Wandering Eyes

Faraglioni will contest Saturday’s Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The last time Faraglioni competed at Trentham, she finished runner-up in the Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), and trainer Josh Shaw is hoping for a similar result from his stable star when they return to the Upper Hutt track this weekend. The six-year-old daughter of El Roca has only had the one start since that December contest, finishing 11th a month later in the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie on Karaka Millions night, and will head into Saturday’s Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) in a fresh state. “I gave her an easy time after her race at Ellerslie in the Westbury Classic,” Shaw said of his Group One performer. “That trial at Foxton and the run just jarred her up a wee bit and took a bit out of her, so we just went back to the drawing board and started again. “She had a jumpout last week and is tracking pretty nicely, so we expect a good showing from her on Saturday.” Faraglioni will likely have just the two runs before spelling ahead of a spring campaign. “We will look to give her a couple of runs and see how she is and then put her aside, we don’t want to go too deep into the wet tracks,” Shaw said. “She will probably have this one and then there are a couple of options – she could either go to Riccarton for the Listed Daphne Bannan race (Great Easter Stakes, 1400m), or go to Rotorua for the fillies and mares 1400 (Group 3 Rotorua ITM Stakes) in early May.” Horse racing news View the full article

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article

A new kingpin graces the No. 1 slot after the final round of 100-point preps. The rankings below are in “likeliest winner” order, and are independent from the “Road to the Derby” points leaderboard that awards starting berths. 1) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin–Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) O-Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, LaPenta, Robert V., Magnier, Mrs. John, Smith, Derrick and Tabor, Michael B.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $638,880. Last start: WON Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. We'll have the better part of a month to debate whether Journalism offers betting value in the Derby. But there should be no quibbling about the fact that this $825,000 FTSAUG colt by Curlin has established well-earned favoritism for America's most important and historic horse race. This Michael McCarthy trainee will be riding a four-race win streak to Louisville, and his victories have been impressive from both the “how fast” and “how he did it” perspectives. Journalism has racked up triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures at 1 1/16 miles (108) and 1 1/8 miles (102), and the way this big, muscular colt extricated himself from a significant momentum stop on the far turn of the GI Santa Anita Derby establishes that he has the raw athleticism and mental prowess to overcome in-race obstacles. Journalism secured the rail under Umberto Rispoli, cornered onto the backstretch in third, then eased back to fifth. As the field of five tightened up with a half mile remaining, Journalism ranged within two lengths of the dueling pacemakers, but lacked running room to unwind for his usual far-turn bid. “I was trapped on the fence, and I thought, 'Wow, this isn't looking good,'” Rispoli said post-win. “I knew my only way out was to push Barnes (Into Mischief) a little bit. I got through.” Did he ever. Journalism responded to mid-stretch rousing, and even though 2-year-old champ Citizen Bull had already capitulated on the front end, Journalism took dead aim on the improving Baeza (McKinzie) and ran down that rival going away, returning to the winner's circle after a good gallop-out spattered with dirt kickback. Did the effort take too much out of Journalism? That's a fair question that will be raised between now and May 3. But beyond that sort of speculation, it's hard to pick apart Journalism, because his last three stakes scores haven't revealed any evident weaknesses. 2) RODRIGUEZ (c, Authentic-Cayala, by Cherokee Run) 'TDN Rising Star'. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan; B-Kingswood Farm & David Egan (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $485,000 Ylg KEESEP '23. Lifetime record: 5-2-2-1, $522,800. Last start: WON Apr. 5 GII Wood Memorial Stakes. You don't generally see the removal of blinkers translating to a wire-to-wire score, but that's exactly how trainer Bob Baffert orchestrated a 3 1/2-length, 101-Beyer victory by this 'TDN Rising Star' in last Saturday's GII Wood Memorial Stakes. Rodriguez had capably wired a maiden field with blinkers (100 Beyer) back in January, but he didn't look as comfortable wearing them when asked to chase the pace from between horses in two difficult Santa Anita stakes in February and March. His new jockey for the Wood, Mike Smith, indicated that being able to look around and see the competition seemed to relax this $485,000 KEESEP colt by Authentic, and that more-at-ease attitude allowed Rodriguez to roll to the front and establish his own cadence. Rodriguez set quarter-mile splits of :23.31, :24.13, :23.81 and :24.43 while under legit pressure from favored fellow 'Rising Star' Captain Cook (Practical Joke). He shrugged off that rival in upper stretch, then finished with his ears pricked while holding the hard-trying Grande (Curlin) at bay through a final eighth in :12.47. Rodriguez's winning time of 1:48.15 was the fastest nine-furlong clocking in any points-awarding Derby prep stakes since 2022. A caveat is that early speed was the prevailing profile at Aqueduct Apr. 5. Six races were won wire to wire, four by forwardly placed horses who forced the fractions, one by a stalker, and two by closers. 3) TAPPAN STREET (c, Into Mischief-Virginia Key, by Distorted Humor). O-WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing. B-Blue Heaven Farm (KY). T-Brad H. Cox. Lifetime record: GISW, 3-2-1-0, $643,400. Last race: WON Mar. 29 GI Florida Derby. Through only three lifetime races, Tappan Street, a $1m FTSAUG colt by Into Mischief, has compiled credentials that establish him near the top of the crop. The question for the Derby is does he progress even further over 10 furlongs in a 20-horse field, or will his relative inexperience catch up with him when the pressure to perform is at its highest? This Brad Cox trainee broke his maiden at first asking in a Dec. 28 seven-eighths sprint at Gulfstream that yielded three next-out winners. Tappan Street then went off favored in the GIII Holy Bull Stakes and led from the far turn to the to the sixteenth pole before a minor lack of focus in the stretch contributed to a still-promising second-place finish. He then won the GI Florida Derby with a 94 Beyer while being confidently ridden by Luis Saez. Since 1900, 29 horses have started in the Derby with exactly three lifetime starts. Only four have won: Regret in 1915, Big Brown in 2008, Justify in 2018 and Mage in 2023. Of the remaining 25 also-rans, only one finished better than seventh: Curlin, third in 2007. Tappan Street | Ryan Thompson 4) SOVEREIGNTY (c, Into Mischief-Crowned, by Bernardini). O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-William I. Mott; Lifetime Record: MGSW, 5-2-2-0, $572,800. Last start: 2nd Mar. 29 GI Florida Derby. Sovereignty heads to the Derby off a second-place try behind Tappan Street in the Florida Derby. He's dealt with post-position adversity in three of his five lifetime races, having drawn widest in fields of 10 (twice) and nine. Although he only won one of those races, he ran well enough in the two defeats to underscore his adaptability. Sovereignty broke his maiden in start number three, his first two-turn attempt, in the Oct. 27 GIII Street Sense Stakes. Leaving the gate tardily from the nine hole, this Godolphin homebred by Into Mischief was last until the quarter pole, looped everybody seven wide, then came over the top at the eighth pole while extending fluidly. In the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes, Sovereignty loped along in last, gave up four paths of real estate on the far turn, then made up four lengths on staying-on leader with one furlong remaining over Gulfstream's short-stretch configuration for 1 1/16-miles. Big, off-the-tailgate moves aren't usually the winning ones in races where the finish line is at the sixteenth pole. Manny Franco replaced the injured Junior Alvarado for the Florida Derby, and trainer Bill Mott said Franco told him post-race that the ground “kind of broke away from him two different times, once at the three-eighths pole and once at the five-sixteenths pole.” Yet Sovereignty was able to regain momentum well enough to fire down the lane, gaining on the winner while beaten only 1 ¼ lengths. 5) CITIZEN BULL (c, Into Mischief-No Joke, by Distorted Humor) O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan; B-Robert Low & Lawana Low (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $675,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: MGISW, 6-4-0-1, $1,451,000. Last start: 4th Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. The 2-year-old champ won't be heading to the Derby with positive mojo coming off his flat fourth-place finish as the second favorite in the Santa Anita Derby. But this $675,000 KEESEP son of Into Mischief is hardly a write-off either. His first defeat since September can be chalked up to-at least in part-being a big, heavy horse who figured to be “short” on paper with only one start in five months. “I wish I'd had another race in him,” trainer Bob Baffert told Daily Racing Form on Sunday. “He got tired.” Still, Baffert believes Citizen Bull “got a lot out of the race,” his first since emphatically wiring the Feb. 1 GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Although Citizen Bull broke running, jockey Martin Garcia conceded the early lead to a 44-1 rabbit. But instead of settling his colt and committing to a stalking role, Garcia decided to re-engage six furlongs out in the Santa Anita Derby, and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner was in the unfamiliar spot of having to hurry up and chase. The pair dueled down the backstretch, and although Citizen Bull wrested command by the far turn and resisted the first attack by the 14-1 Baeza, that rival picked him off three-sixteenths from home. Citizen Bull was already a fading non-factor by the time Journalism was hitting his best stride and blasting by them both. 6) LUXOR CAFE (c, American Pharoah-Mary's Follies, by More Than Ready). O-Koichi Nishikawa; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt & Westerberg Ireland ULC (KY); T-Noriyuki Hori. Lifetime Record: SW, 6-4-1-0, $377,323. Luxor Cafe, a Kentucky-bred son of American Pharoah, closed as the 19-1 sixth choice in last weekend's Derby future wager off the strength of his five-length pummeling of the Mar. 29 Fukuryu Stakes field, a victory that cemented his status as the berth-earner in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby point series. Always cruising comfortably midpack and outside in the early stages of the metric nine-furlong race, the 3-10 favorite quickened as he pleased five wide off the final bend, unleashing a devastating turn of foot through the straight as he sprinted solo for the wire with no true competition in his ever-widening wake. Trained by Noriyuki Hori, Luxor Café has now won four consecutive races and is a full brother to Japanese dirt champion Cafe Pharoah. 7) EAST AVENUE (c, Medaglia d'Oro-Dance Music, by Ghostzapper) 'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. Lifetime Record: GISW 3-2-0-0, $654,395. Last start: 2nd Apr. 8 GI Blue Grass Stakes. 'TDN Rising Star' East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) ran a valiant race on the lead despite getting caught in the final jumps of Tuesday's GI Blue Grass Stakes. Racing with blinkers for the first time and trained by Brendan Walsh with a now-or-never sense of purpose to bank last-chance Derby qualifying points, this Godolphin homebred was committed to the lead under Luan Machado, who was intent on clearing the speedy Owen Almighty (Speightstown) through the first turn. The 9-2 East Avenue opened up by three or four lengths down the backstretch after establishing a swift :22.95 opening quarter and a :46.95 half. As a wall of closers zeroed in at the head of the lane, Owen Almighty put his head in front three-sixteenths out, but East Avenue dug in gamely and responded to that challenge, reclaiming the lead half a furlong later despite swapping back to his left lead. He held it until the final few strides, when the last-to-first move by Burnham Square (Liam's Map) caught him on the line by a nose. East Avenue (far right) in the Toyota Blue Grass | Coady Media East Avenue won his first two starts by a combined 13 1/4 lengths. He went off favored at 9-5 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, but stumbled leaving post one and was relegated to the rear, finishing ninth. His lone start at age three was a perplexing tenth, beaten 22 3/4 lengths as the 4-5 fave in the GII Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in February. 8) BURNHAM SQUARE (g, Liam's Map-Linda, by Scat Daddy) O/B-Whitham Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes. Lifetime Record: GISW, 6-3-1-1, $977,755. Last start: WON Apr. 8 GI Blue Grass Stakes. Burnham Square absorbed some bumping out of the gate, then circled the field from seventh and last to win the Blue Grass Stakes by a nose under a well-timed, patient ride by Brian Hernandez Jr., who was aboard the gelding for the first time. The final time of 1:51.33 rates as the second-slowest Blue Grass since Keeneland switched back to dirt from synthetic in the fall of 2014. The final furlong timed in :13.44 is the slowest clocking for a final eighth out of all nine points-awarding stakes at the 1 1/8-miles distance in 2024-25 (the remaining eight were all below 13 seconds for a final eighth). This Whitham Thoroughbreds homebred by Liam's Map was most recently fourth as the 1.9-1 favorite, beaten three lengths by Sovereignty in the Mar. 1 Fountain of Youth Stakes. Prior to that, in the Feb. 1 Holy Bull Stakes, Burnham Square got worked up in the post parade, broke tardily, and took dirt as he saved ground inside trailing the field. After shouldering aside a rival near the half-mile pole, this Ian Wilkes-trained gelding tipped off the rail on the far turn, swung wider approaching the stretch, and wore down the favored leader Tappan Street, who came back in his next start to win the Florida Derby. 9) SANDMAN (c, Tapit-Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor). O-D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. Sales History: $1,200,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: GISW, 8-3-1-2, $1,254,595. Last start: WON Mar. 29 GI Arkansas Derby. This deep-closing gray by Tapit won the GI Arkansas Derby by rallying from eighth into the most extreme example of a pace meltdown among this season's points-awarding prep stakes. Although one of trainer Mark Casse's stated pre-race goals for this $1.2 million OBSMAR colt was to be more in touch with the front of the field, it really wasn't feasible for Jose Ortiz to put Sandman into the race any earlier than he did considering 'TDN Rising Star' Cornucopian (Into Mischief) and Speed King (Volatile) opened up by 10 lengths while blitzing through opening quarter-mile splits of :22.46 and :22.75. Sandman came with his reliable closing kick, which despite one zig-zag moment after Ortiz whipped the colt once left-handed, was steady enough to deliver his third victory from eight lifetime starts. Sandman will have the benefit of three starts over the Churchill surface when he goes in the Derby. He was fifth (twice) and third in Louisville last season, with his best effort in the Street Sense Stakes, in which he got bumped at the break and then accelerated late to get necked for the place behind Sovereignty. 10) RIVER THAMES (c, Maclean's Music-Proportionality, by Discreet Cat) 'TDN Rising Star'. O-CHC, Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC; B-CTR Stables, LLC (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG. Lifetime record: 4-2-1-1, $261,900. Last start: 3rd Apr. 8 GI Blue Grass Stakes. 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames enjoyed a no-excuse stalking trip in the Blue Grass, and looked to have the leaders at his mercy at both the quarter and eighth poles. But he never kicked hard with a bold bid to seal the deal. He cruised early and chased late, checking in third behind Burnham Square and East Avenue. Trainer Todd Pletcher thought it was a step forward. “It was the first time at a mile and an eighth. It seemed like he stuck it out pretty well, and he's come a long way in a short period of time. It was a good effort. We just couldn't quite get there,” Pletcher said. This New York-bred by Maclean's Music ($200,000 SARAUG) will bring a respectable 4-2-1-1 record to the Derby, suffering only short-margin defeats in each of his two stakes attempts. River Thames | Ryan Thompson 11) TIZTASTIC (c, Tiz the Law-Keesha, by Tapit). O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith; B-Capital Bloodstock (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. Sales history: $80,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $335,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GSW, 8-3-1-2, $1,549,800. Last start: WON Mar. 22 GII Louisiana Derby. Tiztastic, who won't hit his third birthdate until three days before the Derby, already has the distinction of winning million-dollar races on both turf and dirt. This son of Tiz the Law took down the Juvenile Mile Stakes at Kentucky Downs last September, then scored in the GII Louisiana Derby six months later. In the interim, Tiztastic (80,000 KEEJAN, $335,000 KEESEP) ran second in the Street Sense S., third in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, third in the GIII Southwest Stakes, and fifth in the GII Rebel Stakes. He's another off-the-pace type in a year that has no shortage of horses who prefer to fire late. But this Steve Asmussen trainee does have some experience laying a little closer to the action, and that noticeably quicker burst he produced 2 ½ furlongs out in the Louisiana Derby could be the “Aha!” spark that was missing in this colt's previous sophomore efforts. 12) FINAL GAMBIT (c, Not This Time-Pachinko, by Tapit). O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-2-1-1, $520,639. Last start: WON Mar. 22 GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes. The thought of a late-striding, bombs-away gray on the first Saturday in May conjures up images of Giacomo, the last gray to win the Derby, at 50-1 in 2005. Coming off his 90-Beyer victory in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes, Final Gambit (Not This Time) will end up going off at a lower mutuel than Giacomo, who had only won a maiden race and had lost five straight before entering the Derby. Final Gambit is intriguing from an “untapped potential” perspective. Yes, his stretch runs have been erratic, and his competition at Turfway this winter was well below what he'll face on Derby day. But he does have an appealing way of quickening in the late stages that makes you wonder how good he could be once his mental lightbulb fully illuminates. This is a work-in-progress colt who has only raced on grass and Tapeta, and he just jumped his Beyer 26 points over his previous race when winning the Jeff Ruby. Now, in his first try on dirt (and as a deep closer who likes to go wide) Final Gambit would have to up his Beyer by another 10 points just to be on par with other top contenders in the 20-horse Derby. Potentially rounding out the starting gate… 13) BAEZA (McKinzie) Baeza, a half-brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage and 2024 GI Belmont Stakes victor Dornoch, is currently outside looking in, points-wise, to qualify for the Derby. He's parked in 27th place as of Tuesday evening. Although he's only broken his maiden, Baeza's runner-up effort in the Santa Anita Derby was promising enough to rate him higher than some contenders who have met the points cutoff. This $1.2 million KEESEP colt by McKinzie broke to the back, stalked outside, then got first run at Citizen Bull on the far turn. He led between the three-sixteenths and sixteenth poles, and although he did get distracted during his stretch run, he tried his best to run with the far-more-accomplished Journalism in the final stages. “He is a baby [May 13 foaling date] still and loses focus,” said jockey Hector Berrios. “When we got to the stretch, he started lugging and lugging. I thought, 'Come on now.' Then when he felt [Journalism], he came back.” Although four also-eligibles can enter beyond a field of 20, trainer John Shirreffs told Daily Racing Form earlier in the week that his preference would be to get into the Derby via defections among higher-ranked qualifiers and not to ship to Kentucky just to wait out a possible berth as an also-eligible. 14) COAL BATTLE (Coal Front) This underdog colt ran third in the Arkansas Derby. Although his far-turn move never solidified into a threatening stretch bid, thus ending his four-stakes win streak that started last November at Delta Downs, trainer Lonnie Briley said right after the race that he already had an idea of what to tweak in Coal Battle's training to get him ready for 10 furlongs. For starters, Briley blamed himself for spacing out Coal Battle's works too far between his win in the Rebel Stakes and his start in the Arkansas Derby. Briley had wanted four works in that interim, but in an effort to give this son of Coal Front a bit more rest, he ended up with only three. Briley will also work on settling down Coal Battle ($70,000 TTAYRL), whom he described as being “too fresh” both when being saddled and in the early stages of the race. “He was on the muscle in the paddock and I had to finish saddling him on the walk. He beat himself. He didn't want to settle,” Briley said. Coal Battle | Coady Media 15) GRANDE (Curlin) Grande, a $300,000 KEESEP colt by Curlin, won a one-turn-mile maiden and a nine-furlong allowance, both at Gulfstream, then secured Derby qualifying points with a runner-up effort behind Rodriguez in the Wood Memorial. This Todd Pletcher trainee gave up ground on both turns and took his best shot at Rodriguez into the lane. He lacked a next-level closing kick, but considering this colt's relative inexperience, the effort is a building block for future endeavors. Grande is 22nd on the Derby qualifying points list. 16) AMERICAN PROMISE (Justify) Hall-of-Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who will turn 90 later this year, will attempt to win his fifth Kentucky Derby with this $750,000 KEESEP colt by Justify. “The Coach” has previously hit the Derby winner's circle with Winning Colors (1988), Thunder Gulch (1995), Grindstone (1996) and Charismatic (1999). American Promise is a speed threat who does not require seizing the lead to win. He did wire a one-mile field of Oaklawn maidens in the mud back on Dec. 29 (95 Beyer in a race that produced only one next-out winner), but he was never in it to win it in his next two starts, the Southwest Stakes (sixth, DQ'd to seventh) and the Risen Star Stakes (fifth). American Promise then forced the pace outside of the odds-on favorite in the Mar. 15 Virginia Derby, took over a half-mile out, and coasted home with no one firing to challenge in the stretch. The Virginia Derby is unique because it's the only one-turn, nine-furlong stakes on the U.S. qualifying schedule for the Derby. American Promise did establish a track record of 1:46.41 in that stakes (95 Beyer), but 1 1/8-miles dirt races are rarely run at Colonial Downs. 17) CHUNK OF GOLD (Preservationist) Although he's only won once from four starts, this gray son of Preservationist stands out because he's managed to bankroll $348,818 in purse earnings-nearly 140 times his bargain $2,500 FTKOCT auction price. This Ethan West trainee has also outrun his odds every time he's raced. Chunk of Gold broke his maiden at 13-1 in a Turfway sprint, then ran second there at 4-1 odds in a one-mile listed stakes. Ignored at 43-1 in the GII Risen Star Stakes over nine furlongs, he was again second, this time behind a 9 ¾-lengths daylight winner. Then Chunk of Gold ran a 92-Beyer second in the 1 3/16-miles Louisiana Derby at a 10-1 mutuel. He's not an overt win threat for the Kentucky Derby. But this colt fires well over distances of ground, and you have to figure he'll be passing horses when a large portion of the field will be calling it quits. 18) ADMIRE DAYTONA (Jpn) (Drefong) Admire Daytona (Jpn), a son of 2016 champion American sprinter Drefong, took heat from multiple challengers on the front end, lost the lead in a three-way stretch battle, then regained the front in the final jump to prevail by a nose in the G2 UAE Derby. Having accrued enough qualifying points to earn the top spot in the newly rebranded Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby series (prior to this year, the UAE Derby was lumped in with the U.S. points scheme), trainer Yukihiro Kato indicated post-win that this ¥66-million JRHAJUL weanling would attempt the difficult (0-for-14) Dubai/Derby double. The win by the 2-for-6 colt was the fourth consecutive (fifth overall) victory by a Japan-based horse in the UAE Derby. “The Japanese horses come here with quite a bit of experience at home,” said Admire Daytona's jockey, Christophe Lemaire. “I think they like the Meydan dirt track too. For sure he can go to Kentucky, but it is such a difficult race to win. It is one of the most iconic races in the world and we have to go if we can.” Publisher at Oaklawn | Renee Torbit/Coady Media 19) FLYING MOHAWK (Karakontie {Jpn}) Flying Mohawk required four grass starts to break his maiden while racing in New York and Kentucky last year. Then, off a three-month layoff, he took down a first-level turf allowance at Fair Grounds. Trainer Whit Beckman next tried this colt ($25,000 KEENOV, $72,000 KEESEP) in the Jeff Ruby over Tapeta at Turfway, and Flying Mohawk rallied late despite some trouble at the break to gain second behind going-away winner Flying Gambit, completing an exacta of the colts who were last and next-to-last down the backstretch. Flying Mohawk was credited with a career-best 84 Beyer. He has never raced on dirt and is 21st on the points cutoff. 20 PUBLISHER (American Pharoah) Publisher, an 0-for-7 maiden, picked up second-and 50 qualifying points to up his total to 60-in the aftermath of the Arkansas Derby pace implosion. This $600,000 FTSAUG colt out of trainer Steve Asmussen's barn earned a 95 Beyer for his runner-up race at Oaklawn, which was his first since being equipped with blinkers. Asmussen has raced Publisher in three two-turn graded stakes at age three (seventh, fourth, second), abandoning maiden races after three thirds and a second. The post TDN Derby Top 20: Main Contenders Step Up And Deliver appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Whangaehu will contest Saturday’s Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Whangaehu proved himself up to the country’s top middle-distance gallopers over the summer and he’ll aim to complete a top campaign at Trentham in Saturday’s Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m). The talented six-year-old kicked off his hot streak winning the Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m) and Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) before making a serious impression with top-four finishes in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) behind Hong Kong-bound El Vencedor. After a string of standout efforts, it looked to be his time to shine in last month’s Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m), but after getting back early and staying on the rail into the straight, he searched for clear air until the closing stages and flashed home for fifth. While the result wasn’t as his trainer Bill Thurlow had hoped, he acknowledged the efforts of Whangaehu’s jockey Craig Grylls in what has been a phenomenal season for the stable. “The way it panned out for him, it just didn’t work out,” Thurlow said. “Normally Craig would get it right 19 times out of 20, and it just didn’t happen that day. “We’ve had a lot of luck too and Craig has ridden some winners for us that probably wouldn’t have won without his decision-making, so it’s just the way it is. “He’s still gone super and come through it well, the biggest worry now is the weight he’ll be giving away on Saturday. But it’s a last run for the season and there’s nothing else for him, so we’ll take a throw at the stumps and hopefully he can carry the weight and run the trip out. “Hopefully he acquits himself well.” As a 100-rated galloper, Whangaehu will carry a clear topweight in the $120,000 feature, with his closest rival a mare in Mehzebeen. Horse racing news View the full article

Jockey Luis Saez, unseated in the second race April 8 at Keeneland after his mount, Fateful Lightning, bumped with another horse in midstretch, escaped serious injury and could possibly ride as early as April 9, according to agent Kiaran McLaughlin.View the full article

Eight years after they ran McCraken in the Kentucky Derby (G1), jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., trainer Ian Wilkes, and owner Janis Whitham of Whitham Thoroughbreds are Derby-bound again with Burnham Square.View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and RACE Inc. are delighted to announce the successful completion of the final phase of the Club’s ‘Return to Racing’ plan for the RACE Awapuni track, marked by a full day of trials held on the newly completed track proper. A total of 88 horses took to the track across 11 heats run over 1000m, 1200m, 1600m and 2000m distances. The trials were attended by senior Jockeys including Jonathan Riddell, Leah Hemi and Kate Hercock, who provided positive feedback on the track’s performance, especially in the face of challenging weather conditions. Senior Jockey Jonathan Riddell shared his enthusiasm following the trials. “The track is great, it’s really quite exciting. With the rain we’ve had, it just went straight through it and the footing is great. In the future here, we could have one of the best tracks in the country.” RACE Inc’s General Manager of Racing, Brad Taylor, echoed the optimism. “It is really pleasing to continue to get such positive feedback from the Jockeys today.” “The track faced its toughest test to date with extreme weather conditions and the largest number of horses on it. With this positive response, it gives us great confidence as we head toward our first meeting on ANZAC Day.” Jockey Leah Hemi, who participated in the Jump Outs last Monday, praised how the surface handled the heavy rain. “We are really excited with how the track held up with the rain. I was a little skeptical at first, but now I have no worries at all.” First-time rider on the track, Kate Hercock, was equally impressed. “The track is lovely, it’s very consistent all over.” Despite receiving 13mm of rain in the hour leading up to the first heat, the track was rated a Soft 5 at the start of the trials. As rain continued throughout the day, Jockeys noted it felt closer to a Soft 7 by the conclusion of proceedings. Following the running of the successful trials, the track is now cleared for racing to resume. Awapuni Racecourse will host its first race day on Friday 25 April, with the Listed $80,000 Manawatu ITM ANZAC 1600 as the feature event. NZTR Chief Operating Officer, Darin Balcombe, acknowledged the successful trials and the positive feedback from riders. “Completing the final phase of the ‘Return to Racing’ plan at RACE Awapuni is a great achievement.” “The track performed well despite challenging weather and the feedback from riders has been very encouraging. We’re now looking forward to getting back to racing on ANZAC Day,” he said. View the full article

The deep south will be well-represented in this year’s TAB Southern Alps Challenge (1600m), with Maximus Augustus (NZ) (War Decree) one of three Ascot Park gallopers in the $350,000 feature at Riccarton Park on Saturday. A five-year-old by War Decree, Maximus Augustus earned his place in the innovation race when taking out the $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) at Wingatui last month. His breeder, part-owner and trainer Bill McNamara elected to bring the gelding to Riccarton in-between times, where he finished a meritorious fourth in open company behind Conor O’Ceirin (NZ) (Dial A Prayer). “We were really pleased with how he went, it was just a lead-in race to make sure he was fit for the big day on Saturday,” McNamara said. “We’ve done more of the same with him, we gave him a breeze-up on Saturday and he gets a canter around the track a couple of times. It’s all just to keep him happy and fit.” McNamara will get back on the road on Wednesday with an eight-hour journey to Christchurch ahead of him, with stablemate Gentle Ben (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon) likely to join Maximus Augustus at the Riccarton meeting. “We’ll be leaving on Wednesday and stopping in Timaru for the night, then to Riccarton on Thursday,” he said. “I’ll get someone to give them a canter on Friday morning and we’ll be ready to go. “I’m hoping to get a start for Gentle Ben there as well.” The Robert Dennis-trained pairing of Loftys Gift (NZ) (Ghibellines) and The Cluster (NZ) (Ghibellines) complete the trio from Invercargill, a strong representation that has generated plenty of interest in the race which was won by Matscot (NZ) (Haradasun)in its inaugural edition. “It’s great, it’s a lot of money and it creates a lot of interest,” McNamara said. “It’s all the talk around Ascot Park at the moment because there are three horses getting a start. “It’s great to have that sort of money in the South Island.” View the full article

The last time Faraglioni (NZ) (El Roca) competed at Trentham she finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m), and trainer Josh Shaw is hoping for a similar result from his stable star when they return to the Upper Hutt track this weekend. The six-year-old daughter of El Roca has only had the one start since that December contest, finishing 11th a month later in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie on Karaka Millions night, and will head into Saturday’s Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) in a fresh state. “I gave her an easy time after her race at Ellerslie in the Westbury Classic,” Shaw said of his Group One performer. “That trial at Foxton and the run just jarred her up a wee bit and took a bit out of her, so we just went back to the drawing board and started again. “She had a jumpout last week and is tracking pretty nicely, so we expect a good showing from her on Saturday.” Faraglioni will likely have just the two runs before spelling ahead of a spring campaign. “We will look to give her a couple of runs and see how she is and then put her aside, we don’t want to go too deep into the wet tracks,” Shaw said. “She will probably have this one and then there are a couple of options – she could either go to Riccarton for the Listed Daphne Bannan race (Great Easter Stakes, 1400m), or go to Rotorua for the fillies and mares 1400 (Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes) in early May.” While looking forward to getting Faraglioni back to the races, Shaw is also excited about the prospects of her half-sister Chart The Stars (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), who is set to trial next week before making her debut. “She is a lovely filly,” Shaw said. “They have got the same characteristics, but they are chalk and cheese in type. She is more of a slender, nice, neat filly whereas Faraglioni is a pretty bulky girl. “She (Chart The Stars) will possibly have a trial at Foxton on Tuesday and I think she will appreciate a little bit of cut in the track and she will probably have two or three runs and then put her aside and wait for late spring, early summer.” Faraglioni will be joined on her float trip south to Trentham on Saturday by stablemate Malibu (NZ) (Russian Revolution), who will contest a maiden 1400m. “I was a bit disappointed with him last start at Waverley (when fifth),” Shaw said. “He is a horse that clients bought off Gavelhouse and he has been going really well, but just the way the race was run last start didn’t really suit him. It was a crawl and sprint, and he just got out-sprinted. “We will drop him back to 1400m on Saturday and use it as a run towards a maiden 2000m at Otaki 10 days later.” View the full article

Whangaehu (NZ) (Proisir) proved himself up to the country’s top middle-distance gallopers over the summer and he’ll aim to complete a top campaign at Trentham in Saturday’s Listed Valley D’Vine Restaurant Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m). The talented six-year-old kicked off his hot streak winning the Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m) and Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) before making a serious impression with top-four finishes in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) behind Hong Kong-bound El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking). After a string of standout efforts, it looked to be his time to shine in last month’s Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m), but after getting back early and staying on the rail into the straight, he searched for clear air until the closing stages and flashed home for fifth. While the result wasn’t as his trainer Bill Thurlow had hoped, he acknowledged the efforts of Whangaehu’s jockey Craig Grylls in what has been a phenomenal season for the stable. “The way it panned out for him, it just didn’t work out,” Thurlow said. “Normally Craig would get it right 19 times out of 20, and it just didn’t happen that day. “We’ve had a lot of luck too and Craig has ridden some winners for us that probably wouldn’t have won without his decision-making, so it’s just the way it is. “He’s still gone super and come through it well, the biggest worry now is the weight he’ll be giving away on Saturday. But it’s a last run for the season and there’s nothing else for him, so we’ll take a throw at the stumps and hopefully he can carry the weight and run the trip out. “Hopefully he acquits himself well.” As a 100-rated galloper, Whangaehu will carry a clear topweight in the $120,000 feature, with his closest rival a mare in Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor). Joining the son of Proisir at Trentham will be stablemates The Big Picture (NZ) (Proisir) and The Entertainer (NZ) (Staphanos), contesting the Rating 65 1400m and Rating 75 1400m contests respectively. The Big Picture powered home into third behind Tossuforit down the chute on Oaks Day, while The Entertainer is second-up after winning twice during New Zealand Cup Week last preparation. “We probably would’ve gone 1200m again with The Big Picture if there was one, but the race down the chute is only 1100m and that probably is a little too short for him,” Thurlow said. “He went really well the other day and I think he’s done really well since, we’re going to apply blinkers this time as Craig thought he was going to win then he just goofed around a bit. We’ll take the shadow roll off, blinkers on and he should focus a bit more. “I think he can be super competitive. “The Entertainer come through that first-up run well, her work since then has been good and she looks good. It’s quite a strong little race, there’s probably half a dozen winning chances, so she’s no lay down, but I’m sure she’ll acquit herself well.” Thurlow will have a pair of representatives on his home course on Thursday, including progressive three-year-old Black Sea (NZ) (Staphanos) who narrowly missed breaking maidens at his second appearance in mid-March. With Lily Sutherland on board, he’ll take his place in the Pioneer – P9400 (1400m). “It was a very good run, there was just no tempo in the race, and he ended up sliding forward and taking it up and got slingshot in the last little bit,” he said. “He’s still a big, green horse, it’s probably not his go to race like that. He’s going to be a nice staying horse in the future and will be better doing a bit of chasing. He’s trained on really well since and we’d be expecting him to go really well.” Lightly-raced mare Steal My Thunder (NZ) (Derryn) returns from a short let-up in the Pioneer – P9911 (1200m), since returning from a short campaign in the South Island. On her trip, she picked up the Summer Cup (1600m) at Invercargill but finished back in the field in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m). “She handled the trip pretty well, she did everything we wanted to do other than being slightly disappointing there in her last start,” Thurlow said. “It was just the way it panned out for her. “She’s come back well and in good order, so I expect her to run pretty well. It may be a tad too short, but on her home track with a rain around, she wouldn’t mind that.” View the full article

Atishu will have her final start in Saturday’s Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Multiple Group One winner Atishu will bid to have a fairytale ending to her racing career when she heads to Randwick on Saturday to contest the Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m). The daughter of Savabeel, who is raced by New Zealand syndicator Go Racing, will bid to add a fourth Group One crown to her record, and second in the race, before she is offered through Magic Millions’ Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale next month. “It will be a day of mixed emotions with this being her swansong,” Go Racing General Manager Matt Allnutt said. “It brings the curtain down on what has been a fantastic career. There have been a lot of friendships formed (within her syndicate) and we have all really enjoyed the ride.” The Queen of the Turf holds fond memories for her connections, having won the race two years ago before finishing runner-up in last year’s running, and she will reunite with 2023 winning hoop Nash Rawiller this weekend in the hope of a fairytale ending. “Nash rode her in this race two years ago when she won it. She drew barrier one on that day and she has drawn barrier two on Saturday,” Allnutt said. “She loves the race and she races well at Randwick. Chris (Waller, trainer) is more than happy with her, dropping back to the 1600m suits, and I think the race maps well for her. “Fairytales do happen in racing and let’s hope we see another one on Saturday.” Go Racing’s silks will also feature at Randwick in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m), with Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) runner-up Tajanis set to jump from barrier 19 on Saturday for trainer Chris Waller, who is still in search of a jockey for the gelding who will carry a featherweight of 50kg. “He came through the Auckland Cup well and he was probably unlucky not to have won on that day,” Allnutt said. “He got back to Australia and never turned a hair, he maintained a good appetite and his work has been good. “He had an exhibition gallop last week and worked really nicely. Chris is more than happy with him going into the race, but he is obviously going to need luck from that draw. “He is going to get back, but he warms into his races the further he goes and once he is relaxed and settled he will travel along nicely and then it’s a matter of building into the race at the right time and hopefully have him in a challenging position at the top of the straight.” Atishu is currently sitting at $6 with horse racing bookmakers for her raceday swansong, behind Fangirl ($2.25) and Stefi Magnetica ($5.50), while Tajanis is rated a $26 winning prospect. Horse racing news View the full article

The 2024 Melbourne Cup field. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Racing Victoria (RV), in conjunction with the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) and Victoria Racing Club (VRC), has today announced key changes to the weight scale for the 2025 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m) following an extensive review of the conditions of the two iconic handicap races. September’s release of handicaps will see the minimum allotted weight for both Group 1 races increase from 50kg to 51kg while the minimum topweight will be raised from 58kg to 59kg. RV will also reinstate a minimum topweight of 57kg at final acceptance time for both events, with weights raised equally for all horses in the final field if the topweight is below the minimum. A minimum topweight at acceptance time was last in place for the Cups in 2016. The adjustments aim to provide both races with the best chance of attracting the highest quality field of horses and jockeys and ensure owners and trainers have a broad cross section of jockeys to choose from. The review was announced following the 2024 editions in response to feedback about the spread of weights among acceptors, the challenge for riders to make weights, and the difficulties for connections to engage their preferred jockey. As part of new industry Racing Forums, extensive consultation ensued with all industry stakeholder groups, including the Australian Trainers Association (ATA), Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association (TROA) and Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA), as well as host clubs MRC and VRC. In 2024, Kalapour topped the final Caulfield Cup field with 55kg, while Vauban’s 55.5kg made the Irish-trained entrant the highest-weighted horse in the Melbourne Cup field. The Caulfield Cup saw just five starters weighted at 54kg or above, while the Melbourne Cup had only four horses start with 54kg or more – the least amount in the last five editions. As a result, it required jockeys to ride at lower weights with four Caulfield Cup runners on the 50kg minimum and eight in the Melbourne Cup, a record number for both races since the minimum weight for horses aged four and upwards was set at 50kg in 2007. RV Chief Handicapper, David Hegan, said, “RV, the host Clubs and key stakeholder groups have all reached agreement on a revamped weight scale for the Cups. We believe the changes are in the best interests of these iconic races and more broadly Victorian racing. “The revamped weight scale aims to ensure that the strongest possible field of competitors are present for two of the country’s most important races, while reducing the physical demands on jockeys so that they can perform at their best. “These changes also mean that owners and trainers will have greater scope to select the rider of their choice in the Cups. Importantly, opportunities will remain for lightweight riders to showcase their talents on the big stage.” VJA Chief Executive, Matt Hyland, said, “The VJA welcomes these changes to the weight scale which will allow all our members an equal opportunity to ride in the Cups. “We’re pleased that our feedback has been taken on board and that we’ve been able to work together to reach an agreement that will see increased opportunities for jockeys and greater choices for connections to book their preferred rider.” ATA Chief Executive, Stephen Bell, said, “The Caulfield and Melbourne Cups are critically important to Victorian racing and these changes should see both races given the chance to attract their best possible field. “We want to see the strongest lineup of horses and riders present and the revamped weight scale encourages this through a greater spread of weights among those competing in the Cups. This will deliver better opportunities for our trainers to select their preferred jockey in two of our biggest events.” Horse racing news View the full article

Positano Sunset broke through at the top of the stretch and weathered contact to pull away late April 8 in the $623,338 Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.View the full article

Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred Burnham Square closed strong in the Keeneland stretch, flying from last to first in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) to beat East Avenue by a head.View the full article

Godolphin and trainer Michael Stidham were thinking big following a pair of allowance turf victories by homebred Think Big, and they were rewarded with a graded stakes victory in the $376,563 Shakertown Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland April 8.View the full article

Whitham Thoroughbred's homebred Burnham Square (g, 3, Liam's Map–Linda, by Scat Daddy), a disappointing fourth as the 9-5 favorite in the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park Mar. 1, bounced back in a big way with a last-to-first, nose victory over 'TDN Rising Star' East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) in Tuesday's postponed GI Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland. 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music) was a close third. Burnham Square earned 100 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby for the victory. The GIII Holy Bull S. winner, off at odds of 4-1, trailed the field of seven as East Avenue led through fractions of :22.95 and 46.95. He began to roll while four wide on the far turn and came over the top with a sustained rally to get the money. Burnham Square is one of 12 graded winners for Liam's Map. He becomes his fifth winner at the top level. Burnham Square is bred on the same Liam's Map x Johannesburg cross as 2019 GI Hopeful S. winner Basin. Linda, winner of the 2016 GII Mrs. Revere S. over the Churchill Downs turf, has also produced the 2-year-old colt Gray Rock (Connect) and a yearling colt by Oscar Performance. She was bred to Life Is Good for 2025. Linda brought $55,000 from Springwood at the 2024 KEEJAN sale. Tuesday, Keeneland TOYOTA BLUE GRASS S.-GI, $1,225,625, Keeneland, 4-8, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:51.33, ft. 1–BURNHAM SQUARE, 123, g, 3, by Liam's Map 1st Dam: Linda (GSW, $407,310), by Scat Daddy 2nd Dam: Beautiful Noise, by Sunny's Halo 3rd Dam: Listen Well, by Secretariat 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Whitham Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. $755,625. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-1, $977,755. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–East Avenue, 123, c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Dance Music, by Ghostzapper. 'TDN Rising Star' O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan Walsh. $243,750. 3–River Thames, 123, c, 3, Maclean's Music–Proportionality, by Discreet Cat. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. 'TDN Rising Star' ($200,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG). O-WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc., Pantofel Stable LLC and Wachtel Stable; B-CTR Stables, LLC (NY); T-Todd Pletcher. $97,500. Margins: NO, 3/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 4.24, 4.98, 3.08. Also Ran: Admiral Dennis, Render Judgment, Chancer McPatrick-(DH), Owen Almighty-(DH). Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #3 BURNHAM SQUARE ($10.48) from last to first to win the $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at @keenelandracing and secure his spot in the Kentucky Derby. The son of Liam's Map (@LanesEndFarms) was ridden by @b_hernandezjr and is trained by @IanwilkesRacing. pic.twitter.com/oIZghBdl5S — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 8, 2025 The post Put a Circle Around Burnham Square in the Blue Grass appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Dubai World Cup's reach extended far beyond Meydan Racecourse, captivating a massive global audience via TV, digital platforms, and in-flight entertainment. Broadcast across 37 channels in 170 countries.View the full article

Less than 24 hours after La Cara won the delayed Ashland Stakes (G1), Casse was back in the Keeneland winner's circle April 8 after Nitrogen topped a Casse-trained exacta in the $500,000 Appalachian Stakes (G2T).View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of March 31-April 6View the full article

Positano Sunset broke through at the top of the stretch and weathered contact to pull away late April 8 in the $650,000 Madison Stakes at Keeneland.View the full article

Winchell Thoroughbreds' son of Into Mischief got his fifth win from nine starts in the April 8 Commonwealth Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. The son of Into Mischief was purchased for $1.35 million at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.View the full article

The rail-drawn POSITANO SUNSET (m, 5, Goldencents–Gigglin' Gal, by Consolidator) dug in late to upset the GI Resolute Racing Madison Stakes at Keeneland at odds of 14-1. Stuck mid pack along the rail for much of the run into the far turn as race favorites Emery (More Than Ready) and Mystic Lake (Mo Town) paced the field, the Ian Wilkes runner found a seam past the quarter pole as four runners lined up across the track to contest the final furlong. Pushing through two wide just inside the eighth pole, Positano Sunset had to put away Emery to her inside and My Mane Squeeze (Audible) to her outside to earn Grade I glory under Julian Leparoux. Lifetime Record: 16-5-4-0. O-Six Column Stables LLC, Bloch, Randall L., Seiler, John and Hall, David; B-John Seiler, Randy Bloch, Trish Henson, Brad Stephens & Dave Hall; T-Ian Wilkes. #1 Positano Sunset ($30.62) pulls off a thrilling upset in the Grade 1 Madison Stakes @keenelandracing! Jockey: @JulienLeparoux Trainer: @IanWilkesRacing TwinSpires Replay pic.twitter.com/Y6BNLz11ff — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 8, 2025 The post Positano Sunset Upsets Resolute Racing Madison At 14-1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Favored at 2-1 to cross the wire first is Praetor, who enters the Lexington Stakes (G3) with a pair of wins going a mile over the dirt, including a 7 1/2-length romp in an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park. View the full article

Jockey Luis Saez, unseated in the second race April 8 at Keeneland after his mount bumped with another horse in midstretch, was in stable condition Tuesday afternoon and under evaluation by University of Kentucky HealthCare Medical Services.View the full article

Junko Kondo's Admire Daytona and Jim and Claire Limited's Heart of Honor, the respective top two finishers in the UAE Derby (G2), headline five 3-year-olds made eligible to compete in the 2025 Triple Crown with a late nomination fee.View the full article