Shortleaf Stable

Defending juvenile champion Essential Quality (Tapit) is expected to make his next start in the Apr. 3 GII Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland, according to trainer Brad Cox Tuesday. The Godolphin homebred, who is slated to post his final major work this Saturday, most recently won the GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn Feb. 27. "The Blue Grass is what we have zeroed in on," confirmed Cox. "He's done extremely well [since the Southwest]. We breezed him last Saturday [Mar. 13], and we clocked him at a half in :48.20,...

'TDN Rising Star' Caddo River (Hard Spun), who broke his maiden by 9 1/2 lengths over Churchill's one-turn mile Nov. 15, is being pointed for a sophomore debut in the $150,000 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park Jan. 22. Bred and raced by John Ed Anthony's Shortleaf Stable and trained by Brad Cox, the son of Pangburn (Congrats) made his first two career starts going seven furlongs on the New York circuit, finishing a debut second at Saratoga Sept. 5 before filling the same spot at Belmont Park Nov. 11....

We're now inside the 125-day mark until the first Saturday in May. The debut 2021 GI Kentucky Derby rankings are compiled largely with an eye toward sophomore prowess rather than lauding horses for accomplishments at age two. Interestingly, five homebreds have secured spots within the initial Top 12, a departure from previous seasons when there were only one or two. 1) ESSENTIAL QUALITY (c, Tapit--Delightful Quality, by Elusive Quality) O/B-Godolphin (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: GISW, 3-3-0-0, $1,335,144. Last Start: 1st GI TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Kee, Nov. 6 Accomplishments Include:...

Caddo River (Hard Spun), a promising runner-up in a live-looking maiden race last out, went to the front and widened throughout for a dominant, 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy graduation Sunday at Churchill. Second on debut Sept. 5 at Saratoga, he filled the same slot after dueling on a scorching pace Oct. 11 at Belmont and was pounded down to 3-10 to break through stretching out to a mile here. Away in good order, the homebred made the lead on his own power and dictated terms through sharp splits of :22.38 and...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 3rd-Saratoga, $72k, Msw, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 12:33 p.m. Bill Mott saddles Godolphin's debuting SERENE (Tapit), an $800,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase last year. The chestnut filly is a daughter of multiple Grade I-placed Fascinating (Smart Strike). Out of graded stakes winner Untouched Talent (Storm Cat), Fascinating is a half-sister to Grade I winner Bodemeister (Empire Maker). Also debuting is Peter Brant's Editor at Large (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). The Chad Brown trainee was a 260,000gns purchase at last year's Tattersalls October sale. Todd...

1st-Saratoga, $72,000, Msw, 8-23, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:42.14, fm. CALDEE (f, 2, More Than Ready--Holiday's Jewel {SP, $393,052}, by Harlan's Holiday), let go at a tick under 9-1 off an even fifth-place run sprinting on the dirt here July 19, seemed to find her preferred surface Sunday with a dominant front-running score. Facing minimal early resistance as she cruised along through splits of :25.25, :49.49 and 1:13.58,  the bay had plenty left in the tank for the stretch drive, and widened at will to defeat fellow second timer Uptown...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - A year ago, Jonathan Thorne sent a son of Pioneerof the Nile through the sales ring at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearlings Sale and watched as the youngster sold for a sale-record $600,000. It was a gratifying moment for the longtime New York breeder who has been on the front lines of the evolution of the state's breeding program. Thorne returns to the New York sale with a five-horse consignment in 2019. "I was just really fortunate enough to breed a horse and raise him and...