Wandering Eyes

Francis Lui Kin-wai is optimistic Hot Delight can repeat his outstanding debut victory when he steps up to Class Three company in Thursday’s first section of the Yue Yee Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin. The Too Darn Hot three-year-old backed up his strong trial form to create a big impression on his first race start, storming home from midfield to beat Conrad Patch by a length and three-quarters last month. Lui’s big opinion of Hot Delight was vindicated and the in-form handler hopes his emerging...View the full article

The NZB Kiwi is set to have direct Australian involvement with the announcement on Wednesday that Ozzie Kheir has selected the Mitch Freedman-trained Asakura (Churchill) for his slot in the $4 million Champions Day feature. With unbeaten filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) dominating calculations as the $1.20 favourite, doubts had been expressed that unlike last year’s inaugural NZB Kiwi (1500m) when eventual runner-up Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) as well as Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) and Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon) made the trip to Auckland, there might be no Australian runners. Asakura, a gelding by Churchill with two wins and a second from his first three starts, stepped up to black-type competition in the Gr.3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last Saturday and finished second to the $1.60 favourite Sixties (Flying Artie). “He’s what I would describe as a progressive young horse that has still got a lot of improvement in him,” Freedman said. “As we saw last Saturday he still does a few things wrong, but he’s learning all the time and we see the Kiwi as a good option for him at this stage. “That was his first time at 1400m and the step up to 1500 should work for him, especially if there’s good tempo which I imagine would be the case given the race it is. “It’s a very attractive stake and while that filly looks very good, we felt it was still worth going across for.” Confirmation of NZB Kiwi plans for Asakura has cemented his place as the $8 equal second favourite alongside Belle Cheval (NZ) (Belle Cheval), who has her final lead-up in Saturday’s Gr.3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. Freedman (no relation to the Freedman brothers Lee, Anthony, Richard and Michael) has quickly established himself in Victorian training ranks. From his Ballarat base he has prepared Attrition (Churchill) to win the 2023 Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield and Skybird last year’s Gr.1 Lightning (1000m) at Flemington. “We’ve got fantastic facilities at Ballarat and we’ve been building a nice team around us, so I’m now looking forward to having my first runner in New Zealand.” Although Freedman has had no previous involvement with Kheir, there is still some connection through Asakura’s part-owners Jomara Bloodstock, the Auckland-based Carter family who were co-owners with Kheir of the champion stayer Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed). Kheir has been a serious investor in quality New Zealand racehorses for several years and his colours will be carried at Ellerslie on Saturday by Gr.1 Sport Nation Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) favourite Pier (NZ) (Proisir). “Racing is all about establishing relationships and I’m looking forward to being involved with Ozzie in this venture,” Freedman said. Travel plans have yet to be confirmed for Asakura but Freedman has already confirmed that regular rider Dean Yendall will continue his association with Asakura. “The three weeks between races works well and it gives us time to make all the necessary arrangements, so we’ll know more once flights over have been confirmed,” he said. Australian involvement in New Zealand racing continues this weekend with Victorian stayers Brayden Star (Twilight Son) and Interpretation (Galileo) scheduled to run in the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m). The Ciaron Maher-trained Interpretation is no stranger to local racing, having capped three starts this time last year with a third placing in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) and returning to finish midfield in last month’s Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m). Fellow English-bred Brayden Star, a member of expats Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young’s team, scored his sixth career win in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield last October and resumed with a ninth placing over 2000m at Flemington a month ago. Opie Bosson has been booked to ride him on Saturday in what will be his lead-up to the Trackside Auckland Cup back at Ellerslie on Champions Day. – Dennis Ryan View the full article

Talented staying filly Fly Zenno (NZ) (Ancient Spirit) will line up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie, a target her connections have held close since day one. Prepared by Conor and Sarah Fahy, the scopey daughter of Ancient Spirit has finished just behind the minor placings at her past two outings, finishing fifth in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) before a solid fourth in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2100m) at Te Rapa. On both occasions, Fly Zenno was comfortably held by Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park), who will start a warm favourite in Saturday’s Oaks. But with a more positive running style than many of her rivals and the make and shape of a Classic filly, Fly Zenno is sure to give her emerging trainers a run for their money. “We bought her as a yearling at Karaka with the hope she’d end up in the Oaks, that’s what we told all the owners and it is pleasing to see her meet that goal,” Conor Fahy said. “She was just a lovely scopey filly, light on her feet and we loved her from the first time we saw her. Jack and Wayne Stewart (of White Robe Lodge) gave us the push to buy her and we’re pleased we did.” A $30,000 yearling purchase, Fahy said despite the Oaks being a logical target, Fly Zenno hasn’t been over-pressured. “We have been quite soft on her because as much as we were hoping she was an Oaks filly, she is still probably a preparation away from being at her very best,” he said. “We are hoping that she will get the distance but at the same time we haven’t pushed her to get there. “If Ohope Wins gets the run of the race, I’d say she will be extremely hard to beat. It is probably the wrong year for a small stable like us to have a filly for the Oaks. “It looks like one of the strongest Oaks fields in recent memory. There is really good depth in the race and we are a maiden going in, so we are under no illusions.” Regular rider Matthew Cameron will partner the filly from barrier nine and Fahy is hoping there is genuine tempo for the $35 chance. “We won’t make it a trot and canter but at the same time we would love to take a sit on a good pace and have something to strike at,” he said. “She is still quite green and although she is learning as she goes, it would be nice for her to be able to follow something and kick off the back of them. “Matt (Cameron) knows her well and he is just going to have to ride the race as it unfolds in front of him. From where they jump from, she can jump off and just roll along nicely.” The talented couple have made a good fist of training from their Pukekohe base, but saddling an elite level runner will provide a rare buzz. “It is unbelievable to have a nice filly in the Oaks,” Fahy said. “We really only have five or six out of the stable racing at any one time as we are busy with young horses and doing a couple here and there for other people. “To have a filly in a Group One race at this early stage of our careers is amazing and we’re really looking forward to Saturday.” View the full article

Racing NSW stewards have cleared $10 million earner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) to continue his autumn carnival campaign. Ceolwulf has passed a series of veterinary tests since he was found to have traces of blood in both nostrils after finishing unplaced in the Apollo Stakes won by unbeaten Autumn Glow at Royal Randwick last Saturday. The tests proved that Ceolwulf had not bled internally (lungs) which would have resulted in an automatic three-month racing Randwick Equine Centre veterinarians reported that endoscopic and computed tomographic examination have “ruled out any current major cause of respiratory associated haemorrhage”. “Given the lack of overt evidence of either a major source of upper respiratory haemorrhage or exercise-related induced pulmonary haemorrhage….the gelding is suitable for immediate return to training and racing,” the report read. It was revealed “stable clots were visible in the ethmoid region of the nasal passage further indicating an upper respiratory source”. Trainer Joe Pride met with stewards at Warwick Farm before the first race and was relieved when told Ceolwulf’s autumn carnival campaign remains on track. “This is a very unique set of circumstances, it will be rare to see another case like Ceolwulf’s,” Pride said. “I feared the worst after the race last Saturday when I saw traces of blood but the horse pulled up so well so I had him scoped and it came up clear. The horse has undergone further tests and it proved he didn’t bleed. “He hasn’t missed a beat since the race, as the reports say he is spot on so we can press on with his autumn campaign.” Pride said Ceolwulf will go to the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on February 28 and then to the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill before the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick. “I was very concerned he might have to miss a run. He missed a run last autumn and it disrupted his entire campaign,” Pride said. “But he can stick to our plan and he will be at his peak for the Australian Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.” View the full article

After having to endure another stint on the sideline in his roller-coaster career, dual premiership-winning jockey Michael McNab is looking forward to his raceday return at Ellerslie this weekend. McNab, who won back-to-back premierships in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, has been off the scene since early last September after suffering a complicated leg fracture when kicked by a young horse he was about to mount at an Ellerslie trial meeting. The initial prognosis was for a six to eight-week recovery, but with a plate and screws having to be inserted in what turned out to be a more serious fracture, his recovery has taken more than five months. “When it happened I went for x-rays in Auckland Hospital that night and they said it was a fracture of the bone just below my knee,” McNab said. “Then when I got home more x-rays and scans revealed how bad it really was and I knew then it was going to be a long recovery. “I was in a lot of pain and not quite able to understand what the surgeon was telling me, but as well as a plate and screws they inserted some sort of animal bone to help rebuild the missing bone at the top of my tibia.” Adding further frustration to his predicament, McNab had established an early lead on the premiership in the opening weeks of the season, having been sidelined with a serious back injury 18 months earlier. Since winning his two premierships with tallies of 144 and 164, he had still fared well to ride 124 winners when finishing second to Warren Kennedy in 2023-24 and 86 wins for another runner-up spot behind Craig Grylls last season. “I’m just happy to be back,” said 40-year-old McNab, who is 79 wins short of joining the 1,000 wins club. “I’m feeling good, the workout sessions have got me fit with my cardios and everything, and my weight is only about 1.5 kilos above what I’ve normally been able to make, so that will come back down pretty quickly. “I’ve been back riding trackwork and had my first day at the trials on Tuesday, so that’s all gone really well. “I’ve decided to ease back into raceday and I’ve taken just the two rides (Pier and Bulgari) on Saturday. “That will be me for the first couple of weeks and I’m aiming to be all set for the big (Champions) day at Ellerslie. “I’ve missed most of the spring and summer, so I’m keen to make up for that when I get back into it properly.” – Dennis Ryan, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk View the full article

Randy Winick, trainer of the 1993 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Brocco, died Feb. 15 at age 76. He trained many stakes winners throughout his career, including grade 1 winners Dontstop Themusic, Country Queen, Mitterand, and Spence Bay.View the full article

Five different tracks produced our fastest maidens this week, and the list includes nothing but winners – no runners-up. 5. CREED'S VISION, TAM, 2/14-2nd, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-89 (g, 4, by Jimmy Creed–Moon Vision, by Pollard's Vision) O-West Point Thoroughbreds, Michael P. Lyden and CJ Stables. B-Country Life Farm and Moon Vision Broodmare (Md). T-Arnaud Delacour. J-Charlie Marquez. West Point could have another solid Maryland-bred on its hands. Jaxon Traveler was recently retired after a remarkable run of sprint stakes wins every year from age 2 to 7, and now Creed's Vision has seemingly turned his career around at Tampa. His back-to-back Beyers of 84 and now 89 are 20 points higher than what he recorded in five starts as a 2- and 3-year-old at Laurel. He's modestly-bred–the first foal to race from a dam who squeezed $234k out of 44 starts–but he's a gelding, so who cares? 4. SEA VISTA, AQU, 2/12-1st, 6 1/2 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-90 (c, 4, by Street Sense–Sara Louise, by Malibu Moon) O/B- Godolphin (Ky). T-Brad Cox. J-Manny Franco Given her fine Godolphin pedigree, Sea Vista had been an underachiever. Her full sister Sara Street placed in three stakes including a strong half-length 2nd in the Gazelle Stakes (Gr. II), and stakes-winning half-brother Nash ran fast races, as well. But in her sixth start, she got over the hump with a determined odds-on victory for a career-high Beyer. Three-time GSW Sara Louise has had difficulties getting into foal lately, but was bred in 2026 to Speaker's Corner. 3. PUBLISHER, OP, 2/15-2nd, 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-90 (c, 4, by American Pharoah–Indian Pride, by Proud Citizen) O-Gus King and Estate of Brereton Jones. B-Brereton Jones (Ky). T-Steve Asmussen. J-Erik Asmussen. Yes, this is the same Publisher who was 2nd in the Arkansas Derby last year to earn a starting spot in the Kentucky Derby. Yes, he was still a maiden after a dozen starts, including back-to-back odds-on losses against maiden company. But at 3-to-5 Sunday, this time, the $600,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate he overcame brief traffic issues to deliver in a big way. Asmussen has no peers at spotting horses like this in the right stakes races around the country, so you'll probably be encountering his name the rest of the year. 2. TROUBLE CALLING, FG, 2/14-2nd, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-91 (c, 3, by Dialed In–Into Trouble, by Into Mischief) O/B- Donamire Farm (Ky). T-Greg Foley. J-Luis Saez Trouble Calling proved his recent sharply improved Beyer–which previously earned him a matching No. 2 ranking on Five Fastest Maidens–was no fluke. He couldn't quite deal with debuter Knock It Off that day, but Saturday at Fair Grounds he sailed home by 6 1/4 lengths in a sprint Beyer only two points slower than Paladin earned in the Risen Star later on the card. Donamire dam Into Trouble won the Arlington-Washington Lassie and has also produced top turf sprinters Troubleshooting (Gr. I winner) and Big Trouble. 1. THE LAST STRAW, SA, 2/15-2nd, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-93 (c, 4, by Into Mischief-Bast, by Uncle Mo) O/B-Spendthrift Farm (Ky). T-Richard Mandella. J-Marco Demuro. The proverbial racing lightbulb went on in his fourth lifetime start, as he showed signs of living up to his illustrious Spendthrift pedigree. Into Mischief….enough said. Bast is a familiar name as well–a three-time Gr. I winner who was third in the 2019 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Her racing career ended prematurely after taking the Gr. II Santa Ynez in January of her 3-year-old season, and Spendthrift bought her at that year's Keeneland November for $4.2 million from Baoma Corp. owners Charles and Susan Cho. The Last Straw is Bast's second foal to race. The post Five Fastest Maidens: Feb. 9-15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A classy sprinter since he burst on the racing scene as a juvenile, 6-year-old Damon's Mound pursues a seventh stakes victory in his 19th-career race in the Feb. 21 Gulfstream Park Sprint.View the full article

Inspired by the strong performance of purse sources, Fair Grounds announces the addition of two race dates to the 2025-26 meet. The additional days will be Monday, March 9, and Monday, March 16.View the full article

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has added two additional race dates to the 2025-26 meet, the track announced Tuesday. The additional days, which were “inspired by the strong performance of purse sources” according to the release, will be Monday, March 9, and Monday, March 16. “Following the purse meeting with the Louisiana HBPA and Racing Commission, all parties involved were confident that the addition of two race days fits within our current projections and reflects a shared commitment to the strength of the meet,” said Jason Boulet, senior director of racing at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The Thursday-through-Sunday schedule remains intact for the remaining dates in February. March will now include two five-day race weeks: March 5-9 and March 12-16. Closing week remains Thursday, March 19, through Sunday, March 22. The post Fair Grounds Adds Pair Of Mondays To 2026 Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unraced since winning the Aug. 23 GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga, Sovereignty (Into Mischief) got back to work Sunday morning at Payson Park in Florida, working three furlongs in 37.40 breezing. It was the first workout this year for the 2025 Horse of the Year and 3-Year-Old Champion. “We've got him back on a regular training schedule,” trainer Bill Mott said. “We're a ways away from sorting out exactly where he will run. There are a couple of races in mind. We don't think he'll be ready until April, so we will potentially look at the (April 18) Oaklawn Handicap or the (May 1) Alysheba. We got behind and missed Dubai. That was something we would have thought about, but we just got a little behind schedule. With the travel and with him not being able to get a prep in we just thought it was too much to ask.” Mott said that the work did wonders for the now 4-year-old. “He looks great,” he said. “It's amazing. Just with putting the one little easy breeze into him, it's like all of a sudden he flipped a switch. He came out looking pretty sassy after that.” Sovereignty was expected to end his year in the 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, but had to be withdrawn due to a fever. “It was unfortunate that he missed out on the Classic,” Mott said. “But who knows? There are a lot of what-ifs, but maybe if he would have won the Classic, he wouldn't have been brought back this year. Who knows? It could turn out well.” 2025 Horse of the Year and Derby/Belmont winner SOVEREIGNTY (Outside), recorded his first breeze since before the Breeders Cup Classic, 3F – 37:40, Jimmy Quispe up at Payson Park. First step of a return process. Excited for what's coming with this talented horse. SOVEREIGNTY… pic.twitter.com/yDuTG464rm — Agentes305 (@agentes305) February 15, 2026 Mott also gave updates on several other star horses in his stable: Chief Wallabee (Constitution): Winning his career debut on Jan. 10 at Gulfstream, he was one of the more impressive maiden winners at the meet. Initially, Mott said he would not push the colt to make the GI Kentucky Derby, but is now saying that he hasn't ruled anything out. “With Chief Wallabee, we are looking for a spot for him,” he said. “He is nominated for the (Feb. 28) Fountain of Youth, which really isn't my normal progression, to bring a horse into that kind of race in just their second start. But he is nominated. He's also nominated for the (Feb. 28) Gotham. We will look at those races. It is a lot to ask to run that type of horse in one of those races. It's not the normal progression. Most of those horses have had several races and have a foundation under them, which we don't have.” On the same day that Chief Wallabee broke his maiden, Mott sent out another impressive first-time winner in Thunderously (Gun Runner). He said that horse is “on the shelf.” Baeza (McKinzie) With the passing of trainer John Shirreffs, GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Baeza has been transferred to the Mott barn. The colt has yet to arrive at Mott's Florida headquarters. While still under the care of Shirreffs, he has had three works this year. Mott has not picked out a spot for him yet. “He has not traveled yet,” he said. “He's only had three works, a couple of easy three-furlong works and a half,” he said. When asked if it might be hard to keep Baeza and Sovereignty apart, Mott said: “Maybe not so much early in the year. It's doable. If it falls into a situation and they are compromised by a timing issue and they have to run against one another, that's just the way it is. Otherwise, there is certainly a good possibility you could separate them until you get toward the end of the year. Hopefully, we will have that issue when it comes to the Breeders' Cup. Hopefully, one or both of them are good enough and sturdy enough to make it to the Breeders' Cup Classic. Everybody would like that to happen. Let's hope we will have that issue when we get to the Classic.” Knightsbridge (Nyquist): An impressive winner of the GIII Fred W. Hooper Stakes, Knightsbridge will make his next start in the Feb. 28 GIII Gulfstream Park Mile. The post Sovereignty Is Back On Work Tab; Could Resurface In The Oaklawn Handicap Or The Alysheba appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The concerns voiced by Mike Repole and Aron Wellman reflect what many in our industry have felt for years – a disconnect between leadership and the realities of the sport. For that reason, I have resigned from my position as a member of The Jockey Club. While I valued the opportunity to serve as a member, the role offered little meaningful visibility into the direction or decision-making that shapes our sport. My time as a member left me with the impression that influence remains concentrated among a small group rather than reflecting the broader industry it claims to represent. While my personal and my family's commitment to Thoroughbred racing remains strong, I no longer have confidence in The Jockey Club's current leadership or its vision for the future. I, and LNJ Foxwoods, stand with those calling for meaningful change. The post Letter To The Editor: Calling For Meaningful Change appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Street Beast and Fulleffort, the 1-2 finishers of the Leonatus Stakes, will need to fight off some out-of-town shippers as Turfway Park joins the Road to the Kentucky Derby Feb. 21 in the $175,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes.View the full article

In this week's Maiden Watch, Trouble Calling, a Dialed In half brother to grade 1 winner Troubleshooting, draws off to a 6 1/4-length with to earn his first career victory Feb. 14 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

The Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC) has awarded 25 Racing Industry Veterinary Student Externships, the company announced Tuesday. This program, which is in response to the supply and demand concerns associated with available equine veterinarians to meet the racing industry's needs, provides a shared experience for veterinary students with racetrack practitioners and regulatory veterinarians. “Thanks in part to partnerships with industry sponsors and host veterinarians, the RMTC has been able to award 65 externships over the past three years,” said Dr. Michael Hardy, RMTC Executive Director. “The early impact of the program has resulted in numerous job offers and new equine veterinarians working within the racing industry.” Since its inception in 2024, this program has gained significant industry support, with all 25 externships for 2026 funded by program sponsors, including AVMA Trust, AAEP Foundation for the Horse, Breeders' Cup Ltd, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Oak Tree Racing Association, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Horseshoe Indianapolis, The Jockey Club, National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association as well as the Indiana, Nebraska, Tampa Bay, Charles Town and Virginia chapters of HBPA. The post RMTC Distributes 25 Racing Industry Vet Student Externships For 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article