Five Key Takeaways You Need to Know from a Classic Weekend

Racing
Paramount Prince, Patrick Husbands, King's Plate, Woodbine, Michael Burns
Paramount Prince and jockey Patrick Husbands after winning the 164th King's Plate, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, Aug. 20 at Woodbine. (Woodbine/Michael Burns)

Tom Pedulla presents five takeaways from a huge weekend of racing that featured the $1 million King’s Plate on Sunday at Woodbine, the $600,000 Alabama Stakes presented by Keeneland Sales on Saturday at Saratoga, and the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks at Del Mar, also on Saturday, among other developments.

ONE-TWO PUNCH: Trainer Mark Casse, a member of the Hall of Fame in the United States and Canada, enjoyed a finish he described as “a dream come true” when Paramount Prince and the filly Elysian Field ran one-two in the King’s Plate on Sunday at Woodbine. Paramount Prince, with veteran Patrick Husbands in the irons, wired the field going a mile and a quarter on the synthetic Tapeta Footings main track in the opening leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. The series continues on Sept. 12 with the Prince of Wales Stakes, to be contested at 1 3/16 miles on dirt at Fort Erie. It returns to Woodbine for the Oct. 1 Breeders’ Stakes, going a mile and a half on turf.

CORRECT CALL: Trainer Chad Brown had concerns about the 1 ¼-mile distance and needed some encouragement to run Randomized in the Alabama. He is grateful he got that from owner Seth Klarman. “He kept looking at the race and looking at how fast the horse was and said, ‘You should really consider this race,’ ” Brown said. “I was really just going to rest her for the Cotillion [Sept. 23 at Parx] at a mile and a sixteenth. As it got closer and I reported she was breezing well, I said, ‘Let’s at least enter and look at the pace scenario.’ We talked about it the other day and he said, ‘If you’re willing to do it, I have a good feeling about this.’ ” Randomized, ridden aggressively by Joel Rosario, led from start to finish.

Anisette, Del Mar Oaks, Umberto Rispoli, BENOIT
Anisette winning Del Mar Oaks. (BENOIT photo)

LAST TO FIRST: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners sure has a good one in Anisette. She improved to 3-for-3 since coming to the United States and notched her first Grade 1 success on her initial attempt with a dramatic last-to-first rush in the Del Mar Oaks. She pulled away from Be Your Best by 2 ¾ lengths for trainer Leonard Powell and jockey Umberto Rispoli. Powell credited Rispoli for his patience after Anisette dropped far back. “We got a dream run on the rail and he had the horse to do it,” Powell said. “She’s the goods.” Anisette completed the mile and an eighth in 1:48.15.

GEARING UP: Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by DK Horse winner Forte completed his major preparations for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes when he worked half a mile in :50.50 on Saturday at Saratoga. He drilled in the company of 4-year-old stablemate Bright Future, a three-time winner, and wore blinkers. “We got a good, steady work and a good strong gallop out,” Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He was well within himself throughout and I think he’s moving terrific.” Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Mage worked six furlongs in 1:15.66, also on Saturday, in his final Travers tune-up. Assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. described it as a “maintenance breeze.”

GREAT AMBASSADOR: Racing lost one of its great ambassadors with the recent death of West Coast-based owner Jerry Moss, 88. His willingness to share Zenyatta with her fans added greatly to a magical run. The superstar, known for her jittery prerace jig and her devastating late kick, won 19 of 20 starts from 2007 to 2010. That includes her unforgettable breakthrough in 2009 as the only female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Zenyatta fans and the treats they brought for her were always welcome at trainer John Shirreffs’ barn. That was a sight to behold each morning. Rest in peace, Jerry Moss.

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube