Wandering Eyes

Lisa Allpress drives Star Ballot (outside) to victory over Pitman stablemate Tomyturbo at Riccarton. Photo: Ajay Berry (RIS) A week after becoming only the second New Zealand trainer to reach 2000 wins, South Island racing icon Michael Pitman teamed up with jockey Lisa Allpress to celebrate another notable milestone at Riccarton. Pitman and his son and training partner Matthew saddled the quinella in the $35,000 staying event, with Star Ballot edging out stablemate Tomyturbo by half a length. Star Ballot was ridden by Allpress, who notched up her 100th career win for the Pitman stable. “We’re really good friends and it’s good for her to reach 100 winners for us,” Pitman said. “She used to come down here when she was an apprentice to ride for us, so it’s really good and I’m sure she’ll enjoy this as much as we are.” The win also inched Allpress a step closer to her own 2000-win milestone, lifting her tally of New Zealand victories to 1910. “We’ve had a bit of a sabbatical recently, so it’s taken a while to bring up the 100th winner for the stable,” Allpress said. “But it’s always nice to get on their horses. You know they’re going to give you a good show. “Our association goes back to when I was an apprentice and I used to come and ride for him at midweek meetings. It’s all about the grounding that you get as a young apprentice. You’ve got to take the knocks as well as the good times, and I think he’s taught me a few things along the way, as well as Mr (Kevin) Gray.” A strong-finishing fifth and fourth in his two previous starts over 2000m, Star Ballot relished the step up to 2600m on Saturday. After settling at the tail of the field, the five-year-old Tarzino gelding began to edge forward coming up to the home turn. Star Ballot got on the back of Tomyturbo as he surged to the front in the straight. Allpress then angled her mount to the outside, and Star Ballot lengthened stride and finished over the top of his stablemate for an impressive win. “After I found out I was riding this horse, I went back through his videos – he’s a really nice stayer,” Allpress said. “He’s obviously got those miles under his belt. “He could be earmarked for a nice race like the New Zealand Cup (Group 3, 3200m), because he just seems to stay really well. There was no panic today and I still felt like I had a lot underneath me at the top of the straight.” Pitman paid $45,000 to purchase Star Ballot from the 2020 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. He has now had 26 starts for five wins, six placings and $126,405 in stakes. “I don’t have many favourite horses, but Star Ballot is probably one of my favourites,” he said. “If it had been a really firm track today, I think this horse would have won by five lengths.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sacred Satono demonstrates his class with a comfortable victory at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Class galloper Sacred Satono put his name firmly in the frame for a proposed Queensland Winter Carnival venture when he kicked off a new campaign with an impressive victory at Ellerslie in the opening event. The Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley-trained four-year-old had last been seen on raceday when finishing midfield in the Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Karaka Millions night and stripped in good condition despite not having trialled before his resumption. With rider Triston Moodley using his 3kg claim to bring the son of Satono Aladdin’s topweight down to a manageable 58kg impost, Sacred Satono looked well placed despite giving weight to his nine rivals including 4kgs to race favourite Pour The Wine. Moodley was in no rush on the topweight, allowing him to settle in midfield behind tearaway pacemakers One More Time and Is That So in the early running before easing into contention approaching the home turn. Allowed to drift to the middle of the track, Sacred Satono quickly hit the front and put the race to bed in a few strides. Despite being hotly challenged by Pour The Wine and Imprevu he held the pair out by a length and a half in a slick time of 1.09.68 on a track rated a Soft 5 despite some heavy and persistent rain throughout the morning. Cooksley was pleased with the performance as he outlined the future plans for his charge. “He went really well and has been working okay and he goes pretty good fresh-up,” Cooksley said. “He hasn’t done a lot since his last run, just a couple of jump-outs and we brought him here today to see how he was going. “We’re thinking about going to Brisbane, but will see what happens. “A race like the Stradbroke (Group 1, 1400m) is an option and couple of races beforehand where we will work it out from there.” A rain soaked Moodley sported a beaming smile as he described the victory. “It’s a bit wet out there but seemed good underfoot and I was on the best horse in the field so it was easy for me,” he said. “I just gave him a smack and he pinned his ears back and the rest was history as he flew home.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Illinois Derby returned to Hawthorne Racecourse April 21 after a six-year hiatus, rekindling a flame of hope for Illinois horse racing.View the full article

Hall of Famers Richard Mandella and Mike Smith combine on the Curlin filly, owned by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article

The Illinois Derby returned to Hawthorne Racecourse April 21 after a six-year hiatus, rekindling a flame of hope for Illinois horse racing.View the full article

Espadas could be destined for a future across the Tasman following his maiden victory at Ellerslie on Saturday. The three-year-old son of Ace High put in a pleasing performance for third on debut over 1200m at Pukekohe last month and was duly backed into $3.70 favouritism for the Ellerslie Events 1200 at Ellerslie on Saturday. From his wide draw, Espadas was caught out three-wide early and jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll elected to press on with his charge. The pair had no favours and were posted three and four-wide for the trip, but Espadas showed his tenacity when rallying in the straight to record a neck victory over Night Night Dora. “He is a nice horse,” said Shaun Clotworthy, who trains the gelding in partnership with his wife Emma. “He has had a bit of a reputation on him for a while, so it was good to see him deliver nicely like that. “He hadn’t had a trial before he went into that first start, just a couple of easy jumpouts. We knew he had plenty of ability and we expected bold performances from him.” His talents haven’t escaped the eyes of bloodstock agents, with Espadas likely to head to Melbourne if a deal can be struck. “There has been a fair bit of interest in him,” Clotworthy said. “We do send a lot of horses over to Australia and we have got shares in a few at Mick Price’s, so there is a chance that he may head there, but we will see what happens.” If he does stay in New Zealand, Clotworthy said he will go for a spell in preparation for the spring. “He is still pretty immature, he is a big horse, so we will probably ease off him and look at somewhere in the spring for him as a four-year-old if he is still in New Zealand,” he said. Ellerslie’s Saturday meeting was abandoned later in the day due to safety concerns, and Clotworthy, who is also the National President of the New Zealand Trainers’ Association, said it was frustrating to have two meetings abandoned at the newly-installed StrathAyr track in the space 10 days, but the industry needs to be understanding. “It is not ideal. It is paramount for jockeys’ safety but it was just a very unusual fact that they could race six races without any incidents and then get to that race and there was a problem,” he said. “I think everyone has just got to take a bit of a breath and understand that it is a new track. It is going to be a great track in the future, and you can see that in the amount of rain we had, and they broke 1:10 in the first race. “For the future it is going to be outstanding for our industry, but it just needs to bed in, and we all need to understand how to work with it, it will probably just take a bit of time.” Meanwhile, Clotworthy is looking forward to the jumping season with a couple of maiden prospects but said 2022 Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) victor Abu Dhabi may not be seen until next season. “Abu Dhabi is back in work,” Clotworthy said. “He had a little issue last year where he had a small fracture in his hock, so we put him out and he has had a good rest and he has just come back in work. He might cop the tail end of the season, otherwise it will be next year.” View the full article

Two Rivers Over worked four furlongs in :49 3/5. Prior to his win in the Godolphin Mile, the 4-year-old gelding by Tamarkuz was fourth in the San Pasqual (G2) Jan. 27 at Santa Anita. Last year, Two Rivers Over won the Zia Park Derby.View the full article

Russian Satire sprints clear of stablemate Ethereal Star to score in the Rating 75 1500m event at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman will look to add black type to Russian Satire’s outstanding pedigree page after a last-to-first win at Ellerslie. Russian Satire is raced by her breeder David Paykel and comes from an exceptional family. She is by Russian Revolution out of Paykel’s More Than Ready mare Serious Satire, whose three wins included the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). Second dam Zarzuela was a three-time Group winner, placed in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), and is the dam of seven winners from seven foals to race including three black-type performers. The third dam is the Group One winner Star Satire, whose daughter Satin Shoes won the Group 2 Silver Slipper (1200m), placed in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and became an outstanding dam and granddam in her own right. Russian Satire has yet to scale those sorts of heights, but she recorded the third win of her 13-start career on Saturday with a performance that hinted at better things to come. Patiently ridden by Craig Grylls, Russian Satire was well back in the field throughout the race and dropped out to a clear last at the 600m mark. But Grylls began to move the four-year-old up through her gears after rounding the home turn, accelerating sharply along the rail before angling into a gap between Ethereal Star and Trigon Lad. Russian Satire burst to the front inside the final 50m, winning by a length from Dimaggio and Urban Myth. Forsman’s other runner Ethereal Star, who was involved in a torrid duel in front for a large part of the Rating 75 race, fought on bravely for fourth. “I was probably hoping to be a spot or two handier, but she didn’t begin that well and she was only travelling fairly up to the turn,” Grylls said. “But once she got some clear air in the straight, she really accelerated for a good win.” Russian Satire’s three wins and four placings from 13 starts have so far earned $71,160 in stakes for her owner-breeder. “That was a good, strong win today,” Forsman said. “It was probably set up for her with a bit of mid-race pressure in front. I feel sorry for our other horse, but it worked out well for her. “She’s obviously well bred, so any bit of black type we can get in the next little while would be great. She can handle rain-affected ground, which is a help at this time of the year. “I thought it was a good effort by Ethereal Star too. She tried really hard. She just got softened up in front, and she was a little bit vulnerable fitness-wise anyway. We’ll see how she comes through this and work out where we go from here.” Horse racing news View the full article

Horse racing on Monday, April 22, will feature three meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Queanbeyan. Monday Racing Tips – April 22, 2024 Queanbeyan Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on April 22, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. More horse racing tips View the full article

With plenty of pace to run into, it was Coffee In Bed (Curlin–Sumptuous, by Hennessy) who got up in the shadow of the wire to take home her first graded stakes win in the GII Santa Maria S. at 'The Great RIP' on Sunday afternoon. Off as a 4-1 shot here, the 4-year-old dark bay stuck close after the break in the second flight to heavy favorite Desert Dawn (Cupid) heading into the first turn. With a cranked pace up the backstretch to the tune of :46.64 for the first half mile, Coffee In Bed moved when the chalk tried to take the lead from stablemate Super Shine (Arg) (Super Saver) around the far turn. Saving her best for last, the filly geared up, put away Desert Dawn and won by less than a length over Super Shine. The final running time was 1:38.35. Lifetime Record: 9-3-2-1. Sales History: $500,000 '21 KEESEP. O-Spendthrift Farm; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC; T-Richard Mandella. COFFEE IN BED ($10.40) kept digging under urging by @mikeesmith10, found more late, and just beat Super Shine (ARG) at the wire in the $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes (G2). Richard Mandella trained the 4-year-old filly for @spendthriftfarm. Bet the last: https://t.co/cROASzQAe9 pic.twitter.com/zBsNOGtzTA — TVG (@TVG) April 22, 2024 The post Coffee In Bed Rises To The Occasion At The Wire In GII Santa Maria S. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Sale Races Where Sale Turf Club – 1227 Maffra-Sale Rd, Sale VIC 3850 When Tuesday, April 23, 2024 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble Victorian horse racing returns to the Sale Turf Club on Tuesday afternoon with an eight-race card set down for decision. A perfect autumn day is forecast, and with the surface rated a Good 4 and the rail in its true position, track conditions will mirror those above. Racing is set to commence at 1pm AEST. Best Bet at Sale: Kooky Kooky was a victim of circumstance at Pakenham last time out. After racing close to a breakneck speed, she faded late to finish 1.5 lengths off the winner; however, the four-year-old mare put a space on her fellow front-runners to suggest she might be worth following. Zac Spain will cross from barrier nine and dictate terms throughout, and with an uncontested lead, Kooky should prove too hard to run down this time. Best Bet Race 2 – #10 Kooky (9) 4yo Mare | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Zac Spain (57.5kg) +115 with Picklebet Next Best at Sale: Broadcaster Despite drawing barrier 16 first-up, the Ciaron Maher-trained Broadcaster simply brings elite-level form to maiden company. The three-year-old filly was last seen defeated by 4.4 lengths in Group 2 company behind Skybird, and the run prior she finished half a length off subsequent Group 1 winner Joliestar. Jake Noonan will drag her back towards the rear of the field, but armed with a strong turn of foot, Broadcaster can exert her class late and break maiden ranks in one of her easiest assignments to date. Next Best Race 3 – #7 Broadcaster (16) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jake Noonan (56kg) +190 with Neds Best Value at Sale: From Pantherland The Ken & Kasey Keys-trained From Pantherland produced an eye-catching run when first-up from a long spell at Geelong. Despite being beaten by 2.5 lengths, the son of Ready For Victory was held up at a crucial time before hitting the line strongly and finishing a long neck off the second-placed horse. Barrier 12 means Blaike McChief Stipeall will drag him back towards the rear, but with a strong turn of foot, From Pantherland can salute at a nice price with horse racing betting sites. Best Value Race 7 – #2 From Pantherland (12) 5yo Gelding | T: Ken & Kasey Keys | J: Blaike McChief Stipeall (61.5kg) +800 with Playup Tuesday quaddie tips for Sale races Sale quadrella selections Tuesday, April 23, 2024 1-3-5-8-9 1-3-8-11 1-2-3-4 2-3-4-5-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

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Keeneland has become a sponsor of the International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation, an organization which serves the members of Thoroughbred breeding associations in 26 countries that produce some 80,000 foals annually. “We are enormously grateful to Keeneland for their support and welcome them as an ITBF sponsor,” said Sarah Carmichael, CEO of ITBF. “As a not-for-profit organization, ITBF has to look to the industry for ongoing financial assistance to facilitate the essential service that we provide to the international breeding industry. Our role is a continually expanding one, and without our sponsors we would not be able to deliver and further develop as we do.” ITBF is dedicated to providing a worldwide platform for the voice of breeders with the goal of safeguarding the integrity of the Thoroughbred breed, and the global production of responsibly bred and reared, healthy, capable future athletes of the racetrack. “Keeneland is pleased to become an ITBF sponsor in support of the federation's important work in the global Thoroughbred community,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Though an international industry, breeders worldwide are interconnected by similar needs and issues. ITBF plays a critical role in helping breeders achieve their goals.” Keeneland joins existing ITBF partners which include fellow auction houses Tattersalls, Goffs, Hokkaido Sales, New Zealand Bloodstock and Fasig-Tipton, as well as Gallagher (bloodstock insurance). The post Keeneland Becomes ITBF Sponsor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Christophe Clement, who earlier in the week said that Deterministic was "unlikely" to run in the Kentucky Derby after an eighth-place finish as the favorite in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack, made that decision official April 21.View the full article

by TTROz Coolmore Australia has announced that Shinzo (Aus), the Golden Slipper-winning colt by Snitzel (Aus) and last season's Champion two-year-old, will commence his stud career at their esteemed facility in 2024. His service fee is set at AU$55,000 (inc GST). Shinzo, a prodigious talent both on the track, clinched the G1 Golden Slipper in a stunning display of acceleration, beating Group 1 winners Cylinder (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), and Little Brose (Aus) (Per Incanto {USA}). Colts dominated the finish in the AU$5 million juvenile feature that year, with the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained King's Gambit (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) running on for third ahead of his stablemates Don Corleone (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}) and Empire Of Japan (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}). This victory secured him a Timeform rating of 120, making him the highest-rated two-year-old of the season. Shinzo's victory handed Chris Waller the richly desired Golden Slipper win that had, until then, eluded the Champion Trainer, while it was also a first success in the race for visiting British jockey Ryan Moore. “He's a very special horse, and we knew early on when he came into our system,” Waller said. “He has a great temperament and is the most naturally gifted two-year-old I have ever trained. Combined with his impressive physique and pedigree, he stands out as an exceptionally desirable stallion prospect.” A blueblood, his dam Samaready (Aus) (More Than Ready {USA}), who took out the G1 Blue Diamond S. in 2012, then the G1 Moir S. at three and also placed in the Golden Slipper., has also produced Shinzo's full sister Exhilarates (Aus). Raced by Godolphin, Exhilarates was a multiple stakes winner and proved too good in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2019. Furthermore, Shinzo's damsire, More Than Ready, has been an outstanding source of juvenile speed, siring two Slipper winners –Phelan Ready (Aus) and Sebring (Aus). Tom Magnier, principal of Coolmore Australia, also expressed his enthusiasm about Shinzo's addition to their roster. “Snitzel is a four-time Champion sire of two-year-olds and one of the greatest stallions we have seen in Australia in the modern era,” Magnier stated. “We are delighted to stand his best two-year-old and best-bred son at stud. The Golden Slipper has an unmatched record as a sire-making race, and Shinzo possesses all the credentials we look for in a sire prospect, with an impeccable pedigree and incredible good looks.” Reflecting on Shinzo's journey, Magnier shared, “We have a great group of partners involved in his ownership and his Golden Slipper win was one of my fondest ever memories on a racetrack. Being foaled, raised, and broken in here at Coolmore, he was a special horse since the day he was born and we look forward to welcoming him back.” The post Golden Slipper winner Shinzo Retires to Coolmore Australia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-Aqueduct, $80,000, Msw, 4-21, 3yo/up, 1 1/16mT, 1:41.40, fm, 3/4 length. RISK TOLERANCE (IRE) (c, 3, Kingman {GB}–Loving Things {GB} {GSW-Fr, SW & GSP-Eng, $107,896}, by Pivotal {GB}) was hustled out of the gate but didn't appear particularly hurried and settled back into a stalking third along the inside as 5-1 shot Coast Along (West Coast) cut out opening fractions of :23.83 and :48.23. Gradually working his way closer to the pacesetter approaching the quarter pole, he took aim at the frontrunner in the stretch, caught up in the final sixteenth and inched clear late to graduate by 3/4 of a length. Black Diamond (Street Sense) completed the trifecta. Group winner Loving Things was purchased for 260,000gns at the 2022 Tattersalls November sale in foal to Sea The Stars (GB). Sales history: 260,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $44,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Normandie Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown. The post Risk Tolerance Debuts a Winner at the Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ridden by James McDonald, the late blooming Broadsiding backed up from his maiden victory over the same course in the April 14 Fernhill Stakes,View the full article

6th-Keeneland, $96,700, Msw, 4-21, 3yo, 7f, 1:27.39, ft, 3 3/4 lengths. DRAGOON GUARD (c, 3, Arrogate–Filimbi {GSW & MGISP-USA, SW-Fr, $670,763}, by Mizzen Mast) just missed by a neck to future SW Otto the Conqueror (Street Sense) when he debuted last September under the Twin Spires. Back on the work tab in late February for Brad Cox, the homebred went off with Lasix as the 3-5 choice here to kick off her 3-year-old season. The colt charged out of the gate, but was content to lay off of Rock N Roll Bolt (Bolt d'Oro) up the backstretch. Taking on the leader around the far turn, the gray put the pacesetter away at the top of the lane, kicked for home past the eighth pole and won geared down by 3 3/4 lengths over Term (Medaglia d'Oro). Filimbi produced a filly last year by Into Mischief and foaled another, this one by Constitution, Mar. 8. The winner was bred top to bottom by Juddmonte, who campaigned his dam, second dam Flute (Seattle Slew) and third dam Rougeur (Blushing Groom {Fr}). They also stood Arrogate and Dragoon Guard's broodmare sire, Mizzen Mast. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $86,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. DRAGOON GUARD ($3.34) got a perfect trip under @flothejock to easily win @KeenelandRacing race 6. @bradcoxracing trained the 3-year-old Arrogate colt for @JuddmonteFarms. Bet the Late Pick 3: https://t.co/0B8c3g81GL pic.twitter.com/BEEmIpRRM1 — TVG (@TVG) April 21, 2024 The post Dragoon Guard Charges Home A Winner For Juddmonte At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Santa Anita, $54,000, Msw, 4-21, 3, 4,/5yo, f/m, 7f, 1:23.90, ft, neck. JANE AUSTEN (f, 3, Tapit–Shayjolie {SW & MGSP, $415,843}, by Indian Charlie), sent off at 5-1 for this unveiling, broke well and was eased back but she eagerly tugged her way up upon the heels of pacesetters Quick Brown Fox (Justify) and Queen of Naples (Hard Spun) through a :22.58 quarter. Requiring racing room and finding it turning for home, Jane Austen closed on the stubborn leader late and forged past Quick Brown Fox to graduate by a neck. Ms Bo J (Mitole) was third. Stakes-winning Shayjolie, a half-sister to MGSW and GISP Mythical Power (Congaree), was purchased by Speedway Stables for $400,000 at KEENOV in 2015. Responsible for an unraced juvenile filly by Constitution and a yearling colt by Essential Quality, she was bred back to Into Mischief. Sales history: $750,000 Ylg '22 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $32,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Muir Hut Stables LLC; B-Speedway Stables LLC (KY); T-Mark Glatt. The post Tapit’s Jane Austen Posts Debut Win at Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon has confirmed Kikkuli (GB) (Kingman {GB}) will be pointed to the Listed Sandown's Chasemore Farm Stud Staff Heron S. in May for his next step up in class. Famous for his relation to Frankel (GB), and by the operation's Classic-winning sire, the colt showed his connections encouraging signs when graduating from the maiden ranks in his seasonal return Apr. 16 at Newmarket for conditioner Harry Charlton, who then admitted that having the half-brother to such an illustrious horse was 'wonderful' but came with a little added pressure. Should Kikkuli post another positive performance, then targets at Royal Ascot could come into play. “It was brilliant to see what he did and he had a big run at Newmarket last year [on debut] when he was about 75-80 per cent. That was a big run and the form of the race was franked,” said Mahon. “Tuesday was good and I thought in the last furlong, if he wanted to give it up he could have, and he didn't. He stuck his head out and went on and [jockey] Ryan [Moore] was complimentary of him.” “He came out of the [maiden breaking win] well and we will now look forward to the Heron [Stakes] with him. It looks to be the next logical step and if he is ready for another step up after that, it brings you nicely into Royal Ascot and a whole host of races.” The post Kikkuli Headed to Listed Heron at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bell Gable Stable's Nutella Fella (Runhappy), off since winning last year's GI Hopeful S., could return to action in the June 8 GI Woody Stephens S. The bay colt upset the Hopeful at 54-1, but suffered a hind ankle injury while training for the GI Champagne S. and underwent surgery. He has been working at Oak Ridge Training Center in Ocala and is currently back with trainer Gary Contessa's string in Saratoga. “He worked five-eighths in 1:01 in Ocala before I brought him up last week,” Contessa said. “He'll probably have his first work the middle of next week. I'll wait until the weather is good and the track is to my liking.” Contessa continued, “His first race of the year should be the Woody Stephens on Belmont Day. He's a good horse and it's the perfect distance for him–same distance as the Hopeful and he's already worked five-eighths. He's going to be really ready for that race in June. I know it's a tough ask to come back in the Woody Stephens, but that distance is what he's best at.” Contessa is expecting another 2023 Saratoga graded winner to make the trek north from Ocala in the coming week. Lee Pokoik's Becky's Joker (Practical Joke) won the GIII Schuylerville S. in her racetrack debut last July, but has not been seen since finishing seventh in her second outing in the Aug. 6 GIII Adirondack S. “Mentally, she just fell apart on me after that race,” Contessa said. “We gave her the winter off and that's what you've got to do with these young horses when they're not progressing mentally the way you want them to and Lee is the type of owner who will let you do the right thing.” Becky's Joker spent the winter at Eclipse Training Center. “I worked her five-eighths last Friday in 1:02 at Eclipse,” Contessa said. “My game plan is to work her there this Friday and then ship her on the weekend.” Of potential targets for the filly, Contessa said, “I want to see how she's progressing and how she's doing. Obviously, during the Belmont Stakes weekend there is a mile and an eighth race for her [June 7 GI Acorn S.] and I don't think distance is going to be a problem for her because she's 17.2 [hands]. She's the biggest filly you'll ever want to see, but she'll have to tell me when she wants to come back. She's eligible for allowances and all the 3-year-old stakes races–there's so many opportunities for her, so we'll play it one step at a time.” The post Nutella Fella Targets Woody Stephens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rodeo Creek Racing's Blazing Sevens (Good Magic), who returned from a nine-month layoff to capture a one-mile allowance and earn a 97 Beyer at Aqueduct Saturday, may make his next start in the June 8 GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. “He had a wide journey and was fit enough to gut it out in a fairly quick time. We'll see how he comes out of the race and go from there, but I'll consider a race like the Met Mile,” said trainer Chad Brown. “I think he's good enough. It's quite a tough race, but that's at the top of my list.” The 'TDN Rising Star' won the 2022 GI Champagne S. and missed by just a head when second to National Treasure (Quality Road) in the GI Preakness S. last year. He was making his first start Saturday since finishing third in the Curlin S. at Saratoga last July. John Capek of Rodeo Creek Racing said he was impressed with Saturday's performance after the time off. “We are glad to have him back on the track. After nine months off, I think he ran well,” said Capek. “He got a little bit of a challenge coming out of the gate, but he showed his capability in the turn.” The post Blazing Sevens Possible for Met Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, C. Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable's Deterministic (Liam's Map) turned in his first work since finishing a well-beaten eighth in the Apr. 6 GII Wood Memorial S. with a five-furlong move in 1:02.63 (11/19) over the dirt training track at Belmont Park Sunday. Deterministic is 16th on the eligibility list for the GI Kentucky Derby thanks to his victory in the GIII Gotham S., but trainer Christophe Clement confirmed the dark bay colt will skip the Run for the Roses. “I spoke to the owners and we decided to keep him in New York and we will keep all the New York options open,” Clement said. Of Sunday's work, Clement added, “He came back all right, he had a maintenance work. He looked well.” Deterministic was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his debut victory at Saratoga last August and returned from seven months on the sidelines to win the Gotham by two lengths in March. He finished 17 3/4 lengths back as the favorite in the Wood. The post Deterministic Works at Belmont, Will Skip Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was a quiet Sunday morning at Churchill Downs April 21 following a day that saw 12 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders complete published workouts.View the full article

A casino is supposed to be on the way, but in the meantime these are tough times for racing in Chicago and its only remaining racetrack, Hawthorne. They still don't have any outside revenue from a casino, their purses are meager and their simulcast signal gets lost on days like Saturday, when they went up against the likes of Aqueduct, Gulfstream, Keeneland, Oaklawn and Santa Anita. The handle Saturday was $1,019,178. It should have been three times that. We've seen a lot of tracks experiment with lower takeouts. The latest example is Keeneland, where the takeout on all daily doubles has been lowered to 15% for the spring meet. It had been 22%. At Delta Downs, they dropped the takeout on all Pick Fours and Pick Fives from 25% to 12%. But no track has gone to the extremes that Hawthorne has. To get horseplayers to gravitate to their product, they dropped the handle on win, place and show bets in 2023 to an industry low 12%. This year they introduced a $1 Place Pick 8 wager with a takeout of 8%, the lowest takeout on any bet in the sport. “We want to provide the best value in the country for our customers,” Assistant General Manager John Walsh said prior to the start of the 2023 meet. They also brought back the Illinois Derby, which was run Sunday. It hadn't been run since 2017 and is now situated on the map to be a prep for the GI Preakness S. This year's race offered a $200,000 purse and Hawthorne will give the winning owner an extra $20,000 to cover the costs of starting in the Preakness if they choose to go that route. Hawthorne just as easily could have done nothing and treaded water until the casino is built. That's exactly what a lot of tracks would have done. Instead, they are doing everything they can to build their core business, which is horse racing. They believe that horseplayers will now look at the entire Hawthorne card because of the low takeouts when in the past they probably wouldn't have paid any attention to it. The lower takeout structure has helped. In 2022, the last year under the old takeout structure, the average daily Thoroughbred handle for the 68-day meet was $1,212,267. In 2023, that number inched forward to a daily average handle of $1,310,034. This year they have picked up some momentum. Through the first nine cards on the year, average daily handle has been $1,780,443. “We truly do have more eyes on the screens, wagering on our races and wagering in all pools,” Hawthorne's Director of Racing Jim Miller said. “And these figures are before we have run a single stakes race or turf race.” The numbers are heading in the right direction, but they are also somewhat disappointing. Horseplayers love to complain and complain about just about everything. That's what happens when you play a gambling game where the takeout is so high it is virtually impossible to win. The onslaught of computer assisted wagering has only made it worse. The everyday player is getting hammered and it seems that many have simply given up. That's why the players need to support Hawthorne or any other track that is trying to give them a break when it comes to how they price their product. And they don't do it enough. Vote with your wallet and send a message. Tracks watch what other tracks do. If Hawthorne can only make marginal increases in handle with a 12% takeout, then what incentive do the major tracks have to follow suit and lower their take? If Hawthorne's handle soars, other tracks will follow suit with lower takeout rates. And never has this been more important. Sports betting is much more popular than betting on racing and offers a much smaller takeout, typically around 5.5%, than your typical racing bet. The best way to remain competitive in the face of sports betting is to offer a reasonably priced product and not superfectas with a 30% take. Racing returns to Hawthorne next Saturday. Do yourself a favor. Check out the card and make a few wagers. The racing is not the best, but at no other track will you get more bang for your buck, and they deserve your support. The Metformin Issue…Is There a Better Way? George Weaver became the latest trainer to be notified by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) that he had a horse test positive for metformin. No one thinks that Weaver is a cheat or used the drug to dope his horse. He has an outstanding reputation and has never been in any trouble during his career. Still, after the split sample comes back, he is facing a suspension of up to two years, which can wreck a trainer's career. The metformin positives have been a constant source of controversy for HIWU because common sense tells you that the horses tested positive not because their trainers cheat, but because metformin is widely prescribed to human beings to treat Type II Diabetes, which makes it susceptible to positives that are the result of environmental contamination. The groom of the horse Weaver trained who tested positive reportedly takes metformin. It's a tricky situation. HIWU can't just throw out all metformin positives because there is evidence that metformin can be a performance-enhancer. According to the National Library of Medicine, metformin improves performance in high-intensity exercise. There is an alternative. Metformin is on HIWU's list of banned substances, drugs that, when found, yield the most severe penalties. Why not move it off of the banned substance list and put it on the list of controlled medications. The penalties for those are far less severe. And there is a precedent to follow. Before HIWU came onto the scene and when the racing commissions were still in charge, it seems that most thought that metformin was not such a big deal. Under the rules of the Association of Racing Commissioner's International, metformin was classified as a 2B classified substance. Pre-HIWU, there were four metformin positives over a period of roughly two years. The penalties varied, but were pretty much a 15-30 day suspension and a fine. In June of 2023, it was reported that top trainer Wesley Ward had a horse racing at Monmouth test positive for naproxen and metformin. He was suspended 15 days and fined $2,000, a case where the punishment and the crime were a much more reasonable fit. Will Dettori Get a Derby Mount? He's riding as well as anyone in the country and has been open about his desire to ride in the GI Kentucky Derby, so how is it possible that no one has tabbed Frankie Dettori to ride in the Derby? The best mount still available is GII Wood Memorial winner Resilience (Into Mischief), who was ridden by John Velazquez, who is committed to Fierceness (City of Light). Trainer Bill Mott said that Junior Alvarado will ride his horse unless somehow Velazquez becomes available beforehand. Few other mounts are available, but one that is is Encino (Nyquist), the winner of the GIII Lexington S. He was ridden by Florent Geroux, who is committed to stablemate Just a Touch (Justify). But trainer Brad Cox has never ridden Dettori. In the meantime, Dettori's agent Ron Anderson said there is a chance Dettori will ride at Saratoga. What a treat that would be. The post The Week in Review: At Hawthorne, They Try Harder appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article