Wandering Eyes

To avoid any potential conflict-of-interest issues, Tom Rooney, an appointed voting member of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA), has recused himself from any further decision making in the selection of a year-round training center, said Alan Foreman, another voting member of the non-profit. The new organization is positioning itself to assume control of day-to-day racing operations in Maryland, pending legislative approval. In a proposed plan, The Stronach Group, which owns Pimlico Race Course, would turn over ownership and daily operations of the track to the state and to the MTROA, respectively. Complementing a revamped Pimlico would be the selection of a companion training facility to accommodate roughly 700-800 horses. The MTROA identified eight potential training facilities for purchase. They include the Shamrock Farm Training Center, a little over 20 miles from Pimlico. Shamrock Farm is a 155-acre facility owned by the Rooney family since 1948, according to the facility's website. Foreman said that Shamrock Farm was selected as a possible training site due to the Rooney family opening the door to its possible sale. Initially, Rooney said that “'if in fact the farm is a possibility, I'll resign from the Authority because I don't want anybody to think there's a conflict of interest there,'” said Foreman, who is also general counsel for the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA). Rooney sits on the Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) board. The MHBA “did not feel that he should step down,” said Foreman. “But Tom said, 'if I don't step off the board, I'll want to make very clear that I'm recusing myself with respect to any matters related to Shamrock Farm or consideration of Shamrock as a training facility. You can deal directly with the family,'” said Foreman. “Tom would not participate in the vote for the training center,” Foreman added. “So, it isn't just that he would recuse himself from Shamrock, but he has recused himself from voting on the location of the training center.” According to a MTROA report dated Jan. 5, if a decision is made to move forward with Shamrock Farm as a training center location, “a third-party appraisal process will be used to substantiate a purchase price,” the report states. In a separate report, the MTROA rates the eight different possible training facilities by several criteria, including their location, size, cost to purchase and cost of redevelopment. According to this rating system, two facilities come out jointly on top–Shamrock Farm and Mitchell Farm Training Center, a 97-acre facility near the Aberdeen Proving Ground. The third-rated facility is the Bowie Race Track, a 131-acre training facility. According to Foreman, these three facilities will undergo independent appraisal in preparation for a final training site vote. The ambitious reconfiguring of Maryland's horse racing infrastructure hinges upon legislative approval. The recently unveiled report came with the endorsement of Maryland's governor, Wes Moore. “Our hope is, we can coalesce around a site by the end of the legislative session,” said Foreman. The Maryland General Assembly's 90-day legislative session is scheduled to run until Apr. 8. The post Citing Conflict of Interest Issues, Rooney Self-Recuses from MRTOA Training Center Decisions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The year 2023 was a pretty rough one for the sport of horse racing, and there was little to suggest that this year would be any different. The sport seems to be caught in a downward spiral as we move from one crisis to another and are left to wonder “what next?” So far this year, the answer to that question is that maybe things will be better in 2024 than we might have thought. There have been several recent positive developments for the sport, many of them having to do with state governments investing in the game's future. We learned last week that the New Jersey Senate joined the state's Assembly in passing a bill that would extended a $10-million annual purse subsidy through 2029. Governor Phil Murphy is expected to sign the bill. New Jersey is one of only a handful of states where the racing industry does not receive revenue from gaming. Without the $10 million, Monmouth's purses wouldn't be large enough to compete with tracks in neighboring states. According to the Daily Racing Form, Monmouth distributed $31 million in purses over 56 live racing days, for an average of $553,000 a day, the highest in its history, with one-third of that money coming from the subsidy. It wasn't that long ago that Monmouth was operated by the state and then Governor Chris Christie threatened to shut the track down. In 2011, he said that Monmouth would “disappear” if private management wasn't put in place at the state-owned facility. The news out of New Jersey was just the latest example of a state government showing that it believes in the future of the sport. In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore endorsed a plan authored by the Maryland Thoroughbred Operating Authority that will overhaul racing in Maryland. The proposal, which is dubbed “Pimlico Plus,” would mean a re-envisioned Pimlico site, with a new clubhouse, stables for 700 horses, a 1,000-seat event space, 2,000-car parking garage, veterinary facilities, a possible hotel and other new amenities. Laurel will close once the new Pimlico is ready to open for business and a new training facility will be built at a site that has yet to be determined. Pimlico Plus has a hefty price tag. According to the Baltimore Banner, the new Pimlico will cost between $274 million and $284 million, while the new training facility would cost about $113 million. In 2020, the Maryland General Assembly approved the sale of $375 million in bonds for capital improvements for Pimlico and Laurel. The projects that were on the table at the time stalled, but the $375 million is still available and, with legislative approval, can be used to rebuild Pimlico. The deal would require 1/ST Racing and Gaming, which owns Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, to transfer ownership of Pimlico to the state, and for 1/ST Racing to cede control of its day-to-day Thoroughbred operations to a non-profit entity as of Jan. 1, 2025. The non-profit entity would be structured so that it is similar to the New York Racing Association. 1/ST Racing will retain the rights to the GI Preakness S. and the GII Black-Eyed Susan S., which it would license to the non-profit operating authority. The Maryland deal was announced about eight months after New York Governor Kathy Hochul's budget included a $455- million loan to NYRA that it will use to build a new Belmont Park, which is expected to open in 2026. Hochul did so despite fierce criticism from some advocacy groups, including PETA, that questioned the move. Victor Matheson, a Holy Cross College professor and expert on sports economics told the New York Post, “Basically it looks like with this project, you're kind of hitching your wagon to an industry that is in long-term decline.” Belmont was last refurbished in the sixties and is a mammoth structure built during an era when 35,000 people might show up to the track on a Saturday afternoon. It is also not winterized, the primary reason why the Breeders' Cup has not been run at Belmont since 2005. New York racing needed a new Belmont and needed to consolidate so that there was just one downstate track. Thanks to Hochul, it's going to happen. In October, Keeneland announced a major capital investment project highlighted by the construction of a permanent paddock building. Once again, a state government came forward to help with the costs. Keeneland is working with state and local government to secure incentive funds to support the project, which is expected to cost nearly $93 million. Already, upon the recommendation of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Keeneland received preliminary approval from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority for incentives to support the project totaling up to $23.2 million. “Keeneland is a historic destination for our local families and travelers, and this exciting investment will create more opportunities for everyone to enjoy, while boosting our signature horse racing industry and Kentucky's $12.9 billion tourism industry,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “The horse racing industry is as indispensable to our economy as it is to our culture, and after a record-breaking year for tourism in 2022, leaders like Keeneland are going to help ensure Kentucky's success continues for years to come.” Last week, we also learned that the purse for the Kentucky Derby has been raised to $5 million. It was $3 million. In addition, the 2024 spring meet at Churchill will offer purses totaling more than $25 million or a 25% increase over 2023. This happened because Kentucky racing has never been healthier. Revenue from Historical Horse Racing Machines has created huge purses in the state. Maiden special weight races at Churchill Downs went for $120,000 and allowance races were worth $141,000 last fall. “These record purse increases are a symbol of the health of horse racing in Kentucky,” Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated said when announcing the Derby purse increase. “Churchill Downs Incorporated's over $1-billion investment into live and historical horse racing in Kentucky over the last five years has meaningfully strengthened the entire Kentucky Derby Week and year-round racing program. It's important to acknowledge the state legislature for its commitment to working closely with private enterprise in a truly collaborative partnership to support the continued growth of Kentucky's signature industry.” None of this means that 2024 will be perfect or that we shouldn't brace ourselves for the next set of problems. But this sport is resilient, as the recent developments have shown. Let's hope for more of the same in 2024. Triple Crown Purses Churchill Downs was not the only track to raise the purse for its Triple Crown event. The purse for the GI Belmont S. has been increased to $2 million from $1.5 million. That's a step in the right direction, but it's not enough. Along with the Breeders' Cup, the Triple Crown races are supposed to be the sport's most important events. Their purses should reflect that. All three races should have purses of $5 million. As of now, there is a gap between the Derby and the $1.5-million Preakness and the Belmont, which isn't good for the Triple Crown. There should be enough money out there to have three $5-million races. The post The Week in Review: In the Good News Department, 2024 is Off to a Good Start appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Although National Treasure has been nominated for the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup (G1), co-owner Tom Ryan of SF Racing indicated on the media platform X Saturday afternoon that the Jan. 27 $3 million Pegasus would be the colt's next start.View the full article

Emerging three-year-old Renegade Rebel (NZ) (El Roca) stepped up from a last-start maiden win and scored a determined front-running victory in Sunday’s Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie. The El Roca gelding has made marked improvement with every start since finishing at the tail of a five-horse field in his only appearance as a two-year-old last April. He joined Cody Cole’s Matamata stable in the spring and resumed with a close second in a 1400m maiden race at Te Aroha on November 29, then stepped up to 1600m and cleared maiden ranks at Tauranga on December 15. He had to work hard in front that day and was challenged a long way from the finish, but he fought fiercely down the straight and won by a long neck. The step up in class and distance for Sunday’s Salver brought another front-running victory for Renegade Rebel. This time rider Matt Cameron was able to dictate terms and set a slow speed out in front, conserving energy for the run home. Cameron began to increase the tempo coming up to the turn, and then Renegade Rebel called on all his fighting qualities down the Ellerslie straight to repel the challenges of High Country, Rebecchi and Perfectmanz. He held them all at bay and crossed the finish line with a one-length margin up his sleeve. Renegade Rebel and Matt Cameron return to scale after winning the Listed Gingernuts Salver. Photo: Trish Dunell Renegade Rebel became the second black-type winner for Cole, and both have been at Ellerslie. He saddled Astor to win the Listed Mufhasa Stakes (1300m) in 2018. “This is just a great feeling,” Cole said. “The horse was able to have quite a soft time out in front today. Matt Cameron is really good at riding those sorts of races, and it’s great to have him back in the saddle and doing what he does best. He just let the horse do his own thing. “This horse has just kept improving. He joined our stable after winning a trial in the early spring, and this was only his third race for us. We’re sort of trying to figure him out as we go. But he was really tough in his maiden win last start, and it was another good, tough win today.” Renegade Rebel is hardly bred for stamina, being by El Roca out of a mare that won five races over 1000m and 1200m. But Sunday’s performance thrust him into contention for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on March 2, for which the TAB now rates him a $12 chance in a market headed by Orchestral and Zabmanzor at $8. “We’ll see how he comes through this run before working out what path we take from here,” Cole said. “He has given us the impression that he might perform better when he’s kept a little bit on the fresh side.” Renegade Rebel was a $40,000 purchase from Westbury Stud’s draft in Book 2 of Karaka 2022. His four-start career has now produced two wins, a second and $77,250 in stakes. View the full article

Two Group Ones at Trentham and the eagerly anticipated reopening of Ellerslie provided plenty of potential highlights across a blockbuster weekend of racing, but top-class mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) towered above all other talking points with a commanding performance in Sunday’s Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview (1400m). The dual Group One winner was a class above her six rivals at the new and improved Ellerslie, producing a dazzling turn of foot that sent a clear warning to her prospective opponents in the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at the same venue on January 27. Sunday’s race marked Legarto’s first raceday appearance since an unlucky run in the Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney in early November. She had won a trial at Tauranga on January 2, and she was sent out as a $1.60 favourite at Ellerslie against a talented cast of rivals that included reigning Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart and fellow high-class four-year-olds Wild Night and Sacred Satono. In the end, Legarto was in a league of her own. The daughter of Proisir settled in fifth spot for regular rider Ryan Elliot and was poised to pounce coming up to the home turn, looming large just behind Packing Rockstar, Sacred Satono and Wild Night. Sacred Satono quickened well in the straight and took a clear lead, but then Elliot pushed the button on Legarto. She swept past Sacred Satono and sailed away, opening up a winning margin of two lengths and stopping the clock at 1:21.84. “It’s good that she’s starting to ping out of the gates a little bit better now and put herself in her races,” Elliot said. “She hit a little flat spot again, which she sometimes does, but the way she sprinted off that track in the straight was a great feeling. The turn of foot was instant. “It was good for her to come here today and have a look around Ellerslie. She’s still on her way up, and this will clean her up nicely. I think she’ll be peaking at the right time.” Legarto and Ryan Elliot return after winning the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview. Photo: Trish Dunell The TAB now rates Legarto a $1.60 favourite for the Aotearoa Classic, with the Australian-trained Holymanz a distant second favourite at $6. The only other runner in single figures is the $8 chance Desert Lightning, who made a good impression in an exhibition gallop with star three-year-old Crocetti at Ellerslie on Sunday. Sacred Satono and Sharp ‘N’ Smart, who finished second and third in Sunday’s Aotearoa Classic preview, are rated $16 and $10 chances respectively for the main event. Legarto was bought by Ancroft Stud for $90,000 from Highline Thoroughbreds’ draft in Book 2 of Karaka 2021. Her 11-start career has now produced eight wins, a placing and just under $1.3 million in stakes, headed by spectacular victories in last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Legarto is trained by Ken and Bev Kelso, who were delighted with Sunday’s dress rehearsal for the Aotearoa Classic. “That was very good,” Kelso said. “Once she got into the clear in the straight, she was really strong. It probably helped her that Sacred Satono gave her something to chase, because she tends to only do what she has to. “We’re very pleased and I think we’re on track for the million-dollar race here on Karaka Millions night. She’ll have an easy week now, and then we’ll ramp up again after that. It’s been a trouble-free preparation so far, everything’s gone to plan, and let’s hope that continues.” View the full article

Emerging three-year-old Renegade Rebel (NZ) (El Roca) stepped up from a last-start maiden win and scored a determined front-running victory in Sunday’s Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie. The El Roca gelding has made marked improvement with every start since finishing at the tail of a five-horse field in his only appearance as a two-year-old last April. He joined Cody Cole’s Matamata stable in the spring and resumed with a close second in a 1400m maiden race at Te Aroha on November 29, then stepped up to 1600m and cleared maiden ranks at Tauranga on December 15. He had to work hard in front that day and was challenged a long way from the finish, but he fought fiercely down the straight and won by a long neck. The step up in class and distance for Sunday’s Salver brought another front-running victory for Renegade Rebel. This time rider Matt Cameron was able to dictate terms and set a slow speed out in front, conserving energy for the run home. Cameron began to increase the tempo coming up to the turn, and then Renegade Rebel called on all his fighting qualities down the Ellerslie straight to repel the challenges of High Country, Rebecchi and Perfectmanz. He held them all at bay and crossed the finish line with a one-length margin up his sleeve. Renegade Rebel and Matt Cameron return to scale after winning the Listed Gingernuts Salver. Photo: Trish Dunell Renegade Rebel became the second black-type winner for Cole, and both have been at Ellerslie. He saddled Astor to win the Listed Mufhasa Stakes (1300m) in 2018. “This is just a great feeling,” Cole said. “The horse was able to have quite a soft time out in front today. Matt Cameron is really good at riding those sorts of races, and it’s great to have him back in the saddle and doing what he does best. He just let the horse do his own thing. “This horse has just kept improving. He joined our stable after winning a trial in the early spring, and this was only his third race for us. We’re sort of trying to figure him out as we go. But he was really tough in his maiden win last start, and it was another good, tough win today.” Renegade Rebel is hardly bred for stamina, being by El Roca out of a mare that won five races over 1000m and 1200m. But Sunday’s performance thrust him into contention for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on March 2, for which the TAB now rates him a $12 chance in a market headed by Orchestral and Zabmanzor at $8. “We’ll see how he comes through this run before working out what path we take from here,” Cole said. “He has given us the impression that he might perform better when he’s kept a little bit on the fresh side.” Renegade Rebel was a $40,000 purchase from Westbury Stud’s draft in Book 2 of Karaka 2022. His four-start career has now produced two wins, a second and $77,250 in stakes. View the full article

Two Group Ones at Trentham and the eagerly anticipated reopening of Ellerslie provided plenty of potential highlights across a blockbuster weekend of racing, but top-class mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) towered above all other talking points with a commanding performance in Sunday’s Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview (1400m). The dual Group One winner was a class above her six rivals at the new and improved Ellerslie, producing a dazzling turn of foot that sent a clear warning to her prospective opponents in the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at the same venue on January 27. Sunday’s race marked Legarto’s first raceday appearance since an unlucky run in the Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney in early November. She had won a trial at Tauranga on January 2, and she was sent out as a $1.60 favourite at Ellerslie against a talented cast of rivals that included reigning Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart and fellow high-class four-year-olds Wild Night and Sacred Satono. In the end, Legarto was in a league of her own. The daughter of Proisir settled in fifth spot for regular rider Ryan Elliot and was poised to pounce coming up to the home turn, looming large just behind Packing Rockstar, Sacred Satono and Wild Night. Sacred Satono quickened well in the straight and took a clear lead, but then Elliot pushed the button on Legarto. She swept past Sacred Satono and sailed away, opening up a winning margin of two lengths and stopping the clock at 1:21.84. “It’s good that she’s starting to ping out of the gates a little bit better now and put herself in her races,” Elliot said. “She hit a little flat spot again, which she sometimes does, but the way she sprinted off that track in the straight was a great feeling. The turn of foot was instant. “It was good for her to come here today and have a look around Ellerslie. She’s still on her way up, and this will clean her up nicely. I think she’ll be peaking at the right time.” Legarto and Ryan Elliot return after winning the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview. Photo: Trish Dunell The TAB now rates Legarto a $1.60 favourite for the Aotearoa Classic, with the Australian-trained Holymanz a distant second favourite at $6. The only other runner in single figures is the $8 chance Desert Lightning, who made a good impression in an exhibition gallop with star three-year-old Crocetti at Ellerslie on Sunday. Sacred Satono and Sharp ‘N’ Smart, who finished second and third in Sunday’s Aotearoa Classic preview, are rated $16 and $10 chances respectively for the main event. Legarto was bought by Ancroft Stud for $90,000 from Highline Thoroughbreds’ draft in Book 2 of Karaka 2021. Her 11-start career has now produced eight wins, a placing and just under $1.3 million in stakes, headed by spectacular victories in last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Legarto is trained by Ken and Bev Kelso, who were delighted with Sunday’s dress rehearsal for the Aotearoa Classic. “That was very good,” Kelso said. “Once she got into the clear in the straight, she was really strong. It probably helped her that Sacred Satono gave her something to chase, because she tends to only do what she has to. “We’re very pleased and I think we’re on track for the million-dollar race here on Karaka Millions night. She’ll have an easy week now, and then we’ll ramp up again after that. It’s been a trouble-free preparation so far, everything’s gone to plan, and let’s hope that continues.” View the full article

Emerging three-year-old Renegade Rebel (NZ) (El Roca) stepped up from a last-start maiden win and scored a determined front-running victory in Sunday’s Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie. The El Roca gelding has made marked improvement with every start since finishing at the tail of a five-horse field in his only appearance as a two-year-old last April. He joined Cody Cole’s Matamata stable in the spring and resumed with a close second in a 1400m maiden race at Te Aroha on November 29, then stepped up to 1600m and cleared maiden ranks at Tauranga on December 15. He had to work hard in front that day and was challenged a long way from the finish, but he fought fiercely down the straight and won by a long neck. The step up in class and distance for Sunday’s Salver brought another front-running victory for Renegade Rebel. This time rider Matt Cameron was able to dictate terms and set a slow speed out in front, conserving energy for the run home. Cameron began to increase the tempo coming up to the turn, and then Renegade Rebel called on all his fighting qualities down the Ellerslie straight to repel the challenges of High Country, Rebecchi and Perfectmanz. He held them all at bay and crossed the finish line with a one-length margin up his sleeve. Renegade Rebel and Matt Cameron return to scale after winning the Listed Gingernuts Salver. Photo: Trish Dunell Renegade Rebel became the second black-type winner for Cole, and both have been at Ellerslie. He saddled Astor to win the Listed Mufhasa Stakes (1300m) in 2018. “This is just a great feeling,” Cole said. “The horse was able to have quite a soft time out in front today. Matt Cameron is really good at riding those sorts of races, and it’s great to have him back in the saddle and doing what he does best. He just let the horse do his own thing. “This horse has just kept improving. He joined our stable after winning a trial in the early spring, and this was only his third race for us. We’re sort of trying to figure him out as we go. But he was really tough in his maiden win last start, and it was another good, tough win today.” Renegade Rebel is hardly bred for stamina, being by El Roca out of a mare that won five races over 1000m and 1200m. But Sunday’s performance thrust him into contention for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on March 2, for which the TAB now rates him a $12 chance in a market headed by Orchestral and Zabmanzor at $8. “We’ll see how he comes through this run before working out what path we take from here,” Cole said. “He has given us the impression that he might perform better when he’s kept a little bit on the fresh side.” Renegade Rebel was a $40,000 purchase from Westbury Stud’s draft in Book 2 of Karaka 2022. His four-start career has now produced two wins, a second and $77,250 in stakes. View the full article

Two Group Ones at Trentham and the eagerly anticipated reopening of Ellerslie provided plenty of potential highlights across a blockbuster weekend of racing, but top-class mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) towered above all other talking points with a commanding performance in Sunday’s Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview (1400m). The dual Group One winner was a class above her six rivals at the new and improved Ellerslie, producing a dazzling turn of foot that sent a clear warning to her prospective opponents in the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) at the same venue on January 27. Sunday’s race marked Legarto’s first raceday appearance since an unlucky run in the Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney in early November. She had won a trial at Tauranga on January 2, and she was sent out as a $1.60 favourite at Ellerslie against a talented cast of rivals that included reigning Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart and fellow high-class four-year-olds Wild Night and Sacred Satono. In the end, Legarto was in a league of her own. The daughter of Proisir settled in fifth spot for regular rider Ryan Elliot and was poised to pounce coming up to the home turn, looming large just behind Packing Rockstar, Sacred Satono and Wild Night. Sacred Satono quickened well in the straight and took a clear lead, but then Elliot pushed the button on Legarto. She swept past Sacred Satono and sailed away, opening up a winning margin of two lengths and stopping the clock at 1:21.84. “It’s good that she’s starting to ping out of the gates a little bit better now and put herself in her races,” Elliot said. “She hit a little flat spot again, which she sometimes does, but the way she sprinted off that track in the straight was a great feeling. The turn of foot was instant. “It was good for her to come here today and have a look around Ellerslie. She’s still on her way up, and this will clean her up nicely. I think she’ll be peaking at the right time.” Legarto and Ryan Elliot return after winning the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview. Photo: Trish Dunell The TAB now rates Legarto a $1.60 favourite for the Aotearoa Classic, with the Australian-trained Holymanz a distant second favourite at $6. The only other runner in single figures is the $8 chance Desert Lightning, who made a good impression in an exhibition gallop with star three-year-old Crocetti at Ellerslie on Sunday. Sacred Satono and Sharp ‘N’ Smart, who finished second and third in Sunday’s Aotearoa Classic preview, are rated $16 and $10 chances respectively for the main event. Legarto was bought by Ancroft Stud for $90,000 from Highline Thoroughbreds’ draft in Book 2 of Karaka 2021. Her 11-start career has now produced eight wins, a placing and just under $1.3 million in stakes, headed by spectacular victories in last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Legarto is trained by Ken and Bev Kelso, who were delighted with Sunday’s dress rehearsal for the Aotearoa Classic. “That was very good,” Kelso said. “Once she got into the clear in the straight, she was really strong. It probably helped her that Sacred Satono gave her something to chase, because she tends to only do what she has to. “We’re very pleased and I think we’re on track for the million-dollar race here on Karaka Millions night. She’ll have an easy week now, and then we’ll ramp up again after that. It’s been a trouble-free preparation so far, everything’s gone to plan, and let’s hope that continues.” View the full article

Driver Penalties T Nally | Winton 10 January; incompetent driving; suspended 11 January – 2 February inclusive. B Norman | Winton 10 January; use of whip; fined $300. A Kyle | Winton 10 January; use of whip; fined $450. O Thornley | Winton 10 January; careless driving; fined $200. T Macfarlane | Waikato Bay of Plenty 11 January; careless driving; suspended 12-26 January inclusive. Z Butcher | Waikato Bay of Plenty 11 January; contacted track marker; fined $100. R Close | Nelson 12 January (heard Nelson 14 January); use of whip; fined $400. G Smith | Nelson 14 January; use of whip; fined $250. Horse Penalties TAD LINCOLN | Winton 10 January; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. LUCKY MONEY | Nelson 12 January; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. Protests I’M ROCKIN | Nelson 12 January; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. MAJOR HAPPY | Nelson 12 January; unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. MARY LOU | Nelson 14 January; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 8-14 January 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties R Elliot | Wanganui 11 January; failed to make weight; suspended 15-21 January inclusive. O Bosson | Wellington 13 January; use of whip; suspended 18-25 January inclusive and fined $3,500. O Bosson | Wellington 13 January; weighed in overweight; fined $500. R Hurdle | Wellington 13 January; careless riding; suspended 14 January – 10 February inclusive and fined $2,000. L Sutherland | Wellington 13 January; use of whip; fined $1,725. M Hashizume | Wellington 13 January; use of whip; fined $2,300. J Riddell | Wellington 13 January; medical clearance required. C Campbell | Waikouaiti 13 January; careless riding; suspended 21-27 January inclusive. M McNab | Auckland 14 January; careless riding; suspended 18-25 January inclusive. Horse Penalties CU CHULAINN | Matamata 10 January; lame; veterinary clearance required. ZABORACI | Wanganui 11 January; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. RIBBONS | Wanganui 11 January; tendon injury; veterinary clearance required. GINO SEVERINI | Tauranga 12 January; lame; veterinary clearance required. MATSCOT | Wellington 13 January; lame; veterinary clearance required. LINCOLN’S CRUZ | Wellington 13 January; lame; veterinary clearance required. The post 8-14 January 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Dog Penalties ADOBE TAXI | Christchurch 12 January; failed to pursue the lure; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. GRASS TRIMMER | Christchurch 12 January; failed to pursue the lure; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. The post 8-14 January 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The highly-anticipated reopening of Ellerslie was celebrated in style on Sunday, with Merchant Queen (Merchant Navy) writing her name into the history books as the first to salute in a new era for the iconic venue. Ellerslie, home to several of New Zealand’s most esteemed race-days, underwent a major reconstruction to install the new StrathAyr surface over the past 22 months, and the inaugural meeting commenced with a competitive Barfoot & Thompson Ellerslie Is Back 1200. The potent combination of Stephen Marsh and Sam Spratt were fresh from a thriller in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) with Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy) on Saturday, and joined forces with Merchant Queen, who was aiming to maintain her unbeaten status. A daughter of Merchant Navy, the filly entered the winner’s circle on debut in August, and went two-from-two when resuming at Arawa Park last month ahead of subsequent next-start winner Aequus. She started a $4.40 TAB tote third-fancy in the compact three-year-old contest, with Egyptian Queen heading the market at $3.30. Spratt hustled the filly out of barrier five with designs on the lead, though shared pace-making duties with Bevanda down the back straight. Entering the home turn, Merchant Queen left her rivals chasing in the straight, and despite the best efforts of a game Ethereal Star and emerging talent My Annie Belle, the filly charged to victory by 1& ½ lengths. Dylan Johnson represented the Marsh contingent at Ellerslie, and was delighted to see the filly handle the step-up into open three-year-old company. “It’s fantastic, she’s a filly that’s just worked her way through the grades and it’s not easy to go three on the bounce,” he said. “We thought the draw may have been a bit sticky, but Sam is riding in great form, obviously yesterday as Group One winner and again today. She’s probably riding as well as she ever has. “Today was a real find-out day, to see if she’s been in the right sort of class those first two runs but she’s beaten a good field today. She had to do a bit of work, so from here we’ll get her home but perhaps a race like the Almanzor Trophy (Gr.3, 1200m) on Karaka Millions night might hold some appeal.” Spratt expressed high-praise for the course, which had undergone a series of gallops, jump-outs, and official trials before the green light was given for January 14. “That was really good, she skipped along really easily and got a nice enough lead to ping off the corner,” she said. “It’s beautiful out there, so smooth and you just cruise around the corner. It’s a stunning track.” Merchant Queen completed the 1200m event in 1.09.51, with a 33.05s last 600m, though the track demonstrated it’s fair nature in the following event as two-year-old So Naïve scorched home from back in the field to score. Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s CEO Paul Wilcox was an emotional figure post-race, understandably relieved to see the track performing to expectation. “I just feel relieved. It’s been four years of hard work, so it’s pretty cool to see it happen. I think it’s great for Sam Spratt, an Auckland rider to win the first here at Ellerslie on our return as well.” View the full article

Amber Sims considers her consistent stayer Coruba Jak (NZ) (Jakkalberry) as a part of the family, and a trip across the Tasman could be on the cards after the gelding’s hard-fought victory at Tauranga on Friday. The eight-year-old son of Jakkalberry made his presence known in the final stages of the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) last-start, finishing less than a length behind Dionysus in a three-way finish, and following a brief freshen over the Christmas period was set for a resuming run in the Open 2100m. In the hands of Ulrika Holmquist, Coruba Jak started a $8.90 TAB tote fourth-favourite in a competitive affair at Tauranga headed by the in-form Verstappen at $3.50, and Sims’ gelding settled midfield outside the favourite in the early stages. As veteran galloper Roger That increased the tempo at the 800m, Holmquist remained patient into the home turn before steering Coruba Jak into the middle part of the track. Pep Torque and Good Oil looked to be fighting out the finish at the 200m, before Holmquist lifted her charge over the line to score by a short neck. “He was very bright and well within himself, but I hadn’t done much work with him, he had about 10 days off after the Cup so I thought he might’ve been on the fresher side on Friday,” Sims said. “He does keep himself pretty fit through his pacework though, he pulls quite hard so I only typically do an 800m or 1000m gallop to keep the sharpness in him.” Sims heavily praised the efforts of Holmquist, the Swede having made a welcome return the riding ranks in New Zealand this season including a close-up second in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) aboard Saint Bathans. “He was ridden really well by Ulrika, she rides him with confidence, as she does all her horses and they can feel that. He really put in for her and tried hard,” she said. Sims purchased the gelding off gavelhouse.com for just $1,600 in March 2019, a purchase that has proved more than lucrative for the Pukekohe Park-based trainer having collected over $117,000 in stakes with four victories. “He’s part of the family, he’s probably the coolest horse I’ve had anything to do with,” she said. “He can be a little tricky, a typical Jakkalberry, he always has to work in company and he’s got me off a few times, but he’s a happy horse, he doesn’t know he’s eight and is full of spunk. “I got a few offers for him when he was younger, but I turned them down because this horse doesn’t owe me anything, I only paid $1600 for him and I just love him too much to part with him.” Coruba Jak’s strength over the middle-distance will see Sims electing to bypass the two-mile features in the Gr.3 NZ Campus For Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) and Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) this season, instead aiming for the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m) on February 17. Following this, Sims is considering a potential hit-and-run mission to country Australia for a middle-distance Cup’s target later in his campaign. “I’ll probably look at the Avondale Cup now, I didn’t nominate for the Auckland or Wellington Cup’s because I think he still has the sprint to be looking at the 2400m,” she said. “Otherwise, there could be a hit-and-run mission to Australia for the Country Cup’s because he’s the perfect horse to travel, it doesn’t faze him and he’s always home licking the bowl after the races.” View the full article

Topweight Capo Dell Impero (NZ) (Ghibellines) made light work of his 60kg impost when he gave his rivals weight and a beating in the feature race at Wingatui, the WAE Waikouaiti Cup (2200m). The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained son of the Anderton’s White Robe Lodge Stud-resident stallion Ghibellines went into the contest off the back of an encouraging run at Timaru where he made up plenty of ground to finish in midfield over 1600m. The step up to 2200m on Saturday played well into his hands as rider Corey Campbell allowed him to find his feet early in the contest before beginning his move from the rear as the field began to bunch up nearing the home turn. Campbell found plenty of clear air through the middle of the pack at the 300m and Capo Dell Impero burst to the front before racing clear to win untouched by three lengths from Mr Intelligence and race favourite Elegant Lady. “He really appreciated the step back up to 2200m today after running home nicely over a mile at Timaru,” Shane Anderton said. “He is a horse that has just got better with time, as most of his family do and we think he could be even better over a little further. “They went hard early in the race and he got a good run which helps when you are carrying that sort of weight, but he finished off nicely and won well.” Anderton is looking at the $100,000 Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui on 3 February as the most likely target for his charge although he is wary of the weight he may be allocated in the open handicap event. “He has won a few races now and has got up in the weights pretty quickly,” he said. “The natural target for him looks like the Dunedin Gold Cup as it is on his home track and they are running for good money. “We think he is well suited to the 2400m of that race although we had toyed with taking him to Trentham for the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) for a crack over two miles. “We decided not to as the race down here is on his back doorstep so there is no travel involved and hopefully he gets in with the right weight as he should be pretty competitive.” Capo Dell Impero is out of the Gallant Guru mare Gallant Babe, who is a full sister to 15-race winner Gallant Boy and Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) winner Patrick Erin. Raced by a large group that includes family members of his breeder Parick Smith, who passed away in 2018, he has now won seven of his 27 starts and just under $200,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

The Chosen Vron proved too much for his California-bred peers in the $150,000 California Cup Sprint Stakes going six furlongs at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The Todd Pletcher barn had a busy morning Jan. 13 with Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) hero Fierceness and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) hopefuls Dynamic One and Grand Aspen turning in works at Palm Beach Downs. View the full article

Walmac Farm's Pinehurst (Twirling Candy), winner of the 2021 GI Del Mar Futurity, sired his first reported foal when a filly out of the winning Klimt mare Lady Jewels was born at Southern Comfort Farm on Friday night, Jan. 12. “She is a quality filly with a lot of substance and a beautiful head,” said Penny Lopez of Southern Comfort Farm. “We couldn't be happier with the mare's first foal.” Pinehurst stands for $7,500. The post First Foal a Filly for Pinehurst appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Book'em Danno (Bucchero) was a tough-luck loser of Aqueduct's one-mile Nashua S. when last seen 2 1/2 months ago, but atoned for that first career defeat in no uncertain terms with a thoroughly dominating victory in Saturday's Pasco S. at Tampa. Hovering around 2-5 and 1-2 for the bulk of the wagering, the tote showed 1-9 when the gates flew and the New Jersey-bred was content to take back off the pace of debut winner Banded Rocket (Malibu Moon) and El Principito (Accelerate), who matched motors through decent fractions of :22.53 and :45.75. Kept intentionally wide by Samuel Marin, who had ridden Book'em Danno to his state-bred maiden romp and the Smoke Glacken S. at Monmouth last summer, the gelding sauntered up to the leaders while five deep around the turn and had his head in front as GIII Iroquois S. winner West Saratoga (Exaggerator) tried to make a race of it up the fence. But Book'em Danno quickly widened in upper stretch and ran up the score while under a long hold in the final sixteenth of a mile. A pair of seemingly frivolous objections from the connections of West Saratoga and El Principito were ultimately dismissed. Breeder Greg Kilka purchased the unraced Adorabella for $14,000 in foal to Fast Anna at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale, and that foal, Girl Trouble, did her part in improving the page with a pair of juvenile stakes scores in 2022. When factoring in Book'em Danno's emergence late last year, the family became even more valuable, as the now-juvenile colt by Classic Empire topped the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic October sale on LC Racing's bid of $135,000 and that same operation added Adorabella to the fold when paying $550,000 for the mare in foal to Fast Anna's sire Medaglia d'Oro after she was supplemented to the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Book'em Danno holds an entry for the $1.5-million G3 Saudi Derby in Riyadh Feb. 24, and connections have publicly expressed an interest in the 1600-meter contest. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. PASCO S., $50,000, Tampa Bay Downs, 1-13, 3yo, 7f, 1:23.26, ft. 1–BOOK'EM DANNO, 124, g, 3, Bucchero–Adorabella, by Ghostzapper. O-Atlantic Six Racing LLC; B-Gregory J Kilka & Bright View Farm (NJ); T-Derek S Ryan; J-Samuel Marin. $30,000. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0, $260,625. *1/2 to Girl Trouble (Fast Anna), MSW, $283,490. 2–West Saratoga, 124, c, 3, Exaggerator–Mo Wicked, by Uncle Mo. ($11,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Harry L Veruchi; B-Two Hearts Farm II LLC (KY); T-Larry W Demeritte. $10,000. 3–Rathmore, 118, c, 3, Cupid–Temperature Runnin, by Stormin Fever. O-The Three Colleens Stable; B-Heather Smullen (FL); T-Thomas Albertrani. $5,000. Margins: 12HF, NK, 1HF. Odds: 0.10, 4.50, 13.40. Also Ran: El Principito, Bati King, Banded Rocket. Scratched: Crazy Mason. #3 Book'em Danno romps in $125,000 Pasco Stakes at @TampaBayDownsFL with Samuel Marin in the irons! This 3YO Bucchero gelding now has three stakes wins for trainer Derek Ryan. pic.twitter.com/LmoWATh7jt — TVG (@TVG) January 13, 2024 The post Book’em Danno Back To Winning Ways in Pasco appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was a day for favorites at Tampa Bay Downs, as both 1-9 Book'em Danno and 4-5 Mystic Lake scored stakes victories in the Pasco Stakes and Gasparilla Stakes, respectively, Jan. 13.View the full article

Unbeaten Horse of the Year and champion older male Flightline (Tapit) was represented by his first two foals Friday evening. Juju's Map (Liam's Map) foaled a filly late Jan. 12 at Taylor Made in Kentucky and Lady Scarlet (Union Rags) foaled a colt in the early hours of Jan. 13 at Thirty Year Farm in New York. Both are first foals for the mares. Juju's Map, owned by Albaugh Family Racing Stables LLC, won the GI Darley Alcibiades S. and was runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. “We are very happy with this Flightline filly out of Juju's Map. She has lots of leg and class to her. Juju's Map has been a great mom,” said Melissa Couture, Taylor Made Broodmare Manager. Lady Scarlet, winner of the GIII Miss Preakness S., campaigned for owners Paradise Farms Corp and David Staudacher while racing. She was purchased for $625,000 by Thirty Year Farm at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale. “He's a good-looking boy. A solid straightforward colt with ample bone, eager to latch on, and entertain a large audience on first day. We're equally excited that one of the first, of what we're sure will be many spectacular Flightlines, is a New York-bred,” said Kristen Esler, co-owner of Thirty Year Farm with her husband Matt. Flightline stands for $150,000 at Lane's End in 2024. Juju's Map welcomed her first foal, a filly by Flightline, into the world last night We are so excited, and we are happy to say that Juju and her baby are doing great! Juju's Map, a grade 1 winner, and Flightline, the undefeated champion, produced a gorgeous looking filly… pic.twitter.com/mIqGH0XQpb — Albaugh Family Stables (@Albaughstables) January 13, 2024 The post Unbeaten Horse of the Year Flightline Represented by First Two Foals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Repole Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light), the favorite to be named champion 2-year-old male of 2023 following his dominant victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita, remains on track to make his sophomore debut in the GIII Holy Bull S. Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park. He posted his second work of the new year Saturday at Palm Beach Downs, breezing five furlongs in 1:01.17 (8/12). “He worked super this morning and everything is going according to plan, so far,” Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We're targeting the Holy Bull.” He continued, “We like the little bit of space to the (GI Curlin) Florida Derby (Mar. 30), and we like the five weeks from the Florida Derby to Kentucky. We've still got a long way to go, but so far it's going according to plan.” The post Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Winner Fierceness Works for Holy Bull appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite enduring a season's worth of trouble in Saturday's eighth race maiden at Gulfstream, Courtlandt Farm's CONQUEST WARRIOR (c, 3, City of Light–Tea Time, by Pulpit) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and with it, becomes yet another 'TDN Rising Star' for his Lane's End-based sire. Pinched back badly and pinballed around in the opening strides, the $1-million Keeneland September graduate raced in a detached last down the backstretch, but began to improve his position as they passed the half-mile marker. Committed to an inside run around the turn, the 7-2 chance found himself in a jackpot at the quarter pole and was forced to wait, with only the short-stretch finish to try to make up for lost time. Finally pulled out into the clear with a furlong to race, the colt steamed down the middle of the track and grabbed the debuting Antiquarian (Preservationist) for a highly improbable victory. It is the second 'Rising Star' in as many weeks for City of Light, whose son Crimson Light posted an equally unlikely success at Aqueduct Jan. 7. Sales history: $1,000,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. O-Courtlandt Farms; B-Betz/B & K Canetti/J Betz/CoCo Equine/D J Stables (KY); T-Shug McGaughey. This is certainly a 3-year-old to watch going forward! #2 CONQUEST WARRIOR ($9) rated professionally down the backstretch, tipped out on the turn, and absolutely flew down the stretch to nail Antiquarian on the line to graduate in the 9th at Gulfstream. Conquest Warrior, a $1… pic.twitter.com/hbpqlK7kp5 — TVG (@TVG) January 13, 2024 The post Conquest Warrior Overcomes Major Trouble To Become a ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first foal for 2022 Eclipse Award-winning champion 3-year-old male and GI Runhappy Travers S. winner Epicenter (Not This Time) arrived at Twin Creeks Farm on Saturday when the stakes-placed Peaceful (Declaration of War) produced a quality filly. “Excited about our new Epicenter filly out of Peaceful! Day one has us impressed, and we're big fans of the sire,” said Randy Gullatt. The Coolmore stallion will stand the 2024 season for $40,000. The post First Foal for Champion Epicenter Arrives appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Team Valor International and Gary Barber's Wakanaka seeks new beginnings as a full field of 11 go about 6 1/2 furlongs in the $100,000 Las Cienegas Stakes (G3T) on the downhill course at Santa Anita Park Jan. 14.View the full article