Wandering Eyes

Vague is set to contest the Southland Crystals (2200m) on Saturday at Ascot Park. Photo: Race Images South Leonard Stewart is one of the rare few welcoming the wet start to the summer, with the Timaru trainer trying to find some forgiving tracks for his seven-win mare Vague. The eight-year-old daughter of Tobique found the Good 3 conditions at Riccarton over New Zealand Cup Week last month too taxing but appreciated the Good 4 conditions at Cromwell earlier this month, placing on both days of the meeting, including the Cromwell Cup (2030m) last start. “We raced her on the middle day at Riccarton and it was a bit like concrete and she jarred up badly,” Stewart said. “She came right and with a bit of give in the ground she responds pretty well. She had every chance at Cromwell, but she went well.” A trip to the deep south is now on the cards this weekend, with Stewart believing the wet forecast, paired with Ascot Park’s Soft 7 rating on Wednesday morning, will suit Vague down to the ground. “She has done well since Cromwell and with a bit of give in the ground she is going back down south,” Stewart said. Vague has drawn barrier six in the Southland Crystals (2200m) and Stewart is hoping jockey Tina Comignaghi can find a handy position from that gate. “She is an honest horse and Tina gets on really well with her,” he said. “She does jump well and Tina is a good barrier rider. She should be able to get across and get handy. But it is in Tina’s hands and once the gates open, she had got to ride how they land.” Stewart will continue to keep his eye close on the weather forecast over summer, which will dictate where Vague heads over the warmer months. “We are just going to try and go where there is a good give in the ground and where they have good irrigations systems. We just have to go by the weather with her,” he said. Joining Vague on the float trip south this weekend will be stablemates Miss Miranda, Zadane, and Diamond Riviere. Miss Miranda is another in good form, taking a win and placing into the Howley Joinery Handicap (1200m), however, she may be saved for another day if rain persists. “She is still maturing,” Stewart said of the four-year-old mare. “If they did get rain she wouldn’t start. Anything worse than a Good4 is a bit stressful on her, so we are just taking our time and spacing her races.” Meanwhile, stablemates Zadane and Diamond Riviere will be looking to recapture form in The Edge Handicap (1600m) and Rex Cochrane Memorial Handicap (2200m) respectively. “I think Danika (Wilson, apprentice jockey) will suit Zadane,” Stewart said. “In the 65 race he is going to be well up in the weights (60kg) and Danika takes four off, so that will help a lot. I think her style of riding will help him. “Diamond Riviere has been working well. She hasn’t had a lot of luck lately, but she has been working well. If there is a bit of give in the ground that will be in her favour too.” More horse racing news View the full article

Dionysus will contest the Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Dionysus will be looking for redemption when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m). The six-year-old gelding was runner-up in the Te Rapa feature behind Viktor Vegas last year and trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are hoping he can go one better in this year’s edition. While he was denied in last year’s Waikato Cup, Dionysus went on to claim his maiden Cup victory at his next start, the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa on New Year’s Day, before placing in the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham later that month. The son of Ocean Park has returned in fine fettle this preparation, running fourth first-up in the Group 3 Metric Mile (1600m) at Awapuni in September and placed last start in the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe. His handlers have been pleased with his subsequent work and are hoping for a positive result this weekend. “His run was very good in the Counties Cup and he has come on from that,” Wellwood said. “He comes into this in nice order. It is a small but good field, we will have to play it by ear, but we are really happy with him.” A day prior, Kingsclere Stables will have a trio of runners at Tauranga, with Xrated, Zaboraci and Hasstobeawinner all attempting to clear maiden ranks. Hasstobegood takes two runner-up results into the Icon Security Systems Maiden 1400 where he will be met by stablemate Xrated, who takes a trial win into her first-up assignment. “Xrated trialled up really well and hopefully she can go nicely there. She is in good order,” Wellwood said. “Hasstobeawinner has gone down just narrowly so it would be nice to see him turn the tables and get the job done.” Zaboraci will line-up in the Commerce Lane Chambers Maiden (1600m), and Wellwood said he will appreciate the step-up to a mile. “Zaboraci’s run first-up was very good without getting any luck whatsoever,” he said. “Going further is going to suit him and if he can get any luck he will be there or thereabouts.” View the full article

Pearl Of Alsace will contest the Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Quality mare Pearl Of Alsace will sport a new look when she takes aim at the Group 2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray will add headgear to the Sir Peter Vela-bred and owned daughter of Tavistock in the weight-for-age feature. “She will be an interesting runner because she will have the blinkers on for the first time,” Ritchie said. “We have been waiting for a little bit and coming back from 2000m to a mile, it’s the right time to introduce them. “We believe they will sharpen her right up and they have done in trackwork so far.” Pearl Of Alsace stepped up to a middle distance for the first time when she finished third in the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings and then crossed the Tasman to run fourth in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. “There’s just a little question mark on whether she’s experienced enough to run the 2000m out. They were both fantastic runs, but just didn’t round it off like she does at a mile,” Ritchie said. With that in mind, Pearl Of Alsace will be restricted to the shorter trip for the time being with the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on January 20 the aim. “It’s set weights and penalties so she will be extremely well-weighted given her high rating (97) at the moment,” Ritchie said. “It’s on a track where she has had a lot of success on, she seems to love that long straight and it’s a Group One of course and that’s the last hill for her to climb as she’s been Group One placed. “That will be her main target and the Cal Isuzu should top her off nicely.” Pearl Of Alsace is unbeaten in three appearances at Trentham, including victory in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) in autumn. “We did give some thought to the TAB Classic (Group 1, 1600m) there last Saturday, but we felt staying closer to home might be the smarter way to go after coming back from Melbourne,” Ritchie said. “She races at her best with a month between runs, so we’ll follow that profile for the summer and the autumn.” Pearl Of Alsace’s fortunes will be guided on Saturday by Sam Weatherley, who was aboard the mare at Hastings two runs back. “Sam did nothing wrong in the Livamol so he will retain the ride,” Ritchie said. “It’s likely a drop in class on her last two runs, there’s a little bit of wiggle room for improvement before the Thorndon (Group 1, 1600m), but on her current form she should be extremely hard to beat.” Victory for Pearl Of Alsace will continue the stable’s run of feature race form following Mahrajaan’s win in the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and The Oaks Stud’s Nassak Diamond claiming the Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool. “Mahrajaan needs firm ground so the Auckland Cup (Group 2, 3200m) is the right race for him. He’ll probably run in the Avondale Cup (Group 2, 2400m) as well and we’ll look around for an open mile before that,” Ritchie said. “There’s not really a lot for Nassak Diamond at home so we’ll leave that up to Rick (Williams, The Oaks General Manager).” More horse racing news View the full article

O’Reilly leading the way at AYDC Champion Kiwi junior driver Sarah O’Reilly is a co-leader after the first night of the 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers’ Championships in Queensland. The Canterbury-based O’Reilly had a win, a third and a fourth in the three heats to accrue 33 points to be on top jointly with Angus Garrard. Her win came with Beach On Fire in Heat 1, paying $17.20. Cambridge junior Zev Meredith is third on 27 points after taking out the third heat with Kash Us Back, while the third Kiwi involved Crystal Hackett is currently sixth on 16 points. There will be 10 heats in all finishing on Inter Dominion Grand Final night at Albion Park on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Dan Costello). Copy That goes under knife Dual New Zealand Cup champion Copy That’s racing future won’t be known till next March at the earliest. The pacing millionaire has had surgery in Ballarat in Victoria to remove bone, cartilage and fragments from his knee. The star pacer, who’s won 33 races, last raced in Auckland in September this year. It’s expected to be three months before he returns to Lincoln Farms in Pukekohe. Bargain buys big rewards How’s this for good buying? Aardiebytheseaside and Mantra Blue who quinellaed the $175,000 New Zealand Pacing Oaks at Addington on Sunday were purchased as weanlings for $3800 from the Woodlands Stud draft in 2020. Aardiebytheseaside was sold for $1500 and has now won over $220K in stakes, and $2300 purchase Mantra Blue has won nearly $90K. To see more click here Stars heading south Invercargill’s huge meeting on December 22 is attracting some star talent. All Stars (Purdon Racing) have confirmed that Self Assured will head south for the $110,000 Group 1 Ascot Park Invercargill Cup as will Beach Ball who beat him on Grand Prix day at Addington last Sunday. And the in-form Oscar Bonavena will be a starter in the day’s feature trot, the Group 3 David Moss Stakes. Manning back in time for IDs 2015 New Zealand Cup-winning driver Kerryn Manning has had her first race day drive since breaking her wrist in four places at Melton in October. The 47-year-old Australian, who made history by becoming the first female driver to win the New Zealand Cup with Arden Rooney eight years ago, finished third at Horsham on Monday with The Sportz Star. She plans to complete her comeback by driving the very talented Plymouth Chubb in Saturday’s Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final at Albion Park. View the full article

Straight Arron returns (right) with Vincent Ho alongside Luxembourg and Ryan Moore. Hong Kong has some of the world’s best top-end talent right now. Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and Lucky Sweynesse continue to dominate their respective divisions, winning three out of the four star-studded Group 1s at Sunday’s HK$118 million Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin. The trio has 53 wins combined, including 19 at Group 1 level, and boast a firm stranglehold over the city’s feature races – a grip that trainer Caspar Fownes is hoping to loosen this season with Straight Arron, one of the most exciting horses in training. Getting better each time he races, Straight Arron – a five-year-old – improved again on his way to finishing an impeded fourth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m), just behind Romantic Warrior, while virtually alongside Japan’s Hishi Iguazu and the triple Group 1-winning Luxembourg, who is trained by Aidan O’Brien. “It was a huge run, he got buffeted all over the place. It was a tough watch but these things happen – that’s racing,” Fownes said. Providing another clue to his level of ability, Sunday’s outcome suggests that Straight Arron’s best is yet to come. He now hops on a Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) trail, which should see him face Romantic Warrior for a third time on 25 February, 2024. “You’re still happy to walk away after seeing that the horse is starting to show where he’s at, he’s picking up and fighting it out with some of the best staying horses in Hong Kong, as well as the world,” Fownes said. Straight Arron has four wins in Hong Kong. His biggest scalp came in last month’s Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m). After rating 77 on debut 13 starts ago, he currently sits on a mark of 117. “At this stage he’ll go to the Gold Cup and QEII Cup (Group 1, 2000m). We’ll obviously enter him for Qatar, Dubai and places like that but that’ll just be on the backburner as we see what’s going on and what’s happening in Hong Kong,” Fownes said. The bay is sired by champion sprinter Fastnet Rock and is out of the mare Imperial Lass, who finished third to Winx in the 2015 Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m). “It was a good effort (by Straight Arron) and hopefully he’ll continue on that upward spiral, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t. We’re looking forward to his next race to see how we go. “It’s a big step up and I’ve always believed in the horse. I’ve always felt that he is capable of getting to the 120-plus mark, he’s nearly there now, he’s on 117 and he’ll get there for sure now. “We want him to be consistent and we want him to win Group 1s,” Fownes said. Looking to more immediate tasks, Fownes has another Australian import – Fashion Legend – accepted for his Hong Kong debut on Wednesday night at Happy Valley in the Class 3 Jordan Valley Handicap (1200m). The Deep Field four-year-old was a five-time winner pre-import in Australia, taking the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) and Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1425m). “He’s just coming along slowly. He’s really started to pick up over the last week a little bit more, which is nice to see. We’re starting off over 1200 metres and we’re drawn a little bit awkward, especially for his first run at the Valley. “We took him there for a trial. We’ll take him back and hopefully we’ll see him make some ground – he gets further. “He’s rated 76, which is a tough rating in Hong Kong, because if you can come in and compete straight away, you’re in business, but if you don’t it’s a bit of a drop to get him where he should be before progressing,” Fownes said. One of six entries for Fownes at the midweek fixture, Fashion Legend has been assigned barrier nine of 12 and will step away under jockey Andrea Atzeni. “He looks very healthy in the coat, he’s done everything right and we’re hoping to see him running on nicely,” Fownes said. Wednesday’s nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Ngau Tau Kok Handicap (1000m). View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News desk Going into yesterday’s Manawatu meeting Wilson House thought he was a good show of winning at least a couple of races. He ended up driving a career high five winners and was a nose away from the perfect six wins from six drives. “It was fantastic,” House says, “I thought maybe I’d get two so I was very happy, and all the team performed so well.” In what was his best day in three seasons of driving all of House’s horses were trained by his father Michael House. The 19-year-old is on a remarkable run. Twice in November he had a treble at Palmerston North and his haul yesterday takes him to 33 wins in 2023, making him fifth equal overall in the junior drivers’ premiership. His five-win haul was reminiscent of the days when the so-called Michael House – Blair Orange “juggernaut” used to venture north from Canterbury and dominate the card. But Wilson House wasn’t buying into any talk about him being “the new Blair”. “No I’m not,” was House’s reply, “Blair’s a freak of a driver, one of the best there’s ever been.” His five winners were : Boyz Invasion in Race 2 – The Hilltop Bar and Restaurant Handicap Trot Sweet Spirit in Race 3 – The ITM Mobile Pace Superstar Legend in Race 6 – The Royden Williams Trophy Mobile pace Johnny Mac in Race 7 – The Cobb Mobile Pace Ann Ofathousand Bays in Race 8 – Racing Again Thursday 14th Mobile pace Boyz Invasion’s win was his fifth in a row, with Wilson getting the in-form nine-year-old to the front and just proving too strong for his rivals. Some of his other drives were more tactical. Sweet Spirit, for instance, was in the trail only for House to make the decision midrace to go round the pace-making Sharkntatties. It proved a masterstroke as he cleared out to win by nearly four lengths. And in the last, Ann Ofathousand Bays had a potentially tricky draw of one on the second line over 2000 metres. But it didn’t prove an issue with House three back the fence before making his move late in the piece. “Dad thought he was the best off his training and it panned out well, with gaps appearing late.” The only one of House’s not to win was Santanna Mach, and he was only a nose away from a perfect six from six. Getting the perfect run in the passing lane Santanna Mach looked every chance, only to be beaten by a fast-finishing Millies Sensation out wide for Benjamin Butcher and trainer Mike Berger. “There was nothing in it,” says House , “I didn’t know whether I’d won it or not.” The Cambridge-based Berger had a double for the meeting, with his second win appropriately coming in the Happy 70th Birthday Mike Berger Mobile Pace when Lady La Salle justified her strong support. But it was a close run thing with the Sweet Lou four-year-old just getting up by a nose from Ticking Over. Manawatu will be back in action tomorrow night, with the House-House team again the one to follow, with six starters at this stage. To see the Manawatu fields for Thursday click here View the full article

As 2023 draws to a close, the TDN is asking industry members to name their favorite moment of the year. Send yours to suefinley@thetdn.com Crimson Advocate winning the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot in a photo finish. It was a huge moment and accomplishment for my young syndicate. The post What Was Your Favorite Moment of 2023: Jake Ballis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing on Wednesday, December 13 will feature six meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Wyong, Eagle Farm and Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday Racing Tips – December 13, 2023 Eagle Farm Racing Tips Wyong Racing Tips Happy Valley Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For December 13, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $28.88 odds return: Wednesday, December 13, 2023 Eagle Farm – Race 4 #6 Already A Star Wyong – Race 2 #2 Aunt Roberta Wyong – Race 4 #6 Royal Merchant Wyong – Race 6 #4 Spywire | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on December 13, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Online bookmakers have released their racing promotions for Wednesday, December 13, including several great bonus back offers. The top Australian racing promotions for December 13, 2023, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Bonus Back for 2nd & 3rd Races 1-4 at Wyong. Back a runner in races 1-4 at Wyong this Wednesday and if it runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $50 in Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets only. 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Bonus Back for 2nd & 3rd Races 1-4 at Mornington Get your stake back in bonus bets. Limits apply. Eligible clients only. General T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Wednesday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd Races 1-3 at Mornington & Wyong Minimum 6 runners. Fixed Odds only. Check Vault for eligibility. Limits may apply. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting has reviewed the top horse racing bookmakers in Australia and has unveiled exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions and specials for Wednesday, December 13, 2023. These horse racing promotions persist almost daily, showcasing the commitment of Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers. If one bookmaker lacks a promotion, rest assured that another is presenting enticing promotional offers in the realm of gallops. HorseBetting.com.au is your go-to source for the most lucrative horse racing bookmaker bonuses every day. Gain the most value out of your punting endeavours with bookie bonuses with the most competitive horse racing odds available for each race. It’s imperative to note that these thoroughbred racing promotion offers cater exclusively to existing customers. Accessing these special promotions and claiming the bookmaker’s offers requires logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those seeking races and horses to leverage their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting offers a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. Stay informed, stay strategic, and make the most of your horse racing experience with these exclusive promotions. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Another challenger to watch is Strong Quality. By Quality Road, the 4-year-old colt runs well when not in grade 1 company. He is 4-4-2 from 12 non-grade 1 starts, with two fourths being his worst finishes.View the full article

Desert Dawn, winless in 10 starts since capturing the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) in April 2022, drops in class to lead the $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) at Los Alamitos Race Course Dec. 15.View the full article

The Fourth Annual Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance (ITA) Stallions and Services Auction launches online Monday, Dec. 18 at 9 a.m. EST. The one-day event will close bidding the same day at 4 p.m., with a preview live Dec. 15-17 at equiring.com/sale/290/ITA24. The auction will feature stallions from Kentucky's Darby Dan, Spendthrift Farm, WinStar Farm, and Crestwood; from Indiana's Indiana Stallion Station, Breakway Farm, and Arrowhead Thoroughbreds; and from Ohio's Poplar Creek Horse Center. The auction also offers services and equipment, such as massage and PEMF services, transportation services , broodmare board, veterinary services, and more. “The mission of our auction is to bring together the industry to raise money for numerous causes,” said Christine Cagle, the ITA Stallions and Services Auction Chairperson. “We realize there is a need for more assistance in our state when it comes to facilitating education, boosting promotion, and lifting the industry. Having our auction prior to the holidays is the perfect excuse for some last-minute gift shopping as well as tax deductions prior to the end of the year. This is our one big fundraiser we do, and all of the money goes to a greater good.” The auction has raised almost $100,000 since 2020, with nearly 90% of that money going back into the Indiana horse industry. The proceeds have funded scholarships, racehorse aftercare, breeder and owner education, the ITA Industry Crisis Fund, and promotional efforts for the Indiana Thoroughbred industry. All listings and updates are posted on the ITA's Facebook page and the ITA's website. The post ITA Stallions and Services Auction Set for Dec. 16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country. Among the key rulings from the last seven days, trainer Philip Aristone has been suspended for a combined 105 days and fined a total $7,500 after two of his horses tested positive post-race for Lamotrigine, a Class A controlled medication under HISA. According to the National Institutes of Health, Lamotrigine is an anti-seizure, anti-epilepsy drug that is also used off-label to treat other human health issues like acute bipolar depression, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia, and unipolar depression. Los Alamitos-based trainer Reed Saldana has also been banned for two years and fined $25,000 after one of his horses tested positive post-race for the banned substance, Diisopropylamine, a vasodilator, meaning it can cause blood vessels to open or dilate. Diisopropylamine is also found in commonly used human products like hand sanitizer. A Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) arbitration body heard Saldana's case, for which he did not engage an attorney. The next option for covered persons who wish to contest a HIWU arbitration decision is to appeal the result to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 11/4/2023 Licensee: Jeff Hiles, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Blue Devil. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 11/01/2023 Licensee: Steve Krebs, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Guaifenesin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Burn The Evidence, who won at Parx Racing on 11/1/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 10/31/2023 Licensee: Ortis Henry, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Glycopyrrolate—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Empress Palpatine, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 10/31/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 10/29/2023 Licensee: Michael Ferraro, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Princess Sonya. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 09/06/2023 Licensee: Carl James Deville, trainer Penalty: No penalties. HIWU withdrew its Equine Anti-Doping (EAD) charges. Explainer: For the presence of Tapentadol and Butalbital—banned substances—in a sample taken from Eurobeliever, who was pulled up and vanned off at Presque Isle Downs on 9/6/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 09/06/2023 Licensee: Philip Aristone, trainer Penalty: 45-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on January 5, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $5,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points; Additional 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 19, 2024, as a result of the accumulation of 6 penalty points.Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Lamotrigine—Controlled Medications (Class A)—in a sample taken from Jewels in the Bay, who won at Parx Racing on 9/06/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 9/03/2023 Licensee: Debbie Van Horne, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from You're the Cause, who won at Emerald Downs on 9/3/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/12/2023 Licensee: Faustino Patino Lopez, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Night to Remember, who finished third at Emerald Downs on 8/12/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of a Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout). Date: 08/08/2023 Licensee: Michael Pappada, trainer Penalty: No penalties. HIWU withdrew its Equine Anti-Doping (EAD) charges. Explainer: For the presence of Tapentadol—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Truckin Tommy, who finished third at Presque Isle Downs on 8/8/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Date: 08/04/2023 Licensee: Philip Aristone, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 6, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Lamotrigine—Controlled Medications (Class B)—in a sample taken from Field Letters, who won at Penn National on 8/4/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 06/16/2023 Licensee: Reed Saldana, trainer Penalty: 24-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 6, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $25,000; payment of $12,000 of arbitration costs. Final decision of an arbitral body. Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Ice Queen, who finished third at Santa Anita on 6/16/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Read more on the story here. Pending ADMC Violations Date: 11/05/2023 Licensee: Anthony Farrior, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Geothermal, who raced at Laurel Park on 11/5/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Read more on the story here. Date: 11/05/2023 Licensee: Jose Puentes, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from J and K Express. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Violations of Crop Rule One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Los Alamitos Tyler Baze – violation date Dec 8; $250 fine, one-day suspension J.G. Torrealba – violation date Dec 8; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Dec. 5-11 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Roy Smith, who inaugurated the racetrack superintendent field day in 2001, was honored with the Racetrack Superintendent's Innovator Award during last week's University of Arizona Race Track Industry Symposium. A second-generation race tracker, Smith served as assistant track superintendent to Blackie Chobanian at Suffolk Downs in 1977 and he took charge after Chobanian's passing in 1981. He moved to Philadelphia Park in 1984 and worked at the Pennsylvania track for 31 years before moving to Indiana Grand in 2014. Smith was selected for the 2023 superintendent's innovator award for his work in professionalizing the career of racetrack superintendent and introducing the concept of continuing education to the community. The idea of continuing education is now part of the Regulations of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority. His vision of a collaborative profession focused on the safety of the horse and rider is embodied in the Superintendent's Field Day and more recently with the new version of the Dirt Panel that has been held at RTIP since 2021. The Racetrack Superintendent's Innovator Award is given to recognize the critical professionals who maintain racing surfaces for safety and fairness. The post Roy Smith Honored With Superintendent Innovator Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Here’s this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin. View the full article

By Jonny Turner After producing career highlights on Grand Prix day, a couple of local lads will be out to chase more success at Oamaru on Wednesday. In the reasonably early stages of what are sure to be stellar training careers, both Matthew Williamson and Kaleb Bublitz produced their first Group 1 placings on Sunday. Williamson’s Princess Sadie stormed home to take third in the Group 1 Ace Of Hearts, while The Merc gave a great sight while running second for Bublitz in the Group 1 Ace Of Clubs. Williamson and Bublitz will combine with two runners at Oamaru, with Bublitz to drive Winning Bones (race 7) and Hayley Robyn (race 9) for Williamson. “Hayley Robyn’s work has been good, and she’s got a good draw; we are still learning about her, but I am hopeful she can go a pretty nice race,” Williamson said. “She would probably be the best chance out of my team.” “Winning Bones is as good as anything in the field he is racing, but he has been a bit disappointing in his last couple of starts.” “He is better for having a couple of runs, so I am hoping he can show his best this time.” Williamson has three starters from his team racing each other in two races on Wednesday. Dem Bones Dem Bones and Granny Rose take on Winning Bones, while Hunting Weight and Wolfenstein square off with Hayley Robyn. The trainer’s remaining runner Jordan Anne looks a place contender in race 5. Williamson teams up with several handy outside drives on the Oamaru grass on Wednesday. Among them is Sheza Trendy One who can start the reinsman’s day off in style in race 1. “She looks a big winning hope; she was only just nailed on the line on the grass at Wingatui.” “She wouldn’t have to go much better on Wednesday to be hard to catch.” The Steve Allen trained first starter in Lord Fantasy in race 4 also looks a winning threat for Williamson. “He has trialled nice, and he seems to have a bit of upside; he’s a good chance.” Major Cheddar also looks a threat for Williamson and trainer Brad Mowbray in race 2. “He was pretty solid at Wingatui last week, and he gets into a very suitable race; he’s another one that looks a handy chance.” Classie Linc is probably the most talented horse Williamson combines with on Wednesday. But in her first standing start, the mare also looks the riskiest proposition. Classie Linc was very slowly away in a recent trial, which should have punters nervous about her chances in race 6. “The first 10m is going to tell the story; if she gets away with them, she’s a big chance, but she can’t afford to do much wrong over 2000m.” View the full article

Thoroughbred trainers Dale Romans, John Sadler, Shug McGaughey and racing and bloodstock manager Gavin Murphy have joined HISA's Horsemen's Advisory Group.View the full article

The Horserace Betting Levy Board's (HBLB) 2022/23 Annual Report outlined that statutory Levy income to the Board was £100 million, the highest since the Levy collection reforms of 2017. The last two months of Apr. 1, 2022 through Mar. 31, 2023 term saw bookmakers' gross profits increasing significantly on the Board's projections taking into account the actual results to that point and historic comparisons. Over the 12-month period, the Board reports of a continuing decline in turnover (amount staked) which was being partially mitigated by improved margins and gross win (amount retained by bookmakers), the basis on which Levy is paid. The trends have continued into 2023/24. “Whether or not these trends in turnover and gross win will be sustained will become clear with time,” said Chief Executive Alan Delmonte. “While the short-term position provides reassurance in terms of income projection, the Board must however remain cautious because the underlying position is that turnover has declined over a sustained period. Ultimately, whatever the cause, falling turnover is unlikely to prove a positive for the sport's long-term health.” Also outlined in the reports: The achievement of a small operating surplus in the year, in part due to the Board receiving from the Racing Foundation the second £3m of the £6m over two years generously contributed towards the Board's grants for people training and education initiatives. The publication of the Board's first three-year Business Plan, during 2022/23. The updated and enhanced processes for inviting, assessing and monitoring grant applications. The decision to increase transparency with the publication of the Board's race by race prize money contribution, providing greater visibility for the sport's participants about where the Board's prize money funds are directed. Saving an ongoing £100,000 per annum on administrative costs with the move to smaller office premises. To view the Annual Report, click here. The post Levy Releases Annual Report: Income Hits 100M, Betting Turnover Declines appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On Nov. 3, Meadowlands owner Jeff Gural announced that it was banning 33 trainers and owners, including Howard Taylor, after claiming that evidence and exhibits track officials were able to retain from the doping trials that had taken place over the previous months revealed a list of individuals who had purchased banned substances. The press release listed Taylor as being among those who had allegedly purchased EPO. On Tuesday, Taylor fired back. According to a press release issued by Tilden Katz of Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies, Taylor has sued Gural alleging defamation and related crimes for his accusations that Taylor was purchasing EPO, which, Gural implied, he was supplying to his trainers. Katz said that the statements Gural had made were untrue. “No facts, in either the Meadowlands press release or the article, supported the claim that Taylor ever gave Epogen to any of his trainers or that Taylor ever instructed any trainer to use Epogen on his horses,” Katz said. The lawsuit, Howard Taylor v. Jeffrey Gural, was filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Taylor is a lawyer based in Philadelphia who specializes in equine and horse racing related issues. He has one of the largest stables in the sport of harness racing, one that normally has about 170 horses. The post Harness Owner Howard Taylor Sues Jeff Gural for Defamation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Walk In The Park (Ire) sired four of the six highest foals and the three top lots, as the Goffs December National Hunt Sale continued on Tuesday. Ballincurrig House Stud consigned lot 294, a son of Appy Days (Ire) (King's Theatre {Ire}), and he caught the eyes of Gerry Aherne and Charles Shanahan for €90,000. His dam is out of G3 Nell Gwyn S. heroine A-To-Z (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}). Said the colt's breeder Cathal Ennis, “I've had my fair share of setbacks and bred enough slow ones too. I'm not saying I'm successful at all, but if there's one thing I am very fussy about, rightly or wrongly, it's broodmare sires. “I love mares by King's Theatre, Presenting, Saint Des Saints and so on. I set a lot of store by them. Look at Saddlers' Hall, who was disappointing as a sire, but his daughters were dynamite.” Second on the list was Castlefarm Stud's son of Ard Abhainn (Ire) (lot 296), who sold for €80,000 to Kevin Ross Bloodstock and Killeen Glebe. His dam, a daughter of Jeremy, won a listed race over hurdles. Rounding out the top trio was a bay colt (lot 226) from the draft of Thistletown Stud. Snapped up by Rathmore Stud for €80,000, he is out of the Shirocco (Ger) mare Valjan (GB), herself a half-sister to G1 Champion Hurdle winner Katchi (Ire) (Kalanisi {Ire}). At the close of trade, 132 lots sold (58%) for a gross of €2,157,800. The average remained almost even with 2022's at €16,347, and the median rose €20% to €12,000. The post Walk In The Park Reigns At Goffs December appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A pair of runners competing during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, will be offered wild card entries for Epsom's 3-year-old Classics contested four weeks later. The winner of Churchill's $500,000 GII Edgewood S., contested on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 3, will receive an entry and travel incentive to run in the G1 Betfred Oaks at Epsom May 31. In the colt's division, a runner from the $500,000 GII American Turf S., scheduled for Kentucky Derby Day May 4, will receive an entry and travel incentive to the June 1 Betfred Derby. The Jockey Club and Ascot Racecourse have also coordinated with Churchill to offer wild card entries to a pair of Royal Ascot fixtures. A runner from the $500,000 GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint S., also run on Kentucky Derby Day, will receive an entry and a travel incentive to run in the G1 King Charles III S. (formerly the King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot June 18. Additionally, a runner from the $1-million GI Old Forester Turf Classic S., contested on Kentucky Derby Day, will receive an entry and a travel incentive to run in either the G1 Queen Anne S. June 18 or the G1 Prince of Wales's S., held June 19, both staged during the Royal meeting. In return for the above incentives for U.S.-based runners, a runner from both the Queen Anne and the Prince of Wales's will receive an entry and a travel incentive to run in Colonial Downs' $1-million GI Arlington Million S. over 10 furlongs in mid-August. Also, a runner from the G1 Tattersalls Falmouth S. at Newmarket's July Festival July 12 will also receive an entry and travel incentive to run in the $500,000 GI Beverly D S. on the same day as the Colonial Downs Arlington Million. Winners of the aforementioned races will receive the invite to run in the corresponding races across the Atlantic. However, in the event that the winners aren't able to accept, racecourses may then also invite placed horses. The elimination procedures in these races will remain as they are now. “A trip to Churchill Downs is one that should be on the bucket list for every racing fan, the world over,” said Matt Woolston, Assistant Racing and International Racing Director at The Jockey Club. “The Kentucky Derby itself can trace its origin back to Epsom Downs in 1780 when Diomed won the very first Derby and we are proud to reinforce this historic link. “These historic races already have an international reputation and we want to welcome more and more international runners in the years to come.” For more information, click here. The post The Jockey Club, Ascot Partner with Churchill Downs for Trans-Atlantic Initiative appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The stable name traces to a ranch they once owned in the Oregon outback: “Bar C” was how they branded their cattle. But while Neal and Pam Christopherson are proud of their home state, and have achieved a great deal there, even they couldn't make horses pay in those gulch-carved scrublands, under those huge empty skies. “Telacaset, Union, Oregon,” Neal says. “Snows an inch, drifts 10 feet. Cold country.” But horses are tough, no? “Well, they are,” replies Neal. “But we lost a heck of a nice Quarter Horse colt that climbed up on the snow drift, across the water trough, and drowned because the ice broke. That's why we moved to Hermiston on the Columbia River. Probably the mildest weather you can have in Oregon is right there.” But all those experiences, across nearly half a century, add up to something that wouldn't be quite as special, nor as solid, if you could leave out the difficult days. The Christophersons have been raising or training horses for 48 years. Long enough, perhaps, to have developed some kind of X-ray vision when they saw Forever For Now (War Front) at the Keeneland November Sale two years ago. They could see straight into that mare's swaying belly, right? “No,” says Neal with a grin, miming the opening of a catalogue. “It just said 'Uncle Mo' down there.” That predilection, after all, was why they were there in the first place. Six years previously, at the equivalent auction, the Christophersons had bought an El Prado (Ire) mare named Fresia for $35,000. She, too, was carrying an Uncle Mo colt, who they sold as a yearling for $60,000. “When we took him down there to the sale at Pomona, they were all talking about something on his X-rays, a sesamoid I think,” Neal recalls. “But Eddie Woods bought the horse, took him to Florida, broke and trained him down there, and then brought him back to Barretts for the 2-year-old sale. And he sold him for $600,000! So right then and there, we knew we had something if we could just stay in the Uncle Mo business.” That colt was raced as Galilean by West Point Thoroughbreds and his six stakes wins–which have now launched him on a stud career in New York–made his dam a suddenly lucrative proposition. Sure enough, having been returned to Uncle Mo on a foal-share, Fresia produced a filly that sold for $700,000 to Courtlandt Farm at the September Sale of 2021. It was with their share of the proceeds that the Christophersons promptly spent $210,000 on Forever For Now that November. And, once again, a foal acquired in utero has raised the stakes. Because the mare delivered such a knockout son that he even broke new ground for horsemen as seasoned as the Penn brothers. Their one-horse Book I consignment, so expertly handled that the colt was as mannerly and inquisitive after 300 shows as on his first, made nearly every shortlist. In the end M.V. Magnier had to go to $1.35 million to tap back into a family that his Coolmore team had helped to make one of the best in the book, Forever For Now's third dam being a full sister to Galileo (Ire) himself. Okay, so maybe that kind of page doesn't really require X-ray vision. “No, you just grab the dice and you roll,” Neal says. “See what happens. Because 99.9 percent of this game is luck.” But you have to believe that you can put yourself in a position to be lucky. And the Christophersons' Bar C Racing Stable has been doing that for a long time now, albeit mostly in shallower waters. “When we first met, we were down there at Corvallis,” Neal recalls. “That's where Oregon State University is. And I had a stallion and a mare, Quarter Horses, that I was actually using to rodeo. Pam and I ran into each other down at the bar. She'd just bought a mare off the track, to barrel race. So we both started with Quarter Horses.” Since then, the Christophersons have excelled with Thoroughbreds on the West Coast scene in many different guises: as breeders, owners, vendors, and for 30 years as trainers. They stood a local phenomenon in Harbor the Gold, 14-time champion sire in Oregon; having bred or co-bred 11 champions over the state line, they were recently inducted into the Washington Hall of Fame; and they've topped a Barretts sale with a $600,000 Cal-bred. Sadly, after decades of accomplishment, they feel disenchanted with the direction of their home circuit. Having for a long time upgraded the Pacific gene pool with Kentucky mares, they've gone up another level even as horseracing in Washington has been reduced to 55 days at a single track. The mares, as a result, are increasingly staying right where they are in the Bluegrass. Recently, the Christophersons have even toyed with prospecting for a farm of their own there. “They've closed nearly all the tracks where we are,” Neal laments. “They closed Portland Meadows. They closed Playfair. Yakima. Now it's Golden Gate. The horse business in our neck of the woods is going downhill. These youngsters don't like to mess with horses, that's the only thing I can see. It's unfortunate. Like to see it keep going. We used to have five different racetracks just in Washington. But we took six head to the Seattle sale this summer, and only made $35,000.” Of course, this kind of situation only tends to spiral downward: a struggling region tends to end up disillusioning precisely those whose experience, resources and skills it can least afford to lose–skills, it can now be seen, of uncommon transferability. Because the Christophersons have managed to hang in there, even against a growing headwind. “This mare came into the ring at Pomona a couple of years ago and nobody's bidding,” Neal recalls. “So I opened the page, and I'm thinking, 'What's the matter with this?' So I raised my hand once, just for the hell of it, got her for $1,000. She was in foal to Stanford, who was just beginning there in California, so on our way home we went over to the ranch, dropped her off, said, 'Foal her out and breed her back!' When all that was done, we went back and got her, took her back to Oregon, had a foal. Brought the foal back a year later to the yearling sale at Pomona–and sold her for $100,000. Out of my $1,000 mare. But, again, all luck. She had good breeding, everything was good.” So the Christophersons have been doing their best. They still have five stallions–even a young son of the inevitable Uncle Mo–and a score of broodmares. “The Uncle Mo is a good-looking fella, but we'll see,” Neal says with a shrug. “In this business it always takes three years to find out if you've got anything. A lot of people ask us, 'Why do you do this? It takes so damned long!' But if that was how we started, every year now we've got horses going someplace or another.” Increasingly, however, “someplace” means Kentucky. In fairness, this is hardly some overnight reaction to their September coup. “No, what happened was that we were buying and selling in the Pacific Northwest and getting nowhere,” Neal explains. “We knew Gary Chervenell in Washington, and he's always been telling us, 'If you want the good stuff, go to Kentucky. That's where they're made.' So we made our first trip over with him 20 years ago, and really that's what has made us–the fact that we just got lucky buying some fairly well bred mares.” One of the introductions Chervenell made was to Bo Davis, then broodmare manager at Overbrook. And when that farm's Seeking The Gold half-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Boston Harbor blew a knee, Davis wouldn't stop pestering them about him. “You guys really need to stand this horse,” he urged them. “I know him, I've been with him ever since he was born.” “We had a darn good horse at that time, name of Tiffany Ice,” Neal recalls. “But he was 22, and Bo kept saying he wasn't going to last forever. And finally, one day when he called us on our way down to Portland Meadows, back when those bag phones had just come out, the first mobiles, we said 'Oh, just send him out.'” “When he got off that van, after shipping all the way from New York, he didn't look very good at all,” Pam says. “We looked at each other and said, 'What in the hell do we do now?'” says Neal, shaking his head. “We got him fattened up, and I think he bred seven mares his first year,” Pam said. “But his first foal was Noosa Beach. He won the [GII] Longacres Mile, and was horse of the Emerald Downs meet four years in a row. Out of the first mare he ever bred.” “And you know why we bred him?” Neal says. “Because the old horse, Tiffany Ice, if ever a mare looked like she's going to kick him, do anything bad, he would just turn away and go back in his stall. And this mare, she was pretty testy. So what we did, we brought the new guy up. Had no idea what he was going to do. He'd never tried to breed anything. And he was a wild man. Boy, she didn't kick no way when Harbor the Gold got ahold of her! And that was the first baby. Won over $500,000.” “And Harbor the Gold went on to have 72 stakes horses at Emerald Downs,” Pam marvels. “The next closest to him had 27. And every year his babies made $1 million in racing.” As it happens, Harbor the Gold died the same year that the Christophersons sold Galilean's sister, and played up the winnings on Forever For Now. As so often in this business, as one door closed, so another one opened. “We were going back and forth at Hill 'n' Dale when they sold Fresia's filly,” Pam recalls. “And they had this cute little War Front mare there, in foal to Uncle Mo, and I just kept looking at her. She was young, and pretty nice. Kinda looked like Miss Piggy! A big broad thing with a white blaze down her face. They said she'd had a beautiful Justify filly, I don't know where she might have shown up meanwhile, but this was going to be her second foal. Anyway when we sold the filly so well, we thought, 'Well, let's get this mare.' And all we ever wanted from the colt she was carrying was to try to make back the $210,000 she cost.” The Christophersons are clear that one of the reasons the colt so wildly exceeded those hopes is the diligence and hands-on attention of the Penn family: brothers John and Frank, plus John's son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Kendra. Certainly you couldn't hope to see a more obliging horse, loosely on the shank, after the number of shows he made in September. But that reflected the companionship established at home–over many a mile, and many a month–with Kendra, who was also tending him at Keeneland. “She's a good hand, by golly,” Pam says. “She's walking them, ponying them, she knows everything about them. And that horse, he knew what he was supposed to do. They're sure good people, and they did a great job.” “We really believe in them,” stresses Neal. “You can get lost in some of those big 'factories'. This horse came out and walked the same way, every single person that came to see him, didn't get pissy once. He's a smart horse. They'll go a long way with him, as long as they keep him sound.” Forever For Now, who has a Caravaggio weanling and is in foal to Mystic Guide, is obviously slated to return to Uncle Mo next. “We're pretty well Uncle Mo'd out,” says Neal wryly. “Own a share in Mo Forza, that's now standing in California. His first crop was on the ground this spring. We'll see what happens. But a lot was riding on September. A few hundred bucks a day, it starts getting 'old' after a while! Now we've got enough that we can leave them here. But we're just into it, and have been forever. Like I said, we've got something coming through every year now. And the real breeding program's going well, no matter what. We've got a couple of the best kids in the country.” Their daughter is a nurse, and has managed to resist the lure of horses, but their son now has a few acres of his own, and is also boarding mares with the Penns. The Christopherson momentum, after all these years, remains ever forward. At the November Sale, a young mare in foal to War Front caught this observer's eye in the back ring: she was by an unjustly neglected sire, but out of a half-sister to Scat Daddy. It was going to be instructive to learn which person was smart enough to buy her. Sure enough, when the next sheet went up on the wall, there it was: sold to Bar C Racing, $160,000. And history tells us to keep an eye on that War Front foal! So by no means was this amazing coup in September necessarily the climax of a story already 48 years in the telling. Its authors remain full of passion for the next chapter. “Because here we are, 73 years old, looking at picking up stock and barrel and going to Kentucky,” says Neal with a chuckle. “Now, isn't that crazy?” The post ‘Bar C’ Coup Reverses the Oregon Trail appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Churchill Downs has announced a new partnership with the British Jockey Club and Ascot Racecourse to offer a program in which horses competing during Kentucky Derby week could receive an entry and travel incentive for races at Epsom and Royal Ascot.View the full article

Thoroughbred trainers Dale Romans, John Sadler, Shug McGaughey and racing and bloodstock manager Gavin Murphy have joined HISA's Horsemen's Advisory Group.View the full article

Longtime Thoroughbred horseman and Indiana native Tim Glyshaw has been named the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association executive director. View the full article