(Beach Gold sets track record in KY Downs Preview Mint Millions Turf Mile at Ellis Park on Saturday / Photo by Coady Media)

From the Ellis Park Media Team / Kevin Kerstein:

BEACH GOLD SCORES 22-1 UPSET, SETS TRACK RECORD IN $250,000 KY DOWNS PREVIEW MINT MILLIONS TURF MILE

 

HENDERSON, Ky. (Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025) – JSM Equine’s Beach Gold surged up the rail in deep stretch to spring a 22-1 upset in Saturday’s $250,000 Ky Downs Preview Mint Millions Turf Mile at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, setting a new one-mile track record of 1:31.76.

Ridden by Keith Asmussen for trainer Patrick Biancone, Beach Gold eclipsed the previous track record of 1:31.98 set in this race four years ago by She’sonthewarpath.

In a field of nine older turf specialists, Encino showed his customary early speed and led the field into the first turn, with Epic Ride applying pressure from second. Favored Mercante tracked in fourth, about two lengths off the pace, as the opening quarter went in :22.36 and the half-mile followed in a sharp :45.36. Encino turned home with a narrow lead, still fending off Epic Ride to his outside. But it was Beach Gold, tucked behind horses, who dove to the rail at the eighth pole and stormed through with a powerful late rally to score by three-quarters of a length. Epic Ride held second, with Encino in third. They were followed by Mercante, Taking Candy, Komorebino Omoide (JPN), Green Light, Aspenite and Ocelot.

Beach Gold, a 4-year-old son of Omaha Beach out of the Smart Strike mare Orrery, was bred in Kentucky by his owner. The victory marked the fourth of his 13-race career and increased his earnings to $293,895.

Beach Gold rewarded the bettors who backed him by returning a whopping $47.78.

With the win, Beach Gold earned an automatic berth to the Mint Millions (G3) on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Kentucky Downs.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Ellis Park for Day 2 of Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend. First post is 11:50 a.m. CT

PONDERING STORMS HOME LATE TO WIN $250,000 KY DOWNS PREVIEW LADIES TURF SPRINT –

Godolphin‘s Pondering unleashed a powerful late rally in the middle of the track to reel in Foxxy Cleopatra in the shadow of the wire and win Saturday’s $250,000 Ky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.

Trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Pondering completed the 5 ½-furlong turf dash in 1:01.68.

In a field of eight fillies and mares, Accomplished Girl broke sharply but it was Foxxy Cleopatra and longshot Won Happy Mama on the outside who vied for the early lead through a contested opening quarter-mile in :21.72. Irish Maxima tracked in third, with Accomplished Girl just behind in fourth. Pondering, who broke slowly, trailed the field down the backstretch but began to advance approaching the turn. As the field entered the top of the stretch, Pondering loomed into contention while Foxxy Cleopatra stayed pinned at the rail. In deep stretch, Foxxy Cleopatra continued to fight hard at the inside but was unable to hold off the late charge of Pondering, who got up in the final strides to win by a half-length. Foxxy Cleopatra held second, followed by 8-5 favorite Bling in third.

“Good horses make you look her, and she did just that,” Gaffalione said. “He told me to ride her with confidence. I never had a doubt around there. Coming out of the gate, she broke pretty hard to the right and it cost her one or two strides. It actually worked out well because she was able to relax a little bit. I was able to follow Bling around there and when she made her move, my horse was able to just go right with her.”

Pondering, a 3-year-old daughter of Hard Spun out of the Street Sense mare Always Thinking, was bred in Kentucky by her owner. She improved her record to three wins from nine starts. The victory was worth $150,175 and increased her career earnings to $259,915.

Sent off as the 2-1 second choice, Pondering rewarded her backers paying $6.74.

Irish Maxima completed the superfecta and was followed by Won Happy Mama, Accomplished Girl, Out too Late (GB) and Serene Seraph (IRE).

With the win, Pondering earned an automatic berth to the Grade II Mint Ladies Sprint on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs.

TOMASELLO SITS PERFECT TRIP TO WIN $250,000 KY DOWNS PREVIEW NASHVILLE DERBY –

Ironhorse Racing Stable and T-N-T Equine Holding’s Tomasello tracked just off the pace before pouncing in mid-stretch and drawing clear by 1 ½ lengths to win Saturday’s $250,000 Ky Downs Preview Nashville Derby at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.

Trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Fernando De La Cruz, Tomasello completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.13 over firm turf.

After a clean break, Tomasello sat a perfect trip behind early leader Yinzer, who set a composed pace of :24.31 for a quarter-mile and :49.62 through the opening half-mile. The field of eight remained largely unchanged until the far turn, when Tomasello ranged up to challenge. He surged past Yinzer in mid-stretch and drew away towards the wire. Yinzer held second, with Siesta Key closing for third.

“I put him in the position he liked to be,” De La Cruz said. “He took me into the stretch and when it was time to go, he was ready.”

Sent off at his morning line odds of 9-2, Tomasello returned $11.56.

Tomasello, a 3-year-old son of Authentic out of the War Front mare Dakota Queen, was bred in Kentucky by Barry Becker & Judith Becker. He now boasts three wins from seven starts. The victory was worth $150,175 and increased his earnings to $349,966.

 

Emergence finished fourth, followed by Coalmoon, Esmark, Mesero and 5-2 favorite Native Runner.

With the win, Tomasello earned an automatic berth to the Nashville Derby (Grade III), held on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs.