Wandering Eyes

by Richard G. Hogan It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute to my best friend, Mike Doyle. I first met Mike when I came to Canada in 1983, and we became instant friends. Over the 40-plus years that followed, there were very few days we didn't speak. Mike brought so much laughter into my life, often leaving me in tears from his stories and quick wit. When I was dealing with my cancer diagnosis, he called me every day. I always felt better after hanging up the phone with him—that was the kind of friend he was – kind, steady and always there. We shared countless memories together, especially on our many trips to horse sales. Whenever I said I had no business going to a sale, Mike would remind me, “If you don't go, you definitely won't get anything done.” He was usually right—I'd come home with a horse or two bought, or a new client met. Whenever I had a bit of luck, he was always the first to call, genuinely happy for me. He was like a big brother. He was a truly gifted horseman with an exceptional eye, who bought and trained many outstanding horses. Mike helped so many people in the industry over the years including me. Mike and I shared not only a lifelong friendship but a life long partnership in the business with many horses bought and sold. Also, Josie Carroll spent her early years as an assistant to Mike before going on to a very successful career. Brent Harris, Mike's longtime assistant has been an integral part of Mike's operation and they shared a wonderful working relationship together. When I first went to Florida in the early '80s, I galloped for Mike at Payson Park. He introduced me to Shug McGaughey, Rusty Arnold, and many others. We had so much fun—trips to Gulfstream, dinners at Manero's, or evenings out in New Orleans with Mark Frostad, Andrew McKeever, David Greathouse, and anyone else from the track who Mike invited along often starting at the Kerry Pub ending up at Mr. B's in the French Quarter for dinner. I would be remiss if I did not mention Mike's very close friend trainers Brian Lynch and life long friend Roger Attfield. Other really close friends, John Whitson, Bill Duffy, Ciaran Dunne and Jack O'Connell and the late Bill Graham. Mike was also very proud of his family in Ireland. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Peter and Ann Doyle, his nephew Ross, and his niece Tamso and her husband David Cox. I would like to share one final thought, I can hear Mike now, he would say to me, “lets go to Waxys in Fort Lauderdale for a pint, we will just go for one”……that never happened! My deepest condolences go to his wonderful family: his wife Deirdre; his daughter Melissa and her husband Darren; his son Marshall; and his beloved grandchildren Declan and Harlan. I will never have another friend like you Mike Doyle. Rest in peace, Mike, until we meet again. With sympathy, Richard G. Hogan The post A Tribute To Mike Doyle By A Dear Friend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Newnham tuned up for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) when Notthesillyone continued his fine form on the dirt in the Class Four Austin Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. It was Newnham’s fifth win on the surface this season and his backers never had a moment's worry, with Luke Ferraris controlling things from pillar to post on the Super One galloper. Pinging out of gate 10, Notthesillyone was always travelling well on the front end and showed a good burst of...View the full article

Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) and Precious Charm (Per Incanto) shared Werribee Cup honours on Sunday after a dramatic dead-heat finish – the first in the race’s history. Ridden by Ben Allen, Holymanz started a $3.90 favourite after a strong Cranbourne Cup placing second-up. But he was badly held up for most of the 1600-metre contest and looked in trouble as the field fanned for home. There were chances everywhere. Craig Weeding’s Indispensable ($71) loomed on the inside after saving ground, while Precious Charm and Harry Coffey charged down the outside. At the same time, Holymanz finally saw daylight and surged late, setting up a thrilling finish. But the judge couldn’t separate the pair. Symon Wilde’s stable representative Ben Casanelia admitted he thought Precious Charm had been beaten and was pleasantly surprised when the dead-heat was confirmed. With her first Stakes win secured and her versatile profile, options abound for the mare. “Watching the vision in the room there, it looked like she’d got rolled,” he said. “Her best was really good, and she was in A1 order today. The feeling was she’d run a race, the barrier was a bit of a curveball. “She’s tough, out to 2000m might be an option. She seems to go good if she’s fresh over the shorter trips, so she’s got a few strings to her bow. “To dead-heat the Werribee Cup, fantastic.” Bred by Olly and Annabel Tuthill’s Beaufort Downs, Precious Charm is by Little Avondale Stud’s high-class stallion Per Incanto out of the High Chaparral mare Highly Valued, herself a daughter of a stakes-placed sister to Showcasing. The well-related filly was purchased from the Rangiora nursery for $80,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale by Wilde Racing in conjunction with John White Bloodstock and Dave Mee’s Pinhook Bloodstock. For Holymanz, the shared victory was a reward for consistency. Last in the winner’s circle in January’s Listed Coastal Classic at Geelong, the gelding never fails to put in a shift and now has another feature to his name – even if it’s one to share. Holymanz races in the colours of Brendan and Jo Lindsay, who stand the five-year-old’s sire Almanzor at Cambridge Stus who purchased Holymanz for A$400,000 as a yearling in Sydney in conjunction with Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d’Etreham. He was offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds on behalf of breeder Jamieson Park. Holymanz will next be aimed at a third consecutive Coastal Classic title, a race of which he is the sole winner so far. View the full article

New Zealand-bred mare Grid Girl (NZ) Time Test) made her first visit to Sydney on Sunday and maintained her rich vein of form, extending her winning sequence to three in the A$160,000 TAB Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill. The five-year-old daughter of Time Test recorded the first leg of her winning treble in a 1454m Benchmark 70 at Kyneton on November 5, then added the A$150,000 Fillies & Mares Pendant (1400m) at Cranbourne on November 22. Trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes gave Grid Girl her first taste of right-handed racing at Rosehill on Sunday, and she had to overcome an awkward draw in gate 10 among a 15-horse field. But she began well and jockey Jordan Childs was able to take up a handy position in third. Childs moved Grid Girl through her gears in the straight and she finished strongly down the middle of the track. Grid Girl hit the lead passing the 100m mark and then fought hard to the line to hold out the late-finishing Just Party in a photo finish. The winning margin was a half-head. “It worked out well from the wide gate and the plan was to be positive on her,” Childs said. “A couple of them wanted to go quick, so I was happy to let them go and get a bit of cover. “It was a good, tough win in the end, because she got challenged when she was probably a bit out on her feet, but she held on.” Grid Girl has now had 18 starts for six wins, five placings and A$303,996 in stakes. Grid Girl was bred by Guy Lowry and is out of the five-time-winning Savabeel mare Chic. Lowry initially trained Grid Girl for two starts from his Hastings stable in the spring of 2023, placing on both occasions before being purchased privately by clients of the Lindsay Park stable. View the full article

Hugh Bowman showed he is in top form ahead of Wednesday’s Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) by slamming home a brilliant double at Sha Tin on Sunday. The top rider picked Luke Ferraris’ pocket to snag the final slot at the coveted competition and he tuned up in the best possible way with a pair of typically cool rides. It was a well-needed change of fortune for Bowman, who had to endure three seconds at the Valley on Wednesday night but was in no mood for that to happen again...View the full article

Little Paradise continued his march towards February’s Classic Mile with a comfortable victory at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon. Sent off the $2.65 favourite for the Class Three Salisbury Handicap (1,400m) after three wins from six career starts, Little Paradise notched his first win at seven furlongs after finding a nice spot on leader Ka Ying Attack’s back under Zac Purton. “We didn’t want to go in front because the draw was a bit bad. I left it to Zac,” said trainer Jimmy Ting Koon-ho. “He...View the full article

Join Emily Murphy, Jayne Ivil and Aidan Rodley as they break down the action from Trentham on G1 Mufhasa Classic day. Weigh In, December 7 View the full article

One punter breathed a little easier following the Manco Maiden 2YO (1150m) at Te Aroha on Sunday, with their $10,000 outlay paying off when Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) romped to victory. The Fortuna Syndications-raced filly had shown plenty of ability at the trials, finishing runner-up in her 800m heat at Ellerslie in October before winning over 800m at Avondale last month. She was subsequently backed into $1.80 favouritism in her debut on Sunday and duly delivered. The daughter of Russian Revolution rocketed out of the gates, alongside Alohamoana, and she settled well outside of the early pacemaker. The country’s leading jockey, Craig Grylls, asked her to improve at the top of the straight and she quickly responded, opening up on her rivals and running out to a comfortable eight-length victory. Sam Bergerson, who trains Lara Antipova in partnership with Mark Walker, was impressed with her debut effort. “She was electric,” he said. “Her trials leading in had been good.” While she has still been a bit green in her work at home, Lara Antipova raced like a true professional and Bergerson is excited about her future. “There is still plenty of improvement and furnishing up we think, she still does a little bit wrong at home,” he said. “She was very professional today and hopefully there are some nice targets for her over the summer.” Stakes targets are now in the offing, which could come as soon as Trentham in a fortnight where she could contest the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m). “While they are up and going it is good to carry on,” Bergerson said. “The Wakefield is a quick turnaround, or the Eclipse (Gr.2, 1200m, at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day). They look like two nice initial potential targets. “We will get her home and see how she pulls up and have a good chat with John (Galvin, Fortuna), Mark (Walker), Dave (Ellis, Te Akau principal) and the team, and work it out from there.” Two races later, Grylls was saluting once again on a Te Akau runner, this time aboard the well-related Stella Ma Bella (NZ) (Contributer) in the Shackell Electrical Maiden 3YO (1400m). Raced by breeder Simms Davison, Stella Ma Bella is a full-sister to the stable’s former Group One winner Campionessa, and Grylls believes she has a bright future instore. “She is a lovely filly, she is well-bred, which does count and helps a lot,” he said. “I ended up getting a lovely trip, she began well and I was able to get in the trail and pop off when I wanted to. She has travelled up to the 250m where I gave her a shake up and she has done it soft again too. “She has taken a lot out of that first run (third) and she is only going to improve again. I think once she gets to a mile, and maybe a little further, she will be a nice horse.” View the full article

The barest of margins, a mere nose, denied full siblings Crackercol (NZ) (Proisir) and Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) a notable raceday double at Trentham on Saturday. Star galloper Waitak, a six-year-old son of Rich Hill stallion Proisir and Shocking mare Repo Bay, had to settle for the runner-up position in the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) after a thrilling three-way finish to the day’s feature event that involved eventual winner Provence and the third-placed La Crique. That was just two races after his younger full-brother Crackercol once again showed he was a high-class stayer in the making after the four-year-old came from three-wide in midfield throughout to steamroll his opposition in the Rothley 2100. Waitak had been shooting for his third successive Group One crown after taking the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) for owner Jill Devine and trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. Despite the defeat, Scott had nothing but praise for the performance of his charge who was resuming from a five-week break following his Livamol Classic triumph. “It was a nervous wait for the final placings to be declared and generally the longer the wait you think there may have been a dead-heat, but this time it didn’t go our way,” Scott said. “We couldn’t be prouder of him though as his performance was very good, he is just super consistent and doesn’t miss a beat. “He had been away for five weeks and it is hard for them to drop back to the mile after going 2000m. “He presented well on the day and the way he went you couldn’t have asked any more from him.” Scott and O’Sullivan will now set their sights on another Ellerslie elite-level target, with Waitak set to tackle the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day. “He had a long trip home last night but got back and ate everything we put in front of him,” Scott said. “He has always been a good doer and he presented well this morning, so he doesn’t look to have taken any ill effects from the trip. “He can have an easy time for a few days and then we will tick him over to get him ready for the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie. “Provided everything goes to plan, he can then be set for the Herbie Dyke (Gr.1, 2000m) at Te Rapa in February, which is the traditional path for these high quality gallopers.” In contrast, Scott and O’Sullivan don’t have any set plans in mind for Crackercol, preferring to take a race by race approach to ensure they don’t overtax the promising stayer after a lengthy campaign. “He (Crackercol) ran through winter and has just got better and better,” he said. “The last two months he has been racing consistently well and has clearly benefitted from a bit of age on his side and the patient approach we have been able to adopt with him. “Like his older brother, we believe the best is yet to come and there is definitely a big race win in him if he keeps showing the progress he has made of late. “That was a strong field on Saturday, with good lines of form, and he put them away in good fashion. “They can sometimes be vulnerable first time over ground, but he was very strong through the line. “We will watch him and as soon as he gives us any sign he needs a break he will be off to the paddock, but at the moment he is thriving.” While the stable was enjoying a quiet day on Sunday, Scott knows it won’t be the same next weekend, with a number of runners set to tackle feature events at Te Rapa on Saturday including Checkmate, Smart Love and Lux Libertas in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) and Sassy Lass in the Gr.3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m). “It’s nice to have a quiet Sunday for a change, although next week will be busy with plenty of runners set to line-up at Te Rapa,” he said. “We have a number of runners in the feature races, while two of our babies will make their debuts in the two-year-old event, so it will be all systems go for the team.” View the full article

Wingatui trainer Shankar Muniandy was hoping this weekend would be a career-defining one, but instead he has been left scratching his head in search of a new plan for his stable star Loose Sally (NZ) (Turn Me Loose). The dual stakes winner was set to have her first tilt at elite-level in Saturday’s Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham, but those plans were quashed when her ferry was cancelled late last week. “We couldn’t get across (the Cook Strait), which was unfortunate,” Muniandy said. “She travelled to Christchurch and has arrived back home now. “It was the first runner (in a Group One) for me too, so it is frustrating.” The aborted trip hasn’t put Muniandy off crossing the Cook Strait again, with the Otago horseman eyeing another ferry crossing next month to head to Trentham with Loose Sally to contest the Gr.2 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m). While he has circled the Trentham mile, Muniandy is finding it difficult mapping out a path towards the January 17 feature. “We are still looking at the Thorndon Mile, but she will need another couple of runs under her belt before she goes there,” he said. “I am not really sure what the plan is with her now. It is hard to get a race with her with her rating. She is a rating 79 and is racing in Open Class now. It all depends where you place them. Down here if you win one or two more races, her rating will be through the roof.” Loose Sally showed plenty of promise as a three-year-old last season, winning three of her six starts, including the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1600m) and Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m), and placed in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m). She won second-up over a mile at her home track last month and has now accrued more than $190,000 in prizemoney for her connections. View the full article

It was a case of déjà vu for trainer Robbie Patterson with The Dirty Dee’s (NZ) (Derryn) runner-up performance in the Graham’s Painters 1400 at Trentham on Saturday. It was very similar to former stablemate Leica Lucy’s (NZ) (Derryn) run in the same race last year, with both fillies hampered at the top of the straight before being pipped on the outside in the concluding stages. While frustrated The Dirty Dee had an obstructed run, Patterson is hoping it is a good omen, given Leica Lucy went on to record five consecutive stakes victories, culminating in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in March. “That (check) took the momentum right out of her, it would have cost her the race,” Patterson said. “The same thing happened in the same spot (with Leica Lucy), so hopefully that’s an omen. “I think going forward, the further she goes the better she will get. She was just off the nickel around the side, which is just telling us that she wants further.” The daughter of Derryn will step up to a mile in a fortnight to contest the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham, won last year by Leica Lucy, and she will continue to follow the same blueprint laid out by her former stablemate last season. “She has pulled up well from it so we will push forward to the Eulogy in two weeks,” Patterson said. Patterson’s disappointment was quickly quashed a race later when his promising four-year-old Thorax (NZ) (Ribchester) extended his unbeaten streak to two when taking out the JR & N Berkett 1300 in a tight finish. Patterson was proud of his gelding’s effort, and he is looking forward to returning to Trentham with him next month to contest another MAAT race over 1200m. “He really toughed it out,” Patterson said. “He is the sort of horse that I don’t think he is ever going to win races by much, he waits for them and yesterday he really dug in when that horse (runner-up Classy Brahma) got to him. He is an exciting horse. “He gets to run in a special maiden again on the 3rd of January. He will go up 1.5kg and I may have to claim off him, and I might put blinkers on him this time just to sharpen him up a little bit back to 1200m.” Meanwhile, Patterson was pleased with the respective fifth placed efforts of One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold One) and Belles Beau (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) and Gr.3 Taylor Property Plus Spring Sprint (1400m). “One Bold Cat and Belles Beau have come through their runs super,” Patterson said. “One Bold Cat ran on really strong and Belles Beau just got too far out of his ground but made great ground late. “One Bold Cat will step up now and will probably go to the Listed 2200m (Marton Cup) on the 3rd of January and into a 2100m race (Gr.3 Trentham Stakes) at Trentham and then the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m). “Belles Beau will go to the Manawatu Challenge Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) in two weeks’ time. Going forward, he is ready to step up to a mile where he is going to be a lot more effective.” View the full article

Consequent, the second choice behind Bob Baffert-trained Nimah, defeated Cashed by a length in the Starlet Stakes (G2), a 1 1/16-mile race at Los Alamitos Race Course for 2-year-old fillies.View the full article

She needed a second wind to get there, but find it she did. Consequent (Into Mischief–Cognitive, by Uncle Mo) steadily closed the gap to overhaul the top pair late in the lane to win the GII Starlet Stakes. She entered this race with only one prior start to her name and it was a half-length victory at first-asking Nov. 14 at this venue. The Juddmonte-homebred put in a couple of strong works under her belt since that graduation, and the betting public liked her to the tune of 5-2 odds behind her stablemate, 2-5 favorite Nimah (Gun Runner), in this stakes debut. In no rush to push the issue as Cal-bred Cashed (I'll Have Another) showed the way through an opening split in :23.52 and four furlongs in :48.01, Consequent was well-placed to strike from third but lost ground on the leader when Nimah ranged up on that one's outside heading into the final bend. Her hole on the rail closed on her, and Consequent was forced to take the overland route for room. With the top pair still going at it after six panels in 1:12.46, they swung into the lane with a sizeable margin on the eventual winner. Cashed and Nimah made contact on a couple occasions during the stretch drive, and it opened the door for Consequent, who was rolling on their outside with a full-head of steam. Riding that second wind right over the top, she secured her first black-type victory by a clear margin over Cashed in second and Nimah in third. The final time was 1:44.03. It was Bob Baffert's record ninth-consecutive Starlet win. After the race, there was a stewards' inquiry into the contact between the back two-thirds fo the trifecta, but they unanimously agreed that the bumping did not warrant a change in order. #3 CONSEQUENT ($7.60) rallied down the outside to win the $200,000 Starlet Stakes (G2) at @losalracing. The daughter of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) is trained by Bob Baffert and was ridden by @kazushi0096. @JuddmonteFarms owns. pic.twitter.com/M2ulE7hl8T — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 7, 2025 Saturday, Los Alamitos STARLET S.-GII, $200,000, Los Alamitos, 12-6, 2yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:44.03, ft. 1–CONSEQUENT, 120, f, 2, by Into Mischief 1st Dam: Cognitive, by Uncle Mo 2nd Dam: Dream Sweeper, by Salt Lake 3rd Dam: Turbo Dream, by Unbridled 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Kazushi Kimura. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $156,000. *Full to Show Card, MSW, $223,550. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Cashed, 120, f, 2, I'll Have Another–Cash Offer, by Shackleford. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Reddam Racing, LLC (CA); T-Chief Stipe F. O'Neill. $40,000. 3–Nimah, 120, f, 2, Gun Runner–E. T. Indy, by A.P. Indy. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($550,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $24,000. Margins: 1, 4, 14. Odds: 2.80, 7.20, 0.40. Also Ran: Cosmic Heat, Jewlz. Scratched: Himika. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Into Mischief’s Consequent Finds Second Wind to Run Down Cashed in Starlet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Daisuke Fukumoto made a bold move aboard Hammerhead with 5 furlongs to go in the 1 1/2-mile Valedictory Stakes (G3) Dec. 6 at Woodbine and it paid off with a length victory over his rallying stablemate Jokestar.View the full article

The new owners of Bishops Bay received a quick dividend on their recent purchase in the $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2). In a few months' time, they'll find out if they struck gold.View the full article

NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods's Sneaky Good (Into Mischief), a $450,000 Keeneland September yearling, made good on her 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' debut performance at Keeneland Oct. 5 with a smart win in Saturday's Sandpiper S. at Tampa Bay Downs. The 7-5 chalk, drawn widest of all in post nine, was seventh through a sharp opening quarter in :21.71. She began to roll heading into the far turn and came charging home to win going away by 2 3/4 lengths over longshot Blazing Brat (Beau Liam). Sneaky Good becomes the185th stakes winner for the all-conquering Into Mischief. The stakes-winning Gale, a $430,000 purchase by Sneaky Good's breeder Andrew N. Warren at the 2021 Keeneland November sale, is also responsible for a Curlin colt of 2024 ($375,000 KEESEP yearling) and a City of Light filly of this year. She was bred back to Life Is Good. SANDPIPER S., $102,500, Tampa Bay Downs, 12-6, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.70, ft. 1–SNEAKY GOOD, 121, f, 2, by Into Mischief 1st Dam: Gale (SW, $102,412), by Tonalist 2nd Dam: Windy Forecast, by Stormy Atlantic 3rd Dam: Scapegoat, by Forty Niner ($450,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-NK Racing & LNJ Foxwoods; B-Andrew N. Warren (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Antonio A. Gallardo. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $124,790. 2–Blazing Brat, 121, f, 2, Beau Liam–Brittney Brat, by Pikepass. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Blazing Meadows Farm LLC; B-Springland Farm & Lynden Branch (KY); T-Timothy E. Hamm. $20,000. 3–Evolution, 121, f, 2, Brethren–Sweet Khaleesi, by Maimonides. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Arindel (FL); T-Carlos A. David. $12,500. Margins: 2 3/4, 4, HD. Odds: 1.40, 24.00, 7.10. Also Ran: My Miss Mo, Freaks Go, Summer Winner, Gerrards Cross, Techstar, Tremont Tammy. Scratched: Tahlequah. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #10 SNEAKY GOOD ($4.80) is now 2-for-2 after a win in the $125,000 Sandpiper Stakes at @TampaBayDownsFL. The juvenile colt by Into Mischief (@SpendthriftFarm) had @jockeygallardo aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing and owners NK Racing & @LNJFoxwoods. pic.twitter.com/9z8XzWl38j — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 6, 2025 The post Unbeaten ‘Rising Star’ Sneaky Good Very Good in Sandpiper appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On Dec. 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack, the promising juvenile Paladin took a major step toward fulfilling his connections' Kentucky Derby (G1) dreams by defeating Renegade and Balboa in the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2). View the full article

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE — From Newmarket bargain buy to Deauville showstopper, Half Sovereign made “a dream come true” on Saturday when selling to Henry Lascelles for €2.6 million to headline the opening session of the Arqana Vente d'Elevage. Offered by Consign Ltd on behalf of trainer Karl Burke and his partner in the daughter of Ten Sovereigns, Adam Spratt, the two-year-old has gone from strength to strength since her low-profile appearance at last year's Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale. Purchased by Burke for just 12,000gns at Park Paddocks, Half Sovereign has gone on to win five of her seven subsequent starts, culminating with an impressive victory in October's G3 Prix Miesque at Chantilly. Little over a week later she was announced as a wildcard for the Vente d'Elevage, setting in motion the events which had Chloe Battam of Consign Ltd in tears as the bidding progressed rapidly under the Deauville lights on Saturday evening. David Redvers proved a determined underbidder, acting on behalf of Resolute Racing's John Stewart, but Lascelles ultimately won out to secure the filly for an undisclosed client. For Burke, the sale was made even sweeter once it was confirmed that Half Sovereign is set to stay in training with him at his Spigot Lodge in Middleham. “It's a win-win situation,” said the thrilled trainer, who would have been significantly worse off had he accepted a previous offer for the filly from a certain Yorkshireman with a nose for a bargain. “I worked the Somerville with Elaine, my wife, and we just loved her. We couldn't believe we got her for 12 grand. Before I signed the docket, Mick Easterby came up and offered me a grand profit! “Luckily for Adam [Spratt], a friend of his came up and said, 'Would you sell half of her?' I hadn't met Adam at that time, but I said, 'Yeah, no problem.' He's a lovely guy and we would have sold half of her to somebody, so I'm delighted it was him.” He added, “When we first entered her, I thought she might make six or seven hundred the way the market's going. When I got here, all of the right people were on her and I thought then we had a good chance of making a million – but I certainly didn't expect that.” Burke has had a whole bunch of talented two-year-old fillies in his care this season, none better than the G1 Prix Morny heroine Venetian Sun (Starman). It will give the trainer some juggling to do next year, but a provisional plan is already taking shape for Half Sovereign and her Classic campaign, with a return to France on the cards in the spring. “With the size of her, you'd expect her to strengthen and we weren't too busy with her early on in the year,” Burke continued. “Obviously, we had a lot of nice two-year-olds early on this year and she was working nicely with them. She just kept progressing. We didn't aim too high to start with, but it was always the plan from midsummer to go down that sales route for the prize-money. “We'll see how she trains – we've got a lot of good yardsticks – but I would have thought it would be a French trial and then the French Guineas.” A winter of dreaming lies ahead for Burke but, for Battam and Harriet Jones of Consign Ltd, the work has already been done and a dream realised when it comes to their short association with Half Sovereign. “I'd say we'll be putting away a few champagnes in Deauville tonight!” said Jones following the transaction which dwarfed their previous best result, at this sale last year when Burke's Dawn Charger (Soldier's Call) changed hands for €300,000. “I never thought this would be quite achievable. It's a dream come true in our second year, to have been able to offer a filly of this calibre and for everything to fall into place. The right people came to the door and this has exceeded expectations, for sure. “After she achieved a million, which we thought we might be able to get, it all became quite surreal. I sort of did enjoy the bidding process after that. It's the end of the season now for us as well, so it's nice to finish on a massive high.” Having been the one to deliver that massive high for all connected to Saturday's top lot, Lascelles added, “She's a Group 3 winner and you'd have to be excited about her next year. All she has done is improve and you'd think there's more improvement to come next year. She's got a lot of scope. She will be a breeding prospect down the road, but next year we're very much focused on her racing career. “I thought she was the best racing prospect here. When you look at some of the results last week in Newmarket, when there's not that many of them and two people lock on, fillies can make that sort of money.” It was Stewart, bidding through bloodstock agent Redvers, who joined Lascelles in locking on to Half Sovereigns, before eventually having to admit defeat. Speaking to the TDN from America, he added, “We are looking for horses to race and we had good luck last year, but there have not been many good racing prospects and that has pushed prices really high. The estimates were €800,000 to €1.4 million for her. “If it is a top filly anywhere, I am probably bidding. [It's] good to be a seller.” The reduction in top-class fillies available compared to last year was underlined by a 22% drop in the total turnover, from €42,559,000 down to €33,082,000, despite 16 more lots being offered. The average was down by 27% to €190,126 and the median by 31% to €105,000. Of the 227 lots offered, 174 sold at a clearance rate of 77% (from 83%). Pierre Talvard Gets His Pick of the Sale Lily Hart came into the Deauville sales ring as a sought-after prospect; a Listed-winning and Group-placed four-year-old filly, by Galileo and in foal to Wootton Bassett. She was, said Haras du Cadran's Pierre Talvard, his number one selection of the sale, and when the hammer fell and she was his at €1,050,000, he was temporarily too moved to speak. “She was my selection of the sale,” he said, wiping tears from his face. “I would have done anything for her. She is a daughter of Galileo, winner of a Listed race, in foal to Wootton Bassett – everything that makes me happy. Unreal.” Asked what his plans were for her, he said, “I don't know yet, but I'm going to reflect a little bit on it.” Bred by Coolmore, and raced by them in partnership with Masaaki Matsushima and Westerberg, the former Aidan O'Brien trainee was the second filly on the day to reach seven figures. The Galileo/Wootton Bassett cross has produced 10 stakes winners and four Group 1 winners to date. Margie's Music Makes a Million to Monceaux Margie's Music (Hurricane Run), the dam of two stakes horses including 'TDN Rising Star' and Group winner Mr. Hollywood (Iquitos), completed the session's trio of millionaires when sold to Ecurie des Monceaux's Henri Bozo for €1,000,000. The 11-year-old mare was offered in foal to Night of Thunder. “She really seems to produce well at the top level,” said Bozo. “I loved her physically. She has the class of Montjeu and Hurricane Run. She's in foal to a great stallion, so we really wanted to give her a good go.” Mr. Hollywood won the G3 Bavarian Classic in 2023 and is twice Group 1 placed. Just before purchasing Margie's Music, Bozo also claimed the winning €660,000 bid on Eyota (Golden Horn), the dam of Group-placed filly Kiss Melody (Almanzor) and a half-sister to dual Group 1 victress Flotilla (Mizzen Mast). Bozo said that plans for both purchases will be determined in the coming week. “It's a very competitive business and I'm always amazed to see how many good mares are heading to Japan,” he noted. “I really want France to keep producing good racehorses, so we decided with the partners to give this a good go and I'm delighted we were able to do it.” Classic-Placed Filly Bound for Piltown Echoing the sentiments expressed by John Stewart with regards the difficulty in acquiring top-class fillies, David Lanigan was relieved to land on a good one on behalf of another American owner, Scott Heider, when going to €875,000 to recruit the G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis winner and G1 Preis der Diana third Nyra. Consigned by Ronald Rauscher, the three-year-old daughter of Isfahan is out of an unraced half-sister to the Group 1 winners Novellist (Monsun) and Magical Lagoon (Galileo). Previously trained in Germany by Waldemar Hickst, she will now continue her racing career in Ireland with Joseph O'Brien. “She's three turning four and there's been very few of them on the market this year,” said Lanigan. “It's been very hard to buy any sort of filly privately that aren't four turning five. We tried to buy Lush Lips in Keeneland, but those fillies with that form are making top money.” He added of future plans, “This filly will stay a trip, so we'll start her off in Ireland and see how she goes. He [Heider] is very selective on the mares that he keeps and he's not afraid to put them back on the market when they've finished racing. On average, he keeps between 10 and 15 of his own mares. We've already got a lot of grass mares in Kentucky at the moment and he's probably more inclined to keep a dirt mare. It depends what she does. If she can go and improve on her race record, you'd like to think that you'd get your money if you put her back on the market when she's finished racing.” Session's Early Pacesetter Goes to Wertheimer et Frere The first real landmark result of the session was provided by lot 161, the four-year-old filly Paraiba (Soldier Hollow), a winner at two in foal for the first time to Siyouni. Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager for Wertheimer et Frere, won a protracted battle with Newsells Park Stud, taking the mare home at €810,000. She was offered by the Channel Consignment. “She was a good filly on the track and we knew she had the quality,” said Bureau. “It's a nice page and she's in foal to a proven stallion.” Out of the Listed winner Pearls Or Passion (Monsun), Paraiba is from the family of the G1 Matron Stakes heroine Pearls Galore (Invincible Spirit). “There are not that many who have everything like that,” Bureau added. “She was a bit expensive, and we were fighting against a big operation like Newsells as well, but we are very happy to have her.” Barton Stud Draft Finds Favour with Newsells Park and Fittocks The Newsells Park team enjoyed better luck later in the day when getting its hands on With Stars (Sea The Stars) (lot 239), in partnership with Fittocks Stud, for €870,000. Offered in foal to Zarak as part of the Barton Stud consignment, she is out of the G1 Prix Rothschild winner With You (Dansili), from the family of Call The Wind, Friendly Soul and We Are. Newsells Park owner Graham Smith-Bernal said, “Luca [Cumani, of Fittocks Stud] was absolutely determined to have her and she'll be owned in partnership between Fittocks and Newsells. We already had four and we'll have another two in partnership. We bought one at Tattersalls and this one will probably come to Newsells. We get first dibs this year. They had Innevera, whose yearling sold this year for 2.2 million gns, so we'll have this one, I think.” Still, the Cumanis can look forward to welcoming at least one new face to their Fittocks Stud, having stretched to €560,000 to secure Arandu (lot 167), an unraced daughter of Wootton Bassett and the triple Oaks heroine Alexandrova (Sadler's Wells). Another from Barton Stud, the three-year-old hails from a family synonymous with eye-watering sales at Arqana, with the millionaire siblings that have topped the last two editions of the August Yearling Sale among those featuring under this filly's third dam, Souk (Ahonoora). Fittingly, Souk herself sported the familiar Fittocks Stud colours when achieving a rating of 87 in six starts for Cumani, with the large majority of her progeny also starting their careers at the former trainer's Bedford House Stables. “We've always been very interested in this family because we go right back to the beginning,” Sara Cumani said of the dynasty founded by Souk. “I thought she [Arandu] was a really beautiful individual. She was gorgeous to look at and she's got the page. She obviously wasn't much good, but plenty of mares that weren't much good become good broodmares. It's just a family that we know very well and it's done everybody well along the way, so let's hope it carries on.” Barton Stud ended the session with an impressive average of €411,250 from four lots sold. Subplots Ginalyah – This year's G3 Prix de Flore runner-up Ginalyah (Chacknak), whose dam, Creamcake (Mr Greeley), also features as the second dam of the G1 Dewhurst Stakes winner Gewan (Night Of Thunder), is bound for the Chad Brown barn in America after being bought by Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock for €800,000. “We bought her for Peter Brant and she's going to America to Chad Brown,” Zerolo confirmed. “She's a good filly and she fits the right profile to do well there.” Previously, Zerolo purchased the G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Rougir for Brown and Brant when she topped the 2021 Arqana December Sale at €3,000,000. She went on to win the following year's GI E. P. Taylor Stakes. Standout foal – Peter and Ross Doyle signed for the most expensive foal sold during Saturday's opening session, a Lope De Vega colt bought on behalf of an undisclosed client for €400,000. Lot 139, from the Haras d'Etreham draft, is out of the G2 Prix de Sandringham second Pure Zen (Zoffany), with his new connections yet to decide whether to race him or offer him for resale next year. “I thought he was the outstanding foal in the sale,” said Ross Doyle. “We came up against some of the best judges in the game, so we knew we were in good company. He's by a very good stallion and it's a very good cross. The mare was obviously a black-type mare and she's produced a horse rated 91 as her first foal. The Sea The Stars [yearling] was a big upgrade and is with Godolphin and Andre Fabre. Hopefully, Lope De Vega, with this cross, will be another upgrade again.” Sam Sangster – Less than four months on from Diego Velazquez's finest hour when winning the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, Sam Sangster returned to Deauville as a man on a mission, spending a total of €730,000 on six mares to send to the new National Stud resident next year. They were headed by a pair of €200,000 purchases, including Darousha (Redoute's Choice), a half-sister to Arc champion Daryz (Sea The Stars) from the Aga Khan Studs draft. Diego Velazquez was bought by Sangster shortly before his Deauville victory and it's apparent that the syndicate behind him is intent on giving him the best possible chance in his second career. Previously, Sam Sangster Bloodstock was registered as the buyer of five mares at the Tattersalls December Sale, spending a total of 1,800,000gns. Sue Finley and Katie Petrunyak also contributed to Saturday's report. The post Burke Celebrates ‘Win-Win Situation’ with Arqana Headliner Half Sovereign Staying in Middleham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, CHAMPIONS CUP-G1, ¥232,860,000, 3yo/up, 1800m Field: William Barows (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), W Heart Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro), Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), Helios (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), Hagino Alegrias (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Ramjet (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior), Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Outrange (Jpn) (Regalo {Jpn}), Tenka Jo (Jpn) (Thunder Snow {Ire}), Sixpence (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Narukami (Jpn) (Thunder Snow {Ire}), Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Peptide Nile (Jpn) (King Kamehameham {Jpn}), Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), Luxor Café (American Pharoah). TDN Analysis: Despite carrying the deserved mantle of favouritism in the advanced wagering markets, Narukami has his work cut out for him. Wilson Tesoro is aiming to go one better after two years of runner-up finishes. From the younger brigade, the six-for-seven filly W Heart Bond looms a champion-in-waiting. Luxor Cafe, the little brother of dual G1 February Stakes hero and Japanese Champion Dirt Horse Cafe Pharoah is another who could put his brand on proceedings. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: Luxor Cafe Could Surprise In Champions Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wathnan Racing’s Dark Trooper made a remarkable run from last to score in the final strides of the AED 1 million HH The President Cup at Abu Dhabi Turf Club Dec. 6.View the full article

It took the length of the stretch, but Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo–Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile) closed the gap on the longshot to claim the GII Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct. Stalking the early pace set by 14-1 chance Mika (Catholic Boy), the 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was never too far off from that loose leader, but had his work cut out for him when they swung for home. The leader refused to come back, and it took a relentless drive from Bishops Bay to overhaul that one, but he did so in the shadow of the wire. Bishops Bay is two races shy of enjoying a perfect record this season–that lone off the board finish coming in the GI Forego Stakes Aug. 23 at Saratoga and his lone runner-up effort coming at his '25 opener at Oaklawn Park. He was last seen Nov. 2 winning the GIII Forty Niner Stakes to claim his spot in the gate for this contest. A big win for BISHOPS BAY! He takes the Grade 2 Cigar Mile Handicap under Flavien Prat for trainer @bradcoxracing, and has now won 6 of his last 7 starts. pic.twitter.com/FQk3ReDt1d — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) December 6, 2025 Saturday, Aqueduct CIGAR MILE H.-GII, $500,000, Aqueduct, 12-6, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:34.62, ft. 1–BISHOPS BAY, 125, h, 5, by Uncle Mo 1st Dam: Catch My Drift (SW & GISP, $280,540), by Pioneerof the Nile 2nd Dam: Drift to the Lead, by Yonaguska 3rd Dam: Drifa, by Tabasco Cat ($450,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $1,300,000 5yo '25 KEENOV). O-KAS Stables; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' $275,000. Lifetime Record: 13-9-3-0, $977,800. *1/2 to Catching Freedom (Constitution), GSW & GISP, $1,418,302; 1/2 to Strava (Into Mischief), MSP, $472,326. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Mika, 118, c, 3, Catholic Boy–History Supreme, by Speightstown. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($42,000 RNA Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $22,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O/B-Nice Guys Stables (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $100,000. 3–Crazy Mason, 124, c, 4, Coal Front–Izshelegal, by Maria's Mon. ($20,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $27,500 Ylg '22 EASOCT). O-Donna Wright and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; B-Gmbracstables LLC, Mr. & Mrs. Ramon Rangel & Mr. & Mrs. Zachary Madden (KY); T-Gregory D. Sacco. $60,000. Margins: NK, 4 1/4, 2. Odds: 1.20, 14.82, 3.01. Also Ran: Phileas Fogg, Pentathlon, Brazenly. Scratched: Doc Sullivan. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post ‘Rising Star’ Bishops Bay Relentless in Cigar Mile, Overhauls Mika Late to Score appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was round two of their first match-up, and this time Paladin (Gun Runner–Secret Sigh, by Tapit) came home best over Renegade (Into Mischief) to score not just his first black-type, but also secure 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the 112th running of the GII Remsen Stakes. The pair was last seen Oct. 17 at this venue when they brought their battle down to the wire in a maiden special weight contest, and Renegade officially crossed the line first by a head. He was later disqualified and placed second behind Paladin after stewards deemed that their late contact had costed his rival a better placing–in his case, the win. The 9-5 favorite when the gates opened, Paladin was content to track the opening pace as longshots Balboa (Not This Time) and Day One Starter (Upstart) led the field through an opening quarter in :23.32 and a half in :47.47. With placings largely unchanged after six panels in 1:12.25, Renegade made the first move from the outside as Day One Starter tried to tough it out along the rail. Paladin matched strides with that rival and the pair swamped the early leaders as they spun into the lane. Balboa refused to call it quits from third, but the battle was between 'the boys' inside the final sixteenth. Finally getting the best of Renegade, Paladin strode home to win with air to spare. The final time was 1:50.97. Sales history: $1,900,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG. O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith and Summer Wind Equine, LLC; B-Summer Wind Equine (KY); T-Chad Brown. Paladin wins the G2 Remsen Stakes worth 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby! pic.twitter.com/BShe1fALj8 — Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) December 6, 2025 The post Gun Runner’s Paladin Valiant in Remsen, Takes Home Derby Points appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just Beat the Odds (Munnings) was the shortest price on the tote in the now-renamed GIII Elite Power Stakes at the Big A on Saturday. The chalk did not disappoint his backers as he won his first stakes race for owner Donna Wright. An incredibly consistent performer dating back to his 3-year-old year, Just Beat the Odds has only finished off the board once over his 12-race career. Earlier this season after being gelded, the dark bay demolished an optional claiming field by six lengths in Ozone Park in early March and just missed at the next level over the local course a month later. Coming off the bench here, the favorite wrestled for the lead and came away with a slim margin up the backstretch. The 5-year-old was challenged to the outside by Acoustic Ave (Maclean's Music) and the pair started a battle that would last to the top of the lane. Just Beat the Odds clearly had more to give and he sailed home to take the prize with room to spare. “We felt that we were the speed of the speed, but we felt Linda [Rice] would send the three [No. 3, Acoustic Ave]–it was kind of obvious, she would probably send him since her other horse [No. 1, El Grande O] does close,” said trainer Gregg Sacco. “We left it up to Manny [Franco] but our instructions were to take it to him, and he was ready to roll, but we left the rest up to Manny if he wanted to let the three go. He wanted to keep his position and things turned out [well] for us. “The gelding has been a huge part of it,” he said. “He's had some nagging little setbacks and he's just a super talented horse. I'd like to string some races together with him now. Will [son and assistant, Sacco] and our staff here in New York did a great job; Bruce Jackson did a great job at Fair Hill with his rehab–he's a really fun horse and we're very happy to have him in the barn. “We always thought he had the talent and he needed to be gelded probably as a 2-year-old, but he was nicely bred–the late Steve Brunetti [Red Oak Stable] bred him and it was fitting that he was the last horse that he watched as an owner before he passed away [in April 2024],” Sacco added. “He called me from the hospital, and it was very touching as he and I were dear friends. He [Just Beat the Odds] had the potential early on and, as a gelding, he's just flourished. Everything has come together. He has many gears, and the good horses have the gears–when they come to you, they have the ability to take off. He's a cool horse and all the credit goes to my son and the staff in New York.” Pedigree Notes: The 31st graded stakes winner for Munnings (by Speightstown), Just Beat the Odds adds his name to a growing list of higher-level scorers for the Coolmore America stallion like Jack Christopher, El Deal, Howard Wolowitz and also Barkley, who is on the same Munnings-Medaglia d'Oro cross. The winner is his dam's last registered foal of record. Bella d'Oro was sent to Stonesider Gold for 2026. Just Beat the Odds is part of an extended female family which includes GSW Keri Belle (Empire Maker) and MSW Carbonite (Aldebaran). Saturday, Aqueduct ELITE POWER S.-GIII, $242,500, Aqueduct, 12-6, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:09.99, ft. 1–JUST BEAT THE ODDS, 120, g, 5, by Munnings 1st Dam: Bella d'Oro, by Medaglia d'Oro 2nd Dam: Rangoon Belle, by Alysheba 3rd Dam: Rangoon Ruby (Ire), by Sallust (GB) 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Donna Wright; B-Red Oak Stable (KY); T-Gregory D. Sacco; J-Manuel Franco. $137,500. Lifetime Record: 13-5-6-1, $345,495. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Acoustic Ave, 120, g, 5, Maclean's Music–Rock Ave. Road, by Street Boss. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($200,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-A. Bianco Holding Limited; B-Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman (NY); T-Linda Rice. $50,000. 3–St. Jude, 120, h, 6, Speightster–Aly Doll, by War Chant. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Jeremiah Kane (KY); T-Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr. $30,000. Margins: 2 3/4, 1, 2 3/4. Odds: 1.47, 6.22, 10.20. Also Ran: El Grande O, Full Moon Madness. Scratched: Subrogate. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. JUST BEAT THE ODDS gets his first stakes win in the Grade 3 Elite Power Stakes under @jockeyfranco for trainer Gregg Sacco. pic.twitter.com/ldKrbmLhQH — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) December 6, 2025 The post Chalky Just Beat The Odds Seizes Elite Power Stakes At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nearly eight months of racing inactivity proved no obstacle for Just Beat the Odds, who fired fresh to defeat Acoustic Ave and three other rivals in the $242,500 Elite Power Stakes (G3) Dec. 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Life and Times (Justify), the least experienced runner in the field, impressed in his belated debut, wiring a field over course and distance Nov. 1. by 5 3/4 lengths to earn a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. The 3-5 favorite on the step up Saturday, he had little issue handling this group of winners, pressuring Commuted (Gun Runner) for the early lead through the half in :46.60. Once in command, he drew off comfortably to lead this group in by 6 3/4 lengths with Dreamlike (Gun Runner) closing from last to be second. Silky Serenade, who sold for $850,000 at FTKNOV in 2018, is already the dam of Restless Rider (Distorted Humor), GISW, $894,160 who herself sold for $525,000 at Keeneland November last month. Life and Times has a 2-year-old full-sister who is his dam's last reported foal though she was bred to Munnings for 2026. 7th-Aqueduct, $88,000, Alw, 12-6, (NW1$X), 3yo/up, 1m, 1:35.32, ft, 6 3/4 lengths. LIFE AND TIMES (g, 4, Justify–Silky Serenade, by Unbridled's Song) Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $95,150. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Michael B. Tabor; B-Chelston (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. It was another impressive performance by #6 LIFE AND TIMES ($3.58) who is now 2 for 2 in his career after winning race 7 at Aqueduct. The son of Justify (@Coolmoreamerica) was ridden by Jose Lezcano and is trained by Todd Pletcher. Michael Tabor owns. pic.twitter.com/XUp4lZLd1l — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 6, 2025 The post Life And Times Stays Perfect Against Winners At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article