Cavalieri

Speedway Stables' undefeated Cavalieri (Nyquist--Stiffed, by Stephen Got Even) has been retired from racing, with John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm acquiring a majority share in the Grade I winner. "She was a perfect five for five, an amazing talent and an alpha female, who thrilled us, each and every time she waltzed past her competition," said Speedway's Peter Fluor. "In light of the fact she has nothing more to prove race wise, it was considered appropriate timing to breed her. It has been a pleasure to be part of...

Cavalieri (Nyquist), the undefeated filly who figured to be one of the top choices in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, will pass the race, reports trainer Bob Baffert. Baffert made the announcement while being interviewed on FanDuel TV on Friday by Joaquin Jaime. Baffert did not give Jaime many details. Cavalieri is undefeated in five starts and her 5-for-5 record includes a win in the GI Beholder Mile and the GII Zenyatta Stakes, which was supposed to be her final tuneup before the Breeders' Cup. Baffert did tell Horse Racing...

Imagination (Into Mischief) showed an electric turn-of-foot in the lane to overhaul the defending champion and claim his automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup by way of the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes. Back at the six furlong distance for the first time since his debut two years ago at Del Mar, the Bob Baffert trainee had predominantly been a two-turn horse in his career and had two elite-level placings last year to his credit--once in the spring in the GI Santa Anita Derby when he came a neck...

Much like the diva the race was named in honor of, Cavalieri (Nyquist) gave the fans on hand a moment's worry at the start, but rolled home the easiest of winners to stamp her ticket to the Breeders' Cup via the 'WAYI' GII Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita. Unbeaten in her career, the Speedway Stables colorbearer entered the race off a stalk and pounce performance which saw her claim the GI Beholder Mile by three-quarters of a length over stablemate Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke) back in March--who returned here for...

However staunchly I defend American blood to fellow Europeans, I'm always forced to concede that a cramped distance spectrum makes it harder to characterize a page, and therefore the balance sought from a mating. When Epicenter (Not This Time) embarked on the GI Kentucky Derby trail in 2022, he offered an exceptional guarantee of stamina through his third and fourth dams by copper-bottomed European staying brands Ela-Mana-Mou (Ire) and Busted (GB). That's the clarity gained from spreading elite opportunity from five to 20 furlongs. In contrast, American families are so...

When Speedway Stables LLC spent $900,000 at OBS April in 2023 for a daughter of Nyquist, a 4-year-old campaign and perfect record probably weren't the first things on Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's minds. But, nearly two years later, it's likely the partners in Speedway are not upset with a little delayed gratification, as Cavalieri (Nyquist)'s victory Saturday in the $300,000 GI B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes at Santa Anita made her the newest Grade I winner in their barn. Off at even money, Cavalieri broke in an even...

Being the least experienced of the field ultimately proved to be no problem for Cavalieri (Nyquist) as she gamely turned away all challengers to claim the GIII La Canada Stakes. A winner by two lengths on debut Aug. 29 at Del Mar last year, she took a field of optional claimers gate to wire Oct. 12 at Santa Anita by 3 1/2 lengths before going on the shelf until this 4-year-old bow. Sent off here as the even-money favorite, she contested the pace issue with MGSW Chatalas (Gun Runner) through...