Wandering Eyes

Turning aside a challenge from Anna's Promise, Five G asserted her superiority in the stretch of the March 29 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).View the full article

David Heckerman's series was a sobering, but accurate depiction of why things are as they are. Although the vast acreage of the race track properties were likely on a path for at least partial development regardless of the health of racing, the chickens have come home to roost. I remember the days when individuals (Donn family, Cella family, etc.) and groups of individuals (E.P.Taylor and cronies, Strub et all, etc.) were committed to their tracks perpetuating. Reality has set in with their successors not being motivated similarly. This happens in most businesses. Years ago when simulcasting began, I thought that the states' legislatures should have required certain percentages of simulcasting handle be spent on marketing. If that had been enacted, it might have been a short term bandaid, or perhaps none at all, as the downward trend line was already in play. However, effective marketing has seemed like a foreign concept since I have been in the industry. Even with present day popularity on the Derby and festival meets, e.g., Keeneland, Saratoga and Oaklawn, horse racing is unable to keep the momentum going. With foal crops continuing their downward trend, and likewise the industry's need for numbers of employees, how salient is the argument to legislatures that jobs hang in balance for state relief? The post Letter to the Editor: The Chickens Have Come Home To Roost appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s a rare harness racing triple header around the country today, with meetings at Wyndham, Rangiora and then Manawatu. Sam Thornley has some good each way changes in Canterbury as does Zachary Butcher at Manawatu, and racing journalist Jonny Turner has his Five to Follow at Wyndham. Sam Thornley rates his chances at Rangiora By Mike Love Canterbury junior reinsman Sam Thornley heads to Rangiora today with a solid book of drives, including some decent each way chances. “There are a few that have better chances than others, but in saying that they will all have their chance,” said Sam Thornley. Mode ($2.80FF) will be looking to go back-to-back in Race 4, the NCT Remembers Davey Rowe Trot over 2600m. The four-year-old Trixton mare won well last time out at Banks Peninsula after trotting boldly the entire trip at her third start for leading trainer Michael House. “She trotted really well last time, and I spoke to Michael earlier this week and the reports are that she’s trained on really well. The small field should help, so I expect her to go close,” said Thornley. Steph’s Boy ($6.00FF) for trainer Graham Court looks well placed to run a race at good each way value for Thornley in Race 5, The Anglers Arms Mobile Pace over 2600m. Bringing up start number 100, the seven-year-old Johny Rock gelding may find the company slightly easier than the town hall company he’s been racing. “It should be a slight drop back in class. He’s been racing well at Addington, so I expect him to go a good race,” said Thornley. Thornley says his best drive comes in race six The Kaikanui Tavern (Junior Drivers) pace over 2000m with Quicker Than Quick ($4.50FF) again for trainer Graham Court. The four-year-old Lazarus gelding broke maidens two starts ago at Rangiora on the grass surface, and almost went two in a row at Banks Peninsula. Back on the grit today however does not give Thornley any qualms about their chances. “He went really good last time. He’s usually a quick beginner from the stand, we hopefully we can get a handy position and be hard to beat,” said Thornley. Thornley will reunite with Mr Wingman ($18.00FF) in Race 7, the Congrats 50 Years Married Greg & Annette Wright Mobile Pace over 2000m for trainer Brent Borcoskie. “I think he will be good value. We follow out one of John’s (Dunn) so we should get an economical trip and be a good top four chance,” said Thornley. Thornley’s other drives are Hey Tonight ($31.00FF) in Race 8, Lindy’s Rocket ($16.00FF) in race nine and Allbetsroff ($51.00FF) in Race 10. Race one gets underway at 12:14pm. Enzo and Le Major among Butcher’s better drives at Manawatu By Brigette Solomon Pukekohe-based trainer and driver Zachary Butcher heads south to Manawatu today in the hopes of securing a maiden win with his runner Enzo. Enzo starts today in the Happy Birthday Rhys Baker Mobile Pace over 2000 metres and starts the event from barrier one. The three-year-old by Terror To Love has had just two starts to date, and after breaking at his first start at Alexandra Park, he ran a solid second placing at Cambridge Raceway on Tuesday after sitting parked over the final 1200 metres of the race. “He went well on Tuesday, and he’s got a good draw today” says Butcher “So long as he does everything right he should be hard to beat.” Butcher also has a further five drives today, including the Arna Donnelly trained Le Major in the City Of Palmerston North Festival Cup Mobile Pace. While Le Major has been unplaced in his last two starts at Alexandra Park, Butcher considers the gelding one of his best chances of the day. “Despite the result he actually went a good race at Auckland last start after being left parked against some nice horses,” says Butcher, “he’s drawn well enough (5) and it’s a small field and I think it will be right up his alley, it’s his race to lose today.” The Donnelly stable has two other runners contesting the City Of Palmerston North Cup today with Joes Rock, driven by Kate Coppins, and Final Change who is driven by in form junior driver Crystal Hackett. The Bettor’s Delight gelding was a back to back winner at Manawatu a fortnight ago securing comfortable victories over the same 2000 metre trip. Butcher’s other drives today include Trippy Tyron – Race 1, The Night Fox – Race 3, Narobi – Race 6, and Play The Ace – Race 7. Racing gets underway today at 4.50pm with the City of Palmerston North Festival Cup at 6:07pm. Racing journalist Jonny Turner’s Five to Follow at Wyndham Captain Commodore – Race 8 There has just been something about the way this three-year-old has gone about his work in his two recent wins. Captain Commodore takes on another heat of the Southern Supremacy Stakes after dealing to rivals in his previous trip south. He’s a big-striding, powerful unit who looks as tough as he is fast. Though barrier 7 doesn’t sound great, Captain Commodore has crucially drawn inside his main rival in Five Crowns. If he pushes forward there would be few that would be game enough to park Captain Commodore. It all adds up to the three-year-old looking pretty tough to beat. To place a bet in this race click here Practical Magic – Race 6 I am losing count of the times I have singled out this trotting mare in this column as a horse to follow. While she’s never been out of the money each time, her winning strike rate hasn’t been too flash. Perhaps for the sake of her connections, I shouldn’t yet again suggest how well-placed she looks on Sunday. But unfortunately for them, it can’t be denied. A false start and a wet grass track are two valid excuses which mean a line can be put straight through her last start eighth at Oamaru. Expect Practical Magic to be on the speed and to take plenty of catching at Wyndham. Let’s just hope she can prove that it has not been this column that has been holding her back. To place a bet in this race click here Secret Agent Man – Race 11 The wait is probably going to be worth it for harness racing fans looking for one of the best bets on Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes Day. Secret Agent Man heads to Wyndham’s big day on the back of an outstanding second at Addington behind a classy customer in Bazooka. Bazooka would start a red-hot favourite in race 11 on Sunday. From a better draw and after trialling well, Rock Or Bust is clearly the hardest horse for Secret Agent Man to beat. But I think Secret Agent Man can get the job done and his $2.10 opening win price looks more than fair. To place a bet in this race click here On The Wing – Race 5 His recent form is ordinary and for a horse that is usually well-supported, punters can be forgiven for losing a little faith in On The Wing. But those who have kept the faith can be rewarded on Sunday. The four-year-old takes a reasonably big step back in class from his recent starts, down into a suitable grade. He gets barrier 1 and he gets Blair Orange in the sulky. It all adds up to On The Wing getting the perfect chance to turn around his recent form and put a win on the board. To place a bet on this race click here Special Occasion – Race 7 It might seem a little silly to be tipping out a $1.30 favourite. But it must be said that Special Occasion looks a cut above his opposition. The feeling I get from speaking with trainer Nathan Purdon is that this two-year-old is destined for top-tier racing. He should be winning on Sunday if that’s the case. With just five rivals to get past, that $1.30 price is probably pretty fair. Special Occasion is definitely the multi-maker of Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes Day. To place a bet in this race click here View the full article

Sticking to his guns throughout the GIII Oaklawn Mile Stakes, Banishing (Ghostzapper–Dowager, by A.P. Indy) overtook GISW Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming) down the lane and netted his first high-level race. The second choice at 8/5 behind even-money Saudi Crown, the 5-year-old followed the lead of his rival into the first turn and up the backstretch. With his cue given past the quarter pole, the gelding steadily reeled in the leader and won the prize. The final running time was 1:36.77. Lifetime Record: 17-7-2-2. Sales History: $80,000 '24 FTKHRA. O-Lawrence P. Roman and David Jacobson; B-Godolphin (KY); T-David Jacobson. Banishing gets his second win of the meet at Oaklawn Park in the G3 Oaklawn Mile! David Jacobson trains and Flavien Prat was up. TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/WBMMhxDkYz — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) March 29, 2025 Saturday, Oaklawn OAKLAWN MILE S.-GIII, $500,000, Oaklawn, 3-29, 4yo/up, 1m, 1:36.77, gd. 1–BANISHING, 124, g, 5, by Ghostzapper 1st Dam: Dowager, by A.P. Indy 2nd Dam: Marietta, by Machiavellian 3rd Dam: Minister Wife, by Deputy Minister 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($80,000 4yo '24 FTKHRA). O-Lawrence P. Roman and David Jacobson; B-Godolphin (KY); T-David Jacobson; J-Flavien Prat. $292,500. Lifetime Record: 17-7-2-2, $778,804. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Saudi Crown, 119, h, 5, Always Dreaming–New Narration, by Tapit. ($45,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $240,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-FMQ Stables; B-Chc Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $97,500. 3–The Wine Steward, 124, c, 4, Vino Rosso–Call to Service, by To Honor and Serve. ($70,000 Ylg '22 SARAUG; $340,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher; B-Sequel Thoroughbreds LLC, Lakland Farm & Mark Toothaker (NY); T-Michael J. Maker. $48,750. Margins: 1, 9HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.60, 1.00, 3.80. Also Ran: Dimatic, Just Steel, I'm McDreamy. Scratched: Emmanuel, Payne. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Banishing Returns To His Hot Springs Kingdom In The Oaklawn Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) winner White Abarrio outclassed the opposition in the March 29 Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, defeating the grade 1-winning filly Power Squeeze by 5 1/4 lengths. View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Sunday, March 30. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Wellington & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – March 30, 2025 Wellington Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 30, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! 4 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 5 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Gatsas Stable's homebred Five G (Vekoma) secured a berth in the GI Kentucky Oaks with a wire-to-wire victory in the GII Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks in Hallandale Beach Saturday. The 6-5 favorite was pressed by second choice The Queens MG (Thousand Words) through a quarter in :23.63 and had inched clear through a half in :47.11. As The Queens MG fell back, Anna's Promise (Promises Fulfilled) took up the challenge on the far turn, but Five G shrugged off that rival at the top of the lane and pulled away to score by 2 1/4 lengths. “[Trainer] George [Weaver] told me to ride with confidence, she's a nice filly,” said winning rider Manny Franco, who was named this week to replace the injured Tyler Gaffalione. “If I end up on the lead, that's fine; if somebody wants to go, use your Plan B. She broke good, I took advantage of that and I dictated the pace. She was there all the way for me.” Weaver added, “I was pretty happy when they turned up the backside. She threw her ears up and was relaxed, so I felt like she was going to run her race from there.” Trainer Carlos David was pleased with the effort from Anna's Promise, who was claimed for $50,000 from her maiden win Feb. 5. “I'm really proud of her,” David said. “She ran a great race. I thought before the quarter pole we had a shot. She tried hard. We got some [Kentucky Oaks] points, so we'll see what happens from here.” The Queen's M G was pulled up at the top of the stretch and walked onto a waiting horse van. Owner Mark Cornett told Daily Racing Form's Mike Welsch the filly had suffered a knee injury. “We're not sure exactly what it is at this point, but she might be all right,” Cornett told Welsch. A maiden winner over the Aqueduct lawn last November, Five G was second in the grassy Tepin Stakes Nov. 17. She returned to the main track with a romping nine-length victory in the Cash Run Stakes at Gulfstream on New Year's Day and was most recently second behind Quietside (Malibu Moon) in the Feb. 23 GIII Honeybee Stakes. “She's been a nice surprise,” Weaver said of the winner. “She was a nice New York-bred during the summer. When I brought her down here, I thought, 'Wow we might have something here.' It just keeps getting tougher from this point.” Pedigree Notes: Five G is the fourth graded stakes winner for Vekoma, who was co-owned by Mike and Matt Gatsas and was trained by George Weaver. She has a yearling full-brother and her dam, Triumphant, was bred to Central Banker last year. Gatsas Stables purchased the mare, in foal to Runhappy, for $57,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. “We're looking forward to going to Kentucky.” @CBredar talked to George Weaver after FIVE G earned 100 Kentucky Oaks points in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). pic.twitter.com/M12FM1oQvN — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2025 Saturday, Gulfstream FASIG-TIPTON GULFSTREAM PARK OAKS-GII, $250,000, Gulfstream, 3-29, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:43.22, ft. 1–FIVE G, 122, f, 3, by Vekoma 1st Dam: Triumphant, by Quality Road 2nd Dam: Star Torina, by A.P. Indy 3rd Dam: Gold Canyon, by Mr. Prospector 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Gatsas Stable LLC (NY); T-George Weaver; J-Manuel Franco. $150,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, $390,290. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Anna's Promise, 122, f, 3, Promises Fulfilled–Caroline Lois, by Paynter. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Bell Racing LLC; B-Baron Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Carlos A. David. $55,000. 3–Cassiar, 122, f, 3, City of Light–Nellie Cashman, by Mineshaft. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($400,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG). O-William S. Farish; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $27,500. Margins: 2 1/4, 10 1/4, HD. Odds: 1.30, 8.30, 7.80. Also Ran: Whatintheliteral, Paradise City, The Queens M G. Scratched: Early On. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Vekoma’s Five G Goes Wire-to-Wire in Gulfstream Park Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A quartet of contenders for next weekend's GI Santa Anita Derby took to the track in Arcadia to work Saturday morning: Journalism (Curlin), Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), Rodriguez (Authentic) and Baeza (McKinzie). Journalism, last-out winner of the GII San Felipe Stakes, went five furlongs in 1:01.40 (26/42) for trainer Michael McCarthy. “I let him run a little bit down the lane with a solid gallop-out,” McCarthy said of the work. “He did everything we asked of him.” Journalism's eye-catching victory in the San Felipe earned a 108 Beyer Speed Figure, which is the highest recorded this year by an active 3-year-old. Last year's champion 2-year-old Citizen Bull, who opened 2025 with a win in the Feb. 1 GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes, worked five furlongs in a bullet :58.40 (1/42) for trainer Bob Baffert, while his workmate, the 4-year-old colt Dothraki (Into Mischief), was timed in :59.40. Fellow Baffert trainee and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez, third in the San Felipe and second in the Bob Lewis, worked five furlongs in :59.60 (5/42). The John Sherriffs-trained Baeza went six furlongs Saturday in 1:12.00 (1/1). The $1.2-million Keeneland September purchase is coming off a 4 3/4-length maiden score at Santa Anita Feb. 14. Of Baeza's work, Shirreffs said “just getting him a step closer.” The post Santa Anita Derby Hopefuls Tune Up appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bucanero Fuerte, winner of the 2023 Phoenix Stakes (G1), has left Tally-Ho Stud and returned to the yard of Adrian Murray, the trainer confirmed at the Curragh March 29.View the full article

Taking command from the start, Beach Bomb outlasted a hard-charging Silvology and La Mehana in the 1 1/2-mile Orchid Stakes (G3T) March 29 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

The Maryland Jockey Club, in collaboration with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and the Maryland Purse Committee, announced several updates to the standard racing program. View the full article

White Abarrio followed up his scintillating win in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January with a romping score in the GIII Ghostzapper Stakes at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Sent off the 1-9 favorite, the gray veteran broke sharply and sat just off pacesetting longshot One Sharp Cookie (Sharp Azteca) with the filly Power Squeeze racing just to his outside through an opening quarter in :22.82. He moved to take the lead with Power Squeeze matching his move as the half went up in :45.98. White Abarrio skipped clear of the filly approaching the stretch and sailed clear down the lane to win by a geared-down seven lengths. “He's in a different league right now,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “He did it as easy as he can. Hopefully, he stays healthy after this. We feel like he's the best horse in the country.” White Abarrio, winner of the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, is now eight for 10 lifetime at Gulfstream Park. The gray began to turn a disappointing 2024 campaign around with a 10 1/4-length optional claimer score at Gulfstream last November and ended the year with a runner-up effort in the Dec. 28 GIII Mr. Prospector Stakes. He romped home a 6 1/4-length winner of the Pegasus World Cup last time out Jan. 25. White Abarrio is scheduled to make his next start in the June 7 GI Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga. “Perfect prep,” Joseph said of Saturday's effort. “You obviously want to make it as easy as possible, and you want to win. You don't want to get beat. I thought he won as easy as he could after going so quick early.” Pedigree Notes: White Abarrio is the first foal out of Catching Diamonds, who has a 2-year-old filly by Yaupon. She was bred to Taiba last year. The mare, who was purchased by Spendthrift for $425,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September sale, is a half-sister to multiple group winner Cool Cowboy (Kodiak Kowboy) and to the dam of graded winner and Grade I placed Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief). WHITE ABARRIO ($2.10) WOWS US AGAIN!!! There was no stopping @iradortiz and the 2023 @BreedersCup Classic winner in the $165,000 Ghostzapper Stakes presented by @FanDuelTV (G3) at @GulfstreamPark. @SaffieJosephJr trains the 6YO horse for owners @C2RacingStable. pic.twitter.com/TDJFFeaCXB — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2025 Saturday, Gulfstream GHOSTZAPPER S. PRESENTED BY FANDUEL TV-GIII, $150,000, Gulfstream, 3-29, 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:41.97, ft. 1–WHITE ABARRIO, 124, h, 6, by Race Day 1st Dam: Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief 2nd Dam: Grand Breeze, by Grand Slam 3rd Dam: Breeze Lass, by It's Freezing ($7,500 Ylg '20 OBSWIN; $40,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O-C2 Racing Stable LLC, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa Stable LLC; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $92,070. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 21-10-2-3, $6,971,920. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Power Squeeze, 117, f, 4, Union Rags–Callmethesqueeze, by Awesome Again. ($50,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $90,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Lea Farms LLC; B-Forging Oaks LLC (KY); T-Jorge Delgado. $29,700. 3–Tuscan Sky, 118, c, 4, Vino Rosso–South Andros, by Sky Mesa. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($200,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL; $450,000 4yo '25 FTDGJA). O-Repole Stable; B-Sierra Farm (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $14,850. Margins: 5 1/4, 1, 1. Odds: 0.05, 13.90, 8.10. Also Ran: Lightning Tones, The Thor (Chi), One Sharp Cookie. Scratched: Super Corinto (Arg). Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post White Abarrio Romps in Ghostzapper appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was a battle down to the wire, but class prevailed as MGISW Far Bridge (English Channel) made a successful 2025 seasonal bow in the GIII Pan American Stakes. Content to watch Corruption (Medaglia d'Oro) as that one put up all the fractions on the front end, he had to muscle his way to clear racing room on the second turn, but managed to secure his lane for a ground saving trip. On the attack coming off the final turn as the longtime leader tried to give them the slip entering the homestretch, the pair locked horns down to the wire in a race neither deserved to lose, but one which ultimately had to be decided as Far Bridge got the better of Corruption. Padiddle (Empire Maker) claimed third as a massive 43-1 longshot. Far Bridge was last seen fading to ninth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf but had come into that championship race with back-to-back elite victories under his belt in the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes and the GI Sword Dancer Stakes, both in New York. The final time was 2:22.73 for the mile and a half marathon. O-LSU Stables; B-Calumet Farm; T-Christophe Clement. What game efforts from FAR BRIDGE ($3.80) and runner-up Corruption in the $215,000 Pan American Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark. @clementstable conditions the 5YO horse for owners @lsu_stables. @JRosarioJockey was in the irons. White Abarrio in the next: https://t.co/n8J7Nf7oIJ pic.twitter.com/LUqyxtBewg — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2025 The post Ever Classy Far Bridge Returns with Hard-Fought Victory in Pan American appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Racing Initiative is sponsoring a bus trip for members of the Thoroughbred community in Ocala to travel to Tallahassee Tuesday for the Florida Senate Committee hearing on the decoupling bill. The hearing on Senate Bill 408, which eliminates the minimum racing requirements and funding for purse and breeder awards in the statutes that Gulfstream Park supported when the original approval of slots was granted in 2005, goes before the regulated industries committee in a two-hour meeting set to begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Pat Thomas Committee Room, 412 Knott Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The bus is limited to 50 people and will depart from the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company grounds at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday with an expected return of approximately 9:30 p.m. There is no cost for individuals wishing to make the trip to support the fight against the decoupling bill. To reserve a spot on the bus, contact Meg Miranda by noon Monday at meg@obssales.com or call 352 237-2154. The post TRI to Sponsor Tallahassee Bus Trip to Fight Decoupling Bill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Luxor Cafe earned a guaranteed bid to the Kentucky Derby (G1) with a five-length victory March 29 in the final leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.View the full article

Godolphin's East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), winner of last year's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, tuned up for next Saturday's GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes with a four-furlong work in :47.00 (7/106) at Keeneland Saturday. With Stephen Dolan aboard for trainer Brendan Walsh, East Avenue started two lengths in front of workmate Gosger (Nyquist), a 3-year-old maiden winner, and was three lengths in front at the wire. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.40. “It was just a maintenance work; he did all of his major work at Fair Grounds,” said Paul Madden, assistant to Walsh. “I got his last quarter in :23 and 4. He picked up a little company [from two other workers] at the top of the stretch, but Stephen said he didn't mind it at all.” With Walsh scheduled to fly into Kentucky Saturday night, the work had been penciled in for Sunday, but with stormy weather forecasted for the next few days in the Lexington area, it was moved up a day. Since winning the Breeders' Futurity in his second lifetime start last October, East Avenue has disappointed as the favorite when ninth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and 10th in the Feb. 15 GII Risen Star Stakes. With regular pilot Tyler Gaffalione sidelined by a broken ankle, East Avenue will need a new rider for the Blue Grass, but that decision is still to be announced. Also working toward a possible Blue Grass start Saturday at Keeneland was Render Judgment (Blame), who went five furlongs in 1:02.20 (17/31). Trained by Kenny McPeek for the partnership of Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing, Render Judgment was most recently second in the Mar. 15 Virginia Derby. The post East Avenue Works for Blue Grass appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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2nd-GP, $94,000, Msw, 3yo, 1mT, 1:23 p.m. ET E Five Racing's NEMO (Into Mischief) gets a start for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Bred by Fifth Avenue Bloodstock, the colt is out of New Money Honey (Medaglia d'Oro), winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita in 2016 followed by the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational at Belmont the next season. Nemo is the $1.4-million earner's first foal to race. TJCIS PPs 5th-TAM, $53,000, Msw, 3yo, f, 9fT, 2:12 p.m. ET Michael Warden's Mimzy (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is unveiled by trainer Chad Brown in this route turf test. The sophomore filly is out of Galileo's Was (Ire), who recorded her most important career victory in the 2012 G1 Investec Epsom Oaks. A half-sister to GSW and G1SP Concert Hall (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the bay was purchased for €280,000 at Goffs in September 2023. TJCIS PPs The post Sunday’s Insights: Son of GISW New Money Honey Debuts at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Twelve months on from Kempton playing host to Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Saturday's card produced another new TDN Rising Star in Peter Winkworth's deeply promising homebred filly Glittering Surf (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Off the mark in style over the same mile trip and track in December, the Owen Burrows-trained relative of the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Kitesurf (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) had to pass most rivals en route to a smooth length success from the strongly-fancied 6-5 favourite Bermuda Longtail (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}). Burrows has a plan for the 8-1 winner of this fillies' conditions race, formerly known as the Masaka Stakes when it carried listed status as an early 1,000 Guineas trial. “She had been pleasing us at home before her debut, but she surprised us with how well she did win and the boot she showed that day,” he explained. “I felt that whatever she did today she was going to take a nice step forward and interestingly Peter wanted to go slowly with her as she's a big girl.” “We have six weeks for her to flourish with a bit of Spring warmth before the [Listed] Michael Seeley [Memorial Stakes] at York and I can't wait to see her on the turf. If that went well, she'll have the [G1] Coronation [Stakes] entry. Today she was drawn seven of seven and so we had to take her right back–she did well to win from where she was, as it wasn't an overly-quick gallop so she has a lot of tactical speed and is pretty smart.” Glittering Surf picks up well to score at @kemptonparkrace & make it 2-2 in her career pic.twitter.com/OyUWEc9je7 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 29, 2025 The post Oasis Dream Filly A New TDN Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A very impressive winner of the Listed Hyacinth Stakes going Tokyo's one-turn mile on Feb. 23, Koichi Nishikawa's Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) was even more eyecatching when taking out Saturday's $228,217 Fukuryu Stakes (allowance) at Nakayama by five dominating lengths over the metric nine furlongs. The 40 points earned for the victory took his Kentucky Derby points total to 70, good for the automatic berth on the first Saturday in May, should connections opt to take up the assignment. Favored at 3-10 with Joao Moreira taking over from the record-setting Rachel King, the full-brother to dual G1 February Stakes hero Cafe Pharoah bounced well from the outside alley in the field of 11 and it appeared as if the instructions from trainer Noriyuki Hori were to ride him like he was the proverbial best horse in the race. Three deep and in no apparent hurry into the first turn as Isana (Jpn) (Declaration of War) showed the way, Luxor Cafe raced under an easy hold from the 'Magic Man' and came into the race nicely while scarcely being asked passing the 600-meter pole. Despite covering a stack of ground on the bend, Luxor Cafe raced up to the leaders five deep at the final corner and when popped the question by Moreira, quickened up in spectacular fashion to put the result beyond any doubt. The winner covered his final 600 meters in a race-best :36.3, pulling well clear of Meisho Zuiun (Jpn) (Hokko Tarumae {Jpn}) and fellow American-bred Golden Cloud (Cloud Computing). “He was always in a good rhythm, his response and reaction were good,” said Moreira. “He is a really good horse.” Luxor Cafe was winning his fourth race in a row and opted for the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby over next weekend's G2 UAE Derby, which has attracted the horses that finished third, fourth and fifth behind him in the Hyacinth–Don in the Mood (Jpn) (Asia Express), Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) and Dragon (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), respectively. Luxor Cafe, who races in the colors of Cafe Pharoah's owner Koichi Nishikawa, is one of three full black-type winners for his outstanding dam, a number that also includes champion Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom), who has a date with Gun Runner this year. Regal Glory topped the dispersal of the late Paul Pompa, Jr. on Peter Brant's bid of $925,000 and she was the joint-highest priced offering overall at Keeneland January in 2021. Luxor Cafe is the seventh winner from eight starters for Mary's Follies, who made $500,000 from the BBA Ireland at the same auction. Mary's Follies has a 2-year old colt by Into Mischief and is due to Flightline this term. Saturday's Results: FUKURYU S. (Allowance), ¥34,200,000 ($228,217), Nakayama, 3-29, 3yo, 1800m, 1:52.1, gd. 1–LUXOR CAFE, 128, c, 3, American Pharoah–Mary's Follies (MGSW, $338,889), by More Than Ready. O-Koichi Nishikawa; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt & Westerberg Ireland ULC (KY); T-Noriyuki Hori; J-Joao Moreira; ¥18,000,000. Lifetime Record: SW, 6-4-1-0, $377,323. *Full to Cafe Pharoah, Ch. Dirt Horse, MG1SW-Jpn, G1SP-KSA, $5,447,518; half to Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom), 'TDN Rising Star', Ch. Turf Mare, MGISW, $2,619,134; and Night Prowler (Giant's Causeway), MGSW, $475,682. 2–Meisho Zuiun (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Hokko Tarumae (Jpn)–Aqua Blue Heart (Jpn), by Empire Maker. O-Yoshio Matsumoro; B-Kosho Bokujo; T-Masuru Honda; J-Yutaka Yoshida; ¥7,200,000. 3–Golden Cloud, 126, c, 3, Cloud Computing–Seoul Gold, by Medaglia d'Oro. ($20,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $17,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $60,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Todd Sheehan & Burton Johnson (KY); T-Shinya Kobayashi; J-Keita Tosaki; ¥4,500,000. Margins: 5, NK, 2HF. Odds: 0.30, 12.60, 23.60. The post American Pharoah’s Luxor Cafe Smashes Rivals in Fukuryu S., Earns Derby Spot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars KA YING GLORY - R3 (7) Has impressed at the trials and can make an impact on debut Jay Rooney WITH A SMILE - R4 (4) Drawn to get a sweet run and Purton can take advantage Trackwork Spy ANOTHER WORLD - R10 (8) Continues to race in good form and looks ready to salute today Phillip Woo WITH A SMILE - R4 (4) Looks very much ready to win on the back of two unlucky runs Shannon (Vincent Wong) MISSION STRIKE - R1 (5) The step up in trip to 2,000m looks ideal and he can break through today Racing Post Online CROSSBORDERPEGASUS - R9 (5) Exciting sprinter looks primed for a bold run Tom Wood MISSION STRIKE - R1 (5) The step up to 2,000m looks ideal for this son of DundeelView the full article

Francis-Henri Graffard can do no wrong at present and his irresistible run continued into the early Classic trials as Tajlina (GB) (Kingman {GB}) struck in Saturday's G3 Prix Penelope. A seven-length winner at Chantilly in mid-October before flopping in the Listed Prix Isonomy later that month, the Al Asayl homebred was slowly away for Mickael Barzalona after rearing in the stalls ahead of the 10 1/2-furlong Saint-Cloud prep. Staying on strongly in the style of her high-class dam Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the 9-5 favourite asserted inside the final furlong for a 1 1/2-length success from Jones (Fr) (Elarqam {GB}). Another talented type for @GraffardRacing at Saint-Cloud! Bred to be very useful, Tajlina missed the break but quickened up smartly to land the Prix Penelope under Mickael Barzalona! pic.twitter.com/Cayi6K6Ygn — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 29, 2025 The post Graffard Streak Continues With Kingman Filly In The Penelope appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four-year-old gelding Codigo notched a hard-fought victory in the Glorious Goodwood Handicap (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. Ridden by Blake Shinn, Codigo narrowly defeated La Defense and Shirshov as the son of Ardrossan made it back-to-back metropolitan victories in a new campaign. Codigo started his career with trainer Stephen Marsh in New Zealand, where he was the first winner for his sire Ardrossan when successful on debut, before becoming the Waikato Stud stallion’s first stakes winner when landing the Listed Wellesly Stakes (1100m) at start two. Marsh opted for a hit-and-run raid across the Tasman with the promising galloper who placed in a Listed race at Flemington behind Steparty as a juvenile. Following an unplaced two-start spring campaign as a three-year-old, Codigo transferred to the Moody and Coleman stable, where he took a while to find his groove. “He just took a little while to acclimatise. Whether we rushed him a little bit in his first Australian preparation, hindsight is a wonderful thing, but he’s had a good break since then and this preparation he’s just come back a different horse,” Coleman said. “He looks really furnished, his coat’s been immaculate, and he’s just improved with racing. “He’s done that in really nice style and it was a tough win in the end.” Winning jockey Blake Shinn said Codigo fought hard to get past the second horse in the on-pace dominated contest. “He just presented really well. He was off the back of a nice first-up win at Sandown, the race set up today on-pace and he had all favours but I loved his determination late. He changed legs inside the 100m and I think that helped him get over the line and find that extra gear. It was a good effort,” Shinn said. Codigo sports the colours of Waikato Stud, who bred the talented sprinter in conjunction with Dame Lowell Goddard. The attractive bay is out of the winning Per Incanto mare Sophia Magia. View the full article

Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have once again come up trumps at Flemington with quality sprinting filly Alabama Lass successful in Saturday’s A$500,000 Listed HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1100m). Two years after landing the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at the premier Melbourne track with stablemate Legarto, the astute Kiwi conditioners again plotted a successful hit-and-run with another quality three-year-old. Ridden by Craig Williams, Alabama Lass showed her customary early speed to lead throughout down the Flemington straight and when challenged dug in to hold off the challenge of Gallant Son and Rich Dottie. “Full credit to her trainers Bev, who can’t come over today, and Ken Kelso, they do such a great job with these horses,” Williams said. “She’s really shown how good she is over there (New Zealand) beating one of their best older horses (Crocetti) in the King’s Plate (Gr.3, 1200m), and she’s only a three-year-old filly and I was really fortunate and delighted to get the call up and ride her.” Williams said the roar of the crowd spurred on the well-supported favourite in the concluding stages. “It might have been what inspired her too because she went from not spending any energy, I thought, ‘this is perfect, she’ll just pick up’, but she just seemed to be so lost and she wanted competition, she wanted energy from the crowd and that’s obviously what go her over the line in the end,” he said. Trainer Ken Kelso was delighted to see the filly win in uncomplicated fashion. Connections of Alabama Lass savour Flemington triumph Photo: Scott Barbour (Racing Photos) “I thought she was stunning. She’s just a very fast filly. She just puts herself there and keeps going, she’s pretty special,” Kelso said. “She tries really hard and she relaxes early in her races. She’s really fast but she just drops the bit and just lobs along so she doesn’t exert a lot of energy.” The daughter of Alabama Express will now return to New Zealand to spell before a possible return to Melbourne for sprint targets in the spring. “We’ll get her home and she deserves a little spell, she’s been up for a while,” Kelso said. “There could be some nice sprint races here (Victoria) in the spring, but we’ll take a breath and just get her home.” Kelso was keen to acknowledge wife Bev, who couldn’t make the trip across the Tasman but is an integral part of the training partnership. “It’s a shame Bev can’t make it now, she’d love to have been here like she was Australian Guineas. It’s just a shame she can’t make trips now but I’m sure she gave that couch a bit of a hiding,” Kelso said. Kelso paid A$120,000 to buy Alabama Lass from the Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne in March of 2023, having celebrated Legarto’s Group One triumph a day prior. She is a half-sister to Kiwi Group Three performer Bad ‘n’ Bouj. A Group Two winner in her homeland and multiple Group One placed, Alabama Lass is now the winner of six of her nine starts, having finished runner-up on the other three occasions and advanced her career earnings to A$867,360. View the full article

A sparkling performance by La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) in Saturday’s Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) completed another Te Akau clean sweep of New Zealand’s biggest two-year-old prizes. La Dorada had previously won the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), while her unbeaten stablemate Return To Conquer strung together four black-type successes including the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Since the inception of the Karaka Millions in 2008, Te Akau Racing is the only stable to win the Karaka Millions, Sistema and Sires’ Produce Stakes in the same season. They have now achieved this remarkable feat four times – in 2018 (Avantage in the Karaka Millions and Sires’ Produce Stakes, Sword Of Osman in the Sistema), 2019 (Probabeel in the Karaka Millions, Yourdeel in the Sistema and Sires’ Produce Stakes), 2021 (On The Bubbles in the Karaka Millions and Sires’ Produce Stakes, Sword Of State in the Sistema) and 2025. La Dorada’s chance of winning all three races by herself was extinguished by a temperature spike that forced her to be scratched on the morning of the Sistema Stakes. But she secured Group One redemption in Saturday’s $550,000 feature at Trentham. She was given a perfect ride by Michael McNab, who slotted her into fourth spot and one off the rail as War Princess and Too Sweet set a breakneck speed out in front. La Dorada cruised up behind the leaders coming up to the home turn, then pounced at the 300m mark. A brilliant burst of speed carried her well clear, racing away to win by three and a half lengths. Adding to the Te Akau dominance, the winner’s lightly raced stablemate Hostility produced a strong finish to fill the runner-up spot. Landlock was third, but was subsequently relegated after a successful protest by the connections of the fourth-placed Tajana. La Dorada became Te Akau’s ninth winner of the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, joining Maroofity (2003), Kindacross (2005), Melody Belle (2017), Avantage (2018), Yourdeel (2019), On The Bubbles (2021), Maven Belle (2022) and Move To Strike (2024). Almost all of those previous winners were purchased by David Ellis, who paid $190,000 to secure La Dorada from the Book 1 draft of her breeders Waikato Stud at Karaka 2024. La Dorada has now had five starts for four wins and a second, earning $1.06 million in stakes for the Te Akau Solid Gold Racing Partnership. “She showed her class today and she’s just so tough,” said Mark Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson. “She’s been up for a while. She’s had quite a long season. But Sam and the team have done a great job keeping her going so well for that long. “She had that setback with the Sistema, but we didn’t panic. It’s great to see her get a Group One win. She’s a very tough filly and is going to make a lovely three-year-old as well. She’s not very big, but she’s all heart. “She wasn’t expensive, costing less than $200,000, and you can’t go wrong buying the Waikato Stud product. I think Super Seth is the next big thing in New Zealand.” La Dorada became second-season sire Super Seth’s third Group One winner in the month of March, following on from Feroce in the Australian Guineas (1600m) and Linebacker in the Randwick Guineas (1600m). Walker was also delighted with Hostility. The blue-blooded colt by I Am Invincible out of multiple Group One winner Shillelagh was a record-breaking $1.65 million purchase from the Ready to Run Sale in November. The Sires’ Produce Stakes was only his second start, having run second on debut earlier this month. “His run was full of merit too,” Walker said. “To have your second run in a Group One race and put in a performance like that, he’s a special horse in the making. “We’ll have some decisions to make around the three-year-old plans for La Dorada, Hostility and Return To Conquer, but we’ve got all winter to do that. It’s a big team effort with David, Karyn (Fenton-Ellis), Sam, Reece (Trumper) and Nicole (Shailer). We’ll sit down over the winter and work it all out. They’re beautiful horses.” The Sires’ Produce Stakes brought Walker and Bergerson back level with Stephen Marsh in terms of Group and Listed winners this season. The rivals went into Saturday’s meeting tied on 13 stakes wins each, and Marsh briefly moved ahead with Kiwi Skyhawk’s victory in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m). Meanwhile, Saturday’s Group One triumph was a welcome breakthrough for McNab, who has endured a run of second placings at the elite level with La Criquein the Zabeel Classic (2000m), Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m), plus Dubai Gold in last week’s New Zealand Oaks (2400m). “It’s a good feeling,” McNab said. “It’s been a bit of a frustrating, heartbreaking run. The season’s been going really well, but those Group One races and million-dollar races are the ones you really want to win. It’s nice to do that today. “This filly is an absolute star. There’s not much of her, but she has great ability, great heart and just a great will to win. “She’s not the best at cornering. She sort of pops herself out. She did that at Matamata and again today. She got lost for a little bit, but then she was brilliant down the straight. To get across the line for David and Te Akau today is very special.” View the full article