Catching Up on Updates - 2YOs and 3YOs

TWO YEAR OLDS

Black Tie Optional (Not This Time colt)

• Black Tie Optional has remained on a work schedule at Los Alamitos, where he is breezing well, including a 4F in :48 flat in company with his usual mate, Cherokee Nation, in July prompting assistant trainer Mike Marlow to report, “He worked great. Probably his best work to date.” His most recent work was from the gate on August 1st (three furlongs in :37.20). His team is bringing him along slowly and no immediate start date is expected. 

Instant Impact (Upstart colt)

• Instant Impact debuted on July 27th at Saratoga. After his race came off the turf course due to rain, trainer Kenny McPeek opted to keep him in. He ran fourth, notably handled the loading process and broke well—a good sign after some of his gate issues in the mornings. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche allowed Instant Impact to find his rhythm though he did seem to be spinning his wheels a bit on the wet track. He did show good fight when the horse coming up behind him tried to run by, and he galloped out well. Instant Impact departed Saratoga for Churchill Downs last week, and ran a bullet work at Churchill on August 11th going 4F in 47.20. He is expected to make his next start at Ellis Park in approximately 9-10 days.  

Misstrial (Constitution filly)

• Misstrial had her first start at Del Mar (the same day Seismic Beauty won the G1 Clement L. Hirsch), but stumbled badly out of the gate, almost going to her nose, and then colliding with the horse to her inside. In spite of her troubles, she still made a valiant effort, but was tiring by the time she hit the stretch. She was back on the work tab on August 11th at Del Mar, covering 5F in 1:00.60 while on the inside of stablemate Falcon Jet (2nd on debut on 8/3). We were glad to see Misstrial no worse for the wear after her debut and expect to see her get one more run at Del Mar before the summer meet ends. There are two maiden special weight options remaining at the meet, on August 30th and September 6th.

Munny Problem  (Munnings colt)

• Sadly, Munny Problem was being trained by D. Wayne Lukas who's sudden passing on June 28th left him trainerless. He was sent to Highlander training center with the Coach's two other trainees, Caldera (stakes placed 3YO) and Trust But Verify (unstarted 2YO). Munny Problem is doing well at Highlander during his R&R period. He should be started back in training in approximately 60 days.

Native Brew (Yaupon colt)

• Native Brew made his first start and ran 5th. Unfortunately, the race took a toll on this first time starter, and he will need time off before running again. 

Sirius Pursuit (Knicks Go filly)

• Upcoming possible debut dates - Saturday, August 23 at Ellis Park or a later date at Saratoga. Her workmate, Amended Dreamer, will make her debut at Saratoga on Saturday, August 16th, in the 4th race. This will give a better indication of Sirius Pursuit's standing among 2YOs. Her trainer is Jena Antonucci.

Trust But Verify (Into Mischief colt)

• Trust But Verify was transferred to Highlander Training Center after the death of D. Wayne Lukas, who had been training this promising colt. A decision was made to send Trust But Verify to "Coach's" good friend Kenny McPeek. Trust But Verify had his final breeze at Highlander Training Center where he covered 3F from the gate in :37.72. Highlander’s Jeff Hooper reported “Everything went smoothly and [he] worked a nice 3/8ths from the gate in company, outworking his work mate comfortably.” Trust But Verify was sent to the McPeek barn at Keeneland and is currently awaiting the next van to join his string at Saratoga.

THREE YEAR OLDS

Good Cop (Tiz The Law colt)

• Has transferred from Fair Hill to Todd Pletcher's barn at Belmont Park (open for training during renovations) and has been putting in a works there. 

Isle Blue (Speightstown filly)

• After the death of Christophe Clement earlier this year, she is now being trained by his son, Miguel Clement who has done much of her hands-on training to this point. Isle Blue ran a stunning bullet work on 8/9/25, running 4F in 47.40 for the fastest work of 76 that morning.

Nakoma (Vekoma filly)

• Currently turned out. Expected to return to racing later this year. Trained by Jena Antonucci.

OTHER HORSES

Caldera (Liam's Map colt)

• Since losing his trainer (D. Wayne Lukas -- "Coach"), Caldera was sent to Highlander where he has been cooling his heels. After a valiant run at qualifying for the Kentucky Derby which didn't pan out due to stumbling and grabbing a quarter out of the gate in the Louisiana Derby (a Kentucky Derby qualifier), Caldera ran back 2nd in a minor stakes at Oaklawn hoping for a Preakness berth, then went through a growth spurt/weight loss period and other issues that required a rest. No new trainer has yet been selected.

Here's The Kicker (Liam's Map filly)

• After her last start in the G1 Ruffian Stakes, which didn't go well for her, she was transferred to Saratoga to try her hand at the spa. While her first work there was an eye-opening bullet running 35.03 for 3F on June 30th, her next three works were not as impressive. Unfortunately, the deep surface at Saratoga does not seem to be to her liking. Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. has opted to send her back to Florida where she has done her best running, so her next start will most likely be at Gulfstream Park. 

Here's The Kicker - G2 Ruffian Stakes Entry

Here’s the Kicker is officially entered in next Saturday’s G2 Ruffian S. at Belmont at the Big A!

She’ll be the #5 among a field of 11, carded as the day’s 10th race. Post time is 6:16 PM ET (or 4:16 PM MT).

Ricardo Santana, Jr. will ride—he should fit her very well.

Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. has three in the race, but he has a knack for taking multiple top spots in stakes like these—in fact, he ran 1-2 in today’s G3 Vagrancy Stakes in New York.

The "UPCOMING" info above has been updated to show her stakes race information. 

Here's The Kicker Work Out and G2 Ruffian Stakes Target

Here’s the Kicker breezed a strong five furlongs in 1:00.70 on Friday morning at Palm Meadows while breezing in company with Claret Beret. 

We spoke yesterday afternoon with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who reported that the plan is still to target the G2 Ruffian on May 10th at Belmont at the Big A. Nominations will close today.

We are skipping a condition (second-level allowance) to point to this race, but we must appreciate Saffie’s willingness to try this more ambitious spot as one-turn-mile graded stakes do not come around every day and the allowance option will always be there if Here's the Kicker does not clear the condition in the Ruffian. 

It also must be noted that even if she does not win the Ruffian, hitting the board (top three finish) will be a lucrative outcome from a residual value standpoint.

Here's The Kicker...SCOOOOOOOOORE!!!

Here's The Kicker wins big in Race #7 at Gulfstream Park. We're so thrilled at her excellent showing. 

Our Liam's Map kids are having one heck of a year! (The other being Caldera who is currently on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.) 

She can add this decisive victory to her 10-length win at Gulfstream earlier in her career. She may be looking for some black type in one of her next outs. :D

Here's the video:  

Follow-up:

When Here's the Kicker joined Saffie Joseph Jr.'s barn, he told us he believed our Liam's Map daughter could earn some black-type (wins or placings in listed or graded stakes races) and he reaffirmed that thought following this victory. We can't wait to see what type of ride she'll take us on. Congratulations, Here's the Kicker and the partnership!

Here's The Kicker Update

Here’s the Kicker worked the bullet three furlongs in :35.90 this morning at Palm Meadows. 

For her next start there are two first-level-allowance conditions coming up for our daughter of Liam’s Map—a route option on Mar 8 and a sprint Mar. 15. We will discuss with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. in the coming days, but the logical plan is to enter the route and should that not go use the latter option as a backup.

Here's The Kicker Update

Here’s the Kicker was entered in the aforementioned race for Feb. 23rd (Gulfstream Park), but unfortunately that race did not fill. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has been happy with how your daughter of Liam’s Map has trained since her most recent race at Tampa. 

We will await the release of the next condition book before picking a new race to target and will also keep an eye out for any suitable extras.

Here's The Kicker Update

The extra for Here’s the Kicker failed to fill for next Sunday and did NOT return on the overnight for Wednesday, Jan. 29. 

We’ll keep our eye out for any new extras on the coming overnights, but we will likely have to wait for the next condition book option on Feb. 16 going seven furlongs on the dirt. 

Here's The Kicker Back on the Work Tab After Illness

Here’s the Kicker returned to the work tab at Palm Meadows training center on Friday morning. Coming off a brief illness, she only went a solo three-eighths in :37.85 for her first work back, but she should pick things up fairly quickly from here.

Recent Results

We're just catching up on recent racing results, but no good news this past week. 

Here's The Kicker was looking to hit big in a race at Gulfstream Park with Irad Ortiz aboard on Saturday, 12/21/24, but she spiked a fever prior to the race and had to be scratched. She took a few days off and blood tests later indicated that she was fighting an infection, but all seems well now.

The same day Blue Devil made a start at Oaklawn Park with Keith Asmussen in the irons, but did not run a particularly sharp race and finished 6th of 8. Hopefully nothing is amiss and he'll be back and working toward his previous form in the near future. 

On Sunday, 12/22/24, Catalyst made her highly anticipated start at Oaklawn Park in a 1 mile Maiden Special Weight with a hefty $110,000 purse. Sadly, she too ran quite flat, finishing 6th of 10.

All-in-all, not a great week for our stable, but all appear to be in good health and we'll look ahead to brighter days. 

Here's The Kicker Update

Here’s the Kicker continues to do well out of her race. We touched base with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. who said that he plans to work her some time this week. If he is happy with the way she breezes, she will be pointed for a first-level allowance race going one mile on dirt back at Gulfstream on Friday, Nov. 22.

Here's The Kicker Entry

Here's The Kicker has been entered on Saturday, October 26th at Gulfstream Park in R#7. It's a 6-1/2 F dirt AOC sprint at 6-1/2 furlongs. She will start from P#4 with Edgar Zayas up. Post time is 4:04 ET which is 2:04 MT.

There are currently 8 horses entered and she will NOT be running for a tag. 

Although Saffie Joseph Jr. preferred to enter her in a longer race, this is the one available that suited her. In her last out at this distance, she won by 10-3/4 lengths. 

Good Luck, Here's The Kicker!

Here's The Kicker: After Race Update

Here’s the Kicker has resumed training off of her impressive 10 3/4-length win. There is a first-level allowance race going a mile on the dirt at Gulfstream Park on October 20th that we are considering. She will likely have a work or two between now and then. 

It would be her first time stretching out, which as we've mentioned before is something trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. is keen to try.

MRH Newsletter Following Seize The Grey and Here's The Kicker WINS!

SEIZE THE GREY: 2024 G1 PENNSYLVANIA DERBY CHAMPION

Seize the Grey showed what he’s made of last Saturday at Parx with a dominant performance in the $1-million G1 Pennsylvania Derby, triggering a $2-million kicker as part of his stud deal on top of everything else and putting the 3-year-old division on notice.

The beautiful grey broke sharply, and was briefly challenged for the lead, but jockey Jaime Torres and Seize the Grey didn’t blink and managed to establish command down on the fence into the first turn. Seize the Grey seemed to be inching clear of the competition entering the home bend, but the G1 Santa Anita Derby winner Stronghold was among those launching serious bids from the back of the pack. As soon as Seize the Grey saw Stronghold, he turned on the afterburners and kicked clear again with authority to open up several lengths.

This was a pivotal race for Seize the Grey’s career, and he could not have answered the call any more emphatically. He reaffirmed what we all believed to be true, that he is one of the top sophomores in the country. We can't wait to see what is next for our dazzling grey, especially come the first weekend in November. Congratulations to all owners!

HERE'S THE KICKER BREAKS MAIDEN BY 10+ LENGTHS

Here's the Kicker stunned rivals on Sunday to score an easy 10-plus length victory at Gulfstream, officially breaking her maiden! Here's the Kicker has been a fun filly to watch develop. We always knew she had talent, and this year in the hands of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. she's really come on. The grey has had three starts with the Joseph barn and has improved with each run.

Sunday afternoon, Here's the Kicker always seemed to be going much better than her competition from, and took over at the top of the lane before widening at will with good-looking strides. She was the easiest of winners, earning her diploma by 10 3/4 lengths as the overwhelming favorite. Here’s the Kicker certainly looked on paper like she was sitting on a breakout win like that, but it was exciting nonetheless to see her put it all together and pick up her diploma.

We can't wait to see what is next for our beautiful Liam's Map filly. We believe she'll take her owners on quite a fun journey over the next stages of her career. Congratulations, Here's the Kicker owners!

Here's The Kicker BIG WIN and Post-Race Update

Here's the Kicker Broke her Maiden in a Huge Way!

Here’s the Kicker earning her much-deserved maiden victory at Gulfstream Park today in a very impressive way (10-3/4 lengths!). She absolutely crushed it coming off the turn and the daylight she gained on the field just kept growing! What an amazing turn of foot she showed, and a good indicator that she can run longer and use that fabulous closing kick to great advantage. (This race was 6-1/2 furlongs and we're guessing she'll be looking for a mile or closer to that distance in the future.)

Many thanks to trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. for his excellent work with her, and to jockey Edgard Zayas, who put in a masterful ride.

We’ve got plenty of reason for further optimism moving forward for our Liam’s Map filly. 

Congratulations to all of her owners.

____________________________________

Post Race

Here’s the Kicker bounced out of Sunday's win in good physical order and returned to Palm Meadows Training Center. She earned a career-best 80 Beyer Speed Figure.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is very pleased with her progression and looks forward to getting her stretched out in distance as he's mentioned on multiple occasions. Our plan will be to look for a first-level allowance next at Gulfstream.

Here's The Kicker Work and Update

Here’s the Kicker had her first work back this morning, covering four furlongs in :49.80. We caught up with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. at the yearling sale this week who reported your daughter of Liam’s Map continues in great order.

She will be entered today for a maiden special weight going six and one half furlongs which is an extra on the overnight. We will follow up once the overnight is released.

Here's The Kicker Post Race Update

Here’s the Kicker bounced out of Friday’s race in good physical order! She earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 72. 

Here's The Kicker Race Update

Here’s the Kicker lost a heartbreaker Friday afternoon in Gulfstream Park’s fourth race, finishing second by only a neck. 

Our daughter of Liam’s Map sat a perfect trip, stalking right off of her stablemate and the eventual winner, #8 Stormy Mitole. It was a pretty straightforward and uneventful trip this afternoon with limited excuses. It was a heck of an effort from Here’s the Kicker, but she was second best today. 

Perhaps with a straighter path in the stretch she would have come out on top, but all in all we were quite pleased with the effort. With the scratch of #5 Lionza this morning, it eliminated a major pace presence allowing Stormy Mitole to get the lead on her own.

We’ll regroup and look for a similar spot next time, potentially even looking for more distance (one mile), but will discuss our options with Saffie Joseph Jr. He remains high on our filly and believes there are plenty of races still to be won by her.

Here's The Kicker Runs 4th After Big Close

Our Liam's Map filly, Here's The Kicker, closed out what has turned out to be a pretty unbelievable weekend. Five starts with 2 wins, 2 VERY close just-got-nipped-at-the-wire 2nds, and a 4th from Kicker at Gulfstream today. 

Her finish was better than it sounds considering the ground she made up late in the stretch to be closing in fast on the 3rd place finisher after the announcer declared she "was done" -- and she did it in a 99 degree heat index coming off a 10 month layoff and first time on turf. 

All-in-all, we think she's set up for a big move forward next out, but we'll see. She's trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr. 

UPDATE: RACE RECAP

Here’s the Kicker ended up fourth in her comeback race yesterday afternoon at Gulfstream. She broke well and was in a good spot early on while on the outside, but struggled to quicken into the turn. She then found herself in a bit of an awkward position and it appeared as if her race may have been over at that point. But she ended up staying on decently and galloped out well.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said a race like that could make you consider stretching her out on the grass next time, but he feels getting her back on the dirt would be best and is keen to see her back on it. 

“Her last couple of works were much better than she showed,” said Saffie.

It was great to hear Saffie’s positivity following the race and it was great to see our daughter of Liam’s Map back in the starting gate. She exited the race in good order but a Beyer Speed Figure has yet to be released.

Here's The Kicker

Here’s the Kicker breezed four furlongs in :47.70 while on the inside of stablemate Champions Dreams. This was another solid breeze from our daughter by Liam’s Map who is inching closer to the races. She is now about ready for her 2024 debut!

While we have not received confirmation from trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., we expect him to consider a maiden special weight that will be contested over five furlongs on the grass on August 4th at Gulfstream Park. 

With entries being taken this Saturday, we’ll see how she exits the work tomorrow and have further conversations with Saffie if he feels she is ready. 

Here's The Kicker Workout and Update

Here’s the Kicker returned to the work tab yesterday morning, breezing five furlongs in 1:01.05 over the Palm Meadows main track. 

She breezed on the inside of stablemate Holiday Pay. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. reported, “I thought she moved well with a colt that’s been in good form in his works. We should run in this book that just came out. I’m happy with her.”

We will follow up once a race target has been picked out.