Chief Stipe

Ticket prices and availability for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to be held Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs were announced Thursday. Available seating options include dining, reserved and box seating, and general admission. Group packages are also available for groups of 18 or more, as well as custom fan experience packages through Breeders’ Cup Experiences. Complete ticket pricing and availability can be found here. Fans are encouraged to sign up here for special pre-sale access as demand for tickets is expected to be high. By signing up, fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets before they are available to the general public June 7. “Churchill Downs offers a wide range of seating and hospitality options for fans coming from around the world to enjoy a first-class event experience at this year’s Breeders’ Cup,” said Craig Fravel, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “We are sure that our loyal Breeders’ Cup fans, and those purchasing tickets for the first time, will experience a captivating two days of outstanding international Thoroughbred racing this November.” View the full article

A forecast of anywhere from a dusting to six or more inches of snow is possible for the Lexington area April 6 into April 7, with Keeneland officials planning for various contingencies concerning big Saturday race card. View the full article

Returning from a five-month layoff in a grade 1 stakes is not a typical move for most horses, yet trainer Mark Casse has no qualms about the spot he chose for Awesome Slew's 5-year-old debut. View the full article

After 69 years of operating in Michigan, Hazel Park closed April 5. The racetrack, which was scheduled to open for training Thursday for its opening day May 4, announced the closure on its web site, but did not provide further details. View the full article

2nd-AQU, $70k, Msw, 3yo/up, 1 1/8mT, 1:31 p.m. EDT Whisper Hill Farm’s 2015 Keeneland September sales-topper TAPIT HIGH (Tapit) makes his belated debut in this nine-furlong turf test. Purchased for $2.1 milion, the gray’s second dam is 1988 GI Kentucky Derby heroine Winning Colors (Caro {Ire}). He shows a steady worktab for trainer John Kimmel over the Palm Meadows turf, capped by a half-mile breeze around dogs in :50 4/5 (13/20 Mar. 31. 2nd-SA, $54k, Msw, 3yo, 6 1/2fT, 3:00 p.m. EDT A few pricey firsters open their accounts in this full field of 12 downhill turf sprinters. Zedan Racing Stables’ ALFAREED (Orb) was the fourth-most expensive lot at last May’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale after selling for $710,000 off of a :10 flat furlong breeze. The dark bay’s second dam is seven-time Grade I winner Sharp Cat (Storm Cat), who is also a half-sister to MGISW turfer Royal Anthem (Theatrical {Ire}). He completed preparations for this unveiling with a local three-furlong bullet work in :34 2/5 (1/23) from the gate Apr. 2. Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s Scat Big Dad (Scat Daddy) debuts for trainer Richard Mandella. The dark bay, from the second-to-last crop of his sire, sold for $450,000 as a Keeneland September yearling and flashed speed with a five-furlong gate work in 1:00 2/5 (3/78) here Apr. 1. —@JBiancaTDN View the full article

Gulfstream broke total handle records during its 89-day Championship Meet bringing in $957 million, a 10.4% increase from last year’s handle of $867 million. Handle including total simulcast was $1.021 billion and on-track handle was $3.9 million. The Jan. 27 GI Pegasus World Cup handled a record $41.9 million and the track broke another record on GI Florida Derby Mar. 31 with a handle of $49.9 million. “The Championship Meet was an extraordinary 89 days of world-class racing, exceptional dining and incredible events,” said Gulfstream Park General Manager Bill Badgett. “We want to thank the fans who witnessed many of the world’s greatest equine athletes and jockeys and we want to thank the horsemen and owners from around the world for supporting our meet.” Badgett continued, “The Stronach Group is creating an entirely new way to experience the races while embracing generations of new fans through world-class entertainment and events. We look forward to our Spring/Summer meet and building on our year-round program and preparing for another memorable Championship Meet in 2018-2019.” View the full article

Thoroughbred industry leader Tracy W. Farmer and his wife Carol have joined the Water Hay Oats Alliance. A member of the Jockey Club and former member and trustee of the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors, Tracy Farmer has long been active in the reform movement as a regulator serving as Vice Chairman of the Kentucky Racing Commission and head of its special committee on drug regulation and enforcement. View the full article

The NZ$200,000 G1 Fiber Fresh NZB Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. sees an even dozen fillies and mares step forward in the final top-flight contest of the New Zealand season at Te Aroha on Saturday. One of two Stephen Marsh trainees in the field–the other being G2 Rich Hill Mile heroine Ruud Not Too (NZ) (Bernardini)–Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is aiming to double her Group 1 tally in the 1600-metre contest. Successful in the G1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile over the Trentham sod in January of 2017, the joint third choice at $7.50 has visited the winner’s enclosure since, in the G2 Westbury Classic last March. The grey was off the board in five more runs after a runner-up finish in the 2017 edition of this race. Finding a bit of her old spark when bolting up in her second consecutive Westbury Classic, defeating MGSW Coldplay (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) into third, with Mar. 17 G3 Cuddle S. victress Montoya Star (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) fourth on Jan. 27, Thee Auld Floozie endured a wide journey in the G2 Japan Trophy and trailed home 11th last out. Favoured on Saturday is the upwardly mobile Darscape Princess (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) at $3.50 from the Fraser Auret barn. The 4-year-old saluted four times in a row from 1400-1600 metres, including the Feb. 6 Listed Wairarapa T’bred Breeders S. at Tauherenikau and in a Benchmark 85 handicap at Awapuni on Mar. 2. She was second in the G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand S. trying Group 1 company for the first time at Ellerslie. Sir Peter Vela, whose Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) won twice at group level in Europe in 2017, sees his colours flown by listed scorer Cote D’Or (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) for trainers Ken and Bev Kelso. The rail runner ran second in a 1400-metre handicap at Arawa park on Mar. 17. View the full article

Nearly perfect if not for a brutal nose defeat in the GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Sprint in November, ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ami’s Mesa (Sky Mesa) seeks a first Grade I tally in Keeneland’s Madison S. Saturday. “The only question going into the [Breeders’ Cup] was the dirt,” said trainer Josie Carroll, who sent out Ami’s Mesa to three 2017 graded tallies–two at Woodbine and one at Presque Isle, all over Tapeta. “After the Breeders’ Cup, she got five weeks off at the farm in Florida.” Carroll has had some success at Keeneland in recent years with dirt sprinters: Leigh Court (Grand Slam) cruised to victory in the 2014 GII TCA S., while Ami’s Mesa’s relative Ami’s Flatter (Flatter) turned in a career-best effort to take the GIII Commonwealth S. on this card two years ago. One who already boasts a victory at the highest level is Kaleem Shah’s lightly raced American Gal (Concord Point). Twice Grade I-placed at two for Bob Baffert, she was transferred to Simon Callaghan ahead of a clear-cut victory in Belmont’s GIII Victory Ride S. July 9. The homebred was last seen dominating Saratoga’s prestigious GI Test S. going this distance back in August. Talented Finley’sluckycharm (Twirling Candy) is another due to get a Grade I on her resume at some point. A close second in the 2016 GI La Brea S. going this distance, she’s a three-time graded winner, including a score in the six-panel TCA here in October. Ninth in the F/M Sprint, she was second in the grassy Mardi Gras S. at Fair Grounds Feb. 13. View the full article

Even though she’s not even contesting the 2018 G1 Doncaster Mile, the formlines around Winx (Aus} (Street Cry {Ire}) are still the measuring stick and come Saturday they will surely come into play. Finishing second and third, respectively, to Winx in the G1 George Ryder S. (1500m) on Mar. 24, Happy Clapper (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Kementari (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) appear on paper to be the stand out selections. Second on two occasions in the race, Happy Clapper has returned this time in with a slashing first-up win in the G1 Canterbury S., before his three-quarter length second to Winx, clearly highlighting his class, while Kementari was unbeaten in his first three this campaign highlighted by his stunning G1 Randwick Guineas victory over the same track and trip as the Doncaster before his third to Winx. The telling factor appears the weights–Happy Clapper will carry 57kg, while Kementari has just 51.5kg on his back, a significant advantage which sees a leaning to Godolphin’s quality 3-year-old. Another who can lay claims to finishing extremely close to Winx in a race is the Darren Weir-trained Group 1 winner Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}), a narrow second to the great mare in the Cox Plate. Third-up last time in he captured the G1 Makybe Diva S. over 1600m, and with four wins from six starts at the trip, the 5-year-old will get every chance. Dropping back from his impressive win in the G1 Rosehill Guineas last start, the Star Thoroughbreds-raced D’Argento (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}) is using a tried and tested formula for trainer Chris Waller of dropping back in trip for the Doncaster, having most recently proved successful with 3-year-old Sacred Falls (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) in his first of two wins in the race. Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas (Ire}), a stablemate of D’Argento is well-known for his ability to always find someone better, and with only 52 kilos on his back, the lightest weight he has carried in some time, as well as a new jockey in Kerrin McEvoy set to partner the 7-year-old, we could only assume that he should be right in the money once again. View the full article

While some of the gloss of Saturday’s G1 TJ Smith S. (1200m) may have rubbed off due to the fact the enigmatic galloper Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) will not be attempting a fourth-straight win in the race, talented mare and last start G1 The Galaxy winner In Her Time (Aus) (Time Thief {Aus}) surely won’t mind, with the Ben Smith-trained runner set to give the race one hell of a shake. Unbeaten over the track and trip, the mare will also be attempting to highlight her class in the hope that a slot owner takes her on for The Everest in October. The only other runner in the field who is unbeaten at the track and trip, is last year’s The Everest winner and A$8.2-million earner Redzel (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) who should prove the hardest to run down. Arguably one of the best sprinters in the world, with one defeat from his last seven starts, the Group 1 winner has been readied since his G2 Challenge S. win with a comfortable three-length barrier trial victory over Doncaster Mile hopeful Lanciato (NZ) (Per Incanto). Narrowly defeated in the G1 Newmarket Hcp on Mar. 10, behind Redkirk Warrior (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}), Darren Weir’s Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}) will be looking to add a second Group 1 victory to his win in the Futurity S. two starts back over the Caulfield 1400m. Third in 2016 and second in 2017, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained English (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) will be aiming to not only add a significant pedigree boost to her Snitzel (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) half-sister set to sell on Monday as lot 77 during the opening session of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, but a second victory at the elite level would see this mare as one of the most valuable in the land. 3-year-old colts Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) and Showtime (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) are both coming off good efforts at Group 1 level at their past few starts and a victory by either would further enhance their future stud careers. View the full article

David Payne’s dual Group 1-winning colt Ace High (Aus) (High Chaparral {Aus}) may appear on paper to have been slightly disappointing last start when sixth in the G1 Rosehill Guineas, beaten three lengths by D’Argento (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}), but as the superior staying colt of the field he will really appreciate being back on much firmer footing in the G1 Australian Derby (2400m) on Saturday and will surely look the winner at some stage. Training Criterion (NZ) (Sebring {Aus}) to success in the Derby in 2014, Payne has always indicated that Ace High is a better horse, and come Saturday Tye Angland will be ready to take full advantage of barrier two in the capacity 18 horse field. Successful in the G1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) two starts back before relegated to fourth in the G1 Rosehill Guineas after a protest, Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman’s Vin De Dance (NZ) (Rock De Cambes {NZ}) will be aiming to give New Zealand-breds another win in the time-honoured Classic, having won eight of the last 11 running’s of the race. Charging late when a narrow second to stablemate D’Argento in the Rosehill Guineas running the best final last 600m in the race, Tangled (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) not only has the form on the board to take the prize, having also finished second to Ace High in the G1 Spring Champion S., the colt’s dam is a winner of the G1 New Zealand Oaks, who has produced two stakes winners over 2000m plus. Beaten for the first time when third in the Rosehill Guineas, the Kris Lees-trained Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) is lining up for his sixth start in his first race campaign and with some luck in running, the gelding who is out of a three-quarter-sister G1 Brisbane Cup (3200m) winner Danestorm (Aus) (Danehill), should be in the finish. Both coming into the race with similar form this time in, Levendi (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}) and Astoria (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro) who finished one-two in last Saturday’s G2 Tulloch S. (2000m) both look ready to run a very strong race and should be watched. View the full article

With a third followed by a second in the first two Group 1 races of the juvenile season, the logical progression for the Tony McEvoy-trained Oohood (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) is first at her next start and that opportunity presents itself on Saturday in the G1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at Royal Randwick, Day 1 of The Championships. Oohood’s narrow second behind Estijaab (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) last start in the G1 Golden Slipper clearly highlights her class and with Zac Purton coming back from Hong Kong to once again partner the filly, a victory in the race will be the second elite level win for owner/breeder Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum in quick succession after last Saturday’s G1 Vinery Stud S. win of Hiyaam (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}). A last start winner over 1400m in the G2 VRC Sires’, Not A Single Cent (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), the colt will be trainer Ciaron Maher’s first Group 1 runner since his return from suspension, with the half-brother to Group 1 winner Happy Clapper (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}) who contests the G1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) later in the day, a serious contender in the large field of juveniles. Fifth in the Golden Slipper at her last start, Mick Price’s Seabrook (NZ) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) was only beaten just over two lengths by Estijaab and from a pedigree that indicates the trip should pose no concern, the Group 2-winning filly should get a good run from the inside barrier. A winner over Oohood in the Listed Merson Cooper S. in November, the Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig-trained Long Leaf (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) raced wide in the Golden Slipper, making up plenty of ground down the outside of the field before the wide passage appeared to take its toll, weakening for sixth, but from barrier two on Saturday the colt looks right in the race. While still a maiden after five career starts, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Spin (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), has never finished further back than fourth–all at stakes level, and after looming up last start in the G3 Baillieu Quality on Mar. 31, the colt has picked a strong race to try and earn his first race win. View the full article

Keeneland opens its doors for its 16-day spring meet Friday, ushering in the unofficial beginning of springtime in the Bluegrass. Mother Nature appears to have missed that memo, however, with snow expected early in the day Saturday, but Friday’s 10-race card is classic Keeneland, with milder temperatures and robust field sizes expected. The opening day feature is the GIII Frontier Utilities Transylvania S., highlighted by the return of William Lawrence’s undefeated Analyze It (Point of Entry). The 2018 spring meet also marks the second time in as many meets when Keeneland has adjusted its takeout rates. A heavily discussed issue among horseplayers and others in the industry, the latest reduction restores win, place and show wagers to a lower 16% rate and drops exactas to a 19.5% rate (exactas were 22% in the fall and 19% previously), while keeping trifecta, superfecta, pick three and pick four rates at their fall meet levels, which rose to 22% from 19%. ‘Analyze’ This Analyze It looms as the clear headliner of the opening day Transylvania after dazzling in a pair of starts over one mile on the grass as a juvenile. The bay captured his career debut at Belmont by an emphatic 6 1/4 lengths, earning ‘TDN Rising Stardom,’ and followed that effort up with an equally facile 4 1/4-length victory in the GIII Cecil B. Demille S. at Del Mar Nov. 26. Pointed to this spot for his 2018 debut, the speedy Chad Brown trainee drew the sometimes problematic post 12 of 12 in the Transylvania, likely necessitating some early-race tactical decisions from jockey Jose Ortiz. If a ground-saving trip is unlikely for Analyze It, Treadway Racing Stable’s Maraud (Blame) will have one by default after drawing the rail. The bay, a three-time winner from five starts, parlayed a forwardly placed trip into a victory in the GIII Palm Beach S. at Gulfstream Mar. 3 and could carve out an ideal stalking trip Friday. The Transylvania’s diverse cast features another last-out stakes winner in Dragon Drew (Get Stormy), who captured the Black Gold S. at Fair Grounds Mar. 3 for co-owner/trainer Buff Bradley. Admiralty Pier (English Channel) hinted at significant ability as a 2-year-old, finishing third in the grassy GII Summer S. and capturing the Display S. when last seen over Woodbine’s Tapeta track Dec. 2. Lothenbach Stables homebred Captivating Moon (Malibu Moon) is another with a proven record to handle multiple surfaces, having finished second in the Arlington-Washington Futurity on synthetic, as well as the restricted Spendthrift Juvenile Stallion S. on dirt last year. Turf may be his most effective surface, however, as the bay has kicked off his sophomore campaign with an allowance score and a runner-up finish behind ultra-talented ‘TDN Rising Star’ Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the Mar. 10 Columbia S. at Tampa Bay Downs. Handicapping for a Cause Through the @BETKeeneland Twitter account, which provides horseplayers with information, stats and insights during race days, Keeneland will host a “handicapper of the day” during each of its 16 race days. Each handicapper’s wagers–financed by a $200 bankroll–will be shared on Twitter, and the winnings from their bets will be donated to support the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). Last autumn, winnings benefitted the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), and Keeneland intends to partner with a new charitable initiative every meet. “The @BetKeeneland handle is an exciting mix of traditional and cutting edge designed to deliver real-time handicapping tips and tools directly to our wagering fans,” Keeneland Chief Marketing Officer Christa Marrillia said. “The Handicapper of the Day series will further elevate the race-day fun and, in keeping with Keeneland’s philanthropic mission, support industry charities.” Beginning with the TDN‘s own Brian DiDonato on opening day Friday, the roster of participating handicappers includes former professional hockey player and lead NBC Sports handicapper Eddie Olczyk, TVG’s Todd Schrupp and Caton Bredar, former racecaller Dave Johnson, NHC winners Michael Beychok, Jonathon Kinchen, Paul Matties Jr. and Judy Wagner, and prominent racehorse owner Samantha Siegel, who recorded the highest bankroll of the fall meet, contributing $4,050.80 to the PDJF. “The TAA is proud to partner with Keeneland as the beneficiary of @BetKeeneland during the 2018 Spring Meet,” TAA President John Phillips, owner of Darby Dan Farm, said. “Handicappers are some of our biggest supporters and we’re grateful for the continued support from the Keeneland Association, one of our seed-money donors.” Keeneland, together with the Breeders’ Cup and The Jockey Club, established the TAA in 2012 and has donated more than $1.3 million to the cause through its racing and sales programs. Spring Place to Be As always, Keeneland has a wide-ranging events schedule to augment the action on the racetrack. In addition to staples such as Sunrise Trackside and tailgating on The Hill, Keeneland will host special days to benefit specific causes such as College Scholarship Day Apr. 6 , Wear Red Day Apr. 11, Military Day at the Races Apr. 22 and Horses and Hope Pink Day Apr. 26. Weather a Factor Saturday’s blockbuster 11-race card, highlighted by the 94th GII Toyota Blue Grass S. and the 81st GI Central Bank Ashland S. is likely to take the brunt of this weekend’s wintry weather. With a forecast calling for snowfall Saturday morning and an overnight low of 22 degrees Fahrenheit, it is nearly a certainty that weather will have some impact on the card, which features 124 horses entered prior to scratches. View the full article

Nearly unbeaten Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) looms an imposing presence in Saturday’s GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland as she looks to solidify herself as the favorite for next month’s GI Kentucky Oaks. The Brad Cox trainee started her career two-for-two on the grass, but handled the switch to the main track just fine when she aired by 6 1/2 lengths in Churchill’s Rags to Riches S. in October. Upended by a neck by the subsequently sidelined Road to Victory (Quality Road) in the GII Golden Rod S. back under the Twin Spires Nov. 25, she showed a different dimension in the Feb. 17 GII Rachel Alexandra S. at Fair Grounds when going last to first. Fourth in that heat was Texas-bred Patrona Margarita (Special Rate), who previously upset Churchill’s GII Pocahontas S. back in September. On figures, Eskimo Kisses (To Honor and Serve) appears most likely to give the chalk a run for her money. Conditioned by two-time Ashland winner Ken McPeek, the chestnut stepped forward off a graduation score to air by 11 1/2 lengths in a sloppy Oaklawn allowance Feb. 22, earning a 92 Beyer Speed Figure that’s one point higher than Monomoy Girl’s top. She followed up with a head second in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks, defeating three also-rans from the Rachel Alexandra. Don Alberto homebred Andina del Sur (Giant’s Causeway) is one of the more interesting Ashland entrants, as she’ll try a surface other than turf for the first time. The chestnut pulled off a 13-1 upset in Tampa’s GIII Florida Oaks Mar. 10, and will be looking to avenge trainer Tom Albertrani’s neck second in the 2009 running of this race with another talented turfer in Gozzip Girl (Dynaformer). Dale Romans took the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks a week ago with a somewhat later developing filly in Coach Rocks (Oxbow), and will look for a similar result here with C. S. Incharge (Take Charge Indy), who broke through in start number five before annexing Tampa’s Suncoast S. next out Feb. 10. View the full article

Sydney-AUSTRALIA–The Inglis Chairman’s Sale of Racing Prospects was highlighted by A$1-million 3-year-old colt Siege of Quebec (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) (lot 3), who sold to Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Aquis Farm at the Museum of Contemporary Art Thursday evening in Sydney. The former Coolmore and Partners-owned colt was one of three lots offered on the night by James Harron Bloodstock, after the scratching of the Newgate Farm-consigned Listed Canberra Guineas winner and Group 3 runner-up Assimilate (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) in the highly select four-horse catalogue. Lot 1, Almighty (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), the two-time winner out of MSW & MGSP Strawberry Field (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) brought A$250,000 on the bid of Dan Meagher Racing, while Snitzel (Aus) colt Hypnotist (Aus) (lot 2), whose dam is a half-sister to three SWs, among them Group 3 heroine Kiss Me Ketut (NZ) (Danroad {Aus}), went for the same amount to Hong Kong interests. “It’s a new concept, a new sale, but all in all it’s been fantastic success, we’ve moved three horses on to new owners and we’ll be giving the biggest and loudest cheers to the new owners,” said Harron, who sold the inaugural Chairman’s Sale sale topper in 2017 G2 Todman S. hero Gunnison (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) for A$1.4 million. “This is a sale I believe in long term in Australia. People will look back on these results and say there was some very good buying here tonight. Like any new thing you’ve got to support the concept you believe in and I’m sure this will continue to grow and continue to be a big success in years to come.” A son of the winning Rose of Cimmaron (Aus) (Bite the Bullet), the A$1.2-million 2016 Inglis Easter yearling purchase finished second in the Listed Rosebud Quality last August, and filled the same position in the G3 Aquis Farm Eskimo Prince S. at Warwick Farm on Feb. 10 for Waterhouse and Bott. His dam is a full-sister to Group 3 winner Mica’s Pride (Aus), the dam of MG1SW Criterion (NZ) (Sebring {Aus}) and GSW & G1SP Comin’ Through (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Siege of Quebec was last seen in action running fifth in the Mar. 10 G1 Randwick Guineas. “I’ve admired the horse all the way through his racing career and when Adrian [Bott] suggested Aquis get involved in his future, we were more than happy to do so,” said Aquis Farm’s Shane McGrath. “We’re always happy to back any trainer that supports us and we’re looking forward to being involved in hopefully seeing Siege of Quebec becoming a Group 1 winner in the near future.” View the full article

When Keeneland raised its takeout for the 2017 fall meet, I did what consumers often do when a company raises the price of its product. I shopped elsewhere. I did not push as much as $1 through the windows during the meet. Like most horseplayers, I had never before reacted when a track dipped deeper into our pockets by raising the takeout, which is, essentially, raising the price of making a bet. I was never happy about it, and I may have screamed in print about still another track gauging its customers, but I was always among the endless list of saps that took the punishment and kept betting away on Highway Robbery Downs. But everyone has a breaking point and Keeneland Fall 2017 was not just mine, but something that seemed to push a lot of gamblers over the cliff. Keeneland was not just another track raising its takeout; it was a track that represented everything that was good about the sport, and that included treating its fans right. They were always the guys wearing the white hats until they weren’t. That’s why Keeneland raising takeout was unsettling. It didn’t even seem to particularly make sense. Keeneland is a non-profit organization that doesn’t have any shareholders to answer to. The bottom line matters, but not like it does at a place like Churchill Downs, which raised its takeout in 2014. Keeneland management explained that its reasons for raising the take was that it had hoped to bring in extra revenue in order to raise purses, but purses at Keeneland have always been among the best in the sport and the track has always put out a good product. I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Apparently, horseplayers actually do have a breaking point. Keeneland’s handle fell by 8.4% during the meet with all sources handle declining by a total of $11.2 million. It was impossible to point to any other factor for the decline other than the increased rate. It didn’t happen overnight, but Keeneland did the right thing and the sensible thing. In February, management announced that the takeout rates on win, place, show and exacta wagers would return to their pre-2017 fall levels. They kept the takeouts on trifecta, superfecta, pick three and pick four at the 2017 fall rates. Keeneland’s decision was a major and rare win for the horseplayer. It was the equivalent of No. 16 UMBC beating No. 1 Virginia in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Never before had horseplayers stood up to a track the way they did last fall at Keeneland and never before had a major track rescinded a takeout increase. Keeneland Fall was a turning point in a battle that had previously been completely one-sided. But this story is far from over and the spring meet, which begins Friday, is also going to be vital when it comes to how not just Keeneland, but all tracks, look at their customers and the issue of takeout. The last thing that anyone should want is for Keeneland to have a bad meet handle-wise. That would send a message that the fall figures were a fluke unrelated to the takeout hike. The very best thing that could happen is for Keeneland to have a phenomenal meet when it comes to wagering. That would reinforce the message that handle and takeout are closely intertwined and that the customer will react with an increased betting level when given a price break. That will cause the next track that wants to raise its takeout to think twice and may encourage some tracks to follow Keeneland’s lead and lower their take. The Horseplayers Association of North America (HANA) has done an excellent job of becoming an effective voice for the bettor and it smacked Keeneland around pretty good last fall, calling for a boycott. Likely, HANA’s saber rattling had a significant and negative effect on Keeneland’s handle. Yes, HANA had some kind things to say after Keeneland lowered its takeout in many of its pools. Yes, it would have been nice for Keeneland to return all takeout rates to their prior levels. But it’s disappointing that HANA has been a lot quieter this spring than it was last fall. The organization needs to get behind Keeneland and encourage all horseplayers to support this meet and reward Keeneland for issuing what is essentially a mea culpa by lowering the bite on the gambler. So if HANA won’t do it, I will. The Gulfstream championship meet is over, Derby Week is not yet upon us and NYRA racing won’t bloom until Belmont opens. Keeneland has great racing, full fields and management has done something tracks never seem to do, listen to the complaints of their customers. The historic Lexington track has re-earned your support. The Keeneland spring meet should be the primary focus of everyone who plays this game. I know it will be mine. View the full article

In this ongoing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. This weekend’s runners appear in both Friday and Saturday’s TDN, as Saturday’s action at Nakayama features a trio of promising American-breds going to the post in the G2 New Zealand Trophy over the metric mile: Saturday, April 7, 2018 11th-NKY, New Zealand Trophy-G2, ¥104m ($967k), 3yo, 1600mT RYONO TESORO (c, 3, Justin Phillip–Town Belle, by Speightstown) looks to run his winning streak to four while making his group debut here. Second on debut to recent Group 2 winner Mr Melody (Scat Daddy), the bay colt paired up victories on the dirt in his next two starts and exits a neck success in the Listed Crocus S. (1400m) in his turf debut Jan. 27 (gate 4). A $45K KEENOV weanling, $80K KEESEP yearling and $300K BARMAR 2yo, he is a maternal grandson of Clearly a Queen (Lucky North), a three-time graded winner on the grass. B-Highland Yard LLC (KY) RAMSES BAROWS (c, 3, Curlin–Devious Intent, by Dixie Union) broke his maiden at second asking on dirt and most recently carried Christophe Lemaire to a 3/4-length allowance victory over this course and distance Mar. 4 (gate 12). Purchased in utero for $350K at FTKNOV in 2014, he subsequently fetched $425K as a KEESEP yearling before being sold for $350K as an OBSMAR breezer in 2017. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY) DELTA BAROWS (c, 3, Into Mischief–Sweet Seventeen, by Hard Spun) could not have been more impressive in graduating by open lengths first time out over soft Tokyo turf Oct. 21 (gate 5), but was well beaten when last seen in the G3 Keisei Hai (2000m) in January. A $200K KEESEP yearling who realized the same price at FTFMAR a year ago, he should be suited by the cutback in distance and could possibly appreciate some ease in the ground. B-John C Oxley (KY) View the full article

A couple of newcomers with different backgrounds put themselves into our black book for the future at Sha Tin on Monday, with the previously unraced Happy Sebring and more experienced Sumstreetsumwhere looking coming winners. And both of them look like their first Hong Kong assignment was quite unsuitable over 1,200m and they will come into their own as their distances get stretched out. In the third race, won by Star Shine, Sumstreetsumwhere even looked like he might have something wrong with... View the full article

Zac Purton returns from suspension on Sunday at Sha Tin with his sights set on Joao Moreira in the jockeys’ championship and unbeaten three-year-old Lean Perfection gives him a great chance of success. Moreira has won the last three championships by wide margins but this season has seen Purton edge closer through the first two thirds of the term. The Australian is 10 wins behind his Brazilian rival with 28 meetings remaining and Lean Perfection should help close the gap in the Class Three... View the full article

Weight students will be looking to Beat The Clock to turn the tables on stablemate Mr Stunning in the Group Two Sprint Cup on Sunday at Sha Tin but their champion trainer John Size warns there are other factors at work. Six weeks ago, the Size-trained D B Pin beat Mr Stunning and Beat the Clock in the Centenary Sprint Cup, with the latter pair dead-heating for second placing at level weights. D B Pin is missing through injury this weekend but Size has a third-string in Amazing Kids and a... View the full article

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If all goes well in the April 7 Santa Anita Oaks (G1), Midnight Bisou could be the first Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) starter for trainer Bill Spawr. View the full article

DEL MAR, Ca – The Barretts Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, which combined the company’s traditional two juvenile auctions for the first time, was topped Wednesday by a $600,000 son of Uncle Mo. West Point Thoroughbreds’ Terry Finley made the winning bid on hip 14, who was consigned by Eddie Woods. In all, 74 horses sold Wednesday at Del Mar for a total of $6,421,000. The average was $86,770 and the median was $50,000. Of the 170 catalogued head, 54 were withdrawn and 42 failed to sell for a buy-back rate of 36.2%. “Like it is across the country, the highly desirable horses are easy to sell,” said Barretts General Manager Kim Lloyd. “There are people after them, there is a lot of competition for them. But for the horses that the market isn’t fond of, it’s tough sledding. We saw that again today.” Nine horses sold for $200,000 or over during Wednesday’s auction. At last year’s final Barretts March Select Sale, 12 juveniles reached that mark with a top price of $675,000. The top price at last year’s final May sale, and only horse over $200,000, was $245,000. The 2017 March median was $100,000 and the May median was $27,500. Barretts combined the two auctions in an attempt to present buyers with a larger catalogue of potential purchases and sellers with a broader buying base to market their product. “I didn’t have any negative comments about combining the sale,” Lloyd said. “Actually everybody was positive about it, the consignors and the buyers. We had a bigger catalogue–and everybody likes that. We had a huge turnout at the preview, we had a great turnout in the barn area and even here at the sale today there was a big turnout. The market determines the prices on the horses. But everything was in place today.” Of the combined marketplace, Lloyd added, “I think it opens the door for opportunities to sell a horse. I really do. I saw it today.” West Point Strikes Early for Uncle Mo Colt West Point Thoroughbreds provided the early fireworks at Barretts Wednesday, seeing off a pair of challengers to secure a colt by Uncle Mo for $600,000. Consigned by Eddie Woods, hip 14 is a California-bred 2-year-old out of Fresia (El Prado {Ire}), a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner His Race to Win (Stormy Atlantic). “I thought he was a beautiful horse,” West Point’s Terry Finley said after signing the ticket on the colt alongside bloodstock agent David Ingordo. “I thought he was a horse that would have fit in either of the first two sales [OBS March or Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale] we came to. The fact that he is a California-bred, that was just icing on the cake. He was a very special horse.” West Point has a group of promising prospects by Coolmore’s Uncle Mo and Finley said he is quickly becoming a fan of the stallion. “We like Uncle Mo–this class of 35 horses that we are going to come to the races with, we have four Uncle Mos. So I am starting to warm up to Uncle Mo a little bit more than I was.” Finley added West Point may eventually have additional partners on the bay colt, who will be trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. “There should be a couple of others, but I don’t know who is going to come in yet,” Finley said. “We’ll try to figure that out.” The juvenile, who was bred by Bar C Racing Stables, was making his second trip through the Barretts sales ring. He was purchased by Woods’s Quarter Pole Enterprises for $60,000 at last year’s Barretts Select Yearling Sale. “He was a spectacular horse who worked well,” said Woods. “He is a beautiful-looking horse who has been uncomplicated all year.” Woods continued, “He had a little blemish, that he still has, on a sesamoid. When we vetted him, we sent the X-rays to a lot of different vets around the country for multiple opinions and everyone was very comfortable with it. So we were good to go.” Of the colt’s quarter-mile work in :21 1/5, Woods admitted, “I thought he might actually go a bit quicker. But we weren’t on the same track that we usually work on. This was a little bit of a slower track, a very forgiving track, but a couple of ticks slower than what we’ve seen in the past. And he wasn’t quite ready to work on that kind of track that far, but because he has natural talent, he did.” Neal and Pam Christopherson’s Oregon-based Bar C Racing Stables purchased Fresia, with this Uncle Mo foal in utero, for $35,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November sale. Fresia had no reported foal in 2017 and was bred back to Harbor the Gold. Into Mischief Colt to Zedan Bloodstock agent Dennis O’Neill, bidding on behalf of Amr Zedan, went to $450,000 to secure a colt by Into Mischief from the supplemental catalogue of the Barretts Spring Sale Wednesday at Del Mar. The youngster, who was withdrawn from last month’s OBS March sale due to a minor setback, was rerouted to the Barretts sale and showed up in Southern California with a co-bullet furlong work in :10 flat Monday. “We thought he was the best colt in the sale and you can’t beat Into Mischief right now,” O’Neill said. “We were prepared to go a little higher–I was kind of surprised it stopped where it stopped. He was an absolutely gorgeous horse. His breeze was great and we got him galloping out really good. We’re extremely excited to have him to say the least.” Consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables, hip 167 is out of Cape Discovery (Cape Town). He was purchased by Ron Fein’s Superfine Farms for $110,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale. Superfine already had a pinhooking score on the juvenile sales season this year. The operation purchased a colt by Fed Biz for $160,000 at the Keeneland September sale and the youngster sold for $725,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale. O’Neill purchased subsequent ‘TDN Rising Star’ Saudi Chroma (Lucky Pulpit) for $360,000 on behalf of Zedan at last year’s Barretts March sale. The fledgling Zedan Racing Stable will be represented by Tyfosha (Flatter) in Saturday’s GI Ashland S. and by Shane Zain (Medaglia d’Oro) in the GII Lexington S. “He’s just trying to compete at the top and we thought this was the best colt in here. That’s what he wants to buy,” O’Neill said of Zedan’s business plan. Hip 167, who has been stabled with the Wavertree horses in Barn D on Del Mar’s backside, will only have a short trip to trainer Doug O’Neill’s barn at the oceanside oval. “He will go four barns over, he’ll stay here at Del Mar,” Dennis O’Neill confirmed. Rockingham Ranch Takes Charge Bloodstock agent Raymie Lightner, bidding on behalf of Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch, signed the ticket at $335,000 to secure a filly (hip 109) from the first crop of Grade I winner Will Take Charge (Unbridled’s Song). The chestnut filly is out of multiple stakes winner and multiple graded stakes placed Trip for A. J. (Trippi). She was consigned by Becky Thomas’s Sequel Bloodstock. “From the start, she stood out,” said Lightner. “She looked good on the track–she galloped out strong and looked good doing it. And she had great conformation. There was nothing not to like about her. She was the one we zeroed in on from the start. We are tickled to death to have. She did it all for us.” Peter Miller will train the filly for Rockingham Ranch. Hartunian’s operation, which won a pair of Breeders’ Cup races last fall, had the second and third-place finishers in last weekend’s G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen and the runner-up in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint. Also this spring, Rockingham has added a colt by Kantharos (hip 368), purchased for $410,000 at OBS March, and a Medaglia d’Oro colt (hip 95) purchased for $50,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale, to its roster. The Will Take Charge filly, bred by Lynn Schiff, was purchased by Thomas and Al Pike for $100,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale. Solis is All Smiles for Cal-bred Colt Bloodstock agent Alex Solis, bidding on behalf of a partnership that will include the Roth family’s LNJ Foxwoods, went to $200,000 to secure a colt by Smiling Tiger during Wednesday’s Barretts sale. Out of Perfect Feat (Pleasantly Perfect), hip 63 is a full-brother to stakes winner Spiced Perfection and he worked a co-bullet in :10 flat Monday at Del Mar. “He breezed really well, he is a big-striding, efficient horse,” Solis said of the colt’s appeal. “He galloped out really well. He’s very well-balanced. And he’s a full to a nice horse.” Solis continued, “I think, for a Cal-bred, he’ll be a lot of fun to have. The Cal-bred program is so great now. We are breeding Straight Fire (Dominus) in California right now for that exact reason. This is a good way for them to get a taste for the Cal-bred market.” Multiple Grade I placed Straight Fire was campaigned by a partnership which included Jungle Racing, LNJ Foxwoods and KMN Racing. He now stands at Legacy Ranch. Hip 63 was consigned by Havens Bloodstock Agency on behalf of breeder Premier Thoroughbreds, which purchased Perfect Feat for $7,500 at the 2014 Barretts January sale. Owned by Phil Lebherz, the burgeoning Premier Thoroughbreds matched that result later in the sale when hip 75, a filly by Violence brought $200,000 from Blinkers On Racing Stable. Solis said he was happy with Barretts’ new combined 2-year-old in training sale. “It’s much better having more horses,” he said. “I think it’s a good thing. I think they need to build on it still, but it’s a good start. They are selling horses for a lot of money still.” View the full article

A game of musical preps includes the entry of Gary and Mary West's homebred Restoring Hope in the Wood Memorial, sending the son of Giant's Causeway cross-country off a maiden win in a last-minute bid to gain points to run in the Kentucky Derby. View the full article