Wandering Eyes

Glory Shines when stepped up to mile View the full article

Horses' body weights August 9 View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings August 9 View the full article

Early scratchings August 9 View the full article

Lerner suspended four days View the full article

Group One performer Aalaalune will kick-off her three-year-old season at Ruakaka on Sunday. Group One performer Aalaalune will kick-off her three-year-old season in the Tee Café @ Ruakaka Races (1000m) on Sunday and her path this season hinges on her performance at the Northland track. The daughter of Reliable Man had a pleasing juvenile season. While not quite managing to win as a two-year-old, she placed in three of her six starts, all at stakes level, including runner-up performances to Yourdeel in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Bavella in the Listed 2YO Stakes (1100m). “If she raced in a maiden race somewhere along the line she probably would have easily won a race, but she never raced out of black-type and she never once disgraced herself,” trainer Jacob McKay said. “She put her hand up every time and was unlucky really with her draws.” Aalaalune pleased McKay with her 900m heat win at the Te Rapa trials last month and he believes that has prepared her nicely for her raceday return on Sunday. “She trialled nicely at Te Rapa, I was really happy with her,” he said. “She hadn’t done a lot of work going into it, we had her fairly fresh. “I was just happy to see her jump and put herself there and win without putting pressure on her and on a track (Slow8) she probably wasn’t 100 percent happy in. “It seems to have brought her on, which is the main thing. It was a good day out for her, so hopefully we can see the same sort of thing on Sunday.” McKay has been pleased with Aalaalune’s progress since the trial and is looking forward to Sunday despite being a little nervous heading into the first test of her three-year-old preparation. “She has done really well since that trial,” he said. “There is always that question mark with a two-year-old that had a fairly big season whether they come back. At this stage she is ticking all of the boxes. “It will be good to get Sunday out of the way. It’s probably the most nervous I have been for a maiden race, with a horse of her class going up there, it leaves you pretty vulnerable with a couple of unknowns in the race. “Whether the 1000m is a bit sharp for her, but if she has come back anywhere near as good as she was last prep, barring bad luck, you would like to see her be competitive on Sunday to be pushing forward to the targets we have got in-mind with her.” One of those potential targets is the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) where McKay could break new ground with his filly against weight-for-age company. “She holds a nomination for the Tarzino, it is something the owners were quite keen to do,” McKay said. “It is a little bit of an unknown really. To even warrant it she would have to win and win quite impressively on Sunday. “It is something that hasn’t really been done before that I know of. I guess it is a big ask for a three-year-old going up against weight-for-age horses, but in saying that she will only carry 48.5kg if she did get there.” While a Tarzino Trophy tilt is a possibility, McKay is eyeing a few three-year-old assignments this spring, including a couple over the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival. “There are always the three-year-old races for her along the way. There are a couple of races at Hawke’s Bay, including the (Hawke’s Bay) Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) on the last day. “Ideally we would like to try and get to Christchurch with her for the 1000 Guineas.” McKay said a Group One tilt across the Tasman was also in the reckoning. “I have nominated her for the Thousand Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) at Caulfield in Australia, which comes up in October,” he said. “That’s just a bit of a whim at the moment, we need to see how she comes up. But if she does come up well it wouldn’t be crazy to think that she could be competitive in a race like that.” View the full article

Heirborn. Two progressive gallopers by Windsor Park Stud stallion Charm Spirit will clash in Saturday’s VRC Member Helen Saffin Handicap (1400m) at Flemington when the Anthony Freedman-trained Heirborn and Phillip Stokes-prepared Sansom go head-to-head. The recently-turned three-year-olds were both late-season juvenile winners, with Heirborn a dominant winner at Bendigo at his only start and the gelding has duly been installed a $3.80 favourite for the contest. “Heirborn has shown above average ability but has just needed some time,” trainer Anthony Freedman said. “The owners have been patient and they should be rewarded for that, he is only going to continue to get better with more time and racing.” Meanwhile, Pakenham trainer Phillip Stokes is also optimistic about Sansom’s ($11) chances of making it four wins on end in Saturday’s Benchmark 70 contest. Sansom turned heads when winning over 1300m at Sandown last start and, while he admits that there’s little to no improvement in the three-year-old, Stokes believes he will measure up well against his rivals. “He’s really improved this preparation and he’s probably still one preparation away,” Stokes said. “He hasn’t gone backwards from his last run but I wouldn’t say he’s improved. “He worked really well on Tuesday, Benny Allen rode him and he was happy with the work.” View the full article

Waipukurau farmer Simon Wilson started the racing season off in perfect style at Riccarton last Saturday, recording his first stakes victory as a trainer when Dez took out the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m). “I was really happy, he tried really hard,” Wilson said. “He ran a tough race, Chris (Johnson, jockey) did a great job on him and he ran strongly to the line. “It’s definitely the biggest win of my training career. It was a great thrill to get my first stakes win, it was a thrill for the ... View the full article

Group One performer Aalaalune will kick-off her three-year-old season in the Tee Café @ Ruakaka Races (1000m) on Sunday and her path this season hinges on her performance at the Northland track. The daughter of Reliable Man had a pleasing juvenile season. While not quite managing to win as a two-year-old, she placed in three of her six starts, all at stakes level, including runner-up performances to Yourdeel in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Bavella in the Listed 2YO Stakes (1100m). “If ... View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — While holding court with a small gaggle of media Thursday morning trainer Simon Crisford joked that Ostilio (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) handled the ship from England to Saratoga Race Course for the one-mile GI Fourstardave H. Saturday better than he had. Crisford has made the trip to North America many times during his long tour as Godolphin’s racing manager, so he knows the drill, but this was Ostilio’s first journey across the Atlantic. If things go well, Crisford said he expects the chestnut colt will become a seasoned traveler on the international racing circuit. Ostilio’s trek of about 35 hours last weekend from Crisford’s yard in Newmarket took him through Belguim, on to JFK International Airport in New York City and ended with a van ride upstate to Saratoga. After clearing quarantine, he visited the main track Wednesday morning. Thursday morning he was on the nearby Oklahoma training track for his exercise that included a little burst of acceleration. “It was just a couple of furlongs, what we would call a half-speed, a swinging canter,” Crisford said. “You probably don’t have the terminology in America. Just a swinging canter for two furlongs.” Ostilio showed himself to be a very capable runner in Europe last year with a 4-3-0 record in seven starts, topped by wins in the Britannia S. (Handicap)–Crisford’s first Royal Ascot victory as a trainer–and the G2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein at ParisLongchamp. He finished well back in his two starts this year and enters the Fourstardave, a “Win and You’re In” race for the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile, off a three-month layoff. “The thinking about coming to this race is that we felt that a flat oval track would suit him really well,” Crisford said. “We don’t get so much of that in Europe and obviously it’s a huge race. It fitted into his program really well because he hasn’t run since May. But he’s all about the second half of the year, so it was a very good starting point for him. He’s coming here fit and well. Obviously, this is a big race and I hope he can acquit himself well. But the thinking is that the flat oval track going left-handed will suit him.” While it is becoming a bit more common for international horses to ship to Saratoga to compete, the Fourstardave is not one of the races that attracts runners from outside North America. “I’ve been extremely delighted to be part of it all because it’s such a famous event, such a famous racetrack,” Crisford said. “Saratoga itself is one of the dream places in the history of horse racing. Just to be here is a win ticket anyway. When I was at Goldolphin, I spent a lot of time here, we had a lot of runners here and a lot of winners. Nowadays I’m a stand-alone trainer. It’s very different, but it feels really rewarding just to be a part of it. To have horses that are good enough to be competing on an international level; it’s pretty tough to find those type of horses. It’s just a great privilege to be part of it.” Ostilio is a homebred from the stable of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. His paternal grandsire is the great Galileo and he gets his name from Ostilio Ricci, the Italian mathematician who taught Galileo Galilei. The colt has shown speed and Crisford is interested in how he fares in a different style of racing. “He races quite freely,” Crisford said. “He’s drawn five and we’ll see how quick he is out of the gate compared to American horses. We haven’t schooled him to be American-quick. He’s very much European-quick out of the gate, but that’s very different to what you have here. Andrea [Atzeni] will ride him as he finds him, once he jumps. Hopefully he will jump well and give him a forward ride if he jumps into that sort of position.” The Royal Ascot win at 10-1 was especially sweet for Crisford in the early years of his new career. The Britannia is for 3-year-olds and 30 went to the post for the straight mile. “It’s quite a demanding test. He made just about all the running in that race,” Crisford said. “Then when he went to France, that’s a right-handed track. It’s an easier mile than what we had to do at Ascot. He won that nicely and was very resolute and strong at the finish. But he’s always been a horse with plenty of talent. He still is fairly lightly raced for his age and he’s coming forward. Hopefully we can enjoy a productive second half of the year with him and move forward.” After his Saratoga adventure, Ostilio will return to Europe. The Breeders’ Cup could bring him back to the States. “We need to see how he runs here in North America before we make any sort of future plans,” Crisford said. “This race is going to tell us an awful lot about what we need to know, what we’re going to do going forward.” The post Ostilio Brings Crisford Back to Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With opening day set for Sept. 27 and the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships returning for a record 10th time Nov. 1 & 2, Santa Anita's 23-day Autumn Meet will offer fans and horsemen a full complement of world class racing. View the full article

The Stronach Group announced that industry executive Steve Koch has been appointed Senior Vice President of Racing for The Stronach Group. “We are thrilled to have Steve join our team at this pivotal moment in our sport,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman and President of The Stronach Group. “Steve has a proven track record as an executive committed to safety and integrity in racing that is fully in line with our company’s priority to put horse and rider safety at the forefront.” Koch will work in tandem with the company’s executive leadership and the general managers at all Stronach Group racing properties to implement and maintain global best practice safety and integrity standards for horse and rider welfare and will be responsible for the coordination of national racing operations. Koch previously served as the Executive Director of the Safety & Integrity Alliance at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) where he was responsible for managing the industry’s accreditation program, implementing national uniform standards for racetrack safety and integrity. Prior to the NTRA, he served as Vice President of Thoroughbred Racing for Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada. “Steve’s stellar racetrack operations experience combined with his commitment to safety and integrity will allow us to further build on our world-class racing program,” said Tim Ritvo, Chief Operating Officer of The Stronach Group. “His addition reinforces The Stronach Group’s commitment to modernize and improve Thoroughbred racing.” Additionally Koch serves on various industry boards and committees such as the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP), Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (RSTL), the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Dean’s Equine Advisory Board, American Horse Council’s United Horse Coalition and the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC). “My work at the NTRA enabled first-hand experience and continuous engagement with racing operations at racetracks across North America,” said Koch. “I look forward to working with The Stronach Group team to deliver an exceptional racing program as the world’s safest racetrack operator.” The post Koch Appointed Stronach Senior Racing VP appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brian Elmore, executive director of the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, has become the first horsemen’s group executive named an ambassador for Jockeys and Jeans, an all-volunteer group founded by former jockeys who have raised better than $1.2 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund over the past six years. Elmore is a dedicated supporter of Jockeys and Jeans fundraising efforts and has previously been recognized for his work with the Eddie Arcaro Award, presented by the National Jockeys Guild for his service to the industry and work for the betterment of jockeys at Gulfstream Park in 2016. Elmore and two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert are the only non-jockey ambassadors who agree to use their platforms to promote and to raise awareness of the inherent risks of horse racing and to develop a revenue stream for permanent funding for those who have suffered catastrophic, career-ending injuries in accidents. The post Brian Elmore Named Jockeys and Jeans Ambassador appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 43 graded events, 18 at Grade I level including the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 1 and 2, comprise the stakes schedule for the Santa Anita fall meet Sept. 27 through Nov. 3. For the first time, a pair of Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifiers join the traditional opening-day feature, the $200,000 GII Eddie D. S. The $300,000 GI American Pharoah S. for 2-year-old males and its female counterpart, the $300,000 GI Chandelier S., have been moved up to anchor the opening-day program. “We’re excited to get the meet started with these two outstanding Grade I races on opening day,” said Santa Anita Vice President, Racing and Racing Secretary Steve Lym. “It will get the ball rolling in a big way. In addition, the Eddie D. has been upgraded to a Grade II and we’ve also doubled the purse on it, so we’re expecting an outstanding field at five furlongs on turf, which will serve as prep for many horsemen who are hoping to run under the same conditions in the [GI] Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 2.” Opening weekend will feature an additional five stakes, including the $300,000 GI Rodeo Drive S. (FM Turf) and the $300,000 GI Awesome Again S. (Classic) Sept. 28 followed by the GI Zenyatta S. (Distaff) Sept. 29. Each race offers a berth in their respective Breeders’ Cup field. The sixth and final Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, the $300,000 GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship, is scheduled for Oct. 5. Lym also announced that the downhill turf course will be out of service for the fall meet, with a discussion to take place prior to the 2019-2020 Winter Meeting about its future disposition. The GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint will be contested over five furlongs, but the track will stage a limited number of turf sprints going 5 1/2 furlongs, with a start on the main track. The post Santa Anita Announces Fall Stakes Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced the passing of the longtime director of horsemen’s relations Carmen Barrera, who died unexpectedly Thursday in Saratoga Springs, New York. She was 60. Barrera joined NYRA in 1978, the same year that her uncle Laz Barrera campaigned Triple Crown winner Affirmed, and began her career at NYRA in guest services as a white cap before moving to horsemen’s relations. She spent 41 years at NYRA in total. Her father, Luis, was a trainer as well, campaigning Summing to victory in the 1981 Belmont S. and her cousin, Juan Dominguez, is NYRA’s racing facilities coordinator. “Carmen Barrera was a helping hand and guiding light for countless guests, horsemen and employees for the last four decades,” said NYRA Board of Directors Chairman Michael Del Giudice. “Carmen was a special part of the fabric of racing in New York, and she will be missed deeply.” When asked last year to pick her most memorable Belmont S., she answered, “How can I pick just one?” “In 1978, my uncle Laz won the Belmont S. and the Triple Crown with Affirmed,” she said. “And three years later, in 1981, my father Luis, won the Belmont S. with Summing. I was so proud of my dad that day: Summing ended Pleasant Colony’s Triple Crown bid and George Martens rode a great race. The Belmont was the Triple Crown race my father had wanted to win because it was our home track.” In remembrance of Barrera, NYRA today held a moment of silence for her following yesterday’s second race at Saratoga Race Course as employees gathered in the winner’s circle. The post Carmen Barrera Dies at 60 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A Thread of Blue (Hard Spun), who led every step of the way to cause a 13-1 upset in the 9 1/2-furlong Saratoga Derby Aug. 4, will be pointed for a start in the final leg of the Turf Trinity, the inaugural Jockey Club Derby to be contested over a mile and a half at Belmont Park Sept. 7. “He came out of the race really well, we’ll look at [the Jockey Club Derby],” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin told the NYRA notes team. “We weren’t sure if he’d get a mile-and-three-sixteenths and we aren’t sure he’ll get a mile-and-a-half, but we’ve got a million reasons to try. If it’s firm, that will help. If it’s really soft, we might reconsider.” Bred by Flaxman Holdings, the 150,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $430,000 OBS March juvenile won the Dania Beach S. and GIII Palm Beach S. at Gulfstream over the winter and was second to Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the GII American Turf S. in May. Only fourth as the 7-5 favorite in the GIII Penn Mile over yielding turf he may not have preferred, he took them coast-to-coast in the Saratoga Derby, turning the tables on Digital Age in the process. Serengeti Empress Set to Stretch Back Out… Serengeti Empress (Alternation), the GI Kentucky Oaks winner who was a tenacious second to Covfefe (Into Mischief) in the seven-furlong GI Longines Test S. at Saratoga Aug. 3, will return to two turns for her next appearance in the GI Cotillion S. at Parx Racing Sept. 21. “We’re really proud of her. She ran really well and I think her, along with the winner…put on a great show,” trainer Tom Amoss told the notes team. “I’m disappointed she ran second, but that’s just how it goes. She came out of the race in good shape and we’re pointing her to the Cotillion. She’ll go back home to Louisville to prepare for that.” Winner of the GII Rachel Alexandra S. on her seasonal return in February, the $70,000 Keeneland September grad bounced back from a bleeding incident in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks to wire the field at Churchill on the first Friday in May. Serengeti Empress was the distant runner-up to ‘TDN Rising Star’ Guarana (Ghostzapper) in the GI Acorn S. going Belmont’s one-turn mile June 8 prior to her hard try in the Test. Glory Road Possible for Hopeful… China Horse Club and WinStar Farm’s Glory Road (Commissioner), whose stinging late rally carried him to a neck success on his seven-furlong debut Aug. 3, could wheel back in the GI Runhappy Hopeful S. Sept. 2, trainer Todd Pletcher said Wednesday. “That certainly would be under consideration,” Pletcher said of the Hopeful. “I thought he ran well. He kept on closing and he’s one that will appreciate more ground later on down the road.” As a $220,000 graduate of last year’s Keeneland September sale, Glory Road was the most expensive of his first-crop sire (by A.P. Indy)’s 55 yearlings reported as sold in 2018. The March foal hails from the female family of MGISW Finder’s Fee (Storm Cat). The post Spa Notebook: A Thread of Blue Likely for Jockey Club Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Serengeti Empress came out of her gritty second-place finish to Covfefe in the Longines Test Stakes (G1) last week in good order and will target the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) Sept. 21 at Parx Racing, trainer Tom Amoss confirmed Aug. 8. View the full article

Chad Brown has three likely prospects as he seeks his fifth straight victory in the Beverly D. Stakes (G1T) at Arlington International Racecourse—but faces the usual Irish raid Aug. 10 during the suburban Chicago track's big day. View the full article

Officials at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association have announced the election of Brant Laue as chairman of the TOBA Board of Trustees. Also joining Laue on the Board are members Marshall Gramm (Ten Strike Racing), Stephanie Hronis (Hronis Racing) and Jason Loutsch (Albaugh Family Racing). “I am honored to serve as Chairman of TOBA, with its long history of representing the interests of owners and breeders,” Laue said. “Working with our members and industry partners, we look forward to continued progress on the opportunities and challenges facing our industry.” Re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Joe Appelbaum, Brett Brinkman, Doug Cauthen, Everett Dobson, Sol Kumin, David O’Farrell and Sheila Rosenblum. The TOBA Board also approved the reappointments of Barbara Banke and Reynolds Bell, Jr. to the American Graded Stakes Committee. The 2019-2020 committee is comprised of TOBA members Everett Dobson (chair), Barbara Banke, Reynolds Bell, Jr., Craig Bernick, Walker Hancock, and J. Michael O’Farrell and racing officials Kevin Greely (Indiana Grand), Steve Lym (Santa Anita Park), Ben Huffman (Churchill Downs and Keeneland), Martin Panza (NYRA) and Thomas Robbins (Del Mar). The post TOBA Names Officers, New Trustees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today’s Observations features the debut of a full-brother to Churchill and Clemmie. 5.15 Curragh, Mdn, €17,500, 2yo, 7fT PARADISO (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is a full-brother to Churchill (Ire) and Clemmie (Ire) who may be down the Ballydoyle pecking order if jockey bookings are to be believed. Seamie Heffernan takes the mount, with Ryan Moore on Hong Kong (American Pharoah), the half-brother to Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) who was seventh on debut here in June. 6.15 Curragh, Cond, €30,000, 2yo, f, 7fT HEAVEN OF HEAVENS (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is another unraced blueblood to be partnered by Seamie Heffernan and she is the latest progeny out of the high-class racemare and producer Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) already responsible for this January-foaled bay’s full-sisters Magical (Ire) and Rhododendron (Ire). Moore has opted for Holy Roman Empress (Ire) (American Pharoah), the daughter of the G1 Phoenix S. winner Damson (Ire) (Entrepreneur {GB}) who was 12th on her raceourse introduction at Naas in June. 6.35 Newmarket, Debutantes, £8,000, 2yo, 7fT VOLKAN STAR (IRE) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), Godolphin’s 1-million gns purchase at Tattersalls October Book 1, debuts for Charlie Appleby in this maiden the operation have won four times in the last 10 runnings. Out of a half to the talented Skins Game (GB) (Diktat {GB}), the February-foaled bay meets Cheveley Park Stud’s Baptism (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), a John Gosden-trained €460,000 Goffs November Foal Sale purchase whose dam is a half to the G1 Epsom H. winner He’s Your Man (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire}). The post Observations: Aug. 9, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Khalid Abdullah’s unbeaten Siskin (First Defence) renews rivalry with ‘TDN Rising Star’ Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah) in Friday’s G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at a Curragh venue currently threatened by the possibility of huge amounts of rain. First and second in the course-and-distance G2 Railway S. on fast ground on June 29, they are both bred to be compromised by the prospect of soft ground. Siskin, who also captured the May 24 Listed Marble Hill S. here, has two other Ballydoyle representatives to contend with including the G2 July S. winner Royal Lytham (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and the G3 Anglesey S. fifth Mount Fuji (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). “The horse has been in good form, but obviously the weather will play a part in the race,” Teddy Grimthorpe said of Siskin. “They are supposed to get monumental amounts of rain, so we’ll all be going into unknown territory on that front. The horse himself has been in good form and been pleasing Ger [Lyons]. This race has always been his plan since he won the Railway and there has been no reason to divert. It may only be a small field, but it is a solid one.” The field is made up with John Joseph Murphy’s July 26 Down Royal maiden winner Think Big (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), but he is another who needs it quick. “It looks like it’s going to be really soft and I think my lad wants it fast,” he said. “It might not suit any of them, you just don’t know. We’re gutted about the forecast.” The post Siskin Faces Phoenix Test appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TIZ THE LAW (c, 2, Constitution–Tizfiz {GSW, $410,944}, by Tiznow) blew past the favorite a furlong out and cruised home a much-the-best winner on debut Thursday at Saratoga, continuing a strong start for his freshman sire. Showing a strong local worktab, highlighted by a bullet five furlongs from the gate in 1:00 2/5 (1/30) July 27, the $110,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-Bred graduate was backed as the 7-2 second choice and came away well to stalk the pace from a pocketed third past a :22.30 quarter. Dream Bigger (Mission Impazible), favored at 3-2, took over midway on the turn and looked to blow the race open at the top of the lane, but drifted in sharply as Tiz the Law came calling. The bay took over at the eighth pole and went mostly unasked by jockey Junior Alvarado from there on, coasting home 4 1/2 lengths to the good of the chalk in 1:18.02 to become already the ninth winner for his sire (by Tapit). The victor, a half to Awestruck (Tapit), MSP, $350,928, third in the Shine Again S. earlier this meet. His dam, a graded stakes winner on turf and full-sister to GSW/GISP Fury Kapcori, has a yearling Mission Impazible filly named Angel Oak and foaled a colt by the same stallion this season before returning to Constitution. This is also the female family of 1997 Horse of the Year Favorite Trick (Phone Trick). Sales History: $110,000 Ylg ’18 FTNAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $46,800. O-Sackatoga Stable; B-Twin Creeks Farm (NY); T-Barclay Tagg. The post Constitution Continues Sizzling Start as Tagg Firster Lays Down the ‘Law’ at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chad Brown has three likely prospects as he seeks his fifth straight victory in Beverly D. Stakes (G1T) at Arlington International Racecourse — but faces the usual Irish raid Aug. 10 during the suburban Chicago track's big day. View the full article

Long Weekend (Majesticperfection), an impressive five-length debut winner going five furlongs at Churchill Downs June 23, takes on seven rivals in Saturday’s GII Saratoga Special S. The field that day included subsequent jaw-dropping ‘TDN Rising Star’ Dennis’ Moment (Tiznow), who clipped heels early and lost his rider. “It’s not so much the [6 1/2 furlongs] distance, it’s more [facing] a higher-caliber field,” trainer Tom Amoss said. “We think he’s a good horse, but for that to be true, he has to show it on Saturday. That’s the concerns of ours–how he handles the high-level competition, as well as the extra distance.” Green Light Go (Hard Spun), the 2-1 morning-line favorite, earned a field-best 84 Beyer Speed Figure when dueling clear to graduate by 3 1/4 lengths at first asking going 5 1/2 furlongs at Belmont July 4. Runner-up in that one Another Miracle (American Pharoah) returned to earn his diploma in a Saratoga off-the-turfer July 24. The rail-drawn Noose (More Than Ready) is another to flash potential on debut, drawing off to graduate by five good-looking lengths beneath the Twin Spires June 28. The post Juveniles Take Center Stage in Saratoga Special appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 5th-ELP, $50k, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 5:42 p.m. ET Trainer Mark Casse sends out a pair of regally bred fillies in Friday’s fifth event at Ellis. CRYSTAL GLACIER (Curlin), a daughter of the same stallion that lit up the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sales ring during Monday’s session with three seven-figure colts, was acquired by Live Oak for the sum of $500,000 as a yearling at that sale a year ago. The dark bay hails from the family of Grade I winner and sire Majestic Warrior (A.P. Indy) through her second dam, the multiple Grade I victress Dream Supreme (Seeking the Gold). Casse’s other runner, Go for Mo (Uncle Mo) dropped the hammer for $190,000 at the OBS April Sale after breezing a quarter mile in :21 4/5. The HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud-owned runner is a half-sister to Champion sprinter Kodiak Kowboy (Posse) and the multiple stakes-winning Wilbo (Candy Ride {Arg}). The fleet-footed filly drilled a bullet half-mile in :47 4/5 (1/39) Aug. 1 at Churchill Downs. TJCIS PPs 6th-SAR, $90k, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 3:42 p.m. ET Peter Brant’s INDOCHINE (War Front) has breezed several times in company with stablemate Sketches of Spain (Ire) (Lopa de Vega {Ire}), who graduated in her debut Aug. 4 at the Spa for trainer Chad Brown. The $470,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase is out of the mare Fascinating (Smart Strike), a half-sister to Grade I winner and blue chip stallion Bodemeister (Empire Maker). Fascinating finished a narrow second to eventual 2013 Champion 2-year-old filly She’s a Tiger (Tale of the Cat) in the GI Del Mar Debutante S. as a juvenile. Divided Sky (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) breaks just to the outside of Indochine for the always dangerous barn of Wesley Ward. The e Five Racing Thoroughbreds-owned filly is a half-sister to Lady Prancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), who captured the June 1 GIII Honeymoon S. over the Santa Anita lawn. Her unraced dam Naqrah (Ire) (Haatef) is a sibling to the producer of Almanaar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the track-record setting conquerer of the May 25 GII Monmouth S. Almanaar claimed the GI Gulfstream Park Turf H. for trainer Chad Brown in 2017. TJCIS PPs The post August 9 Insights: Well-Bred Casse Pair Make Ellis Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article