Race Recaps Vale Dori Pulls Shocker in G1 Zenyatta September 30, 2018 Race Recaps Vale Dori Pulls Shocker in G1 Zenyatta September 30, 2018 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ARCADIA, CA – Winless in over 16 months, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum’s Vale Dori attended the early pace before taking command at the top of the stretch, then held off a late rally from La Force to take Sunday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The Zenyatta is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Vale Dori receiving an automatic berth in the Longines Distaff at Churchill Downs on Saturday, November 3. Breaking sharply from post 4 under Joe Talamo at 11/1 odds, Vale Dori stalked off the rail while Shenandoah Queen posted fractions of :23.98, :48.02, and 1:12.35. Making her bid in the far turn, Vale Dori emerged onto the stretch with a slight lead and began inching away in midstretch. Though La Force was closing quickly along the outside, the Bob Baffert trainee proved too good to lose, winning by 3/4 of a length in a final time of 1:44.88 for the 9-furlong main track event. Shenandoah Queen weakened in the stretch run but held third by 2 1/4 lengths over Lemoona. Perhaps the day’s biggest surprise was how poorly the 1/9 favorite Abel Tasman ran. The Distaff division leader struggled to load into the gate, broke poorly, and never ran better than fifth, which is where she finished, 10 1/2 lengths behind her winning stablemate. Fool’s Paradise completed the order of finish. When asked about the poor performance by Abel Tasman, Baffert responded, “When I saw Abel Tasman break horrible like that, it looked like shades of Arrogate at Del Mar in the (2017) San Diego…She’s never run a bad one. Mike said she felt sound and all that, but she was just completely lethargic…My main concern is that Abel’s okay and not getting sick on me.” “Bob said to try and get her out, whether she’s first or second, and just get her into a real smooth rhythm,” said jockey Joe Talamo. “She was laying perfect right off of Tyler’s filly there and I had a lot of horse around the turn. I was just biding my time, just waiting for anyone to come before I let her loose and when I did, she really took off very nicely. I really thought Abel Tasman was going to come running but that’s horse racing for you.” Vale Dori’s win was her first since taking the Grade 3 Adoration Stakes here on May 7 and improved her overall record to 21-10-6-2. The 5-year-old Argentinian-bred daughter of Asiatic Boy increased her lifetime earnings to $1,365,567. Vale Dori returned $24.60 to win, $13.20 to place, and $40.60 to show. La Force brought back $8.40 to place and $14.60 to show, while Shenandoah Queen paid $26.60 to show. The large show payout discrepancies were due to Abel Tasman having collected $432,344 of the $474,680 total show pool.
Gulfstream Park Pick 5 [Florida Derby Day] | The Magic Mike Show 537 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Sweet 16 March Madness & Arkansas Derby PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 186 Aaron and Papa Dude pick each game of the upcoming… Read More
Kentucky Derby Prep Results [Louisiana Derby & Jeff Ruby Steaks] | The Magic Mike Show 536 The Magic Mike Show guys discuss what they learned from… Read More
2024 Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks Previews and Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 658 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the $1… Read More
Bayou Bluegrass Pick 5 [Fair Grounds & Turfway Park] | The Magic Mike Show 535 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Florida Derby 2024 Betting Bible | Get Expert Picks NOW! Get the 2024 Florida Derby Betting Bible, featuring our EXACT race-by-race wagering… Read More
Gulfstream Park Pick 5 [Florida Derby Day] | The Magic Mike Show 537 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park, and Santa Anita for March 29, 2024 Let’s kick off another big Friday with the Racing Dudes… Read More
Sweet 16 March Madness & Arkansas Derby PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 186 Aaron and Papa Dude pick each game of the upcoming… Read More
Florida Derby 2024 | Gulfstream Park Picks [Kentucky Derby] Aaron previews the 2024 Florida Derby (G1) from Gulfstream Park,… Read More