Suedois (FR) Runs Down Heart to Heart to Win $1 Million Shadwell Turf Mile; Stakes Recaps

By Amy Owens —-

Suedois (FR) Runs Down Heart to Heart to Win $1 Million Shadwell Turf Mile on Fall Stars Saturday at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, KY (Oct. 7, 2017) – George Turner and Clipper Logistics’ Suedois (FR) caught front-running Heart to Heart in deep stretch to prevail by a half-length and win the 32nd running of the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) before a Saturday afternoon crowd of 28,763, the second- largest Fall Stars Saturday on record.
The day featured five graded stakes worth $2.35 million, including four Breeders’ Cup Challenge stakes in which winners earned an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Nov. 3-4 at Del Mar. On-track wagering of $1,770,894 was up 4.5 percent, while all-sources wagering of $13,866,571 was the third-highest Fall Meet single-day handle.
Trained by David O’Meara and ridden by Danny Tudhope, Shadwell Turf Mile winner Suedois earned a berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) to be run Nov. 4 at Del Mar. He was one of four winners Saturday afternoon to secure trips to California.

Other Win and You’re In victors were Empyrean Stables’ Zipessa in the $400,000 First Lady (G1), Albaugh Family Stables’ Free Drop Billy in the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) for 2-year-olds and Carl R. Moore Management’s Finley’sluckycharm in the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2).

Also securing a graded stakes win Saturday afternoon was Ironhorse Racing’s Bucchero who scored a 1¾-length victory in the $200,000 Woodford Presented by Keeneland Select (G2), rewarding his backers with a $55.20 win payoff.

In the Shadwell Turf Mile, Heart to Heart shot to the lead and led the field of 14 through fractions of :23.96, :48.17 while under pressure from longshot Applicator.

On the far turn, Heart to Heart shook off his early challengers only to be confronted by defending champion Miss Temple City and Ballagh Rocks with jockey Danny Tudhope swinging Suedois to the outside just behind Ballagh Rocks for clear running.

Heart to Heart dug in and repulsed all rivals until the final 50 yards when Suedois surged past to complete the mile on a firm turf course in 1:35.94.

A 6-year-old French-bred gelding, Suedois is a son of Le Havre (IRE) out of the Singspiel (IRE) mare Cup Cake (IRE). The victory was worth $600,000 and increased Suedois’ earnings to $1,366,012 with a record of 32-8-8-7.

Suedois returned $21.40, $8.60, $6.40. Heart to Heart, who finished second in a Keeneland Grade 1 race for the third time, returned $4 and $3.40 as the favorite under Florent Geroux. Ballagh Rocks, ridden by Jose Lezcano, was another head back in third and returned $4.40 to show.

Divisidero was another 1¾ lengths back in fourth and was followed in order by Mondialiste (IRE), Miss Temple City, Offering Plan, Le Ken (ARG), Flatlined, American Patriot, Christian C, Applicator, Tyler U and Dimension (GB).

Quotes from the $1 Million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1)

David O’Meara (winning trainer of Suedois [FR])

“We’ve been here (in the U.S.) a couple of times before. We were here for the Breeders’ Cup with Mondialiste (IRE), who finished second (in the 2015 Mile-G1), and here in this race last year (when he) finished fourth. (Keeneland) puts on really good prize money. It was a toss-up over taking him to France for 7 (furlongs) or here for a mile. His previous start at a mile, he won it, and we were keen to keep him at the same distance.”
“We’ll chat with the owners and see what they want to do (about their earned spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile).”
Danny Tudhope (winning rider)

“I thought I had a nice position (toward the rear of the pack). He travels really well, and I didn’t want to get (to the front) too soon. He finished really strong. He handled the track really well. I was happy with the way it went.”

Brian Lynch (trainer of runner-up Heart to Heart)

“You feel for the horse because he runs his eyeballs out every time, but you have to be humble and gallant in defeat as hard as he tries every time. If he had had a breather down the backside, he might have been able to finish better but that is racing. He is not Breeders’ Cup eligible and there is a big supplement fee so I don’t think he will go. For sure he will come back to race next year.”

Florent Geroux (rider of Heart to Heart):

“There was pressure down the backside from Applicator going head to head with me. I wish he had not been there with me. If I had been able to slow him down a little (on the backside) maybe he could have won.”

Jose Lezcano (rider of third-place finisher Ballagh Rocks)

“I had a very good trip. He broke very good – the way I wanted to break. When I asked him to run, he gave me everything he had. He gave me his race. He tried hard the whole way around.”

Julien Leparoux (rider of fourth-place finisher Divisidero)

“We came from behind with a 14-horse field, but he made his run. No excuse. Just didn’t get there today.”

Edgar Prado (rider of sixth-place finisher Miss Temple City)

“She had a good trip. She broke OK and got outrun the first part so I was able to sit right behind the speed. She was going very comfortably and when I hit the three-eighths pole I had horse and I could look at the competition coming from behind. I was pretty comfortable where we were and I had a great feeling that she would be able to repeat (her victory in the race last year). At the top of the stretch, when I asked her, she really tried to go after the horse in front. The last three-eighths of a mile she just flew a little late. She got a good trip, but you’ve got to run the last part.”

Zipessa Upsets First Lady Field

In the First Lady, Zipessa collared the pace-setting Hawksmoor (IRE) at the eighth pole and drew clear to win by 1½ lengths for her first victory in 15 months and first Grade 1 triumph.

With the triumph, Zipessa earned a berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) to be run Nov. 4 at Del Mar.

The victory was the first in the race for trainer Mike Stidham and jockey Joe Bravo.

Hawksmoor assumed the lead quickly after the start under five-time race winner Julien Leparoux and led the field through fractions of :24.59, :49.19 and 1:14.30 with Zipessa in closest pursuit.

Hawksmoor maintained a daylight advantage into the stretch only to yield in the final eighth of a mile to Zipessa, who covered the mile on a firm turf course in 1:36.99.

The victory was worth $240,000 and increased Zipessa’s earnings to $783,550 with a record of 16-5-3-3.

A Keeneland sales graduate, Zipessa is a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of City Zip out of the Horse Chestnut (SAf) mare Precious Princess.

Zipessa returned $35.20, $12 and $4.80. Hawksmoor returned $6 and $3.80 and finished a neck in front of Roca Rojo (IRE) who paid $2.80 to show under Javier Castellano.

It was three-quarters of a length back to Dona Bruja (ARG) in fourth with Dickinson, One Liz and Delectation (GB) following in order.

Quotes from the $400,000 First Lady (G1)

Mike Stidham (winning trainer of Zipessa)

“She had this one (her first Grade 1 win) coming. She worked hard for it. She’s a really sweet, special filly. (Winning rider) Joe Bravo is definitely the key to her success today along with (being) a really nice filly.”
On whether Zipessa will continue to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1)
“We’re certainly going to be looking at it hard.”

Joe Bravo (winning rider)

On if the plan was to race from off the pace

“That’s the great thing about Michael and his team. He let me go out there and ride with an open mind. This filly, she can relax. She’s gotten bigger, smarter, with age she’s just gotten to be a better horse. She ran a big race last time (second by a neck in the Ladies Turf at Kentucky Downs), and she’s just getting better and better.”

Julien Leparoux (rider of runner-up Hawksmoor [IRE])

“She ran her race and we had a great trip, but we were second best. She ran a great race. (She came out a little bit at the start) but she does that sometimes and with nobody to her outside we could do that. It did not cost her anything. Just second best today.”

Javier Castellano (rider of third-place finisher Roca Rojo [IRE])

“I didn’t have much pace in the race. Unfortunately, they went slow. It was too difficult for a horse to come from behind and to make a run. My filly still did. She can run, but it was too late.”

Declan Cannon (rider of fourth-place finisher Dona Bruja [ARG])

“I had a good trip. I was at the back and my filly settled OK after the first three furlongs. I would have preferred to be a little closer because it didn’t feel like they were going that fast. Then she leveled off in the stretch. But she ran her race.”

Free Drop Billy Romps in Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity

In the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, favored Free Drop Billy took command at the head of the stretch and drew off to post a four-length victory over Bravazo and give trainer Dale Romans a fourth victory in the race and a second for the Albaugh Family Stables that won in 2015 with Brody’s Cause.

With the victory, Free Drop Billy earned a spot in the starting gate for the $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) to be run Nov. 4 at Del Mar.

Robby Albarado, who rode Wicked Style to victory in the 2007 Breeders’ Futurity, had Free Drop Billy in mid pack as longshot Ready Prospector led the field of 11 through fractions of :23.34, :47.11 and 1:12.66. On the turn, Bravazo briefly took over before being collared and passed by Free Drop Billy.

Free Drop Billy covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.43 over a fast main track.

Romans also won the race with Brody’s Cause, Dullahan in 2011 and Dawn of War in 2005.

The victory was worth $300,000 and increased Free Drop Billy’s earnings to $428,020 with a record of 4-2-2-0. A Keeneland Sales graduate, Free Drop Billy is a Kentucky-bred son of Union Rags out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Trensa.

Free Drop Billy returned $5, $3.80 and $2.80. Bravazo, ridden by Jon Court, returned $25.20 and $12.80 and finished 2½ lengths in front of Lone Sailor, who paid $8.80 to show under Florent Geroux.

Lionite finished another half-length back in fourth and was followed in order by Givemeaminit, Ezmosh, Crea’s Bklyn Law, Bourbon Resolution, Ready Prospector and Lone Rock. Ten City did not finish.

Quotes from the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1)

Dale Romans (winning trainer of Free Drop Billy)

On the colt getting hot prior to the race: “I’d rather him not do that, but he does it, and that’s just him. I think if he changed, I’d worry about it at this point. He’s done it in all four of his races. He gets hot – it’s not nerves, he just sweats.”
On the increased distance and racing two turns today: “We always thought (it would suit him). If you look at all his numbers on paper, every time they stretched a race a bit, he got a little bit better. Today I think we saw what he is really capable of.”

Robby Albarado (winning rider)

“He’s been inside basically in all of his starts. He’s been in a lot of trouble in all of his starts, and he’s got a lot of hair on his chest for a young horse. When I got him outside, he ran home nicely. Once he got in front, he got a little lazy. I expected that. He’s never run that far before.”

D. Wayne Lukas (trainer of runner-up Bravazo)

“Jon Court rode a great race. (Bravazo) could not have been in a better spot than the one Jon put him in. That was significant in the race. I love these old men who have experience.”

On whether Bravazo will continue to the Breeders’ Cup: “(Calumet Farm owner Brad Kelley) will have to make that decision. I have mixed emotions. We would like to win the Kentucky Derby (G1). Sometimes if you put them away (from racing) after we see a little something (talent), it works out better down the line. We know he has quality. If Mr. Kelley wants to go to the Breeders’ Cup, of course we will go. He got beat by a good horse today but we beat some good horses, too.”

Jon Court (rider of Bravazo)
“Exactly what Mr. Lukas just said. It was perfect.”

Florent Geroux (rider of third-place finisher Lone Sailor)

“My horse started very nicely, fell back a little, and then there was some bumping going on in front of me. But when I called on my horse at the top of the stretch, he made a nice run. He was just a bit too far back to catch those two horses who were in front of him. He ran a big race.”

Brian Hernandez Jr. (rider of fifth-place finisher Givemeaminit)

“We didn’t have the greatest of trips. We got bounced around a lot out there, and on a young horse like that it kind of compromised him a bit. But it’s part of racing. It’s one of those days where you wish you’d have a little smoother trip, but it didn’t work out in our favor today.”

Finley’sluckycharm Delivers as Odds-On Favorite in Thoroughbred Club of America

In the Thoroughbred Club of America, Finley’sluckycharm overhauled True Romance in deep stretch and drew away for a 1¾-length victory over Chalon to capture her third graded stakes victory.

The victory gave trainer Bret Calhoun his second triumph in the race having previously scored with Dubai Majesty in 2010. Brian Hernandez Jr. was the winning rider.

With the victory, Finley’sluckycharm earned a fees-paid berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) on Nov. 4 at Del Mar.

A Keeneland sales graduate, Finley’sluckycharm covered the 6 furlongs on a fast main track in 1:10.01.

Vertical Oak sparred with Chalon and True Romance for the early lead with Finley’sluckycharm tracking in fourth. Leaving the far turn, True Romance opened a daylight advantage on Chalon but Hernandez had Finley’sluckycharm in the clear and with dead aim at the leader, eventually wearing down that rival.

A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Twirling Candy out of the Victory Gallop mare Day of Victory, Finley’sluckycharm won for the ninth time in 12 starts and increased her earnings to $593,368 with Saturday’s $150,000 check.

Finley’sluckycharm returned $3.60, $2.80 and $2.20. Chalon, ridden by Paco Lopez, returned $8.60 and $5.40 in finishing three-quarters of a length in front of True Romance, who paid $8 to show under Joe Bravo.

It was another two lengths back to Bendable in fourth with I’m a Looker, Grace’s Treasure and Vertical Oak following in order. Ivy Bell was a late scratch.

Quotes from the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2)

Bret Calhoun (winning trainer of Finley’sluckycharm)

On whether the plan was for the filly to race from off the pace
“It wasn’t planned. Obviously, I left it in Brian’s hands (jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.). She’s been a very consistent filly. In the mornings, she’s gotten where she turns off a little bit more as she’s gotten older. Brian said she just didn’t get away good today. Those horses got in front of her quick, and he just decided to try something different.”

Brian Hernandez Jr. (winning rider)

“She changed our game plan on us today. She’s a good filly and I guess you can do that with these good fillies. I was really proud of her that last eighth of a mile, how fast she came home. Today, she just didn’t break as sharp as she normally does, but with her works lately, she’s been turning off and running home pretty good. So I never really panicked. I just trusted in her and she got us there.”

Paco Lopez (rider of runner-up Chalon)

“My filly ran very good. Nobody made the lead so I took my filly to the lead. Going :23 (:23.05 for the first quarter of a mile) is very easy for my filly. I knew others would be coming late – there are nice fillies in this race.”

Joe Bravo (rider of third-place finisher True Romance)

“My filly is a really honest filly. She always lays it on the line for you, all the time. Turning for home, it looked like she was going to get there. Even though she didn’t, I’m proud of her. She’s a hard-knocking filly who’s always going to be there for you.”

Javier Castellano (rider of fourth-place finisher Bendable)

“We had a good trip. I was saving ground the first part of the race. I came running late. I expected more speed in the race. Unfortunately, they went pretty slow fractions.”

Bucchero Springs 26-1 Shocker in Woodford Presented by Keeneland Select

In the Woodford, Bucchero roared past the pace-setting Latent Revenge inside the eighth pole en route to posting a 1¾-length victory over Hogy.

Trained by Tim Glyshaw and ridden by Fernando De La Cruz, Bucchero covered the 5½ furlongs on a firm turf course in 1:03.06. It was the first Keeneland stakes victory for Glyshaw and De La Cruz and the first graded stakes victory for Bucchero.

Latent Revenge opened a daylight margin in the field of nine, posting fractions of :22.13 and :44.97 with Bucchero in closest pursuit. In the stretch, Bucchero gradually sliced into the margin, took over inside the eighth pole and had more than enough left to hold off Hogy.

The victory was worth $120,000 and increased Bucchero’s earnings to $638,366 with a record of 22-9-6-1. Bucchero is a 5-year-old Indiana-bred son of Kantharos out of the General Meeting mare Meetmeontime. Bucchero finished 11th in last year’s Woodford.

Bucchero returned $55.20, $17.20 and $7.40. Hogy, ridden by Florent Geroux, returned $4.20 and $2.80 with defending champion Mongolian Saturday finishing another half-length back in third and returning $3.60 to show under Javier Castellano.

It was another 1½ lengths back to Conquest Panthera, who was followed in order by Latent Revenge, favored Commend, Balandeen, Mongol Bull and Indy Hill.

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The Pick Six carryover for Sunday is $26,993.96.

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For more than 80 years, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. As the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction company, Keeneland conducts sales every January, September and November. Its sales graduates dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. In 2015, Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a private, for-profit corporation that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses, and it has donated millions of dollars in charitable contributions for education, research and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. To learn more about Keeneland, visit Keeneland.com.