Wandering Eyes

Pyrenees (Into Mischief–Our Khrysty, by Newfoundland), winner of the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes and runner-up in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup in 2024, will take up stallion duty at Aboreum Farm in the Republic of Korea, according to a Blue Heaven Farm release Thursday. Pyrenees, who retired in May, was bred and campaigned by Adam Corndorf and his mother, Bonnie Baskin, under their Blue Heaven Farm banner. “We're excited to welcome Pyrenees to Aboreum Farm's stallion roster for the next season. Aboreum is home to Concord Point, one of Korea's leading sires, and second-season stallion West Will Power. With his strong female family, proven race record, and physical, we believe he's an ideal fit for the Korean market. He will also be the first son of Into Mischief to stand in Korea. Special thanks to Blue Heaven Farm and our agent Jun Park for facilitating the deal,” said Aboreum Farm's stallion manager, Young Sam Kim. A homebred son of Grade III winner Our Khrysty, purchased by Blue Heaven for $600,000 in foal to Tiznow at the 2011 FasigTipton November Sale, Pyrenees won last year's Pimlico Special before finishing runner-up in the GI Stephen Foster. He was beaten four lengths in second in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup. He was retired with a record of 4-3-1 from 11 starts and earnings of $786,316 for trainer Cherie DeVaux. The post GSW Pyrenees to Stand in Korea appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If the field for the $600,000 United Nations Stakes (G2T) has a familiar ring to it, then you have an excellent memory.View the full article

Last month, Rhodes College economics professors Marshall Gramm and Nick McKinney published in these pages a study showing the estimated impacts at Aqueduct over the past four winters from CAW players during the last cycle. They found that since 2022, the percentage share from last cycle monies wagered into the Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta and Early Pick 5 pools (among others), had grown significantly. There was a problem, however, with the study: unbeknownst to Gramm and McKinney, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) had switched to a new Tote operator in the fall of 2023, leading to what the organization said were “material differences” in how the pool cycles are managed. With this new Tote operator came an extension to the last cycle from 10 seconds to 30 seconds. And so, how does this operational change alter Gramm and McKinney's findings? Updated Numbers According to Gramm, the estimated percentage share from CAW players of monies wagered into the Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta and Early Pick 5 pools at the last cycle (now moved to 30 seconds) has increased noticeably since 2022, though not quite at such marked rates as when the last cycle is calculated at 10 seconds. He found that the estimated increase in CAW participation in these pools is significantly higher than that seen in the Win, Late Pick Five, and Pick Six pools, for which NYRA has taken tough steps in recent years to curb CAW play. The largest apparent increase in last cycle money occurred in the Place pool (a 23.2% increase since 2022), and the Show pool (a 22.7% increase since 2022), according to Gramm. While Gramm and McKinney's work has focused on NYRA, the issues they've found are very much applicable industrywide. For insights into what this revised data means both locally and nationally, the TDN spoke with three influential figures from the world of gambling. In short, NYRA's efforts in recent years to curb CAW play remains something of a nationwide model that more tracks should be mirroring, they say. Still, much more needs to be done overall to need to better manage CAW play (especially in the exotics) while at the same time incentivizing retail players. Maury Woolf Maury Woolf is a retired professional gambler who has watched CAW teams significantly magnify their footprint over the years on horse racing's gambling landscape. “The question is, what does the industry want to do about this?” said Woolf, who is critical of the measures the broader industry has taken to manage CAW play. “Basically, the only handle they're confident they can grow is with the [CAW] groups, and so, they're catering to them in every legal way they can,” Woolf added. The main takeaway from the study is clear, Woolf said-these teams are being allowed to exert too great an influence on the betting pools, to the detriment of a healthy wagering marketplace. But what should the industry be doing to better manage it? In an ideal world, takeout would be reduced for all, so that the CAW teams wouldn't have their “pricing advantage,” said Woolf. And if the takeout was priced correctly, “there wouldn't be any need for rebates,” he added. Another reason to reduce takeout? “Outside of the lottery, racing is effectively the most expensive gambling product on the market,” Woolf said. At the same time, the tracks should, at the very least, adopt the same steps NYRA has taken to curb CAW play in the Win, Late Pick Five, and Pick Six pools, Woolf said, and do more to keep the CAW teams out of the exotic bets where they're cannibalizing the retail players. Not only that but shout these changes from the rooftop. “The win pool at NYRA is the best in the business,” said Woolf. “I just wish they'd promote that more than they do,” he added. “If I were running NYRA, every time there was a terrific win price against an Exacta that's way shorter than the win pool price, I'd be saying, 'hey, look at this, it's paying X dollars to win.'” Jerry Brown Jerry Brown, president of Thoro-Graph which sells high-end handicapping data to big bettors-and someone currently involved in litigation with NYRA on a non-CAW related matter-sees the findings of Gramm's and McKinney's paper as applicable to the industry nationwide. Brown pointed to the standard practice of issuing handle numbers from a meet rather than revenues-in other words, the amount of money the tracks and the horsemen keep-describing this as a way of shielding from public view the hard financial impacts to the industry from increasing CAW play. “What the industry makes from a dollar wagered from CAW is about one-third what it makes from a dollar wagered by conventional handicappers. And so, even if you're replacing dollar-for-dollar what you're losing [from retail play] with CAW play, in terms of revenue, you're only getting one-third of what you otherwise would,” said Brown. As a general rule-of-thumb, said Brown, CAW handle as a percentage of overall handle comes out to about one-third nationwide-a figure that's too high, said Brown (though obviously that can change track to track and from pool-to-pool-midway through Santa Anita's last meet, it reportedly came out to about 20%). Tracks can reduce CAW play “significantly,” said Brown, by following and broadening the steps NYRA has already taken in its Win, Late Pick Five, and Pick Six pools, potentially cutting the rebates they receive, so the tracks make more on each dollar bet. “Retail players are losing the money that caw is winning, which in the long run is unsustainable. Whether it's by having some pools restricted to retail [players], or by lowering the edge CAWs have in existing pools by cutting down rebates or by shutting them out of the pools at two or three minutes to post time, you have to reduce their play, but you don't necessarily have to eliminate their play,” said Brown, pointing out how even under restrictions, some caw teams will still be able to show a profit. “Instead of a 5% advantage on the game,” he said, “they might have a 2% advantage.” Brown said that he also understands the predicament racetracks now find themselves-that if they cut CAW play cold-turkey, they run the very real risk of driving away a key customer base, which is why he suggests tracks take these steps in incremental fashion, gradually winding back the damage done. “Cutting them off cold will cause handle figures to drop off precipitously, which racetrack executives don't want because it looks like they let business drop under their watch,” said Brown. “So, what you have to do is take incremental steps.” At the same time, Brown raised potential conflict-of-interest issues, arguing that NYRA is a not-for-profit corporation that's “supposedly serving the people of New York state,” and yet is a co-owner with The Stronach Group of Elite Turf Club, the largest CAW wagering platform in the country. “By giving the guys [CAW players] an advantage, they are giving the regular New Yorkers a disadvantage, because they're playing against them. But what makes it much worse is that they own a part of Elite, whose entire reason for existing is to facilitate caw,” said Brown. “If that's not a conflict of interest, I don't know what is.” Nick Tammaro Nick Tammaro is a long-time horseplayer and public handicapper. As he describes it, NYRA cutting off the last cycle at 30 seconds (as opposed to 10 seconds) is something of a step backwards that makes price discovery more difficult for the average punter. “The longer the cycle the worse it is for optics,” he said. In terms of curbing the impact from these teams, Tammaro said he'd like to see a cap on CAW play as a percentage of overall handle at each cycle. “For example, if you're at zero minutes to post, but you're at Tote-cycle A, you can only bet 20 percent of what's in there. If you're at Tote-cycle B, you can only bet 20 percent of what's in there,” said Tammaro. “Something along those lines.” As for incentivizing retail play, Tammaro pointed (like Woolf) to overall reduced takeout, and he suggested giving retail bettors the mechanism to batch-bet on an ADW platform in the same fashion for CAW players on their wagering platforms. “I have a friend who is about 30. He put together a small Pick Six model. He's the kind of guy that would love to be able to batch bet, but he's limited by what [his ADW] will take from a rank-and-file player,” said Tammaro. “If he had the ability to send in more bets, he would certainly make more of them,” Tammaro added. Retail players should also be given access to a larger, more comprehensive rebate system than is currently the case, said Tammaro. “If you're playing with an ADW, you should have access to at least a very basic rebate system. I don't think there's any harm in that whatsoever,” said Tammaro, adding that such a scheme would generate more play. “It's a pretty safe bet that if you're an ADW and you have anybody that bets six figures a year, if you put them into a system where they're eligible to earn up to five percent in the form of a rebate, you and I both know they're betting that money right back in. They're not withdrawing that money,” he said. And lastly, said Tammaro, racetracks can do much better at explaining and calculating projected odds. “Take last week, for example. The computed odds in the Acorn Belmont Daily-Double, which is a two-day wager, made it look like Baeza could possibly have been favorite [in the Belmont],” said Tammaro, who spoke in the aftermath of the Belmont Stakes. “That was an inefficient pool where he [Baeza] clearly got a lot of recreational money,” Tammaro added. “But when all was said and done, he was a distant third choice.” NYRA Response In a recent segment on the TDN Writers' Room, NYRA CEO and president David O'Rourke broached the CAW question by arguing that any serious, strategic approach to managing CAW play needs to be industrywide. “We need throttle controls” agreed upon across the industry as to “how much we're going to allow them in,” in terms of “pace” and percentage of pools, he said. “If we can get consistency from each of the major content providers, I think then you start to get control of the situation,” said O'Rourke. Is the industry ready for this? “I think we need to push it, and I think I should be on a couple of panels, and other people should be on them as well, pushing what we as an industry and as a group agree on what makes sense here,” O'Rourke replied. The TDN additionally posed some of the points and criticisms posed above to NYRA, which issued the following statement. “NYRA has a record of prioritizing the interests of the everyday horseplayer by actively restricting the involvement of CAW groups within our wagering pools. “In addition to the establishment of retail only multi-race wagers, NYRA's policy on CAW groups in the win pool has eliminated the dramatic late odds shifts that had become a source of frustration to betters in New York and around the country. Looking forward, NYRA is developing technology to empower retail players by providing access to high-speed order execution and sophisticated wagering models designed to enhance the horseplayer's toolkit,” wrote NYRA spokesperson, Pat McKenna. “These actions represent an approach designed to achieve a sustainable and healthy balance between professional gamblers and the wagering public.” The post CAW Analysis of Gramm, McKinney Findings: “What does the industry want to do about this?” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Windsor Castle Stakes third Rogue Legend (Havana Grey), who American owner John Stewart swooped in to buy on the eve of Royal Ascot, has been transferred from Paddy Twomey to continue his career with Wesley Ward. Rogue Legend was purchased by Twomey initially on behalf of the Rogues Gallery for just 55,000gns at Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. After making a promising debut at Cork, he confirmed himself one of the fastest juveniles in training in Ireland with impressive wins at Cork and Tipperary before being snapped up by Stewart of Resolute Racing to run at the Royal meeting. Rogue Legend lost little in defeat in the Windsor Castle, dead-heating with Azizam for third position under Billy Lee, two lengths behind the winner Havana Hurricane. Confirming the stable switch, Stewart posted on X, “Rogue Legend has arrived @keeneland in the barn of Wesley Ward. Which jockey should be riding this speedster on his debut?” The post Resolute Racing’s Rogue Legend Switched From Paddy Twomey To Wesley Ward appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Michael Guerin New Zealand’s best pacing mare is set to add her stamp of class to a new series of races being widely welcomed by trainers. HRNZ has announced the new Mare’s Spring Schedule to provide consistent racing for mares without having to take on the boys. The Canterbury-based series of six races starts at Addington on August 29 and runs through until Show Day at Addington on November 14, where it ends with the Bob McArdle Classic. It contains a $17,000 kick off race, one race of $25,000, another of $30,000 and then three valued at $60,000, two at Group 2 level. Already co-trainer Scott Phelan says multiple Group 1 winner Duchess Megxit has the new series of races on her radar. “That is what we are setting her for,” Phelan, who trains with Barry Purdon, told HRNZ. “She isn’t eligible for the last race on Show Day because she is a Group 1 winner but she will contest two or three of the other races and I think it is a great idea. “She is probably the best mare in the country and she showed how hard it is to compete against those open class boys so this is the type of series of races we need to keep these mares racing in New Zealand. “We are all for it and she will definitely be heading down.” Phelan’s comments were echoed by John Dunn last week while Zachary Butcher is also planning to be part of the series with Mantra Blue so it looks set to provide an intriguing spring side plot to the open class horses building into the New Zealand Cup. HRNZ’s Matt Peden says the series is designed “to provide a clear and decisive pathway for mares throughout the spring.” The six races are: August 29, Addington: $17,000 R80. Sept 12, Addington: $25,000 Woodlands First Mares Spring Sprint, $25,000, R80, with conditions for higher assessed mares. Sept 26, Addington: $30,000 Woodlands Second Mares Spring Sprint, $30,000, open. Oct 10, Addington: Woodlands Mares Spring Sprint (G2), $60,000, open. Oct 27, Ashburton: Ladies Sprint (G2), $60,000, open. Nov 14, Addington: Bob McAcArdle Southern Mares Classic (Listed), $60,000, restricted View the full article

by Adam Hamilton Oscar Bonavena has at least one more booming run in him. Co-trainer Nathan Purdon said the nine-year-old “looked a million bucks” as the $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final draws closer. “I’m pleasantly surprised how good he is, especially after the two mistakes and the chasing he had to do the other night,” he said. “I was just saying this morning how sound he is and how great he looks. “He might have looked a bit showy last Saturday, but he’s spot on now.” This time there is no worries about Oscar Bonavena’s growing aversion to front barrier draws. Last week’s mistake saw him placed out of the draw and he will start from wide on the back row (he’s drawn 12, but will come into 11). “It’s perfect really. He’ll get the chance to relax and find his rhythm,” Purdon said. “You’d think the race will be run genuinely. There’s quite a few big chances and I’m sure the pace will be on and there will be some moves. “We’d love the chance to drive him for absolute strength, that’s saving him for the last run at them. You know the speed he’s got when we can do that.” Purdon expects this to be Oscar Bonavena’s last season of racing. “What a marvel he’s been. To think he was almost retired as a four-year-old because of injury and here he is five years later in the Inter Dominion final,” he said. “He’s still got his speed and even though he’s had so many issues and he’s come through this series so well. “I’d love him to run a great race and everything says he will.” View the full article

Herbertson leads as Kiwi quartet chase in Young Drivers Champs The 2025 Australasian Young Drivers Championship is heating up, with Victoria’s James Herbertson staking a dominant early claim as the competition leader heading into the final rounds. Three heats were held at Albion Park on Tuesday night and another three last night, where all four of the New Zealand representatives recorded a placing: Carter has two second placings, and Sam, Wilson and Harrison have a third placing each. But it’s Herbertson who’s set the benchmark, notching up three wins and a second across the first six heats to sit comfortably on top of the leaderboard ahead of NSW’s Jett Turnbull and Queensland’s Chloe Butler. With four heats to come — three at Redcliffe on Friday night and the final on Inter Dominion night at Albion Park — the Kiwi team will be looking for a strong finish to chase down the leaders and secure a place on the podium. Remaining heat times (NZT): Friday – Redcliffe Race 1: 7:52pm Race 3: 8:50pm Race 5: 10:00pm Saturday – Albion Park (Inter Dominion Night) Race 1: 7:00pm Keep an eye on HRNZ for updates and results as the series wraps up this weekend. Breakthrough night for Orange in Queensland Photo Courtesy: The Creek Albion Park Facebook It was a night to remember for Harrison Orange, who notched up a placing and a win during Wednesday’s meeting at Albion Park. It was his first race win on Australian soil. The 19-year-old, representing New Zealand at the 2025 Australasian Young Drivers Championship, made his mark early in the night with a third-place finish in Heat 4 aboard NZ-bred Vinsanity. But the highlight came later on the card when he guided Rock Hammer to victory for Queensland trainer Graham Dwyer, a pick-up drive that gave Orange his first ever win outside of New Zealand. “Graham had said to me when he was in Auckland earlier this year with his trotter (Not As Promised) that if I ever came over, he’d give me a drive,” said Orange. “It worked out well that he had one in with a five-point claim, so he put me on. It was pretty cool to win it at Albion Park. Definitely a big thrill in my career.” The win wasn’t part of the official AYDC heats, but that didn’t stop his fellow competitors from celebrating the milestone when they all joined the post-race celebrations -and winners photo – in a brilliant show of trans-Tasman camaraderie. Milestone moments for Ranger and Beecroft It was a weekend to remember for two harness racing participants, with Monika Ranger notching up career win 50 and Alan Beecroft training his first winner. Ranger hit the half-century aboard Mantra Blue at Alexandra Park, a fitting milestone given the mare is trained by Zachary Butcher and owned by Lynette Philpott, the same team behind Ranger’s very first win on Call Me Trouble back in 2022. Monika works with Zachary at Lincoln Farms for Ray Green and Nathan Delaney. Meanwhile, Beecroft broke through as a trainer when Royal Deirdre scored at Addington. The long-time industry worker is currently based with Fred Fletcher and has also worked for Barry Purdon, Dean Taylor, Brian O’Meara, and others. After nearly a decade away from the game, he returned to training in pursuit of one goal: a winner. “Bloody exciting,” was how he described the moment to Nigel Armstrong on Harness Racing Unhinged. Winter Rewards Race Day at Winton The final race meeting of the season for the 2024/2025 season in the Southern Harness region takes place at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on Thursday – 17 July. The day will feature six Winter Rewards races which helps bring good fields together during the winter months with a stake for each of $25,000. Racing commences at 11.45am and entry is free. Lindsay Beer Promotions Officer Southern Harness Racing 021 351 499 U S Captain joins Wai Eyre and Macca Lodge roster waieyrefarm.co.nz | maccalodge.com Wai Eyre Farm and Macca Lodge have announced the arrival of U S Captain for the 2025 breeding season. The son of Captaintreacherous and world champion race mare American Jewel brings elite credentials, including 22 wins, 16 sub-1:50 miles and a lifetime mark of 1:49. Now 100% New Zealand-owned, U S Captain will stand for $3,000 + GST, with working fees included for mares bred on-farm. He is Harness 5000 and Next Gen eligible, and is expected to be a strong match for Bettor’s Delight mares. Dancingonmoonlight reveals 2025 stallion line-up dancingonmoonlight.co.nz/stallions Dancingonmoonlight Farm has confirmed four stallions for the 2025 breeding season, combining 17 Group One wins and more than $9.5 million in career earnings. Pacing sires include Bettor’s Wish ($8,500 + GST), whose debut Australasian crop has impressed with multiple juvenile winners, and Tattoo Artist ($5,000 + GST), a 40-race winner and Group 1 performer. Both are eligible for Harness 5000 and Next Gen. Gimpanzee and Tactical Landing (both P.O.A) lead the trotting division, bringing elite North American credentials. Gimpanzee is a Hall of Famer with three Breeders Crown titles, while Tactical Landing is already a back-to-back Hambletonian sire. All stallions are available via frozen semen with limited bookings. Nevele R confirms 2025–26 roster and breeding incentives nevelerstud.co.nz Nevele R Stud has unveiled its stallion roster for 2025–26, along with several on-farm incentives and fee reductions aimed at supporting breeders. Captain Crunch, Pebble Beach, and Vincent return as pacing sires, while the trotting roster includes Tactical Approach, Father Patrick, Creatine and Marcoola. Creatine and Father Patrick continue to leave Group performers, while Marcoola’s early crops include standout three-year-old Rogue Hero. Multiple mare discounts apply across Creatine and Marcoola, along with incentives such as free float hire, reduced vet packages and free grazing for eligible mares bred to Nevele R-owned or managed stallions. Woodlands confirms 2025–26 stallion roster woodlandsstud.co.nz Woodlands Stud has confirmed its 2025–26 stallion line-up, with six pacing sires and one trotter standing at the Auckland farm, and American Ideal available via frozen semen. Bettor’s Delight remains at the helm, standing for an unchanged fee of $25,000 + GST. He is joined by Sweet Lou ($11,250 + GST), Downbytheseaside ($10,000 + GST) and Lather Up ($4,000 + GST), all of whom continue to deliver success on the track and in the sales ring. Speeding Spur ($1,000 + GST) returns as the trotting option after becoming a siring winner, while American Ideal ($9,000 + GST, frozen) remains available to NZ breeders in limited supply. Woodlands has also confirmed that What The Hill will not return this season following reduced bookings last year. View the full article

by Jonny Turner Southland’s biggest day of winter harness racing so far is looking Gray. Brett Gray lines up a powerful 12-horse team at Winton’s Winter Rewards Finals Day on Thursday. Beating her stablemates may prove to be the biggest challenge for Gray’s stable spearhead Haley Jaccka in the tightest assessed of three Winter Rewards Finals for pacers. The mare returned from a freshener with a bang, powering along the inner to win a hectic affair at Ascot Park ten days ago. And according to her trainer, she’s thrived since. “That wee break we gave her was just what she needed,” Gray said. “She’d had a lot of racing through the autumn and gone very well in good company.” “She really seems like she’s on the top of her game since coming back.” “Her work this week has been first class.” The preferential draw conditions of Thursday’s finals have put Haley Jaccka on the outside of the front line in barrier 8. After showing blazing gate speed in her last start, driver Brent Barclay clearly has options. “She has got plenty of gate speed, but she is pretty good with a sit too,” Gray said. “Brent will be able to choose what he wants to do.” Always Ticking, Foxing Easton, and Stillyourshot take on their stablemate Haley Jaccka. Always Ticking has been brilliantly consistent through the winter and looks an each-way chance. Foxing Easton and Stillyourshot both look legitimate hopes if they can front with their best efforts. Gray starts three horses in the mid-tier event among Thursday’s Winter Rewards Finals for pacers. Sodoyahavtime, Janaka’s Delight, and Jaccka Evan look evenly matched going into the event. “Janaka’s Delight has been racing great without a lot of luck, hopefully she might get some from her good draw (2).” “Jaccka Evan got too keen last start, but we’re hoping he might be able to settle better on the second row.” “Sodoyahavtime has been working really well too, so they are all handy enough chances.” Gray starts two key chances in the two-mile races for pacers who aren’t eligible for Thursday’s Winter Rewards Finals. Jaccka Henry is another who faces barrier 8, but looks capable of overcoming it. “His last start was a little bit disappointing, but we have gone back to the drawing board and we were quite happy with his trial last week.” “I think he’s a good chance.” Jaccka Henry needs to beat out his stablemates Equine Assett and Rambin Rover to score at Winton. In the tighter-assessed of the two-mile races, Ultimate Cullect will be aiming to cap off a consistent run of form. “She’s been going great, just getting too far back.” “She won over the mile in a similar race last year, she just needs a wee bit of luck to be a pretty good chance.” Ultimate Cullect clashes with another Gray runner in Foxfire Easton at Winton on Thursday. View the full article

Improved field sizes, increased tourism and the continued strides made in globalising Hong Kong racing have contributed to a three per cent increase in racing wagering turnover for the 2024-25 season, says the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Punters wagered a total of HK$138.85 billion during the campaign, with a 3 per cent increase returning the city to the black in terms of turnover figures after a 4.5 per cent decrease last season that ended a run of three consecutive seasons of record...View the full article

Mostly For Show (NZ) (Vadamos) will fly the flag for Richard and Chantelle Jolly in Saturday’s Gr.3 South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville, in what will be the son of Vadamos’ final run before a spell. Twice placed from four starts this campaign, the two-year-old colt has consistently been competitive without getting his nose in front, convincing his trainers to give him one more go this time in. A mix of locals and Victorian raiders have accepted for the A$150,000 contest and though Mostly For Show is among the maidens in the field, he is a $9.50 chance. The Jollys’ galloper has drawn ideally in barrier two, with Jake Toeroek booked to ride. “He’s been running well without winning, a couple of races he hasn’t had a lot of luck in,” Richard Jolly said. “He ran quite well in the Oaklands Plate three weeks ago. We were tempted to spell him, but we decided to give him one more go, he pulled up well after that. “He’s drawn a nice gate on Saturday, so hopefully he can probably race a touch closer in what’s probably a similar field to the one he ran in last time.” By Vadamos out of the Savabeel mare Showing Off, Richard Jolly purchased the colt at Karaka last year for $65,000 from the Book 2 draft of Highline Thoroughbreds. View the full article

As Stephen Gray’s first season back on home soil nears a close, the Palmerston North trainer was rapt to add three more wins to the stable’s tally on the Awapuni Synthetic on Thursday. Formerly training in Singapore, Gray joined his father, Kevin Gray, in partnership this term and the pair have swiftly gained momentum, collecting 21 victories prior to the all-weather meeting. Their first representative, the striking Cosentino (NZ) (El Roca), was backed into $2.10 favouritism in a competitive Tomo’s Aluminium Services 1000 after trading blows with Platinum Designs (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) in their last two encounters. In the hands of in-form hoop Bruno Queiroz, Cosentino pressed forward from an inside draw, before briefly taking a sit turning for home. Finding the run on the rail, Cosentino burst through and put a margin on his rivals, cruising to the line by 3 – ½ lengths to Ka Ying Lucky (Zoustar) and Platinum Designs. Drawing on his experience with the synthetic surface in Singapore, Gray has found the perfect formula for the impressive son of El Roca. “He just keeps improving, he’s a very quick horse and has always shown speed,” he said. “From my experience in Singapore with poly racing, if they have that speed and get to like it, they appreciate the short straights. He’s a horse like that, and I’m sure he’ll be the same once he gets on the grass. “I’m not an advocate of running horses on the heavy tracks at this time of the year, so while the poly racing is here, we may as well take advantage of it.” Gray is considering both of the sprint-distance Polytrack Championship races in a fortnight, but is leaning towards his local meeting on the 3rd of August, where the feature is run over 1400m. “We may be able to into one of those $100,000 races now, there is a 1400m race which is close to home, being only 10 minutes into town,” he said. “There is the risk of the 1400, but the owners are good people, and I think they’ll be happy to run here. “If we’re not happy, we could always nominate for the 1200 and send him down to Christchurch, but he’s only a young horse so we’d prefer to run the risk and stay up here, then he can have a break before the spring.” The stable doubled up immediately in the following event, but not with the horse that punters may have anticipated. After winning on debut last start, Exaggeration (NZ) (Embellish) closed at a similar quote to Cosentino in the Central ITM 1400, but it was his stablemate, Tears Of Victory (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), who dictated terms throughout and had enough to hold on, defeating a game Exaggeration by a neck. “It was a lovely ride by Toni (Davies, jockey of Tears Of Victory), Dad’s horse (Exaggeration) probably could’ve won too but this mare did a good job and she’s racing well,” Gray said. “Exaggeration is a lovely horse, he just got held up a bit behind, but that’s a good result, because he’ll learn a lot and we’ve got a big opinion of him. “He’ll be a very good horse on the grass tracks.” The daughter of U S Navy Flag had also been a winner at her most recent start, having joined the stable after winning two races in the care of Stephen Autridge. “She came in great order from Stephen, he’s a good mate of mine and it’s a bit easier down here for her,” Gray said. “It was the idea to get a portfolio up with a few more wins before she goes to stud, so it’s working well. “It was a good result for Tim Harrison (owner), who is a great breeder and a good contributor to racing. “She could go to the $100,000 race as well.” In the last, Our Akashinga (Exceedance) was also a well-backed favourite and she delivered on that in spades, powering away from her rivals to score by 3 – ½ lengths. “She is a very good filly, she’ll go right through the grades,” Gray said. “She’s going to be a nice four-year-old Cups mare eventually, I’ve got a lot of time for her. “She’s Australian-owned and they’ll have a lot of fun with her in the spring, she’s a beautiful horse.” Gray set a target of around the 20-win mark for the season, and Thursday’s treble brought the stable’s tally up to 24. “I’m really happy with the season, my plan was to train 20-odd winners this year with what we started off with, so it’s going really well,” he said. “I’ve got good staff, Dad’s support around us with the property, and we’ve got some lovely horses to come in for the spring. “I’m more than happy and excited for what’s to come, it’s been really enjoyable.” View the full article

Jockey Jake Noonan will be looking to repay the faith of the Patrick and Michelle Payne stable when he partners Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) at Flemington. Noonan rides the stayer in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) on Saturday and is looking to strike winning form again on the rising five-year-old. Bold Soul and Noonan completed a Stakes race treble, winning twice as a three-year-old in Tasmania and once in South Australia with the jockey having ridden the stayer only twice since those three-year-old days. The most recent was when Bold Soul finished a last start second to Goldenstatewarrior over 2600m at Flemington on July 5. Noonan replaced the then suspended Tom Prebble who had scored on the gelding over 2530m at Flemington on June 21. “Paddy asked if I wanted to go down to Tassie to ride him (as a three-year-old), and that’s how it originated,” Noonan said. “Credit to Tom Prebble. He’s done a terrific job on him this preparation and I was lucky enough to get back on him last start. “We just got run down. He went up three kilos the other day and the winner stayed on 54 kilos, and if we had met on level weights, he would have gone close to winning. The first half of Saturday’s race will be the key to Bold Soul’s chances of running out the trip. Noonan said Bold Soul can be keen early, but the Payne brother-and-sister training operation have Bold Soul racing in excellent form at present. “He can be a bit bold and keen into the bridle and if you’re doing that over 2800 (metres), it can be detrimental in the second half of the race,” Noonan said. “He’s had some good racing this time in, and it’s seasoned him and he’s probably getting better with the racing that he’s had.” View the full article

An exceptional 2024/25 Hong Kong racing season came to a close at Happy Valley on Wednesday, wrapping up one of the most memorable chapters in the sport’s history. At the heart of it was New Zealand-bred horse of the year Ka Ying Rising. The superstar sprinter became only the third horse in Hong Kong history to win eight races in a single season, claimed four Group 1 titles, and twice shattered the Sha Tin 1200m course record — breaking a benchmark that had stood since 2007. His unbeaten run stretched to 12 races, ranking as the third-longest winning streak in Hong Kong behind Silent Witness (17) and Golden Sixty (16). Ka Ying Rising also became the fifth horse to sweep the Hong Kong Speed Series — winning the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), and G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) — to earn the HK$5 million bonus. New Zealand-bred horses more than held their own this season, winning 223 of the 847 races (26.3 percent) from a supply of 25.2 percent, with 364 runners out of the 1445 to start in season 2024/25. Racing Statistics Report for Hong Kong in 2024-25. Supplied by Arion Pedigrees Record-Breaking Seasons for Purton and Size Among the jockeys and trainers, champions continued to raise the bar. John Size landed a record-extending 13th trainers’ championship with 69 wins, while Zac Purton secured his eighth jockeys’ title with 138 victories. Purton also broke Douglas Whyte’s all-time Hong Kong wins record, pushing his tally to 1,878. Size passed the 1,600-win mark locally. Trainer 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH STARTS STAKES Win% Size J. 69 66 69 64 66 623 160,768,800.00 11.1% Hayes D.A. 61 59 58 64 37 657 144,151,155.00 9.3% Fownes C. 52 45 50 56 49 522 79,446,530.00 10.0% Lui K.W. 50 45 40 27 38 493 117,256,140.00 10.1% Yiu P.F. 49 55 51 51 52 519 128,151,722.50 9.4% Cruz A.S. 49 48 59 49 40 648 96,990,385.00 7.6% Lor F.C. 46 56 38 37 43 560 83,492,800.00 8.2% Man K.L. 45 26 31 27 37 410 50,436,450.00 11.0% Newnham M. 44 58 37 38 51 480 88,219,480.00 9.2% Ng P.C. 40 45 58 52 42 632 83,184,845.00 6.3% Shum C.S. 40 43 33 26 53 512 87,592,755.00 7.8% Mo W.K. 40 39 33 47 40 470 61,046,662.50 8.5% So W.Y. 38 33 34 37 38 448 48,813,625.00 8.5% Eustace D. 36 34 28 37 35 363 49,177,315.00 9.9% Whyte D.J. 30 32 34 36 38 480 41,922,740.00 6.3% Yip C.H. 30 19 25 33 32 370 36,096,215.00 8.1% Hall D.J. 26 31 43 35 37 446 42,473,415.00 5.8% Richards J. 22 25 30 25 32 370 31,314,095.00 5.9% Yung T.P. 21 26 29 38 33 398 32,852,355.00 5.3% Ting K.H. 20 14 22 16 12 258 25,312,925.00 7.8% Chang C.W. 19 19 29 22 19 348 29,422,700.00 5.5% Tsui Y.S. 18 27 13 25 23 292 25,242,490.00 6.2% Jockey 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH STARTS STAKES Win% Purton Z. 138 85 69 55 33 593 213,311,025.00 23.3% Bowman H. 72 71 56 79 66 594 139,529,390.00 12.1% Atzeni A. 58 61 58 39 50 619 95,254,025.00 9.4% Avdulla B. 47 52 47 39 57 511 97,447,125.00 9.2% Ferraris L. 47 34 41 36 48 481 78,798,675.00 9.8% Teetan K. 44 54 66 68 57 634 87,564,880.00 6.9% Poon M.F. 36 38 56 44 48 560 60,272,525.00 6.4% Leung K.C. 36 38 35 39 43 447 57,231,450.00 8.1% Chadwick M. 35 41 51 38 44 576 63,578,737.50 6.1% Badel A. 31 51 34 54 52 519 67,345,700.00 6.0% Bentley H. 31 36 36 38 39 462 56,804,050.00 6.7% Hewitson L. 29 42 38 43 30 494 52,595,475.00 5.9% Ho C.Y. 27 29 24 14 21 256 42,179,915.00 10.5% McDonald J. 26 18 10 5 9 121 111,719,155.00 21.5% Wong E.C.W. 25 23 28 22 29 300 35,095,162.50 8.3% Chau C.L. 23 25 17 34 33 373 34,481,725.00 6.2% Yeung M.L. 20 25 27 31 33 434 31,339,175.00 4.6% Chung Y.L. 20 23 28 43 17 446 35,629,825.00 4.5% Wong P.N. 18 6 11 13 16 210 17,930,900.00 8.6% Orman J. 13 20 14 21 14 236 21,180,500.00 5.5% Hamelin A. 12 16 21 24 25 273 21,704,025.00 4.4% De Melo K. 12 9 14 16 11 244 18,532,725.00 4.9% Syndication Gains Momentum To support broader ownership, the Hong Kong Jockey Club lifted the cap on syndicates per member from four to seven and raised the maximum number of horses an owner can have from five to seven. Syndicate-owned stars Ka Ying Rising and Voyage Bubble were joined this season by Group One winner Invincible Sage and Hong Kong Classic Cup victor Rubylot, reflecting the strength and accessibility of group ownership. Prize Money Reaches New Highs Total prize money reached a record HK$1.74 billion ($367m) in 2024/25. Several Group One races will see increases in 2025: FWD Champions Day: QEII Cup: HK$30 million (NZ$6.32m) Chairman’s Sprint Prize: HK$24 million (NZ$5.03m) Total Champions Day G1 prize pool: HK$78 million (NZ$16.45m) LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR): Sprint: HK$28 million (NZ$5.9m) Vase: HK$26 million( NZ$5.48m) Mile: HK$36 million (NZ$7.59m) Cup: HK$40 million (NZ$8.43m) Total HKIR G1 prize pool: HK$130 million (NZ$27.42m) Conghua’s Strategic Role Grows Conghua Racecourse (CRC) in Mainland China continued to play a vital role, with an average of 440 horses trained at the facility this season. In total, 219 horses from 19 stables recorded 302 wins — up 17.7% in number of horses and 24.3% in wins compared to last season. Preparations are well underway for regular racing to begin at Conghua in October 2026, with the new grandstand nearing completion. Together with Sha Tin and Happy Valley, Conghua will complete a trio of racecourses that will boost the Greater Bay Area’s position as a major racing and tourism destination. Tourism and Turnover Bounce Back Total racecourse attendance surpassed 1.7 million, including a record 195,786 Mainland Chinese tourists — more than double the previous season’s 93,000. Across the season, 88 race meetings were held, including seven summer series fixtures. Fans watched 847 Hong Kong races and 393 overseas simulcast events. Racing wagering turnover climbed to HK$138.85 billion — a 3.0% year-on-year rise — marking a strong return to growth after a 4.5% decline the previous year. This increase was driven by improved jackpot strategies, better field sizes, rising sports tourism, and the success of global commingling under the Club’s World Pool Strategy. View the full article

Race 5 OTAKI TYRE REPAIRS HANDICAP 1200m BORNINASTORM (A Riddell) – Trainer Mr. S Sharrock reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of BORNINASTORM, and it is the intention to continue her preparation. The post Otaki-Maori Racing Club @ Otaki, Tuesday 8 July 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Joshua Brown (NZ) (Dalghar) likes to get his own way and tyro trainer Lance Gussey is happy to go with the flow with his black-type contender. The mercurial son of Dalghar has come a long way in a short time and at New Plymouth on Saturday will face his sternest test yet in the Listed Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m). Despite his quirky temperament, Joshua Brown has an abundance of ability and has fashioned the tidy record of three wins and six placings from 12 appearances. “He’s very hard to train, we couldn’t do exhibition gallops with him because he just won’t do it so he pretty much trains himself,” Gussey said. “We’ve tried a number of times to gallop with other horses, and they’ve taken off and he’s stayed behind and watched them go. “He’s really lazy and is pretty smart. He just does enough, and we haven’t seen his full potential yet.” Joshua Brown will be making his second sojourn to the Central Districts and lessons learned from a first unsuccessful trip have forced a change to the travel plan. “When we went to Trentham, we thought we’d have a bit of a holiday, but he didn’t eat and wasn’t himself,” Gussey said. “This time, we’re going to go down on Saturday and come back the same day.” Joshua Brown has been in good form this preparation and was a winner at Te Rapa two runs back, before a return to the Hamilton course was rewarded with a runner-up finish in the Te Awamutu Cup (1600m). He has been ridden in all but one of his starts by Lynsey Satherley, who will continue her association with the five-year-old at New Plymouth. “I’m extremely happy with him and I can’t complain, he’s doing everything right and we couldn’t have asked for anymore. He hasn’t felt those last two races at all,” Gussey said. “We’ve been completely surprised by everything we’ve got from him, we didn’t know he was going to be this good and we’re having a great ride with him.” Co-bred by Gussey’s late father Ron who trained for more than 30 years, Joshua Brown’s future post-Saturday has yet to be confirmed. “I’m new to the industry and ask for a lot of advice. Lynsey picked this race out for him, and we’ll just wait and see what happens,” he said. Out of Midnight Mistress, Joshua Brown’s half-sister She’ll Be Right, by Eminent, has been a winer for Gussey who also has a yearling filly out of the late Savabeel mare by Satono Aladdin. View the full article

Bevan and Robyn Wilson head into Sunday’s Crombie & Price LTD Oamaru Cup (1600m) with three last-start winners, but things haven’t been smooth-sailing for the Ashburton couple. Lord Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Victorian Charm (NZ) (Charm Spirit) have had interrupted preparations, with the former having last raced at Wingatui at the start of last month, and their trainers have been trying to play catch-up with the pair. “Not everything has gone according to plan, but we are excited to have three capable horses being there anyway,” Bevan Wilson said. “Lord Darci got injured, we think, coming home on the float from his win at Dunedin. He has missed a bit of work and received a bit of treatment from the vet. “He is all good again now, but he did miss a couple of races in that time that would have been beneficial for him. We are back now so we have just got to hope he comes up again. “Victorian Charm missed a race at Ashburton, which was probably crucial this preparation too. He is getting thrown in the deep end a little bit at Oamaru. “It has just made it a little bit difficult having them ready for the stern test ahead.” Stablemate Royal Valour (NZ) (Belardo) heads into the race in good fettle and full of confidence following his victory at Ashburton a fortnight ago. “He has had his issues over time, but he seems to be coming to it,” Wilson said. “He has only had the one run back from his spell as well. It was reasonably tough going at Ashburton and hopefully he backs up from that, and we think he will.” Wilson has been rapt with each of their consistent form lines, and he is hoping to give them a crack at stakes level in next month’s Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 128th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton. “They have done well since virtually Christmas time,” he said. “They like the sting out of the ground, but they go on most types of going. “We are giving them a preparation that might get them to the Winter Cup if we can. Royal Valour and Victorian Charm probably need to earn some points to get in that race and we are trying to give them a chance to do that.” Stablemate Victor Rouge is also in line to head to Riccarton for the Grand National Festival of Racing and will have a final lead-in run in Sunday’s Glenmoa Farms LTD River Plate Trophy (1200m). “Things haven’t gone his way in his last couple (of races),” Wilson said. “He has drawn one again, which doesn’t really suit him. We are hoping to get him back further and try and get him to settle. The 1200m will help with that too. “He will also head towards the Grand National meeting where we had a bit of luck last year.” View the full article

Robbie Patterson won’t be short of representatives at his home meeting on Saturday, with 13 runners including a trio of talented performers in the Listed Sinclair Electrical and Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m). The New Plymouth horseman has accepted with Belles Beau, Our Jumala and Sinbin, with the former opening a $3.90 favourite in the TAB market. A son of Iffraaj, Belles Beau had to play bridesmaid to Sinbin when resuming at the local course in May, but then went on to stamp his authority in open company at Wanganui, defeating subsequent winners in Bradman and Tavis Court. Punters expected more of the same from Belles Beau at Otaki last Tuesday, and while he may have disappointed on face value when third behind Belardo Boy, Patterson was satisfied with the effort in the testing ground. “On paper, it looked disappointing, but I think it was more so the holding nature of the track,” he said. “Kavish (Chowdhoory, jockey) said that he came out like he did at Wanganui and was going to go as well as he could in that ground, but he just laboured and couldn’t quicken in it. “He had a really good blow after that race, so we might’ve just been a fraction kind on him as well and the holding track just tripped him up. “He went down to Hawera on Tuesday and galloped very well, has pulled up super, and I can’t fault him. With the home track advantage, I’m just hoping.” Kelly Myers has been given the nod aboard Belles Beau in the feature, while Mereana Hudson is shooting for three on the bounce with Sinbin, who gets a first opportunity at black-type in the race. “At the start of the winter, this was our goal, but she had to get some form to get there,” Patterson said. “She’s certainly done that and on the way she’s been going, she deserves her chance. “I can’t fault her, Lucy (trackwork rider) is very happy with her, she’s just a well horse.” Last, but certainly not least, Our Jumala completes Patterson’s Opunake Cup contingent, a Group Three-winning mare this season who has consistently featured in stakes company. She was given a decent freshen-up after an uncharacteristic effort in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) in May, which Patterson feels is the key to her chances. “We haven’t done a lot with her, she goes well fresh and we’ve just kept her ticking over,” he said. “We’ve gone down to Hawera for a couple of really good gallops, which she’s come through well. “She loves her home track, and she always seems to be a reasonable chance in this state.” Outside of the feature, Patterson will saddle four last-start winners across the card, including back-to-back winner Freebelle, who returns to maiden company in the Revital Fertilisers MAAT (1800m). “She just hasn’t put a foot wrong, she’s absolutely thriving and her work has been top-notch,” Patterson said. “My only query for her is being a very small mare carrying 58.5kg, but she carried 57kg against the Rating 65 horses on very testing ground and she’s back to maiden grade here. I’ve got my man Craig (Grylls) back on board, taking nothing away from Kavish though, he did a great job last time. She’s flying really.” Patterson holds a similarly high opinion of Ma Te Wa, a lightly-raced three-year-old taking the step into Rating 75 grade in the Sandfords Rural Carriers (1200m). “We’ve been a bit quiet on him, I gave him a week in the paddock and had intended to give him three weeks, but he was starting to hoon around so I thought he may as well come back in with the weather turning,” he said. “He’s a neat horse, he puts himself in a spot and hopefully can just keep galloping. He should be a good chance. “Both this horse and Jaegar, another horse that has won recently, both need time, they’re both just three-year-olds. They’ll probably go for a break after this.” Jaegar, alongside stablemate Beausk, will go head-to-head in the Delaval Coastal Agri MAAT (1400m), with the latter having missed a run at Te Rapa due to adverse weather blocking their usual route to the Waikato. “The Awakino Gorge collapsed, so we couldn’t make it to Te Rapa with him,” Patterson said. “We’ve kept him up to the mark, he’s travelled away for a few gallops. “He’s getting better and better, he had been a horse that was keen early and wouldn’t finish off as well as he could. But we’ve tinkered with some gear and Lemmy Douglas has been riding him, and he’s been relaxing very well. “I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t run a good race on Saturday.” In the UBP LTD Maiden (1100m), Patterson is looking forward to kicking off the career of Illustrious, a juvenile by Eminent that will carry the increasingly prominent colours of Daniel Nakhle. “We really like this horse, we’ve given him a couple of soft trials and I was going to trial him again on Tuesday, but I thought on our home track, with only a handful of horses in this race, we would put him in,’ he said. “I’m not expecting him to win on Saturday, but I think he’s a lovely horse that will be winning races, that’s for sure. I think he’ll be a really nice staying three-year-old. “Daniel Nakhle sent him down to me and it’s great to have a horse with him.” View the full article

Star colt Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) is likely to be a notable absentee from all spring feature events. The Group One-winning son of Savabeel has returned from an extended break and is in light work at owner Dick Karreman’s The Oaks Stud. “You won’t see him probably until after Christmas, he could have a run here and then go to Australia,” trainer Pam Gerard said. “Obviously, he’s been off for quite a while for a colt and it’s hard to make a plan until we get him back to the stable and see how he’s working, but the aim is a Group One in Australia.” The Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner went close to a dream result in the autumn when he finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m), after which he was spelled. “He’s had a big couple of years, so we decided to leave him out for a bit longer,” Gerard said. “He’s doing some light work and will head to the water treadmill shortly and then we’ll see him back here at the stable.” Meanwhile, Gerard and connections have unfinished business at Riccarton with their stakes-winning mare Cork. The Matamata trainer has the seven-year-old on target for a third crack at the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) and will continue her preparation at Rotorua on Saturday. Cork will complete her southern build-up in the Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua Handicap (1560m) with apprentice Jack Taplin’s claim to reduce her impost to 56kg. “We thought about going straight to Riccarton without racing again, but it’s a bit of a gap and she’s done very, very well,” Gerard said. “She’s flying at the moment, so we decided to have another run to keep her up to the mark and make sure she’s cherry ripe to go south.” Cork went close to claiming top Winter Cup honours when she beat all bar Belardo Boy in the 2023 edition, and 12 months ago finished midfield. “She ran second two years ago and then last year Lisa Allpress rode her and said the track was too sticky for her,” Gerard said. “We backed her up a week later and she went out and won on a looser track.” Cork emphasised she had come back from a spell in tip-top order with an impressive resuming victory in last month’s Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m). “In the past couple of years, we’ve had a go at that race and always given her a trial and run beforehand,” Gerard said. “It’s a bit bizarre and as they get older you think they may need a bit more racing, she’s always been a bit weak and backward and is finally matured. “After the way she trialled this time, we decided to do something different and run her fresh and it paid off.” The stable will also have Zerre in the Macmillan Accountants Maiden (1215m) and Khando in the House Of Elliot Maiden (1560m). “Zerre is a half-sister to (Group winner) Pendragon and went really well at Te Aroha in her first start back,” Gordon said. “She’s a very fast filly and has wanted to do everything at 100 miles an hour and we’ve finally got her settled nicely now. “Khando didn’t really like the track last time and didn’t go a bad race. She’s a late filly that wants to get up to 2000m, so we’ll give her this one and then go over more ground.” View the full article

Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse discusses two-time grade 1 winner La Cara's chances in the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga Race Course July 19.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. 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. Among this week's rulings, Bonnie Lucas has been banned for 60 days and fined a total of $8,000 for violating the rules on intra-articular joint injections within a specified standdown time prior to a timed workout or race. For the 47 horses that had been administered joint injections within 14 days of post-time, the horses were disqualified and forfeited any purse winnings. In a March agreement order with HISA, Lucas accepted a lifetime ban from participating in the sport of horse racing after admitting to her role in 43 intra-articular joint injection violations. The enforcement over intra-articular injection violations transitioned from HISA's anti-doping and medication control (ADMC) Program to HISA's Racetrack Safety Program on July 8, last year. The timing of the joint injections to which HIWU recently issued sanctions against Lucas fell under HISA's ADMC Program, and are in addition to the lifetime ban already imposed by HISA, wrote a HIWU spokesperson. “Under the ADMC Program Rules, these violations required the disqualifications of race results, which Lucas was seeking to avoid,” wrote the HIWU spokesperson. Though intra-articular injections are now being enforced under HISA's Racetrack Safety Program banner, HISA will still “seek disqualification of race results for any horse that competes in violation of a mandatory standdown time,” a HISA spokesperson wrote. Elsewhere, trainer Phil Serpe has been banned for two years, beginning July 15, plus a race disqualification and forfeiture of purse winnings stemming from a Clenbuterol positive related to Fast Kimmie's (Oscar Performance) win at Saratoga Aug. 10 last year. There are several important wrinkles in this case, which are outlined in detail by the TDN here. One is that the decision did not impose any monetary fine upon Serpe-a notable departure from how the agency has handled a dozen other clenbuterol detections. Serpe has initiated a federal lawsuit against HISA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). His legal team has argued in a Florida federal court that HIWU's non-pursuit of a monetary penalty is an alleged attempt to subvert Serpe's efforts to prove he has been wrongfully denied a Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial. The Florida federal court judge David Leibowitz wrote in May that he was denying Serpe's request for a preliminary injunction in the case, though left the door open for Serpe to still pursue his Seventh Amendment injunction claim in light of the (then) impending HIWU arbitration decision. On Tuesday after the arbitration decision was made public, Serpe renewed in federal court his request for a preliminary injunction in his lawsuit against HISA and the FTC. His legal team also filed an immediate appeal with the FTC to have his July 14 HIWU arbitration decision reconsidered by an administrative law judge. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 07/16/2025 Licensee: Anthony Granitz, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vet's list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a Class C controlled substances–in a sample taken from Scenic Justice (Harry's Holiday) 6/13/25. Date: 07/15/2025 Licensee: Marcelino Salas, 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: Medication violation for the presence of Diclofenac–a Class C controlled substances–in a sample taken from Yammy Yammy Bella (Karakontie), who finished third at Horseshoe Indianapolis 5/28/25. Date: 07/14/2025 Licensee: Gabriel Alexis Silva, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning July 15, 2025; 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a Class B controlled substances–in a sample taken from Dansmetothendoflov (Paynter), who finished second at Canterbury Park 5/31/25. Date: 07/14/2025 Licensee: Phil Serpe, trainer Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning July 15, 2025; 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). Final decision by arbitral body. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Clenbuterol–a banned substance permitted in certain circumstances–in a sample taken from Fast Kimmie, who won at Saratoga 8/10/24. Date: 07/09/2025 Licensee: Michael Maker, trainer Penalty: None. Explainer: Maker was facing alleged charges for the presence of Diflunisal–a banned NSAID–in a sample taken from Intermittent Fast (Tapwrit), who won at Churchill Downs 11/29/25, but the charges were withdrawn due to “Deficiency identified in processing of B Sample.” Date: 07/09/2025 Licensee: Bonnie Lucas, trainer Penalty: 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning July 9, 2025; 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. Final decision by internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Violation of Rule 4222, Intra-articular injections within 14 days of post-time, concerning the following 47 horses linked here. Date: 07/09/2025 Licensee: Bonnie Lucas, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Final decision by internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Violation of Rule 4222, Intra-articular injections within seven days of a timed and reported workout, concerning the six horses linked here. Pending ADMC Violations 07/16/2025, Joseph David Perez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Digits (Street Boss) 6/15/25. 07/16/2025, George Papaprodromou, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sneaker (Oscar Performance), who won the Fran's Valentine Stakes at Santa Anita 5/24/25. 07/14/2025, Justin Evans, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Big Beauty (Mr. Big) 6/20/25. 07/14/2025, Kelli Martinez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from American Sue (American Lion), who finished second at Prairie Meadows 6/14/25. 07/10/2025, Jeff Mullins, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sparta F.C. (Astern {Aus}) 6/5/25. 07/10/2025, Jose R. Gonzalez Sr., trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violation for the presence of Albuterol–a banned bronchodilator–in a sample taken from Ol'McClintock (Marking) 4/22/25. 07/10/2025, Carlos Acosta, trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violations for the presence of Albuterol–a banned bronchodilator–in samples taken from Storm Leader (Attila's Storm) 4/22/25; and from Tucum (King Bull) 4/22/25. The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, July 10-16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two-time grade 1 winner La Cara now has the target clearly on her back, and she'll be easy to find for her competition as her speed will play a crucial role in the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga Race Course July 19.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse wasn't going to lie. There is no joy in facing Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the clear leader of the 3-year-old division. But that doesn't mean Casse isn't chomping at the bit for another chance at the champ. That comes a week from Saturday when Casse's Sandman (Tapit) takes on the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner in Saratoga's $500,000 GII Jim Dandy. “I don't know if you ever look forward to facing Sovereignty,” Casse said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Wednesday morning. “He is a very good horse, and, so far, he has shown his superiority over us. I love the challenge.” Casse will try with the popular grey, who was seventh in the Kentucky Derby, beaten a dozen lengths by Sovereignty. The only other time the two faced each other was last year when Sovereignty won the GIII Street Sense and Sandman was third, five lengths behind. Sandman, owned by D J Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and C J Stables, had his final Jim Dandy work on a steamy Wednesday morning, going four furlongs in :49.01 (11/33) with exercise rider Reynaldo Dumont on board. “Just what we were looking for,” Casse said. “If you look, that is what we have done with him in the past and it has worked out pretty good. He has been on a 10-day schedule. He puts a lot into his gallops. He is not a big, robust horse. He is more of a taller, leaner kind, so he doesn't need near as much as some.” Casse found this worked for Sandman when he was in Arkansas this winter and had to work the colt around some inclement weather. The more days in between works seemed to be something Sandman adapted well to. Sandman will be equipped with blinkers for the first time in the Jim Dandy, a decision Casse wrestled with ever since it first came up after his third-place finish in the GI Preakness. “My concern is it is going to make him a little more aggressive early,” he said. “We will see how he handles this in the Jim Dandy. We know he loves the track. Without a doubt, his most impressive performance as a 2-year-old was here.” Sandman broke his maiden going seven furlongs by 1 3/4 lengths last summer. Of Course The Name Is From The TV Show The name might not mean much to you if you weren't a fan of the original television show, “Hawaii Five-O.” But, if you were, the 4-year-old whose title is Book'em Danno (Bucchero), makes perfect sense. In the show, which ran from 1968 to 1980, the main character, Det. Steve McGarrett (played by Jack Lord), usually ended an episode with this catchphrase after they caught the bad guys: “Book 'em, Danno!” Book'em Danno wins the True North last month at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew The owners of the horse, a group of six buddies from the Jersey Shore–Atlantic Six Racing LLC–are of the age when watching “Hawaii Five-O” back in the day was must-see TV. “I have to give the credit to (partner) Mark Rubenstein,” Atlantic Six Racing managing partner Jay Briscione said by phone Wednesday. “He remembered the show, I remembered the show. In those days, there was not as much to get your attention, so we watched TV. That was one we watched. Book 'em, Danno. Murder One!” The horse has gotten his fair share of attention because of the name, but also because he can run a little bit. Book'em Danno has won eight of 14 career starts–two of three this year–and will be in Saratoga for Saturday's six-furlong, $400,000 GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt. In his last start, he won the GIII True North at Saratoga on June 7 over a sloppy track. Two starts ago, he was fourth in a four-horse photo in the GI Churchill Downs. That race was won by the highly regarded Mindframe (Constitution). Trainer Derek Ryan said he had hoped to ship Book'em Danno from Monmouth Park on Tuesday but the heavy rains caused the New Jersey Turnpike to be closed in some parts. Ryan said Wednesday that he expected the horse to be in Saratoga early Thursday morning. Briscione, who was in Saratoga, won't be here to watch Book'em Danno on Saturday. He has a good reason for the absence. His youngest son, Geoff, is getting married. “I told my wife he would understand if I was not there,” Briscione said with a laugh, “but that didn't go over very big.” Defending Vanderbilt Champ Nakatomi Looks For Rebound The race was over before it started the last time Nakatomi (Firing Line) ran. Trainer Wesley Ward hopes his 6-year-old owned by Qatar Racing LLC and Mrs. Fitriani Hay has better luck in Saturday's Vanderbilt ,than he did in last month's True North. He had a slow start and then had to contend with a sloppy track in the True North. The result was a fifth-place finish as the favorite. Nakatomi won last year's Vanderbilt | Sarah Andrew Ward is throwing that race out and moving on to the next. Nakatomi won the Vanderbilt last year when it was a Grade I. “When you get left at the gate, you kind of want to take them back a little further,” Ward, a former jockey, said by phone from Kentucky. “You hope they burn out in front of you. When he broke slow, (jockey) Irad (Ortiz, Jr.) did not want to give up too much and he had to use him a little bit. It didn't work and it never does. When they broke, I knew that was it.” Ortiz could not overcome the bad start and Nakatomi was beaten 5 1/4 lengths by Book'em Danno in the True North. Ward likes that Nakatomi drew the outside post in the eight-horse field. “We have a great post,' he said. “If the speed hooks up early, we can sit on the outside and kind of watch them.” Nakatomi will be reunited with Florida-based jockey Emisael Jaramillo, who was on board when he finished second–beaten a neck–in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Ortiz is riding at Monmouth on Saturday. Ward said he would prefer more time between races for Nakatomi, but the horse is telling him he is ready to go. “He shipped in from Keeneland and he was jumping and playing… I don't know if (True North) took any toll on him,” he said. “He acts like everything is good. It's a very contentious race; we'll see what happens.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Casse Pleased With Sandman’s Final Jim Dandy Work appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Jordyn Bublitz Loteria is set to make her Cambridge Raceway debut tonight in what looks to be a perfect stepping stone for the mare as she continues her return to racing. The four-year-old daughter of Majestic Son, trained out of Clevedon by Sammy Kilgour, is a well-travelled campaigner. She began her career across the Tasman as a two-year-old in Australia before joining Sammy and her partner Josh Dickie on their move back to New Zealand. After a strong start to her racing career on kiwi soil, Sammy made the call to give her a decent spell to set her up for a big second half of 2025. “She hadn’t had a decent break in a while, and I knew if we wanted to target these nicer mares’ races at the end of the year, we needed to turn her out” Kilgour said. “That’s why we opted to give her a lengthy spell, so that this time in, she can have a decent racing prep.” Loteria resumed at Alexandra Park last Friday, her first race since December last year. Things didn’t quite go to script at the start, with the mare missing away and costing herself a considerable amount of ground, but there was plenty to like about the way she caught the field to finish in 6th. “Despite her missing away it was still a really good run from her at Auckland and we’re really happy with her,” Kilgour said. This evening, she steps out under the lights in Race 4, the Holmes & Co Family Silk Rd Northern Mares Ht2 Mobile Trot (6:59 p.m.) Tonight’s dance marks her first look at Cambridge Raceway, and the conditions look ideal with her drawing barrier 1 over the 1700m mobile trip. The team is hoping the change to a mobile start will play to her strengths. “I’m hopeful that the mobile start will help her out, we’re still struggling a bit with the standing starts” Kilgour said. “She just wants to run; she’s a Majestic Son out of a Sundon mare so it’s not really the recipe for standing still!” With mobile starts few and far between for trotters, Kilgour spotted tonight’s race in the programme and saw a golden opportunity. “I saw this race and thought ‘It’s a mobile and they don’t come along often, so we might as well give it a go’. She’s had mobile starts before and left the gate well, so fingers crossed we can navigate the start safely and go from there.” If Loteria performs well tonight, the stable has one eye on next week’s $20,000 Silk Road Northern Trotting Mares Final. “The final for this series is next week, so if we can run a good race and get into that it would be really awesome,” Kilgour said. “It’s just a week-by-week thing with her, we’ll see how she comes through her run and move from there.” View the full article

If the field for the $600,000 United Nations Stakes (G2T) has a familiar ring to it, then you have an excellent memory.View the full article

The $200,000 Princess Rooney Invitational Stakes (G3), a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event, highlights the track's Sunshine Meet stakes schedule of 17 races worth $1.625 million in purses in late summer and fall at Gulfstream.View the full article