Wandering Eyes

Woodslane Farm’s Grade I winner Sadler’s Joy (Kitten’s Joy), third by a half-length in the GII Bowling Green S. in both 2017 and 2018, will get a chance to break through in the 11-furlong event as one of a host of contenders in a 13-horse war while making his 6-year-old debut Saturday at Saratoga. Parlaying his Bowling Green third in 2017 into a conquest of that summer’s GI Sword Dancer S., the chestnut was fourth in both the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational and Breeders’ Cup Turf to close out his 4-year-old campaign. Scoring his most recent victory in the GII Mac Diarmida S. last March at Gulfstream, the homebred nevertheless acquitted himself well in several big races at five, running second in both the GI Man O’ War S. and GI Manhattan S. and third at 37-1 behind superstar Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) when last seen in the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Turf. “He’s doing great. He’s training really well coming into this race,” trainer Tom Albertrani told the NYRA notes team. “It’s been a long lay-up, but it was always our intention to give him a little break after the Breeders’ Cup and not run at Gulfstream Park and try to have him ready for the Manhattan. We hit a couple of minor hiccups along the way, but now we’re here and he’s doing good. We hope to have a good summer and fall campaign with him.” Chilean G1SW Ya Primo (Chi) (Mastercrafstman {Ire}) makes his North American debut for the omnipotent Chad Brown barn. Scoring just twice in his first six races, the bay caught fire this year in his native land, racking up 4 1/2-length successes in the G2 Copa Juan S. Jackson and G1 El Derby before a 3 3/4-length triumph in the prestigious G1 Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano Mar. 10. The gray has trained steadily on both surfaces at Saratoga going back to May, finishing preparations with a five-furlong breeze in 1:02.55 (13/22) on the Oklahoma turf July 21 (video). Multiple Grade I victor Channel Maker (English Channel) figures to vie for favoritism. Finishing in a dead heat for the win with subsequent Sword Dancer hero Glorious Empire (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in last year’s Bowling Green, he powerfully annexed the Joe Hirsch two starts later. Off the board in his next three, he rebounded with a conquest of the Man O’ War May 11 before flattening to fourth behind division leader Bricks and Mortar (Giant’s Causeway) in the Manhattan last out June 8. The post Sadler’s Joy Returns in 13-Horse Bowling Green appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was little doubt as to the talent level of Bill and Corrine Heiligbrodt’s Mitole (Eskendereya) last year, when he was blitzing through nearly every sprinter that dared challenge him at his home base of Oaklawn. The questions that lingered, if any, were about the colt’s ability to stretch out his speed and replicate his stellar performances against top competition. He answered both of those, emphatically, in back-to-back Grade I victories this spring, and he’ll look to make it three top-level tallies in a row as a heavy favorite from the rail draw in Saturday’s GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. at Saratoga. Announcing himself with a 10-length maiden romp last February in Hot Springs, Mitole suffered his most recent defeat when second in the Gazebo S. there one start later. Back on track with a seven-length allowance/optional claiming triumph, he cruised by nine lengths in the Bachelor S., then 6 1/4 lengths in the Chick Lang S. at Pimlico before a splint injury sidelined the bay for the remainder of his sophomore campaign. Returning off an over 10-month break with another facile allowance/optional claiming success Mar. 2 at Oaklawn, he repeated in the GIII Count Fleet Sprint H. Apr. 13. Then came the acid test, in the GI Churchill Downs S. May 4, where Mitole passed with flying colors, sitting off the speed and drawing clear to a 3 1/2-length score. Sent a route of ground for the first time in the star-studded GI Metropolitan H., he was brilliant once more, dueling on a sizzling pace and holding sway late to best MGISW ‘TDN Rising Star’ McKinzie (Street Sense) by three-quarters of a length. His main rival is defending Vanderbilt champion Imperial Hint (Imperialism), who looks to get back on track after three straight losses, an uncharacteristic interruption of form for the 12-time winner. Carrying a five-race win streak into the 2017 GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint, he was a good second to champion Roy H (More Than Ready) and promptly won four of five to start his 5-year-old campaign. Unable to match Roy H again, however, when third in last fall’s renewal of the Sprint, he filled the same slot at 1-5 in the Pelican S. Feb. 16 at Tampa and once again rounded out the trifecta in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen last out Mar. 30. Mr. Amore Stable’s Firenze Fire (Poseidon’s Warrior) stands a chance if the pace heats up. Upset winner of the GIII Sanford S. here two summers ago, he was a good third despite a wide journey in the GI H. Allen Jerkens S. over this track last August and annexed the GIII Gallant Bob S. after that. Capturing the Runhappy S. in his second 4-year-old start May 11 at Belmont, the bay was no factor when fifth in the Met Mile last out. The post Streaking Mitole Draws Rail in Vanderbilt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wendell Fong, a perfect 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

Air Strike (Street Sense) and Cistron (The Factor) finished a head apart in the seven-panel GI Triple Bend S. May 25 and they rematch Saturday in Del Mar’s GI Bing Crosby S., as well as meet a few new faces, in hopes of securing a spot in the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint S. Air Strike, who broke his maiden decisively in his lone previous start at Del Mar, was securing his first graded success in the Triple Bend off a fourth in the GIII Steve Sexton Mile S. Apr. 28. Meanwhile, Cistron entered the Triple Bend off a 5 1/4-length triumph in the GII Kona Gold S. in Arcadia Apr. 20. Recruiting Ready (Algorithms) ships in from the East Coast off a close third to recent GII San Diego H. victor Catalina Cruiser (Union Rags) in Belmont’s GII True North S. June 7, an effort that earned him a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. Winner of the GIII Gulfstream Park Sprint S. in March, the ‘TDN Rising Star’ was fourth in Keeneland’s GIII Commonwealth S. in April and was second in Belmont’s Runhappy S. May 11. GIII Smile Sprint S. runner-up Jalen Journey (With Distinction) makes his first start for Rockingham Ranch, David Bernsen and trainer Peter Miller since topping the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale at $510,000. Prior to his June 29 effort, he rattled off three consecutive daylight wins at Gulfstream for conditioner Kathleen O’Connell. Miller also sends out Line Judge (Spring At Last) off a solid score in the Kellys Landing S. at Churchill Downs June 29. The post Triple Bend Top Two Return in Bing Crosby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Apprentice jockey Tanya Jonker secured an early treble at Phar Lap Raceway on Friday. She was victorious aboard the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained Liam in the opening race before riding home Wynmore to a 2-1/2 length victory in the Equine Veterinary Services Sprint (1200m) and Bluey’s Chance in the McIntosh Catering Handicap (1200m) for Kenny Moore. Jonker was delighted to get a winning double for the Rangiora trainer and said the win aboard Wynmore was particularly special for an absent ... View the full article

The weather forecasts played a big part in Grahame Begg's decision to keep Romancer closer to home to run at Caulfield rather than travel him interstate. Begg had also nominated Romancer for Saturday's Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) in Sydney at Rosehill, but a wet forecast in Melbourne he decided Saturday's Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (1400m) was the best option. "The weather prediction was for the rain here and that's what he relishes, getting soft ground," Begg said. Romancer has had three... View the full article

The Superior Court of San Diego has granted trainer Jerry Hollendorfer a preliminary injunction, which will allow him to resume racing at Del Mar. In issuing the ruling, the court wrote: “Plaintiffs have submitted sufficient evidence for the court to conclude that Mr. Hollendorfer will suffer irreparable harm if an injunction is not issued. Mr. Hollendorfer has been a licensed Thoroughbred owner and trainer for approximately 40 years. This is his only occupation and his principal income is derived from participating in races. Mr. Hollendorfer asserts that if he is excluded from the Del Mar Fairgrounds and/or Los Alamitos Racetrack, he will have lost the opportunity to engage in his occupation and will face imminent loss of business.” The court ruling noted that since Del Mar’s ban of Hollendofer had been made public, he has lost approximately 40 horses. However, most of those horses were turned over to his former assistant, Dan Ward. It was not immediately clear if they would now be returned to Hollendorfer’s care. According to attorney Darrell Vienna, who is representing the co-plaintiffs in the case, the California Thoroughbred Trainers, the two parties are still scheduled to meet in the San Diego court Friday and Del Mar can contest the ruling. However, he did not expect the judge to change his mind. “The ruling looks to be pretty well thought out,” he said. “We appear to be on solid ground,” Vienna said. A preliminary injunction does not mean the battle is over for Hollendorfer. If Del Mar wants to continue the fight to keep Hollendorfer from racing, the next round in court will take place later this year. A preliminary injunction is not a final ruling. Vienna thought that would not happen until October, or well after the current meet concludes. Racing returns to Del Mar in November for the Bing Crosby meeting. In response to Hollendorfer’s complaint that he be reinstated, Del Mar filed court papers defending its actions in which its lawyers called Hollendorfer a “radioactive PR risk” after six horses of his has to be euthanized earlier this year, four of them at Santa Anita and two more at Golden Gate Fields. The post Hollendorfer Granted Preliminary Injunction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hastings trainer John Bary will take a trio of runners north to Taumarunui Racing Club’s meeting at Arawa Park on Saturday and he expects a bold showing from each of his runners. Three-year-old filly Louboutin will be looking to make it three wins on end when she lines up in the Taumarunui & Districts RSA 3YO (1400m). The Kevin Hickman-owned daughter of Jimmy Choux has thrived in the heavy going this winter, winning two of her three starts on the surface and placing in the other, and Bary said... View the full article

Woodworth makes chance ride on Safeer count View the full article

Yusoff, CS Chin suspended View the full article

Freedman Excels with century of winners View the full article

Soldado back to winning ways View the full article

Adipson off the mark at third try View the full article

Horses' body weights July 26 View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings July 26 View the full article

Merlion Trophy-bound Bold Thruster to trial next Thursday View the full article

Early scratchings July 28 (Updated) View the full article

An excited Clayton Chipperfield is preparing for the biggest day of his training career with favourites in both New Zealand features on Saturday. Chipperfield will produce London Bound as a $2.50 favourite in the Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki, while Obsessive is a $3 favourite in the RSA Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at Rotorua. "They are putting the pressure on me making both of them favourites," Chipperfield quipped. "I've only had Our Sequoia in a Waikato Guineas (Gr.2, 200... View the full article

Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable, and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Channel Maker is back at Saratoga Race Course to defend his title in the $250,000 Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) July 27. View the full article

From falling into a sinkhole to racecourse success in the space of 12 days—that is the remarkable story of 6-year-old Mr Changue in Canada. View the full article

Hudson River Farms’ Winston C (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) has talent, but he appeared to be in deep water Thursday in Saratoga Race Course’s $150,000 A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase S. After all, the 5-year-old had begun the year as a maiden over fences, and he was lining up against 11 formidable contenders, including two horses making their first starts in the U.S. In his favor, and a positive in the eyes of Saratoga bettors, was his trainer, Racing Hall of Fame member Jonathan Sheppard. The renowned horseman, now 78, had had his streak of 47 years with at least one Saratoga victory end in 2015, but the bettors know that he can strike at any time. And strike he did, with a horse coming into his own and a young jockey, Thomas Garner, who helped Winston C to overcome early difficulties. With a steady move down Saratoga’s backstretch, Winston C drew into contention entering the final turn, grabbed the lead early in the stretch, and won by a widening 3 1/2 lengths. Foxtrot NH Racing Partnership’s Vosne Romanee (GB) (Arakan), making his first run in the U.S., kept pace with Winston C into midstretch and finished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Harold A. Via Jr.’s longshot Hinterland (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}). Riverdee Stable’s Gibralfaro (Ire) (Dakakhani {Ire}) finished fourth, another 4 1/2 lengths farther back. All three are trained by Jack Fisher. Winston C represented a hometown win for Hudson River Farms, which is owned by Edward Swyer, an Albany developer and longtime steeplechase owner. Mostly, though, it was a tribute to Sheppard’s master touch. Justifiably pegged at 6–1 on the morning line, Winston C went off as the $3.35-to-1 second betting pick, a few dollars behind Irvin S. Naylor’s newcomer Bedrock (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who also was $3.35-to-1 and tired to finish sixth after contending at the top of the lane. In his American debut, Winston C had finished a good third in the Iroquois Steeplechase’s Marcellus Frost Champion Hurdle for novices May 11, so he still had novice conditions and could have gone in Wednesday’s $75,000 Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes, which Garner won aboard Redicean (GB) (Medicean {GB}) for trainer Leslie Young. But Sheppard decided to go for the brass ring and double the purse. “He ran well in his last start at Iroquois in Tennessee, and I thought he was well enough to come back and enter here, and he showed it today,” Sheppard said. Indeed, Winston C closed with a rush in the Nashville race after leaving himself with too much to do. Garner, who rode him in the Marcellus Frost, planned to be in midfield for the Smithwick. But Winston C broke slowly and wasn’t jumping well as Naylor’s Sempre Medici (Fr) (Medicean {GB}) set a vigorous pace on the front end. Garner took his mount back and let him settle. “I just wanted to get him in rhythm and make sure he was doing his job properly, so I put a pull on him,” Garner said. “I got his confidence going and got him back jumping.” Bedrock, ridden by Sean McDermott, made the first move on the final run down Saratoga’s backstretch, followed by Vosne Romanee and then Winston C. Sempre Medici led over the last fence and ran on into the final turn before beginning to tire. Winston C and Vosne Romanee began to separate themselves from the rest of the field in midstretch, with Winston C leading by a length at the furlong pole and Vosne Romanee up by two lengths over Bedrock. Through the final 200 yards, Winston C proved to have the superior speed, much to trainer Sheppard’s delight. “I’m not going to say I expected that flat run from him, but I hoped for it. He’s a little quicker than the average European steeplechase type,” he said. Winston C ran the Smithwick’s 2 1/16 miles in 3:45.99 on a firm turf course before a deluge soaked the track and forced the cancellation of the program after the fourth race. Thursday, Saratoga A. P. SMITHWICK MEMORIAL STEEPLECHASE S., (NB) $150,000, Saratoga, 7-25, 4yo/up, 2 1/16mT, 3:45.99, fm. 1–WINSTON C (IRE), 144, g, 5, Rip Van Winkle (Ire)– Pitrizza (Ire), by Machiavellian. (80,000gns Wlg ’14 TATFOA; 55,000gns Ylg ’15 TAOCT; 30,000gns 4yo ’18 TATFEB). O-Hudson River Farms; B-Patrick F. Kelly (IRE); T-Jonathan E. Sheppard; J-Thomas Garner. $90,000. Lifetime Record: 19-6-1-6, $187,893. *1/2 to Snow Watch (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}), SW-Ire, Vilasol (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}), GSP-Ire. 2–Vosne Romanee (GB), 150, g, 8, Arakan–Vento Del Oreno (Fr), by Lando (Ger). (800gns Ylg ’12 TATFEB; £4,500 Ylg ’12 DONNOV). O-Foxtrot NH Racing Partnership; B-Mrs L. M. G. Walsh (GB); T-Jack O. Fisher. $27,000. 3–Hinterland (Fr), 142, g, 11, Poliglote (GB)–Queen Place (Fr), by Diamond Prospect. O-Harold A. Via, Jr.; B-Eric Aubree & Christian Bresson (FR); T-Jack O. Fisher. $15,000. Margins: 3HF, 3/4, 4HF. Odds: 3.35, 5.50, 33.25. Also Ran: Gibralfaro (Ire), All the Way Jose, Bedrock (GB), No Wunder (GB), Sempre Medici (Fr), Peppay Le Pugh (Ire), Belisarius (Ire), Modem (GB), Show Court (Ire). Scratched: Portrade (Ire). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Winston C Prevails in A. P. Smithwick 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 a half-sister to Magnificent Song (Unbridled’s Song). 1.50 Ascot, Novice, £10,400, 2yo, f, 7fT QUEEN DAENERYS (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) was a $500,000 Keeneland September graduate who is a half-sister to four stakes performers headed by the GI Gardeny City Breeders’ Cup S. heroine Magnificent Song (Unbridled’s Song). Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s February-foaled bay is saddled by Roger Varian meets some choice bluebloods including Qatar Racing’s newcomer Stars in the Sky (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), a William Haggas-trained €525,000gns Goffs Orby daughter of the G3 Fred Darling S. and G3 Princess Margaret S. winner Maureen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). The post Observations: July 26, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From all appearances, Hudson River Farms' Winston C richly deserved his 6-to-1 morning-line odds for Thursday's $150,000 A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase Stakes (NSA-G1) at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

Oklahoma native John Ray James, who raced and stood grade 2 winner Dramedy, died July 17. He was 75. 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