Wandering Eyes

Peter Brant's fond memories of Kentucky Derby (G1) 110 have been stoked lately as he currently owns one of the top contenders for Kentucky Derby 150 in Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Sierra Leone.View the full article

Peter Brant's fond memories of Kentucky Derby (G1) 110 have been stoked lately as he currently owns one of the top contenders for Kentucky Derby 150 in Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Sierra Leone.View the full article

Red Centre trainer Barry Cooke is hopeful of success during the forthcoming Alice Springs Cup Carnival at Pioneer Park. (Picture: Nikki Westover Photography) With the Alice Springs Cup Carnival starting on March 17, local trainer Barry Cooke is eyeing the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) with former Queensland mare Nasha. The five-year-old, whom Cooke purchased from Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor, made her Red Centre debut two weeks ago when third behind Zoustorm over 1400m at 0-70 level. Nasha will line up against Benchmark 76 opposition over 1400m on Saturday, and should she impress, it will be on to the St Patrick’s Day Cup — the $35,000 feature on Day 1 of the carnival. “I’m hoping to finish in the top three and then I’ll assess from there,” Cooke said. “The St Paddy’s Cup is what I’m aiming for, so hopefully she will run well on Saturday and improve her rating. “She’s got to show me something before I’ll consider the St Paddy’s Cup. “There are other mile races for her over carnival, we’ll map a schedule after Saturday.” It’s never easy for a horse to deal with the dirt surface first-up, as well as running in the opposite direction and dealing with the kickback, but Nasha handled it with aplomb. Cooke could not fault her, and as was the case on February 17, she will carry 55kg with Casey Hunter on board. “She covered a lot of ground first-up and got caught wide, but she hit the line hard,” he said. “If she got an inside run, she would have been right there with Zoustorm. “Nasha handled the conditions, no worries at all. “She’s just a little professional, but Saturday is a big test.” Before Nasha arrived in Alice Springs, Cooke had been looking for a mare for the $35,000 Queen Of The Desert (1200m) on Cup Day on April 7. However, he couldn’t find one. “Nasha was probably the pick online at the time — she gets that bit more ground and has won over the mile,” Cooke said. “She’s a handy mare — lightly raced and consistent.” Nasha had three starts for Cranbourne-based trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and won a 1400m Wangaratta maiden in late 2021 before joining Robert Heathcote’s Eagle Farm stable. She didn’t run a place in five starts in Brisbane before debuting for Taylor last June. In 11 starts, the mare had two wins and was placed on five occasions, while she finished in the top four twice. Naturally, Cooke did his homework, and it was a narrow fourth over 1500m at Rockhampton last November that sealed the mare’s ticket to Alice Springs. “I actually watched that particular race live on TV,” he said. “I was in Adelaide visiting my Dad in hospital when I bought the horse the next day on the online auction. “I only paid $4500 for her, I thought she would go for a lot more.” Horse racing news View the full article

The newly minted 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes, formerly known as the Chipping Norton Stakes, casts an emotional shadow over Royal Randwick this Saturday. Fangirl is tipped to go one better than her second in last year’s race leading markets on the 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart. The renamed Group 1 race pays tribute to the recently deceased champion mare, Verry Elleegant, who dominated the previous iterations in 2021 and 2022. The spirit of Verry Elleegant is expected to linger as Chris Waller‘s stable aims to claim victory in her honour. Fangirl, a three-time Group 1 winner, stands as the clear favourite at $1.50 through Ladbrokes, looking to redeem herself after finishing second in the same race last year. Fangirl’s recent form is compelling. She dominated the Group 2 Apollo Stakes last month and boasts a strong record at Randwick over the 1600m distance, including a win in the prestigious King Charles III Stakes. Top jockey James McDonald will be in the saddle, guiding her from barrier seven. While Fangirl holds the favour, challengers exist. Just Fine, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, is undefeated at Randwick and returns from a Group 1 win in The Metropolitan over the spring last year. The veteran galloper Think It Over, trained by Kerry Parker, also presents a threat, having previously bested Fangirl at this track and distance in the $1 million 7 Stakes. The Verry Elleegant Stakes is set to run as Randwick Race 7 at 4:00pm (AEDT) on Saturday. Other horses to watch include Buckaroo ($11) also hailing from the Waller camp and the James Cummings-trained champ Cascadian ($16). 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 241x6316x3 THINK IT OVER Kerry Parker Nash Rawiller 3 59kg 120 2 4x5213x7x9 CASCADIAN (GB) James Cummings Tom Marquand 9 59kg 114 3 x77114x0x7 ARAPAHO (FR) Bjorn Baker Zac Lloyd (a) 8 59kg 109 4 x143x275x5 BUCKAROO (GB) Chris Waller Tommy Berry 1 59kg 107 5 6061x1110x JUST FINE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Regan Bayliss 2 59kg 106 6 222x0180x4 NAVAJO PEAK David Payne Jason Collett 4 59kg 106 7 210x0488x6 LINDERMANN Chris Waller Tim Clark 5 59kg 102 8 Px9911872x ATHABASCAN (FR) John O’Shea Tyler Schiller 6 59kg 99 9 27x13174x1 FANGIRL Chris Waller James McDonald 10 57kg 119 10 6Px52021x8 ATISHU (NZ) Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 7 57kg 114 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Emotional First Running of the Verry Elleegant Stakes: Fangirl Favoured to Honour Stablemate appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Winning a Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) is nothing new for Roger James, with the Cambridge trainer looking to extend his tally in the Classic to an even half dozen at Ellerslie on Saturday, while training partner Robert Wellwood will be looking for his first. Tidal Light (1986), Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997), Hades (1999), and Silent Achiever (2012) currently fill Kingsclere Stables’ honour roll of New Zealand Derby winners, and they have a $1.40 chance in Orchestral to enhance their record this weekend in the Trackside-sponsored contest. Wellwood is now into this sixth season training in partnership with James, and while they have had plenty of success in that time, including a Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) victory with Pinarello, a New Zealand Derby has so far eluded him, and he is keen to change that on Saturday. “When I first started with him (James) I said, ‘you have got to teach me how to win a Derby’. We have done it in Queensland, but I haven’t done it in New Zealand yet, so hopefully this year is the year,” Wellwood told TAB NZ. “Any Group One or $1 million race is extremely special, but the New Zealand Derby is certainly one I want to tick off and hopefully carry on the tradition for Kingsclere Stables.” Orchestral looks the horse to do it, having accrued an enviable record of four wins and two placings from seven starts. Her only unplaced run came in her sole spring outing when 10th in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1400m) at Hastings in September, and Wellwood said the decision to put her aside has been a masterstroke. Orchestral has subsequently been runner-up in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe in December before winning her next three starts, including the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). “In the spring we weren’t going the right way and fortunately we had the support of the owners to back off her and it is paying dividends now,” Wellwood said. “I think that is why we have got her in the order we do at this stage of her career. “Craig (Grylls, jockey) was a bit blown away after the Avondale Guineas. He said he thought he was going to win and then got to the 200m and he said she kept accelerating, got to the 50m and she accelerated more and gave him an incredible feel. Hopefully he is saying the same after the Derby.” Grylls also has a proud record in the Derby, having won it aboard Crown Prosecutor in 2019 and Rocket Spade in 2021. James is delighted to have another exciting Derby prospect and believes Orchestral will lap up the 2400m with her two-kilogram advantage against the boys. “She had her first run over ground in the Avondale Guineas, she ran through the line, and I am very confident a mile and a half will be right up her alley,” he said. “We are aware that she has become a bit of a public figure. It is so good for racing if we share the journey and give a lot of people joy, hopefully.” Like Wellwood, the Derby has always been the pinnacle race in New Zealand for James, who would love to add another to his mantle this weekend. “It was the race when I got my trainer’s ticket that I most wanted to win, so I am never going to get sick of them,” he said. View the full article

Blake Shinn reunites with Elliptical on Sunday. Searching for his first Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) victory since Green Birdie’s 2008 triumph, Caspar Fownes will unleash a double-pronged attack on Sunday’s HK$13 million feature as a quartet of international jockeys descend on Sha Tin. Fownes has booked Blake Shinn to ride Elliptical, while Harry Bentley takes the reins on stablemate Awesome Fluke as the Australian black type winners press for Hong Kong breakthroughs. With Englishman Ryan Moore (Ensued), France’s Mickael Barzalona (Speed Dragon) and Australian Damian Lane (Simply Maverick) also flying in for Sunday’s contest, Fownes hopes Melbourne-based Shinn can coax the best from Elliptical. Winner of two Australian races, including the 2023 Group 3 C. S. Hayes Stakes (1400m) under Shinn, Elliptical has failed to show his best in four Hong Kong starts, having scoped with a substantial amount of mucus in the trachea after finishing 10th behind Ka Ying Generation over 2000m at Sha Tin on February 4. “Elliptical is going alright, he’s a better horse than what he’s showing, that’s for sure,” Fownes, a four-time Hong Kong champion trainer, said. “He’s just taking a bit of time to adjust in Hong Kong, not everything has gone smoothly for him. So, we’ll see – it’s going to be a tough race on the weekend. “It’s good to have Blake Shinn coming up – he knows the horse really well so he’ll be able to give us a bit more feedback. The horse’s future is way ahead of him. It’s not where he is. I’m just hopeful that he can come up quick. “It’s good that Blake is coming up to ride most of ours. There’s hopefully a couple of live chances and hopefully we can get a winner.” Shinn returns to Hong Kong hoping to add to the 77 wins he has accumulated in the city, headlined by Group 1 triumphs aboard Sky Field (2021 Hong Kong Sprint) and Russian Emperor (2022 Hong Kong Gold Cup and 2022 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup). Crowned champion Victorian metropolitan jockey last year, Shinn will partner five other Fownes’ entrants on Sunday – Charming Steed, Sky Trust, Fruity Warrior, Sky Heart and Kurpany. Fownes gained a Hong Kong Classic Cup start with Awesome Fluke, who won the Group 2 WATC Derby (2400m) when known as Awesome John and trained by John O’Shea, with the scratching of Tony Cruz’s California Voce. Joining the Fownes duo in the 2024 Hong Kong Classic Cup are John Size’s Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) victor Helios Express, Helene Feeling, Chill Chibi, Ensued, Beauty Crescent, Speed Dragon, Unbelievable, Chancheng Glory, Ka Ying Generation, Fallon, Simply Maverick and Star Mac. The Hong Kong Classic Cup is the second leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which culminates with the running of the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on March 24. Horse racing news View the full article

Friday, March 1 promises an exciting day of horse racing with eight meetings scheduled across Australia. Our dedicated team of racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has curated the top bets and provided quaddie numbers specifically for the upcoming Darwin & Moonee Valley meetings. Friday Racing Tips – March 1, 2024 Darwin Racing Tips Moonee Valley Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For March 1, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $16.83 odds return: Friday, March 1, 2024 Darwin – Race 1 #2 Bon’s Pride Darwin – Race 4 #1 Mr Have A Chat Moonee Valley – Race 2 #3 My Name Is Moonee Valley – Race 5 #8 Sea What I See | Copy this bet straight to your betslip For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on March 1, 2024, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. Horse racing tips View the full article

Horse racing bookmakers have unveiled an array of enticing racing promotions for Friday, March 1. Among the highlights are multiple generous bonus back offers that add an extra layer of excitement to your horse racing experience. Explore these free promotions from top online bookmakers to make the most of your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for March 1, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Moonee Valley Races 1 & 2 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back up to $50 Back a runner in races 1 & 2 at Moonee Valley this Friday and if it runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $50 in Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets only. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Moonee Valley Races 1-4 Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd Get your stake back in bonus bets. Limits apply. General T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Moonee Valley All Races – 25% Boosted Winnings Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Sunshine Coast All Races – 25% Boosted Winnings Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Friday Bonus Back 2nd ALL RACES at Moonee Valley Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Friday Best Tote Exotics ALL RACES at Moonee Valley Includes Quaddies, Quinellas, Exactas, Trifectas & First 4s. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au has meticulously assessed the premier horse racing bookmakers in Australia, unveiling exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions and specials tailored for Friday, March 1, 2024. These horse racing promotions are a consistent feature, underscoring the unwavering commitment of Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers. In the world of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker isn’t currently running a promotion, rest assured that another is making the most out of promotional offers. Your ultimate resource for the most lucrative horse racing bookmaker bonuses every day is HorseBetting.com.au. Gain the most value out of your punting endeavours by leveraging bookie bonuses, accompanied by the most competitive horse racing odds available for each race. It’s crucial to note that these thoroughbred racing promotion offers are exclusively designed for existing customers. To access these special promotions and claim the bookmaker’s offers, simply log in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those on the lookout for races and horses to optimise their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting provides a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

Horse racing in New York registered a $3-billion impact on the Empire State's economy and an employment impact of 19,785 in 2023, per results released from the American Horse Council's 2023 Economic Impact Study. “It's impressive to see how much of an economic engine horse racing is in the state of New York,” said NYTHA President Tina Marie Bond. “Together with a total economic impact of $3 billion statewide, racing has added over 2,000 direct jobs in the past five years. Racing supports land preservation and green space across the state, and is a significant driver of tourism both in the Capital Region and on Long Island. With the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga for 2024 and 2025, as well as a redeveloped Belmont Park on the horizon, racing will continue to boost local economies and provide jobs for years to come.” “The findings from the American Horse Council's economic impact study for New York report that the breeding and racing industry is an invaluable asset to our state,” said NYTB President Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, D.V.M. “Our state-bred program has positioned itself as the leading regional program in the nation, and we look forward to continuing to work with our fellow stakeholders to ensure that the additional investment in breeding and racing in New York will result in added revenue for all areas across the state.” The post Horse Racing in New York Brings $3 Billion to the NYS Economy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tampa Bay Downs will highlight accredited aftercare during Tamp Bay Derby (G3) race day by honoring Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with a named race on the Tampa Bay Derby undercard.View the full article

Race 6 LISA CHITTICK PLATE 1400 CHURCHILLIAN (M McNab) – Trainer Mr. T Pike reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of CHURCHILLIAN, however, has now been sent for a spell. The post Matamata Racing Club, Saturday, 24 February 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

All continues to go smoothly for D. J. Stable and Robert Cotran's undefeated GIII Holy Bull S. winner Hades (Awesome Slew), a trend trainer Joe Orseno hopes to see continue as the colt sits out Saturday's GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park to await the GI Florida Derby. Since his two length score in the first leg of the Florida series, Hades has worked twice at four furlongs and at a mile, which prompted the connections to give the second leg some consideration before deciding to pass. “He's doing great, that's the problem. It's hard to sit still,” Orseno said. “But in the grand scheme of things and what we're trying to accomplish, it's probably the right thing to do. I've seen too many people try to run in all three races here and then you have nothing left. We're just trying to do right by the horse.” Potentially, Hades could be Orseno's second GI Kentucky Derby starter. He entered Thunder Blitz in 2001, who was fourth behind Monarchos. The post Holy Bull Winner Hades To Wait For Florida Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 2 VETS ON RIVERBANK HANDICAP 1600m WAITUI ROSE (K Asano) – Trainer Mr. A Meadows advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, has now been sent for a spell. The post Otaki-Maori Racing Club @ Otaki, Saturday, 24 February 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

7th-GP, $75K, A/OC, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 4:08 p.m. Courtlandt Farms' CONQUEST WARRIOR (City of Light) impressed in his Gulfstream debut Jan. 13 and earned 'TDN Rising Star' status for trainer Shug McGaughey. The $1,000,000 Keeneland September yearling bumps up into allowance company over the local main track Friday and adds an extra 1/8-mile to boot as he preps for a potential run at an upcoming GI Kentucky Derby prep. Conquest Warrior enters off a bullet five-furlong drill Feb. 24 (1:00 3/5 {1/7}). While main rival Speak Easy (Constitution) will scratch in favor of the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S., Conquest Warrior will have to deal with another impressive maiden runner in Peter Blum Thoroughbreds' Merit (Mastery) who broke through on debut at Gulfstream by 10 1/4 lengths late last year and was third when last spotted Feb. 3. TJCIS PPS The post Friday Insights: ‘Rising Star’ Conquest Warrior Returns To Action At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Easter and Prince Abama from the Phil D'Amato barn meet each other for the first time, but Bob Baffert-trained Du Jour could give them a battle as well.View the full article

All continues to go smoothly for undefeated Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Hades as he sits out the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) March 2 to await the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 30.View the full article

By Jonny Turner Before Don’t Stop Dreaming and Merlin battle it out in the Chariots Of Fire at Menangle, little brother and little sister will be out to impress in their debuts at Ascot Park on Friday. Nathan Williamson is set to debut two royally bred two-year-olds in Always Dreaming, a full brother to Don’t Stop Dreaming and Captain’s Mistress, a half-sister to Merlin. Captains Mistress turned heads in her latest trial when charging late to down her race rival Justanothersip right on the post. The performance has been enough to see the Captaintreacherous pacer rated at odds as low as $1.85 ahead of her clash with a smart field of two-year-old fillies. “She has really trialled up lovely,” Williamson said. “Everything we have asked of her, she has done.” “So let’s hope that on Friday she can do the same.” “We are really happy with her and her training has been good.” “She is a pretty sensible sort of filly and I expect her to be hard to beat.” Always Dreaming is a not only a full brother to Don’t Stop Dreaming but also a half-brother to his stablemate, the southern star Dreams Are Free. The pacer is unbeaten in his trials, ahead of taking on a small but talented field of two-year-old colts and geldings. “We like him, he has done everything nice right the way through,” Williamson said. “You never quite know when you first step out under race conditions.” “But he is a nice gaited horse and he is very sensible.” “He has got the 1 draw and he does seem to have some of the family ability.” “He has trained on well since his latest trial and we are happy with him.” Trainer Brett Gray starts two two-year-olds which clash with Williamson’s pairing in Ada R J and Drummershavtime who both look eachway threats. Gray starts a big team of eight horses at Ascot Park on Friday, including Takeitout and Joes Rock who give him a strong hand in Friday’s Southern Belle Speed Series heat. Takeitout impressed in her last start win in a heat of the series at Gore. Though she faces tougher competition on Friday, she still looks a strong winning hope. “This mare has really turned the corner, her Christchurch trip racing against the good ones up there has brought her on,” Gray said. “She has only had 12 starts and she is really starting to click in.” Joes Rock steps back in grade after her last start fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes. Though she faces a tough draw in barrier 8 she must be respected on class. “All these short distance races are not really her go, she likes the 2600m more, like in the Group One.” “But she is really, really well and we are happy with her.” “If she gets the right run she can show that speed.” Julie Jaccka also looks a big threat for the Gray stable in Friday’s feature trot. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Co-trainer Scott Phelan says the crucial tactics in the $60,000 Alabar Classic at Alexandra Park tonight will be left up to driver Zachary Butcher. Phelan and senior training partner Barry Purdon train Cold Chisel, who alongside arch rival Chase A Dream head the market for the Group 2. Chase A Dream has been too good for Cold Chisel the last two times they have met, both times by getting in front of him. There was little in it last start when Chase A Dream led and Cold Chisel trailed last start and if they did the same tonight there is no reason to expect the result to change unless their levels of performance does. But with Cold Chisel drawn the ace and Chase A Dream barrier 3, Phelan says Butcher can see how Cold Chisel feels early and make his mind up. “We won’t be telling him what to do and often it comes down to the first 50m,” says Phelan. “But if he wants to have a crack at holding the lead we will back that and I still think he has a shot from the trail.” That early burn, or lack of it, could decide the 2200m mobile as a the gap between the two favourites isn’t as great as their $1.45 vs $3 prices on Thursday night suggests. Later in the night the Purdon/Phelan team look set to dominate the last race with high-class filly Duchess Megxit the $1.30 favourite after the scratching of Coastal Babe. “We also have Artisan in there and she will give a good account of herself but class should shine through with Duchess Megxit.” How to tackle Alexandra Park on Friday, on what looks a night for the multi punters. 1: Inasinglemoment (Alex Park, R1): Looks a natural and created big impression winning debut last winter. Looked ready winning at the workouts last weeked and meets weak field. 2: Chase A Dream (Alex Park, R5): If he leads should win but can also winning coming from behind. Top pick in what looks a two-horse race with Cold Chisel. 3: Duchess Megxit (Alex Park, R8): What was shaping as a great early Oaks prelude between the Duchess Megxit and Coastal Babe now looks a one-filly race after Coastal Babe’s scratching. 4: Jolimont (Alex Park, R7): Took on the best three-year-olds last season and destined to make his way to open class. Looked forward enough beating stablemate Little Spike (R5) at the workouts last week to suggest he ready for tonight. 5: Twista (Alex Park, R3): Still learning but hit the line well against the best three-year-olds last start. Drawn to be the one to beat. View the full article

With nine weeks until the 150th running of the GI Kentucky Derby, NBC Sports will continue its coverage of the 1/ST RACING TOUR this Saturday, Mar. 2, live at 5 p.m. ET on CNBC and Peacock. The hour and a half long program, featuring three live races, will be headlined by the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. from 1/ST's Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Dornoch (Good Magic), winner of the 2023 GII Remsen S. and a full-brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, is the morning-line favorite in the Fountain of Youth, which awards 50 Kentucky Derby qualification points to the winner of the race. The additional stakes races that will be presented live on CNBC and Peacock are the GIII Honey Fox S. and GIII Canadian Turf S. from Gulfstream Park. Britney Eurton will host Saturday's coverage alongside analyst and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, analyst Randy Moss, and reporters Michelle Yu and Matt Bernier. Yu will report on-site from Santa Anita and Bernier will report on-site from Gulfstream. The post NBC Sports to Televise Saturday’s Coolmore Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With two graded stakes victories already at the current Santa Anita meeting, Newgrange faces six in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), postponed one day due to weather issues.View the full article

Claiborne Farm Feb. 29 reported the first mare has checked in foal to Annapolis (War Front), the operation said in a release Thursday. The 5-year-old was bred to St Claude (Tiznow), who is owned by Pete and Martha Williams and is boarded at Nicky Drion Thoroughbreds. She is from the family of Horse of the Year Flightline and tallied her first registered colt Jan. 12 by Army Mule. A graded stakes winner at 2 and 3 as a homebred for Bass Racing under trainer Todd Pletcher, Annapolis set a new stakes record in the GI Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland. Annapolis's dam, My Miss Sophia (Unbridled's Song), was a graded stakes winner on dirt and runner-up in the GI Kentucky Oaks. The Claiborne sire also includes 'TDN Rising Star' GI Florida Derby hero Materiality (Afleet Alex), GI Alabama S. victress Embellish the Lace (Super Saver) and GI Travers S. victor Afleet Express (Afleet Alex). The post First Mare In foal To Claiborne’s GISW Annapolis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred League announced four new franchises will be awarded in time for the 2024 season out of an impressive group of potential ownership groups from Miami, Oklahoma City, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Dallas, and New Orleans.View the full article

With an expected record attendance of over 120 participants, the 28th annual training and networking conference held by the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) is set for Sunday, Mar. 3 and will run through Wednesday, Mar. 6 at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. The TDN's CEO/Publisher Sue Finley will serve as the keynote speaker during the group's Monday evening dinner and awards ceremony, where her remarks will focus on horse racing, the media and integrity. Central to ORI is the pursuit of integrity and education for its members. Interactions among investigators through networking helps to create lasting relationships between jurisdictions. This year's attendees hail from 18 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, England, France and South Africa. The event will feature 16 presenters over the course of Monday and Tuesday, as members soak up the latest information concerning a host of pertinent topics directly related to their day-to-day work policing racetracks in their home states. A broad range of case studies include unregulated horse racing, stable area access systems and equine safety stewarding, just to name a few. Representatives from various organizations like the British Horseracing Authority, the Comisión de Juegos de Puerto Rico, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit and the Association of Racing Commissioners International will participate. “Each year our attendance continues to grow and we would like to thank Parx for rolling out the red carpet for us and all of our sponsors for their assistance,” said ORI Chairman Jason Klouser of the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission. “This year's conference will have record attendance of over 120 individuals and has something for everyone. From the rookie investigator to the most seasoned, this is all about the general health of the sport. We are very pleased to welcome Sue as our featured speaker.” “The question of integrity in horse racing has never been more important than it is right now, and the media has an important role to play in that question,” said Finley. “I look forward to speaking to the investigators and discussing how the roles we each play affect one another.” Click here for the Parx Conference program. The post Parx Racing Investigator Conference Starts Sunday With TDN’s Sue Finley As Keynote appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shaquille (GB), the top-rated sprinter in Europe in 2023, has had his first three mares scanned in foal, Dullingham Park announced on Thursday. Trained by Julie Camacho, Shaquille won seven of his nine career starts–notably landing the G1 Commonwealth Cup and G1 July Cup as a three-year-old–before retiring to Dullingham Park where he is standing his first season in 2024 at a fee of £15,000. “We are delighted at the start that Shaquille has made to his new career,” said Dullingham Park's Ollie Fowlston. “He has 150 mares booked into him for his first season and has been full for some time now. “Among the mares in foal are a winning sister to top-class two-year-old Anjaal and a Stakes producing daughter of Acclamation. He has a very good first book of mares and we couldn't be more grateful for the support that we have received from European breeders.” The post First Mares Scanned In Foal to Shaquille appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fifty-five lots will be offered during the Tattersalls Online March Sale, which takes place on March 6 and 7 and includes the talented hurdler Glorious Zoff (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) (lot 17). Consigned by Fergal O'Brien Racing, Glorious Zoff hit the frame at Grade 2 level for the second time in his career when finishing third in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November. Escaria Ten (Fr) (Maresca Sorrento {Fr}) (lot 14)–who finished third in the Grade 2 National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Chase at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival–is another decorated National Hunt performer to look out for, along with the Listed-winning hurdler Credrojava (Ire) (Presenting {GB}) (lot 33), who was unbeaten in three starts under Rules for Harry Fry. Credrojava is offered as a horse out of training having been off the track since December 2022. The three-year-old Roberto Caro (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) (lot 28) is one of the standouts among the Flat offering having opened his account at the second attempt when recently landing a Kempton maiden for Ollie Sangster, while the Stuart Williams-trained Boafo Boy (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) (lot 7) and Brian Ellison's Explorers Way (Ire) (Australia {GB}) (lot 15) have both advertised their wellbeing by winning their last two starts on the all-weather. The sale also features breeding rights to Cloth Of Stars (Ire) (lot 52), Kuroshio (Aus) (lot 54) and Land Force (Ire) (lot 55)–who has relocated to Hedgeholme Stud for 2024–plus a 1/50th share in the Rathasker Stud resident Gregorian (Ire) (lot 53). Bidding opens at noon on Wednesday, March 6. The post Varied Catalogue For Tattersalls Online March Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article