Wandering Eyes

Kingsbarns made a statement April 20 that he could be a force this year in the older dirt horse division with a 3 1/4-length victory in the $300,000 Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland.View the full article

Rose Petal Stable's multiple stakes winner Copper Tax came with a steady run down the center of the track to reel in stubborn pacesetter Speedyness and edge clear by three-quarters of a length in the $125,000 Federico Tesio at Laurel Park April 20.View the full article

Looking strong as an oak in the GIII Ben Ali S. at Keeneland, Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo) cleared professionally down the lane to take home his second graded stakes trophy for Spendthirft's case on Saturday afternoon. The 2023 GII Louisiana Derby winner finished 14th behind Mage (Good Magic) in the GI Kentucky Derby before completing his 3-year-old year when he was beaten only a neck as the heavy favorite in the Pegasus S. at Monmouth June 17. After a nine-month hiatus, Kingsbarns returned to Gulfstream Park Mar. 2 for the first time since breaking his maiden early in 2023. Though he lagged in sixth for the first half of the race, the 4-year-old showed his class by motoring home in the final jumps to win by a half-length in the prep for this spot. Tabbed as the 8-5 choice here, Kingsbarns exited the gate with what looked like a recreation of his Louisiana Derby trip, but jockey Luis Saez took him back into the first turn and the pair settled to the outside in the second flight. Up front, it was Laughing Boy (Distorted Humor) who was attempting to run the field off their feet, but the orange and purple squared silks were instead focused on War Campaign (Declaration of War) up the backstretch. As that 5-year-old began to gear up, Kingsbarns shadowed him into the far turn. With the pacesetter giving way, the pair locked in a duel through the eighth pole, but it was the 4-year-old colt who made the lead and put away his rival for good. “This is a credit to (trainer) Todd (Pletcher's) management and the fact that Eric Gustavson (owner and President of Spendthrift Farm) made the decision to give him the time (off) that he needed,” said Spendthrift General Manager Ned Toffey. “He needed some time after his 3-year-old campaign, he got it, and he's just done so well from 3 to 4 (years old). Hopefully he's going to reward us with a big year.” Pedigree Notes: A $250,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling turned $800,000 2-year-old purchase for Spendthrift, Kingsbarns is one of his sire's 100 worldwide stakes winners and one of his 50 winners at the graded level. Kingsbarns is the fourth full stakes winner of 2024 for Uncle Mo, led by recent GI Apple Blossom H. heroine Adare Manor–one of Uncle Mo's 15 elite-level scorers–and is his sire's 11th stakes horse during the first 3 1/2 months of the season. The colt's Grade III-placed dam, a $675,000 buyback at Keeneland September in 2013, is a half-sister to 2009 GI American Oaks winner Gozzip Girl (Dynaformer), now a group stakes producer in Japan. Lady Tapit's now 2-year-old Gun Runner colt was purchased by John Stewart for $650,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale, and the mare foaled a Munnings filly in 2023 before visiting Not This Time for this season. Saturday, Keeneland BEN ALI S.-GIII, $300,000, Keeneland, 4-20, 4yo/up, 1 3/16m, 1:57.74, ft. 1–KINGSBARNS, 118, c, 4, by Uncle Mo 1st Dam: Lady Tapit (GSP), by Tapit 2nd Dam: Temperence Gift, by Kingmambo 3rd Dam: Shapiro's Mistress, by Unpredictable ($250,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG; $800,000 2yo '22 FTFMAR). O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Parks Investment Group, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Luis Saez. $176,700. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-0, $907,800. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–War Campaign, 118, h, 5, Declaration of War–Flashy Campaign, by Political Force. O/B-Jerry Namy (KY); T-Philip A. Sims. $57,000. 3–Archie the Giza, 118, g, 5, Cairo Prince–Gloria S, by Tapit. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Estate Of Harvey Clarke (KY); T-Robert Medina. $28,500. Margins: 3 1/4, 3, 1HF. Odds: 1.68, 3.80, 25.63. Also Ran: Time for Trouble, Dynamic One, Surly Furious, Smile Happy, Laughing Boy, Happy American. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Last year's G2 Louisiana Derby winner #4 KINGSBARNS ($5.36) adds another graded victory to his resume with a win in Keeneland's $300,000 Ben Ali Stakes (G3)! The 4-year-old colt by @coolmoreamerica's Uncle Mo was ridden by @luissaezpty for @PletcherRacing and @spendthriftfarm. pic.twitter.com/63idDtTdIO — TVG (@TVG) April 20, 2024 The post Kingsbarns Gets Up And Down To Take GIII Ben Ali S. At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rodeo Creek Racing's Blazing Sevens overcame a nine-month layoff and returned to the winner's circle in a second-level allowance contest at Aqueduct Racetrack April 20.View the full article

The British-trained Silver Knott—previously a silver- or bronze-level finisher in six graded starts in the United States—took the gold in the April 20 Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland.View the full article

Southland’s premier harness racing event will go to a new level today with the first running of a Group 1 on Diamonds Day. Racing journalist Jonny Turner has picked out his horses to follow on the outstanding card of racing. Summit Ultra Summit Ultra opened at a tidy $7 win price in the fixed odds market for Sunday’s opener. On the strength of the pacer’s last start placing at Winton, that looks nice value. Summit Ultra showed excellent gate speed in his last outing, pointing to him being a big chance of leading from barrier 4 on Sunday. As most southern harness fans will know, the front is the place to be around the tight-turning Ascot Park track. While the favourite Secret Agent Man looks a big winning threat, there looks enough value in Summit Ultra’s price for each way, place and top-four punters. Miki Bennett Miki Bennett has had better chances to win a race than the event he lines up in on Diamonds Day. But his recent trials in Canterbury suggest he is ready to return in better shape than ever before. The pacer beat home Who’s Delight in his latest trial run, with that pacer third behind Mighty Looee and Franco Indie in a much higher class at Addington on Thursday night. It all adds up to Miki Bennett bringing an outstanding form reference to a rating 43-49 event on Diamonds Day. With his record to date, not everyone will want to put all of their faith in Miki Bennett. But his trial form suggests he will be hard to beat. Julie Jaccka An electric beginning set up Julie Jaccka’s impressive win at last weekend’s Winton Cup meeting. The same kind of getaway should give her her shot at making it two in a row on Diamonds Day. It will also be crucial in overcoming her 10m handicap on Sunday. Though she enjoyed a nice trip in the trail at Winton, the mare most importantly showed she was back in the kind of space that saw her place in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks last season. Julie Jaccka’s best effort should have her right in the frame on Sunday. Louies Girl Adaptability looks the key weapon Louies Girl brings to the Southern Oaks Final. Recently the filly has been most noted for her scintillating speed, but she’s also shown the ability to press forward and race on the pace. Many of Sunday’s field haven’t got close to racing over 2700m, with most heats and other feature events over much shorter trips. Louies Girl looks to have both the motor and the tractability to thrive over a longer distance. If she leads from barrier 1 she is going to need to show that tractability, which I think she can. Rubira Rubira showed all of the qualities required for Group 1 racing in his Kindergarten Stakes win. On a testing track, the pacer worked harder than his rivals before sprinting faster than his rivals and leaving them with few excuses. While those who finished behind him are likely to have progressed since their last meetings, Rubira is sure to have done the same. At this very early stage of the season, he looks the best two-year-old seen in the South Island. And he looks a big chance of reinforcing that claim with a win on Sunday. View the full article

7th-Aqueduct, $84,000, Alw (NW2$X)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 4-20, 4yo/up, 1m, 1:34.55, ft, 1 length. BLAZING SEVENS (c, 4, Good Magic–Trophy Girl, by Warrior's Reward) made a name for himself in his juvenile season through the spring of his sophomore one, earning 'TDN Rising Star'-dom, winning the GI Champagne S., and hitting the board in three other Grade I events, including coming a head short of claiming the second jewel of the Triple Crown–the GI Preakness S. to MGISW National Treasure (Quality Road)–before going on the shelf after an even third-place finish as the heavy favorite in the Curlin S. at Saratoga that July. On Lasix for the first-time here and the 4-5 favorite for this bow, Blazing Sevens chased the pack in fifth and was coming six wide into the upper stretch before launching his challenge entering the final stages. He took command from MSW Full Screen (Big Screen) nearing the final sixteenth and cleared that rival by a length in the end. BLAZING SEVENS, the 4YO son of @HillnDaleFarm stallion Good Magic wins the seventh race with @jockeyfranco up for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/Fi7NuYDgIP — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) April 20, 2024 The most accomplished for Trophy Girl, Blazing Sevens has an unplaced half-sister Sintra (Constitution), a 2-year-old half-sister by Goldencents, and a yearling half-brother by Essential Quality. Their dam is due with a full-sibling to the winner this season. Sales history: $140,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $225,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 9-3-1-3, $957,650. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Rodeo Creek Racing, LLC; B-Tracy Farmer (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. The post ‘Rising Star’ Blazing Sevens Workman-like in Return to Winner’s Circle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gary and Mary West homebred Flashy Dancer (f, 3, Curlin–Actress, by Tapit) came from out of the clouds to earn 'TDN Rising Star' honors for trainer Brad Cox at second asking at Oaklawn Park Saturday. The 3-1 chance was off to a slow start and trailed the field of eight through fractions of :23.03 and :46.97 in the 1 1/16-mile affair. Flashy Dancer finally entered the picture rounding the far turn and continued to roll approaching the quarter pole. She still had her work cut out for her, however, as heavily favored Bob Baffert-trained first-time starter Miss Rockette (Into Mischief) struck the front at the top of the stretch. Miss Rockette, a $1.25-million KEESEP yearling, kicked for home and looked well on her way up by three lengths in the stretch, but Flashy Dancer was just warming up. Miss Rockette began to grow leg weary close to home and Flashy Dancer blew right on by to win going away by 1 1/4 lengths. The final time was 1:45.85. Flashy Dancer was a well-beaten second on debut as the 9-5 favorite after getting pinched at the start going a mile in the mud at Oaklawn Mar. 9. Flashy Dancer, a half-sister to last year's GIII Withers S. winner and GII Wood Memorial S. runner-up Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), becomes the 26th 'Rising Star' for Curlin. The Curlin x Tapit cross is also responsible for 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish. 7th-Oaklawn, $115,000, Msw, 4-20, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:45.85, gd, 1 1/4 lengths. FLASHY DANCER, f, 3, by Curlin 1st Dam: Actress (MGSW, $545,150), by Tapit 2nd Dam: MILWAUKEE APPEAL, by Milwaukee Brew 3rd Dam: Appealing Forum, by Open Forum Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $92,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Gary and Mary West; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. *1/2 to Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), GSW, $574,375. FLASHY DANCER ($8.60) and @flothejock waltzed down the lane to grab the win in @OaklawnRacing in race 7. This @bradcoxracing trainee is a 1/2 sister to Hit Show! Time for the late Pick 5: https://t.co/y3C5TvdfRv pic.twitter.com/7fXtlF5rrP — TVG (@TVG) April 20, 2024 The post Curlin Filly Flashy Dancer Tabbed as a ‘Rising Star’ at Oaklawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features a full-brother to Group 1-winning juvenile Little Big Bear (Ire). 14.25 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, 6fT WHISTLEJACKET (IRE) (No Nay Never) debuts in the maiden that his brilliant full-brother Little Big Bear (Ire) was narrowly beaten in two years ago. A 500,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 purchase by Coolmore, he meets AMO Racing and Giselle De Aguiar's fellow newcomer Devine Genius (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), a Adrian Murray-trained half-brother to last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). The post Little Big Bear’s Little Brother Debuts At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Beaute Cachee in the Jenny Wiley S. at Keeneland last weekend. Literato Mare Earns Grade I Ring Beaute Cachee (Fr) (Literato {Fr}) gave trainer Chad Brown his seventh win in the GI Jenny Wiley S. at Keeneland for owners Madaket Stables, LLC, Michael Dubb and Louis Lazzinnaro, LLC (video). A mere €1,500 Arqana Autumn yearling when picked up by trainer Gael Barbedette, the Gregor Vischer-bred grey raced for her trainer, Valerie Lucas and J. Georg through a dozen starts before being sold to her current ownership group. Her final French start was a fourth in the G3 Prix de Psyche. Besides winning the Listed Violet S. last year, she placed at that level in the Athenia S. and was third in the GI Matriarch S. The third foal, third runner and second winner for her dam Sign And Seal (Ire) (Hurricane Run {Ire}), the bay is a half to a 3-year-old colt by Zanzibari, who made €15,000 at the Arqana Autumn yearling sale on the bid of Pegasus Bloodstock. This is the family of dual Group 1 winner Indian Ink (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). Sire Literato has three winners from three runners in the U.S., and besides the Jenny Wiley winner, counts GI Garden City S. heroine Alterite (Fr) as his other stakes winner in that jurisdiction. The Frankie Factor! @FrankieDettori and Beaute Cachee charge home in the G1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at @keenelandracing… pic.twitter.com/rp5hKkY3lt — World Horse Racing (@WHR) April 13, 2024 Blueblooded 'Majesty' Shines at Keeneland Besilu Stables homebred Royal Majesty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) won for the second time in four starts with a two-length victory at Keeneland (video). Hall of Famer Bill Mott trains the son of GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. heroine Crown Queen (Smart Strike). Crown Queen, who joined the Besilu bloodstock portfolio after selling for $1.6 million during the 2011 Keeneland November Sale, is a half-sister to two-time Eclipse champion Royal Delta (Empire Maker) and fellow Grade I winner Delta Prince (Street Cry {Ire}). The trio's dam, Delta Princess (A.P. Indy), brought $2.6 million at the same sale when knocked down to Adena Springs. The winner has a 2-year-old half-sister by Kingman (GB), while his dam was covered by Flightline last spring. Juddmonte sire Frankel boasts a 70% strike rate in the U.S., with 27 of his 53 runners finding the winner's circle. Of his 11 stakes winners there, six have been at the graded level, with both McKulick (GB) and Inspiral (GB) finding Grade I glory on at least one occasion. (5) Royal Majesty (GB) brings home the victory in the night cap. (9) Moonlight narrowly takes second and (7) Massif takes third. pic.twitter.com/jIgNHPRcuF — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 13, 2024 Repeat Winners Godolphin homebred Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a winner of both the GI Woodbine Mile and the GI Breeders' Cup Mile in 2023, added the GI Maker's Mark Mile S. to his haul at Keeneland recently (video) for trainer Charlie Appleby. The winner will be staying in America for this campaign. Whoosh! It's @BreedersCup Mile winner MASTER OF THE SEAS by a nautical mile in the G1 Makers Mark @keenelandracing! pic.twitter.com/ajXqYYZqs0 — World Horse Racing (@WHR) April 12, 2024 The post Making Waves: ‘Beaute’ Uses Her ‘Wiles’ At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Nik Juarez picked up his 1,000th win April 19 at Oaklawn Park and quickly began an initial push toward another milestone. View the full article

With less than two weeks to the first weekend in May, a gaggle of contenders for the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks took to racetracks across the country for some critical breezes Saturday morning. 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) has remained at Keeneland since his slashing victory in the Apr. 6 GI Toyota Blue Grass S. and returned to the worktab for the first time on a chilly morning, breezing a half-mile in the company inside of recent Keeneland maiden winner White Palomino (Kitten's Joy) in :48.80 (19/127) (video). The $2.3-million topper from the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale was caught in even splits of :12.40, :24.20 and :36.80 before galloping out a strong five furlongs in 1:01.20 and three-quarters in 1:15.60. Exercise rider Kriss Bon–apparently optimistic that Joel Embiid would be suiting up for Game 1 of the Philadelphia 76ers first-round NBA playoff appearance against the New York Knicks–in the stirrups. “I've always worked him in company in the mornings,” said trainer Chad Brown. “He's always been a decent workhorse, just needs a little focus. Obviously, we've added blinkers this year, which have helped. But a little competition so he just feels a horse next to him just keeps him in the bridle nicely. “He's a good-feeling horse–a nice horse to work around,” he continued. “He's a very alpha horse. He's definitely in charge of what's going on everywhere, and we give him his space and we let him be him. He's a very rare horse to have in your shedrow.” Sierra Leone heads to Churchill Sunday and is tentatively scheduled to have his final breeze Apr. 27, weather permitting. Brown's second Derby hopeful, GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby winner Domestic Product (Practical Joke), went a half-mile in:48.40 at Payson Park Saturday morning and ships to Kentucky on Monday, with the commonly owned Oaks contender and 'TDN Rising Star' Ways and Means (Practical Joke). The latter drilled five panels in 1:00.60 at Payson Park Saturday. Catching Freedom Goes Early at Churchill With the majority of the pre-Derby hype focused on 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) and Sierra Leone and to a lesser extent Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), Catching Freedom (Constitution) is arguably the most-accomplished horse getting the least amount of attention two weeks out. The GII Louisiana Derby winner was one of the first to visit the Churchill main track Saturday morning at 5:15 and covered five furlongs in 1:00.80, breaking off slowly through fractions of :25.40 and three-eighths in :37.80 before galloping out six furlongs in an energetic 1:13.20 and seven in 1:26.20, per clocker John Nichols. Trainer Brad Cox sent out stablemate Just a Touch (Justify), a latest second in the Blue Grass, for a half-mile breeze that was timed in :48.20 (:24.20, 1:01.20). Catching Freedom finishing his 5/8 move in 1:00.80. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/u3S2Ut1fDU — Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 20, 2024 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini), in many eyes the Oaks favorite, was out soon after to breeze five furlongs in the company of fellow Oaks hopeful Gin Gin (Hightail). The duo stopped the clock in 1:00.80 in fractional times of :13 and :37.20, with a six-furlong gallop out in 1:14.20. Tarifa outside of Gin Gin completing five furlongs in 1:00.80. #KyOaks pic.twitter.com/LQ6fS5kYhZ — Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 20, 2024 Just Steel (Justify) breezed an eventful six furlongs in 1:13.80 (:13.40, :37.20, :49.40). After beginning his move by himself, he was joined by a stablemate to his inside and the duo was confronted by a pair of Norm Casse workers at the half-mile pole. But by the time they reached the stretch, the Wayne Lukas trainees had separated themselves and completed the work in tandem. The Lukas-trained Lemon Muffin (Collected), who earned her way into the Oaks with an upset in the GIII Honeybee S., breezed five furlongs in 1:02.20. Gargan, McPeek Each Breeze A Pair New York-based trainer Danny Gargan will have two runners in this year's Run for the Roses, and that team eyeballed one another through a half-mile breeze in :48.20 (16/123) Saturday in Louisville. Dornoch (Good Magic), the full-brother to 2023 Derby hero Mage who won the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. Mar. 2, worked outside of stablemate Society Man (Good Magic), long-odds runner-up in the GII Wood Memorial S. Dornoch breezing outside of Society Man, completing an easy half-mile in :48.20. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/3CtWY3Vkqs — Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 20, 2024 Mystik Dan (Goldencents), upset winner of the GIII Southwest S. and third in the GI Arkansas Derby, will carry the hopes of the Ken McPeek barn and earned the bullet for his five-furlong work Saturday that was timed in :59.40 (1/71) beneath the Twin Spires. 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) continues to thrive following her comebacking victory in the GIII Fantasy S. and went a five furlongs in 1:00.60 (14/71). “She's a super nice filly,” McPeek said. “I was very impressed with how easily she was able to win the Fantasy off the layoff and she's run very well over this surface here at Churchill. They better bring a bear [in the Oaks] because I'm bringing a grizzly. I wouldn't be afraid to run her against the colts.” Thorpedo Anna (outside) finishing a solid five-furlong move in 1:00.60. #KyOaks pic.twitter.com/wMsusH0J0o — Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 20, 2024 Stronghold Breezes A Bullet At Santa Anita Stronghold (Ghostzapper), last-out winner of the GI Santa Anita Derby, worked a swift half-mile in :46.60 Saturday morning in Arcadia beneath jockey Antonio Fresu and under the watchful eye of trainer Phil D'Amato. Coming onto the track just after 6:30 a.m., Stronghold broke off at the half-mile pole a few lengths behind a stablemate, drew even with a sixteenth of a mile to the finish and was narrowly in front at the wire. Crack California-bred sprinter The Chosen Vron (Vronsky) shared the bullet time for the half-mile. “He did it so easy,” said Fresu. “I was actually expecting about :48 the way he was going,” he added. “The track was a little fast today. I didn't ask him for anything.” Per D'Amato, Stronghold will ship to Kentucky this coming Tuesday and will have his final Derby work next weekend. Work of the Day from @santaanitapark—Stronghold (Red Cap), 46.60, and Shady Tiger, 47.40, worked 4 Furlongs on April 20th, 2024, for trainer @PhilDamato11. pic.twitter.com/YzUVEzuA5e — XBTV (@WatchXBTV) April 20, 2024 The post Sierra Leone, Catching Freedom, Tarifa Lead Derby, Oaks Workers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-SA, $54K, Msw, 3-5yo, f, 7f, 4:00 p.m. ET. JANE AUSTEN (Tapit) makes her first start for Muir Hut Stables and trainer Mark Glatt. A $750,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, the gray is out of MGSP Shayjolie (Indian Charlie), who Speedway Stables acquired for $400,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November Sale. The filly's SP second dam produced GI Woodward S. runner-up Mythical Power (Congaree). Making her debut for trainer Richard Mandella is Quick Brown Fox (Justify). The Spendthrift homebred's dam MGISW Bast (Uncle) went to the farm for $4.2 million–the fourth highest return–at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. That was the same auction they took home the sales topper–dual champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar). Bast is a full-sister to SP Royal Slipper and her extended female family includes GI Santa Margarita S. heroine Fault (Blame) and MGSP South Bend (Algorithms). TJCIS PPS 2nd-KEE, $80K, Msw, 2yo, 4 1/2f, 1:32 p.m. ET. Clever Again (American Pharoah) makes the races for trainer Steve Asmussen after the colt was purchased by Winchell Thoroughbreds for $500,000 as a yearling during Keeneland September. The bay is out of Irish group stakes winner Flattering (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who counts as full-sisters Irish GSW Peach Tree (Ire) and G1 Moyglare Stud S. victress Love (Ire). Facing the boys on debut from Wesley Ward's shedrow is Dreamaway (Flameaway). The John Oxley homebred is out of his GI Del Mar Oaks champ Dream Dancing (Tapit), whose half-sister produced UAE MGSW Kimbear (Temple City). Digging a little deeper into this family, we find third dam and champion older mare Beautiful Pleasure (Maudlin). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insights: Tapit Filly Looks To Pen Strong Debut At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Danny Gargan is living the dream as he prepares not one, but two horses for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1): 2023 Remsen Stakes (G2) and Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) winner Dornoch and Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) runner-up Society Man.View the full article

Chad Brown trainees and Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders Sierra Leone and Domestic Product both turned in works April 20. View the full article

During Friday's fifth race at Keeneland, February Son (Mizzen Mast) was removed from the track via equine ambulance and was later euthanized, according to a report from Keeneland. “February Son sustained an injury and was attended to by an expert team of veterinarians led by KHRC Chief Veterinarian Dr. Nick Smith in consultation with Dr. Stuart Brown, Vice President of Equine Safety at Keeneland,” said the report. “Given the extent of the injury, it was determined that humane euthanasia was in the best interest of the horse. Keeneland offers our heartfelt condolences to owner Captain Jack Racing Stable and trainer Anthony Granitz.” His rider Gerardo Corrales was taken to the University of Kentucky's Emergency Department. He was evaluated and discharged from the hospital. The post Corrales Discharged From Hospital After Fatal Accident at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dear Sir/Ma'am, I have a couple of questions, the answers to which have eluded me. It is my understanding that restricted stakes cannot be awarded graded status, no matter the purse. So, if several of the most talented three-year-olds in the country are prevented from running in the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, does this make them restricted stakes? If so, should they retain their Grade I status, be downgraded, or have their graded status removed altogether? Respectfully, Nick de Meric. The post Letter to the Editor: Is the Derby a Restricted Race? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Carrying the famed colors of Deep Impact (Jpn)'s owner Makoto Kaneko, Yuttitham (Jpn) became the first Japanese stakes winner for Coolmore America's Triple Crown winner Justify with a narrow victory in Saturday's $298,147 Listed Oasis S. going a one-turn mile on the dirt track at Tokyo Racecourse. The fourth betting choice at just over 5-1, the 4-year-old was one of the first to break the line from post position 16 and raced in a share of third while deep on the track down the back straight. Traveling well in hand three deep passing the 600-meter marker, Yuttitham was held together into the homestretch, but was asked to quicken when Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes)–a two-time course-and-distance stakes winner–rolled up to his immediate outside with a menacing bid of his own. But Yuttitham would have none of it, as he boxed on tenaciously from between horses to lead with a bit less than a furlong to race and managed to keep his head in front on the line. Third home was Omega Guiness (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}), the beaten favorite in the G1 February S. at headquarters two months back. Shadai Farm acquired Yuttitham's dam, 2017 GI First Lady S. heroine Zipessa (City Zip), for $1.25 million in foal to Medaglia d'Oro at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale, but this colt is the mare's first listed produce. Shadai immediately recouped their outlay when Yuttitham was knocked down to Kaneko for ¥200 million ($1,815,520) at the 2021 JRHA Select Yearling Sale, and Kaneko went back to the well the following summer, purchasing Zipessa's colt by Isla Bonita (Jpn) for ¥76 million ($558,835). Pakarang, a debut fifth to GI Kentucky Derby hopeful T O Password (Jpn) (Copano Rickey {Jpn}) in January, most recently broke his maiden at third asking at Hanshin Mar. 17. Zipessa is also the dam of the 2-year-old filly Rapid Growth (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), a yearling filly by the outstanding Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) and was due to Orfevre (Jpn) for 2024. Yuttitham is the 27th worldwide stakes winners for Justify and is one of his 14 Japanese winners, a number that also includes the 4-year-old filly Awesome Result, unbeaten in her five racetrack appearances to date. Yuttitham has a record of 4-1-1 from eight starts and earnings of about $478,000. (L) Listed 1600m $460k Oasis Stakes at Tokyo: Won by 4h 16. YUTTITHAM (Justify x Zipessa (City Zip) under Daisuke Sasaki Just beat 4c 13. PERRIERE (Henny Hughes) YUTTITHAM now win 4 from 8, first Listed win for him and his sire JUSTIFY in Japan pic.twitter.com/AIWod72WsI — Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) April 20, 2024 The post Yuttitham A First Japanese Stakes Winner For Justify appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's G3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham S. looked a renewal short of a potential big name beforehand and with a blanket in contention a furlong out that was duly borne out. In the event, it was Cheveley Park Stud's 16-1 shot Esquire (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}) who came out on top in the seven-furlong Newbury trial which may not have its usual relevance regarding the upcoming 2000 Guineas, particularly as the winner is gelded and excluded from the Classic. Runner-up in York's Listed Rockingham S. and sixth in the Listed Doncaster S. over six furlongs in October, the David O'Meara-trained homebred was free early close to the pace and landed on the front approaching the final furlong. Driven out by Danny Tudhope, the grandson of the operation's top-class Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) who enjoyed her finest hour here when winning the G1 Lockinge S. had 1 1/4 lengths to spare over the dead-heating 28-1 shot El Bodon (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) and 7-2 favourite Zoum Zoum (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}). ESQUIRE (GB) wins Gr.3 Greenham Stakes for @omeararacing! The @CPStudOfficial homebred is by @DarleyEurope stallion HARRY ANGEL.pic.twitter.com/Qcbo3byePf — GBRI (@GBRI_UK) April 20, 2024 The post Harry Angel’s Esquire Wins The Greenham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Scuderia Sagam's Folgaria (Ire) (Due Diligence–Full Moon Fever {Ire}, by Azamour {Ire}) went undefeated through a five-race juvenile campaign for Stefano Botti last year and, now under the stewardship of that trainer's brother Marco, retained her perfect record with a hard-fought triumph in Saturday's G3 Dubai Duty Free S. (Fred Darling S.) at Newbury. The February-foaled bay backed up a debut win at Milan's San Siro in May with a brace of Listed contests at Rome's Capanelle and back in Milan. She went on sabbatical after collecting July's G3 Premio Primi Passi by six lengths and concluded last semester with another clear-cut victory in October's G2 Premio Dormello. Folgaria forfeited ground to all five rivals initially, racing at the tail of the field in sixth through the opening fractions, and began inching closer once past halfway. Stirred into action passing the quarter-mile marker, the 5-1 chance was ridden to launch her challenge approaching the final furlong and came under a late drive to prevail by a neck from Regal Jubilee (GB) (Frankel {GB}), with Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}) another neck back in third. Pedigree Notes Folgaria is the fourth of five foals and lone scorer out of a dual-winning full-sister to Listed August S. winner Glorious Protector (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}). Her dam Full Moon Fever (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) is also kin to the dam of G2 Premio Vittorio di Capua victor Amore Hass (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) and Listed Gran Premio d'Italia scorer Cime Tempestose (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Folgaria's second dam Hasaiyda (Ire) (Hector Protector) is a multiple-winning half-sister to the dual stakes-winning dual G3 Give Thanks S. runner-up Hasanka (Ire) (Kalanisi {Ire}), herself the dam of the stakes-placed Hasanour (Giant's Causeway). Full Moon Fever, who hails from the family of G1 Derby Italiano hero Houmayoun (Fr) (Akarad {Fr}), has the unraced 2-year-old colt Highland George (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}) to come. Saturday, Newbury, Britain DUBAI DUTY FREE S. (FRED DARLING S.)-G3, £85,000, Newbury, 4-20, 3yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.35, g/s. 1–FOLGARIA (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Due Diligence 1st Dam: Full Moon Fever (Ire), by Azamour (Ire) 2nd Dam: Hasaiyda (Ire), by Hector Protector 3rd Dam: Hasainiya (Ire), by Top Ville (Ire) (€10,000 Ylg '22 TATIRY). O-Scuderia Sagam SRLS B-T Boylan (IRE); T-Marco Botti; J-Hollie Doyle. £48,204. Lifetime Record: MGSW-Ity, 6-6-0-0, $271,703. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Regal Jubilee (GB), 128, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Regal Realm (GB), by Medicean (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £18,275. 3–Elmalka (GB), 128, f, 3, Kingman (GB)–Nahrain (GB), by Selkirk. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum; B-Godolphin (GB); T-Roger Varian. £9,146. Margins: NK, NK, 2 1/4. Odds: 5.00, 3.33, 8.50. Also Ran: Relief Rally (Ire), Topanga (GB), Star Music (GB). A very poignant and emotional victory for @MarcoBotti and Folgaria @HollieDoyle1 @NewburyRacing with the funeral of Stefano Cherchi also taking place today. pic.twitter.com/prhQxwsmyf — MAGNOLIA BLOODSTOCK (@Tom_MBS) April 20, 2024 The post Due Diligence’s Undefeated Folgaria Pounces For Fred Darling Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Handler has high expectations for his exciting galloper after commanding Class Three success: ‘He could probably be a 100-point horse’View the full article

The trend of big wins for lower-profile stables during Riccarton’s autumn carnival continued in the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) on Saturday, where well-travelled veteran Green Luck (Street Cry) delivered a career highlight for Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner. The $120,000 weight-for-age feature followed hard on the heels of last Saturday’s inaugural $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m), which was won by Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) for local owner-trainer-breeder Sharon Robertson. Green Luck ran an eye-catching seventh in that race last weekend, crossing the line three and a half lengths behind the winner, and he backed up seven days later and did something very special for Faulkner and his owners. Ridden by Kylie Williams in Saturday’s Canterbury Gold Cup, Green Luck jumped from gate two and soon strode forward to take the lead. He was able to set a sedate pace down the back of the track, and then Williams began to up the ante coming down the side. Green Luck’s race appeared to be coming to an end as Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Dazzling Miss (NZ) (Proisir) collared him in the straight, but the nine-year-old summoned another mighty effort to claw his way back into the lead and prevail by a half-neck. “That was a good win,” Williams said. “Steph didn’t really want me in front, but he jumped so well. I thought that if we could dictate the race, he’d be pretty hard to roll after he produced such a good performance under 60kg last week. “Down the back, I was thinking ‘Where are they?’ So I had a sneaky look back and they were a wee way behind me, but he was doing it easily and I got some pretty soft sectionals. From about the 800m and 700m, I quickened them and quickened them. “He got headed in the straight, but he stuck to his guns and came back. I thought he’d battle away and end up about sixth, but then I was like, ‘Oh, he’s coming back again here. Come on, buddy!’ He dug deep and got the win.” It was the first black-type victory for Green Luck, who began his career in Queensland with three starts for two wins at Ipswich in February of 2018. The Street Cry gelding’s next 39 starts were in Hong Kong, where he recorded six wins and seven placings. He then joined the Canterbury stable of the late Paul Harris, for whom he made a winning New Zealand debut on Riccarton’s synthetic track in June 2022 and finished fourth in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) that October. Saturday’s big win was Green Luck’s eighth start for Faulkner and capped a consistent run of form that featured a third at Riccarton last March, a fourth in the Listed Timaru Stakes (1400m) in January, a fourth at Ascot Park, a third and a fifth at Riccarton, and his close seventh in the Southern Alps Challenge. The Canterbury Gold Cup was the second black-type success for Faulkner, who had previously won the Listed Timaru Stakes (1200m) with Petrify (NZ) (Scaredee Cat) back in 1998. “This is right up there,” Faulkner said. “It’s kind of unbelievable, really. I don’t know what to say. “He’d been in Hong Kong and won a lot of money over there, and then he came to New Zealand. We had a bit of bad luck with him last year – he went amiss and was out for five months. It’s been a long, slow process to get him back. This is a great result and I’m very happy for his owners. “I don’t really have any plans from here. I’ll probably chuck him out in the paddock for at least a month now, and then we’ll have a look at what we do after that.” A half-brother to the multiple Group One-winning Western Australian gelding Luckygray (Bradbury’s Luck), Green Luck has now had a total of 59 starts for 10 wins, 11 placings and more than $1.2 million in stakes. View the full article

Three-year-old proves he is an exciting prospect with an explosive three-length romp at Sha TinView the full article

Seven-year-old gelding leads home a quinella for veteran handler with strong win under Alexis BadelView the full article