-bred ranks, but that has not shielded him from graded-caliber competition.

He gave multiple Grade 1 winner Diversify almost everything he could handle in the 2018 Commentator, finishing second by just a nose, and downed multiple graded stakes winner Giant Expectations and the talented Mr. Buff in the same race this year. All that was lacking was that graded win. He took care of that on Saturday.

Very keen out of the gate, Pat On the Back (7-2 third choice) nevertheless allowed regular rider Dylan Davis to wrangle him back to draft in behind a three-ply pace duel that percolated up front. Monongahela led inside (9-1) pressed hard by both True Timber (6-1) and favorite Prince Lucky (6-5) through opening splits of 22.96 and 45.73.

Tracking the front three along the backstretch and through the far turn, Pat On the Back edged toward outside for running room in the approach to the quarter pole, angled out four wide and got set down for the drive.

After passing True Timber, Pat On the Back set about grinding down new leader Prince Lucky until he grudgingly gave up the advantage midstretch. Pat On the Back then edged away to win by one-half length in an impressive final time of 1:33.97.

Pat On the Back’s Kelso victory improved his already-impressive Belmont record to six wins in 11 starts with three seconds and one third. The purse also propelled his earnings to $1,101,032.

Englehart credited his jockey for settling Pat On the Back sufficiently so he could run his race. “He really is a fighter and Dylan did a fantastic job of getting him off the pace,” the conditioner said. “We didn’t want to be on the lead today and Dylan really did a masterful job of being able to get him back behind horses without fighting him too much. That was amazing.”

Davis also addressed mount’s keenness. “Today, I just tried to get him to relax. He broke sharp again today and I got a good hold of him and he settled behind the leaders. I put myself behind Johnny [Velazquez, aboard Prince Lucky]. He was the horse to beat. Once they kicked on, he opened up for me outside of [Prince Lucky] and he finished well.

Continued Davis, “This is the best horse I’ve had in my career. I’ve been with him from when he was a 2-year-old, watching him grow. It was a little emotional galloping out. We’re a team and we were pushing up the stages and both working a rank up.”

Co-owner Harold Lerner said, “He’s gotten better with age. Obviously, he loves Belmont. He’s a one-turn horse and a mile is perfect for him. We got some pace up front which set him up real well. Dylan knew exactly what he had to do. He had to sit off the pace and when he asked ‘Pat’ to go, ‘Pat’ went. We’ve seen this before from this horse. He just seems to get the job done. He’s a real working class racehorse. It was a good horse race and we couldn’t be happier.”

Continued Lerner, “He knows what to do in a brawl, he’s a back alley fighter and he comes prepared to give his best. Jeremiah had him cranked up real well. I’ve been in this game a while and I love to see what I just saw – a horse that tries super, super hard. I tip my hat to the horse that ran second [Prince Lucky], he’s a real nice horse. Today, we got the job done. Everything all around worked out great.”

Lerner now finds himself in the enviable position of weighing the options of sending Pat On the Back to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita or contesting the Empire Classic at home.

“I’m going to think about it this week. I’ll have to speak with Jeremiah. We’ve never shipped this horse 3,000 miles. The Empire Classic was on our calendar towards the end of the meet and it’ll be here at Belmont, so that’s a big plus for us. I think we’ll talk about it. How far we get in the conversation I’m not sure, but it’ll be an interesting conversation to have.”

Bred by Sugar Maple Farm where he was foaled, Pat On the Back is the last foal out of an unplaced Kentucky-bred Awesome Again mare named Accomplished. Purchased by Dan Haydon at the 2004 Keeneland November sale for $40,000, Accomplished produced eight winners from eight foals to start. Her other foal to earn black type, Sarah Accomplished by Performing Magic, won the 2008 Fifth Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes series.

Pat On the Back was purchased by Ken McPeek for $70,000 at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale. After 17 starts, he moved his tack to the Englehart barn where he has thrived.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2019/09/21/kelso-pat-on-the-back/

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Cleon Jones catches them all in Bertram F. Bongard Stakes

By Sarah Mace

Gold Square’s Cleon Jones, by Tale of the Cat, rallied four-wide in the stretch to catch three fellow New York-bred juveniles in the final strides for his first career stakes victory in Belmont’s $150,000 Bertram F. Bongard on Friday.

Before lining up for seven-furlong Bongard, Cleon Jones had been improving steadily with added distance over three career starts for trainer Jeremiah Englehart.

Not impactful when he finished fifth to Listentoyourheart, eventual Aspirant Stakes winner, in their shared five-furlong debut at Belmont on June 23, Cleon Jones rebounded next out to break his maiden at six panels, coming from off the pace to prevail by 3 1/2 convincing lengths at the Spa on July 28.

Spotted next in the 6 1/2-furlong Funny Cide on Saratoga New York Showcase Day, Cleon Jones ended up further off the leaders than ever before. Though he finished well, the colt ended up with too much to do in the stretch and finished second, 4 3/4 lengths behind City Man.

City Man, also returning in the Bongard, was the even-money post time favorite based on his dominant Funny Cide performance. Cleon Jones, who was partnered with Irad Ortiz, Jr. for the first time, was let go at 6-1 odds, fourth choice in the field of five.

Cleon Jones raced closer to the pace this time, traveling two-wide in fourth along the backstretch just three lengths behind pacesetter Three Jokers. Speedster Moonachie (3-2), who got off a step slow, rushed up into contention to press the pace in second, while City Man in third at the rail provided a target for Clean Jones.

While Three Jokers clocked the fractions of 23.16 and 46.71, the order remained unchanged, but the field grew more compact through the turn. Moonache advanced to engage Three Jokers and Cleon Jones drew even with City Man.

The front four fanned out for the stretch run and at the furlong marker each seemed to be in with a chance. Three Jokers clung to the rail, Moonache vied two-wide, City Man rallied in the three path and Cleon Jones revved up outside them all.

Moonachie dropped out the fight in late stretch, but Cleon Jones lengthened his stride and closed best of all, just getting up for the win by a head. Three Jokers held on bravely for second just a nose ahead of City Man in third. Moonachie, stablemate to Cleon Jones, finished fourth and Theitalianamerican completed the order of finish.

“I was in a good position throughout and just followed the instructions of Jeremiah [Englehart],” said Irad Ortiz, Jr. “He told me [Cleon Jones] likes to be out in the clear and he was responding very well every time I asked him. He was coming so I just kept riding him hard, and he got there on time.”

Assessing the performance of both the winner and Moonachie, Englehart said, “Originally, I liked the spot Moonachie was in. I told Irad that he’d have to get Cleon into the clear to get his best running. It seemed like he was able to do that early on in the race. Moonachie probably just got a little compromised by the start and maybe came back a little quick. I thought they both ran well.”

Englehart added, “Cleon has been a good horse from the start, and we had high hopes for him in his first start. It’s just funny how some of these baby races work out sometimes.”

Cleon Jones was bred by John and Sandy Crowe’s Empire Equines LLC and is the most recent reported foal out of Whispering, a Kentucky-bred winner by Quiet American who is batting a thousand as a broodmare with two winners from two to start. Cleon Jones’ third dam, multiple group winner Martessa, was mare of the year and champion 3-year-old filly in her native Germany.

Englehart and Gold Square bought Cleon Jones at the OBS March sale this spring for $325,000. “[At the sale], Cleon Jones was such a good looking colt,” Englehart said. “Tale of the Cat is getting a little long in the tooth, but Eddie Woods does such a nice job with his babies. He was one that looked the part. He had a nice, strong hind end to him, and I thought he’d be a nice racehorse. It seems like the longer the better for him, which is kind of surprising.”

 

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2019/09/20/cleon-jones-bongard-stakes/

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