Breeders' Cup Amanzi Yimpilo Bests the Boys in Speakeasy September 26, 2020 Credit: Ernie Belmonte Breeders' Cup Amanzi Yimpilo Bests the Boys in Speakeasy September 26, 2020 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ARCADIA, CA – Trainer Wesley Ward’s filly Amanzi Yimpilo overcame minor pre-race hiccups to best the boys in Saturday’s $100,000 Speakeasy Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The Speakeasy is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Amanzi Yimpilo receiving an automatic berth in the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland this November. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Running without blinkers for the first time while making her third career start, an anxious Amanzi Yimpilo made things difficult for jockey Luis Saez, who was unable to safely hop aboard in the paddock. Once she broke from post 5 at 5/2 odds, however, Amanzi Yimpilo’s mind was fully on running, as she sat just outside of early leader No Pedigree through opening fractions of :21.89 and :44.66. Fighting hard in the stretch to gain command, Amanzi Yimpilo led at the 1/16 pole and held off strong rallies from Wyfire and Windy City Red to win the 5 1/2-furlong firm turf dash by a head in 1:02.77. Credit: Ernie Belmonte “She was pretty nervous behind the gate, we had a little trouble, but I knew she was ready,” Saez said. “I could feel the power. She just broke very well and sat in a great spot, which was the spot I was (hoping) to be in. When we came down the stretch, she fought. She was a fighter and we got there. I had a feeling we would get it.” Wyfire’s surge from the rear came up just short of victory but was a 1/2-length ahead of Windy City Red, himself a neck past the 2/1 favorite Commander Khai for third. No Pedigree, The Great One, Basque Man, Feathers (the field’s other filly), and Fury Kap completed the order of finish. Amanzi Yimpilo’s win was her second from 3 career starts, with her lone defeat coming last out in the Bolton Landing Stakes, where she finished third. The Irish-bred daughter of No Nay Never has now earned $94,200 for co-owners Susan Moulton, Marc Detampel, and CJ Thoroughbreds. “We worked her a 1/2-mile on the dirt and we went wide (in her lone local work),” said Ward’s assistant trainer Blake Heap, who also trains his own group of southern California horses. “We weren’t really trying to set the track afire. We wanted to do something to get a feel of the situation here and get a little air. It’s onto the Breeders’ Cup, we hope!” Amanzi Yimpilo returned $7.20 to win, $3.80 to place, and $3 to show. Wyfire brought back $4.20 to place and $3.40 to show, while Windy City Red paid $5.40 to show.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More