Wandering Eyes

Chilean-bred Richi has acclimated well for trainer Bob Baffert, "getting stronger and stronger," he said, and she proved it emphatically with an easy win in the Santa Maria Stakes (G2) April 19 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Godolphin homebred First Mission has always shown plenty of promise throughout his career, but after his strong victory in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 19, his connections are hopeful 2025 will be his breakout season.View the full article

By Mike Love South Canterbury trainer Noel Taylor is cautious about the chances of Swift Dream ($5.00FF) in Race 11, the Sheree Tomlinson and Matt Cross Trot at Monday’s Banks Peninsula meeting at Addington Raceway. Although the nine-year-old Superfast Stuart gelding has been trotting in a fine vein of form lately winning two of his last three starts, three of four of Swift Dream’s wins have come on grass. The 12-race programme starts at 11.15am at Addington after being transferred from Motukarara because of bad weather over the past few days. “Grass would’ve been better for him – but with the weather around they made the right call shifting it,” says Taylor. Swift Dream picked up a penalty free win last time out at Methven when driven by legend Ricky May in an invited drivers race. He remains in the same or similar class on Sunday. Swift Dream will be driven by leading reinsman Blair Orange who has a book of eight drives. “Blair’s always a bonus and has driven her a lot. So I’ll be leaving it up to him.” Orange has driven Swift Dream for two of his victories and three placings. “It’ll be tough from his draw – if it’s wet then we will have to be handy enough when it counts. “I’ve been really happy with him lately – he’s so honest,” said Taylor. Other chances in the big even field include Crown The Moment ($7.00FF) from the inside draw of one, and the likes of Lindy’s Rocket ($12.00FF), Prince Teka ($23.00FF) and Diamond Harbour ($14.00FF) who all enjoy being on speed which will be vital over the short distance and likely slushy conditions. Swift Dream is the only horse Taylor has in work at the moment while he works his sheep farm at Kohika. He has trained 56 winners with over $390,000 in stakes in his career. To see Monday’s fields click here View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk New Zealand’s representative Blair Orange reckons home country advantage will be key to his chances of winning this November’s World Driving Championship (WDC). The 10 drivers who will compete in the WDC were announced at a function at Addington Raceway on Saturday night. It was no surprise to anyone that Orange got the nod to wear the silver fern. He has after all won the last seven driving premierships and is well on his way to taking out an eighth in 2025. “To represent your country at anything is a big achievement and hopefully I can do the fern pride,” says Orange, “it’s a bit more pressure with the home town thing but there’ll be a lot of support.” This will be his second WDC after competing in Europe (Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands) in 2023. This one, he is sure, will be feel different with three key factors in his favour, namely language, form and familiarity. “It was harder with the language barrier (in Europe). And not knowing the form so much made it hard too. Knowing that here will hopefully make it easier and hopefully everything will work out.” The WDC will be held at four venues – Kaikoura, Winton, Cambridge and Addington – and that Orange says that gives him another advantage over his rivals. “I know them like the back of my hand so hopefully we can use that too.” “Host” drivers have a strong record in the WDC. Since the first championships in 1970 there have been 13 instances of home country drivers winning the title, including James MacDonald in Canada in 217 and Pierre Vercruysee in France in 2013. Both former world champions have been confirmed in this year’s line up. To see the official WDC media release and the 10 drivers click here View the full article

With a handle of $5,536,944 wagered on the 12-race “Preakness Preview Day” program at Laurel Park, the new Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) set a handle record Saturday, according to a release from the organization. Two “Win Today, See You in May events” were contested Saturday, as well as the first stakes races on turf in the state of Maryland for the year. The $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes offered a fees-paid guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the GI Preakness Stakes, while the Weber City Miss Stakes offered the same for the GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. They were won by Pay Billy (Improbable) and Complexity Jane (Complexity), respectively. The new MJC offered other encouraging statistics: 105 entrants on Saturday gave an average of 8.8 starters per race, with a comparative 72 horses in the 11-race Federico Tesio card in 2024, or an average of 6.5 runners per race This year's “Preakness Preview Day” card averaged $461,412 per race with a handle of $5,536,944, while last year's comparative card handled $2,889,322, for an average of $262,666 per race The post Good News in Maryland as Handle Record Set appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lexington residents traveling down Versailles Road to Keeneland see neighboring Calumet Farm on their way, and they have seen the farm's impact on the sport at the historic track just as much in recent days.View the full article

A day after Gin Gin lit up the toteboard at odds of 38-1 in the Doubledogdare Stakes (G3), Utah Beach delivered another healthy stakes payoff for the Keeneland crowd with an 11-1 upset victory in the $394,188 Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) April 19.View the full article

The new Maryland Jockey Club set a handle record of $5,536,944 the April 19 "Preakness Preview Day" program at Laurel Park. View the full article

The recipient of a beautiful inside trip beneath Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat, Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' FIRST MISSION (h, 5, Street Sense–Elude, by Medaglia d'Oro) altered course in the final furlong and split horses decisively en route to a convincing victory in Saturday's $1.25-million GII Oaklawn Handicap in Hot Springs. Firming late into 7-5 favoritism, the homebred took up a spot from fourth as defending champion Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) sat just off pacesetting longshot Go West Go (Twirling Candy), with the Godolphin-bred Banishing (Ghostzapper) chasing three wide. The front-runner dropped away tamely, leaving Skippylongstocking and Banshing to duke it out up front, but First Mission was always going well behind, in need only of a spot to run. Prat initially looked intent on threading the needle between Banishing and Alexander Helios (Cairo Prince) three off the inside, but that gap never materialized. Instead, the Frenchman steered First Mission back to the inside, shot to the front inside the final eighth of a mile and pulled clear to defeat the in-form Banishing. Skippylongstocking held on for third. Lifetime Record: 12-6-2-1. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad Cox. FIRST MISSION ($4.80) scored with a perfect trip under Flavien Prat in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at @OaklawnRacing. @bradcoxracing trains the son of Street Sense (@DarleyAmerica) for owners @Godolphin. Last: https://t.co/fEBb9IA5at pic.twitter.com/DzS8ArFdh6 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 19, 2025 The post Street Sense’s First Mission Powers Clear In Oaklawn Handicap appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tampa Bay Downs jockey Hector Rafael Diaz Jr., suffered a dislocated left shoulder April 18 when he was unseated in the stretch run of the seventh race on the turf after his mount, 3-year-old filly Hidden Recipe, clipped heels with Mia Vita.View the full article

Local hope Pay Billy could be on to the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1) after scoring a workmanlike victory in the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes April 19 at Laurel Park.View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Choisya in the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland. Queen Of Keeneland Rabbah Bloodstock homebred Choisya (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), a winner of the G2 Cape Verdi and G2 Balanchine at Meydan this winter, took her show on the road and ran out a half-length winner of the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland on April 12 (video). She is trained by Simon and Ed Crisford. Also a winner at listed level in Britain, the chestnut is out of Fragrancy (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}), who was placed in the Listed Severals Stakes as a 4-year-old. Choisya is the 10th of 12 foals for her dam and one of four black-type horses. The Jenny Wiley winner's half-siblings include listed winner and G3 Sceptre Stakes third Pelerin (Ire) (Shamardal) and fillies by Earthlight (Ire) foaled in 2022 and 2024. The extended family features dual top-level winner Hibaayeb (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and her daughter Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac. Darley's Night Of Thunder has sired 12 winners from 20 runners in the U.S. (60%). Choisya is his best to date there, and he also has three additional graded winners and a listed winner to his credit, all fillies. He stands for €150,000 at Kildangan Stud in Ireland this year. Successful raid! The British trained CHOISYA took the G1 Jenny Wiley @keenelandracing for @gainsboroughHQ! pic.twitter.com/ACBMcrwUYl — World Horse Racing (@WHR) April 13, 2025 Blue Point Filly Blitzes Rivals In Florida Gainesway Stable and LNJ Foxwoods-owned Make Haste (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) won her second American start by 4 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream for Christophe Clement on April 13 (video). Bred by Sheraton Bloodstock, the bay was a 40,000gns weanling acquisition by Ballymaw Bloodstock from the Tattersalls December Foal Sale before catching the eye of Byron Rogers, Diego Dias and Star Bloodstock as a 75,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling. The filly was a winner for Dias and owners Simon Chappell, Mrs. A. Frost and M Eves at Naas on debut, and LNJ Foxwoods and Gainesway had bought into the filly prior to her start in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot last June. She was second in the Listed Marwell Stakes back at Naas for that ownership group in July and switched to the U.S. after five starts. The fourth winner from five to race out of the winner Quick March (GB) (Lawman {Fr}), Make Haste is a granddaughter of listed winner and dual Group 3-placed Strut (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Her dam has a 2-year-old colt by Harry Angel (Ire). G3 Prix Chloe heroine Araminta (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) is out of G3 Bengough Stakes victress Mince (GB) (Medicean {GB}), herself a half-sister to Quick March. Priced at €100,000 at Kildangan Stud in Ireland this year, Darley's Blue Point has 50% winners from runners (7/14). His trio of stakes winners are led by GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint victor Big Evs (Ire). Make Haste and @zayas_edgardo impressively score in race 8, Sunday's featured race at #GulfstreamPark. pic.twitter.com/grA0cG0e9d — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) April 13, 2025 'TDN Rising Star' For Pinatubo Pinatubo (Ire) filly Al Jafara (GB) was named a 'TDN Rising Star' in her third start and American debut at Keeneland for Chad Brown on April 12 (video). She now races in the colours of Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and Richard Schermerhorn. Bred by V. I. Araci, the 3-year-old filly was a 15,000gns Book 2 yearling out of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale to Shanaville Stables, and brought €37,000 at the Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale when selling to KGS. After a fourth for Mansour Aguel and trainer Hedi Ghabri at Chantilly, she won at second asking at that venue over 1800 metres in September. Sold for €250,000 at Arqana's Arc Sale to Oceanic Bloodstock, she was exported Stateside for these connections. Out of the placed mare Predawn (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), herself a full-sister to G1 Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) and four-time group-placed Shogun (Ire), the filly is her third foal and second winner. Predawn has a 2-year-old colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) and a yearling filly by Oasis Dream (GB). This is the same clan as G1 St. Leger winner Brian Boru (GB) (Sadler's Wells) and GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Flute (Seattle Slew). Another Darley representative, Pinatubo (Ire) has an 40% strike rate in the U.S. with two winners from five to race, including the GIII With Anticipation Stakes third Cavallo Bay (GB). His 2025 fee is £30,000 at Dalham Hall Stud. Al Jafara wins her U.S. debut in R8 at Keeneland under Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/eeCgJrEC2K — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 12, 2025 Lope De Vega Game At Keeneland Farfellow Farms' Expensive Queen (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) made her U.S. bow a winning run, clawing out a neck victory at Keeneland for trainer Brendan Walsh on April 18 (video). Bred by Fermoir, Ltd., the 4-year-old filly was purchased out of the Arqana August Yearling Sale for €260,000 by Rabbah Bloodstock. She broke her maiden at Haydock for Kevin Ryan and Jabber Abdullah in July of 2023, and, after five starts, made a pair of starts for James Tate before being sold and traveling to the U.S. A full-sister to G3 Prestige Stakes and G3 Princess Royal Stakes heroine Antonia De Vega (Ire) and the stakes-placed Luckin Brew (Ire), the filly is out of the multiple stakes-placed Witches Brew (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}). The dam has a pair of full-siblings to Expensive Queen–a juvenile colt and a yearling filly–yet to race. She is kin to G1 Prix Jacques le Marois hero Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead). Ballylinch Stud's Lope De Vega now has 46 winners from 86 runners (53%) in the U.S. His 11 U.S. stakes winners include four Grade I winners–Carl Spackler (Ire), Program Trading (GB), Newspaperofrecord (Ire) and Aunt Pearl (Ire). He stands for €175,000 in 2025. (6) Expensive Queen (IRE) rallies up in time to win the night cap, bringing Luis Saez his third win on today's card! (2) Mystifying finishes second and (10) Alimara (FR) is third. pic.twitter.com/K3ZwVSBdLu — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 18, 2025 Third Time's The Charm For Dublin's Knight Second in his first two starts at Gulfstream for Wells Watson and trainer Brendan Walsh, Dublin's Knight (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) got the job done switched to Keeneland on April 13 (video). The Rosemont Stud-bred chestnut was picked up by Grove Stud for €180,000 out of the Goffs November Foal Sale in 2022, and was snapped up by Watson for €235,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale in 2023. Placed in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas, Good Place (Street Cry {Ire}) has foaled seven offspring so far, of which Dublin's Knight is her fourth winner. Her latest is a filly by Starspangledbanner (Aus). The winner's female family traces to third dam Canny Lass (Aus) (Bletchingly {Aus}), a winner of the G1 Marlboro Cup, G1 Elders Mile, and G1 William Reid Stakes among others. Dublin's Knight is the only colt to win in America for his sire, so far from three runners. (9) Dublin's Knight (IRE) storms to the finish in race 3 for @iradortiz! (11) World Beater and (10) Salamis follow. pic.twitter.com/RJ7OnAdCLD — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 13, 2025 Mehmas Filly Finds Minimum Trip To Her Liking Brendan Walsh saddled Miso Spicy (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}) to a 4 1/2-length tally at Gulfstream Park on April 12 (video). Bred by Haras d'Haspel, the bay is raced by Bridlewood Farm, e Five Racing Throughbreds and Michael Dubb. The €70,000 Arqana October yearling was purchased by Mandore International Agency and was making her fourth start. Miso Spicy is the third foal and first winner for Exceed And Excel (Aus)'s Karishma (Ire). Second dam Karasiyra (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire}) won the Listed Lenebane Stakes and was placed in the G3 Noblesse Stakes, while her half-sister Kirinda (Ire) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) was second in the G3 Kilboy Estate Stakes. Tally-Ho Stud's Mehmas, priced at €70,000 this year, is responsible for 18 winners from 32 runners (56%) in the U.S. His seven American stakes winners (22%) are anchored by top-flight winners Going Global (Ire), Chez Pierre (Fr), and Magnum Force (Ire). Miso Spicy (FR) and @zayas_edgardo romp in race 4 at #GulfstreamPark! pic.twitter.com/GGylMTKJbr — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) April 12, 2025 Bungle Colt Strikes At Gulfstream Trainer George Weaver's Insubordination (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) won his third career start at Gulfstream Park on April 12 (video). A silkbearer for Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing and Kaleta Racing, the 3-year-old was bred by Patrick Thompson. Placed in two Saratoga starts last August, the son of the two-time winner Chabelita (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) was originally an €11,000 buy at the Goffs November Foal Sale by Q-Cross Stables. Sent back through the Goffs ring during Book 2 of the Orby Yearling Sale in 2023, he made €62,000 when selected by Legion Bloodstock. Out of a half-sister to multiple stakes winner In Front (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) and G3 Prix Noailles second More Than A Dream (Ire) (Halling), he is followed by a 2-year-old colt by Galileo Gold (GB). Bungle Inthejungle has sired seven winners from 10 to race in America (70%). Manhattan Jungle (Ire) won the Listed Sweet Life Stakes. The 15-year-old stands for €7,500 at Rathasker Stud this term. Repeat Winners Multiple Grade I winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) returned to this column with a 4 1/4-length victory in the GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes at Keeneland for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Chad Brown on April 11 (video). Listed winner No Nay Hudson (Ire) (No Nay Never) also returned to Making Waves with a half-length tally at Keeneland on April 18 (video). He is raced by Andrew Farm and For The People Racing Stable and trained by Wesley Ward. Pure class! Carl Spackler is back with a dominant win in the Grade 1 Maker's Mark Mile at @keenelandracing! pic.twitter.com/5Mvbj4IKm0 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 11, 2025 The post Making Waves: From Dubai To Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release Professor Gordon Jones passed only four days after his 95th birthday. Jones was a pioneer of speed and pace handicapping. His best-selling book, “Gordon Jones to Win” (1976), inspired his popular pre-race handicapping seminars that were attended by legions of race goers. He brought his numbers to the track at a time when people would laugh at him, and he would hide his spiral notebook. Speed numbers are now a common barometer. He graduated from Whittier College, where his father had been president for several years. He went on to get his Master's Degree from the University of Oregon. Jones taught journalism at USC and Arizona State. He was awarded the “Top Banana Award” several times by his students at USC, which was awarded to their favorite professor. Many of his students went on to say that he was the reason they went on to successful careers as journalists. Renowned sportscaster Al Michaels has said numerous times that Gordon Jones was his favorite professor! He talked about how they used to go to the racetrack together at Turf Paradise while Michaels was a student at ASU. Later in life, Jones was hired by former students to be the turf columnist and handicapper for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. When the 1984 Olympics came to Los Angeles, it was all hands on deck in the sports department and Jones was sent to cover some of the more obscure events. Jones laughed about it for years because each event they sent him to turned out to be a gold medal for the USA, and he continued to get the front page story in the paper. His popularity transcended the sport. Jones was given a small role in the Ryan O'Neal movie Fever Pitch and did voiceover work on the award-winning Indie film George B. He even had a big write up in Los Angeles Magazine. His devotion to his students, both on college and university campuses and the racetrack, was lifelong. Jones continued to receive correspondence from students as far back as the 1960s. His words and teachings were impactful, and his articles resonated with so many, bringing in many new fans to the sport. Oaklawn Park was always a favorite track for him. He applied his speed and pace method and called it a “berry patch.” He wrote about Oaklawn Park in the Herald Examiner and that article was framed and hung in the Oaklawn executive offices. Jones was a highly intelligent man. During the draft for the Korean War, he placed first in math and third in science in the required draft testing. They would not allow him to fight but put him instead in an office at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey. Jones taught his daughter, Joanne, how to handicap and so began a long career for her in television and radio covering the races from Coast to Coast. He is survived by his daughter, Joanne Jones; grandson, Ethan Jones; his longtime partner, Margaret Davis; his former wife and close friend, Kathy Jones; his brother, Dr. Alfred Jones; sister-in-law, Dr. Elyane Jones; niece, Elizabeth Jones; and daughter, Brienna Jones. Plans for a memorial service honoring his life will be announced at a later date. The post Handicapper and Professor Gordon Jones Passes Away at 95 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coming off a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2), Instant Replay outclassed his five rivals to capture the $200,000 Bathhouse Row Stakes April 19 at Oaklawn Park.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Steven Reid might be wondering whether he should let his partner buy all his horses. Because it seems to have worked with exciting juvenile Jumal, who remained unbeaten in two when thrashing his opponents at Addington on Saturday. The son of Downbytheseaside put six and three-quarter lengths on his rivals even after sitting parked in the $20,000 Breckon Farms Easter Stakes, with a 57.4 second last 400m. Trainer Reid has always thought Jumal was a smart one and the colt has again demonstrated Reid’s eye for a yearling even if technically “Reidman” didn’t buy him. His partner Bella Storer did. “Our owner Malcolm Wrigley wanted to get a good horse and I was having no joy finding him one after two days of the sales,” explains Reid. “But we really liked this one and we were supposed to have a budget of around $40,000-60,000. “When he was going through the ring I was actually on a Skype call of all things for business so Bella and I were talking before and I said, ‘lets just buy it.” “Bella rang me after to tell me we had got it but he cost $95,000. “So we ended up staying in him for a share which is in Bella’s name and it has worked out great because he is a really smart horse.” Reid says Saturday wasn’t even the best version of Jumal as he brought him to the races without a mate and he got quite fractious. “So I think he can go even better.” He will get his chance to prove that at Diamonds Day at Invercargill next Sunday where he heads for the $100,000 Diamond Creek Farm Classic at Group 1 level. “After that we have a decision to make whether we stick around for the Welcome Stakes or head to the paddock but I am confident he will come back a stronger horse in the second half of the season, which is where so much of the big money is.” Driven by Sam Ottley, Jumal was one of the stars of the Addington day programme that also saw NZ Derby placegetter Harrison John continue a great last month for trainers Hayden and Amanda Cullen. While he has just turned four at the other end of the spectrum was the feature trot winner in Franco Josiah, the 10-year-old winning for popular trainer Ben Waldron, proving too strong in the testing conditions for Father Time, who fitness is improving and a win isn’t too far away. The $30,000 Racing Rewards race had a great spread of different trainers and drivers winning, which is the whole idea of the concept. View the full article

Qatar Racing LLC, Resolute Racing and Marc Detampel's JUST A TOUCH (c, 4, Justify–Touching Beauty, by Tapit) made light work of a very classy nine-furlong Keeneland allowance Saturday afternoon, earning himself the right to return to some of the top races on offer over the coming months. Favored at 2-5, the $300,000 OBS April breezer won the break and carried the lead into the first turn, but Florent Geroux took a tug and was content to lay second while maintaining a foothold at the fence as Passing Game (Medaglia d'Oro)–ostensibly there to help set things up for the more accomplished Skinner (Curlin)–was intent on making the lead. Geroux sat against Just a Touch before giving him his head with better than a half-mile to race and the colt was firmly in front entering the turn. They lined up to try to take a crack at him nearing the stretch, but Just a Touch continued to go through his gears, opening up at will and easing home a very good-looking winner. 'TDN Rising Star' Parchment Party (Constitution) closed well from the back of the pack to earn second money over Gould's Gold (Goldencents). Sales history: $170,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $125,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 7-3-3-0. O-Qatar Racing LLC, Resolute Racing & Marc Detampel; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Brad Cox. (5) Just A Touch wins race 8 convincingly with @flothejock in the saddle! (2) Parchment Party rallies up for second, (8) Gould's Gold is third. pic.twitter.com/UWyPFf1PrA — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 19, 2025 The post Justify’s Just A Touch Rolls In Salty Keeneland Allowance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Journalism had his final work April 19 at Santa Anita Park before shipping to Churchill Downs, where he is expected to be the favorite in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

1/ST TV has curated the workouts by contenders for the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls in one location in one location on the 1ST.TV website under the heading "Triple Crown Trail." View the full article

Instant Replay (c, 3, Maximum Security–Academy Gal, by Medaglia d'Oro), a very good closing third in the GII Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Mar. 22, became the first stakes winner for his second-crop sire in Saturday's Bathhouse Row S. at Oaklawn Park, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Preakness Stakes. Favored at 3-5, the Gary and Mary West homebred raced much closer to the front this time around, chasing in fifth through fractions of :23.54 and :49.42. He began to launch while four wide on the far turn and came with a sustained rally down the stretch to defeat narrow Sunland Park Derby runner-up Caldera (Liam's Map) by 3/4 of a length. Instant Replay, a runaway maiden winner in a $100,000 seller at third asking at Churchill Downs Nov. 9, was an impressive winner two starts later in an optional claimer while making his sophomore debut at Fair Grounds Feb. 17. Instant Replay's dam Academy Gal, a fellow West homebred and maiden of three career starts, is also represented by a Maximum Security colt of 2023 and a Kantharos filly of this year. Academy Gal brought $5,000 from Gaelic Bloodstock at the 2023 KEENOV sale. BATHHOUSE ROW S., $200,000, Oaklawn, 4-19, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:52.06, ft. 1–INSTANT REPLAY, 118, c, 3, by Maximum Security 1st Dam: Academy Gal, by Medaglia d'Oro 2nd Dam: Flashy Gal, by Smart Strike 3rd Dam: Oneofacat, by Deputy Minister 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Gary & Mary West; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $117,000. Lifetime Record: GSP, 7-3-1-1, $313,358. 2–Caldera, 118, c, 3, Liam's Map–Send Me On My Way, by Tiznow. ($75,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $500,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-MyRacehorse; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. $39,000. 3–First Division, 118, c, 3, Omaha Beach–Ice Women, by Street Sense. ($130,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $15,000 2yo '24 FTDJUL). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Baer, Deann, Logan, Brett & Baxter, Bill; B-Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM (IN); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $19,500. Margins: 3/4, 1, NK. Odds: 0.70, 2.20, 20.30. Also Ran: Hymn, Pretty Capable, Hot Gunner. Scratched: Tiz Secure. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Instant Replay gets the job done in the Bathhouse Row S. at Oaklawn Park! @bradcoxracing trains and Flavien Prat had the mount. TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/fcli6EphLZ — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 19, 2025 The post Instant Replay Becomes First Stakes Winner for Maximum Security, Earns Preakness Berth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rodeo Creek Racing's GIII Gazelle-winner Ballerina d'Oro worked a half-mile on Saturday over the Belmont Park training track in preparation for the GI Kentucky Oaks, NYRA said in Saturday press release. Trained by Chad Brown, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro breezed under jockey Dylan Davis and was caught by NYRA clockers covering the distance in 48 seconds flat outside of 'TDN Rising Star' & GISP Hill Road (Quality Road), who the conditioner said is pointing to the GIII Peter Pan Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A meet May 10. Hill Road was forced to miss the GII Wood Memorial Stakes in early April after he spiked a fever on the Thursday before the race. “She [Ballerina d'Oro] worked super and is cooling out good, so she'll ship over to Churchill and leave tomorrow,” said Brown, who added he was also pleased with the way Hill Road galloped out. “She's been pretty uncomplicated in her races, so I'm not sure she what happened coming off the turn in the last race.” Ballerina d'Oro was a hard-fought nose winner over Early On (Union Rags) in the Gazelle Apr. 5, but she drifted out considerably down the lane. Brown said the talented grey reminds him of champion 3-year-old colt & 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who has been working at Payson Park throughout April and is expected to arrive at Belmont Park soon to train towards the GI Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs June 28. “I'm not going to react to that. It was such an isolated thing for me,” Brown said of the Gazelle stretch run. “She has enough steering equipment on her between her bit and a small blinker. I'm not going to overreact here. “She cruised around there with Hill Road and Dylan gave us good feedback and said, 'Chad, I don't know where that came from, because she was straight for me today.' She might hold her head in a little bit, but she's a lot like Sierra the way she trains. He [Sierra Leone] might cock his head a little bit, but in the mornings, we have never seen him on one line or had a rider complain about him–same as her. “I think with more going on in a full field of the Oaks, she's not going to come off the turn six-wide with no one in either five lanes of her,” Brown said. “That's kind of the way she was [in the Gazelle], and she's going to have horses near wherever she is in this race.” The post Ballerina d’Oro Works For Oaks Start, Brown Also Offers Plans For Hill Road, Sierra Leone appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-Gulfstream, $44,770, Msw, 4-19, 3yo, 1m, 1:38.45, ft, 9 3/4 lengths. VIBE (c, 3, Into Mischief–Nonna Mia {GISP, $127,150}, by Empire Maker) ran a disappointing and money-burning fourth on career debut over six furlongs of this main track Mar. 15. With the addition of blinkers here, the colt stretched out to the one-turn mile and put it all together en route to an easy victory at Gulfstream on Saturday afternoon. Away without incident, the 3-2 favorite took up a stalking position behind pacesetting Mahovlich (McKinzie). The leader posted an opening quarter-mile in :23.92 and began to pour on the pressure through a very quick next internal sectional that was timed in :22.69. Sent into the lead by Emisael Jaramillo with fully three-eighths of a mile to run, the $3-million topper out of the 2023 Keeneland September Sale opened up a sizeable advantage passing the quarter pole, felt the crop in upper stretch, failed to swap his leads until deep inside the final furlong, but was too far in front to make any difference. The winning margin over 6-1 Radical Rhetoric (Always Dreaming) was 9 3/4 lengths. His dam's last registered foal of record, the winner is a half-brother to current sire Outwork (Uncle Mo), GISW, $701,800 and Nonna's Boy (Distorted Humor), MSP, $299,044. Nonna Mia is also responsible for Nonna Bella (Stay Thirty), who herself produced Champion 2-year-old colt Fierceness (City of Light) and his full-brother GSW Mentee. Sales History: $3,000,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $29,300. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV . O-Repole Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables, Woodford Racing, Lane's End Racing and Patrick K. McGee; B-Repole Stable, Inc. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Vibe and @JaramilloJockey win by a daylight in race 6, first leg of the Rainbow Pick6. #GulfstreamPark #RoyalPalmMeet pic.twitter.com/X4oTjRC5YM — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) April 19, 2025 The post Into Mischief Keeneland September Topper Vibe Romps at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1/ST TV has curated the workouts by contenders for the 151st Kentucky Derby in one location on their website under the heading “Triple Crown Trail,” the platform said via a release on Saturday. With the Kentucky Derby just 14 days out, fans, horsemen and horseplayers alike will have free access to not just the penultimate workouts of those looking for a spot in the starting gate, but previous drills for the contenders as well. The “Triple Crown Trail” portal is part of the thousands of workouts that the 1/ST TV teams around the country capture, log and upload each year. Click here to sign-up and access the library. The post 1/ST TV: ‘Triple Crown Trail’ Portal Has Array Of Derby Works 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 Bill Mott was impressed with Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) winner Sovereignty's first breeze over the Churchill Downs surface April 19 ahead of the Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

With two weeks remaining until the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1), seven of the race hopefuls currently stabled at Churchill Downs appeared on the work tab April 19.View the full article

Trainer Ian Wilkes discusses Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Burnham Square after he breezed four furlongs in :49 2/5 at Churchill Downs April 19.View the full article