Wandering Eyes

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages retraining Thoroughbreds into other disciplines after their racing or breeding careers end, has revealed winners and other placings from its 2024 Performance Awards Program, the group announced Friday morning. Created to recognize the Thoroughbreds who accumulated the most points at all horse shows at a wide variety of disciplines and experience levels, the program counted 691 horses from 44 states and five Canadian provinces in 2024. They competed in more than 14,000 classes, divisions, and events with division awards being calculated in 16 categories as well as 99 discipline divisions and nine junior rider divisions. Among the awards were the Green OTTB category for Thoroughbreds that last raced in 2022, 2023, or 2024 with a sponsorship for those provided by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA). In addition to the category and division awards, a performance award sponsored by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) for horses adopted from TAA-accredited organizations was given out as well as one provided by the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) for top-placing RRP Makeover alumni. Winners will receive ribbons, prize money, and a variety of other prizes including coolers, halters, bags, tumblers, and apparel. Category winners included: Dressage – Triple Magic (Bernardini–Triple o'Five) Equitation General – Runforprofit “Profitable” (Runhappy–Goodprofit) Eventing/Combined Test – Swing Hard (Hard Spun–Play Ballado) TCA Green OTTB – Last Raced 2022 – Touch of Prince “Touchstone” (Cairo Prince–Ravionetta) TCA Green OTTB – Last Raced 2023 – Igottahabeit (Giant Surprise–Ginger Quill) TCA Green OTTB – Last Raced 2024 – Fox Red (Mineshaft–Egot) Performance awards will be available again in 2025 and will be based on show results from Dec. 1, 2024 through Nov. 30, 2025. A full list of the winners and participants along with their state registration, rider and owner names, etc. may be found here. Deadline for next year's submissions is Dec. 20, 2025. The post Thoroughbred Incentive Program Reveals 2024 Performance Award Winners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Kelsey Danner has traditionally based her stable at Palm Meadows in Florida every winter, but this year she decided to shift her focus to Turfway Park and already, the decision is paying dividends. Following a career-best year in 2024 thanks in part to a lucrative Holiday meet at Turfway in December, Danner is now sitting at the top of the trainer ranks for Turfway's Winter/Spring meet. After going two-for-two on Thursday, Danner has 15 wins from 69 starts and just over $700,000 in earnings ahead of Friday's card, giving her a narrow edge over Michael Maker's stable with one week still left to go in the meet. Danner, whose family has been a fixture on the racetrack for generations, started out working for her father Mark Danner before spending time with D. Wayne Lukas, Ian Wilkes, Carl Nafzger and Wayne Catalano. She went out on her own in 2017 and her stable has grown steadily in the years since. Depending on the results of these next few days at Turfway, Danner could be on her way to earning her first training title. “It has been a really good meet,” acknowledged Danner, who is much more effusive when talking about her horses' success instead of her own. “We aimed some of our horses at this meet. I have a few middle-ground, grass horses, so they like the six furlongs. Everyone has been running really well.” Danner's string of Turfway stable stars is led by Baby Max (Maximus Mischief), the winner of the Leonatus Stakes who will take on the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks this weekend. Other leading earners include Nice as Pie (Tapiture), who has collected a win and two runner-up performances from four starts this meet including a second-place effort in the Wishing Well Stakes, and Shards (Bucchero), who was third in the Forego Stakes and came back with a win in his most recent effort against allowance company on March 5. Last winter, Danner divided her time between Palm Meadows and Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky. That trial run encouraged Danner to hone in on the Turfway meet going forward. “The races went really easily at Turfway whereas at Gulfstream, they were kind of struggling to get races to fill,” she explained. “Last year I wasted a lot of time with horses, not being able to get them in, so I decided to try to stay more in Kentucky and have more of a presence here.” While she still maintains a small string at Palm Meadows, Danner said she has sold her house in Florida and will now split her time between Louisville and Florence as she keys in on the Kentucky racing circuit. With the recent troubling news out of Florida and plenty of lucrative racing opportunities in Kentucky, Danner noted that she is not the only trainer making the move. “I do feel like people are trying to stay around Kentucky now,” she said. “The purse money is good and there is obviously a solid, year-round program here. As times change, a lot of our employees want to have more normal lives–have a house, be in one place–so it works out so that they have a better lifestyle.” The racing surface at Turfway is an added bonus as well. “'I think that Tapeta track is very safe,” she said. “Horses tend to like it. During the summer I start most of my babies off of it and they seem like they do really well with it. It's pretty consistent.” California Burrito and Baby Max battle for the win in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes | Coady Media One trainee who has shown an affinity for the track is Baby Max. The colt was a $20,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling purchase for JS Stables, which is made up of the wife-and-husband team of Janelle and Sam Aguiar. Although the colt is a son of Maximus Mischief, Danner noted that 'Max' is a common name for Janelle's rescue pets, including a dog and a donkey both called Max. The equine 'Max' broke his maiden in his second start at Churchill Downs last fall. He ran second in his Turfway debut last December before scoring in the Leonatus Stakes, besting next-out GII Risen Star runner-up Chunk of Gold (Preservationist). In the John Battaglia Memorial, he stalked California Burrito (Army Mule) from the three path through the 1 1/16-mile contest. The pair opened up on the field in the stretch, with California Burrito digging in to get the win by half a length. Danner described the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' race as an educational experience for Baby Max. “Max is still young and immature,” she said. “I think he learned a lot from that because in his other race, he got to the lead really quickly and he didn't have to work for anything. This time he had to show a little grit. I think he was a tad intimidated. California Burrito was kind of getting out. By the time they reached the wire they were closer to the outside rail than the inside rail. This weekend we'll be adding blinkers, just small French cups, to see if it will help him go straight.” Baby Max has drawn post position six for Saturday's Jeff Ruby Steaks, which will feature a full field of 12 colts vying for Kentucky Derby points. California Burrito, who shares the same breeder as rival Baby Max in Westbrook Stables, is the 7-2 morning-line second choice behind GII Remsen Stakes winner Poster (Munnings). “I think it's a tough race,” said Danner. “There should be a solid pace this time and I think that will help Max because he would prefer not to be out on the lead. Most of the speed is to our inside and then we have one on our outside, so hopefully we get a nice pocket trip.” Danner has a busy day on Saturday with seven entered for Turfway's card. Among her four trainees looking to break their maidens, NBS Stable's Listen and Learn (Caracaro) reared up at the gate in her last race on March 6 and Danner said to expect a better performance in this next start. She noted that Whippoorwill (Midnight Lute) should also improve off a runner-up performance on Feb. 13. Earlier this week, Danner was among those moving into the barns at Churchill Downs. She said she is looking forward to training there this spring and added that come summer, she has plans to send a string to Saratoga. With about 70 current members of the stable along with an incoming class of 2-year-olds ready to join the squad in the coming weeks, Danner aims to continue her hot streak once the Turfway meet is under wraps. “I feel like each year we get better and things are kind of going the right way,” she said. “I have some really solid clients who have been fantastic to work with. I had clients who started with one horse, they've had some success and now they have five. So it's been trending upwards. I don't have any complaints.” The post After Moving from Florida Base, Danner Riding Hot Streak at Turfway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Everyone said he was unbeatable and that’s exactly how it turned out for Marketplace in the $200,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Final for the 3YO Colts and Geldings at Alexandra Park on Friday night. He’s a superstar in the making and the Regan Todd-trained son of Bettor’s Delight was never really in danger of being upset. Driver Craig Ferguson bided his time early. They were three wide briefly before taking up the lead until John Dunn and Got The Chocolates took the initiative and went to the front. That gave Marketplace the perfect run in the trial and the favourite, who had been backed into $1.14, duly exploded along the passing lane to register his seventh win in just 12 starts. Ferguson would double up in the very next race with Don’t Stop Dreaming just edging out a fast finishing Mo’unga in a gripping Group 2 $60,000 Auckland Co-op Taxis 300-3000 Free For All. A last start winner for Mark and Nathan Purdon at Menangle, Don’t Stop Dreaming was having his first start for Hayden and Amanda Cullen. Favourite Republican Party was aggressive at the start with Carter Dalgety sitting parked outside the leader Kango. Chase A Dream was in the trail and looking a huge threat only to fade in the run home. Mo’unga meanwhile was three back the markers and flew over the concluding stages and was only denied by Don’t Stop Dreaming who had been buried on the fence at the 400. It was a brilliant finish with both now very much in the frame for the $1m Race by betcha at Cambridge as part of their Night of Champions on Friday April 4. “I’ve only had him two weeks,” Hayden Cullen said post race, “and he turned up in tip top condition.” As for Republican Party, trainer Cran Dalgety said his multiple Group 1 winner was clearly “tired” after the race. “But that will harden him up for the big race on April the fourth.” Earlier in the $150,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Final for the 3YO Fillies it was hot favourite Stella Rouge who took the spoils, but only just. Tim Williams settled the Stonewall Stud runner midfield before going round the field to sit parked with a lap to go. Hayden and Amanda Cullen-trained stablemates Arafura and Winelight were ideally positioned but in a torrid home stretch battle it was Stella Rouge who prevailed by a nose. It was her fifth win in nine starts. Post race Stonewall Stud’s Jill Stockman said “we are over the moon ..she’s pretty special.” To kick off what was a top night’s action, Eyre I Will won Race 1, the $35,000 Dunstan Speedfeed Metro Series Trotters Final for trainer Jeremy Young while Brian and Gareth Hughes quinellaed the Pacers Final with the well-favoured Runkle Crunch and Carrera Hombre. Down south at Addington there was a fairytale finish for Regal Sierra in the night’s feature, the $30,000 Bob Rochford Seddon Shields Trotting Championships. Driven by Matthew Williamson, the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained Regal Sierra got the perfect run as favourite Nellie Doyle went hard up front. Regal Sierra, who is in foal to On A Streak, was just waiting for the right moment and she burst away from them with 200 metres to go to win easily. She finishes her career with eight wins from 40 starts. The win, worth $16,500, takes her well past $100,000 in career earnings. At both Addington Raceway and Alexandra Park drivers wore black armbands as a sign of respect for Hunter Myers who died in a race day accident in North America during the week. He was racing at the Meadows in Washington. Myers was just 27. View the full article

There are 13 horse racing meetings set for Australia on Saturday, March 22. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Rosehill, Moonee Valley, Eagle Farm, Ascot & Alice Springs. Saturday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 22, 2025 Rosehill Racing Tips Moonee Valley Racing Tips Eagle Farm Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips Alice Springs 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 22, 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

Saturday’s $1m Group One Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham will be the 11th and final leg of an NZB Filly of the Year Series that has been completely dominated by Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn). The Oaks would be Leica Lucy’s fifth win of the series and lift her to 40 points. Only two fillies in the last two decades have bettered that – Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) with 44.5 points in 2019-20, and Justa Tad (NZ) (Istidaad) with 42 in 2004-05. In the last four seasons, the winning scores have been 28, 25, 31 and 34 points. Leica Lucy is trained by Robbie Patterson for her owner-breeders Heather and Peter Crofskey, who share ownership with Australian investor Ozzie Kheir. First and second in her first two starts in the spring, Leica Lucy has since been unbeaten in four increasingly impressive appearances in the NZB Filly of the Year Series – the Group Three Eulogy Stakes (1600m), Group Three Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), Group Two David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and Group Two Lowland Stakes (2100m). The daughter of Grangewilliam Stud stallion Derryn has towered over her contemporaries over the last four months, and that is widely expected to continue on Saturday with the TAB rating her a $1.45 favourite for the Oaks. But there are 14 other fillies lining up for their shot at Group One glory in the Oaks, which has doubled its stake from $500,000 to $1m this year. Island Life (NZ) (Vadamos) goes into the race as a last-start winner of the Group Three Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie, which lifted her total to 8 points in the NZB Filly of the Year Series. Connello (NZ) (Time Test) and Myakkabelle (NZ) (War Decree) have both been multiple placegetters through the series, each of them earning 6 points along the way. This Time Girl (NZ) (Contributer), Eye Candy (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Dubai Gold (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) are all last-start stakes placegetters. This Time Girl and Eye Candy finished second and third in the Sunline Vase, earning 3 points and 1.5 points respectively, while Dubai Gold picked up 2 points from a strong-finishing third in the Lowland Stakes. Skymax (NZ) (Fernando), Thrilling (NZ) (Shocking), Alaskan (NZ) (Niagara), Mid Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park), Piccolino (NZ) (Proisir), Wyndsong (NZ) (Wyndspelle), Lady Diva (NZ) (Eminent), and Girl Talk (NZ) (Zed), make up the rest of the quality field, all with strong contentions of taking the spoils on the day. The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks will be run as Race 8 at Trentham on Saturday, with a scheduled start time of 4.36pm. View the full article

Little Black Dress scores an all-the-way win on debut at Pukekohe. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Trainer Stephen Marsh and syndicators Go Racing filled the quinella in Friday’s Stella Artois (1200m) at Pukekohe with a pair of promising two-year-old fillies on debut. Little Black Dress and Mazino stepped out for their first raceday appearances in the familiar blue and white Go Racing colours, both of them having won trials at Ellerslie on March 11. They were rated highly in the market at $4 and $7.80 respectively, and they both delivered. Little Black Dress was pushed forward out of the starting gates by jockey Wiremu Pinn and took the lead within the first 200m of the race. The Snitzel filly controlled the tempo coming down the side of the track, then kicked hard at the top of the home straight to put a distance between herself and the chasers. Mazino came from near the back of the field with a strong finish down the outside, but Little Black Dress never showed any sign of slowing down. She stayed well out of her stablemate’s reach and won by two and a half lengths. Mazino finished another three-quarters of a length in front of the third-placed Odds And Ends. “They’re a couple of lovely Go Racing fillies who had both shown us a bit of ability at home and at the trials, so it was pleasing to see them come out and perform the way they did today,” Marsh said. The Arrowfield Stud-bred Little Black Dress is by Snitzel out of the Street Cry mare Star Fashion, who won the Group 3 Ladies’ Day Vase (1600m) and placed in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) and Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m). Star Fashion is now the dam of four winners from five foals to race. Arrowfield offered Little Black Dress at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where Go Racing secured her for A$240,000. Friday’s runner-up Mazino, a daughter of Cambridge Stud’s first-season stallion Hello Youmzain, was bought for $160,000 from Landsdowne Park’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2024. “They’re two beautifully bred fillies who both have a bit of upside and will likely have some black-type assignments later in their two-year-old preparations,” Marsh said. “Little Black Dress will probably point towards the Star Way Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Ellerslie on April 19. We think Mazino will come into her own over a slightly longer trip, so we’ll work backwards from the Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (Listed, 1400m) in May with her.” Saturday’s two-year-old race was the first leg of a Pukekohe double for Marsh, who later took out the Sistema (1200m) with talented Vadamos three-year-old Erin Go Bragh. “It was great to see him do that,” Marsh said. “We were considering scratching him, because he doesn’t like wet ground. But we left him in, the track improved through the day and he won that race really well. “He showed a lot in the spring, winning on debut. We threw him in at the deep end in the Sarten (Group 2, 1400m) in his second start, where he was tripped up by the heavy track. We’ve given him a bit of time and I think that’ll pay off in the long run. We don’t have any firm plans yet, but he’s definitely got some big races in his future. “He’s closely related to a former Group One performer for our stable, Vernanme, and he reminds me so much of that horse. That was a big part of the reason why we bought him at Karaka (for $220,000).” Marsh will shoot for further age-group success on Saturday at Trentham, where he will saddle the favourite Tardelli in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). The colt by I Am Invincible has won two races this season, including a stylish last-start victory in the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) on Champions Day at Ellerslie. He has also picked up recent black-type placings in the Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). “He really went to a new level with that performance on Champions Day,” Marsh said. “He came from well back and ran some terrific sectionals. It was great to see him really flatten out and attack the line the way he did. “After a performance like that, you’d probably want to see him step up to a mile rather than drop back from 1500m to 1400m. But he’s come through the race beautifully and we’ve given him a nice little freshen-up. “He galloped particularly well this week and seems to be heading into the weekend in terrific shape. That big track at Wellington is ideal for him. He’s already run a big race in the Levin Classic over the same course and distance.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ben Thompson is bidding for Hong Kong Derby glory. Photo: HKJC Eager to repay owner and trainer loyalty, Ben Thompson aims to complete a remarkable chapter in his career when Bundle Award chases victory in the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Thompson clinched the mount on Bundle Award with a patient and perfectly-timed ride on the Shamus Award gelding over 1800m at Sha Tin on March 9 to secure a crucial rise in the handicap to 86 and a place in the Derby field. “It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m very grateful to his owner, Colin Lo, and John Size for the opportunity,” Thompson said. “To pick up the ride on him last time after riding him in his first start here, he was a horse that I was very, very hopeful of getting back on and to do that and to win and be in Hong Kong’s biggest race is a huge thrill. “He was fantastic last time and it came as no surprise, given his credentials before landing in Hong Kong, his win two starts prior and runs behind some nice horses in each of his five runs here. There were plenty of merit to all of those performances.” Ridden quietly last start, Bundle Award steamed home over the final 400m in 22.11s to down fellow Hong Kong Derby aspirants Markwin (second) and Lo Rider (fourth) and, after drawing barrier nine this weekend, Thompson could adopt similar tactics on Sunday. “Unlike most draws leading into a feature race, I really wasn’t too concerned. I’m not sure how John Size or connections were thinking or hopeful for, but I think he showed off his turn of foot the other day, it’s not essential to draw a certain alley,” Thompson said. “Barrier nine’s nice. Actually, it’s funny on the way over I said to my wife Steph that I just want a number that feels lucky and my brother’s born on the 9th, so hopefully that brings us some luck.” Echoing Thompson’s hopes of maiden Hong Kong Derby success is his Australian compatriot Brenton Avdulla, who partners HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) victor Rubylot from barrier four. “He begins, switches off and he’s got a change-up speed, so he’s got three brilliant things going for him. It will be interesting to see how he handles the 2000m – I think he will (handle it),” Avdulla said. “He’s a lovely-moving horse and the way he finished in the Classic Cup should hold him in good stead for the 2000m. Anyone who comes to Hong Kong wants to win a Derby, so it would be a massive thrill. “Obviously, California Spangle has been a pin-up horse for me since I’ve been here, but Rubylot is getting there and if he can win a Hong Kong Derby, it would be very special.” Bundle Award and Rubylot face 12 rivals in the third and final leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series – My Wish, Johannes Brahms, Stunning Peach, Packing Angel, Mickley, Noisy Boy, Cap Ferrat, Steps Ahead, Californiatotality, Markwin, Lo Rider and Beauty Alliance. Seven-time champion jockey Zac Purton took another crucial step forward in his return to race riding this morning (Friday) when he partnered Ka Ying Rising to an impressive 1200m barrier trial win on dirt at Sha Tin. Sitting in second place until well into the straight, the world’s highest-rated sprinter cruised past Sword Point to win by one and three-quarter lengths in 1m 10.24s ahead of his start in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on March 30. “I wouldn’t say I’m fully recovered, but I’m a long way down the track,” Purton said. “I’m gearing up for a return next week. (Ka Ying Rising) just did what we expect from him this morning – he just keeps improving all the time. “He seems to do it easier all the time. His mental attitude, he seems to be handling it better all the time. He enjoyed himself. I’m looking forward to the races ahead.” Subject to a medical clearance, Purton is expected to have a full book of rides on his return, including Galaxy Patch in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m). Purton guided Pierre Ng’s galloper into second place behind He Was You in this morning’s second batch of trials. Sunday’s Hong Kong Derby Day meeting starts with the Class 4 Luger Handicap (1400m) at 1pm HKT. The Hong Kong Derby is carded as Race 7 and will be run at 4.05pm HKT. Horse racing news View the full article

Hong Kong’s top jockey is on track to ride at the Sha Tin meeting on March 30.View the full article

Four of the top five chances in overseas fixed-odds markets will be partnered by riders chasing their maiden success in the prestigious contest.View the full article

The 2025 Alice Springs Cup Carnival continues at Pioneer Park with NT Guineas Day on Saturday, March 22. The 2025 NT Guineas (1600m) takes centre stage at Pioneer Park on Day 2 of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival, and Saturday’s $50,000 feature is shaping to be an open betting affair. Over the years, the event has produced plenty of surprises. The Paul Gardner-trained Better Not Fuss caused a boilover 12 months ago when he saluted as a $91 outsider with horse racing bookmakers. Such unpredictability is common, as the three-year-olds have limited success and experience over 1600m. This year’s Guineas should be an interesting contest, with only one of the nine starters running a place over the mile. Vanguard Legend, trained by Chloe Baxter in Darwin, finished third in a 1650m Doomben maiden last spring for Gold Coast trainer Peter Robl. Arriving in the Top End after six starts, Vanguard Legend prevailed first-up in a 1200m maiden at Fannie Bay on February 21. Kerry Petrick’s Buckleup Buddy and The Accelator have raced over 1600m and beyond. Buckleup Buddy, preparing for his NT debut, was winless after seven Victorian starts for Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin. The Accelator, also winless in Victoria, battled over 1400m at Pioneer Park on February 15 and March 8 after contesting a 1500m Caulfield maiden and 1856m Kyneton maiden for Mornington trainer Jerome Hunter. Ray Viney’s Grinzinger Lass — the early $3 Guineas favourite with Neds — led Greg Connor’s King Bling, Kym Healy’s Snore Room and Dick Leech’s Boom Smash Opera home over 1400m on March 8. Darwin-based Point Loma, trained by Ella Clarke, was a last-start second over 1200m at Fannie Bay on January 25 after winning a 1300m Armidale maiden for Scone trainer Brett Cavanough. The Men Went Home, another horse Petrick purchased from Hunter, launched his career in February with two thirds over 1200m at Seymour and 1423m at Sale. Grinzinger Lass, the only filly in the Guineas, had plenty left in the tank a fortnight ago when pouncing along the fence in the home straight to win by 2.5 lengths. NT form analyst Greg Aldam has spent the past month in Alice Springs and agrees the Guineas is an open affair. “Grinzinger Lass certainly impressed last start and has drawn perfectly with gate one, which should guarantee a good run in transit,” he said. “Snore Room has had success at Morphettville and will only improve from a hit-out and first look at the Alice track. “King Bling has done little wrong and Point Loma should prove competitive, while Boom Smash Opera beat the three-year-olds over 1200m a month ago. “Vanguard Legend looks to have exposed form around the 1600m trip and Kerry Petrick’s runners always need to be respected.” Horse racing news View the full article

The 2025 Albury Cup Day meeting has been abandoned due to significant rainfall. The highly anticipated Albury Gold Cup meeting has been abandoned after heavy rainfall rendered the track unsafe for racing. Racing NSW stewards made the early call on Friday morning, following more than 40mm of rain in the past 24 hours, leaving surface water across the course. Albury Racing Club CEO Steve Hetherton confirmed the cancellation of all scheduled activities for the day, urging racegoers not to head to the track. “Unfortunately, the racing has been cancelled, and the club has made the decision to call off all activities,” Hetherton said. “We understand this is disappointing for everyone involved.” Local trainer Kym Davison expressed his frustration at losing another Albury Gold Cup meeting, recalling the event’s previous washout in 2019. “The old hex strikes again,” Davison said. “You might expect to lose a meeting once in 50 years, but not twice in such a short period. It’s a huge blow for the club, considering the massive amount of work that goes into preparing for a day like this.” While the club remains in discussions with Racing NSW about a potential rescheduling, Hetherton admitted the complexities involved. “Finding a new date is not that easy. There are significant impacts on other clubs when trying to reschedule,” he said. “We can’t disrupt other meetings, especially in our region. An announcement will be made in due course.” Horse racing news View the full article

Up-and-comer Risque Ruler will face the biggest test of her short career in Saturday’s Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham, and her regular rider Chris Dell is confident she will be up to the task. The four-year-old daughter of Mongolian Khan has made a big impression with powerful finishes for three wins and a second from her last four starts. Risque Ruler scored back-to-back wins over 1600m at Ellerslie in November and 1300m at Te Rapa in December, then flew from last into second in a 1500m race at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. In her only appearance since then, Risque Ruler roared home from the back of a 14-horse field for a super-impressive win in the $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa on February 8. Risque Ruler has had a total of eight starts for three wins, two placings and $256,395 in stakes. She was bred by Windsor Park Stud and is a half-sister to the six-race winner and Group Three-placed It’s Business Time. Saturday’s $200,000 fillies and mares’ feature is another step up in class for the Janelle Millar-trained Risque Ruler, who the TAB rates an $8 chance among an even line-up. My Lips Are Sealed is the $4.80 favourite, with Pearl Of Alsace at $6 and Risque Ruler, Kelly Coe and Our Jumala sharing third favouritism. Dell, who has been in the saddle for five of Risque Ruler’s eight starts and two of her wins, expects the promising mare to make her presence felt. “Just from the way she’s been winning those races, it’s clear that she possesses the turn of foot of a pretty good horse,” he said. “She’s always shown a lot of ability. Janelle really liked her as a young horse and has had her earmarked for good things for quite a while. “I was lucky enough to ride her a fair bit in her early education, and then in her first trial this time in, she produced a performance that alerted us that she was putting things together and had an exciting campaign in front of her. “She’s had a good build-up for the Cuddle Stakes. Janelle has spaced her races out, as she always does. “It’s always a challenge stepping up to black-type company after running in graded races, that could be one of the only concerns, but it wouldn’t surprise us at all if she was up to it.” Dell hopes for continued improvement in the Trentham track, which was a Heavy8 earlier in the week but had come back to Soft6 by Friday morning. “She has a phenomenal turn of foot on a good surface, so she wouldn’t want the track to be too wet,” Dell said. Dell and Millar will also team up in Saturday’s The Frac Club New Zealand St Leger (2500m), which they won last year with Testify Me. Their runner this time around is Final Return, whose recent starts have produced a fourth in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m), third in the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) and a last-start sixth in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m). “He’s been so consistent and has definitely shown that he’s up to that top-class Cup company, albeit without picking up a victory,” Dell said. “He just needs to be ridden to have one shot at them. Things went wrong for him in the Auckland Cup, where he got shuffled back and I thought he was a bit of a tragedy beaten. “There’s not much of a spread in the weights under the set weights and penalties conditions on Saturday, so the best stayer will come to the forefront. “Janelle and I won the race last year with Testify Me, and we’d love to get a bit of redemption after that Auckland Cup run and go back-to-back.” View the full article

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will take a trio of three-year-olds to Trentham on Saturday in search of a second straight win in the Gr.2 IRT Wellington Guineas (1400m). The Matamata trainers won the race by a wide margin last year with Grail Seeker, who has gone on to add the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and Telegraph (1200m) as a four-year-old this season. This year’s Wexford Stables contingent is made up of Sethito, Cheaha and Wounder. Sethito finished sixth in the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie two weeks ago. She was blocked for the first half of the home straight, but produced a strong finish when she found clear air in the final 200m. She crossed the finish line 3.4 lengths behind the winner Damask Rose. A well-related daughter of Super Seth and multiple Group One winner Suavito, Sethito has won three of her seven starts including this season’s Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). She will shoot for a third stakes win over that same distance on Saturday. “Sethito came through her very good run in the Kiwi well,” Scott said. “We just thought this looked like another suitable opportunity for her to race for some more black type. She galloped very nicely this week and we see this as being probably her pet distance. Vinnie Colgan will ride her and she should be a good chance.” Sethito has drawn the second-from-outside gate and is rated a $5.50 second favourite by the TAB. Last-start winner Tardelli heads the market at $3.70. O’Sullivan and Scott’s other runners are the $12 chance Cheaha and $23 shot Wounder. Cheaha made a big impression with a debut victory at Rotorua in December, then only battled home in fifth in his first try at 1400m at Matamata. He dropped back in trip and produced a barnstorming finish from second-last to run third in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie in January. “Cheaha’s best form has been over 1200m, so going up to 1400m is a test for him,” Scott said. “But he trialled nicely last week and had a good hitout on Tuesday. We believe he’s going very well.” Wounder showed early promise with a win and two fourths from her first three starts, then stepped up to 1800m and finished sixth in last month’s Listed Oaks Prelude. “Some of Wounder’s form has been very strong coming through the grades,” Scott said. “We got her up to 1800m last time and she just didn’t look quite as strong in the finish. Bringing her back in trip, we expect an improved performance.” O’Sullivan and Scott’s other runners at Trentham on Saturday are Kelly Coe in the Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) and Lux Libertas in the Listed Bill Tito Book Repair Specialist Lightning Handicap (1200m). Kelly Coe is stepping down from the elite level, having finished eighth and only three lengths from the winner Provence in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on March 8. “Kelly Coe took on Group One company at Ellerslie last time and didn’t finish far away at all, and she didn’t have everything go her way in the running either,” Scott said. “Switching back left-handed suits her, most of her racing has been that way around. She’s also won at Trentham previously, and we think this looks a very suitable race to target with her.” Lux Libertas made rapid progress through the grades between July and November last year, when an eight-race sequence produced five wins and a second in the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The four-year-old Almanzor mare was last seen in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) at Matamata on February 15, where she ran eighth behind Legarto after a three-wide run. “She’s had a nice little freshen up since the Lisa Chittick a few weeks ago,” Scott said. “It’s a step down in distance, but it’s a bit more of a testing 1200m there at Trentham and we wouldn’t be surprised at all if she was very competitive on the fresh side.” View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Friday, March 21. 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 21, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply, Only for eligible customers. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo COPYCASH. GET COPIED. GET PAID – Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets Earn $0.10 per unique Copy Bet. Max $1000 per week. Copy Cash is real money into your account. Dabble T&Cs apply. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo 10% AGAIN! – Pukekohe, Scone & Esperance Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Max bonus $100. First bet only. Paid in bonus cash. Cash Bets Only. T&C’s apply. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Terang | Mega Boost – John Allen & Jarrod Fry To Combine For 3+ Winners Get $3.00 odds for John Allen & Jarrod Fry to combine for 3+ winners at Terang. Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Cranbourne | Friday Bonus Back 2nd All Races Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your horse comes second. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility. T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Scone | Mega Boost – Andrew Bullock & Braith Nock To Combine For 3+ Winners Get $2.60 odds for Andrew Bullock & Braith Nock to combine for 3+ winners at Scone. Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Exotics Boost Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your Vault for eligibility. T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet 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 21, 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

Thoro-Graph, the creator of North American handicapping products, and 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, operator of the online betting platforms 1/ST BET and Xpressbet, have partnered to bring the Thoro-Graph Player Services program to horseplayers around the country, the Stronach Group said via a release Thursday. Thoro-Graph Player Services is a free, membership-based online portal that links users to wagering with the online platforms. “By partnering with Thoro-Graph, we have created a powerful alliance for horseplayers,” said 1/ST TECHNOLOGY President, Keith Johnson. “By linking these great brands, Thoro-Graph Player Services members can maximize their perks, benefits, and winnings by utilizing two of the most trusted names in horse racing.” The post Thoro-Graph To Partner With 1/ST Bet And Xpressbet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Michael McCarthy trainee heads east after two top-four finishes at Santa Anita Park. This will be just his third start out of 13 away from California. Lord Bullingdon has improved his finishing position in each of his last three races.View the full article

Chris Waller's stable stars Via Sistina and Fangirl will contest separate races for the first time this preparation March 22, but Via Sistina will face a new challenge from a recent addition to the Waller stable: Full Count Felicia.View the full article

Henry Field's Newgate Farm is hoping it can add another Golden Slipper (G1) winner to its stallion roster following the March 22 running of the AU$5 million, 1,200-meter juvenile turf feature at Rosehill Gardens.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 03/19/2025 Licensee: Curt Ferguson, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 20, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Star Entry, who won at Turf Paradise on 1/25/25. Date: 03/18/2025 Licensee: Naoise Agnew, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 20, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500. Both instances treated as one violation. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for an intra-articular injection within 14 days of a post-time on I don't See Colors on 7/12/23; and Justice or Appeal on 8/2/23. Date: 03/18/2025 Licensee: James Crotts, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 19, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Jonas' Dream, who won at Turf Paradise on 2/17/25. Date: 03/18/2025 Licensee: Charles Essex, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 19, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Willing to Burn, who won at Turf Paradise on 1/30/25. Date: 03/18/2025 Licensee: Paulina Sinnefia, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 19, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for an intra-articular injection within 14 days of a post-time on Fast Freeze Kaz on 9/20/23. Date: 03/18/2025 Licensee: Dimitrios Synnefias, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 19, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500. All four instances treated as one violation. Admission. Explainer: Medication violations for an intra-articular injection within 14 days of a post-time on Zealous Legacy on 6/15/23; Kaz Munnings on 7/6/23; Athena Beach 4/18/24; and El Policia 6/25/24. Date: 03/18/2025 Licensee: Jose Aguila, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vet list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Sawyer's Speed on 2/9/25. Date: 03/18/2025 Licensee: Mario Lopez, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Sam Stormy, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 2/2/25. Date: 03/17/2025 Licensee: David Geist, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 18, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500. All five instances treated as one violation. Admission. Explainer: Medication violations for an intra-articular injection within 14 days of a post-time on Diggers Diamond on 11/2/23; Harvey Specter on 3/1/24, 5/10/24, and 6/27/24; and Romantic Gamble on 6/27/24. Date: 03/14/2025 Licensee: Jacinto Lopez, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of DMSO–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Hot Princess, who finished third at Mahoning Valley on 2/6/25. Date: 03/14/2025 Licensee: Kimberly Graci, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 15, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a combined fine of $5,500. Admission. Explainer: Medication violations for an intra-articular injection within 14 days of a post-time 66 different times between 5/28/23 and 7/5/24; and for an intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on I See the Stars on 2/20/24, and Cricket West on 5/9/24. Date: 03/14/2025 Licensee: Erin Carpio, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 15, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500. All six instances treated as one violation. Admission. Explainer: Medication violations for an intra-articular injection within 14 days of a post-time on Shoyyookh on 6/28/23; Sir Steele on 7/19/23; Bejuco on 11/22/23, 1/10/24; and Nazareno on 5/31/24, 6/26/24. Date: 03/14/2025 Licensee: Marlin (Joe) Miller, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 15, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500. All six instances treated as one violation. Admission. Explainer: Medication violations for an intra-articular injection within 14 days of a post-time on Highway Queen on 6/16/23, 7/13/23, 8/16/23, 12/28/23, 1/12/24, and 2/23/24. Date: 03/13/2025 Licensee: Gary Greiner, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Man Overboard, who finished sixth at Pleasanton on 12/18/24. Pending ADMC Violations 03/19/2025, Jabdiel Castillo, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Play Ball, who finished seventh at Mahoning Valley on 2/11/25. 03/19/2025, Shivananda Parbhoo, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Clenbuterol–a banned substance permitted under certain circumstances–in a sample taken from American Speed, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 1/5/25. 03/13/2025, Andrew McKeever, trainer: Pending vet list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Viley Lane on 2/10/25. 03/13/2025, Mark Glatt, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Metformin and Gabapentin–one banned and one a controlled substance (Class B) respectively–in a sample taken from Vanzzy, who finished second at Los Alamitos on 12/6/24. More on the story here. 03/13/2025, Michael Zalalas, trainer: Pending medication violations for an intra-articular injection within 14 days of a post-time on ATM Awesome on 9/1/23; and Secret Spell on 3/14/24. Violations of Crop Rule Aqueduct Christopher Elliott–violation date Mar. 14; $250 fine, no other information Manuel Franco–violation date Mar. 14; $250 fine, no other information Colonial Downs Weston Hamilton–violation date Mar. 15; $1,000 fine, two-day suspension Xavier Perez–violation date Mar. 14; $750 fine, three-day suspension Jevian Toledo– violation date Mar. 13; $500 fine, one-day suspension Jean Briceno–violation date Mar. 13; $1,500 fine, six-day suspension Weston Hamilton–violation date Mar. 13; $500 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, Mar. 13-19 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Puerto Rico Horse Owners Association, Inc. (PRHOA) has agreed to drop a year-old federal lawsuit over allegedly unsafe surface conditions at Camarero Race Track after the owners of the island's only racing venue finally agreed to a long-sought demand by the plaintiffs to allow John Passero, the noted track-safety consultant who once served as the track superintendent at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, to inspect the track. After a Feb. 10-12 inspection by Passero deemed that Camarero's dirt surface “was generally in good condition [and] not suffering at the time of the inspection of the safety issues raised by PRHOA in its complaint,” and after Camarero management agreed to pursue “several recommendations” made by Passero, both the PRHOA and the defendants (Camarero's owners and the Gaming Commission of Puerto Rico) entered into a “confidential” settlement agreement that included jointly dropping the lawsuit. “[I]n view of Mr. Passero's conclusions, there was no need to continue with the instant litigation,” stated a court document jointly filed by plaintiffs and defendants Mar. 13. No further details about Passero's findings or suggestions were documented in the court filings. On Mar. 19, six days after the joint request to drop the lawsuit, the judge handling the case in United States District Court (District of Puerto Rico) signed an order and judgment “dismissing this action with prejudice in its entirety,” further noting that, “No attorneys' fees or costs are levied upon any party. This case is now closed for statistical purposes.” In its initial Apr. 26, 2024, version of the lawsuit, the PRHOA alleged a “present and clear danger” because of a decade's worth of purportedly uncorrected safety issues at Camarero. The group sought $500,000 in horse-injury damages stemming from “dangerous conditions…in particular [in the] final stretch in the mile and one sixteenth area…due to having consistency problems, unevenness, problems of humidity, lack of compaction and lack of effective maintenance, among others.” View from the Camerero grandstand | T.D. Thornton Before initiating its lawsuit, the PRHOA, on Apr. 2, 2024, had filed an “urgent petition” with the gaming commission asking for Passero to be allowed to commence investigatory work on the track surface. But, according to the initial complaint, “To make things worse, on Apr. 22, 2024, making evident its obstinacy and disregard for the well-being of the riders and Thoroughbreds in use of the Racetrack, Camarero answered the Urgent Petition [by] sustaining that since it is a private entity it doesn't have any legal obligation compelling it to share the requested information with third parties and that the revealing reports are confidential in nature and their disclosure is not supported by any legal provision requiring its submittal to PRHOA.” After the lawsuit was filed, both the Camarero owners and the Gaming Commission of Puerto Rico filed responses that didn't specifically contest the alleged safety hazards. Instead, they pleaded that the case should be dismissed for failure to state a claim and because a federal court is not the proper jurisdiction to decide the issue. The PRHOA, in turn, then filed written opposition to dismissing the case. “The lack of action by the Commission and its members [in] in concert with Camarero [constitute] an illegal violation of PRHOA and its members' civil rights, in violation of the Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution and 42 USC section 1983. Said acts and omissions are grossly negligent or intentional and taken in reckless disregard and deliberate indifference of the rights of PRHOA and its members,” the PRHOA's June 24 filing stated. The PRHOA had claimed that despite several years of official complaints lodged to address the alleged safety issues, the gaming commission and track management purportedly ignored the horse owners' repeated calls for safety upgrades. The PRHOA also cited a history of cancelled racing and training on both dry and wet tracks dating to 2016. The post After Long-Sought Independent Inspection, Camarero Horsemen Drop Lawsuit Over Alleged Track Safety Issues appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be onsite during Florida Derby Week as they partner with 1/ST RACING and are designated the beneficiary of a golf tournament, according to a press release from the non-profit on Thursday. TAA will be honored with a named race on the Mar. 29 Derby undercard. Following the running of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections including a TAA gift bag. A representative from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be host the winners of the “Off to the Races” VIP Experience online benefit auction. 1/ST RACING has donated the Florida Derby Day VIP Experience where the winners will enjoy premium dining, access to the paddock, and much more. Finally, TAA will be the beneficiary of the Florida Derby Charity Golf Tournament. Hosted by 1/ST RACING, the event will be held on Monday, Mar. 24 at the Plantation Preserve Golf Course. Interested participants can contact Stacy Nicks at Gulfstream Park by email or phone: stacy.nicks@gulfstreampark.com or (954) 457-6284. The post TAA To Benefit From Florida Charity Golf Tournament During Gulfstream’s Big Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton A big form guide to Cambridge’s Night of Champions is in Australia not New Zealand this weekend. That’s because megastars Leap To Fame, Don Hugo and The Locomotive all step out for their final lead-up races before crossing the ditch. Leap to Fame, a clear favourite for the $1m Race by betcha at Cambridge on Friday, April 4, will start from the outside (gate six) against just five rivals in a 1660m free-for-all at Albion Park on Saturday night (11.25pm). “He needed a run so it wasn’t a month between races and this timing works ideally,” trainer-driver Grant Dixon. “He normally comes through his races really well, but the Miracle Mile took a bit out of him. He lost a bit of weight. “I don’t know if it was a combination of the travel and sitting parked in a 1min48sec mile, but we knew he’d had a run. “That’s why we wanted to get him back home where he thrives, rather than go early to NZ, which we had talked about. “He’s bounced back well and is booked on a flight across to Auckland on Sunday week.” Don Hugo and The Locomotive will step-out at Menangle on Saturday night. In contrast to Leap To Fame, Don Hugo’s trainer-driver Luke McCarthy said his pacer had blossomed since the Miracle Mile win last Saturday week. “He’s unreal. He’s pulled up better than ever,” he said. “He’s really in the zone and now fully matured as a five-year-old.” Don Hugo will have to overcome an outside draw (he will start from gate 10) in a 1609m free-for-all (11.02pm). Against that, his rivals are very much second-tier open-class pacers like Terry (gate four), Tay Tay (five), Im The Falcon (seven), Kingmaker (eight) and Kanena Provlima (nine). “I’m glad this race held up, it’s perfect to have this run two weeks out from the Cambridge race,” McCarthy said. “It will be great to get back to NZ. It’s a really exciting time in the industry over there at the moment, there seems a real buzz.” McCarthy is looking forward to Don Hugo’s third clash with Leap To Fame with the scoreline at 1-1. “Can’t wait. He’s a great horse Leap To Fame, but we’ve shown we can beat him now and my horse just continues to get better and better,” he said. The Locomotive, one of the big guns for the $650,000 TAB Trot at Cambridge, will start from gate eight in a 1609m free-for-all at Menangle (11.32pm). He is in the unfamiliar situation of having been beaten at his past three starts, the most recent when fourth after sitting parked outside Keayang Chucky in the Group 1 Hammerhead Trotters’ Mile at Menangle on Miracle Mile night. The enigmatic London To A Brick, who showed his best with a second in the Hammerhead, looks The Locomotive’s biggest rival from gate four. View the full article

It’s Friday night and the two big money Harness Million races will highlight action at Alexandra Park and Addington tonight. Boom three-year-old Marketplace will start at short odds in the $200,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Final for the Colts and Geldings as will Stella Rouge in the $150,000 Fillies’ Final while topliners Republican Party, Don’t Stop Dreaming and Mo’unga are among the top chances in the Group 2 Auckland Co-op Taxis 300-3000 Free For All. Down south at Addington one of the must see races will be Race 8, the $30,000 Bob Rochford Memorial Seddon Districts Final Trot (8.10pm) where Paul Nairn has two runners, as well as a rare pacer in Race 7. Stars expected to shine on Friday Night Lights at Alexandra Park By Michael Guerin The gloves are set to come off at Alexandra Park tonight. And that means punters can bet with confidence that the biggest names going into Harness Million night will be the biggest names coming out of it. The two NZB Standardbred Harness Million races see odds-on favourites in Stella Rouge (R5, No.5) and Marketplace (R6, No.4) with the draws and respect to justify their returns while the City Of Auckland Free-For-All has far more intrigue with two of New Zealand’s best pacers Republican Party (8) and Don’t Stop Dreaming (11) drawn poorly in a field of depth. But two of the most compelling factors for punters to consider tonight are intent and improved fitness. Several harness stars have resumed over the last month and been driven conservatively, their trainers and drivers facing a growing conundrum as high level racing is so fast these days few horses are ready to be driven aggressively while fresh up. They could be, and maybe would even win, but give a horse a headache fresh-up and you often have a lesser horse in the months ahead. So the conservative approach was taken with both Marketplace and Republican Party last Friday and while both sets of connections stated pre-race they would be looking to drive their stars with one run, they still started favourite. But with the pipe-openers out of the way tonight punters can expect some more aggression on the big guns tonight. Marketplace has looked a bit special for the last six months and he will undoubtedly head forward from barrier 4 tonight, with trainer Regan Todd suggesting last Friday’s sit-and-sprint had brought him on both fitness-wise and mentally. His quest has been made all the easier following the midweek scratching of Rubira with a leg injury. Republican Party could face a more complicated road to the winner’s circle in the Auckland Co-op taxis 300-3000 City Of Auckland Free For All after drawing the outside of the front line and trainer Cran Dalgety says son Carter, who drives the Auckland Cup winner, has two options. “He can pull back and end up behind all the other big name horses or he can work forward and get in front of them,” says Dalgety. “I am not saying he has to try to lead but I don’t see the point in pulling back behind the horses you are most worried about.” Dalgety says Republican Party’s storming late run from last has also tightened him up so he is the horse to beat in a tricky field as you could make a case he is the best pacer in New Zealand right now. Punters should expect improvement though from Chase A Dream (No.1), who badly needed the run last Friday while Don’t Stop Dreaming will be rock hard fit in his first start for new trainer Hayden and Amanda Cullen but is one of the most difficult horses in New Zealand to predict. The Cullens also hold a strong hand in the Fillies Harness Million with Winelight (R5, No.1) and Arafura (2) drawn well but Stella Rouge still deserves to be clear favourite. She jogged her last 400m when beating older horses last Friday and has genuine x-factor and the hind quarters that produce a good horse’s acceleration. “She has turned into a stunning filly,” says driver Tim Williams. “She has the looks and the ability to match it and she felt great last week. “I am happy with barrier 5 because she doesn’t have to lead to win and she is one of the fastest horse I have driven.” Nairn lines up rare pacer at Addington By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s trotting master is looking to add another string to his bow at Addington tonight. Paul Nairn, the most feared trainer of trotters in the country, will debut his two-year-old pacer Lookin Snazzy in Race 7. Nairn has trained 425 winners in New Zealand since lining up his very first horse in 1983 and 423 of those wins have been in trotting races. Even his two career pacing wins both came with a trotter, with Outamyway being dual-gaited and winning two races as a pacer on the West Coast in between winning two Harness Million Trots. “The first horse I ever started back in 1983 was actually a pacer and I have had a couple since,” says Nairn. “I had a couple of owners keen to get a pacer and I went to Dancingonmoonlight to look at a yearling last year and I saw this horse in the paddock. “He was a bit small back then and had been passed in at the sales but I liked him and I rang Bob Butt and he told me it was a good family so we bought him.” Lookin Snazzy has grown a bit since, not much, but showed he has ability when coming from last in a four-horse field to down subsequent Addington winner Special Occasion on February 5. “He is a lovely little horse,” says Nairn. “I wouldn’t mind having a few more pacers if they are like him.” The son of Bettors Delight is being thrown in the deep end against juveniles from Team Telfer, the Purdon and Steven Reid but Nairn says his job is not much different from taking a baby trotter to the races for the first time. “I think we are all in the same boat, we all hope we have a nice horse and we will find out.” Nairn has his more traditional hand in the $30,000 Bob Rochford Memorial Seddon Districts Trot, with Tu Tangata and Masterly facing very different challenges. Tu Tangata starts on the front line and Nairn suggests he has been luckless lately, although that has also seemed the theme of Tu Tangata’s life. “If he can get away a bit quicker that will be a big help because he can be a bit sluggish early,” he told HRNZ. “Masterly has been going good races up against the very best trotters and he ran on well last start without having much luck either. “It is a big ask off the 30m handicap but only having 11 in the field should help him.” Earlier in the night Lakelsa returns after her last-start Group 1 success in the NZ Breeders when she takes on the boys in a slippery little 1980m race which could see them run some quick sectionals. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Chukyo and Hanshin Racecourses: Saturday, March 22, 2025 2nd-HSN, ¥10,600,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m GYLFI (JPN) (c, 3, Nyquist–Maedean, by Tapit) is the first foal from her dam, a $450,000 Keeneland September yearling who would go on to win the 2019 Tempted Stakes and subsequently finish runner-up in that year's GII Demoiselle Stakes. Acquired for $500,000 with this colt in utero at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale, Maedean is a daughter of GI Belmont Oaks Invitational placegetter Summer Solo (Arch), whose five winners also includes Canadian multiple Grade III winner Solo Album (Curlin). The French stakes-winning third dam Summer Solstice (Ire) (Caerleon) produced SWs Summer Breezing (Langfuhr) and Adirondack Summer (Thunder Gulch) as well as the dam of three-time Grade I winner She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}). O-Insel Racing Co Ltd; B-Mishima Bokujo; T-Ryuji Okubo 5th-CKO, ¥10,600,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600mT AURA EXERT (JPN) (c, 3, American Pharoah–Aunt Hattie {Ire}, by Camelot {GB}), a distant third on dirt debut to the impressive Taisei Dorado (Jpn) (American Pharoah), tries the turf for the first time in this spot. Aunt Hattie, a stakes-placed daughter of French Group 2 and U.S. Grade II winner Spring Star (Fr) (Danehill), was knocked down for $300,000 at Keeneland November in 2021, and Aura Exert more or less repaid that investment when fetching better than $305,000 at the JRHA Select Foal Sale in July 2022. O-Masanobu Habata; B-Kosho Bokujo; T-Kenichi Fujioka Sunday, March 23, 2025 3rd-HSN, ¥10,600,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m G T PHARAOH (JPN) (c, 3, American Pharoah–Eqho, by Giant's Causeway) is out of a mare who earned her first black-type in the 2019 Latonia Stakes in her penultimate U.S. start, then amassed a record of of 4-3-3 from 10 starts in Puerto Rico, including a stakes win, for earnings of nearly $70,000. Polo Green Stable signed the ticket on Eqho at $30,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton February Sale and she was bred to this Triple Crown winner prior to her export. O-Toshihiko Tabata; B-Hidaka Farm; T-Yoshito Yahagi The post Nyquist Son Of Maedean Set For Hanshin Unveiling appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With six winners from 13 runners in the past fortnight, few stables are in better form at present than that of Adrian Murray, who now has his sights set on biggers targets in the coming weeks with three of those winners, including last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint runner-up Arizona Blaze (GB). The son of Sergei Prokofiev kicked off his three-year-old season in the best possible fashion at Dundalk last Friday, when giving weight and a comprehensive beating to his five rivals in the Horse Racing Every Friday Until 11th April Race. At the line he was four and a half lengths clear of his closest pursuer, having made every yard of the running in the hands of David Egan. Arizona Blaze is yet to race beyond six furlongs, but Murray is now considering a step up in distance with the Amo Racing and Giselle De Aguiar-owned colt, who also won the G3 Marble Hill Stakes and finished third in the G1 Phoenix Stakes, both at the Curragh, in a nine-race juvenile campaign. “He was very impressive and did it very well,” the County Westmeath trainer said of Arizona Blaze's Dundalk win. “He's a class horse and proved he's trained on. I think there will be plenty of improvement in him, too. “I think he'll go for a Guineas trial next. We're not sure if he'll stay seven furlongs or a mile as he as an awful lot of speed, but we're going to give it a go and try him over seven furlongs in one of the trials. That will hopefully tell us a lot about what the campaign will be for him over the summer.” Another recent Dundalk winner for whom Murray has big plans is Titanium Emperor (Ire), who ran to a high level for a newcomer when beating stable-mate Spicy Margarita (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}) by three lengths to win the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Patton Race earlier this month. Back in third on that occasion was the Aidan O'Brien-trained Mount Kilimanjaro (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), making his first appearance since filling the runner-up spot in the G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud in October. It might be dangerous to take too a literal reading of that form, but Titanium Emperor is clearly a colt of significant potential for the Amo team, who went to 220,000gns to secure him at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. “He's a good horse, a very nice horse,” Murray said of the son of Night Of Thunder (Ire), whose siblings include the multiple Group winners My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}). “I don't know where we'll go next, but he's hopefully a Royal Ascot horse as well for down the road. We'll try to pick up a race or two before then and see where we get to, but I think he's a very nice horse. “On that debut performance you would definitely think he is a Group horse and he's cracking. You'd like to think he will be running in some of the nicer races when we get to Ascot.” Royal Ascot is also a likely destination for Power Blue (Ire) after his victory on the opening day of the Irish Flat season at the Curragh on Sunday, providing his first-season sire, Space Blues (Ire), with a breakthrough winner as he won the Castle Star At Capital Stud Irish EBF Maiden by three and three-quarter lengths. It was a third consecutive victory in the race for Murray, after those of Bucanero Fuerte (GB) in 2023 and the aforementioned Arizona Blaze last year. Both those horses went on to finish placed at the Royal meeting–Bucanero Fuerte was third in the G2 Coventry Stakes, before Arizona Blaze filled the same position in the G2 Norfolk Stakes–and their trainer is already leaning towards a tilt at the Coventry with his latest winner. “He's a very nice horse and he was probably the most impressive of my three winners in that race,” Murray added. “He just kept on going and David [Egan] said the further he went the better he was. “The Coventry would be the long-term plan with him, but the horse will tell us between here and then–we're hoping he'll get there. He'll go to the Listed race [First Flier Stakes on Monday, May 5) next.” The post In-Form Murray Outlines Plans for Stable Stars appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article