Wandering Eyes

The racing industry was left shocked on Wednesday as the civil unrest that has plagued Hong Kong in recent months finally caught up to the city’s most beloved sport, with the Happy Valley races cancelled because of safety fears.Veteran trainer John Moore admitted he was “caught off guard” when Jockey Club officials pulled the meeting at the last minute, with trainers now scrambling to find races for the horses that were meant to run on Wednesday night.“I didn’t see this coming because racing is… View the full article

Steeped in tradition and littered with a world class field, the Melbourne Cup could be forgiven for becoming too big in recent years. View the full article

Wednesday night’s Happy Valley race meeting has been cancelled just hours before it was meant to start because of fears protesters could compromise the safety of its staff, customers and horses.Hong Kong racing had been largely unaffected by the political and social chaos that has engulfed the city in recent months, but the focus shifted to the sport in recent days because polarising pro-establishment lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu is a part-owner of a horse – Hong Kong Bet – who was down to run… View the full article

Exciting galloper Catalyst has made the perfect start to his three-year-old season with his two stakes victories to date, and leading Australian form analyst Daniel O’Sullivan believes the son of Darci Brahma will only get better. The Clayton Chipperfield-trained gelding put in an eye-catching performance at Ruakaka on Saturday to win the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and O’Sullivan was impressed with what he saw. “It was an outstanding win in the way he overcame being held up in the straight and was then able to accelerate quickly and strongly, powering through the line,” he said. “His final 200m speed rating was very impressive and he was increasing his margin as he ran through the line, which I love to see. “There’s no doubt that without that bad luck and/or had they gone further, he wins by much more.” While impressed with his run on Saturday, O’Sullivan expects Catalyst to continue to improve. “There’s no doubt that he’s a top class prospect,” he said. “The figures behind his performances well and truly back up the visual impressiveness of his wins, which isn’t always the case with lightly raced horses that win easily. “He’s only had four starts and was a mid-November foal, so there’s no doubt he has plenty of potential for further improvement.” Catalyst has a big spring instore and O’Sullivan believes he will be ideally suited to the mile distance of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) for which he is a $1.90 favourite in the TAB’s futures market. “The quality of late speed Catalyst shows suggests he will be better suited beyond 1200m. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in the 1400m to 1600m distance range. I think that’s the trip we are likely to see another new peak rating.” The NZ 2000 Guineas remains Catalyst’s primary goal this spring, however, O’Sullivan said from what he has shown to date, Catalyst would be very competitive in three-year-old stakes company in Australia. “On his exposed best so far, Catalyst’s ratings and speed measures would see him very competitive in three-year-old Listed to Group Two races in Australia, especially in Melbourne,” O’Sullivan said. “He’d need to dodge the genuine top-class types from Sydney we have seen already such as Bivouac, Exceedance and Yes Yes Yes, but he’s in the mix with the best of the remaining colts and geldings.” O’Sullivan said Catalyst compares favourably to the former Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Saracino who went on to Group Two success in Australia as a three-year-old. “At this stage I have Catalyst’s best in the 95.5 to 97 rating range, that’s one length off Saracino at the same stage of the season,” he said. “He resumed and won the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) against older horses in 2016 and then went to Melbourne at his next start and improved another length to win the Gr.2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. “The 2019 edition of that race was just last Saturday and won by Dalasan in a 97.5 rating, barely 0.2 lengths better than Catalyst’s peak so far, so there’s no doubt he can measure up. “The exciting aspect of Catalyst is that he is likely to be better over further (ground).” The post Form expert rates Catalyst appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Danzdanzdance will contest the Gr.1 Colgate Optic White Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Danzdanzdance will begin another raid on Sydney on Saturday when she lines-up in the Gr.1 Colgate Optic White Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. It will be the third trip to Sydney for the Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley-trained mare, with her best result being a third placing behind Avilius in the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill in March, and she is set to meet the gelding once again this weekend. “I thought Avilius’ first-up run (finishing runner-up in the Gr.2 Chemsford Stakes, 1600m) was super and he will cop the wet tracks, so you can see why he is one of the favourites,” Gibbs said. “It’s a good field, it has got the old warhorse Happy Clapper in there, he won a trial the other day. You have got to respect him a lot as well.” While Gibbs has a lot of respect for Saturday’s competition, he is focused on his mare and said she travelled over well earlier this week. “Our foreman, Glen Perry, is over there with her and he has sent back good reports on how she has settled in and how she has worked. “He said she is hitting out lovely. They always take a few days to get into their feed, but she is doing well.” Danzdanzdance finished fifth to Melody Belle in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings in her first hit-out of the season and Gibbs was happy enough with her performance given her normal running pattern. “It was a good first up run, that is all we wanted,” he said. “She never really liked it being inside in amongst all the horses, she is happier with a bit of room.” The Randwick track was rated a Heavy9 on Wednesday and Gibbs is hoping it will improve slightly ahead of Saturday. “They only need a couple of days and then it will come back probably to the better part of slow, that’s how quickly they can turn over there, which is great,” he said. “I would prefer that sort of track to be honest, for a second up run, but I am certainly not complaining about the rain.” Danzdanzdance could have a big spring instore if she shows enough form early on, with Melbourne remaining on the radar. “I would be happy if she can run in the top three, more to give us confidence to push onto the other races that we were looking at,” Gibbs said. “There’s a nice race in two weeks time, the Hills Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m), and then two weeks after that is the Craven Plate (Gr.3, 2000m). They are all worth A$500,000, so it’s huge prize money. “If she came up brilliantly and was flying we would consider Melbourne. She does hold a nomination for the Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m), but that is another step-up again. It is something we will assess as we go.” Danzdanzdance had issues with settling in her races but Gibbs believes the recent addition of a tongue-tie has been instrumental in countering that issue. “Glen (Perry) rides her in just about all of her work and he said she has become so laid back with the tongue tie on,” he said. “We just had that issue with her over racing and it’s just something you can’t do over there, if you over race you might as well not even bother.” While Gibbs will be in Sydney on Saturday cheering home Danzdanzdance, he will be keeping close tabs on Hastings where another five-year-old mare in his care will tackle Group One opposition. Hello It’s Me will line-up in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) and heads into the race in great form, winning both of her races this preparation, including a three-quarter length win against Group One winner Avantage at Ruakaka last start. “You couldn’t be going into it in better form,” Gibbs said. “It was nice to have that very good mare who has performed over the ditch (Avantage) in it, so we could get a bit of a line on her. “She probably didn’t get the best of runs, but I thought 1200m is not really our go either.” Gibbs is looking forward to testing the daughter of Darci Brahma at elite level for the second time and believes she will put in a good showing. “It’s a big step up, but she deserves her chance,” he said. “If you go back to her only run at Group One level, in the Livamol (2040m), she was about 4-1/2 lengths to the winner and I really don’t think we had her right. “She has always had niggly little issues and touch wood she is in the best condition and best order we have had her.” Gibbs will have two Group One chances on Saturday, but he is also looking forward to watching a horse he part-owns attempt to qualify for next month’s Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). Multiple Group One winner Volkstok’n’barrell will compete in the Gr.3 Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield and Gibbs is hopeful of a strong run. “Hopefully he goes well too, he is quite well placed,” he said. “He is over with Danny O’Brien and he has had a couple of runs to get him going, carrying 61.5kg. “He is going well and drops to 56.5kg over 2000m on Saturday. “The feedback from Danny has been really good. He said he is cherry ripe and Brett Prebble galloped him on Tuesday and said he galloped magnificently. “He is getting on a bit, but he is very lightly raced. If he ran top three I would be ecstatic and if he wins he qualifies for the Caulfield Cup.” The post Danzdanzdance launches Sydney raid appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Michael Chang Chun-wai heads to Happy Valley on Wednesday night knowing he has thrown everything into one last grab for glory with his highest-rated galloper Saul’s Special.The six-year-old enters the Class Two Cheung Hong Handicap (1,000m) with a rating of 100, meaning any further rise puts him in the no man’s land of relying on Group contests, Class Ones or – depending on the rise – extended Class Twos.“His full preparation has been for this race, I gave him two barrier trials and there is no… View the full article

With 10 days to go before the start of Santa Anita’s fall meet, which include the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, a 4-year-old gelding named Zeke (Gio Ponti) fractured his pelvis during a work on Santa Anita’s training track Monday morning and was euthanized. The Dean Pederson trainee’s death brings the total number of fatalities at the Arcadia oval since Dec. 26 to 31. Zeke, who was claimed by Pederson Aug. 29 at Del Mar and had not run since, was pulled up by his rider when he recognized an issue and was attended to by a team of on-track veterinarians led by April Mauro, according to a statement released by The Stronach Group Tuesday evening. He was vanned back to the barn where the pelvic fracture was diagnosed. Initially considered stable, his condition deteriorated that evening. “Everyone at Santa Anita and throughout The Stronach Group is devastated by this loss,” said Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinarian for The Stronach Group. “We are carefully reviewing what factors could have contributed to Zeke’s injury. Santa Anita will continue to work closely with the California Horse Racing Board and will continue to be transparent with our stakeholders and all of our constituents, including the public, as more facts come in. Zeke will undergo a necropsy run by the University of California–Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine, as is mandatory for all on-track accidents. The accident and the necropsy report will be reviewed by the California Horse Racing Board team to learn what, if anything, could have been done to have prevented the accident.” There were no racing fatalities during Del Mar’s summer meet, but Zeke’s death is the fifth training fatality in Southern California since Santa Anita closed June 23, according to an L.A. Times article. It was the second training track death of 2019. Following the initial string of deaths over the winter, Santa Anita issued a series of new safety protocols and did extensive work on the surface of its main track. Part of the new safety measures applied to breezes starting with 48-hour notice of an intended work. The TSG statement explained the policy in the following paragraph: “Every horse who works [a timed training run] at Santa Anita Park is required to undergo the same safety protocol, which includes applying 48-hours in advance to work, evaluation of their recent workout and racing history to identify risk factors and, for approximately 20% of those horses, a physical examination by an association veterinarian. In addition to those measures, every horse is required to be examined by that horse’s private veterinarian within five days prior to its workout. Horses working out are required to follow the same strict medication reforms enacted earlier this year.” The TSG statement on Zeke’s death finished by saying, “The Stronach Group and Santa Anita’s safety measures put horse and rider safety above all else. There is an expected level of safety and accountability that is required to participate at a Stronach Group racetrack. If anything less is found which could have contributed to this accident, it will be addressed immediately. Santa Anita and The Stronach Group remain committed to leading transformative change in this traditional sport.” Santa Anita is set to kick off its fall meet Sept. 27. The post Another Horse Fatally Injured at Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A yearling filly by Flatter led the way during a lively day of trade at Keeneland September’s Book 4 opener Tuesday, bringing $310,000 from bloodstock agent Mike Ryan. Consigned by Select Sales, agent for Machmer Hall as Hip 2379, the dark bay or brown filly is out of the graded stakes-placed Candy Ride (Arg) mare Co Cola. She was bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall. This is the extended female family of two-time G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner and millionaire Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) and Canadian champion Kimchi (Langfuhr). A son of Palace Malice was the highest-priced colt of the day, registering a $280,000 bid from Michael Dorsey. Hip 2440, out of the multiple stakes-placed mare Giant Sensation (Giant’s Causeway), was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent. Bred in Kentucky by Overbrook Farm & Kildare Stud, he RNA’d for $75,000 as a KEENOV weanling. His second dam is graded winner Sensation (Dixie Union). Tuesday’s gross receipts totaled $15,463,700 for 273 horses sold, good for an average of $56,644 and a median of $40,000. Through eight sessions of the 13-day sale, Keeneland has sold 1,582 yearlings for a sum of $330,293,200. The cumulative average is $208,782 and the cumulative median is $130,000. “It’s still playing solid for the horses that people want,” Ryan said at the conclusion of the day’s trade. “It’s all about having what the customer wants. If you have what they like, as perceived quality, you’ll get paid. It’s very discriminating though. We bought a nice Flatter filly today to race–I knew she was going to be right up there in the $300,000 range. She’s a quality filly by a very good sire and she’s a really impressive, imposing individual. She’s for a client of Chad Brown’s. She looked like a Saratoga 2-year-old to me.” Ryan also signed for a $105,000 Palace Malice colt (Hip 2170) and a $55,000 Brody’s Cause colt (Hip 2387) during Tuesday’s session. In total, Ryan has purchased a total of 30 head at the Keeneland September Sale thus far, led by a $2.1-million son of Pioneerof the Nile (Hip 519), for a sum of $10,345,000. His purchases have averaged $344,833. “It’s been an incredible sale,” Ryan said. “I don’t recall in many years seeing a sale like last Wednesday, the final day of Book 1. That afternoon was one of the strongest sales I can remember in many years and its carried through. Book 2 was extremely strong as was Book 3. Some of the pinhookers have done very well and some breeders have done very well based on stud fees, too. A lot of people have had a good week, which is great for the business. The energy and electricity here all week has been pretty palpable. Even today early this morning, there were still a lot of people working the barns looking for horses.” Gainesway, agent, was the top consignor of Tuesday’s session with sales of $2,548,000 for 31 yearlings, good for an average of $82,194. J. Stevens Bloodstock, agent, purchased four yearlings for $482,000 to be the session’s leading buyer by gross. The September Sale continues through Sunday with all sessions starting at 10 a.m. The post A ‘Flattering’ Beginning to Book Four appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maximum Security, the first Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner to be disqualified for a racetrack foul, will not be running Sept. 21 in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) due to a large colon nephrosplenic entrapment. View the full article

Duric still has an Eye-in on Raffles Cup View the full article

The grade 1 winner remains ranked No. 1 by 287 votes. View the full article

The Illinois Racing Board Sept. 17 threatened to deny Arlington International Racecourse racing dates for 2020 unless its owner, Churchill Downs Inc., can demonstrate within one week a concrete commitment to racing. View the full article

Maximum Security, the first Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner to be disqualified for a racetrack foul, will not be running Sept. 21 in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) due to a large colon nephrosplenic entrapment. View the full article

Bulletin was quick to find success on the racetrack, posting victories in his first three races, all turf sprint stakes. And after two losses, the he is entered for his first start on the main track in Parx Racing's $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes. View the full article

The early rounds of SuperCoach Racing belong to the colts and fillies with five Group 1s with fields restricted to three-year-olds all up for grabs. View the full article

Reliable Team has a perfect record to protect when he takes his place in section two of the Class 3 Wah Fu Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, and Zac Purton hopes the emerging talent has enough class to overcome a number of looming obstacles, not least immaturity. “His class has got him through before and hopefully it can again,” the champion jockey said, “but last season he was in Class 4 and these Class 3 horses know what they’re doing, they’re a lot sharper, so he needs to be on his game first-up.” Two eye-catching wins last term marked the Frankie Lor-trained gelding as a bright prospect, but his career tally of two from two has been achieved despite obvious greenness. Not much has changed on that front, according Purton. “He’s the same horse as he was last season,” the Australian said. “He didn’t travel in his barrier trial at all, he wanted to hang out around the corner and run away from the other horse. He doesn’t feel any stronger: he feels the same at the moment. “I don’t know that he’s going to strengthen up a lot though because I think he’s going to be a miler. When he gets up over more distance he’s going to be comfortable in the run.” Reliable Team has done all of his racing at Wednesday’s course and distance and his natural ability has carried him through so far. Breaking from gate eight over 1200m could well put the exciting prospect under pressure from the off though. “These 1200-metre races, they have him under the pump all the way,” Purton continued. “He’s never drawn a gate, he’s always had to work to get a spot and it’s going to be the same on Wednesday night. “He’s never been able to relax and find a rhythm. It’ll be harder this time with a big weight in this grade.” Lor bagged his first win of the campaign at Sha Tin on Sunday while Purton pocketed a four-timer to lead the premiership at this early juncture. “Hopefully it’s the start of a nice roll,” the latter said, “I’d rather get on one early in the season than late in the season. It’s nice to get a couple of wins on the board.” Reliable Team, a son of Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man, faces 11 mostly exposed but competitive rivals in the night’s penultimate contest. Reliable Team was purchased by Upper Bloodstock out of the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale when consigned by Phoenix Park. The post Reliable Team sights a Happy Valley hat-trick appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Pop Star Princess will likely head to Te Rapa on October 4 after her promising run at Ruakaka on Saturday Photo: Trish Dunell A win by De Koning at Ruakaka on Saturday, along with a promising run from stablemate Pop Star Princess, has kept the spring in the step of Cambridge trainer Fred Cornege. Cornege and his wife, Lindsay, are part-owners of both five-year-olds and, along with their regular jockey Lynsey Satherley, they weren’t surprised by the results last weekend in which De Koning scored decisively over 1600m and Pop Star Princess kicked back strongly for a fresh-up sixth to Orakei Overlord over 1400m. “I was happy with them both,” Cornege said. “De Koning has got the ability, but he’s a bit of a wuss and needs to man up a bit more. He could be coming right now. “As for Pop Star Princess, she lost a length on the home turn and came back again. It was only her first run and she’d just had a soft trial (which she won) here at Cambridge. “I was going to take Pop Star Princess down to Hastings for the last day (October 5), but there’s an open 1400m at Te Rapa the day before that could suit her better. “De Koning will run the same day in the Te Awamutu Cup over 1600m.” Both horses have now won three races apiece and Pop Star Princess has shown more promise with her seven placings, including a third to Bostonian and fellow Group One winner Santa Monica in the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe last year. “Pop Star Princess always puts in. She’s weighed-in 17 times from her 19 starts,” Cornege said. “She can have a go at the Counties Bowl again.” Pop Star Princess and De Koning make up half the current team Cornege has in work and at 70 years of age he’s enjoying pottering around with a small team. “I’m just coasting along and enjoying it,” he said. “The other two I’ve got in work are young ones. I’ve got Princess Catharina in on Friday (at Taupo) and I bought an Atlante gelding off gavelhouse.com for $500 earlier this year. He’s a half-brother to a Singapore Derby winner (Clint).” While thoroughbreds are Cornege’s focus these days, it hasn’t always been that way. In fact, he and his wife have vast experience with different breeds and horses in various roles. “We’ve had warmbloods, thoroughbreds and done hunting, showjumping and eventing,” Cornege said. “I did two stints with a New Zealand business team in Japan. We had some nice young horses when we were both competing, but it was an expensive sport with a young family and we concentrated on producing and selling them.” The Cornege’s daughter, Christine, has followed in her parents’ footsteps in the equestrian field and finished second in international class in Equador last weekend. Cornege’s CV also includes stints working for such studs as Woodleigh, Trelawney and Paramount and that led to establishing his own thoroughbred stud, Seattle Lodge, at Pahiatua. “We stood Pat’s Victory, Mr Ironclad, Shifnal Prince and Porter Rhodes,” Cornege said. “It was hard work, but we were going well before the sharemarket crash (in 1987). That changed everything.” The Corneges shifted permanently to Cambridge 15 years ago and their services have been well-used for pre-training over the years. But it’s as a trainer that Cornege gets the most satisfaction, particularly with the likes of Pop Star Princess. He first tasted success as a trainer when Big Quick won at Tauranga in January 2011 and he also picked up a double with Shredder that season, then later produced the handy performer Thee Quiet Achiever and impressive 10-length debutante King Willem, who was then sold overseas. Since then Cornege has ticked over with his small team and seems poised to add to his 18 wins, maybe even picking up a double at Te Rapa on October 4 as he cruises along. The post Cornege cruising along with promising gallopers appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday’s Insights features a $2.4 million son of War Front. 2.10 Great Yarmouth, Mdn, £7,500, 2yo, 7f 3yT Cheveley Park Stud’s KINSMAN (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) is a homebred half-brother to Listed Chester City Plate victress Ladyship (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) produced by G1 Sun Chariot S. and G1 Lockinge S. heroine Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). He faces one dozen debuting for the William Haggas stable. 2.55 Sandown, Cond, £12,000, 2yo, 7fT Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s PALACE PIER (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a 600,000gns TATOCT yearling out of a half-sister to GSW G1 Criterium International placegetter Bonfire (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) and MGSW GI Beverly D. S. third Joviality (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), earned ‘TDN Rising Star’ status over course and distance last month and continues his education with a six-pound penalty for that impressive debut success. Opposition to the John Gosden trainee features Bjorn Nielsen and Eastwind Racing’s hitherto unraced Balzac (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who is a 280,000gns son of G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud placegetter Miss You Too (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), representing Ed Walker. 3.20 Naas, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, f, 6fT LOVE LOCKET (IRE) (No Nay Never), whose granddam is a stakes-placed half-sister to MG1SW sire High Chaparral {Ire}), shot up in value after selling for €52,000 as a GOFNOV foal to become a €700,000 GOFORB yearling last year. Susan Magnier’s debutante is joined by Aidan O’Brien stablemate Elfin Queen (American Pharoah), who is a $1.2-million KEESEP half-sister to three black-type performers headed by GI Santa Anita Gold Cup-winning sire Cupid (Tapit). 3.52 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 2yo, f, 8fT Alain and Gerard Wertheimer’s LIGHT DREAM (FR) (Anodin {Ire}) is kin to three black-type performers headed by G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (GB) (Anabaa) and is unveiled by Freddy Head in this debutantes’ heat. Her opponents include His Highness The Aga Khan’s Vadalda (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who is a homebred daughter of G3 Prix Cleopatre and G3 Prix de Psyche victress Vadapolina (Fr) (Trempolino) and thus a half-sister to G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches runner-up Veda (Fr) (Dansili {GB}). 4.55 Naas, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, f, 7fT Michael Tabor’s FANCY BLUE (IRE) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), one of three nominees for Aidan O’Brien, is a half-sister to two stakes performers out of a winning half-sister to MG1SW sire High Chaparral {Ire}). She lines up with stablemate Elizabethofaragon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is a full-sister to G1 Racing Post Trophy-winning sire Kingsbarns (Ire); and Ger Lyons trainee Brinjal (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who is a Juddmonte homebred half to four black-type performers headed by G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud victress Passage of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and G1 Falmouth S. heroine Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar). 5.02 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 2yo, c/g, 8fT Coolmore’s focus is not solely on the juvenile feast occurring at Naas and Susan Magnier’s French colours will be represented in this clash of newcomers by OCEAN ATLANTIQUE (American Pharoah), an Andre Fabre trainee. The $275,000 Keeneland September yearling, who lit up Arqana’s May Breeze-Up sale when topping the sheets at €1.1 million, is out of a half-sister to MGISW sire Leroidesanimaux (Brz) (Candy Stripes). His task has been made easier by the late scratching of His Highness The Aga Khan’s homebred Ridwaan (Fr) (American Pharoah), who is a Mikel Delzangles-conditioned son of G1 Prix de l’Opera heroine Ridasiyna (Fr) (Motivator {GB}). 5.30 Naas, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 7fT On a day of notable introductions by Aidan O’Brien, the trainer sends out Michael Tabor’s ST JAMES’S SQUARE (War Front), who topped all sessions at last year’s Keeneland September yearling sale when knocked down for a whopping $2.4-million. The March-foaled son of GI Starlet S. heroine Streaming (Smart Strike) is accompanied by Evie Stockwell’s hitherto unraced stablemate Battle of Liege (War Front), who is a son of G3 Ballyogan S. victress Liscanna (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) and thus a homebred full-brother to GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf-winning sire Hit It A Bomb and G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Brave Anna. 6.00 Naas, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 5fT EDEN QUAY (IRE) (No Nay Never), who will carry the Derrick Smith colours in this debut, is a 600,000gns TATOCT full-brother to G1 Middle Park S. and G1 July Cup hero Ten Sovereigns (Ire). The Aidan O’Brien trainee, whose dam ran second in the Listed Prix de la Seine and fourth in the G3 Prix Penelope, confronts 10 opponents in this straight dash. The post Observations: $2.4 Million War Front Debuts at Naas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rules aimed at strengthening health and fitness protections and upgrading the licensing requirements for jockeys, exercise riders and outriders are in the pipeline in New York. The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) voted unanimously Tuesday at its monthly meeting to advance a comprehensively re-written package of licensing protocols to the proposal level. After a public commentary period, the package will come up for a final vote at a future commission meeting. “The proposal creates a rider fitness component that details the kinds of medical issues that must be disclosed and subjected to a medical examination and clearance before a rider may be licensed,” stated a NYSGC brief on the proposal that was included in the meeting package. “Riders are required to record pertinent medical information and medical clearances into a database system. A key aspect of the rulemaking is to require every rider to document their baseline concussive status, to undergo another Sports Concussive Assessment Tool examination after any fall from a horse or possible head injury, and to make a permanent record of future examinations.” The proposal also creates a mandatory “fitness to return to ride” program to require an appropriate medical examination and clearance before a licensee may return to riding after a concussion or other significant medical issue. If the new rules pass, riders will be required to carry a medical information card that will help medical providers give appropriate care in the event of an accident or injury. Of note to steeplechase jockeys who compete on the New York circuit, the proposal would require a commission license–not just one from the National Steeplechase Association–for jump-race riders. Also, the new measures would preclude “inexperienced steeplechase jockeys from participating in the most competitive and dangerous races with pari-mutuel wagering.” The post Re-Write of Jockey Rules in Pipeline For NY Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Michael Wrona will serve as track announcer for the inaugural commercial race meet at Grants Pass Downs in Oregon, beginning Sunday, Sept. 22. View the full article

The TDN Podcast is back in a new format, and all of the TDN’s videos and video archives now live right on our site. Visit www.thetdn.com/podcast/ to listen to all of our podcast offerings. Those include stories from the TDN Look in podcast form, including our Keeneland Life’s Work Oral History Series; the Writers’ Room, a weekly roundtable of TDN writers offering their take on the news; interviews with racing figures, and longer stories from the TDN which you might not have time to read, but which make great listening in the car on the way to work or on a plane. The new TDN podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For Apple podcasts, simply look for the purple podcast app on your phone or iPad, then search for TDN Podcasts, and click subscribe. The entire list of TDN podcasts is available, and you’ll be notified when a new one is posted. On the Spotify homepage, click the magnifying glass icon, and type in TDN Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe! We are also now housing all of our video features right on the TDN website, on our new page found here: http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/tdn-videos/ . Watch a new video every day, or search for old favorites-all without leaving the TDN website. The post Podcasts Now On Apple & Spotify; Videos At TDN appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When Aidan Butler, The Stronach Group (TSG)’s chief strategy officer, arrived at Santa Anita earlier this Spring, he did so in the midst of a welfare crisis unfolding on a national stage. Since then, TSG has solidified Butler’s position within the company, where he will additionally serve as acting executive director of California Racing Operations. In terms of the crisis, Del Mar’s summer meet–at which there were no race day fatalities and only four training-related deaths, two of which were the result of a freak accident–has had the effect of ameliorating the intense scrutiny. With racing set to resume at Santa Anita Sept. 27, Santa Anita has just released its rules and conditions for training and racing this fall–a two-page, 13-point document that tightens the policies implemented in the spring, closely resembling the processes in place at Del Mar this summer. In this first of a two-part Q&A with TDN, Butler discusses his new role in TSG, the safety protocols in place, and plans for the facility going forward. The following is an edited version of a long conversation that proved wide-ranging and discursive. TDN: How does your role overlap with TSG COO Tim Ritvo? Who makes the day-to-day decisions? AB: I’m overseeing everything in California. What are all those parts? Obviously, there’s racetrack operations. How the industry works, meaning the relationships between the TOC [Thoroughbred Owners of California] and the CTT [California Thoroughbred Trainers]. How we work with Del Mar. How we work with bigger picture stuff like stabling. Then, how the money is divided up–how the money that’s taken out is best used. Going forward, you have to find a plan that’ll work. A better environment for the horses. Also, a better environment for the horsemen. One of the biggest benefits that we have, we have the beauty of California. It’s a beautiful place to live. The fact that we are light on purses, we’ve got to address that. Is that via looking at subsidies? Looking at a different format? Yeah, all of it–it’s not an easy fix. One thing that rings true is if we can get safe racing, we have a happy ecosystem, we’re halfway there. People love the place and people want to be in California. TDN: In terms of the safety protocols for the fall, I understand you’re still requiring 48-hour notice before every work–something Del Mar didn’t require during their summer meet that was a success safety-wise. AB: The reason we still want that is because I want to know my constituents. I want to know who’s on the track at any given point, and if you don’t know who’s going to go out there, it’s very difficult to then, heaven forbid something happens, to know why or where it happened. That can be seen as a little overbearing, but I think the benefits the racing office gets out of it are worth it. We get to know who’s fit, and once you get to know who’s fit, you know who’s going to be ready. I understand how a lot of stuff is taken in the negative–you’re trying to tell us how to train. Which is a criticism and I’ll take that. But that isn’t the intent. I think going forward, with the limited population we’ve got, the more data the better. The more we know, the better the racing office can perform. TDN: In the event there’s another wet winter, do you have a plan of action in place and are taking into account the flex dates recently added to the calendar? AB: We’ve got a lot of experts working here, and you’ve got to let the experts be the experts. When it comes to the weather, I’ve already pre-warned everybody, we’re going to be overcautious. It’s not going to be me being overcautious on an Aidan-ism. It’s going to be me being overcautious because of [track superintendent] Dennis [Moore] and the track team, which is about as good as you’ll find. [Track surface expert] Dr. Mick Peterson we work closely with, too. I’m blessed. I’ve got years of experience around me. As a manager, there’s the old adage, ‘you don’t want to be the smartest guy in the room.’ You want the smartest guys in the room giving you advice, then you make a decision on the best advice you’ve got. I’m glad we’ve got the ability to have flex days. That’ll give us the comfort of being able to change things if things aren’t A-1–even if there’s a perception that things aren’t A-1. TDN: Might that also involve curtailing workouts? AB: If the track gets messy and sloppy, we’re going to back-off a lot of stuff. So, can you let the horses go out there and gallop? Yeah–course you’ve got to let them. But, the old adage, ‘if it isn’t good enough to race on, then it shouldn’t be good enough to train on,’ should ring true, right? Consistency of surfaces–it’s got to be consistent. I hope the horsemen understand that everything we do now is with the best possible safety of the horse in mind. On the main track, we’ve put in some brand-new drainage on the rail. Pray to God, we don’t see the weather. But if it does, and when it does, we’re going to monitor it really closely. TDN: When it comes to horse welfare, a big part of the issue concerns the environment in which they live. Trainers have long called for improvements to the barn area. Will that finally happen under your watch? AB: It is definitely something we’re working on. We need a solution to long-term training. Constantly beating Santa Anita up ten months of the year because there’s so many horses working over it, that’s probably not the smartest play. We’re lucky we’ve got San Luis Rey. We’re looking at various plans to maybe grow San Luis Rey out, which I think would be good. Beautiful place to train. TDN: You’ve got some regulatory hoops to jump through first to do that though, right? AB: We’re working on that. As to the matter at hand, the stables [at Santa Anita] aren’t the best, and what’s worse, there’s no turn-out pens. Is the plan, I’m going to rock up tomorrow, promise that we’ll knock them down? The reality is, there’s no money to do that in the big scale of things–$50-$100 million to build a new set of barns? But, is there the ability to start to improve them? Yeah. Is there the ability to look at how we program around that? Yeah. TDN: Are you still planning to build 800 new stables in the north parking lot? AB: That’s on hold at the moment for a few different reasons. One, I would rather put more horses at San Luis Rey, where there are less horses. Is it wise to have another 800 horses at Santa Anita? That would be close to 2,800 horses. I don’t know. My preference would be to reduce the amount of traffic on a daily basis at Santa Anita. TDN: That’s one of the reasons Del Mar’s safety record has improved so markedly the past few years. AB: Yes. But on that point, when you look at Santa Anita, it’s one of the biggest training centers in the U.S. Every day, thousands of horses going over it. So, the difference between Del Mar, a ten-week meet, and us, we’re relentless every single day [for ten months]. Having one track open for the vast majority of the year is not ideal on a bunch of fronts. TDN: What’s going on with Pomona? AB: Just wished they hadn’t ripped the track up, that’s all I’ll say. TDN: Could it still be developed as an auxiliary training center? AB: I’ve actually had a couple meetings. They’re great, the people who run it. They want to look at what we can do there. You’d have to put a track in, first and foremost. Believe it or not, that’s one of the biggest issues–having horses in a metropolitan built-up area, the environmental piece to it. Santa Anita, Del Mar, they’re older places. They’re established. There’s rules and regulations that we’ve worked with over time. But when you cease to be and then restart, the rules are pretty tough. There are four or five places we’re considering for auxiliary stabling. Some are completely new, from building a California industry training center like a Palm Meadows, through to patching together one of the older places, like a Pomona or a Galway. It takes up a lot of my time, working really closely with the TOC, Del Mar, to see what that looks like. San Luis Rey is one of those factored. It’s beautiful down there. But, my intention isn’t to come out here and make a bunch of promises. People have been promised enough through the years out here. So, my aim is, we’re going to work as best we can together, really try and find improvements where the improvements are needed. TDN: One of those areas for improvement is in the wedge that was driven between TSG and the horsemen during the spring. How do you propose to fix that? AB: It isn’t a modern thing–historically, it’s been a little tough. Without saying who’s right and who’s wrong, it’s easy to point fingers when things aren’t going right. I think what happened this year, the awful events, we reacted really quickly. Things like a lot of medication reforms, they were done on an expedited basis, which you can understand, right? I feel the horsemen feel–and I don’t blame them for this–everything got parked on them. The finger-pointing was on them, which wasn’t fair–99.99% of them are doing a stand-up job. Now, it’s tough. When there’s a crisis going on, you start to move quickly, and it isn’t always that easy to bring everybody on board. The intent was never to shift the blame–I know how it may have looked that way. But we are where we are. I know there’s a little bit of bad blood, so my job now, you have to get a bit of trust back, and trust is earned. I’ll tell you what we can do: communicate with the horsemen. That’s number one. We’ve got to be a little more collaborative–show the horsemen that we’re all on the same side. How? It’s not going to be easy. They’ve got to understand that I understand that without them firing on all cylinders, nothing’s going to work out here. In part two of the Q&A, Butler discusses his history in horse racing, and his plans to tackle a depleted horse inventory, boost handle, and lure new owners to the game. The post TDN Q&A: TSG’s Aidan Butler on Santa Anita, part 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two-time grade 1 winner Maximum Security is out of the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing because of a large colon nephrosplenic entrapment that developed shortly after the colt returned from a morning work Monday, Sept. 16. View the full article

Dual Grade I winner Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) has been ruled out of an expected start in Saturday’s GI Pennsylvania Derby due to a large colon nephrosplenic entrapment that developed after the colt returned from his morning work Monday. He was rushed to Mid-Atlantic Equine Clinic in Ringoes, N.J., but is now back at Servis’s Monmouth Park barn. “I’ve spoken to the Wests and they understand that it’s all about the horse. That’s first and foremost,” said trainer Jason Servis. “There’s nothing that anyone could have done to prevent it. It’s one of those things that just happens. It’s unfortunate and the timing is terrible but that’s horse racing.” Maximum Security breezed three furlongs at Parx in :41.77 Monday morning without incident, but Servis was summoned to the barn at 3:30 p.m. because something was amiss with the bay. “He was doing great,” Servis said. “But, as soon as I saw him I could tell he was in trouble, so we got him right on the van and sent him to Mid-Atlantic Clinic.” Servis does not have a time frame for Maximum Security’s return to racing, but is holding out hope for the Breeders’ Cup or “something else that might be out there.” The post Maximum Security Out of PA Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mike Lakow has been appointed Vice President of Racing Operations at Gulfstream. He had most recently served as racing secretary for NYRA during the Saratoga and Aqueduct meets. Lakow takes over for Bill Badgett, who has taken a position with the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. “I’m thankful to The Stronach Group for offering me the opportunity to return home and join Gulfstream Park, which was my favorite racetrack when I started in the Thoroughbred industry,” Lakow said. “Gulfstream has unlimited potential and has so much to offer for the racing fan and horseman year-round.” Lakow previously served as President and CEO of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, General Manager at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms, jockey agent for Hall of Fame rider Javier Castellano and worked as a steward in Florida and for the Emirates Racing Authority. He was also racing director at Santa Anita from 2013 to 2014. “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Mike to The Stronach Group and Gulfstream Park,” said Tim Ritvo, COO of The Stronach Group. “Mike’s expertise in Thoroughbred racing and his credibility with horsemen will make Gulfstream’s year-round product even stronger. We’re very fortunate to have someone of Mike’s caliber running Gulfstream’s racing program.” The post Lakow Appointed VP of Racing Operations at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article