Wandering Eyes

Bargain buy Midnight Dart (NZ) (Derryn) will be out to get the party started for his throng of next generation owners when the Lisa Latta-trained juvenile contests the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The colt by Derryn was bought by Latta’s son Josh Herd for $20,000 from the Grangewilliam Stud draft at Karaka last year and was one of the first horses qualified for the Ellerslie feature when winning on debut at Trentham. Midnight Dart subsequently finished fourth to Karaka Millions favourite Kinnaird and enters the lucrative sales race as a $35 chance at his third start. Latta has already made her mark on the Karaka Millions stage, winning New Zealand’s richest two-year-old race with Fort Lincoln in 2011 and finishing second with Showmeyamoneyhoney in 2016, but a win with Midnight Dart would ensure son Josh doesn’t have to buy a drink for quite some time. Manawatu horseman Josh Herd Photo: Race Images PN “I went to university down in Otago, and there are quite a few mates of mine from Uni that are in him,” Herd said. “Some of them are from as far north as Kerikeri and as far south as Invercargill, not to mention mates abroad in America and another friend at college in Amsterdam. “There’s something like 75 owners in the horse and 45 to 50 of them would be under 30.” Herd returned from travelling abroad and completing the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship to take a senior hands-on role at Latta’s Awapuni stable and his longer-term ambition is to be a trainer in his own right. “It was great being able to travel the world and see different facets of the thoroughbred industry through breeding, racing and even working for a sales company like Goffs in Ireland,” Herd said. “I was able to learn things that I usually wouldn’t have been exposed to. “It’s great to be home and I have settled in well. It is always enjoyable when the team is going well. “Mum and I have a terrific relationship, so we both know what we have to do, and it just gets done. There aren’t too many arguments or any of that carry on.” In addition to being hands-on with the horses, Herd is also heavily involved in race planning and jockey bookings. “Mum allows me to put in my ten cents worth, which is good and we have a great bunch of staff as well,” Herd said “I definitely want to end up training, but I don’t think it’s any time in the near future and I’m keen to get some more international exposure.” Midnight Dart is by Grangewilliam Stud’s headline stallion Derryn, with his mother Ambitious Beauty a full-sister to the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) winner Ambitious Owner. “He was a strong precocious yearling and his full sister Shoes had run in the Karaka Millions 2YO and that was the goal when I was going to the sale, to try and purchase a horse to run in the race,” Herd said. “You never really know until you go to the races with two-year-olds as it’s always a bit of a lottery when they’re having their first start. “But we were pleased with what he had shown us and it definitely wasn’t a surprise to see him win on debut. “It’s a thrill just to have a runner in the race and I’m sure it will be a good night, win lose or draw.” Herd is keen to see more young people get involved in racehorse ownership and believes small shares in syndicates make it far more attainable. “I feel like racehorse ownership is something that older people get involved in once they have a bit more money, but through syndication, it has certainly become a lot easier for people of all ages to get involved,” he said. “We have a lot of good syndicators in New Zealand but I’d love to see a pathway for the next generation. “I’ll be looking to purchase another horse at the Karaka Sales next week with the aim to get back to the Millions again next year and hopefully, we get a good crew of young people involved again. The more the merrier.” View the full article

The stage is set for a trans-Tasman showdown in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Wednesday morning’s barrier draw strengthening the claims of some of the biggest players. A full field of 14 plus two emergencies has been assembled for the 19th edition of the Karaka Millions 2YO, including three Australian-trained raiders. As has so often been the case throughout the last decade, the local contingent is headed by Te Akau Racing. The tangerine powerhouse has won eight of the last nine runnings of this juvenile showpiece, with all of those winners purchased by David Ellis. Te Akau’s three-strong team for the 2026 edition of the race is headed by Kinnaird (Home Affairs). The classy colt held favouritism in the TAB’s Karaka Millions 2YO market leading into Wednesday’s draw, and he tightened further from $4.60 into $4.20 after landing gate two. Kinnaird boasts a perfect two-from-two record including the Group Two Eclipse Stakes (1200m) over the Karaka Millions course and distance on New Year’s Day. “He just keeps improving,” co-trainer Sam Bergerson said. “He only just won on debut down there at Otaki in November, but the trip away grew him and toughened him up. “His work has been really good leading into this weekend. He just has a fantastic attitude and is coping beautifully with everything we throw at him.” Te Akau’s other two runners, Out Of The Blue (NZ) (Tivaci) and Zaharias (NZ) (Super Seth), were less fortunate with the draw and will jump from gates 16 and 14 respectively. The biggest threats could come from across the Tasman. Torture (NZ), a stakes-winning daughter of Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State, will jump from gate five for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes. She is second favourite at $4.60. Queensland’s Liam Birchley already has two Karaka Millions victories to his name with Sister Havana (NZ) (General Nediym) in 2010 and Hardline (NZ) in 2015. He is back again with two runners in 2026, including highly impressive last-start winner Dream Roca (NZ) (El Roca), who is rated a $5.50 chance after securing the coveted ace draw of gate one. Birchley’s other runner Vanzadee (NZ) (Vanbrugh) will jump from gate 12. Liam Birchly chats to Michael Guerin at the TAB Karaka Millions barrier draw. “They’re two really nice, precocious fillies and have handled everything really well,” Birchley said. “You need the right type of horse to even get into the race – you need an early-running, sound two-year-old. And then you need a bit of luck leading into it and a bit more luck on the day. That’s basically the formula. “Dream Roca’s drawn one, she’s in good form and should get all favours from that gate. She’d have to be one of the leading chances. The other filly is level pegging with her in terms of ability, but the barriers are important from that 1200-metre start at Ellerslie. I’m well aware of that.” Unbeaten, Listed-winning filly De Armas (NZ) (Ardrossan) has drawn awkwardly in gate 10 but remains a well supported third favourite for the race at $5. The $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO will be run as the fourth race on a spectacular six-race card at Ellerslie on Saturday that carries total prize-money in excess of $4m. The scheduled start time for the Karaka Millions 2YO is 6.13pm. View the full article

Multiple Group One winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) will be a notable absentee from the Warwick Farm barrier trials after suffering a minor setback. Trainer Joe Pride reported the horse was being treated for a graze to his leg after seemingly becoming cast in his box, ruling him out of his scheduled 900m heat on Thursday. It was to have been his first appearance of the year and while not ideal, Pride said it should have minimal effect on Ceolwulf’s build-up as he prepared to return in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 14. “He must have gotten cast. He just has a graze, but I’ll scratch him from the trial tomorrow,” Pride said. “He’ll be fine. As long as I can get it right pretty quickly, we’ll get to our first-up run.” Ceolwulf closed out a consistent spring with back-to-back wins in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick and the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington. He is being prepared for the major middle-distance weight-for-age races this autumn and Pride admits he’s disappointed the horse won’t get a rematch with Via Sistina following news of her retirement on Sunday. “It’s sad he doesn’t get a chance to compete against her again because he should have beaten her first-up last time (in the Winx Stakes) when Chad (Schofield), by his own admission, put in a bad ride,” Pride said. “There looks like a bit of a changing of the guard in the weight-for-age races, so I’m hoping there is a little lull there and a moment for him to really shine.” Cambridge Stud will offer a half-brother to Ceolwulf by boom young stallion Sword Of State as Lot 513 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales which commence on Sunday. View the full article

No-one amongst rival connections was prepared to say it out loud, but it was quite obvious their challenge became even more daunting when unbeaten filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) drew perfectly at three for Saturday’s Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). The Stephen Marsh-trained filly has become the increasingly hot favourite for Saturday’s $1.5 million race while sweeping all before her, culminating in another easy win in the Gr. 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November to bring her odds into $1.50. She also jumped from gate three in that race and when she returned from a let-up for a fourth straight win in the Gr. 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day, the scene was set for her biggest assignment. Bloodstock agent Dylan Johnson, who motivated Marsh to purchase the Written Tycoon filly on the Gavelhouse online platform for $80,000, gained further kudos when he drew three at Wednesday morning’s barrier draw in the Karaka sales complex auditorium. “I said to Dylan that I wanted somewhere between one and five, and he pulled out three,” Marsh said. “A filly like her, she jumps and puts herself there, so yes, we’re happy. “Everything has gone to plan, I was very happy with how she worked at Ellerslie yesterday, and now we just have to tick her over until Saturday.” Well Written, on whom early bets with the TAB included $500 at $5, did not budge from her $1.50 pre-draw odds, nor did $5 second favourite La Dorada when she came up with gate five. They remained the only runners in single digits, with third favourite Affirmative Action easing from $10 to $13 after drawing gate 10. That failed to deter trainer Pam Gerard, who holds the highest numerical factor with Romanoff ($27), who narrowly downed Affirmative Action in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, and lightly raced MAAT winner Now Not Never ($71) also in the Karaka Millions 3YO field. “That draw doesn’t worry me with Affirmative Action as he’s a far better horse coming off the pace,” Gerard said. “I’ve been watching him and Romanoff making all the right progress lately and they’ll go to Ellerslie on very good shape. “Now Not Never has had just the two starts and he won the second of them. He’s well and I’m happy to give him his chance. “She’s very special,” Gerard said in reference to Well Written, “but we’ll give it a good go. The draw also played out well for leading candidates in the Listed TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), with $4 pre-draw favourite Kinnaird staying firm after being allocated gate two and Victorian filly Torture likewise on $5 from gate five. In an even market, De Armas, who attracted a wide range of significant bets on the early market, remained steady at $5 despite drawing 10, while Dream Roca, one of two runners along with Vanzadee ($18) for dual Karaka Millions 2YO winner Liam Birchley, is well in the market at $5.50. View the full article

The latest salvo in the fight over the legality of a suite of Racing on Demand slot machine-style parimutuel games that were removed from Santa Anita by state Department of Justice law enforcement officers Saturday afternoon was fired Tuesday by the track, which filed a writ of mandate against the DOJ in the Los Angeles Superior Court. As first reported by the LA Times, the court filing by the Los Angeles Turf Club repeats several arguments Santa Anita officials have made in recent days, including how the three-by-three wager approved by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) in 2024 gives the track the legal cover to operate these machines, which use races that have already been run. The suit—also obtained by the TDN—makes the argument that both the state attorney general's office and the CHRB had a long window to render a decision about the legality of the machines either way but had failed to do so. “Neither the Attorney General's office, nor the CHRB, ever disputed [the track's] written legal analysis or stated that the [track] did not have the legal right to offer the 3X3 wager on concluded races,” the suit states, according to the Times. Interestingly, the filing makes the argument that in 2006, the California Office of Legislative Counsel issued a ruling on so-called Instant Racing (which is a form of pari-mutuel wagering on the outcome of concluded races via specialized tote terminals), rendering a finding similar in effect to what Santa Anita is arguing over their Racing on Demand terminals. “The Office of Legislative Counsel concluded that 'because there is no requirement in the California Constitution that races be live or simultaneous to be considered horse races under subdivision (b) of Section 19 of Article IV, it is our view that the historic races used by the Instant Racing machines would be considered horse races that may be regulated by the Legislature,'” the filing states. There had been 26 such machines in total operating in the Santa Anita grandstand pavilion since Thursday. They offered $1 bets and required gamblers to select the first three finishers of three random six-horse previously-run races. They were removed during a very public operation which saw state DOJ personnel wheel the machines out the back of the Santa Anita grandstand on gurneys during racing Saturday. That evening, Los Angeles Turf Club senior vice-president Scott Daruty issued a statement saying that state attorney general Rob Bonta received their legal analysis nearly a year ago. “His office had ample time to raise concerns. They did not. We proceeded on solid legal ground, and since the state is choosing to challenge that now, we're fully prepared to defend ourselves. We're confident the law is clear,” Daruty wrote Saturday. The suit also seeks the return of the machines, along with the money that was in them. In a “notice of intention to destroy machines and devices” issued to Santa Anita, the DOJ warned that the confiscated machines would be destroyed after 30 days unless there's some intervening court action. The 30-day window began the day the notice was posted, which is dated January 17. If the machines are ultimately destroyed, any money seized in connection with them will be turned over to the treasury of the city or county where they were seized, according to the notice. Santa Anita is in the City of Arcadia. The post Santa Anita Files Suit Against California Department of Justice appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ka Ying Rising has been rated the equal second-highest galloper in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2025, with the champion sprinter becoming Hong Kong’s highest-rated racehorse in history on a mark of 128. Unbeaten from eight starts last year, the David Hayes-trained superstar was second only to French star Calandagan, who was rated 130 after an outstanding year highlighted by Group One victories in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2,400m), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth...View the full article

Canadian Sovereign Award-winning 3-year-old male Dresden Row (Lord Nelson) (hip 1), sold for $575,000, topped the 2026 Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale which closed Tuesday evening. The sale, which opened Thursday, Jan. 15 and included horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects, racing/stallion prospects, short yearlings, and a stallion season, totaled gross sales of $4,514,500 for 160 horses sold. Dresden Row, Canada's leading 3-year-old colt in 2024, sold for $575,000 to MWG LLC from the consignment of Jeffrey Bloom, agent. In his most recent start, the 5-year-old captured the GIII Autumn Stakes at Woodbine Nov. 8. He has finished in the money in all of his 15 starts to date, which include three graded stakes victories, and has earned $448,803 to date. “The digital sales market that Fasig-Tipton has designed perfectly for our industry is second to none,” said Jeffrey Bloom, consignor of the sale topper. “It's pretty special to have the sales topper for my first time out of the gate as a consignor with a big assist to the crew at Fasig for their professionalism and skill at guiding me through every step in the process. Boyd Browning and his entire team are such a pleasure to work with. Dresden Row took us on a wonderful ride; I would like to thank his new connections and best of luck!” Other top hips included: Alisal (hip 22), a 3-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo, sold for $260,000 to Rafter C Ranch. Alisal was a two-time winner as a juvenile and finished second in her stakes debut in her most recent start. She is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Secret Message. Alisal was consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Warrendale Sales, agent. Sugar Rocket (hip 18), a 4-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy, sold for $250,000 to MKW Racing & Breeding. A full sister to Grade I winner and millionaire Pinehurst, Sugar Rocket was consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by ELiTE, agent. Jacksmybrother (hip 9), in foal to Vekoma, sold for $220,000 to BF Sams, agent. A Mo Town half-sister to multiple Grade I-winning millionaire Jack Christopher, Jacksmybrother was consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, agent. “We started the year off with a bang,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Digital Sales Director. “Gross is up 45% from last January and demand for racehorses continues to exceed expectations. We had more than 1,000 registered bidders and offerings sold from Alberta, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. That kind of reach is truly impressive and a real credit to both our customers and our team.” Overall, 160 horses sold for $4,514,500. Twenty-two offerings sold for $50,000 or more. Full results are available online. The post Canadian Champion Dresden Row Tops Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong sensation Ka Ying Rising has been recognised as the world’s best sprinter, becoming the highest-rated Hong Kong horse in history (128) as he ranked joint-second in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR), while Romantic Warrior, ranked joint-seventh, has been listed among the world’s top 10 horses for a second year in a row. David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising capped an extraordinary 2025, which saw him go the whole calendar year unbeaten on his way to victory in the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia before defending his HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) crown at Sha Tin, two of five Group 1 victories during the rating period – from January, 2025 until the end of December, 2025. Partnered by Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton for all but one of his eight 2025 victories, he was awarded a higher end-of-year rating than a host of Hong Kong racing legends, including Able Friend (127), Beauty Generation (127) and Golden Sixty (126). Racing for the Ka Ying Syndicate, the New Zealand-bred speedster shared second place in the 2025 LONGINES WBRR rankings with Japanese duo Forever Young and Masquerade Ball, Britain’s Ombudsman and the United States of America’s Sovereignty, trailing only France’s Calandagan (130) at the top of the ratings. Trained out of Francis-Henri Graffard’s Chantilly base, five-year-old gelding Calandagan enjoyed a phenomenal 2025 with Group 1 victories in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m), King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m), Champion Stakes (1993m) and the Japan Cup (2400m), seeing the Irish-bred gelding rise from joint-fifth in the 2024 standings. Romantic Warrior, the world’s highest-earning racehorse in history with record prize money of HK$240.11 million, won three times during an injury-hampered year, extending his HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m)-winning record with a fourth victory, as well as landing the G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan, UAE. His mark of 127, level with France’s Daryz and USA’s Sierra Leone, was the highest the eight-year-old has ever been assigned by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) panel. The rating makes Romantic Warrior the equal second highest-rated Hong Kong-trained horse in history, after Ka Ying Rising. Career-high year-end ratings for Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior and Hong Kong Triple Crown champion Voyage Bubble (121) are emblematic of a banner year for Hong Kong racing. Those three are among 10 Hong Kong-trained horses to achieve an international rating of 115 or higher on this year’s list, a performance that underscores the quality and depth of Hong Kong’s racing industry, which has only 1,350 thoroughbreds yet consistently produces elite performers recognised on the global stage. Lucky Sweynesse (117), Beauty Joy, Red Lion and Helios Express (116), Galaxy Patch, Howdeepisyourlove and Straight Arron (115) round out the 10 Hong Kong-trained gallopers to achieve marks of 115 or higher in 2025. Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, said: “Hong Kong horses have once again performed at an extraordinary level on the international stage and the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings reflect the strength, depth and quality of our elite horses. To have two Hong Kong-trained horses among the world’s top 10 is a remarkable achievement, particularly when it is considered that Hong Kong has approximately only 1,350 horses, representing well under one per cent of the world’s active thoroughbred population. “Ka Ying Rising’s elevation to a career-high rating of 128 is a historic milestone for Hong Kong racing and establishes him as the highest-rated Hong Kong-trained horse in the history of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. His performances this season have been outstanding, and his recognition as the world’s best sprinter underlines the global strength of Hong Kong’s sprint programme. “Romantic Warrior continues to be a tremendous standard-bearer for Hong Kong racing. His career-high mark of 127 further enhances his status as one of the world’s premier middle-distance horses, and his consistency at the highest level across multiple seasons is a testament to the dedication of his owner Peter Lau, trainer Danny Shum and all those involved in his care.” World’s Top 100 Group 1 Races Eleven of Hong Kong’s premier races have been included in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Top 100 Group 1 Races, up from eight in 2024, and six of Hong Kong’s elite races were rated among the top ten in their respective distance categories. All four Group 1 contests at December’s showpiece LONGINES Hong Kong International Races are ranked inside the World’s Top 100 Group 1 races for 2025. The 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, won by Romantic Warrior, returned a figure of 120.5 to rank 20th globally. Hong Kong secured three races in the top 40 with the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (26th, 120.0) and the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (35th, 119.0). The 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint was rated the world’s seventh-best turf sprint contest. Each accredited Group 1 race is ranked based on the average rating of the first four finishers from that year’s race, as determined by a panel of international handicappers. The ratings reflect the extraordinary quality of Hong Kong’s top races, which attract international competitors and consistently deliver world-class contests. Hong Kong’s tally of 11 Group 1 races in the top 100 places it among the world’s leading racing jurisdictions alongside Australia, Great Britain, Japan, the USA and France. In addition to their overall Top 100 rankings, a number of Hong Kong’s flagship races were also rated among the very best in their respective divisions for older horses on turf, further underlining Hong Kong’s standing across all major distance categories. In the sprint division, the Chairman’s Sprint Prize was rated the second-highest turf sprint in the world, behind only Australia’s The Everest, while the Centenary Sprint Cup ranked third globally among turf sprint races for older horses. The LONGINES Hong Kong Mile was rated seventh in the turf mile category, confirming its status as one of the world’s premier mile contests. Over the intermediate distances, the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup ranked eight in the turf intermediate category for older horses, while the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase was rated the seventh-highest turf long-distance race in the world for older horses. These rankings reinforce Hong Kong’s position as one of the world’s leading racing jurisdictions across all major divisions, from sprinting through to staying events. Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Andrew Harding, said: “The 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings and World’s Top 100 Group 1 Races again highlight the outstanding quality of Hong Kong racing and its ability to compete with the very best in the world. The inclusion of 11 Hong Kong races in the Top 100 Group 1 ranking is a powerful endorsement of the international standard of our elite programme and the competitiveness of our major race meetings. “Hong Kong’s premier races continue to attract world-class horses and deliver exceptional contests. These races showcase the depth of our racing and the strength of our domestic performers against elite international opposition. “International competition remains a core priority for the Club and, alongside our world-class domestic racing, we are proud of what Hong Kong continues to deliver for racing fans both locally and globally.” View the full article

This week's list features a pair of Minnesota-breds and one 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' who is now on a two-race win streak. 4 (tie). THUNDERS ROCKNROLL, WRD, 1/12-5th, 6 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure-87 (m, 6, by Maclean's Music–Thunder and Honey, by Thunder Gulch) O/B-Bob Lindgren (Minn). T-Patrick Swan. J-David Cabrera. The Minnesota-bred dominated the Wilma Mankiller Stakes by 8 1/2 lengths at Will Rogers Downs for her fifth added-money win. This female line has been kind to prominent Minnesota owner Lindgren, who raced the six-times-stakes-placed dam and well as the dam's half-sister Honey's Sox Appeal, a member of Canterbury Park's Hall of Fame. 4 (tie). SENZA PAROLE, GP, 1/15-7th, 1 mile Beyer Speed Figure-87 (f, 4, by Gun Runner–Senza Te, by Street Cry) O-Don Alberto Stable. B-Don Alberto Corporation (Ky). T-Chad Brown. J-Irad Ortiz Jr. Circumstances have kept her from fulfilling the potential she showed in her impressive 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy Saratoga debut as a 2-year-old. After that sparkling 94 Beyer, a chipped knee sidelined her for a year, then she lost her two comeback starts. But she now has won two straight, and this seven-length romp was especially encouraging. Don Alberto paid $700,000 in 2013 at Keeneland November to acquire her Grade III-winning granddam Sacristy, and the book isn't closed yet on Senza Parole's career. 3. LUCKY SPEECH, FG, 1/17-9th, 1 1/16th (turf) Beyer Speed Figure-88 (3rd) (m, 5, by Audible–Luckyallmylife, by Lookin At Lucky O-Millennium Stable. B-Delia Nash & Jun Park (Ky). T-Steve Asmussen. J-James Graham. A rail trip helped her finish a well-beaten third in the Marie Krantz Stakes at 72-1 odds, but the race was fast enough that she still earned a career-best Beyer. Out of a Turfway Park stakes winner, owner Ro Parra took her for $105,000 in 2022 at Keeneland September. 2. CUPID'S CRUSH, FG, 1/17-9th, 1 1/16th (turf) Beyer Speed Figure-96 (2nd) (m, 6, by Cupid–Dazzlingsweetheart, by Dazzling Falls) O-Xtreme Racing Stables. B-Mary & Eric Von Seggern and Barry & Joni Butzow (Minn). T-Hugh Robertson. J-Martin Pedroza Jr. The second Minnesota-bred on this week's list, she's now been second in the Marie Krantz Stakes in back-to-back runnings. She controlled the pace at 27-1 odds, kicked home in :23.27 and would've won by 4 1/4 lengths had Medoro not been in the field. Owners Mike and Vicki McGowan paid just $40,000 for her at a 2021 Minnesota yearling sale even though her dam was a Canterbury Park stakes winner. Cupid's Crush has won five stakes at Canterbury. 1. MEDORO, FG, 1/17-9th, 1 1/16th (turf) Beyer Speed Figure-97 (m, 5, by Honor Code–Achira, by English Channel) O-C R K Stable. B-Parks Investment Group (Ky). T-Peter Eurton. J-Jose Ortiz. Off the board for the first time in her career thanks to a disastrous trip in the GI Matriarch Stakes, she made amends with a fast number at Fair Grounds in the ungraded Marie Krantz Memorial. Her owner-breeder Lee Searing spent $140,000 in 2019 to buy into one of the late Jerry Moss's best female families with the acquisition of dam Achira, out of a full sister to Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. The post Five Fleet Fillies: January 12-18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) worked five furlongs in 1:00 (1/62) Saturday morning for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, who is pointing the millionaire Grade I winner for the $1.25 million GI Apple Blossom Handicap for older fillies and mares April 11 at Oaklawn. “The track's pretty deep right now,” assistant trainer Caden Arthur, who oversees Casse's Oaklawn division, said Sunday afternoon. “I mean, not a lot of water, trying not to let it freeze. She moved over it phenomenally. Went a minute flat and did it cruising. Glad she caught some company in front. Gave her something to chase a little bit. 'Quick' worked good. She's just not on Nitrogen's level. Not a lot of fillies in the country are, so it was a little hard to stay with her. She did good. She worked her own work. I was happy. Nitrogen is Nitrogen. She got the name for a reason. She breathes different air.” A homebred for D. J. Stables, Nitrogen is among three finalists for an Eclipse Award as North America's champion 3-year-old filly of 2025 after winning six of nine starts, most recently finished second in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar in November. Nitrogen recorded workouts Dec. 31 and Jan. 7 at Casse's Florida training center before shipping to Oaklawn. She arrived Jan. 11. Casse said Nitrogen could make her 4-year-old debut in the $400,000 GII Azeri Stakes March 7 at Oaklawn. “Very happy she's here,” Arthur said. “She looks great today, the day after her work, and we're excited for her 4-year-old campaign.” Also working towards his 2026 debut for Casse was millionaire Grade I winner Sandman (Tapit). Unraced since late August, Sandman covered five furlongs in 1:02 (3/11) under two-time Oaklawn riding champion Cristian Torres. Sandman traveled his first three furlongs in :37 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.20. Arthur said Sandman could make his 4-year-old debut in a Feb. 6 allowance race which, if all goes well, would serve as a bridge to the $500,000 GIII Razorback Handicap for older horses at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 28. “He had a good breeze,” Arthur said. “The track's real deep. We'll have one more breeze next week, hopefully, around Wednesday, depending on the weather. That allowance race is kind of what we're shooting for as a prep for the Razorback.” Sandman ran four times last season at Oaklawn, winning an allowance race in his final start at 2 and the $1.5 million GI Arkansas Derby. The post Nitrogen, Sandman Work Towards ’26 Debuts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire (Classic Empire–Armony's Angel, by To Honor And Serve) sired his first reported foal Saturday, Jan. 17, when a filly bred by Brooks Taylor was born at Taylor Made, the farm announced Tuesday. She is out of Love Ava Love, a daughter of the stakes-winning Storm Cat mare Hidden Cat–her second dam is multiple Canadian champion and Horse of the Year Alywow–and she is a half-sister to stakes winners Global Power and Pegasusbystorm. Angel of Empire, racing for Albaugh Family Stables and trained by Brad Cox, competed exclusively in stakes at three, winning the 2023 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park by 4 1/4 lengths. He entered the Arkansas Derby following a decisive win in that year's GII Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in his graded stakes debut, defeating subsequent GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Two Phil's. Sent off as the race favorite in the 149th Kentucky Derby, Angel of Empire finished a fast-closing third, earning a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure. Angel of Empire retired with a record of 9-4-1-2 and banked more than $1.4 million. His dam, Armony Angel, sold for $1.8 million at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale in 2023. Angel of Empire stands at Taylor Made Stallions for $5,000 S&N. First foal for Angel of Empire! G1 Arkansas Derby winner ANGEL OF EMPIRE was represented by his first foal, a filly out of Love Ava Love (Mr. Greeley) born Saturday at @TaylorMadeSales! Look at the leg!@TaylorMadeMark @Albaughstables @cyfanatic pic.twitter.com/0Vl9eIMNoA — Taylor Made Stallions (@TMStallions) January 19, 2026 The post Angel Of Empire’s First Foal A Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) with Super Corredora to losing her business just days later, Debbie Self has leaned on her horses to help her heal. View the full article

Cameletta Vega (Camelot) has been supplemented to the Goffs February Sale, which is set for February 11-12. A National Hunt breeding prospect, she is a daughter of six-time Mares' Hurdle winner Quevega (Robin Des Champs). Also a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Facile Vega (Walk In The Park) and Aurora Vega (Walk In The Park), Cameletta Vega has wins in a bumper and a maiden hurdle on her resume. She was also fourth in the G3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle. Goffs Group chief executive, Henry Beeby said, “Cameletta Vega only enhances a strong line-up for the Goffs February Sale and we are grateful to her connections for entrusting another outstanding NH broodmare prospect to us. She will crown a strong two days at Kildare Paddocks and be sold before the commencement of our new February Point-To-Point Sale.” The post Quevega Daughter Added To Goffs February appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

WinStar Farm's 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Timberlake (Into Mischief–Pin Up {Ire}, by Lookin At Lucky), winner of the GI Champagne Stakes at two and a millionaire son of perennial leading sire Into Mischief, sired his first reported foal Tuesday morning, WinStar announced. The first foal, a colt, was born at Monticule in Lexington, Ky. Farm d'Allie Racing Stable (Allison Banks) bred the colt out of the Verrazano mare Flume, a half-sister to Grade I-placed Identity Politics. “He is a big, strong colt, and I think if they all look like him then everyone will be happy,” said Breena Kaplan, farm manager at Monticule, of the Timberlake colt. Allison Banks added, “I am so blessed to have a healthy, strong colt, and a wonderful mare who produces good individuals. To be Timberlake's first foal is just icing on the cake. Our operation may be small, but I feel strongly about quality breeding and attention to detail. Thank you to my farm manager, Monticule, and WinStar for making this possible.” Campaigned by Siena Farm and WinStar Farm, Timberlake won the Champagne by 4 1/4 lengths, defeating subsequent 2-year-old champion Fierceness (City of Light) and registering a 93 Beyer Speed Figure. He also captured the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in his 3-year-old debut and was tabbed a 'Rising Star' following a 9 1/4-length maiden special weight at Ellis Park at two. All told, Timberlake, who was trained by Brad Cox, banked more than $1.3 million, winning or placing in 5-of-9 career starts, including three Grade I's. A $350,000 Keeneland September yearling, Timberlake hails from the family of Group 1 winners Quarter Moon (Ire), an Irish Champion, Yesterday (Ire), and Diamondsandrubies (Ire). Timberlake, who bred 161 mares in his initial book, stands for $15,000 S&N. The post Timberlake Represented By First Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland has scheduled 19 stakes worth a total of $9.55 million during the Spring Meet April 3-24. It offers two marquee events for 3-year-olds: the $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1) for males and the $750,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) for fillies.View the full article