Wandering Eyes

Four-year-old mare Good Banter was back in the winner’s circle when narrowly prevailing in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton. The daughter of Tavistock hadn’t greeted the judge first since her triumph in the Gr.3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) in April of last year but had shown positive signs in trackwork before her success on the improving Soft 7 surface. Ridden by Dylan Gibbons, Good Banter settled just forward of midfield and enjoyed a clear passage despite ducking in late to get the better of Cormac T to score by a neck. “She has been going so well at home and hadn’t quite reflected that on the track but she got a good ride today from Dylan and she did a good job to get herself back in the winner’s stall,” O’Shea said. “She has been a mare a long time out of the winner’s stall and had probably forgotten how to do it and it will do her the world of good. We had been so happy with her at home and we needed her to bring that A-game to the races, and she has done that today.” In-form rider Dylan Gibbons was pleased with the position he was able to find in the run. “My only concern with her today was I didn’t want to land too far back, and I was able to land three-back,” he said. “Ideally, I wanted the fence but the tempo was beautiful, we coped no pressure from back and it was just a matter of getting her around the corner. “I didn’t want to surge too soon and when no one stopped, she had to be tough today. “It is good to see a horse who hadn’t won in a while be able to go on with it like she did today, so it was a good effort. “She will take good confidence from that and I don’t think she really loved how much the track is drying out, so if they get a bit of rain she could easily win again.” Good Banter was bred by Blandford Lodge’s Helen-Gaye and Graham Bax and is out of the Savabeel mare Danza Kuduro. Herself a three-time winner on the racetrack, Danza Kuduro is a half-sister to the dual Group One winner Danzdanzdance and the Listed winner Le Gai Soleil, who was also prepared by O’Shea. View the full article

Winter specialist Caitlyns Wish was in her element in the extremely testing conditions at Te Rapa on Saturday and scored a determined front-running victory in the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m). The $40,000 open handicap was the seventh win of a 24-start career for the daughter of Belardo, with all of those victories coming on heavy tracks. She has made a habit of winning at Te Rapa around this time of year, taking out a 1200m three-year-old race in July of 2023 and a 1200m open handicap last June. The five-year-old had been a bit below that level in the early stages of her latest preparation. Her first three runs back had produced an eighth, a fifth and a fourth, beaten by a combined margin of more than 25 lengths. But trainer Stephen Autridge headed to Te Rapa on Saturday with a feeling that Caitlyns Wish was about to turn the corner. “It’s just taken a while to build up her fitness this time in,” the Matamata horseman said. “She’s pretty robust and just keeps thriving, and I can’t give her any more work. “But today she had a lot of things in her favour. She won a similar race here last winter, where she led and kicked again, and it was more of the same today. She just loves when there’s a bit of rain on the day. I could see a fair way out that she was travelling well.” Caitlyns Wish has been ridden to all but one of her seven wins by Maria Sanson, who was in the saddle again on Saturday. The chestnut mare broke well from gate two and was sent forward by Sanson to take up an early lead. The pair’s rivals tried to put Caitlyns Wish under pressure a long way from home. Cleat went forward and sat on her outside coming down the side of the track, while Gospodin, Dusty Road and Martell were all breathing down her neck and poised to strike at the home turn. But Caitlyns Wish dug deep and fought ferociously all the way down the straight. She refused to relinquish her advantage and held her challengers at bay to win by half a length. “I was giving her a growl and a slap on the shoulder, but I didn’t want to unbalance her in this ground today,” Sanson said. “This is probably the heaviest track I’ve ever seen at Te Rapa. It’s hard work out there. “She’s had a few runs this time in. She was able to win second-up last winter, but has taken a bit longer this year. She was about 600kg after her summer spell, so she had a bit of weight to lose. But she’s reached that level of fitness now, the tracks are heavy, and she should be able to go on with it. “I’ve won six on her now and ride her in all her trackwork, so she’s a horse I’ve had a lot to do with. I’m very happy to get another win on her today.” Autridge indicated that Caitlyns Wish might return to Te Rapa for the $50,000 open handicap over 1300m on July 26. “We’ll definitely look to come back here for that next meeting,” he said. “The only issue is we generally prefer to stick to 1200m, because she can’t go much further than that.” View the full article

Japanese apprentice Yuga Okubo cheekily suggested he could win four races at Te Rapa on Saturday from his four rides during a pre-raceday interview on Saturday morning and he nearly made good on that promise as he completed a winning treble with victory aboard Drop Of Something in the main flat race on the day, the UBP Te Awamutu Cup (1600m) The winner of four races in Japan before his arrival in New Zealand in early 2024, the likeable Okubo has created a good impression on some influential members of the racing community including trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott who provided the first of his winning treble with Ribkraka taking out race three on the card. Okubo scored again aboard the Tim & Margaret Carter-prepared Family Folks in race six by weaving a path towards the inside rail in the home straight and he repeated that pattern aboard Drop Of Something just one race later. The Wayne Hillis-trained five-year-old son of Telperion had shown he was ready to win again after finishing third behind Soldier Boy at the venue last month and performed up to expectations as he settled well back before Okubo began to hustle him along closer to the inside as the leading pack ran wide around the home bend. Just as it looked like race favourite Joshua Brown would hold off all challengers, Drop Of Something forged to the lead at the 100m and went on to win by a long neck from the favourite and Diamond Jak who battled gamely for third. Hillis didn’t have high hopes for a winning result when he saw how far back his charge was as runners headed to the home bend. “I was thinking we were no chance on the corner as we were back and he didn’t look like he was going that good while I thought the place to be was wider out and not on the inner,” Hillis said. “To his credit the boy stuck to his guns and he had won on a similar path in the previous race so he knew it wasn’t that bad down there. “I’ve had him (Okubo) on a few now and he is very balanced and has a lot of potential. You don’t get many 4kg claimers who are as strong as he is and I would expect he is going to be very popular over the next few months.” Hillis is looking forward to another Te Rapa prize at the end of the month with Drop Of Something being aimed at the Callinan Family Taumarunui Gold Cup (2100m) on 26 July. “This guy does like the mud and he has really strengthened up in the past year,” he said. “He tries really hard and I think he is ready to go further than a mile now. ‘We’d like to take him to New Plymouth for an open 1800m race on Opunake Cup day then back him up a week later in the Taumarunui Gold Cup.” Bred by the late Emma Evans and racing under the Evans Breeding Ltd banner, Drop Of Something is a son of the Don Eduardo mare Nothing More and has now won seven of his 42 starts and over $224,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Well-travelled gelding Family Folks launched a powerful finish from near the back of the field to collect his first New Zealand victory in the Mark Sanders Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The son of Snitzel was born, raised and sold in Australia, then headed to Hong Kong and won five times in a 37-start career for owner Wing Keung So. The eight-year-old has found a new home this season with Cambridge trainers Tim and Margaret Carter, who now own him. He went winless in his first nine starts in New Zealand, but showed promising signs with close-up finishes behind the likes of Tomodachi, Irish Legacy, Penman and Croupier. Family Folks headed into Saturday’s race on the back of a second placing at Tauranga on June 21, where he was beaten by a nose by Kai Moana. Saturday was finally his day. Family Folks was patiently ridden in the $35,000 race by apprentice jockey Yuga Okubo, dropping out near the back of the field as four horses slugged it out in front and set a torrid pace. Okubo saved ground closer to the inside at the home turn as most of the field went wide in search of better footing. Family Folks quickened through underneath them, surging past nine horses in the straight and getting up to win by a length and three-quarters from Jethro Tull and Florin. It was the second win on the Te Rapa card for Okubo, who scored a front-running victory on Ribkraka earlier in the afternoon. He later completed a treble with Drop Of Something in the UBP Te Awamutu Cup (1600m). “It was a good effort by our horse and a fantastic ride by the young jockey,” Tim Carter said. “I think he’s a real up-and-comer – he’s got good balance, can use the stick in both hands, and horses really run for him. “I do feel a bit sorry for the other apprentice, Gareth Lahoud, who was a close second on him last start. We got our messages a bit mixed up and didn’t think he’d be riding at the meeting today, otherwise he would have been on him. But we’re very happy to get the result.” Family Folks is a son of the New Zealand-bred Ustinov mare Miss Sharapova, who was trained by Ken and Bev Kelso and won four races along with a third in the Gr.3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) and a fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Arrowfield Stud bred Family Folks and offered him at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where the Hong Kong Jockey Club bought him for A$900,000. From 47 starts, Family Folks has now recorded six wins and seven placings and has earned more than $1.48 million. “Morgan (Carter, son) and I have bought horses for that Hong Kong owner over a number of years,” Tim Carter said. “This horse actually beat Lucky Sweynesse in a 1200m race at Happy Valley one day (in June 2022). He won a few races in Hong Kong, but then his form fell away a bit and the owner decided he wouldn’t be able to go much further up there. “They said we could try him out here in New Zealand and see if we could pick up a win or two with him. We’ve done that now and it’s a great feeling.” Family Folks went into Saturday’s race with a rating of 64, which will now increase – forcing his connections into a change of plans. “I think we’ve blown it,” Carter said. “There’s a Rating 65 Benchmark race coming up at New Plymouth in two weeks that’s worth quite a nice stake of $50,000. That was the target that we were thinking of having a crack at with this horse, but now I think we’ll need to come up with a new plan.” View the full article

A daring ride by Kylan Wiles paved the way for tenacious mare Jakama Krystal to add a second win on the Te Rapa card for trainers Peter and Jessica Brosnan as she raced away with the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m) on Saturday. The nine-year-old daughter of Jakkalberry is normally seen disputing the pace in her races but a change in tactics saw her settle near last for the first half of the contest before edging nearer with 1600m to run. Jakama Krystal was in the zone with her jumping and she flew the two fences down the back straight as she forged to the front and put the pressure on her rivals. Wiles sent her for home at the 600m and the mare responded in fine style as she put a break on Countryman and Super Spirit, who were chasing bravely but to no avail, as Jakama Krystal established a margin of five lengths on her rivals which she held comfortably to the winning post. Jessica Brosnan was all smiles as she recalled they had produced the last winner of the race which hadn’t been run since 2019. “We changed tactics a little bit today as we thought there would be a lot of speed on and there was,” Brosnan said. “We actually won the last running of the Hunt Cup with Pythagoras, so we had the trophy out on the bench at home this morning. “We haven’t had the race since then so we have been pushing the Club to get back into it as they are the heart of racing here. “We will keep chipping away with her (Jakama Krystal) and we will see where we take her next although we have been looking at Woodville (13 July). We just work her on the treadmill these days as she is older and has wear and tear, so every win is a bonus.” Wiles was also thrilled with the win after admitting he wasn’t too sure of his chances in the early running. “When she jumped out of the gates and was right back I thought no chance as she is usually up front and handy,” he said. “I just left her alone for the first couple (of fences) and then she began chipping away at them and when I asked her she would just take off. “Down the back I thought I’d cruise around them and she cantered into it before I really let her go and she felt like the winner from there. “The way she settled in behind them today I think a race like the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4200m) might be one for her.” A winner of seven of her 67 races, Jakama Krystal holds a special place in the hearts of her Matamata mentors, as she was formerly trained by a close friend in the late Glynn Brick prior to his tragic passing in 2020. View the full article

Japanese apprentice Yuga Okubo upstaged his employer at Te Rapa on Saturday with an upset victory on Ribkraka in the Jack & June Stewart Memorial (1200m). The 22-year-old is apprenticed to Cambridge trainer Tony Pike, who saddled Honey Badger as a red-hot $1.60 favourite in the $35,000 three-year-old race. But Pike was thwarted by his protégé as Okubo steered Ribkraka to an all-the-way win. Ribkraka drew the inside gate in a field that was halved to just four runners by scratchings. Okubo made full use of that handy draw and his 4kg claim, pushing Ribkraka forward to take a clear lead after the first 100m. Torrential rain swept over Te Rapa during the race, but Okubo had Ribkraka enjoying his work and travelling sweetly out in front. Honey Badger loomed on the outside at the home turn and seemed to have the upper hand coming into the straight, but Ribkraka responded to her challenge and summoned another effort. He pulled ahead of the favourite through the last 200m and won by a length and three-quarters. “He loves Te Rapa and handles heavy tracks well and it was a very, very good win,” Okubo said. “He drew one and the plan was to go to the front. Then I was just thinking about his rhythm. He still had lots left when Honey Badger came up, so I thought I could win.” The winner of four races in Japan before his arrival in New Zealand in early 2024, Okubo has now recorded three victories on Kiwi soil – a number that Ribkraka’s trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott expect will continue to increase. “He’s a young man who’s going to ride a lot of winners,” Scott said. “He did a great job today and gave our horse a good, positive ride. He led at a sensible pace, held him together nicely and then let him down.” Ribkraka’s front-running victory on Saturday brought up the 80th win of the season for the Wexford Stables team. It was the third win of an 11-race career for the talented gelding, who is by Ribchester out of the Mastercraftsman mare Tickle Me – a half-sister to the multiple Group winners Melt and Elephant. “Ribkraka can really handle these testing conditions,” Scott said. “He’s a very fit gelding and loves racing this way around. He’s such a genuine horse and just kept finding today. “He’s campaigned all season and has been a model of consistency. There’s a race back here in two weeks’ time over 1400m, where he should hopefully relish the conditions again.” View the full article

Visiting English jumps rider Ellie Callwood secured her first success in New Zealand when she guided promising jumper Squire to victory in the OTL Group Ltd Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa. Callwood has joined a number of jumps riders from the United Kingdon making their way to New Zealand for winter racing and put her name on the winners list with a superbly judged ride aboard the Peter and Jessica Brosnan-prepared Squire, who was having just his second attempt over fences after scoring narrowly at the venue last month when on his jumps debut. Callwood had the four-year-old son of Saville Row positioned in midfield throughout as pacemaker English Gambler set a steady pace out in front ahead of Duke Of Plumpton and Abu Dhabi. That trio kicked clear with 1000m to run and had the rest of the field off the bit as a trio of runners including Squire and race favourite Jerricoop chasing hard to join the fight. Callwood had Squire firing on all cylinders as he joined issue rounding the home bend and he flew the remining obstacles in the straight to score by nearly ten lengths from Jerricoop who shaded a brave Duke Of Plumpton for the runner-up position. Jessica Brosnan was thrilled the stable could provide Callwood with her first victory after being instrumental in getting her across to New Zealand for the jumps season. “We thought he might be a little fresh as he can be a bit naughty, but obviously that is how he likes to go,” Brosnan said. “I’m just so pleased to get Ellie’s first winner as we have done a lot to get these riders here. “She emailed and said she wanted to come over and she looked more than adequate for what we need over here and she is finally here, we’ve got her on one of our horses, so it’s just marvellous.” Brosnan indicated a trip to Christchurch for a race during the Riccarton Grand National Carnival in August could be a path they now take with Squire. “I’ve been nagging at Peter to let me go to Christchurch as the syndicate of owners just want to have a jumper and travel the country with him, so I reckon he might let me now,” she said. “I want to go down for the 0-1 win (hurdle) but we will get him home and assess as he’s not very big and is only a four-year-old, but I do want to go to Christchurch.” The 22-year-old Callwood was elated to get the win at her ninth raceday ride in New Zealand and admitted she was thoroughly enjoying her time here although she was committed to returning to the UK for the winter season there. “That was brilliant as he just travelled like a real professional,” she said. “He jumped perfectly, although I thought I got there (the front) a bit soon as he could have won by more. “It’s taken me a bit (to ride a winner) but we finally got there and it’s a big thanks to Jessica and Pete for letting me ride him as he is a nice horse. “I’ve had about 110 rides for thirty winners, mainly over chase fences, back home. I’ve just come here for a holiday mainly as I have a retained, sponsored ride at home so I need to be there, but I’m loving it here and would love to come back.” Bred by well-known Matamata racing identities Karen and Kevin Crawford, the pair share in the ownership of Squire with the Brosnan’s and the Squire Syndicate, with their charge adding his two wins over fences to a success on the flat from just 15 starts. View the full article

Caleb Hays, interim starter at Churchill Downs during the Spring Meet, will move into the role of head starter at the Louisville oval as well as at Turfway Park, while Todd Stephens, after more than 25 years at Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows, has been named head starter at Ellis Park. Churchill Downs owns all three Kentucky tracks. Hays has been on the gate crew for 17 years at Churchill after getting his start at River Downs. He is the son of the late former assistant starter Danton “Danny” Hays and has handled GI Kentucky Derby winners Nyquist and Mystik Dan during his time on the gate. “It's a great honor to step into this role at Churchill Downs and Turfway,” said Hays. “I've been fortunate to work under some of the best in the business and I'm proud to follow in their footsteps.” Ben Huffman, vice president of racing for Churchill Downs, added: “Caleb has earned this opportunity through years of steady leadership and respect from his peers. He brings integrity, character, and a calm presence that's critical for a position like this. We're confident he'll continue the high standards that define our starting gate.” Stephens takes over head starter duties at Ellis Park for the 2025 summer meet. “Todd brings a wealth of experience during his time in the Upper Northwest,” said Ellis Park's racing secretary Baley Hare. “He'll be a big asset to our racing program.” Both Hays and Stephens will start their new roles immediately. The post Hays and Stephens Named Head Starters at Churchill Properties appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Amerman Racing's Test Score stalked the pace from third and rallied strongest in the lane to win the $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) July 4 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Phileas Fogg improved to 5-2-0 in seven starts for trainer Gustavo Rodriguez and owner Jupiter Stable in notching a wire-to-wire upset victory over graded stakes winners Antiquarian and Locked in the July 4 Suburban Stakes (G2) at Saratoga.View the full article

Jockey Jorge A. Vargas Jr. notched the 1,000th win of his career July 4 at Monmouth Park when 13-1 Gran Yaco won the final race on the eight-race card.View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Sassy C W (Yaupon) went gate to wire to take the Prairie Gold Lassie at Prairie Meadows on Friday. The filly already shot fireworks off when she debuted a winner at Churchill Downs in late April. Her 5 1/4-length win earned her that coveted 'Rising Star' badge and it marked her as the 45 cents on the dollar favorite coming into the Astoria Stakes at the Spa June 5. The 2-year-old did not disappoint her backers then either as she wired the field. Once again garnering the top spot on the tote, the 6-5 choice here rolled out of the blocks on top and established herself as the clear leader. Around the far turn, Best Friend (Girvin) was making a valiant chase of it and entering the lane that dark bay had her eyes trained on the frontrunner. However, the 'Rising Star' found the tape in time and the prize was hers. Sassy C W–a $375,000 OBS March grad for Carolyn Wilson in 2025–is out of Sassy Miss Sue, who sold for $37,000 with the winner in utero during Keeneland November in 2022 and was sent to Turkey in 2023. A full-sister to GI Ogden Phipps Handicap heroine Tiz Miz Sue and a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint champ Bulletin (City Zip), Sassy Miss Sue handed the winner a full-sister last year, but was not reported as bred for this past term. Sassy C W hails from an extended female family which includes GSW & GISP Souper Sensational (Curlin) and GIII Gotham Stakes victor Flood Zone (Frosted). The super speedy SASSY C W ($4.40) remains undefeated in the $100,000 Prairie Gold Lassie at @prmracing! The two-year-old by freshman stallion Yaupon (@spendthriftfarm) is trained by Larry Rivelli. @jareth16 was in the irons. Catch the next: https://t.co/p25XHD80go pic.twitter.com/gI4O2Md71x — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 4, 2025 PRAIRIE GOLD LASSIE S., $101,990, Prairie Meadows, 7-4, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:04.72, ft. 1–SASSY C W, 122, f, 2, by Yaupon 1st Dam: Sassy Miss Sue, by Tiznow 2nd Dam: Sue's Good News, by Woodman 3rd Dam: Montera, by Easy Goer ($30,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $190,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $375,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). O-Patricia's Hope LLC and Carolyn Wilson; B-Harun Kahraman (KY); T-Larry Rivelli; J-Jareth Loveberry. $59,700. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $184,200. 2–Best Friend, 116, f, 2, Girvin–Mexican Miss, by More Than Ready. ($95,000 Ylg '24 FTKJUL). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-MJM Racing; B-Brad & Misty Grady (FL); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $19,900. 3–Kickin, 118, f, 2, Dialed In–Puntsville, by Cashel Castle. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-S. D. Brilie, L.P. (IL); T-Michele Boyce. $9,950. Margins: NK, 2HF, 5 3/4. Odds: 1.20, 2.50, 2.50. Also Ran: Song Magic, Chamonix, Stunning Sapphire, Quick Sand. Scratched: Run Your Mouth. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Sassy C W Holds On To Stay Perfect In Prairie Gold Lassie appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Marked by a soft month of wagering in June, wagering on Thoroughbred racing in the United States continued to slide through the second quarter of 2025, dipping 2.38% to $3,281,212,052. Betting totaled $956,784,146 in June, a reduction of 7.18%.View the full article

With the temptation of securing another grade 1 win in the Belmont Derby (G1T) July 4, trainer Chad Brown opted instead to race Zulu Kingdom in the Manila Stakes (G3T) on the same card, believing the bay could be his barn's next star turf miler. View the full article

Amerman Racing's Test Score stalked the pace from third and rallied strongest in the lane to win the $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) July 4 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Phileas Fogg (g, 5, Astern {Aus}–Merino, by More Than Ready), runner-up in the GIII Pimlico Special S., was sent to the front from his rail draw, enjoyed a clear lead throughout and just held off Antiquarian (Preservationist) to pull off a 6-1 upset in Saturday's GII Suburban S. at Saratoga. Favored 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) was third. The final time for 1 1/4 miles was 2:02.97. Phileas Fogg becomes the first graded stakes winner for trainer Gustavo Rodriguez. Sales history: $55,000 HRA '23 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 18-9-4-0. O-Jupiter Stable LLC; B-Godolphin; T-Gustavo Rodriguez. Gustavo Rodriguez earns his first graded stakes win as PHILEAS FOGG goes gate-to-wire in the Grade 2 Suburban presented by Subourbon with @KendrickCarmou1 aboard! pic.twitter.com/5VFtRvqRZy — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 4, 2025 The post Phileas Fogg Wires Suburban, Holds Off Antiquarian appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS–When Neal Poznansky, sitting on the back of GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes champion Sovereignty (Into Mischief), saw jockey Junior Alvarado early Friday morning, he wore a wide smile. “How'd I do?” Poznansky said. Alvarado grinned back. No answer necessary. Sovereignty did what Poznansky, Alvarado and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott wanted to see as he had his second work since winning the Belmont last month. Working in company with 4-year-old stablemate Jefferson Street (Street Sense), Sovereignty and Poznansky, Mott's assistant, covered four furlongs in :48.99 (3/24) on the Oklahoma Training Track. Alvarado, the regular rider of Sovereignty, watched the work from the rail on the Oklahoma. “He looked awesome,” Alvarado said. “He did it very impressive and very easy.” Alvarado said the only time he got on Sovereignty in the morning was when the colt was a 2-year-old and before he started his racing career. Sovereignty inside of Jefferson Street during a recent workout | Sarah Andrew “I probably could have put my 6-year-old kid on him,” Alvarado said about those early days. Last week, Sovereignty worked a half mile in a pokey :51.27 seconds by himself. Things got a little more serious this week as Sovereignty has been given the $500,000 GII Jim Dandy Stakes as his next target. “It depends on what the trainer feels,” Mott said when asked why Sovereignty had a workmate on Friday. “I felt like he should go in company today. He was on the bridle. I thought the work went well. This is what we planned and that is how it worked out.” Sovereignty, bred & owned by Godolphin, has won three of four starts this year. His only loss came when he was second in the GI Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. His other win was the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth in Hallandale. Alvarado said it was after the Florida Derby that Mott really began to train Sovereignty and that got him to the next level. “The goal was always the Kentucky Derby,” Alvarado said. “He is just very easy in the races. Even if he is not 100 percent ready, when you want to ask him, he'll be there for you. Like in the Belmont, he put himself right up close to the pace and it's not like I asked him to do that. He was just faster that day and put himself right up there. I wasn't going to take that away from him.” The Jim Dandy, and then the $1.25 million GI DK Travers Stakes are the summer goals for Sovereignty. “I really think the best is yet to come from him,” Alvarado said. “When he turns four, that's when I think we'll see the best of him.” Mo Plex Taking A Strange Path To Next Start Had things not taken an abrupt turn for Mo Plex (Complexity), perhaps his work on Friday would not have been part of the New York-bred's preparations for either the $1 million GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park July 19 or the Jim Dandy. But that is exactly where the colt, trained by Jeremiah Englehart is at. Here's why: Last month, Englehart was planning to run Mo Plex in the Mike Lee Stakes for New York-breds at Saratoga. That didn't happen because a case of strangles put Englehart's barn under quarantine and forced him to scratch from the race. Mo Plex with Irad Ortiz up | Sarah Andrew Plan B then became the GIII Ohio Derby at Thistledown June 21. He won that and, suddenly, bigger doors opened. Englehart will have to decide where he is going to go; had he participated in the Mike Lee and done well, Mo Plex may have stayed with New York-breds. “We would probably be talking about the Albany [Aug. 21],” Englehart said outside his barn at the Annex across from the Oklahoma Training Track. “Sometimes, things work out for certain reasons. With him, (strangles) was a blessing in disguise.” Running in the 1 1/8-mile Ohio Derby allowed Englehart to get Mo Plex around two turns for the first time. He is owned by R & H Stable, which is made up of Rick Higgins of Saratoga Springs and Howard Reed of nearby Albany. “I had to talk them into the Ohio Derby,” Englehart said. “It really all worked out.” As a 2-year-old, Mo Plex won the GII Sanford Stakes at Saratoga in open company and was third in the GI Champagne Stakes. In the start before the Ohio Derby, he won the listed Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct in open company. He has five wins in eight career starts and has bankrolled $745,000. Mo Plex won the Ohio Derby by two lengths. Friday, with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, Mo Plex worked four furlongs on the main track in :47.55 (3/80). Englehart has time to figure out where he wants to go next with Mo Plex. “I believe he fits,” Englehart said of the 3-year-old division while acknowledging the superiority of Sovereignty and Journalism (Curlin). “After those two, everyone else is in the same waters. This will be a chance to show if he belongs or not. I just know him. He shows up for every race. I am pretty confident he won't make a fool of himself.” 'Skippy' Just Keeps On Trucking For Joseph In his 32-race career, 6-year-old horse Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) has won 11 times and competed at 15 different racetracks. He's here, at Saratoga, waiting on the $1 million GI Whitney Stakes Aug. 1. Owned by Daniel Alonso, Skippylongstocking was entered to run in last weekend's GI Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs, but trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. skipped it, opting to wait for the Whitney. Skippylongstocking takes the Hollywood Gold Cup | Benoit In his last start, Skippylongstocking won the GII Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes at Santa Anita May 26. “[Stephen Foster] was back quick after the Hollywood,” Joseph said Friday morning outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch. “We wanted to go to the Stephen Foster, but the more we thought about it, it was a tough race. We would have had to ship again; it was hot weather, and he doesn't do good in the hot. It made more sense to stay here.” Skippylongstocking has two wins and two thirds in four starts this year. He was third in the GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park and GIII Oaklawn Handicap and also won the GIII Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay. Joseph says the plan is for Skippylongstocking to return for a 7-year-old campaign next year, but he hopes for big things the rest of this year. After the Whitney, where he is likely to see horses such as 'TDN Rising Stars' Fierceness (City of Light) and Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), plus stablemate White Abarrio (Race Day), Joseph wants to see Skippylongstocking go for his third straight victory in the $1 million GII Charles Town Classic Aug. 22. Joseph knows that the older horse division is loaded this year, but that won't scare him and Skippy off. “On his best day, he is capable of knocking them off,” Joseph said. “Overall, he is a notch below the best. That is why we pick our spots. We know when to try and when to back off.” The post Saratoga Notebook: Sovereignty Takes Next Step Toward Summer Goals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Test Score (c, 3, Lookin At Lucky–Joy of Learning, by Kitten's Joy), second to Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) in the GI American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs May 3, got his own day in the sun Friday, winning Saratoga's $750,000 GI Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes in convincing style. For his part, Zulu Kingdom won the GIII Manilla Stakes at the Spa one race prior to Test Score's Belmont Derby win. In the Belmont Derby, it was Tank (Adios Charlie), as expected, who set the pace, leading the field through :23.66 and :47.79 fractions. Favored New Century (GB) (Kameko) tracked in second with Test Score just behind. Positions remained unchanged until the tempo quickened on the turn. As New Century tried to tackle Tank, it was Test Score who came through to their outside, setting sail for home with authority. World Beater (Oscar Performance) got up for second, with Luther (GB) (Frankel {GB}) a close third while Tank held for fourth. Test Score got the 1 1/8 miles on the grass in 1:45.56. In addition to his American Turf runner-up finish, Test Score won the GIII Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland in April. Friday, Saratoga BELMONT DERBY INVITATIONAL S.-GI, $750,000, Saratoga, 7-4, 3yo, 1 1/8mT, 1:45.56, fm. 1–TEST SCORE, 122, c, 3, by Lookin At Lucky 1st Dam: Joy of Learning, by Kitten's Joy 2nd Dam: Miss Chapin, by Royal Academy 3rd Dam: Society Dream (Fr), by Akarad (Fr) 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Jerry Amerman (KY); T-H. Graham Motion; J-Manuel Franco. $412,500. Lifetime Record: 8-3-3-1, $1,074,025. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–World Beater, 122, c, 3, Oscar Performance–Dabinett, by Blame. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($105,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-John A. Chandler (KY); T-Riley Mott. $150,000. 3–Luther (GB), 122, c, 3, Frankel (GB)–Give And Take (GB), by Cityscape (GB). 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (250,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Paul Hickman and Nicholas Jones; B-Coln Valley Stud (GB); T-Charlie Fellowes. $90,000. Margins: 1 1/4, NO, HD. Odds: 3.30, 11.30, 6.00. Also Ran: Tank, Final Gambit-(DH), New Century (GB)-(DH), Early Adopter (GB). Scratched: Flying Mohawk. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. TEST SCORE aces the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational, giving @jockeyfranco the win for trainer @GrahamMotion who won this race last year! pic.twitter.com/iTplHMJxxs — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 4, 2025 The post Lookin At Lucky’s Test Score Aces Belmont Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On the heels of his GI American Turf Stakes win at Churchill Downs in May, Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (r, 3, Ten Sovereigns {Ire}–Zindziswa, by Smart Strike) did it again, capturing Saratoga's $200,000 GIII Manilla Stakes Friday. The cut back in distance was no problem for the Chad Brown trainee, who is now five for six since making his American debut last August at the Spa. At 2-5 in the Manilla, Zulu Kingdom broke sharply and stuck his nose in front for several strides before Maui Strong (Kitten's Joy) cut the corner to his inside to take control of the pace. The winner tracked him in second through fractions of :23.19 and :46.85, breathing down his neck all the while. Floated a little wide on the final turn, Zulu Kingdom was slow to change leads, but quickly asserted himself, powering clear to run the mile in 1:33.11. Capitol Hill (Into Mischief) closed late from far back to nab second, while Tiz Dashing (Tiz the Law) was third. Zulu Kingdom won the GII Pilgrim and GIII With Anticipation at two, then took the one-mile Columbia Stakes at Tampa in March before his win in the American Turf. O-Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss, and Michael J. Caruso; B-Ecurie Peregrine SAS (Ire); T-Chad Brown; J-Flavien Prat. ZULU KINGDOM gets his fifth stakes win in his last six starts as he wins the Grade 3 Manila Stakes under Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/Wp47d3Bhrv — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 4, 2025 The post GISW Zulu Kingdom Does It Again in Manilla at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Familiar Thoroughbreds from the 3-year-old stakes scene will line up to contest the July 5 Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Besides Coal Battle and Publisher, the race includes dual stakes winner Instant Replay.View the full article

Kingsolver broke her maiden and added a black-type score to her resume in the same afternoon in the $150,000 Schuylerville Stakes July 4 at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

Jay Goodwin, the former stallion sales director at Walmac Farm, will be the new account manager for Vinery Sales and Silver Springs Training, according to a press release from the sales company on Friday. Goodwin moved to Lexington in 2005 and gained sales experience through working with several top consignment agencies. He continues to own and operate his own Good Win Farm in Paris, Kentucky where he manages several client's mares and foals in addition to his own broodmare band. “Jay is a high integrity, high energy guy, with decades of sales experience in all markets. He's going to be a tremendous asset to both teams,” said Vinery's co-owner Matt Bowling. “Vinery has a strong sales reputation, and I'm delighted to join the team,” said Goodwin. “Matt, Derek, and Erin have been great to work with in other ventures and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to work together. Silver Springs also has a fantastic reputation and I'm looking forward to helping my clients make use of these top-class facilities right here in Lexington.” The post Goodwin Joins Vinery Sales And Silver Springs Training appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On June 5, trainer Michelle Elliott will saddle her first starter in the Indiana Oaks (G3) when she runs the 3-year-old filly Top.View the full article

Kingsolver (f, 2, Omaha Beach–Famous Writer, by Speightstown), a debut fifth at Churchill Downs June 11, earned her diploma in style at second asking in Saratoga's $150,000 Schuylerville S. Off as the second choice at odds of 3-1, she battled between horses as four of them lined up early. Heavily favored My Sweetheart (Flameaway) made the first move and drew clear from her five rivals on the far turn and looked well on her way. But Kingsolver had other ideas. My Sweetheart enjoyed a two-length advantage an eighth of a mile from home, but Kingsolver kept on coming down the stretch to reel in that rival late to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths. The final time for six furlongs was 1:13.17. Sales history: $20,000 yrl '24 KEESEP; $95,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0. O-Storyteller Racing, Schroeck, Michael, Open Gate Horse Ventures, Cahoe, Brian, Catlett, Scott, Russel, Dave, Ransdell, Matthew, Motley, Michael and Braun, Joel; B-George Krikorian (KY); T- Rodolphe Brisset. KINGSOLVER breaks her maiden in the Schuylerville Stakes with Flavien Prat aboard for trainer @BrissetRodolphe. pic.twitter.com/b8wjKpU869 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 4, 2025 The post Omaha Beach’s Kingsolver Graduates in Schuylerville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wagering dipped compared to a year ago in June, but so did the number of race days according to information released by Equibase on Friday. Total wagering of $956,784,146 on races during the month represented a 7.18% decrease over the same period from 2024, while available purses of over $114 million were lower by 5.87%. The figure of over $110 million for paid purses in June was also down by 5.95%. As for the total number of race days, they also decreased from 408 to 380 (-6.86%) and the number of U.S. races was lower from 3,207 in June 2024 to last month's tally of 2,964 (-7.58%). Average field size in June was down a tick from over a year ago when it was 7.18, and checked in at an average of 7.06 runners, a decrease of 1.67%. Average daily wagering decreased slightly by 0.34% to $2,517,853, but the average available purse number per race day was up 1.07% to $301,518 from the figure of $298,340 in 2024. When it comes to the year-to-date figures, through June of 2024 wagering on U.S. races came in at $5.951 billion, while this year the amount is $5.786 billion (-2.77%). Those numbers include worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races. The post June Economic Indicators: Wagering Dips Over Less Race Days appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article