Nobody Listens ridden by Tyler Gaffalione scoring in the $250,000 Grade III Turf Monster. (Joe Labozzetta/EQUI-PHOTO)
Pennsylvania Derby Day Part 2
The Turf Monster – Nobody Listens
The Greenwood – Next
The Plum Pretty – One More Kelly
The Future Stars Filly Division – Calle Amada
$60K Starter Allowance – Caramel Chip
The Imply – Aoife’s Magic
The Prince Lucky – Notice of Action
The Future Stars – Maycocks Bay
Race 14 $100K Allowance – Boss Like Beth
By Maribeth Kalinich (with Equibase notes)
We continue with races 8 through 14 with some exciting results including a $132.80 paying winner in the last race.
Race 8 – The Turf Monster
The super popular Turf Monster sprint stayed on the “yielding” turf with a full field of 10 with five scratches including stakes winner Beren scratched by his trainer, Butch Reid.
The damp grass was no issue for the Tim Eggleston trained Nobody Listens who went gate-to-wire with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons besting Smooth B under Mychel Sanchez by three lengths.
Nobody Listens hustled clear inside, was collared on the turn, repelled that challenge then edged clear through the stretch under moderate pressure. Smooth B pressed the winner from the start, bid closer on the turn and continued gamely to the finish.
Roses for Debra, the only filly in the field, raced just off the pace in the two path then went evenly through the stretch. The multiple stakes winner experienced the first loss of in her last five starts finishing third.
Five Dreams advanced five wide on the turn and finished willingly. Alexis S dropped far behind then showed late energy while no threat. Determined Kingdom saved ground just behind the leaders and proved empty in the stretch. Surprise Boss bumped about early, trailed far behind then caught fading rivals.
Just Jeremy bumped about early, raced off the pace and lacked a rally. All That Magic flashed speed three wide then came up empty in the stretch. Patriarch Artie broke very slowly, rushed up inside then faded.
Five Dreams, Alexis S, Determined Kingdom, Surprise Boss, Just Jeremy, All That Magic and Patriarch Artie completely the order of finish.
Additional scratches were Beltway Park, Boat’s a Rockin, Talented Man and Word On a Wing, all by their trainers.
Fractions weren’t the fastest on the day at 23.80 and 48.46 with a final time of 1:01.40. The track record was set by the immortal Ben’s Cat at a speedy 54.96 for the five furlongs on June 17, 2012.
Another tasty exacta, Nobody Listens paid $8.20, 4.80 ad 2.40 with Smooth B offering a smooth $13.80 and 5.00. Roses for Debra, a favorite, paid $2.10 for show.
Nobody Listens has an amazing 14 wins in 26 career starts with seven second places and one third with earnings of $704,230.
Unraced as a 2-year-old, Nobody Listens broke his maiden at Horseshoe Indianapolis in his third start May 25, 2021. He then won his follow up, an allowance June 3.
The gelding finished fourth in his first stakes, the Hoosier Breeders Sophmore Stakes with two second places in the Snack Stakes and the Governor’s Stakes before winning a string of allowances. He then hit second in two allowances, won an AOC and then was victorious in his first stakes at Horseshoe on June 29, 2022, with the Brickyard Stakes earning Black Type/
A hiccup in the Da Hoss at Colonial Downs brought him back to Horseshoe for a second in the To Much Coffee October 5, 2022, and then two allowance wins.
The gray would hit third in an AOC at Oaklawn before winning his second stakes at Turfway Park in the Big Daddy
He took a fourth in an allowance at Keeneland April 22 followed with a second in an allowance at Horseshoe a month later. March 11, 2023, the 5-year-old would win his second stakes at Turfway Park in the Big Daddy.
Nobody Listens would take fourth in an Keeneland allowance April 22, second in an allowance at Horseshoe May 23 and then earn his third stakes with the Brickyard Handicap July 5.
He has been undefeated since racking up a win in a Horseshoe allowance August 3, the Parx Dash August 22 and not the Turf Monster, his first graded stakes.
Bred in Indiana by Southern Chase Farm, Inc., and Karen and Greg Dodd, Nobody Listens was sired by Conveyance out of Chapel Royal mare Royalesque.
Nobody Listens is owned by Matt Kwiatkowski, Jason Kaylor and Roger D. Browning, who purchased him at the Ocala April 2020 Two Year Olds In Training Sale for $40,000.
Race 7– The Greenwood
There was a lot of gray on this gray day as Michael A. Foster’s recent multiple stakes winner Next stole the show and the race with a gate-to-wire 25-length romp under Luan Machado, who was just along for the ride.
Trainer William Cowans could sit back easy as his 5-year-old gelding drew away by five lengths at the 1-1/4 marker, then was 10 lengths ahead coming to the stretch and romped to the win geared down.
My Imagination under Jeremy Laprida had moved up to duel with the popular Ridin With Biden with Paco Lopez up, who had pressed the leader, was eased giving My Imagination the shake by a nose for second.
The rest of the field was well behind.
Forewarned dropped far behind then continued willingly in the stretch. Fowler Blue chased off the leaders inside rival and faded on the final turn. Calibrate moved outside within striking range for a mile and gave way. Suigu Star trailed far behind throughout losing contact with his field.
Forewarned, Fowler Blue, Calibrate and Suigu Star complete the order of finish. Bear Oak was scratched by his trainer.
Fractions were a pokey 25.72 for the opening quarter with 50.15, 1:15.51, 1:40.91 and 2:07.41 with a final time of 2:33.28. The track record was set by Redeemed at 2:28.01 on July 14, 2012.
Although Next’s payout wouldn’t buy lunch at $2.60, 2.40 and 2.10, you could buy dinner for two with My Imagination’s reward of $27.60 and 10.60 for place. Ridin With Biden offered $2.20.
Next has nine wins in 19 career starts with one third place earning $915,672.
Having his first start at Woodbine June 14, 2020, under trainer Wesley Ward, Next broke his maiden on second asking at Kentucky Downs September 16 and followed up with an allowance win at Keeneland October 24th.
A couple of lackluster performance in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland a few weeks later led to a six-month layoff but still produced an unpleasant eleventh place finish in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs for his 2021 debut on May 1 on the Kentucky Derby Undercard.
Next would finally get his stakes victory at Churchill Downs June 26 in the War Chant earning Black Type.
The gelding would hit fourth for Ward in the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame at Saratoga August 6. A month later at Kentucky Downs he would stop on the track in the Grade 32 Franklin-Simpson at Kentucky Downs.
After three months off Next scored a fourth in an allowance at Turfway to close out his 2021 campaign. He would repeat for his 4-year-old debut March 10, 2022, followed by an unfortunate ninth place in an AOC at Keeneland April16. But Next was claimed out of the race by William Cowans for new owner Michael Foster.
Then Next dropped to the claiming ranks May 20 for a refresh and won the $50,000 claimer at one and one eighth miles for Cowans.
The change seemed to agree with Next. Since, he has five wins, a third and a fourth place. He has won three graded stakes—the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Keeneland, the Grade 2 Brooklyn at Belmont and the Grade 3 Greenwood at Parx. His wins also include the Cape Henlopen, Isaac Murphy Marathon and Birdstone.
Next was bred in Kentucky by Silverton Hill, LLC and is sired by Not This Time out of legendary Stronach sire Awesome Again mare Bahia Beach.
Race 6 – The Plum Pretty
The Pretty Plum Stakes for Pa.-bred fillies and mares brought the biggest upset and greatest reward for players as Warrior’s Reward, LLC’s homebred One More Kelly was another who went gate-to-wire but as a long shot who paid a tidy $33.40 for the win.
One More Kelly controlled the pace, repelled a strong challenge at the quarter pole from Morning Matcha with Paco Lopez up. One More Kelly then moved clear again under steady handling by Jaime Rodriguez to prevail by three quarters of a length for trainer Jamie Ness, winning her first stakes.
Morning Matcha trailed in the opening quarter, advanced inside, chased outside in the stretch then angled inside the winner in the final sixteenth with a gradual gain to place. Warrior’s Ransom settled off the pace in the two path, swung wide into the stretch then flattened out but still finished in third.
Lindalovesgold prompted the winner outside, bid at the quarter pole then weakened. Girlfromouterspace saved ground just off the leaders then faltered in the stretch. Social Success lunged at the break, chased wide and was finished after half mile.
Gunfyre Gal broke awkwardly, raced well back, moved inside on the final turn and faded. Ninetypercentbrynn raced within striking range early then gave way. Wings of a Song rated three wide off the pace and stopped abruptly.
Lindalovesgold, Girlfromouterspace, Social Success, Gunfyre Gal, Ninetypercentbrynn and Wings of a Song complete the order of finish.
Fractions were 23.88, 48.27, 1:13.75 and 1:40.13 with a final time of 1:44.35. Th track record was set by Tragedy at 1:38.70 on December 12, 1995.
One More Kelly also paid $8.80 for place and 5.00 for show. Morning Matcha offered $2.60 and 2.20 for the show and Warrior’s Ransom $3.80 for show.
The 4-year-old has five wins in 22 starts, 11 of which she has made this year. She also has four seconds and four thirds with $205,521 in earnings.
Breaking her maiden on her fourth start at Presque Isle Downs on June 29, 2022, One More Kelly stayed at the allowance level until moving up to stakes level June 2, 2023, at Penn National and then June 18 at Parx with a sixth and seventh placing, respectively.
The bay filly then won an allowance at Penn National June 19 followed by a third place in the Princess of Sylmar at Presque Isle Downs July 24. She then placed fourth in the Fort Indiantown Gap Stakes at Penn National August 18.
One More Time is another sired by Not This time out of Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Thunder Gulch mare Kelly Mac.
Race 5 – The Future Stars Filly Division
In a field of 12, Hoolie Racing Stables, LLC’s Calle Amada would be the victor by a neck over My Brazilian Girl in the Maiden Special Weight billed as The Future Stars Filly Division.
With Hall of Famer Johnny V in the irons Calle Amada stalked the pace inside, angled out in the stretch then wore down the pacesetter Ginuccha in the late stages. Ginuccha, who had broken slowest, saved ground, moved out on the turn and shook loose but couldn’t shake off My Brazilian Girl missing second also by a neck.
Miss Ellary dropped far behind then offered late energy wide. Fullmoonmagic prompted the pace outside then faltered in the stretch. My Starship lacked speed then passed rivals without menacing. Carol T raced within range in the two path and gave way.
Breezy Dance dropped back inside then passed fading rivals. Peach Tea moved wide off the leaders and faltered. Whiskeystreetblues weakened steadily.
She’sabulletsteph forced the pace briefly then stopped abruptly. Mygirlisabomb was eased on the turn and returned bleeding from the nostrils. [Editor’s Note: Oooofff!]
Miss Ellary, Fullmoonmagic, My Starship, Carol T, Breezy Dance, Peach Tea, Whiskeystreetblues, She’sabulletsteph and Mygirlisabomb complete the order of finish.
Gaja Ray, Ringer Card and Sweet Distraction were all scratched by their trainers. Wicked Spice was Also Eligible but didn’t make the cut.
Fractions were 22.49, 46.44 and 59.10 with a final time of 1:12.50. The track record was set by Iredell at 1:07.21 on December 30, 2017.
Calle Amada paid $3.00, 2.40 and 2.40 while My Brazilian Girl gave a better reward of $12.80 and 6.80. Ginuccha offered $3.00 for show.
Making her second start and breaking her maiden, Calle Amada was second in her first start also under Velazquez at Saratoga.
Bred in Kentucky by Gainesway and Brian Graves, the bay filly is by Street sense out of super sire Ghostzapper mare Beloveda.
Race 4 – $60K Starter Allowance
Race 4 on the card was a fun $60,000 Starter Allowance with a full field of 12 going seven furlongs as the cleverly named Alessio Bianco’s Caramel Chip came up the winner under Irad Ortiz, Jr., down from Aqueduct for the day.
With the lead switching several times between the start and the half mile mark, Ortiz had Caramel Chip well rated. The Jose D’Angelo trainee settled five wide, bid strongly on the turn, took over into the stretch and extended his advantage to win by 2-3/4 lengths.
The next five runners tightly clustered bounced back and forth for position. Genghis chased in midpack, angled inside on the turn and closed well for the place. Mr. Roundtree far back early, split rivals in the stretch with good late energy holding third by half of a length.
Crazy Legs Hirsch trailed for half mile then rallied inside rivals in the stretch and was three quarters of a length back for fourth.
Masrour engaged in heated duel inside then proved empty in the final furlong. Johnny Ritt dropped back early then advanced very wide with mild gain.
Large broke slowest, was in tight into far turn then rallied. Silver Edge raced off the pace outside and failed to menace. Majestic Tiger angled inside down the backstretch and gave way. Power Agenda was well placed behind dueling pacesetters then gave way.
Traders Luck dueled in the two path for half a mile and stopped. Bee by the Sea raced within striking range early then gave way readily.
Masrour, Johnny Ritt, Large, Silver Edge, Majestic Tiger, Power Agenda, Traders Luck and Bee by the Sea complete the order of finish. Fast Breakin Cash and Indirectly were scratched by their trainers.
Opening quarter was a zippy 22.22 with fractions of 45.20 and 1:10.95 with a final time of 1:24.45. The track record was set by Eternal Star at 1:20.53 on June 28, 2008.
Caramel Chip paid $5.00, 3.60 and 2.40 but it would be Genghis who gave sweet rewards of $19.00 and 10.00 for place while Mr. Roundtree paid $5.40 for show.
Caramel Chip has nine career wins in an impressive 32 starts with six of those wins coming this year. He had five seconds and one third with earnings of $239,427.
The 5-year-old finished fourth in the 2021 Victory Gallop at Colonial Downs and had a four-race streak of wins at four different tracks this year from March 23 to May 4—Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, Churchill Downs and Monmouth Park.
The chestnut followed up with a second in a starter allowance at Monmouth Park two weeks after his other victory there, then third in a starter handicap at Saratoga July 23 at Saratoga. A fourth in an allowance at Saratoga August 5 would prepare Caramel Chip for his win Saturday at Parx.
Bred in Kentucky by Bugle Hill Farm, LLC, Caramel Chip is by Midshipman out of the Speightstown mare Nandira.
Race 3 – The Imply
The Imply Stakes for Pa.-bred 2-year-old fillies was the second stakes on the card.
A and J Racing Stables LLC’s Aoife’s Magic broke first under Wilfred Vasquez and took the lead—temporarily slipping back to fifth when One Eyes Jackie led narrowly outside then was finished after half a mile.
Regaining the lead at the half mile mark, Aoife’s Magic rode the rail drawing away by 4-1/4 length earning Black Type and the victory for trainer David Dotolo.
Betsy Is The Gal forced the pace inside in the opening quarter then gave way readily and was no factor. Noisy On The Bay trailed far behind then advanced extremely wide and closed well to gain place. Lucky Opportunity lacked speed, moved very wide on the turn, angled inside in the stretch managing to get the show spot.
Sirani forced the pace three wide then lost position in the stretch while Normandy Life settled four wide just off the pace and flattened out in the stretch.
Jody’s Ruby chased near the inside and lacked a response. Steal The Deal broke very slowly and was never in contention.
Sirani, Normandy Life, Jody’s Ruby, Steal the Deal, Betsy Is The Gal and One Eyed Jackie complete the order of finish. Dancing Spirit was a trainer scratch.
Fractions were 22.31, 46.65 and 1:13.03 with a final time of 1:19.96. The track record was set by Cherokee Country at 1:14.39 on September 7, 2009.
Aoife’s Magic paid $3.60, 3.00 and 2.40. Noise On the Bay a much better $14.60 and 9.40 while Lucky Opportunity was not so much paying $4.60
Breaking her maiden just two weeks ago at Parx, Aoife’s Magic is now two-for-two.
The chestnut was bred by Mohns Hill Farm LLC and is sired by Pennsylvania’s favorite son, Smarty Jones out of Drosselmeyer mare Polarized.
Aoife’s Magic was purchased by A & J Racing Stables at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Fall Midlantic Yearling sale for $16,000 and has already given her owners a big return on their investment earning $106,800.
Race 2 – The Prince Lucky
The first stakes of the day, the Prince Lucky, was for 2-year-old colts/geldings at six and a half furlongs.
Notice of Action broke first under Andy Hernandez and then rated back to third with Poker Partner piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr., taking over at the quarter pole setting a 22.50 fraction but after that pace had little left and slipped to fifth where he would finish.
Chilling Hassle would take over at the half mile until Hernandez moved Notice of Action into action taking the lead at the top of the stretch leaving just enough for a half length victory.
Lost And Confused chased well off the pace inside, swung very wide into the stretch rallying too late. Addyson’s Dream was urged off the leaders along the rail and continued well to the finish.
Standpoint vied three wide between foes, drifted wider on the turn and faded. I Can Do Magic chased very wide down the backstretch and lacked a response. Bad Bad Mr. Brown trailed far behind then caught a stopping rival, Craigh Na Dun, who had dropped back three wide between rivals and stopped.
Addyson’s Dream, Chilling Hassle, Poker partner, Standpoint, I Can Do Magic, Bad Bad Mr. Brown and Craig Na Dun complete the order of finish.
Fractions were 46.33 and 1:12.49 with a final time of 1:19.48. The track record was set by Cherokee Country at 1:14.39 on September 7, 2009.
Notice of Action paid $4.00, 2.80 and 2.60 while Lost and Confused paid $5.00 and 3.60 with Addyson’s Dream paying a better $9.80.
Keeping it all in the family, Notice of Action is owned by A. J. Hawthorne and trained by his wife, Bobbi Anne Hawthorne. They had a lot to celebrate!
Breaking his maiden at Parx August 21, Notice of Action remains perfect in his record with earnings of $118,800.
Bred by Bryan Minnich the dark bay is by Hoppertunity out of Jump Start mare Be A Gem.
Hawthorne purchase the promising colt at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Yearling sale for the bargain price of $15,000.
Race 1 – The Future Stars
Parx kicked off the day with four juvenile races and the first was billed as The Future Stars, a six-and-a-half-furlong sprint for colts/geldings with a $100,000 purse.
With a name that sounds like it’s right out of the 17th century, Godolphin’s homebred Maycocks Bay under the expert hands of John Velazquez broke just behind the initial pace setter, Face the Facts under Silvstre Gonzalez.
Le Vin under Eliseo Ruiz took over the lead as Face the Facts did just that and slipped back to fifth at the quarter pole after setting a speedy opening fraction of 21.99.
Le Vin was overtaken by Maycocks Bay at the half mile as Twilight Dancer started to rally.
Maycocks Bay dueled three wide between foes to the stretch, edged to narrow lead on the turn and moved clear through the stretch while kept to his task for a 1-1/4 length victory.
Twilight Dancer chased wide throughout, bid into the stretch and continued gamely to the finish second. Kohler’s vied between rivals to midstretch then weakened slightly but held on for show. Le Vin alternated for the advantage inside then faltered in the final furlong and settled for fourth.
Deposition dropped far behind then passed rivals without menacing. Brysons Option lagged far off the pace and lacked a rally. Checking Boxes moved briefly within range early then began fading on the turn. Shake The Gold flashed speed inside then faltered badly.
After moving close up outside in the opening quarter, Face the Facts stopped. Tabloid chased wide far behind and lost contact with his field.
Deposition, Brysons Option, Checking Boxes, Shake the Gold, Face the Facts and Tabloid complete the order of finish.
Fractions were 45.30 and 1:11.53 with a final time of 1:18.44. The track record was set by
Maycocks Bay paid $4.20, 2.80 and 2.20. Twilight Dancer $9.00 and 4.80 and Kohler’s $2.80 for show.
Scoring a second in his first start at Monmouth Park on August 13, this was Maycocks Bay’s first win.
The 3-year-old chestnut is by Speightstown out of Medaglia d’pro mare Hallie Belle.
Race 14 – $100K Allowance
Closing out Pennsylvania Derby Day was a $100,000 allowance optional claiming race with a full field of 14 with a super close finish and a players paradise upset paying $132.20.
PCC Stable’s Boss Like Beth close up from the start, bid on the turn, led narrowly in midstretch and held on gamely. Decoupage chased between foes early,
Janet Polacheck trainee Boss Like Beth led narrowly in midstretch and the held on gamely to win by a neck over Decoupage who had moved wide in the stretch and rallied. Beach Daze originally lacked speed then finished full of run through the final furlong to get show also by a neck.
Comedy Act set pressured pace inside, was collared into the stretch and weakened settling for fourth as Confirmed Genius, who had prompted the leader inside, faltered on the turn.
Cabra Chica saved ground off the pace then passed fading rivals but fell back. Shero moved to contention wide at the quarter pole then tired late while Our Uptown Girl offered a six wide middle move on the turn then faded.
Glory Dia lacked speed and was never in contention. Fine Whining forced the pace to midway on the turn and gave way. Practicality was taken up inside on the turn and had no further response. Wicked Sight steadied along on the turn and gave way readily.
Confirmed Genius, Shero, Our Uptown Girl, Cabra Chica, Glory did, Fine Whining, Practicality and Wicked Sight complete the order of finish. Buck Some and Caliente Rum were scratched by their trainers.
Shero was claimed for $16,000 by trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero for Top Notch Racing.
Fractions were 22.34, 46.13 and 59.20 with a final time of 1:12.06.
Boss Like Beth paid punters a special bonus of $132.20 for the win and if they were smart and did a lateral bet, they collected an additional $59.80 for place and $25.80 for show totaling $217.80 on a $2 bet across the board.
Smart bettors might have played an exacta with Boss Like Beth with Decoupage under as she paid $49.60 for place and $20.40 for show. The $2 Exacta paid $2,981.80.
Beach Daze offered only $4.60 for show. But the 10 cent Trifecta paid $4,812.80 and the 50 cent Superfecta paid a whopping $12,841.82.
The 3-year-old filly has three wins, three seconds and three thirds in 18 career starts with $173,898 in earnings.
Making her first start at Parx May 23, 2022, the bay broker her maiden in her fourth start at Parx July 27. She started in one stakes, the Blue Hen at Delware Park with a disappointing eighth place finish and then get an eight month layoff.
Coming back in April of 2023, Boss Like Beth would finish with in an allowance optional claiming race and then win her next start in a starter optional allowance.
Making 10 more starts since then at Monmouth Park and Delaware Park but mostly at Parx, this was Boss Like Beth’s first win since May 9.
Bred in Pennsylvania by John Parker she is by Private Gold out of Chhaya Dance Mae Dance with Effie.
