Wandering Eyes

Grade 2-winning filly Non Compliant suffered a catastrophic breakdown during training April 17 at Los Alamitos Race Course according to California Horse Racing Board records.View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority released an Equine Health Advisory after their findings suggest horses in early stages of training or those returning from an extended layoff may be at higher risk for fatal proximal forelimb fractures.View the full article

In the TDN's new Breeders' Cup Breakthrough series, we catch up with the six trainers who celebrated their first win at the Breeders' Cup in 2024. We discuss the road to securing that victory, what the breakout win meant to them personally and what they hope to accomplish from here. We start with Kenny McPeek, who secured a long-awaited Breeders' Cup victory with a filly that is known to her fans as 'The Grizzly.' It wasn't that he never had a shot. It's just that the shots weren't quite landing. Kenny McPeek had lost at the Breeders' Cup in just about every way imaginable. Beautician was nailed at the wire in the 2009 Juvenile Fillies. Rosalind missed the break in the 2013 Juvenile Fillies but came flying late to hit the board. Tiz the Bomb ran second to a purse-money-only entrant in the 2021 Juvenile Turf. It all added up to a 0-for-37 Breeders' Cup record for McPeek, though it wasn't because his horses weren't performing. With seven seconds and 10 thirds, his runners were finishing in the money nearly half the time. “It was frustrating,” McPeek conceded as he reflected on the road to reaching his first Breeders' Cup win. “We had a list of fourths, too. Someone said one time that I'm the best worst Breeders' Cup trainer ever. Every time I took a horse over there I was pleased with the way they ran, but I had zero wins. I couldn't explain it other than you just keep trying.” Keep trying and find a horse like 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna). After 40 years in the business, McPeek entered last year's Breeders' Cup with what looked like his best shot yet. The filly had cruised through a nearly undefeated 3-year-old season, highlighted by a definitive GI Kentucky Oaks victory and a gutsy runner-up effort in the GI Travers Stakes. “There were a lot of people that really wanted me to run her in the Classic against colts,” McPeek admitted with a smile. “But honestly I wanted to get the Breeders' Cup win.” The Distaff field changed shape in the days leading up to the big event when reigning older dirt female Idiomatic (Curlin) retired and Japan's promising filly Awesome Result (Justify) scratched the morning of the race. McPeek and the rest of the Thorpedo Anna camp, including jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. and the ownership group of Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Magdalena Racing and co-owner and breeder Judy Hicks, were feeling confident about their chances, but of course there are no sure bets in horse racing. McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. after Thorpedo Anna's score in the 2024 GI Acorn Stakes | Sarah Andrew “We worked hard to enjoy that week,” recalled McPeek. “We didn't overcomplicate it. I felt like on paper she had a real chance and you just hope that Brian didn't have any trouble. When she got away clean and Brian was able to put himself up on the pace with her, Thorpedo Anna did the rest of the work.” Exactly 30 years after making his Breeders' Cup debut, McPeek finally hit the mark. And perhaps the fact that his first win came with a future Horse of the Year made the victory that much sweeter. “I had actually analyzed some other trainers who struggled at the Breeders' Cup,” said McPeek “Bobby Frankel had almost 40 starters before he won a Breeders' Cup and then he ran off six or seven after that. There is a long list of very talented horsemen who have never won. So it's no disgrace to have not won, but to finally win one was nice. I think the event all together epitomizes the sport and how difficult it is. To hit that high level at the Breeders' Cup means everything.” McPeek's first trip to the Breeders' Cup was in 1994, when the international festival of racing was held at Churchill Downs. Tejano Run (Tejano), a colt he had purchased for owner Roy Monroe for just $20,000, finished third in the Juvenile. McPeek said that Tejano Run's Breeders' Cup run and subsequent 3-year-old season highlighted by a runner-up performance in the GI Kentucky Derby helped put his career on the map. Before that, he was working hard to make a name for himself. “I was just trying to make payroll,” he explained. “I did a lot of the work myself, didn't really have an assistant. Mostly I had claiming horses and, in some cases, other people's rejects. I learned how to do a good job with those.” “I went through years where I won most of my races at Ellis Park and Turfway Park and even in the early years, Latonia and River Downs,” he continued. “Once Tejano Run came into my career, I realized that this was the kind of horse that I wanted, but they're really hard to acquire. So I put a lot of focus on yearling sales and analyzing horse's talent level.” As a child, McPeek enjoyed pony rides in the Keeneland paddock | photo courtesy Kenny McPeek Over the decades, McPeek's focus has paid off. The horseman has built a reputation as one of the sharpest eyes on the sales grounds, known for spotting talent that others might overlook. But well before he ever saddled his first winner, his path to success was more accidental–or perhaps fated–than planned. McPeek was originally considering a career on Wall Street, but his plan changed the day after graduating with a finance degree when, late that night, he received some sage advice from his college roommate, who told him to do something that would make him happy. A few hours later, he showed up at Keeneland and took a job as a hot walker. The next year in 1985, he obtained his trainer's license. “My mother was furious,” recounted McPeek. “She said, 'You've got a degree and you're going to do what?' I thought maybe it was just going to be something that was short term–and it almost was. Financially, I really struggled for a long time, but then I started hitting my stride and people started hiring me.” In the early days, McPeek's stable was a fraction of what it is now, with strings in multiples states and year-round bases at Magdalena Farm in Kentucky and Silverleaf Hills Training Center in Florida. As a young trainer, he started off going to the sales to buy one yearling. When his client list started to grow, he would shop for eight or nine. Today, he comes home with around 80 yearlings every sales season. Even with a bigger budget these days, McPeek still attributes much of his success to the long hours he puts in at the sales, sticking around until the final horses go through the ring. As he sees it, anyone can spot a million-dollar horse. It's more difficult to find that diamond in the rough. “I'm mostly proud of buying horses for modest prices and somewhat beating the market to the punch on a pedigree or seeing a horse that nobody else saw,” he said. “I think professionally, it's harder to do that than it is if someone gives you a huge amount of money. Actually, there's less pressure when you've got modest-priced young horses as opposed to the million-dollar yearlings because everybody isn't looking over your shoulder with expectations.” Among some of his top Breeders' Cup performers, McPeek bought 2008 Juvenile Fillies runner-up Dream Empress (Bernstein) for $60,000, 2015 Juvenile Fillies third-place finisher Dothraki Queen (Pure Prize) for $35,000 and 2018 Juvenile third-place runner Signalman (General Quarters) for $32,000. And while he did not train the superstar himself, he famously purchased 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin for $57,000. 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna | Sarah Andrew In 2018, McPeek found another bargain buy that was going to be hard to top when he spent $35,000 on future GI Preakness Stakes victress and six-time graded stakes winner Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil). Four years later, he outdid himself once again when he purchased Thorpedo Anna for just $40,000. The five-figure purchase is now his all-time leading earner. “Thorpedo Anna has got this aura about her,” McPeek explained. “When you're in her presence, she really knows she's good. She's ultra-intelligent and obviously ultra-talented. These kinds of horses are really rare. I'm really proud to have found her at auction and to be able to have handled her and seen all the things she has accomplished. Hopefully there's a lot more to accomplish.” Thorpedo Anna is already well on her way to another iconic campaign this year. She has posted a pair of tour-de-force romps in the GII Azeri Stakes and GI Apple Blossom Handicap, with a new target set on the upcoming GI La Troienne at Churchill Downs. Already, there is a buzz about whether this star filly could be pointed toward the main event this November at Del Mar, where only Hall of Famer Zenyatta has defeated males in the Classic. “I'm thinking about it already,” McPeek said with a reluctant-yet-excited grin. “Let's see. She needs to get through this next start. If she does that, we will contemplate all our options. If she runs the table this year, the Classic will be for sure.” McPeek waited 30 years for one Breeders' Cup win. This time, he could be setting his sights on making history. The post Breeders’ Cup Breakthrough: McPeek’s Three Decades of Determination Pay Off appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horses in early stages of training or those returning from an extended layoff may be at higher risk for fatal proximal forelimb fractures than previously recognized, according to an Equine Health Advisory released by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Monday. The advisory, which is based on data drawn from the HISA Portal, provides practical guidance for trainers and veterinarians on how to help prevent these catastrophic injuries. The advisory's key findings include: Fatal proximal forelimb (humeral and scapular) fractures accounted for 15% of training fatalities reported to HISA by Regulatory Veterinarians in 2024. More than 40% of horses that experienced fatal proximal forelimb fractures that were reported to HISA had no recorded high-speed furlongs within the 60 days prior to the fracture occurring. On average, horses with these fractures logged only 12.3 high-speed furlongs in the 60 days prior to injury. Horses with humeral fractures averaged only 5.9 high-speed furlongs in that same timeframe. “It is HISA's goal to substantially reduce the number of these fatalities beginning in 2025,” said Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, HISA Director of Equine Safety and Welfare. “Building awareness is the first step. This advisory reflects our commitment to data-driven safety and highlights the collective responsibility we have as an industry to intercede for at-risk horses before injuries occur. Our goal is to translate this growing body of information in our Portal into actionable guidance that can make our sport safer.” The full advisory is available here. It has been distributed to all trainers and veterinarians registered in the HISA Portal and is also available on www.hisaus.org under the Resources section. The post HISA Study Identifies Risk Factors for Fatal Proximal Forelimb Fractures appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is nearly 20 years since Speciosa (Ire) became the first Classic winner to emanate from the breeze-up sales. The man who sold her, Willie Browne, had been plying his trade in that sector since 1978, and, as the breeze-ups close in on their 50th anniversary, it is good to see that the Mocklershill maestro is still very much at the top of his game. In fact, last week's Craven Sale at Tattersalls was a good one for the founding fathers of the breeze-up game. There was Browne turning €70,000 into 1.4 million gns like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat. This set a new record for the sale just 12 lots after Con Marnane had been given 650,000gns for a Havana Grey (GB) colt who had been unsold at 50,000gns in the same ring the previous September. The showbiz of the sale ring is not something that would appeal much to Malcolm Bastard, who prefers salmon fishing and sheepdog trials and once opened an interview with this hack by saying “I'm pretty quiet and boring”. That may be true, but it is also true that Bastard is a skilled horseman whose pre-training services are sought by some of the biggest owner-breeders in the land. By the second night of the Craven he had outshone his old muckers Willie and Con when breaking the newly-set record when selling yet another Havana Grey juvenile for 1.75 million gns to Amo Racing. The colt had been sold by his breeder Max Weston at the foal sales for 55,000gns. If you were chiselling these men's faces into granite, Mount Rushmore-style, you'd add Brendan 'Blarney' Holland to complete the quartet. Plenty are attempting to follow in their wake, and many are doing so successfully, but the newer consignors owe plenty of their success to these pioneers. Browne, Marnane and Holland have all consigned subsequent Classic winners at the breeze-up sales, and even one of Browne's slowest, and thus cheapest, breezers won the Gold Cup: in fact, the 20,000-guinea Trip To Paris (Ire) earned more than £800,000 in a 27-race career. Bastard sold a 'slow one', too, in Libertarian (GB), who won the G2 Dante Stakes and was second in the Derby, some eight years after the Mocklershill breezer Walk In The Park (Ire) had filled the same place at Epsom behind Motivator (GB). By now, close observers of the scene will know many of the names on the long list of black-type graduates from the breeze-ups. Obviously plenty of those selected for these sales don't end up putting in the slick breeze which seems to be essential for a six- or seven-figure sale, and some of those who do won't go on to become stars on the racecourse. Just as it is throughout the bloodstock world, it is a case of many are called and few are chosen. Be that as it may, it is undeniable that the breeze-ups have changed the face of the sales scene, both in their bolstering of the yearling market and by their luring of a certain sector of devout and international buyers. Since the turn of the century, the Craven Sale alone has expanded from turnover of around 3.8 million gns to last week's whopping trade of 18.8 million gns. Younger operators may be snapping at their heels for a stake in what is now a lucrative sector of the market, but those such as Browne, who was in from the start and was followed not long after by Bastard and Marnane, are still setting a fierce pace up front. Look beyond the mile marker While we are on the subject of breeze-ups, it is worth noting that among the top 20 stallions by average prices at the Craven Sale, only five of those had ever won a race beyond a mile: St Mark's Basilica (Fr), New Bay (GB), Knicks Go, Street Sense, and Union Rags. For this Thursday's Goffs UK Breeze-up Sale, only six of the 206 juveniles catalogued are by stallions who won beyond a mile. In Europe, most of the leading consignors say they are against official breeze timings, yet unofficial timings are widely available and those horses who have clocked the fastest, even by infinitesimal margins, command a premium. Despite some success by breeze-up graduates in middle-distance and staying races, the offspring of this type of stallion still doesn't get much of a look-in, even though the numbers improve a little for the later sales at Tattersalls and Arqana. One of the reasons for this is likely because so many of the progeny of the top middle-distance stallions are in the hands of owner-breeders. However, in order to help those 10- or 12-furlong stallions emerging from the pack, it would be a great initiative for one of the sales companies to host a middle-distance showcase auction in order to promote the type of horse that Europe still breeds better than elsewhere. There's no point moaning about prize-money if the stallions capable of providing horses suitable for winning the most valuable sector of races continue to be largely overlooked. Powerhouses gearing up for Classics So far this season it has been hard to see beyond the Classics being dominated by the major owner-breeder operations. With Jonquil (GB), Cosmic Year (GB) and the foal purchase Field Of Gold (Ire), Juddmonte is well stocked with colts, and there's also Windlord (GB) and Detain (Ire) to consider. Among the outfit's possible Classic fillies are Swelter (GB), Red Letter (GB), Babouche (GB), Better Together (GB), Flaming Stone (GB) and Tabiti (GB). The Aga Khan Studs, too, have had plenty of success so far on the turf, with Zarigana (Fr) and Ridari (Ire) each winning their Classic trials, along with Princess Zahra Aga Khan's Mandanaba (Fr). Mandanaba, left, is the final foal of treble Group 1 winner Mandesha | Scoop Dyga In a year in which those associated with the operation are mourning the death of HH Aga Khan IV, it is perhaps heartening to see the fillies Mandanaba and Zarigana in particular come to the fore. They are each eleventh-generation descendants of Mumtaz Mahal (GB) (The Tetrarch {Ire}), the filly who really was the cornerstone of the Aga Khan Studs as one of the very early yearling purchases, bought in 1922. The passing of a figurehead of a major breeding operation always brings with it a degree of uncertainty as to what the future holds. In the cases of Juddmonte and Shadwell, which lost Prince Khalid Abdullah and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum respectively in early 2021, there has been some restructuring and trimming, but there has also been renewed success. Baaeed (GB), Hukum (Ire), Mostahdaf (Ire), Anmaat (Ire), Al Husn (Ire), Eshaada (GB) and Minzaal (Ire) have kept the Group 1 flag flying for Shadwell, while Juddmonte's top-level winners in Europe in the last four years include Westover (GB), Chaldean (GB), Babouche (GB), Kalpana (GB) and Bluestocking (GB), while they also owned the co-top-rated horse in the world last year, Laurel River. There is every reason to believe that the Aga Khan Studs will continue to thrive, particularly when looking at the results through the early stages of 2025. As ever, Coolmore and Godolphin will be unleashing any number of smart three-year-olds in the coming weeks, and they account for two of the most exciting fillies in training in Lake Victoria (Ire) and Desert Flower (GB). A stable whose fortunes it will be particularly interesting to follow over the next month or so is that of Ralph Beckett. Along with nine Oaks entries, the trainer currently has 12 colts in the Derby, and that could become a baker's dozen if Prince Of The Seas (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) prevails in Tuesday's Blue Riband Trial at Epsom, which carries with it automatic entry to the Derby for the winner. A sad parting It had looked like being a nice piece of symmetry: Hugo Palmer represented in the 2,000 Guineas by Seagulls Eleven (Ire), a son of his 2016 winner Galileo Gold (GB), and Andrew Balding by New Century (GB), a son of his 2020 winner Kameko. While it appears to be all systems go for Palmer and his merry band of footballing owners, Balding has now lost New Century, who has already played a significant part in boosting the profile of his young sire by winning the GI Summer Stakes at Woodbine last year. He was among a group of five Qatar Racing-owned horses to leave his stable last week. This came hard on the heels of New Century running fifth in the Craven. By the following day the colt had been assigned to James Ferguson with a view to racing in America in the coming weeks. While it is surely not easy to wave farewell to a Grade I winner, the bigger loser in this fallout may be Qatar Racing. Balding has given Sheikh Fahad Al Thani plenty of high days – including with the aforementioned father and son, and also with the Group 1 winners Elm Park (GB) and Side Glance (GB), both of whom were bred by the trainer's mother, Emma. His Kingsclere stable is in ripping form at present, with Balding riding high in the trainers' table on a strike-rate of 21 per cent and prize-money earnings of £920,509 already banked at the time of writing. Owners moving their horses around is nothing new – and it of course every owner's prerogative to do so, particularly in this case when Sheikh Fahad is reportedly now spending the majority of his time in the US. But it is an unfortunate time to move a colt with such potential, particularly one who could be key to the success of the same owner's stallion. Such was the significance at Kingsclere of Kameko, the first of two 2,000 Guineas winners for Balding, that there is a new barn there named in his honour. Even more significantly, Kameko's three-year-old full-sister was named Kingsclere, but she too is no longer trained there. Balding still has the Greenham Stakes winner Jonquil to aim at the 2,000 Guineas, some 14 years after Frankel (GB), a half-brother to the colt's Listed-winning granddam Joyeuse (GB), blazed an unforgettable trail down the Rowley Mile. The post Seven Days: The Old Guard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brian Hernandez Jr., who joined trainer Ken McPeek in completing the Kentucky Oaks (G1)–Kentucky Derby sweep last year with Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan, is back again with mounts in the marquee events.View the full article

Tuesday, Epsom Downs, Britain, post time: 14:10, BETFRED BLUE RIBAND TRIAL-Listed, £50,000, 3yo, 10f 17y Field: Devil's Advocate (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Mirabeau (GB) (Territories {Ire}), Prince Of The Seas (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Sea Scout (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), The Cursor (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Tiberius Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Ballydoyle begin their crucial sonar mapping process in the various overseas Derby pointers, with TDN Rising Star Trinity College the chosen one in this revived prep sporting Paul Smith's St Leger-winning colours for the first time. Up in trip having beaten his promising stablemate Acapulco Bay (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in a mile conditions race at Naas last month, he strips fit and rates as one of the yard's key 3-year-olds for the season ahead as he should as a son of Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). He encounters the obligatory Clarehaven prospect in Devil's Advocate, a 7 1/2-length winner at Chelmsford in October with abundant stamina on the dam's side, compatriot Tiberius Thunder who provides a marker to Rosegreen's Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and an unknown quantity from Ralph Beckett's talent-rich 3-year-old arsenal in the Sandown maiden winner Prince Of The Seas, a relative of Stravinsky. Click here for the complete fields with owner and breeder information. The post Black-Type Analysis: Trinity College Faces Six Rivals in Blue Riband Trial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The video game publisher and developer Cygames, Inc. has announced a partnership with Churchill Downs, which will run the Unbridled Sidney Stakes Presented by Cygames on the GI Kentucky Oaks undercard May 2. In addition, on Derby and Oaks days at Churchill Downs, Cygames will have an on-site activation where visitors can play video game demos and take photos. The Cygames Booth in the track's infield will feature demos of various Cygames titles including: Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, and Umamusume: Pretty Derby. A 360-degree panoramic photo spot will also be set up for visitors to take photos. “The Kentucky Derby has a long and prestigious history as the first of the races that make up the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, and I consider it a great joy for Cygames to be a sponsor,” said Koichi Watanabe, President of Cygames. “My hope is that, through our partnership, we can provide an opportunity for potential fans to get to know Cygames and its content.” The post Cygames to Sponsor Unbridled Sidney Stakes 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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Goliath, Liberty Island and Mr Brightside were among the internationals on the dirt on Monday morning as the build-up to Champions Day ramps up.View the full article

What Wodonga Races Where Racing Wodonga – Hamilton Smith Dr, Wodonga VIC 3690 When Tuesday, April 22, 2025 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing in Victoria heads to Wodonga on Tuesday afternoon where a competitive eight-race meeting is set down for decision, beginning at 1pm AEST. A perfect autumn day is forecast for raceday meaning the Good 4 track rating will likely be upgraded to a Good 3 at some stage, while the rail will be in itstrue position the entire circuit. Keep reading for HorseBetting’s free Wodonga racing tips on Tuesday, April 22 below. Best Bet at Wodonga: Glamour Ana Glamour Ana comes to this 1300m maiden second-up from a spell and if she produces anything close to what she did this time last campaign, she should be breaking her maiden at start six. The three-year-old filly chased home the smart Stage ‘N’ Screen at Seymour, and on the bag of a solid enough showing at Pakenham first-up this time in when third over 1200m, she looks primed to strike. Barrier 14 is offset by her want to roll forward and take up a prominent position, and as long as she does not have to work too hard early, Glamour Ana looks hard to beat. Best Bet Race 3 – #8 Glamour Ana (14) 3yo Filly | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Cory Parish (57kg) Next Best at Wodonga: Blondie’s Toronado Before struggling in town last time out, the Daniel McCarthy-trained Blondie’s Toronado is sure to appreciate stepping back to country grade on Tuesday. The Toronado filly was well-held at Sandown when leading the field up over 1400m, but the step back to 1300m here looks ideal as she looks to regain winning form. She was an all-the-way winner three back at Wangartta and if Liam Riordan can find the lead from barrier seven, Blondie’s Toronado will prove too hard to run down. Next Best Race 7 – #11 Blondie’s Toronado (7) 3yo Filly | T: Daniel McCarthy | J: Liam Riordan (57kg) Best Value at Wodonga: First Day First Day caught the eye when having her first start for the Ben Brisbourne Stable when finishing fourth at Gundagai over 1800m. The four-year-old mare did plenty wrong from a rearward position but was finding the line nicely when beaten 1.8 lengths in Class 1 company. In a restricted 64 and drawn barrier one, if the Ribchester mare can show improved racing manners and produce a similar finish, the $9 with horse racing betting sites looks a great price to get involved with. Best Value Race 5 – #12 First Day (1) 4yo Mare | T: Ben Brisbourne | J: Lachlan King (55.5kg) Tuesday quaddie tips for Wodonga Wodonga quadrella selections Tuesday, April 22, 2025 1-2-3-11-12 1-2-5-6-9 6-11 2-3-5-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Enigmatic galloper Iffididit put his best foot forward when he scored fresh-up after a two-month break by taking out the feature flat event at Riverton on Easter Monday, the Max Winders Shearing/South Pacific Meats Thornbury Handicap (1400m). The Anna Furlong-prepared five-year-old thrives on rain affected surfaces and the Heavy10 surface at Riverton proved ideal for his resumption as he settled back in the field before being sent forward by apprentice jockey Yogesh Atchamah with 700m to run. Iffididit stalked former northerner Chevron around the home bend and gained the upper hand over that runner at the 200m, drawing clear to win by half a length as Master Marko boxed on solidly for third. Furlong, who was back at home in Christchurch, was delighted with both the ride and the win. “He’s a nice horse who enjoys the sting out of the tracks, so conditions were perfect for him today,” Furlong said. “He just can’t cop too many runs on the hard ground so we put him away for a few weeks and brought him back for today. It was a top effort and a lovely ride by Yogesh. “He can be a pretty quirky customer and Yogesh is one of the few that actually get on with him. To be fair, the horse has been a little different right from his first day in the stable, but we all love him. “Now the tracks are how he likes them I think we could line him up at Riccarton in a couple of weeks as there is a nice race (Easter Cup) over a mile that will suit him.” Iffididit is out of the Ustinov mare Ididit, who won on five occasions and was stakes placed in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). He comes from an extended family that includes former quality Australian sprinter Biscayne Bay. View the full article

New Plymouth trainer Tawhiti Hina took a quarter of his current eight-horse team to Waverley on Easter Monday and walked away with a pair of impressive winners. Hina, who is only in his third year of training, was hoping the persistent rain on the day, which resulted in the track moving from a Soft6 to a Heavy9 after just three races, would play in favour of the maiden gallopers, and that was how it played out as both Summer Breeze and Side Piece relished the underfoot conditions in their respective assignments. First up was Summer Breeze, a four-year-old daughter of Zed who is out of the 2004 Gr.2 Queen Elizabeth Handicap (2400m) winner Mistrale, who was sent straight to the front by apprentice Elle Sole and never gave her rivals a chance, skipping clear to win by more than five lengths in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1650m). “She is a very promising mare who was just having her third start and I had been hoping for some rain as I knew she would really appreciate it,” Hina said. “She is a half-sister to a very good jumper in Shamal, who thrives in the wet, so I was just waiting for the tracks to soften for her. “The way she won today I think she could be in for a very nice winter.” Hina and Sole were at it again 30 minutes later with four-year-old Jon Snow gelding Side Piece, who has taken time to grow into his massive 17 hand frame. Sole provided an instant replay of her ride aboard Summer Breeze as she had Side Piece travelling sweetly in front in the maiden 2100m event before cutting him loose on the home bend to race clear by just over four lengths at the finish. “He (Side Piece) is really just a big goof who knows nothing and needs more time to grow into his huge frame,” Hina said. “He has taken a long time to strengthen up and he is far from being the finished product, so we might give him a break now as he can go to the paddock on a winning note.” Summer Breeze is raced by her breeder Darren Goodin while Side Piece is owned by a syndicate of four, including Hina, after being gifted the horse by Clearview Park Stud owner Aaron Tapper after he was passed in during the Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2022. View the full article

Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) contender Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) will adopt a change of tactics when the Australian visitor takes on the world’s best in Sunday’s (27 April) HK$24 million feature at Sha Tin. Ben Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers Will and JD, is hoping a favourable barrier draw will allow jockey Craig Williams to give the seven-year-old gelding a softer run in the 1600m feature. In Mr Brightside’s three runs this campaign – twice at 1400m and his most recent when second in Gr.1 The All-Star Mile (1600m) on 8 March at Flemington – he has raced close to the speed. “In this preparation our horse has had to lead and has hit the front at the 400m every race this prep,” Hayes said. “And he has been a bit of a sitting duck. “And we are hoping with Hong Kong, they tend to go a bit harder earlier and through his whole career he has always taken sits and we are hoping this time we can draw a barrier where we can look to ride him a little bit quieter and we’ll be the last one hitting the line. “I think the horse is in as good a form as he can be. “We just need a bit of racing luck and if we draw the right barrier and I know this track is a very good draining track but a little bit of give in the track would be very good for us. Give is very important to us.” Mr Brightside has won on all track conditions. Hayes said Mr Brightside had done everything right since arriving in Hong Kong last week and completed a leisurely canter around the Sha Tin’s dirt on Monday morning. He said the gelding had a great temperament was not phased by the flight over or his new surroundings. “We couldn’t be happier with the way he has arrived and we look forward to seeing him gallop tomorrow,” Hayes said. “He is moving well and has got a great coat on him and he looks fantastic. We are as happy as we can be.” Hayes said Mr Brightside weighed 1,146lb when he left Victoria and lost about 26-28lb on the flight over but had already regained the weight. He said there would be no problem handling the right-handed track as he won races in Sydney in that direction. “He has been very competitive every time he has been on his Sydney leg,” Hayes said. “If anything, he is probably better on his Sydney leg.” Hayes said they had plenty of respect for the opposition, including local hero Voyage Bubble, and fellow Australian raider Royal Patronage, who is trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. With nine Group 1 victories, Hayes said Mr Brightside was a horse that never lets them down and he is predicting a top-three finish in the 1600m race. “He is always in the finish and we think he is a top winning, top-three chance,” he said. “Just talking to my brothers and the team, we just thought it was the right time to come. He is now seven and he has done nearly everything he can do in Australia.” Hayes said the trip was also special because their father David Hayes, back in Hong Kong for his second training stint, has Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) as the favourite in the HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m). David Hayes will also saddle Rubylot (Rubick) in the HK$28 million Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m). View the full article

Ex-pat Kiwi jockey Rory Hutchings is keen to get his riding career back on track after being off the scene since February courtesy of the broken collarbone he suffered in a nasty fall when his mount clipped heels at Taupo in late February. Hutchings, who was in a purple patch of form during his extended summer riding stint back home, was left to rue the fact he missed out on several high-profile rides on Champions Day at Ellerslie last month, although he is philosophical about the incident. “It is one of those things really and while I did miss out on some excellent rides, I’m also thankful it was just the collarbone as it could have been much worse,” Hutchings said. “You have to look at the positives, so while I may have missed out, I did get to walk away in better shape than I could have been. “I’ve made excellent progress since the fall and when I saw the surgeon last week he told me I could probably get back riding now at a pinch but the best thing to do would be to give it another fortnight, which is what I’m going to do. “My weight is good so when it is time to get back to trackwork I will be good to go.” Hutchings is back in Sydney and is looking forward to working with some of the bigger stables that he has forged excellent contacts with over the past decade. “I ride a lot of work for people like Chris Waller and Michael Freedman so I’m really keen to get back to work with them as they have been very loyal and supported me a hell of lot,” he said. “When I was in New Zealand I managed to win a Group Two (Westbury Classic, 1400m) aboard Konasana for Chris and that was such a huge buzz. “It may not have been a Group One but it sure felt like it and to be able to get the job done for the stable, who don’t often travel horses to New Zealand, was just so special. “It was actually quite neat to see so many Australian horses come across for summer racing which I think is testament to the work that has been done to lift the whole Industry, and that success can only help it develop further.” With 14 wins of which four were at stakes level, including the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) aboard El Vencedor, Hutchings is definitely contemplating a second New Zealand summer stint next season. “I haven’t really looked too far ahead at this stage but the way things went for me I would definitely like to try it again next season,” he said. “I was delighted to get rides aboard horses like El Vencedor and if the cards fall the right way then I could well be back again in 2026.” View the full article

Juvenile gelding Belzoni has shown plenty of promise at home for trainer Lisa Latta and he was able to transfer that to raceday when scoring his maiden success in the Wilson Livestock (1100m) at Waverley on Easter Monday. The son of Belardo was pulled up shortly after the start when on debut at Trentham last October and was spelled over summer. He pleased Latta with his two runner-up trials heading into his resuming run, and Latta was full of confidence when the forecast rain arrived on Monday. Belzoni jumped away well and settled in the coveted one out, one back position for jockey Jonathan Riddell where he enjoyed an economical passage throughout. He was presented three-wide at the turn and showed a blistering turn of foot in the final 200m on the Heavy8 going to score a 1-1/4 length victory over Spandeedo, with a further neck back to Engine Of War in third. Latta was pleased with the winning result and believes there is plenty more instore for the promising gelding. “At Trentham he got pulled up, we think he just locked his stifle,” she said. “We turned him out for a decent break and he has had two very nice trials coming back through. With the showers today it was always going to suit him. “He is a typical Belardo, he is going to be better with a bit of time, both physically and mentally.” Bred by Don and Dame Wendy Pye, Belzoni was offered through Haunui Farm’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by Latta for $45,000. He is out of winning St Petersburg mare Sinalot, and is the full-brother to six-win mare Caitlyns Wish and half-brother to Group Three winner Carnival. View the full article

Fresh from surpassing his career-best haul of winners in a season, South African turns his attention to two Group One rides on Champions Day.View the full article

A cool, calm, and collected Cabo Spirit entered the Santa Anita starting gate for the $101,000 American Stakes (G3T) April 20. When his competition decided to leave him alone on the lead, he made them pay late as he coasted to the wire in victory.View the full article

The Sunday Racing silks were carried to a famous one-two at Nakayama on Sunday, but not in the order expected as Museum Mile (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) toppled the unbeaten Croix du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) to claim the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas). It was a blistering performance from Museum Mile as he lowered the course record for the 2,000-metre distance at Nakayama in a time of 1:57.00, passing the post with a length and a half to spare over fan favourite Croix du Nord, with another neck back to the fast-finishing Masquerade Ball (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), the winner of February's G3 Kyodo News Hai. Only Giovanni (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) stood between the market leaders and a clean sweep of the first four places, finishing narrowly ahead of Satono Shining (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), who was the second choice of punters after his win in February's G3 Kisaragi Sho. For Croix du Nord, the Japanese champion two-year-old colt of 2024, everything appeared to be going to plan when he surged to the front early in the straight, bidding for a fourth victory from as many starts, having ended his juvenile campaign with a first top-level success in December's Hopeful Stakes. However, he ultimately proved powerless to the challenge of Museum Mile, whose run was timed to perfection by Joao Moreira, the Brazilian-born jockey celebrating his second Classic triumph in as many weeks after that of Embroidery (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}) in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas). Settled in mid-division through the first part of the contest, Museum Mile swung wide turning for home and was never stronger than at the line after being produced to lead inside the final furlong. “When I sat on him this afternoon, I could feel that he's very special,” said Moreira. “He's got a very nice body and temperament. I thought this might be the horse to win. When we were turning for home, we were a bit unbalanced, maybe because the ground was not so smooth, but when I got him on the stretch he just dashed home. When he took the lead with 150 metres to go, he kept running away, showing me that he's got so much ability. It was so nice to ride this horse and I believe he's got plenty more to give.” Trainer Daisuke Takayanagi was winning his first Japanese Classic with a colt who was returning to Nakayama after a fourth-place finish in the G2 Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen over the same course and distance on his most recent outing. Prior to that he'd won two of his four starts as a juvenile, culminating with a runner-up effort in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes at Kyoto. Kyoto was also the scene of his two victories as a two-year-old, after he'd finished third on his debut at Chukyo in August last year. The Sunday Racing team will be hoping Museum Mile can now emulate their Orfevre (Jpn), who was the seventh winner of the Japanese Triple Crown in 2011, before Contrail (Jpn) became the eighth in 2020. The next leg of the Triple Crown, the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), is scheduled to take place at Tokyo on Sunday, June 1. G1 3yo 2000m Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas) at Nakayama: Won by 3c 11. MUSEUM MILE (Leontes x Museum Hill (Heart's Cry)) under the Magic Man – Joao Moreira Amazing turn of foot 1.57.0 New Race Record for the 10F 2nd CROIX DU NORD 3rd MASQURADE BALLpic.twitter.com/2sfPKv2WOs — Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) April 20, 2025 Pedigree Notes Museum Mile becomes the second individual Group 1 winner for Leontes, who is based at the Breeders Stallion Station in Hokkaido. The Japanese champion two-year-old colt of 2015, before posting one of his best efforts as a three-year-old when finishing fifth in the Satsuki Sho, Leontes is also responsible for last year's G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) winner T O Royal (Jpn). This colt is the first foal out of the Listed Sweet Pea Stakes runner-up Museum Hill (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) who, in turn, is out of a half-sister to the G3 Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap hero King's Trail (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) and the Listed-placed Santa Fe Soleil (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}). His third dam, the winning Northern Taste mare Santa Fe Trail (Jpn), is a half-sister to Shinko Lovely (Caerleon), the one-time champion older mare in Japan. Sunday, Nakayama, Japan SATSUKI SHO (JAPANESE 2000 GUINEAS)-G1, ¥419,920,000, Nakayama, 4-20, 3yo, c/f, 2000mT, 1:57.00 (NTR), fm. 1–MUSEUM MILE (JPN), 123, c, 3, by Leontes (Jpn) 1st Dam: Museum Hill (Jpn) (SP-Jpn, $772,865), by Heart's Cry (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Loretto Chapel (Jpn), by French Deputy 3rd Dam: Santa Fe Trail (Jpn), by Northern Taste 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Daisuke Takayanagi; J-Joao Moreira; ¥227,924,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-0, ¥282,579,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Croix du Nord (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Rising Cross (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire). O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥87,984,000. 3–Masquerade Ball (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Duramente(Jpn)–Mask Off (Jpn), by Deep Impact (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥53,992,000. Margins: 1HF, NK, HF. Odds: 10.60, 1.50, 13.70. Also Ran: Giovanni (Jpn), Satono Shining (Jpn), Magic Sands (Jpn), King Squall (Jpn), Alohi Alii (Jpn), Vincentio (Jpn), Kalamatianos (Jpn), Eri King (Jpn), Tjuta (Jpn), Nishino Agent (Jpn), G T Adamant (Jpn), Faust Rasen (Jpn), Fukuno Blue Lake (Jpn), Dragon Boost (Jpn), Piko Chan Black (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Museum Mile Leads Home Sunday Racing One-Two in Satsuki Sho appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Top 3-year-olds Rodriguez and Baeza each had their final local works April 20 at Santa Anita Park prior to shipping to Churchill Downs.View the full article

After a 10-year absence, veteran jockey Martin Garcia is headed back to the Kentucky Derby (G1). He is set to ride Citizen Bull, last year's champion 2-year-old male, for trainer Bob Baffert in the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs May 3.View the full article

They've been racing at Fairmount Park, which opened its doors for business on Sept. 26, 1925, now for 100 years. For most of those years, the odds have been stacked against the little track in Collinsville, Illinois. Tracks without revenue from casinos and with a poor racing product usually don't last that long. But for all those years, Fairmount kept grinding away. For horsemen and track owners, it was a battle to survive. But survive they did and now Fairmount has a new lease on life and there are reasons to be optimistic about its future. “The horsemen that have remained here and have remained in the business are very strong and very loyal to our program,” said Jim Watkins, the president of the Illinois HBPA. “They've shown a lot of stick-to-itiveness. They've been resilient and now they have been rewarded.” Year 100 begins Tuesday at Fairmount Park. The first change people will notice is that the name of the track has reverted to Fairmount Park. When owned by FanDuel, it was called FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing, a cumbersome and awkward name that no one seemed to like. The name has been changed because FanDuel has sold the track to Accel Entertainment, the largest operator of video gaming terminals in Illinois. They may not have bought the place because they wanted to run a racetrack. They wanted a casino. But, according to Fairmount General Manager Vince Gabbert, Accel is dedicated to improving the racing side of the business and has earmarked $25 million for racetrack-related projects. Accel does not own any other racetracks. “I think they are bullish on racing in the right environment as a way to grow their portfolio,” said Gabbert, who comes from Keeneland, where he was the vice president of strategic initiatives and legislative affairs. Watkins has also been impressed by the Accel team. “The new ownership group is dedicated to, not only improving things when it comes to the casino, but also the horse racing end of the business,” he said. “Without question they care about racing. The leadership, they've been here since Day 1. They came here to evaluate things and left no stone unturned to see what can be improved. Then they ventured from coast to coast looking at other tracks and what they liked about them. They were especially pleased with Oaklawn. They said that they really liked how the gaming and racing are intertwined. In the permanent facility, they're looking to do something that will model Oaklawn Park.” A temporary casino that will be situated in the grandstand is close to opening. Gabbert said that after the meet ends in mid-November, work will begin on a permanent casino. At this meet, purses will remain small, about $100,000 a day. But Gabbert said that once the casino is up and running, purses should gradually reach the $250,000-a-day level. “I'm hoping that we stabilize at 50-60 race days a year,” he said. “I'd love to be at $250,000 a day in purses. We're just a tick above $100,000 now. So in five years, it's very feasible for us to be at $250,000 a day.” A total of $125,000 will be paid out in purses on opening day. One thing they won't have to worry about is the live handle. Fairmount is located about 10 miles from St. Louis. Despite the lower level of racing that it has been offering, Fairmount has always been supported by the local community. “It's really a testament to the community and our fan base,” Gabbert said when asked how Fairmount had survived as long as it has. “One of the things that really amazed me when I made my first trip here last fall was that I came on a Tuesday afternoon and there were probably 4,000 people here. There are some tracks that would kill to have that crowd on a Saturday afternoon. The fact that the fans and the locals were so supportive of this place is one more thing that gave me a real sense of optimism about its future.” Fairmount's new management team could easily sit back and watch the casino money roll in while ignoring racing. More often than not, that's how it works when a gaming company buys a racetrack. Scott Becker, the top trainer at Fairmount, doesn't see that happening. “The new group has come in and is willing to invest to make the product better,” he said. “We couldn't be happier. We need to build some more racing days, but right now we've got a pretty good band-aid on the product.” Gabbert is focused on improving the racing product and the fan experience. Among other things, he said he will look to build a turf course. He wants to put in fixed-odds wagering and to also work with Hawthorne and Canterbury Park to have a three-track circuit. “One of the great things about racing at this level is that it gives you the ability to try some stuff that you might not do at larger tracks,” Gabbert said. “Things I certainly wouldn't have tried or advocated for when I was at Keeneland. I would love to really push fixed odds. Especially in these more-educated and more-fervent markets, that people know they can get 7-1 on Thursday on a horse that will be 2-1 when the gates open is appealing to people. You do some things and if they work, everyone adopts them. If they don't, you scrap it and go to the next thing.” Fairmount will race on Tuesdays and Saturdays and the meet concludes Nov. 16. The highlight of the meet will be the Sept. 19 St. Louis Derby, which has a purse of $250,000. The post One Hundred Years In, the Best May be Yet to Come at Fairmount Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Later this week, the 2025 class of inductees for the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame will be announced. Among the eight racehorses included as finalists on the ballot is 2004 dual Classic winner Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality). All eight of the horses have marvelous credentials–obviously, or they wouldn't be on the ballot–but if there was a Hall of Fame for the intangible, Smarty Jones would be a shoo-in at the top of the class. “I think there was this trickle-down effect in what he did that will never be able to be properly quantified, but it was very special,” said Jessica Paquette, the current race caller at Parx. Smarty Jones was based at the Parx property, formerly known as Philadelphia Park, and made his first two career starts there. “It's my understanding Smarty Jones truly saved horse racing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” added Paquette. Rodney Eckenrode, who now stands the 24-year-old at his Equistar Training and Breeding near Annville, Pennsylvania, agrees. “It was one of the most amazing stories in racing. Believe me, the Cody's Wish story was amazing in itself, but this was the same kind of deal where Smarty Jones reached across the rail to bring in non-racing people to the community. “He is responsible for Pennsylvania getting slot machines. He changed the sport in the state. All that was in legislation when he was on the Derby trail. Governor [Ed] Rendell went to all his races. There was so much energy and buzz about him; it was just amazing.” Smarty Jones shows off at Equistar last month | Sarah Andrew Pat Chapman, who bred and raced Smarty Jones with her late husband Roy, summed it up. “This is the horse that just keeps giving, time and time again. I still hear people, who are now in the racing world, say, 'I got involved because of Smarty Jones. He was the first racehorse I fell in love with and he's why I follow racing.' I still hear that, time and time again.” The Smarty Jones story is a Pennsylvania story through and through. From the second crop of Elusive Quality, Smarty Jones was foaled in Pennsylvania, was based in the state throughout his racing career, and despite forays out to stand at two different farms in Kentucky and to shuttle to Uruguay, he is back home in Pennsylvania, less than two hours from Parx. Philadelphia is well known for sports passion, particularly when it comes to underdogs. The fictional Rocky may have introduced the Philadelphia zeal for an underdog to the wider world, but Smarty Jones lived it in real life. “Some people say it's the name–Smarty Jones was foaled on my mother's birthday and it was her nickname–other people say he came along at a time we were in dire straits,” said Chapman. “The world was not going as we would like it at the time–a couple of years before was 9/11 and we were at war with Afghanistan–and he came along and made a lot of people feel good. When he kept winning races, the momentum grew. A lot of people claim he's their sports hero.” Smarty Jones and Rodney Eckenrode | Sarah Andrew Longshots aside, Smarty Jones was as unlikely a GI Kentucky Derby favorite and winner as can be found. The Chapmans, small-time breeders, were getting out of the sport after their regular trainer, Robert Camac, who had also trained Smarty Jones's dam, was murdered. Smarty Jones was one of only two horses they retained. His racing career was in doubt as the colt fractured his skull in a starting gate incident as a 2-year-old and nearly lost his eye. “We had murder and intrigue involved with this horse and then he had his accident in the starting gate,” remembered Chapman. “He reared up and shattered his skill. He almost lost his eye and it would have been his rail eye. All of those things came together just to make a remarkable hero when he began winning those races and everybody got on the bandwagon. That wagon got bigger and bigger.” Without Camac, who had always trained for the Chapmans and helped them pick out Smarty Jones's dam as a yearling, the couple went to a young trainer based at Philadelphia Park, John Servis, and used a Philadelphia Park-based jockey, Stewart Elliott. Neither Servis nor Elliott had ever participated in the Derby. It was not a recipe for success on the biggest stage in racing. However, Smarty Jones wasn't an average horse. He overcame all the setbacks and challenges, growing more and more popular as he reeled off six straight wins on his way to entering the Derby starting gate undefeated. There was just something about his catchy name and humble roots that served to transcend racing and capture the public's imagination. Even Sports Illustrated pictured him on the cover. “It's a little bit of 'a good horse can come from anywhere'-type deal,” said Eckenrode. “People rallied behind him because he was a local hero, a local horse on the rise, if you will. The Chapmans lived the ultimate dream. They were small breeders, saw him on the ultrasound for the first time and he went from their paddock to the greatest stage in racing. It was the ultimate ride for the dreamers. People expect a horse like this to come from Kentucky, to come from Baffert's barn. To come out of Philadelphia Park, it tells the small people that you can do this.” All alone in the stretch of the 2004 Preakness | Bill Denver/Equi-Photo Everyone knows the story: Smarty Jones was the first unbeaten colt to take the Derby since Seattle Slew in 1977. He then captured the GI Preakness Stakes by 11 1/2 lengths, still the biggest margin in Preakness history, and Smarty mania turned into a frenzy. A record crowd of 120,000 turned up at the GI Belmont Stakes, but the Triple Crown was not to be. He finished second to Birdstone. Paquette was one of the 120,000 in attendance that day. “As a sporting fan, I've never to this day felt an arena or stadium or anything go silent the way Belmont Park did that day,” she remembered. “I was a member of 'Kids to the Cup,'” Paquette said, referencing a national youth organization at the time that served to introduce young people to racing, “and one of my really vivid memories with Kids to the Cup is watching the Belmont at Belmont Park. It was one of the formulative racing experiences of my life.” Smarty Jones suffered some bone bruising and didn't race again, retiring with a career record of 8-1-0 from nine starts and an Eclipse Award as the champion 3-year-old colt, but his story doesn't end there. No, he hasn't set the world on fire as a sire, although he's been very useful with 12 graded winners among his 32 black-type winners and 75% winners from starters. His progeny have included a champion in Uruguay and 2013 GI Triple Bend Handicap winner Centralinteligence. John Servis, left, with Roy and Pat Chapman | Equi-Photo “The most important thing for people to know is that if recovery from addictions wasn't possible, there wouldn't have been a Smarty Jones,” said Chapman. “My husband and I met because we were both in recovery from serious problems with alcohol. Later, we found out our jockey [Stewart Elliott] was also in recovery from addiction. And since then, I have a son in recovery.” Chapman continued, “Addiction to drugs and alcohol runs rampant through the horse racing world, but recovery is possible. We have so many trainers, jockeys, hot walkers, and other people involved in the racing world who have reached out and shared their recovery stories because of Smarty Jones.” Whether Smarty Jones inspired an addict or a child or someone in between, he brought the Sport of Kings to everyday people in the days when racing syndicates were still more of the exception than the norm and micro-share partnerships hadn't even been invented yet. The people of Pennsylvania felt he was theirs. Their enthusiasm for this horse was infectious as racing fans sprouted up all over America due to Smarty Jones. It was a magical phenomenon and an electrical cultural impact that is rarely seen, impossible to predict, and unable to be counted. Smarty Jones at Equistar Training and Breeding | Sarah Andrew “It has been an amazing ride,” said Eckenrode, who has cared for the chestnut since just before the 2019 breeding season. “We just feel blessed to be part of this whole journey with this horse. He is still a sports hero to so many people. Most people think of basketball or football players, but this horse is a lot of people's sport hero. “It's always kind of the same story. 'This horse got me into horse racing' or 'I follow racing because of Smarty.' During that Derby run, it was an amazing movement here in Pennsylvania. You couldn't turn on the t.v. or watch the news without hearing about him. It was a crazy, but good, frenzy that was going on. The kids in the schools were doing Smarty coloring contests. There was so much energy at that time, it was unbelievable.” Eckenrode said even now, 21 years after his Derby win, Smarty Jones still has an impact. “People walk up to his stall and they just start crying. They're so overwhelmed to see him. People come from all over the place just to see him. We had a gentleman fly here from Japan last year. We have a couple that comes from Alaska two or three times a year. There's another girl who is in her mid- to late-teens now with a long list of health problems who comes about once a year to see him.” Smarty Jones at 24 | Sarah Andrew He said the horse has an uncanny knowledge of how best to treat people with physical or emotional challenges. Eckenrode said Smarty Jones “gets the softest look in his eye” and allows people to stroke him as they weep. “He'll come up to the bars in his stall, park himself parallel to the wall, and just sit there and go to sleep. It's like he knows. It's an odd deal. He's very intelligent. “He's a really, really neat horse. Even aside from the race record, he's just one of those special horses.” Chapman, who said one of her favorite things is to talk about Smarty Jones, has known from the early days that there was something different about Smarty Jones. Now widowed, she lives in a retirement community in Florida and has become something of a celebrity among the other residents as people find out she is the owner of Smarty Jones. She marvels at how, 21 years after his Triple Crown campaign, he remains a topic of conversation. “I remember John Servis telling me, 'These good horses have the 'it factor' and I thought, 'What is the it factor?' John said they walk out of the stall and puff out their chest as if to say, 'Here I am,' and I thought, 'That is Smarty! That's what he does.' I'm getting goose bumps even as I say it now. He still does that,” said Chapman. “We knew we had a special horse when he went into very early training, but we were thinking stakes races. Never the Kentucky Derby! It was unbelievable. This horse was so special and I had such mixed feelings to be on the Derby trail because it's such a grueling period. He ran nine races from November to June. That's a huge campaign, but even a workout was like a race for him [because he put so much into it]. He was such a wonderful competitor.” People turned out in droves to see Smarty Jones gallop | Horsephotos Eckenrode, who was then extensively showing in the Arabian horse world, also remembers that time and had no idea he'd be part of the horse's story someday. “You couldn't turn the news on at that time without hearing about Smarty, so we followed it and it was just amazing at every step. Here's this horse: he wins, he wins again, he wins again. Eight for nine with a second is pretty impressive. Now, looking back at his stats and his speed figures, you realize he was just a monster.” Paquette also marvels at the Smarty effect. “What you really see is how many people he inspired to get involved in racing. There were so many young people that fell in love with racing who got exposed to it because of him, especially in Philadelphia because it's such a great sports market. Many became fans or horseplayers or owners or work in racing in some capacity.” When asked if she could see any concrete evidence at Parx that showed the continued impact of Smarty Jones, she said simply, “It exists. Philadelphia Park back then would not have necessarily survived without expanded gaming and Smarty Jones happened right at the perfect time to help show how important Thoroughbred racing was to the state.” Eckenrode said after he met with Mrs. Chapman about standing Smarty Jones, he was nervous when the gravity of the responsibility for this charismatic horse hit him when the horse van pulled up. Chapman had described what the horse meant to people and how people sometimes react when they see him, as well as how important it was to her that the horse would be available to the public. “I knew he was a great horse and I respected him tremendously, but I got to tell you, I never dreamt at that time that this horse would be one of those special horses. I figured we were not going to retrain a [then] 18-year-old horse. We just needed to figure out how to get along with him. Some horses will allow you to be a part of them and some won't, but he and I get along pretty darn good. We're pretty good buds.” Smarty Jones and Eckenrode share a laugh | Sarah Andrew Smarty Jones remains hale and hearty at age 24, said Eckenrode. “He looks very, very youthful. If somebody told you he was 12, you'd believe them. He just looks great. He's still going strong, still breeding well. He's also full of personality. He's still coltish, kind of ornery, but it's all bluff. I joke that if he could talk, he would sound like Eddie Murphy. He looks amazing, but the reality is he's 24 years old. You just never know, so we want to enjoy him.” Humorously, Eckenrode said Smarty Jones has one item of kryptonite. “Nobody believes it unless they see it, but this horse is so intelligent. We have people come to his stall a couple of times a week, but the people that bring up the Belmont, this horse will turn his head and look away from them. I swear he knows.” Chapman, who kept the majority share of Smarty Jones when he was originally syndicated because “I didn't want him leaving the country or leaving my control,” has repurchased most of the shares and owns 95% of the horse. “I had wonderful syndicate members, but I've guarded him very carefully.” She added, “I love that Smarty is where he is with Rodney. He is in the best possible place. I'm just so thrilled with the care and love and attention that Smarty gets.” For her part, Chapman hasn't gotten out of the game. She still has nine horses, including two 2-year-olds in training, a 3-year-old daughter of Smarty Jones with Servis at the track “named Miss Jones, who has broken her maiden and is catching on,” and an Into Mischief broodmare, whom she breeds exclusively to Smarty Jones. “I'm ever hopeful something is going to come out of it,” she said. “I'm 83 and I plan to be around for a long time. I'm at the top of my game, I really don't think I've ever felt better.” Smarty Jones and Eckenrode at Equistar | Sarah Andrew Both Chapman and Eckenrode are eagerly awaiting the Hall of Fame news this week. “I'm so pleased he's on the ballot,” said Chapman. “I am so hopeful, ever hopeful, that he's going to get in.” Eckenrode echoes the same feelings, saying how much it would mean to everyone associated with Smarty Jones. “It would just be the icing on the cake for Mrs. Chapman, John Servis, and his fans. I'm cautiously optimistic he gets in. I hope I'm not wrong, but I have a really good feeling about it.” A new documentary about Smarty Jones, which was featured Saturday in the Philadelphia Film Society's SpringFest, can be seen here. The post On Cusp of Hall of Fame Decision, Smarty Jones Remains ‘Ultimate Ride for the Dreamers’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Southern California-based duo of Rodriguez (Authentic) and Baeza (McKinzie) turned in their final local works before shipping to Churchill Downs for the May 3 GI Kentucky Derby Sunday at Santa Anita. Baeza worked in company with stablemate Atitlan (The Factor), a multiple graded stakes winner on turf, for trainer John Shirreffs. Working under jockey Hector Berrios, the GI Santa Anita Derby runner-up was officially credited with a seven-furlong work in 1:28.00 (3/4). Shirreffs clocked the colt in 1:28.20. “Because his morning gallops have been a little on the easy side, I wanted to give him a longer work to put a little more air in him and with a good finish,” Shirreffs said. Baeza's work was his second since finishing second behind Journalism (Curlin) in the Apr. 5 Santa Anita Derby. He went four furlongs in :50.00 (39/52) Apr. 14. Shirreffs said Baeza will depart for Kentucky on either Wednesday or Thursday. “It depends on the space available, but the sooner the better,” Shirreffs said. Baeza, who sits 23rd on the Derby points list, needs three defections to make it into the gate for the 1 1/4-mile race. Should he make the field, Flavien Prat will have the mount. Rodriguez, last-out winner of the GII Wood Memorial, worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 (13/74) Sunday at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert. “All went well,” Baffert said. Baffert added Rodriguez and stablemate Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) will ship to Churchill Downs either Tuesday or Thursday. The post Rodriguez, Baeza Have Last Local Works Ahead of Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), last year's champion juvenile, will give jockey Martin Garcia his first Derby mount since 2015. “It's a dream come true,” said Garcia, a 40-year-old native of Veracruz, Mexico. “It's what every jockey wants.” Garcia has ridden in the Kentucky Derby four times, all between 2010 and 2015. His best finish came in 2015 when Dortmund, also trained by Bob Baffert, finished third behind subsequent Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. “I'm excited to get back, most of all because I know I have a very good horse to ride,” Garcia said. Garcia secured the mount on Citizen Bull thanks to a fortuitous phone call before the GI American Pharoah Stakes last October. Baffert planned to enter three horses in the American Pharoah, but was short one jockey when Garcia just happened to call Baffert on the morning of entries. “I go, 'Hey, I'm glad you called. What are you doing Saturday?” Baffert shared after the American Pharoah. Citizen Bull went on to win the American Pharoah by two lengths in front-running fashion and four weeks later, Garcia and Citizen Bull were back in the winner's circle after winning the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. After kicking off his 3-year-old season with a win in the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes in February, Citizen Bull most recently finished a disappointing fourth after setting the pace in the Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. “I think it just wasn't his day,” Garcia said of that effort. “Horses can be similar to people, sometimes we all have difficult days. But everybody knows he's a superstar horse. Hopefully we can get a good result in Kentucky.” Citizen Bull turned in a positive work Friday ahead of shipping to Kentucky this week. Working with a target several lengths in front, the champion swept past his workmate in the stretch and galloped out strongly. He was credited with a six-furlong work in 1:11.80 (1/4). “He worked really good,” Garcia said. “Mr. Baffert told me to be a little off the pace. Then in the stretch when it was time to let him run, he switched leads perfectly and started reaching out like he does. The gallop-out was also really good.” The post Citizen Bull Takes Garcia Back to Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article