Wandering Eyes

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

It wasn't getting to the winner's circle after the $162,500 Monmouth Oaks (G3) that mattered most to 27-year-old Cameron Beatty. What made it such an emotional journey was who he brought along with him. View the full article

Peter Brant's Dunbar Road made 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

Favored at 8-5 for Saturday’s GI Alabama S. at rainy Saratoga, owner Peter Brant earned a rare non-turf Grade I victory when his DUNBAR ROAD (f, 3, Quality Road–Gift List, by Bernardini) showed a devastating turn of foot leaving the three-sixteenths marker and splashed home a two-length winner of the historic 10-furlong event. Allowed to settle near the tail of the field, the $350,000 Keeneland September yearling traveled a few paths off the rail on the turn, was pulled out by Jose Ortiz leaving the three-eighths marker, slipstreamed chief market rival Point of Honor (Curlin) into the stretch and responded when produced off that rival’s heels to report home a much-the-best winner. Street Band (Istan) sat an inside trip beneath Sophie Doyle and was just nosed out of second. It was a third straight Alabama for Ortiz (Elate {Medaglia d’Oro}, 2017; Eskimo Kisses {To Honor and Serve}, 2018) and a first for trainer Chad Brown. An 11th Grade I winner for her sensational young sire, Dunbar Road is a maternal granddaughter of Private Status (Alydar), a half-sister to 2000 GI Kentucky Oaks, GI Mother Goose S. winner and that year’s Alabama runner-up Secret Status (A.P. Indy). Gift List, a $160,000 RNA out of the 2016 Keeneland January Sale pregnant with Dunbar Road, is the dam of the 2-year-old filly On the Good List (Speightstown) in training at the Spa and was most recently bred to Uncle Mo. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0. O-Peter M Brant; B-Jeffery J Drown (KY); T-Chad Brown. The post Dunbar Road Finishes Powerfully to Land Alabama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It wasn't getting to the winner's circle after the $150,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3) that mattered most to 27-year-old Cameron Beatty. What made it such an emotional journey was who he brought along with him. View the full article

As a driving rainstorm took aim on Saratoga Race Course, ‘TDN Rising Star’ REGAL GLORY (f, 3, Animal Kingdom–Mary’s Follies, by More Than Ready), the 2-1 second choice, and VARENKA (f, 3, Ghostzapper–Dynamic Cat, by Dynaformer) hit the wire in tandem in Saturday’s GIII Lake Placid S. In a race run at a common gallop, Blowout (GB) (Dansili {GB}) led in advance of Amandrea (Paynter) as Regal Glory settled one out and one back while Varenka did herself no favors from second last behind the walking pace. Approaching the stretch after six furlongs in a pedestrian 1:15.39, Blowout retained the call, but Amandrea still had something to offer while Varenka followed the move of Regal Glory into the lane. They lined up four across the racetrack at the sixteenth pole, Blowout boxing on gamely at the fence, but Regal Glory three from the rails and Varenka to her outside closed off slightly the better to arrive on even terms. Regal Glory made it a three-bagger on the afternoon for her GI Kentucky Derby winning sire and was entering the Lake Placid off a half-length defeat of Blowout in the GIII Lake George S. July 19. In sharing the spoils, Varenka was becoming the 71st black-type winner and 38th graded winner for her sire, whose ‘TDN Rising Star’ daughter Proctor’s Ledge won this race in 2017. Varenka: Lifetime Record: 8-3-2-2. O-Augustin Stable; B-George Strawbridge Jr (KY); T-Graham Motion. Regal Glory: Lifetime Record: 7-5-2-0. O/B-Paul Pompa Jr (KY); T-Chad Brown. The post Can’t Split ‘Em in the Lake Placid appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup unveils the official logo for the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held on Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6 at the Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California for the second time in the event's history. View the full article

Safrokova with Nathan Delaney in charge. There were no surprises when Luk Chin handed out his pre-race driving instructions to Nathan Delany at Cambridge on Thursday. Delany had picked up the drive on the Chin-trained Safrakova in the R40-53 trot because a win with a junior driver aboard would be penalty-free. “He said go to the front and don’t hand up,” Delany told HRNZ. The classic Chin tactics are never a surprise and in this case they proved very effective, Delany getting the daughter of Monarchy home first. It wasn’t Delany’s first drive on Safrakova either – they had partnered up in a junior drivers’ race at Alexandra Park back on May 31, running sixth. “She didn’t give me much of a feel that night. “She was trotting nicely but was no match for a horse like Kenny’s Dream.” Facing a much easier class of field this time meant Delany had no qualms about taking the drive when a mate called to tip him off earlier in the week. “I didn’t even think about calling up for the drive actually. “But Scott Iremonger, who had a drive already for Dale Moore, rung me and asked if I wanted to drive her. “I wasn’t going to say no to driving a favourite.” Once in front, Delany rated her to a nicety and she never looked like being headed. “She kept bowling along nicely; really loved her work in front.” With two wins on the board already, Delany looks in for a very good season. He works for Barry Purdon – arguably the best gig in town for a junior driver – and that is already paying benefits. He’s had a few placings behind classy trotting mare Sunny Glenis recently, and will probably drive her again this coming week, plus got the win behind the Purdon-trained Sole Ambition last week. “I’ve been getting good opportunities from Barry and a few other trainers. “Barry especially has been a big help to my career. I love going to work there. “He’s got quite a few horses in work and there are plenty of nice ones to drive. “I had just started working for Peter and Vaughan Blanchard when Zac Butcher rung and asked if I wanted to go and work for Barry. “It’s hard to turn an opportunity like that down so I jumped at the chance and owe Zac a huge thanks for putting my name forward.” Delany is hopeful of driving exciting prospect Henry Hu at his next start as a penalty free win is the immediate goal. “Keep an eye out for him – a nice horse and one I hope I get to drive.” So, could this be Delany’s break out season? “I’d like to think this could my year. The first goal is to try and get to 10 wins and take it from there. “I’m just grateful for any opportunities that I get.” View the full article

Fox Hill Farm's Omaha Beach will miss his expected race return next weekend at Del Mar after catching a virus, trainer Richard Mandella said Aug. 17. View the full article

Grade I winner Omaha Beach (War Front)’s impending return to the races has been delayed after he developed symptoms of a virus that has been passing through trainer Richard Mandella’s stable. A late defection from the GI Kentucky Derby, where he was likely to be favored, due to a throat issue that required surgery, the bay was being pointed at either the Shared Belief S. or GII Pat O’Brien S. next weekend. Mandella was also forced to scratch United (Giant’s Causeway) from Saturday’s GII Del Mar H. due to the virus. “They both have symptoms of the virus that is going around–mucus and congestion,” Mandella said. “A couple of my 2-year-olds have it with a fever, but Omaha and United do not have a fever yet.” The post Omaha Beach’s Next Start Pending Due to Virus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It wasn't getting to the winner's circle after the $150,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3) that mattered most to 27-year-old Cameron Beatty. What made it such an emotional journey was who he brought along with him. View the full article