Wandering Eyes

When last they met, the Archipenko full-siblings Glorious Forever (GB) and Time Warp (GB) dueled each other into submission, finishing well down the field in the G2 Jockey Club Cup over the Sha Tin 2000 metres Nov. 18. Prior to Thursday’s barrier draw for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, trainer Frankie Lor more or less guaranteed that there would be no such worries this time around, as he suggested that Glorious Forever would be ridden from off the pace, which was almost definitively going to be set by Time Warp. It was gate 1 for Glorious Forever at the draw, at least opening the door for a revisiting of the game planning, and so it proved, as Longines International Jockeys’ Championship winner Silvestre de Sousa pinged the barriers and led every step of the way for a near carbon copy of last year’s win by Time Warp. Deirdre (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was along late to spoil what would certainly have been a rare Group 1 quinella for full-siblings. “Everything was in my favour, the draw was perfect for riding a horse who could be one or two in the run. Everything went to the plan,” de Sousa insisted. Well into stride, Glorious Forever was given the positive ride that the masses–by and large–did not see coming and led them at a tempo that was only steady as Zac Purton employed patient tactics atop Time Warp that had never really worked to best effect heretofore, eventually settling his mount in the slipstream of his year-younger brother. “I talked to Silvestre yesterday and said ‘if he jumped good try to take the lead and if Time Warp pushed too hard then he could take the sit behind him’. We drew one and Time Warp seven so that made a difference,” Lor said. Well-rated in the middle portion of the race, Glorious Forever took them along in single-file order–bar Seasons Bloom (Aus) (Captain Sonador {Aus})–and de Sousa did an exemplary job of backing down the pace, with the first 1200m covered in 1:14.62. Still just galloping on the turn, Glorious Forever cut the corner in front, and push came to shove for Purton and Time Warp. Steered off the fence to deliver a challenge, the burly chestnut tried hard to reel in the front-runner, but ultimately it was a vain chase, as Glorious Forever proved a capitalistic winner. Deirdre tracked her favoured compatriot Sungrazer (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) around the turn and into the stretch and ran on gamely while no threat to the winner. Sungrazer lacked a late punch in fourth. “I didn’t want to overdo it in front, but to make sure Time Warp didn’t come around, I had to make sure we were going a true gallop,” de Sousa said. “I won the battle for the first 300 metres and I was going so well at the 800 (metres), I thought to myself they would have to be very good to pick him up; it would have to be one of the Europeans because I didn’t think Time Warp would come again.” The domestic way forward for Glorious Forever would surely include a start in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup and a likely rematch with Time Warp, who broke the two-minute barrier in winning that event earlier this year. But Lor would not rule out loftier goals. “I’ll need to talk to the owners first and I’ll need to have a good look at the overseas programmes so it’s a maybe,” Lor said. A winner of two from eight in England for Ed Walker, who saddled Cup entrant Stormy Antarctic (GB) (Stormy Atlantic), Glorious Forever made his Hong Kong debut some five months after Time Warp’s win in last year’s Cup, closing the campaign with a course-and-distance success in Class 2. He added another C2 victory in October and could not reel in the loose-on-the-lead Time Warp in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse two weeks ahead of his Jockey Club Cup debacle. Pedigree Notes: Glorious Forever is one of two winner for three to race for his dam, a winning daughter of the stakes-winning Heat of the Night (GB). Third dam Hot Thong (Brz) was a Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed in her native country and was bought back on a bid of 50,000gns when offered by Kirsten Rausing’s Lanwades Stud in foal to Selkirk at the 2002 Tattersalls December sale. Dam of the 2-year-old filly Heatwave (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), Here to Eternity foaled a filly by Oasis Dream (GB) this past Apr. 21. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong LONGINES HONG KONG CUP-G1, HK$28,000,000 (£2,806,306/€3,161,777/A$4,896,849/US$3,578,605), Sha Tin, 12-9, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:01.71, gd. 1–GLORIOUS FOREVER (GB), 126, g, 4, by Archipenko 1st Dam: Here to Eternity, by Stormy Atlantic 2nd Dam: Heat of the Night (GB), by Lear Fan 3rd Dam: Hot Thong (Brz), by Jarraar (110,000gns Ylg ’15 TATOCT). O-Michael Kwan Wing Lok; B-Miss K Rausing; T-Frankie Lor; J-Silvestre de Sousa; HK$15,960,000. Lifetime Record: 16-6-4-1, HK$20,768,000. *Full to Time Warp (GB), Ch. Middle Distance Horse & MG1SW-HK, MSW-Fr, $3,959,883. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. 2–Deirdre (Jpn), 122, f, 4, Harbinger (GB)-Reizend (Jpn), by Special Week (Jpn). (¥21,000,000 Ylg ’15 JPNJUL). O-T Morita; B-Northern Farm; T-M Hashida; J-Christophe Lemaire; HK$6,160,000. 3–Time Warp (GB), 126, g, 5, Archipenko-Here to Eternity, by Stormy Atlantic. (€37,000 Ylg ’14 TISEP). O-Martin Siu Kim Sun; B-Miss K Rausing; T-Tony Cruz; J-Zac Purton; HK$2,800,000. Margins: 1, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 34-5, 9-5, 41-10. Also Ran: Sungrazer (Jpn), Northern Superstar (SAf), Gold Mount (GB), Seasons Bloom (Aus), Stormy Antarctic (GB), Staphanos (Jpn). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. View the full article

It didn’t go their way in the features at the Longines Hong Kong International Races but John Size and Joao Moreira got their new partnership off to a strong start all the same, combining for two winners at Sha Tin on Sunday. Size had to settle for second and third in the Hong Kong Sprint and Moreira came second in the Vase, but their wins with Insayshable and Raging Storm gave fans a taste of what is to come. Sunday was the first day of Moreira’s six-month stint as Size’s... View the full article

Brazilian jockey Silvestre de Sousa capped off his perfect week with a flawless wire-to-wire victory on unproven Glorious Forever in the Longines Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) on Sunday. Following in his full brother’s footsteps, the Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained four-year-old kept his opposition at bay after managing to stack up the field with a series of easy sectional times. Ironically, it was full brother Time Warp that he kept out when De Sousa charged to the front from barrier one, forcing... View the full article

SILVESTRE DE SOUSA (Glorious Forever) “Everything was in my favour, the draw was perfect for riding a horse who could be one or two in the run. Everything went to the plan. I didn’t want to overdo it in front but to make sure Time Warp didn’t come around, I had to make sure we were going a true gallop. I won the battle for the first 300 metres and I was going so well at the 800, I thought to myself they would have to be very good to pick him up – it would have to be one... View the full article

ZAC PURTON (Beauty Generation) “That’s what we all hoped we’d see today I’m just happy for the horse that he’s come out and produced it on a big stage. He has shown everyone how brutally good he can be. Obviously he had a little bit of a setback and with the feet issues going into his last run when he ran off the track. You never want those things going into a Group One race so they do play on your mind a little bit. But once I worked him late this week and he felt... View the full article

There is now no doubt, Beauty Generation is one of the best horses on the planet. With the eyes of the world watching, John Moore’s superstar produced the performance of the day, running his Longines Hong Kong Mile rivals ragged to cement his status as the territory’s finest – and the trainer is hoping he can now showcase him across the globe. Beauty Generation jumped a $1.5 favourite, but carrying the weight of expectation proved not to be an issue, with top jockey Zac Purton... View the full article

KARIS TEETAN (Mr Stunning) “He had a lovely trip and I’m just so happy. It’s incredible. I’ve never felt like this. It’s the first time I’ve heard the crowd shouting like this. I just knew when I pressed the button he was going to go.” HKIR: Karis Teetan and Frankie Lor break through at Group One level as Mr Stunning lands back-to-back Sprints SAM CLIPPERTON (D B Pin) “I just needed that luck and unfortunately the luck enabled Karis to get a neck... View the full article

ZAC PURTON (Exultant) “I thought at that point he (Joao Moreira) had the better of me, he had the momentum. But my bloke just seemed to be loafing along a little bit and as Joao came to me he actually rolled in and bumped my horse. That seemed to fire him back up and he found his second wind then.” HKIR: Zac Purton pulls Exultant off canvas to deliver first Hong Kong Vase for legendary Tony Cruz JOAO MOREIRA (Lys Gracieux) “There is no doubt that her performance was... View the full article

The Longines Hong Kong Sprint delivered the same one-two finish as a year ago, but that was where the similarities ended with Mr Stunning’s win giving Karis Teetan and Frankie Lor Fu-chuen the Group One success they so craved. After acquiring Mr Stunning from his old boss John Size ahead of this season, Lor watched on as his stable star held off Size’s D B Pin for the second year running to hand the trainer the biggest moment of his career. And the result was of no less significance... View the full article

Champion jockey Zac Purton franked his title as Hong Kong’s best jockey when he pulled the Tony Cruz-trained Exultant off the canvas to win the Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) on Sunday. Purton looked all but certain to face defeat 150m from the winning post when crowd favourite Joao Moreira loomed up on Japanese raider Lys Gracieux, but Purton was able to get Exultant going again to win the HK$20 million race. The win was Purton’s second Hong Kong Vase and Tony Cruz’s first... View the full article

With rain clouds looming over Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, a sloppy track and the threat of continued rain did nothing to deter Underpressure, who claimed the Dec. 8 $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes. View the full article

The inaugural “Tampa Bay Owners Club” contest resulted in 90 fans correctly picking War Bridle (Shakin It Up), the 16-1 winner of race 7 at Tampa Bay Downs, a starter optional claimer. The 90 winners are now part of a fantasy syndicate, who will receive free admission, a program, a mutuel voucher, and concession discounts every time War Bridle runs this season at the Florida track. The “owners” may also visit the paddock each time the 2-year-old gelding is entered and can participate in the winner’s circle festivities if he wins. “We are delighted by the response from our fans, many of whom have expressed interest previously in learning about Thoroughbred ownership,” said Margo Flynn, the track’s Vice President of Marketing & Publicity. “We hope this will inspire them to look further into owning a racehorse for real as they learn more about the potential rewards of becoming involved.” Trained by Joan Scott, War Bridle was ridden by Jesus Castanon and is owned by David Davila’s Backstretch Farms, Inc. Approximately 1,000 entries were submitted for the contest. View the full article

Mexico's Triple Crown champion Kukulkan remained unbeaten in 14 career starts when he threw down a 10 1/4-length triumph in the $300,000 Caribbean Classic Stakes at Gulfstream Park Dec. 8. View the full article

Total handle on the Clasico Internacional del Caribe program at Gulfstream Park Saturday was $9.617 million, increasing from last year’s $8.822 million. The five stakes series was worth more than $700,000 in purses as part of the Clasico Internacional del Caribe, Latin America and the Caribbean’s premier Thoroughbred event hosted by Gulfstream for the second consecutive year. Saturday’s Clasico was highlighted by undefeated Kukulkan (Mex) (Point Determined), who won the $300,000 Clasico del Caribe (Caribbean Classic) and Jala Jala (Mex) (Point Determined), last year’s Clasico winner, becoming the first filly to also win the $100,000 Copa Confraternidad (Confraternity Carribean Cup). Trainer Fausto Gutierrez and Irad Ortiz Jr. partnered on both wins. “Once again, the atmosphere surrounding Clasico was incredible,” said Gulfstream General Manager Bill Badgett. “There was such a great energy surrounding the races and the entertainment. We witnessed great performances on the track and saw what incredible and passionate fans this sport has around the world. We look forward to seeing our friends again from the Confederation of Caribbean Racetracks.” Triple Threat… Mexico’s Triple Crown champion Kukulkan extended his career undefeated streak to 14 in a row Saturday with a 10 ¼-length triumph in the Carribean Classic, providing jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. with his third winner in the five-race Clasico Internacional del Caribe series. Ortiz, who also rode three winners during last year’s event, repeated the feat with victories aboard Kukulkan and Jala Jala, in addition to Puerto Rico’s Mishegas (Include), who took the Copa Invitacional (Invitational Cup). The 5-year-old gelding is trained by Jose Velez. “It’s great. I’m so happy to represent my country and Mexico too,” said Ortiz, a Puerto Rico native who is among the top candidates for this Year’s Eclipse Award as North America’s outstanding jockey. “It’s a pleasure to ride these kind of horses.” Trainer Fausto Gutierrez, who also enjoyed a banner day with winners Kukulkan and Jala Jala. Of the former, he said, “This is like a dream because [Kukulkan] has a lot of quality. We spoke a few days ago about the capacity he has. This horse has a lot of stamina and he won very easy today. He ran not in his normal style or as he has before. Irad took him and relaxed and relaxed and when he decided to go, the horse went easily. He’s a very professional horse, his attitude in the paddock and with everyone in the stands. He’s a real racehorse. To make history and win two back to back with these horses is a dream.” Kukulkan had notched five Group 1 victories, including all three legs of the Mexico Triple Crown, at Hipodromo de Las Americas in Mexico City. Cuadra San Jorge’s homebred colt won his last four races by 38 ½ lengths prior to winning Saturday’s Clasico. Mexican star filly Jala Jala made history Saturday at Gulfstream Park, saving ground early before drawing off to an impressive 4 ¾-length triumph in the Copa Confraternidad. The victory, coupled with her nine-length romp in the Clasico del Caribe last December, made Cuadra San Jorge’s Jala Jala the first filly ever to sweep the Clasico Internacional del Caribe’s premier races for 3-year-olds and older horses, beating males on both occasions. “I think this is amazing, because she is the first filly to win these two races and especially in the form she won in,” explained Gutierrez. “She won very clear and made history in this race.” Other Clasico winners on the card; Brigantia (Pan) (Concerto) bested Mexican filly Triple Crown winner Kutzamala (Mex) (Point Determined) in the Copa Dama del Caribe (Lady Carribean Cup) for 3-year-old fillies; and Big Boris One (Ven) (Jupiter Pluvius) remained undefeated with three-quarter length score over Magno (Mex) (More Than Regal) in the Copa Velocidad del Caribe (Carribean Cup Speed). View the full article

Trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Drayden Van Dyke completed a sweep of the grade 1 races at Los Alamitos Race Course Dec. 8 with Chasing Yesterday's head victory over longshot Enaya Alrabb in the $300,000 Starlet Stakes (G1). View the full article

‘TDN Rising Star’ CHASING YESTERDAY (f, 2, Tapit-Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman), a half-sister to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) had to work for it, but her determination paid off with a gutsy score in the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Saturday. Away well from the outside post in this six-horse affair, the favorite was three-wide rounding the first turn as stablemate and fellow ‘Rising Star’ Mother Mother (Pioneerof the Nile) strode up to dictate terms with Sold It (The Factor) and Enaya Alrabb (Uncle Mo) stacked up beside her. Chasing Yesterday settled in a joint fourth, tracking the top three through opening splits of :23.25 and :47.07. Backing off a bit to caboose the sextet, the chestnut re-asserted herself on the backstretch run and ranged up alongside the top three to make it four across the track exiting the bend. Sold It threw in the towel and Mother Mother desperately fought to stay with Chasing Yesterday and Enaya Alrabb, but did not have enough left in the tank, leaving those rivals to battle it out. It was a nail-biting duel to the wire with Enaya Alrabb hanging tough with her more seasoned rival, but in the end Chasing Yesterday proved far too classy for the recent maiden winner, forging clear in the final strides for a narrow victory. It was the first Grade I success for both the filly and her owner Jane Lyon of Summer Wind Farm, who is the breeder of four top-level scorers in Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon), McKinzie (Street Sense), undefeated Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}). An ultra-impressive debut winner at Del Mar July 28, Chasing Yesterday was a disappointing seventh after encountering some trouble in Saratoga’s GI Spinaway S. Sept. 1. She returned to California in good form, rattling off wins in the Anoakia S. at Santa Anita Oct. 14 and the Desi Arnaz S. back at Del Mar last time Nov. 12. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0. O/B-Summer Wind Equine (KY); T-Bob Baffert. View the full article

Duric wins back-to-back champion jockey titles View the full article

See seals first title with first Group win in Colonial Chief View the full article

Aslam treble signals second coming View the full article

Rafaello flies Rocket Man’s colours high View the full article

Lim's Cruiser seventh in Hong Kong Sprint View the full article

Horses' body weights December 9 View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings December 9 View the full article

Sir Winston forged to the lead in the final turn and held off a familiar foe to earn his first stakes victory in the $100,000 Display Stakes for 2-year-olds Dec. 8 at Woodbine. View the full article

Beauty Generation is already the best horse Zac Purton has ever ridden, but Sunday is the day he can confirm his status as one of the finest on the planet. John Moore’s six-year-old is undoubtedly the banner horse of this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races – he is clearly the highest-rated runner – and the pressure is on to deliver. Last year, Beauty Generation was the feel-good story of the event, an honest grinder who went around at each-way odds to give... View the full article