Wandering Eyes

Ess Vee Are will contest the Taupo Cup (2000m) on Monday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley will have only one runner at Taupo on Monday, but in handy stayer Ess Vee Are they have a major player in the main event on the day, the Taupo Cup (2000m). The statuesque son of Shocking is coming off a last start fourth in the Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m) and will use the Taupo feature as his final preparatory run before tackling the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham on 18 January. While Darryn Weatherley believes the 2000m journey at Taupo may be slightly on the short side for his charge, he is keen to see him running on strongly with the famous Trentham two-miler on the horizon. “He is a big, long striding customer who needs to find his feet before he gets rolling in his races,” Weatherley said. “He hit the line well in the Waikato Cup after getting into tight quarters in the straight and at Taupo we want to see him doing the same thing. “I had thought about giving him an exhibition gallop somewhere as his final lead-up but this race suits nicely, so we have chosen to go there instead. “He has a nice weight (56.5kgs) and barrier draw (6) so he should be able to get a good trip in transit and if he can get clear air when he needs it, then we expect to see him in the finish.” Weatherley is also out for a measure of revenge in the Wellington Cup, a race in which Ess Vee Are finished seventh earlier in the year after copping interference when Waisake lost his rider shortly after the start while also being inconvenienced by the tricky Soft 6 track surface after plenty of rain on the day. “He didn’t get all favours at Trentham and with such a big stride he just couldn’t get comfortable on a track that was cutting out a fair bit,” he said. “He needs a Good track to show his best so we have our fingers crossed that is what he will strike. “He deserves to win a good race as long as he can avoid some of the bad luck he tends to find at times.” The Weatherley camp will also target another of the Trentham features with top-class miler Mali Ston, who is on song for a start in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) on January 11. “Mali Ston went an enormous race in the Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) at his last start (for third) and he has thrived since then,” Weatherley said. “He ran the best last 1000m in the race and the best last 600m of the whole day. “He carried 59.5kgs while the winner (Khafre) and runner up (Mary Shan) both had 53kgs on their backs. “We had considered a race at Ellerslie for him but he likes a big, roomy track with a little bit of give in it, so Trentham should suit him down to the ground. “He ran third in the race in 2022 carrying 57kgs and this time the conditions of the race will see him carry 55kgs so he looks pretty well in with the way he has been going lately.” Horse racing news View the full article

Lingjun Xiongfeng will kick off a new campaign at Taupo on Monday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Talented miler Lingjun Xiongfeng will start his six-year-old season at Taupo, which trainer Pam Gerard hopes will provide a rating boost in the lead-up to feature summer targets. Lingjun Xiongfeng made a big impression around this time last year with barnstorming last-to-first performances at Pukekohe on December 9 and Te Rapa two weeks later. In the latter, the grey romped home by 5.5 lengths against an open-class field that included Group One winner Asterix. Gerard stepped Lingjun Xiongfeng up in class from there, finishing 10th in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), sixth in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), third in an open sprint at Ellerslie, fourth in the inaugural $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1500m), ninth in the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) and 13th in the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m). Lingjun Xiongfeng has been off the raceday scene since the Easter in April, but trialled at Taupo on November 26. “I’ve been very happy with the way he’s come up in this preparation,” Gerard said. “He had that trial at Taupo last month, just for a quiet day out. “We were hoping to get him into the J Swap Sprint (Group 3, 1400m) first-up, but he didn’t end up making the field. It’s been a bit of a challenge finding a suitable race for him, but we’ll kick him off at Taupo and then take it from there. “He’s very forward. Taupo might be a bit of a tricky track for him, because he’s quite a long-striding horse who’s not ideally suited to those tight corners. But I couldn’t be happier with his condition.” Lingjun Xiongfeng holds a nomination for the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on January 11, and Gerard is keen to make that trip if his first-up performance justifies it. “If he happened to be impressive at Taupo, you might see him head to Wellington,” she said. “This campaign is going to be all about targeting some of those nicer miles, and potentially a bit further than that later on as well. “It’s just difficult with his rating at the moment. He’s right down at the bottom of the open handicaps and often ends up on the ballot, while he gets too much weight in Rating 75 grade. So it’s not easy, but hopefully he can put some good performances on the board this time in and get that rating up a bit higher.” Horse racing news View the full article

Former New Zealand stakes-winning two-year-old Saltcoats showcased his class in Australia, securing a winning double with a polished display at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Former stakes-winning New Zealand two-year-old Saltcoats has hit his groove in Australia, completing a winning double with a stylish performance at Randwick. The son of Waikato Stud stallion Ardrossan began his career in the Cambridge stable of Samantha Logan, where his three New Zealand starts produced a win in the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) and a placing in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1200m). He was subsequently sold to a syndicate headed by prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir, with breeder Lib Petagna retaining a share of the ownership. Saltcoats went winless in his first six starts in Australia, but placed in three of them including a third in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill in March. The four-year-old broke through with a minor upset in a 1400m Benchmark 88 at Randwick on December 14, and he was sent out as a $2.60 favourite with horse racing bookmakers on Saturday to deliver a repeat result over 2000m. Saltcoats duly delivered and became the fourth winner on the Randwick card for jockey Nash Rawiller, who produced a confident ride on the gelding from an inside gate. He settled in seventh and moved away from the fence well before the home turn, presenting his mount out wide on the track at the top of the straight. Saltcoats moved through his gears and accelerated, bursting into contention at the 200m mark and asserting his superiority in the closing stages to win by just over a length. “He’s a nice horse,” Rawiller said. “If he keeps going around in these races for a while longer and getting his rating up a bit more, I think there’ll be a Group race in him a bit further down the track. Even a race like the Caulfield Cup (Group 1, 2400m) could be something they could aim at with him next spring. I think he’s got a lot of upside.” Now trained by Chris Waller, Saltcoats has had 11 starts for three wins, five placings and $292,790 in stakes. “I think he’s a horse that’s turned a corner,” Waller said. “He got some confidence from his good win last start. “Nash rode him perfectly today – as confident as you’ll ever see a jockey riding. He popped out at the 1000m to take risk out of the equation, and the horse was too strong.” Horse racing news View the full article

Bankers Choice (NZ), expertly ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, secured victory Moonee Valley. Photo: (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) A return to winning form by Bankers Choice at Moonee Valley put the cherry on top of a special few weeks for his breeders and part-owners, Ross and Corrine Kearney. Under their Okaharau Station banner, the Kearneys also bred and race Bankers Choice’s full-brother Checkmate. That promising three-year-old has had four starts for two wins and two placings, including a dominant victory in the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) on November 30 and a strong-finishing third in the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) on Boxing Day. But despite the exciting emergence of Checkmate and a placing in last year’s Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) by half-sister Jodelin Gal, Bankers Choice remains the headline act of the family. The Mongolian Khan gelding has been a black-type winner in both New Zealand and Australia, capturing the Group 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) at Trentham for the Kearneys before a majority ownership share was sold to clients of trans-Tasman trainer Mike Moroney. Bankers Choice then relocated to Australia, where he has won the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and placed in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m), Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m), Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) and Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m). Bankers Choice had gone winless in 20 starts dating back to his Ballarat Cup win in November of 2022, but 19 of those appearances had been at Group or Listed level. The seven-year-old took a big step down in class on Saturday, albeit with an increase in weight to 58.5kg, and he turned his form around with an outstanding front-running performance. Drawn in gate eight among a 13-horse field, Bankers Choice and jockey Daniel Stackhouse found himself caught four wide going into the first turn. Stackhouse took the initiative and allowed his mount to stride forward, taking the lead with more than 1400m remaining. Bankers Choice never surrendered that advantage, kicking away at the corner and coming into the straight with a two-length lead up his sleeve. The challengers tried to reel him in, but Bankers Choice kept finding and held on by just under half a length. From 40 starts, Bankers Choice has now recorded seven wins and seven placings. He has earned more than A$1.1 million in stakes for the Kearneys, who now share ownership alongside a syndicate headed by Ballymore Stables and Rupert Legh. The accomplished gelding’s resurgent performance on Saturday was a welcome sight for Moroney and his training partner Glen Thompson, who were represented at Moonee Valley by racing manager Anthony Feroce. “He looks terrific and has been working the house down, but he’s been racing poorly,” he said. “He dropped right down in class today. He’s been racing in Group One company, so this is the weakest field he’s met for almost two years. “He’s had a few little excuses and bits of bad luck in this campaign. Today our instructions to Daniel were to ride him where he was happy, and Daniel told us not to be surprised if he tried something different. He pushed forward after getting caught wide, and it was probably the winning move. “Today was probably D-Day after a very frustrating run with the horse. We wanted to see something from him today, or else we might have had to make some hard calls. We saw the real Bankers Choice today, which was good.” Horse racing news View the full article

Field Of Play and Blake Shinn cruise to victory at The Valley. Photo Credit: Reg Ryan-Racing Photos From his $500,000 purchase price at Karaka to his impressive jumpouts, there was a buzz surrounding Field Of Play in the lead-up to his raceday debut, and he lived up to the hype with a runaway victory at Moonee Valley. The talented two-year-old won three jumpouts at Cranbourne, the most recent of them on December 18, and was sent out as a $2.70 favourite with BlondeBet for his first start on Saturday. Field Of Play settled in third before rider Blake Shinn began to crank him up a long way from home. The favourite surged forward with more than 500m remaining and quickly poured on the pressure, powering past second favourite Neverenoughlego before the turn. The result was in no doubt from there as Field Of Play raced clear, sailing to victory by 3.25 lengths. “He travelled beautifully and very correctly,” Shinn said. “He jumped nicely and I just allowed him to find his rhythm. I had the option to be more aggressive and try to take up a closer position, but I decided to just let him breathe in the trail behind the two leaders. He relaxed lovely. “I was pleasantly surprised by how easily he rounded up the leader, who was impressive in his first start and looked to be the hardest to beat in this race. “This horse treated his rivals with contempt in the end. That was a dominant display. Congratulations to his connections, they’ve got a smart horse here.” Co-trainer Trent Busuttin indicated that the gelding is now likely to target the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22. “He’s shown that sort of ability at home, so we were hoping he’d do that today,” Busuttin said. “Two-year-olds get beaten more than they win first-up, so we’re very happy to get the win. “He was up and going early in the spring and we took him to those first two-year-old trials at Caulfield, and he got a bit lost that day. But Luke Currie gave him a big wrap and said wait for 1200m, so we tipped him out, gave him a little break and now here he is. When Blake pushed the button as early as he did today, he obviously had a lapful of horse. “A race like the Blue Diamond is a natural target for him. We’re mindful of the fact that he’s not a 1000m type of two-year-old, so we’ll probably try to get him into the Blue Diamond Prelude (Group 3, 1100m) in early February and go from there.” Horse racing news View the full article

Darwin jockey Adam Nicholls drives the Peter Stennett-trained Ribtickler to a narrow win in an exciting finish to the 1200m maiden at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) Sidelined for four months during the year with injury, Darwin jockey Adam Nicholls ended 2024 on a good note with a winning double at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Nicholls cashed-in aboard Chris Nash’s Seven Secrets – starting at $5 with horse racing bookmakers – over 1600m at 0-70 level and Peter Stennett’s $26 outsider Ribtickler in the 1200m maiden. During the St Patrick’s Cup Day meeting in March, Nicholls was dislodged from his mount Tough Critic when it reared after backing out of the gates. After suffering a distal radius fracture to his right wrist, Nicholls didn’t return until the Darwin Cup Carnival started in July. Sitting outside Phil Cole’s Awesome Lad in second place on Saturday, Seven Secrets pounced at the 400m to overcome Gary Clarke’s pair Nassau County and Prince Ruban by four lengths. It was the five-year-old gelding’s first trip over 1600m with the former SA galloper posting a win over 1300m and two seconds over 1000m and 1200m in four Darwin appearances. Ribtickler, winless in NSW and Victoria before finishing unplaced in three Fannie Bay starts, was labouring in fifth place passing the 400m before powering home to edge out Tayarn Halter’s Cherry Stem and Neil Dyer’s $1.55 favourite Miss Moov in a blanket finish. Cole also farewelled the year with a winning double when $2.10 favourite with Neds, Dancer For Money, led throughout in a special conditions race over 1100m before Lord Fenrir, a $7.50 hope, saluted over 1000m in the 0-58 ranks. For Wayne Davis, who returned to riding late last month after suffering a back injury when dislodged during trackwork in May, it was his first win since March after partnering Dancer For Money. Cole landed the quinella in the race won by Lord Fenrir, ridden by Sonja Logan, and managed to pip stablemate Miami Vice, last season’s Three-Year-Old of the Year in the Top End, by a short half head. Having won Darwin features with horses acquired from Ciaron Maher, the Clarke yard enjoyed further success with yet another arrival from the premier Victorian trainer’s stable after Field Of Flutes claimed the 1100m open handicap. With Jarrod Todd having the $2.05 favourite with BlondeBet camped in fourth place on the fence, Field Of Flutes found clear space at the 200m to seal victory by three quarters of a length from Chole Baxter’s fast-finishing backmarker He’s The Ultimate. Horse racing news View the full article

Second in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), Motorious defeats Sumter by a head in the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T) down the hillside turf course at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Returning to seven furlongs, Mufasa notched his second graded victory in the United States while upsetting White Abarrio in the $150,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Second in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), Motorious defeats Sumter by a head in the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T) down the hillside turf course at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Jockey Francisco Arrieta recorded a milestone 1,000th Thoroughbred victory in North America by winning the opening race at Oaklawn Park Dec. 28 aboard Eternally Grateful.View the full article

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6th-GP, $65K, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 2:47 p.m. ET. Poised for her unveiling under the care of trainer Todd Pletcher, GHANAAYEM (Uncle Mo) is a $750,000 Shadwell purchase during Keeneland September. Bred by Don Alberto on the same Uncle Mo-Bernardini cross as current sires Mo Town and Modernist, the filly is out of GI Chandelier Stakes heroine Angela Renee. This dam is also responsible for GSP Gilded Age (Medaglia d'Oro) and Thielen (Curlin), a $1.75 million buy from the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Angela Renee is a full-sister to MGISW To Honor and Serve and a half-sister to GISP Elnaawi (Street Sense). Digging a little deeper into Ghanaayem's extended female family we find GIII Pocahontas Stakes victress La Cara (Street Sense) and Japanese multiple Group 1 stakes hero Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insight: Well-Bred Daughter Of The Late Uncle Mo Makes The Gulfstream Gate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Slick and Eternal Reign at Santa Anita. Slick As Can Be Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, and Marsha Naify's Slick (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) claimed a Santa Anita maiden victory on Dec. 26 (video). Trained by Phil D'Amato, the 2-year-old filly was bred by Newtown Anner Stud in Ireland. Out of the Dubawi (Ire) mare Shurooq (GB), Slick was sold for €48,000 out of the Goffs Orby Part II Sale as a yearling and ran second on debut at Tipperary for trainer Andy Slattery and Mrs. Rachael Halley. Purchased privately in the interim, the filly was making her fourth lifetime start. She is followed by a yearling half-sister by Teofilo (Ire). Her granddam is the highly regarded Natagora (Fr) (Divine Light {Jpn}), who won the G1 1000 Guineas, as well as the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes. Juddmonte's Oasis Dream has sired 36 winners from 65 runners (55%) in America. His 10 stakes winners (15%) there are led by Grade I winners Tuscan Evening (Ire) and Midday (GB). SLICK ($5.20) zipped right by from the pocket to take the 3rd at @santaanitapark. @umbyrispoli rode the daughter of Oasis Dream (GB) (@JuddmonteFarms) for trainer @PhilDamato11. Get in on the action in the next: https://t.co/eKyaYKoOj1 pic.twitter.com/yYkMXvNowP — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 26, 2024 In The Holiday Spirit The D'Amato barn was in the headlines again with Michael Enright homebred Eternal Reign (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) just one day later. The daughter of Alwaysandforever (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) broke her maiden at Santa Anita on Dec. 27 (video). Winless in four Irish starts for Enright and trainers Mick Halford and Tracey Collins, the dark bay was making her first start in the U.S. One of four foals for listed-placed Alwaysandforever (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the April-foaled filly was a 180,000gns buy out of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1. Her juvenile half-brother Aroof (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) has placed, and her dam has a weanling half-brother by Blue Point (Ire). Third dam Russian Snows (Ire) (Sadler's Wells)'s biggest claim to fame was her victory in the G2 Prix de Royallieu, and she was also second in the G1 Irish Oaks. The Irish National Stud's recently pensioned Invincible Spirit is responsible for 29 winners from 66 runners (44%) in the U.S. His seven stakes winners there (10%) are led by Grade I scorers Digital Age (Ire) and Vale Of York (Ire). Flavien Prat gets ETERNAL REIGN (IRE) ($3.80) home in front on her 5th lifetime attempt but first try in the US in @SantaAnitaPark race 5. @PhilDamato11 trains the 3-year-old by Invincible Spirit (IRE). The Late Pick 4 begins now: https://t.co/aoOoNtXPRc pic.twitter.com/C13sgKPq8t — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 27, 2024 Repeat Winners Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) scampered home a winner in the GII Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita for Phil D'Amato and owner Anthony Fanticola on Saturday (video). The likeable gelding first featured in the GIII San Simeon Stakes down the hill at Santa Anita last March. King Of Gosford (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), who races for the Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig and Jeremy Peskoff, earned the first graded victory of his career in the GII Mathis Mile Stakes at Santa Anita on Boxing Day (video). The Phil D'Amato trainee has now won five times in America. Mike Ryan's Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) added another graded victory to her ledger with a score in the GIII Suwannee River Stakes at Gulfstream on Dec. 21 (video). The Saffie Joseph, Jr.-trained filly won the GIII Long Island Stakes at Aqueduct in November. Another repeat winner for Making Waves is LSU Stables' La Mehana (Fr) (Al Wukair {Ire}). The Via Borghese Stakes went her way at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 26 (video). The Christophe Clement trainee first appeared in this column after winning the GIII Waya Stakes in October. A Fair Grounds contest went to Making Waves alumni Serving Time (GB) (Without Parole {GB}) on Dec. 22 (chart). She had earned her maiden victory for John Gunther, Eurowest Bloodstock, Borders Racing Stable and trainer Cherie DeVaux last month. The post Making Waves: Veteran Euro Sires Shine In California appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fresh off a second-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, Motorious (GB) (g, 6, Muhaarar {GB}–Squash {GB}, by Pastoral Pursuits {GB}) got the job done in Saturday's GII Joe Hernandez Stakes going down the hill at Santa Anita. After bobbling slightly out of the gate, Motorious settled midpack behind a :21.71 and :43.78 pace set by 60-1 Code Duello (Honor Code). He hooked up with Sumter (War Front) in the lane, with the two mowing down the leader in a battle to the wire and Motorious prevailing by about a head. Irideo (Arg) (Easing Along) got up for third. O-Anthony Fanticola; B-Kirtlington Stud & Mrs Mary Taylor (GB); T-Phil D'Amato; J-Antonio Fresu. MOTORIOUS (GB) ($3.80) grinds out the win and bests a game Sumter in the $200,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2) at @SantaAnitaPark. @Antonio1Fresu was in the irons for trainer @PhilDamato11. Join the pool for the Late Pick 4: https://t.co/hp9pmwASiJ pic.twitter.com/YREIFrAEeT — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 28, 2024 The post Motorious Gets the Job Done in the Joe Hernandez appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One Man Team (Nyquist) backed up his sparkling debut with another sterling performance in the Heft Stakes to claim his career first black-type. Employing a similar strategy as in his debut Oct. 31, when he took a field gate to wire to win by six lengths, the 5-2 second betting choice once again took command out of the gate. Rating well through :23.22 and :47.18 early splits, he handled a would-be challenger on the turn, and opened a clear advantage coming for home. Coasting home, he was 4 1/4 lengths ahead of 7-5 favorite SW Sacred Thunder (Holy Boss), who won the runner-up photo by a neck over Barbadian Runner (Barbados). The second winner from two to the races for Holiday Music, One Man Team's winning elder sibling is a 3-year-old filly named Mocha Grande (Uncle Mo). Their dam has a yearling full-brother to the winner named Be Someone as well as a 2024 Tapit colt in the wings. She went to Flightline for 2025. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. One Man Team was too sharp for them under @SheldonRussell1 at @LaurelPark Today in the Heft Stakes for Robert LaPenta and @MadaketStables! pic.twitter.com/IDSp66UAUo — Brittany Russell Racing Stable (@BTRracingstable) December 28, 2024 HEFT S., $100,000, Laurel, 12-28, 2yo, 7f, 1:25.22, sy. 1–ONE MAN TEAM, 122, c, 2, by Nyquist 1st Dam: Holiday Music, by Harlan's Holiday 2nd Dam: Stage Magic, by Ghostzapper 3rd Dam: Magical Illusion, by Pulpit ($285,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Robert V. LaPenta and Madaket Stables LLC; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Brittany T. Russell; J-Sheldon Russell. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $88,200. 2–Sacred Thunder, 122, c, 2, Holy Boss–Elusory, by Broken Vow. ($40,000 Ylg '23 EASOCT). O-John Hazard; B-Anchor & Hope Farm Inc. (MD); T-Gary Capuano. $20,000. 3–Barbadian Runner, 122, g, 2, Barbados–Quiet Run, by Northern Afleet. ($5,000 Ylg '23 EASOCT). O-AJ Will Win Stables, LLC; B-Shamrock Farm (MD); T-Henry Walters. $10,000. Margins: 4 1/4, NK, 6 1/4. Odds: 2.70, 1.40, 4.40. Also Ran: Saxton, Yara's Quest, Shootersgottashoot, Blanches Mule. Scratched: Baby Dukes, Crab Daddy, Fire Pit. The post Nyquist’s One Man Team All Alone on the Wire in Heft Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Billed as a showdown between the classy Mufasa (Chi) (h, 5, Practical Joke–Miscanti {Chi}, by Scat Daddy) and the comebacking 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day), Gulfstream Park's Saturday feature, the GIII Mr. Prospector Stakes at seven furlongs, delivered. Mufasa got a perfect stalking trip which turned into a resounding win, while White Abarrio was slow out of the gate and trailed early before making a late run that couldn't quite catch Mufasa in the stretch. Little Vic (Practical Joke) was third. Saturday, Gulfstream Park MR. PROSPECTOR S.-GIII, $150,000, Gulfstream, 12-28, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:22.47, ft. 1–MUFASA (CHI), 126, h, 5, by Practical Joke 1st Dam: Miscanti (Chi), by Scat Daddy 2nd Dam: Miqui, by Western Cat 3rd Dam: Mi Quimera (Arg), by Good Manners ($950,000 RNA 5yo '24 KEECHA). O-Carlos Saavedra & Stud Vendaval, Inc.; B-Haras Paso Nevado (CHI); T-Ignacio Correas IV; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $88,350. Lifetime Record: GSW-Chi, 15-11-0-0, $339,191. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–White Abarrio, 122, h, 5, Race Day–Catching Diamonds, by Into Mischief. ($7,500 Ylg '20 OBSWIN; $40,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O-C 2 Racing Stable, Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud & Pagnano, Antonio; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $28,500. 3–Little Vic, 122, h, 5, Practical Joke–Rock and Glory, by Rock Hard Ten. ($50,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Victoria's Ranch; B-Stride Sales and Syndicate (KY); T-Juan Carlos Avila. $14,250. Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 3 3/4. Odds: 4.10, 0.40, 71.30. Also Ran: Caramel Chip, Playmea Tune, Super Chow, Mr Skylight, Illuminare, Real Macho, El Principito. Scratched: Gordian Knot, Shaq Diesel. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #6 MUFASA ($10.20) held off a fast closing White Abarrio to win the $165,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at @GulfstreamPark. The 5yo son @CoolmoreAmerica's Practical Joke had @tyler_gaff in the irons for trainer @IgnacioCorreas. pic.twitter.com/CIwyJEAOTJ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 28, 2024 The post Mufasa Upsets White Abarrio in Mr. Prospector appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-Gulfstream, $40,000, Msw, 12-28, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:44.31, ft, 9 lengths. BURNHAM SQUARE (g, 2, Liam's Map–Linda {GSW, $407,310}, by Scat Daddy) was just a half-length short in a $150,000 maiden claimer at Keeneland Oct. 26 and was again narrowly beaten when stepping into maiden special weight company at Churchill going this distance Nov. 30. Adding the blinkers Saturday, the 6-5 favorite was kept right up on the pace early, surged forward to handle the tempo up the backstretch and was much the class of this field as he led 'Insight' runner Only in America (Constitution) in by nine lengths with the runner up a further 7 3/4-lengths clear. Linda, who was sold for $55,000 at KEEJAN this year, had her yearling Connect colt bring $100,000 at FTKOCT and foaled an Oscar Performance colt this spring. She is due back to Life Is Good. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-1, $50,430. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV O/B-Whitham Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes. #1 BURNHAM SQUARE ($4.60) was a dominant maiden winner in the 7th race at @GulfstreamPark. The two-year-old gelding by @LanesEndFarms' Liam's Map was piloted by @zayas_edgardo for trainer @IanWilkesRacing. pic.twitter.com/fCoDsPPZyN — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 28, 2024 The post Liam’s Map Gelding Burnham Square Much The Best In Gulfstream Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Led by Citizen Bull and Gaming, the 1-2 finishers in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, at least a half dozen leading 2-year-olds breezed across the country Dec. 28.View the full article

Inclement weather in Hot Springs, Ark., led to the early cancellation of Oaklawn Park's Dec. 28 card. The track conducted just one race.View the full article

Bob Baffert trainees Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) and Gaming (Game Winner), who made up the exacta in the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar Nov. 1, were among several notables to record timed workouts Saturday morning at Santa Anita. A contender for the Eclipse Award as the top 2-year-old colt, Citizen Bull drilled alongside stablemate Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke) going five furlongs in 59.40 seconds, which was the second-fastest of 59 works at the distance. Gaming worked five furlongs in 1:02.60. For Citizen Bull, this was his third work since besting his stablemate by 1 1/2 lengths in the Juvenile. Gaming followed his performance at the seaside oval with a third-place finish in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 14. He returned to the tab with a five-furlong move in 1:02.60. Also working for the Hall of Fame trainer was Pleasant, who finished third in the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint when making her second start off a 13-month layoff. The 4-year-old Munnings filly, who is nominated to run in Saturday's GIII Las Flores going six furlongs at Santa Anita, worked five furlongs from the gate in 1:00.00. Eagles Flight (Curlin), the half-brother to Horse of the Year Flightline, fired a bullet for trainer John Sadler. The colt blitzed five furlongs in 59.0 seconds, which was the fastest of 59 moves at the distance. In his debut May 27 at Santa Anita, Eagles Flight rolled to a an impressive 2 3/4-length victory going six furlongs and had a 'TDN Rising Star' pinned to his saddle. GIII Bob Hope winner Bullard, a perfect 2-for-2 for trainer Michael McCarthy, worked five furlongs in 1:00.80. The Gun Runner colt, who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' is nominated to run in next Saturday's GII San Vicente Stakes going seven furlongs at Santa Anita. Also working for McCarthy was GI Hollywood Derby winner Formidable Man (City of Light). The 3-year-old colt worked four furlongs on the main track in 47.60 seconds, which was the second fastest of 53 moves at the distance. Trainer Tim Yakteen worked both McKinzie Street and Practical Dream, a filly. McKinzie Street, who has hit the board in a trio of graded stakes including both the GI Del Mar Futurity and GI American Pharoah Stakes, drilled four furlongs in 51.40 seconds. The McKinzie colt most recently was third in the Bob Hope. Practical Dream, winner of last month's Desi Arnaz Stakes at Del Mar, worked four furlongs in 47.80. It was the third-fastest of 54 moves at the distance. Practical Dream, by Practical Joke, most recently finished sixth in GII Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos when making her two-turn debut Dec. 7. All of the Santa Anita workouts can be found on XBTV by clicking here. The post Baffert Trainees Citizen Bull And Gaming Lead Worktab At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk It’s not the last throw at the stumps but today’s meeting at Banks Peninsula looms as a vital one for the Junior Drivers’ Premiership. On the grass at Motukarara all three of the premiership contenders will be in action with front runner Carter Dalgety going into the meeting with 65 wins, two ahead of Sam Thornley and Wilson House just one away on 62. With two days of the season left, all three have winning chances today, with Thornley the busiest of the trio with 10 drives, highlighted by the likes of first starter Go Home Denise ($4.40) in Race 1, the Peter Smith/ Deaks Electrical Trot at 12.10pm and Bettor Be Sharp ($4.80) in Race 6, the Tim and John (Junior Drivers) Race at 2.42pm. Thornley is vying to add the title to the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship he won in New South Wales earlier this month. He goes into today the second pick to win the premiership at $4, with Dalgety a hot favourite at $1.15 and House at $15. Dalgety has eight drives today starting with Lasa for his parents Cran and Chrissie Dalgety in Race 2, the Crate and Barrel Mobile Pace (12.35pm). Among his higher rated chances are Alwaysbetrevy ($7) in Race 4, the Famous Grouse Hotel 2YO Mobile Pace (1.33pm), Bryson Dechambeau ($12) in Race 7, the Canprint Mobile Pace (3.19pm) and Not Over ($9) in Race 10, the Michael Ward Memorial Pace (4.58pm). House has five drives including Topaz ($4.80) in Race 6 and Fusion Reactor for his father Michael in Race 12, the Commodore Hotel Mobile Pace (5.51pm). All three will go head to head in four races across the day – Race 4, the Famous Grouse Hotel 2YO Mobile Pace at 1.33m, Race 6, the Tim and John (Junior Drivers) race at 2.42pm, Race 9, the Paul Renwick Joinery Motukarara Christmas Cup (4.30pm) and the last of the day, Race 12, the Commodore Hotel Mobile Pace. The Christmas Cup is the day’s feature with backmarker Vessem the $4 favourite ahead of Wild Willow and Next Level. It’s a capacity field and promises to be a cracking race over 2810 metres. As well as lining up Wild Willow Warren Stapleton will also start another good performer in Lester, while Laurence Hanrahan has a handy duo engaged in Tanzania and Woodbine Rocks. Here’s Herbie for trainer-driver Colin DeFilippi and Kiss the Girls also look live chances in an open field. All three juniors have outsiders in the Cup with Carter driving Buckskin ($26), Thornley and Katherine at $41, and House teaming up with Milou ($41). Tomorrow all three drivers head to Reefton to renew their battle for top honours in the premiership, with Carter also heading to Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve. Among his drives there will be Invercargill Cup winner Republican Party in the $250,000 Trillion Trust Auckland Cup. For those heading along to Motukarara today there will be a HRNZ information stand on site explaining the new Next Gen ownership initiative. To see more about Next Gen click here View the full article

5th-Gulfstream, $40,000, Msw, 12-28, 2yo, 7f, 1:23.46, ft, 1 3/4 lengths. TAPPAN STREET (c, 2, Into Mischief–Virginia Key {GSP}, by Distorted Humor), a $1-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate, leveled off nicely in deep stretch to graduate at first asking. The 2-1 second-choice was under a ride in third and appearing to be heading the wrong way rounding the far turn. Tipped off the rail as longshot Bob Mo (Uncle Mo) kicked for home with a three-length advantage, Tappan Street switched over to his right lead and powered on by to graduate by 1 3/4 lengths. The winner's dam, a half-sister to GISW Grace Adler (Curlin) and GSW & MGISP Pyrenees (Into Mischief), is also responsible for the yearling colt Weekend Glory (Curlin), a $1.4-million KEESEP yearling purchase by Bradley Thoroughbreds; and a Quality Road filly of this year. She was bred back to Cody's Wish. The Into Mischief x Distorted Humor cross is also responsible for MGISWs Life Is Good, Practical Joke and Citizen Bull. Sales history: $1,000,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $24,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-WinStar Farm LLC, CHC INC & Siena Farm LLC; B-Blue Heaven Farm (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Race 5 at Gulfstream Park went to #7 TAPPAN STREET for @bradcoxracing. The son of @spendthriftfarm Into Mischief was ridden by @luissaezpty. pic.twitter.com/WxmBx5T7Qa — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 28, 2024 The post Pricey Into Mischief Colt Graduates on Debut at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With heavy rain descending on Hot Springs, Oaklawn Park was forced to cancel its Saturday card, but not before jockey Francisco Arrieta recorded his 1,000th career win aboard Eternally Grateful (American Freedom), the track reported in a pair of Saturday press releases. After a significant delay in the start of the first race, Arrieta guided the 4-year-old gelding across the wire for the milestone victory in what was a starter allowance. According to Equibase the veteran rider earned his first win at the Meadowlands in 2015. Arrieta finished second in the Oaklawn jockey standings last season. Despite the celebration, the weather was too much of a risk factor and the track made the decision to shelve the remaining nine races on the card. Francisco Arrieta records his 1000th victory | Coady Media Oaklawn said via its X account that, “Due to continuing inclement weather and out of the abundance of caution of our equine athletes and human athletes Oaklawn has decided to cancel today's racing card.” The Sunday post in Hot Springs is set for 1:30 p.m. ET. Important announcement. Due to continuing inclement weather and out of the abundance of caution of our equine athletes and human athletes Oaklawn has decided to cancel today's racing card. — Oaklawn Hot Springs (@OaklawnRacing) December 28, 2024 The post Oaklawn Cancels Rest Of Card Due To Inclement Weather As Arrieta Records 1000th Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first race at Gulfstream Park Dec. 28, a one-mile allowance optional claiming turf event for fillies and mares, was declared a 'No Contest' by the track stewards after 3-year-old filly Roscoe Village stumbled and dropped jockey Jorge Ruiz.View the full article