NYTB announces 2019 New York-bred divisional championship nominees

[1]By Sarah Mace

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) is pleased to announce the nominees for the New York-bred divisional champions of 2019. New York turf writers, handicappers, chart callers and racing analysts will vote on the winners of each division. The voters will also choose the 2019 New York-bred Horse of the Year.

The 2019 New York-bred divisional champions and New York-bred Horse of the Year will be announced at NYTB’s Annual Awards Banquet on the evening of Monday, April 6, 2020 at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, New York. Also to be honored at the banquet will be Broodmare of the Year, Champion Trainer, Champion Jockey and Outstanding Breeder.

A list of the 2019 New York-bred divisional championship nominees by category follows with links to their Equibase profiles.

Champion Two-Year-Old Male:

Bank On Shea[2]
Captain Bombastic[3]
City Man[4]
Cleon Jones[5]
Dream Bigger[6]
Tiz the Law[7]

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly:

A Freud of Mama[8]
Big Q[9]
Critical Value[10]
Fierce Lady[11]
My Italian Rabbi[12]
Naked Avenger[13]
Rush On By[14]
Time Limit[15]

Champion Three-Year-Old Male:

Bankit[16]
Blindwillie McTell[17]
Dugout[18]
Funny Guy[19]
Not That Brady[20]
Rinaldi[21]
Somelikeithotbrown[22]

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly:

Espresso Shot[23]
Kid Is Frosty[24]
Miss Lily B[25]
Newly Minted[26]
Pat’s No Fool[27]
Stonesintheroad[28]
Wait a Minute[29]

Champion Older Dirt Male:

Giant Expectations[30]
Honor Up[31]
Mr. Buff[32]
Pat On the Back[33]

Champion Older Dirt Female:

Frostie Anne[34]
Holiday Disguise[35]
Kathryn the Wise[36]
Mrs. Orb[37]
Our Super Nova[38]
Out of Orbit[39]
Pauseforthecause[40]
Ratajkowski[41]

Champion Male Turf Horse:

Dot Matrix[42]
Gucci Factor[43]
Offering Plan[44]
Red Knight[45]
Rinaldi[21]
Therapist[46]

Champion Female Turf Horse:

Belle of the Spa[47]
Fifty Five[48]
Fire Key[49]
Kid Is Frosty[24]
Saratoga Treasure[50]

Champion Male Sprinter:

Bavaro[51]
Build to Suit[52]
Celtic Chaos[53]
Dugout[18]
My Boy Tate[54]
Tribecca[55]

Champion Female Sprinter:

Carrera Cat[56]
Holiday Disguise[35]
Kathryn the Wise[36]
Newly Minted[26]
Our Super Nova[38]
Pauseforthecause[40]
Startwithsilver[57]

 

 

 

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2020/01/31/2019-ny-divisional-champs-nominees/

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Dot Matrix notches first graded victory in John B. Connally Turf Cup

By Sarah Mace

Dot Matrix, owned by Marshall Gramm’s Ten Strike Racing and trained by Brad Cox, has just turned seven and never been better. On Sunday at Sam Houston Race Park the gelded son of Freud[2] (Sequel Stallions New York[3]) delivered a career performance scoring a confident stalking victory in the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup under Florent Geroux.

The Connally Turf Cup, a three-turn, 1 1/2-mile turf contest, represented the longest distance Dot Matrix had faced to date, but he was headed in that direction. In his final start of last year, he ran a solid third to Sadler’s Joy in the 1 3/8-mile Red Smith, which was his graded stakes debut. The Connally was also was Dot Matrix’s first start at Sam Houston, but he had won before on diverse tracks, including Fair Grounds, his winter base, Keeneland and Indiana Grand. He was sent off as the 3-1 third choice in the bulky field of 10.

Following a vigorous warmup, Dot Matrix exited post seven alertly and set up in second position at the flank of speedy first-time turf runner Sleepy Eyes Todd to lead the first flight – a close-packed group of six.

The top two held sway through the first mile, as the pace – predictably for the distance and “good” condition of the turf course – moderated. A 52.45 half-mile preceded a mile in 1:43.98.

Dot Matrix engaged Sleepy Eyes Todd in the approach to the third turn and took control. When he angled out at the head of the home stretch, he held a one-length lead. Marzo, the 5-2 favorite, moved with him.

[4]A rallying Bemma’s Boy, made a run at at the bay in deep the stretch, but made up little ground before Dot Matrix drove under the wire with a three-quarter-length victory in a final time of 2:33.46. Bemma’s Boy, who was the second betting choice, finished a half-length in front of Marzo in third.

New York-bred Cross Border was scratched from the field. Contesting the Grade 3 W. L. McKnight Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, he did everything but win for trainer Mike Maker and owner Three Diamonds Farm, leading into deep stretch and nailed on the line by longshot winner Spooky Channel.

Florent Geroux said in his post-Connally interview, “I found a nice cozy spot in the two-path. I just had to make sure I didn’t move too soon.”

Tessa Bisha, assistant to trainer Brad Cox, said, “He’s just the consummate professional. This horse is very classy, and he takes his job very seriously. When I saw the half in :52 and change and he was up there pretty close to the front, I knew that was a great spot for him. He tends to be pretty one-paced. He’ll close sometimes, but today he was in the perfect spot.”

[5]A consistent runner for Abby Adsit in 2016 and 2017, Dot Matrix joined Brad Cox’s barn for his final start of 2017. Since then he has won seven of 14 starts, including his first stakes victory in the Warrior Veterans Stakes in 2018 at Indiana Grand, the Ashley T. Cole for state-breds at Belmont in September 2019 and his graded victory in the Connally on Sunday.

For his career, Dot Matrix has won ten times in 31 starts, with four seconds and five thirds. His earnings total $601,487.

Bred by Truxton Stables and foaled at Winslow Stevens and Philippe Lasseur’s Keane Stud[6] in Amenia, Dot Matrix is one of five winners from six foals to start out of six-time winner Kentucky-bred Aunt Dot Dot by Gulch. Aunt Dot Dot’s second foal, PA-bred Aunt Ellipsis by Successful Appeal, is also a stakes winner.

Aunt Dot Dot’s most recent foal is a 2017 filly by Normandy Invasion named Dash Dot Dot. She was bred last year to Sharp Azteca.

 

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2020/01/27/dot-matrix-john-b-connally-turf-cup/

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Mr. Buff completes Robb-Jazil double for second straight year

By Sarah Mace

Chester and Mary Broman’s homebred Mr. Buff took consistency to a new level Saturday when he wired Saturday’s $100,000 Jazil Stakes for older horses at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The massive chestnut’s victory in the 1 1/8-mile contest not only represented a successful title defense, after he won the Jazil last year by more than five lengths (also in gate-to-wire fashion), but also marked the second straight year he put together back-to-back victories in the Alex M. Robb Stakes for New York-breds to close out one campaign and won the Jazil to kick off the next.

In peak form for a prolonged period, 6-year-old Mr. Buff came into the Jazil having won eight of his last 12 starts going back to November 2018. He was facing off-going – a muddy (sealed) track – for the first time in over a year, but it seemed to take nothing discernable away from in his performance.

Breaking smoothly from post one as the 3-5 favorite in the scratched-down field of five, Mr. Buff took control early under regular partner Junior Alvarado. He set opening splits of 23.53 and 47.30 while keeping a measured length in front of Leitone in second and Stan the Man in third. Backsideofthemoon chased eight lengths back, while Adventist was outrun by more than 20 lengths after the first half-mile.

Clear through the far turn and still fully in charge at the quarter pole, Mr. Buff cruised home over the slop unchallenged, completing a mile in 1:38.05, nine furlongs in 1:51.82 and winning by a final margin of five lengths. Backsideofthemoon closed into second, while just keeping a nose in front of Adventist who had barreled home from far out of it to finish third. Leitone and Stan the Man faded to third and fourth.

Alvarado explained his tactics for the race. “I thought with [Leitone] on the outside with a little speed there’s no chance for me to sit second,” the jockey said. “I had to go. If I let him go, I probably wouldn’t catch him. I didn’t think any horse was coming from behind in this race, that’s what I told [trainer] John [Kimmel]. They would have to chase me and the way I got away I didn’t think any horse was coming at the end. That was my strategy and it worked out. Once again, Mr. Buff made it there.”

Kimmel indicated that he had the sloppy conditions top of mind going in, but was pleased that Mr. Buff classed up to the task.

“You’re always nervous when you get a track as wet as this one was today, but he’s such a class animal,” Kimmel said. “I don’t think there’s any surface he wouldn’t try on. He got pressed by the two second-choices and put them away to set it up for [Backsideofthemoon] that finished second. It was a pretty significant pace today considering the conditions, but he was up to the task.”

Mr. Buff graduated to a steady diet of stakes races in the fall of 2018, gaining his first black-type win in the Alex M. Robb. In 2019 made the rounds of all three NYRA venues, adding his first Jazil win and victories in the state-bred Saginaw Stakes, Evan Shipman and Empire Classic on Belmont’s Showcase Day in the fall, before coming around to his Robb repeat last December 28. He also took his game to graded stakes foes last year, contesting the Grade 2 New Orleans H. in March, the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga and Grade 1 Clark.

Mr. Buff has won 13 of 35 starts in all, with six seconds and four thirds and has nearly reached seven figures in purse money with $992,411 in career earnings.

A third generation homebred for Chester and Mary Broman through the male line, Mr. Buff is a gelded son of the Bromans’ multiple stakes winning homebred Friend or Foe, by Friends Lake, winner of the 2004 the Florida Derby.

Mr. Buff’s dam Speightful Affair is a graded stakes-placed Ontario-bred by Speightstown, who was purchased by the Bromans for $80,000 at the Fasig-Tipton 2013 winter mixed sale.

In 2018 Speightful Affair produced a full sister to Mr. Buff named Miss Buff. With no surviving foal last year, she was bred to Accelerate.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2020/01/25/mr-buff-jazil-2020/

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A Freud of Mama wins Franklin Square going away

By Sarah Mace

As a newly-turned 3-year-old, William Butler’s homebred A Freud of Mama picked up right where she left off at two: with a stakes victory at the Big A. Last seen on December 29 springing a 23-1 upset in the lucrative Fifth Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes series, the namesake of her sire Freud wheeled back in three weeks to win the $100,000 Franklin Square for New York-bred sophomore fillies going away.

A Freud of Mama (5-1) got away a beat slow from post five (of six) to go 6 1/2 furlongs under Jorge Vargas, Jr., who had the repeat call from trainer Mike Maker, but wasted no time getting into position. She advanced confidently between horses and tugged her way up into third in the three-path. Three lengths up ahead, 4-5 favorite Fierce Lady showed the way, a length ahead of 5-2 second choice Big Q who applied steady pressure.

As Big Q advanced to hook Fierce Lady in the far turn, A Freud of Mama enjoyed a ground-saving trip before tipping out widest of all for the stretch drive.

In upper stretch Big Q got the better of Fierce Lady, but A Freud of Mama, closing fast, made their battle moot. She cruised right by both and opened up, going on to win by a dominant six lengths with ears pricked.

Big Q was a clear second, while 2 1/4 lengths back 18-1 Firenze Freedom won a photo for third over Fierce Lady. Playtone and Violent Point brought up the rear. Following early splits of 22.39 and 46.52 over the fast – if snowy – going, A Freud of Mama stopped the timer at 1:19.15 after 6 1/2 furlongs. [VIDEO REPLAY[2]]

Winning rider Jorge Vargas, Jr. was impressed. “Today, she really proved to me that she wants to be a good horse,” the pilot said. “I was behind horses and she was taking me places. Whenever I got a seam, she went for it. I really loved it. She’s still a little nervous but she’s getting there. She wants to be a good horse and she’s proven it. She likes coming off the pace.”

A Freud of Mama made her first four starts on turf, including a Belmont graduation at second asking on September 13, which she followed up with a creditable third in the Grade 3 Matron on October 5. She is now a perfect two-for-two dirt, once over a muddy Aqueduct track for her 1 1/2-length Fifth Avenue victory, and over a fast track Saturday for her romp in the Franklin Square.

A Freud of Mama has now won three of six starts with one third and has earned $399,818. She is one of four winners from four foals to start out of Mama Theresa, who was purchased by William Butler for $65,000 at the OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds.

Bred in New York by Barry Weisbord and Margaret Santulli, Mama Theresa was a multiple stakes-placed runner on dirt and a half-sister to two-time New York Horse of the Year and sire Haynesfield. She has an unnamed juvenile filly by Stay Thirsty and was bred last year to Sharp Azteca.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2020/01/18/a-freud-of-mama-franklin-square/

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Retired Grade 1 Nearctic winner Next Question euthanized

(Old Friends Press Release)

GREENFIELD CENTER, NY- JANUARY 17, 2020 Grade I winner Next Question was euthanized on January 16 at Old Friends at Cabin Creek due to complications from a paddock accident. He was 12.

Based in Greenfield Center, NY, Cabin Creek is an official satellite facility of Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, KY

Affectionately known as Q, Next Question (Stormy Atlantic-Seattle Stardust, by Slew City Slew) initially retired to Old Friends at Cabin Creek in 2014, where he lived for one year before returning to his owners, Three Diamonds Farm, for a second career. He returned to Old Friends at Cabin Creek in November of 2019.

Racing for Three Diamonds Farm and trainer Michael Trombetta, Next Question’s greatest accomplishment came in the Grade 1 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack, where he upset the field at 16-1. Other accolades include a placing in the 2013 Around the Cape Stakes at Belmont Park, and participation in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Park.

In 2013, his career ended with three wins, one 2nd, and two 3rd’s from 13 starts, and earnings of $424,391. He was bred in New York by Dr. Lance G. Bell.

“Q was a kind, sweet horse who was well loved by everyone who cared for him throughout his life,” said Old Friends at Cabin Creek owner and manager JoAnn Pepper. “We are heartbroken to carry on without him, and grateful to Three Diamonds Farm for allowing us to have this time with Q.”

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2020/01/17/next-question-euthanized/

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