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DIRT MILE
Last Updated Nov. 3, 2009
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Post |
Horse |
ML |
Jockey |
A |
Owner |
Trainer |
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1 |
Mastercraftsman (IRE) |
6-5 |
J. Murtagh |
3 |
Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor |
Aiden O'Brien |
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2 |
Furthest Land (KY) |
20-1 |
J. Leparoux |
4 |
Ken Ramsey & Sarah Ramsey |
Mike Maker |
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3 |
Midshipman (KY) |
6-1 |
R. Migliore |
3 |
Godolphin Stable |
Saeed bin Suroor |
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4 |
Bullsbay (KY) |
3-1 |
J. Rose |
5 |
Mitchell Ranch, LLC, Franklin Lewkowitz, MD & Joe Rice |
Graham Motion |
|
5 |
Neko Bay (KY) |
20-1 |
M. Smith |
6 |
Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss |
John Shirreffs |
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6 |
Mambo Meister (KY) |
30-1 |
M. Cruz |
4 |
Quantum Racing Team #1 LLC |
Philip Gleaves |
|
7 |
Pyro (KY) |
10-1 |
J. Velazquez |
4 |
Godolphin Stable |
Saeed bin Suroor |
|
8 |
Mr. Sidney (KY) |
12-1 |
K. Desormeaux |
5 |
Circle E Racing |
Bill Mott |
|
9 |
Chocolate Candy (KY) |
15-1 |
J. Rosario |
3 |
Estate of Sid Craig, Jenny Craig |
Jerry Hollendorfer |
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10 |
Ready's Echo (KY) |
20-1 |
C. Borel |
4 |
Let's Go Stable |
Todd Pletcher |
BULLSBAY
CHOCOLATE CANDY
FURTHEST LAND
MAMBO MEISTER
MASTERCRAFTSMAN
MIDSHIPMAN
MR. SIDNEY
NEKO BAY
PYRO
READY'S ECHO
BULLSBAY
Trainer: Graham Motion
Owner: Mitchell Ranch LLC
Breeder: Brad Anderson
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Tiznow (Cee's Tizzy, Cee's Song)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): The Hess Express (Lord Carson, Turcomedy)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-2-7-0-0 (14) 3.00
Age: 5
Before the Whitney, Bullsbay's best win had come in the Grade III Alysheba.
Aug. 8, Grade I Whitney Handicap, Saratoga, 1 1/8 Mile. Bullsbay won at odds of 18-1, by far the longest in the field of six. Midway through the far turn, Jeremy Rose surged to the front, and with Macho Again mounting a stretch drive too late, Bullsbay ran to a stunning victory that upset a lot of bettors, for sure.
Macho Again was 7-2, Commentataor was third at 2-1, Dry Martini was fifth at 7-2, and Smooth Air was sixth and last at 2-1.
When the gate opened, Commentator broke sharply from the outside and made his way across the field to the inside on the first turn. He was stalked onto the backstretch by Smooth Air and Tizway through a first quarter-mile in :23.49 and a half in :46.38. Smooth Air bid to catch Commentator as they reached the far turn, but at the three-eighths pole, Bullsbay, who saved ground the entire way while way behind in the backstretch, rushed toward the leaders, swung outside Commentator and began to pull away in the stretch.
Bullsbay won the Whitney by 1 1/2 length over Macho Again, who rallied down the middle of the track to beat Commentator for the place by another 1 1/2. The winner was timed in 1:48.12.
Jeremy Rose: “Today was beautiful. He fired on all cylinders; Graham had him ready, and it was a perfect trip. I made the lead way too early, but I couldn’t help it. He was just cutting through traffic way too easy. I didn’t want to go that early, but I had to go with the horse.”
Sept. 5, Grade I Woodward Stakes, Saratoga, 1 1/8 Mile. Bullsbay tried to take it to Rachel Alexandra at the head of the stretch, but he couldn't get by her. Macho Again lagged the field down the backstretch, waiting to make his run at Rachel Alexandra. He did that, but lost to her by a head. Bullsbay finished third.
Rachel Alexandra led throughout and won despite her quick early fractions. She was timed internally in :22.85, :46.41, 1:10.54 and 1:35.48. The the final mark was 1:48.29.
After the race, Calvin Borel said they made three runs at "Rachel" but that she wasn't going to let them by.
Macho Again was 1 1/2 lengths in front of Bullsbay, who in turn was followed by Asiatic Boy, It’s a Bird, Past the Point, Cool Coal Man, and Da’ Tara.
Graham Motion, trainer of Bullsbay: “I thought he ran huge, and the winner was extraordinary. My horse hooked her at the quarter pole and gave her a race, but maybe that took a bit out of her. This is what it’s all about.”
Jeremy Rose, aboard Bullsbay: “My horse left everything on the track. He did everything he could to get by that (filly). She just isn’t giving up. She’s awesome; there’s no two ways about it.
“The fractions were fast, and I thought I was in a perfect spot to catch her. At the quarter-pole, I split Edgar Prado (on Past the Point) and her and I got within a neck of her, and she just rebroke. She’s just too good of a horse."
CHOCOLATE CANDY (KY)
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Breeder: Sid Craig & Jenny Craig
Owner: Craig Family Trust
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Candy Ride (ARG), Ride the Rails, Candy Girl (ARG))
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Crownette (Seattle Slew, In Memory)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 7-1-11-1-0 (20) 2.08
Age: 3
Chocolate Candy finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby, skipped the Preakness, then could do no better than ninth in the Belmont Stakes.
After an extended break, he returned to the races in early September in the El Cajon Stakes at Del Mar, finishing second to Grazen by 3/4 length. The winner was timed in 1:36.49 for the mile on synthetic track.
Chocolate Candy next started in the Grade I Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita, checking in fifth, beaten 3 1/2 lengths by European invader Gitano Hernando.
MAMBO MEISTER (KY)
Trainer: Philip Gleaves
Owner: Quantum Racing Team #1 LLC
Breeder: J. R. Cavanaugh
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): King Cugat (Kingmambo, Tricky Game)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Bleu'slittlesecret (Desert Secret (IRE), Bleu Turquoise (IRE))
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-1-10-2-0 (18) 1.57
Age: 4
Oct. 17, Grade III Spend A Buck Handicap, Calder, 1 1/16 Mile. Mambo Meister won, earning a spot in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, should connections opt to go.
In a minor upset, Mambo Meister (5-2) defeated favored Motovato (1-1) by 3 3/4 lengths to be much the best. He was timed in 1:46.85 in the 1 1/16-mile race on a main track rated fast.
Manoel Cruz rode.
Winning trainer Philip Gleaves: "I'm ecstatic over the way he ran today. He's always been versatile and he just loves this track. Like many horses that run well on turf, I think he could do well on a synthetic surface. We'll probably start talking about the Breeders' Cup over dinner tonight."
Manoel Cruz - "When this horse runs on the turf, he does better coming from farther off of the pace, but on the main track, I prefer him to be closer to the pace like he was today. I think position was a key in this race, as we were better-placed down the backstretch and around the last turn than the favorite. Either way, though, this horse is as honest and talented as they get, he always keeps you in the race and gives you a chance to win. He did it all himself today."
MASTERCRAFTSMAN (IRE)
Trainer: Aiden O'Brien
Owner: Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor
Breeder: Lynch Bages Ltd.
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Danehill Dancer (IRE) (Danehill, Mira Adonde)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Starlight Dreams (Black Tie Affair (IRE), Reves Celestes)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-3-15-0-1 (24) 1.82
Age: 3
In early October, he was pointed to the Mile or the Classic, with connections leaning to the latter.
He was the winner of this season’s 3-year-old Irish classic, the Irish 2,000 Guineas. On June 16, Mastercraftsman won the one-mile, Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes on good to firm ground at Ascot.
In his other two 2009 races before that, he was victorious in the one-mile, Group 1 Boylesports.com Irish 2,000 Guineas on heavy ground at Curragh on May 23, and on May 2, after a seven-month layoff, he finished fifth to Sea the Stars in the one-mile, Group 1 Stanjames.com 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket.
Aug. 18, Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes, York, 1 1/4 Mile, 80 Yards (T). Only three ran against Sea The Stars, but one of the three was the imposing Mastercraftsman.
Lesser foes set the pace. Mastercraftsman and Johnny Murtagh made the first move, but Sea the Stars kicked by him in the straight to win by a length. The timer stopped at 2:05.29 on turf rated good to firm. That broke the track record. Sea the Stars went off at 1-4 under Mick Kinane.
Aiden O'Brien trained the other three starters.
"This fellow loves to get into a battle, but Mick rode a brilliant race on Sea The Stars. It was a great race and the winner is a great horse," O'Brien said. "He's not short on speed, ourfellow, but he can run either over a mile or a mile and a quarter. I'm not sure where he will go now. All options are open to him."
Sept. 5, Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes, Leopardstown, 1 1/4 Mile (T). Mastercraftsman finished third, beaten five lengths by "The Machine," Sea the Stars, who was timed in 2:03.90 on a course rated good to yielding.
Sept. 24 NOTE: “It’s all up in the air, but obviously Rip Van Winkle will be looking at the Classic if he goes OK on Saturday (in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot) and is alright afterwards, and Mastercraftsman will also be in the mix for that race as well,” said trainer O’Brien.
Sept. 26, Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot, One Mile. Mastercraftsman was scratched.
“Mastercraftsman could also go for the Classic, that will be the owners’ decision, and he may run on Friday at Dundalk in the Group Three Diamond Stakes," trainer O'Brien said after the race.
Mastercraftsman's stable mate, Rip Van Winkle, won the Queen Elizabeth. Four ran.
Oct. 2, Group 3 Diamond Stakes, Dundalk, 1 1/4 Mile, 150 yards (T). Mastercraftsman had easy success in this Polytrack race with John Murtagh on the reins. He earned the winner a place in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon--but trainer O’Brien set his sights on the Mile or the Classic.
Sent off the 2-9 favorite, Mastercraftsman was settled in third by Murtagh as stable companion Augustusthestrong led initially, and then Via Galilei took over the pacesetting role.
He was 15 lengths back at one stage but made progress turning for home and closed on the weakening leaders strongly at the two-furlong pole. He led within another half furlong and went clear under a hand ride. The time was 2:12.18.
"I’m delighted with that performance. There was no pussy-footing around and they went a very strong gallop," O'Brien said. "Johnny, as per usual, kept very cool, and he knows the horse better than anyone. You'd have to be very impressed with that performance, and Johnny said when he went to follow the leaders, he probably got there a bit too soon. He is a great horse and showed all his class.
"He’s proved he can go on the surface and cruised home. He will definitely go to Santa Anita, probably for the Classic, though he's in the Mile too, along with Rip Van Winkle. If both horses are well, I imagine they will run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic."
This year, Mast Track tried the Grade I Pacific Classic after four races. In the first three of those four, he finished off the board; but then, in the Grade II San Diego Handicap going 1 1/16 mile at Del Mar, he finished second by a nose to Informed after setting the pace. Alas, Mast Track finished twelfth, beaten 19 3/4 lengths, in the Pacific Classic on Sept. 6.
Oct. 9, Allowance, Santa Anita, One Mile. Mast Track finished second as the 8-5 favorite, defeated a length by Neko Bay, who has all the same connections as Zenyatta and who was timed in 1:35.28. With Mike Smith in the saddle, Neko Bay returned from a 10-month layoff to find an opening near the rail and run down Mast Track.
Mast Track, with Rafael Bejarano aboard, finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead of millionaire Becrux and five-time British jockey champion Kieren Fallon in a stellar field for the level.
Checking in fourth was 3-1 second-choice El Gato Malo, a 4-year-old who won his first three starts by a combined 16 lengths, including last year’s Grade II San Rafael Stakes.
MIDSHIPMAN (KY)
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Stonerside Stable
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Unbridled's Song (Unbridled, Trolley Song)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Fleet Lady (Avenue of Flags, Dear Mimi)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 7-8-15-0-2 (32) 2.37
Age: 3
Sept. 18, Allowance, Belmont Park, 6 1/2 Furlongs. After months off--and missing the 2009 Triple Crown Trail with an injury--Midshipman made a successful 3-year-old debut, coming from just off the pace and drawing clear to a 3 1/4-length victory over Just Ben. Midshipman pressed Just Ben through fractions of :22.46 and :44.72 and pulled clear through the stretch while drifting out to hit the wire in 1:15.83 over the fast track with Richard Migliore aboard.
The son of Unbridled’s Song was making his first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park last October. It was his first start over conventional dirt.
Midshipman was 9-5; Just Ben was also 9-5. Five ran.
“That’s a pretty good horse he stalked all the way around,” said assistant trainer Rick Mettee. “Fifteen and change, off a layoff, is a pretty good time. Obviously he handled the dirt pretty well.”
Migliore said he thought Midshipman handled the new surface in a “sensational” fashion and was not overly concerned about his drifting out in the lane.
“As good as he was on synthetic, who knows, maybe he’s even better on conventional dirt,” said the jockey. “He couldn’t have moved any better and couldn’t have come back any better but he took that horse so easily at the head of the lane that he just kind of got lost – like he got to wandering.”
Mettee said he did not know what would be next for the colt, who was now 4-1-0 from five starts. “The staff did a great job in getting him ready,” said Mettee. “This gives us a lot more options. We’ll just digest all this. There’s no definitive race. We’ll see.”
Sept. 25 NOTE: Assistant trainer Rick Mettee said that Girolamo is the most likely of the Godolphin 3-year-olds to start in the one-mile, Grade II Jerome on Oct. 11.
“It would be a little quick back for Regal Ransom and Midshipman, but it is a possibility for Vineyard Haven,” he said.
MR. SIDNEY (KY)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Owner: Circle E Racing
Breeder: Hilbert Thoroughbreds
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Storm Cat (Storm Bird (CAN), Terlingua)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Tomisue's Delight (A.P. Indy, Prospector's Delite)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 10-9-13-0-0 (32) 3.92
Age: 5
July 4, Grade II Firecracker Handicap, Churchill Downs, One Mile (T). Mr. Sidney pulled away from Inca King in the final sixteenth of a mile to win over a yielding course in 1:37.28. He'd also won the Grade I Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland on yielding turf.
Kenny McCarthy, assistant trainer to Bill Mott: “Obviously he proved at Keeneland that he likes this kind of course with a little give in the ground. The weather didn’t bother us in the least. It set up good with the speed in there. I thought actually they’d go even a little quicker that what they did, but you know it set up nicely for us to come. He was right on today.”
Kent Desormeaux, jockey: “Today we were hoping for Mother Nature to play our card, and it really did. He is a playful horse but today he was totally professional. He really gave me a lovely ride. He was always in hand and attentive to my needs.”
Aug. 8, Grade I Arlington Million, Arlington Park, 1 1/4 Mile. Mr. Sidney didn't have it on this day.
Gio Ponti split rivals under Ramon Dominguez, took command in upper stretch and drew off late for a 1 1/4-length tally as the 3-2 choice of the fans. The turf was rated good. He was timed in 2:04.19.
Just as Well (19-1) got up for the second spot while finishing a head to the good of the European invader Stotsfold (28-1), a British-bred. Cima de Triomphe (8-1) was fourth, while Einstein (3-1) didn't like the ground and finished fifth. Mr. Sidney (6-1) was sixth. Gloria de Campeao (11-1) was seventh. As expected, Presious Passion (9-2) made the early pace with splits of :23.98 and :48.44 while building a sizeable lead. However, he tired to finish last of eight.
Oct. 10, Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile, Keeneland, One Mile (T). Mr. Sidney (5-2) raced fifth of seven behind slow fractions on a soft turf course. He rallied but couldn't get the needed spurt, and finished a non-threatening third.
Court Vision (9-2) outdueled longshot Karelian (10-1) to the wire to win in 1:38.68 on turf rated soft.
Karelian led the field through very slow fractions of :25.40, :50.45 and 1:14.99. The only horse to challenge him down the lane was Court Vision, newly rejuvenated since a July 23 procedure to remove a high-channeled testicle.
Formerly trained by Mr. Sidney's conditioner Bill Mott, Court Vision's win went to Rick Dutrow, Jr., who saddled Court Vision for the first time. Robby Albarado handled the reins.
Mr. Sidney and Battle of Hastings never threatened and finished third and fourth, respectively. Favored Justenuffhumor, at 7-5, ran as if he did not like the soft going and finished well back of the top four. He trailed the field down the backstretch.
Bill Mott, trainer of third-place finisher Mr. Sidney: “The horse ran well, just didn’t win. He fought hard to be third. We still may go to the Breeders’ Cup – we haven’t ruled it out.”
Kent Desormeaux, jockey of third-place finisher Mr. Sidney: “He was attentive to me and let me ride him. I thought we had it turning for home, but we couldn't catch the top two.”
NEKO BAY (KY)
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Owner: Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss
Breeder: Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat, Mariah's Storm)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Brulay (Rubiano, Charming Lassie)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 5-3-13-1-0 (22) 1.93
Age: 6
Oct. 9, Allowance, Santa Anita, One Mile. Mast Track finished second as the 8-5 favorite, defeated a length by Neko Bay, who has all the same connections as Zenyatta and who was timed in 1:35.28. With Mike Smith in the saddle, Neko Bay returned from a 10-month layoff to find an opening near the rail and run down Mast Track.
Mast Track, the 2008 Hollywood Gold Cup winner with Rafael Bejarano aboard, finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead of millionaire Becrux and five-time British jockey champion Kieren Fallon in a stellar field for the level.
Checking in fourth was 3-1 second-choice El Gato Malo, a 4-year-old who won his first three starts by a combined 16 lengths, including last year’s Grade II San Rafael Stakes.
It was an impressive showing for Neko Bay, a homebred son of Giant’s Causeway, who has dealt with infirmites during a nevertheless consistent career on the racetrack where he has finished first or second in 9 of his 10 starts.
“He hadn’t run in 10 months, and we had the outside post, so I knew he was going to be a little keen early,” Smith said in the winner’s circle. “So I got him covered up right away and I tried to get him to relax. I didn’t want to make an early run and get caught four-wide and have him flatten out, so I wanted to stay down in the pocket and punch through when it counted.”
PYRO (KY)
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): Pulpit (A.P. Indy, Preach)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Wild Vison (Wild Again, Carol's Wonder)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 8-7-11-0-0 (26) 3.73
Age: 4
A multiple-graded stakes winner last year, Pyro was off after a sixth-place finish in the 2008 Dirt Mile. He was purchased by Godolphin and had knee surgery in November--followed by rest. Dr. Larry Bramlage performed the knee surgery, and Pyro was eventually sent to the Kentucky farm of John Burke for light training. Pyro was transferred from Steve Asmussen to the care of trainer Saeed bin Suroor
In his 2009 debut, Pyro ran second by a half to Gold Trippi in the James Marvin Stakes at Saratoga on July 29. For his next start, the Forego was chosen.
“It was either this or the Woodward,” said assistant Rick Mettee. “We feel that seven furlongs might be a better trip for him than nine furlongs. Nine furlongs at Saratoga is pretty demanding right now. They get pretty tired coming down the lane.”
Sept. 5, Grade I Forego Stakes, Saratoga, Seven Furlongs. In a return to form, Pyro got up late for a half-length victory over favored Kodiak Kowboy. After breaking slowly, Pyro galloped along next-to-last in the field of 12 through early fractions of :22.48 and :45.24 set by longshot Multidude, who was pressed closely by Riley Tucker. Forced to look for room from behind a wall of horses at the quarter pole, Pyro split rivals in upper stretch and finished strongly between horses for the win.
His time for the seven furlongs was 1:21.48.
Completing the order of finish were Ready’s Echo, My Pal Charlie, Riley Tucker, True Quality, Keep Laughing, Driven by Success, Gold Trippi, Peace Chant, Multidude and Law Enforcement.
Rick Mettee, assistant to winning trainer bin Suroor: “We weren’t really worried when he broke a little slow, he has a history of doing that. I didn’t know if the (half-mile) was fast enough, but they thinned out and Johnny gave him a perfect trip. To beat a horse like Kodiak Kowboy, you’ve got to pull a perfect trip. It’s been one of those magical meets, everything’s gone right, and we really appreciate it because of the Belmont meet we had. I could tell he had horse left at the quarter pole, but he pulled a really good trip which isn’t easy to do in a big field like this.”
On Pyro’s next start, which is undecided: “The Breeders’ Cup being on synthetic changes the game completely. I wouldn’t completely rule it out, but I’m not sure.”
John Velazquez, aboard Pyro: “It was awesome. I had ridden him the time before, so I knew him a little bit, how to handle him. I was biding my time with him, just waiting for a seam to open, and when it did he was there for me. It was very nice. I saw the horse on the outside, and I heard someone coming on the inside, and it wound up being (Ready’s Echo). It worked out very well.”
READY'S ECHO (KY)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Let's Go Stable
Breeder: Meg T. Buckley & Michael J. Buckley
Sire (Sire’s Sire, Dam): More Than Ready (Southern Halo, Woodman's Girl)
Dam (Dam’s Sire, Dam): Menekineko (Kingmambo, Maison Close)
Dosage Profile (Points) Index: 9-1-12-0-0 (22) 2.67
Age: 4
In 2008, Ready's Echo finished third in the Belmont Stakes, the Grade II Peter Pan at Belmont Park and the Grade II Jamaica Handicap on the turf, also at Belmont Park.
In 2009, he finished second in the Grade III Seagram Cup at Woodbine and the Grade III Kelso Handicap; he was third in the Grade I Forego at Saratoga.
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