Wandering Eyes

Chief Stipelas Whyte and Lyle Hewitson combine for their first win in tandem since last July at Sha Tin on SundayView the full article

Brenton Avdulla pilots California Spangle to a third Group 1 triumph. California Spangle has charged to record-breaking victory in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m), defeating a world-class field to provide Tony Cruz and Brenton Avdulla with career highlights at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday. Clocking 1:07.50, California Spangle (130lb) overpowered his rivals to better Wildman Jack’s track record of 1:07.61, defeating Star Of Mystery (117lb) by three-quarters of a length with Diligent Harry (130lb) a further three-quarters of a length away in third. John Size’s Sight Success finished fifth, 2.5 lengths behind California Spangle. “He ran like a champion today,” Cruz, 67, said. “It means everything. Every trainer in their career has to win big races elsewhere, it’s part of your job. You’ve got to achieve something great in your life and you’ve got to win big races, not just the small ones. “The big ones are the ones that count the most – that’s what racing is all about.” “I reckon he beat a very good sprinter, Star Of Mystery. I think we’ll (now) go to sprint races back in Hong Kong, at the end of April we’re going to take on Lucky Sweynesse. I believe he’s more a sprinter than a miler.” Declaring a tilt at Royal Ascot a possibility, Cruz struck with his 12th attempt in Dubai to match the achievement of his brother Derek, who also won the Al Quoz Sprint with Joy And Fun in 2010. Flanked by members of the Liang family, Cruz said: “Yes, he (Derek) won it too – I can say something to him now. “I had a plan and you’ve got to have a plan. I knew it would happen sooner or later. Better late than never. “I thought he had the ability to win this race today over 1200m – he proved himself today. I’m so happy to win with the whole family of the late Howard Liang here. I want to dedicate this race to him. Without him, this horse wouldn’t be racing today.” Avdulla, 33, maintained his perfect record on California Spangle, who now has three elite victories – the 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m), 2024 Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and the Al Quoz Sprint. The Australian jubilated after passing the post, having settled just off the speed before taking over near the 200m with a precisely judged ride. “It’s very special. He gave me a great ride – back from 1400 metres, Tony just gave me the confidence to let him run where he wanted to run, so I just tried to keep him away from most of them and let him gallop how he wanted to,” Avdulla said. “I felt I was nearly at the top throughout but once I pushed the trigger on him there inside the 400, he quickened well. I felt him wait for them and when Frankie (Dettori on Star Of Mystery) and them got around him, I felt he went on with it again. “He’s an amazing horse. I’ve only ridden him twice and won two Group 1s. Being on the world stage and to represent Hong Kong is amazing. “It’s right up there. It probably takes the top. It was special winning the 1400m race back in Hong Kong, but to win representing Hong Kong on the world stage is amazing.” California Spangle is the first Hong Kong horse to win the Al Quoz Sprint since Ricky Yiu’s Amber Sky in 2014. The Starspangledbanner gelding continues Hong Kong’s strong run on the international stage this season and follows Danny Shum-trained Romantic Warrior’s win in the 2023 Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) in Melbourne. Size said Sight Success had “got a little bit lost.” “He jumped well and travelled okay the first section and then he got a little bit lost running down the straight and lost ground, but I thought he ran well,” Size said. Hong Kong’s hopes of slotting a famous double through either Voyage Bubble and Straight Arron were snuffed out by France’s Facteur Cheval, who narrowly won the HK$39 million G1 Dubai Turf (1800m). Straight Arron finished sixth, while Voyage Bubble crossed the line in 13th place after being badly hampered when Catnip fell 100 metres from the finish line. “It was exciting, he’s run a bottler against the best – we’re very proud,” Fownes said of Straight Arron. “I thought we had a live chance at the 300 (metres). He was coming strong.” Horse racing news View the full article

Gringotts posts a resuming win at Rosehill. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Promising up-and-comer Gringotts added a fifth win to his record with a stylish come-from-behind performance at Rosehill. The four-year-old gelding has now had 11 starts for five wins and five placings, with his only unplaced finish being a fifth – and only 1.1 lengths from the winner – at Randwick in September. Gringotts was sent out as a $3.50 favourite for Saturday’s $160,000 Benchmark 88 handicap, which was his first raceday appearance since November. He settled in the back half of the field and was caught three wide, but jockey James McDonald managed to get on the back of another runner coming up to the home turn. McDonald brought Gringotts into clear air in the straight and turned him loose, and he wore down the runaway leader Iknowastar to win by a length. “He was comfortable in the running and the pace was nice,” McDonald said. “We were able to get a little breather when we got on the back of one from the 700m to the 500m and they gave us a little cart up, but apart from that he did it the tough way and did it really well.” Gringotts is trained by Ciaron Maher, who was represented at Rosehill on Saturday by Johann Gerard-Dubord. “That was a very good win,” he said. “He’s a horse who showed us plenty in his work last preparation. He’s always worked like a very good horse, but he just wasn’t quite there mentally. He’s come back a lot more mature this time in. “Obviously he had to cover a bit of ground today, but James just kept him comfortable. It was good to see him finish the race off the way he did. “I think the owners have got a lovely horse going forward and there should be a lot more to come. With his position at the ratings at the moment, there’s plenty of options coming up. We’ll just take him through the grades for now, but I’m sure we’ll see him in better races in the future.” Horse racing news View the full article

After an aborted spring campaign, trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are looking forward to seeing Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) back on the racetrack. That will come on Saturday in the Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield. A winner of his first four starts, Globe was thrown into the deep end in the spring, running first-up in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last September. But the race went pear-shaped for Globe who was beaten more than 30 lengths, later to be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Globe has won two Cranbourne jump-outs in preparation for his return and Kent Jnr said he is expecting a good preparation from the gelding who stands around 17 hands high. “He is going really well,” Kent Jnr said. “He just looks right ahead of his first-up run. He didn’t look right last preparation, but all those issues are behind him.” “My gut tells me it was a once off and we won’t be talking about it ever again.” Kent Jnr said Globe had filled out a little but had also grown mentally. He said the gelding now does everything in a nicer manner, rather wanting to get things over and done with on the training track. Now the trainers want to see that transferred to race day and Kent Jnr said having Buffalo River entered in Saturday’s race was likely to make it a truly run affair. “Buffalo River makes it interesting because if we are in front of him after a furlong it means we are going too fast,” Kent Jnr said. “So, it would be nice to take a sit off him. “Globe won his maiden over 1400 metres, now we’re up against more seasoned horses who have been competing in Group 1’s, and we’re at our sixth start. “It’s going to be a good test for him, but mentally he has really grown up.” With Celine Gaudray, who rode Globe in two of his four wins, booked to partner Buffalo River, Jye Mcneil has the mount on Globe on Saturday. “Jye is a great fit for him. He has nice soft hands and will suit him well,” Kent Jnr said. View the full article

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) could still attempt a third consecutive Group One win in as many years over the Randwick autumn carnival, despite showing signs of soreness on pulling up from his unplaced Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) run at Flemington on Saturday. The winner of the past two Doncaster Handicaps this year has long had the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on April 13 as his Sydney aim and his co-trainer Wil Hayes said on Sunday that the stable will work towards that goal. “We’ve got a framework to potentially get him to Sydney for the Queen Elizabeth so that is where we will head towards, but it will definitely take a couple of days to see how he has come out of the run,” Hayes told RSN927’s Correct Weight program. “Early signs so far are good, but we take it day by day with a horse of his quality.” Racing Victoria stewards noted that Mr Brightside had “displayed soreness in his right foreleg” after the race and the stable will need a veterinary clearance before he races again. Hayes reported that the stable was happy with their star galloper, who was ridden closer to the speed than he was in the All-Star Mile but was unable to rally over the final 200 metres. “By all means he definitely put it all out there, so he’s a little bit stiff and sore this morning, but we’re very happy as he’s pulled up within normal limits for him,” Hayes said. “She’s (Pride Of Jenni) an incredible horse who changes the race map that’s for sure. He was ridden a little bit more forward this time and it didn’t work out for us, but it was an incredible race to watch.” View the full article

Star New Zealand mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) will be kept to her pre-race routine in Melbourne before travelling to Sydney for the opening day of The Championships. The Mark Walker-trained mare will have her last piece of work at Cranbourne on Tuesday before being floated to Sydney on Thursday night to run in the Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday. Imperatriz is aiming for a sixth Group One win this season in the T J Smith, having already taken the Moir Stakes, Manikato Stakes and William Reid Stakes – all at Moonee Valley – along with the Champions Sprint and the Lightning Stakes at Flemington. Ben Gleeson, Walker’s assistant trainer at Cranbourne, said Imperatriz had come through her victory in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at her last start in excellent shape. She went to the beach on Friday morning, did some light exercise on Saturday and will have a more strenuous gallop on Tuesday. Gleeson said it was unlikely Imperatriz would gallop the reverse way at Cranbourne on Tuesday. “She’s had plenty of gallops the reverse way in New Zealand and went to Sydney last year, so we don’t need to remind her of anything,” Gleeson said. “She’s well-travelled. She’ll adjust easily.” Gleeson said the stable was looking forward to seeing Imperatriz again in Sydney. At her only start in Sydney, Imperatriz was beaten by Artorius in the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick in March last year before winning seven of her next eight starts, six at the highest level. And Gleeson said any wet weather would not deter Imperatriz. “We’re as confident with her as ever,” Gleeson said. “We know that our horse is spot on and in as good a form as we’ve had her. “There is a bit of rain around, but she has won on wet tracks, she’s won a Group One on a heavy so that doesn’t faze us.” “As long as the week ahead goes smoothly, we’re excited for the race.” Imperatriz heads the betting on the T J Smith at $2.80 from last year’s winner I Wish I Win (NZ) at $3.50. View the full article

Levin trainer Ilone Kelly will unveil an intriguing new addition to her stable when the well-related Linara (Lonhro) makes his New Zealand debut in Monday’s McMillan Equine Feeds Maiden (1100m) at Otaki. Linara was bred by Milburn Creek Stud and is by Lonhro out of the Elusive City mare Fascination Street. Herself a five-time winner up to Listed level, and a placegetter in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), Fascination Street is the dam of two winners including the multiple Australian stakes performer Maotai. Bought for A$360,000 as a yearling, Linara was a second placegetter at Grafton last September in his only Australian appearance. He subsequently changed hands for A$40,000 on an Inglis Digital Sale and made his way across the Tasman. “He went up on an auction website in the spring, and that’s where his new owner bought him – Graham Stewart, who’s a painter from Wellington,” Kelly said. “We gelded the horse after he came over here. It’s fair to say that he’s been quite a handful, but he’s shown some ability and has done everything I’ve asked.” Linara had an 850m trial at Foxton on March 7, finishing a close second behind the subsequent race winner Vavoom. “I’ve been happy with him and he’s going to be an interesting runner on Monday, I’m looking forward to it,” Kelly said. Linara will be ridden by Masa Hashizume and is currently rated a $2 favourite by the TAB. Kelly will saddle two other runners on the eight-race card at Otaki on Monday. Am I Blue (NZ) (Niagara) will line up in the Vets On Riverbank Maiden (1600m), while Tuesday brings an admirably consistent form line into the Riverstone Café Handicap (2100m). “Am I Blue had a few good placings in a row, but then Lily (Sutherland, jockey) said she slipped coming out of the gates at Trentham last time and got a long way out of her ground,” Kelly said. “She seems to be a bit happier when she’s up closer to the pace. “But she’s come through the run well and has been very bright since then. “Tuesday (NZ) (Niagara) has been super consistent in this campaign. She’s probably starting to come to the end of it now. She’ll just keep going until the tracks break up, and then she can have a good, long spell. I’m really happy with how she’s been going.” Am I Blue is a $5.50 third favourite for the Vets On Riverbank Maiden, with Tuesday rated a $5.50 second favourite for the Riverstone Café Handicap. View the full article

Local trainer Graham Eade enjoyed success at his Riverton home track on Saturday and is hoping for more of the same when he lines up four of his team on the second day of the annual two-day carnival on Easter Monday. Eade produced progressive three-year-old Riviera Rebel (NZ) (Pure Champion) to score a comprehensive front–running victory in a rating 65 1600m contest and believes there is more in store for the son of former Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate winner (1600m) Pure Champion. “It was a very strong win and a great ride from young Yogesh Atchamah,” Eade said. “He set up a good pace, let him have a breather in the mid-stages and then got him to give plenty in the straight. “Riviera Rebel is a horse that has just got better and better as he has strengthened and I think he can go further as the young fella found it hard to pull him up past the line.” Eade went close to a winning double on the day when Gintys Girl (NZ) (Ghibellines) finished second behind Charbano in a qualifying event for the rich $350,000 TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) final that will be run at Riccarton on 13 April and thinks the five-year-old mare is his best chance on Monday. “Gintys Girl loves it on her home course and she just found one a little better on Saturday,” he said. “If she had of won we definitely would have been off to the final at Riccarton, but it wasn’t to be so hopefully we can get a consolation prize on Monday. “She holds her form well and the quick back up won’t worry her so I think she is probably my best chance.” Eade has three other stablemates entered for the day and is hoping to see their improved trackwork of late translate into raceday performance. “Intercept in race two is my first runner and although she has drawn awfully again (17 of 18) her last run at Gore wasn’t as bad as it looks on paper as she had to do a lot of work at the start,” he said. “Her work has been good and if she can get things more to her liking early on I’m hopeful she can get amongst the finish. “I though Ataahua Pipedream (race 4) was a good chance on Saturday and he didn’t run on at all. He is better than that and if he hasn’t taken any harm from the run we’re keen to see him run a lot better as we know he has the ability. “Cosy Nook (race 9) is our last runner and he has taken a while to get near his peak. I though he went better on Saturday and is another that could sneak into the finish with a little luck.” Eade is hoping for some rain on Sunday or Monday morning to loosen up the Heavy 10 surface as he fears a sticky track won’t be to the liking of his team. “We are having a little bit of misty rain at the moment (Sunday) however if that doesn’t amount to much then it could be quite puggy for Monday,” he said. “When it gets like that it can be tough but given we don’t have to travel I think all of mine will be starting at this stage.” View the full article

Two highly talented Te Akau mares made bold statements with impressive sprinting victories at Flemington and Ellerslie on Saturday. The New Zealand stable, based out of Matamata under co-trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, kicked off the Trans-Tasman double with an outstanding display from Puketiro (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Fiber Fresh 1200 at Ellerslie. A daughter of Savabeel, Puketiro showed significant early promise in winning four of her first five career starts, but was sent for a freshen-up after performing below the stable’s expectations through the late spring. Returning in a fresh state after trialling twice to prepare, the four-year-old had proved a handful for jockey Opie Bosson prior to the jump, and was slowly away from barrier three, trailing in the early stages behind a strong tempo. An ever-patient steer by Bosson allowed the mare to track into contention turning for home, and once Puketiro angled out to find clear air at the 200m, she let down powerfully to score by a long neck over Giacomo. Walker admitted the mare has been in a work in progress for the stable, but was delighted to see her back in winning form. “It was a really good fresh-up win and lovely ride of Opie’s,” he said. “She was a bit slowly away, but he rode a patient race. “She’s been a work in progress, has a lot of ability but quite a highly strung filly and our staff have done a great job handling her quirky nature. “She’s certainly up to black type company and we’ve always had that in mind, but just needed to be patient.” Having earned over $91,000 in stakes for her large ownership contingent, which includes the mare’s well-known breeder Christopher Grace, Puketiro will be targeted towards the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Otaki on April 13. Sans Doute winning the Listed ATA/Bob Hoystead Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Just under two hours later across the Tasman, Te Akau was back in the winner’s circle with Sans Doute (Not A Single Doubt) as she continued her love affair with the Flemington straight with an astonishing performance in the Listed ATA/Bob Hoystead Stakes (1000m). The Not A Single Doubt mare has flourished since joining Te Akau’s Cranbourne base, rapidly climbing through the grades with three straight victories at the Melbourne venue and entered Saturday’s contest a $5.90 hope. Expat-Kiwi hoop Mick Dee allowed Sans Doute to travel quietly at the tail of the nine-horse field, and once presented on the outside, the four-year-old rocketed home at serious pace to steal victory on the line from Najem Suhail. Dee was full of praise for the mare, in a perfectly-timed steer he replicated later on the Flemington card when partnering fellow Kiwi-trained stayer Mark Twain in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m). “I’m guessing they (leaders) were 10 lengths in front (at the course proper), and it was a very good and strong performance to win like she did. I’m not sure we’ll see a more impressive win today,” Dee said. “She’s obviously absolutely flying this prep and she can’t do any wrong, and to win like she did I’d love to see what her sectionals were for the last 600m.” Te Akau assistant trainer Ben Gleeson expressed that the unique facilities at Cranbourne had played a role in the success of Sans Doute, who finished runner-up to Group One-performing filly Best Seller in the Gr.2 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) as a three-year-old. “It was pretty impressive, and obviously Mick’s ride was 10 out of 10,” Gleeson said. “But the mare, full credit to her, she’s got an incredible turn of foot and her confidence keeps skyrocketing. “Mark (Walker) said to just play around with her and use the facilities, including two weeks out in the sand hills, which is work that has changed her mentally and single handedly turned the mare around. “Then it was just finding a good routine: four weeks between runs and the water walker, it has just worked for her beautifully.” Walker indicated Sans Doute would likely head to Adelaide for her grand final in the Gr.3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) on April 27 at Morphettville. “It is really hard to do that, winning four in a row and a lovely ride of Mick Dee’s,” Walker said. “Ben and the team have done a really good job with her and she’s going be an exciting prospect for next year, also. “We’ll now look to go to Adelaide, and then we’ll put her aside for the rest of the season.” Sans Doute was a $300,000 purchase out of Arrowfield Stud’s draft at the 2021 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale and has earned A$391,757 in stakes for the Te Akau In No Doubt Racing Partnership. View the full article

The long-standing saga of the 2018 GI Santa Anita Derby may finally be at a close, as the $1-million purse was formally redistributed Saturday, according to a report in Daily Racing Form. Undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy) won the 2018 Santa Anita Derby, but later tested positive for scopolamine and Mick Ruis, owner of the second-place finisher Bolt d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), persevered with his attempts to have the results overturned. More on the background of his efforts can be found here. This past December, Ruis released a statement claiming legal victory in the matter and, earlier this month, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to disqualify Justify and pay $300,000 to Ruis while also redistributing the purse. During his racing career, Justify was campaigned by a partnership consisting China Horse Club International Ltd., Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, and Winstar Farm. According to DRF, a board of California stewards issued a ruling Saturday ordering Justify's ownership to relinquish the $585,000 in first-place prize money. Trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith must also return their portion of the purse, which is typically 10% of the winnings. The money must be forfeited by Apr. 29, with all trophies also returned. Justify, who is now a successful sire standing at Coolmore America, will also see his race record adjusted from six-for-six to five-for-six. California stewards Ron Church, John Herbuveaux, and Kim Sawyer signed Saturday's order. The post Justify’s 2018 Santa Anita Purse Money to be Redistributed, Record to be Adjusted appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Called in off the bench, the $750,000 Fantasy Stakes (G2) March 30 at Oaklawn Park was an easy layup for Thorpedo Anna as she defeated nine 3-year-old fillies to clinch a spot in the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Taking command on the second turn, Muth rolls to victory in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) March 30 at Oaklawn Park.View the full article

Trainer Linda Rice, jockey Dylan Davis, and owner David Jacobson took home their respective titles for the Aqueduct Racetrack winter meet.View the full article

Dog Penalties EPIC CHARM | Southland 26 March; failed to pursue the lure (2nd offence); stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. GOLDSTAR WESTERN | Christchurch 28 March; marring; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. The post 25-31 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties T Mitchell | Manawatu 28 March; careless driving; suspended 5-19 April inclusive. B Williamson | NZ Metropolitan 30 March; contacted track marker; fined $100. Horse Penalties ROCK BAND | Manawatu 26 March; broke in running; must complete trial. FRANCO CORNEL | Wyndham 26 March; broke in running; must complete trial. DANCING DESIRE | NZ Metropolitan 30 March; broke in running; must complete trial. GALLEONS AMBASSADOR | NZ Metropolitan 30 March; broke in running; must complete trial. EUROSTYLE | NZ Metropolitan 30 March; muscle tie up and soreness in leg; veterinary clearance required. NAZARETH | NZ Metropolitan 30 March; injury to heel; veterinary clearance required. The post 25-31 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties K Joyce | Matamata 27 March; medical clearance required. O Bosson | Matamata 27 March; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 30 March). J Doyle | Matamata 27 March; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 30 March). N Hailey | Auckland 30 March; use of whip; fined $500. S Weatherley | Auckland 30 March; careless riding; suspended 7-18 April inclusive. S Spratt | Auckland 30 March; celebratory gesture prior to winning post; fined $300. R Elliot | Auckland 30 March; medical clearance required. D Bothamley | Riverton 30 March; failed to make weight; suspended 5-10 April inclusive. Trainer Penalties L O’Sullivan & A Scott | Non-raceday dated 25 March; failed to present runner free of prohibited substance; fined $8,000 and costs of $3,569.83. S Marsh | Matamata 27 March; late gear notification; fined $50. Horse Penalties LEGALLY BINDING | Matamata 27 March; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. SUN AND HEIR | Auckland 30 March; lame; veterinary clearance required. Protest KARMAN LINE | Auckland 1 January; failed to race free of prohibited substance; disqualified from 1st. The post 25-31 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Zedan Racing Stables' Muth (c, 3, Good Magic–Hoppa, by Uncle Mo) turned back favored Timberlake (Into Mischief) in upper stretch and strode home an authoritative three-length winner of the GI Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park Saturday. The 2-1 shot prompted the pace of longshot Time for Truth (Omaha Beach) around the first bend, but Timberlake rushed up between rivals down the backstretch to take over as the half went up in :47.46. The two favorites moved in tandem on the far turn, but Muth easily put the GII Rebel S. winner away into the straight and sailed home a much-the-best winner. Just Steel (Justify) was second and Mystik Dan (Goldencents) was third. Timberlake faded to fourth. The time for the nine furlongs was 1:49.54. A $2-million purchase at last year's OBS March sale after bringing $190,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September sale, Muth was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following an 8 3/4-length debut victory at Santa Anita last June. He was second in the GIII Best Pal S. before winning the GI American Pharoah S. and chased Fierceness (City of Light) home when a distant second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He captured the Jan. 6 GII San Vicente S. in his lone previous start this year. Lifetime Record: 6-4-2-0. O-Zedan Racing Stables. B-Don Alberto Corporation (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. The post Good Magic’s Muth an Easy Winner of Arkansas Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lea Farms' Power Squeeze overtook the heavy favorite, Klaravich Stables' Ways and Means, approaching the wire and captured the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) March 30 at Gulfstream Park. View the full article

Last year's champion 2-year-old colt Fierceness rediscovered his form in dominant fashion, winning the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 30 at Gulfstream Park by a huge margin.View the full article

Linda Rice continued to assert her dominance on the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit when capturing the Aqueduct Racetrack winter meet training title with 23 wins at the 45-day meeting which ran from Jan. 1 through Mar. 30. Rice has now won the training title at six of the last seven NYRA meetings, along with year-end honors last year as the circuit's top trainer with a record-tying 164 wins. She also came out on top at last year's Big A winter meet with 37 wins. “It's great,” said Rice. “Frankly, I love New York winter racing and it's a good place for my clients. They enjoy it, I enjoy it, and it's been a good winter. It's pretty surreal.” Rice, 60, posted a record of 137-23-27-23 with $1,471,414 in earnings, good for a win rate of 16.79 percent and in-the-money rate of 53.28 percent. Jockey Dylan Davis clinched his second Aqueduct winter meet riding title when posting 54 wins. In all, Davis' mounts banked $2,699,061, with a win rate of 22.31 percent and in-the-money percentage of 50.41. “I've won this title before and [it's] great to win it again,” said Davis. “My business has improved every year along with the quality of horses I'm riding.” David Jacobson claimed his first owners' title at NYRA since capturing the 2017 Aqueduct inner track meet. The veteran owner and conditioner secured 18 wins at the meet, including four races on Closing Day. The post Linda Rice and Dylan Davis Lead Way at Aqueduct Winter Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (f, 3, Fast Anna–Sataves, by Uncle Mo), off since finishing second in last year's GII Golden Rod S., returned with a stylish victory in the GII Fantasy S. at Oaklawn Saturday. The dark bay filly settled off the pace as longshot Recharge (Gun Runner) set all the fractions. As the pacesetter began to falter, Thorpedo Anna was making a three-wide move into the stretch. She shrugged off a challenge from West Omaha (West Coast) at midstretch and sailed clear in the final furlong. Tapit Jenallie (Tapit) was third. The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:44.24. The victory was the fourth on the day at Oaklawn Park for trainer Ken McPeek. Thorpedo Anna romped home by 8 1/2 lengths in her Oct. 26 debut at Keeneland. She was tabbed a 'Rising Star' following a nine-length triumph in a Nov. 10 optional claimer. Stretched to 1 1/16 miles for the first time in the Golden Rod, she came home 5 1/4 lengths adrift of Intricate (Gun Runner). Saturday, Oaklawn Park FANTASY S.-GII, $750,000, Oaklawn, 3-30, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:44.24, ft. 1–THORPEDO ANNA, 118, f, 3, by Fast Anna 1st Dam: Sataves, by Uncle Mo 2nd Dam: Pacific Sky, by Stormy Atlantic 3rd Dam: Aldebaran Light, by Seattle Slew 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($40,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT). O-Brookdale Racing, Inc., Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, & Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek); B-Judy Hicks (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. $393,750. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $584,363. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–West Omaha, 122, f, 3, West Coast–Birthday Bash, by Medaglia d'Oro. O-Gary and Mary West; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $131,250. 3–Tapit Jenallie, 122, f, 3, Tapit–Take Charge Tressa, by War Front. O/B-Willis Horton Racing LLC (KY); T-Eddie Milligan, Jr. $65,625. Margins: 4, 3 1/4, NK. Odds: 2.70, 3.60, 27.20. Also Ran: All Things Go, Recharge, Ba Dee Yah, Lemon Muffin, My Mane Squeeze, Candy Aisle, In Just My Heels. Scratched: Midshipman's Dance, Where's My Ring. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. “Kentucky Oaks, you bet!”- @3coltshandicap #12 THORPEDO ANNA ($7.00) dominates the $750,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) and gets 100 Kentucky Oaks points. @b_hernandezjr and @KennyMcPeek team up for their fourth win on the card. Congrats to all the connections! pic.twitter.com/aOC5ecnSYW — TVG (@TVG) March 30, 2024 The post Fast Anna’s Thorpedo Anna Stylish in Fantasy Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fierceness (c, 3, City of Light–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty) had lost some of his luster with a dull third-place effort in the GIII Holy Bull S., but last year's champion 2-year-old returned to the top of the GI Kentucky Derby picture with a resounding victory as the even-money favorite in the GI Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park Saturday. The Repole Stable homebred broke sharply from post 10 and quickly moved up and over heading into the first turn in what proved the only drama of the 1 1/8-mile race. He was well in hand while setting fractions of :24.06 and :47.50 and opened up on the field on the far turn without being asked and strode down the stretch in splendid isolation under a motionless John Velazquez. Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser) was second and Grand Mo The First (Uncle Mo) was third. The time for the nine furlongs was 1:48.22. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-1. O/B-Repole Stable (Ky). T-Todd Pletcher. #10 FIERCENESS ($4.20) & @ljlmvel were untouchable in the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1)! The 2YO Champ is headed to the Kentucky Derby for trainer @PletcherRacing after that dominant performance. Fierceness is sired by @LanesEndFarms' City of Light. #KYDerby2024 pic.twitter.com/EF7oMuZUUr — TVG (@TVG) March 30, 2024 The post Fierceness Back on Top with Resounding Florida Derby Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A March 30 ruling by California stewards officially disqualifies Justify from his first-place finish in the 2018 Santa Anita Derby (G1).View the full article

Former claimer Frosted Grace became racing's newest millionaire after pulling off a surprise victory in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park March 30.View the full article

Kertez made his stateside debut a winning one with a come-from-behind performance in the March 30 $200,000 Pan American Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article