Unmissable update!
During a week-long sabbatical from the Stidham racing update desk, there’s been much to shout home about, not least of all a veritable smorgasbord of great winners! So, without any further ado, let’s get to business!
Yesterday at Monmouth Park, Newtown Anner Stud’s Tasting the Stars won the $75,000 Just Jenda Stakes in really quite striking fashion, finishing with real gusto under jockey Nik Juarez. This unbeaten 3-year-old daughter of Bodemeister is one to keep an eye on as she’s fast on the improve, and is just the sort that Stidham excels with. Onwards and upwards!
Over at Arlington yesterday, Godolphin’s 2-year-old Elusive Quality colt, Breckenridge, couldn’t have broken his maiden in any more impressive fashion, running away with a hot-looking contest under Mitchell Murrill. Again, keep your eye on this talented youngster in the months ahead.
On Saturday, Luna was the stable’s sole victor at Monmouth Park that day, showing plenty of guts under Adam Beschizza to win her second career start. Stone Farm’s 4-year-old daughter of Orb certainly looks like she’s capable of more, and if anyone can extract further improvement out of her, it’s Stidham.
And now, let’s cast our eyes back to the weekend prior, when Memory Bank showed improved form at the ripe-old-age of five to win the $75,000 Black Tie Affair Handicap at Arlington Park. Dare to Dream’s wonderful gelding, a son of Misremembered, is as consistent as they come, and had shown good form prior in black type races, though never getting his head in front. Indeed, he finished second in this same race in 2018. No such worries this time, when he powered clear under a great Mitchell Murrill ride.
“I’m just delighted we’ve got the horses in such great form at present,” said Stidham, reflecting on the past couple weekends. “The staff work so hard to keep the operation running so well. I owe them a big debt of thanks. And, of course, I may be biased, but I think I’ve got the best group of owners in the business. We’ve also got a bunch of really nice youngsters to go to war with, and I couldn’t be happier with how things are going. Long may it continue!”
And here’s to the week’s slew of runners:
Today
Delaware Park
Pleasant Mo – Race 3, Maiden Special Weight
Embossed – Race 3, Maiden Special Weight
Tuesday
Presque Isle
Powell – Race 6, Allowance
Wednesday
Presque Isle Downs
Spokesman – Race 3, Maiden Special Weight
Saratoga
Bangle Gal – Race 4, New York Stallion Series Stakes
Saguaro Row – Race 9, Shine Again Stakes
Thursday
Laurel Park
House Arrest – Race 5, Maiden Special Weight
Arlington
Applesolutelyright – Race 2, Maiden Special Weight
Friday
Laurel Park
Beautiful Memory – Race 6, Allowance Optional Claiming
