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After his victory in the Super Derby, trainer Bob Baffert is ready to take Prayer for Relief off the touring troupe and put him in the main company. Prayer for Relief led from the start in Saturday's $500,000, Grade II showpiece at Louisiana Downs, turned back a brief challenge and went on to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Awesome Bet. Populist Politics was third.
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With Rafael Bejarano in the irons, Prayer for Relief basically inherited the lead no one else seemed to want. Content with that, Bejarano got his mount to relax through slow fractions, conserving plenty of energy for the stretch run. He finished the 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:52.29.
The win was the third in a derby for Prayer for Relief, following victories in the Iowa Derby and the West Virginia Derby. The colt, who raced last year in a claiming event, is by Jump Start.
"He has really blossomed over the past four months," Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes told Daily Racing Form. "Last year, he wasn't showing what we wanted to see, so we had to run him where he was competitive, where he could win."
With four wins in a row now, Prayer for Relief may be praying for more challenge. And Baffert said Sunday he will let the colt tell him how to get to the Breeders' Cup Classic.
The silver-haired trainer said Prayer for Relief appears to relish working in California and that he was doing so well the plans for the Pennsylvania Derby were scrapped in favor of the Louisiana race.
Other weekend races that could impact the Breeders' Cup World Championship events Nov. 4-5 at Churchill Downs:
Filly & Mare Sprint
Musical Romance upset Saturday's $400,000, Grade II Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes, getting first run at the leaders and holding off the late rush of the favorite, Ariana D, by a neck. Shotgun Gulch also came late with a wide rally and finished third. Musical Romance, a 4-year-old, Florida-bred filly by Concorde's Tune, got the 6 1/2 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:16.40 with Juan Leyva in the irons. Trainer Bill Kaplan said he was a bit concerned about the artificial surface for his filly, who came from Florida for the race. He said she is not nominated to the Breeders' Cup and that is not a consideration. But he said he might seek a race for her at the Keeneland fall meeting.
Turf
The aptly named Grassy bounced back from a couple disappointing outings in Canada with a pace-stalking, half-length win in Saturday's $150,000, Grade II Bowling Green Handicap at Belmont Park. With Garrett Gomez up for trainer Christophe Clement, Grassy sat back of a slow pace during the early going. After coming around the leader into the stretch, he battled Center Divider into submission before winning by a half length over that rival. Bold Hawk made a good late run to finish third, just a neck farther back. The favorite, German-bred Sanagas, rallied from last of seven but finished fourth, another half length in arrears. The 1 3/8 miles on the "good" inner turf track took 2:19.69. Clement said he is grateful the owners, Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider, have been patient with the 5-year-old son of El Prado, who was making just his 15th career start. "It is wonderful when owners give you that time and it works out. He was very impressive today and I hope we can go on to better things." He said the Grade I Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont on Oct. 1 "is a possibility."
Rahystrada, coming off a fifth-place finish in the Arlington Million, drew off in the long, undulating stretch of Kentucky Downs to win Saturday's $150,000, Grade III Kentucky Cup Turf by 3 3/4 lengths. Odds On came from far back in the 10-horse field to finish second, a head in front of Miami Deco. Rahystrada, a 7-year-old, Kentucky-bred Rahy gelding, ran the 12 furlongs on firm going in 2:32.40 with Greta Kuntzweiler in the irons for trainer Byron Hughes. Hughes said he was confident Rahystrada could handle the distance and the course. But he did not outline any plans for the veteran for the rest of the year. The race, run over the only European-style course in North America, attracted horses whose last starts had come at Arlington Park, Saratoga, Woodbine, Mountineer, Gulfstream, Ellis Park and Presque Isle Downs.
Filly & Mare Turf
Snow Top Mountain got the better of Seniga in the late going of Saturday's $50,000 Kentucky Cup Ladies Turf at Kentucky Downs, winning by 3/4 of a length with Riviera Chic third. The favorite, A She's Adorable, rallied from seventh to finish fourth. Snow Top Mountain, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Najran filly, ran the mile on firm turf in 1:39.83 with Mark Guidry up.
Dirt Mile
Wise Dan rallied by pacesetting longshot Jimmy Simms in the stretch run in Friday's $250,000 Presque Isle Mile, winning by a half length over that stubborn rival. Stunning Stag ran well from the back of the pack to pick up the show money. The favorite, Noble's Promise, lacked any stretch bid and finished seventh. Wise Dan, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Wiseman's Ferry gelding, ran the mile on the all-weather track in 1:35.63 under Jon Court. In his last outing, the July 4 Firecracker Handicap, he won at 1 mile over the Churchill Downs turf so he gives trainer Charles Lopresti some options should the Breeders' Cup card beckon again. He was sixth, beaten just 2 1/2 lengths, in last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint over the Churchill Downs main track. Overall, Wise Dan now has two wins from five starts this year and six from 11 trips to the track.
Juvenile
Drill came from off the pace, survived some bumping and jockey Martin Garcia losing his whip and still had enough to get home first in Wednesday's $250,000, Grade I Del Mar Futurity, beating Majestic City by a neck. The odds-on favorite, Creative Cause, finished third but the stewards reversed the order of finish between him and Majestic City. Drill, meanwhile got the 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in a quite respectable 1:22.16. Drill, a Lawyer Ron colt out of the Storm Cat mare Cat Dancer, is trained by Bob Baffert. Baffert said he told Garcia, "'I want you to teach him something today, but I want you to win also. Take him back, let him get some dirt in his face and ride him with a lot of confidence.' And he did. This horse is just learning. He's been working well here, but I really don't think he likes the Poly that much. I think he'll prefer the dirt." Drill finished eighth in his first start July 30 after hitting the gate. He came back to break his maiden Aug. 13.
Shared Property and the favorite, Take Charge Indy, both rallied from well back through the stretch run of Saturday's $100,000, Grade III Arlington-Washington Futurity at Arlington Park but it was Shared Property getting the better of it in the final yards, winning by a length. It was 2 1/2 lengths back to Motor City in third. Shared Property, a Scat Daddy gelding out of the Belong to Me mare Yoursmineours, finished the one-turn mile on the all-weather track in 1:37.93 with Leandro Goncalves up. It was his second win in as many starts, following a maiden triumph at Ellis Park. "He showed me he's the kind of horse who will do whatever you want to win and that's the kind of horse you need to win races like this," Goncalves said.
Indian Evening, the odds-on favorite, kicked clear of a quartet of rivals in the stretch run of Sunday's $150,000 (Canadian) Swynford Stakes at Woodbine and crossed the wire first, 3 lengths better than Lockout. Ocala Son finished third. Indian Evening, a Kentucky-bred Indian Charlie colt out of the Unbridled's Song mare Unenchantedevening, ran the 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:22.57 with Tyler Pizarro riding. Indian Evening finished third behind Union Rags in his last start -- the Grade II Saratoga Special on Aug.15. He won his debut July 10 at Woodbine by 1 1/2 lengths. "He's still an inexperienced horse," winning trainer Josie Carroll said. "His last race was in the slop where everything was going on and he probably didn't learn a lot."
Balooga Bull dominated Saturday's $50,000 (Canadian) Winnipeg Futurity at Assiniboia Downs, drawing clear early and winning off by 7 1/4 lengths as the prohibitive favorite. Gospel Gal was best of the rest with Samurai Slam third. Balooga Bull, a Kentucky-bred Flashy Bull gelding out of the Crusader Sword mare Proud Crusader, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10 3/5 with Mark Anderson riding.
Mack the Slew raced in mid-pack early in Saturday's $50,000 Hillsdale Stakes for Indiana-breds at Hoosier Park, came around the leaders in the stretch and won by 1 3/4 lengths over Artie's Love. Prince of Time was third. Mack the Slew, a Pass Rush colt out of the Seattle Slew mare Maggie Slew, got the 5 1/2 furlongs on a muddy track in 1:05 under Terry Thompson.
Herecomeslucky ran by pacesetter Joint Choice late in Sunday's $50,000 (Canadian) C.T.H.S. Sales Stakes at Hastings Racecourse and went on to win by 2 lengths over that rival. Alberta Breeze finished third. Herecomeslucky, a British Columbia-bred Katahaula County gelding, completed 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:18.58 with Mario Gutierrez in the irons.
Juvenile Turf
Gung Ho, another in the long string of Kitten's Joy offspring from the stable of Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, came from off the pace to snatch the victory in the final jumps of Saturday's $150,000 Sunday Silence Stakes at Louisiana Downs. With Ramon Dominguez up, Gung Ho ran the mile on firm turf in 1:37.35. Pryce's Posse finished third and the favorite entry of Indiana Assault and One Bravo, struggled home sixth and last of 12. Gung Ho is a Pennsylvania-bred out of the Honour and Glory mare Glory Dancer.
Juvenile Fillies
Rocket Twentyone tracked the pace set by Essence of Bubbles through most of Saturday's $100,000, Grade III Arlington-Washington Lassie at Arlington Park, then got by in the late going to win by a half length at generous odds. Ann of the Dance finished third and the favorite, Always Here Too, was always in mid-pack and finished fifth. Rocket Twentyone, an Ontario-bred Indian Charlie filly out of the Blare of Trumpets mare Symphonic Lady, ran the one-turn mile on the all-weather track in 1:39.13 with Eusebio Razo Jr. in the irons. The Lassie was just the second start for Rocket Twentyone, who broke her maiden going 6 furlongs at Prairie Meadows Aug. 12. "I wasn't really worried about the horse in front," Razo said. "Well, I was worried, but I knew when I'd ask her she'd make her run to the end. She can run either way. She's push button."
Saint D'aroak got to the lead in the stretch in Saturday's $50,000 City of Anderson Stakes for Indiana-breds at Hoosier Park and held off the odds-on favorite, Yeardly, to win by 3 lengths. Yeardly stumbled at the start and was taken up in traffic in the lane. Saint D'aroak, a daughter of Saint Anddan out of the Roanoke mare D'aroak, ran 5 1/2 furlong in the mud in 1:06 4/5 with Rodney Prescott aboard.
Gabigotherway won Sunday's $50,000 (Canadian) C.T.H.S. Sales Stakes at Hastings Racecourse by 3 3/4 lengths over the odds-on favorite, Sunnyside Gal. What a Score finished third. Gabigotherway, a British Columbia-bred daughter of Quiet Cash out of the Go For Gin mare Kaluki, ran the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.84 with Richard Hamel up.
Juvenile Fillies Turf
Soonerette led all the way in Saturday's $100,000 Happy Ticket Stakes at Louisiana Downs and held off My Gi Gi in the final yards to win by a head. Burning Rage was well back in third. Soonerette, an Oklahoma-bred Master Command filly out of the Skywalker mare Gigi's Skyflyer, ran the mile on firm turf in 1:36.99 with Ramon Dominguez in the irons.
Other racing:
France
Goldikova's younger sister, Galikova, emerged as a quite viable prospect for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as a result of her gutty victory Sunday in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Vermeille over the Longchamp turf. After tracking the pace for Olivier Peslier, Galikova picked up the pace 2 furlongs out and stoutly rallied to the lead, besting the late run of Testosterone. Shareta finished third after making the early way. Winning trainer Freddy Head, who earlier had been reluctant to concede Galikova's ability at the top level, appeared to change his tune after Sunday's race, calling that effort "magnificent." Now, he said, "it would be a great surprise" if her owners didn't want her to try the Arc.
The likely favorite, for the Arc, however, turned up in Sunday's Group 2 Qatar Prix Foy at Longchamp. Sarafina, with Christophe Lemair in the irons, had to negotiate a small opening between rivals in the last furlong of the race before getting home first, a short neck ahead of Hiruno D'Amour. St. Nicholas Abbey finished third. "We're generally pleased with the race," said winning trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre, adding his 4-year-old Refuse to Bend filly was fresh for Sunday's race but would be cranked down tighter for the Arc.
Royer-Dupre found another potential Arc candidate in Reliable Man, who copped Sunday's Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp by 2 lengths over Meandre, who had beaten him soundly last time out. Yet another Royer-Dupre runner, Vadamar, finished third in the Niel.
Ireland
Jukebox Jury simply couldn't hold off Duncan in the final jumps of Saturday's Group 1 Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh and the two crossed the wire as one in a dead heat. Red Cadeaux was up for third and the heavy favorite, Fame and Glory, settled for fourth. Jukebox Jury, ridden by Johnny Murtagh, made the going. Duncan, with Eddie Ahem up, started putting on the pressure with 5 furlongs to go. From there, it was a two-way battle. The race is billed as the primary Euro prep for the Melbourne Cup and his connections indicated Jukebox Jury is not impossible for that "down under" classic.
Keep an eye out for Born to Sea, a half brother to Sea the Stars who jumped right to the top of contention for next year's classics after winning his first start Sunday at the Curragh by 1 1/2 lengths. Winning trainer John Oxx said Born to Sea could have run earlier but suffered sore shins. Now, he said, he is targeting the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown late in October as his only other start this year.
England
The English St Leger on Saturday at Doncaster went to Masked Marvel, who moved behind a very quick pace, got to the lead with a quarter mile to go and drew clear to win by 3 lengths over Brown Panther. Sea Moon was third. Masked Marvel, a son of Montjeu, finished in course-record time of 3:00.44 with William Buick up for trainer John Gosden. Godolphin's hope, Blue Bunting, finished sixth and her connections said Sunday she may have been in season -- in addition to having had a tough campaign. Buick said Masked Marvel "is an improving horse and mile and a half races can't be ruled out."
Louisiana Downs
Golden Yank rallied from last of 10 to upset Saturday's $100,000 Unbridled Stakes, winning by a half length with a final push past Lonesome Street. The favorite, Mystic, was third with a traffic-plagued trip. Golden Yank, a 6-year-old, Kentucky-bred Yankee Gentleman gelding, finished the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.29 under Rafael Bejarano.
She's All In came five-wide down the stretch and caught Vickies In Town in the shadow of the wire to win Saturday's $100,000 River Cities Stakes for fillies and mares by a head. Category Seven finished third. She's All In, a 4-year-old, Oklahoma-bred Include filly, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.16 with Mike Smith up.
Tidal Volume sprinted to a daylight lead in Saturday's $50,000 Temperence Hill Stakes and held well at the end to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Humble Destin. Southern Style was third with Tortuga Straits fourth. Tidal Volume, a 5-year-old, Kentucky-bred son of Tapit, ran the 6 furlongs in 1:10.24 with Gerard Melancon in the irons.
Belmont Park
Compliance Officer swung four-wide into the stretch in Sunday's $100,000 Ashley T. Cole Handicap for New York-breds, quickly gained the lead and drew off to win by 3 1/2 lengths over Pocket Cowboys. Minnie Punt finished third. Compliance Officer, a 5-year-old Officer gelding out of the Dynaformer mare Purple Hills, ran the 9 furlongs on the "good" inner turf course in 1:51.50 with Alex Solis up.
Del Mar
Rumor battled Salty Sarah to the wire in Wednesday's $95,000 C.E.R.R. Stakes for fillies and mares, winning by a nose. Givine finished third. Rumor, a 3-year-old Indian Charlie filly, ran the 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:09.45 with Garrett Gomez up.
Sterling Outlook, a 33-1 long shot, led all the way in Wednesday's $116,105 Pirate's Bounty Stakes, then was caught at the wire for a dead heat with Mensa Heat. Ain't No Other covered the show position. Sterling Outlook, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Eurosilver gelding with Alonzo Quinonez up, and Mensa Heat, a 5-year-old, California-bred Unusual Heat gelding with Joe Talamo in the irons, finished the 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:08.84. California Flag finished fifth.
Calder Race Course
Tannersville dueled to the lead in Saturday's $50,000 Our Dear Peggy Stakes, then kicked clear and went on to win by 4 lengths over Trust the Deputy. The odds-on favorite, Motovado, was another half length back in third. Tannersville, a 4-year-old, Florida-bred West Acre colt, got the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:53.23. There were four scratches when the race came off the turf.
Delaware Park
Not Abroad drew off in the stretch run of Saturday's $75,000 DTHA Governor's Day Stakes, winning by 5 1/2 lengths over the odds-on favorite, Eldaafer. Fonda Rhonda Won finished third. Not Abroad, a 4-year-old, Maryland-bred Not For Love colt, ran the 1 mile and 70 yards on a fast track in 1:40.27 for Nicholas Petro.
She Be Classy raced behind the pace in Saturday's $75,000 George Rosenberger Memorial Stakes for fillies and mares, surged to the front turning for home and won by 2 3/4 lengths over Punta Ballena. All Night Labor finished third. She Be Classy, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Toccet filly, got the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.50 with Jeremy Rose riding. The race came off the turf, with five resulting scratches.
Monmouth Park
Golden Mystery was an open book in the stretch run in Saturday's $60,000 Mongo Queen Stakes for fillies and mares, separating from the field and winning off by 3 lengths. D'cats Meow was second and Winning Image third. Golden Mystery, a 5-year-old, Florida-bred Awesome Again mare, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.02 under Angel Serpa.
Parx Racing
Noble Maz and Just Don dueled throughout Saturday's $100,000 Mr. Jenney Handicap for Pennsylvania-breds with Noble Maz getting the better of it by a head. Philly Bound rallied late to take third, 3/4 of a length farther back. Noble Maz, with Kendrick Carmouche up, ran the 5 furlongs on a fast track in 57.66 seconds. The winner is a 5-year-old Storm Boot mare. The race came off the grass.
The companion $100,000 Mrs. Penny Stakes for state-bred distaffers also came off the turf with five resulting scratches. Of those left, Seychelles was best by 1 1/2 lengths over Single Scoop. The favorite, Tap Softly, led and held for third. Seychelles, a 5-year-old Bowman's Band mare, finished the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:46.55 under Victor Molina.
Lucky Lewis rallied from last of five to win Saturday's $75,000 Crowd Pleaser Stakes for Pennsylvania-bred 3-year-olds by a neck over early leader Winchell. Gondwanan finished third in the off-the-turf affair. Lucky Lewis, a Forest Camp gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.69 for jockey Josiah Hampshire Jr.
Ann's Smart Dancer won a three-horse photo in Saturday's $75,000 Dr. Theresa Garofalo Memorial for state-bred 3-year-old fillies, scoring by a neck over Voodoo's Argument and another nose over Prize Winner. Ann's Smart Dancer, a Dance With Ravens filly, ran the 6 furlongs in 1:10.54 with Frankie Pennington handling the reins.
Woodbine
Reconnect, at 70-1 odds, rallied from last to win Saturday's $125,000 (Canadian) La Prevoyante Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies by a neck over Bubbles to the Top. The early leader, L'Avenue, finished third and the odds-on choice, Weekend Romance, checked in fifth. Reconnect, a Niigon filly, finished the mile on firm turf in 1:37.69 with Omar Moreno up.
Hastings Racecourse
Northern Causeway was up late to win Sunday's $200,000 (Canadian), Grade III British Columbia Derby by a neck over Jebrica. Arraignment completed the triactor. Northern Causeway, a Kentucky-bred Giant's Causeway colt, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:50.22 with William Antongeorgi III in the irons.
Class Included drew off late to win Sunday's $100,000 (Canadian) British Columbia Oaks by 4 lengths over Castinette Dancer. Overvalued showed the way early and finished third. Class Included, a Kentucky-bred Include filly, got the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.50 with Russell Baze riding.
Thistledown
Bold Captain came to the lead three-wide in Saturdays' $50,000 Governor's Buckeye Cup for Ohio-breds and quickly drew clear, winning off by 3 1/2 lengths over the favorite, Allsarott. Thats a Heckofacat finished third. Bold Captain, a 5-year-old Bold Truth gelding, finished the 1 1/4 miles on a fast track in 2:05.88 with Luis Martinez Jr. up.
Fairplex
California Nectar took charge in the lane in Friday's $50,000 Beverly J. Lewis Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, winning by 3 3/4 lengths over True Way of Grace, who came from last. Joe Ja, the early leader, stuck around to finish third. California Nectar, a Stormy Atlantic filly, ran the 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:18.23 with Marin Pedroza up.
Luckarack came between horses into the lane in Sunday's $50,000 Jim Kostoff Stakes for 3-year-olds and cleared the field to win by 4 1/2 lengths. The odds-on favorite, C J Russell, finished second and Road Ready was third. Luckarack, a California-bred Lucky Pulpit colt, ran the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:18.03 under Agapito Delgadillo.
Albuquerque
Our Choice bested the favorite, Lesters Secret, in the late going in Saturday's $50,000 E.T. Springer Stakes for New Mexico-breds, winning by 3/4 of a length with Rosa's Cantina third. Our Choice, a 6-year-old Desert God gelding, ran the 7 furlongs on the fast fairgrounds track in 1:21.34 with Alfredo Juarez Jr. up.
Zia Park
Imco Spirit, an Irish-bred racing far from the green hills of home, rallied through the stretch to win Sunday's $100,000 Premier Cup Handicap by 4 lengths over odds-on favorite Native Ruler. Pack Your Bags finished third. Imco Spirit, a 5-year-old Invincible Spirit gelding, ran the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:07.13 with Miguel Perez riding.
Laurel Park
Eighttofasttocatch proved worthy of his name once the 5-year-old, Maryland-bred Not For Love gelding got to the lead in the stretch run in Saturday's $50,000 Japan Racing Association Stakes. Kicking clear, Eighttofasttocatch won off by 4 1/2 lengths over the favorite, Nacho Friend, with Indian Dance a late-running third. Malcolm Franklin rode the winner over 1 mile on a fast track in 1:35.43. The race was taken off the turf.
Comet of Love led the way in Saturday's $60,000 Jameela Stakes for Maryland-bred fillies and mares and held off the favorite, Fascinatin' Rhythm, by a half length at the end. Profit turned a small one by finishing third. Comet of Love, a 4-year-old Not For Love filly, completed the 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.86 with Ricardo Chiappe in the irons.
Assiniboia Downs
Big Blue Caboose was the engine in Saturday's $50,000 (Canadian) Gold Cup Stakes, leading comfortably throughout to a 2-length win. Alisal was second with Southern Alliance third. Big Blue Caboose, a 3-year-old, Kentucky-bred Silver Train gelding running against older horses, finished the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:51 1/5 with Jocelyne Kenny riding.
News and notes:
Paul Roy, chairman of the British Horseracing Authority, and Rian Du Plessis, Group chief executive officer of South African betting organization Phumelela, have agreed to join a round table discussion on the future of international racing in the Oct. 6 Leaders in Racing seminar in England. The panel also includes representatives of Betfair, Tabcorp, The Jockey Club, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the British Champions Series, Singapore Turf Club, Coral and Channel 4. Other participants are expected to join. The conference takes place within the Leaders Sports Summit, a coming together of 5 leading conferences including Football, Sponsorship, Digital Sport and Performance Oct. 5-6 at Chelsea FC. The racing portion has a dedicated web site at www.leadersinracing.com.
