Wandering Eyes

Trainer Edgar Coto secured his first victory as a conditioner with his first starter Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Sending out My Rich Uncle (Uncle Chuck) in the second race, a $35,000 maiden claimer, Coto is also the owner of the 2-year-old Florida-bred. He graduated in the race by 1 3/4 lengths with Jose Morelos in the irons. “It feels great to win my first race with my first starter,” Coto said, who also claimed his first two victories as an owner last year at the venue. “I was working for Mary Lightner in Ocala [who saddled Coto-owned Imperiously to those aforementioned two victories], but now I am doing everything myself.” Coto has four horses in training at Gulfstream Park, one of which was a homebred who was formerly saddled by Lightner for a third-place finish May 22. The post Edgar Coto Saddles First Winner with First Starter at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–Big Dom's (McKinzie) gritty neck victory at Saratoga Race Course Saturday included a couple of noteworthy angles that had absolutely nothing to do with the running of the sixth race. Like his name. And his training partner. It took a strong performance from the Greenwell Thoroughbreds colt to edge Dr. Kapur (McKinzie) after they battled through the stretch. With Jose Ortiz aboard, the first-time starter completed the six-furlong $100,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-olds in 1:09.47 and paid $8.50. First, the name. Philadelphia Eagles fans know well the story of Dominic DiSandro, the team's security official who was fined by the NFL in 2023 for getting into a sideline scuffle with Dre Greenlaw of the 49ers. Both were ejected and DiSandro was not allowed to be on the sidelines for the rest of the season. Trainer Tom Amoss said that Greenwell owner Greg Tramontin met DiSandro, well-known as “Big Dom.” “They spent an evening together and had a great time, and he told Dominic, 'I'm going to name a horse after you,'” Amoss said. “Dominic called and said, 'I can't make this race, but I'm making the next one.'” Now, the training partner. “I think the most interesting fact about him is that he has been the work partner for It's Our Time (Not This Time), who won very impressively last week,” Amoss said. Impressively is a bit of an understatement. 'TDN Rising Star' It's Our Time broke his maiden in a 6 1/2-furlong contest by 17 3/4 lengths on Aug. 16 for new Amoss clients Double Down Horse Racing. “He never out-worked It's Our Time, but he always stayed with him,” Amoss said. “We had some high hopes today going in, and I think the tote board reflected it. It was one of those races where it looked like everybody kind of knew he'd been working well, but sometimes translating that to the afternoon doesn't always work. We saw it early with a filly I ran named Bet the Gray, who also prepared very well and didn't get it done. There's just a lot going on with these young horses where they debut, but he handled everything really well, didn't he?” While Dr. Kapur was in front through split times of :22.64 and :45.58, Big Dom was never more than a length behind. Ortiz swung him four-wide into the stretch and he pulled even with Dr. Kapur by the eighth pole. Amoss said the morning works with the stablemate had him ready for the battle with the very game rival. “Everything's about fitness, right?,” Amoss said. “You can be talented, but if you're not fit you ain't getting it done. I do think that having him in those kind of works prepared him to run a sub 1:10 time today, which is what it took.” Although only one of the starters had competed before making it difficult to handicap, Amoss said the race developed as he had hoped. “I thought we'd be prominent, “Amoss said, “and I liked what I saw turning for home. Jose hadn't called upon our horse yet, but what I didn't realize is that our competition also had something left. It was a beautiful race. You can say that when you win. If you lose, it's not so beautiful, but it was a really fun race to watch and win.” Amoss said he picked out Big Dom for Tramontin, his long-time client, at Keeneland last year. Tramontin purchased Siena Farm and renamed it and his stable Greenwell to honor his late biological father. Amoss said the colt out of the Pulpit mare Half A. P. has flourished at Saratoga this summer. “He's always been imposing,” Amoss said. “He's a big, imposing kind of horse, and he has the look. But one of the things that has changed with him is his brightness of coat. He's really gotten shiny and gotten some dapples. I knew coming in today, whatever it was going to be, I thought we'd get his best effort.” The post Saratoga Maidens, Presented By Keeneland: Greenwell’s Big Dom Ekes Out Thrilling Maiden Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's Cinderella's Dream looks to continue her 2025 success with another group 1 win in the Aug. 24 Prix Romanet (G1). View the full article

Australasia's reigning queen of the turf, Via Sistina, digs deep Aug. 23 on a heavy Randwick course to secure back-to-back victories in the Winx Stakes (G1).View the full article

It was a dramatic finish, but reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) gamely gave it her all and nosed out her competition to win the GI Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga. Set to the outside of a quickly developing duel as Randomized (Nyquist) and Bernietakescharge (Take Charge Indy) went on to dispute the tempo, she was contention to watch that unfold behind a half in :47.11. With rivals throwing in the towel to her inside, the daughter of the late Fast Anna took command early on the far turn and had to brace for the looming challenge of Dorth Vader (Girvin) as that one ranged into contention at the head of the lane. Locking horns, the pair distanced themselves from the field and it looked like she might get headed, but the multiple Grade I winner would not be denied as the 3-5 favorite got the bob by the slimmest of margins. Thorpedo Anna is now 12 for 15 in her career, and with this win, stamps her ticket for a return trip to the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar in November. Sales history: $40,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT. O-Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards, and Judy Hicks; B-Judy Hicks (KY); T-Kenny McPeek. They call her the grizzly for a reason! THORPEDO ANNA digs in to win the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes in a dramatic photo finish under @b_hernandezjr for trainer @KennyMcPeek! pic.twitter.com/ZVNgQ7mCND — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 23, 2025 The post Drama Worthy of the Namesake – Thorpedo Anna Claims ‘WAYI’ Personal Ensign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Grade I hero Journalism (Curlin) was out over the Del Mar racetrack Saturday morning for his latest move as his connections continue talks about entering in the GI Pacific Classic. Out on an overcast day, the son of Curlin put in a five-furlong breeze in 1-minute flat, the 30th fastest of 69 that morning at the distance, with regular rider Umberto Rispoli in the irons. The pair went in company with SP Phosphorescence (Fr) (City of Light). It was the longest of his three works at the track in August. “I thought he went very well,” trainer Michael McCarthy said afterward. “A solid five-eighths with his company. Full of run all the way and a solid gallop out.” While the conditioner was happy with what he saw, it did not offer a clear answer on how they would ultimately decide regarding a Pacific Classic entry. “No idea,” McCarthy admits. “We'll talk about it here in the next day or so. See what happens across the country today. Aron's got a lot of moving parts.” Team Journalism will have to decide by Tuesday as that's when entries will be drawn for the Seaside Oval's marquee race. Other hopefuls were also spotted on track Saturday morning, namely Ultimate Gamble (Medaglia d'Oro) and GSP Indispensable (Constitution). The former was clocked in a best-of-four six-panel work in 1:11.20 and the latter went five furlongs in :58 flat (2/94). A decision from Ultimate Gamble's camp will also be expected in the coming days. The post Journalism Makes Latest Trackside Appearance as Pacific Classic Deadline Inches Closer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Earlier this week, owner Mike Repole took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to ask for help. He wanted to know what he should do with the two of the best older horses in the country, both, coincidentally, that he owns. Mindframe (Constitution) and Fierceness (City of Light). What to do with them next weekend? The options are simple enough. The $1 million GI Pacific Classic is being run at Del Mar in California next Saturday. The $1 million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup is being run at Saratoga next day. Run one in Saratoga? Run two in Saratoga? Send one (Fierceness) to California? “I put it out there,” Repole said Saturday afternoon, sitting in his clubhouse box at Saratoga. “That is what I do best. I am thinking about it.” Mindframe, unbeaten in three starts this year, is being pointed to the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Fierceness may be headed west as Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has said he would rather keep his two stable stars separated. Fierceness worked four furlongs in 47.42 (4/94) on the main track Saturday morning. Mindframe is scheduled to work on Sunday. A final decision on who goes where will be made after that. Repole owns Fierceness along with Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier. He owns Mindframe with Vinnie and Teresa Viola's St. Elias Stables LLC. Fierceness, most recently fifth in the GI Whitney Stakes on Aug. 2, has one win in three starts this year. “I will talk to Todd after Mindframe works and then we'll make a decision,” Repole said. “Fierceness worked great. He is going to run next week. He is going to run somewhere.” If Fierceness were to head to Del Mar, it would be the scene of where he finished second in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic. And Del Mar is the site of this year's Breeders' Cup. The Pacific Classic is expected to attract the Bob Baffert-trained Nysos (Nyquist) as well as highly regarded 3-year-old Journalism (Curlin), winner of the GI Preakness Stakes and runner-up in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes. The Jockey Club Gold Cup will feature Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), this year's GI Whitney champ, Highland Falls(Curlin), the second-place finisher, and White Abarrio (Race Day), who was fourth. There is also a chance, albeit small, that Fierceness and Mindframe could both run at Saratoga next weekend. “I'm not afraid to ship, absolutely not,” Repole said. “And I'm not afraid to stay here. I would not be afraid to run both in (Jockey Club Gold Cup). They are going to have to face each other in the Breeders' Cup Classic.” If Fierceness ends up in California, Repole could be seeing a lot of the friendly skies next weekend if he plans on seeing both horses run. “That would be amazing,” Repole said, “and Sunday night, I'm flying to France!” Rodriguez Knows Phileas Fogg Has Tough Chore Ahead He hasn't been seen since the Fourth of July, but Phileas Fogg (Astern {AUS}) will reappear soon enough. The former claimer, the hero of the GII Suburban on Independence Day, will take another giant step forward on Aug. 31 when he runs in the GI, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Saratoga. There, he will face the likes of Mindframe (Constitution), GI Whitney Stakes winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and White Abarrio (Race Day) the Whitney champ of 2023. Phileas Fogg working in the fog | Sarah Andrew Gus Rodriguez, the bubbly trainer of Phileas Fogg, knows the challenge if a difficult one, but one he readily accepts. “He can win the race, but it's a tough spot,” Rodriguez said at his barn on the Saratoga backstretch. “There are a lot of good horses, the best horses in the world. One thing we like about it is that we know he really likes Saratoga.” Phileas Fogg, named after the character in Jules Verne's 1873 novel Around the World in Eighty Days, won the Suburban in front-running fashion under jockey Kendrick Carmouche for owner Jupiter Stable LLC. The margin of victory was a head over the Todd Pletcher-trained Antiquarian (Preservationist). The Suburban favorite, Locked (Gun Runner), also trained by Pletcher, finished third. The Suburban was the second career Spa win in three starts for Phileas Fogg, a 5-year-old gelding. He won an allowance race at Saratoga last summer. The long time off for Phileas Fogg was by design. Running in the Whitney on Aug. 2 was never under consideration. “He needed time,” Rodriguez said. “(The Suburban) really knocked him down. He was quiet for like three weeks. It took a lot out of him. Now, he's good.” Phileas Fogg has worked four times since the Suburban, the most recent being a five-furlong move in 1:00 (1/15) last Sunday. “He really has gotten comfortable on this track,” Rodriguez said. “We just have to hope we come into this race as good as we can and just hope for the best.” Jerkens Glad to be Back Home After two years in Saudi Arabia, trainer Jimmy Jerkens is glad to be back home. Jimmy Jerkens | Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia The 66-year-old Jerkens, a mainstay on the New York circuit for years, returned earlier this year and is now working as an assistant to trainer Kenny McPeek. Jerkens is overseeing the McPeek horses at Belmont Park, but has made a few trips to Saratoga Race Course this summer. “I really didn't miss (Saratoga) like I thought I would,” Jerkens, the son of the late, legendary Allen Jerkens, said on the Saratoga backstretch on one of his few visits from downstate. “I came here for so long and have had such great memories of this place. Being in Saudi, it didn't hit me when racing was going on here. I kept tabs on it.” Jerkens said he is currently in charge of about 18 horses at Belmont for the McPeek barn. McPeek hired Jerkens April. When Jerkens left for Saudi, his wife, Shirley, was with him for the first six months. “She did not come back for the second year, which kind of stunk,” Jerkens said. “I wasn't really homesick because there was plenty to do over there. As long as you got interested and looked forward to racing the horses, the time passes. The two years went by pretty quick.” Jerkens went to Saudi to train privately for Prince Faisal bin Khalid Al Saud. Eventually, Jerkens said he would like to have his own stable, but, for right now, working with McPeek is keeping him busy. “Absolutely,” he said about training his own string eventually. “It's so hard to start from scratch again. I wasn't really up for that right away. When Kenny offered me the spot, I was able to be with the horses every day. I'm certainly not ruling out going back out on my own.” The post Saratoga Notebook, presented by NYRA Bets: Fierceness May Be on His Way to the West Coast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Wesley Ward-trained Outfielder ships overseas to challenge the impressive Ballydoyle colt Gstaad in the Aug. 24 Prix Morny (G1).View the full article

With a Grade II race win already on her dossier, May Day Ready (Tapit–Nemoralia, by More Than Ready) netted her second in the GII Lake Placid Stakes at the Spa on Saturday. Off a fourth-place finish in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational July 5, the 9-5 second choice here forced the issue and earned the lead heading into the first turn. Making every pole a winning one through the far turn, the 3-year-old geared up down the lane as she was challeged by favorite Play With Fire (Oscar Peformance). However, the Joe Lee trainee sealed the deal from pillar to post. The final running time was 1:35.70. Lifetime Record: 8-4-1-1. Sales History: FTKOCT '23 $60,000 OBSAPR '24 $325,000. O-KatieRich Stables LLC; B-White Birch Farm, Inc. (KY); T-Joe Lee. MAY DAY READY was ready to deliver a big win in the G2 Lake Placid Stakes under @jose93_ortiz for trainer @josephleeracing! pic.twitter.com/80RUcRUQeJ — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 23, 2025 The post May Day Ready All The Way In GII Lake Placid Stakes At The Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Greenwell Thoroughbreds' Big Dom (c, 2, McKinzie–Half A.P., by Pulpit) and Dr. Kapur (McKinzie) threw down in the final furlong in front of the Travers day crowd assembled at Saratoga Saturday afternoon, and the duo sprinted well clear of their rivals, with the former prevailing in a tight finish to become the day's third 'TDN Rising Star'. The 13-4 second choice behind 5-2 pick Vino Vici (Vino Rosso)–the only member of the octet with previous race experience– Big Dom raced between Dr. Kapur to his inside and Vino Vici to his outer through the opening exchanges before going forward to press the pace of Dr. Kapur through an first couple of furlongs in :22.64, as Vino Vici was content to drop back and chase from the second flight of horses. Asked to come after the pacesetter entering the stretch after a half in :45.58, Big Dom joined the battle in earnest with just under an eighth of a mile to travel and sprinted his final two furlongs in :23.73 to defeat Dr. Kapur, who came home in :23.93. The final time was a crisp 1:09.47 and there was a good gap back of 3 1/4 lengths back to Vino Vici in third. Both the rail-drawn My World (Essential Quality) and Stimulate (Tapit–Elate) should come on for their debut runs in fourth and fifth, respectively. Big Dom, who was bought back on a bid of $160,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale, is a half-brother to 2023 GIII Canadian Derby winner Abeliefinthislivin (Arrogate), GSW-Can, SP-USA, $193,648; and to Fully Living (Unbridled's Song), GSP, $172,417, herself the dam of GSW Ballet Dancing (Medaglia d'Oro) and MGSP Untreated (Nyquist). Half A.P., purchased by Merriebelle Stable for $450,000 in foal to Candy Ride (Arg) at Keeneland November in 2014, is a half-sister to five winners, most notably 2003 champion 2-year-old filly and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Halfbridled (Unbridled). Third dam At the Half, winner of the GIII Golden Rod Stakes at two, produced a couple of winners, including MGSW Lu Ravi (A.P. Indy). Half A.P. is responsible for a yearling half-sister to Big Dom and a colt foal by Arcangelo. She was most recently bred to another Classic-winning son of Arrogate, namely Seize the Grey. Big Dom is the second 'Rising Star' in as many weeks for the Tom Amoss barn, which was represented by the towering debut winner It's Our Time (Not This Time) on Aug. 16. 6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-23, 2yo, 6f, 1:09.47, ft, neck. BIG DOM, c, 2, by McKinzie 1st Dam: Half A. P., by Pulpit 2nd Dam: Half Queen, by Deputy Minister 3rd Dam: At the Half, by Seeking the Gold Sales history: $160,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Greenwell Thoroughbreds; B-Merriebelle Stable LLC (KY); T-Thomas M Amoss. Big Dom wins at first asking in R6 at Saratoga for trainer @tomamossracing with @jose93_ortiz aboard! pic.twitter.com/0jG4OLtxhL — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 23, 2025 The post Big Dom Tops McKinzie 1-2, Becomes a Third ‘Rising Star’ at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–In the opener of the Travers Day program Saturday, Bottas (Vekoma) delivered a double maiden-breaking victory. Not only did he win his career debut in the $100,000 maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds, he notched the first triumph for the Dahman stable of Qatari businessman Abdulhadi Mana Al Hajri. With a last-to-first run under Flavien Prat, Bottas secured the lead by the sixteenth pole and finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Franklin Delano (Liam's Map) in the 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf course in 1:41.70. The 2-1 favorite paid $6.90. Named for the Finnish Formula 1 driver Valterri Bottas, who just announced he will move to the Cadillac team in 2026, Bottas was the fifth starter for Dahman. Case Clay, the Dahman racing manager, said that the stable now numbers 15 runners all trained by Miguel Clement. Clay purchased the colt out of Iadorakid by Lemon Drop Kid for $300,000 at the OBS April sale. “There were a number of reasons that I liked the colt,” Clay said. “Number 1 is I like the Vekomas. He's a half-brother to Parenting (Justify) who I purchased privately for Wathnan Racing, and is a very good horse. He's had an unlucky injury, and we're just trying to bring him back. I knew his brother was good. Also, have a lot of confidence in Paul Sharp as a consigner. He is a very good mover. Had a nice breeze. All the kind of things that you look for at the 2-year-old sales.” Clement said he was pleased to have picked up the initial win for the new owner and that Bottas touted himself since arriving in the barn. “From Day 1 he's been an exciting prospect,” Clement said. “Case purchased him from Paul Sharp at the 2-year-old sale. He liked him a lot. Thought he would be a nice turf horse for Saratoga, and he was spot-on. “Today, I thought he was very professional, a touch immature once he struck the front, but throughout the entire running of the race, I thought he had plenty in control, plenty in hand. He was very impressive today. In four or five strides it was just a question of when he would get there, not if he will get there.” While Amador (Constitution) and then Ambassador Blue (Charlatan) led the field of six early through splits of :23.56 and :47.43, Bottas and Prat were, by design, running last, several lengths off the pace. Prat moved him closer entering the second turn and into contention entering the stretch. From his training, Clement knew that, like his sire, Bottas was fast. “Our only reservation was distance. Can he get a mile and a sixteenth?” Clement said. “We knew he had the speed to go five and a half, but if you're able to stretch them there's more opportunities. So Flavien rode him a bit conservatively today. He gave us a switch off and really delivered when we needed it most.” Clement said he was tempted to start the colt sprinting. “We were because his works from the dirt, from the gates, were so quick,” he said. “Nevertheless, I think he was quick because he's a good horse, not so much because he's a sprinter. He's out of a Lemon Drop Kid mare. If you look at the family, a lot of them were able to go seven-eighths to a mile. We thought we should stretch him first, and we could always cut back in trip if it didn't work out. The best opportunities are two turns on the grass for 2-year-olds.” Bottas has made a smooth adjustment, Clement said, to prepping for racing in the few months he has been in his care. “An unbelievably good mind considering he was in the 2-year-old sale,” Clement said. “It's a different class mentally in that regard. Easy to train. Straight forward. Typical in the Vekoma sense where he swings a bit leg-wise, but very sound and very easy to train. We're very lucky.” The post Saratoga Maidens, Presented By Keeneland: Bottas Drives To Decisive Spa MSW Score appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Andrew Balding wins his fifth edition of the City of York Stakes (G1) with Never So Brave Aug. 23. View the full article

Juddmonte homebred Kalpana (Study Of Man) will follow the path of dual G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Enable (Nathaniel) when she lines up in the G3 September Stakes at Kempton next month before a start at ParisLongchamp. Already a winner of the 2024 edition, the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes second was also under consideration for the G1 Prix Vermeille. Trained by Andrew Balding, the 2024 G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes heroine has placed in all three 2025 starts, with a third in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup kickstarting her 4-year-old season before a second in the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes behind recent G1 Nassau Stakes victress Whirl (Wootton Bassett) in June. She was only a length behind Calandagan (Gleneagles) in the King George in July. Said Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon, “We've decided she's going to go to Kempton for the September Stakes I think. The timing suits, she hasn't won a race this year so I think Andrew is keen to get her head in front. “She's already travelled to Ireland twice and she'll have to travel to France in October, so the attraction of staying at home is more alluring. “The Yorkshire Oaks was never in the mix, we said after the King George that she'd had a couple of tough races and she'd freshen up. It was between the September Stakes or the Vermeille and we're leaning towards the September at this stage.” He added, “The Arc is an open race and we're in there with a chance as one of the favourites, it's nice to have a contender.” The post September Stakes, Then Arc For Kalpana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A sneaky 9.90-1 chance while making her debut in what appeared to be a typically salty Travers Day maiden, Stuart Janney III's Five Bars (f, 2, Maxfield–Secure Connection, by Data Link) was broadsided bilaterally and pinched back at the break and raced near the back of the pack into the final quarter mile of Saturday's third race from the Spa, but went through her gears and split rivals late to score narrowly, nicely enough to be named the afternoon's second 'TDN Rising Star'. Drawn gate four, Five Bars was smashed by the well-related Touch of Magic (Into Mischief)–a half-sister to 'TDN Rising Stars' Guarana (Ghostzapper), Magic Dance (More Than Ready) and Cornucopian (Into Mischief)–to her inside and chilly-on-the-board Icecreamforevryone (Gun Runner) to her outside, and as a result, found herself immediately behind the eight ball. Allowed to find her footing beneath Joel Rosario as favored Tam Tam (Medaglia d'Oro), a $975,000 FTSAUG yearling, dueled outside of Bet the Grey (Essential Quality), Five Bars advanced a couple of spots, but still had it all to do in upper stretch as Tam Tam turned them in. Accelerating sharply with three-sixteenths to go, Five Bars made rapid inside progress, passing $1-million KEESEP purchased Glamorize (Maxfield) to her inside, went to the front-runner deep inside the final furlong and knifed through to score in game fashion. Icecreamforevryone took a photo for second over Tam Tam. A winning half-sister to GIII Transylvania Stakes hero Scarlett Sky (Sky Mesa) and SP Concord Green (War Front), Secure Connection foaled a colt by Oscar Performance in 2024 and was purchased by Nicoma Bloodstock for $375,000 from the Complete Dispersal of Breeding Stock for Stuart Janney at last year's Keeneland November Sale. She foaled a colt by Not This Time on Mar. 8 and was bred back to Oscar Performance. This is also the family of GSW My Impression (Sky Mesa). Five Bars is the first 'TDN Rising Star' and eighth winner overall for her freshman sire (by Street Sense). 3rd-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-23, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:17.40, ft, 1/2 length. FIVE BARS, f, 2, by Maxfield 1st Dam: Secure Connection, by Data Link 2nd Dam: Mata Mua, by Arch 3rd Dam: Impressionism, by Broad Brush Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O/B-Stuart S Janney III (KY); T-Claude R McGaughey III. FIVE BARS rallies to break her maiden at 9-1 in the third race with @JRosarioJockey aboard for trainer Shug McGaughey. pic.twitter.com/ClGFo6ql6i — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 23, 2025 The post Maxfield Filly Five Bars Debuts A ‘Rising Star’ at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Indy Bay kept the momentum rolling Friday night for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., giving him his second stakes win on the card with a pace-stalking win in the GII Charles Town Oaks. The daughter of Take Charge Indy kicked off her career with a pair of Oaklawn starts for trainer Thomas Vance before selling privately and shipping south to join Saffie Joseph's Gulfstream string in early spring. A winner in her first Florida try stepping up to seven furlongs March 1, she made the return trip to Arkansas and added a second win facing allowance horses Apr. 25. A well-traveled filly, she was next brought up to New York where she became a stakes winner in the Jersey Girl Stakes at the Spa June 8 before settling for third in the GIII Victory Ride when last spotted July 3. Rail-drawn Friday in West Virginia, the 5-2 second choice, racing in the colors of C2 Racing Stable, broke sharply to the front but let stablemate Andrea go by passing the wire the first time around. That runner cleared down in front of her leaving Indy Bay stuck to the rail with favored Vodka With a Twist keeping her boxed in two wide. At odds of 8-1, Andrea, who was coming off a front-running win in the Azalea Stakes at Gulfstream July 12, looked to do much the same Friday, pacing the field through fractions of :23.57 and :47.72. Vodka With a Twist was the first to make a move from second, surging alongside the frontrunner midway around the far turn with Indy Bay left move three-wide to follow that jump. The top three spread across the track at the quarter pole and though Indy Bay failed to corner efficiently, she had plenty of gas left to blow by the dueling runners to her inside and score nicely under Irad Ortiz Jr. It was the second stakes win of the night for Saffie Joseph Jr and C2 Racing Stable silks who took the Misty Bennet Pink Ribbon Stakes earlier on the card with Mystic Lake (Mo Town). Pedigree Note: One of 23 stakes winners and the fourth graded winner for Take Charge Indy, Indy Bay is out of a winning Speightstown mare named Discovery Bay who is a half-sister to SW/MGSP Armistice Day (Declaration of War) and GSW Stratford Hill (A.P. Indy). Yet another half-sister, Letchworth (Tiznow), produced GIII Peter Pan Stakes winner We The People (Constitution). Her second dam is GISW Harmony Lodge (Hennessy) who brought seven figures as a 2-year-old in training back in 2000 when selling for $1,650,000 to Eugene Melnyk. Indy Bay herself went through the ring twice at Keeneland, selling first for $40,000 as a weanling in 2022 and as a yearling the following September for $19,000. Last a Texas 2-year-old RNA, also for $19,000, the filly is a half to one other winner in Why Em Sea Ay (Mucho Macho Man). Discovery Bay sold for $17,000 at KEENOV in 2024 to Alabdullatif Bloodstock and was exported to Saudi Arabia shortly after. Her last reported foal is the now 2-year-old More Than Ready colt Aziz who brought $35,000 from HRH Prince Mohammed bin Saisal Al Saud at EASMAY and was also exported to Saudi Arabia. INDY BAY ($7.00) circled the field under @iradortiz to best favored Vodka With A Twist in the $750,000 Charles Town Oaks (G2) at @RaceCharlesTown. Trainer @SaffieJosephJr gets another one home in front for owners @C2RacingStable. The Classic is next: https://t.co/Z6nlbZ5RHr pic.twitter.com/qip5Uq3vBi — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 23, 2025 Friday, Charles Town CHARLES TOWN OAKS-GII, $750,000, Charles Town, 8-22, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:25.82, ft. 1–INDY BAY, 120, f, 3, by Take Charge Indy 1st Dam: Discovery Bay, by Speightstown 2nd Dam: Harmony Lodge, by Hennessy 3rd Dam: Win Crafty Lady, by Crafty Prospector 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($40,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $19,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $19,000 RNA 2yo '24 TTAAPR). O-C2 Racing Stable LLC, Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch; B-Frankfort Park Farm (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $426,000. Lifetime Record: 7-4-1-2, $675,000. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Vodka With a Twist, 118, f, 3, Thousand Words–Bourbon and a Kiss, by Sky Mesa. ($2,500 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $90,000 RNA 2yo '24 KEEAPR). O-BlackRidge Stables LLC, Medallion Racing, Schwing Thoroughbreds, Omar Aldabbagh and William Strauss; B-Pillar Property Services Inc (KY); T-Philip D'Amato. $142,000. 3–Andrea, 120, f, 3, Thousand Words–Photoplay, by Tiznow. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($30,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $105,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Mark Corrado and G. Chris Coleman; B-Scott K. Pierce (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $71,000. Margins: 1 3/4, 1, 2 1/4. Odds: 2.50, 1.80, 8.20. Also Ran: Paradise City, Not Too Late, Volleyballprincess, Zip Start, Secret Faith, Top, Luvumorgan. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Indy Bay Picks Up Charles Town Oaks For Saffie Joseph Jr. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Banishing (Ghostzapper) spoiled a bid by Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) to win the GII Charles Town Classic for the third year in a row when he successfully shipped in for West Virginia's biggest night at the races on Friday. The veteran who is co-owned by trainer David Jacobson scored his biggest triumph in the GIII Oaklawn Mile in Hot Springs Mar. 29 when he dueled and then defeated GISW Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming). Banishing was bested by First Mission (Street Sense) in the GII Oaklawn Handicap the next month, but he did finish one better than Skipplongstocking. The gelding continued to take on divisional foes and was game in defeat when Mindframe (Constitution) rallied in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes to get his picture taken by a neck. Banishing was the runner-up in a dead heat with 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist). The chestnut was last seen winning the Jefferson Hill Memorial Stakes by a nose over 'TDN Rising Star' Booth (Mitole) at Ellis Park July 20. Tabbed as the 5-2 second choice on the tote behind favorite Skippylongstocking, Banishing dropped back and appeared a touch rank shifting off the rail heading into the first turn of three. Meanwhile, the chalk made the front and began to serve as the controlling pace as the field moved past the grandstand for the first time. With Tyler Gaffalione at the controls, Banishing suddenly accelerated around the entire field up the backstretch and took control as Skippylongstocking faded. That jump by the 5-year-old made the difference since no one could mount a successful charge down the lane–though Willy D's (Lookin At Lucky) tried valiantly. Pedigree Notes: Banishing's sire (by Awesome Again) claims Canadian Horse of the Year Moira, current sire Mystic Guide and dual GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine Goodnight Olive among his many graded winners. The Jacobson trainee is on the same Ghostzapper-A.P. Indy cross as another Charles Town Classic victor, Moreno. Dowager is responsible for current 2-year-old filly in-training Take the Helm (Astern {Aus]) and she foaled a colt by Speaker's Corner earlier this year. Banishing's second dam is MGSW Marietta (Machiavellian) and his extended female family includes GSW Watershed (Bernardini). Friday, Charles Town CHARLES TOWN CLASSIC S.-GII, $1,000,000, Charles Town, 8-22, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:53.26, ft. 1–BANISHING, 121, g, 5, by Ghostzapper 1st Dam: Dowager, by A.P. Indy 2nd Dam: Marietta, by Machiavellian 3rd Dam: Minister Wife, by Deputy Minister ($80,000 4yo '24 FTKHRA). O-Lawrence P. Roman and David Jacobson; B-Godolphin (KY); T-David Jacobson; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $582,000. Lifetime Record: 23-9-5-2, $1,890,709. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Willy D's, 119, g, 4, Lookin At Lucky–Boston Mine, by Mineshaft. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($60,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Paradise Farms Corp.; B-Beau Lane (KY); T-Michael Maker. $194,000. 3–Gould's Gold, 119, c, 4, Goldencents–Goose Martini, by Bernardini. ($100,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT). O-4 G Racing LLC, Lance Gasaway and Magdalena Racing; B-Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $97,000. Margins: 2 1/4, 3, HF. Odds: 2.70, 4.90, 9.50. Also Ran: Awesome Aaron, Komorebino Omoide (Jpn), Trademark, Alexander Helios, Skippylongstocking. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. BANISHING ($7.40) exiled the rest in the $1 million Charles Town Classic (G2) at @RaceCharlesTown. @Tyler_Gaff gave a masterful ride on the Ghostzapper gelding trained by David Jacobson. Congrats to all the connections! pic.twitter.com/U0p2BxLhbw — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 23, 2025 The post Banishing’s Backstretch Move The Difference In GII Charles Town Classic On Friday Night appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Backed into 2.45-1 favoritism for his career debut in the Saratoga lid-lifter on Travers Day, Dahman's BOTTAS (c, 2, Vekoma–Iadorakid, by Lemon Drop Kid) became the second 'TDN Rising Star' for his dam as he was ridden quietly from the back of a six-horse field by Flavien Prat and exploded through the final furlong and a half to defeat the well-meant Franklin Delano (Liam's Map) by 2 1/4 comfortable lengths in solid time. A $300,000 OBS April breezer (see below), the dark bay–a 7-2 chance on the morning line and bet down–was taken in hand right from the break by Flavien Prat and was put to sleep at the tail, as Ambassador Blue (Charlatan) railed through inside of a wayward Amador (Constitution), as Franklin Delano took the 'worst' of it into the turn before angling back down to the inside. Ambassador Blue was by the half-mile in a moderate :47.43, and all the while, Bottas traveled smoothly from behind, waiting for his cue. Prat had a fistful of horse on the turn and when he asked Bottas to sprint in upper stretch once produced off the heels of the debuting Quiet Power (Tapit), he accelerated sharply, confronted Franklin Delano inside the final furlong and shot clear despite racing on his incorrect lead through the line. Franklin Delano held for second. Bottas joins the undefeated Parenting (Justify), a $750,000 OBS April grad and winner of the 2024 Affirmed Stakes, as 'Rising Stars' out of Iadorakid. Sales history: $300,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. O-Dahman; B-BCS Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Miguel Clement Bottas is a last-to-first winner on debut in the opener at Saratoga! @clementstable trains the son of Vekoma and Flavien Prat was in the saddle. pic.twitter.com/tEc636K1HC — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 23, 2025 The post Vekoma Colt Bottas ‘Races’ To ‘TDN Rising Star’ Honors With Last-To-First Dash appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Deauville, France, post time: 15:50, SUMBE PRIX MORNY-G1, €350,000, 2yo, c/f, 6fT Field: Outfielder (Speightstown), Coppull (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Wise Approach (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Imperial Me Cen (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Venetian Sun (Ire) (Starman {GB}). TDN Verdict: TDN Rising Star Outfielder makes his eagerly awaited return, coming back off a 6 1/4-length debut rout at Churchill Downs in May, in a mouthwatering renewal of a race Wesley Ward has already plundered with No Nay Never, Lady Aurelia and Campanelle. All five rivals have black-type wins in the books with G2 Coventry Stakes victor Gstaad, G2 Richmond Stakes winner Coppull and G3 Albany Stakes and G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes victrix Venetian Sun lining up to make it a Prix Morny for the ages. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Deauville, France, post time: 17:00, SUMBE PRIX JEAN ROMANET-G1, €400,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT Field: Survie (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal), Quisisana (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Royal Dress (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Grand Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Start Of Day (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Cankoura (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). TDN Verdict: Sunday's stellar stakes card at Deauville is embellished by this distaffers' contest with G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Cinderella's Dream setting the standard in heat won by the Gosden yard with Izzi Top in 2012 and Coronet in 2019. Francis Graffard trainee G1 Prix de Diane third Cankoura is one of the Godolphin representative's main threats and regained the winning thread in this month's G3 Prix de Psyche over this course and distance. Prix de Diane second Bedtime Story failed to fire in Goodwood's G1 Nassau Stakes when last seen, while last term's Diane runner-up Survie is another with claims. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Deauville, France, post time: 13:58, SUMBE PRIX KERGORLAY-G2, €164,600, 3yo/up, 15fT Field: Goya Senora (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}), Columbus (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Presage Nocturne (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}). TDN Verdict: Sunday's pattern-race extravaganza opens with a marathon annexed last year by dual Group 1 winner Double Major. Andre Fabre has won this five times and sends forth the ultra-consistent dual Group 1-placed Sevenna's Knight, who comes back off a third here in this month's G3 Prix de Reux. Presage Nocturne was a head behind Sevenna's Knight when third in May's G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, while Columbus was a half-length adrift of Double Major when fourth in last month's G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Deauville, France, post time: 14:33, SUMBE PRIX DU CALVADOS-G2, €119,000, 2yo, f, 7fT Field: True Test (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Nandita (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Fitzella (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), My Highness (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Polly Shelby (Fr) (Space Blues {Ire}), Arkansas (Fr) (Sottsass {Fr}), Ceramic (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Fitzella, from the in-form Hugo Palmer yard, made all to account for G2 Lowther Stakes third Staya in last month's G3 Princess Margaret Stakes and steps up in trip here. Andre Fabre seeks a record-equalling fourth edition and is represented by dual winner My Highness, who comes back off a course-and-distance conditions defeat of Ceramic earlier this month. Ceramic is also held by Polly Shelby on their running in a Listed heat at Vichy last month, while Scuderia Scolari's Mario Baratti trainee Arkansas is an interesting contender coming back off a three-length debut score at Chantilly last month. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Goodwood, post time: 15:35, THE VIRGIN BET CELEBRATION MILE-G2, £158,500, 3yo/up, 8fT Field: Balmacara (GB) (New Bay {GB}), Ice Max (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Make Me King (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Persica (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Arisaig (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}), Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Saqqara Sands (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). TDN Verdict: After two tries at shorter, the Greenham winner Jonquil returns to the trip over which he was second in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and appears the obvious class act on that evidence. The fact that connections reverted in distance after the ParisLongchamp Classic suggests they harbour stamina doubts and any vulnerability will be exposed at this stiff track with the likes of the Diomed winner Persica in attendance. The Listed Eternal Stakes winner Saqqara Sands dead-heated in the Oak Tree last time and is dangerously unexposed. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Goodwood, post time: 14:25, THE VIRGIN BET PRESTIGE FILLIES' STAKES-G3, £80,000, 2yo, f, 7fT Field: Aylin (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Jennifer Jane (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Moon Target (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), Orion's Belt (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Precise (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Spinning Lizzie (GB) (Kameko), Stimulative Trip (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Sukanya (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). TDN Verdict: Sir Mark Prescott rarely has precocious two-year-olds, but in Moon Target he has one who also has the capacity to turn into a future star. Successful in her maiden and novice by a combined margin of 13 lengths, the relative of Inspiral bids to provide Heath House with a second renewal after Red Camellia won for the same owner-breeders in 1996. Ballydoyle have reputation in the Cork maiden winner Precise and she obviously has significant upside along with the Goodwood maiden scorer Aylin. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Naas, post time: 15:25, TALLY-HO STUD IRISH EBF BALLYOGAN STAKES-G3, €60,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 5f 205yT Field: Bellaphina (Ire) (James Garfield {Ire}), Dance Night Andday (Ire) (Buratino {Ire}), Gutsy Girl (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Miss Attitude (GB) (Cityscape {GB}), Navassa Island (Ire) (Territories {Ire}), Queen Of Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Vespertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Carla Ridge (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Lady With The Lamp (Ire) (King Of Change {GB}), Sky Majesty (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Zuheila (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Last year's Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte and Firth Of Clyde winner Sky Majesty comes back to the course and distance of her confidence-restoring win in last month's Listed Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF Stakes. Unlike her, Vespertilio has yet to race at this track and it could be that the Listed Dash Stakes winner relishes its nature. Interestingly, Johnny Murtagh pitches in Zuheila despite her defeat in a course-and-distance conditions event last time but as a The Aga Khan Studs homebred with only two runs under her belt remains open to much improvement. [Tom Frary]. Monday, Ripon, post time: 15:15, THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF RIPON CHAMPION TWO YRS OLD TROPHY-Listed, £40,000, 2yo, 6fT Field: Al Shaham (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Amorim (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Anaisa (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Awraad (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Lam Yai (Ire) (Lucky Vega {Ire}), Saucy Jane (GB) (Lope Y Fernandez {Ire}), Temple Of Athena (GB) (Magna Grecia {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Seemingly trained specifically for this by the Crisfords, who have won three of the last five runnings, the £200,000 Goffs UK Breeze-Up purchase Al Shaham will be a warm order after two course-and-distance novice wins by a cumulative margin of 6 3/4 lengths. Amorim may have been well-beaten by the Prix Morny-bound Wise Approach when third in Newbury's Listed Rose Bowl Stakes, but that form looks a lot better after the runner-up Rock On Thunder went so close in the Gimcrack on Friday. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: American Outfielder Challenges European Contemporaries In Morny appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Completing The Curragh's Futurity-Debutante double on Saturday for Aidan O'Brien and Wayne Lordan, Composing (Wootton Bassett) justified 4-5 favouritism without any hint of concern in the Group 2 contest. Always happy tracking Suzie Songs (Starspangledbanner) in second, the Silver Flash winner took control two out and forged a straightfoward 2 1/2-length success from that Moyglare filly to bring up a 15th renewal for her stable. “She's a lovely straightforward filly and when she got there she was very laid-back and very professional,” the master of Ballydoyle said. “If all is well, the Moyglare is the plan.” The exciting Composing (Wootton Bassett) makes it three on the bounce with victory in the Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes for @waynemlordan and Aidan O'Brien @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/Oeae0u6g6a — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 23, 2025 The post Wootton Bassett’s Composing Takes The Debutante To Complete O’Brien Curragh Double appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Making it win number 18 for Aidan O'Brien in Saturday's G2 Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Tom Cooper Irish EBF Futurity Stakes, Constitution River (Wootton Bassett) dominated the Curragh contest from start to finish to stake his Classic claims for 2026. Sent on by Wayne Lordan, the 5-6 favourite who had followed an encouraging debut second at Newmarket with a win at Galway turned it on two out to dismiss Geryon (Lope De Vega) by two lengths. “He's a lovely colt and was good and professional,” Lordan said of the stable's fifth straight winner of this always-important staging post and ninth in the last ten runnings. “He has a high cruising speed and hits the line good, so a mile will be no problem. He will probably better at it.” Constitution River is an exciting one as he runs out the ninth winner in the last 10 runnings of the @coolmorestud Wootton Bassett Tom Cooper @IrishEBF_ Futurity Stakes for Aidan O'Brien @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/QseWSA1Wih — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 23, 2025 The post Wootton Bassett’s Constitution River Dominates To Give O’Brien 18th Futurity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Britain's first seven-furlong Group 1 proved a humdinger on Saturday as Never So Brave (No Nay Never) found the line first in a thrilling four-way go for the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes. Like Saturday's Hungerford winner More Thunder a former member of the Sir Michael Stoute equine academy, Saeed Suhail's Summer Mile winner relished the furious pace to ultimately outstay specialists at this trip under Oisin Murphy. At the line, the Andrew Balding-trained 7-2 second favourite had half a length to spare over Lake Forest for a one-two for No Nay Never, with Maranoa Charlie (Wootton Bassett) and the even-money favourite Rosallion (Blue Point) also in the blanket two head margins away in third and fourth respectively. Never So Brave lands the newest Group 1 contest in the calendar, the @SkyBet City Of York Stakes! @yorkracecourse @AndrewBalding2 | @oismurphy pic.twitter.com/5NF3gKqKGr — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 23, 2025 The post Never So Brave Leads One-Two For No Nay Never In The City Of York appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Six-year-old gelding Hard To Cross (NZ) (Hard To Cross) was aided by the three-kilo claim of Rose Hammond as the Kiwi bred landed his first victory of the preparation when landing the Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap (1523m). Prepared by Patrick and Michelle Payne, the New Zealand bred son of All Too Hard was a well-supported second favourite and sat just behind a solid tempo set by Run Harry Run (Written Tycoon) and runner-up Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) to power over the top late. Hard To Cross carried just 51kgs with the claim. “Patrick and Michelle did discuss at length running in the Benchmark 84,” stable representative Neil Grieve. “But even with Tom Prebble’s two-kilo claim he would have had to carried 58kgs and they reasoned that it was quite a competitive race, which it turned out to be. “Whereas with the race the thinking was they might catch a few of the others on the hop a bit as he was fit and ready whereas they were aimed at different races and fortunately for the large group of owners who turned up today he got the job done thanks to a great ride from Rose Hammond. “She was patient and was aware that you needed to be somewhere near the rail and I think carrying the light weight in the end made all the difference.” Connections have had to be patient with Hard To Cross, who spent 12 months sidelined after a positive swab to Formestane, a drug used to treat breast cancer, resulting in a stewards ban from racing. Bred by Cambridge Stud’s Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, Hard To Cross is out of their two-race winning Commands mare Egyptian Cross and is the older half-brother to Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) runner-up Red Sea (NZ) (Pierata). Hard To Cross has now won seven of his 25 starts and $494,855 in prizemoney. View the full article

Six-year-old gelding The Creator (NZ) (Wrote) led throughout to claim the Ladbrokes Top 2/3/4 Betting Handicap (1600m) at The Valley on Saturday under a perfect Logan Bates ride. Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr put their faith in the two-kilo claimer who elected to take up proceedings from the inside barrier and rated the son of Wrote to perfection kicking off the bend to score by just over a length from Pudding (NZ) (Tavistock). “He doesn’t want it firm but he doesn’t want it really heavy like it was last start and I thought it was a good play by the team to come up in grade and right down in the weights, and Logan rode him beautifully,” Kent Jnr said. “We said to have him comfortable. We didn’t say to lead. But I thought he made a good call just to hold it, he got a few mid-race breathers and the horse was always there for him, so full credit, he has won six races now and done a great job. “He has come back off a little wind correction, so that has clearly been a success, we have a great bunch of owners in the horse and I am rapt for all of them.” Bates, who was crowned leading country apprentice for season 2024/25 is a jockey with a bright future. “It was pretty simple. I just got the horse to bounce and he had a light weight,” Bates said. “We weren’t sure if we were going to lead but Mick just alluded to me that he has a bit of a wind issue so I just wanted to keep it free flowing on him. “Once there was no pressure early, I just let him come up underneath me and he travelled good. I let him build from the 700 with the lightweight and he kicked off the corner and put the race to bed. It was quite impressive in the end and it was good to get the win for the OTI team. “I reckon he suits The Valley he corners really well and he is that free rolling sort of horse and this track suits that. He does have a good turn of foot too, so hopefully he comes back here.” The son of Highview Stud stallion Wrote, The Creator is out of the Guillotine mare Go Teena (NZ) and was an impressive winner of his two starts in New Zealand for trainer Chad Ormsby, before his purchase by OTI Racing. View the full article

Sterling Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs. Gloria Macrae and Brian McKeagg’s homebred son of Shamexpress had already racked up seven wins from a promising 18-race career, with three smart victories as a three-year-old followed by another four last season. His last start had produced his biggest win yet, storming home from the back of the field to take out the $60,000 Winter Championship Sprinters’ Final (1400m) at Ruakaka in late June. However, the Foxbridge Plate is a completely different challenge to a winter open handicap. Sterling Express had finished last in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Memorial (1500m) at Te Rapa in December 2023 in his only previous start in black-type company, and now he found himself in a $150,000 season-opening Group Two, taking on high-class opposition at weight-for-age. That challenge was made even tougher by the way the race was run. Sterling Express was slow to leave the starting gates and had to come from last in a race dominated by those racing on or near the pace. The first four horses around the home turn all finished in the first six, headed by Lhasa (Hellbent), who sat outside the front-running Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) before taking command early in the straight. But what Sterling Express did in the final 350 metres of the Foxbridge showed that he could be a rising star of New Zealand’s weight-for-age ranks. He flew down the outside, passing 12 horses in the straight and powering to victory by a length in the hands of Masa Hashizume. Lhasa held on for second in a career-best performance, and the same could be said for $51 outsider Dusty Road (NZ) (Shamexpress) who flashed home late for third. Twain (NZ) (Per Incanto), Gospodin (NZ) ( Proisir) and Sacred Satono stuck on solidly to round out the top six. Sterling Express is trained by Mark Brosnan at Matamata. That training centre has now produced four consecutive Foxbridge winners, with Sterling Express following on from Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) (2024), Dragon Leap (Pierro) (2023) and Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) (2022). “That’s very satisfying,” Brosnan said. “I thought he was pretty good, but he’s actually even better than I thought. “I wasn’t too worried after his slow start. He’s done that before and shown that he can run home. But I was a bit surprised how well he did it against such a strong field. Masa rode to the plan we thought up, and the horse did the rest. It’s a good result. “We obviously have to go to the Proisir Plate (Gr.1, 1400m) now. That’s going to be a stronger field again, but we’ve got to go there after that run.” The TAB reacted to Saturday’s performance by cutting Sterling Express from $61 into $16 for the Proisir Plate, which will be run at Ellerslie on September 6. Legarto and the defending champion Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) remain the equal favourites at $4. Sterling Express has also been a big mover in the markets for the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), where he is now rated a $16 and $18 chance, respectively. Saturday’s win continued a strong run of form for Brosnan, who won 10 races from only 93 runners last season including a recent big-race win by Diamond Jak (NZ) (Jakkalberry) in the $100,000 Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at Te Rapa on July 26. “We’ve got a couple of good horses around us at the moment, and that makes it easy,” Brosnan said. Saturday’s win marked a triumphant return for Hashizume, who has been back riding for two weeks after almost four months off the scene. “I’m very emotional,” he said. “Mark has been a big supporter in my career. This is a top horse. He came from an unbelievable place today. I’m very happy. “He was sitting in the gate. He was fresh and he was getting a bit toey. But we were always going to go back anyway, and I just wanted to follow Michael (McNab, riding Mali Ston (NZ) (El Roca)) – a good jockey riding a good horse. “I wanted to come out and give him a chance in the straight, and he responded very well. “He’s definitely competitive in weight-for-age now. He’s proved that. Fresh up today, he’s definitely going to improve from this.” Sterling Express added a second mention of the Foxbridge Plate to his pedigree page. His granddam Jennibegood (NZ), who won five times up to Listed level, finished fourth behind O’Malleys Boy (NZ), La Bella Dama (NZ) and Millennium (NZ) in the 2002 edition of the race. View the full article