Chief Stipe

If she makes the field, Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is keen to run promising filly Terra Sancta in S… View the full article

There has been a change of plans with superstar filly Shez All Rock, one which will see her stay in … View the full article

Group One winner Brave Smash will run for the Chris Waller stable in the A$13 million Everest in an … View the full article

Belmont Stakes: If Justify can set leisurely pace, he’ll cruise to victory and win Triple Crown By Ed McNamara Newsday (TNS) 9 hrs ago Assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes holds Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby winner Justify as a crowd welcomes the horse back to Barn 33 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, May 20, 2018. Justify will attempt to become the winner of horse racing's Triple Crown in June in New York at The Belmont Stakes. (AP Photo/Garry Jones) Garry Jones They blast out of the gates, hitting full speed in a couple of strides, and after a quarter-mile in 22 seconds or so, it’s over. Sneeze, blink and you miss it. Quarter horse racing is all about breaking well and establishing position immediately. Oddly, that’s also usually the winning formula for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes, even though it’s 1 1/4 miles farther and takes 2 1/2 minutes. Newbie handicappers tend to assume that the longer the race, the more likely that the pacesetters will fade. Not so, even though it’s counter intuitive to think early acceleration can be the ultimate weapon in a marathon. From 1982-86, Woody Stephens trained five consecutive Belmont winners, a record as unbreakable as Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. Stephens always said, “The Belmont is a speed horse’s race.” Not many closers have enough juice to make up a lot of ground at a distance they weren’t bred to handle. If the pace is moderate or slow, the leader can relax and keep going. That’s how American Pharoah nailed down the 2015 Triple Crown for trainer Bob Baffert, ending a 36-year drought. After Pharoah coasted alone through a half-mile in a leisurely 48 4/5 seconds and a mile in a no-sweat 1:37 4/5, the stretch run became a deafening coronation. With no pressure, “The Test of the Champion” was no test at all. If the undefeated Justify can work out that kind of trip June 9 at Belmont Park, he’ll probably become the 13th to sweep the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont. D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of four Belmont champions, will saddle Preakness runner-up Bravazo, whose strong late move was aided by a speed duel with Good Magic that took something out of Justify. If the heavy favorite gets clear by himself this time, good luck catching him. “Justify is the best horse,” Lukas said. “He’s got what it takes. I like his physique. He’s a big, strong horse who gets over the ground well. He makes his own trip and determines where he wants to be. He makes his own luck, and he’ll probably do that in the Belmont.” Every so often, the Belmont winner comes from far back — Creator (2016), Jazil (2006) — and in the 21st century, only American Pharoah and Da’ Tara (2008) led throughout. But there’s no greater attribute than controlled speed, and no 3-year-old has more of it than Justify does. Like Lukas, Baffert made his mark with quarter horses in the Southwest and Southern California. Both switched to thoroughbreds after training multiple champions on the short tracks. Each had to “retrain his mind,” as Baffert said, to adapt, but the essential didn’t change. “Bob and I have a similar mindset,” Lukas said. “We both like horses with tactical speed. You very seldom see a Baffert horse or a Lukas horse drop way out of it. They’ll get into the race. They may not be 1-2, but they’ll be up close.” Justify’s jockey, Mike Smith, also got started with quarter horses. At 14, he was already making $200 a week riding the dusty bush tracks of his native New Mexico. Thirty-eight years later, “Big Money Mike” is the sport’s top big-race rider, and he never forgot his first lesson. “Going into the Derby, my main concern really was just getting him out of the gate,” Smith said. “I knew if I could get him out of there and get him into a big rhythm, he could go fast. It’s Baffert’s record fifth attempt at the Triple Crown, and a bad start led to his only noncompetitive bid in the finale. In 2002, War Emblem, a need-the-lead type, stumbled badly at the break and was bumped. After being rushed toward the front, he tired and faded to eighth. Baffert admits he’s always on “pins and needles” before a major stakes, with his paramount concern the start. In Justify’s five races, that’s never been a problem. The big chestnut colt trained so well this past week at Churchill Downs that Baffert is expressing confidence, not fretting over “what ifs.” Justify effortlessly breezed a quick half-mile in 46.80 seconds Tuesday, making Baffert wish he didn’t have to wait another week to run him. “I was surprised by the time and how easy he was doing it,” he said. Justify will have another timed workout, probably Monday, before flying Wednesday from Louisville to New York. He’ll be stabled at the Belmont barn of Syosset native and resident John Terranova, who with his wife, Tonja, also hosted American Pharoah. “Justify is so beautiful. He looks like a giant quarter horse,” Baffert said. “He’s got muscle on muscle and he has a presence about him. He’s a big, quick son of a gun, and light on his feet. I think to win the Triple Crown, you have to be a big, strong horse and be able to handle a lot of situations. This horse is just that.”

If she makes the field, Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is keen to run promising filly Terra Sancta in S… View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 857(7)(g)Following the running of the DUNSTAN FEEDS 3YO EMERALD three separate Informations were lodged by Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr N Ydgren against Open Horsewoman Ms N Rasmussen (Driver of FUNATTHEBEACH) and Open Horsemen Mr RT May (Driver of HAIL CHRISTIAN) and Mr G Smith (Driver of HENRY HUBERT) alleging ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 869(2)and the Use of Whip regulationsFollowing the running of the CROWE HORWATH 4YO RUBY, an Information was lodged by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N Ydgren against Open Horseman, Mr CJ DeFilippi alleging that Mr DeFillippi when driving IZMOK used his whip on more than the permissable number of occasions over the final 400 metres. Rule ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 870(3) and the Breaking Horses RegulationsFollowing the running of the HARCOURTS TE AWAMUTU 2YO RUBY an Information instigating a Protest was lodged by Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr N Ydgren against the 5th placing of DOFF YOUR CAP (driver C Jones) on the grounds that it broke in the final 200 metres and continued in a break in excess of 50 metres. ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 857(7)(g)Following the running of the BROGDEN HORSE TRANSPORT 3YO DIAMOND, an Information was lodged by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N Ydgren against Open Horseman, Mr T Chmiel alleging that Mr Chmiel when driving DIBABA failed to maintain his barrier position on the mobile until dispatch. Rule 867(7)(g) provides ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 857(7)(g)Following the running of the ALLIED SECURITY 4YO EMERALD an Information was lodged by Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr N Ydgren against open horseman Mr B Barclay alleging that Mr Barclay as the driver of ROYAL BENGAL failed to maintain his position on the mobile until dispatch. Rule 857(7)(g) provides: ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 869(3)(b)Following the running of the DUNSTAN FEEDS 3YO EMERALD an Information was lodged by Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr N Ydgren against Open Horseman Mr D Butcher alleging that Mr Butcher as the Driver of TRIPLE EIGHT drove carelessly near the 250 metres mark by contacting the sulky of SICARIO causing his ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 857(7)(g)Following the running of the RA & JV YARNDLEY 2YO DIAMOND, an Information was lodged by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N Ydgren against Open Horseman, Mr M Purdon alleging that Mr Purdon was out of position at the start when driving KAYLA MARIE. Rule 857(7)(g) provides : No horseman shall fail to come ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2) - Whip Regulation (b)RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION Informant: S P Renault – Stipendiary Steward Respondent: T S Chmiel – Open Horseman Information No: A09644 Meeting: ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(7A)(b)RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION Informant: S P Renault – Stipendiary Steward Respondent: R A Payne – Open Horseman Information No: A09645 Meeting: ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)- Whip Regulation (b)RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION Informant: S P Renault – Stipendiary Steward Respondent: G D Smith – Open Horseman Information No: A09643 Meeting: ...View the full article

I don't really know but is 40 mins jogging "slow distance work" by your measure?

Ocean Emperor’s New Zealand future is likely to focus on weight-for-age racing. View the full article

Pick Me Up In Rio will close out an encouraging first campaign at Riccarton tomorrow. View the full article

Queensland Oaks winner Youngstar will take her place against her male counterparts in the Queensland… View the full article

Stewards Report from Te Rapa 03 June 2018 TeRapa030618..pdf

‘Rock Star’ Justify Posts Final Breeze For Belmont SPONSORED BY: by Paulick Report Staff | 06.04.2018 | 8:37am Justify breezing five furlongs in preparation for the Belmont Stakes Following the successful training pattern used three years ago for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert sent Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Justify out for his final breeze on Monday morning in preparation for the June 9 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park Under Martin Garcia (who also worked American Pharoah in his final breezes before the Belmont), Justify worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 at Churchill Downs on a fast racetrack, galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.60 and seven furlongs in 1:27.20. Internal splits were :12.80, :24.80, :37.00 and :48.80. “It was a really nice breeze and exactly what we were looking for,” Baffert said. “He relaxed nicely and seemed very happy. Martin was very happy with him as well so I was happy, too. He was a little fresh earlier in the week so it was good to see him relax nicely.” American Pharoah also worked five furlongs on the Monday before the Belmont, going in 1:00.20 and galloping out six furlongs in 1:13. “He's become a rock star like Pharoah,” Baffert said. “Let's see if he can do it.” Justify, who will attempt to become horse racing's 13th Triple Crown winner, is expected to ship to Belmont Park on Wednesday. Owned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing and Head of Plains Partners, Justify enters the mile and a half Belmont unbeaten in five career starts. He made his racing debut at Santa Anita on Feb. 18, winning a maiden race by 9 ½ lengths, took a March 11 allowance contest by 6 ½ lengths, then won three consecutive Grade 1 races: the Santa Anita Derby by three lengths, the Kentucky Derby by 2 ½ lengths and the Preakness by a half-length. Mike Smith will be aboard Justify in the Belmont. “Mike, just like any other rider, has to have the horse underneath him to succeed,” Baffert said. “A good rider's job is to keep the horse out of trouble and make split-second decisions if he needs to. Really the biggest part of the race is breaking cleanly from the gate. With Pharoah, he broke about one length slower than the field. It could've been a bad situation but he got into a good position early. After the gate break, you just have to see how the race plays out.” Justify will face as many as 10 foes, including Preakness runner-up Bravazo. Post positions will be drawn for the Belmont Stakes on Tuesday at Citi Field in New York, where Baffert will throw out the first pitch before a New York Mets-Baltimore Orioles baseball game. In other Belmont Stakes news from Churchill Downs, Preakness runner-up Bravazo left trainer D. Wayne Lukas' Barn 44 early Monday morning via van to New York while Preakness third, Tenfold, jogged one mile following his five-furlong breeze in 1:01.60 Saturday at Churchill Downs. Breeders' Futurity winner Free Drop Billy walked trainer Dale Romans' Barn 4 shedrow following his five-furlong move in :59.20 Sunday at Churchill Downs. Tenfold is scheduled to fly to New York on Tuesday and leave Churchill Downs at approximately 10:30 a.m. while Free Drop Billy is scheduled to join Justify and Restoring Hope on Wednesday's flight. The Belmont Stakes field could possibly be comprised of the following 11 horses (with trainer): Blended Citizen (Doug O'Neill), Bravazo (Lukas), Free Drop Billy (Romans), Gronkowski (Chad Brown), Hofburg (Bill Mott), Justify (Baffert), Noble Indy (Todd Pletcher), Restoring Hope (Baffert), Seahenge (Aidan O'Brien), Tenfold (Steve Asmussen) and Vino Rosso (Pletcher). Immediately following Justify's work, stablemate and fellow Belmont Stakes contender, Wood Memorial (GII) third Restoring Hope, breezed six furlongs in 1:13 under jockey Florent Geroux (splits: :12.60, :24.40, :36.20, :48.40 and 1:00.20 with a gallop out of 1:26.40). “Restoring Hope went really well,” Baffert said. “He's always been a really good work horse. He's sort of a one-paced horse. He went a little faster than Justify but I thought overall the work was very good.”

Justify Smooth and Easy in Final Pre-Belmont Work Son of Scat Daddy ran five furlongs in preparation for final leg of Triple Crown. By Alicia Wincze Hughes Today, 10:45 AM Sponsored By Bob Baffert has reached a point in this five-week journey through the American classics where he's out of new material as far as Justify is concerned. The Hall of Fame trainer has stated in every way possible what an exceptional animal the chestnut son of Scat Daddy is. And each time the conditioner finds the right adjectives to describe what the unbeaten dual classic winner has accomplished in his meteoric five-race career, the big chestnut runner backs him up by behaving every bit like the wondrous athlete he has been deemed. As Justify stepped onto the Churchill Downs oval June 4 for his last major piece of work in advance of his Triple Crown try in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (G1), it was more of the same from him and his camp. After watching the colt cruise through a five-furlong breeze in 1:01 2/5 that was as easy as he pleased, Baffert reiterated how spoiled he was to have a horse whose actions could deliver the most definitive statements. "(Jockey) Martin (Garcia) said he didn't even take a deep breath," Baffert said of the work. "All seems good." After dropping jaws with his sizzling four-furlong work in :46 4/5 at Churchill May 29, Justify put in a steadier effort June 4, but one that still featured his trademark ease. After breaking off solo at the half-mile pole, Justify was well in hand while registering splits of :12 4/5, :24 4/5, :37, and :48 4/5 and put in a big gallop out to six furlongs in 1:13 3/5 and seven furlongs in 1:27 1/5. "He went a little quick last time so I wanted to go three quarters with him," said Baffert, who arrived in Louisville the evening before to oversee Justify's final pre-Belmont work. "Just kept him in hand the whole way and let him gallop out seven-eighths. He went smooth and he relaxed nice. Last time he was a little bit fresh, I think, and really wanted to do a little bit more. But Martin was happy with him."

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of race 1, Celebrating Volpe Veloce 2200, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638(3)(b)(ii). The Informant, Mr Jones, alleged that Amateur Rider, Mr Cushing, used his whip excessively when riding DEFER. Mr Jones read the Rule aloud to Mr Cushing. Mr Cushing admitted the breach ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)and Whip Regulation(b)Following the running of Race 9, the Mount Hutt Trotting Club Handicap Trot, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S Renault against Licensed Open Horseman, Mr R Payne, alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) in that he used his whip outside of Clause (b) of the use of Whip Regulations. Rule 869(2) ...View the full article

For a big horse he sure glides across the ground.