Wandering Eyes

Creditable performances from his star performers Te Akau Shark and Melody Belle in the Gr.2 US Navy Flag Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday has left trainer Jamie Richards satisfied with the start to a big spring campaign for both horses. Te Akau Shark stormed home from near last on the turn to run impressive winner Endless Drama to less than a length at the line while Melody Belle battled gamely into fourth after peaking on her challenge in the last 150m. Richards, who celebrated hi... View the full article

OXO Equine's Cambier Parc dazzled with a quick closing kick Aug. 17 in the $302,808 Del Mar Oaks Presented by The Jockey Club (G1T) at Del Mar. View the full article

Jay Em Ess Stable's Mr Vargas made his stakes debut a winning one when he broke on top in the $100,351 Green Flash Handicap (G3T) Aug. 17 at Del Mar and led every step, beating out a graded stakes winner and Eclipse Award champion in the process. View the full article

Hronis Racing's Higher Power proved his prowess as a runner in undeniable fashion Aug. 17, kicking clear in the final quarter-mile of the $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) to win by daylight at Del Mar. View the full article

HIGHER POWER (c, 4, Medaglia d’Oro–Alternate, by Seattle Slew) took off a quarter mile from home and left his rivals in the dust, scoring by about six lengths in Saturday’s GI TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar, providing Hronis Racing and John Sadler with a second consecutive renewal (Accelerate, 2018). Able to secure a cozy stalking position in second stalking the pace of ‘TDN Rising Star’ Quip (Distorted Humor), the bay traveled comfortably through the middle stages, flanked by Mongolian Groom (Hightail) and Draft Pick (Candy Ride {Arg}) deeper out. Clicked up by Flavien Prat approaching the final quarter mile, Higher Power put the race to bed in a matter of strides, shooting away from his rivals to score as tons the best. Draft Pick kept on gamely to be second just ahead of Mongolian Groom. Race favorite Seeking the Soul (Perfect Soul {Ire}) raced in the latter half of the field for the opening half-mile, but he came under a ride with a little more than three furlongs to race and was never a factor. With the victory, Higher Power gave his sire his second Grade I winner in the space of 30 minutes (24th overall), his 133rd black-type winner and 70th group/graded winner. He is also the 27th Grade I winner out of a mare by Seattle Slew. A half-brother to former ‘TDN Rising Star’ and current Pin Oak stallion Alternation (Distorted Humor), the 4-year-old was the second highest-priced offering in the horses-of-racing-age sale at Keeneland April, selling to these connections for $250,000. A two-time winner in five starts for Donnie K. Von Hemel and a Fair Grounds allowance winner this past winter for Mike Stidham, Higher Power had done his best work on the turf since his acquisition, annexing a June 14 Santa Anita allowance ahead of a runner-up effort in this track’s Wickerr S. July 21. Primarily through A.P. Indy, the cross of Medaglia d’Oro over Seattle Slew-line mares has been responsible for GISWs Plum Pretty, Bolt d’Oro and Dickinson. MGISW Elate has a second dam by A.P. Indy. Lifetime Record: 13-5-1-4. O-Hronis Racing LLC; B-Pin Oak Stud LLC (KY); T-John Sadler. The post Higher Power Runs Away With TVG Pacific Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Looking to complete a bi-coastal Grade I double for trainer Chad Brown in races he hadn’t previously won, OXO Equine’s CAMBIER PARC (f, 3, Medaglia d’Oro-Sealy Hill, by Point Given) jumped out of the ground at the eighth pole and quickened home to annex the GI Del Mar Oaks Saturday evening. Taking full advantage of gate one, the $1.25-million Keeneland September graduate rode the rails passing under the wire the first time in mid-division and was guided off the fence while holding her position approaching halfway. Asked to improve on the turn, she was forced to take the overland route and was six or seven horses wide into the line, but she flashed a sharp turn of acceleration entering the final eighth of a mile and outfinished the outposted Hidden Message (Scat Daddy) for the victory. Lady Prancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) settled last but two entering the backstretch and was put to a drive fully 3 1/2 furlongs out. But she sustained her rally and came flying late to just miss second while covering her final three-eighths of a mile in a race-fastest :35.03. The winner, bred on the same cross over Thunder Gulch responsible for dual-surface Grade I winner Mshawish, is kin to a yearling colt by Into Mischief that is cataloged as hip 71 to the upcoming September sale. Cambier Parc is the first Grade I winner to be campaigned by OXO Equine’s Larry Best. Lifetime Record: 7-4-0-1. O-OXO Equine LLC; B-Bonne Chance Farm LLC (KY); T-Chad Brown. The post Cambier Parc Gives Brown Barn First Del Mar Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Favored Varenka and second choice Regal Glory threw it down Aug. 17 in the $200,000 Lake Placid Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course, and no one could separate them at the wire after a thrilling stretch duel. View the full article

OXO Equine's Cambier Parc dazzled with a quick closing kick Aug. 17 in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks Presented by The Jockey Club (G1T) at Del Mar. View the full article

Peter Brant's Dunbar Road made a sweeping move for the lead at the top of the stretch and drew clear to beat seven rivals and the after-effects of severe weather while capturing the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1). View the full article

Favored Varenka and second choice Regal Glory threw it down Aug. 17 in the $200,000 Lake Placid Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course, and no one could separate them at the wire after a thrilling stretch duel. View the full article

Having her first try at a route of ground, Gary and Mary West’s ironically named FIGHTING MAD (f, 3, New Year’s Day–Smokey’s Love, by Forestry) handled the task at hand with professional aplomb, leading every step of the way and never looking like a loser at any point of Saturday’s GIII Torrey Pines S. at Del Mar. Ridden for speed by Joe Talamo from gate 7, the homebred crossed and cleared her rivals by the time they reached the clubhouse turn and the bay switched off nicely while making the running well away from the inside. Popped the question when taken on mildly by Into Chocolate (Into Mischief) at the three-sixteenths, Fighting Mad found more on the lead and was the better part of a half-dozen lengths clear at the wire. Hollywood Hills (Hoorayforhollywood) made belated progress to win a photo for second from Into Chocolate. A debut winner at this meet 51 weeks ago, Fighting Mad made a victorious return to the races in Churchill allowance company Apr. 30, only to finish a well-beaten seventh to future GI Test S. winner Covfefe (Into Mischief) in the May 17 GIII Miss Preakness S. at Pimlico. Connections regrouped thereafter and Fighting Mad was a latest second to next-out GIII Rancho Bernardo S. third Lady Ninja (Majesticperfection) in a six-furlong allowance here July 19. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0. O/B-Gary & Mary West (KY); T-Bob Baffert. The post New Year’s Day’s Fighting Mad Makes the Grade in Torrey Pines appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

L and N Racing's Tone Broke picked up his second stakes score Aug. 17 at Woodbine, winning by 1 1/2 lengths in the CA$400,400 (US$301,701) Breeders' Stakes. View the full article

Peter Brant's Dunbar Road made a sweeping move for the lead at the top of the stretch and drew clear to beat seven rivals and the after-effects of severe weather while capturing the $600,000 Alabama Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1). View the full article

Baertschiger pulls off Incredible feat in Committee's Prize View the full article

Nova Vocal lets his racing do the talking View the full article

Lim’s Craft keeps going through his grades View the full article

Nizar rises to the occasion on Lincoln Moonlight View the full article

Beuzelin bags first Kranji win early View the full article

Horses' body weights August 18 View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings August 18 View the full article

Early scratchings August 18 View the full article

The Dominator has been in a happy place recently and that spells unhappy news for his opposition at Oamaru on Sunday. The 6yr-old goes in to the feature trot on Kurow Cup day after unleashing a brilliant 26.6sec final 400m at the Ashburton workouts on Tuesday. That blazing final sectional to round off a sedate 3:14.5 overall time for 2400m, was the latest showing in what looks to be the start of a bright campaign for The Dominator. The trotter has returned to racing with the kind of attitude that will allow him to capitalise on the potential he has shown in the past. And that is something trainer Donna Williamson hopes will continue. “He seems very bright and happy and on form at the moment,” the trainer said. “He is a lot happier and he seems to be doing things right – we are crossing our fingers, a wee bit, that he keeps that up.” “But even in his work at home at the moment he has worked it out.” Sunday’s 2600m handicap could set up as a tactical battle between the drivers of Anothersuperstar and The Dominator. Step and run tactics have seen Anothersuperstar cash in in her past two starts in lesser company at Forbury Park and Gore. Driver Matthew Williamson will almost certainly employ the same free-wheeling strategy on the Ricky Allen trained veteran, again. That scenario could be set up a stern test for the Dominator, who starts from the 35m mark for driver Craig Thornley. Another veteran, 12yr-old Trick Star, looks one of the toughest horses for The Dominator to beat. The pair filled the quinella in their last clash, when The Dominator won at Addington, last month. Trick Star gets a 25m head start on his main rival, after effectively meeting The Dominator off level marks from behind the mobile at Addington. Southland pacer Franco Santino looks to have a fitness edge on his main opposition going in to Sunday’s Kurow Cup. The Nathan Williamson trained 5yr-old has had the most recent racing of the three class horses of the 2600m handicap, who will start from the 10m back mark. Franco Santino won a Wyndham workout, this week, in preparation for his Kurow Cup tilt. His last race day hit out came late last month, with his good second placing behind Jay Tee Tyron in the Rangiora Winter Cup. Fellow backmarker Storm Prince has not been sighted publicly since his sixth placing at Addington, behind A Bettor Act in mid July. Trainer Paul Court admitted his 5yr-old’s lack of recent racing was a concern going in to Sunday’s race. “His work has been good, without being outstanding, and if anything he will just need the run is all,” the trainer said. “He is just lacking a bit of race fitness.” Court hopes a pinpoint drive from champion reinsman Blair Orange could help Storm Prince conserve energy, so he can fight out the finish. “Hopefully Blair can weave a bit of magic with him and look after him without being too aggressive on him and hopefully he can deliver the goods.” Fellow backmarker, The Tin Soldier, also lacks recent racing ahead of tomorrow’s event. However, the Brad Mowbray trained 6yr-old has looked ready to resume in his two recent Ashburton trials. In the latest of those, The Tin Soldier ran his last 800m in 56.0sec to win. The consistent Nimah Franco looks the hardest of the front markers to beat in the Kurow Cup. View the full article

L and N Racing's Tone Broke kept the winning streak alive Aug. 17 at Woodbine, scoring by 1 1/2 lengths in the CA$400,400 (US$301,701) Breeders' Stakes. View the full article

The Shark goes looking for winners at the annual Kurow Trotting Club meeting from Oamaru Racecourse on Sunday. Race 1 6 Boyz Invasion: Led the charge behind the rampant Noble Mistress at Addington last time. Getting better and better with racing and will give this a decent shake. 7 Majicion: Form on the board here and trotting well. Not superstar material, but certainly good enough to measure up to this field all things being equal. 2 Solsbury Hill: Liked the run down South last time. Kept coming at them after making a sustained run at them from a long way out. Shouldn’t be too far away. 1 Maranatha Atlas: Wasn’t bad in a stronger maiden field at Rangiora last week, perhaps a little one paced but that might be good enough in this line up. Selections: 6-7-2-1 Race 2 10 Changearound: Has always been well supported in all starts and has produced some solid enough efforts to warrant serious consideration in today’s line up. 3 Georgie Zukov: Has always looked better than a maiden. Trial win recently points towards a big effort here and a bit of a turn-around in form. 12 Minnelli Smile: Friday night’s effort at Addington was the best run of the career to date. Will need to get around them all at some point, but going well enough to do it. 1 Loissonya: Never far away from the action and usually decent away from the stand so should land on or near the speed here and look to have one crack at them. Selections: 10-3-12-1 Race 3 6 Tom Martin: Strike rate stable lines this debutant up and with some good trial form behind him you’d expect a big and bold effort on debut in a race like this. 11 Stevie Lynn: Chased hard from the sweet trip last week at Rangiora, this is a little harder especially from the draw but there’s plenty to like about the chances. 3 Glen Elgin Stara: Dalgety/Purdon first starter with Anderson in the bike, they’ve been doing a few things nicely lately. No star but should be in the middle of the fight. 2 Iron Woman: Left a bit flat-footed last time in a good field. Should get a sweeter trip here and with any luck have a part to play late at a nice place price. Selections: 6-11-3-2 Race 4 9 She’s A Rebel: Won like a smart horse with a bit of a future on debut. In terms of steps up in grade this one isn’t too much, should be winning again really. 7 Amore Lancome: Running good strong races, but not quite able to cease an opportunity at the moment. Won’t get many better chances than this, despite the fave. 2 Immortal Change: In great form and won impressively on Friday night at Addington will give a huge sight once again here today. 6 Delightful Tanner: Just not quite kicking on like we know she’s capable of at the moment. Best form would be very competitive here and small field does help. Selections: 9-7-2-6 Race 5 9 Noble Mistress: Jumped, ran and eventually left them all with wagging tongues at Addington. That was in a maiden, but similar tactics and even quarters make it hard to catch. 11 Spy Da Moment: Took the step up from maiden company with ease for a strong third last time out. Building in both manners and confidence and a good sight here again on the cards. 4 Ardee Trouble: Devoid of a bit of luck last time out and has won a trial since last racing. Talented enough to jump and run in this and give them a bit of a fright. 12 Neverneverland: Got it wrong last time out but prior form was excellent. Needs to step away here, but can certainly be a player if in the right mood. Selections: 9-11-4-12 Race 6 9 Arden Roanoke: Won as he liked at Forbury in a fresh state underlining his already well known talent. Wide draw here shouldn’t hold him back either. 8 Stick Man: Should be near peak fitness now and while there hasn’t been much to write home about this time in, expect a sharp turn around in form here tonight. 10 My Design: Shouldn’t be too far away in this field, based on what we’ve seen so far. Drawn might not work out too bad and a good place option. 4 Frank The Tank: Honest enough shift last time out and outside of the faves from the draw he should be prominent throughout here today. Selections: 9-8-10-4 Race 7 1 Girls Get Loose: Has a really big motor when in the right mood and did beat The Dominator mid week. Crossing everything early, but well in play with good manners. 9 The Dominator: Talented trotter who was good enough to win at Addington recently in hot company. Big handicap, but certainly good enough to overcome it. 4 Anothersuperstar: Jumping and running and not looking back at the moment with two really strong wins in last two starts. Similar tactics here on tight lines and hard to peg back. 5 Trick Star: Loved the run at Addington last time out, really drove to the line. In good nick and always a chance in races like this. Selections: 1-9-4-5 Race 8 8 Franco Santino: Measured up in a good field at Rangiora last time out, really hit the line. Best version is a winning version in this race you’d think. 9 Storm Prince: Has done some nice things in the past few months, always against quite nice fields. Gets a chance to get a win on the board today for sure. 4 Nimah Franco: Good manners and quick beginnings are putting the form on the board here. Has to be considered an each way hope with normal tactics. 5 Doctor Tim: Kept fighting on Friday night after doing it tough. Won’t mind the quick back up here either and looks a good hope in an even field. Selections: 8-9-4-5 Race 9 4 Snow Printz: Two strong runs since joining the Hope barn and shouldn’t take any longer to get a win on the board. Well in commission here today from the handy draw. 3 Rocknroll King: Now in the Dunn barn, best is pretty handy but can get a little rank in the gait from time to time. Should turn it around today. 7 Cathy Brown: Won at Addington on Friday night impressively, has always looked good and might be ready to go on with it now. 9 Duke Of Dundee: Has turned in some really strong performances in recent months and seems to be getting stronger and stronger. Good place chance at least in this. Selections: 4-3-7-9 Race 10 8 Arocknatthepark: Been mixing it in far stronger races than this recently and doing a good job of it too. Will give a huge sight in here if in the right mood. 10 Ivana Legacy: Usually bobs up when you least expect it. Especially when getting one cold shot at them. Not a strong field so gets a chance to turn it all around. 9 Overarm: Nice run in strong company last time out. Can eat up the 15m handicap pretty quick and get right into the action here. 11 Possente Cavallo: Almost looked reborn with dominant win last time out. Won’t mind a wintry track either and can get right in the middle of it all here today. Selections: 8-10-9-11 BEST: 9 Arden Roanoke (Race 6) NEXT: 9 She’s A Rebel (Race 4) VALUE: 1 Girls Let Loose (Race 7) View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott is not afraid to try something new before a big race. So when the discussions came up to race Tacitus with blinkers for the Aug. 24 Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1), he was not hesitant to make the equipment change. View the full article