Wandering Eyes

What Ballarat Synthetic Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Tuesday, May 21, 2024 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble The Ballarat Turf Club’s synthetic track will host its first meeting of 2024 this Tuesday afternoon, with eight races set down for decision. There is no rain on the forecast, but overcast conditions are predicted throughout the day. The rail will be in the true position, with racing scheduled to kick off at 1pm AEST. Best Bet at Ballarat: Miss Sunshine Miss Sunshine is yet to miss the top four from five starts and is coming off a credible fourth-place finish in Saturday grade at Morphettville on May 4. The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained filly led the field up but was run over in the concluding stages, only beaten by 1.2 lengths. Returning to her home track and dropping back to 1000m should prove to be the recipe for success, as Harry Coffey will find the front and lead every step of the way. Best Bet Race 8 – #6 Miss Sunshine (3) 3yo Filly | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: Harry Coffey (57kg) +100 with Bet365 Next Best at Ballarat: Silent Alert Silent Alert returned from an 18-week spell with a gallant runner-up finish behind Valetudo at Benalla on May 7. The Leon & Troy Corstens-trained gelding settled behind the leader and eventual winner but couldn’t bridge the gap late. The son of Shamus Award will have taken a lot of improvement from his fresh run and should be ready to win in an easier race. Next Best Race 1 – #2 Silent Alert (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Leon & Troy Corstens | J: Ben Allen (58kg) +100 with Picklebet Best Value at Ballarat: Finance Legend After just holding them off to win at Horsham first-up over 1400m, Finance Legend rises to 1500m second and is expected to adopt similar tactics. With Jarrod Fry taking the reins, he will take this guy straight to the front. With only one other speed influence in the race, and a run under his belt, Finance Legend should get things his own way in the lead and prove hard to run down again. Best Value Race 5 – #3 Finance Legend (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Tom Dabernig | J: Jarrod Fry (61.5kg) +750 with Neds Ballarat Tuesday quaddie tips Ballarat quadrella selections Tuesday, May 21, 2024 2-3-5-6 1-2-3-5-6 2-3-4 3-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Pierre Ng continues to lead the Hong Kong trainers’ championship. Pierre Ng swept to his 100th Hong Kong winner and Ellis Wong notched his most important success when Taj Dragon forged to victory in the Class 1 Racing Heritage Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 May). In only his second season as a trainer, Ng took 1,033 runners across 159 meetings to reach a mark achieved faster by only John Size (113 meetings), Frankie Lor (137) and Ivan Allan (144) – to enhance hopes of landing the 2023/24 championship. Ng leads this season’s trainer standings with 59 wins from Francis Lui (56), Ricky Yiu (47), John Size (45), Tony Cruz (44), David Hayes (44), Caspar Fownes (44) and Danny Shum (43). “For a new team to win 100 races in two seasons is amazing. It’s well deserved for the team and I’m very happy with what we’re doing,” Ng said. “We don’t think about the 100 (wins) too much, we just tick along and try and get some more winners. Now, we can look for the next 100 maybe in the next two seasons.” Posting his sixth course and distance victory, Taj Dragon was ridden quietly by Wong, whose seven-pound claim proved decisive in staving off Atullibigeal by a short head in 1m 21.56s. “He (Taj Dragon) has won a few already this season and he got another one today, so it’s just brilliant. We thought it would be like a trial for him and if the weather was like it was, I just told Ellis to be patient in the straight and build him up. Luckily, we got to the front and got the result,” Ng said. “He always travels so well. He keeps winning more and more and hopefully he can win a few more for us this season.” Ng will set Taj Dragon, who won three two-year-old races in England for Karl Burke as Taj Alriyadh, for the Group 3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m). Wong, 23, was delighted with the with the gelding’s latest win. “It’s my first Class 1. He’s a pretty nice horse. There were only six horses in the race and he got cover and the pace was comfortable for him and I thought he could win the race and he sprinted really well,” Wong said. “He tries really hard and I’m really happy.” Hugh Bowman took riding honours with a treble aboard The Winnabe, Sky Trust and Hong Kong International Sale graduate Patch Of Theta to snare his first three-timer since March 3 and take his season tally to 55 wins. “I had a few nice rides. I thought a couple of my horses ran under par, but certainly the first starter (The Winnabe) was no surprise for him to do what he did, Patch Of Theta was no surprise either – I thought he was my best ride for the day – and Sky Trust has got scope for more in store,” Bowman said. “I’m just delighted to have a few winners, I’ve been chipping away, going well but it’s my first multiple-win day for a while.” Size-trained The Winnabe downed fellow first-starter Super Infinity to claim the Class 4 Racing Passion Handicap (1200m). “Nice horse – very natural. He was aided by an advantageous draw (barrier two) today, but his trials have been good. He’s very sensible. We didn’t know what we were going to get when we asked for an effort but the response was very encouraging,” Bowman said. Bowman made it a double with three-year-old Sky Trust’s victory for Caspar Fownes in the Class 4 Sha Tin Clubhouse Handicap (1400m) before closing the meeting in style with Patch Of Theta’s triumph in the Class 3 Beijing Clubhouse Handicap (1400m). Derek Leung also had a fruitful afternoon, scoring aboard Jimmy Ting-trained Glory Elite in the Class 4 Racing Club Handicap (1200m) and Frankie Lor’s impressive Voyage Samurai, who continued an excellent season by winning the Class 3 Members Cup Handicap (1600m). By Dissident, Voyage Samurai improved his career record to three wins and two seconds from five starts before Strathpeffer slotted his first win at his 19th start for Chief Stipelas Whyte by clinching the Class 4 Beas River Country Club Handicap (1400m) under Matthew Chadwick. Full Credit continued to make strong progress for Mark Newnham by leading all the way under Lyle Hewitson in the Class 3 Levade Handicap (1200m) after Satirical Glory struck for David Hayes and Zac Purton in the Class 4 Hilltop In The Valley Handicap (1800m). Mr Good Vibes provided David Hall’s stable with its fourth winner from 11 starts with breakthrough success under Karis Teetan in the Class 5 Ownership Pride Handicap (1200m). Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (22 May). Horse racing news View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Monday, May 20. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for May 20, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions All Races at Stawell & Taree get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH Max bonus $100. First bet only (including SRM). Paid in bonus cash. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Check out your Neds Toolbox for Price Boosts, Bet Backs and much more. These Tools are available all day, every day, on Australian and New Zealand thoroughbred horse racing. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for May 20, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Warren Kennedy has made waves in the New Zealand jockey ranks since moving from his native South Africa, and now his wife, Barbara, is hoping to do the same as a trainer. The 32-year-old horsewoman has spent her life in racing and trained in South Africa for a few seasons before moving to New Zealand with her husband and children a couple of years ago. “I have been in the industry my whole life,” Kennedy said. “My Dad was a jockey for 24 years. When he retired, he became the course manager at one of the tracks in South Africa for 21 years. My sister went to the jockey academy and was an apprentice for a couple of years, but it didn’t work out for her. Our whole family is into racing, so I was born into it, it is in my blood.” Upon leaving school, Kennedy went to work in a racing stable and that is where she got hooked on the sport and decided she wanted a career in the industry. “I worked in the yard straight out of school. I had a really great opportunity with a trainer in South Africa where I ran his satellite yard in Durban where we had about 50 horses, and I was with him for four years. “That is where it hit me that that (training) is what I wanted to do, and I took out my own trainer’s license. I had my first daughter at that time, and I went into a training partnership with my brother, and I trained for three years. We were pretty successful, we had 59 winners in the three years, with one of those being hindered by COVID. “Warren then decided that we needed to get out of the country to give our girls a better life. It was always a goal to get back into it in New Zealand, we just didn’t expect it to happen so soon.” While Warren has been kicking goals in the saddle, Kennedy said she felt a bit lost in the early stages of their move to New Zealand, but found comfort in helping out Byerley Park trainers Peter and Dawn Williams. “It was really tough coming over here because I went from that busy lifestyle of training. Coming over here, Warren kicked off as normal and I sat at home not doing anything and I did get a bit depressed during those times,” she said. “It has been good to see him come here and do so well from the get-go. It is really difficult coming to a new country, but the amount of support that he has been given has been great. “Since we moved to New Zealand, they (Williams’s) had always been very good to Warren, and Warren has ridden a lot for them. They extended to come out to the yard with the girls and I did mornings there mucking out stables and we have become really close with Peter and Dawn, we have adopted them as our family here.” With Peter and Dawn Williams deciding to retire from racing at the end of the month, they approached Kennedy to see if she was interested in taking over their stable, and she has jumped at the opportunity. “We have become really close and we were chatting recently, and with this decision of them retiring, they thought I was young, willing to do it, so let’s give this a shot. “It is exciting. It has happened quite quickly, but we are taking this opportunity with both hands. I am grateful that Peter and Dawn have trusted me enough to hand everything over to me, so we will be forever grateful for that. “I officially start on the 1st of June. For the month of June, they will be around and I can bounce as many questions off of them as possible. “The majority of the clients have agreed to stay on with me, which is really positive. We will be getting in contact with all the clients during the next week or so and get to know everyone and get our career and relationship going.” In her time in New Zealand, Kennedy has noticed a few differences from racing in South Africa and is looking forward to tackling those challenges. “The tracks are the biggest one,” she said. “We are not used to racing over the winter season in such heavy going. That will be a big adjustment for me, getting used to running horses on these different tracks. We don’t travel as much as the horses here, our racecourses are fairly close to each other and there aren’t as many. “I have got Warren behind me, and Peter and Dawn, and I can give them a call whenever I have any questions, they are here to help me.” Kennedy said she is lucky to have family in New Zealand to help make the transition smoother. “We have two girls – Jamie, 5, and Ryleigh, 3,” she said. “We have got Warren’s family over here, so his mum is going to join us for a couple of weeks and help out with the girls.” While having a husband as the country’s leading jockey is a bonus, Kennedy said Warren will continue to have his priorities outside of the stable. “It is a bonus having Warren around, but he has got to keep his ties with Cambridge Stud,” she said. “As much as he will be a part of the yard, he won’t be tied down and he has to fulfil his own obligations to Cambridge. He will help me out as much as he can, but he will be keeping with his Cambridge connections.” In terms of what Kennedy is looking forward to the most with her return to training, the answer is easy – winning. “It is just getting back out there and getting the success with winners,” she said. “Everyone aims to win the big ones and they are definitely on my radar.” View the full article

There are four meetings set for Australia on Monday, May 20. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Albury. Monday’s Racing Tips – May 20, 2024 Albury Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on May 20, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Just four and a half years after deciding he wanted to become a jockey, 25-year-old Jaime Torres reached the pinnacle of his sport as he guided Seize the Grey to victory in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1).View the full article

Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds boasts a diverse group of prospects for the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.View the full article

Cypress Creek Equine's Barksdale is set to make his stakes debut in the $500,000 Woody Stephens (G1), a seven-furlong sprint for sophomores on Belmont Stakes Day June 8 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Baltimore, MD–The journey from the First Saturday in May through the Preakness can be an arduous one, fraught with activity and often times challenges that can try the most steady nerves. Young and old alike could be heard complaining about exhaustion by the time they made it through Preakness day, however, for some, it provided enough buoyancy to raise the Titanic. Such was the case with D. Wayne Lukas Sunday morning, the day after his colt Seize the Grey (Arrogate) wired the second jewel in the Triple Crown. Despite the haul, in addition to launching his day at 3 a.m., the 88-year-old was in good form, accommodating the periodic wave of visitors passing by the barn. And there was a definite twinkle in his eye. Something only a seventh Preakness win, and his 15th Classic overall, can inspire. “He looked really good [this morning],” enthused Lukas, seated in his customary spot outside the track room. “He was the first one out. He looked very sharp. I think he knew he won.” According to Lukas, both the Preakness winner, and Just Steel (Justify), would ship out of Baltimore Monday. Just Steel, fifth behind his stablemate, sustained a condylar fracture to his right foreleg during the race. Lukas indicated that the GI Belmont S., which will be held at Saratoga this year, was a likely target for Seize the Grey. “I would have to see a good energy level and that soundness, we would go,” he said. “If I had to make a decision today, we would go. But I'll give it a couple of days. That's just common sense.” He added, “He'll go back to Churchill before heading to New York, should it be decided to run in the Belmont. I'm sure that Todd [Pletcher] and Chad [Brown], with the depth they've got in their stables, will be involved. And that's their own backyard. Given the fact that it's a mile and a quarter, I think it makes it more enticing.” D. Wayne Lukas, Ned Toffey, Mark Toothaker and Bob Baffert | Christina Bossinakis Later in the morning, Kenny McPeek, seated on a tackbox with new-found celebrity Sonny afoot, was clearly a bit deflated following Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents)'s runner-up finish the day before. Despite the disappointment of having a possible Triple Crown run dashed, the trainer gave all the credit to the man who beat him. “He is amazing. He is super human,” he said of Lukas. “I don't see myself, at 88, doing what he is doing. No shot. He is fearless, and I think that is why he wins races like this. He has done it many times because he is so fearless. I have done it a few times myself, but not at the level he has done it.” Also making an appearance later in the morning (needless to say it was much later than Wayne's appearance Sunday), Bob Baffert arrived with his wife Jill to get a look at his own team, including Imagination (Into Mischief), who finished seventh at odds of 4-1. The colt was ridden by Frankie Dettori. “I talked to Frankie after the race. He broke really well. He said, 'In hindsight, I probably should have just gone.' It didn't work out. We'll just have to get him back home. But he came out of it well.” “I think I've finally figured out what he wants to do. I have been thinking about taking the blinkers off because he's been working so well sitting off a horse. We had that in our mind. He's still pretty immature. He just broke so well. I think if Frankie had to do it again, he would have just let him run. You live and learn. I don't know if we would have beat the winner, he was very good. But this horse still needs to catch up.” Baffert confirmed that Muth (Good Magic), who was scratched Wednesday after spiking a temperature, would remain a bit longer at Pimlico before shipping home. “He was supposed to leave Tuesday, but I am going to keep him here until Saturday, so I can make sure he's completely recovered,” said Baffert. During the course of the interview, Seize the Grey was pulled out of his stall so Spendthrift's Ned Toffey and Mark Toothaker could have a look at the Preakness winner. Without missing a beat, Baffert quipped, “Let me see why I didn't buy this horse.” The Wayne and Bob show had begun. “Let's get [bloodstock agent] Donato Lanni on the one so I can find out why we didn't buy this horse,” he said to ripples of laughter. Seize the Grey the morning after his Preakness win | Christina Bossinakis Baffert trained the colt's ill-fated sire Arrogate, who was named Champion 3-year-old Colt following wins in the GI Travers S. and GI Breeders' Cup Classic in 2016. Lukas has enjoyed success already with the sire, having most recently led Arrogate's initial Classic winner, Secret Oath, to victory in the 2022 GI Kentucky Oaks. Seize the Grey was purchased by Roderick Wachman on behalf of MyRacehorse for $300,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. To that point, Lukas said, “I have had so much luck with Arrogate. I probably would have endorsed the purchase because I've done so well with him.” He added, “He's really a well-conformed horse. He's a lovely horse that has a lot of balance to him.” After plenty of playful banter among the group, the two Hall of Famers often broke off into shop talk, unable to resist the chance to catch up. Baffert, who has been under plenty of fire since the disqualification of Medina Spirit from the 2021 Kentucky Derby, had been muted, largely avoiding speaking to the press, ever since. While not winning the Preakness Saturday, the trainer appeared in a notably lighter mood Sunday morning, enjoying the moment with a good friend while regaling the group with the trademark wit and sharp tongue that may have appeared to have been casualties of the past two years. However, both trainers appeared to take in the moment all morning, with Lukas summing things up with a playful jab at the media. “All of you came by here first today, but next time, none of you will,” he said. As one of his longtime fans, there was no mincing words. “Wayne, some of us will always stop by your barn first.” The post Lukas Basks In Preakness Afterglow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DeVaux won with all three of her runners on Friday's Black-Eyed Susan (G2) Day program—Pyrenees in the $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3), She Feels Pretty in the $100,000 Hilltop, and Shotgun Hottie in the $100,000 Allaire du Pont Distaff.View the full article

German raider Borna (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) ran out a comfortable winner of Sunday's G2 Premio 141 Derby Italiano at Capannelle Racecourse in Rome, his third win from five career starts for Markus Klug. Stepping up to the 2,200-metre trip for the first time, Borna proved well suited by the extra emphasis on stamina in a race run on soft ground. He was soon in a prominent position on the outer in the hands of Andreas Starke, with Amonet (Ity) (Faydhan) leading the 15-strong field until he was passed with 600 metres to run. Despite hanging right, Borna produced a strong run which took him to the front inside the final 400 metres and from there he quickly forged clear to secure the lion's share of the €640,200 prize fund at odds of 87-20. At the line, he was two and a half lengths clear of Andrew Balding's Royal Supremacy (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), with Caos Calmo (Ity) (Affaire Solitaire {Ire}) faring best of the locally-trained runners in third. Offered by Haras des Capucines at the Arqana October Yearling Sale, Borna sold to the HFTB Racing Agency for €20,000 and later made the perfect start to his career when winning a conditions race at Baden-Baden in August last year. He was then fourth in Germany's premier two-year-old race, the G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten at Cologne, before filling the runner-up spot in the G2 Premio Gran Criterium at San Siro. Returning from six months off in a conditions race back at San Siro in April, Borna relished the step up to 2,000 metres as he stayed on strongly to head Caos Calmo in the final strides. 141. Derby Italiano (G2) 2200m – 640 000 EUR Roma Borna(FR) (3C Saxon Warrior-Kingdom Come , by Kings Best) J: J: A. Starke T: M. Klug O :Darius Racing B :Haras D'Ecouves pic.twitter.com/k0c3aWKNC3 — (@WorldRacing1) May 19, 2024 Pedigree Notes Borna is the fifth Group winner for Coolmore Stud resident Saxon Warrior and the first from his second crop of three-year-olds. The standout performers from his first crop included the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Victoria Road (Ire), G2 Blandford S. winner Lumiere Rock (Ire) and G3 Prix Greffulhe victor Greenland (Ire). Bred by Haras D'Ecouves, Borna is the second winner from four runners out of the King's Best mare Kingdom Come (Fr). She ran 18 times in France without managing to win a race, but there is nothing wrong with her pedigree as a half-sister to the G2 Prix Hocquart winner Top Trip (GB) (Dubai Destination) and the multiple G3 winner Believe In Love (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}). Their dam, Topka (Fr) (Kahyasi {Ire}), was a black-type performer who finished third in the G2 Prix de Malleret as a three-year-old. Sunday, Rome, Italy PREMIO 141 DERBY ITALIANO-G2, €640,200, 5-19, Rome, 3yo, 2200mT, 2:17.20, gd. 1–BORNA (FR), 128, c, 3, by Saxon Warrior (Jpn) 1st Dam: Kingdom Come (Fr), by King's Best 2nd Dam: Topka (Fr), by Kahyasi (Ire) 3rd Dam: Tipsy Topsy (GB), by Ashkalani (Ire) 1ST GROUP WIN. (€20,000 Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Darius Racing. B-Haras D'Ecouves/Frankreich (FR). T-Markus Klug. J-Andreas Starke. €247,350. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, €321,025. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Royal Supremacy (Ire), 128, c, 3, Make Believe (GB)–Adelasia (Ire), by Iffraaj (GB). 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (65,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Michael Blencowe. B-J O'Connor (IRE). T-Andrew Balding. €108,834. 3–Caos Calmo (Ity), 128, c, 3, Affaire Solitaire (Ire)–Eurirs (Fr), by Indian Ridge (Ire). 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Elia Tanghetti. B-Rz Del Velino Srl (ITY). T-Stefano Botti Turf Srl Soc Al. €59,364. Margins: 2HF, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 4.35, 5.80, 10.40. Also Ran: Melfi (Ire), The Tweed (Ity), Chicotai (Ire), Dark Defence (Ire), Argentum (Ger), Man With The Plan (Ire), Amonet (Ity), Maturlo (Ire), Believer (Fr), Shahbazi (Ger), Thekingofmyheart (Ire), Bateau Blanc (GB). Click for the SNAI chart & video. The post Saxon Warrior’s Borna Proves Too Strong In Italian Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Believe it or not, trainer D. Wayne Lukas may grow old. But that cannot be said of the thrill he receives from winning a Triple Crown race.View the full article

Keeping five or six different people in the same ownership group happy can be a difficult task. Pleasing 2,570 owners is, well, a reason why there are medications for headaches.View the full article

In terms of positive momentum, the best result in the aftermath of every year's GI Preakness S. is for the GI Kentucky Derby winner to triumph again in Baltimore, setting up a potential Triple Crown bid that infuses the sport with a three-week burst of buoyancy leading up to the GI Belmont S. In the majority of years that doesn't happen, which is why the elusive Triple Crown is so special. So the next-best result is an exciting race with a compelling storyline. Saturday's 149th Preakness didn't quite deliver on the “exciting race” wish, either. Tactically, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown unfolded like a lot of eight-horse routes conducted over muddy conditions at any level of the game over any track in America: A 9-1 speed horse who relished the “off” going went straight to the front, contenders who were expected to press him either weren't up to the task or couldn't get good footing, and the hard-trying favorite, despite enjoying a no-excuse stalking trip, simply had too much work to do at the top of the stretch to reel in the mudlark. But the “compelling storyline” angle? The Preakness slammed this one out of the park. It's difficult not to crack a smile at the witticisms of 88-year-old Hall-of-Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas while feeling an appreciative glow for how, in the autumn years of a storied career, he's honed the overachieving Seize the Grey (Arrogate) into a Classics winner, mentored and motivated 25-year-old rookie rider Jaime Torres, and taken 2,570 MyRacehorse micro-share owners for the ride of a lifetime by orchestrating an upset for his seventh lifetime Preakness win, second-most by a trainer behind only Bob Baffert's eight. “The last one is always the sweetest,” is how Lukas led off his post-victory media conference. “The last girl you dance with is the one you take home.” Derby Bypass Pays Off… Lukas, whose throwback style includes racing his stock more often than contemporary trainers, laid the foundation for Seize the Grey's Preakness score by uncharacteristically passing on entering the Derby. Seize the Grey only had 27 qualifying points, and he would have been parked down on the also-eligible list as the likely third-preference to get into the race. “We'd have been running in the Derby if we'd have had the points,” Lukas explained. “It would give that many [micro-share owners] a chance to have a Derby entry. But if we'd have entered, we can't double-enter in Kentucky. So if we'd have entered the Derby and ended up [on the also-eligible list], which we would have, we wouldn't have been able to run in the [GII] Pat Day Mile [S.].” “So [MyRacehorse founder] Mike [Behrens] and I had to make a decision to skip the Derby, go to the Pat Day Mile, or we wouldn't have run anywhere. We'd have had to sit the whole Saturday out. I firmly believe that the Pat Day Mile put us in position to win the Preakness,” Lukas said. In that May 4 stakes on the Derby undercard, Seize the Grey stalked in a tight pack behind quick fractions under Torres, came with a four-wide bid, survived some bumping and split foes to win the Pat Day Mile at 9-1 odds. But was that win an outlier? In the lead-up to the Triple Crown series, Seize the Grey was a no-impact seventh in the GI Blue Grass S. at Keeneland and had run third with a wide bid over Tapeta in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks S. at Turfway. With Preakness mounts at a premium, Lukas was inundated with offers from more seasoned riders shortly after he declared Seize the Grey would be Baltimore-bound. “I had phone calls from about six agents that after he won the Pat Day Mile,” Lukas said. “It's a tough business, because they said, 'Well, you know, you're going to change riders for the big one, aren't you?'” But Lukas remained loyal to Torres, believing that the jockey, who had only been riding since August of 2022, deserved a shot at a Triple Crown race based on his raw talent and willingness to learn. “I said, 'Not a chance, he's staying right there,” Lukas recollected. Seize the Grey and Jaime Torres win the GII Pat Day Mile on Derby Day | Coady Media Coaching, Not Over-Coaching… Back on July 29, 2023, Torres, who had graduated from a jockey school in his native Puerto Rico before breaking in at Gulfstream, had been trying to make his mark as an apprentice at the ultra-competitive Saratoga meet. He was mired in a 1-for-22 slump when “The Coach” first named him to ride. The mount was a second-time starter shipping in from Ellis Park who looked overmatched on paper at 16-1 odds. That maiden colt was Seize the Grey, who wired a 6 1/2-furlong sprint in the slop. The win kick-started an upward arc for Torres, who ended 2023 as the leading apprentice rider on the New York circuit before giving Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds a go over the winter. Seize the Grey wintered at Oaklawn with Lukas, who had moved on to a different jockey. But when the Derby meet opened at Churchill, Lukas shipped there and began riding Torres again. The results weren't spectacular, but Lukas believed Torres had what it takes to compete at that demanding level. “He rode a few horses for me at Churchill and rode a few just general horses, nothing real special,” Lukas said. “I thought he had a lot of talent and I loved working with him, but I really feel good about taking him to this level. “A couple of weeks ago he rode one not so pretty, and I followed him all the way through the tunnel, all the way up the steps to the jocks' room, and I chewed him out,” Lukas said. “I said, 'You'll be back in Puerto Rico picking oranges if you're going to ride like that,” Lukas recalled, adding that he believes Torres remembered those words when he rode Seize the Grey with purpose in the Preakness. “I know that when he turned for home, that was echoing in his ears, that he'd better get down and scrubbing because I think it really hit home,” Lukas said. Lukas, over the years, has proven to be an effective coach primarily because he does not over-coach. “I don't get into the mechanics of riding so much, but I get into I want them to dedicate themselves beyond [their expectations],” Lukas said. “I want him to be better than he thinks he can be. I always push that to him: 'I'm going to push you. I want you to do more than you actually think you can do and I want you to be better than you think you can be. I want you to really, really dedicate yourself.'” “If you don't do that, get a job bagging groceries at the grocery store, because this is a tough, tough business and very competitive,” Lukas said. “I have to represent a number of owners, so when I put him on, I'm making a commitment that he's okay.” Late-Career Resurgence… The last time Lukas won the Preakness was in 2013 with the 15-1 Oxbow. One of the horses he beat that day was Goldencents, the sire of the 2024 beaten Preakness favorite, Mystik Dan. In the 11-year interim, it looked for a time like Lukas was fading off the Thoroughbred grid. In 2019, his stable managed only 15 wins. In the pandemic-altered 2020, Lukas barely earned $1 million in purses. Both figures paled in comparison to his gravy years of the 1980's and early 90s, when 200-300 trips to the winner's circle were common, and Lukas's annual purse earnings in the $10-to-17-million range routinely topped the sport. “D. Wayne off the plane!” was the catchphrase turf writers relied on to describe Lukas's mastery for shipping in to win major stakes races in bunches. “Now, what happened to me in that 11-year span?” Lukas asked rhetorically on Saturday. “I lost [owner] Bill Young of Overbrook. I lost Gene Klein of the San Diego Chargers. I lost Bob Lewis, and you can't replace those kind of people…” “You're only as good as your clientele,” Lukas continued. “If the clientele will back you, give you a chance to get in that yearling market. That's where we've always built our stable, in the yearling market…” “The thing about it is every time we've been lucky to win [the Preakness], it's been with a different client, and so that is what makes it special,” Lukas said. “That's what makes this one special, 2,000-plus [micro-share owners].” “That's what I get paid for, to let them live the dream,” Lukas said. Not only did the large MyRacehorse ownership group comprise a crowded winner's circle, but the phalanx of well-wishers wanting to make contact with Lukas made it difficult for him to reach the Preakness podium. “Boy, I'll tell you what. I didn't think we'd get up there,” Lukas said. “They really turned them loose. I've been in some cattle drives that were more organized than that. It was really chaotic…” “One of the things that was very significant to me today–and maybe it's because I'm getting a little bit older–but as I came out of the grandstand and out across the racetrack, every one of the guys that were in that race stopped and hugged me and give me a handshake,” Lukas said. “That meant more to me than any single thing. Baffert, Kenny McPeek, right down the line.” On Sunday morning, Lukas confirmed that Seize the Grey (100 Beyer Speed Figure) exited the Preakness in decent shape and would be pointed for the June 8 Belmont S., which because of a two-year reconstruction project at Belmont Park, will be conducted in 2024 and 2025 at Saratoga at the abbreviated distance of 10 furlongs instead of 12. There shouldn't have been much doubt about whether Lukas would be aiming for the third leg of the Triple Crown. All six of his previous Preakness winners entered the Belmont S., although Timber Country, who scratched the day before the 1995 edition with a fever, was the only one who didn't start. Tabasco Cat in 1994 was Lukas's only Preakness/Belmont doubler. Oxbow in 2013 ran second; Charismatic in 1999 was third; Winning Colors in 1988 finished sixth; Codex in 1980 was seventh. “It's a whole different deal,” Lukas said Sunday, speaking about the venue and distance change for the Belmont S. “I want to get a hold of the [New York Racing Association] race secretary and see how this thing will shake out and what the deal is. We'll get new faces. There are some guys sitting in the wings. I'm sure that Todd [Pletcher] and Chad [Brown], with the depth they've got in their stables, will be involved. The fact that it's a mile and a quarter, I think it makes it more enticing.” The post The Week In Review: Seize The Grey Won The Preakness; His Trainer’s Glow Illuminates The Sport appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

My Boy Prince, Canada's champion 2-year-old colt of 2023 and a leading King's Plate fancy, returned to the winner's circle with an authoritative victory in the King Corrie S. at Woodbine Sunday. Second in last year's GI Summer S. and third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, the heavy favorite was returning to the synthetic surface for the first time since dominating in the Simcoe S. at Woodbine last August. He attended the pace of Maximus Magic (Maximus Mischief) through fractions of :24.38 and :47.82, took charge approaching the stretch and easily strode clear down the lane. “He's an easy horse,” jockey Sahin Civaci said of the winner. “Raffie [jockey Rafael Hernandez] did break sharper than my horse, but he is very versatile. He can sit off the pace and can be in the front. We had an easy pace up front and when it's time to kick, he sure does kick on. “I made sure I slept early to have energy for this race. It's great being back on him, I was looking forward to it. I've worked him a couple of times in the morning. I'm very pleased with him.” My Boy Prince, the C$115,000 sale-topper at the 2022 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale, broke his maiden over Woodbine's Tapeta surface last June before romping to a 14-length victory in the Aug. 27 Simcoe S. He was second in his first outing on turf in the Sept. 16 Summer S. and set a course record while winning the 1 1/16-mile Cup and Saucer S. in October before concluding his juvenile season with a third-place effort in the Breeders' Cup. In his first start of 2024, the gray colt was eighth in the 5 1/2-furlong Palisades S. at Keeneland Apr. 7. Canadian stakes winner Hopping Not Hoping produced a filly by Classic Empire this year. Her now 2-year-old, Athlete (Kitten's Joy), was exported to Great Britain after selling for $585,000 to China Horse Club and Qatar Racing at last year's Keeneland September sale. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. KING CORRIE S., C$114,200, Woodbine, 5-19, 3yo, 7f (AWT), 1:23.04, ft. 1–MY BOY PRINCE, 124, c, 3, by Cairo Prince 1st Dam: Hopping Not Hoping (SW), by Silent Name (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Delray Beach, by Harlan's Holiday 3rd Dam: Matter of Law, by Matter of Honor (C$115,000 Ylg '22 CANSEP). O-Gary Barber; B-Murray Graham Smith (ON); T-Mark E. Casse; J-Sahin Civaci. C$72,000. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 8-4-2-1, $485,038. 2–Roi Soleil, 118, c, 3, More Than Ready–Eden's Moon, by Malibu Moon. ($28,000 3yo '24 KEEAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Zilli Racing Stables; B-Al Shaqab Racing (KY); T-Steven Chircop. C$20,000. 3–Midnight Mascot, 122, c, 3, Army Mule–Midnight Embrace, by Midnight Lute. ($200,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Manfred & Penny Conrad; B-Yvonne Schwabe Thoroughbreds (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. C$13,200. Margins: 6 3/4, 2HF, 1. Odds: 0.15, 10.50, 6.20. Also Ran: Maximus Magic, Break the Spell. The post Cairo Prince’s My Boy Prince Romps in Woodbine Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Cherie DeVaux, who won three stakes races on Black-Eyed Susan day Friday, took home the top prize of $50,000 in the Maryland Jockey Club's $100,000 trainer bonus competition held over the weekend at Pimlico. The first female trainer to earn the top honor, DeVaux took wins in the GIII Pimlico Special S, the Hilltop S. and the Allaire du Pont Distaff on Friday and finished with 34 total points over the two days of stakes racing, four more than runner up Steve Asmussen. Mike Trombetta finished third with 28 points and leading Maryland trainer Brittany Russell was fourth with 23 points. Bonus money was also awarded to trainers having the most points in non-stakes races on Friday and Saturday with Brittany Russell taking the top prize of $25,000 with 48 points ahead of Kieron Magee. The post Cherie DeVaux Tops Preakness Weekend Trainer Standings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cologne is the focal point of the next European Classic action on Monday, with the G2 Coolmore St Mark's Basilica German 2000 Guineas hosting the unbeaten Maigret (Ger) (Counterattack {Aus}) and a pair of British raiders in Devil's Point (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) and Ten Bob Tony (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). While the former looked the best of his generation at around this trip when winning Krefeld's 8 1/2-furlong G3 Dr Busch-Memorial last month, the foreign contingent have been mixing it in the big time with Ten Bob Tony taking part in the G1 2000 Guineas. Darker prospects are the course-and-distance Hein Bollow-Memorial first and second Iron Man (Ger) (Tai Chi {Ger}) and Penalty (Ger) (Frankel {GB}), with the latter two kilos better off for a 1 1/4-length defeat. At Saint-Cloud, the G2 Prix Corrida sees last year's G2 Prix de Pomone winner and G1 Prix Vermeille runner-up Melo Melo (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) tackle the Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) who was runner-up in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix Allez France last month. The post German 2000 Guineas Centre Stage On Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a gutsy bounce back to form after only managing 13th place in the G1 Oka Sho, Cervinia (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) found redemption in the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) on Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse when she ran down said Japanese 1,000 Guineas winner Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). Having made her debut in June of her juvenile season, Cervinia graduated from the maiden condition at second-asking in August 2023 and claimed her first Group victory two months later in the G3 Artemis S. Slated for the year-end championship-making G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies after qualifying through her Artemis victory, she was withdrawn after developing what was described as a 'minor problem in her hind leg'. She made her seasonal bow in the Oka Sho on Apr. 7. Leaving the gate well and in no rush early, Cervinia settled comfortably among cover inside the back flight of runners as Windstille (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) and Shonan Manuela (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) took up the mantle of setting the pace. By the 1800 metre marker, the leading pair had built up a five length advantage and were trying to widen their margin as Windstille took over coming up the back part of the course. The trailing pack was closing ranks as the final bend approached and by the 600 metre mark, positions were dynamically changing when the last of the early pacesetters threw out a white flag, and was inhaled by her rivals. Cervinia in the meanwhile had inched closer to the front and was sent wide entering the home straight with runners fanning out deep into the course. Stellenbosch stuck to the inner lanes and had a path open up in front of her for clear sailing, providing her a narrow lead. With the wire rapidly approaching, Cervinia had lengths to make up on the favorite, but was closing fast, and produced enough in the final strides to deny Stellenbosch by a half-length. Light Back (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) too closed from the rear of the field, 15th at one point, to claim the last of the trifecta positions. “I'm back,” said jockey Christophe Lemaire in a post-race interview. It was his fourth victory in the contest following Soul Stirring (Jpn) in 2017, Almond Eye (Jpn) in 2018, and Stars on Earth (Jpn) in 2022; the most by a currently active jockey. Lemaire returned to action in early May after being hospitalized from a fall on Dubai World Cup night. “It's a wonderful feeling. The filly didn't do well in the Oka Sho but I know how high her potential is and was very confident today. I tried not to let her make an early bid–let her find her stride after turning into the straight–and she just stretched beautifully from there.” WELCOME BACK CHRISTOPHE LEMAIRE The world's most valuable 3YO race this weekend, the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) goes to CERVINIA for Equinox duo @christo68914587 and Tetsuya Kimura! Full English call courtesy of @JRA_WorldRacing #チェルヴィニア #優駿牝馬 #競馬 pic.twitter.com/cfp033ZvpM — World Horse Racing (@WHR) May 19, 2024 Pedigree Notes It's a family affair in the G1 Yushun Himba for Cervinia's female line as her dam Cecchino (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) was herself a runner-up in 2016. For those wondering, Christophe Lemaire finished 10th in that edition aboard Angel Face (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) before his first victory the year following. The Oaks was Cecchino's last race before a two-year hiatus, one from which she returned not quite the same filly she left. Retired to a broodmare career, the redemption arc completed for both mother and daughter here, but Cervinia is not her only accomplished offspring. The mare also claims G3 Niigata Kinen victor Nocking Point (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) to her tally from two to the races. Her third on the ground is a now 2-year-old named Arlecchino (Jpn) (Bricks and Mortar), who has not started yet, and she's since produced a yearling colt by Epiphaneia (Jpn). Cecchino was bred to Efforia (Jpn) for this season. Beneath the second dam Happy Path (Jpn) (Sunday SIlence), a multimillionaire racehorse in her own right, the Group 1 performances further dot the catalogue page as Cecchino's full-brother Codino (Jpn) ran second in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. and third in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) in addition to being a multiple Group winner. Half-sister Pastophoria (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) produced last year's G2 Sankei Sports Hai Hanshin Himba S. runner-up Sublime Anthem (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who made a return appearance in the contest last month to run ninth. This is the immediate family of Japanese champion older mare Shinko Lovely (Caerleon). Sunday, Tokyo, Japan YUSHUN HIMBA (JAPANESE OAKS)-G1, ¥325,190,000, Tokyo, 5-19, 3yo, f, 2400mT, 2:24.00, fm. 1–CERVINIA (JPN), 121, f, 3, by Harbinger (GB) 1st Dam: Cecchino (Jpn) (GSW & G1SP-Jpn, $1,143,354), by King Kamehameha (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Happy Path (Jpn), by Sunday Silence 3rd Dam: Happy Trails (Ire), by Posse 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Tetsuya Kimura; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥177,433,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, ¥215,190,000. *Half to Nocking Point (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $780,252. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Stellenbosch (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Bloukrans (Jpn), by Rulership (Jpn). O-Katsumi Yoshida; B-Northern Farm; ¥67,838,000. 3–Light Back (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Kizuna (Jpn)–In The Spotlight (Ire), by Exceed And Excel (Aus). (¥242,000,000 Ylg '22 HOKJUL). O-Kazuhiro Masuda; B-Lake Villa Farm; ¥41,919,000. Margins: HF, 3/4, NK; Odds: 3.60, 1.30, 6.90. Also ran: Queen's Walk (Jpn), Lance of Queen (Jpn), Sweep Feet (Jpn), Sunset View (Jpn), Ethelfleda (Jpn), Admire Belle (Jpn), Hohelied (Jpn), Lavenda (Jpn), Koganeno Sora (Jpn), Safira (Jpn), Mi Anelo (Jpn), Pareja (Jpn), Tagano Elpida (Jpn), Shonan Manuela (Jpn), Windstille (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Cervinia Claims Second Jewel of Japanese Triple Tiara appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cervinia rallied to defeat Guineas heroine Stellenbosch in the second leg of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown, the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks (G1)) May 19 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Cervinia rallied to defeat Guineas heroine Stellenbosch in the second leg of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown, the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1) May 19 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has earned his "Coach" nickname not just because of his experience as a high school basketball coach, but because he's endeared himself to so many with how he empowers those he guides. View the full article

Just four and a half years after deciding he wanted to become a jockey, 25-year-old Jaime Torres reached the pinnacle of his sport as he guided Seize the Grey to victory in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1).View the full article

GI Kentucky Derby winner and GI Preakness S. runner up Mystik Dan (Goldencents) will ship to Saratoga but trainer Kenny McPeek has yet to make a decision on whether the colt will contest the third leg of the Triple Crown, the GI Belmont S. “It's impossible to be disappointed about being involved with these kind of races and be competitive,” McPeek told assembled media at Pimlico Sunday morning. “One, they are hard races to get into, but to be competitive in them is a big deal. You just do your job and hope it's your turn.” McPeek noted that, while his Derby winner will make the trip to Saratoga Monday, he would wait “a week, 10 days, two weeks” before thinking about the Belmont. Meanwhile, Saturday's eighth-place finisher Mugatu (Blofeld) was reported to have displaced his pallet according to a social media post from trainer Jeff Engler. The full post reads: “Update on Mugatu. He obviously hates the slop and displaced his pallet and lost his air. So [Joe Bravo] did the right thing and protected him for us. Much thanks to Joe. He will be back soon and hopefully on a fast track with no slop!! Thank you [Preakness] for everything.” Update on Mugatu. He obviously hates the slop and displaced his pallet and lost his air. So @bravoace did the right thing and protected him for us. Much thanks to Joe. He will be back soon and hopefully on a fast track with no slop!! Thank you @PreaknessStakes for everything pic.twitter.com/v0hL0k3mkR — Jeff Engler (@EnglerRacing) May 19, 2024 The post Derby Winner Mystik Dan To Ship To Saratoga, Decision On Belmont Awaits appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TIMONIUM, MD – The juvenile sales season makes it annual stopover in Maryland when the two-day Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training opens Monday morning at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. After a rain-interrupted under-tack show last week, skies were still overcast but there was no rain during a busy day of showing for consignors Sunday. “We have had so much foot traffic up to this point so far,” said consignor Randy Miles. “Even yesterday, early in the morning in the rain, they were still coming. So far, I think it's great.” Consignor Jesse Hoppel had similar observations over at his barn Sunday morning. “It's been busy,” Hoppel said. “This morning we haven't stopped showing horses. And it's been multiple shows at one time all morning long. We are already getting repository activity, lots of looking, hopefully it will be a good sale.” The Midlantic May sale is the only major 2-year-old auction which features horses working over a dirt track. “I think this surface gives buyers a really good opportunity to sort through the massive number of horses and find what they are looking for,” said Carlos Manresa of Sequel Bloodstock. “I think the horses separate themselves out here better than anywhere else. It gives the buyers a lot of confidence when they go to raise their hand.” Sequel Bloodstock's 2022 consignment to the Midlantic May sale included the $3.55-million Hejazi (Bernardini), as well as future GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic). The consignment targets the Maryland sale to take advantage of its location at the crossroads of several racing jurisdictions. “Every year, we like coming here,” Manresa said. “We have a pile of New York-breds and every New York trainer ends up at this sale looking for exactly that. They want to win the Stallion Stakes, they want to win maiden special weights at Saratoga.” The sale's Midlantic location should help build a stronger middle market, according to Hoppel. “I think, this time of the year for these trainers, especially middle-market guys, they are so hands on, to have a sale right in their backyard, it is really convenient for them to step over and take a peak at what we have,” Hoppel said. Along with the usual array of trainers and bloodstock agents shopping the grounds Sunday morning, Wavertree Stable's Ciaran Dunne said he was seeing a larger than normal number of overseas buyers. “I'm really impressed by the number of international buyers that Fasig have attracted to the sale–more so than in years past,” Dunne said. “It's a little bittersweet in terms of some of our bigger horses that we'd like to see stay here and run, but it looks like a lot of the better horses will be going abroad.” A total of 585 juveniles were catalogued for the Midlantic May sale, but Miles thinks this is an auction that should become more of a target for his fellow consignors. “We as consignors need to think about bringing even more horses here,” Miles said. “Year after year, it gets so much support. We love to come here because of the weather–even though it rains, it's cool. The horses are relaxed. It's a good climate for them this time of year. The sand seems to really help them after the breeze, they seem to recover faster off the sand. It's just a good scenario. I think the buyers like it. I think they can see more of what they want to see. “Not everything is perfect, but I do like coming up here instead of asking people to come to Ocala in the summertime, because I know what the temperature is right now in Ocala. So coming up here, more people are more likely to come from New York. And you get the middle market coming from Delaware, Pennsylvania. It's just so much easier for everyone.” Last year's Midlantic May sale, topped by a $1-million daughter of Arrogate, produced strong results that were within striking distance of the auction's record-setting 2022 renewal. Overall, 375 horses sold for $34,795,500. The average was $92,788–down just 2.7% from the sale record–and the median was $50,000, up 6.4% from 2022. Bidding at the Maryland State Fairgrounds begins both Monday and Tuesday at 11 a.m. The post Surface, Location Provide the Draw as Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale Opens Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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. Monday's Observations features a daughter of the G1 Coronation S. winner Fallen For You (GB). 18.10 Windsor, Mdn, £40,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 8f 31yT Normandie Stud's hitherto unraced FIGHT FOR YOU (IRE) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), a John and Thady Gosden trainee, is a half-sister to three black-type performers produced by connections' G1 Coronation S. heroine Fallen For You (GB) (Dansili {GB}). She is the lone debutante in a fully-subscribed field of 14 and her rivals include stablemate Cat Ninja (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), who is a George Strawbridge-owned 350,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 half-sister to G1 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}); Godolphin's 600,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 acquisition Aurora's Beauty (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}), who is a half-sister to dual G1 Lockinge S. placegetter Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), from the Charlie Appleby nursery; and Hughie Morrison trainee Samoon Star (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is a daughter of G1 Oaks and G1 Irish Oaks runner-up Shirocco Star (GB) (Shirocco Ger}) and thus a full-sister to dual Group 2-winning G1 Jebel Hatta and G1 Al Quoz Sprint third Al Suhail (GB). 14.33 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €30,000, unraced 2yo, f, 6fT Christopher Head trainee ANGEAL (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a daughter of GI E. P Taylor S. victrix and G1 Irish Oaks third Curvy (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), makes her debut in a contest won in 2021 by subsequent G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine and G1 1000 Guineas fourth Zellie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). The €110,000 Goffs Orby graduate is set to face seven rivals in this newcomers' heat. 16.25 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, c/g, 12fT Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's CREATIF (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}), representing the Carlos Laffon-Parias stable, is a homebred son of G3 Prix d'Aumale victrix and G1 Prix Saint-Alary placegetter Soustraction (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). His nine rivals include Manigod (Fr) (American Devil {Fr}), who is a gelded half-brother to multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler and recent G2 Yorkshire Cup second Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), from the Philippe Decouz stable; and Princess Zahra Aga Khan's Darajbal (Fr) (Iffraaj {GB}), who is a Mikel Delzangles-trained relative of multiple Group 1-winning G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Darjina (Fr) (Zamindar). Last year's renewal was won by recent G3 Prix d'Hedouville victor Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {GB}). The post Daughter Of Fallen For You On Deck For Windsor Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article