Wandering Eyes

Plainsman made short work of a short field Nov. 24 when he won the $186,600 Discovery Stakes (G3) by 1 3/4 lengths at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

Sent off the overwhelming favorite at 2-5, Kazuko Yoshida’s 2-year-old filly Make Happy (Square Eddie, saddle cloth 14) successfully built on a 10-length debut victory over Toyko’s metric mile with a 2 1/2-length score in Saturday’s $172,679 Cattleya Sho going the same course and distance. One of the first to break the line, the $650,000 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream acquisition drifted back to a position in the clear and just ahead of midfield as her fellow U.S.-bred Seiun Kobe (Congrats, SC 5) and Evacuant (Street Boss, SC 2) eyeballed one another up front. Coddled along on the turn and into the lane by Christophe Lemaire, Make Happy was roused to the front four off the fence at the 200-meter pole and felt a single right-handed crack of the whip en route to the win. Godolphin’s Kingen (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}, SC 6), the 11-1 fourth choice, slipstreamed the eventual winner into the straight and stayed on nicely for second, just ahead of 169-1 outsider Johann (Jpn) (Johannesburg, SC 8). Washington Tesoro (Curlin, SC 3), himself a nine-length winner on debut and the second best-backed of the American-bred quartet, was locked away inside throughout and came home 10th, while Evacuant and Seiun Kobe weakened out to finish 12th and 13th, respectively, in the field of 14. Bred by Reddam Racing LLC, the daughter of Silar Rules (Ten Most Wanter) is a full-sister to GI Hopeful S. winner Ralis and to MSW & MGSP B Squared. Make Happy was consigned to the Gulfstream sale by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables and was purchased by Shadai Farm after breezing a furlong in :10 flat. Make Happy earned 10 points on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. The next race in the series, the Dec. 19 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Racecourse, is contested over a two-turn mile going left-handed and offers 20 points to the winner. Saturday’s Results: CATTLEYA SHO-Cond., ¥19,490,000 ($172,679), Tokyo, 11-24, 2yo, 1600m, 1:38.3, ft. 1–MAKE HAPPY, 118, f, 2, Square Eddie-Silar Rules, by Ten Most Wanted. ($650,000 2yo ’18 FTFMAR). O-Kazuko Yoshida; B-Reddam Racing LLC (KY); T-Koichi Shinkai; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥10,343,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, ¥17,343,000. 2–Klingen (Jpn), 121, c, 2, Gold Allure (Jpn)–Japanese Whisper (UAE), by Machiavellian. ¥4,098,000. 3–Johann (Jpn), 121, c, 2, Johannesburg-Must Buy Item (Jpn), by Afleet. ¥2,549,000. Margims: 2HF, 1HF, 3/4. Odds: 0.40, 11.40, 169.20. WATCH: Make Happy stays perfect in the Cattleya Sho View the full article

The curtain came down on six days of polarised trade at Goffs on Saturday with the single-session Part 2 of the November Foal Sale. Unlike last year, the foal sale was condensed into one day rather than spread over two, and following a dismal clearance rate at Friday’s mare sale it was encouraging to see a bit more activity on Saturday, albeit at a modest level. Again, the market spoke loudly when it came to deciding what stock was desirable, especially from a pinhooking point of view, and buyers were still particularly cautious about where they allocated their spend. The clearance rate for the day reflected this and came in at 61%, a small drop on last year’s 66%. Consequently, the aggregate fell 36% to €1,033,800, while the average and median both declined to €6,713 (-18%) and €3,700 (-36%), respectively. Looking at the six-day sale as a whole, it was obvious from midway through that it would struggle to match the impressive returns posted last year and the total aggregate of just over €28-million fell a long way short of the 2017 turnover of €42-million. “Everything is relative,” reflected Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby at the close of business. “Whilst today’s trade could not be described as strong, it has moved up a notch compared to Friday and those foals that were deemed to have residual value have enjoyed keen competition from a large group of pinhookers right up to the very last lot. Today’s top price of €52,000 is a fair bit higher than at last year’s comparable sale and it was perhaps revealing that the clearance rate was two points ahead of Day 1. None of this, however, should detract from the issues we highlighted yesterday and we recognise the major challenges facing breeders in the current climate. Our commitment is to continue to work tirelessly to provide the best market possible and we continue to invest around the world as we strive to attract the biggest number of buyers to each sale. We appreciate the support we receive from so many breeders and were pleased that the upper end of our foal sale earlier in the week enjoyed a strong and vibrant trade for the best with several very happy vendors. That the four day foal sale median price held steady is interesting, but it must be viewed against a clearance rate that was short of 2017 as well as the fact that last year’s foal sale made huge advances, so we are still well ahead of 2016 by every measure.” He continued, “The format of the sale is now well established and the addition of the new Barns X, Y and Z to give us an additional 96 stables, taking the total to 762, has been universally well received. They are part of the ongoing programme of investment we continue to make in Kildare Paddocks to ensure it maintains its place as simply the best sales ground for vendors, purchasers and horses. At this point I want to pay tribute to our Facilities Manager, Ger Hennessy, and his superb team who literally worked night and day to complete the new blocks whilst at the same time delivering the impeccable service for which we are renowned. Nothing is too much trouble for Ger and his colleagues, and we are lucky to have them on our team.” Last year the top lot at Part 2 sold for €39,000 and 22 lots made €20,000 or more, and while there were only 10 foals that made in excess of €20,000 this time around, the top lot exceeded that of 2017 when Tally-Ho Stud signed for a son of Fast Company (Ire) for €52,000. In getting the better of another O’Callaghan, Robert of Yeomanstown Stud, for the big-walking colt offered by Collegelands as lot 1381, the Tally-Ho team were adding to a considerable haul of foals bought this week that saw them end up the leading purchaser by aggregate in Part 1, when they bought 19 foals for just shy of €1-million. Lot 1314 from Ballybin Stud also proved one of the more sought-after lots when selling to Liam McAteer’s Woodtown House Stud for €33,000. McAteer, who bought fillies by Shalaa (Ire) and Showcasing (GB) earlier in the week, said he did not intend to continue his shopping on Saturday but when he saw the son of Footstepsinthesand (GB) he swiftly changed his mind. “He is a smashing horse with a lovely profile and good conformation,” McAteer, a farrier by trade, said afterwards. “He’s a good, strong sort who should suit an early yearling sale next year. We love Footstepsinthesand also and we were keen to get this foal,” he added. Guy O’Callaghan of Grangemore Stud knows how to turn a profit with a foal and he bought lot 1414, a colt by Tara Stud stallion Estidhkaar (Ire), for €32,000. Offered by Glenanore Stud, the foal is out of the French two-time winner Cumbfree (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). The Yeomanstown branch of the O’Callaghans didn’t go away empty handed, and their spending included lot 1507, a Dandy Man (Ire) filly offered by Cafre Enniskillen Campus that sold for €30,000. The first foals by Tally-Ho Stud stallion Mehmas (Ire) were also well-received in Part 1 with six selling for an average of €39,000 and that demand followed through to Part 2 when a colt from Nanallac Stud (lot 1239) sold for €28,000 to Wyanstown House. The foal’s dam Oonagh (Ire) (Arakan) was a winner herself and as well as being a half-sister to two stakes performers in Majestic Myles (Ire) (Majestic Missile {Ire}) and Parbold (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), her first produce is the promising Gordon Elliott trained 2-year-old Aristocratic Man (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). The next sale in Goffs is the December National Hunt Sale which takes place Dec. 12 and 13. View the full article

Sunday’s GIII Cecil B. Demille S. attracts a field of just six juvenile colts looking to earn their black-type badge over the Del Mar turf course. Jerry Hollendorfer saddles one of the strongest candidates in Calumet Farm homebred Flying Scotsman (English Channel). Third when unveiled in a turf sprint here Aug. 8, the chestnut earned his diploma last time when stretched to a mile over the Arcadia lawn Sept. 29 and enters off a six-panel bullet in 1:14 1/5 on the Santa Anita main track Nov. 18 (1/7). Also looking to step up off his maiden win is Vantastic (Dialed In). Second behind a ‘TDN Rising Star’ performance from recent GIII Bob Hope S. winner Mucho Gusto (Mucho Macho Man) on the dirt at Los Alamitos in his Sept. 20 debut, the bay went wire-to-wire to earn his diploma next out when switched to the sod at Santa Anita Oct. 20. Zuma Beach S. third and fourth-place finishers Rijeka (Ire) (Roderic O’Connor {Ire}) and Takeo Squared (Square Eddie) also return in this spot. View the full article

Fresh off a game victory in Friday’s GI Clark H. at Churchill Downs, trainer Brad Cox is looking ahead to 2019 with Leofric (Candy Ride {Arg}) for a 6-year-old campaign that includes several options, including the $9-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park Jan. 26. “The Pegasus is an option that we’ll keep on the table,” Cox said. “This horse developed so much over the summer and has really come into his own. We’ll also look at the [GII] Oaklawn H. [Apr. 13] as a long-range target as well.” Owned by Steve Landers Racing, Leofric followed a solid third in Saratoga’s GI Woodward S. Sept. 1 with a win in Keeneland’s GII Hagyard Fayette S. Oct. 27. View the full article

MIHOS (c, 2, Cairo Prince–Feline Flatline, by Lion Heart) earned his diploma in impressive fashion at second asking to become the latest ‘TDN Rising Star’ at Aqueduct Saturday. He finished third on debut going six panels at Belmont Sept. 23, a race that was further flattered when winner Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) returned to take the GII Nashua S. and runner-up Epic Dreamer (Orb) came back to earn his diploma in Elmont Oct. 26. Hammered down to 3-5 favoritism while receiving Lasix for this first time here, Mihos tracked from a two-wide fourth through an opening quarter in :22.59. Progressing up the outside, the $320,000 KEESEP buy stalled a bit on the backstretch, but ranged up five wide to tackle the leaders turning for home. Once pilot Rajiv Maragh got the bay to switch leads in the stretch, it was all over as Mihos stormed clear and was under wraps by the time he hit the wire in 1:11.20. Shadwell homebred Mutakaamil (Tapit) hopped at the start, spotting the field several lengths early, but rallied to finish second by a length. Lifetime Record: 3-1-0-1. O-Centennial Farms; B-Wayne & Gray & Bryan Lyster (KY); T-Jimmy Jerkens. View the full article

Make Happy, a California-bred daughter of grade 1 winner Square Eddie, raced close to the pace in the Cattleya Sho Nov. 24 at Tokyo Racecourse, then quickly found another gear and drew away to a 2 1/2-length victory. View the full article

RACING POST NAP 14:50 Exeter Night Of Sin didn’t have much to beat when winning a three-runner affair by over forty lengths at Taunton last time out as his main rival unseated his jockey at the sixth. That said, Nick Williams’ grey put in a lovely round of jumping and at the same time showed he copes with fast ground, readily coming clear to win with ease. Furthermore, Lizzie Kelly has a 43% winning strike rate in the last 12 months at the course and has been in the saddle for all three career wins so with further progression likely I am hopeful of another victory here today. Admiral’s Secret hasn’t been since April but arrives here chasing a hat-trick and would have to be considered if fully fit on return, while New Millennium finally got his nose in front over fences at the fourth time of asking but has been steadily improving so could still be competitive off a 6lbs higher mark. Night Of Sin (WIN) – NAP RACEBETS ALTERNATIVE BET 15:00 Navan De Name Escapes Me returned from a seven-month summer break with an impressive victory at Naas earlier this month, travelling strongly before asserting between the final two hurdles and quickly pulling four lengths clear of the eventual runner-up. He won’t have any issues with the extra distance he encounters today, he has built up an excellent partnership with jockey Mark Walsh (teaming up to win three from five) and the forecast rain will only help his cause so he is taken to defy an 8lbs rise and bag another victory here today. Salty Boy makes his handicap debut following victory last time out and has been progressing well, while Pass The Ball has won three of his last four over hurdles and should give another good account despite a career-high mark. If the rain stays away then both would have to be considered in with each-way chances. De Name Escapes Me (WIN) Exeter: 12:50 – Shintori (WIN) 13:20 – Vango De Vaige (WIN) 13:50 – Royal Palladium (WIN) 14:20 – Lil Rockerfeller (WIN) 14:50 – Night Of Sin (WIN) NAP 15:20 – Mantovani (WIN) 15:50 – Lightly Squeeze (WIN) Navan: 12:00 – Defi Bleu (WIN) 12:30 – Put The Kettle ON (WIN) 13:00 – First Approach (WIN) 13:30 – Kilkeaskins First (E/W) 14:00 – Paloma Blue (WIN) 14:30 – Minella Beau (WIN) 15:00 – De Name Escapes Me (WIN)* 15:30 – Silk And Sand (E/W) Uttoxeter: 13:10 – Jalingo (WIN) 13:40 – Our Dot’s Baby (WIN) 14:10 – Sandy Beach (WIN) 14:40 – Notwhatiam (WIN) 15:10 – Global Domination (WIN) 15:40 – Little Mille (WIN) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Sunday 25th November appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

The Tattersalls December Sale provided Bobby Flay with his first graded stakes winner back in 2009. Her name was Mrs Kipling (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), her price was 165,000gns and her finest hour came in the Grade III Senorita S. at Hollywood Park. Just as Park Paddocks assisted the celebrity chef on his way to becoming a successful owner-breeder, Newmarket will now host an end of an era for Flay, as it presents a dispersal of his European stock over the coming fortnight. Three foals, three broodmares and two fillies in training make up the offering, consigned by Baroda & Colbinstown Studs. It’s not the first time Baroda & Colbinstown have sold on behalf of Flay, as David Cox of the Baroda branch says, “In our first year [2017] selling for Bobby, we sold Modernstone (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) for 1,000,000gns; our first ever million-guineas sale. They tell me we’re going to break that this year.” Cox has also benefited from his client’s culinary skills, as he explains, “The relationship with Bobby Flay came through Bradley Weisbord. He asked us if we would be interested in selling some horses for Bobby and when I went to Belmont to see Clondaw Warrior run, we were invited to Bobby’s for brunch–he cooks a mean brunch.” All of Flay’s stock has been kept at Coolmore throughout his involvement in Europe, but the three foals catalogued next week have been prepped at Baroda Stud, situated outside Newbridge in County Kildare. Though all three are by red-hot stallions, the eye is immediately drawn to the Frankel (GB) colt (lot 1061) from the Ballymacoll family of Golan (Ire) (Spectrum {Ire}), Tartan Bearer (Spectrum {Ire}) and Gamut (Ire) (Spectrum {Ire}). Cox, thankfully, confirms that the colt’s physique matches the pedigree. He says, “The Frankel colt is very athletic, a good walker and will tick a lot of boxes for end-users. The War Front 2-year-old filly sold to Shadwell for 550,000gns and then grew a lot. I’m told she’ll run at three.” The colt’s dam, Auld Alliance (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), joins her son at Tattersalls as lot 1909. As well as an esteemed pedigree, she also boasts black-type, having finished third in a stakes contest at Woodbine. Her future as a broodmare looks even brighter, according to Cox. “Auld Alliance’s Frankel foal is an excellent example of what she can produce and she is offered back in foal to him. It’s a great producing family and Auld Alliance has sisters in foal to the likes of Kodiac (GB) and War Front, so it’s very current.” The foal draft also includes a son of Invincible Spirit (Ire) (lot 1060), of whom Cox says, “The Invincible Spirit colt is another great walker and nice individual. He looks strong and fast. In fact, he’s just as nice as the Frankel colt.” He, too, is out of a Montjeu (Ire) mare in Albisola (Ire), a listed and Group 3 winner in France, who was beaten just a length and a quarter on her sole Group 1 outing in the Prix Saint-Alary. She is a half-sister to Group 1 performer Johnny Barnes (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), while five of her half-sisters are stakes-producing dams, their produce including dual Group 1 winner Ectot (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}), St James’s Palace S. victor Most Improved (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) and G1 1000 Guineas third Daban (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). Albisola is offered as lot 1647, in foal to Lope De Vega (Ire). Completing the trio of Flay foals is a Dark Angel (Ire) filly (lot 1062) out of American Spirit (Ire), herself an unraced half-sister to champion 3-year-old Authorized (Ire). Described as “a very pretty filly” by her consignor, the April-born bay represents a change of direction in matings, her dam having previously been sent to Halling (GB), Makfi (GB) and Nathaniel (GB), with Flay owning a share in the latter. Her relations are as esteemed as those of the colts, with Arc heroine Solemia (Ire) (Poliglote {GB}), top miler The Gurkha (Ire) (Galileo{Ire}) and French champion 2-year-old Okawango (Kingmambo) featuring on her page. Cascabel (GB) (Nathaniel {IRE}), a 3-year-old daughter of American Spirit, is also catalogued (lot 2125), this time as a horse in training. Unraced as a juvenile, she finished second twice this year before breaking her maiden over a mile-and-a- half at Galway. Her racing career does not have to end in the sales ring, though, as her trainer, Joseph O’Brien, explains, “Cascabel is a big mare who took time and will definitely be better next year. She stays very well, likes soft ground and tries very hard in her races.” O’Brien said he thinks there is more to come from Flay’s other filly in training, Anchovy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 1494), who made her sole start on Nov. 8. O’Brien adds, “Anchovy showed a bit of ability at home and ran well on debut, considering she was very green. She will come on a lot from that run, though she unfortunately had a little setback afterwards, but I’m confident she will train on. She is a nice mover with plenty of quality.” By multiple champion sire Galileo, Anchovy is out of the stakes-placed Storm Cat mare Countess Lemonade, whom Flay purchased at Tattersalls for 700,000gns in 2010. Already a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Duke Of Marmalade (Ire) (Danehill), she subsequently received dream updates to her pedigree as another sibling, Ruler Of The World (Ire), was crowned champion 3-year-old for his Derby victory. Completing Flay’s dispersal is dual stakes winner Banzari (GB) (Motivator {GB}) (lot 1910), of whom Cox says, “Banzari was bought by James Delahooke, as were all of the mares we’re offering. She went on to be placed at Group 1 level and is an attractive, compact individual; she should suit Fastnet Rock, who she’s carrying to.” Banzari, unsurprisingly, is also well bred, descending from the same family as top-class racemare The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}), Group 1-winning sprinter Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) and champion 3-year-old Compton Admiral (GB) (Suave Dancer). Cox adds, “What’s important to get across is that these foals and mares are for sale, with no reserve. Some people doubt this, because Bobby bought back Cover Song at Fasig-Tipton, but she was a different story. She is one of his top mares and in foal to Dubawi (Ire), so he was only going to sell her at a price. The thing he keeps telling me is, ‘remember–there’s no reserve.'” View the full article

All the focus is on superstar filly Almond Eye as she chases her sixth straight victory in Sunday’s Group One Japan Cup at Tokyo. The three-year-old has taken all before her this season, completing the Japanese fillies’ Triple Crown last start and now takes on the older horses in the country’s showcase event. “The Japan Cup is a famous race around the world and it carries the top purse of all Japanese races. All horses that have won the race have gone on to become super... View the full article

Trainer Tony Millard is making up for lost time as he attempts to prime his star galloper Northern Superstar for next months’ Longines Hong Kong Cup. The dual Group One-winning South African import will make his Hong Kong debut on Sunday in the Class One Chevalier Cup (1,600m) but Millard admits he would be happy just to see his horse “run on well” after a shortened preparation. Having last raced in South Africa in December 2017, the five-year-old has had almost 12 months off... View the full article

It was a scorching piece of trackwork on Friday that left trainer and jockey in no doubt that seasoned sprinter Not Listenin’tome is ready to turn back the clock on Sunday. The eight-year-old, who has consistently placed in Group-level races during his five season career in Hong Kong, drops back to Class Two company on Sunday for the first time since 2015 in the Chevalier Construction Handicap (1,000m). Jockey Silvestre de Sousa said the 1,000m trip up the Sha Tin straight will be right... View the full article

Robert McNair, who brought the National Football League back to his beloved Houston and who quickly rose to prominence as a Thoroughbred owner and breeder from the mid 1990s and for the better part of a decade and a half, passed away Friday. He was five weeks shy of his 81st birthday. Born in Tampa, Florida, Dec. 31, 1937, McNair grew up in Forest City, North Carolina, and ultimately graduated the University of South Carolina in 1958. His wife Janice attended a nearby university and the couple relocated to Houston in 1960. McNair founded Cogen Technologies, a cogeneration conglomerate that he later sold to Enron for a reported $1.5 billion. The McNairs purchased their first horse in 1994 and purchased farmland from Arthur Hancock III that fall. In 1997 and now operating as Stonerside Farm, the McNairs purchased the entire broodmare band of Jack Kent Cooke’s Elmendorf Farm in 1997, including Halory (Halo), who would become the dam of $6.4-million Keeneland September yearling and GSW/G1SP Van Nistelrooy (Storm Cat), who Stonerside raced in partnership with Michael Tabor and Sue Magnier. Also among the mares they gained from Elmendorf was Mari’s Sheba (Mari’s Book), who produced future six-time Grade I winner and 2001 GI Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Congaree (Arazi). Other top horses bred and/or raced by Stonerside included the operation’s champion Chilukki (Cherokee Run), who is buried on the property and Country Star (Empire Maker). Soon after their entry into the business, the couple’s second horse, Strodes Creek (Halo), was runner-up in the 1994 Derby and third as the favorite in the GI Belmont S. McNair raced Strodes Creek with his Hancock III, the colt’s breeder, and trainer Charlie Whittingham. Weeks prior to the running of the 1997 Belmont, Stonerside purchased an interest in a Deputy Minister colt from Frank Stronach. Touch Gold would go on to derail the Triple Crown bid of Silver Charm at Big Sandy. Stonerside also owned a piece of MGISW Coronado’s Quest (Forty Niner). Despite the considerable success in the horse business, McNair’s heart was always home in Houston, and he made it his crusade to bring the NFL back to the city following the departure of the Houston Oilers for Tennessee in 1996. McNair formed Houston NFL Holdings in 1998 and a year later, the NFL awarded the franchise to McNair. The Houston Texans entered the league in 2002. NRG Stadium (the former Reliant Stadium) was constructed beginning in 2000 at a cost of $352 million and was the first NFL facility to have a retractable dome. It has since played host to two Super Bowls (2004, 2017). Having decided to turn his attention to the football club, McNair sold Stonerside and the vast majority of its Thoroughbred holdings to Sheikh Mohammed for an undisclosed price. Less than two months after the transaction closed, Stonerside-bred Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song–Fleet Lady) clinched an Eclipse Award in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Raven’s Pass (Elusive Quality–Ascutney) won the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita. “Janice and I have loved every minute of owning Stonerside,” he told Daily Racing Form in September 2008. “But I have a duty to the Houston Texans now, and it has become increasingly difficult to focus on both ventures.” The final crop of Stonerside-bred horses included G1/GI winners White Moonstone (Dynaformer), It’s Tricky (Mineshaft) and Don’t Tell Sophia (Congaree). Bobby Spalding served McNair and Stonerside as farm manager from 1997-2008. “This is a tremendously sad day for me and my family,” Spalding, now farm manager at Summer Wind Farm. “When I met them, I was out of work. He gave me a big chance in life, and I enjoyed our relationship and really miss our relationship. He was a very special person, I’ve never met anyone like him before. He was such a big presence in Houston.” A noted philanthropist, McNair was a frequent contributor to projects in the Greater Houston area and has donated millions of dollars to a variety of institutions. In 1989, he and his wife established the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation to benefit financially challenged students in Rutherford County, NC, where he attended high school. The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation was established in 2015 and has helped to create centers for entrepreneurship at several universities. Funeral arrangements are pending. View the full article

Former owner and breeder Bob McNair, who founded Stonerside Stable in 1994 with his wife Janice and owned the NFL's Houston Texans, died Nov. 23 after a battle with cancer, according to NFL.com. He was 81. View the full article

Leofric seized the lead in the stretch, then held off Bravazo late for a narrow win in the $500,000 Clark Handicap presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

After a near miss in the 2017 Hollywood Turf Cup (G2T), when he finished second by a neck, Glen Hill Farm's homebred Chicago Style came back to his favorite turf course and won a photo finish a year later. View the full article

After making a sweeping move on the far turn, Princess Warrior showed she could close the deal at an elevated level when she captured the $200,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T). View the full article

Horses' test results November 24 View the full article

LEOFRIC (h, 5, Candy Ride {Arg}–Lady Godiva, by Unbridled’s Song) put the wraps on a truly memorable season with a doggedly determined defeat of an equally game Bravazo (Awesome Again) in Friday’s GI Clark H. at Churchill Downs. The 3-1 third choice behind defending champion Seeking the Soul (Perfect Soul {Ire}) and Bravazo, Leofric got the perfect spot in transit, covered up in fourth as Prime Attraction (Unbridled’s Song), just defeated by Leofric in the GII Fayette S. at Keeneland Oct. 27, cut out a solid pace on the sharp end. About the same time Bravazo was being stoked up by Joel Rosario for a three-wide run around the far turn, Leofric was given his cue to take the race to the pacesetter and the stage was set. Leofric turned for home narrowly in front and it appeared that Bravazo may have the momentum into the final furlong, but the 5-year-old gray entire, giving Bravazo three pounds, stiff-armed that challenge and stuck his head across the wire first. Seeking the Soul settled in the latter half of the field early on and opted for a run inside of a tiring rival at the quarter pole. He looked to have every chance at the eighth pole, but could not go with the top two and settled for third in defense of his title. A $330,000 Keeneland September yearling in 2014, Leofric was sold to connections for $100,000 as a racing prospect at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. Lifetime Record: 14-8-1-3. O-Steve Landers Racing LLC; B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Brad Cox. Friday, Churchill Downs CLARK H. PRESENTED BY NORTON HEALTHCARE-GI, $500,000, Churchill Downs, 11-23, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:48.59, ft. 1–LEOFRIC, 121, h, 5, by Candy Ride (Arg) 1st Dam: Lady Godiva, by Unbridled’s Song 2nd Dam: Lady of Choice, by Storm Bird 3rd Dam: Chosen Lady, by Secretariat 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($330,000 Ylg ’14 KEESEP; $100,000 3yo ’16 KEENOV). O-Steve Landers Racing LLC; B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Brad H Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $300,700. Lifetime Record: 14-8-1-3, $951,040. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Bravazo, 118, c, 3, Awesome Again–Tiz o’ Gold, by Cee’s Tizzy. O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-D Wayne Lukas. $97,000. 3–Seeking the Soul, 123, h, 5, Perfect Soul (Ire)–Seeking the Title, by Seeking the Gold. ($37,000 RNA 2yo ’15 OBSOPN). O/B-Charles Fipke (KY); T-Dallas Stewart. $48,500. Margins: NK, 2 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 3.30, 2.40, 1.50. Also Ran: Prime Attraction, Hence, Hawaakom, Storm Advisory, Sightforsoreeyes. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Leofric seized the lead in the stretch then held off Bravazo late for a narrow win in the $500,000 Clark Handicap presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Cleber Massey's Blamed ran to her 6-5 odds Nov. 23 in the $200,000 Comely Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack, where she led the field through easy fractions, pulled away in the stretch, and won by just three-quarters of a length. View the full article

Exiting a better-than-it-looked fourth to Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland Oct. 13, PRINCESS WARRIOR (f, 3, Midshipman–Sessa, by Consolidator) took flight with a wide run around the far turn and kept finding in the lane to post an upset in Friday’s GII Mrs. Revere S. at overlaid 11-1. Seventh, but not far from the front passing under the wire for the first time, the $60,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old was guided into the clear from midfield as Cool Beans (Candy Ride {Arg}) took them along over the yielding going. Brian Hernandez Jr. let it out a notch with about three furlongs to race, and Princess Warrior loomed boldly four deep into the lane. Cool Beans cut the corner and was plugging on gamely, but she could not resist the run from Princess Warrior, who seized command with a little less than an eighth of a mile to run and held sway late. Get Explicit (Get Stormy) rallied to cut the winning margin down to a length on the wire. Winning trainer Ken McPeek told Churchill’s Joe Kristufek that connections were hoping for an invitation to the GI American Oaks at the end of December, a race won in 2017 by the McPeek-trained and now-retired Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy). O-Evan, Matthew & Drew Trommer; B-George M Veloudis (KY); T-Ken McPeek. View the full article

IDLE HOUR (f, 2, Malibu Moon–Downthedustyroad {GISW, $291,708}, by Storm and a Half) defied her 10-1 odds in this unveiling with a decisive graduation at Churcthe Fair Grounds Friday afternoon. Shooting straight to the front, the $100,000 KEESEP buy ticked off opening splits of :22.15 and :46.42 and cruised clear in the stretch to win for fun. The winner’s dam Downthedustyroad, winner of the 2006 GI La Brea S., was purchased by Fleetwood Bloodstock for $1.5 million at the 2007 Keeneland January Sale. The 15-year-old mare’s most recent produce is a yearling filly by Curlin and she was bred to American Pharoah earlier this term. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Grousemont Farm (KY); T-Brendan Walsh. View the full article

Looking to remain perfect at a route of ground, BLAMED (f, 3, Blame-Salsa Star, by Giant’s Causeway) was rated along nicely by Julien Leparoux, had a nice kick in upper stretch and held off a late bid from an unlucky Remedy (Creative Cause) for a three-quarter length victory in Friday’s GIII Comely S. at Aqueduct. Trained in New Mexico by Joel Marr through the first half-dozen starts of her career, the bay aired by better than six lengths in the Island Fashion S. over a flat mile in February and in the Mar. 25 Sunland Park Oaks the following month. Forced to miss the GI Kentucky Oaks with a fractured right hind pastern, she resurfaced in the Bill Mott barn and made a good deal of the running in the GII Lexus Raven Run S. at Keeneland Oct. 20 only to be run down late by subsequent GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Shamrock Rose (First Dude). Sent off the 6-5 chalk while stretching back out to two turns, Blamed was allowed a fairly soft time of it on the engine, getting the opening half-mile in a comfortable :49.01 and six panels in 1:13 and some change. Shaken up at the top of the stretch, she opened daylight on her rivals and was home narrowly in front. Remedy bobbled at the break from the widest gate and lingered towards the back of the field early on. She began to improve her position, made eye-catching progress on the turn and was able to sustain a three-furlong run that nearly carried her to victory. Indy Union (Union Rags) was third. A $77,000 Keeneland September buyback, Blamed is the 11th group/graded winner for her sire and is out of a stakes-placed half-sister to MGSW sprinter Pacific Ocean (Ghostzapper). O-Cleber Massey; B-Sagamore Farm (MD); T-Bill Mott. View the full article

7.15 Wolverhampton, Cond, £5,800, 2yo, 8f 142y (AWT) Cheveley Park Stud homebred ASTROLOGER (GB) (Intello {Ger}) is an unraced daughter of G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S. runner-up Starscope (GB) (Selkirk). Her opponents include Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Alhaazm (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who is a full-brother to G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-winning sire Awtaad (Ire), representing Sir Michael Stoute; and Sultan Ali’s Approach the City (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who is a Simon Crisford-trained son of GSW G1 Falmouth S. third First City (GB) (Diktat {GB}). 7.45 Wolverhampton, Cond, £5,800, 2yo, 8f 142y (AWT) Princess Haya of Jordan’s CASANOVA (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a half-brother to G3 UAE 2000 Guineas hero Kinglet (Kingmambo) out of G1 Coronation S. and GI Queen Elizabeth II S. runner-up Karen’s Caper (War Chant). The John Gosden incumbent faces one dozen rivals, including fellow firster Rich Cummins (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who is a son of G2 Premio Lydia Tesio victress Claxon (GB) (Caerleon) and thus kin to four stakes performers headed by G1 Nassau S. runner-up Cassydora (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), from the Mark Johnston stable. View the full article