Wandering Eyes

THE COACH UNVEILS PRICEY PHAROAH COLT 2nd-CD, $95K, Msw, 2yo, 5f, 1:14p.m. Wayne Lukas saddles Beth and Michael Harper’s $475,000 KEESEP buy PHAROAH CAT (American Pharoah) for his first trip to the post Sunday at Churchill Downs. The dark bay’s unraced dam Meerkat Miss (Giant’s Causeway) is a half-sister to European champion Hold That Tiger (Storm Cat), MGISW millionaire Editor’s Note (Forty Niner) and SW Catnip (Flying Paster), who produced MGSW & GISP Indescribable (Pleasant Tap) and GSW Micromanage (Medaglia d’Oro). This is also the family of Lukas-trained champion Family Style (State Dinner) and GISW sire Hennessy (Storm Cat). Ian Wilkes sends out another well-bred first timer in Ghostlore (Ghostzapper). Out of SW Ornate (Gilded Time), the bay is a half to MGISW millionaire On Fire Baby (Smoke Glacken), GSW High Heels (E Dubai) and SW & GSP French Kiss (Hussonet). Buttered Noodles, a member of the last crop of City ZIp, makes his debut in this test as well. The $100,000 OBSMAR buy is out of a half-sister to GI Florida Derby hero and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Materiality (Afleet Alex) and GSW & MGISP My Miss Sophia (Unbridled’s Song), who was second to only champion Lady Eli (Divine Park) when selling for $4 million at last year’s Keeneland November carrying a foal by War Front. This is also the family of GISW Embellish the Lace (Super Saver) and MGSW Eye of the Tiger (American Chance). TJCIS PPs SHIRREFFS HOPING FOR ANOTHER ‘HOLLYWOOD STORY’ 10th-SA, $65K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 8:30p.m. John Shireffs trained Hollywood Story (Wild Rush) to a pair of Grade I victories and over $1.1 million in earnings and Saturday he saddles her daughter HOLLYWOOD GIRL (Giant’s Causeway) in her debut at Santa Anita. C R K Stable went to $875,000 at Keeneland September to acquire the dark bay miss, who is a half-sister to stakes winner Miss Hollywood (Malibu Moon) and MGSP Hollywood Star (Malibu Moon). TJCIS PPs The post June 23 Insights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SISTERCHARLIE’S LITTLE ‘SISTER’ MAKES U.S. DEBUT 3rd-BEL, $85K, Opt. Clm. ($62.5K), 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 2:34p.m. Peter Brant and trainer Chad Brown send out MY SISTER NAT (FR) (Acclamation {GB}), a half-sister to their champion Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), in her American debut at Belmont Saturday. A Group 3 winner in Europe, Sistercharlie won four of her five U.S. starts for Brant and Brown last term, all at the Grade I level in the Jenny Wiley S., Diana S., Beverly D. S. and Breeders’ Cup F/M Turf, making her the clear choice for the Eclipse Award. My Sister Nat won two of her six French starts for Gemini Stud and trainer F-H Graffard, including the G3 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon in September, and was privately purchased by Brant like her half-sister. The bay receives Lasix for the first time Saturday. TJCIS PPs WELL-RELATED STRONACH HOMEBRED DEBUTS AT WOODBINE 6th-WO, $65K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 3:50p.m. Stronach Stables homebred HOLYANNA (Point of Entry) looks to get her career started on the right hoof in her career bow at Woodbine Saturday. The dark bay is a half-sister to Canadian champion and MGSW Holy Helena (Ghostzapper) and GSW & MGISP Holy Boss (Street Boss), who earned the ‘TDN Rising Star’ nod for his impressive debut win. Mark Casse also unveils one with a pair of talented siblings in Joyful Cat (Kitten’s Joy). The Gary Barber runner is a full-sister to GSW millionaire Charming Kitten and SW &MGSP Queen’sPlateKitten. TJCIS PPs BLUE-BLOODED GODOLPHIN HOMEBRED MAKES CAREER BOW IN ARCADIA 7th-SA, $65K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2F, 4:03p.m. Richard Mandella unveils a filly with a big pedigree in Godolphin homebred VALENCIA (Tapit). The gray is out of GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff victress Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled’s Song), who is a half-sister to Grade I winner Glitter Woman (Glitterman), the dam of GISW Political Force (Unbridled’s Song). Unbridled Elaine is also responsible for MGSW Etched (Forestry), Group 2 winner Emotionless (Ire) (Shamardal) and GSW Out of Bounds (Discreet Cat). TJCIS PPs The post Saturday, June 22 Insights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. American-bred juveniles make their presence known for the first time this Sunday in newcomers’ events at (chronologically) Hakodate, Tokyo and Hanshin Racecourses: Sunday, June 23, 2019 5th-HAK, ¥13,400,000 ($125k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT FEEL FOR YOU (f, 2, War Front–Easy Feeling, by Elusive Quality), a $375K Keeneland September buy, is the first foal from a winning half-sister to MSW & GSP War Officer (Grand Slam), SW Doo Lang (Pulpit) and MGSP Danceland (Tapit), who was purchased carrying this foal in utero for $650K at KEENOV in 2016. The filly’s third dam, GSW Wandering Star (Red Ransom), bred 2013 G1 Dewhurst S. winner War Command (War Front) and GSW Naval Officer (Tale of the Cat). In foal to Uncle Mo, Easy Feeling fetched $350K from T & G Farm of Kentucky at KEENOV last fall and produced a colt this year. B-Barronstown Stud 5th-TOK, ¥13,400,000 ($125k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT AURORA TESORO (c, 2, Malibu Moon–For Passion, by Not For Love), a $140K KEEJAN yearling turned $450K Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling, is a half-brother to Soul Driver (Street Boss), a dual stakes winner and Grade III-placed runner on the grass. The chestnut is out of a daughter of GSP Short Time (Clever Trick), the dam of Grade I-winning turf miler Victor’s Cry (Street Cry {Ire}) and Clever Strike (Smart Strike), Grade III-placed on dirt. B-John R Penn & Spendthrift Farm (KY) 5th-HSN, ¥13,400,000 ($125k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT TROIKA (c, 2, Animal Kingdom–Triune, by E Dubai) cost $160K at KEENOV in 2017, the most expensive of his Kentucky Derby-winning sire’s 20 horses to sell as weanlings that year. Produced by a stakes-placed half-sister to SW & GSP Crew Leader (Pulpit), the colt’s third dam Multiply (Easy Goer) was responsible for GI Met Mile and inaugural Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile hero Corinthian (Pulpit) as well as MGSW & GISP Desert Hero (Sea Hero). B-B P Walden Jr & P W Madden (KY) The post Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: June 23, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Churchill Downs, $93,918, Msw, 6-21, 2yo, f, 5f, :57.27, ft. FRANK’S ROCKETTE (f, 2, Into Mischief–Rocket Twentyone {GSW}, by Indian Charlie) favored at 5-2 despite hailing from a barn that’s not known for winning with first time-starters. The bay was away alertly and sat perched wide off the early leaders before easily shaking off her competition around the turn, exploding down the stretch to score in hand by 8 3/4 lengths and become the newest TDN Rising Star. Wasabi Girl (Shanghai Bobby) was second. The Frank Fletcher homebred is out of Rocket Twentyone, who romped to her own maiden victory before earning black-type in the GIII Arlington-Washington Lassie S. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $54,848. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O/B-Frank Fletcher (KY); T-William I. Mott. The post Into Mischief Filly Runs to the Money to Become Newest TDN Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The grand finale and final Group 1 of the spring season in Japan, the field for Sunday’s Takarazuka Kinen is selected–in part at least–by the Japanese racing fans. While number one votegetter Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is passing on the 2200-metre test to rest up for an autumn preparation, the next three most popular runners will take their chances before what is expected to be an overflow crowd at Hanshin. Rey de Oro (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), the 2017 G1 Japanese Derby hero, was twice a winner from five starts at four in 2018, besting Al Ain (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers S. over this distance in September before cutting back to 10 furlongs to annex the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo the following month. Second as the favorite to the very talented Blast Onepiece (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) in the year-ending G1 Arima Kinen, Rey de Oro was a touch disappointing when a well-held sixth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in his lone run this term. Kiseki (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), a good third in the Tenno Sho, could not resist the late surge of Almond Eye and settled for second in last year’s G1 Japan Cup. Subsequently fifth in the Arima Kinen, the lanky dark bay resumed in the G1 Osaka Hai Mar. 31, going down by a neck at the hooves of Al Ain. Suave Richard (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), some 3 1/2 lengths in back of Kiseki in the Japan Cup, ran to his odds when fourth in the Feb. 24 G2 Nakayama Kinen and also exits the Sheema Classic, in which he was defeated just two lengths into third. Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) took down her peers in the 11-furlong G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup last November before just being outfinished by leading Hong Kong stayer Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m). Runner-up to champion Danon Premium (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Kinko Sho in March, she was a latest third to compatriot Win Bright (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) and Exultant in a swiftly run G1 FWD QE II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin Apr. 28. The post Big Names Clash in Takarazuka Kinen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Switching from dirt to turf will be the order of the day June 23 at Belmont Park with a pair of $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds featuring standout performers on the main track. View the full article

Arqana has added three wildcards to its Summer Sale on July 1 to 3. The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained 4-year-old filly Octeville (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}) has never been out of the money, having won three of eight starts and having placed on a further five occasions from 1600 to 2100 metres. She will be offered as lot 380. Go To Hollywood (Fr) (Penny’s Picnic {Ire}) was listed-placed last year at two behind Friday’s G1 Coronation S. winner Watch Me (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}). The 3-year-old colt will be offered as lot 385. The third wildcard is the winning jumper Crealion (Fr) (Creachadoir), lot 415. The post Three Wildcards Added To Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Only sixth in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, Alexander Tamagni’s Watch Me (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) moved forward in leaps and bounds to deny Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Friday’s G1 Coronation S. at 20-1. Always travelling easily under Pierre-Charles Boudot behind the pace, the bay who had won the Apr. 10 G3 Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte overhauled the even-money favourite with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining en route to a convincing 1 1/2-length success, with Jubiloso (GB) (Shamardal) a length behind in third. 1–WATCH ME (FR), 126, f, 3, by Olympic Glory (Ire) 1st Dam: Watchful (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Sharakawa (Ire), by Darshaan (GB) 3rd Dam: Sharaya, by Youth 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€30,000 RNA Ylg ’17 ARAUG). O-Alexander Tamagni; B-Mme Antoinette Tamagni & Cocheese Bloodstock Anstalt (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. £283,550. Lifetime Record: GSW-Fr, 5-3-0-1, £349,719. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Olympic Glory’s Watch Me Upsets Coronation Rivals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rupp Racing’s late-running Owendale (Into Mischief), who missed second by a whisker while running on the deeper part of the track in the GI Preakness S., appears to have a tactical advantage and will try to mow them all down as the morning-line favorite in Saturday’s GIII Ohio Derby at Thistledown. Pulling off a 12-1 upset in the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. Apr. 13 at Keeneland, the $200,000 Keeneland September graduate finished full of run in the middle of the track in the Preakness, beaten just 1 1/4 lengths by rail-skimming War of Will (War Front) and a nose by the inside-running longshot Everfast (Take Charge Indy). With several other speed types signed on, he figures to have no excuse in the nine-furlong test, and drilled a bullet five furlongs in :59 2/5 (1/21) June 15 at Churchill for trainer Brad Cox. Willis Horton Racing’s hard-knocking Long Range Toddy (Take Charge Indy) makes his first appearance since being involved in the GI Kentucky Derby’s far-turn kerfuffle. A three-time stakes winner, including in the GII Rebel S. Mar. 16 at Oaklawn, the dark bay was checked hard when Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) bore out in Louisville and was the final horse the Derby’s initial winner was placed behind when elevated one spot after splashing home 17th. The wild card is Don Ameche III, Gryphon Investments and Randy Reed’s unbeaten Bethlehem Road (Quality Road), who gets the class test after three sharp scores at his Parx base. Debuting with a 4 1/4-length success Apr. 1 in Bethlehem, he repeated in an optional claimer there three weeks later, then impressively annexed the Parx Spring Derby making his two-turn debut May 21. Challenged several different times while setting a fast clip that day, he turned everyone back and kept finding to score by a deceivingly-dominant 1 1/2 lengths. In addition to the stiffer competition, the gelding has tactical hurdles to clear, as he’s done all of his running on the lead thus far, and there are one-way speed types drawn to his inside and outside here. The post Owendale Hopes for Table Setting in Ohio Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

WE have reached the end of a magnificent five days at Royal Ascot and I’ve certainly enjoyed the past four days running up to Saturday. There is still plenty to look forward to on the last day with the Derby winner Masar running again and Blue Point going for the King’s Stand – Diamond Jubilee […] The post Kieren Fallon Royal Ascot Preview – Day 5 appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Frankie Dettori got back in the winning groove in Friday’s G1 Commonwealth Cup when steering Pheonix Thoroughbreds’ Advertise (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) to a 1 1/2-length success over Forever In Dreams (Ire) (Dream Ahead). Settled off the pace early, the 8-1 shot was delivered wide from halfway and after gaining the advantage 1 1/2 furlongs out stayed on strongly to deny the filly. Hello Youmzain (Fr) (Kodiac {GB}) was a head back in third, with the even-money favourite Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) fourth. 1–ADVERTISE (GB), 129, c, 3, by Showcasing (GB) 1st Dam: Furbelow (GB), by Pivotal (GB) 2nd Dam: Red Tiara, by Mr. Prospector 3rd Dam: Heart of Joy, by Lypheor (GB) (£60,000 Ylg ’17 GOUKPR). O-Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd 1; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Martyn Meade; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £283,550. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, 7-4-2-0, £601,243. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Showcasing’s Advertise Takes the Commonwealth Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tuesday’s G1 King’s Stand S. was something to behold and it is with great expectation that the Royal Ascot’s crowds await the swift return of Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) as he bids to “do a Choisir” in Saturday’s G1 Diamond Jubilee S. This will be a different test to the five-furlong one he faced on the opening day and there is a sense that he is seen to best effect in a fast-run race at the minimum trip, but his form over the six is better than anything his rivals can muster. Now fully mature, he is primed for such a monumental challenge and a double victory would put the seal on another magical week of action. “It’s a very sporting decision by His Highness and we all think it is the right thing to do,” Charlie Appleby said. “He always seems to bring his A-game to Ascot and he broke the track record over six furlongs there a couple of years ago. “We left Blue Point in the Diamond Jubilee at the start of the week and the race was in the back of our minds, depending on how he came out of the King’s Stand S.,” Appleby added. “The only other opportunity we had was the G1 British Champions Sprint in October, when the ground conditions could potentially be very testing. The way it is drying out at Ascot, it will hopefully be lovely ground on Saturday afternoon.” Before Blue Point was pitched back into the fray, Saeed Manana’s Invincible Army (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was occupying favouritism having put up an improved performance when winning the May 15 G2 Duke of York S. Disappointing for no apparent reason when ninth in the G1 Commonwealth Cup here 12 months ago, he had previously beaten the winner of that prize, Eqtidaar (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), in the G3 Pavilion S. over the course and distance last May so the track is not the issue. Taking on Blue Point is, however. “I’m just concentrating on my own horse and he seems in very good form,” trainer James Tate said. “I wasn’t happy to see the rain falling for my horse in the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday, but I was pleased for Invincible Army. It looks like the ground will be on the slow side of good come Saturday, which will be perfect, and his preparation has gone perfectly.” Danny Tudhope has had a Royal meeting to savour and has been booked by Sir Michael Stoute for the ride on the progressive Dream of Dreams (Ire) (Dream Ahead). Saeed Suhail’s 5-year-old looked to be treading water for a while but was built back up from last summer and finished runner-up in the G3 Bengough S. over this track and trip in October. Two fluent wins over this trip at Chelmsford on Apr. 25 and in the Listed Leisure S. at Windsor on May 20 may have boosted his confidence and as a Sir Michael Stoute-trained 5-year-old he warrants respect. “Dream of Dreams is a solid group-race performer,” his handler commented. “He didn’t pick one up last year when he got beat in a few photos. I have been very pleased with his two runs this year.” Another of that age from Freemason Lodge is Khalid Abdullah’s Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who has been another slow-burner ahead of a real moment of truth in the G2 Hardwicke S. Last year’s G3 Glorious S. winner was sent back to Goodwood to record a smooth success in the 12-furlong Listed Tapster S. last time on May 25 and is on course to provide Stoute with a 12th renewal and ninth since 2006. “Mirage Dancer is going very nicely. They have done fantastically well with him as he had an unhappy trip to and back from Hong Kong last December,” Juddmonte’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe commented. “It was no fault of Hong Kong, it was just unlucky the way things panned out but he has come back very nicely. He had a smooth run at Goodwood. He is stepping back up to Group 2 company again, but we have got Sir Michael’s good history in the race on our side. Whether that counts for anything, I don’t know, but he does know how to train a Hardwicke winner.” Staging a welcome return is Godolphin’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), with Charlie Appleby making the correct call when bypassing what would have proved a severe test in Wednesday’s G1 Prince of Wales’s S. While the homebred won over this trip on his last outing in the G1 Epsom Derby, he possesses speed for a mile and 10 furlongs and will be rusty. “I am delighted to be getting Masar back on the track and his preparation has gone very well,” Appleby said. “It is exciting to have the Derby winner back, but it goes without saying that he hasn’t raced for more than a year and will come on for the run, mentally more than anything. Having said that, I can’t fault the way his preparation has gone. He has ticked every box going into this race and looks great.” Switched to the Saturday from the Wednesday this year, the G3 Jersey S. also features a leading Godolphin representative in ‘TDN Rising Star’ Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Gradually dropped back in trip by Charlie Appleby, the homebred son of the G2 Challenge S. winner Miss Lucifer (Fr) (Noverre) beat the re-opposing Urban Icon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) by a neck in the Listed Surrey S. over this seven-furlong distance at Epsom at the end of last month. “Space Blues has been very progressive since dropping back to seven furlongs,” his trainer commented. “He has come out of Epsom Downs in great order and I can’t find any negatives going into this race. It’s a step up in class, but he is showing all the right signs at home.” King Power Racing’s meeting has been a touch frustrating, but Happy Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) could put matters to rights as long as the ground does not dry out too significantly. Coming into this just eight days after beating some smart older rivals on soft ground in York’s Listed Ganton S. over a mile, the grey sets the standard on that form. In the opening Listed Chesham S., Ballydoyle put forward their TDN Rising Star Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) who looked such a bright prospect when winning over this seven-furlong trip on debut at The Curragh 15 days ago. Aidan O’Brien has a clutch of potential improvers in the line-up, but there could be a fly in the ointment in Cheveley Park Stud’s Heaven Forfend (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Out early for one from this stable, the homebred son of the top-level performer Heaven Sent (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) was an eye-catching runner-up in a six-furlong maiden at Newbury May 17 and the fourth-placed Golden Horde (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}) was two-lengths fifth in Tuesday’s G2 Coventry S. The post A Blue Jubilee? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The manner in which Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) took Friday’s G2 King Edward VII S. suggests he could end up Ballydoyle’s number one middle-distance colt at the end of the season. Trading as the 6-4 favourite, the G1 Epsom Derby third was held up with only Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}) behind early and when unleashed wide in the straight surged to the front passing two out en route to a highly impressive 4 1/2-length success from that rival. 1–JAPAN (GB), 126, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Shastye (Ire) (SP-Eng), by Danehill 2nd Dam: Saganeca, by Sagace (Fr) 3rd Dam: Haglette, by Hagley (1,300,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £127,598. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, 6-3-0-1, £378,265. *Full to Secret Gesture (GB), GSW & MG1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr & Ger, GISP-US, $746,427; and 1/2 to Sir Isaac Newton (GB), GSW-Ire, SW-Eng & GSP-Aus, $403,231; Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}), SW & MGSP-Aus, $403,286. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Galileo’s Japan Dominates the G2 King Edward VII appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The unraced mare Ubetwereven (French Deputy) has proven to be quite a shrewd investment for the Brunetti family’s Red Oak Stable. Privately purchased almost 15 years ago, she has produced seven winners from eight foals of racing age. Three of those winners have captured black-type events, including her youngest foal in training, King For a Day (Uncle Mo), who bested Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) in Sunday’s Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park. “I bought the mare privately for Mr. Brunetti about 15 years ago off of Irv Cowan in Kentucky,” said Rick Sacco, Red Oak’s racing and operations manager. “We were looking to upgrade and Mr. Cowan was looking to cut back and sell some mares. I just loved her physically and loved French Deputy. She is a mare with a lot of bone, good conformation and just looked the part.” King For a Day showed promise from the start, finishing third to a ‘TDN Rising Star’ performance from subsequent Grade I winner Complexity (Maclean’s Music) in his sprint debut at Saratoga Sept. 3 and earning his diploma next out when stretched out to 1 1/16 miles at Belmont Oct. 4. Concluding his juvenile campaign with a fourth in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 24, he returned from six months on the sidelines to annex Pimlico’s Sir Barton S. May 18 (video). “We ran him on Preakness day on the undercard in a non-winners of a sweepstakes race,” Sacco said. “We were coming off six months and it was just the perfect race for our colt. He ran super. Johnny [Velazquez] said there was a lot more in the tank. We really benefitted from that first race back.” He continued, “We were scheduled to run in the [GIII] Indiana Derby [July 13]. We thought this horse was just doing so good and he really got a lot out of the Sir Barton S., so we called an audible and opted to come into the Pegasus S. Honestly, from what we were reading, we thought Maximum Security wasn’t running. It was not like we wanted to hook this horse on top of his game, so fast, so good, so experienced right now. We were kind of thinking we needed another race before we went up against the elite 3-year-olds. It just so happened we came in right and ran a superior race.” While Grade I winner Maximum Security, who was making his first start since being disqualified from first in the GI Kentucky Derby, stumbled at the break of the Pegasus, King For a Day was away in good order and kept the pressure on his more accomplished rival every step of the way. It was a two-horse race in the stretch and King For a Day determinedly pushed past the heavy favorite in the final strides to score (video). “We are thrilled about the win,” said Sacco, who was in attendance at Monmouth Park Sunday. “The colt is an important horse to the whole operation. We own the mare. We own all the siblings. It is just a very, very satisfying win with a colt that we knew had a lot of potential as a 2-year-old, but had some minor setbacks and we waited patiently for him to return.” As for what’s next for their promising sophomore, Sacco said, “He came out of the race in very good shape. We kept him here at Monmouth Park for about three days to let him recover. We have a 72-hour rule and the idea of that is that we want the horse to let us know that he came out of the race in perfect order. We want to see that he ate up that night, that he is good two days later and three days later. Then we will go back to our game plan of what race is best for the horse. Logically, you have the [GI] Haskell [Invitational S. July 20], which is right [at Monmouth] and he just won over this track, and then the [GI] Travers [S. Aug. 24] or even the [GII] Jim Dandy [at Saratoga July 27]. We are going to weigh it.” King For a Day is not the first success story the Brunetti family has had with Uncle Mo. The Ashford sire is also responsible for their Grade I-winning homebred mare Unbridled Mo, who, like King For a Day, was conditioner by Todd Pletcher. “What’s not to like about Uncle Mo? He was a precocious horse, really did it all and is gorgeous,” Sacco said. “Stephen Brunetti was astute enough to see how much value was in him at around $25,000. Breeding at that level, we got King For a Day and Unbridled Mo, who is a Grade I winner in foal to Quality Road. Stephen Brunetti has been a fan of Uncle Mo from day one.” Prior to King For a Day, Ubetwereven produced a pair of stakes-winning fillies by Lightnin N Thunder in Ima Jersey Girl and Feel That Fire, who in turn produced another Grade I winner for Red Oak Stable in Mind Control (Stay Thirsty). “Ubetwereven produced Feel That Fire, who was a stakes winner at Monmouth Park, and she produced Mind Control,” Sacco said. “We also have Mind Control’s 2-year-old half-sister by Bodemeister, named My Gift From Above, who is at Monmouth Park right now. She is about three weeks away from running and really looks like she could be a nice 2-year-old filly.” Runner-up to next-out GII Saratoga Special S. winner Call Paul (Friesan Fire) in his Delaware Park unveiling July 5, Mind Control graduated next out at his trainer Greg Sacco’s Monmouth Park homebase Aug. 12 and followed suit with a 10-1 upset in Saratoga’s GI Hopeful S. (video). Off the board in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in November, the bay returned to winning ways in Aqueduct’s Jerome S. on New Year’s Day and was second in the GIII Gotham S. there Mar. 9. Capturing that venue’s GIII Bay Shore S. Apr. 6, he was eighth after a troubled trip last time in Belmont’s GI Woody Stephens S. June 8. “Mind Control stumbled badly out of the gate and that just threw him off his game,” Sacco said of the Woody Stephens. “Johnny [Velazquez] just collected him, but now we are in a Grade I, sitting 10 or 12 lengths off the lead, which is not normally where he is at. He is also not normally taking dirt like that. We came into the lane and the horse on the outside was obviously moving much faster than us. He got shut off and taken back abruptly at the eighth pole and we only got beat 4 1/4 lengths. The horse came out of the race awesome. He will be on the worktab over the weekend. We are looking at the [GII] Amsterdam [at Saratoga July 28] and the [GI] H. Allen Jerkens [S. Aug. 24] down the road has always been the main goal.” The post Ubetwereven, The Gift That Keeps On Giving For Red Oak Stable appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s Daahyeh (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) posted a 1 3/4-length debut score in the Fawzi Abdulla Nass silks over six furlongs at Newmarket last month, beating Wednesday’s G2 Queen Mary S. heroine Raffle Prize (Ire) (Slade Power {Ire}), and duly justified the weight of ring support in Friday’s G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot to maintain her perfect record. Favouring the stands’ side group after breaking in the centre of the track, the crowd’s 4-1 pick pick was comfortable in mid division through the early strides. Angling back to the centre for a clear path approaching the quarter-mile marker, she pounced for control with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and found plenty under a drive once joined by Celtic Beauty (Ire) (No Nay Never) passing the eighth pole to deny that rival by 1 1/2 lengths. DAAHYEH (GB), f, 2, Bated Breath (GB)–Affluent (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB). (£75,000 Ylg ’18 Goffs UK Premier). Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, £56,214. O-H H Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa; B-D J and Mrs Deer (GB); T-Roger Varian; J-David Egan. The post Bated Breath’s Daahyeh Prevails in the Albany appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eamonn McEvoy has been appointed general manager of Naas Racecourse. McEvoy, a graduate of the Writtle Agricultural College, was previously racing and stud manager of Grangecon Stud and has worked on stud farms across the U.S., the UK and Australia. He also spent time in Saudia Arabia in various roles in racing and breeding including being heavily involved with the development of a new racetrack for Prince Sultan. Dermot Cantillon, chairman of Naas Racecourse, said, “We are delighted to appoint Eamonn as general manager of Naas Racecourse. Eamonn has a wealth of knowledge and experience within the industry and we are excited for Eamonn to bring his knowledge, experience, passion and drive to Naas racecourse. On behalf of the board we wish Eamonn the very best of luck in his new role.” McEvoy said, “Naas Racecourse is one of the most progressive tracks in the country and its status has greatly improved in recent years. I am excited to take on the role as general manager and I look forward to working with a proactive board and team.” The post McEvoy Appointed Naas Manager appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s an unusually busy weekend at Bankhouse, where I actually have three runners on the flat on Saturday. It was another good week for the yard with Graceland winning nicely. It’s early days in the season but I’m happy with how things are going and we could possibly have another winner or two this weekend. […] The post Donald McCain Blog – Weekend Runners appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

It’s the final day of the Royal meeting and the Chesham Stakes looks like a tricky contest to start with. Aidan O’Brien unleashed the classy Churchill back in 2016 an has another smart looking type with Lope Y Fernandez. He cost €900,000 as a yearling being a half brother to Group 2 winner Dark Vision […] The post Royal Ascot Preview – Day 5 appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

A mare who holds a special place in Matt Cumani's career has made her way back to the trainer's care for a shot at the Tattersall's Cup in Brisbane. After a four-run New Zealand campaign in recent months, six-year-old Etah James returns to Australian racing in Saturday's Group Three race over 3000m at Eagle Farm. Cumani trained the New Zealand-bred Etah James for her first 15 starts after she was sent to him by her part-owners and breeders. The mare, who made her debut in Victoria in April 2017,... View the full article

Godolphin speed machine Blue Point will attempt to become the first horse in 16 years to complete a rare Royal Ascot double when he lines up in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1,200m) on Saturday.After blitzing his rivals in Tuesday night’s Group One King’s Stand Stakes (1,000m), trainer Charlie Appleby has elected to back up the five-year-old with just four days break.“He came out of the race well and, from what we have seen so far, the signs have been good,” he said.“His well-being will… View the full article

Jockey Victor Wong Chun will be released from the Prince of Wales Hospital on Friday, over three weeks after suffering a raft of injuries in a serious trackwork accident.The Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed on Friday the 24-year-old is on the recovery trail from “several contusions and fractures he sustained to his chest, back and head”.Wong will return to the Apprentice Jockeys’ School hostel to continue his rehabilitation with support from the Jockey Club’s chief medical officer.It is set to… View the full article

Te Akau apprentice Chelsea Burdan continued her good strike rate with stable runners when riding English Rose to victory in the Sunrans Spa Rating (2100m) at Otaki on Friday. Burdan commenced her career with a win aboard Lady Zeraph in September at Waipukurau, and her victory aboard English Rose was her sixth for Te Akau from 24 starts. “It was hard work in that ground,” Burdan said. “She was settled around at the start and coming here today I thought she would have a pretty good cha... View the full article

Cambridge Trainer Tony Pike is hopeful the good times can continue to roll when he saddles Cyber Attack in the Stella Artois 3YO Plate (1400m) at Eagle Farm, in Brisbane, on Saturday. The Kiwi horseman has had a fruitful Queensland Winter Carnival, most notably landing a Group One double with The Bostonian, while barnmate Endless Drama placed third in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Although Cyber Attack was a later addition to the touring party to Queensland, Pike was pleased with ... View the full article

The Tony and Lyn Prendergast-trained Who Dares Wins will be in search of his fourth successive victory on Saturday when he contests the Greenwood Amberley Cup (1600m) at Riccarton, for which he has been installed a $3.80 fixed odds favourite by TAB bookmakers. The in-form galloper has been lumped with topweight of 61.5kgs, but his trainers believe victory is not out of the question and they have resisted the temptation to put a claiming apprentice on, electing to stick with proven senior rider J... View the full article

Tauranga galloper Roger That has developed a solid strike-rate in Cups races this season, but trainer Antony Fuller is hoping his gelding can finally breakthrough for a win in the Orora Kiwi Packaging Kiwifruit Cup (2100m) on his home track on Saturday. “It’s going to be his seventh start in a cup race this season and he hasn’t finished further back than fourth,” Fuller said. “A fifth-placing is the furthest he has finished back all season. It is very pleasing how consistent he has be... View the full article