Turf racing has totally transformed Dickinson
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
Photo:
Lauren King
The pedigree for Godolphin Racing’s Dickinson screams dirt although on Saturday she will be part of a star-studded field in the $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1) on the turf.
She is by Medaglia d’Oro out of 2008 Central Bank Ashland (G1) winner and Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Little Belle.
“She broke her maiden here on dirt and also won on dirt at Monmouth,” said Roger Horgan, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “But she was kind of middle of the road (on dirt) and Kiaran decided to shake things up and put her on the grass.”
Starting with an allowance victory at Parx last Sept. 6, Dickinson has won four of five on the grass and has captured the Hillsborough (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs and Suwannee River (G3) at Gulfstream Park in her past two starts.
“The turf has totally transformed her and she has improved every start,” Horgan said. “She is doing well here and she is a happy girl. I think she belongs here. When you hang that Grade 1 out there, you know it is going to be tough.”
UNDEFEATED FOR NEW BARN, GOODYEARFORROSES SHOOTS
FOR GRADE 1 SUCCESS IN COOLMORE JENNY WILEY
Trainer Richard Baltas has brought runners from his home base in Southern California to Keeneland for the past five meets. On Saturday, he will be looking for his first Keeneland victory when Abbodanza Racing’s Goodyearforroses (IRE) runs in the Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1).
“We have not had a lot of luck here, so hopefully this mare will turn things around,” said Baltas, whose best Keeneland finish came with his first starter, Clearly Confused, who was third in the 2015 Madison (G1). “Sometimes you have to ship to get those Grade 1s.”
Goodyearforroses has been in the Baltas barn for less than six months.
“I bought her at a sale (for $200,000) two days after the Breeders’ Cup,” said David Meah, who doubles as an assistant to Baltas and gallops Goodyearforroses.
Goodyearforroses was a stakes winner and graded-stakes placed in Canada before going through the sale ring.
“She had established that she could run,” Baltas said. “She has put on about 150 pounds since we got her and she has adapted to California well. She is three for three for us and won a Grade 2 (the Santa Ana) pretty easy.”
In her three wins, Goodyearforroses has made more than her purchase price. Corey Nakatani, who has been aboard in those starts, has the mount Saturday.
GALLOPING OUT
Mark Casse, who sent out John C. Oxley’s La Coronel to win yesterday’s Appalachian (G3) Presented by Japan Racing Association, was named Canada’s outstanding trainer of 2016 during last night’s 42nd annual Sovereign Awards Ceremony in Toronto.
Casse has won three stakes during Keeneland’s 2017 Spring Meet. On Saturday, he won two consecutive stakes with horses owned by Live Oak Plantation: Holding Gold in the Shakertown (G2) and Awesome Slew in the Commonwealth (G3). …
Jockey Chelsey Keiser won her Keeneland debut on Andrea Lematta’s homebred Zarcat in Thursday’s second race. Trained by Vernon Coyle, the 4-year-old Munnings filly won the 1 1/16-mile allowance race by a head in 1:48.03.
UPCOMING STAKES PROBABLES
$100,000 HILLIARD LYONS DOUBLEDOGDARE (G3) (Entries taken Tuesday, April 18; race Friday, April 21) – Lady Fog Horn (trainer Anthony Granitz), Power of Snunner (Joe Sharp), Unbridled Mo (Todd Pletcher). Possible: Dalsaros (Carla Gaines).
$250,000 DIXIANA ELKHORN (G2) (Entries taken Wednesday, April 19; race Saturday, April 22) –Bigger Picture (trainer Mike Maker), Bullards Alley (Tim Glyshaw), Charming Kitten (Maker), Danish Dynaformer (Roger Attfield), Grey Wizard (Jose Fernandez), Red Rifle (Todd Pletcher), Taghleeb (Maker), Twilight Eclipse (Graham Motion).
Source: Keeneland Association
Read More
The Grade 3, $350,000 Jockey Club Oaks drew a field of eight 3-year-old fillies who will race 1 3/8...
It is not often that the lone graded stakes on a card is the appetizer to what follows,...
Trainer Dale Romans is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Mitch McConnell. In...
Martin Drexler stands in second place in the trainer standings at Woodbine, where he finished the last two...
In the 11 days since the Breeders' Cup Distaff, some of the fillies and mares have gone through...