BY BROCK SHERIDAN
A fees-paid “Win and You’re In” invitation to the Grade 1 Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint is on the line for Florida-breds Federal Judge and Comedy Town in the Grade 2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix on opening day at Keeneland Race Course Friday. Both bring last-out victories into the six-furlong contest that offers a $350,000 purse for the eight 3-year-olds and older.
As of Wednesday morning, Federal Judge and Comedy Town are among six Florida-breds entered in graded stakes this week offering “Win and You’re In” invitations into Breeders’ Cup races to be run at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Nov. 1-2.
Joey Muscles competes in Friday’s Futurity (G3) at Aqueduct trying to make the Breeders’ Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1). Saturday, Spirit Wind goes in the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at Keeneland in search of a fees paid berth for the Breeders’ Cup PNC Bank Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). Also on Saturday, Whatintheliteral and Social Fortress race in the Frizette (G1) at Aqueduct, a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup NetJet Juvenile Fillies (G1).
Florida-bred Souper Quest goes in Saturday’s Woodford presented by FanDuel (G2) at Keeneland, a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Prevagen Turf Sprint (G1). However, the Woodford does not offer a “Win and You’re In” berth.
Federal Judge was last seen winning a second condition, $62,500 optional claiming going six-and-a-half furlongs at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 31 for trainer Brad Cox and owners WinStar Farm LLC and Siena Farm LLC.
Just as he has done in nearly all of his five career starts, the quick Federal Judge was on the lead throughout. He showed the way through fractions of :22.12 and :45.07 before extending his advantage to four lengths in deep stretch and winning by six lengths in a final time of 1:16.71 as the 4-5 favorite.
Federal Judge has won three of five career starts with one second with his only finish out of the top three coming when fourth in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens won by Arabian Lion at Belmont Park in June of last year.
The 4-year-old gelding is by Army Mule out of Congarette, by Congaree and was bred in Florida by Richard Heysek’s Caperlane Farm.
He is a graduate of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Winter Mixed Sale where Enfuego Stables bought him out of the Stuart Morris consignment for $40,000. He then sold six months later for $200,000 to Maverick Racing at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale where he was consigned by Gainesway. He has earned $221,610 thus far in his career on the track.
Federal Judge is the 3-1 second choice on the morning line and will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post one.
Comedy Town, who is owned by Ten Twenty Racing and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., looks for his fourth straight victory and third against stakes company.
Since winning a first condition, $25,000 optional claiming over a sloppy six furlongs at Gulfstream Park in June, the 6-year-old gelding won the $110,000 Smile Sprint at six furlongs on July 6 and the $96,000 Benny the Bull, with a four-wide trip over a muddy seven furlongs on Aug. 24, both at Gulfstream.
Comedy Town is by Speightstown out of Unbridled Humor, by Distorted Humor and was bred in Florida by Live Oak Stud. His last three wins make up half of his lifetime victories with five seconds and four thirds in 27 starts and earnings of $396,225. Joseph claimed him for $25,000 out of one of those second-place finishes at Gulfstream in March.
Drayden Van Dyke travels from his base at Gulfstream to ride Comedy Town and they will break from post five. They are 4-1 in the program.
The 7-5 morning line favorite is Qatar Racing LLC and Mrs. Fitri Hay’s Nakatomi from the barn of trainer Wesley Ward.
Second to Hoist the Gold in last year’s Phoenix, Nakatomi then finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint won by Elite Power at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.
He started this year finishing third behind Sibelius in the $75,000 Pelican at Tampa Bay Downs before traveling to Meydan Racecourse for the Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Nakheel (G1) won by Tuz on March 30.
After a nearly four-month break, the 5-year-old gelded son of Firing Line came back strong to win the Grade 1 Vanderbilt by a length-and-a-half after six furlongs at Saratoga on July 27.
Naktomi has six wins, two seconds and six thirds in 18 lifetime races with earnings of $1,153,776.
He will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post four.
Also set for the Phoenix are Here Mi Song, who will be ridden by Edgar Morales; My Buddy B with Yan Aviles aboard, Banjo Chris and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., Luis Saez rides Swirvin and Manny Wah will have Brian Hernandez Jr. in the irons.
