Wandering Eyes

Opaki visitor Times Ticking will line-up in Saturday’s Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Alby MacGregor is hopeful his well-travelled gelding Times Ticking can wind back the clock in Saturday’s Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui. The evergreen eight-year-old has made several journeys to the South over the past couple of seasons, adding the Listed Easter Cup (1600m) and the Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) to his 11-win record. A son of Tavistock, Times Ticking will venture to Wingatui for the first time on Saturday in an attempt to emulate his Southern heroics, fresh from a winning performance to claim the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) on January 13 under Joe Doyle, who retains the ride. “He’s very well, and pulled up nicely from Trentham,” MacGregor said. “He went back down to my son’s (Dean) at Rangiora following that race, and they’ve travelled to Wingatui today. He’s in very good hands and thrives down there. “We had looked at this race (White Robe Lodge) seeing the horse was based there, and we thought it would suit him well being at weight-for-age. “It’s great having Joe, he seemed to suit the horse well. He’ll just jump from that draw (4) and hopefully get into a good spot a bit better than midfield, depending on how he’s travelling. We’ll just have to see how it pans out.” Times Ticking has recorded four victories on Good tracks, and a further seven on Heavy, however MacGregor indicated a softer surface would assist the gelding’s chances. Having had early support in markets with top horse racing bookmakers, he currently sits the equal-favourite alongside Te Akau runner Perfect Scenario at +200. “A bit of rain would be very nice, so we’re hopeful for that,” MacGregor said. MacGregor will cheer on his pride and joy from his Opaki base on Saturday, with the gelding’s immediate future likely remaining in the South Island in pursuit of back-to-back Canterbury Gold Cup crowns in April. More horse racing news View the full article

Pride Of Jenni ridden by Declan Bates winning the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Pride Of Jenni has been granted a wildcard entry for the 2024 All-Star Mile, adding another remarkable chapter to one of Australian racing’s most heartwarming tales. Racing Victoria (RV) and the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) announced the mare’s inclusion in the prestigious event, scheduled to take place at Caulfield on Saturday, March 16. The talented front-runner earned her spot in the $4 million feature after delivering impressive performances during the 2023 Spring Racing Carnival, securing consecutive Group 1 victories over the mile distance. Trained by Ciaron Maher Racing and ridden by Irish-born jockey Declan Bates, Pride Of Jenni showcased her daring ‘catch-me-if-you-can’ tactics, claiming victories in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) and the Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington. Following her outstanding performances, both Pride Of Jenni and the 2023 All-Star Mile winner, Mr Brightside, have received wildcards for the 2024 edition of the race, setting the stage for an exciting showdown. Trainer Ciaron Maher expressed his enthusiasm for Pride Of Jenni’s prospects, stating, “Pride Of Jenni showed in the spring that she’s a high-class miler so we’re rapt that she’s secured her spot in this year’s All-Star Mile. “We’ve only had a handful of runners in the All-Star Mile and haven’t had much luck so we’re hoping she can prove hard to catch at Caulfield.” Owned by former apprentice jockey Tony Ottobre and his wife Lynn, Pride Of Jenni carries a special significance as all their horses are named in memory of their late daughter, Jennifer, who tragically lost her battle with brain cancer in 2015. More horse racing news View the full article

Red Rafa Stud's Planetario returns to the track Feb. 4 for his seasonal debut in the $100,000 San Marcos Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park. He leads a field of seven traveling 1 1/4 miles in a race that will start on the downhill turf course.View the full article

Two dazzling last-out front-running winners square off in the Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) Feb. 4 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

Make An Effort, with Sonja Logan on board, heads to the gates before saluting on Australia Day at Fannie Bay. (Picture: Caroline Camilleri/Darwin Photography Professionals) Having undergone a throat operation eight months ago, Make An Effort has struck form and will feature in the $40,000 Lightning Wet Season Series Final (1200m) at 0-70 level at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Trainer Tom Logan decided to start the seven-year-old mare after she once again led from start to finish en route to a second straight win over 1000m in 0-64 class on Australia Day. After 44 starts in Victoria for Sale trainer Sharyn Trolove and Pakenham trainer Craig Blackshaw for five wins and 13 minor placings, the daughter of Reward For Effort’ debuted for Logan last April and was seventh over 1100m against 0-58 opposition. In May, she finished 10th over 1100m at Benchmark 54 level before the decision was made to rectify a breathing ailment. “Her first two runs up here, she had trouble breathing,” Logan said. “I had a discussion with the owners and they were happy to get the throat operation done. “She had six months off and has had three runs this prep – they’ve all been really good runs.” Before her last-start win, Make An Effort made her comeback on December 30 and finished third over 1000m at 0-58 level before returning a fortnight later to seal the deal over 1000m in a BM54. The Wet Season Series Final didn’t go ahead last Friday when the final two races were abandoned because of persistent rain and a muddy surface, so Logan decided to enter the mare on Saturday. Despite proving highly competitive in Victoria, Make An Effort has only raced once beyond 1100m when sixth in a 1217m Moe maiden. The 1200m is of slight concern for Logan, but the mare is flying. “Based on her last win, I have no serious worries,” he said. “She led all the way in those two 1000m wins, but to do it over 1200m will probably be hard in a way. “She’s got the talent to jump and run – the throat operation she had with Darwin veterinarian Jamin Farebrother has definitely made a difference. “I knew that she had the ability, but since the procedure she’s a completely different horse.” Should Make An Effort run well on Saturday, Logan said the mare would more than likely head to the Red Centre for the Alice Springs Cup Carnival, with the Pioneer Sprint on April 6 her main objective. There are only eight starters in the Wet Season Series Final, but according to Logan it should be an interesting race as every runner brings respectable form to the table. Logan had the option of entering his mare in the final when she qualified after winning the sixth heat on January 13. “There’s only eight in it, but anyone can win,” he said. “They’ve all been competitive of late, so it will be a really good race. “It will be my biggest win after Poupee’s win in the lead up to the (Pioneer) Sprint last year in Alice Springs. “There’s always the query about the 1200m, especially after backing up from last week and being a mare in hot weather. “She probably does have a little bit against her, but she pulled up well from that run last Friday. “The way she has been racing, I’m quite confident going into Saturday.” According to Logan, Make An Effort has similar attributes to former stable star Poupee, who was retired after breaking down in last year’s Pioneer Sprint. “They’re both stocky little mares and they’ve also got the same kind of racing patterns,” he said. “I was excited when I first got Make An Effort – just the way she races. “She just jumps on the speed, it’s ideal for a horse up here. “She won five races in Victoria, which is also good form to bring up here. “(I’m) just grateful that the owners were patient with her before deciding to get that throat operation done.” More horse racing news View the full article

Te Awamutu trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander went to $140,000 to secure an Ace High colt at Karaka on Thursday. Catalogued as Lot 935, the Seaton Park colt is out of a half-sister to the champion Singapore galloper Better Than Ever. “I thought he was an absolute ripper,” Simon Alexander said. “He is as good a colt as there is here in Book 2. “There is a lot of Savabeel about him. I didn’t think we could afford him to be fair, but we’re really happy to get him. “There are some clients, but he will be syndicated to go through and race. “I think he will get over ground but I don’t think he will take forever. I think he is compact enough and mature enough that we will see him trial as a late two-year-old. “We have sold an Ace High out of the trials, they are very good gallopers. He was called Angland and has gone to Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. Alexander also revealed progressive stayer Sleeper had been sold to Australia. “Katrina gets a bit mad at me when I sell them, so it’s good to get a nice one to put in the system to take through as a racehorse,” he said. “We have got two or three to train, but today’s one was our first purchase. It is always hard on the nice ones with good X-rays and scope. “New Zealand’s recent prize-money boosts give you a bit of confidence to move forward with these horses, especially like him — when they are three and four.” La Crique returns to scale at Ellerslie last Saturday Photo: Trish Dunell Meanwhile, the Alexanders were far from disappointed in the close-up defeat by high-class mare La Crique in Saturday’s Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie. “I think the track played a bit hard, I think you had to be in a certain spot, close to the rail and on the speed,” Alexander said. “Her run was courageous, we probably had her fit enough to run well, but not fit to win. “We’re happy with her and will probably go to Otaki (Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m)).” View the full article

Incarcerated individuals participating in the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF)'s Second Chances Program at Pleasant Valley State Prison in California (and/or in the Second Chance Prison Art Program at the same facility) are spearheading an online art auction to benefit the TRF Second Chances Program. More than 30 unique pieces of art have been created by program participants and are offered for bidding. The auction will run from Feb. 1-29. All proceeds will benefit the TRF Second Chances Program and the Second Chance Prison Art Program at the prison. Click here to see the offerings and to bid. The post Second Chances Art Auction to Benefit TRF appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Recently crowned champion 3-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous (f, 4, Into Mischief–Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit), off since finishing a rallying second in the GI Cotillion S. over a sloppy, sealed track at Parx Sept. 23, has begun to gear up for her 2024 campaign. The Godolphin homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' is currently in training with Brendan Walsh at Palm Meadows in South Florida and could potentially return to action over Kentucky Derby weekend. “She went back to Brendan a couple of weeks ago,” Godolphin USA Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan said. “She had a nice break in the wintertime up here at Jonabell. She's a big, strong filly anyway, but she did very well with her break. He'll probably start doing a couple of little two-minute licks with her in the next couple of weeks and start to step it up.” Banahan added, “Nothing in stone in yet, but we'll probably look at trying to get her started at Churchill, maybe the (GI) La Troienne S. or something like that.” Led by a thrilling, neck victory from post 14 with first-time blinkers in last year's GI Kentucky Oaks, Pretty Mischievous was a slam dunk as the nation's champion 3-year-old filly. She backed up her 10-1 upset on the first Friday in May with another game tally at the top level, this time by a head, in the GI Acorn S. during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Following the tragic breakdown of Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic), Pretty Mischievous crossed the wire first by a head while turning back to seven furlongs in a heart-breaking renewal of the GI Test S. at Saratoga. After losing little in defeat in the Cotillion, she shipped to Santa Anita to take on older fillies and mares for the first time in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, but was scratched after showing signs of colic following the flight from Kentucky. “She had a bit of a belly ache and just wasn't herself,” Banahan said. “I think it was maybe just a little bit with the shipping. She had a long season up to there and she answered every call. She trained O.K. (after shipping), but she just wasn't 100 percent, and you can't be running in a race the quality of the Breeders' Cup Distaff unless you're 100 percent. It wouldn't be fair to her to be taking a chance like that.” A daughter of the all-conquering Into Mischief, Pretty Mischievous was produced by 2016 GI Spinaway S. winner Pretty City Dancer, who was acquired by Sheikh Mohammed's operation for $3.5 million at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Pretty Mischievous currently sports a record of 10-7-2-1 and career earnings of $1,944,560. “She's in great shape now,” Banahan concluded. “Couldn't be better. We're very happy to have her back in the barn.” The post Champion Pretty Mischievous Back in Training for Four-Year-Old Campaign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 2 BRIGHTHILL FARM CONCORDE HANDICAP 1200 (G3) MASTER FAY (V Colgan) – Trainer Mr. C Ormsby reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, and it is his intention to continue on with MASTER FAY’S current preparation. Race 3 WESTBURY CLASSIC 1400 (G2) ZECORA (L Satherley) – Co-trainer Mrs. R Russell advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of ZECORA, and it is their intention to carry on with her preparation. LUBERON (W Kennedy) – Trainer Mr. L Noble advised Stewards, that on Thursday 1 February the filly underwent a specialist scan of the heart which revealed a slight heart murmur. L Noble further advised it is his intention to carry on with LUBERON’S current preparation, however, will trial the filly prior to her next race day start. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie, Saturday, 27 January 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Friday, February 2 promises an exciting day of horse racing with eight meetings scheduled across Australia. Our dedicated team of racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has curated the top bets and provided quaddie numbers specifically for the upcoming Canterbury, Moonee Valley & Sunshine Coast meetings. Friday Racing Tips – February 2, 2024 Canterbury Racing Tips Moonee Valley Racing Tips Sunshine Coast Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For February 2, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $16.98 odds return: Friday, February 2, 2024 Canterbury – Race 4 #5 Superstitious Moonee Valley – Race 3 #5 Ceremonious Sunshine Coast – Race 2 #3 Termagant | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Here are my bets with BoomBet. Click the link to add my bets straight to your betslip: =BetShare For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on February 2, 2024, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. More horse racing tips View the full article

Horse racing bookmakers have unveiled an array of enticing racing promotions for Friday, February 2. Among the highlights are multiple generous bonus back offers that add an extra layer of excitement to your horse racing experience. Explore these free promotions from top online bookmakers to make the most of your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for February 2, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Moonee Valley Races 1 & 2: 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back up to $50 Back a runner in races 1 & 2 at Moonee Valley this Friday and if it runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $50 in Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets only. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Moonee Valley All Races – 25% Boosted Winnings 25% Boosted Winnings in Bonus Cash. Max bonus $250. First bet only (including SRM). Paid in bonus cash. Must use available balance. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Friday Bonus Back 2nd ALL RACES at Moonee Valley Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed Odds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Friday Best Tote Exotics ALL RACES at Canterbury & Moonee Valley Includes Quaddies, Quinellas, Exactas, Trifectas & First 4s T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au has meticulously assessed the premier horse racing bookmakers in Australia, unveiling exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions and specials tailored for Friday, February 2, 2024. These horse racing promotions are a consistent feature, underscoring the unwavering commitment of Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers. In the world of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker isn’t currently running a promotion, rest assured that another is making the most out of promotional offers. Your ultimate resource for the most lucrative horse racing bookmaker bonuses every day is HorseBetting.com.au. Gain the most value out of your punting endeavours by leveraging bookie bonuses, accompanied by the most competitive horse racing odds available for each race. It’s crucial to note that these thoroughbred racing promotion offers are exclusively designed for existing customers. To access these special promotions and claim the bookmaker’s offers, simply log in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those on the lookout for races and horses to optimise their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting provides a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Race 8 SPEIGHT’S TIMARU STAKES 1400m KAI (K Williams) – Te Akau Racing Manager Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, has now been retired from racing. The post Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park, Saturday, 27 January 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The New York Racing Association announces the appointment of racing official Victor Escobar to the role of NYRA steward.View the full article

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots adjusts Feb. 3 post times due to forecasted inclement weather. View the full article

Race 2 VENUE SOLUTIONS MAIDEN 1400m KNIGHTS REALM (E Nicholas) – Trainer Mr. C Isdale advised to Stewards, that on Monday 29 January the gelding underwent a veterinary examination which revealed no abnormalities. C Isdale further advised KNIGHTS REALM has now been sent for a freshen up. The post Hawkes Bay Racing Inc, Thursday, 25 January 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 6 THE BOLTHOLDER MAIDEN 2000 RITA BONITA (E Nicholas) – Co-trainer Mrs. T Keegan advised Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of mare, however, in her opinion RITA BONITA may not have suited the Good 4 track conditions and could benefit from more rain effected footing. T Keegan further advised the mare has now been sent for a spell and will return to race day early autumn. The post Matamata Racing Club, Wednesday, 24 January 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Racing official Victor Escobar has been appointed New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Steward, NYRA announced late Thursday afternoon. The former Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (OHRC) State Steward, where he'd been since 2021 and where he had played a central role in the implementation of Category 1 rules at Remington Park, Escobar will join NYRA Feb. 16. As OHRC Steward, Escobar was also responsible for public communication with the betting public immediately following stewards' decisions. He has also served as State Steward for the New Mexico Racing Commission and as an Association Steward at Rillito Park. In 2023, Escobar was selected by the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) as the first American steward to participate in the International Stewards Education Program, a three-week immersion in the United Kingdom designed to facilitate international harmonization amongst stewards and judges. The NYRA Board of Stewards is comprised of three officials who collectively officiate races and adjudicate disputes at all NYRA tracks. The Board includes the New York State Gaming Commission Steward, The Jockey Club Steward and the NYRA Steward. Escobar, the son of retired jockey Victor Escobar Sr., succeeds Brook Hawkins, who has been the primary NYRA Steward since 2019. The post Victor Escobar Succeeds Brook Hawkins as NYRA Steward appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The post NHC Prayer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund Advisory Committee met Feb. 1 to discuss monetary allotments to the state's spring meetings at Keeneland and Churchill Downs.View the full article

Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie will begin the 2024 Thoroughbred Racing Season April 18 and conclude July 14. The season will encompass 41 race days, featuring 21 stakes worth a total of $2.8 million.View the full article

Maryland was one of the breakout states in the American Horse Council's report on the economic impact of the national horse industry, released Jan. 31.View the full article

Seven months after learning they were one of a handful of racehorse rehoming and animal rescue organizations bequeathed a large sum of money by owner Nancy Messineo, the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) have received the “significant gift” and are in the process of figuring out how to best use it. “We received this gift the end of last year right before Christmas,” said Lucinda Lovitt, executive director of the non-profit founded 15 years ago to raise money for the state's fleet of retired racehorses. “It's timely in the sense that we have this big shift coming in California,” Lovitt added, alluding to the planned closure of Golden Gate Fields in June. “It gives us some flexibility and freedom to meet the needs where they are or where they will be.” Messineo, who died in June at the age of 74 after a long battle with cancer, left CARMA, the Wild Horse Sanctuary, Red Bucket Sanctuary, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Thoroughbred Charities of America sums totaling roughly three-quarters of her estate. Messineo's gifts came as a welcome surprise to these organizations, but didn't surprise those who knew her well. “She just loved animals,” said Bruce Sands last June, of his close friend, a long-time racehorse owner. While CARMA is still in the process of deciding how to deploy the funds, Lovitt said that Messineo had specified in her will for the money to be used in the organization's placement program. In short, that program acts as a bridge to funnel a retired racehorse toward the right aftercare organization–to prevent, for example, a horse with the skills for a fruitful second career from going to a lifetime retirement sanctuary. “We're providing a service for our horsemen and we're providing a service to our aftercare partners because we're making sure that they're getting horses that fit their program,” said Lovitt. CARMA's placement program comes with caveats. The owners must have participated in California's CARMA purse contribution program. The horse must have raced or worked at a CHRB (California Horse Racing Board)-licensed track or training center in the last six months. And the horse must be a gelding, filly or mare. Lovitt declined to specify the amount gifted but stressed its impact on the organization. “Right now especially, it's really wonderful to have this safety net,” she said. The post Messineo Windfall for Use in CARMA Placement Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Purses for maiden special weight (MSW) races are projected to remain unchanged for the third straight spring at both Keeneland Race Course and Churchill Downs. Track executives disclosed the pre-condition book figures during the Feb. 1 Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) advisory board meeting. Keeneland expects to write $100,000 MSW races for 3-year-olds and older horses, with 2-year-olds competing for $80,000, according to Gatewood Bell, Keeneland's vice president of racing. Continuing a condition that Keeneland tried last fall, Bell added that there will also be four maiden-auction races written for $70,000, one for each sex going both short and long. Back during Keeneland's 2021 spring meet, the comparable MSW purse levels were $79,000 and $60,000 for older and juvenile races, respectively. Keeneland's $100,000 and $80,000 levels have been in effect since 2022. Churchill's MSW races for older horses will remain at the $120,000 purse level this spring, according to Ben Huffman, the track's vice president of racing. He did not state an amount for 2-year-old races. In the spring of 2021, Churchill carded two levels of MSW money. For the lead-in week to the GI Kentucky Derby, the purses were $115,000. After that, MSW races were written for $100,000. In 2022, Churchill's MSW purses for older horses got raised to $120,000 for the spring meet. The purse levels stayed that way in 2023, even after Churchill's corporate ownership opted to move the remainder of the meet to another Kentucky track in its portfolio, Ellis Park, in the aftermath of 12 equine fatalities that occurred in the first six weeks of the Churchill season. Bill Landes III, the chairman of the KTDF advisory committee, who represents the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders (KTOB) association on the KTDF board, briefly addressed both Keeneland and Churchill about potentially increasing those MSW purse levels in the future. “If things come good for you, we would be amenable to any hike or anything you could afford us,” Landes said. Braxton Lynch, who also represents the KTOB on the KTDF board, suggested that any available purse money would be better spent on upping the amounts carded for allowance races. “As much as Bill likes to focus on the MSW numbers, [and] I think we're really lucky to be where we are on the MSW numbers, if we ever got a chance [to] put [a purse] increase somewhere, I'd love to see a bigger gap between MSW and allowance, with allowances going a little higher. They become so much harder to win that I think there should be a little more reward there.” KTDF board member Rick Hiles, who serves as the president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protection Association, agreed with Lynch. “I've been saying for years there should be a bigger gap between maidens and the non-winners of two or 'a-other-than' [allowance conditions].” The KTDF is funded by three-quarters of 1% of all money wagered in the state on both live Thoroughbred races and historical horse race gaming, plus 2% of all money wagered on Thoroughbred races via inter-track wagering and whole-card simulcasting. On Thursday the KTDF advisory committee approved the recommendation of allotment requests that the Churchill and Keeneland purse estimates were based on, but the full Kentucky Horse Racing Commission still has to vote on final approval of the funding. The post For Third Straight Spring, MSW Purses at Keeneland and Churchill Projected to Remain Level appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this Saturday running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses: Saturday, February 3, 2024 4th-KYO, ¥11,850,000 ($81k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m AIR SAMSARA (c, 3, Nyquist–Yuzuru, by Medaglia d'Oro) is the latest to the races out of this stakes-winning dam, whose daughter Yuugiri (Shackleford) pieced together a very productive 4-year-old season in 2023, winning the GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. ahead of a gallant runner-up effort behind repeat champion Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. The family has served these breeders very well, as Yuzuru's half-sister Nokaze (Empire Maker) has bred five winners from five starters–all in Japan–including Group 2 scorer Air Almas (Majestic Warrior) and Air Fanditha (Hat Trick {Jpn}), a two-time listed stakes winner. The colt's third dam Angelic Song (Halo) was a full-sister to Devil's Bag, Saint Ballado, et al. B-Sekie & Tsunebumi Yoshihara (KY) 5th-TOK, ¥11,850,000 ($81k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1600mT RAINBOW TOPAZ (JPN) (c, 3, Ghostzapper–Lady Dyna, by Tapit), a $125,000 in-utero purchase at Keeneland November in 2020, is a maternal grandson of Dr. John Chandler's Dynaforce (Dynaformer), a stakes winner and Group 2-placed in France for Andre Fabre and later winner of the GI Beverly D. S. and GI Flower Bowl S. while under the care of Bill Mott upon her repatriation to the U.S. The dam of English SW & GSP Aljezeera (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Dynaforce is kin to 12 winners out of Aletta Maria (Diesis {GB}), including MGISW Cetewayo (His Majesty), GSW & GISP Bowman Mill (Kris S.), SW Ntombi (Quiet American) and De Aar (Gone West), the MGSP dam of three-time graded winner and multiple Grade I-placed Willcox Inn (Harlan's Holiday). B-Yuki Dendo The post Yuugiri Half-Brother Kicks Off Career at Kyoto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maryland was one of the breakout states in the American Horse Council's report on the economic impact of the national horse industry, released on Jan. 31. The total economic impact of the industry grew 38% between 2017 and 2022, from $2.1 billion to $2.9 billion. In addition, the industry's direct contribution to Maryland's GDP grew by 40.5% between 2017 and 2022. The industry is responsible for 28,434 jobs, and horse industry wages total more than $1.24 billion. The survey, conducted in 2023 by the American Horse Council, determined that Maryland contains over 717,000 horse enthusiasts, or about 30% of the population, with a total horse population estimate of 92,749. More than 37,000 Thoroughbreds live in Maryland, making them the most populous breed in the state. “The horse industry is a vital part of Maryland's economy and Maryland's landscape,” says Cricket Goodall, executive director of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association. “Horses provide both job opportunities and the environmentally beneficial green space that are essential to Maryland's productive future. We are proud that Maryland has more horses per square mile than any other state in the country.” The post Economic Impact of Maryland Horse Industry Grows to $2.9 Billion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article