Wandering Eyes

Smart four-year-old First Five (NZ) (Almanzor) continued his stellar form with a powerful display to win Saturday’s Capistrano Lodge 1400 at Te Aroha. The son of Almanzor showed early promise and was tested over middle-distance trips in his three-year-old and early four-year-old campaigns, but since reverting back to six and seven furlongs, he has been near unbeatable for Te Rapa trainer David Greene. Since mid-December, First Five had won or placed in every appearance, including a close second last-start to subsequent Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) placegetter December at Matamata. Greene had bypassed a rain-affected surface at Pukekohe on March 21, and lining up under the mountain at Te Aroha, First Five started second-favourite behind Perfect Dividends, who carried five and a half kilograms less than his 60.5kg impost. As anticipated, Perfect Dividends flew the barriers and went straight to the lead, swiftly putting an eight-length margin on the remainder of the field. Meanwhile, jockey Warren Kennedy allowed First Five to settle second-last in a good rhythm, and on the home turn, he was giving the pacemaker a ten-length head start. Despite the margin, First Five never looked under pressure and once the big gelding wound up, the race was all over as he pricked his ears across the line to score by a length to Perfect Dividends, with Ruach not far away in third. “I thought it was a really impressive effort under the weight, to pick up a horse (Perfect Dividends) that is in pretty good form and can do it well in front with the weight swing,” Greene said. “Warren Kennedy rode him very confidently and he was just so strong in that last 200m. I probably didn’t expect us to be quite as far back as we were, but the leader was running his own race as well and Warren could feel what was underneath him and had it under control. “I was very happy.” All five of the gelding’s victories have come on Good or Firm track conditions, something Greene is mindful of going forward into the rest of his preparation. “We missed the wet track at Pukekohe, he’s definitely a better horse on top of the ground,” he said. “He’s had a couple of runs on slightly rain-affected tracks before and hasn’t been able to show his best. “We’re not sure where we’ll go next, we had a quick chat about it after the race and thought we would defer for a couple of days and have a think about what we do now. We are running out of time a little bit and he’s been up for a while as well, but we’ll get together early next week and discuss that.” First Five was the second foal to race out of Payette, a Volksraad mare who won six races and finished fourth in a Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m). The gelding races in the well-known colours of his breeder Gerald Shand, who shares in the ownership with Jenna McLeod and Jackie and Philip Rogers. From 14 attempts, he has earned over $113,000. View the full article

Rallying from behind a blistering pace set by Speed King and Cornucopian, Sandman outkicked fellow closer Publisher to capture the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

What Yarra Valley Races Where Yarra Valley Racing – Armstrong Grove, Yarra Glen VIC 3775 (Link if we have track page) When Monday, March 31, 2025 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble The new week of racing gets underway at Yarra Valley on Monday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part set for decision. The rail moves out +3m the entire circuit for the meeting, and with some scattered showers forecast to hit the course proper, punters should anticipate a track rated somewhere in the Soft range on race-day morning. The opening event commences at 1:30pm local time. Best Bet at Yarra Valley: Grinzinger Moon Grinzinger Moon goes in search of a hat-trick in the penultimate race of the program, and punters can expect her winning trend to continue. She’s won by a combined 7.1 lengths across her two victories to start the preparation, running her rivals into the ground making every post a winner at Towong and Benalla, respectively. Lachlan King will look to do something similar darting across from gate 11, and provided Grinzinger Moon can give them the slip turning for home, expect her to justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 7 – #5 Grinzinger Moon (11) 3yo Filly | T: Ben Brisbourne | J: king King (60kg) Next Best at Yarra Valley: Man Of Worth Man Of Worth makes his Australian debut for the Chris Waller barn and warrants respect in this first-up assignment. The son of Sea The Stars couldn’t break his maiden in the UK, however, the Irish import brings a strong starting price profile into this event, and his jump-outs at Flemington suggest there could be some substance to this winless four-year-old. He maps to get the run of the race under Fred Kersley from barrier one, and although the 1514m could prove short of his best trip, his quality can offset that. Next Best Race 3 – #2 Man Of Worth (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Fred Kersley (59.5kg) Best Value at Yarra Valley: Flashbang Flashbang needs a genuine tempo to show his best, and that’s exactly what he gets in this BM64 contest. The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained gelding tends to get back in his races before exploding down the centre of the course, and his latest effort at Kilmore on March 14 was no exception. It took the son of Deep Field a while to wind-up, however, that shouldn’t be the case this time with plenty of speed engaged. Provided they go quick enough, watch for Flashbang to the get the last crack at them at a good each-way price with . Best Value Race 6 – #3 Flashbang (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Daniel Moor (59.5kg) Monday quaddie tips for Yarra Valley Yarra Valley quadrella selections March 31, 2025 3-4-5-6 1-2-3-6-7 5 6-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc keeps booting home the winners in the NT after saluting in a heat of the National Apprentice Race Series at Darwin on Friday before claiming the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) on Saturday on Day 3 of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival The road to the 2025 Alice Springs Cup and Pioneer Sprint reached a thrilling climax at Pioneer Park on Saturday, with standout performances from Hasseltoff and Lumber Punk in the Red Centre’s final lead-up races. Dick Leech’s Hasseltoff made it three wins from three Pioneer Park starts in spectacular style in the $40,000 Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) at weight-for-age. Eight lengths adrift in last place passing the 600m in the 10-horse field, apprentice Hannah Le Blanc elected to circumnavigate the opposition. Forced six deep turning for home, Hasseltoff pursued Terry Gillett’s runaway leader Great Buy and with amazing speed the son of Toorak Toff pounced late to prevail by three quarters of a length. Hasseltoff – the $1.40 favourite with online bookmakers – will now target the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) next Sunday. Gary Clarke’s Lumber Punk also chased down the leader before taking out the Ladbrokes Racing Experts WFA (1200m), but his task was less stressful. Missing the start from gate one, Lumber Punk was fifth on the fence passing the 800m before picking up momentum in fourth place at the 400m approaching the final bend. Gary Connor’s Delago Lad had skipped away at the 700m to lead the 10-horse field and led by two lengths at the top of the home straight before Lumber Punk’s jockey Jarrod Todd found clear air. Lumber Punk ($3.90), a six-year-old gelding by Starspangledancer, nailed Delago Lad at the 150m to win by two lengths. Hasseltoff, boasting three Flemington wins from 53 career starts, had celebrated success at Morphettville (two) and Gawler for Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes before heading north. A first up win over 1600m against BM66 opposition with 61kg as a $2.60 second favourite on February 22 was followed by a barn-storming victory in open company over 1600m on March 8 as a $1.55 favourite when he saluted by 5.8 lengths and broke the track record (1.32.68) with 56.5kg. All runners lumped 59kg on Saturday and the Leech camp had cause for concern at the 900m when Hasseltoff lost momentum with Le Blanc unable to find a clear path. In the end, it proved a memorable win and Great Buy ($10) was desperately unlucky after Stan Tsaikos came close to pulling off another magical win by controlling the early tempo. Last year’s Darwin Cup (2050m) winner Hadouken ($12), ridden by Todd, finished almost six lengths adrift of the leading pair in third place in his Alice Springs debut. Peter Robl’s six-year-old gelding from the Gold Coast was clearly short of a gallop. Tayarn Halter’s $18 prospect Funnyifitwon (Raymond Vigar) was an eye-catching fourth. Lumber Punk, second in Darwin’s Palmerston Sprint (1200m) last August, missed the start the previous Saturday and was last before motoring home for third over 1200m in 0-70 grade. Delago Lad ($20) impressed under the guidance of apprentice Lek Maloney to finish second in the weight-for-age, while Kym Healy’s $5.50 contender Pompeii Empire (Le Blanc) – a last start winner – finished strongly from the rear for third. Halter’s $3.70 favourite Convincebility (Vigar) travelled wide throughout, so to finish fourth was commendable when considering the Pioneer Sprint. Horse racing news View the full article

CSLR Racing Partners' Pilot Commander won his first graded stakes with a hard-fought victory in the San Carlos Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. On the same card, the Wilshire Stakes (G3T) produced another first-time graded winner in Tirupati.View the full article

Rallying from behind a blistering pace set by Speed King and Cornucopian, Sandman outkicked fellow closer Publisher to capture the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

Rallying from behind a blistering pace set by Speed King and Cornucopian, Sandman outkicked fellow closer Publisher to capture the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

For a 3-year-old to win a race like the Kentucky Derby (G1) or Kentucky Oaks (G1) it needs to be an improving, maturing runner as May approaches. Shortleaf Stable's Quietside checks both of those boxes. View the full article

With a point distribution to the top five finishers of 100-50-25-15-10, Sandman (Tapit–Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor) came with a furious rally down the lane and took the top prize in the GI Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. Off as a 7-2 shot here, the gray watched as a torrid pace battle ensued up front with favorite 'TDN Rising Star' Cornucopian (Into Mischief) setting the fractions of :22.46 for the first quarter and :45.21 for the half. Sandman entered the lane with a good sleep under him and he powered home to win the Arkansas prize. The final running time was 1:50.08. Coming into the Arkansas Derby, the 3-year-old had 29 points. Lifetime Record: 8-3-1-2. Sales History: $1.2 million '24 OBSMAR. O-D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc; T-Mark E. Casse. Sandman brought his A game today and takes the G1 Arkansas Derby! @markcasse trains the son of Tapit and @jose93_ortiz was aboard! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/hZItobjVhf — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) March 30, 2025 The post Power Nap: Sandman Gets His Zzzs Then Scores Arkansas Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Sunday, March 30. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for March 30, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Sunshine Coast (Poly Track) & Sha Tin (HK) – Same Race Multi Bonus Back Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Sunshine Coast this Sunday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Market available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds T&C’s Apply Login to Neds to Claim Promo Daily Dabble – Hacked Society $2.25 – Either Hacking (R1) Or In Society (R2) To Win Today Get $2.25 Odds for either Either Hacking (Race 1) or In Society (Race 2) to win today at Sunshine Coast Dabble T&Cs apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo 25% Winnings Boost! – Sale Get 25% BOOSTED WINNINGS paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bet only. Max bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Sunday Bonus Back 2nd All Races At Sha Tin (HK) Sha Tin (HK). Available from 12:00AM AEDT Saturday. Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotion limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility. Unibet T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win A Bet On Your Greyhound Or Horse & Receive An Extra 15% Winnings Win a bet on your greyhound or horse and receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash. Max payout $2000. Account holder must be registered. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Wagga – John Kissick & Blaike McDougall to combine for 2+ Winners – $2.10 Odds Get $2.10 for John Kissick & Blaike McDougall to combine for 2+ winners at Wagga on Sunday. Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Australian Cup (Flemington Race 8) – Pride Of Jenni $5.00 Odds Get $5 odds on Pride Of Jenni to win the Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday. Eligible Customers Only. BoomBet T&C’s Apply. 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Punters Toolbox! Supersized Saturday helps you Bet it Out with neds! Get MORE Price Boosts, MORE Bet Backs, MORE Fluc Ups, MORE Back Ups & MORE Extra Nudge tools! Available to use on ANY races of your choice. Neds T&C’s Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paide Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets, Dabble T&Cs apply. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector – If Your Horse Drifts, You get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing. Fixed Price Win bets place from 8am AET. Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for March 30, 2025. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

Tappan Street, a son of leading sire Into Mischief, delivers a powerful kick in deep stretch to capture the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) over favorite Sovereignty. View the full article

Shortleaf Stable homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' Quietside (f, 3, Malibu Moon–Benner Island, by Speightstown) got the measure of unbeaten Simply Joking (Practical Joke) in Oaklawn's GII Fantasy Stakes Saturday. Simply Joking spent most of the race in front, setting fractions of :23.89 and :48.09 while Quietside loomed menacingly to her outside before throwing down the gauntlet in the stretch. The two battled down the lane, pulling well clear of the rest, with Quietside outfinishing her rival late. Runnin N Gunnin (Gun Runner) finished a distant third. “I knew it was a two-horse race and I just tried to apply as much pressure as I could without using too much and saving some for the end,” jockey Jose Ortiz told Maggie Wolfendale on TVG. With the win, Quietside, whose trainer John Ortiz was featured in Saturday's TDN, picked up 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Winner of the GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn last out, Quietside placed in both the GI Spinaway Stakes and the GI Alcibiades Stakes last fall. A battle to the finish with QUIETSIDE (Malibu Moon) coming out on top in the GII Fantasy Stakes at @OaklawnRacing, taking home 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks pic.twitter.com/5Ux0yjT6wh — TDN (@theTDN) March 29, 2025 Saturday, Oaklawn Park FANTASY S.-GII, $750,000, Oaklawn, 3-29, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:44.31, ft. 1–QUIETSIDE, 122, f, 3, by Malibu Moon 1st Dam: Benner Island (GSW & GISP, $305,863), by Speightstown 2nd Dam: Spacy Tracy, by Awesome Again 3rd Dam: Tracy, by Theatrical (Ire) 'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Shortleaf Stable (KY); T-John Alexander Ortiz; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $405,000. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 7-3-3-1, $957,200. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Simply Joking, 122, f, 3, Practical Joke–Imply, by E Dubai. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($65,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner, and Berkels0813; B-Barlar, LLC (PA); T-D. Whitworth Beckman. $135,000. 3–Runnin N Gunnin, 122, f, 3, Gun Runner–Charity Belle, by Empire Maker. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($250,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Douglas Scharbauer; B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $67,500. Margins: 3/4, 8 3/4, 3 1/4. Odds: 0.60, 3.00, 12.60. Also Ran: Princess Em Too, Kinzie Queen, Princess Aliyah, California Sunset, Necessity, Baytown Butterfly. Scratched: Take Charge Milady. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post ‘Rising Star’ Quietside Outfinishes Simply Joking in Oaklawn’s Fantasy Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tappan Street (c, 3, Into Mischief–Virginia Key, by Distorted Humor) surged to the lead in upper stretch and held off favored Sovereignty (Into Mischief) late to win the GI Curlin Florida Derby in stylish fashion Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The 2-1 shot rushed up and over from his outside draw and was chasing the pacesetters three wide on the first turn. He was fourth down the backstretch as Madaket Road (Quality Road) opened up a clear lead, but was making eye-catching progress on the far turn and ricocheted to the lead out of the turn and into the stretch. Sovereignty, who had been well back early, was closing late, but Tappan Street sailed under the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.27. Purchased for $1 million at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, Tappan Street was a debut winner going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Dec. 28. He was second as the favorite in the Feb. 1 GIII Holy Bull Stakes last time out. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0. O-WinStar Farm, CHC, Inc. & Cold Press Racing. B-Blue Heaven Farm (Ky). T-Brad Cox. #9 TAPPAN STREET ($6.80) secures a spot in the Kentucky Derby with an impressive victory in the $1,000,000 Florida Derby (G1) at @GulfstreamPark! The colt by @SpendthriftFarm's Into Mischief was piloted by @luissaezpty for @bradcoxracing. @WinStarFarm @Chinahorseclub pic.twitter.com/b2YQqVrsd0 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2025 The post Into Mischief’s Tappan Street a Stylish Winner of Florida Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Banishing, a 5-year-old gelded son of Ghostzapper, also delivered the first graded stakes win for his co-owner Larry Roman and became the first stakes winner for his dam, Dowager.View the full article

CSLR Racing Partners' Pilot Commander won his first graded stakes with a hard-fought victory in the $100,000 San Carlos Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

In his second consecutive victory of the year, 'TDN Rising Star' Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo) survived a rider's objection to claim the Listed American Pharoah Stakes at Oaklawn. No worse than first or second in his career, the son of the late Uncle Mo was a winner last out Jan. 25 by 3 3/4 lengths against optional claimers at this venue and earned a 92 Beyer that matched his seasonal bow Jan. 5 when he lost the bob to Black Powder (Gun Runner), who also returned here. Two years ago, he'd been the runner-up in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes in May and GIII Ohio Derby that June before missing all of 2024 save for his lone 4-year-old start at Horseshoe Indianapolis Nov. 11 where he won by two lengths. Made the even-money choice for his first appearance in stakes company since those sophomore graded contests, Bishops Bay was fast to the front to set the tempo in :24.06, :48.24, and 1:12.34 splits. Shaking off a challenger entering the lane, he began to drift out with a furlong left to run as the hard-knocking Group 1-placed Bendoog (Gun Runner) loomed the danger. Bracing for the inevitable challenge as his rival shifted to the inland route late, Bishops Bay held off the charge by a neck. Full Screen (Big Screen) claimed third at long 22-1 odds. Afterwards, John Velazquez aboard the runner-up posted a rider's objection against the victor, but the stewards disallowed it. The 'Rising Star' is one of three black type earners for his dam, Catch My Drift, who herself was placed at the elite level after hitting the board in the GI Beldame Stakes. Namely, his half-siblings include Listed-placed Strava (Into Mischief) and 2024 GI Preakness Stakes third Catching Freedom (Constitution), who also won the GII Louisiana Derby that year. Bishops Bay claims a winning 3-year-old half-sister Indeed (Improbable) as well as a juvenile half-sister by Not This Time. Their dam's 2025 offspring is a full-sister to the winner. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #1 BISHOPS BAY ($4.00) and Flavien Prat rally for victory in the $145,000 American Pharoah Overnight Stakes at @OaklawnRacing for @BradCoxRacing and all of the connections. pic.twitter.com/rkZxkyC7hH — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2025 AMERICAN PHAROAH OVERNIGHT S., $145,000, Oaklawn, 3-29, (C), 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:43.75, gd. 1–BISHOPS BAY, 119, h, 5, Uncle Mo–Catch My Drift (SW & GISP, $280,540), by Pioneerof the Nile. ($450,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers, Martin S. Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, Jim Bakke, Titletown Racing, LLC, Kueber Racing, LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Rick Kanter, Michael J. Caruso and WinStar Farm LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $78,300. Lifetime Record: MGSP, 8-5-3-0, $417,300. *1/2 to Catching Freedom (Constitution), GSW & GISP, $1,374,850; 1/2 to Strava (Into Mischief), MSP, $472,326. 2–Bendoog, 117, h, 6, Gun Runner–Nellie Cashman, by Mineshaft. O-Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, Inc. and William I. Mott; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-William I. Mott. $26,100. 3–Full Screen, 124, g, 6, Big Screen–Lyndenshire, by Langfuhr. (C$9,500 Ylg '20 CANSEP). O-Pantofel Stable LLC, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber; B-Spring Farm (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. $13,050. Margins: NK, 3HF, 2HF. Odds: 1.00, 4.80, 22.10. Also Ran: Liberal Arts, Maycocks Bay, Magic Tap, Honor Marie, Black Powder, Quality Chic. Scratched: I'm McDreamy. The post ‘Rising Star’ Bishops Bay Survives Objection, Wins American Pharoah at Oaklawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features a full-sister to a Breeders' Cup winner. 2.00 Leopardstown, Mdn, €15,000, 3yo, f, 8fT INTENSIFY (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is the pick of Ryan Moore of a duo representing Aidan O'Brien, with the full-sister to the accomplished Newspaperofrecord (Ire) preferred over Crystal Ball (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the half-sister to Tepin (Bernstein). Also starting out is The Aga Khan's Studs' Tarima (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a half-sister to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf heroine Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) from the same Dermot Weld stable. The post Ballydoyle Unveil Newspaperofrecord’s Sister appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Turning aside a challenge from Anna's Promise, Five G asserted her superiority in the stretch of the March 29 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).View the full article

David Heckerman's series was a sobering, but accurate depiction of why things are as they are. Although the vast acreage of the race track properties were likely on a path for at least partial development regardless of the health of racing, the chickens have come home to roost. I remember the days when individuals (Donn family, Cella family, etc.) and groups of individuals (E.P.Taylor and cronies, Strub et all, etc.) were committed to their tracks perpetuating. Reality has set in with their successors not being motivated similarly. This happens in most businesses. Years ago when simulcasting began, I thought that the states' legislatures should have required certain percentages of simulcasting handle be spent on marketing. If that had been enacted, it might have been a short term bandaid, or perhaps none at all, as the downward trend line was already in play. However, effective marketing has seemed like a foreign concept since I have been in the industry. Even with present day popularity on the Derby and festival meets, e.g., Keeneland, Saratoga and Oaklawn, horse racing is unable to keep the momentum going. With foal crops continuing their downward trend, and likewise the industry's need for numbers of employees, how salient is the argument to legislatures that jobs hang in balance for state relief? The post Letter to the Editor: The Chickens Have Come Home To Roost appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s a rare harness racing triple header around the country today, with meetings at Wyndham, Rangiora and then Manawatu. Sam Thornley has some good each way changes in Canterbury as does Zachary Butcher at Manawatu, and racing journalist Jonny Turner has his Five to Follow at Wyndham. Sam Thornley rates his chances at Rangiora By Mike Love Canterbury junior reinsman Sam Thornley heads to Rangiora today with a solid book of drives, including some decent each way chances. “There are a few that have better chances than others, but in saying that they will all have their chance,” said Sam Thornley. Mode ($2.80FF) will be looking to go back-to-back in Race 4, the NCT Remembers Davey Rowe Trot over 2600m. The four-year-old Trixton mare won well last time out at Banks Peninsula after trotting boldly the entire trip at her third start for leading trainer Michael House. “She trotted really well last time, and I spoke to Michael earlier this week and the reports are that she’s trained on really well. The small field should help, so I expect her to go close,” said Thornley. Steph’s Boy ($6.00FF) for trainer Graham Court looks well placed to run a race at good each way value for Thornley in Race 5, The Anglers Arms Mobile Pace over 2600m. Bringing up start number 100, the seven-year-old Johny Rock gelding may find the company slightly easier than the town hall company he’s been racing. “It should be a slight drop back in class. He’s been racing well at Addington, so I expect him to go a good race,” said Thornley. Thornley says his best drive comes in race six The Kaikanui Tavern (Junior Drivers) pace over 2000m with Quicker Than Quick ($4.50FF) again for trainer Graham Court. The four-year-old Lazarus gelding broke maidens two starts ago at Rangiora on the grass surface, and almost went two in a row at Banks Peninsula. Back on the grit today however does not give Thornley any qualms about their chances. “He went really good last time. He’s usually a quick beginner from the stand, we hopefully we can get a handy position and be hard to beat,” said Thornley. Thornley will reunite with Mr Wingman ($18.00FF) in Race 7, the Congrats 50 Years Married Greg & Annette Wright Mobile Pace over 2000m for trainer Brent Borcoskie. “I think he will be good value. We follow out one of John’s (Dunn) so we should get an economical trip and be a good top four chance,” said Thornley. Thornley’s other drives are Hey Tonight ($31.00FF) in Race 8, Lindy’s Rocket ($16.00FF) in race nine and Allbetsroff ($51.00FF) in Race 10. Race one gets underway at 12:14pm. Enzo and Le Major among Butcher’s better drives at Manawatu By Brigette Solomon Pukekohe-based trainer and driver Zachary Butcher heads south to Manawatu today in the hopes of securing a maiden win with his runner Enzo. Enzo starts today in the Happy Birthday Rhys Baker Mobile Pace over 2000 metres and starts the event from barrier one. The three-year-old by Terror To Love has had just two starts to date, and after breaking at his first start at Alexandra Park, he ran a solid second placing at Cambridge Raceway on Tuesday after sitting parked over the final 1200 metres of the race. “He went well on Tuesday, and he’s got a good draw today” says Butcher “So long as he does everything right he should be hard to beat.” Butcher also has a further five drives today, including the Arna Donnelly trained Le Major in the City Of Palmerston North Festival Cup Mobile Pace. While Le Major has been unplaced in his last two starts at Alexandra Park, Butcher considers the gelding one of his best chances of the day. “Despite the result he actually went a good race at Auckland last start after being left parked against some nice horses,” says Butcher, “he’s drawn well enough (5) and it’s a small field and I think it will be right up his alley, it’s his race to lose today.” The Donnelly stable has two other runners contesting the City Of Palmerston North Cup today with Joes Rock, driven by Kate Coppins, and Final Change who is driven by in form junior driver Crystal Hackett. The Bettor’s Delight gelding was a back to back winner at Manawatu a fortnight ago securing comfortable victories over the same 2000 metre trip. Butcher’s other drives today include Trippy Tyron – Race 1, The Night Fox – Race 3, Narobi – Race 6, and Play The Ace – Race 7. Racing gets underway today at 4.50pm with the City of Palmerston North Festival Cup at 6:07pm. Racing journalist Jonny Turner’s Five to Follow at Wyndham Captain Commodore – Race 8 There has just been something about the way this three-year-old has gone about his work in his two recent wins. Captain Commodore takes on another heat of the Southern Supremacy Stakes after dealing to rivals in his previous trip south. He’s a big-striding, powerful unit who looks as tough as he is fast. Though barrier 7 doesn’t sound great, Captain Commodore has crucially drawn inside his main rival in Five Crowns. If he pushes forward there would be few that would be game enough to park Captain Commodore. It all adds up to the three-year-old looking pretty tough to beat. To place a bet in this race click here Practical Magic – Race 6 I am losing count of the times I have singled out this trotting mare in this column as a horse to follow. While she’s never been out of the money each time, her winning strike rate hasn’t been too flash. Perhaps for the sake of her connections, I shouldn’t yet again suggest how well-placed she looks on Sunday. But unfortunately for them, it can’t be denied. A false start and a wet grass track are two valid excuses which mean a line can be put straight through her last start eighth at Oamaru. Expect Practical Magic to be on the speed and to take plenty of catching at Wyndham. Let’s just hope she can prove that it has not been this column that has been holding her back. To place a bet in this race click here Secret Agent Man – Race 11 The wait is probably going to be worth it for harness racing fans looking for one of the best bets on Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes Day. Secret Agent Man heads to Wyndham’s big day on the back of an outstanding second at Addington behind a classy customer in Bazooka. Bazooka would start a red-hot favourite in race 11 on Sunday. From a better draw and after trialling well, Rock Or Bust is clearly the hardest horse for Secret Agent Man to beat. But I think Secret Agent Man can get the job done and his $2.10 opening win price looks more than fair. To place a bet in this race click here On The Wing – Race 5 His recent form is ordinary and for a horse that is usually well-supported, punters can be forgiven for losing a little faith in On The Wing. But those who have kept the faith can be rewarded on Sunday. The four-year-old takes a reasonably big step back in class from his recent starts, down into a suitable grade. He gets barrier 1 and he gets Blair Orange in the sulky. It all adds up to On The Wing getting the perfect chance to turn around his recent form and put a win on the board. To place a bet on this race click here Special Occasion – Race 7 It might seem a little silly to be tipping out a $1.30 favourite. But it must be said that Special Occasion looks a cut above his opposition. The feeling I get from speaking with trainer Nathan Purdon is that this two-year-old is destined for top-tier racing. He should be winning on Sunday if that’s the case. With just five rivals to get past, that $1.30 price is probably pretty fair. Special Occasion is definitely the multi-maker of Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes Day. To place a bet in this race click here View the full article

Sticking to his guns throughout the GIII Oaklawn Mile Stakes, Banishing (Ghostzapper–Dowager, by A.P. Indy) overtook GISW Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) down the lane and netted his first high-level race. The second choice at 8/5 behind even-money Saudi Crown, the 5-year-old followed the lead of his rival into the first turn and up the backstretch. With his cue given past the quarter pole, the gelding steadily reeled in the leader and won the prize. The final running time was 1:36.77. Lifetime Record: 17-7-2-2. Sales History: $80,000 '24 FTKHRA. O-Lawrence P. Roman and David Jacobson; B-Godolphin (KY); T-David Jacobson. Banishing gets his second win of the meet at Oaklawn Park in the G3 Oaklawn Mile! David Jacobson trains and Flavien Prat was up. TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/WBMMhxDkYz — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) March 29, 2025 Saturday, Oaklawn OAKLAWN MILE S.-GIII, $500,000, Oaklawn, 3-29, 4yo/up, 1m, 1:36.77, gd. 1–BANISHING, 124, g, 5, by Ghostzapper 1st Dam: Dowager, by A.P. Indy 2nd Dam: Marietta, by Machiavellian 3rd Dam: Minister Wife, by Deputy Minister 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($80,000 4yo '24 FTKHRA). O-Lawrence P. Roman and David Jacobson; B-Godolphin (KY); T-David Jacobson; J-Flavien Prat. $292,500. Lifetime Record: 17-7-2-2, $778,804. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Saudi Crown, 119, h, 5, Always Dreaming–New Narration, by Tapit. ($45,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $240,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-FMQ Stables; B-Chc Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $97,500. 3–The Wine Steward, 124, c, 4, Vino Rosso–Call to Service, by To Honor and Serve. ($70,000 Ylg '22 SARAUG; $340,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher; B-Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC, Lakland Farm & Mark Toothaker (NY); T-Michael J. Maker. $48,750. Margins: 1, 9HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.60, 1.00, 3.80. Also Ran: Dimatic, Just Steel, I'm McDreamy. Scratched: Emmanuel, Payne. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Banishing Returns To His Hot Springs Kingdom In The Oaklawn Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) winner White Abarrio outclassed the opposition in the March 29 Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, defeating the grade 1-winning filly Power Squeeze by 5 1/4 lengths. View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Sunday, March 30. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Wellington & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 30, 2025 Wellington Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 30, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Gatsas Stable's homebred Five G (Vekoma) secured a berth in the GI Kentucky Oaks with a wire-to-wire victory in the GII Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks in Hallandale Beach Saturday. The 6-5 favorite was pressed by second choice The Queens MG (Thousand Words) through a quarter in :23.63 and had inched clear through a half in :47.11. As The Queens MG fell back, Anna's Promise (Promises Fulfilled) took up the challenge on the far turn, but Five G shrugged off that rival at the top of the lane and pulled away to score by 2 1/4 lengths. “[Trainer] George [Weaver] told me to ride with confidence, she's a nice filly,” said winning rider Manny Franco, who was named this week to replace the injured Tyler Gaffalione. “If I end up on the lead, that's fine; if somebody wants to go, use your Plan B. She broke good, I took advantage of that and I dictated the pace. She was there all the way for me.” Weaver added, “I was pretty happy when they turned up the backside. She threw her ears up and was relaxed, so I felt like she was going to run her race from there.” Trainer Carlos David was pleased with the effort from Anna's Promise, who was claimed for $50,000 from her maiden win Feb. 5. “I'm really proud of her,” David said. “She ran a great race. I thought before the quarter pole we had a shot. She tried hard. We got some [Kentucky Oaks] points, so we'll see what happens from here.” The Queen's M G was pulled up at the top of the stretch and walked onto a waiting horse van. Owner Mark Cornett told Daily Racing Form's Mike Welsch the filly had suffered a knee injury. “We're not sure exactly what it is at this point, but she might be all right,” Cornett told Welsch. A maiden winner over the Aqueduct lawn last November, Five G was second in the grassy Tepin Stakes Nov. 17. She returned to the main track with a romping nine-length victory in the Cash Run Stakes at Gulfstream on New Year's Day and was most recently second behind Quietside (Malibu Moon) in the Feb. 23 GIII Honeybee Stakes. “She's been a nice surprise,” Weaver said of the winner. “She was a nice New York-bred during the summer. When I brought her down here, I thought, 'Wow we might have something here.' It just keeps getting tougher from this point.” Pedigree Notes: Five G is the fourth graded stakes winner for Vekoma, who was co-owned by Mike and Matt Gatsas and was trained by George Weaver. She has a yearling full-brother and her dam, Triumphant, was bred to Central Banker last year. Gatsas Stables purchased the mare, in foal to Runhappy, for $57,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. “We're looking forward to going to Kentucky.” @CBredar talked to George Weaver after FIVE G earned 100 Kentucky Oaks points in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). pic.twitter.com/M12FM1oQvN — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2025 Saturday, Gulfstream FASIG-TIPTON GULFSTREAM PARK OAKS-GII, $250,000, Gulfstream, 3-29, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:43.22, ft. 1–FIVE G, 122, f, 3, by Vekoma 1st Dam: Triumphant, by Quality Road 2nd Dam: Star Torina, by A.P. Indy 3rd Dam: Gold Canyon, by Mr. Prospector 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Gatsas Stable LLC (NY); T-George Weaver; J-Manuel Franco. $150,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, $390,290. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Anna's Promise, 122, f, 3, Promises Fulfilled–Caroline Lois, by Paynter. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Bell Racing LLC; B-Baron Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Carlos A. David. $55,000. 3–Cassiar, 122, f, 3, City of Light–Nellie Cashman, by Mineshaft. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($400,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG). O-William S. Farish; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $27,500. Margins: 2 1/4, 10 1/4, HD. Odds: 1.30, 8.30, 7.80. Also Ran: Whatintheliteral, Paradise City, The Queens M G. Scratched: Early On. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Vekoma’s Five G Goes Wire-to-Wire in Gulfstream Park Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A quartet of contenders for next weekend's GI Santa Anita Derby took to the track in Arcadia to work Saturday morning: Journalism (Curlin), Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), Rodriguez (Authentic) and Baeza (McKinzie). Journalism, last-out winner of the GII San Felipe Stakes, went five furlongs in 1:01.40 (26/42) for trainer Michael McCarthy. “I let him run a little bit down the lane with a solid gallop-out,” McCarthy said of the work. “He did everything we asked of him.” Journalism's eye-catching victory in the San Felipe earned a 108 Beyer Speed Figure, which is the highest recorded this year by an active 3-year-old. Last year's champion 2-year-old Citizen Bull, who opened 2025 with a win in the Feb. 1 GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes, worked five furlongs in a bullet :58.40 (1/42) for trainer Bob Baffert, while his workmate, the 4-year-old colt Dothraki (Into Mischief), was timed in :59.40. Fellow Baffert trainee and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez, third in the San Felipe and second in the Bob Lewis, worked five furlongs in :59.60 (5/42). The John Sherriffs-trained Baeza went six furlongs Saturday in 1:12.00 (1/1). The $1.2-million Keeneland September purchase is coming off a 4 3/4-length maiden score at Santa Anita Feb. 14. Of Baeza's work, Shirreffs said “just getting him a step closer.” The post Santa Anita Derby Hopefuls Tune Up appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article