Untapable Looks Unstoppable
During this past weekend's Grade I Mother Goose for three-year-old fillies at Belmont Park in New York, Untapable looked positively unbeatable. Her fourth consecutive victory after the Rachel Alexandra and Fair Grounds Oaks in New Orleans and the Kentucky Oaks, Untapable absolutely embarrassed a strong field. John Velazquez subbed for the injured Rosie Napravnik in the saddle, and it appeared that anyone could have been on top as the powerful filly simply ran away from the field, winning by 9 1/4 lengths. Princess Violet, America, House Rules and Aqua Regia rounded out the top five in that order. Untapable is now headed for Saratoga.
14 - 1 Majestic Harbor Takes Gold Cup at Santa Anita, Owner Talks Breeder's Cup
A quick early pace on a fast track and field may have worn down the early leaders, but not Majestic Harbor. Flying past the field down the stretch and winning by 6 1/4 lengths, the six-year-old son of Rockport Harbor out of the French Deputy mare Champagne Royale took the $500,000 Grade I race easily. The 1 1/4 mile event was covered in 2:01.53 with Tyler Baze in the irons. With this win, combined with finishing second in the Grade II San Pasqual and winning the Grade III Tokyo City Cup in March, Majestic Harbor scored more than cash in the victory. The race was also a "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup qualifying event. Jockey Baze noted that the horse was strong "… the first time I got him him." He told trainer Sean McCarthy that, "We'll win the Breeders' Cup with him." The Breeders' Cup race card is run October 31 and November 1 this year.
Fan-Chosen Gold Ship Wins a Breeder's Cup Spot With "Win and You're In" Victory in Japan
Another horse destined for the Breeders' Cup this year is Gold Ship, the five-year-old son of Stay Gold. The Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin is one of a couple of Japanese races where fans are allowed to vote for the horses they want to see. Gold Ship was the number one vote-getter, and did not disappoint. He became the first horse in the 55 year history of that particular race to win back-to-back events. Gold Ship won by 3 lengths, earning a spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf through the "Win and You're In" Challenge Series program.
Australia Continues to Dominate
Australia took the Epsom Derby, and continued to face a little resistance Saturday in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh. It is not that he wasn't running against a great field, but it just doesn't seem to matter to the Galileo colt where or who he races. Trainer Aidan O'Brien claims his eighth Irish Derby win in nine years with Australia's victory. Winning by 2 1/2 lengths, the horse bested Kingfisher and Orchestra, who finished second and third. In 6 starts, Australia has claimed 4 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd.
Wildcat Red Reappears, Destroys Field at Quality Road Stakes
This past Sunday at Gulfstream Park, Wildcat Red made a reemergence of noticeable proportions. Running for the first time since the Kentucky Derby, where he only beat Vicar's In Trouble while finishing 18th, Wildcat Red blasted past everyone to finish by 10 lengths going away. A favorite going into the Kentucky Derby, the D'Wildcat colt has also won the Grade III Hutcheson and the Grade II Fountain of Youth. Wildcat Red also finished second in the Florida Derby by just a neck to Constitution. Wildcat Red's trainer, Jose Garoffalo, said that his horse is primed for the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on July 27, and after that race they would decide on future events.
