Wandering Eyes

Shipping across the pond was well worth it to owner and breeder Tim Gredley as Wimbledon Hawkeye banked more than $1.1 million for his Nashville Derby (G3T) victory at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30.View the full article

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Editor's note: Stuart Angus, a Senior Thoroughbred Advisor for Taylor Made, passed away Aug. 28 at the age of 60. His friend, Hunter Houlihan, is encouraging those he touched to submit `Stu stories' to the TDN. “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man,” is a quote attributed to Winston Churchill. I think we can all agree with that. If you had the chance to meet Stuart Angus, even once, you would undoubtedly agree that there was something about him that was good for the inside of all of us. It goes without saying, but the horse business may not always be a welcoming one for a rookie. Times are few and far between that someone will take you under their wing, warn you of the dangers you face, or offer invaluable advice. Hell, maybe even show you an offset knee. In July of 2006, within a month of my employment at Taylor Made, Stuart showed me an offset knee. He took me under his wing. He warned me of the dangers I faced and gave me the best advice I have ever received. I was baffled about why he had done so until three or four years later. At that point he, and I were well beyond colleagues: it was daily lunches, looking at horses together, maybe a beer after work. There was a new intern in the office with a lot of potential. I noticed Stu saying and doing a lot of the things he had shown me. That was the day I realized Stuart was the Unicorn of the bloodstock world: he thrived on bringing along the next generation (no, honestly: he would be more than happy for you to drive him to a yearling inspection, especially if you took good conformation notes.) But in all seriousness, I believe that is and will be Stuart's legacy: being that unicorn that took so many people under his wing, pun intended. Warning them of the dangers of this business. Offering invaluable advice. Very few people are willing to do so today, and that is what truly defined his character: “Hunter, come look at this baby with me. Tell me what is wrong with him.” Wayne Lukas trained trainers. I like to think that my friend Stuart was first and foremost a trainer of good people, and then a very good trainer of horsemen. By a nose. So, that said: I am honored to continue the legacy I am so truly blessed to be a part of-and I hope you all do as well. Stuart would want all of us to just very simply provide a younger person a little help, so that is what I am going to do. I will strive to find people that Stu would have taken under his wing. People that he would have warned of the dangers of this business. I will give them the best advice I can, just like he gave to me. Hell, I might even show them an offset knee. To contribute your own `Stu story,' email suefinley@thetdn.com The post Letter to the Editor: Stu Story #1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course is a race intended to point out stars of the future. Though for one of the New York Racing Association's most liked and respected officials, it will mark the end of a long and stellar career. View the full article

As the Harness 5000 draws ever closer HRNZ has come up with a thermometer-type tracker showing how many horses have become eligible for the new series. The Harness 5000 Progress Tracker will be updated every week as more and more horses qualify for the 12 $60,000 finals at Ashburton on December 21. It’s anticipated around 350 horses will be in the mix come December, though this figure could fluctuate. As of today 83 horses are eligible, an increase of 14 on the same time last week. The biggest category so far is the 5YO and older Pacing Entires and Geldings which has 24 horses who have met the qualifying criteria. The Harness 5000 is for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception. This year the qualifying period is from July 3 to December 9, 2025 and to be eligible horses must compete in at least five race day starts within this period. To see the latest Harness 5000 leaderboard click here Harness 5000 – “It’s our Cup day!” By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk For the Chapman Brothers, the Harness 5000 meeting at Ashburton is a huge target. “It’s our Cup Day”. With 12 $60,000 Finals, Harness 5000 is open to the stock of stallions whose stud fee is $5,000 or less in the year of conception. To be eligible, horses must have a minimum of five race day starts between 3 July and 9 December 2025. “We are the Kiwi battlers, and Harness 5000 has changed our thinking,” says Greg Chapman. “For the next five years there’s a mini Cup Carnival in December, like Cup Day at Addington in November, but for horses that are not the progeny of Bettor’s Delight, and the like.” “You do not need to have paid a $25,000 service fee to race a horse in this Harness 5000.” “Plus, with a meeting like this to look forward to, and the stakes on offer, we have changed our thinking about possibly selling our horses to Australia; whereas before we might have, if the price was right.” From Waitarere Beach near Levin, Greg Chapman co-bred I’m Rockin, a Johny Rock four-year-old, and races him with his brother Tony (aka Chappo), who was the key figure in piquing both their interest in the sport. The gelding has won four races for top trainer Regan Todd. He has had three starts so far in the Harness 5000 qualifying period and needs two more before he becomes eligible. We believe that is only a formality, says Greg, who is confident I’m Rockin will take his place in the 4YO Geldings and Entires Pace. “The way he’s going, he will be one of the favourites,” says Greg, “we have waited a long time for a reasonable horse.” The Chapmans first dipped their toes into horse ownership in the 1980s, with a horse called Chappo. It was not a success, but they returned in the 2000s and had better fortune with All The Way, who had seven wins in this country and five more across the Tasman. Other race-winners included the Chief Stipe Gale-trained pairing of Wyatt Earp and Onedin Punter. In 2014, Greg bought a share in Johny Rock, a former champion in North America who later stood at stud in Canterbury at Graham Court’s Pinelea farm. As part of the deal, Greg got a free service each year. He talked to Chief Stipe Gale who possesses a “horse bible” which traces the bloodlines back to Hambletonian, and asked what broodmare he should lease, to use the Johny Rock service. “Chief Stipe advised an Artsplace broodmare would be the best match.” The Chapmans put out some feelers via Facebook and were contacted by Kelly Williams who advised that I’m Joe King was available. I’m Joe King is an unraced Art Major mare based at Kevin and Bonnie Williams’ (of Master Mood fame) Tall Tree Stud. With Art Major being Artsplace’s richest performer, the mare was ideal for their needs. I’m Rockin was I’m Joe King’s second foal. The Chapmans then leased I’m Joe King for a further year and gained a full sister called I’m Elegant. The Chapmans hope that I’m Elegant will debut next year as a three-year-old before she eventually becomes a broodmare. She is the last of her bloodline in New Zealand. “And that ties into Harness 5000 as well. She may or may not race there in the future, as could her progeny,” says Greg. “With the Harness 5000 it gives a Carnival Day target to aim for – every year for the next five years at least.” “We are looking forward to heading south for the inaugural Carnival Day at Ashburton on 21 December. We are all booked!” View the full article

Harness Racing New Zealand’s Blue September campaign is officially underway after a bone-chilling start in Mid Canterbury today. The “Into The Blue” launch saw nine ambassadors plunge into the cold pools at the Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa at Methven. All had to go completely under. With the water at around 8-10 degrees it’s fair to say for some it was the quickest of dips. In the individual battle to see who could last longest Rory McIlwrick was a clear winner. He lasted three minutes. This the fifth year of HRNZ’s involvement in Blue September, the annual New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation campaign to raise awareness of the disease and funds for research. Last year’s total was more than $40,000. Money is raised every time one of the Blue September ambassadors win a race during the month, with contributions coming from HRNZ ($100 per win), clubs and the drivers’ individual sponsors. Blair Orange was the leading fund-raiser last year with 24 wins and $8200. Orange is back again this year while son Harrison is one of three newcomers to the campaign, along with John Dunn and Josh Dickie. Blue September Ambassadors 2025: Tony Cameron Robbie Close Jonny Cox Josh Dickie John Dunn Rory McIlwrick Blair Orange Harrison Orange Sam Thornley Matty Williamson Nathan Williamson The first Blue September meetings will be at Cambridge and Wyndham this Thursday. To donate to the cause click here View the full article

Buoyed by positive responses from Hong Kong owners, Brett Crawford is eyeing a dream start to his new venture when the prominent South African trainer starts Speedy Smartie at Sunday’s season opener at Sha Tin. Crawford, who has won 38 Group Ones and almost 1,500 races throughout his career, is the only addition to the Hong Kong training ranks for the 2025-26 season. Speedy Smartie – one of 25 gallopers on Crawford’s books – will be the handler’s only runner on Sunday and the former Benno Yung...View the full article

New Zealand Bloodstock has unveiled the 2025 Ready to Run Sale catalogue, comprising a quality line-up of 480 two-year-olds. Combining commercial pedigrees with professional sale preparations, the offering follows a blue-chip honour roll, with recent graduates amassing 10 Group One wins and 12 other stakes victories last season alone, further underlining the sale’s global reputation as the best of its kind. Graduates span the spectrum from Hong Kong headline acts Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’oro) and Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) to current Australian Group One winners such as Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Antino (NZ) (Redwood), Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto), Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) and War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel)— the source of Group One stars cannot be ignored. In Malaysia, pin-up graduates Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn) and Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) will clash in the Selangor Gold Cup in a fortnight as the latter attempts to retain his crown. Meanwhile the host of emerging stars from last November’s sale is encouraging, with juvenile Group One performers Hostility (I Am Invincible) and Hidden Achievement (I Am Invincible) poised for strong three-year-old seasons, along with the unbeaten Planet Red (Admire Mars) and Quantum Legend (Castelvecchio). New Zealand Bloodstock’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook reflected on the incredible results of the Ready to Run Sale both on the track and in the sale ring. “The results of the last few years from this sale have just been incredible,” he said. “From the $1.65 million colt last year (Hostility), to the sheer number of Group One winners this season, there’s just no comparison. “We are thrilled with the calibre of horses on offer again this year, educated by New Zealand’s elite horsemen and women. “With the number of hotel bookings already, we’re looking forward to November and welcoming everyone back to Karaka.” What’s in the catalogue? Stallion power: Progeny of 114 sires, led by Southern Hemisphere heavyweights Savabeel, Proisir, Per Incanto, Super Seth, Almanzor, Satono Aladdin, Zoustar, I Am Invincible, Snitzel and more, plus a strong cast of emerging and first-season stallions. Black-type depth: 90+ siblings to black-type performers (including relations to War Machine, Coeur Volante, Jungle Magnate, Globe, La Crique and others) and two-year-olds from 76 stakes-performed mares, among them Miss Sentimental, Consensus, Fox Play and Anabandana. Bonus pathways: More than two dozen catalogued lots are eligible for the TAB Karaka Millions Series, and any purchase can target the $4m NZB Kiwi (1500m). Key dates Breeze Ups: Mon 13 – Tue 14 October, Te Rapa Racecourse. Sale: Wed 12 – Thu 13 November, from 10:00am (NZT), Karaka Sales Centre Buyer services The full catalogue is available online at https://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/25rtr International buyers wishing to physically attend the 2025 Ready to Run Sale can enquire about accommodation options and travel assistance by emailing: travel@nzb.co.nz View the full article

Top-class galloper Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) produced devastating turn of foot to win the RM70,000 Trinity Cup for Class 1 horses over 1400m at Sungai Besi on Sunday for ex-pat Kiwi trainer Simon Dunderdale. Winning jockey Bernardo Pinheiro said the best is yet to come from the champion galloper. “He’s about 85 percent today and should be 100 percent for the Selangor Gold Cup (on Sep 14),” said the Brazilian jockey. Pinheiro should know. He rode Antipodean to four of the gelding’s nine wins last year including the 3YO Pacific Cup (1200m) and the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m). Antipodean was transferred to trainer Tiang Kim Choi at the end of 2024 and although he won once in six starts for his new conditioner earlier this season, he failed to regain his brilliant best form. That prompted his owner Yee Kin Kong to send him back to trainer Simon Dunderdale just one month before the RM1mil Selangor Mile (for four-year-olds) on Jul 20. Antipodean ran a mighty race – according to Pinheiro who rode him that day – when he gave weight away all-round and finished third to Lucky Magic. Antipodean progressed from that run to come from the clouds to collar leader Pacific Vampire right on the line. Jockey Bernardo Pinheiro, owner Yee Kin Kong and trainer Simon Dunderdale with their trophies “He (Antipodean) is an amazing horse,” Pinheiro said. “He is one of the top horses in Malaysia. He got out of his form a while ago but Simon (Dunderdale) and his team did an amazing job to being him back (to form). “Since arriving back in KL (Kuala Lumpur) I have been riding him every day on the track and he has been improving. I am very happy with the win and now we look forward to the Selangor Gold Cup. “He has all the chance to fight in the Cup. We used this race to prepare him for the Cup and we can expect a better race from him.” Winning trainer Simon Dunderdale was delighted to see Antipodean return to the winner’s circle now back in his care. “It’s a very strong win from Antipodean,” Dunderdale said. “He had to work very hard to catch Pacific Vampire and didn’t have the easiest of runs. Bernardo knows the horse very well.” Antipodean was purchased by Dunderdale for NZ$23,000 from the draft of Regal Farm at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale in 2022. View the full article

Mathew Gillies brought up a memorable milestone at Te Aroha on Sunday when recording his 100th win in the saddle in New Zealand. The 39-year-old went into the meeting with several promising rides, but it was upon the Dean Wiles-trained Justice that he brought up his riding century in the Dean Wiles Racing Maiden Steeplechase (3600m). Gillies had schooled the Belardo six-year-old and took plenty of confidence from his debut steeplechase in July. “I went and schooled him during the week and he jumped really well,” Gillies said. “On his previous run, in his first steeplechase at Te Aroha with Kylan Wiles on him, he went really well for his first time and I thought there would be some improvement off that, and that’s exactly what happened, he went really well.” Gillies was rapt to bring up his 100th winner, but said he wasn’t aware he had reached the milestone until he was told after the race. “I didn’t think about it yesterday until someone told me,” he said. “It wasn’t really on the top of my mind, but it was good to get it.” Among Gillies’ 100 wins, there are a few horses that stand out. “Southern Countess was a nice horse,” he said. “She won and was second in the Northern and she won three Pakuranga Hurdles. “Ima Heroine won a Northern Steeple and Pakuranga Hunt Cup. “Tallyho Twinkletoe was a good horse for me and we won a National. “I won five races on Gagarin and he won a Wellington Steeplechase, a Northern Hurdle, a Hawke’s Bay Hurdle and a Manawatu Steeplechase, he was a nice horse to me. “And Finito, one of my father’s horses, was a good horse that got my name out there.” Raceday riding is a part-time pursuit for Gillies, who was back at his regular jobs the next day, riding work for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike before heading to Auckland Airport to work for equine airfreight services company Airport Livestock Services Limited. “We help get the stalls ready for IRT and NZB,” Gillies said. “We are loading and unloading horses, getting the stalls ready, driving on the airside of the airport and taking the stalls down and back. “It is something that I have been doing for the last three years and now I do it a couple of times a week. “I ride work for Tony Pike as well. I was able to ride seven horses this morning, come up here and we have got a load going out to Sydney at 6pm tonight.” With 100 New Zealand riding wins to his credit, Gillies is now eyeing that number in a jumps racing capacity. “I would rather get 100 jumping wins and I am at about 85 at the moment,” he said. “If everything is going right, and barring falls or injuries, hopefully jumps racing keeps going and I can get to that 100 wins. It is in the distance at the moment.” While the jumping season is nearing a close, Gillies is hoping he can inch closer to that goal in the next few weeks. “Justice is going into a 0-1 win steeplechase at Te Aroha. He seems like he will be a good chance in that,” Gillies said. “If the ground dries up a bit, I think Taika will be a good ride in the Northern Hurdles.” View the full article

The Waikato horseman was close friends with The Oaks Stud General Manager Rick Williams, who said he will be a big loss to the industry. “It is a terrific loss,” Williams said. “He had been ill for some time unfortunately with a very acute form of Parkinson’s. His last year has been very tough on the family. “He was a champion bloke and a champion trainer. We travelled the world together and had a lot of fun together.” Priscott has a lifelong involvement in racing and was introduced to the sport through his father, Bruce. Priscott got a taste of topflight success at an early age when strapping his father’s smart stayer Il Tempo. “His father, Bruce, was a butcher and trainer,” Williams said. “They had that great horse Il Tempo before I knew Robert. He won two Wellington Cups and it should have been two Auckland Cups. “Robert was his strapper when he went to Australia. He was a red-hot favourite for the Melbourne Cup and they think he did a suspensory before he raced over there. He went over in a boat in those days.” Priscott followed in his father’s footsteps and became a trainer, and he tasted plenty of early success. “When I went to Waikato Stud, I got to really know him a lot through Graeme Sanders because my father had horses with Graeme Sanders,” Williams said. “Robert never had more than 30 horses, but he had some good ones, and Red Tempo was one of his early good horses.” Red Tempo was victorious in the Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas (1600m) and Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) in New Zealand before continuing his career in Australia where he won the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m). “He won so many Group races for us with a small team,” Williams said. “We had so many good horses together in the Terry Jarvis (former The Oaks Stud owner) days. “He bought Buzz Lightyear and I had just started at The Oaks with Terry Jarvis. Buzz Lightyear won at Te Rapa in his first start. I talked Terry into buying him off Robert, who was always a seller. “He (Priscott) had another good two-year-old he had bought that year called Quorum. “The two of them went down for the Magic Millions (Listed, 1200m) at Trentham. We had this secret track gallop at Te Rapa on the Tuesday morning and Buzz Lightyear would have beaten Quorum by about eight lengths. “We went to Trentham feeling very good about life and Chris Munce rode Quorum and got up and won, and Buzz Lightyear didn’t travel well, had a bad night, and ran a very plain race. “Robert got Quorum sold after that. Terry Jarvis, who was my boss at the time, raced Buzz Lightyear and he was the best horse by a mile. He went on and won the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), Levin Classic (Gr.1, 1600m) and went to Australia and ran second or third behind Pins in the Caulfield Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m). He was a great horse. “There are a lot of great moments, it is the end of an era.” Williams said Priscott was a down-to-earth family man, and his loss will be felt by many in the industry. “He was very proud of Matt and Mel (children),” Williams said. “Melanie worked for me here at The Oaks for three or four years and then she went off to the world of insurance. We followed Matt’s rugby career and they saw our kids grow up too. We were family friends.” “He was the old style of trainer and was outstanding at what he did. “In some many ways he was underrated, but he was understated too, and that is the way he liked it.” View the full article

After racing behind a slow pace, The Padre unleashed a brisk turn of foot for his first graded stakes win and second consecutive stakes victory at the current Del Mar meeting.View the full article

Although different running styles carried them to victory in million-dollar stakes at Kentucky Downs Aug. 31, Johnny's Red Storm and Meringue both impressed with their triumphs and gave their connections excitement for the future.View the full article

It came down to the Aug. 31 closing day program of the Royal Palm Meet, but Saffie Joseph Jr. edged Jose D'Angelo with a three-win day to earn leading trainer honors for the 13th consecutive race meeting at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Fairmount Park Casino & Racing is celebrating its 100th anniversary with three days of events from Thursday, Sept. 18-Saturday, Sept. 20. The schedule includes giveaways, family-friendly entertainment, and the St. Louis Derby.View the full article

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The Padre, who closed into a tepid pace to win the La Jolla Handicap last time out, repeated the dose Sunday, powering to the lead late to make it two in a row over the Del Mar lawn in the GII Del Mar Derby. The 3-5 favorite was well held while positioned off the pedestrian pace set by Freedom's Not Free. He rolled up three wide at the top of the lane and surged past the pacesetter to win with authority. “He was up against it last time with no pace and it kind of looked like a more murky scenario this time,” winning trainer Phil D'Amato said of the slow pace the favorite has closed into in both of his recent victories. “I just think it shows what a tremendous turn of foot this horse has. To overcome fractions that slow two times in a row and outkick them like he does, that's a real racehorse.” The Padre began his career in his native Ireland, where he won his 1 1/4-mile debut over the all-weather at Dundalk in January for trainer/breeder John Halley. Transferred to D'Amato's Southern California barn, he opened his stateside campaign with a late-closing runner-up effort in a one-mile optional claimer at Santa Anita June 13 and got on top late to take the 1 1/16-mile La Jolla Handicap last time out Aug. 3. “I think the year-end goal for him would be something like the GI Hollywood Derby,” D'Amato said of next targets for the winner. “We will just work around that. If we can make him a Grade I winner–he's still in tact–and develop him for next year.” Pedigree Notes: The Padre became the third graded winner for his sire Ghaiyyath, who has also been represented by a pair of French group winning fillies in My Highness (Ire), who won last weekend's G2 Prix du Calvados, and Mandanaba (Fr). The Godolphin stallion won the 2020 G1 Juddmonte International, G1 Coral-Eclipse, and G1 Coronation Cup, as well as the 2019 G1 Grosser Preis von Baden. Shalanaya, who won the 2009 G1 Prix de l'Opera in The Aga Khan's colors, was purchased by Halley for €55,000 at the 2019 Arqana December sale. The mare produced a full-brother to the winner last year. Sunday, Del Mar CAESARS SPORTSBOOK DEL MAR DERBY-GII, $300,000, Del Mar, 8-31, 3yo, 1 1/8mT, 1:49.23, fm. 1–THE PADRE (IRE), 122, c, 3, by Ghaiyyath (Ire) 1st Dam: Shalanaya (Ire) (G1SW-Fr, GISP-Can, $637,986), by Lomitas (GB) 2nd Dam: Shalamantika (Ire), by Nashwan 3rd Dam: Sharamana (Ire), by Darshaan (GB) 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. (60,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, LLC and Naify, Marsha; B-J Halley (IRE); T-P D'Amato; J-U Rispoli. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $259,585. *1/2 to Shalamba (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), GSP-Ity, MSP-Fr, $103,110. Werk Nick Rating Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Freedom's Not Free, 122, c, 3, Omaha Beach– Wonderfuladventure, by Tiz Wonderful. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($75,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $300,000 2yo '24 EASMAY). O-Blinkers On Racing Stable, Janlois Racing, LLC, Valinor Racing Stable, LLC, Corbett, Tom, Kwan, Andy and Wagner, Jay Lester; B-Cove Springs, LLC (KY); T-Mark Glatt. $60,000. 3–Game Warrior, 122, c, 3, Game Winner–Le Mi Geaux, by First Samurai. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($52,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $200,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Jethorse LLC; B-George W. Ruggiero (KY); T-Peter Miller. $36,000. Margins: 1, NK, 3/4. Odds: 0.70, 2.20, 10.20. Also Ran: Geometry, Mythical Reel (Ire). Scratched: Iron Man Cal. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. THE PADRE (Ire) ($3.40) hits the gas under @umbyrispoli for a birthday win in the $300,000 Del Mar Derby (G2). @PhilDamato11 trains for owners @lrfracing, @StablesSterling and @Marsha_Naify. pic.twitter.com/f2TAtbukeH — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 1, 2025 The post The Padre Runs Down Freedom’s Not Free to Win Del Mar Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-Del Mar, $82,000, Msw, 8-31, 2yo, 6f, 1:08.83, ft, 3/4 length. KRISTOFFERSON (c, 2, Nyquist–Impasse, by Quality Road), installed the even-money choice for this debut, came out gunning and assumed a narrow advantage as Falcon Jet (Justify) and Mr A P (American Pharoah) pressed the issue to his outside. Three wide turning for home, Mr A P began his retreat, however, Mr A P wouldn't relent and inched in front for a brief moment. Undeterred, the Bob Baffert trained-colt dug in to overtake his game foe and was 3/4 of a length on top at the wire. It was a long way back to Falcon Jet in third. A $1,150,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, Kristofferson is out of Impasse, a daughter of MSW and GSP Tempus Fugit (Alphabet Soup) who is a half-sister to Grade II winner Majestic River (A.P. Indy). The 12-year-old mare, purchased by Candy Meadows for $385,000 while in foal to Into Mischief at Keeneland November in 2019, was bred back to Nyquist this season. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $48,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. The post Nyquist’s Pricey Kristofferson Graduates at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

During Keeneland September last year, bloodstock agent Steve Young signed the ticket to the tune of $150,000 on a dark bay colt bred by Gainesway (hip 1408) for his client Harrell Ventures. Sent to Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, Sunrise (Karakontie {Jpn}–Spanish Bunny, by Unusual Heat) made his second start a winning one after a gritty battle over the turf in the ninth race at Saratoga on Sunday afternoon. When reached by phone, Young said that in the days leading up to the sale that the colt was high on his client's list, especially since Gainesway's Karakontie has turned into such a dependable value sire. “He [Sunrise] was not a hard horse to find,” said Young. “We honestly were prepared to pay more and thought that because of his pedigree that he was going to bring more. Gainesway always brings quality horses to the sales and we knew what we were getting.” Sunrise is a full-brother to 2022 New York-bred Horse of the Year Spendarella, who took down for Gainesway and trainer Graham Motion the GI Del Mar Oaks, won the GII Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland and was also the runner-up in the GI Just a Game Stakes at Belmont. Spanish Loveaffair is Sunrise's other full-sibling who is a multiple-stakes winner. The debuting Sunrise counts GI American Oaks heroine Spanish Queen (Tribal Rule) as a half-sister, which only adds to potential when it comes to running on grass. Sunrise's connections in the winner's circle | Sarah Andrew “Being out of Spanish Bunny, a full to Spendarella and Spanish Loveaffair, half to Spanish Queen, we saw him walk and knew that this was a proper horse,” said Young. “I think Karakontie has a tremendous pedigree on the female side and he's proven to be a quality stallion.” With that strong turf bloodline of his, Sunrise earned the lead at the top of the lane in today's Spa maiden special weight, went head-to-head with first-time starter Glavine (Not This Time) and bested him on the square. “Sending him to Todd [Pletcher] was the right move and when he drew in, we were excited to see that he was running today,” he said. “Ricardo [Santana] gave him a million-dollar ride. We can't wait for what he has up next.” 9th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-31, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:44.24, fm, head. SUNRISE (c, 2, Karakontie {Jpn}–Spanish Bunny, by Unusual Heat) took on two turns for his unveiling over the Spa turf course Aug. 2 and weathered brushing the gate to finish well in fourth place. Drawing in off the also-eligible list here, the 3-1 second choice had no issues moving from the outside at the break to take up a position behind the speed heading into the first turn. The juvenile kept close tabs on the pacesetter up the backstretch, but around the far turn it was time to wind up for a charge. Fellow firster Glavine (Not This Time) went with the new leader and the pair engaged in a thrilling battle down the lane. In the shadow of the wire Sunrise gained the upper hand to break his maiden. Favorite Tacticality was fifth. The winner is a full-brother to Spendarella, GISW-USA, G1SP-Eng, $795,459 and Spanish Loveaffair, MSW & MGSP, $284,090, plus a half to Spanish Queen (Tribal Rule), GISW, $423,600. Gainesway bought Spanish Bunny for $130,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November Sale. Her more recent produce includes current 3-year-old gelding in-training Silly Rabbit (Uncle Mo) and a yearling filly by Justify. She visited Karakontie once again for 2026. Sales History: $150,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $61,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Harrell Ventures LLC; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. @campbellparlay Sunrise breaks his maiden at second asking in R9 at Saratoga! Todd Pletcher trains and @RSantana_jr was up. pic.twitter.com/pyCKUyQaCf — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 31, 2025 The post Saratoga Maidens, Presented by Keeneland, Sunrise! Well-Bred Son Of Karakontie Up And At ‘Em On Spa Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tony Pike’s powers of persuasion have come up short against the money on offer in Hong Kong. The Cambridge trainer was keen to hold on to impressive debut winner Quantum Legend through his three-year-old campaign but has been unable to convince Hong Kong owner Kenneth Lau to leave him in New Zealand. “Unfortunately, it looks like he is going to take him up there. The PP bonuses (for previously raced horses) are so attractive for the owners if they win in Class 3,” Pike said. “We made a good case and the owner thought about it long and hard but, no, he’s heading up there. “It’s a real shame and if he was a colt, it may have been a different story, but with the amount of prizemoney up there it’s pretty hard to try and convince him otherwise, so we’ll move on.” Quantum Legend was offered by Kilgravin Lodge at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale where the son of Castelvecchio was knocked down to Waikato Bloodstock, on behalf of Lau, for $400,000. From the family of multiple Group One winner and champion sire Redoute’s Choice, he had impressed at the trials before winning as a short-priced favourite at Te Rapa last month. That performance earned him a $10 equal second favourite quote for the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Pike is now hoping a stablemate can press his southern claims on Saturday. The highly regarded Snitzel colt Storm Front is currently a $31 chance and will open his campaign in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie. “He trialled really well at Te Awamutu, he’s one of a number of nice three-year-olds who will probably run in the next couple of weeks and then we’ll know where they’re heading,” Pike said. Storm Front was a smart debut winner before he suffered cardiac arrhythmia when unplaced in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) and was spelled. Meanwhile, multiple stakes winner Val Di Zoldo will bypass the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m). “She will go to the open mile at Te Rapa, I just didn’t want to run her first-up on a good surface over 1400m against weight-for-age horses, they’ll be too sharp for her,” Pike said. “She’ll run on September 14 and then go to the mile (Gr.1 Howden Insurance) and the 2040m race (Gr.1 Livamol Classic). “The Livamol is probably her best chance, but if they happened to get a Soft 8 or 9 for the second day at Te Rapa, where she has always run well, then it would be suitable for her as well.” View the full article

Meringue (Frosted) proved her talents could be applied to the turf and dirt as she successfully picked up her first stakes win in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Stakes. The grey debuted June 19 at Churchill Downs, where she closed from eighth in that five-panel baby dash to win at first-asking on the grass by a neck. From there, her connections moved her to the main track for a tilt at the GIII Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga, and she ran headlong into Florida-bred titan Mythical (St Patrick's Day), who dominated by 3 1/4 lengths. Training well since that race, and with the field's best Beyer figure of 78, the betting public sent her away here with 5-1 odds to return to the winner's enclosure. In her customary spot near the rear of the field, the daughter of Frosted was in no hurry behind an opening quarter in :22.10 and a half in :44.80 from five off the fence. Asked for more by Luan Machado as they closed ranks for the homeward drive, she had to swing seven wide to do it, but Meringue relentlessly shortened the gap on 75-1 longshot Red Beretta (Catalina Cruiser) and To a Flame (Justify), and overhauled that entire flight in the shadow of the wire to win by a head. The former was second by a nose while the Justify filly was third by a head in a blanket result. Meringue is the first to the races for her dam Catbrier, whose half-sisters include SP Angel Kiss (Frosted) and Ms Bernadette (Bernardini)–dam of SP Beantown Baby (Artie Schiller). The second dam MGSP Kiawah Cat (Lemon Drop Kid) is a half-sister to G1 Dubai World Cup-placed Cat O'Mountain (Street Cry {Ire}) and multiple Group 1-placed Michita (Dynaformer). Catbrier has a yearling colt to her credit named Oscar (Oscar Performance) and a 2025 filly by Volatile. She went to Tiz the Law for 2026. This is the immediate female family of Singaporean Horse of the Year and five-time champion War Affair (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The fillies battle down the stretch in the $1M Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies with #6 MERINGUE ($13.20) prevailing for trainer @BrissetRodolphe and owner Elements Racing (@llc_racing). @luanmachado85 was aboard the daughter of @DarleyAmerica's Frosted. @KYDownsRacing pic.twitter.com/DiDwmB8cQZ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 31, 2025 KENTUCKY DOWNS JUVENILE FILLIES S., $996,000, Kentucky Downs, 8-31, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:34.61, fm. 1–MERINGUE, 118, f, 2, by Frosted 1st Dam: Catbrier, by Street Sense 2nd Dam: Kiawah Cat, by Lemon Drop Kid 3rd Dam: Thunder Kitten, by Storm Cat 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Elements Racing LLC; B-Mesingw Farm LLC (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset; J-Luan Machado. $586,750. Lifetime Record: GSP, 3-2-1-0, $691,050. 2–Red Beretta, 118, f, 2, Catalina Cruiser–Dontgetinmyway, by Machiavellian. ($9,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Mana Racing; B-Shane Doyle & Penny McCarthy (KY); T-Michel Douaihy. $192,500. 3–To a Flame, 120, f, 2, Justify–Moth (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). ($375,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Bregman Family Racing LLC; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-George R. Arnold II. $96,250. Margins: HD, NO, HD. Odds: 5.60, 75.07, 8.31. Also Ran: Rose Room, Soloist, Oscar's Encore, Loveliest, I've Got the Honey, Back Ring Buzz, Chambourcin. The post Frosted’s Meringue Best of the Cavalry in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

10th-Gulfstream, $42,000, Msw, 8-31, 2yo, f, 1m 70y (AWT) (off turf), 1:43.63, ft, 1/2 length. DANDONA (f, 2, Tiz the Law–Tulsa Queen {SW & GSP-Can, SW-USA, $211,381}, by Cactus Ridge) was a pricey in-training purchase this past spring and she started her career on the tapeta after this maiden was rained off the turf course. Given 2-5 favoritism on the back of two bullets from her last three works, the filly was content to watch the race unfold from the back of the pack as pacesetters rolled through :23.59 and a half in :47.06. Moving into contention on the bend and vying for control in upper stretch, Dandona had challengers on all sides as she led them home in the final sixteenth, but she held on by a half-length over That Police (Tiz the Law). The victress is the second winner from as many offspring on the ground for Tulsa Queen, herself a frequent face on the Canadian stakes circuit in her racing years. The mare produced a yearling filly by Cyberknife but missed for her 2025 covering to Bolt d'Oro. Dandona sold for a tag befitting royalty, $1.05-million, after she blitzed through a furlong in :9.4 at OBS April this year. Sales history: $70,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $1,050,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $24,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Tagermeen Racing; B-Spotted Pony Stables LLC (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.. The post Tiz the Law’s Dandona Game In Two-Turn Unveiling at Gulfstream Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saffie Joseph, Jr. edged Jose D'Angelo to earn leading trainer honors for the 13th consecutive race meeting at Gulfstream Park. The 38-year-old native of Barbados entered Sunday's closing day of the Royal Palm Meet with a one-win lead, 55-54, and clinched the title with 4-5 favorite Drama in the third race, following a victory with Genuine Gomo in the opener. Dandona, a $1.05-million OBS April purchase, gave Joseph his third winner on the day with a victory in the 10th race. Joseph finished with 58 winners and more than $1.9 million in purse earnings during the five-month Royal Palm Meet, which began Apr. 3. Joseph's string of Gulfstream training titles began in 2021 with the Royal Palm Meet, which he has now won five straight years, and also includes four consecutive titles at Gulfstream's Championship Meet. Jockey Edgard Zayas was the Royal Palm Meet's leading rider with 93 wins and nearly $3.1 million in purse earnings and Ken Ramsey finished as leading owner with 13 wins. Gulfstream's 36-day Sunshine Meet opens with a nine-race program Friday. Post time is 12:50 p.m. The post Joseph Earns 13th Straight Gulfstream Training Title appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a day good for the runners who made the pace, Johnny's Red Storm (Twirling Candy) made every pole a winning one and took home the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint Stakes Sunday afternoon. The George Weaver charge came into this race off a sterling debut Aug. 3 at Saratoga, where he similarly took a field of auction-price restricted maidens gate-to-wire by four lengths. Training well in New York since then and shipped down for the race, the betting public liked him to the tune of 8-5 odds, and he was the favorite when the gates opened. Out to the front just as he had in his unveiling, the son of Twirling Candy rolled along through an opening sectional of :21.94 and a half in :44.73 with some moderate pressure coming from an outside challenger. Roused to put that one away by Frankie Dettori, who was enjoying quite an afternoon with three wins on the card at that point, Johnny's Red Storm responded well and kicked home to win by two lengths. 'TDN Rising Star' Obliteration (Violence) tried valiantly to cut into the margin, but had to settle for a clear-cut second. Stablemate Azizam (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) flew late to take third. It was Dettori's fourth time in the winner's enclosure while Weaver claimed two of the trifecta spots via the winner and third-place finisher. Johnny's Red Storm is the second successful offspring for Estoril behind winning eldest half-sister Momma Kim (Noble Mission {GB}). The last registered foal for the dam is a now yearling filly by Known Agenda after the mare did not produce a foal from her trip to Good Magic for 2025. Estoril, a half-sister to GSW Tide of the Sea (English Channel), does not have a 2026 breeding on record. This is the female line of MGISW Tates Creek (Rahy) and is the immediate family of MGSW Fulsome (Into Mischief) as well as European champion 2-year-old filly Special Duty (GB) (Hennessy). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. JOHNNY'S RED STORM ($5.48) led all the way in the $1M Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint. The fourth winner on today's @KYDownsRacing card for jockey @FrankieDettori. George Weaver trains this 2YO colt by @LanesEndFarms' Twirling Candy. pic.twitter.com/5gSYDZsXhU — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 31, 2025 KENTUCKY DOWNS JUVENILE SPRINT S., $946,000, Kentucky Downs, 8-31, 2yo, 6 1/2fT, 1:14.83, fm. 1–JOHNNY'S RED STORM, 120, c, 2, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Estoril, by Into Mischief 2nd Dam: Routine, by Empire Maker 3rd Dam: Tates Creek, by Rahy ($60,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-John J. Cronin, Jr., and RAP Racing; B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (KY); T-George Weaver; J-Lanfranco Dettori. $586,750. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $630,750. 2–Obliteration, 120, c, 2, Violence–I'mclassyandsassy, by Master Command. ($200,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Leland Ackerley Racing, LLC; B-Ocala Stud (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $192,500. 3–Azizam (GB), 120, c, 2, Havana Grey (GB)–Mimram (GB), by Kheleyf. (€46,000 Wlg '23 GOFNOF; £46,000 Ylg '24 GOFFUK; 115,000gns RNA 2yo '25 TATBRE). O-Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables LLC, Harrell Ventures LLC, Steve Adkisson, Brody Racing LLC, Pura Vida Investments LLC, Campeche Stables and Andrew Atkinson; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-George Weaver. $46,250. Margins: 2, 1 3/4, 2. Odds: 1.74, 2.82, 5.63. Also Ran: Twilight Delight, Longshoreman, Win N Juice, Trendsetter, Lawyer Mason, Zeus's Echo, Telecaster. The post Twirling Candy’s Johnny’s Red Storm Takes Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint Gate to Wire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Early Sunday afternoon, Mike Repole wasn't sure if he had slept or not Saturday night. “I might have taken a nap from 2 (a.m.) to 4,” Repole said in the Saratoga box seat area. “I am running high on adrenaline right now.” Sixteen hours earlier, Repole, with 40 friends and family–including Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher–gathered at his Saratoga house and watched Fierceness (City of Light) overcome a world of trouble and still draw off to a 3 1/4-length win over GI Preakness Stakes winner and GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes runner-up Journalism (Curlin) in the $1-million GI Pacific Classic. “Mike was pretty excited,” Pletcher said at his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track Sunday morning. “I got out of there at 11 (p.m.). If you had told me 9:15 (Pacific Classic) post, we were going to win and I would get out at 11, sign me up.” A couple hours after Repole was rehashing Fierceness' win, things got sour as he watched his other top older horse–Mindframe (Constitution)–lose rider Irad Ortiz Jr. just after the start of the $1-million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup. That was the end of his race. Before the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Repole was approached by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott–who conditions Derby, Belmont and GI Travers Stakes winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief)–and accepted his congratulations for Fierceness. Ditto from trainer Chad Brown, who has GI Whitney Stakes champion Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who was second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Fierceness shipped to California from Pletcher's Saratoga base last Wednesday. Pletcher said Sunday morning that Fierceness would fly back to Saratoga this Wednesday and, most likely stay here to train up to the $7-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 2. “We stayed here last year, and the weather cooperated, and we were able to get our final breezes in and then ship to California,” Pletcher said. “That is probably what I would like to do, but we have to keep some flexibility based on what the weather does.” In the Pacific Classic, the Repole crew gasped at the start of the Pacific Classic when Fierceness, starting from the rail in the 1 1/4-mile race veered sharpy inward towards the rail, nearly losing his rider John Velazquez. Almost speechless. Fierceness had a historic and epic performance winning the G1 Pacific Classic @DelMarRacing Watching this race as a fan in Saratoga with family and friends is why I fell in love with this game and why I still love this game!!!!! This is why I decided to… pic.twitter.com/3OCPCq7Vqg — Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) August 31, 2025 Velazquez showed why he is a Hall of Fame rider as he was able to get Fierceness back on track, but then found himself behind a wall of horses. “I wasn't nervous until 10 seconds into the race,” Repole said. “Then I went from nervous to panic. I was like, 'oh my God, is he going to get hurt?' Then it was 'oh my God, the race is over!' Then it was 'oh my God, I shipped him to California. What a waste!' What an incredible job by Johnny. Nine out of 10 jockeys go down.” Fierceness, who was accompanied to California by Pletcher's assistant Sophie Green, has now won two of four starts this year and has seven wins in 13 career starts. “People have said that if things don't go his way, he doesn't run well,” Pletcher said. “Things didn't go his way yesterday–part of it was his fault for the mistake at the start. After that, he was bottled up behind horses and had to wait, split horses down the backside and overcome some adversity. Maybe this will quiet some of the skeptics.” Repole wasn't going to be around too much longer on Sunday. He said he was flying to Europe Sunday night for a “half business, half wedding” trip. His last impressions of being in Saratoga were half good, half not so good. Watching the Pacific Classic on television with friends and family was a highlight, watching Mindframe in the Jockey Club Gold Cup was not. Baffert Hopeful That Buetane Comes Through Closing Day When 2-year-old colt Buetane (Tiz the Law) broke his maiden at Del Mar on Aug. 3, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was in Saratoga. When Buetane runs in Monday's $300,000 GI Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, Baffert will be at Del Mar. “The first time he ran, I was landing in Saratoga for the [Fasig-Tipton Yearling Sale],” Baffert said by phone from his base in California. One of these days, he just might get to see one of his prized 2-year-olds run in person. Buetane | Benoit Buetane is in Saratoga because Baffert, as usual, has a plethora of promising youngsters. Buetane is owned by Zedan Racing Stables Inc. and Amr Zedan paid $1,150,000 for him at the 2025 Ocala Breeders Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training sale. Zedan also owns the promising Brant, a $3-million purchase at the same sale. He broke his maiden by 5 1/4 lengths in July. Buetane romped to a 3 1/2-length score on Aug. 3. Both were tabbed 'TDN Rising Stars.' Baffert wants to keep the two Zedan runners separated for now, so Buetane came east. Buetane is the nickname of two-time World Series champion pitcher Walker Buehler, a friend of Baffert. Baffert said that Buetane, who will be ridden by Flavien Prat, has always showed promise. “They tip us off in the mornings and then they have to run in the afternoons,” Baffert said. “I think he has trained well. It looks like it is going to be a tough Hopeful. It's a good spot for him Ned Toffey Has High Hopes for Ted Noffey More than a few heads turned when a 2-year-old colt named Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) made his debut at Saratoga on Aug. 2. Part of the reason was because the colt, owned by Spendthrift Farm, was an impressive 1 1/2-length winner in his $100,000 maiden special weight, earning 'TDN Rising Star' honors. The other was the name. If it sounds a lot like Ned Toffey, the general manager at Spendthrift, you're right. It does. The name came about after an inadvertent typo on a social media post. Eric Gustavson, co-owner of Spendthrift, got wind of the mistake and thought it would be a cool name for a horse. And here he is. Ted Noffey. He will take his next step on Monday when he runs in the $300,000 GI Hopeful Stakes, one of two horses Spendthrift has in the race. They also co-own Emphasis (Yaupon) along with Repole Stable. Ted Noffey | Sarah Andrew Into Mischief and Yaupon stand at Spendthrift. “When you break your maiden at Saratoga and do it in the solid fashion that he did it, it's easy to get optimistic,” Ned Toffey said. “But, at the same time, we are going in the Hopeful, and I guess I should say the Spendthrift Hopeful because we are sponsoring it for the first time!” Ted Noffey (9-2 on the morning line) and Emphasis (12-1) are both trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Ricardo Santana Jr. is named to ride Emphasis and Hall of Famer John Velazquez is on Ted Noffey. Emphasis broke his maiden by a length, going nearly gate-to-wire at Saratoga on July 19. “Both of them did what we asked them to do and this is kind of what you do now,” Pletcher said. “Go to a stakes. Hopefully, they can run well and keep moving forward and improve as they go along. That is what you need all of them to do.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Fierceness Allowed Repole to Have Quite the Party After Pacific Classic Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article