Wandering Eyes

Kentucky Senator Henry Clay might be considered one of the premier American politicians pre-Lincoln, but what is not up for debate was his fervent commitment to breeding equine athletes and attending the races. You cannot actually visit his home–Ashland–because the structure that stands on the Clay Estate just south of downtown Lexington is not original to “The Great Compromiser” and his time. However, interpretations of Clay-related objects enliven the tour. Ashland in name was imported as a stakes race when Keeneland opened in 1936. Some familiar female runners who graced the winner's circle at the old Keene Farm include Myrtlewood, Bewitch and Doubledogdare, and more recent fillies like Inside Information, Take Charge Lady and a personal favorite of mine, Bushfire. As Keeneland kicks off racing on Friday, the GI Central Bank Ashland S. boasts a showdown with 3-year-old fillies looking to deposit 100 points into their Kentucky Oaks account. For starters, the top three finishers from the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies are present, including winner Just F Y I (Justify). The champion 2-year-old filly almost made the races this spring to kick start her 2024, but trainer Bill Mott was forced to wait until Keeneland. Also Ashland bound is Jody's Pride (American Pharoah), who was second to Just F Y I at Santa Anita, and last month won the Busher S. at Aqueduct. She will be joined by the third-place finisher from the Juvenile Fillies, Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}), who also has not made a start this year for trainer Todd Pletcher. The filly returns to the site of her win in the GI Alcibiades S. last fall. Impel | Coady Photography In an effort to put her own stamp on an Oaks run, 'TDN Rising Star' Impel (Quality Road) will look to keep her record unblemished. Under Brad Cox's tutelage, the Juddmonte homebred broke her maiden at Fair Grounds Jan. 1 and then posted an 8 1/2-length score and a 91-Beyer against optional claimers at Oaklawn Mar. 3. Finally, Candied's stablemate Leslie's Rose (Into Mischief) justifiably earned her 'TDN Rising Star' when she broke her maiden by 9 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct last fall before returning to finish third in the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream Park Mar. 2. Halina's Forte (Mitole) will seek to raise her game for Rigney Racing, as she attempts to capitalize on her first black-type win in the Ruthless S. at the 'Big A' Feb. 17. Keeneland's Friday slate includes the GIII Transylvania S., which draws 12, plus a pair of also-eligibles. The field for the 3-year-old turf route includes Musical Act (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), the first of several overseas arrivals in Kentucky for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby. With a packed stakes schedule, plus everything from the baby races to lower daily double takeout, these are just some of the storylines on tap at Keeneland. As for past April meet leaders, Jockey Tyler Gaffalione recorded 21 victories to secure his second consecutive spring meet riding title in 2023, while last year conditioner Wesley Ward earned his sixth consecutive training honor and ninth total. The post Keeneland Features Ashland Showdown As Spring Meet Opens Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Track announcer John Imbriale has announced that he will retire following a 44-year career with the New York Racing Association. Imbriale's tenure with NYRA dates to 1979 when he won a New York Daily News contest, giving him the opportunity to call a race and work with the NYRA press office. In 1990, the Queens, New York native became Tom Durkin's backup and along the way, took on other responsibilities at NYRA by working with Harvey Pack on the Inside Racing program, and in a variety of roles within NYRA TV. “When I think about all the things that I was fortunate to do at NYRA, the best part was being able to work with a lot of talented, wonderful people, from Harvey Pack and Charlsie Cantey to Tom Durkin and all the behind-the-scenes people in NYRA TV, simulcasting and the press office,” said Imbriale. In January of 2020, Imbriale took over as NYRA's full-time track announcer, joining former New York race callers that include Durkin, Marshall Cassidy, Dave Johnson, Chic Anderson and Fred “Cappy” Capossela. He said, “When I walked into the booth at Saratoga for the first time after taking over as the full-time announcer in 2020, I literally got goose bumps thinking of those who had gone before me, greats like Fred Capossela, Marshall Cassidy, Chic Anderson, Dave Johnson and Tom. I got to do just about everything I wanted to do at NYRA. That's how fortunate I was. I really feel that way.” In 2023, Imbriale transitioned from full time to seasonal duties as the primary announcer at Belmont Park and the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. Imbriale handed the Saratoga baton to Frank Mirahmadi, who called his first Saratoga meet in 2023 and will return in 2024. Chris Griffin, who joined NYRA in 2023 and served as the track announcer for the winter and spring meets at Aqueduct, will expand his role and handle all race calling duties at Aqueduct. “John's contributions went beyond an unwavering accuracy in calling the races,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “He conveyed excitement whether it was a Grade 1 at Saratoga or a mid-week claimer, and in doing so, helped fans learn about and better appreciate thoroughbred racing. John is also one of the true gentlemen of racing and a role model and mentor to a generation of NYRA staff.” The post NYRA Announcer John Imbriale Announces Retirement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bidding on the 109 entries in the Fasig-Tipton April Digital Sale is now open and will close Apr. 9, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. The sale includes the final phase of the Lothenbach dispersal and phase two of the Ruis dispersal. The catalogue features 69 horses of racing age, a graded stakes winner off the track, multiple stakes performers, and breeding stock with current updates. These include the broodmare Star of Shanghai (Shanghai Bobby) (hip 23), a half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' Mindframe (Constitution), who debuted with a 13-length victory at Gulfstream Park last Saturday. Two-year olds and yearlings are also on offer. Both the Lothenbach and Ruis entries are consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency and will be sold without reserve. The Lothenbach offerings are horses of racing age, while the Ruis entries consist of horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects and yearlings. To view the entire catalogue, visit digital.fasigtipton.com. The post Bidding Opens on Fasig-Tipton April Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's Idiomatic, the reigning champion older dirt female, and Godolphin's Pretty Mischievous, who earned the 2023 Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old filly, are at this early stage on course to collide in the May 3 La Troienne Stakes (G1).View the full article

DraftKings and NYRA announced an agreement establishing DraftKings as an official betting partner of both Saratoga Race Course and the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival as well as the presenting sponsor of the 155th running of the Travers Stakes (G1).View the full article

The new program offers automatic entries and travel incentives with four American turf stakes and two group 1 stakes in Great Britain.View the full article

A celebration of life memorial for Phil Oliver will be held at Thoroughbred Club of America in Lexington Apr. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. The trainer passed away in February. He is survived by his wife Victoria Oliver, brother Chris Oliver, sister Toni Blinkhorn, and his mother Alison Oliver. The post Celebration of Life For Phil Oliver April 8 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. Friday's Observations features a relative of star Group 1 filly Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 19.30 Dundalk, Mdn, €13,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 10f 150y (AWT) MOTHER NATURE (IRE) (Justify) is an eyecatcher as the first foal out of the maiden winner Heaven On Earth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is in turn a full-sister to Ballydoyle's luminaries Minding (Ire), Tuesday (Ire) and Empress Josephine (Ire). Aidan O'Brien pitches the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas entry into the maiden he won last year with Justify's Red Riding Hood (Ire) and she meets Moyglare Stud's intriguing newcomer Step To Somewhere (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a Dermot Weld-trained 280,000gns Book 1 purchase who is a granddaughter of the dual Group 2 winner Best Terms (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). The post Relative Of Minding Starts At Dundalk appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club and 1/ST Racing have partnered to increase international participation in several of their respective turf races, the two companies announced on Thursday. The aim of the partnership is to create links between historic races in the UK and high-profile U.S. turf races over two different distances. The winner of the May 4 $200,000 GII Charles Whittingham S. at Santa Anita will gain an automatic berth and travel incentive to run in the £750,000 G1 Coral-Eclipse over the same 10-furlong distance at Sandown Park on July 6. Whichever horse wins the Eclipse, will receive an automatic entry and a travel incentive to run in the $750,000 GII California Crown John Henry Turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 28. Turf Sprinters are also catered to in the new partnership, with the May 18 $100,000 Listed Jim McKay S. at Pimlico over five furlongs receiving a berth and travel money in the £600,000 G1 My Pension Expert July Cup over six furlongs at Newmarket on July 6. The July Cup winner will receive an automatic entry in the $750,000 GII California Crown Eddie D Turf Sprint over 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita, the same day as the John Henry Turf. Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST, said, “A special thank you to our friends at The Jockey Club on launching this innovative partnership. We look forward to welcoming in competitors to the inaugural California Crown at Santa Anita Park this autumn. “This partnership with The Jockey Club is part of our wider global strategy for improving international interest and top-class participation in the world's biggest races–as evidenced by a similar alliance we have with Royal Ascot, via our Royal Palm juvenile series at Gulfstream Park, which delivered Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), the winner of the prestigious [G2] Queen Mary S., in its inaugural year.” Matt Woolston, The Jockey Club's assistant racing and international director, added, “We are delighted to announce this great new initiative today and I would like to thank everyone at 1/ST for helping to make it happen. “By pairing two of the UK's most famous and prestigious Group 1 contests in the summer with a quartet of valuable North American turf contests in the spring and autumn, we feel we have the perfect race schedule for transatlantic runners. “In addition, British and other European trainers now have the chance of an incentivised trip to North America in the autumn for races at Santa Anita's exciting new California Crown meeting. “We feel we have highlighted a race schedule that incentivises runners to travel across the Atlantic.” The post The Jockey Club And 1/ST Racing Partner To Enhance International Turf Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sixty-five lots have been catalogued for the next Tattersalls Online sale, which takes place on April 9 and 10 and includes the recent all-weather winner Sea Ice (Ire) (lot 27). The three-year-old daughter of Too Darn Hot (GB) is consigned by John and Thady Gosden's Clarehaven Stables having opened her account at the fifth attempt when successful in a maiden at Chelmsford last month. The five-year-old Julia Augusta (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) (lot 15) is another to note as a two-time winner for Roger Varian's Carlburg Stables. She is out of a half-sister to the dam of the Grade III winner Abby Hatcher (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and hails from the family of the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Poet's Word (Ire). The National Hunt offering includes the five-year-old Kalinqa (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) (lot 16), who won twice on the Flat before finishing an encouraging third on her first start over hurdles at Auteuil last month. She is consigned by Pau-based trainer Julian Resimont, while a complete dispersal from Whitewall Stables comprises five lots, including Ballywood (Fr) (Ballingarry {Ire}) (lot 5), runner-up in the G2 Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster in January 2019. Thirteen yearlings will also be offered for sale when bidding opens at noon on Tuesday, April 9. The full catalogue can be viewed here. The post Sea Ice to be Sold at Tattersalls Online April Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DraftKings Inc. and the New York Racing Association, Inc. have made an agreement to establish the digital sports and gaming company as an official betting partner of both Saratoga Race Course and the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, as well as the presenting sponsor of the GI Travers S., the track said in Thursday release. Under the sponsorship, DraftKings's advance deposit wagering offering–DK Horse–will play a prominent role throughout the festival. Along with the DraftKings Travers, NYRA's new partner will also become the presenting sponsor for the GI DK Horse Acorn S. Launched in 2023, DK Horse is a standalone app currently available in 20 states and allows eligible customers access to pari-mutuel wagering. “Bringing DraftKings and DK Horse back to Saratoga for a second consecutive year is a tremendous honor,” said Christopher Cipolla, General Manager, Horse Racing, DraftKings. “Having our branding present throughout the summer at one of the most beautiful and well attended race tracks in all of the world and being named the presenting sponsor of this year's Travers and Acorn further cements our commitment to the sport of horse racing.” The DraftKings and DK Horse brands will be displayed throughout the Saratoga property beginning in June, with a variety of on-site activations reminding fans of the broad availability of DraftKings products. “DraftKings is a premier brand within the rapidly growing sports wagering marketplace, and this arrangement will help to introduce world class racing to a wider audience of fans and bettors, “said Tony Allevato, NYRA Chief Revenue Officer. “This will be a tremendously exciting year at Saratoga Race Course, and we thank DraftKings for supporting New York horse racing.” The post NYRA And Draftkings Form Betting And Sponsorship Agreement, Includes Travers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Bob Baffert-trained Kinza and the Richard Mandella-trained Kopion meet for a second time in the April 6 Santa Anita Oaks (G2) after Kinza defeated Kopion by two lengths this winter in the Las Virgenes Stakes (G3).View the full article

When Gulfstream Park staged the “Race of the Century” 56 years ago this spring, 17,300 fans packed the grandstand. They stared out onto a horseless track, where an empty starting gate was parked ceremonially at the 1 1/4 miles position. They rooted, cursed and cheered home their picks. Not a single person ended up witnessing the race. Yet those in attendance–and a nation of fans who tuned in via the NBC Radio broadcast or read about the outcome in coast-to-coast newspaper coverage–seemed to be in vehement agreement for weeks afterward that the best horse didn't win. The Race of the Century on Apr. 6, 1968, was a promotional stunt, the sport's first major attempt at using a computer simulation for a form of entertainment. It was also, in part, supposed to serve as a testament to the emerging–even intimidating–power of computing technology. It might have been a bust on both attempts. But if your barometer is the old marketing adage “even bad publicity is good publicity,” the event could retrospectively be considered a hit. Morning Telegraph chart of the 'Race of the Century' The imagined get-together of 12 of the greatest Thoroughbreds from different eras drew a decent amount of ink and interest in its day, and even today the concept of a “fantasy race” lives on. Every few years now in the 21st Century, as new fan favorites get added to the list of “greats,” the idea of a recreated showdown among epic champions keeps getting dusted off and repeated, powered by whatever latest and greatest technology happens to be in vogue. In 1968, the entity that made its case for being the pre-eminent prognosticator of America's all-time historical horse race was a British technology team from the University of Liverpool's Department of Computation and Statistical Science. Several months earlier, a panel of 150 stateside sports writers and broadcasters had been tasked with voting on the 12 luminaries who would line up in the digital starting gate, and they came up with (in eventual randomized post-position order) Count Fleet, Exterminator, Man o' War, War Admiral, Nashua, Citation, Tom Fool, Kelso, Buckpasser, Equipoise, Swaps and Native Dancer. There was some pre-race griping that the selectors had concentrated too heavily on horses who had competed between 1948 and 1968. Today we would say that a “recency bias” contributed to the lack of better representation from horses who had competed in earlier times. First came the knockout… In partnering with the British computing team, Gulfstream was riding on the tails of a publicity experiment hatched by boxing promoters and a Miami radio station that had featured a computer-generated “tournament” among heavyweight greats past and present. That venture had drawn criticism because, somewhat improbably, all the highest-ranked dead boxers and all the Black champs got eliminated via computer, leaving the popular (and white and still-living) Rocky Marciano and Jack Dempsey to slug it out. Both retired champs were conveniently hired on for promotional purposes. The underdog Marciano scored a surprising “knockout.” Ali ended up suing the promoters for $1-million in damages because he claimed his reputation had been tarnished by losing to the ghost of Jim Jeffries. As columnist Robert Lipsyte explained in the New York Times, not many in the boxing industry seemed concerned that the computerized championship had come off like a badly scripted pro wrestling match. “People within boxing were not terribly exercised about the tournament,” Lipsyte wrote. “They are respectful toward anyone who can come up with a gimmick to make a buck, and are generally tolerant of fixed fights.” Native Dancer | Coglianese In racing, presumably, there would not be as much acceptance for outcomes that were more orchestrated than computed. Britain had already had a brief go at accepting bets on computer-generated racing in 1967, when bookmakers enlisted the help of programmers to stage “The Computer Gold Cup” after a bout of foot-and-mouth disease had shut down real horse racing for 40 days. Punters ended up not clamoring for that sort of action, and with the return of the real thing, simulated racing was cast aside. It was against this backdrop that Gulfstream supplied the Liverpool team information about the selected horses' class, weight-carrying ability, and overall race records, and in turn the programmers fed that data into the computer. Final and fractional times, point-of-call margins, and winning margins were also included, but the computing team disclosed that those factors would not be given as much emphasis. It took two full weeks to upload what was essentially past-performance data for a 12-horse field into the machine. Man o' War's trainer, the then-84-year-old Louis Feustel, openly predicted the star colt who had won 20 of 21 races in the era just after World War I would “gallop” in the 1968 simulation despite the impressive credentials of his rivals. “I'd have to fear Buckpasser a little. And maybe Citation,” Feustel told the New York Times several days prior to the event. “But Man o' War was the greatest. Even when he was walking or jogging, he wanted to get there first.” Overwhelming fave… Not many racegoers and turf writers disagreed with Man o' War's trainer. There was no pari-mutuel betting on the race, but Gulfstream had a pick-the-winner contest that offered prizes, and about 50% of the public chose “Big Red.” An estimated 40% of the published picks in the press also had him on top. Yet some pre-race writeups tried to get inside the “brain” of the computer. Steve Cady of the New York Times took a contrarian approach in his handicapping by noting that despite setting American or world records at five different distances while winning under imposts up to 138 pounds, “An ominous note for Man o' War could be the emphasis placed on class of competition.” Big Red's competition was practically non-existent late in his 3-year-old season, when he scared most it away and started favored at odds as low as 1-to-100 in six match races and four stakes that attracted only two other starters. This, Cady reasoned, would count against Man o' War based on what reporters had been told about the computing methodology. The programming blueprint gave more credence to horses from larger foal crops who raced more often against larger fields. Man o' War was made the (ridiculously high) 4-1 morning-line choice, with Count Fleet, who swept the 1943 Triple Crown, at 5-1, and Citation, the 1948 Triple Crown champ, at 6-1. All entrants were assigned 126 theoretical pounds, and for the most part, they were “ridden” by the jockeys most associated with their prime performances in real life. The event was scheduled to be run prior to the first live race on Gulfstream's normal Saturday card. Count Fleet grave marker | Sarah Andrew When the race went off, the University of Liverpool team transmitted positions and margins to Gulfstream at five-second intervals, and it was the job of press box impresario Joe Tanenbaum to formulate that data into a narrative and call the race over the public address system and for NBC. There was a gasp of disbelief from the masses facing the empty track when Tanenbaum announced that Braulio Baeza had sent Buckpasser to the lead. Buckpasser had just retired the previous season after being named a champion in all three years he raced, and the crowd would have been well aware that this audacious move was totally contrary to the leggy, elegant colt's standard off-the-pace tactics. Buckpasser led by a head over Citation, with Man o' War stalking another head behind in third in the early going. Fans staring at the running order on otherwise blank closed-circuit TVs saw little change as the stalkers allowed Buckpasser to open up by two lengths entering the backstretch. The top trio held their same positions past the half-mile marker, but Buckpasser's leading margin had been sliced in half. Around the far turn, Citation, the sport's first million-dollar-earner, swooped to the lead and now the main danger was clearly Man o' War, relentless in his pursuit and less than a length behind. Big Red drove furiously at the smooth, efficient-striding Citation, extending his stride at a point in the race where jockey Clarence Kummer was usually easing him up in a romp. Man o' War loomed within a head 70 yards out, but Citation was emboldened by the challenge, surging under Steve Brooks to edge away by a neck at the wire. Buckpasser hung on for third, ahead of Exterminator, Kelso, Swaps, Nashua, Tom Fool, War Admiral, Northern Dancer, Equipoise and Count Fleet. Aftermath, and beyond… An un-bylined New York Times recap reported the results with a tone of incredulity. “Although no press box handicapper would fault Citation, a number expressed the opinion that 'Man o' War must be spinning in his grave,'” the story stated. “One handicapper who had picked Citation confessed that he believed 'Man o' War would have run all those horses off the track, but when I saw the factors they were considering for the computer, I figured the answer would come out Citation.'” Even the simulated two-minute winning time for the 10-furlong race came under criticism, with some turf scribes noting that it was a fifth of a second shy of the actual Gulfstream track record established by Citation's lesser-heralded stablemate, Coaltown, who did not even come close to getting voted into the Race of the Century. Russ Harris of the Miami Herald wrote that “the manner in which the dream race was run created a broad credibility gap between the data machine and oldtime racing fans.” Citation at Belmont | Horsephotos Sports columnist Arthur Daley of the New York Times put it this way: “Computers are only as reliable as the information fed them. This one obviously [shuffled] through cards that had been folded, bent, spindled and otherwise mutilated. How else can you explain a front-running whirlwind like Count Fleet lagging all the way and running last? How else can you explain a come-from-behind charger like Buckpasser blithely stepping in front even though he always loafed once he was in the lead?” Maurice Hymans, the linemaker for the race, agreed. “Buckpasser never went to the front. Can you imagine Count Fleet being outrun to the first turn by Buckpasser? Why did they have to go to England to do this? Don't we have computers in this country?” Turf writer Sam Engleberg, described by Harris as a renowned speed handicapper, expressed a frustration that would resonate today with horseplayers everywhere. “They ought to smash the machine,” Engleberg said. “Twenty years after he's dead, I lose a bet on Man o' War.” Lipsyte, of the New York Times, was still writing about the Race of the Century four months after it occurred, and his column about computers and sports from Aug. 12, 1968, contained profoundly prophetic words about how technology would unfold over the next six decades. Although Lipsyte did not use the term “sports analytics” that we now hear every day, he aptly predicted it. “In the future, the matings of Thoroughbred stallions and mares will be completely directed by computerized information, and stroke analysis in golf, play analysis in football, and scoring in ski-jumping will be electronically aided,” Lipsyte wrote. “There is no reason, except money, why professional baseball and football teams could not have elaborate systems designed to pin-point weaknesses and call plays. As long as computers are programmed by human beings, sports can only profit, through increased efficiency and fewer injuries, from electronic coaching aids.” Yet Lipsyte also warned of the ominous effects of an over-reliance on technology, both inside and outside the world of sports. “The Machine, you see, will eat anything a man feeds it and will swallow everything,” Lipsyte wrote. “People who are fearful of such things as rifles, projectiles, unsafe automobiles and sharp objects are almost unanimous in their fear of The Machine. They are terrified that their one human characteristic, rational thought, will be borrowed, improved upon, and never returned.” The post Back To The Future: The Day Citation Beat Man O’ War appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Churchill Downs will partner with lifestyle expert Martha Stewart for the 150th running of the GI Kentucky Derby to bring the experience of race-day celebrations to fans everywhere, the track said in a release Thursday morning. Fans can celebrate “Kentucky Derby At-Home” with a unique menu curated by Stewart. “The 'Kentucky Derby At-Home' menu is a culinary journey designed to recreate the Derby experience for those celebrating at home,” Martha Stewart said. “From classic favorites like Deviled Eggs and Pimento Cheese, to creative twists on Derby Day staples, each dish is a tribute to the flavors of this storied historic event.” Click here for more information. The post Churchill Downs And Martha Stewart To Partner During Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai has strengthened its partnership with the Curragh Racecourse by putting its name to a variety of races staged at the track throughout the year, including the launch of the inaugural Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Future Champion Jockeys Series. The Listed Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Orby S. will carry prize-money of €45,000 when it takes place on the same programme as the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday, May 25, while the €100,000 G3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International S. will be staged on day two of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival on Saturday, June 29. Malih Al Basti, Al Basti Equiworld founder and CEO, said, “The Curragh is established as one of the leading racecourses and training centres in the world and we are very pleased to be able to associate our brand with such an historic venue by adding our name to stakes races at two of the most prestigious weekends of racing in Europe. “Ireland is renowned for producing some of the best jockeys in the world and we are also happy to support the riding stars of the future with sponsorship of a series of races for apprentice jockeys.” Evan Arkwright, racing and sponsorship manager at the Curragh, added, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with one of the world's leading equine industry suppliers. Al Basti Equiworld Dubai has been an outstanding supporter of the thoroughbred racing industry all over the world.” The post Al Basti Equiworld Increases Sponsorship At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The exhilarating rush of adrenaline created when seeing your Thoroughbred soar across the finish line creates a sweet taste of victory that brings a sense of satisfaction and a touch of disbelief. That often-elusive flavor remains on one's tongue in a constant search for more. Taste of Victory Stable's founders Kyle Yost and Brian Richardson have reveled in that sensation, knowing it can be interspersed with bitter moments that only life and owning Thoroughbred racehorses can produce. The seeds of Thoroughbred ownership are typically planted by family and/or friends. Kyle Yost, a graduate of Penn State University, grew up on a small South Central Pennsylvania farm where his parents raised and brokered livestock. “My dad raised some mid-level Thoroughbreds on the farm which attracted me to the sport, almost by osmosis,” reflected Yost. “We would take in days at Penn National and Pimlico. There was just something about a Thoroughbred that drew me in.” Brian Richardson, on the other hand, and on the other side of the country, grew up just 20 minutes from Los Alamitos Race Course in Huntington Beach, California. “Aside from the early trips to Los Al, I will always remember my days at USC and making trips to Santa Anita with friends. On one occasion I hit an exacta for $680 and I was hooked as a horseplayer. As a fan, attending the races in Southern California was something special for our family.” The road to ownership for Richardson began while on a fishing trip with his dad and his dad's best friend Gene Ward, who was affectionately nicknamed “Cherry.” “Cherry offered up what he called the idea of all ideas to my dad who they called `Hawk,' Richardson said. “Why don't we gather friends and family and rent out a luxury suite at Del Mar to take in the races and put Brian in charge?” It became an annual event, titled the Del Mar Cherry-Hawk event.” The Partners | courtesy of Taste of Victory Stables After a number of years enjoying Mexican buffets and drinks at Del Mar, it was another genius idea from `Cherry' who figured since they enjoyed going to Del Mar so much each year, it was time to buy a Thoroughbred and race themselves. So, 20 friends and family members got together, including Hawk, Cherry and Yost, who was a business associate and friend, and they started Cherry Hawk Stables. The partnership's first horse was a yearling who the 20 partners opted to name Twenty Hawks (Unusual Heat). “We didn't think the name Twenty Cherries would provide the intimidating aura we wanted in our first racehorse,” quipped Richardson. Twenty Hawks would go on to earn over $338,000 for the group of first timers, but sadly Brian's father passed away prior to the horse moving out to Charles Town and finding success. Twenty Hawks broke his maiden in his fifth lifetime start. “It was bittersweet considering my dad inspired us, along with Cherry, to start going to Del Mar and purchasing a racehorse. I knew Twenty Hawks was wearing angel wings when he first scored for us. It was an emotional moment for me,” said Richardson. Twenty Hawks: The Life-Changing Story of “The Iron Horse” The concept of Taste of Victory Stables was amalgamated over multiple conversations between Yost and Richardson. “It was about 10 years ago, and we both wanted to somehow elevate the popularity of the sport,” said Yost. “There were other groups out there like West Point and Dogwood, but buying shares with them was out of reach for most people. We wanted to make it affordable for the average fan.” Richardson concurs. “We had the ability to attract new owners from coast to coast and at a level that wasn't going to break the bank,” he said. “Giving people a `behind the ropes' experience that most racing fans have never been a part of was something we were committed to providing. The partners in Cherry Hawk Stables were also looking for more action and more horses so we launched Taste of Victory Stables in 2015.” Partner Jeff Guffey and wife Nancy with Marley's Ghost at Saratoga | courtesy of Taste of Victory Stables Current partner Dan Filipek recounted his initial connection to horse racing and Kyle Yost. “I let him know that I had been going to the racetrack with my father since I was a young boy,” said Filipek. “I had great memories of watching the Michigan Mile at Detroit Race Course and watching the Trotters at Northville Downs. I was sad that both of those tracks closed along with Hazel Park Raceway. I mentioned to Kyle that the three things my father and I did most together were go to the racetrack, work on cars and go hunting. But since my dad passed, my passion for working on cars and hunting faded, but not my love for horse racing. It was then that Kyle told me about the partnership group that Taste of Victory offered, and I thought what better way to rekindle my memories of watching horse racing with my dad then getting truly involved in the sport, so I joined.” Another partner who said he was glad Taste of Victory started to expand is Larry Hopkins. “I have met some incredible people through TOV,” he said. “I have been on a few road trips to see our horses including our annual pilgrimage to Pimlico for Black Eyed Susan day. It is interesting getting to mingle with more experienced horsemen and also meeting some of the trainers. It has really opened my eyes to what a great sport Thoroughbred racing is.” As the partnership expanded so did the management group. In 2016, while attending an owners' conference at Keeneland, Yost and Richardson met Russ Sapienza on a tour of Adena Springs. Originally from Pennsylvania like Yost, Sapienza would eventually make his way to Saratoga Springs where the former senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers currently resides. “I was first introduced to horse racing in high school when I went to Brandywine Raceway in Delaware to see the Stanley Cup, which was on tour after being won by the Flyers,” said Sapienza. “But I looked around and my attention turned to the horses. That experience and years of going to Saratoga and Belmont with my wife and her dad turned me into a hardcore fan of the sport and the horses. I enjoy handicapping and even participated in the 2020 NHC in Las Vegas and continue to play in tournaments today. I hope I bring a bit of the 'business of Thoroughbred ownership' in my role as an advisor to Kyle and Brian.” Sapienza has focused on New York-breds and racing at Belmont, Aqueduct, and Saratoga for Taste of Victory. “New York has a friendly condition book for New York-breds, and the purse structure is extremely competitive. They also have a strong aftercare program which is important to our partners. When you race at places like Saratoga, you get to compete at an elite level in sport while still being part of a small barn or group. You can't do that in any other sport.” Taste of Victory provides a variety of opportunities that can include young horses or claimers. Their groups are also regionally diverse with groups competing in California, the Mid-Atlantic, New York, and recently Ohio. “We like to keep the investment levels between $1,500 and $7,500 and want people to have at least a three percent interest in any group,” said Yost. “Each group has multiple horses to provide plenty of action and we don't mark up any of our purchases. Each group starts off with a budget that includes estimated expenditures for a year in advance, assuming no purse earnings. We don't want to be reaching out and making cash calls every month.” The lower starting investment level was a key for partner Chief Stipe Shepherd. “The idea of purchasing a horse on my own was too daunting and expensive for a hobby, so the concept of an ownership group was perfect for me,” he said. “I have now been a part of numerous TOV groups that race in various parts of the United States. My wife and son have also become interested in horse racing and my son has recently joined a group with TOV.” Hit the Road | Lauren King Partner Dan Filipek agreed and aptly summed it up. “The cost of entry is affordable, but the thrills are priceless!” Taste of Victory does reserve $300 per month for administrative expenses that go to cover professional fees and the services of their trusted bookkeeper Cara Thomas. The group has begun retaining five percent of purse earnings for new groups to provide funding for expansion and offering more social events. The trio of experienced managers has recently begun offering private management for individuals or groups that want to own horses on their own but need some additional guidance and support. “Private management is great for families, poker or golfing groups, fraternity brothers and sorority sisters, corporate groups–essentially any individuals or groups that want a program customized to provide maximum enjoyment and flexibility,” said Yost. Jeff Guffey is one partner that enjoys the events and access. “On race days, they are always willing to host owners at the track, and even set up barn tours for up-close access to the horses and the trainers. It really makes you feel like a true owner and horseman. I think that is what differentiates a group like Taste of Victory from other ownership groups that are less hands on, and more crowd-sourced.” Taste of Victory Stables has sent two horses to the Breeders' Cup since its inception. GISW/GSW What a View (Vronsky) was the first in 2016, but success arrived in a big way when Taste of Victory Stables bought into Hit the Road in 2019. The More Than Ready colt won the GIII Thunder Road S. and the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile in 2020. “Hit the Road made it to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in 2019. Even though he didn't hit the board, it was such a joy to be able to host our partners and family at one of our home tracks,” Richardson said. Hit the Road will be starting his stud career in South Africa this year. Hit the Road | Benoit The sweet taste of success was less palatable for Yost though. His wife of 15 years was also immersed in a cancer battle, which sadly she lost in June 2021. “The horses, including Hit the Road, helped divert my mind for a bit and provide some positivity to the situation, but it was difficult for everyone,” said Yost. “I couldn't get over the outpouring of support from our partners and all the people in the horse racing industry we work with. From sending food for my family to simple notes of support, it was unbelievable.” Chief Stipe Shepherd reflected on the sentiment. “Sure, we love to win stakes races, but that is not what drives everyone. I have learned so much about the sport and the people involved, that it has made me love and appreciate the sport so much more than I ever imagined.” As Taste of Victory Stables continues to welcome new partners, one thing will continue to hold true: The flavor of life and owning Thoroughbreds is a complex blend of sweet successes, bitter disappointments, and the savory experiences that linger in between. The post Partnerships, Presented By Taylor Made: A Taste of Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

According to an article written by Pamela Wood of The Balitmore Banner on Wednesday, Apr. 3, Churchill Downs Inc. has made an “overture” to buy Pimlico, the Home of the Preakness Stakes. The report says the information comes from two unnamed sources in the Maryland state capital familiar with the negotiations. Wood writes that one of the sources said Churchill has been lobbying to derail a bill in the state legislature that's necessary for the state ownership deal to go through. The article says that representatives of Churchill Downs did not respond to multiple voicemail and email messages seeking comment on the company's interest in Pimlico. At this point, Wood writes, it is not clear how serious Churchill Downs's interest is or whether the company made a formal or informal offer to Pimlico or the state about buying the track. She claims that some in Annapolis have privately expressed skepticism about Churchill's motives, given that it has many more casinos than racetracks among its properties. The piece goes on to quote Craig Fravel, Executive Vice Chairman of Stronach's 1/ST Racing and Gaming. Fravel issued a statement Wednesday that there was no pending offer from Churchill Downs to his company, which is “not in any negotiation with them. We remain committed to the contemplated transactions as negotiated,” he said. The Banner article goes on to explain that Churchill's involvement could complicate efforts to execute the state takeover plan for Pimlico, which involves legislation that's pending in the final days of the Maryland General Assembly session. Wood states that several lawmakers have expressed reservations about the state taking over the track and running Thoroughbred racing, along with some elements of the plan to pay for hundreds of millions of dollars in renovations. The piece also says that a bill passed (104-34) the House of Delegates on Monday night and is facing unknown odds in the Senate. Senate President Bill Ferguson told reporters Tuesday, “It's going to be some tough conversations here in the next few days to figure out if there is a clear path forward.” Wood said that Ferguson would not offer a timeline for the Senate's consideration of the bill. The end of the General Assembly's annual legislative session is approaching at midnight Monday, Apr. 8. The post Report: Churchill Downs Enters Late Bid To Purchase Pimlico appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eldar Eldarov (GB) is said to be “making progress” having had an operation to stabilise a fracture in his neck, sustained during an incident in the stalls at the start of the G2 Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday which caused him to be withdrawn. However, a return to racing has all but been ruled out for the son of Dubawi (Ire), who memorably won the G1 St Leger at Doncaster in 2022, before doubling his top-level tally with victory in last year's Irish equivalent, among his 10 starts for Roger Varian. “He had an operation on Tuesday to stabilise a fracture,” said Chris Wall, racing manager for owner Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa's KHK Racing. “Initially, when he was in that post-operative phase he had a rough time of things, but he's making progress now. It will be small steps, he's got a long way to go, but the future is looking brighter than it did 48 hours ago. “He's in good hands in the equine hospital in Dubai, they've done a very good job so far. We flew in two vets from America who said they thought they'd be able to do something for him and they have. We are thankful and grateful to them, and to Shaikh Khalid for insisting that we left no stone unturned to try to give the horse a future. “He still has quite a long way to go. He's by no means in the clear yet, but the progress report this morning [Wednesday] was positive and he's moving in the right direction.” As for what the future might hold for the five-year-old Eldar Eldarov, Wall added, “I think we can safely say he won't be returning to racing, it's now a question of whether he can do a stud job or whether he just has a happy retirement somewhere. We'll have to see. That all depends on how his recovery goes and it's a bit early to say for certain.” The post Efforts Continue To Save Eldar Eldarov For Life Outside Of Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Few people know how to win a Doncaster Mile like Chris Waller. A six-time winner of the 1600-metre Group One, Waller sits just one win behind Tommy Smith and Gai Waterhouse who share the record for most wins in the A$3 million event that will be run at Randwick this Saturday. Three of Waller’s wins have come with three-year-olds, Triple Honour (NZ) (Honours List), Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo) and Sacred Falls (NZ) (O’Reilly), meaning he is aware of the task confronting Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel) this weekend. The three-time Group One winner has 54kg, a weight that has been carried to victory just twice by a three-year-old since the introduction of the metric system in 1973. “(He’s got a) bit of weight to carry, he’s giving away five kilos to Celestial Legend, but he only knows how to run well,” Waller said. “He doesn’t know how to run bad, so we know he’s going to be consistent, we know he’ll try his best, he just needs a bit of luck with that big weight.” Seven three-year-olds have attempted Doncaster glory this century with at least 54kg and while Assertive Lad is the only one to win, Pierro (57kg) and Mentality (55kg) both finished runner-up, while Whobegotyou (54.5kg) finished third. No 21st century three-year-old has carried more weight than Pierro, but he ran in it on a 53kg minimum. Show A Heart, who ran 13th under 54.5kg the year Assertive Lad won, is the only other three-year-old who has been 5kg above the limit this century, while Assertive Lad and Super Seth were 4.5kg above. Mentality had 3.5kg more than the lightest-weighted horses, while Whobegotyou and Megatic were 3kg above. Militarize not only has the two Group 1 Guineas winners, Celestial Legend and Southport Tycoon, on the 49kg limit, he has two other rivals on 50kg, another on 50.5kg – including favourite Another Wil– and four on 51kg, meaning he’s conceding at least 3kg to nine rivals. Pierro and Show A Heart both gave at least 3kg to 11 rivals, Assertive Lad had nine, Whobegotyou eight, Super Seth three and Megatic just one. Militarize is the highest-weighted of Waller’s five runners in Saturday’s race, in which Think About It is the 57kg topweight. The Joe Pride-trained The Everest winner will become the 48th horse to run in a Doncaster with at least 57kg in the past 35 years. Six have won, Happy Clapper (57kg) the most recent, while an additional six have finished second and three others third with 32 unplaced. View the full article

Peter Moody fears a lack of recent match practice could come against defending titleholder I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) when he resumes against a crack field of race-fit sprinters in the Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. A forecast for drenching rain in Sydney has many expecting a heavy track on Saturday and while I Wish I Win handles those conditions, Moody says tackling them fresh from a break is a different kettle of fish. “He has handled the wet at Randwick, but that’s probably more taxing first-up than anything,” Moody said. “Being realistic, you’ve got a horse first-up off a long break that is probably going to find wet ground, and his opposition is probably going to go there a fair bit fitter. “I’m not kidding myself thinking we’re going there and just winning or anything like that, but he is forward enough to go and run well.” I Wish I Win defeated Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) to win the corresponding race last year on a heavy 9 surface, but he arrived third-up from a spell following placings in the Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap. This year he returns from a six-month break, having not raced since his brilliant half-length second to Think About It (So You Think) in The Everest in October. With regular rider Luke Nolen still recovering from injuries suffered in a trackwork fall in January, James Mcdonald takes over the reins aboard I Wish I Win, who has eased to $4.40 with bookmakers, behind $3.20 favourite Imperatriz (I Am Invincible). Moody also reported to stewards that I Wish I Win had undergone minor surgery to remove a bone chip in his right knee since his Everest run. View the full article

Michael Freedman might be preparing to saddle up his first Australian Derby runner in his own right, but the Randwick trainer has plenty of experience when it comes to the time-honoured race. Freedman will start Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes winner Wymark (NZ) (Savabeel) in Saturday’s blue riband, 30 years after strapping 1994 winner Mahogany and 32 years after looking after Naturalism, both for his older brother and fellow trainer Lee. “I haven’t had a Derby runner,” Freedman said. “But I looked after Mahogany from when he was a yearling, so lots of fond memories with him, and Naturalism as well.” Mahogany won the Tulloch Stakes (2000m) as his final Derby lead-up, the same race Wymark triumphed in at Rosehill on Saturday to convince his connections to pay the A$44,000 late entry fee to run. While the former was a much more experienced horse at the same stage – Mahogany had captured the Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby in the spring and placed against the older horses in the Australian Cup – Wymark has been making a rapid progression. Breaking his maiden at Newcastle in February, he went on a four-start winning streak which included an almost 10-length romp at the same track and his last-start Tulloch Stakes success. Like most of his rivals, he will extend to 2400m for the first time in the ATC Australian Derby at Randwick after Freedman initially marked him as a sprinter-miler. “I didn’t think he was a genuine staying-type early doors, but he has well and truly proved me wrong,” Freedman said. “I always had a good opinion of him. I guess he is one of those colts that once gelded, he has just taken that next step. “I am mindful that he has been up a while, he’s not showing any signs of feeling the pinch just yet, but it takes a good, tough horse to do what he has done.” Saturday will be Wymark’s hardest test against the likes of Victoria Derby hero Riff Rocket (American Pharoah), Spring Champion Stakes winner Tom Kitten (Harry’s Angel) and classy filly Zardozi (Kingman), especially after drawing the widest gate in 14. But Freedman has taken heart from a conversation he had with big brother Lee prior to the son of Savabeel winning the Tulloch Stakes, a race which has produced four of the past seven Derby winners. “I was actually chatting to Lee (on Saturday morning) and he said, ‘I reckon your bloke is a great chance and it’s the right lead-up race’,” Freedman said. “I thought, ‘if he’s telling me that then I might be heading the right way’.” View the full article

A new communications campaign, HorsePWR, has been launched by British racing, designed to share and promote the facts around welfare in horseracing. HorsePWR will have its own dedicated website (www.horsepwr.co.uk) to provide information about the sport and the thoroughbred, the lives they lead and the high welfare and safety standards within racing. The website also explores the areas that racing has committed to improve, from reducing risk on and off the racecourse to better supporting horses when they leave the sport. The campaign has been led by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Great British Racing (GBR) and racing's Horse Welfare Board (HWB), with additional funding provided by the Jockey Club. Kinross-based National Hunt trainer Lucinda Russell said of HorsePWR, “This is just what racing needs. We must provide the facts, help educate and confront the tough questions head on. The facts matter. We understand our responsibility and respect our horses and we want to make sure the public know this too. “It's good to see us taking a new approach, showing pride in the lives we give our horses and challenging and correcting inaccurate information which is put into the public domain by those who are opposed to the sport.” Robin Mounsey, BHA head of communications and HWB member, added, “The HorsePWR campaign sees the sport take a new approach when it comes to talking about welfare. It is about being up-front, open and transparent. It is about tackling head-on the elements of the sport that we know are areas of concern and providing information to educate and reassure. “Those who work in the sport are rightly proud of our record and standards when it comes to welfare. This campaign provides a platform to allow those connected with the sport to share their pride. It will be aimed at racing's current and potential fans, seeking to ensure that future generations of racing followers are not lost to the sport due to negative perceptions around the welfare issues which are tackled by this campaign.” The post British Racing Launches New Campaign to Address Welfare Concerns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arby will contest the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North A year after his triumph in the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m), classy four-year-old Arby will chase another feature on Manawatu’s feature day, the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). A son of Proisir, Arby has established a consistent record while often in the best of company this season, with top-five finishes in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), and Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m). Matamata-based training partnership Darryn and Briar Weatherley were given a vote of confidence when the gelding flashed home to narrowly finish runner-up to The Mighty Spar in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) on March 13, and Darryn’s son Sam will retain the ride on Saturday. “He’s trained on really well from his last run, we’re very happy with his work and the way he’s looking,” Darryn Weatherley said. “His run at Matamata was really good, probably made look even better with the rail out as far as it was, and the 2000m there is quite short. He’s a horse that gets back, and he found the line really well against the pattern.” Arby showed his powerful staying ability in the feature three-year-old event which was held at Awapuni, and Weatherley indicated the son of Proisir would relish the relocation to Trentham for this year’s meeting. “We’re really looking forward to Saturday with the big, roomy track down at Trentham as well as the long straight,” he said. “We’re crossing our fingers, but I’m sure he’ll run a race.” The Weatherleys will also be represented by Dark Destroyer, a highly-talented galloper with the 2022 edition of the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) to his name, alongside a string of black-type performances on either side of the Tasman. Another progeny of Proisir, Dark Destroyer joined the Weatherley stable this season, recording two fifth-placed efforts in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) from his three race-day appearances. Leading Central Districts jockey Lisa Allpress was aboard in his Tarzino triumph and will take the reins when the five-year-old jumps from barrier eight. “He’s probably the class horse of the field on what he’s achieved so far in his career,” Weatherley said. “Our horse that ran second (Mali Ston) just kept him in a bit of a pocket at a vital stage in the Japan Trophy, he needed to be rolling forward when he got held up. For him to run fifth on a bog of a track, it was a pretty nice effort. “He’s probably better suited to a bit of cut in the track, so if they get the rain at Wellington, he would come right into contention. “The set weights and penalties suit him down to the ground, he’ll only carry 55kg where in a normal handicap he would be carrying 60kg or more. He’s well placed and I think the 2100m will suit him as well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Tomodachi Kokoroe has four wins this season. When Tomodachi Kokoroe arrived in Hong Kong last year, David Hayes harboured modest ambitions with the gelding despite a statistically imposing record in Australia but, such has been the speedster’s progress in his new surroundings, he has earned a tilt at Lucky Sweynesse in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Dual Hong Kong champion trainer Hayes is happy to concede the galloper formerly known in Australia as Bank Bank Bank has exceeded expectations with four wins and three seconds from 15 starts, HK$7.4 million in prize money and a surge up the handicap this season from 61 to 92 and believes there is scope for even more improvement. “When he arrived and I hadn’t worked him, I thought his Cairns form wouldn’t be good enough in Hong Kong,” Hayes said, referencing the Written Tycoon gelding’s six straight wins at Cairns and Townsville for Ricky Ludwig. “But the moment I worked him, I knew he had something and he’s gone above expectations – and I don’t think he’s finished. He looks like he’s training on nicely. This is his biggest test, of course.” Having posted a Class 4 win at Happy Valley in October, Tomodachi Kokoroe added two Class 3 victories before scoring in Class 1 two starts ago on 21 February. To be ridden by Karis Teetan from barrier one on Sunday, Tomodachi Kokoroe (123lb) will press for his first victory at Sha Tin where the world’s top-rated sprinter Lucky Sweynesse will carry 128lb under Hugh Bowman, conceding five pounds to his opposition. Each assigned 123lb, Lucky With You, Howdeepisyourlove, Duke Wai, Flying Ace, Adios, Whizz Kid, Invincible Sage, Packing Treadmill and Nervous Witness complete the field. Tomodachi Kokoroe’s stablemate Nervous Witness has five 1000m victories in Hong Kong but is yet to succeed at 1200m, where the gelding has three placings from eight attempts at the distance. “He’s never won at 1200 metres, but he’s had a couple of good seconds,” Hayes said. “I expect a big turnaround in form. First-up, he got left alone and won well. Second-up, he got attacked by three horses that all finished out the back. There mightn’t be quite the pressure in the big sprint this Sunday and if there is a little less pressure up front, he could turn his form around quickly.” Along with Lucky Sweynesse, Lucky With You, Howdeepisyourlove, Duke Wai, Flying Ace, Adios and Invincible Sage, Tomodachi Kokoroe and Nervous Witness are entered for the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on April 28, when Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) winner California Spangle and Victor The Winner are also likely to feature for Hong Kong. The HK$5.35 million Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) also highlights this weekend’s Sha Tin card with a 13-horse field headed by Russian Emperor. Chief Stipelas Whyte’s dual Hong Kong Champion Stayer will carry 128lb, while Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, Sword Point, Nimble Nimbus, Red Lion, Encountered, Healthy Happy, Money Catcher, Taj Dragon, Super Sunny Sing and The Best Peach are all assigned 123lb. Several of the city’s leading trainers and jockeys are the brink of significant landmarks, including dual champion trainer Tony Cruz (1,499), four-time champion handler Caspar Fownes (1,098), six-time champion jockey Zac Purton (1,697) and 2019/20 champion trainer Ricky Yiu (994). Horse racing news View the full article

He’s endured four defeats, blood in his trachea and lameness this season, but the sprinter will be sent out to boost his prize money yet againView the full article