Santa Anita Stable Notes Sunday, May 25, 2025

STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN

SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2025

Benoit Photo

MEMORIAL DAY: FORMIDABLE MAN LEADS MCCARTHY STAKES TRIO
WORKS: JOHANNES, SWEET AZTECA GEARING UP FOR RETURNS
22K SUPER HIGH 5 CARRYOVER; SATURDAY’S PICK 6 PAYS $107K
PRAT, ORTIZ JR., DETTORI ADD STAR POWER TO MONDAY CARD
1/ST RACING JOINS IN MOURNING TRAINER CHRISTOPHE CLEMENT

MEMORIAL DAY: FORMIDABLE MAN LEADS STAKES TRIO FOR MCCARTHY

With favorite Formidable Man in the GI Shoemaker, second choice Extensive in the GII Hollywood Gold Cup, and third-choice Liguria in the GI Gamely, trainer Michael McCarthy looms as a major presence on Memorial Day at Santa Anita.

Formidable Man (3-1) will be seeking back-to-back Grade I wins in what’s a highly competitive edition of the Shoemaker Mile on turf. Twelve weeks ago on March 1, Formidable man notched his second career top-level victory when rallying to win the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile by a half-length.

After that win, which followed his first Grade I win in last year’s Hollywood Derby at Del Mar, Formidable Man was given a brief freshening. He didn’t return to the work tab until April 12. He’s drilled six times leading up to the Shoemaker, which includes a sharp five-furlong work on the main track in 59.40 seconds two weeks ago.

“A two-time Grade I winner who’s come back and trained great after what I guess you could call a short layoff,” McCarthy said Saturday. “It seems like everything is pointing to a big effort on Monday.”

Formidable Man will have regular rider Umberto Rispoli aboard. A 4-year-old colt by City of Light, Formidable Man will also try and provide McCarthy and Rispoli with their second wins in the Shoemaker Mile. In 2021, they teamed to win the Shoemaker with Smooth Like Strait.

The Shoemaker Mile goes as a ninth race on an 11-race card Monday. First post is 1 p.m. PT and post time for the Shoemaker is set for 5:08 p.m. The field in post position order: Seal Team, Juan Hernandez (6-1); Atitlan, Antonio Fresu (10-1); Seminole Chief, Irad Ortiz Jr., (8-1); King of Gosford, Flavien Prat (7-2); Formidable Man, Umberto Rispoli (3-1); Zio Jo, Kyle Frey (30-1); Mi Hermano Ramon, Hector Berrios (5-1); Cabo Spirit, Frankie Dettori (20-1); Goliad, Mike Smith (4-1).

In the Gamely for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf, Liguria is 9-2 on the morning line in what’s another highly competitive field of nine. The lukewarm favorite at 7-2 is eastern invader No Show Sammy Jo, who is trained by Graham Motion. Most recently, the 5-year-old mare by Lope de Vega returned from a five-month layoff and finished off the board in the GI Jenny Wiley at Keeneland on April 12.

As for Liguria, she is seeking a first Grade I win. Most recently, the 5-year-old War Front mare rallied from last to win the GII Buena Vista at a mile on March 1. It was her second start this year after missing all of 2024.

“She’s following the same plan as Formidable Man. She’s come back and trained well. I’m looking forward to seeing what the added furlong does for her,” McCarthy said.

In the Buena Vista, Liguria won with Prat aboard. With Prat taking the call on No Show Sammy Jo in the Gamely, Rispoli takes over on Liguria.

“In races like this there can be a lot of musical chairs, especially with someone like Flavien. I have no issues with it. It’s an equal trade,” McCarthy said.

Of course, McCarthy and Rispoli last weekend teamed to win the Preakness Stakes with GI Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism.

The Gamely goes as the seventh race at 4:08 p.m. The field in post position order: Lady Claypoole, Tiago Pereira (10-1); Alpha Bella, Juan Hernandez (6-1); Khinjani, Hector Berrios (15-1); Public Assembly, Antonio Fresu (8-1); No Show Sammy Jo, Flavien Prat (7-2); Expensive Queen, Kazushi Kimura (5-1); Liguria, Umberto Rispoli (9-2); Be Your Best, Irad Ortiz Jr. (4-1); Where’s My Ring, Mike Smith (10-1).

In the Gold Cup, Extensive will be making his stakes debut. A 4-year-old City of Light colt, Extensive most recently posted a 99 Beyer Speed Figure when winning a first-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles on April 6 at Santa Anita. He is 3-1 on the morning line. The even-money program favorite is Skippylongstocking, who invades from the east for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

“Quality wise, he certainly belongs with these horses,” McCarthy said of Extensive. “We’ll find out if a mile and a quarter is within his scope.”

After having Kyle Frey aboard for his big allowance win, Prat takes over aboard Extensive in the Gold Cup. McCarthy previously won the Hollywood Gold Cup in 2022 with There Goes Harvard.

The Hollywood Gold Cup goes as the eighth race at 4:38 pm. PT. The field in post position order: Tarantino, Juan Hernandez (4-1); Packs a Wahlop, Reylu Gutierrez (20-1); Midnight Mammoth, Armando Ayuso (5-1); Extensive, Flavien Prat (3-1); Skippylongstocking, Irad Ortiz Jr. (1-1); Il Bellator, Geovanni Franco (30-1); Arrrowthegreat, Tiago Pereira (15-1).

WORKS: JOHANNES, SWEET AZTECA GEARING UP FOR COMEBACKS

Grade I winners Johannes and Sweet Azteca, both gearing up for their first starts this year, were among an array of notable horses in the work tab Sunday.

Johannes, a 2024 Eclipse Award finalist as outstanding turf male, worked three furlongs in 35.40 seconds on the main track, which was fastest of 25 works at the distance. Johannes had his first work of the year this past Monday when going three furlongs in 37.0 seconds. A 5-year-old horse by Nyquist, Johannes hasn’t started since Dec. 26 when winning the GII San Gabriel at Santa Anita.

Sweet Azteca, who is nominated to next Sunday’s Desert Stormer going six furlongs, worked a half mile in 47.0 seconds for trainer Richard Baltas. It was the second-fastest of 65 works at the distance. Winner of last year’s GI B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile at Santa Anita when trained by Michael McCarthy, the 5-year-old mare by Sharp Azteca hasn’t started since last October when finishing fourth in the GIII Chillingworth at Santa Anita.

Several nominees for this Saturday’s GIII Triple Bend going seven furlongs also dotted the tab. Eagles Flight fired a bullet for trainer John Sadler with a five-furlong work in 59.40 seconds. Smooth Crusiein, who beat Eagles Flight when winning an allowance April 26 at Santa Anita, worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 for trainer Karen Headley. Grade II winner Dr. Venkman, off since the GI Pacific Classic in August, worked four furlongs from the gate in 47.80 seconds for trainer Mark Glatt. Rounding out the Triple Bend nominees was Vlahos, who worked four furlongs in 49.60 seconds for trainer Doug O’Neill.

Other notables on the tab were Raging Torrent (7f, 1:28.00), Motorious (5f ,1:00.20), Starry Heavens (5f, 1:00.60), Thought Process (5f, 1:00.60) and Air Force Red (4f, 52.80 seconds).

22K SUPER HIGH 5 CARRYOVER; SATURDAY’S PICK 6 PAYS $107K

Santa Barbarian’s win as the longest shot on the board in Saturday’s final race, the Snow Chief Stakes, led to a pool scoop in the $2 Pick Six and a $22,186 Super High 5 carryover for Sunday’s 10th and final race.

Santa Barbairan, trained by Ryan Hanson, scored by a half-length under Kazushi Kimura and paid $89.20 to close out Saturday’s card. The massive upset led to a single winning ticket in the Pick Six that paid $107,818. The winning ticket was purchased for $960 through Xpressbet, according to Santa Anita VIP Player Concierge Tom Quigley. The consolation payout for tickets with five winners was $150.

The winning horses in Saturday’s Pick Six were #7 Silver N Black ($3.40), #1 Sneaker ($6.60), #3 Om N Joy ($6), #4 Kings River Knight ($2.40); #3 No Cap ($16.40); #8 Santa Barbarian ($89.20).

As for the Super High 5 carryover, Sunday’s 10th race is a statebred maiden special weight going 6 ½ furlongs on turf. A full field of 11 is signed on led by 5-2 program favorite Darlin Tami, who will have apprentice Welfin Orantes aboard for trainer Jeff Bonde.

PRAT, ORTIZ JR., DETTORI ADD STAR POWER TO MONDAY’S CARD
Flavien Prat, last year’s Eclipse Award winner as the nation’s outstanding jockey; Irad Ortiz Jr., a 5-time Eclipse Award winner; and international superstar Frankie Dettori will all be at Santa Anita Monday bringing their star power to an outstanding 11-race card on Memorial Day.

Prat has four mounts scheduled, which includes all three graded stakes on the program. The 32-year-old Frenchman will ride 7-2 favorite No Show Sammy Go in the GI Gamely, 3-1 second choice Extensive in the GII Hollywood Gold Cup and 7-2 second choice King of Gosford in the GI Shoemaker Mile.

Ortiz, a 32-year-old native of Puerto Rico, has 4,097 career wins and ranks fourth all-time in purse earnings ($348,920,133). He won the Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey in 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019 and 2018. His five Eclipse Awards is tied with Laffit Pincay Jr. for the second-most all time behind only Jerry Bailey (7). Ortiz has five mounts booked including 4-1 third choice Be Your Best in the Gamely, even-money favorite Skippylongstocking in the Hollywood Gold Cup and Seminole Chief (8-1) in the Shoemaker Mile.

Dettori, a 54-year-old Italian, has been riding in the U.S. since 2023 after what was a legendary riding career in Europe dating back to the mid-1980s. Dettori has three mounts booked including Cabo Spirit (20-1) in the Shoemaker Mile.

1/ST RACING JOINS IN MOURNING TRAINER CHRISTOPHE CLEMENT

1/ST Racing offered the statement below following the sad news of the passing Sunday morning of longtime trainer Christophe Clement at the age of 59:

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Christophe Clement, a respected and accomplished horseman whose legacy is etched into the fabric of our sport. Christophe’s exceptional horsemanship, professionalism, and enduring passion for racing were evident every time he saddled a horse at our racetracks.

“Over the years, Christophe’s runners graced the winner’s circles at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park, and beyond, earning admiration from fans, fellow horsemen, and racing officials alike. He brought integrity, grace, and a competitive spirit that elevated every race in which he participated.

On behalf of the entire 1/ST RACING team, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Clement family, his staff, owners, and all who were touched by his presence in the racing community. His impact on our sport is indelible, and he will be missed dearly.”

FINISH LINES: Jockey Kazushi Kimura won three races Saturday including the Fran’s Valentine Stakes on Sneaker ($6.60) for trainer George Papaprodromou and Snow Chief Stakes aboard longshot Santa Barbarian ($89.20) for trainer Ryan Hanson. Kimura also won the ninth race with No Caps ($16.40) for trainer Brian Koriner…Sunday’s $1 Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 starts at 1:37 p.m. PT with the eighth race from Gulfstream Park…As part of a special Memorial Day program Monday, on-track patrons will receive $1 beers and sodas and $2 hot dogs. First post is 1 p.m. for an 11-race card.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks, training centers and premier events including: Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); Laurel Park, The Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and 1/ST TV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram