March 10, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Load ‘em up
It’s been a grand slam start for 4-year-old filly Cavalieri, who remained a perfect 4-for-4 to begin her career with a hard-fought score in Saturday’s $300,500 B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile (G1).
Competing within the familiar confines of Santa Anita (site of her last three starts), Cavalieri’s even-money favorite status was heavily contested by 3-1 second choice Richi (CHI), but the dynamic youngster made good on her lofty billing by three-quarters-of-a-length.
The Beholder represents Cavalieri’s second career graded triumph, joining the Grade 3 La Canada in her rapidly filling trophy case.
After staying unbeaten, the Juan Hernandez mount paid $4.20.
Three Words
Unfortunately, Rob Riggle wasn’t at Aqueduct this past Saturday to serenade Thorpedo Anna with his brash Modern Family character Gil Thorpe’s signature “Thorpe, Thorpe, Thorpe” chant, but there’s always next time.
The remarkable 4-year-old filly found her way to the winner’s circle yet again with an easy 3 ½-length tally in the $400,000 Azeri (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
Making her first start of 2025, Thorpedo Anna looked like the horse that won six of seven starts en route to earning Horse of the Year honours.
The Kenneth McPeek trainee’s ninth career win, and seventh of the graded variety (11: 9-2-0), paid an understandably modest $2.20.
Always in Season
It took everything she had, but Nic’s Style delivered as the 6-5 choice in Saturday’s $163,000 Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Tucked inside post one, the Bill Mott trainee hovered around the top half of the six-horse field late into the 6 ½-furlong affair.
A strong final push proved enough for Nic’s Style, who came back to steal her second graded title from R Disaster by a neck.
Now on a four-race win streak, the victor in seven of her eight lifetime starts paid $4.40.
Full Throttle
After a disappointing second as the even-money choice in November’s Cardinal (G3), Saffron Moon broke through at the graded level earlier this year in the Endeavour (G3).
The 6-year-old mare’s late career surge up the graded ladder continued this past Saturday in the $225,000 Hillsborough (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs.
Once again closing as the even-money favorite, Saffron Moon didn’t let a few bumps out of the gate deter her from charging back and swiping the Hillsborough by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Now standing at a proper 5-2-1 through 11 starts, Saffron Moon’s latest success paid $4.20.
Back on Track
One week after falling well short in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1), Air Force Red was back on his horse to contest the $100,000 San Simeon (G3).
Competing at Santa Anita for the second consecutive Saturday, the Armando Ayuso mount was much more comfortable this time around, vaulting towards the finish line ahead of 27-1 dart throw Lovesick Blues for the one-length clearance.
The 7-year-old war horse (25 starts; 7-3-2) hadn’t prevailed in a graded dash since the 2022 Joe Hernandez (G2), also at Santa Anita.
At 5-1, Air Force Red paid a cool $11.80.