Wandering Eyes

Taking command on the second turn, Carl Spackler opened up on the competition and cruised to a comfortable victory over Integration in the $552,013 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) April 11 at Keeneland.View the full article

Taking command on the second turn, Carl Spackler opened up on the competition and cruised to a comfortable victory over Integration in the $650,000 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) April 11 at Keeneland.View the full article

9th-Oaklawn, $131,000, Alw (NW1$6MX)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 4-11, 4yo/up, 6f, 1:09.27, ft, 5 1/4 lengths. SKELLY (g, 6, Practical Joke–Adande, by Bwana Charlie) ran a hole in the wind–much to the delight of the local crowd–en route to a supremely confident seasonal bow here against outclassed optional claiming rivals. Leaving the blocks like a rocket and immediately establishing control, Skelly rolled through splits of :21.96 and a half in :44.75 as he built up a sizeable margin entering the homestretch. In a position where the rest would need to produce a miracle to catch him on a 9 1/2-length advantage, the 1-5 favorite coasted home to score easily in a final time of 1:09.27. SW & GSP Run Classic (Runhappy) valiantly held on to second. Off since finishing 10th in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint last November, the Steve Asmussen trainee has been first or second in 18 of his 20 lifetime starts. In 2024, he won or placed seven times from eight starts, and had five triple-digit Beyers to show for it including when he was runner-up in the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga July 27. The gelding took his show to the international stage in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia Feb. 24 and ran second to Japan's multiple group winner Remake (Jpn) (Lani). At one point between his 2023 and 2024 campaigns, Skelly had built up a seven-race win streak, which was snapped in that aforementioned heartbreaker at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. A win was never in doubt for @OaklawnRacing's favorite sprinter #1 SKELLY ($2.40)! The six-year-old gelding by @CoolmoreAmerica's Practical Joke was piloted by @RSantana_Jr for trainer Steve Asmussen. pic.twitter.com/TsHbxbCR0s — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 11, 2025 Skelly is one of two surviving foals for Adande from six covers prior to 2022; three were stillborn and she missed in '22 when visiting City of Light. She has since had better luck with a juvenile filly by Silver State named Adande's Legacy to her credit as well as a yearling colt by Authentic. The dam is a half-sister to GSW & GISP Giant Game (Giant's Causeway) and MGSW & GISP Isotherm (Lohnro {Aus}). One of her half-sisters is the dam of MSW & GISP The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso). Sales history: $250,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEL; $350,000 RNA 2yo '21 FTFMAR. Lifetime Record: MGSW & GISP, GSP-KSA, 20-11-7-0, $1,855,763. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Red Lane Thoroughbreds LLC; B-H. Allen Poindexter (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. The post Oaklawn’s ‘King of Speed’ Skelly Returns to the Races in Style appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Winning any races with your mates is one of horse racing’s great joys. Winning a Group 1 is even more special. Two long-time friends combined both into the same first when We Walk By Faith stormed to victory in the Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park on Friday night. The NZ Derby winner is trained by Hayden Cullen and wife Amanda and was driven by Matthew White, with Hayden and Matty having known each other since they were 16-year-old lads growing up in Cambridge. But remarkably this was definitely their biggest win together because it is their only win together. Of any sort. “I don’t think Matty has driven a winner for me before,” says Cullen. “In fact, I don’t think he has even driven a horse for me in a race. “I don’t really know why. We have been great mates since we were 16 and he is a very good driver. “So to share this tonight is very cool.” For the second year running after the Mach Shard’s stunner last season a horse has come from near last to win the Taylor Mile and paid huge money, We Walk By Faith getting out to $35 with the bookies. He was good in his last two starts, the City of Auckland Free-For-All and off a handicap in a Country Cups race he couldn’t win at Cambridge last week. “Missing the big race last week when so many other horses had a hard run probably did us no harm,” says Cullen. “But it was still a big win and a great drive by Matty.” Cullen is now also a believer in the “Menangle Boost” the lift in performance many horses get after racing at Menangle, something he has seen twice in the last month with feature race wins like last night and Don’t Stop Dreaming in the City of Auckland. “Luke McCarthy told me in Sydney it would happen, this horse would be better when he went home,” said Cullen. “I think he is going to get better yet and maybe reach his peak in six months as he love it when the speed is on in races.” Like most Derby winners We Walk By Faith should end up a Cups horse but before then he will join stablemate Don’t Stop Dreaming in the Messenger on April 25 while longer term he is eligible for the A$2.1million Eureka in Sydney being Australian-bred. The win continued a great autumn for the Cullens who have now become one of the leading strike rate stables in the country albeit without wanting to get too big. Republican Party was a huge second after appearing to strike the winner’s sulky wheel at the 400m while Rakero Rocket was strong in third and Merlin luckless in fourth after finding a mid-pack gap in the home straight about 5cm too narrow to sneak through. His trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan and driver Zachary Butcher needed no such luck in the $75,000 NZBS Harness Million Trot as Meant To Be started this season where he left off in 2024. The big fella worked straight around the field to lead after 600m and easily held stablemate Higher Power in a performance that makes it hard to see him beaten in the Northern Trotting Derby in two weeks. The night’s other trotting feature saw a cunning Ben Hope drive give him the biggest win of his training career when Muscle Mountain won the Lyell Creek Trot. Hope only started training with father Greg last week so last night’s Group 2 was their most important win together and the young man earned it by being brave enough to hand the lead away on the hot favourite with a lap to go. Muscle Mountain had led and had Queen Elida on his back so Hope opted to let Not As Promised stroll past him at the bell, putting Queen Elida three back but giving himself the passing lane. It was a gutsy move but one that paid off and will leave Muscle Mountain with juice in the tank and feeling good for the two big races ahead so Hope’s daring may yet pay more dividends. View the full article

By Michael Guerin A horse who started the season a maiden almost cost trainer Tim Trathen his voice in the richest race at Addington on Friday night. Nellie Doyle has gone from maidens to winner of the $52,500 Future Wealth Sires’ Stakes Classic in the space of three months and 1 day, giving Trathen the richest win of his training career. “I haven’t yelled that loud in a while,” says the West Melton trainer. “We won the Invercargill Cup with Dadndave a few years ago but it wasn’t worth as much as this so this is a huge thrill. “Blair drove her beautiful and she won with the plugs still in.” While Trathen trains Nellie Doyle he says plenty of credit needs to go to former trainer Kim Nyhan. “Kim had her for a long time and broke her in and did a wonderful job with her. “She had her on a lease but broke her wrist so asked me to take her and then she started to show us a bit and I had a few mates who wanted in on a nice horse. “So we managed to buy her and Kim got looked after and so we owe her for doing such a good job with her manners.” Trathen took Nellie Doyle back to his old stomping ground of Nelson at the start of the year and she won both days and he hasn’t been scared to travel her to gain experience, popping over to the West Coast a few starts ago. With each trip, each race, she has learned and got better and judging by the quality of horse she beat last night at just her 13th start she will edge her way closer to the highest grades as 2025 progresses. The win will have been popular in the Addington stabling block, Trathen well-liked and known by everybody. When Nellie Doyle is eventually retired she has some breeding to back up her broodmare credentials, being out of five-race winner Perfect For Now, herself out of the high-class mare Look, from the famous Smith/Doyle/Pope family breed. While it was the richest win of Trathen’s career it was just another night of big-race domination from Orange. His Nellie Doyle drive was perfect but his win earlier on General Jen required even more tatctical nous as he went from possibly being trapped three back at the bell to racing to the lead and in the process trapping key rivals Captain Mistress three back in a brilliantly aware piece of driving. General Jen ended up being way too good in the $42,500 Magness Benrow Semi Final and she may have earned herself a crack at the Northern Oaks while Captains Mistress should remain on that path as she lost no fans in second. In between those two drives Orange produced a no-panic response when trapped parked on a hot speed to still eventually get Vessem home a narrow winner of the main pace. The 1980m mobile was turned into a 1:55 mile rate way by Beach Ball and Nathan Williamson, with the last 800m in 58.4 but final 400m in 30.2 telling the story of a great spectacle View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a full-brother to Coolmore stallion Blackbeard (Ire). 2.20 Curragh, Cond, €22,000, 2yo, 5fT CHARLES DARWIN (IRE) (No Nay Never) is the fourth foal out of the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes fourth Muirin (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), whose son Blackbeard (Ire) carried all before him for Ballydoyle in 2022 when taking the G1 Middle Park Stakes and G1 Prix Morny. Aidan O'Brien is keen to double up in 2-year-old races so far in 2025 and his other runner Neolithic (Ire) (Sioux Nation) is a half-brother to the G1 Fillies' Mile third Bright Diamond (Ire) (El Kabeir), who earned TDN Rising Star status with a nine-length win on her debut. Heading the opposition is Moyglare Stud's homebred colt Evening Blues (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), a Ger Lyons-trained relative of the G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). 1.15 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, 6fT EXTRAVAGANT (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the first string of a Ballydoyle pair in the maiden used by the stable to launch No Nay Never's subsequent Group 1-winning siblings Little Big Bear (Ire) and Whistlejacket (Ire) as well as the eventual G3 Killavullan Stakes scorer Glounthaune (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) since 2021. Starting early for a half-brother to horse Sea The Stars's high-class middle-distance performer Cloth Of Stars (Ire), the €300,000 Goffs Orby Book 1 graduate encounters a Jim Bolger homebred in Lonradh (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), a half-sister to his G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes-winning sire Verbal Dexterity (Ire). 3.45 Newbury, Mdn, £22,500, 3yo, 8f 7yT CROWN OF OAKS (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is an eyecatching entry from William Haggas in the maiden he won 12 months ago with Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and in 2022 with My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}). Serious notebook material with the way he finished off when third on his debut over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October, the Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy-owned son of the prolific stakes producer Forest Crown (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) from Car Colston Hall Stud's excellent family of Wiener Wald (Woodman), he is set to be a warm order in a maiden stacked with similarly promising types. They include Cayton Park Stud's John and Thady Gosden-trained King Of Narnia (GB) (Kingman {GB}), another son of a quality producer in the GII Lake Placid Stakes winner and GI Garden City Stakes-placed Sharp Susan (Touch Gold), while one of the newcomers is Valmont and Ballylinch Stud's Spanish Train (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a Paul and Oliver Cole-trained half-brother to the 2023 G1 Futurity Trophy hero Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) who runs in the opening G3 John Porter Stakes. The post Ballydoyle Unveil Blackbeard’s Brother At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He's not just back, he might be even better than he was last year. 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (h, 5, Lope de Vega {Ire})–Zindaya, by More Than Ready), a back-to-back Grade I winner last year before an uncharacteristic off-the-board finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, unleashed a scintillating turn of foot in his 5-year-old debut at Keeneland Friday, capturing the $650,000 GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes by four or five widening lengths. It was GIII Tampa Bay runner-up Northern Invader (Collected) who set the :23.67 and :48.06 pace while Carl Spackler bided his time in fourth on the outside. Flavien Prat gave the e Five Racing Thoroughbreds runner his cue on the turn and the popular chestnut ranged up in full flight while several paths wide and quickly opened up a daylight lead in the stretch. There was no catching the 4-5 favorite as 3-1 second choice Integration (Quality Road), most recently second in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf, chased him home and last year's GI Belmont Derby winner Trikari (Oscar Performance) got up for third. Among Carl Spackler's six lifetime graded wins was a victory over this course in October when he captured the GI Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes. He covered the eight furlongs in Friday's Maker's Mark over a good course in 1:36.56. O-e Five Racing Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (Ire); T-Chad Brown; J-Flavien Prat. #6 CARL SPACKLER ($3.66) is back!! The five-year-old horse by Lope De Vega leaves his competition behind in the $650,000 Maker's Mark Mile (G1) at @KeenelandRacing. Flavien Prat was aboard for trainer Chad Brown. A fitting win during Masters Week! pic.twitter.com/AHcrCWF37r — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 11, 2025 Friday, Keeneland MAKER'S MARK MILE S.-GI, $552,013, Keeneland, 4-11, 4yo/up, 1mT, 1:36.56, gd. 1–CARL SPACKLER (IRE), 123, h, 5, by Lope de Vega (Ire) 1st Dam: Zindaya (GSW, $567,240), by More Than Ready 2nd Dam: Aristocratic Lady, by Kris S. 3rd Dam: American Dynasty, by Quiet American 'TDN Rising Star'. (350,000gns RNA Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-e Five Racing Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $302,250. Lifetime Record: 12-8-1-0, $1,910,725. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Integration, 123, h, 5, Quality Road–Harmonize, by Scat Daddy. ($700,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG). O-West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing LLC; B-Larkin Armstrong (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $126,750. 3–Trikari, 123, c, 4, Oscar Performance–Dynamic Holiday, by Harlan's Holiday. ($9,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN; $27,500 Ylg '22 OBSOCT). O-Amerman Racing LLC; B-Michael A Slezak & Amy Boll (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. $63,375. Margins: 4 1/4, 1HF, HD. Odds: 0.83, 3.10, 6.34. Also Ran: Northern Invader, Grand Aspen, Funtastic Again, Silent Heart. Scratched: Santorini, Seminole Chief. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post He’s Back! Carl Spackler Wins Maker’s Mark Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Speedier furlongs were harder to come by during Friday's sixth session of the under-tack show ahead of next week's Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training with only a pair of juveniles breaking out of the pack to share the co-fastest time in :9 4/5. A pair of colts, both from the consignment of Hoppel LLC, had no issue however in putting up blazing fast times during their quarter-mile works Friday morning. Going about an hour apart, colts by Yaupon (hip 875) and Maclean's Music (hip 1017) ripped through a quarter-mile in :20 2/5, matching the fastest time of the under-tack show thus far. “Both of the horses were fast at the farm,” said Jesse Hoppel. “They were fast in their preps and I expected them to be really fast in the breeze show. I know coming in that today would be our fastest day of breezers. It's been a long week waiting on them.” Of the decision to work this colts over the quarter-mile versus the furlong, Hoppel said: “They're both very aggressive, scopey and they stand over some ground. These horses are going to have to run further in the races and I thought [the quarter] would give a better preview of what these horses are going to be like as race horses.” The Yaupon colt, out of a Scat Daddy half-sister to MSW Saratoga Snacks (Tale of the Cat), Peruvian GSW Rajman (Thunder Gulch) and to the dam of MSW Split Time (Take Charge Indy), was one of the first runners out at 8 am. His $260,000 KEESEP tag last year made him part of Yaupon's stellar first-crop sales season. “[The Yaupons] have hit the scene hard and fast,” Hoppel said of hip 875. “I brought this horse here because it's my home field and I felt like he was one of my best individuals this year. I knew early on, back home on the dirt tracks, that this horse was expectional. I've had very few horses of his level in my care. That tells me maybe the Yaupons are going to go on and do something. They've jumped through the yearling hoop and now the 2-year-old hoop. Let's see how they graduate on the race track.” Going out shortly after 9 a.m., the Maclean's Music colt, who RNA'd for $235,000 at Keeneland September, is out of daughter of Canadian Champion Older Mare Embur's Song (Unbridled's Song) who has already produced two winners from as many runners including 'TDN Rising Star' Cut the Dust (Not This Time). The family also includes MGISW Exaggerator (Curlin). The third worker of three Friday for the Hoppel consignment has a pedigree which needs little introduction. The colt, by Gun Runner (hip 994) out of the Henny Hughes mare Drumette, is a half to dual Eclipse winner Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and to GSW Mr. Monomoy (Palace Malice) and worked his eighth in :10 1/5 midway through the morning. Consigned by Hoppel here, he last RNA'd for $325,000 at Keeneland September last year. “That horse did everything like he should,” Hoppel said. “He's a big, pretty colt that has a lot of the attributes of Gun Runner. I'm very happy with him.” After selling all but one of his nine-horse consignment at OBS March, Hoppel looks to keep the momentum going into April. “March felt like we were in a very healthy marketplace here at OBS,” he said. “Typically, that's a leading indicator for these 2-year-old sales if March is off and running. It was a good bellwether for us this year and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't carry on in April and the following sales.” Keeping the fast quarter-mile times coming, a Hard Spun filly (hip 898) consigned by Ocala Stud and a colt from the first crop of Silver State (hip 935) consigned by Tom McCrocklin both went in :20 3/5 earlier in the morning. A colt from the first crop of Silver State (hip 903) was one of just two break the 10-second barrier Friday morning. Consigned by Brittany Dallaire's Envision Equine, the colt is the second foal out of a winning Distorted Humor mare from the family of GI Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver. The under-tack show concludes with a final session Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. The Spring sale will be held next Tuesday through Friday and bidding begins each day at 10:30 a.m. The post Hoppel Pair To The Fore During Friday’s Penultimate OBS Under-Tack Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With 26 graded stakes victories to its credit, Godolphin is tied with Claiborne Farm at the top of that statistic in Keeneland history. Jabaara could provide the tiebreaker when she goes to the starting gate in the April 12 Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T).View the full article

Portions of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio have been impacted by flooding after heavy rainfall in the region last week, including around Ellis Park near Henderson, Ky., and Belterra Park on the outskirts of Cincinnati.View the full article

Booth, winner of the Whitmore Stakes (G3) March 15, faces six challengers in the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 12 at Oaklawn Park. Tejano Twist, who finished third in the Whitmore, will face Booth again in the six-furlong race.View the full article

The defections of Owen Almighty and Heart of Honor from the prospective Kentucky Derby (G1) lineup have cleared the way for Flying Mohawk and Grande to secure starting berths in the May 3 first leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Royal Ascot will be the next destination for George Boughey's globetrotting pupil Believing as the trainer sets his sights on more group 1 success for the mare owned by the Coolmore partners and John Stewart's Resolute Racing.View the full article

People get into horse racing in a lot of different ways; Dana Zook–who currently works as foreman for the Mike Maker stable–ended up in the sport after being literally plucked off a baseball field when he was 12 years old. Zook is the guest on this week's edition of the Boundless Podcast, produced and hosted by Ferrin Peterson, a jockey and practicing veterinarian in Kentucky and Ohio. “I found my way into racing off of a ballfield,” recalled Zook. “A gentleman came to me and asked me if I'd like to make a dollar getting on a horse. I said, `yeah, I'll do that.'” He told Zook he had three horses at a nearby track and needed someone to ride them. “He said, `hop in the car,' and I was a little tentative, but that dollar overrode that.” Zook earned the three dollars getting on each of the horses and successfully navigating his way around the track, but, he said with a laugh, it took him five times around the track to pull up the first horse. He did well enough that the trainer offered him the chance to learn how to be a jockey. “I didn't know what a jockey was, but it paid $7 a week.” Thus began a career that has lasted over 20 years and which saw him ride 2,336 winners. He went from groom and exercise rider to jockey to his current position with Maker. Click here to watch the podcast on YouTube, or here to listen to it on Spotify. The post Former Jockey Dana Zook on the Boundless Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a gusty performance on the front end, 'TDN Rising Star' Shisospicy (Mitole–Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief) took the Listed Limestone Stakes field from the gate to the wire Friday at Keeneland to pick up her first career black type victory. Jumping well and quick to the lead, she rolled along through splits of :21.46 and :44.91 with an open advantage on her rivals as she led into the homestretch. Responding in the lane, she mustered enough to hold off a late charge from SW Dreamaway (Flameaway) and GSW Abientot (Not This Time) in third. There was a deadheat for fourth in a blanket scramble on the line. Sales history: $100,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $200,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $300,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. O-Morplay Racing LLC; B-Bill & Corinne Heiligbrodt. T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo. Shisospicy gets her first stakes win in the Limestone S. at @keeneland under @iradortiz for trainer @JFDAngelo! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/GnH7UlwhXF — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 11, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Shisospicy Goes Coast to Coast in Keeneland’s Limestone appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The road to the 151st GI Kentucky Derby concludes with Saturday's GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. at Keeneland. Qualifying points are awarded to the first five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale, but won't be enough to have an impact on the first Saturday in May. With a field of nine entered and at least a pair of scratches anticipated, favoritism should come down to either 'TDN Rising Star' Bullard (Gun Runner) or Praetor (Into Mischief). Scratched out of the GII Rebel S. due to a fever, the impressive last-to-first GIII Bob Hope S. winner and last-out GII San Vicente S. third-place finisher Bullard makes his first start beyond seven furlongs in the 1 1/16-mile Lexington. Bullard, a $675,000 KEESEP graduate, is campaigned in partnership by Talla Racing, St. Elias Stables, breeder Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds. His conditioner Michael McCarthy also trains imposing Kentucky Derby favorite and GI Santa Anita Derby hero Journalism (Curlin). “It's the first time around two turns, but it's a good spot,” West Point's Terry Finley said. “We didn't get sucked into one of the big preps. There was a thought to go to the Santa Anita Derby, but we took the route of least resistance here and we hope it sets him up for a very good year.” Finley continued, “I like where it falls on the calendar and certainly sets horses up, if they were to run well, to come back in three weeks and run in the (GII) Pat Day Mile or the (GI) Preakness or any of those other spots.” The Chad Brown-trained Praetor, a $725,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure graduating at second asking, narrowly defeating the Kentucky Derby-bound Sovereignty (Into Mischief) going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct Sept. 27. He proved well worth the wait, airing in an optional claimer going a one-turn mile at Gulfstream off the bench Mar. 9. He makes his two-turn debut in the Lexington. Praetor is owned in partnership by William H. Lawrence, CHP Racing and Gainesway Stable. Gosger (Nyquist), a half-brother to GISW Harvey's Lil Goil (American Pharoah), also tries two turns for the first time. He graduated like a good thing going a mile at second asking for trainer Brendan Walsh at Gulfstream last time Feb. 15. Touchy (Nyquist) and Rolando (Vekoma) finished third and fourth, respectively, in the Lafayette S. at Keeneland earlier this week on Monday. Keeneland's Saturday program also prominently features a fantastic renewal of the GI Jenny Wiley S. The field of nine is headed by the rail-drawn, 5-2 morning-line favorite Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), who was knocked down for €1,600,000 by Stamford Bloodstock/ Meridian Bloodstock on behalf of John Stewart's Resolute Racing at Arqana December. The G3 Prix de Psyche heroine and G1 Prix Rothschild runner-up makes her first start for Chad Brown, who has won six out of the last seven renewals of the Jenny Wiley. She'll meet G2 Balanchine S. winner Choisya (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), GII TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational S. one-two Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Sacred Wish (Not This Time); and streaking GII Mrs. Revere S. winner Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach). All Eyes on Thorpedo Anna in Apple Blossom Horse of the Year and 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) is the 2-5 program favorite for Saturday's GI Apple Blossom H. at Oaklawn Park. Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine kicked off her 4-year-old campaign with a 3 1/2-length decision in the track-and-trip GII Azeri S. Mar. 8. “We're 2-5 favorites, so it's her race for the taking,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “But we're not going to take anything for granted.” Thorpedo Anna | Coady Media She will face six rivals, led by Where's My Ring (Twirling Candy), who aired in a local optional claimer with a 103 Beyer Speed Figure last out Mar. 15. Oaklawn's 12-race card also includes the GIII Count Fleet Sprint H. 'TDN Rising Star' Booth (Mitole) is the clear-cut horse to beat following a pair of sharp, wire-to-wire victories for Steve Asmussen in Hot Springs, led by the GIII Whitmore S. Mar. 15. Booth's sire the mighty Mitole captured the Count Fleet for the Hall of Fame trainer six years ago. “He's just matured into his own,” Asmussen said. “It's great to see Mitole reproduce something so similar to him.” The post Stonestreet Lexington Last Chance for Kentucky Derby Points appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jehan Malherbe's Form Bloodstock dominated proceedings for the 10th consecutive year at the Bloodstock South Africa National Yearling Sale on Thursday and Friday. The sale's top buyer, Malherbe spent R27,075,000 on 15 lots, including the four top sellers. Topping the sale was a Rafeef (Aus) colt named October Rush (SAf), who is a son of Miss October (SAf) (Var) from Avontuur Estate. The half-brother to South African champion and Grade 1 winner Tempting Fate (SAf) (Master Of My Fate {SAf}) and fellow top-level winner October Morn (SAf) (Trippi), he cost R4,250,000 (€196,513) as lot 197. A trio of Vercingetorix (SAf) yearlings set the next three prices to Form Bloodstock: R3,250,000 (lot 1, a filly consigned by Hemel 'n Aarde Stud), R3,000,000 (lot 244, a filly offered by Lammerskraal Stud) and R2,800,000 (lot 336, a colt also from Lammerskraal). Malherbe said, “We were able to buy most of what we shortlisted, including the top colt, a beautiful specimen by Rafeef out of a very good broodmare. Rafeef is red-hot at the moment, and we specifically targeted his progeny. We ended up securing seven, including a smart colt from Summerview Stud, one of the smaller breeders.” Mary Slack's Wilgerbosdrift Stud topped the list for the third time in five years, recording a turnover of R20,075,000 from 20 yearlings at an average of R1,003,750. At the close of the two-day sale, 305 yearlings sold from 346 offered (88%). The gross was R171,975,000 (€7,960,655), a drop of 14% compared to 2024's aggregate of R200,190,000 (€9,266,716) from a larger catalogue. The average was R563,852 (€26,100) (-3%) and the median was unchanged a R400,000 (€18,514). A total of 43 yearlings fetched prices of R1 million or higher. Michael Holmes, CEO of Bloodstock SA, said, “We are very pleased with the figures recorded, not just for the big-ticket yearlings, but for the spirit of inclusivity and camaraderie that this sale continues to foster across the breeding and racing industries. “Beyond the numbers, the National Yearling Sale is a true celebration of tradition and unity, where rivals become friends and buyers of all levels gather together for their common love of the horse. The sheer volume of million-rand sales speaks not just to the quality on offer, but to the enduring faith of buyers in this historic auction.” The post Form Bloodstock Dominates BSA National Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Japan's top 2-year-old filly of 2024, Arma Veloce, kicks off her 3-year-old season in the Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas, G1) April 13 at newly renovated Hanshin Racecourse.View the full article

Booth, winner of the Whitmore Stakes (G3) March 15, faces six challengers in the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 12 at Oaklawn Park. Tejano Twist, who finished third in the Whitmore, will face Booth again in the six-furlong race.View the full article

The April 23 race card makes up for the canceled races March 30.View the full article

The third race at Keeneland April 11 was declared a no contest when the Ismael Bahena-trained Ransomware stumbled going by the wire the first time, unseating jockey Santo Sanjur.View the full article

Around this time last week, Case Clay, U.S. racing manager to the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's Wathnan Racing, was trackside at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, closely monitoring the operation's two Thoroughbred entries for the Dubai World Cup meeting–Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the main event and Flood Zone (Frosted) for the G2 UAE Derby. Clay hot-footed it to the airport after the races to board a Sydney-bound A380 for the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and spent a few days there before heading back to the States. Contacted Friday while attending the penultimate under-tack preview for next week's OBS April Sale, Clay fought through any residual jet-lag to discuss plans for the immediate future for both runners. A decided longshot against the likes of the prohibitively favored Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), Hit Show took flight in the stretch and was taking ground off the leaders, but even Clay was surprised at the end result. “From our standpoint, from where we were standing, we were thinking, 'Oh good, he's going to get up for third,' and then from 100 meters out he hit a different gear and it's 'oh my goodness, we might win this,'” he said. “Did I expect to win the race? No. He's a consistent horse and he ships well, so it wasn't out of the realm of possibility that he would hit the board,” he added. Despite a sharp victory in the GIII Louisiana Handicap in January, Hit Show had not yet been invited to the World Cup and the decision was made to use the GI Santa Anita Handicap as something of an audition for the $12-million contest. “Wathnan wants to buy horses and try to win races the Emir would be proud of and the Dubai World Cup was always the target,” Clay explained. “Until we shipped, he had not been invited, but we found out before the race that he was in. We decided to go to Santa Anita anyways. Sure, he was well behind Locked (Gun Runner), but he'd won a bunch of races since we bought him and thought he fit.” Clay indicated that Hit Show would get some 'deserved' time off and that races like the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup and the GI Breeders' Cup Classic would be in play later this year. The World Cup was a Breeders' Cup qualifier. “It was neat to learn that a mile and a quarter suits him, so loosely I am thinking about the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but [trainer] Brad [Cox] has managed this horse so beautifully, so we'll talk to him and see what he thinks,” he said. Clay called Flood Zone's distant seventh in the UAE Derby a 'flat' effort. “It was uncharacteristic of him, you compare his first three races to that and he was just flat,” he said. “We'll map out a plan for him and give him an opportunity to show what he did in his first three races.” Courtesy of his victory in the GIII Gotham Stakes, Flood Zone currently sits on 50 points, enough to be part of the field on the first Saturday in May, but Clay is skeptical the colt will take up the assignment. “I don't think he'll go to the Derby,” he said. “It would be quite a tall task. Had he hit the board [in the UAE Derby], we probably would have strongly considered it. But I am doubtful that he'll go.” With news emerging Friday that UAE Derby runner-up Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.) would also be passing the Derby, Grande (Curlin), runner-up in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes for Repole Stable, has gained a spot in the field. If Flood Zone is officially declared out of the race, that would move Madaket Road (Quality Road) into the final spot. The post Well-Traveled Clay Still Basking In World Cup Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 4-11, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:35.89, fm, 2 3/4 lengths. LOW KEY IN LOVE (f, 3, Quality Road–Inlovewithlove, by Bernstein) started her career on the main track at Gulfstream Park Mar. 16 and ran a flat fourth behind 'TDN Rising Star' Shred the Gnar (Into Mischief). Swapped to the turf here and with the wagering action focused on her and Elite Heat (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), the 3-2 favorite had to overcome some contact at the break but recovered well to establish a tracking trip through the half as the 9-5 second choice set the tempo. Three wide and looming the danger as they swung off the final bend, Low Key in Love overtook Elite Heat and cleared off to score by 2 3/4 lengths. The second-place finisher was well clear of the rest. The victress is a half-sister to Lovely Bernadette (Wilburn), MGSW, $570,312, who joined the venerable Japanese program at Shadai Farm when she changed hands for $750,000 at KEENOV in 2018. Her first foal was Grand Bernadette (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), a Listed winner at Hanshin, and her second was King Pin (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) who dropped the hammer at a Japanese yearling auction at ¥220,000,000 (about $1,812,352). She's since produced a winner in 2025 as well. Another half-sister to Low Key in Love, Maisie (Stay Thirsty), has produced two multiple winners. Their dam has a juvenile filly by Twirling Candy and a 2025 colt by Quality Road to her credit. This is the immediate female family of GSW & GISP Penny's Reshoot and MGSW Sapphire N' Silk. Sales history: $300,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $370,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $22,700. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Bradley Thoroughbreds, Cambron Equine, LLC, Allen Northcutt, Gary Finder, Kurz Equine Investments, Kent & Sara Starr and Jeff Walsh; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. #4 LOW KEY IN LOVE burst clear to win Race 3 at @TampaBayDownsFL to give jockey @JOCKEYSMARIN his 100th win of the meet! The winner is a daughter of @LanesEndFarms Quality Road trained by Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/KCPdjTbq9q — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 11, 2025 The post Quality Road’s Low Key in Love Makes a Successful Swap to the Lawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Ortley Avenue at Gulfstream Park in his career bow. Bungle Inthejungle Colt Takes The High Road One start, one win for Bungle Inthejungle (GB) colt Ortley Avenue (Ire). He steamed home a 2 1/4-length winner at Gulfstream for trainer George Weaver and owner Bona Venture Stables on April 6 (video). Bred by Newlands House Stud, the bay made €100,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale when offered by his breeder. Snapped up by Dewsweepers there, he went back through a sales ring, this time during the 2024 Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale, when consigned by Paramount Sales. Dylan Venosa shelled out $90,000 on behalf of Bona Venture Stables for the full-brother to G1 Nunthorpe Stakes heroine Winter Power (Ire). The ninth foal out of Titian Saga (Ire) (Titus Livius {Fr}), Ortley Avenue is also a half-brother to stakes winner Hay Chewed (Ire) (Camacho {GB}). The extended family features group winners Devonshire (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) and Fairy Cross (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Rathasker Stud's Bungle Inthejungle is hitting the winner's circle with 50% of his U.S. runners (5/10) at the time of this writing. The consistent sire has been represented by Listed Sweet Life Stakes heroine Manhattan Jungle (Ire) on the black-type front Stateside. Bungle Inthejungle is priced at €7,500 this year. 3YO ORTLEY AVENUE wins impressively from the front on debut at @GulfstreamPark for George Weaver and Bona Venture Stables The son of Bungle Inthejungle (@RathaskerStud) was purchased from Newlands House Stud pic.twitter.com/kNqpGoPcRe — Goffs (@Goffs1866) April 7, 2025 Repeat Winner: Wathnan Racing's Serene Seraph (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) maintained her perfect American record with another win, this time at Keeneland on April 6 (video). She is trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, and her record now stands at four wins from nine starts and two placings. Wathnan won the $12 million Dubai World Cup with Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) on April 5. It was an interesting trip for SERENE SERAPH (IRE) ($8.30)! The filly gets placed first in the 5th at @keenelandracing and remains undefeated stateside. @jose93_ortiz was in the irons for trainer Bill Mott. Get in on the opening day Late Pick 5: https://t.co/9KTJWl3WMw pic.twitter.com/ts923CR2CA — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 6, 2025 The post Making Waves: Ortley Avenue Makes Winning Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tappan Street (Into Mischief) and Sovereignty (Into Mischief), one-two in the GI Curlin Florida Derby, breezed Friday morning at Payson Park while preparing for their scheduled starts in the GI Kentucky Derby. WinStar Farm LLC, CHC Inc. and Cold Press Racing's Tappan Street, who defeated Sovereignty by 1 1/4 lengths in Gulfstream Park's premier Triple Crown prep Mar. 29, breezed a half mile while racing in company with 3-year-old stablemate Rapture (Uncle Mo). “He went very well. I had him in :48 2/5, 1:01 3/5. It was a good move, executed very, very well. Obviously, inside of Rapture. It was maybe even better than expected,” trainer Brad Cox said. “I didn't do a tremendous amount with him. He was under a good hold throughout. Great move. Good horse, good move.” Godolphin's Sovereignty, who captured the Mar. 1 GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth prior to his runner-up finish in the Curlin Florida Derby, breezed a half-mile in :48.40 for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. “He was into it. He's not a great work horse, but he went well,” Mott said. “Good sign that we're able to keep going.” The post Curlin Florida Derby Exacta Tappan Street, Sovereignty Breeze for Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article