January 9, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Give Me a Break
After a string of five straight scoreless outings, Taxed eyes a much-needed break in the $150,000 Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
While the winner’s circle has been elusive for the 5-year-old mare in recent months, Taxed has still collected a second and two thirds during the dry spell.
The Randy Morse trainee earned that runner-up finish in her most recent start, the Mistletoe Stakes, on Dec. 14.
Oddsmakers for the 1 1/6-mile Pippin were clearly encouraged by that effort, billing Taxed (2-1) as the second opening line choice behind clubhouse favorite Corningstone (8-5).
Interestingly, it was the latter who edged Taxed by 4 ¼ lengths in the Mistletoe.
Tune in for round two on Saturday afternoon.
Clear Skies Ahead
Fresh off the first graded stakes triumph of her career, Tizzy in the Sky is ready for more fireworks in the $150,000 Ladies Stakes at Aqueduct.
Although up and down (4: 2-0-0), the 2024 campaign ended on the highest of notes for the Todd Pletcher trainee, who delivered a career-best outing in the Go for Wand (G3), also at Aqueduct.
Tizzy in the Sky returns to the familiar confines of the Upstate New York oval this Saturday with her sights on a second consecutive stakes title.
To do so, the 6-year-old mare will need to outduel four rivals, including fellow Todd Pletcher charge Julia Shining (2-1).
Tizzy in the Sky’s prospects look promising as the 4-5 opening line choice.
Let’s Talk about that Promotion
Off to a perfect 2-for-2 start with a staggering combined win margin of 17 ¾ lengths, Earhart (FR) will put her unblemished resume on the line in the $125,000 Likely Exchange Stakes at Turfway Park.
Come Saturday, the dynamic 4-year-old filly will face a legitimate test for the first time in her brief, yet dominant career, when she lines up for a 1-mile dirt tilt against a deep field of 11 challengers.
That said, a crowded course clearly hasn’t been a hindrance for Earhart, who bested seven hopefuls in each of her two victories.
Entering the Likely Exchange as the slight 5-2 favorite, the lightly raced Josie Carroll charge is in a prime position to continue her ascent.
A Trusty Steed
[Narrated by Sam Elliott] Like the roughened mountain ranges that frame the rugged terrain he calls home, Shea Brennan always stands tall against the storm.
Ode to Elliott’s 1883 character aside, the equine Shea Brennan (5-2) is one of eight entered in Saturday’s $175,000 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby at Santa Anita.
Having not missed the money through five career starts (2-0-3), the reliable 3-year-old colt will need to best at least four familiar foes for the second time in less than one month.
I’m a Bad Boy (3-1), R Heisman (2-1), Whiskyginandbrandy (20-1), and Got’m Cot’m (12-1) finished behind Shea Brennan, in that order, in December’s King Glorious at Los Alamitos.
Oddsmakers are giving the early leg up to R Heisman, who opens as the slight favorite over Shea Brennan.
Command-Shift-Delete
Unfortunately for Toupie, the 4-year-old filly’s graded stakes debut – 10th of 11 as the 3-1 favorite – was a day to forget.
But that’s all in the past for the resilient runner who’s primed for a rebound romp in the $100,000 Las Cienegas (G3T) on Sunday afternoon at Santa Anita.
Seven starts and three triumphs, all coming at the stakes ranks, have since passed for Toupie, proving the Graham Motion trainee is well-deserving of another shot at a graded trophy.
Overall, Toupie sports a strong 4-2-1 line across 10 lifetime starts with more than $311,000 in purse earnings.