Ellis Park

6th-Ellis, $51,000, Msw, 8-20, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:15.87, ft, 4 1/2 lengths. MATAREYA (f, 2, Pioneerof the Nile--Innovative Idea {GSW, $229,343}, by Bernardini), whose dam's signature win came in the 2016 GIII Groupie Doll S. here, was coupled in the wagering at 9-5 with Brendan Walsh-trained fellow Godolphin homebred  Dreamalot (Ghostzapper). Straight to the front, the bay doled out splits of :22.09 and :45.07 and turned for home in command. Dreamalot came with a fence run and briefly looked like she'd give Matareya a challenge, but the front-runner shut...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 1st-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 6 1/2f, post time: 1:05 p.m. ET While the GI Alabama S. takes centerstage later on in the program, the Saturday lid-lifter at Saratoga looks a key race in prospect, with any number of booming pedigrees and lofty pricetags on display. Peter Leidel signed the ticket at an even $1 million for RAYMOND (Into Mischief) at Keeneland September last fall, with the colt's breeder Stonestreet Stables staying in for a share. The Apr. 21 foal is the third foal to the...

'TDN Rising Star' Carribean Caper took the next step Sunday to earn her first stakes win and fourth victory overall from as many trips to the post. An eight-length romper at Fair Grounds Feb. 13, the dark bay had an easy time with first-level optional claiming foes at Keeneland Apr. 2, and resurfaced from a freshening to clear another condition here July 10. Favored in the wagering over formidable foe Magic Quest--who had run faster than Carribean Caper in her last two, both wins--she tugged her way up in between...

Verylittlecents (Goldencents) survived an objection to lead home a one-two finish for her sire in Sunday's Runhappy Ellis Park Debutante S.. Fourth behind GIII Schuylerville S. heroine Pretty Birdie (Bird Song) in her Churchill unveiling June 18, the :10 flat OBSMAR breezer broke through by daylight second out going five panels here July 11, good for a standout 70 Beyer Speed Figure. Right to the front under Joe Talamo, the bay doled out splits of :23.19 and :46.30 while going easily. They stacked up behind her rounding the bend, and...

6th-Ellis, $51,000, Msw, 8-13, 2yo, 1m, 1:35.96, ft, 4 1/4 lengths. GUNTOWN (c, 2, Gun Runner--Fun House {Broodmare Of The Year, GSW, $432,922}, by Prized) added to his freshman sire (by Candy Ride {Arg})'s red-hot run, becoming Gun Runner's 10th winner right on the heels of a pair of graded stakes wins for the Three Chimneys inmate last weekend and a strong showing at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale earlier in the week. A $750,000 buyback last September, Guntown rallied for third after a rough start going seven furlongs here July...

5th-Ellis, $51,085, Msw, 8-8, 2yo, 6f, 1:09.79, ft, 2 3/4 lengths. FREELANCER (c, 2, Medaglia d'Oro--Libreta {SW, $128,660}, by Girolamo) joined Baladi (Pioneerof the Nile) as the second juvenile Godolphin homebred unveiled on Ellis Park's card Sunday by Brendan Walsh to graduate at first asking. Sent at 16-1 from the outside gate, Freelancer rushed up to duel with Blue Kentucky (Include) for the lead with the two exchanging head decisions at the :22.41 quarter mark and the :45.36 half-mile mark. The bay took over for good with two furlongs to...

3rd-Ellis, $51,000, Msw, 8-8, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.87, ft, 5 1/2 lengths. BALADI (c, 2, Pioneerof the Nile--Dancing House {GSW & GISP, $450,825}, by Tapit), sent off at 11-1, was among a pack of horses chasing the early pacesetter down the backstretch before rushing up to take the lead after a quarter in :23.55. He began inching away without being asked after a half in :46.75 and skipped clear down the lane before finishing geared down and 5 1/2 lengths in front. Let My People Go (Pioneerof the Nile) was second....

Ellis Park will host "a conversation" between Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and Eclipse Award-winning trainer Dale Romans Saturday, Aug. 14. Called "D. Wayne and Dale: A Conversation," the event will see the two charismatic personalities interview each other, tell stories, and take questions from the public. Third generation Henderson horseman John Hancock will introduce the pair. "We wanted something special for the public as a prelude to Ellis Park Derby Day," said Jeff Inman, Ellis Park's general manager. "Wayne is on the short list for the all-time...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 1st-DMR, $70K, Msw, 3yo/up, 5 1/2fT, post time: 7:00 p.m. ET Bred in Australia by the renowned Arrowfield Stud, KAZUHIKO (AUS) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was purchased for a joint third-highest price of A$1.7 million (US$1,211,760) at the 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by a partnership including Spendthrift Farm, Kennewell Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock. Trained by Lloyd Kennewell, the Sept. 1 foal was the subject of major betting support ahead of his debut in the G3 National S. at Adelaide's Morphettville Racetrack in South Australa...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency WELL-BRED FILLIES DEBUT AT ELLIS 3rd-ELP, $51K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 2:46p.m. Brad Cox saddles a well-related firster in Godolphin homebred ALREADY CHARMING (More Than Ready). Her dam Alluring Miss (Shamardal) is a half-sister to MGISW and top sire, the late Scat Daddy (Johannesburg); GSW & GISP Antipathy (A.P. Indy); and stakes winners Grand Daddy (Johannesburg) and Lovestruck (Tapit). Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas also unveils a nicely bred juvenile filly in Surprising (American Pharoah). Out of SW & GSP Harriett Lane (Giant's...

Dorris "Heavy" Watson, the driver of the tractor that hit the inner rail Friday at Ellis Park, necessitating the moving of two turf races on the card to the dirt, has died. He had experienced a medical emergency during track maintainance and was taken to the hospital. Watson began his Ellis Park career in 1997 and was well known at the track. Service arrangements are pending.

6th-Ellis, $45,968, Msw, 7-24, 2yo, f, 5f, :57.06, ft, 6 3/4 lengths. GIRL WITH A DREAM (f, 2, Practical Joke--Henley, by Corinthian) was sent off the 6-5 chalk to open her account at first asking and turned it on through the Ellis stretch to graduate by an imposing margin Saturday afternoon. The $115,000 Keeneland September yearling graduate jumped alertly from an outside gate and pressed the pace through an opening quarter-mile in :22.24. Allowed to stride into the lead with about 2 1/2 furlongs to travel, the chestnut was shaken...