Keeneland September Sale Graduates Express Train, Malathaat Seek Grade 1 Wins at Del Mar, Saratoga

Thirty-nine Keeneland sales graduates are featured on a major weekend of racing at Del Mar, Saratoga and Woodbine. 

September Yearling Sale graduate Express Train, winner of the San Pasqual (G2) and San Diego (G2) handicaps this year, is the morning-line favorite for the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, a “Win & You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Among the other notable contenders is multiple graded stakes winner Dr Post, who travels west following his win in the recent Monmouth Cup (G3).

Keeneland sales graduates highlight Saturday’s undercard stakes at Del Mar. Madone, a two-time graded stakes winner this season, goes postward in the Del Mar Oaks (G1). Graded stakes winner United, who successfully defended his title in last month’s Eddie Read (G2), will carry high weight of 125 pounds in the Del Mar Handicap (G2) Presented by the Japan Racing Association, a Challenge race for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). Also seeking to secure a Breeders’ Cup berth in the race is Grade 1 winner and multimillionaire Arklow. Grade 1 winner Hit the Road returns from a layoff in the Del Mar Mile (G2). 

Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Central Bank Ashland (G1) winner Malathaat headlines the Alabama (G1) at Saratoga. 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20

RANCHO BERNARDO H. (G3), Del Mar, 6½ Furlongs, 3YOs & Up, F&M

EDGEWAY, 4YO filly by Competitive Edge – Magical Solution ($35,000, 2017 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Pope McLean, agent; Buyer- Erich Brehm) O- Hronis Racing; B- Pope McLean, Valerie & David Blethen (KY); T- John Sadler

PROUD EMMA, 5YO mare by Include – Debutante Dreamer ($9,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- South Point Sales Agency, agent; Buyer- Philip A. Sims) O- Gem Inc. & Tom Kagele; B- Brereton C. Jones (KY); T- Peter Miller

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

TVG PACIFIC CLASSIC S. (G1), Del Mar, 1¼ Miles, 3YOs & Up

TRIPOLI, 4YO colt by Kitten’s Joy – Love Train ($450,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent; Buyer- Martin Anthony) O- Hronis Racing; B- Blue Devil Racing Stable (KY); T- John Sadler

DR POST, 4YO colt by Quality Road – Mary Delaney ($200,000, 2017 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Select Sales, agent, Buyer- Hunter Valley Farm; $400,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Hunter Valley Farm, agent, Buyer- Crupi’s New Castle/J. J. Crupi, agent) O- St. Elias Stable; B- Cloyce C. Clark (KY); T- Todd Pletcher

EXPRESS TRAIN, 4YO colt by Union Rags – I’m a Flake ($500,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent; Buyer- Mayberry Farm) O- C R K Stable; B- Dixiana Farms (KY); T- John Shirreffs

INDEPENDENCE HALL, 4YO colt by Constitution – Kalahari Cat ($100,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Woodford Thoroughbreds, agent; Buyer- Charlestown Investments) O- WinStar Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables, Kathleen & Robert Verratti; B- Woodford Thoroughbreds (KY); T- Michael McCarthy

ALABAMA S. (G1), Saratoga, 1¼ Miles, 3YO Fillies

PLAYED HARD, 3YO filly by Into Mischief – Well Lived ($280,000, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Four Star Sales, agent; Buyer- Rigney Racing) O- Rigney Racing; B- Susan Casner (KY); T- Philip Bauer

MALATHAAT, 3YO filly by Curlin – Dreaming of Julia ($1.05 million, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Denali Stud, agent; Buyer- Shadwell Estate Company Ltd) O- Shadwell Stable; B- Stonestreet (KY); T- Todd Pletcher

DEL MAR OAKS (G1), Del Mar, 1 1/8 Miles (T), 3YO Fillies

MADONE, 3YO filly by Vancouver (AUS) – Indian Love Call ($70,000, 2018 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Shawhan Place, agent, Buyer- Nicoma Bloodstock, agent; $50,000, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Mill Ridge Sales, agent, Buyer- S. R. Schwartz, agent) O- Kaleem Shah; B- Glendalough (KY); T- Simon Callaghan

DEL MAR MILE S. (G2), Del Mar, 1 Mile (T), 3YOs & Up

NEPTUNE’S STORM, 5YO gelding by Stormy Atlantic – Immortal Life (IRE) ($50,000, 2016 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Sheltowee Sales, agent, Buyer- War Horse Place; $70,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- War Horse Place, Buyer- Bradley Thoroughbreds, agent) O- CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Lynn Gotimer, Mike Goetz, Michael Nentwig & Daniel Weiner; B- Tracy Farmer (KY); T- Peter Miller 

HIT THE ROAD, 4YO colt by More Than Ready – Highway Mary ($160,000 RNA to Sale, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent; Buyer- Radley Equine/Boomer Bloodstock) O- D K Racing, Radley Equine, Taste of Victory Stables, Rick Gold, Tony Maslowski & Dave Odmark; B- Fred W. Hertrich III (KY); T- Dan Blacker

NEXT SHARES, 8YO gelding by Archarcharch – Two Dot Slew ($190,000, 2017 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- ELiTE; Buyer- David Meah, agent) O- Debby Baltas, Richard Baltas, Michael & Jules Iavarone, Jerry McClanahan, Jeremy Peskoff, Ritchie Robershaw & Mark Taylor; B- Buck Pond Farm (KY); T- Richard Baltas

DEL MAR H. (G2) PRESENTED BY THE JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION, Del Mar, 1 3/8 Miles (T), 3YOs & Up

MEDIA BLITZ, 4YO colt by Medaglia d’Oro – Communique ($200,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent; Buyer- Sterling Bloodstock) O- Kaleem Shah; B- G. Watts Humphrey Jr. (KY); T- Simon Callaghan

UNITED, 6YO gelding by Giant’s Causeway – Indy Punch ($240,000, 2015 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Trackside Farm, agent; Buyer- Glencrest Farm) O- LNJ Foxwoods; B- Rosemont Farm (KY); T- Richard Mandella

ARKLOW, 7YO horse by Arch – Unbridled Empire ($160,000, 2015 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Penn Sales, agent; Buyer- Donegal Racing) O- Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger & Estate of Peter Coneway; B- John & Frank Penn (KY); T- Brad Cox

LAKE PLACID S. (G2), Saratoga, 1 1/16 Miles (T), 3YO Fillies

ILLIOGAMI, 3YO filly by Tapit – Odeliz (IRE) ($400,000, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Gainesway, agent; Buyer- Reiko & Michael Baum) O- Reiko & Michael Baum; B- Reiko & Michael Baum & The Tapit Syndicate (KY); T- George Arnold II

SPANISH LOVEAFFAIR, 3YO filly by Karakontie (JPN) – Spanish Bunny ($35,000, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Gainesway, agent; Buyer- Delray Investments) O- Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Michael Hernon & Gary Barber; B- Gainesway (KY); T- Mark Casse

PHILIP H. ISELIN S. (G3), Monmouth, 1 1/16 Miles, 3YOs & Up

CROATIAN, 6YO gelding by Medaglia d’Oro – Red Barchetta ($130,000, 2016 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Mill Ridge Sales, agent; Buyer- Three Amigos) O- Final Turn Racing Stable; B- Nancy Dillman (KY); T- Wayne Potts

CODE OF HONOR, 5YO horse by Noble Mission (GB) – Reunited ($70,000 RNA, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent) O/B- W.S. Farish (KY); T- Shug McGaughey

SINGSPIEL S. (G3), Woodbine, 1¼ Miles (T), 3YOs & Up

EONS, 5YO horse by Giant’s Causeway – Golden Antigua ($300,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Eaton Sales, agent; Buyer- Clancy Bloodstock) O- Mark Grier; B- Camas Park Stud (KY); T- Arnaud Delacour

THEREGOESJOJO, 6YO gelding by English Channel – Operetta ($75,000, 2016 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Shawhan Place, agent; Buyer- Mike Akers, agent) O- Samotowka Stables; B- Liam Gannon (ON); T- Michael De Paulo

BELICHICK, 4YO colt by Lemon Drop Kid – Game (FR) ($300,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Keith Lancaster, agent; Buyer- Solis/Litt) O- NK Racing & LNJ Foxwoods; B- Sean Fitzhenry (ON); T- Josie Carroll

PRIMO TOUCH, 6YO gelding by Midas Touch (GB) – Mary’s Derby Rose ($2,000, 2016 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Greenfield Farm, agent; Buyer- Dino Bates) O- Kirk Sutherland; B- JEOG Racing (KY); T- Harold Ladouceur

TORREY PINES S. (G3), Del Mar, 1 Mile, 3YO Fillies

FOREST CARAWAY, 3YO filly by Bodemeister – Thin Disguise ($70,000 RNA to Sale, 2018 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Denali Stud, agent, Buyer- Spartan Thoroughbreds; $27,000 RNA, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Denali Stud, agent) O- Phoenix Thoroughbred; B- Spruce Lane, Stepwise, Ground Thunder, Robbins, Copper Beech, Lynn et al (KY); T- Peter Miller

DAY PLAN, 3YO filly by Carpe Diem – Malibu Clan ($70,000 RNA, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Castle Park Farm, agent) O- Tommy Town Thoroughbreds; B- Frederick C. Wieting (KY); T- Jonathan Wong

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22

HIGHLANDER S. (G1), Woodbine, 6 Furlongs (T), 3YOs & Up

TURNED ASIDE, 4YO colt by American Pharoah – Sustained ($725,000, 2021 Jan Horses of All Ages, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent; Buyer- West Point & D.J. Stable) O- D J Stable & West Point Thoroughbreds; B- Paul Pompa (KY); T- Mark Casse

DANCE SMARTLY S. (G2), Woodbine, 1¼ Miles (T), 3YOs & Up, F&M

BLAME DEBBIE, 4YO filly by Blame – Jadwa ($65,000 RNA, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Threave Main Stud, agent) O- Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Michael Cloonan & Timothy Thornton; B- Tim Thornton & Tony Holmes (KY); T- Graham Motion

MERVEILLEUX, 4YO filly by Paynter – Breech Inlet ($45,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Cara Bloodstock, agent; Buyer- Jeffrey Bloom, agent) O- Al & Bill Ulwelling; B- Mike Carroll (ON); T- Kevin Attard

ONTARIO COLLEEN S. (G3), Woodbine, 1 Mile (T), 3YO Fillies

PERSEVERANCIA, 3YO filly by California Chrome – Undeterred ($22,000, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent; Buyer- Leopoldo Marin) O- Georg Morgan; B- Alastar Thoroughbred Company (KY); T- Darwin Banach

MISSPELL, 3YO filly by American Pharoah – Fact File ($325,000, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Glennwood Farm, agent; Buyer- White Birch Farm) O- Peter Brant; B- Sahara Group Holdings & Eurowest Bloodstock (KY); T- Chad Brown

GREEN FLASH H. (G3), Del Mar, 5 Furlongs (T), 3YOs & Up

KNEEDEEPINSNOW, 5YO horse by Flat Out – Michelleinhearts ($42,000, 2016 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Warrendale Sales, agent, Buyer- Picturesque Farm; $130,000, 2017 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Select Sales, agent, Buyer- Ruis Racing) O- Ruis Racing; B- BWB Bloodstock & WDS Bloodstock (KY); T- Shelbe Ruis

TEXAS WEDGE, 6YO gelding by Colonel John – Callmenancy ($27,000, 2016 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Elm Tree Farm, agent; Buyer- Mike Neatherlin) O- Altamira Racing, Rafter JR Ranch, STD Racing & Andrew Miller; B- Nancy Shuford (KY); T- Peter Miller

COLLUSION ILLUSION, 4YO colt by Twirling Candy – Natalie Grace ($50,000, 2018 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Lane’s End, agent; Buyer- Don’t Tell My Wife Stables) O- Dan Agnew, Rodney Orr, Jerry Schneider & MyRacehorse.com; B- Donald Dizney (FL); T- Mark Glatt

LITTLE JUANITO, 7YO gelding by Exchange Rate – More Than Proud ($70,000, 2015 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Betz Thoroughbreds, agent; Buyer- Juan Garcia) O- Juan Garcia; B- D. J. Stable (KY); T- Victor Garcia

QUEEN’S PLATE S., Woodbine, 1¼ Miles, 3YOs

SAFE CONDUCT, 3YO colt by Bodemeister – Duchess Dancer ($45,000, 2018 Nov Breeding Stock, Consignor- Cara Bloodstock, agent; Buyer- Wellspring Stables) O- WellSpring Stables; B- Mitchell Kursner (ON); T- Philip Serpe

TAKE A CHANCE, 3YO colt by Munnings – Gold Medalist ($150,000, 2021 April Sale, Consignor- Indian Creek, agent; Buyer- Anderson Farms) O- Donald Ferguson, William Carr & Anderson Farms Ontario; B- Rod Ferguson Farm (ON); T- Catherine Day Phillips

MUNNYFOR RO, 3YO filly by Munnings – Repartee ($65,000, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Woods Edge Farm, agent; Buyer- Raroma Stables) O- Raroma Stable; B- Daybar (ON); T- Sid Attard

DANCE SOME MO, 3YO gelding by Uncle Mo – Dance Again ($115,000 RNA, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Sam-Son Farm) O/B- Sam-Son Farm (ON); T- Graham Motion 

TIDAL FORCES, 3YO colt by Malibu Moon – Ain’t No Tellin’ ($140,000 RNA, 2019 Sept Yearling, Consignor- Sam-Son Farm) O/B- Sam-Son Farm (ON); T- Gail Cox