September 1, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Business Trip
Bellum Justum (IRE) continued the recent trend of the Irish winning in Kentucky with a textbook 2 ¼-length victory in Saturday’s $3.1 million Nashville Derby (G3T) at Kentucky Downs.
Following in the footsteps of Notre Dame’s men’s basketball team, which has won its last two matchups against the Kentucky Wildcats, the 3-year-old colt exercised remarkable patience before striking in the late stages to secure the $1 million-plus top prize.
The Nashville Derby will certainly be one to remember for the Frankie Dettori mount, as it was also his first foray outside the UK Thoroughbred circuit.
At 2-1, Bellum Justum’s first career stakes score and third overall (9: 3-2-1) paid $6.44.
A Tale of Two Triumphs
Kentucky Down’s busy Saturday also featured a pair of $1.5 million undercard events in the Ladies Turf Sprint (G2T) and Ladies Turf Stakes (G3T).
While the winners of each contest did so by healthy margins, only one was expected to.
The double display of dominance began in the turf sprint with 5-2 favorite and multiple graded stakes winner Ag Bullet (9: 6-0-0). Leaving from post three, the 4-year-old filly paced the 12-horse field throughout the 6 ½-furlong tilt en route to a 5 ¼-length triumph.
Immediately after, in the ladies turf, a 5-year-old mare by the name of Walkathon stole the show. The Ian Wilkes trainee was somewhat of an afterthought at 8-1, but wasted no time silencing the doubters with a near gate-to-wire 3-length victory.
The former paid $7.94, while the latter paid a cool $19.90.
Update the Odds
Luckily for this year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year contenders, 2-year-old filly Immersive is not eligible.
The budding star not only stayed perfect through two starts but did so in dynamic fashion, taking the $300,000 Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga despite a 12-1 billing.
Immersive has made a habit of defying the odds and crossing the finish line ahead of her contemporaries. The Manuel Franco mount found the winner’s circle in her pro debut on Jul. 21 at 10-1, paying a handsome $22.80.
That trend continued in the Spinaway, as Immersive showed no fear in a hard-charging 1 ½-length conquest.
The lionhearted filly one-upped herself by paying $27.40 for the win.
Always Rise Above It
Like a Phoenix, rising from Arizona, Gold Phoenix (IRE) completed the Del Mar Handicap (G2T) three-peat on Saturday afternoon.
After the 6-year-old gelding failed to defend his Eddie Read (G2T) crown at the end of July, he rebounded masterfully to capture the $300,000 west coast contest for the third straight year.
It’s been a marvelous four-year run for Gold Phoenix, who’s six graded stakes titles and more than $1.5 million in purse earnings is utterly amazing for a horse that was purchased for a shade over $26,000.
Now standing at 8-3-3 through 21 lifetime starts, the latest in the Phil D’Amato charge’s long line of successes paid $6.80.
The Highest of Highs
The 106th running of the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) produced a cascade of emotions for the winning duo of Highland Falls (7-1) and top rider Flavien Prat.
Not only did the 4-year-colt outduel heavy 4-5 favorite Arthur’s Ride to earn the lofty designation of ‘multiple graded stakes winner,’ the astounding effort also made Prat the all-time stakes wins leader at Saratoga.
The heroic showing also punched Highland Falls’ ticket to the Breeders’ Cup in November at Del Mar.
Those who sided with the overlooked battery mates were rewarded for their loyalty with an even $16 payout on a $2 win bet.