Slam Dunk Racing’s Axelrod into the Classic (G1) off a second place finish in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) after a pair of graded victories in the Smarty Jones (G3) and Indiana Derby (G3). The 3-year-old Florida-bred son of Warrior’s Reward, trained by Mike McCarthy, has compiled a 10-4-2-1 career record and has earned $732,925. He was purchased for $25,000 by Slam Dunk out of the Bobby Jones Equine consignment at the 2016 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.
Speedway Stable LLC’s Collected, second to Gun Runner in the 2017 Classic (G1), is back to try again. He beat likely favorite Accelerate and champion Arrogate in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar last year and brings a resume of five graded stakes wins, a 15-8-2-1 record and more than $2.9 million in earnings into the race. Trained by Bob Baffert, the 5-year-old son of City Zip was consigned by SGV Thoroughbreds (Steven Venosa), Agent, to the 2015 OBS March Sale, where he was purchased for $170,000 by Speedway Stable after breezing an Under Tack eighth in :10 2/5. watch his under tack video
Uriah St. Lewis’ Discreet Lover pulled off the upset of the year in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park, getting up in the final yards to beat Thunder Snow by a neck at 45-1. It was the second graded stakes win for the 5-year-old Florida-bred son of Repent, who was consigned by Woodford Thoroughbreds to 2014 OBS August Yearling Sale. Trained by his owner, he has won or placed in five graded stakes, compiled a 44-7-7-7 record and earned $1,354,060.
Shadai Farm, J Stables LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC, Scott M. Summers, Daniel Summers, Chad Summers and Michael E. Kisber’s well traveled Mind Your Biscuits comes into the Classic (G1) off a 4-3/4 length victory in the Lukas Classic Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. It was the sixth graded stakes win for 5-year-old son of Posse, a list that includes the Belmont Sprint Championship (G2), Santa Anita’s Malibu (G1), Saratoga’s Amsterdam (G2) and back to back victories in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1). Consigned to the 2015 OBS April Sale, he went through the ring after breezing an Under Tack eighth in :10 3/5. Trained by Chad Summers, he’s now 24-8-10-3 and has earned $4,279,566. watch his under tack video
Charles Fipke’s Seeking the Soul last start was a victory in the Ack Ack Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs in September. A winner of the Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill last November, the 5-year-old son of Perfect Soul (IRE), trained by Dallas Stewart, is now 21-6-4-5 and has earned $1,482,542 to date. Consigned by McKathan Bros., Agent, her turned in an Under Tack eighth in :10 1/5 before going through the ring at the 2015 OBS June Sale. watch his under tack video