Wandering Eyes

A month into 2025, trainer Dan Blacker is back winning graded stakes in California, this time with My Way Racing's El Potente, who blitzed a mile on firm turf in 1:32.39 in taking the $102,000 Thunder Road Stakes (G3T) Feb. 1 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

A less-than-ideal break from the gate forced jockey Edgard Zayas to change his plan of attack with Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred Burnham Square, who nevertheless persevered to capture the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Feb. 1 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

A classic pace meltdown in the Feb. 1 $155,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) played right into the hands of a waiting Eclatant, who exerted her superiority late with a 1 1/4-length score.View the full article

In defeating three tough runners from the Bob Baffert barn in the Santa Monica Stakes (G2), Kopion reminded her trainer, Richard Mandella, of her sire, Omaha Beach, also a Mandella trainee.View the full article

Perhaps in two months trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. will start focusing on the Kentucky Derby (G1). For now anyway, he's quite content to know he has an exciting 3-year-old in Captain Cook who can be pointed to another lucrative stakes.View the full article

In winning his 13th Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and seventh straight, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert best summed up the performance from Citizen Bull during a postrace television interview, saying, "The champ is back."View the full article

Eclatant (Into Mischief) led home her Brad Cox-trained stablemate Stunner (Girvin) with a come-from-behind victory at 4-1 in Saturday's GIII Fasig-Tipton Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park, good for 20 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks. The Queens M G (Thousand Words) was third. Eclatant, cutting back to seven furlongs after finishing a well-beaten third in last term's GII Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Nov. 30, becomes a milestone 2,500th career victory for Cox. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1. O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. ECLATANT ($10.00) consumed the frontrunners down the lane in the $165,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark. The Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) filly gave trainer @bradcoxracing his 2500th victory and 20 Oaks Points. @luissaezpty was up for owners @StonestreetFarm. pic.twitter.com/BaenqANVHD — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2025 The post Eclatant Keys Brad Cox Exacta in Fasig-Tipton Forward Gal 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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Rallying from fourth in a field of six 3-year-olds, Gate to Wire did not exactly live up to his name in the $155,000 Swale Stakes Feb. 1 at Gulfstream Park, but he was in front when it mattered most in the seven-furlong race: the finish.View the full article

Chad Brown and Flavien Prat showed the Tampa Bay Downs crowd exactly why they were voted winners in their respective 2024 Eclipse Award categories, sweeping both graded stakes races on the Feb. 1 card with Running Bee and Saffron Moon.View the full article

Burnham Square (Liam's Map), a breakout, nine-length maiden winner with blinkers added at third asking at Gulfstream Dec. 28, backed up that effort in a big way with a decisive victory in Saturday's GIII Holy Bull Stakes, good for 20 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby. Favored Tappan Street (Into Mischief) was second; Burning Glory (Into Mischief) was third. The 4-1 chance, drawn widest of all in post seven, trailed the field through an opening quarter in :23.42. He advanced on the inside down the backstretch, was shifted to the outside on the far turn and set his sights on Tappan Street at the top of the stretch. He kept rolling from there and kicked on to win going away by two lengths. The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:43.60. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1. O/B-Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes. BURNHAM SQUARE ($10.60) blazed home in the $265,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark for 20 @KentuckyDerby points! The gelding by Liam's Map (@LanesEndFarms) is trained by @IanWilkesRacing. @zayas_edgardo was on board. Bet the Forward Gal: https://t.co/mnxsqMII2X pic.twitter.com/01yvSLf1JH — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2025 Saturday, Gulfstream HOLY BULL S.-GIII, $250,000, Gulfstream, 2-1, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.60, ft. 1–BURNHAM SQUARE, 118, g, 3, by Liam's Map 1st Dam: Linda (GSW, $407,310), by Scat Daddy 2nd Dam: Beautiful Noise, by Sunny's Halo 3rd Dam: Listen Well, by Secretariat 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Whitham Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes; J-Edgard J. Zayas. $151,900. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1, $202,330. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Tappan Street, 118, c, 3, Into Mischief–Virginia Key, by Distorted Humor. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($1,000,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG). O-WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing; B-Blue Heaven Farm (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $49,000. 3–Burning Glory, 118, c, 3, Into Mischief–Hail, by Tapit. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-William I. Mott. $24,500. Margins: 1 3/4, 9 1/4, 3/4. Odds: 4.30, 1.70, 8.90. Also Ran: Ferocious, He's Not Joking, Kinetic Control, Guns Loaded. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Burnham Square Goes Last to First in Holy Bull appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Recently crowned champion Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) led home a Bob Baffert-trained trifecta in Saturday's GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. The 4-5 favorite bobbled from his inside draw and recovered quickly to lead the field of five around the clubhouse turn. He showed the way through fractions of :23.27 and :47.06 and powered home a four-length winner. 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) was second; Madaket Road (Quality Road) was third. The final time for one mile was 1:36.71. Sales history: $675,000 yrl '23 KEESEP. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC & Donovan, Catherine; B-Robert & Lawana Low (KY); T-Bob Baffert. It was all #2 CITIZEN BULL ($3.80) in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. That is Bob Baffert's 7th straight win in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes and the 13th time he won the race. The son of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by Martin Garcia. pic.twitter.com/7SF1VGuWx7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2025 The post The ‘Bull’ is Back: Champion Citizen Bull Wires Robert B. Lewis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is finalizing February plans for his Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls and those include a geographical swap for two candidates and the stakes debut for a popular third. View the full article

Highly regarded since breaking her maiden at Keeneland as a 3-year-old, CHP Racing's Saffron Moon broke through at the graded level while lowering the stakes record in the process in the $150,000 Endeavour Stakes (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 1. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Captain Cook (Practical Joke), a runaway maiden winner going seven furlongs in the Aqueduct slop Dec. 28, delivered as the 7-5 favorite stretching to 1 1/8 miles in Saturday's Withers Stakes at the Big A, good for 20 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby. Longshot Surfside Moon (Malibu Moon) was second. Omaha Omaha (Audible) was third. The 7-5 favorite sat a tracking trip in an outside third, revved up three deep on the far turn and took care of business from there to score by two lengths. The final time was 1:51.83. An eventful sixth in his debut for Norm Casse at Churchill Oct. 27, the bay brought $410,000 from St Elias Stable out of the Estate of John Hendrickson dispersal at the 2024 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale. His third dam is Marylou Whitney's 2003 GI Kentucky Oaks heroine and champion 3-year-old filly Bird Town. He hails from the extended female family of GI Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone. Sales history: $410,000 '24 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0. O-St. Elias Stable; B-Marylou Whitney Stables LLC (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. CAPTAIN COOK charts his course to the @KentuckyDerby with a win in the Withers Stakes! He picks up 20 points on the Road to the Derby with @jockeyfranco up for trainer @RickDutrow59. pic.twitter.com/TUrEjTcZj0 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) February 1, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Captain Cook Dishes Out Withers Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner There’s one factor within the control of Commander Ben’s camp and one outside of it as the pacer looks to cap his strong recent placings with a Temuka Transport Waikouaiti Pacers Cup victory at Oamaru today. The five-year-old is in for a rematch with One Change after his third placing in the recent Northern Southland Cup at Ascot Park for trainers Brent and Tim White. The pair will clash with in-form pacers Piccadilly Pete, Tempo Warrior and Tabasco in a competitive 3000m grass track feature at Oamaru at 6.19pm. One Change is a $2.50 favourite, with Commander Ben at $9. Though beaten in his last two starts, Commander Ben couldn’t have produced much more. The pacer stormed home from a hopeless spot when third in the Cromwell Cup before recovering well from a scratchy start in the Northern Southland Cup for his third there. While the White camp can’t control what Commander Ben will do when the tapes are released on Sunday, they have been able to get him back onto his happy place – grass track racing. “He does love the grass and if he is able to step away a bit better this time and stay in front of One Change he should be a good each way chance,” Tim White said. “He has gone three nice races this year, his win at Roxburgh was good and his run at Cromwell couldn’t have been any better.” While getting back onto grass is clearly a plus for Commander Ben, stepping up to the 3000m staying trip looks another. “It is a trip that suits him these days,” White said. “Earlier on in his career distance wasn’t his forte.” “But he has got stronger as he has gone on.” “He is best following and if he can get on a helmet, the 3000m should suit him.” The White stable also start Randel Huston P at Oamaru in Race 4, the Equine Veterinary Services and Belmont Park Trot. The trotter charged back into his best form with a four-length victory on the Oamaru all-weather recently. With that win being penalty-free, Randel Huston P takes on similar opposition on Sunday. “He has won twice on the all-weather there, hopefully he can do it on the grass too.” “He seems to run his best races in front, when he’s further back he gets out of his gait a wee bit and loses interest.” Kimberly Butt takes the reins behind both Commander Ben and Randel Huston P at Oamaru. View the full article

Today marks the start of Harness Racing New Zealand’s annual Team Teal campaign. It’s the eighth year it’s been run, with the focus firmly on raising awareness about ovarian cancer and raising money for research. From February 1 to March 16, money will be raised every time a female driver wins a race in this country. A total of $100 will be donated by HRNZ and individual clubs for each win. The most successful year so far was 2023 when there were 75 wins by female drivers (all wearing their distinctive teal pants), raising around $40,000. In addition there will be six “ambassadors” who will raise extra money through their own sponsorships. The six ambassadors are : Emily Johnson Crystal Hackett Gemma Thornley Kim Butt Neita Balle Kerryn Tomlinson This year will also see the second running of the “Frocks at the Trots” competition. It’s like a Fashion in the Fields Competition – but with a twist. The top two contestants and Best Contemporary at each of four heats will qualify for the Grand Final at Addington on March 14. First prize will be a trip to Australia with flights and accommodation included. The four “Frocks” heats are : Heat 1 – Cambridge Raceway – Monday January 27 – (winner Eleanor Campbell) Heat 2 – Amberley TC at Rangiora Raceway – Thursday February 6 Heat 3 – Gore Harness Racing Club – February 16 Heat 4 – Online Final – Addington Raceway – March 14 The first official Team teal meetings for 2025 will be at Hawera and at Oamaru today. For any further information contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

7th-Gulfstream, $73,260, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 2-1, 3yo, 1m, 1:36.34, ft, 6 1/2 lengths. RIVER THAMES (c, 3, Maclean's Music–Proportionality, by Discreet Cat), tabbed as a 'TDN Rising Star' with a 94 Beyer Speed Figure on debut going six furlongs at Gulfstream Jan. 11, stayed perfect in style, stretching to a mile here. The rail-drawn, 3-5 favorite forced the issue from an inside second through an opening quarter in :23.89. He appeared to bobble slightly, but recovered quickly to challenge for command entering the far turn. The New York-bred enjoyed a narrow advantage at the top of the stretch and leveled off beautifully from there to score by 6 1/2 lengths. Souper Times (Not This Time) was second. River Thames's dam, herself a debut winner at two at Laurel Park, is a half-sister to four winners, including Miss Interpret (Street Sense), who won a rained-off renewal of the P.G. Johnson Stakes at Saratoga in 2021. Third dam Seeking the Silver produced MGISW Paulassilverlining (Ghostzapper), dam of SW and recent UAE GSP 'TDN Rising Star' Artorius (Arrogate); GISW sire Dads Caps (Discreet Cat); and SP Liza Too (Olmodavor), the dam of the stakes-winning Long Weekend (Majesticperfection). Proportionality was bred to both Liam's Map and WinStar's Nashville for her 2025 foal. Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $85,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-CHC, Inc. & WinStar Farm LLC; B-CTR Stables, LLC (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. “RIVER THAMES ($3.40) has a gear the others don't have” – @AnnouncerPete@PletcherRacing trains the Maclean's Music colt for owners @WinStarFarm. @ljlmvel was in the saddle of the undefeated three-year-old. Late Pick 5 starts now: https://t.co/zleTqs7rGG pic.twitter.com/4qTL8xZx2w — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ River Thames Stays Perfect at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Straight No Chaser (Speightster) and a pair of important 3-year-old colts were the star turns on the Santa Anita worktab Saturday morning. Last seen sewing up championship honors when taking out the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint over Bentornato (Valiant Minister) at Del Mar Nov. 2, Straight No Chaser turned in his second consecutive bullet work, going five furlongs in :59.20 (1/72) in advance of his expected appearance in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard Feb. 22. There the 6-year-old is expected to face a rematch with the Jose D'Angelo-trained Bentornato, a respectable third behind Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) and Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in last year's G3 Saudi Derby. Getaway Car (Curlin), winner of last year's GIII Best Pal Stakes, continued to train along towards his sophomore debut when clocking 1:00.40 for his five-furlong move Saturday morning. The $300,000 Keeneland November weanling turned $700,000 Keeneland September yearling was last seen completing the exacta for his sire behind Journalism in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 14. 'TDN Rising Star' Bullard (Gun Runner) also breezed five-eighths of a mile Saturday morning, covering the distance in 1:00.20 (14/72) for trainer Michael McCarthy. The dark bay won the first two starts of his career, including Del Mar's GIII Bob Hope Stakes Nov. 17, but was soundly defeated into third by Barnes (Into Mischief) in the GII San Vicente Stakes Jan. 4. The post Straight No Chaser Works Towards Saudi, Prominent 3YOs Also on Santa Anita Tab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 2-1, 3yo, 1 1/16m (AWT), 1:42.82, ft, 3 1/4 lengths. EMERGENCE (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Belle Watling, by Pulpit), let go at 7-1, was shuffled back in traffic into the first turn and settled near the back of the pack down the backstretch. The dark bay colt began inching closer nearing the far turn, rolled up three wide into the stretch and bound to the lead before drawing clear to graduate by 3 1/4 lengths. Daham (American Pharoah) was second. Emergence, a $475,000 KEESEP yearling, is a half-brother to Land Over Sea (Bellamy Road), GSW & MGISP, $746,500; and to War Story (Northern Afleet), MGSW & GISP, $3,271,996. The winner is the last foal out of Belle Watling, who died in 2023. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. O-Qatar Racing, CHC, Inc. and Trilogy USA; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. The large Uncle Mo (@CoolmoreAmerica) colt EMERGENCE ($17.60) got stronger as they went longer in @GulfstreamPark race 5. The @bradcoxracing trained three-year-old won on debut under @luissaezpty. Get in on the next: https://t.co/RNKSWDl51a pic.twitter.com/CB1kPwMhXa — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2025 The post Uncle Mo’s Emergence Dominates in Gulfstream Debut 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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Vixen rebounded from a sixth-place finish in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) with a commanding victory in the $150,000 Sweetest Chant Stakes Feb. 1 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Patricia Cooskey began her riding career in 1979, at a time when female jockeys were not only rare, but were often discriminated against. She was the second woman in history to ride in the Kentucky Derby, the first to ride in the Preakness, and was at one time the all-time leading female jockey by victories. “I think the biggest challenge back then was being a woman in a male-dominated sport,” she said. “There were a few women who came before me, who I really consider the pioneers, tough women who broke down the barriers. I like to say that I paved the roads and made them a lot smoother for the women behind me, but still, it wasn't easy.” She was the leading rider at Waterford Park in West Virginia in her first two seasons, and decided if she was going to be a jockey, she should ride in Kentucky, she tells Peterson on the podcast. She was met with resistance from trainers, she said, and went from riding every race back home to mounts that were few and far between. She told the clerk of scales she was considering going back home, and he said he had a better idea. “`I've watched you ride,' he said, `and you've got the talent,'” Cooskey recalls him telling her. “`What's your middle name?'” he asked her. “Joanne,” she said. They agreed to change her name to P.J. Cooksey. “The next proram came out, and now I'm P.J. Cooksey,” she said. “Now, when trainers would call in and need a rider on their horse, he would say, `well, there's this new rider in town, P.J. Cooksey.' And they'd say fine, put him on.” The interview is the second in a series Peterson-a jockey and veterinarian based in Lexington, Kentucky-is producing in the Boundless podcast series, designed to showcase stories of determination and overcoming adversity. The podcast is available on YouTube here, or here on Spotify. The post Patti Cooksey Appears on Boundless Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred racing community is at a crossroads. Our sport is one of the most exhilarating and cherished pastimes, and the participants are among the finest people one could ever hope to meet. Yet, we find ourselves in a challenging era, particularly in states lacking clear legislative support, where the future looks increasingly uncertain. As a participant in Thoroughbred racing in California, I have closely followed the economics and politics of our sport for the past decade and have witnessed its steady decline. From hotwalkers to the executive staff of Stronach's 1/ST Racing, and from CEOs to board members of nearly every representative group in California, there is unanimous agreement that California racing is in critical condition, with an uncertain future. Everyone desires to see our sport flourish across the state, from the higher echelons to the grassroots level, but the consensus ends there, as opinions on solutions and objectives vary widely. Historical Horse Racing machines (HHRs) represent a potential pillar for future sustainability, but the outcome for HHRs remains uncertain. The reality is that our industry faces significant tension and frustration, making meaningful and productive discussions challenging. Now, more than ever, we must unite under a single vision for California racing, considering the objectives of all sectors. Our strategy must present a united front to garner political support from our legislators, avoiding mixed messages and internal conflicts. Former Kentucky Senator Damon Thayer remarked, “In the next five to 10 years, there are going to be states that have and states that have not. The 'haves' are states like Kentucky, New York, Arkansas, Virginia, Maryland–where they've built relationships with legislators and convinced them of the importance of the horse industry, achieving positive legislative wins. For states to survive, they must cultivate positive relationships with legislators and seek similar successes.” The Stronach Group, or any other entity, does not bear the sole responsibility of “saving racing” for us. While Stronach's involvement is essential, we, too, must contribute and cooperate to preserve our sport. The task of creating jobs, spurring the economy, and preserving our sport's rich history lies with our legislators. Thoroughbred racing deserves bipartisan support, benefiting both legislators and our industry. Fortunately, we have dedicated and talented individuals on our industry boards across California and indeed the country, working tirelessly to find solutions. However, we are not yet united. I urge Aidan Butler, president of 1/ST for Stronach in California, to engage with key stakeholders representing the various organizations in California racing. It is crucial to build unified support and dispel the perception of engaging only with pre-packaged corporate presentations. Thoroughbred racing is at a pivotal moment. We will need to pull it together if we hope to secure a brighter future. Leonard Miranda is an owner based in Southern California and the founder of Integrity Racing LLC. The post Letter to the Editor: A United Front for the Future of Thoroughbred Racing 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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