September 5, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Still Burnin’
After 29 starts, four graded stakes wins, and over $2 million in total purse earnings, 7-year-old gelding Get Smokin is still hungry for more.
The marvelous Mark Casse trainee will make his triumphant return to Kentucky Downs this Saturday to defend his Kentucky Turf Cup (G2T) crown.
Nearly one year ago to the day, Get Smokin and rider Fernando De La Cruz pulled off the improbable. Cast aside at 19-1, the determined duo cooked their contemporaries in a gate-to-wire 1 ¾-length victory (paid $41.14).
Now, fresh off a United Nations Park (G2T) score at 9-1, Get Smokin (12-1) is heating up ahead of the $2 million Turf Cup.
Shoot for the Stars
An out-of-this-world performance from Apollo Ten in this Saturday’s $2 million Franklin-Simpson (G1) would not only land the colt a seven-figure payday, but also a place in Kentucky Downs’ history.
The fully loaded (12-horse field plus four also-eligibles) 6 ½-furlong affair will be the Southern Kentucky racing venue’s first ever grade 1 stakes.
While the landmark dash could go any direction, Apollo Ten presents a compelling case. Through four 2024 starts, the Christophe Clement charge sports a 2-1-1 line, headlined by a My Frenchmen Stakes score on Jul. 14.
The 3-year-old starts his mission at 6-1 on the opening line.
A Grand Send-Off
Grand Mo the First is ready to leave a lasting impression on the final day of Colonial Downs’ 2024 meet.
Occupying the second post position in the $500,000 Virginia Derby (G3T), the Paco Lopez mount can secure his first graded trophy on Saturday afternoon.
Fresh off a Bear’s Den Stakes victory in which he set a new personal-best speed figure, Grand Mo the First (4-1) must now contend with a deep cast of 11 foes that includes graded stakes winner Deterministic (3-1).
The Manuel Franco pilot took the Gotham (G3) by 2-lengths in March, but hasn’t found the winner’s circle in four starts since.
For their careers, Grand Mo the First owns a 3-0-4 line through eight starts, while Deterministic stands at 6: 2-1-1.
Absolut Faith
Her debut may not have gone as planned, but Vodka With a Twist has been silky smooth since.
The 2-year-old-filly, who’s landed on the podium in three consecutive starts, is set to contest the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1) this Saturday.
Following a ‘welcome to the big leagues’ fourth in her first taste of action on Apr. 24, Vodka With a Twist immediately rebounded with a one-length decision in her second effort.
The Mike Smith mount’s connections saw enough to then graduate her to the stakes tier, and she rewarded their faith with a dominant showing in the Churchill Downs debutante.
Although she fell short to Nooni, also expected here, in the Sorrento (G3) last time out, Vodka With a Twist is by no means on the rocks.
Catch Me If You Can
There’s a BOLO out on 2-year-old colt Getaway Car after he successfully evaded capture in his first two career starts.
Still wild and on the run, the Juan Hernandez mount will try to stay one step ahead of the competition in Sunday afternoon’s $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1).
It’s been a banner beginning for Getaway Car, who out-maneuvered five challengers in his pro debut on Jul. 20 before lapping a trio of rivals by 5 ½-lengths in the Best Pal (G3) last time out on Aug. 11.
While the 7-furlong futurity represents the Bob Baffert protégé’s stiffest test to date, all indicators coming suggest he is more than ready for the opportunity.