Wandering Eyes

He has a name as American as apple pie. How fitting then that Constitution has had a big week (and month) leading up to the Independence Day holiday. The WinStar Farm stallion's 'TDN Rising Star' Mindframe won his second Grade I of the year–one of just five horses to do so–in Saturday's GI Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs over a star-studded field while notching a 105 Beyer Speed Figure. Less than 24 hours later, Constitution's Pin Up Betty added the Anchorage Overnight Stakes in Louisville after also winning the GIII Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes earlier in the month, with her two June wins bookending additional stakes victories by Constitution's 'TDN Rising Star' Parchment Party in the GIII Belmont Gold Cup Stakes and the promising 'TDN Rising Star' Admiral Dennis in the Delaware Derby. Constitution currently appears among the country's top five 2025 leading sires by earnings, or top four if the earnings are amended to include solely North American performances. “I think he's very, very consistent and gets a high percentage of solid horses,” said David Hanley, WinStar's senior vice president of bloodstock services, “and now he's risen to the top of the league this year on the general sires list for runners in North America. He's only behind Into Mischief, Curlin, and Gun Runner. “When you look at their top progeny this year–Sovereignty for Into Mischief, Journalism for Curlin, and Locked for Gun Runner–Constitution is right there with Mindframe. He stacks up with all of those horses. Now with Mindframe having beaten the Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone and last year's Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan [in the Stephen Foster], I think that puts him right at the elite status.” Bred by Grapestock LLC and Fox Hill Farms in Kentucky, Constitution was the first of three graded winners for his dam, the Distorted Humor mare Baffled, who sold for $3.5 million at Fasig-Tipton while carrying a full-sister to him the same year he covered his first book. Such is the Constitution effect that a half-sister sold for $2 million at that same sale that year. For his part, Constitution brought $400,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling. Twin Creeks Racing signed the ticket, but he raced in partnership for Twin Creeks and WinStar. “He was a very talented racehorse,” said Hanley. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' on debut, Constitution won his first three starts, including the GI Florida Derby. After missing the Classics with a hairline fracture in a cannon bone, he returned to add a GI Donn Handicap win at four. Even before the Donn, WinStar CEO and president Elliott Walden called him, 'the most exciting stallion prospect of his generation.” Despite not necessarily expected to get early 2-year-olds, Constitution led the first-crop sire list in 2019 by both graded stakes winners (4) and winners (30) and finished second by earnings. It was a quick rise to the top levels, a spot he's showing no signs of abandoning. Constitution has eight U.S. stakes winners this year, with current international performers including Chilean Group 1 winner Spazzatura (Chi) and Chilean MGSW Medjool (Chi). Among his first-crop runners was Tiz the Law, who won the GI Champagne Stakes at two before adding the GI Belmont Stakes, GI Travers Stakes, and GI Florida Derby at three. Now an Ashford sire and Constitution's first significant son at stud, Tiz the Law finished third in a close 2024 freshman sire race. With a joint-leading five black-type winners and two graded winners in 2024, Tiz the Law has added five graded performers in 2025 thus far. “Constitution has so many things going on for him, including Tiz the Law, who is making a bit of an impression as a stallion as his first son to go to stud,” said Hanley. “Stallion sons Americanrevolution [first weanlings this year] and Independence Hall [first 2-year-olds] are also in the pipeline and they are both getting nice horses. Independence Hall has a lot of 2-year-olds on the watch list, with a couple out of the 2-year-old sales that were very impressive. A colt sold for $1 million at OBS March. “Everything kind of builds to Constitution's continued success, but also his continued popularity.” Mindframe wins Saturday's Stephen Foster, his second Grade I score this year | Julie Clark/Coady Media Although expectations were high for Constitution as a stallion from the start, Hanley said it has been gratifying for the WinStar team to see him not only fulfill, but exceed, expectations and to be appreciated as one of the nation's leading stallions. “For us, he's more popular this year than last year. He bred 186 mares and he's had good yearling sales. And now with a horse like Mindframe, who not only won the Stephen Foster, but also won a Grade I going seven furlongs, it shows Constitution is an elite horse.” In his six crops ages three and up, Constitution has 39 graded winners and 77 black-type winners, including four champions in Chile from three years early in his stallion career when he shuttled. With a dozen 'TDN Rising Stars' and three seven-figure yearlings at Keeneland last September, the son of Tapit continues to make noise. Although he's had seven-figure yearlings the last three consecutive years, his yearling average and median have both consistently been on the rise with a career-high $329,708 average in 2024, as well as a career-high median of $300,000. “I think with the mares that he has in the pipeline over the last few years, you'd expect him to get stronger, continue to get good mares, and hopefully continue to sire more Grade I winners,” said Hanley. “He's knocking out a lot of quality runners and now for him to have an elite horse like Mindframe has really put him up there with the very best stallions in America right now.” Constitution kicked off his stallion career at $25,000 in 2016 and took the customary drop in his fourth year, going down to $15,000. That turned out to be a short-lived bargain, as his fee has steadily climbed since. The last three years, he's stood for $110,000, one of an elite group of just a dozen horses in North America currently at six figures. His own sire, Tapit, is among those six-figure stallions, as is another son of Tapit, Flightline. A striking bay with distinctive facial markings, Constitution doesn't seem to be limited in what he throws. Like the best stallions, his runners have performed on turf and dirt, short and long, and they've been both fillies and colts. “They tend to mature more as 3-year-olds and he gets high-class turf horses and top-class dirt horses,” said Hanley. “He's just a very good stallion all around. “He's a beautiful horse. Physically, he's a very correct horse. A medium-sized quality mare suits him very well and he obviously gets a broad spectrum of mares seeing as he's a very well-made horse himself. While he fits a lot of mares, I think the most suitable mare for him is a medium-sized quality mare with muscle tone and plenty of quality.” Pin Up Betty Sunday in her second Churchill stakes win of the month | Coady Media Hanley gave a nod to Constitution's damsire, WinStar's Distorted Humor, who has emerged as one of the top broodmare sires of this generation. “Constitution is a good mix of Tapit and Distorted Humor. I think he's got a lot of Distorted Humor in him and I think a lot of that comes through in his progeny, that will to try hard, to show speed, to have some precocity. “Temperament-wise, Constitution is not aggressive, but he's an active, high-energy horse and I think a lot of that comes from his Distorted Humor genes on the bottom. I think he has a lot of that in his progeny.” At 32, Distorted Humor is pensioned but remains at WinStar's stallion complex. Hanley said he is doted on at the farm, where first-crop yearling stallion Life Is Good is also out of one of his daughters. While it would be folly to expect any young stallion to match the career accomplishments and long-term influence of Distorted Humor, Constitution is just 14 with his best-bred crops yet to reach racing age. With his books continuing to improve, there's a good chance he'll continue to trend upward. Hanley said he's on the right path. “He's right up there with the top stallions we've had. Obviously Distorted Humor has been a champion sire several times and he would have been the best,” said Hanley. “Speightstown and Tiznow were just amazing stallions, with More Than Ready being another one. Constitution is getting to their level. I think he's on an upward trajectory and hopefully he can go on and be on par with those stallions.” The post Saturday Sires: Constitution appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a son of Justify in the Godolphin blue. 2.25 Sandown, Novice, £40,000, 2yo, 7fT KEY OF MAGIC (Justify) is the pick of Charlie Appleby's duo for this race he has won in two of the last three years at the track where Ruling Court debuted in 2024. A $950,000 Keeneland September purchase, the bay is a son of the Graded-Stakes-placed More Fun Again (Arch) whose half-sister is the GII Lake Placid Stakes winner Speaktomeofsummer (Summer Front). Four of the five belong to Appleby and the Gosdens, with the Clarehaven duo headed by Publish (GB) (Kingman {GB}), the first foal out of Juddmonte's $1.7-million 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale purchase Nay Lady Nay (No Nay Never), the GII Mrs Revere Stakes winner and GI Flower Bowl Stakes third. The post Justify’s Keeneland September Sensation Key Of Magic Debuts at Sandown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For trainer Rusty Arnold, a July 3 victory in the $162,750 Victory Ride Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course was doubly rewarding.View the full article

Sam Glover, the vice president of sales for the Arkansas-based company U.S. Compounding, faces up to five years in prison at sentencing after being found guilty of one felony count of drug adulteration and misbranding conspiracy at a federal jury trial that concluded in New York last week. Ray Paulick of the Paulick Report was first to break the news of the verdict. According to the Paulick Report, “Prosecutors alleged that Glover was part of a conspiracy from 2015-2021 to sell the compounded medication omeprazole/fenbendazole paste, which treats both equine ulcers and intestinal worms, without obtaining prescriptions from a veterinarian who had established a valid client-patient relationship with each horse.” The Paulick Report story stated, “Glover conspired with Kentucky veterinarian Dr. William A. 'Bill' Baker and Kyle Zorn, then the company's east coast sales manager, to use Baker's name on prescription forms in exchange for what they allege were monetary kickbacks to Baker. The prescriptions were written, prosecutors said, even though Baker had not seen or treated the horse.” The Paulick Report stated that Zorn and Baker were identified as “co-conspirators” in court documents, but neither was indicted. The post Report: Drug Compounding Exec Found Guilty In Misbranding Conspiracy Case appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-Saratoga, $90,000, (C), Msw, 7-3, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:05.46, ft, 5 1/2 lengths. IRON ORCHARD (f, 2, Authentic–Onebrethatatime {MSP, $133,283}, by Brethren) went off heavily favored at 3-5 facing auction-restricted maidens as a New York-bred. As advertised right from the break, she was quickly solo on the lead through the opening strides and dealt only with minor pressure up the backstretch from second-time starter Winrooski (Win Win Win). Shrugging that rival off as the half went in :46.37, Iron Orchard came home on cruise control under a motionless Joel Rosario to win by 5 1/2 lengths over an overmatched group. Birch Run (Practical Joke), also making her second start, checked in second. A $500,000 OBS April grad just three months ago for Bill Childs and Mark Stanton, Iron Orchard is the last foal out of MSP Onebrethatatime, the half-sister to the dam of GISW Exaulted (Twirling Candy). Sales History: $140,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $97,000 RNA Ylg '24 SARAUG; $78,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $500,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Edward A. Childs and R. A. Hill Stable; B-Pine Ridge Stable LLC (NY); T-Danny Gargan. It was all Iron Orchard in R6 at Saratoga! Danny Gargan trains the 2YO filly and @JRosarioJockey was up. pic.twitter.com/KgfpUFZ7IO — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 3, 2025 The post Authentic’s Iron Orchard As Advertised In Saratoga Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The One Big Beautiful Act (OBBBA), passed by Congress and expected to be signed into law by President Trump, makes permanent 100% bonus depreciation, an important incentive for Thoroughbred breeders and owners, according to a Thursday press release by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The one-hundred percent bonus depreciation was part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, signed into law during the first Trump administration. Originally, this provision included a phase-out schedule that made bonus depreciation 40% this year, 20% in 2026, and completely phased out by 2027. Now, it will stay at 100%, retroactive to Jan. 20, 2025. In the release, the NTRA also thanked Representative Andy Barr (R-KY), who was instrumental in leading the charge to cut problematic language changing the nature of the excess business loss carryover, which was removed in the final version of the bill. In addition to Barr, NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney credited Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) with ensuring the horse industry was represented. The NTRA went on to say that while there are many victories for the horse racing industry in the OBBBA, there is still work to be done to offset some losses by horseplayers in their ability to deduct tax losses. The organization is committed to working on that fix moving forward. Click here to access the bill. The post NTRA Reacts To The One Big Beautiful Bill Act And Its Implications For Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $32,000, Msw, 7-3, 2yo, 7 1/2fT, 1:31.32, fm, 2 lengths. JUTLAND (c, 2, Raging Bull {Fr}–Naval Battle, by War Front), one of just a few first-time starters in the field, became the first winner for his freshman sire (by Dark Angel {Ire}) Thursday. Showing his inexperience and away last of the eight, the 9-5 favorite trailed through the opening quarter in :23.42 before beginning to pick up the pack with a wide move on the run into the far turn. Still with pacesetter Don Ique (Astern {Aus}) to catch, Jutland charged into the final furlong, stuck a head in front midway home and cleared off nicely to graduate by two lengths over fellow firster Casa Cielo (Caravaggio). Purchased in utero for $100,000 at KEENOV in 2022, Jutland is the first foal out of the War Front mare Naval Battle. Third dam Absolutelyfabulous (Ire) is notable for producing G1 Irish Two Thousand Guineas victor Magician (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) along with GISP Oustanding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself the dam of both MGSW Masteroffoxhounds (War Front) and SW/MGSP Totally Justified (Justify). Naval Battle reported a yearling Blame colt last year now named Kurita's Folly. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $19,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart. O/B-NBS Stable (KY); T-Kelsey Danner. JUTLAND ($5.80) roared home on debut under @ABeschizza in the 3rd at @HSIndyRacing. The two-year-old becomes the first winner for @Gainesway's freshman stallion Raging Bull (FR). @kelseyjdanner conditions the colt. It's time for the Pick 5: https://t.co/JRLp5Jy47S pic.twitter.com/cDc2etyGTS — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 3, 2025 The post Jutland Becomes First Winner For Gainesway’s Raging Bull appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saratoga's opening weekend kicks off with a trio of graded stakes Friday–the GI Belmont Derby, GII Suburban Stakes and GIII Manila Stakes. Saturday's card features three additional graded tests, including the GI Belmont Oaks. The day's undercard is highlighted by the GIII Sandford and GIII Kelso. The Belmont Derby offers a salty assembly of turf horses, including European invader Luther (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is trained by Charlie Fellowes. In three starts this term, Luther was runner-up on the synthetic at Chelmsford in April before finishing fourth behind winner Henri Matisse–beaten only 1 1/4 lengths–in the French 2,000 Guineas, the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulins, at Longchamp in May. The sophomore looks to get back on track following a 15th in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly June 1. A pair of contenders from this season's Triple Crown–Final Gambit (Not This Time) and Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}) return to what looks to be their preferred surface. The former was third on the sod at Churchill Downs last November before finishing a close-up second going a mile over Turfway's synthetic Jan. 4. Winning his next two over that track, including the nine-furlong GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks in March, the grey came home a bang-up fourth behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and subsequent Preakness hero Journalism (Curlin) in a wet renewal of the GI Kentucky Derby. The Juddmonte homebred finished in that same spot June 8 in the 8 1/2-furlong GIII Matt Winn Stakes and gets another try on the grass here. Flying Mohawk did most of his earlier running on the turf, breaking his maiden in a Churchill maiden in October before making it two straight with a score while facing optional claiming company at the Fair Grounds in January. Second behind Final Gambit in the Jeff Ruby, the dark bay never got into the mix of things in the roughly-run Kentucky Derby and had to settle for 18th. Getting blinkers on for this return to the green, he will get the services of Frankie Dettori. GIII Transylvania scorer Test Score (Lookin At Lucky), runner-up in the GI American Turf last time out, makes his first start back since as does GISW New Century (GB) (Kameko), who was third in the American Turf. Cutting back from his last out victory in the American Turf, Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) appears hard to beat in the one-mile Manila. A winner in his sole start in France for Andre Fabre last term, the Irish-bred is four for five since joining Chad Brown stateside. Winner of the GII Pilgrim and GIII With Anticipation over this surface at two, the bay took the one-mile Columbia Stakes at Tampa earlier in March. Locked Looks for Redemption in Suburban 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) took plenty of money in his latest start in the GIII Alysheba at Churchill Downs on May 2 when finishing a fair bit behind his winning stablemate Fierceness (City of Light). Despite that tough beat that day, the lightly-raced chestnut has shown he is more than up to the task despite the recent defeat. Victorious in the GI Breeders' Futurity at two, the colt also finished third in that season's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Winning both starts at three, including the GII Cigar Mile at the Big A in December, he closed well to be runner-up behind White Abarrio (Race Day) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream in January before galloping home an 8 1/2-length winner in the 10-furlong GI Santa Anita Handicap. Jose Ortiz gets the return call here. Saturday's Graded Action Led by Belmont Oaks While there certainly are some nice fillies ready to lineup in Saturday's featured Oaks, Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) seems to breath different air than her rivals in Saturday's GI Belmont Oaks. Trained by Mark Casse, the D J Stable homebred has proven unbeatable so far this season, winning all five starts, including a quartet of graded stakes. Grade I placed in a pair of starts at two, Nitrogen won this season's Ginger Brew Stakes, GIII Florida Oaks and GII Appalachian before cruising home a confident winner of Churchill's GII Edgewood Stakes May 2. With only two others daring to face her in the rained-off GIII Wonder Again Stakes at this venue on June 7, she was all alone at the wire, winning by double digits. Regular rider Jose Ortiz gets back on board here. Looking to stand in the way of the morning line favorite is Fionn (Twirling Candy), who herself has shown consistency, winning four of her last five starts, including the nine-furlong GIII Regret Stakes at Churchill on May 31. Trained by Brad Cox, the dark bay gets the services of Flavien Prat for the first time. The jockey-trainer combo are pure fire, having connected at almost a 50% strike rate at the Spa so far this year. The juvenile division also gets some play Saturday with six entered for the six-furlong Sanford. 'TDN Rising Star' Obliteration (Violence) ran off to an embarrassingly easy victory in his Churchill debut going 5 1/2 furlong June 12 and gets jumped into graded company for his follow-up swing. Mark Casse offers up two viable options, however, with runaway debut winner Strategic Risk (Noble Bird) and morning line favorite Blinging It Back (Volatile), who finished third in the Tremont Stakes at the Spa June 5. A homebred for John Oxley, Strategic Risk faces opening company here after his debut win over fellow Florida-breds June 7. His stablemate, who is still a maiden, was third in his career bow in Louisville May 1. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides the former while his brother, Jose, is named on the latter. The GIII Kelso has attracted eight, including a handful marked for main-track-only. Among the main contenders, Donegal Momentum (Uncle Mo) comes into this off a 1 3/4-length score in the June 5 GIII Poker Stakes over this course. He faces Poker third-place finisher Intellect (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), in addition to dual graded stakes winner Think Big (Twirling Candy). The post Belmont Derby, Oaks Head Holiday Weekend at The Spa, TDN Rising Star Locked Returns in Suburban appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John C. Harris, one of California's most respected leaders in agriculture and Thoroughbred breeding, has passed away peacefully at the age of 81. Born July 14, 1943, Harris was a lifelong resident of Fresno County. He attended local elementary and high schools before earning his degree from UC Davis. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. Harris was a passionate farmer, rancher, and businessman who dedicated his life to stewarding the land and advancing California agriculture. As the driving force behind Harris Farms, one of the state's most prominent and diversified agricultural operations, he championed innovation, quality and sustainability in every endeavor. For nearly 50 years, and continuing with his father's legacy, Harris Ranch Beef Company experienced tremendous growth, delivering superior quality grain-fed beef worldwide. Harris was also a nationally recognized figure in Thoroughbred racing, known for breeding and racing many distinguished champions. His deep love for horses and the sport was matched by his leadership and advocacy within the industry, where he served as a mentor and ambassador for generations. Holding positions with California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the California Horse Racing Board, and the Thoroughbred Owners of California, Harris was a member of The Jockey Club of America since 1988. Closing Remarks | Benoit Photo Harris Farms stood key stallions like Cee's Tizzy, the sire of the great Tiznow, and also perennial leading California sires Unusual Heat and Vronsky. Harris was also responsible for standing Lucky Pulpit, the sire of GI Kentucky Derby hero California Chrome. More recently, his lineup included Catholic Boy and Halladay. Along with Don Valpredo, Harris bred and raced GSW Soviet Problem (Moscow Ballet), and he and Valpredo bred Unzip Me (City Zip), who Harris co-owned while she was third in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in 2010. Carrying his signature white and green checked colors was MGSW Closing Remarks (Vronsky). Beyond his professional achievements, Harris had an unwavering passion for helping people and supporting his local community. Whether through philanthropy, mentorship, or quiet acts of kindness, he consistently uplifted others and believed in giving back to the region and industry that shaped him. His humility, generosity, and integrity were hallmarks of his life. Harris was recently married in June to his beloved wife, Cookie Harris, with whom he shared deep joy, admiration and companionship. He is survived by Cookie, extended family, and countless friends and colleagues whose lives were enriched by his strength of character and enduring compassion. A private burial ceremony will be held, while a public celebration of life is being scheduled and will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Jack A. Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund, continuing Harris's commitment to supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders. Extremely sad news to learn earlier this morning that my good friend, California racing/breeding icon John Harris has died. An absolute legend in our industry who did more for breeding in this state than anybody. A monumental loss for CA. He will be greatly missed. :cry::broken_heart: https://t.co/sbFLAL8nBJ — Auerbach Thoroughbreds :horse_racing: (@UnusualHeat) July 3, 2025 The post Iconic Breeder John C. Harris Passes Away At 81 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade 3-placed Flying Mohawk, a runner in this spring's Kentucky Derby (G1), will be scratched from an intended start in the $750,000 Belmont Derby (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course after undergoing emergency colic surgery the morning of July 2.View the full article

Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) favorite Ombudsman shortened up to 10-11 with most firms July 3 with four other group 1 winners entered in the six-horse field at the declaration stage for Sandown Park's July 5 group 1 highlight.View the full article

The California racing and breeding industry has lost one of its stalwarts in John C. Harris.View the full article

Sweet Azteca and Kopion are set to meet for the first time, their battle coming in a Los Alamitos stakes named for the D. Wayne Lukas-trained multiple stakes winner Great Lady M., the dam of champion Lady's Secret.View the full article

Last out winner of the GIII Miss Preakness Stakes, ECHO SOUND (f, 3, Echo Town–Eagle Sound, by Fusaichi Pegasus) kept her nearly perfect record in tact with a facile win over a short field in Thursday's GIII Victory Ride Stakes. Always prominent just outside pacesetter Hollygrove (Complexity), the 3-2 favorite switched it on when cued at the top of the lane past fast fractions of :20.83 and :44.85. Only Beauty Reigns (Into Mischief) was doing any running late as the four-strong field came in spaced out behind a geared-down winner. The final time for the 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:15.49. Lifetime Record: 6-5-1-0. O-Gabriel Duignan; B-Springhouse Farm, Vision TBs, Bruce Pieratt & Patricia Pieratt; T-George R. Arnold II. Echo Sound makes it back-to-back wins in the G3 Victory Ride at Saratoga! Rusty Arnold trains and @luissaezpty was aboard. pic.twitter.com/PtEskaHwOp — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 3, 2025 Thursday, Saratoga VICTORY RIDE S.-GIII, $162,750, Saratoga, 7-3, 3yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:15.49, ft. 1–ECHO SOUND, 124, f, 3, by Echo Town 1st Dam: Eagle Sound, by Fusaichi Pegasus 2nd Dam: Synformer, by Sovereign Dancer 3rd Dam: Anjelicco, by Angle Light O-Gabriel Duignan; B-Springhouse Farm, Vision TBs, Bruce Pieratt & Patricia Pieratt (KY); T-George R. Arnold II; J-Luis Saez. $96,250. Lifetime Record: 6-5-1-0, $459,995. *1/2 to Pick of the Litter (Kitten's Joy), GSW, $419,110 and Deer District (Oscar Performance), MGSP, $459,931. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Beauty Reigns, 120, f, 3, Into Mischief–Ilsa, by Tapit. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Tranquility Lake Farms LLC; B-Wygod Equine, LLC (KY); T-William I. Mott. $35,000. 3–Indy Bay, 122, f, 3, Take Charge Indy–Discovery Bay, by Speightstown. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($40,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $19,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $19,000 RNA 2yo '24 TTAAPR). O-C Two Racing Stable, Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch; B-Frankfort Park Farm (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $21,000. Margins: 4 1/4, 4 3/4, 2. Odds: 1.50, 1.70, 1.80. Also Ran: Hollygrove. Scratched: Whatintheliteral. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Echo Sound An Easy Winner Of The Victory Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a joint statement from President Bob Hutt and Executive Director Jeff Matty of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), the Bucks County litigation filed last fall by members of the board of directors was settled on terms that all parties believe to be in the best interest of the PTHA and its 2,500-plus membership, the organization said via a press release on Thursday. On Oct. 22 of last year, TDN's T.D. Thornton reported that seven of the 11 directors of the PTHA had filed a legal response that denied sweeping allegations of corruption and cronyism that were made the prior month by Hutt and another board member. The directors specified for removal by Hutt included Matty, who was also under contract to work as the PTHA's executive director. In the settlement agreement, the parties recognize that all directors have acted in good faith and in the best interest of the PTHA at all times and that no party should be removed based on the conduct raised in the litigation. As a result of the settlement terms, the board will seek to implement a plan of action within the next 60 days by amending the bylaws. Changes will include mandatory board training at the beginning of each term, along with a more robust conflict of interest and mandatory disclosure policy. The release goes on to state that neither the parties nor their counsel shall have any other comment about the litigation or the settlement. Click here to access the settlement agreement. The post PTHA Reaches Settlement Agreement On Internal Litigation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Graham Motion will saddle last-out Keertana Stakes victress Marksman Queen as he aims for his 10th victory in the July 5 $250,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (G3T) at Delaware Park.View the full article

The New York Racing Association announced it has moved the $300,000 Troy Stakes (G2T) back one day from the Aug. 2 Whitney Stakes (G1) Saturday card to Aug. 3. View the full article

Friday, Sandown, post time: 15:00, THE DRAGON STAKES-Listed, £30,000, 2yo, 5f 10yT Field: Blue Orbit (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Military Code (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Rogue Supremacy (GB) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Killavia (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Lebron Power (GB) (Starman {GB}), Love Olivia (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Solana Rose (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Staya (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). TDN Verdict: Some Royal Ascot runners here, with Godolphin's Military Code looking to bounce back from an unplaced effort in the Coventry, KHK Racing's Staya having shown up prominently when fifth in the Queen Mary and Rogue Supremacy having disappointed in the Windsor Castle. Lebron Power may not have that experience, good or bad, but showed distinct promise when scoring on debut at Windsor and is a real threat. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Sandown, post time: 15:35, THE CORAL-ECLIPSE-G1, £1,000,000, 3yo/up, 9f 209yT Field: Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Ruling Court (Justify). TDN Verdict: A sensational renewal of this wonderful race, titled historically as “the first clash of the generations” and which retains all its star appeal with City Of Troy and St Mark's Basilica among the last four winners which all hailed from the Classic crop. Like that pair, and the 2023 winner Paddington, the Prix du Jockey Club hero Camille Pissarro and the Derby flop Delacroix represent Ballydoyle which is always the first port of call and the former is still unexposed at the trip having mastered it so well at Chantilly. Godolphin's 2,000 Guineas hero Ruling Court is also here, with the step up to a mile and a quarter sure to suit, and the older horses will have to be at the top of their game to keep them at bay. While he was impressive in the Prince of Wales's last month, Ombudsman faces a second quick race on fast ground in a short space of time for one who was so nurtured last term and any temporary regression will see him vulnerable, while the pace scenario is sure to be very different here with no obvious front-runner. Sosie looks like a fast mile-and-a-half horse and may lack the zip of the Classic-winning 3-year-olds. [Tom Frary]. The post Black-Type Analysis: Royal Ascot Also-Rans Return in Sandown’s Dragon Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-SAR, 100K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 4:22 p.m. The pricier half of a coupled entry, REBELLIOUS TYPE (Into Mischief) makes his belated debut for the partnership of Spendthrift Farm LLC, Cypress Creek Equine and St. Elias Stable. The 4-year-old son of MGSW Teresa Z brought an even $1,000,000 as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2022 and comes in on a steady work tab for trainer Amelia Green. This is the family of champion 2-year-old filly Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat) via third dam, MGISW My Flag (Easy Goer). Opposing Rebellious Type is a trio of 3-year-olds led by Apalta (Authentic), a $525,000 grad also from the Saratoga Sale in 2023. First dam Southern Ring, who did her racing in Canada to the tune of a pair of graded stakes wins, sold for $875,000 in foal to Into Mischief at KEEJAN in 2021 to Determined Stud who bred Apalta. She has already produced GSP Ladywearsthering (Uncle MO0 and SP Adora (Into Mischief). There's plenty of Canadian back class in the pedigree with $1.1m KEENOV broodmare Radiant Ring as her third dam, making this the family of Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Catch the Ring (Seeking the Gold) and her daughter, another Canadian champion 2-year-old filly in Catch the Thrill (A.P. Indy). First-time starter Subito (Speightstown), a Juddmonte homebred, is a half-brother to GISW Obligatory (Curlin) and to GSP Treble Clef (Arrogate) while another half-sister, Napier (Midnight Lute), is responsible for $1.3m OBS March 2-year-old and MGISP Ferocious (Flatter). First dam Uno Duo, a stakes winner herself, is a half to French G1SW Etoile Montante (Miswaki). Juddmonte bought into the family via third dam Nijinsky Star for $700,000 back at KEENOV in 1987 and was well-rewarded for it with plenty of Grade I class found under her page. One of just a few runners with any experience in the field, Godolphin homebred Fort Nelson (Bernardini) made one start in October of last year when fourth at Aqueduct going seven furlongs. The colt is out of MGISW Seventh Street (a $1,000,000 purchase for Godolphin as a 2-year-old in 2007), making him a half to GSW/GISP Lake Avenue (Tapit) and a full-brother to GI Malibu Stakes runner up Marking. TJCIS PPS 7th-ELP, 100K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 3:42 p.m. The 2-year-olds feature at Ellis Park with Tracy Farmer homebred Western Warrior (Essential Quality) drawing the rail. Out of Trophy Girl, who Farmer sold for $750,000 at FTKNOV in 2023, the colt is a half to GISW Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) $500,000 Saratoga grad War Spirit (Omaha Beach), a half to both SW Ari Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) and GSP Petruchio (Into Mischief) also debuts here for BC Stables. TJCIS PPS The post Friday Insights: Seven-Figure Fireworks At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and 'At the Races' host Steve Byk will once again partner for the 'Beat Byk NHC Challenge' this summer, offering one NHC tour member the opportunity to compete in the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) at the Horseshoe Las Vegas from Mar. 13-15, 2026. “For me, the return of 'Beat Byk' means summer and featured contest races at Saratoga, Del Mar, Ellis Park, Colonial Downs, Monmouth Park and by Labor Day, Kentucky Downs,” said Byk. “'Beat Byk' has proven to be an excellent gateway for aspiring contest players and sending one horseplayer to Vegas for the NHC on a free roll every year means a lot to me. Thanks to the NTRA for giving players this no-cost opportunity.” Last year's contest attracted better than 12,000 entries. Every Thursday, Byk will choose the weekend stakes race that make up the week's contest and announce them both on the radio and on his X page, @Steve_Byk. Byk's selections will be announced no later than each Friday. There will be 17 chances to qualify to the Beat Byk NHC Online Qualifier on September 13 during the promotional period. Listeners will be encouraged to log into https://www.ntra.com/beatbyk/ where they will either use Byk's selection to win the featured race or try to 'Beat Byk' by selecting another horse. All who correctly select the winning horse in each round will advance to a NHC 'Beat Byk' online qualifier on Sept. 13 held on Horseplayers.com. Participants may qualify only once during the promotional period. Membership in the NHC is required to take part in the September NHC Online qualifier. The post ‘Beat Byk’ Handicapping Contest Returns For 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take 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 Fukushima and Kokura Racecourses: Sunday, July 6, 2025 5th-FKS, ¥14,250,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT MAKE IT (f, 2, Bolt d'Oro–Holy Legal {Brz}, by Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) is the first foal from her dam, a stakes winner in Brazil in 2017, a champion MGSW sprinter in Uruguay the following season and twice-placed in Arlington allowance races and down the field in the Korea Sprint and well-beaten in the Korea Sprint in 2019. A $20,000 graduate of the 2020 Keeneland January Sale, Holy Legal was bought back on a bid of $57,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton July HORA Sale when carrying this filly, who was foaled the following February. Covered by Corniche and exported to Japan, Holy Legal produced a filly in 2024 and a filly by Group 3 winner Tosen Reve (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) this term. O/B-Takaya Shimakawa (KY); T-Minoru Tsuchida 8th-KOK, ¥15,200,000 ($105k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1000m FEMME ELEGANTE (f, 3, Tiz the Law–Twirling Owen, by Twirling Candy) failed to land a blow sprinting over a yielding local grass course Feb. 20, but turned it around in a big way, graduating by seven lengths on the dirt at Fukushima Apr. 20 (see below, SC 15). West Virginia-bred Twirling Owen was a winner in restricted stakes company and fetched $165,000 carrying this filly at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. The mare, a half-sister to MSW Run To Daylight (Runhappy), was reoffered at the same auction in 2023, selling for $42,000 in foal to Honor A. P., but sadly passed away in 2024. O-Normandy Thoroughbred Racing Co Ltd; B-W S Farish (KY); T-Naoya Nakamura The post Bolt d’Oro Filly Debuts Long On the Grass at Fukushima appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Independence Day at Saratoga and Ellis Park. Friday, July 4, 2025 Sar 2, Schuylerville S., $150k, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:42 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($) Kingsolver (Omaha Beach), OBSMAR, 95,000 C-J V C Training & Sales, agt; B-RB Bloodstock, agt. Storyteller Rcg Miss Magical (Good Magic), OBSAPR, 100,000 C-S G V Thoroughbreds (Steven Venosa), agent; B-George Weaver, agent for Vekoma Thorougbreds LLC Ellis 7, $100k, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 3:42 p.m. ET Mayweather (Practical Joke), OBSAPR, 260,000 C-Top Line Sales LLC, agent; B-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners Saratoga 6, $90k, 2yo, (R), 5 1/2fT, 3:50 p.m. ET Essentially Fast (Essential Quality), OBSAPR, 40,000 C-Top Line Sales LLC, agent; B-Gary Contessa, agent Santinni (Munnings), OBSAPR, 12,000 C-S G V Thoroughbreds (S Venosa), agent; B-Paullie B Racing Sculcos Folly (Redesdale), OBSAPR, 70,000 C-Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, agent; B-Chad Schumer, agent The post Summer Breezes: Friday, July 4, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The curtain came down on the Arqana Summer Sale on Thursday where Victoire Des Borde (Antarctique), a sister to Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Kopek Des Bordes (No Risk At All), led the concluding session when selling to Guy Petit for €85,000. All told, the aggregate for the Summer Sale was up a massive 24% to €13,311,200 while the average was up by 9% to €36,074. The clearance rate was a healthy 80% [up 14% on last year] while the median was up by €4,000 to €20,000. A press release issued by Arqana after the sale attributed quotes to president Olivier Delloye and CEO Freddy Powell, that read, “If we retrace the sale chronologically, we can highlight the dynamism of the last breeze-up of the season, with a remarkable percentage of horses sold of over 96%. The stores then sparked some great bidding battles, with nine lots making or exceeding €100,000, testifying to the attractiveness of French maternal families. “The high point of the sale was reached yesterday on the day reserved for horses-in-training. Sales in this segment were up by a spectacular 60% on last year, topping the €7 million mark for the first time. All top profiles made very good prices, led by Zekret, who sold for €520,000 to Nicolas Bertran de Balanda and Alex Elliott. He is now set to continue his career over jumps in Ireland. On the flat, Toyotomi sold for €335,000 to Jason Kelly and will join David O'Meara's stable. We hope he follows in the footsteps of Lord Glitters and Mondialiste. Emerging countries such as Libya have also been very active, alongside the Middle East, Australia and the whole of Europe.” It continued, “Several notable transactions also took place in the breeding section, including the purchase of Victoire Des Borde by Guy Petit for €80,000, in foal to Goliath du Berlais, and Ravioli, in foal to Hello Youmzain, sold for €67,000 to Cécile Adonias (Cava Associates). We look forward to seeing you online tomorrow for the Equos Blond Pop-Up sale, before looking ahead to the eagerly anticipated August Sale, which is fast approaching.” The post Sister To Kopek Des Bordes Brings Curtain Down On Strong Arqana Summer Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A shortfall of 20 horses has forced Irish Thoroughbred Marking to abandon plans for the intended barrier trial fixture at Dundalk on Monday, July 7. ITM's international representative Jeremy Greene, who has been the driving force behind the concept, revealed that it would not be financially viable to stage the card if a minimum of 70 entries were not received. Only 50 horses had been entered for next Monday's fixture and leading trainers Jack Davison and Gavin Cromwell, both of whom have been big backers of the initiative since its inception in 2020, admitted to being disappointed by the late cancellation. “I certainly would be a big supporter of the barrier trials and had a few horses for Monday,” said Cromwell, who readied Brownstown in a Naas barrier trial less than a month after that filly landed a Leopardstown maiden on debut. He added, “The barrier trials have been a big addition to us and we've managed to get a couple sold off it as well so we're definitely big supporters of them. I don't know what the reason behind them not filling is as they are a good initiative.” It has been rumoured that some trainers were reluctant to educate their horses in a race scenario on the polytrack at Dundalk but Davison said he wasn't buying such an explanation as an excuse and said the lack of support for the barrier trials on the whole is something that surprises him. “It is disappointing,” Davison said. “I planned on trialing five horses and was in favour of trialling at Dundalk. It's a very consistent surface so I can't see the track itself being an excuse for the races not filling. “I am surprised that the barrier trials are not proving more popular. From a trainer's point of view, you can't beat a mock race to tell you where you are at. With my trainer's cap on, it's nice to be able to bring your horse away and work them within a bunch of horses in a non-racing environment. It's a big advantage, especially for trainers like myself who are operating with smaller strings.” Ahead of the opening barrier trial of the year at Naas, Greene told TDN Europe about the financial constraints involved in running the fixtures, and stated that entry fees generated a huge amount of the income required to cover costs. Confirming the cancellation of Monday's meeting, he simply said, “We needed 70 entries to run but we only got 50. We're way short. We've publicised them on the Ras website and made it very clear about the conditions that need to be met. We have to put the fields together today so we're not going to make it. It's just one of those things.” The post ‘We’re Way Short’ – Lack Of Entries Forces Cancellation Of Dundalk Barrier Trials appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sweet Azteca and Kopion are set to meet for the first time, their battle coming in a Los Alamitos stakes named for the D. Wayne Lukas trained-multiple stakes winner Great Lady M., the dam of champion Lady's Secret.View the full article