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Reeves soaking in whirlwind Saratoga meet

by NYRA Press Office

·    Reeves soaking in whirlwind Saratoga meet

·    Dakota Gold to return to open company following NYSSS Cab Calloway win

·    Bourbon Bash targets G1 Hopeful

·    Saratoga Race Course Week 7 stakes probables

Owner Dean Reeves of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing was hoping for a prosperous Saratoga Race Course meet, but the Suwannee, Georgia native’s expectations have been greatly surpassed with five stakes winners here this summer. 

“We had no idea that even right out of the gate we would do so well,” said Reeves, who operates Reeves Thoroughbred Racing with his wife Patti. “I just try to win a couple of races, but to be able to win five stakes races is just a testament to the work everyone in our group has done and the trainers and jockeys to get the job done.” 

It didn’t take long for Reeves to hit the ground running. On Opening Weekend, Reeves visited the winner’s circle twice at stakes level with popular New York-bred City Man, owned in partnership with Peter and Patty Searles, who defeated open company in the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple on July 15 for trainer Christophe Clement. Two days later, the Clement-trained Big Invasion – owned outright by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing - kept the upward trajectory afloat when capturing the Grade 3 Quick Call presented by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Big Invasion went on to capture the Mahony on Sunday at the Spa. 

Reeves also collaborated with trainer Tom Amoss, who secured his 4,000th career victory with Reeves-owned Isolate in last Wednesday’s Tale of the Cat. Reeves saw his fifth stakes winner of the meet on Wednesday as Dakota Gold backed up his 1-5 favoritism for trainer Danny Gargan, capturing the $150,000 NYSSS Cab Calloway for eligible New York-sired sophomores going one mile over the inner turf.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing are currently third in the owner standings with seven wins as outright owner or managing partner – and have visited the winner’s circle on eight occasions. In addition to their stakes scores and a debut maiden win by Acoustic Ave in July, Reeves teamed up with R. A. Hill Stable to win a starter allowance on August 4 with Miss Domina and added to their ledger Wednesday with an optional-claiming win with Legends Can't Die in partnership with R.A. Hill Stable, RAP Racing and Chris Mara. 

Reeves expressed pride in being able to successfully join forces with a handful of different trainers. 

“I’m really happy about that. It just shows you that these trainers are good and if they can get the right horses and so forth, they can get the job done,” Reeves said. “We won turf, dirt, different trainers, different distances, so I’m rally proud of our stable of horses. They’ve been on their ‘A’ game.” 

In the case of Dakota Gold, Reeves said he was happy with how the son of Freud’s race went. He broke sharply out of the gate and maintained command throughout, fending off a late rally from Marinara Sauced to garner his third career stakes win. The sophomore chestnut entered off a narrow second as the heavy favorite in the Rick Violette on July 21 at the Spa, and also earned stakes triumphs in last year’s open company Nownownow at Monmouth Park and the NYSSS Spectacular Bid on June 19 at Belmont Park. 

“We felt like he was the best horse in the race, and we didn’t want to get in trouble,” Reeves said of Dakota Gold. “We felt like we should get out there, and take it to them early and if they beat us, so be it. We just felt like we had the best horse."

In addition to garnering high-caliber success with a variety of different trainers, Reeves has done the same with a strong rotation of jockeys, including Joel Rosario, Manny Franco, Tyler Gaffalione and Irad Ortiz, Jr. – the pilot aboard Dakota Gold. 

“We had just gotten great rides from a lot of different jockeys to win these races,” Reeves said. “It’s been spread around and these jockeys have done a great job on our horses.” 

Dakota Gold could jump back into open company for his next effort, which Reeves said could take place in the Grade 3, $300,000 Bryan Station on October 29 at Keeneland. Ever Dangerous captured the 2020 Bryan Station for Reeves at 74-1 odds.

“That’s a good race, we won that with Ever Dangerous a couple years ago and he paid something crazy,” Reeves said. “That’s a good race for Dakota Gold so certainly we’ll start looking at that unless something pops us that we think would fit better. That’s a good one to look at.” 

With only three weeks left of the meet, Reeves doesn’t plan on slowing down. He will be represented by City Man in next Friday’s $200,000 West Point presented by Trustco Bank as well as first-out winning juvenile Acoustic Ave in the $200,000 Funny Cide presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital on the same day. 

The following weekend, Reeves will be represented by 2020 Champion Turf Horse Channel Maker in the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer – a “Win And You’re In” qualifier for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf. The 8-year-old English Channel gelding will contest his fourth straight Sword Dancer, which he won in 2020 for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. 

“He’s just been a spectacular horse to be a part of through his career. He’s just been incredible,” Reeves said. “At his age to keep running at top form, it’s just uncanny that there’s a horse at that age that can still run that well. He’s a unique individual.”

***

Dakota Gold to return to open company following NYSSS Cab Calloway win  

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s Dakota Gold returned to winning form with a sharp score in Wednesday’s $150,000 NYSSS Cab Calloway, a one-mile inner turf test for eligible state-sired sophomores at Saratoga Race Course. 

Dakota Gold took the eight horse field wire-to-wire under confident handling from jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., for his second trip to the winner’s circle in three tries this campaign and fourth lifetime win. The smart score earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure. 

Trainer Danny Gargan was full of praise for his colt on Thursday morning. 

“He came out of the race great. Cool horse. I love him,” said Gargan. 

The New York-bred son of Freud is expected to return to open-company next out with the Grade 3, $300,000 Bryan Station on October 29 at Keeneland a possibility. 

“We’ll talk about where we’re going next,” said Gargan. “I like him going a mile. I think that’s his best distance.”

Dakota Gold’s only two losses came against Modern Games in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar last year and in the Rick Violette on July 21 at the Spa. 

Gargan said the loss earlier this meet may have been a result of getting in the horse’s way. 

“The other day we overanalyzed it and got him beat,” said Gargan. “But that’s horse racing. The best horse doesn’t always win.” 

Now a three-time stakes winner at three different tracks, Dakota Gold increased his earnings to $575,000 and is 6-4-1-0 lifetime. 

West Paces Racing, Flying P Stable, Peter Callahan and Flying Partners’ Missy Greer is targeting the $135,000 Riskaverse, a one-mile inner turf test restricted to 3-year-old fillies who have never won a sweepstake other than state-bred at one mile or over. The Riskaverse is slated for August 25 at the Spa. 

Missy Greer was off-the-board two starts back in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan on May 20 at Pimlico, a race she entered off a maiden score at Gulfstream Park in March. 

Gargan said that his filly had a compromised trip at Pimlico and didn’t get to show her true self. 

“She stumbled at the start and kind of just galloped around there and didn’t get anything out of the race,” said Gargan. 

Missy Greer returned to the races with a strong third-place finish against older allowance company on July 30 on the Saratoga turf, breaking alertly to lead until caught in the final jumps by Marvelous Maude and Finest Work.

The daughter of Nyquist breezed a half-mile in 50.77 seconds over the Spa main track on Wednesday.  

Arnmore Thoroughbreds’ Riot House, last seen in April winning a first-level allowance at Gulfstream, is gearing up for a return to the races after being freshened up in the spring. The gelded son of Violence will target the $135,000 Better Talk Now, a one mile inner turf race for 3-year-olds that have never won a sweepstake other than state-bred at one mile or longer, on August 28 at Saratoga Race Course. 

Transferred to Gargan’s barn after racing as a juvenile for former trainer Wesley Ward, Riot House is 2-for-2, graduating in March at Gulfstream ahead of his allowance score. 

“We were going to run him a couple weeks ago and he had a little foot thing so we just decided to wait on this race,” Gargan said. 

A homebred for Arnmore, Riot House has breezed consistently over the Oklahoma turf training track at Saratoga. 

Flying P Stable, R. A. Hill Stable, Danny Gargan and Flying Partners’ graded-stakes placed Ice Princess is targeting the $200,000 Yaddo Handicap, part of New York Showcase Day on August 26 at Saratoga. The Yaddo is a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares, 3-years-old and up at Saratoga Race Course. 

Ice Princess returned to the races off of a nearly four-month layoff and finished a game second in an 11-furlong second-level allowance over the lawn at Saratoga.

The Palace Malice mare has been nothing short of consistent with a 19-4-8-2 lifetime record. She won the 2020 Maddie May at Aqueduct Racetrack against fellow state-breds and finished second five times since then, including a runner-up effort against open company in the Grade 3 Comely at Aqueduct in 2020. She started in the 2020 edition of the Grade 3 Fantasy at Oaklawn Park where she ran ninth behind race winner Swiss Skydiver and third-place finisher Shedaresthedevil, winners of that year’s Grade 1 Preakness at Pimlico and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, respectively.

A winner at all three racetracks on the NYRA circuit, Ice Princess has banked $443,099 for her connections.

***

Bourbon Bash targets G1 Hopeful 

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will attempt to expand on his all-time winning record in the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful when he sends out BC Stables’ Bourbon Bash for the historic seven-furlong test on the Spa’s Closing Day, Monday September 5. 

Lukas’ record of eight Hopeful wins date back to 1990 winner Deposit Ticket. He also saddled Salt Lake [1991], Hennessy [1995], High Yield [1999], Yonaguska [2000-DH], Dublin [2009], Strong Mandate [2013] and Sporting Chance [2017]. 

Bourbon Bash, a 2-year-old son of freshman stallion City of Light, graduated at second asking going six furlongs on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. He took command from the first point of call and built on his advantage throughout, strolling home to an eight-length victory while producing an 83 Beyer Speed Figure. 

The winning effort came just shy of three weeks following a runner-up finish in his debut, where he was 6 1/4 lengths in arrears of Blazing Sevens, who also is targeting the Hopeful. 

“We’re headed that way. That’s what we were trying to accomplish in the last one,” Lukas said. 

Bourbon Bash’s lights-out maiden victory added to Lukas’ prosperity with 2-year-olds this meet. He also saddled Holy Cow Stables’ Naughty Gal to victory in the Grade 2 Adirondack on August 7 as well as Grade 3 Schuylerville runner-up Summer Promise. 

Lukas said he holds the Hopeful in high regard. 

“It’s a pivotal race. It’s a career making race in a lot of ways and an important race on the 2-year-old division without a doubt,” Lukas said. “It gives you great momentum going into the Breeders’ Cup. We always had pointed for it. Obviously, the record stands out and this is no exception. We want this horse to get into the fray, too.” 

Bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall, Bourbon Bash was bought for $280,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by his breeder. He is the first offspring out of the stakes-winning Violence mare Buy Sell Hold, who is a full-sister to Grade 1-winning sprinter Volatile. Bourbon Bash’s fourth dam is dual Grade 1-winning millionaire Lady Tak, who secured victories at that level in the 2003 Test and 2004 Ballerina, both at Saratoga.

***

Saratoga Race Course Week 7 stakes probables

Wednesday, August 24

$135,000 John’s Call

Probable: Ocean’s Map (Gregg Sacco), Sa’ad (Keri Brion), Tide of the Sea (Tom Morley)

Possible: Common Bond (Eric Reed)

Thursday, August 25 

$135,000 Riskaverse

Probable: Candy Light (Graham Motion), Customer List (Chad Brown), Faith In Humanity (Chad Brown), Gina Romantica (Chad Brown), Linda’s Gift (George Weaver), Missy Greer (Danny Gargan), Parnac (Christophe Clement), Skims (Shug McGaughey), Spirit And Glory (Robert Falcone, Jr.)

Possible: Canisy (Christophe Clement)

Friday, August 26

$200,000 West Point presented by Trustco Bank

Probable: Action Jackson (Jorge Abreu), City Man (Christophe Clement), Cold Hard Cash (Linda Rice), Lord Flintshire (Jorge Abreu), Ocala Dream (Tom Morley), Sanctuary City (James Ferraro), Somelikeithotbrown (Mike Maker), Therapist (Christophe Clement)

$200,000 Funny Cide presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital

Probable: Acoustic Ave (Christophe Clement), Andiamo A Firenze (Kelly Breen), Belt Parkway (Uriah St. Lewis), Donegal Surges (Todd Pletcher), I'm Wide Awake (Tony Dutrow)

Possible: Curly Larry And Mo (Caio Caramori)

$250,000 Albany

Probable: Barese (Mike Maker), Montebello (Todd Pletcher), Price Discipline (Chad Brown)

Possible: Bossmakinbossmoves (Richard Schosberg)

$200,000 Fleet Indian

Probable: Curly Girl (Paul Barrow), Fingal’s Cave (David Donk), Galaxina (H, James Bond), Let Her Inspire U (Todd Pletcher), Shesascoldasice (M. Anthony Ferraro), Sweet Mystery (Patrick Quick), Venti Valentine (Jorge Abreu)

Possible: Vallelujah (Robbie Davis)

$200,000 Yaddo

Probable: Classic Colors (Christophe Clement), Classic Lady (Christophe Clement), Ice Princess (Danny Gargan), Marvelous Maude (Chad Brown), Runaway Rumour (Jorge Abreu)

$200,000 Seeking the Ante

Probable: Lady Mine (James Chapman), Les Bon Temps (Norm Casse), Maple Leaf Mel (Jeremiah Englehart), Miracle (Rodolphe Brisset)

Possible: Song Parody (Christophe Clement)

Saturday, August 27 

Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers

Probable: Ain’t Life Grand (Kelly Von Hemel), Artorius (Chad Brown), Charge It (Todd Pletcher), Cyberknife (Brad Cox), Early Voting (Chad Brown), Epicenter (Steve Asmussen), Gilded Age (Bill Mott), Rich Strike (Eric Reed), Zandon (Chad Brown)

Grade 2, $400,000 Ballston Spa

Probable: Fluffy Socks (Chad Brown), High Opinion (Tony Dutrow), Lemista (Chad Brown), Technical Analysis (Chad Brown)

Possible: Messidor (Christophe Clement), Our Flash Drive (Mark Casse), Poca Mucha (Bill Mott)

Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial

Probable: Accretive (Chad Brown), Actuator (Michael McCarthy), Conagher (Michael Tomlinson), Gunite (Steve Asmussen), Happy Jack (Doug O’Neill), Howling Time (Dale Romans), Jack Christopher (Chad Brown), Runninsonofagun (John Toscano, Jr.), Witty (McLane Hendriks)

Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer- BC WAYI

Probable: Adhamo (Chad Brown), Broome (Aidan O’Brien), Channel Maker (Bill Mott), Gufo (Christophe Clement), Mira Mission (Ian Wilkes), Rockemperor (Chad Brown), Tribhuvan (Chad Brown)

Possible: Soldier Rising (Christophe Clement)

Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign

Probable: Clariere (Steve Asmussen), Crazy Beautiful (Kenny McPeek), Letruska (Fausto Gutierrez), Malathaat (Todd Pletcher)

Possible: Search Results (Chad Brown)

Grade 1, $600,000 Forego

Probable: Drafted (David Duggan), Jackie’s Warrior (Steve Asmussen), Pipeline (Chad Brown), Speaker’s Corner (Bill Mott), Three Two Zone (Ray Handal)

Possible: Baby Yoda (Bill Mott), Kneedeepinsnow (Matt Shirer), War Tocsin (Uriah St. Lewis)

Sunday, August 28 

Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina – BC WAYI

Probable: Bella Sofia (Rudy Rodriguez), Ce Ce (Michael McCarthy), Goodnight Olive (Chad Brown), Lady Rocket (Brad Cox), Obligatory (Bill Mott), Travel Column (Bill Mott)

$135,000 Better Talk Now

Probable: King of Hollywood (Gregg Sacco), Riot House (Danny Gargan), Serifos (Graham Motion)