Wandering Eyes

Kosta Hronis, who campaigned Horse of the Year candidate Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky) to a victory in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic earlier this month, and popular TV host and prominent horse owner Jim Rome, have agreed to join the board of directors for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. “We hit not one, but two, home runs when we got these fine gentlemen to join us at Del Mar,” said DMTC Chief Executive Officer and director Joe Harper. “Kosta and Jim come from different worlds, but they share a mutual love of our game and a desire to see it flourish. We could not be more pleased to add a pair of sharp minds like theirs to our leadership ranks.” The addition of Hronis and Rome to the Del Mar board follows the May 2018 augmentation of the leadership group by actress, horsewoman and advocate for many worth causes Bo Derek. The current Del Mar board, listed chronologically, is as follows: Dr. James R. Buell, V.M.D. (1970); Joe Harper (1985); Warner C. Lusardi (1988); Rollin W. Baugh (1992); Martin J. Wygod (2000); David H. Batchelder (2008); Jon S. Kelly (2008); Marie Moretti (2008); Bo Derek (2018); Kosta Hronis (2018), and Jim Rome (2018). View the full article

The New York Racing Association and Fox Sports announced a long-term television programming deal Nov. 29 that will make Fox Sports the year-round national television home for NYRA racing from Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park. View the full article

Trying to make it three in a row for East Coast invaders in the GI Hollywood Derby after Mo Town (Uncle Mo) and Annals of Time (Temple City)’s successes the last two years, an imposing quartet of sophomore turfers will descend upon Del Mar Saturday for the last Grade I grass race of the season. Peter Brant’s Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) did little wrong through his first five outings, but will look to bounce back from a subpar effort as one of the favorites here. Two-for-two before running second in the Manila S. July 4 at Belmont, the bay subsequently got up on the wire in the GII Hall of Fame S. at Saratoga and repeated there in the GIII Saranac S. Backed to 45 cents on the dollar in Belmont’s GII Hill Prince S. last out Oct. 6, Raging Bull finished an uncharacteristically dull fifth, but that effort has not deterred trainer Chad Brown from giving the colt his first crack at a Grade I. Brown will also send out OXO Equine’s Instilled Regard (Arch) to make his lawn debut. The $1.05-million OBS March purchase put himself on the Derby Trail with a score in the GIII Lecomte S. last winter, but disappointed in his next two before finishing a surprising fourth at 85-1 in Louisville. Switched from the Jerry Hollendorfer barn after that, the dark bay looks to bounce back from a poor showing when last of nine in the GI Pennsylvania Derby last out Sept. 22. There is turf in the family, as his dam is a half-sister to Good Reward (Storm Cat), who conquered this very event in 2004, as well as grass-leaning sire Pure Prize (Storm Cat). Lightly-raced Carrick (Giant’s Causeway) also needs to rebound after finishing a distant sixth in the GI Turf Classic Invitational when last seen Sept. 29 at Belmont. Prior to that, the chestnut appeared an ascendant talent in his division, following up a third in the GIII Kent S. with a 38-1 upset of the GI Secretariat S. Aug. 11 at Arlington. Rounding out the contending shippers is Robert Evans’s Have At It (Kitten’s Joy). Upsetting Raging Bull in the Hill Prince, the uniquely-colored colt rallied to be second in the GII Twilight Derby Nov. 4 at Santa Anita. First that day, and looking the most imposing of the local chances, is River Boyne (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). The dark bay counts four stakes wins on his resume, including the GIII La Jolla H. here Aug. 5. View the full article

In a brief career that’s been defined both by meteoric talent and an inability to stay in training, ‘TDN Rising Star’ Copper Town (Speightstown) will finally get a chance to show the entire racing world what he can do while going postward as the likely favorite in Saturday’s GI Cigar Mile H. at Aqueduct, the last top-level event of the calendar year in New York. Debuting with a runner-up effort last February at Gulfstream, the bay stamped himself as a major talent with a 3 3/4-length graduation over future Grade I winner Backyard Heaven (Tizway) more than six months later to earn his ‘Rising Star’ nod. Repeating with another comprehensive score over allowance foes a few weeks after that, Copper Town was unseen for over a year before resurfacing Oct. 13 at Keeneland. Yet again, he was extremely impressive, breaking last and going widest of all on the turn before drawing off to a dazzling five-length success. He has drilled four times in the interim at Belmont for this first stakes try, highlighted by a five-furlong spin in 1:00 3/5 (2/42) on the training track Nov. 18. The most well-known of Copper Town’s seven rivals in the $750,000 affair is the globetrotting Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy). Spending the first half of his career on turf and synthetic, the $3-million Keeneland September buy cruised to an 18 1/2-length romp in the G2 UAE Derby, but made no impact after a troubled start in the GI Kentucky Derby, finishing last. Unable to find the winner’s circle since Dubai, he nevertheless has proven himself a quality dirt runner, finishing second in the GI Travers S., third in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup and fifth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic last out after setting a fast pace. Patternrecognition (Adios Charlie) looks to build on a career high last out for trainer Chad brown. A winner of just two of his first eight races, including a runner-up finish to Copper Town in that one’s aforementioned allowance rout, he scored a game victory in a Saratoga optional claimer Aug. 11 and stepped up to capture the GI Kelso H. in front-running fashion last out Sept. 22 at Belmont. The tactical 5-year-old draws the advantageous outside post here. Hard-knocking gelding Sunny Ridge (Holy Bull) ran a good second behind that rival in the Kelso, closing into a slow pace, and looks for his first graded score since annexing the GIII Withers S. at this oval in January of 2016. View the full article

Berkshire Novices’ Chase La Bague Au Roi made a very promising start to her chasing career when accounting for a very smart field which included Lostintransaltion, who re-opposes. Warren Greatrex’s mare was a Grade 2 winner last season but came up short in a brace of Grade 1’s at Cheltenham and Punchestown on her last two starts of the season. She looked a real natural over the larger obstacles and although she was receiving weight all round from her rivals, this was an impressive performance and she holds leading claims. The Colin Tizzard trained Lostintransaltion is a big raw individual who looked in need of the run when going down to La Bague Au Roi on seasonal debut. Lostintranslation was Grade 1 placed at the Aintree festival last season and I think with the benefit of his opening run behind him and the experienced gained over fences, he can turn the tables with his rival. Spiritofthegames represents the in-form Skelton brothers and he boasts some very smart handicap form. He finished runner-up in the Lanzarote Hurdle, third in the Betfair Hurdle behind Kalashnikov and fifth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival. He made no mistake at his first attempt over fences when winning a listed novices chase at Chepstow. The lightly raced six-year-old is open to lots of improvement and could make up into a very smart horse this season. The field is completed by Talkischeap but I think Alan King’s inmate will have to find lots of improvement to feature. Selection: Lostintranslation Ladbrokes Handicap Chase Willoughby Court hasn’t been seen since finishing third to Yanworth on New Years Day at Cheltenham and although this absence is worrying, the former Neptune winner is a very classy individual, who is the horse they all have to beat. Ben Paulding’s seven-year-old was a winner on this card twelve months ago and if returning to anything like she showed previously then he’ll be a tough nut to crack. Evan Williams must be happy and frustrated in equal measure with Kings Odyssey who has run some fantastic races in defeat in top handicaps. The nine-year-old gelding has actually only won twice over fences and although his consistency is admirable, it also means he races here off a career-high mark and could be vulnerable to a more progressive rival. Of the others, Touch Kick won well when last seen and must be feared for the in-form Paul Nicholls team. Selection: Willoughby Court Long Distance Hurdle This a race that has been won by some real fan favourites down the years, with Baracouda, Big Bucks and Inglis Drever all multiple winners of this Grade 2 staying contest. Previous winners have gone on to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival in the same season on five occasions so it’s a tried and tested route to the festival. Sam Spinner had a dream season for Jedd O’Keeffe’s last year which included a victory n the Long Walk Hurdle. Obviously, connections would have been disappointed not to win the Stayers’ Hurdle but he wasn’t beaten far and showed his class again when finishing third in the Grade 1at Aintree on his final start of the season. He’s still only a six year old so there could still be some improvement to come from the son of Black Sam Bellamy and I’m sure all roads will lead to another crack at the Stayers’ come March. Wholestone hails from the red-hot Nigel Twiston-Davies yard and has already found a winning bracket this season, when winning at Aintree on seasonal debut. It’s slightly worrying that he was bitterly disappointing behind Beer Googles twelve months ago, but he made amends with a victory in the Relkeel and numerous placings in the top staying races. This likeable gelding has been a model of consistency with the exception of the aforementioned run and although he doesn’t win that often he should give his running. Unowwhatimeanharry took this back in 2016 for Harry Fry and JP McManus but wasn’t the force of old last season and even though he’s had a recent wind operation he was comprehensively beaten by Wholestone most recently and I find it hard to see him reversing the form. Selection: Wholestone Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle It’s hard to weigh the French import “Dragon D’Estruval’s” form but one thing that is certain, is he’s well-schooled given the five-year-old has already run fifteen times. He never came off the bridle in a novice hurdle at Exter back in May and although he could be anything, a watching brief is best advised. The Fergal O’Brien trained De Name Evades Me looks be a late maturing horse, given that it took him four attempts to break his duck in Irish point to points. It took the same number of runs to get his head in front over hurdles on the racecourse proper and I find it hard to see him being up to winning a race of this calibre. Aux Ptits Sons is another French-bred who made a fantastic start to their career in England when he unbelievably landed the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham festival. John Hales’s grey wasn’t seen for another year after that win and he’s only won once since that opening victory. He has changed stables from Paul Nicholls to Dan Skelton since his last start 601 days ago.and he is only two pounds higher than when winning that Coral Cup, which makes him of interest. Selection: Aux Ptits Sons The post Friday Preview – Who Can Go The Distance At Newbury? appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Windsor Boys Racing’s Moonlit Promise (Malibu Moon), considered a leading contender for Canada’s champion sprint mare honors, has been retired from racing and will be bred to leading fifth-crop sire Quality Road in 2019, it was announced Thursday. The Hill ‘n’ Dale homebred was a Sovereign Award finalist in 2017 on the heels of a campaign which saw her earn a trio of stakes wins in the GII Bessarabian S., GIII Ontario Fashion S. and Sweet Briar Too S. After recapturing the Bessarabian and Sweet Briar Too in 2018, the bay retires with an overall record of 8-3-2 from 18 starts with earnings of $507,462. Moonlit Promise hails from the family of legendary sire and dual-champion A.P. Indy and GI Preakness S. winner Summer Squall. “It is extremely gratifying to raise a mare of the caliber of Moonlit Promise,” said Hill ‘n’ Dale president John Sikura. “She will be an invaluable addition to our broodmare band. Trainer Josie Carroll and her staff did a great job keeping her in top form for three seasons of racing. We are committed to giving her every opportunity breeding to Quality Road, who has enjoyed a phenomenal year.” Click here to read a November 2017 TDN feature on the unique partnership between Hill ‘n’ Dale and Windsor Boys Racing that campaigned Moonlit Promise. View the full article

3rd-AQU, $70K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:18 p.m. ET Chad Brown unveils the first foal out of his champion Dayatthespa (City Zip), a filly named AVA MALONE (Curlin), in this spot. Dayatthespa captured a trio of Grade I wins and an Eclipse award during her tenure for Brown, including the 2014 GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Turf. The New York-bred retired with 11 victories from 18 starts and earnings of $2,288,892 at the end of her 2014 championship season and was purchased by Stonestreet Stables for $2.1 million at that term’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Arnaud Delacour unveils another firster related to a Brown-trained champion in Tenacious Jewel (Medaglia d’Oro). The dark bay is out of MGSW Bizzy Caroline (Afleet Alex), who is a half sister to Eclipse winner and Keeneland November topper Lady Eli (Divine Park). This is also the family of GISW Sweet Loretta (Tapit), MGSW millionaire Tejano Run (Tejano) and stakes-winning juvenile and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Cruel Intention (Smiling Tiger). TJCIS PPs. 4th-AQU, $70K, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:47 p.m. ET Stonestreet Stables is represented by another well-related firster in this test in PASSION FLOWER (Tapit), a half-sister to MGISW and multi-millionaire Stopchargingmaria (Tale of the Cat). Stonestreet purchased their MSW & GSP dam Exotic Bloom (Montbrook) for $500,000 carrying a foal by Quality Road at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. At that time, Stopchargingmaria was just a MGSW & MGISP juvenile and she would go on to win six more graded events–three of which were Grade Is, including the Breeders’ Cup Distaff–and earn over $3 million. She summoned $4.4 million from Mandy Pope carrying a foal by Tapit at the recent Fasig-Tipton November Sale and Pope also purchased her first foal, a weanling Pioneerof the Nile filly, for $1.9 million at the same auction. TJCIS PPs. —@CDeBernardisTDN View the full article

The New York Racing Association and FOX Sports announced a long-term television programming deal Nov. 29 that will make FOX Sports the year-round national television home for NYRA racing from Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park. View the full article

As federal lawmakers attempt to hammer out a 2019 budget bill before a stopgap funding resolution expires Dec. 7, one of the under-the-radar items up for debate involves potentially lifting a long-standing block on funding for Agriculture Department inspectors to preside over equine meat-processing facilities. Specific non-funding language has existed in fiscal budget bills since 2005, with the exception of a brief period in 2012-13. And it is that inclusion of about 10 lines of text within what is generally a 2,000-page, $1.2 trillion piece of legislation that creates a de facto federal anti-slaughter policy in the United States: If the government is prohibited from using taxpayer dollars to inspect horse meat processing plants, those facilities can’t butcher horses to be used as food. The publication Roll Call, which reports on Capitol Hill news and the crafting of federal legislation, on Nov. 27 listed the possible removal of the anti-slaughter language as a potential funding dispute in the coming weeks. “House Republicans want to remove a rider that would prohibit the inspection of horses intended for human consumption,” Roll Call reported. “Some lawmakers from both parties and animal rights groups support the ban, but critics say it deprives federal and state agencies of a useful tool in managing wild horse populations. More than 100,000 horses annually are exported to Canada and Mexico, mainly for slaughter, and the meat is sold in foreign markets with a taste for it, such as the European Union.” Federal lawmakers have sparred over this issue in the past, most recently in December 2015. At that time, The Humane Society of the United States called it a “major victory” when the following language was incorporated at the last minute by negotiators working on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016: “None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel–(1) to inspect horses under section 3 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 603); (2) to inspect horses under section 903 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996; or (3) to implement or enforce section 352.19 of title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 21 regulation).” Last week, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) issued an “advocacy alert” that encouraged constituents to contact their legislators about ensuring that similar horse-protection language makes it into the 2019 spending bill. “Thankfully, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to include this amendment in its version of the 2019 Agriculture Appropriations bill–but the House Appropriations Committee did not,” the ASPCA wrote. “Because the Senate and House are on different pages, we need your help to ensure this critical language to protect our nation’s horses is included in the final bill.” In response to a TDN query about the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s position on anti-slaughter language in a federal budget bill, the organization’s president, Alex Waldrop, wrote in an email on Wednesday that “we are not involved in this issue at this time.” View the full article

RACING POST NAP 15:00 Newbury The big race of the day sees a Grade 2 contest at Newbury get underway with the annual running of the Long Distance Hurdle. A massive trial for the Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Some of the main protagonists are set to do battle prior to March and it’s great to see Sam Spinner, Unowhatimeanharry and Wholestone lineup. Although it may be unfair on the other runners it’s hard to see past this trio and unless a less experienced runner is going to provide a shock the winner looks likely to be from the three at the head of the market. Former festival victor Unowhatimeanharry is clearly the classiest horse in the race but at the age of 10 seems to be on the decline and after finishing 3rd behind Wholestone on his seasonal reappearance it looks a difficult task for Harry Fry’s runner to reverse the recent result. Sam Spinner is mightily consistent and has only finished outside of the top 3 once in his entire national hunt career. A fifth in last years Stayers Hurdle is far from a negative and he looks a major player. Sadly with a very big break off the track I’m not sure if he’s going to need this run and although he has gone well fresh in the past it looks like Wholestone is going to be the one to beat. A win over today’s rival Unowhatimeanharry showed that he’s progressed further over the summer and although he finished stone last in this race that year subsequent efforts has seen him leave that result way behind. WHOLESTONE (WIN) – NAP RACEBETS ALTERNATIVE BET 12:25 Southwell A trio of course and distance winners are set to lineup in the third race on the card at Southwell and all have great chances of entering the winners enclosure once again. Star Ascending absolutely adores it here at this venue with 5 wins and 6 places from 18 previous course starts. He returns to his beloved Southwell with 1lb less weight to carry than his last victory and is bound to be pushing our selection all the way. The horse that gets the nod is a fellow course and distance victor as Epitaph aims to improve on his 4th placed effort earlier in the month. As with the aforementioned rival Star Ascending he’s got less weight to carry since his last victory and with trainer Mick Appleby in form he looks to have the tools to at least finish in the top three. Of the remainder you can see Restive putting in a solid effort and after a layoff of over 7 years it’s worth noting that Landscape returns to the flat and a close look at the betting is going to be worthwhile with the ten year old veteran. EPITAPH (E/W) Southwell: 11:20 – Nuzha (E/W) 11:50 – Fuel Injection (WIN) 12:25 – Epitaph (E/W)* 13:00 – Corelli (WIN) 13:30 – Kommander Kirkup (E/W) 14:05 – Kupa River (E/W) 14:40 – Sultan Baybars (E/W) 15:50 – Sooqaan (E/W) Doncaster: 12:00 – Nadaitak (E/W) 12:35 – Charmant (WIN) 13:10 – The Tangler Barry (E/W) 13:40 – Nightfly (E/W) 14:15 – Almost Gold (E/W) 14:50 – Travertine (E/W) 15:25 – Dhowin (E/W) Newbury: 12:10 – Bright Forecast (E/W) 12:45 – Kupatana (WIN) 13:20 – Eclair D’Ainay (WIN) 13:50 – La Bague Au Roi (WIN) 14:25 – Willoughby Court (WIN) 15:00 – Wholestone (WIN) – NAP 15:35 – Aux Ptits Soin (E/W) Limerick: 12:15 – Vinnwarr (E/W) 12:50 – Ilikedwayurthinkin (E/W) 13:25 – Linger (E/W) 13:55 – Cairnhill (WIN) 14:30 – Whatsinthecorner (WIN) 15:05 – The Ballyboys (E/W) 15:40 – Arion Sky (WIN) Newcastle: 17:15 – Angels Acclaim (WIN) 17:45 – Bataar (WIN) 18:15 – Kenny The Captain (E/W) 18:45 – Ffiur (E/W) 19:15 – Tha’ir (E/W) 19:45 – Matterhorn (WIN) 20:15 – Indian Warrior (E/W) 20:45 – French (E/W) Dundalk: 17:30 – King’s Vow (WIN) 18:00 – Yamato (E/W) 18:30 – Anythingyouwanttobe (E/W) 19:00 – Grandmaster Flash (E/W) 19:30 – Stormy Daniels (E/W) 20:00 – Kasbah (E/W) 20:30 – Chelkar (E/W) 21:00 – Brokopondo (E/W) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Friday 30th November appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Three panels of the Dec. 3-5 Global Symposium on Racing in Tucson, Ariz., focus on sports betting as the horse racing industry studies the opportunities of sports books popping up in racing jurisdictions View the full article

Brexit was the main topic during the autumn meeting of the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders’ Associations (EFTBA) held at the Jockey Club on Nov. 27. Chaired by Joe Hernon of Castlehyde Stud, 13 countries were represented. The three countries comprising the Brexit team–Ireland, UK and France-prepared a complementary document explaining the EFTBA’s health procedures in breeding and racing, which fully demonstrates and guarantees the high health status of horses. Key to the free movement of horses post Brexit is the adherence to the Codes of Practice and the EFTBA formally adopted the codes as being truly international. “With Brexit top of the agenda, it is encouraging to see unstinting support from all member countries on the need to ensure the there is no change to the status quo post Brexit,” said EFTBA Chairman Joe Hernon. “The decision that the Codes of Practice were endorsed as international codes is testament to that support. Over the next few months we will intensify our lobbying efforts in all areas that affect our industry.” View the full article

$800,000 Sunland Derby (G3) punctuates $5 million stakes schedule View the full article

Group 1 winner Sands Of Mali (Fr) (Panis) will carry the silks of Phoenix Thoroughbreds in 2019 after they purchased a share in the Richard Fahey trainee. Original owners The Cool Silk Partnership will also retain a share in the rising 4-year-old who will remain in Fahey’s yard with an eye toward the G1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai at the end of March. A winner of the G2 Gimcrack S. as a juvenile, Sands Of Mali won the G3 Prix Sigy and G2 Sandy Lane S. in the spring prior to a good second in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June. He was a length clear of MG1SW Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S. at Ascot on Oct. 20. “We are delighted to have acquired a stake in such a talented horse.” said Phoenix Thoroughbreds CEO Amer Abdulaziz. “He proved last year to be a true champion and his win at Ascot in the Champions’ Sprint highlighted his potential and class. We are delighted to be entering into this new partnership with such successful owners and we look forward to many successful days at the races together.” “It’s been a great ride with Sands Of Mali and we look forward to continuing the journey with Phoenix Thoroughbreds,” said Peter Swann from The Cool Silk Partnership. “We have the same ambitions for this horse and we hope for some more high level success.” View the full article

Kendargent (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}), who enjoyed stakes winners in the UK, USA, France and Germany in 2018, will stand for €17,000 (exc. VAT) at Haras de Colleville next year. Represented by five stakes winners in 2018, the grey’s best for the year was German Group 2 winner Sky Full of Stars (Fr), and G3 St Simon S. hero Morando (Fr). He is joined by his multiple Group 3-winning son Goken (Fr) at €3,000, who is expecting his first yearlings in 2019. Also standing at that price point is listed winner Galiway (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who was GSP while racing and is expecting his first runners in 2019. The trio will be available for viewing by appointment throughout the year, including during the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale in Deauville from Dec. 8-11. View the full article

Newmarket trainer William Haggas has enjoyed a career-best year in 2018, his stable amassing £3-million in prize money for the first time, and he will look to clinch another Group 1 with the admirable mare One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in next Saturday’s G1 Hong Kong Mile. The 4-year-old will face some stiff opposition, including the star local miler Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock {Aus}), but she is no slouch herself, having won the G1 Prix de la Foret on Oct. 7 before finishing fifth, just a length off Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}), in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 3. “I was thrilled with that run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, it was quite possibly her career best, especially as her jockey was caught down on the rail, which was not where he wanted to be,” said Haggas. “But that is all in the past. What matters is that her owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, who are octogenarians from Pennsylvania in the U.S., are coming to Hong Kong to see her run. “They were at the Breeders’ Cup, had a great time, and have never been to Hong Kong, so they said, ‘why not, we may not get another chance.’ It’s a 17-hour flight–I am full of admiration for them.” Haggas added, “One Master will probably be running on quicker ground in Hong Kong than she met at Churchill, or when she won the [G3] Fairy Bridge S. in Ireland [earlier this year]. But I don’t think that will inconvenience her. I have trained generations of her family, which is a salutary reminder of how long I’ve been training for. Her mother, Enticing, set a course record at Bath over five furlongs on firm ground that I think still stands. It’s also possible that One Master has improved as we have asked her to run over further.” Ryan Moore has been signed on to ride One Master next weekend. View the full article

At this time of the year, plenty of column space is typically devoted to analyzing the performance of the first-crop sires of the season passed. Indeed, this year’s freshmen have provided plenty of reason to be hopeful for the future, as detailed by John Boyce in his latest column depicting the potential of No Nay Never and Kingman (GB) to evolve into super sires. As the year wraps up, however, it is also worth checking in on the progress of the second-season sires, and note who has built on the promise of their first 2-year-olds, whose progeny have jumped up the board given time to mature and who proved a flash-in-the-pan with their early runners. There is a clear leader in this sire crop, and that is Camelot (GB), who with his first two crops leads all sires with first foals born in 2015 by every major metric. According to the TDN‘s second crop cumulative sire list of stallions standing in Europe (as of Nov. 29), his worldwide progeny earnings of $6,079,786 (£4,759,499) are more than double that of last year’s late champion first-season sire Society Rock (Ire). At the close of 2017, Camelot sat just fourth on the first season sires’ table, behind the aforementioned Society Rock, Dabirsim (Fr) and Havana Gold (Ire) with 19 winners and just short of $550,000 in the bank. The G1 Racing Post Trophy, G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Derby winner, whose progeny were expected to mature later anyway, was already indicating at that point that bigger things were to come; despite sitting fourth by earnings he was the joint leader by stakes winners (two), stakes horses (five) and group stakes horses (three). In 2018, Camelot added 11 new stakes winners including G1 Irish Derby winner Latrobe (Ire) and GI Belmont Oaks winner Athena (Ire) from his first crop and G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Wonderment (Ire) from his second crop. Wait Forever (Ire) is one of the leading 3-year-old in Italy, his three stakes wins including the Italian 2000 Guineas; Hunting Horn (Ire) won the G3 Hampton Court S. at Royal Ascot and was third in the GI Belmont Derby, and Pollara (Ire) won the G3 Prix de Royaumont in France. His 13 stakes winners have won their black-type races in eight different distance brackets, ranging from 1000 to 1200 metres to 2400 metres-plus, and four of them won their stakes races at distances between 1800 metres to 2000 metres. As Camelot’s first crop has come of age, his second one is tracking along right on par: interestingly, his second crop of 2-year-olds currently includes 19 winners and two stakes winners-equal to his end-of-season 2017 tallies. Camelot’s first crop numbered 151 foals while his current 2-year-old crop is slightly smaller at 142. Each of those were bred off a €25,000 fee; he went up to €35,000 last year before his first runners hit the track, back down to €30,000 this year and he is up to a career high of €40,000 in 2019. Also making great strides this year was G1 Deutsches Derby winner Intello (Ger), the son of Galileo who has alternated between Haras du Quesnay in France and Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket. Another whose progeny could have been expected to improve with age, he jumped from 11th in his sire crop at the end of last year right up to second currently. The French listed winner Sonjeu (Fr) was his lone stakes-winning 2-year-old but this year he has added six more, headed by the G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Intellogent (Ire), the triple Group 3 winner and highly regarded Young Rascal (Fr) and the G3 Goodwood S. winner Regal Reality (GB). His 12 black-type horses in 2018 give him a strike rate of 12.4% from runners in that category, which betters even Camelot. Unfortunately, Intello will have to face the second and third crop hurdle that all but the very elite young sires do; his 2-year-olds numbered 75 this season, down from 102 in his first crop, and that crop has yielded just two winners from 22 starters. The tough sprinter Society Rock (Ire) had sadly died by the time his first 2-year-olds came out firing last year, having succumbed to laminitis at Tally-Ho Stud after covering about 80 mares in 2016. He ended the season on top of the first-crop sire table by both prize money and winners (29), with the G1 Prix Morny winner Unfortunately (Ire) his lone stakes winner and Tangled (Ire), Corinthia Knight (Ire) and So Hi Society (Ire) all performing well in key races. Unfortunately and Corinthia Knight both added a stakes success this year, while from his second crop of juveniles Society Rock added the listed winner and G3 Firth of Clyde S. second Shumookhi (Ire) and the G1 Cheveley Park S. second The Mackem Bullet (Ire). Unfortunately will have the chance to carry on the line, as he retires to stand alongside Intello at Cheveley Park Stud in 2019. Supporters of Dawn Approach (Ire) had reason to be nervous last year when the champion 2-year-old ended the season with zero stakes winners, but let’s not forget the G2 Coventry, G1 National S. and G1 Dewhurst S. winner–who also won Ireland’s first maiden of the year in March–also progressed into a Classic winner at three, and his first crop seem to have largely inherited those later developing genes. He notched three 3-year-old stakes winners this season headed by the G3 Prix de la Grotte winner and G1 Prix de Diane second Musis Amica (Ire). Thankfully for those seeking precocity, Dawn Approach’s second crop seems to have taken more after the early runners of their paternal grandsire New Approach, who was champion first-season sire of his time. Dawn Approach had a pair of stakes winners this year from his second crop, including Classic hopeful Madhmoon (Ire), winner of the G2 Champions Juvenile S. on Irish Champions Weekend. Of the current top five year-to-date second-crop sires in Europe, three are by sons or grandsons of Galileo (Ire), and those are rounded out by Havana Gold (Ire), who himself won the G3 Tattersall S. at two but was at his best at three when he won France’s G1 Prix Jean Prat. His progeny have followed in that mould: his flagbearer both this year and last has been Havana Grey (GB), who last year won the G3 Molecomb S., and who this year secured his spot at stud at Whitsbury Manor with a win in the G1 Flying Five S. Treasuring (GB), likewise, won the G3 Curragh S. at two and progressed to win the GIII Senorita S. in May. Havana Gold has also added three new listed winners from his first crop this year. View the full article

After finding a big priced 14/1 winner yesterday, the Picks From The P[addock team are back to give you their best bets covering every UK and Irish race! NAP Of The Day 14:25 Ayr Jockey Daryl Jacob has only ever ridden for trainer Dan Skelton on two separate occasions and he looks to make it third time lucky when they team up with No Hassle Hoff at Ayr this afternoon. The six year old returns after an encouraging 4th placed effort list time out. A step up in trip looks to be a positive step forward and with a recent run under his belt he’s bound to improve upon the run at Sandown. This looks potentially an easier race and if No Hassle Hoff has improved as expected he should take all the beating here. Uppertown Prince and Kalahari Queen look the only possible dangers to our selection however Uppertown Prince may need the run after a 230 day lay off and Kalahari Queen was beaten in a less competitive race last month. A decent enough contest but one that No Hassle Hoff really should be winning. NO HASSLE HOFF (WIN) – NAP ALTERNATIVE BET 17:45 Chelmsford A ridiculously competitive looking handicap awaits us in the first at Chelmsford however we hope to have unearthed somewhat of a surprise package in the form of Luis Vaz De Torres. A decent handicapper for trainer Richard Fahey when seen on the turf over the summer he returns to the all-weather after a decent turf campaign and now sits at 2lbs less than when victorious on an artificial surface. He seems to act well at Chelmsford with two places from just three starts at the track and being given an advantageous draw looks to have enough in his locker to grab place money at least. Course and distance victors Jellmood and Gentlemen look to go one better having both finished 2nd on their most recent starts and certainly pose a threat to our selection. LUIS VAZ DE TORRES (E/W) Warwick: 12:05 – Redzor (WIN) 12:35 – Definitelyanoscar (WIN) 13:10 – Agent Memphis (E/W) 13:45 – Stockburn (E/W) 14:15 – Youknowell (WIN) 14:50 – Without Frontier (E/W) 15:20 – Twist (WIN) Ayr: 12:10 – Buster Valentine (WIN) 12:45 – Peters Cousin (WIN) 13:20 – Niceandeasy (WIN) 13:55 – Rainy City (E/W) 14:25 – No Hassle Hoff (WIN) – NAP 15:00 – Uriah Heep (E/W) 15:30 – Vinnie Lewis (WIN) Thurles: 12:15 – Sir Carno (WIN) 12:50 – Coole Craft (E/W) 13:25 – Eclair De Beaufeu (WIN) 14:00 – Sassy Diva (WIN) 14:30 – Extrapolate (WIN) 15:05 – Commandant (WIN) 15:35 – Kildaven Spider (E/W) Taunton: 12:25 – Druide Premier (E/W) 13:00 – Greaneteen (WIN) 13:35 – Winter Spice (WIN) 14:05 – Lex Talionis (E/W) 14:40 – High Command (WIN) 15:10 – Upham Running (E/W) 15:45 – Chasing Headlights (E/W) Kempton: 16:30 – Festival Of Ages (E/W) 17:00 – Plunger (E/W) 17:30 – Sezim (E/W) 18:00 – Loch Lady (E/W) 18:30 – Jadeyra (WIN) 19:00 – Kadrizzi (WIN) 19:30 – Steel Helmet (E/W) 20:00 – Oakley Mimosa (E/W) Chelmsford: 17:45 – Luis Vaz De Torres (E/W)* 18:15 – Raheeb (WIN) 18:45 – Lordsbridge Boy (E/W) 19:15 – Smarter (E/W) 19:45 – Call Me Grumpy (WIN) 20:15 – Arlecchino’s Arc (E/W) 20:45 – Sweet Nature (WIN) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Thursday 29th November appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli will be armed with advice from his former boss when he hops aboard first-starter Glorious Spectrum on Sunday. The now Frankie Lor Fu-chuen-trained import won four from six starts in Italy under Rispoli’s old master Alduino Botti and was touted as one of the best up-and-coming milers in the country before being sold to Hong Kong interests. Now under Lor’s care, Glorious Spectrum has trialled three times, but will be set a much tougher task in the Class... View the full article

Addressing your thoughts, questions and statements about Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPost Always a good hint when Zac Purton jumps on a Casper Fownes-trained horse dropping in class. Avellino should have won earlier and now Fearless Fire wins comfortably at double-figure odds – @Tim_Tips Fownes and Purton have a strong history when combining together at Happy Valley and punters who followed them have been rewarded handsomely at the past two meetings... View the full article

The 4-year-old Blame filly will stretch out to a mile for the first time in the $250,000 Go for Wand Handicap (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 1. View the full article

Each week it seems like another good juvenile pops up (see Qahira, last weekend at Del Mar), but at this point there remains just one true headliner—undefeated Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) victor Game Winner View the full article

Early scratching November 30 View the full article

Globetrotting Mendelssohn will add another stamp to his passport with a visit to Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 1 for the $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1). View the full article

Seven juveniles seeking their first stakes win are set to line up in the gate Dec. 1 to contest the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) over 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article