OXO Equine’s three-time winner Transect headlines a field of six 3-year-olds seeking stakes glory in the $250,000 Ellis Park Derby Aug. 13.
The Ellis Park Derby is one of six stakes contests Sunday at Ellis Park. The program also features the $150,000 Groupie Doll Stakes, the $150,000 Ellis Park Juvenile, the $150,000 Ellis Park Debutante, the $150,000 Audubon Oaks, and the $100,000 R.A. “Cowboy” Jones Memorial.
Transect finished a close fourth last time out in the Indiana Derby (G3), beaten only 3 3/4 lengths by Verifying . The chestnut son of Gun Runner broke his maiden at first asking this winter at Turfway Park. Following an easy one-length victory against first-level allowance competition at Turfway, the Paulo Lobo-trained Transect attempted to jump on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) in the Gotham Stakes (G3) but finished a disappointing 10th. Jockey Cristian Torres will have the mount on Transect from post No. 7.
The Ellis Park Derby field also features Kirk and Judy Robison’s Iowa Derby winner How Did He Do That . Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, How Did He Do That pulled off a 48-1 upset in last month’s Iowa Derby when he dead-heated with One in Vermillion . The son of Good Magic will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. from post 8.
The field is completed by stakes-placed Tumbarumba ; Olazabal second runner-up in the Animal Kingdom Stakes; recent stakes-placed runner Denington for trainer Kenny McPeek; Brendan Walsh trainee Loyal Company ; L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbred’s Blue Light; and stakes winner Release McCraken .
Entries: Ellis Park Derby
Ellis Park, Sunday, August 13, 2023, Race 8
- STK
- 1m
- Dirt
- $250,000
- 3 yo
- 3:22 PM (local)
Interstatedaydream Headlines $150,000 Groupie Doll
Flurry Racing Stable’s ultra-consistent Interstatedaydream will attempt another stakes score against 10 filly and mare rivals in the 42nd running of the $150,000 Groupie Doll Stakes Aug. 13 at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
In the Groupie Doll Stakes, Interstatedaydream will attempt to notch her sixth-career victory. Trained by Brad Cox, Interstatedaydream has only one off-the-board performance from 11 starts. Her resume includes victories in the 2022 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and Indiana Oaks (G3), along with a stakes victory this season in the Allaire DuPont Distaff. Cox is no stranger to winning the Groupie Doll, the top conditioner previously won the race with Matera (2021), Tiger Moth (2017), and Call Pat (2015).
Interstatedaydream wins the Allaire Dupont Distaff Stakes at Pimlico Race Course
Interstatedaydream will once again have the riding services of Florent Geroux and break from post No. 5.
Chief among Interstatedaydream’s competitors in the Groupie Doll includes CHC and WinStar Farm’s multiple stakes winner Falconet ; HWL Partnership’s Iowa Distaff winner Coastal Charm and Gerald James and Hall Performance’s recent Mari Hullman George Memorial winner Soul of an Angel .
Other contenders include: Bret Calhoun’s Nonviolence and grade 3 scorer Hidden Connection ; Napa Candy for owner Donald Dizney; 2022 Chilukki (G3) winner She Can’t Sing ; Ice Orchid for owners Shortleaf Stable; Wayne Catalano’s Malloy , and Be Like Water for St. George Farm Racing.
Entries: Groupie Doll S.
Ellis Park, Sunday, August 13, 2023, Race 10
- STK
- 1m
- Dirt
- $150,000
- 3 yo’s & up Fillies and Mares
- 4:25 PM (local)
Dominant Kentucky Juvenile Winner Youalmosthadme Returns in Ellis Park Debutante
Qatar Racing, Swinbank Stables, Steve Adkisson, and Black Type Thoroughbreds’ dominant 8 3/4-length Kentucky Juvenile heroine Youalmosthadme is set to make her return in Sunday’s sixth running of the $150,000 Ellis Park Debutante.
In the Ellis Park Debutante, Youalmosthadme will be back facing 2-year-old fillies following her impressive victory against open company in the Kentucky Juvenile May 4 at Churchill Downs. Trained by Brad Cox, Youalmosthadme was purchased privately by her connections from owners Donna Hancock, Richard Royer, and Shaun Stone and trainer John Hancock when she dusted nine rivals by 8 1/2 lengths in a maiden special weight contest at Keeneland. Youalmosthadme will be ridden by Florent Geroux from post No. 8.
The Ellis Park Debutante field also includes Selima Holding’s, Allen Greathouse, and Mark Arnold’s Intermittent Fast, an eye-catching 6 3/4-length maiden special weight winner at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Trained by John Ennis, Intermittent Fast took three tries to break her maiden but once she did, she dominated her competition. Intermittent Fast will break from post 3 under jockey Jack Gilligan.
The field of 10 is completed by the Constitution filly Riperton; Downunder Cable’s Dancing Princess ; Grace Given for trainer John Ortiz; R.T. Racing Stable’s winner Edistrudis; recent Debutante Stakes placed Easy Red ; GU Racing Stable’s Twirling Queen; Lassie Stakes winner Tx Women for Arts ; and Boardshorts Stables Hot Beach.
Entries: Ellis Park Debutante S.
Ellis Park, Sunday, August 13, 2023, Race 5
- STK
- 7f
- Dirt
- $150,000
- 2 yo Fillies
- 1:45 PM (local)
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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