Chelsea Durand Photo

Brown extends winning streak in G3 Fasig-Tipton Waya and Keeneland’s G1 First Lady

by NYRA Press Office

• Brown extends winning streak in G3 Fasig-Tipton Waya and Keeneland’s G1 First Lady
• Timberlake garners 93 BSF for G1 Champagne triumph
• War Like Goddess, Just F Y I give connections Grade 1 double on Saturday at Belmont at the Big A
• Today’s Flavor could target $150K Hudson following Belmont Turf Sprint score
• Evvie Jets earns G1 placing in Keeneland’s First Lady
• Northern Invader gives co-owner West Point Thoroughbreds milestone win in $135K Gio Ponti

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown added to his dominance of the Grade 3, $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya at Belmont at the Big A with Klaravich Stables’ now four-time graded stakes winner McKulick, who will likely be bound for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf going 1 1/4 miles on November 4 at Santa Anita Park.

The 4-year-old Frankel bay contested over yielding turf for the first time in Saturday’s 11-furlong test for fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward and handled the cut in the ground with aplomb. She sat two lengths off pacesetting stablemate Idea Generation and powered home to a two-length score under Irad Ortiz, Jr. to earn a 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

Later that day, Brown watched from afar as his Peter Brant-owned Grade 1-winning turf distaffers Gina Romantica and In Italian ran one-two in the Grade 1 First Lady at Keeneland, each registering a career-high 105 Beyer. Both the Waya and First Lady triumphs provided Brown with an overall seventh victory in both events, while earning his fifth straight Waya conquest and a sixth straight First Lady coup.

“We have a nice, diverse stable and my team stretched out everywhere and executed their tasks well,” Brown said. “All the horses seemed to come out of their races well yesterday. We had some good performances yesterday and all three fillies certainly ran well.”

Although McKulick had only raced over firm ground, Brown said he was not too concerned with off going.

“Given her pedigree, I was cautiously optimistic that she wouldn’t mind the soft ground and she certainly handled it just fine,” Brown said.

Brown went on to say that Gina Romantica would “probably” target the Filly and Mare Turf as well as In Italian, who finished second in that event last year. Gina Romantica, by Into Mischief, earned her second Grade 1 triumph after defeating McKulick in last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, which also is at Keeneland.

“I’m just going to see how they train exiting these races and talk it over with Mr. Brant. We have some decisions to make. Everything is on the table right now,” Brown said.

Brown also saddled Klaravich Stables’ General Partner to a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Champagne for juveniles going a one-turn mile at Belmont at the Big A.

The Speightstown chestnut set the early tempo under Manny Franco, but gave way to highly impressive winner Timberlake to finish 4 1/4 lengths behind in second. The effort followed a four-length maiden score in September going seven furlongs at Saratoga Race Course.

“He ran a really terrific race going on a wet track for the first time, and I thought he handled it fine,” Brown said. “He was second best yesterday, but I was very proud of his effort. The winner of the race was a super impressive horse. It seems to be a strong 2-year-old crop from coast to coast right now.”

Brown did not commit to a start in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on November 3 at Santa Anita and said he would consult with Klaravich Stables proprietor Seth Klarman on a decision.

“I want to see how he trains a little bit, and see if we want to try two turns now in the Breeders’ Cup or wait until next year,” Brown said. “At some point I will try him two turns, he relaxes nicely. He gives me the feeling that he would be able to do it, but we’ll have to see if he’ll be in the Breeders’ Cup or not.”

Bred in Kentucky by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and the Speightstown Syndicate, General Partner is out of the multiple black type producing Distorted Humor mare Fleeting Humor. He was acquired for $250,000 as a weanling at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

On Wednesday, Brown sent out debut maiden victress Hard to Justify to a win in the Grade 2, $200,000 Miss Grillo for juvenile fillies going 1 1/16 miles over the outer turf. The bay daughter of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify narrowly won going 1 1/16 miles over the Saratoga inner turf on debut. She was entered in the August 30 P.G. Johnson at the Spa, but was scratched when the race was taken off the turf. Hard to Justify then trained up to the Miss Grillo and emerged from a nearly 2 1/2-month layoff to win by a half-length while earning a career-high 80 Beyer.

Brown said the extended time in between starts was to his filly’s advantage.

“She had been training well. Sometimes with 2-year-olds that are lightly raced and miss a race, more time actually benefits them,” Brown noted. “She’s a big filly and although she didn’t get to run in the stake at Saratoga, she utilized the time in between starts to further develop physically. She was really at her best when we led her over there.”

Brown went on to speak of Jeff Drown’s Grade 1-winning multimillionaire Zandon, who won last Sunday’s Grade 2 Woodward going nine furlongs at Belmont at the Big A. The 4-year-old Upstart colt will likely make the final start of his career in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 4 at Santa Anita.

“I’m really pleased with this horse,” Brown said. “I saw him [Friday] after I was at Newmarket for the yearling sale, so I looked at my horses and was really taken aback by how well Zandon bounced out of that race for how fast he ran. It’s exciting. If he stays healthy, we’ll give him his final career start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”

The Woodward conquest was Zandon’s first trip to the winner’s circle since capturing last year’s Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland en route to a close third in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Prior to the Woodward, he finished second in his three previous starts this season in the Grade 3 Westchester at Belmont Park behind Repo Rocks, the Grade 1 Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan at Belmont behind Cody’s Wish and the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga behind White Abarrio.

“When he’s been beaten, it’s been by some of the top horses in the nation,” Brown noted. “Even in defeat, if you look at the chart, he’s finished in front of some top horses as well. He’s beaten a lot more good horses than he’s been beaten by. He’s in top form and hopefully he goes out on top. I think he’s finally reached the point where if he gets the right pace, he gets the mile and a quarter.”

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Timberlake garners 93 BSF for G1 Champagne triumph

Siena Farm and WinStar Farm’s Timberlake was awarded a career-best 93 Beyer Speed Figure for his impressive victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne, a one-mile main track test for juveniles, at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by two-time Eclipse Award-winner Brad Cox, Timberlake removed blinkers in the Champagne and responded to the change with aplomb, pouncing from just off the pace under Florent Geroux to take charge with a six-wide move at the top of the lane and drawing off to land the 4 1/4-length score over General Partner.

Dustin Dugas, Cox’s Belmont Park-based assistant, said the son of Into Mischief was proud of himself Sunday morning.

“He came back really good,” said Dugas. “He cooled out really good. He heads back to Kentucky today. I was very happy with the way he won and Florent was happy, too. He’s just a cool dude. It seems like he’s one that can stretch out for sure.”

Timberlake, who finished second in the Grade 1 Hopeful on September 4 at Saratoga Race Course, is likely bound for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on November 3 at Santa Anita Park after securing a “Win and You’re In” berth for his Champagne victory.

Bred in Kentucky by St. Elias Stables, Timberlake was a $350,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Cox also sent out Calumet Farm’s Air Cav to a fifth-place finish in the Champagne off a debut victory on August 30 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. In the Champagne, the son of Mitole gave chase from seventh along the inside and put in a mild bid under Dylan Davis, but was defeated 15 1/4 lengths.

Dugas said the chestnut came back in good order and will remain in New York for the time being.

“Dylan was happy with him and he ran a good little race,” said Dugas. “I was happy with him.”

Dugas added that Stonestreet Stables’ Emery returned well from her effort in the one-mile Grade 1 Frizette where she finished an even fourth as the post-time favorite. The daughter of More Than Ready raced one length off the pace under Manny Franco through the first half-mile before fading and finishing 5 1/4 lengths behind the victorious Just F Y I.

“I don’t think she was really getting over the track, and I thought she was going to run better,” said Dugas. “We’ll go back to the drawing board and she’ll head back to Kentucky today as well.”

A $235,000 weanling purchase at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Emery was a winner on debut on August 30 at Saratoga Race Course and is out of the multiple stakes-winning Street Sense mare Athena.

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War Like Goddess, Just F Y I give connections Grade 1 double on Saturday at Belmont at the Big A

Owner George Krikorian, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado teamed up to win back-to-back Grade 1 events on Saturday’s card at Belmont at the Big, enjoying scores with War Like Goddess in the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and with Just F Y I in the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette, the latter awarding the winner with a “Win and You’re In” berth into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 3 at Santa Anita Park.

War Like Goddess, a 6-year-old daughter of English Channel, defeated males for the second consecutive year in the 1 3/8-mile Joe Hirsch, pouncing from well off the pace set by a runaway So High to collar that foe in the stretch and draw clear to a 4 1/2-length victory with Alvarado at the helm for the first time. The win marked the third lifetime Grade 1 score for the talented bay, who also won the 2021 Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Saratoga Race Course.

Leana Willaford, Mott’s Belmont Park-based assistant, said War Like Goddess returned well from her effort, which equaled a career-best 105 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She looks great,” said Willaford. “You’re always a little worried [when there’s a runaway pace], but she reeled him in and finished very well.”

War Like Goddess, who has now won nine graded events, boasts a lifetime record of 17-11-2-2 with total purse earnings of $2,495,184.

Just one race after War Like Goddess’ triumph, Krikorian’s Kentucky homebred Just F Y I remained perfect through two lifetime outings when taking the one-mile Frizette from off the pace, edging clear of Central Avenue at the top of the lane to claim the 3 3/4-length victory and garner a 75 Beyer.

“She came out looking very good,” said Willaford. “You never know with the slop until you run them over it, but obviously it wasn’t an issue.”

Just F Y I is out of the stakes-placed Street Cry mare Star Act, a half-sister to Celebrity Cat, the dam of 2018 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Uncle Benny. Her second dam is multiple Grade 1-winner Starrer, who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1-winner Stellar Jayne.

This weekend built upon another memorable day last week for the Mott barn, who sent out Godolphin’s multiple graded stakes-winning Kentucky homebreds Cody’s Wish and Caramel Swirl to graded scores last Sunday at Belmont at the Big A. The former returned to the winner’s circle with a rallying trip in the Grade 2 Vosburgh while the latter was elevated to victory via a double disqualification in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom.

Cody’s Wish, a 5-year-old son of Curlin, returned to a one-turn sprint in the seven-furlong Vosburgh after finishing third in the nine-furlong Grade 1 Whitney on August 5 at Saratoga Race Course. The multiple Grade 1-winner earned a “Win and You’re In” berth into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint for his Vosburgh triumph, but will instead target a title defense in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile after earning a berth for that event for his strong win in the Grade 1 Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap in June at Belmont Park.

The bay broke a step slow in the Vosburgh and made an early move under Alvarado to secure closer position down the backside and closed well in the turn to take a head advantage at the stretch call before inching clear to cross the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front.

Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin USA, said the effort should set Cody’s Wish up well for his try at a repeat Dirt Mile score.

“All is well and we’ll roll on to the next day,” said Banahan. “It was a very important win after what we had seen from him training and it showed the old Cody’s Wish is still with us. He did everything we asked him to do under difficult circumstances after he didn’t get set well in the gate and went slow early on. It wasn’t an out-of-skin type of race, but coming home quickly showed he’s in fine fettle and he pricked his ears close to home. We’ve got a nice month to hopefully be able to crank up on him and get him in great shape.”

Cody’s Wish looks to put an exclamation point on a stellar career as he makes his way to the Breeders’ Cup for what will likely be his final start before retiring to stud. Along with the Met Mile and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Cody’s Wish boasts additional Grade 1 coups in the Churchill Downs this year at its namesake track and the Forego last year at Saratoga.

Banahan added Caramel Swirl is also likely Breeders’ Cup bound for her final start before retirement in the Grade 1 Filly and Mare Sprint after her effort in the Gallant Bloom. The 5-year-old daughter of Union Rags crossed the wire third in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint, but was impeded in the stretch by Sterling Silver and Headland, who crossed the wire a respective first and second. As a result, the top pair were disqualified and Caramel Swirl was awarded her second career graded victory.

“She was drawn on the rail and didn’t have much choice but to be stuck down there, and she bided her time nicely,” said Banahan. “She finishes her races really well and she was coming through at the top of the stretch to make a winning move, and she was ambushed in there by both of those fillies. I may be biased, but I think they made the right call. She didn’t get a chance to go to the Breeders’ Cup last year, so I think she deserves to take a chance this year. You never know what will happen in a sprint race. We want to be there to take any opportunities that might arise.”

Caramel Swirl has kept good company throughout the year, including a game fourth-place effort in the Grade 1 Ballerina Handicap on August 26 at the Spa where she was nosed out of show honors by fellow Godolphin color-bearer Matareya in a race won by Echo Zulu. In addition to her Gallant Bloom victory, Caramel Swirl notched her first graded triumph earlier this year in the Grade 3 Vagrancy in May at Belmont Park.

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Today’s Flavor could target $150K Hudson following Belmont Turf Sprint score

Reddam Racing’s New York-bred Today’s Flavor earned a 93 Beyer when capturing an off-the-turf edition of the $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint going six furlongs over a sloppy and sealed Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by Geroge Weaver, the 5-year-old Laoban gelding led from gate-to-wire and fended off a late rally from Thin White Duke to capture the Belmont Turf Sprint by a half-length under Hall of Famer Javier Castellano. The win was a second stakes triumph for Today’s Flavor, who earlier in the year defeated his Empire State-bred counterparts in the six-furlong Affirmed Success on April 30 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Today’s Flavor arrived at Saturday’s engagement off 15 day’s rest after defeating stakes winner Nothing Better in a six-furlong turf allowance optional claimer here. Weaver noted the short rest, but said he could make his next start in the $150,000 Hudson going 6 1/2 furlongs on Empire Showcase Day, October 29 at Belmont at the Big A.

“He seemed to come out of the race well. We ran him back on short rest so whether or not we come back anytime in the near future we’ll just have to see,” Weaver said. “He is a New York-bred so we may think about the race at the end of the month. We’ll just have to see how the horse trains. He’s won seven races for us. He’s fast, he’s talented, he’s an overall fun horse to have in the barn.”

Bred by Joseph Calvo, Today’s Flavor is out of the four-time winning Speightstown mare Evangelical. He was purchased for $80,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearling Sale.

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Evvie Jets earns G1 placing in Keeneland’s First Lady

The Estate of Robert J. Amendola’s Evvie Jets blossomed from claim to fame over the course of two highly productive years for trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci, who haltered the 5-year-old Twirling Candy mare for $80,000 out of a close runner-up effort in September 2021 at Belmont Park. 

Evvie Jets made her Grade 1 debut on Saturday in Keeneland’s First Lady and put in an admirable effort under Jose Ortiz from the outermost post 8. Despite starting a step slow, she tracked from fifth position as multiple Grade 1-winner In Italian led the field through swift splits of 23.40 seconds, 46.80 and 1:10.12 over the firm footing.

Evvie Jets made a three-wide move around the far turn and battled gamely to the wire to finish third just 3 3/4-lengths behind the rallying now dual Grade 1-winner Gina Romantica, who headed her stablemate In Italian for the win in a final time of 1:33.70. Evvie Jets earned a career-best 98 Beyer Speed Figure for her effort.

"Jose did what he felt was comfortable with her and he gave her a really good trip. Our rival was the bad post - outside post going to the first turn,” Kantarmaci said. “I don't know why she broke a little slow. She usually doesn't have that problem, maybe just [racing in] a different place.

“We didn't want to be the pace anyway, but we wanted her in a good position and not too far back because we knew she was going to have a lot to do and she's not the kind of horse that's going to close a big distance against those kind of horses,” Kantarmaci added. “I think Jose followed the race in the best spot he could and saved in the last turn and tried to make his move and he saved the third [place] with that trip.”

Evvie Jets has proven to be a model of consistency since being claimed, posting a record of 16-6-5-1 for purse earnings of $689,708 led by wins in last year’s Grade 3 Noble Damsel here and a game head score in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa in August at Saratoga Race Course. During this stretch, she also captured the Plenty of Grace at the Big A and the Perfect Sting at Belmont. 

The 32-year-old native of Istanbul, Turkey, said he was proud to see the bay mare earn her first Grade 1 placing.

"It's very important. People pay a million dollars, half-million dollars to find horses like that,” Kantarmaci said. “We got really lucky to have her from a claiming race for $80,000 and keep her sound and every year better and better and stepping up. Hopefully, if we can run her one more year, maybe we can add a Grade 1 for her."

Evvie Jets was Kantarmaci's first Grade 1 starter and also the first horse he saddled at Keeneland.

"It's amazing. I can't believe it. She's the big horse, she's the queen," Kantarmaci said. "It was a great experience to be here. She's brought us everywhere. She can open some doors hopefully and show people that we can do better things."

Kantarmaci said no decisions have been made yet as to whether or not Evvie Jets will race again this year or next, but he said he is hopeful he will have another chance at a top-flight score with the big mare.

"It's a family call at the end, but training and racing wise, in my eyes, she can still do one more year,” Kantarmaci said.

A half-sister multiple stakes-placed Forever Mo, Evvie Jets is out of the Consolidator mare Natchez Trace, who is a half-sister to graded stakes-placed Vermilion and stakes-winner Perfectly Clear. Evvie Jets boasts a career record of 23-7-6-3 for purse earnings of $770,868.

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Northern Invader gives co-owner West Point Thoroughbreds milestone win in $135K Gio Ponti

West Point Thoroughbreds and David Ingordo’s Northern Invader provided the former with a milestone victory in Friday’s $135,000 Gio Ponti, marking a record 65th win on the year for the partnership when defeating fellow West Point Thoroughbreds color-bearer Ohana Honor in the one-mile turf test for sophomores at Belmont at the Big A.

“It’s been such a great year and to eclipse our record in a stakes race where you run one-two is special,” said Jason Blewitt, ownership advisor for West Point Thoroughbreds. “Most people that love racing had a real soft spot for Gio Ponti, so to win that race is an extra cherry on top. We love supporting New York racing.”

Northern Invader, trained by Cherie DeVaux, scored his first stakes triumph with his prominent Gio Ponti coup, drawing clear from a rallying Ohana Honor to cross the wire first one length in front. The effort was awarded a 92 Beyer Speed Figure and came on the heels of a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Secretariat on August 12 at Colonial Downs.

“All his races have been really good, but with how he’s been running on the turf and looking to next year, he could be a legitimate Breeders’ Cup Mile horse as a 4-year-old,” Blewitt said. “He’ll have maybe one more race this year.”

Blewitt noted that Northern Invader will likely be nominated to both the one-mile $150,000 Artie Schiller against elders on November 12 and the nine-furlong Grade 2, $250,000 Hill Prince for sophomores on November 18, but that West Point Thoroughbreds’ Grade 3 Virginia Derby-winner Integration is probable for the latter.

“I’m not sure about the Hill Prince, but we don’t micromanage our trainers and both horses have different trainers, so it will be Cherie’s call,” said Blewitt. “We’re pointing Integration to that race.”

Both Integration and Ohana Honor are trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. Ohana Honor, co-owned with Woodford Racing and Edward Hudson, Jr., was a winner of an allowance on the September 9 Virginia Derby card at Colonial and put forth another strong effort when second to Northern Invader in the Gio Ponti.

Blewitt said he is excited for whatever is next for the son of Honor Code, adding that the nine-furlong Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on December 2 at Del Mar could come under consideration.

“His races have been really good and he’s obviously getting better, better and better,” said Blewitt. “With Northern Invader, I think a mile or a mile and a sixteenth might be his sweet spot, but Ohana Honor is just getting warmed up at a mile.”

A $430,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Ohana Honor is out of the graded stakes-winning Awesome Again mare Spacy Tracy and is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes-winner Victim of Love, graded stakes-winner Benner Island and multiple graded stakes-placed High North.