Wandering Eyes

Kylie Hoskin has had a frustrating season with her promising three-year-old Geneva (NZ) (Time Test), but he made it all worthwhile when running third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day. “I am absolutely rapt, it was awesome,” Hoskin said. “That was my first runner in a Group One so to get the third placing I was over the moon.” However, the race wasn’t without its frustrations, with race winner Road To Paris shifting inwards in the concluding stages, causing interference with placegetters Autumn Glory and Geneva, and while jockey George Rooke was suspended for 12 meetings and imposed a $10,000 fine, the placings stood. “There was obviously that bit of interference in the straight when he was coming up to them, which was unfortunate, but I am still really happy that he was able to switch ground, pick up again and keep trying,” Hoskin said. “Ben (Thompson, jockey) rode him a treat, he got him into a really nice position and got him travelling nicely. He said he was still quite strong, because it has been a problem with him not settling, but I thought Ben did a great job with him.” Geneva, who was bred and is raced by Jomara Bloodstock, won his only start as a juvenile but has taken his connections on a frustrating ride as a three-year-old, winning just one and place in another of his of his previous nine starts this season. “He has been really frustrating,” Hoskin said. “If it is not a weather event it is a bad draw or a bad ride, nothing seems to go his way. At times he hasn’t helped himself either, but the ability is there, he has just got to put it all together.” While a decision has yet to be made on Geneva’s immediate future, Hoskin hasn’t ruled out crossing the Tasman to tackle some feature three-year-old races. “He left a couple of handfuls of feed this morning, but he seemed pretty bright and happy, and nice and sound, so all signs point to him coming through it great,” Hoskin said. “I haven’t spoken with connections yet and we are still soaking in yesterday, so I am not sure what his next steps will be. “Nothing is out of the realm of possibility. The Derby is what we had been working towards and I hadn’t looked further than that. He looks like he will stay well and Ben said that distance was definitely not a problem.” Later on the card, Hoskin picked up another runner-up result courtesy of Transaction (NZ) (Ocean Park) in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m). “She went super but was unfortunately on the rail and just got shuffled back in the running,” Hoskin said. “Ben gave her a really good ride, he made smart decisions. Instead of waiting for luck, he slotted her back and went out and around them to give himself space. Once she got room she was really hitting the line strong. “She has just gone from strength to strength this prep. She is really tough and honest and tries really hard. “She will like a bit of cut out of the ground and she goes either way, so we are just going to have a look around. Obviously getting some black-type for the fillies is great, but we will probably look at a (rating) 75 mile for her somewhere and go from there.” Hoskin was delighted to get a couple of nice results on Champions Day, and the South Auckland horsewoman was rapt with the turnout oncourse for New Zealand’s biggest day in racing. “It was such an amazing day – the crowd, the atmosphere, the racing – it was really super,” she said. “There is nothing better than looking up and seeing those grandstands chocka.” View the full article

This year’s Champions Day was one to remember for Kingsclere Stables. The Cambridge barn scored the quinella in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), won the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) with Sweynesday, and earlier in the day picked up a sentimental victory for stable owners Ali and Graeme Andrews. Ali’s father recently passed away, and jockey George Rooke donned a black armband to pay respect when jumping aboard Confesara (Toronado) ahead of the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m), and the pair got the perfect result. They travelled midfield with cover before tracking Rock Ice into the race around the final bend. Rooke found a gap inside the Shaun and Emma Clotworthy-trained runner and Confesara shot through it and chased down the leaders to pip Burnerphone at the post to win by a short head. “I thought that was a serious win because they went hard early and just really pulled up and I thought it was going to be really hard to make up ground, but she knuckled down and fair credit to her,” said Robert Wellwood, who trains the filly in partnership with Roger James. “Ali, who owns the horse, her father passed away, so it is massive to have the black armband on to remember him, and they will be able to remember this as a good day forever.” Confesara has now won two and placed in four of her seven starts to date, including running third to Belle Cheval in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) in January, and Wellwood believes the daughter of Toronado has a bright future. “I think she is going to perhaps even be better going further. She is a filly with a lot of ability, it was a class effort,” he said. “I think she is a Group horse and if she can make it to a Group One horse that would be wonderful. She is going to be better next year, she is a big filly, she is still yet to develop, but we will just enjoy this and look forward to where she goes next. “She has done a fair bit of racing but to be fair she is holding condition, she looks very well.” Bred by Leneva Park, Confesara is a daughter of winning Redoute’s Choice mare Absolution, a half-sister to stakes performers Excused and Show Me Mercy. She was offered through Sullivan Bloodstock’s 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft where she was purchased by the Andrews for A$85,000. She has now accrued more than $105,000 in prizemoney to date. View the full article

In a thrilling conclusion to New Zealand’s richest raceday, Champions Day at Ellerslie, promising mare Elle Sourit (NZ) (Ocean Park) retained her unbeaten record as she powered home to take out the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m). Racing during the day had been of the highest calibre and the last race on the card didn’t disappoint as the Andrew Forsman-prepared daughter of Ocean Park came from well back in the running with an undeniable run that took her to her fourth win from just four starts. Given a long break by Forsman following a win at Te Rapa back in August last year, the four-year-old was at peak for her first up performance in a race that Forsman had targeted for her a long way out. Apprentice Sam McNab only had the one ride on the day and he did it plenty of justice as he allowed Elle Sourit to find her feet early on before improving between runners approaching the home bend. Swinging for home the mare was travelling sweetly as McNab angled into the clear out wide and headed out after leader Bethany Dee, who had shot to the front at the 250m mark. Elle Sourit wound up powerfully and claimed Bethany Dee with 100m to run, moving away to win by a length at the line from a game Bethany Dee who clung strongly to second ahead of the late-finishing Transaction. McNab was delighted with the victory on a mare that gave him an armchair ride. “She is tough as it was a little bit of a query coming back to 1400m today, but the team had her in lovely order and she is a nice horse,” McNab said. “When we jumped we were actually first away but she didn’t muster that early speed, but I was happy to be back as she revs up through her gears and gets going late which is exactly what she did today.” Forsman has high ambitions for his charge who has plenty of opportunities ahead of her in the future. “We set her for this race a little way out and the owners have been so patient as she had a setback during her last preparation, so we had to stop then bring her back up slowly for this,” he said. “I’m thankful they allowed us to do that and Sam rode her a treat as she is a genuine good horse, who is unbeaten and is only going to get better. “She doesn’t need to have a heap of racing in this preparation, will get to a mile fairly quickly and she is going to make a good 2000m horse. “There is plenty of black type racing for her and she will be a black type performer pretty quickly.” Elle Sourit is a daughter of the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Bel Sorriso and hails from an extended family that includes outstanding stayer Smiling Like, who numbered the Gr.1 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Gr.2 New Zealand Cup (3200m) amongst her seven career wins, while Group One winners Coventina Bay, Nimue and Sirstaci also feature. She has now accumulated $120,750 in prizemoney from her four victories. View the full article

Overtaking leaders Midnight Mammoth and Getaway Car on the second turn, British Isles pulls away for a decisive victory in the $300,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) March 7 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Potente scores in the March 7 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park over longshot Robusta, earning 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. So Happy finishes third.View the full article

Splendora wins the B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park for trainer Bob Baffert and owners By Talla Racing and Boyd Racing.View the full article

Some of the connections involved with 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage, co-owner OGMA Investments, trainer Gustavo Delgado, and Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, appear headed for a return Derby appearance.View the full article

Overtaking leaders Midnight Mammoth and Getaway Car on the second turn, British Isles pulls away for a decisive victory in the $300,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1).View the full article

Majestic Oops stretched out from 6 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles and got smoothly over a sloppy track to win the Azeri Stakes (G2) March 7 at Oaklawn Park.View the full article

Some of the connections involved with 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage—co-owner OGMA Investments, trainer Gustavo Delgado, and Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano—appear headed for a return Derby appearance.View the full article

Former claimer R Disaster, a graded stakes winner last year at age 4, is now one at age 5 after winning the Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) March 7 at Gulfstream ParkView the full article

British Isles (g, 5, Justify–Purely Hot, by Pure Prize) has spent the majority of his 24-race career in allowance company, but took full advantage of the scratched-down field of five in Saturday's GI Santa Anita Handicap in Arcadia to emerge a winner at the elite level. Parked for much of the running on the outside of favored Just a Touch (Justify) through :22.86 and :46.63 fractions, he took command with authority and opened up in the stretch to win by open daylight. He got the 1 1/4 miles in 2:05.17 as Vodka Vodka (Stay Thirsty) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Getaway Car (Curlin) chased him home. The 'Big Cap' marked the first Grade I win for young jockey Diego Herrera. British Isles placed in the GIII Native Diver Stakes in November at Del Mar, then shipped across the country to finish fifth in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitation in January. Lifetime Record: 24-4-6-4. O-Slam Dunk Racing, Deborah Baltas and Cynthia McClanahan; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (Ky.); T-Richard Baltas; J-Diego Herrera. BRITISH ISLES ($16.40)came flying around the turn to score in the $300,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) at @SantaAnitaPark. @JockeyHerrera earns his first grade 1 victory riding the Justify (@coolmoreamerica) gelding for trainer Richard Baltas. pic.twitter.com/WFmjaguF41 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 8, 2026 The post Justify’s British Isles Wins Santa Anita’s ‘Big Cap’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Bob Baffert had a two-strong chance to earn a record-extending 10th win in Saturday's GII San Felipe Stakes. His best shot looked to be with the 4-5 favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' Brant (Gun Runner) who was making his first start back since running third to Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar last November. But it was his other runner, 8-1 shot and $2.4-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale graduate Potente (Into Mischief) who secured the win and 50 Kentucky Derby points for the Baffert stable, running down 67-1 longshot Robusta (Accelerate) to spring the upset as his favored stablemate crossed the line fifth. Far and away the least-experienced runner in the field with just his narrow Jan. 31 gate-to-wire maiden win going six furlongs on his record, Potente had a big jump in just about every metric, most notably in class and, stretching out to 1 1/16-miles Saturday, distance. He would also need to show some versatility, especially as his naturally quicker stablemate got off to a clean beginning and Potente had to check back into an early fifth. Brant had company up front from the start in the form of GII San Vincente winner So Happy (Runhappy) and that pair led Robusta up the backstretch. Potente sat just in behind that wall of runners with company to his inside as Secured Freedom (Practical Joke) looked for running room up the rail. It was Robusta who made the first run at the leaders midway around the far turn, engaging three wide in the Calumet Farm silks as Brant came under a ride from Florent Geroux but lacked any response at the quarter pole. The longshot son of Accelerate looked to blow the board wide open as he hit the front close to home but Potente, who angled out to find room at the sixteenth pole, was charging hard and just found the line in time to nail the longshot in the shadow of the wire to stay perfect in his young career. Brant was eased once out of contention and finished up fifth. “This horse has a lot of talent,” said Hernandez. “He's big, he's strong, and he showed up today. He breaks really, really good and relaxes really well behind the other horses. Last time he ran on the lead, but today, he was traveling really good behind horses, like a professional. As we turned for home, I swung out a little bit, and it took me a little while to get going, because, like I said, he's very big. But man, he's a really, really nice horse. It's only his second start and he's improving. I think he's going to be even better next time.” “I knew the pace was going to be hot,” Baffert added of his two runners. “I think Brant was a work away from this race. He got tired. Potente is bred to go that far. He was ready for that. Kimura told me he thought the horse was a two-turn horse. That horse that ran second (Robusta) is not a bad horse that he beat. He beat Cherokee Nation. I was just a little disappointed in Brant. We're moving forward with Potente. He'll have another start before the Kentucky Derby.” With 50 points now on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, Potente jumps to seventh, currently the highest Baffert-trained runner on the leaderboard. Robusta also picked up 25 points for his efforts and sits 14th for Chief Stipe O'Neill. Pedigree Note: Potente is yet another feather in the cap for leading general sire Into Mischief who continues to fire on all cylinders heading into Kentucky Derby season for Spendthrift Farm. At $2.4-million, the second highest hip sold at the Saratoga Sale in 2024, Potente is also the priciest Into Mischief yearling sold that year and one of seven yearlings to hit the seven-figure price tag that sales season for their in-demand sire. Sweet Sting, placed in the Memories of Silver at Aqueduct in her racing career, has three winners from four to race and is herself a daughter of an Eclipse-winning grass mare in Perfect Sting. There are several classy Canadian runners in the pedigree including her half-sister, GSW Smart Sting (Smart Strike). The family also includes GII Dwyer Stakes third Billal (Street Sense). Her 2-year-old Not This Time filly, now named You Didn't Know, brought $430,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September last year for Lauren Carlisle and she reported a full-sister to Potente in 2025 before visiting Muth for 2026. #5 POTENTE ($18.20) soared past Robusta to win the $200,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at @santaanitapark with @JJHernandezS19 in the irons. The son of Into Mischief (@SpendthriftFarm) is trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Speedway Stables. pic.twitter.com/x2r99AigAv — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 7, 2026 Saturday, Santa Anita SAN FELIPE S. PRESENTED BY DK HORSE-GII, $201,000, Santa Anita, 3-7, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42.92, ft. 1–POTENTE, 120, c, 3, by Into Mischief 1st Dam: Sweet Sting (SP), by Awesome Again 2nd Dam: Perfect Sting, by Red Ransom 3rd Dam: Valid Victress, by Valid Appeal 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($2,400,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). O-Speedway Stables LLC; B-Pam & Martin Wygod (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $162,000. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Robusta, 120, c, 3, Accelerate–Urbane Legend, by Into Mischief. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Chief Stipe F. O'Neill. $40,000. 3–So Happy, 120, c, 3, Runhappy–So Cunning, by Blame. ($12,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $20,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $150,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). O-Norman Stables LLC and Saints or Sinners; B-Leverett S. Miller (KY); T-Mark Glatt. $24,000. Margins: HD, 2 1/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 8.10, 67.30, 2.10. Also Ran: Secured Freedom, Brant, Start the Ride, Flashy Fritz. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Potente Up In Time In San Felipe Upset; Brant Finishes Fifth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All eyes may have been on Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) in Oaklawn's GII Azeri Stakes Saturday, but it was Majestic Oops (m, 6, Majestic Harbor–Miss Oops, by Olmodavor) who sprung the upset. Racing in the colors of Medallion Racing, Evan Trommer Ward, Arrieta Agave Racing Stable, and Shelia Regan, Majestic Oops left the gate sharply before taking back on the inside behind La Cara (Street Sense). She waited in third with Nitrogen to her outside behind La Cara's :23.78 and :47.17 fractions, then tipped out coming off the turn as Nitrogen tackled La Cara. Majestic Oops, wide and full of run, quickly put about two lengths on Nitrogen nearing the wire as Regaled (Mohaymen) came up on the inside to outfinish Nitrogen for second. The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:43.36. Second in the GIII Molly Pitcher and third in the GI Ballerina last summer, Majestic Oops finished off the board in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. She kicked off 2026 with a win in the American Beauty Stakes at Oaklawn Feb. 13. O- Medallion Racing, Evan Trommer, Arrieta Agave Racing Stable, and Shelia Regan; B-William Dory, Sandy Dory, Gary Kropp, and Janet Kropp (Cal.); T-Dan Ward, J-Francisco Arrieta. #3 MAJESTIC OOPS ($20.60) put away Nitrogen in the $400,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) at @OaklawnRacing with @jockeyfarrieta aboard. The 6-year-old daughter of Majestic Harbor is trained by @dfwardjr. pic.twitter.com/FJSa2J7Dpk — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 7, 2026 The post Majestic Oops Upsets Champion Nitrogen in Azeri appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Crude Velocity (c, 3, Beau Liam–Sweetnsour Kitty, by Lemon Drop Kid) overcame a nightmare journey to become the first 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' for his young sire. Overlooked at odds of 10-1, he was off to a slow start from his rail draw and trailed the field shortly after the break. He rushed up beneath Florent Geroux and was under a tight hold in traffic racing just behind the leaders through an opening quarter in :22.23. Forced to steady, he dropped back to seventh and was heading the wrong way around the far turn. Undeterred, he dialed it up again, was tipped out into the clear in the stretch and came powering home to reel in Civil Liberty (Independence Hall) by a head. The final time for 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:15.30. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. Sales history: $250,000 2yo '25 OBSOPN; $3,000 yrl '24 FTDDE; $12,000 yrl '24 FTKOCT. O-CSLR Racing Partners, LLC; B-La Ciega LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. #1 CRUDE VELOCITY ($23.00) and @flothejock ran down Civil Liberty to win R6 at @SantaAnitaPark. This was the maiden win for the three-year-old Beau Liam (@AirdrieStud) colt. Bob Baffert trains. pic.twitter.com/wf1h8n98SZ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 7, 2026 The post Crude Velocity Overcomes Impossible Trip, Gets Up for ‘Rising Star’ Honors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article