Wandering Eyes

As a trotter Royal Shine won seven races for trainer Sam Smolenski – the last of them when driven by star reinsman Dexter Dunn at Ashburton in 2017. Now, the 13-year-old son of Monarchy is “Leroy”, a para-riding horse based in Queensland. To read about Leroy and his Life After Racing click here View the full article

After a short break in August, the very popular Metro series is back. September 12 will see four heats run, two each for the R40-50 Pacers and Trotters. Each heat will be worth $17,000 with the first four in each of them automatically qualifying for the two $35,000 finals a fortnight later (September 26). All heats and finals will be held at Alexandra Park. The Metro series is a key part of the Look North strategy launched last year to reinvigorate racing in Auckland and Cambridge. The last finals were held on July 25 with Regal Girl taking out the Join TAB Racing Club Metro Trotters Final Handicap Trot and Leo Lincoln winning the Pacers Final at big odds. View the full article

A great weekend for turnovers, a permanent change at Addington, a tonne of horse feed and Dex hitting $6m all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Turnovers up across the board Harness racing turnovers had a sharp upturn over the weekend, with $2.36m spread over the Addington, Auckland and Oamaru meetings. The total was over $200,000 or 12.4 per cent up on the corresponding meetings last year. On Friday night Addington totalled $917.4k, up 10.2%, on the same number of races while Auckland’s was $582.5k, up 18.5%. The Kurow Trotting Club’s meeting at Oamaru was up over 10 per cent at $860,000. Last Thursday Cambridge also did well with their six race meeting, with turnover of over $360,000. Permanent change to standing start at Addington The change to the starting stand limits at Addington Raceway has now become permanent. In a bid to reduce crowding at the 2600 metre starting point a trial was held with the front line limit reduced from 10 to nine horses from June 1. Now after feedback from key stake-holders it’s been agreed that the change will continue as it has improved start quality and reduced crowding. The front line limit at the 2600m start will remain at nine horses, with a maximum field size of 15 horses from one handicap mark. The overall field limit of 16 horses (from multiple handicap marks) remains unchanged. Franco Marek favourite for Maurice Holmes Franco Marek has opened a $2.50 favourite for Friday’s Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington. The race is an automatic qualifier for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on Tuesday, November 11. Mo’unga is the second favourite at $3.70 with American Me at $6.50. Race 8 is set to go at 8.14pm. Further north there’ll also be a lot of interest as Akuta makes his second appearance this campaign at Alexandra Park at 8.57pm. The night’s feature trot at Addington is the Basil Dean Free For All where Muscle Mountain is the top pick at $2.45. The race is due to go at 9.07pm. Bonus feed for winning trainer Dunstan Horsefeeds has come up with a special way to mark its continued sponsorship of the prestigious Dunstan Horsefeeds Sires’ Stakes 2YO Fillies Series – the winning trainer will get one tonne of horse feed. The Fillies Series features four heats at Alexandra Park, Addington and Ashburton before the big final at Addington on Show Day. Dunstan has sponsored the series for six years. “We wanted to provide something meaningful to the winning trainer – a one tonne Dunstan Custom Blend is a way for us to directly contribute to the ongoing success of the stable and to continue giving back to an industry that has long supported Dunstan,” says Dunstan Horsefeeds founder David Smith. To see the Sires’ Stakes’ latest newsletter click here Rakero Rebel to be a mum Multiple Group winner Rakero Rebel is heading to the broodmare paddock. The Rock N Roll Heaven six-year-old has been officially retired from racing after winning 16 races including the Group 1 Queen of the Pacific across the Tasman. Bred by Dancingonmoonlight in North Canterbury, she had one win in this country before heading to Australia in 2022. Trained by Jess Tubbs, her last race was an 11th in last month’s Inter Dominion final won by Leap To Fame. Dex is $6m man Champion Kiwi driver Dexter Dunn has passed $6m in stakes earnings this year after another very successful week in North America. He is fourth over all in terms of stakes earners behind Jason Bartlett ($9m), Yannick Gingras and Daniel Noble. Dunn’s weekend included two big wins at Pennsylvania. He drove Super Chapter who became the first 3YO trotter to win on a 5/8 mile track in 1:50 and then piloted 3YO pacer Miki and Minnie to defeat Canada’s 2024 Horse of the Year Chantilly. It was Miki and Minnie’s 14th win and her ninth in her last 10 starts. New Breeders app The NZ Standardbred Breeders Association is developing a custom members-only app. According to the NZSBA it’s “a breeding, racing, and member benefits hub, right in the palm of your hand.” The app will have news and newsletters, breeding information and foal alerts, event listings , exclusive content as well as a platform to buy, sell and lease breeding stock. Just over a week to go for Agri Futures Scholarships Applications are now open for the Agri Futures Scholarships, helping young Kiwis from rural backgrounds kickstart careers in agriculture and rural sports. This year, up to 14 scholarships will be awarded, up from nine last year. Applications close at 5pm on Friday, August 29 with successful applicants notified on Tuesday September 30. More about the scholarship programme, including the application link, is available at: www.agrifutures.kiwi/scholarships. Club News : Banks Peninsula Trotting Club The Banks Peninsula Trotting Club is looking fora club secretary/events and marketing co-ordinator. Applications close this Friday so get in quick. View the full article

Canterbury gelding Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun) is once again set to fly the southern flag in the North Island next month when he crosses the Cook Strait to contest the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa. The eight-year-old son of Haradasun ran third in the race last year, when it was run as the Arrowfield Stud Plate at Matamata, and trainers Sharon Robertson and Alan Reeves are looking forward to returning to Waikato with their charge in a bid to go two better in the mile feature. Matscot made his first public appearance of the season when placing in his 1000m trial at Ashburton on Tuesday, pleasing his trainers ahead of what they hope to be lucrative campaign. “He needed a day out because he had just been pottering through the mud at Riccarton,” Reeves said. “It was a nice hit-out for him to help bring him forward for the races coming up. “He doesn’t take a lot of racing to bring him forward. He has his trial and his race and improves each time he goes around. He is pretty straight forward.” Matscot will be kept local for his first-up assignment next month before trekking north for a hit-and-run mission. He will then return south for New Zealand Cup Week, where he was runner-up in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) last year. “There’s an open sprint at Riccarton on the 13th (of September), which he ran third in last year, and all going well he will go up for that mile at Te Rapa,” Reeves said. “He will then come back for Cup Week at Riccarton. “Then we will assess how he is going for the race coming up around Christmas up north.” While winless last term, Matscot, placed in four of his nine starts, including the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m), Arrowfield Stud Plate and TAB Mile, and Reeves is hoping he can score a stakes scalp this season. “If things go right this year, hopefully he will pick one up, you just need that little bit of luck on your shoulder,” he said. Meanwhile, stablemate Hey Now will head to Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday where he will contest the Christchurch Casino 30th SI Awards – 12 September Rating 75 (1400m). The seven-year-old gelding was victorious on the track two starts back before he was unplaced in the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m), and Reeves believes a return to 1400m will suit. “He is going well,” Reeves said. “He was a bit stiff the other day because the two who raced along up front, he went to go through a gap and the inside horse rolled out and Spartan rolled in on him. He wouldn’t have won it, but he would have finished a lot closer. “He is up to a better trip tomorrow at 1400m and it is only a wee field. He is an honest fella, he gives his best every time he goes around.” View the full article

Following his successful stint in New Zealand over summer, expat Kiwi jockey Rory Hutchings is set to return to his homeland next month. While he spent several months in New Zealand at the start of the year, this trip will be a hit-and-run mission for the Sydney-based hoop, who has answered the call of leading New Zealand stable Te Akau. He has been booked to ride Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s Group One winner Quintessa (Shamus Award) in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on September 6, and he is excited about her prospects in the feature. “I am coming in for the day and I am looking forward to it,” Hutchings said. “I am locked in for Quintessa. She is going to be a good chance in what I think will be an open race. “She trialled well the other week and it’s always good to put the Te Akau colours on.” Quintessa tasted victory at the same meeting two years ago when winning the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) before going on to win the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m). She continued her racing career in Australia where she won the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) and placed in the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) and Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) before returning to New Zealand this season. Hutchings has also secured the ride on exciting three-year-old Bulgari (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) for trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley. The son of Hello Youmzain is undefeated, having won on debut over 1100m at Te Rapa in April, and Hutchings is hoping to keep that record intact next month. Hutchings is hoping his purple patch of form continues in New Zealand, with his summer stint netting 14 wins and more than $1.6 million in prizemoney, including four victories at Group or Listed level, with the highlight being victory aboard El Vencedor in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). “I was really happy with the way things went back home,” he said. “It was nice and refreshing and a bit of a change, I hadn’t been home properly for 10 years, and I was able to spend time with family and ride a lot of winners while I was there.” While it will be a brief trip home, Hutchings hasn’t ruled out a longer stay if opportunities present themselves later in the season. “At the moment, I will be purely in Australia, but I am open to opportunities if they come about,” he said. “If the right opportunities present themselves, I am open to that idea (spending an extended period of time in New Zealand). I had such good fun while I was back there for that stint during the summer.” View the full article

Cambridge trainer Mark Treweek continued his great record on his local synthetic track on Wednesday when Seamsew (Brazen Beau) took out the Saddley Warehouse (970m). The seven-year-old son of Brazen Beau jumped away well from his wide gate and was sent straight to the front by apprentice jockey Rihaan Goyaram. Seamsew continued to lead the pack into the turn and was asked to improve by Goyaram, and he quickly responded, opening up several lengths on his rivals. Race favourite Electric Zou closed quickly late, but came up a long head short of victory, with Shavasana a further head back in third. The victory brought Seamsew’s polytrack record to four wins and four placings from 12 starts, and Goyaram was pleased to score in his first ride on the gelding. “He is a big, strong, striding horse,” Goyaram said. “The trainer (Treweek) came out and said he is better out in the front, so if I could get him out handy or forward, he won’t give up. “He jumped really well, better than I expected, so I took the lead, got some pretty nice sectionals and never gave up. They were coming but we got to the line.” Treweek was pleased with the result and said Goyaram rode to instructions. “It was a really good ride from Rihaan,” he said. “We decided before the start that he had to go forward from the draw (5), which was a little bit sticky, so he did really well to get him there. “He had to use a bit of petrol, but once he got there he managed to ease them up a little bit and put in a good kick on the turn. I am really happy.” Meanwhile, Treweek is looking forward to Te Rapa on Saturday where Lhasa will contest the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m). The six-year-old gelding is also a synthetic track specialist, with six of his seven victories coming on the surface. The son of Hellbent now holds a rating of 92, which has lumbered him with significant imposts in his last few starts on the polytrack, and Treweek is heading back to the grass with his charge in search of weight relief. “We thought we would throw our hat in the ring,” Treweek said. “After getting 67.5kg here (Cambridge synthetic) we thought we can’t do that to him again. “He has been working huge, so he deserves his chance. We will just wait to see what happens with the track.” While he has just won one race on the grass, Lhasa has performed with distinction on the surface, finishing runner-up to a number of Group winners, including Velocious and Nereus. Lhasa will jump from barrier six on Saturday and is currently rated a $21 winning chance with TAB bookmakers. View the full article

Tommy Berry can make a case for Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) upsetting the apple cart in the Winx Stakes. All eyes will be on the return of star mare Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes but rival jockey Tommy Berry believes it just might be the right race at the right time for Gringotts in the gelding’s bid for a second major. Gringotts will kick off his campaign in Saturday’s Randwick feature having captured his maiden Group 1 win in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) last campaign. While several of Gringott’s rivals are better known over longer journeys, Berry says the 1400m of the Winx Stakes is ideal for his charge and significantly, he will relish a rain-affected track. Sydney has continued to receive a soaking this week and with rain forecast until Friday, the heavy 10 rating at Randwick is unlikely to improve. “He has trialled really well on two occasions now and if you look at a lot of the horses going to the Winx, the 1400 isn’t going to be their preferred trip,” Berry said. “But his first-up record is great, his 1400-metre record is great and it’s right in his sweet spot. “He has ticked that wet track box off as well. “He’s going awesome. I’m really looking forward to him.” Gringotts has had 10 starts over 1400m for five wins and four seconds and is a winner of three of his four appearances on soft tracks. He has never raced on a genuinely heavy surface but his recent trial win at Gosford was in testing ground. A stellar field of twelve has been assembled for the opening major of the Sydney spring, with nine Group One winners among them. The line-up also features three other New Zealand-breds: War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro), Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio), and Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock). View the full article

Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner looks to have her hands on another exciting ex-Hong Kong galloper, with stakes winner Leedox (NZ) (Time Test) set to make his New Zealand return. Faulkner had plenty of success with fellow former Hong Kong galloper Green Luck, who claimed last year’s Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) and North Canterbury Cup (2000m). Following his retirement late last year, Faulkner was on the lookout for a replacement, and her connection with Green Luck led to Leedox joining her barn in March. Initially trained by Andrew Forsman, Leedox won two of his eight starts in New Zealand, including the 2022 edition of the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m), before being sold to clients of Hong Kong trainer Mark Newnham. He was unplaced in all nine of his starts in Hong Kong for Newnham and subsequently Chris So, with his last outing being in December last year. A deal was brokered and he joined Faulkner’s barn earlier this year, and she has taken a quiet approach with his return. Her patience was rewarded at Ashburton’s trials on Tuesday where he pleased with his runner-up performance behind Group One performer Perfect Scenario in their 1000m heat. “It was the tick to take him off the retired list from Hong Kong,” Faulkner said. “He has had a few foot issues and he had bled in Hong Kong as well, so we got the clearance with everything yesterday.” Faulkner said Leedox is a lovely-natured horse and his gentle demeanour has made him a stable favourite in the short time he has been in her care. “Leedox is the best tempered horse you would ever get, he is just a beautiful horse to have around and ride,” she said. The six-year-old gelding has been in work since March, and Faulkner said he is now ready to make his return to the races after getting the green light on Tuesday. “He came in late March. He didn’t have a lot of condition on him, so we just wanted to build him up,” she said. “He has been in work the whole time. He has got a good grounding, so he can go and race anywhere now. “He will prefer no better than a (Soft)6, he needs it a bit wetter underfoot because of his foot issues. He may just have one or two (starts) and go out until next autumn. We will take each day as it comes with him. “I am quite excited. He ran a good trial yesterday, I thought he might be a wee bit further back than that, but he showed he still wants to be out there.” Faulkner said she has been blessed with the former Hong Kong gallopers that have come into her care, and is hoping Leedox can return to stakes level, just like his stable predecessor Green Luck, who is now enjoying retirement. “They (former Hong Kong gallopers) are really well handled and are just nice horses to have around in general,” Faulkner said. “Green Luck is still babysitting horses for us. He had a suspensory injury, but he is happily in retirement. He is such a cool horse.” Meanwhile, stablemate Richard Stomper also made an appearance at the trials, having an easy hit-out over 1000m. “He is a big, burly horse and he is a bit of a lazy trackworker, hence the reason I took him to the trials, so he would do a bit more work,” Faulkner said. “I was happy enough with him. He is one that needs blinkers on and I just sent him out with an open bridle yesterday and let him have a good hit-out. He knows when it is raceday.” Richard Stomper is nominated for both the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), but Faulkner said he would have to win first-up to warrant the trip north. “He would have to win fresh-up at Timaru over the mile to even look like getting in there,” she said. “It is a bit of a long shot, but we are allowed to dream. If he was good enough to win fresh-up at Timaru, we would definitely have a go.” Looking ahead to spring and summer racing, Faulkner is excited about the prospects of several other stable runners. “O’Riordan has just come back into work, she has had a couple of weeks now and has come back very well,” she said. “He’s Tunza Grunt has just had a freshen-up and he will go for Christmas racing in the southern circuit, and possibly the West Coast. “I will keep him away from Cup Week unless it is really wet. He is just not competitive on a firm track against those sorts of horses, but he has done a really good job over the last 12 months. “And Smooth Operator is on a New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) campaign and he will start fresh-up at Timaru, so hopefully he comes up.” View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk There will be a lot of eyes on No 5 in Race 2 at Alexandra Park on Friday night – and for good reason. No More Dreaming, a full brother to millionaire pacer Don’t Stop Dreaming and a $340,000 sales topper at the 2024 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales in Christchurch, will make his debut in the NZB Standardbred – Here for the Horse Mobile Pace at 5.55pm. “We are aware of the expectation,” says co-trainer Scott Phelan, “but you are going to be doing well to stand up to Don’t Stop Dreaming I know that.” So how is the two-year-old shaping up? “He’s working good and his trials are getting better.” Ahead of his first appearance he has had two seconds at the workouts/trials to Seaside Dream and Iron Mike Tyson. Among his rivals on Friday will be three Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained runners including $2.45 favourite Special Occasion and Georgie Best who won on debut. There’s also the highly-rated Nymbal ($2.80) and Queen Lizzy, a one-race winner who was a $270,000 purchase out of the 2024 Yearling Sales in Auckland. No More Dreaming opened at $16 and $3.40. “It’s a very good field. I’m happy for the club and the industry to be honest because some two-year-old fields can be a bit on the small side,” says Phelan. No More Dreaming was bought by the TAB Racing Club and he’ll just be the second of their standardbreds to hit the racetrack. And he has quite the act to follow. The first of them Eun Sogno was an impressive winner on debut at Addington last Friday night, beating the favoured pair of Stumblin In and Larissa Lily. Among the TAB Racing Club’s goals is to drive awareness and support for racing ownership and to give members the experience and benefits of ownership at zero cost. There are currently over 17,000 members, and some of them were on course to see the win last week. Phelan reckons No More Dreaming is a “good chance” to also win on debut but stresses that this is only a starting point and that his royally-bred colt “will come back an even better three-year-old”. View the full article

Check out the great racing offers available from horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday, August 20. Enjoy bonus back deals and other promotions to boost your betting experience. Explore these specials from top online bookmakers and get more value from your bets. Top Australian racing promotions for August 20, 2025, include: Today’s horse racing promotions Sandown Races 1-6 | Bet bAck Run 2nd or 3rd Activate your Bet Back Tool in your Betslip on Races 1-6 at Sandown this Wednesday and if your runner comes 2nd or 3rd get up $50 back as Bonus Cash. Bet Back Tool is only available to use on the day of race on Fixed Win bets and on races with 5 or more runners. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Warwick Farm All Races | Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Warwick Farm this Wednesday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds T&C’s Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo 10% Winnings Boost! – Pinjarra & Strathalbyn Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Sandown & Warwick Farm R1-3 | Wednesday Bonus Back 2nd Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo 25% Winnings Boost! – Sandown-Lakeside Get 25% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in bet slip. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Tuesday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Tuesday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Exotic Boosts! – Boost your exotics by 20% Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au find these racing offers? HorseBetting.com.au reviews Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers to share the best thoroughbred promotions for August 20, 2025. Bookmakers are always competing, so if one doesn’t have a deal, another usually does. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au for daily racing bonuses and betting specials. Get better value with competitive odds and offers for existing customers. Just log in to your betting account to see what’s available. For extra help picking winners and using your bonuses wisely, check out our daily free racing tips. View all horse racing promotions View the full article

The Major Reduction of Harris Farms on Fasig-Tipton Digital closed Tuesday afternoon with 75 horses sold for $1,045,000. The sale offered horses of racing age and broodmares, including those with foals at foot. Nu Pi Lambda (hip 50), in foal to Liam's Map, sold for $200,000 to Hinkle Farms to top the session. The winning City Zip mare is a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner and course-record setter Deterministic (Liam's Map). She was offered carrying her first foal on that proven cross. The sale led off on a high note, with Happy to Buy (hip 1) sold for $75,000 to Legacy Ranch Inc. A 2-year-old daughter of Good Magic out of the winning Distorted Humor mare I'mnotshyi'llbuy, Happy to Buy entered the sale off a pair of timed works at Del Mar. “It's bittersweet to offer a dispersal of a farm that's a household name,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales. “But California really stepped up with almost 600 bidder registrations and very lively bidding. I think many involved wanted to own a piece of the legacy that is Harris Farms. We appreciate the opportunity to conduct this major reduction.” “We are very pleased overall and would like to thank Fasig-Tipton for their help,” said Johnny Hilvers, General Manager of the Harris Horse Division. “There was a lot of interest in these offerings, and we look forward to seeing these horses continue on for all their new owners.” The Major Reduction of Harris Farms, the Thoroughbred operation of leading California breeder and owner John C. Harris, was announced Aug. 6 and opened for bidding on Aug. 14. Harris, who recently passed away at the age of 81, led one of California's largest and most prominent breeding, racing, and stallion operations for more than four decades. Full results are available online. The next digital sale will be the August Digital Sale, to be held Aug. 21-26. Bidding opens this Thursday at 12 p.m. ET. The post Nu Pi Lambda Tops Harris Farms Reduction on Fasig-Tipton Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5. READY FOR CANDY, SAR, 8/17, 1 1/8 miles (turf) (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-86 (f, 3, by Twirling Candy–Enoree, by More Than Ready) O-Lindy Farms. B-Mark Dodson (Ont-C). T-Philip Antonacci. J-Irad Ortiz Jr. The Antonacci family is legendary in harness racing, but has had success with thoroughbreds, too, and February $400k Fasig Tipton buy Ready for Candy made a splash at Saratoga in her 3-year-old debut. Now trained by young Phil Antonacci, she controlled the pace to the stretch then zipped away by 7 ¾ lengths. For her previous connections, she competed in five straight Woodbine stakes as a 2-year-old maiden, with two 2nds and a 3rd. 4. EXPLORA, DMR, 8/17, 5 1/2 furlongs, 'TDN Rising Star' (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 88 (f, 2, by Blame–Collections Choice, by Bernardini) O-Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. B-Mesingw Farm (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. J-Juan Hernandez. This will surprise no one but still bears mentioning: Baffert has started 2-year-olds in 12 maiden races thus far in 2025 with eight wins, including four 1-2 finishes. A week earlier, 1/5 Sorrento Stakes winner Himika looked like a legit early favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, but Explora also ran fast and couldn't have taken her debut more easily for the “Three Amigos” ownership group. 3. BELGIAN, SAR, 8/14, 5 1/2 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 90 (c, 2, by Beau Liam–Watch Smartly, by Smart Strike) O-Newtown Anner Stud Farm. B-Springhouse Farm (Ky). T-George Weaver. J-Javier Castellano. Belgian is from the first crop of former Stonestreet runner Beau Liam, standing at Airdrie Stud for $6k after a promising career cut short by injury. Watch Smartly was a mediocre racehorse whose foals had gotten mostly mediocre results. But Belgian's debut was hardly mediocre: an 11-length sloppy off-the-turf Spa romp. Before this, Beau Liam's 32 starters had topped out at 67 on the Beyer scale, but Belgian raised that bar considerably. 2. IT'S OUR TIME, SAR, 8/16, 6 1/2 furlongs, 'TDN Rising Star' (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 94 (c, 2, by Not This Time–Shea D Summer, by Summer Front) O-Double Down Horse Racing. B-South Gate Farm (Va). T-Tom Amoss. J-Luis Saez. Amoss has celebrated big wins at Saratoga previously–Heritage of Gold won the GII Diana and GI Go For Wand in 1999-2000, a decade later Backtalk won the GII Sanford, and Serengeti Empress took the GI Ballerina before an empty grandstand in 2020. This was memorable in a different way: no fancy trophy and no Roman numerals, but instead a jaw-dropping 17 3/4 length debut victory by It's Our Time that went viral in racing circles and puts him high on lists for major fall 2-year-old stakes. 1. SEMPER PRIMUS, ELP, 8/17, 6 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure- 100 (c, 3, by Improbable–Inaugurate, by Empire Maker) O-Doubledown Stables. B-Glen Hill Farm (Ky). T-James DiVito. J-Walter Rodriguez. We have a double down exacta! No. 2 fastest maiden It's Our Time (above) belongs to Elza and Alex Mitchum, a father-son combo billed as Double Down Horse Racing – not to be confused with Doubledown Stables of Richard and Diane Templer, whose Semper Primus is our No. 1 fastest maiden of last week. His 8 1/4-length rout of Ellis Park maidens earned the second-highest Beyer since Five Fastest Maidens began in early May, a tick behind Brant's 101 last month at Del Mar. In three starts over three months, Semper Primus' has improved his Beyers from 52 to 85 to 100, a true doubledown. The post Fastest Maidens, Presented By Taylor Made, For Aug. 11-18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tip Top Thomas showed his determination Aug. 19 in the $200,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx Racing, holding off a fast-closing Fact to win by a head. View the full article

Having previously done all of her racing in New York, Dry Powder shipped down to Parx to pick up her first stakes win in Tuesday's Cathryn Sophia Stakes. A head behind Sweet Seraphine (Quality Road) in the Wilton Stakes two back at Aqueduct, she stepped into the deep end and wound up third, albeit the length of the stretch back, in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks behind Scottish Lassie (McKinzie) at Saratoga July 19. Given a 7-1 shot here, the daughter of Gun Runner showed speed but was outrun to her inside by Taliesin (Vekoma) and Fede (Adios Charlie) who shot out to lead. A comfortable third and clear along the outside, Dry Powder sat cozy into the far turn through the half in :46.78, took aim at the fading pacesetter and drove past to win decisively over closers Ourdaydreaminggirl and Disco Rules who both outran their long odds (18-1 and 16-1 respectively) to complete the trifecta. The 44th stakes winner for Gun Runner, Dry Powder was a $525,000 KEESEP grad for Joe Hardoon two years ago. She is out of Tell All, who sold for $240,000 with the winner in utero at the Pin Oak Stud Sale in 2021. Tell All herself is a half to MGSW Overheard (Macho Uno). And while she lost her 2025 Uncle Mo foal, she is due back next season to Horse of the Year Flightline. #11 DRY POWDER ($17.00) got the lead coming to the stretch and pulled away to easily win the $200,000 Cathryn Sophia Stakes at Parx. The daughter of Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) was ridden by @luissaezpty, is trained by Chad Summers, and owned by Gold Square. pic.twitter.com/NGmEifnUXG — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 19, 2025 CATHRYN SOPHIA S., $200,000, Parx Racing, 8-19, 3yo, f, 1m 70y, 1:40.59, ft. 1–DRY POWDER, 121, f, 3, by Gun Runner 1st Dam: Tell All, by Broken Vow 2nd Dam: Whisper to Me, by Thunder Gulch 3rd Dam: Word to the Wise, by Diesis (GB) ($525,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Gold Square LLC; B-Corser Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Chad Summers; J-Luis Saez. $100,800. Lifetime Record: GISP, 5-2-2-1, $245,400. 2–Ourdaydreaminggirl, 121, f, 3, Instagrand–Itsinthestars, by Astrology. ($50,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $50,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Bran Jam Stable and Clark, David W.; B-Pippa's Hurricane (KY); T-Louis C. Linder, Jr. $33,600. 3–Disco Rules, 121, f, 3, Constitution–Disco Barbie, by Pure Prize. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Diane Louise Manning (PA); T-Riley Mott. $16,800. Margins: 4 1/4, 1 3/4, HF. Odds: 7.50, 18.00, 16.90. Also Ran: Taliesin, Sweet Seraphine, Table Flirt, Pretty Sassy, Fede, Five a Side, Decadent, Ruth, Brown Sugar, Reply. Scratched: Princess of Omaha, Volleyballprincess. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Dry Powder Gets First Stakes Win In Cathryn Sophia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's impressive maiden winner Distant Storm clashes with Coolmore's Italy in the Aug. 23 Acomb Stakes (G3), a Beeders' Cup Challenge Series event. View the full article

Jockey Pietro Moran, 20, would make history one way or another in the $1 million King's Plate Aug. 16 at Woodbine as he joined his father, David, as the first-ever father-son duo to ride in the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Aug. 11-Aug. 17View the full article

Trainer Brad Cox believes in the "strength in numbers" theory. "You can never have too many shots in a grade 1," he said. View the full article

Keeneland, in coordination with ticketing provider, Etix, issued the following statements regarding the technical difficulties experienced during Tuesday morning's Fall Meet ticket on-sale: Statement from Etix: “Earlier today, Tuesday, Aug. 19, tickets for the Keeneland Fall Meet went on sale on our platform. Unfortunately, an unexpected server issue created a strain on resources, resulting in errors and delays for many patrons attempting to purchase tickets. Etix values our long-standing partnership with Keeneland, and we extend our sincere apologies to Keeneland staff, patrons and the entire community for this disruption.” Statement from Keeneland: “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by this morning's ticketing issues. While the system was unstable, a limited number of customers were able to complete transactions, and those purchases are valid and will be fully honored. Keeneland made the decision to postpone the public ticket on-sale to Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 9 a.m. ET to ensure a reliable experience for all patrons. Etix has since enhanced their web servers and has assured us that they are prepared for tomorrow's on-sale. We greatly appreciate the patience and continued support of our fans.” The post Keeneland Issues Statement After Technical Difficulties with Ticket Sales for Fall Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He nearly got nailed on the wire but 'TDN Rising Star' Tip Top Thomas (c, 3, Volatile–Attempt To Name, by Consolidator) got the job done in gate to wire fashion to win the Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx Tuesday. Comfortably on the lead from the break, the 2-5 favorite led every step chased intently by Fact (Instagrand) through the half in :46.88. It looked at top of the stretch as though the favorite would run away with it but Fact came right back and was closing determinedly down the outside to just miss a head behind Tip Top Thomas. Fellow 'Rising Star' Hypnus (Into Mischief) made up ground late to get third. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-0. O-Bakke, James J. and Isbister, Gerald; B-Wynnstay Inc., Donna Moore and Jim Richardson; T-Todd A. Pletcher. The post ‘Rising Star’ Tip Top Thomas Gate To Wire In Smarty Jones appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This week's schedule of racing events on television, radio, and streaming.View the full article

New owners Randy and Jenny Boyd made their presence in the Thoroughbred industry at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale Aug. 4-5 securing two yearlings, including the top priced filly at $2.6 million—Hip 175, a filly by Gun Runner out of Paradise Woods.View the full article

A new mural celebrating Sunday Silence will soon adorn downtown Paris, Kentucky, joining the town's growing collection of large-scale public equine art. The mural is a project of the Legends of Bourbon County non-profit organization, in conjunction with Stone Farm, which raised and campaigned the 1989 Horse of the Year. The artwork will depict Sunday Silence's iconic victory in the 1989 Kentucky Derby. It is being painted on the side of Hotel Thoroughbred, a new boutique hotel on Main Street that opens in Spring 2026. Renowned artist Jaime Corum, known for her lifelike equine portraits, will create the mural. Corum has already contributed to the block's artistic landscape with large murals of fellow racing legends Curlin and Secretariat. “When we were approached about having Sunday Silence celebrated and memorialized in this way, we were extremely honored,” said Staci Hancock of Stone Farm. “The mural has really captured the horse's essence, and it will pay tribute to him and Thoroughbred racing for generations to come.” The finished piece will be dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 12 during the Legends of Bourbon County festival. The post Mural of Sunday Silence Planned for Main Street in Paris, Kentucky appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A mural celebrating Sunday Silence's 1989 Kentucky Derby (G1) win will soon adorn a building in downtown Paris, Ky., joining the town's growing collection of large-scale public equine art. View the full article

Skippylongstocking bids to become the first three-peat winner of the Charles Town Classic (G2) when the 6-year-old competes in the $1 million race the evening of Aug. 22.View the full article