Wandering Eyes

After a four-race streak of playing runner-up or losing to Bob Baffert stablemates Eda (Munnings) or Adare Manor (Uncle Mo), Kirstenbosch (f, Midnight Lute–Llandudno, by Belong to Me) finally turned the tables and kicked home to secure her first win since January and take the GIII Chillingworth S. The lightly-raced GISP Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief) kept on for second while Eda had her seven-race win streak snapped when finishing third. The final time was 1:15.37. O/B-Keith Abrahams (KY); T-John Sadler. Jockey @HIBerrios took advantage of those giant strides aboard #3 KIRSTENBOSCH ($15.00) and they win the (G3) Chillingworth Stakes at @SantaAnitaPark for trainer @johnwsadler and owner Keith Abrahams. Congratulations to the connections with this winner by Midnight Lute. pic.twitter.com/IA2Kb3DmD4 — TVG (@TVG) September 29, 2023 The post Kirstenbosch Gets Her Dues in Chillingworth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing on Saturday, September 30 will feature 10 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 Randwick, Mornington, Eagle Farm, Morphettville & Belmont. Saturday Racing Tips – September 30, 2023 Randwick Racing Tips Mornington Racing Tips Eagle Farm Racing Tips Morphettville Racing Tips Belmont Racing Tips Saturday’s Best Racing Bets Of The Day – September 30, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $41.77 odds return: Saturday, September 30, 2023 Randwick Race 5 – #1 Tom Kitten Mornington Race 8 – #3 Miss Galore Eagle Farm Race 7 – #6 Beast Mode Morphettville Race 8 – #2 Does It Belmont Race 2 – #3 Ruler Rocket | 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 September 30, 2023 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Speed will once again be the key in the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) and Relief Rally would have been suited by this test had she not been declared a non-runner Sept. 29.View the full article

5th-DEL, $38K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 2:30 p.m. AMERICAN WAR HERO (Constitution) will make his first start for owner Boardshorts Racing. The dark bay colt brought $165,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Yearling Sale in July before running a furlong at 10.1 during the breeze show and then pinhooked for $625,000 at the OBS March Sale. The Graham Motion trainee is out of GISP Libby's Tail (Tiz Wonderful) who also produced a yearling colt by Improbable that went for $135,000 at the Keeneland September Sale to Michael Rullo. TJCIS PPS 5th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1m, 2:48 p.m. At Churchill on Saturday, Ken McPeek debuts Thorny (Violence), a $325,000 Keeneland September buy out of SP Boule (Exchange Rate). She was in-foal with the dark bay filly when she sold to Rhianon Farms at the Keeneland Novemeber Sale in 2020 for $160,000. Out of an extended female family which includes MGISW Tates Creek (Rahy) and her son, Australian multiple group stakes winner Spirit Ridge (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Boule counts GIII W.L. McKnight hero Tide of the Sea (English Channel) as a half-brother. Also entered is Coffeepot Stables' Starina (Candy Ride {Arg}), who will take her first crack at racing for trainer Wayne Catalano. The chestnut filly out of SW Rebridled Dreams (Unbridled's Song) is a half-sister to GI Toyota Blue Grass S. victor Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway), GII Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks heroine Farrell (Malibu Moon) and to the dams of current in-training runners SW Salute the Stars (Candy Ride {Arg}) and SW Wonderful Justice (Justify). TJCIS PPS 4th-SA, $61K, Msw, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 5:30 p.m. Santa Anita is underway and there we find homebred Bolt At Midnight (Bolt d'Oro) on debut for Ruis Racing. The dark bay colt's third dam, who is a full-sister to MGISW Seeking the Gold (Mr. Propsector), is responsible for GII Gotham S. winner Survivalist (Danzig). Just to his outside, is Bartholdy (Mendelssohn) owned by Kaleem Shah. The $300,000 OBS April grad includes among her extended female family MGSW Chocolate Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), GI Hollywood Starlet S. victoress Killer Graces (Conagree), and GI Hollywood Gold Cup S. hero There Goes Harvard (Will Take Charge). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: $625k OBS Grad Makes First Start At Delaware appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release After 364 days and stops in Kentucky, Arizona, Florida and New York, the Horse Racing Women's Summit (HRWS) returned to Santa Anita Park Sept. 29 with over 150 women from 13 states and Canada gathered for the second Horse Racing Women's Summit. “What a difference a year makes,” said HRWS Chairwoman, Stephanie Hronis. “We can't thank our community enough for their participation and investment in the Horse Racing Women's Summit movement. One of the things that we are most proud of is that over 10% of our attendees this year are here because of Pay It Forward scholarship tickets. Those are made possible by our generous sponsors and individuals who want to be sure that this event is accessible to all. We look forward to growing that percentage in the future. Generous support from 1/ST and FANDUEL TV led a total of 31 sponsors that made the extraordinary event possible.” On Friday morning, over 50 HRWS attendees gathered again for an opportunity to have roundtable discussions with the goal of identifying a 2024 'Pillar of Priority' that will guide the HRWS efforts in the next year. Collective think tanks, attendee surveys, and a brand new membership platform are all key ways the HRWS is already empowering individuals in racing to contribute to the advancement of women in the industry. The post 2023 Horse Racing Women’s Summit Concludes At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Impressive filly Gala Brand tops the Miss Grillo Stakes (G2T) while Todd Pletcher saddles a strong duo in the Pilgrim Stakes (G2T) Oct. 4 at Belmont at the Big A.View the full article

Jessica Pyfer, the 2021 Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockey, has retired from race riding to pursue a position as a racing analyst with XBTV/Santa Anita Park.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Team Dalgety’s dream double at Addington may have left them looking for a New Zealand Cup driver. Husband and wife training team Cran and Chrissie Dalgety combined to win the two pacing features on Friday night with Republican Party downing many of our best pacers in the Lamb And Hayward Canterbury Classic after Coney Island Lou won the Kennard Bloodstock Lazarus Stakes. Both used the passing lane to beat more favoured rivals who had harder runs but both wins were arrivals in the big time that showed the pair deserve to be in our biggest races, which for Republican Party means the IRT NZ Cup and for Coney Island Lou the NZ Derby. The only slightly issue for Republican Party is Blair Orange drove him on Friday night and he will be busy Cup time trying to three-peat with Copy That while the stable’s usual driver Carter (son) will likely be sticking with Krug, who was a slightly luckless fourth not getting much room down the home straight last night. “We will worry about that one a week or two out from the Cup,” says Cran about the musical sulky seats. “He has always been a good horse so there will be a few keen to drive him but the Cup will now be his aim because he has earned his shot.” The win was revenge for Republican Party over his Derby conqueror last season in Akuta, who was a brave second on Friday after sitting parked while Macandrew Aviator is also into the Cup after his big-finishing third, adding some feelgood to the great race. A little further back Bach was good, Mossdale Ben unlucky, Self Assured looked in need of the run and Aardie’s Express gave the best indication yet after leading that this year’s Cup might not be her best target. Her stablemate B D Joe was knocked out of the race in an early skirmish. Dalgety says a largely unsuccessful trip to Menangle earlier this year has proved the making of Republican Party. “I don’t think it matters where you travel them, getting them out of their comfort zone helps them mature and it definitely has for him.” His immediate plans are unsure but Dalgety hints the Kaikoura Cup could be a good target for Republican Party on his way to the Cup. Coney Island Lou held out the large charges from Who’s Delight and Charlie Brown to win the Lazarus, with hot favourite Don’t Stop Dreaming very close up in fourth after being parked in the 55.2 last 800m. It was Coney Island Lou’s second major win on end and third lifetime but Dalgety says he hasn’t been the easiest equine project. “He used to be a crazy thing,” he laughs. “When we started with him he was a ball of nervous energy and hard to control but he is very good now. “He has got to the stage with his last two wins he deserves his shot at the Derby so that is where we will aim him.” There was plenty to like about the second and third horses while both feature paces showed trainer Mark Purdon was right this week when he warned punters his returning superstars would be vulnerable. Earlier in the night Muscle Mountain reminded us all who the best trotter in the South, and maybe the most talented in the whole of Australasia, is when he overcame his 20m handicap with ease in the Paul Renwick Trot. He was patiently driven by Ben Hope and went from sixth to leading inside 200m on the home bend and bolted clear jogging 57.2 for his last 800m. View the full article

Trainer Linda Rice has been suspended 14 days and fined $2,000 by the New York State Gaming Commission after a filly under her care returned a positive test for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug phenylbutazone following a 9 1/2-length win as the 4-5 favorite at Aqueduct Racetrack more than eight months ago. Rice has appealed the Sept. 28 ruling, so she has been granted a stay of those penalties pending a final resolution. The NYSGC also made it public on Friday that Rice will be appearing before the commission for a separate matter when the board conducts its monthly meeting this coming Tuesday. Rice's name appears on the just-released agenda for the Oct. 3 meeting for an adjudication of her “improper practices” case that has persisted at the commission level and in the New York courts for more than two years. In 2021, the NYSGC fined Rice $50,000 and revoked her license for three years after investigating claims that Rice received favorable treatment from the New York Racing Association and that the racing office was releasing to her the names and past performances of horses that had already been entered in races, giving her an unfair advantage. It was further alleged that Rice had paid racing officials in exchange for the information, a charge she denied. She did, however, admit to routinely giving members of the racing department, as well as the gate crew, Christmas presents. On June 8, 2023, the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division ruled that the three-year banishment imposed by the NYSGC was “entirely unwarranted.” But that same court also upheld the commission's determination that the “improper practices” rule had been violated, and ordered the matter back to the NYSGC to reassess the penalty “with the constraint that any reassessed penalty cannot contain a license revocation.” Rice's Jan. 21, 2023, bute penalty was triggered by Afleet Arlene (Afleet Alex), who is owned by Winning Move Stable and has been unraced since that victory. A disqualification from the win and a purse redistribution from the $16,000 claimer ($15,400 winning purse) was mandated by the under-appeal ruling. The ruling stated that the bute finding was “in excess of the quantitative threshold” of 0.3 mcg/ml in plasma. The relatively long time that the NYSGC's drug-test findings linger behind the scenes prior to a ruling being issued has been an issue of concern in 2023, with some cases still resurfacing even after the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act Authority took over as the sport's nationwide testing entity back on May 22. Back on May 11, trainer Todd Pletcher was fined $1,000 and suspended 10 days after tests revealed that his trainee Forte (Violence) tested positive for meloxicam following a win in the GI Hopeful S. on Sept. 5, 2022, at Saratoga Race Course. The length of the delay made headlines because in the interim between the Hopeful S. and the ruling, Forte won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, was voted the Eclipse Award champion of his division, had won two other graded stakes, and was the favorite for the GI Kentucky Derby before being scratched the morning of the race with a right front foot bruise. Another Pletcher trainee, Capensis (Tapit), triggered a bute finding in a Saratoga post-race test on July 30, 2022, but that ruling (14-day suspension, $2,000 fine) was not made public until 10 ½ months later, on June 11, 2023. Pletcher is currently appealing both cases. In the ensuing debate over why New York's positives take so long to come to light, regulators have blamed trainers for “repeated procedural delays” in getting split samples tested, while horsemen have accused the commission of needlessly dragging out the process and not being responsive or timely in responding to scheduling requests. At the May 22, 2023, NYSGC meeting, it was disclosed that three outstanding, pre-HISA Thoroughbred drug positives remained unadjudicated by the commission and were still lingering at various stages in the regulatory process. When commissioner John Crotty asked what the timeline was for resolving those cases, NYSGC chairman Brian O'Dwyer told him that in light of the scrutiny related to the Forte delay, he suspected that the commission “will be very, very diligent in terms of making sure that those things are adjudicated much more promptly.” It turns out that Rice's bute finding was one of those then-undisclosed cases. It took more than eight months from the date of the alleged violation until a ruling was issued. The post Rice Hit With Bute Fine, Suspension; Lodges Appeal Just Before NYSGC To Rule On ‘Improper Practices’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Goffs chief Henry Beeby acknowledged the selective nature of the trade at the re-branded Part 2 Goffs Orby Sale where a €140,000 Night Of Thunder (Ire) filly led the way on Friday when selling from Derrinstown Stud to Macie and Kishore Mirpuri. That sale continued the theme of well-bred fillies commanding plenty of respect in the ring during Book 1 and Book 2 of this year's Orby Sale. The Night Of Thunder filly was purchased by the Polish agent Kishore Mirpuri on behalf of Macie Jodlowksi, the leading trainer in that jurisdiction. However, neither had time to chat, as they quickly nipped off to Dublin Airport to catch a flight home as soon as they signed the dotted line. There was no shortage of buyers at the upper end of the market but the middle to lower tiers remained patchy across both days of the Book 2 Sale. The statistics backed up such a statement. All told, the sale returned an aggregate of €8,097,500, representing a 22% fall from the Sportsman's Sale last year while the median fell 14% to €18,000 and the average dipped 7% to €23,136. Of the 464 horses offered, 350 were sold, representing a clearance rate of 75% [down from 86% in 2022]. Beeby commented, “Following an excellent Orby Book 1 headed by two millionaire lots it was always going to be a challenge to maintain such a vibrant trade in our rebranded Orby Book 2. “Orby Book 2 is the successor to the Sportsman's Sale which has enjoyed many strong years, not least 12 months ago when it was headed by a superb €300,000 top price, grew by 49% with a 21% leap in average and the median advancing by nigh on a third over the 2021 edition. So to come anywhere near to those statistics is relatively pleasing and, in fact, today's figures represent the second best since the sale expanded to two days due to popular demand in 2019.” He added, “All that said we would be bordering on deluded not to acknowledge the selective nature of the trade. Whereas those yearlings deemed to hold the most appeal were as hard as ever to buy, as demonstrated by more six-figure transactions and more over €75,000, there were plenty that struggled as evidenced by a less than pleasing clearance rate of 75%. It will be interesting to review the last two days at the end of the autumn sales season when more context will be available but I confess that we would have preferred a deeper buying bench from the UK and across Europe as was the case in 2022. “So we will review the results of the sale with the benefit of time and reflection, and work with ITM to explore how to make the sale more attractive to overseas buyers who are so vital to the marketplace. We will also take soundings from breeders and vendors as to the format of the sale as a more select one day version may be preferable especially when we have the two/three day Autumn Sale in four weeks' time as a very viable alternative for those more commercial types. “As ever I extend our thanks to every purchaser and each vendor for their support throughout the week. Both Books of the Irish National Yearling Sales exist to serve the Irish breeder and over €60 million of yearlings have been traded in Kildare Paddocks which is a fitting testament to the appeal of the world class Irish bloodlines that are nurtured with such skill and devotion in the spiritual home of the thoroughbred.” King Of The Jungle Goes Back To The Well Maurice Burns might want to send Con Marnane a Christmas card this year for all that he has done to promote Bungle Inthejungle (Ire). Or maybe it should work the other way around given the amount of luck that Marnane has enjoyed with the Rathasker Stud-based stallion? The highlight came earlier this summer when Marnane sold Givemethebeatboys (Ire) to Bronsan Racing for £1.1 million at the Goffs London Sale. Marnane once again reinvested in a family he knows well when landing a sister to Funny Money Honey (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle) from Newlands House Stud for €95,000. Marnane said, “It's more than likely we'll race her, that'll be the plan. She's a long-term broodmare prospect, and hopefully she's able to gallop. “I'd say Pat Burns of Newlands House Stud is pound for pound the best breeder in Ireland. He only produces seven or eight horses each year and comes up with stakes horses time after time.” Talking Points There's an old saying that, if you give a busy man a job, he will get it done. That certainly applied to Goffs Senior Bloodstock Executive Conor Wixted, who enjoyed a profitable day with an Equiano pinhook. Purchased alongside Goffs Bloodstock Executive Joan Tyner for just €6,500 here at the November Foal Sale, the Equiano colt rocked into €26,000 on Friday to BBA Ireland on behalf of Javier Maldonado. A brother to six winners, including the James's Delight (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), who was placed in the Sportsman's Challenge, the Equiano colt was clearly well bought by the Goffs young guns. Hats off. Amy Lynam was another busy woman at Goffs this week. As well as signing for fillies by Kodiac (GB) and Dark Angel (Ire) to the tune of €125,000 in Book 1, she played a leading role at Book 2 when snapping up a James Garfield (Ire) filly on behalf of “a long-standing owner” of her father Eddie Lynam's who “wants a good horse.” Who doesn't?! Cristiana Brivio of Razza Latina has enjoyed a profitable stint in Ireland in recent weeks. After signing for 14 yearlings for just shy of €400,000 at Tattersalls Ireland last week, the Italian buyer picked up on where she left off at Goffs with a further six purchases for €233,000. It was interesting to see bloodstock agent Kevin Ross and Gavin Cromwell team up this week. Ross bought three horses on behalf of the multiple Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot-winning trainer at Book 2 for just under €70,000. It has also been noticeable over the past two weeks that Johnny Murtagh is a huge supporter of the domestic yearling sales. Along with his right hand man and leading breeze-up consigner Eddie Linehan, Murtagh has signed for numerous yearlings at Tattersalls Ireland and this week at Goffs. His Book 2 haul at Goffs was headed by a Havana Grey (GB) filly on behalf of Nick Bradley Racing, for whom Murtagh has enjoyed good success with, courtesy of talented handicapper Wave Machine (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}). “We've had a bit of luck with Nick Bradley Racing this year,” Murtagh said. “This is the one he picked out and when we went down to see her all the lads loved her. She was the one we wanted today, she just cost a bit more than we expected! When the good ones come in, they're all making their money. I haven't trained one by Havana Grey before but he's doing well. You could see how many people were on her today.” Buy of the day Kevin Ross was rewarded for staying to the bitter end when landing a nice Invincible Army (Ire) colt from Rossenarra Stud [lot 1050] for just €28,000. It's hard to see a situation where that does not turn out to be decent value. A lovely-walking colt, he boasted plenty of size and substance and a good attitude to boot. He was followed into the ring by plenty of decent judges and looked like a racehorse. Thought for the day Reading between the lines of Henry Beeby's statement following Part 2 of the Orby Sale, a smaller and more select catalogue could be in store next year. That would make sense given how things played out this week. In the defence of Goffs, it must be remembered that any agents who hoped to get some viewing done on day two of Orby Book 1 were stopped in their tracks due to the pretty vicious storm. Without having got around to all of the barns, they couldn't exactly leave lengthy lists for horses to be bought in Book 2. But all things considered, Goffs will no doubt be disappointed by the lack of a buying bench for those middle to lower tier horses. It will be interesting how trade is for horses in that bracket for the rest of the yearling sale season but perhaps a more streamlined version of Orby Book 2 would work best in future. The post Goffs Orby Book 2 Recap: Daughter Of Night Of Thunder Leads Way At 140k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing was canceled Sept. 29-30 at Aqueduct Racetrack and Meadowlands due to significant rainfall forecast to create hazardous weather. NYRA further announced that it had moved Saturday's 11-race card at Aqueduct Racetrack to Oct. 1.View the full article

With the form of several rivals questionable, it appears to be a straight duel between top stayers Trueshan and Emily Dickinson in the Sept. 30 Prix du Cadran (G1).View the full article

The Supplemental Catalog for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2023 October Yearling Sale is now available via the OBS website and in printed form at the OBS sales grounds. Thirty-seven horses have been supplemented; in all 713 horses will be sold. There are two sessions, set for Tuesday, Oct. 10 and Wednesday, Oct. 11. Hip No.'s 1-338 plus supplements 339-359 will be offered Tuesday and Hip No's 401-739 plus supplements 740-755 will be sold Wednesday. Both sessions will begin at 10:00 a.m. The supplemental catalog adds substantial sire power to the sale. Flatter, Liam's Map and Munnings are represented, as are Nyquist, Oscar Performance, Quality Road, Spun to Run, Thousand Words and Win Win Win. This group joins the large roster of sires in the original catalog, headed by Audible, Bernardini, Bolt d'Oro, Bucchero and Candy Ride (ARG). The list also includes Catalina Cruiser, City of Light, Complexity, Curlin's Honor, Game Winner, Girvin, Global Campaign, Good Magic, Gunnevera, Hard Spun, Honest Mischief, Improbable, Instagrand, Instilled Regard, Kantharos, Khozan, Maximum Security, McKinzie, Mendelssohn, Not This Time, Omaha Beach, Practical Joke, Tiz the Law, Union Rags, Vekoma, Vino Rosso, Volatile and War of Will. The post OBS October Yearling Supplemental Catalog Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Insights features a Ballydole Book 1 star and son of Frankel (GB). 13.55 Killarney, Mdn, €15,000, 2yo, 8f 30yT THE EUPHRATES (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is one of two Ballydoyle representatives and the newcomer of the pair, with Seamie Heffernan on the 800,000gns Book 1 graduate who is a relative of Spectrum's high-class brothers Golan (Ire) and Tartan Bearer (Ire). He is joined by the Curragh sixth Chantilly (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a half-brother to the group 2 winners Royal Dornoch (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Hawksmoor (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) who is ably assisted by the five-pound claimer Killian Hennessy. The post Frankel Book 1 Star Debuts at Killarney appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just over 100 years ago, the Jockey Club's resident New York handicapper, William Vosburgh, knew the value of history and understood how it could be applied when he penned his magnum opus, Racing In America, 1866-1921. The turf wordsmith revealed his intent in the Preface when he said, “I shall show that, owing to want of popular support, racing had fallen so low, and so infrequent, as to excite little or no interest.” What he was talking about was a sport in crisis, as progressive forces in America drove racing to the edge of extinction. With renewed governmental support from states and a bit of luck from private sources in the 1920s, everything began to turn around. Investment coupled with excitement, revived American competition. It's a cycle of precipices Thoroughbred racing has continued to weather to this day. In the current era, one of the sport's greatest innovations, the Breeders' Cup World Championships, is set for its 40th edition in November. As we celebrate the final month of the Challenge Series, here's a preview of all the weekend graded activity which will leave the station at Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, and Aqueduct. Next Stop, Churchill Chugging into Louisville, the Saturday action lands under the Twin Spires for the GIII Ack Ack S. going a mile around one turn. With a trip to the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile up for grabs, GII Louisiana Derby runner-up and 'TDN Rising Star' Zozos (Munnings) will serve as the 6-5 morning-line favorite. The Brad Cox trainee was last seen running fourth in the GIII Philip Iselin S. Aug. 19 at Monmouth Park. Zozos | Horsephotos The 4-year-old colt will face a number of challengers which includes MGSP O Besos (Orb), the last out winner of the GII John Nerud S. at Belmont Park Three Technique (Mr Speaker) and come from behind hero Aug. 13 of the R.A. Cowboy Jones S. at Ellis Park in 'TDN Rising Star' Stage Raider (Pioneerof the Nile). Also scheduled is the nine-furlong GII Lukas Classic which pits GISP Rattle N Roll (Connect) against GI Cigar Mile champ Americanrevolution (Constitution). Shortleaf homebred Whelan Springs (Street Sense), who incidentally won the Iselin S., will look to upset both for trainer Lindsay Schultz. Santa Anita, The Place To Be The whistle stop tour of graded events doesn't stop there because Santa Anita Park begins its Autumn Meet with a number of key Saturday and Sunday races. The GI Awesome Again S., which the TDN previewed and highlighted in a special edition of Friday's paper, will lead a packed weekend at 'The Great RIP', as nine will face one another for the chance to line up in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Three Grade II races compliment the Saturday card and it is going to be quite a duel in the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. between former winner Dr. Schivel (Violence) and GI Woody Stephens S. hero and 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Lion (Justify). Heading to the Downhill Turf Course, a competitive group of grass specialists will cross paths with one other led by MGSW Bran (Fr) (Muhaarar {GB}) from John Sadler's stable. The dark bay gelding will line up along the inside next to MGSP Sumter (War Front), who goes with the blinkers for Richard Mandella. Staying on the grass, the GII City of Hope Mile S. wraps up the evening with a route as local favorite MGSW Hong Kong Harry (Ire) (Es Que Love {Ire}) returns to a course where he has captured three wins in five attempts. Arabian Lion | Sarah Andrew The Sunday Santa Anita slate has its share of graded action as the GII Zenyatta S. marks the return of Michael Lund Petersen's Adare Manor (Uncle Mo), who comes in riding a four-race win streak. Also featured will be the GIII Tokyo City Cup S. and the GII John Henry Turf Championship S. Sunday's BAQ Forecast, Brighter Days Ahead Speaking of the Jockey Club's New York historian and handicapper, William Vosburgh received a nod from the New York Racing Association when they named a race after him. Now moved to Sunday because of a deluge, the GII Vosburgh S. continues to be a mainstay on the NYRA stakes schedule and, with the Belmont Park construction, returned to Aqueduct last year for the first time since 1986. The seven-furlong event offers paid entry into the GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint. Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile champ Cody's Wish (Curlin) certainly impressed when the 5-year-old took home both the GI Churchill Downs S. and Belmont Park's GI Met Mile earlier this summer. Even though the stretch out in the GI Whitney H. at Saratoga did not yield a win, his ability is unmatched even over a wet surface against five others here. “One turn and seven [furlongs] to a mile is good for him,” said Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. “We wanted to see if he could win the Whitney–it's a very important race and if he could win the Met Mile and the Whitney, those are two very big races.” The Sunday BAQ card also sports three other graded races. Heavy morning-line favorite Caramel Swirl (Union Rags), who was a runner-up in last year's GI Ballerina at Saratoga, finished fourth this time around to MGISW Echo Zulu (Gun Runner). The 5-year-old mare will look to get back on track in the GII Gallant Bloom S. when she faces five others. A soggy turf course at Aqueduct will not deter runners for the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. Going the distance will be MGISW War Like Goddess (English Channel), who faces the boys once again after she missed by just a neck against older females in the GII Glens Falls S. Aug. 3 at Saratoga. Also headed to the post will be GI Breeders' Cup Turf victor Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who last lost his rider in the GII Bowling Green S. July 30 at Saratoga. The dark bay gelding will not only have to contend with War Like Goddess but also MGISP Soldier Rising (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and MGISP Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Algiers | Dubai Racing Club Finally, a can't miss on this Sunday card is the GII Woodward S. 'TDN Rising Star' Charge It (Tapit), winner of the GII Suburban S. July 8 at Belmont, and GISW Zandon (Upstart), who will head to stud duty at Spendthrift Farm next year, will take on G1 Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal). The Simon Crisford trainee is making his first U.S. start after taking the summer off. “It is a fact-finding mission,” said Ed Crisford, who shares a license with his father. “We want to see if he can handle the American dirt because it is different than Meydan. I do think the New York tracks are more similar to Meydan than some of the other tracks. We want to see what he can do against top American dirt horses. If he goes well, wins or runs very well, we can justify going to the Breeders' Cup. If not, we'll probably just take him back to Dubai. It all depends on what happens on the weekend.” The post Tickets Please! Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, Other Graded Action Whistles Into Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A planned resumption of racing at Turf Paradise in Phoenix in January is tied to a potential purchase, horsemen and track representatives told members of the Arizona Racing Commission Sept. 28.View the full article

Celebrating 40 Years of the Breeders' Cup with Living Legends Each race–particularly a Breeders' Cup win–is special to the connections of the winner, but some races stand out more than others in all who are lucky enough to witness them. Some get embedded in the mind and take up permanent residence there. Just about everyone in racing can recall in vivid detail Arazi's scintillating 1991 Juvenile or Personal Ensign's electrifying 1988 Distaff or Tiznow's gripping 2001 Classic. Each of those are among the transcendent performances in our sport that stir the soul, both for those who witnessed them in person or live on television and even in newer racing devotees who discover them for the first time. Without a doubt, the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff ranks among the best races in Breeders' Cup history. Two already-beloved Breeders' Cup winners and future Hall of Famers locked horns in what would prove a race for the ages, only to finish millimeters apart at the wire. To jog the memory, that year's Distaff was the last Breeders' Cup race on Friday's card at Santa Anita and the final race of Beholder's stellar career. The Spendthrift colorbearer was already a three-time Eclipse champion, a 10-time Grade I winner, and a dual Breeders' Cup winner. However, after three straight runner-up finishes and certainly in the twilight of her career at the age of six, there were whispers that perhaps the great mare's best days were behind her. Beholder at Spendthrift | Sarah Andrew “I was really nervous about it going in because I wasn't quite sure she was the same Beholder as a 6-year-old as she had been her 5-year-old year,” said Ned Toffey, general manager at Spendthrift. “I remember the next day wondering why my hands were sore and it was because I was pounding on the box, pounding on the wall as they were coming down the stretch, cheering her home.” For her part, the Fox Hill-owned Songbird was no slouch either as an undefeated 3-year-old filly. Her previous 11 starts–and wins–included seven Grade I victories and the last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, as well as an Eclipse championship of her own. The question facing her was how she would handle older mares for the first time, especially one as tough as Beholder. “With her first Breeders' Cup, I don't think we've ever had a horse we were as confident in,” said Victoria Keith, Fox Hill Farm's vice president at the time. “You get really, really spoiled by a horse of her caliber. With [Fox Hill's] Havre de Grace and Hard Spun, you knew they were going to give a good effort, but with Songbird, you got the idea she was invincible. “This race was the toughest competition. When you're going to be meeting up with Beholder…” Keith trailed off. “l always feel when two great horses meet each other, the [older horse] is going to have the physical advantage even with a weight allowance. The fact that Songbird ran so well was something to be so proud of.” It was exactly the type of showdown we all crave and that so rarely comes to fruition. Both were clearly at their best that day. Of course, there were a number of other top fillies and mares in that year's Distaff, but they were all running for third. In a stretch run reminiscent of Sunday Silence and Easy Goer in the 1989 Preakness or Affirmed and Alydar in the 1978 Belmont, Songbird and Beholder exited that final bend together and threw it all down. Nose to nose for stride after pulsating stride, neither deserved to lose. “We had a bad angle on the wire and it looked to me like Songbird had gotten her nose down on the wire,” said Toffey. “It was a great race. Two champions, two gutsy, courageous mares. Those are the kind we're' all looking for.” Songbird at Gainesway | Sarah Andrew Keith had the same thoughts. “We all stood there and thought Songbird had won. From our angle it certainly looked like she'd nosed out Beholder. We were so proud to be part of that race, one that is considered to be one of the best Breeders' Cup races ever.” In the end, the photo showed Beholder's nostrils just a hair breadth in front at the wire, but the bob could just as easily have gone to Songbird. Both had given their best, neither had disappointed, and the two have been inextricably linked since. “We were waiting for [the photo] and when it came down, I remember the look on [Fox Hill owner] Rick [Porter]'s face,” said Keith. “At first, we were so disappointed, so sure it was us, and then so proud that the disappointment didn't last long.” The Spendthrift team had the opposite experience, initially believing they'd lost the photo and then realizing they'd won the epic battle. “Our group was ecstatic. Just jubilation,” said Toffey. “We all knew going in that it was going to be Beholder's last start. At six, it was time to be retired and be bred. It was funny because there wasn't a sense of pressure because she'd had such a remarkable career already, having won a Grade I at two, three, four, five, and six. It was, in some ways, an unprecedented career. “Songbird was a worthy adversary and she certainly didn't disappoint. It was a really, really fitting way for Beholder to wrap up one of the greatest careers we've seen, a great and fitting way to cap her career.” Both Beholder and Songbird earned year-end championships in their respective divisions. Beholder became only the second horse in history to win three Breeders' Cup races. Despite officially losing what would become a match race, Songbird inspired enduring respect and a legion of hashtags on social media claiming #SongbirdWon. Both owners of the two champions have since passed away: Fox Hill's Rick Porter in June, 2021 and Spendthrift's B. Wayne Hughes two months later. Beholder with Spendthrift's Kendall Wucker | Sarah Andrew “Probably one of my favorite memories is that Rick and Mr. Hughes became friends,” reminisced Keith. “One time [Hughes] invited us to his house to show us his guest bathroom downstairs with custom wallpaper of Songbird and Beholder. Obviously for him to do something like that showed how equally proud he was. Those two gentlemen were two of the finer men in racing. Both were so proud to be part of that race and those two fillies. That's what is so special about it to me.” Both mares have continued to make headlines. Beholder was retired after the Distaff to Spendthrift Farm. “It was huge for us to bring her home,” said Toffey. “There are obviously plenty of nice mares on the farm, plenty of nice horses, but when you have a horse like that get off the van, there's a little added sense of pressure to the task of getting her let down safely and settled into farm life, plus to go on and get her bred, all those things. “[Trainer Richard] Mandella did such a great job taking care of her at the track. It was very gratifying for her to come home and to hope she was going to come in and have a good, long career. A horse like that sort of picks everybody's head up on the farm. There's a sense of pride, something really special about it, how it lifts everyone's morale.” Songbird with her Curlin filly | Sarah Andrew Each foal has been eagerly anticipated, with the farm willingly sharing updates with the public. Beholder's first two foals did not live up to her lofty standards at the track, but her next three have each made headlines in 2023. There is a sense that she is just getting started as a producer despite a slower start. Her first foal, Q B One (Uncle Mo), did not win at the racetrack. He is now a 5-year-old and has been gelded. “He is a young lady's show horse,” said Toffey. “He has a great, great home, goes to horse shows regularly. He was not an easy horse. If he had almost any other pedigree, he would have been gelded sooner as he was a little bit of a rogue. He had a hard time concentrating on doing his job, so it was hard to get an assessment of his talent level, but he didn't show a lot of focus.” Karin With an I (Curlin), Beholder's 4-year-old, was unplaced in two starts. “She is back here at Spendthrift,” said Toffey. “She's a beautiful filly, very strong, marked sort of similarly to Beholder. For whatever reason, she didn't demonstrate a lot of talent. She is in foal to [Spendthrift's Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic winner] Authentic. “The mating was always interesting. We were waiting to do it for a generation or so because there's some thought of inbreeding to superior females. The foal will be 3×3 to Leslie's Lady. We're excited about the potential there.” Leslie's Lady, of course, was the Broodmare of the Year who produced both Beholder and Into Mischief, Spendthrift's record-breaking four-time leading sire. Beholder's current 3-year-old filly, Teena Ella (War Front), became her first winner in February and then went one better by capturing the GIII Senorita S. in May. Toffey said she is the least impressive physically of Beholder's foals to date, as she is “somewhat short and compact, but definitely had a little bit of zip to her.” He said she was just starting to come into her own, but had some niggling issues and will be retired and bred this coming year. Beholder | Sarah Andrew A graded winner is a wonderful accomplishment for any broodmare, but Beholder is not just any mare. In hindsight, she was just warming up with Teena Ella. Her 2-year-old filly has since become the undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' and facile GI Del Mar Debutante S. winner Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), who has given flashbacks of her brilliant dam. Tamara is targeting the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, which Beholder won 11 years ago. And then, of course, there's Beholder's yearling colt by Curlin, who topped August's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale when realizing $4 million from agent Donato Lanni on behalf of Zedan Racing. Beholder was barren to the cover of Gun Runner this year. She is in foal to Jackie's Warrior for 2024. “There was a time when Mr. Hughes thought about selling Beholder,” said Toffey. “It was early in her career, but she developed a fever which kept us from shipping her to Fasig-Tipton. That may have been some of the best luck we've ever had. Mr. Hughes had a saying, 'This is the damnedest business, because at the time when you have luck, you don't even know for a couple of years whether it's good luck or bad luck.' How fortunate that led us to keep her. After her win [over males in the 2015 GI] Pacific Classic, there was no selling her. Some of the best luck. “There is something really special about Beholder,” continued Toffey. “She's only a little bit bigger than average. She's a good, strong filly, not huge, but now on the farm she's grown and developed and is that much bigger. She has a tremendous presence about her that you would get a sense of even if you didn't know who she was. She sort of knows that she's special. There's a presence and a substance to her that really strands out.” Songbird | Sarah Andrew Songbird had a slightly different journey than her biggest rival after the 2016 Distaff. She briefly raced the next summer, adding two more Grade I wins to her extensive CV, then topped Fasig-Tipton's November Sale as a $9.5-million broodmare prospect when Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm LLC won the bidding war. “While it was hard [to say goodbye to Songbird], Rick was never really into breeding,” said Keith. “He had tried his hand at it a little bit earlier and thought about buying a farm in Lexington, but it didn't pan out and he didn't really want to board them elsewhere. Rick loved the horses but was also very disciplined. For him that meant there was a certain amount of money he'd spend at auction and from that crop there would be a very small percentage that would pay for the rest, not on the track, but in selling. That enabled him to keep in the black by having that discipline. “He had to be able to sell the valuable breeding prospects. The good thing is that he was at the level in racing that you know the person who is going to buy the horse is going to be a good owner, and give certainly as good a home as we'd ever give the horse. It was exciting for him to see his horses do well in every area. The businessman in him was very disciplined in that.” Like Beholder, Songbird did not immediately find success with her first foals, but each foal brings renewed promise and hope. Also like Beholder, she too sent her first yearling to the sales this year. Songbird's Curlin colt was a $1-million Book 1 purchase by Grandview Equine at the Keeneland September Sale. Songbird's initial foal, the unraced Arrogate filly Song Gate, produced her first foal, a filly by Tapit, this year. Songbird's 3-year-old filly, Magical Song (Tapit), last raced at Saratoga Aug. 18 for trainer Todd Pletcher but has not yet found the winner's circle. She also has an unraced 2-year-old filly by Tapit, as well as that seven-figure Keeneland yearling. Songbird produced another Curlin foal, a filly this time, May 1 and has been bred back to Gun Runner. “I've watched her from afar,” said Keith. “She was such a sweetheart, it's sort of unbelievable to me how sweet she was [and yet such a competitor]. The most you can hope for in racing is that you've been blessed enough to own a horse like that. “Rick was very blessed and I got to ride along on the coattails. I got to live vicariously. It was so fun, a very special journey. I wish everyone in horse racing could experience it.” The post Beholder and Songbird, Inextricably Linked After the 2016 Distaff appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Riding a four-race winning streak, Adare Manor is the 2-5 morning line favorite against only three rivals.View the full article

WSS Racing's undefeated Brightwork (Outwork) completed her major preparations for next Friday's GI Darley Alcibiades by working a half-mile in :48.60 over a fast track Friday morning. With Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard, Brightwork produced fractions of :24.60, :48.60 and galloped out 5 furlongs in 1:01.40. Last Friday here, Brightwork produced a best-of-20 half-mile in :47. “That was very perfect, and I am grateful that Ricardo made the drive over from Louisville both times to work her,” trainer John Ortiz said. “Last week was a good drill for speed, and this morning was to maintain that speed.” Ortiz is pointing another runner to next Friday's stakes in 4 G Racing's Crown Imperial (Classic Empire). Winner of the Pepsi Untapable S. at Kentucky Downs, Crown Imperial is considered probable for the GII Jessamine S. Crown Imperial worked a half-mile in :49.20 at Churchill Downs Friday morning. The post Unbeaten Brightwork Preps For Keeneland’s Opening Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Season XI of the All-Weather Championships is set to kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 17, and culminates back at the same venue with the £1,000,000 All-Weather Championships Finals Day on Mar. 29, 2024, with the £395,000 All-Weather Championships Vase set for the same day at Lingfield Park. This year there are some notable changes to the structure of the All-Weather Championships, including removing the 'Fast Track Qualifier' status from races which previously earned horses a guaranteed entry to the Final in each category. The rule requiring three runs on an all-weather racing surface in Britain [at either Chelmsford City, Kempton Park, Lingfield Park, Newcastle, Southwell or Wolverhampton], Ireland or France to qualify for the Newcastle and Lingfield Park fixtures remains, and one of the three runs can take place in either Dubai or Saudi Arabia. Prize-money values will remain unchanged with each Final continuing to offer £150,000, with the Middle-Distance Final set at £200,000. New for Season XI will be two All-Weather Championships Trials Day fixtures, hosting a series of £45,000 Open Handicaps at Newcastle on Jan. 1 and Lingfield Park on Mar. 1. The winner of each race will be eligible for free entry to the corresponding Finals Day race at Newcastle and a £30,000 bonus should they go on to also win the finals. Any horse that wins at both All-Weather Trials Days in the same category and goes on to also win at Newcastle will be eligible for a total bonus of £75,000. ARC also announced the return of the £1,000,000 All-Weather Bonus Scheme earlier this year, which will once again offer monthly, and end of season, rewards to the most consistent performers across the groups four all-weather racecourses. The scheme runs in conjunction with the All-Weather Championships, starting on the same date, October 17. “The All-Weather Championships is a popular competition throughout the winter months,” Managing Director of ARC's Racing Division, Mark Spincer, said. “We have, however, looked at the structure of the programme, in conjunction with the BHA, that ultimately leads horses to either Newcastle or Lingfield Park on Good Friday and made a few adjustments.” For more information, please visit the All-Weather Championships website. The post All-Weather Championships Set to Kick Off on Oct. 17 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Encores will be foremost on the menu Oct. 1 in the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

A bullish Simon and Ed Crisford believe top-class prospect Vandeek will be difficult to beat as he searches for a fourth consecutive victory in the Middle Park Stakes (G1) Sept. 30.View the full article

Grade 1 racing returns to Japan with the Oct. 1 Sprinters Stakes (G1)—an opportunity for some of the nation's younger sprinters to take a step forward in a wide-open field in terms of previous accomplishment.View the full article

Carla's Way could be on her way from East Anglia to the West Coast of California after registering her biggest win in the Rockfel Stakes (G2) on day two of the Cambridgeshire meeting Sept. 29.View the full article

Naas Racecourse will host the first-ever Octoberfest Weekend Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14-15, which will mark the conclusion of the flat racing season at the Co. Kildare facility. In addition to transforming into a Bavarian party, including food, steins, music and Octoberfest-themed games, the racing features over the two days are the Listed RFL Steels S., Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery H., The Colm White Bookmaker November H., and the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final. “We are really looking forward to hosting our first two-day flat festival at Naas [next month],” Niamh Byrne, Marketing Manager at Naas Racecourse said For more information, visit the Naas Racecourse website. The post Octoberfest Celebrations Set for Naas Racecourse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article