Wandering Eyes

Te Aroha mare Deebee Bellfer (NZ) (Preferment) has been in a purple patch of form of late and will be vying to extend her golden run when she heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the PGG Wrightson Grain 2100. The five-year-old daughter of Preferment had more than 12 months on the sidelines but has hardly skipped a beat since resuming in January for trainer Gavin Opie, winning two and placing in four of her eight starts this year. Deebee Bellfer has been in Opie’s care for the last six months and he said her break from racing was more about resetting her confidence levels following a fall nearly two years ago. “She had a fall in her second race at Matamata and it took a little bit to get over that,” Opie said. “Shelley Wright started to do a bit of pre-training with her, and I have always had a good association with Mrs Bell (breeder-owner), and she sent her over here after she had done some pre-training.” She has progressed all the way through her preparation, culminating with victories in her last two outings, and Opie is hopeful she can continue her winning ways when she steps up to rating 75 grade this weekend. “I couldn’t be happier with her,” Opie said. “She had her first start in January, and I think she has only finished out of the top three on two occasions. She is flying and her work has been good. “She has drawn a good barrier of six on Saturday and we have got a new jockey on in Kelly Myers. As long as she tracks into the race when she normally does, around the 800m, they will know she is there, and they will need to be on their best game.” If she performs up to expectations, some loftier goals await her during winter. “If she happened to win or run second we would have to look at the Taumarunui Cup in July and work our way back from there. We will have to give her a week or two in the paddock somewhere along the line.” Stablemate Mister Pucci (NZ) (Puccini) is also entered for Te Rapa on Saturday but needs the assistance of a couple of scratchings to make the field for the Jarvis Trading Mile (1600m). “He is third on the ballot, but there are a couple of nice races at Pukekohe in the next couple of weeks, so there is no drama if he doesn’t make the field,” Opie said. “He is racing well, even on the firmer tracks, and once he gets a bit more toe in the ground he grows another leg. I am looking forward to him through the winter.” View the full article

Channel Surfer will contest the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) After starting the season as a maiden, in-form Matamata visitor Channel Surfer will chase a deserved stakes title to complete his four-year-old year at Trentham on Saturday in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m). The son of Derryn raced in top company as a three-year-old, including placings in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and the Listed Trevor Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m), and has continued to perform into this term, highlighted by an eye-catching run for third in the Group 3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m), only being outshone by his stablemate Snazzytavi. Graham Richardson, who trains the gelding in partnership with Rogan Norvall, believes he has continued to thrive after the Te Rapa feature, and deserves his place in Saturday’s field. “His run in the Easter was very good, he’s come from a long way back and he’s really whacked away well in a strong race. He deserves a go at the Rangitikei Gold Cup because of that,” he said. “He just keeps getting better and better, he’s as tough as nails and thrives on racing.” Wiremu Pinn has been engaged for the ride, with Channel Surfer sitting among 12 horses on the 53kg minimum, and drew the ace barrier. “The draw is an advantage, but it just depends on how wet the track is on Saturday,” Richardson said. “It’s his last run, and I know I’ll be tipping him out for a little while and getting ready for the early spring races.” Richardson purchased the four-year-old at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales in 2021 and has enjoyed maintaining a share in the $201,000 earner. “It’s nice to have shares in nice horses like him, and horses like Therapeutic and Sorghaghtani,” he said. The latter, a mare by Mongolian Khan, has accepted for the Jarvis Trading Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, alongside stablemate and impressive last-start winner Darci’s Angel. “She’s (Sorghaghtani) a very genuine mare, she may run at Taupo (next Wednesday) instead of Saturday though. Either way, she is very well in herself,” Richardson said. “Darci’s Angel’s work on Tuesday was very good, she’s not a big filly so she’s carrying a bit of weight with the 58kg but has a gun rider on board (Opie Bosson). I’m very happy with that. “She’s also a very genuine horse, she wants cut in the ground, but not overboard.” Horse racing news View the full article

Veteran handler is three wins in Class Four or above from extending his career and he is eager to take the pressure off as soon as possibleView the full article

Veteran handler pinpoints consistent galloper and promising sprinter as the best of his nine runners on SundayView the full article

What Doomben 10,000 Day 2024 Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, May 18, 2024 First Race 11:48am AEST Visit Dabble The Doomben 10,000 will be the first Group 1 of the 2024 Queensland Racing Carnival, headlining a massive day of racing at Doomben this Saturday afternoon. The Brisbane area received more rain than was first forecast on Wednesday, and with more on the way on Thursday, there is little chance of the track improving from the Soft 7 rating. The rail will return to its true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 11:48am AEST. Race 1: Class 6 Handicap (1600m) Tenzing and Rising Pacific were only separated by a nose last time out, so it is hard to ignore the former when he is twice the price of the latter. After drawing barrier two, Tyler Schiller will be able to push forward and settle behind the slow tempo. If Tenzing can find a back to follow and peel out wide on the home turn, he will prove hard to beat in the opening event. Selections: 9 TENZING 6 RISING PACIFIC 1 EAGLEMONT 8 EVOCATOR Race 2: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1350m) We were with Warby last start when he was narrowly beaten by his stablemate Immoral over 1200m at Eagle Farm first-up off a 17-week spell. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding has a strong second-up (4:2-0-0) and Soft track (6:2-2-0) record, so he should relish conditions. Stepping up to 1350m will suit this son of Hellbent, and if Ryan Maloney can find cover from barrier 18, Warby will be flying home late. Selections: 7 WARBY 9 WEIGALL TIGER 6 SPACE TRACKER 18 MINTAKA LAD Next Best Race 2 – #7 Warby (18) 4yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Ryan Maloney (58.5kg) +500 with Neds Race 3: 3YO Plate (1350m) Golden Decade produced one of his best performances first-up when he defeated Inhibitions at Eagle Farm over 1300m by just under a length. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding settled outside the leader before taking over at the 300m and coasted to the line under little to no riding to record a very soft win. If Blake Shinn can find a similar position from barrier four, the rest of the field will have to be very good to beat Golden Decade. Selections: 6 GOLDEN DECADE 5 RAZORS 13 ABOUNDING 10 MCHALE Best Value Race 3 – #6 Golden Decade (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Blake Shinn (57kg) +900 with PlayUp Race 4: Group 3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) After two solid efforts in Group 3 company over 1500m and 1600m to kick off this preparation, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained New Endeavour appears ready to peak third-up over 2000m. From barrier two, Tim Clark can settle behind the speed in the first four or five and allow his mount to build momentum around the home turn before letting down with a strong finish. Selections: 5 NEW ENDEAVOUR 2 SPIRIT RIDGE 9 DUNE FORTY FIVE 6 DENY KNOWLEDGE JRA Chairman’s Handicap Race 4 – #5 New Endeavour (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tim Clark (56.5kg) +500 with Dabble Race 5: Listed Members’ Handicap (1600m) Gringotts and Territory Express appear to be the only two runners with any support in the Members’ Handicap. The former is undefeated this preparation and is coming off a nice win in the Tamworth Cup, where he improved his record to two wins and a placing on Soft ground. With Jamie Kah jumping aboard, the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding looks the one to beat with a 3.5kg weight advantage over his closest rival. Selections: 11 GRINGOTTS 4 TERRITORY EXPRESS 12 SNEAK PREVIEW 6 KNIGHT’S CHOICE Race 6: Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) It was hard not to be impressed by the debut of Angel Capital when he let down with a devastating turn of foot to run away with an arrogant 2.3-length victory. The son of Harry Angel raced rather ungenerously early, but once he straightened and was given his cue by Jamie Kah, he glided straight past his rivals. The extra 200m should suit him, and if he shows a similar turn of foot, Angel Capital will maintain his unbeaten record. Selections: 5 ANGEL CAPITAL 11 EL MORZILLO 2 ZOUNA 1 HEAVENLY IMPACT Spirit Of Boom Classic Race 6 – #5 Angel Capital (11) 2yo Colt | T: Clinton McDonald | J: Jamie Kah (57kg) +250 with Picklebet Race 7: Listed Bright Shadow (1110m) Although she must give all her rivals weight, Parisal looks to be one of the better bets on the card following her tough win at Hawkesbury first-up. James McDonald retains the ride, and from barrier four, this daughter of Astern will receive a similar run in transit to last time. If Parisal can finish off like she did fresh, she can win again. Selections: 1 PARISAL 5 CHINNY BOOM 18 BLUE SPINEL 9 AUREUS ANGEL Best Bet Race 7 – #1 Parisal (4) 4yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (60kg) +210 with Bet365 Race 8: Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) The 93rd edition of the Doomben 10,000 will feature nine runners, with the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained I Wish I Win marked as the favourite to take out the $1.5 million contest. Will anyone be able to defeat the 2023 TJ Smith Stakes winner and Everest runner-up, or will he add another Group 1 to his impressive resume? Check out HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2024 Doomben 10,000 here Race 9: Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) Tanhauser was heavily backed in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate on a Heavy track; however, he couldn’t pick up the leading trio on the inside as he made his run down the outside from midfield. He heads to Queensland after a four-week break, and if James McDonald can find a midfield position with cover, this son of Dundeel can turn the tables on the top few that had his measure at Randwick. Selections: 3 TANHAUSER 8 PORT LOCKROY 15 AUTUMN ANGEL 1 KINTYRE Rough Habit Plate Race 9 – #3 Tanhauser (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (57kg) +500 with PlayUp Doomben free Saturday quaddie tips Doomben quadrella selections Saturday, May 18, 2024 2-5-11 1-5-18 1-2-5-6 1-3-4-8-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

After starting the season as a maiden, in-form Matamata visitor Channel Surfer will chase a deserved stakes title to complete his four-year-old year at Trentham on Saturday in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m). The son of Derryn raced in top company as a three-year-old, including placings in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and the Listed Trevor Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m), and has continued to perform into this term, highlighted by an eye-catching run for third in the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m), only being outshone by his stablemate Snazzytavi. Graham Richardson, who trains the gelding in partnership with Rogan Norvall, believes he has continued to thrive after the Te Rapa feature, and deserves his place in Saturday’s field. “His run in the Easter was very good, he’s come from a long way back and he’s really whacked away well in a strong race. He deserves a go at the Rangitikei Gold Cup because of that,” he said. “He just keeps getting better and better, he’s as tough as nails and thrives on racing.” Wiremu Pinn has been engaged for the ride, with Channel Surfer sitting among 12 horses on the 53kg minimum, and drew the ace barrier. “The draw is an advantage, but it just depends on how wet the track is on Saturday,” Richardson said. “It’s his last run, and I know I’ll be tipping him out for a little while and getting ready for the early spring races.” Richardson purchased the four-year-old at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales in 2021 and has enjoyed maintaining a share in the $201,000 earner. “It’s nice to have shares in nice horses like him, and horses like Therapeutic and Sorghaghtani,” he said. The latter, a mare by Mongolian Khan, has accepted for the Jarvis Trading Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, alongside stablemate and impressive last-start winner Darci’s Angel. “She’s (Sorghaghtani) a very genuine mare, she may run at Taupo (next Wednesday) instead of Saturday though. Either way, she is very well in herself,” Richardson said. “Darci’s Angel’s work on Tuesday was very good, she’s not a big filly so she’s carrying a bit of weight with the 58kg but has a gun rider on board (Opie Bosson). I’m very happy with that. “She’s also a very genuine horse, she wants cut in the ground, but not overboard.” View the full article

While all eyes turn to Maryland this weekend for Saturday's 149th running of the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico Race Course, Virginia-based owner/breeder Larry Johnson has his sights set strictly on the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan S., Friday's featured race, where his filly Call Another Play (Audible) is the lone Maryland-bred entered in the eight-horse field. The 3-year-old filly is a fourth-generation homebred for Johnson, who owns Legacy Farm in Bluemont, Va., but is a decades-long supporter of the Maryland breeding program. “I've gone to Preakness weekend for years and frankly, I never really imagined I'd be running in one of the feature races. So, in that respect, it's the culmination of some remarkable success I've had with this family,” said Johnson. That family began when Johnson purchased Ran's Chick (The Big Boss) for $2,400 at Timonium in 1978. Though at the time it might have been considered a poor investment, Johnson now looks back in awe at the supremely successful family his matriarch mare has established since. “I started with a mare that no one should have bred. I bought her unraced and she bowed, I didn't know what I was doing. But I bred her, and I think there are over 40 stakes horses that have come out of that family,” he said. Call Another Play is the latest stakes winner to join the ranks following her performance in the Apr. 20 Weber City Miss S. at Laurel Park, going 1 1/16 miles, where the chestnut filly made a sweeping move around the final turn before taking over down the stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths. The fifth foal out of Past as Prelude (Bernardini), she extended her win streak to three while earning an automatic berth to the $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan. Her latest winning performance stands as a testament to the progress the filly has made since her debut season as a 2-year-old last year, where she went 1-for-5, and clearly shows her affinity for two turns. “She started off good at the beginning of her career and we were real happy with her, and then things kind of slowed down a bit. She just wasn't putting it together when the competition got a little better,” said Mike Trombetta, the filly's trainer. “She's done much better since we started making her go two turns. I think in the sprint races, as the horses got a little faster, she was just kind of being chased off her feet and she couldn't keep pace. But the two turn races have been helpful.” Among her four starts this year, the filly has yet to finish worse than third, with a natural progression in talent and success evident as she's risen from the claiming ranks to the allowance optional claiming level and, most recently, a listed stakes victory. Though Call Another Play will be taking quite the leap forward in her career when she enters the starting gate for the Black-Eyed Susan Friday, her connections remain optimistic. “Truthfully, it's a big step and we know that, but we're willing to give it a try. There aren't a ton of other options right at the moment, so if we're ever going to do it, I guess this is as good of a time as any,” said Trombetta. Larry Johnson | Courtesy Virginia Thoroughbred Association Call Another Play's affinity for going the longer distance also marks a new chapter in the family Johnson has developed, which traditionally has been a rich source of sprinters. “If you look at the track record of my breeding, they tend to be sprinters. For a long time, I probably bred that way because I'm a big believer in speed. But then I started taking a longer approach and going to horses like Constitution and Audible with a goal of perhaps putting a little more distance in the family,” said Johnson. “Most of what I breed still, they're speed-oriented kinds of horses. But [Call Another Play] seems to relish the distance.” Johnson purchased a share in Audible, the sire of Call Another Play, when the Grade I winner first went to stud. He also continues to support many of the stallions that stand at WinStar Farm, whose team he's had a longstanding relationship with. “Every day in the TDN, I'm looking at the second-crop sires and stakes winners so far this year and Audible is high up on all of those lists. I think he's showing what he's capable of getting and I hope Call Another Play is just one more example of that,” he said. The filly is the latest success story for Johnson and Trombetta, who have built quite a steadfast partnership as owner/breeder and trainer over the years. Trombetta has trained much of the Ran's Chick family, including GIII winner and sire Street Magician (Street Cry {Ire}). “I've been with Mike since he was training in the morning and working construction in the afternoon with his brother. There are several horses I own in partnership with Mike's family. I speak to him, he would probably say too much, but I think we're generally on the same page. You know, there's occasions where I probably say, 'Yeah, we'll be 10-1, but let's give it a try.' But he's always appreciative of what I'm trying to do, which is to breed higher quality and kick some black-type along the way,” said Johnson. Trombetta echoes the sentiment. “Nobody deserves it any more than Larry does. He puts in a lot of time and patience into this and it's nice to see him come up with a couple of good ones now and again.” And to top it all off, Call Another Play's stakes-placed siblings Continentalcongres (Constitution) and Future Is Now (Great Notion), both homebreds trained by Trombetta, will take to the turf on Friday in the seventh race, an allowance optional claimer, and the The Very One S., the 11th race on the card, respectively. “I'm on my fourth or fifth generation. [Ran's Chick] has been the gift that keeps on giving,” said Johnson. The post Johnson Homebred Vies for Hometown Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis Lui and Zac Purton following the win of Copartner Prance. Francis Lui’s relentless push for the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship continued at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 May) when Copartner Prance extended his winning streak to four with victory in the Class 3 Seine Handicap (1200m). Ridden patiently by Zac Purton after an early speed battle, Copartner Partner nabbed pacemaker California Touch in the last few strides to boost Lui’s tally of wins for the campaign to 55 – only three shy of Pierre Ng’s 58 with 16 meetings left in the season. “He’s a nice and honest horse. He chases and keeps going,” Lui said of Copartner Prance. “I thought he’d got beaten because he was carrying a big weight this time, but he’s a good horse. Maybe he can go to Sha Tin, but it all depends on the best programme for him.” Purton, who also scored on Jamie Richards-trained To Infinity, was impressed by Copartner Prance’s effort to carry 132lb in edging out California Touch (120lb). “Very brave to carry the weight, the pace was on all of the way which actually helped him a little bit,” Purton said. “He couldn’t sprint quickly under the weight tonight, he needed to build up and the fast speed with the leader taking off allowed him to get through his gears and get out after him and chase him. “It took him all of the way but he got there on the line – the horse has done a good job.” To Infinity returned to winning form with a vengeance for Jamie Richards, landing the Class 5 Rhone Handicap (1650m) under a cool ride from Purton by five and a half lengths. “It’s nice to get a winner,” Richards said after notching his 26th win for the term. “He just got things to suit him strongly. He’s a good, honest sort of horse. He’s not the best horse in the world, but he’s consistent and he tries hard and he’s a pleasure to have in the stable.” Camino returned to racing in perfect fashion for Caspar Fownes to claim the Class 4 Rhine Handicap (1000m) under Vincent Ho. Sidelined with leg issues since June, 2023, the Charm Spirit gelding justified Fownes’ patience. “It’s extremely satisfying whenever you have a horse that’s out for nearly a year with a tendon injury. We took our time with him to bring him back and then had a splint as well so it’s very rewarding to get that result,” Fownes said. “You need owners that are patient because we know the horse has got some level of ability and he’ll be even better suited when he gets to 1200 (metres). We’re just very happy to get a win with him because he’s been off a long time.” Luke Ferraris snapped a 72-ride run of outs with Mark Newnham-trained Setanta’s last-to-first triumph in the first section of the Class 4 Ciron Handicap (1650m) to take his season haul to 22 wins. “Mark had him in superb condition and he needed to be from where he came from,” Ferraris said. “We had a bit of a sticky draw (barrier eight) and I didn’t anticipate other horses from the outside digging up as hard as they did, so they put us in an awkward spot, but they ran a tempo to suit and he picked up accordingly.” Ferraris, 22, amassed a career-high 35 wins in 2022/23 but has found this season challenging. “The support dropped off terribly midway through the season,” the South African said. “A few trainers I thought I would get a lot more rides for, I just haven’t had a ride for. Big thanks to Mark, he’s supported me for the whole season, it’s good to reward him.” Ricky Yiu consolidated third placing in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship when Sweet Diamond finished powerfully under Alexis Badel to triumph in the Class 4 Sauternes Cup Handicap (1200m) before Tony Cruz struck and Angus Chung with Prime Mortar in the Class 4 Garonne Handicap (1200m). Flamingo Trillion made it two course and distance wins in succession with success in the Class 3 Loire Handicap (1800m) for Frankie Lor, leading all the way under Derek Leung as David Hall and Hugh Bowman extended a fruitful partnership, notching their 11th win from 41 starts this season, when Timestorm broke through for his first win in the Class 5 Dordogne Handicap (1200m). Michael Chang’s Big Red edged out I Can to claim a deserved victory in the second section of the Ciron Handicap (1650m) under Ellis Wong. With five top-four placings from his previous 12 starts, the Starcraft gelding provided Chang with his 13th win of the campaign. Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday, May 19. Horse racing news View the full article

George Weaver is the latest trainer facing the possibility of a lengthy suspension after an initial and second test showed the presence of the commonly used human diabetes drug metformin in the post-race sample of one of his horses.View the full article

Charlie Appleby is hoping for another break in the weather ahead of the reappearance of TDN Rising Star Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) in York's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. on Thursday. Last year's G1 Futurity Trophy and G3 Autumn S. winner is a key member of the Derby cast at present, but his obvious preference for softer conditions leads connections into a quandary ahead of this trial. “The ground will be a question mark and we will want the rain to come,” Appleby said. “We know that he is a better horse with ease in the ground, so we will be on weather watch slightly. If it's on the easy side of good, then we will look forward to seeing him run. He has wintered well and we are very happy with him.” Interestingly, Ancient Wisdom was third on ground similar to that prevalent on the Knavesmire on Wednesday in Ascot's Listed Pat Eddery S. last July, where Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Al Musmak (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) were ahead. The latter went on to win the Listed Ascendant S. and finish runner-up in the G2 Royal Lodge S. and trainer Roger Varian said, “He's a solid horse, he's wintered well and we've been patient with him. This has always been his target and we think 10 furlongs at a track like York will suit him. I think how he runs will point us in a direction. He's in the French Derby, he's in at Epsom and he will have Royal Ascot options. I think he's a nice colt, with a good profile, who should run a good race.” Karl Burke's Guineas contenders failed to fire earlier this month, but there is still hope that Spigot Lodge can have an English Classic winner in 2024. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's impressive Listed Newmarket S. winner Caviar Heights (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is worthy of respect here and his trainer commented, “I wouldn't want it too fast for him, but good ground will be ideal for him. He was good at Newmarket and his form was given a little bit of a boost at the weekend by the horse that won the Lingfield Derby Trial [Ambiente Friendly], that finished behind him first time out in the Feilden. He goes there with a fighting chance and it's a different challenge again, but hopefully he comes through it.” Also over the Dante's extended 10-furlong trip is the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' S., where George Strawbridge's Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) defends her title against a quintet including the TDN Rising Stars Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) and Infinite Cosmos (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). While the latter only raced once after finishing third in this meeting's G3 Musidora S. last May, when third to the re-opposing Sapphire Seas (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in Yarmouth's Listed John Musker Fillies' S. in September, Juddmonte's Bluestocking took part in a trio of top-level contests. They resulted in second placings in the Irish Oaks and British Champions Fillies & Mares S., but Infinite Cosmos was always going to be a long-term project. Ryan Moore rides Infinite Cosmos and he said, “Free Wind and Bluestocking are obviously the form fillies, but the boss [Sir Michael Stoute] has his horses in good form and hopefully there is plenty more to come from Infinite Cosmos as a four-year-old. You'd hope there is progression in her after just the four starts and she comes into this in good form at home. I think the track will suit her, as will the recent rain.” The post Wisdom Needs Rain for Dante Date appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Roger Varian has suffered a massive blow to his plans for 2024 after stable star King of Steel was found to be lame after working May 14 and will miss his big summer targets.View the full article

Prevalence has not been the most consistent runner, but at his best the 6-year-old Medaglia d'Oro gelding is capable of sprinting with the country's best and he enters the Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) off of one of those top efforts.View the full article

With the scratch of GISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic) from Saturday's GI Preakness S. due to a temperature, Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III, and Valley View Farm LLC's Mystik Dan (Goldencents) is expected to be the favorite. The GI Kentucky Derby winner galloped 1 3/16 miles on a sloppy, sealed surface Wednesday morning under retired jockey Robby Albarado at Pimlico after the renovation break. “I'm doing a rain dance all this week,” said Albarado. “I'm not saying he has to take a racetrack with him, but we know he gets over it well.” He added: “He felt really good this morning. He was very responsive when I needed him at the sixteenth-pole. I squeezed him a little but just to see if he was there, and he was there. He feels good on all tracks, but there's something about this that he just gets over it easy.” With the withdrawal of Muth, Mystik Dan will now face seven rivals. The final Preakness horse arrived at Pimlico Wednesday morning at 4 a.m. when Mugatu (Blofeld) shipped in from Belterra Park. Expected to arrive around midnight, he endured some travel delays and walked Wednesday morning rather than jogging as scheduled. Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion) shipped from Parx Tuesday and had a routine gallop Wednesday; Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) vanned from Belmont Park Tuesday and galloped about 1 3/8 miles Wednesday; and Imagination (Into Mischief) walked the shedrow Wednesday after shipping the day prior with Muth from California. Thursday will mark his first visit to the Pimlico oval. Catching Freedom (Constitution), Seize the Grey (Arrogate), and Just Steel (Justify) all had routine gallops Wednesday. The post Preakness Update: All Contenders on Pimlico Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Gosford. Thursday’s Racing Tips – May 16, 2024 Gosford 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 16, 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

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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. Thursday's Observations features a half-sister to G1 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}). 15.00 Salisbury, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, 5fT KESSAYA (GB) (Kingman {GB}) debuts for Juddmonte and Andrew Balding, who enjoyed that big day last May with her half-brother Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Also a half to the G2 Mill Reef S.-winning sire Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), the 1million gns Tattersalls December Foal Sale topper encounters TBT Racing's fellow newcomer Blinky (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), a 120,000gns half-brother to the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges winner and G1 Prix de l'Abbaye runner-up White Lavender (Ire) (Heeraat {Ire}). 16.45 York, Novice, £30,000, 2yo, 6fT SEATTLE (FR) (Siyouni {Fr}) is a rare early juvenile runner in Britain for Ballydoyle, but he is some prospect as the top-priced colt at last year's Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale. Out of a half-sister to Shamardal, the €2.2-million sensation encounters another pedigree notable in Clipper Logistics' Andesite (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), a Karl Burke-trained half-brother to the G2 Queen Mary S. and G2 Temple S. winner Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}). The post Kingman Half To Chaldean Starts At Salisbury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Roger W. Schipke, who campaigned 1997 GI Manhattan H. winner Ops Smile (Caveat) in partnership, passed away peacefully on Apr. 27 in the presence of his family. He was 87 years old. Born and raised in St. Louis, Schipke was offered a minor league baseball contract after his high school graduation, but declined and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Washington University, an MBA from New York University and an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Spalding University. He served for a time as a visiting professor at the University of Kentucky and as executive in Residence at the University of Louisville. After serving as a US Navy Officer, Schipke began a 28-year career with General Electric, retiring as Senior Vice President and CEO of Worldwide Appliances. Recruited by Sunbeam Corporation in 1993 as CEO and Chairman, he was also a 25-year director of Legg Mason and Brunswick Corporation. He served on international boards in Canada, England and the Philippines. Schipke committed himself to social and public service, sitting on the board of the Federal Reserve Board of St. Louis, the Greater Baltimore Development Board, the Louisville Fund for the arts, the Kentucky Racing Commission and was president of the Maryland Million Ltd. It was a Maryland-bred roan that gave Schipke and partners their finest hour as Thoroughbred owners. Ryehill Farm-bred Ops Smile blossomed into one of the Midlantic region's top turf horses at five in 1997, winning that year's GII Dixie S. on the Preakness undercard before causing a 21-1 upset over Flag Down in the Manhattan one race before Touch Gold denied Silver Charm the Triple Crown in the GI Belmont S. Schipke was a client of Hermitage Farm in Kentucky and of the Boniface family's Bonita Farm in Maryland. According to an online obituary, Schipke's love for horses was matched by his devotion to and affection for dogs. Roger Schipke was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Jacquelyn Boyden Schipke, who was also among the Ops Smile owners. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Stone Schipke, two children, three stepchildren and 10 grandchildren. Schipke was laid to rest at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville May 7. The post Roger W. Schipke, Raced Grade I Winner Ops Smile, Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Virginia Reid, assistant trainer for her husband Butch Reid, discusses their Preakness Stakes (G1) contender and Withers Stakes (G3) winner Uncle Heavy.View the full article

Robby Albarado discusses how Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan feels different when he runs on a muddy race track ahead of the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) May 18. Rain could be in the forecast Preakness day.View the full article

Ahead of his arrival in Baltimore for the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1), Mike Tirico gave his thoughts on how the classics have evolved, what he would do if put in charge of horse racing, and more.View the full article

Godolphin Flying Start is delighted to announce the latest intake of trainees for its prestigious two-year Thoroughbred Industry Management and Leadership Program. The class of 2024-26 comprises trainees from five countries.View the full article

The attorney representing trainer George Weaver has been informed by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) that a split sample taken from the horse Anna's Wish (Dialed In) has confirmed the earlier finding that the horse raced with the banned substance metformin during the Mar. 16 Cicada S. at Aqueduct. Trainers whose horses have tested positive for what HIWU considers banned substances face suspensions of up to two years. Weaver will be allowed to run horses that have already been entered, but cannot continue to enter horses and his stable must be disbanded. Metformin is used to treat Type II diabetes in people. With more than 20 million patients taking it, metformin ranks as the nation's third-most-prescribed human medicine, according to the consumer healthcare website Healthgrades. That the drug is so widely used has raised the possibility that horses are testing positive for it because they have come into contact with individuals taking the drug. According to attorney Drew Mollica, the groom who was caring for Anna's Wish takes metformin. Weaver is the seventh trainer to be hit with a metformin positive since HIWU took over drug testing and enforcement for most of the industry on May 22, 2023. “It is unfathomable to me that we as an industry can allow this organization to simply take an ax to a man's career and his life and with the swing of that ax destroy it in a minute,” Mollica said. “It's beyond belief. Metformin should not be a banned substance and the groom is on metformin.” Mollica said he will continue to fight the charges and that the first step will be his request for a provisional hearing with HIWU. However, even with Weaver having the right to an appeal, he cannot continue to train and his horses must go to other trainers. “We got no heads up, no anything,” Mollica said. “You'd think that if the B sample came back positive they would call and say 'listen we're going to do this, but you have three days to take care of everything.' You'd think that's the way human beings would act. I have never dealt with a system like this before. There are 75 horses that George has that are spread around the country that need care. It would seem prudent to give us notice beforehand that this was about to happen. To the zealots that run this organization the well-being of those horses should be more paramount than a 'gotcha' letter.” Mollica said that HIWU has yet to give him an opportunity to discuss mitigating circumstances. “I'm going to talk to George about that and we'll try to lift the suspension,” Mollica said. “This case is everything that's wrong with this system. They're just taking an ax to a guy and have just decided to destroy him.” Weaver, a former assistant to Todd Pletcher, has had two other positive tests during his 22-year training career, for acepromazine and for promazine sulfoxide. In each instance, he was fined $300. “George Weaver is not a cheater,” Mollica said. The post After “B Sample” Comes Back Positive, Weaver Faces Two-Year Suspension appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Anyone who knows Pete Bradley even a little bit knows that he's a devoted Francophile. You almost can't travel in France without running into Pete somewhere or another. Arc de Triomphe? `Hey, Pete.' December sale? `Hi again, Pete!' Dinner at a friend's house in rural Normandy? `Seriously, Pete?' So it's only fitting that the most recent American owner to win a French Classic is one who would appreciate it so much. When Metropolitan (Fr) exploded up the rail in the final stages of Sunday's Poulw d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, it was the culmination of years of study and interest in the French racing product, said Bradley, who regularly watches racing on the France-Galop website. Metropolitan's debut Aug. 12 at Deauville caught Bradley's eye. “He ran a big race, and I called and talked to a friend over there about him,” recalled Bradley from the Fasig-Tipton Timonium Sale this week. “I always go over form with him on horses because he's a really good judge. And he said, `the horse was amazing.'” Bradley reached out to Alessandro Marconi, who represents the Scuderia Scolari, owned by Hrand Aladjian and his wife, Monique. “I got in touch with Marco Barrati, and with Alessandro Marconi, made an offer which they thought was going to be acceptable for half of the horse. And then, all of a sudden, the Qataris and everybody else started making significantly larger offers. However, everybody else wanted the whole horse. And I told them I wanted 60 percent but I'd take a little bit less, which is what we settled on. And because he didn't want to sell the whole horse, I don't want to say we got a discount, but he could have made more if he wanted to sell one hundred percent of the horse. And he decided he wanted to stay in, which was obviously the smart thing to do.” Bradley didn't get the chance to go see Metropolitan before he committed, but from the notes he got and the videos he watched, “he is gorgeous,” he said. “He's an A physical. I mean, he's absolutely beautiful. So I actually didn't see him until I went over for the October sale last year and for the Arc. He ran in his second race, and won exceptionally well. And the idea was always, at least in Marco's mind, to put him away for the winter. He wasn't going to make the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, and other potential races didn't value-add. The horse needed a little time to grow up. And we gave it to him.” Metropolitan made his 2024 debut in April's G3 Fontainebleau at the mile distance at Longchamp, finishing fifth, beaten two-and-a-quarter lengths. His team said they thought he needed the work, and would improve off the race. While the fillies' Classic, the Pouliches, went off without a hitch, after the horses for the Poulains were in the paddock, the skies opened up with thunderstorms and hail. Alexis Pouchin celebrates his Poule d'Essai win | Scoop-Dyga “And then the deluge comes,” said Bradley. “I guess their radar isn't that good over there because they already had the horses in the central paddock in an already-starting downpour. And then the monsoon hit, and they decided at that point to turn them around and bring them back inside. Metropolitan was so chill. He gets back to his stall, they take the saddle off. And by this time, horses usually understand there's a race going on. They're getting pretty hyped. He stuck his head down, halfway closed his eyes, and Mario was rubbing on his neck, and he was liking the attention.” Barrati also took a minute to give jockey Alexis Pouchin instructions. “Mario is very good about communicating,” said Bradley. “Before the race, he said that he had spoken with Alexis, and he said, `I told Alexis to get the horse out of the gate and put him into the race immediately.' He said, `I want him lying within a couple of lengths of the leader, and he should settle.'” And that's exactly what Pouchin did. Breaking on top, he settled the horse into third on the rail and when they entered the open stretch, he made his move. “I was a little worried he had moved too early,” said Bradley. “He certainly had enough horse and got to the lead, but I think Metropolitan thought the race was almost over, and the other horses came to him. He took a hold of the bit, dug in, and he was much the best. And as I said before the race, `We know we have a very talented horse, and this will tell us if we have an exceptional horse.' He showed he is exceptional.” Bradley, who has been attending big races in France for over 30 years now, said he knew what the experience was like from the outside looking in. “But when you have a horse there yourself?” he said. “It's just magical. France Galop is exceptionally good to you in helping you with any accommodations you need–boxes and lunches, whatever. They make sure things are taken care of. They've got a hospitality and owners concierge which is I think one of the best in the world.” Metropolitan's win was hardly Bradley's first taste of success in France. The owner of La Parisienne (Zarak {Fr}), he saw her finish second in the G1 Prix Diane and third in the Prix Vermeille in 2022-another successful purchase by Zarak. But his first Classic? That was a whole other story. “The entire racing community over there is so appreciative of a winner,” said Bradley, who said that the hugs and high fives followed him all the way to the winner's circle. “The celebration isn't just for the winners. It seemed to me that everyone celebrated our victory.” Bradley said that a decision would be made in the next week as to the horse's next start, with the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) June 2 at Chantilly and the G1 St. James's Palace at Royal Ascot June 18 among the options, and that the decision would be left to his trainer. For Bradley, the success was long due and well-earned. “I've always bought horses out of France, and I've been lucky enough to buy some really nice ones,” he said. “Michel Zerolo became a very good friend. Michel basically taught me how to buy European racehorses. Since then, It has been one of my favorite things to do in my business of being a `talent scout,' as I call myself, and not a bloodstock agent. And it's one of the most rewarding things I do, and I hope I continue to find more horses like him.” The post American Peter Bradley’s `Magical’ French Classic Victory With Metropolitan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Peter J. Callahan, a magazine publisher and decades-long Thoroughbred owner and breeder who campaigned the 2020 champion 3-year-old filly and GI Preakness S. victress Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), died May 9 in a New York City hospital in the company of family members. He was 82. The cause of death was a brain tumor, his daughter, Carolyn Callahan, confirmed to TDN on May 15. A celebration of his life will be planned at a later date, she added. “Horse racing really was his passion,” Carolyn Callahan said. “He was very practical about how challenging it was to be successful in breeding and racing. He used to joke that he had a really good racehorse only once every 10 years. He had so many health problems over the last several years, but having that Swiss Skydiver experience really just breathed new life into him–it was like a reboot.” Callahan was especially enamored of Swiss Skydiver because he had named the filly after the exploits of one of his granddaughters, Callie, who was then a 20-year-old college student studying aboard. Bidding on Callahan's behalf, trainer Kenny McPeek had acquired the Daredevil-sired filly at the 2018 Keeneland September yearling sale for a relatively bargain price of $35,000. Two months later, Callahan awoke on a Sunday morning to a video massage from Callie showing her jumping out of an airplane strapped to a parachute over the Swiss Alps. “I thought it was pretty daredevilish of her,” Callahan told the St. Francis College alumni newsletter in 2020. “When I saw Daredevil, I thought, 'That's my granddaughter jumping out of planes.' I said, 'Let's name the Daredevil filly Skydiver.' That was taken, so I added the prefix 'Swiss.' That's the story of Swiss Skydiver.” Swiss Skydiver became only the sixth filly ever to win the Preakness, doing so in the pandemic-altered 2020 season when the second jewel of the Triple Crown was conducted in October. She also scored that year in the GI Alabama S. at Saratoga and the GI Beholder Mile S. at Santa Anita. “Just a wonderful man, and very much a father figure to me,” McPeek said via phone from Pimlico on Wednesday. “I had a world of respect for him, and just enjoyed being around him. I was very close to Peter, not only professionally, but also personally. He had struggled with health issues for years, and fought and fought and fought. With Swiss Skydiver, it was really just a great period for all of us, and I'm glad we were able to contribute to him reaching the pinnacle of the sport.” Callahan was a lifelong New Yorker who spent time in Florida later in life. According to a 2020 profile in The Tablet, a newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Brooklyn and Queens, Callahan was raised in Astoria and attended St. Francis Prep in Williamsburg, where he starred on the football and baseball teams. As a shortstop, he played alongside eventual major-league Hall-of-Famer Joe Torre. Callahan would later honor his alma mater's red-and-blue color scheme on his racing silks. Callahan went on to continue his baseball career at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights. He then attended the Columbia University Graduate School of Business before embarking on a long career in the publishing and broadcasting industries. Callahan helmed a variety of consumer and trade publications, including Photoplay, Us and the National Enquirer. For a time, he was part-owner of Daily Racing Form. Swiss Skydiver | Sarah Andrew In the mid-1980s, Callahan got a taste of the Thoroughbred world as a part-owner. Over the next four decades, he branched out on his own and in other partnerships, including in racing and bloodstock ventures with the Clay family of Runnymede Farm in Paris, Kentucky. “In every sense of the word, he was the best partner you could possibly have,” said Brutus Clay III, Runnymede's chief executive officer. “His family has been partners with Runnymede for over 35 years, and he was really instrumental for us as we were moving from one generation to another. Not only was he a good partner, but he was a friend and mentor. He was a shrewd businessman, and had a really uncanny ability to evaluate opportunities and assess them. He applied that same type of rigor to investing in the equine market, which is a challenging thing to do.” Callahan and Runnymede co-bred Collected (City Zip), who finished second in the 2017 GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Stakes winners raced by Callahan included Bevo (Prospectors Gamble), Beautician (Dehere), Scotus (Successful Appeal) and Fistfite (Two Punch). Callahan will be represented in Friday's GII Black-Eyed Susan S. at Pimlico by Ringy Dingy (Dialed In), whom he owned in partnership with James Reiley McDonald. “The Bible says that the trophy doesn't always go to the fastest or the strongest,” Callahan told The Tablet in 2020. “It goes to the competitor with the most amount of persistence. That's certainly true in Thoroughbred racing. You can't be in the game for instant gratification, you've got to wait your turn and pay your dues.” The post Peter Callahan, Owner of 2020 Preakness Champ Swiss Skydiver, Dies at 82 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Preakness Stakes (G1) morning-line favorite Muth has been declared out of the May 18 race after trainer Bob Baffert said the colt spiked a temperature after arriving at Pimlico Race Course late May 14.View the full article