08/02/2021. (USA) The Road to Kentucky Derby: Candy Man Rocket leads Mott exacta in Sam F. Davis // (UK) Honeysuckle & Sporting John Grade 1 Double For Goffs

 

Candy Man Rocket leads Mott exacta in Sam F. Davis

Candy Man

Exiting a 9 1/4-length maiden over six furlongs at Gulfstream Park last month, Candy Man Rocket had no issues negotiating the stretch-out to 1 1/16 miles. Nor for that matter did Nova Rags, who was last seen taking the seven-furlong Pasco S. at Tampa.

Racing in close attendance to one another while chasing Boca Boy through splits of :23.35, :46.94, and 1:10.80 over the fast going, Candy Man Rocket and Nova Rags were in favorable striking spots around the far turn in second and third, respectively.

By virtue of his better position, Candy Man Rocket got the jump on his barn mate, opened up a in upper stretch, and still held well to win by a length over Nova Rags in a time of 1:44.30 under Junior Alvarado. Owned by Frank Fletcher, Candy Man Rocket paid $8.20.

Hidden Stash rallied for third, missing second by a neck, while Boca Boy weakened to fourth. The order of finish was rounded out by 3-2 favorite Known Agenda, Lucky Law, Joe Man Joe, Ricochet, Smiley Sobotka, Last Investment, Millean, and Runway Magic.

Candy Man Rocket entered the Kentucky Derby (G1) leaderboard with 10 points, while Nova Rags earned four points. Hidden Stash and Boca Boy earned two points and one point, respectively.

This was the second win in three starts for Candy Man Rocket, who retreated to seventh in his debut at Churchill Downs on Nov. 22 over a sloppy track before rebounding in the aforementioned maiden at Gulfstream. His earnings are now $144,824.

Bred in Kentucky by R.S. Evans, Candy Man Rocket was most recently a $250,000 OBS April purchase. By Candy Ride, he was produced by the Forestry mare Kenny Lane. Candy Man Rocket’s fourth dam was Broodmare of the Year Courtly Dee.

fonte : Kentucky Derby

 

Honeysuckle & Sporting John Grade 1 Double For Goffs

 

Superstar mare Honeysuckle put in another incredible performance on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown when landing the Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle for a second year in a row.  The dream team of Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore remain unbeaten for Henry De Bromhead and Kenny Alexander, achieving the perfect ten from ten including six Grade 1s and heads now for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.  Honeysuckle was sold at the Goffs Punchestown Sale by Shanrod Stables to Peter Molony of Rathmore Stud, racing manager to Kenny Alexander. 

On Saturday at Sandown Sporting John became the latest Land Rover Sale Grade 1 winner when storming home in the Scilly Isles Novices Chase for Philip Hobbs and JP McManus on only his second start over fences. He was sold by Glenwood Stud to M Doyle in 2018 having previously sold as a foal at the December NH Sale by Grange Hill Stud to Richard Frisby. 

Kilcruit, Grade 2 Goffs Future Stars Bumper Winner at Leopardstown

Saturday’s racing concluded with an effortless victory for Kilcruit in the Grade 2 Goffs Future Stars Bumper.  Bred by Mrs Maureen Mullins, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Patrick Mullins,  Kilcruit now heads the market for the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and looks set to follow in the footsteps of previous Goffs Future Stars winners which include yesterday’s Grade 1 Novice Hurdle winner Appreciate It and the brilliant Envoi Allen.

 
 
Nominate for Land Rover