Nov 16-17

LET'S GO TO THE RACES

Nov. 16-17

Note: This blog is non-commercial and was developed for my own personal use to organize my racing viewing activity.  Your comments as to its usefulness to you would be appreciated.  Thanks!

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Three graded stakes on the turf and still more juvenile tests highlight U.S. racing this weekend while overseas action centers in Asia.

 

Three-year-olds colts and fillies get separate heats on the Churchill Downs grass at 1 1/16 miles. The older set finds 11 furlongs of turf on the agenda at Aqueduct.  With the first Kentucky Derby futures pool only a week away, 2-year-old races at Laurel and Woodbine will be duly noted, though the latter is a restricted event. State-bred events in several jurisdictions also could turn up a surprise or two.  Among the juvenile fillies, the featured event is Saturday's Sharp Cat Stakes at Hollywood Park, with two recent maiden winners representing trainer Bob Baffert.  Read more at source

 

INTERNATIONAL RACES - SUNDAY, NOV. 17

HONG KONG

There's a lot on the line and plenty of stiff competition in these prep races on Sunday at Sha Tin in Hong Kong.  The three international G2 races are the premier preparatory races leading into the internationally renowned four-race LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 8.

Sunday's three Group 2 stakes events at Sha Tin prepare the local contingent for the onslaught of a formidable group of overseas shippers for the four big Group 1 races on December 8.  None other than the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, MILITARY ATTACK, will be making only his second start of the season this Sunday, having finished behind GOLD-FUN recently.  

Sunday's HK G2 Jockey Club Cup at 2,000 meters (1 1/4 mi) leads to the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup December 8.  MILITARY ATTACK won't have to worry about Gold-Fun, however, as Gold-Fun will be looking to secure a hat trick in the G2 Jockey Club Mile, instead.  Military Attack was 5th in last year's Hong Kong Cup, but followed up with impressive wins in the G1 QE II Cup at Sha Tin along with the G1 International Cup at Kranji.  On the other hand, Military Attack will need to be wary of the winner of last year's edition of the Jockey Club Cup.

CALIFORNIA MEMORY, last year's winner of the G2 Jockey Club Cup, was also the back-to-back winner of the Hong Kong Cup in 2011 and 2012.  The 7 year old US bred gray gelding is looking to defend both last year's success in this prep and to turn in an unprecedented trifecta of the Hong Kong Cup on December 8.   

Hong Kong champion stayer LIBERATOR and last year's HK Group 1 Hong Kong Derby winner AKEED MOFEED should make for a very exciting matchup in this very contentious Group 2 prep.

Sunday's Group 2 Jockey Club Mile is a prep for the G1 Hong Kong Mile. GOLD-FUN faces eight rivals, among them last season’s G1 Champions Mile one-two-three, DAN EXCEL, HELENE SPIRIT and PACKING WHIZ. Also in the line-up, BLAZING SPEED and EXTENSION,  all known locally on the stakes front.  As mentioned elsewhere, Gold-Fun will be looking to garner a third straight win in this event.

Also on Sunday, the G2 Jockey Club Sprint leads to the G1 Hong Kong Sprint.  AMBER SKY (turning right for the first time), EAGLE REGIMENT will likely face CERISE CHERRYM, CAPTAIN SWEET, TIME AFTER TIME, STERLING CITY, and FREDERICK ENGELS, each with something to prove.

The races the above events are pointing to on December 8,

HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL RACES

Hong Kong Cup G1, $1.6 Million,  1 1/4 mi (2000 meters)

Hong Kong Mile  1 mile (1600 meters)
Hong Kong Vase  1 1/2 mi (2400 meters)
Hong Kong Sprint   6 furlongs  (1200 meters) 

Related Website：

LONGINES Hong Kong International Races



JAPAN - AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL RACES 2013

 

More information
Nov. 10    Queen Elizabeth II Cup G1, Kyoto, $2.1 Million, 3+ f/m 2200 m T
        Result: Winner Meisho Mambo wins her third G1    Replay Video - English

Nov. 17    Mile Championship G1, Kyoto, $2.3 Million, 3+, 1600m T - Result and video - English version available on Monday

Nov. 24    Japan Cup G1, Tokyo, $5.8 Million, 3+, 2400m T
Dec. 1      Japan Cup Dirt G1, $3 Million, 3+, 1800m T
Nov. 30-Dec. 1  World Super Jockeys Series - Hanshin

Japan Autumn International - Overview
Kyoto will be the site Sunday Nov. 17 of the G1 Mile Championship, to be followed a week later by the Group 1 Japan Cup November 24, with the series concluding, on December 1 with the Group 1 Japan Cup Dirt.  No foreign invaders are expected in the Mile Championship, with the locals TOSEN RA, and DANON SHARK rated highest in the field.

The foreign shippers expected for the GROUP 1, $5.7 MILLION USD JAPAN CUP November 24 include JOSHUA TREE, DUNADEN, and SIMENON.  RED CADEAUX will sit out the Japan meet to await the Hong Kong International Races December 8.  ORFEVRE and KIZUNA, fresh from their Paris appearances in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, are not expected, however, last year's winner GENTILDONNA, GOLD SHIP, and EISHIN FLASH will appear. Gentildonna will have a rider change to Ryan Moore in hopes of getting her back to her three year old form and in an attempt to become the first-ever two-time winner of the Japan Cup.

Pants On Fire on schedule for Japan Cup Dirt Dec. 1
Pants on Fire touched down at Narita International Airport east of Tokyo shortly before 11 a.m. Friday and arrived at the JRA Horseracing School quarantine facilities at 1:45 p.m. in line for his bid in the G1 Japan Cup Dirt. The American runner is set to add some much-desired international color to the Japan Cup Dirt for the first time in four years and Tizway's participation in 2009. The 1,800-meter race, this year in its 14th year, will be held on Dec. 1 at the Hanshin Racecourse west of Osaka.

The 5-year-old Kentucky-born Pants on Fire is sired by Jump Start and is out of the Cape Town mare Cabo de Noche. Pants on Fire is owned by George & Lori Hall and bred by K & G Stables.

Dance to Bristol retirement ceremony Laurel Park

Featured races listed below in time ordered format with a link to view the card.  After the race is run, come back and click on the Card to view race result and video replay (U.S. races).   Check out my printable time ordered list and entries:  Click here


FEATURED RACES

Ann Maree's Time Ordered Races/Entries - Printable file

SATURDAY

NORTH AMERICA
2:16 ET   Vigro Libra Stakes, Aqu, $100,000, 2yo, 1 mi, R5  CARD
2:56 ET  Smart Halo Stakes, Laurel, $100,000, 2yo f, 6f, R6  CARD
3:14 ET   Red Smith H, G3, Aqu, 3+, 1 3/8 mi, R7 CARD
3:25 ET  Dave's Friend S, Laurel, 3+, 6f, R7  CARD  [Ben's Cat]
3:55 ET  James F. Lewis III S, $100,000, Laurel, 2yo, 6f, R8  CARD
4:30 ET   Sharp Cat S., Hollywood Park, $100,000, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, R3 CARD
7:32 ET   Commonwealth Turf, G3, $100,000, CD, 3yo,  1 1/16 mi, R7, CARD
8:36 ET   Mrs. Revere S., G2, $175,000, CD, 1 1/16 mi, R9  CARD

More on today's races:
Filly Tannery, Hyper to tangle in Red Smith
Tannery's E.P.Taylor win Oct 27
Frac Daddy back at Churchill for Commonwealth
Mrs. Revere draws NY shipper Effie Trinket
Court Dancer, May Shares are two fillies against the colts in the Vigo Libra S in a field of 16
Mister Pollard (Pollard's Vision), Corfu (Malibu Moon) in James Lewis Stakes

SUNDAY

INTERNATIONAL

JAPAN
1:40 a.m. ET  Mile C'ship, G1, Kyoto,  $2.7 Million USD, 3yo+, 1mi T Barrier Draw
Results and video - English version available on Monday

Grade 1, Mile Championship, Sunday - PREVIEW
11th race of 12 on the Sunday Card at Kyoto, 3:40 p.m. or 1:40 a.m. ET

Mile Championship - Information
On the weekend prior to the Japan Cup at Tokyo, Kyoto Racecourse once again hosts the top-level racing, with the Mile Championship in its traditional spot amid the stunning fall foliage on the third weekend in November. The second leg of the Japan Autumn International, the Mile Championship this year marks its 30th running.

The Mile Championship, for 3-year-olds and up, was founded in 1984 to help bolster the short distance program of the JRA, which for long had been built around longer events. The Mile Championship began accepting horses from overseas in 1998 --- a maximum of nine are currently allowed -- and received international Grade 1 status in 2004. This year, however, no horses from abroad will be competing.  Like its spring counterpart the Yasuda Kinen, the Mile Championship determines the top miler for the season.

HONG KONG

HKIR Lead Up races - These are the "trials" for the Grade 1 races on Dec. 8 

2:30 a.m. ET  JC Cup, G2, Sha Tin, $451,000 USD, 3 yo+, 2000 m T , R7 Result/Replay

3:05 a.m. ET  JC Mile, G2, Sha Tin, $451,000 USD, 3yo+, 1600 m T,  R8 Result/Replay
3:40 a.m. ET  JC Sprint, G2, Sha Tin, $451,000 USD, 3 yo+, 1200 m T, R9 Result/Replay

More on today's races:
2:30 - History of the race - Jockey Club Cup
3:05 - History of the race - Jockey Club Mile
3:40 - History of the race - Jockey Club Sprint

NORTH AMERICA

1:18 ET  Slew o' Gold S., Aqueduct, $100,000, 3&up, 1 1/8m, R3 CARD
4:26 ET  Coronation Futurity, R, Woodbine, $250,000, 2yo, 1 1/8m R8 CARD
4:30 ET  Cat's Cradle H., R, HP, $100,000, 3&up, f&m, 7 1/2f  R3 CARD

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ROAD TO THE CROWN
Kentucky Derby Contenders - Leaderboard
Jeremy Plonk
Derby Prep Schedule
HRN List of Derby Contenders - Profiles - PPs
Derby Points grid - HRN
YouTube Horseplayer Now
National Racing Report - Video

Oaks Contenders - Leaderboard
Oaks Prep Schedule - Races
HRN List of Oaks Contenders - Profiles - PPs

NEWS/UPCOMING

International Racing Calendar
Pants On Fire on schedule for Japan Cup Dirt Dec. 1
Japan Racing Journal - Review of first half of 2013
Fourteen pre-entered for Delta Downs Jackpot Nov. 23

First of overseas raiders arrive for Japan Cup Nov. 24 

33rd Running of the Japan Cup, Nov. 24 - Preview
Joshua Tree arrives in Japan ahead of Japan Cup Nov. 24

33rd Japan Cup Japan Autumn International - Handicapper's Report on the Japanese Contenders
 

Smith, Stevens to represent U.S. in Hong Kong jockey challenge

A lineup of 12 superstar riders will take center stage at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong on December 4 for the International Jockeys' Championship, worth HK$800,000.

The top three riders in the four-race contest will each receive prize money, with the winner carrying off HK$500,000, the second HK$200,000 and the third HK$100,000.

In what is one of the strongest international lineups ever assembled, North American legends Mike Smith and Gary Stevens will join peers from around the globe, among them the three-time British champion Ryan Moore, five-time champion of France Christophe Soumillon and two riders who have ignited the Hong Kong circuit this season, 13-time champion Douglas Whyte and Joao Moreira.

"The line-up for the 2013 International Jockeys' Championship is about as A-list as it gets," said William A. Nader, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director of Racing. "It says much about the prestige of this important international event that we have a line-up of some of the world's great riders, all coming into the IJC in outstanding form. It will be fascinating and incredibly exciting to watch these international stars showcase their skills around Happy Valley Racecourse, one of the sport's iconic venues."

Wednesday, December 4, Happy Valley

Hong Kong International Jockey Challenge

Revised list of invited jockeys for 2013 LONGINES IJC

Australia:  Kerrin McEvoy
Darley’s rider in Australia. Winner of 44 G1 races around the world including the Melbourne Cup

Belgium:  Christophe Soumillon
Five-time champion in France & joint winner of the 2004 IJC.

France:  Maxime Guyon
French star with 20 career G1 wins. Rode Ambitious Dragon to HK Derby glory.

Italy:  Mirco Demuro
Five-time Italian champion & G1 ace in Japan. Won 2011 Dubai World Cup.

Japan:  Suguru Hamanaka
The winning-most jockey at JRA racecourses in 2012 who landed the G1 February Stakes this year.

UK:  Richard Hughes
Twice UK champion, with 2 British Classic wins this season and 38 career G1 victories.

UK:  Ryan Moore
Three-time UK champion jockey, twice IJC winner & winner of 36 G1 races.

USA:  Gary Stevens
Over 5,000 global career wins & back from retirement for more G1 glory this year. Won recent Breeders’ Cup Classic.

USA:  Mike Smith
Zenyatta’s regular rider & Breeders’ Cup all-time leading jockey. Over 5,000 career wins & 15 G1 wins this year.

Hong Kong:  Douglas Whyte
13-time Hong Kong champion jockey & three-time IJC winner.

NEWS/AUSTRALIA
The Championships to highlight Sydney Autumn Carnival
Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club announced Tuesday a momentous change to the Sydney autumn racing program, heralding a grand finale event towards the end of the Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbred racing season.

The Championships, to be hosted annually by the Australian Turf Club at Royal Randwick, will comprise 10 championship races across two consecutive Saturdays beginning on April 12 and culminating on April 19. The program is a combination of well established, traditional races plus relocated races from other dates in the wider autumn carnival period.

Over A$18 million in prize money will be won over the two headline days of autumn making The Championships one of the richest racing carnivals in the world. On the first Saturday, The Doncaster Mile will be worth A$3 million, while the T.J. Smith Stakes is now A$2.5 million and the Australian Derby offers A$2 million in prize money.

Back in Time
Kincsem: The Mystery and Majesty of an Immortal - THE VAULT
A tip of the hat to Round Table 

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