Wandering Eyes

Timaru galloper He’s Tunza Grunt (NZ) (Pure Champion) capped off a coming-of-age winter campaign with a commanding performance to win the Heatstore Open Handicap (1800m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday. Starting his preparation in May, He’s Tunza Grunt was a 68-rated horse, but took a big leap in the ratings when causing a minor upset in the Waimate Cup (1600m) second-up. He took the step up in his stride from there, placing in open company in the Amberley Cup (1600m) and Oamaru Cup (1600m), but struck unsuitable track conditions when finishing back in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m). That performance saw him fly well under the radar on the third day of the Grand National Festival of Racing, closing a $25 hope in a field headed by Winter Cup runner-up Who Knows ($2.20) and fellow Central Districts visitor Bozo ($5.60). In his customary fashion, He’s Tunza Grunt settled back near the tail of the field in the hands of Brandon May, while Taimate Diva drove through to take up the pacemaking role. In the torrid track conditions, the field spread wide across the home straight and May opted to stick right to the outside, where his gelding kept up a strong gallop to get the upper hand on Cork, who was game in second ahead of Bozo. May was delighted with the son of Pure Champion, who he rode for trainer Stephanie Faulkner. “I did come into the race fairly confident, he loves a loose track and not too sticky, whereas last week in the Winter Cup, it was just on the sticky side for him,” he said. “The outside is obviously just the better place, and not being too handy on this track today. He did get a bit keen through the middle stages, so I tried to save every inch. “A big thanks to Steph Faulkner and the owners, they’ve really been supportive of me and I’m really happy for the team – and this horse. “He’s come on and come on, it’s quite amazing to see his career go this way and to be partnered with him.” Faulkner echoed those sentiments, and indicated He’s Tunza Grunt will now head for a deserved break. “It was a beautiful ride by Brandon, I said to do what you did on the last one and he did that, so we got the result,” she said. “I don’t get too confident because I hate things to go wrong, but it was great. “I was going to chuck him out now and get him ready for Christmas, I haven’t had a look what’s on, but he needs a break now.” Raced by Diana Goodeve and the estate of the late Bob Goodeve, He’s Tunza Grunt has won six races from 45 starts and just shy of $140,000 in stakes earnings, much of that coming in the last 12 months. The eight-year-old is out of an unraced Encosta De Lago mare Sacred Jewel, who is a half-sister to multiple Australian Group One winner Sacred Habit. View the full article

Del Mar leading rider Juan Hernandez rode Heredia for the first time and won the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T) for his sixth victory on the Aug. 9 card at Del Mar.View the full article

Saratoga's 12th and final race on the Aug. 9 card, an allowance for New York-breds originally carded for 1 1/8 miles on the turf, was accidentally contested at 1 1/16 miles. The race was declared official, with the error first pointed out by DRF's Dave Grening. The official Equibase chart made note of the error, stating: “Please note that the race was originally scheduled to be run at a mile and one-eighth on the Mellon Turf course. However, the gate was positioned for a mile and one-sixteenth start on the Mellon Turf course and therefore the split times and final time have been omitted pending video review and the points of call have been corrected to reflect a mile and one-sixteenth race.” New York Racing Association (NYRA) officials will review the situation, with no official comments made by press time. R.T. Racing Stables and Hablan Los Caballos, LLC's Fidelightcayut (Leofric) won the race. A similar issue occurred at Saratoga in 2018, when the fifth race on the Aug. 8 card that year was run at 1 1/8 miles instead of 1 1/16 miles. Read more about it here. The post Saratoga Runs Saturday’s Last Race at Wrong Distance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 12th and final race Aug. 9 at Saratoga Race Course, carded at 1 1/8 miles on the outer turf, was instead conducted at a shorter distance of 1 1/16 miles. The race was declared official before race officials noticed the error.View the full article

NEW KENT, VA-It wasn't as much of an upset as it felt like but Charlene's Dream (Qurbaan) proved a determined winner on the front end Saturday to take the GII Beverly D. Stakes at Colonial Downs. In a race billed as largely between GI Gamely Stakes winner Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Beach Bomb (Saf) (Lancaster Bomber), it was the Ed Moger Jr. trainee who stole away as the third choice in the wagering for owner Domeyko Taylor, LP. Having raced on all three surfaces in now her third season on the track, the $35,000 Fasig Midlantic grad has shown plenty of early foot on the grass of late including a gate-to-wire win in the GIII Galorette Stakes on the Preakness undercard at Pimlico May 17. Two runs at Churchill Downs both saw her caught late when second in the GIII Mint Julep Stakes June 1 and fifth in the listed Anchorage Stakes when last spotted June 29. Drawn mid pack, the game plan was clear as Javier Castellano gunned his Texas-bred filly to the front where she was allowed to go on ahead of Be Your Best through less-than-fast fractions of :23.78 and :48.30. And while the race favorite loomed off the far turn, Charlene's Dream refused to give up her advantage, repelling the late charge of Spanish Eyes (Ger) (Sortilege {Ire}) to win going away. For trainer Ed Moger Jr., the win was a culmination of talent he saw in his filly from the start. “I've liked her all along, before she even ran the first time,” said Moger. “I told people she could be the best horse I've ever trained.” High praise coming from the trainer who guided Stiletto Boy (Shackleford) to a win in the GI Santa Anita Handicap. “She hasn't made as much [money] as maybe some of the others but she's got all upside to go,” he continued. “She can go fast and she doesn't get tired. She keeps on going. That's just the way she is. She trains the same way.” Moger, along with owner Clifton Taylor, both acknowledged a potential upcoming run in the Breeders' Cup. “We might need one more [race] to get us in,” said Taylor. “We'll see, Ed's in charge. We're going to follow him. He always finds good spots for this filly. There wasn't a lot of great places to run without having to travel this summer. We ran great here so hopefully, [the Breeders' Cup] is the dream.” Pedigree Note: The flagbearer for sire Qurbaan who has just three crops to race, Charlene's Dream is out of a winning War Front mare Ciara Kelly who was culled for just $16,000 at KEENOV in 2016 to Eric Moreau-Sipiere after realizing $350,000 as a yearling at KEESEP in 2013. She's produced four winners from as many to race with a 2-year-old Echo Town filly and a yearling Thousand Words filly still to represent her. After failing to take to Nashville for a 2025 foal, she returned to him for another try in 2026. Charlene's Dream digs in and lands the Grade 2 Beverly D. Stakes at Colonial Downs! pic.twitter.com/uoJDKx0XKN — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 9, 2025 Saturday, Colonial Downs BEVERLY D. S.-GII, $501,200, Colonial Downs, 8-9, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 3/16mT, 1:53.74, fm. 1–CHARLENE'S DREAM, 122, f, 4, by Qurbaan 1st Dam: Clara Kelly, by War Front 2nd Dam: Sapphire Mink, by Unbridled's Song 3rd Dam: Lucifer's Stone, by Horse Chestnut (Saf) ($22,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN; $35,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $35,000 2yo '23 EASMAY). O-Domeyko Taylor LP; B-Eric Moreau-Sipiere & Randi Moreau-Sipiere (TX); T-Ed Moger, Jr.; J-Javier Castellano. $310,000. Lifetime Record: 11-6-2-0, $645,734. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Spanish Eyes (Ger), 122, f, 4, Zarak (Fr)–Sortilege (Ire), by Tiger Hill (Ire). (€95,000 RNA Ylg '22 ARQDOY; €1,300,000 3yo '24 ARQDEC). O-Qatar Racing LLC and Michaela Faust; B-Gestut Karlshof (GER); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $100,000. 3–Be Your Best (Ire), 126, m, 5, Muhaarar (GB)–Kamakura, by Medaglia d'Oro. O-Michael J. Ryan; B-St. Croix Bloodstock (IRE); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $50,000. Margins: 1HF, NK, NK. Odds: 2.60, 5.80, 2.10. Also Ran: Duvet Day (Ire), Beach Bomb (Saf), Chick's Shadow. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Charlene’s Dream A Reality In The Beverly D. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Stretching out in distance and moving up in class was no problem for Newstead Stables' Laurelin, who improved her record to 5-for-5 with a win in the $500,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 9.View the full article

Desert Gate gave trainer Bob Baffert a record 12th win in the Best Pal Stakes (G3) with an easy 8 3/4-length victory Aug. 9 at Del Mar.View the full article

What Echuca Races Where Echuca Racing Club – Corner Scott Rd and Murray Valley Hwy, Echuca VIC 3564 When Sunday, August 10, 2025 First Race 12:30pm AEST Visit Dabble Echuca hosts an eight-race program on Sunday afternoon with the rail true and the track posted Soft 7. Expect them to edge a couple of lanes off the fence as the day wears on, while on-speed runners should still get their chance if the tempo is even. The first event is set to jump at 12:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Echuca: Per Sempre Per Sempre has found a lovely race to keep the picket fence going. His short-course profile is spot on for a 1000m dash, and he arrives rock-hard fit with honest figures in stronger country grades. From a middle draw he can stalk a genuine tempo set by a couple of on-speed rivals and let rip late — his best work is always the last 200m. The soft ground holds no fears, and this looks a touch easier than recent assignments. With even luck in transit, Per Sempre should be too strong late over the concluding stages. Best Bet Race 5 – #6 Per Sempre (7) T: Charles Cassar | J: Ryan Hurdle (59kg) Next Best at Echuca: Murmullo Fresh off a dominant 1200m Heavy win at Warracknabeal and kept sharp with a Cranbourne jumpout leading into this, Murmullo looks the right price jumping to a BM64 1200m (R6). She’s a naturally fast mare who can roll across from gate 12, sit on-speed and control the race on a Soft 6. Her profile—strong 600m build and proven wet-track effectiveness—maps perfectly for Echuca when the rail is true. With only 56.5kg and genuine race fitness, she can pinch a break turning and prove hard to run down. Next Best Race 6 – #8 Murmullo (12) 4yo Mare | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Jaylah Kennedy (56.5kg) Best Value at Echuca: Strike Gold Strike Gold brings city-and-synthetic form that measures up beautifully in a country BM70. He’s been holding ratings around this level all prep and now gets a soft draw to land just behind the speed. He’s adept on varying surfaces, and stepping to 1400m third-up looks the right move after solid closing splits in recent runs. Expect Jaylah Kennedy to hold a midfield rail spot, peel at the bend and use his strong 200–100m surge to put them away. Best Value Race 8 – #1 Strike Gold (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Tim Fitzsimmons | J: Jaylah Kennedy (61.5kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Echuca Echuca quadrella selections Sunday, August 10, 2025 1-6-10 2-4-5-8 2-3-5 1-2-4-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

Oak Hill claims his seventh win from 14 starts with a strong victory at The Valley. (Photo: Bruno Cannatelli) Talented sprinter Oak Hill resumed from a short winter break with an impressive victory at Moonee Valley over 1000m with connections hoping the win is a pre-cursor to bigger things. Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, Oak Hill was originally prepared by the late Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson and maintained his unblemished record since joining his new quarters. A winner at his first start for the Lindsay Park team in May, Oak Hill was patiently ridden by Blake Shinn to come from last in the small field of five to comfortably run down leader Midwest. The son of Per Incanto will now follow the path trod by race rival Mornington Glory, who used the early season sprint as a springboard to victory in the Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes (1000m) before usurping the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m), also at The Valley. “We are very lucky, he came to us in great order from Ballymore Stables, and has not done much wrong since he has arrived and he is quite a straightforward horse,” Ben Hayes said. “Today what I loved was that he relaxed beautifully, there was a nice genuine tempo and the way he rounded them up was really exciting. “As a young horse he over-raced a bit, but now he is starting to relax. “He relaxed today and finished off strongly and beat a small but competitive field. We could not be happier and we are looking forward to the rest of his prep.” There has been plenty of work behind the scenes to ensure the stable can get the best out of Oak Hill, with the five-year-old notching his seventh victory from just 14 starts, with Blake Shinn fully understanding the brief to get the gelding to settle and let his talent do the rest. “With a lot of these horses they just mature and then they just get better and better,” Hayes said. “It is about keeping them in a routine and having a good rider on them, and they learn to relax, that’s what he did today and that’s why we saw such a good turn of foot. “It was nice to see him win on a soft surface too. It’s very exciting and now it is full steam into the Carlyon and the Moir. “He only had one jump-out and really good strong gallop going into this, so I think there will be a lot of improvement out of today.” Horse racing news View the full article

Jennivamoose powers home for victory in the at The Valley, ridden by Harry Coffey. (Photo: Bruno Cannatelli) Lightly-raced six-year-old mare Jennivamoose scored a comfortable victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday under a patient Harry Coffey ride. Prepared by Ciaron Maher for Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Racing, Jennivamoose was dropped out to near the rear of the field by Coffey but quickened readily when asked. The daughter of Vadamos looped the field and ran out a 1.25-length winner over fellow Kiwi-breds Bluestone and Flamin’ Romans. “It was a class ride,” Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull said. “They didn’t go that hard either so I was a little bit worried, but she picked up when he asked her and she was strong through the line. “It was a very good win. She ran a really good race here a long time ago when trained by Andrew Noblet where she was beaten by one of ours, so it was good to see her repeat the effort at the same venue today. “She was off the scene with an injury but we got her in great order and she flicks between Cranbourne and Tony Ottobre’s property at Cape Schanck where they do a wonderful job with her. “She had such good colour to her today, was very fit and clearly she has got an affinity with this track. “We have aspirations to get to better races and this is all part of it so we won’t step out of our mark too much but we can go to an 84 somewhere in the next three or four weeks and then progress to better races.” The winner of four of her 13 starts with a further three placings, Jennivamoose has won A$183,950 in prizemoney to date. Horse racing news View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Competing much like he trained, Golden Tornado (McKinzie) showed Saturday that he is a 2-year-old colt to pay attention to. While his connections were confident of his ability level, Golden Tornado made it clear that he was indeed ready for the prime time of a $100,000 maiden special weight test at the Spa with a 3 1/4-length triumph. Under Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario, the bay colt owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Antony Beck's Gainesway Stable and Legendary Thoroughbreds, stalked pacesetter Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy), pounced coming off the turn and prevailed, covering the six furlongs in 1:10.87 and paying $9.60 as the third choice. Gainesway bred the Golden Tornado and stayed in as a partner after he was purchased for $475,000 at Keeneland September. After watching Golden Tornado turn in series of smart breezes–his :48 for a half-mile on Aug. 2 was the eighth-fastest of 153 at the distance–the main question trainer Danny Gargan had was when to have him make his debut. Majority owner Dean Reeves encouraged him to test the horse. “When we talked about it, I gave Mr. Reeves the option of we could run him now and maybe give him a race, in case we need another race,” Gargan said. “We were thinking he's a Champagne horse all along. He said, 'Danny, just go ahead and run him. If he wins, that's great. If not, we'll have time to run again.' I thought maybe he might need a race, but he's super talented. I told him I might win the Champagne two months ago with this horse. He's a super-talented horse. Good horses just show up and he's one of those. He's a really good horse.” Reeves said that Golden Tornado's solid work in the morning, producing consistently quick times, strengthened his confidence in the colt. “We were not even asking him,” Reeves said. “He was just doing it so easy, :48 and it was like he was just moving. Danny said, 'If I ask him, he'll go crazy.' Danny's saying, 'Let's give him a race.' I'm like, 'Danny. I prefer to win.' It was a matter of did he show up today? “I was really, really happy, and I think he's going to improve off this race. He looked a little green coming down, changing leads, to get that going, but he straightened himself out. “He was doing some works. He would get :48 and gallop out faster than he went the last four (furlongs). He was showing us signs that this was a talented horse.” Patti and Dean Reeves at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew For many years Reeves and his wife Patti have worked with Florida horseman Jimmy Gladwell, who pointed them toward Golden Tornado. “Danny liked the horse also, so we don't butt heads,” Reeves said. “We were going to buy the horse. He had some first-time buyers (Legendary's Jill Pittman and Raj Lally) that really wanted to start horse racing, so they took a small piece. Then, of course, when Mr. Beck wanted to come in that really made me feel pretty good about what we were doing.” Gargan said it was a consensus buy that has yielded what his connections think is a serious young prospect. “He's a beautiful horse. He's just a specimen,” Gargan said. “He's got a beautiful hind leg. The team we had at Keeneland all worked together to find him, and we really appreciate it.” Reeves is a graduate of Georgia Tech, played basketball there and is a fan of the college's teams, the Yellowjackets. “In the 1930s Georgia Tech was known as the Golden Tornado,” Reeves said. “Actually, I was thinking about names, and (British bloodstock agent) Tom Pritchard-Gordon's kids sent me an email that said, 'Name a horse Golden Tornado,' and I'm thinking, 'How did those kids in Europe know about Georgia Tech?' I said, 'OK, I'll find one that works for that,' so I picked this horse out. I've been talking him up since summertime.” As Reeves had hoped, Golden Tornado turned in a strong performance in his first race. “This a nice horse. We really had some high hopes coming in here, but they've got to prove it. This is Saratoga. You don't come in here and not get it done.” The post Saratoga Maidens, presented by Keeneland: Golden Tornado Delivered on the Forecast, Storms to Spa Maiden Special Score appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

El Cordobes split horses in deep stretch and prevailed in a dramatic finish to capture the $750,000 Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) Aug. 9 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Sitting a perfect pocket trip behind the speed, Giocoso shot through inside when a stretch opening appeared to capture the $503,600 Secretariat Stakes (G2T) Aug. 9 at Colonial Downs.View the full article

Two years after Magic Cap Stables bought Fort Washington from the 2023 Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale for $260,000, the horse has ascended to become a top-level stakes winner, taking the Arlington Million (G1T) Aug. 9 at Colonial Downs.View the full article

In what was an anticipated clash between grade 1 winner Be Your Best and multiple graded stakes victress Beach Bomb, it was the up-and-coming Charlene's Dream who stole the show in the Aug. 9 Beverly D. Stakes (G2T) at Colonial Downs. View the full article

The public pegged him at 1-5 following his only career start June 13–a 2 1/4-length score going five furlongs at Santa Anita in which he notched a field-high 86 Beyer Speed Figure–and they were right on the money. Desert Gate (c, 2, Omaha Beach–Theogony, by Curlin) stalked fellow winner Punto Forty (Nyquist) early in the GIII Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar, had command by the :45.31 half, and opened up at the top of the stretch, then simply kept going. Juan Hernandez eased Desert Gate up well before the wire as the two dominated the short field by open daylight. They covered the six furlongs in 1:10.37. Chief Stipe O'Neill-trained stablemates Pavlovian (Pavel) and Brigante (More Than Ready) were second and third. “He looks like a good one,” said Hall of Famer Bob Baffert of Desert Gate on TVG immediately after the race. It was Baffert's fourth consecutive Best Pal victory. Sales History: $260,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. O-Pegram, Watson, & Weitman; B-Twin Oaks Bloodstock (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan Hernandez. In Hand & In Command Desert Gate DOMINATES the Grade III Best Pal Stakes. pic.twitter.com/juyyRnaBH0 — Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) August 9, 2025 The post Omaha Beach’s Desert Gate Romps in Best Pal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The GI Sword Dancer Stakes, won by El Cordobes (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) Saturday at Saratoga, will be run next year under a new name in honor of late trainer Christophe Clement, who passed away in late May. The Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' event will be contested in 2026 as the GI Christophe Clement Turf, announced the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Saturday just prior to the 2025 running. Clement won the race a record five times, including in 2024 with 'TDN Rising Star' Far Bridge (English Channel). That LSU Stables runner finished sixth in this year's running under Clement's trainer son, Miguel, who took over his father's stable. “On behalf of our entire Clement family, we would like to thank NYRA for this honor. It's a race that meant a lot to Christophe and we know his spirit lives on through all of us,” said Valerie Clement, wife of the late trainer. “His love for the horses, his friendship with fellow trainers and owners, and his dedication for mentoring others are just a few things we miss daily in the sport without Christophe. We look forward to cheering on some of the most talented horses annually and participating in this race. And, as Christophe reminded us regularly, we must live life to the fullest every single day.” The post Sword Dancer to be Renamed for Christophe Clement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

EL CORDOBES (IRE) (g, 4, Frankel {GB}–Bold Lass {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}), the lesser-preferred and less-accomplished part of an uncoupled entry for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby, took his cue from Flavien Prat in upper stretch, split rivals inside the final furlong and dove across the line first to take out Saturday's GI Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes. With the victory, El Cordobes earns an automatic berth into the field for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar later this fall. Exiting a victory in the G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket on July 10, El Cordobes was a 4-1 shot in this first try at top-level competition and was able to secure an ideal early spot from the box seat in third, as Vote No (Divisidero) made the running in advance of El Cordobes's stablemate Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Continuing to save ground down the back, El Cordobes always traveled strongly, but was taken a hold of by Prat on the turn and was shuffled back to near-enough last just as the real running was about to begin. In the meantime, William Buick had gone for Nations Pride with a good three furlongs to travel, and it looked to have worked, as the 6-year-old pinched a good break heading for home. Taking a gap between Rebel Red (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and a weakening Far Bridge (English Channel) in upper stretch, El Cordobes went through another between Nations Pride and Rebel Red with the race in the balance and was home narrowly best. Far Bridge was trapped out three deep in the early portion of the Sword Dancer, and mindful that he likes to ply his trade as close to the inside as possible, Joel Rosario allowed the favorite to roll forward, but was content to lay second behind Vote No. He more or less sat a pocket trip for the remainder of the race, but failed to quicken in the final furlong and a half and finished down the field. El Cordobes is the 38th worldwide Grade I/Group 1 winner for his sire and his fifth on American shores. Frankel's late son Measured Time (GB) was beaten into second by Far Bridge 12 months ago. Sales history: 2,000,000gns ($2,379,118) Ylg '22 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 10-4-2-2. O-Godolphin; B-Bjorn Nielsen; T-Charlie Appleby. EL CORDOBES earns his first Grade 1 victory, making it back-to-back graded stakes with a win in the @RWCatskills Sword Dancer under Flavien Prat for trainer Charlie Appleby and @godolphin! pic.twitter.com/UfvqzpvtHD — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 9, 2025 The post El Cordobes Leads Home Frankel 1-2 In the ‘Win and You’re In’ Sword Dancer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey shipped a pair of runners into Colonial Downs for the GI Arlington Million Stakes on Saturday, but it was the higher-priced Fort Washington (War Front–Azaelia (Fr), by Turtle Bowl {Ire}) who took home the prize and his first highest level score of his career. As a 5-1 shot here, the 6-year-old loped along at the rear of the field into the first turn and continued to bide his time as a longshot showed the way through the backstretch. Fort Washington started to launch his bid as the field entered the lane and with a well-timed ride he was up to get the money. Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro) was the runner-up, McGaughey favorite Integration (Quality Road) was third, and GI Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents)–who was trying turf for the first time–ended up fourth. The final running time was 1:59.58. Lifetime Record: 28-7-3-8. Sales History: FTKHRA '23 $260,000. O-Magic Cap Stables; B-Joseph Allen, LLC & White Birch Farm, Inc. (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. Fort Washington takes the Million! pic.twitter.com/kBhrPlaNjS — Stefanie Grimm (@SGrimmTDN) August 9, 2025 The post Fort Washington Rolls Late To Earn GI Arlington Million Score At Colonial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Del Mar, $81,000, Msw, 8-9, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:16.91, ft, 6 3/4 lengths. BOTTLE OF ROUGE (f, 2, Vino Rosso–Blues Corner, by Bluegrass Cat), a well-beaten second behind her Bob Baffert-trained stablemate and Sunday's GIII Sorrento S. morning-line favorite 'TDN Rising Star' Himika (Curlin) on debut at Santa Anita June 12, was favored at even-money to go one better at Del Mar Saturday. She forced the issue from an inside second and led narrowly through an opening quarter in :22.18. Continuing to exchange blows with Super Corredora (Gun Runner) on the far turn, Bottle of Rouge shook free while hanging on her left lead down the stretch and switched over late to win going away by 6 3/4 lengths. Blues Corner had a filly by Vino Rosso in 2024 and a filly by Yaupon this year. She was bred back to Yaupon. Sales history: $60,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $100,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $60,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Natalie J. Baffert; B-Kathie Maybee (KY); T-Bob Baffert. #3 BOTTLE OF ROUGE ($4) got a nice trip under @JJHernandezS19 to easily win race 2 at @DelMarRacing. The daughter of Vino Russo (@spendthriftfarm) is trained by @BobBaffert. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/3UijnqqMg7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 9, 2025 The post Vino Rosso’s Bottle of Rouge Pops the Cork Second Out at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS – As Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott watched Sovereignty (Into Mischief) gobble up ground on the Oklahoma Training Track from afar Saturday morning, his mind drifted back to maybe the best horse he ever trained. Sovereignty, working for the first time since winning the GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 26, went four furlongs in :48.99 (117/65) and galloped out in 1:02 2/5. Assistant trainer Neil Poznansky was on board. Mott had accompanied Sovereignty to the Oklahoma aboard his pony, Rocky. “Coming to the wire, from the backside, I could see him,” Mott said back at his barn. “He knows he is hitting the wire, and he is throttling down a little bit. That's how Cigar was. He worked in 1:02 and three every time you worked him five-eighths. That is all he would do.” Cigar, who once won 16 straight races, was the 1995 and 1996 Horse of the Year for Mott. Sovereignty, owned by Godolphin, is putting together quite the resume for himself this year. Before the Jim Dandy, he won the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes. He has four wins in five starts and is aiming at the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 23. Sovereignty stepped onto the Oklahoma at 7:30 a.m. Like always, he did what he was supposed to do. “He looked fine,” Mott said. “The main thing is how Neil liked it.” Poznansky, the 1996 Eclipse Award winner for Apprentice Jockey, liked it just fine. “He was perfect,” Poznansky, who has been working with Mott for just shy of 20 years, said after getting off Sovereignty. “If you look at his prior works leading up to all the other races, it's all the same: :48 and change and out in two and change. He loves his job. It's nerve racking with a lot of pressure because you don't want to mess up.” Sovereignty will have one more work before the Midsummer Derby. Mott wasn't looking for his stable star to break the bank on Saturday. He got what he wanted. “I hate to use the word maintenance because everyone uses it,” Mott said. “We were just trying to maintain a little fitness, that is all. He was doing it easy … he's not at full speed, that is for sure.” Pletcher Says Mindfame-Fierceness Matchup Could Happen Although it's a long way off–three weeks in horse racing can be an eternity–there is a chance that Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher could have 'TDN Rising Stars' Mindframe (Constitution) and Fierceness (City of Light) run against each other before the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. After Mindframe worked five furlongs in 1:01 (8/34) on the main track Saturday morning, Pletcher said it was not impossible to think his two older horse stalwarts could meet each other in the $1-million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 30 at Saratoga. “Everything is in play,” Pletcher said outside his office at his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track. “We have to figure out the best way to get them both to the Classic.” Mindframe outside of Operation Overlord Saturday at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew Mindframe hasn't raced since winning the GI Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 28; his third win in as many starts this year. Fierceness is coming off a disappointing fifth-place finish in last weekend's GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga. Mindframe, owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC, is being pointed to the Jockey Club Gold Cup; Fierceness is going to be eligible for that race, too, Pletcher said. The $500,000 GII Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs on Sept. 27 is also a possibility as is the GII Woodward Stakes at Aqueduct next month. Pletcher said Fierceness could also train up to the Classic. “All of those are options,” he said. Fierceness, also owned by Repole Stable and Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier, was the beaten favorite in the Whitney. In contention until the eighth pole, he tired and faded. “We were disappointed in the outcome, obviously,” Pletcher said. “It's kind of similar to some of his other races. He gets roughed up a little bit and he doesn't respond quite as well. I thought he had a big chance at the top of the stretch and he just kind of flattened out a little bit.” Pletcher turned the page and now it's Mindframe's turn. His work Saturday was in company with stablemate Operation Overlord (Into Mischief). “Very pleased with him,” Pletcher said. “He finished up really well. What was really impressive was the way he galloped out around the turn after the breeze. You were watching the horse and thinking the time in your mind and then you look down at the stopwatch and you are like, 'whoa!' It's a little faster than it looked like he was going.” Good Cheer Set to Rebound in Alabama Some might say the pressure is off when a long winning streak ends. Trainer Brad Cox is not one of them. When his 3-year-old filly Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) sputtered to a fifth-place finish–beaten by 9 1/4 lengths by La Cara (Street Sense)–in the GI Acorn at Saratoga on June 6, it was her first loss after starting her career with seven wins. “I like pressure,” Cox said by phone from Kentucky Saturday afternoon. “If you have pressure on you, it probably means you are doing something right.” Cox is hoping that Good Cheer starts another streak next Saturday when the $600,000 GI Alabama Stakes is run at Saratoga. It is the premier race of the meet for 3-year-old fillies. Good Cheer under Luis Saez Saturday | Sarah Andrew Good Cheer had her final tune-up for the Alabama Saturday morning. She and jockey Luis Saez stepped onto the track at 7 a.m. and worked four furlongs in :48.25 (5/105). Good Cheer has had six four-furlong works since July 5 at Saratoga. The work on Saturday was supervised by Cox's son Blake, who serves as his dad's assistant. The elder Cox saw the work remotely and liked what he saw. He is confident that Godolphin's Good Cheer will be a big factor in the 1 1/4-mile Alabama. “We would not be entering (Sunday) if we felt she was not going to put her best foot forward,” Brad Cox said. “I am excited about getting her going and getting another chance at Saratoga.” When she lost the Acorn, she faced a sloppy track. She won the GI Kentucky Oaks on a Churchill Downs strip labeled “wet/fast.” “I am looking for a reason why she didn't perform well (in the Acorn),” Cox said. “I am going to go with it wasn't a track she particularly cared for. Hopefully, we'll have a fast track.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Sovereignty Gets Back to Work, has First Breeze Since Jim Dandy Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association Aug. 9 announced the renaming of the $750,000 Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) to honor the life and legacy of Christophe Clement. Beginning in 2026, the race will be known as the Christophe Clement Turf.View the full article

By Mike Love Vesta will start the shortest priced favourite on the day at Ashburton today as she tries to break through for her maiden victory. Leeston trainer Megan Swain lines up the A Rocknroll Dance mare in Race 2, the Fulton Hogan Pace over 2400m at 1.05pm. The four-year-old is having her fourth race this campaign and will be driven by Tim Williams. Vesta will start at $1.75FF ahead of equal second favourites Swift Guy and Interrorgator at $5.00FF. Swift Guy will be driven by Leo O’Reilly for trainer Kerry O’Reilly, while Interrorgator will be driven by Kim Butt for trainers Peter and Mitchell Robertson. “She doesn’t mind a dog fight,” said Swain. “Last time she was at Ashburton she had a really tough run, out three wide and was beaten by something coming off her back.” Vesta has had four seconds in 12 starts so far and Swain believes Vesta is overdue for some racing luck. “Hopefully she’ll get rewarded for her good honest runs.” Swain is pleased with how Vesta has bounced back from her most recent outing. “She’s come through her last run really well, and has been working really good. I’m happy with her.” “She went really good last start, and the start before that she just couldn’t get into it.” The standing start should suit Vesta perfectly, and with an in-form reinsman like Williams aboard, Swain has reason to be optimistic. “She’s good from a stand, and has a good driver (Tim Williams) on. So I’m expecting a good run.” Swain trains a team of eight runners from her Leeston base. Williams looks set for a day checking in with the judge as he has several other good chances throughout the card. Race One – Major Touch ($5.50FF) Race Four – Fear Gogh ($13.00FF) Race Six – Shapely ($11.00FF) Race Seven – Randel Houston P ($3.20FF) Race Eight – Harry Belafonte ($2.45FF) Race one gets underway at 12.33pm and is part of a South Island double header today, with Invercargill’s Southern Surge meeting starting at 11.50pm. View the full article

Well-handled throughout, Laurelin (Zarak (Fr)–Bari (Ire), by Cape Cross {Ire}) kept her perfect record intact by sweeping down the Spa lane to earn a trip to the winner's circle in the GII Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational on Saturday. The 3-year-old filly was marked as a 2-1 shot here, and she took up a spot in the second flight through the backstrecth. Given her cue with a three-wide move around the far turn, Laurelin was ready to pounce on the pacesetters and she did just that to get her picture taken in the end. Evershed (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) was the runner-up. The final running time was 1:52.60. After the race, the Clement Stable posted on X that Go Go Boots (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) received a cut on her leg when she was struck by another horse during the race. Jockey Jose Ortiz pulled his mount up as a precaution. Lifetime Record: 5-5-0-0. Sales History: GOFOR '23 €160,000. O-Newstead Stables LLC; B-M. H. Dixon & Mount Coote Estates; T-H. Graham Motion. LAURELIN remains undefeated! She is now 5-for-5 after her win in the Grade 2 @FasigTiptonCo Saratoga Oaks Invitational with @KendrickCarmou1 up for trainer @GrahamMotion. pic.twitter.com/oWtj3IvndH — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 9, 2025 The post Laurelin RSVPs Winner Circle Spot After GII Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article