Wandering Eyes

Father-and-son training duo Kevin and Stephen Gray finished the Wellington Cup meeting with a bang on Saturday when their gelding Anderson Bridge (NZ) (Savabeel) surged to victory in the Douro Cup (1600m). Race favourite Afternoon Siesta jumped well and was sent straight to the front by jockey Kelly Myers, while Bruno Queiroz was content to settle three-back in the running line aboard Anderson Bridge. They loomed three-wide at the turn and quickly ranged up alongside the leader, with the pair going head-to-head in the concluding stages, but it was Anderon Bridge who came out on top to win by a long neck. “He is a really promising horse, he beat a good mare,” Stephen Gray said. “We had the (1kg) weight advantage and I said to Bruno that he had to be forward and just attack her because she is a good mare. “He is a really promising horse, so I am excited to have him back.” Gray purchased Anderson Bridge as a yearling in Australia in 2022 for $200,000 while he was still training in Singapore, and entrusted him to the care of leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller. The son of Savabeel won one start for the expat Kiwi horseman before returning to Gray’s care in New Zealand last year, and the Manawatu trainer has been rapt with his progression. The five-year-old gelding won first-up over 1400m at Trentham in December before returning to the Upper Hutt track a fortnight ago to run fifth over the same distance, and bounced back to winning form when stepping up to a mile on Saturday. “He came back from Sydney, and it is only his third run back, so he is only getting better,” Gray said. Gray was also chuffed to record another victory in the Douro Cup alongside his father, while he said the win was a tonic for his Palmerston North-based team. “To win a Douro Cup, which I think I won a long time ago with Dad, and to still win it with Dad is pretty cool,” Gray said. “We run second enough, so when you win one it is exciting. We have had a tough couple of weeks where the horses have been going well, we just quite haven’t got the wins, so it is good for the staff at home and good for my mates who own him. “Paul Hickman, my best mate, owns most of him. We had 98 winners together in Singapore.” The win also extended jockey Bruno Queiroz’s golden run in New Zealand, with the Brazilian hoop currently fifth on the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership on 42 wins for the season, and Gray said the 24-year-old has a bright future. “Bruno is a hugely intelligent rider who will be a very good rider wherever he goes,” Gray said. “He is only young and he is riding much better, he is learning as he goes and it was a beautiful ride.” View the full article

Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin has plenty to mull over in the coming weeks as he hatches an autumn plan for his quality stayer Crouch (NZ) (Tarzino). The six-year-old gelding put in another strong effort at Trentham on Saturday to post his second successive runner-up result in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), and Breslin is now hungry to try and go one better in next year’s edition. “He has gone huge again. Running second two years in a row is a good effort,” Breslin said. “Tina (Comignaghi) has ridden him both times and when she got off the scale I said, ‘maybe next year’, so hopefully that is the case. “He is a really sound horse, he hasn’t been overly raced. I can’t see any reason why he can’t come back next year and run in it again.” Breslin is pleased with the way Crouch has come through the run, which has filled him with confidence as he looks to identify his next target. “He went for a pick of grass this (Sunday) morning and has licked his bowl, which is the norm for him,” Breslin said. “He looks bright as anything, he has come through it really well.” While disappointed not to win the Wellington Cup, Crouch’s performance has spurred Breslin to look at targets further afield, with both Auckland and Australia entering the mix. Crouch doesn’t currently hold a nomination for the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie next month, and Breslin hasn’t ruled out making a late nomination, while Australia could beckon the son of Tarzino later in the season. “I did have a look at the noms for it (Auckland Cup) this morning and it is not going to be too much different of a field than the Wellington Cup,” Breslin said. “I wouldn’t rule out putting in a late nom for the Auckland Cup, I will give it some thought, but I might just look at what is in Australia for him as well. “He has never raced right-handed so Melbourne is more likely. I will just have a look at the programmes over there and see what is available for him over winter before making a call.” Stablemate Call A Friend (NZ) (Akeed Mofeed) fared differently in the Wellington Cup, beating just the one runner home, and Breslin said she will now head for a break before being set towards Country Cups next season. “It was a throw at the stumps for the big syndicate that are in her and it was always going to be the last run of her preparation,” Breslin said. “She showed us that she is best kept to 2000m or a touch more. I think she is the sort of horse that could win a nice Cup race down a level in the provinces next spring.” Meanwhile, stablemate Donnybrook (NZ) (Zed) is being set for the NZ St Leger (2500m) at Trentham next month off the back of his midfield run in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m), his second-up run after 12 months off the scene. “I thought he went super in the Trentham Stakes for the state of his fitness,” Breslin said. “He had a bit of a failed trip to Australia, that is why he was off the scene for a long time. He never raced over there but things didn’t go well for him and we have just brought him up really quietly. “We decided to run him in the Trentham Stakes because there was give in the track. It served its purpose and brought him up to just about full fitness, I am really happy with him. “He is definitely going to be targeting the St Leger. We will just target a couple of runs between now and then with him.” Breslin is also looking forward to the return of his Group Two-winning filly Intention (NZ) (Bivouac) to the trials at Foxton on Tuesday as he looks to set an autumn plan for the daughter of Bivouac. She finished 10th on a testing track in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November, and Breslin said it has taken some time for his filly to get over the tough trip. “Intention is going to trial on Tuesday. That will be a defining moment for her three-year-old career,” he said. “The trip in the 2000 Guineas on the rain-affected track did knock her around a little bit. It has taken her a while to get over it. “She did gallop super on Thursday morning but it is just a matter of what is left for her as a three-year-old, so we are going to give her a trial on Tuesday and if she trials well we may give her one or two runs before giving her a break and getting her back as a four-year-old.” View the full article

Join a full team this week on Weigh In. Guy Heveldt, Bruce Sherwin & Aidan Rodley break down the action from Wellington Cup day at Trentham, feature racing from Ellerslie and a look ahead to The NZB Kiwi. Weigh In, February 1 View the full article

Exciting stayer The Precursor (St Jean) literally monstered his rivals to claim an impressive victory in the $350,000 Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. The statuesque five-year-old towers over most of his race rivals and made good use of that impressive frame to stretch away from fellow Cambridge visitor Roctave over the concluding stages of the contest after enjoying a trouble-free run just behind the pace for rider Masa Hashizume. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-prepared son of the ill-fated stallion St Jean, who took out the 2017 Gr.3 City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) before heading to stud, has always looked a stayer with tremendous potential after entering the stable of Shaun and Hazel Fannin for owner Graham Stewart, who purchased him for A$20,000 in an Inglis Digital online sale in late 2024. The Precursor had won once from five starts for the Ciaron Maher stable in Victoria before heading to New Zealand and was sent north to James and Wellwood after two placings from two starts for the Fannin team, where he started Saturday’s contest as the $4.30 second favourite off the back of two further placings and a win over 1600m at New Plymouth. Hashizume made perfect use of barrier four by heading forward at the start and getting one off behind pacemakers Platinum Goddess and Shaking Stevens before leaving the straight for the first time. Applying the pressure around the home turn, Hashizume had his mount trucking as he shot to the front and despite being hotly challenged in the final stages, The Precursor drew away late to win comfortably by a neat length at the line. Hashizume was quick to point out there was plenty more in the tank of the winner who is still learning the game. “He just does it so easily,” Hashizume said. “He just does what he has to do and when I galloped him on Thursday he was so laid back. “He had a good draw today and got in a good spot. He was just wandering along all the way up the straight but never stopping and he feels like he isn’t trying, but I knew if I asked him for another 600m he would give it to me.” Wellwood was delighted to get the win after stablemate Ariadne (NZ) (Almanzor) had been narrowly beaten in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) one race earlier. “We’ve had him for three runs now and he ran two good races over a mile before a big run at Ellerslie which gave us a lot of confidence,” he said. “I think he is a horse with a future but we won’t make any decisions until we get him home and see how he pulls up. “I do think he will be a Cups horse in the future, although he still has a lot of maturing to do, albeit he is a five-year-old, but he is a nice horse in the making. “He has strengthened since we got him and we know he is going to stay.” The Precursor holds a nomination for the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on 7 March where he sits as the $6 favourite in the TAB Fixed Odds market. He has now won three of his 10 starts and over $252,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Days after an announcement that champion 2-year-old male Ted Noffey was off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with bone bruising, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher showcases Nearly as a Derby contender by winning the $267,500 Holy Bull Stakes (G3).View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard CORNUCOPIAN (c, 4, Into Mischief–Magical World, by Distorted Humor) hit a traffic jam nearing the quarter pole of a 6 1/2-furlong Santa Anita allowance on Saturday, but it proved but a minor inconvenience, as he got his feet back under him, quickly took a gap at the rail inside of a rival and was off and gone in his first start in nearly 10 months. The 1-2 chalk returning off an allowance defeat going a mile at Aqueduct last spring, the $1.1 million Keeneland September purchase hit the ground running, but so did several of his rivals and he was outfooted through an opening quarter mile in :21.65. Advancing inside on the turn with a wall of horses in front of him, the bay colt was stymied and was taken hold of by Juan Hernandez, losing significant momentum for a stride or two. But he was just as quickly back on the attack, as he hit the gap like a blitzing cornerback confronts an opposing quarterback and was in hand in the final 50 yards. The final time was a very slick 1:15.68. Sales history: $1,100,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Whisper Hill Farm & Three Chimneys Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert #5 CORNUCOPIAN ($3.00) gets through on the rail and wins his return in the 8th race at @SantaAnitaPark. @JJHernandezS19 rode the four-year-old Into Mischief (@SpendthriftFarm) colt for trainer Bob Baffert. @StarlightRacing @MadaketStables @StonestreetFarm @TomRyanKY pic.twitter.com/Gjkf0GL0C4 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2026 The post ‘Rising Star’ Cornucopian Crushes Allowance Rivals On Seasonal Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Days after an announcement that champion 2-year-old male Ted Noffey was off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with bone bruising, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher showcases Nearly as a Derby contender by winning the $275,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3).View the full article

Sometimes overshadowed by stablemate Baeza, Westwood comes into his own in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) Jan. 31 at Santa Anita Park, defeating Getaway Car by 2 3/4 lengths.View the full article

On Time Girl takes the Forward Gal Stakes (G3) for trainer Brad Cox and owner and breeder Albaugh Family Stables.View the full article

The Gulfstream grass very quickly became trainer Brian Lynch's lawn Saturday when the conditioner took home three victories over the course with two being stakes–the Kitten's Joy earlier on the card and here in the Sweetest Chant with Sister Troienne (Munnings). With her conditioner (and rider) claiming both 1 1/16-miles Listed features, and stablemate Thousandsticks (Twirling Candy) garnering high praise from Lynch after the earlier stakes, Sister Troienne went into the gate with even higher expectations. She was riding a four-race win streak here with back-to-back stakes wins to her credit in a string that began last September at Churchill Downs when she broke her maiden by 4 1/2 lengths. From there, she trounced allowance company at Keeneland Oct. 22, claimed the Wait a While Stakes over the local synthetic by three lengths Nov. 27, and was last seen taking home the hardware in the Ginger Brew Stakes Jan. 3. The betting public saw no reason to fix what wasn't broken, and hammered her at the windows to the tune of 1-2 overwhelming favoritism by the time they opened. Stalking well from second after Day to Day (McKinzie) hit the fence going into the first turn and ran off down the backside, Sister Troienne slowly reeled that one back in passing the five sixteenths and assumed command not longer after with six panels clocking in 1:11.67 for that pair. Four wide into the homeward run, but still well in hand, Mario Gutierrez had to keep her mind on business leaving the furlong marker and the pair came home much the best by 2 3/4 lengths in a hand ride. The 61-1 longshot Spicy Princess (Tapit) rolled home late to claim second and 13-1 Brat Pack (Gun Runner) was safely home in third. The final time was 1:40.76, Lynch and Gutierrez have posted impressive numbers during Gulfstream's Championship meet–the combination has struck for five stakes wins with Lynch claiming seven overall. “Very impressive and finished up in a strong time, too,” Lynch said. “When they turned down the backside she looked a winner every jump of the race. Honestly, I think she's just getting better at racing. She's got such a big, efficient stride, and when you ask her for run she just finds more. It will be interesting to see if she ever gets tested.” The victress is the first to the races for her dam, Dyna Passer, who was stakes placed in her racing career. Sister Troienne has a juvenile full-sister named Ultraviolet and their dam is due to Oscar Performance in 2026. Dyna Passer is a half-sister to the ultra consistent GISW Sadler's Joy (Kitten's Joy) as well as to MGSW Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper). The latter was wicked fast in his racing days, and set a new course or track record on four occasions at Gulfstream and Laurel Park for two different distances. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. SISTER TROIENNE ($3.00) was much the best in the $175,000 Sweetest Chant Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. This is the 3YO Munnings (@coolmoreamerica) filly's 5th win in a row. She's trained by @BLynchRacing, @_MGutierrez_ was in the irons. Holy Bull is next: https://t.co/mnxsqMII2X pic.twitter.com/ERzXk0AtQM — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 31, 2026 SWEETEST CHANT S. PRESENTED BY DAILY RACING FORM, $150,000, Gulfstream, 1-31, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:40.76, fm. 1–SISTER TROIENNE, 122, f, 3, by Munnings 1st Dam: Dyna Passer (SP, $232,330), by Lemon Drop Kid 2nd Dam: Dynaire, by Dynaformer 3rd Dam: Binya (Ger), by Royal Solo (Ire) ($190,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Woodslane Racing LLC; B-Woodslane Farm (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch; J-Mario Gutierrez. $88,350. Lifetime Record: 6-5-0-1, $388,859. 2–Spicy Princess, 118, f, 3, Tapit–Apache Princess, by Unusual Heat. ($175,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-KMN Racing LLC; B-KMN Racing LLC & Tapit Syndicate (KY); T-Patrick L. Biancone. $28,500. 3–Brat Pack, 118, f, 3, Gun Runner–Ultra Brat, by Uncle Mo. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Alex G. Campbell, Jr. Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. $14,250. Margins: 2 3/4, 1HF, 3 1/4. Odds: 0.50, 61.70, 13.50. Also Ran: Storm's Wake, Aggressive Lime, Surprise Ending, Bert's Knoty Girl, One Sweet Girl, Day to Day, My Lady Jbella. Scratched: Spirit Doll. The post Second Verse, Same as First: Sister Troienne Gives No Quarter in Sweetest Chant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

David Hayes is aiming to bridge a 25-year gap when Akashavani and Public Attention line up in Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin. Fresh off watching Ka Ying Rising equalling Silent Witness’ record of 17 consecutive victories at Sha Tin last weekend, Hayes will now look for his first Classic Mile winner since Charming City’s victory in 2001. Both his runners look to have strong chances of hitting the board, but Akashvani looks set to fly the flag from a kind draw in barrier four under Luke...View the full article

Trainer Bob Baffert came into Saturday's hot-looking maiden at Santa Anita with a trio of high-profile chances on paper, but that number was reduced to a single runner with the program scratches of the rail-drawn Duntov, a $575,000 son of Maxfield, and Crude Velocity (Beau Liam), himself a $250,000 breeze-up purchase. But the one that remained, Speedway Stables' POTENTE (c, 3, Into Mischief–Sweet Sting, by Awesome Again), shouldered the load, outgaming the more experienced Captain Shreve (Runhappy) by a length. Away very smartly from an outside draw, the $2.4-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate carved out the early fractions, with his chief market rival Captain Shreve–a strong-figure second on debut–close in tow. Clinging to a narrow advantage as they raced by the quarter pole in :45.62, Potente was never truly able to dispose of the race-long challenge from Captain Shreve, but came home nicely to take it by about a length. Sales history: $2,400,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Speedway Stable LLC; B-Pam & Marty Wygod; T-Bob Baffert The $2.4 million yearling purchase #7 POTENTE ($3.20) broke his maiden in R6 at @SantaAnitaPark. @kazushi0096 rode the three-year-old Into Mischief (@SpendthriftFarm) colt for trainer Bob Baffert. pic.twitter.com/8gBEZwZfNK — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 31, 2026 The post Pricy Into Mischief Colt Potente Guts It Out on Santa Anita Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After being undone by unfavorable pace dynamics in three graded stakes starts to close out 2025, Quatrocento delivers in the Jan. 31 Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) after racing unchallenged on the early lead.View the full article

Safe to say that two turns are no problem. NEARLY (c, 3, Not This Time – Ib Prospecting, by Mineshaft) passed the stretch-out test with flying colors Saturday, cruising to the line to capture the GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park and earn himself 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Wearing the colors of Centennial Farm, the 8-5 shot dueled most of the opening mile with race favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' Cannoneer (Into Mischief) who had the rail position but couldn't counter when Nearly began to gain an upper hand on the run around the far turn. Only New York-bred Bravaro (Upstart) was left to challenge but was never a danger as Nearly rolled to the line under a hands and heels ride by Joh Velazquez. 40-1 longshot Project Ace (War of Will) filled out the trifecta. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0. O- Centennial Farms; B-Wind Hill Farm (FL); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $350,000 ylg '24 KEESEP. Nearly and @ljlmvel take the Holy Bull G3. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/mqoPAyoQrB — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) January 31, 2026 The post Nearly More Than Enough In Holy Bull appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Vasy in Florida. Space Blues Colt Thrives In Florida JDT Racing's Vasy turned in a narrow win at Gulfstream for trainer Brendan Walsh on January 25 (video). Bred by Gary Mullins, the Space Blues colt is out of Beautiful Ending (Exceed And Excel). A €75,000 Goffs November weanling, the chestnut brought 75,000gns as a Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling and changed hands for €115,000 out of the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale where he caught the eye of Osborne Lodge Racing. The half-brother to G2 Al Fahidi Fort second Story Of Light (Dark Angel) counts half-brothers by St Mark's Basilica and Phoenix Of Spain born in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Granddam Pearl Kite (Silver Hawk) was third in the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes and foaled a quartet of stakes winners anchored by multiple group winner Nayyir (Indian Ridge), second in the G1 Sussex Stakes. Darley's Group 1 sire Space Blues has one winner from one runner in the U.S. thanks to Vasy. Worldwide, he is the sire of G1 Phoenix Stakes hero Power Blue and the Italian stakes scorer Drago Blues. He stands for €15,000 this year. Lion Claws Her Way To Victory Emcee Stable's Lion Lake (Dark Angel) broke through in her fourth start at Gulfstream on January 30 (video). Trained by Brendan Walsh, the grey was bred by Camas Park, Lynch Bages and Summerhill. The daughter of Urjuwaan (Cape Cross) is a full-sister to dual G1 Jebel Hatta winner Al Fareeq (Dark Angel) and a half-sister to a two-year-old No Nay Never and a yearling Camelot filly. Agent Corbin Blumberg picked up Lion Lake for €150,000 out of the Goffs Orby Sale in 2024. Yeomanstown stallion Dark Angel is credited with 34 winners from 53 runners (64%). His eight stakes winners in that jurisdiction include Grade I winners Raging Bull, Althiqa and Hunt. He commands a fee of €45,000. Repeat Winner Dirand (Sottsass), a flagbearer for breeder Peter Brant and Tony Shafrazian, was back in the winner's circle at Gulfstream Park on Saturday (video). the Chad Brown trainee was winning for the second time in six starts. Later on that same day, Aussie Girl (Starspangledbanner) ran out a winner of the GIII Endeavour Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs (video). The six-year-old mare is raced by Woodford Thoroughbreds and is trained by Will Walden. The post Making Waves: Vasy On Song At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After being undone by unfavorable pace dynamics in three graded stakes starts to close out 2025, Quatrocento delivers in the Jan. 31 Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) after racing unchallenged on the early lead.View the full article

A $1.15 million Keeneland September graduate, Disruptor (Gun Runner) was a money-burning third on career debut at Gulfstream last January, but put it all together to become a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard with a 9 1/4-length graduation at that venue Mar. 1. He was last seen finishing a low-odds fifth in the GI Curlin Florida Derby at the back end of last March and was the 4-5 jolly to handle this return to action. Bumped soundly from his outside at the break, Disruptor worked his way into a midfield berth and out of harm's way down the back. Quickly warming to the task three deep entering the final three furlongs, he drew alongside his chief market rival, the big-figure debut winner Little Thunder (Noble Bird), gained the upper hand a furlong out and came away to score by daylight in good time. The winner is out of a full- or half-sister to 10 winners, including MGSW Bridgetown (Speightstown) and SW & GSP Notary (Street Sense). This is also the female family of GI Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold. Disrupton has a 3-year-old half-sister named Yaudacity (Yaupon) and a 2-year-old half-sister by Audible. Margate Gardens visited Candy Ride (Arg) last term. 8th-Tampa Bay Downs, $37,100, Alw (NW1X), Opt. Clm ($16,000), 1-31, 4yo/up, 7f, 1:22.83, ft, 3 1/2 lengths. DISRUPTOR (c, 4, Gun Runner–Margate Gardens, by Speightstown) Sales history: $1,150,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $95,125. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Repole Stable, Spendthrift Farm LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Titletown Racing LLC, Winners Win, Golconda Stable, Ali Goodrich & Mark Parkinson; B-Runnymede Farm LLC & Peter J Callahan (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher. He's baaacckkkk! Disruptor makes his comeback race a successful one! Congratulations to our partners on this talented colt! https://t.co/U0sNo66cQu — Spendthrift Farm (@spendthriftfarm) January 31, 2026 The post ‘Rising Star’ Disruptor Makes A Winning Return at Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' ON TIME GIRL (f, 3, Not This Time–Girl Daddy, by Uncle Mo) back up her even-money odds and came home a strong winner to capture the GIII Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park Saturday. The win was good for 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Quick from the gate but outfooted by a host of pursuers on both sides, the favorite raced sandwiched between Imperatrice (City of Light) and Mythical (St. Patrick's Day). That trio stayed in tact through the opening quarter in :22.96 before On Time Girl got squeezed out of the middle and fell back to fifth passing the quarter pole. As Mythical began to fade from the front on the rail, Irad Ortiz Jr. opted to swing On Time Girl outside and found a clear running lane as Imperatrice ran on inside the final furlong. But well into gear now close to home, the favorite kicked on for an open-lengths win as Imperatrice just lasted for second ahead of closing 'Rising Star' Sneaky Good (Into Mischief). Saturday, Gulfstream Park FORWARD GAL S.-GIII, $150,000, Gulfstream, 1-31, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:24.59, ft. 1–ON TIME GIRL, 120, f, 3, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Girl Daddy (GSW & GISP, $321,240), by Uncle Mo 2nd Dam: Cara Marie, by Unbridled's Song 3rd Dam: Miss Kilroy, by A.P. Indy 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. ($375,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP). O/B-Albaugh Family Stables LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $90,210. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0, $405,735. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Imperatrice, 118, f, 3, City of Light–Dolce Lili, by Scat Daddy. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($500,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). O-Woodland Way; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $29,100. 3–Sneaky Good, 120, f, 3, Into Mischief–Gale, by Tonalist. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($450,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods; B-Andrew N. Warren (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $14,550. Margins: 3, NK, 5. Odds: 1.10, 9.60, 6.00. Also Ran: Hollen Drive, Mythical, Tessellate, Secane, Music Burst. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. ON TIME GIRL ($4.20) earns 2⃣0⃣ points toward the Kentucky Oaks after she and @iradortiz win the $175,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark for @bradcoxracing. This 3YO filly by @TMStallions Not This Time is bred and owned by @Albaughstables. pic.twitter.com/TPOxVpf8aQ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 31, 2026 The post On Time Girl Gets Oaks Points In Forward Gal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Baeza records his first work since he was sixth in the Breeders Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar. View the full article

Looking to take his career record to a perfect three wins from as many visits to the races, Chris Fountoukis's SOLITUDE DUDE (c, 3, Yaupon–After the Party, by Into Mischief) made every yard to record his second career stakes success in Saturday's Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Off to a smart beginning from the outside gate in a compact field of six, the $300,000 OBS June breezer came across his rivals but was purposely kept in about the three path, going the first couple of furlongs in a hasslefree :23.30, with the impressive debut winner Class President (Uncle Mo) doing his best to keep pace down to the leader's inside. Between rivals for the run into the final three furlongs as Solitude Dude's stablemate Hammond (Charlatan) rolled up into contention, Solitude Dude was finally given his head by Irad Ortiz, Jr. and, given the relatively easy tempo, reserved a good kick for the final furlong and pulled readily clear. A daughter of the stakes-winning Defy Gravity, After The Party was purchased by Clarkland Farm for $110,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton February Sale and visited this top young sire in her first season at stud. She is due to Volatile for her 2026 foal. SWALE S., $150,000, Gulfstream, 1-31, 3yo, 7f, 1:23.46, ft. 1–SOLITUDE DUDE, 120, c, 3, by Yaupon 1st Dam: After the Party, by Into Mischief 2nd Dam: Defy Gravity, by Bandini 3rd Dam: Quickest, by Forest Wildcat ($55,000 RNA Wlg '23 KEENOV; $85,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $300,000 2yo '25 OBSOPN). O-Chris Fountoukis; B-Martha Buckner & Matthew Ernst (KY); T-Saffie A Joseph Jr; J-Irad Ortiz Jr. $92,070. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $176,070. 2–Class President, 118, c, 3, Uncle Mo–Top Quality, by Quality Road. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-WinStar Farm, LLC, First Go Racing & CHC Inc; B-WinStar Farm LLC (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher. $29,700. 3–Hammond, 120, c, 3, Charlatan–Sweet Kisses, by Carpe Diem. ($170,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-C2 Racing Stable LLC, JRM Stables LLC, Mathis Stables LLC & Ken T Reimer; B-Aaron & Marie Jones LLC (KY); T-Saffie A Joseph Jr. $14,850. Margins: 3 3/4, 1 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 0.20, 4.50, 23.10. Also Ran: Diciassette, Epic Summer, Langvad. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Yaupon Colt Solitude Dude Makes It Three Straight In the Swale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Klaravich Stables' CURRENT YIELD (f, 3, Nyquist–Denali Tizadream, by Colonel John) overcame a tricky inside trip, belying her inexperience to graduate impressively at first asking as the 2-1 favorite Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. Away fairly from the inside gate in a full field of sophomore fillies, the $400,000 Keeneland September purchase mustered for speed and argued the pace from a tight spot down on the fence entering the turn. Ridden along as they lined up five abreast to take a crack at her on the swing for home, Current Yield courageously found more beneath Samy Camacho and was home to graduate by about a length and a quarter. Fellow first-starter Sorokin (Charlatan), last into the turn, began to pick off horses approaching the stretch, was steered out widest and did her best work through the wire to just touch off Princess Vekoma (Vekoma) for second. The May 9 foal is out of a half-sister to MSW Tax Refund (Artax) and to SW & GSP Sophia's Song (Bellamy Road), the dam of GISW sire Bright Future (Curlin), MGSW Booth (Mitole) and GSW & GISP Musical Mischief (Into Mischief). Denali Tizadream is represented by a yearling Pappacap filly and was most recently bred back to Bright Future. 6th-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 1-31, 3yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:19.90, ft, 1 3/4 lengths. CURRENT YIELD (f, 3, Nyquist–Denali Tizadream, by Colonel John) Sales history: $400,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $18,240. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Klaravich Stables Inc; B-Machmer Hall, Craig & Carrie Brogden (KY); T-Chad C Brown. CURRENT YIELD took the shortest way home to win R6 at @TampaBayDownsFL for trainer Chad Brown with Samy Camacho in the irons! pic.twitter.com/jZJenJeDPd — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) January 31, 2026 The post Nyquist Firster Current Yield Takes The Heat, Won’t Be Beat On Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newly-turned 3-year-old 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Intrepido (Maximus Mischief) led a busy Saturday work tab at Santa Anita Park. The GI American Pharoah Stakes winner was joined on track by fellow 3-year-olds Litmus Test (Nyquist), Desert Gate (Omaha Beach), Acknowledgemeplz (Bucchero), Robusta (Accelerate) and Secured Freedom (Practical Joke) who all recorded timed workouts. Top sophomore fillies on the tab included Santa Ynez third-place finisher Revera (Lexitonian) and French Blue (Gun Runner), a promising debut winner for Bob Baffert earlier this month. Intrepido, Robusta and Secured Freedom are all expected to meet Feb. 7 in the GIII Robert B. Lewis going a mile at Santa Anita. Intrepido worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 for trainer Jeff Mullins. Acknowledgemeplz, most recently third in the GII San Vicente going seven furlongs Jan. 10, worked six furlongs from the gate in a sharp 1:11.60 while Robusta worked five furlongs in 1:02.60. Secured Freedom worked five furlongs in 59.20 seconds. Litmus Test and Desert Gate each worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 for Baffert and French Blue worked six furlongs in 1:13.20. Other notables on the tab included Splendora (Audible) (4F, 47.60), 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist) (5F, 59.40), Imagination (Into Mischief) (6F, 1:11.60), 'Rising Star' Formula Rossa (Vekoma) (5F, 59.0), Simply Joking (Practical Joke) (5F, 1:00.60) and Lovesick Blues (Grazen) (4F, 49.20). The post Robert B. Lewis Workers Top Busy Saturday Tab At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chief Stipe O'Neill is among a relatively small group of American-based trainers that readily seeks opportunities to travel horses to major overseas meetings. As recently as 2025, the California-based conditioner won the G2 Godolphin Mile for a third time with Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief), and the barn is set to be represented in two of the six group-level contests on Saudi Cup night Feb. 14. Purple Rein Racing and Mark Davis's Acknowledgemeplz (Bucchero) has been invited to the G3 Saudi Derby and the Florida-bred tuned up for the 1600-meter contest with a six-furlong drill from the gate Saturday over the Santa Anita main track that was timed in 1:11.60. It was one of only three moves at the distance, but matched the clocking of Imagination (Good Magic), who is expected to start in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint. “Just wanted a nice, solid work,” O'Neill said of the $75,000 OBS March breezer, who went by himself. “From our experience when we get over there, we just go with easy work from a week out. Just wanted a good breeze, and he worked sensational this morning. Knock on wood, he's cooling out well, so we're right on target. “Little endurance, little lung-opener,” he continued. “The next three days are travel days, so just wanted to give him a little bit more than his average work since he's going to be traveling.” A debut second to next-out GIII Best Pal Stakes hero Desert Gate (Omaha Beach), Acknowledgemeplz earned a 93 Beyer in graduating at second asking in October. Fourth in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity last month, he exits a third in the Jan. 10 GII San Vicente Stakes, where he sizzled the opening four furlongs in :43.56. ACKNOWLEDGEMEPLZ ($5.40) holds on for the win in R3 at @santaanitapark. The son of Bucchero was ridden by @Antonio1Fresu and trained by @DougONeill1. pic.twitter.com/rWZcXuDsaq — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 25, 2025 O'Neill expects to make use of the colt's speed in the desert and hold no real fears about the distance. “I think on the lead going one turn is his best gig,” the trainer said. “I love that the Saudi Derby is a one-turn mile and speed generally does well all around the world. He's got speed, he's got stamina and I think his best is around one turn and I think it sets up good for him. I don't think the surface or the distance are the real concerns, I'd be more concerned about what else is coming over.” O'Neill will give a leg up to Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat, who will also guide Quattro Navarro Farms' Zio Jo (Nyquist) in the $2-million G2 1351 Turf Sprint. The 6-year-old fired a bullet five furlongs over the all-weather surface in :58.80 Saturday morning. “He's always been a good work horse,” said O'Neill. “Just looking for a maintenance five-eighths with a gallop-out and he did just that and cooled out well. He'll have an easy breeze five or six days out from the race. He's doing super.” Zio Jo's best form is over a mile, having gone down to a half-length defeat behind Formidable Man (City of Light) in last year's GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes. But his two most recent appearances suggest a sharper trip is in his scope, as he missed by a neck in the Nov. 30 Stormy Liberal Stakes at Del Mar over five furlongs and was a longshot third in the GII Joe Hernandez Stakes down the Santa Anita hillside course Dec. 29. “He acts like a two-turn horse, but we dropped him back down to a sprint and he's run lights out,” O'Neill commented. “Having Flavien is awesome, just get a clean break and a good position. He's been very consistent. It's quite an honor that both of them were invited. It's an exciting opportunity.” Depending on their performances in Riyadh, both O'Neill trainees are possible for the respective races on Dubai World Cup night Mar. 28, as stated, a place where O'Neill knows the way to the winner's enclosure. “There are great opportunities around the world if you have horses that are good enough,” he said. “We've done it a bunch and we've had some success doing it. You'll get your odd horses that just don't like the travel. Neither one of these seems like that type.” Both horses begin their journey to the desert on Feb. 1. The post O’Neill Duo Set For Saudi Cup Night After Quick Saturday Works appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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There is no escaping the irony that a man named Sonny has the potential to shine at the Dublin Racing Festival. That's if the weather Gods would relent and the meeting gets the go-ahead on Sunday. Stephen Carey, best known as Sonny, will be doubly-represented by Brosna Shine and Lilannbee in the Grade 2 Mares Bumper on Sunday and describes the former as the best horse he has ever had through his hands. That's saying something as the talented ex-National Hunt jockey, who cut his teeth with Arthur Moore and spent five years working for the dominant force that is Willie Mullins, has already had a couple of talented horses through his hands. But in Brosna Shine, Carey feels he could potentially be dealing with something a little bit different. “Ah she is,” comes the 39-year-old's reply when asked if Brosna Shine is the best horse that he has ever managed. “Now, she has to go and do it but she definitely is. She shows an awful lot. Lilannbee is not a bad filly, either. She wouldn't be as big as Brosna Shine but she goes well and her first two runs were my fault as she wasn't herself. I think she is improving and I think she will run well. She's owned by my wife and the local publican, so two very important people!” You may be forgiven for thinking that, if you weren't born a Mullins or an Elliott, these big National Hunt meetings in Ireland might be off limits. But that is not the case. Yes, Carey was put in a fortunate position to be sent to the sales with a six-figure order to fill but by God did he fill it. A daughter of arguably the hottest jumps stallions there is in No Risk At All, Brosna Shine boasts a good pedigree being a daughter of the highly-rated King's Theatre mare Baby Shine. She fetched €105,000 at the Goffs Arkle Sale – Sonny couldn't exactly shop elsewhere given his wife, Mary, is the bloodstock manager at Goffs – and that six-figure sum is beginning to look value. “Mary's uncle, Tony Kilduff, wanted to buy a nice mare to hopefully race and then breed from later. We went to the Arkle Sale at Goffs and, between myself, my wife and Michael O'Sullivan, we managed to pick her out. She has a beautiful pedigree, is a beautiful individual and she seems to have a big engine. We bought another filly for Tony, Brosna Queen, and she won her bumper last June so they are two nice fillies to have for him.” Brosna Shine will line out at Leopardstown after getting off the mark in very good style second time up at Fairyhouse back in December. That performance was by no means out of the blue given she travelled like the best horse in the race in last year's Goffs December Bumper before ultimately finishing third. She is deserving of her place towards the head of the betting in Sunday's race while the battle-hardened Lilannbee has rock-solid each-way claims. To have two fillies capable of running at a meeting as big as the Dublin Racing Festival certainly isn't lost on Carey. Sonny Carey and Marky Kilduff | Tattersalls “It's great, isn't it? To have the two of them going for the race is brilliant but I do think that they are entitled to go there. We've only two horses in training and I just hope they run well because I think they are capable of it. But, if they don't, what about it?” That nonchalant approach shouldn't be taken for a lack of focus. Carey has already sent out his best-ever tally of six winners this season and is operating at a 21 per cent strike-rate. He has already experienced winning big at Leopardstown over the Christmas period when The Nagger Reidy battled to a last-gasp success on Savills Chase day. This is a man enjoying something of a golden period and, what's more impressive, is that the training arm of his operation is not even the bread and butter of the business. He explained, “I rent 40 stables off Arthur Moore, who I started off with when I was 13 or 14. I rode a few winners for Arthur before spending five years with Willie Mullins. I came back and I set up my own business pre-training and we have built up some brilliant clients. The racing and the whole training has just been something on the side. A little bit of fun. We've basically been training a couple of family horses and horses on behalf of a few friends but it has been going really well and we've even managed to get a few horses sold along the way, which has been great. We're getting a bit busier but, definitely, the main job is the pre-training and the breaking.” He added, “I don't agree with the narrative of, 'how can you compete in Ireland?' Gordon Elliott, Gavin Cromwell and plenty of other trainers came from nothing. I was very lucky to have seen how Willie does things. The attention to detail in Closutton is amazing. Willie does everything off eye, everything off feel and his wife Jackie is just as big of a cog in the wheel as he is. She spots things in horses that would amaze you and I've seen the tiniest things that she has spotted make the biggest of differences. You wouldn't believe it. I tried to learn as much as I could in my five years there and my only regret is that I couldn't spend another five years in Willie's because you'd never stop learning.” The lion's share of Carey's business would revolve around National Hunt horses but he bought, trained and sold Nunc Est Bibendum, who is now a three-time winner for Gary and Josh Moore. He also enjoyed a dream debut consigning at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale last year when selling a £3,500 yearling purchase by Invincible Spirit for a cool £85,000. What's more, that filly, who was named Vishaka, came out and won on debut for David Simcock. In Carey's own words, he would “throw his hand to anything,” and it shouldn't be a major surprise that it usually works out for him. Sonny is the son of Paddy and Sally Carey, who are well-renowned in the industry, while his brother Jim is the hugely regarded stud manager at Newgate Stud in Australia. Sunday represents a massive opportunity for the spotlight to deservedly shine on Sonny. There would be few better stories to brighten up the Dublin Racing Festival. The post Brosna Shine Bids To Put Sonny Carey In The Spotlight At The Dublin Racing Festival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article