Derby and Matriarch close out Autumn
Turf Festival
The $500,000 Hollywood Derby (G1) and $500,000 Matriarch S. (G1)
complete a quality three-day weekend of turf racing in Inglewood,
California, with two highly competitive fields. The Matriarch has
attracted an outstanding group of nine fillies, ages three and
four, for one mile over the sod, while 13 well-matched
sophomores, including many imports from Europe, will test 10
grassy furlongs in the Derby.
TICKER TAPE (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) has moved to the fore
of the three-year-old filly turf ranks with victories in the
Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1), American
Invitational Oaks (G1) and Pucker Up S. (G2) this season and
could prove formidable in her debut against older rivals. Victor
Espinoza replaces Kent Desormeaux in the saddle for trainer James
Cassidy.
Desormeaux has chosen to ride the four-year-old MUSICAL CHIMES
(In Excess [Ire]), who looks tough to beat on Sunday. Winner of
the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) over males two back, the Neil
Drysdale-trained dark bay finished a good sixth, beaten 3 1/4
lengths, in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) last out and relishes
eight furlongs. The Grade 1 heroine finished a close second in
this event to multiple Grade 1 winner Heat Haze (GB) last year.
Another Matriarch entrant of quality is OCEAN DRIVE (Belong to
Me), who reeled off consecutive wins in the Ballston Spa
Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) and Noble Damsel H. (G3) prior to a third-place
finish in her last start. John Velazquez has the mount on the
Todd Pletcher invader. Grade 2 queen INTERCONTINENTAL (GB) (Danehill)
will have the services of Jerry Bailey and owns a 3-1-0 mark from
four starts this year when the turf is firm.
The complete Matriarch field, from the rail with riders, is
HOH BUZZARD (Ire) (Alhaarth), David Flores; QUERO QUERO (Royal
Academy), Corey Nakatani; DENEBOLA (Storm Cat), Gary Stevens;
Intercontinental; Ocean Drive; Ticker Tape; Musical Chimes;
ISLAND FASHION (Petionville), Tyler Baze; and ETOILE MONTANTE (Miswaki),
Edgar Prado.
Three-year-olds Denebola and Ticker Tape will carry 120
pounds, the rest 123.
Del Mar Derby (G2) and La Jolla H. (G2) winner BLACKDOUN (Fr)
(Verglas [Ire]), who was beaten only 3 1/2 lengths when seventh
in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last out, highlights the baker’s dozen
in the Hollywood Derby. The Julio Canani trainee reeled off three
straight stakes wins at Del Mar before suffering his first U.S.
loss last time and will seek to rebound with regular rider Corey
Nakatani in the irons.
GOOD REWARD (Storm Cat), winner of the Storm Cat S. at
Keeneland in most recent outing, ships west for trainer Shug
McGaughey and will be ridden by Bailey. Kentucky Derby (G1) third-place
finisher IMPERIALISM (Langfuhr) is stakes-placed on the turf and
merits respect from the far outside post with Desormeaux.
Grade 2-placed HENDRIX (Sultry Song) will lead the post parade
with Flores and be followed by BIG SQUEEZE (Petionville), Jon
Court; Blackdoun; WHILLY (Ire) (Sri Pekan), Felipe Martinez; Good
Reward; TIMO (El Prado [Ire]), Velazquez; TERROPLANE (Fr) (Verglas
[Ire]), Rene Douglas; ON THE ACORN (GB) (Inchinor [GB]), Garrett
Gomez; FIGHT CLUB (Ger) (Lavirco), Baze; JOURSANVAULT (Fr) (Verglas
[Ire]), Jose Valdivia Jr.; FAST AND FURIOUS (Fr) (Singspiel [Ire]),
Espinoza; LAURA’S LUCKY BOY (Theatrical [Ire]), Stevens; and
Imperialism.
All starters will tote 122 pounds.