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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Next Wednesday, 2024 Horse of the Year & 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) is expected to be in Saratoga. Trainer Kenny McPeek said she will ship to the Spa from Kentucky along with Mystik Dan (Goldencents), last year's GI Kentucky Derby winner. Thorpedo Anna is coming off a three-length win in the GII, $500,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes at Churchill Downs last Saturday. “She is fine, she is like a rocket ship,” McPeek said by phone from Kentucky Thursday. “She loves her work; she loves what she does.” Fans of the popular 4-year-old filly may have breathed a collective sigh of relief after the Fleur de Lis. That's because in her previous start, Churchill's GI La Troienne Stakes, Thorpedo Anna finished seventh–and last. It was the first time in her 14-race career that Thorpedo Anna did not finish first (11 wins) or second. McPeek wasn't disappointed in the La Troienne result; he was enraged. Thorpedo Anna was bumped hard, squeezed and bounced around like a ping pong ball while between horses going into the first turn and was basically eliminated. Ken McPeek | Tod Marks “If you are a basketball fan, that was a flagrant 2 [foul],” McPeek said. “They mugged her. The notion that (Thorpedo Anna) wasn't right or ready is ridiculous. That was the only way they were going to beat her. I am actually still mad about it. She was locked and loaded and ready to win. I don't know if those tactics were accidental or intentional, but she should not have a mark on her race record because of that. It is what it is.” After the La Troienne, there were whispers that Thorpedo Anna had regressed, that she wasn't the same horse as last year. McPeek didn't buy it “She is ready to go, same as last year,” he said. “Nothing has changed. She is a consummate professional. She does everything you ask her to do every day. She loves to work, she loves to eat, she loves to run. She wants to be the first one on the track every morning and is still the sweetest, kindest horse to be around.” McPeek said Thorpedo Anna, owned by Brookdale Racing Ic., Mark Edwards, breeder Judy Hicks and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek) will target the $500,000 GI Personal Ensign at Saratoga Aug. 23 and the $650,000 GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 5. If all goes well in those two races, things could get interesting. “Let's just say if she romps home in those two, you can make a case to entertain the [GI Breeders' Cup] Classic,” McPeek said. “She steps up to her competition. Anyone who says she doesn't fit … she has beaten Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and she gave Fierceness (City of Light) all he could handle. I don't have to make any of those decisions for a very long time.” Thorpedo Anna was second in last year's GI DK Travers Stakes, beaten a head by 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness. Sierra Leone, also a 'Rising Star' who would go on to win the 2024 Classic, was third in the Midsummer Derby. McPeek also said he is not ruling out running Thorpedo Anna next season. While Thorpedo Anna is being pointed to a Saratoga race, Mystik Dan's name will likely not be seen in the entry box. He is coming off a fourth-place finish in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes last Saturday after winning the GIII Blame Stakes at Churchill May 31. “I'm not planning on running him again until September,” McPeek said. “I don't see him running at Saratoga at this point. His presence will be felt up there training.” 3-Year-Old Filly Championship On Casse's Radar For Nitrogen The overwhelming favorite for Saturday's $500,000 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational is Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro), who is 4-5 on the morning line. The 3-year-old filly will be chasing her sixth win in as many starts this season for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse and owner D.J. Stable LLC. The classy grass runner is 3-for-3 on the lawn this year and Casse has a lofty goal for Nitrogen. Providing everything goes well in the 1 1/8-mile Belmont Oaks on the Mellon Turf course, the next stop for Nitrogen would be the prestigious $600,000 GI Alabama Stakes on the dirt at Saratoga Aug. 16. Nitogen works the slop with ease at the Spa | Sarah Andrew “We still have our eyes set on being champion 3-year-old filly,” Casse said outside his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track. “As long as she runs respectable [in the Belmont Oaks] and comes out in good order, I think we will try the Alabama.” Nitrogen was last seen burying two others in the GIII Wonder Again Stakes, which was taken off the grass on Belmont Stakes Day at Saratoga last month. Nitrogen and jockey Jose Ortiz romped to a 17-length win. “I realize she beat two other fillies that had no dirt form.” Casse said. “But it was so how fast she ran and with the ease she ran and Josse said she just skipped over the dirt.” In her other four wins this year, Nitrogen won the GII Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs, the GII Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland, the GIII Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay and the listed Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream Park. All of those were on the grass and were by a combined 6 3/4 lengths. If Nitrogen does make it to the Alabama, she could be facing stablemate La Cara (Street Sense), who upset previously unbeaten Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) on a sloppy (sealed) track in the GI DK Horse Acorn Stakes at Saratoga June 6. Casse is targeting La Cara to the $500,000 GI Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga July 19. “La Cara still has a shot to be champion 3-year-old filly,” Casse said. “If she runs well in the Oaks, she'll probably end up in the Alabama as well.” Running two top fillies against each other won't cause any worry for Casse. “I never worry about that,” Casse said. “Two different owners, two different running styles. I never, ever let that be a factor.” McCarthy In No Hurry To Decide Where Journalism Will Run Next After a hearty spring campaign that saw him as the only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races, Journalism (Curlin) got back to work on Sunday with his first work since the GI Belmont Stakes. That being said, trainer Michael McCarthy is in no hurry to figure out where or when Journalism will run next. “I'm not even sure when he is going to work back,” McCarthy said by phone from California. “He might work this weekend; we might wait a few days. He had three hard races in five weeks.” Journalism working for Belmont in early June | Sarah Andrew Journalism, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, went off as the favorite in all three Triple Crown races. He finished second in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and won the GI Preakness Stakes. Journalism worked four furlongs in 47.80 (19/109) at Santa Anita on Sunday. “Went very well,” McCarthy said. Pleased with what I saw. I just wanted him to stretch his legs. I am going to kind of play it by ear.” McCarthy would not commit to having Journalism return in the $500,000 GII Jim Dandy at Saratoga July 26 of the $1 million GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth July 19. “I am going to let the horse tell me when he's ready,” McCarthy said. “We have nothing on the table at this time. We are going to keep all our options open.” The post Saratoga Notebook: McPeek Never Lost Faith In Thorpedo Anna appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Woodend Beach trainer Matt Purvis takes a trio of intriguing runners to tonight’s meeting at Addington Raceway. Kicking off in race one, the TAB 2nd & 3rd Bonus Cash Back Mobile Pace over 1980m, Kotare Kelso ($21.00FF) with driver Sheree Tomlinson will be looking to be competitive from his wide draw of seven. Purvis suggests a freshen-up has the four-year-old Always B Miki gelding in a good head space. “He’s had a bit of a freshen-up, and he seems good for it,” said Purvis. “He was hanging like a cheap suit last time out, but he still managed to rip home in 27 seconds for his last quarter. “He’s a hard case and gets up on the chewy a bit. Sheree’s been doing a great job with him, so it’ll be up to her how things go.” Cheer The Captain ($2.70FF) for Steve & Amanda Telfer looks the obvious horse to beat, drawn two with Tim Williams in the sulky. Gavelhouse purchase Blackjack ($16.00FF) lines up for Purvis for the first time in race three, the IRT Your Horse. Our Passion Mobile Pace over 1980m, with Sam Ottley in the sulky. The three year old Bettor’s Delight gelding has had four starts at Alexandra Park for trainers Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan before arriving to the Purvis barn. A few minor gear changes, and a change in bearing, have Purvis hopeful of a good performance. “He looked like he couldn’t get the Auckland way of going. He’s a lovely little horse. Barry’s done a great job with him. His work’s been really solid.” “He’s a good top-four chance in that field.” Riptide for the Telfer team looks likely to start as a warm favourite, currently at $2.80FF. Debutant Do You Wanna Dance ($7.50FF) lines up in the fourth, the Peninsular Beachfront Resort Mooloolaba Mobile Pace over 1980m, with Robbie Close to drive. The three-year-old Lather Up filly is unbeaten in two trials – including her qualifying effort at Rangiora on June 18 where she won by six lengths, almost seven seconds under the required time. “She’s got the motor – it’s just the head department that’s the worry at this stage.” “She’s from the family breeding.” Do You Wanna Dance was bred by the Purvis whanau, out of broodmare Dancing In The Dark, making her a half-sister to Dance With The Boss, who has won five races for Purvis, while the family traces back to the likes of Smoke On The Water, who won nine. “If she puts it all together, then she should be in the finish.” Currently there is a battle for favouritism between the Telfer runner Arden Seascape ($2.30FF) and the Bob Butt trained and driven debutant Keep Smiling ($2.90FF). Race one gets underway at 5:14pm. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Multiple grade 1 winner Raging Bull recorded his first winner as a sire July 3 when Jutland scored as the 9-5 favorite in a turf maiden special weight at Horseshoe Indianapolis.View the full article -
Have enjoyed a quick reflection on the the development of the Sport as far as the Horse Speed is concerned. so hope you enjoy too and spend 3.50 minutes of your time to read. Sir John Walker pace lol 😅. Some great names are mentioned here , and you can see where and why the sport increased in Speed over the years. Have tried hard to give many Champions a plug here , so do hope you enjoy my Summary of Progression of the Mile Rate in our great Sport.😊 HERE you GO . Space> A long time ago when Roger Bannister ran the Athletic mile in under 4 minutes it was a huge deal. (in the 1950's) Then Sir John Walker from New Zealand put the country on the world Map being the First man to break 3.50 for the mile in the 1970's. ( WR is currently about 3.43 for a human mile) Like-wise a Standardbred Pacer has evolved at a similar rate over time going from 2.00 mins in the 50'60's to a fast 1.49-1.50 mile they run in the 2020's. These horses being about twice as quick as the best human athletes at that distance, generally . This Evolution for the horse came with switching from Handicap Standing Start racing in the early 80's , to High Ball sprint racing like USA always has/had from the mobile. New Zealand history littered with stars like Lordship, Jonny Globe ,Cardigan Bay, False Step ,Robin Dundee and others who often came off LONG Handicap marks like 48yards behind the front markers to win . So impressive these performances they became Household names. They were the early 2.00 min mile pioneers. Robin Dundee in Fact winning the Very first Miracle Mile ever run (Australia's Biggest race) in 1.59 in Sydney for NZ and Robert Cameron in 1967. But in the 1980's the 2 min horses had to Step it up a Notch. The NZ bred Champions VILLAGE KID ( first horse to win $$2 million in prizemoney Australasia) and Preux Chevalier were smashing out Interdominion Wins and Huge sequences of wins at a 1.55 rate. Village Kid winning the Interdominion in devastating effect 1986 in Brisbane clean Sweeping the Series , with no one getting near him. The Bar was raised to 'John Walker ' Level !! incredible. Could Anyone respond ? yes . Step up WESTBURN GRANT for Vic Frost around 1990. Blowing top quality fields away with huge winning margins. Even had 3 NZ starts that he won easily. 1990's saw some greats trying to copy the SPEED of Village Kid and Westburn Grant with a mix of Staying Prowess. to win the features. So Chokin, Holmes DG, Christian Cullen and Iraklis emerged from the ruck for NZ , to not only use their now 1.54 mile speed to win but could hold it over a mile and half , so became Superstars of the track. Can we beat these horses ? How could we do it ? Occasionally the Brilliant Staying Ability of NZ standing start horses would WIN the DAY. Our biggest staying race in Australia is the prestigious standing start long distance A G HUNTER CUP run at Melton, and has been won no less than 15 of the last 30 runnings by the NZ superstar 'STAYERS '. like Master Musician, Elsu, Blossom Lady, and Yulestar (plus about 10 others) . these horses with great NZ Cup and Interdominion records. STEP UP the early 2000's . A new type of horse. Solid tough as nail horses Like Monkey King , Blacks A Fake , Smokin Up, Sokyola dropping the mile rate from the 1.54 down to a now commonplace 1.52 for these Top horses in the TOP races. Just Incredible speed and staying ability , they often achieved racing 'Without cover ' . Extremely hard to beat. Now the 2010's Who could beat these Superstars. A new method ? yes !!! 1.52 horses that can Sprint fast the last bit as well . Here comes Im ThemightyQuinn and Christen Me , Beautide and LennyTheSHark. we now Have Interdominons and Miracle Miles going to this next Generation in 1.50 MileRates. Can anyone beat that ? yes !! up steps ALLSTARS with 20 devastating horses over a few years. Mark Purdon proving to be the Best trainer in the HISTORY of the Sport. headed by LAZARUS winning everything to be the BEST ever. His stable-mates Have Faith in Me and Smolda both winning the Miracle Mile in a sizzling 1.47.5. holy moly . that's just airborne🙄. With the great man Mark semi -retired now , and partner in crime Natalie Rasmussen retired , the Aussies have caught up again ! . Leap To Fame and Don Hugo Smashing fields of horses like Pumpkins the past 2 years winning the last 2 Miracle Miles ( at 1.48.3 each rating ) and the last 2 Interdominion Grand Finals between them in World Class fashion. ** Tomorrow night in Brisbane LEAP To Fame and Don Hugo begin their Quest to be a double Interdominion Champion. No NZers will beat them this time round. maybe next year. They are the Current SuperStars of the Track , pushing for the 'Best Horse Ever' Title. ( but was great to mention the previous 27 Best horses ever in this article ) hope you enjoyed. -
Michael Roustaby posted an explanation, where he states that the 'map' shown to the riders had only one gap shown. A total dereliction of responsibility by track staff/officials and a disgrace. Probably to void the race altogether and refund all bets and entry fees would have been fairer.
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