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Arzak Available for Inspection During Keeneland November

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sun, 2025-11-02 13:25

Multiple graded winner and Woodbine track record-setter Arzak (Not This Time), who is retiring to New York for the 2026 breeding season, will be available for inspection at Mulholland Springs in Lexington during the Keeneland November sale, it was announced via press release.

An open house will be held at the farm Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 11:30am to 1:30pm but the son of Not This Time will be available for inspection Nov. 3 to Nov. 12 by appointment with Amsterdam Two's Ken William or Michael Slezak. The address is 2245 Iron Works Pike in Lexington, KY. Arzak will stand the 2026 breeding season for a fee of $6,000, with special consideration to approved mares. To make an appointment to see Arzak, breeders should contact Williams (570-604-3657) or Slezak (917-455-0693).

“Arzak is such a big, good-looking horse, and knowing how important physical is in today's market, we wanted to make sure we gave the opportunity to see him in person to breeders from Kentucky and the Midlantic region, as well as those who breed in New York but don't necessarily live there,” Williams said. “What better time and place than during Keeneland November?”

Not This Time's unprecedented hot streak throughout the fall, including Cy Fair's win in this year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, has added luster to Arzak's already impressive record as a millionaire who recorded a whopping 17 Beyer speed figures of 90 or higher,” said Slezak. “But when folks see Arzak in the flesh, we really believe booking mares to him will be a no-brainer.”

The post Arzak Available for Inspection During Keeneland November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Irad Ortiz Jr. Wins Sixth Bill Shoemaker Award

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sat, 2025-11-01 22:01

After claiming three winners during the marquee Breeders' Cup event at Del Mar, Irad Ortiz Jr. has won the 23rd Bill Shoemaker Award as outstanding jockey for the sixth time.

The Shoemaker Award goes to the jockey who rides the most winners in the 14-race Championship series with the tiebreaker being a 10-3-1 point system for second-through-fourth-place finishes. Ortiz opened his weekend on Cy Fair (Not This Time) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, and returned to the winner's enclosure Saturday with yet another filly beating the boys when Shisospicy (Mitole) ran her rivals off their feet in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. One race later, he partnered with Bentornato (Valiant Minister) to claim redemption in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Ortiz took home the trophy four straight years between 2018 and 2021, and in the last eight years, only Flavien Prat and Ryan Moore were able to interrupt his streak of success at the World Championships–in 2024 and 2022, respectively.

The only other rider with multiple Breeders' Cup victories this year was last year's Shoemaker Award winner Flavien Prat. Prat had two, both coming Saturday, with Splendora (Audible) in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and Nysos (Nyquist) in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

“It's a great trophy and it's a great honor,” Ortiz Jr. said. “You have to have a good day because it's by points. So you have to at least win some and the rest of the horses, they have to run good to keep getting points. So, that means you have a good day.”

“I love this week. It's one of my favorite weekends in the whole year, so it feels good to have a trophy because you have a good week on the best races in the in the year.”

When asked about inching closer to Mike Smith's win record at the Breeders' Cup, Ortiz said, “That'd be great. Yeah, I mean, I have so much respect for Mike. He's got, I think, 27 [wins]…it's really hard to get to that number, but we're going to keep working on it. Try to do our best out there and you know, it's not easy. You have to have a good horse honestly. I'm just very fortunate. We've been having a good ride and we're gonna keep positive. Stay positive and keep working on it.”

The post Irad Ortiz Jr. Wins Sixth Bill Shoemaker Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Breeders’ Cup Handle Ranks as Third Highest

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sat, 2025-11-01 21:43

Total all-sources handle for the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar, held Oct. 31-Nov. 1, reached $180,036,799, the third-highest amount in the event's 42-year history. It marked an increase over the 2024 amount of $179,218,631, but ranked behind the $189,060,373 at Keeneland in 2022 and $182,908,409 at Del Mar in 2021.

On-track attendance at Del Mar Saturday was 35,173, with the two days combining for 65,232. On-track handle for the two days was $18,079,169. Total common-pool handle on Saturday's full card was $118,028,444 and Friday's card was $62,008,354.

The 43rd edition of the Breeders' Cup will be held at Keeneland next year from on Oct. 30-31.

The post Breeders’ Cup Handle Ranks as Third Highest appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Dancing Buck wins Aqueduct Turf Sprint off short rest

New York Thoroughbred Breeders - Sat, 2025-11-01 21:09

Dancing Buck hangs on to win Saturday’s Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship Stakes. Coglianese Photo.

J and N Stables and Diamond M Stable’s Dancing Buck returned off a weeks’ rest to win the third stakes of his career in Saturday’s $150,000 Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship at Aqueduct.

Luis Rivera Jr. put the 7-year-old War Dancer gelding on the lead from the start and stayed there through the 6-furlong stakes, winning by a half-length from Fierce and Strong. Trained by Michelle Nevin, Dancing Buck won in 1:09.45.

“It’s so great. He’s an older horse now and he’s been so much fun for everybody,” Nevin said. “It’s nice to see him back in the winner’s circle. He broke so sharp and him and Luis get along well. He did a great job.”

Bred by co-owner J & N Stables and out of the multiple stakes-placed Catienus mare Frivolous Buck, Dancing Buck improved to 8-for-26 and picked up $82,500 to boost his bankroll to $699,588.

Rivera, aboard Dancing Buck for the first time, liked the way the race shaped up for the veteran gelding who went off as the fourth choice in the field of seven.

“I was a little bit worried about the speed in the race, but I know my horse has a lot of speed,” Rivera said. “He likes the soft turf – it’s been raining a lot lately – so, I said, ‘let’s just go the lead.’ He managed to keep it up until the end. At the quarter-pole, I could feel the horses coming to me but he was in-hand and when I asked him, he was still there for me.”

Fourth last time out in the New York Turf Sprint Championship on Empire Showcase Day Oct. 25 at Aqueduct, Dancing Buck broke sharp from post 6 and overtook the sharp-starting Knockanara to grab the lead while taking pressure from Outlaw Kid through the opening quarter-mile in 23.25 seconds on the firm turf.

Dancing Buck was tracked by Outlaw Kid in the turn with Knockanara saving ground in behind while Fierce and Strong improved along the rail through the half-mile in :46.30. At the stretch call, Dancing Buck fended off Outlaw Kid while Knockanara dove to the inside of that pair to launch his bid.

Dancing Buck defended his spot from Knockanara who then tried again back to his outside as Fierce and Strong closed along the rail. With rivals gaining headway on each side of him, Dancing Buck held on to win by a half. Fierce and Strong finished second by a nose over Knockanara, with Outlaw Kid fourth.

A third-generation New York-bred, Dancing Buck is one of our winners out of Frivolous Buck. He’s a full brother to stakes winner and $283,225-earner Mz Big Bucks and winners Brockmoninoff and Buckortwo. Frivolous Buck is also the dam of the unraced 2-year-old Shenanigans Buck, a full brother Dancing Buck bred in New York by Elizabeth Jameson; and a weanling full brother to Dancing Buck born April 23 in New York and bred by J&N Stables.

The post Dancing Buck wins Aqueduct Turf Sprint off short rest appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Special Wan Becomes a Millionare in Goldikova Stakes

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
Special Wan justified her 8-5 favoritism in the $303,000 Goldikova Stakes (G3T), kicking off Breeders' Cup Saturday with a dazzling 1 1/4-length victory Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Ted Noffey Headed to Florida After BC Juvenile Score

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
It is not uncommon for sharp-dressed trainer Todd Pletcher to be wearing a tie on a stakes afternoon. But on Nov. 1, the one he was sporting at Del Mar carried some personal significance. It belonged to his late mentor, D. Wayne Lukas.

Woodbine Experience Lifts Cy Fair in Breeders' Cup

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
Before Cy Fair won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) Oct. 31 at Del Mar, the daughter of Not This Time turned heads with a visually impressive victory at Woodbine that trainer George Weaver believes provided valuable racing experience.

Dam of Mr. A. P. Supplemented to Fasig-Tipton Sale

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
Trenchtown Cat, the dam of Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up Mr. A. P., has been supplemented to The November Sale at Fasig-Tipton Nov. 3 as Hip 227.

Mystik Dan Among Scratches on Day 2 of Breeders' Cup

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
Tamara, Sweet Azteca, and Mystik Dan are among the notable Breeders' Cup scratches at Del Mar from racing Nov. 1.

BH at the Breeders' Cup: Analyzing Saturday's Races

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
On the Nov. 1 episode of BloodHorse at the Breeders' Cup: BloodHorse Monday's Louie Rabaut and Sean Collins, BloodHorse editorial director Frank Angst, news editor Byron King, and correspondent Bob Ehalt analyze the races on Breeders' Cup Saturday.

Breeders' Cup Notebook: Soumillon Relishes Victory

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
Jockey Christophe Soumillon ended his 20-year Breeders' Cup winless streak when he and Gstaad won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Oct. 31.

Gstaad Takes Juvenile Turf for Record-Setting O'Brien

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
Irish training legend Aidan O'Brien surpassed late Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas by notching his 21st Breeders' Cup victory when Gstaad scored under Christophe Soumillon in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T).

Balantina Dazzles in Juvenile Fillies Turf

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
After the scratch of Aidan O'Brien-trained Precise, it was O'Brien's son Donnacha who emerged victorious in the the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) with Balantina.

Super Corredora Triumphs in BC Juvenile Fillies

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
Super Corredora went from a maiden win to grade 1 company to capture the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) for trainer John Sadler and a partnership headed by West Point Thoroughbreds.

Undefeated Ted Noffey Wins Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
Ted Noffey prevailed in the battle of East vs. West, keeping his unbeaten record intact with a victory in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Oct. 31 at Del Mar.

Cy Fair Tops Males in Winning BC Juvenile Turf Sprint

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
Filly Cy Fair put Schwarzenegger away near the eighth pole and was not seriously threatened the rest of the way in scoring by three-quarters of a length in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) Oct. 31 at Del Mar.

Queen Maxima Reigns Supreme in Senator Ken Maddy

Blood-Horse - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:26
Back against her own sex, Queen Maxima left little doubt who was best in the $201,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes, rallying to a decisive score Oct. 31 at Del Mar.

Filly Shisospicy Gives The Boys Heartburn By Wiring Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sat, 2025-11-01 16:04

“Tum-ta-tum-tum-TUMS!!”

Ordering up some hot sauce with the ring of the bell, Shisospicy (Mitole–Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief) dished out a torrid serving of pace and winged her way to World Championship glory as she downed the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint to beat the boys and give them a dose of heartburn. Maybe an appearance by the filly on 'Hot Ones' is in the offing?

Shisospicy broke her maiden on first-asking at trainer Jose D'Angelo's Gulfstream base with a 16 1/4-length score last October, which made her a shoe-in for a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. After a third-place finish in the Fern Creek Stakes at Churchill in late November, the filly gave a runner-up effort in the Mockingbird Stakes at Oaklawn Jan. 4.

Trying turf, the gray rattled off three visits to winner's circles next–against optional claimers at Gulfstream Feb. 5, in the Limestone Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 11 and in the GIII Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill May 10.

Taking her game to the Royal Meeting at Ascot, Shisospicy was well-beaten in the G1 Commonwealth Cup June 20. The filly prepped for the Breeders' Cup by returning to the U.S. a winner in the GIII ACS Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs Sept. 6.

Backed as a 5-1 shot here, the 3-year-old came to play and proceeded to make every pole a winning one. Shisospicy has always showed speed and those tactics proved best as she ran this field off their feet to become the seventh female to do so in the Turf Sprint.

Shisospicy | Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup

“I knew that she was going to explode today with her speed, and it worked out perfectly,” said trainer Jose D'Angelo. “With her speed, I just trained her for the race.”

Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy) was the runner-up in the Turf Sprint. Herself a 5-year-old mare who was third in this race last year, she will be offered at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton's 'Night of the Stars' sale.

Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a stalwart 9-year-old, finished a respectable third.

During the running of the race, She's Quality (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) was pulled up by rider Colin Keane.

The on-air statement from American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) on-call veterinarian Dr. Scott Hay on She's Quality stated, “The jockey had some concern, probably just out of an abundance of caution, but she's showing some right hind lameness currently; there's nothing obvious on the limb. She's going to be transported with the equine ambulance to the hospital where our veterinary experts on standby will evaluate what's going on with her right now.”

Later, the AAEP said in a written statment, “She's Quality was eased by jockey Colin Keane out of an abundance of caution during the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and was immediately attended to by multiple members of the Breeders' Cup Veterinary Team. After walking onto the equine ambulance and undergoing a thorough examination at the Southern California Equine Foundation (SCEF) hospital, she is back at her barn and will continue to be closely monitored.”

Pedigree Notes:

The winner's sire (by Eskendereya) now has his first top-level scorer for his wall at Spendthrift. Other graded winners with placards include Halina's Forte, and a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard', in Booth and V V's Dream.

Mischief Galore's first foal is Shisospicy's older full-sister, Sapphire Nights. The winner's dam is responsible for 2-year-old unraced colt Yasup (Yaupon), who was sent from the U.S. to the UAE this year, and a yearling filly also by Yaupon. Mischief Galore was entered in Jackie's Warrior's book for this coming season.

Shisospicy was bred by the Heiligbrodts and the gray hammered down for $100,000 as a short yearling during Keeneland January when she went to Fish Stables. The Breeders' Cup winner then was purchased for $200,000 six months later by Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds at the Fasig-Tipton July sale.

The following year, Shisospicy was sent to OBS April where as a 2-year-old in-training she missed her reserve when the bidding halted at $300,000. The filly was kept at the track by Morplay Racing.

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint • Shisospicy • Irad Ortiz, Jr. • José Francisco D'Angelo #DelMar #BreedersCup pic.twitter.com/hJCIOIYCzx

— Jose F D'Angelo (@JFDAngelo) November 1, 2025

Saturday, Del Mar
PREVAGEN BREEDERS' CUP TURF SPRINT-GI, $920,000, Del Mar, 11-1, 3yo/up, 5fT, :55.24, fm.
1–SHISOSPICY, 121, f, 3, by Mitole
                1st Dam: Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief
                2nd Dam: Maren's Melody, by Unbridled's Song
                3rd Dam: Maren's Meadow, by Meadowlake
1ST GRADE I WIN. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. ($100,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $200,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $300,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Morplay Racing, LLC and Qatar Racing, LLC; B-Bill Heiligbrodt & Corinne Heiligbrodt (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $520,000. Lifetime Record: 9-6-1-1, $2,090,270. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ag Bullet, 123, m, 5, Twirling Candy–Noble Grey, by Forestry. ($30,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $220,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Calvin Nguyen, and Joey C. Tran; B-H & E Ranch (KY); T-Richard Baltas. $170,000.
3–Khaadem (Ire), 126, g, 9, Dark Angel (Ire)–White Daffodil (Ire), by Footstepsinthesand (GB). (750,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Yeomanstown Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Hills. $90,000.
Margins: 2HF, HF, 1. Odds: 5.30, 5.30, 13.90.
Also Ran: Reef Runner, Motorious (GB), Invincible Papa (Aus), Bucanero Fuerte (GB), Governor Sam, Bring Theband Home, Puro Magic (Jpn), Bear River, She's Quality (Ire). Scratched: Arizona Blaze (GB), Incanto (Ire), No Nay Hudson (Ire), Yellow Card.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Filly Shisospicy Gives The Boys Heartburn By Wiring Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fasig-Tipton Bound Special Wan Dominates the Goldikova

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sat, 2025-11-01 15:57

Just outside of 48 hours before she is set to take her place as hip 155 at Monday's Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Special Wan (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) enhanced her resume with a straight-forward success as the favorite in Saturday's GIII Goldikova Stakes at Del Mar.

Away neatly from the three hole, Special Wan was with the early pace, but was wisely taken a hold of by Joel Rosario as 77-1 Violeta M (Arg) (John F Kennedy {Ire}) opened up a sizeable advantage through enervating early splits of :22.82 and :46.29. Kept inside for the run into the turn, Special Wan took the race to the longshot leader with 2 1/2 furlongs to travel and that first crack at the front-runner proved decisive, as the bay easily held sway to the wire. Breath Away (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) outfinished Medoro (Honor Code) for the place spot.

“She's a very special horse and she showed me that again today,” the winning rider commented. “I knew Mike (Smith) and Violeta M were going fast on the lead, but my horse just relaxed and settled comfortably behind her. She made the lead easily on her own, I just let her go. I shook the reins at her just to keep her focused in the stretch and she finished well. She was the best horse in the race, that's for sure.”

A maiden winner and narrowly beaten in Group 3 company against the boys at Leopardstown for trainer Patrick Foley, Special Wan made this year's GIII Honey Fox Stakes her first graded success on her third U.S. appearance. An excellent third after having to alter course in the stretch of the GI Just A Game Stakes in yielding ground at Saratoga June 6, the bay defeated the classy Segesta (Ghostzapper) in the GIII Ladies' Turf Stakes at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30 when last seen, earning a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure.

Pedigree Notes:

Special Wan is the most accomplished of four foals to race from her dam, a daughter of SW Slow Jazz–herself by inaugural GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Chief's Crown–whose other produce includes Italian listed winner and Group 3-placed Mister Cavern (GB) (Lion Cavern). The winner's half-sister Yerwanthere (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}) also has form on the Southern California circuit, having placed three times in stakes company including a third in the 2024 GIII Robert J. Frankel Stakes. The yearling relation to Special Wan, a filly by Blue Point (Ire), was purchased for 160,000gns ($226,549) by David Ingordo on behalf of Matt Dorman's Determined Stud at this year's Tattersalls October Sale. Fast Jazz foaled a filly by Gleneagles (Ire) this past March.

Saturday, Del Mar
GOLDIKOVA S. PRESENTED BY YAAMAVA'-GIII, $303,000, Del Mar, 11-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:34.26, fm.
1–SPECIAL WAN (IRE), 123, m, 5, by Belardo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Fast Jazz (Ire), by Frozen Power (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Slow Jazz, by Chief's Crown
                3rd Dam: Blue Note (Fr), by Habitat
(£225,000 RNA 3yo '23 GOFASC). O-Team Valor International
LLC and Rocco, Steven; B-Kilnamoragh Stud (IRE); T-Brendan P.
Walsh; J-Joel Rosario. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 11-5-2-3,
MGSP-Ire, $1,007,598. *1/2 to Yerwanthere (Ire) (Markaz
{Ire}), GSP, $191,422. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free
   Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Breath Away (GB), 125, m, 5, Bated Breath (GB)–Darling
Grace (GB), by Nayef. (92,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 230,000gns
Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Rocco,
Steven and Tango Uniform Racing LLC; B-Highgate Stud (GB);
T-Miguel Clement. $60,000.
3–Medoro, 121, f, 4, Honor Code–Achira, by English Channel.
O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Parks Investment Group, LLC (KY);
T-Peter Eurton. $36,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 3/4. Odds: 1.60, 11.10, 2.70.
Also Ran: Crevalle d'Oro, Deep Satin, Public Assembly, Temptable (GB), Nadette (Fr), Lady Claypoole (Ire), Liguria, Violeta M (Arg). Scratched: Certitude (Fr), Sun Of Hill (Brz).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Fasig-Tipton Bound Special Wan Dominates the Goldikova appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Splendora Best Of The Bafferts In Filly & Mare Sprint

Thoroughbred Daily News - Sat, 2025-11-01 15:14

Derived from the Latin word 'splendor', Splendora (Audible) equates in the dictionary to magnificent brilliance or a dazzling display of beauty. Putting in a performance worthy of her name, the 4-year-old daughter of Audible upset her favored stablemate Hope Road (Quality Road) to capture the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, the first Breeders' Cup race of the card Saturday.

Perhaps a true horse for course and certainly a hometown girl for California, three of Splendora's four previous wins have come over the Del Mar dirt. Campaigned where the turf meets the surf over the summer, she rewarded trainer Bob Baffert and owner By Talla Racing with two straight victories coming into the Breeders' Cup including a last-out romp by 5 1/2 lengths in the restricted Tranquility Lake Stakes at one mile Sept. 1.

One of three Baffert-trained entries to go to post in a race heavily impacted by the morning-of scratches of both Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), Splendora was the middle wagering choice of three, going off at odds of 5-2 while Hope Road attracted even money and Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke) drew widest at 4-1.

Showing a good turn of foot from the inside, Splendora broke in line with the field was quickly overtaken by a host of rivals to her outside, each of whom was sent to lead. Hope Road went fastest of a trio that separated itself out in the first furlong with Haulin Ice (Coal Front) and Richi keeping things tight through an opening quarter in :22.12. Splendora, guided by jockey Flavien Prat, settled beautifully behind those frontrunners in a joint fourth on the run into the far turn. Clearly with plenty of horse, Prat finally tipped his filly off the rail approaching the quarter pole and she swept up four wide to engage Hope Road as the field straightened for the line.

The duel between stablemates lasted mere strides before Splendora hit the front with a furlong to run and opened up with Prat going to the stick just once left handed before settling for hands and heels to the wire. Vahva (Gun Runner), in her final start before selling at Keeneland November, made up plenty of ground into the stretch to steal second from Hope Road who settled for third in a final running time of 1:21.79.

Splendora's win gave Baffert his second in the Filly & Mare Sprint after he captured it first with Gamine (Into Mischief) in 2020. It was the first victory in the race for Prat and his eighth overall in a Breeders' Cup race.

“She has been working really well and she loves this track,” said Baffert following the race. “I told (Flavien) Prat, when she ran here this summer, going six furlongs, she ran an incredible race and just sat off the pace. When he swooped up to the outside (today) and she took off, it was over. Hope Road, she ran great. I thought she would be off the pace a little bit. These races, they are so tough to win.”

“I honestly was a bit worried that we might have a lack of speed because of all the scratches, but the pace was fair and I was able to travel good,” Prat added. “I really felt like I was traveling well all the way around and as soon as I was able to go around everybody, she just give me a good run.”

Pedigree Note:
Splendora was a $125,000 yearling purchase for Talla Racing and Rockingham Ranch at Fasig-Tipton's July Sale in 2022. Her breeder, The Elkstone Group, picked up first dam Miss Freeze with the winner in utero for $45,000 at Keeneland November in 2020 and she's since produced two foals from two to race.

She is the first Grade I winner for Audible, a young son of Into Mischief who captured the GI Xpressbet Florida Derby himself before retiring to stud at WinStar Farm. From three crops, he's been represented by 141 winners and seven stakes winners including My Mane Squeeze.

Miss Freeze is one of only two foals from her own dam, who was herself a half-sister to MSW Royal Currier (Red Bullet), a gelding who earned over $869,000 on track up and down the East Coast. A $37,000 RNA at KEENOV back in 2023, Miss Freeze has a 2-year-old colt on the work tab named Oracle of Beaufort (Demarchelier {GB}) and reported a filly by Tiz the Law this season. She is due to National Treasure for 2026.

Saturday, Del Mar
PNC BANK BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT-GI, $890,000, Del Mar, 11-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:21.79, ft.
1–SPLENDORA, 124, f, 4, by Audible
                1st Dam: Miss Freeze (SW), by Frost Giant
                2nd Dam: Reata's Vixen, by Sligo Bay (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Top of the League, by Lite the Fuse
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($125,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). O-By Talla Racing LLC; B-The Elkstone Group LLC (MD); T-Bob Baffert; J-Flavien Prat. $520,000. Lifetime Record: 10-5-4-0, $860,800. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Vahva, 124, m, 5, by Gun Runner
                1st Dam: Holiday Soiree (SW & GISP, $405,642), by Harlan's Holiday
                2nd Dam: Try to Remember, by Include
                3rd Dam: Casanova Striker, by Smart Strike
($280,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Belladonna Racing LLC, Hudson, Lynne, Hudson, Jr., Edward J., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, Farish, W.S., LBD Stable LLC, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock; B-Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. $170,000.
3–Hope Road, 124, f, 4, by Quality Road
                1st Dam: Marley's Freedom (GISW, $1,233,935), by Blame
                2nd Dam: Relaxing Green, by Formal Gold
                3rd Dam: Charlotte Augusta, by Chief's Crown
($575,000 RNA Ylg '22 FTSAUG). O-Cicero Farms LLC; B-Cicero Farms LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $90,000.
Margins: 4 3/4, 1 1/4, 4 1/4. Odds: 2.90, 9.80, 1.10.
Also Ran: Zeitlos, Richi (Chi), Haulin Ice, Praying. Scratched: Fee Blanche (Jpn), Sweet Azteca, Tamara.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Splendora Best Of The Bafferts In Filly & Mare Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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