Wandering Eyes

Arron Lynch and Right Now (NZ) (Wrote) have caused a boilover in the Kevin Lafferty Hurdle at Warrnambool on Sunday, holding tough at long odds. Trained by Bevan Laming, Right Now couldn’t go the 3900 metres in the Australian Hurdle last start, but the drop back to 3200m looked suitable and he travelled comfortably throughout. Lynch pinched runs up the inside and went from second last to first down the side, but there was still the matter of holding off Loft ($1.35) and Normandy Bridge ($5). But even with the 71kg on his back, Right Now refused to lie down, and scored a memorable upset win over Loft, Normandy Bridge and Gambu ($27). Earlier in the day, Jessica Pateman scored her first win as a trainer when husband Steven scored a hard-fought win over Bitcoin (NZ) (Tarzino) in the One-Jumps-Win Hurdle. Back in grade from the Australian Hurdle, the son of Tarzino travelled in a great spot and got the better of $2.35 favourite Through Irish Eyes, who refused to lie down, but couldn’t match Pateman’s galloper late. “He’s been super consistent all prep this horse, and he’s been up for a long time,” she said. “That’s the first winner in my name, so that’s really exciting. Thanks to Spicer Thoroughbreds for sending him our way, he’s a beautiful horse. “Also thanks to Lindsey Smith, who sort of pushed him our way… he was really tough late to fight back, I was really impressed to see him do that. He really wants to be there. “He’s an exciting horse for us.” View the full article

New Zealand’s raiders had a varied start to the Inter Dominion carnival at Albion Park, with two wins, a strong runner-up performance, and a few who’ll be looking to bounce back on night two. Mixed night for Kiwi trotters at Inter Dominion opener It was a tale of two very different stories for New Zealand’s two trotting stars on Inter Dominion opening night at Albion Park. The shock came when millionaire veteran Oscar Bonavena was bailed up in traffic and only finished seventh in the first trotting heat. Driver Adam Sanderson put his hand-up and admitted he made a mistake by staying in when he could have started a threw-wide sprint. Oscar Bonavena will now need at least a top three finish in the second (and last) round of heats to make the $500,000 final on July 19. If there is an upside, co-trainer Mark Purdon said the nine-year-old was in fantastic order. “He’s really, really well and Adam (Sanderson) said he was bolting with nowhere to go,” he said. The other shock of the first heat was an early gallop from favourite London To A Brick, which saw him tail-out and probably lose all hope of qualifying for the final. The heat was won by the rejuvenated leader Golden Sunset, with the erratic but highly-talented Gus running a huge second. Trotting heat two was a much better story for the Kiwis with young star Bet N Win leading throughout for an easy win. “It’s great to get that one out of the way,” co-trainer David White said. Driver Bob Butt added: “He did really well, did it easily.” Victorian star Arcee Phoenix lost no fans with a terrific third after sustaining a long three-wide from well back in the last lap. Leap To Fame all class as Pinseeker impresses Champion pacer Leap To Fame underlined why is the most dominant Inter Dominion favourite in history when he thrashed his rivals in the fastest heat of opening night at Albion Park. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon took bad luck out of the equation when he snagged out to last from inside the back row (gate eight) and quickly launched a three-wide around the field. Kiwi raider Pinseeker worked to the lead from gate two, but was happy to take a sit on Leap To Fame when he drew alongside after 800m. It was a procession, albeit a fast one, from there. Leap To Fame ran his last mile in 1min51.9sec sec with closing splits of 53.3 and 26.2sec to win by 9.2m over Pinseeker with old marvels Petes Said So third and Max Delight fourth. “He did that really well,” Dixon said. “I was really pleased how comfortable he felt.” Trainer-driver Jonny Cox was delighted with Pinseeker’s run. “Thrilled. He went great, but the winner is just something else. We were running a 28.5sec first quarter and he just marched on by, as easy as you like,” he said. Another brilliant Luke McCarthy drive helped Don Hugo win his heat comfortably. The race changed through the middle stages when McCarthy made a move around the field to park outside the leader, but was able to slot into a perfect one-one trail on the back of main danger Captains Knock. The pair drew away to fight it out with Don Hugo scoring by 1.3m in a 1min52.4sc mile rate, 0.9sec faster than the opening heat. “I like driving him with a sit but we don’t get many chances. We had a bit of luck in running and he did that really easily at the finish,” McCarthy said. “It was three weeks between runs, so he’ll take a lot of benefit out of it. I’m already looking forward to next week.” Hewitt was thrilled with Captains Knock’s run. “That’s more like him. His work said he’d bounce back and he did. Bring on night two.” Popular Queensland trainer Shannon Price made an early impact when he “work in progress” pacer Sure Thing Captain brilliantly won last night’s first heat. The five-year-old worked to the front from gate four, dictated terms and blasted home in 53.7 and 26.5sec to win by 6.7m over the eye-catching Catch A Wave, who ran own last half in 53.1sec. “He’s a good horse, this one, with so much speed, but he’s taking time to put it all together. Tonight was a great sign,” Price said. Captains Mistress cruises in Rising Sun consolation Connections of star Kiwi filly Captains Mistress were left wondering what might have been after her stunning Albion Park win last night. To the shock of many, the filly was snubbed for a start in the main event, the $300,000 Group 1 Rising Sun, leaving to her tackle and easily win the $53,040 consolation. The snubbing wasn’t lost on her Kiwi trainer and driver Nathan Williamson after the win. “Do you think we’ll get a start in the Queensland Oaks now?” he laughed. Captains Mistress stretched her unbeaten Queensland raid to three wins when she showed sparkling gate speed to easily hold the lead from the pole and never looked in danger. Williamson “pinched” a cosy 61.4sec middle half then scorched home in 53.8 and 26.4sec to win by five metres over a gallant Attachment, who sat parked a fought on well for second in a 1min54.3sec mile rate for 2138m. Captains Mistress heads to the Group 1 Queensland Oaks on July 19 for caretaker trainer Grant Dixon before returning home to rejoin Williamson. “She’s got a big spring back home after this,” he said. “That’s the first time she’s been asked to really leave the gate like that and she did it well. It’s a great sign for the future.” No luck for Kiwi pair in Rising Sun showdown IT wasn’t to be for the two Kiwis in the $300,000 Group 1 Rising Sun. Both three-year-old Rubira and four-year-old Betterthancash settled well back in a slowly run race and couldn’t get into it, finishing seventh and 11th. Fate Awaits created history as the first three-year-old to win the race after a dream run behind the leader. Trained by Grant Dixon and driven by wife, Trista, Fate Awaits dashed through the sprint lane to beat favourite The Janitor. View the full article

Dog Penalties FIRE WARNING | Wanganui Straight 1 July; failed to pursue the lure; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial at that track. BIG TIME KIMETTO | Wanganui Straight 1 July; failed to pursue the lure; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial at that track. General The Waikato GRC meeting scheduled for 3 July was abandoned due to track conditions. The post 30 June – 6 July 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Highview Stud stallion Divine Prophet sired a new stakeswinner on Saturday with Fortunate Kiss (Divine Prophet) a deserved winner in the Listed A$300,000 Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday. With nine top five finishes in previous black type races, it was better late than never for the Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans trained mare Fortunate Kiss held off the late charge of Oughton to score by just over a quarter of a length to get her first black type victory. Stable rep Ross O’Sullivan expected a forward showing by Fortunate Kiss in Saturday’s race, especially off the back of her last start third in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes behind Oughton. “Off her last start, I thought she was overs today. I was quite surprised when the prices went up. She pulled up well from her last start and hasn’t missed a beat the whole way here,” said O’Sullivan. “She’s super and she’ll probably get a mile but Lloyd and Lucy have her well tuned up for 1400. Jockey Luke Tarrant who rode the mare perfectly, feels that she will be even better over 1600m. “My instructions were to find some cover and produce her as late as possible. To be honest, I was a bit nervous coming into the straight. I knew I was going to switch back to the inside but they can do it when they are the next horse,” said Tarrant. “She will only improve off that and if there was another furlong we probably would have won by a furlong.” Bred by the Falcone family, who also bred the mare’s Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas-winning sire Divine Prophet (Choisir) and his full-brother Proisir (Choisir) – himself a Group One producing sire at Rich Hill Stud. Fortunate Kiss is one of four winners from four to the races out of the Savabeel mare Kiss Me Goodbye, herself a half-sister to the stakes placed duo Deep Pockets and Major Canny. The final foal of Kiss Me Goodbye before she unfortunately passed away is her current 2yo, a full brother to Fortunate Kiss named My Wallet in the South Australian stable of Richard and Chantelle Jolly. Fortunate Kiss is one of six stakes performers for Divine Prophet who initially stood at Aquis in Australia before being exported to stand at Highview in New Zealand where he will stand at a fee of NZ $9,000 (plus GST) in the spring. Divine Prophet’s first New Zealand conceived crop of yearlings will head to the 2026 sales. View the full article

Joe Pride has been heartened by the performances of a horse from a rival yard this season as he begins to plot a spring carnival path for dual Group One winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock). The Warwick Farm conditioner watched with interest as Antino (NZ) (Redwood) thumped his rivals in the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) and the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) over the Queensland winter, the efforts elevating the Tony Gollan-trained galloper to the second line of early Cox Plate markets behind Via Sistina. While Antino has always shown talent, it has been as a five and six-year-old that he has found his groove and Pride believes Ceolwulf is on a similar trajectory. “I was watching Antino this preparation and he has just found this level of consistency and I remember him when he was at the same age as Ceolwulf. He was a bit inconsistent,” Pride said. “He’d have a good prep then a bad prep. These horses just need to fully mature and when they do, that’s when they really find a vein of form where they always run well.” Antino is two years the senior of rising five-year-old Ceolwulf, who Pride can see following a similar trajectory. The latter announced himself as a top talent winning the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) last spring, heightening expectations for the autumn. But while he was competitive in several major races he couldn’t add to his Group One tally. Pride expects that to change over the coming seasons as Ceolwulf continues to develop and mature. “He didn’t run any bad races in the autumn but he paid the price for having won a couple of Group Ones,” Pride said. “There were no easy races for him. All of a sudden he was against the big boys all the time. But he is a top shelf horse. “He is up around 530 to 540 (kilos) now so he will race heavier again this prep. “He is coming along nicely. I haven’t got a trial date for him yet but he will resume in the Winx Stakes.” The first of the Group trials will be at Warwick Farm on July 25 with the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 23. View the full article

Waikato horseman Peter Grey celebrated his first winner in the training role at Tauranga on Sunday, breaking maiden status alongside his filly Slick Chick (NZ) (Reliable Man). A daughter of Reliable Man, Slick Chick defied her $57 closing price when finishing third to Leprekhan at Wanganui last month, but remained among the outsiders in the Tremains Real Estate Maiden 2100 and settled last early in the hands of Bridget Grylls. Exiting the straight, Uhtred took control of the race and had several runners off the bit nearing the 800m, where Slick Chick began to improve through the field. Grylls narrowly avoid the fallen I’llberidingshotgun turning for home and set out to chase down Uhtred, who hung on bravely, but was caught in the shadows of the post by Slick Chick. Grey, who owns and trains the filly out of Cambridge, was rapt with the result after being quietly hopeful in the lead-up. “It’s taken a while to get there so we’re really pleased to be able to notch up a win for the first time – for the both of us,” he said. “We were hopeful for today because she ran well at Wanganui, and we found out she prefers the heavy track pretty early on, it was just finding the right distance for her. We just kept stepping her up until she hit the line right, and she’s done that today. “She always gives me a heart attack by disappearing out the back of the field, so I was watching the wrong end when they were coming down the straight. It was only when she emerged from the field that I realised she was coming, it was just fantastic. “We would’ve liked to be a bit handier, but that’s just not her, she likes to settle back and work her way into the race. If that’s how she wants to do it, we’re not going to argue.” Out of a stakes-performing mare Delecta Dreims, Slick Chick was purchased by Grey whilst he was working as a crossing keeper at Cambridge, and she was initially was bound for the sales ring. “I was working on the gap at Cambridge and the opportunity came up to buy her, she was a weanling at that stage, so I thought I could possibly get her ready for the yearling sales,” he said. “She was too scrawny for the yearling sales, so we looked at the ready to runs, but she was still too small, so we thought we’d race her instead.” The filly is the fourth horse to run under Grey’s name, after he took out his training licence in late 2023. “I’d worked with horses for a long time and a friend of mine asked for help with a difficult racehorse behaviour-wise, so I helped him out and that got me involved,” he said. “From there, I’ve been sucked in like a vortex. “My other horse, Biedermeier, I worked with a friend (Brent Pinny) and she was trained under his name, and we got a win with her. The other horses under my name have mostly been trained by owners, they’ve just had them at the stables that I’m based in, so I can’t really take credit, I’ve just been more of an overseer. “I love the training process, I love seeing a horse go from nothing to something, and having their head screwed on the right way when they get to the races. I love riding trackwork, if I could lose a few tonnes, I would be a jockey and ride them at the races as well. “I can’t do that, so I ride at the track. It’s all about the horses for me.” View the full article

Empire State (NZ) (Tavistock) has grown in confidence throughout the season and he put that on display at Te Rapa on Saturday, breaking through for an impressive maiden success in the Irwin’s Truck and Bus Hurdle (2800m). The six-year-old by Tavistock was having his eighth attempt over the smaller fences, having shown improvement at each start this campaign. He put the writing on the wall when finishing into third behind Jerricoop last month at Te Aroha, but was still slightly underrated in the market on Saturday, closing at $8.20 with Te Akau stakes winner Fierce Flight on top. In a field of 11, Zee Heights came out full of running and took the early lead, before Gingee took over passing the winning post for the first time. Meanwhile, Empire State had settled just worse than midfield under jockey Will Featherstone, jumping professionally in the trail of Mr Fahrenheit. Ember Attack dislodged jockey Toni Moki at the fence nearing the 1200m, which subsequently inconvenienced a couple of runners along the rail, but Featherstone had veered into the centre and was swiftly making up ground, as was the favourite Fierce Flight, who jogged into contention around the outside. The pair pulled clear and jumped the third to last fence in unison, and despite drifting out into the penultimate hurdle, Empire State was corrected by his rider and skipped over the last, having the momentum over Fierce Flight to draw away and score by 2 – ¼ lengths. The victory was Featherstone’s second over fences since arriving in New Zealand in May, and was grateful to trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal for the opportunity. “He’s run an absolute cracker there for me,” he said. “I’m very happy, and it was very kind of Paul to give me the ride. “He started to veer out a little bit to the right coming into the second-last fence, but after correcting him, he ran on strongly in that ground. “I’m getting a few more rides and getting to ride for a few of the top trainers, it’s a very good feeling. I’ve been here for two months or so, and it’s been really good.” Bred by Gerry Harvey. Empire State was initially trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, who gifted the gelding to the Hastings trainers after five runs on the flat. Nelson and McDougal race him alongside Nelson’s son Angus Nelson, and staff member Grace Stewart. He was the first foal out of a one-win High Chapparal mare Midtown Manhattan. View the full article

A promising future over fences awaits Malborough Bay (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who showcased his ability on rain-affected tracks with a gritty victory in Saturday’s John F Grylls Memorial Classic (1400m) at Te Rapa. The son of Darci Brahma had four previous wins to his credit, all on soft or heavy ground, and indicated he was ready to strike again with a narrow second to Joshua Brown at the venue last month. Among the better-backed runners in an even Rating 75 contest, Malborough Bay found cover three-wide in a compact field under Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman, with Electric Time setting a solid tempo in the testing ground. Malborough Bay powered into contention turning for home to draw level with Lotus, and the pair, alongside Charmer, would end up in a dogged fight in the closing stages. Lotus looked to have the upper hand and had the weight swing in her favour, but Malborough Bay found an extra kick over his younger rival to score by a short head. Hassman collected her 17th win of the season in the race and was full of praise for her mount, who carries the colours of syndicators Fortuna Racing. “He was amazing, he slid right through them on the bend when they opened up and he fought to the line so hard,” she said. “It’s great to win a race for Fortuna Racing, they’re a great supporter of Te Akau’s and a good supporter of me, too.” Mark Walker, who trains the gelding in partnership with Sam Bergerson, put a lot of Saturday’s success down to recent schooling, as well as a jumping trial in mid-June. “It was a tough effort and great to see him back in the winner’s circle,” Walker said. “He will be at the hurdle trials on Monday at Cambridge, and I think all the schooling and added fitness from his first hurdle trial is what won him the race. “It was a nice ride of Hayley’s. She’s riding in great form and with a lot of maturity considering she’s only been a jockey for a short time.” Bred by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM and Glenn & Cathie Holmes, Malborough Bay was the final foal out of a Spinning World mare Spin ‘N Grin, who was a Group One performer during her racing career. Spin ‘N Grin’s talent shone through in her progeny, producing Group One placegetters Burgundy Belle and Éclair Lightning. View the full article

Rider Penalties Y Okubo | Rotorua 2 July; use of whip (2 charges); fined $450. L Hemi | Ashburton 3 July; use of whip; suspended 10-19 July inclusive. K Bakker | Ashburton 3 July; careless riding; suspended 10-20 July inclusive. J Fawcett | Waikato 5 July; use of whip; fined $450. R Goyaram | Waikato 5 July; use of whip; fined $250. L Satherley | Tauranga 6 July; medical clearance required. G Rooke | Tauranga 6 July; medical clearance required. R Goyaram | Tauranga 6 July; careless riding; suspended 13-23 July inclusive. J Nishizuka | Tauranga 6 July; careless riding; suspended 13 July – 9 August inclusive. Trainer Penalty D Walker & A Tata | Tauranga 6 July; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties LE ROGIER | Ashburton 3 July; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. RETURN FLIGHT | Ashburton 3 July; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. COVERMEINSUNSHINE | Manawatu 4 July; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. GEORGIAN WARRIOR | Waikato 5 July; sore; veterinary clearance required. Protest BAK DA ANGEL | Auckland 19 April; raced with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from 1st. General The Ashburton RC meeting of 3 July was abandoned after Race 7 due to visibility concerns. The post 30 June – 6 July 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Magnitude did not disappoint the hopefuls as he took the Iowa Derby in style at Prairie Meadows on Saturday evening. Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack's story this week on the colt's return to the races post-surgery reported that trainer Steve Asmussen was “dreaming big” about the Winchell-owned runner's prospects. The reason had something to do with the stellar result from the GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in mid-February when the 3-year-old won by 9 3/4 lengths with a 108 Beyer to boot. Prior to that, Magnitude had broken his maiden at second asking last summer at Ellis Park. After clearing an optional claimer at Churchill Downs Nov. 17, the Asmussen trainee placed in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Dec. 21. When he was well-beaten in the GIII Lecomte Stakes in New Orleans that set him up to be a massive price in the Risen Star at 43-1. Now that Magnitude recovered fully from his ankle chip, the bay came off the shelf and was installed as the 70 cents on the dollar choice here. The favorite fired like a bullet out of the gate and moved nicely towards the rail for the lead into the first turn. Though the colt was shadowed by a pair of competitors, Magnitude looked comfortable up the backstretch and around the far turn. Powering into the lane, the chalk was given a tap and finding another gear he strode to the wire looking like the Risen Star winner we saw earlier this year. Rockadelic was a $110,000 purchase by Freddie Bloodstock at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale while future colt Azum (McKinzie) was in-utero. That current 2-year-old, who went to SBS Global for $165,000 during Keeneland September, broke his maiden under the care of Jose D'Angelo at Gulfstream Park June 13. The winner's dam is also responsible for a yearling colt by Bolt d'Oro and she foaled a colt by Jack Christopher Mar. 24. Magnitude's second dam is GI Coaching Club American Oaks victress Octave (Unbridled's Song). IOWA DERBY, $250,000, Prairie Meadows, 7-5, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42.26, gd. 1–MAGNITUDE, 122, c, 3, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Rockadelic, by Bernardini 2nd Dam: Octave, by Unbridled's Song 3rd Dam: Belle Nuit, by Dr. Carter ($310,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $450,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Ron Stolich (KY); T-Steven Asmussen; J-Ben Curtis. $150,000. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-4-1-0, $596,165. 2–Itsmybirthday, 116, c, 3, Vekoma–After the Rose, by Pioneerof the Nile. ($42,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $195,000 2yo '24 OBSOPN). O-Arnold Bennewith, Rick Wiest, Clayton Wiest and Lana Wiest; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Robertino Diodoro. $50,000. 3–Mister Omaha, 116, c, 3, Omaha Beach–Cosmic Code, by Into Mischief. ($120,000 RNA Ylg '23 FTKOCT). O/B-Bryan Hawk (OK); T-Joe S. Offolter. $25,000. Margins: 9 1/4, 4 1/4, 2. Odds: 0.70, 2.10, 7.20. Also Ran: Maverama, Mickswagger, Authentic Gallop. Scratched: Big Truzz. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. MAGNITUDE ($3.40) RETURNS IN A HUGE WAY! What a win for the Steve Asmussen trained Not This Time (@TMStallions) colt in the $250,000 Iowa Derby at @prmracing. @_benacurtis was in the irons for owners Winchell Thoroughbreds. Catch the Cornhusker next: https://t.co/p25XHD80go pic.twitter.com/j9EVJUHsoN — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 5, 2025 The post Not This Time’s Magnitude Registers Iowa Derby Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lanaluah won the $150,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity July 5 at Lone Star Park to become freshman sire Beau Liam's first stakes winner.View the full article

Sweet Azteca overcame a nine-month layoff to conquer sprint division queen Kopion with an eye-popping victory in the $200,500 Great Lady M Stakes (G2) July 5 at Los Alamitos Race Course.View the full article

Cornishman returned a sizable dividend July 5 for owner Joseph Schumer in upsetting Heroic Move and favored Gould's Gold in the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) at Prairie Meadows.View the full article

Racing July 5 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, Tip Top Thomas improved to 2-for-3 as a 3-year-old in gamely turning back graded stakes winner Coal Battle to win the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) in track record time.View the full article

In winning the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis Saturday, James Bakke and Gerald Isbister's Tip Top Thomas (c, 3, Volatile–Attempt to Name, by Consolidator) may have gotten a little redemption. Last summer and fall, the sky looked like the limit for Tip Top Thomas, who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' in a hard-fought head debut in an August maiden special weight at Saratoga, then came back for a runner-up finish to another 'Rising Star', Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), in the GI Champagne Stakes. Fourth in his maiden win was dual Classic winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), while just behind him in the Champagne was recent GIII Ohio Derby winner Mo Plex (Complexity). Instead of continuing his early momentum, Tip Top Thomas went to the sidelines for six months after the Champagne, returning in an April allowance at Keeneland only to finish fourth and record the lowest Beyer Speed Figure–80–of his career. It looks like that might have been a momentary blip, just a needed race to knock the rust off, as Tip Top Thomas tried again in a Belmont at Aqueduct allowance May 25, romping by 3 1/4 lengths while notching a 93 Beyer. “We were very high on him [last year],” said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. “We thought enough off his maiden win to run him back in the Champagne and he finished a good second in there. Talked about possibly going to the Breeders' Cup and decided we'd give him a little bit of a freshening and try to gear up for spring-summer campaign, which so far has worked out well.” Pletcher doesn't often ship to Indiana–his only previous Indiana Derby starter was off-the-board Micromanage (Medaglia d'Oro) in 2013–but it turned out to be just the spot for Tip Top Thomas to secure his first black-type win. With John Velazquez, who won two races earlier on the card, aboard, the pair broke smartly and had plenty of speed. Tip Top Thomas vied for the lead alongside 49-1 Master Controller (Tapiture) with the two drawing three lengths clear of the rest through a first quarter in :23.43. They stayed side by side and well clear through the :46.01 half. As Tip Top Thomas shook free of Master Controller going into the final turn, last-out GI Woody Stephens third and 'TDN Rising Star' Big Truzz (Justify) joined forces with GII Rebel winner Coal Battle (Coal Front) to attack from the outside. Velazquez implored Tip Top Thomas for more in the lane and the colt responded nicely, holding off Coal Battle by a half-length at the wire. Two-time local winner Brotha Keny (Mo Town) closed for third. “I thought it was very game against a solid field and a more-seasoned horse that he was able to hold off,” added Pletcher. “So I thought it was a big effort first time around two turns. We thought he would handle it, but it was great to see him do it.” Tip Top Thomas got the 1 1/16 miles in a new track record of 1:41.15. Pletcher said the Indiana Derby winner will not be considered for the GI Travers Stakes, but he will possibly try nine furlongs in the future. Pedigree Notes: Top five second-crop sire Volatile is the sire of Tip Top Thomas and two other black-type winners, including GIII Southwest Stakes winner Speed King. The young Three Chimneys stallion has another 10 stakes performers, including Blinging It Back, Saturday's runner-up in the GIII Sanford Stakes at Saratoga. A son of Violence, Volatile himself won the 2020 GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at the Spa. Attempt to Name, the Indiana Derby winner's dam, is by the Storm Cat stallion Consolidator, who now has 13 stakes winners out of his daughters. The mare was a $10,000 purchase by Tim Hamlin at the 2015 Keeneland January sale and has since produced MSW Gray Attempt (Graydar), MSP Dua (Arrogate), and Tip Top Thomas. Dua was a $400,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling turned $900,000 Keeneland November broodmare. Hailing from the same family as GSWs Street Sounds (Street Cry {Ire}) and Tower of Texas (Street Sense), Attempt to Name has the once-tried, unplaced 2-year-old filly Ames (Runhappy) and a yearling filly by Classic Empire. A tip top victory from TIP TOP THOMAS ($7.40) in the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at @HSIndyRacing. The @PletcherRacing trained Volatile (@Three_Chimneys) colt set a new track record under @ljlmvel. One to go: https://t.co/t9woOg39JZ pic.twitter.com/kIjs9CHbSA — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 5, 2025 Saturday, Horseshoe Indianapolis INDIANA DERBY-GIII, $300,000, Horseshoe Indianapolis, 7-5, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:41.15, ft. 1–TIP TOP THOMAS, 122, c, 3, by Volatile 1st Dam: Attempt to Name, by Consolidator 2nd Dam: Capacity, by Capote 3rd Dam: Rare Opportunity, by Danzig Connection 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. 'TDN Rising Star'. ($160,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT). O-James J. Bakke and Gerald Isbister; B-Wynnstay Inc., Donna Moore & Jim Richardson (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-John R. Velazquez. $176,400. Lifetime Record: GISP, 5-3-1-0, $385,500. *1/2 to Dua (Arrogate), MGSP, $104,022 and Gray Attempt (Graydar), MSW, $517,099. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Coal Battle, 124, c, 3, Coal Front–Wolfblade, by Midshipman. ($70,000 Ylg '23 TTAYRL). O-Norman Stables LLC; B-Hume Wornall & Jay Adcock (KY); T-Lonnie Briley. $58,800. 3–Brotha Keny, 118, g, 3, Mo Town–Raramuri Princess, by Northern Afleet. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($25,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Lance Kinross and Steve Kinross; B-Terrazas Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-William E. Morey. $32,340. Margins: HF, 3/4, HF. Odds: 2.70, 2.40, 59.00. Also Ran: Publisher, Instant Replay, Big Truzz, Master Controller. Scratched: Chunk of Gold, Shan. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. The post ‘Rising Star’ Tip Top Thomas Holds Off Coal Battle in Indiana Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a showdown of two of the top female sprinters in California, SWEET AZTECA (m, 5, Sharp Azteca–Sosweetitiz, by Grand Slam) got the better of 1-5 favorite Kopion (Omaha Beach) in the GII Great Lady M Stakes at Los Alamitos. Sent to the front under Juan Hernandez, Sweet Azteca kept the lead from her rival right from the jump and stayed away through fractions of :21.95 and :43.87. Despite blowing the turn and fanning Kopion out wide, the 7-2 second choice had something left down the lane to come home in hand for Richard Baltas. Lifetime Record: 8-6-0-1. O/B-Pamela C. Ziebarth; T-Richard Baltas. The post Sweet Azteca Gets The Better Of Kopion In Great Lady Showdown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fionn and jockey Flavien Prat nailed heavy favorite Nitrogen on the wire and won the $500,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) by a nose in track record time July 5 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Think Big answered any questions about his distance limitations with a sparkling rail-skimming score in the $175,000 Kelso Stakes (G3T) July 5 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

X-Men Racing IV, Madaket Stables and SF Racing's Clicquot (Quality Road) made it three in a row while capturing Saturday's GIII Indiana Oaks. The even-money favorite raced under a tight hold in third through an opening quarter in :23.18. Locked and loaded back a spot into fourth approaching the quarter pole, she made her move in between horses at the top of lane and blasted off from there to win going away by four lengths over Top (Army Mule). A debut sixth as the even-money favorite at Gulfstream Mar. 1, she graduated by six lengths going seven furlongs at second asking at Keeneland Apr. 17. She added an optional claimer at Churchill Downs May 31, her first attempt around two turns. “From the get-go, she's always been very nice,” winning trainer Brendan Walsh said. “Looks like she's still improving, second time going two turns. So, she looks like she's really, really top drawer.” Walsh continued, “You'd have to start looking at the bigger prizes with her now. She's got some nice seasoning under her. I thought it was important that we came here today and got a nice in-between-race before she goes and tries to take on some of the better fillies in the country.” Walsh added, “We've been lucky enough we've had some nice fillies the last couple of years. I think this filly is up there with the best of them, so who knows where she'll go from here?” Pedigree Notes: Clicquot becomes the 91st stakes/46th graded winner worldwide for Quality Road. Her two-time winning dam Royal Obsession (Tapit), a $1.8-million purchase by Clicquot's breeder Don Alberto at the 2017 KEENOV sale, was second in the GII Gazelle S. She produced a filly by Elite Power this year. CHEERS TO CLICQUOT ($4.20)! The Quality Road (@LanesEndFarms) filly won impressively under Edgar Morales in the $200,000 @DailyRacingForm Indiana Oaks (G3) at @HSIndyRacing for trainer @brenpwalsh. Who will win the Indiana Derby? It's coming up next: https://t.co/kjjMxNhE6O pic.twitter.com/H7Xid6piEY — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 5, 2025 The post Quality Road’s Clicquot Rolls to Third Straight in Indiana Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The white-hot Flavien Prat conjured up one final lunge from second favorite FIONN (f, 3, Twirling Candy–Gaelic Gold, by Giant's Causeway) and nabbed long-odds on choice Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) right on the wire to take out Saturday's $500,000 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. It was the fifth victory on the program for the reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey. Opulent Restraint (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) won the break and stepped away to open a clear lead turning down the back from Totally Justified (Justify) and a three-wide Nitrogen as Prat settled Fionn in her slipstream. Continuing to follow Nitrogen's every move around the second turn and passing the quarter pole, Fionn was produced wide into the lane as Opulent Restraint refused to lie down at the fence. Nitrogen finally managed to put her nose in front of her gray rival inside the final furlong, with Fionn still a couple of lengths adrift, but Prat kept busy on his mount and threw her across the line, establishing a new course-record time of 1:44.84 for the nine furlongs on a turf course that has been producing fast times over the first three days of the July 4th Festival. Fionn is an 11th Grade I winner for her sire, who also provided GIII Kelso Stakes hero Think Big. Saturday, Saratoga BELMONT OAKS INVITATIONAL S.-GI, $500,000, Saratoga, 7-5, 3yo, f, 1 1/8mT, 1:44.84, fm. 1–FIONN, 121, f, 3, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Gaelic Gold, by Giant's Causeway 2nd Dam: Strike It Rich, by Unbridled's Song 3rd Dam: Belle of Perintown, by Dehere 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($75,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-George Messina and Michael Lee; B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-1, $624,270. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Nitrogen, 121, f, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro 1st Dam: Tiffany Case (SP), by Uncle Mo 2nd Dam: Biblical Point, by Point Given 3rd Dam: Bibical Sense, by Blushing Groom (Fr) O/B-D. J. Stable, LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $100,000. 3–Opulent Restraint (Ire), 121, f, 3, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Significant Form (MGSW, $817,216), by Creative Cause 2nd Dam: Church by the Sea, by Harlan's Holiday 3rd Dam: Witness Post, by Gone West 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-Stephanie Seymour Brant; B-White Birch Farm Sc (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown. $60,000. Margins: NO, 3/4, 3 1/4. Odds: 6.20, 0.40, 19.70. Also Ran: May Day Ready, Warming, Virgin Colada, Totally Justified. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. It's a photo finish and a track record in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Inv. Stakes! Fionn ($14.40) and jockey Flavien Prat (5-win day) pull off the upset for trainer @bradcoxracing and owners George Messina & Michael Lee. pic.twitter.com/aTdQG2FuPk — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 5, 2025 The post Twirling Candy’s Fionn Nips Nitrogen In the Belmont Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When last seen at Saratoga, Godolphin's THINK BIG (g, 4, Twirling Candy–Always Thinking, by Street Sense) was struggling home a well-beaten seventh as the heavy favorite in the GI Jaipur Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on June 7. Trying a turf mile for the first time in Saturday's GIII Kelso Stakes, the homebred overcame some trouble when 'TDN Rising Star' Donegal Momentum (Uncle Mo) stumbled and somehow managed not to go down three furlongs from home, then knifed through inside of favored Intellect (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) inside the final sixteenth of a mile to register a mild upset at odds of 13-2. Settled in midpack as the stretching-out Arzak (Not This Time) was intent on making the lead from Donegal Momentum, Think Big moved up to the inside of GI Woodbine Mile hero Win For the Money (Mohaymen) to be within striking distance at the half-mile marker. Forced to take up when Donegal Momentum appeared to take a bad step midway on the turn, he was back into the bridle and still in with a chance at the head of the lane. Intellect took a gap between Arzak and Win For the Money in upper stretch and appeared on his way to victory, but he may have thought the race was won, and Think Big and Jose Ortiz flashed home underneath to take it by a length. Donegal Momentum remained on his feet and at a gallop following the incident on the turn. Lifetime Record: 11-6-0-1. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Mike Stidham. THINK BIG rallies up the rail to win the Grade 3 Kelso Stakes and get his fourth win in his last five starts. @jose93_ortiz was the winning rider for trainer Mike Stidham. pic.twitter.com/pc9PLMK2Ru — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 5, 2025 The post Twirling Candy’s Think Big Sees Out The Mile in the Kelso appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Mike Love West Melton trainer John “Coaster” Howe will be celebrating and recognizing his support crew at Addington today – as well as lining up four runners with strong chances. In race three the Congrats Hornby Panthers 15s! Grand Final Winners trot over 2000m sees KD Grins ($4.50FF) go around with Robbie Holmes in the sulky. The three-year-old Imperial Count filly has placed three times from eight starts and will look to use her manners and draw to secure an economical run. “It’s getting better with its manners. We’ve just been going every second with for the 2000m because she’s a good beginner,” said Howe. “KD Grins or Origin look the likely leader, so hopefully we should be getting another cheque.” Other chances in the event include race favourite Billy Kimbler ($2.10FF) for trainers Ken Ford & Amanda Tomlinson, to be driven by Sheree Tomlinson, and the Marho Nyhan trained, Peter Davis driven Origin ($2.25FF). Sweet Dreams ($9.00FF) comes up with a more favourable draw for Howe and driver Robbie Holmes in race four the Fuller & Hollands Families mobile pace over 1980m. The four-year-old Sweet Lou mare has not had the rub of the green lately, but a more positive drive may hold the key to her chances. “Things just haven’t been going her way at the moment. We may decide to use the draw.” Gimmesomelovin ($3.10FF) for trainer/driver Kyle Cameron looks tough to role drawn one. Howe rounds out his chances in race six the Phil And Christine Smith 50+ Wins Trot over 2000m with two chances – Monarch Prince ($3.00FF) with Samantha Ottley and Five Monkeys ($12.00FF) with Korbyn Newman. “They’re both good beginners. I think Monarch Prince is my best chance of the day.” Howe currently works a team of sixteen horses from his West Melton base. Race one gets underway at 1:05pm. View the full article

by Jonny Turner Is Sunday the day for New Zealand’s best maiden trotter to break through? To The Moon And Back has arguably earned that title after producing huge performances in his three starts so far. The three-year-old is part of a team filled with winning chances that Brad Williamson is lining up at Ascot Park. To win, To The Moon And Back will need to bring his best manners and beat his two stablemates, Penelope Lane and Muscle Mist. Those manners will be crucial if To The Moon And Back is to make use of the 20m handicap advantage he has over his stablemates. “I think with his 20m head-start on the other two, To The Moon And Back would have to be our best chance,” Williamson said. “He has been going big races and off the front line he would be hard to beat if he does everything right.” “He is still learning, but I think he can go on and do a pretty good job.” Penelope Lane returns south after beating To The Moon And Back in her only race start at Wyndham. Though she gives her stablemate a head start, she still looks a strong winning threat. “The Volsteads seem to be doing a great job at the moment, so she’s got that in her favour.” “She would be the most foolproof of our three and she would have to be a pretty handy chance.” Muscle Mist baulked at the start of her last outing at Addington after an excellent debut victory at Ascot Park. She also looks to rate a winning threat in Sunday’s Gold Chip Final. “She’s taken a while to get to the races, but she has shown us a bit of ability,” Williamson said. “I think she has a nice future, once she gets a bit of racing into her and gets a bit more ringcraft.” “She’d have to be a handy chance on Sunday, too.” Among Williamson’s strong team at Ascot Park is Tabasco, who starts in Sunday’s finale. Given some of the country cups company he has mixed it with this year, the pacer looks very well placed. But Tabasco does give away a race fitness advantage, considering he hasn’t started since April. “He hasn’t had any trials, but he has had a couple of private runs to sharpen him up.” “I would say he is not at his absolute peak, but he is as fit as we can get him without having a race.” “All in all I am pretty hopeful he will be ready to go a nice race.” The grand old campaigner of the Williamson barn, Domination’s Call, starts on Sunday. He looks a top-four threat from his sizeable 35m handicap. “It is a tough handicap, but he is a very honest horse.” “He does need the right run, but he is always running on.” Aint No Angel follows out the hot favourite Always B Bootie in her Ascot Park assignment, which should put her in a striking spot. The mare was slightly disappointing by her standards in her last start, but she still ran a solid third placing. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS – After seven weeks of going back and forth, Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has made his decision. When Sandman (Tapit) runs in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on July 26, he will be wearing a hood. The popular gray, owned by D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables, looked striking Saturday morning when he hit the main track wearing black blinkers. Sandman worked five furlongs in :59.40 (1/9) and Casse is comfortable saying that Sandman will have the equipment change at least for the Jim Dandy. He had said he was going to make the change after Sandman finished third in the GI Preakness at Pimlico on May 17, but has gone back and forth since then. “My thought right now is that he is a couple lengths behind some of those better horses,” Casse said on the Saratoga backstretch Saturday morning. “We have to come up with a plan to see him improve. Maybe the blinkers will work, it could also backfire. We will see.” Casse said he had conversations with jockey Jose Ortiz about the pros and cons of putting the hood on Sandman. Ortiz, who has ridden Sandman five times in his 10-race career, will be back on board for the Jim Dandy. Ortiz rode the colt to a victory in the GI Arkansas Derby and was also the pilot when he finished seventh in the GI Kentucky Derby. Ortiz opted to ride Clever Again (American Pharoah) in the Preakness; they finished last after Ortiz eased the colt after being bumped in upper stretch at Pimlico. Sandman finished 2 3/4 lengths behind Journalism (Curlin) in the Preakness and was beat a quarter of a length for second by Gosger (Nyquist). “He had some excuses in the Preakness,” Casse said. “He could hardly open his eyes from all the kickback. When we scoped him afterwards, they said he had more racetrack in him than on the outside of him. He inhaled it. I don't know if that made him lose a little focus–it would make me lose focus.” Casse said Saturday's work was just what he wanted. “We wanted to put a pretty good work into him, and he got it,” he said. “I could have made him work faster if I gave him company, but I thought this was good. This was his big work (for the Jim Dandy).” Sandman will have the blinkers on in a race for the first time in his career. It remains to be seen if they will stay on. “The Jim Dandy is an important race,” Casse said. “But it's not as important as the Travers.” Casse also worked La Cara (Street Sense), who won the GI Acorn in her last start and handed Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) her first loss in eight starts. La Cara, who is being pointed to the GI Coaching Club American Oaks July 19, had a bullet four-furlong work Saturday in :46.00 (1/85) on the main track. Rodriguez Soaking Up The Glow After First Graded Stakes Win Early Saturday morning, a visitor to trainer Gustavo Rodriguez's barn on the Saratoga backstretch was treated like family. A request to see Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus})? No problem. Rodriguez pointed out the 5-year-old gelding, who was being walked outside the barn. Even stopped him, allowed a few pictures to be taken. Phileas Fogg holds off Antiquarian | Sarah Andrew Life is good when the big horse rolls and the big horse rolled on Friday when he won the GII Suburban Stakes at Saratoga going gate-to-wire in the 1 1/4-mile race. It was the first graded stakes win for the 54-year-old Rodriguez, who has been training horses on his own since 2021. “We had a little wine, had a nice dinner,” Rodriguez said of the post-race activities. “I watched the replay a few times–I would say maybe four times.” And every time, the result was the same, Phileas Fogg, who Rodriguez claimed last year at Saratoga, upset the Suburban, holding off the fast-closing Antiquarian (Preservationist) by a head. The 4-5 favorite Locked (Gun Runner) was another 6 1/4 lengths behind in third. “Before the race, I said to myself, 'we are going to be alright,'” Rodriguez said. “The only horse I was afraid of was Locked. If he ran like he did at Santa Anita (an 8 1/2-length winner in the GI Santa Anita Handicap), we would be in trouble.” Phileas Fogg, who was coming off a second-place finish in the GIII Pimlico Special in his last start, will now be pointed to a Grade I in his next race. Rodriguez said it won't be the GI Whitney Stakes on Aug. 2, but probably the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 31. “I want to give him more time,” Rodriguez said. “I will discuss it with the owner (Steve Shapiro of Jupiter Stable LLC). I think we have a nice horse. I know the division has a lot of good horses. We've just got to deal with them.” For now, Rodriguez will work with his 15-horse stable and enjoy, at least for a little while longer, the Suburban win. He was getting some brotherly love from his 53-year-old sibling Rudy Rodriguez, who has been an established trainer on the New York circuit for years. Gustavo worked for his brother for 10 years before going out on his own. “I'm very happy for him,” Rudy Rodriguez said Saturday outside his office at the Oklahoma Training Track. “He works very hard; he always has. When I was handicapping that race, I thought they would have a tough time beating him … the way the track was playing, he had the inside post and Kendrick (jockey Carmouche) is one of the best riders out of the gate. When he has the lead, he is very, very, very dangerous. Thank God he got the win!” Conditions Were Right For Coppola … Finally Trainer Dale Romans kept waiting for the sun to shine on his 6-year-old Coppola (Into Mischief). That day came Friday, and the speedy horse took his cue on the way to a record-setting performance at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Coppola set a track record for five furlongs on the turf when he won the $100,000 William Garrett Handicap in a time of :54.39. In his previous three starts, including the GI Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga last month, he faced turf courses labeled as “good.” He finished fifth in the 5 1/2-furlong Jaipur, fourth in the five-furlong Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes at Pimlico and sixth in the GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs. “Five eighths on firm ground; that's Coppola's gig,” Romans said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Saturday morning. “He finally got firm ground, and he ran like he was supposed to. I have been frustrated that his last three races were all on rainy days. He is hard to beat going five eighths on firm ground.” The old Horseshoe Indianapolis record for five furlongs on turf belonged to Oxford Comma (Majesticperfection), who went the distance in :54.57 in 2018. Coppola also won the William Garrett Handicap last year, but it was taken off the grass. Romans said that Coppola, owned by Hammer Time Stable and Sport of Kings Racing Partners, probably won't run back at Saratoga, but he's looking for a race at either Del Mar or Ellis Park. “We will find a good spot for him,” Romans said. “He is fast, and he is the barn pet. Everyone loves Coppola. Tammy (Fox, Romans' partner and top exercise rider) gets on him every day.” The post Saratoga Notebook: Sandman Will Add Blinkers For Jim Dandy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 7-5, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:35.94, fm, 1 length. EMBRACE TIME (f, 2, Not This Time–Dontmesswithjoanne {SW, $180,638}, by Pioneerof the Nile), a firster from the Brad Cox barn, stood professionally in the gate for her debut. Kept under a tight hold early by Flavien Prat, she raced midpack on the outside as 7-2 Gorrono Ranch (War of Will) set the early pace. With Prat reserving Embrace Time while well off the :23.95 and :48.24 fractions, he finally gave the filly her cue on the turn. Fifth into the lane when tipped six or more paths off the rail, Embrace Time lengthened her stride and looked green but good, cocking her head toward the grandstand and swapping to her wrong lead for several strides. She prevailed by a length while hinting she's going to improve even more after soaking up the education gleaned from this initial trial. Connect the Stars (Connect) chased her home. A homebred for James Schurman, Embrace Time hails from the same family as GISWs Stellar Jayne (Wild Rush) and Starrer (Dynaformer). Stakes winning dam Dontmesswithjoanne has a yearling Quality Road colt and was bred to Constitution for this term, although no foal has yet been reported. After selling at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton May Digital sale for $210,000, she revisited Fasig-Tipton's digital arena last December, bringing $4,500 from Tanya Johnson. Sales History: $175,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-James F. Schurman (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Embrace Time delivers first time out in race 6 at Belmont at Saratoga. The 2-year-old daughter of @TMStallions Not This Time is trained by @bradcoxracing. Jockey Flavien Prat scores his 3rd win on the card. pic.twitter.com/oDxEkOwgsR — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 5, 2025 The post Not This Time’s Embrace Time Slightly Green but Very Good in Spa Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article