Siblings (and offspring) of well-known horses

[BaroqueAgain1]

It looked like Spanish Steps played pacemaker for the other two Ballydoyle runners, as he led for about a mile in the about 12-furlong race. Then he was swallowed up by the field..may have finished last. IMO, Turbulent Descent's boy may do better at the shorter distances his mom liked.
The winner was Cracksman, who blasted to the lead in the last few furlongs and won eased down by at least five lengths. With that speed and those silks, he sure reminded me of his sire. I think he's headed for the St. Leger next.

[BaroqueAgain1]

The 2nd at Saratoga, a 1 1/8-mile AOC for 3yo & up, saw the return of Destin (Giant's Causeway x Dream of Summer), the full to Creative Cause. The colt, who finished second by a short nose to Creator in last year's Belmont, had been off since last Aug. until an allowance in May, where he was an unimpressive 3rd or 4th.
Today's allowance only had a field of five, but it was a nice group, with runners like Donegal Moon and Seeking the Soul. It came down to 'Moon and Destin battling head-to-head down to the wire, and I think Destin was determined not to lose by a nose again. He won that fight.

[Northport]

It looked like Spanish Steps played pacemaker for the other two Ballydoyle runners, as he led for about a mile in the about 12-furlong race. Then he was swallowed up by the field..may have finished last. IMO, Turbulent Descent's boy may do better at the shorter distances his mom liked.
The winner was Cracksman, who blasted to the lead in the last few furlongs and won eased down by at least five lengths. With that speed and those silks, he sure reminded me of his sire. I think he's h4eaded for the St. Leger next.

Prior to today, Cracksman's connections said that this would be his last race of 2017. They are now saying that he may head for the Arc or Champion Stakes, with the real goals being races like the King George next year. John Gosden ruled out the St. Leger.

[BaroqueAgain1]

Thanks for the info update. Re: the Leger; maybe the British commentators were expressing what THEY wanted to see.
I can certainly understand why Gosden is now willing to race him again. That was an impressive performance by a horse who looks to be sharp or even improving. I suspect the choice of Arc vs. Champion Stakes will may depend on ground. I got the impression that the colt doesn't exactly love deep ground.
I've read that another British sibling-of-well-known, Idaho, the full to Highland Reel, is heading here for the BC Turf. It would be cool if full bros could take that race in successive years.

[Sparrow Castle]

Heavenly Grace is entered today at SARATOGA.
Your comments for this horse were: 2014 Tapit - Havre de Grace, by Saint Liam
Race: 7 - 4:24 PM
MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT
Purse: $ 83,000. One And One Eighth Miles.

[BaroqueAgain1]

Talk about breeding the best to the best.
Did she run as a two-year-old? Is this her first race?

[CoronadosQuest]

Talk about breeding the best to the best.
Did she run as a two-year-old? Is this her first race?

She has run twice before... the best she did was 3rd. She was 8th last out at Belmont in July. Her other start was as a 2yo at Belmont in October where she was 3rd

[BaroqueAgain1]

This race looks full of well-bred gals. Tapit has two other daughters in; Tapella, out of unbeaten Sunland Oaks winner, Princess Arabella, and Parade, out of the Storm Cat mare, On Parade.
We might see an all-Tapit trifecta.

[mariasmon]

Believe in Royalty (Tapit/Believe You Can) debuts Monday at Delaware in Race 8.

[BaroqueAgain1]

Just watched the post parade for the 7th at Saratoga...lots of lovely fillies. Aside from her grey coloring, Heavenly Grace looks more like her dam than her sire - slender and elegant.

ETA: Nice win by the other Tapit, Parade. Good for the Phipps stable.
However, Heavenly Grace never threatened and I think she faded to a distant last. Maybe this filly just isn't going to be a racehorse, although she'll probably make a nice addition to Mandy's broodmare herd.

[mariasmon]

It's a shame Heavenly Grace appears to have zero talent for racing. Maybe she'll be a nice producer.

[Sparrow Castle]

It's a shame Heavenly Grace appears to have zero talent for racing. Maybe she'll be a nice producer.

Can't get much worse than last. They've gone short and now long with her. I suppose they could try turf before adding her to that fabulous brood mare band.

Heavenly Grace finished 9th beaten by 39 3/4 lengths, on August 23, 2017, at SARATOGA in Race 7.
Off odds: 18.90
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 17USA7.pdf

[tachyon]

Frankel(GB) sired his first winner in South Africa when Miss Frankel(SAF)[2014F. o/o Val De Ra(SAF) by Var(USA) won her debut impressively going 1000m turf at Scottsville R3 on August 23rd 2017.
Val De Ra was a four-time G1 winner in South Africa.


per TDN

-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFB4NdSrGWk

[BaroqueAgain1]

Mr. Hot Stuff, the full to Colonel John, runs in the G! Turfwriters Cup in a few minutes at Saratoga.

ETA: After making it up to a close second at the last fence, I thought the former Santa Anita Derby winner had it, since the last three furlongs of the jumps races at Saratoga are over the flat. But he never raised more than a gallop...never quickened, and finished near the back of the field.

[Sparrow Castle]

Kitten Smitten finished 3rd beaten by 7 1/2 lengths, on August 24, 2017, at DELAWARE PARK in Race 8.
Off odds: 3.50
Your comments for this horse were: Medaglia d'Oro - Precious Kitten, by Catienus
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 17USA8.pdf

[mariasmon]

Kitten Smitten finished 3rd beaten by 7 1/2 lengths, on August 24, 2017, at DELAWARE PARK in Race 8.
Off odds: 3.50
Your comments for this horse were: Medaglia d'Oro - Precious Kitten, by Catienus
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 17USA8.pdf

I hope she runs back on the turf next time. She didn't show any closing kick on dirt like she did in her previous races.

[Sparrow Castle]

Kitten Smitten finished 3rd beaten by 7 1/2 lengths, on August 24, 2017, at DELAWARE PARK in Race 8.
Off odds: 3.50
Your comments for this horse were: Medaglia d'Oro - Precious Kitten, by Catienus
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pd ... 17USA8.pdf

I hope she runs back on the turf next time. She didn't show any closing kick on dirt like she did in her previous races.

That's what I was thinking too. She also did better on the synthetic track, didn't respond at all in this race.

[Sparrow Castle]

Mr. Hot Stuff, the full to Colonel John, runs in the G! Turfwriters Cup in a few minutes at Saratoga.

ETA: After making it up to a close second at the last fence, I thought the former Santa Anita Derby winner had it, since the last three furlongs of the jumps races at Saratoga are over the flat. But he never raised more than a gallop...never quickened, and finished near the back of the field.

Just watched the race. Even though I'd already read this, I couldn't help thinking Mr. Hot Stuff should have had it. Have to admit I chuckled a bit when I read the pedigree of the gelding who finished third: All the Way Jose by Senor Swinger – Maternity Leave. (Have friends in Galveston, among other things..been that kind of day.)

[Treve]

Frankel(GB) sired his first winner in South Africa when Miss Frankel(SAF)[2014F. o/o Val De Ra(SAF) by Var(USA) won her debut impressively going 1000m turf at Scottsville R3 on August 23rd 2017.
Val De Ra was a four-time G1 winner in South Africa.


per TDN

-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFB4NdSrGWk

A flashy filly!

[BaroqueAgain1]

Ziconic (Tapit x Zenyatta) is entered in the 5th at Del Mar today. It's a 1-mile MSW on the dirt. I'm kind of surprised they've put him back on the dirt when IMO his best race may have been his last, which was on the grass.