Wandering Eyes

As Britain swelters in a heatwave that threatens established records, Ascot prepares for a renewal of the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. that will challenge the gauge of equine ability. Thursday saw the draw made for what is widely seen as the strongest edition of the midsummer jewel for some time and, as she was in the Eclipse three weeks ago, Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is wide. Widest of all in 11, but that is no disadvantage over this trip at this round course where high numbers are always favoured. Allied with her considerable and still immeasurable talent, the post position may be the final nail in the coffin of some classy rivals. Odds of 8-13 were the best available in the immediate aftermath of the draw and if the plunge that took place minutes before her July 5 Sandown reintroduction is repeated they could look generous. John Gosden is staying guarded and grounded, however. “This is no penalty kick,” he said at this week’s press morning. “She will have come on for Sandown and she is up for it, but I don’t think it is the formality that is being indicated. It’s a big ask, but she is proud and happy in herself. When she’s in the zone, she’s very determined and assertive. She’s very enthusiastic and she loves her training and racing. That makes my job a whole lot easier.” Frankie Dettori is on an astonishing roll even by his standards at present and he added, “She’s in good fettle and it’s all systems go. Everybody has turned up and we’ve got to compete with the best, so I’d be lying if I said I was not nervous. I am nervous, carrying the hopes of the nation on one of best horses in the world and we just want everything to go well. We know what she’s capable of.” ‘TDN Rising Star’ Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) is back a possibly improved horse to the one who was just denied by stablemate Poet’s Word (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}) 12 months ago, having captured the G1 Prince of Wales’ S. over 10 furlongs at the Royal meeting here on June 19 but like all the other older colts he has to concede three pounds to Juddmonte’s queen. Sir Evelyn de Rothschild’s homebred is drawn in nine, with one of Ballydoyle’s three potential pacemakers Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in between in 10. Interestingly, Aidan O’Brien has declared his quartet all in cheekpieces, with Hunting Horn, the G1 Pretty Polly S. runner-up Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the G1 Epsom Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) all wearing them for the first time. As expected, Ryan Moore is on the latter who receives eight pounds from Enable and 11 from Crystal Ocean and Donnacha O’Brien on the second-string Magic Wand. With all the pace in the high numbers, hold-up merchants Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) can sit back and wait from their three and four draws as can the Japanese challenger Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who breaks from stall six. Defoe is on a roll after wins in the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom on May 31 and G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot on June 22 and he faces the perfect speed scenario in his reinvention as a johnny-come-lately figure. Trainer Roger Varian is keen to see how he measures up against the best. “He will have to go some to topple Enable and Crystal Ocean, but he fully deserves to be in there and I’m sure he will run another massive race,” he said. “Whether it’s good enough to win the King George we will have to wait and see. Defoe only just does enough, but he’s solid, straightforward and can quicken. He’s fresh and holding his level of form. It’s a great race to be involved in.” The post Enable Faces Ten In Hot King George 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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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. With rain forecast for Melbourne over the coming days Begg has opted to run Romancer in Saturday’s Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1400m) over the Listed Winter Challenge in Sydney. "The weather prediction was for the rain here and that's what he relishes, getting soft ground," Begg said. Romancer has had three starts since being transferred... View the full article

Waiuku trainers Grant and Tana Shaw have experienced a fair bit of success campaigning Locally Sauced in Canterbury and they hope to replicate that form when he contests the Race Images (CHCH) 2200 at Phar Lap Raceway on Friday. The seven-year-old son of Iffraaj won the corresponding race last year and his trainers believe he can go back-to-back after placing in the Whangarei Gold Cup (2100m) at Ruakaka last start. “He has been down there three times now and he has won probably $100,000 down t... View the full article

Months after Maximum Security was disqualified for interference in the Kentucky Derby (G1), an influential international committee on rules will meet in the U.S. to discuss a standard many believe would have let his victory stand. View the full article

Brittlyn Stable's Evelyn Benoit has believed in her stallion Star Guitar from the start of his stud career, and July 24 Benoit's 4-year-old filly Minit to Stardom became the first graded stakes winner sired by Star Guitar. View the full article

Karl Broberg has been the leading trainer in the country by wins every year since 2014 and looks to have this year’s title already wrapped up. But that doesn’t make him a racing insider. In fact, he’s anything but. While running an advertising business specializing in products promoting high school sports, he got involved in the sport as a horseplayer. Then he became an owner. He didn’t begin training until 2009. That’s among the reasons why Broberg doesn’t see the sport through the same prism as so many others. There are racing traditions he doesn’t understand and is unwilling to accept, the latest example being the system of jockeys hiring agents and then turning over as much as 30% of their earnings to them. “It’s absolutely absurd that these jockeys, who have such short careers, are giving 25 to 30% of their money solely to have some guy enter horses for a trainer,” Broberg said. “It doesn’t make sense.” While Broberg does acknowledge that some jockey agents earn their money and do more than just help a trainer with entries, he wants to shake up the status quo. He took a pretty big step toward just that when bringing C.J. McMahon on board to be his stable rider at Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs. The two agreed that with Broberg using McMahon exclusively, the jockey did not need an agent. “When he rides for me, there is no agent,” Broberg said. “He doesn’t have to pay anyone anything. He gets to keep all his money, except for taking care of the valet.” The Broberg-McMahon combination is among the few situations where a jockey likely will thrive without an agent. McMahon was among the top jockeys in the Southwest and won 216 races in 2016, many of them for Broberg. In 2017, he decided to try to break in on more prominent circuits and rode at Gulfstream and in Kentucky. His numbers plummeted, and he won just 48 races in 2018. He needed a way to revive his career and saw Broberg’s proposal as a perfect way to do so. “This is a tremendous opportunity and I’m ecstatic that he believes in me and is going to give me a chance to show my talent and ride good horses,” McMahon said. “To ride for a guy like Karl, who wins 500 plus races a year, how can you say no? I was in a position where I won 40 something races last year. Now, who knows how many we can win together.” The relationship should be most lucrative for McMahon at Delta Downs, which opens Oct. 8. Because Delta’s purses are significantly higher than those paid out at Evangeline, it’s a meet Broberg points for. At the 2018-2019 meet, he won 107 races and his stable earned $2 million. Had McMahon won 107 races at that meet, he would have been the second leading rider at the track. If Broberg has a horse in a race at Evangeline or Delta, McMahon cannot accept an outside mount. Broberg said he will give McMahon advance notice when he knows there is a race he will not have a starter in and, in that case, McMahon is free to ride for anyone he wants. He will also be required to work for Broberg on all mornings when his Louisiana division is breezing horses. When Broberg runs more than one horse in a race, he will bring in an outside rider, but one who will likely wind up on the lesser-regarded part of his entry. “I made this offer with C.J. McMahon because we have had great success in the past,” Broberg said. “A few years ago, he was winning races for us left and right. C.J. has a gift, he’s incredibly talented. When he got back [after riding in Florida and Kentucky] he approached me and said he’d like to ride for me again. But he wasn’t able to get any outside business. Some agents are earning their money. But here you have a fellow who was not able to get any outside business and I’m able to latch on to what I perceive to be one of the most talented jockeys around here, so why not let the jockey keep all the money and get back up on his feet?” The Broberg-McMahon combination is among the few situations where a jockey likely will thrive without an agent. McMahon was among the top jockeys in the Southwest and won 216 races in 2016, many of them for Broberg. In 2017, he decided to try to break in on more prominent circuits and rode at Gulfstream and in Kentucky. His numbers plummeted, and he won just 48 races in 2018. He needed a way to revive his career and saw Broberg’s proposal as a perfect way to do so. “This is a tremendous opportunity and I’m ecstatic that he believes in me and is going to give me a chance to show my talent and ride good horses,” McMahon said. “To ride for a guy like Karl, who wins 500 plus races a year, how can you say no? I was in a position where I won 40 something races last year. Now, who knows how many we can win together.” The relationship should be most lucrative for McMahon at Delta Downs, which opens Oct. 8. Because Delta’s purses are significantly higher than those paid out at Evangeline, it’s a meet Broberg points for. At the 2018-2019 meet, he won 107 races and his stable earned $2 million. Had McMahon won 107 races at that meet, he would have been the second leading rider at the track. If Broberg has a horse in a race at Evangeline or Delta, McMahon cannot accept an outside mount. Broberg said he will give McMahon advance notice when he knows there is a race he will not have a starter in and, in that case, McMahon is free to ride for anyone he wants. He will also be required to work for Broberg on all mornings when his Louisiana division is breezing horses. When Broberg runs more than one horse in a race, he will bring in an outside rider, but one who will likely wind up on the lesser-regarded part of his entry. “I made this offer with C.J. McMahon because we have had great success in the past,” Broberg said. “A few years ago, he was winning races for us left and right. C.J. has a gift, he’s incredibly talented. When he got back [after riding in Florida and Kentucky] he approached me and said he’d like to ride for me again. But he wasn’t able to get any outside business. Some agents are earning their money. But here you have a fellow who was not able to get any outside business and I’m able to latch on to what I perceive to be one of the most talented jockeys around here, so why not let the jockey keep all the money and get back up on his feet?” The post Racing’s Winningest Trainer Looking to Shake Up Jockey-Agent Relationship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Woodford Racing's Campaign made jockey Rafael Bejarano work for it, but in the end the son of Curlin responded at just the right time to win the $100,000 Cougar II Handicap (G3) July 24 at Del Mar. View the full article

This season will live long in the memory for Ardmore trainer Nicholas Bishara. Not only did he double his previous best tally of wins in a season, but he also experienced Group One glory as an owner through star three-year-old filly Verry Elleegant. “I’m extremely happy,” Bishara said. “I don’t have a big team, I have only got about seven or eight at the moment, so to get 10 wins from that pool of horses is great. “It has pretty much been a dream season. The team has fired on the hom... View the full article

Lisa Allpress has achieved a major career goal with an invitation to ride in the World All-Stars Jockeys series in Japan. Allpress announced the invitation on social media this week, posting: "Smiling because I’m off to Japan! So happy to be invited to the world jockey series in Sapporo 24th and 25th August." The now three-time national premiership-winning jockey said she had always envied the likes of David Walsh and Lance O'Sullivan getting to ride in the Japanese event and desperately wante... View the full article

Campaign (Curlin) looked to have the field for Wednesday’s GIII Cougar II H. over a barrel on paper, but the 4-year-old made jockey Rafael Bejarano work for it–and those that crushed him into 7-10 favoritism sweat for it a fair bit–before edging away to take his career batting average to .500. Drawn widest in a field scratched down to five, the $675,000 Keeneland September purchase dropped himself right out the back door and trailed by double digits a furlong into the race, forcing Bejarano to ride him along entering the stretch for the first time. For the Top (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg}) took them along at a decent gallop for the distance, chased along by Morse Code (Tapit) with Itsinthepost (Fr) (American Post {GB})–very much at home at the trip, but a question mark trying the dirt for the first time–close in tow. For his part, Campaign continued to lob along from well back at midway, and sensing a bit of urgency, was asked to take closer order from fourth down the backstretch. Called upon for everything he had at the three-eighths marker, the heavy chalk began to gain ground, but still looked in deep water, as Itsinthepost struck to the front with under two furlongs to race. But Campaign took a deep breath at the three-sixteenths, grabbed Itsinthepost with 100 yards to race and came away to a hard-fought success. A maiden winner going 12 grassy furlongs at Kentucky Downs last summer while under the care of Steve Asmussen and an allowance winner over an extended mile-and-a-quarter trip, Campaign was 10th in Keeneland’s GIII Sycamore S. before switching to this barn this season. A running-on fourth to stablemate and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Gift Box (Twirling Candy) in the GI Santa Anita H. Apr. 6, he backed up eight days later to easily land the 12-furlong GIII Tokyo City S. Campaign was exiting a fourth in the GII Brooklyn Invitational S. at Belmont June 8 in which he was under a similarly busy ride for most of the opening 10 panels, then was locked away in traffic when full of run late. Pedigree Notes: Campaign is out of an unraced daugher of SW & GSP Aurora (Danzig), the dam of GISWs Arch (Kris S.) and Acoma (Empire Maker), GSW Festival of Light (A.P. Indy) and Arch’s MSW full-brother Alisios. Aurora is also the second dam of Japanese MGSW & MGISP Albiano (Harlan’s Holiday) and of the GSW & track record-setting Covfefe (Into Mischief), who will be one of the favorites for the GI Longines Test S. next weekend. Aurora’s dam was the outstanding racemare Althea, champion 2-year-old filly of 1983 and winner of the 1984 GI Arkansas Derby. Campaign’s 2-year-old half-brother, Aster Horn (Speightstown), was purchased for $360,000 out of last year’s September sale and has been sent to Japan, no surprise given that horses from this family like Rabbit Run (Tapit) and Asukusa Genki (Stormy Atlantic) are recent group winners in the country. Arania is the dam of a yearling Speightstown filly and was barren to Mastery for 2019. Wednesday, Del Mar COUGAR II H.-GIII, $100,000, Del Mar, 7-24, 3yo/up, 1 1/2m, 2:32.36, ft. 1–CAMPAIGN, 123, c, 4, by Curlin 1st Dam: Arania, by Dynaformer 2nd Dam: Aurora, by Danzig 3rd Dam: Althea, by Alydar ($675,000 Ylg ’16 KEESEP). O-Woodford Racing LLC; B-Alexander-Groves Thoroughbreds (KY); T-John W Sadler; J-Rafael Bejarano. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 10-5-1-0, $394,753. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A++. 2–Itsinthepost (Fr), 121, g, 7, American Post (GB)–Sakkara Star (Ire), by Mozart (Ire). (€5,000 Ylg ’13 OSLATE). O-Red Baron’s Barn LLC; B-Julien Leaunes (FR); T-Jeff Mullins. $20,000. 3–For the Top (Arg), 119, c, 4, Equal Stripes (Arg)–Stormy Martyr (Arg), by Bernstein. O-RRR Racing Inc; B-El Turf (ARG); T-Bob Baffert. $12,000. Margins: 1 1/4, 12, 1 3/4. Odds: 0.70, 4.10, 2.80. Also Ran: Morse Code, Original Intent. Scratched: Premium Forest, Zestful. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Campaign Guts It Out in the Cougar II appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Syahir looking to keep Dream alive View the full article

Duric expecting cheeky run from War Affair View the full article

Patrick Moloney to ride at Kranji in August View the full article

Early scratchings July 26 & 28 View the full article

For Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt's Mitole, it's all about doing what he does best in his last few races before next season beginning the new phase of his life as a stallion. View the full article

Last year’s Jumbo Jet Trophy winner Preditor (NZ) (Savabeel) will make a bold attempt to go back-to-back first-up from a break this Sunday. He will, however, be partnered in the S$175,000 race over 1400m by a jockey who does not boast the most flattering record on him – four rides for four unplaced finishes – Matthew Kellady. With the five-time winner (1400m to 1800m) weighted at 54.5kgs, his winningest partner (three wins), heavyweight jockey John Powell had to sit out the ride. Trainer S... View the full article

A week after one of the summer's classics for 3-year-olds was contested at the Jersey Shore in stifling humidity, the division is turning up the heat once again. 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

Some two months after finishing heads apart in the Triple Bend Stakes (G2), that race's winner, Air Strike, and runner-up, Cistron, will meet again in the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) July 27 at Del Mar. View the full article

10th-Saratoga, $92,000, Alw, 7-24, (NW1$X), 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:22.79, ft. RISKY MANDATE (f, 3, Strong Mandate–Paying Off {SW, $192,380}, by Malibu Moon) was a stylish first-time out winner June 22 at Churchill, handily defeating her foes by 6 1/4 lengths and earning an 80 Beyer Speed Figure. Tackling a good-looking group here, the 2-1 favorite broke a step slowly before quickly grabbing a stalking position on the inside directly behind the pacesetting Fair Regis (Bustin Stones). The leader rolled through a :22.63 opening quarter and jockey Jose Ortiz pulled the trigger on Risky Mandate after a half-mile in :45.22. She drew alongside Fair Regis, dueling with that rival down the lane and kicking clear in the final sixteenth for a 3 1/2-length tally. Fair Regis held on for second over Proximity Bias (Flatter). Risky Mandate is a half-sister to Joint Custody (Outflanker), MSW, $274,530, the unraced juvenile Carpe Victoiram (Carpe Diem) and a yearling colt by Hard Spun. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $105,448. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O/B-Ghost Hollow Farms, LLC (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss. The post Strong Mandate Filly Remains Undefeated at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing's Bankit returned to the winner's circle for the first time in 2019, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths in the July 24 in the $150,000 New York Derby at Finger Lakes Racetrack. View the full article

Brittlyn Stable's homebred Minit to Stardom went straight to the lead in the $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) at Saratoga Race Course July 24, and despite being the longest shot on the board at 20-1, she led every step. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, uniting with racetracks across the country as part of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund Awareness Day Across America at Saratoga Race Course this Saturday, will host a variety of events, highlighted by a special meet and greet and autograph session. Riders from the Saratoga jockey colony will sign autographs on the Jockey Silks Room Porch from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. with a suggested donation to PDJF. Fans who donate $5 to PDJF will receive a commemorative “Riders Up!” poster, while supplies last, and will be entered to win a framed limited edition “150 Years of Racing at Saratoga” print. The Community Outreach Booth will host PDJF in honor of the day-long celebration at Saratoga Race Course. Fans are encouraged to visit the booth, which is located on the Jockey Silks Room Porch, to learn more about the not-for-profit organization’s mission to provide financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. The post PDJF Awareness Day at Saratoga to Feature Jockey Autograph Session appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The California Retirement Management Account (CARMA)’s annual summer fundraiser, ‘Hoedown for Horses’, lassoed in more than $172,000 to support Thoroughbred aftercare Sunday in the Del Mar paddock. The funds will go to supporting CARMA’s placement program, which retires, rehabilitates and rehomes Thoroughbred raceshorses and replenishing its granting fund to help support more than 20 equine nonprofits. “We set the bar high with the amount of money we wanted to raise at the Hoedown and we are so grateful to the racing community, sponsors, friends, fans and volunteers that made it happen,” said CARMA President Candace Coder-Chew. “This event set a record for us and many retired racehorses will be supported with the funds generated from the Hoedown.” More than 300 people attended the fundraiser, which kicked off with a barbecue-styled buffet and live country music. There was also a popular head-to-head jockey mechanical bull riding competition, with Aaron Gryder taking home the custom champion belt. “It warms our hearts every year to host our summer fundraiser and to see the support from the horse community,” said Lucinda Lovitt-Mandella, executive director of CARMA. “Aftercare for retired racehorses has really come into focus in recent years and we’re seeing the direct result of that.” The post CARMA’s ‘Hoedown for Horses’ Raises $172K for Thoroughbred Aftercare appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article