Wandering Eyes

Amateur National Hunt jockey Sam Lee has died at the age of 27. Lee was a prominent figure on the point-to-point circuit and rode four winners under Rules during his career. A joint-statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund and Point-To-Point Authority read, “The point-to-point world is devastated to hear of the sudden death of Sam Lee on Friday, March 6. Our deepest sympathies go out to Sam's family and his many friends. “Sam, 27, was a hugely popular figure on the point-to-point scene and his tragic death is a huge shock for everyone. This weekend's point-to-point race meetings will be holding a minute's silence ahead of racing in memory of Sam.” Lee's biggest victory under rules came aboard the Phil Middleton-trained Golan Fortune when he landed the Listed Spinal Injuries Association Big Buck's Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November 2019. He then rode the same horse in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival four months later. British Horseracing Authority chief executive Brant Dunshea said, “We are all shocked and upset to hear about the death of amateur jockey Sam Lee. “Amateur jockeys are an integral part of our sport, its community and its rich history. Every jockey, professional or amateur, will be mourning today the death of a colleague and friend, as will everyone across British racing. “The sport has in place services to provide care and support to those close to Sam. That support is available to everyone in our sport and anyone affected by this issue is encouraged to call them. “Our thoughts are with his friends and family.” The post Amateur National Hunt Jockey Sam Lee Dies at 27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jay Rooney POWER OF VITAM - R9 (5) Won impressively second up and can repeat today with the aid of a good draw Owen Goulding SUPER EXPRESS - R11 (3) Improving sort ran another cracker last start and continues to progress Olivia O'Sullivan JUICY DRAGON - R3 (11) Track specialist with light weight, good draw and visors on first time Phillip Woo GOOD CHAP - R4 (6) Won on his first dirt start and looks ready to win another after a smart trial Shannon (Vincent Wong) GREEN FIELD PEARL - R1...View the full article

Lyle Hewitson has a strong line-up of rides at Sha Tin on Sunday that includes the progressive Supreme Sea stepping up grade in the Class Three Cornwall Handicap (1,200m) and Packing Angel in the Class Two Devon Handicap (1,800m). The lightly raced Supreme Sea has impressed in his two starts for trainer Mark Newnham, recording a win and a second placing by just half a length to Vulcanus on Sha Tin’s all-weather track. “I think he’s a very good horse. I’m really happy to have got aboard him, he’s...View the full article

It may have been a lot closer than anticipated, but Well Written’s (Written Tycoon) victory in Saturday’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) was one for the books. The unbeaten Group One-winning filly was installed a hot favourite in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, jumping a money back favourite in the Champions Day feature at Ellerslie, with every other runner at double figure odds, headed by Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) at $17.90. The market proved accurate, with the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained filly nearly becoming the giant killer, coming to within a short head of Stephen Marsh’s star filly Well Written. Jockey Matt Cartwright gave Well Written the perfect trip in the one-one, presented her beautifully at the turn and she quickly found the lead. Well Written opened up several lengths on her rivals, but Belle Cheval took chase from the back of the pack. Well Written shifted out in the concluding stages and the two went head-to-head, with Well Written getting the bob. Well Written’s connections had to sweat a protest in the inquiry room, but it was dismissed, and she got her win. Cartwright was rapt to get the victory and he was effusive in his praise for Marsh, labelling the Cambridge horseman as an integral part to his success since moving to New Zealand from Australia. “Everything worked out perfect,” he said. “She was travelling that good, I let her go. Probably with the weight (58kg) and being in front for so long, she wandered a bit, but she got the job done still. “She is a very good horse and you didn’t see her best today. “I have got to hand it to Stephen Marsh, he has been the best supporter of me, he is a great trainer and he is a great mate as well.” Marsh admitted that he didn’t know if his filly got the win at the post but he was relieved when he heard her name was called out first over the loudspeaker. “I wasn’t sure, the other horse was coming at us so fast,” he said. “She got to the front easy. She has had six starts as a three-year-old, she is not fully mature and had 58 kilos, I just wonder if all that had a bit of a factor. She floated around a bit when she got to the front.” Marsh said Cartwright gave his filly a perfect ride and he was pleased to reward his supporters with the big win, particularly part-owner Yulong Investments, whose principal Zhang Yuesheng was trackside for the win. “Matt has been great for our stable, he works hard and he is always keen to help us,” Marsh said. “He has gotten on very well with this filly. I thought his ride today was unbelievably good. “All the well wishes that I have had this week has just been overwhelming. I was hoping we weren’t going to let people down, and we won by the barest of margins, but I am just so proud of her and the team, all of our owners, Yulong – Mr Zhang is here today – it has just been amazing. “The ride has been super and I will sleep well for a couple of days after that. It (winning NZB Kiwi) is a feeling you can never explain, and you can’t buy it.” While Australia beckons as an obvious target, Marsh said that test will likely wait until next season. “She is unbelievably good,” he said. “She is a great filly, she has done it all, she has won six on the trot. “She can have a well-deserved spell, she won’t be going to Australia at this stage for the autumn, but she will hopefully go over in the spring.” Marsh was also overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the crowd at Ellerslie and said Champions Day is a phenomenal event for the racing industry. “Looking around at the crowd and the atmosphere, it is just massive,” he said. “It is awesome for New Zealand racing, $8.5 million worth of prizemoney and great horses on display. This is a special day and it is just great to be a part of it and great to take home the big prize.” Bred in Australia by David Digney, Well Written was initially purchased by Harry and Benji King, under the latter’s Foxhill Thoroughbreds banner, as a weanling for A$32,500 and was on sold through Brighthill Farm’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus where she was purchased by Marsh and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for $80,000. She has gone on to win all six of her starts as a three-year-old, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m), Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), and represented the TAB’s slot when winning the NZB Kiwi. She now boasts earnings of more than $2.6 million. View the full article

The name Roger James is synonymous with the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Cambridge conditioner has done it once again when he and training partner Roger Wellwood produced the quinella in this year’s HKJC World Pool-sponsored Classic with Road To Paris (NZ) (Circus Maximus) and Autumn Glory (NZ) (Ocean Park). James had won the feature three-year-old staying contest on six prior occasions, starting with freakish filly Tidal Light (NZ) (Diagramatic) in partnership with Jim Gibbs in 1986, and 40 years later he made it win number seven, and his second with Wellwood after Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) triumphed in 2024. This time the pair had to sweat at every start with the enigmatic Road To Paris who has proved a handful during his races, throwing away victory in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) in November by dislodging rider Masa Hashizume in the shadows of the post, while he also ducked in sharply when closing gamely behind That’s Gold (Lucky Vega) in his final Derby lead-up event, the Gr. 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). The application of side winkers on Saturday looked to have worked the oracle on the son of Windsor Park Stud-based stallion Circus Maximus as he lobbed along comfortably near the tail of the field for rider George Rooke before slowly improving at the 600m on the back of stablemate and Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) runner-up Autumn Glory. That pair stormed to the front at the 250m and set down to fight out a nail-biting finish which went in favour of Road To Paris by a length, with Geneva battling home gamely for third. The drama didn’t end there though as Road To Paris dumped jockey George Rooke as they cantered back to the birdcage, while shortly afterwards the protest siren sounded with a judicial inquiry convened to look at interference by the winner against both placegetters over the final 150m. Despite some definite tightening from Road To Paris, the protest was dismissed and the gelding held the win. “I’m elated as we were super happy with all three of our horses,” James said. “We felt we had a huge show until the barriers came out – Road To Paris (13), Ariadne (NZ) (Almanzor) (14), Autumn Glory (15) – and we were pretty deflated. “There were two super rides on the first two and in fact all three rides were huge. There is a big build-up to these days and this is very special. “He (Road To Paris) is untapped but he has to improve his manners. This is also super for George (Rooke) as he has had a few rough times lately and we have stuck with him; he has stuck with us and that was one of the coolest Derby rides you will ever see. “I think we may look at Sydney with the winner if he comes through this, but I think the filly has probably done enough for now.” Bred and raced by Ron and Judi Wanless, Road To Paris is out of the four-time winning Savabeel mare Spirit Of Heaven, who is a three-quarter sister to Gr.1 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) winner Lights Of Heaven. He is the first Group One winner for Windsor Park Stud’s promising young sire Circus Maximus, a triple Group One winning European miler by Galileo, who was also represented in the race by Towering Vision (NZ) (seventh), with both horses being from their sire’s first New Zealand crop. View the full article

Still basking in the glory of his Classic Cup victory, Harry Bentley is keen to continue his momentum at Sha Tin on Sunday with six rides, including Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) aspirant Fortune Boy and Group Two winner Tomodachi Kokoroe. Bentley bagged one of the most significant successes of his Hong Kong career when he guided Stormy Grove to an upset triumph in last Sunday’s second leg of the four-year-old series, the Classic Cup (1,800m). “Obviously delighted with how that all went – very...View the full article

Australian trainer Henry Dwyer crossed the Tasman with two horses earlier this week and he nearly went home with the perfect result at Ellerslie on Saturday. Stable sprinter Cote Atlantique (Kodiac) was runner-up behind Sweynesday in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m), but stablemate Paradise Storm (Masked Marvel) wasn’t to be denied in the Gr.2 Trackside Auckland Cup (3200m), storming home to a dominant 6-1/4 length victory. Racing three-wide with cover, Joe Doyle wasn’t content with the sedate pace in the race, sending his charge forward down the back straight to sit outside leader Just Charlie. Paradise Storm loomed ominously at the turn and shot away from the pack when asked the question by Doyle and carried OTI Racing’s silks to a commanding win. “Fair play to Henry, he was spot on about this horse,” Doyle said. “He said if he gets a bit chewy, he would rather I see him going with him, and to be honest I couldn’t hold him any longer. He was bang fit for today. “They attacked early at the 800m, and I thought ‘we have got going a bit here’, when I heard George (Simon, commentator) I looked at the big screen and he was obviously just too good.” Dwyer, who is accumulating an envious international record, having tasted success in the Northern Hemisphere with Group One winner Asfoora (Flying Artie), was rapt to get another international success, having initially intended on tackling Monday’s Gr.2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) with Paradise Storm. “It is just terrific. Winning a cup overseas somewhere just takes it to another level,” he said. “There is so much more that goes into it and so much more that can go wrong. On a risk to reward scenario, it is just a massive thrill. “The intention was always to go to the Adelaide Cup. I don’t even remember nominating the horse for this race and then Craig (Baker, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing) rang me up and I asked what it was worth and he said $600,00, so I said we better go there then.” Dwyer was full of praise for Doyle’s ride and he was pleased that he rode to instructions. “He has always been a horse that when they back the tempo off he is going to get keen,” he said. “Joe was cognisant of that and we spoke about it before the race that if the tempo does come out of it, get going a bit and get rolling into the race because you are just pulling against him and using his energy when you don’t need to. “I loved how he did it though, he waited until they got to the top of the hill and then he got going downhill. He got outside the leader and they got rolling, he kept his cool and then he ran away from them. “It was the first time at two miles for us, and he saw it out beautifully.” Having now won the Auckland Cup, Dwyer is now eyeing some Group One two-mile races on home soil with the French-bred gelding. “We thought the Sydney Cup might be the go on the way through, but if he is qualified for a Melbourne Cup, it’s an aspirational game, so why wouldn’t you?” View the full article

In what could be her swansong in New Zealand, class mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) put in her best performance at Ellerslie when she stormed home to collar a game Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) and claim the Gr. 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) on Saturday. It made for a welcome change of luck for trainers Ken and Bev Kelso who had to endure the nightmare scenario of their sprinter Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) crashing through the running rail when set for victory in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) two races earlier. Bidding for successive weight-for-age triumphs after taking out the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) a month earlier, punters were prepared to disregard Legarto’s seemingly average race record of just one win from six starts at Ellerslie by installing her the $2.30 favourite in the contest. Rider Opie Bosson was content to sit back on the daughter of Proisir, allowing Aussie raider Kingswood (Roaring Lion) to set a steady pace in front before moving into contention from the 600m. Kingswood went for gold on the corner but was quickly headed by Waitak, who looked set for victory at the 150m before Bosson and Legarto appeared out wide and charged after him. Bosson timed his run nicely as the mare hit the line a head to the good of Waitak as Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) stormed home late to take third ahead of Jaarffi (NZ) (Iffraaj). Kelso was grateful his day had turned around, reporting that Alabama Lass had come through her mishap with no major injuries while praising his middle-distance champion, Legarto. “It is really what they call the ups and downs of racing after what happened in the sprint,” Kelso said. “I’m very proud of this mare as she is one out of the box and a horse you only get once in a lifetime. “Bev and I have been very fortunate to have had her. “It’s quite an emotional win as it is probably the last time you will see her on a New Zealand race track. “Alabama Lass is fine, just a bit stiff and sore obviously and with a wound high up on her back, but she can go out for a spell now.” Kelso admitted he didn’t have any real concerns during the race, even when he felt Legarto may have a been positioned a little far back at one point. “I thought she was a fair way from them and had a bit of work to do, but she was always going to show her turn of foot,” he said. “We are going to talk to Phillip Brown (part-owner) and the connections as the Australian Cup (Gr.1, 2000m) is an option for her. “I think people may have forgotten how good she is, but she now has five Group One wins.” Legarto was bred by Warwick Jeffries and was offered by Highline Thoroughbreds during Book 2 of Karaka 2021, where part-owner Phillip Brown purchased her under his Ancroft Stud banner for $90,000. During her 24-start career, Legarto has recorded 12 wins and five placings with five of those wins at Group One level including the 2023 Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Saturday’s victory took her career earnings past $3.16 million. View the full article

Lara Antipova’s (Russian Revolution) star continues to rise, with the exciting filly extending her unbeaten streak to four when taking out Saturday’s Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. Visiting hoop Mick Dee gave her the perfect trip throughout in the one-one position, and while she was awkward rounding the final bend with Liguria (NZ) (Snitzel) trying to advance inside her, she showed her talent once balancing up and made light work of her opposition, running out a 1-3/4 length victor over Liguria, with fellow Cambridge Stud representative State Of Valour (NZ) (Sword of State) a further long head back in third. “She made my job easy, she is certainly well educated,” Dee said. “She jumped clean and the speed was on. We were able to land in the one-one position and she did the rest. “I had the eventual second horse try to come in underneath us on the turn and she just didn’t get around the corner 100 percent. She won the race once she quickened up. She had a good look around, I feel there is plenty left in the tank.” With a record of four wins from four starts in New Zealand, including the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are now keen on testing Lara Antipova’s talent across the Tasman and said she will join their Cranbourne barn in the coming weeks. “We think she is up to Australian class and we look forward to getting her to Melbourne,” Walker said. “There’s a race down the straight (Gr.3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1200m, at Flemington), it will either be that at the end of this month or maybe the Percy Sykes (Gr.2, 1200m) in Sydney. It will be good to give her a look at the Melbourne stable with a view to the Coolmore (Gr.1, 1200m) in the spring.” The stable was runner-up in the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) two years ago with fellow Fortuna Racing filly Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), and Walker said Lara Antipova shares similar qualities to her stable predecessor. “Her form stacks up with Bellatrix Star, who John and Jessica (Galvin, Fortuna Racing) raced,” Walker said. “She is every bit as good as she was.” The daughter of Russian Revolution was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, in conjunction with Fortuna Racing, for A$100,000 out of Vinery Stud’s 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. Her prominence extends the great run of success the two entities have shared over the last few years, which includes the likes of 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and Group One performer Bellatrix Star. “She is exciting and it is great for John Galvin and his team,” Walker said. “Well done to David Ellis, that’s the seventh winner of the race that he has bought, that’s an incredible record.” View the full article

Last season’s Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) winner Campaldino (NZ) (Ghinellines) has another big two-mile feature on his radar and took a big step in that direction in Saturday’s A$200,000 Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are working backwards from the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 11 with the Ghibellines gelding, who had resumed with an eye-catching fifth in the Gr.3 Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill on February 21. Campaldino was even better second-up on Saturday, hitting top gear in the straight and powering out of the pack to beat Athabascan (Almanzor) and Juja Kibo (Belardo) by a length and a quarter. “Great to see him bounce back in such good shape second-up,” Bott said. “I thought he was in for a nice campaign, and he is only going to keep improving as they get over ground. He showed that last preparation. He’s got those true staying capabilities and I’m looking forward to the campaign ahead. “At this stage he will push on to the Manion Cup (Gr.3, 2400m, March 21), through the Chairman’s Handicap (Gr.2, 2600m, April 4) and on to the Sydney Cup. It’s a programme we’ve used before and used it well.” Campaldino was ridden to victory on Saturday by Tim Clark. “I had to wait and let him build through when he was ready, and when he finally got into gear and had his revs up, he was always going to win,” Clark said. “The good thing about him is he relaxes so well. He goes to sleep.” From 16 starts, Campaldino has now recorded seven wins and four placings. He has banked A$615,697 for a Darby Racing syndicate. Campaldino was bred by the Ricky & Anna Rhodes Partnership and is by former White Robe Lodge stallion Ghibellines out of the Shocking mare Zuzana (NZ). Campaldino began his career in the Matamata stable of Cody Cole, for whom he had four starts. He finished seventh and eighth in his first two appearances, then put together back-to-back wins in a 1750m highweight at Taupo and a 2200m Rating 65 at Pukekohe. His performances caught the eye of Rob Waterhouse, and he was purchased privately. View the full article

Promising sprinter Sweynesday (NZ) (Sweyness) claimed victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie in sensational circumstances after race favourite Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) crashed into the inside running rail when looking set for victory at the 100m mark. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained son of Novara Park stallion Sweynesse jumped nicely from an outside barrier draw and went forward to sit outside Alabama Lass as she set up a steady speed in front. Rider Masa Hashizume took Sweynesday up to challenge Alabama Lass for the front at the 300m as the pair set down to fight out the finish. Alabama Lass had more up her sleeve and edged clear of her challenger, however, just as she looked set for victory, she ducked in sharply and crashed into the rail, in the process dislodging rider Sam Collett, who was thankfully uninjured in the melee. Gifted the front, Sweynesday held out the late run of Aussie raider Cote Atlantique (Kodiac), with Platinum Attack (Santos) finishing on well for third. James was philosophical about the victory with his first thoughts going to the owners of Alabama Lass and her trainers Ken and Bev Kelso. “It’s not the way you want to win a race as I was standing next to one of the owners of Alabama Lass, who I know very well, while I used to show jump many years ago with Ken and Bev (Kelso),” James said. “I feel for them but we will take it (the win). “He is a very good horse and wasn’t that well weighted today as he was giving weight to Alabama Lass, while he also started from the outside barrier. “He is a very good horse and we do have a race called the Stradbroke (Gr.1, 1400m) in the back of our minds, which may now become a reality that he has a few more dollars in the bank.” James was referring to the A$3million Gr.1 Stradbroke (1400m) which will be run at Eagle Farm on 13 June. Hashizume was thankful for the win, acknowledging the race favourite may have had his measure before she faltered. “We had a wide barrier and had no choice but to go forward,” he said. “He (Sweynesday) responded well and relaxed well outside the pace. “We were travelling well outside the favourite, and he was coming after her, but he had the luck today.” Sweynesday was purchased out of Pertab Racing’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft by Eric Koh, King Power and Bevan Smith Bloodstock for $80,000, and races in the colours of Koh’s Falcon Racing for whom he has earned $398,800 from his six wins and four minor placings from 10 starts. Thankfully Alabama Lass returned unharmed from the incident although she will undergo a thorough veterinary examination in the aftermath of the race. View the full article

Cambridge mare Moxie (Strasbourg) lived up to her name when defying the odds to take out the opening feature race at Ellerslie on Champions Day – the Gr.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Classic (1400m). While jumping a $17.50 outsider, the daughter of Strasbourg took a solid form line into the race, having placed in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) at Ellerslie in January, a week after running sixth in the Gr.3 Aotearoa Classic (1600m). Trainer and part-owner Ken Harrison elected to freshen the four-year-old mare and aim her towards the mares feature on Champions Day where she was the lowest rated horse in the race. Moxie jumped away well and settled midfield for jockey Lynsey Satherley, who sat quietly on her mare while a hot pace was set up front. Entering the home straight, Satherley looked for an inside passage, but the gap closed. She didn’t panic, opting instead to steer her charge into a gap three wide and once Moxie balanced up she showed a terrific turn of foot and bounded to the lead at the 200m mark, and saw off the challenge of Sydney raider Chica Mojito (NZ) (Zacinto) on her inside to win by a length, with a further head back to Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) in third. Satherley, who rode Moxie to her last start placing, was rapt to get the result for both the horse and her trainer. “She deserves that,” Satherley said. “She has got amazing sectionals and she can really reel it off. I was lucky enough to get a nice enough run in transit, and they ticked along at a really good speed. It was a really good effort by her. “I have only gotten to sit on her twice and she has given me great runs both times. Hats off to the trainer, it is a massive effort from them. Good on them, they deserve it.” Harrison was composed after the victory, but said he was pleased that his plan came off. “It’s pretty unreal,” he said. “We just thought we would freshen her up and bring her back to 1400m, which might be her go, and it worked out. “I am happy as.” Bred by Hormac Bloodstock, Moxie is out of winning Pentire mare Pearly Kate (NZ), a full-sister to Group Three performer Calm Customer (NZ) (Pentire) and half-sister to stakes performer Southern Courage (NZ) (Bahhare). Moxie was offered through Lyndhurst Farm’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft where she was purchased by Harrison for $10,000. She has gone on to win five of her 11 starts to date and has earned just shy of $500,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Daniel Alonso's Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), who acted up badly on the plane that was meant to transport him to California for Saturday's GI Santa Anita Handicap and was subsequently scratched, is possible for one of two races over the coming weeks. “I always look at it as everything happens for a reason. No regrets,” said trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who saddles three horses in Saturday's Barbados Gold Cup in his native country. “He'll probably run at Oaklawn in the Essex, or he'll run at Gulfstream in the Ghostzapper. I'm going to work him when I get back.” The 1 1/8-mile GIII Essex Handicap will be run Mar. 21 at Oaklawn Park, while the 1 1/16-mile GIII Ghostzapper Stakes will be renewed a week later on the undercard of the $1-million GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 28. Skippylongstocking was last seen defeating stablemate White Abarrio (Race Day) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Jan. 24. Trainer Ian Wilkes reports that both Just Basking (Arrogate) and Burnham Square (Liam's Map) have emerged from their efforts Feb. 28 in good shape and laid out plans for the near future. Winner of the 2024 Iowa Oaks and third in that year's GI Alabama Stakes, Just Basking was third to 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Senza Parole (Gun Runner) in a one-mile dirt allowance Jan. 15 and came with a late charge beneath Javier Castellano to take out the GIII The Very One Stakes by a half-length. She could make her next appearance in the GIII Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland on Apr. 24. “It's a little later in the meet, but she's a light filly,” Wilkes said. “She ran hard, and I just don't want to reel her back here too quick because it's a long year. She's run twice here now, so we'll look ahead to Keeneland.” Burnham Square was having his first run since a cracking runner-up effort in the GIII Nashville Derby last Aug. 30 and got home well over an insufficient trip to round out the exacta in allowance company. Wilkes has the Whitham homebred pointed for the GIII Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland on Apr. 18. “Burham Square ran a real good race. Was I ready to run him? Probably not, but there was nothing in the next book for him and I wanted to get a race into him here,” Wilkes said. “He came out of it good, which was the main object. He came out good and his gallop-out was tremendous. He'll go to the Elkhorn now. “It's always a relief when you get them back, but the way he trained I had confidence,” Wilkes said. “He's trained very well. He didn't miss a beat and hasn't missed a beat and has just trained better this year than last year, and he trained good last year. It's exciting. I hope I don't jinx him. We'll just keep going forward. Distance is going to be his friend. He'll get stronger as they go [longer].” The post Gulfstream Notebook: ‘Skippy’ Possible For Ghostzapper appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fixed-odds wagering has already made it to states like New Jersey and Colorado. It could also be a fixture in Kentucky thanks to a bill just introduced into the state legislature by Republican Representatives Matthew Koch and Michael Meredith. HB 904 is a sweeping piece of legislation with several key components designed to essentially expand and modernize the gambling infrastructure in the state. The contextual background of this bill appears to be an attempt to seriously grapple with the impacts from Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) on the betting pools. Unlike the fluctuating odds that make up pari-mutuel betting, fixed-odds wagering is a form of betting in which the payout odds are set and agreed upon at the time the wager is placed. Crucially, they do not change. Under this legislation, a new “purse stabilization fund” (to supplement existing purses at live meets) would be supported by a 15% tax on fixed-odds betting conducted on-track, online or via mobile apps. Among other aspects, the bill requires tracks and tote companies to adopt new modern technologies to streamline and expedite betting cycles times. Right now, tote machines across the country update at varying times–typically anywhere between 10- and 30-second cycles. More specifically, the bill requires them “to include commercially reasonable access to the betting odds for retail bettors by Apr. 1, 2027.” The bill also attempts to essentially decouple wagering providers from the prediction market, which is the ability for bettors to make speculative bets on the outcomes of future events. “A track or association that holds a license to conduct horse racing, sports wagering, or a licensee offering fantasy sports contests under this chapter or its affiliate shall not participate in or contract with platforms that offer events contracts through a prediction market or have a beneficial interest in the proceeds of prediction markets,” the bill states. Last year, fixed-odds wagering was also legalized in West Virginia. It followed New Jersey, where it debuted at Monmouth Park in 2022. “I remember us having discussions [on fixed odds] in committee going back 10 years,” said Damon Thayer, a veteran lawmaker with 22 years serving the Kentucky State Senate. “As a fan, I like it. I know when I go to England and Ireland for racing, which I do annually, I prefer to go to the bookmakers so I can shop and get the best price,” he added. “It may be a reaction to the CAWs,” speculated Thayer, about some of the motivation behind HB 904. “There's a lot of justifiable angst out there amongst horse players about the CAWs and their effect on late-changing odds.” Earlier this year, HB 39 was introduced into the state legislature that sought to put CAW players on as even a playing field as possible with average retail players in Kentucky's pari-mutuel wagering pools. It hasn't advanced through the legislature. The current legislature adjourns on Apr. 15, making it a tight timeframe to pass such a sweeping bill during the current session. Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene in early June for an interim session that will run through December. “That's when the joint committees of House and Senate can meet monthly… They have the purview to discuss bills that have been filed, as well as those for the future,” explained Thayer, about the interim session. “I don't know if they're going to try to push House Bill 904 through right now, or if they're just trying to get it out there for discussion heading into that interim period,” he said. “Representative Koch and Representative Meredith are two of the best minds in the general assembly on all issues related to gaming. I worked with them on HHR and sports betting and pari-mutuel tax reform. They're really thoughtful guys, and I don't think they would do anything to harm horse racing.” The post Fixed-Odds Bill Introduced Into Kentucky State Legislature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Serafin Carmoma remained hospitalized at CHI-St. Vincent in Hot Springs following a spill in Thursday's ninth race at Oaklawn Park. Carmoma, riding for the first time at Oaklawn this season and with five wins to his credit, was aboard 84-1 Balandeen Storm (Balandeen) in a state-bred maiden $50,000 claimer and was making a move on the far turn when he was shut off and clipped heels, throwing Carmoma to the ground. The horse got up and jogged away before being caught by the outrider and was vanned off the track. Carmoma was transported to the hospital via ambulance and has been diagnosed with head and neck injuries and was on a ventilator as of Friday afternoon. The post Jockey Carmoma Hospitalized Following Thursday Spill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article