Wandering Eyes

All eyes were on Eclipse Award and runaway GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Fierceness (City of Light) making his seasonal return in the GIII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream Park. The tote read 1-5 on the champ, but the Repole homebred was out of gas when push game to shove and in a bit of an oddly run race, D J Stable and Robert Cotran's HADES (g, 3, Awesome Slew–The Shady Lady, by Quality Road) controlled a moderate tempo, slipped away from Fierceness in the final furlong and held off Domestic Product (Practical Joke) for a 9-1 upset and 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Hades was driven away from gate one by Paco Lopez, and Fierceness was also given a dig by John Velazquez in an effort to gain some forward position, but Fierceness did get fired up a bit as a result. Hades made the running fron Inveigled (Enticed) and a three-wide Fierceness and sensing a slow speed, Velazquez sent Fierceness into the lead a good three furlongs from home. Right alongside and in with every chance, Fierceness and Hades appeared to lightly brush inside the eighth pole and while the champion had no more to give, Hades kicked on to cause the surprise. Domestic Product sat an inside trip and got through at the fence into the stretch before going on to claim second. Hades is the second stakes winner and first at the graded level for his sire (by Awesome Again) and he is the 11th SW and fifth GSW out of a Quality Road dam. Sales history: $130,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record 3-3-0-0. O-D J Stable & Robert Cotran; B-Ocala Stud, Joseph M. O'Farrell III, David O'Farrell, et al (FL); T-Joe Orseno. What a run from HADES, who wins the Holy Bull Stakes! pic.twitter.com/kfH8kqwZ1e — NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 3, 2024 The post Hades Guts It Out In the Holy Bull As Fierceness Folds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Contribute strides to victory in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) for apprentice Ciel Butler. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The sensational summer form of Robbie Patterson’s New Plymouth stable kept on rolling on Saturday with his first win in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) on his home track. Contribute’s Cup victory was the 36th win of the season for Patterson, who now sits in fourth place on the New Zealand trainers’ premiership. He also saddled unbeaten three-year-old Shameless Boy to win an earlier race on Saturday’s card. Patterson’s runners have earned more than $1.6 million, with six black-type victories headed by Puntura’s treble in the Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m), Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). Mary Louise won the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and One Bold Cat took out the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m). “It’s been an amazing run, I can’t believe it,” Patterson said on Saturday. “I just hope it isn’t finished yet! “Everyone always wants to win their home-town Cup, so it was very special to win that race today. It’s amazing, really.” Contribute went into Saturday’s $120,000 race as the winner of four of her 19 career starts, including two in Queensland in August and September for Sunshine Coast trainers Stewart and Taylah Mackinnon. The six-year-old Contributer mare closed out her Australian stint with an unplaced finish at Eagle Farm in late October, then went out for a spell before returning to action with an eye-catching fifth in the Douro Cup (1600m) at Trentham on January 20. Saturday’s Taranaki Cup was just the second start of a new preparation for Contribute, and she rose to the occasion as the +400 favourite with top horse racing bookmakers. Ridden by Patterson’s apprentice Ciel Butler, Contribute settled in eighth place behind a fast pace set by tearaway leader Masetto. The defending Taranaki Cup champion Colorado Star dragged the field up behind that rival and hit the front soon after turning for home, but Contribute was looming ominously wider out on the track. Butler got her balanced up and then got her to change gears, striding forward and taking command with 200m remaining. Fellow Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb chased bravely down the outside, but Contribute was going too strongly and held her out by half a length. Hi Yo Sass Bomb finished second, two and a half lengths ahead of the third-placed Saint Alice. It was the first black-type win for Butler, who replaced Craig Grylls on the 53kg lightweight runner on the morning of the race. “I’m absolutely rapt for Ciel,” Patterson said. “Craig was going to take the ride, but he just wasn’t able to make the weight this morning. He’s been struggling with a bit of a virus lately, so that’s not his fault. “But Ciel thoroughly deserves this. She does all the work on this horse every day, and she had her in exactly the right place today.” Bred and raced by Ross Bellingham and Adrianne Gemmell, Contribute has now had 20 starts for five wins, seven placings and $184,755 in stakes. “This horse has done a bloody good job,” Patterson said. “She got back from Aussie and had a bit of time off. She ran really well over a mile first-up, then went straight into this good race a couple of weeks later. It was great to see her produce that sort of performance. “We’ll have to try to chase more black type from here. A race like the Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (Group 3, 2000m) might be a good option a bit further down the track.” More horse racing news View the full article

Darwin trainer Ella Clarke had her biggest ever win on Saturday when five-year-old gelding Pop Magic won the Darwin Turf Club’s $40,000 Wet Season Series Final (1200m) at Fannie Bay. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) Promising Darwin trainer Ella Clarke posted her biggest win on Saturday when Pop Magic saluted in the $40,000 Wet Season Series Final (1200m) at Fannie Bay. Pop Magic, a five-year-old gelding, has been a model of consistency for Clarke, 26, since arriving from Kris Lees’ Newcastle stable. In 14 starts since making his debut in May 2022, he has won five races and has finished second on four occasions – and that’s after returning from an injury suffered not long after relocating to the Top End. The son of Wandjina qualified for the Wet Season Final (0-70) after winning over 1100m (0-58) before finishing a narrow second over 1100m (0-64) in December. Pop Magic, ridden by Stan Tsaikos, jumped well from the inside barrier in the eight-horse field and settled on the fence before sharing the early lead with Phil Cole’s Fly Nice (+750). Chole Baxter’s Swing For Junior (Jade Hampson), who trailed Pop Magic on the rails, and Tom Logan’s Make An Effort (Sonja Logan) were the only serious threats to the leaders at the 400m approaching the final bend. However once turning for home Pop Magic kicked clear, to claim the Wet Season Series Final by 6.8 lengths clocking 1.08.24, paying +230 with top horse racing bookmakers. Fly Nice held on for second from Swing With Junior (+650), while last year’s runner up Lucky Dog (+3000) did well to finish fourth when he started labouring at the 400m. “It was a good win, it was always going to be a tough race,” Clarke said. “He drew a decent barrier, so he just had to make the most of it. “Stan did well to secure a good position – he knows the horse and what’s best for him. “If there was a lot of speed, Stan was going to sit off them. “If he could hold the front without too much effort then he was going to sit there and just go with the flow. “Pop Magic was cruising at the 800m, but I wasn’t sure if he was going to run the distance – he definitely proved that he could.” Clarke couldn’t fault Pop Magic’s consistency and that he has also maintained his form despite stepping up in grade. “In his last five starts, he’s had two wins and three seconds – lately he seems to impress me with every start,” she said. “Last start, he was stepping up in class and just got pipped on the line. “I wasn’t sure how he was going to handle going up in class as well, especially when he was under pressure.” Clarke confirmed that Pop Magic had issues after just four Darwin starts – he was sidelined for nine months. A recurring abscess in one foot and a suspected fractured pedal bone was the diagnosis, but since returning Pop Magic has finished first or second in seven of his past 10 starts. “He did run into a bit of trouble around two years ago,” Clarke said. “He hurt himself and I had to do a lot of rehab – he taught me a lot actually and he’s come through with no worries. “He just kept busting out with one of the worst abscesses I’ve ever seen on a horse. “We weren’t sure how he was going to come through that, but he did and he’s thriving at the moment.” With the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) and the Alice Springs Cup Carnival starting in March, Clarke – with 13 career wins – isn’t sure what lies ahead for Pop Magic. Right now, it’s a case of going back to the drawing board and finding the right races. “His future is bright if he keeps going the way he’s going,” Clarke laughed. “There are no big plans, but if he does kick on then maybe the Palmerston Sprint. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, I’ll just cruise along with him at this stage.” More horse racing news View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Sunday, February 4. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these complimentary promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximize your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for February 4, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Bunbury All Races – Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back If 1 Leg Fails Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Bunbury this Sunday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Market available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Sunshine Coast Race 1 – Run 2nd or 3rd Score Up To $100 Bonus Cash Enter the Bonus Code BONUS100 on the Bonus Bets/Offers page, place a fixed win bet on Sunshine Coast race 1 and if your selection runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $100 in Bonus Cash. One Bonus per week. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo 10 Again!! Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Max bonus $100. First bet only (including SRM) at Murwillumbah, Sale & Sapphire Coast. Paid in bonus cash. Must use available balance. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Sunday Bonus Back 2nd on ALL RACES at Sha Tin Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed Odds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for February 4, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimize your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Horse Racing on Sunday, February 4 will feature six meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Sale, Sapphire Coast & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday Racing Tips – February 4, 2024 Sale Racing Tips Sapphire Coast Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For February 4, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $41.12 odds return: Sunday, February 4, 2024 Sapphire Coast – Race 2 #4 Ghaznavi Sapphire Coast – Race 5 #7 I’m A Steel Sale – Race 6 #2 Show Some Decorum Sale – Race 8 #5 Black Orlov | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 4, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Repole Stable's Life's an Audible, widest of all turning for home, collared the field late for her first stakes victory in the $175,000 Sweetest Chant Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Things may not have gone strictly according to plan for undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' NYSOS (c, 3, Nyquist–Zetta Z, by Bernardini) in Saturday's GIII Robert B. Lewis S., as he was perhaps a half-step slowly away and with a trio of rivals hellbent on being part of the pace battle, was forced to sit farther off the speed than he'd done in either of his previous towering victories. At the end of the day, it mattered very little, as the Bob Baffert trainee came with a bold run three wide into the lane and went on to treat his seven rivals to a seven-length beating. Though Nysos did lay fourth when last seen in the GIII Bob Hope S. at Del Mar Nov. 19, those were sprinter-type splits ahead of him, but stretching out to a route of ground for the first time Saturday, the bay settled nicely enough for Flavien Prat, about five lengths away from stablemate Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso), the hard-sent Scatify (Justify) and Mc Vay (Constitution). Still fourth as they raced into the final three-eighths of a mile, Nysos gained inside of Mc Vay, was switched out wide at the quarter pole and kicked home in a race of his own. Sales history: $130,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $150,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $550,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. O-Baoma Corp; B-Susie Atkins; T-Bob Baffert. NYSOS ($2.20) PUT ON A SHOW!!! The $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at @SantaAnitaPark went as expected for the sensational Nysos! Flavien Prat sat chilly in the saddle behind the hot pace. @BobBaffert trained this 3-year-old son of Nyquist (@DarleyAmerica) for @BaomaCorp! pic.twitter.com/ABUp1rcwax — TVG (@TVG) February 3, 2024 The post Nysos Proves A Smooth Winner of the Robert B. Lewis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Not seen on the grass since a fourth in the GII Bourbon S. at Keeneland last October, FIRST WORLD WAR (c, 3, War Front–Sundaysatthebeach, by Medaglia d'Oro) made a triumphant return to the surface with a win in Saturday's GIII Kitten's Joy S. at Gulfstream. Entered off a pair of main-track starts, including a second last out in the Mucho Macho Man S. Jan. 1 for trainer Brendan Walsh, the 5-2 second choice was able to hold off a charging Hammerstein (Oscar Performance) to pick up his first graded stakes win under Tyler Gaffalione. Lifetime Record: 5-2-2-0. O-Qatar Racing LLC and Hunter Valley Farm; B-Skyfall Thoroughbreds LLC; T-Brendan P. Walsh. Sales History: $285,000 wlg'21 FTKNOV, $135,000 RNA ylg'22 KEESEP. #6 FIRST WORLD WAR ($7) got a nice stalking trip under @Tyler_Gaff to win the $175,000 Kitten's Joy Stakes (GIII) at Gulfstream Park. The son of War Front is trained by @brenpwalsh. The $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (GIII) is up next! Kentucky Derby points are on the line. pic.twitter.com/L2bTnQ2kEn — TVG (@TVG) February 3, 2024 The post First World War Impresses In Return To Turf With Kitten’s Joy Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 24-1 longest shot in a field of nine for Saturday's Martha Washington S. at a soggy Oaklawn Park, Dixiana Farms LLC's BAND OF GOLD (f, 3, Preservationist–Play For Gold, by Cairo Prince) became the first black-type winner for her young Airdrie Stud-based sire (by Arch) with an irresistible late run to best heavily favored Denim and Pearls (Into Mischief). Content to drop down onto the fence from her low draw, the $70,000 Keeneland November weanling switched off nicely behind midfield for Brian Hernandez, Jr. and remained within striking distance for the run around the turn. In hand and going well nearing the stretch, she split horses a quarter-mile from home, angled out into the center of the rain-affected strip and did her best work through the line to cause the boilover. The victory was worth 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Sales history: $70,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0. O-Dixiana Farms LLC; B-Brereton C Jones (KY); T-Ken McPeek. #2 BAND OF GOLD ($50.60) flies down the stretch to upset Oaklawn's $250,000 Martha Washington Stakes in style! The filly by @AirdrieStud's Preservationist was given a perfectly timed ride by @b_hernandezjr for trainer @KennyMcPeek and Dixiana Farms. pic.twitter.com/A8p6ndr3VH — TVG (@TVG) February 3, 2024 The post Band of Gold a First Stakes Winner For Preservationist In Martha Washington appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Barn 15 at Belmont Park is under a precautionary quarantine until further notice due to a potential case of equine herpesvirus. A 3-year-old filly who was stabled there exhibited acute neurological symptoms Feb. 3 and was euthanized. View the full article

Pennsylvania-bred Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion) shipped up from his base at Parx for an outfit capable of pulling a surprise on this circuit and did just that, nailing El Grande O (Take Charge Indy) right on the wire by a nose to earn 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in Saturday's $250,000 GIII Withers S. at Aqueduct. Drawn one from the outside over a rain-affected strip that was putting a demand on stamina, the hulking bay, off at 9-1, raced in the four path, but with cover on the back of longshot Khanate (Hightail) as El Grande O fought out the early fractions from the inside. Asked to improve approaching three furlongs from home, the Butch Reid-trained Uncle Heavy appeared to be running in place as El Grande O and the pace-pressing Deposition (Constitution) began to separate themselves at the quarter pole. El Grande O was finally able to shake off Deposition entering the final eighth of a mile, pinched a break and looked on his way to victory, but Uncle Heavy kept plugging away and was shoved across the line first. El Grande O was second ahead of even-money favorite Lightline (City of Light) in third. Uncle Heavy, a narrow debut winner going six furlongs versus open company at Parx Oct. 23, dwelt and ducked in at the start and finished fifth as the favorite in the Pennsylvania Nursery S. Nov. 28. He successfully stretched to two turns with a rallying victory going one mile and 70 yards against fellow state-breds in the Wait For It S. last time Dec. 27. “I have always felt all along with this horse, the further the better,” Reid said. “He certainly proved that today. He looked like he was just hitting his best stride about 50 yards from the wire. He really started stretching out nice.” He continued, “We haven't had a whole lot of time, and this was only his second time around two turns. For him to go a mile and an eighth and under the circumstances is a testament to him. It worked out great. It's a short ship [from Pennsylvania] and there's a lot of big money up here.” On a potential next start in the GII Wood Memorial S. Apr. 6, Reid added, “We're going to keep him around two turns from here on out. We'll definitely have a look at the Wood, there's no doubt about that. We're going to sit down with (owner) Mikey (Milam), and start plotting and planning from here on in.” Pedigree Notes: Uncle Heavy is the first graded stakes winner for Social Inclusion, who entered stud at Woodford Thoroughbreds near Ocala in 2017, transferred to Diamond B Farm in Pennsylvania after two seasons and now stands privately at Briardale Farm under the stewardship of Joe Imbesi. Bred in Pennsylvania by trainer Robert Reid's sister-in-law Barbara Reid, Uncle Heavy is out of the winning Tiz Wonderful mare Expect Wonderful, who brought just $1,700 from Milam Racing Stables at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic December Mixed Sale while expecting the winner. A $70,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York Bred yearling, Expect Wonderful RNA'd for $15,000 at the 2019 edition of the December Mixed Sale in foal to The Factor. The hammer fell at $70,000 for the resulting foal, later named Roan Burgundy, at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Expect Wonderful's 2-year-old colt Beyondexpectations is by Peace and Justice, and she was bred to Weigelia for 2024. Saturday, Aqueduct WITHERS S.-GIII, $250,000, Aqueduct, 2-3, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:53.79, my. 1–UNCLE HEAVY, 118, c, 3, by Social Inclusion 1st Dam: Expect Wonderful, by Tiz Wonderful 2nd Dam: Holiday Peace, by Harlan's Holiday 3rd Dam: Stilled, by Quiet American 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Michael Milam; B-Barbara Reid (PA); T-Robert E Reid Jr; J-Mychel J Sanchez. $137,500. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, $293,580. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–El Grande O, 119, c, 3, Take Charge Indy–Rainbow's Song, by Unbridled's Song. 1ST GRADED BLACK-TYPE. O-Barry K Schwartz; B-Stonewall Farm (NY); T-Linda Rice. $50,000. 3–Lightline, 118, c, 3, City of Light–Upperline, by Maria's Mon. 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK-TYPE. ($600,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-Town & Country Horse Farms LLC (KY); T-Brad H Cox. $30,000. Margins: NO, 2HF, HF. Odds: 9.30, 4.10, 1.15. Also Ran: Deposition, Khanate, Speed Runner, Mission Beach, Society Man, Seminole Chief. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. UNCLE HEAVY wins the Grade 3 Withers Stakes and 2⃣0⃣ qualifying points toward the @KentuckyDerby with @SanchezMychel up for trainer Butch Reid. pic.twitter.com/Prt6pMtey8 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) February 3, 2024 The post Uncle Heavy Pulls The Upset in the Withers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Frankie's Empire (c, 3, Classic Empire–Donna D, by Dixie Union)'s Florida debut was a winning one, the colt overtaking the heavy favorite late in the stretch to win the Swale S. going away. Making his seasonal bow for new trainer Michael Yates, he'd last been seen at Parx winning an optional claimer at 15-1 odds for trainer Susan Crowell. Fellow longshot Le Dom Bro (Mucho Macho Man) claimed second at 13-1 while Grand Mo the First (Uncle Mo) rallied for third. The final time was 1:24.22. It was wide open coming to the stretch until #9 FRANKIE'S EMPIRE ($30) emerged with the lead and pulled away to win the $125K Swale Stakes. The son of Classic Empire was ridden by Miguel Vasquez and is trained by Michael Yates. The $125,000 Forward Gal Stakes (GIII) is up next! pic.twitter.com/uxgq9CPGFB — TVG (@TVG) February 3, 2024 Sales history: $20,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. O-Frank DeLuca; B-Ralph Kinder & Ery Woolsey (KY); T-Michael Yates. The post Longshot Frankie’s Empire Best Late in Swale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) have placed Barn 15 at Belmont Park under a precautionary quarantine until further notice due to a potential case of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) in in that barn. Cute Curls (Tapiture), an unraced 3-year-old filly trained by Danny Gargan, exhibited acute neurological symptoms on Saturday and was subsequently euthanized. As of Saturday afternoon, no additional horses in Barn 15 have presented symptoms. Samples are in-route to Cornell University for analysis with results expected within 48 hours. Barn 15 was placed under quarantine at 3 p.m. with standard precautions and biosecurity measures now in effect. The quarantine procedures are overseen by Dr. Sarah Hinchliffe, the director of NYRA's veterinary department, in consultation with the NYSGC. There are 34 horses currently stabled in Barn 15, which is home to stalls for Jim Ryerson, Gustavo Rodriguez and Gargan. All horses in Barn 15 will be closely monitored for fever and other signs of illness. During the initial quarantine period, horses stabled in Barn 15 will not be permitted to enter races or train among the general horse population. Afebrile/asymptomatic horses stabled in Barn 15 will have isolated training hours at Belmont Park following the closure of training for the general horse population. Two horses stabled in Barn 15 (Ryan's Cat, Society Man) shipped to Aqueduct for races on Saturday prior to the identification of Cute Curls as a potential EHV case. As such, both horses were permitted to run on Saturday afternoon. Neither horse has presented symptoms and Society Man will be transported to Belmont Park in isolation. Ryan's Cat was transported to Belmont Park following Race 1 prior to the identification of the potential EHV case. The post Barn 15 at Belmont Park Placed Under Quarantine Due to Potential EHV Case appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Showing a flair for drama, LIFE'S AN AUDIBLE (f, 3, Audible–Catkins, by Data Link) waited until late and made it close in victory over last-out maiden winner Style Points (Oscar Performance) in the GIII Sweetest Chant S. at Gulfstream Park Saturday. The chestnut lingered second from last behind :23.59 and :47.06 early fractions before swinging out to the far outside on the turn for her rally. It was at the same time that Style Points found room on the rail from her stalking spot and the two made it a battle in the closing strides. Style Points actually got the first jump, but Life's an Audible at 9-5 wore her down to prevail by about a neck. Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) was third. With an off-the-board finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf sandwiched between a second last out in Gulfstream's Jan. 6 Ginger Brew S. and another runner-up placing in the Oct. 4 GII Miss Grillo S. at Belmont at the Big A, Life's an Audible was winning her first black-type event in the Sweetest Chant. She was a $200,000 OBS March 2-year-old purchase last year by West Bloodstock, agent for Repole Stable after working in :10 1/5. The same connections also took the Sweetest Chant last year with Cairo Consort (Cairo Prince). O-Repole Stable; B-Susan Moulton (Ky.); T-Todd Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. The post Life’s an Audible Gets First Stakes Win in Sweetest Chant 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. Sunday's Observations features a half-brother to Shadwell's Group 1 winners Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). 18.30 Newcastle, Novice, £16,000, 3yo/up, 8f (AWT) WALEEFY (IRE) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) bids to build on his encouraging debut third at Lingfield two days before Christmas with the eyes of the world watching as is inevitable when you are a half-brother to Shadwell's brilliant Baaeed (GB) and his fellow Sea The Stars-sired sibling Hukum (Ire). Like that pair under the tutelage of William Haggas, the homebred was slowly away on debut but has that experience under his belt meeting a newcomer of note in Ballylinch Stud's 250,000gns Tatts Book 1 purchase Las Ramblas (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a Roger Varian-trained half-brother to the G1 1000 Guineas heroine Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The post Baaeed’s Half-Brother Back At Newcastle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 24 at Oaklawn Park is among the races under consideration for Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Timberlake's 3-year-old debut, trainer Brad Cox said Jan. 31.View the full article

Trainer Michael McCarthy reported all was well with Sweet Azteca the morning after her eye-catching 12-length victory sprinting against allowance foes Friday, Feb. 2 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

One of the best trainers in Hong Kong history, John Size is a three-time winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile, a 1600-metre event that serves as the first of the three legs of the Classics series restricted to 4-year-olds from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The 12-times champion conditioner, who is approaching 1500 career victories, has two bonafide chances to add a fourth Classic Mile Sunday in the form of Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) and Howdeepisyourlove (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}). Helios Express is the lone member of the nine-horse field rated north of 100, and he has earned it with four wins from his six starts dating back to last June, including a powerful 2 3/4-length victory in a Class 2 over Sunday's distance Jan. 7. That effort has stamped him as the $1.40 (2-5) jolly overnight and Hugh Bowman has the call before beginning a suspension. “He made the adaption to 1600 (metres) more or less straight away, he seemed to travel not too bad,” the always matter-of-fact Size said of his latest effort. “He was a little bit strong, I guess, but still managed it in a slow-run race and he sprinted well off a slow speed, that's about all we expected from him. “I don't think he's taken harm from the race. He seems to have coped with that pretty well. His trial was normal and he looks like he's going to run a race again.” One to beat in the Hong Kong Classic Mile!? Helios Express is back in action this Sunday… Sha Tin, 4 Feb | #4YOSeries | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/XigLtF0VWu — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 30, 2024 James McDonald is due to partner with Howdeepisyourlove, but suffered a foot injury before Saturday's G3 Widden S. at Rosehill and will be subject to an exam by the HKJC's chief medical officer upon his arrival. The gelding has four wins to his credit, all over the 1200-metre distance and each at Happy Valley, and he'll need to lift here to make his presence felt. There are 34 stakes races held each season in Hong Kong, and the Classic Mile is the only one to have thus far eluded champion jockey Zac Purton. He takes the reins on Helene Feeling (Ire) (Sioux Nation) for Danny Shum and actually exits a try at group level when he was third as the favourite in the G3 January Cup H. at the city circuit Jan. 10. Winner of four from 10 in Hong Kong, he raced in England as Indian Dream and was a two-time scorer in the lower grades while under the care of Michael Bell. Beauty Crescent (Ire), whose sire Acclamation (GB) was responsible for 2022 Classic Mile and now multiple Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior (Ire), won the Listed Blenheim S. in 2022 while under the care of Ger Lyons, and though he may not quite be up to winning this, can contend for a minor award. He exits a pair of luckless runs in Class 3 over 1400 metres and attacked the line on both occasions. Andrea Atzeni rides for the legendary Tony Cruz. The post Size Holds Strong Hand For Hong Kong Classic Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 2-3, 3yo, 1 1/8mT, 1:48.37, fm, neck. WAITLIST (c, 3, Not This Time–Grandezza, by Scat Daddy) opened his account in highly impressive fashion at first asking going nine furlongs over the Tampa turf course Saturday afternoon. By the sire of recently crowned champion Up to the Mark and sent out by that one's trainer Todd Pletcher, the $240,000 Keeneland September acquisition was void of early speed and settled one from the tail. Asked to improve his position leaving the five-furlong pole by Emisael Jaramillo, the dark bay colt had tacked on to the back of the leading group and raced in about seventh position entering the second turn. Consigned to an overland trip around the bend, Waitlist had no choice but to launch his bid five deep off the final corner. He confronted narrow second favorite and perfect-trip Stop the Press (Uncle Mo)–a $1.5-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling trying the grass after three unplaced efforts on the dirt–nearing the midstretch marker, was overtaken for a stride or two with time ticking away and re-rallied to take it by a neck at a starting price of 44-5, double his morning line of 4-1. Breeder David McCarty paid $210,000 for Grandezza at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale and bought her back on a bid of $340,000 at Keeneland September the following year. A maiden winner of better than $134,000 from ages two to four, Grandezza is also represented by a yearling colt by Yoshida (Jpn) and she is due to Audible this season. Waitlist's second dam Tap Mate (Pleasant Tap) is a full-sister to GSW & GISP Tap Day and to Street Mate (Street Cry {Ire}), whose Grade I-winning daughter and $2-million earner Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) sells as part of the Lothenbach Dispersal Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton. Street Mate is also responsible for GSW King Cause (Creative Cause). Sales history: $240,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $18,560. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Centennial Farms; B-David McCarty (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher. WORTH THE WAIT! Huuuuuge debut win from Waitlist under a tremendous ride by @JaramilloJockey! pic.twitter.com/7QCTtBxmoO — Centennial Farms (@Centennial_Farm) February 3, 2024 The post Not This Time’s Waitlist Proves Toughest On Tampa Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief), winner of last fall's GI Champagne S., could potentially launch his sophomore season in the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Park Feb. 24. The Siena Farm and WinStar Farm colorbearer was last seen finishing a well-beaten fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Nov. 3. “He's pointing for it,” trainer Brad Cox said. “We've got to see how our works go over the next several weeks, but he's doing well. Hopefully, we can get him there.” Timberlake worked four furlongs in :48.60 (10/92) at Fair Grounds Saturday. “The other race in play for him would probably be the (GII) Gotham at Aqueduct (Mar. 2),” Cox said. “He did win up in New York. He won the Champagne there at Aqueduct, so that could be something that is in play as well. We'll see how he performs over the next few weeks breezing.” The post Timberlake Pointing for Rebel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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The 2024 seven-strong stallion roster at the Irish National Stud will parade daily while the Goffs February Sale is going on, the INS announced on Saturday. Parades, featuring stallions like Group 1 sire Invincible Spirit (Ire), Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) who has his first 3-year-olds this year, and Classic winner Mac Swiney (Ire), will take place at the stud on Feb. 6-8 from 11-3 p.m. each day. Please contact the stud office to arrange your time at +353 045-521251. The post Stallions To Parade At Irish National Stud Next Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

Kelly Thomas enjoyed a banner year with Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who she bred at her Maywood Stud, going unbeaten in a spellbinding two-year-old campaign that featured Group 1 wins in the Prix Morny and Middle Park S. In this week's Q&A, Thomas revealed how some people in the industry have shared with her that she has become an inspiration for smaller breeders. She also lifted the lid on her own hopes and dreams for Vandeek this season and explained her philosophy to breeding. You have had lots to dream about over the past few months. Where is the ceiling with Vandeek? Gosh, who knows? Everybody is excited about what could be. What he has shown so far, if he can carry on the same trajectory for a little bit longer, you don't know where he will end up. In your heart of hearts, could you see him staying a mile or is he pure unbridled speed? I think that, if a race was run to suit, the mile wouldn't bother him. If he is dilly-dallying at the back, he's not going to waste an ounce of energy and, then if it came down to a turn of foot at the end, you could almost see him doing it. He's a tall horse, has a really good stride and he relaxes in his races so I suppose you could say, from that perspective, he might be able to do it. His grandmother won over a mile in France so it's in the pedigree. But, what's he best at? Probably the distance he has been racing at, which is over six furlongs. There's nothing wrong with fast horses. There's not. I like speed horses and that excites us. It seems to be what we have managed to do quite well with over the years so we stick to it. That's not to say we don't look outside the box as well when it comes to stallion choices and to buying mares. But speed is generally the way we tend to go and we try to breed commercially as well. You need to be able to bring something to the sales that will be attractive to buyers; something that is precocious, early and fast. That's the way we have been heading. The big thing I would say about your success story with Vandeek is that it would have given a lot of smaller breeders huge encouragement to keep going despite what was a very difficult year. Absolutely. I've had so many text messages and phone calls from some people that I have never even met before. Some people have told me that I am their inspiration! All I could say, was, 'thank you very much.' It definitely has given a lot of people hope. But it's very difficult. Financially, it's a hard thing to do. We do all of the work ourselves and it's only recently that I have managed to get somebody in to help with the mucking out on the days that I am not here. That will help to take the pressure off my husband a little bit. We've always done it on a bit of a shoe-string. I did my Masters in Equine Science and I tend to draw on that knowledge a lot as well. I think it helps in keeping horses healthy and in their best condition which, in the long run, makes them more efficient. The biggest gamble you are ever going to take in this industry is breeding because you never know what you are going to get. If you are lucky, you get a nice foal but, if you are unlucky, you might get something that won't even make it through the sales ring. My Dad is in a different business to us and often says that this is the only profession where, often the product you produce might not be worth what went into producing it. That can put you in a very difficult position, especially if you have invested heavily. And given the current economic climate, have you made any changes to how you run your operation with regards to reinvesting in the broodmare band or maybe not putting some of your mares in foal? We try to be economical and efficient in everything we do and we've never really spent a lot of money on stud fees. If we have wanted to use some of the more expensive stallions, we have tended to do foal shares. But, with regards to covering and not covering mares, when you only have five mares like we do, you have to keep plugging away. If you don't breed anything you don't have a chance of making any money. You have to keep the wheel turning otherwise you will have nothing to sell. If you were to leave one mare off for a year, you are guaranteed that one of the mares you did choose to breed from won't go in foal, so then there's two mares who aren't producing for you in a year. And Mosa Mine (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), the dam of Vandeek, could be viewed as a triumph for perseverance with regards to giving your stud a major payday given her Starspangledbanner (Aus) colt sold to Coolmore Stud for 450,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale last year. The triumph of that is for a little stud like ours to produce a horse that will be trained at Ballydoyle. I think that is amazing. For us to have a horse trained at Ballydoyle and the prospects of Vandeek becoming a stallion in the same year, it's a dream come true really. A result like that is nice because we can invest a bit into facilities and look at buying our next broodmare. I haven't really felt the rain on my back this winter. It does put a spiring in your step, that's for sure. Remind us how Mosa Mine joined your broodmare band? We bred Mosa Mine to begin with. She was a beautiful foal; in fact, we named her Bonny because she was a bonny wee thing. It was back in the days when we had just moved to this property and we had no stables at the time. She was a May baby and we foaled her in the field because the weather was kind. We sold her as a yearling but she probably didn't reach her potential on the track. We loved her and decided that we wanted her back. We thought she wouldn't make much money at the horses-in-training sale, and she didn't [£800], so that was great for us. And what does the future hold for her? She's not in foal at the moment but she is going back to Havana Grey (GB). It's kind of an obvious choice but then again, you think can lightning really strike twice? But it's a proven recipe at the highest level and Havana Grey seems to be progressing all the time so it suits. When you look at the other proven stallions, you could be looking at the likes of No Nay Never, which is at a much higher price and therefore we'd have to consider a foal share. With Havana Grey, we could possibly think of retaining the next filly out of the mare if we wanted to. I know you said that you have a penchant for speed but what sort of stallions are your mares in foal to? We've got a sister to Mosa Mine by Compton Place (GB) and she is in foal to Twilight Son (GB). We've gone for speed there in the thinking that the progeny could end up becoming quite a nice breeze-up prospect as Twilight Son had quite a good time of it at the breeze-ups last year. The family is quick and it might just suit. Then we have a Medicean (GB) mare in foal to Masar (Ire), so that is something a bit different. But then again, Masar showed quite a bit of speed as a two-year-old as well, so that helps. She has already produced a lovely horse by Masar called Move On In (GB), who is trained by Ralph Beckett, and it was off the back of him that we sent the mare back to the stallion. She had an Ardad (GB) in between and he's gone to breeze. We also have a mare in foal to Perfect Power (Ire), so speed again. We have done well with first-season sires in the past. Could you put your philosophy towards breeding into words? Wow. That is a tough one but you have to enjoy it. This doesn't feel like work to me. I might be mucking out all day long but it doesn't really feel like work. It's a lifestyle. You have to take the highs and the lows and you mustn't take the lows personally. If you talk to other breeders, everybody suffers the lows. Not everybody gets to enjoy the highs, but we all suffer the lows. When you get the highs, you have to enjoy them without looking at them like a pleasure plane. You have to do your best by your horses; look after them, keep them healthy and well fed. We've a good team of vets, farriers and local feed merchants and that all helps. Above all else, you need the help and support of your friends and family. When it comes to deciding on your stallions, you have to go with what you like, what you can afford and what you hope will work, and you must make your own decisions. When I first started, there were times when I took advice on stallion choices. If it didn't work out, then that person would get the blame and I don't like that. I'd prefer to live and die by my own decisions and remain positive. I'm an optimist at the end of the day. It's a refreshing story, especially in a year where there was a lot of doom and gloom. And, who knows, maybe you can inspire one more breeder to keep going and maybe they will breed a champion like Vandeek. You never can tell where the next one will come from. You are very lucky when it happens to you but, you must remember, you can breed the best to the best and get the worst. I was talking to John Deere before and he was explaining how, you put a bunch of genes from the stallion and the mare into a bucket and you take a handful of each and, what you're left with, that's what you get. It's true, really, isn't it? In saying that, I have chosen the mares I want to breed from so it's not exactly random but, when you do put the ones you like together, there is no predicting what you might get. The post Kelly Thomas Q&A: ‘Some Breeders Have Told Me That I Am Their Inspiration’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Brigette Solomon At face value Sunday’s Alabar Hawera Cup has a feel of deja vu about it. All but one of the 12-strong field are backing up from Friday’s Stratford Cup where the Matt Purvis trained Smoke On The Water was a dominant winner. However, Sunday’s feature may pan out differently with runners such as Idolou and New York Minute getting another chance after both galloped out of contention on day one, while Smoke On The Water will start off a 20m handicap. Whooshka, trained by David Marshall, also joins the field and is the sole starter off the front line. Brent Mangos drives the Mike Berger trained Cos I Can who finished third in Friday’s Stratford Cup with a late sprint home from well back in the field. “He went a good race on Friday and should go good again, although it’s always tough off that 30 metre mark,” says Mangos. “There’s only one off the front line which does help a bit though.” Mangos, who drove a double on Friday, also drives the Stephen Doody trained Mr Monty in Race 1, who finished second behind runaway leader Lightning McQueen on Friday. “He went well enough on Friday and being a similar field today I think he should finish in the top 4.” Perun, who Mangos trains and drives, looks a chance to break maiden ranks in Race 4, the Rough Habits Restaurant & Bar Mobile Pace. The gelding was runner up to Onetangi Girl on Friday after placing third in his three prior appearances. “I was really happy with his run on Friday,” says Mangos. “He went a good race to stick on for second after leading in that strong head wind and I think he’s a winning chance even off his second row draw.” Mango’s other drives are Sharkntatties (R3), Sweet Olivia (R5), Bettor Grunter (R8), Maleficence (R9) and Baileys Pitch (R10). Race 6 is Heat 3 of the Revell Douglas Memorial Series with Monika Ranger looking to complete a hat-trick of the North Island Heats with Sean McCaffrey trained Norvic Charlie. The gelding was an impressive winner on Friday when missing the start by some 10 lengths to score by just over a length. The first of ten races starts at 12:00pm with the Alabar Hawera Cup Handicap Pace at 2:30pm. View the full article