FMQ Racing’s talented Saudi krone returned to the winner’s circle after a four-month recovery period when he won from start to finish in the $150,000 RA “Cowboy” Jones Stakes. Ellis Park 11.August.

The talented Saudi Crown, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux, completed a mile in 1:36.57, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Interim injunction who finished second behind his strong rival.

As a three-year-old, Saudi Crown won the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and was highly regarded throughout his career. RA “Cowboy” Jones was Saudi Crown’s fifth lifetime winner from 10 starts. The son of Always dream now has a whopping $3,070,985 in the bank.

“As this was his first start since racing abroad, it was a good time to get back into form before the bigger races in the fall,” said Geroux. “He’s usually very fast, but he doesn’t always need to be in the lead. There were other fast horses in the race today, but he got me ahead. He showed his class. I think he handled the mile with a turn very well today, and that distance suits him much better than the mile and a half. I would expect his campaign for the rest of the fall to include races over a mile.”

Happy American quickly came in third under Corey Lanerie.

Saudi Crown, which entered the race as a favorite with odds of 3:5, paid $3.36 for the win.

Video: Attorney “Cowboy” Jones S. (BT)

Most Wanted remains unbeaten in the Ellis Park Derby

Gary and Mary West’s Most Wanted needed every inch of the track in Ellis Park and held Not this boy to win the $260,000 Ellis Park Derby.

Most Wanted, who is now unbeaten after just three starts, covered a mile in 1:35.86 for trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux.

Most Wanted got off to a sharp start and sprinted to a one-length lead over Not This Boy while running the quarter mile in :24.27. On the final turn, Most Wanted held his position on the inside lane while Not This Boy stayed two lengths back and was the 6-5 favorite. Who are you? was in the race after a slow start. Most Wanted was able to gain more and more on the home straight and kept Not This Boy at bay. Who Dey finished third.

“When he started so sharply, I just wanted to make sure we had enough energy left for the home straight,” said Geroux. “In each of his three starts he has continued to improve. I think he is slowly getting better. He just needed some time to understand things, but the way he won today was very professional. When he gave it his all towards the end of the home straight, you could see he didn’t want to lose.”

Most Wanted is a homebred son of Candy ride from the mare Distorted Humor Beach walk With his victory in the Ellis Park Derby, Most Wanted increased his prize money to a solid $279,553.

Video: Ellis Park Derby presented by Hallway Feeds (BT)

Pigalle stands up during the last groupie doll jump

Claiborne Farms Pigalle put in a strong performance in the final race to take a surprise 23-1 win in the $175,000 Groupie Doll Stakes.

Ridden by Luan Machado for trainer Tommy Drury, Pigalle completed a mile in 1:36.99, earning her fifth win in ten starts and $332,084 in prize money.

It was a hard-fought first quarter mile with Mystical pleasure And Hidden connection set the tone in :23.80. Pigalle was relegated to seventh place after starting slowly from the gate.

On the back, Machado was able to improve Pigalle’s position while allowing her to make up ground on the inside. In the home straight, Mystic Pleasure continued to fight for the lead but was caught by a number of pursuers. Pigalle was well in front five times and was able to open up a lead of just over 180 metres at the finish. Chic and mystical pleasure.

“She was an outsider, but we really liked her before the race,” Machado said. “I told Tommy I thought we could win. I expected her to be close to the front, but she had a few bad steps at the start and I had to work my way into position. I’m glad Tommy had her ready to go.”

Pigalle’s win was worth $48.86.

“We all know that Blame fillies get better with time,” Drury said. “We gave her some eligibility to build her confidence. Now we can reap the rewards of our patience with her. It’s a great honor to win a race like this for Claiborne. She’s really put in the effort and I’m just so proud of my filly.”

Video: Groupie Doll S. (BT)

Liar embarrasses Tarifa at Audubon Oaks

Flatland Racing Stable’s previous claim to $100,000 fibber was able to complete a perfect trip under jockey Axel Concepcion and give Tarifa a small surprise victory in the Audubon Oaks with prize money of 173,500 USD.

With a trio of fillies battling for the lead in :22.84, Concepcion was able to gain about a length on the pacemakers. On the final turn, Concepcion continued to run in hand until she found a gap three metres out. Tarifa And Mink’s Palace At the eighth pole, Fibber was still in top form and made a clear lead in the middle of the course. Tarifa held on to second place and Adogate came third.

“I just tried to be as patient as I could with her,” Concepcion said. “When I was able to gain ground again, she really responded for me.”

Fibber now has a perfect 2-for-2 record under coach Chris Hartman’s care since he signed her two months ago at Churchill DownsShe completed the seven-furlong Audubon Oaks in 1:23.52 and received $7.56 for her victory. With four wins in 10 starts, Fibber has earned $365,700.

“I thought seven-eighths was within her capabilities, and I think she can do a mile,” Hartman said. “Axel had a great ride today.”

Video: Audubon Oaks (BT)

Owen Almighty impresses at Ellis Park Juvenile

Boardshorts Stables’ Owen Almighty shot past late Politically correct and won the $175,000 Ellis Park Juvenile race under jockey Cristian Torres by 4 3/4 lengths.

Brian Lynch-trained Owen Almighty improved to a perfect 2-2 and won $174,760, completing the seven-furlong distance in 1:24.36.

In the opening phase of the Ellis Park Juvenile, Owen Almighty was in third place and duelled with outsiders Steadfast spirit and Politicallycorrect over a quarter mile in :22.46. Enduring Spirit began to weaken on the final turn while Owen Almighty and Politicallycorrect battled further ahead. Halfway down the homestretch, Owen Almighty began to outpace his rival and raced home. Three Echoes came third.

“I saw how professional he was on his debut at Churchill,” Torres said. “Today we had a great trip and a perfect starting spot on the outside. When I saw the (politically correct) inside, I knew I had a good horse to beat. At the quarter post he responded really well and finished the race strong.”

Owen Almighty started the race as a 3-5 favorite and earned $3.34.

“He’s definitely leading us in the right direction after just two starts,” Lynch said. “I would think that after this race, the Iroquois is next. Our goal with him is to get to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile this fall, and he’s on the right track.”

Owen Almighty is a 2-year-old son of Speightstown out of the Bavaria mare Tempers are heating up He was bred in Kentucky by Mark Stanley.

Video: Ellis Park Juvenile S. (BT)

Texas Stilettos compete to win debutante at Ellis Park

The Texas-bred Stilettos strutted down the home stretch to win the $129,505 Ellis Park Debutante race by 1 1/2 lengths.

The 2-year-old Stilettos, trained by Bret Calhoun, impressed in his debut at Lonely Star Park when she won by 16 3/4 lengths. After that start, Stilettos was taken to Calhoun’s base in Kentucky to prepare for debut at Ellis Park. She was ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. on Sunday and the duo completed the seven-furlong course in 1:25.14.

After a sharp start, Stilettos took an early lead, where they Rich city girl through a quarter mile in :22.65 and a half mile in :45.51. In the home stretch, Stilettos began to pull away from Rich City Girl under the confident urging of Hernandez.

“She won in her debut in Texas and that was so impressive,” Hernandez said. “You don’t see a horse that wins by 16 lengths and doesn’t have talent. My mare did everything so easily on the turn. I watched Rich City Girl on our inside and she didn’t move as smoothly on the turn. My mare got a little unsettled on the home stretch, but that’s probably because it was only her second time competing. But she did it all on her own.”

Stilettos brought in $8.10. Rich City Girl came in second and Adeera came third.

“This mare has shown pretty well in the mornings in Texas,” Calhoun said. “The Collinsworths are from Texas and we decided to debut her at Lone Star. You never really know who they’re going to beat in these races, but since she’s been in Kentucky she’s gotten bigger and stronger. I told Brian she doesn’t have a lot of experience, but she’s worked quite a bit in company in the mornings. She took off like a rocket and we didn’t plan on being in the lead. After she started so fast, Brian got her there and it really worked out. I can’t imagine why she can’t run as much in the future. She doesn’t seem to have a lot of distance limitations at this stage.”

Video: Ellis Park Debutante S. Presented by the Hudson Family (BT)

This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse team.