Wandering Eyes

Leading jockey Umberto Rispoli, who was thrown from his mount Unconquerable Keen (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) nearing the sixteenth pole of Saturday's Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint, was taken to the hospital and has been diagnosed with a fractured ankle, tibia and fibula, according to a post on X from his agent Matt Nakatani. “This isn't the end of the road for us,” Nakatani wrote. “We will be back stronger than ever. We greatly appreciate all of your support.” Nakatani posted that Rispoli will undergo surgery in the near future pending conversations with doctors. There was no immediate timeline for his return to the saddle. Rispoli was replaced on his two remaining mounts on the program, including aboard Almendares (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who rounded out the triple in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf. He was scheduled to have four rides Sunday at Santa Anita, including Later Than Planned (Ire) for Phil d'Amato in the Baffle Stakes. Latest update on Jockey Umberto Rispoli This isn't the end of the road for us. We will be back stronger than ever. Thank you again for all the texts and calls. We greatly appreciate all of your support @umbyrispoli #TeamRispoli #PrayersUpForASpeedyRecovery pic.twitter.com/iXaep147oe — Matt Nakatani (@MATT_NAK) January 25, 2026 The post Rispoli Suffers Multiple Fractures In Spill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For a sixth time, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert scores in the $100,500 La Canada Stakes (G3) Jan. 24 at Santa Anita Park with 5-year-old Nafisa. View the full article

Perfect Shot pulled the upset in the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 24, extending Steve Asmussen's win streak to five and giving him seven wins in the past eight years. Dual grade 1 winner La Cara finished fifth.View the full article

Umberto Rispoli's mount in the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint, Unconquerable Keen, clipped heels in deep stretch and dislodged him. The rider suffered a fractured ankle. The horse walked off under his own power. View the full article

For a sixth time, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert scores in the $100,500 La Canada Stakes (G3) Jan. 24 at Santa Anita Park with 5-year-old Nafisa. View the full article

Perfect Shot pulled the upset in the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 24, extending Steve Asmussen's win streak to five and giving him seven wins in the last eight years. Dual grade 1 winner La Cara finished fifth.View the full article

Amerman Racing's Test Score outran stablemate One Stripe to give trainer Graham Motion a 1-2 finish in the $937,800 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Skippylongstocking finishes ahead of his other 7-year-old rivals, stablemate White Abarrio and Full Serrano.View the full article

Elen Nicholas has ridden the highs and lows of racing with Knights Realm (NZ) (Castledale), and Saturday proved to be the pinnacle of their journey. The Cambridge-based apprentice rode the Clinton Isdale-trained gelding in his first two starts, with the pair involved in a race fall in their second outing which resulted in Nicholas being sidelined by injury for over a year. “It wasn’t his fault, he fell over a horse that had fallen in front of him. It was just the wrong place at the wrong time,” Nicholas said. “I remember flying through the air and looking down and I thought Triston (Moodley, jockey) was hurt because he wasn’t moving. We both came too and I was so relieved he was fine. My ankle was in so much pain and I realised I had broken my leg, which put me out for 18 months.” She reunited with the son of Castledale last month when runner-up in the Taupo Cup (2000m), and on Saturday at New Plymouth they went one better to win the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m). The six-year-old gelding jumped away well from his inside barrier and he was able to maintain his advantage on the rail to take up the pacemaker role. Nicholas dictated terms up front before they were challenged on the outside by Enrico from the 400m, with the pair opening up several lengths on their rivals as they turned for home. Race favourite Bridal Train took chase, but Knights Realm kicked again down the straight and ran out a dominant 7-1/4 length victor over Enrico, with a further head back to Bridal Train in third. “It was an emotional win and a bit of a surreal one as well,” Nicholas said. “What a cool thing to win a Group Three on that horse. “He was second in I think 10 of his previous 26 starts, he loves coming second, but definitely wasn’t coming second today, he won by a good bit.” They were initially set to take on multiple Group One winner El Vencedor, but the Stephen Marsh-trained gelding was scratched, alongside Group Two performer and Taupo Cup victor What You Wish For and Group Three performer The Odyssey, as a result of the Heavy10 track conditions. While other trainers were despondent by the wet weather, Isdale was licking his lips, with Knights Realm thriving on rain-affected going, which proved to be the case once again on Saturday. Knights Realm had finished runner-up in his last two starts and Isdale was rapt his consistent gelding was able to break through for an elusive stakes victory. “He has been running a lot of seconds and for him to put it together like that was really great,” Isdale said. “He loves a wet track and a couple of the favoured runners came out and it all panned out well. He went into the race in good form, he just needed a bit of luck, and he certainly got it. “He is very honest, he always puts his hand up.” Isdale was particularly pleased for Nicholas to get the win on him. “It was really good for Elen to win on him because she had done a lot early in his career and had a race fall on him which put her out for a year, so it was just good for her to get the win on him,” he said. Isdale was intending to send Knights Realm to the spelling paddock following Saturday’s run, but after his dominant performance, he is now contemplating one last summer assignment for him. “It is always good to go out on a winning note, but when he won like that we might have to roll the dice one more time,” he said. View the full article

Entering Saturday's $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, the 7-year-old SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING (h, Exaggerator–Twinkling, by War Chant) and his year-younger stable companion White Abarrio (Race Day)–the 2025 Pegasus hero–had made a combined 59 trips to the races, good for 22 visits to winner's circles from coast-to-coast and earnings touching $11 million. The now-white White Abarrio was the pick of the two as the 7-2 Pegasus third choice behind 3-2 Disco Time (Not This Time) and last year's GI Curlin Florida Derby hero Tappan Street (Into Mischief) at 3-1, but when the dust had settled and in a race that fell apart after sizzling early fractions, Skippylongstocking ruled the day, causing a 21-1 surprise. Disco Time, undefeated in five starts heretofore and last seen winning the Dwyer Stakes by nearly 10 lengths last November, was kicked straight into the lead by Flavien Prat and went hard on the engine through fractions of :22.25 for the opening quarter. For their parts, White Abarrio and Skippylongstocking were sixth and eighth, respectively, with Tappan Street in the middle, niggled along almost throughout. Disco Time led past a half-mile in a demanding :46.08 with Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast) pouring in the pressure and White Abarrio made steady progress to make it a line of four into the far turn. Announcer Pete Aiello called Skippylongstocking's name as he raced past Tappan Street who was 'going to have to do much better to be a factor' but he'd run his race three furlongs out. In the meantime, White Abarrio hit the lead under a hold at the head of the lane and looked all over a winner, but Tyler Gaffalione had Skippylongstocking in full flight, went to his stablemate inside the furlong and scooted clear to take become arguably the quietest $5-million winner in recent memory. Sales history: $15,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $37,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 36-13-3-7. O-Daniel Alonso; B-Brushy Hill LLC (KY); T-Saffie Joseph Jr. WOW! SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING ($45.20) wins the $3M Pegasus World Cup (G1) under @Tyler_Gaff after overtaking stablemate WHITE ABARRIO for a @SaffieJosephJr exacta in the @BreedersCup #WAYI at @GulfstreamPark. Congratulations to owner Daniel Alonso and all the connections. pic.twitter.com/FotFSb4WI0 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 24, 2026 The post ‘Yippy Skippy’! Veteran Skippylongstocking Upsets the Pegasus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Amerman Racing's Test Score outran stablemate One Stripe to give trainer Graham Motion a 1-2 finish in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Now 2-for-2 at Gulfstream Park, Steve Landers Racing's Destino d'Oro pulled the upset to win the $490,500 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G2T) Jan. 24.View the full article

NOBLE AFFAIR (c, 3, Vekoma–Paden Affair, by Rockport Harbor) was unveiled Dec. 27 at this venue but sprinting on the turf, and ran on well to claim third in a blanket finish after trailing early on from eighth. Moved to the dirt for this second jump, he was asked to navigate a sloppy surface as Fair Grounds hustled to beat the weather, and left the gates carrying 3-1 odds on this seasonal debut. Out to set the pace through an opening quarter in :22.38 and after four furlongs in :45.89, Noble Affair was still leading the bunch, but that lead was under pressure from Corona de Oro (Bolt d'Oro) in the lane. Game along the rail as the 2-1 favorite came calling from the grandstand side, his advantage was shrinking late as the pair battled down to the wire. Noble Affair managed to hold off that looming rival by a half-length and it was a long way back to third. The victor is the most recent to the races for Paden Affair, who has now produced five successful offspring from six of racing age. Her most recent is a yearling colt by Nashville, and the mare is due to Elite Power for 2026. Paden Affair is a half-sister to SW & GSP Indian Burn (Indian Charlie), herself the dam of MGSW & GISP Crazy Beautiful (Liam's Map). Noble Affair was purchased for $600,000 at OBS April last season after previous selling for $275,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September last year and bringing $75,000 as a weanling during the auction's November sale in 2023. #8 NOBLE AFFAIR ($8) goes gate-to-wire digging in late to win race 7 at the @fairgroundsnola. The son of Vekoma (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @James_D_Graham and is trained by Steve Asmussen. Wathnan Racing owns, pic.twitter.com/SELIos1aMO — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 24, 2026 7th-Fair Grounds, $54,000, Msw, 1-24, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.84, ft, 1/2 length. NOBLE AFFAIR (c, 3, Vekoma–Paden Affair, by Rockport Harbor) Sales history: $75,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $275,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $600,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $38,450. O-Wathnan Racing; B-Sandra Sexton & Silver Fern Farm (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Vekoma’s Noble Affair Strikes at Second Asking to Graduate at Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Amerman Racing's TEST SCORE (c, 4, Lookin At Lucky–Joy Of Learning, by Kitten's Joy) continued a phenomenal afternoon for the newly turned 4-year-olds on the grass at Gulfstream Park, as he emerged from the pack to take out the $1-million GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, just holding off a late surge from his very well-backed stablemate One Stripe (SAf) (One World {SAf}). Off at odds of 7-1 in his first start outside of age-restricted competition, the rail-drawn homebred secured the perfect spot two back on the fence in the box seat as Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile) made the running for Hall of Famer Mike Smith. Ridden for luck, with favored Program Trading (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) stalking his every move from the fence a few lengths adrift, Test Score was angled sharply to the outside of the pacesetter in upper stretch, edged to the lead and proved narrowly best. One Stripe, hammered at the tills in the late stages to jump at odds of 4-1, sat a midfield trip for leading South African jockey Gavin Lerena, came widest for the drive and was getting to the winner. Almendares (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) finished a longshot third. Lifetime Record: 13-5-3-3. O-Amerman Racing LLC; B-Mrs Jerry Amerman (KY); T-Graham Motion\ TEST SCORE ($17.20) held off a flying One Stripe (SAF) in the $1,000,000 Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at @GulfstreamPark. Trainer @GrahamMotion trains the 1-2 finishers! @jockeyfranco was up on the 4YO Lookin At Lucky colt. Pegasus World Cup is now: https://t.co/UXCZfzZ4lz pic.twitter.com/MOoRgUHdM7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 24, 2026 The post Test Score Leads Home Motion 1-2 In Pegasus Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Junior Alvarado and trainer Bill Mott partnered up again for another win on Saturday's Pegasus World Cup card as GRAND JOB (f, 5, Justify–Sure Route {GB}, by Ishiguru) romped home as the favorite in the GII Inside Information Stakes. Exiting a non-factor eighth in her 3-year-old finale facing allowance winners at Churchill Downs in November, Grand Job had previously shown an affinity for the Gulfstream surface when second in the GIII Royal Delta Stakes over the local main track last March. Drawn outside, the 2-1 favorite had plenty of early speed up the backstretch, racing three wide with Jody's Pride (American Pharoah) and One Magic Philly (Good Magic) both to her inside on the run into the far turn. Alvarado clearly knew what he had as Grand Job swept past both runners and was alone turning for home before she even kicked into high gear. A few shakes of the reins kept her focused as she out-finished Sterling Silver (Cupid) under a hand ride for the win. Mott and Alvarado teamed up three races earlier to win the GIII Fred W. Hooper Stakes with 'TDN Rising Star' Knightsbridge (Nyquist). Lifetime Record: 10-4-4-0. O-Bell Tower Thoroughbreds and Medallion Racing; B-Fullbury; T-Bill Mott. Sales History: $105,000 ylg '22 KEESEP. Fourth victory today for jockey @JuniorandKellyA! Grand Job easily wins the Inside Information S. G2 presented by @MyRacehorse. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/VQxrwb0qhk — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) January 24, 2026 The post Mott, Alvarado Partner For Another Win As Grand Job Romps In Inside Information appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article