Wandering Eyes

Due to a weather forecast that calls for hot temperatures, high humidity and corresponding excessive heat index readings, officials at Delaware Park, acting upon the recommendation of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC) veterinarians and stewards, have decided to cancel Saturday's live racing program. The heat and humidity combined are forecast to reach 105 degrees during the day on Saturday. Saturday's program will not be redrawn and will be run as carded on Monday, July 8. Racing is expected to resume Sunday, July 7 with a first post of 12:30 p.m. ET. A 10-race card is scheduled, featuring the GIII Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes for older fillies and mares at a mile and three furlongs on the turf, and the annual centerpiece of the meeting, the $500,000 GII Delaware Handicap. The post Delaware Cancels Saturday Program, Card To Be Run As Drawn On Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Victorian trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman sent their emerging Kiwi-bred talent Rhapsody Chic to Sydney on Saturday and came away with a stunning win in the A$160,000 TAB Handicap (1400m) at Randwick. The Benchmark 78 handicap was the third straight victory for the four-year-old gelding, who had won a Benchmark 64 at Seymour and a Benchmark 70 at Sandown in his two previous starts. The Randwick raid marked a much tougher test as he stepped up into Saturday class and lined up for his first start the Sydney way around. His task grew even more difficult when he was slow to leave the starting gates, settled second-last and was languishing more than a dozen lengths from the leader with 800m remaining. But jockey Nash Rawiller angled Rhapsody Chic into clear air in the Randwick straight and got him balanced up, and his mount changed gears and bounded home down the middle the track. He was still only sixth with 200m to run, but quickened superbly to sprint past Pure Alpha and snatch victory by half a length. “They said he’s a pretty nice horse, and he had to be to overcome the run that he had,” Rawiller said. “He stood there when the gates opened, and I thought that if I’d given him a squeeze at that point, he might have got it all wrong. “He twice wanted to go the Melbourne way – once on the home turn and again after the line. He’s done a really good job to balance up and get the job done today. He’s a horse you can definitely follow with a bit of confidence.” Racing in the colours of syndicators Roll The Dice Racing, Rhapsody Chic has now had eight starts for four wins, four placings and A$156,449. Rhapsody Chic was bred by Blandford Lodge owners Helen-Gaye and Graham Bax. He is by Sacred Falls out of the Pour Moi mare Boho Chic, who is a half-sister to Singapore’s Champion Two-Year-Old, Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Better Than Ever. Kurtis Pertab paid just $700 to buy Rhapsody Chic as a weanling from a Gavelhouse.com auction in May of 2020. Pertab later offered him at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where he failed to meet his $25,000 reserve. Rhapsody Chic remained in Pertab’s Matamata stable and won by three lengths at Matamata last June in his only New Zealand start before being purchased privately by Roll The Dice. Saturday’s TAB Handicap produced a New Zealand-bred quinella, with favourite Pure Alpha finishing a close second after sitting outside the leader and taking command in the straight. Pure Alpha was bred by JML Bloodstock and is by Ardrossan out of the Written Tycoon mare Bridgewater. From five starts, Pure Alpha has recorded two wins and three seconds and earned A$108,550. Earlier in Saturday’s Randwick card, Preferment gelding Strathtay collected his second consecutive Sydney victory in the A$160,000 Task Handicap (2000m). Ridden by Jay Ford for trainer Chris Waller, the four-year-old settled in the second half of the field before lengthening stride in the straight and surging to a powerful staying victory. Strathtay has now had 11 starts for four wins, a placing and A$208,178 for owner-breeder Iain Bruce. He was a two-time winner in New Zealand for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott before being sent across the Tasman. Strathtay is out of the Savoire Vivre mare Miss Remington, who was a placegetter on the racetrack and is a half-sister to the Group Three winner and Gr.1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1400m) fourth placegetter Miss Steele. Both of Miss Remington’s two foals to race have been winners. Since Strathtay was foaled in the spring of 2019, Miss Remington has had two further matings to Preferment and produced the three-year-old filly Cash Treasure and an unnamed two-year-old colt. She foaled a colt by young Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State last spring. View the full article

Ezeliya (Fr), winner of this year's Oaks for HH Aga Khan and trainer Dermot Weld, has been retired from racing. The news was announced on Saturday morning by the Aga Khan Studs. A post on the operation's social media accounts read, “The Aga Khan Studs regret to announce that 2024 Oaks winner Ezeliya has been retired from racing. The filly suffered a setback in training and will join the broodmare band.” In June, Ezeliya, ridden by Chris Hayes, became the first daughter of Dubawi (Ire) to win the Oaks at Epsom. She raced just twice in each of her seasons in training in Ireland, finishing fourth on debut in a Leopardstown maiden and then winning a Cork maiden over a mile at the end of September. She returned at three to win the G3 Salsabil Stakes and then went straight to the Oaks, in which she finished three lengths clear of the runner-up, Godolpin's Dance Sequence (GB), who is also by Dubawi. Ezeliya is the second foal of the multiple Group winner Eziyra (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who was also trained by Weld. Eziyra is herself out of a half-sister to two Gold Cup winners in Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), who raced for the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Enzeli (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}). Ezeliya is one of two Classic winners for the Aga Khan this season along with the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches victrix Rouhiya (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The post Oaks Winner Ezeliya Retired After Training Setback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pacheco (outside) and Mont Ventoux battle out the final stages of the TAB Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Capable flat performer Pacheco continued to make a serious impression as a jumper in the TAB Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. With the advantage of former Champion Jump’s Jockey Shaun Phelan as his trainer, Pacheco transitioned into jumps racing with ease at the venue last month when winning a maiden contest. Moving into 0-1 company, a two-horse race was tipped between Pacheco ($3.50) and fellow last-start winner Mont Ventoux ($2.50), and after jumping away well the son of Makfi settled quietly in fourth under Jay Kozaczek. Run Jakko Run controlled proceedings through the mid-stages before Mont Ventoux took over and made his claim for back-to-back wins turning for home. Pacheco soon hunted him down and a polished jumping display in the home straight had him drawing away to win by 2.5 lengths at the post. Phelan was represented by Elen Nicholas on-course, who was complimentary of Kozaczek’s efforts on the six-year-old. “It was an excellent ride from Jay, he just tucked him away and was so calm and collected,” she said. “It was nice to see him do that as he is a strong horse and can run a bit freely, so it was good to see him on the rail and switching off. “Shaun’s put a lot of work into schooling him, but he’s quite natural as well. You can only teach them so much as they have to have some natural ability to take them the rest of the way.” The victory was Kozaczek’s second from just six rides since joining the Kiwi riding ranks last month and came close to adding another aboard Captains Run in the 0-1 steeplechase later on the card. “He (Pacheco) jumped well and I couldn’t pull him up, he’s got a lot more to offer,” Kozaczek said. “Shaun does a lot with them so they are all spot on and safe as houses. “It (his time in New Zealand) has started off amazing, I’ve only been here for three weeks and rode another winner now so I’ll just keep cracking on. I came over here looking for opportunities because I was struggling back home and I’m loving it.” Horse racing news View the full article

Luxuriant winning the Ashhurst Deer And Duck Inn 1200 on the Awapuni Synthetic on Friday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Te Akau Racing mare Luxuriant is taking every opportunity with fortnightly polytrack meetings at Awapuni Synthetic, going back-to-back on Friday in the Ashhurst Deer And Duck Inn 1200. The Iffraaj six-year-old was explosive late in her victory on June 21 at the venue, and stepping into Rating 75 grade, punters were anticipating a repeat performance backing her into $1.90 ahead of Kana ($3.80) and Lincoln’s Kruz ($5). Quietly settling near the tail of the compact field under Warren Kennedy, Luxuriant allowed the speed-duel to play out in front of her with Lincoln’s Kruz eventually assuming control and running them strongly into the home straight. Lincoln’s Kruz sprinted valiantly under his hefty 63kg impost but Luxuriant produced her powerful finishing surge to hunt down the pacemaker, the eventual margin being three-quarters of a length with Kana a further two lengths adrift in third. Prepared by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson at Matamata, Luxuriant has found career-best form with three wins and four minor placings this term. “It was another very good win, as it’s always hard to step up from Rating 65 to Rating 75 grade and she end up beating a horse that had won seven races including a stakes race (Lincoln’s Kruz),” Walker said. “She’s getting on beautifully with Warren. He was patient and looked to rider her as though he knew what he had beneath him. “They went at breakneck speed and she was out in time with the momentum over the last 100 metres, so it was really good to see.” Luxuriant has now earned north of $64,000 for the Te Akau Opulent Syndicate, and Walker gave unique recognition for her recent success. “The owners have been so patient with her because she just struggled to win a race there for a while, but now she’s racing really well and it’s not easy to keep going up in grades and win like she has,” he said. “It shows that she’s full of confidence, and I’d also like to give a mention of ‘Poppy the pony’ that travels everywhere with her and lives in the same box as her at home. “Since we started doing that with Luxuriant, she’s just like a different horse. I think that has helped her immensely in this preparation, just having that little pony living in the box with her and travelling to the races. It just seems to keep her in the zone, mentally.” Kennedy claimed three wins on the Awapuni card with Bee Enchanted and Lincoln Towers also saluting for Lisa Latta, two of her four victories at the local meeting. Horse racing news View the full article

Talented New Zealand mare Cindy Falls opened her Australian account in style with a brilliant last-to-first performance in Saturday’s A$150,000 Leilani Series Final (1400m) at Flemington. The daughter of Sacred Falls showed bright promise in her homeland with three wins from 12 starts for Cambridge trainer Jon Miller. The most recent of those victories was a barnstorming finish from the back to win a 1300m Rating 75 at Te Rapa on April 27. Owner Mark Brady subsequently sent the five-year-old across the Tasman to join the Seymour stable of Lee and Shannon Hope, and she made an encouraging start with a third in a 1600m Benchmark 74 at Sandown on June 15. Cindy Falls stepped back down in distance for Saturday’s Leilani Series Final and made a huge impression. Ridden patiently by Dean Yendall, Cindy Falls jumped from the outside gate and eased back to settle at the tail of the 12-horse field. Yendall brought her to the outside at the top of the straight and let her rip, and Cindy Falls showed an outstanding turn of foot. Still last with only 300m remaining, she flew down the outside to reel in Brazen Lady and catch that rival right on the line. “They went at a good tempo and she relaxed beautifully out the back,” Yendall said. “She had a massive turn of foot in the last 400m. With no weight on her back, she’s run through the line really strongly.” Cindy Falls has now earned A$158,919 from a 14-start career that has produced four wins and four placings. “This is very satisfying,” Shannon Hope said. “She came over from Jon Miller in very good order. He said he thought there was plenty left in her. “I’ve trained for the owner before and he’d always said that he’d send one back over to us, and he’s lived up to his word. “There wasn’t a lot around for her last week, so we decided to come back to 1400m for this race. She’ll probably go back up to the mile again next time. “She just keeps coming on. She’s not very big, but she’s obviously got a motor. How good she is, we’ll find out.” The Hope stable previously trained Prima to win races at Kilmore, Sandown and twice at Moonee Valley for Brady along with co-owners Rob and Keith Tunnicliffe. That son of Sir Percy also began his career in New Zealand, where he placed in the 2015 runnings of the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). Cindy Falls was bred by Tony Rider and is out of the Big Brown mare Vickezzcristal, who is a daughter of Rider’s Group One-performed foundation mare Vickezzchardonnay. Vickezzcristal is a half-sister to the multiple Group winner Aromatic and the stakes-placed (Oh So) Splendido. Rider offered Cindy Falls under his Milan Park banner in Book 2 of Karaka 2020, where she failed to meet a reserve of only $10,000. Cindy Falls is the first winner out of Vickezzcristal, who has subsequently produced an unnamed colt by No Nay Never, two-year-old Super Seth filly Miss Seth, a yearling filly by Anders and a weanling filly by Super Seth. She was served by Staphanos last spring. View the full article

Capable flat performer Pacheco continued to make a serious impression as a jumper in the TAB Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. With the advantage of former Champion Jump’s Jockey Shaun Phelan as his trainer, Pacheco transitioned into jumps racing with ease at the venue last month when winning a maiden contest. Moving into 0-1 company, a two-horse race was tipped between Pacheco ($3.50) and fellow last-start winner Mont Ventoux ($2.50), and after jumping away well the son of Makfi settled quietly in fourth under Jay Kozaczek. Run Jakko Run controlled proceedings through the mid-stages before Mont Ventoux took over and made his claim for back-to-back wins turning for home. Pacheco soon hunted him down and a polished jumping display in the home straight had him drawing away to win by 2 ½ lengths at the post. Phelan was represented by Elen Nicholas on-course, who was complimentary of Kozaczek’s efforts on the six-year-old. “It was an excellent ride from Jay, he just tucked him away and was so calm and collected,” she said. “It was nice to see him do that as he is a strong horse and can run a bit freely, so it was good to see him on the rail and switching off. “Shaun’s put a lot of work into schooling him, but he’s quite natural as well. You can only teach them so much as they have to have some natural ability to take them the rest of the way.” The victory was Kozaczek’s second from just six rides since joining the Kiwi riding ranks last month and came close to adding another aboard Captains Run in the 0-1 steeplechase later on the card. “He (Pacheco) jumped well and I couldn’t pull him up, he’s got a lot more to offer,” Kozaczek said. “Shaun does a lot with them so they are all spot on and safe as houses. “It (his time in New Zealand) has started off amazing, I’ve only been here for three weeks and rode another winner now so I’ll just keep cracking on. I came over here looking for opportunities because I was struggling back home and I’m loving it.” Bred by Kevin Hickman, Pacheco was purchased for $10,000 by part-owner Thomas Nicholson from gavelhouse.com in 2021 and increased his stakes earnings to just shy of $100,000 with five wins from 24 starts. View the full article

Seasoned campaigner Conor O’Ceirin will head to the South Island in preparation for a feature target after a fighting victory in the UBP Te Awamutu Cup (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Conor O’Ceirin entered Robbie Patterson’s stable in late 2022 after recording four wins for the late Kevin Rohloff, and has continued to perform under the Taranaki horseman recording placings in the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) and Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) during 2023. Patterson earmarked another shot at the Winter Cup with Conor O’Ceirin this August at Riccarton Park, and the gelding stripped a fit horse after a pair of conditioning runs set him up nicely for his first run at the Waikato venue. In a market dominated by Turn The Ace ($2.10) and Freeze Frame ($2.50), the son of Dial A Prayer closed to $9.10 and looked very comfortable tracking the favourite and topweight through the running under Courtney Barnes. When a gap opened up at the top of the straight, Barnes sent Conor O’Ceirin into contention and when Freeze Frame levelled up at the 50 metre mark, he kept finding to come out on top by a short head. Away in England, Patterson watched the victory from afar and was thrilled to see the rising eight-year-old performing at his best. “I watched from the hotel room, I’ve been up all night watching the races and it was a beautiful ride by Courtney,” he said. “He’s taken another run to hit his straps this year, but he’s there now and we’ve just got to keep him happy.” Patterson indicated Conor O’Ceirin will be off to Canterbury at short notice with the Oamaru Cup (1600m) set to be his final lead-in to the Winter Cup. “I think we’ll keep him away from the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m), we’ll probably go down for the Oamaru Cup instead the day after on the 21st and on to the Winter Cup,” he said. “It’s getting a bit sticky this time of the year and it doesn’t suit him, so hopefully he can get a good track down there. “He’s probably getting back up in the weights a little bit now so we’ve got to be a bit careful, but we’ll take any win we can because he’s nearly an eight-year-old now. “We’ll get him down there and settled in, he’s travelled a bit and is used to it all.” A winner of seven races from 35 starts and $165,944 in stakes, Conor O’Ceirin was bred and owned by The Keenan Family Trust, out of their four-win mare Plaything. “I’ve been training for Wayne Keenan for two or three years now and this was the first one he sent me, he’s a real character and everyone in the Central Districts knows him,” Patterson said. “He loves his racing and his horses and puts plenty of money in, so he deserves the success.” The victory also marked Patterson’s 50th winner for this term, matching his career-best figure from 2022/23 highlighted by Puntura’s victory in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) in January at Trentham. “It was super to get the 50 with this horse, he’s an old warrior and really deserved it,” he said. “I’d like to thank my staff for everything they have done, I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.” Patterson also recognised the role of his main owner Eddie Bourke, who placed the likes of Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) winner One Bold Cat, Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Mary Louise, and top performers The Hottie and The Underbelly in his care. “Eddie has been a massive influence in my training career of late and if it wasn’t for his support, we wouldn’t be getting 50 winners for the season,” he said. View the full article

Apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland brought up the 100th win of her career with a well-timed finish aboard Aljay in Saturday’s Beard Brothers Handicap (2200m) at Hastings. Sutherland headed to Hawke’s Bay on Saturday with 99 wins to her name, and she had a frustrating start to the day with a series of second placings on Honey Badger, Tanner and Carignan. But the well-performed Aljay delivered the milestone for his 20-year-old jockey with an irresistible come-from-behind performance in the day’s $40,000 staying feature. After settling in second-last behind a steady speed set by Marroni, Sutherland brought Aljay to the centre of the track in the home straight and started to move him through his gears. Aljay warmed into his work and finished over the top of Marroni and Never Look Back, edging past that pair to win by a length. Sutherland’s landmark 100th win was made even more special by the fact that Aljay is trained by her employer Kevin Myers. “This is very special,” she said. “It’s even better doing it in these colours, because Kevin has been a huge supporter in my career. I’m very grateful to Kevin and his owners for this ride. “He’s got a lot of class and was definitely the best horse in the field today. I was very grateful for the opportunity to ride him. I know I could only claim 1kg off his 60kg on a heavy track, but he was just too good for them.” Aljay’s victory was the 47th winning ride of the season for Sutherland, and another win later in the afternoon with Who Knows brought her level with apprentice jockeys’ premiership leader Niranjan Parmar on 48. Aljay has now had 37 starts for seven wins, eight seconds and seven thirds, earning $397,862 for the ownership pair of Myers and Charlie Gestro. The Rock ‘N’ Pop gelding’s name comes from Gestro’s initials, L J. Bought for just $10,000 as a weanling, and later secured by Myers for $39,000 from the 2019 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, Aljay won the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) in November 2022 and has also placed in this year’s Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) and the last two editions of the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m). View the full article

Trainer Andrew Forsman had just one runner engaged at Hastings on Saturday which was all he needed to collect the major spoils in the feature flat event, the Valley D’Vine Restaurant Handicap (1400m). Talented four-year-old Wessex duly rewarded the many punters who sent her out as the dominant $1.70 favourite for the open 1400m contest, off the back of a gritty performance to finish third behind Casino Princess in the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) at her last start. Well handled by apprentice Rihaan Goyaram, the Turn Me Loose mare assumed her normal pace making role in the contest and set up a steady speed throughout on a track that was favouring front runners in the early races. Second favourite Dusty Road ($4.20) sat outside the pace throughout and looked to level up at the 300m, however Wessex found plenty as she enjoyed carrying just 50kgs thanks to Goyaram’s four-kilogram claim and drew clear in the final stages to win comfortably by three lengths at the post. The expat Mauritian apprentice has now won four races since commencing his career last month and was enthusiastic about the performance. “She is a very good horse, and I would like to thank Mr Forsman for giving me such a good horse to ride,” Goyaram said. “She jumped well, and the plan was to lead. I gave her a good breather and on the bend I asked her (for an effort) and she just never gave up. “Once I saw the other horse coming, I asked for more and she (Wessex) did so well as she gave me more.” Forsman was in attendance at Te Rapa and caught the race on television. “We were a little nervous about 1400m again as after her run last time we thought she might need the mile at his stage of her preparation,” he said. “Once it came down to a fight though the weight relief kicked in which was the winning of the race. “We will take a look around now and although the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m) is an option I still think in that class of field the 1400m is too short for her. “The other option is to keep her fresh and chip away at them as there are plenty of options for her over the next couple of months.” Bred by Windsor Park Stud, Wessex was a $150,000 purchase by Forsman and part-owner Ben Kwok out of the Stud’s Book 1 draft during the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale at Karaka. Out of the stakes winning mare Trepidation, who finished third on two occasions in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham, Wessex has won four of her 20 starts and over $184,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

A few days after the loss of legendary Hawke’s Bay studmaster and administrator Tom Lowry, his nephew Guy played a starring role on Saturday with Wewillrock’s scintillating victory in the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa. Tom Lowry died on Monday at the age of 88, just a day after being a special guest at the Hawke’s Bay/Poverty Bay Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s annual weanling walk last Sunday. The third generation to operate Hawke’s Bay’s iconic Okawa Stud, Lowry was an enormously influential figure in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry. In the 1970s he purchased and imported the Irish stallion Three Legs, who went on to become a three-time champion New Zealand sire and is best known for the deeds of his champion daughter Horlicks. Lowry was president of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club from 1987 to 1991, and after the club became part of Hawke’s Bay Racing Incorporated in the 1990s, he served as chairman from 2000 to 2002. He was also vice-president of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association from 1983 to 1987. Lowry’s passion for thoroughbreds and influence on the Kiwi thoroughbred scene is being carried on by his nephew Guy, who has more than 320 training successes to his name at an excellent strike rate and now operates his Hastings stable in partnership with Leah Zydenbos. Wewillrock was the only runner on Saturday for the Lowry/Zydenbos team, and he was sent out as a red-hot $1.70 favourite for Te Rapa’s $40,000 sprint feature. A runner-up under big weights in both of his previous appearances, he dropped to 56kg for this race thanks to apprentice jockey Triston Moodley’s 3kg claim. Wewillrock jumped well from the inside gate and scampered through to take the lead inside the first 50m, and there was barely a moment’s doubt about the result from that point on. The El Roca gelding turned it on down the side of the track, charging ahead and rounding the home turn more than five lengths clear of his nearest challenger. Moodley took a long look over his shoulder in the straight and eased his mount down in the final few strides, crossing the finish line three lengths in front of the runner-up Chajaba. “I was just glad to be aboard him,” Moodley said. “He took me along. “It looked like there would be plenty of speed in the race, so we didn’t know if we’d get taken on if we went forward. But he jumped well enough and was in such a good rhythm all the way around. “I couldn’t believe it when he quickened so well coming down the side. He’s got plenty of gears and is a very good horse.” Wewillrock has now had 21 starts for seven wins, nine placings and more than $299,000 in stakes. Lowry and Zydenbos will consider giving him an opportunity to take on elite weight-for-age opposition in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Wewillrock finished eighth in the Foxbridge last year. “Wow, that was impressive,” Zydenbos said on Saturday. “He was cruising. The 3kg claim definitely helped today, and Triston did an awesome job for us with a pearler of a ride. “This horse has done plenty of travelling and he handles it so well. He’s just like a big dog – you can do anything with him. “The Foxbridge Plate is definitely an option. He’d come back from a campaign in Sydney when he ran in it last year, so I think we can have him in better shape for a race like that if we have another crack at it this time around. “The Tarzino could be a possibility too. We’d never really thought he was quite up to Group One level before, but gee he was impressive today.” The TAB has installed Wewillrock as an equal $5 favourite in its brand-new market for the Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa on August 24. He shares that quote with Pier and Waitak, with defending champion Dragon Leap just behind them at $7. Wewillrock is rated an $18 chance in a Tarzino Trophy market headed by Legarto ($3.50), Crocetti ($4.50) and Orchestral ($6). The first Group One race on the New Zealand calendar, the Tarzino will be run at Wewillrock’s home track of Hastings on September 7. View the full article

Te Akau Racing mare Luxuriant is taking every opportunity with fortnightly polytrack meetings at Awapuni Synthetic, going back-to-back on Friday in the Ashhurst Deer And Duck Inn 1200. The Iffraaj six-year-old was explosive late in her victory on June 21 at the venue, and stepping into Rating 75 grade, punters were anticipating a repeat performance backing her into $1.90 ahead of Kana ($3.80) and Lincoln’s Kruz ($5). Quietly settling near the tail of the compact field under Warren Kennedy, Luxuriant allowed the speed-duel to play out in front of her with Lincoln’s Kruz eventually assuming control and running them strongly into the home straight. Lincoln’s Kruz sprinted valiantly under his hefty 63kg impost but Luxuriant produced her powerful finishing surge to hunt down the pacemaker, the eventual margin being three-quarters of a length with Kana a further two lengths adrift in third. Prepared by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson at Matamata, Luxuriant has found career-best form with three wins and four minor placings this term. “It was another very good win, as it’s always hard to step up from Rating 65 to Rating 75 grade and she end up beating a horse that had won seven races including a stakes race (Lincoln’s Kruz),” Walker said. “She’s getting on beautifully with Warren. He was patient and looked to rider her as though he knew what he had beneath him. “They went at breakneck speed and she was out in time with the momentum over the last 100 metres, so it was really good to see.” Luxuriant has now earned north of $64,000 for the Te Akau Opulent Syndicate, and Walker gave unique recognition for her recent success. “The owners have been so patient with her because she just struggled to win a race there for a while, but now she’s racing really well and it’s not easy to keep going up in grades and win like she has,” he said. “It shows that she’s full of confidence, and I’d also like to give a mention of ‘Poppy the pony’ that travels everywhere with her and lives in the same box as her at home. “Since we started doing that with Luxuriant, she’s just like a different horse. I think that has helped her immensely in this preparation, just having that little pony living in the box with her and travelling to the races. It just seems to keep her in the zone, mentally.” Kennedy claimed three wins on the Awapuni card with Bee Enchanted and Lincoln Towers also saluting for Lisa Latta, two of her four victories at the local meeting. View the full article

First-season sire Ferrando was credited with his first winner when Grove Street led all the way for an upset victory in Saturday’s Sign Central 2YO (1100m) at Hastings. Saturday’s $35,000 two-year-old sprint was the third career start and first for more than seven months for Grove Street. His previous appearances produced fifth placings behind the impressive Te Akau Racing winners About Last Night and Maracatu. Grove Street was sent out as a $27 outsider on Saturday and dominated the race from the front. The Team Rogerson gelding jumped quickly from the extreme outside gate, and jockey Leah Hemi drove him forward and slid across to the rail. First-starter Honey Badger loomed ominously on his outside at the home turn and was poised to run straight past him, but Grove Street lifted and found more and more down the Hastings straight. At the end of a head-bobbing battle through the final 50m, Grove Street clung on to win by a nose. “I watched his previous races and saw that he could ping out of the gates, so I was quite confident that he would be able to get to the front within a few strides,” Hemi said. “He’s very professional. The Rogerson team do a great job with their horses, and I was fortunate to get on this one today.” It was a big result for Graeme Rogerson, who co-trains, bred and part-owns Grove Street. Rogerson also trained and co-owned Ferrando during a 27-start career that produced eight wins, six placings and more than $270,000 in stakes. He won the Gr.3 Mr Tiz Trophy (1200m) and Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) and was a two-time placegetter in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m). Grove Street now tops the list of Ferrando’s first-crop juveniles. The Fast ‘N’ Famous stallion is also the sire of Zorro’s Revenge, who is still a maiden but placed in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe in May. Ferrando himself was unraced as a two-year-old, and Rogerson said this week that he expects his progeny to continue to improve as they get older. “Grove Street is learning all the time, and he’s a typical Ferrando – they’re not really two-year-old types,” he said. “They’re also looking more like stayers than sprinters, which I’ve found hard to believe. “I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to with his progeny next season. We’ve got half a dozen of them that look really good. Zorro’s Revenge placed in the Champagne Stakes in the autumn, and he came back into the stable this week. We’re going to aim him at the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), and then I think he’s a lovely prospect for the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m). “Skymax is another one, she got home really well for fourth at Ruakaka the other day. She’ll go out for a spell now and will come back better at three.” View the full article

Wewillrock powers away to an impressive victory in the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A few days after the loss of legendary Hawke’s Bay studmaster and administrator Tom Lowry, his nephew Guy played a starring role on Saturday with Wewillrock’s scintillating victory in the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa. Tom Lowry died on Monday at the age of 88, just a day after being a special guest at the Hawke’s Bay/Poverty Bay Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s annual weanling walk last Sunday. The third generation to operate Hawke’s Bay’s iconic Okawa Stud, Lowry was an enormously influential figure in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry. In the 1970s he purchased and imported the Irish stallion Three Legs, who went on to become a three-time champion New Zealand sire and is best known for the deeds of his champion daughter Horlicks. Lowry was president of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club from 1987 to 1991, and after the club became part of Hawke’s Bay Racing Incorporated in the 1990s, he served as chairman from 2000 to 2002. He was also vice-president of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association from 1983 to 1987. Lowry’s passion for thoroughbreds and influence on the Kiwi thoroughbred scene is being carried on by his nephew Guy, who has more than 320 training successes to his name at an excellent strike rate and now operates his Hastings stable in partnership with Leah Zydenbos. Wewillrock was the only runner on Saturday for the Lowry/Zydenbos team, and he was sent out as a red-hot $1.70 favourite for Te Rapa’s $40,000 sprint feature. A runner-up under big weights in both of his previous appearances, he dropped to 56kg for this race thanks to apprentice jockey Triston Moodley’s 3kg claim. Wewillrock jumped well from the inside gate and scampered through to take the lead inside the first 50m, and there was barely a moment’s doubt about the result from that point on. The El Roca gelding turned it on down the side of the track, charging ahead and rounding the home turn more than five lengths clear of his nearest challenger. Moodley took a long look over his shoulder in the straight and eased his mount down in the final few strides, crossing the finish line three lengths in front of the runner-up Chajaba. “I was just glad to be aboard him,” Moodley said. “He took me along. “It looked like there would be plenty of speed in the race, so we didn’t know if we’d get taken on if we went forward. But he jumped well enough and was in such a good rhythm all the way around. “I couldn’t believe it when he quickened so well coming down the side. He’s got plenty of gears and is a very good horse.” Wewillrock has now had 21 starts for seven wins, nine placings and more than $299,000 in stakes. Lowry and Zydenbos will consider giving him an opportunity to take on elite weight-for-age opposition in the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Wewillrock finished eighth in the Foxbridge last year. “Wow, that was impressive,” Zydenbos said on Saturday. “He was cruising. The 3kg claim definitely helped today, and Triston did an awesome job for us with a pearler of a ride. “This horse has done plenty of travelling and he handles it so well. He’s just like a big dog – you can do anything with him. “The Foxbridge Plate is definitely an option. He’d come back from a campaign in Sydney when he ran in it last year, so I think we can have him in better shape for a race like that if we have another crack at it this time around. “The Tarzino could be a possibility too. We’d never really thought he was quite up to Group One level before, but gee he was impressive today.” Bookmakers have installed Wewillrock as an equal $5 favourite in its brand-new market for the Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa on August 24. He shares that quote with Pier and Waitak, with defending champion Dragon Leap just behind them at $7. Wewillrock is rated an $18 chance in a Tarzino Trophy market headed by Legarto ($3.50), Crocetti ($4.50) and Orchestral ($6). The first Group 1 race on the New Zealand calendar, the Tarzino will be run at Wewillrock’s home track of Hastings on September 7. Horse racing news View the full article

What Warrnambool Races Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2-64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Thursday, May 2, 2024 First Race 12:05pm AEST Visit Dabble Jumps racing takes centre stage at Warrnambool on Sunday afternoon, with an eight-race meeting set down for decision. The first six races will be held over obstacles, with the final two races held under highweight conditions on the flat. The track is rated a Soft 7, with the rail sticking to its true position. The action from the ‘Bool commences at 12:05pm AEST. Thackeray Steeplechase Tip: Wil John Wil John knocked over his jumps maiden in fine style at Hamilton on May 30. The Ciaron Maher-trained son of Reset put nine lengths on his nearest rival, and based on his smart trial between runs, he looks to be a jumper worth sticking with. Steven Pateman will have him on the back of the speed from barrier one, and as long as he produces a similar jumping effort, Wil John should win again. Thackeray Steeplechase Race 6 – #3 Wil John (1) 8yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Steven Pateman (68kg) +240 with Picklebet Best Bet at Warrnambool: Prismatic Prismatic was massive in defeat when unable to run down tearaway leader Fabalot on June 23, but he can turn the tables this weekend. The five-year-old was a dominant maiden hurdle winner at Hamilton the start prior and had to do all the chasing last time out when defeated by 2.3 lengths. Aaron Kuru will look to have Prismatic closer to the lead this time around, and with a clean jumping performance, Prismatic’s ability on the flat should be too much for this lot. Best Bet Race 4 – #7 Prismatic (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Mark Walker | J: Aaron Kuru (65kg) +150 with PlayUp Next Best at Warrnambool: Right Now Bevan Laming’s Right Now was only nosed out of maiden hurdle success at the Warrnambool 3200m by The Good Fight on June 23. The son of Wrote was grabbed late after hitting the front on home turn, but he did manage to put 12 lengths on the third-placed horse. Darryl Horner will have this bloke stalking the speed throughout, and with a similar performance to what he put forward last time, Right Now should win this. Next Best Race 2 – #5 Right Now (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Bevan Laming | J: Darryl Horner (69.5kg) +150 with Dabble Sunday quaddie tips for Warrnambool races Warrnambool quadrella selections Sunday, July 7, 2024 1-2-3-5-6-8-9 2-3-8 1-2-3-4 1-2-4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Lily Sutherland guides the Kevin Myers-trained Aljay to victory at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland brought up the 100th win of her career with a well-timed finish aboard Aljay in Saturday’s Beard Brothers Handicap (2200m) at Hastings. Sutherland headed to Hawke’s Bay on Saturday with 99 wins to her name, and she had a frustrating start to the day with a series of second placings on Honey Badger, Tanner and Carignan. But the well-performed Aljay delivered the milestone for his 20-year-old jockey with an irresistible come-from-behind performance in the day’s $40,000 staying feature. After settling in second-last behind a steady speed set by Marroni, Sutherland brought Aljay to the centre of the track in the home straight and started to move him through his gears. Aljay warmed into his work and finished over the top of Marroni and Never Look Back, edging past that pair to win by a length. Sutherland’s landmark 100th win was made even more special by the fact that Aljay is trained by her employer Kevin Myers. “This is very special,” she said. “It’s even better doing it in these colours, because Kevin has been a huge supporter in my career. I’m very grateful to Kevin and his owners for this ride. “He’s got a lot of class and was definitely the best horse in the field today. I was very grateful for the opportunity to ride him. I know I could only claim 1kg off his 60kg on a heavy track, but he was just too good for them.” Aljay’s victory was the 47th winning ride of the season for Sutherland, and another win later in the afternoon with Who Knows brought her level with apprentice jockeys’ premiership leader Niranjan Parmar on 48. Horse racing news View the full article

The Sunshine Coast Turf Club and QRIC Stewards have made the decision to postpone the remaining races of the Sunshine Coast horse racing meeting due to inclement weather and the state of the track, with races five to nine to be rescheduled. After kicking off the program on a Heavy 10 surface, persistent rain in between races, and a lack of sun to dry out the track, stewards and the club were left with no other decision but to postpone the final five races of the day. Unfortunately for racegoers and participants, the three feature races of the day, the Group 3 Winx Guineas, Listed Glasshouse Handicap and Listed Caloundra Cup, will all be postponed. Of the races that were run, three out of the four were won by leaders, with Shows A Sign, Black On Beauty and Punch Lane, leading all the way to claim victory. Hakkai Maru was heavily backed with online bookmakers and duly saluted, nabbing the leader in the shadows of the post in the fourth and final event, before the meeting was called off, only five minutes before race five was scheduled to jump. The remainder of the Sunshine Coast Meeting has been called off due to inclement weather and the state of the track. — QRIC Stewards THB (@QRICStewardsTHB) July 6, 2024 “There was surface water earlier this morning which subsided, however the showers throughout the day have forced us to abandon,” acting chief steward Geoff Goold said. “It is a significant amount of water, it was up to our ankles when we inspected the track.” “There was a proposal to cancel the races, however it is important to have them at the end of the Queensland carnival,” Racing Queensland chief executive Jason Scott said. “They give local trainers, jockeys and connections a good opportunity at more than $1m in prizemoney.” The remaining five races have been rescheduled for the Sunshine Coast meeting on Sunday, July 14. Horse racing news View the full article

According to a press release issued by the National HBPA, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously July 5 that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority violated the private non-delegation doctrine.View the full article

A judgment Friday by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit declared that part of the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) is unconstitutional. Even though the three-judge panel agreed with “nearly all” of a lower court's ruling that other contested aspects of HISA's constitutionality were fixed by a Congressional amendment to the law in 2022, that one unconstitutional part of the case has to do with the HISA Authority's broad powers to investigate and operate. The gravity of that unconstitutionality opinion could be enough to send the case to the U.S. Supreme Court to try and clear up what are now conflicting opinions between the Fifth Circuit's ruling July 5 and one that the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued in 2023. The HBPA, claiming victory via press release on Friday evening, referred to the Fifth Circuit's unconstitutionality opinion as a “fatal problem” for HISA. By contrast, Lisa Lazarus, the chief executive officer of the HISA Authority, said that “we are disappointed with the court's decision.” “Particularly,” Lazarus continued, “in light of the Sixth Circuit's strong endorsement of HISA's constitutionality. While the judicial review process continues, it is critical for all racing participants to know HISA is still the law of the land. Its rules are still fully in effect and will remain so for the foreseeable future. We continue to focus on our mission of protecting the safety and integrity of Thoroughbred racing.” The court explained its rationale in the opinion: “We agree with nearly all of the district court's well-crafted opinion. Specifically, we agree that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)'s new rulemaking oversight means the agency is no longer bound by the Authority's policy choices. In other words, the amendment solved the nondelegation problem with the Authority's rulemaking power. “We also agree that HISA does not violate the Due Process Clause by putting financially interested private individuals in charge of competitors. Further, we agree that, under current Supreme Court precedent, the Authority does not qualify as a government entity subject to the Appointments Clause. Finally, we agree that plaintiff Gulf Coast lacks standing to bring its Tenth Amendment challenge,” the opinion stated. “We disagree with the district court in one important respect, however: HISA's enforcement provisions violate the private nondelegation doctrine. The statute empowers the Authority to investigate, issue subpoenas, conduct searches, levy fines, and seek injunctions-all without the FTC's say-so. That is forbidden by the Constitution. We therefore DECLARE that HISA's enforcement provisions are facially unconstitutional on that ground. In doing so, we part ways with our esteemed colleagues on the Sixth Circuit.” The NHBPA's press release stated, in part: “The Court reasoned that Congress unlawfully gave executive governmental power to regulate the horseracing industry over to a private corporation…. It called HISA a 'radical delegation' of governmental enforcement powers to a private corporation. The Court ruled that the FTC was given 'scant oversight' of the Authority, which could execute many governmental functions on its own… “In March of last year, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the [Congressional] tweak solved the problem of giving legislative powers to the Authority,” the NHBPA release continued. “[Friday], the Fifth Circuit agreed with that ruling but found another fatal problem: even after the tweak, HISA still gives unlawful executive powers to the Authority. HISA still violates the Constitution.” This story will be updated. The post Part of HISA Ruled Unconstitutional in Fifth Circuit Split Decision appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

R.J. Bennett, a widely successful owner and breeder in British Columbia and a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame with his wife, Lois, has died. He was 94.View the full article

Next is not the first horse who turned into a graded stakes winner after he was claimed. Yet his ascent into a black-type performer may be the most surprising in quite a while given the manner of his turnaround.View the full article

Marathon specialist Next (Not This Time) made it five straight victories while successfully defending his title in Friday's 1 3/8-mile GII Brooklyn S. at the Big A. The 2-5 favorite stalked Drake's Passage (Tonalist) through a half mile in :49.29, took over under confident handling approaching the quarter pole and opened daylight in the stretch to win by 9 1/4 lengths. The gray completed his final eighth in a sensational :11.89. Crupi (Curlin) tagged Drake's Passage for second. “I always say that I don't know if the horse can do any better than he has, but he continues to come out and put on performances like that,” winning trainer Chief Stipe Cowans said. “He just loves this, and we're going to try and keep doing it with him. We'll run him four or five times a year, whatever the marathon races are. Just keep doing it with him and hope he's around for a while because he's fun to be around and he's fun to watch do this.” Claimed by Michael A. Foster off owner/breeder Silverton Hill and trainer Wesley Ward for $62,500 at Keeneland in the spring of 2022, last term's runaway GIII Greenwood Cup S. winner kicked off his 6-year-old campaign with an 11 1/4-length victory in the Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight S. going 1 1/2 miles at Churchill Downs May 1. Pedigree Notes: Next, one of 15 graded winners for Not This Time, was produced by the multiple stakes-placed Awesome Again mare Bahia Beach. Next was her final produce. Friday, Belmont at The Big A BROOKLYN S.-GII, $200,000, Belmont The Big A, 7-5, 4yo/up, 1 3/8m, 2:13.68, ft. 1–NEXT, 122, g, 6, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Bahia Beach (MSP, $141,104), by Awesome Again 2nd Dam: Pop Princess, by Alphabet Soup 3rd Dam: Relaxing Rhythm, by Easy Goer O-Michael A. Foster; B-Silverton Hill, LLC (KY); T-William D. Cowans; J-Luan Machado. $110,000. Lifetime Record: 21-11-0-1, $1,145,861. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Crupi, 122, c, 4, Curlin–Don'tforgetaboutme, by Malibu Moon. ($275,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC; B-Claiborne Farm (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $40,000. 3–Drake's Passage, 118, c, 4, Tonalist–Raucous, by Speightstown. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Robert S. Evans (NY); T-Christophe Clement. $24,000. Margins: 9 1/4, HF, 5. Odds: 0.45, 4.60, 3.70. Also Ran: Masqueparade, Dai Vernon, Spencer's Boy Luna, Lure Him In. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. It's NEXT in the Brooklyn Stakes (G2) under @luanmachado85 for William Cowans! pic.twitter.com/3N0aDf8Zn2 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 5, 2024 The post Who’s Next? Marathon Specialist Next Romps Again in Brooklyn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Winner of three of his four starts on the grass last season, including two at the Grade III level, Amerman Racing's Endlessly (Oscar Performance) returns to the grass for the first time as a 3-year-old as the 6-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's $750,000 GI Belmont Derby. Typically contested over 10 furlongs at Belmont Park, this year's renewal takes place over a mile and three-sixteenths at Aqueduct. Victorious in the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf and GIII Zuma Beach Stakes, Endlessly was a wide-trip eighth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf before calling it a season. Stylish in adding the El Camino Real Derby and GIII Jeff Ruby Steak–both synthetic-track events–to his CV, the homebred was ultimately green-lighted for the GI Kentucky Derby and passed better than half the field and was scarcely embarrassed in ninth. “The Kentucky Derby was something the Amermans were bullish to give a try, so we did and the horse ran a respectable race,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “We're looking to get back to his preferred surface now. He's a bigger, stronger horse as a 3-year-old. He's got a very good mind on him. He knows how to win. [Jockey] Umberto [Rispoli] suited him nicely the past few starts and we're looking forward to sending the horse there and seeing what he's capable of doing against the country's best.” With Endlessly taking up the Derby engagement, the Amermans were represented in the GII American Turf S. by the Graham Motion-conditioned Trikari (Oscar Performance). The winner of Turfway's Rushaway Stakes in his previous run Mar. 23, Trikari was the 47-1 outsider on the Derby undercard, but struck from close range beneath Rispoli to cause the boilover. Trikari was beaten a neck into third in the GIII Penn Mile Stakes in his most recent trip postward. Both Endlessly and Trikari will be looking to follow in the hoofprints of their sire, who took the 2017 running. Godolphin's Legend of Time (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) ran the table in three starts at Meydan over the winter, but overraced when fifth as the favorite in the American Turf. The bay recovered from a slow start and was shoved across the wire first in the local prep, the GII Pennine Ridge Stakes May 25, besting White Palomino (Kitten's Joy) and Royal Majesty (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who complete the quintet Saturday. Nine Line Up For Intriguing Belmont Oaks The GI Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks offers less prize money than the colts' counterpart, but with nearly double the number of runners–including a trio of European raiders–it is the more interesting and appealing race of the two. Lael Stables' She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) has been pegged as the 2-1 favorite and is squarely the one to beat. Winner of the GI Natalma S. at her second career start, the chestnut endured a torrid run from an awkward draw as the 7-2 choice in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and did exceptionally well to be third, within a half-length of Hard To Justify (Justify) and recent G1 Coronation Stakes victix Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio). In her lone appearance this term, she dismantled six overmatched rivals by nearly a half-dozen lengths in the May 17 Hilltop Stakes at Pimlico and looks primed for this step up in trip. “She has progressed from age two to three,” said trainer Cherie DeVaux. “All things that we look for. We are going to find out if she can handle [the distance]. She has not seemed distance-compromised right now, as of yet, so it will be interesting to see how she handles it.” Like Legend of Time, Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) excelled during the Dubai World Cup Carnival, winning the Jumeirah Fillies Classic and the Jumeirah 1000 Guineas, in which her saddle slipped and William Buick lost his irons, but somehow managed to maintain his balance and bolted up by 5 1/2 lengths. The undefeated filly was allowed to take her chance in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket May 5 and was in the thick of it before staying on for seventh. “I feel she'll be a big player on Saturday,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “She's got plenty of experience under her belt and quick ground will suit her, as well. Those tight tracks will suit her, as she's a neat filly.” The talented young French conditioner Jerome Reynier sends out Fun With Flags (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), winner of the Listed Prix Rose de Mai at Saint-Cloud in March and the beaten favorite in the G3 Prix Cleopatre at the same venue Apr. 19. She will encounter quick underfoot conditions for the first time in her career. Trainer Andrew Balding sends out Secret Satire (GB) (Advertise {GB}), who stayed an extended mile and a quarter on good ground to take out the G3 Musidora Stakes at York May 15, but ran herself right out of the G1 Betfred Oaks last time when racing too freely to finish a distant 10th. Frankie Dettori is in for the ride. The rest of the home team is lead by Segesta (Ghostzapper), who narrowly defeated Sy B (English Channel) in the local GII Wonder Again Stakes May 27; and Pin Up Betty (Constitution), who handed Buchu (Justify) a 1 1/2-length defeat in a methodically run renewal of the GIII Regret Stakes at Churchill June 1. Dwyer, Indiana Derby On Tap For the Boys In addition to Save the Trees (Preservationist), profiled by T.D. Thornton in these pages earlier this week, three others are scheduled to go postward in the GIII Dwyer Stakes at Belmont. Domestic Product (Practical Joke) took out the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 9 ahead of a 13th in the GI Kentucky Derby. Connections passed on the GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga in favor of the Pegasus Stakes a week later and the homebred was a distant second to Tuscan Sky (Vino Rosso), with GIII Holy Bull S. winner Hades (Awesome Slew) a distant third. Billal (Street Sense), an allowance third to the impressive Subrogate (Arrogate) at Saratoga June 8, completes the field. With the expected scratching of Sir Greylind (Speightster), seven are left for Saturday's GIII Indiana Derby, and the two shippers from California look to have their rivals over a barrel. Stronghold (Ghostzapper) rates as the likeliest winner as he makes his first start since finishing seventh in the GI Kentucky Derby. Prior to that, the Eric and Sharon Waller homebred ran out a convincing winner of the GIII Sunland Derby Feb. 18 ahead of a neck success in the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 6. Third on the latter occasion was Turf Paradise Derby winner E J Won the Cup (Omaha Beach), who most recently added the valuable Texas Derby at Lone Star May 27. Dragoon Guard (Arrogate) is the X-factor, having earned a 91 Beyer when winning a one-mile Churchill allowance June 2. Sophomore Girls Do Battle In Indiana, Delaware 'TDN Rising Star' Impel (Quality Road) is cross-entered for Saturday's Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows, but goes in the GIII Indiana Oaks instead and will be a very tough nut to crack. Having graduated over six furlongs on New Year's Day, the homebred could not have been more impressive winning a two-turn Oaklawn allowance by 8 1/2 lengths Mar. 3. Third after leading late in the GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes, Impel exits a runner-up effort in the GII Eight Belles Stakes back over seven on May 4. Band of Gold (Preservationist) would have to improve on her upset victory in the Martha Washington Stakes in February to be a factor and Neon Icon (Arrogate) will try to make it three wins from as many career starts. Kentucky Oaks alumna Power Squeeze (Union Rags), 11-1 winner of the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks and third to Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the GI Acorn S. at Saratoga June 8, is the main act in the GIII Delaware Oaks, a contest which has also lured GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes third Call Another Play (Audible) as well as Juddmonte's Sidamara (Arrogate), perfect in her two tries going a route of ground. The post Endlessly Tops Short, But Sweet Field In Belmont Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Antonio Fresu, a fourth-generation jockey from Italy, makes the next stop on his American adventure when he rides Stronghold in the July 6 Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis.View the full article

Stable Recovery's 3rd Annual Golf Scramble–the John Hall Memorial, presented by Heider Family Stables–is set for Oct. 14 at Thoroughbred Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The Lexington-based Stable Recovery, Inc. provides individuals in early recovery from substance abuse the opportunity to live in a sober and supportive environment while training to become horsemen and horsewomen. “We are especially grateful to Scott and Cindy Heider, whose generous support through Heider Family Stables has made this event possible,” Stable Recovery's Director of Fundraising and Marketing Robert Osbourn said. “Scott and Cindy's dedication to our cause and their commitment to the community are truly inspiring. Their support helps us continue our mission to assist individuals and families on their path to recovery.” Proceeds from the event will benefit Stable Recovery, supporting individuals in recovery. Register or learn more by contacting Robert Osbourn at Robert@Stablerecovery.net or 859-475-4856. The post Stable Recovery’s Third Annual Golf Scramble Set for Oct. 14 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article