Wandering Eyes

My Dreamliner jets off to a flying start View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings December 2 View the full article

Horses' body weights December 2 View the full article

RAGING BULL (FR) (c, 3, Dark Angel {Ire}–Rosa Bonheur, by Mr. Greeley)capped a Grade I cross-country double for trainer Chad Brown as the 9-5 chalk in Del Mar’s Hollywood Derby. Looking to follow in the hoofsteps of stablemate Patternrecognition (Adios Charlie) after that one’s tally in the GI Cigar Mile H. at Aqueduct, the bay dropped out towards the back early as they scrambled for command up front. Best local hope River Boyne (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) took over heading for home, but Raging Bull had already begun picking off rivals out wide and he kept on over the top to collar that foe and prevail by a half-length in 1:48.34. Fellow Brown trainee Instilled Regard (Arch) rounded out the trifecta for good measure. Raging Bull annexed both the GII Hall of Fame S. and GIII Saranac S. at Saratoga earlier this term, but had ben off since finishing fifth at odds-on in the GII Hill Prince at Belmont Oct. 6. He becomes the seventh Grade I winner for sire Dark Angel. Sales history: €90,000 Ylg ’16 GOFORB. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-0. O-Peter M Brant. B-Dayton Investments Limited (Fr). T-Chad C Brown. View the full article

The connections of Maximus Mischief sent their contender to Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 1 not only for a shot at the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2), but to get a read on the talent level they felt sure the young colt possessed. View the full article

The patience of Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence was rewarded Dec. 1 by Patternrecognition in the $750,000 Cigar Mile Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

PATTERNRECOGNITION (h, 5, Adios Charlie–Almost a Valentine, by High Cotton), last seen annexing the GII Kelso H. at Belmont Sept. 22, broke on top and never looked back in the GI Cigar Mile H. at the Big A. Given a 5-1 chance as most of the tote attention went to well-traveled Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) and lightly raced Copper Town (Speightstown), the bay showed the way through swift splits of :22.88 and :45.68. Clearly going better than his main foes heading for home, he shook free in upper stretch and fended off longshot True Timber (Mineshaft)’s late advances to hit the wire a half-length to the good in 1:34.98. Sunny Ridge (Holy Bull) rounded out the trifecta. Sales history: $420,000 2yo ’15 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 11-5-5-0. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc. & William H. Lawrence. B-Ocala Stud (FL). T-Chad C. Brown. View the full article

After a wide run in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), jockey Mike Smith wasn't going to let the trip matter for Marley's Freedom in the $250,000 Go For Wand Handicap (G3). View the full article

‘TDN Rising Star’ MAXIMUS MISCHIEF (c, 2, Into Mischief–Reina Maria, by Songandaprayer), a completely dominant winner of two sprints at Parx to kick off his career, passed his class test with aplomb in Aqueduct’s nine-panel GII Remsen S. Emerging with the early advantage, the 7-5 second choice showed the way through splits of :25,12, :50.67 and 1:14.60. He faced a challenge from first-off-the claim Tax (Arch) in upper stretch, but shut the door on that foe before kicking away by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:51.34. Favored Network Effect (Mark Valeski) edged Tax late for second. Sales history: $165,000 wnlg ’16 KEENOV; $170,000 RNA ’17 FTSAUG; $245,000 RNA 2yo ’18 FTFMAR; $340,000 2yo ’18 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0. O-Cash is King LLC & LC Racing. B-Marth Jane Mullholland (Ky). T-Robert E Reid, Jr. View the full article

With a dominant stretch run that left her competitors in the dust, Mike Ryan's Positive Spirit started December strong with her first stakes win in the $250,000 Demoiselle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

With a dominating stretch run that left her competitors in the dust, Mike Ryan's Positive Spirit started December strong with her first stakes win in the $250,000 Demoiselle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

How his first foals sell is by no means an indicator of a stallion’s future success, but it does give a guide to how the stock are finding favour with the hardy fellows who patrol the sales grounds assessing, selecting and eliminating hundreds of foals each year. The last fortnight has given buyers a chance to do just that, and here are some of the early verdicts from those who have been doing the hard yards in search of the perfect pinhook or future racehorse (or hopefully both)… Tina Rau, bloodstock agent: “I really like the Shalaa (Ire) foals. I just think they are a really nice bunch. He was the most outstanding but he was also the most expensive of the new boys and that probably goes together. Of the slightly cheaper first-season sires I was really impressed by stock of The Last Lion (Ire).” Morna McDowall, breeder, consignor and pinhooker: “Shalaa (Ire) was the nicest for me, along with Awtaad (Ire), but I don’t want to bash any of the others. You almost need to stop looking at all the other horses and only focus on the foals by first-season sires to get a really firm view on it. Larry Stratton, breeder and bloodstock agent: “There weren’t many catalogued by The Last Lion (Ire) but those I saw were a really uniform bunch who were athletic, easy-moving types.” Nicola Kent, breeder, Ballyhampshire Stud: “The Buratino (Ire) foals were really strong and sharp-looking like their father, and he only covered around 120 mares, which is appealing. The Awtaad (Ire) foals are very attractive with the presence of their sire and the market has realised that. He has also been well managed, covering 120 mares. The Kodi Bear (Ire) foals also look like they will be honest, early types.” Sam Hoskins, breeder, pinhooker and syndicate manager: “I think the Adaay (Ire) foals look really nice and I bred a filly by him who looks a real racehorse. I bought a gorgeous filly by Vadamos (Fr) who was a top-class racehorse and was faster than his pedigree suggests. He’s a beautiful horse himself and his stock are easy movers with scope. I think Pearl Secret (GB) could be the sleeper. He has good stock on the ground and he’s been well supported with some nice mares. Cathy Grassick, breeder and bloodstock agent: “I’ve found this year that it’s been harder to convince people to take a chance on first-season sires. The market has been very selective and only the best bred of the first-season sires have succeeded. Awtaad (Ire) is definitely stamping his stock and those that sold well had the walk and real quality. I’m very impressed with the foals by Shalaa (Ire) but it’s easy to see how he would be popular with buyers as he’s such good-looking horse himself and he’s by the sire-maker Invincible Spirit (Ire). I’ve also liked the stock of Twilight Son (GB) and Cheveley Park Stud have done a good job in supporting him. Liam Norris, breeder and bloodstock agent: “I bought a filly by New Bay (GB) and was underbidder on another very nice filly by him from Laundry Cottage Stud. Of those I’ve seen I think they’re good-bodied horses who walk well. I bought Shalaa (Ire) as a foal so I realise I can be accused of bias here but I am delighted to see that he’s throwing some really good foals.” Nancy Sexton, European representative, Schumer Bloodstock: “Awtaad (Ire) is stamping his stock for sure. The majority I have seen have great balance and are good movers and a good outlook. I think he’s been priced to give breeders a chance and obviously he was a very good racehorse with plenty of pace from a good stallion family. Twilight Son (GB) has also caught my eye. There’s a lot of Kyllachy (GB) about them and they are strong, active horses with a bit of quality. Charlie Vigors, breeder, consignor and pinhooker: “I bought two by Awtaad in Ireland, including the very first lot in the ring on Monday, who was a lovely filly, so hopefully we struck early before the Awtaad bandwagon really started rolling. I’ve been very impressed with the Twilight Son (GB) foals as well as those by Territories (Ire), who had a good shape to them.” Marion Stauffenberg, breeder, consignor and pinhooker: “The largest number I saw by a first-season sire were by Awtaad (Ire) and I like them very much. They look sporty with good bone and they are really good walkers. I’ve liked the New Bay (GB) foals–they also walk really well.” Philipp Stauffenberg, breeder, consignor and pinhooker: “The offspring of Awtaad (Ire) may not end up being really early 2-year-olds but they look very classy horses. I also saw some very nice foals by Harzand (Ire). We won’t necessarily be expecting to see them out early at two but he might be one to follow for the future, especially considering the success of Sea The Moon (Ger). I’ve also seen a few nice strong foals by Pride Of Dubai (Aus) and we have a very nice foal by him ourselves. Emma Berry, European Editor, TDN: “Looking with the uncommercial eye of a small owner-breeder, I’m pleased to have seen some good foals by the dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire). He’s not only by one of the best racehorses and stallions that we’ve seen in many a year, but he’s a good-looking, well-proportioned horse who should get some classy types in due course. We’re told that it’s a numbers game, and he will not have numbers on his side in the early days, but sometimes that actually works to a stallion’s advantage.” View the full article

Owner Chuck Zacney says Tito's Handmade Vodka Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner (G1) Jaywalk is expected to rejoin trainer John Servis' barn in mid-December and will point for her 3-year-old debut in either early February or March at Gulfstream. View the full article

RACING POST NAP 12:55 Carlisle Hidden Dilemma posted his only prior career victory here at Carlisle in soft ground last month, and ran well for a long way when stepped up to this trip in heavy ground at Ayr just two days later. The quick turn-around probably went against him and has since had a couple of weeks to recover from those exertions so should be capable of seeing out the trip this time around. His trainer Stuart Crawford has a fine record at Carlisle, boasting a 40% winning strike rate here in the last twelve months, and the booking of champion jockey Richard Johnson suggests he means business with Hidden Dliemma today. Champagne To Go finished a length ahead of Secret Escape when winning (in a dead-heat) at Sedgefield last month and both look to have each way chances despite going up 4lbs and 2lbs respectively, while Baby Ticker could also enter the fray if the ground becomes really testing. Hidden Dilemma (WIN) – NAP RACEBETS ALTERNATIVE BET 14:20 Leicester Philip Hobbs has sent five hurdlers to Leicester over the last three years, emerging with three winners for a 60% winning strike rate. He sends just the one runner here today and we are hoping that Master Work can continue that winning trend. A four-length winner at Warwick on return from his winter break, notably travelling smoothly and jumping fluently, he looked to have more in the locker if needed and the form has already been franked as the third won next time out at Catterick so he should be capable of following up here today. Amanto is yet to gain victory in fourteen attempts over hurdles but does have a number of solid placed efforts to his name so will likely be in the mix again, while World Premier was unlucky not to win outright at Hereford last time out having been badly hampered on the run in. His jockey was hard at work but he was staying on well so a 3lbs rise should still see him competitive and he rates as the main danger. Master Work (WIN) Carlisle: 12:25 – Paper Promise (E/W) 12:55 – Hidden Dilemma (WIN) 13:25 – Ron’s Dream (WIN) 14:00 – Barrys Jack (WIN) 14:30 – Mahler Lad (WIN) 15:00– Rivabodiva (WIN) 15:30 – Calivigny (WIN) Leicester: 12:45 – Vancouver (WIN) 13:15 – Its O Kay (WIN) 13:45 – Navajo War Dance (WIN) 15:20 – Master Work (WIN) 14:50 – Stonecoldsoba (WIN) Fairyhouse: 12:35 – Chief Justice (WIN) 13:05 – Commander Of Fleet (WIN) 13:35 – Delta Work (WIN) 14:10 – Velocity Boy (WIN) 14:40 – Apples Jade (WIN) 15:10 – Tornado Watch (E/W) 15:40 – Envoi Allen (WIN) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Sunday 2nd of December appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK—Following a frenetic final few hours of trade on Friday, the Tattersalls December Foal Sale returned to more of a working man’s level for the closing session, with low clearance rate remaining a concerning factor in the lower tier of the market. A brief foray back into six-figure territory came via two weanlings catalogued only a handful of lots apart and by a stallion whose sales profile is consistently high, Whitsbury Manor Stud’s Showcasing (GB). The first was an attractively marked filly (lot 1161) who drew plenty of admirers as soon as she entered the ring and it swiftly came down to a tussle between Hugo Merry and Timmy Hyde Jr. The latter held sway at 120,000gns for the sister to dual winner Pavillon (GB) out of a grand-daughter of Cliveden Stud’s Madame Dubois (GB) (Legend Of France), the dam of Irish 2000 Guineas winner Indian Haven (GB) (Indian Ridge {GB}) and G1 Gran Criterium winner Count Dubois (GB) (Zafonic). “She owned the ring out there, she’s gorgeous,” said Hyde, who will reoffer the filly through his family’s Camas Park Stud. “There have been a lot of nice horses this week but there’s also been a lot of competition.” Minutes later it was the turn of lot 1166, a colt out of the listed Beverley Bullet victrix and seven-time winner Duchess Dora (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}), who fetched the same price and will be added to the Yeomanstown Stud team of pinhooks. The 11-year-old mare was bought by Mark Johnston’s Kingsley Park at the December Sale last year for 40,000gns while carrying the colt. The trainer-breeder enjoyed a swift upturn on his investment, selling through Friar Ings Stud. Completing a trio of six-figure lots for the day was The Premier Consignment’s No Nay Never colt (1207) out of the 3-year-old winner Musically (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), who is catalogued as lot 2003 in next week’s mares’ sale. After Tally-Ho Stud bid 110,000gns, consignor Peter Collier said, “He was bred by myself, Jim Carey and Philip Blake. We have been lucky to hit on the right sire, and the mare is now in foal to El Kabeir to back up the Scat Daddy.” Overbury Stud is a regular Saturday seller and last year topped this session with a 110,000gns daughter of Iffraaj (GB). The Gloucestershire farm duly led proceedings early on when a colt by Mastercraftsman (Ire) to Cathy Grassick for 65,000gns. Bred by Derek Boocock, lot 1127 is the second foal of the treble winner Atlantic Isle (Ger) (Tamayuz {Gb}), a great grand-daughter of one of Meon Valley Stud’s foundation mares One In A Million (GB). “It was a late decision to come here with this foal, but he has thrived since coming in to prep. He is so straightforward and he is exactly the type that you want to be bringing here,” said Simon Sweeting of Overbury Stud, who added that the mare is in foal to Zoffany (Ire). Cathy Grassick, who buys in the name of Brian Grassick Bloodstock, added, “We just loved the horse and we’re are big fans of the sire. He’s a colt from a good farm—it’s so important that you can be confident that these foals are getting a good start.” Grassick later added foals by Fast Company (Ire) (1213) and Siyouni (Fr) (1176) to her shopping list, the former a half-sister to listed winner Tilly’s Chilli (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) bought for 75,000gns from Salcey Forest Stud, and the latter Aston Mullins Stud’s first foal of French winner Stacey Sutton (Fr) (Tertullian), bought for 70,000gns. Though there was still plenty of action during the final session, the clearance rate dropped to 61%, the day’s trade adding 3,031.407gns to the tally, down by 14% from last year. At 21,051gns and 15,000gns, the average and median remained largely unchanged. A bumper Friday session meant that the foal sale as a whole saw record turnover just shy of 35 million gns for 681 weanlings sold at a rate of 70%. The median remained unchanged at 25,000gns and the average was up by 16% at 51,285gns. At the conclusion of the 2018 Tattersalls December Foal Sale, Tattersalls Chairman “The world’s highest priced filly foal in 2018, new record December Foal turnover of nearly 35 million guineas, as well as an unprecedented number of foals selling for 500,000 guineas or more and also for 100,000 guineas or more are all heartening statistics to be able to take from this week’s Tattersalls December Foal Sale,” said Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony at the close of the sale. “Above all, the December Foal Sale has confirmed that the demand for quality stock remains robust and we must thank the consignors who have presented some truly outstanding foals this week for their confidence in Europe’s premier foal sale. All week the buyers have commented on the quality of the foals on offer here at Park Paddocks and despite uncertainties in the market place, the cream of the British and Irish foal crop has been met with enthusiasm by pinhookers and end users alike.” He added, “While we can reflect on the positive aspects of this week’s December Foal Sale and also the record-breaking Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, we should not overlook the challenges that currently exist in certain sectors of the bloodstock market. The overall clearance rate this week has fallen and it is abundantly clear that the current imbalance between supply and demand at the lower end of the market is an issue for all concerned. Nevertheless, we now turn our attention to the Tattersalls December Mares Sale which every year showcases the finest breeding stock to be found in Europe. The December Mares Sale is always an unmissable event for thoroughbred breeders from throughout the world and we look forward to another truly international renewal.” View the full article

POSITIVE SPIRIT (f, 2, Pioneerof the Nile–Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}), a half-sister to last year’s GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), upped her already ample value with a romping success at 11-1 in Saturday’s GII Demoiselle S. Away on top, the bay was kept well off the fence as she tracked the pace in third. She revved up ominously while three deep heading for home, took over willingly heading for home and poured in on from there to crush her competition by some 10 lengths in 1:56.01. Longshot Afleet Destiny (Hard Spun) completed the exacta. Positive Spirit graduated last out at third asking going a mile at Churchill Nov. 8. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1. O-Michael J Ryan. B-Santa Rosa Partners (Ky). T-Rodolphe Brissett. View the full article

Star Brazilian jockey Silvestre de Sousa is as comfortable as he has ever been in Hong Kong, saying he has adopted a Tony Cruz-inspired “go with the flow” attitude to racing. The import, who is into his third short-term stint in Hong Kong, said he had previously beaten himself up about losing rides but has learnt to embrace the “merry-go-round” that is Hong Kong racing, saying he believes everyone's time will come around. As part of that merry-go-round, De Sousa... View the full article

Vincent Ho Chak-yiu believes talented dirt specialist Ugly Warrior can continue his march up the ratings when he steps out in the Class Two Nathan Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Me Tsui Yu-sak-trained four-year-old has five wins and a second from six starts – all on the dirt – and resumed with a soft victory in October. Ugly Warrior has all the makings of a horse who could potentially travel overseas and his jockey agrees, he just needs to get through this assignment... View the full article

Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Big Party may have had punters seeing red after getting rolled as an odds-on favourite on debut but new jockey Grant van Niekerk believes it was only a blimp on the radar. Big Party was heavily backed last month on the back of two eye-catching trials however appeared to race greenly when jockey Neil Callan loomed up to win on the three-year-old. With Lor switching riders on the promising prospect, Van Niekerk hops aboard after trialling him two weeks ago. While Big... View the full article

For his first trip back to Del Mar since his debut, Instilled Regard will be be doing something very different in the $300,000 Hollywood Derby (G1T) Dec. 1, the Arch colt's first start on turf. View the full article

Breeders’ Cup has released the final episode of “ALL IN: The Road to the Classic” across its digital platforms. This is the final episode of the original docuseries that has followed connections’ journeys to the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, which was held Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. The final episode chronicles the week leading up to the race and reveals intimate moments as the contenders prepare to enter the starting gate. “Throughout the past several weeks, ‘ALL IN’ has showcased some of the most interesting and inspiring stories of the 2018 horse racing season, and we’re excited to share the thrilling conclusion of this incredible adventure,” said Craig Fravel, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup. “We are proud to have provided horse racing fans and first-time followers with this behind-the-scenes look at the competitive landscape of Thoroughbred racing, and we hope they find the finale to be every bit as exciting as the Classic itself.” The finale is available on the official “ALL IN” Facebook Watch page and Breeders’ Cup YouTube channel. View the full article

Juglall spoils See's birthday party in Mauritius View the full article

Horses' test results November 30 & December 1 View the full article

CC Wong (four days), Dellorto and Saifudin (two days) suspended View the full article

Lazarus N (Bettors Delight), the much-heralded international pacer who was acquired earlier this year by Taylor Made Stallions, has been retired from racing. The richest Standardbred stallion ever to go to stud, Lazarus N earned $4,125,988 with 37 wins in 51 starts. He compiled a host of championships, including New Zealand Horse of the Year (twice) and Australasian Grand Circuit Champion (twice). With 15 Group 1 wins, eight track records combined in Australia and New Zealand, and a handful of additional stakes wins in his few Stateside starts, Lazarus N is slated to begin a dual hemisphere breeding career. He will stand in North American at New Jersey’s Deo Volente Farms for a fee of $10,000. “We are so fortunate to have raced such an extraordinary talent as Lazarus,” said Duncan Taylor of Taylor Made Stallions. “We are extremely pleased that he is standing at Deo Volente Farms in New Jersey. His sire, Bettors Delight, has truly been a breed-shaper and a renewable annuity.” View the full article