Wandering Eyes

In How To Talk To Customers, co-author Tom Larkin wrote that the key in business relationships was to “Make A Great Impression on the Customer”–known by his signature acronym M-A-G-I-C. “Results matter, and so does the process used to get those results,” the Preface pithily preached. According to those that knew him best, Larkin built a successful consulting company which focused on the development and enhancement of a business's number one concern, outreach. He traveled the world giving dynamic presentations on what has become the lost art of customer service. Sadly in 2023, he succumbed to ALS after a four-year battle. In college at Arizona State, Larkin ran across future horseman Corey Johnsen and the two formed a lifelong bond. To pay tribute to his friend through his syndicate CJ Thoroughbreds, Johnsen christened a colt Tom's Magic (Justify) after they acquired him for $200,000 during Keeneland September. “Marette Farrell who we use as our bloodstock advisor pointed this colt out to us at the sale,” said CJ Thoroughbreds Vice President C.J. Johnsen. “We focus primarily on fillies, but we've had clients who wanted to invest in colts and we really couldn't believe that a Justify would be priced so well. He had sesamoiditis, but we knew we could park him for 60 to 90 days at the farm in Midway [Kentucky] and everything would work out. Tom Larkin was really important to my dad [Corey Johnsen], so we wanted to name this colt after him.” What excited CJ Thoroughbreds about their purchase was the colt's Ontario-bred roots from dam SP Dixie Chicken (Rahy). Being a half to Dixie Moon (Curlin), who won the Woodbine Oaks, and to Guy Caballero (Quality Road), who took down the Plate Trial Stakes north of the border, gave the ownership group hope that the King's Plate Stakes Aug. 16 could be a viable target going forward. “We brought Scott Mawaka of Mo Speed Racing on board as an equal partner,” said Johnsen. “Sending this colt to Mike Stidham made sense and we liked his potential, plus his pedigree speaks to the idea that he can go longer. So, the idea of getting to the King's Plate has been out there for some time.” The question concerning how to prepare a Thoroughbred for a race that is more than nine months out intersects nicely with Larkin's quote about how the process is just as important as the end result. When talking to customers he urged companies to create their own 'magic of communication,' which became all about connecting on another plane with potential clients. Empathy, listening, following through on promises and being accountable were just some of the devices his toolkit deployed to create the opportunity to do business. Mike Stidham is customer-driven | Hodges Photography As Stidham can attest–having cared for the likes of current Darley sires Mystic Guide (by Ghostzapper) and Proxy (by Tapit) to last weekend's GIII Kelso Stakes hero Think Big (Twirling Candy), plus countless others over nearly 50 years in the game–training a Thoroughbred incorporates all of the tenets Larkin espoused. “The customer experience is everything,” said Stidham. “I was going through a tough time in the 90s when I was trying to get to the next level and I thought that I needed to find something else to do. I looked around at some of the old timers who were losing horses left and right to other barns. I knew I needed to get with the program and start working on getting more clients, otherwise that was going to be it. The key was becoming customer-driven, and you do that by going above and beyond what was expected.” Gone were the days when owners were stymied by a paywall and isolated from knowing what was going on with their horses. Stidham became part of the Internet generation that sent workout videos and he picked up the telephone to personally give updates, instead of clients calling him. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression as the saying goes,” he said. “It's true. My assistant Hilary [Pridham] and I take a lot of pride in service and because we have been doing this so long we know almost immediately what kind of horse we have on our hands.” When Tom's Magic was sent to Stidham starting last summer, the colt got a smattering of working experiences from the main track at Delaware to Turfway's synthetic surface in the fall. Stidham said the colt moved effortlessly no matter what was under him. Of course, the son of Justify was customarily green when he debuted in late November, but he showed some spark as the runner-up over the grass versus Cherie DeVaux trainee Deep Manhattan (Justify), who Stidham called “a monster.” The chestnut broke his maiden at course and distance before the calendar turned, and his 3-year-old campaign was marked by a score in the Black Gold Stakes Mar. 1. With the King's Plate six months out at that point, Stidham had several avenues that Tom's Magic could take. He opted for monsoon-laden Keeneland, which miraculously put on the delayed GIII Transylvania Stakes–the result was a ninth-place finish behind eventual GI Belmont Derby champ Test Score (Lookin At Lucky). Tom's Magic was a tough customer in the Black Gold Stakes | Hodges Photography “A horse in your barn is a customer too,” said Stidham. “You have to think about their needs, what will make them rise to any given occasion. What's interesting about this colt is that the weather helped and hurt us at different stages over the next three months after the Transylvania.” On the lookout for the 'right' race for his customer, the trainer thought seriously about the GIII Penn Mile Stakes, but it kept being put off. “I have never seen a race delayed like that,” he said. “Things got really tricky and Hilary, who scours the condition books, was trying to find a fit for him that would give us a chance to build some confidence.” The barn found the right spot in the Tale of the Cat Stakes at Monmouth June 28 and got to the winner's circle. “The weather was great that day, he sat just off the speed and looked really comfortable,” Stidham said. “I especially liked what he showed in the latter stages of the race with that stride of his, so we are all systems go moving forward to the King's Plate. Even though Stidham has never entered Canada's signature Thoroughbred race, he is confident that Tom's Magic can handle the surface, the distance and be ready to ship to Toronto. Now, it is all about keeping his good customer happy. “I love a horse that is not afraid to train,” Stidham said. “He's exactly that type and coming out of the race at Monmouth with the same amount of time off as he had from April to late June, I think we will be ready.” Whether it's training an employee in the art of customer service or caring for a Thoroughbred who is pointing to a big race, it certainly takes magic. Tom Larkin built a successful career inspiring others to think about the process before taking stock of the results. Ever customer-driven, the team behind Tom's Magic is looking to do something similar with trying to get the 3-year-old ready for his King's Plate bow. Now, that's a fitting tribute for his namesake's memory. The post Good Customer Tom’s Magic to Make King’s Plate Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Adam Hamilton Millionaire Kiwi trotter Oscar Bonavena’s exasperating start to the Brisbane Inter Dominion series has taken another twist. Mark and Nathan Purdon’s superstar nine-year-old has drawn gate one – probably one draw they didn’t want – in his do-or-die second round heat at Albion Park next Saturday night. Oscar Bonavena has a history of galloping when put under pressure from inside front row draws. The awkward draw follows an opening night horror show where he was held-up and hit the line full of running in seventh place. Driver Adam Sanderson returned to Mark Purdon and put his hand up for a bad draw. It has left Oscar Bonavena precariously placed to make the final so drawing one in the second and last heat is far less than ideal given his history. Adding to the intrigue of that heat, series favourite Arcee Phoenix is drawn to follow out Oscar Bonavena from gate eight. Arcee Phoenix smashed the clock when he sustained a big run from back in the field on opening night to run second to Kiwi young gun Bet N Win. Bet N Win will dominate betting to win again night two after drawing gate three. Driver Bob Butt should be able to push forward and find the lead. His only real danger looks to be the gifted but wayward Gus, who ran a slashing second on night one. Gus is out of the drawing, meaning he will start from barrier 12. The news wasn’t great for the lone Kiwi in the pacing series with Pinseeker drawing barrier 11 on night two. Making it much worse is the fact he is the same heat as Leap To Fame, Don Hugo and Catch A Wave. It’s by far the strongest heat of the pacing series. What an intriguing race it will be with Don Hugo drawn to lead from gate one and Leap To Fame yet again drawn inside the back row (gate eight). This time Grant Dixon likely take his medicine and follow through behind Don Hugo. But whether he stalk Don Hugo and beat the renowned speedster from off his back is highly debatable. View the full article

by Jonny Turner There is more to Duchess Of Kent than the brilliance she’s shown in her recent winning hat-trick. The three-year-old made it three-from-three this time in when speeding up the Ascot Park passing lane to win the Diamond Creek Farm & SBSR Silk Road Final on Sunday. Speed has been the key ingredient in Duchess Of Kent’s hat-trick of victories, with the filly settling handy in each before zipping home to score for driver Brent Barclay. As fast as she is, trainer Lauren Pearson thinks there is more to Duchess Of Kent’s game. “I think she’d stay – I think she’ll follow pace all the time, but she has got that speed as well, which is a major help.” Putting three wins to her name has helped Duchess Of Kent add to the already impressive record of her dam, Galleons Honour. The outstanding producer has a 100% record at stud and has produced a string of smart types including Duke Of Wellington and Duke Of Cornwall. Each has been bred by the late Lester Smith, whose estate races Duchess Of Kent. Smith had a lifelong passion for harness racing and enjoyed excellent success in the sport, most recently with Pearson and Barclay. “This one ended up being Lester’s favourite horse after he sold Duke Of Cornwall, because she was a keeper,” Pearson said. Her victory in Sunday’s Silk Road Series final has now earned Duchess Of Kent the opportunity to take on better fillies in her age bracket at Addington. “She’s paid up for the Nevele R Fillies Series, so we will have a smack at that,” Pearson said. “She can have a week or so off now while we go on holiday.” “We will get her up to Bob Butt – Bob doesn’t know it yet but we are going to ask whether he can take her and keep her up there for two Nevele R heats and find out if she’s good enough.” Though the Duchess Of Kent’s current campaign could not have gone any better, behind the scenes there have been plenty of challenges. “We’ve had a lot of ups and downs with it, but hopefully we’re on top of them now.” “They put her first campaign down to soreness, so we turned her out and then an abscess burst out, so we’re hoping it was that.” “We got her back and then we had a tie-up issue again after the first workout, but we seem to be on top of it at the moment.” After reining home Duchess Of Kent with a pinpoint steer, Barclay notched a late double with Haley Jaccka taking out a hectic running of Sunday’s finale for trainer Brett Gray. View the full article

by Mike Love Templeton trainer Jeremy Pearson trained his first winner yesterday when Coba Charged took out the Wouldn’t Be Here Without Ted & Di Enright pace, with Sam Thornley in the sulky. “It’s bloody brilliant,” said Pearson. It was Pearson’s eleventh race as a trainer, and only the second this season. It was Coba Charged’s ninth career start and maiden victory. Coba Charged made a good beginning from the outside of the tapes to be in the one out one back position briefly before being left parked. Over-racing in the parked position, Coba Charged had a couple of unsuccessful digs for the lead. Thornley finally reached the lead around the 400m, going on to a tenacious victory by half a head at the line. “He’s been a bit of a challenge, and he does get on the nickel a bit but we got there in the end playing around with him. “He had a few tie-up issues as a two year old, but we got around that one. It’s just getting him to race kindly is the next thing.” Pearson also owns Coba Charged, who started his racing career with Regan Todd, placing on two occasions as a two year old. “I bought two at the weanling sales, him and Cyclone Sala who won last week (June 27) at Alexandra Park. It’s been nice having two come out and have success within a week.” “We will space his (Coba Charged’s) races a bit, and have a couple more starts then give him a bit of a breather. We will try to give him more education and get him to race kindly.” Pearson’s introduction to the sulky was a little uncanny – but nevertheless bug-inducing. “Wendy Devenport had a horse called Uncle Drew who pulled a lot, so she needed a driver. So the next day I went around, jumped in the sulky, and he pulled me around for 400m before I could pull him up.” Pearson currently trains out of the Kevin and Bonnie Williams’ property at Templeton. Other highlights on the card included a double for driver Ricky May (Shadow Creek/Brent Weaver and The Coalman/Mark Jones), while John Howe trained KD Grins to a maiden victory for the race day he sponsored. View the full article

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Matthew Chadwick is hoping to make his move in the race for the Tony Cruz Award with a strong book of rides headlined by Bravehearts in the feature Class Two Begonia Handicap (1,800m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The 34-year-old will arrive to the Valley on the 34-winner mark for the campaign, just two behind leader Matthew Poon Ming-fai and one ahead of fellow hopeful Derek Leung Ka-chun in the race to be the season’s leading local jockey. Chadwick is hunting down a second Tony Cruz Award and...View the full article

New Zealand-bred three-year-old Public Attention will continue his racing career in Hong Kong following his recent sale. The grey son of Written Tycoon was bred by the late Sir Patrick Hogan and Lady Justine Hogan out of Legramor, a daughter of their dual Group One winner Katie Lee, and he was offered through Carlaw Park’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier for $160,000. Public Attention was raced by Coolmore, in association with several partners, including Sir Peter Vela, and won two of his eight starts to date carrying Coolmore’s iconic silks, including the Gr.3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in February. His talent was spotted by $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) slot holder Aziz “Ozzie” Kheir, and a deal was brokered for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained colt to contest the southern hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race in March. He finished eighth in the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi before placing in the Gr.2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) in April. That proved to be his last race in Australia and his former trainers believe he will acquit himself well in Hong Kong. “He was quite lucky for our stable,” Kent Jnr told Racing.com. “I still think he’s on the up and up and he’ll make a lovely horse in the Hong Kong environment. “He’s got the absolute best temperament, he’s an extremely sound horse and above all, he’s got smart ability. “He’s got a turn of foot, and he got to a good level here without us ever really seeing the best of him. I think the best of him was still to come. “I think he’s got a very good chance to be very successful up there in Hong Kong.” View the full article

Memories of a former high-class performer were revived when Peter Fitzgerald recently made a return to the winner’s circle. The Otaki horseman celebrated his first success in three decades when Revo broke his maiden on the polytrack at Awapuni last Friday. Fitzgerald enjoyed top-flight success in the early 1990s with the free-going chestnut Captain Cook, who won six races including the Gr.1 International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa where he beat Fun On The Run. He subsequently took a lengthy break from training before returning and now has Revo and multiple placegetter Just A Drop in work at Otaki. “In the 1990s we found it too hard financially, so I tried something else and got paid by someone else,” Fitzgerald said. “I worked in a few stables in Australia, including Gai Waterhouse, which was really interesting and I learned a lot. “I never lost the interest and have always been a punter and followed the form and breeding.” Fitzgerald also spent time outside of the industry when he moved into real estate. “I became a house flipper and gave up the horses and didn’t want to go back into it until I could afford it,” he said. “I got a property company going and made a bit of money, so I thought it was time to have a crack with the horses. I enjoy training them and the ones I’ve got have got issues, so I potter around with them.” Fitzgerald has always been a follower of interval training, an approach he took with Captain Cook. “He was the second or third horse I trained and got away with the mistakes I made because he was so good,” he said. Interval training involves the use of multiple workouts on the same day separated by short rest periods to challenge and condition the cardiovascular system. “Theoretically, you’re encouraging the muscles and the mind of the horse to adapt to extra speed and it sends more blood and oxygen around the system and will become more efficient,” Fitzgerald said. “You can improve heart and muscle performance by up to 15 percent, but the horse has to be very sound to undertake it.” Under that training regime, Captain Cook also won the Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) as a three-year-old before he finished runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and third in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m), both times behind Veandercross. He also ran third in Rough Habit’s Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2020m), ran second to Naturalism in the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m), was runner-up in the Gr.3 Tattersall’s Cup (2200m) and Gr.3 Thames Valley Stakes (1600m) behind Surfer’s Paradise and third in the Listed Craven Plate (2000m). “He still holds the New Zealand 2000m record and that suggests interval training does work, it was at weight-for-age (International Stakes), so it was no pretend race, and ran 1m.58.8s,” Fitzgerald said. “These two horses I’ve got now, one of them is sound enough physically but not mentally and the other is sound enough mentally but not physically, so I haven’t used interval training yet. “I would like to, but the horses aren’t in a position to do it yet. I certainly believe in it and it’s a great tool to condition horses.” View the full article

Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn has welcomed some exciting reinforcements ahead of spring racing, headlined by $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) heroine Damask Rose. The rising four-year-old mare was a standout for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson in her three-year-old term, winning three of her five starts in her homeland, including the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and NZB Kiwi, accruing more than $2 million in earnings. Having taken out two of New Zealand’s richest races, her connections have now set their sights on securing the lion’s share of one of Australia’s biggest prizes – the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 1. The daughter of Savabeel, who was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis out of Milan Park’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $200,000, gained an automatic entry into the rich feature through her NZB Kiwi triumph. Damask Rose landed in Melbourne last month, and Walker said she has settled in well to her new environment. “She has settled in really well to out Cranbourne barn, we are really happy with her. She hasn’t missed a beat,” he said. “She is still lightly raced and she has got a bright future.” While the Golden Eagle remains her key spring target, Walker has outlined a potentially lucrative pathway to the Syndey feature. “She will kick-off in the Cockram Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) on the 30th of August and she will have a couple of jumpouts before then,” he said. “From the Cockram it is three weeks to the Sir Rupert Clarke (Gr.1, 1400m) and then three weeks after that is the Toorak, a Group One mile handicap, and it is three weeks from there to the Golden Eagle.” Te Akau’s Group One-winning two-year-old Return To Conquer has also crossed the Tasman, with his major spring target also set to take place on November 1. The son of Snitzel was an unstoppable force in New Zealand, winning all four of his starts, including the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m), Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m), and Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). With an eye to his future at stud, Walker is gearing his campaign towards the stallion-making A$2 million Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day. “He is jumping out next Monday and he will be aimed towards the Coolmore Stud Stakes and see if he measures up to the sprinting three-year-olds over here,” Walker said. “He’s an exciting prospect.” Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn is set to gain another exciting addition from their New Zealand operation next week when they welcome Group One-winning filly La Dorada. The daughter of Super Seth has been bested in only one of her five starts to date, when runner-up in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) to Too Sweet at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, but subsequently went on to win the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). “La Dorada is over next week and she will be aimed towards the Thousand Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) here,” Walker said. “She is just coming for the spring and then she will head back home for the Karaka Millions 3YO and NZB Kiwi.” View the full article

The world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising will return straight home to Hong Kong after his tilt in the Group One The Everest (1,200m) with his owner keen to show his commitment to Hong Kong racing. On a winning run of 12 races which includes four Group Ones, the David Hayes-trained superstar was imperious last season - rising up to a rating of 132 from 111. He dismantled his sprinting rivals by going faultless in the Hong Kong Speed Series, winning the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m) and...View the full article

Jockey Flavien Prat, trainer Chad Brown, and owner Klaravich Stables earned leading titles for their respective categories during the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet, which included racing at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Flavien Prat, the reigning Eclipse Award-winner as Outstanding Jockey, earned his first riding title at a New York Racing Association meet when posting 43 wins at the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet which ran from May 1 through July 6. Statistics for the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet include the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and four-day July 4th Racing Festival, both of which were held at Saratoga Race Course. Prat, a 32-year-old native of Melun, Siene-et-Marne, France, enjoyed a major milestone at the meet when he notched his 2,000th North American victory June 27 at the Big A, guiding Iron Max to the winner's circle in one of five wins on the card. He posted another five-win day on the July 5 card at Saratoga, highlighted by graded wins with Fionn in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational and with Obliteration in the GIII Sanford Stakes. “The last few weeks, I've had good things happen and I try to take it all in,” said Prat. “My agent [Brad Pegram] and the support of trainers and owners and everybody that's part of the crew are important.” Of his first New York riding title, Prat said, “Obviously I'm very grateful and proud, and it's an achievement. There's a lot of people that supported me and I feel very grateful.” The meet's training title went to five-time Eclipse Award-winner Chad Brown for the ninth time in his career after a prosperous meet yielded 27 wins for the powerhouse stable. “I feel very fortunate that we have so many nice horses to work with,” Brown said. “My team does an unbelievable job, including with all of the logistics of this meet, shipping horses from all different divisions to run at NYRA. I'm always just so amazed with the day-to-day fluidity of it–they just make things happen. I'm amazed with their teamwork and talent. All of the credit goes to them.” Brown, who won Belmont spring/summer titles from 2016-22 and in 2024, was winning his 34th training title at a NYRA circuit track. With 13 wins, Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables claimed its 30th owners' title at a NYRA meeting and it sixth at a Belmont spring/summer meet. The post Prat Earns First New York Riding Title, Brown Takes Ninth Belmont at the Big A Training Title appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Klein family has been racing and breeding Thoroughbreds for over 30 years, but, according to Richard Klein, none have been better than Brilliant Berti.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Early Sunday morning, trainer Tom Morley walked down his shedrow at his barn on the Saratoga backstretch. He stopped in front of a stall occupied by a curious looking dark bay colt named Donegal Momentum (Uncle Mo). Morley snuggled close to the 4-year-old, hugged him, kissed his neck. He has affection for all his horses, but, after what Donegal Momentum went through on Saturday, he deserved an extra dose of tender love and care. During Saturday's one-mile GIII Kelso Stakes on the Inner Turf course, Donegal Momentum and jockey Javier Castellano had a trip that took them to hell and back. Both horse and rider escaped virtually unscathed. While pressing the pace heading into the far turn, Donegal Momentum took a bad step, stumbled badly and briefly disappeared from view. It looked as though he had fallen, and he nearly did, but the horse miraculously recovered, got back to his feet and finished the race. Equally impressive was that Hall of Fame rider Castellano was able to stay on. “My heart was on the floor in front of me,” Morley said. “It came up from my throat, out of my mouth and was sitting on the floor of the grandstand. For two seconds, I was as close to giving up training as I ever have. And then he came back.” Donegal Momentum, the Kelso's second choice at 3-1, finished last. The fact that he finished at all is what had most people in the grandstand cheering loudly for the brave horse. “For two strides, I was heartbroken,” Morley said at the barn Sunday morning. “For three strides, I was amazed, and I could not believe he galloped through the line. I could not believe he did not come in a horse ambulance. I have an awful lot to thank God for this morning.” Donegal Momentum, owned by Donegal Racing, never gave his trainer any indication that he was in distress after the incident. Morley said he let out a yawn while being bathed, ate up his dinner Saturday night, jogged in front of a veterinarian Sunday morning and he allowed his joints to be flexed. Everything checked out. As far as what caused the incident, we may never know. “I have watched a number of replays,” Morley said. “He certainly did not clip heels; there was no one in front of him. He does have a cut on the back of his right hind pastern and the only way that could happen was by someone clipping him from behind. I don't think that, nor does Javier, nor does anyone else think that is what caused the stumble.” The theory that makes the most sense is that Donegal Momentum's front end went down first and the cut may have come from another horse clipping him on their way past him while he was on the turf. Morley said the colt did not lose a shoe, he did not grab himself and he would not put any blame on the turf course, which was labeled firm. “I've been out there; it's in fantastic condition,” he said. “The horse is absolutely sound as a bell. I have never seen a horse as unperturbed by something like this in my life. It's something I hope I never have to experience again and nobody else has to go through because it was just terrifying.” Locked's Suburban Dud Perplexing To Pletcher Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has had a few days to try and figure out why Locked (Gun Runner) didn't show up in the GII Suburban Stakes at Saratoga on the Fourth of July. “It's kind of a hard one to analyze,” Pletcher said outside his office at his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track Sunday morning. The 4-5 favorite, Locked could only manage a third-place finish. Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}) won the race by a head over Locked's stablemate Antiquarian (Preservationist). It was 6 1/4 lengths back to Locked. Pletcher said speed had been holding up even though horses on the front end were not finishing fast. Locked and jockey Jose Ortiz had to be closer than they normally would. Locked never stopped running, Pletcher said, but he could not quicken and make an impact. This was the second straight race that Locked didn't get it done. In the GII Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs May 2, he finished fourth, beaten 6 3/4 lengths behind stablemate Fierceness (City of Light). Before that, Locked, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm, had dominated the GI Santa Anita Handicap, winning by 8 1/2 lengths. “I think he has a little bit of a Santa Anita Handicap hangover,” Pletcher said. “He went out there and ran an unbelievable race. Sometimes, even though horses will look good and train well and give you every indication they are rounding back into their best form, I don't think we have been quite able to get him back to that Santa Anita effort. Maybe it will take just a little more time.” Pletcher said Locked could run next in the $1-million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Aug. 31 at Saratoga and he is not ruling out taking him on the road for a race out of town. “He's okay, physically,” Pletcher said. “I'll talk to the ownership group; we are under no time restraint.” Pletcher also said he has not decided whether or not he will run two horses–Fierceness and GI Stephen Foster winner Mindframe (Cionstitution)–in the $1-million GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 2. Fierceness is owned by Repole Stable; Mindframe's owners are Repole and St. Elias Stables LLC. “Mindframe came out of the Foster really well and I don't want to rule anything out,” Pletcher said. “It's a tough decision to make. You hate to run two horses like that against each other, but when you look at it individually, you can make the case that it's the right thing for each horse. We will continue to bide our time and make a decision when we need to.” Pletcher will also have to decide what to do with Tip Top Thomas (Volatile), who won the GIII Indiana Derby Saturday for owners James Bakke and Gerald Isbister. The 3-yeaer-old colt, who has two wins in three starts this year, will not be considered for the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Races that could be on his radar are the GIII West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park Aug. 3 or the Listed Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx Aug. 19. Casse Says Alabama Next Target For Nitrogen Win or lose in Saturday's GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes, Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) was going to be pointed to the prestigious $600,000 GI Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 19. Nitrogen ran a winning race in the Oaks, but lost by a nose to Fionn (Twiling Candy) in the 1 1/8-mile race on the Mellon Turf Course. Nitrogen, owned by D J Stable LLC, had won her last four starts–three of them graded stakes–on the grass. The Alabama is 1 1/4 miles on dirt. Nitrogen's lone race on dirt came on a sloppy track at Saratoga when she won the GIII Wonder Again Stakes–taken off the grass–by 17 lengths against two others. “I still want her to have a shot to be champion 3-year-old filly,” Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said at his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Sunday morning. “The only place to do that is the Alabama.” Stablemate La Cara (Street Sense), who won the GI Acorn Stakes at Saratoga June 6, could join Nitrogen in the Alabama. First though, La Cara, owned and bred by Tracy Farmer, is scheduled to run in the $500,000 GI Coaching Club American Oaks July 19. Casse had a breakthrough runner on Saturday when first timer Ewing (Knicks Go) broke his maiden at first asking and was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' with a 12-length win in a 5 1/2-furlong race. The next assignment for the colt, named for former New York Knick great Patrick Ewing and owned by D J Stable LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds and Kenneth Frierich, could be the $200,000 GII Saratoga Special Aug. 2. Casse said he could also wait for the $300,000 GI Hopeful Stakes on Sept. 1, closing day. The post A Happy Ending for Donegal Momentum appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jen Shah, a Lexington-based certified public accountant with Dean Dorton, highlights the key tax provisions in the OBBB that may specifically impact horse and farm owners.View the full article

Trainer Brad Cox reported Fionn was in good order the morning of July 6 and that he will work backwards from the 1 1/8-mile Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1T) at Keeneland in October.View the full article

Mae Town made it three wins in a row with her first stakes win in the Pea Patch Stakes Sunday at Ellis Park. The daughter of Mo Town broke her maiden going five furlongs at Churchill Downs May 9, and repeated against allowance company under the twin spires Jun. 11. After a good break from her far outside post, the filly found herself towards the rear of the field up the backstretch, several lengths off the swift early tempo set in :20.92. With plenty of work to do, she was navigated to six path for her run, and began to pick off rivals with every stride. Mae Town was up in time, passing Pondering in the last few jumps, while Grade A rallied up the rail to grab third. Mae Town is a half-sister to SW Rustler (Dominus), $233,980. Latest Thinking is a descendant of GSW Minidar (Alydar), who was the half-sister to two stakes winners and produced GII winner A Little Warm (Stormin Fever). The winner's dam is responsible for juvenile colt Longstrider (Union Rags) and was bred back to Loggins for this past season. Click for the Equibase.com chart. Bae Town ($8.12) and @flothejock win the 5th running of the Pea Patch Stakes @EllisParkRacing for trainer @BLynchRacing and owner & breeder Cave Brook Farm. TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/WWtSCVeAlh — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 6, 2025 The post Mo Town’s Mae Town Secures First Black Type in Pea Patch Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Penalties CHEER THE CAPTAIN | NZ Metropolitan 4 July; colic; veterinary clearance required. CARBON | NZ Metropolitan 4 July; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. ROYAL HOUSE | NZ Metropolitan 6 July; broke in running; must complete trial. The post 30 June – 6 July 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The July 6 Prix Jean Prat (G1) at Deauville developed into a tale of two recent big-money buys after Woodshauna just got up from Maranoa Charlie with The Lion In Winter and Shadow Of Light also involved in a pulsating four-way finish.View the full article

As a son of Dubawi out of two-time Eclipse champion Tepin, Delacroix is a complete outcross for the regal Coolmore broodmare band which is dominated by brilliant daughters of Galileo.View the full article

Hawkstone (Catalina Cruiser) was entered in Sunday's second race at Monmouth Park, but it seems like he was more interested in doing some sightseeing. As the Cal Lynch trainee was being walked over for the race, he spooked and got loose from his handler. “He was heading over for the races,” Lynch said. “Unbelievably, no one had closed the stable gate and he ran right out. He was walking over for the race. He was at the gap by the racetrack and the horses from the previous race were galloping by. That spooked him. He reared up and got away from the groom and went all the way down the horse path, and galloped out of the stable gate. No one was there at the stable gate to stop him. That's unbelievable to me. I am very disappointed by that, but at least the horse is okay and nobody got injured. He's back at the barn and everything is fine. That's the saving grace. The people are okay and so is the horse.” Hawkstone headed west on Rt. 36, the main thoroughfare into Monmouth. Lynch said the horse was caught near a Dunkin' Donuts about a half-mile from the track. Welcome to @MonmouthPark pic.twitter.com/4uwOPOjR1J — Alex Kondas (@a_kondas) July 6, 2025 The post Horse Gets Loose at Monmouth, Winds Up on Route 36 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – As the final races of the opening day of the Saratoga season are being run July 10, a reception to celebrate a collaboration linking racing and breeding in New York and Ireland will be beginning across the street at the National Museum of Racing. The event sponsored by the New York State Breeding and Development Fund will honor Helena Nolan, the Consul General of Ireland in the U.S. and Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland. Nolan and Eade were principals with Brian O'Dwyer, the chairman of the New York State Gaming Commission and the fund, in developing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that was signed in October. The goal of the MOU is to forge ties between the two prominent racing precincts. The reception within view of America's oldest and most popular track is being promoted as an opportunity to further strengthen this new arrangement. O'Dwyer was named to the commission and fund posts in 2002 and he brought with him a desire to do more than just serve as a regulator and administrator. The New York based attorney was the founder and first Chair of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, and served as advisor to the Clinton administration during the Northern Ireland peace process. He was appointed by President Clinton to the Presidential Commission on White House Fellows, and by Secretary Clinton to the U.S. Committee for UNESCO. An alliance with Ireland was a natural fit. “I'm lucky enough to have a great connection with Ireland in my previous jobs,” O'Dwyer said. “The job of the Thoroughbred Fund is to promote Thoroughbred racing and Thoroughbreds. While we have done that a certain way, which is promoting with prizes and things of that sort, it occurred to me that the other way is to bring Thoroughbred horses into New York and have New York horses race in Ireland, an international thing. We were able to get the sponsorship of the Consul General of Ireland, who I know, who put me in touch with Horse Racing Ireland. This idea is the first step of promoting interchange between those so that we can, hopefully, by next year, have many more Irish horses racing in New York tracks and vice versa.” O'Dwyer said he expects that connecting the New York and Irish racing and breeding will lead to more interest in purchasing New York-breds “I consider this an important first step,” he said. “We haven't done this before and if this works out and we start getting a real market in Ireland, then we'll go on to England. It's our next step, and then maybe to France. We all know that international trade works, and if we can get new markets for New York state horses, then we've done a great job of promoting the breed.” Eade has visited several American race tracks, but this will be her first time at Saratoga Race Course. She said that HRI was formed by the Irish government in 2001 as a semi-state body to promote horse racing and develop the Thoroughbred industry. “I think the growth that's going to come from racing is through global cooperation,” she said. “We have historically had great relationships on a lot of trade areas with the U.S. Obviously, New York and Irish people have great connections, particularly Brian himself. He's built up a great relationship with our Consul General of Ireland in New York itself. A lot of the momentum has come from Brian and Helena. I suppose my ownership team and my chairman for Horse Racing Ireland has spent a lot of time in in the U.S. himself on different assignments in his other walks of life. For us, we've seen a lot of U.S. interest in in Ireland, in racing, in the purchase of thoroughbreds, and we've also seen a lot of Irish-bred horses do really well in the U.S. “We've also seen a lot of U.S. owners choosing to participate in both forms of racing in Ireland, and the signing of this memorandum of understanding is to kind of put that on a more specific footing with the New York area. I think it could be quite exciting. The shape it will take, I think, will evolve as we work on specifics. We're looking at different things, like twinning race tracks. I think that could be great fun both ways, getting people to visit both jurisdictions and participate. We have very successful breeders here who do have locations in the U.S. We may not have focused on this particular area enough, and this affords us that opportunity.” Tracy Egan, the fund's executive director, said that she expects several officials of the New York Racing Association to attend the reception and will want to promote their program. “I'm sure they're going to be talking about the attractiveness of some of their turf racing, and also the fact that we're going to have an artificial track in Belmont.” Egan noted that there is an all-weather track in Ireland at Dundalk, but that the new Belmont Park might be attractive to some owners and trainers. “It would give their horses an option for racing in the winter,” she said. “All things are possible.” Egan said the event at the racing museum will be something of an in-person launch following the agreement. “Part of having this reception, I'm hoping, is going to be where we really create some enthusiasm for this,” she said. “So, it's not just something that's going to sit on a back burner, but something that can really move forward and create some leverage and cooperation so we can really see things happen in the next couple of years.” Eade said she first met O'Dwyer in the June 2023 in discussions that led to the MOU. “There is the shared goal of creating best practice and encourage educational collaboration and promote career opportunities across the two jurisdictions in both the racing and breeding industries,” she said. “Also, we will work together to enhance understanding on welfare and develop a shared recognition of safeguarding standards. As CEO of HRI, I am really looking forward to see what we can achieve through this relationship in the future.” The post Spa Event to Mark NYS Fund Alliance With Irish Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Romeo (Honor A. P.) (hip 370), winner of the June 29 Bashford Manor Stakes, is among five additional supplemental entries to the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, which will be held Tuesday in Lexington. The 2-year-old, a 10 1/4-length debut winner at Laurel in May, was third in the June 5 Tremont Stakes before his front-running 3 3/4-length victory in the Bashford Manor for owner Joseph Lloyd and trainer John Robb. The colt is consigned by Paramount Sales. The latest supplemental entries to the auction also include: Classic Catch (Classic Empire) (hip 366): a two-time stakes-placed 5-year-old coming off a runner-up effort in a June 5 classified allowance race at Saratoga. He is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Jackstown (Speightstown) (hip 367): a 5-year-old who finished third in last year's GI Bing Crosby S. He is consigned by Elite, agent. Delancey Street (Street Sense) (hip 368): An unraced 2-year-old who had three published works at Ellis Park in June, most recently going four furlongs in :49.60 (6/10) June 29. He is consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent for the Estate of D. Wayne Lukas & Partners. Nanzig (Maclean's Music) (hip 369): a 2-year-old filly who finished third in a July 5 maiden special weight at Horseshoe Indianapolis. She is consigned by Mulholland Springs, agent. The July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale will be held immediately following the July Sale of Selected Yearlings, which begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The post Bashford Manor Winner Among Latest Additions to Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Providing an instant return on the investment of Resolute Bloodstock, Woodshauna (Wooded) was the one to edge a pulsating four-way go in Sunday's G1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville. Sold by Al Shaqab following his defeat of the subsequent G1 Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals in the six-furlong G3 Prix Texanita at Chantilly in May, the Francis-Henri Graffard trainee had the pace to come from behind and get between the tight gaps under Christophe Soumillon. Inching ahead inside the last 75 metres, the 12-1 shot had a short neck to spare over Maranoa Charlie (Wootton Bassett), with a short head separating that game front-runner and the revived The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) and another neck margin back to Shadow Of Light (Lope De Vega) in a finish that promised to go several different ways in the last furlong. WOODSHAUNA WINS THE PRIX JEAN PRAT! pic.twitter.com/LV5oMMdCJ3 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 6, 2025 The post Resolute Bloodstock’s Woodshauna Prevails In Jean Prat Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the late scratching of France's leading contender Juwelier (Wootton Bassett), the path was left clear for domestic hope Hochkonig (Polish Vulcano) and British raider Convergent (Fascinating Rock) to battle out a thrilling finish to Sunday's G1 IDEE 156h Deutsches Derby at Hamburg. With a delayed photo verdict heightening the drama, the crowd were in raptures once Hochkonig was confirmed the short-head winner, with Nina Baltromei becoming the contest's first female rider to celebrate glory. Baltromei employed patient tactics from the outset and settled Hochkonig off the pace in rear for most of the 12-furlong Classic. Making smooth headway into contention in the straight as the pacesetting Delgardo (Best Solution) wilted up front, the 183-10 chance was stoked up with 300 metres remaining and stayed on relentlessly to shade the Karl Burke-trained G3 Chester Vase third on the line after a ding-dong tussle. Stall Lucky Owner's G2 Gran Criterum winner Lazio (Make Believe) fared best of the rest and ran on strongly to finish two lengths adrift in third. It was a second Classic of the year for Yasmin Almenrader, who also saddled runaway G2 German 2000 Guineas heroine Matilda (Soldier Hollow), and the trainer was emotional in the aftermath of a first success the Germany's premium event. “I am absolutely speechless,” she said. “I am somewhat overawed, by Hochkonig and by Nina, who rode such an intelligent race. Hochkonig is a real racehorse and he takes everyting in his stride, but it does take a lot to win such a race. Many thanks also to the breeders Marc and Gabi [Ruehl].” Owner Stall Cloverleaf has just two horses in training and, continuing the underdog theme, Hochkonig was bred by photographer Marc Ruehl along with his wife Gabi. They keep their horses at home, based near Bergheim, not far from the illustrious Gestut Schlenderhan. Hochkonig's sire Polish Vulcano is a son of Lomitas, who is also the sire of top South African sire influence Silvano. Former amateur Nina Baltromei becomes the second apprentice to win the contest, emulating Otto Schmidt aboard Amorino in 1916, and this was her 50th career victory. The race was out of bounds for female jockeys until 1979. “I have not yet comprehended that I actually won,” beamed Baltromei after receiving a boisterous reception from the packed enclosures. “This is absolutely awesome and especially so having received so much support from everyone.” What a race in the German Derby! HOCHKÖNIG denies CONVERGENT thanks to a super ride from Nina Baltromei in the G1 Deutsches Derby. #WorldPool | @wettstar_de pic.twitter.com/daSgqzj0Uj — World Pool (@WorldPool) July 6, 2025 The post Historic First as Nina Baltromei Claims Deutsches Derby Glory Aboard Hochkonig appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article