Wandering Eyes

Splendora wins the B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park for trainer Bob Baffert and owners By Talla Racing and Boyd Racing.View the full article

Steve Landers Racing's Destino d'Oro continues to thrive in Florida, rallying off her third straight victory in the Sunshine State with a triumph in the $200,000 Hillsborough Stakes (G2T) at Tampa Bay Downs March 7.View the full article

An already standout week for Gainesway stallion Drain the Clock finished on a high note Saturday when a chestnut colt (hip 748) by the first-season stallion consigned by Doble J Equine Sales became the second horse by the sire to equal the OBS track record this week, breezed a quarter-mile in :20 1/5 during the final day of under-tack shows. Out of the Exhi mare Exsqueeze Me, an OBS graduate who is a half sister to GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Wavell Avenue (Harlington), the colt made it three straight days of offspring by the young sire topping the breeze ranks. “I started hearing whispers even in October and you need to be cautiously optimistic or else you could look foolish,” said Ryan Norton, stallion director for Gainesway, regarding the aptitude of Drain the Clock's offspring. “But given his pedigree and given his precociousness and speed, it's something we thought was definitely possible. Now, did I think it was going to be to this level of having multiple sub 10s and two tie the breeze up record at :20 1/5, no. But obviously, we're very happy. I've felt like the prettiest girl in school the last couple days because everyone has been blowing my phone up.” “(His offspring) are the most consistent group of horses I think I've seen in a long time from a stallion,” Norton continued. “It's not necessarily one thing but they're pretty like he is, they look fast and I always thought the pinhookers would gravitate towards him because they are big and pretty.” The commanding presence of first-crop sires during the under-tack shows was further showcased when an Arkansas-bred bay filly (hip 688) by Jack Christopher consigned by Randy Miles, posted the fastest eighth on Saturday, working in :9 3/5. “I can sum up (my expectations) with no sleep last night,” Miles laughed. “Nobody ever thinks they can go :9 3/5 and I'm not one of those guys who thinks speed is everything. But I knew she could do something really special. I just hoped we didn't mess it up between leaving the barn and getting the rider on her. I didn't want to say anything, I didn't want to tout her, I just wanted her to show off. I can't say enough about this filly. I think we're going to read about this filly in the next couple years, I really do. I'm just tickled.” The filly is out of the stakes winning War Chant mare Court Dancer and is from the female family of Grade I winner Fourstar Crook. “She's not real tall. She's not small but she's not one of those big, stretchy imposing types,” Miles said. “But you can see once she gets fit…she's going to look really good as she matures.” The Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale kicks off with the first of three sessions on Tuesday, March 10. Bidding begins each day at 10 a.m. The post Drain The Clock, Jack Christopher Juveniles Lead Final Day Of OBS March Under-Tack Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Never looking anything but a winner, SPLENDORA (m, 5, Audible–Miss Freeze, by Frost Giant) picked up fifth win in a row and her second Grade I in Saturday's GI B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile at Santa Anita. Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner went off the no-brainer 1-9 favorite and cruised on the front end under Juan Hernandez with just a bit of early pressure from a game Bless the Broken (Laoban). Never truly pushed, the Bob Baffert trainee hit the top of the stretch with her ears up and hit high gear, quickly putting Bless the Broken in the rear view mirror to check in an easy open-lengths winner. Om N Joy (Om) put in a late run to finish third. Lifetime Record: 12-7-4-0. O-Boyd Racing and By Talla Racing, LLC; B-The Elkstone Group LLC; T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $125,000 ylg '22 FTKJUL. SPLENDORA ($2.20) dazzles in the $300,000 B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Presented by @FanDuel (G1) at @santaanitapark with her 5th consecutive win. Birthday Jock @JJHernandezS19 rode the Audible (@WinStarFarm) mare for @BobBaffert and owners Boyd Racing and By Talla Racing. pic.twitter.com/kkg9R9xg8f — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 7, 2026 The post Splendora Makes It Five Straight Wins In Beholder Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Chantilly, post time: 16:07, PRIX MONTENICA-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 6 1/2f (AWT) Field: Shaatir (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Bourgoin (Fr) (Ardad {Ire}), Dandy Style (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Mr Wonka (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Kailani (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), Zuender (Ger) (Amaron {GB}), Rencontre Sportive (Fr) (Seabhac), My Calyx Cen (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), Break Dance (Fr) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Showna (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Thora (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), No Tune (GB) (No Nay Never), Ananke (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}). TDN Verdict: This sees the reintroduction of No Tune, who was unbeaten in two starts here last term before finishing third to the re-opposing Kailani in Deauville's Prix Priolo conditions event last month. Bourgoin was impressive over this trip at Deauville in December and remains unexposed. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Chantilly, post time: 16:42, PRIX MAURICE CAILLAULT-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 9f (AWT) Field: My Way (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Gusto (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}), Arden Mist (Volatile), Apolide (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), Segall (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}), Sorbetto (Fr) (Supremacy {Ire}), Menacant (Fr) (Threat {Ire}), Hello Jo (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Reveur (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Al Rateel (Violence), Anashkaya (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Lethal Beauty (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}). TDN Verdict: Following her wins at Cagnes-sur-Mer, Al Rateel is in deeper waters but her Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane entries suggest she is held in high regard and she is race-hardened. Another filly Anashkaya was impressive over a mile here in January, while of the colts the Fabre representative Segall starts with a clean slate after tailing off at two. As a son of the Rockfel winner Spain Burg (Sageburg), he would be dangerous to write off. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Al Rateel Puts Unbeaten Record On The Line at Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Disruptor dug in down the stretch and repelled a bid from Disco Time to win the Challenger Stakes (G3) March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs, notching his first stakes victory.View the full article

Wyoming and Kansas Thoroughbred horsemen are now part of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, giving America's largest racehorse owners' and trainers' organization its 30th and 31st affiliates.View the full article

Oaklawn Park announces a new incentive beginning March 19, boosting purses in non-stakes races with more than nine betting interests. View the full article

Oaklawn Park will support a new purse incentive designed to reward horsemen who support the track for the remainder of the 2025-2026 racing season, Oaklawn announced Saturday. Beginning with Condition Book 4 released March 19, 2026, the incentive will apply to the 25 remaining scheduled race days of the meet and, per the release, “will reward races that attract larger fields.” Under the new structure, Allowance and Maiden Special Weight races will receive an additional $5,000 in purse money for each official starter above nine betting interests, except for stake races; all other overnight races will receive an additional $2,000 for each official starter above nine betting interests. Through the new purse incentive program, Allowance races could potentially reach $140,000 while the lowest overnight purses could increase to as much as $36,000 when races exceed nine official starters. “We're always looking for ways to strengthen the racing product for both our horsemen and our fans,” said Louis Cella, President of Oaklawn. “This program provides additional purse money when races draw larger fields while supporting the competitive racing our fans expect at Oaklawn.” The post Oaklawn To Reward Larger Fields Through End Of ’26 Racing Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wyoming and Kansas thoroughbred horsemen have officially joined the National HBPA, the organization announced Saturday. The Wyoming HBPA and Kansas HBPA were unanimously approved for full membership at Saturday's board meeting of the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, which concluded the annual conference at Oaklawn Park. The Wyoming HBPA, which represents horsemen at Wyoming Downs in Evanston, is a new member while Kansas returned to the HBPA following a 17-year hiatus after live racing ceased in 2008 with the closure of The Woodlands. Made possible by legislation permitting historical horse racing (HHR) parimutuel gaming machines, live racing is scheduled to resume in the Sunflower State this fall at Eureka Downs, about 45 miles from Wichita. Expectations down the road are for a new track near Kansas City. “We are very happy to bring on two new affiliates; Kansas of course re-affiliated after being a longtime member of the HBPA until live racing ceased there,” said HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback. “Credit to a lot of people who are trying to bring back Kansas racing, and they've done so with a commitment to HHR machines with the state. Ralph Lilja, who was the HBPA president years ago, attended the conference here and was very excited to be able to become re-affiliated with National HBPA. Wyoming has been a great success story with the ownership group of Kentucky Downs now owning Wyoming Downs. We are looking to have a good presence in the state of Wyoming. Special thanks to (Wyoming HBPA) president Chris Mitchell and his work, along with Corey Johnsen, for getting the affiliate established. Wyoming and Kansas both were actively trying to become affiliated because they felt that had meaning and meant something for the industry.” The post Wyoming, Kansas Horsemen Join National HBPA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Park will host friends of late trainer John Shirreffs for a Celebration of Life to be held Sunday, March 15 in the Chandelier Room from 1-3 p.m. The public gathering is open to all who knew the trainer during his tenure as a fixture on the Southern California racing circuit, including his many years at Santa Anita Park. Shirreffs passed away unexpectedly at age 80 on Feb. 12 in his Arcadia, CA home after a brief illness. The post John Shirreffs Celebration Of Life Set For March 15 At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Facing down a heavy favorite, Disruptor (Gun Runner–Margate Gardens, by Speightstown) was very tough down the lane in the GIII Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday. Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', at second asking a little over a year ago, Disruptor came into this spot as the 5-2 second choice behind chalk Disco Time (Not This Time). At the bell, Disruptor took the lead, but a massive longshot worked his way to become the pacesetter. The Todd Pletcher trainee earned the front by the far turn, but was taken on by Disco Time. The favorite looked to be in control, but Disruptor began to rally and in the end took home his first higher level score. The final running time was 1:41.40. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-1. Sales History: KEESEP '23 $1.15-million. O-Repole Stable, Spendthrift Farm LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Titletown Racing LLC, Winners Win, Golconda Stable, Goodrich, Ali and Parkinson, Mark; B-Runnymede Farm, LLC & Peter J. Callahan (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. #1 DISRUPTOR ($7.60) fought off Disco Time in the $125,000 Challenger Stakes (G3) at @TampaBayDownsFL! @Iradortiz piloted the Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) colt for trainer @PletcherRacing. @repolestable @spendthriftfarm pic.twitter.com/pUxDMugxuF — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 7, 2026 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Disruptor Made Of Stern Stuff In GIII Challenger Stakes At Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Connections of some of the leading European-trained Dubai World Cup entries are said to be taking a watching brief on the conflict in the Middle East before firming up running plans for the fixture that boasts over $30 million in prize-money on Saturday, March 28. On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Shadai Race Horse Company's Masquerade Ball and Jantar Mantar would not travel from Japan to Meydan for their intended starts in the Dubai Sheema Classic and Dubai Turf. However, leading Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien and the Aga Khan Stud's Racing Manager, Nemone Routh, have said a decision on their respective participation at the meeting will be made much closer to the time. Tower Of London, Al Riffa and Sons And Lovers, successful in the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap at the Saudi Cup meeting when last seen, are all in contention to represent O'Brien in the Gulf later this month. Meanwhile, the Francis Graffard-trained Calandagan could bid to go one better for the Aga Khan Studs in the Dubai Sheema Classic. Routh said, “We currently have two horses and a number of staff based in Dubai. Rayevka, who is trained by Francis Graffard, and Alakazi, trained by Johnny Murtagh, are both in Dubai. And then we have the prospect of running Calandagan. If he does go, he doesn't ship until the 21st of this month so we are waiting to see what happens and will see how we feel about the whole situation close to the time. We're going ahead with all of the protocols so that gives us the option if we do decide to go. We will discuss with Princess Zahra to see what she would like to do closer to the time. We will know a little bit more about what is happening in the Middle East by then.” O'Brien, who has rightly earned himself a reputation for being a master campaigner of horses on a global stage, is taking a similar approach to the Aga Khan Studs. Joseph O'Brien: has some big entries at the Dubai World Cup meeting | Sarah Andrew He said, “We plan to have three or four runners at the Dubai World Cup. We had Aeronautic, who was out there with Shane Crosse, in Dubai recently. He ran there last week but both he and Shane flew home within the past couple of days. We are just monitoring the situation between now and World Cup night because things could relax or escalate. We are in communication with the Dubai Racing Club and the horses are not due for shipping until later this month so we can make a decision closer to the time.” Racing took place at Meydan on Friday, where European trainers like Charlie Appleby, Ian Williams and Jamie Osborne were all represented. Japan's highest-profile challenger for the meeting, the Breeders' Cup Classic and dual Saudi Cup winner Forever Young, is already in situ along with his stable-mate American Stage having travelled to Dubai from Riyadh several weeks ago, but it is looking increasingly unlikely that others will follow from Japan. The Japanese government has now raised its threat level for travel to six countries including the UAE. The Level 3 advisory urges people not to travel and, like other nations, the Japanese government is arranging charter flights to evacuate its citizens from the region. The Japan Racing Association (JRA), which usually arranges simulcasts for overseas races which include a Japanese runner, announced on Friday that it has cancelled its plan to show four races from Meydan: the Dubai World Cup, Sheema Classic, Turf and the Golden Shaheen. The post Top European Connections Say Decision On Dubai World Cup Participation To Be Left Late appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-AQU, 80K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:10 p.m. FUSION (Into Mischief), the second foal out of MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Separationofpowers, debuts Sunday in New York for the partnership of Qatar Racing and Mountmellick Farm and trainer Chad Brown. The mare has already produced a winner from her first foal, this filly's full-brother, Poulsen, who went Japan's way for $925,000 at OBS April in 2024. Separationofpowers sold to Hunter Valley Farm for $2.1-million at Fasig-Tipton's November Sale in 2019 before going back through that same ring last year, going to Barronstown Stud for $650,000. Fusion herself was less successful in the sales ring, failing to meet her reserve twice as both a yearling and a 2-year-old on final bids of $500,000 and $575,000 respectively. Drawn just outside, Jordan's Love (Maclean's Music) is a Titletown Racing homebred out of a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Up With the Birds (Stormy Atlantic). TJCIS PPS 7th-GP, 84K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1mT, 3:52 p.m. On the grass in Florida, Woods (Twirling Candy) goes out for Todd Pletcher 11 months after bringing $560,000 at OBS April as a 2-year-old. She's out of MGSW Irish Jasper, a mare who has already produced a stakes runner in Ez Tree Ates (Honor A.P.). To the outside, her Pletcher-trained stablemate Al Yaqeen (War Front) also debuts in the colors of Shadwell Stable who purchased her winning Tapit first dam for $800,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September in 2018. The mare, who unfortunately passed this year, is a half to MGSW/MG1SP Storm the Stars (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and from the family of European Horse of the Year and top sire Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat). Other notable family members include the mare You'resothrilling (Storm Cat), responsible for no fewer than eight winners from as many to race, amongst them the Galileo siblings MG1SW Gleneagles (Ire), MG1SW Happily (Ire), G1SW Joan of Arc (Ire), MGSW/GISP Taj Mahal (Ire), G1SW Marvellous (Ire), GSW/G1SP Coolmore (Ire), SW/G1SP Toy (Ire) and G1SP Vatican City (Ire). TJCIS PPS 1st-OP, 110K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:30 p.m. Rounding out the action in Arkansas, Taptastic (Tapit) debuts for Steve Asmussen. Winchell Thoroughbreds joined the filly's breeder, Stonestreet Stables, to race the daughter of GSW/GISP Valadorna who second foal was GII Louisiana Derby runner up and 'TDN Rising Star' Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro). The mare, who was herself a 'Rising Star' and ran second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, is also a half to GSW and young sire Complexity (Maclean's Music). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insights: Daughter Of MGISW Separationofpowers Debuts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

I have been reading the opinions of many respected people who have invested greatly in the racing industry and have been involved in it for decades. Many of their observations about the state of the sport and the organizations that are supposed to lead it are correct. I would like to share what I have discovered over the past few years. I have been involved in breeding and racing Thoroughbreds for more than 40 years, and I care deeply about the future of this industry. Like many others, I have watched the steady decline in horse racing and have long believed that our sport desperately needs a coordinated national marketing effort. With that goal in mind, I founded The Heart of Horse Racing, a 501(c)(3) national marketing campaign built around storytelling and authentic voices from within our sport. Through professionally produced videos and interviews with trainers, jockeys, owners, outriders, analysts, and others who dedicate their lives to the horse, we aim to show the public what makes this sport so special and to introduce a new generation of fans to racing. The campaign includes a comprehensive marketing strategy and an investor deck outlining how we can reach new audiences and grow the fan base of horse racing. Over the past two years, I have personally presented this initiative to several of the industry's leading organizations. I presented the plan to the board of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, where I serve as a board member. While there was interest, no funding commitment was made. I also presented the proposal to New York Racing Association, where I serve on the board. Again, no funding commitment was made. I spoke with representatives of Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, who expressed support but did not commit financial resources. I had a lengthy meeting during the Saratoga meet with Everett Dobson of The Jockey Club and shared the investor deck and marketing strategy. He asked that I arrange a meeting with the firm working on the project, which I did, but nothing further has occurred. The Breeders' Cup organization never returned my calls. Meanwhile, a number of industry participants have stepped forward to support the initiative, including Fasig-Tipton, The Green Group, the Finger Lakes HBPA, the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, members of the jockey colony, and several private individuals. My purpose in sharing this is not to criticize any one organization, but to highlight a much larger issue. The organizations that represent and lead our sport are funded by the very people who work within the industry–owners, breeders, trainers. Yet too often they operate independently rather than collaboratively, and meaningful opportunities to promote and grow the sport are missed. Horse racing is facing intense competition for the entertainment dollar from sports betting, prediction markets, and other emerging forms of gaming. At the same time, internal divisions and fragmented leadership continue to weaken our ability to present a unified message to the public. If we truly want to preserve this historic sport, we must begin working together and investing in initiatives that expand the fan base and tell the story of racing to the world. The Heart of Horse Racing campaign was created to do exactly that. The time has come for our industry's leadership to move beyond discussion and begin supporting solutions that will grow and sustain horse racing for future generations. Click here if you would like to learn more or make a donation. Tina Marie Bond is the President of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. The post Letter To The Editor: The Heart Of Horse Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article