Wandering Eyes

Gavin Sharrock had a day out with three of his promising young gallopers at Hawera a fortnight ago, and he hopes to replicate that effort at Otaki on Saturday, particularly with Spandeedo, who will contest the Listed Phils Electrical and Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m). The Stratford horseman took Spandeedo, Stewart, and Vibration to the Egmont meeting, and all three returned winners, with the former comfortably taking out the two-year-old race. It was the second victory in four starts for the son of Ferrando, who has improved with each run. “He’s a really speedy little horse, he has been a little bit wayward at times, but I think we’ve got him under control now,” Sharrock said. “His work has been good and I’m really happy with him. “I haven’t done a hell of a lot with him since Hawera, he had a quiet gallop on Thursday morning and going into the race, I’m not too worried about the draw (8), because he’ll go forward anyway.” Sharrock has enjoyed a successful season in the juvenile ranks, also preparing Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) runner Daylight Robbery and stakes performer Country Salon to victories, but had the Otaki feature on his radar solely for Spandeedo. “He was the one I focussed on with this race, you can’t go everywhere, so the other two had a freshen up and they’ll go towards the Wanganui Guineas (Listed, 1340m) on the 30th of August,” he said. “He’ll have a three-week break after this race, and I’ll decide what to do with him after that.” Much like his younger stablemate, Vibration has been a work in progress for Sharrock and probably could have put more than three wins on the board had he put his best foot forward at each start. “He’s been a very hard horse to work, he seems to behave not too badly at the races, but at home, he’s a proper handful,” Sharrock said. “We are getting there though, he seems to be maturing a bit with age. “I think he’s an exceptional horse, he would’ve been much further forward than he is if we’d been able to handle him early, but he would run off the track at home and run off in his gallops and do silly things.” The son of Proisir was on best behaviour in his last couple of starts, going back-to-back at Otaki and Hawera, and he will start the likely favourite again in Saturday’s Levin Jumpouts Supporters Handicap (1400m). “We seem to have him under control now, he’s going well, so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here,” Sharrock said. Completing the trio will be Stewart, a deserved maiden winner when he put six and half lengths on his rivals last time out. Northern-based apprentice Maria Sanson will continue her association with the three-year-old when he takes on the DG Farriers Handicap (1200m). “He’s come through that run really well, he was very unlucky when second at Te Rapa where he was carted out about six or eight horse widths, and only went down by half a head,” Sharrock said. “He put it all together at Hawera and won very convincingly, so hopefully he can carry on with it. He’s well, he’s eating and doing everything right.” The latter pair are raced by their breeder, Cliff Erb, who continues to support Sharrock with quality gallopers. “Cliff is an ex-dairy farmer and had always been infatuated with horses, and after he sold his farm, he built up a band of broodmares and is breeding a lot of horses,” Sharrock said. “I’m just lucky enough to be training them for him. “I’ve got six at the moment, mostly two-year-olds, rising three, and there are some lovely horses amongst them.” View the full article

Canheroc has come close to taking out a couple of New Zealand’s feature staying races, and they will once again be on his radar this coming season. The Chris Wood-trained gelding was third in last year’s Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) after winning the Listed Marton Cup (3200m), and last November he filled the same placing in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m). “He has had a couple of unlucky runs in the New Zealand Cup and Wellington Cup. He probably should have won one of them at some stage but that’s the way things panned out.” Wood said. The rising eight-year-old had a decent spell after he pulled up lame following the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) last December, and he will return to the Hamilton venue on Saturday to commence his new campaign in the Woods Contracting 1300. “He just pulled up a bit scratchy last year in behind at his last race at Waikato,” Wood said. “He had a good four months in the paddock at his owners’ place. He came back from there in good order and he seems a happy horse.” While pleased with Canheroc in the early stages of his preparation, Wood doesn’t expect him to feature on Saturday over a distance far shorter than his best. “He has had a few jumpouts, but he is not going to be a force to be reckoned with on Saturday,” he said. “I have put young Sienna Brown on, who is now apprenticed to me, for a four-kilogram weight relief. He won’t disgrace himself, but he will need the run and that will be a good starting point.” Wood is looking for redemption in the Wellington and New Zealand Cups and said they will be his key targets this season. “It is nice to have him back,” he said. “Hopefully he stays in one piece and he will be a nice chance going into the staying races for the spring and summer. “He will probably go to the New Zealand Cup again. He went the two miles last year, he just raced a bit fiercely for him, which was most unusual. He still found the line well after all the effort he put in through the run.” On Sunday at Te Aroha, Wood will line-up his exciting jumper Smug in the Te Aroha Veterinary Services Te Aroha Cup (3500m), and the seven-year-old gelding will be looking to build on his momentum after downing champion jumper West Coast at Woodville last start. “He has done good jobs with his two chases he has had – one a bit lucky and the other beating a champion (West Coast),” Wood said. “I thought we had come undone at the second-to-last when he got a bit unbalanced, but he picked himself up and really found the line. It was an outstanding effort and just shows that we have got something on our hands that is going to go forward with a bit of luck.” Wood is hoping to see another winning display on Sunday as his charge builds towards the Great New Zealand Steeplechase (6200m) at the same venue in September. “He is very exciting and the bigger, live fences will suit him more,” Wood said. “Everything is good and he has come through his last run in really good order, I am very happy with him.” View the full article

A checkered past is proving to be a blessing in disguise for in-form mare Quick Fire, who is presented with an opportunity to rise to another level at Te Rapa. With maturity, the five-year-old daughter of Time Test has put a series of issues behind her and looms as a major player in The Callinan Family Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) on Saturday. “She wasn’t physically or mentally ready to be there and now she’s had all this enforced time to develop, we’ve got this really lovely racehorse to go on with,” trainer Kylie Fawcett said. “I’m really happy with her, she’s been a work in progress and had a lot of setbacks because she was very hormonal as a younger horse. “Every time she came into season, she was frightening to put on the horse truck. She would lean all over the partitions and self-destruct, but we certainly don’t have that problem with her now.” The late blooming Quick Fire has won five of her 16 starts, including three of her last five ahead of her open class debut at Te Rapa where she has posted two of her victories. “She had her first start as a Christmas four-year-old, and she won that and then had another couple of goes in Rating 65, so she got exposed quite quickly,” Fawcett said. “We put her out and then brought her back and had those problems with her coming into season and she whacked a leg in the paddock. “She went out again, so I am very grateful to the owners who have been so patient.” Quick Fire is likely to head for a short break following Saturday’s outing. “I’m not going to give her too long, two or three weeks, and then she won’t lose a great deal of fitness,” Fawcett said. “We’ll have a look around at some of the spring races, provided we get tracks to suit. “Hopefully by next autumn, she will really come into her own and I’ve always thought she could be a really nice cups’ mare.” Fawcett will also take the race day covers off unraced stablemate Hazmat when the monster three-year-old makes his debut in the Calf Donation Thank You Maiden (1400m) at Te Aroha on Sunday. “Everything he’s doing has been a really nice surprise because he is ginormous, he’s 17.2h and 580kg,” Fawcett said. “He is just so big, and we’ve always pegged him as a horse that gets over a bit of ground as he gets older.” The son of Proisir finished runner-up in his first trial at Ellerslie in July and a month later won an 1150m heat at Te Awamutu. “The trials have been nice, and he’ll have a run before I tip him out in the paddock for a month or so,” Fawcett said. “He’s a gentle giant and a beautiful moving horse, but he’s still raw and has a lot more physical development to do.” View the full article

The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m). Platinum Diamond has made a solid start to her career, with the daughter of Hello Youmzain winning two of her three starts to date, including last month’s Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. In-form hoop Bruno Queiroz will jump back in the saddle on Saturday where he will be out to replicate their last start heroics from barrier four. “She has drawn nicely,” Latta said. “I am happy with her, she has worked well. “She is a late foal, we have just given her a bit of time and she has come to it nicely. She just keeps going forward in the right direction, which is what you like to see.” Brutiful Lass fought out the minor placings in the Castletown Stakes, eventually finishing third behind Country Salon, and Latta is hoping for a strong finish from the daughter of Brutal this weekend. “I was rapt with her last run, she keeps improving,” Latta said. “She was in a photo for second and her sectionals were really good. “She has drawn a bit tricky again (seven), so it is just hard to know where she is going to end up. I can see her finishing it off strongly again.” Win, lose or draw, Latta said both fillies will head to the paddock after Saturday. “They will probably have a little freshen-up after this,” she said. Latta will be represented by three other runners at the meeting, including Benefactor who will be looking to repeat her winning performance from two starts back in the Levin Truck Services Handicap (1600m). “The track was just too heavy for her at Hawera (when fourth last start),” Latta said. “It is obviously going to still be pretty sticky on Saturday. We have had good weather, but it will still be in the Heavy range.” Benefactor will be joined in her race by stablemate Deadly Pony, who will step up to open company for the first time. “We are running her out of her grade, there are just a lack of races around and it’s just getting too long between runs,” Latta said. “She has worked well and she goes well at Otaki.” Latta’s Otaki team will be rounded out by rising 11-year-old gelding Lincoln Star, who will contest the Happy 65th Birthday Grant & Robert Linton Handicap (2100m). “He always tries hard,” Latta said of the eight-win gelding. “We are looking for an improved track for him. The claim (Amber Riddell’s 2kg claim) will help.” View the full article

Unbeaten hurdler Billy Boy will make his debut over the bigger fences at Te Aroha on Sunday, with a view on returning to the track for a lucrative feature early in the new season. After warming up in four flat runs this campaign, Billy Boy came out firing over fences, maintaining his unblemished record with victories in the Manawatu Hurdle (2500m) and Wellington Hurdles (3200m). The son of So You Think is currently a $4.20 second-favourite for the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 135th Grand National Hurdles (4200m), but trainer Jo Rathbone has opted not to travel south this year, instead turning her focus to the Great New Zealand Hurdles (4200m), run at Te Aroha on September 19. “I’ve decided not to take him down to Christchurch this year, I’m aiming towards the Northern Hurdle instead, and this seemed like a good option heading towards that,” Rathbone said. “This is another step up in distance, so it fitted in well with my plans.” Continuing his partnership with Englishman Joshua Parker, the large-framed gelding will contest the Apparelmaster Waikato (3500m), and Rathbone isn’t concerned about the switch over to steeplechasing. “I’m sure he will jump the live fences really well and I don’t think it will worry him, any jump is only knee high to him anyway,” she said. “He’s done all sorts and had plenty of variety – he’s been to sports days, he’s been hunting, he’s done a bit of everything. I’ve got horses racing on Saturday at Te Rapa, so on Saturday morning I’ll take him into Cambridge and he can pop over a few live fences there before Sunday.” Billy Boy prepared for his upcoming assignment with a 1600m trial at Foxton on Tuesday, which he took out over stablemate Thebudgiesmugla. “He needed a bit of a blowout because he was pretty above himself and feeling very well,” Rathbone said. “I thought I’d better not send him on Sunday too fresh. “I was hoping for a nice even gallop and he was good, it went well.” Thebudgiesmugla will also be on the truck from Rathbone’s Wanganui base, aiming to go back-to-back in the after breaking maidens at Ellerslie in May. “He had a few weeks off after his last race, then I took him up to Cambridge for some schooling when a couple of my other horses had jumping trials,” Rathbone said. “He had a bit of a hit out there and I thought he just needed one more good work out before Sunday. “He’s got ability, he’s just still learning and tends to hit a flat spot before working out that he’s got to run a bit quicker, then he’s off again. “I think he’s going to improve every time he races, and he doesn’t seem to mind any track conditions, he goes on most ground.” The son of Redwood will line-up under Elen Nicholas in the Combined Contractors LTD 2200, while Shinagawa will step out in her first jumping assignment in the NZJR Welcomes Rick McIntosh (3100m). “I’m hoping to see a nice run from her, she’s only four but she’s done a lot of jumping,” Rathbone said. “She jumps well, she went around at the Cambridge trials and has done plenty down here as well. “She tries hard, she’s no champion, but she’s honest enough so I’d hope she won’t be too far away. “I think she’ll be more of a steeplechaser.” On the previous day at Te Rapa, Rathbone will be represented by Yellow Jersey and Nigelnomates, both of which will return from injury setbacks earlier in the year. Yellow Jersey had been a model of consistency through his spring and summer campaign, but was uncharacteristically last in a Rating 75 race at Waverley in February, and it was later revealed that the gelding had splints. “He didn’t go very well at his last start because he had splints that had come up, so that was the reason why he went poorly,” Rathbone said. “My intention had been to aim for a couple of hurdle starts when the tracks were better at the start of the season, but because of that, we had to give him some time off. “So, we’re just getting going again now and he’s always preferred a better track, but he seems a lot stronger this time in and he’s been working well enough on a heavier track. “I’m hoping that he will handle it, he’s done plenty of work so he should be forward enough for his fresh-up run. He does go well fresh, so it’ll just be track conditions as the question mark. “We’ll aim to have a hurdle run or two before the end of the season, he jumps particularly well.” It was a similar story for Nigelnomates, who steps out on race day for the first time in just shy of a year when taking his place in the Chief Stipe Morris Mile (1600m). “He was the same as Yellow Jersey, he went out because of injury, which was the reason for his poor performance in his last start,” Rathbone said. “He’s had to have time off, but he’s had a lot of work and he’s pretty fit. “He doesn’t like it super heavy either which is why I’m going up to Te Rapa, where it doesn’t tend to be quite so heavy. “Fingers crossed it’s not too heavy for him, he definitely has ability.” View the full article

Chancer McPatrick wasn't the buzz horse in the Curlin Stakes; it was stablemate Strategic Focus. But following a dramatic finish to the 1 1/8-mile race July 24 at Saratoga Race Course, it was Chancer McPatrick owning the head victory over So Sandy.View the full article

Friday, Ascot, post time: 14:25, THE FLEXJET PAT EDDERY STAKES-Listed, £50,000, 2yo, 7fT Field: A Bit Of Spirit (Ire) (Palace Pire {GB}), Cape Ashizuri (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Italica (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev, Reciprocated (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Sirius A (Ire) (Palace Pier {GB}), Time To Turn (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Tricky Tel (GB) (Ubettabelieveit {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Unbeaten and impressive at Nottingham and Carlisle, Reciprocated will be a warm order to continue the momentum in this often-informative race won in recent times by Chindit and Rosallion. A Bit Of Spirit is also two-for-two and untested so far, while the Ayr debut winner Cape Ashizuri looked a smart prospect and has the pedigree to go far. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Ascot, post time: 16:10, THE KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES-G1, £1,500,000, 3yo/up, 11f 211yT Field: Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}). TDN Verdict: The key to this fascinating renewal will be whether Jan Brueghel can go fast enough and whether Calandagan will stay well enough to outdo his big rival if he does. Somewhere in between is probably the result, but it's worth remembering that Rebel's Romance was up with the strong pace 12 months ago and hung in there at the finish unlike the others who contested. This could be one for the bruisers and he fits that bill perfectly, but it's hard to get away from how unexposed and dangerous Ballydoyle's big hope is. Aided by a past St Leger winner in Continuous that would be the boss of most stables, he has the stamina to see this though like the last two winners Hukum and Goliath. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, York, post time: 14:40, THE SKY BET YORK STAKES-G2, £150,000, 3yo/up, 10f 56yT Field: Almaqam (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Certain Lad (GB) (Clodovil {Ire}), Ecureuil Secret (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal), Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Green Impact (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Stanhope Gardens (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Kept away from fast ground to date, Almaqam has underfoot conditions to suit as he builds towards what could be a big autumn. Exuding the presence of a Group 1 winner without actually being one, the colt that beat Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard has to win this to maintain his aura and luckily the smart three-year-olds Bay City Roller, Green Impact and Stanhope Gardens provide adequate litmus. The latter is still open to vast improvement, having finished close enough in the Derby to maintain excitement levels and this is probably more his trip. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Ascot, post time: 14:20, THE LONGINES VALIANT STAKES-G3, £85,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f 213yT Field: Cheshire Dancer (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), Jancis (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), Lou Lou's Gift (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Royal Dress (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Sunfall (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}), American Gal (GB) (Kameko), Bermuda Longtail (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Cajole (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Chantilly Lace (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Glittering Surf (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Pina Sonata (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Narrowly denied in Royal Ascot's Sandringham and Sandown's Listed Distaff, Cajole looks like a filly on the up with her pedigree screaming persistent progression. Fellow three-year-old Chantilly Lace was just outside the frame in the 1,000 Guineas and Coronation, while Mary Slack's unexposed dual winner Pina Sonata is worthy of respect. Of the older horses, the impressive Listed Pipalong Stakes winner Royal Dress looks to set the standard. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Ascot, post time: 13:40, THE SODEXO LIVE! PRINCESS MARGARET STAKES-G3, £70,000, 2yo, f, 6fT Field: Amberia (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}), Arugam Bay (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), Bella Lyra (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Dance To The Music (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Daneh Of Dandy (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Eskimo Pie (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Fitzella (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Flowerhead (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Midnight Tango (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Staya (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Sukanya (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). TDN Verdict: Godolphin's Newmarket debut winner Dance To The Music will be popular, but Space Blues's sister faces experienced peers with class including the Listed Dragon Stakes winner Staya and Flowerhead, second to True Love in the Queen Mary at 100-1. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Reciprocated To The Plate; King George Field On Deck appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Next spring, NBC Sports will showcase the 2026 Kentucky Oaks (G1), the sister race to the Kentucky Derby (G1), during its prime-time evening hours for the first time, Churchill Downs Inc. announced July 24.View the full article

Fresh off a victory in the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, Journalism (Curlin) went to the track at Santa Anita Thursday morning to stretch his legs following his return to Del Mar Tuesday evening. “Looks like he's doing very well,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. “No plans yet. Just keeping everything on the table.” When asked if the 3-year-old's next race might be facing older horses in the GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar, McCarthy said, “At some stage you're going to have to run against older [horses]. But there's a lot of lucrative purses throughout the country for straight 3-year-olds. The one drawback is having to put a horse like him on a plane.” Comparing travel to some of venues Journalism could possibly return to this summer, McCarthy added, “Scheduling-wise we thought the Haskell just made a lot of sense. It's an easy ship. Fly into Newark and go straight to Monmouth Park. With the lack of a real equine freight service, it's difficult to get horses to certain locales. Saratoga is one of them. Fed Ex only goes so far.” The post Journalism Back at Santa Anita, McCarthy Continues to Weigh Options appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Another day, another son of Order Of St George in pride of place at the Tattersalls Ireland July Store Sale. Thursday's top lot is out of listed-placed Little Miss Poet (Yeats) (lot 306) and sold for €50,000 to Darren O'Dwyer Bloodstock. Consigned by Liss House, the bay is a grandson of G2 Prestbury Juvenile Novices' Hurdle second R De Rien Sivola (Robin Des Champs). Wednesday's topper was also a son of Order Of St George. The only lot to meet or exceed €50,000 during the sale's second session, the gelding was joined by two other lots to make that price during the Wednesday session. Overall, a total of 296 lots sold from 509 offered (58%) for a gross of €2,617,650 (+10%). The average declined marginally to €8,843 (-2%) and the median dropped 8% to €6,500. All horses catalogued and offered in the July Store Sale are eligible for the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland MSL Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper at Leopardstown on December 28, 2026. Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said, “The store season concluded with this week's July Sale, which remains an important final opportunity in the National Hunt Store calendar. It follows a month after a hugely successful renewal of our Derby Sale. This week's sale does however illustrate the challenges faced by vendors and whilst a significant number of store horses have already gone through the sales ring this year, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the challenges that face vendors at this level of the market as witnessed by this sale's clearance rate. “This summer's store sale season has delivered standout results with the Derby Sale being a particular high point. It produced the highest-priced store sold in Ireland this year, and across every key metric it significantly surpassed last year's strong figures. A record-breaking 38 lots sold for €100,000 or more, while a spend of €10 million on day two, was a record for a single session at the Derby Sale.” The post Another Son Of Order Of St George Tops Second Day Of July Store Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' and MGISW Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), winless in three prior runs this season, got back on track with a hard-fought win in Thursday's Curlin S. at Saratoga. The rail-drawn, 4-1 chance raced in an inside fourth through an opening quarter in :24.27. He was under a ride on the far turn and fought on gamely between horses in the stretch to outbattle longshot So Sandy (Omaha Beach) by a head. It was another half-length back to his favored Chad Brown-trained stablemate and 'Rising Star' Strategic Focus (Gun Runner) in third. Last year's GI Hopeful S. and GI Champagne S. winner finished second in the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 8, sixth in the GI Blue Grass S. Apr. 8 and turned back to finish seventh in the seven-furlong GI Woody Stephens S. June 7. The $260,000 FTKJUL yearling turned $725,000 OBSAPR juvenile finished in a dead-heat in his last two. O-Flanagan Racing; B-Rigney Racing, LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown What a finish! CHANCER MCPATRICK wins the Curlin Stakes presented by @Casamigos giving @iradortiz his fourth win today, this one for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/d6Q7jKRGl1 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 24, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Chancer McPatrick Bounces Back in Curlin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Park will offer seven automatic qualifiers for this year's Breeders' Cup races among the 22 stakes races offered during the 2025 autumn meet that begins Sept. 26, including the autumn meet's top race, the Sept. 27 Goodwood Stakes (G1).View the full article

The Maryland Stadium Authority announced July 23 that the structural demolition needed for the Redevelopment of the Pimlico Racing Facility project will begin July 24 with the razing of the existing barns and outbuildings adjacent to Winner Avenue.View the full article

Barring any scratches from his upcoming scheduled mounts or any pick-up mounts, he will surpass the existing record for most rides by a North American jockey in the eighth race at Belterra Park July 26 aboard Leave It to Kitten.View the full article

Jockey Tyler Conner was hospitalized following a spill in the seventh race July 24 at Colonial Downs. View the full article

A rematch between Jan Brueghel and Calandagan is on after both big guns were among the final field for the July 26 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), which also drew 2024 U.S. champion turf male Rebel's Romance back to Ascot Racecourse.View the full article

Proceeds from the evening directly benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.View the full article

By Michael Guerin The headache horse of Arna Donnelly’s stable has a few problems of her own at Alexandra Park tonight. But that doesn’t mean Dragonstone can’t win her $35,000 TAB Racing Club Metro Final and give her trainer a shot at the feature race double. The Metro series, made up of heats then finals for nearly double the stake, have been a huge help to maintaining field size and interest during harness racing’s winter months and tonight’s two fit the bill: even and interesting. Donnelly has last Friday’s impressive winner Dragonstone in the Trot final and a trio in Ragnar Lothbrok, Final Change and Beta Prepare in the pacing final, a representation which mirrors her strong stable numbers. “We have plenty of horses. I have 32 in work now and will probably have about 40 by the end of the month when some others come back in,” says the Cambridge-based trainer. “Things are going well, we have good numbers and great owners and staff.” Dragonstone has been one of the most labour-intensive horses in Donnelly’s care this season but it appears to be a fight worth winning. “She has always had really good ability but she has been a hard horse to train,” says Donnelly. “She runs on adrenaline a bit so she has had to learn to control that and then earlier this year she had a really bad tooth issue which required surgery and took her a while to get over. “She has also improved as she has strengthened so we think she has plenty of wins in her.” The potential problems for Dragonstone tonight are it will be her first race over 2700m and she finds herself back on a 20m handicap in a race stacked with in-form horses. That includes last Friday’s huge winners Crackerjack and Con Grazia Love as well as Pantani, who was eyecatching in his first run back and should be better suited by the longer distance tonight. “It is a good race and it won’t be easy to win but if she begins well that would really help,” says Donnelly. The $35,000 Pacing Final is also stacked with winter form and Donnelly says her three reps are in a similar position to many others in the race. “In this grade in the pacing races a lot of it comes down to what sort of run they get because they are so even,” explains Donnelly. “Take a horse like Ragnar Lothbrok. He paced his last 800m in 54.9 seconds last Friday and only finished fifth. “That sums up this grade but mine all have a chance. “They all have more wins in them in a horse like Beta Prepare has got better with the raicng this season. “Those trips away down to Palmy have really helped toughen him up and we are seeing him show his real ability now.” The pacing final could be decided by tempo with horses like Roy Kent (R5, No.1) and Turn O The Tide (9) favoured if they stay handy without much pressue but any early burn could assist the likes of Kevin Kline, Hooray Henry and You Little Beauty while Twista, who had no luck last Friday, could be the blowout hope. View the full article

by Michael Guerin Kyle Cameron has two chances in the same $25,000 Winter Rewards Trot at Addington tonight and one may help, or hinder, the other. Cameron takes three of his 20-strong team to the meeting which hosts five $25,000 Winter Rewards races, decent bonuses for those horses who keep the industry ticking over while the stars are resting. While Cameron suggests Gimmesomelovin (R3, No.4) can get some money is his 2600m mobile if the pace is on throughout, it is the main Winter Rewards Trot that sees him with two chances in last start winners What The Dragon (R9, No.1) and Brett’s Mate (No.7). Remarkably the pair won’t just be following each other off the horse float but at the start of the race, with What The Dragon drawn 1 on the front line and Brett’s Mate directly behind him at 1 on the 10m mark. Cameron isn’t sure if that is a good or bad thing. “What The Dragon was a real handful when he started racing but he has got a lot better lately,” says the 40-year-old horseman. “We had him on the unruly until about five starts ago and when we took him off it he drew 1 at Ashburton, led and won.” That was the first of three wins in his last four starts for What The Dragon, all in similar fashion, suggesting he will take a lot of beating if on his best behaviour tonight. “And that would help Brett’s Mate too cause he follows him out so we kinda have our eggs in the same basket. “If I had to choose between them I’d go What The Dragon but the manners will be crucial.” The Rewards races should be great turnover contests with few dominant favourites although I’m Rockin (R7, No.14) looks well placed dropping back in grade in his 2600m mobile. The Rewards races aren’t the only highlight of the 10-race card as Slots looks to continue his form resurgace in Woodlands Stud ‘All Star Five’ Pace which could come down to manners. Slots has been just one of a number of Team Telfer pacers who is loving life in the South Island after starting their career in the north but that northern upbringing means he has only had the one standing start. He handled it okay when second two starts ago but faces barrier 1 in a 2000m standing start tonight and that puts a premium on early manners. If Slots steps and stays handy or, less likely, leads then he is still the one to beat but even a few tardy strides at the start would bring racing luck into play. Any disadvantage his lack of experience from the stand may be is possibly evened up by the fact key rival Magician has never had a standing start so the six-horse pacing feature of the night may provide punters with a different type of test. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–One of the most anticipated horses on the grounds at Saratoga comes to the races on Saturday. His name is Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and he is the unquestioned headliner in the GII, $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes, the traditional local prep for the GI, $1.5 million Travers Stakes on Aug, 23. Why shouldn't he be? He has already won the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes and is regarded as the best 3-year-old colt in the land. Jockey Junior Alvarado, who has ridden Sovereignty in six of his seven career starts (he missed the GI Florida Derby because of injury), isn't feeling the heat as his partner goes for his fifth win in eight starts. “It's not pressure,” Alvarado said, sitting on a bench outside the jockey's room. “I don't get any pressure from Bill [Hall of Fame trainer Mott] or [owner] Godolphin. We have already won the biggest race in the United States already. If there was going to be any pressure it was going to be in the Derby.” In winning the Derby and Belmont, Sovereignty showed a tremendous turn of foot heading into the stretch. His main rival Journalism (Curlin)–who was favored in both races–could not keep up with him when Sovereignty roared by him. The 39-year-old Alvarado, the main rider for Mott, says riding Sovereignty is just a joy. In the Belmont Stakes, the horse put himself in a closer position than the Derby and, in both races, gave the rider a pulverizing kick. “The last time it was easy, to be honest,” Alvarado said. “He put himself very close to the pace and, after that, it was just a matter of time when I got in the clear and asked him to go for it. Really, he is a pretty easy horse to ride, nothing complicated.” Sovereignty will be facing four others in the Jim Dandy, He has already beaten TDN Rising Star Baeza (McKinzie), Sandman (Tapit) and Hill Road (Quality Road). Mo Plex (Complexity), the New York-bred who most recently won the GIII Ohio Derby will be making the biggest step up in his career. Sovereignty was installed as the 2-5 morning line favorite by New York Racing Association oddsmaker David Aragona. “He is a star, and I have to ride him like he is,” Alvarado said. “I hope he comes with his normal 'A' game. He has figured out how to do it and what he is supposed to be doing. There could be room for him to keep improving.” Baffert Mapping Out Plans For Saratoga Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will have a presence during the Saratoga summer. He's just not sure who will be here yet. Baffert is aiming some of his horses at the GI, $1.25 million Travers Stakes and the GI, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, both on Aug. 23. Speaking from his summer base at Del Mar in California Thursday, Baffert said that TDN Rising Star Goal Orientated (Not This Time) looks to be his representative in the Midsummer Derby. “That is the plan … today,” Baffert said. “It changes every week.” Goal Orientated, owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan, is back in California after finishing third, a neck behind Gosger (Nyquist) in the GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Saturday. They were both caught by Journalism (Curlin) in deep stretch. Baffert said he brought Goal Orientated back home because he did not want to ship to Saratoga five weeks out from the Travers. “He is improving,” Baffert said. “This is the time of year when these horses start catching up. Turning for home [in the Haskell], I thought he was going to win it. He is improving, he is maturing.” Baffert also will consider Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach), a 4 1/4 -length winner of the Los Alamitos Derby on June 28, for the Travers. “I'm going to see how he works out these next couple weeks,” he said. “He is a nice horse; he could go (to Saratoga) or he could end up in Pennsylvania (for the GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx on Sept. 20). I am going to watch the (GII) Jim Dandy (at Saratoga Saturday). I'll figure out a lot after that.” Baffert could send three horses to contest the seven-furlong Jerkens: Madaket Road (Quality Road), second in the GI Woody Stephens at Saratoga on June 7 in his last start, Gaming (Game Winner), winner of the Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita on June 8 and Barnes (Into Mischief), fifth in the April 5 GI Santa Anita Derby in his last start. TDN Rising Star Ewing and Jose Ortiz | Sarah Andrew Ewing Might Just Be Special for Casse When TDN Rising Star Ewing (Knicks Go) broke his maiden by a dozen lengths at Saratoga on July 5, Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse wasn't surprised. Even though it was the first start for the 2-year-old colt, Casse was expecting big things. “He sure looks like he is something special, everything he does,” Casse said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Thursday morning. Ewing, owned by D. J. Stable LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds and Kenneth Freirich, will make his second start a week from Saturday in the GII, $200,000 Saratoga Special. He tuned up for it by working a half mile in :48.66 (14/46) on the main track Thursday. “He was not supposed to dazzle us this morning,” Casse said. “He is ready; he doesn't need much. Once they are at the top of the mountain, we just stay there and that is where we are at.” Ewing is named for former New York Knick and Basketball Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing. As far as Casse knows, Ewing the player, does not know about his namesake. “No idea,” Casse said. “I just train them. I watched Patrick Ewing play but I don't watch a lot of basketball. My dad always said, 'if they don't whinny, I don't know much about it.” Ewing was a $585,000 purchase at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training sale. From the first time Casse saw the horse, he was smitten. He gave Ewing a Grade of A; one of only three or four he handed out. “One of our strongest deals is recruiting and finding the young horses,” he said. “I know what I like, and I know what I don't like.” In the Saratoga Special, Casse knows he will be facing tougher. Among those Ewing could be running against are the Steve Asmussen-trained Obliteration (Violence), who won the GIII Sanford at Saratoga the same day Ewing debuted, and the Tom Amoss-trained Dazzle d'Oro (Bolt d'Oro), a three-length winner in his June 29 debut at Churchill Downs. “Allen Jerkens always said you can't judge a horse until he runs five times,” Casse said. “I'm going with three. There will be some good horses in there, but we'll be tough.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Alvarado Not Feeling the Heat as Jim Dandy Looms for Sovereignty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

During the running of the seventh race at Colonial Downs on Thursday, Stanza (Great Notion), who went off at 6-1 for the maiden special weight, clipped heels and unseated jockey Tyler Connor. According to a post on X from Colonial Downs, Connor was conscious and airlifted to Virginia Commonwealth Hospital in Richmond for medical care. As a result, the remainder of the card was cancelled Thursday. The post Tyler Connor Injured in Seventh at Colonial Downs, Remainder of Thursday Card Cancelled appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Roll On Big Joe and Dr. Venkman, the 1-2 finishers in the Kelly's Landing Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, meet again in the $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) July 26 at Del Mar.View the full article

Santa Anita Park will offer seven automatic qualifiers for this year's Breeders' Cup races among the 22 stakes races offered during the 2025 Autumn Meet that begins on Friday, Sept. 26. The seven Breeders' Cup Challenge races are slated to be run the first two weeks of the 16-day meet. The late California owner-breeder John C. Harris will be honored with the renaming of the GIII John Harris Stakes to be run on Saturday, Sept. 27. The John C. Harris Stakes will be for 3-year-old fillies on Santa Anita Park's unique hillside turf course. It was previously known as the Unzip Me Stakes in honor of the 10-time stakes winner of $959,228 who was co-owned and bred by Harris in partnership. The name “Goodwood” will be restored to the 2025 running of the Autumn Meet's top race for older horses. The Grade I, 1 1/8-mile Goodwood Stakes is a “Win and You're In” race for the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic. It will be run on Saturday, Sept. 27. Opening Saturday will also feature an additional Breeders' Cup Challenge stakes with the GII City of Hope Mile at one mile on the grass. A pair of Grade II races on the turf, the 1 ¼ mile GII John Henry Turf Championship and the 6 ½ furlong GII Eddie D. Stakes, will be joined by the newly named John Harris Stakes to complete the quintet of Sept. 27 stakes. The following day, Sunday, Sept. 28, will be headlined by another pair of Breeders' Cup Challenge stakes: the GII Zenyatta Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on dirt and the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship presented by Estrella Jalisco. Saturday, Oct. 4 will offer three Breeders' Cup qualifiers among the five stakes races scheduled that day. The 2-year-olds get their chance at a “Win and You're In” with the GI American Pharoah Stakes presented by DK Horse for the males and the GII Oak Leaf Stakes presented by Oak Tree Racing Association for the fillies. Both races are at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. For the complete stakes schedule and for more information on the Autumn Meet please visit https://www.santaanita.com. The post Santa Anita Autumn Schedule Highlighted by 22 Stakes, Including Newly-Named John Harris Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Campers from the HERoes on the HERizon program turned out for a morning at Laurel Park July 18. The event was hosted by Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC), in partnership with the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management (OEM). HERoes on the HERizon is an annual free week-long summer program designed to encourage young women in high school and college to explore careers in emergency management and public safety. The program offers participants the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, interactive workshops and field trips led by industry professionals. HERoes on the HERizon is open to all young women in high school and college in Maryland. Campers were greeted at Laurel Park by Maj. Michael Singletary, TMJC Vice President, Security, and Jeffrey Kreimer, Director of Health and Safety. Along with a hands-on tour of the track ambulance, the campers discussed safety protocols during visits to the Jockeys' Room, the Paddock, the Surveillance Department and the Backstretch Area. To apply or learn more about the program, email oem-camp@aacounty.org. The post HERoes on the HERizon Converge on Laurel Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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 Niigata Racecourses: Saturday, July 26, 2025 3rd-NII, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT WEY YO (c, 2, Upstart–Sister Marette, by Cuvee) is a half-brother to the treble stakes-placed Taoiseach (Dublin) and sold for $90,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale, then was hammered down to trainer Hideyuki Mori on behalf of Forever Young owner Susumu Fujita for $500,000 after breezing in :9 4/5 (see below) ahead of this year's OBS March Sale. The colt's third dam produced Sister Fiona (Dehere), winner of the GIII Sorority Stakes in 1999. Upstart is the sire of 11 2-year-old winners from 20 worldwide starters this season, including Debutante Stakes victress Percy's Bar. O-Susumu Fujita; B-Stephanie Baltzan (NY); T-Hideyuki Mori 4th-CKO, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT ADVANCE MODERN (c, 2, Modernist–Pioneerof New York, by Pioneerof the Nile), purchased for $5,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Mixed Sale, made $8,000 as an OBS October Yearling the following season, but matured into a $110,000 OBS March breezer after covering an eighth of a mile in :9 4/5 (see below). The colt's dam, bought back for $240,000 at FTNAUG in 2017, was acquired by this breeder for just $9,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton February Sale and this is her first foal. The colt's third dam is MGSP De Aar (Gone West), a half-sister to Dr. John Chandler-bred luminaries Cetewayo, Dynaforce and Bowman Mill, and was herself responsible for the talented turfer Willcox Inn (Harlan's Holiday). O-Norihide Kubota; B-H & H Farms (NY); T-Hideyuki Mori Sunday, July 27, 2025 3rd-CKO, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT ECORO REVE (c, 2, Tiz the Law–Saucy Symphony, by First Samurai), whose winning dam was purchased by Miacomet Bloodstock with this colt in utero for $27,000 at Keeneland November in 2022, was sold on for $90,000 at Keeneland September in 2024 and was another hammered down to Hideyuki Mori at OBS March, in this event for $610,000 after covering a furlong in :9 4/5 (see below), albeit somewhat greenly. The Apr. 15 foal is a maternal grandson of SW Celtic Chant (Songandaprayer), the dam of GSP Irish Mischief (Into Mischief) and the deeper family includes GISW Vicar (Wild Again). O-Masatoshi Haramura; B-William Harrigan, Mike Pietrangelo & Sean Downes (KY); T-Hideyuki Mori The post Mori-Trained OBS March Trio Look To Make Debut Statements appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article