Wandering Eyes

The Wesley Ward-trained No Nay Hudson travels north to Woodbine to win the $183,520 Nearctic Stakes (G2T).View the full article

The fast-growing Wathnan Racing operation lands its second North American grade 1 winner with Silawi in the Oct. 4 Canadian International Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine. View the full article

RyZan Sun Racing LLC and Madaket Stables's Mission of Joy (m, 5, Kitten's Joy–Smart Mission, by Smart Strike), whose last graded win was two years ago, moved west this summer to Phil D'Amato's barn and must like the weather and the firm turf that's a hallmark of California grass racing. In her third California start, she captured Saturday's GII Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in four weeks. It was a clean start for the field, with Alpha Bella (Justify) setting a :23.63 and :48.44 pace and a 1:37.36 mile while Mission of Joy took her time covered up near the back of the field. Coming into the lane, Mission of Joy tipped to the extreme outside, passing all late while Speed Shopper (Quality Road) and Starry Heavens (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) finished second and third, respectively. Watchtower (Demarchelier {GB}) was pulled up on the backstretch. Saturday, Santa Anita RODEO DRIVE S.-GII, $201,500, Santa Anita, 10-4, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/4mT, 2:00.03, fm. 1–MISSION OF JOY, 122, m, 5, by Kitten's Joy 1st Dam: Smart Mission, by Smart Strike 2nd Dam: Misty Mission, by Miswaki 3rd Dam: Hangin On a Star, by Vice Regent ($32,000 Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-RyZan Sun Racing, LLC and Madaket Stables LLC; B-Sam-Son Farm (ON); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Umberto Rispoli. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 21-6-0-4, $680,667. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Speed Shopper, 122, f, 4, Quality Road–Fast Retailing, by Malibu Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($430,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $95,000 RNA 3yo '24 KEENOV). O-Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber; B-AR Enterprises, LLC. & Edward Easton (KY); T-William Walden. $40,000. 3–Starry Heavens (Ire), 122, m, 5, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Etoile Filante (GB), by So You Think (Nz). O-R Unicorn Stable; B-Healthy Wood Co Ltd (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato. $24,000. Margins: HD, HF, 1. Odds: 11.90, 14.50, 3.90. Also Ran: Alpha Bella, Amber Cascade, Long Ago (GB), Hang the Moon, Watchtower. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #5 MISSION OF JOY ($25.80) comes flying down the outside under @umbyrispoli to win the $200,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2) and earn a spot in the @BreedersCup F&M Turf. The daughter of Kitten's Joy is trained by @PhilDamato11. pic.twitter.com/zDDbcE3D0L — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post Mission of Joy Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth in Rodeo Drive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton The Aussie raid on New Zealand Cup Week is looking more imposing by the day. Four confirmed raiders and possibly even a fifth, headed by champion Leap To Fame, impressively won lead-up races last night (Saturday). Having his first start since snaring his second Inter Dominion title on July 19, Leap To Fame cruised to victory over stablemates Aroda and Free Thinker in a 2138m free-for-all at Albion Park. The six-year-old was nursed to the line by trainer-driver Grant Dixon to win by 6.5m in a 1min53.9sec mile rate and ripped home in 54.7 and 26.3sec. Leap To Fame now heads straight into Saturday week’s $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup, the only historic Aussie major race to have so far escaped him. His stranglehold on Victoria Cup favouritism tightened even further when arch-rival and sibling Swayzee suffered a shock defeat at Menangle last night. Swayzee, who eased from $1.10 to $1.65, worked to the front, but was stalked by the emerging four-year-old Kingman, who easily ran him down late. It’s Swayzee’s second defeat in as many runs this campaign and raises doubts whether the mighty stayer and winner of the past two NZ Cups has come back as well as a rising eight-year-old. Much interest will now focus on whether he heads to Saturday week’s Victoria Cup, a race he won so brilliantly in Leap To Fame’s absence last year. The exciting Kingman is definitely Victoria Cup-bound. “Absolutely. He’s the new kid on the block,” owner Mick Harvey said. “We’re up for all the big races now. We think the world of him.” At Melton, the NZ-bound pair Tracy The Jet and Gatesys Gem – both with slots in The Ascent – won well. It was Gatesys Gem’s first run back from a spell, while Tracy The Jet made it five wins on end with an effortless display in the Group 1 Need For Speed Princess final. They are headed for a clash in the Group 1 Victoria Trotters’ Oaks on Saturday week. “We’re still in need of racing compared to Tracy The Jet, so I might back my mare up again next week,” Gatesys Gem’s trainer Glenn Hunter said. The “NZ watch” is growing on brilliant young Victorian trotting mare Jilliby Ballerini, too. She won her ninth race from just 11 starts this season and claimed some big names in the process in the Group 3 Australasian Trotting Championship. Having her first start from a stand, Jilliby Ballerini began well and worked around to take the lead early. Inter Dominion and TAB Trot winner Arcee Phoenix came around off his 20m handicap to sit parked, but Jilliby Ballerini left him standing on the home bend. She roared away to win by 20.7m in unheard of times for a trotter. The closing splits were 54.4 and 26.7sec. Arcee Phoenix battled away into fourth spot. “There’s a chance she (Jilliby Ballerini) could go to NZ. It’s likely we’ll take one, but Keayang Zahara is back at the races next week, too,” driver Jason Lee said. Also at Melton, eight-time Group 1 winner Catch A Wave returned to his best form in time for the Victoria Cup with a dominant front-running win in the $30,000 Casey Classic. He ran a brisk 1min53.9sec mile rate for the 2240m and dazzled home in 54.2 and 27.3sec. At Menangle, the underrated trotter Parisian Artiste showed he was on target for NZ with a dazzling 1min54.3sec mile win at his second run back from a spell. View the full article

Afterglo winning the Colliers Waikato Rural Real Estate (1400m) at Matamata on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Progressive mare Afterglo got her preparation back on track in impressive style in the deteriorating conditions at Matamata on Saturday. A winner on debut at the course in April, she has been patiently handled by local trainer Stephen Autridge and appeared first-up this spring in a competitive Rating 65 contest at Ellerslie, where she finished below expectations in 11th. Heeding advice from jockey Matt Cameron, Autridge moved on to the Colliers Waikato Rural Real Estate (1400m) with the daughter of Ardrossan, who started the eventual favourite in a field halved in size by scratchings. Ridden on this occasion by Opie Bosson, Afterglo settled a good rhythm midfield with cover, while the second elect Zenith took the early lead. After the pace steadied, Wiremu Pinn opted to go forward with Just A Tipple and he had stretched out to an eight-length lead at the 600m. Seeing what was unfolding, Bosson got moving on Afterglo and she looked to be the only chance of chasing down Just A Tipple on the corner, and she did just that, skipping through the heavy ground to take over and charge clear by 2 ¼ lengths, with a further seven lengths back to Zenith in third. Autridge was hoping she would have the ability to catch the tearaway leader, which he identified was no easy feat. “We were hoping we could, but it is a hard job to do and the horse that does it often comes off second best,” he said. “We were pretty rapt in the effort she put in. “We were expecting a big run at Ellerslie but she was cramped for room coming up the straight, which she’d never experienced before. “Matty Cameron said to forget about the run and make sure she’s got plenty of room next time, and he couldn’t ride her this time, so we grabbed Opie and he’s done a great job. “I’ve always been happy with the mare, she seems to be above average and loves wet ground.” There are likely to be options on rain-affected ground going forward, but Autridge is confident she can bring her form on to a better surface if need be. “The next month or six weeks will have wet tracks here and there, but we’re not frightened of better tracks,” he said. “She trialled well at Ellerslie and she handled the firmer ground there, so things are looking pretty good for the next couple of months. Who knows, if she does handle good tracks, we might find a nice race over Christmas somewhere.” The meeting set to stage the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) was abandoned following Afterglo’s win, but Autridge had already scratched his chance in the feature, Livid Sky. A multiple Group Two performer, she had been eye-catching first-up when third behind Tardelli at Ellerslie, and Autridge is hopeful of another fruitful campaign for the five-year-old. “She’s ready, it was only the conditions that made us pull her out,” he said. “She’s only let us down once and that was on a heavy track, so we weren’t going to risk her. “Her sectionals were outstanding (at Ellerslie) and that was against very good horses, so where she is in the handicaps, if we get in the right race and everything goes our way, she’s a chance of getting some good black-type. “You’d think they’ll be rescheduling this race, so we’ll be looking at that.” Looking ahead to Avondale on Wednesday, Autridge will have a filly stepping out on debut in the Pearl Series (1200m) in Shiniqua. By in-form sire Hello Youmzain, Shiniqua has shown good ability in three trial appearances. “She’s definitely trialled very well, she appears to have come on nicely and she’s in that race because she’s Pearl Series (eligible),” Autridge said. “It’s a big ask against older maideners, but she shows a fair bit, so we’ve got our fingers crossed.” View the full article

War Machine and Blake Shinn win the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Group 1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own. Lindsay Park’s last-start Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) hero War Machine kicked off his new campaign in sparkling style in Saturday’s A$300,000 Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. The Hayes team hopes War Machine’s blockbuster first-up performance caught the eye of a slot-holder for The Everest at Randwick on October 18, for which he is now rated a $15 chance. That market is dominated by David Hayes’ freakish Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising at $1.70 with Aussie betting sites. The reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year is a son of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress. “It’s exciting,” Will Hayes said. “There’s a good one in there (Ka Ying Rising), but we are happy to take him on if we get the opportunity. “Ka Ying Rising is an amazing horse and we have a good one too. It’s a good problem to have.” War Machine was previously trained by the late Mike Moroney, then transferred into the Hayes stable following the respected horseman’s passing earlier in the year. War Machine is now unbeaten in four appearances for Lindsay Park – a 1400m Benchmark 100 handicap at Caulfield on May 10, the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Eagle Farm on May 24, the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 14, and Saturday’s Gilgai Stakes. The five-year-old went into his resuming run on the back of two jumpouts, finishing second in the most recent of them at Flemington on September 25. Despite a hefty 60kg topweight, War Machine was sent out as a warm favourite on Saturday at $2.90. Jockey Blake Shinn got War Machine away cleanly from his outside gate and he was able to take up a handy position, cuddled up in behind the second favourite and 2023 Gilgai Stakes winner Star Patrol. Shinn was still sitting quietly in the saddle when Star Patrol’s jockey pushed the button and drove his mount to the front with 400m to run. Under a hands-and-heels ride, War Machine swept past Star Patrol in the final 200m. Bridal Waltz tried hard to go with the favourite, but War Machine was on another level and went on to win by two lengths. He stopped the clock at 1:08.53 for 1200m. “Everything went to plan,” Shinn said. “Drawing 17, I felt we’d be able to follow Star Patrol and he could take us where we wanted to go. “I wanted to conserve his energy for as long as possible with the 60 kilos. He travelled strongly, but not too keen. I waited until just prior to the clock tower to really push the button and I knew he’d be there for me. Well done to the Hayes boys and their team. “He’s a Group One winner and I think he’s come back better this prep. It is exciting for Rupert Legh (owner) and his whole crew and it is nice to kick off his campaign here today. “We felt that he might be able to make a statement for The Everest today and there might be a few people knocking. Aside from Ka Ying Rising, it might be an open race, and he wouldn’t be out of place in an Everest. He’s got so much upside. Let’s see what happens.” Bred by MDJ Bloodstock Ltd, War Machine was offered for sale at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale via the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions. By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding subsequently went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase. War Machine has now had 14 starts for seven wins, four placings and A$2.66 million in stakes. “He’s a really special animal and he is a pleasure to train,” Hayes said. “Very proud of the horse carrying 60 kilos first-up down the straight today. He has thrived in the country environment and he can get a bit up on his toes, so he has relaxed in his trackwork. He has been nothing but a blessing for us.” View the full article

Perfumist and Regan Bayliss combine in the Melbourne Storm Mile at Randwick on Saturday. PIcture: Bradley Photos. New Zealand-bred mare Perfumist bounced back to her brilliant best with a dominant front-running performance in the A$160,000 Melbourne Storm Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The daughter of El Roca burst onto the scene as a three-year-old last season with wins in five of her first nine starts, including four in a row in December and January. Those performances earned her a ticket across the Tasman for the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie in March, where she ran a close and creditable fifth. Perfumist was below that level in the early stages of her four-year-old season, finishing sixth over 1200m at Rosehill on August 16 and 11th over the same course and distance on August 30, but then she ran a more promising fourth over 1600m at Randwick on September 20. On Saturday the Bjorn Baker-trained mare showed the Randwick crowd what she is capable of. Drawn handily in three among a competitive 18-horse field, Perfumist broke brilliantly from the starting gates and quickly took up the lead for jockey Regan Bayliss. Bayliss began to up the ante coming down the side of the track and Perfumist pulled ahead by two and three lengths coming up to the home turn. Perfumist kicked hard at the 300m mark and powered clear, putting four lengths between herself and her nearest challenger. The favourite Idle Flyer ($2.70 with Neds betting) was able to eat into that advantage late in the piece, closing to within a length and a half with another five lengths back to third, but there would be no catching Perfumist. She set a new race record with her time of 1:33.01 for 1600m. Perfumist was the second elect at $6 with Australian online betting sites. “She pulled out the ‘dictate and dominate’ playbook and bounced back to her best,” Baker said. “Congratulations to a great group of owners. We might look to the Angst Stakes (Group 3, 1600m) from here.” The Angst Stakes will be run on October 18 over the same course and distance as Perfumist’s win on Saturday. Perfumist was bred by Westbury Stud owner Gerry Harvey and is by Westbury stallion El Roca. She is the first foal to race out of the unraced Swiss Ace mare Tapputi, whose full-brother Cut Me Loose won two races and placed in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). Perfumist’s name stems from her dam, with Tapputi, a female perfumer, the first chemist in history. Perfumist breezed up in 10.7 seconds at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale and was purchased for $190,000 by the combination of Bjorn Baker Racing, bloodstock agents Phill Cataldo and Jim Clarke, along with OTI Racing. From a 15-race career, Perfumist has now recorded six wins and three seconds. She has earned A$542,508 in stakes. View the full article

Though owner Al Gold was not at Aqueduct Racetrack Oct. 4 to watch his 2-year-old Napoleon Solo win the Champagne Stakes (G1), he still got a taste of the bubbly.View the full article

Rhetorical, a 4-year-old New York-bred gelding by Not This Time, posted a 9-1 upset of an international field in the $1.25 million Turf Mile Stakes (G1T), giving trainer Will Walden his first grade 1 win Oct. 4 at Keeneland.View the full article

Colebrook Farms' Simply in Front prevailed in a thrilling blanket finish to capture her first grade 1 victory in the $776,750 First Lady Stakes (G1T) Oct. 4 at Keeneland. Jockey Ben Curtis lands his first grade 1 score.View the full article

Jeff Mullins-trained Intrepido, owned by San Diegans Ruben Islas, and Michele Arthur, earns a berth to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar with his American Pharoah Stakes (G1) victory Oct. 4 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency will consign a lifetime breeding right to leading sire Nyquist at the second edition of the Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held in the Del Mar Paddock on Wednesday, Oct. 29, two days before the Breeders' Cup World Championships, officials at the Lexington auction house announced Saturday. The lifetime breeding right entitles the purchaser to breed one mare per season to Nyquist, who stands at Darley in Lexington, for the duration of the stallion's stud career. “The Championship Sale was designed to showcase offerings that are truly one of a kind,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “To feature a breeding right to Nyquist underscores the sale's position as a stage for rare collectors' items. For buyers, this is an extraordinary opportunity to secure access to one of the best stallions in the sport.” Nyquist, a champion at two and winner of the 2016 GI Kentucky Derby, is the sire of 33 stakes winners, including North American champions Immersive and Vequist and Canadian champion Gretzky the Great. This year, he is represented by Grade I winners Cavalieri, Velocity and Argos along with such other top performers as Nysos, Tenma, Randomized, Crimson Advocate and Gosger. Nyquist is the sire of such Breeders' Cup hopefuls as Johannes (FanDuel Mile), Cavalieri (Distaff), Nysos (Dirt Mile) and Argos (Juvenile Turf). At the recent Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Nyquist was represented by 37 yearlings who sold for a combined $14,645,000. The post Lifetime Breeding Right To Nyquist To Be Offered at Keeneland Championship Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wesley Ward debuted another fast juvenile at Keeneland Saturday as HEARTILY (c, 2, Complexity–We Love Lucy, by Majesticperfection) romped on debut to become a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' on the main track for Lael Stables. Alert and on the pace from the inside, the 4-5 favorite had no trouble stringing this group of maidens out into the far turn, easily brushed off a quarter-pole challenge from Telecaster (Kantharos) and romped home alone to give jockey John Velazquez his fifth win on the card in the nightcap. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Lael Stables; B-Jack Miller; T-Wesley Ward. Sales History: $160,000 ylg '24 KEEJAN, $250,000 RNA ylg '24 KEESEP, $375,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Johnny 'V'! 5⃣@ljlmvel completes a five-timer at @keenleandracing as Heartily runs out a ready winner on debut! pic.twitter.com/XKCN1vxfzl — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 4, 2025 The post Complexity’s Heartily Puts In A ‘Rising Star’ Romp At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable and Wachtel Stable's RHETORICAL (g, 4, Not This Time–Street Humor, by Distorted Humor) provided his all-conquering sire with his second winner of Keeneland's GI Coolmore Turf Mile in the space of three years, striking from close range to earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Del Mar for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile exactly four weeks down the road. Only once-beaten in five career starts and exiting a popular victory in the state-bred restricted West Point Stakes at Saratoga, the $320,000 Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale grad was dsipatched at odds of 19-2 and bounced nicely from gate nine and when GIII Mint Millions winner Epic Ride (Blame) went up to sit off the cracking early pace set by Quatrocento (War Front) and the stretching-out Howard Wolowitz (Munnings), Irad Ortiz, Jr. was able to slide Rhetorical down onto the fence to save ground while those ahead of him did the heavy lifting. Enjoying the run of the race for the remainder of the contest, Rhetorical traveled one out and one back with cover on the back of the distance-challenged Howard Wolowitz and was steered three wide and into the clear to lay down his challenge in upper stretch. Rhetorical quickly went to a weakening Quatrocento inside the final furlong and proved an ultimately comfortable winner, as Program Trading (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Brillian Berti (Noble Mission {GB}) made belated inroads. Rhetorical is the second open Grade I winner on the afternoon bred in New York, joining Frizette Stakes heroine Iron Goddess. Sales history: $320,000 Ylg '22 FTNAUG. Lifetime Record: 6-5-0-1. O-Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stables & Wachtel Stables; B-Mallory & Karen Mort (NY); T-Will Walden #4 SIMPLY IN FRONT ($28.24) gets up to win the $800,000 First Lady Stakes (G1) at @Keeneland. This is the first Grade 1 win for the four-year-old Summer Front filly. @kenneallyracing trains, @_benacurtis up. pic.twitter.com/dYiChKbKz7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post No ‘Rhetorical’ Questions: Another Not This Time Winner of the Coolmore Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A trip to Keeneland in 1983 was impactful to a young Robert Medina, and now the track has given him what will likely be his first Breeders' Cup starter as Praying beat her elders in the $398,750 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) Oct. 4.View the full article

The considerable talent Ted Noffey displayed at Saratoga Race Course this summer arrived Oct. 4 at Keeneland.View the full article

Khaadem rallied from last of eight to win the Oct. 4 Woodford Stakes (G2T) at Keenland and earn a shot at the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T).View the full article

Making his first start in North America, SILAWI (IRE) (g, 5, Dubawi {Ire}–Silasol {Ire}, by Monsun {Ger}) got brave on the front end at odds of 10-1 to upset even-money favorite Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the GI Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine Saturday. The Irish-bred picked up his third win this year having entered here off a victory in the G3 Weatherbys Global Stallions App Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor Aug. 23. Showing natural early speed from an outside draw, Silawi slipped away early as Nations Pride and My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) took up the chase with a lap to run. But even as the field was well into the backstretch the second time around, it was clear Nations Pride wasn't cutting into the gap under jockey Billy Loughnane who picked up the mount from the injured William Buick. Off the turn completely alone, it was up to American Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile) to run him down from along the fence but he came up just short as Silawi had just enough to hold off the run for the win. Lifetime Record: 26-4-4-4. O-Wathnan Racing; B-Wertheimer et Frere; T-H.A. Al Jehani. Sales History: €380,000 3yo '23 ARARC. #7 SILAWI ($22.90) holds on to win the $750,000 The Canadian International (G1) at @Woodbinetb. Faleh Nasser Bughenaim was aboard the Dubawi gelding for trainer H.A. Al Jehani.. pic.twitter.com/zxKHDSWtBs — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post Silawi Steals The Canadian International On The Front End appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ted Noffey (Into Mischief), a runaway winner of the GI Spendthrift Farm Hopeful S. and a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' solidified his status as the horse to beat in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile with an impressive performance in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity S. at Keeneland. Off as the 4-5 favorite while drawn widest of all in this two-turn debut, the Spendthrift Farm colorbearer found a perfect spot in second beneath the hot-handed John Velazquez through an opening quarter in :23.96 and half mile in :48.23. The handsome gray hit the front on the far turn, kicked for home in control and kept on powering down the stretch to defeat 3-2 second-choice and fellow 'Rising Star' Blackout Time (Not This Time) by three lengths. Pacesetter Litmus Test (Nyquist) was third. Winning connections Spendthrift Farm and Todd Pletcher also won Friday's female equivalent GI Darley Alcibiades S. with 'Rising Star' Tommy Jo (Into Mischief) via disqualification. One of 27 top-level winners for Spendthrift Farm's six-time reigning champion general sire Into Mischief, Ted Noffey brought $650,000 from Spendthrift Farm as a Keeneland September yearling. Ted Noffey's dam SW & MGSP Streak of Luck brought $620,000 from Aaron and Marie Jones at the 2021 KEENOV sale. She is also responsible for a yearling filly Munnings ($425,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Repole Stable) and an Into Mischief colt of this year. She was bred back to Not This Time. TED NOFFEY is the real deal now 3 for 3! He took control coming to the stretch under @ljlmvel pulling away to win the $650,000 @ClaiborneFarm Breeders' Futurity (G1) at @keenelandracing. The son of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) is in the @FanDuel @BreedersCup Juvenile (G1). pic.twitter.com/g3SakINpkg — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 Saturday, Keeneland CLAIBORNE BREEDERS' FUTURITY-GI, $642,594, Keeneland, 10-4, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.98, ft. 1–TED NOFFEY, 122, c, 2, by Into Mischief 1st Dam: Streak of Luck (SW & MGSP, $352,109), by Old Fashioned 2nd Dam: Valeria, by Elusive Quality 3rd Dam: Lindsay Jean, by Saint Ballado ($650,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Aaron & Marie Jones LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-John R. Velazquez. $397,963. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $617,963. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Blackout Time, 122, c, 2, Not This Time–Beauty Parlor, by Elusive Quality. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. ($230,000 Ylg '24 KEEJAN; $235,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $210,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). O-Brookdale Racing, Inc., Lance Gasaway and Magdalena Racing; B-Newstead Corp (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $128,375. 3–Litmus Test, 122, c, 2, Nyquist–Study Hard, by Malibu Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($875,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $64,188. Margins: 2 3/4, 2 1/4, 6 3/4. Odds: 0.92, 1.58, 9.59. Also Ran: Diciassette, Spice Runner, Big Dom. Scratched: Ewing. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post ‘Rising Star’ Ted Noffey Stays Perfect in Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four of the six runners had graded stakes experience, but it was the one of the two maiden winners making a stakes debut who came home with the victory in the GI American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita and secured a 'Win and You're In' spot to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar in four weeks time. Intrepido (c, 2, Maximus Mischief–Overly Indulgent, by Pleasantly Perfect), named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' in his Aug. 23 Del Mar win, rated and showed fight in between horses before finishing strong to capture his first graded win and punch his ticket to championship day. When the gates flew, $1.15-million buy Kristofferson (Nyquist) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Desert Gate (Omaha Beach) went to the front with Interpido between the two. As the dust settled, the two favorites–Desert Gate at 4-5 and Kristofferson at 9-5–vied for supremacy through :22.83 and :46.76 fractions while Intrepido was in tight between horses and behind them. On the turn, Plutarch (Into Mischief) cut the corner to challenge Desert Gate and looked to have it won in the last strides, but Intrepido found another gear in the final sixteenth and flew by late on the outside. He got the 1 1/16 miles of the American Pharoah in 1:43.67 as Plutarch finished just in front of Desert Gate. Intrepido was a $385,000 purchase at the OBS April sale by Michael Pender for Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures. He was the only member of the field to have won at a mile. O-Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures; B-Sierra Fria Farm LLC (Ky.); T-Jeff Mullins; J-Hector Berrios. #2 INTREPIDO ($19.60) had a strong kick late to get up and win the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita. The son of Maximus Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) earned a spot in the @FanDuel @BreedersCup Juvenile (G1). @HIBerrios was up for @Jmullinsracing. pic.twitter.com/Hi6ZaX19ou — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Intrepido, by Maximus Mischief, Wins ‘WAYI’ American Pharoah appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After Saturday's G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein hero Ridari (Churchill) (lot 56) was among those who failed to find a buyer, it was another key runner from that card, Rabbit's Foot (lot 51), who took top billing at the Arqana Arc Sale, just a few short hours after the daughter of Golden Horde had finished third in the G1 Prix de Royallieu at ParisLongchamp. Offered by trainer Francois Rohaut, Rabbit's Foot was already a Listed winner at Toulouse and had finished third in both the G2 Prix de Malleret and G3 Prix Lady O'Reilly, before adding that all-important Group 1 black type to her record in the Prix de Royallieu. That was enough to capture the imagination of Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock, who stretched to €625,000 to secure the filly when she went under the hammer at Saint-Cloud Racecourse. Rabbit's Foot is one of four winners from as many runners out of the unraced Harem Mistress (Mastercraftsman), with the others including last year's G2 Prix d'Harcourt hero and G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes second Zarakem (Zarak), another previous graduate of the Arc Sale when fetching €500,000 in 2023. Of the 39 lots offered at this year's Arc Sale, 23 sold (59%) for a total of €6,240,000. The average was €271,304 and the median was €255,000. Unlike last year when Ramadan (Le Havre) topped the sale at €1.5 million and was one of four horses to change hands for a seven-figure sum, the six most expensive horses to go through the ring on Saturday were all led out unsold. They included the aforementioned Ridari at €950,000, who had emulated Ramadan by winning the Prix Daniel Wildenstein earlier in the afternoon, plus Andre Fabre's two-year-old Seneque (Zarak) (lot 45), who was bought back at €1.2 million. Haras d'Etreham stallion City Light was responsible for a pair of €500,000 lots, namely the G3 Prix de Guiche second Al Aali (lot 22) and Listed winner Relaxx (lot 40). Lucie Pontoir's Al Aali, who was beaten just a short head last time in the Listed La Coupe de Marseille, was picked up by Billy Jackson-Stops on behalf of George Scott's Eve Lodge Stables, while Relaxx, a daughter of the G3 Prix Saint-Roman scorer Texaline (Kaldoun), went the way of Mandore International and Miguel Clement. She finished placed at Group 3 level for the fourth time in her career when third in last month's Prix Bertrand de Tarragon. “I've bought him for Fawzi Nass, who really liked his profile,” Scott said of Al Aali, with the trainer still on a high after saddling Caballo De Mar to win the G1 Prix du Cadran. “Winning my first Group 1 and having the opportunity to buy such a horse has made this a very special day.” Elsewhere, Quinteplus (Telecaster) (lot 31) could have the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as a long-range target, after being bought by Willie Mullins, Harold Kirk and Pierre Boulard for €470,000. Consigned by trainer Henri-Francois Devin, he produced his best effort to date when finishing third in July's Listed Prix Frederic de Lagrange at Vichy. “He has an excellent profile for jumping,” said Boulard. “He's a horse that has stamina and is by a stallion that seems to produce nice horses. We're very happy.” Wertheimer et Frere, on the eve of Aventure (Sea The Stars) and Sosie (Sea The Stars) bidding to win the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, emerged as the leading vendor with four horses selling for a total of €980,000. They were headed by the Listed winner and G3 Prix des Chenes third Cacofonix (Lope De Vega) (lot 17), a BBA Ireland purchase at €460,000. In addition to Ridari, the Aga Khan Studs draft featured the dual Group 3 winner Zabiari (lot 43), who finished fifth when also contesting ParisLongchamp's Prix Daniel Wildenstein for his owner-breeder. The four-year-old son of Wootton Bassett was purchased by Louis Le Metayer of Astute Bloodstock for €460,000, while the Aga Khan Studs also sold the Listed scorer Surabad (Bated Breath) (lot 36), one of three purchases made by Blandford Bloodstock at €200,000. “He's a lovely horse who is well-bred and has been trained to perfection,” Le Metayer said of Zabiari. “I think he has everything to become a Group winner in Australia and that's what we hope. We're very happy.” The post Prix De Royallieu Third Rabbit’s Foot Tops the Arqana Arc Sale at €625,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Turf distaffers trained by Chad Brown had taken the seven most recent renewals of the GI First Lady Stakes at Keeneland, and the New York native looked to have a fair chance to extend that streak in the Bluegrass on Saturday afternoon. But at the end of the eight furlongs on firm turf, Colebrook Farm's SIMPLY IN FRONT (f, 4, Summer Front–Complicated, by Blame) split rivals inside the final eighth of a mile and found the line first to cause a 13-1 upset in a bunched finish. The mount of Ben Curtis, the $115,000 Keeneland September graduate drifted back through the field and secured a foothold at the fence worse than centerfield as longshot Raqiya (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) led through an opening half in :47.07. Racing with just one rival behind entering the final three-eighths of a mile, Simply In Front–a very good second to Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy) in the GII Kentucky Downs Ladies' Turf Sprint over 6 1/2 panels–slipstreamed the lesser-preferred of the Brown entry Segesta (Ghostzapper) into the lane, dove down to the inside of that one in upper stretch, hit the front late and held off a resurgent Segesta for the victory. Choisya (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) sat a trip similar to the one that resulted in a mild upset in this track's GI Jenny Wiley Stakes in April and led late before settling for third. Sales history: $115,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 16-6-4-0. O-Colebrook Farms; B-William Harrigan & Mike Pietrangelo (KY); T-Eddie Kenneally. #4 SIMPLY IN FRONT ($28.24) gets up to win the $800,000 First Lady Stakes (G1) at @Keeneland. This is the first Grade 1 win for the four-year-old Summer Front filly. @kenneallyracing trains, @_benacurtis up. pic.twitter.com/dYiChKbKz7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post Summer Front’s Simply In Front Derails Brown Train in First Lady appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Wesley Ward-trained No Nay Hudson travels north to Woodbine to win the $183,520 Nearctic Stakes (G2T).View the full article

As a 9-year-old, Khaadem has won his share of some top flight races in England for Mrs. Fitriani Hay over the course of his illustrious career, which has netted the gelding nearly $2.5-million in earnings. On Saturday in the Woodford Stakes, the venerable Thoroughbred once again got his picture taken with a thrilling come-from-behind victory at Keeneland. Trained by Charlie Hills, Khaadem highlights include during his 6-year-old season scores in the G3 Betfair Palace House Stakes at Newmarket that April and in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood in late July. The pièce de résistance for the turf sprint specialist came when he won consecutive editions of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes during the Royal Meeting at Ascot in 2023 and 2024. More recently, the dark bay came back to the U.S. at the end of August for the second year in a row to contest the GII Mint Kentucky Turf Sprint at a Kentucky Downs–the result was a third-place finish. Tabbed as a 3-1 shot here, Khaadem did not do himself any favors at the break when he blew the start, which put him last up the backstretch. As 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyard, Doncho (Mo Town) continued to make the pace through the far turn, Frankie Dettori's mount began to tip to the outside for a run down the center of the course. Firing on all cylinders and looking every bit a pro who has fought many a sprint battle on the grass heading for home, Khaadem's late move won the day and earned him a trip to the new stakes winner's circle at Keeneland. Arthur Hancock III's homebred Script was the runner-up. “He's [Khaadem] been training here since [finishing third in the Mint Kentucky Turf Sprint-G2 at] Kentucky Downs a month ago, so he is into a nice routine,” said trainer Charlie Hills. “I was a little bit worried about how quiet he was, to be honest with you. He's 9-years-old, he's won some fantastic races in his career and I just think he likes being out here. “He's just gotten used to the different way of training,” he said. “I think it's just sparked him up. Ed Vaughan–we go back a long way–he and I looked after him the last few weeks and he did a fantastic job. He's got his old spark back, so hopefully we might look at the Breeders' Cup in a few weeks' time.” Pedigree Notes: Dark Angel (Ire) (by Acclamation {GB}) needs no introduction internationally as an acclaimed sire. Of course, the stateside graded runners he claims includes the likes of Raging Bull (Fr), Althiqa, Hunt and Heredia. The dam of 11 foals, six to race and four winners, White Daffodil is responsible for Khadeem's older full-brother Long Out Island (Ire), who placed in three English group races during his career. The winner's dam is also produced a current yearling filly by Supremacy (Ire) and a filly by Chaldean (GB) who is now a weanling. She was not reported as bred for next spring. Watch the full replay as KHAADEM (IRE) surges from the back of the pack to win the Woodford (G2) presented by @FanDuelTV! pic.twitter.com/rNSfPg9vwP — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 4, 2025 Saturday, Keeneland WOODFORD S. PRESENTED BY FANDUEL-GII, $339,075, Keeneland, 10-4, 3yo/up, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.18, fm. 1–KHAADEM (IRE), 121, g, 9, by Dark Angel (Ire) 1st Dam: White Daffodil (Ire), by Footstepsinthesand (GB) 2nd Dam: Sparky's Song (GB), by Electric (GB) 3rd Dam: Daring Ditty (GB), by Daring March (GB) (750,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Yeomanstown Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Hills; J-Lanfranco Dettori. $179,025. Lifetime Record: 42-10-3-5, $2,615,444. *Full to Log Out Island (Ire), SW & MGSP-Eng, GSP-Ire, SP-Fr, $250,585. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Script, 121, g, 6, Algorithms–Dilly, by First Samurai. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Stone Farm (KY); T-George R. Arnold II. $77,000. 3–Joe Shiesty, 121, g, 4, Air Force Blue–Ready to Unleash, by More Than Ready. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($16,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN). O-Foster Family Racing, Reynolds, Lonnie, Mills, Vicki and Coomes, Donald; B-Rodney E. Orr (KY); T-Eric N. Foster. $38,500. Margins: NK, HD, NK. Odds: 3.27, 22.01, 5.91. Also Ran: Governor Sam, Arrest Me Red, Outlaw Kid, Doncho, Charcoal. Scratched: World Record. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Venerable 9-Year-Old Khaadem Sports Top Gear Late In Woodford At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Franco Marek ($5.50FF) will be looking to make his case stronger for a spot in this year’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup by producing a stout effort in today’s Group 3 Alabar Methven Cup (4.36pm). Currently ranked 13th for the New Zealand Cup, Franco Marek, who will start from a 10 metre handicap, gets his chance to move in the right direction today in a race where conditions should suit the big gelding and Lincoln trainer Greg Manson believes the seven year old A Rocknroll Dance is up to the task. “He’s in great order, I don’t think he’s been in a better spot,” said Manson of Franco Marek’s condition. Franco Marek has had three runs back this campaign for three placings, and has won a quiet Methven workout since last racing on September 5 where he finished third to Alta Meteor in the New Brighton cup clocking his final 800m in 53 seconds. “He may get a good run without having to do a lot of work.” John Morrison will drive Franco Marek in what is now a nine horse field with Akuta ($1.50FF) the obvious horse to beat for co-trainer and driver Mark Purdon despite needing to overcome a 30m handicap. “The the main goal is to cement his spot in the cup. “There should be no excuses if he can’t go a good race,” said Manson. Franco Marek gained a lot of fans during cup week last year with big runs in both the New Zealand Cup and the Free For All on Show Day. Manson has reflected and taken a different approach leading into it this year. “I had him up pretty good and early this time around. I felt we may have been a bit underdone last year. So we have had three races already, now it’s all just about keeping him ready.” Other chances in the event outside of Franco Marek and Akuta include the Brent and Tim White trained American Me ($14.00FF) and Dalton Shard ($8.50FF) for Robert and Jenna Dunn. Race one gets underway at midday. View the full article