Wandering Eyes

Linda's Gift looks to continue her march to supremacy in California's long-distance female turf division Feb. 24 in the 1 1/4-mile, $100,000 Santa Ana Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Taylor Made Farm, which grew from a small family farm begun in 1976 to a global leader in the industry today, is celebrating the anniversary of the 100th birthday of family patriarch Joe Taylor, known as “Daddy Joe.” Taylor was born on Feb. 23, 1924 and passed away in 2003. In celebration of the milestone, Taylor Made has introduced the first annual Taylor Made Servant Leader Awards. Winners, who are nominated by their peers, will win a $1,000 cash prize and a charity donation. Winners will be announced Friday with more information available here. Among the other celebrations marking the event will be a special video to be released Friday. The post ‘Daddy Joe’ Celebration Week at Taylor Made appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The winners of Oaklawn Park's first and second Kentucky Derby (G1) points races—Catching Freedom and Mystik Dan—will bypass the Feb. 24 Rebel Stakes (G2), but they could meet again in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1).View the full article

Light Up Racing, the initiative launched late last year, will host two community events in Lexington in the next two weeks. The events are “designed to empower and educate individuals within the Thoroughbred industry on the power of positive communication and the role of social change in shaping the future of horse racing. These events aim to introduce participants to the tools and knowledge to advocate for the sport effectively, engage in meaningful conversations, and transform perceptions within their networks and beyond,” according to the announcement by the organization Wednesday. The first event, titled “How to Talk to Your Friends About Horse Racing,” will be held Monday, Feb. 26 at Fasig-Tipton. The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. following cocktails at 5 p.m. Light Up Racing invites participants to “join us for an enlightening evening where we delve into the science of social change and explore six critical concepts that can help reshape the public's perception of horse racing. Learn why you are instrumental in this change and how to navigate and answer difficult questions about the sport with confidence and insight.” The second event is named “Transforming Negative Opinions into Positive Messaging” and will be held Tuesday, Mar. 5 at Keeneland. The format will be similar to the first with cocktails at 5 p.m. preceding the presentation at 6 p.m. According to Light Up Racing, “this event focuses on turning challenges into opportunities through strategic communication and social media engagement. Discover how to become a powerful ambassador for horse racing, building a community of advocates and leveraging grassroots networks to respond effectively in times of crisis.” Light Up Racing encourages both veterans of and newcomers to the industry to participate, as the events offer a unique opportunity to “come together, learn, and contribute to a positive shift in how horse racing is perceived and discussed.” Contact hello@lightupracing.com for more information. The post Upcoming Lexington Events Hosted by Light Up Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Dubai World Cup Carnival hits the home stretch with a Feb. 23 program featuring the UAE Oaks (G3) and potential preps for the UAE Derby (G2) and the Dubai Turf (G1T).View the full article

The Saudi Derby (G3) is a proving ground for some ambitious connections eyeing the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) for their developing colts.View the full article

Sierra Leone improved to the second spot on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's top 3-year-old poll following an impressive come-from-behind win in the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

In Saturday's $20-million Saudi Cup, two-time Grade I winner Defunded (Dialed In) will be running for more than his owner, Dr. Muhaideb Al Muhaideb's HDB Racing. Should the horse win the Saudi Cup, the owner will give away 2 million Saudi Riyals to fans who follow him on the X site @muhadb1. Two million Riyals is worth US$533,000. The money will be divided among four winners. If Defunded doesn't win but a Saudi-based horse does, Dr. Muhaideb will give away two Lexus SUV to his followers. If a horse without a Saudi connection wins, the prize will be one Lexus. Muhaideb has 59,500 followers on X. “Dr. Muhaideb is overwhelmed with excitement to be competing in the richest race in the world with his first horse as an owner,” said Muhaideb's stable manager Khalid Mishref. “He feels extremely honored to be representing Saudi Arabia on this world stage. Because of this he feels compelled to share this experience with the Saudi people and all racing fans around the world. From this, the idea of having a group of prizes to be drawn from engaging on social media was born. Horse racing is deeply ingrained in the culture of the Saudi people and we feel the future of horse racing is bound to benefit from the rapid development of Saudi racing with the help of the Saudi government, Prince Bander and his esteemed team at the Jockey Club.” In late December it was announced that Defunded, who is a gelding, had been privately acquired from owners Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman by HDB Racing. Defunded left the U.S. on Dec. 17. “Last year, Dr. Muhaideb Al Muhaideb entrusted me with the task of possibly securing a horse to compete in the 2024 Saudi Cup,” Mishref said. “With the assistance of Frankie O'Connor of Kildare Stud we managed to purchase Defunded for this mission.” Defunded has not started since finishing second in the GI Awesome Again S. on Sept. 30 at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert. He won the Awesome Again in 2022 and picked up another Grade I win in the GI Hollywood Gold Cup in May. He has career earnings of $1,666,600. Luis Saez will have the mount for the race. The post Defunded Owner Hopes to Reward Horse’s Fans appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The winners of the seventh annual Renaissance Awards, hosted by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, will be announced each morning at 10:00 a.m. on Maryland Thoroughbred social media platforms beginning Feb. 26 and contining through Saturday, Mar. 2. Awards will be given for the top Maryland owner, trainer, jockey, dirt horses, turf horses, claimer, Maryland stallion, broodmare and breeder and champion Maryland-breds of 2023. Special awards will be presented to Pimlico and Laurel Park Backstretch Employees of the Year. The announcement schedule is as follows: Monday, Feb. 26 – Maryland-bred Champion 2-year-olds (male, female) and 3-year-olds (male, female) Tuesday, Feb. 27 – Maryland-bred Champion Older Male, Older Female, Turf Runner and Sprinter Wednesday, Feb. 28 – Maryland-bred Horse of the Year, Broodmare of the Year, Stallion of the Year, Breeder of the Year Thursday, Feb. 29 – Maryland Jockey of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Owner of the Year Friday, Mar. 1 – Maryland Dirt Male, Dirt Female, Turf Male, Turf Female and Claimer Saturday, Mar. 2 – Special recognition of Pimlico and Laurel Backstretch Employees of the Year To view the finalists and winners, follow on social media: Facebook: Facebook.com/MarylandTB Instagram: @marylandtb Twitter/X: @marylandtb The following are finalists (listed alphabetically) in the award categories: Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old male: Catahoula Moon (bred by Angela Coombs, owned by Super C Racing Inc.), Circle P (bred by Marathon Farms, Inc., owned by DeSales 85 LLC), Fulmineo (bred by Country Life Farm and Starr of Quality LLC, owned by Starlight Racing and Mark B. Grier) Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old filly: Kissedbyanangel (bred by Super C Racing Inc, owned by Joanne Shankle), Miss Harriett (bred by David Baxter, owned by Narrow Leaf Farm), Sheilahs Warcloud (bred by Dr. Megan Kerford DVM & Justin Nixon, owned by Justin Nixon) Maryland-bred champion 3-year-old male: Coffeewithchris (bred by Thomas J. Rooney, owned by John E. Salzman Jr., Fred Wasserloos, Anthony Geruso), Post Time (bred by Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Dr. Brooke Bowman & Milton P. Higgins III, owned by Hillwood Stable LLC), Seven's Eleven (bred and owned by The Cottonwood Stable LLC) Maryland-bred champion 3-year-old filly: Bosserati (bred and owned by Joel Politi), Liquidator (bred by Country Life Farm/Stone LLC, owned Not the 1 Stable Inc.), Talk to the Judge (bred by Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman, owned by Waldorf Racing Stables LLC) Maryland-bred champion older male: Alwaysinahurry (bred by Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Quin Bowman, & Rebecca Davis, owned by Mopo Racing), Double Crown (bred by Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman & Rebecca Davis, owned by Built Wright Stables LLC), Eastern Bay (bred by Nancy Lee Farms, owned by Built Wright Stables LLC) Maryland-bred champion older female: Award Wanted (bred by Dr. Alexandro Rubim Dias, owned by No Guts No Glory Farm & Erica Upton), Intrepid Daydream (bred and owned by Paul L. Fowler Jr.), Spun Glass (bred and owned by R. Larry Johnson) Maryland-bred champion turf runner: Bosserati (bred and owned by Joel Politi), Wet My Beak (bred by Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds LLC, owned by Thelma & Louise Stable LLC), Wicked Prankster (bred by Country Life Farm & Broken Trust Fund LLC, owned by Samuel G. Davis) Maryland-bred champion sprinter: Intrepid Daydream (bred and owned by Paul L. Fowler Jr.), Post Time (bred by Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Dr. Brooke Bowman & Milton P. Higgins III, owned by Hillwood Stable LLC), Seven's Eleven (bred and owned by The Cottonwood Stable LLC) Owner of the Year: Mens Grille Racing, Michael Scheffres, The Elkstone Group LLC Trainer of the Year: Kieron Magee, Brittany Russell, Mike Trombetta Jockey of the Year: Jaime Rodriguez, Sheldon Russell, Jevian Toledo Breeder of the Year: Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Country Life Farm, Jagger Inc., Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds, The Elkstone Group LLC Broodmare of the Year: Chrusciki, Otherwise Perfect, Touring Hong Kong Stallion of the Year: Blofeld, Golden Lad, Great Notion Maryland Male Dirt Horse of the Year: Double Crown, Factor It In, Seven's Eleven Maryland Female Dirt Horse of the Year: Fille d'Esprit, Hybrid Eclipse, Intrepid Daydream Maryland Male Turf Horse of the Year: Nagirroc, Wicked Prankster, Witty Maryland Female Turf Horse of the Year: Bosserati, Canadian Ginger, Shasta Star Maryland Claimer of the Year: Brother Conway, Classier, Uncaptured Storm Pimlico Backstretch Employee of the Year: Damon Gladden Laurel Park Backstretch Employee of the Year: Jenile Tapscott The post Maryland Thoroughbred Industry Renaissance Award Finalists Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Connections of one of Japan's leading hopes for the Saudi Cup hope a mid-flight incident will not impact the chances of their runner ahead of a bid to land the world's most valuable race on Saturday. View the full article

The Dubai World Cup Carnival hits the home stretch with a Feb. 23 program featuring the UAE Oaks (G3) and potential preps for the UAE Derby (G2) and the Dubai Turf (G1T).View the full article

Philip Oliver, beloved husband, brother, and son, died Feb. 19, in Indiantown, Fla. He was born June 6, 1970, in Chipping Norton, England, to his loving mother and father, Alison and Alan Oliver.View the full article

We have a new No. 1. Tarifa (Bernardini) beat a stellar field in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. at the Fair Grounds to soar up the list to the top spot. We've dropped Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}), who has only had two three furlongs works so far this year, raising the possibility that she won't be ready for the GI Kentucky Oaks. We've also dropped Alpine Princess (Classic Empire) after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Rachel Alexandra and Life Talk (Gun Runner), who was a disappointing sixth in the Suncoast S. for Repole/Pletcher. The spotlight this weekend will be on the GIII Honeybee S. at Oaklawn Park, which includes two members of our top 10. Here's a look at the third installment of our Kentucky Oaks Top 10: 1) TARIFA (f, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-3-0-0, $278,925. Last start: WON Feb. 17 GII Rachel Alexandra S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 23 or GI Ashland S., Kee, Apr. 5 We didn't even have this filly on prior Top 10 lists, but she did enough in her win in the Rachel Alexandra to move all the way up to the top spot. Making her first start in a stakes and going up against some tough, more experienced horses, this was no easy spot for the daughter of Bernardini as she was facing, among others, GII Golden Rod S. winner Intricate (Gun Runner). But she made it look easy, drawing off to win by 2 3/4 lengths under Flavien Prat, picking up a Beyer figure of 90, the same number given to GII Risen Star S. winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner). As usual, trainer Brad Cox is loaded with talent in the 3-year-old filly division and will be searching for his third win in the race since 2018. With the sire's death in 2021, Tarifa is a member of Bernardini's penultimate crop to hit the track. 2) JUST F Y I (f, Justify–Star Act, by Street Cry {Ire}) O/B-George Krikorian (Ky); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo filly, GISW, 3-3-0-0, $1,317,750. Last start: WON Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 2. Hard to knock the champ down a spot in this poll when she hasn't done anything wrong. But it's becoming apparent with each prep that she's going to have to step up her game when it comes to how fast she is. While a horse like Tarifa picked up a 90 Beyer in her last start, Just FYI has never run faster than a 79. That's not to say she can't do it. Horses can improve dramatically from two to three and in Bill Mott she is being trained by one of the very best in the business. She's had five workouts so far this winter at Payson Park, the latest being a five-furlong breeze on Feb. 17 in 1:03.60, so look for Mott to tighten the screws in the coming weeks. 3) JODY'S PRIDE (f, American Pharoah–Jody's Song, by Scat Daddy) O-Parkland Thoroughbreds & Sportsmen Stable; B-Mr. Steve Weston (Ky); T-Jorge R Abreu. Lifetime Record: SW & GISP, 3-2-1-0, $480,250. Last start: 2nd Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Kentucky Oaks Points: 15. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 2. The runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, Jody's Pride is also being pointed for the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream, which will mark her 3-year-old debut. The Davona Dale looks like it's going to come up very strong. The knock on Jody's Pride is the same as it is on Just F Y I. She's not particularly fast and the 79 she got in the Juvenile Fillies is her all-time best number. If this doesn't work out she can always try the turf as she is by American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile). In the Juvenile Fillies, she was ridden by Flavien Prat, who also has the mount on Tarifa. 4) KOPION (f, Omaha Beach—Galloping Ami, by Victory Gallop) O-Spendthrift Farm; B-Tall Oaks Farm (Ky); T-Richard Mandella. Sales history: $270,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $116,600. Last start: 2nd Feb. 10 GIII Las Virgenes S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GII Santa Anita Oaks, SA, Apr. 6 Kopion is not the best 3-year-old filly based in Southern California. Kinza (Carpe Diem) is, and she beat her handily in the GIII Las Virgenes S. on Feb. 10. But Kinza is trained by Bob Baffert, which means she is effectively banned from running in the Oaks. Kopion might be second on the Southern California depth chart, but she's a good filly in her own right. In just three lifetime starts, she's won a Grade III and placed in another. Is trained by Richard Mandella, who likes to take his time with his horses, so it may be that we haven't seen her best yet. Still another filly ridden by Flavien Prat, who is the regular rider of three of the top four horses in this poll. 5) LESLIE'S ROSE (f, Into Mischief–Wildwood Rose {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Whisper Hill Farm; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services (Ky); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $1,150,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $89,950. Last start: WON Jan. 11 AOC at Gulfstream Park. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 2. Has an interesting pedigree. Is by Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday) out of an unraced Galileo (Ire) mare and she wasn't cheap. Owner Mandy Pope paid $1,150,000 for her at Keeneland September. She's only raced twice, has yet to run in a stakes race and has never gone beyond seven furlongs, so she has some catching up to do. In her last race, she won a Gulfstream allowance by a length and had to fight off a challenge from Gun Song (Gun Runner). That filly came back and won her next start by 5 3/4 lengths. Leslie's Rose will have to do more to solidify her status as a top Kentucky Oaks threat, but it's clear that she has a world of potential. 6) POWER SQUEEZE (f, Union Rags–Callmethesqueeze, by Awesome Again) O-Lea Farms, LLC; B-Forging Oaks Farm (KY); T-Jorge Delgado. Sales history: $50,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $90,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: MSW, 5-3-1-0, $188,650. Last start: WON Feb. 10 Suncoast S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GP, Mar. 30. Trained by up-and-coming trainer Jorge Delgado, she's been carefully managed so far this year. After she broke her maiden at Delaware Park in October, she came back to win two non-graded races this year, the Cash Run S. and the Suncoast S. Will have a much stiffer test in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, but very well could be up to the task. Life Talk was supposed to dominate in the Suncoast, but threw in a clunker, so there's no telling how good the competition behind Power Squeeze was. Was ridden by Daniel Centeno in the Suncoast. Will be interesting to see if Delgado goes for a more high profile jockey for the next start. 7) WEST OMAHA (f, West Coast–Birthday Bash, by Medaglia d'Oro) O/B-Gary & Mary West Stables (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-2-0, $203,000. Last start: WON Jan. 20 Sillverbulletday S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 25. Next Start: GIII Honeybee S., OP, Feb. 24. She was last seen winning the Jan. 20 Silverbulletday S. at the Fair Grounds and is now slated to run in Saturday's GIII Honeybee S. at Oaklawn Park. The Silverbulletday was a fairly soft spot so she may need to improve to win the Honeybee. Is a Brad Cox trainee and a homebred from the Gary and Mary West operation. The Wests have yet to win a Kentucky Oaks. She was entered in the Rachel Alexandra and was one of three trained by Cox entered. But he scratched West Omaha and put her on a van to Oaklawn, no doubt trying to find a way to keep some of his horses apart. 8) INTRICATE (f, Gun Runner–Complex Analysis, by Distorted Humor) O-Bradley Thoroughbreds, Laura Leigh Stable, Scot Estes & Cambron Equine, LLC; B-LBD Stable, LLC (Ky); T-Brendan Walsh. Sales history: $200,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-1-0, $362,180. Last start: 2nd GII Rachel Alexandra S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 35. Next Start: GII Fair Grounds Oaks, FG, Mar. 23 Didn't run a bad race at all when second in the Rachel Alexandra when beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Tarifa. But she was the 17-10 favorite, so the race should go down as a mild disappointment. Has drawn comparisons to last year's Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) because both are trained by Brendan Walsh. Pretty Mischievous also had one off day on her way to Oaks glory, finishing second in the Fair Grounds Oaks. No reason why Intricate can't rebound. 9) BAND OF GOLD (f, Preservationist–Play for Gold by Cairo Prince) O-Dixiana Farms LLC; B-Brereton C. Jones (Ky); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. Sales history: $70,000 wnlg '21 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-0-0, $206,000. Last start: WON Feb. 3 Martha Washington S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GIII Honeybee S., OP, Feb. 24. The Honeybee will be a big test for this Kenny McPeek trainee. She's coming off a 2 3/4-length win in the Martha Washington, but some may want to downgrade the effort since she was 24-1 that day and she was not good in her previous start, the Untapable S. Was it a fluke? With her having gone from a 63 Beyer to a 86 in the Martha Washington, may also be a bounce candidate. 10) RECHARGE (f, Gun Runner–Remit, by Tapit) O/B-Winchell Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-3-0-0, $189,498. Last start: WON Feb. 18 Sunland Park Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GIII Fantasy S., OP, Mar. 30. It looks Steve Asmussen has his horse for the Oaks. Recharge is undefeated in three starts and was last seen winning the Sunland Park Oaks. Prior to that, she broke her maiden at Remington and then won an allowance at Sam Houston, so, apparently, was not part of Asmussen's first string. There are definitely questions regarding who she has beaten, but there's also plenty of time for Asmussen to improve her and have her ready for tougher spots. The post The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 For Feb. 22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The trainers of the first two finishers from the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) see a repeat brewing for the $20 million Saudi World Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.View the full article

Connections of one of Japan's leading hopes for the Saudi Cup hope a mid-flight incident will not impact the chances of their runner ahead of a bid to land the world's most valuable race on Saturday. View the full article

Napravnik will join host Joe Kristufek on the live feed during the racing day to help build awareness, promote success stories, and inspire donations for Thoroughbred aftercare.View the full article

Fosnic Racing's Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Gary Allsopp's Roberto Escobarr (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) both worked over the King Abdulaziz turf course ahead of intended starts on the G1 Saudi Cup undercard in Riyadh on Wednesday for trainer Mick Appleby. The son of Muhaarar, who won the G3 Bengough S. in October, ran second in a Lingfield listed race earlier this month, a prep for the G2 Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint on Saturday. He galloped 1200 metres Wednesday morning. “Annaf worked over six furlongs [1200m] on the grass this morning and everyone is happy,”Appleby said. “My two horses will have an easy day tomorrow and canter again on Friday. Annaf didn't get as good a draw as Roberto Escobarr but I'm not too worried. I think he'll be able to get across from 12 and slot in behind the leaders hopefully.” Roberto Escobarr, who spend 1600 metres over the grass on Wednesday, will break from gate three in the G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. over 3000 metres, also on grass, on Saturday. The multiple Group 3 winner landed the G3 Premio St Leger Italiano in November, and was last engaged taking fourth in a Newcastle all-weather handicap on New Year's Day. “He worked this morning over a mile [1600m] and everyone is happy so he will have an easy day tomorrow and canter again on Friday,” Appleby reported. “He has drawn in stall three, which is a good draw for him as I'd imagine the plan will be to jump out and make the running.” The post Mick Appleby Duo Test The Riyadh Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) has approved more than 7,500 awards and classes at more than 1,500 shows in 42 states and six Canadian provinces for 2024, it was announced Wednesday. Awards are available for multiple disciplines, including eventing, dressage, Western and English pleasure, ranch riding, hunter/jumper, endurance, barrel racing, polo, and polocrosse. A full calendar of shows offering awards is available at tjctip.com/CalendarOfEvents and will be updated as show dates are confirmed. The 2024 T.I.P. Championship horse show will be held at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, Thursday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 6. Divisions will be offered for hunters, jumpers, combined test, dressage, Western dressage, English pleasure, Western pleasure, ranch, competitive trail, and in-hand. “Stable View is honored and proud to be hosting the T.I.P. Championships for the fourth year. The increased number of divisions and classes is a testament to the growth of T.I.P. and the enthusiasm of participants,” said Barry and Cyndy Olliff, owners of Stable View. “We look forward to welcoming competitors from all over to showcase the versatility and talent of off-track Thoroughbreds. Stay tuned for more updates and information as we prepare for this event.” The post T.I.P. Announces 2024 Shows and Championships appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The winners of Oaklawn Park's first and second 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) points races—Catching Freedom and Mystik Dan—will bypass the Feb. 24 Rebel Stakes (G2), but they could meet again in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1).View the full article

George Krikorian's champion homebred Just F Y I leads a cast of 104 3-year-old fillies that were nominated to compete in the 150th running of the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 3 at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed that GIII Southwest S. winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) is pointing for the GI Arkansas Derby Mar. 30. McPeek said Mystik Dan returned to the Fair Grounds shortly after his eight-length victory in the Southwest, which was postponed a week because of winter weather. According to McPeek, the 21-day return to the GII Rebel S. factored into McPeek's decision to train Mystik Dan up to the Arkansas Derby. McPeek originally sent Mystik Dan to the Fair Grounds to prepare for the Southwest after arctic temperatures, snow and rain halted training at Oaklawn for 11 days (Jan. 13-23). Mystik Dan recorded three published workouts at Oaklawn–Dec. 23, Dec. 29 and Jan. 12–before heading south. “He's doing well,” said McPeek, who has divisions at Oaklawn and Fair Grounds. “I skipped a breeze with him this weekend because the track was horrendous, and he'll get teed up for the Arkansas Derby in the next month.” McPeek indicated Mystik Dan's upcoming works in advance of the Arkansas Derby will be in New Orleans. “He might come up, like, a week early to work over the track or he may come a few days before the race,” McPeek said. Mystik Dan kicked off 2024 with a fifth-place finish, beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Catching Freedom, in the Smarty Jones S. Jan. 1. According to trainer Brad Cox, the Arkansas Derby is also a possibility for Catching Freedom (Constitution). “Very pleased with the effort,” Cox said. “It looks like he came out of it well.” Cox won the 2022 Arkansas Derby with Cyberknife and last year with Angel of Empire, who, like Catching Freedom, is owned by Albaugh Family Stables. “I think right now everything's in play–the Arkansas Derby, Louisiana Derby [Mar. 23], Blue Grass S. [Apr. 6],” Cox said. “I might even throw the Wood [Memorial, Apr. 6] in there. Don't think we would do the Florida Derby or the Santa Anita Derby. But those four races will be on his radar, and we'll pick the one we're thinking makes the most sense. Obviously, he ran well in Arkansas. That gives us some confidence if that's the route to go.” Catching Freedom (25 points) and Mystik Dan (21) rank fifth and sixth, respectively, on the latest Kentucky Derby leaderboard released by Churchill Downs. The Arkansas Derby offers 200 points (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) to its top five eligible finishers toward Kentucky Derby. The post Mystik Dan Confirmed for Arkansas Derby, Catching Freedom Possible appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Retired jockey and horse advocate Rosie Napravnik will be on site at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots to spearhead the fourth annual “New Vocations Day at the Races” Saturday. A four-time local riding champion who was instrumental in the opening of the New Vocations facility in Covington, Louisiana, Napravnik will join host Joe Kristufek on the live feed during the racing day to help build awareness, promote success stories, and inspire donations for Thoroughbred aftercare. “I am thrilled to be part of our fourth annual New Vocation's Day at the Fair Grounds!” Napravnik said. “The event has been a huge help in spreading awareness to our local horseman as to how New Vocations is aiding the Louisiana racing community. We hope to continue to raise funds and awareness so that we can help more horsemen and more horses!” Recognizing the need for expanded Thoroughbred aftercare in Louisiana, Napravnik reached out to New Vocations, the largest racehorse adoption program in the country, in the fall of 2019. Held for the first time at Fair Grounds in 2021, the “New Vocations Day at the Races” has raised over $12,500 in unique donations from fans and people within the industry, including horsemen, horse owners, and jockeys. “Moving into our fifth year, our Louisiana facility continues to thrive, and our team has done a wonderful job with each horse that has entered the program,” New Vocations Thoroughbred Program Director Anna Ford said. “The continued support from the Louisiana HBPA has played a huge role in the facility's success. We are also seeing more and more local owners, breeders and trainers reach out to utilize our services as well as support our efforts. We are grateful to have the Fair Grounds hosting another New Vocations Day at the Races. We hope the event will continue to raise awareness about our Louisiana facility and the services we provide to the racing community.” The post Napravnik Returns to Fair Grounds for Fourth Annual New Vocations Day at The Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The families and children who rely on the Churchill Backside Learning Center have a GI Kentucky Derby horse to root for. Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), the winner on the GII Risen Star S. at the Fair Grounds, is partially owned by Brook Smith, who is part of a partnership led by Coolmore. Smith has been a generous supporter of the Backside Learning Center and, through the Purses for a Purpose program, donates a portion of his earnings every time a horse of his picks up a check. Smith joined this week's TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland to talk about Sierra Leone, how he got involved with Coolmore and his philanthropy. He was the Green Group Guest of the Week. “I have had some good fortune and had a lot of great, amazing people around me,” he said. “But, for me to really enjoy something it has to have some kind of social component to it. I mean, what's the point otherwise? I started learning more about the backside learning center and realized the backside is the backbone of the racing industry. Those are the workers that get up early and they have a tough job. It's a tough duty. They have the business and the industry in their blood. And the budget that the Backside Learning Center had was kind of anemic, especially when you consider all the money that flows through the industry. So, when I sat down with a few of the folks there, I said there's got to be a program where the owners can and should contribute a percentage of their purses to elevate the foundation. I was looking at what the backside learning center's programing is, and how they ran their, their nonprofit. I thought this deserves, a few more logs on the fire. So we came up with this Purses for a Purpose.” His association with Coolmore started when he invested in a business partially owned by Charlie Pearson, who is John Magnier's son-in-law. From there, Smith connected with the Coolmore team and that led to him owning a piece of Sierra Leone and Hall of Fame (Gun Runner), who was seventh in the Risen Star. “They're great folks, good friends and we started doing some business together and have had success,” Smith said. “One thing led to another, and I was introduced to the Coolmore ecosystem. Their breeding, farming operation in Ireland is second to none. And they are just amazing people that are wildly successful. Somewhere along the way, they asked if I would you be interested in maybe becoming one of their partners? I thought, 'Wow, that's a great opportunity? Coolmore, they play at the top.'” Sierra Leone is the first legitimate Kentucky Derby contender Smith has owned. How has he kept his feet on the ground? “I'm just trying to have fun with it and enjoy it,” he said. “And I can use the opportunity to be a voice for places like Purses for a Purpose and maybe a few other non-profits. It's not just coveting the moment, but reveling in it and reveling in it with everybody involved. These things can change in a step. I'm just hopeful that the horse stays sound and healthy. He seems the type.” During the stallion spotlight segments of the podcast, the crew sang the praises of Coolmore stallion Jack Christopher , who stands for $40,000, and the WinStar stallion Audible, who stands for $15,000. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, Coolmore, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association,https://www.kentuckybred.org/https://www.nyrabets.com/ 1/ST Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, https://www.winstarfarm.com/and XBTV.com, the team of Randy Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman reviewed the major races run last week, which included Sierra Leone's win in the Risen Star and the victory by Tarifa (Bernardini) in the GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes. The team looked back at the career of Echo Zulu (Gun Runner), who had to be euthanized after getting cast in her stall. Moss and Cadman explained why they voted for her for champion female sprinter over Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper). The post Brook Smith Joins TDN Writer’s Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan has given the lowdown on the top Chad Brown-trained juvenile prospects that were selected at last year's Book 1 session at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Ryan, who has sourced well over 50 Group/Grade 1 winners in his long and distinguished career, including Book 1 graduates Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}), admitted to finding trade “a little easier” in 2023 compared to previous visits to Park Paddocks. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Newspaperofrecord featured in Ryan's debut haul at Book 1 back in 2017. She was knocked down to the agent, signing on behalf of Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables and Brown, for 200,000gns. Ryan has returned to Tattersalls every year since and signed for a whopping 16 yearlings in 2022 and the same number last year, the majority of which were purchased on behalf of the hugely successful owner and trainer. Recapping last year's activity, where Ryan spent 3,860,000gns, the agent said, “We got blown out of the water several times, for sure. But we did feel that we got a lot of quality for the money that we spent. Seth Klarman is an amazing owner. He is incredibly patient and loves the game. It's great he has enjoyed the amount of success that he has because he is a huge supporter and is an incredible investor. He loves buying these European grass horses and he's done incredibly well with them. It might have been a little easier to buy them last year. I sense that the market was probably a little bit patchy, as it is here in America, because we have more inventory than we have buyers. That's a problem here as well.” It may only be February but Ryan has seen enough from this year's bunch of juveniles to suggest the team are in good shape for the year ahead. He commented, “It's early days but we've been around enough good horses down through the years to know when you do see that cream rising to the top. You can base your observations on previous horses that you have had through the programme and you know pretty quickly with young horses whether you've got a decent group or an average group. We're quite pleased with the bunch of two-year-olds we have for this year. We usually buy two or three Lope De Vegas every year and we have a colt by him out of Sea of Faith (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) who we like quite a bit. He's been impressing us.” Ryan added, “We've got a Blue Point (Ire) colt out of a mare called Blind Faith (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) who we bought from the McCartans of Ballyphilip Stud and he's a lovely horse. He'll go two turns as well because he's got plenty of scope and stretch. He's got a lot of class and has a great mind. He does things very easily. “We got a very strong Kingman (GB) out of Queen's Code (Ire) (Shamardal) and he's impressive. There's a magnificent turf track at Stonestreet and a bunch of them worked on it the other day. He was one of the colts who showed up nicely. The Wootton Bassett (GB) colt out of The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}) could be pretty special. He's a big horse and we won't be rushing him but he moves beautifully and covers a lot of ground. He'll be a nice mile-and-a-quarter horse and gives us a lot of confidence. “I haven't seen the Study Of Man (Ire) colt out of Almiranta (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) training but the reports are good. We really liked him as a yearling; he'd a great frame with great angles. I'm very curious to see what he looks like on the racetrack. I'd expect him to make a two-year-old and, you know what, it wouldn't shock me if he ran on the dirt.” All told, Ryan signed for nine fillies and seven colts at Book 1 last year. The distribution between fillies and colts was the same for a similar spend of 3,745,000gns in 2022. On what he looks for when searching for European-bred grass horses to run in America, Ryan explained, “We typically try to buy horses who will get a mile and beyond. We don't focus on sprinters because we don't have the opportunities on grass that you do in Europe for sprinters. “We like horses who give us the feeling that they have a turn of foot. Horses who look like they can accelerate quickly. Our turns are tight and usually the serious running starts at the top of the stretch to the wire so you need well-balanced horses who can corner exceptionally well as well.” He added, “We've been very lucky at Book 1 and, the first year we went over there, we bought Newspaperofrecord. She was by Lope De Vega and we've been very lucky with that stallion as well. Program Trading (GB), who won two Grade Is last year, is another example of that. We've been very lucky with Kingman (GB)–Domestic Spending and Technical Analysis (Ire)–and we've been very lucky with Dubawi (Ire)–who wouldn't be?–but we're always looking for the new horse. “We've only bought a couple by Frankel (GB), one of which is McKulick (GB), and he is just an incredible stallion but we have found that they might not be as speedy and sharp as what we require for turf races over here. Whereas the Kingmans, they do have that natural speed and are naturally forward horses. “We like Night Of Thunder (Ire) and Too Darn Hot (GB) is a horse we like a lot as well. We have a Too Darn Hot filly called Oversubscribed, who actually dead-heated last time at Tampa and was unlucky not to win, and she is very, very good. We thought she was Breeders' Cup class last year but she came up with a small setback and just needed some time off. We think she could be anything.” While Ryan loves nothing more than to return to a tried and trusted source of success, he is also open-minded enough to snap up the progeny of some of the lesser-exposed stallions. Along with bagging that Study Of Man colt from Staffordstown Stud for 220,000gns, Ryan added two fillies by first-season sire Pinatubo (Ire) for a combined sum of 480,000gns and said both recruits are really impressing in their work. “We've a very nice Pinatubo (Ire) filly out of Sparkle Roll (Fr) (Kingman {GB}),” he said. “We bought her off Highclere Stud. We actually bought two Pinatubos. The other is out of a mare called Dreamlike (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and we got her from Fittocks Stud for 260,000gns. “She is a three-quarters sister to Program Trading. We were very impressed by the Pinatubos and we underbid a couple of others. I actually bred to him myself and I have two yearlings by him, I've got a mare in foal to him and I'm sending two mares back to him. He's a beautifully-bred horse; a son of Shamardal and was just a superior racehorse. They just have a lot of quality and are easy to like.” He added, “I've always been a huge fan of Shamardal. He reminds me of Into Mischief. His progeny are so determined, courageous and have a great desire to compete. They are just tough, good and dependable racehorses. Shamardal was that way himself and he seems to have passed it on. He's a great, great influence in my mind.” As well as pedigrees and sires, there are basic fundamentals that Ryan hones in on when trying to find the next Newspaperofrecord. Given speed and, more importantly, a change of gear plays a massive role in the winning and losing of many big races on grass in America, a well-balanced, lighter and somewhat sleeker type of thoroughbred is what Ryan tends to go searching for. He explained, “Grass horses are different to American dirt horses. The American dirt horse is very powerfully made. They have very strong quarters and are very powerful over their backs with a deep girth and chest. I don't like heavy horses. I prefer horses with a clean neck and shoulder. We look for horses with good mechanics. Horses who move well and do it within themselves. Obviously you look for a horse with a good temperament as well. But, we're quite flexible. We will forgive some conformational flaws and I put a lot of emphasis on a horse's demeanour; the feel or the vibe you get from a horse. That's very important to me.” He added, “We're lucky in Tattersalls that we get plenty of time to look at horses, which we do. The sale is spread out nicely and it gives trainers in particular time to look at the horses. It's such a high concentration of good horses at Book 1 and we do work it thoroughly and have really enjoyed going over there. Thankfully we have come out of there with a lot of good horses. But if you don't find them at Book 1, where else are you going to find them? Seriously. You've got 40 Kingmans, Frankels, Wootton Bassetts, Night Of Thunders, No Nay Nevers and about 25 Dubawis. You know, it's just an incredibly strong bunch of sires to choose from.” The common denominator in this success story is Brown. The agent says that a strong mutual respect underpins their relationship and points to Brown's apprenticeship with legendary trainer Bobby Frankel as being the cornerstone to him becoming one of the most successful trainers in America. “He's super, super smart,” said Ryan of the trainer. “Chad is just Incredibly intelligent and extremely organised. He has an incredible recall. I think he was incredibly fortunate, and I keep telling him this, to have worked for one of the greatest American trainers in Bobby Frankel. That would be the equivalent to working for Aidan O'Brien, Vincent O'Brien or Andre Fabre. That was the best university that he could have gone to and he'd often say to me, 'this is what Bobby would have done,' when it comes to a horse. “He's incredibly patient and he gives his horses time. That's why his horses have real longevity. He's more focussed on developing a horse to have a career and not just a season. We've a great mutual respect. I have learned a lot from him and he has learned a lot from me. We trust each other. That goes a long way.” With that in mind, it's not just the youngsters that Ryan suggested would be worth following throughout 2024 and said that big things were expected of previous Book 1 purchases Equitize (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Dynamic Pricing (Ire) along with Oversubscribed. He concluded, “There's a four-year-old called Equitize and he is very, very good. I think people are going to be reading a lot about him this summer and he could go for races like the Man O'War and the Manhattan. Dynamic Pricing is a lovely three-year-old filly by Night Of Thunder. We bought her at Book 1 a couple of years ago from Croom House Stud. She was third in the Sweetest Chant Stakes at Gulfstream on her last start but got in a lot of trouble. I'd put those two older horses forward with Oversubscribed as being our horses to follow on the grass this year.” The post Agent Mike Ryan Gives Lowdown On Chad Brown’s Juveniles And More appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

George Krikorian's champion homebred Just F Y I (Justify) leads a cast of 104 3-year-old fillies that were nominated to compete in the 150th running of the $1.5-million GI Longines Kentucky Oaks Friday, May 3 at Churchill Downs. Just F Y I joins 23 other stakes winners based across North America that were nominated to the Kentucky Oaks, including recent GII Rachel Alexandra S. winner Tarifa (Bernardini); GI Alcibiades S. winner Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}); and GII Golden Rod S. winner Intricate (Gun Runner). The 104 fillies became eligible to compete in the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks with a $200 payment that was due Saturday, Feb. 17. Three-year-old fillies not made eligible during the early nomination phase can become eligible with a $1,500 late payment due Wednesday, Apr. 10. Krikorian's undefeated Just F Y I sits atop the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 40 points that she earned by winning the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and GI Frizette S. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Just F Y I is based this winter at Payson Park Training Center in South Florida where she continues to train toward her 3-year-old debut. The post Champion Filly Just F Y I Leads 104 Nominations to Kentucky Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article