Wandering Eyes

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Top junior driver Crystal Hackett is nursing a few bumps and bruises but is otherwise ok after an eventful and scary time at Alexandra Park last night. She had just won Race 8 with debutant Buddy Guy at the park and was returning to the stabling area when the two-year-old got spooked. Hackett was tipped from the sulky and got dragged along the infield. “It was a good distance and it was at a good clip,” Hackett says, “it certainly felt we were going quick.” “I was just lucky I had a good grip on the inside rein and I could slow him down.” Buddy Guy was clearly agitated by the whole experience and there were a few anxious moments all round before the situation was brought under control. It was gutsy and courageous stuff by Hackett. “I’ve got a few bruises this morning mainly to my wrist and hip and lower back.” “I’ve watched the video a few times and it just gets better the more times you watch it,” she laughs. To see the video click here Remarkably Hackett fronted up in the very next race at Alexandra Park, winning with Maro Mackendon for her parents Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett. It’s not the first time Hackett has been involved in such an incident. It also happened at Hawera in January. “It was in a race and I was kicked out and it was the same thing – I just held on for dear life!” Then at Cambridge in March a bit holding the reins on her runner Herb snapped leaving her with no control. “I was just a passenger,” she said at the time. On that occasion the Clerk of the Course came to her rescue without incident. “It’s been an eventful year that’s for sure,” says Hackett, “but these things can happen and you just press on.” And that’s what Hackett is doing. She was back at work this morning though feeling a little bit worse for wear. View the full article

The New Zealand Amateurs Drivers championships looks set for a big finish at Addington tomorrow (Sunday). The Raceway will host the final two heats of the four-race series, with Bruce Hadley, Cheree Wigg and Frank Phelan all tied on seven points, one ahead of Alan Edge, and Michael House and John Kriechbaumer on five. Wigg won last night’s heat at Addington thanks to a determined finish by the Matt Purvis-trained Almighty Clever in the IRT.Your Horse. Our Passion Mobile Pace. Almighty Clever will back up at the Raceway tomorrow as a $2.45 favourite in Heat 3 (1.24pm), though he will be driven then by northern reinsman Craig Sharpe. Sharpe will also drive the favourite in the final heat of the series when he combines with Stephs Boy. He’s at $2.60 currently, just ahead of Auntie Deb ($3), to be driven by Wigg. Craig’s brother Andrew, the defending champion, is currently seventh on four points. Bruce Hadley won the opening heat at Cambridge on Thursday night with the Jeremy Young-trained Billy The Kid. Leaderboard (with two races left) : Bruce Hadley 7 Cheree Wigg 7 Frank Phelan 7 Alan Edge 6 John Kriechbaumer 5 Michael House 5 Andrew Sharpe 4 Neil Munro 2 Colleen Negus 1 Craig Sharpe 0 View the full article

The Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) looms as a possible spring target for New Zealand-bred stayer Campaldino (NZ) (Ghibellines), who continued his rapid rise with another outstanding win in the A$400,000 Gr.2 XXXX Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Within the space of nine weeks, the Ghibellines gelding has strung together four increasingly impressive victories. He kicked off with wins in the Orange Cup (2100m) and a Benchmark 78 handicap on Randwick’s Kensington track, prompting trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott to take him to Brisbane and raise the bar to black-type level. Campaldino passed his first major test with a dominant performance in last month’s Gr.3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) on a rapidly deteriorating heavy track. Saturday’s Brisbane Cup marked a step up in class and distance, along with a switch to Good3 ground, but there was no difference to the result. Jockey Tim Clark gave Campaldino a comfortable run, initially sitting outside the front-running True Marvel (Masked Marvel) before easing back into fourth with a lap to go. He was travelling smoothly every step of the way. Clark allowed him to creep forward from the 700m mark, moving up alongside True Marvel just before the home turn. Campaldino took command coming into the straight, powering into a clear lead with 300m to run. Etna Rosso (Decorated Knight) tried his hardest to eat into the margin, but Campaldino kept going strongly all the way to the finish line and won by a length and a quarter. “Since the blinkers have been removed, he has been much better,” Clark said. “That has helped him be so strong at the end of his races. “He’s a pleasure to ride and another good find out of New Zealand. He has come here and really found his mojo now. “He’s shooting through the grades nicely. He’s thrived with the sun on his back and he can run a strong two miles. When he had clean air, he really dragged me forward. He had energy stored in the run and he picked up when I let him go.” Waterhouse and Bott are now keen to push on to Melbourne in the spring. “I think we’ll have to go for the Melbourne Cup,” Bott said. “He’s an amazing, progressive horse. He’s come a long way and that tops off the campaign nicely. “He can’t have too long off, but he’s had some nice conditioning this preparation and we’ll try and work backwards from the Melbourne Cup. “He’s still learning what it is all about. Even when he hit the front today, I was worried about him getting there too early. There is still progression to come. He had a bit of a wander around when he got to the rail, but when he was challenged, I thought he responded nicely in the end. “He’s lightly raced for a stayer and it will be exciting to see what he can do in a few campaigns ahead.” From 14 starts, Campaldino has now recorded six wins and four placings. He has banked more than A$500,000 for a Darby Racing syndicate. Campaldino was bred by the Ricky & Anna Rhodes Partnership and is by White Robe Lodge stallion Ghibellines out of the Shocking mare Zuzana (NZ). Campaldino began his career in the Matamata stable of Cody Cole, for whom he had four starts last year. He finished seventh and eighth in his first two appearances, then put together back-to-back wins in a 1750m highweight at Taupo and a 2200m Rating 65 at Pukekohe. His performances caught the eye of Rob Waterhouse, and he was purchased privately. From 10 starts in Australia, Campaldino has now recorded four wins, three seconds, a third, and two fifths. View the full article

A runaway victory in Saturday’s A$160,000 Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Eagle Farm was a proud moment for Pier’s (NZ) (Proisir) connections, but they could also be forgiven for wondering what might have been in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Pier ventured across the Tasman as the winner of four races in New Zealand, headed by the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in 2022. The son of Proisir has found a promising vein of form in his latest preparation, producing powerful finishes for placings in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Trentham and the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben. But he had earned insufficient prizemoney for a place in the Stradbroke Handicap field, sitting on the ballot as the fourth emergency and getting only two of the four scratchings he needed to make the field. The Wayne Wilson on Saturday’s Stradbroke handicap was the consolation prize, and Pier grabbed it in emphatic style. Ridden by Ethan Brown, the five-year-old settled in third place before cruising up alongside the front-running Attractable (I Am Invincible) just before the home turn. Pier dashed past that rival at the top of the straight and burst clear, going on to win by three lengths from Sibaaq (NZ) (Dark Angel). “He’s a horse with great stamina,” Brown said. “Third-up here today, he broke well, so I was happy to use his action and his fitness. “He’s proven at the mile and was always going to run it out strongly today. I used that to my advantage and he was strong all the way through the line. He’s a very nice horse. “I’m sure he can measure up here in Australia and he has proven himself today. I think he’s up to it. “He drew a lot more favourably today. Last start he ran a blinder – got too much out of his ground from a wide gate, but ran home well.” Pier has now had 13 starts for five wins, four placings and A$579,870 in stakes. He is trained at Matamata by Darryn Weatherley and his daughter, Briar. Darryn Weatherley and his wife Lou, also co-bred and part-own the gelding, who is a half-brother to their multiple stakes-winning sprinter Maria Farina (NZ) (Contributer). “This is super,” Darryn Weatherley said. “We have been here a month now. We bred this horse. I’ll give a special mention to my wife at home, who’s had a bit of a health scare. “This horse has achieved what I expected he would. I truly believe he would have been a force to be reckoned with in the Straddie, but maybe next year. “He drew 16 from 16 at Doomben and he was second-to-last on the turn. His sectionals were huge. Ethan rode him beautifully the other day and he’s backed it up again today.” Weatherley is now keen to chase Group One spoils on home soil in the early stages of the new season. “I would like to spell him here for a month, then have a crack at the first Group One in New Zealand, and then hopefully head to Melbourne later in the spring.” View the full article

Stratford visitor Soldier Boy (NZ) (Proisir) made a long-awaited return to the winners’ enclosure when he came out on top in a three-horse tussle in the SKYCITY Hamilton Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa. The Gavin Sharrock-prepared galloper hadn’t been seen on top of the victory podium since he claimed the Listed Maron Cup (2200m) at Trentham in January 2023. Sharrock has never lost faith in his versatile son of Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir, who tends to excel on tracks with plenty of cut in them. With Te Rapa coming up a Heavy10 on race morning, it played well for the six-year-old who also enjoyed the services of in-form jockey Kelly Myers, who was having her first ride aboard the gelding at his 47th race start. Myers allowed Soldier Boy to find his feet in midfield before beginning to improve his position along the rail at the 600m. Angled off the fence rounding the home bend into a fast lane in the middle of the track, Soldier Boy and the well-fancied Saint Bathans (Maurice) took control of proceedings at the 250m with Drop Of Something (NZ) (Telperion) chasing gamely on their heels. Soldier Boy fought best in a dour struggle as he held out his rivals by half a length, in the process returning his supporters a healthy Fixed Odds dividend of $27. Sharrock, who went close to a notable double on the day when his other runner, Stewart (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was narrowly beaten in the fourth race on the card, was thrilled to see one of his stable favourites back in winning form. “That was great today as he has always been a good horse but as he has got older, he has got a few more quirks and can be a little cantankerous at times,” Sharrock said. “I stripped all the gear off him and let him run au naturel and he loved it. “I thought Kelly rode him a treat as we discussed it before the race and I just said make sure you keep him nice and warm behind the barrier. Last time he stood there and wouldn’t go, but today he got away nicely and the old bugger was in for the fight.” Sharrock is keen to press on over the winter months with a tilt at the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth on 19 July a possible option for his charge. “He is back to form and when he is like that he stays that way,” he said. “He can have a freshen up now and maybe take a shot at the Opunake Cup next month as he has won twice over 1400m. “He is really versatile as he ran fourth in a New Zealand Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) and won the Marton Cup over 2200m and has that winning 1400m form so anything is possible with him.” Raced by Hawera accountant Gavin O’Dea, who co-bred him from his Ekraar mare Forty Love (NZ), Soldier Boy is the younger brother of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) runner-up Vancooga (NZ) and the older brother of former promising juvenile Sergeant Major (NZ), who was purchased by well-known Australian owner Ozzie Kheir before going on to win the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) out of the Ciaron Maher stable in April. Soldier Boy has now won five of his 47 starts and over $256,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson had a perfect two-from-two day at Wanganui on Saturday, capped by potential black-type contender Belles Beau (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Loaders Civil (1340m). Patterson had only two horses entered all weekend, and both of them produced impressive performances at Wanganui – Ma Te Wa (NZ) (Time Test) in the Hirepool 3YO (1340m) and Belles Beau in the day’s open sprint. “Two wins from only two runners is a really satisfying day, and I think they were two good performances by a couple of very progressive geldings with bright futures,” Patterson said. Saturday marked the first appearance in open company for Belles Beau, who had made a good impression in recording three wins and three placings from his eight previous starts. Patterson admitted to some concerns with Belles Beau leading into this week’s $40,000 assignment, but the four-year-old Iffraaj gelding was sent out as a $4 favourite and produced a performance that quickly put Patterson’s doubts to rest. Belles Beau was confidently ridden by Kavish Chowdhoory, who allowed him to slide forward around the outside of the field coming down the side of the track. The favourite swooped past Bradman (NZ) (Pins) to take the lead at the home turn, and the result was in little doubt from there. Carrying 4kg less than the gallant topweight, Belles Beau pulled ahead and kept him at arm’s length all the way down the straight. He had a half-length margin up his sleeve at the finish line. “Belles Beau missed a gallop leading into this race and I was a little bit concerned that he might blow out,” Patterson said. “For him to beat a good open handicap field the way he did, in only the ninth start of his career, was a very good effort. He’s got a lot of ability and upside and is such a straightforward horse to do anything with, so I’m looking forward to what’s in front of him.” Bred and raced by Eddie and Nicola Bourke and Allan Piercy, Belles Beau has had nine starts for four wins, three placings and $84,895 in stakes. Patterson now has his sights set on the $120,000 Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m) on his home track on July 19. “I’ll talk to Eddie (Bourke) before making any plans, but I might be tempted to go straight into the Opunake Cup without another run now,” he said. “If he came out and won another race in between times, he’d pick up a bunch more points and have a bigger weight in the Opunake Cup.” View the full article

A thrilling victory on Afterallthistime (Deep Field) in Saturday’s Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) capped a Te Rapa double for Portia Matthews that was unforgettable in more ways than one. Matthews won both of the steeplechase races on the card, having previously taken out the Ken & Roger Browne Memorial (3900m) in extraordinary fashion aboard Uncle Charlie (NZ) (Alamosa). Six of the seven horses in that field were out of contention by the end of a chaotic first lap, leaving Uncle Charlie the only one still standing. Uncle Charlie mixed his jumps from that point on, and Matthews lost her irons, but the Hamilton crowd willed them on, and they completed the journey for a win that had to be seen to be believed. The final margin was 89 and three-quarters lengths, with Dean Parker re-mounting Catch And Release (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) to finish the race in a distant second place. The Waikato Steeplechase was a very different story. Matthews and Afterallthistime settled in second-last for a large part of the 3900m journey, biding their time as Jakama Krystal (NZ) (Jakkalberry), Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) and The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) showed the way out in front. Afterallthistime began to warm into his work ominously coming down the side of the track towards the home turn, striding past more than half of the field and setting his sights on the leaders. Nedwin lost all momentum with a poor jump at the third-to-last fence, and two-time defending champion The Cossack parted company with Mathew Gillies at the last. Through all of that, the $14 outsider Afterallthistime kept advancing. He took a clear lead coming into the straight, but his job wasn’t over yet. He saved his worst jump for last and then faced a late challenge from strong-finishing stablemate Call Me Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) in a Kevin Myers quinella. But Matthews got Afterallthistime to lift again, clinging on to win by a long head. Nedwin finished another 22 and a quarter lengths away in third. “It’s definitely a day I won’t forget,” Matthews said. “I’d like to thank Kevin Myers for putting me on this horse today. I’ve had a bit of an association with him in the past and I’ve won on him before. I really like him. He’s a lovely, big horse. “He got through the ground so well today. It’s quite a nice feeling looming up so easily behind horses like Nedwin and The Cossack. That’s not something I’ve experienced before – passing them and thinking, ‘Oh, I’ve still got a bit left here.’ “He got in front and was a bit balky at the last jump, but we got over it and got him going again. We lost a bit of momentum with that jump, and I knew the stablemate was coming, but he kept trying. It was a big effort and it’s a credit to the horse. “Credit to the Myers team too – they had him so fit today.” Afterallthistime has now had 24 starts for four wins, seven placings and $118,965 in stakes. He has had a win and a placing from two starts over hurdles, while his 13-race steeplechase career has produced three wins and three placings. View the full article

Robbie Patterson has unearthed another potential topliner from his New Plymouth stable as progressive gelding Ma Te Wa (NZ) (Time Test) kept his winning Wanganui record intact with victory in the Hirepool 3YO (1340). The three-year-old son of Time Test opened his career with a fourth on his home track back in February. Patterson gave him a few weeks off to recover from that effort before producing him to score by more than four lengths in a maiden contest at Wanganui in late May. Ma Te Wa returned to the scene of that triumph on Saturday, with punters jumping in boots and all to send him out a dominant $1.60 Fixed Odds favourite against his age-group rivals. Apprentice Sima Mxothwa had his mount away nicely and sitting pretty outside pacemaker Cypress (NZ) (Telperion) throughout before applying plenty of pressure as he shot Ma Te Wa to the front rounding the home bend. Cypress and Palmarow (NZ) (Derryn) chased gamely but were left floundering in the favourite’s wake as he cruised home by four lengths once again to make it back-to-back Wanganui wins. Patterson, who returned on Thursday from a winter break in Brisbane, admits he is in a quandary about just what to do next with his charge. “The good thing about this guy is that he jumps out of the gates so well and just puts himself right in the contest from the off,” Patterson said. “He can quicken when you ask him, and even though he is handling the wet stuff now, I think when he gets over a mile on a good track he will be even better. He has really just needed time and is getting better with more racing experience. “I just don’t know what to do with him now, as it is very hard to put them away when they are winning like he is and without a hint of mud on his silks. “We do have the big Opunake meeting coming up at home, where there is a special maiden he could go in with Sima getting his 4kg claim which would suit him perfectly. “Sima rode him well and he is a lovely lad. All I said was to get outside the leader and don’t panic, which he did perfectly.” Bred by Jack O’Brien, Ma Te Wa is the first foal out of Per Incanto mare Fascino Lass (NZ), a half-sister to Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) winner Girl Of My Dreams (NZ) and from a family that includes well-performed stakes winner and winter galloper Joal (NZ). View the full article

Saturday’s A$150,000 Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap (1000m) at Sandown was Hello Romeo’s (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) first appearance since the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) in January, and the talented two-year-old resumed in style. Hello Romeo comes from the first New Zealand crop by Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain, and he brought up a first southern hemisphere win for the sire with his victory at Bendigo in November. His performances in that initial preparation prompted trainers Ben, Will, and JD Hayes to take a shot at the Karaka Millions in Ellerslie, where he finished a creditable eighth behind La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth). Gelded in between times, Hello Romeo showed promising signs with a trial win at Flemington on May 30. He returned to race day in Saturday’s two-year-old sprint and set a promising tone for the campaign ahead. “He’s an absolute professional mentally,” Will Hayes said. “He coped extremely well with the New Zealand trip as a colt. He’s obviously had the ultimate gear change between that prep and this prep, and it was a great display from him today. “There’s plenty of upside with him. He’s up, he’s sound and he’s firing, so we’ll look to make hay while the sun shines. Hopefully he’s in for a long, successful prep.” Hello Romeo drew the outside gate of 13 on Saturday, but jumped well and slid forward to sit outside the leader for jockey Daniel Stackhouse. Hello Romeo kicked well in the straight and took command, going on to win by a neck from the late-closing Street Legal (Exceedance). The third placegetter finished another two lengths away. “I’ve always liked this horse,” Stackhouse said. “I rode him quite a bit in his early days leading into that win at Bendigo. He went to New Zealand after that and was competitive in strong company. “He’s obviously been gelded ahead of this preparation. He trialled up well and seems to have come back better and stronger. “It was tricky from the outside gate today. I had Plan A or Plan B, either to go forward or back depending on how he stepped. He broke quite nicely. Big credit to him, because I had to put a bit of work into him early. But we controlled the race from there, and I liked how he got down the hill and then put his best foot forward when I asked him to go.” From five starts, Hello Romeo has now recorded two wins and a placing, earning A$127,418 in stakes. Hello Romeo was bred by Jomara Bloodstock and purchased by Lindsay Park for $150,000 out of Halmark Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. He is the first foal of the Shooting To Win mare Julieta (NZ), who is a half-sister to Humidor (NZ), the three-time Group One winner of the Australian Cup (2000m), Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), and the Memsie Stakes (1400m). View the full article

There are “active discussions” between representatives of Churchill Downs Inc. and officials in Louisiana to reach some kind of agreement to see the owners of Fair Grounds continue to operate live racing at the track, according to a report Friday in DRF. Earlier this week, CDI's chief executive, Bill Carstanjen, sent a letter to the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) and to some of the state's high-ranking politicians, warning that the track's inability to operate historic horse racing machines (HHR) at its OTBs put the company in a precarious economic position–so much so, it was planning to surrender its license to operate racing at Fair Grounds. In March, the Louisiana Supreme Court declared a 2021 statute that had legalized historical horse racing machines as unconstitutional without voter approval. CDI subsequently announced a roughly 25% cut to purses at the track on the back of the court's decision. “This ruling places at risk an entire horse racing ecosystem that relies on historical horse racing revenue,” the company wrote in a statement at the time. Prior to the court ruling, CDI operated HHR machines at 13 OTBs in Louisiana. According to DRF, CDI issued a statement Friday morning that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry was directly involved in the discussions, and that the company was “engaged in active discussions with the Louisiana Racing Commission and the horsemen with the aim of reaching a resolution that is favorable to all of the stakeholders.” Besides Landry's office and CDI, it is understood the discussions also involve the state racing commission and Louisiana's HBPA. Carstanjen's June 9 letter to Landry states the following: “Given the legislature's ease with which it approved legislation that is directly adverse and harmful to the economic interests of Fair Grounds, the opposition by elected officials to engage in meaningful solutions in collaboration with the Fair Grounds, and the forthcoming adjournment of the legislative session, CDI is left with no choice but to request an appearance before the LSRC to begin the next steps for voluntarily surrendering the racing license held by the Fair Grounds.” Carstanjen added that, “It is my understanding that soon after the Louisiana Legislature adjourns on June 12, 2025, an emergency meeting of the LSRC will be conducted. This correspondence is CDI's formal request to appear at the meeting to discuss the timeline and next steps concerning the license” that CDI holds for Fair Grounds.” The post Ongoing Discussions on Future of Fair Grounds Amid HHR Dispute appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As major renovations continue at Belmont Park, NYRA officials express steadfast confidence in the project's completion by fall 2026 at June 13 meeting of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board. View the full article

8th-Churchill Downs, $123,202, Alw, 6-13, (NW1X), 3yo/up, 1 1/2m (off turf), 2:31.72, sy, 14 1/2 lengths. EMERGENCE (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Belle Watling, by Pulpit) closed from well back in his Feb. 1 debut to graduate at first asking over Gulfstream's synthetic track by 3 1/4 lengths. Moved over to the grass two back Mar. 1 at that venue for the Listed Colonel Liam Stakes at a mile, he failed to produce that same kick and finished a flat eighth behind winner Mi Bago (Vekoma), who would just miss hitting the board in Churchill's May 3 GI American Turf Stakes and was recently seen running second June 7 in the off-turf rendition of the Pennine Ridge Stakes at Saratoga. Improving to third last out May 9 going 1 1/16-miles over this course, this mile and a half contest came off the turf as rain moved through the area, but the betting public still liked Emergence to the tune of 8-5 favoritism. Pursuing from midpack over a muddy main track, he inched forward after a mile had gone by in 1:38.21, and was the looming danger as they turned for home. Inhaling Domingo (American Pharoah) and Presider (Connect) passing the five-sixteenths, Emergence rolled away and won by an eye-catching, geared-down 14 1/2 lengths. Domingo won the battle for second by three-quarters of a length and it was a long way back to fourth. The victor is a half-brother to a pair of elite runners, namely War Story (Northern Afleet), MGSW & GISP, $3,271,996 and Land Over Sea (Bellamy Road), GSW & MGISP, $746,500. The latter has gone on to a broodmare career in Japan after changing hands to Shadai Farm in 2017 at the FTKNOV sale for $1.3-million. Land Over Sea now claims GSP-Jpn Satono Epic (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) to her credit in her adoptive home country. Another of Emergence's half-sisters, Diamonds and Rust (Curlin), is the dam of last year's GIII With Anticipation Stakes runner-up Tenacious Leader (Not This Time). Belle Watling's last registered offspring is this winner after her 2023 Gun Runner foal was stillborn. Second dam Polly Adler (Housebuster) most accomplished offspring is MSW Yoursmineours (Belong to Me), who herself went on to produce MSW Whiskey Romeo (Forester) and GSW Shared Property (Scat Daddy). She is also the granddam of SW Alla Breve (Mendelssohn), MSP Send the Boss (Street Boss) and MSP Fraudulent Charge (Will Take Charge). This is the immediate female family of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Epitome (Summing), dam of multiple group winner Essence of Dubai (Pulpit). Sales history: $475,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $129,984. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Qatar Racing, CHC, Inc. and Trilogy USA; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Emergence and Vincent Cheminaud score in R8 at @churchilldowns! Another winner for trainer @bradcoxracing. TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/O5cEpjSFvQ — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 13, 2025 The post Uncle Mo’s Emergence Puts on a Show over the Slop at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Florida's Gulfstream Park has partnered with BSV Digital to begin using a high-resolution digital starting gate board. Gulfstream is the first pari-mutuel facility in North America to do so. In lieu of the traditional static signage at the starting gate, the digital starting board is capable of real-time graphics and customized content. The new gate will display post positions and race logos, as well as seasonal branding and partner messaging. “Our goal is to blend tradition with technology in a way that enhances the spectacle of racing,” said Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST Racing & Gaming. “The new starting gate board from BSV Digital brings a fresh, modern look to our race presentation while offering a powerful platform for sponsors to reach fans both on-track and through our broadcast channels.” Natalie Vega, Director of Partnerships at BSV Digital, added: “We're thrilled to partner with Gulfstream Park, a track known for its rich history and forward-thinking approach. Our starting gate solution is designed not only to look great but to drive value for venues and their partners.” The post Gulfstream Park Introduces Digital Starting Gate Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Desert Gate (Omaha Beach–Theogony, by Curlin) did not disappoint his backers as the heavy favorite won on debut at sunny Santa Anita on Friday afternoon. Tracking Acknowledgemeplz (Bucchero) up the backstretch, the juvenile went to work around the far turn. The pair separated themselves from the other two entries and matched strides into the lane. However, Desert Gate shifted into high gear and won by over a length. The final running time was :57.35. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. Sales History: $125,000 '23 KEENOV, $100,000 '24 KEESEP, $260,000 '25 OBSMAR. O-Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl and Weitman, Paul; B-Twin Oaks Bloodstock (KY); T-Bob Baffert. DESERT GATE ($2.80) debuts successfully under @JJHernandezS19 in @santaanitapark race 2. The two-year-old by @spendthriftfarm's Omaha Beach is trained by @BobBaffert. Play the next https://t.co/7I3M5l53AE pic.twitter.com/1GqUICnIHG — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 13, 2025 The post Omaha Beach Colt Desert Gate Impregnable On Debut At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The massive-scaled, $455-million rebuild of Belmont Park that is on target to be finished by September 2026 is thus far unaffected by skyrocketing tariffs on steel and aluminum, although New York Racing Association (NYRA) executives told the New York State Franchise Oversight Board (FOB) during a Friday meeting they are being vigilant about monitoring the situation. NYRA and FOB personnel have good reason to be on high alert about concerns over potential cost overruns: On June 4, President Donald Trump doubled United States tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to a whopping 50%. “The steel is being fabricated in the United States,” Rob Surace, NYRA's director of capital projects, said at the June 13 meeting. “We're aware of the tariffs. We are trying to track [materials] as best as we can. It's difficult, because [the materials are] coming from different places. So we're monitoring it, but there's no real concern at this point yet.” But the act of “buying American” is no guarantee costs won't rise. The steep tariffs on imported materials will incentivize others to also buy domestically, and that increased demand will put pressure on a shortening domestic supply, likely forcing U.S. producers to raise prices. NYRA might have timed its most recent procurement of American-sourced steel at an advantageous time. Glen Kozak, NYRA's senior vice president of operations and capital projects, told the FOB that a significant delivery was due to be shipped to Belmont Park even as the subject of its cost was being discussed at the meeting. “There's steel that is coming on site,” Kozak said. “I believe it was supposed to be here [Friday] or early next week to start the steel for the third floor, as well as the fourth floor and fifth floor.” Kozak gave an update on the overall construction of the new facility. “Currently, we've got the MEP's [mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems] going in the ground for the entire facility. The concrete for the first floor, as well as the marshalling yard, is complete. The first-floor deck is done, second-floor deck is complete, and third-floor deck, I believe, is about 45 or 50% [done]. The two stair towers coming up through the western portion of the building for the fourth and fifth floors are currently being poured right now,” Kozak said. “The utility work that can be done in the building for the system–sprinkler, drainage, fireproofing–that's all taking place. The next big phase for us is the actual steel that's coming on site for the superstructure,” Kozak said. “As far as the generator and our HVAC systems, that's all been procured as well,” Kozak added. After that, Kozak said, will be “the site work, which will include the patio and the area to get back into the new paddock and saddling stalls.” Surace added to the overview: “Tishman [the general contractor] has awarded approximately 85% of their primary trades [contracts], with all contracts for the core and shell and interior fit-out being awarded. “The glass for the curtain wall is being fabricated, and assembling is expected to start sometime in July, with first deliveries beginning in Q4 of this year. The metal panels for the ribboned canopy, which is also a very big component, those deliveries are also expected to begin in Q4 of 2025,” Surace said. The post Belmont Project Yet to Be Affected by Recently Doubled Steel Tariffs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday, Sandown, post time: 14:40, THE BETMGM SCURRY STAKES-Listed, £45,000, 3yo, 5f 10yT Field: Coto De Caza (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Kullazain (GB) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Marty Hopkirk (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Star Of Mehmas (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Hold A Dream (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}), Pearl Of Wisdom (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Proudly Yours (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Town And Country (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Last year's G3 Cornwallis Stakes winner Coto De Caza returns under a penalty for that effort, which might make it tough against some already battle-hardened sprinters in this filly-dominated renewal. They include Star Of Mehmas, who has speed to burn as she proved when second in York's Listed Westow Stakes last month. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Chantilly, France, post time: 16:05, PRIX DE DIANE LONGINES-G1, €1,000,000, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT Field: Cankoura (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), D'Ores Et Deja (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Shes Perfect (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Merrily (No Nay Never), Rosa Salvaje (Ire) (Maximum Security), Better Together (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), American Gal (GB) (Kameko), Zia Agnese (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}), Sand Gazelle (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}). Sunday, Hanshin, Japan, post time: 15:40, TAKARAZUKA KINEN-G1, ¥570,000,000, 3yo/up, 2200mT Field: Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), Pradaria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Chuck Nate (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Boldog Hos (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Chevalier Rose (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Yoho Lake (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Libyan Glass (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Meisho Tabaru (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}), Urban Chic (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), June Take (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Lord Del Rey (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Shonan La Punta (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Regaleira (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}). Click here for the preview. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Sophomore Sprinters Lock Horns In Scurry Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies features a George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) rematch with the top three horses from that race meeting again, led by winner Margie's Intention, who enters as the 5-2 morning-line favorite.View the full article

The 14-day quarantine of Barn 85 at Saratoga Race Course has been lifted by the New York State Department of Agriculture, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Friday. As a result, all horses stabled in Barn 85 are once again permitted to enter races and train with the general horse population. Barn 85 was placed under a precautionary quarantine on May 30 following the identification of a case of strangles within that barn. The 2-year-old (Tranquil Sea) trained by Jeremiah Englehart returned a positive test for strangles on May 30 after developing breathing issues. The colt began treatment immediately at a private farm where he remains. No additional positive cases of strangles were identified during the quarantine period. The post Quarantine of Barn 85 at Saratoga Race Course Lifted appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Great Friends Stable has been selected by Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) as the recipient of this year's Horseracing Partnership Award. Great Friends campaigns GI Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan H. winner Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) in partnership with Yulong Racing. The Southern California-based partnership is headed by Craig Dado, founder and owner of Sports Injury Central (SIC), a real-time expert sports injury analysis website. Approximately 15 members of the Great Friends Racing group traveled to Saratoga to watch Raging Torrent win the Met Mile. Great Friends Stable was conceived by Dado in 2007 while working at Del Mar, where he met Scott Kaplan and Billy Ray Smith, talk radio personalities who wanted to get into horseracing. “We were just a little claiming barn from Del Mar,” said Dado. “We were lucky enough to meet Mark Davis and buy into some of his horses.” Great Friends Stable will be recognized with a special presentation of a trophy award at TOC's Southern California Annual Meeting on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Del Mar. The post Great Friends Stable Wins TOC’s Annual Partnership Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of the first horses on track in the penultimate breeze show ahead of next week's Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, a colt by Nyquist (hip 634) wasted no time setting a new high-water mark of :9 3/5, the fastest time of the sale thus far. Consigned by Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables, the colt is a homebred for Cypress Creek Equine out of Paquita Coqueta (Chi) (Scat Daddy), a Chilean champion female sprinter purchased by Cypress Creek for $170,000 at Keeneland November in 2021 in foal to Laoban. “We were collecting mares in foal to him at the time and she was a very fast-looking daughter of Scat Daddy,” said Cypress Creek's Ryder Finney. “Obviously she was fast on paper and on the track as well. [We] really liked her athletic presentation and race record when we bought her and she was the right mating for Laoban. Physically, she's a very well-made horse as well and we liked the cross so that's part of the reason why we went back to Nyquist.” That Laoban filly became Colder Weather, now a stakes-placed runner in Venezuela. This colt, the mare's fifth foal, impressed from his early days in the fields at Cypress Creek. “[The colt] has been the boss in ever paddock he's ever been in,” Finney said. “I don't think I've ever seen him lose a paddock race. He was very fast from day one so it does not surprise me that he worked fast. But :9 3/5 is always a little “wow”. You don't ever expect :9 3/5. But he was always a very fast looking horse and always very forward. He was always a bulldog–very forward, very confident.” Of the decision to wait and send this late April-foaled colt to the OBS June Sale vs. one of the company's earlier spring dates, Finney explained, He was kind of a late baby. We didn't even send him down to Ciaran until December so he got a very late start. We wanted to give him every chance and let him grow up and give him the extra time.” Hip 634, a 2yo colt by Nyquist?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nyquist, clocks the only 9.3 work so far @OBSSales June under tack show! The juvenile is consigned by @WavertreeInc (Ciaran Dunne), Agent VI! pic.twitter.com/JEJhzanyQZ — Darley in America (@DarleyAmerica) June 13, 2025 Finney added that the colt has only continued to impress since his arrival in Florida, comparing him to another s on of Nyquist who has since found plenty of success on the track: MGSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos. “Ciaran says the horse has done nothing wrong since he got there,” Finney said. “He's been very straightforward, no hiccups. I think [Ciaran's] original impression was that the colt is kind of plain, he's a plain bay wrapper. He actually reminded me of another horse we bought as a foal, Nysos. We had him on the farm for a while before we sold him as a yearling and he was very similar in a lot of ways–a plain bay wrapper and very strong. [They're both] great movers, very efficient but not like a 17-hand gigantic colt. More of a handy, shorter type. As this colt has gotten up to speed for Ciaran, I think he's been more and more impressed. Obviously :9 3/5 is going to impress anyone.” Nine 2-year-olds shared the sale's second fastest time of :9 4/5. Wavertree Stables was well-represented with a Liam's Map filly (hip 564) and a Bolt d'Oro colt (hip 572) each sharing the time. Liam's Map had another two runners also work in :9 4/5, a colt named Machine Gun (hip 577) consigned by Adios Amigos and a second colt consigned by Top Line Sales (hip 589). A colt by Practical Joke (hip 563) consigned by de Meric Sales, a Win Win Win filly (hip 644) consigned by Champions of the Future, a Runhappy colt (hip 653) consigned by Nice and Easy Thoroughbreds, a filly by Twirling Candy (hip 554) consigned by Golden Rock Thoroughbreds and a Bolt d'Oro filly (hip 654) under the Woodside Ranch banner also went an eighth in :9 4/5. The fastest quarter-mile time of the day was split between three runners: a Catalina Cruiser colt (hip 538) consigned by Thorostock LLC, a Tunwoo colt (hip 697) consigned by LF Horse Training and Sales and an Omaha Beach filly (hip 705) consigned by Hoppel LLC all worked in :20 4/5. The under-tack show concludes Saturday with a final session beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale begins Tuesday, June 17 and runs through Wednesday, June 18 with each day's action starting at 10 a.m. The post ‘He’s Always Been A Bulldog”: Nyquist Colt A Clear Standout At OBS Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Colin Keane will take his first group 1 ride as retained jockey in the Juddmonte silks in the June 15 Prix de Diane (French Oaks, G1) after Better Together featured among 12 fillies declared for the Chantilly Racecourse classic. View the full article

8th-CD, $120K, Msw, 3yo/up, f&m, 1mT, 4:22 p.m. ET. MO EXPECTATIONS (Uncle Mo) makes the races for the first time under the care of trainer Brad Cox. Stonestreet went to $1.15-million during the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale to acquire Havisham (Bernardini), who at the time was carrying their filly. Mo Expectations is a half-sister to Joel Politi's GI Longines Kentucky Oaks heroine Serengeti Empress (Alteration). That dam's first registered foal–the stakes placed Invictus (Into Mischief)–is also a member of Cox's shedrow. TJCIS PPS The post Half To Serengeti Empress Set For Unveiling Beneath Twin Spires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Takarazuka Kinen (G1), set for June 15 at Hanshin Racecourse, has been moved up two weeks to duck the summer heat but the field is likely to provide enough hot competition on its own in the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event.View the full article

June 15 marks the start of the mixed meet format at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, with a combination of Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing on the schedule for the duration of the current live racing season through Sept. 27.View the full article

Sunday's G1 Takarazuka Kinen is one of two races run annually in Japan whose lineup is determined by the racing public. The $5-million GI Breeders' Cup Turf qualifier was moved a couple of weeks earlier on the calendar to avoid the very hot weather of the Japanese summer, and a field of 17 have stood their ground. Leading the way by votes is Bellagio Opera, the two-time winner of the G1 Osaka Hai, who finished third in last year's edition. The 5-year-old entire blitzed the 2025 2000-metre Osaka Hai at Hanshin in a new course record of 1:56.20 in April. Trained by Hiroyuki Uemura, he will leave from stall one. Uemura said, “The horse is now better at finding a good rhythm. Hopefully the ground won't be as bad as it was last year.” Second choice among the betting public is Suave Richard's Regaleira. Getting a break in the weights and the only filly in the field, she was last seen winning the G1 Arima Kinen over 2500 metres at Nakayama on Dec. 22. Also a winner of the G1 Hopeful Stakes at two, she is stranded all the way out in stall 17. Said trainer Tetsuya Kimura, “We have had no problems with her, and things have gone smoothly. She has been relaxed the whole time. After a busy year last year, I've wanted just to give her a break. In the meantime, she's filled out more and she looks to be in good shape now.” A winner of the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) in 2024, Urban Chic (Suave Richard) has attracted the third-most votes. he will be cutting back in trip after a third-place effort in the G3 Nikkei Sho at Nakayama in March. One start earlier, he was sixth behind Regaleira in the Arima Kinen and is booked in gate 13. Trainer Ryo Takei said, “His work rider has said that the horse's condition is as good as it has been. He's been running with a lot of speed, and he's developing well, as we always thought he would. With his power and endurance, the 2200 metres at Hanshin looks good for him. After his good run in last year's Kikuka Sho, I want him to get another good result here.” Second to Bellagio Opera in the Osaka Hai, Lord Del Rey (Lord Kanaloa) is aiming for his first Group 1 win. He did hold Shonan La Punta (Kizuna) to second in January's G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai. Said assistant trainer Taku Fukunaga, “It was his first run in a Grade 1 last time, and even though he lost, it was a result that showed how he is improving. He returned to the stable on May 13 from a break at Champion Hills Farm, and everything's gone smoothly so far as we get him ready for this next race.” Second to Bellagio Opera in the 2024 Osaka Hai, Rousham Park finished with distinction when second in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar in November. He could only manage seventh in the wake of Regaleira's Arima Kinen victory in December, and went one better at Randwick behind Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Hiroyasu Tanaka, the trainer of the Sunday Racing runner, said, “His condition was not so good last time in Australia, but he seems better now. His control is good, and he's taking the bit when it matters. His energy level seems better too.” The post Bellagio Opera Aiming To Do Voters Proud In Takarazuka Kinen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article