Wandering Eyes

Adverse weather has forced multiple Group One winner Quintessa to take an unorthodox route to next Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), with the mare appearing at the Awapuni trials on Monday afternoon. Prepared by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson at Matamata, Quintessa got her preparation off to a flying start winning the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m), but she was scratched from the second leg of the triple crown (Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile, 1600m) at Te Rapa, avoiding the heavy surface. With a task of getting her to the Livamol three weeks later, Bergerson nominated the mare for the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), but withdrew before acceptances, opting to head across to Awapuni for a hit-out over 1300m. In the hands of stable rider Opie Bosson, Quintessa settled at the tail of the field through the running, while stablemate Midnight Blue strode to the top for Samantha Collett. Bosson asked her for an effort turning for home and she responded well, striding up to finish second behind Sailor Jack. Bergerson was pleased with what he saw from the daughter of Shamus Award, who didn’t trial in her usual blinkers. “It’s been a pretty tough time of it with the weather lately, so it was a good opportunity to get on a reasonable surface,” Bergerson said. “Opie was really happy with her trial, she’s pretty lazy without the blinkers on but we wanted to keep them up our sleeve for raceday. I was pleased with how she hit the line and she went past the post a bit as well, so that should bring her on nicely. “The trip away will do her the world of good, it’s a fine line getting her fit but keeping the speed in her legs and soundness as well, she takes a bit of managing. “Hopefully that will catch us up a bit fitness-wise, I’m looking forward to Saturday-week with her.” In an ideal world, Bergerson would like to give her another gallop on better ground before heading to Ellerslie but recognises that may not be a reality. “I’d be happy if the weather picked up and I could get some nice work into her on good tracks at home, but unfortunately it’s just that time of year and it’s tough for everyone,” he said. “She’ll have another nice hit-out next week.” It was similar circumstances for Midnight Blue, who was set to resume in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) but will look elsewhere to kick off his campaign. “He was meant to be in the Matamata Cup on Saturday, but with the rain, we wanted him to have a nice hit-out on a decent surface as well,” Bergerson said. “A trip away is good for the old boy to get him thinking and that’ll bring him on a bit too. “It would’ve been nice to kick him off on his home track, but he can potentially kick off at Ellerslie in a few weeks’ time in an Open race, then there are some nice races over Christmas if he comes up well.” A nine-year-old by So You Think, Midnight Blue joined the Te Akau Racing stable in late 2023 and placed in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and Taupo Cup (2000m) last term. View the full article

Bulb General continued his electric form in Hong Kong to bring loftier targets into play for the son of Embellish. Trained by Jamie Richards, he completed a hat-trick of victories when he put away his Class 3 rivals with ease over 1200 metres at Sha Tin in the hands of Zac Purton. The four-year-old is taking winning strides toward the lucrative Four-Year-Old Classic Series – the Hong Kong Classic Mile, Hong Kong Classic Cup and Hong Kong Derby. “We’ve got some nice targets for him if he keeps progressing. He doesn’t overtax himself, and I think most of the better ones are a little bit like that, so we’ve got plenty to look forward to,” Richards said. “The plan would be to step him up (in trip) at some stage. The Classic Series would be the plan; we’ve got a long way to go but he’s progressing well and he’s winning with a bit of authority, so hopefully he can keep cracking on.” Bulb General also had to overcome a wide barrier to continue his winning run of form. “He had a pretty poor gate (12), I was hoping to get into a nice spot, and he moved into it and did the job nicely,” Purton said. “It didn’t feel like he was getting away from them the way that he did, so that was good sign. “He goes up in grade again and hopefully he can continue the path that he’s on.” Bulb General was bought out of Cambridge Stud’s Book 1 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $175,000 by Richards and Andrew Williams Bloodstock and was a juvenile trial winner at Te Rapa before relocating to Hong Kong. Richards prepared Bulb General’s sire Embellish to win the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in his previous role as head trainer for the powerful Te Akau operation in his native New Zealand. Standing at Cambridge Stud, Embellish has had four runners in Hong Kong for three winners, including Fortune Whiskey and Chateau le Peche, while Ocean Impact looks a winner in waiting. Bulb General is the first winner for the Fastnet Rock mare Stylish Achiever who has since produced another son, Bellish Boy, and is back in foal to the son of Savabeel. Stylish Achiever is out of the Gr.3 Irwin Stakes (1100m) winner and Gr.1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) third Flying Object. Bulb General’s rise through the grades has also elevated Richards to fifth on the trainers’ premiership after eight meetings with six winners and five placegetters from 32 starters. View the full article

Darren Danis is developing a knack for making a comeback from career-threatening injuries, but he is hoping his run of serious injuries is now at an end. In 2017, Danis broke his back in a race fall, but made a relatively quick recovery, returning to raceday riding just eight months later, while last November, he was met by a similar fate when involved in an incident at the Waipa trials where he sustained a fractured C4 and C5 vertebrae, leading to a lengthy time on the sidelines. It has been a slow and steady road to recovery, and for a time Danis wasn’t sure if he would make a return to the saddle, but the determined rider did just that at Matamata last month, and was rewarded with his first win aboard the John Bell-trained Muscovado at the Waikato venue on Saturday. “When we got close to the line, he gave me his all and we both really wanted it,” Danis said. “When we got across the line in first it was just a relief. “It’s a lot of weight off my shoulders. All of that hard work, perseverance and grit finally paid off. “It’s been good to be back and it’s just good to be out there with the rest of the jockeys.” While pleased to be out competing once again on raceday, Danis said his return took a little longer than anticipated. “I was meant to come back in August but unfortunately my neck was still giving me quite a bit of problems,” he said. “I wasn’t getting much flexion and I couldn’t really turn my neck a certain degree. “I was progressing from a riding perspective with jumpouts and track work, but being in the aerodynamic position of a jockey and trying to look upwards, I couldn’t really do that at the start. “The bones were just too jarred up and stiff, so we had to go back to the drawing board and find a better plan for the next couple of months to get it moving right again and to come back as soon as possible. “I have worked with the people at Matamata physio, Recharge therapy in Cambridge and my chiropractor. They are all good at what they do and each of them helped the progress of getting my flexion back. I had to do it religiously and they were really good and helped a lot. “I am still seeing them. It has to be an ongoing thing.” Danis said while recuperating from his physical injuries was tough, the mental side of his recovery was even harder, with the Matamata hoop battling with thoughts of retirement throughout his rehabilitation. “After breaking my neck, I was contemplating whether I should come back, but it is just the love for the game,” he said. “I don’t blame the horses for anything, it is all just part of the journey.” His partner, promising apprentice jockey Hayley Hassman, has played a big part in his recovery, and Danis said they have supported each other, with Hassman having also been sidelined with injury earlier this year. “We have helped each other out through that period where we both needed the support,” he said. Danis is hoping to continue his winning momentum, and he is excited for the challenge of trying to re-establish himself among the competitive northern riding ranks. “I want to find my own rhythm and spark again,” he said. “I will keep riding and keep my head up, work hard and see what the season brings.” View the full article

Buyers passed over War Machine as a younger horse and his Masterton breeders and part-owners continue to count their blessings that he returned home after two tours of the Karaka sale ring. The New Zealand-bred son of Harry’s Angel was offered by Ardsley Stud at both New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and Ready to Run Sale and failed to attract the expected interest. “We always liked the horse and put what we thought was a realistic value ($100,000) on him,” Ardsley’s Jim Wallace said. “Everybody thought he was too small, but I think he’s big enough.” War Machine has since grown in stature, firstly from the stable of the late Michael Moroney, and now with Ben, Will and JD Hayes, with his victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) earning him a crack at the A$20 million The Everest (1200m). He will run in the Coolmore slot and joins fellow Wairarapa-bred Jimmysstar, part-owned by breeder Little Avondale Stud, in the Randwick feature on October 18. Bred by MDJ Bloodstock, War Machine has now won seven of his 14 starts and banked more than $2.6 million. The five-year-old was purchased by clients of Moroney’s stable after a trial win at Foxton with Wallace and son David remaining in the ownership group. “MDJ is David and his late wife Madelaine and myself and my wife Mary,” Wallace said. “He showed us an awful lot as a young horse, and he was very impressive when he won his trial. “Steven Pinfold, who is a long, long-time family friend, was there and he put the deal together very quickly and is still involved and more or less manages the horse for us. “He’s a genuine racehorse with class, I might be persuaded to go over now (for The Everest).” War Machine is out of the Hussonet mare Caserta, a A$40,000 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale buy whose five foals to race have all been successful. She also has an unraced Darci Brahma three-year-old gelding named Vanvitelli. “We sold him earlier in the year to the Hayes stable, he’s had a couple of trials and is out spelling. He’s a lovely horse,” Wallace said. “There’s a two-year-old by Satono Aladdin, who we have just sold the majority of to MyRacehorse. They bought 60 percent of him and David and I have still got a bit of him.” Ardsley will also offer a daughter of In The Congo, a Group One-winning son of Snitzel, and Caserta at Karaka. “She’s a lovely filly too, and the mare is on the point of foaling any day now to Per Incanto and she will be going back to him,” Wallace said. View the full article

Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will return to New Zealand after finishing at the tail of the field in Saturday’s Gr.3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington. Wolfgang, who races as Mister Wolfgang in Australia, won the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and New Zealand St Leger (2500m) last term, then crossed the Tasman for a campaign towards the time-honoured race staged in early November. His co-trainer Peter McKay was pleased with his progress through his first two runs but pulled pin when his charge performed below expectations in the Bart Cummings, which offered a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup for the winner. “It’s disappointing, we were looking forward to it and he was definitely going to get into the (Melbourne) Cup, he only needed five or six to come out,” he said. “We were getting a bit excited thinking he would be in the race with a couple of good runs in the lead up. “I thought his second run over there was good and he was coming on well, but he just didn’t put in at all on Saturday. “He had a quick, hard blow straight after the race then recovered really quick, which is generally a sign that their hurting somewhere or if it was heavy, that they didn’t handle it. But, it was a good, firm track and he trotted up well yesterday (Sunday).” While disappointed, McKay and his son Shaun (training partner) are now targeting a defence of his Wellington Cup crown, which will be run for $400,000 on January 31 at Trentham. “We’ll get him home, reassess things and then go on a programme towards Wellington Cup,” he said. “There’s a few races to take him down that path.” Back at home, the McKays were pleased to pick up a winner earlier in the week at Tauranga, with Just Call Me Jonny kicking off his campaign in winning fashion over 1400m. “Last season he was coming along nicely and going some good races, and he’s furnished up nicely this time around,” McKay said. “Without getting bullish, we were pretty happy with his work and thought he could win, which I wouldn’t normally say. “Now he can step up another grade and he’ll follow some of these Rating 75 races on Saturdays, he’s capable of getting through his grades and ticking along quietly. “He’s going to be a nice longevity horse, the type that will keep racing through, possibly a couple of the little summer cups races would suit him.” View the full article

Pierre Ng Pang-chi is confident he has Galaxy Patch on target to defend his Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) crown on October 19 when the classy miler takes on a star-studded field headlined by Voyage Bubble and My Wish. An emerging talent with six wins in his debut season, highlighted by a Group Three double in the Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) and Premier Plate (1,800m), Galaxy Patch comfortably accounted for prolific Group One winner Voyage Bubble in last year’s Sha Tin Trophy before showing...View the full article

According to her rider, Barnavara is a filly who wears her heart on her sleeve. In contrast, the man on top may well have had his heart in his mouth in the dying strides as Barnavara conquered the Prix de l'Opera (G1).View the full article

Ka Ying Rising will trial at Randwick on Tuesday morning, with the HK champion pictured winning the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup in February Photo: HKJC. Champion Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising and The Everest favourite will have a barrier trial at Randwick on Tuesday morning. Ka Ying Rising is looming as the unbackable favourite for the AUD $20million feature at $1.70 with bookmakers, and the trial is likely to be his only hit-out ahead of the October 18 slot race. Reigning Hong Kong Jockey of the Year Zac Purton will fly into Sydney for the trial, with Australian trainer David Hayes, who now trains out of Hong Kong set to also be at the course proper. Ka Ying Rising’s trial will feature several other key horses with big Spring’s on the agenda, with Chris Waller’s trio Angel Capital, Fangirl and Joliestar all set to partake, while Ben, Will and JD Hayes will take on their famous father’s horse with Mr Brightside. Fan Girl and Mr Brightside are two of the favourites for the King Charles III Stakes , which will also be run at Randwick on October 18, with Pride of Jenni the bookie’s elect at $3.50. The Australian Turf Club has announced that all media and spectators on course will be treated to a free breakfast, following Ka Ying Rising’s trial, while Hayes and Purton are also expected to speak. View the full article

Quintessa pictured after winning the Group 1 Proisir Plate. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Adverse weather has forced multiple Group One winner Quintessa to take an unorthodox route to next Saturday’s Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m), with the mare appearing at the Awapuni trials on Monday afternoon. Prepared by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson at Matamata, Quintessa got her preparation off to a flying start winning the Group 1 Proisir Plate (1400m), but she was scratched from the second leg of the triple crown (Group 1 Howden Insurance Mile, 1600m) at Te Rapa, avoiding the heavy surface. With a task of getting her to the Livamol three weeks later, Bergerson nominated the mare for the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), but withdrew before acceptances, opting to head across to Awapuni for a hit-out over 1300m. In the hands of stable rider Opie Bosson, Quintessa settled at the tail of the field through the running, while stablemate Midnight Blue strode to the top for Samantha Collett. Bosson asked her for an effort turning for home and she responded well, striding up to finish second behind Sailor Jack. Bergerson was pleased with what he saw from the daughter of Shamus Award, who didn’t trial in her usual blinkers. “It’s been a pretty tough time of it with the weather lately, so it was a good opportunity to get on a reasonable surface,” Bergerson said. “Opie was really happy with her trial, she’s pretty lazy without the blinkers on but we wanted to keep them up our sleeve for raceday. I was pleased with how she hit the line and she went past the post a bit as well, so that should bring her on nicely. “The trip away will do her the world of good, it’s a fine line getting her fit but keeping the speed in her legs and soundness as well, she takes a bit of managing. “Hopefully that will catch us up a bit fitness-wise, I’m looking forward to Saturday-week with her.” In an ideal world, Bergerson would like to give her another gallop on better ground before heading to Ellerslie but recognises that may not be a reality. Quintessa has shorted from $18 into $8 with betting sites in recent weeks to win the Livamol Classic, with the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Waitak the bookie’s elect at $3.50. “I’d be happy if the weather picked up and I could get some nice work into her on good tracks at home, but unfortunately it’s just that time of year and it’s tough for everyone,” he said. “She’ll have another nice hit-out next week.” It was similar circumstances for Midnight Blue, who was set to resume in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) but will look elsewhere to kick off his campaign. “He was meant to be in the Matamata Cup on Saturday, but with the rain, we wanted him to have a nice hit-out on a decent surface as well,” Bergerson said. “A trip away is good for the old boy to get him thinking and that’ll bring him on a bit too. “It would’ve been nice to kick him off on his home track, but he can potentially kick off at Ellerslie in a few weeks’ time in an Open race, then there are some nice races over Christmas if he comes up well.” A nine-year-old by So You Think, Midnight Blue joined the Te Akau Racing stable in late 2023 and placed in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and Taupo Cup (2000m) last term. View the full article

Bulb General was heavily backed and won impressively at Sha Tin on Saturday. Photo: HKRW Bulb General continued his electric form in Hong Kong racing to bring loftier targets into play for the son of Embellish. Trained by Jamie Richards, he completed a hat-trick of victories when he put away his Class 3 rivals with ease over 1200 metres at Sha Tin in the hands of Zac Purton. The four-year-old is taking winning strides toward the lucrative Four-Year-Old Classic Series – the Hong Kong Classic Mile, Hong Kong Classic Cup and Hong Kong Derby. Bulb General was paying $1.40 to win with betting sites on Saturday and Richards said the relaxed nature of the horse had him confident leading in. “We’ve got some nice targets for him if he keeps progressing. He doesn’t overtax himself, and I think most of the better ones are a little bit like that, so we’ve got plenty to look forward to,” Richards said. “The plan would be to step him up (in trip) at some stage. The Classic Series would be the plan; we’ve got a long way to go but he’s progressing well and he’s winning with a bit of authority, so hopefully he can keep cracking on.” Bulb General also had to overcome a wide barrier to continue his winning run of form. “He had a pretty poor gate (12), I was hoping to get into a nice spot, and he moved into it and did the job nicely,” Purton said. “It didn’t feel like he was getting away from them the way that he did, so that was good sign. “He goes up in grade again and hopefully he can continue the path that he’s on.” Bulb General was bought out of Cambridge Stud’s Book 1 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $175,000 by Richards and Andrew Williams Bloodstock and was a juvenile trial winner at Te Rapa before relocating to Hong Kong. Richards prepared Bulb General’s sire Embellish to win the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in his previous role as head trainer for the powerful Te Akau operation in his native New Zealand. Standing at Cambridge Stud, Embellish has had four runners in Hong Kong for three winners, including Fortune Whiskey and Chateau le Peche, while Ocean Impact looks a winner in waiting. Bulb General is the first winner for the Fastnet Rock mare Stylish Achiever who has since produced another son, Bellish Boy, and is back in foal to the son of Savabeel. Stylish Achiever is out of the Group 3 Irwin Stakes (1100m) winner and Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) third Flying Object. Bulb General’s rise through the grades has also elevated Richards to fifth on the trainers’ premiership after eight meetings with six winners and five placegetters from 32 starters. View the full article

Darren Danis returned successfully from injury aboard Muscovado recently. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images). Darren Danis is developing a knack for making a comeback from career-threatening injuries, but he is hoping his run of serious injuries is now at an end. In 2017, Danis broke his back in a race fall, but made a relatively quick recovery, returning to raceday riding just eight months later, while last November, he was met by a similar fate when involved in an incident at the Waipa trials where he sustained a fractured C4 and C5 vertebrae, leading to a lengthy time on the sidelines. It has been a slow and steady road to recovery, and for a time Danis wasn’t sure if he would make a return to the saddle, but the determined rider did just that at Matamata last month, and was rewarded with his first win aboard the John Bell-trained Muscovado at the Waikato venue on Saturday. “When we got close to the line, he gave me his all and we both really wanted it,” Danis said. “When we got across the line in first it was just a relief. “It’s a lot of weight off my shoulders. All of that hard work, perseverance and grit finally paid off. “It’s been good to be back and it’s just good to be out there with the rest of the jockeys.” While pleased to be out competing once again on raceday, Danis said his return took a little longer than anticipated. “I was meant to come back in August but unfortunately my neck was still giving me quite a bit of problems,” he said. “I wasn’t getting much flexion and I couldn’t really turn my neck a certain degree. “I was progressing from a riding perspective with jumpouts and track work, but being in the aerodynamic position of a jockey and trying to look upwards, I couldn’t really do that at the start. “The bones were just too jarred up and stiff, so we had to go back to the drawing board and find a better plan for the next couple of months to get it moving right again and to come back as soon as possible. “I have worked with the people at Matamata physio, Recharge therapy in Cambridge and my chiropractor. They are all good at what they do and each of them helped the progress of getting my flexion back. I had to do it religiously and they were really good and helped a lot. “I am still seeing them. It has to be an ongoing thing.” Danis said while recuperating from his physical injuries was tough, the mental side of his recovery was even harder, with the Matamata hoop battling with thoughts of retirement throughout his rehabilitation. “After breaking my neck, I was contemplating whether I should come back, but it is just the love for the game,” he said. “I don’t blame the horses for anything, it is all just part of the journey.” His partner, promising apprentice jockey Hayley Hassman, has played a big part in his recovery, and Danis said they have supported each other, with Hassman having also been sidelined with injury earlier this year. “We have helped each other out through that period where we both needed the support,” he said. Danis is hoping to continue his winning momentum, and he is excited for the challenge of trying to re-establish himself among the competitive northern riding ranks. “I want to find my own rhythm and spark again,” he said. “I will keep riding and keep my head up, work hard and see what the season brings.” View the full article

War Machine has shot up in many peoples the Everest calculations after winning the Gilgai Stakes on Saturday. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Buyers passed over War Machine as a younger horse and his Masterton breeders and part-owners continue to count their blessings that he returned home after two tours of the Karaka sale ring. The New Zealand-bred son of Harry’s Angel was offered by Ardsley Stud at both New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and Ready to Run Sale and failed to attract the expected interest. “We always liked the horse and put what we thought was a realistic value ($100,000) on him,” Ardsley’s Jim Wallace said. “Everybody thought he was too small, but I think he’s big enough.” War Machine has since grown in stature, firstly from the stable of the late Michael Moroney, and now with Ben, Will and JD Hayes, with his victory in Saturday’s Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) earning him a crack at the A$20 million The Everest (1200m). He will run in the Coolmore slot and joins fellow Wairarapa-bred Jimmysstar, part-owned by breeder Little Avondale Stud, in the Randwick feature on October 18. Bred by MDJ Bloodstock, War Machine has now won seven of his 14 starts and banked more than $2.6 million. The five-year-old was purchased by clients of Moroney’s stable after a trial win at Foxton with Wallace and son David remaining in the ownership group. “MDJ is David and his late wife Madelaine and myself and my wife Mary,” Wallace said. “He showed us an awful lot as a young horse, and he was very impressive when he won his trial. “Steven Pinfold, who is a long, long-time family friend, was there and he put the deal together very quickly and is still involved and more or less manages the horse for us. “He’s a genuine racehorse with class, I might be persuaded to go over now (for The Everest).” War Machine is out of the Hussonet mare Caserta, a A$40,000 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale buy whose five foals to race have all been successful. She also has an unraced Darci Brahma three-year-old gelding named Vanvitelli. “We sold him earlier in the year to the Hayes stable, he’s had a couple of trials and is out spelling. He’s a lovely horse,” Wallace said. “There’s a two-year-old by Satono Aladdin, who we have just sold the majority of to MyRacehorse. They bought 60 percent of him and David and I have still got a bit of him.” Ardsley will also offer a daughter of In The Congo, a Group One-winning son of Snitzel, and Caserta at Karaka. “She’s a lovely filly too, and the mare is on the point of foaling any day now to Per Incanto and she will be going back to him,” Wallace said. Impressive Hong Kong horse Ka Ying Rising is the $1.70 favourite for the Everest with Neds Australia, with War Machine into $11 with betting sites, after being as long as $40 prior to the Gilgai Stakes. View the full article

Wolfgang will return to Matamata after a three-run campaign in Australia. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will return to New Zealand after finishing at the tail of the field in Saturday’s Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington. Wolfgang, who races as Mister Wolfgang in Australia, won the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and New Zealand St Leger (2500m) last term, then crossed the Tasman for a campaign towards the time-honoured race staged in early November. His co-trainer Peter McKay was pleased with his progress through his first two runs but pulled the pin when his charge performed below expectations in the Bart Cummings, which offered a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup for the winner. “It’s disappointing, we were looking forward to it and he was definitely going to get into the (Melbourne) Cup, he only needed five or six to come out,” he said. “We were getting a bit excited thinking he would be in the race with a couple of good runs in the lead up. “I thought his second run over there was good and he was coming on well, but he just didn’t put in at all on Saturday. “He had a quick, hard blow straight after the race then recovered really quick, which is generally a sign that their hurting somewhere or if it was heavy, that they didn’t handle it. But, it was a good, firm track and he trotted up well yesterday (Sunday).” While disappointed, McKay and his son Shaun (training partner) are now targeting a defence of his Wellington Cup crown, which will be run for $400,000 on January 31 at Trentham. “We’ll get him home, reassess things and then go on a programme towards Wellington Cup,” he said. “There’s a few races to take him down that path.” Back at home, the McKays were pleased to pick up a winner earlier in the week at Tauranga, with Just Call Me Jonny kicking off his campaign in winning fashion over 1400m. “Last season he was coming along nicely and going some good races, and he’s furnished up nicely this time around,” McKay said. “Without getting bullish, we were pretty happy with his work and thought he could win, which I wouldn’t normally say. “Now he can step up another grade and he’ll follow some of these Rating 75 races on Saturdays, he’s capable of getting through his grades and ticking along quietly. “He’s going to be a nice longevity horse, the type that will keep racing through, possibly a couple of the little summer cups races would suit him.” Sir Delius is the favourite for the 2025 Melbourne Cup at $4, with Al Riffa ($6) and Revelare ($13) round out the top three. Valiant King, who won the Bart Cummings and earned automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup, had his odds slashed from $101 to $21 to win the cup. View the full article

Final Score, a speedy son of Not This Time, took the $400,000 Bourbon Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland Oct. 5 by 1 1/2 lengths, earning an automatic fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) Oct. 31 at Del Mar. View the full article

Making his stakes debut for trainer Michael McCarthy, Stark Contrast took the lead in deep in the stretch and scored by a length in the $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes (G3T) going a mile Oct. 5 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Spendthrift Farm homebred Brave Deb (Authentic) completed a big weekend for the historic farm–while adding a second graded win in two days for her sire–with an authoritative victory in the GIII Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita Sunday. Spendthrift's colors were carried to victory at Keeneland by Tommy Jo (Into Mischief) in the GI Darley Alicibiades Stakes Friday and by Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) in the GI Claiborne Futurity Saturday. The farm's homebred Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), a daughter of champion Beholder, returned with a victory of her own in the GIII Chillingworth Stakes at Santa Anita Saturday. Brave Deb, who set the pace and just held on to take her one-mile debut over the Del Mar lawn last time out Sept. 5, was sent off at 10-1 Sunday. She rushed up and over from her outside post to stalk pacesetting favorite Will Happen through an opening quarter in :22.26. Will Happen had scampered away to a three-length advantage as the half went up in :45.76, but Brave Deb reeled her in approaching the stretch and the favorite had no response when the dark bay filly surged to the lead at the top of the lane. Brave Deb strode clear under a hand ride with Scratch It chasing in vain to the wire. Will Happen, a debut winner going five furlongs at Del Mar in August, faded to eighth. “She's a nervous filly,” said winning jockey Mirco Demuro. “First time I took her to the front and she got a little excited. Even in the morning-time she gets a little excited. I didn't want her to get too nervous and take her out of the race. So this time I let somebody take the lead and I kept close to him. She is a little bit funny, you can see when she was coming back she was looking around at everything. She doesn't really like to be in front. But she has a lot of speed and a lot of ability. It was perfect. The other one came close to me in the stretch and helped me keep going. She doesn't want to lose.” Winning trainer Richard Mandella added, “We were worried that the one that went to the lead would and it would turn into a sprint. We hoped our filly would settle, which she did. Mirco did a fabulous job with her.” Pedigree Notes: Brave Deb became Authentic's third graded winner and his second of the weekend, following Iron Orchard's victory in the GI Frizette Stakes at Aqueduct Saturday. Nora's Joy was purchased by Spendthrift for $175,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. She hit the board in three of four lifetime starts in 2019 and 2020 for Spendthrift and trainer Richard Mandella. Her first foal is Tirupati (Mitole), who won the GIII Wilshire Stakes in March. The 8-year-old's yearling full-sister to Brave Deb sold for $50,000 at last month's Keeneland September sale. She produced a colt by the GI Kentucky Derby winner in 2025. The winner's third dam, Al Balessa, produced multiple Grade I winner Fowda (Strawberry Road {Aus}). BRAVE DEB ($23.80) caps off the weekend for @spendthriftfarm with a brilliant win in the $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes (G3) at @santaanitapark. @MircoDemuro1 #ミルコデムーロ was on board the daughter of Authentic (Spendthrift Farm) for trainer Richard Mandella. pic.twitter.com/TYw1yiK57a — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 5, 2025 Sunday, Santa Anita SURFER GIRL S.-GIII, $101,500, Santa Anita, 10-5, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:35.40, fm. 1–BRAVE DEB, 122, f, 2, by Authentic 1st Dam: Nora's Joy, by Street Sense 2nd Dam: Brite Diamond, by Deputy Minister 3rd Dam: Al Balessa, by Rare Performer 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($70,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP). O/B-Spendthrift Farm, LLC (KY); T-Richard Mandella; J-Mirco Demuro. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $108,000. *1/2 to Tirupati (Mitole), GSW, $218,176. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Scratch It, 122, f, 2, Tapit–Carolyn's Cat, by Forestry. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($490,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). O-Fergus Galvin, Mrs. M. V. Magnier and Mrs. Paul Shanahan; B-Newtownanner Stud Farm (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $20,000. 3–Pentle Bay, 118, f, 2, Uncle Mo–Sanenus (Chi), by Scat Daddy. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($130,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $180,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Qatar Racing LLC; B-Whisper Hill Farm, LLC & Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD (KY); T-Simon Callaghan. $12,000. Margins: 1, 1 3/4, HD. Odds: 10.90, 2.90, 16.30. Also Ran: Yours Sincerely (Ire), Dreaming of Alys, South Bay, Soaring Angel, Will Happen. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Authentic’s Brave Deb Adds to Spendthrift’s Weekend Haul With Surfer Girl Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The last Amerman Racing homebred by Oscar Performance to carry the colors home in the GIII Zuma Beach Stakes was Endlessly, who captured the race as the 80 cents on the dollar favorite in 2023. Stark Contrast, a horse with a pair of races under his belt, duplicated the feat at Santa Anita Sunday. Like Endlessly, Stark Contrast is also from the Michael McCarthy shedrow. The colt tried turf for his conditioner at second asking over the seaside oval grass course and he won by a length Sept. 6. Set for his first graded start as a 7-2 shot here, the juvenile steadied himself along the rail as a scramble ensued on the engine into the first turn. Keeping tabs on favored Proletariat up the backstretch and around the far turn, Stark Contrast began to find his best stride entering the lane and he sailed to victory by a length over Third Beer. “[Stark Contrast] kind of tipped his hand a little bit to us this summer at Del Mar,” McCarthy said. “He worked just well enough to warrant a start on the dirt and he got a lot out of it. Obviously, towards the end of the meet there, we were lucky enough to run him a mile on the turf and he was very good that day. He has been training forwardly since then.” “I'd like to go to the Breeders' Cup, hopefully he stays healthy,” McCarthy added. “Congratulations to the Amermans. They are not here today, but it would be nice to get back to the Breeders' Cup for them.” Pedigree Notes: Caravaggio (Scat Daddy), who has stood in Japan since 2022 after being the leading first-crop sire in Europe the year prior, now has a baker's dozen when it comes to graded winners–led at the top level by the likes of Porta Fortuna (Ire), Whitebeam (GB) and Tenebrism. The first foal for his dam, the winner has a pair of younger half-sisters who are both by another Amerman homebred, Oscar Performance. Catch the Eye was bred back to that same sire this spring. Stark Contrast is part of an extended female family which includes MGSW A.P. Warrior (A.P. Indy) and GII American Turf Stakes victor Global View. —campbellparlay Sunday, Santa Anita ZUMA BEACH S.-GIII, $100,000, Santa Anita, 10-5, 2yo, 1mT, 1:34.77, fm. 1–STARK CONTRAST, 122, c, 2, by Caravaggio 1st Dam: Catch the Eye (GSP, $126,902), by Quality Road 2nd Dam: Turns My Head (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire) 3rd Dam: Egyptian Queen, by Storm Cat 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Jerry Amerman (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy; J-Kazushi Kimura. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $112,800. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue- style pedigree. 2–Third Beer, 122, c, 2, Mendelssohn–Siqueira, by Curlin. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Philip Lebherz; B-Premier Thoroughbreds LLC (CA); T-Tim Yakteen. $20,000. 3–Proletariat, 120, r, 2, Raging Bull (Fr)–Kodiak West (Ire), by Kodiac (GB). ($50,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $200,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). O-Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC; B-Liberty Road Stables (KY); T-Jeff Mullins. $12,000. Margins: 1, NK, 4. Odds: 3.60, 7.10, 1.60. Also Ran: Caro Buono (Fr), Won for Lou. Scratched: Charlie's Curlin, Medici. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #1 STARK CONTRAST ($9.20), a juvenile colt by Caravaggio, gets his first stakes victory in the $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes (G3) at @SantaAnitaPark. @kazushi0096 was aboard for trainer @mwmracing. pic.twitter.com/FZYdYwxbxk — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 5, 2025 The post Caravaggio’s Stark Contrast Carries Amerman Colors to Victory in Zuma Beach appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With a plethora of Breeders' Cup berths up for grabs over the past weekend, Repole Stable's Final Score (Not This Time) grabbed the last one when taking Keeneland's GII Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes, a qualifier to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. Final Score was driven to the front from the word jump, rolling out and opening quarter mile in :22.51. Soon running head-and-head with Casa Cielo (Caravaggio)) through a :47.69 half, he continued to play cat-and-mouse what that rival into the final turn. With Irad Ortiz Jr. stepping on the gas straightening for home, Final Score strode away to win by a professional 1 1/4-length margin over the closing Turf Star (Caravaggio). Gordon Pass (Instilled Regard) rounded out the trifecta. “He went a little faster than I wanted, but he got the job done. He deserves a lot of credit,” said Ortiz Jr. “He was a little aggressive going into the first turn but on the backside, he switched off really nice. After that, I just bided my time turning for home. Then when we were in the straight, I asked him to go, and he gave me a good turn of foot.” Runner-up in his career debut in a 5 1/2-furlong off-turf test at the Spa in July, the dark bay bounced back to score on the front end going two turns on the turf there on Aug. 10 and made it two straight with a victory in the GIII With Anticipation Stakes on Aug. 28. “He showed speed before but not this kind of speed,” explained Ortiz Jr. “I thought it was a little more speed than he would have in the race. I thought we were going to be right behind the speed, but he broke so good and put me in a good position without asking too much. I had talked to the trainer [Todd Pletcher] and he said, 'If he's on the lead, fine; let him go.'” Pedigree Notes: By red-hot sire Not This Time, Final Score, a $600,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase, is out of Precious Dixie–a daughter of Grade III winner and Grade I-placed Princess Haya and a half-sister to SW and GISP Lady Kate (Bernardini). Precious Dixie produced a colt by Good Magic in 2024 and another colt, this one by Cody's Magic, this season. The 10-year-old mare was bred back to Muth. Sunday, Keeneland CASTLE & KEY BOURBON S.-GII, $400,000, Keeneland, 10-5, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:42.51, fm. 1–FINAL SCORE, 122, c, 2, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Precious Dixie, by Bernardini 2nd Dam: Princess Haya, by Street Cry (Ire) 3rd Dam: Sally Slew, by Slew City Slew ($600,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). O-Repole Stable; B-BG Stables (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $226,300. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $397,550. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Turf Star, 118, c, 2, Caravaggio–Starstruck (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. $73,000. 3–Gordon Pass, 118, c, 2, Instilled Regard–Could Be Magic, by Speightstown. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-OXO Equine LLC (KY); T-William Walden. $36,500. Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, HD. Odds: 1.41, 12.01, 52.04. Also Ran: Dr. Agne, Exonerate, Awesome Connection, J J Grey, Blinging It Back, Vintur, Repentless, Password, Casa Cielo. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Final Score Grabs BC ‘Win and You’re In’ Berth With Bourbon Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1781450.jpg Lady Performer put plans of the broodmare paddock on hold for another year after capping off a consistent run of form in the Johnny Neil Builders (1400m) at Hawera on Saturday. The eight-year-old had nearly been retired at the end of the spring last season, but her owner-trainer Lydia Pickford opted to bring her back for another winter, which has paid off with Lady Performer recording a win, two seconds and five thirds since resuming in early April. She was due another winning turn, but facing Rating 75 grade for the first time, she was underrated in the market closing at $15 with racing betting sites, with Librero and Ghazzah the two fancied runners of the field. Carrying a featherlight 52kg under apprentice Amber Riddell, Lady Performer went back early to settle outside of Sotirio, while Our Akashinga eventually took the lead at a leisurely tempo. The pressure dialled up at the 600m and the mare was cruising into contention on the outside, hitting the lead at the 200m alongside Overdraft. Spread wide apart on the track, it was hard to line up Lady Performer and Overdraft as they powered to the line in unison, but there was no doubting the photo finish which crowned Lady Performer the victor by a head. “She’s a really honest mare and tries hard, she’s probably gotten better with the more racing she’s had this season,” Pickford said. “She really deserved that. “She’s not the soundest horse, she’s got a few little issues, so we nurse her along and she’s going very well. She’s probably the soundest she’s ever been. “It was interesting to see her step up to Rating 75 grade and cop it, that’s the grade she has to race in from now on so we’ll see how we go.” The daughter of Sacred Falls boosted her total earnings above $136,000, a far cry from the $1,200 outlaid to purchase her through gavelhouse.com in 2023. “She was a bit tricky when we first got her, she wasn’t the easiest to manage, but she’s a nice mare that has mellowed in her older age,” Pickford said. “I was actually going to retire her last year but Leah Hemi (jockey) said to me that she would be alright for another winter. “I was going to put her in foal at the end of last season but it got late enough, and she was sitting in the back paddock, so I thought we may as well then send her away this spring. But, you can’t retire her the way she’s going at the moment, so that’ll likely be put in hold until next year now. “She does a lot of jumping and enjoys that as well, my daughter likes show jumping her and mucking around with that so she may have a calling with that too. Out of a More Than Ready mare Peak Performer, Lady Performer is a half-sister to Toesonthenose, a six-race winner in Queensland, and recent maiden winner Paddy The Farmer. In 54 starts, she has recorded four wins and 17 minor placings. “It’s great to have one that tries so hard, it would be easy if they were all like her,” Pickford said. View the full article

After setting a quick pace, Calumet Farm homebred Gin Gin was able to outlast a late charge by Nitrogen and pull the upset in the $650,000 Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Oct. 5.View the full article

Natural Rise tries to become the first horse to complete the Dirt Triple Crown for 3-year-olds, which was introduced in 2024, in the Japan Dirt Classic at Oi Racecourse Oct. 8.View the full article

According to her rider, Barnavara is a filly who wears her heart on her sleeve. In contrast, the man on top may well have had his heart in his mouth in the dying strides as Barnavara conquered the Prix de l'Opera (G1).View the full article

Looking for her first black-type win, Cy Fair (Not This Time) exploded from off the pace to win Woodbine's BET365 Algonquin Stakes Sunday afternoon. Cy Fair's career debut at Saratoga in July was good enough to earn her a TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard, badge after she ran off to a 3 1/4-length victory in the 5 1/2-furlong test. Beaten a desperate neck in the Bolton Landing Stakes over that course and trip Aug. 17, the bay was nonetheless backed into even-money favoritism to make things right this time. Foregoing the front-running tactics this time, Cy Fair broke well but was eased back to sixth as a trio of fillies slugged it out through an opening quarter in :22.56. Still at the back and fanned wide turning for home, Cy Fair catapulted from the back of the field to the front in a matter of strides and ran clear late to score by an eye-catching margin over SW Casson (Caravaggio). Gypsy Art (Munnings) was third. “She has a strong heart–you could see her pin her ears at horses,” said winning rider Sahin Civaci, who won last year's Algonquin with Mi Bago. “She likes the competition, I could tell.” Explaining his tactics coming into Sunday's race, Civaci said, “I watched her replays and I felt like it wouldn't matter if I come off the pace or be on the front. I felt like she would be much the best in this field.” Owned by Swinbank Stables, LLC, Medallion Racing and Mark Stanton, Cy Fair, a $185,000 purchase at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, was bred in Kentucky by Marc Keller. In 2024, the winner's dam Remarqued dropped a filly by Omaha Beach and followed up with a filly by Nyquist. A half-sister to dual Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), Remarqued was bred back to Nyquist. BET365 ALGONQUIN S., C$184,450, Woodbine, 10-5, 2yo, 5fT, :56.39, fm. 1–CY FAIR, 117, f, 2, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Remarqued, by Arch 2nd Dam: Citizen Advocate, by Proud Citizen 3rd Dam: Twilight Service, by Horse Chestnut (SAf) *TDN Rising Star* ($185,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Swinbank, Reagan, Medallion Racing and Stanton, Mark; B-Marc Keller (KY); T-George Weaver; J-Sahin Civaci. C$105,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $160,205. 2–Casson, 122, c, 2, Caravaggio–Zee Ro Drop, by Lemon Drop Kid. ($200,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Manfred and Penny Conrad; B-Ballycroy Training Centre & Villa Rosa Farms (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. C$42,000. 3–Gypsy Art, 118, c, 2, Munnings–The Girl Herself, by American Pharoah. ($200,000 2yo '25 EASMAY). O-Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Chelston (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward. C$19,250. Margins: 3 1/4, 1 1/4, HF. Odds: 1.05, 2.40, 3.30. Also Ran: Highwaytothemoon, Reb Five, Shak Town. Scratched: Rogue Legend (GB). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV The post ‘Rising Star’ Cy Fair Closes Like a Freight Train to Win Woodbine’s Algonquin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Well supported for his stakes debut, Schwarzenegger (Not This Time) went to the front and stayed there, holding on to win by a half-length over TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard, Obliteration (Violence). Sprinting through a quarter mile in a crisp :21.17, the bay was clear turning for home and dug in late as a trio of runners came up to his haunches but were unable to get by the 2-1 favorite at the wire. Obliteration was a neck in front of Rogue Legend (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) and it was a nose back to Bobrovsky (Daredevil). “We know he's super-fast,” said winning jockey John Velazquez. “Even out of the gate, he's so fast out of there I had to let him jump for three or four jumps before I tried to get a hold of him. He came out running, and all I tried to do was to save him for the end.” He continued, “I don't think the grass was a favorite today, so I got a good hold of him all the way to past the three-eighths pole to try to save it for the end and lead them all the way around. Schwartzenegger was second behind Attfield (Vekoma) as the favorite in his career debut going 5 1/2 panels at the Spa Aug. 29. “[Trainer Wesley [Ward] had him ready, to go from a maiden [special weight] to running against winners in a stakes race — that's a big tip for him,” Velazquez added. According to Ward, next stop for the colt is Del Mar. “We're heading to the Breeders' Cup [GI Juvenile Turf Sprint],” confirmed Ward. “He's a sprinter and that's a very fast track out there at Del Mar. It'll be firm; we won't have any weather issues, and it won't be 5½ [furlongs] like it was today. Johnny said there was a lot of moisture in the track today; they watered it pretty good. So when we get to Del Mar it should be great for him, and it's also 5 [furlongs] instead of 5½. So everything's heading our direction now.” Schwarzenegger, a $410,000 weanling purchase at KEENOV in 2023, brought $950,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale last season. Soothsaying, a $350,000 KEENOV purchase while carrying a filly by Nyquist, was bred back to McKinzie. INDIAN SUMMER S. PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SELECT, $289,125, Keeneland, 10-5, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.28, fm. 1–SCHWARZENEGGER, 118, c, 2, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Soothsaying, by Lemon Drop Kid 2nd Dam: Market Magic, by After Market 3rd Dam: Bright Magic, by Prized ($410,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $950,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Mrs. John Magnier, Mountmellick Farm, Brook T. Smith and Resolution Road Stables; B-Frankfort Park Farm (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward; J-John R. Velazquez. $179,025. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $199,025. 2–Obliteration, 120, c, 2, Violence–I'mclassyandsassy, by Master Command. ($200,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). *TDN Rising Star* O-Leland Ackerley Racing, LLC; B-Ocala Stud (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $57,750. 3–Rogue Legend (GB), 118, c, 2, Havana Grey (GB)–Blue Crest (Fr), by Verglas (Ire). (55,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT). O-Resolute Racing; B-Llety Farms (GB); T-Wesley A. Ward. $19,250. Margins: HF, NK, NO. Odds: 2.32, 3.72, 5.38. Also Ran: Bobrovsky, Trendsetter, Azizam (GB), Uncle Bucky, Zeus's Echo. Scratched: Twilight Delight. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Schwarzenegger came in a maiden and leaves a winner in the Indian Summer at @keeneland! Wesley Ward trains and @ljlmvel was aboard. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/r3BOHGxw9i — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) October 5, 2025 The post Schwarzenegger Jumps Into Breeders’ Cup Picture With a Win in Keeneland’s Indian Summer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Calumet homebred Gin Gin (f, 4, Hightail–Before You Know It, by Hard Spun) went wire-to-wire and just held off a last-gasp effort from Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) to upset the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland Sunday, earning an automatic berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff in the process. Let go at 18-1, the filly was prompted by favored Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) through fractions of :23.74 and :46.69, with Nitrogen parked three wide while shadowing the top two. Nitrogen rushed up to challenge the pacesetter as Thorpedo Anna lacked any punch and fell back at the top of the lane. Nitrogen drifted out at midstretch, allowing Gin Gin to open up and she looked home free before Nitrogen kicked into gear to just miss in a dramatic photo finish. #4 GIN GIN ($38.64) holds off Nitrogen in the @LanesEndFarms @BreedersCup WAYI $650,000 @JuddmonteFarms Spinster Stakes (G1) at @KeenelandRacing. This is the first Grade 1 win for the @CalumetFarm homebred filly by Hightail. @luissaezpty was aboard for @brenpwalsh. pic.twitter.com/LXdaNzh6KT — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 5, 2025 Sunday, Keeneland JUDDMONTE SPINSTER S.-GI, $650,000, Keeneland, 10-5, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:49.77, ft. 1–GIN GIN, 125, f, 4, by Hightail 1st Dam: Before You Know It (GSP, $313,083), by Hard Spun 2nd Dam: Without Delay, by Seeking the Gold 3rd Dam: Slow Down, by Seattle Slew 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh; J-Luis Saez. $403,000. Lifetime Record: 13-4-3-2, $942,796. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Nitrogen, 121, f, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro 1st Dam: Tiffany Case (SP), by Uncle Mo 2nd Dam: Biblical Point, by Point Given 3rd Dam: Bibical Sense, by Blushing Groom (Fr) O/B-D. J. Stable, LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $130,000. 3–Scylla, 125, m, 5, by Tapit 1st Dam: Close Hatches (Ch. Older Mare, MGISW, $2,707,300), by First Defence 2nd Dam: Rising Tornado, by Storm Cat 3rd Dam: Silver Star (GB), by Zafonic O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-William I. Mott. $65,000. Margins: HD, 1 1/4, 7 1/4. Odds: 18.32, 2.10, 6.66. Also Ran: Thorpedo Anna, Chilled. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Gin Gin Outguts Nitrogen to Upset Spinster; Thorpedo Anna Fourth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article