Wandering Eyes

• Classic winner War of Will (War Front), a disappointing ninth in the GI Belmont S., breezed in company with GI Woody Stephens S. fourth Strike Silver (Violence) at Saratoga Saturday. With Tyler Gaffalione in the irons, War of Will, breezing outside of Strike Silver, overtook his stablemate down the lane and galloped out strong. He covered five furlongs in 1:00.43 while Strike Silver stopped the clock in 1:00.64. The GI Preakness S. hero is targeting this summer’s GII Jim Dandy S. July 27 and GI Runhappy Travers S. Aug. 24. Strike Silver is being pointed to the GII Amsterdam S. July 28. “He always amazes me how effortlessly he does things,” trainer Mark Casse said of War of Will. “I wanted to put a little air into him. He looks great. He’s put on about 100 pounds and his color is really good. He doesn’t look like a horse that has been through the wars of the Triple Crown.” • Tax (Arch), winner of this term’s GIII Withers S. and a close fourth in the GI Belmont S., breezed a half-mile on the Oklahoma training track in :49.95 seconds Saturday in preparation for a start in the GII Jim Dandy S. “He’s moving great. He’s doing better than he’s ever done right now,” trainer Danny Gargan said. “I wanted him to go in :50 and he went :49 4/5. He worked fast last week and I just wanted to have an easy breeze this week and then we’ll bring him back next week and tighten him up. I’m really happy with how he’s doing. He looks better now than he’s ever looked. His coat is coming around. Everything about him is good right now.” • Tacitus (Tapit), winner of the GII Wood Memorial S. and runner-up in the GI Belmont S., and last term’s GI Woodward S. winner Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), breezed five furlongs in tandem over the Oklahoma training track Saturday. Tacitus, targeting a start in the GII Jim Dandy S., completed the five-furlong breeze in 1:01 flat. Yoshida, being aimed at the GI Whitney Aug. 3, worked in 1:00.90. “Real good work,” Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said. “I thought they both went well. We just want to keep them happy, healthy and stay on their respective courses. [Tacitus is] pretty much about the same as we had him for the Belmont. He was going good into that race and he’s continued to do so.” • ‘TDN Rising Star’ Global Campaign (Curlin), a sharp winner over subsequent GI Belmont S. hero Sir Winston (Awesome Again) in the GIII Peter Pan S. last time May 11, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.16 Saturday morning over the Saratoga main track. He remains on target for the GII Jim Dandy S. “I thought he worked great and came back good,” trainer Stanley Hough said. “He cooled out good. It was a step in the right direction.” The post Saturday’s Saratoga Notes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the GI TVG.com Haskell Invitational S. looming July 20, GI Belmont S. third-place finisher Joevia (Shanghai Bobby) and TVG.com Pegasus S. winner King for a Day (Uncle Mo) put in their final works Saturday morning for the big event, which is worth $1 million and will be held for the 52nd time at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park. Joevia, who is already on the Monmouth grounds, worked with fellow Greg Sacco runner Bal Bay Drive (First Samurai). Sacco said he went five furlongs in :58.2 with Hector Diaz, Jr. aboard. “He worked super,” said Sacco. “That was what we were looking for. We know he’s a nice colt. We wanted to go for it today. I didn’t want to pussyfoot into the Haskell. He did it well within himself.” Meanwhile, King for a Day is at Saratoga and went five panels in 1:01 with John Velazquez in the saddle. His work took place over the Oklahoma training track for trainer Todd Pletcher. He worked in tandem with Just Right (Into Mischief), who is pointing to the Finger Lakes Derby. “It was a maintenance work, but he was in the bridle strong,” said Red Oak Stable racing manager Rick Sacco, “and [Velazquez] never moved on him.” King for a Day, who galloped out seven-eighths in 1:28, will again face Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) in the Haskell. Maximum Security was the 1-20 favorite in the June 16 Pegasus, but finished second that day to King for a Day in a surprise upset. Eight contenders are pointing to the Haskell. In addition to Joevia, King for a Day, and Maximum Security, who is expected to register his final work on Monday, the other probables are Mucho Gusto (Mucho Macho Man), Everfast (Take Charge Indy), Spun to Run (Hard Spun), Chilly in Charge (Take Charge Indy), and Bethlehem Road (Quality Road). The post Final Haskell Works for King for a Day & Joevia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Freshman sire Dramedy gained his first winner July 12 when Southgate won the Iowa Stallion Futurity at Prairie Meadows. View the full article

Brereton C. Jones has been selected by the Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Club of America as the 2019 Honor Guest, Club President Katherine LaMonica announced Friday. Jones will be honored by the Club at its 88th Testimonial Dinner at Keeneland Race Course Sept. 27. “The Thoroughbred Club of America is excited to name Brereton C. Jones as our 2019 Honor Guest,” said LaMonica. “Governor Jones’ commitment and success in the Thoroughbred industry, along with the state of Kentucky, make him a deserving recipient of the Honor Guest award.” Jones, who was born June 27, 1939 and raised in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Jones attended the University of Virginia on a football scholarship before graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and returned home to West Virginia. Later, Jones decided to run for public office and became a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. Two years later, he was chosen as the youngest Minority Leader in state history. Jones, who moved to Kentucky in the early 1970s after marrying Elizabeth (Libby) Lloyd, established Airdrie Stud. He was elected Governor of Kentucky from 1991-1995 and Lt. Governor from 1987-1991. The Joneses have two children–Lucy and Bret, who is married to Tyler Bell Jones–along with three grandchildren; “B”, Jack and Thomas. Jones is a founding member of the Breeders’ Cup and KEEP (Kentucky Equine Education Project) and currently serves as a Member of the Jockey Club. In 2008 Jones was the recipient of the Warner L. Jones Horseman of the Year Award for outstanding service to the Thoroughbred industry. He was also instrumental in the formation of the KBIF (Kentucky Breeders’ Incentive Fund). To date, Airdrie Stud has bred over 150 stakes winners and has campaigned over 20 Grade I winners, while Jones’ racing exploits include victories in the 2015 GI Kentucky Oaks with Lovely Maria, the 2012 GI Kentucky Oaks with Believe You Can and the 2008 GI Kentucky Oaks with Proud Spell. The last named filly also won the GI Alabama S. and earned an Eclipse Award for the Outstanding Three-Year-Old filly in America. The post Jones 2019 TCA Honor Guest appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

ParisLongchamp plays its part in the Bastille Day celebrations on Sunday, when the G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris is the focus. Generally the preserve of Andre Fabre, it looks likely to go west this year with Aidan O’Brien saddling the impressive G2 King Edward VII S. winner Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Third in the G1 Epsom Derby on June 1, last year’s G2 Beresford S. scorer went through that June 21 Royal Ascot contest with a casual air to suggest he could take high rank among the stable’s Arc candidates. This is the ideal testing ground for the October showpiece and the Ballydoyle handler said, “Japan is good and everything seems fine since Ascot. He had a little bit of a setback in the spring and that is why he just barely made the run at York. We had to wait and see how he was after York and that is why we felt he was just about ready to run in the Derby. He ran a very nice race there.” Fabre, who has won this in its various guises a record 13 times, looks to pose the biggest threat to Ballydoyle with a trio headed by Godolphin’s Roman Candle (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}). Upped to a trip that is certain to suit, the May 1 G2 Prix Greffulhe scorer caught the eye when a troubled fifth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over 10 1/2 furlongs at Chantilly on June 2. “Roman Candle ran a very encouraging race in the Prix du Jockey Club, which Andre Fabre hopes has set him up nicely for this contest,” Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard said. “We would be delighted if he were to finish in the first three.” Only 12th in the Chantilly Classic and disappointing, the stable’s Slalom (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) has to bounce back to the form of his Apr. 14 G3 Prix Noailles success here while Fabre also saddles one for the sponsors in the Maisons-Laffitte conditions winner In Favour (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Elsewhere on the card, last year’s G1 Prix du Cadran hero Call the Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}) takes on the G1 Prix Royal-Oak winner Holdthasigreen (Fr) (Hold That Tiger) and Marmelo (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) in the G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil, with the latter bidding for back-to-back renewals. Charlie Appleby runs two in the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure, with James Doyle opting for the June 22 Newmarket novice scorer Saqqara King (American Pharoah). “We were pleased with Saqqara King’s win at Newmarket and he has definitely come forward for the run,” he said. “His work has been pleasing and looks like stepping up in trip in time will suit him. I feel he has got a nice progressive profile.” The post Japan Takes Aim At The Grand Prix appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Red Oak Stable's King for a Day and Michael and Jeff Fazio's Joevia put in their final serious works July 13 for Monmouth Park's $1 million TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) July 20. View the full article

By Your Side became the first stakes winner for Constitution July 13 when the Eddie Kenneally trainee came home a winner in the $150,000 Sanford Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

MERU (c, 2, Sky Mesa–Lady Lavery, by Elusive Quality) didn’t take much money to be off at 9-2 with a decidedly unassuming worktab at nearby Colts Neck Stables showing, but the youngster put on a very impressive afternoon display to garner the ‘TDN Rising Star’ distinction. Not off particularly sharply, the bay tugged his way up to chase Embolden (The Factor) through a :22.42 opening quarter. Poking his head in front at the top of the lane, he leveled off powerfully from there and widenened his edge to about six lengths on the frontrunner, stopping the clock in :57.32. A $75,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling, Meru blossomed into a $300,000 OBS April grad after breezing a co-quickest :9 4/5 during the sale’s second under-tack session. Sales history: $75,000 Ylg ’18 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Colts Neck Stables LLC. B-Godolphin (Ky). T-Jorge Duarte, Jr. The post Sky Mesa Colt Earns Rising Star Distinction at the Shore appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

BY YOUR SIDE (c, 2, Constitution–Revered, by Dixie Union) took serious tote attention to go off as the 7-5 chalk in Saturday’s GII Sanford S. at Saratoga, and the flashy colt ran to the money to become the first black-type winner for his first-crop sire (by Tapit). Breaking on top from the outside post five, the blaze-faced bay tracked speedy Tomato Bill (More Than Ready) while out in the clear through splits of :22.60 and :46.19. He came to tackle the frontrunner in the lane, and wore him down by midstretch en route to a comfortable three-length tally in 1:10.22. Tomato Bill dug in to cross the wire second ahead of California invader Raging Whiskey (Bourbon Courage) while seeming to squeeze that one out from his rail spot late. The stewards looked at the incident, but ruled that it did not impact the order of finish. By Your Side took his Churchill debut by a nose June 14–third that day was subsequent GIII Bashford Manor S. show horse Verb (Dialed In). Conditioner Eddie Kenneally, who had an extremely strong Churchill Downs spring meet that saw him win at a 30% clip, took the 2016 Sanford here with ‘TDN Rising Star’ Bitumen (Mineshaft), who was also a first-out winner in Louisville. Sales history: $240,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Anderson Stables LLC. B-Columbiana Farm LLC (Ky). T-Eddie Kenneally. The post Constitution Colt Cruises to Popular Score in Sanford appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

CASSE UNVEILS PRICEY EMPIRE MAKER Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 5th-ELP, $50K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 3:42p.m. John Oxley went to $450,000 to acquire EMPIRE ANGEL (Empire Maker) at the OBS April sale after she breezed in :21 1/5, making her the most expensive juvenile to sell by her Gainesway sire this season. The half-sister to SP Sugar Queen (Gemologist) debuts in this spot for trainer Mark Casse. TJCIS PPs WELL-RELATED TIZNOW DEBUTS AT ELLIS 8th-ELP, $50K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 5:10p.m. Don Alberto homebred SEND ME ON MY WAY (Tiznow) makes her first trip to the post for Brad Cox here. Her dam is a daughter of MGISW Finder’s Fee (Storm Cat) and a half-sister to SP Receipt (Dynaformer), who is the dam of GSW & MGISP Feathered (Indian Charlie). The bay’s third dam is Grade I victress Fantastic Find (Mr. Prospector). TJCIS PPs The post July 14th Insights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Retaining his title in the G2 Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile at Ascot on Saturday, King Power Racing’s Beat the Bank (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) unfortunately suffered a life-ending injury in the process. Following a second in the June 18 G1 Queen Anne S., the 2-1 favourite chased the early trio under Silvestre de Sousa and looked for much of the final furlong to be losing out to Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}). Forging ahead with all of the will and spirit that marked his distinguished career, the 5-year-old sustained the injury yards from the post and was already pulling up short as he hit the line a nose ahead. Saturday, Ascot, Britain FRED COWLEY MBE MEMORIAL SUMMER MILE S.-G2, £140,000, Ascot, 7-13, 4yo/up, 7f 213yT, 1:39.20, g/f. 1–BEAT THE BANK (GB), 130, g, 5, by Paco Boy (Ire) 1st Dam: Tiana (GB) (SP-Eng), by Diktat (GB) 2nd Dam: Hill Welcome (GB), by Most Welcome (GB) 3rd Dam: Tarvie, by Swing Easy (18,000gns RNA Wlg ’14 TATFOA; 30,000gns Ylg ’15 TAOCT). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-A S Denniff (GB); T-Andrew Balding; J-Silvestre de Sousa. £79,394. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 19-9-1-0, $773,824. *1/2 to Salt Island (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Zaaki (GB), 127, g, 4, Leroidesanimaux (Brz)–Kesara (GB), by Sadler’s Wells. (40,000gns Ylg ’16 TAOCT). O-Ahmad Alotaibi; B-Kirsten Rausing (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £30,100. 3–Suedois (Fr), 127, g, 8, Le Havre (Ire)–Cup Cake (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire). (€165,000 4yo ’15 ARARC). O-George Turner & Clipper Logistics; B-Elisabeth Vidal (FR); T-David O’Meara. £15,064. Margins: NO, 1HF, 1HF. Odds: 2.00, 2.75, 14.00. Also Ran: Accidental Agent (GB), Matterhorn (Ire), Wadilsafa (GB), Awesometank (GB), Tip Two Win (GB). Scratched: Dream Castle (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Beat the Bank Dies After Brave Summer Mile Repeat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a renewal of the G1 Darley July Cup dominated by the 3-year-olds, TDN Risings Star Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) led his group all the way up the centre under a determined Ryan Moore to inflict a heavy defeat on the 3-1 favourite Advertise (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), with Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in third. 1–TEN SOVEREIGNS (IRE), 126, c, 3, by No Nay Never 1st Dam: Seeking Solace (GB) (SP-Fr), by Exceed And Excel (Aus) 2nd Dam: Flamelet, by Theatrical (Ire) 3rd Dam: Darling Flame, by Capote (200,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Camas Park, Lynch Bages & Summerhill (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £283,550. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 6-4-0-0, £522,825. The post No Nay Never’s Ten Sovereigns Takes the July Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

King Power Racing’s Mystery Power (Ire) (No Nay Never) came out on top in Saturday’s G2 bet365 Superlative S. at Newmarket to suggest he is a colt with genuine 2000 Guineas pretensions. Having impressed when beating the subsequent winner Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) at Haydock June 22, the 7-1 shot raced close to the pace out wide and was committed by Oisin Murphy approaching the two-furlong pole. Chased to the line by Juan Elcano (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the bay held on to score by a length, with Maxi Boy (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) 3 1/4 lengths back in third. “He’s a super little horse and I was happy to get a tow and keep it simple,” Murphy said. “He’s tough and very professional and hit the line very strongly, so hopefully he’ll get a mile in time but he doesn’t need to at the moment.” MYSTERY POWER (IRE), c, 2, No Nay Never–Gems (GB), by Haafhd (GB). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Ms Siobhan O’Rahilly (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Oisin Murphy. £45,368. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, £51,837. The post Superlative Success For No Nay Never’s Mystery Power 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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Zac Purton believes he needs a “miracle” to break Joao Moreira’s all-time record of 170 winners in a single season.Purton has enjoyed a career-defining season which has yielded 166 winners to date but he said he does not have the book of rides on Sunday at Sha Tin to take him to the record number.“The quality of my rides towards the back end of the season haven’t quite been there to push for it so unless a miracle happens it looks like it is going to be a little bit tough,” Purton said despite… View the full article

Cambridge Stud sire Tavistock was the star of the show on Saturday, with his progeny Travimyfriend, Tavirun and Bedford all successful at Caulfield, while his six-year-old son, Curragh, was a winner in Sydney. New Zealand Group One placegetter Travimyfriend broke through for his first Australian win since he and trainer Rachael Frost relocated across the Tasman last year and was sent out at the lucrative odds of $16 despite his good recent form. Cranbourne trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie You... View the full article

John Moore needs to turn back the clock to pinch an unlikely trainers’ championship off 10-time winner John Size at Sha Tin on Sunday.Moore trails Size by two winners heading into the season finale, but knows he has done it before from a similar position after he won four of the last six races on the same day in 2011 to beat Tony Cruz by two.Eight years down the track, Moore said it can be done again and takes 11 horses into the day.“Now history has to repeat itself, I have to go back to when I… View the full article

New Zealand Group One placegetter Travimyfriend has broken through for his first Australian win and given his trainer Rachael Frost her first Melbourne Saturday city success since her move across the Tasman. Frost relocated last year from New Zealand to Mornington where she trains a small team of horses including Travimyfriend and recent Sandown midweek winner Deep Euphoria. Travimyfriend was third in the Group One Haunui Farm Classic (1600m) in New Zealand in February last year while he had bee... View the full article

Tough as teak ten-year-old Gagarin proved the best stayer when he came from last in the early running to win the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham. The Kevin Myers-trained Pentire gelding wasn’t at his fluent best when jumping the first few fences in the 5500m contest but slowly warmed to his task as the field completed the first of three laps of the unique figure eight Trentham steeplechase course. Rider Mathew Gillies allowed his charge to bowl along behind his nine ... View the full article

A plan to use new front-running tactics on classy mare Another Dollar (NZ) (Ocean Park) proved a winning move at Doomben on Saturday. There were only six runners in the race and none of them had led at any of their starts Trainer Chris Waller's Queensland manager Paul Shailer realised the situation and instructed jockey Ryan Maloney to lead on the mare. It worked with Another Dollar beating her stablemate Savacool (NZ) (Savabeel) by 1-1/4 lengths with three-quarters of a length to Mongolian Wolf... View the full article

Fresh from securing a feature jumping double on their home track at Hastings last month, the training partnership of Paul Nelson and Corinna McDougal were at it again at Trentham on Saturday when No Tip took out the Anuka Smoker Wellington Hurdle (3400m). The lightly raced Mettre En Jeu seven-year-old was having just his ninth career run and only third over fences when he out-stayed his rivals on the brutal Heavy11 track conditions after a beautifully judged ride from Aaron Kuru. Kuru allowed No... View the full article

Local two-year-old Annie’s Song indicated she could be a filly with a big future after she made a winning debut over 1000m at Ruakaka on Saturday. The Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley-trained youngster was well supported off the back of a handy performance at the Avondale trials last month and delivered on that promise as she drove clear in the run home to win comfortably by a length and a quarter for rider Craig Grylls. “She’s going to make a lovely three-year-old, as on what she has done... View the full article

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

The end is in sight of the tense quarantine stand-off between Hong Kong and Australia.Australian authorities have requested to officially tour the Jockey Club’s Conghua training facility in mainland China, marking one of the final steps required to restore previous biosecurity regulations between the two jurisdictions.The Post understands the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has written to Chinese officials requesting to visit the site and are awaiting a response… View the full article

Sticking with the best-laid plans, trainer Catherine Day Phillips and owners Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry were rewarded when Mr Havercamp rolled to the lead July 12 and posted a half-length victory over yielding turf in Saratoga's Forbidden Apple. View the full article