Wandering Eyes

After spending 16 years working in corporate America, trainer Jeff Engler decided to follow his passion and begin training horses. Now, he saddles Mugatu in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course in search of his first graded win.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a full-brother to a multiple Group 1-winning juvenile. 13.20 Navan, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 5f 180yT TUNBRIDGE WELLS (IRE) (No Nay Never) is a full-brother to last year's G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. hero Blackbeard (Ire) who bids to book his ticket to Royal Ascot among the Ballydoyle juvenile team. Interestingly, he encounters Dr Ali Al Mutairi's Dr Ali (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}) who was third to Tunbridge Wells' stablemate Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) over this course and distance last month. 13.30 Newmarket, Novice, £40,000, 2yo, f, 6fT MOUNTAIN BREEZE (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) earned TDN Rising Star status over five furlongs at this track earlier this month and takes aim at another in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies' Novice series. Godolphin's half-sister to the juvenile champion Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal) has to defy a five-pound penalty against some potentially smart newcomers headed by Juddmonte's Flaming Stone (GB) (Kingman {GB}), an Andrew Balding-trained 425,000gns Tattersalls December Foal Sale purchase who is a half-sister to the G2 Premio Lydia Tesio winner Angel Power (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The post Blackbeard’s Brother Debuts At Navan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TIMONIUM, MD – The under-tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale concluded with a third session Friday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium and after an initial session of headwinds and a second session punctuated by tailwinds, conditions were calm with overcast skies during the show's finale. A filly by Bolt d'Oro (hip 401) had the fastest furlong work of Friday's session, covering the distance in :10 flat during the day's third set. Consigned by Wavertree Stables, the bay filly is out of Werewolf (Arch) and is a half-sister to stakes winner and graded-placed Howling Time (Not This Time). “We thought she would work as good as one could work up here,” Wavertree's Ciaran Dunne said. “We were nervous only because when you have such high expectations, usually it is tough to meet them. But I think she worked as good as one is going to work here today.” The filly was purchased for $335,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. “She is a big, pretty filly,” Dunne said of the juvenile's appeal last fall. “She's the type of horse we like. Physically, she's strong and she's balanced and she moves good. There is nothing to not like.” Of her progression over the winter, Dunne said, “She was right there with the best of what we had this year. She was supposed to go to the April sale, but she had a little setback. We gave her the time and she's never done anything other than advertise herself as top class.” A colt from the first crop of GI Kentucky Derby winner Authentic (hip 565) set the bullet mark for a quarter-mile Friday when covering the distance in :21 2/5 during the session's second set. Consigned by Pick View, LLC, the dark bay is out of Jeannie S (Sky Mesa) and is a half-brother to multiple stakes-winner Shanghai Starlet (Shanghai Bobby). The colt will be making a quick reappearance in the sales ring after bringing $150,000 at the OBS April sale last month. Veteran horseman Hoby Kight purchased the youngster, who worked a furlong in :10 flat at the Florida auction, on behalf of a group of partners. “I was looking for a couple of horses to buy to bring up here that worked good, that were real horses that I thought would work well on the dirt,” Kight said. “I do it every year. And it works out for me.” Asked what he looked for in horses to buy in Ocala to reoffer in Timonium, Kight said, “I like a horse with pedigree and work. And this horse worked good. He is a big stretchy horse, the kind I like.” Of the colt's work at OBS, Kight said, “There are so many horses who go :10 flat at OBS which are not real. This was real. There are a lot of horses there that work good that are real horses and there are some horses who work good where the synthetic just helps them a little bit. I don't want that horse.” Kight was impressed by the colt's bullet drill in Timonium Friday. “I think it was awesome,” he said. “A :21 2/5 on the dirt, seven times out of 10 is a stakes horse.” The juvenile's work was no surprise to consignor Joe Pickerrell. “He worked really good in April, so we expected him to work big,” Pickerrell said. “He's a big, beautiful two-turn colt. He was up to the task today. [OBS April consignor] Top Line [Sales] did a great job with him.” Of Kight, Pickerrell added, “Hoby is one of the best that ever did it. He's always buying and selling and in parts of the market that people kind of forget about. That's why he is so successful because he thinks outside of the box. If something outworks him today, I am sure Hoby will be there to look at it because we like fast horses. We are thankful he chose us to offer a horse like him.” In addition to hip 565, Authentic was represented by two of the five juveniles to share the week's fastest quarter-mile time of :21 1/5. The Pick View consignment was busy throughout the under-tack show, sending 25 juveniles to the track over the three days. “The track has been great,” Pickerrell said. “These guys do a phenomenal job of dealing with the weather on this track. We are lucky to have these track guys and Fasig does an excellent job. They made the right call by delaying the breeze show and I think it's been fair for everybody. A little bit of a headwind one day and a little tailwind the other day–I feel like the buyers will be able to sort that out. There is so much separation here with dirt horses. There is a lot more that goes into it here than just a fast work. I feel like people are here to buy good dirt horses and they are going to find them.” The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale will be held next Monday and Tuesday with bidding beginning each day at 11 a.m. The post Bolt d’Oro Filly, Authentic Colt Work Bullets in Timonium Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Of the eight horses expected to contest the Preakness Stakes (G1) May 18 at Pimlico Race Course, five were six-figure yearling auction purchases.View the full article

She Feels Pretty (f, 3, Karakontie {Jpn}–Summer Sweet, by More Than Ready), winner of last year's GI Natalma S. at Woodbine and third as the favorite after a wide journey in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita, returned to the races with a stylish win in Friday's $100,000 Hilltop S. at Pimlico. The 3-5 favorite was fifth rounding the clubhouse turn and up in spot into fourth down the backstretch. She traveled kindly just behind the leaders rounding the far turn and exploded down the stretch to win by six lengths. Just Better (Justify) was second. The final time for the one-mile Hilltop was 1:38.59. Sales history: $240,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1. O-Lael Stables; B-Payson Stud Inc. (Ky); T-Cherie DeVaux. Back to back stakes wins for @cdevauxracing as #6 SHE FEELS PRETTY ($3.20) kicks away with John Velazquez up to win the Hilltop Stakes at @PimlicoRC for Lael Stables. Another winner by Karakontie who stands at @Gainesway. The $150,000 Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) is next! pic.twitter.com/3vbxcKvrQ9 — FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) May 17, 2024 The post Classy She Feels Pretty Romps in Hilltop Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When Mugatu (Blofeld) makes his way onto the track in the morning, it's hard to look away. The imposing chestnut colt with the unique blaze that spans across his forehead before trickling down to just above his nostrils has a presence that makes you pay attention. And when he moves across the track, it's easy to understand why he was the one that Dan Preiss sought out on the final day of the 2023 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training sale. After receiving a call from trainer Jeff Engler halfway through the sale, Preiss had a new order to fill: finding a 2-year-old for a group of Kentucky and Ohio-based clients with a budget of $15,000. It was a feat that seemed nearly impossible as the horses continued to file through the ring until Preiss was directed to the Wavertree Stables consignment and met a Blofeld colt out of Union Way (Union Rags) (hip 1150). “When I called Jeff, I told him, 'I really like this horse,' said Preiss. “He's bigger than most horses that I would ever buy at a 2-year-old sale but that's what I like about him because he went :10 3/5, which is why we could afford him. He's not built like a 2-year-old in training sale horse, he's a massive colt. Then I looked a little deeper and saw the gallop out, which was probably in the top 5% in the whole sale, and that's when I got excited.” Despite a brief bidding war with an internet bidder, Preiss came out on top at a final price of $14,000. Since then, he's taken his connections on quite the ride over various parts of the country. Owned by Average Joe Racing and Dan Wells, the colt made his first three career starts as a 2-year-old at Ellis Park before heading out to Keeneland, and later closing out the year in Florida at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay. Though it took some time, which seems to be a given with a horse of his stature, Mugatu broke his maiden in his fifth career start, going a mile and 70 yards on the all-weather at Gulfstream and winning it by 3 1/4 lengths. Engler has tried the colt at a variety of distances and surfaces, giving him the upper hand in terms of experience when compared to many other colts his age. “He's filled out tremendously [since last year]. He's gotten a lot bigger, stronger, wider,” said Engler. “The nice thing about him is he runs good on everything, really. Tapeta he really liked, obviously he ran good in the [John] Battaglia [Memorial S.]. He ran a really big race in the Rushaway [S.] at Turfway. He ran eighth but got beat 2 1/2 lengths by Trikari (Oscar Performance) who came back to win [the GII American Turf] on Derby Day. “He's run against a lot of high-quality horses, obviously Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and Dornoch (Good Magic), but he seems to prefer dirt. His best number was on the dirt and when we switched him over to the dirt, we moved him from Turfway to Belterra Park to train on it leading up to the [GI Kentucky] Derby. Initially we thought he was going to be an outstanding turf horse, but he just didn't show that real big kick at the end. So, I'm thinking dirt and synthetic [for him].” The colt's fourth in the Battaglia, along with his run in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S., where he outran his 181-1 odds to close from last to finish fifth, earned him 14 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The colt and his team were on the outside looking in on the also-eligible list leading up to the first Saturday in May, just one scratch away from drawing into the field, but unfortunately didn't receive the call they had been hoping for. Despite that disappointment, Engler has forged ahead with Mugatu, bringing him back to Belterra for one more work–breezing five furlongs in :59.80 on May 11–as the team switched their focus to Baltimore for Saturday's GI Preakness S. “It was very disappointing not to draw in and obviously we needed someone to scratch, and we weren't wishing it on anybody,” said Engler. “We were there [at Churchill Downs] all week, just saying, 'if it happens, it happens.' It didn't happen, but the good thing is he handled that entire week like a professional. He loves the camera and he handled the crowds, the press, and all of the people by the rail. He never flinched. “We feel like we have a horse that has the mind and talent to be in these races and it's very exciting to be in this race. It's a Triple Crown race and for a stable the size of mine to be in a race like this, it's a lifelong dream. [The owners] are on cloud nine. They're all great people and they've been with me for 15 years, through thick and thin. They've had a couple halfway decent horses but never a horse to run in a Triple Crown race. It's like the blue-collar stable coming in to take on the white-collar stables.” It seems only fitting that Mugatu, though a Kentucky-bred, would make his Classic debut in the state where his sire Blofeld (Quality Road) resides at Murmur Farm in Darlington. Despite his smaller crop sizes, success is a consistent factor among his offspring, including stakes winners Chickieness, Johnyz From Albany, Miss Harriett, Alpine Mist and Charming Way from four crops with 93 foals of racing age. Last year, he climbed into the top five on Maryland's top 10 overall sires list. “Since we [got Mugatu], I've learned a lot about Blofeld. He's got a small sample out there but oh my gosh…I would love to have several more Blofelds,” said Engler. Some would glance at Mugatu's light record, with only one win, a second and two thirds from 12 career starts, and dismiss him as the underdog at the level he's now running at. But according to his connections, he's only just getting started, and a longer distance seems to be the key in unlocking his true potential on the dirt. “One thing Joe Talamo said to me, several times is, 'He's still not giving us 100%.' And he said, 'When he gives us 100%, he's a Grade I winner.' So, that gives me hope that there's still 20% in him and I think there is, so we'll see,” said Engler. “I just really believe if we go on to get that mile-and-a-quarter distance, he's going to flourish.” The chestnut colt will break from post one with Joe Bravo aboard in Saturday's 149th running of the second leg of the Triple Crown, with the field down to eight after the scratch of GISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic) due to a temperature. For Engler and Preiss, it's a culmination of the hard work they've put in day in and day out and the close friendship they've forged along the way. “It's pretty special because we're a small stable. We don't get the big budgets and the big horses. Dan is kind of in the same boat because he's new to the [bloodstock] industry, so he's not getting the big clients, and he's got to work five times harder to buy a $50,000 horse than somebody who's buying a $500,000 horse. But he does and he's very passionate about it. “Obviously we're really good friends now and it's nice to see that hard work does pay off. So, one of these days, and hopefully it's soon with Mugatu, it pays off for both of us.” The post Preakness Contender Mugatu Brings Blue-Collar Stable To Classic Stage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday sees the return of the sensational G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. winner Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) in Newbury's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S., where it is a case of in at the deep end for the trainer if not for the colt in question. While Yeguada Centurion's 4-year-old has obviously been there and has the t-shirt, new handler Maurizio Guarnieri is in maiden territory with the powerhouse who so memorably destroyed the subsequent G1 Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) by six lengths on British Champions Day at Ascot. “I received the horse three weeks ago, so I am just starting to get to know him and he is just starting to get know me,” Guarnieri explained. “He is a nice horse, like a nice man, he is quiet all the time and causes no problems, he is very easy. I did a canter with him on the racetrack at Chantilly with a lead horse and his rider Aurelien Lemaitre and he did the minimum, so I'm not sure if he is ready to run and what percent of his potential he is at or not. But his jockey said he is always this way and the horse is always quiet in the morning. A lot of good horses are this way.” Big Rock's biggest issue will be that the ground is going to ride a fair bit livelier than at Ascot, perhaps more in line with that he encountered when coming off second best in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. His next biggest issue is the fact that the mare who beat him so convincingly in the former contest at last year's Deauville August festival is in the line-up. It is fair to say that Cheveley Park Stud's Breeders' Cup heroine Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) takes some knowing, so the absence of Frankie Dettori could be her main problem regardless of the undisputed talent of Kieran Shoemark. Scintillating on her seasonal bow in 2022 but overturned on her first run of last term, it is hard to know what to expect from the queen of Clarehaven as she bids to become her owner-breeders' third female to beat the colts in this after Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo) in 2004 and Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in 2006. Whereas Big Rock's connections would welcome rain, Cheveley Park Stud's Chris Richardson has fingers crossed it stays away. “We hope to run, we've declared, we'll just have to watch the forecast and see what happens,” he said. “She didn't enjoy soft ground when she ran in the Sussex and it's still early in the year. We think she's in good form, but we don't want to risk her on ground which doesn't suit as she is unlikely to put her best foot forward.” “She seems to come good in June and maybe that is the way it will work out again. We'd like to get her out earlier if we can, but we'll see what happens between now and Saturday and see what John decides,” he added, before pointing out that the G3 Criterion S. winner Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), a grandson of the aforementioned Peeress, is there to serve his illustrious stablemate. “The two of them have been working together for the last few weeks and he is in there to make sure there's pace in the race,” he said. Should the big two miss a beat, Nurlan Bizakov's Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will be poised to take advantage having cut an admirably professional figure on his two starts so far in 2024. A strong finisher at the trip, he holds Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) on the form of last month's G2 Sandown Mile and the Gosdens will know what how Inspiral compares having saddled the third in that contest, Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). “The rain won't harm Charyn, but he's a versatile horse in terms of ground and we won't mind conditions on Saturday,” trainer Roger Varian said. “It's a nice position to be in when you are not sweating on the weather and he is in good form. I was very impressed with him at Sandown and he was very powerful through the line. He will have to do more to win the Lockinge, but he goes there as one of the frontrunners in the market and deservedly so, and it is exciting.” Poker Face is one of the “darker” horses in the line-up alongside Clipper Logistics' G2 Dullingham Park S. winner Flight Plan (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who always gave the impression he would be a better 4-year-old last term. Also at Newbury, The King and The Queen's G1 St Leger third Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) returns in the G3 Sky Sports Racing Aston Park S., while the Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. sees some Oaks prospects line up headed by Juddmonte's Sandown novice winner Siyola (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). The form of that win was boosted this week by the third Secret Satire (GB) (Advertise {GB}) The post Back In The Big Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-SA, $54K, Msw, 3-5yo, 1m, 8:09 p.m. ET. MAGNIFY (Justify), a 3-year-old colt, makes his debut for the Bob Baffert barn on Saturday. Out of champion 3-year-old filly and MGISW Stellar Wind (Curlin), the Magnier homebred is her second to make the races, but she has since produced a filly named In the Stars (Into Mischief), who was a $300,000 buy for G. Watts Humphrey Jr. at last year's Keeneland September Sale. The 2017 Keeneland November sales topper when she was taken home by M.V. Magnier for the lofty sum of $6-million, Stellar Wind is also responsible for a yearling colt by Into Mischief and she foaled a filly by Gun Runner Apr. 29. TJCIS PPS 9th-GP, $60K, Msw, 3yo, 1mT, 5:18 p.m. ET. In 2022, Repole and St. Elias bought for $700,000 Keeneland September grad Monopoly of Honor (Not This Time). Making his first start for trainer George Weaver, the colt is out of an unraced dam who counts as a half-brother SW Scotland (Good Magic) TJCIS PPS 11-BAQ, $90K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m 1 1/16mT, 5:39 p.m. ET. Chestnut filly Just So Pretty (Justify) makes her first start under the care of Danny Gargan. The 3-year-old sold for $475,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale when she went to Thorndale Farm. Her stakes-winning dam Battle Girl (Midshipman) is a half-sister to MGISW Sweet Reason (Street Sense). TJCIS PPS 4th-CD, $134K, OC80k/N2X, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m, 7:26 p.m. ET. 'TDN Rising Star' Disarm (Gun Runner) has steadily worked back into form since January for Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen. Now, the 4-year-old homebred is ready to fire off the bench after serving as the runner-up to Archangelo (Arrogate) in the GI Travers S. last summer. As for Disarm's dam, Easy Tap (Tapit), she foaled another full-brother Mar. 15. TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: Son Of MGISW Stellar Wind Makes First Start At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

BALTIMORE, MD — He's baaack. The truth of the matter, trainer Bob Baffert never really went away. The Hall of Famer's omnipresent influence–be it through his runners or the offspring of the stallions he helped mold–can be felt everywhere, regardless of whether the man shows up or not. Conspicuous in his absence at Churchill Downs two weeks ago, Baffert did make his first appearance on the Pimlico backstretch Friday morning, surrounded by a rockstar-caliber entourage, including his kids and his wife Jill, in addition to SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan and Starlight Racing's Jack Wolf. After the disappointing scratch of early GI Preakness S. favorite Muth (Good Magic), Baffert was on-hand to oversee his other runner, Imagination (Into Mischief), take to the track for a 1 3/8-mile gallop under exercise rider Humberto Gomez. Led to the track by assistant Jimmy Barnes aboard the barn's already famous pony Amarillo, the flashy bay looked far more chilled out on an overcast morning Friday than he did only a day before. Barely breaking a sweat, the colt completed his task with little fuss, suggesting he might be able to replicate the feat of last year's front-running Preakness winner National Treasure, campaigned by the same connections. “He looks fine, I really don't have any excuses for him,” Baffert said of Imagination, the 3-1 second choice on the revised Preakness morning line. “He should run well.” Of the GII San Felipe S. winner, Baffert added, He is going to have to step it up a level to be there with them,” Baffert said. “I am hoping this will be his coming-out-party race. We need him now with Muth out. We really, really need him badly.” Embodying the same ease that ushered him through his Kentucky Derby victory two weeks ago, captain cool himself, Mystik Dan (Goldencents), continued to take everything in stride, neither wowing nor disappointing. On a loop since his first Derby win, trainer Kenny McPeek has been telling anyone that would listen that the colt's superpower is his intelligence and unflappable demeanor. Once again mobbed by the media Friday morning, Mystik Dan enjoyed nothing more than a light gallop under Robby Albarado, and has not turned a hair in the days leading up to the Preakness. The colt, who will be reunited with Brian Hernandez, Jr. in the second jewel of the Triple Crown, is the 8-5 favorite on the morning line. “He didn't need anything complicated,” McPeek said. Kenny McPeek and 'Sonny' overseeing Derby champ Mystik Dan heading to the track | CBoss It should be noted, however, the true star of the stakes barn was Sonny, McPeek's robust yellow Labrador Retriever who made his first appearance Friday. Garnering the star status that has not been seen since the days of Bobby Frankel's Australian Shepard Happy, Sonny one-upped his predecessor by getting his own track-issued credential. The affable pooch was clearly enjoying all the attention, and all the dog biscuits, that went with it. Also getting his share of traffic at the barn Friday morning, trainer D. Wayne Lukas sent out Just Steel (Justify) and followed by GII Pat Day Mile scorer Seize the Grey (Arrogate) shortly after 7:30 a.m., in order to accommodate the 11:30 a.m. ET post time. He stationed himself atop his pony at the very end of the stretch to watch his horses go through their final paces, as far away from the ever-growing legion of media as he could comfortably post himself. An observation that was subsequently confirmed. However, it wasn't long before the press descended on the Hall of Famer's barn, and he obliged the numerous requests for a quote or a sound bite. But as an errant camera operator quickly found out, don't drift too far into the shedrow because The Coach won't hesitate to educate you. Preakness Talking Horses Beyond the week's most talked-about Preakness contenders, a few of the sophomores gave their connections some measure of quiet confidence heading into Saturday's Classic. Chief among them, TDN Rising Star Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro), representing William Lawrence, Walmac Farm and Stonestreet Stables. Under exercise rider Janiel Rosado, the GII Louisiana Derby third-place finisher galloped 1 1/4 miles Friday morning. Chad Brown's assistant Jose Hernandez, who has overseen the training of Tuscan Gold since he arrived at Pimlico Tuesday, said, “He has been handling the track really well. He did fine again today. We didn't ask him to do anything more than he has been doing. He is just very focused right now. I am really confident going into the race.” Making only his fourth career start, Tuscan Gold will use a similar path as Brown previously employed with 2017 Preakness winner Cloud Computing and Early Voting, victorious in 2022. Both horses won the Preakness off only three races. According to Hernandez, Tuscan Gold will just walk the shedrow on Saturday morning. The colt will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, who has been aboard in two of Tuscan Gold's three career starts. Imagination | CBoss Having garnered plenty of pre-Derby hype, Catching Freedom (Constitution) continued to draw rave reviews during his time at Pimlico this week. Winner of Oaklawn's Smarty Jones S. Jan. 1, he was third in the Feb. 17 GII Risen Star S. before annexing the Louisiana Derby. The Brad Cox trainee was last seen finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby. “He got here early Tuesday morning,” said assistant Blake Cox. “He jogged a mile, Tuesday, late like 9 a.m. Very quiet track. He was very fresh coming home. [Wednesday] morning, we just galloped through a mile because the track was sealed. He looked very good and came back fresh again.” The colt was expected to school with Friday's first race. “He looked very good,” said Cox Friday morning. “He's been coming off the track bucking and squealing. He's as happy as he can be.” With the scratch of GI Arkansas Derby winner Muth, who would have likely installed himself on the front end come Saturday, several of the remaining participants continue to ponder where the early speed might come from. “It might change the pace scenario,” said Cox when asked about the favorite's defection. “And obviously, he was the favorite and it's a big scratch, and he's a very, very good horse, but we'll see who goes. I mean we're going to need to set up [off the pace] to be able to get the job done and we're, hopefully, going to get it.” Baffert echoed his concern with the lack of a legitimate target horse for Imagination, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori. Dettori was also aboard for a second-place effort in the Apr. 6 GI Santa Anita Derby. Jill Baffert showing stable pony Amarillo some love | CBoss “If he gets out there by himself, I don't know what he would do and how he would react,” Baffert said. “I am going to leave it up to Frankie. He's on his own.” In addition to Derby winner Mystik Dan, who has already proven adept on winning over a soggy track, Friday and Saturday's forecast for rain have also seemed to improve the chances of Michael Milam and LC Racing LLC's Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion). The winner of two of three starts at Parx at two, he earned his graded badge with a narrow score in a muddy renewal of the GIII Withers S. at the Big A Feb. 3. Trained by Butch Reid, Jr., the late May foal finished fifth last out in the GII Wood Memorial Apr. 6. “Well, that's what I'm hoping for, a little wet-fast,” Reid said. “He really likes that.” “I'm hoping for a track similar [to earlier in the week] on Saturday because he loved it, really relished it,” Reid said. “Had a good, aggressive gallop and was getting over it really well.” Uncle Heavy will attempt to become the first Pennsylvania-bred to win the historic Preakness since Smarty Jones in 2004. Uncle Heavy, who went out to the track for routine morning exercise Friday, will be accompanied by Irad Ortiz, Jr. for the first time Saturday. Undercard Action at Pimlico A quartet of Grade III tests highlight Pimlico's Sarturday undercard, including the six-furlong GIII Chick Lang S. for 3-year-olds. The race is highlighted by Mr Skylight (Practical Joke), the winner of his two latest starts, including a Keeneland allowance optional claimer Apr. 20. Also on the undercard, the GIII Gallorette S. features morning-line choice MGSW Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}), who looks to get back on track following a sixth in the Apr. 13 GI Jenny Wiley S. The remaining graded races on Saturday's card are the GIII Maryland Sprint S. and the GIII Dinner Party S. The 14-race card kicks off at 10:30 a.m. The post Baffert Camp Returns in Force to Pimlico appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stellenbosch heads a field of 18 for the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1) May 19 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

The NYRA announces the $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup (G2T), slated for June 6 at historic Saratoga Race Course, will be a "Golden Ticket" event offering the winner an automatic berth into the AU$8.4 million Melbourne Cup (G1).View the full article

Uncle Heavy will be one of the longer shots among handicappers in the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course May 18, but with an eye-catching name he is likely to draw attention from the casual racing fans.View the full article

Following the latest scratching stage, 25 fillies remain in the G1 Betfred Oaks set for Epsom Downs on Friday, May 31. The 1 1/2-mile race features 15 fillies trained in Britain, nine from Ireland one from France, with the Coolmore partners' Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in pole position and 5-2 in the wagering markets on Betfred. The G1 Fillies' Mile heroine ran fifth in the G1 1000 Guineas earlier this month. She is one of seven Aidan O'Brien trainees, with the listed-placed Rubies Are Red (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac victress Opera Singer (Justify) also part of the septet. Another Irish trainer represented is Dermot Weld, who will saddle His Highness The Aga Khan's Ezeliya (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), successful in the G3 Salsabil S. near the end of April. Ralph Beckett's six entries are anchored by recent Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Forest Fairy (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}), and You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is also coming off a win in the Listed Oaks Trial Fillies' S. at Lingfield over Rubies Are Red. Andrew Balding has entered G3 Musidora S. winner Secret Satire (GB) (Advertise {GB}). Fourth in the 1000 Guineas was David Menuisier trainee Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), and the debut winner Siyola (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) hails from the barn of John and Thady Gosden. The post Field Of 25 Remain In Betfred Oaks Contention appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If Ballydoyle's Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was disappointing at York earlier on Friday, the stable was able to rely on Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to make amends in the G3 Saval Beg Levmoss S. at Leopardstown. While the win was far from flashy, it at least confirmed the 2022 Gold Cup hero to be on track for a tilt at the Royal Ascot crown he was forced to give up through injury 12 months ago. Tracking the leading pair throughout the early stages, the 1-12 favourite was sent to the front by Ryan Moore a furlong out and asserted to complete the task by a length from stablemate Queenstown (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). In a league of his own Kyprios strengthens his already watertight Gold Cup claims with a second triumph in the Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes @LeopardstownRC @MoyglareStud | @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/uRCoHSD47L — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 17, 2024 The post Job Done For Kyprios In The Saval Beg appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are now only five living trainers who have won all three Triple Crown races: D. Wayne Lukas, Bob Baffert, Nick Zito, Barclay Tagg, and now Kenny McPeek. View the full article

Stellenbosch heads a field of 18 for the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1) May 19 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Godolphin homebred Devoted Queen (GB) (Kingman {GB}–Fintry {Ire}, by Shamardal) registered victories over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October and over one mile at Kempton in April and maintained her umblemished record, racing in a first-time hood, with a two-length tally in Friday's Listed Sky Bet Michael Seely Memorial at York. Employing patient tactics towards the rear through halfway, she made smooth headway into contention approaching the final quarter-mile and kept on powerfully under late urging to win, going away, by two lengths from Spiritual (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) for a career high. “She's really grown up, she was very professional and that was really nice,” said assistant trainer Alex Merriam. “The hood definitely helped and Will [Buick] said she's really improved from her last run, so she's going the right way. I mentioned the [G1] Coronation to Charlie [Appleby] and he said 'see what Will thinks'. Will said it's definitely something to consider and we'll see how she comes out of it. He also mentioned that she could do with a bit of juice in the ground, so that might come into consideration as well. She's doing everything the right way round and, watching her there, you'd stick to the mile for now.” Pedigree Notes Devoted Queen is the fourth foal and scorer, and becomes the second stakes winner, out of the multiple Group-winning G1 Sun Chariot S. third Fintry (Ire) (Shamardal), herself a half-sister to G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein runner-up Lochinver (Kingmambo) and the dual stakes-placed Cross Fell (Cherokee Run). Fintry is the leading performer out of G3 Prix Vanteaux victrix and GI Garden City Breeders' Cup H. third Campsie Fells (UAE) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). The February-foaled bay is a half-sister to G3 Autumn S. victor and G1 Futurity Trophy runner-up One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Masar (Ire). Thursday, York, Britain SKY BET FILLIES' S. (MICHAEL SEELY MEMORIAL S.)-Listed, £70,000, York, 5-17, 3yo, f, 7f 192yT, 1:38.04, gd. 1–DEVOTED QUEEN (GB), 128, f, 3, by Kingman (GB) 1st Dam: Fintry (Ire) (MGSW-Fr, GSW & G1SP-Eng, $327,127), by Shamardal 2nd Dam: Campsie Fells (UAE), by Indian Ridge (Ire) 3rd Dam: Queen's View (Fr), by Lomond 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £39,697. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $76,412. *1/2 to One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-Eng, GSP-UAE, $170,214. 2–Spiritual (Ire), 128, f, 3, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Wild Irish Rose (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€280,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-George Strawbridge; B-Ballylinch Stud (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden. £15,050. 3–Bolsena (Ire), 128, f, 3, Kingman (GB)–Reem Three (GB), by Mark of Esteem (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Kevin Ryan. £7,532. Margins: 2, HD, NK. Odds: 3.00, 7.50, 6.00. Also Ran: Bright Thunder (Ire), Glimpsed (GB), Bellarchi (Ire), Carolina Reaper (GB), True Cyan (Ire), Zenjabeela (GB). The post Kingman’s Devoted Queen Remains Undefeated After York Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Royal Ascot-bound Cowardofthecounty (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) has been snapped up by Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables and other American-based partners. Cowardofthecounty made a scintillating start to his career when scoring on debut for Joseph O'Brien over 6f at the Curragh. The form has since been franked with the runner-up, the Aidan O'Brien-rained Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never), landing the First Flier S. over 5f at the Curragh in similarly impressive fashion. Cowardofthecounty is prominent in the betting for the Coventry S. at odds of 5-1 and, according to O'Brien, the colt will head straight to Ascot. He said, “We were really happy with Cowardofthecounty's debut. He was working like a really smart colt and it was nice to see him go and do it on the track. The form of the race has worked out really well and he will go straight to the Coventry.” O'Brien added, “Really excited to have Mrs Banke, Mr [Tracy] Farmer and Mr [John] Oxley in the ownership group. He is our first horse for Stonestreet and Mr Farmer and obviously we've had success with Mr Oxley in the past. Hopefully it is a long-lasting partnership and Cowardofthecounty can be a special colt for us this season.” Cowardofthecounty carried the colours of ES Racing on his first and only start to date at the Curragh. Bred by Lismacue Stud, he was bought by Glenvale Stud for €98,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale before being knocked down to KR Bloodstock for 100,000gns at Book 2 at Tattersalls. While Stonestreet Stables and Tracy Farmer are new additions to the O'Brien stable, Oxley has had plenty of success with the young trainer, headed by Group 1-winning filly Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}). The post Joseph O’Brien’s Big Royal Ascot Player Snapped Up By Stonestreet Stables appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fierceness (City of Light), the beaten favorite in the GI Kentucky Derby, is scheduled to make his next start in the GI Belmont S. on June 8 in Saratoga. “He has settled in well and we are pointing to the Belmont,” trainer Todd Pletcher said in a text. Sent off at 3-1, Fierceness finished 15th, beaten 24 1/2 lengths in the Derby. When asked if his colt had any excuses in the Derby, Pletcher replied: “Perhaps too close to a fast pace? Stuck a little wide on both turns?” Following the Derby, jockey John Velazquez told reporters: “His first jump was not very good. His second and third jump he was OK. He got pretty aggressive since I had to give him a nudge out of there. The horses on the outside put the pressure on and then he got into the bridle. I tried to keep him as settled as much without letting doing too much but he was already engaged. When I let him go, he just didn't have it.” Even though he ran poorly in the Derby, Fierceness figures to make his presence felt in the Belmont. Classy but inconsistent and enigmatic, he seems to run well every other race. After a spectacular maiden win, he was beaten 20 1/4 lengths in the GI Champagne S. But Pletcher had enough confidence in the Mike Repole-owned homebred to ship him to Santa Anita for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, which he won by 6 1/4 lengths. But old habits seem to die hard with this horse. He kicked off his 3-year-old campaign with a lackluster third-place finish in the GIII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream before demolishing his opponents in the GI Florida Derby, which he won by 13 /2 lengths. Pletcher has proven that he can take a horse that ran poorly in the Derby, freshen them up and then have them ready for a big effort in the Belmont. In 2013, Palace Malice (Curlin) won the Belmont for Pletcher after running 12th, beaten 13 1/2 lengths in the Derby. In 2017, Pletcher's Tapwrit (Tapit) won the Belmont after finishing sixth, beaten 10 1/4 lengths in the Derby. He has won the race four times. The post Fierceness Pointing To Belmont Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 47 lots have been catalogued for the upcoming Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Session during the Tattersalls Online June Sale from June 5-6. The first 'breeze' will occur over the all-weather at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Tuesday, May 21 at 10 a.m., featuring an octet of breezers. The second breeze, featuring the remaining breeze-up horses, is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Dundalk Stadium on Tuesday, May 28. Both breeze footage and times will be recorded and published on the Tattersalls Online website on May 30. Spectators are welcome to attend both breeze-up sessions. Among the 34 sires represented, Ardad (Ire) has a filly who is a half-sister to listed winner and Group 3-placed juvenile Graceful Thunder (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) (lot 19); while Cotai Glory (GB)'s half-sister to Group 3 winner Freedom (Ire) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) is lot 16. There is also a Profitable (Ire) half-brother to five black-type performers, among them Group 1-placed Sunny King (Ire) (Desert Sun {GB}) (lot 38); and finally a Mehmas (Ire) filly (lot 6) out of the listed-placed Sarshampla (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}). For the full catalogue, please visit the Tattersalls Online website. The post Over 45 Entries For The Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Session In June appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday's G2 Boodles Yorkshire Cup was all about Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) as last year's winner returned in rude health to dominate for the repeat on York's Knavesmire. Readily reversing the form of his latest fifth to Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, the Marco Botti-trained 5-year-old who started at 7-2 cruised to Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) two out and bounded into the clear for a 4 3/4-length success under Oisin Murphy. Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) was a further 3/4 of a length behind Vauban in third as the 7-4 favourite Tower Of London disappointed in fifth. He's done it again! Giavellotto (7-2) brilliantly wins back-to-back renewals of the @Boodles Yorkshire Cup @yorkracecourse @MarcoBotti | @oismurphy pic.twitter.com/GO3msaGjmh — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 17, 2024 The post Back To Back Yorkshire Cups For Giavellotto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newsells Park Stud resident Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}) became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when his Ralph Beckett-trained son Mr Chaplin (GB), a 58,000gns Tattersalls December foal turned 120,000gns Book 1 yearling, followed up a debut fourth at Newmarket earlier this month with a breakthrough score in Friday's £12,000 ARC & Sky Sports Racing Support Starlight Maiden S. at Newbury. 3rd-Newbury, £12,000, Mdn, 5-17, 2yo, 6fT, 1:13.52, gd. MR CHAPLIN (GB) (c, 2, Without Parole {GB}–Midnight Hush {Fr}, by Anabaa), a May 5 debut fourth going five furlongs at Newmarket in his only prior start, broke smartly and travelled smoothly in a prominent third from the outset of this return. Looming large on the bridle approaching the quarter-mile marker, the 11-2 chance was shaken up to seize control with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and was ridden clear in the closing stages to easily account for Defence Missile (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}) by an impressive three lengths. Mr Chaplin is the seventh of eight foals and third scorer out of an unraced full-sister to G3 Ballyogan S. and Listed Naas Sprint S. victrix Miss Anabaa (GB) (Anabaa), herself the second dam of G3 Clasico Republica Argentina runner-up and dual stakes-winning Peruvian champion Sissy Chanel (Tapizar) and stakes-winning G3 Pavilion S. third Enjazaat (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). The March-foaled bay's second dam Midnight Shift (Ire) (Night Shift) is a half-sister to G1 July Cup-winning sire Owington (GB) (Green Desert). Mr Chaplin is a half-brother to Listed Maggie Dickson S. victrix Mubtasimah (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Mohaather (GB). Sales history: 58,000gns Wlg '22 TADEWE; 120,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $11,241. O-Michael Rembaum & Tanya Rembaum; B-Silfield Bloodstock (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. Mr Chaplin – a 120,000gns purchase as a yearling – scores in style in an intriguing maiden contest at @NewburyRacing for @Rossaryan15 and @RalphBeckett, with a few eyecatchers in behind… pic.twitter.com/XyaQ5fujXv — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 17, 2024 The post Freshman Sire Without Parole Off The Mark At Newbury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Capannelle, €7,700, Vnd., 5-17, 2yo, 1200m (AWT), 1:15.90. LA PORTOGHESE (IRE) (f, Shaman {Ire}–Madame Cherie, by First Samurai) jumped well in this unveiling and briefly led before perching in a stalking second on the bend. Given her cue at the 600-metre mark, the race was over in a matter of strides, as she drew farther and farther clear down the lane to win by a geared down 10 lengths. Tindi Of Malindi (Ire) (National Defense {Ire}) was a distant second. Consigned by Baroda Stud to the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale, the second debut winner for her sire, (by Shamardal), caught the eye of Marco Bozzi who paid €4,000. She is the second winner for her placed dam, who is from the same family as GIII Mineshaft H., GIII River City H. and GIII Ack Ack H. hero Demarcation (Gulch). Sales history: €4,000 Ylg '23 GOFNOV. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €4,529. Click for the video. O-Vitale Vittorio Giovanni. B-Rosetown Bloodstock, Ltd. (Ire). T-Sebastiano Guerrieri. The post Ten-Length Winner For Shaman In Rome appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) have formed an agreement that the GII Belmont Gold Cup, slated for Thursday, June 6 at Saratoga Race Course, will be a 'Golden Ticket' event offering the winner an automatic berth into the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup, NYRA said in a Friday release. The new partnership will provide the winner of the Belmont Gold Cup, a two-mile test for older horses, a place in the starting gate for the Lexus Melbourne Cup on Nov. 5, 2024, at Flemington Racecourse in Victoria, Australia. The Belmont Gold Cup headlines opening day of the four-day 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will be held at Saratoga Race Course from Thursday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9. Flemington Racecourse announcer Matt Hill will travel to Saratoga to call the race and will bring the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy along with him. The 18-carat (gold) trophy has its own travel documentation to ensure it is exempt from export laws and taxes, and will be available for photo opportunities with fans throughout the live racing program on Thursday, June 6. The Cup is created from 34 gold pieces with over 200 hours craftsmanship and is valued at AUD$600,000. Godolphin's British homebred Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), trained by Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Charlie Appleby, won last year's Belmont Gold Cup and is slated to return to New York for the race. “The Belmont Gold Cup has proven to be a strong race, attracting top marathon horses from North America and across Europe,” said NYRA Senior Vice-President of Racing and Operations, Andrew Offerman. “The addition of a 'Golden Ticket' to compete in one of the world's preeminent turf races only serves to heighten the profile of what is sure to be an exciting Festival in Saratoga.” VRC Executive General Manager Racing, Leigh Jordon, said, “The introduction of the Belmont Gold Cup as a golden ticket opens up another pathway for international staying horses to compete in the Lexus Melbourne Cup. The race is an already established international contest and we look forward to potentially welcoming this year's winner to Melbourne in the spring.” The post Belmont Gold Cup To Serve As International Qualifier For Melbourne Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan FarmView the full article