Racing Dudes Three Stars of the Week: All Turf, All Brilliant

The Breeders’ Cup is less than 2 weeks away, but while the sport’s biggest names make their final preparations, we were treated to plenty of stellar action across the country. Tracks like Belmont Park, Laurel Park, and Monmouth Park each hosted state-bred cards honoring their local heroes, Santa Anita Park had some top-notch turf females make waves, and north of the border at Woodbine, a Triple Crown attempt was in its final leg.

See who made out latest Three Stars of the Week:

1. Biddy Duke

The diminutive 3-year-old filly Biddy Duke showed the heart and fight of a veteran twice her age as she held off the very talented Jo Jo Air to win Saturday’s Senator Ken Maddy Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. She set the early tempo in the turf sprint and used her grit and determination to hold off several rivals in the stretch to win. A $40k claim in May, she’s notched a 6-3-1-2 record since joining current trainer Doug O’Neill.

2. Maxim Rate

Trainer Simon Callaghan’s 4-year-old filly Maxim Rate blossomed beautifully over the summer and into the fall, as evidenced by her much-the-best effort in Sunday’s Goldikova Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. Elite turf rider Umberto Rispoli kept her in the perfect stalking position early, then pounced in the far turn and was gone at the top of the stretch. She’s ready to step up to the top level in the Matriarch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar on November 29.

3. Belichick

Trainer Josie Carroll didn’t complete the 2020 Canadian Triple Crown with Mighty Heart – winner of the first two legs, the Queen’s Plate Stakes and the Prince of Wales Stakes – as he finished seventh. Carroll did, however, still sweep the series because she also saddled the winner, Belichick, who broke his maiden with an ultra-impressive effort in Saturday’s Breeders’ Stakes. Mighty Heart’s thrilling season may have come to a disappointing end, but Carroll looks like she has another big star on her hands with the late-developing Belichick.