{"id":61246,"date":"2023-02-23T21:30:12","date_gmt":"2023-02-23T21:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/?p=61246"},"modified":"2023-02-23T21:30:14","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T21:30:14","slug":"g1-original-margarita-invitational-hof-mare-magical-morning-returns-to-defend-her-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/?p=61246","title":{"rendered":"G1, Original Margarita Invitational: HOF Mare, Magical Morning returns to defend her title."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
California (CA)<\/strong> Sunday, February 26, 2023 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID : 3012812<\/strong><\/td>    <\/td><\/tr>
<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Original Margarita Invitational<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Grade I \/ Group 1*CPU – Purse : $750,000<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Restricted to 4 Year Olds and Older<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
9 Furlongs | ~1800 Meters | One Mile and and One Eighth<\/strong><\/td>Fast Dirt<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We are back again this week in California where we have as one of the headlining races, the G1, Original Margarita Invitational.  This event will be at the distance of 9 furlongs and is restricted to 4 year old and older Fillies and Mares.  Last year we saw Magical Morning who is owned by the Kingab master stables get up for the win.  She is returning this year to try and successfully defend her title.  She has a long list of top contenders in this field that will be out to try and take her crown.  The track for Sunday\u2019s race will be listed as Fast at post time and it looks to be a clear day in California which should make for a good day of racing.  The morning line odds have been released and the gate draws have been posted.  Let us now take a preview of this full field of fourteen horses that are entered in the G1, Original Margarita Invitational. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/strong><\/td>MAGICAL MORNING<\/td>IRE<\/td>6F<\/td>dora<\/a><\/td>I Thomas<\/td>19<\/td>15<\/td>95%<\/td>$6,393,100<\/td>256.00<\/td>2\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First out we have this 6 year old Brown Mare that was sired by Shamardal (SHAMARDAL x DEEP IMPACT x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY).  She needs little introduction sporting her number one ranking and host of accolades and accomplishments.  She as a HOF award winner and two time EOY award winner that has accumulated over five million dollars in earnings.  She is back to defend her title as last year\u2019s winner in the Original Margarita Invitational and will be headed out as the morning line favorite on Sunday.  This late closer was last seen on the track in Kentucky on 11\/05\/2022 when she went 9 furlongs in the G1, Breeders\u2019 Bowl Distaff.  She ran her normal style as she made a late closing effort to get to the wire first by two strides with a 120 speed rating.  She has not lost a race since December of her 2020 season.  I would expect a big effort out of her this Sunday when she makes her way out of the paddock representing the Empire State Racing Residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2<\/strong><\/td>HE HAD IT COMING<\/td>KY<\/td>5F<\/td>justasr<\/a><\/td>R Bokie<\/td>18<\/td>6<\/td>67%<\/td>$315,840<\/td>14.25<\/td>7\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next we have this 5 year old Light Grey Mare that was sired by Justify (JUSTIFY x TAPIT x DYNAFORMER).  This horse had been running on the turf but was transitioned over to the dirt back in June of 2022.  She has done well on the dirt track and has picked up a couple of listed stakes.  She has had a couple of unsuccessful graded starts during her 2022 season, but this weekend will be given another opportunity to prove herself at the graded level.  Last time out she ran in California on 12\/24\/2022 going 9 furlongs in an Owner Restricted Listed Stakes, ASR Championship Day.  She lingered well back in the early going but when she rounded the turn and hit the top of the stretch she surged and at the wire was able to win by a quarter with a 115 speed rating.  The owner hopes to see another good race out of his horse this weekend when she breaks from her gate representing the All-Stars Racing Residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3<\/strong><\/td>BARBIE DAHL<\/td>KY<\/td>5F<\/td>lbailey<\/a><\/td>L Herren<\/td>19<\/td>6<\/td>63%<\/td>$436,437<\/td>38.00<\/td>11\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is a 5 year old Bay Mare that is a scratch bred (AMERICAN PHAROAH x DEPUTY MINISTER x UNBRIDLED).  This horse has been running well for the owner during her 2022 season and currently is on a Hot Streak with three wins in a row.  Two starts back she picked up the win in an Owner Restricted Listed Stakes, The ESR Showcase Championship.  Then her most recent start came on 11\/10\/2022 in Kentucky where she would go 9 furlongs in the G2, Jump Town Handicap.  She closed from tenth at the third call and came down the stretch picking off horse to nab the lead and get the win by a quarter with a 115 speed rating.  This late closer has proven a graded contender and the owner feels she is ready to compete this Sunday after a nice layoff and training.  She will have a familiar jockey in the saddle that brought her home in that G2 race in Kentucky when she breaks from her gate representing the Empire State Racing Residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4<\/strong><\/td>LUKA’S SWEETHEART<\/td>KY<\/td>4F<\/td>esrace<\/a><\/td>B Taylor<\/td>7<\/td>5<\/td>86%<\/td>$431,650<\/td>52.00<\/td>23\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here we have a 4 year old Bay Filly who is a scratch bred (BERNARDINI x DEPUTY MINISTER x FAPPIANO).  This horse has been doing very well for the owner and has only missed the boards once in her seven career starts.  She heads into Sunday\u2019s race with three wins in a row and two of those were at the graded level.  Two starts back she got up for the win in Illinois in the G3, The Chicago Oaks.  She was then sent back out for her most recent trip to the track in New York on 11\/20\/2022 when she would go 9 furlongs in the G2, The Hunted By Lions.  She is another late close and she ran her normal style of race to get up for the win by a good two strides at the wire with a 115 speed rating.  She looks well rested and could be a fighter when she comes out of the paddock representing the Empire State Racing residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5<\/strong><\/td>DECISIVE DENILE<\/td>KY<\/td>6F<\/td>cbxtra7<\/a><\/td>E Banner<\/td>13<\/td>7<\/td>77%<\/td>$1,536,890<\/td>104.00<\/td>6\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is a 6 year old Bay Mare who is a scratch bred (PIONEEROF THE NILE x SUMMER SQUALL x ELUSIVE QUALITY).  Three starts back this horse picked up the win here in California in the G1, The Very Vane.  Next time out she was faced with some difficulties in the G1, The Personal Sign.  But she bounced back nicely for her most recent start on 11\/05\/2022 in Kentucky when she would go 9 furlongs in the Breeders\u2019 Bowl Distaff.  She had moved up just short of the lead by three and a half at the third call.  She made her move in the stretch and put up a good effort to cross the wire in second with a 118 speed rating.  A familiar face will be back in the saddle for the trip on Sunday that brought her home the last time she ran on this California track.  This pair will move out of the paddock and to their gate representing the Universal Racing Club residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6<\/strong><\/td>QUISTRICAL<\/td>KY<\/td>4F<\/td>darkstareleven<\/a><\/td>E Seifert<\/td>13<\/td>4<\/td>69%<\/td>$1,172,230<\/td>86.00<\/td>18\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, we have this 4 year old Bay Filly who is a scratch bred (NYQUIST x THEATRICAL x SECRETARIAT).  She had a fairly nice season for the owner in 2022 as she hit the boards in several graded outings but did not pick up a graded win.  She has run in some very big races and done well such as a second place finish in the Florida Derby-Derby Lock Prep and a second place finish in the G3, The Chicago Oaks.  Last time out we saw this filly on the track in New York on 11\/20\/2022 when she went 9 furlongs in the G2, The Hunted By Lions.  She put up another good effort in this race as she closed in normal style, but she fell a little short as she crossed under the wire in second with a 112 speed rating.  She gets the call to again come out this Sunday and try to find another G1 win to add to her r\u00e9sum\u00e9 when she makes her way over to her gate representing the All-Stars Racing residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7<\/strong><\/td>JUSTABONE<\/td>KY<\/td>4F<\/td>ksparrow4<\/a><\/td>J Sands<\/td>16<\/td>4<\/td>50%<\/td>$128,468<\/td>8.25<\/td>25\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is a 4 year old Chestnut Filly who is a scratch bred (JUSTIFY x GONE WEST x EMPIRE MAKER).  She has been running well for the owner picking up several allowance wins.  She has had several opportunities to pick up a listed stakes win, but thus far not capitalized.  Last time out we saw this horse racing in Washington on 01\/28\/2022 when she went 9.5 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Ks Joan Bach Dirt Mare Route.  She remained well back in the early going but did make up a little ground down the stretch.  It was not enough as she hit the wire in sixth with a 105 speed rating.  This filly will be making a big jump in class this Sunday and needs to show up with a much improved effort when she breaks from her gate representing the Down Under Racing residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8<\/strong><\/td>WAR REIGN<\/td>KY<\/td>4F<\/td>jwsonnyjj<\/a><\/td>F Gossett<\/td>12<\/td>5<\/td>92%<\/td>$787,625<\/td>112.00<\/td>11\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next out we have this 4 year old Bay Filly that was sired by War Front (WAR FRONT x EMPIRE MAKER x MR. PROSPECTOR).  She has been doing well for the owner and has made some nice trips at the graded level.  Three starts back she got up for the win in the G3, South Bend Oaks.  She had her only miss on the boards during 2022 when she then came in fourth in the G2, The Hunted By Lions.  Then came her most recent start here in California on 01\/07\/2023 when she went 8.5 furlongs on an off track in the G2, The Encino Man.  She closed from way back at the third call and sparked down the stretch after a couple of taps from her jockey.  She grabbed the lead and went on to win by two strides with a 113 speed rating.  She gets another opportunity as she shares the trip again with the jockey who rode her in her most recent trip here in California.  They will come out of the paddock and into the post parade representing the Northwest Racing Circuit residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9<\/strong><\/td>NUISANCE SUIT<\/td>JPN<\/td>5F<\/td>mtk76stc<\/a><\/td>M Kelly<\/td>14<\/td>6<\/td>71%<\/td>$216,615<\/td>10.00<\/td>9\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is a 5 year old Light Grey Mare that was sired by Talismanic (TALISMANIC x TAPIT x DYNAFORMER).  This horse three starts back picked up her graded place badge when she held on for third in the G3, Rose Garden Handicap.  She was not a factor in her next start in a listed stakes in Colorado.  She was then dropped in class to run again in Colorado in her most recent start on 02\/02\/2023.  She would travel 9 furlongs in a $25300 NW1y Allowance.  In this race this horse who likes the lead found it out of the gate and made a gate to wire trip to get the easy win with a 107 speed rating.  She is moving up in class this weekend into a big race where she will attempt to show her speed early if she gets a good trip here in California when she come out to represent the Blazing Saddles residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10<\/strong><\/td>RILEY REID<\/td>KY<\/td>5F<\/td>beerkeg4<\/a><\/td>C Mecklenburg<\/td>15<\/td>2<\/td>53%<\/td>$1,622,981<\/td>64.00<\/td>8\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coming out next we have this 5 year old Bay Mare who is a scratch bred (WAR FRONT x SMART STRIKE x UNCLE MO).  She has been running exclusively in G1 starts but went without a win during her 2022 campaign.  She hit the boards in many of her starts and showed up with some decent looking times.  Three starts back she was second in the G1, Go For The Gold Stakes.  She again ran second her next start in the G1, Superfilly Handicap.  She then came out for her most recent start on 10\/02\/2022 when she went 9 furlongs in Kentucky in the G1, Three Smokestacks Stakes.  This late closer made an attempt to close some ground in her stretch run but it would not be enough as she crossed the wire in fourth with a 110 speed rating.  She has had a nice layoff since October coming into Sunday\u2019s start here in California.  Look for her to close late when she hits the top of the stretch representing the Drunken Jockeys Club residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11<\/strong><\/td>LYRICS ON WHEELS<\/td>JPN<\/td>4F<\/td>nycowboy<\/a><\/td>A Weldon<\/td>14<\/td>3<\/td>57%<\/td>$425,929<\/td>38.00<\/td>20\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here we have a 4 year old Brown Filly who is a scratch bred (CALIFORNIA CHROME x SAINT BALLADO x EL GRAN SENOR).  Back in May of 2022 this horse picked up the win in the G2, The Los Angeles Oaks here in California.  Since that race she has had her share of struggles to find a spot on the boards.  That was until her most recent start when she ran on 01\/28\/2023 in New York in an Owner Restricted Listed Stakes, The ESR 13 Years Celebration Stakes.  She ran in third through the early going, but when she came down the stretch, she ran down the horse on the lead and got up for the win with a 114 speed rating.  This horse is seeking another big win this Sunday and the owner would like very much to at least see her on the boards at the conclusion.  This filly will make her way out at post time and head over to her gate representing the Empire State Racing residency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

12<\/strong><\/td>INDISCRIMINATE WAR<\/td>KY<\/td>5F<\/td>mjk07<\/a><\/td>MJ Kelly<\/td>15<\/td>4<\/td>67%<\/td>$225,271<\/td>10.00<\/td>14\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is a 5 year old Bay Mare that was sired by Malibu Moon (MALIBU MOON x WAR FRONT x STREET CRY).  This horse has been doing fairly well for the owner with multiple wins and placings at the allowance level.  Three starts back she would be moved up to run in a Listed Stakes, Master And Command Dirt Mare Special.  She would bolt from the gate and get the early lead to make a gate to wire trip for the win.  She was then sent out here in California in her first graded start, the G1, The Very Vane.  She again grabbed the early lead out of the gate, but that was short lived as she was gobbled up and crossed the wire well back in tenth.  Her most recent start she was dropped in class when she came out on 12\/15\/2022 here in California to go 9 furlongs in a $68800 NW5L Allowance.  She again grabbed the lead out of the gate.  At the third call she was out in front by over 5 lengths but could not hold on in the stretch and crossed the wire in second with a 110 speed rating.  She is making another jump back up in class this weekend to make her second graded career start.  She needs to show up with some added firepower this time out when she breaks from her post draw representing the GR Simsters residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13<\/strong><\/td>ELENA KOSHKA<\/td>KY<\/td>4F<\/td>beerkeg11<\/a><\/td>R Hansen<\/td>15<\/td>3<\/td>60%<\/td>$1,487,470<\/td>128.00<\/td>30\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next, we have this 4 year old Light Grey Fill that was sired by Tapit (TAPIT x MEDAGLIA D’ORO x GONE WEST).  Last year during her three year old season she did very well as she picked up the win in the G1, Vermont IS 4 Lovers, a second place finish in the G1, Bluegrass Oaks and a second place finish in the G1, Birmingham Stakes.  Since then, she has not been able to find the boards again which included her most recent start on 01\/01\/2023 in Norway in the G1, The Scandinavian Scrum.  She was never a factor in this race as she crossed the wire out of the picture with a 96 speed rating in this 10 furlong race.  She drops back down to 9 furlongs for Sunday\u2019s start where the owner feels she will be very competitive.  She is going off as the longest choice in the morning line and needs to come up with some extra firepower when she turns down the stretch representing the Drunken Jockeys Club residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14<\/strong><\/td>URC UNION JUSTICE<\/td>KY<\/td>5F<\/td>wispa<\/a><\/td>T Ace<\/td>23<\/td>10<\/td>74%<\/td>$1,053,216<\/td>126.00<\/td>22\/1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the final gate we have this 5 year old Brown Mare that was sired by Union Rags (UNION RAGS x STREET CRY x MONSUN).  Last season this horse came in third in the G1, Go For The Gold Stakes, was second in the G1, The Personal Sign and then nailed down the win in the G1, The Great Dame.  Jumping forward to her most recent starts she went 10 furlongs in the G1, The Scandinavian Scrum for a fourth place finish.  Last time out she had a breezing in a Hot Race going 4.5 furlongs of which she won.  The owner feels that she is well prepared to make this big start on Sunday and wishes to see her find as spot on the boards with a good trip here in California.  She is going off at longer odds this time out, but if she can spark, she might be in the fight.  She will need to show up with her best of efforts here in California when she makes her way out in the post parade representing the Down Under Racing residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good luck to all owners and horses!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skippy\u2019s Watch List<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1-Magical Morning:  She is ranked #1 for a reason and wants to defend her title. Can she?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5-Decisive Denile:  Nice trip last time out in a G1.  Can she hit 118 again?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10-Riley Reid:  She has been looking good and in the hunt.  Does she prevail on Sunday?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarton\u2019s Long Shot<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4-Luka\u2019s Sweetheart:  This 23\/1 choice has three wins in a row and picked up a G2 win last time out with a 115 speed rating.  This four year old seem to keep improving and if she can dig deep this time out, she could be a money maker on some exotic tickets.  She likes to close late in her races as do many others in this field on Sunday.  She needs a good trip here to hit the boards and I will have a few bets on her if she does.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

California (CA) Sunday, February 26, 2023 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID : 3012812      Original Margarita Invitational Grade I \/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83333,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/83333"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=61246"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61246\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61275,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61246\/revisions\/61275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=61246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=61246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=61246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}