Wandering Eyes

GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day) and GI Pegasus World Cup victor National Treasure (Quality Road) departed Santa Anita for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Tuesday in advance of their expected next starts in the Saudi Cup Feb. 24. Per Santa Anita Stable Superintendent Jeff Metz, Richard Mandella will send Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah) and potentially Planetario (Brz) (Il Doge {Brz}) for starts on the Saudi Cup undercard. After spending nearly 12 hours in the holding barn at Santa Anita, the Saudi-bound contingent will leave for Los Angeles International Airport at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning. They will go first to Miami via Mersant International where they will be joined by a group of Eastern-based horses for the 13-hour trip to Riyadh. The post White Abarrio, National Treasure Depart Santa Anita For Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's GIII Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita was a big test for the Bob Baffert-trained filly and 'TDN Rising Star' Kinza (Carpe Diem). She was coming off a scintillating maiden win in which she got a 96 Beyer, but was facing a much stronger challenge in the one-mile stakes. Not only did she have to prove she could go two turns, but she was facing another potential star in the undefeated Kopion (Omaha Beach), the winner of the GIII Santa Ynez S. On paper, this was a match race. But Kinza turned it into a one-horse show. She only won by two lengths, but at no point did it look like Kopion could pass the front-running Baffert filly. Kinza got a 93 Beyer to cement her status as the fastest 3-year-old filly in training. Under normal circumstances, this performance would have stamped Kinza as the clear early favorite for the GI Kentucky Oaks. But there is nothing normal about this year's Oaks or, for that matter, the GI Kentucky Derby. Kinza, a New York-bred, won't be allowed to run in the Oaks because Baffert was banned by Churchill Downs shortly after Medina Spirit (Protonico) tested positive for betamethasone after crossing the wire first in the 2021 Derby. The same goes for his colts. A week earlier, the Baffert-trained Nysos (Nyquist) looked like Triple Crown-winning material when crushing his opposition in the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Baffert also has 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic), the winner of the GII San Vicente S. and runner-up in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Nysos and Muth are one-two in the NTRA's 3-Year-Old poll. He also has 'TDN Rising Star' Maymum (Frosted), an impressive maiden winner who was entered in Sunday's sixth race at Santa Anita. In past years, most of Baffert's owners turned their horses over to other trainers, most notably Tim Yakteen, which made them eligible to run at Churchill. But this year, in a surprising display of loyalty, not one Baffert owner took a horse away from him. They put their loyalty to Baffert over their dreams of winning the Kentucky Derby. This wasn't supposed to happen. Baffert's Churchill ban was originally for two years, which meant he was supposed to be free and clear to run horses there this year. But on July 3, 2023, out of the middle of nowhere, the company announced that it was extending Baffert's ban at least through the end of 2024. It was a shocking development and it was unfair. Baffert's original penalties, which also included a 90-day suspension from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and a one-year ban from NYRA, were extremely harsh as it was considering the worst thing Baffert had done was to have positives that stemmed from overages of medications that in no way could be considered performance-enhancing. Since being handed the various suspensions and bans, Baffert has done nothing wrong. He has not had any more positives. He even went so far as to announce on Jan. 22 that he and Medina Spirit's owner Amr Zedan had dropped all legal actions regarding the Derby disqualification. It was an obvious peace offering, but one that was quickly and decisively dismissed by Churchill, which announced that the dropping of the lawsuits changed nothing. Baffert was still banned for, at the very least, all of 2024. This time, Churchill had gone too far. There's no doubt that their battle with Baffert had turned personal and when that happens, fairness and reason get tossed out the window. Punishing the trainer remained the priority. But now the script has flipped. That no Baffert horses, no Kinza, no Nysos, no Muth, no Maymum, will appear in Derby week stakes at Churchill will hurt Churchill a lot more than it will hurt Baffert. These will be races that will require asterisks because they did not include some of the best 3-year-old talent in the country. One theory was that the ban was extended because Churchill didn't want Baffert's return to overshadow the festivities being planned to celebrate the 150th running of the race. It looks like Churchill never imagined that the Baffert owners would effectively boycott the Derby. But that's exactly what has happened. And one of the results of that is the very situation Churchill had hoped to avoid is now going to happen. The major storyline all week will not be the 150th renewal of the race or whoever emerges as the main contenders. It will be all about the missing stars from the Baffert barn, the impact that will have on the race and how it has weakened this Kentucky Derby and this Kentucky Oaks. There's nothing anyone can do about it now. It's too late for Churchill to reconsider, not that they ever had any intention of doing so. The shot has been fired and it hit squarely in the corporate foot of Churchill Downs Inc. This was all so unnecessary. All they had to do was let Baffert back after the two-year ban ended. Instead, they kept moving the goal posts and double downed on what was a dubious punishment in the first place. This Derby and this Oaks will not be what they should be and Churchill has no one to blame but itself. Oh, well. At least it should be a good GI Preakness S. Maymun | Benoit John Pimental Doesn't Get a Break HISA/HIWU resolved its case against small-time trainer John Pimental last week. He has been handed a 15-month suspension and a fine of $10,000 for possession of banned thyroid medication, Thyro-L. Pimental also has an outstanding case against him for a methamphetamine positive. So he may be facing still more serious penalties. You can read more about his story and his case by clicking here. Yes, the rules are the rules and Pimental was not careful and did not properly dispose of the thyroid medication, even though he had a prescription to administer it to a stable pony. As for the methamphetamine positive, it almost has to be the result of human contamination. The bottom line is that the punishment does not come anywhere close to fitting the crime. John Pimental is not a cheat or a horse doper. At the very worst, he's guilty of not being careful when it came to the Thyro-L. Yes, HISA/HIWU is a work in progress and since HIWU got off and running last May, they have altered some of their policies and have been less draconian when it comes to catching and penalizing people for drug violations. But they haven't come far enough and the Pimental case is a prime example. By no means did he do anything to warrant a 15-month suspension and a $10,000 fine. HISA needs to hire a Vice President of Common Sense, someone who understands racing, understands what is cheating and what is not, and can put the brakes on the organization when they go after people like John Pimental. A Loaded Risen Star With the exception of Mandaloun (Into Mischief), who was awarded the win in the Kentucky Derby after Medina Spirit was disqualified, the GII Risen Star S. at the Fair Grounds has never produced a Kentucky Derby winner. That could easily change this year as the 2024 edition is loaded with talent. Trained by Chad Brown, Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) is a $2.3 million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase and will be favored. He was last seen closing from last to just miss by a nose in the GII Remsen S. He is clearly Brown's best chance yet to add a Derby win on to his record. He'll have to come into New Orleans ready to run as the competition includes Hall of Fame (Gun Runner), also bought at Saratoga as a yearling for $1.4 million, who is coming off an impressive maiden win for Steve Asmussen. Then there's GII Kentucky Jockey Club winner Honor Marie (Honor Code); Smarty Jones winner Catching Freedom (Constitution) and GIII Lecomte S. Winner Track Phantom (Quality Road). The post The Week In Review: It’s Not Just The Derby; Now Baffert Has Top Oaks Candidate As Well appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Oaklawn, $115,000, Msw, 2-11, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:39.82, sy, 3 lengths. MERASOL SUGAR (f, 3, Constitution–Chanel Number Mine, by Value Plus) put in a solid final work Feb. 3 (:48, 4f, 1/63) in preparation for her debut with Lasix here. As a 6-1 shot, the lone first timer in the field cruised to the lead heading into the first turn, and continued to set all the fractions up the backstretch and around the far turn. The homebred had plenty in reserve down the lane and she splashed home by three lengths over Happy Happy (Uncle Mo). The winner is a half-sister to Chanel's Legacy (Dominus), MSW & GSP, $413,144, and is her dam's last registered foal. Chanel Number Mine visited both Lookin At Lucky and McKinzie for the spring. Sales History: $95,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-H. Allen Poindexter (KY); T-John Alexander Ortiz. #2 MERASOL SUGAR ($15.20) wins the opener at Oaklawn in front-running fashion. This was the first start for the Poindexter Thoroughbreds homebred, who was ridden by @keithasm7 for trainer John Ortiz. pic.twitter.com/BDwmuUjQPC — TVG (@TVG) February 11, 2024 The post Constitution Filly Skims Slop To Break Maiden At Oaklawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Driver Penalties R Close | Amberley 6 February; careless driving; suspended 10-17 February inclusive. R May | Amberley 6 February; contacted track marker; fined $100. S Thornley | Amberley 6 February; careless driving; fined $250. B Hope | Amberley 6 February; careless driving; fined $300. J Stormont | NZ Metropolitan 2 February (heard NZ Metropolitan 9 February); use of whip; fined $400. C De Filippi | NZ Metropolitan 9 February; failed to drive horse to finish; suspended 12 February – 6 March inclusive. W House | NZ Metropolitan 9 February; out of position at start; fined $200. P Nairn | NZ Metropolitan 9 February; out of position at start; fined $200. R May | Hororata 11 February; out of position at start; fined $100. K Green | Northern Southland 18 January (heard Wairio 11 February); careless driving; suspended 12-22 February inclusive. Trainer Penalties S & A Telfer | Auckland 9 February; incorrect gear; fined $100. K Green | Wairio 11 February; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties CASITA BELLA | Amberley 6 February; broke in running; must complete trial. JOHANNA ARDEN | Amberley 6 February; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. NAZARETH | NZ Metropolitan 9 February; lame; veterinary clearance required. BEAT THE COVID | NZ Metropolitan 9 February; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. ON REPORT | Hororata 11 February; bled; stood down for 30 days and must complete trial with veterinary clearance including endoscopic examination required. KOWHAI SUMMIT | Hororata 11 February; slow recovery and lame; veterinary clearance required. VINCENT VEGA | Hororata 11 February; slow recovery and lame; veterinary clearance required. CHRIS KYLE | Hororata 11 February; reared at start; must complete standing start trial. HERE COMES JANE | Hororata 11 February; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. QUERCUS REBRA | Wairio 11 February; broke in running; must complete trial. SCOTT | Wairio 11 February; broke in running; must complete trial. Protest STYX JEWEL | NZ Metropolitan 9 February; excessive galloping in home straight; disqualified from 4th. The post 5-11 February 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Dog Penalties HOMEBUSH DELIGHT | Southland 7 February; turned in boxes; must complete trial. HOMEBUSH RICHIE | Southland 7 February; unsatisfactory performance; veterinary clearance required and must complete trial. PRYOR BALE | Christchurch 8 February; marring; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. MEGA PARTY | Christchurch 8 February; marring; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. Protests OPAWA CONAN | Christchurch 2 February 2023; raced with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from 7th. OPAWA CONAN | Christchurch 16 March 2023; raced with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from 1st. OPAWA CONAN | Christchurch 30 March 2023; raced with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from 7th. General Race 10 at Christchurch GRC meeting of 9 February was declared a No Race due to a fallen runner running back towards the field. Race 11 at Auckland GRC meeting of 11 February was declared a No Race due to a fallen runner being unable to be removed from the track. The post 5-11 February 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Champion Stakes (G1) winner King of Steel will return to Roger Varian's Newmarket yard this month after enjoying a three-month winter break at owner Amo Racing's base in Ireland, with big targets for 2024 in mind.View the full article

Following from the excellent feature by Emma Berry in discussion with Harry Sweeney in Thursday's TDN, I felt compelled to write in. I, like many breeders and fans alike, was disappointed when the news of Adayar, Hukum and Westover's departures filtered through. Through various debates/heated discussions with my colleagues and fellow industry members, the usual argument was thrown back – would you use them yourself? Are they commercial? Harry Sweeney's comments sparked a different debate in my mind. Theoretically we are all supposed to be breeding with the aim of producing top-class horses. By breeding for speed and the commercial market, are we really giving ourselves the best chance of achieving that goal? The Return of Mares suggests the majority believes it is, however the statistics suggest the opposite is true. In 146 runnings of the Group 1 sprints in Europe over the past 30 years, 71% (103) have been won by older horses with just 29% (43) won by three-year-olds and under. Let me make it clear that this is not to blame the connections of Hukum, Adayar and Westover who have simply looked for the best opportunity for their middle-distance stars in Japan. Only a fool would argue that these horses would be given a better chance at stud in Europe than they are going to enjoy in Japan. We all seem to know it's wrong so the question is why does it keep happening? Harry Sweeney rightly pointed out that there are only two Group 1 races at sprint distances in Japan in the JRA. Are today's breeders aware that there is only one Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds only in Europe? There are 11 Group 1 races over 10f-plus restricted to three-year-olds. If that's not enough to encourage breeders to move away from cheap speed and precocity, add in races over a mile or further and the number of age-restricted Group 1s for your three-year-old is 17. And if that's still not enough, what about the following: The only Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds only is over six furlongs so if your three-year-old sprinter is a 5f specialist, he/she will be taking on older horses from the day they turn three. In 2023, Bradsell and Shaquille were the only three-year-olds to win one of 14 Group 1s over 5f-6f in Europe. In the past 20 years, only three three-year-olds have won the King's Stand Stakes. Four three-year-olds won the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in the 20 years prior to it becoming restricted to four-year-olds and older in 2015 following the formation of the Commonwealth Cup (the only G1 sprint for three year olds only). Eight three-year-olds have won the July Cup in the past 20 years. Five three-year-olds have won the Prix Maurice de Gheest in the past 20 years . Four three-year-olds and one two-year-old have won the Nunthorpe in the past 20 years. Nine three-year-olds have won the Haydock Sprint Cup in the same period. In six runnings as a Group 1, the Flying Five Stakes has been won twice by three-year-olds. The Prix de l'Abbaye has been won six times by three-year-olds and once by a two-year-old in the past 20 years. Granted it may not be quite as black and white as Japan's lone pair of Group 1 sprints. However, that's at JRA tracks only versus the entirety of the Pattern in Europe. If the perceived time and patience, and thus extra cost, is your deterrent from breeding middle-distance horses the evidence suggests a change of direction. The best chance of striking at the highest level is undoubtedly with middle-distance horses and if you're not trying to give yourself the best chance of being the best then what's the point? Harry's reasons behind Japan's key focus seem equally applicable here in theory but for some unfortunate reason, not in practice. Sincerely, Laura Joy, Ireland The post Letter to the Editor: Middle-Distance Focus is a Breeder’s Best Bet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The growing supremacy of the Willie Mullins stable in National Hunt racing begs the question: is it damaging anybody or anything? Dominance is the raison d'etre of elite sport. When Rafa Nadal was winning 14 French Open tennis titles it never entered his head that what he was doing might be harmful to the game. Manchester City won't be thinking that five Premier League title wins in six seasons is quite enough, thank you very much, and that to make it six in seven would be detrimental. If you're preaching against reigns and dynasties, you might as well chastise the tide for going in and out. But the issue raised by the Mullins operation's brilliant scouting and training of jump racers isn't about his right to annex the sport. The small flares of disquiet relate more to the effect it might have on public enjoyment, other trainers and owners, betting turnover and the sport's profile at a time when National Hunt racing is bedevilled by small fields and worrying economic indicators. Let's lay out the stats. Mullins is even money to train more winners at this year's Cheltenham Festival than Great Britain (one trainer versus a whole country) He has 14 ante-post favourites for the 28 races at next month's meeting. At the recent Dublin Racing Festival he won all eight Grade 1 races and saddled 29 of the 48 Grade 1 runners Ten of the last 13 Cheltenham Festival leading trainer's titles have made their way back to his base in County Carlow Entries for this year's Supreme, Ballymore, Albert Bartlett and Triumph revealed a total of 80 names from the Mullins yard Nobody disputes the skill (and wealth) required to spot, buy, train and deliver horses capable of overwhelming Henry de Bromhead, Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls and Gordon Elliott. Henderson, it should be said, has the best horse in National Hunt training – Constitution Hill. The Mullins numbers are powerless to negate that reality. The hard part is knowing when success becomes weaponised – and starts to do harm. Dissenting voices are few. Richard Johnson, the former champion jockey, is an admirer of Mullins, but sounded an ominous note in a recent discussion with BoyleSports bookmakers. Johnson said: “It definitely is not good for racing. It is not good for competitive sport. When you are looking at the racing at Dublin last weekend people were saying Irish racing is so strong. It's not Irish racing. It's Willie Mullins who is so strong.” Johnson's belief that Mullins is distorting the Anglo-Irish balance of power is contradicted by this year's Grand National entries. Astonishingly: 61 of the 94 are trained in Ireland (54 was the previous high). Another part of Johnson's lament is the repetitive nature of the storyline, which you could also sometimes diagnose in Flat racing, with Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore. “Looking at more of the same isn't great and doesn't encourage new people into our sport,” Johnson said. Is this true? Plenty on the other side point to Tiger Woods and Usain Bolt and ask whether interest dipped when golf and Olympics sprinting felt like pageants. In his Daily Mail column at the weekend, ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin wrote: “Of course, true sport relies on competition but does the might of Mullins threaten to ruin Cheltenham? Not for one second. The archetypal racegoer to Cheltenham, or ITV viewer, simply wants a good time and a bet, especially an each-way one.” Evidence to prove an exodus by punters put-off by odds-on favourites constantly 'going in' for Mullins would be hard to find, given the other possible socio-economic explanations for betting turnover fluctuations. And so far rival trainers are understandably wary of graffitiing the Mullins legend with accusations of unfairness. Mullins is only six short of a century of Cheltenham Festival winners and we can expect the 100 to be reached next month at a course where, in 2022, he won a record 10 of the 28 races. Having 29 of the 86 entries for the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle is only one illustration of his power to swarm the biggest targets. In football and other team sports, when a trophy is being raised and the tickertape is falling, a journalistic reflex prompts us to ask: is this the start of a dynasty, should everyone else panic, is a new age of dominance upon us? With Liverpool in the 1970s and 80s – yes. With Manchester United subsequently – yes. With Manchester City now – yes. Often dominance entrances us. Sometimes it suggests imbalance, repetition, staleness, even injustice, if money is the real dominating force. The shadow debate in jump racing around the Mullins numbers hasn't shed much light on the effect on other good yards of owners taking the easy option of sending horses to Closutton, or on the polarisation of wealth in National Hunt racing, or whether racegoers and punters care who saddled the winner. One thing, we know: being too polite to even discuss those aspects is a quiet form of harm. The post Dominance is What Elite Sport is All About appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Monday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

Rider Penalties C Lindsay | Wairarapa 6 February; failed to ride horse to finish; suspended 7-20 February inclusive. M Singh | Wairarapa 6 February; use of whip; fined $350. T Moodley | Matamata 7 February; careless riding; suspended 18 February – 2 March inclusive. D Wilson | Southland 8 February; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 10 February). T Allan | Wanganui 9 February; careless riding; suspended 10-18 February inclusive. M McNab | Wanganui 9 February; medical clearance required. K Hercock | Wanganui 9 February; medical clearance required. J Doyle | Waikato 10 February; careless riding; suspended 12-23 February inclusive and fined $1,250. L Allpress | Waikato 10 February; use of whip; fined $250. O Bosson | Waikato 10 February; failed to make weight; fined $100. K Chowdhoory | Banks Peninsula 10 February; careless riding; suspended 18-24 February inclusive. R Harris | Non-raceday dated 8 February; rode trackwork while disqualified; disqualified 2 February – 2 August inclusive. T Moodley | Tauranga 11 February; careless riding; suspended 3-16 March inclusive. The post 5-11 February 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

It was a tougher first-up that had been hoped for, but star galloper Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) appears to have come through his rousing win in the Gr.1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield unscathed on Sunday morning. Co-trainer Ben Hayes said on Sunday that Mr Brightside’s effort to come off the canvas and run down dual Group 1 winner Pride Of Jenni took an immediate toll, but said he was confident the run would not upset the autumn plans for his five-time Gr.1 winner of nearly $12 million in stakes. “He was a bit tired this morning, but overall, we were happy,” Hayes said. “It was heart in your mouth stuff watching it, but he got his head down this time. “If he pulls up well, we’ll head in that direction towards the Futurity (Stakes). “It was a very hard first-up run. It depends on him, but we’ll watch the horse and see how he is. “He generally just gets better into a prep, which he has every prep, so I don’t think we’ll be too worried.” Mr Brightside finished a luckless fifth in his sole New Zealand start at Matamata for Ralph Manning, having previously won a trial. He was subsequently sold privately to clients of the Hayes stable via Australian agent Wayne Ormond and has now won 15 of his 30 starts. Mr Brightside is the firm favourite for the A$4 million All-Star Mile at Caulfield on March 16 at $3.50 after his Orr heroics. View the full article

A first-time defeat has not deterred connections of Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) from a potential Melbourne raid this autumn, with next month’s Gr.1 Australian Guineas still a possible target. Crocetti won his first seven races before narrowly falling short in the Gr.1 BCD Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday behind Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy), but co-trainer Danny Walker said on Sunday that a decision remained on whether he will chase the Group One classic at Flemington. “He is a chance, but we are going to make a decision later in the week,” Walker said. “We haven’t had an in-depth look, but we are just waiting to see how he comes through the race. He seems good so far, but well give him a few days and work out what we are going to do.” The Australian Guineas was won last year by star filly Legarto. Walker said he felt Saturday’s run was a taxing one for Crocetti as he chased from a long way out, so he was keen to give the horse a few days before confirming his plans. “He had to really push hard yesterday, which he did,” Walker said. “He was game and we were happy. We just want to make a decision that’s in the best interest of the horse. “We’ll look at his long-term future. I think he’s a nice 1400 metres to a mile horse, who may get further as he gets older and stronger.” Australian bookmakers have kept Crocetti safe for the March 3 classic, marking him the second favourite behind the Ciaron Maher-trained colt King Colorado. View the full article

It was a magical ten minutes for broodmare Geordie Girl on Saturday as two of her progeny won feature races in succession. Within moments of glamour four-year-old mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) taking the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, her older half-sister Emanon (NZ) (Burgundy) put her eleventh career win on the board by claiming the C S Stevens Memorial Banks Peninsula Cup (1100m) at Riccarton. While there may not have been as much focus and hoopla around Emanon as there was for the Legarto victory, her core group of supporters were there to cheer on the model of consistency as she defied the late challenge of the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Millefiori with a display of sheer determination after leading most of the way down the long Riccarton home straight. Rider Abdul Najib made good use of his 3kg apprentice claim to settle his mount just off the speed set up by Spartan before tackling the pacemaker rounding the home bend. Emanon pinned her ears back and went for gold, refusing to yield to Millefiori who dashed at her late but failed by a long neck to gather her in with Spartan a similar margin away in third. Leased to Orari-based trainer Lionel Dobbs and his wife Janine Young by her breeder Warwick Jeffries, Emanon has now won over $300,000 for the couple. “She has been knocking on the door lately so we made a small adjustment by taking off her tongue tie and that looks to have worked nicely,” Young said. “She is a real fighter who doesn’t like anything coming alongside her and that showed at the finish. “She is a dream to do anything with and is just getting stronger and stronger. We don’t gallop her much as she doesn’t need it and she is pretty relaxed about it all. “After the race we took her home and she had a roll and ate some grass and was pretty ho hum about it all. “She can have two or three days off now and then we will get her ready for another open race at Wingatui in a fortnight. “Abdul can ride her again as they seem to get on well and his 3kg claim is very handy.” Emanon arrived at the couple’s stable as a two-year-old and the pair have done all the work with her from day one. “We have a great relationship with Warwick and have had a fair few horses for him that he has sent us,” Young said. “He rang one day and said he had a two-year-old and would we like to race her on lease. “We said yes and when she arrived she had been broken in but not put through the gates or anything like that. “Lionel took her to get her barrier certificate and he rode her at about 80kgs and she jumped out, put two lengths on the others and never looked back from there. “She has won eleven races now and we need a bigger wall for all her photos. “The only problem is her lease runs out on the 1st of May and we are pretty sure Warwick will want to take her back. “We think she could be in for her best year next season so we will need to have a chat with him and see if we can get an extension as we think she can get some black type and add even more value towards her broodmare career.” Emanon comes from an extended family that traces back to outstanding juvenile Ballybrit who was crowned the 1974/75 season champion two-year-old of New Zealand. View the full article

Promising southern galloper Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) set himself up for a potentially lucrative payday on his home track at Riccarton in April when bolting home in the TAB Southern Alps Golden Ticket (1400m) qualifier at the venue on Saturday. The victory makes him exempt from ballot for the rich $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m), a new innovation event from the TAB to be run at Riccarton on 13 April for horses that have their trainers operating a premises in the South Island from 1 August last year, have been stabled at that premises since 31 December and have run at least twice in the South Island since that date. Mystic Park and trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman more than fulfil those criteria and will be looking forward to the new event with plenty of anticipation after the four-year-old delivered a four length victory under a hold by rider Tina Comignaghi. Allowed to settle near the rear in the rating75 contest, Mystic Park relaxed nicely with Comignaghi sitting quietly before allowing him to sneak closer along the rail approaching the home turn. Angled three off the fence into clear air at the 300m he burst away from his rivals before easing down to defeat Divine Sava and Seven Twenty in a slick 1.22.03 for the 1400m journey. Michael Pitman has always believed the stable had a classy customer on their hands and the victory did nothing to dampen that opinion. “I said to his owners that I thought he could be a genuine Group One horse before he even had his first start and he has done nothing to dissuade me since then,” Pitman said. “He has always shown us plenty and he has one of the greatest temperaments that I have ever seen. “He is just so relaxed and as he is out of a Dubawi mare we don’t have any fears for him stepping out further than he did today. “Tina came back in and said he did it very easily and was just so chill all the way so we have a lot to look forward to.” Pitman can’t wait for the Southern Alps challenge to roll around with plans to be made on how best to get him to the race where he now has a guaranteed start. “He will probably have one more run before now and the big one in April so we will be working back from that date to see where best to place him,” he said. “When you know you are in a race like that it takes a lot of the pressure off and we think he is going to be a big chance as he has been looking for more ground and the mile should suit him perfectly. “It is a real buzz for his owners and they have been very loyal to the stable so if we can reward them with a win it would be a great result for everyone.” Offered by Kilgravin Lodge during the 2021 Book 1 Sale at Karaka, Mystic Park was purchased by Pitman for $40,000 and has now taken his record to four wins from just eight career starts. He is a son of Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park and is out of the Dubawi mare Spirit Of Karlu who traces back to numerous Australian stakes performers including the Gr.1 Australia Stakes (1200m) winner Stella Cadente. View the full article

Progressive intermediate galloper Kingfisher (NZ) (Savabeel) bounced back to winning form with an impressive victory in Rating75 company over 1200m at Te Rapa on Saturday. Sporting the famous Fletcher tartan colours carried with distinction by horses of the calibre of triple Gr.1 Railway Handicap (1200m) winner Mr Tiz, the four-year-old son of Savabeel was having his third run in a summer campaign following an initial preparation that yielded three wins from just eight starts. Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott went into the race with a high degree of confidence and with former South African rider Billy Jacobson in the saddle their charge duly delivered after enjoying a perfect trip in the trail throughout. Jacobson bided his time until a gap appeared on the inner of pacemaker In Extasy and burst to the lead at the 250m. Tracked through by Bea A Roca, Kingfisher maintained a solid gallop to land the major spoils with Insatiable making good ground out wide to finish third. O’Sullivan admitted the stable were keen on the chances of Kingfisher and he duly obliged. “The gate made all the difference and Billy gave him a great ride,” O’Sullivan said. “Andrew and I thought he was our best chance for the day, which is easy to say afterwards but Andrew was very confident. “It is just a matter of going through the grades with him now as he must be getting close to open company. “He will be better next season so we have no major plans with him, but it’s nice to win a good race on a day like this.” Jacobsen admitted he couldn’t have scripted a better passage during the race. “I had a dream run and that’s the way I had envisaged it would be,” he said. “When I was coming around the last bend I said lets go it’s time to win. “When I got off the horse last time I said please keep me on as I will win on him and I’m very thankful that they did. “I’ve had a fairly quiet patch of late but you have to stay positive and I drove here this morning thinking that I could win this race.” Kingfisher is out of the five-race winner Kaleidoscope who is a daughter of dual Australian Group Two winner Arletty and is closely related to former New Zealand Three-year-old of the Year Xtravagant. He has now won four of his eleven starts for breeders Dame Sian Elias and Hugh Fletcher who share in his ownership with Natalie Walker and Ned Fletcher. View the full article

While the headliners of Te Akau Racing were chasing black-type honours at Te Rapa on Saturday, four of the first six victors at Riccarton Park donned the tangerine silks. Te Akau’s southern contingent, handled by stable foreman Hunter Durrant, got off to a flying start in the opener claiming the Riccarton Park Function Centre Maiden (1600m) with Beau Brummell (NZ) (Embellish). Sired by former Te Akau star Embellish, Beau Brummell was a strong public elect closing the $2.80 TAB favourite, and stable apprentice Niranjan Parmar found a comfortable position early in behind a hotly-contested lead. The three-year-old loomed into winning contention at the top of the straight, and once Parmar found clear air, he dashed away by an extending three-length margin to Bellutta and the fast-finishing Zlatna. “He’s taken a bit of time to mature, but Hunter and the team have got him going really well from our stables at Riccarton,” Te Akau co-trainer Mark Walker said. Walker indicated the gelding may venture further South next Saturday to contest the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1600m), a potential first attempt in stakes company at his fourth start. “Parmar gave him a good trip behind the leaders, and now he’s strengthened, he may handle the week between runs. We’ll wait and see,” he said. Another breaking maidens in style was Lady Of Court (NZ) (Savabeel), the Savabeel filly also rewarding punters in her southern debut when claiming the Alastair Gray Memorial Maiden (1400m) as the $3.70 favourite. Settling midfield from barrier five under Parmar, Lady Of Court travelled strongly into the bend before descending down the centre of the long Riccarton straight, eventually chasing down a brave pacemaker in Rubicon Reigns to score by a length. “She’s been knocking on the door and it was a really good winning run,” Walker said. “She’s slowly learning to relax better in her races, and we’ll give her the opportunity of competing in a stakes race.” A half-sister to Te Akau sprinting stalwart Challa, Lady Of Court will now chase black-type in three weeks’ time at Wingatui in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m). An inexperienced four-horse juvenile field made the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1000m) an easy watch for Te Akau, with runaway winner Quintefeuille (Xtravagant) bringing up a winning treble in the fourth on the ten-race card. The son of Xtravagant had finished runner-up in his sole race-day appearance to stablemate Damask Rose, who went on to place second in the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at her next start. Looking the unbeatable favourite as indicated by his $1.10 TAB quote, the gelding outclassed his three rivals by a significant margin to score by six lengths, Parmar having eased him down in the final 100m. “It was a really good win, and while not sure about the strength of opposition, he certainly did it pretty easily,” Walker said. “It’s only his second start, so he’ll only improve for the experience and age. We’ll see how he pulls up before planning his next race.” Completing their successful winning quartet was progressive filly Superbly Written (Written Tycoon), the three-year-old producing a comprehensive performance in the GM Accounting & Consulting Rating 65 (1200m). Superbly Written showed early promise in narrowly defeating subsequent Group Three winner Still Bangon at her second start, and regained that winning form down the chute, with Parmar keeping the filly wide from the 13 draw, before swamping the leaders to score by 1 and ¾ lengths. “She’s putting together a good record, starting to mature, and it was a big effort to win the way she did today,” Walker said. Alongside stablemate Lady Of Court, Superbly Written will contest the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) on March 2 at her next appearance. Embellish gelding Plenty O’Style and consistent mare Millefiori also finished runner-up in their respective races, capping a stellar day in the south for Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson. “It’s great to have the stables at Riccarton, where Hunter Durrant and the staff are doing such a good job, and the trip away and being stabled down south is quite often the making of horses,” Walker said. The victories also saw Parmar storm into the lead of the domestic apprentice’s premiership with 35 winners for the season, surpassing Central Districts-based Lily Sutherland who currently sits on 33. View the full article

Pierre Ng’s exciting speedster contests the red-hot Class Two Yue Yee Handicap (1,200m), while Mugen also features on Sha Tin’s 11-race card on MondayView the full article

Endlessly (Oscar Performance) got back in the winner's circle and earned himself a trip to the Triple Crown's middle jewel with a win in Saturday's El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate. Having gone three for three to start his career, including wins in both the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. and the GIII Zuma Beach S., the son of Oscar Performance tried his hand at the top level but came up empty when eighth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last November. Nominated to the Triple Crown series despite never having started on anything but the grass, Endlessly took the synthetic surface at Golden Gate with style. Breaking from the outside, the 3-5 favorite had only one rival beat passing the wire the first time by and he remained in a trailing position into the backstretch as several longshots traded turns on the lead. Put to a ride by Umberto Rispoli into the far turn, Endlessly responded in kind and began to eat into the leader's advantage to be amongst the top trio as the field swung into the stretch. With a late charge down the center of the track, the colt secured the win. #6 ENDLESSLY ($3.40) rallied down the stretch to win Golden Gate's $100,000 EL Camino Real Derby and earn a Preakness Stakes berth. This is the third stakes victory for the Amerman Racing homebred , who was ridden by @umpyrispoli for @mwmracing. pic.twitter.com/5qJjwdVl9w — TVG (@TVG) February 11, 2024 One of six stakes winners for Oscar Perfomance, Endlessly is out of a half-sister to the dams of GISW Coffee Clique (Medaglia d'Oro), MGSW Admission Office (Point of Entry) and MGSP Royal Fury (Langfuhr). Dream Fuhrever produced this runner's full-brother last year. The post Endlessly Stamps Preakness Ticket With El Camino Real Derby Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Named Bertinelli and trained by Aidan O’Brien pre-import, Frankie Lor’s impeccably bred charge lines up in Monday’s Class Three Red Packet Handicap (1,600m) at Sha TinView the full article

In his first start as a 3-year-old and first effort in a race not contested on turf, Endlessly proved up to the challenge in the $100,000 El Camino Real Derby Feb. 10 at Golden Gate Fields.View the full article

Midlantic-based trainer Cal Lynch celebrated the 1000th victory of his training career when Mosler Time took out the Saturday finale at Laurel Park. The 4-year-old gelding covered six furlongs on the main track in 1:12.25 in the claiming event for 3-, 4- and 5-year-old maidens and comes one day after Forest Boyce marked 1000 wins in the saddle at Laurel. “I'm delighted for everybody that's helped get to this point. It's all about the team,” he said. “A thousand winners, a lot of people helped get there. A lot of owners and horses in 30-odd years of doing this. It's my name on there but it's because everybody did their part. We're delighted.” Lynch, 49, came to the U.S. in 1996 from Northern Ireland at the age of 19 after gaining experience training off his father's farm. His younger brother, former English apprentice champion Feargal, rides on the Maryland circuit. According to Equibase statistics, Lynch's first training win came with Aneissa Chocolate Apr. 11, 1997, at old Garden State Park in New Jersey, winning his first stakes with Holiest Punch in the 2001 Bold Josh Handicap at The Meadowlands. He spent 12 years based at Parx before relocating to Maryland in 2016. Lynch has won the first of his three graded-stakes with Javerre (Outflanker) in the 2013 GIII General George S. at Laurel. The other two came in the 2017 GIII Jerome S. and GIII Withers S. with El Areeb, who missed the Triple Crown series after suffering a knee fracture after running third in the Gotham. “We're not done yet,” Lynch added. “I'll [look back] that when we're sitting on a beach in Florida in like 20 more years. Right now, we'll enjoy today. I just got back from the barn doing the feed. We'll be back out there tomorrow morning and the day I don't want to do that, that's the day I'll start looking back. We have a lot of really nice young horses coming in and a good barn full of horses here. I'm very, very lucky to be able to do this every day.” The post Lynch Earns 1000th Training Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Monday, February 12, 2024 First Race 12:30pm HKT (3:30pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing heads to Sha Tin for a rare Monday meeting, with the Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup (1400m) headlining a blockbuster 11-race program. The rail is in the A position for the afternoon, and with no rain likely to hinder proceedings for locals, all participants should anticipate stellar conditions for racing. The opening event is set to get underway at 12:30pm local time. Chinese New Year Cup: Mugen Only a small field of six gallopers have accepted for the Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup (1400m), and although this might be a tricky setup for our top selection, we’re confident Mugen can produce in the grade at the first time of asking. He monstered his rivals at this course and distance on January 21, as the son of Deep Field flew by his opposition to score by two lengths in Class 2 company. He gets in on the minimum 52kg once again, and with this race likely to be a tactical affair, we’ll take the risk Mugen is versatile enough to get the job done in Monday’s Sha Tin feature. Chinese New Year Cup Race 8 – #6 Mugen (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Karis Teetan (52kg) Bet with Unibet Best Bet at Sha Tin: Ka Ying Rising Ka Ying Rising has been nosed out in his last two starts by an ultra-impressive Wunderbar and finally gets away from that key rival on Monday. Prior to those efforts, the son of Shamexpress produced an eye-catching victory at this track and trip on December 3, continuing his strong campaign, and despite finishing runner-up on both occasions, the three-year-old cleared out on all other runners. He appears ready to peak fourth-up now, and with Zac Purton electing to stick aboard Ka Ying Rising, we’ll take that as the ultimate guide heading into Monday. Best Bet Race 7 – #4 Ka Ying Rising (2) 3yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Galaxy Patch Galaxy Patch will be seeking to maintain his undefeated record on the Sha Tin turf course and continue his meteoric rise through the grades. The four-year-old is looking to notch his fourth win on the trot after storming through the wire in his latest start, careering away with the prize by 1.5 lengths. He did it so with relative ease for Karis Teetan, sitting mid-field throughout the journey before blousing his rivals. He only needs to reproduce that effort on Monday, and if he does, Galaxy Patch may be targeting much bigger targets in the future. Next Best Race 10 – #5 Galaxy Patch (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Karis Teetan (59.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Value at Sha Tin: Parterre Parterre has been crying out for a step back in grade for some time and finally gets his chance to compete in Class 4 company for the first time this season. The gelding by Flower Alley has been far from disgraced against tougher opposition, finishing five lengths away from the likes of Wunderbar and Ka Ying Rising in his latest attempt. The seven-year-old has only found himself in this grade on two occasions, with his last effort also being his last victory in July of 2023. He maps to get the one-one if he can hold a position from gate three, and provided the breaks fall his way, Parterre should be right in this. Best Value Race 3 – #1 Parterre (3) 7yo Gelding | T: Chris So | J: Lyle Hewitson (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Hong Kong quaddie tips – 12/2/2024 Sha Tin quadrella selections Monday, February 12, 2024 6 1-3-5-6-7-8-12 1-2-3-4-5-13 1-6-7-12-13-14 Horse racing tips View the full article

Alice Springs trainer Terry Gillett with apprentice Dylan Stanley and wife Leanne after Great Buy saluted at Pioneer Park on Saturday. Trainer Terry Gillett won last year’s Pioneer Sprint (1200m) with Supreme Attraction – he might win Alice Springs’ premier sprint race again in April with Great Buy. Seven-year-old gelding Great Buy made it five wins from 12 starts for Gillett with victory over 1100m (BM76) at Pioneer Park on Saturday. Having raced for Ballarat trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy and Dubbo trainer Brett Robb, Helmet’s son has starred since making his Red Centre debut last February. He finished in the top four in four of his first five starts, but since October it’s been five wins and two seconds. Returning after seven weeks, Great Buy ($3.60) worked hard in the home straight when forced five-wide before downing Ray Viney’s Kickatorp ($4.60), who rattled home along the fence, by 0.7 lengths with Dick Leech’s Kerioth ($7) third. If the Pioneer Sprint as exciting as Saturday’s race then the Alice Springs Turf Club can feel excited as five horses were in contention with 100m left to go. Gillett’s Brat and Kerioth led turning for home before Great Buy and Kickatorp – sixth passing the 800m – entered the equation. Lisa Whittle’s Mighty Murt ($2.45 fav), who defeated Supreme Attraction two weeks ago, was also some chance despite being forced four deep. Great Buy sealed his fourth win from his past five starts, however Kickatorp, Kerioth, Mighty Murt (fourth) – cramped for room at a critical stage – and Brat (fifth) impressed. For Wellington apprentice Dylan Stanley, Great Buy’s rider because of his 3kg claim, it was his first Alice Springs win since partnering Gillett’s Future Dreams in July 2021. Stanley, 21, concussed when dislodged from his mount in Darwin in December, is back riding in Central Australia for three months for Gillett. Kerry Petrick had four of the five runners over 1600m (0-70) with Venting ($2.80), ridden by Paul Denton, leading all the way before prevailing by 2.5 lengths from stablemate Boom Boom Sweet ($4.80) and Viney’s Quizzle ($2.15 fav). Venting, with two wins from his past three starts, and Boom Boom Sweet led by six lengths passing the 800m and Quizzle couldn’t bridge the gap. A former NT Derby winner, Venting is a five-year-old gelding by Star Witness. Petrick’s The Girl’s Boy ($31), a four-year-old gelding by Rageese, had the bookies cheering when Phil Crich sealed an emphatic win by 3.5 lengths over 1200m (Class 2). Settling in third place, The Girl’s Boy charged home to overcome fast-finishing backmarkers L’esperance Rock ($5) and Bean Shoppin’ ($10), representing the Whittle and Barry Cooke yards. Excuses Excuses ($2.70 fav), lumping 60.5kg, continued his good form when he made it three wins from five starts for Whittle after toppling Gardner’s Gunnerside ($51) and Viney’s Tango Stepz ($21) over 1000m (0-64). An eight-year-old gelding by Kaphero, Excuses Excuses – second in his other two starts for Whittle – jumped well from a wide gate and sat second behind Gunnerside before taking over at the 200m to win by 1.6 lengths. After missing Friday’s Darwin meeting through suspension, Stan Tsaikos was the winning rider. In the 1100m three-year-old event, Dan Morgan’s gelding Don’t Be Dramatic ($1.35 fav) made it two wins from three starts after outclassing Gardner’s Better Not Fuss ($7) and stablemate Fairytale Bliss ($6) by 4.3 lengths. Don’t Be Dramatic (61kg), with Denton on board, shared the lead when he sat outside Don’t Be Dramatic before the son of Super One sprinted clear in the home straight. Horse racing news View the full article

Saving ground under Joel Rosario, Missed the Cut slips up the inside exiting the final turn of the Feb. 10 San Marcos Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park to outfinish Planetario by 1 1/4 lengths.View the full article

On the heels of an awe-inspiring debut victory, Kinza justified her even-money favoritism and defeated more experienced rivals in the $100,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) Feb. 10 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article