Walter Wlodarczyk Photo

Vedareo looking to finish one better than half-sister Vequist in G1 Frizette

by NYRA Press Office

• Vedareo looking to finish one better than half-sister Vequist in G1 Frizette
• You’re My Girl has several questions to answer in G1 Frizette
• Champions Dream steps up to the plate in G1 Champagne
• Dontlookbackatall looks ahead to G3 Matron; First Captain to G2 Fayette
• Belmont at the Big A Week 4 stakes probables 

Swilcan Stable’s stakes-winner Vedareo will look to carry on her family’s successes and make the grade when she takes on the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette on Sunday at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet.

The winner of the one-mile Frizette will receive a berth into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 4 at Keeneland as part of the “Win And You’re In” qualifying series.

In 2013, veteran conditioner Butch Reid, Jr. landed the winning bid of $15,000 for a 2-year-old Mineshaft filly, who was later named Vero Amore, at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. He saddled her to two victories, including a runner-up finish in the 2014 Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan for Swilcan Stable. Vero Amore would go on to produce 2020 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Vequist, and subsequently, Vedareo.

Reid, Jr. said Vero Amore has proven to be a wise investment. 

“We bought that mare and she’s been a very prolific broodmare to say the least. She’s been fantastic,” said Reid, Jr.

Vequist, a daughter of Nyquist, became one of Reid, Jr.’s best runners to date with her Championship campaign, posting wins in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga Race Course and Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies before making one start as a sophomore and retiring with earnings of over $1.2 million.

Reid, Jr. noted the similarities between the siblings.

“Mentally, Vedareo is a little more high strung and physically, she isn’t quite as big as Vequist is just yet,” said Reid, Jr. “But she looks just like her and by the time she gets into her 3-year-old year, she’s going to be very close to her big sister. She looks like her mother more than anything – a jet black filly just like her.”

Vedareo will vie to finish one better in the Frizette than her accomplished sibling did in 2020 when she rallied from off-the-pace to finish a close second to Dayoutoftheoffice. A daughter of Daredevil, Vedareo is the only horse in the field of seven to have raced at a mile. She won at that distance last out in the Sorority on August 21 at Monmouth Park, leading at every point of call and widening her margin down the stretch to post a convincing six-length win.

“We thought that [she’d stretch out] all along. She’s a natural route of ground horse just like her big sister, so I’m glad we got that one in her,” said Reid, Jr.

Vedareo arrived at the Sorority from a pair of sprints that included her debut maiden victory going 4 1/2 furlongs in June at Parx and a well-beaten fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Schuylerville at Saratoga.

“I liked it a lot,” Reid, Jr. said of the Sorority. “You can see she was a little cranked up the first part of it coming off the sprint races, and then down the backside, she dropped her head down and was moving nicely and finished well. That gives us confidence coming back at the same distance.”

With a 2-for-3 lifetime record, Vedareo’s only blemish came in the Grade 3 Schuylerville on July 14 at the Spa where she bobbled at the start and bumped hard with a foe before going two-wide and coming up empty down the lane under Joel Rosario.

Reid, Jr. said the troubled trip and a deep main track were reasons for him to draw a line through the outing.

“We had some horses at Saratoga this year and found out early in the meet that it’s a very deep track,” said Reid, Jr. “She had been training at Parx and only got up there a couple days before the race and I don’t think she was quite fit enough for that level of competition or the depth of the racetrack. She got down to Monmouth and got that race under her belt, so we’ll draw a line through the Schuylerville.”

Vedareo posted a sharp half-mile work on September 23 at Parx Racing, breezing over the main track in 47.91 seconds, the sixth-best time from 22 works that day.

Reid, Jr. said he is looking forward to another chance at a Frizette victory.

“She had a real nice breeze last week and that should set her up real nice for this,” said Reid, Jr. “She’s galloping real strong. We’re very happy and ready to go.”

Vero Amore, who also produced the Reid, Jr.-trained Grade 3-placed Mainstay, gave birth to a filly by Accelerate in 2021.

Jose Ortiz has been tasked with the ride aboard Vedareo from post 5.

Reid, Jr. celebrated another strong showing from 3-year-old filly Morning Matcha last Saturday when she rallied from 14 1/2 lengths off the pace to finish a game runner-up to Society in the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx.

Owned by LC Racing, Cash is King, and Gary Barber, the Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Central Banker made her home track proud with her effort in the Bensalem oval’s biggest race for fillies, building upon a resume that includes a victory in Parx’s Main Line in March. The Cotillion marked her second graded stakes placing.

Reid, Jr. said the sturdy filly has consistently held her form since debuting at Monmouth Park last June.

“She’s been a trooper all along and going steadily since last year. She ran the race of her life on Saturday and to do it in front of the home crowd was really exciting,” said Reid, Jr. “I’m really happy for her more than anybody else."

Morning Matcha has picked up five other stakes placings, including runner-up efforts in Aqueduct Racetrack’s NYSSS Fifth Avenue and Busanda. Reid, Jr. said a return to the Big A this fall for the Grade 3, $175,000 Comely on November 25 may be in the cards.

“She gives it her best effort every time. She may not always win, but you know she’s going to make a run. There’s nothing really left down here at Parx against straight 3-year-olds, so we see off in the distance that the Comely might be the last chance to run against straight 3-year-olds, so that’s definitely a possibility.”

Out of the multiple stakes-placed Iam the Iceman mare Home Ice, Morning Matcha was an $18,000 purchase at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Eastern Fall Yearling Sale and has banked more than $630,000 in her two seasons of racing. 

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You’re My Girl has several questions to answer in G1 Frizette

A sensational victory on debut gave trainer John Terranova enough confidence to try Gatsas Stables, R.A. Hill Stable and Hidden Brook Farm’s New York-bred You’re My Girl in the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette on October 2 going a one-turn mile at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet.

Bred by James G. Doyle, You’re My Girl was an easy 14 1/2-length winner of a six-furlong maiden special weight on September 2 at Saratoga Race Course, where she registered a 75 Beyer Speed Figure under a hand ride from jockey Joel Rosario.

“Looking at how well and how easily she did it, we for sure considered this race,” Terranova said. “We were ultra-impressed with her first start. She came out of it great and is training on real strong for this. There’s a lot of questions to answer: stretching out, first time against winners, but they’re all still young. She looks very talented, so we’re hoping for the best.”

Since her impressive career debut, You’re My Girl has worked twice over the Belmont main track, most recently working five furlongs in 1:00.46 on Sunday. Terranova said he didn’t give much thought into trying state-bred stakes company in last Friday’s Joseph A. Gimma, which was won by Gambling Girl.

“We did nominate her, but we weren’t seriously considering it,” Terranova said. “At first, you just wait and see how they train on, but we liked her going into her first race. I never get too over excited about a 2-year-old first out. I knew she could run, we all knew that. But you never know what’s going to happen on their first trip out there. Just like this time, it’s her first time against winners, new distance, new track, we have to get on a van to go run, but everything has been strong for her.”

You’re My Girl will have her work cut out for her in Sunday’s engagement, where she will be tasked with facing Grade 1 Spinaway winner Leave No Trace, as well as open-lengths maiden winners Chocolate Gelato and The Great Maybe.

“We’re confident that she’ll handle herself well,” Terranova said. “We had a good feel for her before she ran first out so we knew we had a filly with some talent. You just don’t know where you’re going to land with them – state-breds or is she going to exceed her expectations? There’s still a long way to go.”

You’re My Girl will break from the outside post in the seven-horse field under Rosario, who seeks his third Frizette victory. 

“She’s been very handy and a very smart filly. We love the post drawn outside like that. Joel got on with her fantastically in her first race, so we’ll leave it in his hands,” Terranova said.

Terranova reported that five-time stakes-winning New York-bred Bank Sting will return to the work tab in the near future with sights set on the 6 1/2-furlong $150,000 Iroquois on Empire Showcase Day, October 30. The 5-year-old Central Banker mare has not raced since capturing the Dancin Renee on June 26 at Belmont Park.

“She’ll be back working in a few days when the weather passes through. She’s doing great and we’re on target for Showcase Day,” Terranova said.

Owned by breeders Joseph and Anne McMahon in partnership with Hidden Brook Farm, Bank Sting is out of the Precise End mare Bee in a Bonnet and has banked $582,050 through a 12-8-1-0 record.

Terranova added that the Grade 2 Raven Run on October 22 at Keeneland could be an option for Gatsas Stables’ graded stakes winner Midnight Stroll, as well as Steven Schoenfeld’s Union Lake, who recently finished third in the Grade 2 Prioress on September 2 at Saratoga.

Midnight Stroll, a Florida-bred sophomore daughter of Not This Time, was last seen finishing third to next out Grade 1 Cotillion winner Society in the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks on August 26. She captured the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks on July 2 two starts back in her lone graded stakes victory.

“She’s here and we’re figuring out where to go with her,” Terranova said. “She’s been breezing right along since the Charles Town Oaks. I think Society coming back and winning the Cotillion really complimented that race. We know she’s good, we’re just trying to figure out what spot to land in.” 

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Champions Dream steps up to the plate in G1 Champagne

Trainer Danny Gargan believes he has a solid racehorse in Rosedown Racing Stables’ Champions Dream , who takes on a compact but quality six-horse field in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne going a one-turn mile at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet.

The Champagne is a “Win And You’re In” qualifying event for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on November 4 at Keeneland.

Champions Dream, by 2018 Triple Crown winner and freshman stallion Justify, was impressive on debut going wire-to-wire in a seven-furlong maiden event on September 3 at Saratoga, which he won by 2 1/4 lengths and registered a 74 Beyer Speed Figure. The gray colt will face five other foes in the Champagne, all of which won their career debut.

“They can all run, you can’t really fault anyone in the race,” Gargan said. “He was impressive winning. If you run one-two-three, you’re any kind of horse. These are six really nice, well-bred horses."

The competitive Champagne field includes stakes winners Gulfport, Andiamo a Firenze and Top Recruit, as well as Verifying, a Justify colt who is a half-brother to 2019 Champion Older Dirt Female Midnight Bisou.

“It’s a solid race and I think I’ve got a nice horse,” Gargan said. “The only thing I’m worried about, he won so easy first time out and didn’t really have to do anything. I think he’ll go forward off that race, but you never know. He’s going to have to race harder and run better, but I think he will go forward.”

Champions Dream, bred in Kentucky by John C. Oxley, is out of the graded stakes winning Tapit mare Dancinginherdreams and was purchased from the Parrish Farms consignment at the OBS March Sale for $425,000.

Manny Franco, who piloted New York-bred hero Tiz the Law to victory in the 2019 Champagne, will pick up the mount aboard Champions Dream from post 4 at 5-1 morning line odds.

Gargan also will send out Ramblin’ Wreck and maiden Torigo for Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Pilgrim, a “Win And You’re In” for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on November 4 at Keeneland.

Owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Patty Searles and Peter Searles, Ramblin’ Wreck is a half-brother to multiple stakes-winning New York-bred Dakota Gold and will enter off just over two week’s rest for the Pilgrim. The son of New York freshman sire Redesdale broke his maiden in his last out turf debut on September 16 under a stalking trip by Franco.

“We’re running him back fast. I think Chad [Brown] has a really, really good horse in the race [I’m Very Busy], he’ll probably be the heavy favorite,” Gargan said. “It’s that time of year where you have to take a chance. He’s got a big future. He’s young and it’s a little quick back, but he’s doing fine.”

Gargan said Ramblin’ Wreck looks similar to Dakota Gold.

“Dakota Gold was more advanced early than he is and I think this one will go further, but they look alike,” Gargan said. “Next year, he could be super tough in some of those races that Dakota Gold won this year. He’s New York-sired also. He was impressive the other day. [Owner] Dean [Reeves] wants to take a shot in a “Win And You’re In”. If he can jump up and improve, he can be tough.”

Franco will return to the irons aboard Ramblin’ Wreck from post 7 at 15-1 morning line odds.

Arnmore Thoroughbreds and BelMar Racing and Breeding’s Torigo is one of two maidens entered in the 12-horse Pilgrim and finished fourth behind 7-5 morning line favorite I’m Very Busy in his lone effort on August 13 over the Saratoga inner turf. He was a stalking third down the backstretch, and found racing room around the far turn, but was unable to withstand an inside rally from I’m Very Busy, who won by 3 3/4 lengths.

Torigo appears to be exiting a key race as Reckoning Force, the third place finisher, came back to win the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile on September 14.

“I think this time, we’re just going to sit back and try to follow Chad’s horse around there,” Gargan said. “That maiden race, I think was one of the best. The horse that ran third won a stake at Kentucky Downs.”

Inclement weather predicted to come through the New York area could result in soft turf conditions on Sunday, something that is of little concern to Gargan, who noted the European influence in Torigo’s pedigree. His mother Shadan, by Opren, was a stakes winner in her native France.

“I think he can go forward,” Gargan said. “The mare won over soft going and she was a European horse. Maybe he can, too. He’s a Munnings and I don’t think the soft turf will hinder him like it could others.”

Torgio, installed at morning line odds of 20-1, will be ridden by Junior Alvarado from post 11. 

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Dontlookbackatall looks ahead to G3 Matron; First Captain to G2 Fayette

West Point Thoroughbreds, Scarlet Oak Racing and Titletown Racing Stable’s Dontlookbackatall will seek to parlay a promising career debut into stakes company when targeting next Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Matron for 2-year-olds fillies going six furlongs on the turf at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet.

Trained by Christophe Clement, who won the 2018 Matron with Lonely Road, the Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Peace and Justice was a two-length winner of her August 25 debut over the Mellon turf course at Saratoga, going off at 11-1 odds. Last year, West Point and Clement finished a close second in the Matron with Gal in a Rush, who finished rallied to come up a half-length shy of Bubble Rock at 29-1 odds.

“She’s had a really good couple of months,” said Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds. “We put a big circle around the Matron. We got beat a [half-length] last year in the Matron so we’re going to try and run back and get the honors. She’s a Peace and Justice filly that we bought at the sale. Bloodstock agent Steve Young bred her and I know she’s been very impressive to the Clements all summer. We’re excited to get her back.”

A $150,000 purchase at the 2022 OBS March Sale, Dontlookbackatall is out of the Arch mare Celtic Arch, making her a half-sister to graded stakes placed three-time winner En Wye Cee.

Finley also provided an update on graded stakes winner First Captain, who could target the Grade 2 Fayette on October 29 going nine furlongs at Keeneland with the year-end goal being the Grade 1 Clark on November 25 at Churchill Downs. Owned by West Point in partnership with Woodford Racing, Siena Farm and celebrity chef Bobby Flay, the 4-year-old son of Curlin, out of Grade 1-placed America, finished third in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on September 3 at Saratoga for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey.

Finley said First Captain will most likely race as a 5-year-old in 2023.

“We gave some thought regarding the Woodward, but we decided to wait until the end of October to run him in the Fayette and then take a big shot at the Grade 1 Clark,” Finley said. “It looks like, at this point, he’ll run at five.”

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Belmont at the Big A Week 4 stakes probables

Saturday, October 8

G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

Probable: Adhamo (Chad Brown), Gufo (Christophe Clement), Highland Chief (Graham Motion), Rockemperor (C. Brown), Soldier Rising (Clement), Street Ready (Ian Wilkes)

Possible: Astronaut (Tom Albertrani)

G2 Vosburgh – BC WAYI

Probable: Drafted (David Duggan), Eastern Bay (Norman Cash), Elite Power (Bill Mott), Southern District (C. Brown)

Possible: Fire Sword (Dave Donk), Kadri (Norman Cash), Willy Boi (Jorge Delgado)

G3 Matron

Probable: American Apple (Daniel Leitch), Atomic Girl (Kent Sweezey), Danse Macabre (Kelsey Danner), Determined Jester (Phil Schoenthal), Dontlookbackatall (Clement), Fleetfooted (Joe Sharp), How Lovely (Arnaud Delacour), Recognize (Mott), Redifined (Tony Dutrow), Sweet Harmony (John Terranova)

Possible: Personal Pursuit (Mark Casse)

Sunday, October 9

G2 Beldame

Probable: First to Act (Shug McGaughey), Nest (Todd Pletcher), Travel Column (Mott)

Possible: Hybrid Eclipse (Brittany Russell), Midnight Stroll (Terranova), The Grass Is Blue (Motion)

G3 Futurity – BC WAYI

Probable: Dunedin (Kelsey Danner), Gaslight Dancer (Mike Maker), Inflation Nation (Clement), Nagirroc (Motion), Power Attack (Sweezey)

Possible: Vacation Dance (John Kimmel)

G3 Knickerbocker

Probable: Dynadrive (Tom Morley), Field Pass (Maker), Homer Screen (Neil Drysdale), King Cause (Maker), Lonesome Fugitive (C. Brown), Pixelate (Michael Stidham), Public Sector (C. Brown), Safe Conduct (Phil Serpe)

Possible: Winters Back (Pletcher)