Wandering Eyes

El Vencedor’s (NZ) (Shocking) trip to Hong Kong to contest Sunday’s Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) had the making of a fairytale for his Kiwi connections, but it was not to be, with the multiple Group One winner fading late after racing keenly throughout. His trainer Stephen Marsh was extended an invitation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to compete at their prestigious FWD Champions Day meeting following his impressive run of form in New Zealand, including three successive Group One victories. The Cambridge horseman was excited to test his six-year-old’s talent against the world’s best, but the trip didn’t get off to the best of starts, with El Vencedor placed under an injury cloud early last week. The four-time Group One winner was treated for lameness in the left hind leg after arriving in Hong Kong and was restricted to light work until Tuesday morning, where he was passed suitable to complete trackwork at Sha Tin. Marsh was pleased with El Vencedor’s progress throughout the week and was happy enough with his gelding heading into Sunday’s feature. Under Champion Hong Kong hoop Zac Purton, El Vencedor was quick to jump from the ace barrier on Sunday and took up an early front-running position. He failed to settle and continued to race keenly, opening up several lengths on his rivals at the 1000m mark. His efforts told in the home straight, with the Kiwi hope fading to finish last. “He jumped a length clear, got to the front and he just pulled so hard,” Marsh said. “He pulled hard into the first bend, Zac said at about the 1400m he started to go keener, and he tried to take another hold at the 800m. “Zac got off and said he needed more Weetbix to hold him. It’s a shame, he basically just ran himself into the ground.” While disappointed with the result, Marsh said he was proud to represent New Zealand and he believes his charge may have been overawed by the occasion. “We got him here, we got him in the race against the world’s best, so we have still got to be very proud,” he said. “We represented New Zealand, we didn’t get the right result, but we still gave it a crack. “We wouldn’t have done anything different. He has always had that in him a little bit, of going a bit fierce. It was new surroundings to him with the big crowd. I thought he paraded brilliantly and maybe in the run the occasion got to him a touch. “He is the new kid on the block in these big dances. He will come back better and we might be back here one day.” Marsh was pleased with the way El Vencedor came through the race, and will now set a plan for next season. “He pulled up really well, he seemed quite happy with himself,” he said. “It is back to the drawing board. He is a great horse, and he will come back as a great horse.” View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Monday, April 28. 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 April 28, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paids $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Dabble T&Cs apply. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo Top 4 Betting! Bet & win up to 4th place. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Eligible Customers Only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility. Unibet T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus! – Win a bet on your horse & receive extra 15% of winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horses. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Monday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Monday. Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Race Returns Bonus Back | Any Race Check BoomBox for full details. Eligible Customers Only. BoomBet T&C’s Apply. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Exotic 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 Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for April 28, 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

Jungle Peace (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) hadn't been winning by a lot since arriving stateside, winning each of her last two starts by a mere half length. In Sunday's GIII Senorita, jockey Umberto Rispoli once again timed it just right to get the filly home a head in front of 4-1 shot Amorita (Liam's Map) while giving the Irish-bred filly her first taste of black-type. Breaking alertly from the two-hole, Jungle Peace exchanged blows with the rail-riding favorite Cloe (Tiz the Law), but soon moved ahead of that rival, carving out an opening quarter in :21.83. Still keeping the 4-5 choice at bay turning for home through a half in :44.26, 7-2 Jungle Peace shook clear momentarily but had to dig deep to fend off the oncoming Amorita, who got within a head at the wire. Cloe was a 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Jungle Peace finished sixth after a troubled first go at Navan last September before rounding out her European campaign with a third in a seven-furlong test over Dundalk's synthetic Oct. 11. Freshened for her American bow, the bay came from just off the pace to narrowly score in a 6 1/2-furlong race at Santa Anita Feb/ 15 and made it two straight with a front-running score cutting back to six panels Mar. 9. Pedigree Notes: With Sunday's Senorita victory, Jungle Peace earned her sire's fifth graded/group winner in addition to his 12th overall black-type scorer. The winner's dam, Peace Treaty, is also responsible for a year-old gelding by Havana Grey (GB) named Havana Smoke {Ire}, in addition to an unraced juvenile colt by Coulsty (Ire). Most recently, she produced a filly by the latter in 2024. Sunday, Santa Anita Park SENORITA S.-GIII, $101,000, Santa Anita, 4-27, 3yo, f, 6 1/2fT, 1:13.83, gd. 1–JUNGLE PEACE (IRE), 122, f, 3, by Bungle Inthejungle (GB) 1st Dam: Peace Treaty (Ire), by War Command 2nd Dam: Naomh Geileis, by Grand Slam 3rd Dam: St Aye, by Nureyev 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. (€14,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR2; £5,000 RNA 2yo '24 GOUKB). O-CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Jerry McClanahan, Michael Nentwig, and Jeremy Peskoff; B-M. Brigid B. Ltd (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Umberto Rispoli. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-1, $138,906. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Amorita, 122, f, 3, Liam's Map–Cara Bella, by Ghostzapper. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($260,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Augustin Stables and Stone Farm LLC; B-Stone Farm (KY); T-Richard E. Mandella. $20,000. 3–Cloe, 124, f, 3, Tiz the Law–Nuhood, by Smart Strike. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($80,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $145,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Lugamo Racing Stable LLC; B-Crosshaven Bloodstock (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo. $12,000. Margins: HD, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 3.80, 4.50, 0.90. Also Ran: Velocity, Schilflied, Polythene Pam, Maximun Gold. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Bungle Inthejungle’s Jungle Peace Remains Undefeated in the U.S. with Senorita Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stablemates Public Assembly and Sun Of Hill, the one-two finishers in the April 26 Royal Heroine Stakes (G3T), were both in good order and pointed toward the Gamely Stakes (G1T).View the full article

The Aqueduct Racetrack spring meet, which ran from Apr. 3 to Apr. 27, concluded with jockey Kendrick Carmouche earning his fourth riding title at a New York Racing Association's meeting. Carmouche led all other riders to secure his second Big A spring meet riding title with 21 wins after collecting his 4,000th career win Apr. 5. The 41-year-old claimed his second Aqueduct spring meet title after clinching the 2022 meeting with 19 wins. He completed the meet with a 73-21-9-17 record and earnings of $1,144,463, good for a win rate of 28.77% and an in-the-money rate of 64.38%. Linda Rice enjoyed a repeat training victory at the meet with a record of 68-15-11-9 and $719,502 in total earnings, giving her a win rate of 22.06% and in-the-money percentage of 51.4%. The 61-year-old also captured both the trainer and owners' titles with 51 and 22 wins, respectively. Rice now holds six Aqueduct spring meet titles, adding to wins in 2011-12, 2017, and 2023-24. Chad Brown finished second with a record of 29-10-5-8 while Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher finished third with a 14-8-2-0 record. In the owners' race, Rice posted a record of 24-6-3-1 with earnings of $209,652. John J. Witte finished second with five wins while Michael Dubb, Klaravich Stables and Repole Stable tied for third with four wins each. Live racing resumes Thursday on Opening Day of the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet with an eight-race card. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern. The post Carmouche, Rice Earn Titles at Conclusion of Aqueduct Spring Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two months after the death of his more senior training partner Mike Moroney, Thompson cheered home Benagil as she stormed from near the tail of the field to record a commanding 1.29-length victory.View the full article

The Royal Palm Meet's leading rider is slated to ride Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at Churchill Downs, including a mount in the May 2 $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) aboard Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Early On.View the full article

Top-rated sprinter Ka Ying Rising got Champions Day in Hong Kong off to a formful start but things went a different way in the two following group 1 races.View the full article

The Memories of Silver, an early season stakes test on the turf at Aqueduct, went to the undefeated Laurelin (Ire) (Zarak (Fr)–Bari (Ire}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) who ran down the pacesetter on Sunday afternoon. At the bell, Opulent Restraint (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) shot to the lead, while 2-1 second choice Laurelin was saving his strength for the late innings. As the pacesetter began to tire down the lane, the Graham Motion trainee was finding his best stride. Laurelin got his picture taken and netted his second black-type trophy. Opulent Restraint was the runner-up and 'TDN Rising Star' Virgin Colada (More Than Ready) was third. The final running time was 1:38.68. Lifetime Record: €160,000. Sales History: '23 GOFSEP. O-Newstead Stables LLC; B-M. H. Dixon & Mount Coote Estates; T-H. Graham Motion. Undefeated! LAURELIN is now 3 for 3 after her win in the Memories Of Silver Stakes with @KendrickCarmou1 aboard for trainer @GrahamMotion. pic.twitter.com/mN8COrxYH4 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) April 27, 2025 The post Laurelin Stays Perfect In Memories Of Silver At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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After five scratches in an optional claimer at Aqueduct, Garamond (Uncle Mo–Blue Watch, by Tapit) took on 'TDN Rising Star' Cornucopian (Into Mischief) and won in gate to wire fashion on Sunday afternoon. A 5-2 shot in a three-horse field here, the colt exited the blocks cleanly and set the pace up the backstretch. Cornucopian attempted to keep up, but Garamond continued to make every pole a winning one. In the end, the Chad Brown trainee cleared the condition by two lengths. The final running time was 1:36.58. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1. O/B-Juddmonte; T-Chad Brown. Not quite Onion beating Secretariat but GARAMOND spoils the Preakness Prep for 1/9 favorite Cornucopian. The son of Uncle Mo got out front early and repelled a bid from the favorite to win easily. That's why they run the races. #HorseRacingTips #HorseRacing pic.twitter.com/U3Y8xThMbh — Matthew DeSantis (@failedtomenace) April 27, 2025 The post Garamond Gate To Wire At The Big A, Cornucopian Second Best appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Brendan Walsh was pleased with East Avenue's April 27 final breeze ahead of the May 3 Kentucky Derby. He recorded five furlongs in :59 2/5 beneath Manny Franco, who will ride the Godolphin homebred in a race for the first time in the Derby.View the full article

North America's all-time winningest trainer, Steve Asmussen, discusses the final breezes of his Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders Publisher and Tiztastic, and the pair drawing side-by-side in the starting gate in posts 13 and 14, respectively.View the full article

Trained by Andre Fabre, Sosie was beaten four and a quarter lengths behind Bluestocking in the Arc, but showed a good turn of foot early in the straight to win the first group 1 of the year in Europe.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Observations features a daughter of dual Classic winner Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 5.05 Naas, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, f, 5f 205yT SIMPLY ASTOUNDING (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is a significant presence in a significant maiden, being the fourth foal out of the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks heroine Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Already responsible for the G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes winner Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), she could be on course to become every bit as important as her own dam Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Taking on Aidan O'Brien's blueblood is one from Joseph's stable in Michael Burke's Spring Is Here (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), a full-sister to the classy sprinter Castle Star (Ire). The post Wootton Bassett Daughter Of Minding Debuts In the ‘Alpha Centauri’ Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Oaklawn Park's Hot Springs Stakes winner Clever Again (American Pharoah) worked ahead of an intended tilt in the GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico May 17. Clever Again worked five-eighths of a mile in 1:00.40 at Churchill Downs Sunday morning. “[It was a] solid work. The racetrack is in very good shape,” said trainer Steve Asmussen, who won the 2007 and 2009 Preakness with Horses of the Year Curlin and the filly Rachel Alexandra. “I think he'll actually do a little more next week.” Asmussen also trains Kentucky Derby contenders Publisher (American Pharoah) and Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) in addition to Magnitude (Not This Time), winner of the GII Risen Star Stakes. The latter was forced to miss the Run for the Roses following his win in the GII Risen Star Stakes. “I think Clever Again is like Publisher and Magnitude and Tiztastic,” Asmussen said. “He's been keeping that company his whole life. When you're afforded the opportunity to train horses like that you realize what they are capable of and what they should and shouldn't go in.” Clever Again, runner-up going 4 1/2 furlongs in his career debut at Keeneland last fall, graduated in his 3-year-old bow going 1 1/16 miles in an Oaklawn Feb. 23. Trying a two-turn mile for the first time in the Hot Springs, the colt won by four lengths over Grade I winner Gaming (Game Winner). “I think the farther he goes, the better he'll be,” Asmussen said. “He's very quick, but he has a tremendous cruising speed. I don't think we've been anywhere near the bottom of him. He ran a very fast race at a mile and a sixteenth. Don't think the distance will be any issue.” Clever Again has the same ownership combination as GII Louisiana Derby winner Tiztastic, with Winchell Thoroughbreds owning 50% and the other half owned by the partnership of Mrs. John Magnier Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. “Off of the Hot Springs and the number that he ran and beating a Grade I winner in there, it was easy to make a decision on what would be next for him,” Asmussen said of Clever Again and the 1 3/16-mile Preakness. The post Hot Springs Winner Clever Again Works for Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens, a long-time New York based trainer before embarking on a two-year stint in Saudi Arabia, will oversee a fledgling New York-based string for Kenny McPeek, according to the Kentucky-based conditioner who announced the collaboration on X Sunday afternoon. “Jimmy Jerkens is going to be anchoring a New York division for me, starting this week,” confirmed McPeek. He explained, “I am based in Kentucky, and I have family here and my history has been with yearlings, working yearling sales, I have been fortunate enough to build my racing with yearling auctions and working with a lot of people over the decades. This will offer me more time to stay in Kentucky with less worries about a New York division. Jimmy is such a world-class horseman that I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him.” Jerkens, who announced his decision to leave the U.S. for Saudi Arabia in the spring of 2023, heralded his return early this season. “He just transitioned back from Saudi Arabia after several years there. I'm sure he had an opportunity to rebuild his stable, but at the same time, we needed somebody who was going to be there for the new construction of Belmont Park,” said McPeek. “With the new grandstand and everything that is happening at Belmont Park, we really want to be there with a firm division of horses and with someone we can trust to be on top of things, and Jimmy is that guy.” McPeek enjoyed a banner season in 2024, winning both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks in addition to being named an Eclipse Award finalist as the nation's leading trainer. “I am a little bit tentative in that I started as a little trainer, and this is a big-trainer move, but we are fortunate that we have this great base of clientele that will let us go to the yearling sales in the season and we can't runt hem all in one place,” he admitted. “I am lucky because I have people including Harold Lerner who are based in New York that are really excited about Jimmy helping us in this new collaboration.” The post McPeek, Jerkens Embark on a New ‘Collaboration’ in New York appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following Journalism's final Kentucky Derby breeze April 27, a five-furlong move in 1:01 2/5, trainer Michael McCarthy spoke to the media about the colt's workout, post position, and more.View the full article

The past few years have been filled with highlights for jockey Junior Alvarado. Now he seeks another in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. He rides 5-1 second choice Sovereignty.View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott says the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) field is a "well-balanced" group following Sovereignty's five-furlong breeze in 1:01 4/5 at Churchill Downs April 27.View the full article

Led by Kentucky Derby (G1) favorites Journalism and Sovereignty, six 3-year-olds recorded their final breezes April 27 over a fast track at Churchill Downs in preparation for the $5 million race.View the full article

Kentucky Derby morning-line favorite Journalism (Curlin) topped a work tab of six entrants for the GI Kentucky Derby by working five furlongs over a fast track in 1:01.40 Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism put in his morning breeze during the 7:15-7:30 EST training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses. Sunday morning the early favorite was reunited with rider Umberto Rispoli. Journalism cut out splits of :13.60, :25.80 and :37.60, galloping out in 1:13.60 and 1:26.80. “I was very pleased with the work,” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “Umberto was happy, so that's good. He'll just walk tomorrow. It's all good for now.” Also working during that time were Sovereignty (Into Mischief), East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), Rodriguez (Authentic), Publisher (American Pharoah) and Tiztastic (Tiz the Law). Sovereignty, winner of the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes and the second choice on the morning line behind Journalism, worked five furlongs in company in 1:01.80 for trainer Bill Mott. Regular exercise rider Javier Cardona was aboard the colt, who posted internal fractions of :25.40, :37.80 before finishing up in 1:15. “I liked what I saw,” Mott said, overseeing the activity trackside from his pony. “He looked good coming through the stretch.” Mott has named Junior Alvarado to ride his charge and they'll start the proceedings from post 18 in the 20-horse Derby field. Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez, the co-fourth choice on the morning line, worked five furlongs in 1:00 for trainer Bob Baffert. East Avenue, runner-up in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, worked five furlongs in :59.40 for trainer Brendan Walsh. Rodriguez was accompanied by Martin Garcia, who came off the track at the five and a half-furlong gap. The track's clockers caught the pair in :12.20, :24.20, :36.20 and :47.60 splits, then timed him “out” in 1:12.60 and 1:27. “Amazing work; amazing,” the rider said shaking his head in a form of pleasing disbelief. “He was in hand all the way.” Trainer Steve Asmussen's Derby duo of Publisher, with Wilson Fabian in the irons, breezed a half-mile in :49 and Tiztastic, ridden by Carlos Rosas, worked a half-mile in :50.20. Scheduled to work Monday morning are Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), Coal Battle (Coal Front) and Baeza (McKinzie). The post Journalism Heads Kentucky Derby Workers at Churchill Downs Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's an immense accomplishment to be one of the 20 Thoroughbreds out of the current sophomore crop of 17,146 to earn a coveted starting berth in the GI Kentucky Derby. But the cruel fate of a random post-position draw annually assigns the dreaded No. 1 gate to a single member of that elite set. Because the Derby is unmatched in American racing in its outsized stature and jumbo field size, so too is the stigma of breaking closest to the inside fence prior to the chaotic first-turn free-for-all, where primo positioning and a clean trip can take precedence over being the most talented. The year the difficult (but not impossible) rail draw was conferred upon 2-year-old champ Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), adding another layer of complexity to his quest for a blanket of roses on the first Saturday in May. But take heart, connections of Citizen Bull: In two of the past three years, the horse who has drawn the rail for the Derby has gone on the win the GI Belmont Stakes after running poorly at Churchill Downs. The fact that inside-post losers in Louisville have recently been adorned with the Belmont's traditional white carnations is probably nothing more than an interesting but coincidental blip. Yet in an anecdotal way, it does lend credence to the argument that post one has an adverse impact on Derby performance. Last year, the rail-drawn Dornoch got bumped and brushed early, never settling while hemmed inside. Once he got free from cover, Dornoch launched a decent far-turn bid, but was forced to check hard when the hole he was aiming for closed. Despite the momentum loss, Dornoch regrouped and boxed on with interest, but mid-stretch traffic cost him any chance of attaining a Derby placing better than tenth. Trainer Danny Gargan bypassed the GI Preakness Stakes, and the 17-1 Dornoch forced the pace to win the 10-furlong third leg of the Triple Crown at its temporary home of Saratoga. He then won the GI Haskell Stakes in his next start. In 2022, Mo Donegal came out of post one awkwardly and was relegated to the back of the pack. Considering his come-from-behind style; nimble, athletic way of going, and the hot pace in that year's Derby, such positioning shouldn't have been a problem. But Irad Ortiz, Jr., kept Mo Donegal in “wait” mode all the way to the five-sixteenths pole before asking for run, and by the time opportunity materialized at the head of the lane, they were fanned way out in the 13 path. Even though he managed only fifth beneath the twin spires, his sneaky-good acceleration inside the eighth pole foretold a Belmont Stakes fortune reversal. Trainer Todd Pletcher opted out of the Preakness, and Mo Donegal responded with a 5-2 favored win over 12 furlongs at Belmont Park (in what would turn out to be his final career race before a September retirement). Sandwiched between those two years was Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}), a no-show fifth from the fence in the 2023 Derby. He ran fourth in that year's Belmont after skipping the Preakness, but deserves an honorable mention alongside Dornoch and Mo Donegal because of how he's since rounded into a world-class racehorse. As a May 9 foal with only five starts, Hit Show was against the grain of seasoning even before getting burdened with the one hole for the Derby. He broke fluidly and the early part of his trip was uneventful, but Hit Show went from attack mode to being under siege and looking lost in the matter of a few strides in upper stretch. Trainer Brad Cox didn't coax the best from this colt until ages four and now five, but Hit Show has since won five of seven stakes, most recently the G1 Dubai World Cup three weeks ago. Since the advent of the use of a starting gate for the Derby in 1930, the aggregate record of horses starting 95 times from post one is 8-5-5 with an 8.4% win percentage and an 18.9% in-the-money ratio. The average finish is eighth. It's an oft-cited fact that the last Derby winner from the inside gate was Ferdinand in 1986, who prevailed in a field of 16 after getting bumped to the back, rallying wide, then darting up the rail under a masterful ride by 54-year-old Bill Shoemaker. The other Derby winners starting closest to the fence (again, only referring to 1930 onward from the gate) have been Chateaugay (1963), Needles (1956), Hill Gail (1952), Citation (1948), Gallahadion (1940), Lawrin (1938) and War Admiral (1937). Field size can be a factor in how undesirably the one hole is perceived. Five of those Derby champs raced in fields of 10 or fewer horses, so post one was likely considered an advantage in those years, not a detriment. The two Triple Crown winners among those rail-drawn Derby winners beat fields sized at opposite ends of the spectrum, with Citation prevailing over just five rivals and War Admiral besting 19. Even though the gap back to the last Derby winner to break from the rail now exceeds the 37-year wait that the sport endured between Triple Crown champs, statistically speaking, the drought has been longer for post two, which has not sent out a Derby winner since Affirmed in 1978. In fact, despite the rail's bad rap, posts two, three and four have all been less-productive draws in terms of wins. Over the same 95 Derbies since 1930, they have resulted in only seven, six and five Derby winners, respectively. Neoequos (Neolithic), Final Gambit (Not This Time) and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) were assigned gates two, three and four. Gate five has been the sweet spot, the only post to yield double-digit winners from 95 editions (10-8-4 with a 10.5% win rate and 23.2% in the money). American Promise (Justify) landed that placement. Post 10 is next-best from 88 Derbies, with a 9-6-11 record, 10.2% win-rate, and high-mark 29.5% in-the-money ratio. Grande (Curlin) snagged it this year. Despite the favorable results out of those “five and dime” gates, how do you explain the bafflingly poor performances out of the neighbors right next door to those productive posts? Gate six is 2-for-95. Gate 11 is 2-for-84. Don't tell that to Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) or Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}). Post 17 has never generated a winner at 0-for-45. Enter Sandman (Tapit)! (Technically, two other Derbies in the era since the starting gate have generated outer-post 0-fers, with gate positions 21 through 23 also being blanked. That happened only twice, when 21 horses ran in 1981 and when 23 went to post in 1974. The Derby is now limited to 20 starters.) Among posts that have produced at least one victory, gate 14 (2-for-68) is on the longest current winless streak, dating to Carry Back in 1961. Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) got that draw this year. The outside gates, although not considered as unfavorable as the inner posts, are no picnic, either. Posts 18, 19 and 20 combined are a collective 5-for-87. This year, from 18 outward, those spots belong to Sovereignty (Into Mischief), Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) and Owen Almighty (Speightstown). There have been 17 Derbies in which post 20 has been the outermost position in the starting gate. That widest draw gave us the much-the-best, 5-2 winner Big Brown in 2008, and the improbable 50-1 bomb Rich Strike, who drew in off the also-eligible list in 2022. Of the gates that didn't get mentioned above, post seven (8-for-94) went to Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah); post eight (9-for-94) to Journalism (Curlin); post nine (4-for-91) to Burnham Square (Liam's Map); post 12 (3-for-80) to 'TDN Rising Star' East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro); post 13 (5-for-78) to Publisher (American Pharoah); post 15 (6-for-63) to Render Judgment (Blame), and post 16 (4-for-52) to Coal Battle (Coal Front). The post Rail-Drawn Derby Horses Rarely Wear Roses, but Look Great in Carnations in June appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ballylinch Stud's Make Believe (GB) was responsible for the first two home in the G3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1,000 Guineas), as Klaynn (Ire) justified favouritism to deliver a dominant victory in the fillies' Classic over Fast Spirit (Ire). The winner, trained by Endo Botti for owner Sandro Cardaioli, upheld her unbeaten record, with her string of five victories including last season's G2 Premio Dormello. Botti indicated after the race that he is considering running the filly in the Derby Italiano on June 2 ahead of the Oaks d'Italia. His cousin Stefano Botti, who, earlier on the card had saddled Lao Tzu to win the Premio Parioli, was responsible for both the runner-up and the third home, Mystery Of Love (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}). Klaynn's victory completed the full set of Italian Classics for her breeder, the Parri family's Allevamento Le Gi. “It's unbelievable,” said Giovanni Parri, who runs the farm with his father Massimo. “This was the one Classic we were missing so we are particularly happy. Sadly we lost her dam Dweezil three weeks ago, and Klaynn is her last foal.” In 2013, the Tuscan stud farm was responsible for the Derby Italiano winner Biz The Nurse (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), and two more Classics came their way in 2020 thanks to the Oaks d'Italia victory of Auyantepui (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), while Cima Emergency (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) won that year's Premio Parioli. Sunday, Rome, Italy PREMIO REGINA ELENA (ITALIAN 1000 GUINEAS)-G3, €165,000, Rome, 4-27, 3yo, f, 1600mT, x:xx.xx, sf. 1–KLAYNN (IRE), 123, f, 3, by Make Believe (GB) 1st Dam: Dweezil (Ire), by Rip Van Winkle (Ire) 2nd Dam: Drifa (Ity), by Hamas (Ire) 3rd Dam: Rarissima, by Woodman O-Sandro Cardaioli. B-Allevamento Le. Gi. SRL Societa' Agricola (Ire). T-Endo Botti Galoppo Di E. Botti. J-Dario Di Tocco. €63,750. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 2yo Filly-Ity, 5-5-0-0, €224,250. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Fast Spirit (Ire), 123, f, 3, Make Believe (GB)–Nazli (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€26,000 Ylg '23 TATSEP). O/T-Stefano Botti Turf SRL Societa. B-La Fabbrica Delle Candele Sas (Ire). €28,050. 3–Mystery Of Love (Ire), 123, f, 3, Ten Sovereigns (Ire)–Similu (GB), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€72,000 Wlg '22 GOFNOV; 17,000 HRA '25 TATJAN). O-Enrico De Simone. B-Patrick Kiely (Ire). T-Stefano Botti Turf SRL Societa. €15,300. Margins: 6, 1HF, 5. Odds: 0.45, 11.60, 8.10. Also Ran: Love Words (Ire), Hekla Colt (Ity), Pozzo Di Bugia (Ire), Giorgia Forever (Ire), Teddy Dream (Ire), Bubuz (Ire), Sopran Norma (Ire), Ice Capades (Ire). Click for the Grande Ippica Italiana chart & video. The post Derby Italiano on Cards for Klaynn After Dominant Regina Elena Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Goffs UK Breeze-up graduate Lao Tzu (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) took first blood as the European Classic season got underway in Rome, when getting up late under jockey Maikol Arras to win the G3 Premio Parioli (Italian 2,000 Guineas) for owner/trainer Stefano Botti. He narrowly got the verdict over Kabir (Ire), one of two Italian stakes winners for Far Above (GB), who was beaten just a short-neck into second after making most of the running. Zenorione (Ita) (Mount Everest {Ire}) was almost three lengths shy of the leading duo when taking third. The winner, who was bred by Jack and Noel Finegan, was bought by Valfredo Valiani from from the Tally-Ho Stud draft at Doncaster last year for £16,000 and he entered the Classic off a conditions race victory in Pisa three weeks ago. Lao Tzu is the third foal of the unraced Bionic Buffy (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a half-sister to the Listed winner Red Stars (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}). The mare's current two-year-old is a colt by Starman (GB) and her further family includes the St Leger winner Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}). Sunday, Rome, Italy PREMIO PARIOLI HID (ITALIAN 2000 GUINEAS)-G3, €165,000, Rome, 4-27, 3yo, 1600mT, 1:35.50, sf. 1–LAO TZU (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Kodiac (GB) 1st Dam: Bionic Buffy (Ire), by Dark Angel (Ire) 2nd Dam: Magen's Star (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 3rd Dam: Bluffing (Ire), by Darshaan (GB) 1ST GROUP WIN. (€44,000 Wlg '22 GOFNOV; 38,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT; £16,000 2yo '24 GOFAPR). O/T-Stefano Botti Turf SRL Societa. B-Noel & Jack Finegan (Ire). J-Maikol Arras. €63,750. Lifetime Record: 8-5-2-0, €159,610. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Kabir (Ire), 128, c, 3, Far Above (Ire)–Khameela (GB), by Equiano (Fr). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€30,000 Ylg '23 TATSEP). O-Scuderia Pink And Black, SRL. B- (Ire). T-Endo Botti Galoppo Di E. Botti. €28,050. 3–Zenorione (Ity), 128, c, 3, Mount Everest (Ire)–Pozzielli (Ity), by Shaweel (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Giovanni Vitale Vittorio. B-N.D. (Ity). T-Melania Cascione. €15,300. Margins: SNK, 2 3/4, 1HF. Odds: 3.09, 5.39, 14.76. Also Ran: Brisone (GB), Cleone Jet (Ire), Became Good (Ire), Monello Sabino (Ire), Kanthan Fly, Conformist (Ity), Grand Kodiac (Ire), Pompeo Dream (Fr), Lost President (Ire), Bridge Ashi Kun (Ire), Impressive Royal (Ire). Click for the Grande Ippica Italiana chart & video. The post Italian Guineas Glory for Kodiac’s Lao Tzu appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article