Favorite Stopchargingmaria Wins Demoiselle

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Stopchargingmaria goes by late to win the Demoiselle Stakes.
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Repole Stable's Stopchargingmaria, the 9-10 favorite in the six-horse field for the Nov. 30 Demoiselle Stakes (gr. II), came with a sustained run down the Aqueduct Racetrack stretch to win by a neck over Got Lucky.

Pacesetting Penwith was a head back in third in the nine-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies (VIDEO).

Darley Stable's Penwith went to the front in the $400,000 Demoiselle and was tracked to her outside by Stopchargingmaria through slow early fractions of :25.38 and :50.65. Those two opened up on the other fillies down the backstretch with Lexi Morgan, America, Got Lucky, and Mlle. Minuit following. As the field neared the far turn, the leaders were joined by Lexi Morgan and Got Lucky after six furlongs in 1:15.45. 

On the turn, Lexi Morgan came with a run on the outside and Got Lucky made progress along the rail. In the stretch, Penwith held tough and hit the eighth pole in 1:39.93, but came off the rail allowing for Got Lucky to get through as Stopchargingmaria continued to cut into the lead. It was a tight finish, but Stopchargingmaria got the advantage while on the outside in 1:52.62.

Stopchargingmaria was ridden by Javier Castellano for trainer Todd Pletcher, who also trains Got Lucky for Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and Philip Steinberg. The win was Castellano's third on the day.

"I was pleased with both of their races," said Pletcher. "It was a big effort by Got Lucky in her second start. The thing I thought (Stopchargingmaria) had going for her is a good foundation and the fact that she has a good mind. She's very ratable. She's not the kind you have to worry about getting too headstrong, but it's a mile and an eighth, and it's a long way for 2-year-old fillies."

Repole Stables, operated by Mike Repole, was well represented in the winner's circle...and they knew how to get there. Repole won last year's Demoiselle with Unlimited Budget.

"It's nice winning this race back-to-back years," Repole said. "To win it with Unlimited Budget and now with Stopchargingmaria; it's fun. She was so close to being a grade I horse. We put her in grade III company last time and she won impressively. She had an advantage today with four races under her belt as opposed to some of them who had run once or twice. I didn't know if she would get this distance, but if she ever was going to win at a mile and an eighth, today was the day."

The winner paid $3.90, $2.50, and $2.10. Got Lucky paid $3.20 and $2.60 and Penwith returned $3.30. The $2 exacta, 6-1, paid $11.40.

"I had a beautiful trip all the way in the race," said Castellano. "Small field, outside post, I controlled the race all the way. I like the way she did it today—she's amazing. Everything I asked, she responded. The question today was two turns, a mile and an eighth, and she handled it so well. She got it done." 

There was a reason Stopchargingmaria was the short-odds favorite in the field, being the lone filly with stakes experience. After breaking her maiden at first asking at Saratoga, Stopchargingmaria was second behind Sweet Reason in the seven-furlong Spinaway Stakes (gr. I) and third behind Artemis Agrotera and Sweet Reason in the one-mile Frizette Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park. Prior to her win in the Demoiselle she won the grade III Tempted Stakes Nov. 3 at the Big A by 10 3/4 lengths.

She now has a record of 3-1-1 from five starts and has earned $548,000.

By Tale of the Cat  , the Demoiselle winner is the first foal out of the stakes-winning Montbrook   mare Exotic Bloom. She was bred in Kentucky by Harvey Clarke and the Seitz's family's Brookdale Farm. Clarke is the breeder of last year's champion 3-year-old male I'll Have Another   and Havana, winner of this year's Foxwoods Champagne Stakes (gr. I) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Stakes (gr. I) runner-up. Clarke, who lives in New Jersey, keeps his mares at Brookdale in Woodford County.

Clarke and Brookdale sold the Demoiselle winner to Woodford Thoroughbreds for $47,000 at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale. Repole Stables went to $220,000 to buy her from Woodford Thoroughbreds, agent, at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s select sale in March.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82228/favorite-stopchargingmaria-wins-demoiselle#ixzz2mAMF5WV9

Royal Lahaina Makes Grade in Go for Wand

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Royal Lahaina comes home strong to win the Go for Wand Handicap. 
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In extending her Aqueduct Racetrack win streak to four straight victories, 5-year-old Royal Lahaina also nailed down the first graded stakes win of her career Nov. 29 in a 13-1 surprise (VIDEO).

With Jose Ortiz setting her loose three wide turning for home, Royal Lahaina pounced on the lead, opened a two-length advantage in mid-stretch, and was never threatened in upsetting the $300,000 Go for Wand Handicap (gr. II) by 2 1/2 lengths. 

The victory was the fourth straight win at Aqueduct for James Riccio's Royal Lahaina, who closed last year and opened this season with victories on the inner dirt in allowance/optional claiming races. In her most recent Aqueduct start before Friday's Go For Wand, the Chapel Royal mare registered a half-length victory in an optional claiming contested at the same conditions as the Go for Wand: one-mile on the main track.

"She'd been keeping some heady company," said Mike McCarthy, assistant to winning trainer Todd Pletcher who secured his third Go for Wand victory and first since landing back-to-back editions with Spun Sugar in 2006 and Ashado in 2005. "She'd trained well the past couple of weeks and she certainly has an affinity for Aqueduct. Jose gave her a super ride. Things shook out nicely for them."

Royal Lahaina tracked in third while Fantasy of Flight and Irad Ortiz Jr. cruised through a half-mile in :48.20 before being engaged by longshot Ol Donyo, with Royal Lahaina shadowing her after six furlongs in 1:12.61. Royal Lahaina, three wide into the stretch, quickly emerged and continued well to the wire.

"She broke very well and I was able to get perfect position on the outside," said winning rider Ortiz. "At the three-eighths pole I knew I had a lot of horse so I just waited a little bit. When I asked her to go, she did." 

Bred in Kentucky by Anthony Guida, Royal Lahaina is the first graded stakes winner for the winning Bonus Money mare Fabulous Bonus. The dark bay mare improved her record to 7-5-2 in 25 races with earnings of $513,830.

This season easily has been Royal Lahaina's most successful; she earned her first career stakes victory earlier this season in the restricted Mariensky at Belmont Park as well as her only other career stakes placing in the Lady's Secret at Monmouth Park.

Darley Stable's late-running Centring, the 2-1 favorite in the field of seven fillies and mares, came with her move too late to place second, but never threatened the winner. Centring caught My Pal Chrisy, who saw a three-race win streak come to an end, in the final strides for second by a neck.

Royal Lahaina returned $28.20 to win, $9.50 to place and $5 to show. Centring returned $3.50 and $2.80 while My Pal Chrisy paid $3.30 to show.

Willet finished fourth, followed by Ol Donyo, Fantasy of Flight, and Street Girl. Executiveprivilegescratched.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82216/royal-lahaina-makes-grade-in-go-for-wand#ixzz2m8g4EXQ1

Dates Set for TCA Stallion Season Auction

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The 24th annual Thoroughbred Charities of America Stallion Season Auction will be held Thursday, Jan. 2-Saturday, Jan. 4. The three-day fundraiser consists of a telephone and online auction and culminates with a live select stallion season auction at the Keeneland Entertainment Center in Lexington.

"Planning is in full swing for our annual stallion season auction," said TCA executive director Erin Crady. "The auction is our largest annual fundraiser and is vital to TCA as it enables us to grant funds to Thoroughbred-related non-profit organizations across the nation." 

In 2013 TCA granted over $500,000 to more than 70 Thoroughbred industry related charities working within aftercare, backstretch community services, education, and therapeutic riding. 

The majority of TCA's seasons will be offered during the telephone and online auction. Online bidding will open at 9 a.m. EST on Jan. 2 and continue through 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4. Telephone bids will be accepted January 2-3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and January 4, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. EST. Interested bidders may register to bid by visiting www.tca.org. 

Approximately 10-15 seasons will be sold in the live select season auction Saturday, Jan. 4. Bidders or their authorized agents may bid on the select seasons by attending the live auction in-person or they may bid on the select seasons during the telephone phase with the highest bidders earning the right to bid by phone during the live auction. 

In addition to the seasons, the live auction will feature non-season lots such as a Triple Crown ticket package, John Deere mower, tickets for the 2014 Breeders' Cup, a NASCAR race at the Kentucky Speedway, and much more. A silent auction also will be offered. 

TCA Stallion Season Auction sponsors include Brushwood Stable, Adena Springs, Rosenberg Thoroughbred Consulting, PBI Bank, Lael Stable, CandyLand Farm, John Deere, Starquine.com, Provations Group, Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, L.V. Harkness & Company, and Blood-Horse Publications.

More information at www.tca.org.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/81993/dates-set-for-tca-stallion-season-auction#ixzz2kpQCZ5wU

Havana Denies Surging Honor Code in Champagne

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Havana holds off Honor Code to win the Champagne Stakes.
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Havana extended his neck in the final strides and reached the wire just in time over a surging Honor Code to capture the $500,000 Foxwoods Champagne Stakes (gr. I) for 2-year-olds Oct. 5 at Belmont Park (VIDEO).

In a terrific finish between impressive debut maiden winners at Saratoga Race Course last month, Havana got the job done with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons for trainer Todd Pletcher and owners Michael Tabor, John Magnier, and Derrick Smith.

Havana completed the one-turn mile in 1:35.81 as the 5-2 third choice in a field of nine, edging 9-5 favorite Honor Code by a neck. Ride On Curlin was third while Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) winner Strong Mandate was unplaced.

The winner, a Kentucky-bred son of Dunkirk   out of the Kyle's Our Man mare Missy Turtle, sold for $575,000 at Barretts Racing & Sales in March to Coolmore's Demi O'Bryne when consigned by Excel Bloodstock. The gray/roan colt was bred by Harvey Clarke, who also bred 2012 dual classic winner I'll Have Another  .

The Champagne victory secures a slot in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park for the winning connections as a "Win & You're In" event.

"Anytime you go from 5 1/2 (furlongs) to a mile and do it against the type of horses he was in with today, it's always a concern," Pletcher said. "We did a similar thing with Uncle Mo  , the difference being that was six (furlongs) to a mile. I think it takes a pretty special horse to do it. I'm proud of his efforts today. We knew we were asking him (for) a lot, but we were doing it because we liked him a lot."

Pletcher said the Champagne should have Havana fit for whatever comes in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

"I can't imagine the horses we ran against today aren't going to be certainly some of the favorites for it," he said. "I think there's room for improvement. I think he can move forward for his third start."

Havana debuted with a front-running 2 3/4-length tally going 5 1/2 furlongs Aug. 23, running to his 2-5 odds at Saratoga.

He did not get the lead this time, however, breaking inward a bit as Debt Ceiling provided a swift early tempo just off the inside, stepping the opening quarter mile in :22.87. Strong Mandate, who broke on the lead from the outside, quickly dropped back into the pack down the backstretch and Honor Code dropped out last, about 10 to 11 lengths off the pace. 

Racing in hand, Havana poked his head in front after getting the half in :45.54 and took command by 2 1/2 lengths over 40-1 Intense Holiday, who took up the chase as Debt Ceiling gave way. Havana opened up by 2 1/2 lengths at the quarter pole, completing six furlongs in 1:10.12 and was five lengths in front mid-stretch. 

The race was far from over, however, as Honor Code, angling about eight paths wide off the turn for Javier Castellano, charged home on the outside of Ride On Curlin and Alex Solis. Havana came under pressure from Ortiz in the final 70 yards and got to the wire just in time.

"In the first part I thought they were going too fast, so I waited a little bit," said Ortiz after replacing John Velazquez, who was at Keeneland Saturday to ride Wise Dan. "I had a couple horses beside me, so I had to use him a little earlier than I wanted. He got the lead early, but he was ready. When I asked him, he picked it up. He got a little tired at the end a little bit, but he was still running. He was perfect all the way."

Honor Code finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of 17-1 Ride On Curlin in third. it was nearly seven lengths back to fourth-place finisher Casiguapo, who was followed by Intense Holiday, Long On Value, Strong Mandate, and Grand Arrival. Debt Ceiling was eased in the final furlong.

The victory was worth $300,000 to the winning connections, bringing Havana's total bankroll to $348,000.

Under equal weights of 122 pounds, the winner paid $7.20, $3.80, and $3.30. Honor Code, a 4 1/2-length debut maiden winner Aug. 31 for trainer Shug McGaughey after coming from way out of it on a sloppy track, returned $3.20 and $2.90. The exacta was worth $26.20. Ride On Curlin paid $5.90 to show.

"Having to go wide probably cost us the race, but Havana got the jump at the head of the stretch and opened up, and we were unlucky to not catch him," McGaughey said of Honor Code. "I thought it was an awfully big effort for a horse of his type who is just learning and is kind of lazy in the first part until you do ask him." 

McGaughey said he may skip the cross-country ship for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and instead run Honor Code in the Remsen Stakes (gr. II) Nov. 30 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

"Obviously, next spring would be our main objective," he said. "Whatever (owners Lane's End Racing and Dell Ridge Farm) want to do is going to be fine with me."

D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of Strong Mandate, said his colt may have not cared for Belmont's deep racing surface.

"It's quite a drastic change from Churchill Downs and Saratoga to this," he noted while saying he would aim for the BC juvenile with Strong Mandate.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/81123/havana-denies-surging-honor-code-in-champagne#ixzz2gwo5fkeg

We Miss Artie Authoritative Futurity Winner

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We Miss Artie and John Velazquez take the Dixiana Breeders' Futurity.
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Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/81119/we-miss-artie-authoritative-futurity-winner#ixzz2gwoXyTTV

Princess of Sylmar Defeats 'Delta' in Beldame

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Princess of Sylmar leaves Royal Delta behind to win the Beldame.
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Princess of Sylmar, facing older foes for the first time, sprung a mild upset Sept. 28 when the 3-year-old filly collared two-time champion Royal Delta and went on to win the $400,000 Beldame Invitational Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park by two lengths (VIDEO).

A Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Majestic Warrior   racing for breeder Ed Stanco's King of Prussia Stable, Princess of Sylmar was settled into fourth off the early pace of longshot Roman Invader, who was stalked by Royal Delta and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. Parlo Stakes winner Roman Invader and jockey Junior Alvarado led through the first half in :46.71 before being challenged by Royal Delta rounding the turn for home.

Princess of Sylmar and Javier Castellano also advanced on the turn and were second to Royal Delta at the head of the stretch. After six furlongs were completed in 1:10.53, it looked as if those two were going to engage in a stretch duel, but Princess of Sylmar wore down the older champion and went on to win under a hand ride. She stopped the timer 1:47.93 for the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track.

Princess of Sylmar, who has won eight of 10 starts with one second and now earned $1,607,220, paid $6.20. $2.20, $2.20 as the 2-1 second choice. Royal Delta, off at 1-5 odds, paid $2.10 and $2.10, with Centring third at $2.20. Completing the field were And Why Not and Roman Invader. Lady Cohiba was scratched.

The first of five grade I races on the Saturday Belmont card, the Beldame was the fourth grade I win in a row for Princess of Sylmar, who began the run with a 38-1 upset in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). That was followed by victories in the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) and the Aug. 17 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.

Pletcher said his charge and Castellano ran the type of race he envisioned for a winning effort.

"I just wanted to emphasize, 'Let her run her race. Don't chase. Wherever you are, let it be on her terms, and just try to sit back and play to her strengths,' " Pletcher said. "I felt like if there was anyone on paper who could do that, it was her. It was nice (Royal Delta) didn't get completely loose. We kind of got within striking distance at the quarter pole, and I thought we had a big shot.

"Like I said before the race, we have a lot of respect for how good Royal Delta is, and it says a lot about (owner) Ed Stanco that we could have gone to what appeared to be an easier spot on paper ($1 million Cotillion Stakes, gr. I, Parx Racing) and we came here and took on the defending champ and were a deserving winner. It wasn't about the money, you know?"

Said Castellano: "If you asked me what the pace was, I couldn't have told you. I thought :48 or :49. My filly did it so easy. I was a little concerned the first half because my goal was just to get her in a good spot, and I had to use her a little bit early in the race to get her into a good spot. Turning for home, I turned her loose just a little bit and she gave me the gear and she took off.

"Royal Delta was my target all the way in the race. When I saw she didn't take off at the quarter pole, which usually she does, I thought, 'Whoa, I think I have a chance to win the race.' When I let her go she just took off and opened up. I'm very satisfied. She's an amazing filly."

"This a new stratosphere for us," Stanco said. "When (exercise rider) Jake Nelson was on her in Saratoga two days after we won the Alabama, I walked out with her and she was full of herself. He said she hasn't missed a beat. As you might have noticed, she  has gone into a growth spurt and has put on weight. Todd told me Tuesday she was just perfect in her training. He felt very confident."

The Beldame is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" event for the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I), which Royal Delta has won the past two years when it was named the Ladies' Classic. Princess of Sylmar is not nominated to the Breeders' Cup and would have to be supplemented to run in the Nov. 1 Distaff at Santa Anita Park.

"I don't think that's a question we can answer right now," Pletcher said in reference to the Distaff. "We need two or three more weeks to sort that out."

Royal Delta, winner of the Beldame last year in her final Breeders' Cup prep, has already won two Breeders' Cup Distaff "Win and You're In" races in the Delaware Handicap (gr. I) in July and the Aug. 25 Personal Ensign (gr. I) for owner Besilu Stables and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Mott said he thought his mare ran a "good race, maybe not her best race."

"(Princess of Sylmar) came to us and beat us today," Mott said. "I think Royal Delta is doing well. We looked for a big race from her. When she put (Roman Invader) away on the turn, I thought she'd go ahead and open up a little more than she did. No big excuse. It was an incredible race. You have to give the winner her due. She's champion 3-year-old (filly), that's for sure."

Mott said he did not think the Beldame would affect Royal Delta's chances for a third straight Distaff.

"I've won more Breeders' Cups finishing second in the Beldame than winning it," he said.

"She didn't necessarily stumble in front, but just kind of lost her footing for a jump or two," jockey Smith said of Royal Delta's start. "She got up and still was in a comfortable place where I wanted to be. I felt somebody to my outside at the quarter pole, and I knew it was her (Princess of Sylmar). It was just a matter of whether I could out-stride her to the wire, and I just couldn't today.

"(Princess of Sylmar) got up to me at the quarter pole and just out-footed me to the wire today. My hat's off to the winner."

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/80944/princess-of-sylmar-defeats-delta-in-beldame#ixzz2gDzM41p1

Graydar Too Strong in Kelso Comeback

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Photo: Coglianese Photos/David Alcosser

Graydar is in control at the finish of the Kelso Handicap. 
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Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/80947/graydar-too-strong-in-kelso-comeback#ixzz2gDztpzCV

No Catching Bashart in With Anticipation

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Bashart leads the way home in the With Anticpation.
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Wheeled back in 11 days after breaking his maiden, Bashart led all the way to capture the $200,000 With Anticipation Stakes (gr. IIIT) with style Aug. 29 on the turf at Saratoga Race Course (VIDEO).

The fast-developing 2-year-old son of War Front   defeated River Dancer by 1 1/4 lengths while completing the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:41.97 over a firm Mellon Turf Course.

Javier Castellano rode Bashart, a homebred owned by Rosedown Racing, for the first time for trainer Todd Pletcher. The bay colt is out of the Clever Trick mare Busy Windsong.

"Javier kind of let him run away from there, and he made the lead and relaxed," said Pletcher, who has won three of the nine renewals of the With Anticipation. "The turf course has been playing that way like the past seven to 10 days, so it was a good spot to be. He responded every time they came to him. He found a little more.

"One of the reasons we decided to run back on short rest was it put us on a better schedule," Pletcher added. "It gave us an opportunity with a horse that's still learning to run twice...before a possible Breeders' Cup. That's why he ran back on short rest, and he's acted really well since his maiden win. We got lucky today."

Bashart went off as the slight 5-2 second choice behind Pletcher stablemate We Miss Artie, who was also bet to 5-2 odds.

Breaking from the inside post in the field of seven juveniles, Bashart went directly to the front with Base Case Scenario on his outside and We Miss Artie and Tiger Bourbon stalking the two leaders. Bashart, under a snug hold, led Base Case Scenario by about one length at each call for the opening six furlongs, carving sensible fractions of :23.30, :47.20, and 1:11.39. 

Still showing the way into the homestretch, Bashart was asked for more and opened up by a couple of lengths in the lane as Base Case Scenario yielded and the rallying Marvin's Miracle came on. Bashart was kept to his task all the way to the wire by Castellano.

"I let him do whatever he wanted, and I was very satisfied with the way he did it today," Castellano said.

River Dancer, angled sharply to the outside in upper stretch by Rajiv Margagh, put in a good late run from the back of the pack. He was gaining on the winner approaching the wire but had way too much to do to seriously threaten while finishing a clear second. It was 1 1/2 lengths farther back to third-place finisher Marvin's Miracle, who put in a menacing move along the inside for Irad Ortiz Jr., but could not sustain it after angling to the outside.

Tiger Bourbon finished fourth, followed by Base Case Scenario, We Miss Artie, and Racetrack Romance. 

Bashart graduated at the same 1 1/16-mile distance Aug. 18 at Saratoga in his second start, prevailing by half a length in his second start. He made his debut at Belmont Park July 12, finishing third behind Tiger Bourbon in a six-furlong turf dash. He earned $120,000 for his latest victory, boosting his career total to $178,000.

"He's still learning," Pletcher said. "When he made the lead the other day, he was a little bit green and kind of idled a little bit, but when you're on the lead, you can kind of relax and use that to your advantage. So, he was able to settle. The second quarter (mile) was comfortable, so I think that really helped."

Under 120 pounds, Bashart paid $7.70, $4, and $3.10, keying a $48.20 exacta with 7-1 shot River Dancer. The latter, who had not raced since a debut maiden win July 5 on the Belmont inner turf course at six furlongs, returned $7.10 and $4.60 for trainer David Cannizzo. Marvin's Miracle, coming off a maiden win over New York-breds Aug. 8 on the Saratoga turf, paid $4.60.

General Jack scratched, while King Cyrus, Free Mugatu, and Howaboutwe were entered for the main track only.
 

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/80370/no-catching-bashart-in-with-anticipation#ixzz2dSNrOBlx

Capo Bastone Delivers King's Bishop Shocker

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Capo Bastone rallies to upset the King's Bishop Stakes.
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Capo Bastone, a colt that had long failed to tap his potential, finally displayed his talent with a roaring finish to capture the $500,000 Foxwoods King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) going away at odds of 28-1 Aug. 24 at Saratoga Race Course.(VIDEO).

Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Capo Bastone delivered his first stakes victory for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Capo Bastone found a seam between horses while racing near the rear of the 14-horse calvary charge in upper stretch and fired straight through down the lane to stun the Saratoga crowd with a two-length tally.

Mentor Cane, who had opened up a four-length advantage on the pack mid-stretch and looked a certain winner, settled for second, with Central Banker third. Forty Tales, the 5-2 favorite in the field of 3-year-olds, finished fourth.

The final time for the seven furlongs was a good 1:22.22 on a fast track.

Capo Bastone was one of three starters for trainer Todd Pletcher, who also saddled Forty Tales and Overanalyze, who finished fifth.

Bred in Kentucky by Hargus and Sandra Sexton, Tom Bozarth, and Silver Fern Farm, Capo Bastone is by Street Boss   out of the Fit to Fight mare Fight to Love.

The winner paid $58.50, $25.80, and $12.40, topping a $759 exacta with Mentor Cane, who returned $10.80 and $8 at odds of nearly 8-1. Central Banker, off at 22-1, paid $14.20 to show and rounded out a $2 trifecta worth $16,639.

Capo Bastone was coming off a seventh-place finish in the Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II) June 8 but had been working solidly at Saratoga since late July. The chestnut was well-regarded as a 2-year-old, finishing third in the Frontrunner Stakes (gr. I) and Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) while trained by John Sadler.

Transferred to Pletcher for the 2013 campaign, he won his first start of the season, an allowance/optional claiming race on a sloppy track at Gulfstream Park Feb. 16. Following a ninth-place finish on Polytrack in the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes (gr. III) at Turfway Park, he turned in a big effort to finish second by a neck to Forty Tales in the one-mile Derby Trial (gr. III) April 27 at Churchill Downs.

"He has shown, on his good days, that he's good enough to compete in a race like this," said Pletcher, who previously won the King's Bishop in 2010 with Discreetly Mine  . "He was pretty close to Forty Tales in the Derby Trial, and it seemed like he was training better than ever. Based off his breeze with Verrazano (a half-mile move in :48 3/5 Aug. 18), we felt like it was time to take a shot.

"It seemed like everything was jelling at the right time, and he was sitting on a good one, so we felt like, 'Let's try a big one.' It seems like he has found his niche. I think he gets a mile, no problem, but this was a good set-up for him today."

Capo Bastone had no early speed in the King's Bishop, racing 11th along the inside before shifting three-wide on the turn for home. Let Em Shine hustled to the front from the outside to lead Mentor Cane by half a length while running the opening quarter-mile in a swift :22.34. Edgar Prado on Mentor Cane drew even with the leader to take a narrow lead after a half-mile in :44.60 and dashed away from the others in upper stretch.

But Capo Bastone, rallying under right-handed urging from Ortiz, closed with an eye-catching rush to take over leaving the sixteenth pole en route to an impressive score.

"I had a good trip on the outside all the way," said Ortiz. "When I asked him, he picked it up, and he did the job. He was ready today."

A $175,000 2-year-old buy at the 2012 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March sale, Capo Bastone improved to 3-1-2 in nine starts. He earned $300,000 for the King's Bishop triumph, boosting his career bankroll to $659,608.

Mentor Cane finished 2 3/4 lengths clear of Central Banker, who rallied belatedly for Robby Albarado to edge Forty Tales by a neck for the show spot. Overanalyze was followed by Slan Abhaile, Salutos Amigos, Miraculousmo, No Distinction, Bad Hombre, Integrity, and Let Em Shine. Declan's Warrior trailed the field for a quarter-mile and was eased, but walked off the course.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/80264/capo-bastone-delivers-kings-bishop-shocker#ixzz2cz1g6Gw4

Princess of Sylmar Crowned Queen of Alabama

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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand

Princess of Sylmar rolls to victory in the Alabama Stakes.
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Princess of Sylmar likely wrapped up an Eclipse Award as outstanding 3-year-old filly with another sharp victory, this time in the Alabama Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course, her third grade I victory in a row (VIDEO) .

Javier Castellano drove the sleek chestnut to the front leaving the far turn and she dominated the stretch run under good handling to post a 2 1/2-length victory for Ed Stanco's King of Prussia Stable and trainer Todd Pletcher. The homebred filly, sent off at odds of 1-2, is by Majestic Warrior   out of the Catienus   mare Storm Dixie.

Princess of Sylmar won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) previously, and has five wins and a second in six starts this season.

Fiftyshadesofhay was second with Carnival Court third in a field of five. Final time for the 1 1/4-mile distance was 2:03.21 over a fast track.

After winning his first Alabama, Pletcher said the three grade I wins should secure championship honors for Princess of Sylmar.

"I have to think so," said the five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer. "With the Kentucky Oaks, Coaching Club American Oaks— that's a pretty hard trifecta to win, so I'll say she has definitely established herself as the champion 3-year-old filly, unless somebody does something (big)."

Pletcher demurred when asked what might be next for Princess of Sylmar, who Stanco said prior to the Alabama might not run again this year.

"We never make decisions right after a race, but Ed is committed to running her next year, and, who knows, maybe even as a 5-year-old," Pletcher said. "At some point you don't want to be greedy, but at the same time she is doing unbelievably well, and sometimes you have to take advantage of that, so we have some thinking to do."

Princess of Sylmar rated in fourth under a firm hold slightly off the rail, about three to four lengths off pacemaker Carnival Court, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. Carnival Court held the advantage over Montana Native and second choice Fiftyshadesofhay for six furlongs while carving moderate fractions of :23.88, :48.16, and 1:12.77. 

The favorite was angled four paths wide midway on the far turn and quickly passed the leaders when asked a bit more by Castellano. She led by two lengths at the quarter pole, which she reached in 1:37.91, and headed into the homestretch comfortably in front. Princess of Sylmar was three lengths clear of Fiftyshadesofhay mid-stretch and scooted home under a brisk hand ride from Castellano, who waved the whip at her.

"With a small field, there was not much to think about," Castellano said. "The way I handicapped the race, three horses had the speed, and the way it unfolded it was the perfect trip for her. She's a come-from-behind horse. I just let her enjoy the trip and when she was ready to go I asked her, and she just took off. She went right by them. She's an amazing horse. Everything we've asked, she has responded so well so far."

Owner Stanco was elated afterward.

"Wasn't that something, how she took off? But I have to ask Todd how she galloped out; that's the most important thing. Let's hope (we crowned a champion today)."

Fiftyshadesofhay, ridden by John Velazquez, finished 3 3/4 lengths in front of Carnival Court, with Galloping Giraffe and Montana Native trailing.

After taking two of three starts at 2, Princess of Sylmar was a dominating winner of the Busanda and Busher stakes, both over the inner course at Aqueduct Race Course this winter. Her only loss of the year followed, a second in the Gazelle Stakes (gr. II) over the main track at Aqueduct, 3 1/4 lengths behind Close Hatches. 

But the flashy filly regrouped in the Kentucky Oaks at 38-1 odds, rallying from 10 lengths back to score a half-length win over 2-year-old filly champion Beholder. Princess of Sylmar then routed four opponents in the Coaching Club, cruising by six.

Her seven wins from a nine-race career have come by a combined margin of 51 lengths. Earning $360,000 for the Alabama victory, Princess of Sylmar has banked $1,367,220.

Under equal weights of 121 pounds, Princess of Sylmar paid $3, $2.10, and $2.10, while keying a $5.80 exacta. Fiftyshadesofhay returned $2.50 and $2.60 after shipping east for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert off wins in the Black-Eyed Susan (gr. II) and Iowa Oaks (gr. III). Carnival Court paid $3.50.

Tell a Great Story scratched.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/80115/princess-of-sylmar-crowned-queen-of-alabama#ixzz2cKEN6a4E

Notacatbutallama Grinds Out Hall of Fame Win

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Notacatbutallama takes to the slop and wins the National Museum Racing Hall of Fame Stakes.
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Notacatbutallama, given plenty of room rallying room along the inside, outfought North Slope to capture the off-the-turf National Museum Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (gr. III) on a sloppy main track Aug. 9 at Saratoga Race Course (VIDEO).

With Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez aboard, Notacatbutallama earned his third consecutive stakes win and the second graded victory of his career. He was one of three sophomores trained by Todd Pletcher in the field of five 3-year-olds. Repole Stables owns the winning New York-bred son of Harlan's Holiday  .

With the $196,000 race taken off the turf, it is automatically reduced to a grade III pending a final review by the American Grades Stakes Committee. The race was originally scheduled for 1 1/16 miles but was instead contested at 1 1/8 miles. Rydilluc and Balance the Books were scratched. 

Notacatbutallama was timed in 1:52.29 over trying conditions. North Slope held on for second, three-quarters of a length behind the winner, with Battier, entered for the main track only by Pletcher, another 1 1/2 lengths back in third. Ken and Sarah Ramsey's coupled entry of Charming Kitten, the third Pletcher trainee, and Get in Line, trailed the field after being bet to 11-10 favoritism.

"He was in good position and when the rail came open, he came up the fence," said Pletcher, who previously won the Hall of Fame Stakes with Interactif in 2010. "I had a feeling he was turning into a top-class turf horse, and you hate to change surfaces. At least we know now in this situation what he can do."

Get in Line showed the way, carving quarter mile fractions of :24.92, :49.90, and 1:14.52 while pursued by North Slope and Notacatbutallama, who raced a bit off the rail but on the inside of the leaders. North Slope, wide throughout with Luis Saez riding, made his move on the outside rounding the turn to take the advantage into the stretch as Notacatbutallama also progressed.

North Slope was racing well off the rail while a length in front through the stretch, giving Velazquez plenty of room to send Notacatbutallama through. They drew even approaching the sixteenth pole and Notacatbutallama ground out the rest of the trip under right-handed urging from Velazquez.

"It took me a little bit to get him going again, from the three-sixteenths pole to the wire, but he got it done," said Velazquez. "He runs every single time, no matter what. He loves to run, loves to compete."

Happy Hill Farm bred the winner out of the winning stakes-placed Hansel mare Self Rising. Notacatbutallama was sold to Mike Repole through Jonathan Thomas, agent, for $105,000 as a 2-year-old in April 2012 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company. The bay colt was sold by De Meric Sales, agent, whose Nick De Meric paid $50,000 for Notacatbutallama at the Fasig-Tipton New York preferred New York-bred sale as a yearling.

Notacatbutallama won the one-mile Hill Prince Stakes (gr. IIIT) over a good turf June 15 at Belmont Park. He returned to capture the Solar Splendor at 1 1/16 miles on the inner Belmont turf course July 13 in his most recent start. He had one prior race on a sloppy track, finishing second in the one-mile Damon Runyon for New York-breds last December at Aqueduct Racetrack.

He broke his maiden in his second outing over the Saratoga lawn last Aug. 20. Notacatbutallama has now won six of 12 starts with three seconds and a third while earning $488,334. 

Notacatbutallama paid $7.70 and $3.50 as the second choice in the small field while carrying the top impost of 122 pounds. Darley Stable's North Slope, seeking his first stakes win for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, returned $4.60 and rounded out a $33 exacta. There was no show wagering.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/79973/notacatbutallama-grinds-out-hall-of-fame-win#ixzz2bZM1eJSv