Wandering Eyes

The California girl came east and started her 2026 season with a strong effort as Medoro (Honor Code) ran down her rivals late to win the Marie G. Krantz Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds. Twice placed at the Grade I-level as a 3-year-old two seasons back, she spent her entire '25 campaign at Del Mar. The daughter of Honor Code started that year with a win in the Osunitas Stakes in mid-July, and it proved to be her only time in the winner's enclosure in four tries. That being said, she still produced good efforts to get up for a piece of the trifecta in the GII John C. Mabee and GIII Goldikova Stakes before taking another swing at elite company last out Nov. 30 in the GI Matriarch Stakes. Pulled and checked early in that running, she managed to get up for sixth against a salty field with experience at the highest levels domestically and abroad. Hammered at the windows for this '26 season start, Medoro went off at even-money while racing on Lasix for the first time in her career. She was content to watch the race unfold from fifth early when they posted an opening fraction of :23.23, but the pace gradually cooled from there with a half going up in :48.85. After six furlongs in 1:13.17, she had her work cut out for her as Cupids Crush (Cupid) was still well in command at the head of affairs and not looking to come back. Closing the distance relentlessly into the final furlong, she found just enough to overhaul that rival late by three-quarters of a length. The 72-1 wild longshot Lucky Speech (Audible) ambled in to claim third. “It was a horse race in the end,” said winning rider Jose Ortiz. “Cupids Crush kept digging in, but I think I had a very good trip. She was going very nice into the first turn. I was able to drop her into the rail, save a lot of ground, and when I asked her to go, she was there for me.” “This is a nice filly,” said Peter Eurton. “She's got all those graded stakes placings on her resume, she got the job done here. She gives you everything she's got. She's never missed a check except for her last race, so you gotta love her.” “This is our first year at Fair Grounds, and I think it's really working out well. I mean, where else would you rather be than New Orleans? We have never traveled with Medoro, so we thought we'd test drive something new. We shipped for $100,000. It just seemed like a lot of fun. It was definitely worth it.” Medoro is the first to the races for Achira, herself twice placed in the Osunitas Stakes that her daughter would later win. Since this victress, the mare has produced a pair of unraced horses of racing age–the most recent named Provider (Honor A.P.)–and has a 2025 colt by Not This Time in the wings. Achira, herself out of a half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby hero Giacomo, is due to American Pharoah in 2026. One of the dam's half-sisters is Veronique (Mizzen Mast), whose claim to fame is through her son, 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' SW Nashville (SPeightstown) and his half-brother SP Strategic Reserve (Munnings). In addition to the aforementioned Derby winner, this is also the immediate female family of MGISW Tiago and MGSW & MGISP Stanwyck. MEDORO with a hard charge in the stretch to win the Marie G. Krantz Memorial at @fairgroundsnola! @jose93_ortiz was up for trainer Peter Eurton. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/MfJc9Qa8wV — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) January 17, 2026 MARIE G. KRANTZ MEMORIAL S., $100,000, Fair Grounds, 1-17, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 1:42.17, fm. 1–MEDORO, 124, m, 5, Honor Code–Achira (MSP, $151,852), by English Channel. O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Parks Investment Group, LLC (KY); T-Peter Eurton; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $60,000. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 13-6-3-3, $563,100. 2–Cupids Crush, 124, m, 6, Cupid–Dazzlingsweetheart, by Dazzling Falls. ($40,000 Ylg '21 MNSAUG). O-Xtreme Racing Stables, LLC; B-Mary Von Seggern, Eric Von Seggern, Barry Butzow & Joni Butzow (MN); T-Hugh H. Robertson. $20,000. 3–Lucky Speech, 118, m, 5, Audible–Luckyallmylife, by Lookin At Lucky. ($105,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Millennium Stables, LLC; B-Delia Nash & Jun Park (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $10,000. Margins: 3/4, 4 1/4, 3/4. Odds: 1.10, 27.10, 72.60. Also Ran: Nanda Dea (Arg), Strikingly Spun, Sweet Treasure, Stylish Sue, Triumphant Spirit, Epic Style, Lakota Spirit. Scratched: Wild Bout Hilary. The post Grade I-Placed Medoro Makes Seasonal Bow in Marie G. Krantz Memorial a Winning One appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It wasn't as flashy as her prior victories, but Taken by the Wind (Rock Your World) would not be denied late as she gamely held off a late challenge to win the Silverbulletday Stakes and claim 20 points toward the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Unbeaten in two prior jumps, where the closest the runner-up managed was at least three lengths back, she entered this contest with the GIII Pocahontas Stakes hardware already on her mantel back home. She claimed that race at Churchill Downs by 5 1/4 lengths Sept. 13 in what ended up being her final race of the year. A 4-1 chance here on her seasonal bow, Taken by the Wind immediately stepped out to control the pace, and did so as easily as she pleased–posting an opening quarter in :25.69 and a half in :50.24 with little pressure from her competition. After rolling through six panels in 1:14.49 and still comfortably in command, she tried to give them the slip turning for home, but Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution) was not prepared to let Taken by the Wind have it easy. The longtime leader had to fight every step of the way, but managed to hold off that rival by a diminishing margin on the line. Atropa (Into Mischief) closed up the rail to claim third. The final time was 1:43.58. Sales history: $70,000 Ylg '24 FTKJUL; $20,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT. O-Magdalena Racing, Bradshaw, Terry, Leveston, Graham and Raasi Stable; B-Courtney L. Meagher (FL); T-Ken McPeek. #4 TAKEN BY THE WIND ($10.80) stays unbeaten & adds 20 Kentucky Oaks points to her tally with a determined victory in the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes at @fairgroundsnola. @b_hernandezjr piloted the Rock Your World (@SpendthriftFarm) filly for @KennyMcPeek. pic.twitter.com/YCgpAAJm0Q — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 17, 2026 The post Rock Your World’s Taken by the Wind Game as They Come to Win Silverbulletday, Claims Oaks Points appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two Maryland-breds, Takethemoneyhoney and Quint's Brew, starred during a multi-stakes card at Laurel Park Jan. 17.View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Struck By Her in Arcadia. Mehmas Filly Finds Her Way Struck By Her delivered in her American debut and third overall start for trainer Philip D'Amato on January 11 (video). Owned by Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Ross Helman, Jerry McClanahan, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano, the filly is by Mehmas. Bred by Ringfort Stud, the daughter of Struck By The Moon (Fastnet Rock) sold for €10,000 out of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale to John O'Neill from the consignment of Ringfort Stud. She raced in Ireland for John Martin O'Neill and trainer Andrew Slattery, who also rode her in two Irish starts. The third winner for her dam, Struck By Her has a juvenile half-sister by Cotai Glory and a yearling filly by Persian Force. This family features G1 Irish Oaks second L'Ancresse (Darshaan), Irish Oaks heroine Moonstone (Dalakhani), and G1 Prix Saint-Alary victress Cerulean Sky (Darshaan). Tally-Ho's Mehmas has sired 24 winners from 38 runners in the U.S. (63%). Seven of those winners are stakes winners there led by Grade I winners Going Global, Chez Pierre and Magnum Force. Mehmas stands for €70,000 this year. Repeat Winner DJ Stable's Phoenix Of Wit returned a winner of a Tampa Bay contest on January 10 (video). Trained by Joseph Orseno, the four-year-old filly won her maiden at Gulfstream Park in August. Yours Sincerely (Cable Bay), third in the GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes at Del Mar in November, won at Santa Anita for Phil D'Amato on January 11 (video). Raced by Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Madaket Stables, McLean Racing Stables, Jerry McClanahan, and Michael Nentwig, the three-year-old filly first won at Del Mar in August. The post Making Waves: Struck By Her Stuns At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Journalism, last year's Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner, is back home at the Santa Anita Park training base of trainer Michael McCarthy after receiving a winter break at Bridlewood Farm near Ocala, Fla. He jogged Jan. 17. View the full article

The New York Racing Association has canceled the remainder of the nine-race card Jan. 17 at Aqueduct Racetrack following race 4 due to inclement weather in the New York City area affecting track conditions.View the full article

Journalism (Curlin), last year's GI Preakness S., GI Santa Anita Derby and GI NYRA Bets Haskell S. winner, is back home at Santa Anita after receiving a winter break at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Florida. He jogged on the main track for the first time Saturday morning. “It seemed like the ship went fine–he's full of himself,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “Happy he's back.” McCarthy added, “He'll start galloping here in a few days get back in his routine.” Under consideration as a major goal for Journalism the first half of the season is the GI Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga, which is usually run in June. “We'll see how it goes here over the next couple of months. But yeah, that's certainly something to think about,” McCarthy said. Journalism was voted a finalist as North America's outstanding 3-year-old-male of 2025. The post Winter Break Over for Journalism, Back in Training at Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He won at first-asking, but proved that the increase in real estate was no problem for him, and Jackson Hole (Nyquist) strolled home on seasonal bow at Fair Grounds to become the latest 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' for his sire. A length winner against maidens Dec 13 at Gulfstream Park, the son of GI Kentucky Derby hero Nyquist was strongly supported at the windows to the tune of 4-5 favoritism here, and never gave them a scare. Loping along from the rail, he set a controlled pace in :23.66 and a half in :47.50 with little push back despite the half-length margin to his early pursuers. Extending his advantage after six panels in 1:12.15, Jackson Hole had the measure of the field entering the lane, and strolled home much the best to win by 5 1/2 lengths. Colt Forty Seven (Bolt d'Oro) ran on well for second after trailing in the opening stages. Jackson Hole was a $1.3-million purchase at Keeneland September in 2024 after previously selling for $385,000 as a weanling in the venue's 2023 November sale. The victor is the most recent successful offspring to the races from three of racing age for Spa Treatment. Since this 'Rising Star', the mare has also produced a juvenile filly by Girvin, a 2025 full-sister to Jackson Hole, and is due to Good Magic for 2026. The dam is herself a half-sister to SW Manipulated (Malibu Moon) and the pair hail from the female line of GI Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes victress Joe's Tammie (Zoning). A 3YO on the rise! JACKSON HOLE is a gate-to-wire winner in R4 at @fairgroundsnola as the 4/5 betting favorite! Todd Pletcher trains and Flavien Prat had the mount. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/zymkGMPhhB — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) January 17, 2026 3rd-Fair Grounds, $60,000, Alw (NW2L)/Opt. Clm ($125,000), 1-17, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:44.71, ft, 5 1/2 lengths. JACKSON HOLE, c, 3, by Nyquist 1st Dam: Spa Treatment, by Bernardini 2nd Dam: Silver Knockers, by Silver Deputy 3rd Dam: Knock Twice, by Two Punch Sales history: $385,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $1,300,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $60,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-WinStar Farm LLC, CHC Inc. and First Go Racing, LLC; B-Springhouse Farm & Hunter Valley Farm (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. The post Nyquist’s Jackson Hole Aces Step Up in Class, Named Newest Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Whether you're a racing fan enjoying another glimpse of champions of yesteryear, or a breeder assessing the new intake to the sire ranks, the ITM Irish Stallion Trail is unmissable. From toddlers up, the throng of visitors to the 37 studs who opened their doors across the country on Friday and Saturday stand as testament to the draw of the annual showcase. Many readers of this publication will be in the fortunate position of being able to visit stallion studs at their leisure and to be welcomed with open arms. Granting access to those who are not active breeders but who could recite race-by-race form of some of their old favourites from the track is every bit as important, if not from a commercial viewpoint then certainly from that of good PR for the sport. “I've come just to see him,” said a delighted lady as she waited, camera phone in hand, for Yeats to appear at Castlehyde Stud on Saturday. Once a brilliant stayer beloved by fans throughout a lengthy racing career, Yeats has longevity as his watchword. Now 25, he still knows how to please those who come to worship him as he poses for photos alongside Matthew Jones, who gives the visitors what they want by taking Yeats on one last turn before he returns to his box in the corner of the yard. Of course the draw for many to this corner of Fermoy is to see the recent retirees to stud, Classic winners Henri Matisse and Los Angeles. But those spring chickens vie for attention with some of the elder statesmen of the line-up, with Holy Roman Emperor and Footstepsinthesand still taking their turn in the spotlight at the age of 22 and 24 respectively. The relatively fleeting nature of most top horses' careers means that on retirement from racing they retreat from public life, their names continuing to echo in sales houses and in breeders' discussions but unseen by those who once roared them home on the track. This annual event brings the curtain up once more, if only for two days, and if you can brave the January weather, then a free weekend out paying homage to some of these great names is just the ticket. This year in Ireland there is no shortage of new stallions to inspect: 11 to be precise, with five of those being sons of the recently departed Wootton Bassett. Breeders' Cup hero Unquestionable has joined a youthful line-up at Rathbarry Stud alongside the brilliant globetrotter State Of Rest, whose first runners are eagerly awaited this term. State Of Rest at Rathbarry Stud | Emma Berry They also have a Wootton Bassett son at Capital Stud in the form of four-time Group winner Topgear, who has a splendid demeanour for one so unused to relentless posing and promenading. But you mustn't even think about asking to see him without first admiring Authorized, who, at 22, and having stood at five different studs in four different countries, has lost none of that Montjeu swagger. And talking of swagger, if you've never seen Lope De Vega in the flesh then make a note to do so during next year's trail. One of the most revered stallions in the world, he heads a classy roster at Ballylinch Stud where one of his sons, Look De Vega, joined the team last year. If you planned your route well you could have seen nine Derby winners over the last two days, with Workforce, Camelot, Australia, Harzand, Wings Of Eagles, Masar, Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy also on show. Four of those are all under one roof at Coolmore, where around 1,500 visitors were registered across the two days. “It's a really good idea and it's a very positive thing,” said Coolmore's director of sales David O'Loughlin. “From Camelot to City of Troy to Australia, to the first-season stallions, the people are very excited to see them. And it's good for the local area as well. There's people staying in local hotels and they've flown over to see the stallions and they're going on tour. Ballylinch Stud's Make Believe in the spotlight | Emma Berry “And even for the team here helping out, be it the stallions or the sales team, it's a bit of fun on the day as well. You're always kept on your toes because there's always somebody in that probably knows more about the horses than you do. There's some real racing fanatics in most groups.” He added, “In fairness to the government, they're very good to our industry to give us a substantial grant every year. It's great that people can come in and see where that money is going. It's going back into the industry, it's creating jobs, rural employment, and it's great to see that in rural areas the horse business is very strong. It justifies all the government support.” Authorized, age 22, at Capital Stud | Emma Berry At next weekend's ITBA Awards, Ireland's minister for agriculture Martin Heydon is expected to attend once more, and several politicians joined the stallion trail, with TDs Jennifer Murnane O'Connor and Natasha Newsome Drennan both spotted at studs along the way and in conversation with Joe Foley while he showed off his laidback new recruit Magnum Force. Such close links to government remain of vital importance to the Irish breeding industry. But the weekend is at heart about the fun and social aspect: a chance for breeders to bump into each other and compare notes over coffee or lunch while enjoying the generous hospitality laid on by stud owners. It is also a gentle form of education for those who love racing and want to know what comes next for the Thoroughbreds deemed exceptional enough to be retired to stud. Some extra tuition may well be needed for all teams who finished a distance behind the winning quartet of Eoin Fives, Declan Foy, Charles Weld and Mark Boylan at the Mark O'Hanlon Memorial Quiz held at the Lord Bagenal in Leighlinbridge on Friday. Team captain Fives was on the mic for two days of stallion shows at Ballylinch and, we're not saying he takes quizzing seriously, but sources tell us that he and his team-mates have a WhatsApp group dedicated to testing each other on racing and breeding trivia throughout the year. Such devotion to the cause has been deservedly rewarded. Quiz wizzes: Eoin Fives, Mark Boylan, Declan Foy and Charles Weld with Avril O'Hanlon | Emma Berry It is almost 11 years since the passing of Mark O'Hanlon, the popular former member of the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing team. Since his death, his ITM colleagues have continued to organise and publicise the stallion trail as one of the key events of the year in the Irish bloodstock industry, while the quiz, organised by fiendish question master Joe Foley, has also continued as an annual gathering. In a way both events are very much in the spirit of what made Mark so beloved by his colleagues, welcoming as they do new people to our industry while looking after and promoting those who are already key in keeping the bloodstock world turning. The flight home beckons, but as ever it has been a few days filled with learning from some of the best in a country which has for so long been a world leader in the pursuit of Thoroughbred breeding. A heartfelt thank you to those who threw open their doors and took the time to show all of us visitors some truly exceptional horses. As ever, it was very much appreciated. The post New Faces, Old Heroes: Something For Everyone on the Irish Stallion Trail appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

First-time starter CONGRESSIONAL (c, 3, Constitution–Ghalia, by Medaglia d'Oro) needed the length of the Gulfstream stretch to get by but did managed to do so in the shadow of the wire to win his debut effort over Comprehensive (Hard Spun) at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Going two turns on the turf as one of three runners with no prior experience, the 7-2 shot enjoyed a nice trip along the rail under David Egan and stayed covered up while just drifting back a touch up the backstretch. Fourth and needing to pick up the pace as the top three began to get away on the turn, Congressional dove out wide of that trio and wore them all down despite racing largely on his wrong lead, just denying Comprehensive by a nose. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Grandview Equine; B-International Equities Holding, Inc.; T-Miguel Clement. Sales History: $650,000 ylg '24 KEESEP. CONGRESSIONAL ($9.80) just passes Comprehensive on the wire in the 5th at @GulfstreamPark. @DavidEgan99 was in the saddle for trainer @clementstable and owners Grandview Equine. Another winner for @WinStarFarm's Constitution! pic.twitter.com/QRgy10k3WR — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 17, 2026 The post Congressional Just Gets Up To Graduate In Gulfstream Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has canceled the remainder of Saturday's nine-race card at Aqueduct Racetrack following Race 4 due to inclement weather in the New York City area affecting track conditions. The $135,000 Ladies S., which was slated as Race 8 on Saturday, will be brought back on Friday, Jan. 30 with entries to be taken on Saturday, Jan. 24. Live racing will resume Sunday at Aqueduct with an eight-race card. First post is 12:40 p.m. ET. The post Remainder of Saturday Card Canceled at Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ciaron Maher again proved himself an exceptional trainer of juveniles when exciting colt Unit Five, a son of Widden Stud sire Supido, claimed the Magic Millions 2YO Classic Jan. 17 at the Gold Coast.View the full article

Stoneriggs Farm has hit the ground running. In operation for just five years, Robert Slack's 600-acre property in Paris, Kentucky is the home of a 70-deep broodmare band. Slack reveals some of his 'Mating Plans' for the upcoming 2026 breeding season in this continuing series. BRANDONS DANGER (m, 9, Into Mischief–Natural Rush, by Indian Charlie), to be bred to Omaha Beach We're sending six mares to Omaha Beach. He's been a horse that we've bred multiple mares to each year. I think he'll go right to the top, he's a very sound sire. Every time you open the paper, you see horses by him winning at all levels. He's a very very good sire. We're breeding Brandons Danger to him. She's the dam of a Charlatan colt I C Light, who is two for two (on the turf) at Gulfstream this winter and is very impressive. She's an Into Mischief mare and it's a very good cross. PLATINUM PAYNTER (m, 10, Paynter–Platinum Preferred, by Vindication), to be bred to Constitution We have several mares going to Constitution, including Platinum Paynter. We've always done very well with Constitution babies. We sold a Jackie's Warrior filly (Psalm Beauty) out of her for $625,000 at the (Keeneland September) yearling sale. Her first runner (Coqueta Blue by Maxfield) is already a winner, too. She was an outstanding race mare and is an outstanding individual. CHESTNUT STREET (m, 12, Scat Daddy–Near and Dear, by Red Ransom), to be bred to Yaupon She's a nice mare by Scat Daddy. She won at Saratoga and we claimed her. Fortunately, we were the only claim in on her that day. We got her and retired her. She's been a very good mare. Her 3-year-old colt ('TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard') Local Knowledge (Yaupon) was very impressive, broke his maiden first time out with a 94 Beyer at Keeneland. I'M BETTY G (m, 12, Into Mischief–Lady in Ermine, by Honour and Glory), to be bred to Gun Runner I'm Betty G, who is the dam of (GI) Breeders' Cup (Juvenile Turf Sprint)-placed Governor Sam (Improbable) and also (MGSW) Pin Up Betty (Constitution), is going to Gun Runner. NEEDS SUPERVISION (m, 10, Paynter–Moroccan Rose, by Carson City), to be bred to Vekoma Needs Supervision was an excellent race mare, winning several stakes. She had a Life's Is Good colt in '24. We sold it as a yearling for $230,000 (at Keeneland September). We bred her back to Constitution and she had a Constitution filly in '25. She was late, so we didn't breed her back. In '26, she's going to Vekoma. AUTONOMOUS (m, 9, Quality Road–Circumspect, by Discreet Cat), to be bred to Liam's Map Autonomous is the dam of Teddy's Rocket (Liam's Map), who was very impressive (winning first out on grass at Saratoga last summer). He's enjoying the sunshine in Florida for the winter. She is going back to Liam's Map, sire of Teddy's Rocket. GREAT SISTER DIANE (m, 10, Will Take Charge–Private Ensign, A.P. Indy), to be bred to Curlin We've sold very well out of her. She's going to Curlin. (Editor's Note: Great Sister Diane's Quality Road colt of 2022 brought $725,000 at Keeneland September; her Quality Road colt of 2023 brought $325,000 at Keeneland September; and her Justify colt of 2024 brought $550,000 at Keeneland September). CHART (m, 9, Lea–Gauge, by War Front), to be bred to Justify We have Chart going to Justify. We just sold a Flightline short yearling for $290,000 (to Blue River Farm) out of her at Keeneland January. She is a Grade III winner from an established Claiborne family. The post 2026 Mating Plans: Stoneriggs Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There's the good news: Rezasrolex (Bucchero) has won nine straight races, a streak that started way back on June 21, 2024. And there's the bad news: the 5-year-old gelding has run through all of his available conditions and is too valuable and too good to be dropped into a claimer. What that means is that trainer Joe Orseno now has no choice but to enter Rezasrolex in a stakes race. He's looking at the Feb. 14 Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. “I know that it will be a step up,” Orseno said. “His numbers and his Ragozin sheet numbers say he's supposed to be competitive against those horses. I have some other really nice turf sprinters that I run in stakes and, on the numbers, he's in the same category. He just ran an 8 on the Ragozin sheets the other day and that's a good number for a turf sprinter.” Should Rezasrolex run next in the Turf Dash, the Tampa race should be a fascinating test that will pit a horse with an iron will to win against horses that may be a little more talented and more tested at the stakes level. “He's already handled the turf course at Tampa really well,” Orseno said. “Obviously, it will be a tougher race than the ones he's been running in. We'll go up there and give it our best.” Rezasrolex began his career at Belterra Park for trainer William Morey. After two starts there, Morey brought him to Gulfstream and dropped him into a Dec. 7, 2023, $16,000 claimer. Orseno thought the horse, who won one of his two starts at Belterra, had some talent and he is a big fan of his sire Bucchero. It didn't hurt that his owner, Robert Cotran, owns a piece of the stallion. In his Gulfstream debut, he won a two-turn race on the Tapeta surface by a head. Orseno decided to stick with what was working and ran him twice more in distance races. But after his horse finished a lackluster fifth in a Feb. 10, 2024 allowance race for Florida-breds, Orseno knew that it was time for a change. Never again would the horse run beyond 5 1/2 furlongs. “When we claimed him he went long and then when he went long for me the first time I just thought this isn't his game,” the trainer said. “He didn't move forward. He had needed a race and he should have moved up. He didn't. I told Robert, 'This horse is by Bucchero, and you know Bucchero. He primarily throws horses that are very fast.' It just so happens that this horse is 17 hands and he looks like a distance horse. But I thought that he's a fast horse and he wants to be fast. I decided that I'd play with his head a little bit and crank him up and see if we can get him to be fast. He wants to be a fast horse and I let him be fast. I train him like a Bucchero. I like to think that I've had enough of them that I have their numbers. They'll train and win on any surface and when you find their hole card they're a really good deal.” Once placed in races where he fit distance-wise, the new and improved Rezasrolex won two straight 5 1/2-furlong races on the Tapeta surface at Gulfstream. Then he was beaten in what would become his only loss in more than 20 months, finishing fourth. “The time he got beat, Edgard Zayas will tell you that he was sick that day and probably shouldn't have been riding him,” Orseno said. “He just thought, 'This is just a hang-on mount, let me ride him.' But the poor guy was so sick. He just didn't get the best trip. After that, the rest has been history.” The streak began with a 5 3/4-length win in a starter allowance race. His next six races were all on Gulfstream's synthetic track. Orseno, who was starting to have trouble finding races for Rezasrolex, switched him to the grass for a first-level allowance race at Gulfstream on Dec. 19 and the results were the same. He won by a neck. In his next and most recent start, he went to Tampa Downs, where he recorded his ninth straight win in a second-level allowance race, also on the grass. “It's been a lot of fun,” Orseno said. “At first, I didn't think about it much because he's had a few minor issues and we've had to space out some of his races. It's nine in a row, but it's been over almost two years. It's not like he's been running once a month and we've been panicking. It's been pretty cool to think about how hard it is to do something like that. We always knew that we were going to have to step up one day and put him in a tougher race and see what happens. But I've been finding the right spots for him and it's been working out great.” Orseno knows the streak won't last forever, and may end in his next start. “Obviously, I want to keep it going,” he said. “I wouldn't say I feel pressure. I just keep picking out good spots for him. It's not pressure, but it sure would be nice to keep this going. Now people are noticing him and he's becoming a little bit of a fan favorite. But I've been in this game a long time and I know that what he is doing is the impossible.” The post Rezasrolex, the Sport’s Hottest Horse, is Ready to Take the Next Step appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-TAM, $55k, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16mT, 3:33 p.m. ET Peter Brant's ARIZONA TERRITORY (Tapit) is a homebred son of Cafe Americano (Medaglia d'Oro), a $625,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase whose victory in the 2019 GIII Pucker Up Stakes completed a Chad Brown sweep of the four graded events on Arlington Million Day (Sistercharlie {Ire}, Beverly D. S.; Valid Point, Secretariat S.; Bricks and Mortar, Arlington Million). Already the dam of the stakes-placed Lavender Disaster (Into Mischief), Cafe Americano is a daughter of two-time Sovereign Award and three-time graded winner Roxy Gap (Indian Charlie), whose four additional winners includes MGSP Angelou (Curlin). The Wertheimer Brothers are also represented here by their homebred colt Waystar (Uncle Mo), a full- or half-brother to three winners from three to race out of MSP Westit (GB) (Tapit), among them GSP Soviet Excess (Uncle Mo) and SP Nomos (Uncle Mo). TJCIS PPs The post Sunday Insights: Brant Homebred Looms Large at Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article