Wandering Eyes

Editor’s Note: The Jockey Club has asked for public comment on their proposal to cap at 140 the number of mares a stallion can breed annually. In this ongoing series, we will publish the perspectives of breeders, stallion farms and others on the proposal. Barbara Banke, Stonestreet Farm: The health and welfare of the Thoroughbred breed should always be our number one concern. As a member of the Board of Stewards, I believe the proposal is a way to address a concern held broadly in the industry and look forward to the feedback from our invitation for comments. Want to share your opinion? Email suefinley@thetdn.com The post Opinions on the Cap: Barbara Banke appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The children of 26 full-time horse farm worker will pursue higher education this year with assistance from the Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund. The Fund was founded in 1996 by Rob Whiteley of Liberation Farm, Tom Evans of Trackside Farm and Brookdale Farm’s Fred Seitz. Scholarships are awarded for education or skill training post-high school and are based upon financial need, merit, biographical essays and personal interviews. Scholarships are also available for full-time horse farm workers in Central Kentucky who wish to take equine related training or courses to help them be more knowledgeable and effective while working with Thoroughbred horses. To date, 684 annual scholarships totaling $1,515,590 have been awarded since the Fund’s inception. “These scholars and parents are an industry treasure. Farm workers are the backbone of the breeding industry which is the foundation of the entire Thoroughbred industry. The parents of these scholars have instilled an incredible work ethic in their children. Year after year, these outstanding young people impress the Board with their ability, motivation, energy, enthusiasm, and accomplishments. In many instances, our scholars are the first in their families to pursue secondary education; and some could not pursue education without our financial assistance.” Qualifying parents of scholars are employed full-time by one of the following central Kentucky Thoroughbred farms: Airdrie Stud, Ashview Farm, Betz Thoroughbreds (2), Chesapeake Farm, Dixiana Farm, Don Alberto Corp., Endeavor Farm, Far Cry Farm, Godolphin (4), Hermitage, Magdalena Farm, Miacomet Farm, Parkland Farm, Rosemont Farm, Spendthrift Farm (2), Stoneview Farm (2), Walmac Farm, Watercress Farm (2), and Westbrook Stables. The scholars and their schools are as follows: Riley Alexander, Eastern KY; Patrick Autry Chase Law–Northern KY; Olivia Bryant, U. of Kentucky; Andres Calleja, Bluegrass Community and Technical College; Sofia Calleja, U. of Louisville; Caleb Carr, Transylvania U.; Jacob Compton, U. of Kentucky; Ciara Farrell, Georgetown College; Sarah Farrell, U. of Kentucky; Eddie Garcia – Eastern KY; Dylan Gilbert, Murray State; Trenton Gilbert, U. of Kentucky; Jayden Hamilton, Campbellsville U.; Ruth Hughes, U. of Notre Dame; Lupe Macias, U. of Kentucky; Miguel Macias, U. of Kentucky; Peyton Mathes, Centre College; Saorise McEntee, U. of Kentucky; Karina Meza, Bluegrass Community and Technical College; Claire Nickell, Asbury U.; Richard Osborn, Bellarmine U.; Alondra Perez-Islas, Jefferson Community and Technical College; Caleb Reams, Asbury U.; Sydney Buyher-Sayre, U. of Kentucky; Leslee Tapia Reyna, Indiana U. Southeast; Reagan Toothaker, Thomas More U.; and Kenzie Trent, Asbury U. The post HFWEAF Awards 26 Scholarships appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fresh off her sensational trouncing of the boys in record time in the Aug. 10 Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course, 4-year-old Got Stormy appears to be thriving. View the full article

The Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors unanimously re-elected Fred W. Hertrich III as its Board Chairman at its meeting Friday in Lexington. Hertrich, who will serve a two-year term, is the owner of Watercress Farm in Park and was first elected as chairman in 2017. Bret Jones of Airdrie Stud, a Breeders’ Cup Director since 2011, was elected Vice Chairman. “I am pleased and proud to once again serve as Chairman of the Breeders’ Cup and in conjunction with our Directors, Members and nominators, will continue working diligently to enhance the prestige and popularity of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, and our associated racing programs, for our horsemen and fans on a global basis,” said Hertrich. “On behalf of our fellow Directors, we extend our warmest congratulations to new Vice Chairman Bret Jones upon his election.” Following today’s election, the Board of 14 Directors is as follows: Barbara Banke, Stonestreet Stables; Antony Beck, Gainesway Farm; Alan Cooper, Niarchos Family/Flaxman Holdings Ltd.; William S. Farish, Jr., Lane’s End Farm; Craig Fravel, President & CEO of the Breeders’ Cup; Walker Hancock, Claiborne Farm; Fred Hertrich (Chairman), Watercress Farm; Bret Jones, (Vice Chairman), Airdrie Stud; Anthony Manganaro, Siena Farm; Clem Murphy, Coolmore Stud; Gavin Murphy, SF Bloodstock; Mike Rogers, The Stronach Group; Alex Solis II, Solis/Litt Bloodstock and Elliott Walden, WinStar Farm. The post Hertrich Re-Elected Chairman of Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wagering options aplenty in the Canadian Stakes Presented By the Japan Racing Association (G2T), the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T), the Pebbles, the Northern Dancer Turf (G1T), the Iroquois (G3) and the Pocahontas (G2). View the full article

The first of 12 slots in the 2019 Pitons Cup, the feature race that will mark the launch of the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club Dec. 13. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, owner Sol Kumin and EliTE sales and bloodstock agent Bradley Weisbord have teamed to purchase the first slot for $20,000 to guarantee their spot in the field for the $150,000 race, to be contested at a mile and an eighth on the dirt track. The endorsement of Todd, Sol and Brad in securing a slot on top of the level of enquiries we have received since announcing the Pitons Cup has been beyond expectation,” said Eden Harrington, director of the RSLTC. “Todd, Sol and Brad are leaders in the American racing industry, they have records of excellence and confirmation of their involvement in Saint Lucia is exceptionally rewarding. Not only are they passionate racing fans, they raise the standard of competition and bring great awareness of Saint Lucia with them.” The slot holders for the Pitons Cup may enter a racehorse of their choice, ownership of one of 12 selected unraced 2-year-olds currently in training in Florida (inclusive of flights to Saint Lucia and pre-training costs in the US); and an entry for that horse in the $20,000 supporting feature. For additional information, visit https://rslts.com/the-pitons-cup/. The post First Pitons Cup Slot Snapped Up appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breezing for the first time since finishing seventh behind Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) in the GI Runhappy Travers S. at Saratoga Aug. 24, Tax (Arch) covered a half-mile in a leisurely :50 seconds over the Belmont main track Friday morning. “We just took him an easy half. He’s fit. He came out of this race better than his other races,” said Danny Gargan, who trains the one-time claimer for Randy Hill’s R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch and Corns Racing Stable. Gargan indicated that the gelding holds entries for the GI Pennyslvania Derby Sept. 21 and the GIII Oklahoma Derby on the dirt Sept. 29 as well as the GIII Hill Prince S. at Belmont Oct. 5, a nine-furlong test that would mark Tax’s turf debut. “I’m leaning towards the race at Remington or the grass race. It would give him a little more time,” said Gargan. Winner of the GIII Withers S. in February, Tax was second to Travers runner-up Tacitus (Tapit) in the GII Wood Memorial S. in April. Promoted to 14th in the GI Kentucky Derby, the dark bay was fourth in the GI Belmont S. ahead of his Jim Dandy tally in which he reversed form with Tacitus. He was beaten 5 3/4 lengths in the Travers. The post Gargan Exploring Options for Tax appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin’s Old Persian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), impressive winner of the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March, tries to convert that form to North America when he takes on five others in the GI Northern Dancer Turf S. at Woodbine Saturday. The winner of four of seven starts last term for earnings in excess of $400,000, he bumped his game up a notch this season with a win in the G2 Dubai City of Gold Mar. 9 before taking the Sheema on Dubai World Cup night Mar. 30. Seventh in Epsom’s G1 Coronation Cup May 31, he finished third most recently in the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin over a mile and a half at Hoppegarten Aug. 11. “It’s a long straight to finish, and that will suit him,” said head traveling lass Sophie Chretien of Woodbine’s E. P. Taylor course. “Here in Canada, I think it will suit his style of running. He does like some pace. It’s a big, galloping track. I think he will like that. In his last race in Germany, I was not there, but I watched it on TV after. That day–he has some turn of foot, don’t get me wrong–but you need some pace for that. He probably would not have beaten the winner, but he could have run a bit better in a way, I think.” Representing Team Canada, Tiz a Slam (Tiznow) has shown his affinity for the local turf, having won five of nine turf tries her during his career. Victorious in last season’s 10-furlong GIII Dominion Day S. on the main track and the GII Nijinsky S. on the grass, the Ontario bred kicked off his 2019 campaign with a sixth in the Feb. 16 GIII Fair Grounds H. followed by a fourth in the GII Elkhorn S. at Keeneland Apr. 20. Returning to his favored front-running tactics for Churchill’s GIII Louisville S. May 18, the Chiefswood Stable bred reported home a 3/4-length winner and made it two straight in the GIII Singspiel S. June 22. Favored to defend his Nijinsky title, the Roger Attfield trainee cruised home an easy 4 1/4-length winner. The post Old Persian heads Northern Dancer Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Though a withers injury incurred over the winter delayed Hotshot Anna's return this year, it has done little to slow her effectiveness. View the full article

A Quality Road colt half brother to stakes winner Saratoga Heater was bought by SF Bloodstock, Starlight Racing, and Madeket Stables for $900,000 during the fourth session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. View the full article

If you’re looking to back a winner this spring, the formguide is the best place to start. View the full article

That Justify (Scat Daddy) tested positive for an illegal substance following his win in the GI Santa Anita Derby is something that has shaken the horse racing world and a story that is likely to continue to resonate within the industry and public for years to come. Thousands upon thousands of words have been written about it, but there is still so much that we don’t know and don’t understand. Some thoughts, questions and opinions on the Justify-Scopolamine story. 1) That the California Horse Racing Board did not have enough time to properly investigate the situation prior to the running of the GI Kentucky Derby is perfectly plausible. So, too, is its contention that the horse should not have been disqualified because it felt that Scopolamine wound up in the horse due to environmental contamination. But the CHRB also made some serious mistakes along the way, all of them revolving around transparency. It treated this case like it involved a horse getting a positive in the fourth at the Fresno Fair. Someone should have realized that a story about a failed drug test on a Triple Crown winner was going to get out someday and had the CHRB come forward and addressed the issue and told reporters everything it knew as soon as it was legally able to do so, we wouldn’t have the mess we have on our hands now. When all the I’s were dotted and T’s were crossed and the CHRB was able to discuss the Scopolamine, it should have immediately held a press conference and held nothing back. This was, after all, a very important story involving a horse going for a Triple Crown. That way, it could have gotten out front on the story and explained why the horse was allowed to run in the Derby. It could have put forth a reasonable, fairly easy-to-understand argument about environmental contamination. The story wouldn’t have gone away overnight, but it also never would have turned into what it has–a sensationalistic story that has given the sport yet another kick in the gut. When the CHRB eventually decided to exonerate trainer Bob Baffert and not disqualify Justify from the Santa Anita Derby, it should have held another press conference explaining why it made its decision. There are still things we do not know, like how what level of the drug was found in the horse? Did the CHRB ever test the hay and straw in the Baffert barn? Did the test result come from a urine or blood test? The CHRB also has to start choosing staff and board members who do not have direct connections with participants in the industry. That Chuck Winner, the former CHRB’s chairman who was still in charge at the time of the 2018 Santa Anita Derby, has used Baffert as his trainer is a terrible optic. 2) The New York Times used Dr. Rick Sams as its only source that would indict Justify. “He said the amount of Scopolamine found in Justify–300 nanograms per milliliter–was excessive, and suggested the drug was intended to enhance performance,” the paper wrote. Sams was head of the drug lab for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission from 2011 to 2018 and would have been responsible for testing the horses in the Kentucky Derby. Justify did not fail a test in that race. However, Churchill Downs released a statement Thursday that said neither it nor the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission had any knowledge of the Scopolamine positive until the story broke in the Times. Then how is that Sams knows not only the precise amount of the drug found in Justify in a test conducted by another racing commission, but anything about the matter at all beyond what has been reported in the press? Sams did not return repeated phone calls left by the TDN or respond to an email 3) Why is Scopolamine even illegal in the first place? With the exception of Sams, virtually every expert in the field who has been interviewed said the drug is not a performance-enhancer. Craig Robertson, the lawyer representing Baffert said that it defies logic that a trainer would give a horse Scopolamine in an attempt to win a race. “No trainer would ever intentionally administer Scopolamine to a horse. It has a depressant effect and would do anything but enhance the performance of a horse.” That it can inadvertently wind up in a horse through environmental contamination through no fault of the trainer makes it even more problematic that it is a banned substance. 4) The Harm Done to the Sport This is a complicated story and the most likely conclusion is that the horse was not intentionally drugged in a an effort to win the Santa Anita Derby. But the general public is never going to realize that or get past the headlines, most of which read something along the line of “Triple Crown winner drugged.” They won’t understand that Scopolamine is a relatively innocuous substance or the difference between environmental contamination and a serious drug being injected into a horse. Racing has gotten enough black eyes, some of them deserved. This one isn’t fair. 5) Would a Scopolamine Positive Result in a Disqualification? This is a key question because if the positive test meant nothing more than a fine or penalty for Baffert, and not that the Santa Anita Derby victory would have been taken away from Justify, it would be a moot point so far as whether or not he would have been eligible to run in the Kentucky Derby. So, what’s the answer? No one seems to know. Chuck Winner, who was Chairman of the CHRB at the time of the 2018 Santa Anita Derby, issued a statement that read: “Furthermore, under ARCI guidelines scopolamine is a class 4C substance, which would not trigger disqualification or re-distribution of a purse. Under CHRB Rule 1843.2, classifications are based on the ARCI guidelines, unless specifically modified by the Board. The Board never modified that designation.” The ARCI responded with a statement of its owns contradicting Winner. “According to the penalty guidelines, if this drug is found in a post-race sample, the horse is to be disqualified and the owner loses the purse in the absence of mitigating circumstances,” it read. “The exact language reads: ‘Disqualification and loss of purse in the absence of mitigating circumstances. Horse must pass commission-approved examination before being eligible to run.” The Times story had still a different explanation concerning the matter of a disqualification versus a non-disqualification. “In the months that followed the decision to drop the case against Justify, the racing board moved to lessen the penalty for a Scopolamine violation from disqualification and forfeiture of purse to only a fine and suspension,” the Times wrote. So which is it and why the confusion? The different versions imply that regulators may have not been aware of what exactly the rules were. If so, that sort of sloppiness is unacceptable. The post Trying to Make Sense of Scopolamine-Gate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gary Barber and Southern Equine Stables’ Got Stormy (Get Stormy) tries to give her trainer, Mark Casse, his third victory in Saturday’s GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile S., a ‘Win and You’re In’ for the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile st Santa Anita Nov. 2. His first two wins were registered with Tepin in 2016 followed by World Approval the following year. Both horses went on to secure year-end Eclipse Awards for Casse. A winner in a Gulfstream optional claimer Mar. 7, the chestnut finished third in the Apr. 13 GI Jenny Wiley S. at Keeneland before a runner-up effort in the GII Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill Downs May 4. Given a brief respite after that, she returned even better with a convincing four-length score in the Aug. 3 De La Rose S. at Saratoga before annexing the Aug. 10 GI Fourstardave S., breaking the track record in the process. “I initially had planned going right from the De La Rose to the Woodbine Mile,” admitted Casse. “Gary was the one that pushed so hard for the Fourstardave. I gave him all the reasons why we shouldn’t do it and he said, ‘Okay, that’s good, but unless you tell me you’re not happy with her I want to run her back in a week.’ He continued, “I said, ‘Okay, fair enough.’ And as the week went on between the De La Rose and the Fourstardave, she just got bigger and stronger. She just started thriving. The day we entered, which would have been Wednesday, I said, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen her train so good as we did today.” When asked to compare her latest star to Tepin, Casse added, “I gave her a three-year-old campaign and took her home,” the trainer said of Got Stormy, who won four of nine starts last season, including Woodbine’s GIII Ontario Colleen S. “Same thing I did with Tepin. When [Got Stormy) won that allowance race at Gulfstream [in March], it reminded me a lot of how Tepin had done when she came back after giving her a break. I sent the PPs to Gary Barber and said, ‘It reminds me a lot of Tepin.’ I wasn’t comparing her yet to Tepin; I just was saying there were some similarities there. I think you can start talking about her about being on the exceptional side. She still has a lot to do and to prove to be in the same league as Tepin, but she does seem to be on her way there.” A bonafide horse-for-the-course, Stronach Stables’ Silent Poet (Silent Name {Jpn}) has accounted for five wins and a pair of seconds from seven starts over the local turf, including his latest a course-record setting score in the seven-furlong GII Play the King S. Aug. 24. The winner of half of his eight starts in 2018, including the Vice Regent S. over this course and trip last September, Silent Poet rounded out his campaign with with a pair of on-the-board stakes finishes over the main track, including the most recent of the two a runner-up finish in the Sir Barton S. In December. Gelded during his time away from the races, he returned a new horse with a front-running win going 6 1/2 furlongs against allowance foes July 21. Asked if the plan had been to run in the Woodbine Mile immediately after the Play the King, trainer Nick Gonzalez said, “I was saying that, yes. I kind of had thoughts about it before the race, but I was trying to play it cool. After he did what he did, and the way he did what he did, in track record style, you had to be pretty excited. Even though we trainers don’t like to get too far ahead of ourselves, you couldn’t help but think what might happen in three weeks.” Always one to reckon with, trainer Chad Brown is represented by Grade I winner Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who looks to get back in the winner’s circle for trainer Peter Brant. Victorious in a trio of graded stakes in 2018, including the GI Hollywood Derby at Del Mar in December, bay returned with a pair of fourths in 2019–the GI Maker’s Mark 46 Mile in April and the GI Turf Classic over nine furlongs at Churchill in May. Third in the 10-panel GI Manhattan S. at Belmont June 8, he closed to be second last time out behind Got Stormy in the Fourstardave. Joel Rosario, who was aboard for his Hollywood Derby win, gets back on board here. The post ‘Storm’ Approaching in Woodbine Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Craig R. Fravel, Breeders' Cup president and CEO since 2011, will depart the organization at the conclusion of this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2 to accept a position as The Stronach Group's CEO of Racing Operations. View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. It’s a holiday weekend in Japan, with US-breds taking their spots Saturday through Monday at Hanshin and Nakayama: Saturday, September 14, 2019 5th-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($124k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT Sent out by the connections of G1SW Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}), MOZU AUNT MO (f, 2, Uncle Mo–A Footstep Away, by Giant’s Causeway), a $200K Keeneland September yearling, is a half-sister to SW Two Thirty Five (Stay Thirsty) and is out of an unraced daughter of GSW At the Half (Seeking the Gold), dam of MGSW & MGISP Lu Ravi (A.P. Indy) and Half Queen (Deputy Minister). The latter’s daughter Halfbridled (Unbridled) was champion 2-year-old filly of 2003. B-Springhill Farm (KY) 5th-NAK, ¥13,400,000 ($124k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT It could be a very good weekend for American Pharoah in Japan, with third-timer Clepat looking strong in Sunday’s first at Hanshin, and ABUL HAUL looks set to get it off on a high note Saturday. An Apr. 28 foal, the bay is the first produce from 2013 GI QE II Challenge Cup winner Kitten’s Dumplings (Kitten’s Joy), who was sold privately to Shadai Farm in early 2016 and was among the first book of mares covered by the Triple Crown winner prior to her export. Kitten’s Dumplings is a full-sister to GSW Granny’s Kitten and Granny Mc’s Kitten. Catulus Felis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the first foal from champion Stephanie’s Kitten, was a debut winner Aug. 11. Abul Haul is the 1-2 ante-post favorite with Mirco Demuro to ride. B-Teruya Yoshida (KY) Sunday, September 15, 2019 3rd-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($124k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m HERRSSCHAFT (c, 2, Will Take Charge–Love Ava Love, by Mr. Greeley) is out of a half-sister to MSW & GSP Global Power (Pulpit) and SW Pegasusbystorm (Fusaichi Pegasus) and cost $110K as a KEENOV weanling before selling for $200K at last year’s September sale. Herrschaft’s third dam is Canadian Horse of the Year Alywow (Alysheba). B-Colts LLC (KY) Monday, September 16, 2019 3rd-HSN, ¥9,550,000 ($88k), Maiden, 2yo, 2000mT OCEAN EYE (c, 2, Kitten’s Joy–Save Our Oceans, by Super Saver) has form through the aforementioned Catulus Felis, having finished a respectable sixth four weeks ago. Produced by a winning daughter of MGSW turf mare Atlantic Ocean (Stormy Atlantic)-dam of GSW Converge (Sidney’s Candy)-the chestnut was a $70K KEENOV weanling and fetched 280,000gns from Paca Paca Farm as a Tattersalls October yearling last fall. B-Jean Etienne Dubois (KY) The post Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: Sept. 14-16, 2019 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-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today’s Observations features the return of a recent ‘TDN Rising Star’. 4.07 Chantilly, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, c/g, 8fT VICTOR LUDORUM (GB) (Shamardal) earned TDN Rising Star status on debut at ParisLongchamp at the start of the month and has been supplemented for this next educational step by Andre Fabre. Godolphin’s relative of Street Cry (Ire) meets five rivals as he nears a possible black-type test before the season is out. The post Victor Ludorum Takes Centre Stage At Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The lion’s share of the pre-race attention has fallen to TDN Rising Star Dennis’ Moment (Tiznow) following his eye-popping 19 1/4 -front running victory in a seven-furlong Ellis maiden July 27 and his connections hope to take the next step and punch his ticket to the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile with a score in the GIII Iroquois S., a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ event. “I remember calling [trainer] Dale [Romans] a couple days after the race to make sure how he came out of the race and Dale told me ‘he was perfect.’ I just hope he can now live up to the hype because he could be very special,” said owner Dennis Albaugh. Well meant in his career debut in a five-furlong test over this surface June 23, the Albaugh Family Stables representative failed to finish after clipping heels and losing his rider early. The colt was purchased for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale. “It’s exciting to be right in this horse’s backyard for the Iroquois,” added Albaugh. “It’s a big deal to pick up points this early for the Kentucky Derby. That will make things next year a little easier. This horse just amazes me how easy he strides. You look at other horses on the track and then see him, and his stride is just so perfect. He seems to get better every work leading into the race.” Steve Asmussen saddles L and J Racing LLC’s Rowdy Yates (Morning Line), a first-out winner going 5 ½ furlongs over this surface May 31 before coming up 3/4 of a length short in the GIII Bashford Manor S. June 29. Favored in his latest, the Oklahoma bred went wire-to-wire under Tyler Baze in the seven-furlong Elllis Park Juvenile Aug. 18 and the rider gets back aboard this time. Always tough with 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs in the fall, Ken McPeek offers up Flute Maker (Sky Mesa) a flat fifth after a poor break in his career bow at Ellis June 30, but bounced back to score by open lengths in a seven-furlong, off turf test in the saratoga slop Aug. 21. Jose Ortiz, who strikes with over 30% when teaming up with McPeek, gets the return call. The post ‘Moment’ Looks to Cement Star Status in Iroquois appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arqana has catalogued 42 horses in training-with space for nine wild cards-for its boutique Arc Sale at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 at Saint-Cloud Racecourse following racing at nearby ParisLongchamp. Thirty-two of the horses offered for sale have won or been placed in stakes company. The seven 2-year-olds thus far catalogued include Helter Skelter (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) (lot 12), a listed winner and one of the highest-rated juveniles in France at 103 with an entry in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere; and Les Hogues (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}) (lot 29), a listed-winning filly who holds an entry in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac which, like the Lagardere, takes place the day after the sale. Last year, Lily’s Candle (Fr) (Style Vendome {Fr}) was sold at the Arc sale for €390,000 before going on to win the Boussac less than 24 hours later. Two months later she was bought by Katsumi Yoshida for €1.1-million at the Arqana December sale. The seven black-type winning 3-year-olds catalogued include Wertheimer et Frere’s Flop Shot (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) (lot 21), winner of the G3 Prix de Guiche and placed in both the G2 Prix Eugene Adam and G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano; German Group 3 winner Bristano (GB) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 14) and G3 Prix Penelope winner and G2 Prix de la Nonette third Cartiem (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire}) (lot 19). The current selection of older horses includes the 5-year-old Stunning Spirit (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (lot 8), a dual listed winner last year and this year second in the G3 Prix Quincey; and 4-year-old filly Style Presa (Fr) (Style Vendome {Fr}) (lot 6), a listed-winning half-sister to G1 Sun Chariot S. winner Sahpresa (Fr) (Sahm). The post Arqana Unveils Arc Sale Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Craig Fravel, since 2011 the President and Chief Executive Officer of Breeders’ Cup Limited, will leave his roles following this year’s World Championships Nov. 1 and 2 at Santa Anita to assume the position of Chief Executive Officer, Racing Operations, for The Stronach Group. “I can think of no greater privilege than to have had the opportunity to preside over what I consider the greatest championships in Thoroughbred racing,” said Fravel. “Every race comprising the Breeders’ Cup World Championships provides the chance to witness the splendid horses that reflect the hard work of breeders, trainers, jockeys, owners and backstretch workers. It has been an honor to serve them all during my time at the Breeders’ Cup. I want to thank the women and men of the Breeders’ Cup for their dedication and passion for our event. My particular gratitude goes to the Breeders’ Cup Board led in recent years by Bill Farish and Fred Hertrich whose support has been invaluable. I now look forward to new and important challenges and opportunities and the chance to join my family back in California.” In his new position, Fravel will assume management and oversight of all racing operations across racetracks and training facilities owned by The Stronach Group. He will be focused on the implementation and enforcement of global best practices and integrity standards for horse and rider safety in collaboration with key industry stakeholders, according to a release. During his tenure at the Breeders’ Cup, Fravel developed and executed a long-term host site strategy and was instrumental in iconic racetracks such as Keeneland (2015) and Del Mar (2017) hosting the Breeders’ Cup for the first time. He also expanded international participation in the Breeders’ Cup to its highest levels in history and struck an unprecedented 10-year partnership with NBC Sports to televise the event through 2025. He is also credited with spearheading plans to increase horse safety and welfare efforts. “On behalf of our Board and Members, we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Craig for his outstanding leadership and enormous accomplishments as our President and CEO these past eight years,” said Breeders’ Cup Chairman, Fred Hertrich III. “His management and stewardship of the organization, not to mention his quick wit and calm demeanor, will be greatly missed by all of us. We wish Craig continued success in his new venture with one of our most valuable host site partners, The Stronach Group.” Added Belinda Stronach, Chairman and President of The Stronach Group: “I am delighted to have Craig join our company at this pivotal moment in our sport. Craig’s stellar reputation and proven track record of leadership will enable us to further our goal to become North America’s preeminent horse racing organization as we work lock step with industry partners to prioritize horse and rider safety.” The post Craig Fravel to Leave Breeders’ Cup for The Stronach Group appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Brad Cox appears to be among the ones to beat in Saturday’s GII Pocahontas S., a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ challenge race for the Nov. 1 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita. Representing Cox is Portrait (Tapizar), a runaway 12 1/2-length winner of her dirt bow going seven furlongs at Ellis Aug. 25. The LNJ Foxfoods representative was third after a slow start in her career debut, going a mile over that oval’s turf course July 29. “I’ve been really high on her this summer,” Cox said. “I think she’s one of our nicest 2-year-olds we have in the barn and she was impressive breaking her maiden last time at Ellis. I think the distance shouldn’t be a problem going two turns.” British Idiom (Flaskback), a debut winner at Saratoga Aug. 15, is also listed among entries for the Pocahontas, however, she is likely to be scratched according to Cox Friday. Morning Gold (Morning Line) will attempt to give her trainer his record-tying third victory in the race following wins by Dothraki Queen and Daddys Little Darling in 2015-16. Runner up to Sweet Melania (American Pharoah) in her career opener in a 1 1/16-mile turf test at Saratoga July, the form was flattered when the Todd Pletcher runner finished a neck second in the P.G. Johnson S. at the Spa Aug. 29. Jose Ortiz, aboard for her win, gets back on for this stakes debut. Never one to be overlooked, Steve Asmussen sends out Lotta Ott (Tapiture), a debut fourth going 5 ½ panels at Saratoga July 12 before breaking through with a win last time in a six-furlong test Upstate Aug. 11. Ricardo Santana Jr. returns to ride. The post Cox Heads Challenge in Pocahontas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following two outstanding efforts to launch his career, Ontario-bred Keep On Truckin faces his stiffest challenge to date when he goes postward in the $250,000 Summer Stakes (G1T) Sept. 15 at Woodbine, where he'll try turf for the first time. View the full article

Friday saw the Irish National Stud unveil a life-sized granite statue of the farm’s flagship stallion Invincible Spirit (Ire). The impressive piece took over a year and a half to be carved by sculptor Simon Carman, who began the commission with an 18-ton block of limestone. The statue was unveiled by Michael ‘Daffer’ Kelly, Invincible Spirit’s regular handler along with Paul Croke, the stud’s stallion manager. The 22-year-old Invincible Spirit has not only established himself as an elite stallion but his influence is now growing as a sire of sires thanks to the exploits of exciting young stallions like Kingman (GB) and I Am Invincible (Aus). His potential to be a breed shaper began to show through the stud career of his now 15-year-old Classic-winning son Lawman (Fr), while the coming years could see other top-class sons of Invincible Spirit such as Shalaa (Ire), Territories (Ire), Cable Bay (Ire), Profitable (Ire) and this year’s G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia (GB) exert their own influence on the sport. Speaking at the launch, which took place in glorious sunshine, Irish National Stud Chief Executive Officer Cathal Beale said, “It really is a unique piece and like all great works it is not only beautiful but deeply informative and tactile. It was quite the engineering challenge to get the weight of the stone to sit and be supported by the spindly legs and huge credit has to go to Simon [Carman] for creating it. I also can’t think of anyone more fitting than Paul and Daffer to unveil the statue. Paul is a graduate of the INS breeding course and Daffer has looked after Invincible Spirit since the horse arrived here and they are such an important part of the stud.” Beale continued, “With 127 stakes winners worldwide and 18 Group 1 winners the legacy of Invincible Spirit to the Thoroughbred breed will last as long as racehorses run and he has had such an influence on so many peoples’ careers. He has helped keep the show on the road for a lot of breeders and particularly ourselves here at the Irish National Stud and today we immortalize the achievements of this horse and look forward to several more years of covering. He has covered another excellent book of mares this year with 120 mares in foal and it is worth pointing out that his sire Green Desert continued to service mares until his 28th year, while Danzig, his grandsire was covering until he was 27. That gives us hope that at 22-years-of-age we have several more years to look forward to.” The man responsible for this work of art, Simon Carman, added, “What I’ve realized as I’ve learned more about the Thoroughbred industry is that these horses don’t just pop up out of the field like mushrooms. There is a massive industry behind it that supports the development of these animals and as I was carving this sculpture, the huge block of stone, to me came to represent that massive industry that has helped develop horses like Invincible Spirit. The amount of thinking and intellectual rigour that goes into breeding these horses is a massive foundation and from everyone involved, from breeders to trainers to owners to handlers, I really feel that the sculpture appears from the stone like the Thoroughbred appears from this massive industry. So I’d like to thank everyone who supported me while doing it. I’ve never done a sculpture on that scale before but thankfully the team at the Irish National Stud believed in me and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked on it.” Those in attendance at the unveiling also had the opportunity to get a sneak preview of a new interactive centre being developed that will allow visitors to the INS to be taken on a journey that explores the life-cycle of a Thoroughbred, and to experience through technology various aspects of the racing and bloodstock industry. The 7,000 square foot building is still a work in progress but is scheduled to be open for business next March and among the many novel features being rolled out, visitors can look forward to buying their own yearling at a simulated Goffs sale, experiencing the unique thrill of riding in a simulated race and learning so many insights from the art of training, breeding and the general behind the scenes aspect of the broader Thoroughbred industry. While mainly being developed as a fun and educational experience for those new to the sport, after a guided tour by Rob Molenaar and a presentation from his colleague Heather Dowling of design team DMW Creative, this correspondent will definitely be booking tickets for the grand opening next spring. The post Statue Captures Invincible Spirit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While Saturday’s G1 William Hill St Leger is far from being cut and dried, there is a short-priced favourite in Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who is even threatening to tilt to odds-on for the oldest Classic at Doncaster. Announcing his presence on the scene with a decisive success in York’s G2 Great Voltigeur S., which has always been seen as this race’s main trial Aug. 21, he bids to become the first to double up here since the fellow John Gosden-trained Lucarno (Dynaformer) in 2007. That 1 3/4-length defeat of Constantinople (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was the Juddmonte homebred’s first step outside of maiden, novice and handicap company and the fact that he put 13 lengths between himself and the Aug. 1 G3 Gordon S. winner Nayef Road (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is the reason he trades at such prohibitive odds. That he was unraced at two is also no hindrance, with Harbour Law (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) and Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) also having made their debuts in their 3-year-old season. It is unknown at present what the potential chinks in Logician’s armour could be, but trainer John Gosden is more inclined to believe that the extended 14-furlong trip presents more of an issue than the quick going. “I think he’s like most in the race in that he would like some juice in the ground, but we’ve got this Indian summer and it’s dry,” he said. “He’s fine on top of the ground, but is no doubt better on good or the easy side of good. That may also be the case for the others, however. The biggest question is will he get the trip? It’s not guaranteed–he’s by Frankel out of a Daylami mare. I think from our point of view, we are confident up to a mile and six but after that there is the no man’s land of that last 115 yards. “He came to us pretty late and I think giving him that time has benefitted him,” Gosden added. “He is a nice horse to be around. He is a very relaxed character and has a lovely, long loping stride. I think the nice, long straight at Doncaster should suit him well. It will probably be an end-to-end gallop and that is not a bad thing as it thins the field out. You can get trouble in running and I remember a couple of horses that have been unlucky not to win there. I will leave all that to Frankie and the horse–they don’t need any instructions. When you see the horses that are still rolling between the two-furlong marker and the one, that will tell us what kind of quality Leger it is.” Whether ‘TDN Rising Star’ Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) proves to be the thorn in Logician’s side depends on whether he is able to recapture the form of his emphatic win in the May 8 G3 Chester Vase. Staged on contrasting good-to-soft ground, that Derby trial also featured Norway who was eight lengths behind in second, the subsequent June 19 G2 Queen’s Vase winner Dashing Willoughby (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who was a further 3/4 of a length away in third, and the Aug. 17 G3 Geoffrey Freer S. scorer Technician (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) who languished in fifth. Like fellow Ballydoyle winners Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the 2014 Leger hero Kingston Hill (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), he comes here via the G1 Epsom Derby in which he was a leading player despite being fifth. Padraig Beggy’s Classic record strikes fear into the opposition and it is fascinating that he is Aidan O’Brien’s choice to partner the Aug. 23 G2 Lonsdale Cup third Il Paradiso (Galileo {Ire}). Beaten only 1 1/4 lengths by Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in that two-mile York contest, he will be dangerous if given too much rope in the straight as a fast-improving guaranteed stayer with that particular rider on board. “Il Paradiso stays very well and looks like a horse that will get a Gold Cup trip–he looks like he will get two and a half miles,” Aidan O’Brien said. “I think he will be happy enough. He doesn’t mind being ridden forward. You would be riding him like you are sure that he will stay and the other you will be taking your time with a little, I’d imagine. Sir Dragonet is a horse that has plenty of class. We started him at a mile and a half and we think there is a good chance he will get the trip.” Forty minutes after the Leger, Leopardstown’s G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S. sees a solid older brigade taken on by the exciting ‘TDN Rising Star’ Headman (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Khalid Abdullah’s imposing relative of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) has enjoyed a stress-free build-up to his first major test with a brace of wins against lesser opposition in France serving the purpose of boosting his ego. Jason Watson, who steered him in his impressive displays in the G2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud June 30 and G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville on Aug. 15, retains the ride in what amounts to a huge compliment from connections. Trainer Roger Charlton commented, “It is a big jump up in class, but I’ve been pleased with the horse. It is really the only race to run in, because there are no more 3-year-old-only races and having won two Group 2s, there is no point giving weight away in another. I don’t think either of the French races suited him. I think the course and the style of the race will suit him better and I think a quicker surface is what he wants. I assume there will also be a better pace and they won’t go like they did in France last time out. He is a long-striding horse and you don’t want to be breaking that stride. I think this horse is one for the future and I’m sure he will keep improving. I think he will be better next year.” The Irish Champion is a race of many posers and one is whether the June 1 G1 Epsom Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) can be springboarded back to those heights after reversals of differing degrees of severity in the June 29 G1 Irish Derby and July 27 G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. He renews rivalry with the Epsom runner-up Madhmoon (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), who is three-from-four at this track, but who has yet to convince he can make it to the level of the likes of Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). “Kevin [Prendergast] is very happy with Madhmoon and this is the obvious race for him,” Shadwell’s racing manager Angus Gold said. “I personally think a mile and a quarter will end up being his best trip, but I know Chris Hayes feels he could even end up back at a mile.” ‘TDN Rising Star’ Elarqam (GB) (Frankel {GB}) looks to have been building towards a Group 1 win all season and he was arguably unlucky not to have finished closer than 1 1/4-lengths third to Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Juddmonte International at York Aug. 21. Now that connections know that he is a strong stayer at this trip, he is likely to be sent forward from his high draw and now that the famous Mark Johnston mentality has been worked into him he will make sure that his rivals are stretched to pass him late on. Angus Gold is in the dark as to how the representatives measure up. “We obviously already had one legitimate contender for the race in Madhmoon, but Sheikh Hamdan and Mark [Johnston] both felt it would be a long time between races if we waited for the English Champion with Elarqam and who knows what could happen between now and then?” he said. “I was very impressed with Elarqam at York and if we’d ridden him a bit handier I don’t think he would have been far away. The front two quickened away–he was a bit further back than ideal and didn’t get a clear run. I’m not saying he would have won but for that, but he could have gone pretty close if things had been different. I think Madhmoon might have more speed than Elarqam and is possibly the quicker horse, but whether he’s a better horse or not, it’s hard to say.” In the G1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron S. that Elarqam’s dam Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) captured in 2005, there is a similarly experience-hewn filly from the North of England standing in the way of others in Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). John Dance’s 4-year-old has won a G1 Prix de Diane over 10 1/2 furlongs, but it is now clear that she is a miler supreme and the manner of her sixth top-level success in the G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville July 28 marked her as strong as ever. Her latest nose defeat attempting to give the classy 3-year-old Shine So Bright (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) seven pounds in the G2 City of York S. over seven furlongs Aug. 24 only enhances her reputation and if Aidan O’Brien has been unable to bring Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) back to the form of her G1 English and Irish 1000 Guineas victories back-to-back wins for Laurens could be less hard-won than in 2018. Laurens’s trainer Karl Burke said, “She’s in great form and if she produces her A-game she’s the one they all have to beat. She had a little breeze on Thursday morning before she left to catch the ferry to Ireland and I couldn’t have been happier with her. Last year she went there having run over a mile and a half in the Yorkshire Oaks. We thought she was quick enough for the mile and she proved it on the day. This year we know we’re quick enough. It will be interesting to see how Aidan O’Brien’s four horses are ridden, but we’ll just do our own thing and concentrate on ourselves, rather than worry about what anyone else is doing.” Also in the Matron is Anthony and Sonia Rogers’s G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy), who bids to put a disappointing season behind her on the back of a warm-up second in the G3 Fairy Bridge S. at Tipperary Aug. 29. “We were aiming for the Matron all along, but she needed a prep race and we had very little time to get her ready for the Fairy Bridge,” trainer John Oxx explained. “We were happy to get her there. She had a good run for the six weeks before that and was fit enough for a race, but she wasn’t obviously at peak fitness.” Whatever the fates of Magical and Hermosa, Ryan Moore should get some joy out of Irish Champions Day with an enviable book of rides including ‘TDN Rising Star’ Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. He beat the subsequent winner Shekhem (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) by 3 1/4 lengths in a Curragh maiden Aug. 30 and his main threat here could lie with another of His Highness The Aga Khan’s homebreds in Sinawann (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). Fifth behind this card’s opening Listed Ingabelle S. protagonist Lady Jane Wilde (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}) over seven furlongs at The Curragh on debut Aug. 9, the Mick Halford-trained relative of Sinndar (Ire) beat Agitare (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) over this mile trip a fortnight later in the manner of a strong stayer. Leopardstown’s card also sees the return of last year’s G2 Beresford S. runner-up Mount Everest (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Paddy Power Betting Shops S., registered as the Kilternan, while the rapidly-improving fellow Ballydoyle representative Lancaster House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) takes a three-from-three record into the G2 Clipper Logistics Boomerang S. or Solonaway. Doncaster’s supporting card features the seven-furlong G2 Park S. where the aforementioned Shine So Bright bids to defy a three-pound penalty for his City of York defeat of Laurens. His trainer Andrew Balding commented, “He handles fast ground well and a repeat of the York performance should see him go very close. My only concern is that he had a very hard race that day. As he’s showing no ill effects of that, I think he’s the one they’ve all got to beat.” In the G2 Champagne S., ‘TDN Rising Star’ Threat (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) steps up to seven furlongs after his seconds in the June 18 G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot and Aug. 1 G2 Richmond S. at Goodwood and win in York’s G2 Gimcrack S. Aug. 23. Cheveley Park Stud’s chestnut faces Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s July 13 G2 Superlative S. runner-up Juan Elcano (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Godolphin’s exciting Aug. 23 Newmarket novice winner Royal Crusade (GB) (Shamardal). Cheveley Park Stud’s managing director Chris Richardson said of Threat, “We were eyeing up this race before he ran in the Gimcrack as a possible place where we could step him up to seven furlongs. We’ve followed it through and I’m glad we have. He’s got to give away three pounds, but it looks a good place for him and hopefully it will tell us whether we should aim for the Middle Park or the Dewhurst or whatever else we decide to do at the end of the season. I’m told he’s in very good form, so we’ll see what happens.” Charlie Appleby said of Royal Crusade, “He’s a horse we’ve always liked and we were very pleased with his first start at Newmarket. He came out of that well, we’ve been happy with him since and we think he’s ready to step up to this sort of level. His preparation has gone well and we’re looking forward to testing the water with him.” The post A Logical Favourite In The Leger appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin homebred Fair Maiden, a 7 1/2-length winner of the Aug. 17 Catch A Glimpse Stakes at Woodbine, is back for more in the Sept. 15 Natalma Stakes (G1T). The race for juvenile fillies, worth $250,000, is a 'Win and You're In' event. View the full article

With his chief form rival Alligator Alley (GB) (Kingman {GB}) underperforming, Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa’s A’Ali (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) had Friday’s G2 Flying Childers S. at Doncaster served to him on a plate and duly landed a third success at this level. Breaking his maiden in the June 20 G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot before following up in the 5 1/2-furlong G2 Prix Robert Papin at Deauville July 21, the bay entered this on the back of a potentially momentum-stopping fifth in the G1 Prix Morny trying six furlong back at the latter venue Aug. 18. Always happy sitting second to Wheels On Fire (Fr) (Sidestep {Aus}), the 6-4 second favourite took control 150 yards out and asserted for a length verdict over the outsider Dream Shot (Ire) (Dream Ahead). “He travelled superbly well and he’s got a change of pace and that’s the key,” trainer Simon Crisford said. “He’s an extremely easy horse to deal with. His attitude is excellent and he’s very straightforward.” A’Ali is bound for the Nov. 1 GII Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint over this trip now, Crisford confirmed. “He’d already won a “Win and You’re In” to the Breeders’ Cup, so he’ll go there,” he added. “Frankie is unbeaten on him and he can’t wait to get to California. A sharp five on quick ground at Santa Anita will play to his strengths. He deserves to take his chance and there’s nothing else left for him. The Abbaye is out of the question and the Middle Park would stretch him too far and it comes too soon anyway.” Alligator Alley, who was backed into even-money favourite, was sixth after becoming upset in the stalls. The winner is the second and last known foal out of Motion Lass (GB) (Motivator {GB}), who was sold to Creighton/Schwartz Bloodstock at this year’s Tattersalls February Sale for just 9,000gns and is a half-sister to the G3 Darley S. winner and G1 Coronation Cup third Enforcer (GB) (Efisio {GB}) and the stakes-placed Canaveral (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). She is a granddaughter of the GIII Tempted S. winner Willowy Mood (Will Win) from the family of the graded-stakes scorers OK By Me (With Approval) and D J’s Rainbow (Tom Rolfe) and the triple grade I-winning Sea Cadet (Bolger). Friday, Doncaster, Britain WAINWRIGHT FLYING CHILDERS S.-G2, £70,000, Doncaster, 9-13, 2yo, 5f 3yT, :59.35, g/f. 1–A’ALI (IRE), 127, c, 2, by Society Rock (Ire) 1st Dam: Motion Lass (GB), by Motivator (GB) 2nd Dam: Tarneem, by Zilzal 3rd Dam: Willowy Mood, by Will Win (£35,000 Ylg ’18 GOUKPR; £135,000 2yo ’19 GOFBRE). O-Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa; B-Tally Ho Stud (IRE); T-Simon Crisford; J-Frankie Dettori. £39,697. Lifetime Record: GSW-Fr, 5-3-1-0, $216,707. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Dream Shot (Ire), 127, c, 2, Dream Ahead–Miss Buckshot (Ire), by Tamayuz (GB). (€17,000 Wlg ’17 GOFNOV; 12,000gns Ylg ’18 TAOCT; 10,000gns RNA 2yo ’19 TATHIT). O-Saeed Manana; B-Gerard & Anne Corry (IRE); T-James Tate. £15,050. 3–Wheels On Fire (Fr), 127, c, 2, Sidestep (Aus)–Winds Up, by Street Sense. (€1,500 RNA Wlg ’17 ARQDE; €16,000 Ylg ’18 AROYRG; £160,000 RNA 2yo ’19 GOFGW). O-Mrs T. Marnane; B-Mme Debra Hooper (FR); T-Aidan Fogarty. £7,532. Margins: 1, NO, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.50, 20.00, 12.00. Also Ran: Flaming Princess (Ire), Emten (Ire), Alligator Alley (GB), Seize The Time (Ire). Scratched: Golden Dragon (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post A’Ali Scoops Flying Childers Pot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article