FMQ Racing’s gifted Saudi Crown returned to the winner’s circle following a four-month freshening when he took a area gate-to-wire within the $150,000 R. A. “Cowboy” Jones Stakes at Ellis Park Aug. 11.
Skilled by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, the gifted Saudi Crown accomplished one mile in 1:36.57, 1 3/4 lengths forward of Injunction who completed second finest to his elegant rival.
A grade 1 winner as a 3-year-old within the Pennsylvania Derby (G1), Saudi Crown has been extremely considered all through his profession. The R. A. “Cowboy” Jones was Saudi Crown’s fifth-lifetime rating from 10 begins. The son of At all times Dreaming has now banked a large $3,070,985.
“This being his first begin since competing abroad, it was a great place to get again earlier than larger races this fall,” Geroux stated. “He normally reveals a number of pace however he does not at all times must be on the lead. There have been another horses with pace within the race right now however he took me to the entrance. He confirmed his class. I feel he dealt with the one-turn mile right now very properly and this form of distance fits him rather a lot higher than the mile-and-a-quarter. I might anticipate his marketing campaign the remainder of the autumn to incorporate races at a mile.”
Comfortable American completed a fast-closing third up the rail underneath Corey Lanerie.
Saudi Crown, despatched off because the 3-5 submit time favourite, paid $3.36 to win.
Video: R.A. “Cowboy” Jones S. (BT)
Most Needed Stays Undefeated in Ellis Park Derby
Gary and Mary West’s Most Needed wanted each inch Ellis Park stretch whereas holding off Not This Boy to win the $260,000 Ellis Park Derby.
Most Needed holds off Not This Boy to win the Ellis Park Derby at Ellis Park
Now undefeated from simply three begins, Most Needed coated one mile in 1:35.86 for coach Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux.
Out of the gate, Most Needed had a pointy starting and spurted to a one-length margin over Not This Boy whereas cruising a quarter-mile in :24.27. Across the far flip, Most Needed clung to his place on the rail whereas Not This Boy remained two broad and 6-5 favourite Who Dey loomed in competition after breaking gradual. Down the stretch, Most Needed continued to search out extra and was capable of maintain Not This Boy at bay. Who Dey completed in third.
“When he broke that sharply I simply needed to ensure we had sufficient power left for the stretch,” Geroux stated. “In every of his three begins he continued to enhance. I feel he is beginning to get higher. It simply took a while for him to determine issues out however the best way he gained right now was very skilled. When he dug in late within the stretch you might inform he did not need to lose.”
Most Needed is a homebred son of Sweet Experience out of the Distorted Humor mare Seaside Stroll . Along with his victory within the Ellis Park Derby, Most Needed improved his purse earnings to a strong $279,553.
Video: Ellis Park Derby Offered by Hallway Feeds (BT)
Pigalle Will get Up in Ultimate Groupie Doll Soar
Claiborne Farm’s Pigalle surged within the ultimate soar to tug a 23-1 upset within the $175,000 Groupie Doll Stakes.
Pigalle wins the Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis Park
Ridden by Luan Machado for coach Tommy Drury, Pigalle accomplished one mile in 1:36.99 whereas incomes her fifth victory in 10 begins for earnings of $332,084.
It was a contested opening quarter-mile with Mystic Pleasure and Hidden Connection setting the tone in :23.80. Pigalle was relegated to seventh after breaking slowly from the gate.
Up the bottom, Machado was capable of enhance Pigalle’s place whereas permitting her to avoid wasting floor on the rail. Within the stretch, Mystic Pleasure continued to battle on the lead however was joined by a number of pursuers. Pigalle was tipped five-wide and was capable of surge on the wire for a neck victory over Fancy and Mystic Pleasure.
“She was a longshot however we actually favored her earlier than the race,” Machado stated. “I advised Tommy I feel we may win. I anticipated her to be near the lead however she had a foul couple steps out of the gate and I needed to work a place out of there. I am glad Tommy had her able to go.”
Pigalle paid $48.86 to win.
“Everyone knows Blame fillies get higher with time,” Drury stated. “We bought her some starter eligibility to achieve her confidence. Now we’re capable of reap the rewards to being affected person along with her. Such an honor to win a race like this for Claiborne. She was all attempt to I am simply so pleased with my filly.”
Video: Groupie Doll S. (BT)
Fibber Upsets Tarifa in Audubon Oaks
Flatland Racing Steady’s former $100,000 declare Fibber was capable of sit an ideal journey underneath jockey Axel Concepcion to tug a light upset over Tarifa within the $173,500 Audubon Oaks.
Fibber wins the Audubon Oaks at Ellis Park
Whereas a trio of fillies have been battling on the lead by means of 1 / 4 in :22.84, Concepcion saved floor a few size off the pacesetters. Across the far flip, Concepcion continued to journey in hand till discovering a gap three-wide to the surface of Tarifa and Mink’s Palace . On the eighth pole, Fibber continued to search out her finest strides, drawing clear down the middle of the monitor whereas in hand. Tarifa held for second and Adogate was third.
“I simply tried to stay as affected person as I may along with her,” Concepcion stated. “Once I was capable of finding floor she actually responded for me.”
Fibber is now an ideal 2-for-2 in coach Chris Hartman’s care since he claimed her two months in the past at Churchill Downs. She accomplished the seven-furlong Audubon Oaks in 1:23.52 and paid $7.56 for her victory. With 4 victories in 10 begins, Fibber has earned $365,700.
“I assumed the seven-eighths distance was properly inside her vary and I feel she will deal with a mile, too,” Hartman stated. “Axel placed on a fantastic thing about a trip right now.”
Video: Audubon Oaks (BT)
Owen Almighty Spectacular in Ellis Park Juvenile
Boardshorts Stables’ Owen Almighty surged late previous Politicallycorrect to win the $175,000 Ellis Park Juvenile by a widening 4 3/4 lengths underneath jockey Cristian Torres.
Owen Almighty wins the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes at Ellis Park
Skilled by Brian Lynch, Owen Almighty improved to an ideal 2-for-2 with earnings of $174,760. He accomplished the seven-furlong distance in 1:24.36.
Within the opening phases of the Ellis Park Juvenile, Owen Almighty sat third whereas dueling with longshot Enduring Spirit and Politicallycorrect by means of a quarter-mile of :22.46. Across the far flip, Enduring Spirit started to fade whereas Owen Almighty and Politicallycorrect continued to battle up entrance. In mid-stretch, Owen Almighty began to get the higher of his rival and powered house. Three Echoes completed third.
“In his debut at Churchill I noticed how skilled he was,” Torres stated. “At the moment we had an important journey and excellent submit on the surface. Once I noticed (Politicallycorrect) to my inside I knew I might must beat a very good horse. On the quarter-pole, he responded rather well and completed up strongly.”
Despatched off because the 3-5 favourite, Owen Almighty returned $3.34 to win.
“He is actually taking us in the proper course from simply two begins,” Lynch stated. “I might must assume the Iroquois could be subsequent after this race. Our objective with him is to get to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile this fall and he is on the proper path.”
Owen Almighty is a 2-year-old son of Speightstown out of the Bayern mare Tempers Rising . He was bred in Kentucky by Mark Stanley.
Video: Ellis Park Juvenile S. (BT)
Texas-Bred Stilettos Steps As much as Win Ellis Park Debutante
Collinsworth Thoroughbred Racing’s Texas-bred Stilettos strutted clear in deep stretch for a 1 1/2-length victory in the $129,505 Ellis Park Debutante.
Stilettos wins the Ellis Park Debutante Stakes at Ellis Park
Skilled by Bret Calhoun, 2-year-old Stilettos impressed on debut at Lone Star Park when she cruised to a 16 3/4-length victory. Following that begin, Stilettos was moved to Calhoun’s Kentucky-base to start getting ready for the Ellis Park Debutante. She was ridden Sunday by Brian Hernandez Jr. and the duo accomplished the seven-furlong distance in 1:25.14.
After a pointy starting, Stilettos was despatched to the early lead the place she dueled with Wealthy Metropolis Woman by means of a quarter-mile in :22.65 and half-mile in :45.51. Within the stretch, Stilettos started to attract away from Wealthy Metropolis Woman with assured urging by Hernandez.
“She gained in Texas on debut and it was so spectacular,” Hernandez stated. “You do not see a horse win by 16 lengths and never have expertise. Across the flip, my filly was doing all the things so simply. I used to be watching Wealthy Metropolis Woman to our inside and he or she wasn’t shifting as fluidly across the flip. My filly bought slightly inexperienced within the stretch however that is most likely as a result of it was solely her second outing. However she did all of that personal her personal.”
Stilettos returned $8.10 to win. Wealthy Metropolis Woman was second and Adeera was third.
“This filly was displaying fairly a bit within the morning down in Texas,” Calhoun stated. “The Collinsworths are from Texas and we determined to debut her at Lone Star. You by no means actually know what they beat in these races however since she’s gotten to Kentucky she’s gotten larger and stronger. I advised Brian that she did not have a number of expertise however she’s been working in firm fairly a bit within the mornings. She broke like a rocket and we weren’t planning to be on the lead. After she broke so quick Brian put her there and it actually labored out. Sooner or later I am unable to see why she will’t stretch out. She does not appear to have a lot distance limitations at this stage.”
Video: Ellis Park Debutante S. Offered by Hudson Household (BT)
This press launch has been edited for content material and elegance by BloodHorse Employees.
