Keeneland

Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (Grade 1)

SHANTISARA and Technical Analysis provided Chad Brown with a second consecutive Grade 1 ‘quinella’ at Keeneland with their one-two finish in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. Shantisara drew away to a record-setting five-length victory and give her sire Coulsty a first top-level winner from the first crop of Rathasker Stud’s son of Kodiac.

The nine-furlong turf test for three-year-old fillies saw Italian import Shantisara run down her pace-setting stablemate at the three-16ths pole and drew clear with a strong turn of foot to win going away on yielding turf under Flavien Prat.

Shantisara came off a win in September’s Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes at Belmont.

“She’s a monster right now,” Brown said of the filly. “She has been training out of her mind. I’m so proud and appreciative of the ownership group with Michael Dubb, Sol Kumin, and Bob LaPenta that we took a patient approach.”

Technical Analysis led the field of nine through steady fractions under mild pressure from the Aidan O’Brien-trained favourite Empress Josephine, with Shantisara tracking third.

As the field turned for home, however, Shantisara wasted little time wresting control. Nicest, trained by Donnacha O’Brien, was a bit unlucky in her run and took fourth as Empress Josephine faded away to finish last.

“The lack of cover early in the race didn’t help her,” Kieran Murphy, who has overseen the filly’s training at Keeneland for Aidan O’Brien, reported to BloodHorse.

“It was tough to come back that quick from what was a tough race last week for her (in the First Lady in which she was third).”

Woodbine

E.P. Taylor Stakes (Grade 1)

Woodbine’s Grade 1 EP. Taylor also saw a one-two this time for Christophe Clement as he swept the first two with Mutamakina and La Dragontea.

Having already won the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes on the Woodbine turf, Mutamakina used similar tactics to come from off the pace and capture this contest over the same course and distance.

Jockey Dylan Davis was close up on board the five-year-old British-bred Nathaniel mare. Mutamakina pressed the pace in second and passed the pacesetter Kalifornia Queen half a furlong out from the finish line as her stablemate, La Dragontea, rallied from last of 10 to come within a neck at the line.

Roger Varian’s British challenger Waliyak finished fourth.

“She ran well over here (last time) and we saw an opportunity again to bring her out here,” Davis said. “Christophe did a great job of getting her here. She’s been breezing well and maintained herself and we knew that she would be tough coming here.”

Mutamakina is owned by Al Shira’aa Farms and was initially campaigned in France by the same owner with trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias.

She was moved Stateside to Clement’s barn late last year and has since won three graded races.

Baffert Breeders’ Cup runners to be tested

ALL horses trained by Bob Baffert who compete in any 2021 Breeders’ Cup races will have to undergo enhanced testing and other security protocols, at his expense. Baffert is embroiled in legal battles over Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, who tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone in both initial and split-sample blood tests.

A statement read: “Breeders’ Cup conducts thoroughbred racing at the highest levels of safety and integrity for the benefit of our horses, riders, participants, fans, and bettors. The Breeders’ Cup board of directors convened a special review under legal counsel to evaluate the recent conduct of Mr Bob Baffert in order to determine whether he should be permitted to participate in the 2021 World Championships.

“Mr Baffert was provided with advanced notice and an opportunity to take part in the process, and the board appreciated his participation and cooperation in connection with its inquiries. Breeders’ Cup has decided to require all horses trained by Mr Baffert to undergo enhanced out-of-competition, pre- and post-race testing and other security protocols, at his own expense, in order to participate in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

“The Breeders’ Cup expects Mr Baffert’s complete cooperation in ensuring that every horse under his care is in full compliance with all medication restrictions and safety standards.”