At Saratoga, it was Curalina, with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez riding, that got the win in the $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks after the winner, I’m a Chatterbox, ridden by Florent Geroux, was disqualified.
 |
| Curalina, left, with jockey John Velazquez riding, won the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on Sunday, June 26, 2015, after I’m a Chatterbox was DQd and placed second. (Photo by Coglianese Photos) |
However, Curalina, who had a rough ride from the start, when she bumped with rivals, was bumped by I’m a Chatterbox in the upper stretch, but still charted hard and fast down the rest of the stretch, battled side-by-side as the finish line got close, got bumped again, then lost by just a nose.
After the race, Velazquez lodged an objection because of the bumping, and following the steward’s inquiry, was made the winner, and I’m a Chatterbox was placed second.
The winning time for the 1-1/8th-mile race was 1:49.74.
Finishing third in the seven-horse field of 3-year-old fillies was Include Betty, the winner of the Mother Goose Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on June 27.
“Based on the comments Johnny (Velazquez) made, he felt very sure he was going by that filly until that happened, said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “It’s hard to appreciate while you are watching it live. After seeing that she came back one jump after the wire and put her nose in front, I feel less apologetic about that one.
“Yesterday, we weren’t bothered. We were the beneficiary of someone else being bothered. In this particular case, our filly was knocked off stride in a critical point in the race and got beat a couple inches. In my eyes, it probably made the difference. I’m sure there are other people that feel differently, but based on what Johnny said, just watching it there, I would have to agree.”
I’m a Chatterbox’s trainer, Larry Jones seemed to be okay with the decision. “I thought she (I’m a Chatterbox) ran very well, coming off a long layoff like that. She took a little time off and was good to go. We set very legitimate fractions and (still) to hold on, I’m thrilled with the horse. The jock rode a great race; he didn’t do anything to cause it (the infraction). He stuck with the right hand the whole way. She kind of jumped the tracks where the gate comes across, but you need to get the horse back over somehow. That’s just the way it goes.”
I’m a Chatterbox was running in her first race after a three-month layoff following her third-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill on May 1.
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Curalina, who is by Curlin-Whatdreamsrmadeof, by Graeme Hall, now has four wins, one second, and $666,800 in earnings in five career starts.
At Del Mar on Sunday in the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1), 11-to-1 long shot Wild Dude, with jockey Flavien Prat riding, raced in fourth place in the five-horse field most of the way, then rallied furiously down the stretch, caught race-leader, and race-favorite, Masochistic, deep in the stretch and crossed the finish line a 1-1/4-length winner.
 |
| Wild Dude, with jockey Flavien Prat pulled off the upset and won the Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar on Sunday, June 26. (Photo by BenoitPhoto.com) |
In winning his first Grade 1 stakes race, Wild Dude ran the six-furlong race on a dirt tracked rated fast in 1:09.51.
“The last time I rode him (Triple Bend Stakes (G1) on June 27; he finished third), I let him get a little too far back,” said Prat. “This time I was closer and the pace was a better one for us. They were going quickly. When I came around the turn, I knew I had horse, but I could see that other one (favorite Masochistic) out front, and I know how well he’s been running. I wasn’t sure if I could catch up to him. But, my horse leveled and he went right on by. He’s impressive.”
Owned by Jerry Hollendorfer, who also trains him, and Green Smith, Wild Dude, who is by Wildcat Heir-Courtly Choice, by Doneraile Court, now has six wins, three seconds, four thirds and $724,887 in earnings in 16 career starts.
In addition, with the win, Wild Dude earned a starting spot in the Breeders’ Cup Spring, as the Bing Crosby is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race. The Breeders’ Cup will be held at Keeneland Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31.
As for Masochistic, he’s actually been running very well. He’s won his last three races, including the Triple Bend Stakes (G1) on June 27, 2015 at Santa Anita. In all, he’s won six of eight of his career starts and is currently the No. 2-ranked sprinter in the United States.
(Information gathered from EquiBase.com, NTRA.com, DMTC.com, BloodHorse.com and Brisnet.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment