Wandering Eyes

He likes to the play the horses and he likes to bet on jockeys Flavien Prat and Drayden Van Dyke because he knows he can count on those two riders. That makes him like a lot of other horseplayers, but there’s not another player out there who is 93, a standup comedy legend, has had an Eclipse Award winner named after him and still plays the races several days a week at a couple of Las Vegas racebooks. Only one person fits that description, Shecky Greene. “Once you get that bug to play the horses, forget about it,” Greene said. “I enjoy it because there’s nothing else for me to do. I’m 93. Am I going to play tennis? No. Am I going to play golf? No. Once you finish with the mishegas of Vegas [he no longer performs], there’s not a lot to do out here.” Greene is a frequent patron at two racebooks, both across the street from his residence, the Sunset Sation and the Green Valley Casino. These days, he’s a $2 bettor. “Back in the day, I used to look at the Form and try to figure out which horse was faster,” he said. “But when you bet $1 or $2 a race like I do now, what does it really matter? Pick any horse. You just hope you bet on a winner.” Greene was born in 1926 in Chicago and became a major star on the nightclub circuit in Las Vegas. He has appeared in several films, including Tony Rome, History of the World, Part I and Splash, and has guest starred on such television shows as Mad About You, Laverne & Shirley, Love, American Style, and Combat! If racing fans in the seventies didn’t know Shecky Greene the comedian, they certainly knew Shecky Greene the horse. Through his friend, fellow comedian Buddy Hackett, Greene knew the horse’s owner and breeder, Joe Kellman. He said Kellman liked to name horses after famous people and friends and named the fastest horse he ever owned after Greene. Shecky Greene, the horse, showed promise right from the start and went on to win the 1973 Hutcheson S. and Fountain of Youth. However, it appeared that the horse had distance limitations and Greene said he begged Kellman not to run him in the 1973 Kentucky Derby, where the competition included Secretariat. “I begged Joe not to run him in the Derby,” Greene recalled. “He was never going to go a mile and a quarter. I had a falling out with Joe over other things. Originally, I bought 10% of the horse, then when he told me I wasn’t going to get any of the breeding rights, I took my money back.” Sent off at 5-1, Shecky Greene, predictably, took the lead, but faded and finished sixth. Nonetheless, he had so much success sprinting that year that he was named the Eclipse sprint champion. “Joe liked to name horses after people he knew,” Greene said. “He named a horse Ivy Hackett after Buddy Hackett. But Shecky was the only one who really turned out to be a winner. He was some kind of winner.” Greene found out that in some parts of the world, people knew the horse better than they knew the person. “I went to England to do a show,” he said, before breaking into a Cockney accent. “This guy comes to me and says, ‘I never knew you were a human being. I thought you were a freakin’ horse. I didn’t know there was such a person as Shecky Greene.'” Greene said it was his father who got him interested in racing and would take him whenever he could to the many Chicago area tracks that were running during that era. “My father drove my poor mother crazy,” he said. “She hated it that he went to the track all the time and that he’d drag me along.” Greene said that it was easy to stay a racing fan once he got into show business because Las Vegas had the race books and most of the places he would perform, like New York, Los Angeles and Miami, also had racetracks. He never found himself too far away from the track. “I kept betting because wherever I worked there were racetracks,” he said. “The racetrack was synonymous with show business.” When frequenting the California tracks, he said he never got too close to the many other celebrities that also frequented those tracks. But he said there was one actor he always tried to avoid. “This one guy, very famous actor at the time, was a real degenerate,” he said. “He made millions on television and I swear he lost it all at the track. I remember one time I cashed a big bet at Del Mar and he followed me to the cashier’s window looking to borrow money.” Greene said he was frugal when he was making a lot of money as a comedian, usually betting about $10 a race. He says many of the patrons at the racebooks recognize him, but like to treat him like any other customer. When he encounters a younger player, one he’s pretty sure never heard of him or the horse, he’ll tell them to get out their phones and “google” him. He enjoys seeing their reaction when they realize they’re talking to someone who was once among the more well known comedians in the country. Ironically, he said one of the worst shows he ever had was one he performed in Lexington. “Back in those days, half the women in the crowd, the horse people, with their puffed up white hair, looked like George Washington,” he joked. “I just bombed. Never try to entertain horse owners or breeders.” Even at his age, Greene still has a quick wit and will abruptly cut off the answer to a question by breaking into song. He couldn’t resist coming up with a couple that captured his years around racing. “I’ve got tears in my eyes when I think of Florida,” he crooned. “The sun shining bright up in the sky. There goes my horse, he’s last, of course. There’s tears in my eyes.” And then there’s this one: “Don’t bet on the horses,” he sings. “You can’t win, of course. No matter at what course you bet, you rip up the tickets and look at each time with much regret. Why didn’t I bet that No. 6? It looked much better than the three. Oh, God up in heaven, what are you doing to me.” “I hope you wrote that down,” he said. “I just made it up. Not bad, huh?” Not bad at all. The post What Keeps Shecky Greene (The Person) Going? Betting the Ponies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN’s Senior Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. In this edition, a pair of 2-year-olds-Candy Tycoon (Twirling Candy) and Honor A. P. (Honor Code)–are highlighted. Previous runners featured in this column include: MGISW and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Paradise Woods (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway) and MSW and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). La Chancla (Uncle Mo), featured in this space in early June, has won two straight since, including a Saratoga allowance Aug. 10. There was no shortage of backstretch buzz surrounding Candy Tycoon (c, 2, Twirling Candy-Liberty’s Lyric, by Unbridled’s Song) as he lined up for his 6 1/2-furlong debut on the GI Alabama S. undercard at the Spa Saturday afternoon (video). The $52,000 KEESEP yearling turned $170,000 OBSAPR juvenile (:21 1/5) posted several much-discussed drills for trainer Todd Pletcher in upstate New York, including a four-furlong move from the gate in :47 3/5 (2/96) Aug. 3 (XBTV Video), and was hammered down into 4-5 favoritism. Little went right for the Mathis Stable colorbearer once they sprung the latch, however, hitting the gate at the start and getting bumped hard shortly thereafter. Last of nine early, the blinkered dark bay began to get rank on jockey Jose Ortiz while caught in traffic through an opening quarter in :22.18. Still with plenty to do as they straightened for home, Candy Tycoon brushed with a rival in the stretch and finished up with good interest to complete the trifecta, beaten 4 1/4 lengths by second-time starter American Butterfly (American Pharoah). “We’re still very optimistic on the horse,” owner Bill Mathis said. “It’s unfortunate that he got such an initiation of what can go wrong in a race. Watching him get that dirt in his face for a half-mile or so after what happened at the start, that was quite an education for a first-time starter. He had been impressive in the mornings–not only working terrific–but also galloping out so strong after every breeze. It just looks like there’s more there in the tank. There was a lot of talk about him heading in and several people had come up to us that we respect highly in the business and they were very open saying that this horse is really going to be special.” Produced by an unraced daughter of GSW & GISP Hello Liberty (Forest Camp), Candy Tycoon, bred in Kentucky by Jerry Romans Jr., is a half-brother to GI Starlet S. third-place finisher Sutton’s Smile (Paddy O’Prado). As for what’s next for Candy Tycoon, Mathis said, “Todd [Pletcher] tells me that we’ll just see what the first book at Belmont has. If there’s a maiden race early that we could run him in, and if he runs like we think he’s capable of, that would still leave us one of the bigger races in October that would set him up maybe for a trip out west [for the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita].” The blaze-faced Honor A. P. (r, 2, Honor Code-Hollywood Story, by Wild Rush), meanwhile, also caught the eye with a flashy rally from last of 10 to finish a strong second in his unveiling at Del Mar (video) later Saturday evening. Hailing from the very patient John Shirreffs barn, the 8-1 shot was quickly outsprinted and caboosed the field through early fractions of :22.10 and :45.62 on their six-furlong journey. Honor A. P. entered the picture as they hit the far turn and began to gobble up ground on the extreme outside beneath Hall of Famer Mike Smith. While the pacesetter Ginobili (Munnings) proved not for catching, the long-striding dark bay leveled off nicely down the lane just to get up for second, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, and kept on rolling with good energy on the gallop out. Bob Baffert’s duo of Hydrogen (Violence) and Bronn (Conveyance) stayed on for third and fourth, respectively, after pressing a pace that held together. Carrying the purple-and-gold colors of C R K Stable, Honor A. P. clocked his final eighth in easily a field-best :12.05 and earned a very respectable 77 Beyer Speed Figure. The $850,000 FTSAUG graduate was the most expensive of 61 yearlings to switch hands from the first crop of his freshman sire. Bred in Kentucky by George Krikorian, he is out of two-time Grade I heroine Hollywood Story. She has also produced the stakes winner Miss Hollywood (Malibu Moon); multiple graded-placed Hollywood Star (Malibu Moon) and multiple stakes-placed Hoorayforhollywood (Storm Cat). “He’s a beautiful horse from a great family,” owner Lee Searing said. “I expected him to fall behind early, however, when they show that kind of run first time out and can fight off the kickback of dirt, I was very impressed. He has every right now to being the kind of horse with a big future. Mike Smith rode him perfect as you would expect. I am sure John [Shirreffs] will have him ready at Santa Anita. On thing for sure, Mike said he would ride him back.” The post Second Chances: Candy Tycoon & Honor A. P. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–Don Chatlos, a former assistant to Jerry Hollendorfer, has had a handful of starters at Saratoga since going out on his own as a private trainer for Larry Best’s OXO Equine in late June, but he has yet to get off the duck. The conditioner hopes that will change Saturday when Rowayton (Into Mischief) lines up for the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. on a loaded GI Traver S. day card. “We haven’t made a lot of noise in the win column, but our horses have had decent outs and should have good showings in their next outs,” said Chatlos, who has a second and two fourths from three starts this meet. One of the fourth-place finishes belongs to Rowayton, who filled that spot behind Travers-bound Highest Honors (Tapit) in the nine-panel Curlin S.at the Spa July 26. “He is doing well,” Chatlos said. “The cut back to seven-eighths is more in his wheel house. Obviously, [GII Amsterdam S. winner] Shancelot (Shanghai Bobby) is going to be a tough customer there. Wading into Grade I waters in Saratoga, you know it is going to be very deep.” Rowayton finished third in the GIII Dwyer S. July 6 to another Travers contender in Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) when running under Chatlos’ name for the first time. Prior to that, the bay colt was an impressive allowance winner at Belmont June 6, while still running under the name of Chatlos’ former employer Hollendorfer. “The plan was to come here for Mr. [Larry] Best of OXO Equine, starting at Belmont,” said Chatlos, who arrived in New York in May with eight horses owned by Best and, at the time, trained by Hollendorfer. “We were kind of trying to follow the path that [Bobby] Frankel set, where you come east from May to October-ish and then back to California from October through April. The kind of horses Mr. Best has, the races are back here, especially if you have a 3-year-old in the summertime. Del Mar is more grass. The dirt races are back here. It was just something that they wanted to try then, obviously, June 22 came and it changed everything.” June 22 was the day NYRA announced that they would no longer be accepting entries from Hollendorfer at any of their racetracks. A week prior, the Hall of Fame conditioner had been banned from Stronach racetracks after four of his horses were fatally injured during the tumultuous Santa Anita winter meet. NYRA had initially said they would welcome Hollendorfer with open arms, but reversed that ruling June 22. Following that change, Best announced he would retain Chatlos as his private trainer to continue overseeing his New York string, which would then follow the circuit to Saratoga. “Working for Jerry, it is such a strong program and I had been there 4 1/2 years already, so it was a smooth transition in that sense,” Chatlos said. “The emotions and everything of a Hall of Famer being out and the tailspin that it put us in was a whole different story. Mr. Best asked me to do a job, so I had to put all that aside. Saratoga is the toughest racing in the country for the summertime. I had to focus. I had to get it together, so that is what I did. I said, ‘You have a job to do. Just go do your job.'” Born in the industry as a son of a trainer, Chatlos worked for several of California’s top names, such as John Sadler and Ron Ellis and had a solo career for five years from 2002 to 2007, during which he won the 2004 GI Breeders’ Cup Mile with Singletary. When his business began to dwindle, he returned to his hometown of Chicago to work for his uncle for a few years and joined the Hollendorfer barn in 2015. “My business dried up,” Chatlos said. “I just didn’t have the stock in California to be competitive. I found myself at a crossroads. I didn’t really have a job. I didn’t really have a direction. I was thinking how am I going to get myself going.” He continued, “I decided to go home to Chicago where I got myself started. Those mom and pop stables in Chicago where they are grooming the horses and riding them themselves, it really got the love back for me. You can get a little Hollywood in southern California. I had a chance to go with Jerry in 2015 and I had always planned to go back to Southern California. I was with him for 4 1/2 years until this crazy summer of 2019 happened.” Chatlos is adjusting as well as can be expected to being thrown into the deep end of both the Saratoga competition and restarting his solo career on the opposite side of the country. “The toughest adjustment for me has been the help situation,” said Chatlos. “The big barns have the good help locked down. They have been there for years. If we were in Southern California, with the kind of horses I have, I would have that. That has been the toughest adjustment, trying to get people from California to come out here and see what kind of horses these are. I have some people from here and I brought some people in from Southern California. When we do this trip next year it will be a bit better planned and my help situation will definitely be better.” At this time of year, Chatlos would normally be at Del Mar in San Diego, which some refer to as the Saratoga of the west. When asked how his summer at the Spa compares with his typical SoCal summer, Chatlos had a hard time comparing them. “They are two different places,” he said. “That is the argument that goes back and forth, especially with social media, ‘What is better? Saratoga or Del Mar?’ The weather at Del Mar can’t be beat. It is nice being here for the whole summer and not just an in and out trip, plus the history of this place and the racing, obviously. The only other place you see a program lined up with Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher, Steve Asmussen, Shug McGaughey and Bill Mott is the Breeders’ Cup. That is what you face. So, if you are competitive at all and want to face the best, this is the place to be. Larry Best has afforded me the ability to train some really good horses who could be competitive.” Chatlos added, “It is exciting. Where they put me next to Mott and McGaughey on the rail of the Oklahoma track is such a great spot. We have been lucky with the weather as well, besides the one Saturday they canceled because it was too hot.” Chatlos’ horses seem to be enjoying their time in New York as well. “I had some older horses that really loved Belmont Park,” the conditioner said. “They did really well there and they are doing well here. The training style is a little different here, not the fast works you see in Southern California, and the horses I have right now really seem to like it. We will go back to Belmont until about the middle of October. If we have something for the Breeders’ Cup, we may head back a bit earlier.” Despite the upheaval he underwent in late June, Chatlos has taken the many big changes in his career in stride with an upbeat and positive attitude. He will keep on swinging in hopes of getting off the mark in his second solo career and hopefully secure that first win here at Saratoga, whether it be in Saturday’s Grade I test or an upcoming race. “To get a win period here would be unbelievable,” Chatlos said. “Definitely, a bucket list kind of thing. A Grade I? I can’t even think that far ahead yet. That would be really unbelievable.” The post Chatlos Looks to Break His Saratoga Maiden in the Allen Jerkens 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 a son of a 1000 Guineas winner. 2.10 Killarney, Mdn, €15,000, 2yo, 8f 10yT CELTIC HIGH KING (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) will probably play second-fiddle to his experienced stablemate Delta Dawn (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on this debut in the race won two years ago by Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), but as a son of the G1 1000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) has boundless potential. Wayne Lordan rides Ballydoyle’s number two, with Seamie Heffernan on the son of the classy Fire Lily (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) Delta Dawn who was second at Galway’s festival. The post Observations: Aug. 21, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s the opening day of the York Ebor festival where Dakota Gold looks to land another big handicap having won at Ripon last weekend. There are some very nice types to keep on eye on in the Acomb and Crystal Ocean will take all the beating in a vintage-looking Juddmonte International. Symphony Handicap Dakota Gold […] The post York Preview – Day 1 – Ocean’s Chances Crystal Clear appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

British summertime could mean just that for once this week as York stages the four-day Ebor festival in generally warm, sunny climate on its famous “Knavesmire” expanse. Day one’s keenly-anticipated action looks set to be played out against the backdrop of all-too familiar rainclouds, but no wetness is due until after racing has ended on the card that features the G1 Juddmonte International. After that, the weather is set fair for the remaining trio of fixtures bearing witness to the reigning monarchy of Gosden’s blessed Clarehaven Stables. Unsurprisingly, the head of state Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) faces just three rivals in Thursday’s G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks which represents her final victory parade in front of her adoring subjects before setting sail to France. A day later, her prince consort Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) arrives in this hallowed and historied place to collect his second dowry of a million English pounds from a beleagured Weatherbys Hamilton insurance brokerage in their sponsored G2 Lonsdale Cup. Freak acts permitting, these two occurrences are almost preordained and there is almost that same feel about Wednesday’s feature race which was first instituted in an attempt to draw the great Brigadier Gerard (GB) and Mill Reef into a match race in 1972 and which culminated in the shock sole defeat of the former’s incredible career. Khalid Abdullah has faithfully sponsored the prize since 1989 and in that time all efforts have been made to augment its status alongside the older British monuments of the Eclipse and King George. In drawing ‘TDN Rising Star’ Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), officially the world’s greatest racehorse on the rankings, the York executive can rest assured that they have accomplished their task in 2019 at least. Added to the melange is a dash of overseas interest to help justify the race title in the 2017 G1 Japan Cup hero Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) and, closer to home, the chief Irish hope ironically named Japan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Inevitably, there is the almost-essential modern-day ingredient of Frankie in there too as his irresistible spell rolls on through the beautiful season. In the Gosden-trained ‘TDN Rising Star’ King of Comedy (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), there is the potential for an upset while the county-based Scottish-born King of the North who so epitomises the Yorkshire spirit and mentality also looks to deny the Rothschild homebred with the illustriously-bred Elarqam (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Mark Johnston created history when saddling his 4,194th winner at this meeting last year–ridden by Frankie Dettori, who else?–and he would dearly love to end a period of “seconditis” in Group 1 races in 2019 with this son of his wonky-legged but brilliant Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}). Luckily for Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, Crystal Ocean’s career is conducted by racing’s principal in the art, Sir Michael Stoute and he has won this a record six times with lesser lights than his current stable star. Of his sextet, only the 1997 hero Singspiel (Ire) stands meaningful comparison to the gallant battle-scarred survivor of great battles, the latest of which saw him beaten but unbowed by Enable at Ascot. James Doyle was on board as they went down still throwing the punches in the King George and he is relishing the renewal of his association. “I was really proud of my horse at Ascot–we put Enable under pressure–and he has no quirks,” he said. “He is plain-sailing to ride and is just a solid Group 1 horse. Crystal Ocean does everything you ask of a horse. He can put himself into a spot and relax and you can ride him more patiently if you require as he has that good turn of foot. It is the race of the meeting for me. All eyes will be on Enable on Thursday, but of all the races during the week the Juddmonte is the one you want to win.” In contrast to his two-years-older rival, King of Comedy has just one piece of experience at this level when a strong-finishing second to the re-opposing Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Royal Ascot’s G1 St James’s Palace S. June 18. Untried against his elders and over the trip, he nevertheless comes from arguably European racing’s pre-eminent stable outside of Co. Tipperary and has that Frankie factor which has seemingly immeasurable currency at present. “It is a very big ask and we’re under no illusions about the task that is about to be undertaken,” commented Hugo Lascelles, racing manager to owner-breeder Lady Bamford. “He was unlucky not to win at Royal Ascot, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. John Gosden has been very happy with him since and always felt he’d appreciate a step up to a mile and a quarter.” Aidan O’Brien also pitches in members of the Classic generation in Circus Maximus, who has been second in the July 31 G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood, and the tantalisingly-unexposed Japan. While he has to improve markedly on his workmanlike success in the 12-furlong G1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, the latter has long engendered excitement from connections and they know all the indicators of a top-class Thoroughbred. “We’re bringing Japan back to a mile and a quarter and we think the experience will do him good back at this trip,” the master of Ballydoyle explained. “We always felt a mile and a quarter would suit Circus Maximus well.” Elarqam has come into contention from a less-trodden path, but his emphatic course-and-distance win in the July 27 G2 York S. cast the once-troubled Shadwell protagonist in a different light. Mark’s son Charlie Johnston is well aware of the import of his presence as a genuine contender in this strong renewal. “It’s obviously a very tough race and you’ve got the best horse in the world in there, but it’s time for our horse to step back up to the highest level now,” he said. “We’ll have no excuses with conditions. He’s won three of his last four races and he’s coming into it off the back of what was probably a career-best performance. I’m sure he won’t disgrace himself and if he can finish in the first three we’ll be delighted.” The Johnstons are also represented in the G2 Great Voltigeur S., a warm-up for the Doncaster Classic that Mark so keenly covets so deep into his training career. Nayef Road (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) beat Constantinople (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood Aug. 1 and has to do it all again. With a just a neck to spare over Ballydoyle’s steadily-progressing peer who is without the three-pound penalty he was burdened with on that occasion, Mohamed Obaida’s relatively-cheap purchase by one by his sire has to up his game again. “I’m sure he won’t be favourite–I’d imagine he’ll be third in the betting behind a horse he beat last time and a horse who is unbeaten and obviously progressive, but still has a bit to find on ratings,” Charlie Johnston said. “I know we were getting a penalty from Constantinople at Goodwood, but I don’t see any reason why he won’t confirm the form.” The horse Johnston referred to as “unbeaten and obviously progressive” is Juddmonte’s unknown quantity Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who has had the Newmarket early birds in excited mood of late. While the form of comparatively-minor wins at Newmarket June 21 and Newbury July 4 leave him some way short of the standard required despite there being only four opponents, the positive vibes surrounding the latest Gosden-Dettori collaboration simply cannot be ignored. “We know we are taking a leap forward with him, but we want to see if we can make him a Leger horse,” Frankie explained. Teddy Grimthorpe was keeping a lid on expectations when adding, “He’s been very straightforward and everyone’s been happy with him.” More far-off Classic pointers are available via the medium of the G3 Tattersalls Acomb S., where Susan Roy’s impressive Aug. 3 Goodwood debut winner Persuasion (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) bids to emulate the same connections’ 2014 winner Dutch Connection (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). Trainer Charlie Hills also took this 12 months ago with Phoenix of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and is hoping he is cut from the same cloth. “He’s a lovely horse and an exciting prospect,” he told the Racing Post, but he faces seven other colts coming in off maiden or novice wins with their depths entirely unplumbed at present. Two of the mystery plays are the locally-trained Valdermoro (Declaration of War) and Yorkshire Gold (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), with the aptly-named latter leaving a lasting impression with his debut success for the Kevin Ryan stable over six furlongs on testing ground at Leicester July 31. Richard Fahey, whose love for the racing here is always keenly-expressed, is expectant of a bold showing from the authoritative July 25 Doncaster scorer Valdermoro. “He’s a horse we’ve always thought a lot of,” he said. “His form looks very strong, but he’s got to step up again now. He’s in great order, so we’ll just have to see if he’s up to this.” The post Ocean Graces Yorkshire Showcase Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the stated goals of not only improving the lives of its retired runners, but also the betterment of the Thoroughbred breed and industry as well, Pocket Aces Racing LLC (PAR) has announced that it will partner with the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center (MMSC) to help provide aftercare services to the horses once their racing days are over. In a release, PAR announced that it has pledged to donate a percentage of the entire stable’s annual earnings, along with matching funds from PAR management, to MMSC, which–in turn–has agreed to reschool and place any PAR retirees in need of such services. According to the release, MMSC, a largely volunteer-based operation, has expressed great interest in having PAR members actively participate in the care of horses located at the organization’s facility at the Kentucky Horse Park north of Lexington. Many PAR members have expressed an interest in this more ‘hands-on’ type of experience, says the release. The release goes on to say that MMSC, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited operation, tracks each adopted horse for its entire lifetime. Adopters must agree to submit an annual update on the horse including photos, current location, status, training successes or accomplishments as well as any injuries or illnesses. Should a horse be sold or transferred, the new owner must sign a transfer of adoption contract. Click here for the full release. The post Pocket Aces Racing To Team With Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Colonial Downs, which opened Aug. 8 for its first live race meet since 2013, is broadcasting races this year in high definition. The signal upgrade was assisted through The Jockey Club High Definition (HD) Grant Fund. Through the HD Grant Fund, qualifying tracks may receive up to $150,000 to purchase or lease HD production equipment. Colonial Downs is the fourth racetrack to use this fund, following Hawthorne Race Course, Delaware Park, and Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack. “By taking advantage of the HD Grant Fund to assist our ‘Racing Revival,’ we have been able to sustain our core principle of providing our fans with a first-class racing product,” said Jill Byrne, Colonial Downs’ vice president of racing operations. “Colonial Downs is honored to be selected by The Jockey Club as its most recent grant recipient.” The post Colonial Downs Broadcasting in H.D. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) has announced the recipients of its two non-competition awards, the T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award and the T.I.P. Young Rider of the Year Award, for 2019. The Thoroughbred of the Year Award, which recognizes a Thoroughbred who has excelled in a non-competitive career, was given to Bruce, registered with The Jockey Club as Disruption (Street Boss). The 9-year-old gelding, who placed in a pair of stakes at Emerald Downs for his late trainer Monique Snowden, assists with programs at Second Chance Ranch in Spokane, Washington. “Wherever this multi-tasking equine is, he knows exactly what to do,” said Katie Merwick, executive director of Second Chance Ranch. “A common skill among Thoroughbreds is that they read people well. It is no coincidence that this magnificent equine became an ambassador for Thoroughbreds, demonstrating the exceptional healing abilities that horses have on humans.” The award includes a $5,000 grant to the non-profit organization associated with the horse or, if no organization is associated with the horse, to a horse-related charity chosen by The Jockey Club. The young rider award, which recognizes riders 18 or younger who own or lease a Thoroughbred for use in 4-H, Pony Club, or other activities, has been awarded to Megan Grace Farnsworth, Alexa McVoy, and Claudia Rudder. The post T.I.P. Award Winners Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Susan Furlong has been named director of marketing at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Furlong has served as senior vice president and director of client service and operations at the Louisville advertising firm Scoppechio. “We are thrilled to bring someone on board with this level of experience with proven results,” said Patrick Armstrong, President and CEO of Kentucky Derby Museum. “What stood out about Susan’s remarkable 25-year career in advertising is her incredible talent for getting results, driving growth and building relationships. As a non-profit organization, Susan’s extensive background will prove invaluable for Kentucky Derby Museum for years to come.” Furlong, who began her new role Aug. 12, will be responsible for marketing strategies and research to drive attendance to the museum. The post Furlong Tabbed Derby Museum Marketing Director appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Deena Pitman has been named executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, replacing Mike Smith who announced his retirement earlier this year. Pitman joined the IHRC staff in 1993, as its first licensing supervisor, and is credited with crafting the first occupational licensing system in Indiana. In 2000, she was promoted to Assistant Executive Director (Deputy Director) where she was involved in managing all aspects of the agency. “Deena’s longevity with the commission enables her to provide a unique perspective to this role which no other candidate had,” said IHRC Chairman Phil Borst. “The knowledge and experience she brings with her is unmatched, making us confident that she will continue to move Indiana horse racing forward.” The commission also appointed Thomas Linkmeyer to fill the role of deputy director. The post Pitman Named IHRC Executive Director appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian Bloodstock has bought a controlling share in leading Sky Bet Ebor candidate Raheen House (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), with a subsequent trip to the Melbourne Spring Carnival on the agenda. Trained by William Haggas, Raheen House is one of only two horses to finish in front of the mighty Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), having finished second in a Newbury conditions event back in April 2017. In two runs for Haggas this season, Raheen House has finished second and third over the Ebor course and distance behind Melbourne-bound Gold Mount (GB) (Excellent Art (GB) and Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid) respectively. “After the Ebor, William Haggas will bring Raheen House out for the Melbourne Spring Carnival,” Australian Bloodstock’s co-director Jamie Lovett told www.racing.com. “How he fares in the Ebor will determine his weight and capacity to run in those races and so we’ll screw down what we do after the Ebor. He’s a horse that rates very highly and he has been specifically set for the Ebor. “He’s very strong at the end of his races, and he hasn’t run in a lot of races with really big fields where they’ve run along. I’m dying to see this horse in a big field off a hot speed. It’d be lovely to hit the target in the Ebor because it’s worth £1 million. But he’s still got plenty to offer and there’s a lot of nice races with him in Australia into next year.” The post Australian Bloodstock Buys Share in Raheen House appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalogues for Books 2, 3 and 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale are now online. Held from Oct. 14-16, Book 2 contains 790 yearlings, while Book 3, conducted on Oct. 17-18, features 605 lots spread out over two days. The Oct. 19 Book 4 has 137 yearlings set to sell. Flying the flag on the racecourse, Book 2 graduates and MG1SW Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) and G1SW Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) lead the alumni, while they are supported by GSWs Mystery Power (Ire) (No Nay Never), Tropbeau (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and West End Girl (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}). The offspring of 107 group or listed winning mares will go under the hammer and there are full- or half-siblings to 148 group and listed winners. Among the lots of note is lot 1039, a Golden Horn (GB) half-brother to the star-crossed MG1SW and Classic heroine Sea of Class (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) from The Castlebridge Consignment; a full-brother to MG1SW and young sire Belardo (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) (lot 899) from the draft of Ballylinch Stud; a half-brother to 2017 G1 Melbourne Cup hero Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) (lot 596) hailing from Stringston Farm by Toronado (Ire); and a Keith Harte-consigned Dark Angel (Ire) half-brother to MG1SW and sire Slade Power (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}) as lot 997. Well represented among the catalogue are established sires Kodiac (GB) (49), Showcasing (GB) (33), Exceed And Excel (Aus) (31), Zoffany (Ire) (28), Iffraaj (GB) (24) and Dark Angel (Ire) (22). Gleneagles (Ire), Golden Horn and Night of Thunder, who have already sired group winners with their first crop of juveniles, have 16, 18 and 13 yearlings catalogued, respectively. Other sires with yearlings include Kingman (GB), No Nay Never, Australia (GB), Dansili (GB), Frankel (GB), Invincible Spirit (Ire), Pivotal (GB) and Sea The Stars among many others. French standouts Le Havre (Ire) and Siyouni (Fr) are joined by American-based stallions Candy Ride (Arg), Hard Spun, Kitten’s Joy, Lemon Drop Kid and Street Sense for some international flavour. All sessions will begin at 10 a.m. local time, and all of the yearlings sold in Books 3 and 4 are eligible for the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction S. “The two highest rated sprinters in training in Europe, Battaash and Ten Sovereigns, were both purchased at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and Book 3 has had another outstanding year with Royal Ascot and two year old group winners demonstrating the perennial quality to be found in the second week of the October Yearling Sales at Park Paddocks,” said Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony. “Huge demand for places in our yearling sales has ensured catalogues of real depth and quality catering to buyers at all levels of the market and from throughout the world.” The post Tattersalls Books 2-4 Online, Including Half to Sea of Class appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mike Maroney. Trainer Mike Moroney has stakes race plans in the spring for Group-placed Tofane but first the lightly raced mare needs to boost her rating. Moroney hopes Tofane can start the process at Sandown on Wednesday when the four-year-old daughter of Ocean Park resumes in the MRC Membership Renewal Handicap (1000m). Tofane, who has a handicap rating of 73, has won one of her four races and will be having her first start since finishing second in the Gr.2 Euclase Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds in Adelaide in early May. “She is down in the ratings and a lot of these mares’ races are based on ratings to make the field, so we’ve got a little bit of work to do to get her up racing in black-type again, even though she’s been placed in a Group Two,” Moroney said. “It was her very first preparation and I’d expect her to improve a lot in her second preparation. We think she’s a pretty smart mare, but we haven’t quite got a handle on her yet.” Tofane won a jump-out up the straight at Flemington on August 12 and Moroney has decided to send her to the races over 1000m rather than give her a second hit-out. “Rather than run around in another jump-out we might as well run around for money and try to get her points up,” he said. “Because we badly need those rating points to go up. “Obviously she’s going to have to win to do that, but hopefully she does.” Moroney said Tofane had always shown ability and was a valuable mare, with her dam Baggy Green a half-sister to Group One winner Youngstar. To be ridden by Damien Oliver, Tofane is the early $2.30 favourite for Wednesday’s benchmark-78 race with the track rated soft on Tuesday. “It’s hard to know what to expect just off one jump-out, but her jump-out was really good,” Moroney said. “She has won on soft and Ollie said she got through the ground really well in her jump-out the other day.” -AAP View the full article

Hunterville trainer Ken Duncan has stepped into new territory with his fine steeplechaser Shamal set to race at Ballarat on Sunday. Duncan will start the nine-year-old Zabeel gelding in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) with regular rider Buddy Lammas in the saddle. “It’s the first time I’ve had one over here in Australia so it is all part of a learning curve,” Duncan said. “I’ve always wanted to bring one over, but never had one good enough. I mightn’t have another this good. View the full article

Dual Group One winner Verry Elleegant is one of four Chris Waller-trained gallopers nominated for Saturday’s Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, joining stablemates Unforgotten, Youngstar and Kings Will Dream. Originally trained in New Zealand, Verry Elleegant looks poised to make a big impression this spring, with the daughter of Zed continuing to please her conditioner. “Verry Elleegant galloped well this morning and James McDonald was on board and gave me the thumbs up post-work,” Waller said. “I think her mannerisms improved last preparation, in terms of relaxing much better, so we have got the benefit of that on our side. “We seem to have a good platform now and starting them off over 1400m is always a bit easier as well, as they’re out of their comfort zone in terms of speed. I am really happy with where she is at. “She’s a bit stronger. I wouldn’t say she has gone overboard and put on lots and lots of weight but she certainly looks a bit stronger this time in.” The winner of the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) in the autumn, Verry Elleegant was scheduled to gallop at Randwick between races last Saturday, but was forced to miss the hit-out after being a little tender under-foot as a result of pulling a shoe during trackwork last week. Verry Elleegant is part-owned by New Zealanders, with John and Mark Carter, along with their sister Rachel owning 25 percent of the mare, while her original owners, which include New Zealand trainer Nick Bishara, also retained 25 percent. View the full article

Humidor is set to kick-off his spring campaign in the Gr.1 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next Saturday and his connections are pleased with the gelding heading into the race after his 990m trial win at Cranbourne on Monday. “It was nice, the track was pretty rain-affected,” said Ciaron Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace. “He has made nice progression from his first jump out and first trial. His coat has come out. “I put him in the visors (for his trial), he has raced in the blinkers before, just to help him travel through the wetter ground. “Damian (Lane, jockey) gave him a nice report. He had a nice little blow when he came back in, it’s just another progression. “He did a little bit more on him today with another gallop next week he is probably right to kick-off in the Memsie.” Humidor won the Memsie last year and will head into the Group One event in a fresh state this term after recovering from a season ending injury in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) last year. “The idea is to have him right for the Cox Plate,” Maher said. “He is going to take some improvement out of his first-up run. “He was successful in a Memsie, but I think he had a run before that in the Peter Lawrence, so he’ll take some improvement, but I couldn’t be happier where he is at and how he is going.” View the full article

Jason Waddell and Shadow Cast. Cambridge jockey Jason Waddell has been forced to delay his return to raceday riding. Waddell underwent surgery on his right leg on May 27 and had planned to resume at the start of this season, but a setback has left him unsure of the exact date of his return. “The operation went well and I rode at the trials (Te Rapa on July 29), but I got a small infection in the leg,” he said. “I got a bit over-eager and probably tried to come back a touch too soon. “I won’t take a ride until I’m 100 percent sure that once I start I won’t have to stop again, whether that be in three or six weeks.” Waddell hasn’t ridden since March 2 and wound up with a tally of 53 wins, including four Group or Listed victories, during the past season. His most important win came on Shadows Cast in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham. View the full article

Trainer Lauren Brennan with Vigor Winner. Vigor Winner may not have got the results his connections were looking for in Australia last season, but the trip across the Tasman has been the making of the now four-year-old according to trainer Lauren Brennan. He won three of his four starts in New Zealand, including dead-heating the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), before finishing unplaced in his two Australian starts. “He has improved from the trip away,” Brennan said. “Both jockeys said give him six months and he will be a different horse. “He didn’t disgrace himself in Australia, it made him anyway. He has come back much stronger, both mentally and physically.” His performance at the Te Rapa trials on Tuesday mirrored those thoughts, with the son of Declaration of War finishing strongly to win his 880m heat by a head over Queen Of The Air. “I just said to Sam (Spratt, jockey) I wanted to let him do it on his own steam, have an easy day out, and not to pressure him,” Brennan said. “He was quite impressive, he is more forward than I thought he was.” Vigor Winner will likely tackle elite level company first-up next month in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings. “He will press ahead for the Windsor Park Plate on the second day at Hastings,” Brennan said. “It’s a little bit tight going into it, we have got to give him time between races, so we will probably trial him again and then run him.” Another stable runner that will likely head to Hastings for the Spring carnival is stakes winner Magnum. The seven-year-old gelding dead-heated with Dawn Patrol in their 880m heat and Magnum is now set to follow an identical path as he did at the start of last season. “I just wanted to give him a good hit-out at the trials and I was really happy with him. He always tries,” Brennan said. “He is going to run at Ruakaka on the 31st (of August) in an open sprint. The Red Badge Sprint (Gr.3, 1400m) will be his next start (at Hastings on October 5). He ran third in that race last year, so he will go for that again this year.” Meanwhile, Brennan was pleased with the return of Aim Smart on Tuesday where he finished runner-up in his 880m heat. “He has had a long spell, it’s been nearly a year since he has hit the track, so I was really happy with his trial,” Brennan said. “We just wanted to see where he was at fitness-wise. Opie (Bosson, jockey) was happy with him and we’ll probably give him another trial before he runs.” The Group Three performer hasn’t been sighted on race day since September last year and Brennan is looking forward to his return to the races later this spring after a lengthy recovery period from surgery. “He had a couple of stress fractures in his hocks, so he had some screws put in,” she said. “He was off for a long time and has just taken time to get back into it. We were making sure he was 100 percent before he was brought back into work. “It was worth a shot having the surgery because he is such a talented horse and he has shown it last season. “Hopefully he will stay happy and sound and we’ll just have to wait and see and take it race by race. “We haven’t specifically aimed for anything right now. He wants a good track anyway, so we have got a little bit of time, we won’t run him unless they are dead to good tracks.” View the full article

Trainer Mike Moroney has stakes race plans in the spring for Group-placed Tofane but first the lightly raced mare needs to boost her rating. Moroney hopes Tofane can start the process at Sandown on Wednesday when the four-year-old daughter of Ocean Park resumes in the MRC Membership Renewal Handicap (1000m). Tofane, who has a handicap rating of 73, has won one of her four races and will be having her first start since finishing second in the Gr.2 Euclase Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds in Ade. View the full article

Dual Group One winner Verry Elleegant is one of four Chris Waller-trained gallopers nominated for Saturday’s Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, joining stablemates Unforgotten, Youngstar and Kings Will Dream. Originally trained in New Zealand, Verry Elleegant looks poised to make a big impression this spring, with the daughter of Zed continuing to please her conditioner. “Verry Elleegant galloped well this morning and James McDonald was on board and gave me the thumbs up post-work,” Wa. View the full article

Humidor is set to kick-off his spring campaign in the Gr.1 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next Saturday and his connections are pleased with the gelding heading into the race after his 990m trial win at Cranbourne on Monday. “It was nice, the track was pretty rain-affected,” said Ciaron Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace. “He has made nice progression from his first jump out and first trial. His coat has come out. “I put him in the visors (for . View the full article

Cambridge jockey Jason Waddell has been forced to delay his return to raceday riding. Waddell underwent surgery on his right leg on May 27 and had planned to resume at the start of this season, but a setback has left him unsure of the exact date of his return. “The operation went well and I rode at the trials (Te Rapa on July 29), but I got a small infection in the leg,” he said. “I got a bit over-eager and probably tried to come back a touch too soon. “I won’t take a ride until I’. View the full article

Vigor Winner may not have got the results his connections were looking for in Australia last season, but the trip across the Tasman has been the making of the now four-year-old according to trainer Lauren Brennan. He won three of his four starts in New Zealand, including dead-heating the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), before finishing unplaced in his two Australian starts. “He has improved from the trip away,” Brennan said. “Both jockeys said give him six months and he will be . View the full article

Debbie Rogerson is trusting race fitness to give Malambo and Comeback their edge as they prepare to face the stars of Saturday's Gr.2 US Navy Flag Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa. The Hamilton trainer is happy with both Team Rogerson's runners for the weight-for-age sprint which has attracted five Group One winners. TAB bookmakers have Group Two winner Te Akau Shark a $2.20 favourite ahead of six-time Group One winner Melody Belle at $3.80, last-start Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) winner He. View the full article