Wandering Eyes

When you think of Todd Pletcher and Mike Repole first-time starters, you're usually looking at a dirt horse with dirt breeding and high expectations for their future. But Pletcher is not a one-trick pony and has branched out and proven of late that he's more than capable with grass horses. He picked up his tenth turf win at the Saratoga meet Friday when he scored in the eighth race. The mile-and-a-sixteenth maiden was won by Repole homebred Miss Picky (Uncle Mo). It was her second career start after she finished third in her debut. It was an easy win for the 2-year-old filly, who jumped out of the gate, quickly opened up a clear lead down the backstretch and drew well clear of her rivals as Irad Ortiz Jr. guided her across the finish line. “We've been fortunate,” Pletcher said. “Our horses have been running well on the grass and, as you know, there are a lot of turf opportunities here and that's been good to us.” Pletcher said that it was important that Miss Picky had already started. “That was the key, having the experience,” he said. “She broke sharply and was able to control the pace. She's a nice filly and we have high hopes for her. It was good to see her step up today.” The disappointment in the race was the filly She Feels Stunning (American Pharoah). A half-sister to Grade I winner She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {(Jpn}), she finished seventh of 10. The post Saratoga Maidens Presented By Keeneland: Pletcher-Repole Score On The Grass With Miss Picky appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – All summer long, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has fielded questions, seemingly daily, about the two marquee older horses that live in his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. The goal, Pletcher said, was to keep Fierceness (City of Light) and Mindframe (Constitution) as far apart from each other as possible. On the racetrack that is. Mission accomplished. That weekend is here, and the two 4-year-olds are spending it on opposite ends of the country. Fierceness is in California to run in the GI, $1 million Pacific Classic Saturday and Mindframe is home, to contest the GI, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sunday. Both horses are co-owned by Mike Repole's Repole Stable. Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier are partners in Fierceness; Vinnie and Teresa Viola's St. Elias Stable are with him in Mindframe. The hope was to keep them apart until it's not possible, that being in the GI, $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 2. Both horses have big tasks this weekend. Fierceness, who will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, will have to tackle the likes of 4-year-old Nysos (Nyquist), who has won five of six career starts, and Journalism (Curlin), who is taking on older horses for the first time after winning the GI Preakness and finishing second to Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes. “I have a ton of respect for Nysos and a ton of respect for Journalism,” Pletcher said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Friday morning. “We are taking the worst of it, shipping into their home court and drawing the one (post), but I still believe when Fierceness shows up at his best, he is capable of beating everyone.” Fierceness, who finished fifth in the GI Whitney Stakes in his last start, is the 3-1 third choice in the field of eight behind Nysos (8-5) and Journalism (9-5). Fierceness finished second in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. Pletcher's assistant Sophie Green accompanied Fierceness to California. He will stay here to saddle Mindframe, who is the 2-1 morning line second choice in the Jockey Club Gold Cup behind 8-5 Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who win the Whitney in his last start. Mindframe has finished first or second in all seven of his starts with five wins. He has won all three of his starts this year The last time he ran, he won the GI Stephen Foster Stakes by a length over Sierra Leone. That was at Churchill Downs on June 28. Saratoga's leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr., who has been aboard in all seven starts, will ride Mindframe Sunday. “To me, he is the divisional leader going into this race,” Pletcher said. “Everything can change after Saturday and Sunday but if he continues to win, he holds his spot. He is an exceptional horse. He has run well in every start of his life and has run well from seven furlongs to 1 1/4 miles. He has tactical speed, and he has stamina.” Besides already beating Sierra Leone, Mindframe has defeated Nysos and 'Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes). Book 'em Danno won the GI Forego Stakes last weekend at Saratoga. Since coming to Saratoga this summer, Mindframe has thrived, Pletcher said. “If the voting were done today, he would be the champion (older horse) but they don't vote now,” Pletcher said. “It seems whatever happens at the end of the year counts more than what happens at the beginning of the year.” Reid Hoping For a Hopeful Home Run From Flyin Hawaiian The morning line for Monday's GI, $300,000 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga tells you Flyin Hawaiian (Maximus Mischief) has no chance to win the meet's major race for 2-year-old colts. Trainer Butch Reid Jr. isn't buying it. “He is a very talented horse,” Reid said Friday afternoon from his base at Parx Racing in Pennsylvania. “I will be disappointed if he doesn't run well.” The Pennsylvania-bred is owned by Reid and partners James Bonner and Glenn Bennett's LC Racing. The horse got his name because Bennett is a friend of former major league baseball player Shane Victorino, who played 12 years, eight of them with the Philadelphia Phillies. His nickname was “Flyin Hawaiian.” Victorino was born in Hawaii. “You are not from Philadelphia, or you would have known that,” Reid said with a laugh. “I've talked to (Victorino) a few times on the phone. He is really excited about this.” Flyin Hawaiian the horse has been in Saratoga for the last month after breaking his maiden at Parx by 8 1/2 lengths going 4 1/2 furlongs on July 21. “Se started thinking about the Hopeful about 10 minutes after that race,” Reid said. Reid's wife Virginia has been with the colt in Saratoga. In his first start, Flyin Hawaiin failed over a muddy track at Monmouth on June 22. “He had a real tough time there,” Reid said. “When we brought him back and ran him at home, he did what we thought he was going to do the first time out. He is a talented horse; not the biggest horse but a nice sized horse and he has a nice stride on him.” Flyin Hawaiian is a full brother to Maximus Meridius, who won six times in his 18-race career and was on the board six other times. “He is a lot like him,” Reid said. “I know there are some nice horses in there, but I really think he is going to run good. He is fast. He doesn't need to be on the lead. He didn't break that sharp the last time. He is still learning; he is figuring things out. When all is said and done, I think he will be a very nice horse.” Mystik Dan | Sarah Andrew Mystik Dan's Goal is Dirt Mile at Breeders' Cup After spending much of the summer at Saratoga, 2024 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) is back in the Bluegrass State. That is the likely landing spot for the next start for the 4-year-old colt, who is owned by Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC. Trainer Kenny McPeek said the GII, $500,000 Lukas Classic at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 27 could be the target but he will also nominate him to the GIII, $400,000 Ack Ack at a mile. The Ack Ack is also on Sept. 27. The reason for being nominated to both is that McPeek is also considering running Gould's Gold (Goldencents) in the Lukas Classic. Gould's Gold finished third in last Fridays GII Charles Town Classic. “We have to decide if we are going to keep them separated or run them against each other,” McPeek said. McPeek experimented with Mystik Dan in his last start, putting him on the grass in the GI Arlington Million Stakes and he finished a credible fourth. McPeek toyed with the idea of running Mystik Dan at Kentucky Downs for the GIII, $1 million Mint Millions on Sept. 6. “Our goal is the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile,” McPeek said. “I don't think there is time (to put him back on the grass). A good horse can run on anything if you need him to.” Mystik Dan has one win in five starts this year, that coming in the GIII Blame Stakes at Churchill on May 31. After that, he was fourth in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes before making the move to the turf. The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Pletcher’s Big Guns Running on Both Coasts This Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A sixteenth of a mile into Friday's seventh race at Saratoga, the race looked to be over. The hot first-time starter Schwarzenegger (Not This Time) broke like a rocket and immediately extended his lead down the backstretch. He opened up by six and was still well in front at the eighth-pole. But the first-time starter Attfield (Vekoma) was closing fast on the rail and ran down Schwarzenegger by a neck under Dylan Davis. It was not what the bettors expected as Attfield went off at 23-1 and Schwarzenegger was pounded down to 3-5. “He was very professional today,” trainer Tom Morley said. “He put his head in a hole that was maybe half a hole. When he got through that hole and Dylan gave him a crack left-handed, it was just a matter of whether he would have enough ground to get there in time. He was fantastic.” It was an emotional win for Morley and his stable as Attfield was named after Morley's former assistant John Attfield, who died suddenly last year. “This is not an easy interview to do because he was named after John, our assistant,” Morley said. “He died last year very, very suddenly. Thank you to the owners, Rainbow's End Racing Stable and West Paces, for being kind enough to name a horse for John. For this horse to do what he did in his debut at Saratoga, someone was looking down from above. It was a tremendous shock to all of us when John died last year. He had a huge, huge love for his backstretch family. This was hugely emotional and it's hard to get it together.” Though Schwarzenegger did not win, it was hardly a bad showing by the Wesley Ward-trained colt who had been touted all over the racetrack. He set a torrid pace in the 5 1/2-furlong grass race, leading through fractions of :21 2/5 and :44 4/5, which could explain why get got a little leg weary inside the sixteenth pole. The post Saratoga Maidens Presented By Keeneland: Attfield Guns Down Schwarzenegger In Saratoga Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Morphettville Races Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043 When Saturday, August 30, 2025 First Race 12:17pm ACST Visit Dabble Morphettville is the destination for metropolitan racing on Saturday afternoon in South Australia, with a nine-race meeting set down for decision. Showers are forecast for Adelaide on Friday, and with the track already a Soft 6, the track will likely be a Soft 7/Heavy 8 come race day. The rail will be out 7m from the 1200m mark to the winning post and out 6m for the remainder. The first event is set to jump at 12:17pm ACST. Best Bet at Morphettville: Anthracite Anthracite is a lightly raced five-year-old who surged through the line to break his maiden over the mile last start, and this Class 2 sets up to suit again. From gate six Todd Pannell can park him midfield with cover, blend into it from the 600m and use his sustained build-up to grind past the on-pace brigade late. He’s already ticked the 1600m box on soft going, carries a manageable 56.5kg, and meets several rivals who either map awkwardly or are looking for further. With natural second-up improvement, Anthracite can go on with it. Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Anthracite (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Gary Boyce | J: Todd Pannell (56.5kg) Next Best at Morphettville: Karavas Karavas returned in terrific order here on August 16, stalking a strong speed before putting the race to bed late. The Jolly yard has placed her perfectly second-up at 1200m, and from barrier eight Jake Toeroek should get the same stalking run—one off, just behind the leaders—before exposing her on the bend. She’s bombproof on the firmer side of soft, and her profile says there’s still a rating or two to come. With several rivals resuming or giving weight, Karavas looks to hold all the aces and can go back-to-back. Next Best Race 6 – #4 Karavas (8) 4yo Mare | T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly | J: Jake Toeroek (57kg) Best Value at Morphettville: Nostryia Fresh off a tough 1050m win here on August 9, Nostryia looks the right each-way play in the last. The chestnut was forced to circle from the second half of the field and still put them away late, and his 1050m/track record stacks up for a BM66. From barrier 10, Jason Holder can tag the three-wide train, blend from the 600m and use his sustained build rather than a sharp sprint. He handles give in the ground, gets in with 59.5kg, and recent form around Halliwell/Bristler reads well. Best Value Race 9 – #7 Nostryia (10) 6yo Gelding | T: Kate Halliday | J: Jason Holder (59.5kg) Morphettville Race-By-Race Tips – August 30, 2025 Race 1 – 3-13-12-7 Race 2 – 6-3-2-8 Race 3 – 5-8-1-3 Race 4 – 2-1-3-4 Race 5 – 4-10-1-3 Race 6 – 4-7-5-6 Race 7 – 7-5-8-10 Race 8 – 4-14-15-5 Race 9 – 7-17-4-10 Saturday quaddie tips for Morphettville Morphettville quadrella selections Saturday, August 30, 2025 4-5-7 5-7-8-10 4-14-15 4-7-10-17-19 Horse racing tips View the full article

It was another maiden special weight winner at Saratoga for Todd Pletcher and Repole Stable as MISS PICKY (f, 2, Uncle Mo–Always Shopping, by Awesome Again) had little trouble with this group and spurted clear at the furlong pole to graduate second out. Third in her debut behind Wednesday's P.G. Johnson Stakes runner up Scratch It (Tapit), the 3-1 shot sat a comfy trip on the lead, let the field come to her around the turn and exploded home to win in style over Connect the Stars (Connect). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1. O/B-Repole Stable; T-Todd Pletcher. #1A MISS PICKY ($8.80) dominated in R8 at Saratoga. The juvenile filly by Uncle Mo broke her maiden under jockey @iradortiz for trainer @PletcherRacing and owner @RepoleStable. pic.twitter.com/FTgVMlo0KW — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 29, 2025 The post Another Pletcher/Repole Winner As Miss Picky Rolls Second Out appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-SAR, $100k, Msw, 2yo, 7f, post time: 3:52 p.m. ET DRAGONES (Gun Runner) is the latest highly coveted produce out of Lady Godiva (Unbridled's Song) and the Apr. 17 foal is closely related to Leofric (Candy Ride {Arg}), whose eight victories from 14 starts included the 2018 GI Clark Handicap. Out of a half-sister to MGSW & GISP Multiple Choice (Mt. Livermore) and to the dam of the stakes winners Inspired (Unbridled's Song), Silver City (Unbridled's Song), Elope (Gone West) and Initiation (Deputy Minister), the gray was hammered down to Resolute Racing for $1.7 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. The colt is raced in partnership with Winchell Thoroughbreds. The competition includes Akkadian (Good Magic), a full-brother to 2024 GI Pacific Classic upsetter and 2025 G1 Dubai World Cup runner-up Mixto, who cost Gary Broad's Walmac Farm $550,000 at Keeneland September last year. The chestnut's dam is a sister to GISW Rigoletta, the dam of the ill-fated GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile hero Battle of Midway (Smart Strike). Also in the mix is $400,000 KEESEP purchase Relevance (Tapit), whose half-brother Get Her Number (Dialed In) won the GI American Pharoah Stakes in 2020. TJCIS PPs 6th-SAR, $100k, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 2:45 p.m. ET TALKIN (Good Magic) is a half-brother to five winners, including the Grade II-placed Royal Obsession (Tapit), the dam of this year's GIII Indiana Oaks heroine Clicquot (Quality Road), amd MSP Jumby Bay. A$600,000 KEESEP purchase, the bay is out of a winning half-sister to Grade I-winning turfer Magnificent Song (Unbridled's Song), MGSP Galileo's Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and MGSP Great Barrier Reef (Mr. Greeley). TJCIS PPs 2nd-KD, $170k, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, 12:57 p.m. ET Juddmonte homebred CONCEIT (Not This Time) has drawn gate 12 for this first trip to the races. The Feb. 23 produce is set to become the latest starter out of Pachinko (Tapit), whose two previous winners include her year-older full-brother Final Gambit, this year's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks hero who takes his chance in the GIII Nashville Derby later in the afternoon. This is the deeper female family of Zafonic and Zamindar. Tracy Farmer gave $400,000 for Secretly Delighted (Constitution) at KEESEP last year and her stakes-winning and Grade II-placed dam is already responsible for MGSW & GISP Sweet Melania (American Pharoah) and stakes-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Sweet Rebecca (American Pharoah). TJCIS PPs 4th-DMR, $100k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 6:05 p.m. ET MOLLY E (Liam's Map) was knocked down for $400,000 at Keeneland September in 2024, but was led out unsold on a bid of $385,000 at this year's OBS April Sale. The filly's dam Mo Dean (Uncle Mo), a half-sister to GSW & MGISP Crupi (Curlin), was purchased by Susan Casner for $170,000 with the filly in utero at the 2023 Keeneland January Sale. Third dam Caroni (Rubiano) produced GSW Mo Tom (Uncle Mo) and Beautician (Dehere), a stakes winner whose two Grade I placings as a juvenile included the 2009 Spinaway Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. TJCIS PPs The post Saturday Insights: $1.7M Close Relation To GISW Leofric Gets Going At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Millionaire Get Smokin, a six-time stakes winner, has retired at the age of 8. The son of Get Stormy, distinguished on the track for his bullish, front-running tactics, will be sent to trainer Mark Casse's farm near Ocala, Fla., for his retirement. View the full article

7th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-29, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.31, fm, neck. ATTFIELD (c, 2, Vekoma–Graceful Witch, by Street Boss), the third longest shot on the board at 23-1, sprung the upset Friday in his career debut. Patiently handled early as 3-5 favorite Schwarzenegger (Not This Time) said “hasta la vista baby” to the field and opened up a sizeable advantage, Attfield split the group in fourth while making steady progress along the inside. With a quarter mile to run and the favorite still well clear but drifting out into the center of the course, Dylan Davis kept riding aboard this longshot and loomed at the sixteenth pole, coming with every stride. Schwarzenegger re-engaged but it was too late as Attfield snuck by on the rail for the upset win by a head. From the second crop of successful young sire Vekmoa, Attfield's only younger sibling is a yearling half-sister by Mendelssohn. Graceful Witch was empty to Volatile last year but was covered by Newgate for 2026. Sales History: $75,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $220,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Rainbow's End Racing Stable LLC and West Paces Racing LLC; B-Jose Martin Ramirez (KY); T-Thomas Morley. Against the odds, a perfect tribute ATTFIELD, carrying the name of the late John Attfield, wins first out at 23-1 under @DavisJockey for trainer @morley_racing. pic.twitter.com/JrOIvcvXwK — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 29, 2025 The post Longshot Attfield Nails Schwarzenegger On The Line For Debut Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–The beat goes on for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. It only seems like every 2-year-old he enters in $100,000 maiden special weight races at Saratoga Race Course wins. Pletcher was once again front and center in a baby race, this time in Friday's second race, a seven-furlong event for juvenile fillies. And, like he has been so many times before during the Saratoga summer, he found himself in the winner's circle when it was over. On this day, the hero was Steer Clear (Street Sense), who powered to the front from the start and stayed there. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. rode her confidently to a 1 1/4-length victory over Americathegreat (Curlin). Pletcher's numbers with the young horses had been mind-boggling. According to Equibase, Pletcher has started 57 2-year-olds at the meet and has 14 wins. In $100,000 maiden special weights, he has had 47 starts and 11 wins. He said he cannot recall ever having that many during a summer meet at Saratoga. Owned by Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm, Steer Clear made sure the other six fillies in the race did just that. She had made her debut on Aug. 2 and ran well, but just not well enough. Steer Clear had the lead but could not hold it and had to settle for second place, 2 1/4 lengths behind 'TDN Rising Star' Ornellaia (Girvin), who is running in the GI Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday. Pletcher thought enough of Steer Clear's first effort that he cross-entered her in the Spinaway. “We just thought we would give her another start,” Pletcher said in the winner's circle. “She had the good debut and came back and trained well after that.” Steer Clear ran the seven furlongs in 1:23.93 and paid $5.70, $3.40 and $2.70. Since that first race, Steer Clear had two works at Saratoga, the most recent being Aug. 26 when she went four furlongs in :49.55 (70/115). “That first start moved her forward,” Pletcher said. “She got a little bit late the first time; the last part she was tired. She was much improved today.” It also put a smile on the face of Ned Toffey, Spendthrift's general manager, who was in the house to watch the filly. “She ran a really good race the first time,” Toffey said. “I have been up here just enough this meet to see how well she has moved forward since that first start. It seemed like the light went on as she has been training with great energy and just really looked the part out on the track, even just galloping. After the first start, some go the wrong way and some really move forward and she has seemed to have done that.” She was purchased for $575,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale. “She was a real classy, balanced filly,” Toffey said. “She made Mike's (Repole) list and made our list, and we decided to partner up.” Repole, Toffey said, mentioned the Spinaway and, at first, he was surprised at the thought. “At first,” he said. “But the way she ran today, it was not a bad thought. I think she would have been competitive in there. Even if she was third, she would have Grade I black type two starts into her career. At the same time, this win hopefully means bigger and better things are to come.” Pletcher and Toffey's celebratory mood was muted somewhat after Catchy (Medaglia d'Oro), who finished third in the race, suffered a catastrophic injury to her left front while galloping out and was euthanized on the track. Her jockey, Jose Lezcano, was down for several minutes but got up and was wearing a sling on his left arm when he walked to an ambulance on track. He was then transported to Albany Medical Center for further evaluation of a possible left shoulder injury. The post Saratoga Maidens Presented By Keeneland: Steer Clear Makes It Count In Second Career Start appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday, Deauville, France, post time: 17:52, LUCIEN BARRIERE GRAND PRIX DE DEAUVILLE-G2, €183,000, 3yo/up, 12 1/2fT Field: Sibayan (Fr) (Blame), Casapueblo (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), Marquisat (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}), Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), New Ground (GB) (New Bay {GB}), Uther (GB) (Camelot {GB}). TDN Verdict: Juddmonte's G1 Derby fourth and G1 Grand Prix de Paris third New Ground receives a significant weight allowance from his elders and bids for a pattern-race breakthrough in this ideal spot. Uther was adrift of New Ground in the latter contest and has since finished behind Marquisat in this month's G3 Prix de Reux. Marquisat is accompanied by stablemate Casapueblo, with both representing the Andre Fabre stable seeking a record-extending 11th edition. Last month's G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil victor Sibayan is best of the older brigade, while Sunway has failed to win in 11 starts since annexing 2023's G1 Criterium International. [Sean Cronin]. Saturday, Sandown, post time: 14:25, THE BETMGM ATALANTA STAKES-G3, £85,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT Field: Spiritual (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Bright Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Fair Point (GB) (Farhh {GB}), Lady Of Spain (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), Molten Rock (Ire) (Fascinating Rock {Ire}), Skellet (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Alobayyah (GB) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), American Gal (GB) (Kameko), Betty Clover (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Blue Bolt (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Cajole (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Cathedral (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Hey Boo (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}). TDN Verdict: Three and four-year-olds have dominated in recent times and it is the former category that is favoured in the early betting, with Juddmonte's progressive Blue Bolt heading the list. She has more to do than when beating Cajole in the course-and-distance Listed Distaff last month, with that rival's stablemate Spiritual showing her class in the G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes in June. Interestingly, William Haggas has opted to pitch the Yarmouth novice winner Alobayyah straight into a Pattern race despite not having been seen this season and that has to be read as a statement of her talent. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Deauville, France, post time: 18:27, BARRIERE PRIX QUINCEY-G3, €73,200, 3yo/up, 8fT Field: Volterra (Ire) (Farhh {GB}), Apax (Fr) (Guignol {Ger}), Devil's Point (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Contentious Soul (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Vertbois (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Cicero's Gift (GB) (Muhaarar (GB), Tumbler (Fr) (Kingman {GB}), My Cloud (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Dark Trooper (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), No Lunch (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Dreamliner (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Tito Mo Cen (Ire) (Uncle Mo). TDN Verdict: Victorious Forever's My Cloud was trespassing in handicap company when extending his winning sequence to four in June's Royal Hunt Cup and will be favoured to register with a benchmark triumph in this belated black-type bow. With weight-for-age concessions on their side, sophomores Dreamliner and Tito Mo Cen rate as obvious dangers in a competitive renewal. Last term's G2 German 2000 Guineas hero Devil's Point boasts a high-quality palmares and comes back off a 419-day sabbatical. With underfoot conditions in his favour and Christophe Soumillon in the plate, the lightly raced 2023 G1 Futurity Trophy runner-up is a contender of note. [Sean Cronin]. Saturday, Deauville, France, post time: 19:02, BARRIERE PRIX DE MEAUTRY-G3, €73,200, 3yo/up, 6fT Field: Ten Horns (Fr) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), Megarry (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}), Lesslepasser (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}), Balmoral Lady (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), Rosy Affair (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Cacofonix (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Yann Barberot nominee Cacofonix finished just ahead of Daylight in both G1 Prix Jean Prat and this month's Listed Prix Moonlight Cloud and both are evenly matched at the head of the home defence. Balmoral Lady, who enjoys the benefit of Christophe Soumillon's ringcraft, took care of subsequent G1 July Cup heroine No Half Measures in May's Listed Achilles Stakes, but has been found wanting in two starts since and needs more upped to six furlongs for the first time this year. George Boughey nominee Rosy Affair is on the upgrade and merits respect coming back off a breakthrough success over this trip in last week's Listed Flying Fillies' Stakes at Pontefract. [Sean Cronin]. Saturday, Sandown, post time: 15:35, THE BETMGM SOLARIO STAKES-G3, £65,000, 2yo, 7fT Field: A Bit Of Spirit (Ire) (Palace Pier {GB}), He's Waliim (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Humidity (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Looka (Munnings), Oceans Four (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Pacific Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Godolphin's TDN Rising Star Pacific Avenue gets the vote of confidence from Charlie Appleby, having beaten the subsequently Superlative-placed stablemate Wild Desert at Newmarket in June. The Chesham winner Humidity gets the chance to atone for a disappointing run in the Vintage at Goodwood. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Baden-Baden, Germany, post time: 15:50, 70TH PREIS DER SPARKASSEN-FINANZGRUPPE (EX SPRETI-RENNEN)-G3, €55,000, 3yo/up, 10fT Field: Arnis Master (Ger) (Tai Chi {Ger}), Quest The Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Petit Marin (Ger) (Flamingo Fantasy {Ger}), Atoso (Ger) (Guiliani {Ire}), New Emerald (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}), Daydream Express (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Diego Ventura (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Raposa (Ger) (Frankel {GB}), Royal Spirit (Ger) (Amaron {GB}). TDN Verdict: Wathnan Racing's Diego Ventura, runner-up in this month's G3 Thoroughbred Stakes, has earned prize-money in each of his seven prior black-type starts and gets an ideal opportunity to make a pattern-race breakthrough. He is one of three sophomores on display and encounters Petit Marin and Atoso, who have hit the board in recent renewals. On recent form, both are held by veteran six-time Group winner Quest The Moon, who ran third in 2021 and fourth last year. The nine-year-old also has the measure of Daydream Express and is the leading domestic hope. [Sean Cronin]. Saturday, Curragh, post time: 14:20, NEWTOWNANNER STUD IRISH EBF STAKES (REGISTERED AS THE FLAME OF TARA STAKES)-G3, €39,000, 2yo, f, 8fT Field: Cape Sounion (Ire) (No Nay Never), La Fogata (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Lookingforarainbow (Justify), Moments Of Joy (Justify), Queen Of Hawaii (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Ridersinthesky (Ger) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Sugar Island (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Having won four of the last seven renewals, Aidan O'Brien is the first port of call and he has two strong candidates. Ryan Moore has picked the course maiden winner Sugar Island over the Chesham third Moments Of Joy and that is probably all we need to know, but Joseph O'Brien may have something to say about it with the impressive Leopardstown maiden winner Queen Of Hawaii. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Curragh, post time: 14:52, HEIDER FAMILY STABLES ROUND TOWER STAKES-G3, €36,000, 2yo, 6fT Field: Chicago Call (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), First Approach (Ire) (No Nay Never), Fresh Fade (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Learntodiscover (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Mission Central (Ire) (No Nay Never), Mushaffar (Fr) (Van Beethoven), Red Earth (Ire) (No Nay Never), The Publican's Son (Beau Liam), Arugam Bay (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), Ipanema Queen (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Magny Cours (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Aidan O'Brien won this 12 months ago with Ides Of March and he bids to repeat the trick with the highly-regarded Mission Central, who took the same course-and-distance maiden earlier this month. The Listed Curragh Stakes winner Ipanema Queen is one of the most likely candidates along with Mushaffar, who also took a course-and-distance maiden and is back just a fortnight later. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Curragh, post time: 15:27, SNOW FAIRY FILLIES STAKES-G3, €36,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 9fT Field: Snellen (Ire) (Expert Eye {GB}), Azada (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Barnavara (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), And So To Bed (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Easy Mover (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Red Letter (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Sand Gazelle (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Spicy Margarita (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}). TDN Verdict: It is fair to say that by now connections of Red Letter would have been hoping for more than just a Listed Cairn Rouge Stakes win, but there is time for the deeply promising juvenile of 2024 to gain momentum. Up in trip here, she re-opposes Barnavara who beat her in the Listed Kooyonga Stakes in June and who is disadvantaged by a penalty having followed up in the G3 Jannah Rose Stakes. The Gosdens send over the Listed Lyric Stakes winner Sand Gazelle and she is another who undoubtedly has more to give. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 14:33, PRIX GERALD DE GEOFFRE-G3, €73,200, 3yo, 15fT Field: Quinteplus (Fr) (Telecaster {GB}), Allure (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Emit (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Hotheaded (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Espoir Avenir (Fr) (Montmartre {Fr}), Arnay Le Duc (Fr) (Sageburg {Ire}), Zingaro (Fr) (Kingman {GB}). TDN Analysis: Andre Fabre has a record nine renewals of this former Prix de Lutece already in the books and the maestro sends forth two here. Godolphin's Hotheaded should have the measure of stablemate Allure, with the pair finishing first and third in this month's Prix Michel Houyvet, and will be a warm order for this return to pattern-race level. The Fabre duo was split by Zingaro in that 15-furlong Deauville contest, with his Christophe Ferland stablemate Espoir Avenir back in fourth. Hotheaded's chief danger is the Joseph O'Brien-conditioned Listed Marble City Stakes victor Emit, who is upped in trip once again. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 17:00, PRIX D'ARENBERG-G3, €73,200, 2yo, 5fT Field: Afjan (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Graft (Ire) (U S Navy Flag), Pen And Sword (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Wateen (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), Hollywood Treasure (Ire) (Gregorian {Ire}), Souful Diva (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), Stargazed (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Sternle (Ire) (Far Above {Ire}), Havana Anna (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Jeudixx (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Shine On Me (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). TDN Analysis: Havana Anna's maiden form bears the closest scrutiny and the Donnacha O'Brien trainee engineered a stunning breakout in last month's Listed Marwell Stakes at Naas. With more than half the field shipping in from overseas, Hollywood Treasure shares top billing at the head of a foreign contingent which has made off with seven of the last nine editions. Overcoming traffic for a clear-cut debut verdict in April, she caught the eye with a comeback win in this month's Listed St Hugh's Stakes and rates an obvious threat. Shine On Me's G2 Cherry Hinton fourth behind Venetian Sun has gained lustre in recent days and she holds Wateen, Graft and Pen And Sword on their running in this month's Listed Prix de la Vallee d'Auge. Ripon maiden winner Stargazed, lining up for Karl Burke, should not be discounted and G3 Prix de Cabourg runner-up Afjan heads the home resistance. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Baden-Baden, Germany, post time: 14:35, 155TH CASINO BADEN-BADEN GOLDENE PEITSCHE-G3, €70,000, 3yo/up, 6fT Field: Danelo (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Kylian (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), National Service (Fr) (Elusive City), Schutzenzauber (Ger) (Amaron {GB}), Shootout (Ire) (Areion {Ger}), Vicious Harry (Fr) (Harry Angel {Ire}), Zerostress (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Dhitjari (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), The Strikin Viking (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}), War Bride (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}). TDN Analysis: The day-two highlight of Baden-Baden's “Grosse Woche” has drawn an equal split of home defenders and foreign raiders. Zerostress notched a rare domestic success in 2023 and was too good for Schutzenzauber, Kylian, Dhitjari and Danelo in this month's Listed Hoppegartener Fliegerpreis. Last term's G1 Prix Morny fourth and Karl Burke nominee Arabie has performed with credit in all five black-type starts since and tuned up for this with a runner-up finish in last month's Listed Prix Kistena at Deauville. He holds solid claims along with last term's G2 Railway Stakes and G2 Richmond Stakes runner-up The Strikin Viking, who was last seen hitting the board in this month's Listed Queensferry Stakes at Chester. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Tipperary, post time: 16:00, COOLMORE STUD NO NAY NEVER FAIRY BRIDGE STAKES-G3, €36,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f 110yT Field: Snellen (Ire) (Expert Eye {GB}), Germanese (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Mallavelly (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Mataariki (Fr) (Cracksman {GB}), Princess Child (Fr) (Dariyan {Fr}), Queen Of Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Copacabana Sands (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Celestial Orbit (GB) (No Nay Never), Chantez (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Fingerpaint (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Sweet Chariot (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Analysis: Copacabana Sands has a penalty to carry for her win in the G3 Ballycorus Stakes, but is progressing fast and will be one of the favourites in a renewal in which the three-year-olds look to hold the aces. Not seen since finishing down the field in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, the Nell Gwyn runner-up Celestial Orbit adds intrigue along with Juddmonte's Curragh maiden winner Fingerpaint. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Pacific Avenue Looms Large For Appleby In The Solario appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rigney Racing's Delightful Claire will face a step up in class Aug. 30 when she takes on five 3-year-old fillies in the $175,000 Prioress Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

The 12-horse field for the $3.5 million Nashville Derby (G3T) at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30 features dirt grade 1 winners switching surfaces, proven commodities over the grass, and horses on the upswing looking to make a name for themselves.View the full article

Sharing Is Caring, who would later finish third in a maiden hurdle at Down Royal on Friday, topped the ThoroughBid August Sale at £28,000. Sold to Lewis Jones, the 4-year-old was a recent point-to-point winner and will remain in training with Shark Hanlon. Hanlon said, “It's all happened very quickly. The catalogue went live a week ago, he was sold this afternoon and now runs at Down Royal this evening. ThoroughBid is very quick and efficient, and they promoted the horse fantastically during the week across their marketing and media platforms. What the owner is planning further down the line, I don't know yet, but we're all looking forward to this evening.” Blue Point's This Guy sold to Daniel Murphy for £20,000. He was consigned by Beechdown Farm Stables. Out of the listed-placed Baheeja (Dubawi), the colt is a half-brother to stakes winners Jabaara (Exceed And Excel) and Tajanis (Australia), with the former second in the G1 Falmouth Stakes. Of the 30 lots offered, 17 sold (57%) for a gross of £98,800. The average was £5,811 and the median was £3,000. James Richardson, CEO of ThoroughBid, said, “It was a busy session of bidding today, with plenty of interest in Shark Hanlon's Sharing Is Caring, who sold well at £28,000. “Having a nice Flat horse from Clive Cox's stable sell for £20,000 to race in Ireland is a good example of how we can facilitate effective sales for both consigner and purchaser, while we're pleased to once again have the likes of Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead using the platform with plenty of success.” The post Sharing Is Caring Tops ThoroughBid August Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A slate of 65 offerings were catalogued for the Inglis Digital USA September Sale, led by a number of runners coming off of successful racetrack performances and the broodmare Earth Shaking (War Front), a half-sister to the dam of GISW Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro), the organization announced via press release. The aforementioned daughter of War Front will be offered not in-foal and ready for mating. All five of Earth Shaking's foals to make the races have gotten their picture taken. Another of the broodmare offerings is Jill's a Hot Mess (Laoban), who hails from the female family of champion sprinter Straight No Chaser (Speightster), and is in-foal to Vekoma. Broodmares in the sale are pregnant to the likes of Americanrevolution, Central Banker, Grazen, Joey Freshwater, Maximus Mischief, Provocateur, Proxy, Storm the Court, Rock Your World, and Vekoma. The catalogue also features seven mares offered with foals at their side by stallions like Bourbon Courage, Global Campaign, Greatest Honour, Mo Tom, Solomini, and War Dancer. Of the racing prospects, 3-year-old Chado (American Freedom) and the juvenile filly Dale's Bluff (Street Magician) lead the offerings. The former enters the sale fresh off a 6 1/4-length victory against main track allowance foes Aug. 22 at Colonial Downs while the latter cleared maiden special weight company by 1 1/4 lengths at Delaware Park July 12. Chado will be available for inspection at trainer Jason McCutchen's barn at Colonial Downs in New Kent, VA and the filly will be available for inspection at Phillip Capuano's stable at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland. Yearlings and weanlings in the sale are by a variety of stallions standing in Kentucky and in surrounding states, namely American Freedom, Fire At Will, Karakontie (Jpn), Mind Control, Sir Winston, Snapy Halo, By My Standards, Fulsome, Mr. Money, and Taiba. “We're pleased with the group for the September Sale,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Kyle Wilson. “It's a good cross section of horses and provides some great opportunities leading into the breeding season.” Bidding is open now, and will take place through Wednesday, Sept. 3, with the first lot closing at 2 p.m. Eastern. Subsequent lots will close in three-minute increments. Interested parties must register for an account on the Inglis Digital USA websites and request a bidding limit in order to place bids. To view the entire catalogue, please go here. The post Half-Sister to Dam of Nitrogen on Offer in Inglis Digital USA September Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE–Earlier this year, the TDN wrote a story about the launch of Medallion Racing's partner experiences to international locations, an important part of their racing partnerships program. They have just concluded their trip to the Arqana August Yearling sale in Deauville, where we were lucky enough to be invited along on parts of the trip. Fourteen partners and family members traveled to Deauville from August 13 to 18, and took part in a series of events, from a bespoke D Day Tour, a day sampling local ciders at specialty producers in the region, a private dinner at the cultural museum Les Franciscaines, driving trotters with a sulky on Utah Beach, racing, sales, and more. We talked to Medallion Racing Manager Phillip Shelton about the goals for the trips, and to some of the partners about their experience. 'Unbelievable experiences all over the world' “One of our main goals with Medallion is to bring people to these unbelievable experiences all over the world, whether it's Group 1 races in Europe, Grade I races in America, or these really unique events that our partners really wouldn't be able to do on their own,” said Shelton, standing just outside the back ring at the Arqana sales complex. “So bringing them to Deauville for the Arqana sale and planning a plethora of activities around that as a base is really something we strive to do every year. We have done Royal Ascot, we've done Ireland. We have set our sights on a couple other international destinations for future years. But it's really a core part of what we feel like it is to serve our customers. It's to create these unbelievable experiences around our runners and then just around being together as partners.” With the sale starting on Saturday, the group arrived on Wednesday and checked into the Normandy Barriere hotel, and then headed to a welcome dinner. The next day, a van picked them up to head to the D Day Beaches. “It's a very, very sobering experience for the 12 hours,” said Shelton. “It was just absolutely unbelievable seeing the American Cemetery and a lot of the pill boxes and the different objectives. Friday, we had a group that went to Le Mont Saint-Michel. We had another group come and inspect yearlings at the sale.” Yet another group went to Cambremer to tour Calvados and cider-making farms, another group went to the races at Deauville-La Touque, and the adventurous Matt and December LeTextier drove sulkies on Utah Beach. December also opted for the cider tour. “Candidly, we did not anticipate the traveling element of this and that has just become the cherry on top,” she said, sitting in an apple grove at La Ferme du Bout du Chemin, an organic, fourth-generation family-run ciderie. “The experiences have been transformative. They really have been a key element; the exposure to the trainers, to the jockeys, to the people within the industry has become instrumental for us. Certainly we're interested in the horse racing side of it, but to have this wraparound experience beyond that really is the distinguishing characteristic for us with Medallion. This really has taken it to a new level for us.” `Cameraderie' For many of the partners, it was a first trip to Deauville. “Deauville is an unbelievably beautiful place,” said Shelton. “We were blessed with outstanding weather. I think everybody's just really excited to be a part of a place maybe not a lot of them knew before.” Client Relations Manager Molly Hyer was also onboard for the trip, continuing the planning she had started in Lexington. “One of the big perks for our Medallion partners is the extensive planning we do to make these international trips not just possible, but truly exceptional,” she said. “We take care of every detail, so all our partners have to do is book their flights and show up ready to enjoy an unforgettable experience.” Europe as a destination is not only culturally rich, but rich with turf blood, said Shelton. “One thing we talk about to all of our partners is that 42% of all stakes races in America are on grass,” said Shelton, who purchased two yearlings for the partnership from the Arqana sale; lot 76, a Starman-Estonia filly for €250,000, and lot 118, a Wootton Bassett-Just Beauty filly for €240,000. “And the reality is that I think the stats prove that the horses that are bred here are superior grass horses and we feel like even starting them here in Europe gives them a huge advantage over taking them straight back home. And so we really feel like that is a unique model. We've had over 300 starts at this point over eight racing seasons. Twenty-five percent of those races are in Grade Is, and 65% are in graded or group stakes. And I think that's almost an unmatched category of statistics.” Wherever they head next, LeTexier said she's along for the ride. “We'll be joining the team out at the Breeders' Cup in Del Mar and for us, a key part of our motivation is involving our family in these experiences,” she said. “They have been so welcoming when we've brought along our family members. Taylor Made's mantra is `with us, you're family.' And they really live it out in their work.” The post Along for the Ride on a Medallion Trip to Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) went wire-to-wire to take out the 2023 GI Pacific Classic, it made trainer Bob Baffert the winningest trainer in the relatively short history of the event with seven winners, surpassing the late Bobby Frankel. The Hall of Fame conditioner will have every chance to extend that record when he sends out fellow 'Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist) in a compelling renewal of the 10-furlong feature Saturday afternoon, with an all-expenses-paid trip to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic over the same course and distance Nov. 1 up for grabs. Perfect in three starts at two and three, including the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes in his first trip around two turns, the $550,000 OBS April grad was set a very tall task returning from a 15-month absence in the seven-furlong GI Churchill Downs Stakes May 3. Drawn one from the outside and wide into the lane after sitting worse than midfield, he came running to dead-heat for second with recent GII Charles Town Classic hero Banishing (Ghostzapper), the pair beaten a neck by 'TDN Rising Star' Mindframe (Constitution). Passing on a trip east for the GI Met Mile, Nysos romped in the May 31 GIII Triple Bend Stakes, finishing well clear of GII Pat O'Brien Stakes hero Dr. Venkman (Ghostzapper), and he was last seen a comfortable winner of the GII San Diego Handicap July 26. Campaigned by Baoma Corp., Nysos–also a $130,000 KEENOV weanling and $150,000 FTKOCT yearling–is the 8-5 morning-line favorite, just ahead of pin-up 3-year-old Journalism (Curlin, 9-5) and 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light, 3-1), and Baffert is taking nothing for granted. “It's a strong race,” Baffert said following the draw. “Fierceness on his best day can beat us. Journalism has had a remarkable year. He's danced every dance and he still looks fantastic. I have a lot of respect for those horses and the other horses. You don't know how it's going to play out.” Indeed, Journalism has been campaigned ambitiously, but has held up remarkably well, having taken a dramatic renewal of the GI Preakness Stakes either side of runner-up efforts to Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes. The $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase gave last week's GI Travers Stakes a miss in favor of this off a gritty victory in the GI Haskell Invitational Stakes July 19. “All signs for the last few weeks have pointed towards this race,” primary owner Aron Wellman said. “When you [have] a partnership, you want to be respectful and make sure that we're all on the same page. So there are a lot of moving parts that we have to make sure we attend to. Just wanted to be sure we huddled up all the players. And obviously keep a close eye on the horse, too.” At times brilliant and at other times a complete enigma, Fierceness will have his work cut out for him against the top two if he doesn't fire his best shot. Outstanding in defeat in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic here at Del Mar, he returned breathing fire in the May 2 GII Alysheba Stakes, but he'd need to lift on his last two–an alibi-free second in the Met and a disappointing fifth as the favorite in the GI Whitney Stakes Aug. 2. The Pacific Classic is the fourth of five graded events on the biggest day of racing at the seaside. Formidable Man (City of Light) is perfect in five starts over the Jimmy Durante turf course and will cut back in trip for the GII Del Mar Mile, having run down Cabo Spirit (Pioneeerof the Nile) in the GII Eddie Read Stakes going nine panels July 27. The contest also marks the return to action of Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast), runner-up in last year's Pacific Classic ahead of a 13-1 upset of the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. The ageless Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) has drawn widest in gate 11 for the GII Del Mar Handicap, a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, as he looks to win the 11-furlong heat for a remarkably fourth straight season. The progressive Final Boss (American Pharoah) should be on or near the pace, while Truly Quality (Quality Road) is in the mix with a return to the same form that saw him best Balniknov (Ire) (Adaay {Ire}) in the GII Hollywood Turf Cup last November. Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) won last year's 'Win and You're In' GIII Green Flash Handicap and used it as a springboard to a near-miss second in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint two months later. He makes just his second trip to the races in 2025, having come with his trademark turn of speed to win the GIII Daytona Stakes down the hill at Santa Anita June 14. Queen Maxima (Bucchero) had next-out GI Jaipur Stakes heroine Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy) behind when taking the GIII Unbridled Sidney Stakes at Churchill May 2 and she is probably best forgiven her sixth in the one-mile Osunitas Stakes July 20 when she endured a sub-optimal trip. First Peace (Funtastic) makes his first appearance since annexing the GII Eddie D. Stakes 11 months ago and is capable, though the five-furlong distance is a query. Baffert looks to have a stranglehold on the GIII Torrey Pines Stakes, with even-money Tenma (Nyquist) from the rail and the commonly owned Howin (Gun Runner) drawn alongside. Motorious | Benoit photo Derby Day At Kentucky Downs The racing at Kentucky Downs heats up quickly on Saturday, with four graded events carded at distances from six furlongs to an extended mile and a quarter. Sophomores compete for the second-richest prize available to their age group in the GIII Nashville Derby, with a gross purse of $3.5 million available to horses bred in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. But it is the race's lone foreign shipper, Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) (Kameko), who could be favored to take the trophy back to Europe for the second year running following the exploits of Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in 2024. The mount of Frankie Dettori, the bay colt won last year's G2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket and was third in the G1 Futurity Trophy, and while he has yet to taste victory in 2025, he has performances on the page that make him very dangerous in a spot like this. Third in May's G2 Dante Stakes at York, an Epsom Derby trial over the same 10 1/2 furlongs he faces here, he was runner-up in the G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket July 10 and that piece of form was given a big boost when the victorious El Cordobes (GB) (Frankel {GB}) subsequently won the GI Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga. Wimbledon Hawkeye most recently missed by a nose in the G3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood July 31. “(Wimbledon Hawkeye) backs up his runs,” said trainer James Owen. “He's been very solid and consistent. He's a very sound athletic horse; he could be ridden in any kind of way. I think he ticks a lot of the boxes. I don't know what boxes you've got to tick, but I have no worries about him traveling. He eats every night. He trains every day. He's not flashy. He just does his job. If I told him he was coming, he'd be looking forward to it.” America's best chance to reclaim the hardware is Amerman Racing's Test Score (Lookin At Lucky), who was second in the GI American Turf in May before going one better in the GI Belmont Derby at Saratoga the following month, defeating World Beater (Oscar Performance), who turned the tables in the Aug. 2 GI Saratoga Derby, with Test Score a close third. Test Score | Sarah Andrew Tomasello (Authentic) also has form through World Beater, having finished third to him and King of Ashes (Street Sense) in the May 31 Audubon Stakes at Churchill. The bay went on to frank the form with a clear-cut success in the KD Preview Nashville Derby at Ellis Aug. 2 to punch his ticket to this. Triple Crown alums Sandman (Tapit) and Burnham Square (Liam's Map) try the turf for the first time, and with this much money up for grabs, who's to blame them? Winner of the GI Arkansas Derby and third in the Preakness, Sandman sheds the shades after finishing fifth in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes July 26. Burnham Square, whose dam Linda (Scat Daddy) ran third to Miss Temple City (Temple City) in the 2017 GIII Ladies Turf on this course, was a non-threatening fifth in the GI Haskell Stakes last time. Longshot players could well gravitate to Simulate (Kitten's Joy), visually impressive in annexing a first-level allowance at Saratoga July 18 prior to finishing second in the one-mile GII Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Aug. 9. He had no luck in running on that occasion and this stretch out in trip should hit him right between the eyes. “The horse is doing well,” trainer Bill Mott said. “We realize we're coming back on short rest, but we didn't want to bypass the race. He can probably do it. He's coming off a couple of very good races.” 'TDN Rising Star' Hill Road (Quality Road) won his maiden at first asking at Leopardstown, a nice galloping track, and returns to the grass off a distant third in the Jim Dandy. The aforementioned Ag Bullet is back to defend her title in the $2-million GII Ladies Turf Sprint over 6 1/2 furlongs. A troubled seventh in the Unbridled Sidney, she took on the boys in the Jaipur and treated them to a two-length beating at the Spa. The versatile and beautifully bred Zeitlos (Curlin) is not out of this as she seeks her first stakes win on the lawn. Winner earlier this season of the Skipat Stakes on the main track, the chestnut came running late to finish a half-length behind the very classy Future Is Now (Great Notion) in the GIII Caress Stakes at Saratoga, with Time to Dazzle (Not This Time) a neck back in third. The GII Mint Kentucky Turf Sprint, with its $2-million pot, offers the winners a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, a race won a couple of years ago by Nobals (Noble Mission {GB}). The 6-year-old is not impossible to improve on his fourth-place effort from a year ago, but still needs to find a few lengths off a third, beaten three-parts of a length, behind Bear River (Flameaway) in the KD Preview Turf Sprint at Ellis Aug. 3. Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) ran his eyeballs out to be second to Cogburn (Not This Time) in last year's renewal, but returns arguably not in the same sort of form as 12 months ago. Winner of the G1 QE II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June 2024, the 9-year-old has a pair of runs under his belt this term, a sixth in the G3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury last month and a 10th in the G2 Qatar Stakes at Goodwood on Aug. 1. Frankie Dettori rides. Howard Wolowitz (Munnings) validated 3-1 favoritism in last year's GI Franklin-Stamps Stakes at this venue, was a better-than-it-looks ninth at the Breeders' Cup and added the Holiday Cheer Stakes over the Turfway synth. He was last seen finishing down the field in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia back in February, but has been training up a storm at Saratoga for Jose D'Angelo. Fresh off a front-running score in the GII Beverly D. Stakes at Colonial on Aug. 9, Charlene's Dream (Qurbaan) shows up in the GIII Kentucky Downs Ladies' Turf Stakes over a mile. A Texas-bred and therefore running for a fraction of the prizemoney, the $35,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic breezer also counts this year's GIII Gallorette Stakes among her conquests. Lady Ilze (GB) (Territories {Ire}) began her career in Poland, winning three of her five starts last year at two, and demonstrated she might be up to a task like this with a 10-1 upset in the G2 German 1000 Guineas in May. She outran 50-1 odds to be fifth and not beaten all that far behind BC Filly & Mare Turf runner-up Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) in the G1 Falmouth Stakes July 11. Also in with legitimate claims are the Hugo Palmer-trained G3 Valiant Stakes heroine Cheshire Dancer (Ire) (Phoenix of Spain {Ire}) and GIII Honey Fox Stakes winner Special Wan (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), a latest third in the GI Just A Game Stakes June 6. 'Rising Star' Maidens Face Unbeaten Pair In Spinaway Closing weekend at the Spa gives the juvenile set a chance to compete for Grade I laurels, beginning with Saturday's Spinaway Stakes, a Breeders' Cup Challenge race for the GI Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 31. The seven-furlong feature brings together a pair of impressive maiden winners that each earned the 'TDN Rising Star' designation on debut squaring off against a couple of fillies with stakes scores already in the bag. Tommy Jo (Into Mischief) turned in arguably the top performance from a 2-year-old filly during the meet, striking from just off the pace to graduate by 3 3/4 lengths back on July 26. That win came at the expense of Tennessee Belle (Yaupon), who earned a 'Rising Star' of her own when romping by better than seven lengths in her most recent try. “I thought she was impressive. She's a nice filly who has trained very well,” Pletcher said. Ornellaia (Girvin), a $1.15-million purchase out of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale this past May, opened her account at first asking from well off the pace, and the runner-up that afternoon, Steer Clear (Street Sense), graduated nicely at the Spa on Friday. 'TDN Rising Star' Ornellaia | Sarah Andrew Mythical (St Patrick's Day) is unbeaten and virtually untested in her three tries to day, including the Tremont Stakes June 5 and a 3 1/4-length success from Meringue (Frosted) in the GIII Adirondack Stakes Aug. 3. The latter will be scratched in favor of the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies on Sunday. Percy's Bar (Upstart) was the four-length winner of a 4 1/2-furlong maiden at Keeneland on Apr. 23 debut and most recently posted a five-length romp in the June 29 Debutante Stakes at Churchill. The top three placegetters from the 11-furlong GII Glens Falls Stakes July 27 reunite for Saturday's GII Flower Bowl Stakes, with the winner receiving the free invite to the GI Filly & Mare Turf. La Mehana (Fr) (Al Wukair {Ire}) looms the one to beat off her 8 3/4-length thrashing of stablemate Bellezza (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Long Ago (GB) (Roaring Lion), but easy underfoot conditions may have aided her cause, at least to some extent. When last seen over the mile-and-three-eighths distance, 'TDN Rising Star' Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) proved narrowly best in the GIII Long Island Stakes and she cannot be dismissed with any confidence. The GIII Prioress Stakes has lured just a half-dozen sophomore filly sprinters and it could come down to a battle between 'TDN Rising Star' Long Neck Paula (Uncle Mo), a two-time black-type winner in search of a breakthrough at the graded level, and the less-exposed 'Rising Star' Delightful Claire (Thousand Words), who earned a 95 Beyer when graduating by 9 1/4 lengths over seven furlongs on Aug. 2. The post Saturday Preview: Nysos A Narrow Choice Over Journalism, Fierceness In Pacific Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three-year-old Journalism will face champion Fierceness and the nearly undefeated Nysos in the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) Aug. 30 at Del Mar.View the full article

A civil judgment entered in a New Jersey court Aug. 28 requires Joe Hardoon and his father Jonathan Hardoon to pay Al Gold's Gold Square $450,000 following theft allegations against the younger Hardoon while acting as Gold Square's bookkeeper.View the full article

Jupiter Stable's Phileas Fogg is already a graded stakes winner at 1 1/4 miles over the Saratoga main track and will look to repeat that feat in the Aug. 31 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) as he looks for his first top-level stakes victory. View the full article

A total of five horses who took part in the ITM Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Leopardstown earlier this week will go under the hammer in a Tattersalls Online Barrier Trials Pop-Up Sale from September 3-4. The sale begins at noon September 3 and closes one day later at 12 p.m. Three of the lots will be consigned by Diego Dias on behalf of Star Bloodstock: juvenile gelding Kenough (Kendargent) (lot 3), a smart trial winner and a full-brother to listed winner and Group 2-placed Strassia and to stakes winner Strako; as well as Noelan Star (Starspangledbanner) (lot 4), another trial winner, who cost 45,000gns as a Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 graduate. Diego's third lot is mid-pack finisher Chronata (Ardad) (lot 1). Jack Foley will offer trial runner-up Girl Bear (Kodi Bear) (lot 2), while Sheila Lavery has entered Sagasti (Supremacy) (lot 5), who made good headway late in her trial to finisher fourth. Sagasti is out of a winning half-sister to the dam of Group 2 winner Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko). The ITM barrier trials were conducted with the assistance of the Irish EBF and the IHRB. The post Tattersalls Online To Sell Quintet Of Barrier Trial Horses In Pop-Up Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The entries for the inaugural £50,000 Arena Racing Company (ARC) Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup at Cornbury House Horse Trials feature several former racehorses. The event will be held from September 10-14 in Oxfordshire. The 49-strong entries will compete for a first-place prize of £45,000. Some of the retrained horses have learned their new craft at the hands of William Fox-Pitt, Bubby Upton, Piggy March, Izzy Taylor and Oliver Townend. This new class, designed to promote and showcase the suitability of ex-racehorses for eventing, is the brainchild of Jayne McGivern of Dash Grange Stud, a prominent owner of both racehorses and event horses, as well as the stallion Golden Horn. It has the support of ARC, and is hosted by David Howden, who shares Jayne's love of both sports, at Cornbury House Horse Trials. There will also be an innovative and exciting blend of local, sustainable food and drink from our neighbouring farms, premium hospitality, and interactive children's activities over the weekend of September 13-14. Tickets start at £10, and children 12 and under attend for free. All the cross-country action from Cornbury House Horse Trials will be shown live on Horse & Country TV's streaming platform H&C+. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit the Cornbury House Horse Trials website. The post Inaugural ARC Racehorse To Eventer Challenge Cup Entries Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Second behind 'TDN Rising Star' Ornellaia (Girvin) in her Aug. 2 debut, STEER CLEAR (f, 2, Street Sense–Simply Sunny, by Unbridled's Song) went one better Friday to graduate second time out for trainer Todd Pletcher and the partnership of Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm. Having established a clear lead from the first strides, the 9-5 favorite held her advantage gate to wire to finish up nicely in front of the more experienced Americathegreat (Curlin). Third-place finisher Catchy (Medaglia d'Oro) suffered an injury shortly after the wire and was humanely euthanized on track according to an update from NYRA. Jockey Jose Lezcano was on his feet but will be transported to Albany Medical Center complaining of left shoulder pain. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC and Repole Stable; B-Machmer Hall; T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $575,000 ylg '24 FTSAUG. The post Steer Clear Best Second Time Out For Pletcher At The Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred 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 pricy sales grad. 4.10 Sandown, Mdn, 2yo, f, 7fT ACT OF KINDNESS (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) was the third-highest-priced yearling sold at last year's Tattersalls October Book 1 bonanza at 3.7million gns by virtue of the fact that she is a half-sister to the Fillies' Mile winner Ylang Ylang from the family of Laughing and Viva Pataca. Charlie Appleby introduces the Godolphin runner in a fascinating affair which includes Victorious Racing's fellow newcomer She Commands (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a Ralph Beckett-trained daughter of the Listed scorer Havre De Paix (Le Havre) who cost 450,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 2. The post Tattersalls Sensation Act Of Kindness Debuts At Sandown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sanford Stakes (G3) winner Obliteration, most recently runner-up to Ewing in the Saratoga Special (G2), tries turf for the first time in his fledgling career in the $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs. View the full article

This year's Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Ruling Court dies following complications with the foot disease laminitis.View the full article