Currently 1.90 to win, mugs get on!

With the race taken off the turf, but the 'Golden Ticket' to the G1 Melbourne Cup still up for grabs, Parchment Party (Constitution–Life Well Lived, by Tiznow) ran down the lane to take the Belmont Gold Cup at Saratoga on Friday afternoon. Scheduled as a Grade II event, the Gold Cup was downgraded to a Grade III when it came off the grass and was cutback from two miles to a mile and three-quarters. 'TDN Rising Star' Parchment Party chased fellow 'main track only' entrant Yo Daddy (Yoshida {Jpn}) from the start. As the leader circled the sloppy track, it looked as though a merry-go-round was in play. However, Parchment Party rallied to collar the pacesetter and won in the end by six lengths in the end. The final running time was 2:57.86. Lifetime Record: 10-3-1-1. Sales History: KEESEP '23 $450,000. O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-B. Flay Thoroughbreds (KY); T-William Mott. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Parchment Party Inks Sloppy Belmont Gold Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–As soon as Sovereignty (Into Mischief) crossed the finish line first in the GI Kentucky Derby, life changed for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. When you have the horse that wins the most famous race in America, the barn has a superstar in it. “The Derby winner is always held in high regard,” Mott said outside of his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. “There are always a lot of people who want to see him. They want to see him train, the want to see him after the race.” Mott had won the Derby before, but, in 2019, his Country House (Lookin At Lucky) was awarded the victory after the disqualification of Maximum Security (New Year's Day). He went off at odds of 65-1. After watching Sovereignty outrun Journalism (Curlin) at Churchill Downs five weeks ago, Mott was not going to try to compare the win to 2019. “It was very gratifying,” he said of this year's Derby. “But I can tell you we had a heckuva lot of fun winning the first one the way it was. We were thrilled. We loved Country House. He did a great job and ran a good race. We all celebrated and felt pretty good about it.” Mott never hesitated when it came to Sovereignty and the GI Preakness Stakes. He and Godolphin LLC, which owns the colt, made a quick decision and skipped the Preakness and a chance for the Triple Crown. He wanted to give his horse plenty of time between the Kentucky Derby and the GI Belmont Stakes. That time has come and gone and here is Sovereignty, fresh and rested. Sovereignty will be making his seventh career start in the Belmont. Mott showed how confident he was in the colt's ability at an early stage. After starting his career with a fourth-place finish in a maiden at Saratoga last August, he was second a month later in another maiden at Aqueduct. Mott saw big things in Sovereignty's future. “Every race he has run in, he has shown up,” Mott said. “Even in the maiden races, when he was beat–they were sprint races, and he was closing well–it propelled us into running as a maiden in a stake down at Churchill Downs.” That was the GIII Street Sense, and he won by five lengths as the favorite. In three starts this year, he won the GII Fountain of Youth by a neck and then was second in the GI Florida Derby. That race set him up for the Run for the Roses. “I'm not going to make any excuses for him in the Florida Derby,” Mott said. “That horse (Tappan Street) outran him, opened up on him on the turn. We were slowly getting to him approaching the wire, but not fast enough to get there. It got us just right for the (Kentucky) Derby day.” Baeza | Sarah Andrew Baeza Began His Career On The Grass Trainer John Shirreffs never really thought that his GI Belmont Stakes runner Baeza (McKinzie) was going to have a career on turf. But that is where the colt, owned by C R K Stable LLC and Grandview Equine, started his racing life. Last Dec. 1, Baeza made his first start on the grass at Del Mar. He ran a mile, didn't do much, and finished ninth in a field of 11. “It was getting towards the end of the Del Mar meet and there was a space between Del Mar and Santa Anita,” Shirreffs said as he watched Baeza graze in the barn area of the Oklahoma Training Track. “It was really important to get a race into him as soon as possible.” Shirreffs said he chose the grass because the horse did not have to be at his optimum fitness level. “It just gave us an opportunity to see what we had,” Shirreffs said. Of course, Baeza has made strides since running on the main track. After breaking his maiden in the second try on dirt, he was second in the GI Santa Anita Derby and third in the GI Kentucky Derby. And he was only beat a neck in Louisville by Journalism (Curlin), who was 1 1/2 lengths behind Sovereignty. They are all meeting here in the Belmont; the first time since 2013 that the top three finishers from the Kentucky Derby have hooked up in the final leg of the Triple Crown. Baeza will be the first horse Shirreffs starts in Saratoga since 2015 when he spent the summer here. His last starter was in Sept. 3, 2015; his last win came with Smart Transition (Smart Strike), who took the Curlin Stakes and then finished sixth in the GI Travers Stakes. Shirreffs has high hopes for Baeza, who is 4-1 on the Belmont morning line. “I think the farther he goes, the better he gets,” Shirreffs said. “He doesn't seem like he has any distance limitations.” Weather Outlook Has Improved For Saturday The weather forecast for Belmont Day, dire at the start of the week, has improved significantly. Paul Caino, the chief meteorologist for the local NBC affiliate, WNYT in Albany, said scattered thunderstorms, which were expected Friday night into Saturday, should mostly clear out by early afternoon. “We could have rain and thunderstorms before lunch time,” Caino said. “We're not home free for the rest of the day. Between 1 and 4, there could be some scattered storms. I don't think there will be a lot of rain, but I'm not going to rule it out.” Caino said the sun could make an appearance in late afternoon and, by the time the GI Belmont Stakes goes to post at 7:04 p.m., there should be no chance of rain. The GI Kentucky Derby, won by Sovereignty (Into Mischief), was run over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs. The GI Preakness, won by Journalism (Curlin), was contested on a fast track at Pimlico Race Course. “It is what it,” said Michael McCarthy, Journalism's trainer. “We are here, he is running.” The post Belmont Stakes Notebook: Having The Derby Winner Makes For A Popular Barn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Is anyone else confused by this Committee being formed????? Why is there a need for this committee when Brad Steele CEO of HRNZ was telling us all on Trackside last night, that everything was positive for harness?? Everything is so good that Mr Steele recently stated that this Committee being formed “marks a pivotal moment for the NZ racing industry “  Why is it pivotal if everything was fine and going well? Secondly the current Entain CEO, Dean Shannon is finishing up at the end of the month! He stated that “ it was the right time for change”? If things were going fine why were they looking to change things?? Just does not add up, does it? Anyway, hope things are going well for the sake of the harness business. Good punting!      

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There may not be a better person to talk to about the highly anticipated rematch between GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) in Saturday's GI Belmont Stakes than longtime Bridlewood Farm General Manager George Isaacs. Founded in 1976 by Arthur and Martha Appleton and currently owned by John and Leslie Malone, Bridlewood Farm (their legendary red-and-white silks were worn by Umberto Rispoli for that heart-stopping second leg of Triple Crown) campaigns Journalism in partnership with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 and the Coolmore contingent. Both Journalism, an $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase, and Godolphin homebred Sovereignty, graduated from the pre-training program at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Florida, before heading to their trainers, Michael McCarthy and Hall of Famer Bill Mott, respectively. “Naturally, I hope it's Journalism, but if it can't be Journalism, I hope it's Sovereignty,” Isaacs said. “Even though it's only been one time, it could potentially be a real rivalry. For horse racing's sake, it would be nice if it unfolds that way and both of these horses stay healthy and can face off many times to come.” Sovereignty defeated favored Journalism by 1 1/2 lengths in the slop on the first Saturday in May. It was another neck back to the fast-closing Baeza (McKinzie), the half-brother to Classic winners Mage (Good Magic) and Dornoch (Good Magic), in third. Sovereignty | Sarah Andrew   After a stormy Friday afternoon at the Spa, it could be an off track once more with additional rain in the forecast for Saturday. The last time the top three finishers of the Kentucky Derby all lined up in the Belmont Stakes was 2013. Kentucky Derby winner Orb finished third, runner-up Golden Soul was ninth and third-place finisher Revolutionary was fifth. “It's great for horse racing,” Isaacs said. “We know they're both very nice horses and I don't think we can overlook Baeza, either. Those three horses are the best three in the crop. I think it's a race between those three.” The field of eight also includes the Bob Baffert-trained likely pacesetter and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic), a wire-to-wire winner of the GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct last out Apr. 5. A quarter crack kept him out of the first two legs of the Triple Crown. “We have the best 3-year-olds in the country running together,” Baffert said. “It will be exciting. I have a lot of respect for Journalism and Sovereignty and Baeza. I think (Rodriguez) fits with them.” Baffert continued, “I have been watching Journalism all winter, chasing him all winter. He just keeps getting better and better and better. I think he is the horse to beat.” The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is being held at Saratoga Race Course for the second straight year while construction of the new Belmont Park continues downstate. Due to the configuration of Saratoga's main track, the Belmont Stakes will once again be contested at 1 1/4 miles rather than the traditional distance of 1 1/2 miles. Saturday's blockbuster program features five Grade I events, including the Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (Dirt Mile) and GI Jaipur S. (Turf Sprint). A fantastic field of five will meet for the stallion-making Met Mile, led by Breeders' Cup winners 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) and White Abarrio (Race Day). Click here for in-depth pedigree profiles for the complete field. The Jaipur has attracted 10 turf sprinters, led by 6-5 morning-line favorite Think Big (Twirling Candy), a winner of three straight, including the GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint S. on Kentucky Derby Day. In addition to the main event, 3-year-olds will also be in the spotlight in the seven-furlong GI Woody Stephens S., led by the turning-back two-time Grade I winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) and last year's champion 2-year-old colt Citizen Bull (Into Mischief). Chancer McPatrick | Sarah Andrew Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro) will be favored in the GI Manhattan S. following top-shelf wins in this term's GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. and GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard. The late Christophe Clement won the Manhattan three times and his son Miguel will continue his magnificent legacy by saddling a trio for the stable, led by MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Far Bridge (English Channel). The 14-race program also includes: the GII Wonder Again S., topped by the talented Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro); the GIII True North S., featuring a showdown between GISWs Book'em Danno (Bucchero), Mullikin (Violence) and Nakatomi (Firing Line); and the GIII Pennine Ridge S., led by GI American Turf S. winner Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}). Television coverage of Belmont Stakes Day will air across the FOX Sports family of networks beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET. The post Kentucky Derby Top Three Sovereignty, Journalism & Baeza Meet Again in Belmont Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday, Epsom Downs, post time: 15:30, BETFRED DERBY-G1, £1,604,000, 3yo, c/f, 12f 6yT Field: Al Wasl Storm (Ire) (Affinisea {Ire}), Damysus (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Green Storm (Ire) (Circus Maximus {Ire}), Lambourn (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Lazy Griff (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}), Midak (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), New Ground (GB) (New Bay {GB}), Nightime Dancer (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Nightwalker (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Pride Of Arras (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Rogue Impact (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Ruling Court (Justify), Sea Scout (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Stanhope Gardens (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Tennessee Stud (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Tornado Alert (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Tuscan Hills (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). TDN Verdict: With rain about, albeit not a great deal, this is not going to be a fast-ground Derby and with such a large field the emphasis could be more on stamina than ever. If that is true, it will suit the G3 Chester Vase winner Lambourn who has the ideal draw in “lucky” stall 10 and who may just have been hiding his true light under a bushel so far. If he's in the mix, the likes of Midak and Lazy Griff may not be too far away and this could be one of those renewals where the principals aren't quite what they are cracked up to be. There are stamina doubts surrounding Ruling Court, Delacroix and The Lion In Winter but none surrounding the G2 Dante winner Pride Of Arras. His York performance was very strong and it is impossible to ignore all his ideal credentials for this race. Possibly underestimated due to the fact that he is not trained at Ballydoyle or sports Godolphin silks, he is under the care of Ralph Beckett who has proven time and again that he knows exactly how to train a top prospect. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Epsom Downs, post time: 13:35, THE BETFRED DIOMED STAKES-G3, £100,000, 3yo/up, 8f 113yT Field: Brave Emperor (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Geography (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Persica (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road), Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}), Ice Max (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Royal Dubai (Fr) (Seahenge), Tyrrhenian Sea (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Royal Playwright (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Docklands loves Ascot, but how last year's G1 Queen Anne Stakes runner-up takes to this contrasting terrain is anybody's guess. The form of his latest Listed Paradise Stakes second to Sardinian Warrior was boosted by that son of Saxon Warrior's effort in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan and he sets the standard. Successful in the Lester Piggott Handicap at this meeting 12 months ago, Persica has a penalty for his success in Newmarket's G3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes but that might not stop him. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Epsom Downs, post time: 13:00, THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES-G3, £100,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 8f 113yT Field: Bright Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Chic Colombine (Fr) (Seahenge), Imperial Quarter (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Kindest Nation (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Royal Dress (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Sirona (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Skellet (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Sparks Fly (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Spiritual (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Sunfall (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}), Bermuda Longtail (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}). TDN Verdict: TDN Rising Star Skellet hasn't lived up to that tag so far, but there is still time for Juddmonte's acquisition who signed off last term with a win in Sandown's Listed Fortune Stakes. Of the 3-year-olds, Bermuda Longtail is the most interesting having got closest to the smart Kon Tiki in a well-contested renewal of York's Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes last month. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Tokyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, YASUDA KINEN-G1, ¥347,460,000, 3yo/up, 1600mT Field: Sixpence (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Daddy's Vivid (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Win Marvel (Jpn) (I'll Have Another), Red Mon Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Gratias (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Gaia Force (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Ecoro Walz (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}), Champagne Color (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice), Sakura Toujours (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}), Long Run (Jpn) (Victoire Pisa {Jpn}), Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), Water Licht (Jpn) (Drefong), Ho O Reality (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), Trovatore (Jpn) (Rey De Oro {Jpn}), Jun Blossom (Jpn) (World Ace {Jpn}), Brede Weg (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Click here for the preview. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: All Eyes On Delacroix In The Derby, After Ballydoyle’s Friday Triumphs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maybe it was the sloppy sealed track. Or the 1 1/8 mile distance. Or maybe, just maybe, the force was with her Friday. Rail-drawn Florida-bred Dorth Vader (Girvin) stepped up against the highly-touted Chad Brown-trained duo of Raging Sea (Curlin) and Randomized (Nyquist) to conquer the “Win and You're In” GI Ogden Phipps Stakes, stamping a ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar this November. Making her third start off a significant layoff, Dorth Vader entered 2025 with something to prove. She hadn't won since t he 2023 GII Davona Dale Stakes, though she hadn't exactly disgraced herself either when second by a head to 'TDN Rising Star' Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) in the 2023 edition of the GI Acorn Stakes. Largely rested since a fourth in the GI Test Stakes that summer, Dorth Vader has made only three starts in the years since with two of them coming just this spring. Another fourth, this time to Idiomatic (Curlin) in last year's GI La Troienne Stakes, marked her only start of 2024. Clearly trainer George Weaver lost no confidence in this homebred coming back a 5-year-old as she ran second at Gulfstream in an allowance race March 28 and jumped right back into the deep waters to tackle the La Troienne where was fourth once again to the aforementioned Raging Sea and Randomized. Drawn on the rail for her third-straight race, Dorth Vader bound out smartly and was outrun into the first turn only by the speedier Dazzling Move (Not This Time) for Saffie Joseph Jr. while a pair of horses, including 5-2 second choice and defending race champion Randomized, kept pace further out. Kept against the rail in a tightly-bunched group with only even-money favorite Raging Sea left behind, the 8-1 chance stayed right in the tracks of Dazzling Move just in front as the opening fractions ticked by in :22.90 and 46.41. Right as the field passed the half-mile pole, Dorth Vader began to angle out and the top pair began to open up on the rest with several lengths back to 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini). It was clear by the quarter pole that the race was on only for third as Dorth Vader drew past the early pacesetter inside the furlong pole and cleared off nicely, leaving far too much work to do for Raging Sea who did her best to close an insurmountable gap to finish a clear third. “I still wasn't sure she wanted to go that far,” said Weaver. “When I first got her, I was like, 'Man, this filly does not need blinkers.' I thought that from the beginning. I never took them off until this year, and it's paying dividends. She's really getting into a nice, comfortable groove early in the race and I think it's helping her get the two turns. She's a high-strung filly, but she's like fine wine. She's getting better with age.” “I was expecting this kind of trip, really,” added winning rider John Velazquez. “I thought probably a little more speed showed up. I mean, they went fast enough anyways. My horse settled the way I wanted her to. When I showed [speed], the other horse [No. 2, Dazzling Move] kind of took off a little bit. I got a good position on the backstretch, and from then on, I was very comfortable. She wanted to be forward. She handled it [the track] very well.” Leaving no doubt as to his mare's next step, winning owner/breeder John Ropes added: “She should have won the [La Troienne]. She was getting ready to roll and we got cut off. We knew we could win today. George thought she is probably in the best shape she's ever been and this is her time. Plus, we had to have the jockey to pull it off and there aren't better than Johnny with his patience and ability to read the track. I was worried turning for home because her best runs are in the stretch. [Wet conditions] give everyone a pause, but I thought she could handle it. She's very light on her feet. It is very sweet. All my horses are homebreds. I don't buy horses to race; I race the horses I bred. I've been doing this for 45 years and bred this horse there in Ocala. We're going to California [for the Breeders' Cup].” Pedigree Note: Dorth Vader is the second top-level winner for Airdrie Stud's Girvin, joining GI Starlet Stakes victress and 'TDN Rising Star' Faiza. Stakes-placed first dam Hardcore Candy, a half to MSW Chestnut Lady (Horse Chestnut {SAf}), is responsible for five winners from eight to race with Dorth Vader clearly the class of her crop. Last through the ring unsold on a final bid of just $5,500 at the OBS Winter Mixed Sale in 2020, Hardcore Candy has a pair of full-sisters to this new Grade I-winner in 2024's appropriately-named Revenge of the Sis joining her 2025 filly.   Friday, Saratoga OGDEN PHIPPS S. PRESENTED BY FORD-GI, $485,000, Saratoga, 6-6, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:49.10, sy. 1–DORTH VADER, 118, m, 5, by Girvin                 1st Dam: Hardcore Candy (SP, $101,308), by Yonaguska                 2nd Dam: Its a Girl, by Thunder Gulch                 3rd Dam: Ladyago, by Northern Dancer 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-John Ropes (FL); T-George Weaver; J-John R. Velazquez. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 15-5-2-1, $893,218. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Dazzling Move, 120, f, 4, by Not This Time                 1st Dam: Lady Liam, by Saint Liam                 2nd Dam: Tricki Mae, by Phone Trick                 3rd Dam: Pamela Kay, by Hold Your Peace 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($85,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $135,000 2yo '23 EASMAY). O-Miller Racing LLC; B-Jesse Korona (ON); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.. $100,000. 3–Raging Sea, 124, m, 5, by Curlin                 1st Dam: Stormy Welcome, by Storm Cat                 2nd Dam: Welcome Surprise, by Seeking the Gold                 3rd Dam: Weekend Surprise, by Secretariat ($300,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Alpha Delta Stables LLC; B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $60,000. Margins: 4 3/4, 1 3/4, 16. Odds: 8.80, 12.50, 1.10. Also Ran: Tarifa, Randomized, Leslie's Rose. Scratched: Candied. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post The Empire Finally Strikes Back As Dorth Vader Upsets ‘WAYI’ Ogden Phipps appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The stomping ground of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in 2024, this year's G1 Yasuda Kinen sees a contentious field line up at Tokyo, with the role of ante-post favourite handed to dual Group 1 winner and last year's third-place finisher Soul Rush. By Rulership, the 2024 Mile Championship hero ran second in the G1 Hong Kong Mile in December and was third to the reopposing Sixpence in the G2 Nakayama Kinen in March. Sent overseas, he defeated Romantic Warrior in the G1 Dubai Turf over 1800 metres in Dubai in April, breaking 1:46 for the distance. He will break from stall 13. “He just seems to continue getting better, as we saw when he beat Romantic Warrior,” said trainer Yasutoshi Ikee. “This past year has been great for him. He's in his usual condition just before a race. The Tokyo mile suits him with his stamina. He hasn't won the Yasuda Kinen yet, and a win at Tokyo would be good when it comes to his career at stud.” The Yasuda Kinen, a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” for the GI Mile, might prove a steppingstone to an international campaign for the Carrot Farm-owned Sixpence. Out of the GI Madison Stakes heroine Finley'sluckycharm (Twirling Candy), the 4-year-old son of Kizuna has been entered in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Aug. 17. Sixpence ran seventh in the 2000-metre G1 Osaka Hai in April and has drawn the rail. “This week's work was very good, especially at the finish,” said trainer Sakae Kunieda. “He has experience running at Tokyo, and the jockey [Christophe Lemaire] knows the horse well, so I think he can be patient with him during the race, and produce him for a good run at the end.” Added Lemaire, “Working with [the filly] Brede Weg has been a good thing for him. He seemed a little heavy at first, but he's moving better now that he's had some more work.” The only filly in the 18-horse field, the daughter of Lord Kanaloa won the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup in November of 2023 and landed the G2 Ireland Trophy Fuchu Himba Stakes last October. Off the board in three more runs, Brede Weg was most recently seventh behind Soul Rush in Dubai and had the widest draw in 18. Said, trainer Keisuke Miyata, “She's worked well with the jockey [Keita Tosaki], and racing on the outside in training, her workload's been good, with strong finishes. She's run patiently throughout her work, and she should be just right going into the race. Her results over a mile might not have been good up to now, but she's had good experience at Tokyo, and if she can run patiently and save everything for her turn of foot at the end, I think she can run a good race and get a different result.” A two-time winner over this trip, Palace Malice's Jantar Mantar is on something of a fact-finding mission. A winner of the G1 NHK Mile Cup in 2024 after running third in that year's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), the 4-year-old entire has not been seen since his 13th-place finish in the Hong Kong Mile almost six months ago. Yuga “King” Kawada has the call from post 10. Coming off victories into the Yasuda Kinen are G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai hero Water Licht (Drefong), G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup winner Long Run (Victoire Pisa), and G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy victor Trovatore (Rey De Oro). The post Soul Rush Faces Stiff Challenge In Yasuda Kinen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When last seen at Saratoga some 10 months ago, ASBURY PARK (GB) (c, 3, Frankel {GB}–Limonar {Ire}, by Street Cry {Ire}) took unsurprising action as the 8-5 favorite, passed several rivals in the lane but fell short in fifth and had been missing since. Returning here as the 7-5 favorite and bearing the silks of his breeder St Elias Stable, the fashionably bred colt was void of early speed from his middle draw and was dragged back to the latter third of the red-hot Flavien Prat through a driving rainstorm. Ridden quietly with cover three or four off the fence down the backstretch, the dark bay was still well back entering the final three furlongs, but began to pick it up approaching the stretch, having been guided to the wide outside and out of harm's way. Asbury Park quickly gathered up the leaders nearing the eighth pole and from there it was academic, as he was about four lengths clear and well in hand under the wire to become the afternoon's second 'TDN Rising Star'. It was the fourth on the afternoon for Prat and the third for Chad Brown, who also sent out the debuting Arkhipov (Munnings) to a promising runner-up effort on his career bow. Tom Collins (Frosted), the 2-1 second choice, was third.   The post Frankel’s Asbury Park ‘Bosses’ Spa Maiden, Becomes A ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article