Wandering Eyes

If you do not happen to be a Lord of the Rings devotee, then as a horse racing fan you might assume that Gandalf, Frodo, Saruman and Sauron were just names some eccentric owners concocted to toy with The Jockey Club. Well, for true disciples of Tolkein, you understand the 'Two Towers' reference is a major theme in the trilogy, but for our purposes it simply denotes coverage. This Saturday, both Oaklawn Park and Gulfstream Park are those poles of power when it comes to authoring graded stakes. Their cards feature Kentucky Derby and Oaks points races. So, get your palantir ready–alright, alright–here is the slate for Saturday. The Eye of Timberlake The GI Arkansas Derby offers 100 Derby points to the winner at Oaklawn as the town of Hot Springs will be invaded by horse enthusiasts who are keen to watch a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars' do battle. Timberlake (Into Mischief) earned that merit badge at second asking as a 2-year-old. Though he was fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the Brad Cox trainee certainly came out of the break to put on a show in last month's GII Rebel S. The WinStar and Siena-owned colt has the Beyer figures to prove he belongs among the top contenders for the first Saturday in May. “I really like the timing of the Arkansas Derby to the Kentucky Derby,” said Cox. “Obviously, he has the experience there now after winning the Rebel. I kind of thought the Rebel was the spot when we were getting started this winter. That worked out well and it leads nicely to the Arkansas Derby.” Muth | Benoit Opposing him are some other strong candidates like the winner of the GIII Southwest S. Mystik Dan (Goldencents), as well as Liberal Arts (Arrogate) and Time for Truth (Omaha Beach), but Timberlake's main rival is Zedan Racing's Muth (Good Magic). The $2-million 2023 OBS March topper is the latest shipper to Oaklawn for trainer Bob Baffert. Though his connections cannot collect Derby points, his front-running speed makes him a threat. The 3-year-old began his career with a 'Rising Star'-effort at Santa Anita back in June. After running second to Fierceness (City of Light) in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he cut back to take the GII San Vincente S. in early January. The road to the GI Kentucky Oaks travels down Central Avenue and through the GII Fantasy S. The top three finishers from the GIII Honeybee S. return in Lemon Muffin (Collected), Tapit Jenallie (Tapit) and West Omaha (West Coast), but there are some true 'x-factors' drawn. One of them is Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), who was last seen as the runner-up in the GII Golden Rod S. at Churchill Downs in November. Also making the Fantasy gate are the top two runners from the Sunland Park Oaks–undefeated Recharge (Gun Runner) and Candy Aisle (Gun Runner). One other graded race on Saturday in Hot Springs is the GIII Oaklawn Mile. Fierceness In His Voice Coming into the GI Curlin Florida Derby, champion 2-year-old colt and 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness is looking to get back to the winner's circle after running third in his only start this year. Owned by Repole Stable, the Todd Pletcher trainee is going to get another crack at the horse that won the GIII Holy Bull S. Feb. 3, Hades (Awesome Slew). Fierceness | Ryan Thompson “Normally I'd be afraid of the outside post but Forte won from the 11 last year so you can overcome that,” said Pletcher. “Everybody knows Gulfstream two-turn races are tricky and I think that's why the start is so important, getting away cleanly. I think what happens in a lot of these two-turn races is the jockeys are so conscious of having to get to the first turn in good position that it can get a little rough leaving the gate sometimes. … The horse gives you a lot of confidence watching him breeze. It seems like he's in really good form, so we're expecting a good performance from him.” Among the other challengers who are chasing the 100-point Churchill Downs offering is another 'Rising Star'. Conquest Warrior (City of Light) garnered honors from the paper when he won by five lengths going nine furlongs against optional claimers in Hallandale Mar. 1. “I feel good,” said Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey about Conquest Warrior. “We've had two good races here and I still have a pretty fresh horse. He's trained good over it. He's had a race going a mile and an eighth here, which he handled, obviously, very easily. He came out of it good. I don't think we took anything out of him.” In the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks–the local 100-point Kentucky Oaks feeder–'TDN Rising Star' Ways and Means (Practical Joke) gets back on track for trainer Chad Brown. The Klaravich homebred debuted a winner by 12 3/4 lengths at Saratoga last summer and was last seen running second in the GI Spinaway S. upstate. Standing in her way is the heroine of the GII Davona Dale S., Fiona's Magic (St Patrick's Day), and Power Squeeze (Union Rags), who returns to South Florida after raiding the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. The Gulfstream Park undercard has three other graded races as part of the program, including the GII Pan American S., the GIII Ghostzapper S. and the GIII Orchid S. The post The Two Towers Of Graded Stakes, Oaklawn And Gulfstream, Align Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Top trainer Robertino Diodoro has been provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) after he was allegedly found to possess the banned substance Levothyroxine. Levothyroxine is a thyroid medication. According to the National Library of Medicine the use of thyroid hormones for doping to enhance performance in human sports has long been controversial. There have been claims of abuse of these drugs, but they have not been prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Diodoro declined to comment and referred questions to his lawyer, John Holleman. At deadline for this story, Holleman had not returned a phone call from the TDN seeking comment. Horses that were entered by Diodoro before he was notified of the suspension are being allowed to run, but he will not be allowed to enter horses thereafter. Diodoro will not be allowed to saddle those horses or visit the paddock. Diodoro's upcoming entries include the GIII Fantasy S. at Oaklawn, a prep for the GI Kentucky Oaks. His stable will send out longshot Midshipman's Dance (Midshipman). In the cases where a horse tests positive for a banned medication, HIWU has put off enforcing the suspension until the results of the B sample have been returned. But since Diodoro's suspension does not involve a failed drug test, his suspension will go into effect after his horses that have already been entered have run. According to the HIWU website investigators found the drug to be in Diodoro's possession on March 13. The notice of his suspension was posted to the HIWU website Friday. HIWU spokesperson Alexa Ravit said she could not disclose why HIWU investigators undertook a search that allegedly led to the finding of the drug. Diodoro faces a suspension of up to two years. Diodoro was the leading trainer in 2023 at Oaklawn Park and is currently in second in this year's Oaklawn standings. Training since 1995, Diodoro has 3,184 career wins and a winning rate of 21 percent. Diodoro was suspended for the first 15 days of the current Oaklawn meet after a horse he ran at the 2022-2023 meet had a carbon dioxide (TCO2) finding above the permitted limit. The post HIWU Hits Diodoro With Provisional Suspension appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Four-time group 1 winner Zaaki has been retired from racing after a 48-start career and amassing more than AU$11 million in prize money.View the full article

Bulbus fritillaria alkaloids are assigned a 4/B classification in the ARCI's Uniform Classification of Foreign Substances, consistent with other substances with similar pharmacological activity lacking FDA approval.View the full article

Was Mystik Dan's eight-length win in the Feb. 3 Southwest Stakes (G3) the product of a muddy track and/or rail-skimming trip, or is the colt simply fast, no matter the circumstances? He can answer that question in the March 30 Arkansas Derby (G1).View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features the return of Goffs Million winner One Look (Ire (Gleneagles {Ire}). 13.45 Cork, Cond, €22,000, 3yo, 7fT ONE LOOK (IRE) (Gleneagles {Ire}) faces the starter for only the second time on this seasonal debut, but has already made a big impact by winning the Goffs Million on what was a stunning racecourse bow. Not only did she collect the huge purse, but she did so by six lengths from Ballydoyle's G2 Lowther S. runner-up Cherry Blossom (Ire) (No Nay Never), who had previously been beaten just over two lengths in the G1 Cheveley Park S. Entered by Paddy Twomey in the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas as well as the G1 Irish Oaks, Connolly Racing Syndicate's bargain €65,000 Orby purchase faces a straightforward task in this weak five-runner affair consisting of peers several levels below her sensational debut form. The post One Look Returns At Cork appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Entry to the grounds at Keeneland will look slightly different to fans during its upcoming 16-day spring meet April 5-26. In January, Keeneland began construction of new projects.View the full article

by Alan Carasso, Heather Anderson, Jill Williams & Adam Houghton DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Meydan Racecourse is the centre of the racing universe Saturday, as it stages the 28th renewal of the G1 Dubai World Cup. The dozen horses that have been entered represent ownership interests from Japan, America, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and even Libya, putting the 'World' in World Cup. Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) is back to defend the title he grabbed in 2023 and will attempt to join Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) as two-time World Cup winners. The 7-year-old has made a tremendous impression as one of the first horses to grace the Meydan dirt track each morning, his bright yellow tack announcing his arrival. The only difference between this year and last is that he is a known commodity this time around. He was mugged on the wire by Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) in last month's G1 Saudi Cup, but Saturday's two-turn configuration in addition to the added distance could tip the scales in his favour. He will sit a trip worse than midfield and will come after them late beneath Yuga Kawada. “The gate doesn't matter for him as he will race from behind anyway,” said trainer Noboru Takagi. “He has recovered well from the Saudi Cup and is in good form.” Senor Buscador is the main American chance as he tries to become the first to complete the Saudi Cup/World Cup double. A hard-charging second in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January prior to his Saudi Cup surprise, the 6-year-old will also save his best for last and hope there is ample pace up ahead. Senor Buscador breaks from gate 10 with Junior Alvarado back in the saddle. “Very happy,” said owner Joe Peacock Jnr after Wednesday's barrier draw. “We wanted outside and we got outside.” Kazakh-owned Kabirkhan is the spitting image of his sire California Chrome, who won this in 2016, and has been the story in world horse racing in 2024. Eight for nine at home and subsequently in Russia, the $12,000 Keeneland September yearling dominated his rivals in two starts at the Carnival, including the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Jan. 26. “He's got to step it up, but we think he can,” said trainer Chief Stipe Watson. “He has shown that he likes the track. He stays the trip, but he has the pace to keep him competitive in the race early and hopefully he can finish it off.” Last year's G2 UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake (Jpn), a son of dual G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen hero Mind Your Biscuits, was runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic off a five-month absence, but got a World Cup tightener when a sound fifth in the Saudi Cup. Look for him to be positively ridden by Christophe Lemaire and in position to get the first crack at them when push comes to shove. Two sons of the mighty Into Mischief line up for the World Cup. GI Santa Anita H. winner Newgate can give both trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Frankie Dettori their fifth World Cups, while towering last-out G3 Burj Nahaar (1600m) winner Laurel River will see how far he can carry his speed from gate 12 in this first go at the 2000 metres. –Alan Carasso Stars Align For Dubai Sheema Classic The $6-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic was undoubtedly one of the strongest races run on the international stage in 2023. Not only did it produce an outstanding winner in Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn})–later named the Longines World's Best Racehorse–but those who chased the Japanese champion home were a decorated bunch in their own right, including Juddmonte's G1 Irish Derby winner Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Shadwell's Mostahdaf (GB) (Frankel), who later won the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. and G1 Juddmonte International back on home soil. Among those finished down the field were the 2022 hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Godolphin's 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), both of whom are back for more on Saturday. However, if their connections were hoping for a soft touch this year, then they're likely to be disappointed as the Dubai Sheema Classic has once again brought together a collection of the finest thoroughbreds on the planet, featuring no fewer than 10 individual top-level winners. Hideaki Fujiwara's Shahryar is one of four Japanese-trained runners in the field, with the others including last year's Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who was last seen filling the runner-up spot behind Equinox in the G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo in November. Like Shahryar, Liberty Island sports the familiar colours of Sunday Racing Co. Ltd., the ownership group which memorably won this race with Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact) in 2014. Japanese champion jockey Yuga Kawada, who takes the mount on Liberty Island, said of Mitsumasa Nakauchida's filly, “This is her first time travelling internationally and all has gone well so far. It is an honour to represent Japan with a filly like her and I hope she can show fans all over the world just how good she is.” Stars On Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) complete the Japanese contingent as they return after finishing second and fourth, respectively, behind G1 Dubai Turf contender Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama in December. Stars On Earth had previously won the first two legs of the Triple Tiara in 2022 and finished just a length behind Liberty Island when third in the latest running of the Japan Cup, while Justin Palace gained the sole Group 1 success of his career thus far when winning the Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto last April. “We believe that the flat track at Meydan will suit him,” said Justin Palace's trainer Haruki Sugiyama. “Hopefully, this might be the first step on a journey around the world this year.” Rebel's Romance is as well travelled as any horse in the field and he had three runners from the Far East immediately behind him when winning last month's $2.5-million G3 H.H. The Amir Trophy in Qatar. However, perhaps the biggest threat to the Japanese team in this contest is the horse who claimed Rebel's Romance's Breeders' Cup Turf crown at Santa Anita in November, namely Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the blue-blooded colt from Ballydoyle who also won the G1 Derby, G1 Irish Derby and G1 Irish Champion S. in an exceptional three-year-old campaign. Incidentally, this will be the first time that two winners of the Breeders' Cup Turf have clashed since Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Talismanic (GB) (Medaglia d'Oro) both ran in the G1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in 2017. Trainer Aidan O'Brien said of Auguste Rodin, “We feel he has matured well from three to four and it goes without saying that we are very excited to get him going again. The horse did all his own talking on the track last year, but we really do think that he is a very important horse for the thoroughbred breed. It is a huge thrill to have him back and we can't wait to see him race.” Andre Fabre's Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}) won the latest edition of the Hong Kong Vase in December and is better judged on that form having been beaten at short odds in a conditions event on the all-weather at Chantilly last time, while British raiders Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) both merit consideration, too. G2 Bahrain International Trophy and G2 Neom Turf Cup winner Spirit Dancer has race fitness on his side following a productive winter in the Middle East for Richard Fahey and owner/breeder Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager. Emily Upjohn, on the other hand, has an eight-month absence to contend with, but she's in good hands with John and Thady Gosden and her class isn't in question if she returns in the same sort of form she was in when winning last year's G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom. The first two from the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten last August, Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and Sisfahan (Fr) (Isfahan {Ger}), complete the field together with Auguste Rodin's stablemate Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Former Stephane Wattel trainee Simca Mille is now based in Qatar with Alban de Mieulle and was last seen finishing sixth in the H.H. The Amir Trophy where Point Lonsdale was last of the 11 runners. –Adam Houghton Lord North Goes for Historic Four-Peat, but Plenty of Obstacles in His Path Remarkably, the three-time defending winner of the $5-million G1 Dubai Turf–the venerable Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})–is not the sole story going in to the 1800-metre event this year. In a testament to the quality attracted by this race and Dubai's World Cup card overall, the John and Thady Gosden trainee is one of several who will fetch the attention of punters the world over in the Turf. The 8-year-old bay gelding has annually made the trip to Dubai, enjoyed the spoils of the desert, and returned to England with mixed results back home. Between his 2021 and 2022 Turf wins, Lord North had only one start–a runner-up finish in the G3 Winter Derby over Lingfield's all-weather surface, a pattern he has repeated to the letter coming in to Saturday's race: a 2023 Dubai Turf win and a second in the Feb. 24 Winter Derby, this time at Southwell. A win in any race four years running is nearly unheard of; if Lord North is able to do it in this storied Group 1 event, he will surely go down in racing's annuls as a legend. His usual Meydan partner Frankie Dettori will be aboard. “After his win in the race last year we decided to give him a proper break, so he went to Godolphin and had a lovely time in a paddock,” said John Gosden. “He's training well and we're confident he'll put up a very bold show.” However, Lord North does not have an easy task, starting with his own barn. Three-time Group 1 winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) has given her own gender all they could handle and has switched to facing the boys, where she held her own against the likes of superstar Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), in her last three starts to close out 2023. She gets a five-pound break in the weights here. Japanese horses, so often in starring roles internationally over the last few years, will be tough here, led by last-out G1 Arima Kinen Grand Prix victor Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi thinks enough of his charge–who defeated the aforementioned Equinox in the G1 Japanese Derby two years back–that they tackled the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2022 only to run into soft ground, a handicap that won't be a risk in Dubai. Charlie Appleby sends five-for-six Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a half-brother to Breeders' Cup winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who has been part of his Meydan string over the winter and flourished with wins over this surface including the G1 Jebel Hatta Jan. 26, while American conditioner Michael Stidham has shipped over last-out GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational third Catnip (Kitten's Joy), a longshot here who has caught the eye during morning training. Hong Kong is also well represented with two-back G1 Stewards' Cup winner Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), a Sha Tin specialist who has honed his talent against the best in that locality. –Jill Williams Sibelius Follows Tried And True Path To Shaheen Jun Park and Delia Nash's Sibelius (Not This Time) has looked very much at home at Meydan this week, and the popular chestnut has charted the identical course into the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen as he did when sneaking through at the fence to score in 2023. The chestnut went off form after returning home last summer, but it appears that it is at this time of the year that he comes good. Like last year, Sibelius won the GIII Mr. Prospector S. at Gulfstream Park in December and followed that up with a hard-fought and wide-trip victory in the Feb. 10 Pelican S. at Tampa Bay Downs. Ryan Moore has the call once again. “If anything, I'm more confident coming in this year as we know he handles things here,” said trainer Jerry O'Dwyer. “We've tried to keep things like last year as much as possible.” Remake (Jpn) is another of Saturday's entrants produced by a World Cup night-winning stallion, in this case the 2016 G2 UAE Derby scorer Lani. A homebred for the Maeda family's North Hills Farm, the chestnut was a slow-starting, but fast-finishing fifth in this last year and bounced back from a defeat at the hooves of Igniter (Jpn) (Espoir City {Jpn}) in the Listed JBC Sprint in November to take out last month's G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint with a fair bit of authority. Successful though they have been at this meeting and in Saudi, Japan has never gone home with the Golden Shaheen hardware. American-based sprinters number five in this year's Golden Shaheen, and Run Classic (Runhappy) is in with longshot claims. A three-time winner from 11 starts for trainer Bret Calhoun, the $475,000 OBS March breezer was first-up for over nine months in the Feb. 24 Gulfstream Park Sprint and he produced a terrific late kick down the centre of the track to win in his first run for trainer Jose D'Angelo. Also representing the U.S. are Hopkins (Quality Road), a pacesetting fourth last year; and Nakatomi (Firing Line), third in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint before finishing a troubled third in the Pelican. The local challenge includes G3 Al Shindagha Sprint romper Mouheeb (Flatter) and Leading Spirit (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who beat Freedom Fighter (Violence) in the G3 Mahab al Shimaal on Super Saturday. —Alan Carasso Hong Kong's Spangle To Add Al Quoz To Haul? Versatile sprinters are not a rare commodity in Hong Kong, and California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) is aiming to become the first winner of the $1.5-million 1200-metre G1 Al Quoz Sprint from that locality since Amber Sky (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) set a still-standing record of :56.21 when the Al Quoz Sprint was held over the minimum trip back in 2014. Trained by Tony Cruz, the gelding proved triumphant in the G1 Hong Kong Mile back in 2022, and doubled his top-level tally with a one-length win in the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin earlier this month. “I believe this horse is a sprinter-miler, I believe he can run the 1200 metres,” said Cruz of California Spangle, who will break from stall five. “We've been lucky at a mile many times, because that's where the big races are in Hong Kong, but I think with a strong pace he can do the 1200 metres here.” American Hall of Famer Bill Mott will saddle four-time Grade I winner Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed), who is also cutting back in trip after a third in the 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Mile. A two-time winner of the GI Jaipur S. over this trip, the 7-year-old entire will be ridden by Luis Saez and leave from gate six in the 12-horse field. No horse has ever won the Al Quoz twice, regardless of the distance, and the 2023 victor, Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), shocked the field at 33-1, with Sight Success (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) fourth. Now seven, the Shadwell gelding has been specially prepared with this race in mind and enters off a third-place finish in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort over 1400 metres on Jan. 26. “This has been the aim all season and we have brought him on slowly with this in mind,” trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri said. “He surprised everyone last season and I think he has a good chance of repeating last year's success.” A pair of 3-year-old fillies take on males and receive a 13-pound pull in the weights in Abdulla Al Mansoori's Frost At Dawn (Frosted), successful with a record-breaking effort in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint over 1000 metres on Super Saturday, and her Turf Sprint runner-up, Godolphin's Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}). The latter, who was second in the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. last July, won the G2 Blue Point Sprint, defeating Czechoslovakian Horse of the Year Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}), for trainer Charlie Appleby in January. William Knight, who trains Frost At Dawn, said, “To go into a Group 1 with a real chance is quite exciting. Her win on Super Saturday was no fluke and that she broke the track record gives me a bit of confidence. Mickael [Barzalona] is going to ride her, which is great, as they obviously get on well.” –Heather Anderson Japan's Forever Young the Horse to Beat in UAE Derby The lone GI Kentucky Derby prep race off U.S. shores worth 100 points to the winner–essentially guaranteeing a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May–the G2 UAE Derby has an overwhelming favorite this year in Susumu Fujita's Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). All eyes will be on the undefeated Yoshito Yahagi trainee, who blew through three Japanese dirt starts by open daylight last fall before bursting onto the world stage with a dramatic last-stride head win over Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) in the G3 Saudi Derby on Feb. 24 in his sophomore debut. Yahagi indicated after the Saudi Derby that the Kentucky Derby was very much on the 2022 JRHA yearling sale graduate's dance card. On a race day loaded with top Japanese threats, Forever Young–on paper, anyway–looks to have the easiest assignment of his countrymen. Forever Young will have to get by America's Pandagate (Arrogate), who shipped to Dubai after a blowout win against New York-breds Feb. 25 in Aqueduct's Gander S. The grey has turned heads this week as the spitting image of his sire, whose own performance in Dubai in 2017 remains the stuff of legends. Christophe Clement aims to become only the second U.S-based trainer to use a Meydan win for an American horse's launching pad to Kentucky following Brendan Walsh's victory with Plus Que Parfait (Point of Entry) in 2019. Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn) from the Bhupat Seemar barn has to rank as the top local hope with a keen win in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas over this surface Jan. 26, while his stablemate Guns And Glory (Gun Runner) may not yet be as accomplished, but is in sharp form with a geared-down 12-length blowout Mar. 8 over this surface. Earlier this week, Seemar called Guns And Glory “a bit of a playboy, [but] he is a very-high class horse.” He also said the two months since Mendelssohn Bay's last start has benefitted that runner. “I think it was a very good decision to miss Super Saturday and come directly to the Derby. He has filled out and he looks different with a nice coat on him. He has got plenty of stamina in his pedigree. We don't know how good he is but we'll find out on Saturday.” Aidan O'Brien looks to win the UAE Derby for the fourth time since 2012 and brings Irish Group 3 winner Henry Adams (Ire) (No Nay Never), who will be making his first start since October and will have his first go on the dirt. “Henry Adams is a lovely, big, uncomplicated horse,” said O'Brien. “He's a No Nay Never horse so he could be interesting on the dirt. We will be guided by how he goes there in Dubai as to what he does afterwards.” O'Brien will also saddle Navy Seal (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). –Jill Williams Saudi Crown Clashes with Isolate in Godolphin Mile A pair of 2024 G1 Saudi Cup runners will lock horns once again in the $1-million G2 Godolphin Mile to kickstart the Thoroughbred action at Meydan on Saturday. FMQ Stables' Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), just got caught in the final few jumps when third after setting the pace in that February affair over 1800 metres in Riyadh, and will be cutting back to the metric mile for the first time since running second in the GIII Dwyer S. in July of 2023. He leaves from stall nine and Florent Geroux is at the controls. “He's doing very well, he arrived on Feb. 26, settled in, and he's had three works over the track,” said trainer Brad Cox of the grey. “He ran well [in Saudi], but I love the way he's bounced out of it and he continues to improve.” Defending champion and G2 Al Maktoum Mile winner Isolate (Mark Valeski) is one of five 2023 winners returning to attempt and retain their DWC crowns, and UAE multiple champion trainer Chief Stipe Watson has the 6-year-old primed for this assignment. Sixth in the Saudi Cup to G1 Dubai World Cup entrant Senor Buscador (Mineshaft), he is paired with Luis Saez and they will leave from gate 11. “He came off the track on his hind legs this morning, so we were all excited about that,” said Watson. “The draw isn't great but Saudi Crown is stall nine and they're the true speed in the race. The others might try to go but I think from out there it will be those two vying for the lead. He's in great form and he loves this track.” Rabbah Racing's Swing Vote (GB) (Shamardal), who landed the G3 Jebel Ali Mile on Feb. 10, is booked in gate five. The gelding turned in a strong piece of work on Tuesday, and was last seen running fifth to Laurel River (Into Mischief) and Qareeb (Speightstown) in the G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday. “He's doing well. He looked great on the track and Ross [Atkinson, work rider] was very happy with him,” said co-trainer Ed Crisford. “That should put him spot on for Saturday.” –Heather Anderson Riyadh Rematch In Dubai Gold Cup The $1-million G2 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors is the first of four races run on the turf track on World Cup night and it features a rematch between the three horses who dominated last month's G3 Red Sea Turf H. in Riyadh. Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was the narrow victor on that occasion, staying on strongly under a never-say-die ride from Ryan Moore to beat Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) by a head, with Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire})–who was conceding weight to that pair–not far behind in third. The British-based trainers of the placed horses, Ian Williams and Marco Botti, respectively, will be optimistic of reversing the form with the winner, though the four-year-old Tower Of London remains relatively unexposed at the 3200-metre distance and could have more to offer for Aidan O'Brien. Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}), who took the scalp of O'Brien's star stayer Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when winning the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October, is another leading contender from Britain for John and Thady Gosden. He carries the first colours of Godolphin, with the white cap being sported by Charlie Appleby's Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), last year's runner-up who won the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy for the second year in succession on his most recent outing. The Andrew Balding-trained Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) finished down the field behind Trawlerman when making his final start of last season in the Long Distance Cup, but he'd been a model of consistency prior to that with wins in the G3 Sagaro S. and G2 Lonsdale Cup–plus a runner-up finish in the G1 Gold Cup–to show for his efforts. A below-par seventh in the Gold Cup was Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), but he bounced back later in the campaign when landing the G1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh, his second Classic success having also won the English equivalent in 2022. Further international interest is provided by three runners from France and two from Japan. Multiple Group 2 winner Sober (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) leads a two-pronged attack for Andre Fabre, while Japanese raider Libyan Glass (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) represents the Yoshito Yahagi stable that won this race with Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in 2022. –Adam Houghton The post Dubai World Cup A Truly International Gathering appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-GP, $89K, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 1:26 p.m. ET IDONEO (Uncle Mo), the first foal out of SW and GII Mother Goose S. runner-up Classic Fit (Bernardini), has been working smartly for this debut run for Bill Mott. The Godolphin homebred has posted six bullet workouts at Payson Park since January, including a three-furlong move in :36 3/5 (1/11) Mar. 25. The 'Boys in Blue' will also be represented by fellow debuting homebred Six Kings (Nyquist), who was produced by a half-sister to GISW Film Maker (Dynaformer). He is trained by Brendan Walsh. The deep field of 11 also includes the Todd Pletcher-trained first-time starter Mindframe (Constitution), a $600,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables. TJCIS PPS The post Saturday’s Racing Insights: Deep Field of Sophomore Maidens on Display on Florida Derby Undercard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hanshin Racecourse: Saturday, March 30, 2024 1st-HSN, ¥10,480,000 ($69k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m CRITICAL HIT (c, 3, American Pharoah–Mythical Mission, by Giant's Causeway) is out of a stakes-winning full-sister to MGSW/GISP and two-time Canadian champion Irish Mission who was purchased by Shimokobe Farm for $575,000 with this colt in utero at the 2021 Keeneland January Sale. Also a half-sister to GSW French Beret (Broad Brush) and to the dam of Mission of Joy (Kitten's Joy), a dual Grade III winner and third in last year's GI QE II Challenge Cup, Mythical Mission foaled a Justify filly in Japan in February 2022, her last listed produce. B-Shimokobe Farm (KY) The post Well-Bred American Pharoah Colt Debuting at Hanshin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite an ever-growing Japanese presence at the Dubai World Cup meeting in the UAE, Sunday's 2000-metre G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin still boasts five Group 1 winners, four of them Classic scorers and several other progressive types hunting for their first Group 1 ring. One of the top picks in the 16-strong field is last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner, Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), who ran second in both the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas)–to Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn})–and the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) on either side of his Derby win from May to October, and lines up for his 2024 bow. Sixth with traffic trouble behind G1 Dubai Turf hope Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 Arima Kinen in December, he will break from gate three. Trainer Noriyuki Hori said, “His appetite has been good, and better than it was before the Arima Kinen, so he's healthy and in good condition overall. He's been training solo and running well, with some power still in reserve. We've been careful not to overwork him, getting him just to stretch out at the finish in training. His breathing is good as well. While his footwork is still a little heavy, I have a good image of him going into this race.” Favoured for Sunday's test is filly-on-the-up Harper (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). Ninth in the Arima Kinen after a midpack trip, that effort does not reflect her true merits, as the 2023 G3 Daily Hai Nisai Queen victress ran fourth in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas), second in the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) and third in the G1 Shuka Sho (Japanese Fillies' St Leger), all to turf superstar Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who is competing in arguably the race-of-the-year at Meydan on Saturday, the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. “She had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki, with this next race in mind,” said trainer Yasuo Tomomichi. “She's handled her workload in training well, and her reactions at the finish have been good. The weather on the day is an issue, but I'm not particularly worried about soft ground for her.” Although left with too much to do when too far back to be eighth contesting the G1 Hong Kong Cup during the Longines Hong Kong International Races, Sunday Racing's Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) won both the G3 Hakodate Kinen and G2 Sankei Sho All Comers S. in succession in July and September of 2023. “He's still a horse that's improving, and since before, I've seen him filling out and getting into better shape,” said trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka. “His appetite's been better on his return to the stable this time. I've been pleased with him physically so far this year, but there's just a bit more for him to improve on mentally.” Fourth choice Pradaria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) defeated Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G2 Kyoto Kinen, and will be shortening up 200 metres. He will break from gate eight. Said conditioner Manabu Ikezoe, “He's had the same training pattern as before his last race. His rider has been pleased with his work, and says his footwork is good. His times have been fine, including a final furlong time of :11.3 seconds, and he's improving going into this race. Soft ground wouldn't be a worry, and it's mostly about how he'll handle the flow of things in the race itself. He has another good chance to win.” A winner of the 2022 edition of the Fillies' St Leger, Stunning Rose (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) is aiming for redemption, as are fellow Group 1 winners Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong) and Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The last-named horse won the G1 Hopeful S. back in 2021, and is making his first start back in Japan after running with credit when second to Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G2 Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia on February. Rail-drawn Mikki Gorgeous (Jpn) (Mikki Rocket {Jpn}) is a live longshot, and, although she is 17-1 in the ante-post betting, she has compiled a three-straight winning streak, including the G3 Aichi Hai over this trip at Kokura on Jan. 13. The post Derby Winner Makes 2024 Bow In Osaka Hai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A bill to form a standalone government agency in Kentucky similar to the Kentucky Lottery Corporation that would oversee horse racing, sports gambling, and charitable gaming easily cleared the Kentucky House of Representatives March 28.View the full article

Four-time group 1 winner Zaaki has been retired from racing after a 48-start career and amassing more than AUS$11 million in prize money.View the full article

The New York State Supreme Court issued a ruling Friday which says that the disqualification of Forte from the 2022 Hopeful Stakes and the 10-day suspension given to trainer Todd Pletcher must remain at the Supreme Court level, and not be transferred to the appelate division. Judge Michael Cuevas wrote that the court found procedural and legal issues in the process that must be addressed by this court. The ruling was in response to a motion filed by the Gaming Commission seeking to move the appeal of the Forte disqualification and his suspension to the appellate division. That motion was in response to Pletcher's request for a review of the New York Gaming Commission's order disqualifying the horse and suspending him. Forte was disqualified from the Hopeful after post-race tests turned up the presence of meloxicam. Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, widely prescribed to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and is sold under the brand name Mobic. It is not one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatories that is approved in the United States for the treatment of racehorses in training. Pletcher's petition argued several points; first, that he was found to have violated a rule that doesn't exist; that he was found liable based upon a standard outside of the Commission's rules; that the text of the rule is impermissibly vague; and that an attorney for the second-place horse, Gulfport, owned by William Heiligbrodt, was allowed to intervene in the hearing, and co-prosecute Pletcher, despite not being a duly licensed attorney in the State of New York. That attorney was Clark Brewster. “This Court can only conclude that Petitioner has demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of success on the alleged due process violations and the alleged misinterpretation of existing rules or application of a non-existent rule,” the judge wrote. “We are very pleased that the Supreme Court has decided to allow us to litigate what we believe are serious due process issues in this case,” said Pletcher's attorney, Drew Mollica. “We are also elated that the Supreme Court has taken the position that they will review the alleged zero-tolerance standard by which the Gaming Commission saw fit to unjustly disqualify Forte and sanction Mr. Petcher. While it's early, the issues raised, including the participation of an unlicensed attorney to assist in prosecuting this matter, is something we look forward to litigating, and must be addressed.” “Judge Cuevas has flagged these procedural legal issues before any appellate review,” Mollica continued. “The procedural and legal issues will prove that not only should Forte not have been disqualified, but that any sanction of Mr. Pletcher is a miscarriage of justice.” This story will be updated. The post Pletcher Wins Round in Supreme Court Over Forte DQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — RRR Racing's Clapton (Brethren) may be one of the rank outsiders in international markets for Saturday's G1 Dubai World Cup, but trainer Chad Summers, who won the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen with Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) in 2017 and 2018, is embracing the underdog role against the likes of Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Kabirkhan (California Chrome). “We're not here for the accommodations. We're not here for the badges and the passes and the parties,” Summers said. “We're here because we want to have a chance to hold that trophy up and put our name in the lore of the horses that have won it in the past. “We're 60-1 and everyone says we have no shot. And we like being there. We like being the one that everybody counts out. It's a comfortable place for us and we're used to it.” Clapton, last year's GII Lukas Classic winner, made a pair of starts during the Dubai Racing Carnival, finishing third to Kabirkhan in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge in January and again to Military Law (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge on Super Saturday, Mar. 2 After some internal debate, Clapton–whose owner also campaigns defending G2 Godolphin Mile champion Isolate (Mark Valeski) with trainer Chief Stipe Watson–has been green-lighted for the World Cup and he'll leave from gate seven with Dylan Davis taking the ride. Summers and team have made some subtle tweaks and he believes he has the chestnut ready for the test. “We have some working theories now as to what happened,” he explained. “For the last two months, he'd come out of the stall at 4 a.m. and we're waking him up at 2:30. He's not used to that. By the time he goes back in the stall at 7 a.m. he's been out of the stall for three hours. That's a lot of walking.” It's a four-mile round trip from the barn to the Meydan main track. “We're only taking him to this track three days a week instead of six days a week now,” Summers continued. “He seems like a fresher, happier horse. They have other tracks in the back and he seems just more like the old Clapton that we needed to see, because to be honest with you, we have too much respect for this race to run just to run.” It's a bit of a full-circle moment for Summers this weekend, as Mind Your Biscuits is ironically the sire of one of Clapton's main World Cup foes in the form of G2 UAE Derby winner and GI Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake (Jpn). “To watch him pop out of the gate and go on with it and just utterly dominate and then go on to the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup was amazing,” Summers said of Derma Sotogake's run in last year's UAE Derby. But the gloves come off this weekend, make no mistake. “Hopefully Biscuits can look down on me one more time and tell Christophe Lemaire to ride him like he rode him in the UAE Derby, go to the lead and battle Laurel River (Into Mischief) and go fast enough to help set things up for Clapton. The post Clapton Returns Summers To Scene of His Finest Hours appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario recently announced the appointment of Steven Lym as executive director.View the full article

With A$500,000 on offer, you’d expect a keen finish, and that was certainly the case in the Good Friday Country Discovery at Yarra Valley with Savannah Cloud (NZ) (Savabeel) prevailing in thriller. As many as seven horses had winning chance inside the final 100m, but it was the Phillip Stokes-trained six-year-old at $12 who withstood the final charge by a short half head from General Beau (Brazen Beau) ($17), with topweight Pounding (Exceed and Excel) ($41) a half-head away third. So close was the finish, the first six horses home had less than a length between them and just three lengths covered the entire 12-horse field. For Stokes, every win from Savannah Cloud is celebrated as he’s had a long history in his Pakenham stable. “He’s been here from when I first came here and set up at Pakenham… he’s a real favourite,” Stokes said. The trainer has hatched a plan to add significantly to the horse’s current prizemoney total of A$920,000 by eyeing a A$1 million race in Adelaide in May. “He’s getting up to about $1 million now and about 100 rating, so we are looking probably at something like the Goodwood.” Thomas Stockdale continued his great form with his centimetre-perfect ride. “He didn’t have the best drag-up in the race,” he explained to Racing.com. “He had to make the run all on his own but he’s a tough horse. “A big thank you to the team and the ownership group as it’s a big thrill for me to have my parents here today to witness it, so a very special day.” View the full article

Crimson Light (NZ) (Redwood) has won the A$150,000 Country Oaks, dashing best off a slow tempo at Yarra Valley on Good Friday and giving Mick Kent his second consecutive victory in the race. The daughter of Redwood settled outside Hard Squeeze (All Too Hard), who came out on top when the pair clashed at Moonee Valley last start, but strode out under Craig Williams to lead outright down the back straight. Williams put the foot on the pedal coming around the home turn, and in an instant the whole field went from travelling to chasing in a bit of a sit-and-sprint affair. But despite Makrana (Pierro) ($4) and Whakamana (Sacred Falls) ($13) chasing valiantly, Kent’s galloper comfortably held her rivals at bay, securing back-to-back Country Oaks for the stable, after Deny Knowledge (Pride of Dubai) won last year’s edition at Geelong. He was delighted to pick up another edition of the race, with a mare he firmly believes will measure up in Stakes grade. “I love the staying mares, don’t we all, and there’s not many opportunities to run for this sort of money with them,” Kent said. “She’s been coming up perfectly for this race, we actually wanted to take her to Sydney for the (Group 3) Epona, that’s how well she was going. She didn’t get a run so this was a good back-up. “We didn’t really plan for her to lead, but she jumped outside the leader, and they went so steady it was a good move by the rider in the end… I was very conscious of her not getting cluttered up. “She’s a really solid sort of mare, and we think she’s up to a bit better class than this, so we’re helpful of maybe going to Adelaide for the (Listed) Centaurea Stakes.” View the full article

In a vote late Thursday night, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill to establish an independent Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, according to a press release from Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown), the primary sponsor of the legislation. Senate Bill (SB) 299 revises Thayer's original proposal to attach the commission to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture administratively. The legislative effort was revised following further conversations with stakeholders and House Speaker David Osborne (R-Prospect), which would now establish an independent Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. In his support of the bill, Osborne drew comparisons to the Kentucky Lottery Corporation and the Public Service Commission. A Senate Committee Substitute was adopted to outline the corporation's formation and set forth a robust framework for its operations. Subsequently, the Senate committee approved SB 299 on Tuesday and with passage in the House was delivered to the Governor on Wednesday. Currently, HRC oversees all aspects of horse racing in the state, including venues housing historic horse racing (HHR) machines. SB 299 seeks to create the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation as an independent entity that regulates horse racing, sports wagering and charitable gaming in the commonwealth, effective July of this year. “With the passage of SB 299, we're taking a crucial step in safeguarding the integrity and prosperity of our signature horse racing industry,” said Thayer. “As a cornerstone of Kentucky's heritage and economy, it's imperative that we uphold strong oversight and management of these vital industries. I contend the success of this industry demands it be a stand-alone entity capable of utilizing its funding without having to get authorizations from a bureaucratic agency. I am proud to sponsor this measure to promote this integral part of the commonwealth.” Under SB 299, the existing racing commission members would transition to become the initial board of the newly formed corporation, serving two-year terms. Future board members would continue to be appointed by the governor but would require approval from the Kentucky Senate and oversight from the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. Read SB 299 in its entirety here. The post Bill to Establish Independent Kentucky Gaming Commission Passes House appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Legarto winning the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Ken Kelso is hoping lightning might strike twice when Legarto makes her second start at Flemington in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m). The top-class daughter of Proisir produced arguably the best performance of her glittering career when she ventured to Melbourne 12 months ago and became the first New Zealand-trained winner of the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Held up until after the 200m mark, she quickly moved through her gears for jockey Mick Dee and launched a stunning late burst down the Flemington straight to snatch victory in the shadows of the post. That was the second Group One victory for Legarto, who had won the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) the previous spring. She has since added the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) to her collection during a four-year-old season that has also produced surprise defeats in the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) and this month’s Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). “That’s twice now in big races at Ellerslie where a horse has slipped away on the corner and it’s just been too hard to pick them up and we’ve had to settle for second,” said Kelso, who trains in partnership with his wife Bev. “I certainly wasn’t disappointed on either occasion. She was making ground strongly again in the Bonecrusher last start and would have got El Vencedor in another couple of strides, and her sectional times were very good again. “It’s going to be nice to get her back to Flemington on Saturday, it’s a big and roomy track that she’s shown she likes, and I just have an inkling in the back of my mind that she might be better left-handed. Mick Dee will ride her again.” Legarto flew across the Tasman on Wednesday, and Kelso reported that she took the travel in her stride. “She’s handled the trip over perfectly,” he said. “She did well overnight and is looking very bright this morning. I think we’re right on target for Saturday. The build-up couldn’t have gone any better. “We know it’s a strong Australian Cup field this year, but she deserves her shot and I’m sure that she’ll acquit herself very well again.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Impressive last-start Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous will continue her racing career in Australia following her sale this week. The Chad Ormsby-trained filly has been the subject of interest from prospective buyers from around the globe, care of her commanding Oaks victory, which came just eight days after a strong win in the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2000m). The daughter of Wrote will join the stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott after a deal was brokered by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo in conjunction with the Waterhouse-Bott team. The winner of three of her seven starts, the staying-bred three-year-old flagged her ability last spring when winning a 1400m maiden at Tauranga, but has taken giant strides more recently as one of the elite members of the three-year-old crop. With the Lowland Stakes postponed and relocated to Taupo this year due to the abandonment of the Hastings meeting on which the fillies feature was originally carded, plans for Pulchritudinous to join the Waterhouse-Bott stable sooner were thwarted. “She’s a filly that we have been following closely based on Rob’s (Waterhouse) form,” Bott said. “Rob has helped us buy a lot of horses out of New Zealand in the tried-horse space, which have been very good to the stable over a long period of time. This is a filly that Rob identified pretty early. We actually tried to buy her after the Lowland, but the (short) time-frame (to the Oaks) didn’t allow vetting in time. “From Rob’s data standpoint, it was no surprise to see her come out and win the Oaks and we were lucky we had great support on the filly and were able to secure her for the stable.” Waterhouse and Bott are keen to assess the filly when she arrives next week, but given the close proximity to the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) following a sale-pending few weeks, other three-year-old targets are more likely. “She will arrive over here on Monday and we will keep going with her this preparation,” Bott said. “With the timing of the Australian Oaks it might be a bit of a tight turnaround. “At this stage we are looking at all of the Group One targets for three-year-olds in that middle distance range. The Australasian Oaks (Group 1, 2000m) and the South Australian Derby (Group 1, 2500m) are now worth $1 million each and then there is the Queensland Oaks (Group 1, 2200m) and Queensland Derby (Group 1, 2400m) as well.” Bott said the eyes and ears of respected bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo were a significant assist and they were buoyed by his positive feedback. “I was at Tauranga the day that she won (in October) and I thought she was most impressive that day,” Cataldo said. “She presented as a great type. I thought she was a real classic style of filly. She came onto the radar that day and I had been watching her ever since and tried to buy her straight after the Lowland. “Hence I thought we were always at the front of the queue and I’m delighted she will be joining Gai and Adrian. She’s a stunning filly with plenty of upside.” Pulchritudinous was the first Group One winner for Chad Ormsby, who only trains a small team and is most-noted as a trader of horses under his Riverrock Farm banner. Ormsby purchased the daughter of Wrote out of Milan Park’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft for $32,500 as a pinhook prospect for the Ready To Run Sale later that year, however, she failed to meet her $50,000 reserve. Ormsby backed his judgement in the filly, who he always envisaged would be a middle-distance type, and brought in partners including Chris Grace, Jason Walker and his mother-in-law Jane and her partner Darren Roach to race the filly. “It is bitter-sweet to sell her, but that’s the business we’re in,” Ormsby said. “As much as it didn’t feel quite right to sell her, it is the right thing at this stage of our career and pathway we are taking. We move on to the next one hopefully. “I’m delighted for our owners as they all jumped on board with the hope to sell her at some point and the fact that we did get a Group One out of her sealed the deal and we were able to enjoy that along the way. It’s a case of having the cake and eating it too.” The hands-on horseman said the New Zealand Oaks would long hold fond memories, with his young family on-course to witness the Group One triumph. Additionally the fact he selected Pulchritudinous as a yearling and was able to take her through to being a Group One winner was particularly special. Ormsby wished the new connections well and believes there is plenty of upside. “She has hit a rich vein of form and with fillies when they hit that form they can be very hard to beat,” he said. “I feel like with time there is a lot more in store for her and from what I feel even in this last week, she is a filly I think will mature into a Group One winner over a mile.” Horse racing news View the full article

Straight Arron stretches out at Meydan Racecourse. Caspar Fownes is hopeful Straight Arron can prove his wares against elite opposition, including Voyage Bubble, in the HK$39 million Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan on Saturday night despite drawing barrier 12. To be ridden by Brenton Avdulla, Straight Arron faces 15 opponents as Fownes bids to better his stable’s previous best result at the Dubai World Cup meeting – Lucky Nine’s third behind Krypton Factor in the 2012 Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m, dirt). “It (the barrier draw) is not ideal, but it is what it is,” said Fownes, who has accumulated prolific Group 1 victories in Hong Kong and Singapore. “We’ll get back and hopefully he (Straight Arron) can finish off nicely. He’s going well so we’re hopeful he can bring a peak performance. “He’s good, he seems to be bright and happy and he’s eating well. He looks healthy, he’s got a nice, shiny coat. He did a nice bit of pace work this week (Wednesday, March 27), so let’s see how we go.” Straight Arron will clash with 2023 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and 2024 Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) winner Voyage Bubble, who has drawn in gate one for Mickael Barzalona and Ricky Yiu and 14 other decorated international rivals, including Lord North, who is chasing a fourth consecutive win in the race. Fownes is mindful of the challenge Straight Arron faces, but he remains upbeat. “You’ve got to see where you stand against those horses and see how he is travelling. If he can run in the first five, I’d be very, very chuffed,” Fownes said. “That’s what we’re looking for. And to see how he goes against the other Hong Kong horse (Voyage Bubble) that beat him convincingly last time.” Bidding to become the first Hong Kong trainer to win the Dubai Turf – the race was previously known as the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free when Ivan Allan’s Fairy King Prawn finished second over 1777m at Nad Al Sheba in 2001 – Fownes believes Straight Arron has the versatility to cope at 1800m, a distance he has won at twice in Hong Kong. “This horse is quite versatile – that’s why we’ve dropped him back to 1800m for this race,” Fownes said. California Spangle and Sight Success will carry Hong Kong’s hopes in the HK$11.7 million G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on Saturday night. 2024 Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) victor California Spangle will start from barrier five for Tony Cruz and Brenton Avdulla, while Sight Success – who was fourth in this race last season – will jump from gate 12 for John Size and Ryan Moore. The Hong Kong pair will vie with 10 others, including Charlie Appleby’s three-year-old filly Star Of Mystery, American speedster Casa Creed, England’s Diligent Harry and last season’s Al Quoz Sprint winner Danyah. Horse racing news View the full article

The Alice Springs Turf Club’s Cup Carnival is in full swing with the third of five meetings scheduled for Pioneer Park on Saturday. Fields for the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) and $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) will take shape in the Red Centre on Saturday. For horses who have yet to qualify for either race, it’s their last chance on Day 3 of the Alice Springs Turf Club’s Cup Carnival at Pioneer Park. Currently, 19 nominations have been received for the Cup scheduled for April 7, with 21 nominating for the Sprint on April 6. Write Your Name and Supreme Attraction, the respective winners of the Cup and Sprint last year, are expected to defend their title. Only 12 starters will contest the Cup and Sprint. Five horses nominated for Central Australia’s biggest race will feature in the $40,000 Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) at weight-for-age on Saturday. Write Your Name, who also won the 2023 Darwin Cup (2050m), Venting and Hettinger have qualified for the Alice Springs Cup, while Quizzle (13th in the order of entry) and Taipan Tommy (15th) have to win to secure automatic qualification. Desert Lass, second in last year’s Cup, had already qualified and was scratched from the Chief Minister’s Cup after finishing second behind Boom Boom Sweet in an open 1900m handicap on Wednesday. Victory secured a Cup berth for Kerry Petrick’s Boom Boom Sweet. Plenty of intrigue surrounds South Australian galloper Taipan Tommy, who has never raced beyond 1600m, as he has had seven Pioneer Park starts for Kym Healy for five wins and two seconds. He is backing up after saluting over 1400m (BM76) on Wednesday. Murray Bridge trainer Michael Hickmott has nominated Exalted Fire, Lake’s Folly and Oath Of Omerta for the Cup, fellow Murray Bridge trainer Garret Lynch has nominated Shiny Rock, and Darwin trainer Chris Nash has nominated Son Of Bielski. Neither of the five horses have yet to appear at Pioneer Park, while the in-form Son Of Bielski made it five straight wins in the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) in the Top End on March 16. Better Not Fuss, who was exempt from the Cup ballot after winning the NT Guineas (1600m) on Wednesday at $91 for trainer Paul Gardner, has not been nominated. Meanwhile, Gardner’s Red Wraith, who was sitting 13th in the order of entry, qualified for the Sprint after emphatically winning The Soldier Lightning (1000m) on Wednesday. The winner of the 1200m weight-for-age on Saturday will seal their Sprint ticket, so the door remains ajar for Brat, Munster, Noble Magnate and Vitesse Breeze as they sit outside the top 12. There’s a 1000m (0-70) race on Saturday, and of the six horses in the field that have been nominated for the Sprint, only Kumicho and Liberty Blue have qualified. Leading Sprint hopes Early Crow, who won last year’s Palmerston Sprint in Darwin, and Kerioth are last start winners in Alice Springs. Alice Springs Cup Order Of Entry Write Your Name 90 Shiny Rock 84 Desert Lass 81 Exalted Fire 78 Lake’s Folly 78 Son Of Bielski 77 Century Fox 74 Venting 73 Hettinger 70 Vallabar 70 Boom Boom Sweet 69 Oath Of Omerta 68 Quizzle 67 Equal Balance 63 Taipan Tommy 62 Kippax 60 Canny Impact 58 Duty 57 Fischer 48 Pioneer Sprint Order Of Entry Horse Rating Supreme Attraction 90 Great Buy 88 Early Crow 83 Expert Witness 79 Supreme Times 77 City Regal 76 Kerioth 76 Throw At Da Stumps 74 Kickatorp 69 Kumicho 69 Liberty Blue 69 Red Wraith 67 Brat 68 Square Cut 67 Munster 66 Strike Eagle 64 Mathematics 63 Cyclonite 62 Real Valentia 62 Noble Magnate 60 Vitesse Breeze 58 Horse racing news View the full article