Wandering Eyes

Magnitude did not disappoint the hopefuls as he took the Iowa Derby in style at Prairie Meadows on Saturday evening. Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack's story this week on the colt's return to the races post-surgery reported that trainer Steve Asmussen was “dreaming big” about the Winchell-owned runner's prospects. The reason had something to do with the stellar result from the GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in mid-February when the 3-year-old won by 9 3/4 lengths with a 108 Beyer to boot. Prior to that, Magnitude had broken his maiden at second asking last summer at Ellis Park. After clearing an optional claimer at Churchill Downs Nov. 17, the Asmussen trainee placed in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Dec. 21. When he was well-beaten in the GIII Lecomte Stakes in New Orleans that set him up to be a massive price in the Risen Star at 43-1. Now that Magnitude recovered fully from his ankle chip, the bay came off the shelf and was installed as the 70 cents on the dollar choice here. The favorite fired like a bullet out of the gate and moved nicely towards the rail for the lead into the first turn. Though the colt was shadowed by a pair of competitors, Magnitude looked comfortable up the backstretch and around the far turn. Powering into the lane, the chalk was given a tap and finding another gear he strode to the wire looking like the Risen Star winner we saw earlier this year. Rockadelic was a $110,000 purchase by Freddie Bloodstock at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale while future colt Azum (McKinzie) was in-utero. That current 2-year-old, who went to SBS Global for $165,000 during Keeneland September, broke his maiden under the care of Jose D'Angelo at Gulfstream Park June 13. The winner's dam is also responsible for a yearling colt by Bolt d'Oro and she foaled a colt by Jack Christopher Mar. 24. Magnitude's second dam is GI Coaching Club American Oaks victress Octave (Unbridled's Song). IOWA DERBY, $250,000, Prairie Meadows, 7-5, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42.26, gd. 1–MAGNITUDE, 122, c, 3, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Rockadelic, by Bernardini 2nd Dam: Octave, by Unbridled's Song 3rd Dam: Belle Nuit, by Dr. Carter ($310,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $450,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Ron Stolich (KY); T-Steven Asmussen; J-Ben Curtis. $150,000. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-4-1-0, $596,165. 2–Itsmybirthday, 116, c, 3, Vekoma–After the Rose, by Pioneerof the Nile. ($42,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $195,000 2yo '24 OBSOPN). O-Arnold Bennewith, Rick Wiest, Clayton Wiest and Lana Wiest; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Robertino Diodoro. $50,000. 3–Mister Omaha, 116, c, 3, Omaha Beach–Cosmic Code, by Into Mischief. ($120,000 RNA Ylg '23 FTKOCT). O/B-Bryan Hawk (OK); T-Joe S. Offolter. $25,000. Margins: 9 1/4, 4 1/4, 2. Odds: 0.70, 2.10, 7.20. Also Ran: Maverama, Mickswagger, Authentic Gallop. Scratched: Big Truzz. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. MAGNITUDE ($3.40) RETURNS IN A HUGE WAY! What a win for the Steve Asmussen trained Not This Time (@TMStallions) colt in the $250,000 Iowa Derby at @prmracing. @_benacurtis was in the irons for owners Winchell Thoroughbreds. Catch the Cornhusker next: https://t.co/p25XHD80go pic.twitter.com/j9EVJUHsoN — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 5, 2025 The post Not This Time’s Magnitude Registers Iowa Derby Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lanaluah won the $150,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity July 5 at Lone Star Park to become freshman sire Beau Liam's first stakes winner.View the full article

Sweet Azteca overcame a nine-month layoff to conquer sprint division queen Kopion with an eye-popping victory in the $200,500 Great Lady M Stakes (G2) July 5 at Los Alamitos Race Course.View the full article

Cornishman returned a sizable dividend July 5 for owner Joseph Schumer in upsetting Heroic Move and favored Gould's Gold in the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) at Prairie Meadows.View the full article

Racing July 5 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, Tip Top Thomas improved to 2-for-3 as a 3-year-old in gamely turning back graded stakes winner Coal Battle to win the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) in track record time.View the full article

In winning the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis Saturday, James Bakke and Gerald Isbister's Tip Top Thomas (c, 3, Volatile–Attempt to Name, by Consolidator) may have gotten a little redemption. Last summer and fall, the sky looked like the limit for Tip Top Thomas, who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' in a hard-fought head debut in an August maiden special weight at Saratoga, then came back for a runner-up finish to another 'Rising Star', Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), in the GI Champagne Stakes. Fourth in his maiden win was dual Classic winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), while just behind him in the Champagne was recent GIII Ohio Derby winner Mo Plex (Complexity). Instead of continuing his early momentum, Tip Top Thomas went to the sidelines for six months after the Champagne, returning in an April allowance at Keeneland only to finish fourth and record the lowest Beyer Speed Figure–80–of his career. It looks like that might have been a momentary blip, just a needed race to knock the rust off, as Tip Top Thomas tried again in a Belmont at Aqueduct allowance May 25, romping by 3 1/4 lengths while notching a 93 Beyer. “We were very high on him [last year],” said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. “We thought enough off his maiden win to run him back in the Champagne and he finished a good second in there. Talked about possibly going to the Breeders' Cup and decided we'd give him a little bit of a freshening and try to gear up for spring-summer campaign, which so far has worked out well.” Pletcher doesn't often ship to Indiana–his only previous Indiana Derby starter was off-the-board Micromanage (Medaglia d'Oro) in 2013–but it turned out to be just the spot for Tip Top Thomas to secure his first black-type win. With John Velazquez, who won two races earlier on the card, aboard, the pair broke smartly and had plenty of speed. Tip Top Thomas vied for the lead alongside 49-1 Master Controller (Tapiture) with the two drawing three lengths clear of the rest through a first quarter in :23.43. They stayed side by side and well clear through the :46.01 half. As Tip Top Thomas shook free of Master Controller going into the final turn, last-out GI Woody Stephens third and 'TDN Rising Star' Big Truzz (Justify) joined forces with GII Rebel winner Coal Battle (Coal Front) to attack from the outside. Velazquez implored Tip Top Thomas for more in the lane and the colt responded nicely, holding off Coal Battle by a half-length at the wire. Two-time local winner Brotha Keny (Mo Town) closed for third. “I thought it was very game against a solid field and a more-seasoned horse that he was able to hold off,” added Pletcher. “So I thought it was a big effort first time around two turns. We thought he would handle it, but it was great to see him do it.” Tip Top Thomas got the 1 1/16 miles in a new track record of 1:41.15. Pletcher said the Indiana Derby winner will not be considered for the GI Travers Stakes, but he will possibly try nine furlongs in the future. Pedigree Notes: Top five second-crop sire Volatile is the sire of Tip Top Thomas and two other black-type winners, including GIII Southwest Stakes winner Speed King. The young Three Chimneys stallion has another 10 stakes performers, including Blinging It Back, Saturday's runner-up in the GIII Sanford Stakes at Saratoga. A son of Violence, Volatile himself won the 2020 GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at the Spa. Attempt to Name, the Indiana Derby winner's dam, is by the Storm Cat stallion Consolidator, who now has 13 stakes winners out of his daughters. The mare was a $10,000 purchase by Tim Hamlin at the 2015 Keeneland January sale and has since produced MSW Gray Attempt (Graydar), MSP Dua (Arrogate), and Tip Top Thomas. Dua was a $400,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling turned $900,000 Keeneland November broodmare. Hailing from the same family as GSWs Street Sounds (Street Cry {Ire}) and Tower of Texas (Street Sense), Attempt to Name has the once-tried, unplaced 2-year-old filly Ames (Runhappy) and a yearling filly by Classic Empire. A tip top victory from TIP TOP THOMAS ($7.40) in the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at @HSIndyRacing. The @PletcherRacing trained Volatile (@Three_Chimneys) colt set a new track record under @ljlmvel. One to go: https://t.co/t9woOg39JZ pic.twitter.com/kIjs9CHbSA — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 5, 2025 Saturday, Horseshoe Indianapolis INDIANA DERBY-GIII, $300,000, Horseshoe Indianapolis, 7-5, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:41.15, ft. 1–TIP TOP THOMAS, 122, c, 3, by Volatile 1st Dam: Attempt to Name, by Consolidator 2nd Dam: Capacity, by Capote 3rd Dam: Rare Opportunity, by Danzig Connection 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. 'TDN Rising Star'. ($160,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT). O-James J. Bakke and Gerald Isbister; B-Wynnstay Inc., Donna Moore & Jim Richardson (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-John R. Velazquez. $176,400. Lifetime Record: GISP, 5-3-1-0, $385,500. *1/2 to Dua (Arrogate), MGSP, $104,022 and Gray Attempt (Graydar), MSW, $517,099. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Coal Battle, 124, c, 3, Coal Front–Wolfblade, by Midshipman. ($70,000 Ylg '23 TTAYRL). O-Norman Stables LLC; B-Hume Wornall & Jay Adcock (KY); T-Lonnie Briley. $58,800. 3–Brotha Keny, 118, g, 3, Mo Town–Raramuri Princess, by Northern Afleet. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($25,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Lance Kinross and Steve Kinross; B-Terrazas Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-William E. Morey. $32,340. Margins: HF, 3/4, HF. Odds: 2.70, 2.40, 59.00. Also Ran: Publisher, Instant Replay, Big Truzz, Master Controller. Scratched: Chunk of Gold, Shan. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. The post ‘Rising Star’ Tip Top Thomas Holds Off Coal Battle in Indiana Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a showdown of two of the top female sprinters in California, SWEET AZTECA (m, 5, Sharp Azteca–Sosweetitiz, by Grand Slam) got the better of 1-5 favorite Kopion (Omaha Beach) in the GII Great Lady M Stakes at Los Alamitos. Sent to the front under Juan Hernandez, Sweet Azteca kept the lead from her rival right from the jump and stayed away through fractions of :21.95 and :43.87. Despite blowing the turn and fanning Kopion out wide, the 7-2 second choice had something left down the lane to come home in hand for Richard Baltas. Lifetime Record: 8-6-0-1. O/B-Pamela C. Ziebarth; T-Richard Baltas. The post Sweet Azteca Gets The Better Of Kopion In Great Lady Showdown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fionn and jockey Flavien Prat nailed heavy favorite Nitrogen on the wire and won the $500,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) by a nose in track record time July 5 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Think Big answered any questions about his distance limitations with a sparkling rail-skimming score in the $175,000 Kelso Stakes (G3T) July 5 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

X-Men Racing IV, Madaket Stables and SF Racing's Clicquot (Quality Road) made it three in a row while capturing Saturday's GIII Indiana Oaks. The even-money favorite raced under a tight hold in third through an opening quarter in :23.18. Locked and loaded back a spot into fourth approaching the quarter pole, she made her move in between horses at the top of lane and blasted off from there to win going away by four lengths over Top (Army Mule). A debut sixth as the even-money favorite at Gulfstream Mar. 1, she graduated by six lengths going seven furlongs at second asking at Keeneland Apr. 17. She added an optional claimer at Churchill Downs May 31, her first attempt around two turns. “From the get-go, she's always been very nice,” winning trainer Brendan Walsh said. “Looks like she's still improving, second time going two turns. So, she looks like she's really, really top drawer.” Walsh continued, “You'd have to start looking at the bigger prizes with her now. She's got some nice seasoning under her. I thought it was important that we came here today and got a nice in-between-race before she goes and tries to take on some of the better fillies in the country.” Walsh added, “We've been lucky enough we've had some nice fillies the last couple of years. I think this filly is up there with the best of them, so who knows where she'll go from here?” Pedigree Notes: Clicquot becomes the 91st stakes/46th graded winner worldwide for Quality Road. Her two-time winning dam Royal Obsession (Tapit), a $1.8-million purchase by Clicquot's breeder Don Alberto at the 2017 KEENOV sale, was second in the GII Gazelle S. She produced a filly by Elite Power this year. CHEERS TO CLICQUOT ($4.20)! The Quality Road (@LanesEndFarms) filly won impressively under Edgar Morales in the $200,000 @DailyRacingForm Indiana Oaks (G3) at @HSIndyRacing for trainer @brenpwalsh. Who will win the Indiana Derby? It's coming up next: https://t.co/kjjMxNhE6O pic.twitter.com/H7Xid6piEY — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 5, 2025 The post Quality Road’s Clicquot Rolls to Third Straight in Indiana Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The white-hot Flavien Prat conjured up one final lunge from second favorite FIONN (f, 3, Twirling Candy–Gaelic Gold, by Giant's Causeway) and nabbed long-odds on choice Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) right on the wire to take out Saturday's $500,000 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. It was the fifth victory on the program for the reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey. Opulent Restraint (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) won the break and stepped away to open a clear lead turning down the back from Totally Justified (Justify) and a three-wide Nitrogen as Prat settled Fionn in her slipstream. Continuing to follow Nitrogen's every move around the second turn and passing the quarter pole, Fionn was produced wide into the lane as Opulent Restraint refused to lie down at the fence. Nitrogen finally managed to put her nose in front of her gray rival inside the final furlong, with Fionn still a couple of lengths adrift, but Prat kept busy on his mount and threw her across the line, establishing a new course-record time of 1:44.84 for the nine furlongs on a turf course that has been producing fast times over the first three days of the July 4th Festival. Fionn is an 11th Grade I winner for her sire, who also provided GIII Kelso Stakes hero Think Big. Saturday, Saratoga BELMONT OAKS INVITATIONAL S.-GI, $500,000, Saratoga, 7-5, 3yo, f, 1 1/8mT, 1:44.84, fm. 1–FIONN, 121, f, 3, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Gaelic Gold, by Giant's Causeway 2nd Dam: Strike It Rich, by Unbridled's Song 3rd Dam: Belle of Perintown, by Dehere 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($75,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-George Messina and Michael Lee; B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-1, $624,270. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Nitrogen, 121, f, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro 1st Dam: Tiffany Case (SP), by Uncle Mo 2nd Dam: Biblical Point, by Point Given 3rd Dam: Bibical Sense, by Blushing Groom (Fr) O/B-D. J. Stable, LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $100,000. 3–Opulent Restraint (Ire), 121, f, 3, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Significant Form (MGSW, $817,216), by Creative Cause 2nd Dam: Church by the Sea, by Harlan's Holiday 3rd Dam: Witness Post, by Gone West 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-Stephanie Seymour Brant; B-White Birch Farm Sc (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown. $60,000. Margins: NO, 3/4, 3 1/4. Odds: 6.20, 0.40, 19.70. Also Ran: May Day Ready, Warming, Virgin Colada, Totally Justified. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. It's a photo finish and a track record in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Inv. Stakes! Fionn ($14.40) and jockey Flavien Prat (5-win day) pull off the upset for trainer @bradcoxracing and owners George Messina & Michael Lee. pic.twitter.com/aTdQG2FuPk — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 5, 2025 The post Twirling Candy’s Fionn Nips Nitrogen In the Belmont Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When last seen at Saratoga, Godolphin's THINK BIG (g, 4, Twirling Candy–Always Thinking, by Street Sense) was struggling home a well-beaten seventh as the heavy favorite in the GI Jaipur Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on June 7. Trying a turf mile for the first time in Saturday's GIII Kelso Stakes, the homebred overcame some trouble when 'TDN Rising Star' Donegal Momentum (Uncle Mo) stumbled and somehow managed not to go down three furlongs from home, then knifed through inside of favored Intellect (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) inside the final sixteenth of a mile to register a mild upset at odds of 13-2. Settled in midpack as the stretching-out Arzak (Not This Time) was intent on making the lead from Donegal Momentum, Think Big moved up to the inside of GI Woodbine Mile hero Win For the Money (Mohaymen) to be within striking distance at the half-mile marker. Forced to take up when Donegal Momentum appeared to take a bad step midway on the turn, he was back into the bridle and still in with a chance at the head of the lane. Intellect took a gap between Arzak and Win For the Money in upper stretch and appeared on his way to victory, but he may have thought the race was won, and Think Big and Jose Ortiz flashed home underneath to take it by a length. Donegal Momentum remained on his feet and at a gallop following the incident on the turn. Lifetime Record: 11-6-0-1. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Mike Stidham. THINK BIG rallies up the rail to win the Grade 3 Kelso Stakes and get his fourth win in his last five starts. @jose93_ortiz was the winning rider for trainer Mike Stidham. pic.twitter.com/pc9PLMK2Ru — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 5, 2025 The post Twirling Candy’s Think Big Sees Out The Mile in the Kelso appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Mike Love West Melton trainer John “Coaster” Howe will be celebrating and recognizing his support crew at Addington today – as well as lining up four runners with strong chances. In race three the Congrats Hornby Panthers 15s! Grand Final Winners trot over 2000m sees KD Grins ($4.50FF) go around with Robbie Holmes in the sulky. The three-year-old Imperial Count filly has placed three times from eight starts and will look to use her manners and draw to secure an economical run. “It’s getting better with its manners. We’ve just been going every second with for the 2000m because she’s a good beginner,” said Howe. “KD Grins or Origin look the likely leader, so hopefully we should be getting another cheque.” Other chances in the event include race favourite Billy Kimbler ($2.10FF) for trainers Ken Ford & Amanda Tomlinson, to be driven by Sheree Tomlinson, and the Marho Nyhan trained, Peter Davis driven Origin ($2.25FF). Sweet Dreams ($9.00FF) comes up with a more favourable draw for Howe and driver Robbie Holmes in race four the Fuller & Hollands Families mobile pace over 1980m. The four-year-old Sweet Lou mare has not had the rub of the green lately, but a more positive drive may hold the key to her chances. “Things just haven’t been going her way at the moment. We may decide to use the draw.” Gimmesomelovin ($3.10FF) for trainer/driver Kyle Cameron looks tough to role drawn one. Howe rounds out his chances in race six the Phil And Christine Smith 50+ Wins Trot over 2000m with two chances – Monarch Prince ($3.00FF) with Samantha Ottley and Five Monkeys ($12.00FF) with Korbyn Newman. “They’re both good beginners. I think Monarch Prince is my best chance of the day.” Howe currently works a team of sixteen horses from his West Melton base. Race one gets underway at 1:05pm. View the full article

by Jonny Turner Is Sunday the day for New Zealand’s best maiden trotter to break through? To The Moon And Back has arguably earned that title after producing huge performances in his three starts so far. The three-year-old is part of a team filled with winning chances that Brad Williamson is lining up at Ascot Park. To win, To The Moon And Back will need to bring his best manners and beat his two stablemates, Penelope Lane and Muscle Mist. Those manners will be crucial if To The Moon And Back is to make use of the 20m handicap advantage he has over his stablemates. “I think with his 20m head-start on the other two, To The Moon And Back would have to be our best chance,” Williamson said. “He has been going big races and off the front line he would be hard to beat if he does everything right.” “He is still learning, but I think he can go on and do a pretty good job.” Penelope Lane returns south after beating To The Moon And Back in her only race start at Wyndham. Though she gives her stablemate a head start, she still looks a strong winning threat. “The Volsteads seem to be doing a great job at the moment, so she’s got that in her favour.” “She would be the most foolproof of our three and she would have to be a pretty handy chance.” Muscle Mist baulked at the start of her last outing at Addington after an excellent debut victory at Ascot Park. She also looks to rate a winning threat in Sunday’s Gold Chip Final. “She’s taken a while to get to the races, but she has shown us a bit of ability,” Williamson said. “I think she has a nice future, once she gets a bit of racing into her and gets a bit more ringcraft.” “She’d have to be a handy chance on Sunday, too.” Among Williamson’s strong team at Ascot Park is Tabasco, who starts in Sunday’s finale. Given some of the country cups company he has mixed it with this year, the pacer looks very well placed. But Tabasco does give away a race fitness advantage, considering he hasn’t started since April. “He hasn’t had any trials, but he has had a couple of private runs to sharpen him up.” “I would say he is not at his absolute peak, but he is as fit as we can get him without having a race.” “All in all I am pretty hopeful he will be ready to go a nice race.” The grand old campaigner of the Williamson barn, Domination’s Call, starts on Sunday. He looks a top-four threat from his sizeable 35m handicap. “It is a tough handicap, but he is a very honest horse.” “He does need the right run, but he is always running on.” Aint No Angel follows out the hot favourite Always B Bootie in her Ascot Park assignment, which should put her in a striking spot. The mare was slightly disappointing by her standards in her last start, but she still ran a solid third placing. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS – After seven weeks of going back and forth, Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has made his decision. When Sandman (Tapit) runs in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on July 26, he will be wearing a hood. The popular gray, owned by D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables, looked striking Saturday morning when he hit the main track wearing black blinkers. Sandman worked five furlongs in :59.40 (1/9) and Casse is comfortable saying that Sandman will have the equipment change at least for the Jim Dandy. He had said he was going to make the change after Sandman finished third in the GI Preakness at Pimlico on May 17, but has gone back and forth since then. “My thought right now is that he is a couple lengths behind some of those better horses,” Casse said on the Saratoga backstretch Saturday morning. “We have to come up with a plan to see him improve. Maybe the blinkers will work, it could also backfire. We will see.” Casse said he had conversations with jockey Jose Ortiz about the pros and cons of putting the hood on Sandman. Ortiz, who has ridden Sandman five times in his 10-race career, will be back on board for the Jim Dandy. Ortiz rode the colt to a victory in the GI Arkansas Derby and was also the pilot when he finished seventh in the GI Kentucky Derby. Ortiz opted to ride Clever Again (American Pharoah) in the Preakness; they finished last after Ortiz eased the colt after being bumped in upper stretch at Pimlico. Sandman finished 2 3/4 lengths behind Journalism (Curlin) in the Preakness and was beat a quarter of a length for second by Gosger (Nyquist). “He had some excuses in the Preakness,” Casse said. “He could hardly open his eyes from all the kickback. When we scoped him afterwards, they said he had more racetrack in him than on the outside of him. He inhaled it. I don't know if that made him lose a little focus–it would make me lose focus.” Casse said Saturday's work was just what he wanted. “We wanted to put a pretty good work into him, and he got it,” he said. “I could have made him work faster if I gave him company, but I thought this was good. This was his big work (for the Jim Dandy).” Sandman will have the blinkers on in a race for the first time in his career. It remains to be seen if they will stay on. “The Jim Dandy is an important race,” Casse said. “But it's not as important as the Travers.” Casse also worked La Cara (Street Sense), who won the GI Acorn in her last start and handed Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) her first loss in eight starts. La Cara, who is being pointed to the GI Coaching Club American Oaks July 19, had a bullet four-furlong work Saturday in :46.00 (1/85) on the main track. Rodriguez Soaking Up The Glow After First Graded Stakes Win Early Saturday morning, a visitor to trainer Gustavo Rodriguez's barn on the Saratoga backstretch was treated like family. A request to see Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus})? No problem. Rodriguez pointed out the 5-year-old gelding, who was being walked outside the barn. Even stopped him, allowed a few pictures to be taken. Phileas Fogg holds off Antiquarian | Sarah Andrew Life is good when the big horse rolls and the big horse rolled on Friday when he won the GII Suburban Stakes at Saratoga going gate-to-wire in the 1 1/4-mile race. It was the first graded stakes win for the 54-year-old Rodriguez, who has been training horses on his own since 2021. “We had a little wine, had a nice dinner,” Rodriguez said of the post-race activities. “I watched the replay a few times–I would say maybe four times.” And every time, the result was the same, Phileas Fogg, who Rodriguez claimed last year at Saratoga, upset the Suburban, holding off the fast-closing Antiquarian (Preservationist) by a head. The 4-5 favorite Locked (Gun Runner) was another 6 1/4 lengths behind in third. “Before the race, I said to myself, 'we are going to be alright,'” Rodriguez said. “The only horse I was afraid of was Locked. If he ran like he did at Santa Anita (an 8 1/2-length winner in the GI Santa Anita Handicap), we would be in trouble.” Phileas Fogg, who was coming off a second-place finish in the GIII Pimlico Special in his last start, will now be pointed to a Grade I in his next race. Rodriguez said it won't be the GI Whitney Stakes on Aug. 2, but probably the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 31. “I want to give him more time,” Rodriguez said. “I will discuss it with the owner (Steve Shapiro of Jupiter Stable LLC). I think we have a nice horse. I know the division has a lot of good horses. We've just got to deal with them.” For now, Rodriguez will work with his 15-horse stable and enjoy, at least for a little while longer, the Suburban win. He was getting some brotherly love from his 53-year-old sibling Rudy Rodriguez, who has been an established trainer on the New York circuit for years. Gustavo worked for his brother for 10 years before going out on his own. “I'm very happy for him,” Rudy Rodriguez said Saturday outside his office at the Oklahoma Training Track. “He works very hard; he always has. When I was handicapping that race, I thought they would have a tough time beating him … the way the track was playing, he had the inside post and Kendrick (jockey Carmouche) is one of the best riders out of the gate. When he has the lead, he is very, very, very dangerous. Thank God he got the win!” Conditions Were Right For Coppola … Finally Trainer Dale Romans kept waiting for the sun to shine on his 6-year-old Coppola (Into Mischief). That day came Friday, and the speedy horse took his cue on the way to a record-setting performance at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Coppola set a track record for five furlongs on the turf when he won the $100,000 William Garrett Handicap in a time of :54.39. In his previous three starts, including the GI Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga last month, he faced turf courses labeled as “good.” He finished fifth in the 5 1/2-furlong Jaipur, fourth in the five-furlong Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes at Pimlico and sixth in the GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs. “Five eighths on firm ground; that's Coppola's gig,” Romans said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Saturday morning. “He finally got firm ground, and he ran like he was supposed to. I have been frustrated that his last three races were all on rainy days. He is hard to beat going five eighths on firm ground.” The old Horseshoe Indianapolis record for five furlongs on turf belonged to Oxford Comma (Majesticperfection), who went the distance in :54.57 in 2018. Coppola also won the William Garrett Handicap last year, but it was taken off the grass. Romans said that Coppola, owned by Hammer Time Stable and Sport of Kings Racing Partners, probably won't run back at Saratoga, but he's looking for a race at either Del Mar or Ellis Park. “We will find a good spot for him,” Romans said. “He is fast, and he is the barn pet. Everyone loves Coppola. Tammy (Fox, Romans' partner and top exercise rider) gets on him every day.” The post Saratoga Notebook: Sandman Will Add Blinkers For Jim Dandy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 7-5, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:35.94, fm, 1 length. EMBRACE TIME (f, 2, Not This Time–Dontmesswithjoanne {SW, $180,638}, by Pioneerof the Nile), a firster from the Brad Cox barn, stood professionally in the gate for her debut. Kept under a tight hold early by Flavien Prat, she raced midpack on the outside as 7-2 Gorrono Ranch (War of Will) set the early pace. With Prat reserving Embrace Time while well off the :23.95 and :48.24 fractions, he finally gave the filly her cue on the turn. Fifth into the lane when tipped six or more paths off the rail, Embrace Time lengthened her stride and looked green but good, cocking her head toward the grandstand and swapping to her wrong lead for several strides. She prevailed by a length while hinting she's going to improve even more after soaking up the education gleaned from this initial trial. Connect the Stars (Connect) chased her home. A homebred for James Schurman, Embrace Time hails from the same family as GISWs Stellar Jayne (Wild Rush) and Starrer (Dynaformer). Stakes winning dam Dontmesswithjoanne has a yearling Quality Road colt and was bred to Constitution for this term, although no foal has yet been reported. After selling at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton May Digital sale for $210,000, she revisited Fasig-Tipton's digital arena last December, bringing $4,500 from Tanya Johnson. Sales History: $175,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-James F. Schurman (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Embrace Time delivers first time out in race 6 at Belmont at Saratoga. The 2-year-old daughter of @TMStallions Not This Time is trained by @bradcoxracing. Jockey Flavien Prat scores his 3rd win on the card. pic.twitter.com/oDxEkOwgsR — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 5, 2025 The post Not This Time’s Embrace Time Slightly Green but Very Good in Spa Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cayton Park Stud homebred Marksman Queen went to the front early and fended off Spanish Eyes to win the $250,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (G3T) July 5 at Delaware Park, giving trainer Graham Motion a record 10th win in the turf contest.View the full article

Journeyman Stud's late stallion Uncle Chuck sired his first winner when the filly Chucky's Ride scored July 5 at Gulfstream Park. View the full article

Leland Ackerley may be in Anguilla, but on July 5 his attention was focused on a place far to the north. View the full article

Shadow of Light and The Lion In Winter were in the argument for most exciting juvenile heading into their 3-year-old season, but both arrive at Deauville for the July 6 Prix Jean Prat (G1) on something of a redemption mission.View the full article

Champion and fan favorite Tepin's last foal became a grade 1 winner July 5 when Delacroix emerged triumphant in the clash of generations in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown Park.View the full article

Caleb Hays has been named head starter at Churchill Downs and Turfway Park, while Todd Stephens will serve as the head starter at Ellis Park.View the full article

The July 9 opening day card at Colonial Downs attracted 85 entrants plus six also-eligibles for an eight-race program that concludes with a trio of stacked, open company allowance affairs.View the full article

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER View the full article

Godolphin's RAGTIME (f, 3, Union Rags–Burmilla, by Storm Cat), who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' when breaking clear to graduate by 3 3/4 lengths at first asking during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on June 6, made her first start against winners a victorious one during Saturday's third day of the July 4th Racing Festival, shooting clear in the final eighth of a mile to take her record to two powerful wins from as many trips to the races. Off alertly, the chestnut–who bears a striking resemblance to her Lane's End-based sire–was positioned in midfield as they raced in a heap down the back and was right on the back of the pacesetter as the field entered the turn. The 9-10 chalk was asked for some speed at the five-sixteenths and was angled out off the home corner to put pacesetting Next On Stage (Liam's Map) to the sword. The two dueled heads apart past the eighth pole before Ragtime asserted her superiority to once again score by open lengths. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Bill Mott. A daylight win for Ragtime at 4-5 in race 4 at Belmont at Saratoga. She is undefeated at Saratoga for trainer Bill Mott and jockey @JuniorandKellyA. pic.twitter.com/obepbYxmsi — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 5, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Ragtime Runs ‘Em Ragged at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article