Wandering Eyes

A dark cloud is hanging over exciting galloper Adam I Am’s racing future after the son of Almanzor pulled up with a tendon injury following his win over 1400m at Ellerslie nine days ago. He had proven to be one out of the box for trainer Glenn Old this season, bursting onto the scene at Matamata first-up in September when winning by five lengths before adding a further three wins to his tally and a fourth placing in last month’s inaugural $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa. He was set to have his first tilt at stakes level in the Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga this coming Saturday, but injury has curtailed those plans and Old said he has a fight on his hands to get his four-year-old gelding back to the track. “He has pulled up with a tendon injury. He was alright on the Monday but then he had a couple of days in the paddock and when we brought him in on Thursday morning we noticed it, so it must have sprung out since raceday,” Old said. “It is pretty hard work trying to get them back with those tendons, but we will give him a chance because it’s Adam. We will rescan it in three weeks and just see where we are. If we did do the rehab, he wouldn’t race again until he was six.” Old trained Adam I Am’s dam, Our Famous Eve, and he said she suffered the same fate. “I trained his mother and she did a tendon too, so I don’t know if it is hereditary,” he said. “I always thought that he would be any easy horse to keep sound because he doesn’t take much galloping, he is just a clean-winded, natural athlete. It just goes to show there are no rules. “It was all in front of him, he is a big baby still.” While disappointed with Adam I Am’s outcome, Old has another promising gelding in the barn called Choose ‘Em Big, who is set to have one final run this week before heading for a spell. The four-year-old son of Preferment broke maiden ranks when beating subsequent Karapiro Classic runner-up Hasstobeawinner at Te Aroha in November, and ran sixth in the innovation race at Te Rapa last month. “It (Karapiro run) was quite good, he had to do a little bit of work from out wide, but he wasn’t too far away,” Old said. “He is going to run on Friday at Taranaki over 1800m before I turn him out. He should be hard to beat down there. He will hopefully be a nice Cup horse for next season with a bit of luck.” View the full article

Tony Rider celebrated a classic dose of double delight in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday. In a near perfect result for the Milan Park principal, he had the honour of breeding the winner Pulchritudinous and also owns the dam of the runner-up Positivity. Rider enjoys a close association with Pulchritudinous’ trainer and part-owner Chad Ormsby and purchased the mother of the second filly from her late co-breeder Sir Patrick Hogan. “Chad and I have had horses together and done deals before and he bought the half-brother by Ocean Park (Cyber Patch) off me for $80,000,” he said. “He ended up selling him to Hong Kong for $600,000 so that’s why he came back and bought this filly.” Under his Riverrock Farm banner, Ormsby purchased Wrote’s daughter Pulchritudinous out of Milan Park’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $32,500 and she was subsequently passed in when reoffered at the Ready to Run Sale. Rider has since sold Pulchritudinous’ dam Showus, who is by Pentire from the family of the Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) winner and champion sire Marscay and another Oaks winner in Alacrity. However, he remains involved with the family with a half-sister to Pulchritudinous by Ardrossan named Fillygizalook. She was a two-year-old trial winner from Stephen Marsh’s stable at Tauranga last month. “They are chalk and cheese and she’ll be more of a sprinter to middle distance maximum, whereas Pulchritudinous could even get over 3200m,” Rider said. “I could have sold a very good broodmare, but that’s the name of the game. You can’t keep them all. “I bought Showus as a yearling from Chequers Stud (for $25,000) and raced her with Guy Lowry and then leased her out for two years to Trish Dunell and brought her back and started breeding from her myself.” Rider also gained a good deal of satisfaction from the Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity’s effort for second in the Oaks. “I didn’t breed her but own her mother (Pussy O’Reilly). I bought her off Sir Patrick Hogan and it’s a fantastic New Zealand family,” Rider said. “She’s got a Shocking colt at foot and is in foal to Sword Of State. I’m not too sure where she’ll go this year.” Rider has also recently welcomed home multiple Group winner Aromatic after buying her back via the Gavelhouse platform for $257,500. Milan Park sold the daughter of Sacred Falls and one of the farm’s foundation mares Vickeezzchardonnay to Te Akau’s David Ellis for $160,000 at Karaka. “She is very special to me, the whole family has been special and that’s where I started from and we’ll more than likely send her over to Yulong’s Alabama Express,” he said. “She is very similar to her mother and was an out and out stayer. Mark Walker said to me that she had been amazing to have in the stable and was just so honest.” View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, March 20, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to the bright lights of Happy Valley on Wednesday evening for a bumper nine-race program. The rail is in the C+3 position for the entire circuit, and with only minimal rainfall expected to hit the course in the lead-up, participants should be racing on a genuine Good 4 surface. The action is set to get underway at 6:40pm local time. Best Bet: Gallant Valour Gallant Valour looks ready to find the winners’ enclosure for the second time this campaign. The son of Heroic Valour extended nicely over the 1650m journey last time out, but just had too much to do when asked to circle the field from last. The three-year-old will be put in a much more manageable position from gate three this time, and when asked for the ultimate effort by Zac Purton, watch for Gallant Valour to power over the top of his rivals. Best Bet Race 6 – #3 Gallant Valour (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (59kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best: The Khan The Khan was improved second-up at this course and distance on February 21, chasing gamely along the inside rail. He draws gate 12 in this Class 4 event, so it seems likely the son of Acclamation will need to get back in the ruck before unleashing his electric turn-of-foot down the centre of the course under Brenton Avdulla. The Khan may be looking for further as he progresses through his first Hong Kong preparation, but he has the ability to win at this distance before taking on tougher assignments. Next Best Race 5 – #7 The Khan (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Casper Fownes | J: Brenton Avdulla (58kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value: U S S Constitution U S S Constitution is still unplaced heading into his sixth Hong Kong start, but he gets a terrific opportunity to get a win on the board at his second attempt in Class 4 company. He does his best work at Happy Valley, as the son of U S Navy Flag seems to appreciate the tight-turning course. He needs to lug top weight in this event, but with gate four giving Brenton Avdulla plenty of options, U S S Constitution looks ideally placed to pick up a much-deserved victory. Best Value Race 7 – #3 U S S Constitution (4) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Brenton Avdulla (61kg) Bet with Neds Hong Kong quaddie tips – Wednesday 20/3/2024 Wyong quadrella selections Wednesday, March 20, 2024 3-5-7-8-12 2-3-4-5-6 1-4-5-7-10 3-10-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Wyong Races Where Wyong Race Club & Function Centre – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Wednesday, March 20, 2024 First Race 1:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to the Central Coast of NSW on Wednesday afternoon for a competitive eight-race program at Wyong. The rail is out +3m for the entire circuit, and with the rain continuing to fall across the region, the track is likely to be downgraded into the Soft range prior to the opening event at 1:45pm AEDT. Best Bet at Wyong: Commemorative Commemorative returns after a 17-week spell having been thrown in the deep end last time out. Although she closed off gamely in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on November 18, it all came a bit too soon for the daughter of I Am Invincible. Her two barrier trials since returning to work have caught the eye, and with James McDonald set to hop back aboard this progressive three-year-old, Commemorative should be right in this BM72 contest. Best Bet Race 8 – #9 Commemorative (6) 3yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (57.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Wyong: Just Party Just Party produced a tough front-running debut at Newcastle on March 8, and although he couldn’t cling to victory, it was still a strong outing by the son of Justify. He was sent straight to the front under Tim Clark and was constantly pestered before Last Command got the head down on the wire. Expect similar tactics in this event, and with the Soft surface the only query, Just Party will go close to chalking up his maiden victory. Next Best Race 1 – #1 Just Party (7) 2yo Colt | T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | J: Tim Clark (58kg) Bet with Unibet Next Best Again at Wyong: Starman Starman has found the minor money on three consecutive occasions heading into this BM78 contest. He was just nosed out in his most recent effort at Rosehill on February 24, with the gelding by Zoustar unable to reel in Gently Rolled. He maps to get a mid-field sit with cover throughout the 1350m journey, and with James McDonald taking the ride, it should give punters confidence Starman can go one better on Wednesday. Next Best Again Race 6 – #1 Starman (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (60kg) Bet with Bet365 Wednesday quaddie tips for Wyong races Wyong quadrella selections Wednesday, March 20, 2024 1-4-6-7-9 1-4-6-8 3-4-5-11-12 1-2-7-9-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Australian climbs aboard Pierre Ng’s rising star at Sha Tin on Monday morning, with the four-year-old giving him a ‘great feel’View the full article

Mike Gillum topped the field of 765 entries at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's 25th National Horseplayers Championship to take home the $800,000 grand prize and earn the Eclipse Award as the Horseplayer of the Year Sunday evening in Las Vegas. After finishing day one in fifth place, Gillum found himself in the 81st spot with two races to go on day two. He jumped over a few people to qualify into the semi-final round in 64th place, barely inside the 10% cut line set at 77 entries. When asked about his strategy going into Sunday's final day of the competition, Gillum said, “My picks did not change since 6 a.m. this morning, I played exactly what I would have played regardless of which place I was in. I got lucky, it was just my day today.” Racing has always been something Gillum, who operates a produce company in Indianapolis, Indiana, enjoyed, he said. “It's a passion of mine and has been for 20, 30 years. This is just the best,” Gillum said. In only his second trip to the NHC, Gillum is the 25th individual to take home the grand prize at the handicapping contest. When asked what this means to him, Gillum said, “I am just thinking about my family at home watching, I'm just so excited and happy. Truly I'm at a loss for words.” The official top 10 finishers at the 2024 NHC and prize money won are: Mike Gillum, $800,000; Seth Morris, $250,000; Matthew Blanchet, $200,000; Lawrence Kahlden, $150,000; Daniel Kaplan, $125,000; Rob Henie, $85,000; Nicholas Shirilla, $80,000; TJ Sonde, $75,000; GT Nixon, $70,000; and Scott Cavalieri, $65,000. “Horseplayers are such a pivotal part of the sport of Thoroughbred racing, and the NTRA is extremely proud to host this event to celebrate all their contributions every year to crown our annual champion,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “It's incredible to see how the NHC has evolved in the 25 years since it began and really special to have so many dedicated horseplayers who work all year to qualify for this event. To have the 25th NHC, coupled with St. Patrick's Day and the NCAA tournament weekend, has made for a weekend like no other. Congratulations to all who made it here this weekend, and especially to Mike Gillum for taking home the grand prize.” The post Mike Gillum Wins NTRA National Horseplayers Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Tuesday, March 19, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble NSW racing heads to the western fringe of Sydney on Tuesday afternoon, with Hawkesbury set to host a competitive eight-race program from 1:15pm AEDT. The rail is out +2m between 1100m–450m, then sitting true for the remainder of the course. The rainfall in the lead-up will provide testing conditions for all participants, with the Soft 6 rating at the time of writing likely to be downgraded into the Heavy range as we get closer to jump time. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Cormac T Cormac T made his debut for the Annabel Neasham barn at Rosehill on February 28 and was well beaten by 1.7 lengths, although the European import had excuses. He was held up behind a wall of horses at a crucial stage and never saw daylight, but his work through the wire was impressive. It suggested the son of Nathaniel had more to give, and with the four-year-old getting out to a more suitable 1800m journey, watch for dramatic improvement from Cormac T in his second Australian start. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Cormac T (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Tom Marquand (59kg) +160 with Bet365 Best Value at Hawkesbury: Adagio Online bookmakers are giving punters a generous price for Adagio in this BM64 contest for the stayers. The son of Pierro broke his maiden two starts back on a bottomless surface at Muswellbrook on February 19 before having a torrid run in his most recent effort at Canberra on March 10. He gets conditions to suit in this race, and provided he can ping the lids to lead from stall 11, Adagio will outrun his double-figure price. Best Value Race 6 – #6 Adagio (11) 3yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Regan Bayliss (56kg) +1100 with Neds More Value at Hawkesbury: Poseidon Ruler Poseidon Ruler has only found the minor money twice across seven starts during his lengthy campaign, but it’s easy to make a case for the John Bannister-trained gelding in this. He is a genuine wet-track galloper, with three of his four victories coming when racing on Soft to Heavy ground. He needs a hot tempo to be at his scintillating best, and with the speed map suggesting he should get favours in a fast-run affair, watch for Poseidon Ruler to be flashing home on the testing Hawkesbury surface. More Value Race 7 – #3 Poseidon Ruler (7) 6yo Gelding | T: John Bannister | J: Shane Arnold (60kg) +1000 with PlayUp Tuesday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury races Hawkesbury quadrella selections Tuesday, March 19, 2024 1-3-4-7 1-4-5-6-8 2-3-4-5-9 5-6-7-8-9-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Jockey Joe Doyle has brought the luck of the Irish with him over to the other side of the world and is enjoying a standout season, bringing up his 100th win in New Zealand aboard the Kim Reid-trained Hi Yo Sass Bomb in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. “It was fantastic, I can’t thank everyone enough. She (Hi Yo Sass Bomb) went really well and gave me a great feel, and I am delighted for Kim and her small team,” Doyle said. Doyle tested the New Zealand waters last season and decided to return this term to have a decent crack at the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership, which he currently sits third, on 77 wins, behind Warren Kennedy (94) and defending champion Michael McNab (84). As part of his 77 win haul this season, Doyle has accrued 10 stakes victories and nearly $4.1 million in prizemoney, exceeding his expectations for his second stint downunder. “I had $4 million in stake money and 10 stakes winners as a couple of the goals, and I have got that far, so I am in bonus territory a bit now and have no plans on stopping. “I am getting close to 300 (career wins) now, I am on about 280. If I could get 100 in a season and my own personal 300, I think that would be huge. I couldn’t be happier with how everything has gone.” Doyle picked up his first elite-level win in New Zealand aboard the Lisa Latta-trained Pignan in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni last year, and he has added a few more to his highlight reel this term. “The (New Zealand 1000) Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m, aboard Molly Bloom) was massive. The Guineas is a race that everyone wants to win, in any jurisdiction, in any country,” he said. “On a personal level, the Bonecrusher (Gr.1, 2000m, aboard El Vencedor) was special. It was nice to get a big one at Ellerslie, New Zealand’s HQ. That one felt very good.” Doyle has enjoyed riding at Ellerslie since it resumed racing in January on its new StrathAyr track, and Doyle said it has given him a reminder of home. “Ellerslie has its uniqueness that it is quite undulating and that is something that is a bit more familiar to me from home,” he said. “I feel quite comfortable riding around there and I feel the horses get into a good rhythm with me going around. It is a unique track with a lot of history, and it is a nice place to be.” Doyle said there have been a number of different variables he has had to adapt to when it comes to the differences in riding in New Zealand compared to back in Europe. “In comparison to Europe, a lot of the tracks here the straights are quite a bit shorter,” he said. “A lot of the racing here you are riding horses for turn of foot and speed late, whereas at home we tend to jump out, go a gallop, and it is an even run all the way around. It is something that took a bit of getting used to and I think I am getting better at it.” It has been tough for the Irishman to be away from his family and friends, but he has built his own community in New Zealand and said he is enjoying his time downunder. “I have my New Zealand family here with the likes of Tim and Margaret Carter, and Micky and Lauren Brennan,” he said. “They make me feel at home, which is a massive help. It has been tough being so far away for this long. I have been away from home for longer, just not this far away. That has been a mental test, but when you are getting winners every week, that certainly helps.” Doyle felt the presence of home in Dunedin on Sunday, where he celebrated St Patrick’s Day following riding at Wingatui’s weekend meeting. While Doyle enjoyed a few quiet beverages, Guinness was flowing for many of his countrymen around the world, and he was kept up-to-date with their celebrations on social media. “It is a massive bank holiday at home. I have been getting snapchats all morning, the boys have been going hard,” Doyle said. “I have been lucky enough to have been in England, America and now New Zealand for St Patrick’s Day, and it is a great holiday celebrated world-wide. “They are a great crowd down there (in Dunedin) and we had a beer after (the races). We didn’t go too mad, but it was a very enjoyable day. It just reminds you of a bit of home.” While initially only planning to be in New Zealand for the season, Doyle said he hasn’t ruled out staying in his adopted country longer term. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said. “I am getting on well here and I am very comfortable. I have to be here a bit longer before I can even think about applying for residency, but it is certainly something on my mind. There is a high possibility that you haven’t seen the end of me yet.” View the full article

Pacific Spirit (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) gave popular jockey Vlad Duric his 700th win in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race (1600m) at Kranji on Sunday. Barely a week after five-time Singapore champion jockey Manoel Nunes brought up his 700th winner in Singapore with Lim’s Bighorn last Saturday, Duric, too, joined the “elite 700-club”, which had three previous Kranji jockeys, Barend Vorster (789 wins), Saimee Jumaat (776) and Joao Moreira (737) also on the roll of honour. With a strong pace early in a very spread-out field, Duric had to make an early move at the 650m on the three-year-old son of Rip Van Winkle, with the whip pulled to keep in touch at the final bend. Upon turning for home, Pacific Spirit looked to have plenty of momentum and although he still spotted Sky Eight a few lengths at the 350m, he made a serious challenge at the furlong post, albeit with Khao Manee (NZ) (Remind) for company. Those cheering for Duric would have gone hoarse when Pacific Spirit hit the front at the 100m and although Khao Manee kept him honest to the wire, the David Kok-trained gelding won comfortably by three-quarters-of-a-length in the end. The winning time was 1 min 40.24secs for the 1600m on the Polytrack. Pacific Spirit’s first win in 12 starts took his prizemoney to over S$23,000 for the Pacific Stable. Pacific Spirt was sold by breeders Windsor Park Stud at the 2022 Book 2 Sale for $30,000 to Enigma Farm / Upper Bloodstock. But the win was all about the jockey, who rode his first winner way back in 2009 on Master Key for ex-Kranji trainer Len Treloar, after health scares and weight issues almost derailed his career on more than one occasion. “It’s been a battle at times,” said Duric, who allowed himself a little fist pump after crossing the line first for the 700th time at Kranji. “It might just be my age but my lower back has been an issue and I still have trouble with my throat. But, they’re manageable now and so is my weight. I have been in good health of late and the 700-win mark was definitely a goal. “I’ve been here (Singapore) for a long time, so to get the treble today and reach that milestone was very satisfying.” Duric began riding long-term in Singapore in 2009, winning champion jockey titles in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 with 83, 73, 88 and 65 wins respectively. Those were golden years for Duric, who fondly remembers the support he received in his earlier years at Kranji. “You can’t survive as a jockey without support and (kiwi trainer) Stephen Gray gave me amazing support early,” reminisced the 2007 Caulfield Cup-winning jockey. “He (Gray) gave me so many opportunities and one of my biggest thrills was to ride for him on Lim’s Cruiser in the (Gr.1) Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot (2019). “Back in the good old days, it was also great to ride for good guys like (ex-Kranji trainers) Pat Shaw, Cliff (Brown), (the late) Laurie (Laxon) and Mike (Michael) Clements, to name just a few. A big thank you to those guys, especially Stephen. “It’s (Singapore racing) ending soon, so we have to move on, but this place is special and I’m thankful to have been involved.” Other New Zealand bred winners at Kranji on Sunday were Tennet Tentennet (NZ) (Telperion), Commander Jones (NZ) (Charm Spirit) & Energy Baby (NZ) (Rich Enuff). View the full article

Horse Racing on Monday, March 18 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 Kempsey. Monday Racing Tips – March 18, 2024 Kempsey Racing Tips As always there a 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 March 18, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Horse racing tips View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Monday, March 18. 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 March 18, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions 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 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. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10%. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet 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 March 18, 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

Newgate and Hopkins for trainer Bob Baffert and Two Rivers Over for trainer Doug O'Neill are all scheduled to depart Santa Anita Park the night of March 17 for a trip to Dubai.View the full article

"He's doing well. He's with us here at the moment at Payson. We're toying with the idea of working him the middle of next week," assistant trainer Miguel Clement said.View the full article

The rivalry that has been brewing at Fair Grounds will see round 3 before the close of the meet as Strong Quality and Beatbox look to emerge as king of the Louisiana turf in the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T) March 23. View the full article

The March 23 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on the Turfway Park all-weather course offers enough "Road to the Kentucky Derby" points to ensure the winner, and maybe the runner-up, a spot in the big race and there's no shortage of takers for that offer.View the full article

Pimlico-based trainer David Howard passed away the evening of March 15 after suffering a heart attack. He was 45.View the full article

Trainer Butch Reid, Jr. has three sophomores aiming for stakes on Aqueduct's Apr. 6 Wood Memorial card. Michael Milam's Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion), aiming for the GII Wood Memorial, worked five furlongs in 1:02.09 (3/15) Saturday at Parx. It was the colt's first official work since winning the Feb. 3 GIII Withers S. “The work went very well, we couldn't be any happier. He did it well and came out of it great this morning, ate up everything last night,” said Reid. “We had a horse in front of him to chase after and he went after him.” Due to a now-lifted Equine Herpesvirus quarantine at Belmont Park, Uncle Heavy shipped to a farm in Pennsylvania following the Withers and returned to Reid's Parx base Feb. 25. “The time off, believe it or not, actually did him a bit of good. He put his weight back on,” said Reid. “He's big and fat and healthy now, so we are very happy with the way he is going.” Cash is King and LC Racing's Carmelina (Maximus Mischief), a last-out runner-up in the Mar. 2 Busher S., is expected to line up in the GIII Gazelle S. “I think a mile and an eighth is the edge of how far she wants to go, but we will see how it comes up and she definitely could get involved,” Reid said. “Speed can be dangerous at a mile and an eighth, too.” Reid, LC Racing and Cash is King's Maximus Meridius (Maximus Mischief), who earned 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points with his fourth-place effort in the one-mile GIII Gotham S., will ditch the Derby trail in pursuit of the seven-furlong Bay Shore S. “We like a little bit of a turn back. He had to go from the one-hole last time and used a little bit out of the gate to not get swallowed up,” said Reid. “Right now, it doesn't look like he is going to be a Classic horse, so this race should be a nice turn back, to keep him going shorter.” The post Reid Trio Target Wood Day Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Driver Penalties W House | Manawatu 14 March; crossed over prior to start; fined $200. N Delany | Manawatu 14 March; out of position at start; fined $100. J Abernethy | Manawatu 14 March (heard Auckland 15 March); use of whip; fined $250. M White | Auckland 15 March; careless driving; suspended 23 March – 4 April inclusive. J Stormont | NZ Metropolitan 15 March; use of whip; suspended 21-27 March inclusive. R Gutsell | Wyndham 16 March; drove in a manner capable of diminishing chances; suspended 26 March – 27 April inclusive. M Hurrell | Wyndham 16 March; shifted into passing lane and caused interference; suspended 17-28 March inclusive. G Hunt | Banks Peninsula 17 March; use of whip; suspended 18-27 March inclusive. Trainer Penalty F Mitchell | Manawatu 14 March; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties GRETTYMAC | NZ Metropolitan 15 March; fractious prior to start; must complete standing start trial. OUR SHANGRI LANA | NZ Metropolitan 15 March; entrapped epiglottis; veterinary clearance required. SONNY JIM | Wyndham 16 March; broke in running; must complete trial. FORTY WIVES | Wyndham 16 March; laceration to fetlock; veterinary clearance required. Protests MR MONTY | Manawatu 14 March; excessive galloping in home straight; disqualified from 4th. SHADOW CREEK | Banks Peninsula 17 March; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 11-17 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

It's Sizzling Time (Not This Time) finished second in Saturday's $100,000 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial S. at Laurel, but trainer Valrie Smith wasn't about to complain. The gelding banked another $20,000, upping his career earnings to $327,766. Not bad for a horse who cost $1,000 as a yearling, which is what It's Sizzling Time sold for at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling sale “If you had told me back then that he'd win all these races, win a stakes and make all that money, I would have told you you were being ridiculous,” Smith said. “I would have told you there was no way that could happen.” But it did. It's Sizzling Time has won seven races, including the John B. Campbell S., and has developed into one of the better older dirt horses on the Maryland circuit. Smith and her husband Donnovan Haughton like to buy at Fasig Tipton's fall yearling sale and are always on the lookout for bargains. But the couple is not well off and they cannot afford to buy horses even in the four-figure range. Many of their purchases have been for $1,000, the lowest price a horse can sell for at a Fasig-Tipton auction. Smith doesn't pretend that she saw something special in It's Sizzling Time or that she knew something the other buyers didn't. She also couldn't have predicted what was to come for the sire, Not This Time (Giant's Causeway). Not This Time was second in the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and never ran again. Taylor Made took a chance on the horse and started him off with a stud fee of $15,000. He's since gone on to become one of the top sires in the sport, with a stud fee of $150,000. It's Sizzling Time is from his first crop. None of that was part of the equation when Smith put in her $1,000 bid for the horse. “We bought him because we thought we were getting a bargain,” she said. But why did he sell for so little? “I have no idea why. It was just our luck,” she said. “We were just lucky to get him. There was nothing obviously wrong with him. He looked smart in the ring. It wasn't like he was looking all crazy.” The Florida-bred began his career in a $25,000 maiden claimer in October of 2020. He finished second and two starts later would go on to break his maiden. For the next three years plus he started only in allowance races and starter allowance races. But he kept improving and Smith chose the Campbell as the race in which he would make his stakes debut. With jockey Jean Briceno aboard, he won the $100,000 race by a nose. “I'm so excited, I'm lost for words,”Smith said after the Campbell win. Smith is a native of Jamaica who came to the U.S. in 2005. Not only did she know nothing about horse racing at the time, she was scared of horses. “I was scared of them because I thought they were so big,” she said. It was Haughton, who was a jockey in Jamaica, that introduced her to racing. She started off as a hotwalker and soon found out that not only were horses not scary they could be your best friend. “Gradually, I started to love them. But the horses loved me first,” said Smith. “They love people. You just have to be patient and love them back. I started having a good connection with the horses. I was sucked into it.” Smith, who works alongside Haughton, has been training since 2017 and has a four-horse stable. It's Sizzling Time is co-owned by Haughton and Mona Bowley, a friend from Jamaica. It's not easy to make ends meet with a four-horse stable, but the money that It's Sizzling Time has earned has helped immensely. “Oh my God, he has been a huge, huge blessing,” she said. “I just have to thank God. I'm so happy. This horse makes us look real good.” Smith isn't sure where It's Sizzling Time will run next, but it will no doubt be in another stakes race. The $1,000 yearling has proven that he belongs. Santa Anita's Safety Record Matanzas Creek (Empire Maker) broke down three strides past the wire after winning Saturday's sixth race at Santa Anita. While no one wants to see a horse break down and euthanized, the incident served to remind us of just how safe racing at Santa Anita has become. While there have been fatalities during training, Santa Anita went nearly one year without having a fatality in a race. Prior to Saturday, the last time it happened was Mar. 18, 2023 when a horse named Beverly Vista (Arrogate) broke down. The increased veterinary oversight that horses must go through at Santa Anita is obviously an inconvenience to trainers. But no one should be complaining. It's working The Chosen Vron Does it Again It was quite a week for The Chosen Vron (Vronsky). First he was named the 2023 California-bred Horse of the Year and then he won for the 16th time in his career when he captured the GIII San Carlos S. Saturday at Santa Anita. He is now 16-for-21 lifetime. It was the fourth graded stakes win for the popular 6-year-old gelding He's won 11 of his last 12 starts, with the only defeat coming when he was fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. In an era where a lot of good horses race six or seven times in their careers and their owners can't get them to the breeding shed fast enough, it's great to see a tough old gelding whose a throwback to a better time for the sport when racing was more than an audition for the breeding shed. The post The Week in Review: From $1,000 Yearling to Stakes Winner, It’s Sizzling Time Not Done Writing his Story appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Harry Rosenblum and Cheyenne Stable's Time for Truth (Omaha Beach) tuned up for an expected start in the Mar. 30 GI Arkansas Derby with a six-furlong work in 1:13.00 (1/1) work over a muddy Oaklawn strip Saturday. “This was our meat and potatoes,” trainer Ron Moquett said of the work. “Then, we'll put a side on him next week.” A debut winner at Oaklawn on New Year's Eve, Time for Truth was second in the Feb. 10 Ozark S., but missed out on a start in the GII Rebel S. when he suffered a minor shin injury the night before the Feb. 24 race. He resurfaced with a victory in a 1 1/16-mile allowance Mar. 2. “We're still trying to put it all together,” Moquett said. “He's a very talented horse that we're just trying to see where his maturation is. The other day we noticed, even though he won, when he made the front, he kind of waited on a horse for a second, but then galloped out really well. So, we're trying to get him to do everything that he's supposed to do to be more professional.” The Arkansas Derby will offer 200 points to its top five finishers (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the May 4 GI Kentucky Derby. The post Time for Truth Tunes Up for Arkansas Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Muth, who has been off since winning the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) by 2 3/4 lengths Jan. 6, drilled six furlongs in 1:12.00.View the full article

The Curragh is fit for racing for its opening day of the Irish Flat season March 18, but officials will be hoping no more rain arrives than is forecast to allow the meeting to go ahead.View the full article

In an electrifying display through the late stages, Sixpence (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) overwhelmed nine other rivals and proclaimed himself as one to watch for the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas), dominating the G2 Fuji TV Sho Spring S. on Sunday at Nakayama. Jumping well and close to the pacesetters, Sixpence tucked in neatly behind Allegro Brillante (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}) and that one's closest pursuer Cosmo Buddleja (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) as the pair showed the way. The placings remained consistent until the field passed the 800 metre mark with closers beginning their march from the rear and Sixpence was launching his own rally coming off the bend. Looming the danger with 400 metres left, Christophe Lemaire asked and his charge responded, leaving long-time leader Allegro Brillante in his wake under the mildest of hand rides. The advantage extended with 200 metres left in the running and the gap back to the game pacesetter was 3 1/2 lengths on the wire. Lucullan Feast (Jpn) (Isla Bonita {Jpn}) came out best of the scramble for the minors, nosing out Channel Tunnel (Jpn) (Greater London {Jpn}) for the last trifecta spot. Hold the phone, we've got a live one! G2 1800m Spring Stakes, a classic Satsuki Sho trial Won by exciting 3c 4. SIXPENCE (Kizuna x Finley'sluckycharm (Twirling Candy)) x Christophe Lemaire Unbeaten in 3 starts Devastating turn of foot!#JRA pic.twitter.com/eiJlzgF5WJ — Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) March 17, 2024 Pedigree Note The lone offspring to race for American Grade I-winner Finley'sluckycharm (Twirling Candy) thus far, Sixpence is the newest Classic contender for sire Kizuna (Jpn), who himself was the Japanese champion 3-year-old colt as well as a Classic winner in France and Japan. Among the stallion's best runners are dual champion Songline (Jpn), who twice claimed the G1 Yasuda Kinen, and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup victrex Akai Ito (Jpn). On his female line side, the busiest activity is found deep in the pedigree via the dam Gather the Clan (Ire), who is responsible for GISW Pure Clan (Pure Prize). That mare would later go on to produce SW & GISP Princesa Carolina (Tapit), who set a course-record en route to her victory in the Fifth Third Insurance Dueling Grounds Oaks. She is not the only runner with a wicked turn of foot as Pure Clan's half-brother MGSW Greater Good set a new track-record beneath the fabled twin spires of Churchill Downs. Since changing hands to Katsumi Yoshida for $1.5-million in 2018 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale, Finley'sluckycharm has produced two of racing age, but Sixpence is the first to make it to the races. She does have a 2-year-old colt by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) named Field Note (Jpn). Her 2023 Orfevre (Jpn) foal was stillborn. Sunday, Nakayama, Japan FUJI TV SHO SPRING STAKES-G2, ¥104,580,000, Nakayama, 3-17, 3yo, 1800mT, 1:49.40, fm. 1–SIXPENCE (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Kizuna (Jpn) 1st Dam: Finley'sluckycharm (GISW, $928,068), by Twirling Candy 2nd Dam: Day of Victory, by Victory Gallop 3rd Dam: Gather the Day, by Dayjur 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Sakae Kunieda; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥54,756,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, ¥72,873,000. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Allegro Brillante (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Deep Brillante (Jpn)–Centenary (Jpn), by French Deputy. 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥22,216,000. 3–Lucullan Feast (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Isla Bonita (Jpn)–Gorgeous Lunch (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O-Shadai Race Horse; B- Shadai Farm; ¥14,108,000. Margins: 3HF, 1, NO; Odds: 1.90, 24.30, 6.30. Also Ran: Channel Tunnel (Jpn), Cosmo Buddleja (Jpn), Stinger Glass (Jpn), Pellegrini (Jpn), Lograr (Jpn), Water Licht (Jpn), Jun Gold (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Sixpence Dominates Satsuki Sho Trial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Barry Fitzgerald may be an under-the-radar trainer but he is by no means unheard of. The County Carlow-based handler registered five winners in Ireland last season and six the previous campaign. What's more impressive is that he was operating at a hugely respectable 10 and 14 per cent strike-rate for those respective campaigns. No mean feat when you're operating with just a handful of Flat horses and working with limited pedigrees every year. But the quality is on the up in the yard and Fitzgerald, already off the mark this year at Dundalk, is hoping to hit the ground running when he unleashes a couple of youngsters on the opening day of the new Flat season at the Curragh on Monday. First up for Fitzgerald is Far At Sea (Ire), a filly by first-season sire Far Above (Ire), who tackles the opening two-year-old maiden and is reported to go well at home. The trainer said, “She goes very well–she's a good, fast filly. I know the ground is quite soft and hopefully that won't blunt her speed too much. We've liked everything she has been doing so far so hopefully she can bring it to the track. “Far At Sea was bought privately by her owner David Granville. He buys a lot of horses privately and, actually, he bought Harbour Gem (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) privately as well. She did well for us last year, placing in two maidens, and she has gone to Dermot Weld now. She could have a big year in front of her.” Fitzgerald will also run another debutante, Bella Mistiko (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), in the three-year-olds and upwards fillies' maiden later on the card. On her prospects, he commented, “She goes very well as well. We're hoping for a big run but she's drawn in stall 19, which isn't ideal. She was just a very backward two-year-old and we were going to go to Dundalk with her. We said we'd wait and go for the grass instead and I think she will love the ground. She's ready to go as well. If either of them win or get placed, the likelihood is that they'd be sold. You need to sell in order to keep the whole thing going.” Fitzgerald splits his yard of 20 horses between Flat and National Hunt. Much of the emphasis to his business revolves around trading and he has done well in that aspect of the game over both codes. He explained, “We're getting better horses every year. We started off in 2019 and we've built it up to about 20 horses split 50-50 between the Flat and National Hunt. We got a couple of two-year-olds sold to America last year but we need to keep the two codes going to make the game pay. If I only concentrated on the one code, I'd be out on the road.” On his background, he added, “I grew up on a farm in Limerick and was pony racing for 15 years before I went training a little under five years ago. Things got so expensive at the pony racing, I said I might as well have a go at training them for the track, and thankfully it has been working out for us. “I have worked for Mags Mullins, Shark Hanlon, Enda Bolger and Michael Hourigan so I have seen plenty and have been around the block. I have seen a lot of different things and, above all, I know how important it is to keep your yard clean and healthy. That's been a big part of our success.” The respective strike-rates posted by Fitzgerald in recent seasons do not happen by accident. He only brings a horse to the races if he thinks it has a chance and it's a modus operandi that has served the stable well. He said, “There is no point running horses for the sake of it. It costs a lot of money to bring a horse to the races and we like to be good and competitive when we go. You need to be trying to get as much of the prize-money as you can. It's an expensive game-even if I want to get the horse plaited, I have to give somebody 20 quid to do that for me. Everyone needs to be paid so there's no point going to the races and not being competitive. There's no craic in that.” Away from the youngsters, Fitzgerald also has a number of smart older horses to lead the team into battle this season, and the handler nominated A Piece Of Heaven (Fr) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) as being one to keep the right side of. He said, “A Piece Of Heaven is back in and is one to look forward to this season. He will work next week and hopefully he'll run when the ground dries out. To me, I think he could be a Royal Ascot horse. Races like the Ascot Stakes could be right up his street. It's great to have a horse like him because I don't even know how to enter for Royal Ascot, never mind getting there, so it's nice to dream in this game.” Fitzgerald added, “Genesis (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}), who ran well the other night at Dundalk, is another to keep the right side of. He'll probably stay sprinting for now but we might step him up to seven furlongs towards the end of the year. The Scurry Handicap is the race I have in mind for him. He could be a progressive horse.” The post Meet The Under-The-Radar Trainer Out To Make A Splash At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

No sooner is the Cheltenham Festival wound up than the Flat Turf season begins at The Curragh on Monday, leaving no time to draw breath. Offering the ultimate contrast to the recent jumping spectacles is the opening five-furlong Castle Star And Alkumait At Capital Stud Irish EBF Maiden for 2-year-olds, where a clutch of the entries are by the first-season sires Sergei Prokofiev, Verbal Dexterity (Ire), Far Above (Ire) and Arizona (Ire). It is Whitsbury Manor Stud's resident Sergei Prokofiev who could have the favourite in the Adrian Murray-trained colt Arizona Blaze (GB), sporting the silks of AMO Racing Limited and Giselle De Aguiar, but this is a race that Jim Bolger likes to make an early statement in and it is significant that he saddles Verbal Dexterity's son Monotone (Ire) in his colours. A half-brother to his former TDN Rising Star and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas fourth Wexford Native (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), it would be no surprise to see him emulate Dawn Approach (Ire), who gave his sire New Approach (Ire) his first winner in this back in 2012. Ballydoyle roll out the first of their turf runners in the well-tried Old Faithful (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the seven-furlong maiden for 3-year-old colts and geldings and the filly Mayfair (Ire) (Justify) in the fillies' version. A daughter of the G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), she is chosen to represent the yard in the maiden won three years ago by the subsequent G1 Prix de Diane heroine Joan Of Arc (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), so there could be a hint there. In the G3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express S., the Rosegreen establishment puts forward the G3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF S. runner-up Brilliant (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and the Galway maiden scorer Everlasting (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), both entered in the 1000 Guineas, while there is a G1 Irish Oaks entry involved in Gerard Kervick's Gowran Park winner Alpheratz (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) from the Joseph Murphy stable. The intrigue begins again. The post The Curragh Welcomes Back the Flat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article