Wandering Eyes

Winning jockey Adam Nicholls and trainer Gary Clarke are all smiles after Prince Ruban claimed the $40,000 Lightning Wet Season Final (1200m) during the Darwin Turf Club’s meeting at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) Leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke claimed yet another feature race at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Prince Ruban, a seven-year-old gelding, won the $40,000 Lightning Wet Season Final (1200m) with Adam Nicholls in the saddle from stablemate He’s Essential – the $2.90 favourite with online bookmakers – ridden by Jarrod Todd. It was Clarke’s second win in the 0-70 Final after Blue Odyssey beat home stablemate Mr Cashman in the inaugural Australia Day feature for mid-range sprinters in 2022. Starting at $6.50, Prince Ruban was among a host battling for the early lead before settling on the fence in seventh place and once leaving the back straight he was fourth. Turning for home at the 350m mark, Prince Ruban left the fence and set after Phil Cole’s front-running Exceedingly Magic as He’s Essential, who was third as from the 800m, started to flex some muscle. In the end, Prince Ruban prevailed by a length with Cole’s $8 chance Bryce, last at the final bend in the 10-horse field, motoring home for Wayne Davis to finish a further length away in third place. Prince Ruban debuted in Darwin in June 2021 prior to Cup Carnival and arrived back in the Top End for his fourth campaign in November. The son of Prince Of Dubai, who qualified for the Wet Season Final with victory in Heat 4 over 1300m in 0-64 grade in December, has had nine wins and 10 minor placings from 30 Fannie Bay starts. He appeared on Katherine Cup Day in August 2021 where he finished second. The Victorian galloper has had 16 other starts for the Tom Dabernig, David Hayes and Ben Hayes stable, as well as for trainer Shane Bottomley, who owns the horse, with all of his wins occurring in Darwin. Although the top weight with 59kg on Saturday, Prince Ruban boasted good form with a win, a second and two thirds at the end of 2024. Meanwhile, Cole and fellow trainer Tayarn Halter ended the Australia Day meeting with doubles. Queensland jockey Wanderson D’Avila and Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc guided $6.50 prospect Whitten and $11 fancy Rebellious Hope home over 1200m in 0-58 grade and 1600m in the Class 2 ranks for Cole. Sonja Logan and Raymond Vigar delivered for Halter aboard $6.50 chance Funnyifitwon in a $30,000 heat of the Summer Sprint Series (1300m) and $9 aspirant Cherry Stem, who won her first race in a special conditions affair over 1200m. Victory made it 499 career wins for Logan, who would finish second in three other races. Chris Pollard’s $3.80 candidate Hey Little Sister finally saluted in Darwin at the ninth attempt thanks to pilot Stan Tsaikos with victory over 1000m against 0-64 opposition. Horse racing news View the full article

White Abarrio is back to the form that saw him win the 2023 Whitney Stakes (G1) and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) as the 6-year-old son of Race Day dominated his competition in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25.View the full article

Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Recharge went to the lead at the start and hung on by a neck to post a 42-1 upset in the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) Jan. 25 at Sam Houston Race Park.View the full article

With blinkers off and Tiago Pereira back aboard, Katonah joined in a four-way stretch battle and then pulled away to win by two lengths.View the full article

7th-GP, $94k, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 3:21p.m. ET A $500,000 KEESEP purchase by Repoel Stables in 2023, ADVENTURIST (Curlin) goes to post here for Todd Pletcher with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons. Out of GIII Comely Stakes victress Touching Beauty (Tapit), the chestnut is a half-brother to GISP Just a Touch (Justify) and SP Corps of Discovery (Unbridled's Song). His dam is herself a half-sister to GSP Tritap (Tapit) as well as SW Noisy Feet (Tapit), in turn the mother of SW What Say Thee (Sea The Stars {Ire}). He's been given 2-1 odds on the morning line and has a consistent worktab under his belt for this unveiling. TJCIS PPs 10th-SA, $60k, Msw, 3yo, 1mT, 7:37p.m. ET Rowan August (Authentic), a homebred for Spendthrift Farm, will be unveiled in this nightcap in California under Richard Mandella's banner. A half-brother to GISW Kalypso (Brody's Cause)–who sold to Katsumi Yoshida in 2022 for $2.1-million at FTKNOV pregnant to Flightline, and was bred to Equinox (Jpn) after delivering a filly in 2024–Rowan August has a line of six and five furlong works to his credit, and has been given 12-1 odds on the morning line. TJCIS PPs The post Jan. 26 Insights: Halfs to Grade I Quality Runners Debut on Both Coasts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As the three favorites trailed early, pacesetter Speed King rolled to a one-length upset victory in the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.View the full article

Given the way trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has become a dominant force in South Florida racing, it seemed only a matter of time before he extended his winning touch to the Pegasus World Cup races.View the full article

The Hong Kong Jockey Club struck early at Karaka in the opening session of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale, going to $625,000 to secure lot 11, the Savabeel colt out of Group Three performer Indecision, a half-sister to dual Group One winner Viadana. The Jockey Club’s southern hemisphere buying agent Craig Rounsefell, of Boomer Bloodstock, was taken by the colt when inspecting him at Trelawney Stud, and he believes he is an ideal prospect for Hong Kong. “I think it is a strong start to the sale. It is a good bunch of horses here and fortunately for us we had one of our top picks come up early in the sale,” Rounsefell said. “He is a Savabeel colt who is ideal for our programme. He is a late November type, a later maturing type. He is off a great farm in Trelawney, one of the best farms in New Zealand. “We just loved him on type. He is a very athletic, sound looking horse with a great temperament.” The colt will now cross the Tasman to undergo his early education and is destined to head to Hong Kong where he will be offered through the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s international sale. “He will head over to Australia to Limitless Lodge and he will get trained up there,” Rounsefell said. “He will head up to Hong Kong in two years for the international sale and then go into full work up there once he has been through the sale.” Lot 11, the Savabeel colt out of Group Three performer Indecision, was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey club for $625,000. Photo: Kirstin Ledington Trelawney Stud’s Cherry Taylor was duly rapt with the result, although she said the nerves were high with the colt being so early in the sale. “We are thrilled to bits,” she said. “Lot 11 is a little bit nervous because it is early in the sale, but we really liked the colt and the mare has done so well, her first two (foals) are both winners. Storm Front, who Tony Pike trains is an exceptional horse. “This one is just a beautiful type, so I am looking forward to seeing him run.” Taylor had expected plenty of interest in the colt in the sale ring, but said the $625,000 price tag exceeded their expectations. “We have had a lot of interest at our parades,” she said. “We thought the horse might make $400,000, but our reserve was $200,000. We always put low reserves on so we get them on the market and people can buy them.” Taylor is looking forward to watching the colt’s progress in Hong Kong, a racing jurisdiction she has strong ties with. “I have got a long association with Hong Kong,” she said. “My father (Cliff Goss) trained in Macau many years ago and one of my best friends lives in Hong Kong. We are up there all the time, so I am thrilled to bits he has gone to Hong Kong.” Meanwhile, Rounsefell struck again shortly after, securing lot 22, the Per Incanto colt out of Elsdon Park’s draft for $160,000, and the Australian bloodstock agent is looking to be active at the sale over the coming days. “We will see how it pans out over the next couple of days. There are a good group of horses here and hopefully we will get a few more,” he said. View the full article

Barneswood Farm have made the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) their own, winning last year’s inaugural running with Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai), and backing that up as breeders of this year’s victor Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel). The pair gave Barneswood Farm’s Sarah and Chris Green, and business partner Ger Beemsterboer, their biggest moment in racing when recording a memorable double in the Aotearoa Classic-Karaka Millions 3YO double at the Karaka Millions meeting last year, and they were rapt to see farm graduate Orchestral continue their dominance of the Aotearoa Classic on Saturday night. “What a proud moment – two years in a row,” Sarah Green said. “To see Orchestral get the three-year-old last year and carry on to do what she has done, she is an absolute class act. “It was very emotional, it couldn’t have been more exciting if we owned her ourselves. It was spectacular, we had friends and family watching and cheering on (trainers) Robert (Wellwood) and Roger (James). It was very special to watch that for them.” Out of their Group Three performer Symphonic, Barneswood Farm offered Orchestral through Haunui Farm’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where she was purchased by James and Wellwood for $625,000. Saturday’s win was timely for the farm, who are set to offer Orchestral’s yearling full-sister at Karaka, where she will go through the sales ring as lot 345 on Monday. “That is pretty exciting,” Green said. “She has had a lot of interest, as you would expect. “I didn’t want to sell her, but that is just the way it is. She is a beautiful filly and she has been nice and correct, and big and strong since she was born. I think she has got a good future in front of her. “We have got another full-sister to Orchestral at foot. We will keep the foal, so the line keeps going.” Adding further interest to the sale is the Savabeel filly is a full-sister in blood to three-year-old sensation Savaglee, who has won five of his six starts this season, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. As a slot holder in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), Green has followed Savaglee’s career with great interest, and she said being a part of the inaugural running of the slot race is giving her family great enjoyment. “We haven’t filled our slot yet, so it’s always interesting watching all of the three-year-olds,” she said. “My son, Harry, who lives in America, he is 22 and spends all his time doing sectionals in Australia and New Zealand. He is obsessed with it, and it’s great bringing younger ones into the game. “There are a few good three-year-old races coming up, so we have got time to fill that slot.” Barneswood Farm have had a lot of success buying out of Karaka, with Group One winners Desert Lightning, Media Sensation, Planet Rock, and Orchestral’s dam Symphonic just a number of their purchases. Their former trainers Peter and Dawn Williams played an integral part in their yearling selections, and they will once again team up with the husband-and-wife duo to try and replicate their success. “Hopefully we will come away with one or two,” Green said. “Peter and Dawn are with us. They have got such a good eye for picking a horse that you can’t not have them with you. They are great people and great friends.” Barneswood Farm will also be offering a handful of yearlings at Karaka as vendors, with their offerings going through Haunui Farm’s draft. “We have got four in Book 1 and one in Book 2,” Green said. “It is exciting to sell them, but I am completely different to my husband, he is a seller and I am a keeper, but you can’t keep them all.” View the full article

Spirit of St Louis, a 6-year-old New York-bred gelding by Medaglia d'Oro, scored his first graded win Jan. 25 in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

White Abarrio is back to the form that saw him win the 2023 Whitney Stakes (G1) and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) as the 6-year-old son of Race Day dominated his competition in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25.View the full article

WHITE ABARRIO (h, 6, Race Day–Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief) took over from pacesetting Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) leaving the quarter pole and from there turned Saturday's $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes into a one-horse affair, storming clear to win by 6 1/4 lengths in quick time. Winner of this track's GI Florida Derby three seasons ago for this trainer and the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero while under the care of Richard Dutrow, Jr., landed back in this barn this fall and though he was a smashing allowance winner Nov. 22, was a slow-starting second in the GIII Mr. Prospector Stakes over seven furlongs Dec. 28. Stretching back out for this as the 5-2 second choice, the gray entire left there running but was consigned to a three-wide passage around the first turn as Saudi Crown was hustled along by Florent Geroux to make the lead through lively fractions of :23.43 and :46.68. Three or four deep and out of harm's way down the back, White Abarrio began to pour in the pressure approaching the stretch, easily wrested command and kicked home to leave no doubt about his superiority. 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) jumped as the 9-5 favorite, but his race was more or less over at the break, when he was tardy from his double-digit draw, spotting valuable tactical position. Hard-ridden into the stretch, the Eclipse runner boxed on meritoriously to finish second, just ahead of the winner's stable companion Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator). Sales history: $7,500 Ylg '20 OBSOCT; $40,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR. O-C 2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Pagnano, Antonio; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Saffie Joseph Jr. A WOW! performance by White Abarrio in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1)!@IradOrtiz up for @SaffieJosephJr on the @C2RacingStable star, who is already a Breeders' Cup Classic champion. pic.twitter.com/51KdWpTcXK — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 25, 2025 The post White Abarrio In Splendid Isolation In Pegasus World Cup 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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Maiden winner Starzand (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) (lot 6) became just the third horse to clear the £200,000 barrier at the Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale when selling to former NH jockey Richard Johnson for £230,000 on Saturday. Secured for Dave Lewis's Gwent Holdings, the 5-year-old gelding is bound for the yard of Philip Hobbs and Johnson White. Formerly a €21,000 store at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, Starzand was consigned by James Doyle's Baltimore House Stables and his price is the second-highest ever recorded at the sale. “Dave is keen to have a few more, we bought last year, they have run well and he is keen to move forward again,” said Johnson, who is helping Lewis with purchasing plans. “Everyone wants winners at Cheltenham and that is where we want to get. This looks a lovely horse, and will be one for the future, he is a proper long-term three-mile chaser and it might take him two years for him to reach his potential.” Debut bumper winner Kilwaughter (Ire) (Milan {GB}) (lot 22), who struck at Down Royal on Boxing Day, caught the eye of Tom Malone at £120,000 in a private sale. A half-brother to seven winners from the family of Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed Ghizao (Ger) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), the 5-year-old gelding was consigned by Stuart Crawford's Newlands Stables. His previous trips through the sales ring were as a €24,000 Tattersalls Ireland November NH foal and a €30,000 store buy. Malone said, “He might go for one of the decent late-spring bumpers, he has been bought on spec, and I thought he had a lovely level of form. He is a beautiful horse with a lovely winning pedigree, and he came highly recommended.” Rounding out the six-figure lots was Leopardstown bumper winner Karate Kid (Ire) (Spanish Moon) (lot 10), who changed hands for £100,000 when purchased by Tessa Greatrex of Highflyer Bloodstock. Consigned by Colm Ryan Racing, he is intended for Jim and Clare Bryce, owners of Rhonehurst Stables, the training base for Warren Greatrex. His dam is a half-sister to the Grade 1-winning chaser Arzal (Fr) (Vendangeur {Ire}). “Jim and Clare had a runner here today, and I don't think they were initially intending to buy, but I saw the horse yesterday and recommended him,” said Greatrex. “We were impressed with his bumper win, he beat some nice horses and he looks a smart horse for the future.” The aggregate almost doubled, rising by 90% to £1,667,000 for 24 lots sold from 30 offered. Last year's sale garnered £876,000. The average rose 27% to £69,458 and the median increased by 102% to £62,500. Tattersalls Online sales manager Shirley Anderson-Jolag said, “The Tattersalls Cheltenham January Sale has been highly satisfactory producing a clearance rate of 80%, a turnover over £1,600,000, alongside increases in both the average and medians, all figures which show a strong improvement on 2024. “Today's across-the-card Grade 3 double with Docpickedme (Ire) (Getaway {Ger}), winner of Doncaster's Great Yorkshire Chase, and Moon D'Orange (Fr) (Spanish Moon)'s success at Cheltenham, prove yet again that buyers who are interested in purchasing high-quality jumps horse should look no further than the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales.” The post Starzand Snapped Up By Gwent Holdings For £230k At Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Speed King (c, 3, Volatile–Athenian Beauty, by Corinthian), second as the favorite in the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes Dec. 13, ran them off their feet in Saturday's GIII Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, good for 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Overlooked at odds of 14-1 while drawn widest of all in post nine, Speed King cleared the field beneath Rafael Bejarano heading into the clubhouse turn. He set fractions of :24.11 and :47.82, gave them the slip on the far turn and kept on finding down the stretch to pull off the upset. Sandman (Tapit) ran a fantastic race to finish a rallying, close second after stumbling at the start. Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) was third. Favored 'TDN Rising Star' Patch Adams (Into Mischief) was a disappointing fourth. Sales history: $85,000 wnlg '22 KEENOV; $30,000 yrl '23 KEESEP; $100,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. O-Triton Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Nancy C. Shuford (KY); T-Ron Moquett. Speed King takes them all the way in the G3 Southwest and picks up 20 points towards Kentucky Derby 151! @ronmoquett trains the 3YO colt and @sambitoperu was aboard! A 14/1 winner and you can't say @emilyoptixeq didn't tell you about this one! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/SoaG21TqbP — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) January 25, 2025 The post ‘Speed’ Rules in the Southwest appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A horse that frequently fires a big shot when fresh up, SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (g, 6, Medaglia d'Oro–Khancord Kid, by Lemon Drop Kid) was steered off heels and widest in upper stretch and powered home down the center of the course to take out Saturday's $1-million GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The New York-bred, a 7-1 chance, broke fairly and took up a spot in the third flight of horses and sat a centerfield trip as the rail-drawn GI Hollywood Derby hero Formidable Man (City of Light) cut out the running from GI Woodbine Mile upsetter Win For the Money (Mohaymen) and they went quick early. Bottled up from mid-division down the back as postions remained unchanged up front, Spirit of St Louis raced in traffic and on hold rounding the second turn and was still short of running room as they neared the stretch. Tyler Gaffalione was able to extricate his mount shortly after entering the lane and steered Spirit of St Louis to the outside of the well-fancied Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro), with a clear shot if good enough. Integration (Quality Road) in the meantime made the lead relatively early beneath Frankie Dettori and carried the field deep into the final furlong, but was run down in the dying strides. The final time was a crisp 1:44.50 for the nine furlongs on fast turf. It was a third win in the race for trainer Chad Brown (Almanaar, Bricks and Mortar) and a third in the last 12 runnings for Medaglia d'Oro, whose 2014 winner Lochte was also out of a mare by the late Lemon Drop Kid. Sales history: $300,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $280,000 HRA '23 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 14-10-3-0. O-Madaket Stables LLC, Dubb, Michael and Schermerhorn, Richard; B-Chester R & Mary Broman (NY); T-Chad Brown. #8 SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS ($17.80) got room late and got up just in time under a perfectly timed ride by @Tyler_Gaff to win the $1,000,000 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) at @GulfstreamPark. The son of Medaglia d'Oro (@DarleyAmerica) is trained by Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/f5mA6LL3Gd — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 25, 2025 The post Medaglia d’Oro’s Spirit of St Louis Takes Flight In Pegasus World Cup Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first reported foal by three-time Grade I winner Gufo (Declaration of War–Floy, by Petionville) was born Friday, Jan. 24. Out of Blurricane (Rebellion {GB}), winner of the 2017 Ballade Stakes at Woodbine and earner of more than $500,000, the colt was bred by Ballycroy Bloodstock in Ontario. Gufo stood his first season at Ballycroy before moving to Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky ahead of the 2025 season, his second year at stud. “We're thrilled with this colt out of the resilient mare Blurricane,” said Michaela Kemp of Ballycroy Bloodstock. “He's sure to be a runner.” During his racing career, Gufo won Grade I events at ages three, four, and five: the GI Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes and the Sword Dancer Stakes twice. He won or placed in another dozen stakes, many of them also Grade I. Gufo will stand the upcoming season at Darby Dan for $5,000. The post Darby Dan’s MGISW Gufo Represented by First Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kicking off the graded stakes action Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park, Dixiana Farms' homebred Forever After All rallied down the center of the turf course to catch Chop Chop by a nose in the $150,000 La Prevoyante Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Talk about a tried and true stakes horse. Since breaking her maiden at Woodbine in Sept. 2023, Mystic Lake (Mo Town) has contested nothing but stakes or graded stakes races and, with her win in Saturday's GII Inside Information Stakes, has earned over $1,000,000 while also winning such races as the GIII Miss Preakness Stakes and the GII Charles Town Oaks both last year. 5 3/4 lengths behind Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the 1 1/16-mile GI Cotillion Stakes at Parx in September, the daughter of Mo Town got back on track when cutting back to six furlongs to take the listed Sugar Swirl Stakes when last seen Dec. 21. Clearly back in her distance wheelhouse Saturday as the 2-1 second choice, Mystic Lake was drawn inside of her main rival in 4-5 favorite Emery (More Than Ready) and the pair broke on top together with 8-1 shot Olivia Darling (Palace) splitting the two through the opening quarter in :22.94. The compact field of just five never got too far apart with the trio of leaders blocking Jody's Pride (American Pharoah) in behind them with Haulin Ice the back marker into the far turn. Mystic Lake, closest to the rail of the leaders past the half in :45.69, had to hold her ground as Jody's Pride found a gap to move into as Olivia Darling dropped back and it was still three across the track as the sprinters turned for home. Emery looked to be beaten furthest out with Mystic Lake along the rail having to fight Jody's Pride but the final sixteenth saw the favorite level out and make things tight on the wire with Mystic Lake just prevailing in a driving three-way finish. Pedigree Note: One of 13 stakes winners for Mo Town, who continues Uncle Mo's legacy as a sire of sires, Mystic Lake is the first and only reported foal out of an unraced Itsmyluckyday first dam. After selling as a 2-year-old at OBS March for $130,000 in 2023, the winner RNA'd last May for $370,000 just days before her success in the Miss Preakness Stakes. In another nail-biting photo finish, MYSTIC LAKE (Mo Town) digs in and fights back to secure victory in the GII Inside Information Stakes at @GulfstreamPark on @PegasusWorldCup Day! pic.twitter.com/W92rtXw52B — TDN (@theTDN) January 25, 2025 Saturday, Gulfstream INSIDE INFORMATION S. PRESENTED BY MYRACEHORSE-GII, $208,000, Gulfstream, 1-25, 4yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:22.59, ft. 1–MYSTIC LAKE, 123, f, 4, by Mo Town 1st Dam: Salty Soul, by Itsmyluckyday 2nd Dam: Pyramyst, by Pyramid Peak 3rd Dam: Almost Mystical, by General Assembly ($3,500 Ylg '22 OBSOCT; $130,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR; $370,000 RNA 3yo '24 FTDMAY). O-C2 Racing Stable LLC and Stefania Farms LLC; B-Peggy Costanzo (FL); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $132,000. Lifetime Record: 14-7-3-1, $1,033,354. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Emery, 123, f, 4, More Than Ready–Athena, by Street Sense. ($235,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV). O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Mary K. Grum (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $40,000. 3–Jody's Pride, 120, f, 4, American Pharoah–Jody's Song, by Scat Daddy. O-Parkland Thoroughbreds and Sportsmen Stable; B-Mr. Steve Weston (KY); T-Jorge R. Abreu. $20,000. Margins: NK, HD, 10. Odds: 2.20, 1.00, 7.10. Also Ran: Olivia Darling, Haulin Ice. Scratched: Dazzling Move, Miuccia, Nic's Style, Sterling Silver. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Mystic Lake Hits The Million-Dollar Mark With Inside Information Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Among several notable workers for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on Saturday morning at Santa Anita was Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), who this week was named the 2024 champion 2-year-old male. With rain expected later in the day and continuing through the weekend, it was a busy training session on both the main track and training track as 229 horses recorded timed workouts ahead of the weather. Citizen Bull worked in company with older horse Pilot Commander (Justify), who most recently was fourth in the GI Malibu Dec. 26. Citizen Bull and Pilot Commander were each clocked going five furlongs in 59 flat. They were the fastest of 106 works at the distance. The newly crowned champion is a candidate to run in next Saturday's GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, which is a points-paying prep for the GI Kentucky Derby. Citizen Bull has not started since winning the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar Nov. 1. Also on the tab was Madaket Road (Quality Road), who drilled five furlongs in :59.60 seconds, which was the fourth-fastest work at the distance. The 3-year-old exits a maiden win going six furlongs at Santa Anita Dec. 26. He is nominated to the Lewis as well. Baffert also worked 3-year-old filly and GISW Tenma (Nyquist), older horses GISP Mirahmadi (Into Mischief) and Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke) and a 3-year-old colt by Curlin out of Hall of Fame mare Beholder who has yet to be named. Tenma, who most recently won the GII Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos last month, worked four furlongs in 48 flat. The 3-year-old colt by Curlin out of Beholder went four furlongs in a sharp :47.40 seconds. It was the fourth-fastest of 59 works at the distance. The $4 million auction purchase for owner Zedan Racing has worked eight times since Dec. 8. Mirahmadi, who is targeting the GI Santa Anita Handicap on Mar. 1, worked four furlongs in :48.60 seconds. It was his second work since an impressive front-running allowance win going a mile Jan. 4. Richi worked four furlongs in :47.40 seconds. A Group 1 winner in her native Chile, Richi served notice Jan. 4 when winning the GIII Las Flores Stakes going six furlongs in her second U.S. start. Notable workers for trainer Michael McCarthy included 'TDN Rising Star' Bullard (Gun Runner). Nominated to the Lewis and most recently was third in the GII San Vicente Stakes in Arcadia Jan. 4, the colt drilled four furlongs in 48.60. Trainer Richard Mandella worked Kopion, who was an impressive winner of the GI La Brea Stakes when returning from an 8 1/2-month layoff. The Omaha Beach filly drilled five furlongs in 1:00.60. Click here to access many of these Saturday's workouts. The post Newly Crowned Champion Citizen Bull Fires Bullet For Baffert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Named a 'TDN Rising Star' as a summer 2-year-old back in 2022, Mike Ryan's BE YOUR BEST (IRE) (m, 5, Muhaarar {GB}–Kamakura, by Medaglia d'Oro) dropped 13 straight races after a win in the P.G. Johnson Stakes that September. But those days are now distant memories, as the bay has found her best form since switching to the barn of Saffie Joseph, Jr. and won her third consecutive race at the graded-stakes level in Saturday's $500,000 GII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park. Offering sound value at 7-1 in the 8 1/2-furlong contest, Be Your Best broke alertly from her low draw and took up a stalking role from second as her stablemate In Our Time (Not This Time) took the field along at a good gallop for the opening half-mile. The duo put a bit of a break on their rivals, including favored Raqiya (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), who ranged up into third, having been ridden for a turn of foot as opposed to the front-running tactics employed in the GII Goldikova Stakes on Breeders' Cup weekend. Be Your Best got the better of that battle to lead into the final furlong, then had to dig in late to stave off a late dive from Sacred Wish (Not This Time) by a short neck. Lifetime Record: 18-5-3-2. O-Michael J Ryan; B-St Croix Bloodstock; T-Saffie Joseph Jr. #3 BE YOUR BEST ($16.80) got to the lead in the stretch and held off a fast closing #10 Sacred Wish to win the $500,000 @TBAftercare Pegasus World Cup F&M Turf Invitational (G2) at @Gulfstream Park. @zayas_edgardo was up for @SaffieJosephJr. pic.twitter.com/uxPWvV5QHN — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 25, 2025 The post Be Your Best Stays At Her Best In the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson has a cups double-double in his sights at Riverton on Sunday. Last month the trainer-driver bagged both the Forbury Park pacing and trotting cups on a highly successful trip to Wingatui. On Sunday, Ferguson will link up with the same cup-winning horses in Nutcracker and Moment Of What at another venue well known for its rich history in the thoroughbred code. And the pair look legitimate winning threats again. Nutcracker is coming into the Carriers Arms Hotel Riverton Cup in arguably the form of her career. “She has probably stepped it up a bit this year, to what she did last year,” Ferguson said. “She was pretty good last week chasing a pretty smart horse, One Change. “It was a good second and they got home in quite nice time. “She seems to be in a good space at the moment.” The mare heads into tomorrow’s feature after chasing home One Change in her second in the Northern Southland Cup. Proven in the cups grade, on grass tracks and from standing starts, Nutcracker looks to tick all the boxes needed ahead of her Riverton Cup tilt. “One of her biggest assets is her manners. She will walk around at the start and behave herself. “When the others play up she will just stand and wait.” “She tends to make a pretty good beginning. She’s off 10m on Sunday but the way he’s been getting off the mark hopefully she can make that up pretty quick.” Moment Of What cruised to victory in the Forbury Park Trotting Cup last month but he has put two glaring zeros next to his name since. In the first of those runs, the Amber Hoffman-trained trotter was checked early in the Gore Trotters Cup before making another mid-race mistake. In his latest outing, Moment Of What loomed up on the turn in the Cromwell Trotting Cup before breaking on the home turn. While the trotter may be down on confidence, Ferguson knows he is capable of winning with his best manners. “I thought he was probably going to win at Cromwell — he was absolutely jogging. “But he has got it wrong a couple of times lately. “Hopefully, he can bring his A-game and trot the distance, but he has certainly got the ability.” Ferguson also starts Netherton Franco in the last race on the card. The mare produced the best run of her campaign when putting away a lower-grade field with style at Ascot Park last week. “She seems to like the grass. She went super last week, she felt like she did it with a bit more in store “She was a touch disappointing before that so we added a set of blinds and it seemed to make a difference.” Precious Memories in race 1 opener looks another of Ferguson’s key drives at Riverton. View the full article

By Mike Love The vibrant atmosphere at Mt Harding Racecourse is set to come alive today as Clubs of Canterbury Race Day kicks off the club’s 2025 season. Featuring an impressive lineup of eleven thrilling races, the first race is scheduled to start at 11:40 AM, in what promises to be a day filled with excitement for racing enthusiasts and local supporters alike. This year’s event boasts large, competitive fields, with many local trainers and drivers taking center stage. Notable names to watch include renowned driver Ricky May and the O’Reilly family, who have a strong reputation in the racing community. Their involvement adds a local touch to the event, drawing in fans eager to support their favourites. In addition to the racing, Clubs Day will feature various entertainment options, including food stalls, live music, and activities for families. Local businesses have rallied to support the event, creating a festive atmosphere that enhances the racing experience. Michael and Wilson House currently lead the trainers, juniors, and amateurs premiership, in what may be a screenshot moment, and they have a great chance to further their lead today with six runners lining up, each possessing strong each-way chances. They include Fabricate ($11.00FF) and Courage Reactor ($5.00FF) in race four, La Dama ($12.00FF) in race five, Stickifingers ($11.00FF) in race six, Ann Sophie ($3.20FF) in race eight, and Jazzy Styx ($7.50FF) in race eleven. Wilson, as the primary driver for most of Michael’s horses, also has three outside drives. View the full article

Kicking off the graded stakes action Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park, Dixiana Farms' homebred Forever After All rallied down the center of the turf course to catch Chop Chop by a nose in the $150,000 La Prevoyante Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article