Wandering Eyes

The consistent and talented Chop Chop landed an elusive graded stakes win when the daughter of City of Light drew off to a 2 1/4-length score April 26 in the Bewitch Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland.View the full article

Keeneland's 2024 Spring Meet concluded Friday with all-sources wagering exceeding $218 million, the third-highest handle in track history. Average daily purse money of $1.16 million attracted Thoroughbred racing's top stables and jockeys, delivering 16 days of quality racing complemented by community and special events that offered family fun with a philanthropic mission. “A big thanks to our horsemen and sponsors, the crowds who turned out daily on track and those who watched and wagered on Keeneland across the country,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We especially appreciate the cooperation of fans as we navigated the adjustments necessary to hold a race meet during construction of our new Paddock Building. We are proud this Spring Meet continued to offer the exceptional race-day experiences and traditions people know and love about Keeneland.” All-sources wagering (not including whole card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the Spring Meet, held April 5-26, totaled $218,741,501, a decrease of 2.5% from last spring's record $224,348,745 for 15 days of racing. On-track wagering totaled $15,831,087 compared with $15,844,092 in Spring 2023. Wagering was boosted by a number of individual handle records. On Toyota Blue Grass Day, Apr. 6, all-sources handle for the 11-race card that featured five graded stakes totaled $29,261,346, eclipsing the previous single-day wagering record of $28,137,728 set in 2022. Single-race win/place/show wagering of $2,576,663 on the Toyota Blue Grass shattered the 2019 record of $2,068,406. The All Stakes Pick 5 ending with the Toyota Blue Grass handled $1,696,981, breaking the 2022 record of $1,539,098. The Keeneland Turf Pick 3, a wager on the final three turf races daily, set a handle record of $280,308 on Apr. 13 to best last Fall's mark of $248,094. The wager paid a record $56,593 on April 18. The Daily Double wager established handle records twice during the Spring Meet: $329,433 on opening Apr. 5 and $470,988 on Apr. 13 to surpass the previous record of $286,255 set Apr. 23, 2022. This Spring, Keeneland reduced the takeout on the Daily Double from 22% to 15%. The post Keeneland Closes Out Successful Spring Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sierra Leone's co-owner Brook Smith donates a portion of his purses to the Backside Learning Center, a nonprofit organization that provides support to more than 1,000 people that live and work at both Churchill Downs and its nearby training center.View the full article

Edited Press Release Churchill Downs Incorporated established the “Safety from Start to Finish” program in March 2009 to formalize its comprehensive approach to continual improvement of the health and safety protocols and policies for horses and humans who work, train, compete and attend racing events at Churchill Downs Racetrack. Following a comprehensive evaluation of existing safety protocols and a thorough assessment of industry best practices in June 2023, Churchill Downs has implemented several key enhancements to the Safety from Start to Finish Program for 2024, including: -Investment in Surface Management: To further maximize surface oversight and consistency, new and upgraded equipment including harrows, tractors and grader accessorized with smart grade technology have been incorporated into the track maintenance process. -Increased Veterinary Oversight: Dr. Dana Stead was added to CDI's qualified veterinary team, led by Dr. Will Farmer, as Equine Safety and Integrity Veterinarian, to provide additional monitoring and specialized care for horses and to assist in developing and enforcing CDI equine safety protocols. -Collaboration with Industry Experts: Synergetic work continues with HISA and other industry experts to identify at-risk horses and potential safety threat factors using veterinary medical records, computer models and advanced analytic techniques. -Established Safety Management Committee: Comprised of a cross-section of horsemen including trainers, exercise riders, jockeys, racetrack management and veterinarians, the organized mobilization of this group allows for regular weekly meetings throughout the live race meet to foster an open dialogue to candidly discuss observations or concerns and provide real time feedback on areas for improvement. -Implemented Technology: As an industry leader, Churchill Downs is investing in new technologies to help identify horses that may pose an increased risk potential. Click here for more. The post Churchill Downs Implements Enhancements to Its ‘Safety from Start to Finish’ Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 live Thoroughbred racing season at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack begins April 29. The 2024 season will begin with a new race announcer: Anthony Stabile.View the full article

The field for the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1), set to be run May 4, is all accounted for at Churchill Downs. Coming from The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, Harry Veruchi's West Saratoga was the last of the 20 horses that qualified to arrive.View the full article

Before the graded stakes taking place during the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) race cards, three high-value stakes headline weekday stakes action at Churchill Downs May 2.View the full article

Since first teaming to win a maiden claiming race at Aqueduct Racetrack in April 1996 during the early part of their careers, trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez have combined to win another 1,865 races together.View the full article

6th-Keeneland, $110,000, Alw, 4-26, (NW1X), 4yo/up, 6f, 1:09.68, ft, 5 3/4 lengths. MULLIKIN (c, 4, Violence–Tulira's Star {GSP}, by Congrats) broke his maiden at third asking by 10 1/4 lengths at Churchill Downs last May, was the runner-up to GSW Ryvit (Competitive Edge) in the Maxfield S. at Ellis Park in July and capped his year with a fourth-place finish over the same surface at the end of that month. Laid off since, the dark bay returned as the 2-1 second choice here. Mullikin was the speed of the speed up the backstretch and continued to pour it on around the far turn. Kicking for home, the 4-year-old opened up past the eighth pole and took the money by 5 3/4 lengths over Chance (Lookin At Lucky). A half-sister to SW Tulira Castle (War Pass), the winner's dam is responsible for a 2-year-old filly by McKinzie, a yearling colt by Maxfield and she foaled a colt by Liam's Map Mar. 25. Sales History: $500,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SP, 6-2-3-0, $211,692. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Siena Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich lll & John D. Fielding (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. #2 MULLIKIN ($6.68) wins R6 at Keeneland with ease. The four-year-old Violence colt gets his second career victory for trainer @BrissetRodolphe with Flavien Prat in the irons. pic.twitter.com/DgU5ZyaAH5 — FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) April 26, 2024 The post Violence Colt Mullikin Off The Break Cruises Home At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An administrative judge ruling April 22 affirmed a two-year suspension and $25,000 fine. Trainer Jonathan Wong intends to make a due process challenge of his case in federal court.View the full article

She's back, and back with a vengeance. Barbara T (f, 3, Army Mule–Alternative Energy, by Kantharos) disappeared from her foes and made her seasonal debut at Keeneland one worthy of a 'TDN Rising Star' nod. Last seen in her lone juvenile start July 30 at Del Mar, she finished a begrudging second to fellow debuter Chatalas (Gun Runner), who would eventually go on to win the GII Chandelier S. and place in the GII Starlet S. as well as the Blue Norther S. that season. That race would also yield GISP Gate to Paradise (Arrogate). The even-money favorite and on first-time Lasix here, Barbara T pushed the pace along from a stalking position before taking to vie for that lead entering the bend. Taking command after :22.81 and :45.95 splits, it was a matter of how much she'd like to win by and the margin was an eye-catching 11 3/4 lengths on the wire. Satin Blue (The Factor) was a well-beaten second. The second to the races but first to get her picture taken for Alternative Energy, Barbara T has a 2-year-old full-sister as the last registered offspring for their dam. Said mare is herself a half-sister to SW Carphonic (Lion Heart) as well as to MSP Ocarson (Olmodavor), both of whom have gone on to produce winners. Barbara T is Army Mule's first 'TDN Rising Star'. #5 BARBARA T ($4.22) breaks her maiden in just her second career start pulling away from the field in impressive fashion in race 4 at Keeneland. The daughter of Army Mule was ridden by Flavien Prat and is trained by @mwmracing. The start of the pick 6 is up next! pic.twitter.com/z6WpNwRWf7 — FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) April 26, 2024 4th-Keeneland, $99,175, Msw, 4-26, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:10.36, ft, 11 3/4 lengths. BARBARA T, f, 3, by Army Mule 1st Dam: Alternative Energy, by Kantharos 2nd Dam: Carsomatic, by Carson City 3rd Dam: Secretly, by Secretariat Sales history: $25,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $40,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $120,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $74,525. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-The Warnick Stable and Joseph A. Hinkhouse; B-Elevage II, LLC & St. Elias Stables LLC (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. The post Barbara T Makes ‘TDN Rising Star’ Bow on Keeneland’s Closer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-LRL, $47K, Msw, 3-5yo, 6f, 12:25 p.m. ET. Three-year-old WRIGHTSVILLE (Candy Ride {Arg}) was initially purchased by Brady Bloodstock for $300,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. Then, the dark bay was taken home by SF, Starlight and Madaket at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $610,000, which was the top price for his sire's offspring that year. Out of an unraced dam, the Brittany Russell trainee counts as a half-brother GSW Durante (Distorted Humor). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insight Race: Candy Ride Colt Makes The Races At Laurel Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Selections for Wairio today Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny Turner Racing Journalist Race 1 12.35pm 6 Scott 10 Artmore 5 Wehavtime 7 Big Boyz Toyz Race 2 1.00pm 1 Jonjondagoosehasgone 6 On The Beach 7 Foxing Easton 10 Asta Race 3 1.25pm 2 Bob Barrelit 4 Stella bay 8 Hennessy 10 Action Packed Race 4 1.52pm 3 Superfast 8 Raknruin 6 Robyns Hustler 5 Montage Race 5 2.19pm 11 Blithe 12 Bring On The Muscle 6 Johns Boy 13 Our Pinocchio Race 6 2.43pm 3 Captainshavtime 6 Matau Maria 12 Northview Ocean 9 It’s A Pleasure Race 7 3.10pm 9 On The Wing 11 Bobbies Rock 10 Sky Rocket 7 Outback Man Race 8 3.40pm 8 South Seas Rock 7 Joe’s Rock 5 Itoje 1 Brookies Player Race 9 4.05pm 4 Snap Shot 5 Stickifingers 3 Bismarck Du Plessis 9 Stillyourshot View the full article

Aging veterans and promising younger rivals await Japan's longest grade 1, the April 28 Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) at Kyoto Racecourse.View the full article

Henry Beeby has opened the door to Goffs embracing the publication of official times and other data at its newly slated breeze-up sale at Naas racecourse next year but admitted that such a move was unlikely to be met with universal approval from the breeze-up fraternity. No consignor would be more staunchly against the re-introduction of official times at the breeze-up sales in Europe than Brendan Holland. The Grove Stud operator says official times would create an increased reliance on the clock and would ultimately drive down clearance rates at the breeze-up sales. “I am and always have been against the publication of official times,” Holland explained. “There is a large cohort of people who buy breeze-up horses based on their intuition, experience from buying off certain vendors and ability to interpret a horse's breeze, action and pedigree without the benefit of times or regardless of a horse's time. If times were made public, a lot of those guys' hands would become tied. “A lot of the people that these guys are buying for don't attend the sales in person. If they are looking on and see that their agent has bought them something that has come 101st on the sheet, what's the chance they turn around and ask, 'any chance you can buy me one of the top 50 instead?'” He added, “It would make things very difficult for those people. The publication of official times is one of the main reasons why the clearance rate is significantly lower in America compared to Europe. Everyone acknowledges that you need to breeze well to sell well. But breezing well and breezing fast is not necessarily the same thing. “If you look at the top 20 times from Donny, there was a significant variation between how each horse sold. The whole thing is much more nuanced than just breezing fast and, if we make the times public, that then becomes the winning post and it will be to the detriment of this industry.” Of the horses who clocked in the top 20 on the unofficial times sheet at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale, 17 made six figures, with nine of those selling for £200,000 or more. Only three of the top 20 horses on times failed to break the six-figure mark. For context, there were 28 horses who cleared six figures at Doncaster. Unlike Holland, experienced breeze-up practitioners Mickey Cleere and Joanna Morgan-whose daughter Katie McGivern sold the £420,000 top lot filly by Havana Grey (GB) at Doncaster-say that they would welcome the publication of times. But one man who doesn't rely on a stopwatch is Highflyer's Anthony Bromley. Along with Alan King, it was Bromley who signed for the brilliant stayer Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) for just 31,000gns at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale in 2018 after the horse posted one of the slowest times. Derby runner-up Libertarian (GB) is just another example of a high-class horse to have graduated from the breeze-up sales after posting an inauspicious time. While Bromley conceded that the crux of a breeze-up sale is how fast a horse breezes, he defied anyone to determine the best horse from each sale on the clock alone, pointing to the unseasonal weather at the Craven and Donny sales as just another example of a different piece to be added to the jigsaw puzzle that is selecting horses. Tessa Greatrex and Anthony Bromley on the hunt at Doncaster | Sarah Farnsworth Bromley said, “What fun we all had at the Craven when we had biblical weather conditions and some of the lasers that were tasked with timing the breeze fell over. I found it immensely amusing. The buyers must be some sort of geniuses to have worked out what the fastest horses at the Craven were because, for four hours, we had a headwind, a tailwind, a furious crosswind about halfway through the breeze where the cameraman couldn't even hold the camera and, to top it all off, there were hailstones. If you are telling me that the fastest time clocked at the Craven is actually the fastest horse, I'd think it's very hard to work that out. There could have been 20 others that, if the conditions had been different, would have clocked fastest on any given day.” He added, “I look at the times-literally to cross off the ones who have clocked. There is no point in me wasting time, effort and vettings on those horses because they do make six figures. If I haven't got six figures to spend, which I don't, I don't waste my time looking at them. I am not decrying times because they are relevant but there are so many other factors involved when buying from the breeze-up sales. But outside of that top 25 per cent, I thought there was a lot of value to be had at the Craven and at Doncaster. My overview of the sales the past two weeks has been feast or famine. We've had the post-Covid honeymoon period-over jumps and on the Flat-but we are now entering a period of correction. The top 25 per cent is absolutely flying. It has never been healthier, but the rest of it, it's a tough gig. There were a lot of horses who didn't make 10 grand at Donny and we know it costs more than that to get a yearling prepared for the breeze-ups. It's worrying.” Despite the shakiness to the middle market at the Craven and at Doncaster, Beeby says he is convinced that there is a strong demand for another breeze-up sale in Ireland [to go with Tattersalls Ireland] and that the response to his Naas project from many of the top consignors has been positive. That sale will take place in June 2025 and is likely to be a select offering of back-end types. One thing that is not set in stone, however, is whether or not official times and data will be published but Beeby says he is open to such an idea. He explained, “It could work. At this stage, I certainly wouldn't dismiss the use of technology in some form or another but we would bow to what the consignors want. If we don't have the key consignors on board and they think it's a bad idea, then it's a waste of time. Various knowledgeable, experienced and respected breeze-up people wouldn't disagree with technology being readily available but, quite how that manifests, it remains to be seen. But I wouldn't dismiss it. Doing something slightly different could be something worth looking at.” Doing something different is exactly what Cleere plans for next year. Despite selling an Ardad (Ire) filly at Doncaster for £100,000, Cleere pointed to the rising costs and lack of a middle market as increasingly difficult hurdles to navigate. He explained, “To be honest, the fun has gone out of the whole breeze-up game for me. It's less enjoyable, for sure. The costs are so high and you can be left fairly wounded after a sale. I was talking to another breeze-up consignor this morning and he agreed that a lot of good horses are going to get missed with the way it's gone. I'd be all for the publication of times. The more information out there, the more ways you can sell a horse. “But it's gone very hard. Costs have gone up and there doesn't seem to be a middle market there. I'm going to have to reevaluate things strongly for next year. It's okay if you get into the top bracket but, for some stupid reason that you don't, you miss out. The falls are becoming increasingly hard to avoid. It takes very little for a horse not to breeze like you thought he might but the buyers are becoming less forgiving. I'll definitely have fewer horses to breeze next year.” Morgan agrees. While her daughter recorded her best day in a sale ring by netting £420,000 for her Havana Grey filly to Anthony Stroud, Morgan acknowledged that the lack of a middle market is becoming increasingly worrying. She said, “I was disappointed by the lack of northern trainers at Donny. Years ago at Donny, you'd have all the northern trainers there. There was none of that sort of activity this year. It was very cut throat. Even go back to the Craven, alright there were big figures there, but a lot of lads lost money there as well. It's become very hard to sell horses at the middle market.” Holland surmised that the breeze-up sphere, which has produced top-notchers like Vandeek (GB), Native Trail (GB) and Eldar Eldarov (GB) in the past couple of years alone, is becoming a victim of its own success with the high concentration of valuable yearlings bought to go down that route. He said, “The breeze-up game is in many ways becoming a victim of its own success. The consignors who have been successful in the past number of years are having to spend more money on yearlings, so they are becoming more exposed to risk. As a consequence of more money being spent on yearlings to go breezing, it is only natural that there is going to be more success in the sector. “The one thing I took away from the Craven and from Doncaster was that it was as competitive as ever at the top end. People have seen what quality horses you can buy at the breeze-ups–it is a realistic ambition to go and buy a Royal Ascot or Classic winner from these sales.” Holland added, “However, when you get into the middle and the bottom, that reflects the economic state of the country. The domestic market–for National Hunt and Flat–has been healthier in the past. I don't see a collapse in the market but I'd have a certain realism. “We'd an 80% clearance rate at Doncaster which, at one stage during the sale, looked as though it would be a miracle to achieve [due to the amount of horses being bought back by the vendors]. But the fact that 50 of the sales at Doncaster were private sales reflected the lack of competition in the sales ring.” Bromley shared that, oftentimes, the stiffest competition he faced for a horse at the Craven or at Doncaster was from the vendor rather than a fellow agent. Beeby concluded that 50 private sales at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale tells its own story about the middle market but insisted that no stone was left unturned in attracting buyers. He said, “When you look back on any sale, the first thing you think about is, 'who did we miss?' Of course we'd have liked more people there. We were pleased with the sale. By the same token, we recognise that 50 private sales tells a bit of a story. It was hard work at certain levels of the market. Yes, the top was very strong but we had as broad a buying bench than we have seen at any breeze-up so far. We worked very hard in the Middle East, Scandinavia and Italy with direct market visits there and they paid dividends.” Beeby added, “All sales rely on the vendors but the professionalism of the consignors at the breeze-up sales is a joy to behold. They are an amazing bunch of people who do it. The commitment and the nerve that they have to flip those horses is extraordinary. The good ones make a lot of money but there are plenty who slip through the cracks and the consignors dust themselves off and go again. I am always in awe of them. They have made the breeze-up market what it is.” The post Goffs Open To Official Times But Mixed Response From Breeze-Up Fraternity 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-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 half-brother to a Group 1 winner. 13.45 Navan, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 5f 180yT CAMILLE PISSARRO (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) makes his racecourse bow for Ballydoyle, having caused a stir when selling for 1.25million gns at the Tattersalls Book 1 Sale. A half-brother to the G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Golden Horde (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}), he encounters a well-regarded Donnacha O'Brien-trained filly in Sorella Carina (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), a 400,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 graduate who is a half to last year's G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) racing for Reeves, Weston, Medallion and Coolmore. The post Half To Golden Horde Debuts For Ballydoyle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

City Of Troy, the odds-on favourite for the G1 Qipco 2,000 Guineas, pleased his connections in a gallop on Friday morning ahead of his Classic date at Newmarket on Saturday, May 4. Unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old, culminating with a dominant three-and-a-half-length victory in the G1 Dewhurst S. on the Rowley Mile in October, City Of Troy will be having his first run of the season in the 2,000 Guineas having skipped the trials. It's a tried-and-tested route for Aidan O'Brien–the most successful trainer in the race's history with 10 wins–and City Of Troy is said to be in peak condition ahead of his return to Newmarket, having impressed in one of his final pieces of work at Ballydoyle. Speaking to ITV Racing, Paul Smith, son of part-owner Derrick Smith, said, “He's in great form. He worked today and we're very happy with him. Dean [Gallagher, work rider] was delighted with him and Aidan was delighted with him. Fingers crossed he gets there in one piece, but it is all systems go. “He's grown a little bit, you'll see that at Newmarket next week. He's got a beautiful temperament, he had that as a two-year-old and still has it now. He takes his work very well–he's just a joy to be around. They are very happy with him.” Smith was in no rush to commit to any plans beyond City Of Troy's run in the 2,000 Guineas, though he didn't rule out the possibility of tackling races on dirt with the son of US Triple Crown winner Justify. “It [dirt racing] is a possibility,” Smith added. “It's the old cliché of taking it a race at a time. We'll see how he does next week and go from there, perhaps to the Derby. We're looking forward to it.” Champion 2YO City Of Troy (JUSTIFY) completes his morning workout at @Ballydoyle ahead of the Gr.1 2,000 Guineas at @NewmarketRace #Coolmore #Ballydoyle #HomeOfChampions pic.twitter.com/24XNM9VFQE — Coolmore (@coolmorestud) April 26, 2024 The post City Of Troy Firing On All Cylinders Ahead Of Classic Bid appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With just one week to go until the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1), several contenders logged their final recorded workouts on a Churchill Downs surface that several trainers referenced was playing toward faster times.View the full article

The likely favorite for next Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby, 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) completed his final preparation with a half-mile work Friday in :48.80 (43/68) according to Churchill Downs release Friday afternoon. Working under jockey John Velzazquez and in company with fellow 'Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road), the Repole Stables-owned runner worked through fractions of :12.80, :24.80, :36.80 and :48.80 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.60, six furlongs in 1:12.60 and seven-eights in 1:26. “I'm very, very happy with the work,” indicated trainer Todd Pletcher. FIERCENESS worked a half-mile in company with AGATE ROAD for HOF trainer Todd Pletcher. #KyDerby150 :48.80@JoeyDaKRacing & @RosieNapravnik take you through his work. pic.twitter.com/c5d2Oix8bj — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 26, 2024 Also potentially working towards the Derby, Endlessly (Oscar Performance) breezed his half-mile in :47.80 (19/68) for Amerman Racing with Umberto Rispoli aboard. “All options are now open,” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “I liked his move this morning, very pleased with it. Now we'll see what's next. I'm going to have a conversation with Mr. Amerman now and see what we're going to do.” Several Derby contenders had routine gallops Friday morning ahead of scheduled works Saturday. The list of gallopers included: Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser), Catching Freedom (Constitution), Encino (Nyquist), Just a Touch (Justify), Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), Domestic Product (Practical Joke), Dornoch (Good Magic), Society Man (Good Magic), Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}), Mystik Dan (Goldencents), Resilience (Into Mischief), Track Phantom (Quality Road) and Stronghold (Ghostzapper). Ahead of next Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks, trainer Brad Cox sent out both Gin Gin (Hightail) and 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini) for their final works. The pair breezed together, finishing in :59.60 (5/25) and :59.20 (2/25) respectively. “I thought the move was very strong,” said Cox. “Tarifa started just behind Gin Gin and they both finished up well together and galloped out strong. A good, solid move. We're looking forward to getting them ready for next Friday.” Tarifa (5F :59.20) and Gin Gin (5F :59.60) competing their final works before the #KyOaks. pic.twitter.com/mHk2kERJ0N — Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 26, 2024 Also working was Into Champagne (Into Mischief) who completed five furlongs in 1:00 (11/25) for Ian Wilkes, Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) (five furlongs in :59.40 {3/25}), Where's My Ring (Twirling Candy) (four furlongs in :46.60 {5/68}) and Manama Gold (Star Guitar), who was withdrawn from Oaks consideration by trainer Todd Pletcher following her work. “She worked OK this morning (half mile in :48.60), but she got real tired at the end of it,” Pletcher said. “She looks like she has the makings of a good filly, but we're going to need some more time to work with her before she's ready to go. We won't be putting her in the Oaks.” Gallopers on the morning included: Just FYI (Justify), Lemon Muffin (Collected), Regulatory Risk (Omaha Beach) and Ways and Means (Practical Joke). The post Fierceness, Other Contenders Get Final Derby Preps In The Books appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aging veterans and promising younger rivals await Japan's longest grade 1, the April 28 Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto Racecourse.View the full article

Repole Stable's Fierceness works four furlongs in :48 4/5 under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez April 26 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

The 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) was a frenetic experience for Jason Loutsch and the rest of the Albaugh Family Stables team.View the full article

Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, and California Spangle carry the local banner as Hong Kong celebrates the second big international day of the 2023-24 season.View the full article

1st-Keeneland, $79,675, Msw, 4-26, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.35, fm, 1 1/4 lengths. SATURDAY FLIRT (f, 2, Mendelssohn–Dragic {MSP, $104,350}, by Broken Vow) raced near the rear of the field on this unveiling, biding her time in cover as the frontrunners put up :21.89 and :45.18 early splits. Swung seven wide to the grandstand side as they rolled into the stretch, Saturday Flirt closed relentlessly but managed to overhaul 28-1 longshot Bois Blanc (First Samurai) in the late stages to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Out of a half-sister to the late champion MGISW Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) and to GISW Echo Town (Speightstown), the victress is the second winner to the races for Dragic. That mare, who also claims GSW J Boys Echo (Mineshaft) as a half-brother as well as GSP Unbridled Outlaw (Unbridled's Song), delivered a 2024 Gun Runner colt this spring. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $45,880. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B/T-Wesley A. Ward (KY). (7) Saturday Flirt storms down the center of the track to win the closing day opener, adding another victory for current leading jockey @iradortiz and trainer Wesley Ward. pic.twitter.com/Iz8ENNAOEe — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 26, 2024 The post Mendelssohn’s Saturday Flirt Strikes at First Asking on Keeneland’s Closing Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the calm before the storm that will be next weekend's GI Kentucky Derby, a lone pair of graded turf races offer opportunities for older horses on the West Coast Saturday. Golden Gate Fields, whose closure was announced last year, cards their final GIII San Francisco Mile S. A full field of 12 lines up for the one-mile contest and while the race is open for those 3-years-old and up, the youngest runner is Blaine Wright's 4-year-old Clovisconnection (Vronsky). The class appears to be deepest amongst the 5-year-olds with Phil D'Amato's Balnikhov (Ire) (Adaay {Ire}) making his 13th straight graded-stakes start dating back to Sept. 2022. Last year's winner, Banikhov will have to again hold off the longshot third-place finisher from 2023 in Il Bellator (Shackleford), another 5-year-old for Edward and Theresa DeNike and Jose Bautista. Also of note will be the speedy Astronomer (Air Force Blue) making his first start of the year for Simon Callaghan. Further south at Santa Anita, older fillies and mares also go one mile in the GIII Royal Heroine S. Reddam Racing homebred Stay and Scam (Square Eddie) will look to play “catch me if you can” with the rest of the field. The 4-year-old has hit the board in nine of 11 starts, including wining two of her last three. Second after relinquishing the lead late in her first try over course and distance in the GIII Wilshire S. last out Apr. 4, the Chief Stipe O'Neill trainee will look to last this go round. Breaking just to her inside is the 5-year-old mare Uncorked (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}), an Australian invader making her first start for Phil D'Amato after a consistent career on the East Coast with Brittany Russell. Also entered for D'Amato is GII Megahertz S. winner Bellabel (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}). Continuing to try her hand on the turf for John Shirreffs is 'TDN Rising Star' Justique (Justify) who will be happy to hear that Richard's Mandella's Ruby Nell (Bolt d'Oro) is not an entry here after running behind that filly in four of her last five starts. The post All Eyes On The California Grass For Saturday’s Graded Action appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article