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Let go at odds just north of 9-1 for the customarily patient Bill Mott barn, Godolphin's RAGTIME (f, 3, Union Rags–Burmilla, by Storm Cat) went to hot favorite Endorse (Curlin) with less than a furlong to race in Friday's second race maiden at Saratoga and kicked home nicely to score by four lengths en route to a 'TDN Rising Star'. Drawn the rail for the Sovereignty connections, the homebred was away without incident beneath Junior Alvarado and made ground inside to sit just ahead of midfield and behind the four-strong leading group into the turn. Under a tight hold rounding the bend, Ragtime followed the move of 4-5 Endorse into the stretch, came after that Repole runner at the furlong grounds and powered clear, covering the final eighth of a mile in a strong :12.34 seconds while clocking 1:23.24 for the seven-furlong distance. The cleverly named Filly Freedom (Constitution), a generous 27-1 for top connections, got home nicely for second, while Endorse was forced to settle for third. It was a gap of five lengths back to the Brown-conditioned debutante Lost Horizon (Into Mischief) in fourth. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Bill Mott.   The post Union Rags Filly Ragtime Races Away To Earn ‘Rising Star’ Honors on Saratoga Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Woodbine has cancelled its live card due to poor air quality, the racetrack said in a press release on Friday. Environment Canada's air quality index for Toronto is listed as 'High Risk' and is expected to remain at this level throughout Friday. Woodbine Entertainment's decision to cancel comes through consultation with the HBPA and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and is consistent with the AGCO's air quality guidelines. This cancellation was made in the best interests of the health and safety of the horses and racing participants. Woodbine will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as required. The next card of live racing is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. ET. The post Friday Live Racing Cancelled At Woodbine Due To Poor Air Quality appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Group 1 winner Porta Fortuna will miss a start at Royal Ascot later this month after picking up a “small injury”, according to trainer Donnacha O'Brien who announced the news on Instagram. Connections had been mulling a start in either the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes or the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot. A runner for Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing, Steve Weston and Reeves Thoroughbreds, the 4-year-old will be away from the races until later this year. “Unfortunately Porta Fortuna has picked up a small injury and will miss Ascot,” O'Brien posted on Friday. “We look forward to getting her back on track later this year.” The daughter of Caravaggio was a Group 1 winner at two and three, with the Cheveley Park Stakes, Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes and Matron Stakes going her way. Her latest trip to the post was a victory in the G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes at The Curragh on May 25, her 4-year-old bow. The post Porta Fortuna To Miss Royal Ascot After Sustaining A “Small Injury” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ballydoyle's dominance was again on display in Friday's G1 Betfred Oaks as Frankel's Minnie Hauk led home Wootton Bassett's Whirl for a stable one-two. Only getting started when winning the Listed Cheshire Oaks last month, the 9-2 second favourite sauntered around behind that companion before being committed by Ryan Moore heading to two out. Soon in command, the Derrick Smith colour-bearer was possibly idling as she let the Musidora winner Twirl back in close home and gave extra when joined near the line to prevail by a neck. There was a four-length gap back to the 11-10 favourite Desert Flower, with that daughter of Night Of Thunder never looking happy in her quest for the 1,000 Guineas-Oaks double. The post Oaks Number 11 For O’Brien As Frankel’s Minnie Hauk Leads Stable One Two appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Making it ten Coronation Cups for Aidan O'Brien on Friday, Galileo's Jan Brueghel shed his playboy image to tough it out in an Epsom battle royal with Gleneagles's Calandagan. Raw and green despite winning a St Leger during his unbeaten 3-year-old campaign, the 10-3 second favourite followed the pace before being launched approaching two out by Ryan Moore. Tackled by that 8-13 favourite and headed inside the last furlong, the full-brother to the Irish Derby hero Sovereign pulled out extra to prevail by half a length, with a yawning seven lengths back to Mastercraftsman's Giavellotto in third. “The pace was honest and even and in that ground you were going to have to get the mile and a half very well and we knew that if we were going to expose His Highness's horse it was going to be over this trip,” the master of Ballydoyle said. “If he was going to challenge in slow motion, he was going to find it hard to get by him and that's exactly what happened–Jan Brueghel doesn't lie down. He is very straightforward and he's brave.” The post Ten Up For O’Brien As Galileo’s Jan Brueghel Wins Coronation Cup Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article