Wandering Eyes

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

One day after an arbitrator ruled that Phil Serpe would be suspended for two years in a contested clenbuterol positive case from last summer at Saratoga Race Course, the 66-year-old trainer was back in federal court Tuesday seeking to renew his request for a preliminary injunction in his nine-month-old lawsuit against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). At the same time, Serpe's legal team also wasted no time in filing an immediate appeal with the FTC to have his July 14 Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) arbitration decision reconsidered by an administrative law judge. A key issue in Serpe's federal court filing is the fact that HIWU and HISA did not pursue any monetary fine against him. That's a departure from how the agencies handled a dozen other clenbuterol detections since the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program (ADMC) went into effect in May 2023. Although it might seem paradoxical that a penalized trainer would go to federal court to focus on why he wasn't fined up to $25,000 (as ADMC Rule 3223 seemingly calls for), Serpe is arguing that the non-pursuit of any monetary penalty by HISA and HIWU is an alleged end-around to stymie his efforts to prove in his lawsuit that he has been wrongfully denied his constitutional right to a jury trial. Serpe's Oct. 17, 2024, civil complaint cites a United States Supreme Court case that previously ruled that a federal regulatory agency's enforcement for civil monetary penalties must be brought in a federal court, subject to the Seventh Amendment's jury trial right. Serpe's July 15, 2025, legal filing in U.S. District Court (Southern District of Florida) explained his renewed contentions in light of the arbitrator's decision: “As anticipated, Serpe's Arbitration concluded with sanctions for violating the ADMC Program. But, despite that HISA Rules mandated the imposition of a fine if Serpe could not show a significant lack of fault or negligence and that the Arbitrator found that Serpe could not do so, the Arbitrator did not impose a fine. “Instead, the Arbitrator only imposed equitable sanctions of a two-year suspension, [and] the Arbitrator never analyzed whether the HISA Rules required or permitted him to not impose a fine. Rather, he chose not to impose a fine simply because HIWU asked him not to,” the filing stated. Phil Serpe with Weekend Hideaway | Sarah Andrew “This was intentional,” the filing continued. “While Defendants had told this Court that Serpe's Seventh Amendment challenge against the FTC was unripe, all parties essentially agreed that, were the Arbitrator to comply with the law and impose a fine, Serpe's appeal to the FTC would have immediately ripened his challenge based on Serpe's demand for a jury trial. “And upon that demand, were it meritorious, Serpe would have been entitled to defend himself against the Authority's entire prosecution–not just for a fine–in an Article III court, instead of before the FTC. “But by illegally preventing the FTC from reviewing a fine on appeal, the Authority (via HIWU and the Arbitrator) strategically sought to deprive federal-court jurisdiction over Serpe's entire prosecution, including a Seventh Amendment jury trial on both a fine as well as the facts of liability required for any sanction. “This gamesmanship has to stop,” the filing stated. On Wednesday, a HISA spokesperson declined the opportunity to comment on these latest developments in Serpe's ongoing lawsuit. Serpe's sanctions took effect on Monday, the date the arbitrator's decision was made public. But as of Wednesday, it was unclear if or when another trainer would be named to take over the running of his New York-based stable. Serpe has six horses entered at Saratoga for the upcoming Thursday and Saturday programs. Serpe did not respond to messages left prior to the deadline for this story asking about the status of his stable. His attorney, Bradford Beilly, did not want to discuss on the record any meetings that might have taken place between Serpe, the Saratoga stewards, and the New York Racing Association (NYRA). A NYRA spokesperson would not comment on the matter to TDN, citing the pending litigation. Serpe's suspension stems from a clenbuterol positive detected in the urine (but not blood) samples taken from his trainee, Fast Kimmie (Oscar Performance) after her Aug. 10, 2024, victory in a $30,000 claiming race. Clenbuterol is a bronchodilator that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the management of horses with airway obstruction. Clenbuterol cannot be administered to any HISA “covered horse” other than in the context of a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship in accordance with the conditions set forth in ADMC rules. Clenbuterol is classified as a “banned” substance by the ADMC, meaning it is never to be present in any HISA-regulated Thoroughbred. In the 1990s and 2000s decades, clenbuterol first started being regulated by American racing commissions because of its propensity for abuse as a drug known to mimic the muscle-building properties of anabolic steroids. Serpe, a licensed trainer since 1984 who has maintained a nearly violation-free record while campaigning graded stakes winners up and down the East Coast, denied he had authorized any veterinarian to dose Fast Kimmie with clenbuterol. The rulings portal for the Association of Racing Commissioners International, which lists most (but not all) actions reported by state racing commissions, shows only two entries for Serpe over that four-decade span: One was a 2013 Class 4 (lowest level) phenylbutazone overage detected at Gulfstream Park, to which Serpe agreed and consented to a $250 fine. The other was a 2018 workout violation at Saratoga related to breezing a horse too soon after it had received shock or pulse wave therapy, an infraction to which Serpe waived his right to appeal and had $500 stayed from a $1,000 fine. A story published by TDN earlier this week detailed how Serpe presented evidence to the arbitrator during his June 5 hearing showing that Fast Kimmie had undergone out-of-competition (OOC) testing at the behest of HIWU nearly eight weeks before her Saratoga win, and that no prohibited substances were detected in her blood at that time. A follow-up OOC test three months after Fast Kimmie's race-day positive also came back negative for clenbuterol in both blood and hair samples. But the arbitrator, Jeffrey Benz, wrote in his decision that “nowhere in the ADMC Program does it provide that prior or subsequent testing is relevant” and that it is “not necessary” for HIWU to demonstrate intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use on the part of any trainer to establish a presence-based drug finding. Saratoga's main track | Sarah Andrew Benz summed up: “Despite the findings of this Arbitrator, no one should read this decision as determining that Mr. Serpe is a cheater. The only determination that can be taken from the findings in this Final Decision is that Mr. Serpe was unable to meet his burden and standard of proof under the applicable rules.” Serpe's July 15 legal filing stated that, “During the arbitration hearing, Serpe's counsel explained that while Serpe certainly was not requesting a fine, a fine of some amount was nevertheless mandatory if the Arbitrator found liability without also finding that Serpe proved no fault or negligence. Serpe explained that the Arbitrator had an independent legal obligation to enforce federal regulations and that HIWU's strategic decision to forgo a fine was not a basis to ignore certain HISA Rules. During the hearing, the Arbitrator seemed skeptical about the argument.” The filing also noted that, as per the rules of his pending appeal, “the FTC has stipulated the ALJ will not (and cannot) seek a jury trial before imposing that fine.” The filing stated that because the FTC “right now is prosecuting Serpe for violating the ADMC Program, which includes a civil penalty,” Serpe should, again, “be in federal court” to resolve the matter. Serpe's legal team told the court in the filing that, “Under any theory, Serpe is entitled to a preliminary injunction enjoining the FTC from enforcing the Arbitrator's order and, eventually, a permanent injunction against enforcing any penalties without a jury trial. The Arbitration has resulted in irreparable harm through Serpe's two-year suspension, which was imposed without a jury first finding Serpe liable.” Tuesday's legal filing explained the alleged “irreparable harm” this way: “Serpe attests that the economic value of all these losses is difficult–if not impossible–to quantify. A two-year suspension will not simply deprive Serpe of money, but it will destroy his entire business as a trainer. “HISA arbitrations have life-altering and devasting impacts. The Court originally determined that Serpe's harm was not irreparable as to the Authority because he could sue the Authority for damages caused by the business harms [because, at the time] 'Serpe continue[d] to be allowed to train horses to compete in races.' “Irrespective of Serpe's ability to sue the Authority for damages, he is no longer 'allowed to train horses to compete in races,'” the filing stated. The post Suspended Trainer Serpe Back In Federal Court Against HISA: ‘This Gamesmanship Has To Stop’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aiming for her third straight victory and back-to-back graded stakes wins, Pipsy battles familiar foes in the $175,000 Caress Stakes (G3T), a 5 1/2-furlong grass sprint July 19 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, G1) runner-up Shes Perfect may have run her last race of the season after suffering a setback.View the full article

After Sandman breezed a half-mile in :49.01 at Saratoga Race Course July 16, dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse discusses how he's coming into the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and why he's adding blinkers for the July 26 race.View the full article

The post Saratoga Rain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Haskell Stakes (G1)-entered Kentucky Outlaw is a classic blue-collar runner with ham-and-eggs connections in Felissa and John Dunn, who dream he someday will deliver their first graded stakes score after their decades in the Thoroughbred game. View the full article

Rested and a little more grown, Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman is ready for another crack at Sovereignty in the July 26 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), recording a maintenance half-mile at Saratoga Race Course July 16 in :49.01.View the full article

One of the favourites for the 1,000 Guineas, Juddmonte's TDN Rising Star Red Letter (Frankel) is being slowly built back up by Ger Lyons and his patience paid off on Wednesday as the talented filly captured the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge Stakes. Denied by her classy peer Barnavara in Navan's Listed Kooyonga Stakes last month, the 8-11 favourite had to work again for Colin Keane but mastered Fiery Lucy (Without Parole) close home to score by half a length in the mile feature. “She's a filly we've always thought a lot of and I'd say she bumped into one last time,” Keane said. “This is the first time she's got an ease in the ground, which she appreciates. Up in trip, I'll think you'll see more improvement. They didn't go quick enough for me, as she's a filly that picks up and then lengthens.” 2025 account officially OPEN Down-in-grade needs to dig in to land the Listed Cairn Rouge Stakes but she's off the mark for the calendar year.@IrishEBF_ | @ctkjockey | @KillarneyRaces pic.twitter.com/VzGdzC2r4d — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 16, 2025 The post Frankel’s Exciting Red Letter Back To Winning Ways At Killarney appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year's Shuvee Stakes (G2) marked the beginning of an impressive three-race win streak for Alpha Delta Stables' Raging Sea. View the full article

A week after sending out stable star Vera's Secret to win her second Group 3, John Feane, widely regarded as one of the shrewdest handlers in Ireland, is eyeing another major payday in the Scurry Handicap at the Curragh with Greek Flower, a filly the trainer describes as being “seriously well-handicapped.” And there would be few more deserving winners on Irish Oaks Weekend. Greek Flower flashed home to fill the runner-up spot in the Rockingham as well as the Scurry last season. Luck was not on her side, either, when she was beaten just over four lengths in the Rockingham last month and Feane will be bidding to maintain his excellent record in sending out winners at some of Ireland's biggest meetings with the six-year-old daughter of Australia on Saturday. Not one for courting publicity, the Curragh-based trainer with no more than 24 horses at any given time prefers to let them do the talking. Crucially, wins achieved on Irish Champions Weekend as well as at the Guineas and Derby meetings in the past 12 months alone say more about the man than he ever will. “We went pot-hunting with Greek Flower last year and she was second in the Rockingham and second in the Scurry,” Feane said. “She flew home for second in both of those races and I can remember reading that there was only one horse all year who covered the final two furlongs quicker and that was Believing. She's a hard filly to win with but she won over €50,000 in prize-money last year and wasn't far off bagging a big one. Hopefully her day might come this weekend.” Feane added, “She was beaten just over four lengths in the Rockingham last time and, basically, things didn't work out for her on the day. She's 3lb out of the handicap but, if Big Gossey comes out, the weights will go up and she'd appear well-in. If they go quick, and the pace doesn't hold up, she could fly home and be in the mix for good prize-money. She could be running around in lesser races and have a better chance of winning but I'd rather go where the prize-money is. I think she's seriously well-handicapped.” Vera's Secret is very much Feane's flag-bearer. She has won four of her 10 starts, with the latest of those wins achieved in last week's Group 3 Brownstown Stakes at Leopardstown. A return to that course and distance on Irish Champions Weekend could be in store for the mare with Feane revealing that he is eyeing an audacious tilt at the Group 1 Matron Stakes next. He said, “She's had just three runs this year and has won two Group 3s and run well in a Group 2. Leopardstown is a track that suits her and she's improving as well. She's in the Matron Stakes and is usually best fresh so we're thinking of aiming her towards that. Obviously, Group 1 races are hard to win and she'll need to step forward but she deserves to take her chance.” He added, “We're not afraid to go where the prize-money is and had winners last year on Derby Weekend, Guineas Weekend and Irish Champions Weekend. We only keep about 20 horses in training so we need to be targeting the bigger meetings. We're just targeting prize-money these days and, with the fillies, the ultimate aim is to gain black-type. We're lucky to train for a lot of owner-breeders so that's another hugely enjoyable aspect of the business as well.” Ballyhimikin Stud boss James Hanly is one such owner-breeder who has enlisted the services of Feane. In fact, not long after Ombudsman landed the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, the breeder heaped praise on Feane for calling it right from the start about the Group 1-producing Syndicate. That daughter of Dansili reached a modest rating of 78 with her wins coming in handicaps at Ffos Las and Southwell but Hanly revealed that Feane was adamant that the filly deserved her place in the paddocks and how right he was. More recently, the distinctive light blue and red silks of Ballyhimikin Stud were carried to victory by impressive maiden scorer Charasson (Kodiac) at the Curragh on Derby Weekend and Feane revealed that black-type races await that filly. He said, “Charasson will run in the Sweet Mimosa Stakes at Naas next week and, Fregada (Kodiac) [similar ownership], who is another very good filly, has some big targets coming up as well. She's very talented and we're looking forward to her. The market has become so strong at the breeding stock sales that many owner-breeders have decided to go out and make their own stock by putting them in training. That's obviously fantastic for me because they have patience and let me train them to the best of their ability. These are the horses that you want to be training.” There was a time when Feane was associated with orchestrating and executing eye-watering gambles. Not anymore. That aspect of the business has been dead and buried for a number of years now for the simple fact it has become too difficult for connections to get bets on. But Feane has not stood still. After seeing the wood from the trees, he has refined his business model and, along with training for a number of renowned owner-breeders along with long-standing supporters who continue to keep fun handicappers on the go, he has traded a number of horses from Irish maidens in recent years. He said, “It's sad when you see some top trainers finishing up in Ireland. We train for a few owner-breeders, then we have a few handicappers there and a few that might run well in a maiden and be traded on. We run it as a business. But the gambling side of things is finished. I haven't been betting in the past two or three years because there's no such thing anymore. There are no accounts, everything is closed off and owners can't even get bets on. The real trick here is to train horses to run well in maidens and sell on to other jurisdictions. Now, the biggest gamble you can land is selling horses out of maidens.” Feane added, “Where are the best jurisdictions for owning and training horses? I would say Japan, Hong Kong and France. And what do those places all have in common? They are Tote monopolies. If Ireland was a Tote monopoly, where would we be?” Along with Scurry Handicap contender Greek Flower, Feane will be represented at his local track on Oaks Weekend by Havana Grey newcomer Shadow Of The Moon in a seven-furlong maiden and stable stalwart Indigo Five (Fast Company) in the Group 3 Meadow Court Stakes. All three of Feane's runners “will run well,” according to the trainer, who has encouraged people to start getting behind the Curragh. He said, “My partner Susan and I bought a yard on the Curragh together last year and things are going great. We've plenty of staff, the horses are running well and we're happy. We have a couple of new owners this year but I don't really advertise or go around with my chest out. I like doing my own thing to a degree. But I'm happy with what I'm doing and we do the best with what we have.” Feane added, “The Curragh is getting a lot of criticism lately but I think they are putting on a good show. Brian Kavanagh is doing a good job. If we had a think tank and everybody put their thoughts down on paper, I think we'd be far better off rather than just criticising people. The Curragh is an easy target because of all the money that was spent on it but, if we can't be positive about it, who else will?” The post Feane Bids To Bolster Big-Race Record With ‘Well-Handicapped’ Runner On Irish Oaks Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ana O'Brien's A Boy Named Susie (Starspangledbanner), a G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes entry, faced five rivals for his debut in Wednesday evening's €25,000 Irish EBF Median Sires Series Race at Killarney and returned with a three-length tally. The extended one-mile contest was won by dual Derby hero Lambourn last year. “In fairness, Donnacha [O'Brien] always liked this horse and I'm delighted he came out and did that,” said O'Brien after claiming her first win as an owner. “It's my first time back here since my fall, so thankfully this is a much better day.” Donnacha O'Brien added, “We thought he was good as he did a really good piece of work up the Curragh a few weeks ago. This auction race looked a tough ask as he was giving away weight to winners and it is a tough track first-time-out, but he is obviously just smart. For an auction race at Killarney, it has thrown up Iridessa, Luxembourg and last year Lambourn and a few Group 2 winners as well, so it's a nice start for him. They hacked and then sprinted, but I think he could be a proper one. He has plenty of gears for a big horse.” The 10-3 chance broke to the fore and accepted a tow in second after the initial exchanges. Looming large on the bridle with a quarter-mile remaining, he quickened to the front entering the final furlong and was pushed clear in the closing stages to defeat Bellamano (Lucky Vega) in decisive fashion. A Boy Named Susie, half to a yearling filly by State Of Rest, is the seventh of eight foals and third scorer out of an unraced half-sister to dual Group 1-placed sire Mehmas (Acclamation). The April-foaled bay's dam Soho Susie (Montjeu) is also a kin to the dams of black-type performers Siamsa (Starspangledbanner), Heritage House (Dark Angel) and Pivotal Connection (Pivotal). ”His work was very good at home.” Donnacha O'Brien has become the first person to train a winner in the colours of his sister Ana after A Boy Named Susie scored on debut @KillarneyRaces. The question is, will the colt be carrying the same colours next time it runs? pic.twitter.com/7BipzlMzKe — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 16, 2025 The post Ana O’Brien Silks to the Fore for First Time as A Boy Named Susie Notches Killarney Debut Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thursday, Leopardstown, post time: 18:52, BOYLESPORTS MELD STAKES-G3, €36,000, 3yo/up, 9fT Field: Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Lord Massusus (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}), Snellen (Ire) (Expert Eye {GB}), Sparks Fly (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Expanded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Purview (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Shiota (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). TDN Verdict: Ballydoyle's sole 2,000 Guineas runner Expanded is threatening to enter oblivion if he can't turn his form around, but we know from his Dewhurst second he is capable of that. Juddmonte's Purview split Delacroix and Tennessee Stud in this track's 10-furlong Derby Trial when last seen and that form is probably the key, even allowing for the presence of the solid older yardstick Galen. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, Vichy, France, post time: 16:38, PRIX MADAME JEAN COUTURIE-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, f, 10fT Field: Benamira (GB) (Waldgeist {GB}), Calamandra (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), Al Uqda (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Pinatique (Fr) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Sea The Aurora (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Fleur De Lis (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Thordis (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Mickael Barzalona has opted to ride Calamandra of the two Graffard runners and she steps back in trip having been fourth in the Listed Prix de Thiberville. Unbeaten in three starts, Al Uqda remains an unknown quantity along with the Marseille maiden winner Fleur De Lis, a half-sister to the 2021 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Coeursamba. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Newbury, post time: 16:10, THE IRE-INCENTIVE – PAYS TO BUY IRISH ROSE BOWL S.-Listed, £45,000, 2yo, Open, 6f 0y Field: Amorim (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Do Bronxs (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), First Legion (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Kolkata Knight (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Nuevo Slovo (Ire) (James Garfield {Ire}), Rock On Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Wise Approach (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). TDN Verdict: TDN Rising Star Wise Approach sets the standard on his Norfolk Stakes second, with this trip sure to suit better than the five at Ascot. Amorim broke his maiden by six lengths at Windsor last month and comes here with confidence high, which may not be the case with the Coventry and Norfolk also-rans Rock On Thunder and First Legion. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Expanded Eyeing Meld Redemption Tour appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The NTRA's Tom Rooney has a lot to deal with in Washington right now, arguing on behalf of the racing industry for immigration, tax relief, and tariff relief. He appears on the TDN Writers' Room, presented by Keeneland, as the Gainesway Guest of the Week to discuss what progress is being made in Washington on those issues. Rooney was asked first about the new 30% tariffs recently announced by Donald Trump on racing-heavy regions like the European Union, Canada, and Japan, and how that would affect racehorses. The tariffs are scheduled to go into effect August 1, unless trade deals are struck before that date. Proposed tariffs earlier in the year were postponed by the administration. “It is somewhat frustrating to try to plan this way and to get ready to go over to one of those sales, whether it be in England or Ireland or France or wherever, and game plan and look at pedigrees and try to figure out if you're going to buy a horse, if there's going to be a tariff or not,” said Rooney. “It just is such a frustratingly moving target. We have to just keep an eye on it and see if he delays it again. I think his words were something like, `it's definitely August 1st unless he changes his mind.' And when the stock market crashes or goes down and then he delays it and the stock market goes back up, you know, you think, `okay, well, he's not going to do that again.' But then he does. So at our office are on top of what what the actual cost will be should these tariffs actually go into effect.” Rooney also discussed the new provision in the tax bill that reduces the amount of gambling losses that can be written off against winnings. “We heard a rumor that the reason why this happened was they were looking for money wherever they could get it,” said Rooney. “It was a billion dollars that they thought they were going to be able to (make) from this. But that begs the question if people will bet as much if they can't write off as much of a loss. But we'll see. It was one of those things that was thrown in there at the last second. We couldn't change it. Now we have our next project that we're working on.” Elsewhere in the show, hosts Bill Finley, Zoe Cadman, and Randy Moss previewed the upcoming Haskell Saturday at Monmouth, featuring Preakness winner Journalism (Curlin), and the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga. In the WinStar Fastest Horse of the Week segment, presented by the stallion Nashville, they reviewed the co-fastest horses of the week, Excellent Truth (Cotai Glory {GB}) and Malarchuk (Nyquist), both trained by Chad Brown and each of whom won stakes at Saratoga with a 102 Beyers, and discussed the impact on handle of the ongoing rains at Saratoga. They also discussed the news of the week, including Lady Eli's son Dr. Agne (Into Mischief) being named a 'TDN Rising Star', Steve Kornacki's upcoming speech at The Jockey Club Round Table, and the strength of the JHRA sale in Japan. The TDN Writers' Room is also sponsored by 1/ST TV, West Point Thoroughbreds, and the PHBA. To watch the video of the Writers Room, click here. To listen to the audio version of the podcast, click here. The post NTRA CEO Tom Rooney Talks Immigration, Tariffs, Taxes on TDN Writers’ Room appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 4-5 favorite on the morning line Journalism (Curlin) was out on the Monmouth Park racing strip first thing Wednesday morning as the colt makes his final preparations for Saturday's 58th running of the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes, the track said via a Wednesday press release. The Michael McCarthy-trainee arrived on Tuesday evening after an uneventful transcontinental flight from his Southern California base, jogged one mile around the oval under regular exercise rider Marc Witkowski. “I've been galloping horses my whole life. I've been on Grade I winners. He is the best I've ever been on, by far,” said Witkowski, who has partnered in the mornings with Journalism since the colt first came into the barn as a 2-year-old. “He's a strong horse and he's really smart,” said Witkowski. “He's a very intelligent horse and he just loves it out there. He's very competitive. He kind of puffs himself up but at the same time he's still calm and quiet. McCarthy plans to arrive at Monmouth Park on Saturday to saddle the winner of the GI Preakness Stakes and the GI Santa Anita Derby, who is co-owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and the Coolmore Partners of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. Justin Curran, a longtime McCarthy assistant who has also worked under Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, is tightening the screws on the colt in the meantime. “He's doing great. He traveled well and he's happy with himself,” said Curran. “He got over the track nice and easy. That's him. Every racetrack, he takes with him. We'll gallop a-mile-and-a-quarter tomorrow.” 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented | Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO Journalism, the only horse to contest all three legs of the Triple Crown this season, will meet Gosger (Nyquist) and 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time) in the Haskell. Gosger, the third choice in the morning line at 9-2, is trained by Brendan Walsh and Goal Oriented, the second pick at 4-1, represents Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. Goal Oriented shared the flight from the West Coast with Journalism and arrived at the Jersey Shore track Tuesday evening while Gosger vanned from Kentucky and shipped in Wednesday in the early morning hours. Walsh assistant Stephan Dolan, who accompanied Gosger on his travels, said: “He's doing well and he's happy. He just relaxed today. He might walk this evening and do something small. He'll be out on the track in the morning. The boss will decide what he'll do. Brendan will be here on Friday.” Baffert, the owner of the Haskell record of nine wins, said that Goal Oriented is a big, strong horse who has improved since his last effort in the Preakness. “I feel good with the way he's coming into this race,” Baffert said. “He didn't go backwards on us. He's been moving forward. He's a much better horse than he was in the Preakness and he needs to be. Whether he's good enough, we'll see. I have a lot of respect for Journalism. This will be a good race.” The 5-1 morning line choice Burnham Square (Liam's Map), the only other Grade I winner in the field who captured the Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland in April, is expected to arrive on Friday. The post Journalism Preps For GI Haskell, Gosger And Goal Oriented Onsite appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aiming for her third straight victory and back-to-back graded stakes wins, Pipsy battles familiar foes in the $175,000 Caress Stakes (G3T), a 5 1/2-furlong grass sprint July 19 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article