Wandering Eyes

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Thursday, April 18, 2024 First Race 5:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Thursday evening promises another exciting night of racing at Pakenham, with a full card of eight races on the agenda. The track condition is listed as a Soft 5, and the rail position is set out 4m for the entire circuit. The action kicks off at 5:15pm AEST. Best Bet at Pakenham: Angland Angland was a dominant debut winner over the Pakenham 1200m on April 4. The three-year-old gelding stalked the speed, and when asked to quicken, he blasted away from his rivals before going on to win by 7.5 lengths. The son of Ace High draws barrier four in a field of seven, and with a similar run in transit, a similar result is expected for Angland in this BM64 affair. Best Bet Race 2 – #3 Angland (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Beau Mertens (59.5kg) -111.11 with Neds Next Best at Pakenham: Nodachi Nodachi has just one win from 10 career starts, but this BM64 might be the easiest assignment of her career. The already Group-placed filly continues to run on strongly from the rear in her races, and with a genuinely run 1400m affair expected, this one sets up perfectly for Nodachi to absorb the pressure and blouse her rivals. Next Best Race 6 – #5 Nodachi (7) 3yo Filly | T: Mathew Ellerton | J: Joe Bowditch (60.5kg) +450 with Picklebet Next Best Again at Pakenham: Field Of Praise Field Of Praise has hardly run a poor race of late, but she’s struggled to find the winning post in time. The four-year-old mare has been overpowered in her last two starts at Cranbourne, but Luke Cartwright’s 3kg claim is a massive help in this 1200m BM58. If the pair can find the lead from barrier eight without using up too many carrots, Field Of Praise should prove hard to run down in the closer. Next Best Again Race 8 – #1 Field Of Praise (8) 4yo Mare | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Luke Cartwrgiht (a3) (62kg) +270 with PlayUp Thursday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections Thursday, April 18, 2024 2-3-4-5-7 1-4-5 1-3-4-6 1-4-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

California Spangle trials at Sha Tin Brenton Avdulla has a perfect record aboard California Spangle and the in-form Australian will be hoping it stays that way when the pair takes aim at the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, April 28. Twice victorious under Avdulla, California Spangle’s resurgence is one of this season’s success stories following victories in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and US$1.5 million (approx. HK$11.74 million) Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m). “If you told me 12 months ago that I would be linking up with California Spangle and taking on the world I would have laughed at you. “Hong Kong’s most popular horses at the moment are obviously Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, Lucky Sweynesse and California Spangle. He’s got a good horses record and to be partnering a horse like him in my first season in Hong Kong is an absolute honour. “I’m very thankful to Tony Cruz. There’s a lot of behind the scenes work that has got me this opportunity. I’ve had some good support from a number of trainers,” Avdulla said. California Spangle saw his form dip following first-up victory in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) in October. The Irish-bred was unplaced in four subsequent runs, including a lacklustre 13th placing in the HK$32 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) last December. The decision to switch back to sprinting with the Group 1-winning miler has reaped massive rewards for Cruz and now California Spangle is expected to be favourite in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, which won’t feature Lucky Sweynesse, who is out with injury. Two former sparring partners, Golden Sixty and California Spangle, finished first and second at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning in a barrier trial over 1200m on the dirt. Golden Sixty led the field home in 1:10.31. “I’m happy with him (California Spangle). He’s had a busy last six weeks. He won here, he went to Dubai and he seemed to travel well and did a good job. He’s come back and he’s only just got out of quarantine yesterday (Monday, 15 April). “He trialled this morning – he was moving well, feeling well and I thought he trialled just as well as he did to prior to me riding him in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup,” Avdulla said. Golden Sixty returns in the HK$22 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), aiming to win the race for a fourth consecutive time for trainer Francis Lui. “You look at him and you can see he is happy. He’ll have another grass gallop next Thursday (April 25),” Lui said. Ben Thompson only recently arrived in Hong Kong but the talented jockey is relishing the opportunity to ride in one of world racing’s most challenging jurisdictions. “I’m loving it. It’s just gone two months – time has flown. It’s great to have had a few winners and I’m receiving great support. “It’s been an amazing couple of months – with what I’ve learnt and just to be in this environment. Hopefully, I can stay here for longer,” Thompson said. A lightweight in the saddle, Thompson has ridden successfully in Australia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and now Hong Kong. He is aiming for a hat-trick of wins atop Courier Magic at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. “He’s been going super. He’s really enjoying getting around Happy Valley. He steps up to 1800 metres but he remains in Class 4, which he won in last start,” Thompson said. Trained by Jamie Richards, Courier Magic has two wins from nine starts in Hong Kong. “He’s drawn barrier 10 but given he comes in on a rating of 47 with a light weight, there’s no reason to suggest why he can’t keep going on with his winning ways,” Thompson said. Horse racing news View the full article

Pierre Ng is only in his second season of training. Pierre Ng is looking to up the ante in his bid to win a maiden Hong Kong trainers’ championship when he heads to Happy Valley on Wednesday night armed with eight chances across the nine-race fixture. Ng led by 16 wins at Christmas, but now his margin is five (55-50) as a rampaging Francis Lui surged to a half-century with a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday. “They’re chasing hard – it is what it is. We’ll just keep going and hopefully we can get a few more winners, I think we have done a very good job this season,” Ng said. Ng’s entries for the midweek programme are Island Surprise, Medic Elite, Team Happy, Dragon Star, Captain Win, Ka Ying Cheer, Excel Wongchoy and Quantum Patch. The handler has booked Zac Purton for Dragon Star, while Hugh Bowman partners Ka Ying Cheer and Quantum Patch. “Finally, he (Quantum Patch) gets a good draw (two). Luckily, we have Hughie on, I tried to get Zac but he’s unavailable. Hopefully, he gets another win for us,” Ng said. Captain Win lines up with Karis Teetan up, who comfortably holds second place in the jockeys’ championship on 61 wins. “Captain Win has been knocking on the door,” Ng said. “He’s been running really well and I am just looking forward to having one win for the owner. He hasn’t won since he joined my stable and I am really looking forward to that.” Star four-year-old Galaxy Patch stepped out for Ng in a barrier trial on Tuesday under Teetan at Sha Tin, finishing first over 1200m on the dirt in a time of 1:10.48 after coming from off the pace. “He did very well. It was quite easy enough and his racing manner seems to be more mature. The jockey felt like he has really improved from his last race,” Ng said. The four-time winner was second in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) across his last two starts. “He’s been very impressive over pretty much every distance. What I’m looking for is a good run against Golden Sixty. We’ll be happy, and to just learn from that race – he will be a better horse next season,” Ng said. “He definitely does settle now. During the trial he settled more, so he’s much easier to handle. We’re just trying to switch him into a ‘press button horse’ and he did that in the trial, so I’m happy enough.” Blake Shinn will ride Galaxy Patch for a second straight time in the HK$22 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) on April 28 at Sha Tin. “He’s definitely special. To finish second in the Derby and second in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup – he is something that we can look forward to over the next two seasons,” Ng said. Horse racing news View the full article

City’s most successful galloper and rising star set for enthralling Champions Day battle after warming up in styleView the full article

All eyes are on Amelia’s Jewel as she seeks redemption in the second edition of The Quokka, Perth’s richest race with a $5 million purse. Installed as the early favourite again, Amelia’s Jewel will have to overcome a wide barrier draw (12) to claim victory this time around. Amelia’s Jewel is dominant favourite to win The Quokka 2024 in Perth this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. The now four-year-old daughter of Siyouni finished a close second to Overpass in the inaugural Quokka last year. This time, she’ll be aiming to go one better at her beloved Ascot track. Coming off a runner-up finish in the Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m), she’ll likely relish the step up to 1200m. While the wide draw presents a challenge, Amelia’s Jewel remains the favourite at $3.40 with Ladbrokes. Champion jockey Damian Lane will be in the saddle as she looks to secure the win for punters. Last year’s surprise winner, Overpass, is back for a shot at consecutive victories. The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding will look to capitalize on another favourable draw (gate six) as he returns to the track and distance where he triumphed in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes last December. Overpass boasts a perfect record at Ascot (2:2-0-0) and is currently priced at $4.60 in The Quokka betting. Rounding out the podium finishers from the first Quokka was Bella Nipotina, who is also back this year with jockey Craig Williams aboard the classy Ciaron Maher-trained mare. Drawn poorly at gate 13, she’ll be looking to improve on her third-place finish at odds of $5.50. Beyond the top contenders, several other horses are eager to claim their own piece of The Quokka glory. Oscar’s Fortune ($6) is a serious threat with ace local jockey William Pike. He’s been in top form recently and has a history of success at Ascot (5 wins, 3 seconds from 8 starts). Rich Enuff ($6) is a lightly raced three-year-old with a promising record (5 wins, 3 seconds from 8 starts). While yet to win over the 1200m distance, he shouldn’t be discounted after he beat Amelia’s Jewel home in the Roma Cup last time out. Finally, King Of Sparta ($8) is a force to be reckoned with coming off victories in the Magic Millions Sprint and the Expressway Stakes earlier this year. Drawn well in gate four with Blake Shinn riding, his impressive 1200m record (19:7-3-2) makes him a contender to watch. The stage is set for an exciting race with Amelia’s Jewel facing a strong challenge from a field of talented competitors. See the latest The Quokka 2024 betting odds here. 2024 The Quokka Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 90x12x201x OVERPASS Bjorn Baker Joshua Parr 6 58.5kg 115 2 624x28211x KING OF SPARTA Peter & Paul Snowden Blake Shinn 4 58.5kg 113 3 576×363362 MALKOVICH Bjorn Baker Ben Melham 2 58.5kg 105 4 42x7x260x5 TRIPLE MISSILE Grant & Alana Williams Brad Parnham 7 58.5kg 100 5 55700x118x WAITAK (NZ) Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Kyle Wilson-Taylor 10 58.5kg 106 6 3242191×42 SALOON BAR Daniel Morton Rhys McLeod 1 58.5kg 83 7 33315×4542 BELLA NIPOTINA Ciaron Maher Craig Williams 13 56.5kg 113 8 x12x1190x2 AMELIA’S JEWEL Simon A Miller Damian Lane 12 56.5kg 113 9 3x228132x3 RIPCORD Luke Fernie Clint Johnston-Porter 5 56.5kg 104 10 111122×21 OSCAR’S FORTUNE Dion Luciani William Pike 3 56.5kg 107 11 3x178x41x1 WILD BELLE Luke Fernie Steven Parnham 11 56.5kg 99 12 6x12x23 ALMIGHTY CLASS Mitchell Pateman Jarrad Noske 8 56.5kg 78 13 1211x1232x SUPER SMINK Daniel Morton Chris Parnham 14 54.5kg 90 14 11×4742113 PETULA Simon A Miller Patrick Carbery 9 54.5kg 81 15e 225x3373x8 COMFORT ME Rhys Radford 0 58.5kg 108 16e 0x13645x08 RED CAN MAN Steve Wolfe 0 58.5kg 104 17e x371607676 HOT ZED Lou Luciani 0 58.5kg 102 18e 205×627144 GEMMA’S SON Embroja-Lee Altieri 0 58.5kg 96 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 2024 The Quokka Field & Odds: Amelia’s Jewel Faces Stiff Competition appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The Maggstar and jockey Jade Hampson return to the mounting yard after dead-heating for the win in the National Apprentice Race Series at Sandown in April 2023. (Photo: Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Northern Territory could seal its first National Apprentice Races Series (NARS) title on Wednesday. The fifth and final leg takes place at Doomben, and with two heats remaining it’s South Australia on 37 points leading from the NT (31). Jade Hampson, Darwin’s third-year apprentice, will be seeking points after drawing Aces Up in a 2000m maiden and Under Twenty Two in a 1200m Class 1. The 20-year-old represented the NT last Friday in Darwin after replacing suspended Top End apprentice Emma Lines. Hampson had two seconds, succumbing to WA’s Rosie Mahony on each occasion. NT had not participated in the NARS since 2014 before returning last year, when Hampson and Alice Springs pair Dakota Gillett and Ianish Luximon appeared in five of the six legs. NSW did not feature in the NARS last year and Victoria pulled out this year, but it was during a heat at Sandown last April that Hampson dead-heated for first aboard The Maggstar. Although she had no luck at Eagle Farm in 2023, Hampson’s Sandown success gives the NT hope on Wednesday having also won on debut at Darwin, Alice Springs, Broome, Kununurra, and Jamestown. SA’s Rochelle Milnes is booked to ride In The Picture and then Zelgaria, and form suggests that Hampson has the better rides. Aces Up has finished second in his past two starts, while Under Twenty Two boasts a second and a win after returning from a spell. Hampson, who claims 1.5kg in the NT after 61 wins, can claim 3kg in Brisbane. “I’m pretty happy with my rides,” she said. “It will be good to experience Doomben, it’s always nice to try out new tracks. “I like the NARS concept, it’s a good opportunity for apprentices to come here to Darwin and for us to ride interstate. “Dakota rode at Murray Bridge, Lek (Maloney) went to Hobart and Ianish had success in Perth. “Everyone who has represented NT has done well, hopefully Emma will get her opportunity next year.” During the recent Alice Springs Cup Carnival, Hampson, Gillett, Maloney, Luximon and Lines all booted home a winner at Pioneer Park on Day 1. Hampson is riding well and getting back to peak fitness following a fall last July prior to the Darwin Cup Carnival, with a back injury sidelining her until Melbourne Cup Day. “I still have back issues – it hurts sometimes, other days it doesn’t,” she said. “Getting back to full fitness was my main objective, I also wanted to improve my stamina. “I’m now pulling up well after races and physically I feel a lot better. “No more physio, but I’m still going to the gym every day. “My riding has improved, I’m reading races a lot better. “My master Tayarn Halter and other trainers have told me to be a bit more patient. “They’ve been supportive in every way possible.” Horse racing news View the full article

Speed Boat Beach was named the 2023 Florida-bred Horse of the Year in a vote by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association board of directors.View the full article

In a vote by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association board of directors, Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) has been crowned the 2023 Florida-bred Horse of the Year. The result was announced Monday night at the FTBOA Awards Gala. Bred by Richard Heysek's Caperlane Farm, who was also presented with the Needles Award recognizing the Small Thoroughbred Breeder of the Year in Florida, the Bob Baffert runner also took home the awards for champion 3-year-old colt and champion male sprinter. In 2023, Speed Boat Beach won the GI Malibu S. at Santa Anita Park and finished second in the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship H. Marilyn Campbell's Stonehedge LLC took home Florida Breeder of the Year and leading breeder by Florida-bred earnings awards after Stonehedge-bred runners earned over $3.3-million with 103 wins during the year. Arindel was crowned leading owner by state-bred earnings with over $1.69-million to their credit. Florida stalwart Khozan took home honors as the 2023 Florida Stallion of the Year, a fourth consecutive title, and tied Montbrook and Wildcat Heir by title count. He's the only Florida stallion to be honored four years in a row going back to 1991. Florida-based Jena Antonucci was presented the 2023 Bruce Campbell Award for outstanding achievement as the first woman to train the winner of a Triple Crown race. Stuart Morris and Ruben M. Sanchez' Really and Truly Thoroughbreds were awarded the 2023 Joseph M. O'Farrell Memorial Award, presented by Ocala Breeders' Sales Company to the consignors of Speed Boat Beach, the top Florida-bred of the year who graduated from an OBS auction. Saffie Joseph Jr. was recognized as the leading Florida trainer by state-bred earnings and tied with Kathleen O'Connell and Jose D'Angelo as leading trainer by state-bred wins. Joseph and D'Angelo tied for leading trainer by black-type wins. Other Florida-bred champions on the night were: 2-Year-Old Fillies: Honey Dijon (Girvin) and R Harper Rose (Khozan), who tied for the award 2-Year-Old Colt: Bentornato (Valiant Minister) 3-Year-Old Filly: Dorth Vader (Girvin) Older Female and Female Sprinter: Maryquitecontrary (First Dude) Older Horse: Isolate (Mark Valeksi) Male Turf Horse: Me and Mr. C (Khozan) Female Turf Horse: Sweet Dani Girl.(Jess's Dream) The post Speed Boat Beach is Florida Horse of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pride Of Jenni was in splendid isolation when claiming the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Ciaron Maher has revealed the roadmap for the formidable Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) victor, Pride Of Jenni, revealing intentions to target the prestigious Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) in October. Initially contemplating the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) following the thrilling win last Saturday, Maher officially solidified the Cox Plate aspirations via RSN972 on Monday. “The Cox Plate will be our target,” declared Maher. “The King Charles has been mentioned but the Cox Plate is the one.” Market dynamics reflect the growing confidence in Pride Of Jenni’s prowess, with her odds firming from +400 to +350 in Cox Plate futures markets with horse racing bookies. She is poised to engage in a riveting showdown with Queen Elizabeth Stakes runner-up Via Sistina, who shares the second line of betting at +500 alongside the 2023 Cox Plate victor, Romantic Warrior. If Pride Of Jenni graces the turf for the King Charles III Stakes, she would enter the Cox Plate on a seven-day back-up. Horse racing news View the full article

Magic Time winning the 2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Magic Time is set to amplify her Group 1 achievements as she gears up for Saturday’s All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. Trained by Grahame Begg, the four-year-old prodigy clinched the prestigious Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on her final outing last season. This time around, she commenced her campaign with commendable sixth and seventh-placed finishes in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) respectively. “I thought she ran very well,” remarked Begg regarding his mare’s performance in the TJ Smith. “The jockey (Michael Dee) thought she was going to be the winner turning for home. I guess she just drew probably not the gate that was desirable on the day, barrier one. “She got beaten 1.1 lengths and ran seventh, so she has run very well.” Begg continued, emphasising her potential for improvement. “Obviously she’ll improve with another run under her belt. That was only her second run back this time round. “She had a good month between runs between the Newmarket and the TJ and now two weeks into the All Aged. We’re very happy with her and she’s stepping up to 1400 metres.” Magic Time is listed +600 a winning chance with horse racing bookmakers for Saturday’s All Aged Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Horse racing on Tuesday, April 16, will feature three meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Scone. Monday Racing Tips – April 16, 2024 Scone Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on April 16, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Nereus winning the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images PN New Zealand’s champion jockey, Michael McNab, is poised to make his Victorian debut this weekend when partnering the Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained Nereus in Saturday’s Mornington Cup (2400m). The Kiwi sensation, Nereus, boasts an impressive record of five wins from eight career starts, including a recent triumph in the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham. Ritchie is optimistic about the prospects of the four-year-old progeny of Savabeel (Zabeel) in this weekend’s Listed event. “Nereus is very good. He’s not your typical New Zealand stayer, as he’s not a big-striding New Zealand stayer,” Ritchie shared with Racing.com. “He’s nifty with a nice little turn of foot at the end of 2000 metres, so we’re chancing our arm by going to 2400 metres. “We feel Mornington will suit him and so will Caulfield, so we are hoping to get our spot in the Caulfield Cup.” “We’re going to have a go and see how good we are. We have to step up again on New Zealand form but he’s doing that every start.” McNab, renowned for clinching consecutive New Zealand jockeys’ premierships in 2021-22 and 2022-23, currently ranks second in this year’s standings. Horse racing news View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Tuesday, April 16. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these complimentary promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximize your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for April 16, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Place A 4 Leg Multi, If One Leg Fails, Bonus Back Up To $50 Applies to your first eligible 4+ leg multi each day. Paid in bonus cash. Must use available balance. T&C’s apply. Login to PickleBet 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 Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet 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 How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for April 16, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

To facilitate a greater reach and membership growth for both the National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics (NAEAA) and reciprocal organizations, the NAEAA has created a Reciprocal Organization Membership, the group stated Monday. The mission of the NAEAA is to strengthen post-secondary equine academic programs, provide networking opportunities, and facilitate increased cooperation and information sharing among their members from public and private institutions. To further it, the group invites collaboration with other non-profit equine organizations centered around post-secondary education. For more information and to see upcoming events, please visit their website. The post NAEAA Announces Reciprocal Organization Membership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Woodbine's 5th annual Derby Day Party will take place Saturday, May 4 and tickets are now on sale, the track announced via release Monday. The event will feature a livestream from Churchill Downs, food, fashion, and live racing on site highlighted by the GIII Whimsical S. Included with a ticket purchase are complimentary food and dessert stations as well as a mint julep in a solid copper cup. Derby-style attire is highly encouraged and there will be a “best dressed' contest, photo booth, and various other activities on the day. A viewing party will take place in Woodbine's Turf Lounge, a newly renovated space on the second floor, formerly Favourites, showcasing a panoramic view of the racetrack. Tickets are $110 per person and are available for purchase here. The post Derby Day at Woodbine Tickets On Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Christophe Clement said April 15 that Deterministic is "unlikely" to run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after a disappointing eighth-place finish as a 4-5 favorite in his last race, the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

John W. Jacobs, son of Hall of Fame trainer Hirsch Jacobs, died April 10 after a long illness at the age of 89.View the full article

Declaring he understands the arguments, a Louisville, Ky., judge said he will issue a ruling this week on Amr Zedan's courtroom bid to force Churchill Downs to allow Arkansas Derby (G1) winner and Bob Baffert trainee Muth in the Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

The lawsuit filed by Amr Zedan's incorporated racing stable to try and get Bob Baffert-trained horses un-barred from the GI Kentucky Derby could get decided by the end of this week according to several published news reports in the wake of a Monday hearing in Kentucky's Jefferson Circuit Court. Ron Flatter of Horse Racing Nation reported that the judge in Zedan's lawsuit against Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) was “prepared to rule” on Zedan's motion for an injunction and/or on CDI's motion to dismiss the case entirely, but wanted to wait until the Kentucky attorney general weighed in on the constitutionality of a law that CDI is citing that is designed to prevent the filing of allegedly frivolous lawsuits. Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal reported that John Quinn, an attorney representing Zedan, argued Apr. 15 that the decision to extend Baffert's previous two-year suspension was based on the “subjective opinion” of CDI's chief executive, Bill Carstanjen. Matt Hegarty of Daily Racing Form wrote that judge Mitchell Perry “spent much of Monday's hearing drilling attorneys for Zedan on why the owner waited to file his request for a temporary injunction until April when it was known that Baffert had been banned through the 2024 Derby in July of the previous year.” Perry told Zedan's legal team that much of the relief they were seeking could have been issued at any point in the last 10 months after stating that the late hour of their request was putting 'an incredible time crunch on everyone involved, including this court.'” Hegarty also quoted a lawyer for CDI, Thomas Dupree, as stating to the judge that Zedan was well aware his horses would not earn Derby qualifying points if they were under Baffert's care. “He knew back in July of last year that if he kept Mr. Baffert as his trainer then his horses would not be eligible,” Hegarty's DRF story quoted Dupree. “Each time, he decided to stick with Mr. Baffert, knowing the consequences of his decision, and he now regrets that decision.” After the Zedan-owned and Baffert-trained Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone in the 2021 Derby, Baffert was banned from CDI's properties for two years. A federal judge in February 2023 denied Baffert a preliminary injunction that the Hall-of-Fame trainer had sought to be eligible to race in the Derby. Last July CDI extended the ban at least through 2024. Baffert is not a party to this latest lawsuit. Zedan owns the GI Arkansas Derby winner Muth (Good Magic), who would be among the Derby favorites if allowed to race. It is unclear if a ruling in favor of Zedan would allow other Baffert trainees owned by different entities to also participate in the Derby, or if any lifting of the ban would also permit Baffert's trainees to enter the GI Kentucky Oaks. After the hearing, a spokesperson for Zedan issued the following statement to TDN: “We appreciate the attention the Judge has paid to this case and we share the court's interest in definitively resolving these issues for the 150th Derby and beyond. We look forward to his rulings on our case.” TDN also requested comment from CDI, but a spokesperson for the corporation did not respond prior to deadline for this story. Next up is an Apr. 17 hearing. The post Reports: Judge Could Rule on Zedan Derby Lawsuit by End of Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The rankings below are independent from the “Road to the GI Kentucky Derby” leaderboard that Churchill Downs uses to determine starting berths. In addition, several horses listed here could be aiming for other Triple Crown races. 1) MUTH (c, Good Magic–Hoppa, by Uncle Mo) 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Zedan Racing Stables Inc; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $190,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $2,000,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 6-4-2-0, $1,504,100. Last start: WON Mar. 30 GI Arkansas Derby. Right now there's a court showdown in Kentucky initiated by Muth's owner, Amr Zedan, to try and get this son of Good Magic ($190,000 KEESEP, $2 million OBSMAR) eligible to start in the Derby despite a corporate ban by Churchill Downs against Bob Baffert's trainees. This 'TDN Rising Star' and winner of the GI Arkansas Derby would be among the favorites if he were granted access to the gate in Louisville. Otherwise, Baffert has indicated Muth is on target for the GI Preakness S. Muth reacted professionally to two disruptive attempts in the early stages of the Arkansas Derby. Off as the 2.3-1 second choice, he showed good speed early, then Juan Hernandez conceded the lead when a 26-1 shot slipped through at the rail. When 11-10 favorite Timberlake (Into Mischief) unexpectedly accelerated between rivals at the 6 ½-furlong pole to seize the lead, Muth shadowed him about a length back while not expending much energy in doing so. Muth began to gather serious momentum 3 ½ furlongs out, and opened up under a hand ride past his spent rival. Muth was then kept to task by Hernandez in the stretch to win by two lengths over Just Steel (Justify), and at no point did he appear to be scraping the bottom of his stamina reserves. Muth has four wins and a pair of seconds from six lifetime races since breaking his maiden way back on June 18. He was second in the GIII Best Pal S., first in the GI American Pharoah S., second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, then a winner in the GII San Vicente S. prior to his tally at Oaklawn. 2) SIERRA LEONE (c, Gun Runner–Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon) 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael B Tabor, Derrick Smith Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing LLC & Peter M Brant; B-Debby M Oxley (KY); T-Chad Brown. Sales history: $2,300,000 Ylg '22 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-3-1-0, $918,000. Last start: WON Apr. 6 GI Blue Grass S. When speed figures get adjusted several races after those numbers were initially assigned, it squares away potential inaccuracies moving forward. But this process of revising numerical ratings also can give horseplayers fits, because the changes can significantly alter one's perception of the overall pecking order. A case in point was last week's Beyer Speed Figure change for Sierra Leone. After this $2.3 million FTSAUG sale-topper earned a 98 in winning the Apr. 6 GI Blue Grass S., Andrew Beyer told Daily Racing Form's David Grening that the colt's winning figure for the GII Risen Star S. would be upgraded from 90 to 95, and that all the horses who finished behind Sierra Leone would also be get a five-point boost. “The Fair Grounds track was sloppy on Feb. 17, and may have been getting slower when the Risen Star was run,” Beyer told DRF. “Moreover, the pace of the Risen Star was slow enough to hinder horses from running a fast final time. “The subsequent performances of horses in the field demonstrated that our initial figure was too low,” Beyer explained. “Three of the top five finishers all came back to win important stakes, and all five of these horses earned speed figures five or more points higher than their published numbers for the Risen Star.” So Sierra Leone's career Beyer arc now reads 71-91-95-98 instead of 71-91-90-98. The betting public's assessment of Gun Runner-sired 'TDN Rising Star' probably won't change all that much because of how the numbers paint him. He's capable of making one sustained run from five furlongs out, and as the Derby's best-credentialed closer, Sierra Leone will vie for favoritism with 2-year-old champ and fellow 'Rising Star' Fierceness, who projects to be a pacemaker. 3) FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) (c, Reel Steel {Jpn}–Forever Darling, by Congrats). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Racing; T-Yoshito Yahagi. Sales History: ¥98,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL. Lifetime Record: 5-5-0-0, $2,049,451. Last start: WON Mar. 30 G2 UAE Derby. The 5-for-5 Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) arrived at Churchill Downs on Saturday, then jogged in the one-mile chute for about 20 minutes before taking a 1 1/8-mile gallop Sunday. This Yoshito Yahagi trainee, who sold for the equivalent of $720,603 at the JRHA Select Yearling and Foal sale, has earned the distinction of being the most credible foreign threat in the Derby since the advent of the points qualifying system. Forever Young's victory in the G2 UAE Derby over 1900 meters stamped him as an A-lister based on his ground-conceding outside trip that featured deft shifting into consecutively higher gears and a confident drawing-away in the stretch. Although there were only four dirt races on the G1 Dubai World Cup card at Meydan that day, two of them were blowout wins by speed horses who rode the rail, suggesting that the wide-all-the-way run by Forever Young could have been against the grain of the way the track was playing. This colt's chances in the Derby will be augmented if jockey Ryusei Sakai can carve out a stalking trip that utilizes Forever Young's tactical speed to put him somewhere in the first flight or just behind it. Although he has come from farther back in several of his victories, rating from way off the tailgate in a 20-horse Derby doesn't seem like the most effective use of his cruising ability. 4) FIERCENESS (c, City of Light–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty) 'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Repole Stable (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo, MGISW, 5-3-0-1, $1,703,850. Last start: WON Mar. 30 GI Curlin Florida Derby. Now that all the speed-figure cards for the Derby are face-up on the table, the 110 Beyer awarded to 'TDN Rising Star' and 2-year-old champ Fierceness for his GI Florida Derby win stands atop the crop. The chief question for handicappers though, is whether you think this Repole Stable homebred by City of Light can replicate or better that gaudy number in the Derby. It was earned under ideal circumstances in a 13 1/4 -length blowout against no other horses currently ranked among TDN's Top 20 sophomores. A few weeks back the Derby was shaping up as a race lacking strong early speed horses. Now that vacuum has been theoretically filled, with Fierceness, Track Phantom (Quality Road), Dornoch (Good Magic), T O Password (JPN) (Copano Rickey (JPN)), and possibly Encino (Nyquist) all likely to want a say in the early fray. When Fierceness is on his game, he is one of the most dangerous colts in the division. But excelling under adversity has not been his strong suit, with two baffling, odds-on losses in the GI Champagne S. and GIII Holy Bull S. offsetting resounding scores in his Saratoga unveiling, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and the Florida Derby. 5) TRACK PHANTOM (c, Quality Road–Miss Sunset, by Into Mischief) O-L and N Racing LLC, Clark Brewster, Jerry Caroom & Breeze Easy LLC; B-Breeze Easy (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Sales history: $500,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-3-2-1, $405,000. Last start: 4th in Mar. 23 GII Louisiana Derby. I always try to rate “how he did it” over “how fast” when handicapping. But in Track Phantom's case, even though I've consistently liked the way he's gone about his business when challenges have been thrown in his path, I still have nagging doubts about whether this colt is truly fast enough to be able to pull off a Derby win. This $500,000 KEESEP son of Quality Road has handled different types of pace pressure despite being routinely drawn in or near the outside stall. He has engaged in several hard-fought stretch battles, and has run well over two different types of wet tracks at Fair Grounds and Churchill. Even his beaten-fave fourth-place try after setting a moderate pace in the GII Louisiana Derby wasn't as bad as it might seem. Closers stacked up five across the lane behind Track Phantom at the top of the stretch, yet he didn't capitulate until the sixteenth pole. Track Phantom isn't a flashy sort, but you have to give him points for consistency. Getting out of the gate is crucial in the Derby. This colt has been on the lead at the first call in five of his seven lifetime races, and in the two others he was second, just a head behind. Trainer Steve Asmussen will try blinkers on Track Phantom for the Derby. After pairing 94 Beyers in his last two efforts, he'll need about a 10-point improvement to win. Dornoch is the full-brother to Derby winner Mage | Ryan Thompson 6) DORNOCH (c, Good Magic–Puca, by Big Brown) O-West Paces Racing LLC, R A Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding LLC, Two Eight Racing LLC & Pine Racing Stables; B-Grandview Equine (KY); T-Danny Gargan. Sales history: $325,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 6-3-2-0, $552,275. Last start: 4th in the GI Blue Grass S. Apr. 6. Dornoch has lost some steam in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools, going from 9-1 in February to 12-1 in March to 15-1 in April. Although this son of Good Magic has cachet because he is a full brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage, his no-impact fourth in the Blue Grass S. wasn't an emphatic enough of a final prep to stamp him as a major contender. Although I wouldn't recommend singling Dornoch, it wouldn't be prudent to eliminate him off your Derby tickets entirely. Trainer Danny Gargan was asking this $325,000 KEESEP colt to change tactics by rating from behind horses in the Blue Grass, and after conceding that bit of schooling didn't work out, he said Luis Saez will be instructed just to let Dornoch roll from the gate in the Derby. Gargan has spent the winter at Palm Meadows trying to get the brawny-framed Dornoch to maintain a keen sense of focus. If the figurative lightbulb clicks on in the Derby, look out. 7) JUST A TOUCH (c, Justify-Touching Beauty, by Tapit) O-Qatar Racing LLC, Resolute Racing & Marc Detampel; B-Don Alberto Corp. (KY); T-Brad Cox. Sales history: $170,000 RNA '22 KEESEP; $125,000 yrl '22 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 3-1-2-0, $281,700. Last start: 2nd in GI Blue Grass S. Apr. 6. Just a Touch deserves praise for what he has accomplished in only three starts. But since his second-place effort in the Blue Grass S., his bandwagon has become crowded enough to warrant a reality check. Are Derby prognosticators “reaching” for a horse who has yet to truly peak? In the Blue Grass, this Brad Cox-trained colt ($170,000 RNA KEESEP, $125,000 FTKOCT, $300,000 OBSAPR) pressed a rapid pace, then gained control of the lead from the three-sixteenths marker until just before the sixteenth pole. He was no match for the locomotive-like close of Sierra Leone, but he didn't pack it in, and after being beaten only 1 ½ lengths, galloped out well. Prior to that, Just a Touch broke his maiden by 4 ½ lengths sprinting at Fair Grounds Jan. 27, then was a wide but willing second in the Mar. 2 GIII Gotham S. at Aqueduct, both in the slop. The post-Blue Grass reasoning has focused on how if Just a Touch could deliver such a good showing in only his first race around two turns and in his first race on a dry track, he just might be capable of turning in the over-the-top effort he will need to win the Derby, which will be run one day prior to his third birthdate. From 1900 to the present, 26 horses have attempted to win the Kentucky Derby with exactly three lifetime starts. Only four have won: Mage in 2023, Justify in 2018, Big Brown in 2008 and Regret in 1915. Beyond those four, only one of the remaining 22 managed to hit the board (Curlin, third in 2007). Just a Touch's sire, Justify, in 2018 became the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Derby without having raced at age two. Mage then triumphed over the “Apollo curse” in 2023. But the record of horses in the Derby without a race at age two since 1937 is 2-3-5 from 73 starts. 8) ENCINO (c, Nyquist–Glittering Jewel, by Bernardini) O-Godolphin LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $378,315. Last Start: WON GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. Apr. 13. Encino (Nyquist) is a legit wild card if he goes in the Derby. He's in sharp form with three straight wins and a Beyer pattern that keeps improving. Yet he's taken an unconventional path to the Triple Crown level, pairing stakes victories in the John Battaglia Memorial S. over Tapeta at Turfway and wiring the GIII Lexington S. over Keeneland's short-stretch configuration for 1 1/16 miles. Speed and the rail have produced favorable results this spring at Keeneland, and this Godolphin homebred had little trouble establishing himself at the head of affairs in his first dirt try, rattling off unopposed opening quarter-mile splits of :23.53 and :23.73. Encino responded when roused to swat back the race's only true challenger. But it's not entirely clear if the three-quarter length win (94 Beyer) was more attributable to Encino's fighting spirit or the inability of The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso) to seal the deal off a six-month layoff. The rest of the field was 8 ¼ lengths back. Encino could end up being an intriguing wiseguy play in a year where the success of the two obvious Derby favorites (Fierceness and Sierra Leone) hinges upon whether they get the right pace and/or trips, and the next two logical horses in the betting (Just a Touch and Forever Young) still haven't won American dirt stakes. 9) IMAGINATION (c, Into Mischief–Magical Feeling, by Empire Maker) O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Robert Masterson, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan & Tom Ryan; B-Peter Blum Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $1,050,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-2-3-0, $406,800. Last start: 2nd in the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 6. No next start has been publicly disclosed for Imagination (Into Mischief), a Bob Baffert trainee who was most recently second in the GI Santa Anita Derby. This $1.05-million KEESEP colt has been battle-tested by hooking up in prolonged late-race fights in three straight races. Even though he didn't come out on the winning end of all of those stretch tussles, it's the type of experience that will stand him in good stead at the Triple Crown level. Imagination is now 2-4-0 from six lifetime starts, which include five two-turn races. 10) RESILIENCE (c, Into Mischief-Meadowsweet, by Smart Strike) O-Emily Bushnell & Ric Waldman; B-Pam & Martin Wygod (KY); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-2-1-1, $494,630. Last start: WON Apr. 6 GI Wood Memorial S. The GII Wood Memorial S. win didn't appear to be an overlay demanding race for Resilience, and he does exit the most obvious key race among the points-awarding winter preps. Prior to his blinkers-on score in the Wood, he ran fourth in the Risen Star S., from which the first- and third-place finishers, Sierra Leone and Catching Freedom (Constitution) also won graded stakes in their next starts. It took Resilience four starts to break his maiden. But the horses who won those first three at Saratoga and Churchill all eventually became stakes winners, so this colt gets points for taking a path to Louisville that has been laden with legit competition. The question is whether this Bill Mott trainee is going take another leap forward (a small step won't do it) in Louisville. 11) CATCHING FREEDOM (c, Constitution–Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile) O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-WinStar Farm (KY); T-Brad Cox. Sales history: $575,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-0-1, $877,350. Last start: WON Mar. 23 GII Louisiana Derby. This medium-framed $575,000 KEESEP colt by Constitution from Brad Cox's barn waited patiently at the back behind a moderate tempo in the Louisiana Derby, then unwound 2 1/2 furlongs out and fanned 12 wide into the lane. He ran straight and reeled in his targets, but for the most part was passing horses who had already made their major moves in upper stretch. The win returned a 97 Beyer, building on a previous upward trend of 72-77-87-92. Only two horses have won the Louisiana Derby and then the Kentucky Derby: Grindstone in 1996 and Black Gold in 1924. 12) JUST STEEL (c, Justify–Irish Lights {Aus}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}). O-BC Stables, LLC; B-Summerhill Farm (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Sales History: $500,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISP, 11-2-4-1, $724,545. Last start: 2nd Mar. 30 GI Arkansas Derby. It's at this juncture within the Top 20 that we have to realistically start considering every Derby aspirant from Just Steel on down to be “chaos contenders.” In other words, a lot of things would have to go wrong, tactics-wise, with almost all of the projected favorites, and a lot of things would have to go right for these longer shots to envision one of them wearing a blanket of roses. Yet it happens. Just ask Rich Strike (Keen Ice), the 80-1 Derby winner from two years ago. This $500,000 KEESEP colt trained by D. Wayne Lukas already has 11 races of experience, and on three occasions at age three he's finished second around two turns in points-awarding Derby prep stakes. The one time he didn't, Just Steel was five wide round both turns in the GII Rebel S. In the Arkansas Derby, Just Steel raced close to the pace throughout and finished only two workmanlike lengths behind No. 1-ranked Muth. Potentially rounding out the Derby starting gate… 13) Domestic Product (Practical Joke) Last week on the TDN Writers' Room podcast, trainer Chad Brown made a cogent case for this Klaravich Stables homebred to be “an under-the-radar real contender for the Derby” with a switch to jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. because Tyler Gaffalione is committed to No.2-ranked Sierra Leone. Brown said he expected big things out of this son of Practical Joke in his Saratoga sprint debut, but attributed the subpar fifth to the colt getting pelted with dirt kickback. Domestic Product then missed some training, and although Brown doesn't usually like to run a 2-year-old at nine furlongs off just one six-furlong start, he did so on Oct. 27 and the result was a 4 1/2-length win at Aqueduct. Brown said the muddy track was the primary reason for Domestic Product's poor seventh-place showing in the GII Remsen S., adding that a similarly wet track could be a problem if the rains come on Derby Day. But, Brown added, Domestic Product's second in the GII Holy Bull S. and win in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby both were promising considering the colt closed into very slow paces in both races. After the Tampa Derby, Brown said Gaffalione told him that Domestic Product is “not that far behind” Sierra Leone. “Going a mile and a quarter, they're not as much separating these two horses as you think,” the jockey told him. “So I trust [Gaffalione],” Brown said. “I think taking the blinkers off of this horse was a positive move for him in his last two starts.” 14) Mystik Dan (Goldencents) In the Arkansas Derby, this homebred son of Goldencents for owners Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby and 4G Racing didn't live up to his 101-Beyer winning, wet-track form from the GIII Southwest S. He was carried wide and encountered a bit of trip trouble, and ended up third, beaten 6 ½ lengths in his nine-furlong debut. Throughout this colt's campaign, trainer Kenny McPeek has emphasized that Mystik Dan has a good mind and an easygoing attitude, both of which can be more valuable than what's on paper in his past performances. McPeek said after a Saturday workout that Mystik Dan “got a lot” out of the Arkansas Derby “and has shown he handled it well in his training after.” Co-owner Eric Waller, left, leads Stronghold and jockey Antonio Fresu into the winner's circle after their victory in the GI Santa Anita Derby | Benoit 15) Stronghold (Ghostzapper) Stronghold is one of the more mature Derby aspirants, showing an ability to relax out of the gate, be responsive to his rider's cues to engage, and win stretch battles even after getting in front and then briefly losing the lead. This Ghostzapper-sired homebred for Rick and Sharon Waller necked Imagination in the Santa Anita Derby. He earned an 89 Beyer, the same figure as his score in the GIII Sunland Derby Feb. 18. Those have been his only two starts at age three. Although currently based in Southern California with trainer Phil D'Amato, Stronghold has already won over the Churchill surface. His one-turn-mile maiden victory back on Oct. 1 is notable because the second- and third-place finishers, Resilience and Track Phantom, are both currently ranked ahead of him on this list. 16) Endlessly (Oscar Performance) Endlessly, whose six races thus far been all on either turf or Tapeta, is aiming for a May 4 start at Churchill. But trainer Michael McCarthy still hasn't zeroed in on whether that will be in the Kentucky Derby or the GII American Turf S. This son of Oscar Performance won the Mar. 23 GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks S. by four lengths with a complete-control outside move that outclassed the field. Endlessly has won five races total, and his only loss is much better than it looks. This homebred for Amerman Racing was eighth, but beaten only 3 1/2 lengths, in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. 17) Honor Marie (Honor Code) This $40,000 KEESEP colt by Honor Code turns three on Derby Day. Although a touch behind his peers age-wise, Honor Marie does have the benefit of having won a two-turn stakes at Churchill at age two, the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. Trainer Whit Beckman is on record as saying that the 10-fulrong distance, “if not farther” might end up being Honor Marie's sweet spot. He was most recently third in the Louisiana Derby with a seven wide bid from the back of the pack. 18) Society Man (Good Magic) This $85,000 KEESEP son of Good Magic chased without making an impact in his July 22 Saratoga sprint debut, then resurfaced seven months later at Aqueduct tasked with nine furlongs. Society Man was bumped at the break and wide on the turns when third in that try, then had a nearly identical trouble line when attempting stakes company as a maiden in the muddy GIII Withers S. He was difficult to load but delivered in a one-turn maiden mile Mar 9 in New York (also in the mud), then was a best-of-the-rest second at 106-1 odds behind Resilience in the Wood Memorial. A plus is three races of experience at nine furlongs. 19) West Saratoga (Exaggerator) As an $11,000 KEESEP bargain who has already bankrolled more than 40 times his purchase price in purses, this Larry Demeritte trainee deserves kudos for overachievement. But despite running decently in several lower-profile stakes this season, West Saratoga (Exaggerator) hasn't hit the winner's circle since he registered a mild 12-1 upset in the Sept. 16 GIII Iroquois S., a one-turn mile at Churchill. This gray is also behind numbers-wise, with an 85 Beyer earned over Tapeta in his runner-up Jeff Ruby Steaks S. effort his career best. West Saratoga's consistent tactical speed, which he's utilized to be within striking distance of the mid-race leaders in every single one of his 10 starts, could be an asset in the Derby. 20) T O Password (Jpn) (Copano Rickey {Jpn}) The “T O” in T O Password (Jpn) is a naming convention for horses owned by Tomoya Ozasa. This is a forward-running colt by Japanese champion dirt horse Copano Rickey (Jpn). T O Password is a May 20 foal who did not make his debut until Jan. 6 at Kyoto in an 1,800-meter (about nine furlongs) maiden race. As the second favorite in the betting, he pressed a moderate pace and shook free over the final three furlongs to draw away by two lengths. In the Mar. 23 1,800-meter Fukuryu S., this 13-1 Daisuke Takayanagi trainee went straight to the lead but tired late. He would have been nailed in the final jump by an onrushing closer had he not been saved by the wire. T O Password figures to be a long-shot proposition north of 50-1 in the Derby. However, his tactics under Kazushi Kimura (Woodbine's leading rider last year) could play a major role in how the pace unfolds. The post TDN Sophomore Top 20: Pace Scenario For Derby Coming Into Clearer Focus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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The 2024 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In schedule of 82 races in 12 countries includes 41 international races. Two new races in South Korea have been added to the program.View the full article

On the back of a 2023 racing calendar which saw no racing fatalities, the 2024 summer season at Del Mar will feature among the nation's highest prize money as well as a 'robust' lineup of trackside events, the club announced Monday. Marking a historic shift, opening day will be held on a Saturday–July 20–for the first time since the 1950s due to a scheduling adjustment with the San Diego County Fair running through July 7. Tickets for opening weekend and the summer racing season will go on sale Friday, May 10 at 10:00am. General admission will be limited and tickets are anticipated to sell out. Del Mar will run their summer season through Sunday, Sept. 8 and the marquee contest, the GI FanDuel Pacific Classic–a Win and You're In for the Classic which will be contest over the same oval, will go Saturday, Aug. 31. For tickets and information on the special events for the 2024 summer season, please visit their website. The post Del Mar Gears Up for 85th Summer Racing Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Lunch Voucher Program established by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) has provided over $900,000 in meals to grooms and hotwalkers since its introduction in 2012. 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. Tuesday's Observations features Kikkuli, a half-brother to champion and leading sire Frankel. 16.05 Newmarket, Mdn, £10,000, 3yo, c/g, 7fT KIKKULI (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is a key player in this often-informative Alex Scott Maiden, as the eighth foal out of Juddmonte's diamond mine Kind (Ire) (Danehill). Her previous septet include racing's biggest household name of recent memory in Frankel (GB) and the fellow G1 Champion S. hero Noble Mission (GB), as well as the smart Bullet Train (GB) and Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who has become a notable broodmare for the operation in her own right. Taking on the resident of Harry Charlton's base where Kind resided during her racing career is Godolphin's Kempton runner-up Creative Story (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), a son of the Oaks and Irish Oaks third Volume (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) and half-brother to the fellow Charlie Appleby-trained G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. and G2 Superlative S. hero Quorto (Ire) by Too Darn Hot's sire Dubawi (Ire). 13.20 Newmarket, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, 5fT HALLASAN (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) takes the eye as Godolphin's first-string representative in this opening juvenile race of the 2024 Newmarket season, being a son of the operation's star 2-year-old of 2019 and a precociously-bred £180,000 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale graduate whose listed-winning dam Fig Roll (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) has already produced the G3 Prix d'Arenberg winner Al Raya (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). Joining him in action is the fellow Charlie Appleby-trained newcomer Al Qudra (Ire) (No Nay Never), a 425,000gns Tatts Book 1 purchase whose dam was a sharp 2-year-old. Interestingly, one who is not bred to be in that mold is the Gredleys' Bretton Wood (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the first foal out of their high-class G1 Prix Morny and G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. winner Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who hails from the James Owen stable. The post Tuesday’s Observations: Frankel’s Half-Brother Returns at Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Phil Schoenthal pair of methamphetamine positives at Laurel Park, announced by HIWU on April 9, have been resolved with a 15-day sanction for the trainer, eight days of which have already been served, according to HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. Schoenthal was issued a provisional suspension after two of his horses, Prodigy Doll and Determined Driver, tested positive at Laurel on January 28 and February 9. “I was informed today by HIWU that they took all of his evidence into consideration,” said HISA chief Lisa Lazarus, who said that the groom who took each horse in the paddock and an exercise rider in his barn both tested positive for meth, and that Schoenthal had already pre-emptively instituted a workplace program to warn employees about the dangers of environmental contamination. “The HIWU team was really impressed with that,” said Lazarus. “What we've said was that if you made efforts to reduce your risk, that would mitigate your sanctions. That was essentially the rationale.” Said Schoenthal, “I am pleased at the outcome. There were some very tenuous moments here in my week that were very trying for me, but I believed from the onset that common sense would dictate the outcome and I'd get a fair and equitable outcome, and I did.” Schoenthal said that substance abuse on the backstretch was something that everyone in racing had to deal with. “I think the takeway from my case, if it can serve to help others, is that you can't stop bad things from happening one hundred percent around your horses,” he said. “The onus is on us to be able to prove to HISA and HIWU that we did all that we could do to prevent this from happening and if you can prove that you did, I believe they're going to be fair with you.” Schoenthal said that he had taken some valuable lessons away from the Jonathan Wong ruling, in February. Wong was suspended for two years and fined $25,000 after one of his horses tested positive for metformin. Had he not read the entire ruling, said Schoenthal, he would have made the same mistakes. “Obviously, as a concerned industry participant I've read every ruling and case that comes down the pike, and his ruling was a 50-page document that was posted on the website. I never met him, but I read his defenses, and it occured to me if it were me, I'd have all the same defenses. He took a polygraph test. I would have googled nearest polygraph expert and thought I was doing the right thing. He had a sworn affadvaite saying his assistant told them not to pee in stalls. That wasn't good enough, and I would have done the same thing. I read that, digested it, and realized, `you know what? In the old regime, you would walk into the stewards' office and talk to a retired trainer or jockey who knew how the backstretch worked and were understanding with those things and believed you.' HIWU was given a set of rules they did not write. Their only their job is to enforce them. They are white-collar, smart, educated people, and come from a world where an employer has drug policies and HR policies. For the last 100 years, they have not been part of our world. I sat down that weekend, and typed up a whole manual for my employees. Don't take your prescription medications at the barn, and if you have to, wash your hands. Don't pee in the stalls. Don't allow friends, families, and strangers to touch the horses. We bought some pizzas, and went through all of these things in English and Spanish, and had everyone sign the paper that they understood. We also put up signs that said don't pee in the stalls and tried to take a very proactive approach to the things that were in our control to mitigate the risk.” Lazarus said that the manual and the meeting went a long way to prove that Schoenthal had taken steps to lessen his risk. Schoenthal said he called Alan Foreman right away, had everyone in the barn tested, and found the groom and the exercise rider tested positive for meth. “As such,” he said. “I could prove a clear path.” “I have had a wonderful experience dealing with HIWU,” said Schoenthal. “They have been nothing but professional and helpful. I spoke with Lisa Lazarus and Ben Mosier several times. I told Lisa, `look, at the end of the day my employees tested positive for meth. I'm not trying to say here I deserve zero punishment and should be exonerated. I accept and admit that there is some part that my failures played in this.' I was prepared to take some days. The investigators who served me with the notice of the first positive were nice guys who treated me with respect and fairness. I do understand the rules are the rules and they're just enforcing the rules, but we still need to have some further conversation about what rules need to be changed. We need to get together as horsemen to see how we can make this better.” In the end, said Schoenthal, his story should serve as a warning to others, just as Wong's did to him. “This can happen to anybody,” he said. “There is nobody who is immune to a horse coming up positive. There's a lot of work to be done and I believe from talking to HISA that they are open to it. I was very grateful to HISA and HIWU, Lisa Lazarus, and their general counsel that they were very willing to listen to me.” The post Schoenthal Meth Case Resolved With 15-Day Suspension appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article