Wandering Eyes

Ralph and Lauren Evans’ dual Grade I winner and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Diversify (Bellamy Road) has been retired from racing after suffering a suspensory injury following a breeze Saturday at Belmont, trainer Jonathan Thomas confirmed to TDN Sunday. The story was first reported by Daily Racing Form. “This morning following his breeze yesterday we found a recurrence of an old suspensory injury,” Thomas said. “He was sound and comfortable, but something was a little abnormal. We had it scanned and it confirmed what we were thinking. He had done so much for the game and for Mr. Evans and for us–we were fortunate to have him–it just didn’t make sense to put him through all the rigors of having to try to come back.” Named the 2018 New York-bred Horse of the Year for his 5-year-old campaign, the six-time stakes winner had last been seen finishing fifth after dueling on a fast pace in defense of his Jockey Club Gold Cup title Sept. 29. Thomas said he was getting close to starting his 2019 campaign when the injury popped up. “He was probably about three weeks out from a race,” the former assistant to Todd Pletcher said. “We had a race picked out at the end of Belmont for him that seemed tangible off of his work yesterday, but he’s a horse that deserves to only be run in the best of light and after seeing what we saw yesterday, it’s just a little unfair to try to push on with him.” Diversify breezed five furlongs Saturday morning in 1:02.15 (9/12) in what would be his final workout. Thomas added that the injury did not immediately make itself apparent. “He actually cooled out very well, well enough that I was pretty happy with how the work went,” he said. “I thought the breeze went really nicely, there was nothing abnormal about the work or subsequently following it, it was just kind of an abnormality I noticed in the stall, visually more than anything. It wasn’t a lameness, I just look at a lot of legs every day and this was abnormal.” Though Diversify, formerly trained by the late Rick Violette, never started for Thomas, he had been in the young conditioner’s care for several months and made an impact during his stay. “Even though we didn’t get to run him, he was a thrill to have around the barn and the disappointing part isn’t so much not getting to run him as much as we’re not going to get to see him every day,” Thomas said. “To me, there are two responsibilities for me as his trainer and caretaker, one is to make sure that if we did run him, we’d run him only in the best of health and two, if I can’t do that for him, I can at the very least make sure that he retires sound in a way that he can go on and enjoy the rest of his life, which is the case [by] stopping today.” Diversify retires with a record of 16/10-2-0 and earnings of $1,989,425. The post Multiple Grade I Winner Diversify Retired With Suspensory Injury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Britain will host Europe's first Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races of the year when the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting opens at Ascot Racecourse June 18. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today’s Observations features a homebred for Lael Stables on debut. 6.10 Windsor, Novice, £5,800, 2yo, 5f 21yT PASSING NOD (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) debuts in the Lael Stable silks British racegoers are au fait with by now almost 20 years on from when they were sported by this colt’s high-class dam Superstar Leo (Ire) (College Chapel {GB}). That G2 Flying Childers S. and G3 Norfolk S. winner and G1 Prix de l’Abbaye runner-up has already produced two smart black-type performers for this William Haggas stable in Enticing (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and Sentaril (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and a bright start for this February-foaled bay will be noteworthy. The post Observations: June 17, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Of all the stallions new to the breeding scene in 2017, California Chrome was certainly the most anticipated. With a wildly devout fan base and a race record which included popular wins in the GI Kentucky Derby at three and the G1 Dubai World Cup at five, California Chrome brought talent, durability, and charisma to the table. TDN sat down with Taylor Made Farm’s president and CEO, Duncan Taylor, to discuss California Chrome’s first yearlings, which will be on offer this summer. TDN: His weanlings sold well last year. What were weanling buyers seeing that they like? DT: I think Chrome is throwing nice horses, but he’s throwing different types. It’s not cookie cutter that we say, “Oh, that’s a Chrome, that’s a Chrome, that’s a Chrome.” I think he is getting good-looking horses and I think that the yearling buyers will really be wanting to buy and I think they’ll be happy with what they see. [He] raced in Dubai without any drugs. So, he’s ticked about every box that somebody that would want in a horse. Sound, started at two, ran all the way through to five, won $14 million. With what’s going on in our industry in California, I think people are looking for soundness and sound horses. I think Chrome is the type of horse that is going to fill the bill for that. TDN: It’s good to mention that he was a fast-developing 2-year-old, who raced seven times at 2. Are you expecting his yearlings to also appeal to the 2-year-old-in-training market, being the fact that he was so precocious? DT: He’s got in his female family, Not For Love, which could go either way. But his mother is line-bred to Numbered Account. And she ran nine times as a 2-year-old, won seven races, and in three at Saratoga, in 21 days, she ran in the Schuylerville, Adirondack, and the Spinaway. Won two of those. That was in a 21-day period. So that’s where the soundness and the early comes from, I think, because of the dam being line-bred. I think they could go either way. He should have some early wins, but I don’t think that all have to be really precocious. {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"California Chrome's First Yearlings Selling in July","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/342551170.sd.mp4?s=1618dfdce2e8a1e4a1b2d8556338b08d76809509&profile_id=165","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/342387311.sd.mp4?s=f20760933fe1aade5a29213782e0a448ef1bc97a&profile_id=165","prerollSkipTimer":"5","midrollAD":"no","midrollAD_displayTime":"midrollAD_displayTime","midrollGotoLink":"midrollGotoLink","midroll_mp4":"midroll_mp4","midrollSkipTimer":"midrollSkipTimer","postrollAD":"no","postrollGotoLink":"postrollGotoLink","postroll_mp4":"postroll_mp4","postrollSkipTimer":"postrollSkipTimer","popupAdShow":"no","popupImg":"popupImg","popupAdStartTime":"popupAdStartTime","popupAdEndTime":"popupAdEndTime","popupAdGoToLink":"popupAdGoToLink"}],"instanceTheme":"light","playerLayout":"fitToContainer","videoPlayerWidth":720,"videoPlayerHeight":405,"videoRatio":1.7777777777778,"videoRatioStretch":true,"videoPlayerShadow":"effect1","colorAccent":"#000000","posterImg":"","posterImgOnVideoFinish":"","logoShow":"No","logoPath":"","logoPosition":"bottom-right","logoClickable":"No","logoGoToLink":"","allowSkipAd":true,"advertisementTitle":"Ad","skipAdvertisementText":"Skip Ad","skipAdText":"You can skip this ad in","playBtnTooltipTxt":"Play","pauseBtnTooltipTxt":"Pause","rewindBtnTooltipTxt":"Rewind","downloadVideoBtnTooltipTxt":"Download video","qualityBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Close settings","qualityBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Settings","muteBtnTooltipTxt":"Mute","unmuteBtnTooltipTxt":"Unmute","fullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Fullscreen","exitFullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Exit fullscreen","infoBtnTooltipTxt":"Show info","embedBtnTooltipTxt":"Embed","shareBtnTooltipTxt":"Share","volumeTooltipTxt":"Volume","playlistBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Show playlist","playlistBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Hide playlist","facebookBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Facebook","twitterBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Twitter","googlePlusBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Google+","lastBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to last video","firstBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to first video","nextBtnTooltipTxt":"Play next video","previousBtnTooltipTxt":"Play previous video","shuffleBtnOnTooltipTxt":"Shuffle on","shuffleBtnOffTooltipTxt":"Shuffle off","nowPlayingTooltipTxt":"NOW PLAYING","embedWindowTitle1":"SHARE THIS PLAYER:","embedWindowTitle2":"EMBED THIS VIDEO IN YOUR SITE:","embedWindowTitle3":"SHARE LINK TO THIS PLAYER:","lightBox":false,"lightBoxAutoplay":false,"lightBoxThumbnail":"","lightBoxThumbnailWidth":400,"lightBoxThumbnailHeight":220,"lightBoxCloseOnOutsideClick":true,"onFinish":"Play next video","autoplay":false,"loadRandomVideoOnStart":"No","shuffle":"No","playlist":"Off","playlistBehaviourOnPageload":"opened (default)","playlistScrollType":"light","preloadSelfHosted":"none","hideVideoSource":true,"showAllControls":true,"rightClickMenu":true,"autohideControls":2,"hideControlsOnMouseOut":"No","nowPlayingText":"Yes","infoShow":"No","shareShow":"No","facebookShow":"No","twitterShow":"No","mailShow":"No","facebookShareName":"","facebookShareLink":"","facebookShareDescription":"","facebookSharePicture":"","twitterText":"","twitterLink":"","twitterHashtags":"","twitterVia":"","googlePlus":"","embedShow":"No","embedCodeSrc":"","embedCodeW":720,"embedCodeH":405,"embedShareLink":"","youtubeControls":"custom controls","youtubeSkin":"dark","youtubeColor":"red","youtubeQuality":"default","youtubeShowRelatedVideos":"Yes","vimeoColor":"00adef","showGlobalPrerollAds":false,"globalPrerollAds":"url1;url2;url3;url4;url5","globalPrerollAdsSkipTimer":5,"globalPrerollAdsGotoLink":"","videoType":"HTML5 (self-hosted)","submit":"Save Changes","rootFolder":"http:\/\/wp.tdn.pmadv.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/Elite-video-player\/"} TDN: Stepping back quickly to his race record, he had several great ones. Was there a race or two that really stuck out in your mind that just kind of showcased him as the horse that he was, a certain day he put it all together? DT: I think he was pretty much there all the time. I think that the race against Dortmund, I think it’s the [GII] San Diego, most people wouldn’t pick. A mile and a sixteenth, we’d been off like 90 days, first race back. And Bob [Baffert] has Dortmund primed, and they went head and head down the stretch. I think it showed the true determination and class because he actually got challenged that day. But I think his whole body of racing he was just one of those horses, push button. He didn’t have to have his certain trip. He could go short, he could go long. He had two or three moves in the same race. If you could ever reproduce him, whoever owns him is gonna have a lot of fun. TDN: Can you tell us about the yearlings that are heading into the market? DT: I think there’s three or four that are going to be in the July sale. And I think there’s maybe four in Saratoga, and we’re saving some of the best ones, too. Try to spread them around for what we have for Keeneland, because that’s obviously a big sale. A lot of people just go to that one, so, he’ll be well represented. TDN: It’s early days yet, but has it been rewarding to see what’s on the ground and the promise that the horse has shown? DT: Yeah, it sure is, and what we’ve tried to do with this horse is look at certain broodmare sires that we think bring things to the family. I think that hopefully we’ve picked the right ones. TDN: He’s had a huge fan base, the Chromies on the track. How has it been with his popularity? His fame both on the track and as a stallion. DT: We have never really experienced that before. Taylor Made has had, in the last 15 years, two of North America’s leading sires in Saint Ballado and Unbridled’s Song. Neither one of them even pale in comparison to the popularity of the general public. So I’ve really enjoyed it. You see people enjoying the horse business, and we get to share with people. Beautiful farm, the setting, and just a race horse that just captured the imagination. I wish we had one of those coming into stud every year because I think it helps the Thoroughbred industry. The post TDN Q&A: Duncan Taylor On California Chrome appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Of all the stallions new to the breeding scene in 2017, California Chrome was certainly the most anticipated. With a wildly devout fan base and a race record which included popular wins in the GI Kentucky Derby at 3 and the G1 Dubai World Cup at 5, California Chrome brought talent, durability, and charisma to the table. TDN sat down with Taylor Made Farm’s president and CEO, Duncan Taylor, to discuss California Chrome’s first yearlings, which will be on offer this summer. TDN: His weanlings sold well last year. What were weanling buyers seeing that they like? DT: I think Chrome is throwing nice horses, but he’s throwing different types. It’s not cookie cutter that we say, “Oh, that’s a Chrome, that’s a Chrome, that’s a Chrome.” I think he is getting good-looking horses and I think that the yearling buyers will really be wanting to buy and I think they’ll be happy with what they see. [He] raced in Dubai without any drugs. So, he’s ticked about every box that somebody that would want in a horse. Sound, started at two, ran all the way through to five, won $14 million. With what’s going on in our industry in California, I think people are looking for soundness and sound horses. I think Chrome is the type of horse that is going to fill the bill for that. TDN: It’s good to mention fast developing 2-year-old, raced seven times [at 2]. Are you expecting his yearlings to also appeal to the 2-year-old in training market, being the fact that he was so precocious? DT: He’s got in his female family, Not For Love, which could go either way. But his mother is line-bred to Numbered Account. And she ran nine times as a 2-year-old, won seven races, and in three at Saratoga, in 21 days, she ran in the Schuylerville, Adirondack, and the Spinaway. Won two of those. That was in a 21-day period. So that’s where the soundness and the early comes from, I think, because of the dam being line-bred. I think they could go either way. He should have some early wins, but I don’t think that all have to be really precocious. TDN: Stepping back quickly to his race record, he had several great ones. Was there a race or two that really stuck out in your mind that just kind of showcased him as the horse that he was, a certain day he put it all together? DT: I think he was pretty much there all the time. I think that the race against Dortmund, I think it’s the [GII] San Diego, most people wouldn’t pick. A mile and a sixteenth, we’d been off like 90 days, first race back. And Bob [Baffert] has Dortmund primed, and they went head and head down the stretch. I think it showed the true determination and class because he actually got challenged that day. But I think his whole body of racing he was just one of those horses, push button. He didn’t have to have his certain trip. He could go short, he could go long. He had two or three moves in the same race. If you could ever reproduce him, whoever owns him is gonna have a lot of fun. {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"California Chrome","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/342551170.sd.mp4?s=1618dfdce2e8a1e4a1b2d8556338b08d76809509&profile_id=165","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/342387311.sd.mp4?s=f20760933fe1aade5a29213782e0a448ef1bc97a&profile_id=165","prerollSkipTimer":"5","midrollAD":"no","midrollAD_displayTime":"midrollAD_displayTime","midrollGotoLink":"midrollGotoLink","midroll_mp4":"midroll_mp4","midrollSkipTimer":"midrollSkipTimer","postrollAD":"no","postrollGotoLink":"postrollGotoLink","postroll_mp4":"postroll_mp4","postrollSkipTimer":"postrollSkipTimer","popupAdShow":"no","popupImg":"popupImg","popupAdStartTime":"popupAdStartTime","popupAdEndTime":"popupAdEndTime","popupAdGoToLink":"popupAdGoToLink"}],"instanceTheme":"light","playerLayout":"fitToContainer","videoPlayerWidth":720,"videoPlayerHeight":405,"videoRatio":1.7777777777778,"videoRatioStretch":true,"videoPlayerShadow":"effect1","colorAccent":"#000000","posterImg":"","posterImgOnVideoFinish":"","logoShow":"No","logoPath":"","logoPosition":"bottom-right","logoClickable":"No","logoGoToLink":"","allowSkipAd":true,"advertisementTitle":"Ad","skipAdvertisementText":"Skip Ad","skipAdText":"You can skip this ad in","playBtnTooltipTxt":"Play","pauseBtnTooltipTxt":"Pause","rewindBtnTooltipTxt":"Rewind","downloadVideoBtnTooltipTxt":"Download video","qualityBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Close settings","qualityBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Settings","muteBtnTooltipTxt":"Mute","unmuteBtnTooltipTxt":"Unmute","fullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Fullscreen","exitFullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Exit fullscreen","infoBtnTooltipTxt":"Show info","embedBtnTooltipTxt":"Embed","shareBtnTooltipTxt":"Share","volumeTooltipTxt":"Volume","playlistBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Show playlist","playlistBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Hide playlist","facebookBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Facebook","twitterBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Twitter","googlePlusBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Google+","lastBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to last video","firstBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to first video","nextBtnTooltipTxt":"Play next video","previousBtnTooltipTxt":"Play previous video","shuffleBtnOnTooltipTxt":"Shuffle on","shuffleBtnOffTooltipTxt":"Shuffle off","nowPlayingTooltipTxt":"NOW PLAYING","embedWindowTitle1":"SHARE THIS PLAYER:","embedWindowTitle2":"EMBED THIS VIDEO IN YOUR SITE:","embedWindowTitle3":"SHARE LINK TO THIS PLAYER:","lightBox":false,"lightBoxAutoplay":false,"lightBoxThumbnail":"","lightBoxThumbnailWidth":400,"lightBoxThumbnailHeight":220,"lightBoxCloseOnOutsideClick":true,"onFinish":"Play next video","autoplay":false,"loadRandomVideoOnStart":"No","shuffle":"No","playlist":"Off","playlistBehaviourOnPageload":"opened (default)","playlistScrollType":"light","preloadSelfHosted":"none","hideVideoSource":true,"showAllControls":true,"rightClickMenu":true,"autohideControls":2,"hideControlsOnMouseOut":"No","nowPlayingText":"Yes","infoShow":"No","shareShow":"No","facebookShow":"No","twitterShow":"No","mailShow":"No","facebookShareName":"","facebookShareLink":"","facebookShareDescription":"","facebookSharePicture":"","twitterText":"","twitterLink":"","twitterHashtags":"","twitterVia":"","googlePlus":"","embedShow":"No","embedCodeSrc":"","embedCodeW":720,"embedCodeH":405,"embedShareLink":"","youtubeControls":"custom controls","youtubeSkin":"dark","youtubeColor":"red","youtubeQuality":"default","youtubeShowRelatedVideos":"Yes","vimeoColor":"00adef","showGlobalPrerollAds":false,"globalPrerollAds":"url1;url2;url3;url4;url5","globalPrerollAdsSkipTimer":5,"globalPrerollAdsGotoLink":"","videoType":"HTML5 (self-hosted)","submit":"Save Changes","rootFolder":"http:\/\/wp.tdn.pmadv.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/Elite-video-player\/"} TDN: Can you tell us about the yearlings that are heading into the market? DT: I think there’s three or four that are going to be in the July sale. And I think there’s maybe four in Saratoga, and we’re saving some of the best ones too. Try to spread them around for what we have for Keeneland, because that’s obviously a big sale. A lot of people just go to that one, so, he’ll be well represented. TDN: It’s early days yet, but has it been rewarding to see what’s on the ground and the promise that the horse has shown? DT: Yeah, it sure is, and what we’ve tried to do with this horse is look at certain broodmare sires that we think bring things to the family. I think that hopefully we’ve picked the right ones. TDN: He’s had a huge fan base, the Chromies on the track. How has it been with his popularity? His fame both on the track and as a stallion. DT: We have never really experienced that before. Taylor Made has had, in the last 15 years, two of North America’s leading sires in Saint Ballado and Unbridled’s Song. Neither one of them even pale in comparison to the popularity of the general public. So I’ve really enjoyed it. You see people enjoying the horse business, and we get to share with people. Beautiful farm, the setting, and just a race horse that just captured the imagination. I wish we had one of those coming into stud every year because I think it helps the Thoroughbred industry. The post TDN Q & A: Duncan Taylor on California Chrome appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every few days I splurge for a breakfast at my local diner. Years ago, I remember stopping in my hometown of St. Louis for fresh fruit, two eggs, toast and coffee for less than five bucks. Now in Manhattan, the cost is $14.05 plus tip.　That’s 11 British Pounds and 8 pence. With the Royal Ascot meet starting Tuesday, I have to think in terms of London. Housing, betting, transportation, betting, breakfast and betting. There have been times in my life that it was either breakfast or betting. (Not at Ascot, but rather Cahokia Downs or Fairmount Park.) I was actually shocked before my trip across the pond; whilst having my $14.05 eye opener, a well-dressed neighbor stopped by my table.　Since he sometimes quoted our SiriusXM satellite radio broadcast, I knew he was a racing fan, and he knew who I was. “Foolish Humor on Tuesday,” he said. “Sorry,” I replied, “I’ll be out of the country next week.”　”I know,” he barked back, “Foolish Humor runs at Royal Ascot next Tuesday. Wesley trains him.”　He disappeared into the rain. This was an important first. Now I was being given “a banker” (that’s what they call a tip, good thing, steam or a push in England.) And I was getting it 3,471 miles (or 5,586 kilometers) from the track! As soon as I got home, I punched in the entries for the first day of The Royal Ascot meeting. In the very first race of the meet, there was Foolish Humor, an easy winner of his only race at Belmont Park last month. Only trouble thus far is that Wesley Ward has nominated 6 of the 42 two year-olds for the Group 2 Queen Ann Stakes. My wager (i.e. “punt” or “flutter”) will have to wait until next week. But now I am wondering why. Why? Why this interest in international Racing? Why this fascination with sport so far away? Why has racing over there become the topic of chatter in New York? And the highest quality racing that fans (punters) can place a wager (a flutter) on. Is it the fact that racing fans are hungry for the now-daily television of one of the great racing meets in the world? Is it because many more horses from more American trainers are now setting their sights on this Royal meeting? Do they love the pageantry and pomp and spectacle of this great show?　Is it because the fairy tale is real, as the royal family arrives every day, in a Landau coach pulled by a team of white horses? The answer to all of the above questions is a resounding “yes!” Get ready. The ultimate five day treat, Royal Ascot, starts on Tuesday. Editor’s note: Dave Johnson is a racecaller and sportscaster (famous for his signature `And down the stretch they come!’) who is attending his 25th consecutive Royal Ascot meeting this year. He is writing a daily Ascot report for the TDN from an American’s perspective. The post Letter From Ascot: Get Ready appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Even though the calendar officially says there are two weeks to go until the midpoint of the year, the middle of June is the traditional halfway mark of the North American racing season. The Triple Crown is in the books, Saratoga and Del Mar are a few weeks away, and the long days of June mean every regional circuit is in action (37 separate Thoroughbred race meets were going on this past Saturday). One interesting aspect of 2019 that’s getting overlooked in the headlines is the subtle shifting of the overall racing calendar. We rarely see major changes from year to year, but there is a bit of continental drift going on right now. Oaklawn Park this year extended its race meet into May for the first time, adding three weeks after the GI Arkansas Derby while shedding some non-desirable January dates and providing direct competition to portions of the Keeneland and Churchill Downs spring meets. Saratoga will be opening earlier than ever, on July 11. The first week of the season will feature four dates of racing; closing week will have six (winding up on Labor Day as in recent seasons), and the weeks in between will all feature five-day weeks, with Mondays now joining traditionally dark Tuesdays. This preserves the meet’s 40-day structure, and in theory provides a minimally-disruptive path toward elongating the Spa’s season while (again, theoretically) making it easier to card improved day-to-day racing. Ellis Park, while not substantially shifting race dates (June 30 through Labor Day), will attempt to emerge as a stronger summer competitor thanks to a horsemen-approved purse transfer agreement funded by Kentucky Downs gaming revenue that will peg average daily purses at $330,000 (up from $230,000 last year and more than double what horses ran for at Ellis four years ago). Maiden special weight races will be worth $50,000 for the 29-day meet, and while that’s not Saratoga or Del Mar-type money, it’s enticed trainer Mark Casse to send a string of 25 horses to Ellis for the first time in more than 25 years. “We’re going to have our smallest contingent at Saratoga that we’ve had,” Casse said. “We’re just going to focus more on Kentucky.” In the mid-Atlantic region, after six years of closure, Colonial Downs will re-emerge under new management, armed for the first time with historical horse racing-fueled purses. The Virginia track’s signature outsized turf course (that in previous years accounted for nearly 90% of the races carded at the track) will be the main attraction for 15 dates in 2019, spanning Aug. 8-Sept. 7. But Colonial management indicated upon taking control of the track last year that it has aspirations to double that number of race dates to 30 in 2020. One scenario that Colonial officials discussed last year involves a meet that potentially opens in late September, after Kentucky Downs, Monmouth Park, and the turf-centric meet at Meadowlands. If that happens in 2020, Colonial could be at the second-highest purse level nationally in the early October time slot, behind only Keeneland. It would also be a geographically-convenient stopping point for horses migrating from the Northeast to Florida for the winter. And while all of the above changes are examples of tweaking the national racing landscape by addition, it’s also worth noting that there is significant subtraction going on, with a pair of circuit-anchoring tracks on each coast sliding off the grid. In Oregon, Portland Meadows, which dates to 1946, has already run its final races. The track, previously a stronghold in the Pacific Northwest, is in the process of being sold by The Stronach Group. The property will be developed into a warehousing/shipping center. Oregon does host a fairly decent five-stop summer fairs circuit, and one of those tracks, Grants Pass Downs, has secured licensure to take over as the state’s surviving commercial race meet by scheduling a second Sept. 22-Nov. 4 season that bookends the nine-date meet going on right now. But Grants Pass is way down in the southern tier of the state, some 250 miles from Portland and the bulk of Oregon’s population. In terms of maintaining the sport’s fan base in the region, the closure of Portland Meadows will have longer-term adverse implications that won’t be fully felt for a few years. In Massachusetts, my hometown track, Suffolk Downs, will cease live racing after a grand finale weekend June 29-30. The hardscrabble East Boston oval has had more comebacks than Lazarus during its historic 84-year run, leading some grizzled local racegoers to deny that the end truly is near. But several ominous, building-sized piles of landfill dirt that are being stockpiled in the track’s main parking lot serve as graphic reminders that this time burial will indeed be for real–the lone remaining stop on the once-thriving New England circuit is on schedule to be razed for commercial development. In Colonial times, New England was the horse capital of the New World. As recently as a few decades ago, the region supported commercial venues in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont, plus a robust sub-circuit of nine country fairs. That’s why it’s so inconceivable to think that New England is on the brink of becoming the most densely-populated part of the country without access to any live Thoroughbred racing. The absence is even more glaringly magnified when you consider how greater Boston is the nation’s epicenter for colleges and universities–the demographic that our sport covets. Tie goes to the runner(s)… Last week marked the 75th anniversary of a racing rarity–the triple dead heat in the June 10, 1944, running of the Carter H. at Aqueduct. Not only was the three-way tie for win the first triple dead heat in an American stakes race, but it was considered a technological marvel at the time because it was just the third triple dead heat for win after the advent of the photo-finish camera in the late 1930s. “Before the magic-eye camera’s result of the finish was posted, the crowd was divided on the winner,” the New York Daily News reported. “‘Brownie won it!’… ‘Wait a Bit won it!… ‘Aw, Bossuet won it!’ These cries shot through the crowd for 10 excitement-laden minutes. Only a few thought the ‘impossible’ had happened… a three-way dead heat. But that’s what it was. “Confusion resulted when they flashed the payoff figures on the tote board. Brownie’s number went up first, Bossuet’s next and then Wait a Bit’s. But the tote board has only enough ‘win’ slots for a two-way dead heat and, for minutes, nobody knew what Wait a Bit’s winning price was. Then an attendant came out and hung up the third ‘win’ price in white figures.” Another big part of the story back then was that the triple dead heat signified a once-in-a-lifetime achievement for the track official who assigned weights for the race. In the glory days of handicap racing, weight imposts were supposed to equate to a hypothetical ideal that gave all horses an equal chance at winning. “It was the crowning triumph in the career of John B. Campbell, the portly gentleman who assigns weights to horses for all New York tracks,” the Daily News gushed. “He had been living for the day when he could turn out such a masterpiece.” Although triple dead heats still occur infrequently enough to remain oddities, handicap races are increasingly going extinct. Just this past weekend, two long-standing stakes at Churchill Downs, the GII Stephen Foster S. and the GII Fleur de Lis H., were run for the first time not as handicaps, but under weight allowance conditions, mirroring a growing North American trend of phasing out handicap races. “A big part of the reasoning is a problem in formulating weight spreads,” Churchill’s racing secretary, Ben Huffman, told Daily Racing Form, which first reported the change. “I’d actually always enjoyed doing the handicaps, but jockeys’ weights have evolved to the point that most of our local riders are tacking 118 pounds or more. You really can’t assign much higher than 125, and a lot of trainers don’t want to use light riders if you assign 113 or so. It became a pretty burdensome task.” The post The Week in Review: Like Continental Drift, Race Meets Subtly Shift appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Kentucky Derby winner Country House (Lookin At Lucky) will get at least two months off from training and as a result is likely to miss the rest of his 3-year-old season, trainer Bill Mott said Saturday night. The news came in an interview with Jerry Bailey on NBC Sports’ live telecast of the GII Stephen Foster H. card at Churchill Downs and confirmed what Mott told reporters earlier in the evening. There to saddle GII Fleur de Lis H. victress Elate (Medaglia d’Oro) as well as receive his engraved Kentucky Derby trophy, Mott said that Country House, who missed the GI Preakness S. and GI Belmont S. with an infection, had not responded well to his return to full training. “He just wasn’t as eager to get into his training as he had been,” Mott said early in the evening in a clip posted on Twitter by Paulick Report. “We just felt like he wasn’t moving as well as he should be. We had him checked out again, and I think the determination is that we probably need to give him more time. Right now, we’d have trouble making the Travers or the Breeders’ Cup, and I don’t believe we’d be able to get him back to the races in as good a shape right now as what we would have to have him to run at that very top level. To give him a fair chance and bring him back as a 4-year-old, we’re going to give him a little extra time.” Named a ‘TDN Rising Star’ after a scintillating last-to-first maiden win Jan. 17 at Gulfstream, Country House was runner-up to eventual Preakness winner War of Will (War Front) in the GII Risen Star S., fourth in the GII Louisiana Derby and third in the GI Arkansas Derby. Promoted to first at 65-1 in a controversial decision in the Derby, the chestnut was quickly ruled out of Preakness consideration with a fever. He had returned to the track in recent weeks and shipped to Saratoga to point towards the summer 3-year-old stakes before this latest development. The post Country House Likely Out for Rest of 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From Johnny Murtagh ‘riding’ Joey the War Horse, to the first of Frankel’s offspring to be offered at auction, to a Classic winner going under the hammer, and the explosive sales debut of the late Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the Goffs London Sale has certainly never lacked interest. To some, it offers the perfect way to kick off Royal Ascot week, with a glass or two of delicious Chateau Léoube rosé in the gardens of Kensington Palace, while for a handful of vendors and buyers it is more serious business. In the five year since its launch, the sale has turned over £24.5 million for 112 horses sold. Yes, it’s select—this type of boutique sale always is, and the price has to be right for an owner to part company with a Royal Ascot runner on the eve of the year’s most prestigious meeting—but it’s also innovative. It’s also a venture of which the Goffs team, in its partnership with QIPCO, should be proud. So what’s in store this year at the auction rightly dubbed ‘the sale like no other’? With the early days of the breeze-up horses sensibly left to those specialist auctions, the London Sale catalogue now focuses mostly on its unique selling point of horses with entries this week at Ascot. This time around, 14 of the 23 lots have confirmed engagements at the Royal meeting. They include Cromwell Bloodstock’s Maven (lot 22), the first winner in the U.S. for the Triple Crown hero American Pharoah, who is entered for the G2 Norfolk S., and is one of eight likely runners for Wesley Ward at Ascot. On Thursday, Maven is likely to face the dual French winner Real Appeal (Ger), by another first-season sire, Sidestep (Aus), and offered as lot 8 by Con Marnane’s Bansha House Stables, which consigns another dual winner, the filly Brand New Day (Ire) (Epaulette {Aus}) (lot 12), who heads for the G2 Queen Mary S. The David Evans-trained Ivatheengine (Ire) (Ivawood {GB}) has some strong form behind listed National S. winner Flippa The Strippa (GB) (Outstrip {GB}) and as a subsequent winner in his own right, and he features as lot 13 with an entry for the Windsor Castle S. tomorrow. Michael O’Callaghan consigns two recent Irish winners—the 2-year-old filly Isabeau (Ire) (Cable Bay {Ire}), who has two Royal Ascot entries and is lot 20, and her fellow juvenile Red Epaulette (Ire) (Epaulette {Aus}), who struck on the opening day of the Irish Flat season and follows his stable-mate in the catalogue as lot 21 with a Windsor Castle S. entry. Among the horses in training who are not Ascot-bound but one who looks to have the potential to be of interest to those racing in farther-flung places is Le Don De Vie (GB). One of two winners at Epsom on Derby day for the late Leroidesanimaux (BRZ), the 3-year-old has won both his starts this year for Mick and Janice Mariscotti and looks to have all the hallmarks of a typical Andrew Balding improver. The gelding from the family of the high-class middle-distance filly Lady Marian (Ger) (Nayef) will sell as lot 18. French sprinter Sestilio Jet (Fr) (French Fifteen {Fr}) arguably has the bragging rights on recent form. The Andreas Marcialis-trained 4-year-old, lot 14, recently landed the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges among his eight wins, as well as finishing runner-up in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene a fortnight ago, while another with recent stakes form to her name is the final horse of the sale, Pure Zen (Fr) (Zoffany Ire}) (lot 23), who was a listed winner last year and was narrowly beaten in the G2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly. Of course, the London Sale, has always thrived on variety and while Crystal Gaze (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and her Frankel (GB) colt missed out on the top spot at the inaugural sale when sold for £1.15 million to MV Magnier, broodmares have topped two of the five sales to date. First of the three select mares on offer this evening is South African champion 3-year-old filly Just Sensual (SAf), who is consigned by the National Stud as lot 7. The daughter of Dynasty (SAf) is now six and is in foal for the first time to Frankel (GB). Not only was she a champion on the track but so was her dam, the top-rated 2-year-old Consensual (SAf) (Camden Park). New England Stud offers lot 11, 4-year-old Murasaki (GB), a daughter of Dubawi (Ire) and G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Michita (Dynaformer) who is in foal to Invincible Spirit (Ire), while Barton Stud sends Simsimah (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}), a half-sister to Derby runner-up Madhmoon (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}). She is the sole mare with a foal at foot—a filly by Divine Prophet (Aus)—and she is in foal to Juddmonte’s Expert Eye (GB). The sale gets underway at 5pm. The post Ascot Week Starts In Style At Goffs London appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

They went slow and finished in a bunch at the end of Sunday’s G1 Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly, but Samuel de Barros’s Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) was in the right place throughout to pull off a minor upset at 9-1. Always handily placed by Pierre-Charles Boudot tracking the leading pair Platane (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) and Wonderment (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), the May 17 course-and-distance conditions winner was sent to the front with two furlongs remaining and gamely saw off the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches runner-up Commes (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) to prevail by a head, with Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) the best closer a half length away in third. ‘TDN Rising Star’ and 6-4 favourite Siyarafina (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) held every chance but could only finish sixth with possibly stamina the main issue. Sunday, Chantilly, France PRIX DE DIANE LONGINES-G1, €1,000,000, Chantilly, 6-16, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT, 2:08.70, g/s. 1–CHANNEL (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Nathaniel (Ire) 1st Dam: Love Magic (GB), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Magical Romance (Ire), by Barathea (Ire) 3rd Dam: Shouk (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€18,000 Ylg ’17 GOFORB; €70,000 2yo ’18 ARQMAY). O-Samuel de Barros; B-Kilcarn Stud (IRE); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €571,400. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, €600,900. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Commes (Fr), 126, f, 3, Le Havre (Ire)–Leaupartie (Ire), by Stormy River (Fr). O-Teruya Yoshida; B-Franklin Finance SA (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €228,600. 3–Grand Glory (GB), 126, f, 3, Olympic Glory (Ire)–Madonna Lily (Ire), by Daylami (Ire). (€18,000 Ylg ’17 AROCT). O-Albert Frassetto, John d’Amato & Mike Pietrangelo; B-Elevage Haras de Bourgeauville (GB); T-Gianluca Bietolini. €114,300. Margins: HD, HF, NK. Odds: 9.00, 5.30, 28.00. Also Ran: Etoile (Fr), Cala Tarida (GB), Siyarafina (Fr), Wonderment (Ire), Platane (GB), Ebony (Fr), Entitle (GB), Noor Sahara (Ire), Paramount (Fr), Cartiem (Fr), Nausha (GB), Amarena (Fr), Morning Dew (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. The post Nathaniel’s Channel Wins the Diane appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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While a million-plus people marched from Victoria Park to Admiralty on Sunday, the protest against the Hong Kong government’s proposed extradition bill was felt at Sha Tin.One lone protester – dressed in black – held up a sign reading “give me liberty or give me death” during the presentation of the Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup.The man – a part-time employee of the Jockey Club – was asked to remove the placard but refused, before being taken to the ground by security. He was not… View the full article

Horse deaths in U.S. racing. Poor prize money in the UK. Declining attendances in Ireland. Finding good news in horse racing globally right now is like getting lightning in a bottle. Our sport needs a stiff drink. The solution might be whiskey in the jar. In the same way that horse racing once dominated the sporting landscape, Irish whiskey was once the most popular spirit in the world. But, suddenly within years, as Scottish whisky (scotch) flourished, Irish whiskey lost its main customers–America due to Prohibition and Britain due to the Irish War of Independence. David Redvers warning this week that racing may be ‘teetering on the edge of oblivion’ due to failure to diversify racehorse ownership could have also been applied to Irish distillers’ failure to diversify a century ago. Even as Ireland gained its independence and Prohibition ended, Irish distillers’ failure to adapt to changing tastes provided by Scotch saw further decline and what was once the once most popular spirit in the world found itself with only three indigenous distilleries left on the island of Ireland–a proud national export success story on the brink of extinction. But if horse racing is looking for a comeback to copy, as the old Irish saying goes “what whiskey will not cure, there is no cure for.” A remarkable turnaround was embarked upon by visionary individuals who optimistically believed in the quality of their national product. The three distillers still left, John Jameson & Sons, John Power & Sons and Cork Distilleries Company, decided to merge to form Irish Distillers. The first new, independent producer, Cooley Distillery, opened in 1987 and French distiller Pernod Ricard put its weight behind Jameson after buying out Irish Distillers in 1988. Suddenly a trickle turned into a flood. Today, Irish whiskey is the fastest growing premium spirit in the world with sales growing at more than 10% a year in more than 75 countries, quadrupling its global market share in 10 years. With 18 distilleries now in Ireland and 16 more about to be built the success story is set to continue for years to come. So, what can horse racing learn from this remarkable resurgence? The growth of Irish whiskey–an experience echoed by flourishing bourbon (American whiskey) in Kentucky–has been fuelled by a cocktail of three simple ingredients: a focus on the heritage of the product, making craftsmanship central to its offering and a splash of modern marketing. Irish whiskey, like horse racing, is a national heritage product. People are captivated by Irish whiskey as a quality local product that gives them a dash of Ireland. Teelings Whiskey have copyrighted ‘Spirit of Dublin’ as their trademark making a sense of place central to their emergence as the first new distillery in Dublin in 150 years. In contrast, there is perhaps no richer sporting event in history on the planet then the Epsom Derby and yet this year to many it felt as an afterthought under the overwhelming shadow of an imminent Champions League final. While Epsom remains a wonderful occasion, it has lost something with the move away from London’s big mid-week day out and the heaving hill. Royal Ascot to their credit understands the importance of their heritage. Royal Ascot has embraced the pomp and pageantry of the week with its slogan “like nowhere else” and positioned itself as the one of definitive events of the wider historical tapestry of the British sporting summer social calendar. Tradition has allowed Royal Ascot flourish further, notwithstanding the challenge of the London leisure market. Irish whiskey understands that selling a whiskey is about bottling its mystique. Horse racing needs to better present its own mystique to the world. Imagine how fascinated the world would be by the sport if they better understood that Galileo has been champion sire 10 times thanks to his incredibly dominant genes? Or how a day on the gallops at Newmarket Heath is the same unchanged experience as that which has been enjoyed by horsemen and women for centuries? Or how, since its inception in 1875, the Kentucky Derby is the unwavering goal of every one of the 10,000 colt foals born each year in North America? Bring that to life and as whiskey acutely knows, the effect can be intoxicating. The experience is central to Irish whiskey’s success. A journey to an Irish distillery such as the Pearse Lyons Distillery or the Jameson Distillery in Dublin is a trip to a world of pedigree, process, and patience. You learn about the craftmanship, time and dedication as years of experience are poured into trying to achieve the best possible whiskey. The same values have applied to horse racing for centuries and yet we struggle to articulate it ourselves to a wider audience. Millennials want authenticity as they encounter brands and an exciting origin story for the product they want to associate themselves with. It’s why Liverpool or Barcelona still capture the hearts of many ahead of Paris-St Germain or Manchester City. In Fethard, as usual, they are ahead of the pack. The Fethard Horse Country Experience is an interactive exhibition which aims to showcase the link between the people, the land and the horse in the surrounding area. We need to get behind efforts like this and the new Irish Racehorse Experience being developed at the Irish National Stud and seek out every possible opportunity to bring that passion for our product into the public consciousness. Irish whiskey isn’t afraid of some unashamed modern marketing either. While Mixed Martial Arts athlete Conor McGregor as a person has his detractors, his success in promoting his Proper Twelve Irish whiskey is illustrative of marketing that racing could learn from. In contrast to his fleeting campaign for the Pegasus World Cup, McGregor embodies the whiskey daily–posting incessantly on social media, drinking it in press conferences and making the brand an extension of himself. You are left in no doubt McGregor is part of each bottle of whiskey and that this is not just another endorsement. It might allegedly be a well-known brand repackaged but you feel part of McGregor’s world, if even for a moment and that’s what consumers want to buy and buy big. Proper Twelve generated $1 billion in sales in its first year. A cloistered industry where trainers and jockeys are reluctant to give media appearances cannot be tolerated for the future of the sport. Racing is on the shelf of life’s choices, we need more people encouraged to reach out and drink it in. The rise and fall of Irish whiskey shows the story isn’t closed when it comes to a formerly world-leading industry no matter how bruised and battered it becomes. When you have a product that you know has been loved before it can be loved again by the masses. Horse racing needs to focus on what it does best–a pride in nurturing the next champion through generations, bringing that mystical experience to life in the vivid colour of a race day and, it’s hoped, being unafraid to innovate and push boundaries to entrust the sport to the next generation. Whiskey shows that a focus on what makes something great combined with a dash of entrepreneurial flair can make a remarkable resurgence possible for any heritage product. But please, if it happens in our game, don’t forget to drink in moderation. The post Op/Ed: Irish Whiskey’s Blueprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Matthew Poon Ming-fai has opened up on the difficulties he has faced making the transition from a prolific apprentice to a senior rider after booting home a 2,350-1 running double at Sha Tin on Sunday.While the 23-year-old has managed 20 winners since graduating from the apprentice school in October, the opportunities have become more scarce thanks to the arrival of new 10-pound claimer Alfred Chan Ka Hei and the weekly dominance from Zac Purton and Joao Moreira.However, Poon hopes he… View the full article

Benno Yung Tin-pang landed his first treble in over three years and only the third of his career at Sha Tin on Sunday, with his second victory of the day giving Joao Moreira his 800th Hong Kong winner.The unassuming trainer was as modest as ever after watching Ka Ying Master, Such A Happiness and Not Usual Talent get the job done.“Of course it’s quite meaningful for me and it’s good to have some more winners for the owners,” said the 60-year-old.After a running double early on, Yung finished… View the full article

Trainer Chris Wood is hopeful he may have unearthed a leading prospect for the deep winter tracks over the next few months after Mr Incredibull broke his maiden status at Te Awamutu on Sunday. The Encosta De Lago four-year-old had provided glimpses of potential in his four raceday starts prior to Sunday’s 1400m maiden contest including an eye-catching finish for fifth at his last start at Pukekohe. Relishing the testing Slow9 track conditions on offer at Te Awamutu, Mr Incredibull looped the f... View the full article

Paul Preusker is still ruing the nose defeat of Surprise Baby in The Andrew Ramsden Stakes which cost the stayer a guaranteed start in the Melbourne Cup. Surprise Baby and eventual winner Steel Prince staged a two-horse war up the Flemington straight on May 25 with the Anthony Freedman-trained gelding prevailing by the barest possible margin. Steel Prince earned a Cup ballot exemption for winning while Surprise Baby was in a distressed state post-race before quickly recovering and has enjoyed ti... View the full article

A competitive field of 13 entered the starting gate for the $250,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) June 15 at Churchill Downs, and it came down to an exciting photo finish that went to a late-rushing March to the Arch. View the full article

Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider's Elate lived up to the expectations of her connections and her fans to earn a hard-fought victory in the $250,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap presented by Budweiser (G2) June 15 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Marylou Whitney Stables' Hard Legacy led wire-to-wire in the June 15 $150,000 Regret Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs to give trainer Norm Casse his first stakes victory. View the full article

A competitive field of 13 entered the starting gate for the $250,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) June 15 at Churchill Downs, and it came down to an exciting photo finish that went to a late-rushing March to the Arch. View the full article

Lady Sheila Stable's Holiday Disguise capitalized on class relief June 15, tracking the early speed before a strong close to draw away to a 1 1/2-length victory in the the $100,000 Dancin Renee Stakes at Belmont Park. View the full article

Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider's Elate lived up to the expectations of her connections and her fans to earn a hard-fought victory in the $250,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap presented by Budweiser (G2) June 15 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

HARD LEGACY (f, 3, Hard Spun–Stone Legacy, by Birdstone) provided her young conditioner Norm Casse with his first graded score in the GIII Regret S. beneath the Twin Spires. Seizing the early advantage, the 5-1 shot coasted along through splits of :23.62 and :48.06 with stakes winner Winter Sunset (Tapit) in tow. The bay kept on finding in the lane, easily holding that one at bay to score in a final time of 1:48.22. Romping by seven lengths on debut over a yielding course at Keeneland in October, Hard Legacy captured a Gulfstream optional claimer Dec. 23 and was fifth in that venue’s GIII Sweetest Chant S. Feb. 3. She was fourth last time in Keeneland’s GIII Appalachian S. over soft going Apr. 7. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0. O/B-Marylou Whitney Stables LLC (KY); T-Norm Casse. The post Hard Spun Filly Gives Norm Casse First Graded Win in Regret appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 6-year-old son of Perfect Soul punched his ticket to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) June 15 with a determined victory in the $600,000 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2), a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race at Churchill Downs. View the full article