FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Adolphson
(847) 385-7558
@AdolphsonRacing
Barn Notes: Thursday, September 18, 2014
In Today's Notes:
- Secretariat Winner Adelaide Headed to Cox Plate
- The Pizza Man in Good Shape after Northern Dancer
SECRETARIAT WINNER ADELAIDE HEADED TO COX PLATE
Coolmore's Adelaide, who was supremely impressive when taking the Grade I $500,000 Secretariat Stakes over Tourist on the Arlington Million undercard at Arlington Inernational Racecourse on Aug. 16, is now being pointed toward the most prestigious 1¼-miles turf race in the southern hemisphere, the Group I $2.7 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Australia.
This past weekend, in the son of Galileo's first trip to post since the Secretariat, Adelaide ran an excellent third in the Group II Prix Neil at Longchamp – a traditional prep for the Group I Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In the race he had a lot of trouble finding room to make his substantial late punch, but still ran on to give an excellent account of himself. A horse who needs fast ground in order to do his best running, the ground at Longchamp that day was on the good side.
According to the International Racing Bureau, the plan is to take the sophomore colt to the Cox Plate – a weight for age classic where he would face older horses for the first time. As weather in Paris can be volatile this time of year, a run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was thus ruled out with the fear of softer ground again bothering his chances.
The trip Down Under seems even more likely since Australian interests purchased portions of the colt earlier this year, according to the IRB. The race is on Oct. 25 and is expected to be his last under the tutelage of master conditioner Aiden O'Brien. Afterward, he is to join the yard of Chris Waller in Australia.
The Cox Plate, which has been contested since 1927, has been won by the likes of the great Phar Lap (twice), as well as by modern phenoms like Makybe Diva, Sunline and So You Think.
THE PIZZA MAN IN GOOD SHAPE AFTER NORTHERN DANCER
Midwest Thoroughbreds' The Pizza Man is no worse for the wear after a disappointing showing in Canada in the Grade I Northern Dancer Stakes at Woodbine. Sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the 1½-miles event, the son of English Channel was not his aggressive self from the moment the gates opened. When the real running began entering the straight, the Roger Bruggemann trainee seemed one-paced and went on to finish fifth behind European invader Sheikhzayedroad.
"He came back well," reported Rich Papiese, principal of Midwest Thoroughbreds. "It wasn't his day. Kudos to the winner. I expect a much bigger race for him next time."
Said next time could call for a repeat journey to Canada and a bit of redemption in late October. "We're looking at the (Grade I $1,000,000 Canadian International on Oct. 19) for him," Papiese said. "If he goes, I will ship him earlier this time." The Canadian International, traditionally one of the most international events in North America aside from the Arlington Million and Breeders' Cup, is also expected to attract Sheikhzayedroad from his English base.
-END-
David Zenner│Senior Manager of Communications
Arlington International Racecourse
2200 W. Euclid Ave. Arlington Heights IL 60006-0007
P 847.385.7535│C: 847.371.1670 | F: 847.870.6727│E: David.Zenner@arlingtonpark.com
Twitter: @dave_zenner, @arlingtonracing
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