Wandering Eyes

Woodworth aiming for a second Derby Peak View the full article

Gary Barber's Grade 1 Preakness-winner War of Will is now stabled with trainer Mark Casse's contingent in Saratoga and could potentially target the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy on Saturday, July 27 at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

The stakes season for 2-year-old males at Saratoga Race Course kicks off July 13 on a modest note with a field of five lined up for the six-furlong $150,000 Sanford Stakes (G3). View the full article

It's the second weekend in July, not the first in November, yet there's a Breeders' Cup feel for the first grade 1 stakes of the 40-day Saratoga Race Course meet. View the full article

Schedule includes 45 stakes worth $11.525 million in purse money. View the full article

Equine Equipment concluded its inaugural “For the Good” program for 2019 with almost a dozen aftercare programs being helped by a donation of a Toro or Exmark commercial mower for the summer mowing season. The initiative was launched as a way to give back and show support for the horse industry and the equine athletes after they leave the track. Among the programs that were previously announced as recipients of mower donations were the Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation in Oklahoma, ReRun in New York (in memory of Rick Violette Jr.), After the Races in Maryland, War Horses at Rose Bower in Virginia, New Vocations at Mereworth Farm in Kentucky and Step Ahead Thoroughbred Retirement in Florida (in memory of Kent Stirling). In addition to those donations of a mower to be used in 2019, a Toro mower was donated to the Maryland Jockey Club and was raffled off prior to the GI Preakness S. with proceeds benefiting the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. New Vocations at Ridgewood Stables, MidAtlantic Horse Rescue Inc., LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society and the Standardbred Transition Alliance were also recipients of a Toro or Exmark mower. The post Equine Equipment’s “For the Good” Program Helps Nearly a Dozen Aftercare Facilities appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When 5-year-old Elate attempts to defend her 2018 victory in the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (G2) July 13 at Delaware Park, the two-time grade 1 winner will be carrying five extra pounds compared with last year's effort. View the full article

After two open-length victories at Churchill Downs, Allied Racing Stable's Mr. Money is heading to Indiana Grand July 13, where he'll look to make it three in a row in the $500,000 Indiana Derby (G3). View the full article

Saratoga Springs, NY–Following form, the past and the present collide at Saratoga Race Course as a new season begins at America’s ancient and wildly popular track. Only half-jokingly cautioning that there might still be wet paint on some surfaces, David O’Rourke, the new president and CEO of the New York Racing Association, presided over the opening of the 1863 Club Tuesday afternoon. The $30-million, three-story, 36,000 square-foot structure with a gleaming copper roof was built on the space next to the 91-year-old clubhouse that has long been the home of the At the Rail Pavilion dining tent. It is connected to the clubhouse by a bridge that spans the path horses take from the paddock to the track prior to every race. Joining the white tent in Saratoga history are the trailers on the first turn that served as “luxury boxes” since 2003. They have been replaced by a striking modern winterized building designed by Matt Hurff. The first floor–The Rail at the 1863 Club–has buffet dining for up to 500 people. The second floor is split between the Founder’s Room and Legends Hall, a space that can be reserved and can accommodate groups of up to 100 people. The top floor has five suites, two of which have been rented for the entire meet. The Founder’s Room is connected to the old clubhouse by the bridge, but requires a separate admission. According to NYRA, prices for dining on the first floor range from $150 per person on Sundays and Labor Day to $300 on Whitney Day, Aug. 3. A seasonal package price for the Founder’s Room is $6,000 per person, but other options are available. “It was the one piece of real estate that made sense to develop,” O’Rourke said. “I think everybody bought in on that and that is important whenever you do a project up here. There are so many stakeholders. It could be difficult, but it’s much better to get consensus on it. And it’s not the type of place, obviously, where you’re going to make quick decisions. It’s Saratoga. This building was a logical investment for us.” While some past NYRA administrations made updates at the track with little or no input from the local community, the 1863 Club was a collaborative effort that included Samantha Bosshart, executive director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. “Change has always been part of Saratoga Race Course and not always easily accepted at first,” Bosshart said. “The opening of the 1863 Club marks one of the largest single investments to be made since the current clubhouse was built in 1928.” Hurff, 47, noted that the until the 1960s horses entered the track on a path flanked by Doric columns under the clubhouse. The bridge between the clubhouse and the 1863 Club is meant to recreate that feeling. “That was the prime driver for it,” Hurff said. “There was a real ceremony that was lost when that became a bar area. We really wanted to restore that sense of arrival, of entry, onto the track.” Funding for 1863 Club came from the 4 percent of gross gaming revenue of the VLTs at the Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct Racetrack. The percentage was set in the contract that allowed for gaming beyond racing at Aqueduct. The new building is the largest addition to the track since 1965 when NYRA spent a reported $3.5 million to extend the grandstand by 550 feet, added 2,600 seats, two escalators, new dining facilities and more mutuel windows. Hurff, who earned his master’s degree in architecture from Harvard, has lived in Saratoga Springs since 2001. He is a partner in Frost Hurff Architects and has worked on several other projects at the track. He said the copper roof for the 1863 Club matches what he has done on parts of the track and was an effort for a different, yet appropriate look. “We wanted something that was a material that was here, but there is so much slate on that whole stretch of building that we felt it might be a little too redundant to put more slate on,” he said. “It kind of shows that the building is new, but it still ties it into the aesthetic of the property here.” Hurff said that as he created plans for the building with huge windows facing the track he was careful to respect the reasons why Saratoga Race Course is beloved and has stood the test of time. “The struggle is that you wanted all the comfort of an enclosed building but you wanted that open Saratoga porch feel,” he said. “People come here because of the way it feels to be here. They come to watch to watch the horses, but more people would not come here if the place wasn’t the way it was. I was very concerned about preserving the character because if you mess up the character here then it all falls apart.” The post 1863 Club Opens at Saratoga Racecourse 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 MG1SW Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). 5.50 Leopardstown, Mdn, €17,500, 2yo, f, 7fT ALPINE STAR (IRE) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) is a half-sister to the four-times Group 1 winner Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) who debuts for the same Niarchos Family-Jessie Harrington axis. The March-foaled chestnut meets a trio from Ballydoyle headed by Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a half-sister to the classy Lucky Kristale (GB) (Lucky Story) who was second to another of the Harrington stable’s juveniles in TDN Rising Star Windracer (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) in a Curragh maiden last month. The post Observations: July 11, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 1st-LRL, $40k, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:10 p.m. ET A well-bred colt from the family of Horse of the Year and Champion 2-year-old Favorite Trick (Phone Trick) will attempt to become the first winner for his freshman sire in Thursday’s opener at Laurel. St. Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds’ NIGHT CODE (Honor Code) is a half-brother to the precocious Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon), who captured her first three lifetime starts as a juvenile, including victories in the GI Del Mar Debutante S. and GI Chandelier S. Night Code fetched $500,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September Sale and enters this maiden special contest for trainer Steve Asmussen after recording a bullet half-mile breeze out of the gate at Keeneland in :46 2/5 (1/17) June 25. TJCIS PPS 5th-DEL, $34k, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 3:15 p.m. ET Dell Ridge Farm homebred Accumulate (Hard Spun) makes her career bow in Delaware’s card Thursday afternoon. The Cathal Lynch trained-filly is a half-sister to GI Carter S. hero and third-crop stallion Morning Line (Tiznow). TJCIS PPS The post July 11 Insights: $500k Honor Code Colt Debuts at Laurel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As was the case during Monday’s yearling section of the JRHA Select Sales, several of the top offerings during Tuesday’s foal section are the produce of mares acquired by Japanese interests either privately or at public auction in the U.S. over the past several seasons. Five foals from these mares realized final bids in excess of ¥100 million (about $909,000) Tuesday, here is a brief recap: Hip 423, c, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Tammy the Torpedo, by More Than Ready, sale price: ¥180,000,000 ($1,636,364) Buyer: Danox Co. Ltd. Consigned by Dr. Masataka Iida’s Chiyoda Farm, this March-foaled dark bay is the second produce from MGSW and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Tammy the Torpedo, who was purchased by Iida for $1.65 million in foal to War Front at Keeneland November in 2017. The 7-year-old half-sister to GSW Seek and Destroy (Verrazano) is dam of a yearling colt by the Claiborne sire who was bought back out of last year’s foal sale. Hip 411, c, King Kamehameha (Jpn)–So Many Ways, by Sightseeing, sale price: ¥170,000,000 ($1,545,455) Buyer: Y’s Consignment Sales This Northern Farm-consignee is the third Japanese foal out of 2012 GI Spinaway S. winner So Many Ways, who continued a brilliant run at the Select Sales since her private purchase. The former Maggi Moss runner’s Heart’s Cry (Jpn) colt of 2017 made ¥200 million as a yearling last July, while her foal of 2018, a Deep Impact (Jpn) filly was knocked down for ¥94 million at the same sale. Her current 4-year-old, Satono Eternal (Jpn) (Deep Imact {Jpn}) was a ¥115 million acquisition out of the 2015 foal sale. Hip 350, c, Heart’s Cry (Jpn)–Coasted by Tizway, sale price: ¥160,000,000 ($1,454,546) Buyer: Danox Co. Ltd Katsumi Yoshida went to $1.3 million for SW & GISP Coasted at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton November Sale and the mare’s first foal paid the bill Tuesday. Coasted is a full-sister to MGSP Malibu Stacy and a half to the 3-year-old filly Noiva (Temple City), who most recently graduated on the main track at Hanshin June 9. Hip 422, c, Frankel (GB)–Finest City, by City Zip, sale price: ¥100,000,000 ($909,091) Buyer: Danox Co. Ltd This Jan. 29 foal is the first from Eclipse Award and GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Finest City, the most expensive of six mares purchased by Katsumi Yoshida at FTKNOV in 2017. The Pennsylvania-bred was hammered down for $1.5 million. Hip 315, c, Curlin–Alluring Star, by Exchange Rate, sale price: ¥82,000,000 ($745,455) Buyer: Three H Racing Co. Ltd. The lone representative of an American-based stallion in the foal sale, the chestnut is out of the 2017 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and GI Chandelier S. runner-up and was purchased in utero for $925,000 at KEENOV last fall. Alluring Star, a $125,000 Keeneland September yearling, was purchased by Baoma Corp. for $850,000 as an OBS March breezer. The post Tammy the Torpedo Colt Shines at JRHA Foal Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Seven days of live racing will be conducted at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium from Aug. 23 through Sept. 2. Purses will be over $185,000 daily, and two stakes will be held–the $75,000 Maryland Coalition S. for 3-year-olds and up going 6 1/2 furlongs Aug. 24; and the Timonium Distaff S. for Maryland-bred and sired fillies and mares going the same distance Aug. 31. A $20,000 trainers’ bonus will again be offered, and grooms will be presented with a best turned out award for each race. The post Timonium Racing Schedule Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s day 2 of the July meeting at HQ and the Falmouth Stakes takes centre stage with Qabala looking to put a disappointing run in the Irish Guineas behind here. The Albany winner looks the one to beat in the Duchess of Cambridge, while there is a competitive Group 3 to enjoy from York. Newmarket […] The post Friday Preview – Qabala Can Fend Off Rivals In Falmouth appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Dale Romans knows the July 20 TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) represents a significant challenge for Calumet Farm's Everfast. But it's not as if the trainer hasn't been in this position before for Monmouth Park's signature race. View the full article

The New York Racing Association officially announced Wednesday that part of the 37-day Belmont fall meet would be held at Aqueduct Racetrack due to the construction of a new arena at Belmont Park that will host the NHL’s New York Islanders. The meet will start at Belmont Park Sept. 6 and remain there until Oct. 6, at which point racing will shift to Aqueduct–dubbed Belmont at the Big A–from Oct. 11 through Oct. 27. Racing at both venues will be conducted on a Wednesday through Sunday schedule. Post times will be announced in the near future and could include adjustments to better accommodate construction. “The redevelopment project at Belmont Park will have a long-lasting and multifaceted positive impact on the surrounding community. In light of the construction, it is important to adjust our calendar to ensure NYRA’s fall racing program will run safely and efficiently for all participants,” said NYRA CEO and President David O’Rourke. “We appreciate the patience of our horsemen, fans and the community and look forward to another outstanding fall season of racing in New York.” The 37-day Belmont fall meet will feature 45 stakes worth $11.525 million in purses–a $1.45-million increase from 2018. Highlights of the meet include the inaugural $1-million Jockey Club Derby and $750,000 Jockey Club Oaks Sept. 7; the Jockey Club Gold Cup Racing Festival card Sept. 28, which includes a pair of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events including the $750,000 GI Jockey Club Gold Cup; the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Racing Festival a week later Oct. 5 and 6, featuring five more Breeders’ Cup qualifiers highlighted by the $500,000 GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. New York-breds will be in the spotlight on Saturday, Oct. 19 with Empire State Breeders’ Showcase Day featuring eight restricted stakes worth $1.75 million. Click for the complete stakes schedule. The post Belmont Fall Meet to Include Early Move to Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) will have representatives stationed at the NYRA Community Booth during Saratoga’s opening day card Thursday. TRF will be honoring Quick Call, a TRF retiree and herd ambassador who celebrated his 35th birthday this year. The GIII Quick Call S. is one of a pair of graded features to be held at the Spa on opening day. The booth will feature a “Thoroughbred Trivia Challenge”, TRF merchandise, and a chance to meet the Program Manager of the TRF Second Chances Program in Wallkill, NY. The Community Booth is located just beyond the horse path, inside the East Avenue/Union Avenue entrance to the grandstand. It is to the right, behind the Jockeys’ Room/Silks Room. To honor Quick Call, the TRF is launching a “1,000 wishes” birthday campaign, with the goal of securing 1,000 gifts of $35 each from horse racing enthusiasts in honor of Quick Call’s 35 years. The campaign will launch July 11 and will finish on closing day of the Saratoga meet, Sept. 2. To learn more, visit his page here. The post TRF to Honor Quick Call at Saratoga Community Booth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Michael Dubb, David Simon, Bruce Irom and Bethlehem Stables’ Call Paul (Friesan Fire) earned his signature victory last summer at Saratoga in the GII Saratoga Special S., and he returns to the Spa on opening day this year, only it’ll be on the lawn as the morning-line favorite in the GIII Quick Call S., his turf debut. Third in the GI Champagne S. and GIII Nashua S. after his Saratoga Special heroics, the $210,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic buy was an easy winner of the state-bred Pennsylvania Nursery S. before obliging as the favorite in the GIII Swale S. in his sophomore bow. Unable to make an impact when third in the GIII Bay Shore., he showed improved speed with blinkers added in his last two, running second in the Gold Fever S. May 12 at Belmont and annexing the Pennsylvania-bred Danzig S. June 1 at Penn National. Hat Creek Racing’s Abyssinian (Cairo Prince) breaks from the rail as the race’s lone filly. A seven-length victress as a juvenile last spring, the gray was laid up for over nine months, but returned with a 6 3/4-length romp in her turf bow Feb. 28 at Gulfstream. Third against the boys in the Palisades Turf Sprint S. Apr. 4 at Keeneland, she was runner-up as the favorite in the Mamzelle S. last out May 11 at Churchill and shows a five-furlong bullet work in :59 2/5 (1/5) June 30 in Lexington. The hard-trying Gladiator King (Curlin) looks for his fourth stakes victory and first on grass. Scoring in his initial two turf tries last fall at Gulfstream West, the chestnut annexed the Inaugural S. Dec. 15 back on dirt at Tampa and was third at 16-1 in the turfy Texas Glitter S. four starts later Feb. 23 at Gulfstream. Fading to last after chasing a sizzling pace seven days later in the GII Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S., he upset the GIII Hutcheson S. at 12-1 Mar. 23 and repeated in the Roar S. Apr. 20. Taking a tough beat when second by a head in the GIII Chick Lang S. May 18 at Pimlico, he retreated to be fifth in the Ocala S. last out June 1 in Hallandale. Starlight Racing’s Sombeyay (Into Mischief) is another graded stakes winner from last summer at Saratoga who makes his turf bow here. Capturing the GIII Sanford S. as a juvenile, the bay comes in off a nose second when earning a career-high 87 Beyer in the Lookin At Lucky S. June 2 at Monmouth. The post Call Paul Tries Turf in Competitive Quick Call appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At Last (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a half-sister to Australian sire sensation Zoustar (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}), was widely expected to top trade on the first day of the Tattersalls July Sale and she did not disappoint, as Badgers Bloodstock were forced to concede to a winning bid of 420,000gns from Mick Flanagan. Offered as a wildcard (lot 177A) by the Castlebridge Consignment, At Last ran just two days ago at Roscommon, where she finished fifth for the Coolmore partners and Aidan O’Brien. Flanagan confirmed he was acting on behalf of an unnamed client through his Townley Hall Bloodstock banner. “She is a very athletic individual and, obviously, she’s a half-sister to a top sire, but most importantly, she is by Galileo,” said Flanagan of his purchase. “No matter whether it’s as a sire, or damsire, he is untouchable and he proved that again last week as the broodmare sire of Group 1 winner Invincibella (Aus). That was in Australia, which is probably where this filly will end up. My biggest regret from earlier in my career is not buying enough fillies by Galileo.” A large number of Middle Eastern buyers attend the July Sale each year and a regular buyer is Gassim Mohammad Ghazali, who was Wednesday’s leading buyer with eight purchases totalling 758,000gns. Lot 281, Admiral Rous (Ire) (Henrythenavigator), was the most expensive of the bunch at 325,000gns, his value boosted by a Group 3 third in the Prix Paul de Moussac since the catalogue was printed. Speaking after buying the 3-year-old colt, the Qatari trainer commented, “He’s been bought to be aimed at the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup in February. He obviously ran well last time out, but most importantly, he ran well in Qatar before, so I know he likes the ground there. I hope he can be a group horse for us.” Ghazali’s reference to Admiral Rous’s experience in Qatar is in relation to his run in the Al Biddah Mile, a local Group 2 at Doha’s International Meeting, in which he finished fourth behind Global Spectrum (GB). Crowds of buyers and busy trade made for a bright atmosphere throughout the day, as beaming sunshine and complimentary ice cream cones added to positive moods. The official statistics at the close of trade supported this, as the average increased by 2% to 26,628gns and the median by 22% to 11,000gns. A total of 230 lots were offered in comparison to 270 in 2018, a drop of 15%, but the turnover grew marginally in spite of this to 5,443,800gns. An interesting element of any bloodstock sale is reading between the lines of a catalogue page; whether that be finding a physical more impressive than their breeding would suggest, or examining race form that may be far more intriguing than thought at first glance. One such example on Wednesday was Patrick Sarsfield (Fr) (lot 238), a 3-year-old son of Australia (GB) who had been placed on both his starts for Edward Lynam as a juvenile. Unseen since September, the Castlebridge-consigned colt’s form has nonetheless worked out well, as he finished third to Madhmoon (Ire) and Sydney Opera House (GB) on debut before finishing second to the latter next time out. Adding interest were those behind him on debut: Japan (GB) and Norway (Ire). Following a battle of bids with Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman, the gavel fell in favor of young trainer Joseph O’Brien, who finally bid 230,000gns on behalf of an existing client. Explaining Lot 238’s appeal, he said, “Obviously, his form has worked out very well, though he’s been off for a while since then. He’s a nice horse, by a sire who’s doing well, and he could be a good middle-distance horse next year.” Wamathaat (Speightstown) (lot 67) was a more obvious highlight on paper, the $550,000 yearling counting GI Santa Anita H. winner Gift Box (Twirling Candy) and dual Grade II winner Stonetastic (Mizzen Mast) amongst her siblings. The unraced 3-year-old will now return to her country of birth, according to Eamonn Reilly, after being knocked down to the BBA Ireland agent at 220,000gns. “She’s been bought for Maurice Regan’s Newtown Anner Stud and will head to the U.S.,” Reilly said. “She was my pick of the whole sale. She’s had some great updates and vetted very well, but there are no exact plans for her yet, bar heading to America.” Matt Coleman was found on the back stairs signing the docket for Silent Morning (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) (lot 140), after the unraced half-sister to four-time stakes winner Sound And Silence (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) fetched 155,000gns. “She’s been bought for an English breeder,” commented Coleman, adding, “Pivotal needs no introduction as a broodmare sire and this filly is a strong, good-looking type with real commercial appeal.” Looking to follow in Pivotal’s footsteps as a broodmare sire is his son Siyouni (Fr), whose winning daughter Scintilating (GB) (lot 169) fetched 130,000gns, with top breeder Paul McCartan handling the bidding and Anthony Stroud signing the docket. The Highclere Stud-consigned half-sister to Prolific (Ire) and Deal Breaker (GB) cost a pretty penny more than Anna Law, the dam of Battaash (Ire), who the shrewd McCartan sourced from the same sales ring for 14,000gns. “She’s a gorgeous filly,” commented the shrewd breeder, adding, “We all love Siyouni, and the family, and the model.” The 3-year-old is bound for Ballyphilip Stud and on future matings, McCartan said, “She may go to Showcasing (GB). If Advertise (GB) wins the July Cup on Saturday, she’ll definitely go to Showcasing.” Saudi Arabia is the destination in store for Insurgence (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}) (lot 211) after the James Fanshawe-consigned 4-year-old was knocked down to Reda Al-Khalaf at 125,000gns. The chestnut made a successful return from a break when scoring over seven furlongs at Doncaster, with his fourth career win bringing his official BHA rating to 88. The Meon Valley Stud-consigned Merseybeat (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) (lot 102), meanwhile, was offered unraced but her active page and Ribchester covering saw her price reach 105,000gns, courtesy of her purchaser Anthony Stroud. “[Half-sister] Twist ‘n’ Shake {GB} is pretty good and adds to the pedigree,” explained Stroud. “She could get an update on Friday if the Dubawi (Ire) colt out of Shirocco Star (GB) runs well–I hear they like him a lot.” Stroud Coleman Bloodstock bought the 2-year-old in question, now named Al Suhail (GB) and trained by Charlie Appleby, and he is entered in a seven furlong maiden at Newmarket. A 1,100,000gns yearling, he is a half-brother to G2 Dante S. winner Telecaster (GB) (New Approach). As a half-sister to dual stakes winner and black-type producer Turning Light (Ger), Mouille Point (GB) (Motivator {GB}) (lot 178) was another offering with an attractive pedigree, with her Kodiac (GB) covering coming as an added bonus. Offered by the Castlebridge Consignment, the two-time winner was knocked down to Bertrand Le Metayer for 100,000gns. The horses-in-training section is often a source of talent for the National Hunt sphere and obstacles can be seen in the future of Ragnar (GB) (Toronado {Ire}) after the 3-year-old sold from Kingwood Stud to Alex Elliott for 85,000gns. Bought for top jumps trainer Philip Hobbs, the bay has twice won over 10 furlongs but has potential to race over further, given that his dam is a half-sister to Erupt (Ire), who captured two Group 1 contests over a mile and a half, while another half-brother has won over hurdles on three occasions for Willie Mullins. The first to bring excitement to the sales ring was Safe House (Ire) (lot 51), an Exceed And Excel (Aus) half-sister to multiple stakes winner Rebellion (GB) offered by Kingswood Stud in foal to Night Of Thunder (Ire). The gavel came down just in time for Matthew Houldsworth at 82,000gns, as Matthew Prior was forced to reject Robert O’Callaghan’s bid which came just a second too late. The successful buyer was buoyed by his unlucky rival, afterwards commenting, “Having Yeomanstown Stud as underbidder gives me confidence.” Bought on behalf of David Weston and El Tanner’s Flintstone Stud near Manton, the 7-year-old boasted plenty of pluses, as the agent explained, “Flintstone Stud are commercial breeders and were keen on a relatively proven mare. You see what’s come before, have an idea of the stock the mare produces, and have a better understanding of what stallions would suit her as a result. She’s getting good-looking stock–Roger Charlton has the 2-year-old and her yearling colt by New Approach will sell at Book 2.” The same price of 82,000gns was paid by Suzanne Roberts and Deerpark Stud for Deira Surprise (GB) (Slade Power {Ire}) (lot 144), a winning half-sister to G2 German 1000 Guineas heroine Unforgettable Filly (GB) and Group 3 scorer Raven’s Corner (Ire). The page hints at potential updates, given that the dam has a 2-year-old full-brother to Unforgetable Filly, memorably named Unforgetable Colt, and foaled a full-brother to Deira Surprise this year. The post Positive Start To Tattersalls July appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the opener on a sleepy June Friday at Laurel, juvenile debutante Shippy (Midshipman) created significant buzz with a dominant victory in near track-record time. Privately purchased and transferred to the Doug O’Neill barn since, she heads north to Saratoga as the favorite in Thursday’s opening day feature, the GIII Schuylerville S. Showing an array of sizzling breezes leading up to her five-furlong June 14 bow, the $77,000 OBS March buy was no secret, hammered down to 2-5, and ran to the money with a 10 3/4-length romp in :56.83 for Joseph Besecker and trainer Timothy Kreiser. Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and R A Hill Stables won a likely fevered bidding war for the filly after the race, and she’s breezed once, a half-mile in :48.45 (5/25) July 5 at Belmont, for this New York debut. The 87 Beyer she earned is tops in this field by double digits, but the dark bay drew the tricky rail and figures to face a lot of pace pressure if sent to the front by Jose Ortiz. Shippy is just half of a potent one-two punch for O’Neill, however, and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Comical (Into Mischief) stands a big chance as well under Javier Castellano. Unveiled May 26 at Santa Anita, the $100,000 Keeneland September pickup survived an early duel and showed an impressive turn of foot in the stretch, drawing clear to a six-length rout before galloping out even further ahead. Bought into by Gary Barber in the interim, she’s worked five times, capped by a half-mile move in :48.77 (7/25) July 5 at Big Sandy. “Both fillies are doing really well. With Shippy, we just took over her training, so we don’t know that much about her, other than her debut was super impressive,” O’Neill told the NYRA notes team. “Comical has been pointed to this race for a while. She’s been training really well coming into it. We have two nice fillies and two top riders. I’m optimistic for both.” Wesley Ward brings a ‘Rising Star’ to the party as well in Aurelia Garland (Constitution). Debuting as a 3-4 favorite May 2 at Belmont, the $185,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase cruised to a five-length success. Owned solo previously by George Bolton, the chestnut attracted Arthur Hoyeau and Mathis Stables to dive in after that, and she tuned up with an easy three-furlong breeze over the local main track in :38 3/5 (4/5) July 5. Todd Pletcher saddles a pair as he looks for his seventh Schuylerville success in Three Diamonds Farm’s Kiss the Girl (Into Mischief) and Suzanne and Michael Masters’ Integral (Algorithms), two daylight winners on debut who would likely have to take a significant leap forward to repeat here. A potential live longshot is CTR Stables’ Lady Fatima (Bodemeister), who finished fast to graduate on turf May 23 at Belmont and could benefit from an anticipated hot pace. The post O’Neill ‘Shippy’-s Up to Saratoga With Imposing Schuylerville Pair appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society announced July 10 the 2019 Thoroughbred racing schedule for the seven-day Timonium meet, with purses of over $185,000 daily. View the full article

What would be the best way to spread the word about a series of awards that honor behind-the-scenes horse workers in the United Sates racing and breeding industries? For one 23-year-old trainee in the Godolphin Flying Start program, a month-long journey that criss-crossed America and included a different track, farm, or training center nearly every day provided not only an effective means of grass-roots messaging about the upcoming Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA), but it left her with a whirlwind of memories and a slew of new friends under shed rows all across the country. “It was the road tip of a lifetime,” said Annise Montplaisir, who grew up near Fargo, North Dakota, but is now midway through Godolphin’s exclusive two-year management program that immerses students in global Thoroughbred experiences. With $128,000 in total prize money on the line and a July 15 deadline looming, a final push is underway to solicit nominees for the fourth annual edition of the Godolphin-sponsored TIEA, which recognize unheralded horse workers who demonstrate leadership and dedication within the U.S. racing and breeding communities. There are seven categories: Two separate Leadership awards for racing and breeding personnel; two separate Dedication awards for racing and breeding personnel; an Administration award, a Newcomer award, and a Community award. In addition to filling in a printed PDF document, people can nominate workers online or via phone. Click here for details. Montplaisir’s volunteering to drum up awareness and nominations for the TIEA was part of her Flying Start “externship,” and to accomplish it she created an itinerary that kept her on America’s highways or hopping airplanes the entire month of June. “I started at the Thoroughbred Training Center in Lexington, Kentucky,” Montplaisir told TDN. “Then I flew to Louisiana to hit two tracks there. Then Texas, Churchill Downs, Belterra Park, Indiana Grand, Arlington and Canterbury. Then I went down to Florida and visited several farms and training centers in Ocala, and I drove down to Gulfstream Park. Then I flew up to the East Coast and hit Belmont, Monmouth, Parx, Delaware, and Laurel, plus some farms in Pennsylvania. “Even though the awards program is in its fourth year, it’s surprising how many people still don’t know about it yet,” Montplaisir continued. “So the best way to spread the word is to get in front of people, tell them about it, and talk to them and answer their questions. “Another thing that I’m very passionate about is I speak Spanish, so I wanted people to know that they can nominate in Spanish, which is hugely important considering probably about 70% of the work force in the industry is Hispanic,” Montplaisir said. “I had Spanish nomination forms with me, and was able to explain it to them in a language they understand best. So I do think we’ll be getting our first-ever Spanish-language nominations for the awards this year, and that’s pretty exciting.” In addition to the TIEA outreach, Montplaisir documented her road trip by asking backstretch and farm workers to speak a little bit about themselves and the work they do. She shot numerous short video clips that might be used in promoting the awards, but Montplaisir said one captivating interaction she had with a groom at Belterra Park will stick with her for a long time. “This gentleman gave me this long, very eloquent speech about how passionate he is about his job, and how important he believes it is for backstretch workers and the unsung heroes of the sport to be recognized,” Montplaisir said. “He said horses give back what you put into them, and he wanted people to know that. Everything he said was very special to me.” Beyond the issues of awareness and language, Montplaisir said other obstacles to nomination that she encountered included backstretch workers not knowing that you don’t have to be a boss to nominate an employee, plus the notion that the paperwork process might be viewed as cumbersome, almost like “homework.” “That was a challenge along the way, trying to explain the benefits of nomination, and helping people understand that it doesn’t just have to be trainers or managers who can nominate people, that anybody can nominate anyone,” Montplaisir said. “I tried to convince them how this is a worthwhile thing that can be very rewarding and motivating to horse workers, and how it’s an honor just to even be nominated.” Montplaisir said that even when little logistical things didn’t go right on the trip–like getting lost in pouring rainstorms, missing the occasional highway toll booth, or even spending a night at a “potentially haunted” Airbnb in Delaware–she tried to handle them with good humor, knowing that the experience as a whole would trump the minor glitches. “I went to some very little tracks to some very large tracks. The majestic view from the roof of Belmont Park was awesome, because I had never been there before. But the most amazing thing that I saw along the way was how intertwined the whole industry is, no matter the size of the venue,” Montplaisir said. That last aspect about size resonates with Montplaisir, because even though her hometown of Fargo is not exactly known as a global Thoroughbred outpost, it’s where she first fell in love with horse racing. “The North Dakota Horse Park only has four days of racing this year,” Montplaisir said. “But years ago, going there was my entry into the sport. I had some great mentors there who took me under their wings, and they were willing to show me how to dive further into the industry and find other opportunities that were out there. That’s the advantage of coming up through a tiny racetrack–you can get your hands on anything you might want to do, and those types of tracks lower the barriers of entry into our sport.” The post ‘Road Trip of a Lifetime’ Raises Awareness for Backstretch and Farm Worker Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

‘Inside the Winner’s Circle, Presented by Keeneland” is a series showcasing graduates of the Keeneland September sale who have gone on to achieve success on racing’s biggest stages. It may still be true that most buyers show up at the sales looking to bring home horses that will go on to have prolific careers on the dirt. But American racing has made a dramatic shift in recent years, with more and more emphasis on grass racing. There are more races on the turf, more stakes on the turf and a lot more money available than ever before to those who own and train a top-class grass horse. All of which means, it would be a bigger mistake than ever to overlook those horses at the sales who you believe will end up spending most of their careers on the turf. No horse better exemplifies this than the 3-year-old filly Concrete Rose (Twirling Candy), the winner of the July 6 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational. The Keeneland Sales graduate, who sold for $20,000 at the 2017 September Sale, is five-for-six in her career, a Grade I winner and has earned $818,650. With NYRA having recently created the Triple Tiara Series, of which the 10-furlong Belmont Oaks was the first leg, Concrete Rose now has a chance to win an additional $900,000 should she sweep the second and third legs of the all-grass series. The series continues with the inaugural $750,000 Saratoga Oaks at Saratoga and concludes Sept. 7 at Belmont with the inaugural $750,000 Jockey Club Oaks. Trainer Rusty Arnold said he is pointing the filly to both remaining races. There is a similar three-race series at NYRA for 3-year-old males called the Turf Trinity. As recently as three or four years ago, anyone training a 3- year-old grass filly would have been lucky to find a few spots worth something in the $200,000 range. “I love grass racing,” Arnold said. “The horses are healthier on it, they last longer on it and it’s easier on them. Kentucky Downs has exploded with its purses, and it’s been really good to me. When I go to the sales, I look for an athlete first. Yes, people still want a (GI) Kentucky Derby or (GI) Kentucky Oaks winner and I understand why. There’s nothing like a good dirt horse because you know where those opportunities are. But I don’t think you just dismiss a grass family as quickly as you used to. I think that has changed over the last four or five years and I think with this series at NYRA it is going to cause that to change even more. Our filly has a chance to run in three high-quality races with big purses and two of those races weren’t even there a year ago.” Prior to Concrete Rose’s first start, Arnold wasn’t sure whether he had a grass filly or not. But he had her ready to go for the Saratoga meet and thought she might not be quick enough to win a maiden sprint on the dirt. That he had had so much success with the grass sprinting mare Morticia (Twirling Candy), who was by the same sire, also helped him make his decision. Concrete Rose debuted Aug. 20 and won a 5 1/2-furlong turf maiden by 1 3/4 lengths. Shortly after the maiden win, BBN Racing LLC bought a piece of the filly, becoming a partner of Ashbrook Farm. “We have had a long relationship with Rusty Arnold and we knew he was very high on her talent,” said Braxton Lynch, the managing partner of BBN Racing. “He knew that she really didn’t want to be a 5 1/2-furlong filly. They thought she was talented, but they also thought they’d just be getting a race into her in that first race. The turn of foot she showed that day was pretty incredible. She was going 5 1/2 furlongs, was in the back of the field and came with the kind of explosion that gives you an indication of what’s to come.” Concrete Rose was every bit as impressive in her next start when winning the GII Jessamine S. at Keeneland. Her 2-year-old season ended with an eighth-place finish in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. But she spent most of her trip toward the inside, which was clearly the worst part of the course that day at Churchill Downs. Concrete Rose | Sarah K Andrew She made her 3-year-old debut in the GIII Florida Oaks at Tampa, which she won by a half-length and then headed back to Churchill Downs for the GIII Edgewood S. Despite her solid credentials, she went off at 5-1, as many people did not believe she could beat last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). She not only beat her, she beat her handily, by 3 3/4 lengths under new rider Julien Leparoux. The Belmont Oaks drew a stellar field, one so with so much talent that it might have been a tougher spot than even the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Newspaperofrecord was back and was made the betting favorite. Aidan O’Brien shipped in two from Ireland for the race. Olendon (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) was coming off a second-place finish in the G1 Prix St. Alary for top French trainer Pascal Bary and there was a mystery horse in the field in the Japanese shipper Jodie (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}). “We caught Newspaperofrecord in the Edgewood at time when she hadn’t run since the Breeders’ Cup,” said Bo Bromagen, the racing manager for Ashbrook Farm. “But after that race we figured Newspaperofrecord was fit and going to be able to give 100 percent. Bromagen continued, “My real question was the European horses. That French filly (Olendon) looked like she was the real deal coming out of her last race and we knew she’d be a threat. Then there was the Japanese horse, and it’s hard to compare those horses to U.S. horses. I looked at the PPs and I thought to myself that there are some serious threats in here. We were confident, though. As well as she was doing coming into the Edgewood, she seemed to be doing even better coming into this race.” It was a case of more of the same as Concrete Rose won by 2 3/4 lengths over the O’Brien-trained Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}). There are plenty more races left to be run for 3-year-old turf fillies, including the GI Queen Elizabeth II S. at Keeneland in the fall, but Concrete Rose has certainly earned the right to be called the current leader among her division. She’s also done so despite selling for a modest price at Keeneland and being out of a dam, Solerina (Powerscourt {GB}), whose two previous foals had gone a combined 0 for 36 on the racetrack through July 9. “She’s shown that a good horse can come from anywhere,” said her breeder Ron Patterson, who added that in a typical year he breeds just two horses. “It makes it nice for the little breeder. It’s nice to see the little guy can come up with a good horse just like the big guys.” With the Belmont Oaks Invitational behind them, the connections of Concrete Rose no longer know what her limits are. She was an inexpensive filly at the sales and is not regally bred, but she has found her niche: grass racing. From here, anything is possible. “You want to overachieve with anything you do, and I like to dream high,” Lynch said. “That’s what this game is about, trying to achieve something big. If you had told me after her maiden win that she’d become a Grade I winner and earn over $800,000, it’s not that I wouldn’t have believed you, but I guess I would have been a little skeptical. She’s an overachiever.” And with two races left in NYRA’s Turf Tiara Series, the best may be yet to come. The post A Rose Blooms On the Grass appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Strange, the way the door of fortune revolves. In the first week of January 2015, Brent Fernung suddenly found himself grieving the loss of a stallion in his prime. Just turned 15, and with half a dozen crops on the track to that point, Wildcat Heir (Forest Wildcat) had put Journeyman Stud on the map as champion sire of Florida four times already. To this day Fernung finds it difficult to keep his emotions in check when he recalls the terrible bout of colic to which this cherished animal succumbed. Just a couple of weeks later, Fernung–along, no doubt, with many of his clients who had been obliged to rebook their mares after the tragedy–noticed the debut of a Distorted Humor colt named Khozan in a Gulfstream maiden. There was a lot of buzz about the horse, as a $1 million graduate of Fasig-Tipton’s 2-year-old sale at the same track the previous March, a lucrative pinhook for Messrs. Hartley and DeRenzo who had picked him out as a Saratoga yearling for $350,000. Nobody had been at all surprised that he realised the second-highest price of the auction, from Al Shaqab, having fired a :9 4/5 bullet as a half-brother to the triple champion female Royal Delta (Empire Maker). And he showed much the same dash starting out for Todd Pletcher, decorated with a 102 Beyer and TDN ‘Rising Stardom’ at seven furlongs. The following month, Khozan stepped up to a mile for an optional allowance and won by 12 3/4 lengths. The world seemed to be at his feet. But Khozan would never race again. “He fractured a hind sesamoid in his last breeze before the Florida Derby,” recounts Fernung. “They took him to WinStar to rehab him, but when they put him back into training, it re-inflamed. So they made the decision then to retire him. [Fernung’s wife] Crystal and I had driven up to the Breeders’ Cup [at Keeneland] and while we were there, we went over and found this lovely horse.” Fernung contacted Al Shaqab’s U.S. rep Bradley Weisbord and a deal was sealed within 48 hours. Al Shaqab would retain a half-share, and Fernung introduced Gil and Marilyn Campbell at Stonehedge Farm South as partners on their side. “And everybody who’s participated has bred their mares in what I like to call the old Florida method,” Fernung explains. “Because it’s been my experience over the years that Florida stallions are made by the farms that stand them, whereas Kentucky sires are made by everybody, because they have that broader base of broodmares.” Fernung believes in Khozan with so evangelical a zeal that last December he offered to pay back the first 25 fees received in 2019 (down to $4,000 from an opening $6,500) should he fail to become Florida’s leading freshman sire. And, as things stand, that bet could well pay off. Khozan has not just blazed ahead of his fellow rookies in the national standings, with seven winners already, but reached midsummer as the outright leading sire of 2-year-old winners. “I’ve always had a lot of confidence in this horse,” Fernung says. “Usually I’m a little more circumspect, when it comes to these stallions. But I said then that Khozan is poised to be one of the great Florida stories, with his talent level and his pedigree. I was just crazily enthusiastic about him. Like any other stallion, the third and now fourth years are usually the toughest. But once his 2-year-olds started running, Khozan bred more in June than he did in April.” Significantly, the boost to his reputation once his first crop was actually seen at the gallop was shared between the sales and the track. While none of his first yearlings reached six figures, Khozan began to get on a roll when his stock was tacked up and breezed–headlined by a $260,000 colt at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale. “He has that Distorted Humor shoulder and hip on him, looks quite a bit like his sire from a musculature standpoint,” says Fernung. “And he seems to be passing that along. I sold a couple pretty well. I got $100,000 from Calumet Farm for a colt out of a Stormy Atlantic mare [at OBS April]. He was a bigger, rangier version of his sire, whereas the horse I sold for $150,000 the other day [at OBS June] was more like the female family, more like [broodmare sire] Montbrook than Distorted Humor. “So not only does Khozan get good-looking babies, they step up quite a bit when you see them move. Even back in March, when there were just three or four in the sale, I heard a lot of good comments from people that weren’t really familiar with him, saying how good they looked on the racetrack. And I think he’s just carried that on, all the way through.” The real excitement is that Khozan’s page absolutely entitles him to get horses that progress with maturity. Over the years, Florida powder kegs have often made an explosive start before being overhauled by the two-turn sires with classic genes. But besides Royal Delta, whose serial Grade I wins included two at ten furlongs, Khozan’s dam Delta Princess (A.P. Indy) produced two other elite scorers, both over turf at Keeneland, in Crown Queen (Smart Strike), over nine; and Delta Prince (Street Cry {Ire}), winner of the Maker’s 46 Mile S. as a 6-year-old this spring. The dam of Delta Princess was a Group 2 winner over ten furlongs in England, and she produced a full-sister to Delta Princess in Indy Five Hundred (A.P. Indy), a Grade I winner over nine–again on grass–in the U.S. Their half-brother Biondetti (Bernardini) won an Italian Group 1 over a mile in the mud as a juvenile. Khozan’s third dam, moreover, extends a family sequence of Grade I success. It’s interesting to see not just class, racing longevity and a degree of stamina in the family, but also a fair bit of turf distinction. That’s another reason why Khozan, despite lacking the number and certainly the quality of mares that flocked to the intake’s top draft, American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), could have plenty more to offer besides trademark Florida precocity. And his own build also augurs well for the continued development of his stock: he arrived at Journeyman as a 3-year-old a touch under 16 hands; a year later, he measured 16.2hh. “That’s what dreams are made of,” says Fernung, of the longer play underpinning Khozan’s brisk start. “His dam produced three Grade I winners and the one thing nobody wants to underestimate is how talented he was himself: that second race, running a mile, he just drew off them like he was just getting started.” Colleague Sid Fernando recently drew attention to the similarities between Khozan and Maclean’s Music, another son of Distorted Humor to show a tantalising glimpse of outrageous talent. The Hill ‘n’ Dale stallion has already mustered a Classic winner, of course, and Fernung notes still more illustrious templates. “Danzig,” he says. “Red Ransom. Malibu Moon. I’ve always loved those kind of horses, that were incredibly talented but didn’t stick around too long. My theory has always been that they were probably too fast, too talented, to really remain sound. And what they do is reproduce quite a bit of that talent but maybe tempered with a little more soundness. “I’ve been here since 1976 and one thing I’ve never been concerned about is raising sound horses in Florida. These horses are tough, the mare population tends to be sound, and I’ve never seen a horse here I thought was good but fragile. Here it seems like if they’re good, they’re really good.” It’s precisely that “too-fast-to-last” shadow that rendered a horse like Malibu Moon accessible to regional farms and breeders, in his case in Maryland. And, with Khozan, it has given the Fernungs the chance to reiterate their ability to develop top-class talent at an affordable level of the market. Brent Fernung managed the early career of Congrats (A.P. Indy), champion freshman in 2010 before his move to Kentucky, during a stint as general manager of Cloverleaf Farm in Florida. During his Cloverleaf days he also spent $130,000 for a 9-year-old mare by Smile, a 12-time winner named I’ll Get Along, at Keeneland November 2001. Her weanling that year turned out to be Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality), and Cloverleaf were able to cash her in after his Kentucky Derby success for $5 million. Remarkably, this was the second time lightning had struck through Fernung on the first Saturday in May: earlier in his career he found a Florida-bred mare named Eileen’s Moment (For The Moment), similarly before her son Lil E. Tee (At the Threshold) became a Derby winner. “Yeah, I’ve been fortunate,” says Fernung. “It’s one of those things that kinda defies logic: how we happened on the first mare, like three weeks before Lil E. Tee won what was then the [G2] Jim Beam S. And then it happened again. I’ve been looking for another, but I feel they’re getting more difficult to recognise as I get older!” Khozan is in danger of making that seem an unnecessarily modest protest. Besides any personal satisfaction, however, Fernung also takes a more corporate pride in the horse’s potential, on behalf of the local industry–to which his commitment is formalised by his presidency of Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association (FTBOA). “It’s been a privilege,” he says. “I’ll be termed out after this [third] year, so will probably have a little more time on my hands than currently. But it’s something I’m proud of. Florida is where I’ve spent my entire career. Everything I’ve ever made has been made down here, and I want to see the industry do good down here long after I’m gone. “That’s why we’re excited to start horses like this one. Hopefully we can keep him down here and continue to do good with him. I don’t know if at a certain point he might get priced out of the Florida market, but it’s certainly not our intention right now. I should be so lucky, I suppose! But Khozan has checked a lot of boxes so far, he’s off to a brilliant start, and I do think his produce will get better as they get older. “Losing Wildcat Heir was a very sad time for everyone at Journeyman. He was such a lovely horse to be around, and we all loved him so much. I tend not to talk about him, because I get emotional. But to be honest with you, as good as he was, and also Congrats when he started down here, this horse has things about him I like a lot better than I did either of those two.” The post Fernung Hopes He Has Successor to Tragic Heir appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Now that he has that all-important pipe-opener under his belt, Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) can hopefully begin the process of rebuilding back to where he promised to be in Thursday’s G2 Princess of Wales’s S. on the first day of Newmarket’s July meeting. Cut short after his G1 Epsom Derby triumph last June, Godolphin’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ produced a respectable effort after the layoff when fifth in Royal Ascot’s G2 Hardwicke S. June 22. Stumbling at the start and then too free throughout the early stages, the homebred may have a case for reversing form with Khalid Abdullah’s Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who was third after a perfect trip. Masar’s handler Charlie Appleby is looking ahead now. “He has definitely come forward for his run at Ascot,” he said. “When you are preparing a horse off a long lay off that has been running over a mile and a half at the top level, you can get them fit to a level at home but a race just puts the edge on them. He came into the race really well, but he just got a bit tired and he had nice blow afterwards. He was as fit as we could get him without getting a run in, but that run has definitely brought him forward and his preparation has gone well from Ascot to the Princess of Wales’s and he will be better with that run under his belt. He is moving well and his fitness is good. He is clear on ratings and if the Masar we are seeing at home turns up then they have him all to beat.” The Juddmonte team are hoping that Mirage Dancer can deliver something of note and the owner-breeders’ racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe is hopeful. “He was tanking along at Ascot, but to be fair it was only his second run start this season and you have to pretty happy with him. He has been straightforward since. I know Masar hadn’t run since last year’s Derby when they met in the Hardwicke and he ran a super race, so it will be interesting.” Two Royal Ascot winners line up, with Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiya’s June 21 Duke of Edinburgh H. winner Baghdad (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) joined by Mick and Janice Mariscotti’s June 19 G2 Queen’s Vase scorer Dashing Willoughby (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) who gets 12 pounds weight-for-age allowance from the May 4 G2 Jockey Club S. winner Communique (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) and nine pounds from the rest. The card opens with the G3 Bahrain Trophy, where St Leger aspirants include the June 21 G2 King Edward VII S. third Eagles By Day (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), while the 2-year-olds have their turn in the G2 July S. ‘TDN Rising Star’ Visinari (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will be a warm order following his highly impressive course-and-distance debut win June 8. Timeform’s Simon Rowlands has measured his stride length at 28.1 feet and therefore greater than Frankel (GB) and behind only Sea the Stars (Ire) and Black Caviar (Aus), so it is no surprise that Rob Ferguson’s grey is coming to Suffolk with great enthusiasm surrounding him. All that said, he is inexperienced and has the June 18 G2 Coventry S. third Guildsman (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) as a significant benchmark to aim at. Visinari’s trainer Mark Johnston’s son and assistant Charlie is keen to play down the colt’s current cramped odds. “I think it’s probably a little bit unfair on the horse that he’s as short a price as he is, to be honest,” he said. “I don’t see him as an 11-10 shot, or whatever he is, but I hope they are right. He’s only a once-raced maiden winner at the end of the day, but obviously there’s a lot of talk about him because a man with a stopwatch says he’s something out of the ordinary. He was certainly very impressive, but this is a big step up in class and it is a step into the unknown. Win, lose or draw, I’m sure he’ll be stepping up to seven furlongs on his next start.” Guildsman’s trainer Archie Watson is keen to take on Visinari with his smart juvenile and commented, “He is a very nice horse and he ran a very good race in the Coventry. This was the next logical step with him. I’ve been very happy with him since Ascot. Running at Ascot came only 11 days after his debut, but we did expect a big run. I think the first three in the Coventry are very nice horses. I think the track will suit and his running style suggests he will get seven furlongs in time, but that is something we won’t do now. He has already shown a high level of form and he is very laid-back. Everything should suit him.” The post Masar Headlines July Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article