August 29, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Life-Changing Money
Poll time! Who will earn more money in 2024: Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell or the winner of this Saturday’s $3.1 million Nashville Derby Invitational (G3T) at Kentucky Downs?
Those who answered Dell, who accumulated 709 receiving yards and 7 TDs in just 11 games last season, would be incorrect.
The second-year pass catcher will cost just over $1.2 million against the cap this season, while the Nashville Derby victor will rake in more than $1.8 million.
One suitor with a seven-figure payday on his mind is 3-year-old colt Carson’s Run.
The multiple graded stakes winner (Grade 1 Summer Stakes and Grade 1 Saratoga Derby) is fresh off back-to-back scores, including the Saratoga Derby, and is 2-0-0 across three 2024 starts.
Trained by renowned turf specialist Christophe Clement, Carson’s Run enters at 9-2 behind Cugino (4-1) and Bellum Justum (IRE) (7-2).
Who Wants to be a Millionaire (and a half)?
Kentucky Downs continues to play millionaire-maker with two more $1.5 million tilts slated for its lavish Saturday afternoon card.
Immediately following the Nashville is the 6 ½-furlong Ladies Turf Sprint (G2T). Going off as race nine, this 12-horse feature also appears wide-open on paper.
Three-time graded stakes winner Ruby Nell is the 7-2 opening line choice, but only slightly ahead of Elm Drive (9-2) and Dontlookbackatall (4-1).
Race 10, the one-mile Ladies Turf Stakes (G3T) is more of the same.
Mission of Joy is the opening line favorite at 4-1 but is trailed closely by Fluffy Socks (9-2) and a pair of 6-1 challengers in Implicated and Nadette (FR).
Let it Fuel You
The last two Stanley Cup Champions (Florida Panthers in 2024 and Las Vegas Golden Knights in 2023) both lost on the biggest stage before eventually breaking through.
A 2-year-old filly by the name of The Queens M G found herself on a similar path leading into the $300,000 Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga.
After finding the winner’s circle her first time out, the Dylan Davis mount stumbled to a disappointing seventh in her stakes debut (Ashtoria).
However, the bitter defeat served as motivation.
The Queens M G rebounded to snag the Schuylerville before reaching new heights last time out in the Adirondack (G3) on Aug. 4.
Sporting a stellar 3-0-0 mark through four starts, the Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee can lock down a third straight score on Saturday.
Hilltop Manor
Adare Manor has won more graded stakes (eight) in her lifetime than many horses win races.
The marvelous 5-year-old mare will go for number nine in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday afternoon at Del Mar.
Before an uncharacteristic seventh in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), Adare Manor had rattled off six straight wins, five of which came at the graded tier.
The Juan Hernandez mount opened her 2024 campaign with a strong second in the Beholder Mile (G1) on Mar. 9 and is undefeated in her three starts since.
Adare Manor’s last endeavour, the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) on Aug. 3, vaulted her over the $2 million career purse earnings benchmark.
So, if you skipped to the bottom of this section, the takeaway is clear: Adare Manor is good at her job.
Just the Two of Us
A pair of Todd Pletcher trained 5-year-old dynamos are set to go head-to-head in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on Sunday evening at Saratoga.
The first half of this two-headed monster, Tapit Trice, is 5-0-3 with three graded stakes wins. The Irad Ortiz Jr. mount enters the Gold Cup in peak form, having dominated the Monmouth Cup (G3) on Jul. 20 by a healthy 5 ¼-length margin (his only start in 2024).
Staring down Tapit Trice from post three is Bright Future. A multiple graded stakes winner in his own right (2023 Gold Cup and Grade 3 Salvator Mile), Bright Future sports a nearly identical 5-0-2 line.
Sunday’s showdown will be the duo’s first-ever meeting.