Thordedo Anna showed the world how big her heart is with a dramatic nose victory on Dorth Vader in the $ 500,000 grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes August 23 on Saratoga Race Course.
After he had taken the lead along the half -miles pole, Thordedo Anna dueled with Dorth Father over the length of the piece and conquered in a photo finish in a recent period of 1: 49.18 for the 1 1/8 miles. Thordedo Anna was sent away as the heavy favorite in a seven -year -old field and returned $ 3.50 for a $ 2 profit ticket. Leslie’s Rose was a distant third.
The regular pilot of Thopedo Anna, Brian Hernandez Jr., rode the 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna for trainer Kenny McPeek. Ownership in collaboration by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards and her breeder, Judy Hicks, has collected Thordedo Anna her second class 1 win of 2025 to go along with her victory in the Apple Blossom Handicap in Oaklawn Park.
As a Breeders ‘Cup Challenge Series event, its “Win and You’re in” Victory in the Personal Ensign subsidies Thorganedo Anna An Automatic, Fees-paid berth in the $ 2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff on November 1 in Del Mar. Thordedo Anna is the defensive breeders Cup Distaff Champion.
“She showed what a real champion she was,” said Hernandez Jr. “When she decided to let her run, I just let her do her thing. In this degree 1 races, these horses shot on you, and you have to respect them all. She is horse of the year, and she showed why she should be deserved.”
Dorth father certainly did not lose any shine in the defeat for trainer George Weaver and Jockey John Velazquez.
“It was a great race,” said Weaver. “Unfortunately I am at the losing end of the photo, but all in all I think Dorth father validated her status in this division and we look forward to going to the Breeders’ Cup.”
Before the next start of Thordedo Anna, McPeek said he will cross to the degree 3 Delaware Handicap on 25 September in Delaware Park and the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes of 5 October 1 October in Keeneland.
He may be a Jersey boy from a modest beginning, but you can count on Book’em Danno when the big stage comes to call.
That was again the case on August 23, because the 4-year-old flashed his sparkle to achieve a second victory at the level of the career in the $ 500,000 grade 1 Stakes on Saratoga Race Course.
Book’em Danno completed a unique triple on the circuit by wiping three Graded Sprints this summer that were all held in Saratoga: The Grade 3 True North Stakes in June, the grade 2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes, and now the progress in August. The real north is usually held in Belmont Park, which is currently undergoing renovations.
“He is probably the first (New Jersey-Bred) who won all those three races,” said trainer Derek Ryan. “I don’t think the weather will be ready. He is a pretty good horse.”
More than pretty good, Book’em Danno has been exceptional this season. Wining four of his five starts, his only defeat came through just one neck when fourth place in Mindframe, Nysos, and banned in the degree 1 Churchill Downs Stakes presented by Ford on Seven Furlongs 3 May. All three horses have returned to win Graded Races that go longer.
That success this season coincides with the appointment of Paco Lopez to the saddle at the start of the year. Their relationship paid off on Saturday when Lopez was able to relax Book’em Danno behind the leaders while they put fractions of: 22.63 and: 44.85.
“(Lopez) can get along with him,” said Ryan. “He comes into the position I always want to go to.”
When Lopez found daylight between the pacesters who entered the piece, he pushed through. Book’em Danno was most wanted for a short fight before he established the command with a furlong to run. Scotland and Crazy Mason launched late rallies, but were too late and finished second and third respectively.
The victory brought Book’em Danno an automatic, reimbursements for paid berth on the $ 1 million Big Ass fans ‘Cup Dirt Mile in del Mar on November 1, thanks to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re in” Series. Ryan was without obligation about traveling to California.
The apple falls not far from the tree was the theme of the grade 1 $ 500,000 Resorts World Casino Ballerina Stakes August 23 on Saratoga Race Course.
Hope Road followed in the footsteps of her Dam, 2018 Ballerina winner Marley’s Freedom and the prevention has two lengths for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
The Ballerina is a Breeders ‘Cup Challenge series: “Win and You’re in” event for the November 1 PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in Del Mar, and with the victory Hope Road has assured a reimbursable Breeder Cup ligplace.
Hope Road was chagrijnig achter de startpoort en had wat aanmoediging van de gate-bemanning nodig, maar zodra de deuren opengingen, ging ze netjes uit en toonde vroege snelheid om de Pacesetting Scylla te volgen door breuken van: 22.31 en: 44.56 in de zeven-furlong race onder jockey Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose, who rode 4-year-old Villen for the first time. Hope Road, the 2.05-1 favorite in the seven horses field, came out in the piece Scylla and laid the second choice with Flair in the last sixteenth.
Hope Road completed the distance in 1: 21.93 and returned $ 6.10 to win.
Scylla finished second, four lengths for third place Finisher Majestic Oops.
Hope Run gave Baffert his third victory in the ballerina after victories with Marley’s Freedom seven years ago and Gamine in 2020.
“There is nothing better for me in racing than to win a degree 1 at Saratoga. That is huge, especially on Travers Day. That is really huge in this industry. I wish I could be there to enjoy them. I am so proud of my crew,” said Baffert from his base in California.
The victory was the first Van Hope Road in a class 1 and her fifth victory from 12 career startingist. She increased her income to $ 866,620. – Karen M. Johnson
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