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Morello targeting G2 Kelso

by NYRA Press Office

·    Morello targeting G2 Kelso

·    Sea Foam on target for Empire Classic

·    Navy Goat possible for Chelsey Flower; Luck Money ready for G3 Dowager at Keeneland

·    Smash Ticket favored in G2 Raven Run; Law Professor to target G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

·    NYRA adds middle Pick 4 to wagering menu

·    Belmont at the Big A Week 7 stakes probables

Graded stakes-winning Aqueduct specialist Morello will make a return to graded stakes company when facing elders for the first time in next Saturday’s one-mile Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso at Belmont at the Big A. 

Owned by Blue Lion Thoroughbreds, Craig Taylor and Diamond T Racing, the 3-year-old son of Classic Empire was a force to be reckoned with on the local Road to the Kentucky Derby over the winter, capturing the Grade 3 Gotham on March 5 following a win in the Jimmy Winkfield one month earlier at the Big A. 

Arriving at the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino as the undefeated lukewarm favorite, Morello finished sixth behind eventual American Classic heroes Mo Donegal and Early Voting and replicated that result in the next out Grade 1 Woody Stephens presented by Mohegan Sun on June 11 at Belmont Park. 

The two distant efforts garnered a break for Morello, who returned to the work tab at Belmont in early August under the watchful eye of Toby Sheets – the Belmont-based assistant for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen – before scoring at allowance level two weeks ago at Laurel Park, travelling six furlongs. 

Despite breaking a step slow, Morello had enough class to earn an easy 2 3/4 length triumph after making a five-wide move in upper stretch under Sheldon Russell. 

“He’s been training lights out,” said Dave Lyon of Blue Lion Thoroughbreds. “Obviously, we made the decision to give him the summer off after the buildup of heading to the Kentucky Derby. We got hit with a string of bad luck in the Wood Memorial and then the Woody Stephens. At that point, I think Toby and Steve and the team made the right decision to shut him down, give him some time off and let him be a horse.” 

Lyon said an Aqueduct edition of the Kelso is a perfect fit for Morello, who boasts a 4-3-0-0 local record. 

“We wanted to run him here in New York for his comeback race, but it didn’t fill so we sent him down to Laurel and he ran very well there after a slow start,” Lyon said. “He looked good doing it and came out of the race great. The Kelso is the next step here, but we’re taking it one race at a time like we always do with Morello. We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. We’re going to just go from there, but we feel pretty confident that he’s back.” 

Lyon continued to speak volumes of the job done by Sheets and Asmussen, adding that the Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap on December 3 could be a viable option should Morello run well enough in the Kelso.

“Just like any other horse we’ve had, they need to take some time off and we need to give it to them. Toby and Steve have done a masterful job of managing his career,” Lyon said. “It’s disappointing we had to miss Saratoga, but if we can get this horse to win a Grade 2 next weekend, and then maybe the Grade 1 Cigar Mile as the next goal, no one on my team is going to complain.” 

Bred in Kentucky by Robert B. Tillyer and Dr. Chet Blackey, Morello is out of the Congrats mare Stop the Wedding and was purchased for $250,000 from the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, where he was consigned by Sequel Bloodstock.

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Sea Foam on target for Empire Classic 

Trainer Michelle Giangiulio is hoping that the fourth time is the charm with New York-bred stakes winner Sea Foam as he targets next Sunday’s $250,000 Empire Classic on Empire Showcase Day, October 30 at Belmont at the Big A. 

The nine-furlong Empire Classic headlines a loaded program for Empire Showcase Day, which includes seven other stakes races for New York-breds awarding a total of $1.6 million in purse money. 

Ten Strike Racing, Four Corners Stable, Broadview Stables, and Cory Moelis Racing’s Sea Foam has contested three of the last four runnings of the Empire Classic. During his 3-year-old season, when trained by Christophe Clement, he was eighth in the 2018 Empire Classic before rounding out the trifecta in the past two editions of the race. 

Giangiulio claimed Sea Foam for $45,000 from Clement following an allowance optional claiming score last July at Saratoga, and the son of Medaglia d’Oro provided the young conditioner with her first trip to the winner’s circle as a trainer in the next-out Evan Shipman at the Spa. 

In his final start of last year, Sea Foam went out with a bang, going gate-to-wire in the Alex M. Robb on New Year’s Eve. He did not return to action until August, when finishing a nose behind Bankit in the Evan Shipman on August 12 at Saratoga.

“He had a little bit of a bleeding issue last year after the Alex Robb. It wasn’t bad, but he can’t run on Lasix, so we gave him a little time,” Giangiulio said. “I took my time bringing him back, he only spent two months on the farm. We just let him train himself and he was ready to roll once we had him ready. It was a bummer he got beat, but he ran a winning race that day. It was an epic race.” 

Sea Foam made his last start at open company stakes level in the Polynesian on September 24 at Pimlico, finishing a distant fifth. Giangiulio said the race is one worth throwing out, noting how badly he stumbled at the start. 

“If you watch the head on view, it doesn’t look like it but he hit himself pretty badly coming out of the gate. He still almost made the lead,” Giangiulio recalled. “He still ran really well, but he was pretty quiet most of the day and I don’t know if he handled the shipping that well. He was really quiet in the paddock which isn’t like him, he’s usually pretty pumped up and gets a little hot. He was dry and as cool as a cucumber, which I didn’t really like. So, I’m putting a line through it. He’s a one-run kind of horse. He needs the lead, and didn’t get the lead so I’m not worried about it. He came out of it fine and healed up well. He hasn’t missed a step since.” 

Giangiulio added that Kendrick Carmouche, the pilot in Sea Foam’s last four starts, will likely retain the mount for the Empire Classic. 

Bred in the Empire State by original owners Waterville Lake Stables, Sea Foam is out of the graded stakes-winning Unbridled’s Song mare Strike It Rich. 

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Navy Goat possible for Chelsey Flower; Luck Money ready for G3 Dowager at Keeneland

Lael Stables’ Navy Goat, last seen scoring a neck maiden victory on September 14 at Kentucky Downs, could come under consideration for next Friday’s $120,000 Chelsey Flower, a 1 1/16-mile turf test for juvenile fillies, at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. 

Trained by Arnaud Delacour, the Florida-bred daughter of Army Mule rallied from fourth-of-12 after a troubled start in the one-mile maiden special weight over firm Kentucky Downs turf, taking a one-length advantage at the stretch call under Joel Rosario and holding off a late bid from Self Confident to graduate in a final time of 1:36.73. The effort came on the heels of a good third on debut sprinting five furlongs in August at Monmouth Park. 

“She’s done very well and has good tactical speed,” said Delacour. “She was stretching [out] and she’ll need a mile or more. I’m very happy with her.” 

Delacour said that he prefers to look at state-bred stakes at Gulfstream Park for Navy Goat’s next outing, but will consider the Chelsey Flower as well. 

“She’s Florida-bred, so there’s some restricted stakes next month,” said Delacour. “I’ll take a look at the Chelsey Flower though and see who is going and we’ll see.” 

Delacour also provided an update on Catherine M. Wills’ consistent 5-year-old Luck Money, who will start in the Grade 3 Dowager on Sunday at Keeneland before she goes through the sales ring as a racing or broodmare prospect in the November sale at the Lexington oval. 

A daughter of Lookin at Lucky, Luck Money finished second in the Dowager last year and will look to avenge her narrow half-length loss in what could be the final start of her career. 

“She’s doing well and she was second in this spot last year, so that’s right up her alley,” said Delacour. “It’s been great to have her; she’s been an overachiever. She was kind of a small yearling and then developed nicely through the years. She’s been very sound and ran at Kentucky Downs four years in a row. She’s consistent and always there, and we’ve been thrilled to have her. Those kinds of horses mean a lot.” 

Luck Money found her best stride as a turf marathoner, hitting the board in her first 10 starts and earning her first stakes win in the 2020 Zagora traveling 1 1/2 miles over yielding turf at Belmont Park. She went on to earn five more stakes placings, including a runner-up finish in this year’s Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay going 1 3/8 miles at Belmont. Her record stands at 21-3-7-5 with earnings of $466,943. 

Luck Money, who will sell as Hip 100 from the Timber Town consignment, is a half-sister to 2009 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Furthest Land. She is out of the unraced Rahy mare Flagrant, a half-sister multiple graded stakes winner and dual Group 1-placed Dynever.

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Smash Ticket favored in G2 Raven Run; Law Professor to target G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile 

Brad King, Stan Kirby, Suzanne Kirby and Barbara Coleman’s graded stakes-placed Smash Ticket is listed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in Saturday's Grade 2 Raven Run, a seven-furlong sprint for sophomore fillies at Keeneland. 

Trained by Rob Atras, the dark bay daughter of Midnight Lute has won 4-of-6 starts, including a last-out score in the six-furlong Weather Vane at Pimlico that garnered a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure. 

Smash Ticket won her seasonal debut by 11 lengths against older company in May at Lone Star Park before heading to New York and prevailing by a neck on debut for Atras in a six-furlong optional-claimer also against elders on July 20 at Saratoga Race Course. 

"She had a couple minor issues that prevented us from running her after that at Saratoga and we picked out that race for her return,” Atras said. “She'd been training very good and we thought she'd run a big race. I was really impressed with how she finished up. She just dominated that race and visually it was very impressive." 

With returning rider Kendrick Carmouche up, Smash Ticket marked off splits of 23.12 and 45.55 in the Weather Vane, drawing off by open lengths in a final time of 1:09.99. 

"She got the lead pretty easy. The pace wasn't real quick, but she came home really fast. That's what I liked about it the most,” Atras said. 

Bred in Kentucky by King, Smash Ticket started her career with conditioner

Todd Fincher, graduating at second asking last July at Del Mar ahead of a distant third-place finish in the Grade 2 Sorrento one month later at the same track. 

Carmouche will travel to Lexington to guide Smash Ticket from post 2 in a field of nine that features a number of New York-connected fillies, including the undefeated New York-bred Fingal's Cave for trainer David Donk; the John Terranova-trained pair of Union Lake and Midnight Stroll; Saratoga allowance winner Colorful Mischief for Hall of Fame conditioner Todd Pletcher; and the Spa's Grade 2 Prioress-winner Wicked Halo for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. 

Smash Ticket has dealt with inside posts in each of her two previous starts and Atras said he expects another forward trip. 

"With an inside post, you don't have too many options,” Atras said. “I think speed is her biggest weapon, so our goal is to break sharp and get her right out there. Hopefully, she can clear on her own. After that, it's up to Kendrick." 

Twin Creeks Racing Stables’ graded stakes-winner Law Professor finished a game second to Breeders' Cup Classic-bound Life Is Good last out in the nine-furlong Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward on October 1 at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. 

Law Professor settled in third position under Jose Ortiz in the Woodward as the Irad Ortiz, Jr.-piloted Life Is Good carved out three-quarters in 1:13.07 over the sloppy and sealed main track. Law Professor took aim at the leader with three-eighths to run and stayed on well to the wire to finish just 1 1/4-lenghts back of the multiple Grade 1-winner. 

“It was a short field and he really settled down and it looked like he had a big shot, but I don't know if he did or not,” Atras said. “When Irad got into him [Life Is Good] and asked him again, he obviously had more horse. I take nothing away from our horse's effort. I thought he ran good, but Life Is Good is still a great horse.” 

Law Professor worked a half-mile in 50.56 seconds October 16 over Big Sandy in his first breeze back and Atras said the 4-year-old Constitution gelding will now target the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland. 

“Right now, we're pointing towards the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile,” Atras said. “He's a very versatile horse and he shows up every time. I don't blame them for wanting to take a shot. His numbers are good and he's doing really well right now. 

“He bounced out of the race really good,” Atras added. “Ever since we got him back to running he's been very focused and very sharp in the mornings. He has a really good mind on him and it makes him very easy to train.” 

Law Professor, who boasts two wins each on dirt and turf, captured the mile and 70-yard Tapit off a five-month layoff on September 1 at Kentucky Downs while making his first appearance for Atras ahead of the Woodward. 

He was initially campaigned by Michael McCarthy, taking the off-the-turf Grade 2 Mathis Mile in December at Santa Anita. He followed with a game runner-up effort to Express Train in the nine-furlong Grade 2 San Pasqual in February at Santa Anita before returning to turf with a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile at the same track. 

Atras said he is hopeful that Law Professor can reach yet another level on dirt. 

“He trains so good on the dirt and the owner believes the horse is just as good, if not better, on the dirt,” Atras said. “I was excited to hear that from him and I thought the same thing. I'm glad he ran so good the other day.” 

Michael Dubb and Gandharvi Racing Stables’ Battle Bling, a 4-year-old graded stakes-placed daughter of Vancouver, has won her last two starts led by a handicap score under Ortiz, Jr. in September at Colonial Downs and a prominent 1 1/4-length win engineered by Angel Cruz in the 1 1/16-mile Twixt last out over sloppy going on October 1 at Laurel Park. 

“I told Angel Cruz to ride her like Irad did - give her a good sharp break and keep her close,” Atras said. “I didn't see a ton of pace in that race [the Twixt] and the track was off that day, so I didn't think anything would be closing too much. It seemed to work out well." 

Atras said Battle Bling will breeze Saturday at Belmont in preparation for the nine-furlong Grade 3, $150,000 Turnback the Alarm Handicap on November 4 at the Big A. 

Battle Bling boasts a perfect in-the-money record of 4-1-3-0 at the Big A, led by win in the nine-furlong Ladies in January. 

Michael Dubb and Michael J. Caruso’s New York-bred Saint Selby, a 4-year-old Kantharos gelding, will have some time off after finishing last-of-6 in an open optional-claimer last out on September 30. 

The $75,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York-bred Yearling Sale purchase has won 4-of-8 starts for Atras, including an 8 1/2-length score in an open allowance sprint in July at Belmont ahead of a pacesetting third against fellow state-breds in the six-furlong John Morrissey on August 12 at Saratoga. 

“We're going to have to give him a little time,” Atras said. “He made a couple big efforts and then a couple efforts we thought should have been better. We know he's a better horse than that, so we'll give him a little bit of time and hopefully have him back next year.” 

Atras said he would prefer Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael J. Caruso’s Excellent Timing try state-bred allowance company next, but the gelding remains under consideration for the 6 1/2-furlong $150,000 Hudson against fellow state-breds on October 30 at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. 

The 4-year-old son of Not This Time joined the Atras barn this year and made two pacesetting starts led by a third-place finish in his seasonal debut in an optional-claimer in August at the Spa. He faded to fifth last out on September 23 here in a state-bred sprint. 

“I thought his first race was pretty good off the layoff and his last race wasn't quite what we were looking for,” Atras said. “I'd like to get him another shot at that level and hopefully he can redeem himself. I think he's capable of much better." 

Bred by Sequel Stallions and Lakland Farm, Excellent Timing was a runaway winner of the 2021 Damon Runyon against fellow state-breds at the Big A. 

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NYRA adds middle Pick 4 to wagering menu 

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the addition of a middle Pick 4 to the daily wagering menu beginning with the Thursday, October 27th card at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. 

The Pick 4, offering the standard 24 percent takeout rate, requires bettors to the select the first-place finisher of four designated races on the card. The middle Pick 4 will begin in Race 3 on nine-race cards; Race 4 on 10-race cards; and in Race 5 on 11-race cards. 

For more information, please visit www.NYRAbets.com.

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Belmont at the Big A Week 7 stakes probables 

Friday, October 28

$120K Chelsey Flower

Probable: I’m Just Kiddin (John Kimmel), Implicated (Chad Brown), Private Credit (C. Brown), Smokie Eyes (Christophe Clement), The Classy One (Kelly Breen)

Possible: Navy Goat (Arnaud Delacour)

Saturday, October 29

 G2 Kelso

Probable: Baby Yoda (Bill Mott), Empty Tomb (Robert Falcone, Jr.), Highly Motivated (C. Brown), Morello (Steve Asmussen), Shackqueenking (Gary Capuano), Title Ready (Dallas Stewart)

Possible: Artorius (C. Brown), Fulsome (Brad Cox), Jalen Journey (Norman Cash) 

G3 Bold Ruler

Probable: Drafted (David Duggan), Eastern Bay (Cash), Factor It In (Carlos Mancilla), Meraas (Chad Summers)

Possible: Jaxon Traveler (Asmussen), Mucho (John Ortiz), Silk Trade (Norm Casse) 

$120K Awad

Probable: Conman (Mark Casse), Dandy Handyman (Keri Brion), El de Chimi (Juan Carlos Avila), Let’s Go Big Blue (George Weaver)

Possible: Flawless Cat (Michael Dini) 

$120K Pumpkin Pie

Probable: Boston Post Road (C. Brown), Corey (Peter Walder), Dr B (Butch Reid, Jr.), Glass Ceiling (Charlton Baker), Liam’s Light (Breen), Movie Moxy (Weaver), Oxana (Tim Hills)

Possible: Mariah’s Princess (Philip Bauer), Travel Column (Mott), W W Fitzy (Axelle Solares)

Sunday, October 30 – Empire Showcase Day 

$250K Empire Classic (NYB)

Probable: Bankit (Asmussen), Barese (Mike Maker), Best Idea (Todd Pletcher), Brooklyn Strong (Victor Barboza, Jr.), Sea Foam (Michelle Giangiulio) 

$250K Empire Distaff (NYB)

Probable: Brattle House (Mott), Frost Me (Kimmel), Let Her Inspire U (Pletcher), Sharp Starr (Horacio De Paz), Sunset Louise (Bruce Levine), Sweet Mystery (Patrick Quick)

Possible: Gone and Forgotten (M. Anthony Ferraro) 

$200K Sleepy Hollow (NYB)

Probable: Arctic Arrogance (Linda Rice), Donegal Surges (Pletcher), Jackson Heights (Orlando Noda), Quick to Accuse (De Paz), Shadow Dragon (Mott), Starquist (Kimmel) 

$200K Maid of the Mist (NYB)

Probable: Banterra (Asmussen), Gambling Girl (Pletcher), Les Bon Temps (Maker), Little Linzee (Domenick Schettino), Miracle (Rodolphe Brisset), Recognize (Mott), Security Code (Phil Serpe), Silver Skillet (Clement)

 $200K Mohawk (NYB)

Probable: City Man (Clement), Cold Hard Cash (Rice), Danzigwiththestars (Schettino), Jerry the Nipper (Pletcher), Ocala Dream (Solares), Rinaldi (H. James Bond), Sanctuary City (James Ferraro), Therapist (Weaver) 

$200K Ticonderoga (NYB)

Probable: Finest Work (Weaver), Giacosa (Bond), Ice Princess (Danny Gargan), Marvelous Maude (C. Brown), Pure Bode (James Ryerson), Runaway Rumour (Jorge Abreu)

Possible: Dream Central (Gary Sciacca), Saratoga Chrome (Michelle Nevin), Spungie (Mott)

$150K Iroquois (NYB)

Probable: Bank On Anna (Serpe), Bank Sting (John Terranova), Betsy Blue (Rice), Galaxina (Bond), Leeloo (Duggan), Mosienko (Dennis Lalman), Venti Valentine (Abreu)

Possible: Gone and Forgotten (Anthony Ferraro) 

$150K Hudson (NYB)

Probable: Perfect Munnings (Pletcher), Reggae Music Man (Patrick Reynolds), Who Hoo That’s Me (Abreu), Wudda U Think Now (Rudy Rodriguez)

Possible: Excellent Timing (Rob Atras), Lady’s Golden Guy (Debra Breed), My Boy Tate (Nevin)