Wandering Eyes

Julie Krone will be honored at Del Mar Aug. 17 when she will be recognized as the 16th winner of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award in ceremonies during the TVG Pacific Classic Day program. View the full article

Laurens was a heroine of the 2018 flat season, notching four group 1 victories at ParisLongchamp, Chantilly, and Newmarket. But this year things have been less straightforward for Karl Burke and John Dance's star filly. View the full article

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 7th-SAR, $90,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, post time: 4:21 p.m. ET The powerful owner/trainer combo of Klavarich Stables and Chad Brown unveil NEW AND IMPROVED (Cairo Prince) in Saratoga’s Sunday card. A $320,000 yearling purchase at the Keeneland September Sale, the gray’s dam High Style (Giant’s Causeway), is a daughter of the multiple Grade I winning turf specialist Tout Charmant (Slewvescent). TJCIS PPS 7th-ELP, $50,000, 2yo, f, 7f, post time: 4:40 p.m. ET Three Chimneys Farm homebred PRINCESINHA JULIA (Pioneerof the Nile), a daughter of multiple Grade I winner Love and Pride (A.P. Indy), makes her first trip to the post for trainer Steve Asmussen. Also debuting is fellow Three Chimneys homebred Biriba (Pioneerof the Nile), trained by Ken McPeek, who is the first foal out of 2015 GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Shook Up (Tapit). Mark Casse saddles firster Empire Angel (Empire Maker) for John Oxley, who purchased the bay filly for $450,000 following a :21 1/5 quarter-mile breeze at the OBS April sale. TJCIS PPs 1st-DMR, $61,000, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, post time: 5:00 p.m. ET Clearview Stables’ IMMEDIATE IMPACT (Into Mischief), a half-sister to champion Arrogate (Unbridled’s Song) debuts for trainer Bob Baffert. The bay juvenile tuned up for her first start with a bullet four furlongs in :47.40 (1/34) at Del Mar July 23. Dan Ward saddles firster Cherokee Maiden (Distorted Humor), a daughter of champion juvenile filly Folklore (Tiznow), for Michael Stinson. The chestnut was a $410,000 KEESEP acquisition. TJCIS PPs The post July 28 Insights: Half-Sis to Arrogate Debuts at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Deauville’s month-long festival begins in earnest on Sunday with the G1 Prix Rothschild the first of five such events at the Normandy venue. Last year’s G1 Prix Saint-Alary and G1 Prix de Diane heroine Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) returns to France for the fourth time and to this venue for the second, having been runner-up in the 2017 G3 Prix du Calvados prior to her blossoming into the top-class filly we now know so well. Having taken part in the two mile championship races for older horses, the G1 Lockinge S. and G1 Queen Anne S., she returns to the company of her own sex and will be a warm order to carry on the seemingly endless overseas domination of French feature races. Second in the former at Newbury on May 18, John Dance’s 4-year-old was sixth at Royal Ascot on June 18 and it is fair to say that those encounters represent puzzling form. Trainer Karl Burke is hoping she can get her season back on track. “I’ve been happy with her for the last couple of weeks,” he said. “She’s 100% over a little problem and we’re looking forward to running her.” PJ McDonald echoed those thoughts. “I just hope she can do herself justice, but we are quite confident she’s in good form and is the one they have to beat if she runs to her level of form,” her rider added. “She’s not been running badly, but because she had such a good year last year people expect more. Her first runs this year were always going to be the hardest and she has more of a chance here.” Withdrawn from last Sunday’s G2 Kilboy Estate S., the June 19 G2 Duke of Cambridge S. winner Move Swiftly (GB) (Farhh {GB}) has conditions in her favour now and she also has the May 25 G2 Ridgewood Pearl S. winner Beshaayir (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) to help. William Haggas saddles Move Swiftly as well as Falmouth S. fifth Beshaayir. “We’re going to let the two of them take their chance. It’s a Group 1 race with no Coolmore and no Godolphin, which is quite rare,” Haggas said. “Move Swiftly had a bit of a sore hamstring the other day, but she’s fine again now and maybe it was God’s way of telling me not to run her. She wouldn’t mind a bit of cut in the ground, whereas the other filly would prefer faster ground. Hopefully we’ve got one for every eventuality.” Khalid Abdullah’s Obligate (GB) (Frankel {GB}) comes here on the back of wins in the May 6 Listed Prix des Lilas and June 2 G2 Prix de Sandringham over this trip at Chantilly and as an unbeaten filly getting the weight-for-age allowance rates a threat, while ‘TDN Rising Star’ With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}) is tried in blinkers for the first time in a bid to rekindle the form that saw her win last year’s renewal. In the G3 Darley Prix de Cabourg, Godolphin are double-handed with the July 14 Listed Prix Roland de Chambure winner Well of Wisdom (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and the unbeaten Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal). The latter hails from the Andre Fabre stable and followed a five-furlong debut win at Maisons-Laffitte on June 19 with an authoritative conditions score over this course and distance on July 2. Charlie Appleby said of the former, “Well of Wisdom is in form and I am happy to go back to six furlongs with him. He showed a good turn of foot when winning at Longchamp and possesses plenty of speed.” Lisa-Jane Graffard said of the home-trained representative, “Earthlight is a very straightforward colt who has done nothing wrong to date. We look forward to seeing how he gets on at this level.” At Munich, the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis sees the July 6 G1 Eclipse S. fourth Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) tackle the home team which includes the May 26 G3 Prix du Lys winner and July 7 G1 Deutsches Derby fourth Quest the Moon (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}). The post Rothschild Graces Deauville Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Saratoga, $90,000, Msw, 7-27, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:10.38, ft. LEXINTONIA (f, 3, Malibu Moon–Antonia Autumn {SW & GSP, $215,941}, by Bernstein), armed with a sharp three-furlong bullet breeze from the gate in :36 2/5 over the Oklahoma track July 17, got to the front early Saturday and never looked back, racing home a two-length debut winner. Prompted by Rapido Gatta (Adios Charlie) while reeling off an opening quarter in :22.51, Lexintonia remained in front as 5-2 Quasar (Orb) joined her through a half in :45.73. Narrowly ahead turning for home, the Castleton Lyons hombred left Quasar behind in the stretch as Rapido Gatta re-rallied, but it was too little too late as Lexintonia crossed the wire in front. Quasar held on for third over 5-2 chance Doll Collection (Tapit), who broke poorly and ran on well to finish fourth. Final time for the six furlong event was 1:10.38. The winner’s dam is a half-sister to two-time champion grass horse and champion older horse Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat), earner of over $5 million. A debut winner herself going a mile on the Belmont grass for these same connections, Antonia Autumn has an unraced 2-year-old filly by Curlin, a yearling colt by Speightstown and a filly foal by Malibu Moon. She was bred back to More Than Ready. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O/B-Castleton Lyons (KY); T-Christophe Clement. The post Malibu Moon Firster Scores at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wendell Fong, 3-for-3 with a stakes win at six furlongs, will face the question about how much an additional half-furlong matters in the $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

Superstar Enable demonstrated astonishing guts and class July 27 to fend off Crystal Ocean, the highest-rated horse on the planet, in an epic edition of the QIPCO King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot. View the full article

There was a head between Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) at the end of Ascot’s G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. in a race that will be talked about for years to come. Sent off the 8-15 favourite, the dual Arc heroine sat eighth early, gave first run to the Stoute stalwart and went a head up two out. That margin stayed the same all the way to the line, with Frankie just waving his whip and not applying it. Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was two lengths away in third. 1–ENABLE (GB), 130, m, 5, by Nathaniel (Ire) 1st Dam: Concentric (GB) (SW & GSP-Fr, $117,776), by Sadler’s Wells 2nd Dam: Apogee (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB) 3rd Dam: Bourbon Girl, by Ile de Bourbon O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £708,875. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 11-14f, Hwt. Older Mare-Eur at 11-14f, MG1SW-Fr, G1SW-Ire & GISW-US, 13-12-0-1, £9,141,226. *1/2 to Contribution (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), MGSP-Fr; and Entitle (GB) (Dansili {GB}), GSP-Eng. The post Enable Wins Epic King George Encounter appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The top three finishers in the June 1 GII Santa Maria S. at Santa Anita, led by winner La Force (Ger) (Power {GB}), will face off again Sunday in the GI Clement L. Hirsch S. at Del Mar, a “Win and You’re In” event for the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Runner-up to champion Unique Bella (Tapit) in this event last year, La Force was second in the GI Zenyatta S. in September and off the board in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff in November. The dark bay kicked off 2019 with a well-beaten second behind Paradise Woods (Union Rags) in the Apr. 27 GII Santa Margarita S. After romping by eight lengths in the Santa Margarita, Paradise Woods completed the exacta last time in the Santa Maria. The dual Grade I victress was winless in three starts in 2018 and was transferred from Richard Mandella to John Shireffs this season. Last in the Santa Monica to kick off this season, she was third in the GI Beholder Mile S. June 2. Santa Maria third-place finisher Just a Smidge (Into Mischief) was sixth in the GII Great Lady M. S. at Los Alamitos July 6. Her last visit to the winner’s circle was in a Feb. 7 allowance and she was off the board in both the Beholder Mile and Santa Margarita. Beholder Mile heroine Secret Spice (Discreet Cat) also returns in this spot off a runner-up effort in the GI La Troienne S. at Churchill Downs May 3. Prior to her top-level triumph, she finished third behind Just a Smidge in the aforementioned Feb. 7 test. Also worth a look at a price is Ollie’s Candy (Candy Ride {Arg}), who won the GII Summertime Oaks in her lone start on dirt last summer. Missing by just a neck in both the GII San Clemente S. and GI Del Mar Oaks on turf last term for previous trainer William Morey, she was off the board in the grassy GI Gamely S. May 27 and improved to be second in the GIII Wilshire S. on the Arcadia lawn last time June 22. The post Santa Maria Top Three Rematch in Clement Hirsch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey agent turned lawyer specializing in equine-related issues, Drew Mollica has helped the TDN navigate through the complexities of the Jerry Hollendorfer situation. On Friday, he sat down with the TDN and explained where the case is going, what may happen next and why the granting of preliminary injunction to Hollendorfer, which will allow him to continue racing at Del Mar, was a major victory for the Hall of Famer. TDN: People may not realize that the legal fight may not be over, that a preliminary injunction only opens up a window for Hollendorfer to race until the case is ultimately decided in the courts. What are the next steps and what should people expect? DM: By winning the temporary injunction, the judge had to make three findings. One is irreparable harm. Hollendorfer is being irreparably harmed every day because he can’t race and he cannot get those days back. He was irreparably harmed. He also had to balance the weighing of the equities. Who is it more fair to, Del Mar or Hollendorfer? It is more fair for Hollendorfer to race because Del Mar is less injured by allowing him to do so. The key thing the judge said when issuing the ruling is that Hollendorfer has a likelihood of winning on the merits. The judge said, “You know what, I’m going to give him this injunction.” Injunctions are not easy to get. It’s a high standard in any sort, and not just in racing. It’s a high bar. So, he’s already cleared an Everest-like hurdle. By winning the temporary injunction, he’s far ahead of the game when it comes to ultimately winning the case. At the end of the day, I think it’s a big win. Unless Del Mar really wants to fight, they might fold their tent because what are they going to hang their hat on? The guy has a valid license. Unless there’s something that no one knows that’s so damning and could be used against him…and if there is something so damning, why didn’t the state act against him? TDN: If Del Mar does not fold its tent and fights this, what happens next? DM: I’m not versed in the arbitration clause of the horsemen’s contract. I do believe they have to arbitrate the arbitrary and capricious nature of why Hollendorfer is out and the others are in. Remember, there is a contract in place between the horsemen and Del Mar. I’m not well versed in every aspect of that contract, but I do believe the judge could order them to arbitrate the issue of Hollendorfer’s exclusion. That would take place through the normal course of litigation, which is discovery, exposition. I don’t see Del Mar doing that. If a judge upholds the temporary restraining order, by the time they have the arbitration the meet will be over. The wheels of justice move very slowly. Time is on Hollendorfer’s side. TDN: What about Santa Anita? With this victory, is Hollendorfer any closer to being reinstated there? DM: No one has even litigated or even addressed the Santa Anita issue. Do the California horsemen have the same sort of contract there that they have with Del Mar? I’m not sure. If they do, it’s a very similar case. The issue that we as horse lawyers have is private exclusion of someone with a valid license. They hang their argument around “we are private actors, we can throw you out.” But that is an end around the facts of a person having a valid license. If you have a New Jersey driver’s license, does that mean you can’t drive on certain streets? The case law that is against them is that there is a terrible case in the federal courts called “Crissman vs. Dover Downs.” That decision said, after years of litigation, the appellate court of Delaware said there is no connection or nexus between private racetracks and the government. We as private practitioners hate that decision. That decision is flawed and it allows racetracks to make an end around against someone with a valid license. Racetracks are tied at the hip with states and tied together at every level. TDN: Then doesn’t that decision confirm that racetracks have the right as private property owners to throw out anyone they want? DM: As practitioners we do not believe racetracks are private, that they are an arm of the state. The guy who walks into a restaurant and gets thrown out for a random reason doesn’t have a license to be a restaurant eater. If the state had given him the license to be a restaurant eater, that license cannot be taken away without due process and to do so is arbitrary and capricious. TDN: What case law backs up your point? DM: Barry vs. Barchi. It is the most important case in the history of racing. The United States Supreme Court said not only do you have a license as a trainer, owner, jockey, but you have a property interest in that license. Property interests cannot be taken from you without due process of law. Racetracks have said you may have a property interest but we are private property and we can exclude you. But if you are the only game in town like Del Mar and you can’t run there, your license is useless. You can’t do anything with it. Prior to Barry vs. Barchi, your racing license was thought of as a privilege and they said they’ll throw you out if we want to. When that case was won it changed the way we do business. TDN: It seems like the two cases you mention send conflicting messages. So far, whether or not a racetrack can throw someone out without due process, what is the conventional wisdom among legal circles? DM: It’s been answered in a matter that we believe is ill-conceived. If the state has given you a license and says you are allowed to race and are competent to do so there’s a matter of anti-trust. Our biggest issue, when you allow private actors to say your license is not worth the piece of plastic it is written on, that’s not constitutionally sound because you own an interest in that license and you are owed a hearing. They say they only throw out the bad actors, but that’s not true. They could throw you out because they don’t like your cologne. Lawyers in my field fight this tooth and nail because we do not believe what racetracks have done is constitutional. We are up against it. When [Meadowlands owner] Jeff Gural threw out [trainer] Lou Pena, he based it on Crissman, and we hate Crissman. TDN: If, at the of the day, Hollendorfer prevails, how could this be a game changer? DM: The facts in this case are a little different than they would be in some others because the California trainers have a contract with Del Mar that says they cannot ban a trainer in good standing without a hearing in front of an arbitrator. We in New York, with a very weak horsemen’s association, don’t have such a thing. Our horsemen’s association in New York gives the horsemen no protection. That contract is a game changer for Hollendorfer. We need that here in New York. Between NYTHA and NYRA, there is no protection from keeping this from happening. Remember, NYRA barred him too, and that’s a disgrace. NYRA’s actions against Jerry Hollendorfer should have been attacked by the New York horsemen from the first moment NYRA said what it was doing. TDN: Back to Santa Anita. If The Stronach Group digs its heels in and says he cannot race at Santa Anita or Golden Gate, how much harder will it be for him to be reinstated there versus Del Mar? DM: One step at a time, but if he prevails at Del Mar, he has a big leg up on getting back at Santa Anita. Jerry is such a victim here and it is so patently wrong what they have done to him. His very capable lawyers will deal with this, but their first battle is with Del Mar. A victory here certainly gives them a leg up on a victory there. TDN: What do you make of Del Mar’s argument that they are running a business, Hollendorfer has became a radioactive figure and, God forbid, should one of his horses breakdown during the meet, it would do untold damage to DMTC’s reputation, brand and it would have a negative impact on their business? DM: Jerry has had a bad run of luck and when you couch the question the way you did that is a bad result. But every time a racehorse walks on to the racetrack, every time a jockey accepts a mount, we assume the risk that tragedy can happen. It would be very bad luck if lightning hit that tree again and he had a breakdown at Del Mar, but you have to consider that an act of God. Go for Wand was sound. So was Ruffian. They broke down. It was horrific and terrible. I’m here to say that Jerry Hollendorfer, when he starts running again at Del Mar, will do everything according to Hoyle. Two vets will examine those horses before they go out. That’s an argument about optics. But let’s talk about reality. Do you really think Jerry Hollendorfer would send a horse out there wanting it to get killed? But due process and a person’s life are not about optics. The process here has been thrown out the window because of optics and optics do not carry the day. Does the whole picture of Hollendorfer’s career say horse killer? Of course not. The post Is Hollendorfer on His Way to Being Reinstated? Legal Expert Drew Mollica Has the Answers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saratoga’s GII Amsterdam S. has attracted a competitive field of 12 sophomore colts for Sunday’s renewal, many of whom are exiting Belmont’s GI Woody Stephens S. June 8. While that race’s winner Hog Creek Hustle (Overanalyze) has opted to train right up to the Aug. 24 GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S., runner-up Nitrous (Tapit) will line up as one of the favorites Sunday. Tabbed a ‘TDN Rising Star’ at the Spa last year, the gray opened his sophomore account with a win in the Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Jan. 27. Fourth in Oaklawn’s Gazebo S. Mar. 23, he won the Bachelor S. in Hot Springs Apr. 27 prior to his effort in the Woody Stephens. “He got a favorable setup in the Woody Stephens and I think Ricardo and Steve have figured out the way he wants to be ridden,” David Fiske, Winchell’s racing and bloodstock manager, told the NYRA notes team. “It looks like he’s a closing sprinter, so he seems to have done well the past three races or so. He just needs some pace in front of him. Typically, that’s not a problem at Saratoga. Hopefully, he can get up on Sunday.” Fellow ‘TDN Rising Star’ Honest Mischief (Into Mischief) did not fare as well in the Woody Stephens, finishing sixth after traveling wide in the lane. Second to Soldado (Verrazano) on debut at Gulfstream Feb. 2, the bay romped by eight lengths next out at Keeneland Apr. 6, earning a 97 Beyer in an effort impressive enough to convince Chad Brown to send him right into Grade I company in the Woody next out. Shancealot (Shanghai Bobby) put his perfect record on the line as he makes his first foray into black-type company Sunday. A debut winner in Hallandale Feb. 16, he resurfaced four months later at Monmouth Park, wiring an optional claimer by 6 1/4 lengths June 23. Mark Casse sends out an intriguing pair in unbeaten Super Comet (Super Saver) and Strike Silver (Violence). Super Comet was named a ‘TDN Rising Star’ after a good-looking debut score at Churchill Downs June 2 and followed suit with an optional claimer triumph there just 19 days later. A close second in the GIII Sanford S. here last summer, Strike Silver won Keeneland’s Indian Summer S. on the grass last season. He made his first two starts on the lawn this term, including a third in Belmont’s Paradise Creek S. May 25, and was fourth after setting the early pace in the Woody. “I thought his maiden win was really impressive because he got away a little slow,” Casse said of Super Comet. “He was running seven eighths, which is always difficult for a first-time starter, but he kind of had to rush up and he was wide and I figured he might flatten out a little bit and run third or fourth, but he took off which was amazing. I came back and ran him a little quicker than I would like, especially off of that effort, but it aligned well with the Amsterdam, so I already had that race in mind. Hopefully, his biggest race is his next one.” The post Full Field Set for Amsterdam appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of the least experienced in the line-up for Saturday’s G3 Princess Margaret Keeneland S. at Ascot, Saeed Manana’s Under the Stars (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) had the right material to belie odds of 25-1 and register a first black-type success for her sire who had also caused a shock in these colours in the 2000 Guineas. Anchored in last early by PJ McDonald having missed the break from the stall nearest the stands, the bay who had won with panache after a similarly tardy start on debut over this six-furlong trip at Ripon July 8 was soon comfortably in touch with Good Vibes (GB) (Due Diligence) too keen in front. Arriving to tackle fellow outsider Aroha (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) inside the last 75 yards, the homebred who failed to make more than 6,000gns at the Tattersalls October Book 3 Sale asserted to score by a half length, with Living In the Past (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) a head away in third. “The best thing about her is her attitude and she probably gets that from her sire,” trainer James Tate said. “She doesn’t do too much at home and doesn’t worry about anything. We didn’t really know what she had under the bonnet, but we got a glimpse there and it’s exciting.” UNDER THE STARS (IRE), f, 2, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Jumeirah Palm Star (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). O-Saeed Manana; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-James Tate; J-P J McDonald. £28,355. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, £32,216. The post First Black-Type Winner For Night of Thunder In the Princess Margaret appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Godolphin's James Cummings has trained more stakes winners than Chris Waller this season but Sydney's premier trainer has come out on top in the final black-type race for the year. The Waller-trained Seaway (NZ) (Ocean Park) has given the stable its fifth win from seven runnings of the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Cummings has ended the season with 61 stakes wins to Waller's 54 with the latter well ahead in the Group One count with 18. While Waller is internationally ... View the full article

The impressive winter form of three-year-old Tavirun has continued at Caulfield, with the gelding taking a distance rise in his stride to claim his third-straight win at the track. After victories over 2000m at his previous two starts, Tavirun stepped up to 2400m for the first time in Saturday's Mypunter.com Handicap and had a jockey change with apprentice Teo Nugent taking over from Nikita Beriman so that he could claim 3kg from the 59.5kg impost. Tavirun ($3.50) enjoyed a nice trail behind the... View the full article

Successful in the first two-year-old race of the season back in September, Cambridge colt Sai Fah proved his durability when he took out the season’s final black-type feature, the Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on Saturday. The Stephen Marsh-trained galloper had indicated he was in fine fettle for the late- season challenge when successful over 1100m at Te Rapa seven days ago. National Jockey’s premiership leader, Lisa Allpress took over in the saddle from Michael Coleman... View the full article

Trainer Nick Bishara capped off a wonderful 2018/19 racing season with a winning double at Rotorua on Saturday including taking out the day’s feature event, the RSA Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) with Verry Flash. Fresh from taking out the race prior to the feature with promising four-year-old mare Cherry Lane, Bishara was confident he could make it a winning double with Verry Flash who had finished an unlucky third at Te Rapa in his most recent run. Bishara retained his faith in apprentice Rebec... View the full article

Each Saturday NTRA and BloodHorse provide a one-stop guide to the day's graded stakes races. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Click on links for full preview. View the full article

For Glen Kozak and his track maintenance crew, it was a perfect storm. View the full article

Capable wet track performer Art Deco put the first win on the board of her current campaign when she out-finished her rivals to take out the Courtesy Ford Handicap (1200m) at Otaki on Saturday. The Allan Sharrock-trained six-year-old had finished in the money in her first four outings this season including a runner-up finish in the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) at her last start back in June. Handled capably by apprentice rider Hazel Schofer, Art Deco enjoyed the 3kg weight reduction of her 60... View the full article

Alberta sire Declassify was represented by his first winner July 26 when Dark Cloud Racing's Tucker Time aired by seven lengths in a four-furlong maiden special weight at Marquis Downs. View the full article

For La Force to secure what has proven an elusive grade 1 win in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes July 28 at Del Mar, she'll have to defeat a familiar foe in Paradise Woods and other talented runners. View the full article

Bill Farish couldn't find a nearby piece of wood, so he laughed and then banged his fist lightly against his head in a gesture to ward off the racing gods. View the full article

Bill Farish couldn't find a nearby piece of wood, so he laughed and then banged his fist lightly against his head in a gesture to ward off the racing gods. View the full article

Dual Hong Kong Horse of The Year Beauty Generation was named the Horse of the Year at the Cathay Pacific Group One Awards Dinner, hosted by the Waikato branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, at Sky City Hamilton on Friday night. The six-year-old son of Road to Rock was undefeated this season, recording a Hong Kong record of eight wins this term, four of those at Group One level. He also set a new all-time prizemoney record of HK$84.7 million (NZ$16.1 million) and earned ... View the full article