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She is doing better this campaign because she is racing against lower class horses (G3).  In her last campaign she had 3 runs at G1 level and ran poorly.  To aim this season for a G1, against the best fillies and mares in Aus is quite frankly dreaming. She has done well to win the Kiwi and KM, and most of her prizemoney is from those 2 races, but she is clearly 2nd or 3rd tier down when tried in Aus.

Jockey Ramon Vazquez reached an Oaklawn Park milestone on last Friday's card when he captured the sixth race, becoming the 11th rider in the track's history to reach 500 local victories. Riding regularly at the venue since 2012, Vazquez steered Cur Non (Coal Front) in a $16,000 claiming sprint in what was his second win on the card and ninth in the last three racing days. He had first call on five winners the previous Monday to equal a local career high. “I had never been here before [having been based in Kentucky],” Vazquez said Saturday morning. “[Then agent Steve Elzey] told me to try it and now I'm in love with this track.” Vazquez sits second in the rider standings with 28 victories behind Cristian Torres with 29, and seeks to break through with his first Oaklawn title after being in the top five in 2015, '16, '17, '19, and '25. The jockey already claims riding titles at Santa Anita, Los Alamitos, Prairie Meadows, Lone Star Park, and Remington Park. “Second, third, second,” Vazquez said, referring to his Oaklawn career resume. “That's my dream, honestly. Just one year be the leading rider here.” Barring injury, Vazquez is in line to surpass the retired Don Howard as Oaklawn's 10th winningest jockey in history before the 2025-26 meeting ends May 2. Howard rode 509 during his Oaklawn career. Retired Hall of Famer Pat Day stands atop the Hot Springs annuals as the winningest rider with 1,264 victories. The post Ramon Vazquez Becomes Eleventh Rider in Oaklawn History to Reach 500 Local Wins appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Klaravich Stables' Tariff Mindset (Tiz the Law) never truly looked like validating favoritism until the final jump, when Flavien Prat threw him across the line for a highly improbable debut victory. A $250,000 Keeneland September graduate, the Mar. 22 foal traded at odds-on for a large portion of the wagering, but he drifted all the way out to just shy of 8-5 at the off, and he was immediately on the back foot when breaking slowly and pinched back a stride or two thereafter. Clearly resenting the kickback and climbing noticeably over the rain-affected track, the chestnut left Prat no option but to guide him into the clear and he traveled better once that mission was accomplished midway up the backstretch. Finally out of last as they approached the lane, the ironically named colt advanced steadily towards the inside and was angled back out to the grandstand side with a furlong to travel. Even at that point, things looked fairly unlikely, but Tariff Mindset closed with big strides in the final 100 yards to nail 30-1 Print (Munnings) right on the wire. Springhouse Farm acquired dam West Palm Beach for $150,000 at the 2019 Keeneland January Sale and her first foal was Ocean Pointe (Kitten's Joy), a stakes-placed winner of $225,991. A half-sister to Irish Group 1-placed The Irish Rover (Ire) (No Nay Never), West Palm Beach is also the dam of a 2-year-old Bolt d'Oro filly and a full-sister to Tariff Mindset that fetched $150,000 at KEEJAN last month. Back in foal to Tiz the Law, West Palm Beach sold for $16,000 during the Fasig-Tipton Digital December Sale. 5th-Aqueduct, $80,000, Msw, 2-21, 3yo, 1m, 1:40.37, my, nose. TARIFF MINDSET (c, 3, Tiz the Law–West Palm Beach {Ire}, by Scat Daddy) Sales history: $250,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $44,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Klaravich Stables Inc; B-Springhouse Farm (KY); T-Chad C Brown.     The post Tiz the Law’s Tariff Mindset Overcomes ‘Taxing’ Trip To Graduate First Out appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Several notable sophomores were out on track Saturday morning at Santa Anita Park, including Grade I winner Intrepido (Maximus Mischief) and fellow GIII Robert B. Lewis alumnus Secured Freedom (Practical Joke)–both of whom put in their first moves since the aforementioned race. The former finished closest to GISP Plutarch (Into Mischief) in the Lewis, that one claimed top prize by three-quarters of a length, and took a spin over the main track for trainer Jeff Mullins in an easy four-panel move. Clocked in :48.80 with jockey Hector Berrios in the irons, it was the 44th fastest of 79 at the distance. “He didn't do much. We didn't want much,” Mullins said afterwards, adding that he had not decided whether Intrepido would return Mar. 7 in the GII San Felipe Stakes or if they'd opt to wait until April for the GI Santa Anita Derby. Secured Freedom, third in the Lewis, also worked four furlongs on the main track for trainer Tim Yakteen. He was clocked in :48 flat (17/79). With the San Felipe also a possibility for him, his conditioner reports that they'd have a clear picture of their path in the coming days. “We are considering the San Felipe. He is on schedule,” Yakteen said. “We will make a final decision next week.” The Bob Baffert barn was also active as Brant (Gun Runner), Boyd (Violence), Litmus Test (Nyquist), and Buetane (Tiz the Law) were all out for the Hall of Famer Saturday morning. Fellow 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard' Brant and Boyd worked six furlongs from the gate with the former timed in 1:11.80 (1/6) and the latter 1:12 flat (2/6). Litmus Test posted a four-furlong move in :47.80 (7/79) in advance of his anticipated seasonal bow in the San Felipe. 'Rising Star' Buetane returned to the tab for the first time since his third-place effort in the GIII Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, also working a half-mile in :47.80. The fillies from the Baffert barn went through their paces as well Saturday, with Splendora (Audible), Explora (Blame), and Usha (Tiz the Law) all making appearances. The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine was returning to the tab for the first time since winning the GII D. Wayne Lukas Stakes–she cleared five furlongs in 1:01.20 (25/43). Explora drilled five furlongs as well in :59 flat, the bullet of 43 works, and Usha recorded 1:00.20 (8/43) for the same distance. GSW Cash Call (McKinzie), unraced since finishing fifth in the GI Test Stakes last year, also worked six panels while Group 1 winner Ooly (Arg) (Dabster) began her work from the gate and both were clocked in 1:12.60 (3/6) for Baffert. The post Santa Anita Updates: Intrepido, Secured Freedom Put in First Return Works appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love  Leeston trainer Paul Nairn will take four runners to today’s Ashburton meeting. A hot favourite, Waterloo Station will be his headline act in Race 7, the Front Lea Partnership Handicap Trot over 2400m (4:10pm).  Driven by Bob Butt, the four-year-old Waterloo Sunset gelding will need to overcome a backmark of 20 metres, but stable representative Stacey Whatuira believes he should do just that.   “It’s an ideal race for him. He’s working well too. I think he’d be the one to beat. He likes Ashburton, with the big bends,” said Whatuira.  Waterloo Station has not raced since running second to Tarragindi at the inaugural Harness 5000 meeting at the same course back in December last year. Though there have been no trials or workouts given to Waterloo Station leading into today, Nairn is confident he is ready to fire.  “He went great at his last start, and has had a freshener since then, and he’s training really well,” says Nairn. Nairn also lines up second favourite Luvavici in the same event who Whatuira will drive with a 10 metre headstart on his stablemate. A minor issue has seen Luvavici not race since September 2024 but has trialled at Addington this month and was seen making good ground late for trials driver Flynn Ford.  “He’s quick. I’ve driven him a few times. But because he hasn’t raced for so long I’ll probably try and drive him for one run,” says Whatuira. “He’s also working really well this time in – probably even better than before, though he will need a run. So hopefully he just trots well.”  Nairn will step out debutant Rowdy Yates in Race 3, the Allenton Pharmacy Trot over 2400m (1:50pm), again with Whatuira taking the reins. The now five-year-old Waterloo Sunset gelding qualified as a three-year-old back in 2024.  “He’s a funny horse because he can jump out of his gate. He was good at the trials on Friday,” says Whatuira. “If he trots the whole way I’ll be happy. He’s had a bit of trouble with injuries so he’s had a bit of time out in the paddock.” Nairn also lines up Something Else in Race 1, the Stephen Parkinson Orthopaedic Trot over 2400m (12:45pm) with driver Bob Butt.  “She was disappointing on Thursday at Addington. But she’s eaten up and seems well.” View the full article

By Jonny Turner  Group 1 formlines trump track stats according to the market for today’s  Cromwell Fruit Bowl (3.53pm). The top three horses in early betting for the 2600m staying test come into the race from very different angles. Race favourite Beach Day was a respectable fourth in the recent Group 1 New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes at Addington followed across the line by race rival Ultimate Cullect. On Sunday, Beach Day will give a 10m head start to Ultimate Cullect and Hacksaw Ridge, who share a 10m handicap. Hacksaw Ridge brings a different kind of form reference to the Cromwell Fruit Bowl after winning the Cromwell Cup in his last visit to the track. The Ricky Gutsell-trained pacer stepped to the lead before enjoying a sweet trip in the trail in that win last month. Driver Matthew Williamson would love to see that kind of beginning again from the grass track specialist. “If he could get away like he did when he won at Cromwell it would be a big help.” “There are a couple of nice mares in there but overall I would say that he has been racing stronger fields lately.” “He loves the grass and he is very honest, he’s a good each way chance.” Hacksaw Ridge is part of a powerful brother-sister act that the Gutsell stable takes to Cromwell. The pacer’s full brother Still Rockin looks a genuine hope in the Cromwell Fruit Bowl while their sister Insarchatwist will be out to add to her excellent record at the Central Otago event in Sunday’s finale. Williamson is hoping Practical Magic can bounce back to form in Sunday’s feature trot, Race 5, the Stadium Tavern Alexandra Handicap Trot (2.08pm). The mare was on a great run of grass track form until she worked and faded out in her run at Cromwell on Friday. “She was disappointing on Friday even though she had to sit parked.” “On her form she would have to be an eachway chance, Dreams Pat looks the horse to beat there.” Williamson lines up two horses from his own stable with Jordan Anne looking the top pick of the duo following her excellent third at Cromwell on Friday. However, the trainer doesn’t rate Our Pinocchio too far behind his stablemate. “Jordan Anne was great on Friday, she is a very honest mare and tries hard.” “I don’t think backing up will be a worry for her and she should go another nice race.” “Our Pinocchio drops in grade and with the times and sectionals he’s had to run, he should be pretty well suited and I think he can go a decent race too.” Rory McIlwrick takes the reins behind Jordan Anne with Williamson to pilot Our Pinocchio.     View the full article

You are either deliberately playing the muppet clown or once again confirming you have no clue about horse racing. As far as I know from reading publicly available information is Damask Rose has no current soundness issues. To repeat for your benefit - two Grp 3 placings in OZ for AUD$54k from 2 starts this prep.  A great start to any campaign. Again for your benefit - mares who have had fairly hard 2 and or 3yr old campaigns will sometimes struggle early in their 4yr old season.  Some don't many do.  She seens a lot better heading into the Autumn this year. Considering she performs best 3rd and 4th starts in a campaign, she is sound, racing well and is only 4 I don't see her "being retired soon".    Unless of course you have "inside information".  The best racing years for a mare are 5 and 6. With $2.1m in the bank winning some highly rated races the best option for her owners is to chase OZ black type to build her residual value.  That residual value would be $1.5m+ currently which is also be helped by being a full sister to Provence the multiple Grp 1 winning mare.

She may have been "underrated" throughout her brief career, but trainer Clinton McDonald believes a star has been born after Streisand scored a dominant victory in the Feb. 21 Blue Diamond Stakes (G1) at Caulfield Racecourse.View the full article

Yes you mentioned the Big Dance targets months ago…. not happened and i very much doubt it will. In fact, wouldnt surprise me if its retired soon.