Wandering Eyes

Winner of the 2024 GI Churchill Downs Stakes and now a young stallion at Three Chimneys, Gun Pilot (Gun Runner–Bush Pilot, by Smart Strike) was recently represented by his first foal, a colt. Bred by Tommy Wente's St. Simon Place in Lexington, the bay colt is out of the winning mare Just Life (Honor Code), a half-sister to GSP Electability (Quality Road) from the extended family of GISW and sire Lion Heart. “He's a big colt with a lot of bone,” said Wente of the new arrival. “The first thing that struck me was how much he looked like his sire–big and strong. I bred four mares to him last year, and when they come out looking like this, you've got to go back.” A millionaire and Three Chimneys homebred, Gun Pilot won five races and placed in another five, including the GI Forego Stakes. He will stand the 2026 season at Three Chimneys for $12,500. “Gun Pilot is very much like Gun Runner–scopey, strong, and a great mover but with a bit more size and substance than his sire,” said Three Chimneys Director of Stallion Nominations Rebecca Nicholson. “Progeny by sons of Gun Runner have been in high demand, and with Gun Pilot entering his second year at stud, he represents a great opportunity for breeders to access this highly sought-after sire line.” The post First Foal is a Colt for Grade I Winner Gun Pilot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brian Anderton, a doyen of South Island racing, celebrated his 89th birthday on Thursday, and the Wingatui horseman is hoping he can collect some late birthday presents this weekend. The White Robe Lodge principal will be chasing Group success in the North Island on Saturday after sending eight-win gelding Mayor Of Norwood north to Trentham to contest the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). Anderton, who trains in partnership with his son Shane, said the seven-year-old son of Ghibellines has handled the marathon trip with aplomb and has settled in well ahead of his weekend assignment. “He has travelled terrific and has eaten up well,” he said. Mayor Of Norwood heads into the two-mile feature in good form, having won his last two outings, both over 2200m on his home track. He has only been tested over 3200m once before, finishing 14th in the 2024 edition of the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup, and distance remains Anderton’s biggest query ahead of Saturday. “He is like a lot of the others, he has got to get two miles,” Anderton said. Anderton is looking forward to testing his gelding in the North Island for the first time, where he will jump from barrier one and carry 56.5kg with Corey Campbell aboard. “He has done all he can down here as far as weights go,” he said. “He has great owners and he has been handled very quietly in the first part of his career and he has risen to the occasion.” Closer to home on Sunday, Anderton will send half a dozen runners to Gore, including promising three-year-old fillies Assemble and Golden Spirit, who will both contest the Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m). Homebred Almanzor filly Assemble has shown plenty of ability to date, placing on debut over 1200m at Gore last month before winning her maiden over 1300m at Wingatui a fortnight ago. Golden Spirit, who is by White Robe Lodge resident stallion Ancient Spirit, met her stablemate in both outings, finishing runner-up on both occasions, and Anderton said they will likely adopt different tactics with her this weekend. “Assemble has done well and the other filly (Golden Spirit) has done well too,” he said. “Golden Spirit over-raced a bit here (Wingatui) in that maiden race, we might ride her a wee bit forward and use her speed a bit.” All going to plan, both fillies are set to follow the Southern Guineas Series, which will head to Ascot Park on February 14 for the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1400m) before culminating in the Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Dunedin Guineas (1600m) at Wingatui a fortnight later. “That is our ambition at the moment, it is a very good series,” Anderton said. View the full article

Expat Australian hoop Matt Cartwright is looking forward to teaming up with his old boss at Trentham on Saturday when he rides Interpretation in the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). The Group Three-winning stayer is trained by leading Australian horseman Ciaron Maher, who Cartwright used to ride work for when based in Melbourne, and the New Zealand-based jockey said he knows the Irish-bred gelding well. “I had a great connection and relationship with Ciaron Maher during my apprenticeship when I was in Australia. I am excited to be riding for Ciaron and I would love to get a result for him,” Cartwright said. “I know the horse quite well. I used to ride him in a few of his gallops when I was back in Australia and I rode him in a trial.” While he is the winner of just four of his 34 career starts, Interpretation has tested his talent against Australasia’s staying elite, contesting three editions of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), with his best result being a sixth placing in the 2023 edition of the time-honoured race. The Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) winner campaigned in New Zealand last year where he finished seventh in the Wellington Cup before running sixth in the Gr.3 Avondale Cup (2400m) and placed in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m). Interpretation placed in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) prior to that campaign, and Maher has followed the exact same blueprint this year, with Interpretation finishing third in the New Year’s Eve Flemington feature. “By the looks of it he is going well and I think he profiles as one of the better chances in the race (Wellington Cup),” Cartwright said. Interpretation is currently rated a $7 third favourite with TAB bookmakers for the Wellington Cup in a market headed by Rosso ($2.80), with Tshiebwe the second elect at $5.50. Cartwright will also partner the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Roccadonna in the Gr.2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m), with the Contributer filly finishing third and fourth in her two starts to date. “She is only a maidener but is still a nice chance going into that race,” Cartwright said. “A few of the horses higher up in the numbers look good chances, but she brings in probably the best maiden form. “She has a tricky gate (12) but she gets back a little anyway, so if the pace is on and it suits her she will be running on pretty hard.” On the undercard, Cartwright will also ride Platinum Pantheon in the Stephanie Murray Mortgages Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m), Sneak Peek in the $350,000 Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m), and Furiosa in the Harcourts Sprint (1200m). “Platinum Pantheon looks a good winning chance,” Cartwright said. “A little freshen-up since Riccarton would have only suited him heading into this appearance. “Back to the mile probably didn’t suit Sneak Peek in a strong race last week but I think the 2100m will really suit her. It is not the strongest of races for good prizemoney, so she should be right in it. “I rode Furiosa last start where she was a bit unlucky and I think back to 1200m will suit. She will get back a little bit but she will be running on well.” Cartwright is still coming down from the high of riding exciting filly Well Written to an eye-catching six-length victory in last Saturday’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie, extending his unbeaten streak on her to five. She now boasts victories in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), and Cartwright believes she is up to matching it with her counterparts in Australia. “It was a big thrill. It was obviously one of my biggest wins, it was quite special,” he said. “I think she has got the ability to (measure up in Australia). She has got to keep on improving obviously, Australian horses are very well respected and are good horses. She gives me the feeling she is right up to them. She has got a bit of freakishness about her and the win last week emphasised that.” View the full article

A plan concocted nearly a year ago will reach its climax at Trentham on Saturday when South Canterbury raider Shaking Stevens lines up in the Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m). The $350,000 feature is one of the innovation races introduced to the thoroughbred calendar in the 2023-24 season under the strategic partnership between TAB NZ and Entain and is restricted to horses that had won no more than one race at the start of the current season. Shaking Stevens was a single race winner for his original trainer Stephen Marsh when he was put up for sale on the Gavelhouse online platform last March. Christchurch enthusiast Richie Preston identified the American Pharoah gelding as an ideal candidate for the Remutaka Classic and was able to claim him for $8,000, setting in motion a plan that has since been implemented by Washdyke trainer Stephanie Faulkner. 14 starts since last June have produced four wins, capped by a home-track victory in the Timaru Cup (1600m) in late December and earning stakes of more than $82,000 to set up Saturday’s Remutaka Classic mission. “Richie loves putting these plans together and getting people involved, he’s a real driving force who brings a lot to the table,” Faulkner said. “He did the same with Green Luck, who we won the Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr.3, 2000m) with, and this horse has also given more than 30 people in the ownership a whole lot of fun.” Shaking Stevens hit a bump in the road to Trentham earlier this month when he finished out of the placings in the Kumara Gold Nuggets and was later found to be suffering from colic. “It wasn’t such a bad run considering he started to colic when he was cooling down, that can’t have helped him,” Faulkner said. “I got the vet to him and things settled down pretty quickly and he’s been fine since. “He’s been in work a long time and is well-seasoned, so all I’ve had to do lately is keep him happy.” Under the set-weight and penalty conditions of the Remutaka Classic, Shaking Stevens shares topweight of 61 kilograms with the only other horse in the field to incur the maximum four-kilogram penalty, the Bryce Newman-trained Uncle Arch. “He carried 59 and half kilos when he won his second race for us, so he’s a proven weight carrier,” Faulkner said. “With no apprentice claims I don’t have to worry about other horses getting an additional advantage.” Riding duties on Saturday rest with Tina Comignaghi, who is again leading southern jockey ranks with 41 wins and fourth equal place on the national premiership. Comignaghi has partnered Shaking Stevens in all four of his wins for Faulkner, and those from just six raceday rides on the five-year-old.Her overall statistics for the Faulkner stable are also impressive – 23 wins from 90 rides – while her 102 rides at Trentham have produced 12 wins. View the full article

With drastic winter weather–arctic temperatures and extremely low wind chill values, according to the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)-continuing to plague much of the country, NYRA has cancelled live racing Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at Aqueduct Racetrack. Racing has not been held at Aqueduct since Jan. 23. The 24th, 28th, and 29th were all originally carded but had to be cancelled due to the frigid temperatures. NYRA is working with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) to schedule and apply for added race days. NYRA will also release a new schedule for stakes races impacted by the weather cancellations, as well as a modified condition book. Aqueduct will be open for simulcasting both Saturday and Sunday. The post Weather Woes Continue as Aqueduct Weekend Racing Cancelled appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore will break new ground by having its first horses trained in Japan this year, after Sue Magnier was granted an owner's license by the Japan Racing Association.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Nathan Delany can’t decide which one of the three-year-old pacers he takes to Alexandra Park is the best chance. But the goods news for the Pukekohe trainer and partner Ray Green is he thinks they can both win. Their stable have an army of talented young pacers in work including Sammy Lincoln (R2, No.3) and Lincoln Wave (R6, No.6) in early races at the shortened Auckland meeting tonight. The pair clashed at last Friday’s soaked Alex Park meeting and Lincoln Wave led throughout while Sammy Lincoln stormed home for third after getting held up. “We really like them both,” says Delany. “Sammy was unlucky as everybody saw last week and should be even better for that,” says Delany. “He obviously stays in maidens and I think he will be better than the horses he meets on Friday so he should win.” Lincoln Wave goes up in grade but hardly meets daunting opponents in Race 3 and Delany believes he can win again. “Maurice [McKendry, driver] said he was jogging last Friday and the way he has worked this week we think he has improved with that run. “So we think they are both really good chances, with not much between them ability wise.” The stable has a far more experienced three-year-old in Johnny Lincoln in Race 4, the $35,000 Metro Final and with three career wins he is in a significantly tougher grade, up against the likes of Double Parked and Princess Of Savoy. Johnny Lincoln was tough winning last Friday after sitting parked but was in the weaker of the two Metro heats, yet you can’t doubt his bravery after a very busy two-year-old season. “He is a horse who had injuries even before he started racing and has done a great job and hasn’t finished winning yet,” says Delany. “I’d say Andre [Poutama] will head for the front with him and be hard to catch.” The stable also has Tyson and Spiritual Bliss in the tightest-assessed pace of the night Race 6 and it is a 2200m contest that could be decided by tactics and tempo. “Spiritual Bliss likes to lead but I don’t think she will get there because Words has drawn inside us. “So she might have to do it the tough way and if they go hard that could suit Tyson.” The $35,000 Metro Trot Final has Hillbillly as the favourite and he can clearly win but his draw of barrier 1 on the 10m mark could be tricky for a horse who was sluggish away last Friday, albeit commanding winning after. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Ben Hope says Muscle Mountain is ready to give punters what they want tonight and the way they want it too. The big boy returns after six weeks away from the races in the $40,000 Continental Summer Cup Trot at Addington, a race he has won three times before. There is no doubting Muscle Mountain is the best horse in tonight’s 1980m mobile as the winner of 39 races and over $1.1 million in stakes so the question punters taking the odds-on want to know is: is he ready to win? Hope, who co-trains and drives Muscle Mountain, says yes. “He was racing well when we eased up in him in December and we are confident he is forward enough to win without a trial,” he says. Hope and his father/training partner Greg have the perfect measuring stick too as they also train tonight’s third favourite Midnight Dash, who was a last start winner at Omakau. “He is racing really well and they actually do all their work together,” says Hope. “So while Dash can win Muscle Mountain is usually too fast for him and their work together suggests that will be the case again.” While those words will be reassuring, most punters who take $1.85 for horses to win like bad luck to be taken out of play and Hope says he plans to do that tonight. “I think he has the most gate speed in the race and I plan to use it and I’d be surprised if he can’t lead.” While the best version of Muscle Mountain would win tonight’s big trot the two pacing features look anything but clear cut. The $60,000 Garrards Mares Championship brings together some of the better fillies from last season’s three-year-old crop against established older names like Francent and Esmeralda. Francent (R10, No.9) was slightly lucky to win the Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park last start, the race Captains Mistress lost in dramatic circumstances when driver Nathan Williamson crashed to the track because of a sulky malfunction. But that drama aside Francent has developed into a very good mare as has Esmeralda and with even luck they can beat the young pretenders but there is plenty of talent in the four-year-olds led by Beside Me. The latter was an impressive winner in a weaker field last Friday but her talent has never been in question and if she launches early and gets to the front she will take running down. There is still plenty to like about the chances of Winelight, Debbie Lincoln and General Jen in what is a beauty of a race. The Breckon Farms Check Out Our Draft Pace is much lighter on numbers but just as even with any one of the six starters a winning chance. Pinseeker was brilliant winning at Omakau two starts ago and beaten in a very fast time on the tricky Nelson track last start so deserves favouritism but Hadron Collider beat him fair and square that day so can do so again. The best horse in the race, when he wants to be, is Chase A Dream who is now trained by the Dunns but is incredibly hard to predict. View the full article

Ted Noffey, the champion 2-year-old male of 2025, is off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail.View the full article

Recently crowned champion 2-year-old and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) has been diagnosed with bone bruising and will be taken off the Kentucky Derby trail, owner Spendthrift Farm announced via press release Thursday. Trainer Todd Pletcher reported that Ted Noffey showed signs of discomfort following a recent breeze, prompting further evaluation. Ted Noffey worked four furlongs in :50.81 (24/27) at Palm Beach Downs Jan. 23. “Since his last breeze, he hasn't been moving as well as he normally does,” Pletcher said. “Out of an abundance of caution we had him thoroughly examined, and the diagnosis came back as bruised condyles. Typically, this issue requires about 90 days to resolve, so we'll look to resume training around the first of May.” Ted Noffey compiled a flawless juvenile campaign, breaking his maiden at first asking at Saratoga before capturing three consecutive Grade I victories in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland and Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. His accomplishments earned him Eclipse Award honors as Champion 2-Year-Old Male. “Obviously we're disappointed,” said Spendthrift Farm General Manager Ned Toffey. “But after discussions with Todd, the veterinary team, and owners Eric and Tammy Gustavson, we are all in agreement that giving the colt time off is the right decision. Our priority is his long-term health and career. With proper rest and turnout, we're hopeful he'll be back and ready to compete later this summer and fall.” The post Unbeaten Champion Ted Noffey Taken Off Kentucky Derby Trail With Bone Bruising appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The British Jockey Club is investing in the top and developmental ends of the sport in line with the broader approach being taken by British racing.View the full article

Heaven and Horseshoes, A Worship and Community Center, is preparing to officially open Friday, Feb. 6. The 7,000-square foot facility is located just outside the entrance to the backstretch area at Horseshoe Indianapolis Racing and Casino and will provide space for numerous events for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing participants. The building will be occupied by the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) along with Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI). “We are very grateful to Caesars Entertainment for providing the property and funding for this project,” said Joe Davis, President of Indiana HBPA. “The facility turned out beyond our expectations and will allow us to provide numerous events throughout the year that benefit our horsemen and women.” In addition to the gathering area, Heaven and Horseshoes includes a 126-seat Chapel, complete with a full audio visual system. “Our ministry for our racing community is a vital part of our operations,” added Mickey Sajche, Chaplain for both QHRAI and Indiana HBPA. “This space allows us to provide more efficient space for weekly bible study groups as well as weekly church services. We plan to have our first service Sunday, February 8 and hope to offer weekly bilingual services each Sunday evening.” Heaven and Horseshoes will conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 6 followed by a program in the Chapel featuring guest speaker Pat Day, retired Hall of Fame jockey. The post Heaven and Horseshoes Community Center Prepares to Open at Horseshoe Indianapolis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The cost of registering a foal with The Jockey Club will rise from $265 to $325 in 2026, while filing a report of mares bred will go from $40 to $50, according to a new fee structure posted on the Registry page. The Jockey Club's Jim Gagliano said that the fees were largely driven by an increase in the price of DNA sampling, along with overall inflation costs. He added that the organization would be spending significantly more money on aftercare this year, above and beyond these increases. “Some registration fees were adjusted this year, resulting in an average increase of 11%,” said Gagliano in a written response to the TDN. “These increases were prompted in part by significantly increased costs for DNA sampling of 57% from the public university that supplies this service to The Jockey Club. Overall, registration fee increases are moderately ahead of the inflation rate of 38.2% since 2013. “Proceeds from the registry as well as our commercial companies totaling $7 million will be used to fund numerous initiatives in 2026, including aftercare, marketing, advocacy, research, and workforce development,” Gagliano continued. “Specifically, The Jockey Club's support for aftercare initiatives will increase 46%.” Notably, said Gagliano, “The Jockey Club is planning a significant expansion of aftercare by increasing support for the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP), enhancing and expanding the 2026 TIP. Championship Horse Show and introducing a series of Thoroughbred-only horse shows in 2027 through the Thoroughbred Incentive Program.” We publish details about The Jockey Club's industry support in our annual Industry Impact Report which is available to the public. The 2026 report will be published soon. The post DNA Sampling Drives Increase in Jockey Club Registration Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Medication trends, integrity issues in the U.S. and abroad, plus how investigators can impact aftercare are a few examples of the session topics that the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) will cover during their 30th annual training conference, which will be held from Sunday, Mar. 1 to Wednesday, Mar. 4 at Tampa Bay Downs. As the trend goes, the agenda places a strong emphasis on providing participants with security and investigative backgrounds access to the latest tradecraft and the opportunity to network with other members. “We are excited to have the opportunity to host the 30th annual ORI conference this year to coincide with a century of live racing at Tampa Bay Downs,” said Deanna Nicol, ORI conference chair and director of security at the track. “Our executive board is looking forward to presenting and discussing the most current trends in racing through a lineup of amazing speakers.” After a reception on Sunday, attendees will hear on Monday from the likes of Benjamin Ho, the deputy manager of racing security & integrity at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr. Michael Hardy, executive director of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium and Rachel Stipe, agent for the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau. A dinner and keynote followed by an awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday evening. The next day includes panel discussions that delve into subjects like outlaw equine clinics, investigator relationships with judges and stewards and a host of other topics meant to add to a member's toolkit. Attendees from countries outside of the U.S. only add to the experience. “In recent years, the international interest in the conference has led the ORI to invest in relationships through an international exchange program,” said Keeneland's Vice President of Equine Safety Dr. Stuart Brown. “Seeking to benchmark accepted standards with our counterparts is something that is intertwined at the conference and the bigger picture is about advancing these critical integrity measures around the world.” Click here, for the complete ORI Conference schedule. The post Investigators Tip 30th Annual Conference In Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Commandment (Into Mischief), a dominating winner of the Mucho Macho Man S. Jan. 3, will make his next start in the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park Feb. 28. The Wathnan Racing colorbearer returned to the worktab for trainer Brad Cox with a four-furlong breeze in :50.60 (16/27) at Payson Park Jan. 23. “Not long after the Mucho Macho Man, Brad (Cox) was thinking about the Fountain of Youth as a spaced-out target,” said Case Clay, Wathnan's Racing Manager, USA. “He looks great and Brad's happy with him.” Commandment, a $500,000 Keeneland September graduate and son of GI Spinaway S. winner Sippican Harbor (Orb), was highlighted in these same pages following a fourth-place finish as the 5-2 favorite in a live maiden special weight first out at Keeneland Oct. 4. He followed up with a visually impressive maiden win going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs Nov. 1 and kicked off the New Year in style with a 6 3/4-length victory going a one-turn mile in the Mucho Macho Man, good for a 91 Beyer Speed Figure. WOW! COMMANDMENT ($3.00) won with conviction in the $175,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. Another winner by @spendthriftfarm's Into Mischief! @bradcoxracing conditions the 3YO colt. @iradortiz coasted home on the son of G1 Spinaway winner Sippican Harbor. pic.twitter.com/GqQovRg3rn — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 3, 2026 The Fountain of Youth–also expected to attract last year's recently crowned unbeaten 2-year-old champion and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ted Noffey (Into Mischief)–will be Commandment's two-turn debut. “He's progressing so nicely,” Clay said. “Brad was quite confident in how he was leading up to the (Mucho Macho Man). He seems like he's a fighter. The water is gonna get deeper for sure, so we'll see how he stacks up there. But, so far, so good.” Commandment isn't Wathnan Racing's–the nom-de-course of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani–only promising sophomore. Thunderously (Gun Runner) announced his presence with a five-length debut victory around two turns for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott going 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Jan. 10. He earned an 88 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. The $300,000 Keeneland September purchase was produced by Princess Warrior (Midshipman), winner of the 2018 GII Mrs. Revere S. and runner-up in the previous year's GI Darley Alcibiades S. “Following Bill's lead,” Clay said. “The (Kentucky) Derby may come up quickly for him. We've been talking about not pushing him too hard and letting him progress. As we dream, maybe we're Belmont (Stakes) dreaming, which sounds absurd as we're talking about Grade Ones after a first start, but one can dream. We'll just let the horse tell us what's next for him.” CABOOM THUNDEROUSLY ($9.60) ran a banger with @JuniorandKellyA up in the 8th at @GulfstreamPark. The 3YO Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) colt is trained by Bill Mott for Wathnan Racing. Play the next: https://t.co/tHc1sm6ZIw pic.twitter.com/LEXPf3nZsI — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 10, 2026 Noble Affair (Vekoma), a rallying third in his debut sprinting over the Fair Grounds lawn Dec. 27, was a game wire-to-wire winner on the main track for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen in New Orleans Jan. 24. Produced by the unraced Rockport Harbor mare Paden Affair, the $600,000 OBS April breezer stopped the timer for six furlongs in a sharp 1:09.84. He received a 93 Beyer. “He's an exciting horse,” Clay said. “Steve (Asmussen) started him by design on the grass. He tends to have one speed, which is go go go. The thought was to get him to not run off and rate a bit and he did. He came flying at the end, and then in Saturday's race, he took the lead and went. Steve will pick the spot that's best for him. We thought very highly of him from the start.” Last term's GII Los Alamitos Futurity runner-up and maiden of four career starts Blacksmith (Liam's Map), meanwhile, will make his next attempt for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert in an upcoming maiden special weight at Santa Anita, per Clay. The $525,000 Keeneland September buy hails from the extended female family of Classic winners Rags to Riches, Jazil, Arcangelo, et al. “Very excited about these prospects and hopefully we can get lucky,” Clay concluded. The post Commandment ‘Progressing So Nicely’ Ahead of Fountain of Youth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article