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New York-based riders, trainers make good showing at Breeders’ Cup

by NYRA Press Office

• New York-based riders, trainers make good showing at Breeders’ Cup
• Law Professor possible for G1 Cigar Mile; Battle Bling garners career-best 95BSF in G3 Turnback the Alarm
• Moonage Daydream earns 81 BSF for Stewart Manor victory
• Atlantic Beach-winner Vacation Dance will target surface switch in $500K NYSSS Great White Way
• Aqueduct fall meet Week 2 stakes probables 

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup, which was conducted on Friday and Saturday at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, K.Y., saw a host of New York-connected entrants post strong performances across the 14 championship races. 

Leading the charge for New York-based riders was three-time Eclipse Award-winner Irad Ortiz, Jr., who scored three Breeders’ Cup triumphs to bring his career total to 17, the third-most of any jockey. Ortiz, Jr. finished second to jockey Ryan Moore, who also won three events, in the standings for the Shoemaker Award for outstanding jockey at this year’s event. 

“It feels great,” said Ortiz, Jr., who returned to Aqueduct Racetrack to ride Sunday’s card. “Thank God, and thank you to my agent, Steve Rushing, and all the owners and trainers for letting me ride those kind of horses. Without them, none of this would be possible. It was an unbelievable weekend.” 

The first of Ortiz, Jr.’s wins came on the Future Stars Friday card, rousing 2-year-old colt Forte to an off-the-pace score over heavy favorite Cave Rock in the $2 million FanDuel Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. The win marked Ortiz, Jr.’s third Grade 1 in a row aboard the son of Violence, adding to wins in the Hopeful in September at Saratoga Race Course and Breeders’ Futurity in October at Keeneland. 

“He’s great. He keeps getting better and better,” said Ortiz, Jr. “Last time, I think he was still a little green, but he stills gets the job done. He’s a nice horse.” 

Saturday saw Ortiz, Jr. guide Goodnight Olive in similar fashion to a 2 1/2-length victory in the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint for four-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Chad Brown. He had previously ridden the Ghostzapper filly to her first Grade 1 win in the Ballerina in August at Saratoga. 

“She’s been honest since Day One,” said Ortiz, Jr. “She always shows up. Last time, it was a big race at Saratoga, and yesterday we expected a big effort from her. She showed up again, like she always does. She’s a nice filly and the trainer did a great job with her.” 

Ortiz, Jr.’s third triumph came aboard Elite Power in the $2 million Qatar Racing Sprint, upsetting reigning Champion Sprinter Jackie’s Warrior to secure the son of Curlin’s first Grade 1 score for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. 

“It was the first time I rode him,” said Ortiz, Jr. “He won his last four starts and he’s doing great. The pace set up perfect for him and he was a strong closer. He’s very tactical and could run at six or seven furlongs. He looks great so far.” 

With his three wins, Ortiz, Jr. now boasts 72 total stakes victories this year, as of Sunday morning. As reported by Daily Racing Form columnist David Grening, the record for most stakes wins in a year by a jockey is 76, set by Hall of Famer Garrett Gomez in 2007.

“If we can get it done, that would be great,” said Ortiz, Jr. “Hopefully, we can do it. We’ve been working so hard to try and do it, so we’ll see what happens.”

Flavien Prat, who moved his tack to New York this spring, celebrated his first victory in the $6 million Classic with a sublime performance by multiple Grade 1-winner Flightline for trainer John Sadler. The victory put an exclamation point on the impressive career for Flightline, who retires to Lane’s End Farm with earnings of over $4.5 million. 

Hall of Famer John Velazquez gave a perfectly-timed ride to reigning Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Malathaat to get her nose down in time in a three-way photo in the $2 million Distaff. It was the fifth Grade 1 Velazquez has earned aboard the daughter of Curlin, and his 19th career Breeders’ Cup victory. 

Junior Alvarado landed an emotional victory aboard Cody’s Wish in the $1 million Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile, where he bested Cyberknife by a head to give New York-based trainer Bill Mott his first victory in that division of the Breeders’ Cup. Alvarado celebrated his first win at the Breeders’ Cup after finishing on-the-board twice before. He also finished second in the Classic aboard Grade 1-winner Olympiad for Mott. 

New York trainers also put forth memorable performances at the Breeders’ Cup, including a runner-up finish by Grade 1 Spinaway winner Leave No Trace in the $2 million NetJets Juvenile Fillies for trainer Phil Serpe. 

Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey saw Grade 2 Miss Grillo-winner Pleasant Passage finish a game runner-up to Meditate in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf, defeated just 2 1/2 lengths after a flying finish under Ortiz, Jr. 

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox scored an upset victory by Caravel in the $1 million Turf Sprint at odds of 42-1. The daughter of Mizzen Mast bested male rivals to land her first Grade 1 triumph under Tyler Gaffalione, who also won Friday’s Juvenile Fillies aboard Grade 1 Spinaway runner-up Wonder Wheel. 

In all, seven of this year’s Breeders’ Cup champions won at least one stakes race at NYRA tracks this year, led by Flightline [G1 Metropolitan Handicap], along with Malathaat [G1 Personal Ensign], Forte [G1 Hopeful], Goodnight Olive [G1 Ballerina], Cody’s Wish [G1 Forego, G3 Westchester], Caravel [listed Smart N Fancy] and Elite Power [G2 Vosburgh]. 

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Law Professor possible for G1 Cigar Mile; Battle Bling garners career-best 95BSF in G3 Turnback the Alarm

Twin Creeks Racing Stables’ graded stakes-winner Law Professor picked up a check with a fifth-place finish in Saturday’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland.

Trained by Rob Atras and piloted by Jose Ortiz, the 4-year-old Constitution gelding tracked from sixth position through the final turn and angled six-wide for the stretch run to finish 7 1/2-lengths back of the victorious Cody’s Wish, who was a head better than Cyberknife. 

“He's a horse that likes to be a little more forwardly-placed, but whether he could have or not I'm not sure. I don't think Jose did anything wrong,” Atras said. “He knew they were going very fast up front, so he let him settle and got him into the bridle. It looked like he was inching forward a little bit, but when I saw Cody's Wish go by I knew we were in trouble. 

“Jose did the right thing. They were going very fast early and even faster late,” Atras added, with a laugh. “I wasn't disappointed in his effort.”

Law Professor started his career on the West Coast with conditioner Michael McCarthy, taking an off-the-turf edition of the Grade 2 Mathis Mile in December at Santa Anita. He has made three starts for Atras, winning the Tapit over firm turf at Kentucky Downs in September ahead of a game runner-up effort to Life Is Good in the nine-furlong Grade 1 Woodward on a sloppy and sealed main track in October at Belmont at the Big A.

Atras said he will keep all options open for Law Professor, including the Grade 1, $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap on December 3 here.

“We'll nominate there. My preference would be to look at the Cigar Mile if he fits. The timing would be OK and we wouldn't have to ship,” Atras said.

Michael Dubb and Gandharvi’s Battle Bling secured a career-best 95 Beyer Speed Figure for her game frontrunning score in Friday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Turnback the Alarm, a nine-furlong route for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The 4-year-old Vancouver dark bay made the grade in just her third attempt at the level after finishing fourth in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 1 La Troienne in May at Churchill Downs and second in the 10-furlong Grade 2 Delaware Handicap in July.

Battle Bling set comfortable splits of 25.80, 50.75 and 1:15.74 over the fast main track with W W Fitzy tracking in second and Grade 1-placed Nostalgic last-of-4 after Exotic West unseated Mike Luzzi at the break. She opened up a 3 1/2-length advantage at the stretch call and held on to score by a neck over the late-running Nostalgic in a final time of 1:53.60.

“She's rock steady. She's just a solid, good mare,” Atras said. “She came out of the race good. I was very happy to see her this morning. I got back late last night from Kentucky and she was the first horse I saw this morning out in the round pen. She was feeling good and that's a good sign.”

Battle Bling, who was haltered for $62,500 by current connections from a runner-up effort in December here, has since posted a record of 4-4-0 in nine starts, including scores in the nine-furlong Ladies in January at the Big A and the 1 1/16-mile Twixt in October at Laurel. During that stretch, Battle Bling also notched runner-up finishes in the Heavenly Prize Invitational, Top Flight Invitational, and Obeah, all of which came with a margin of defeat of three-quarter lengths or less.

Battle Bling’s current three-race win streak has been accomplished with prominent tactics, beginning with a handicap score under Irad Ortiz, Jr. traveling 1 1/16-miles in September at Colonial Downs.

“When Irad rode her three starts back, he let her get into the race a little quicker. She kind of did it on her own, but he didn't take her back and she was in a very forward position that day and she won,” Atras said. “The next race, I told Angel Cruz to let her break sharp and put her in the race. There were two reasons for that - one, because of how Irad rode her; and the second is because it was a sloppy track and the last time it was like that [Delaware Handicap], she got a little too far back and didn't really fire.”

Atras said Kendrick Carmouche, who had guided Battle Bling to a pair of runner-up efforts from off-the-pace at Delaware, indicated he wanted to be more forward in Friday’s test.

“Kendrick came in the office three days before the race and said let's put her right there,” Atras said. “When the gates opened, she broke sharp and I thought maybe W W Fitzy might be the speed, but she didn't break sharp and Kendrick got the jump on her and let her roll. She has a short kick and then she sustains, so that seemed to work.”

Battle Bling was a narrow neck winner of the nine-furlong Ladies here in January in one of several close finishes for Atras under Trevor McCarthy, including a closing second in the one-mile Heavenly Prize Invitational when a neck back of Exotic West.

“I don't know if she knows where the wire is and was shutting down, or if she doesn't quite want a mile and an eighth because the last time it was the same thing where she opened up and almost got caught,” Atras said. “Regardless, she got to the wire first and that's all that matters at the end of the day.”

Atras said Battle Bling will now come under consideration for the one-mile Grade 3, $200,000 Go for Wand Handicap on December 3 as part of the Cigar Mile undercard.

“Originally, I thought it might be short for her,” Atras said. “When I ran her a mile last winter, Trevor had to stay after her to get her to stay up close and she kind of out of her comfort zone. But maybe she's a different filly now. She seems to want to be forwardly-placed. It's definitely a race we'd look at.”

Michael Dubb’s graded-stakes winner Chateau continued his return to racing with a half-mile breeze in 50.22 Sunday over the Belmont dirt training track. 

The 7-year-old Flat Out dark bay was last seen finishing third in a six-furlong optional-claiming sprint on June 17 at Belmont just one month after a close runner-up effort to Drafted in the Grade 3 Runhappy over the same course and distance.

“He breezed a half this morning and went quite well,” Atras said. “He needed some time off and we'll see how he trains and what level he will be competitive at.”

Chateau has banked $696,539 through a record of 42-8-12-11 led by a score last March in the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap that registered a career-best 98 Beyer. The popular dark bay boasts a record of 13-6-3-3 over the Big A main track, including a 3 1/2-length win in the Gravesend in December. 

“He ran hard for a long time and the last couple races just weren't quite him. Those sprinters can be hard on themselves and it warranted a break,” Atras said. “We'll see how he is in his demeanor and where we think he will fit. I know he likes Aqueduct and that's a good thing that's he's starting to get fit. We hope he can get back to his old self.”

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Moonage Daydream earns 81 BSF for Stewart Manor victory

Chris Larsen’s New York homebred Moonage Daydream was awarded a career-best 81 Beyer Speed Figure for her pacesetting victory against open company in Saturday’s $120,000 Stewart Manor, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for juvenile fillies, at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Trained by Jorge Abreu, the daughter of Candy Ride rallied from off-the-pace in her first two outings, but went wire-to-wire yesterday under a confident ride from Reylu Gutierrez. 

“Early on, I thought she was one of my best 2-year-olds. I was a little concerned when she took the lead, because I hate having my horses on the lead, but Reylu told me, ‘Somebody had to take the lead,’” said Abreu, with a laugh. “I think she wants to stretch out a little and going a mile will be better for her.” 

Moonage Daydream added to a maiden-breaking score two start back on September 30 at Belmont at the Big A, improving from a close fifth-place finish on debut in July at Saratoga Race Course. 

“I don’t know what happened in her first start, but that happens,” said Abreu. “I think the ability is there. I’m going to shut her down for the winter and then bring her back next year.” 

Abreu also provided an update on graded stakes-placed Lachaise, who withdrew from the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Friday at Keeneland. The New York-bred son of Oscar Performance, owned and bred by Larry Goichman, finished third in the Grade 2 Pilgrim on October 2 and made it into the main body of the Juvenile Turf, but was forced to withdraw due to illness. 

“I breezed him here and wasn’t sure if we were going to get in. On Wednesday, they told me he was in. We shipped him over on Sunday and on Monday, he spiked a little temperature,” said Abreu. “But it happens. I think some babies handle it all different.” 

Abreu said Lachaise will get some freshening before deciding what comes next. 

“I’m going to see. He’s in Kentucky now and we’ll send him to Nick de Meric this week and let him grow up,” said Abreu. “Hopefully he can have a very good campaign next year.”

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Atlantic Beach-winner Vacation Dance will target surface switch in $500K NYSSS Great White Way

Sleeping Giant Stables, America’s Pastime Stables and KimDon Racing’s Vacation Dance earned a career-best 86 Beyer Speed Figure for his gate-to-wire score in Saturday’s $120,000 Atlantic Beach, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for juveniles, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by John Kimmel and piloted by Kendrick Carmouche, the New York-bred and New York-sired Vacation Dance broke alertly and took command through splits of 22.30 seconds and 44.65 over the firm going. The multiple stakes-placed No Nay Hudson, who was expected to be a pace threat, broke awkwardly from the inside post under Paco Lopez and forced to track in second position. 

Vacation Dance was a half-length in front at the stretch call, but had plenty in reserve to pull away from No Nay Hudson for a 1 1/4-length win in a final time of 1:08.41.

“Kendrick said he will be very rateable but when he saw Paco had a tough break with the other speed horse, he decided to go on and take the lead,” Kimmel said. “He’s doing well this morning. He ate all his dinner last night, that’s for sure.”

A grey son of the late The Lieutenant, Vacation Dance was a debut maiden winner in September at Saratoga Race Course under Carmouche, but Hall of Famer Javier Castellano took over for the Futurity and provided a similar prominent trip.

Kimmel said Vacation Dance was hampered by missing a breeze into the Futurity, a race he entered after scratching from the 1 1/16-mile Pilgrim on October 2 here due to the wet going.

“I thought he would move forward off his previous event,” Kimmel said. “He went into it on a light training program and then he hadn’t worked for 15 days going into the Futurity because of the all the bad weather. Plus, he was the only horse in that race that had only one start, so we had reasons to think he would move forward – and he did.”

Kimmel said that Vacation Dance will now attempt to switch surfaces for the $500,000 NYSSS Great White Way, a seven-furlong sprint over the Big A main track on December 17. 

“We’ll breeze him a couple times on the dirt and see if it looks like something he’ll be able to do,” Kimmel said. “If he’s totally discouraged by it then we’ll give him the winter off.”

Bred in the Empire State by Harry Landry and James Hogan, Vacation Dance is out of the Zensational mare Matinee Express. He was purchased for $90,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

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Aqueduct fall meet Week 2 stakes probables

Saturday, November 12

$135K Artie Schiller

Probable: Airman (Tom Albertrani), Big Everest (Christophe Clement), Dynadrive (Tom Morley), Gear Jockey (Rusty Arnold), Greyes Creek (Paulo Lobo), Homer Screen (Neil Drysdale), Somelikeithotbrown (Mike Maker), Wolfie's Dynaghost (Albertrani)

Possible: Decorated Invader (Clement), Pao Alto (Graham Motion)

Sunday, November 13

$135K Winter Memories

Probable: Candy Light (Motion), Contemporary Art (Chad Brown), Fancy Martini (Joe Sharp), She's a Mia (Clement), Spirit And Glory (Robert Falcone, Jr.), Vergara (Motion)

Possible: Queen Judith (Mark Casse)