Wandering Eyes

The rise of promising sprinter Platinum Attack (Santos) continued at Trentham on Saturday, claiming his fourth win on the bounce in The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m). First appearing on race-day in mid-December, Platinum Attack showed ability on debut, and two starts later, commenced an impressive winning hat-trick that earned the son of Santos second favouritism ($4.80) for the opener at the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes raceday. With Johnathan Riddell on board, Platinum Attack flew the gates and settled in the one-one, although giving his rider some stress when over racing with the leisurely tempo up-front set by Ima Brazen One. The unique Trentham dog-leg caused several of the less experienced three-year-old’s to race greenly upon straightening, but when Platinum Attack found clear air, he wouldn’t let up when challenged by Koheroa, holding on to extended his winning streak by half a neck. Riddell has guided Platinum Attacks in five of his six starts, and indicated there is plenty more to come from the lightly-tried gelding. “He’s a horse with a lot of upside, he’s still so raw and green at the moment, so what he’s doing, he’ll just improve on. It was a good strong win,” Riddell said. “I was hoping to be a little bit further back than I was, but he bounced and put himself there. He’s done it quite comfortably. “The stable has had a high opinion of him right the way through, he was a little disappointing at his second start where the track tripped him up, but he hasn’t looked back since.” Platinum Attack’s Awapuni-based trainer Lisa Latta was thrilled post-race, and indicated there may now be a black-type opportunity on the cards later this month. “I was absolutely rapt with him, he’s a horse that is just getting better and better,” she said. “This was the strongest field he’s been up against, and he got a lovely run. They did go quite slowly in front so he got up travelling quite keenly, and to his credit, he dug deep.” “We’ll see how he pulls up as he’s come a long way and there is the three-year-old 1200m race at Te Rapa later in the month.” Latta was referring to the Gr.2 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), run on the 27th of April at the Waikato venue. Bred by Aquis Farm, G1G Racing & Breeding and Fly Horse, Platinum Attack was purchased by owners Neville McAlister and Lincoln Farms Bloodstock for $37,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale. From six starts, Platinum Attack has recorded four victories and $97,435 in stakes earnings. View the full article

Progressive galloper Rudyard (NZ) (Charm Spirit) has another victory to add to the win column in his career record after a dramatic finish to the feature race at Pukekohe on Saturday, the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1300 (1300m). The Tony Pike-prepared four-year-old went to the winning post locked together with the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Uderzo (NZ) (Vadamos) with the judge unable to separate the pair, declaring a dead-heat for first with Devastate just a long neck away in third. However, the protest siren sounded due to Uderzo dictating the running line of both Rudyard and Devastate in the final 200m by boring in on the pair. The Adjudicative committee viewed all angles of the finish and after considering submissions they upheld the protest providing Rudyard with a solo victory. Pike was in Sydney with promising three-year-old Witz End and although he was busy during the day he managed to watch the action from Pukekohe at the Randwick course. “It was a bit hectic over here, but I did manage to watch most of our runners on television,” Pike said. “He (Rudyard) seems to have gone to a new level, and although we were dropping him back to 1300m, the pace on suited and he did it well despite copping plenty of interference. “We needed to win today to get him into the Easter Handicap (Gr.3, 1600m) in a fortnight and stepping back to 1600m with a light weight will suit him down to the ground.” Purchased by Pike for $280,000 from the Windsor Park draft during Book 1 at Karaka in 2021, Rudyard has now won six of his 21 starts and over $300,000 for a large group of connections. He is out of outstanding racemare Lady Kipling who won eleven races, with three of those at stakes level, while she was also Group One placed on four separate occasions. Pike also wasn’t disappointed with the performance of Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel) who finished towards the rear in the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in the hands of James McDonald. “It has been a good experience for the horse but the minute we got the rain yesterday and this morning our chances went out the window as he is a duffer on wet ground,” Pike said. “What was very heartening was James coming back in and telling me not to be disappointed as he believes the horse has huge potential and just needs good ground and another six months development on him.” View the full article

An impressive performance in Saturday’s Stella Artois (1600m) at Pukekohe capped a breakthrough autumn for Billy Lincoln (NZ) (Belardo), who has strung together three successive victories over the last five weeks. Billy Lincoln made a relatively quiet start to his career, finishing outside the placings in all of his first three starts between November and January. The three-year-old Belardo gelding hinted at better things with a second placing at Taupo on February 14, chasing home the subsequent stakes performer Irish Legacy, and he has not looked back since then. The Stephen Marsh-trained Billy Lincoln cleared maiden ranks by two lengths at Hastings on February 28, then defeated a talented field on Oaks Day at Trentham on March 16. Saturday’s opening race at Pukekohe presented another new challenge with a small field of highly capable three-year-olds, including the stakes-performed Solidify, but Billy Lincoln was up to the task. Billy Lincoln led for the first 400m of the race, but apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey was unfazed when Cintivee and King Of The North slid past him approaching the turn out of the back straight. Billy Lincoln then settled in third place until Hailey spotted a narrow opening on the inside of Cintivee in the straight. Hailey drove Billy Lincoln through that tight gap, striding past Cintivee and taking command. Kealoha came at him with a strong late run, but Billy Lincoln held her out by a long head. Billy Lincoln’s seven-start career has now produced three wins, a second and $90,150 in stakes. “He’s come a long way in a short time this autumn,” Marsh said. “He’s done a really good job and is a pretty promising sort of three-year-old. Putting together three wins on the bounce is no mean feat. “He seemed to relax nicely stepping up to 1600m today. He had to come through quite a tight gap in the straight, so it was good to see him negotiate that and run so strongly to the line. “We probably won’t do a great deal more with him in this preparation. He’s had a fair few runs now, and he needs reasonably good ground. He could have one more if he comes through this one well and the tracks stay dry, but otherwise he can go out to the paddock, and we’ll save him for his four-year-old season.” Billy Lincoln is part-owned by his breeders Lincoln Farms Bloodstock, who remarkably took out the opening race at both New Zealand venues on Saturday. Another of their emerging three-year-olds, Platinum Attack, extended his own winning sequence to four in Trentham’s The Oaks Stud Premier (1200m). View the full article

Favored Sierra Leone did not want to load into the starting gate for the April 6 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. But once loaded, the talented colt had no reservations about racing, rallying from ninth to overhaul Just a Touch by 1 1/2 lengths.View the full article

Favored Sierra Leone did not want to load into the starting gate for the April 6 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. But once loaded, the talented colt had no reservations about racing, rallying from ninth to overhaul Just a Touch by 1 1/2 lengths.View the full article

Morplay Racing's No More Time breezed a half-mile April 6 at Palm Meadows Training Center in preparation for a planned start in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Rick and Sharon Waller's homebred Stronghold prevails by a head in a test of wills against even-money favorite Imagination in the April 6 $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park. He has 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Sent off as the 11-5 second choice, Rick and Sharon Waller's STRONGHOLD (c, 3, Ghostzapper–Spectator, by Jimmy Creed) outbattled even-money favorite Imagination (Into Mischief) through the final eighth of a mile to take Saturday's GI Santa Anita Derby, earning 100 points towards the GI Kentucky Derby. The last-out winner of the GIII Sunland Derby, the homebred was beaten for speed and settled just off the pace in fourth as Tapalo (Tapiture) made the running at the rail in advance Imagination and E J Won the Cup (Omaha Beach) wider out. Content to allow those up front to do the dirty work as they went a good gallop, Stronghold was held together on the turn by Antonio Fresu, who went for his mount in earnest at the quarter pole and split horses in upper stretch. As E J Won the Cup and Tapalo began to back out of it, Imagination and Stronghold were left to settle it, and though neither gave an inch, Stronghold surged by in the shadow of the wire. Lifetime Record: 6-3-3-0. O/B-Rick & Sharon Waller (KY); T-Phil d'Amato. #3 STRONGHOLD ($6.40) holds strong, getting the best of favored Imagination on the wire to win the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1)! The Eric and Sharon Waller homebred was ridden by @Antonio1Fresu for trainer @PhilDamato11. Congratulations to the connections! pic.twitter.com/P8YzIqeQ75 — TVG (@TVG) April 6, 2024 Saturday, Santa Anita SANTA ANITA DERBY-GI, $751,500, Santa Anita, 4-6, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:49.98, ft. 1–STRONGHOLD, 124, c, 3, by Ghostzapper 1st Dam: Spectator (GSW & MGISP, $323,551), by Jimmy Creed 2nd Dam: Diva's Tribute, by Henny Hughes 3rd Dam: Swiss Diva, by Swiss Yodeler 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Eric & Sharon Waller (KY); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Antonio Fresu. $450,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-3-0, $827,200. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Imagination, 124, c, 3, Into Mischief–Magical Feeling, by Empire Maker. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($1,050,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan and Tom J. Ryan; B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $150,000. 3–E J Won the Cup, 124, c, 3, Omaha Beach–Firsthand Report, by Blame. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($150,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $95,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Superfecta King Stable (Margolis); B-Hoolie Racing Stable, LLC (KY); T-Chief Stipe F. O'Neill. $90,000. Margins: NK, 3 1/4, 4HF. Odds: 2.20, 1.00, 23.40. Also Ran: Curlin's Kaos, Tapalo, Wynstock, Mc Vay, Tessuto. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Stronghold Outfights Favored Imagination In Santa Anita Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Outovstock clears his rivals to score an upset in Saturday’s Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images PN Waikato horseman Chad Ormsby is making a habit of landing major prizes at Trentham with three-year-olds that he was unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale. Ormsby scored an +1700 upset victory in Saturday’s Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) with Outovstock, who he bought for $50,000 as a yearling at Karaka before passing him in with a $150,000 reserve at the 2022 Ready to Run Sale. A similar script produced Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) glory on March 16 with Pulchritudinous, who was a $32,500 yearling purchase and fell short of her $50,000 reserve at the Ready to Run Sale. Ormsby’s Oaks heroine banked $390,000 in prize-money before being sold to clients of Sydney trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Outovstock took his own earnings to the brink of $100,000 with Saturday’s Manawatu Classic heroics, which came in his first appearance at black-type level. “We’ve had a pretty good run with these horses that we couldn’t sell,” Ormsby said. “We try to back ourselves with the horses that we buy and then offer at the Ready to Run Sale. To get results like this win today, along with what the filly did in the Oaks, it’s so rewarding and it really enhances our Riverrock Farm brand. We want to be known for producing quality racetrack performers.” Outovstock has made giant strides over the course of his three-year-old season. The son of Tavistock finished seventh or eighth in all of his first three appearances in the spring, but has come back a different horse in the summer and autumn. He showed promising signs with fourth placings in his first two runs back, then came of age with a stylish maiden win over 1600m at Pukekohe on February 21. The runner-up in that race was Investigate, who filled the same placing behind him in Saturday’s Manawatu Classic. In his only start since that maiden win, Outovstock stretched out over 2100m for the first time with a brave second in testing heavy ground at Tauranga on March 23. Outovstock arrived at Trentham with a formline on an upward trajectory, but it still paled in comparison to some of his rivals in Saturday’s $120,000 feature – most notably the odds-on favourite Just As Sharp, who had chased home superstar filly Orchestral when third in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), second in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). Just As Sharp had the right run to live up to his -166.67 odds, and rider Ryan Elliot drove him to the lead early in the run home. But then Outovstock and Investigate emerged from the pack and turned the race on its head. They powered past the favourite in the blink of an eye, with Outovstock pulling ahead of Investigate to win impressively by two and a quarter lengths. Investigate took second, with Just As Sharp another length and a half away in third. “We came into today with our fingers crossed that he might be able to produce a performance like that,” Ormsby said. “Getting up over ground has definitely been the making of him. Michael McNab said he’s still racing quite keenly and has a bit more to learn, but the further he goes, the better he’s going to be. “He’s probably still six months away. I think he’s going to make a lovely four-year-old in time. But he showed today what he’s capable of, and I think that pedigree came through a little bit as well. “We’ve ended up being lucky with how it’s all panned out. The New Zealand Derby was originally our target, but he wasn’t quite ready for it and we changed tack. We unfortunately struck that heavy track last start, but he surprised me with the way he really stuck his neck out and tried hard. It was a strong performance in his first time up over ground, and it gave us a bit of confidence that he might be competitive today. “He won that pretty impressively, so we might have to think about the Queensland Derby (Group 1, 2400m). That’s not too far away now, so we’ll probably give him 10 days in the paddock for now and then see what happens from there.” Horse racing news View the full article

Apostrophe and Masa Hashizume race away with the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images PN Fresh from an incredible interstate double in Australia last weekend with Orchestral and Mark Twain, the Roger James and Robert Wellwood stable picked up another black-type feature in New Zealand this time when race favourite Apostrophe (+250) claimed victory in the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham. The lightly raced six-year-old mare enjoys the spacious surroundings at the venue having won and been placed twice in three starts there with those two placings coming in the Group 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) back in January and at her most recent start, the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). The daughter of Tavistock relished a step up in distance as she lobbed along behind midfield for rider Masa Hashizume before angling into the clear with 300m to run. Wound up to a fever pitch by Hashizume, Apostrophe burst clear at the 150m as she cleared out by three lengths from her closest pursuers in Our Jumala and Royal Flower, who filled the minor placings. Wellwood was on hand to witness the triumph after returning from Sydney during the week after watching Orchestral score a rugged victory the Group 1 Vinery Stakes (2000m). “We were a little bit worried about it being a slowly run race, but with only nine runners you’re never really going to get too far off them,” Wellwood said. “A bit of pressure came on at the turn so she could come up behind them and when she got a gap she was electric. “She has been screaming out to go over 2000m her whole life but we’ve never been able to get her there. Now that we have she was very good. “There may be one more race for her at Te Rapa after this (Group 2 Travis Stakes, 2000m) but she is probably destined for the broodmare paddock at the end of this preparation.” Hashizume has featured prominently in recent weeks and was delighted to take out another feature contest. “She jumped better than she normally does, but got back to last although I wasn’t worried as it was only a nine-horse field,” he said. “She was travelling all the way and although the gap closed at the top of the straight, she quickened nicely when I came back a little bit, so I was very happy with the run. “She has always wanted to go over 2000m and she loves the cut in the ground and here at Wellington.” Horse racing news View the full article

Joe Doyle drives Nereus to victory in the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Race Images PN Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray continued an outstanding season with their stayers when up-and-coming star Nereus powered home to win the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). The Cambridge-based training partnership completed a rare double in March with two-mile specialist Mahrajaan victorious in the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m), and look to have another staying star on their hands with four-year-old Nereus. The son of Savabeel had established a formidable record over his brief seven-start career, never featuring outside of the top three, including four victories alongside a narrow second in the $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) in January. His impeccable record has included two previous successes at the champagne turf, and the four-year-old journeyed south on black-type debut in the Awapuni Gold Cup, closing the +380 equal second-favourite behind the well-performed Arby. Carrying the silks of breeder Waikato Stud, Nereus was positioned ideally in the one-one by Joe Doyle, enjoying an economical trip in behind the leaders in Skyman and Langkawi. Skyman gained a break at the top of the straight leaving much of the field flat-footed, but Nereus wore down the pacemaker and showed a strong turn-of-foot late to hold off He’s A Doozy, a Group One winner returning to top form. The victory was Doyle’s 82nd of the season and an 11th at stakes level, as he sits 3rd on the Jockey’s Premiership behind Warren Kennedy and Michael McNab. “He’s a lovely little horse, he’s not very imposing to look at, but he’s got a big heart and he tries very hard,” Doyle said. Ritchie was swift in praising the ride of Doyle, who was having his first ride aboard the gelding. “It was a gun ride, just as Michael McNab has on him in the past. When you’re in the one-one you get your chance, these good jockeys always do that,” Ritchie said. “He’s a very good horse, maybe the best in the stable. He’s definitely better on top of the ground, he lets down much quicker and we’ve got some exciting times ahead.” Ritchie admitted the more suitable option for his charge may have been the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) next Saturday at Otaki, but the two-week turnaround to the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) offered an opportunity for a golden ticket into the $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October. If he takes his place, Nereus will attempt to become the second New Zealand-trained horse to qualify for an iconic Australian feature, after the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Mark Twain earned a place in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. “It wasn’t the ideal race for him today with the set weights and penalties, but the Mornington Cup is in two weeks, and taking a leaf out of Roger James’ book, that’s a golden ticket to the Caulfield Cup,” Ritchie said. “He’s a nifty little horse, who I think will get around Mornington and Caulfield well, if he keeps lifting the bar and getting over it. “He’s got the pedigree, the temperament, and the will to win.” Horse racing news View the full article

Move To Strike powers to the line to capture the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images PN Te Akau Racing produced the goods once again in a major two-year-old event when the highly touted Move To Strike came with a powerful late burst to capture the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. The son of I Am Invincible, who was purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $525,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast in 2023, had been unbeaten in three trials before winning on race day debut at Te Rapa back in December last year. A narrow defeat by stablemate Bellatrix Star on New Year’s Day at Pukekohe followed, before a puzzling run for fifth in the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) on his home track in February was explained when tests revealed he was found to be suffering from a mild heart arrythmia. Given a break by trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Move To Strike stripped a fit horse for the last Group One event of the current local racing season on Saturday, and lived up to those looks with a comprehensive performance. Rider Wiremu (Billy) Pinn had him back a clear last in the early stages as Red Sea set up a solid pace in front, before Pinn began to circle the field on the home turn. Stablemate Captured By Love hit the front at the 250m but Move To Strike was just cantering at this point as he quickly extended to full stride and raced past his rivals to win by a neat length from Red Sea, who fought back bravely to fight off Captured By Love for the runner-up position. 2024 Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes Replay – Move To Strike Sam Bergerson was beaming as he greeted the horse after the race. “We’ve always thought the world of him as he has always been a very lovely horse,” Bergerson said. “He paraded lovely today, and Bill (Pinn) was very patient on him as we thought we would have to be neutral in midfield early on with his wider barrier draw. “He was very good late and although he did have that blip with his heart at Matamata, we were really happy with him since as he is a top-quality colt. “We had run an ECG test and given him a slow build up before trialling him after that issue. Opie (Bosson) rode him and gave him the tick of approval and his trackwork on Tuesday was top notch. “We were going in quietly confident although respectful of the other runners, but he is a very good colt and he showed that today.” Pinn was also rapt with the winning performance. “He travelled really well, but he doesn’t breathe that well, so I just wanted to keep him relaxed,” he said. “He has a great turn of foot and is a superstar I think, and next time in I think he can win Group One after Group One as he has such a good attitude and an electric turn of foot. “I would like to thank Te Akau Racing for the opportunities they are giving me and after missing most of the major racing through being suspended I’m just relieved to get it done today.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Tamworth Races Where Tamworth Jockey Club – 28 Britten Rd, Taminda NSW 2340 When Monday, April 8, 2024 First Race 1:35pm AEST Visit Dabble The new week of racing gets underway at Tamworth on Monday afternoon, where a quickfire seven-race program awaits punters. The rail is in the true position throughout the entire circuit, apart from the 1000m starting chute, where the rail has been moved out +3m. The forecast looks promising, with only light showers expected to hit the course, so the surface shouldn’t worsen from the current Soft 7 rating at the time of writing. The opener is scheduled to get underway at 1:35pm AEST. Best Bet: Great Siege After a change of stables and 571 days off the scene, Great Siege finally resumes for the Holly Williams barn on Monday afternoon. He suffered a setback at the end of his last campaign and has since undergone a gelding operation to prepare for this first-up target. His latest jump-out at Armidale on March 18 caught the eye as he bounded clear by 1.7 lengths on the wire, and with Aaron Bullock hopping aboard the lightly raced four-year-old, Great Siege will take a power of beating in this maiden contest. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Great Siege (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Holly Williams | J: Aaron Bullock (59kg) +135 with Bet365 Next Best: Fuld’s Doubt Fuld’s Doubt appears to have turned a corner this preparation, with an impressive first-up maiden victory at Scone on March 22. The daughter of Not A Single Doubt raced greenly throughout the journey and was forced to knuckle down to the task before scooting clear in the concluding stages. The three-year-old is well-in at the weights courtesy of the 1.5kg claim of Chelsea Hillier, and although barrier 12 may prove tricky to overcome, Fuld’s Doubt looks classy enough to get the job done. Next Best Race 7 – #10 Fuld’s Doubt (12) 3yo Filly | T: Rodney Northam | J: Chelsea Hillier (a1.5) (57kg) +140 with Neds Best Value: Powderfinger Powderfinger drops back into winnable company on Monday afternoon and looks perfectly placed for a return to the winners’ enclosure. The daughter of Caravaggio has found some testing material in her two latest efforts at Muswellbrook in BM66 grade, with her most recent start bombing out by 6.5 lengths. If you forgive that run, her form prior reads particularly well, dropping into Class 2, and with the wet track conditions an added benefit, Powderfinger should be ready to rock in this. Best Value Race 5 – #3 Powderfinger (4) 4yo Mare | T: Luke Pepper | J: Ben Looker (59kg) +900 with PlayUp Tamworth Monday quaddie tips – 8/4/2024 Tamworth quadrella selections Monday, April 8, 2024 1-6-8 1-3-4-5-8 1-3-4-7-9 2-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Rigney Racing's Buchu notched a second graded stakes win at Keeneland by capturing in the $386,888 Appalachian Stakes (G2T) over Mo Fox Givin and Dancing N Dixie in the mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies April 6.View the full article

Arzak swept by rivals in the final furlong to win the Shakertown Stakes (G2T) April 6 at Keeneland.View the full article

On the upcoming first Saturday in May, Bill Mott may get another crack at winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) in a more time-honored fashion after sending out Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman's Resilience for a 2 1/4-length victory in the Wood Memorial.View the full article

Nothing Like You, ridden by superstar Frankie Dettori and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, upsets Baffert-trained odds-on favorite Kinza in Santa Anita Oaks, giving Dettori his fifth consecutive win on the program.View the full article

Morplay Racing's No More Time (Not This Time), winner of the GIII Sam F. Davis S. and narrow runner-up in the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, breezed a half-mile in :48.60 (8/52) Saturday morning at Palm Meadows Training Center in preparation for a planned start in the GI Kentucky Derby. “He worked by himself. He went good and also had a strong gallop-out,” trainer Jose D'Angelo said. “Everything's good. We're hoping to get into the Kentucky Derby.” Prior to Saturday's three major prep races at Santa Anita, Keeneland, and Aqueduct, No More Time, who has collected 45 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, was sitting 15th in the standings that will determine the 20-horse field for the first leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs. “We're not just going to just run a horse there. We have a horse with a chance to win the race,” D'Angelo said. The post No More Time Breezes for Potential Start in Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Agenging a prior loss to Vahva in the Raven Run Stakes (G2) last fall at Keeneland, Alva Starr turned the tables on that rival by outlasting her in the $600,000 Madison Stakes (G1) April 6 at the Lexington track.View the full article

Sierra Leone didn't want to go in the starting gate and was ninth early in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1), but he left no doubt after launching a five-wide rally on the far turn and running down all his competition in the lane April 6 at Keeneland.View the full article

Riff Rocket became just the fourth horse to complete the Victoria Derby (G1) and Australian Derby (G1) double when he landed the latter at Randwick April 6.View the full article

Rigney Racing's Buchu notched a second graded stakes win at Keeneland by triumphing in the $386,888 Appalachian Stakes (G2T) over Mo Fox Givin, Dancing N Dixie in the mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies April 6.View the full article

He wasn't the most cooperative at the stalls and he left himself plenty to do over a Keeneland main track that was playing kind to speed over the course of the afternoon, but 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (c, 3, Gun Runner–Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon) saved his best for last and cemented his status as one of the top couple of contenders for the GI Kentucky Derby with a fast-finishing victory in the 100th running of the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. Saturday afternoon. The lanky bay colt was to be the last to load in gate 10, but he proved a bit difficult to handle, delaying the start of the Blue Grass by about three minutes. A bit easy in the market, having touched 6-5 before leaving the gates at odds just north of 8-5, the $2.3-million topper from the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale was perhaps a half-step slow to begin, but slid down into the two path and raced last but one into the first turn as stablemate Top Conor (Twirling Candy) cut out sharp fractions on the front end. Patiently handled at the tail by Tyler Gaffalione, Sierra Leone still had a double-digit gap to bridge as they raced into the final half-mile. Angled in for a two-path run around the far turn, Sierra Leone began pick off rivals and was steered wide outside of Be You (Curlin) into the lane. Just a Touch (Justify), prominent throughout, hit the front in upper stretch, but the lead was short-lived, as Sierra Leone gathered him up with relative ease while lugging in a bit entering the final sixteenth of a mile and strode clear. The win was the third in the Blue Grass for trainer Chad Brown. Saturday, Keeneland TOYOTA BLUE GRASS S.-GI, $995,782, Keeneland, 4-6, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:50.08, ft. 1–SIERRA LEONE, 123, c, 3, by Gun Runner 1st Dam: Heavenly Love (GISW, $346,200), by Malibu Moon 2nd Dam: Darling My Darling, by Deputy Minister 3rd Dam: Roamin Rachel, by Mining 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($2,300,000 Ylg '22 FTSAUG). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Peter M. Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Brook T. Smith; B-Debby M. Oxley (KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $581,250. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $918,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Just a Touch, 123, c, 3, Justify–Touching Beauty, by Tapit. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($170,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $125,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Qatar Racing, LLC, Resolute Racing and Marc Detampel; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $187,500. 3–Epic Ride, 123, c, 3, Blame–Pick a Time, by Gio Ponti. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($160,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Welch Racing LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich (KY); T-John Ennis. $93,750. Margins: 1HF, 3 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.66, 3.31, 51.37. Also Ran: Dornoch, Mugatu, Top Conor, Seize the Grey, Be You, Lat Long, Good Money. Scratched: Encino. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #10 SIERRA LEONE ($5.32) explodes down the stretch to win Keeneland's $1,000,000 Blue Grass Stakes (G1)!@Tyler_Gaff gave the son of @Three_Chimneys's Gun Runner a perfectly-timed ride for trainer Chad Brown. Congratulations to the connections! pic.twitter.com/giC8STcap4 — TVG (@TVG) April 6, 2024 The post Sierra Leone Stamps His Authority On The Blue Grass appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a race billed almost as a match race between California star fillies Kinza (Carpe Diem), a MGSW and 'TDN Rising Star' for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, and Kopion (Omaha Beach), a GSW for Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, it was Baffert's other entrant, Nothing Like You (f, 3, Malibu Moon–Miss Derek, by Brother Derek) who upended the GII Santa Anita Oaks in Arcadia and reported home an eased-up eight-length victress. Kinza was second, giving Baffert the exacta, and last-out maiden winner Corposo (Vino Rosso) was third. Winning jockey Frankie Dettori bided his time in fourth, letting Kinza tally early fractions of :23.43 and :46.99 up front, until room opened on the rail and he shot through with Nothing Like You in an powerful effort. Dettori, winning his fifth consecutive race on the card, and Nothing Like You got the 1 1 1/6 miles in 1:43.21. Nothing Like You was fourth behind Kinza and Kopion in the Feb. 10 GIII Las Virgenes S.. She had taken the GII Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Dec. 9. Kentucky Oaks points were on the line in the Santa Anita Oaks and were offered on a scale of 100-50-25-15-10; however, both Nothing Like You and Kinza are ineligible to earn points as Baffert's horses are unable to race at Churchill Downs. O-Georgia Antley Hunt, Jeff Giglio, & John L. Rogitz; B-Notch Hill Farm Wolverton Mountain Farm & Spendthrift Stallions, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. #1 NOTHING LIKE YOU ($16.40) runs away from her competitors in the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G2). Bob Baffert trains this three-year-old filly by Malibu Moon. This is the fifth consecutive win of the day for @FrankieDettori! pic.twitter.com/mZVz2jB0UT — TVG (@TVG) April 6, 2024 Saturday, Santa Anita SANTA ANITA OAKS-GII, $300,000, Santa Anita, 4-6, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:43.21, ft. 1–NOTHING LIKE YOU, 124, f, 3, by Malibu Moon 1st Dam: Miss Derek (MSW-Can, SP-USA, $159,610), by Brother Derek 2nd Dam: Quick Text, by Tiznow 3rd Dam: Super Seniorita, by El Baba ($67,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $20,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $190,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Georgia Antley Hunt, Jeff Giglio and John Rogitz; B-Notch Hill Farm, Wolverton Mountain Farm & Spendthrift Stallions, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Lanfranco Dettori. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 8-4-1-0, $423,160. *1/2 to South of France (Quality Road), SW, $156,005. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Kinza, 124, f, 3, Carpe Diem–Secret Wonder, by Quality Road. 'TDN Rising Star'. ($17,000 Wlg '21 FTNMIX; $30,000 Ylg '22 OBSOCT; $350,000 2yo '23 EASMAY). O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-JD Business Ventures LLC, Brushy Hill Stable & Carpe Diem Syndicate (NY); T-Bob Baffert. $60,000. 3–Corposo, 124, f, 3, Vino Rosso–Manki, by Arch. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Madaket Stables LLC and Slam Dunk Racing; B-Nick Cosato (KY); T-Peter Eurton. $36,000. Margins: 7HF, HF, 8. Odds: 7.20, 0.50, 12.30. Also Ran: Kopion, Ifuaintfirsturlast. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post The Other Baffert, Nothing Like You, Takes Santa Anita Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Strathalbyn trainer Kym Healy with Alice Springs jockey Paul Denton and Darwin apprentice Emma Lines after winning the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) in Alice Springs on Saturday. Denton rode the winner Mathematics, while Lines partnered Healy’s stablemate and runner-up, Noble Magnate. Picture: Nikki Westover Photography Kym Healy’s success during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival over the years is outstanding, and now the Strathalbyn-based trainer has won his first Pioneer Sprint (1200m). Not only did he win the $100,000 feature at Pioneer Park on Saturday, but he also landed the quinella when $51 outsider Mathematics (Paul Denton) caught $2.50 favourite Noble Magnate (Emma Lines) in the shadows of the post to claim victory by 0.4 lengths. The SA trainer, winner of two Alice Springs Cups with Pretty Blonde (2014 and 2017), admitted that he has never targeted the Sprint or Darwin’s Palmerston Sprint. “We’ve had a really good day, a sensational day to be honest,” he said. “I’m not a big noter or a bragger, but today is a big achievement for me as a trainer.” After Lines piloted He’s Maverick ($2.70) – third in the NT Guineas on March 27 – home earlier in the day, Healy now boasts nine wins after four days of the Carnival with Cup Day on Sunday. For winning jockey Paul Denton, 60, who has spent 40 years riding in the NT, it was his sixth Pioneer Sprint win – his first since partnering Kerry Petrick’s Le Niska in 2007. After also riding Petrick’s Real Divine ($5) to victory on Saturday, Denton has 17 wins for the season in the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership to extend his lead over Sonja Logan (14.5). Denton was meant to ride Petrick’s Throw At Da Stumps in the Sprint, but when it failed to make the field, he was booked on Terry Gillett’s Brat. Brat was scratched on Saturday morning, with Mathematics – the third emergency – getting a run in the 12-horse field. Mathematics, a seven-year-old gelding, recorded five wins and plenty of minor placings for previous trainer Lisa Whittle, but when she left Alice Springs and relocated temporarily to SA last year, the son of The Factor wound up with Healy. As fate would have it, Mathematics hadn’t won a race for Healy in 10 previous starts. Adding to the intrigue, Mathematics, jumping from gate two, missed the start by two lengths but made steady ground along the fence and was sixth passing the 500m. Noble Magnate, cherry-ripe for the Sprint after winning over 1100m (0-64) and 1200m (WFA) in late March, was sitting fourth along the rails before hitting the front once turning for home. Mathematics entered the equation at the 300m, but it appeared as though Noble Magnate would hang on with 100m to go before his stablemate swooped. Ray Viney’s $12 hope Kickatorp (Jessie Philpot), who was the first emergency, and Gillett’s $21 chance Supreme Attraction (Stan Tsaikos), last year’s Sprint winner, charged home from the back of the field to finish 2.5 lengths adrift in third and fourth place, respectively. “When Noble Magnate kicked clear on the home turn, I thought he was going to win by three or four lengths,” Healy said. “Noble Magnate is a serious horse; he’s probably the best sprinter I have ever trained. “I then looked and noticed that Mathematics was coming down the outside. “I thought Noble Magnate would still win, but in the end it was a great ride by Paul and Emma did little wrong. “My wife Cassie and I own Mathematics outright, so I’ve never been prouder. “We are also part-owners of Noble Magnate. I have spoken to other part-owners, and they were pleased for Mathematics. “That leaves you with a tear in your eye. “We’ve had our issues getting to and from Alice Springs this year, so today is a great result.” 2024 Pioneer Sprint Replay – Mathematics Horse racing news View the full article