Belmont at the Big A Notes 09/26

NYRA PRESS OFFICE —-

Belmont at the Big A Notes

Impressive New York-bred With the Angels comes under consideration for G1 Frizette
Dornoch enjoying downtime at Saratoga, aims for G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic
City Man returns in Ashley T. Cole
Neat possible for G3 Bryan Station; Chasing Liberty likely for Indian Summer
Soul of an Angel cuts back in distance for G3 Princess Rooney victory

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – New York-bred With the Angels was an impressive 9 3/4-length winner of Sunday’s $125,000 Joseph A. Gimma, a seven-furlong sprint for state-bred juvenile fillies, at Belmont at the Big A.

Post-race, trainer Linda Rice said the Omaha Beach dark bay’s performance warranted consideration of the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette on October 5 here, a one-turn mile offering a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in November at Del Mar.

“She’s doing well. It’s still on our radar. It’s obviously quick back in two weeks and we are mulling it over,” said Rice. “We’ll make a decision as we get close.”

With the Angels was awarded a career-best 89 Beyer Speed Figure in victory. She was making her second career start after a successful debut, where she won by 11 1/2 lengths sprinting six furlongs versus fellow state-breds on August 22 at Saratoga Race Course.

“Frankly, she had trained well in the morning and we were expecting a big performance out of her in the afternoon,” Rice said. “Of course, until you get them over there, and see how they perform, you never know. She certainly has delivered for us.”

In the Gimma, jockey Jose Ortiz kept With the Angels to task late despite a six-length cushion at the stretch call, the chart denoting it as a “brisk hand ride.”

Rice said Ortiz was trying to prepare the talented filly for a step up in class.

“Jose said she was doing it so easily, at a gallop. He felt like at some point, we’re going to have to ask her to run and he thought he’d just teach her something and make her finish up,” Rice explained. “That was the thought process with Jose, so onward and upward.”

With the Angels, initially purchased for $65,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York-bred Yearling Sale, was bought for $350,000 at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Bred by Joseph DeRico, she is campaigned by Winning Move Stable, John C. Oxley, Lady Sheila Stable, Rideau Racers and Sanford H. Robbins.

Rice added that Winning Move Stable’s Grade 3-placed Yo Daddy is possible for next Thursday’s local $135,000 Gio Ponti, a one-mile turf test for sophomores.

The Yoshida bay was second in the Grade 3 Saranac last-out going 1 1/16 miles on August 30 at the Spa. He has since worked back once, covering five-eighths in 1:00.65 over the Belmont Park dirt training track on September 14.

“He’s been training great. We may find that he is better on turf, but he is pretty versatile. It looks like he can run on both,” Rice said. “That [the Gio Ponti] is a possibility.”

The Rice-owned New York-bred stakes-winner Amanda’s Folly is nominated to the 11-furlong turf Grade 3, $200,000 Waya on October 3 and the nine-furlong dirt Grade 2, $250,000 Beldame on October 6.

Rice said that she believes Amanda’s Folly would relish longer distances. Her longest test to date was last-out going 10 furlongs over the Spa main track on July 11, and she took care of two foes in a short off-the-turf optional-claiming field by 5 1/2 lengths.

“She’s a filly that really appreciates the extra ground. I don’t intend to try her on the turf,” Rice said. “I put her in the Waya in case the weather causes the race to come off the grass. That would be a good option for her.”

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Dornoch enjoying downtime at Saratoga, aims for G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic

West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables’ dual Grade 1-winner Dornoch has been relishing a quiet atmosphere at Saratoga Race Course in the weeks since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 DraftKings Travers on August 24.

Trained by Danny Gargan, the son of Good Magic is gearing up for what is expected to be his final career start in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 2 at Del Mar before retiring to stud at Spendthrift Farm. Currently, he, Travers victor Fierceness, and dual Grade 1-winner Seize the Grey are among the top contenders for divisional honors at the Eclipse Awards in January.

“He’s doing good, and we gave him some time off and are just starting back,” Gargan said. “He’ll work three times before the Classic. He’s not a horse you have to train a ton and we’re just giving him some time to get over it. It’s a tough campaign to go through the Derby, Belmont, Haskell, Travers… he’ll stay here [at Saratoga] to train.”

Dornoch, a full-brother to Grade 1 Kentucky Derby-winner and popular first-year sire Mage, boasts a stellar campaign that began with a win in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth in March at Gulfstream Park ahead of Grade 1 off-the-board finishes in the Blue Grass and Kentucky Derby.

He returned with aplomb in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets to win his first top-level race by a half-length over Mindframe and posted a nearly identical result over the same foe six weeks later in the Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell. The Travers saw him draw within a half-length of the lead in the middle stages before fading to finish fourth, 8 1/4 lengths behind Fierceness.

Dornoch’s graded wins, which also include the Grade 2 Remsen at the Big A in November, have been the biggest triumphs of Gargan’s career, highlighted by his first trip to the winner’s circle for an American Classic.

Gargan reflected on the career Dornoch has put together, and said it is bittersweet to prepare him for one final start in what is surely the most significant test of both their careers.

“He’s a sweet, beautiful horse, and it’s going to be sad because he’s retiring, but if everything goes well, he’ll be a good sire,” Gargan concluded. “He’s bred to be one.”

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City Man returns in Ashley T. Cole

On Friday, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Peter Searles and Patty Searle’s dual graded stakes-winning millionaire City Man will make his fourth appearance in the $125,000 Ashley T. Cole, a nine-furlong inner turf route for New York-breds 3-years-old and up, at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by Christophe Clement, the now 7-year-old Mucho Macho Man horse won the Cole in 2022 and finished third in both 2021 and 2023. The veteran of 34 starts boasts 11 wins – 10 of them in stakes company – for purse earnings in excess of $1.2 million topped by graded success in 2022 in the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple at Saratoga Race Course and the Grade 2 Ft. Lauderdale at Gulfstream Park.

A stakes winner in each year of racing, he will look to continue his streak Friday while entering from a third-place finish on August 25 in the Spa’s state-bred West Point Handicap presented by Trustco Bank won by returning rival Dakota Gold.

“He’s training well. I’m very happy with him,” Clement said. “He’s 7-years-old so we don’t have that many races left, so we go race-by-race with him.”

Clement enjoyed a one-three finish from Roses for Debra and Gal in a Rush in Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Masters on September 20 at its namesake track.

Campaigned by Cheyenne Stable and John O’Meara, Roses for Debra, under regular rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., rallied up the inside to score by a neck over Pandora’s Gift with another 1 1/2-lengths back to the Dylan Davis-piloted Gal in a Rush in third.

The Pennsylvania-bred Roses for Debra covered 6 1/2-furlongs over the synthetic in a track record 1:13.92, marking her fourth win in five starts at Presque Isle. Campaigned through her first five starts by O’Meara and trainer Michelle Brafford, she crossed the wire first in her May 2022 debut at Presque Isle for trainer Michelle Brafford but was disqualified and placed second.

“She’s a top-class filly. Nothing new there – she’s been top-class the last three years,” Clement said. “I’m delighted to win for Cheyenne Stables and John O’Meara – it’s been a very successful partnership with them.

“It was a great ride from Irad,” added Clement. “He never panicked. He saved ground all the way and when he asked her, she really exploded at the end.”

Clement became Roses for Debra’s trainer of record in May 2023 with a win at Pimlico Race Course to kick off a four-race win streak that included Saratoga scores in the Grade 3 Caress and Listed Smart N Fancy. She completed her 2023 campaign with an off-the-board effort in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Park.

Clement said he’s in no hurry to pick out a next start for Roses for Debra, who scored in the Grade 3 Giant’s Causeway in her seasonal debut at Keeneland.

“We don’t have to decide now we can make a decision as we get closer,” Clement said.

Roses for Debra boasts a 15-9-2-2 record for purse earnings of $817,868.

West Point Thoroughbreds, Titletown Racing Stables and 3C Stable’s Gal in a Rush left post 8-of-9 in the Masters and bid three-wide on the turn but could not sustain the rally.

The 5-year-old Ghostzapper mare entered from a pair of Grade 3 sprints over the Woodbine Tapeta, taking the Hendrie in July ahead of a close runner-up effort in the Seaway on August 24.

“The draw was against her. The filly ran really well,” Clement said. “She came from two very good performances at Woodbine. We’re strong in that division with Roses for Debra, Gal in a Rush and Dontlookbackatall.”

Gal in a Rush has banked $441,526 through an 18-4-6-3 record.

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Neat possible for G3 Bryan Station; Chasing Liberty likely for Indian Summer

Red White and Blue Racing’s multiple graded stakes-winner Neat is possible to make the final start of his successful sophomore season in the Grade 3 Bryan Station on October 26, at Keeneland.

Trained by Rob Atras, the Constitution colt has won 4-of-6 starts this year topped by graded wins in the Grade 3 Transylvania in April at Keeneland, the Grade 3 Manila in June at Belmont at the Big A, and the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in August at Saratoga Race Course.

Last out, Neat exited post 10-of-11 in the one-mile Gun Runner at Kentucky Downs and rallied to a third-place finish just 1 3/4-lengths back of the victorious Brilliant Berti.

“He has a big kick, and he tried his heart out. He ran a great race, but he just came up a little short. We were still happy with him,” Atras said.

Atras said the talented chestnut, who also took down the Texas Turf Mile in January at Sam Houston, will likely point to the one-mile Bryan Station next.

“Our plan right now is to see how he comes out of the race and possibly run in the Bryan Station at the end of the month at Keeneland. If he runs there, then we’d freshen him up until the spring,” Atras said.

Neat, a $200,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, has banked $906,630 through a 10-6-0-1 record.

Twin Creeks Racing Stables’ Kentucky homebred Chasing Liberty kept a perfect record afloat when elevated to victory in the lucrative Juvenile Sprint on September 8 at Kentucky Downs.

The Constitution colt won his July 28 debut at Ellis Park and went to post a 22-1 longshot in the 6 1/2-furlong Juvenile Sprint under Florent Geroux. Chasing Liberty was checked back to 7th-of-9 through a half-mile in 45.20 before making a nine-wide move into contention at the quarter-pole. Chasing Liberty closed strongly down the lane as the pacesetting Under Who’s Radar ducked out in the final eighth of a mile, impeding Chasing Liberty, who had to re-group and come again while missing by three-quarters of a length.

An objection by Geroux and subsequent stewards’ inquiry saw Chasing Liberty elevated to victory and secured the $597,600 winner’s share of the $1 million purse.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been put up,” said Atras, with a laugh. “It’s just never went my way. The seven or eight times this has happened before – this made up for it.

“He was flying,” Atras added. “I do think we had momentum, and they stopped our momentum. We would have won the race if that didn’t happen. If you look at it that way, we should have been put up.”

Atras noted that the team had initially considered the Ellis Park start as one to gain experience for a $100,000 maiden at Kentucky Downs.

“Well, it worked out – just add another zero,” said Atras, with a laugh. “First time, I told the owner I really liked this colt, but he may need a race. He’s a big, heavy colt and we didn’t train him too hard.”

Atras said the maiden effort gave him confidence to jump Chasing Liberty into stakes company.

“The fact that he won not being 100 percent race fit and the way he did it was pretty impressive,” Atras said. “Florent said he had a lot of horse and that he will move forward.”

Atras indicated Chasing Liberty will be nominated to the Grade 3, $175,000 Futurity on October 4 here, a six-furlong sprint for juveniles offering a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in November at Del Mar. However, he noted it is likely that Chasing Liberty will race in the 5 1/2-furlong Listen Indian Summer on October 6 at Keeneland.

Chasing Liberty is out of the stakes-placed Declaration of War mare Peaceful.

Graded stakes-winning millionaire Law Professor is possible to make his next start in the Grade 3, $175,000 Knickerbocker, a nine-furlong turf test for 3-year-olds and up on October 13, at Belmont at the Big A.

The 6-year-old Constitution gelding started his career with trainer Michael McCarthy topped by a victory in the off-the-turf 2021 Grade 2 Mathis Mile. He then made 12 starts for Atras from September 2022 through February that included Listed wins in the restricted Tapit at Kentucky Downs in September 2022, the Queens County here last January and the local Excelsior last April. He was also a memorable second to Life Is Good in the 2022 Grade 1 Woodward.

Law Professor sold for $230,000 at the Fasig-Tipton March Digital Sale and made one start for Wade Rarick when seventh in the Lake Ouachita in May at Oaklawn before returning to the Atras barn.

The hard-trying dark bay, who boasts a 23-8-2-3 record for purse earning of $1,015,296, was nominated here for both of Saturday’s nine-furlong Grade 2 Woodward and seven-furlong Grade 3 Vosburgh – but did not enter either race.

“I think seven is probably a little short for him,” Atras said. “He did work good last week. We’ll see.”

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Soul of an Angel cuts back in distance for G3 Princess Rooney victory

C2 Racing Stable and Agave Racing Stable’s Soul of an Angel successfully cut back in distance after a third in the nine-furlong Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Race Course to win Saturday’s seven-furlong Grade 3 Princess Rooney, at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr. the 5-year-old Atreides dark bay was off slowly and last-of-9, before improving at each call and rallying to a 3 1/4-length victory over the favored Beth’s Dream in a final time of 1:23.23.

Soul of an Angel won the one-turn mile Grade 2 Ruffian in her first start for Joseph, Jr. in May at Belmont at the Big A. She was then fifth in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps presented by Ford going nine furlongs in June at the Spa ahead of a head defeat to reigning Champion Older Dirt Mare Idiomatic in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Molly Pitcher in July at Monmouth Park.

“The cut back, she definitely liked it. We tried her in the Ruffian and she won so impressively. Then after that, there were no more one-turn mile races for the fillies. So we had to do two turns and she didn’t run well at Saratoga,” said Joseph, Jr. “We took her to Monmouth to see if we could find a reason not to go back to Saratoga, and she ran so well against Idiomatic.

“We went back to Saratoga and picked up a Grade 1 placing, so we can’t complain about that, but we accepted after that we needed to run her one turn.”

Joseph, Jr. was pleased that shortening up Soul of an Angel went according to plan, the win also provided a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint in November at Del Mar.

“The seven-eighths was a question, she had never done it, maybe it was too short for her, but she answered that question with flying colors,” Joseph, Jr. said.

Joseph, Jr. said that all being well, it’ll be onto the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint for Soul of an Angel.

“All being well, she’ll go there. She has a nice little time between now and then. Hopefully we keep her fresh and she can run big as she did yesterday,” Joseph, Jr. said.

Co-owner C2 Racing Stable captured the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic last year at Santa Anita Park with White Abarrio, who was then trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr.

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