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Racing’s two codes seek cohesive plan as big decisions loom By Michael Guerin Https://bitofayarn.com Racing Editor·NZ Herald· 11 Jul, 2025 12:19 PM4 mins to read Awapuni is one racetrack to have experienced recent track troubles. Photo / Race Images New Zealand’s two horse racing codes are set to join forces to plan for the future. The thoroughbred and harness racing codes were once considered staunch rivals. Despite plenty of cross-over between owners, punters and trainers, the two codes used to compete for turnover. Those days are all but gone, with harness offering little competition on thoroughbred racing’s biggest days, while both codes benefit from a stronger overall turnover at the TAB. At present, racing’s percentage of TAB profits is also shared with greyhound racing. But that code is now slated for extinction next July, after the death sentence handed down by Racing Minister Winston Peters in December. That decision is being challenged by Greyhound Racing New Zealand, although it may not get to argue its case in court until as late as next March. The other two codes, commonly known as “the gallops” and “the trots”, have announced they will work together on their infrastructure issues and which tracks are likely to survive the next five years. Racing’s ageing infrastructure is one of its greatest concerns, with abandoned meetings on tired tracks costing the industry tens of millions in lost turnover and eroding owner and punter confidence. So NZ Thoroughbred Racing and Harness Racing NZ have launched Project Stamina, supported by the TAB, which will work towards answering the infrastructure questions hanging over the industry. Some of the biggest questions will be around the Waikato Greenfields project, the almost certain closure and sale of Avondale and the troubled Central Districts, where Hastings and Awapuni have had serious track problems and Trentham may need a new grandstand that it cannot realistically afford. In harness racing, the Auckland region will need a new training track once Franklin Park at Pukekohe is sold and, with so many potential projects looming, the two codes are better working together, especially when applying for funding from the TAB or the Government. Project Stamina’s main purpose, according to NZTR chief executive Matt Ballesty, is to move from “reactive maintenance to long-term, future-focused investment”. That could mean no longer fixing tracks that don’t work or will eventually be closed, and instead spending money on those that make long-term financial sense. Working out which tracks are which, overcoming parochial bias and building a cohesive and affordable plan is a mammoth undertaking. Ballesty and HRNZ boss Brad Steele say they plan to use consultants initially, but are quick to emphasise that their boards will be making the final decisions, with input from TAB NZ and the new TAB Advisory Committee, which contains some of New Zealand racing’s biggest players. Working together makes sense for the two codes as it ensures a sharing of information and what each hopes to achieve, especially important as they already share some venues and could end up working together on others. “We have reached a critical point that calls for bold decision-making,” says Ballesty. “Project Stamina is about making the necessary decisions to ensure our infrastructure supports a thriving future for horse racing in New Zealand. “Working alongside Harness Racing NZ and TAB NZ, we have a chance to build something enduring and unified.” Steele echoed those sentiments and saw the potential in code collaboration. “This is a chance to reshape our future. Collaboration is key to creating venues that serve our people and our sport for generations. It’s time to build infrastructure that matches our industry’s potential.” Project Stamina is supposed to have a “first draft” of what the future of racing infrastructure may look like by December this year. -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Airdrie Stud's Beau Liam (by Liam's Map) got his second black-type winner in his first crop of 2-year-olds–and second in a week–Saturday when Border Czar sailed under the wire in the My Dear Stakes at Woodbine. Beau Liam's juvenile filly Lanaluah had captured the Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity July 5. Sent as a 6-1 choice on the all-weather surface, Border Czar broke smartly and settled between horses in the second flight but well behind the :22.17 pace. With rider Rafael Hernandez sitting quietly confident until the turn, the bay tipped out and motored down the stretch a few paths out to win with authority, drifting in but powering by the leaders to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Early trailer Abdul (Tapit) closed late for runner-up honors. “She's pretty sharp little filly,” said winner trainer and owner Barbara Minshall. “I mean, she loves to train. She was a little sharp going to post and everything. I noticed that. But she's all business. And you ask her to do something, she's all business. And [Rafael Hernandez] has worked her a couple times, he's got to know her even better, and he knew she'd come running.” Border Czar's only previous start resulted in a neck win going five furlongs over Woodbine's surface June 7. Legion Bloodstock signed the ticket at $25,000 for her at last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale. Her unplaced dam foaled a Greatest Honour filly Feb. 20 and was bred back to Charge It. MY DEAR S., C$128,250, Woodbine, 7-12, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f (AWT), 1:05.77, ft. 1–BORDER CZAR, 122, f, 2, by Beau Liam 1st Dam: Adalee, by Street Boss 2nd Dam: Lady Fiona, by Henrythenavigator 3rd Dam: Placid Lake, by Greenwood Lake ($25,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/T-Barbara J. Minshall; B-Southern Comfort Farm LLC (KY); J-Rafael Manuel Hernandez. C$75,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $87,333. 2–Abdul, 118, f, 2, Tapit–Miss Jessica J, by Empire Maker. ($350,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-D. J. Stable LLC; B-Al Shira'aa Racing Limited & Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. C$25,000. 3–Pageant Queen, 122, f, 2, Point of Entry–Queen Ofthe Dawn, by Sun King. (C$35,000 Ylg '24 CANSEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Windways Farm and Upland Flats Racing; B-Anthony B. Russo & Leslie L. Russo (ON); T-James Bentley Begg. C$15,000. Margins: 2 3/4, 1HF, HF. Odds: 6.70, 3.40, 9.25. Also Ran: Pina Colada, Sapphire Beach (Ire), Thank You Amy, Armored Guard, Souper Sporty, Souper Diva. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Beau Liam’s Border Czar Takes Control in My Dear Girl Stakes 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
SARATOGA SPRINGS–Just before 8 Saturday morning, Sovereignty (Into Mischief) beat the weather. But just barely. The GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes champ got his work in before the heaviest of yet another strong Saratoga thunderstorm pelted Saratoga Race Course. With rain beginning to fall, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott was able to get Sovereignty out on the Oklahoma Training Track for a five-furlong work. Ridden by his assistant Neil Poznansky and working in company with stablemate Jefferson Street (Street Sense), Sovereignty covered the distance in 1:02.18 (5/12). The leader in the 3-year-old division, Sovereignty is being pointed to the $500,000 GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 26. “I think we are in good shape,” Mott said outside his barn on the Oklahoma. “I am glad we got the horse breezed today. It worked out well enough; it looked like he went good. He moved well, the time was good, the rider was happy.” The road outside of Mott's barn was flooded by 8:45 a.m. after a 45-minute rain pounded the area. It looked like a mini lake. “We didn't expect this, can you believe it?” Mott said. “We got out in time, fortunately, because it looks like we've got some more rain coming (Sunday). I don't know. This track (Oklahoma) might not have a chance to dry out.” This was Sovereignty's third work since winning the Belmont Stakes, which was run at Saratoga, on June 7. He has won three of four starts this year. Besides the Derby and Belmont, he also won the GII Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park. In his other start this year, he was second in the GI Florida Derby. Sovereignty beat the favored Journalism (Curlin) in the Derby and Belmont. He won't see him in the Jim Dandy as it appears that Journalism will run in the $1 million GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth next weekend. The area around Mott's office was cleared on Saturday morning following a Thursday night storm that uprooted a huge maple leaf tree. There was no damage done to the office and the tree has been hauled away. When the tree departed, it took with it an enormous amount of shade with it. Mott found that out Friday afternoon when he came back to the office in the afternoon. “The sun was beating down and it got hot (in the office),” Mott said. “I'm going to have to get a shade for my window.” La Cara Up Next To Make Her Case For Casse The race for best 3-year-old filly in the land will heat up next week when the $500,000 GI Coaching Club American Oaks is run at Saratoga Race Course. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse is hopeful that one of his distaff runners can strengthen her case in the 1 1/8-mile race. That is Tracy Farmer's La Cara (Street Sense), who already owns a pair of Grade I wins in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland and the Acorn at Saratoga on June 6. La Cara | Sarah Andrew The leader of the division is the Brad Cox-trained Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), who won her first three starts this year–including the GI Kentucky Oaks–before finishing fifth in the Acorn. Good Cheer is not targeting the CCA Oaks, although could be seen in the $600,000 GI Alabama at Saratoga on Aug. 16. Immersive (Nyquist), last year's Juvenile Filly champion, also trained by Cox, could also be in the starting gate in the CCA Oaks. “Right now, we are ahead (of Good Cheer) in Grade I's,” Casse said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch. “She won a stake in New Orleans (GII Fair Grounds Oaks) and I don't know if that ranks as high as the Ashland. It's pretty close. Obviously, the (Kentucky) Oaks carries a big punch. I would say when Saratoga ends, there will be a clear-cut leader. I just hope it's us.” La Cara had her final work for the CCA Oaks on Friday, going four furlongs on the main track in :49 (28/92). “She went perfect,” Casse said. “We were going for an easy work.” Casse also has another solid contender in the division in Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro), owned by D J Stables LLC. She won her first five starts of the year and has positioned herself as the top 3-year-old grass filly in the land. She ran valiantly in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational at Saratoga on July 5 but lost by a nose to another Cox filly, Fionn (Twirling Candy). In her prior start, Nitrogen showed her affinity for the dirt when she won the GIII Wonder Again, by 17 lengths, which was originally scheduled for the grass. Granted she only beat two others, but she showed enough to give Casse the confidence to say her next start will be in the Alabama. “I am proud of our team,” he said. “We have two fillies that are two of the best 3-year-old fillies in North America. This is going to be an interesting meet.” Prat Had To Make A Tough Decision No one can be in two places at once. As much as jockey Flavien Prat would like to, he can't be at Saratoga Race Course on July 26 and also at Santa Anita Race Track on the same day. So, he had to pick. And he'll head to California. Nysos and Flavien Prat | Benoit Prat will ride the well regarded Nysos (Bernardini) in the GII, $300,000 San Diego Stakes at Del Mar; his other option was to be on Baeza (McKinzie) in the GII, $500,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga. “It's never an easy decision,” Prat said outside the jockey's room at Saratoga. Prat rode Nysos, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, in the GII Churchill Downs in May and finished third in a three-horse photo finish. The winner of the race was Mindframe (Constitution), who is considered the leader of the older horse division. It was Nysos' first start since February of 2024. He won his first three starts by a combined 26 3/4 lengths and Prat was aboard for two of them, the GIII Robert B. Lewis and the GIII Bob Hope Stakes. Nysos was then sidelined by injury before re-emerging. After the Churchill Downs, he won the GIII Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita under jockey Juan Hernandez on May 31 (Prat was riding in Kentucky that day). “I am kind of committed to Nysos,” Prat said. “I always felt like he could be anything.” When Baeza runs in the Jim Dandy for trainer John Shirreffs, he will be ridden by Hector Barrios, who rode him in three of his first four starts, including a second-place finish in the GI Santa Anita Derby. The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Sovereignty Gets Work In Before Another Storm Slams Saratoga 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
By Michael Guerin Stubing may have a way to go to pay back the patience trainer Trent Yesberg has shown in him but the Canterbury trainer thinks he is on the right track. The 34-year-old horseman take just two members of his 15-strong harness racing team to Addington on Sunday and thinks both can win. But in the case of Stubing even a third career victory will leave him a bit behind on the bills after a frustrating start to his career. “When he first started racing we really liked him and thought he was at least a five or six-win horse,” explains Yesberg. “But he ended up needing a wind operation and the first one didn’t go so well so he needed a second one. “The whole thing came as a surprise to us because he wasn’t making a noise in work or when he was racing and we had to do an endoscope while he was working to get to the bottom of it all. “Harvey Kaplan actually owned him originally and we could have baled on him but I believed in the horse so we have stuck with him so it was very satisfying to get that win last week.” Stubing may have made the most of a perfect Samantha Ottley drive last Sunday but he still did it like a horse who isn’t finished yet and while today’s field is slightly stronger he should get a good run through from two on the second line and be hard to beat. He may not even be Yesberg’s best chance of the pair he takes racing today as while he was disappointed in Beautiful Crazy (R2, No 6) last Sunday he thinks he knows what went wrong. “She led last week and kinda waited for them,” he explains. “Her best run was probably four starts ago when saved up for one run so I think that is how we will drive her this week and I think we will see the best of her.” Yesberg is sitting on 83 career harness wins striking at around 10 per cent winners to starters and also has five or six gallopers in work. “So we have around 20 horses between the two codes and it actually got as high as 28 a few months ago but we have made a decision not to muck around with horses who aren’t going pay their way. “Maybe if we have one owned by a syndicate and they are happy to keep racing it for the fun we would do it but ideally you want horses who are paying their way. “It is a hard decision to make for a young trainer because we want to keep growing the stable and obviously it isn’t easy for a first generation trainer to get started and maintain good numbers. “But we are having winners in both codes and I am keen to keep trying new things and learning.” View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Wesley Ward knew his filly Pulstar (Kantharos) was fast but did she have the stamina to win Saturday's sixth at Saratoga, a maiden race that came off the turf and was run at 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt? The answer is yes, but just barely. Like so many Ward-trained 2-year-olds, Pulstar shot out of the gate and grabbed a two-length lead down the backstretch. In mid-stretch she was still two in front, but the Mark Casse-trained Delightful Darling (Flameaway)was bearing down on her. The pair were basically on even terms at the wire, but the bob of the head went Pulstar's way. “I'm glad this race wasn't run at 5 1/2 furlongs plus a jump. If so, I'm not sure she would have won,” Ward said. Ward, who excels with sprinters on both surfaces, had no problem with the race coming off the grass. “I was happy that it came off the turf,” he said. “I was worried that it was going to dry out and be just like a regular track. She's got some distance issues. She's a real small filly and that is the reason I tried her on the grass the first time. Sometimes, horses like her will go a little bit longer on the grass.” Ward believes she improved from her first race, a second-place finish in a Churchill maiden. “She got a lot out of that last race where she was beaten a head,” he said. “It moved her forward fitness-wise and experience-wise” he said. “All those factors came together today.” Pulsar is owned by and was bred by Roy and Gretchen Jackson of Lael Stable. The plan going forward, Ward said, was to try to find turf races at five furlongs. “I told Chief Stipe Cauthen, who is the stable manager for the Jacksons, that I think she's really better at 5 than 5 1/2 on the grass. We'll get a work or two into her on grass and hopefully we can find some spots on the turf for her.” Joel Rosario rode the winner, who paid $6.40. The running time was 1:05.26. 6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 7-12, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f (off turf), 1:05.26, my, nose. PULSTAR (f, 2, Kantharos–Bellerue, by Quality Road), beaten just a head on debut June 6 at Churchill, came back for a front-running thriller at the Spa Saturday. The off-the-board favorite in that same Churchill debut, Spa Prospector (Authentic), also returned Saturday at Saratoga just four races earlier on the same card to win convincingly. In keeping with the classic Wesley Ward trainee style despite breaking outwards, Pulstar was quick out of the gate Saturday and shot straight to the front. Favored at 2-1, the chestnut put distance on the field early as she motored through a :22.54 first quarter. The Lael Stables homebred held her advantage through the turn even as her rivals started closing in. After registering a half in :46.12, Pulstar ran a bit erratically and greenly down the lane as Delightful Darling (Flameaway), who was second throughout, dove to the rail in a measured attack. The two finished in tandem, with the photo finish camera giving the nose nod to Pulstar. Bellerue, the winner's dam, has a yearling filly by Practical Joke and a May 7-foaled colt by Nyquist. Bellerue is out of MGSW Belle Cherie (Belong to Me) from the same family as MGISW and 2007 $4-million Fasig-Tipton buy Octave (Unbridled's Song). Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $79,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Lael Stables; B-M. Roy Jackson (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward. @JillWilliamsTDN The post Saratoga Maidens, Presented By Keeneland, Kantharos Filly Just Holds On To Win Off-The-Turf Maiden At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
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