Wandering Eyes

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes is hoping Rock can give the stable a second major mile in the Epsom. Bart Cummings famously declared patience the cheapest thing in racing and Team Hawkes has abided by the same theory with Epsom Handicap candidate Rock. Rock showed above average ability from the outset but was immature so the family training partners adopted a long-term view and took their time. “We’ve had Slipper winners and so forth but you’ve got to let your horse tell you and do the talking,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. “We gelded him early, we did the right thing by him and left him alone and now we’re starting to reap the rewards.” Rock had established a handy record of three wins from seven starts when the trainers upped the ante and ran him in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle, a traditional Epsom springboard. The four-year-old put the writing on the wall, producing a devastating turn of foot to come from near-last and wide to score convincingly. “His Cameron win might not have been in a vintage year but it’s the way he did it,” Hawkes said. “He’s always shown he’s got very good ability, we’ve just been poking along from one step to another and all of a sudden you’re winning a Cameron and he’s come in through the back door into the Epsom.” While patience has been key to Rock’s emergence, it was quick thinking from Hawkes that secured big-race jockey Kerrin McEvoy for the Group One mount. Hawkes jumped on the phone to McEvoy’s manager and snapped up the lightweight rider shortly after Rock’s Cameron performance, knowing winning jockey Tommy Berry could not ride at 50.5kg. Given all bar five of the 19 Epsom runners are carrying 51kg or less, the move has been a masterstroke, even with McEvoy riding a half kilo over. Rock will be joined by stablemate Desert Lord in the Epsom with patience again playing a role for the Hawkes team. Well down the order of entry, connections were almost resigned to running him in Melbourne on Saturday but, mindful there is often a high rate of attrition in big races, the stable kept the Group One dream alive. They paid the acceptance fee for Desert Lord and waited. “One thing has led to another and he’s in an Epsom,” Hawkes said. “He’s third-up over a mile and once again he’s got no weight whatsoever, he’s drawn nine and he should have a lovely run there on the speed.” If Rock or Desert Lord can win, it will deliver their trainers the second of Randwick’s two major miles this year. They won the Doncaster with Brutal, who like Rock was lightly raced, although he claimed victory as a three-year-old while Rock has another year of maturity under his belt. “Brutal is obviously a high quality horse having seven starts to win a Doncaster but this bloke, he’s just needed time being a Pierro and he’s gone the right way,” Hawkes said. The post Hawkes Rock solid chance for mile double appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Early money in the Epsom Handicap favours KoldingEPSOM HANDICAP $1 million 1600m handicap HISTORY First Epsom Handicap event in 1863 won by Dundee Named after famous Epsom Downs racecourse in the South of England where Epsom Derby has been run since 1780 The race has been run at 1600m since 1885 – following a short-lived decision to change to 1800m in 1879 In 1987 11-year-old jockey Jim McHugh won the event with his second ever race ride The Lee Freedman-trained Super Impose won four straight ‘big miles’ in 1990 and 1991, including back-to-back Epsoms TJ Smith and daughter Gai Waterhouse are most successful trainers with seven Epsom wins apiece Chris Waller has won three of the past six editions with Winx (2015), He’s Your Man (2014), and Boban (2013) In 2011, Secret Admirer became first mare to win since La Neige in 1976 and four years later it was Winx Most recent winners have been Hartnell (2018), Happy Clapper (2017) and Hauraki (2016) NOTABLE WINNERS Amounis (1926, 1928) Chatham (1932-33) Shannon (1945) Blue Legend (1946) Noholme (1959) Sky High (1961) Cabochon (1967) Gunsynd (1971) Triton (1972) Riverdale (1984) Super Impose (1990-91) Kinjite (1992) Filante (1996) Shogun Lodge (2000) Desert War (2004-05) Racing To Win (2006) Boban (2013) Winx (2015) TALKING POINTS: Premier trainer Chris Waller has had three wins in the past and he’s hoping for another one this year with five runners: Unforgotten, Mantastic, Kolding, Le Juge, Star Of The Seas, and Kaonic James McDonald rode Hauraki to victory in 2016 and has a good chance this year on one of the favourites Te Akau Shark Early money favours Kolding who has drawn barrier 13, and is ridden by Glen Boss who has won on Captain Sonador (2010), Racing To Win (2006) and Shogun Lodge (2000) Godolphin’s head trainer James Cummings won last year with Hartnell and has two runners this year: Best Of Days and Cascadian. Godolphin also won with Hauraki in 2016 WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING: “We have every confidence in Robbie Dolan and we are just hoping for a clear passage” – Godolphin Australia boss Vin Cox on Cascadian “He is the sort of horse who goes forward and is most consistent. He is going as well as he ever has and the plan has been for him to peak at the third start of his campaign,” Dreamforce’s trainer John Thompson “He’s always shown he’s got very good ability, we’ve just been poking along from one step to another and all of a sudden you’re winning a Cameron and he’s come in through the back door into the Epsom” – Rock’s co-trainer Michael Hawkes “I think Gem Song has a great chance. He’s drawn well and has a nice weight. He’ll back up well from Saturday’s race, so he’s right in it” – Gem Song’s trainer Kris Lees The post Key points about the Epsom Handicap appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Sagamore Farm’s ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Recruiting Ready (Algorithms) provided trainer Stan Hough with his first graded-stakes score in eight years when validating 1-2 favoritism in the GIII Gulfstream Park Sprint S. in South Florida May. 2. With a victory in Friday’s GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S. at Keeneland, with an expenses-paid trip to the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint on the line, the 5-year-old can give the 71-year-old conditioner his first starter on championship weekend since Tar Heel Mom (Flatter) checked in 12th in the 2011 GI Filly & Mare Sprint. Fourth in Keeneland’s GIII Commonwealth S. this past spring, the bay was second to Belmont-loving Firenze Fire (Poseidon’s Warrior) in the May 11 Runhappy S. and a hard-trying third behind Catalina Cruiser in the GII True North S. June 7. Sixth of seven as the chalk in Del Mar’s GI Bing Crosby S. at Del Mar July 27, he most recently cut out a sharp pace and held firm to take a stakes-quality Churchill allowance by 2 1/2 lengths Sept. 13. The two most recent winners of the Phoenix are back to try to add to their totals this year. Promises Fulfilled (Shackleford) is the defending Phoenix champion, having outlasted 2017 hero Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) by a diminishing head 12 months ago. The chestnut controlled a very moderate pace en route to a big-margin (and big-figure) two-back success in the GII John A. Nerud S. at Belmont July 6 and he raced on the worst part of the Saratoga track in the GI Forego S. when last seen Aug. 24, ultimately finishing a tailed-off last of six. Whitmore has faced the starter but four times this season, his lone victory coming in the Mar. 9 Hot Springs S. at Oaklawn Park. Second to Mitole (Eskendereya) in the Apr. 13 GIII Count Fleet Sprint H. and again in the GI Churchill Downs S. May 4, the chestnut was never a factor when a wide eighth in the True North. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up should have the race run to suit and he can be there if ready off the four-month absence. Hog Creek Hustle (Overanalyze) took advantage of a strong pace to upset the GI Woody Stephens S. at Belmont June 8 and almost repeated the feat in the GI H. Allen Jerkens S. Aug. 24, his final-furlong rally falling a nose short of Mind Control (Stay Thirsty). He will be another beneficiary of any pace meltdown, but the six-furlong trip has the potential to work against him. The post Recruiting Ready Can Return Hough to Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GSW & G1SP Le Brivido (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}-La Bugatty {Ire}, by Dr Fong) has been recruited by Overbury Stud and will cover his first mares at the Gloucestershire stud in 2020. Part-owners Coolmore will retain their interest in the next phase of the 5-year-old’s career and he will stand for £7,000 Oct. 1, SLF with a limited number of breeding rights available. The deal was brokered by Blandford Bloodstock. Bred by Jean and Brigitte Bugada, the €42,000 Arqana October yearling turned €105,000 Arqana May 2-year-old ran second by a nose in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains and prevailed in the G3 Jersey S. one start later. He also placed third in the Gladness S. when transferred to Aiden O’Brien for HRH Prince Faisal bin Khaled Al Saud and a Coolmore partnership in 2019. The bay’s record currently stands at 11-3-1-1 and $306,957 in earnings. “Le Brivido was one of the quickest and most exciting horses I’ve ever trained,” said Andre Fabre, who trained the entire in the early part of his career. “He could accelerate even off a fast pace. A colt with the most beautiful action and immense natural talent.” Le Brivido’s dam is a half-sister to MSW Dansant (GB) (Dansili {GB}), as well as to the dam of Italian highweight and GSW Noblesse Oblige (Ity) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). The post Le Brivido Bound for Overbury Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Shark goes in search of winners from Addington Raceway where it’s Canterbury Park Trotting Cup and Canterbury Classic night as the build up to Cup Week continues. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 #3 Jazzy Star: Under rated pacer with a big motor. Two from two this time in and kept on ice since. Will be ready to rock and roll here though. #8 Gran Chico: Became one of the finds of last season and culminated it with a big run in Jewels to finish second. Might need a run, but can measure up. #6 A Bettor Act: Untouchable recently, but this is the toughest test to date. One of the main three combatants in a very good race to start thing night. #1 JB Mauney: Looked sharp winning a recent Ashburton trial and should be stronger this time in. Will land handy and try and slingshot them late. Selections: 3-8-6-1 Race 2 #6 Norman Richards: Handy pacer who was very good fresh up at Ashburton after sitting parked. Bit more luck here and he could win with natural improvement. #14 Kruizr: Big and bold win last time and continues to go from strength to strength. Will have to chase hard here, but is capable of doing it and grinding them down. #11 Chiller Bay: Smart pacer back from a spell. Very fast when on the top of his game and while he might need one to get there, you couldn’t discount him. #7 Baltimore Jack: Another handy performer back from a spell. Did a good job at the end of the campaign last season. Interested to see how he’s come back. Selections: 6-14-11-7 Race 3 #11 Matua Tana: Stepped up against the big guns at The Mot last week and caught everyone’s eye with big effort for fourth. Needs to trot. #13 Theodosia: Hit the line strongly behind Oscar Bonavena at Oamaru last week. Handy when doing things right and nothing here would pose a problem. #8 Diana Harbour: Offering great each way value again considering the form. Bounced back to a very good third last time. Nice chance again. #3 Globe Trekker: Closed off really well fresh up behind the stablemate. Has the ability to win a race like this. Just needs to trot away early. Selections: 11-13-8-3 Race 4 #4 Virgil: Wasn’t that far behind the best of them last season and looked ready to rock and roll in his recent trial. Will give them something to chase here. #1 Cardinal Sin: Two from two and looking every bit like a very good horse. Biggest test for sure, but you can only but win and that’s what he’s done. #7 Aqua Sancta: Two from two as well and very good in both, this is a tougher challenge though so will need to be even better. But who’d doubt the stable. #2 Skippy’s Delight: Tried hard from the trail behind a good one fresh up last week. Should strip fitter and could get the sweet trip here if they want. Selections: 4-1-7-2 Race 5 #8 Sundees Son: The current King who has his throne in jeopardy this week. Experience and raw power are beautiful things and they can carry him to victory here. #1 Oscar Bonavena: Untouchable this time in and looks in for some big things this season. One draw is a wee concern as he’s not the best away. Class though. #7 Marcoola: Back in business and there’s been a bit to like about his workouts and trials to ready for this. Best would be more than competitive here. #9 Great Things Happen: Great to have him back on track after injury issues last season. He’s an exceptional horse when on top of his game and can’t be left out. Selections: 8-1-7-9 Race 6 #8 Flying Even Bettor: Unlucky not to win a big race last season as a baby, went some bobby dazzlers. Back for another season and should, really get one here. #6 Pur Dan: Impressive on debut after doing a bit of work. Really knuckled down and grabbed the win late. Step up, but wouldn’t be here if he couldn’t handle it. #1 Good On Ya Kiwi: Under rated wee pacer who should relish getting the hands on a decent draw. Will be out to make the most of it . #4 Jawbreaker: Has looked very good in workouts and trials but is only a maiden taking on race winners. Can measure up to them tonight. Selections: 8-6-1-4 Race 7 #3 Spankem: Been so good in both his starts back this season. Demolished them at Oamaru. Looks to have this at his mercy too. #7 Ultimate Sniper: Will be ready to put them to the sword now third up. He’s been good in both runs to date and should be right in the thick of this here. #4 Chase Auckland: Made up stacks of ground after making a mistake at Oamaru. Very good win the week before that. Not the worst chance of an upset. #5 Ashley Locaz: Handy type back from a spell. Measured up to most of these in one way or another last season. Will get better, but a place chance here. Selections: 3-7-4-5 Race 8 #7 Need You Now: They backed her off the map fresh up down south and she won with some authority. In for a good season and can win again. #8 Scorcha: Low-flying and was ultra impressive last time out. Shooting for three in a row and has the right man in the bike to make it happen. #6 Alyssa Delight: It may have been a world away from Premier Night at Addington but that maiden win at Oamaru was stunning. High speed aplenty. #11 Plutonium Lady: Held in high regard and delivered a telling blow last time out. Can surprise this field here, just needs things to pan out for her Selections: 7-8-6-11 Race 9 #13 Rum In The Sun: Operates very well fresh up, especially here at Addington. Has the motor to run them off their feet if in the right mood. #7 Phoebe Onyx: Another smart one fresh up here. Workout and trial form has been excellent. Can step up and really give them a fright tonight. #5 Far From True: Promising mare back after a decisive maiden win last season. Manners are excellent so should land on the speed and give them a fright. #9 Monrika: Has come back in fine fettle and is trotting really strongly. Toughest challenge this campaign so far but should measure up. Selections: 13-7-5-9 Race 10 #7 Koenigsegg: Two from two and couldn’t have been much more impressive in both of them. Good chance to make it three from three tonight. #5 Ascalabus: Likely to head forward here and give them all something to chase. Is more than capable of figuring in the finish too. #10 Bettathanfast: A little disappointing fresh up but is better than that. No surprise to see a quick turn around here, although luck needed from draw. #4 Stick Man: A little hot and cold at times, but hot version is pretty handy. Good enough to measure up to this field anyway, especially from the draw. BEST: 4 Virgil (Race 4) NEXT: #11 Matua Tana (Race 3) VALUE: #6 Norman Richards (Race 2) The post The Shark – Best at Addington on Friday 4 October 2019 appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

The Shark goes in search of winners from Addington Raceway where it’s Canterbury Park Trotting Cup and Canterbury Classic night as the build up to Cup Week continues. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 #3 Jazzy Star: Under rated pacer with a big motor. Two from two this time in and kept on ice since. Will be ready to rock and roll here though. #8 Gran Chico: Became one of the finds of last season and culminated it with a big run in Jewels to finish second. Might need a run, but can measure up. #6 A Bettor Act: Untouchable recently, but this is the toughest test to date. One of the main three combatants in a very good race to start thing night. #1 JB Mauney: Looked sharp winning a recent Ashburton trial and should be stronger this time in. Will land handy and try and slingshot them late. Selections: 3-8-6-1 Race 2 #6 Norman Richards: Handy pacer who was very good fresh up at Ashburton after sitting parked. Bit more luck here and he could win with natural improvement. #14 Kruizr: Big and bold win last time and continues to go from strength to strength. Will have to chase hard here, but is capable of doing it and grinding them down. #11 Chiller Bay: Smart pacer back from a spell. Very fast when on the top of his game and while he might need one to get there, you couldn’t discount him. #7 Baltimore Jack: Another handy performer back from a spell. Did a good job at the end of the campaign last season. Interested to see how he’s come back. Selections: 6-14-11-7 Race 3 #11 Matua Tana: Stepped up against the big guns at The Mot last week and caught everyone’s eye with big effort for fourth. Needs to trot. #13 Theodosia: Hit the line strongly behind Oscar Bonavena at Oamaru last week. Handy when doing things right and nothing here would pose a problem. #8 Diana Harbour: Offering great each way value again considering the form. Bounced back to a very good third last time. Nice chance again. #3 Globe Trekker: Closed off really well fresh up behind the stablemate. Has the ability to win a race like this. Just needs to trot away early. Selections: 11-13-8-3 Race 4 #4 Virgil: Wasn’t that far behind the best of them last season and looked ready to rock and roll in his recent trial. Will give them something to chase here. #1 Cardinal Sin: Two from two and looking every bit like a very good horse. Biggest test for sure, but you can only but win and that’s what he’s done. #7 Aqua Sancta: Two from two as well and very good in both, this is a tougher challenge though so will need to be even better. But who’d doubt the stable. #2 Skippy’s Delight: Tried hard from the trail behind a good one fresh up last week. Should strip fitter and could get the sweet trip here if they want. Selections: 4-1-7-2 Race 5 #8 Sundees Son: The current King who has his throne in jeopardy this week. Experience and raw power are beautiful things and they can carry him to victory here. #1 Oscar Bonavena: Untouchable this time in and looks in for some big things this season. One draw is a wee concern as he’s not the best away. Class though. #7 Marcoola: Back in business and there’s been a bit to like about his workouts and trials to ready for this. Best would be more than competitive here. #9 Great Things Happen: Great to have him back on track after injury issues last season. He’s an exceptional horse when on top of his game and can’t be left out. Selections: 8-1-7-9 Race 6 #8 Flying Even Bettor: Unlucky not to win a big race last season as a baby, went some bobby dazzlers. Back for another season and should, really get one here. #6 Pur Dan: Impressive on debut after doing a bit of work. Really knuckled down and grabbed the win late. Step up, but wouldn’t be here if he couldn’t handle it. #1 Good On Ya Kiwi: Under rated wee pacer who should relish getting the hands on a decent draw. Will be out to make the most of it . #4 Jawbreaker: Has looked very good in workouts and trials but is only a maiden taking on race winners. Can measure up to them tonight. Selections: 8-6-1-4 Race 7 #3 Spankem: Been so good in both his starts back this season. Demolished them at Oamaru. Looks to have this at his mercy too. #7 Ultimate Sniper: Will be ready to put them to the sword now third up. He’s been good in both runs to date and should be right in the thick of this here. #4 Chase Auckland: Made up stacks of ground after making a mistake at Oamaru. Very good win the week before that. Not the worst chance of an upset. #5 Ashley Locaz: Handy type back from a spell. Measured up to most of these in one way or another last season. Will get better, but a place chance here. Selections: 3-7-4-5 Race 8 #7 Need You Now: They backed her off the map fresh up down south and she won with some authority. In for a good season and can win again. #8 Scorcha: Low-flying and was ultra impressive last time out. Shooting for three in a row and has the right man in the bike to make it happen. #6 Alyssa Delight: It may have been a world away from Premier Night at Addington but that maiden win at Oamaru was stunning. High speed aplenty. #11 Plutonium Lady: Held in high regard and delivered a telling blow last time out. Can surprise this field here, just needs things to pan out for her Selections: 7-8-6-11 Race 9 #13 Rum In The Sun: Operates very well fresh up, especially here at Addington. Has the motor to run them off their feet if in the right mood. #7 Phoebe Onyx: Another smart one fresh up here. Workout and trial form has been excellent. Can step up and really give them a fright tonight. #5 Far From True: Promising mare back after a decisive maiden win last season. Manners are excellent so should land on the speed and give them a fright. #9 Monrika: Has come back in fine fettle and is trotting really strongly. Toughest challenge this campaign so far but should measure up. Selections: 13-7-5-9 Race 10 #7 Koenigsegg: Two from two and couldn’t have been much more impressive in both of them. Good chance to make it three from three tonight. #5 Ascalabus: Likely to head forward here and give them all something to chase. Is more than capable of figuring in the finish too. #10 Bettathanfast: A little disappointing fresh up but is better than that. No surprise to see a quick turn around here, although luck needed from draw. #4 Stick Man: A little hot and cold at times, but hot version is pretty handy. Good enough to measure up to this field anyway, especially from the draw. BEST: 4 Virgil (Race 4) NEXT: #11 Matua Tana (Race 3) VALUE: #6 Norman Richards (Race 2) The post The Shark – Best at Addington on Friday 4 October 2019 appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

GSW Land Force (Ire) (No Nay Never-Theann {GB}, by Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) is bound for Highclere Stud in 2020. His fee will be released at a later date. The former Coolmore runner ran third in the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot for Aidan O’Brien before landing the Listed Coolmore Pride of Dubai Tipperary S. later that year. In August of 2018, he saluted in the G2 Qatar Richmond S and ran with credit to be fourth later that month in the G1 Darley Prix Morny and fifth in the G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S. that September. He made his final start Down Under as King of Yulong when fourth for Yu Long Investments and trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, before injury forced his retirement. The Evie Stockwell-bred won three times from nine starts and earned $252,252. “Land Force has many of the same attributes as our leading sire Cable Bay (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}),” said Highclere’s Jake Warren. “We are big fans of No Nay Never and believe Land Force’s incredible precocity, high class 2-year-old form, stonking good looks and outstanding pedigree give him an excellent chance of producing high-class 2-year-olds.” A €350,000 Goffs Orby yearling, the February foal is out of G3 Summer S. heroine Theann, and is a half-brother to MGISW Photo Call (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). His second dam is the blue hen Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), who has produced Classic victress Halfway to Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), herself dam of highweights and MG1SWs Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and GSW Flying the Flag (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). MGSW Tickled Pink (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is also a half-sister to Theann. “Land Force was a brilliantly fast 2-year-old which he proved when winning the Richmond–he was also very unlucky not to win the Norfolk as we were drawn on the wrong side,” recalled jockey Ryan Moore. The post Land Force to Highclere Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It has been an outstanding year for well-respected owner Tracy Farmer, whose Shadowlawn Farm sits about 10 miles northwest of Keeneland Race Course in nearby Midway. The native Kentuckian has won with roughly 17% of his runners in 2019 and was represented by his first Classic winner when Sir Winston (Awesome Again) took out this year’s GI Belmont S. Perfect Alibi (Sky Mesa) provided him with a second top-level success in the GI Spinaway S. last month and the dark bay filly will look to add to that tally in Friday’s GI Darley Alcibiades S., a ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in four weeks’ time. A $220,000 graduate of last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, Perfect Alibi dusted Churchill maidens by 9 1/2 lengths on her May 16 debut but ran in spots and could do no better than second as the 5-4 favorite when making her stakes debut in Belmont’s Astoria S. June 6. Atoning for that effort with a 13-2 upset of the GII Adirondack S. at Saratoga Aug. 4, she backed it up with a 1 1/4-length success in the Spinaway, sticking on very gamely while pinned down along the inside. The 5-2 favorite on the morning line, Perfect Alibi will try to give trainer Mark Casse a fourth Alcibiades victory since 2012. British Idiom (Flashback) has but one start under her belt, but a very promising one it was, as she sat handy to the pace in an Aug. 15 Saratoga restricted maiden over six furlongs and finished full of run to best next-out maiden romper Miss Marissa (He’s Had Enough) by 3 1/2 solid lengths. In receipt of first-time Lasix Friday, she has since recorded five breezes at Churchill and she should see out this first two-turn test. Godolphin’s Micheline (Bernardini) ran on to be third to the very impressive Morning Gold (Morning Line) in a 1 1/16-mile turf maiden at Saratoga Aug. 11 before breaking her maiden in style in the Sept. 1 Sorority S. at Monmouth Park. The bay is the lone member of this field with a victory at two turns and her dam was a Grade I winner on turf and synthetic and winner of the GII Black-Eyed Susan S. on the main track. Gone Glimmering (Tapiture) has some longshot appeal from gate one. A four-length debut winner going 5 1/2 panels at Indiana Grand Aug. 2, the $62,000 Keeneland September purchase missed the break slightly in a non-two-lifetime allowance at the same track Sept. 6 and was checked hard a half-mile out, but picked herself up off the canvas and rolled home late to score by 2 1/2 lengths. The half-sister to GSP router Sheer Flattery (Flatter) will need to pick up her feet some to be a factor, but the Alcibiades can toss up a longshot winner and just five runnings since 2000 have been won by the post-time favorite. The post Farmer’s Big Year Can Continue in Alcibiades appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The lure of racing at Keeneland is such that 13 rivals oppose Rushing Fall in the $400,000 First Lady Stakes (G1T) Oct. 5. View the full article

G1SW Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Crystal Star {GB}, by Mark of Esteem {Ire}), winner of this year’s G1 Prince of Wales’s S., has been bought by Coolmore and will stand under its National Hunt banner at The Beeches Stud in 2020. A fee will be announced later. The 5-year-old suffered a career-ending injury on the gallops last month, bowing out with an official rating of 127. “We’ve been lucky enough to get some great horses over the years, but Crystal Ocean could be the best of the lot,” said The Beeches manager Bobby McCarthy. “He’s a great outcross option for the many good mares from the Sadler’s Wells line.” Bred by Sir Evelyn de Rothschild’s Southcourt Stud, the homebred won the G3 Gordon S. and was placed second in the 2017 G1 St. Leger S. at three, before adding a trio of group victories at four. His season culminated with a pair of seconds in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. and the G1 QIPCO Champions S. two starts later. After adding a brace of Group 3s to start his 2019 season, Crystal Ocean captured the aforementioned Prince Of Wales’s S. at Royal Ascot and ended his career with two more runner-up performances at the top level-once again in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. and in York’s Juddmonte International S. in his final start. In total, the Sir Michael Stoute trainee scored seven times at the group level and carries a mark of 17-8-7-2 and $2,647,105 in earnings. “If you look at his race record, it’s quite amazing,” commented trainer Sir Michael Stoute. “He has a lovely temperament and is a joy to train.” Out of the English SW & GSP mare Crystal Star, Crystal Ocean is a half-brother to English highweights Crystal Capella (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), a MGSW, and Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who won the GI Pattison Canadian International S., as well as SW Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Under the third dam is G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches heroine Rose Gypsy (GB) (Green Desert). The post Crystal Ocean to Stand at The Beeches Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland and UK HealthCare have entered into a multiyear agreement that includes sponsorship of the Keeneland Kids Club, the run/walk program and the GI First Lady S. during the Fall Meet, Keeneland announced Thursday. Established in 1957 as the academic medical center for the University of Kentucky, UK HealthCare is a network of nearly 10,000 doctors, nurses, researchers and staff driven by a mission to provide care for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. U.S. News Best Hospitals’ analysis ranked UK HealthCare as the number one hospital in Kentucky for the fourth year in a row this year. “Keeneland and UK HealthCare share a common mission to enhance the quality of life in our community,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “This sponsorship continues Keeneland’s storied history with the University of Kentucky, during which we’ve partnered to promote excellence in education, support scientific breakthroughs for the horse industry, improve the vibrancy of our community through philanthropy and creatively connect two signature brands in support of one of the most celebrated athletic programs in the country. We are excited to welcome UK HealthCare to the Keeneland family and thank them for their support of Thoroughbred racing.” The post Keeneland Partners With UK HealthCare appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the top older female sprinter in California, Marley's Freedom, receiving a freshening, the West Coast division is without a leading prospect heading into the Nov. 2 Filly and Mare Sprint, unless the $100,000 L.A. Woman (G3) alters the picture. View the full article

Breeders’ Cup has launched a new sweepstakes with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star pitcher Walker Buehler. Titled ‘Win with Walker’, the sweepstakes offers one lucky winner the opportunity to experience the 2019 Breeders’ Cup, alongside the baseball great. In addition to receiving two VIP tickets to the World Championships event, the winner will get the chance to watch a race with the famed athlete. To enter the Win with Walker sweepstakes, participants must visit WinWithWalker.com and sign up with their name and email address. Hopeful fans can share a unique referral link via social media and email to earn additional entries into the sweepstakes and increase their chances of winning the Grand Prize. Entries are currently being accepted now through Oct. 23, at which point the Grand Prize winner will be randomly chosen from the eligible entries and notified via email. Winners and guests must both be 18 years of age. Any and all transportation to/from Santa Anita Park and any corresponding accommodations will not be provided and will be winner’s sole responsibility. For complete rules visit WinWithWalker.com/rules. The post BC Launches ‘Win With Walker’ Sweepstakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All contests on Horseplayers.com in October will be exclusive to the BCBC with up to five qualifying contests offered each weekend, the Breeders’ Cup announced Thursday. The winners of each qualifying contest on Horseplayers.com will receive a free $10,000 berth into the BCBC, which will take place on Nov. 1-2 at Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Monmouth Park and Churchill Downs. Entrants can also play online at TVG.com and on Xpressbet.com. The post Horseplayers.com to Offer BC Betting Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Keeneland Library has unveiled an exhibit of photos by early Turf photographer John C. Hemment. The Library, which is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, will feature “A Day in the Life: Volume I,” which recognizes Hemment’s influential work. The exhibit, curated by Head Librarian Roda Ferraro and the first in a series, is running through March 2020 with a virtual counterpart at keenelandlibrary.omeka.net/exhibits. Although his early emphasis was the finish line, Hemment’s work spanned every aspect of the track from the backside to the winner’s circle and from posed shots of industry greats to candid reflections of daily life in and around the sport. The post Keeneland Library Launches Hemment Exhibit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin supply two leading chances for Friday’s G3 Prix Thomas Bryon at Saint-Cloud as the operation warms up for Arc weekend. Both are trained by Charlie Appleby, with William Buick on the Sept. 14 G2 Champagne S. runner-up Royal Crusade (GB) (Shamardal) and Mickael Barzalona employed for King’s Command (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who was third last time in the Listed Prix Francois Boutin over this seven-furlong trip at Deauville Aug. 11. “We were delighted with the performance of Royal Crusade in the Champagne S., when he was only narrowly beaten by a good horse in Threat,” he said. “He came out of that race in good order and a repeat of his Doncaster race should make him a very strong contender at this level. King’s Command has been slightly disappointing since winning nicely on debut. He has been gelded since his latest start and we are hoping that it will bring about an improved effort.” Also in the line-up is Al Shaqab’s Sept. 1 G3 Prix la Rochette runner-up Wooded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and the Wertheimers’ Sept. 13 debut course-and-distance winner Oxalis (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Earlier on the card, Appleby saddles Godolphin’s long-absent TDN Rising Star Magic Lily (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) in the 10-furlong Listed Prix Dahlia. The daughter of the G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) was kept in training following her third placing in the 2017 G1 Fillies’ Mile and this is her first subsequent outing. The post Godolphin Crusade Gets Underway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dennis Yokum has been named Rancho San Miguel Farm Manager, effective Oct. 28. On the racetrack, he worked for such legendary horsemen as Charlie Whittingham, Dickie Dutrow and John Gosden and at farms for operations such as Hobeau Farm, Mrs. Markey’s Calumet Farm (where he took care of Alydar upon his retirement), Leslie Combs’ Spendthrift Farm and Domino Stud. He most recently worked at Premier Thoroughbreds, where he served as manager for the past four years. The post Yokum Becomes Rancho San Miguel Manager appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ohio (BRZ) and Bolo, who both boast grade 1 wins this season on the Santa Anita Park turf, return to that course in search of more success Oct. 5 in the $200,000 City of Hope Mile Stakes (G2T). View the full article

To date in 2018, trainer Mark Casse and owner Tracy Farmer have teamed for some big wins and they'll try to add to that list this weekend. View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses, including the first two runners in the country for freshman sire Carpe Diem: Saturday, October 5, 2019 4th-TOK, ¥13,400,000 ($125k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600m AMERICAN NINA (f, 2, Carpe Diem–Mane Princess, by Mineshaft), a $110K Keeneland November weanling, was pinhooked to last year’s Keeneland September sale, where she fetched $260K. The first Japanese runner for her 2014 GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity-winning sire (by Giant’s Causeway), the Mar. 30 foal is out of a daughter of SW & GISP Extended Applause (Exbourne)–also runner-up to champion Silverbulletday (Silver Deputy) in the 1998 GII Alcibiades S.–whose son Channel Marker (Purim) was a Grade III-winning turf sprinter. B-Catherine Jennings & Marian Kuhtaschek (MD) 6th-KYO, ¥13,400,000 ($125k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT TRAIN BEARER (f, 2, Carpe Diem-Cabaret Starlet, by Tale of the Cat) was a $90K in utero purchase at KEEJAN in 2017, then realized that same amount when offered at KEENOV seven months after her foaling. A $150K Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling, the bay was hammered down for $250K at OBS March after breezing a quarter in :21 1/5. Train Bearer, out of a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Arravale (Arch), is herself a half-sister to San Jose Tesoro (The Factor), a two-time winner from four starts in Japan. B-Daniel S Mallory, Amy Bayle & Allen Racing LLC (KY) Sunday, October 6, 2019 4th-KYO, ¥13,400,000 ($125k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m KAZU VENATOR (c, 2, Orb–Satyana, by Street Cry {Ire}), a $250K in utero purchase at KEENOV in 2016, hails from a female family that has crossed exceptionally well with A.P. Indy and/or his stallion sons. Out of a half to MGSW Thiskyhasnolimit (Sky Mesa), the colt’s second dam, Lovely Regina (Deputy Minister), was a daughter of GISW Cara Rafaela (Quiet American), also victorious in the 1995 Alcibiades S., and later the dam of champion Bernardini (A.P. Indy). Cara Rafaela’s GISP daughter Ile de France (Storm Cat) was responsible for MGISW Love and Pride (A.P. Indy). Satyana produced a Deep Impact (Jpn) filly in 2018 and a filly by King Kamehameha (Jpn) this season. B-Mishima Bokujo 11th-TOK, Mainichi Okan-G2, ¥127.7m ($1.2m), 3yo/up, 1800mT MOZU ASCOT (h, 5, Frankel {GB}–India, by Hennessy) is one of his sire’s two Group 1 winners in Japan, having turned in a spectacular effort to scoop the 2018 Yasuda Kinen at this venue (see below, gate 10). The $275K KEESEP buyback is winless in five runs since, inlcuding a sixth in defense of the Yasuda Kinen June 2, and stretches out to this distance for the first time since finishing fourth in his second career start in June 2017. Mozu Ascot’s yearling half-sister by Frosted was knocked down for $575K at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga two months back. B-Summer Wind Farm (KY) The post US Bred-/Sired Runners in Japan: Oct. 5 & 6, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Yearling viewers with a penchant for Italian food will be in for a treat at one of the hospitality boxes at the Tattersalls October Sale. It probably wouldn’t take a genius to work out that the consignors behind the Italian-themed pitstop in the Wall Boxes are Luca and Sara Cumani. There’s some debate over who will slice the Parma ham—Sara’s suggestion that Luca could perform this task in a side room is not met with great enthusiasm by the former master trainer—but what the couple does agree on is that the time is now right for their Fittocks Stud to make its debut as yearling consignors. “We always sold our own mares and foals,” says Sara Cumani in the kitchen of their sumptuous new home on the stud which they have owned for 35 years. “And horses in training,” adds her husband quickly. From the window, a sweeping view over the most rolling part of Suffolk takes the eye across the ha-ha to a paddock of mares and foals, the last group on the stud still to be weaned. It’s a scene worthy of Stubbs’s paintbrush and, if there were any lingering sorrow at leaving Bedford House Stables, one of Newmarket’s most beautiful training yards, this would provide a soothing balm. Sara Cumani continues, “So we have experience of selling horses but we’ve never done the yearlings because we always thought that being trainers and trying to sell your yearlings makes it difficult for people to understand what role you’re filling—are you buying or selling? But we can sell our own now.” It is not just the Fittocks homebreds filling the 12-strong October draft but also yearlings bred by a select bunch of friends and clients at the farm. The pair of colts for Book 1 represent one of each. In 2015, Koora (GB), trained by Luca in the Fittocks colours, won the G3 St Simon S. before going on to be runner-up in the G2 Middleton S. The decision to retain the Pivotal (GB) filly as a youngster was easy. Not only is she by one of the best broodmare sires in the land but, as a half-sister to St Leger winner Milan (GB) (Sadler’s Wells), she continues a line which has been good to the Cumanis. Koora’s dam Kithanga (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) has a yard named in her honour at Fittocks, and it is from here that Koora’s first foal by Dubawi (Ire) (lot 381) is being prepared for the sale. “He’s a super exciting first foal,” says Sara. “To have a colt like that out of a Pivotal mare is very exciting. He has a full-brother foal to come and now the mare is in foal to Galileo (Ire), so she has been given every chance, which she deserves.” The colt will be accompanied to Book 1 by a son of Frankel (GB) (lot 214) out of Cascata (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), a sister to the brilliant St Nicholas Abbey (Ire). Another G1 Racing Post Trophy winner, Aristotle (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), features among a rash of group winners under his third dam. Cascata was herself a winner as a 2-year-old, and for her owner Stuart Stuckey she has already produced the listed-placed seven-time winner Pacharana (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) among her four winners. Her 2-year-old colt by Siyouni (Fr), named Matthew Flinders (GB) with a nod to Stuckey’s Australian heritage, is in training with Ed Walker. “He’s a very good moving horse, I just love watching him on the lunge,” says Sara Cumani as the Frankel colt parades around the Kithanga yard. As a trainer’s wife for so many years and an accomplished amateur rider in her day, it is clear she still very much enjoys the hands-on nature of life on a stud farm. “Sara has been panicking for the last month already,” says Luca as talk turns to the key fortnight of the October Sale, at which they will offer a further eight yearlings in Book 2 and two in Book 3. His wife adds, “I’m very happy prepping the horses, showing them, dealing with the lads, but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of the finances and all that side of life, Luca is much better at that, so I can offload my panic a bit onto him. As long as I can just be with horses and concentrate on what they’re doing then I’m happy and that works well. “What’s quite fun about being at the stud rather than at the racing yard is that you very much have your seasons, and after foaling you have a bit of a lull in the early summer to get on with the maintenance before you start the yearling prep and foal sales. And then you start the whole thing over again.” She continues, “We prefer to sell our own horses as yearlings and we sell a few foals for other people, and would like to sell a few more foals. But we very much want to keep it to a nice select number of good quality horses to sell.” The Italian theme doesn’t end with the food on offer in the Fittocks hospitality box but continues through to a number of the farm’s clients with yearlings to sell. Another excellent former amateur rider and old friend Franca Vittadini is the breeder of a racy-looking Wootton Basset (GB) filly who will be offered as lot 684 on the opening day of Book 2. Vittadini also bred lot 947, a Le Havre (Ire) filly from the same family and the first foal of the winning Exceed And Excel (Aus) mare Encore Moi (GB). The filly’s grandam is the dual Group 3 winner Di Moi Oui (GB) (Warning {GB}), who is also the third dam of the Wootton Bassett filly. Furthermore, the draft includes a Mayson (GB) half-sister to dual Group 3-winning sprinter Speak In Colours (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}) (lot 1142), bred by Paolo and Emma Agostini, who were also the owner-breeders of the Cumani-trained G2 Challenge S. winner Le Vie Dei Colori (GB) (Efisio {GB}). The Cumanis will doubtless be eager to witness the progress of a number of yearlings from Floors Stud who took their first steps at Fittocks, where many of the Duke of Roxburghe’s mares have been foaled over the years. This year’s draft from the Kelso farm, which includes a brother to Attraction (GB)’s son Elarqam (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (lot 180), carries with it an air of poignancy following the death of the duke in late August. Sara Cumani says, “We were so lucky to have his mares here to foal for the last 12 years and it was a great privilege to have been entrusted with Attraction. From 2007 to 2019 Attraction had 12 foals and she is in foal again now, and Comic, who is now retired, had 14 foals. They both had a great record and Attraction is the most lovely mare—he adored her.” She continues, “[The duke’s] efforts with the National Stud were beginning to pay off and it would be a great tribute if Time Test (GB) turns out to be a superstar. We haven’t got many of his sort left in the business. He was a real fan of racing and everything to do with it. He did his bit for the Jockey Club and had tremendous success building up a lovely stud. It’s a great loss because he was brilliant with everybody and he will be sorely missed.” As owner-breeders themselves, the Cumanis landed one of Newmarket’s more unusual races on Sept. 26 when Felix (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) won the Newmarket Challenge Whip, which is restricted to horses owned by Jockey Club members and run for no prize-money but a rather grand Charlie Langton bronze as a trophy, as well as a small slice of Jockey Club history. Felix’s trainer Sir Michael Stoute is one of three men in Newmarket now entrusted with the second stage of nurturing the Fittocks graduates and, despite Luca Cumani’s proximity to the training centre, he insists that he is not meddling in their education. “There’s no point having trained for 43 years without having learned how to behave as an owner,” he says with a wry grin. The post A First For Fittocks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For an instructive snapshot of what’s wrong with this business, just take a look at the plunge in the going rate for yearlings by almost all sires represented by their second crop. Not even the most precocious, remember, have yet launched half their named foals onto the track; while most of those whose stock will only flourish with maturity, and two turns, have barely dipped a toe in the water. Yet only a handful, having achieved an early impact from a low base, have actually advanced their averages. For the rest, even treading water is a triumph. Because some have seen their second crops halve in value, or worse, despite perfectly respectable stats among their few runners to date. Farms nowadays feel obliged to throw everything at new sires, to maximise their shop window in a market manically prejudiced in favour of untested risk. Yet that same window is increasingly likely to be boarded up overnight, as the next intake of new blood opens for business next door. Today’s market is floodlit by candles that burn brightly but briefly, being all wick and no wax. And it is becoming harder and harder for stallions to find a niche in which a low but sturdy glow can safely endure the fitful draughts of fashion. Harder and harder, that is, to emulate the sire of Perfect Alibi, who bids to consolidate her status among the season’s leading juvenile fillies in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. at Keeneland today. Strange to reflect that Sky Mesa (Pulpit), now 19, was himself once a young stallion who had talked the talk but apparently not walked the walk. As an unbeaten Grade I winner at two–underpinned by a terrific pedigree, plus brawn, balance and conformation–his sales debut had even been highlighted by a seven-figure yearling. But a solitary black-type performer from 43 juvenile starters, out of that first crop, was the kind of return that would today probably earn him a one-way ticket to Oklahoma or Korea. The business was not quite so hysterical and jittery in those days. And after a handful of that first crop matured into graded stakes winners, he then produced two elite scorers from his second, foaled in 2006: Frizette winner Sky Diva, and Blue Grass S. hero General Quarters. Unfortunately, despite 22 other graded stakes scorers altogether, Sky Mesa did not produce another Grade I winner until Perfect Alibi won the Spinaway S. last month. Nonetheless he has carved out a reputation that few new sires, in today’s market, can hope to emulate. We all know that hardly any of them will ever again command a fee as high as their opening one, but Sky Mesa started at Three Chimneys in 2004 at $30,000 and his services cost exactly the same in 2012. As he has aged, and the market has become more puerile, his fee has slipped a notch or two and this was his third year at $15,000. But while he dropped to 63 mares last year, he had previously maintained a rock-solid three-figure average, with a devoted following among those possessed by the quaint idea of breeding a horse that can actually run (i.e. not just sell). They know you can set your clock by Sky Mesa, who has duly produced another eight stakes winners so far this year. These include one of the most exciting unbeaten colts around in Meru, who recently burned off his pursuers in the Smoke Glacken S. at Monmouth in 1:08.93. There really can’t be much better value around at this kind of money. TDN lifetime stats show Sky Mesa producing stakes winners at a clip surpassing Tiznow, Candy Ride (Arg), Hard Spun, Flatter, Bernardini, Empire Maker, Street Sense and Union Rags, to give a random sample of more expensive stallions too excellent to be embarrassed by the comparison; and basically in step, moreover, with Malibu Moon, Kitten’s Joy, Uncle Mo and More Than Ready. It’s not hard to figure out why he should have become such a consistent stallion. In grandsire and damsire he brings together Secretariat’s premier achievements as a broodmare sire, A.P. Indy and Storm Cat. And the bottom line, which extends to La Troienne, starts with his MGSW dam Caress (Storm Cat)–a full-sister to Tepin’s sire Bernstein out of a half-sister to champion Outstandingly (Exclusive Native). Most interestingly, however, his pedigree is weighted both top and bottom by two really important mares: Knight’s Daughter and Busanda, respectively the mothers of Round Table and Buckpasser. Sky Mesa’s third dam is by Round Table, whose sister Monarchy is the fourth dam of his sire Pulpit. And his fourth dam is a half-sister to Buckpasser, whose daughter Lassie Dear is granddam of Pulpit’s sire A.P. Indy. Perfect Alibi’s dam, Pin Oak’s homebred stakes winner No Use Denying (Maria’s Mon), complements this depth and breadth with a classy family of her own–tracing to the Calumet matriarch Two Bob, via a fourth dam who produced both champion Chris Evert and the mother of Winning Colors. A $220,000 Saratoga yearling, Perfect Alibi is trained for Tracy Farmer by Mark Casse. She won by 9 1/2 lengths over a bare five furlongs at Churchill in May, too easily to learn a great deal, and duly found everything happening a little too quickly when rallying for a close second in stakes company at Belmont next time. But that seasoning proved critical when she bravely scuttled through heavy traffic in the GII Adirondack S. Having herself been buffeted, runner-up Frank’s Rockette (Into Mischief) was favoured for revenge in their Spinaway rematch. Once again, however, Perfect Alibi had the courage to burrow her way through a half-gap, this time on the rail. She’s built to look after herself, which is certainly what she has been doing; but Casse also reckons her constructed to relish a second turn today, and is duly impressed by her deeds in sprints. Success today would confirm her as the East Coast’s top candidate to topple Bast (Uncle Mo) in her own backyard at the Breeders’ Cup. What a shame that another leading lady on the West Coast, Amalfi Sunrise, is apparently unlikely to race again after an attack of pneumonia. She had contributed to such a brisk start by her sire Constitution (Tapit) that he has even bucked the trend and sharply increased the value of his second crop of yearlings. Constitution is seizing the moment–and just as well, since a moment is all these young sires tend to get. Even so, he will do very well to become as reliable a conduit of the Pulpit line as Sky Mesa. The post Alibi Reaching for the Sky appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the past few weeks, we have been running a series of responses to The Jockey Club’s proposed cap on a stallion’s book at 140 mares. Many people expressed the feeling that there were more pressing problems to which the industry should attend. So we asked a group of respondents, `What would you fix first?’ Far and away the most important action toward “fixing” our continuously declining industry is to work with Congress to establish a centralized governing body across all states that can establish policy and growth objectives, create common rules and regulation for racing, monitor participant conduct including use of drugs and whipping, and enforce compliance with consistent and strict consequences for infractions. Without a national office providing this kind of leadership and regulation, the sport will continue to dwindle and perhaps implode. Any other “fixes” are simply band-aids on a heavily bleeding artery. The post What Would You Fix? Rob Whiteley appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeze Easy's Imprimis will carry top weight in the $200,000 Woodford Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select (G2T) Oct. 5 on Keeneland's opening weekend. View the full article

The Jockey Club reported that 1,630 stallions covered 32,508 mares in North America during 2018, according to statistics compiled through Sept. 26, 2019. These breedings have resulted in 20,363 live foals of 2019 being reported to The Jockey Club. The Jockey Club estimates that the number of live foals reported so far is approximately 90% complete. The reporting of live foals of 2019 is down 3.6% from last year at this time when The Jockey Club had received reports for 21,130 live foals of 2018. In addition to the 20,363 live foals of 2019 reported through Sept. 26, The Jockey Club also received 2,405 No Foal Reports for the 2019 foaling season. Ultimately, the 2019 registered foal crop is projected to reach 20,800. The number of stallions declined 8.3% from the 1,778 reported for 2017 at this time last year, while the number of mares bred declined 5.2% from the 34,288 reported for 2017. The 2018 breeding statistics are available alphabetically by stallion name through the Resources – Fact Book link on The Jockey Club homepage. Kentucky annually leads all states and provinces in terms of Thoroughbred breeding activity. Kentucky-based stallions accounted for 53.7% of the mares reported bred in North America in 2018 and 59.9% of the live foals reported for 2019. The 17,446 mares reported bred to 241 Kentucky stallions in 2018 have produced 12,200 live foals, a 1.4% decrease on the 12,370 Kentucky-sired live foals of 2018 reported at this time last year. The number of mares reported bred to Kentucky stallions in 2018 increased 0.3% compared to the 17,401 reported for 2017 at this time last year. Among the 10 states and provinces with the most mares covered in 2018, three produced more live foals in 2019 than in 2018 as reported at this time last year: California, Louisiana, and Maryland. The statistics include 303 progeny of stallions standing in North America but foaled abroad, as reported by foreign stud book authorities at the time of publication. The report also includes 86 mares bred to 14 stallions in North America on Southern Hemisphere time; the majority of these mares have not foaled. As customary, a report listing the number of mares bred in 2019 will be released later this month. The post The Jockey Club Releases 2018 Breeding Stats appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article