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Last year’s Cup runner-up has been barred from this year’s race. The horse’s trainer is filthy
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‘Anyone can have two off decades’: Finding the Cup winner is hard ... just ask Kerry O’Keeffe
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Free 2019 Melbourne Cup online sweep generator
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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Out of action since his case of thumps in the GII Charles Town Classic Aug. 22, 6-year-old Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) returns to Gulfstream Park Saturday to contest the GIII Harlan's Holiday Stakes. Having started each of his last four campaigns in Florida for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., the fan favorite, who won this same race in front-running style as a 3-year-old in 2022, gets back on track after an eventful summer where he ran seventh to Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the GI Whitney Stakes before fading from the lead on a hot night in West Virginia. “His last two races haven't been up to par,” Joseph admitted of Skippy who will make his 35th career start Saturday. “His Whitney wasn't too bad. It was his first start back. We had missed some time. He made a big run and got tired. That was kind of an OK race. His Charles Town race was very disappointing. He got the thumps (a spasmic contraction of the diaphragm similar to hiccups in humans) in that race. It's something he's done from time to time.” Now, off a four-month layoff, the earner of over $3.6m needs a good run here to springboard himself into contention for January's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, a race he's contested each of the last three years, finishing third last year. “He's doing really, really well,” Joseph continued. “He's training really well. We gave him a break. All the data that you could get back is positive. He's 6 turning 7, but we feel like he's just as good now as when he's in peak form. Hopefully, that shows on Saturday.” Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, aboard for Skippy's first two starts of 2025, re-takes the reins Saturday from Irad Ortiz Jr. who breaks just inside of him on stablemate Hold My Bourbon (Anchor Down). A 4-year-old making his second foray into graded stakes company having run a tiring ninth after setting the fractions early in the GI Forego at Saratoga Aug. 23, he was most recently fifth over this distance at Keeneland Oct. 24. Godolphin homebred and 2-1 morning-line favorite Poster (Munnings), one of a trio of 3-year-olds in the field, gets back on the main track Saturday having run on all three surfaces this year. Last season's GII Remsen Stakes winner was an early player on the Road to the Kentucky Derby but finished third in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa in February and fourth on the Tapeta in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway in March. A debut turf winner as a 2-year-old, he returned to that surface most recently off an eight-month layoff to win an allowance race at Churchill Downs Nov. 9. “He's doing great,” said trainer Eoin Harty. “I wouldn't have brought him down there if I didn't have the utmost confidence that he's in great shape and ready to run a big race.” South American invader Con Compania (Chi) (Awesome Patriot) will make his first start for new trainer Robert Dibona after spending much of 2025 with Amador Sanchez. The 5-year-old gelding has already shown an affinity for the Gulfstream surface, winning three of his six starts from six furlongs to one mile. He'll try two turns for the first time Saturday. Longshots Racing Driver (Dialed In), Classic of Course (Awesome of Course) and 2024 GI Kentucky Derby finisher Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser) complete the field. Wolfie's Dynaghost leads in the River City field | Coady Media Over on the turf course in the GIII Ft. Lauderdale Stakes, 7-year-old Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) ships south off a strong front-running 2 3/4-length win in Churchill's GIII River City Stakes over this distance Nov. 8. That was his first start for trainer Brian Lynch who took over from Jonathan Thomas. “He came over in very good order and fortunately enough he picked up where he left off with [previous trainer] Jonathan [Thomas],” said Lynch. “He touted himself going into the River City and ran like we hoped he would. Obviously he's a classy old horse. I was proud to be able to continue his winning streak and keep him out there because he looks like he could be a lovely older handicap grass horse.” Defending champ Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro) comes in off a winning effort in the Artie Schiller Stakes at Aqueduct Oct. 11 for trainer Todd Pletcher. “We'll give him a chance to defend his title,” Pletcher said of the Spendthrift Farm runner. “[He's a] cool horse, just so consistent. Always shows up and tries hard. I like the way he worked [Saturday] morning so hopefully that means he's sitting on a good one.” Coming in on a two-race win streak is Cugino (Twirling Candy) for Claude McGaughey. After taking the Red Bank Stakes at Monmouth Park Sept. 1, he just lasted to earn graded stakes glory in the GII Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct Nov. 2. “We love this horse,” said West Point's Tom Bellhouse. “Earlier in his career he was a touch unlucky. He had a couple of tough trips where it seemed like even when he won there was an inquiry. He was always bouncing off against somebody. This is one of those vintage Shug McGaughey training jobs where all of a sudden you have a horse that once they hit 4 and 5 [years old] and they're still in the program, they're excelling. Hopefully the best is yet to come with this guy.” Trainer Patrick Biancone saddles Beach Gold (Omaha Beach), a 4-year-old who broke his maiden over this course in March and returned to pick up two more wins over it in May and June. He exits a tough go in the GI Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland Oct. 4. The post Skippy Returns To Gulfstream In Saturday’s Graded Action 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
One consideration for Eclipse Award voters to ponder is whether Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Forever Young should win the older dirt male Eclipse Award after making just one start in North America.View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
By Mike Love Southland trainers will be looking to bring home a few slices of the Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 pie from Ashburton on Sunday. A total of 28 Southland-trained horses will line up in the inaugural meeting. The 12 $60,000 finals were created with qualifying taking place over the past five months by stallions with a service fee of $5,000 or less. All races are classed as Listed and will be run over 1700m from the mobile. The shortest priced favourite of the southern-trained runners is November Nine ($1.50FF) for Riversdale trainer Carl Hanna in Race 1, the Smithfield Berries Mobile Pace for three-year-old fillies. The daughter of Sky Major has won once and placed twice from six starts – her most recent effort can be ignored after getting things wrong over the crossing at Wingatui. She will be driven by Matthew Williamson. “She’s been up at Brent and Tim White’s for a week and the reports have been good. I decided to send her up a bit earlier so they can give her a good run on the track leading into it,” said Carl Hanna. “They’re happy so I’m happy.” Hanna admits the small field of four will make it a tactical race. “It’s the drivers’ problem now!” Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray will take the highest number of horses up from the south with four runners. Two of those runners come in Race 3, the South Island Seed Dressing Mobile Pace for four-year-old gelding and entires. Jaccka Evan ($12.00FF) for driver Jonny Cox and Foxing Easton ($20.00FF) for Brent Barclay both have attractive odds on offer and look sure to give a decent account of themselves. “Foxing Easton has drawn not too bad, two the second line which is why Brent (Barclay) was inclined to drive that one. It could work out alright from there for them,” said Brett Gray. “Jaccka Evan has drawn a bit wider so I don’t know what we will do from there. We will just leave it up to Jonny (Cox). He’s been racing alright.” Gray’s best winning chance of the day is Ultimate Collect ($3.60FF) in Race 5, the Morrison Racing/Groundwork Services Mobile Pace for four-year-old mares with driver Mark Hurrell. The mare by Ultimate Machete will need to overcome a horror draw of 15. “I’m really happy with her. I think she’ll run a big race and be a big chance. There’s a few nice chances but she’s a nice horse and can run a good mile.” Gray’s other runner is maiden pacer Our Twinkle ($35.00FF) in Race 11, the Majestic Horse Floats Mobile Pace for three-year-old colts and geldings and will have to take on the shortest priced favourite of the day in northern visitor Greased Lightning ($1.10FF) for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. “It’ll be hard for him but we’ll have a chance at some minor money.” Tisbury trainer Kirstin Green will be lining up three on the day including last start winner Madrik ($17.00FF) in Race 12,the Ashburton Engravers Mobile Trot for five-year-old and older geldings and entires. “He’s working really well and seems to be in a good space. We will need a bit of luck though. On his day he’s capable,” said trainer/driver Kirsten Green. Earlier on in Race 8, the Mainland Repairs Mobile for three-year-old trotting fillies Mor Moonlight ($14.00FF) will take her place from the unruly position. The One Over Da Moon filly has taken on strong company and acquitted herself well in her short career to date. “I think quite a bit of this filly. I think she’s capable of competing with them. She showed that when an unlucky fourth in a good race at her second start.” That was the Southern Trotting Oaks back on October 9 at Ascot Park which was won by none other than Ya Rite Darl who went on to win the Group 1 Queen Of Diamonds at Alexandra Park last Friday. “Being on the unruly will make it tricky, but she’s capable of footing it with them.” Green’s other runner is Garonne ($301.00FF) in Race 6, the A Team Construction Mobile for four-year-old geldings and entires.Green will drive all three runners. Race 7, the Paul Summerfield Plumbing (2006) for five-year-old and older geldings and entires has the most Southland representation on the day with six runners throwing up their Stags. Gore trainer Robin Swain takes two to the meeting – both lining up in race seven. Bowlem Over ($9.00FF) to be driven by Kirstin Green has been racing fairly and should enjoy the competitive race. The Net Ten EOM gelding will be looking for win seven at start 59. “He’s a bit of a grinder that doesn’t mind roughing it a bit. The harder they go the better,” said Robin Swain. His other runner the free-legged Magnetic Beckers ($17.00FF) driven by Brent Barclay looks to have a decent minor money chance at a good quote. “He’s a rough show from the draw because he does have a bit of speed if he gets a soft trip.” Winton trainer Alister Kyle takes two to the meeting including Tash’s Bad Girl ($13.00FF), who will be driven by Tim Williams. The seven-year-old Sir Lincoln mare is racing in the form of her life and lines up in Race 9, the Dairy Business Centre mobile pace for five-year-old and older mares. “She’s always had the ability. It would’ve been nice to have drawn a bit closer in because she lacks a little bit of gate speed.” Tash’s Bad Girl had a freshener before having a conditioning run at Winton on Sunday in preparation for this Sunday. “We were happy with her run at Winton. She won’t disgrace herself and deserves to be there.” Kyle’s daughter Natasha has been given a sound introduction to her driving career with their association. Natasha has been handling the mare brilliantly in her recent campaigns – driving her in three of her seven career wins as well as several placings on the mare. “It’s been giving her great confidence – she’s done a great job driving her.” Kyle’s other runner is Moon Light Terror ($501.00FF), a half brother to Tash’s Bad Girl, who lines up in race eleven and will begin at bolters odds. Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 already a winner By Brad Reid, NZ Standardbred Breeders There is a genuine sense of excitement and anticipation heading into this weekend’s inaugural running of the Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 at Ashburton, and rightly so. From its earliest conception, this initiative was designed to restore belief, accessibility, and aspiration for everyday breeders — and as we arrive at its first staging, there are already strong indications that it is beginning to do exactly that. Perhaps the most encouraging signal to date has been the behavioural response from stallion owners and breeders alike. The Harness 5000 has played a meaningful role in driving service fee recalibration across the market, with influential stallions such as Pebble Beach, Lazarus, and King Of Swing all reducing their advertised fees. Based on booking numbers from last month alone, those three stallions are collectively on track to save breeders in excess of $250,000 in service fees — a material reinvestment back into the grassroots of our industry. Just as importantly, the initiative has created genuine opportunity for new and emerging stallions attempting to establish a foothold in a highly competitive marketplace. With current bookings across eligible stallions now exceeding 700, compared with approximately 550 mares served last season, the growth trajectory is undeniable. That uplift reflects confidence — not only in the incentive itself, but in the broader concept of affordability, fairness, and commercial realism that underpins it. From a racing perspective, while a couple of categories have drawn smaller fields than we would ideally like at this first attempt, it is equally important to recognise what has not occurred. This has been far from the “bloodbath” some predicted. As eligibility numbers continue to build and stallion participation deepens, the Harness 5000 has all the hallmarks of evolving into something genuinely special over time. Yes, there are standout performers in certain divisions. Horses like Tarragindi and Greased Lightning will rightly start short-priced favourites. But rather than viewing that as a negative, we should be celebrating it. These are high-quality performers produced from affordable service fees, reinforcing the very principle this series was built upon — that excellence and accessibility do not need to be mutually exclusive. For many involved, this weekend represents a genuine Cup Day experience. The make-up of the fields tells that story clearly, with a strong representation of hobby breeders and owner-breeders who may not often find themselves competing for $60,000 finals on a single day. That breadth of participation is one of the Harness 5000’s greatest strengths and a critical indicator of its long-term value to the industry. Looking ahead, it is acknowledged that the placement of the series on the calendar will require review for next season, particularly given the clash with Invercargill Cup Day and the flow-on impacts for the West Coast circuit. That said, these are refinements, not flaws. The broader reality is that a breeding-led incentive capable of generating revenue for the business, while simultaneously redistributing opportunity across a wide cross-section of participants, is a rare and powerful double-edged sword. Finally, significant credit must go to the host club. The work undertaken to promote the event, create atmosphere, and deliver a full day of entertainment and racing deserves recognition. With so much action on offer throughout the day, the inaugural Harness 5000 shapes not just as a race meeting, but as an experience — and everyone involved deserves a genuine pat on the back. The first iteration is never about perfection. It is about proof of concept. On that front, the Harness 5000 has already delivered — and its best days remain firmly ahead. To see the Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 fields click here View the full article -
That still doesn't answer the question. "More than 10k" How much more? 15k, 20k, 30k? -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Japan's 2-year-olds are back in action on Dec. 21 in the Asahi Hai Futurity (G1), normally the bailiwick of runners destined for future glory at a mile.View the full article
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