Wandering Eyes

Former elite hurdler Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) confirmed his arrival among steeplechasing’s top echelon with a supreme performance in the $75,000 Howden Insurance Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m) at Te Aroha on Sunday. The Niagara gelding has now had 48 starts for 15 wins, six placings and $487,843 in stakes. Seven of those wins have come over hurdles, including the 2022 Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle (3200m), the 2023 Great Northern Hurdle (4200m), the 2023 Waikato Hurdle (3200m) and two editions of the Wellington Hurdles (3400m). Hawke’s Bay trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal have switched Nedwin to the bigger fences this winter, and he was a three-length winner on debut at Te Rapa in May before finishing third in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m), fourth in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m) and a last-start third in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). Sunday’s extremely testing Heavy10 track held no fears for the tough 11-year-old, who has recorded 12 of his wins in those gruelling winter conditions. While others began to fade in the final 1000m of Sunday’s race, Nedwin’s wet-track excellence and formidable stamina shone through. The lightly raced up-and-comer Fourty Eight was sent out as a $3.20 favourite and led for most of the race, but Nedwin and his rider Hamish McNeill pressed forward out of the pack and were breathing down his neck just before the home turn. Nedwin took command in the straight and forged clear, pulling away to win by three and a half lengths. Last-start Grand National Steeplechase winner Captains Run finished strongly into second, with a tiring Fourty Eight a gallant third. “It’s exciting to see him doing this in steeplechases now,” McDougal said. “I think the trip down south for the Grand National Steeplechase helped him. He’s really mastered his craft now, so it’s very exciting.” Nedwin is now rated a $4.20 third favourite for the $200,000 Ben and Ryan Foote Great New Zealand Steeplechase (6200m) at Te Aroha on September 21. Jesko remains the favourite at $2.60, with Captains Run on the second line at $3.80 after Sunday’s eye-catching finish. McDougal, who represented the stable on course at Te Aroha while Nelson recuperates from recent knee surgery, suggested a tilt at the Great New Zealand Steeplechase is likely for Nedwin. “I’ll have to talk to the big boss at home, but I imagine we’ll be back here for that race in three weeks’ time,” McDougal said. “I think you’ll see him (Nelson) here for that meeting too.” McNeill has no doubt that Nedwin can be among the key chances again for the New Zealand jumps season’s grand finale. “He’s a top animal and I’m looking forward to riding him again in three weeks,” the expat Scottish jockey said. “He’ll improve off this run. He was having a good blow after the race today. I think I can ride him the same way again, and the 6200m distance will be right up his alley. “He revelled in the mud today. He’s won on very deep Wellington tracks more than once, so I was very confident coming into today. “Credit to Corinna, who instilled a lot of confidence in me. She’s a real unsung hero. She and Paul are stalwarts of the game and it’s always good to knock off big races for them. “My parents are here today. My dad will probably start crying if I talk about him too much – he’s an emotional man like me and wears his heart on his sleeve.” View the full article

Less than a month after winning a maiden hurdle at Te Aroha, Hill Of Kings (NZ) (Time Test) returned to the same venue on Sunday and landed a much bigger prize – the $60,000 Pakuranga Hunt “Vale Lamu” Hurdle. The son of Time Test was bought for just $600 off Gavelhouse.com in February of 2023. He has won twice from 20 starts on the flat, but has quickly surpassed those achievements in an increasingly impressive hurdling career. Hill Of Kings was runner-up in two maiden hurdles at Woodville, then romped home by five and three-quarter lengths at Te Aroha on July 27. He returned to Woodville for an open hurdle on August 17, where he finished fourth after mixing his jumping. Trainer Shaun Phelan and jockey Jay Kozaczek hatched a plan for Sunday’s feature that would help the six-year-old to size up each fence, while also keeping him away from the worst part of the energy-sapping Heavy10 ground. Kozaczek positioned Hill Of Kings a long way out from the running rail throughout the 3100m journey, settling in sixth spot and much wider on the track than any of his 11 rivals. He got into a smooth rhythm and measured his jumps well throughout the race. In contrast, the front-running favourite Billy Boy had a torrid time with sustained pressure from Odysseus and then Mont Ventoux. That pressure sapped Billy Boy’s energy and he began to fade out of contention coming down the side of the track. Hill Of Kings, meanwhile, was building into his work with ominous ease. Mont Ventoux rounded the home turn with a clear lead, but Hill Of Kings swept up alongside him and outfinished him down the straight. He went on to win by two and three-quarter lengths from Squire, with another five lengths back to Suliman and Mont Ventoux. “Shaun knows better than me,” Kozaczek said. “He wanted me to keep him very wide and away from the worst part of the track. It couldn’t have gone any better.” Hill Of Kings has now had 25 starts for four wins, four placings and $95,245 in stakes. Sunday’s win marked a welcome change of fortunes in the Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle for Phelan, who won the race as a jockey with Monarch Chimes (2017) but has had some frustrating experiences as a trainer. “I was aiming Pacheco at this race last year but he went amiss,” he said. “A few years before that, my father (Craig) and I thought Bay Rocker would be hard to beat and he didn’t get to the race either. But it’s a big thrill with this horse today – he’s a real stable favourite. “He’s a pretty handy horse, and full credit to Jay. He looked at me like I was an idiot when I gave him those instructions, but it paid off. “We walked the track and it’s just so wet out there. The outside part is definitely the place to be. “He also had a bit of an issue in his last start where he was in behind horses and made some mistakes in his jumping. We wanted him to concentrate on his jumping and get him going well. “He’s a mudlark, so the conditions didn’t bother him today. I was surprised how short he was in the market ($6.80), I thought he’d be closer to $20. But obviously the punters got it right. ”Hill Of Kings is now the $4 favourite for the $150,000 J Swap Great New Zealand Hurdle (4200m) at Te Aroha on September 19. Berry The Cash ($5), Suliman ($5), Lord Spencer ($8), Quid ($8) and Verry Flash ($8) are the others in single figures. View the full article

It was business as usual for Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) at Sha Tin on Saturday as Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year strode confidently through another eye-catching barrier trial ahead of his highly anticipated return to racing next weekend next Sunday at the 2025/26 Season Opener. A winner of his past 12 consecutive races, headlined by four at Group One level, David Hayes’ record-breaking sprinter clocked an unforced 56.3s (13.3, 21.0, 22.0) over 1000m on turf by two lengths in first place as he prepares to defend his HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) crown at Sha Tin on Sunday week. Two-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer (1997/98 & 1998/99) Hayes said: “Pleasure to watch. He’s so fluent, his action is perfect and, the most important thing, he’s mentally more mature this year. “Last year if you watch his trials, he was jumpy and out of his skin a bit – too fresh. This year he’s walking around how you want them to walk around.” Bred by Fraser Auret under his Grandmoral Lodge banner, Ka Ying Rising is out of the Per Incanto mare Missy Moo. Now a five-year-old, Ka Ying Rising will enter quarantine in Hong Kong for a fortnight straight after his first-up run in the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup as he prepares to fly to Sydney, Australia for his shot at the AU$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick. “To run 56.3s with his eyes shut is pretty impressive. He’s a more mature horse now, so he’s always going to be heavier (body weight) than last year,” Hayes said. “He’ll come down with this trial, but I want a bit of wriggle room for travelling and, I think by Everest time we should have him at around 1,150 (pounds) – which is about 15 pounds heavier than last year.” Zac Purton was aboard Ka Ying Rising as he crossed the line to the sound of a light cheer from the crowd in attendance at today’s Owners Carnival. Along with the mantle as Hong Kong Horse of the Year last season, freakish talent Ka Ying Rising was also acclaimed Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2024/25) and Hong Kong Champion Four-Year-Old (2024/25). “He (Zac) was very happy. He was thrilled with his manners behind the gates. He changed legs, which is the only criticism Zac has of him, he never changes legs. But when you don’t get under pressure, you don’t have to change legs. You change legs when you’re under pressure. Today, he thinks he changed legs – from Zac’s point of view,” Hayes said. Prior to this evening’s trial session, James Orman and Derek Leung were celebrated as Hong Kong’s fastest on foot. The two riders landed the 2025/26 Jockeys’ Sprint in a bunched finish ahead of Brenton Avdulla and Ellis Wong (second), while Hugh Bowman and Jerry Chau were close-up in third position. Here’s today’s barrier trial in full… @zpurton | #SeasonOpener | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/ucwGFhvL9R — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) August 30, 2025 View the full article

Del Mar track management may need to rethink the name of the Del Mar Handicap (G2T) after Gold Phoenix captured the 1 3/8-mile turf event for the fourth year in a row Aug. 30. View the full article

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Motorious three-peats in the $153,500 Green Flash Handicap (G3T) at Del Mar, winning via disqualification.View the full article

Traveling from across the pond and the widest gate in the field of 12, Wimbledon Hawkeye was given a perfectly timed ride by Frankie Dettori to outlast grade 1 winner Burnham Square in the Nashville Derby Invitational (G3T) at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30.View the full article

Fierceness easily defeated 2-5 favorite Journalism in a highly anticipated clash between the 4-year-old star and this year's Preakness Stakes (G1) winner in the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) Aug. 30 at Del Mar.View the full article

Without the ability to export its television signal to other venues, Remington Park cancels the final nine races Aug. 30.View the full article

It was a wild turn of events that led 'TDN Rising Star' FIERCNESS (c, 4, City of Light–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty) to the Del Mar winner's circle in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI Pacific Classic. Rail-drawn, the 8-5 second choice veered in sharply towards the temporary rail shortly after the break, nearly unseating jockey John Velazquez. Straightened up but now caught solidly in the pack, the East Coast-shipper had to eat dirt behind solid fractions before breaking clear with authority around the far turn. 2-5 favorite Journalism (Curlin) was in hot pursuit from the back of the pack by the quarter pole but was always chasing in vain as Fierceness was home free for a stylish win that stamps his return ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in November. Lifetime Record: 13-7-2-1. O-Smith, Derrick, Repole Stable, Tabor, Michael B. and Magnier, Mrs. John; B-Repole Stable, Inc.; T-Todd Pletcher. The post From Near Disaster To Pacific Glory, Fierceness Takes The Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

East Coast shipper Reef Runner (The Big Beast) crossed the wire narrowly first in Saturday's GIII Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar, but was disqualified and placed second, as MOTORIOUS (GB) (g, 7, Muhaarar {GB}–Squash {GB}, by Pastoral Pursuits {GB}) was elevated to the victory, completing a three-peat in the 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint over the same course and distance on Nov. 1. Reef Runner was one of the first away from his double-digit box, but came over on Queen Maxima (Bucchero) and in the process caused Motorious to be pinched back and steadied, losing significant momentum before taking up a position at the back of the pack. Traveling just ahead of midfield while a bit off the rail, Reef Runner was guided back down towards the inside into the stretch, skimmed the fence in the final furlong and won a photo from Motorious. Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint runner-up was pulled to the outside and exploded in the final eighth of a mile to just miss before ultimately being promoted. Saturday, Del Mar GREEN FLASH H.-GIII, $153,500, Del Mar, 8-30, 3yo/up, 5fT, :55.90, fm. 1–MOTORIOUS (GB), 125, g, 7, by Muhaarar (GB) 1st Dam: Squash (GB) (MGSP-Eng), by Pastoral Pursuits (GB) 2nd Dam: Super Midge (GB), by Royal Applause (GB) 3rd Dam: Sabina (GB), by Prince Sabo (GB) (55,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; 220,000gns 3yo '21 TATAHI). O-Anthony Fanticola; B-Kirtlington Stud & Mrs Mary Taylor (GB); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Antonio Fresu. $90,000. Lifetime Record: GISP, 23-10-5-2, $957,604. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Reef Runner, 120, g, 4, The Big Beast–Paradise Bay, by Blame. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Alex Lieblong & JoAnn Lieblong (FL); T-David Fawkes. $30,000. 3–Beyond Brilliant, 119, h, 7, Twirling Candy–Summer On the Lawn, by First Defence. ($50,000 RNA Ylg '19 KEESEP; $200,000 2yo '20 EASMAY). O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich III, John D. Fielding & Robert L. Tribbett (KY); T-John A. Shirreffs. $18,000. Margins: 1, NO, NK. Odds: 1.80, 18.50, 47.20. Also Ran: No Nay Hudson (Ire), Book Smart, Queen Maxima, Sorrento Sky (Ire), Sumter, Boss Sully, Virat, First Peace, Wound Up. Scratched: Coppola, Mucho Del Oro, Re Armed Jon. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Hit the wiiiiiiiire together! Reef Runner crossed the finish in front but the CHRB Stewards named Motorious the victor in the Grade III Green Flash Handicap. pic.twitter.com/Y86OIls2Nw — Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) August 31, 2025 The post Motorious Wins Third Straight Green Flash In the Stewards’ Room appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Remington Park canceled the final nine races on the Saturday program due to a TV equipment malfunction, the track said. The first race was run for purse money only. The track was unable to televise a proper racing presentation and had no ability to export the signal to other venues as technical issues with TV control room equipment forced the problem. Because the field for the first race had already arrived in the saddling paddock and waited for more than 30 minutes, the decision was made to allow that race to run for purse money only. All pari-mutuel wagering on the entire Remington Park card was refunded. Racing is scheduled to resume Thursday. The post TV Equipment Malfunction Forces Remington To Cancel Most Of Saturday Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After going winless in her first seven starts, Om N Joy has gone nuts.View the full article

Start times for three days next weekend have changed at Prairie Meadows due to an anticipated number of Quarter Horse trials to be held all three days. View the full article

Formidable Man, trained by Michael McCarthy, is now 6-for-6 at Del Mar, adding the Del Mar Mile (G2T) to his earlier victory in the Eddie Read Stakes (G2T) during the summer meeting.View the full article

Bellezza rallied from last to first to win the Flower Bowl Stakes (G2T) Aug. 30 at Saratoga Race Course, notching her second graded win and fourth in-the-money finish since being imported from her native Ireland.View the full article

A Baffert pair looked to have the GIII Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar sewn up Saturday, but that's why a race is run. She wasn't exactly a longshot at 4-1, but Om N Joy (f, 3, Om–Margie's Minute, by Hard Spun) bided her time midpack as 26-1 So There She Was (Munnings) led the field through :22.97 and :47.13 fractions and 3-5 choice Tenma (Nyquist) pressed her from the outside. Om N Joy flew by them both in late stretch, getting the mile in 1:36.99. It took Om N Joy eight tries to find the winner's circle, but she's visited it in every start since. The Torrey Pines marked her fifth consecutive win, dating back to her maiden against state-bred fillies at Santa Anita in March. She's since captured three Cal-bred stakes, most recently the Fleet Treat Stakes at Del Mar July 25. O-Connie S. Baker, Jerry Baker, Michael Golovko, and Terrence J. Scanlan; B-Jerry and Connie Baker (CA); T-Aggie Ordonez; J-Kent Desormeaux. OM N JOY ($10.00) charges on the outside with Kent Desormeaux to win the $150,000 Torrey Pines Stakes (G3) at @DelMarRacing for trainer Aggie Ordonez and owner/breeders Connie Baker, Jerry Baker, et. al. pic.twitter.com/WYsh0uN3nJ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 30, 2025 The post Cal-Bred Om N Joy Wins Fifth Straight in Torrey Pines appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Black Silver (Slumber {GB}), who was pulled up after the running of the second race Saturday at Saratoga, was euthanized at Rood & Riddle, NYRA said. In a statement, NYRA said: “During the running of Race 2 today at Saratoga Race Course, the Fernando Abreu-trained Black Silver (No. 7) was pulled up during the gallop out with an injury to the left front. The horse was immediately attended to by on-track veterinarians, who stabilized the injury and transported Black Silver to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital for further evaluation Radiographs taken on Saturday revealed severe fractures deemed to be inoperable. As a result, and upon the recommendation of the attending veterinarians, Black Silver was humanely euthanized at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital.” Black Silver was the fifth equine racing fatality of the meet and, sadly, the second of the Labor Day weekend as fellow first time starter Catchy (Medaglia d'Oro) was also euthanized on Friday after suffering an injury during her gallop out. The post Black Silver Euthanized Following Saratoga Racing Injury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–After the last two starts, there may be those who gave up on White Abarrio (Race Day). Saffie Joseph Jr., the trainer of the 6-year-old gray horse, isn't one of them. White Abarrio reappears at Saratoga on Sunday in the $1 million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, a 1 1/4-mile test that has attracted some of the best older horses in the country. GI Whitney Stakes winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone is here, so is fellow 'Rising Star' Mindframe (Constitution), winner of all three of his starts this year. Add Highland Falls (Curlin), the runner-up in the Whitney to the mix, and it's easy to see where White Abarrio could get lost in the shuffle. White Abarrio was fourth in the Whitney last time out, beaten four lengths. The start before that, also at Saratoga, he was fourth, beaten 5 1/4 lengths in the GI Met Mile. This is the same horse that won the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream by half a dozen lengths in January. In 2023, he won the Whitney and then took the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Joseph is not ready to throw in the towel after the last two races because he sees signs that White Abarrio is doing just fine, thank you. “We think he is sitting on one of his best efforts,” Joseph said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch. “It's hard to say he is going to be better than he was before the Pegasus, but we think he is peaking right now.” After the Whitney, there was conversation about sending White Abarrio out west to run in the $1 million GI Pacific Classic, which was held Saturday. That plan was quickly scrapped when Joseph decided that White Abarrio, owned by C Two Racing Stable, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa Stable LLC, would be better served running in the Whitney. Joseph had said if White Abarrio stayed home, he was doing so because he had a big shot to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup. “No matter what I say, it doesn't matter,” he said. “He has to do it on race day. I can only tell you what I am seeing. If he gets the right kind of trip, he is going to run as fast as he has run in his better races. Hopefully that is good enough on the day. Most of the time, it is.” White Abarrio will be ridden for the first time by jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. Irad Ortiz Jr has been on board for White Abarrio's last 10 starts, but he will be on Mindframe in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Santana did get on White Abarrio for his last work, a half mile in 48.22 (12/48) on Aug. 21. Antiquarian schools | Sarah Andrew Pletcher Gives a Warning About Antiquarian The big horse in Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher's barn is running in the $1 million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sunday. Mindframe (Constituiton) is the 2-1 second choice on the morning line. Pletcher has another horse running in the 1 1/4-mile race and that is Antiquarian (Preservationist) and he is lost in the shuffle in the eight-horse field (Banishing (Ghostzapper) who was entered, will scratch). That could be a mistake if you listen to Pletcher. “You probably should not sleep on him,” Pletcher said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. That's because the Centennial Farms color bearer usually shows up. In eight career starts, the 4-year-old has three wins and three seconds. This year, he has a win (allowance) and a pair of seconds in graded stakes races. Most recently, he was beaten a head in the GII Suburban Stakes at Saratoga on the Fourth of July. That race was won by Phileas Fogg (Astern {AUS}), who is also running back in the Jockey Club Gold Cup for trainer Gus Rodriguez. Antiquarian was the 5-2 second choice in the Suburban behind 4-5 favorite and stablemate Locked (Gun Runner). “He shows up and he runs hard every time,” Pletcher said. “He surged one stride too late (in the Suburban).” In the race before the Suburban, Antiquarian ran his race again, in the GIII Blame at Churchill Downs. Send off at 9-1 in that one, he finished second, 1 1/4 lengths behind 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents). Pletcher has been satisfied with Antiquarian's training here since the Suburban. He will be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, his regular jockey, on Sunday. “He has had a couple of tough beats this year,” Pletcher said. “But I like the way he is coming into this. Keeping my fingers crossed.” Casse Hopeful of a Strong Saratoga Finish It's been a Saratoga summer to remember for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. He won the GI Alabama Stakes for the first time with Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro). Earlier in the meet, he recorded his 4,000th career win, although it didn't come here. Curtain Call (outside) | Sarah Andrew Casse was at Kentucky Downs Saturday to watch his horses–particularly Sandman (Tapit) in the GIII $3.5 million Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes–run. He'll be back in Saratoga Sunday and will be anxious to watch his 2-year-old 'TDN Rising Star' Curtain Call (Tiz the Law) in the $300,000 GI Hopeful Stakes on Monday, closing day of the 40-day Saratoga meet. Curtain Call, owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, is the 9-2 co-third choice on the Hopeful morning line. Casse has never won the Hopeful; before this year, he had also never won the Alabama. “I want to win the Hopeful,” Casse said outside his barn at the Saratoga backstretch before he left for Kentucky. “I have been excited about Curtain Call for a long time.” Casse said that he told jockey Jose Ortiz, who has ridden the colt in both of his starts, that he thought Curtain Call could be something special. “I told him he was going to ride a horse that will be the next Sandman,” Casse said, referring to his 3-year-old who won the GI Arkansas Derby this year. After a second-place finish in his debut at Churchill Downs on June 12, he came to Saratoga where he broke his maiden in a big way on the third day of the meet. He romped to an 8 1/2-length win over a sloppy track going six furlongs. “He ran just ok in the first one,” Casse said. “Then he ran big here. He trains like a good horse and does everything like a good horse. The Hopeful will be interesting.” Curtain Call was a $325,000 purchase at the 2025 Ocala Breeders' March 2-year-olds in training sale. Terry Finley, the President and CEO of West Point Thoroughbreds, said his group has four other horses in Casse's care besides Curtain Call. “I have always been a big fan of his,” Finley said. “I love that he is not afraid to speak his mind. What I like most about him is that he is constantly thinking. He is the leader, there is no doubt about that and is fun to watch. Really, I think he is like a Renaissance Man in our business.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Joseph Expects A Big Rebound From White Abarrio In Jockey Club Gold Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If you don't recognize the name of Gregg Day, it's because he's never before had a winner. Never before Saturday, that is, when both he and his debuting colt Universe (Global Campaign) had an out-of-this-world experience. They each broke their maidens, getting their first wins at Saratoga on the sport's most exciting maiden stage. “This is my first win ever in a race,” said Day minutes after his initial visit to the winner's circle. “I can't hardly talk right now. I've lost my voice and I'm so excited. This is so much fun.” Day's 2-year-old colt, a $75,000 Keeneland September yearling last year, went off at 17-1 in his first start and won decisively–by 4 1/2 lengths–over heavy favorite and $1.7-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga buy Dragones (Gun Runner). Day said he owns Universe in partnership with Four G Racing LLC, Steven Crain, and trainer Kenny McPeek. A Little Rock, Arkansas resident, Day is newer to the game and has part of five horses, “most of them with the Gasaways.” The Gasaways, or Four G Racing, are the same folks responsible for 2024 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents). Day explained how the Gasaways are all first cousins and he's “just a friend.” Bred in Kentucky by Becky Pietras, Universe got hung up in the gate at the break from his inside spot, made a big move on the rail to move into contention, and raced a little greenly down the lane before unfurling a big kick to draw clear with aplomb. It was a visually impressive performance. “What I liked about him is [jockey Christopher Elliott] just hand rode him,” said Day. “And he didn't know he was the cheapest horse in the race!” Universe's $75,000 yearling price was, indeed, the lowest in the field. With the exception of one other five-figure horse, all the rest sold for six figures (and the favorite for seven figures). Gregg Day and his wife, Paige | Sarah Andrew “We thought we had a good horse,” continued Day. “We thought this horse would be really good. He got kicked in the side about three months ago. He was training good but he got kicked when he was galloping one morning, so we laid off him two or three months and I think it maybe helped him grow up a little bit. “He was bruised pretty bad, so he had to lay off for two or three months and he's come back strong.” Elliott has been working Universe in the mornings for McPeek, who alluded to a next logical target for the colt when he asked about Elliott's availability to ride in the GI Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct's Belmont at the Big A meet Oct. 4. “He's a very nice horse,” said Elliott about Universe on the NYRA feed. “He's still figuring things out, but he's going to be very talented. I knew I was a winner at about the three-eighths pole. He was doing it so easy and I was just a passenger.” Out of this world! UNIVERSE wins on debut at 17-1 in Race 8 with Christopher Elliott up for trainer @KennyMcPeek. pic.twitter.com/M4M3UXx8fq — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 30, 2025 The post Saratoga Maidens, presented by Keeneland: 17-1 Universe First-Ever Winner for Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Always a winner across five races at Del Mar, Formidable Man (City of Light–Fanticola, by Silent Name {Jpn}) added a sixth score over the local course when he rolled late to take the GII Del Mar Mile. The multiple Grade I winner went off as the favorite and allowed Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile) to show the way into the first turn. Gearing up for battle around the far turn, Formidable Man kicked down the lane with a powerful turn of foot and was a no-doubt winner in the Del Mar Mile. Almendares (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was the runner-up. The final running time was 1:34.20. Lifetime Record: 15-8-2-0. Sales History: KEESEP '22 $375,000. O-Warren, Jr., William K. and Warren, Suzanne; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC (KY); T-Michael McCarthy. #4 FORMIDABLE MAN ($4.80) absolutely loves the turf at @DelMarRacing as he is now a perfect 6 for 6 after taking the $300,000 Del Mar Mile (G2). The son Of City of Light (@LanesEndFarms) was ridden by @umbyrispoli and is trained by @mwmracing. pic.twitter.com/ToSsHcosKR — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 30, 2025 The post MGISW Formidable Man Stays Perfect At Seaside Oval With Del Mar Mile Score appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newtown Anner Stud Farm’s Praying rebounded from a horrible trip in her prior start to post a 3 1/2-length victory in the $169,750 Prioress Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies Aug. 30, becoming the first Saratoga winner for trainer Robert Medina.View the full article

Recent grade 1 winner World Beater will leave New York and venture southward with an eye on the $500,000 prize for the Old Dominion Derby (G3T) Sep. 6 at Colonial Downs.View the full article

Spendthrift Farm homebred Tommy Jo followed up a July 26 maiden score with an emphatic victory in the $300,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1) Aug. 30 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE (GB) (c, 3, Kameko–Eva Maria {GB}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) made what appeared to be a winning, sweeping move past the quarter pole of Saturday's GIII Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs, but was seriously tested in the final furlong by Triple Crown alum Burnham Square (Liam's Map) and dug deep to hold that stiff challenge by a head. Displaying some heady European form, the homebred was consigned to a wide run into the first tight turn and was off the track some five deep early on as King of Ashes (Street Sense) set a strong pace in advance of Tomasello (Authentic) through a half in :48.04. Traveling from fifth and with some cover on the back of Noble Confessor (Quality Road) into the final four furlongs, Wimbledon Hawkeye was full of run and when he was pulled out into the clear by Frankie Dettori, whooshed to the front in a matter of strides. Burnham Square, a spot or two behind Wimbledon Hawkeye, also angled out and accelerated sharply to join the battle a furlong from home. The two exchanged blows racing side by side, with the European invader proving just the superior horse on the afternoon. 'TDN Rising Star' Hill Road (Quality Road) took a three-way photo for third. Lifetime Record: 12-3-4-3. O-The Gredley Family; B-Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs Ltd; T-James Owen Wimbledon Hawkeye holds off Burnham Square in the G3 Nashville Derby at @kydownsracing under @frankiedettori for trainer James Owen! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/pCqWfulfKs — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 30, 2025 The post Kameko Colt Wimbledon Hawkeye Outlasts Burnham Square In Nashville Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article