Stakes double!
Man, the stable couldn’t be in any hotter form at present, as evinced by a stunning stakes race double today at Laurel Park!
The Newton Anner Stud Farm owned Tasting the Stars got the ball rolling with a decisive victory in the $82,500 Brookmeade Stakes under Trevor McCarthy. This 4-year-old daughter of Bodemeister was claiming her second career stakes win, but as a lightly raced type, more improvement could realistically be expected from her.
Later on in the card, Dare to Dream’s Embolden similarly claimed his second career stakes win with a tough performance in the $125,000 Punch Line Stakes – again, with McCarthy on board. This wonderful son of The Factor has been Uber-consistent all his career, and as a 3-year-old, the fun ain’t over for connections!
“Keep it coming!” said Stidham, of the rare double today. “The team has done a phenomenal job with the horses, and it’s just great for the owners who have been so loyal.”
And now for the weekend, with two exciting possible bites of the grade one cherry!
At Belmont Park tomorrow, Mystic Guide, who won the grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes last time out, is drawn 5 of 5 in the $250,000 G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup over 1 1/4 miles. Johnny Velazquez takes the mount on the 4-1 shot, and while this is Mystic Guide’s toughest assignment to date, he’s still progressing nicely indeed, and connections are expecting a top class performance.
Over at Keeneland tomorrow, 6-1 shot Micheline is drawn 7 of 9 in the $500,000 G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes, a turf race over 1 1/8th miles. Florent Geroux takes the ride on the winner of the Exacta Systems Dueling Grounds Oaks last time out.
Stidham’s seeking a second win in this prestigious race, having won it with Her Emmynency in 2015.
And now for the rest of the weekend entries:
Belmont Park
Chick Be Quick – Race 3, Maiden Special Weight
Mon Cherie – Race 11, Maiden Special Weight
Delaware Park
Night Things – Race 4, Maiden Special Weight
Comply – Race 4, Maiden Special Weight
Keeneland
Branco Maria – Race 5, Allowance
Laurel Park
Starburst – Race 5, Waiver Maiden Claiming $40,000
Monmouth Park
The New Miami – Race 1, Claiming $16,000
Gaelic Tales – Race 6, Maiden Special Weight
La Croix Valmer – Race 6, Maiden Special Weight
Total Tap – Race 10, Claiming $7,500
Sunday
Keeneland
Tomlin – Race 8, Allowance
