Wandering Eyes

Reliving some of the sport’s greatest moments over the past week through my colleagues’ favourite Breeders’ Cup memories has not only raised a ton of goose bumps and nostalgia, but has also reminded me think that 1) the Breeders’ Cup has far outdone itself in providing some of the crowning moments in racing history, and 2) how lucky we are well into the 21st century to be witnessing some of the sport’s greatest-ever performances. Many will yearn for the bygone “glory” days of the sport in the 60s and 70s; I, for one, think we’ve had it pretty great in the 90s and 2000s. For one of our final TDN Breeders’ Cup Memories, I’m going to go back into the vault to re-live Cigar (Palace Music)’s win in the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic (video). Full disclosure, I actually hadn’t discovered racing at this time and so my memories of this race are limited to the coverage I’ve been able to dig up in hindsight. When I first tuned in to racing in the early 2000s, one of my favourite hobbies was to spend hours watching old Breeders’ Cup races, and reading the coverage. Not surprisingly, I found Cigar’s Breeders’ Cup Classic particularly captivating: the horse was crowning a perfect 10-for-10 season, stamping himself an undeniable champion. Isn’t that what the event is all about? Equally responsible for my fascination with the race was the legendary Tom Durkin’s call. It was executed perfectly at every point and built the drama throughout: “Jerry Bailey with a hard hold of the pent-up power of Cigar, restrained in third.” “Cigar wants to go to the lead but Jerry Bailey says no, not yet.” “Cigar makes his move, and he sweeps to the lead with a dramatic rush!” And how about that amazing three-furlong display of power by the great champ? “The unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable Cigar”, indeed! View the full article

John Sadler handles questions about his Breeders' Cup record with the same aplomb he does his barn: patience, thoughtful analysis, and the belief in his methods. View the full article

Churchill Downs will unofficially bring the flat season to a close on Saturday and it will be done in a magnificent fashion as Europe and America’s best go head to head, with the likes of Enable and Roaring Lion bidding to crown what has already been a good season. We may have to stay up late to enjoy one of the best racing spectacles all year but it’ll undoubtedly be worth it and I for one will be glued to every minute of it. Now, all we need is to pick a few winners and I have taken a look at the key races. Filly and Mare Sprint Bob Baffert is responsible for the favourite on the opening race on day two of the Breeders’ Cup festival in the shape of Marleys Freedom. She has won all three starts since joining Baffert including a Grade 1 when last seen. Selcourt is 3-3 this year and had Marleys Freedom four lengths in arrears when last in action. That run was back in March and it has to be a worry that we haven’t seen John Sadler’s horse in so long. If she is back on song then she’ll take all the beating. Brad Cox saddles one of the longer priced runners in the field with Golden Mischief. She was a Grade 2 winner of the Grade 2 TCA Stakes at Keeneland, which should serve as a perfect prep run for this assignment. Finley’sluckycharm has an incredible record at Churchill Downs with 6 wins out of 7 runs. This record alone brings her into the reckoning and is a player for the placings at the very least. Selection: Marleys Freedom Breeders Cup Turf Sprint Bucchero was fourth in this last years behind Stormy Liberal and has enjoyed a profitable campaign with a trip over the Atlantic to finish fourth in the King’s Stand Stakes a highlight and he proved his well-being with a win the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland when last seen. As mentioned above, Stormy Liberal won this contest last year and showed his quality when finishing second in behind Jungle Cat at Meydan in March. He has won his last three starts and looks primed to defend his title. Havana Grey is one of the European representatives and although he won a Group 1 at the Curragh this season, this was probably one of the weakest Group 1’s run all season and he was found wanting in the Prix de l’Abbaye when last seen. If he runs to form, he could nick a place but would be a surprise winner. Others with chances include Conquest Tsunami, World Of Trouble and Will Call. Selection: Bucchero Breeders Cup Dirt Mile Catalina Cruiser looks set to start this as the favourite which is understandable given that he has won on all four career starts. The only slight concern is that trainer John Sadler hasn’t won a breeders cup race in 41 attempts and he will be hoping to remedy this. City of Light is a dual Grade 1 winner and ran well following a break to finish second in the Forego in late August. This run will have obviously brought him on following a small foot problem and he could give the favourite the most to worry about. Jason Servis who is enjoying a great season sends out Firenze Fire in this and he is a proven Garde 1 performer including when winning the Grade 1 Champagne last year. This experience will stand to him and he’s my idea of the winner. Selection: Firenze Fire EziyraBreeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf Wild Illusion has run well all season and has gotten her just rewards with victories in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes and the Prix de l’Opera. She is on a real upward curve and will take all the beating for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. Magic Wand represents Aidan O’Brien here and although she proved no match for Wild Illusion when the pair met in the Prix de l’Opera, under different conditions she may put it up to Wild Illusion this time. Dermot Weld doesn’t send horses abroad unless he thinks they can win and his patience with Eziyra may reap dividends here. She has run well in three starts this season with her only defeat of the season coming in the Yorkshire Cup behind Sea Of Class. This form looks rock solid and she will give the favourite the most to think about. Others with chances include Fourstar Crook, Sistercharlie and Princess Yaiza. Selection: Eziyra Breeders Cup Sprint Imperial Hint looks to be the fastest horse in the country and has only been beaten once over six furlongs which came in this contest twelve months ago behind Roy H, who re-opposes. Roy H got the perfect trip that day and even though he’s run well this season, he looks vulnerable in a bid for back to back victories. Promises Fulfilled has a good year against three-year-olds, winning his last three starts and although he’s a maiden course and distance winner, think he’ll struggle against some speedier rivals. Selection: Imperial Hint Breeders’ Cup Mile *Update – Polydream now a non-runner. *Polydream heads the market for the mile and although the bare result in the Prix De La Foret on Arc day looks disappointing, she was crowded out of it late on. Prior to this, she had won the Group 1 Maurice de Gheest at Deauville and a reproduction of that run would give her leading claims. Oscar Performance looks the best of the home brigade and although this four-time Grade 1 winner can put in the odd stinker, he was an impressive winner of the Woodbine Mile when last seen and he has not been defeated at three starts over the mile trip. Expert Eye was beginning to look very disappointing when finishing tenth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket but he’s rediscovered his smart juvenile form when winning at Royal Ascot and ran very well to finish third behind Recoletos in the Prix Du Moulin when last seen. He will be hoping that the rain stays away as he loves to hear his hooves rattle. Others to consider include Gustav Klimt and Mustashry. Selection: Oscar Performance Breeders Cup Distaff Monomoy Girl will start favourite and is, without doubt, the horse to beat as she has won five Grade One’, is two from three at the track and has won both starts over the trip. She main concern with her is she’s never taken on the older horses. Abel Tasman will prove the biggest threat to the youngster as she was runner-up in this twelve months ago, won the Kentucky Oaks on the track and is three form four over this trip. She will have to put a very poor prep run behind her but if back at her best she’ll take all the beating. Of the bigger priced winners Blue Prize is interesting given that she has won four of her last five starts, including the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland. She looks a decent each-way bet in an open contest. Selection: Abel Tasman EnableBreeders Cup Turf This is the race everyone is looking forward as dual Arc winner Enable struts her stuff Stateside for the first time. Last season’s standout performer has had a light campaign, not hitting the track until September following a setback but her performance in the Arc underlined how good she really is. If on song then there is no beating her and we should just enjoy watching her perform. Talismanic won this last year but hasn’t looked the same horse since then and ran disappointingly behind Enable in the Arc most recently. If he recaptures last years form then he could sneak into the places but looks vulnerable for win purposes. Waldgeist finished fourth in the Arc and Andre Fabre charge may give Enable the biggest challenge should she not be 100%. He had won four on the trot prior to his defeat in the Arc which included a Group 2 win over Talismanic in the Prix Foy. Selection: Enable Breeders Cup Classic Most European punters will be rowing in behind Roaring Lion who has won four on the bounce, all in Group 1 company. John Gosden trains this son Kitten’s Joy and if he can adapt to the surface then he will go very close. Another of the European raiders is Mendelssohn who won the Juvenile Turf at the Breeders’ Cup last season and was an eighteen length winner of the UAE Derby at Meydan in March, which bodes well for his chances in this. Aidan O’Brien has campaigned him exclusively in America since that victory without success but on his UAE Deby form alone, Mendelssohn has a chance. Accelerate heads the market for this $6 million contest and the five-year-old son Lookin At Lucky, has won four Grade One’s form his last five starts. He has really appreciated the step up in distance and should give his supporters a good run for their money. The quirky Mckinzie, Catholic Boy and West Coast all hold chances. Selection: Roaring Lion The post Breeders’ Cup Preview – November 3rd appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Like a proud parent of an athlete telling stories of a son's winning touchdown or a daughter's buzzer-beating basket, Monomoy Girl co-breeder Michael Hernon enjoys providing detailed accounts of her four consecutive grade 1 wins this season. View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for this Sunday at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Fukushima and Kyoto Racecourses: 5th-FUK, ¥13,400,000 ($119k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1700m WASHINGTON TESORO (c, 2, Curlin–War Tigress, by War Chant) cost $550K as a Keeneland September yearling last year and is out of a turf stakes-winning dam whose daughter War Heroine (Lonhro {Aus}) was the narrow winner of the grassy GII San Clemente H. at Del Mar this past summer. Both sire and damsire have Breeders’ Cup victories to their credit. B-Waymore LLC (KY) 10th-KYO, JBC Sprint-Listed, ¥139m ($1.23m), 3yo/up, 1200m MATERA SKY (c, 4, Speightstown–Mostaqeleh, by Rahy) has won four of his seven starts this season, including a track record-setting performance in landing the G3 Procyon S. at Chukyo in July (gate 13). A creditable fifth to Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) in this year’s G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, he was slightly disappointing when fourth in listed company at Ohi, but weighed in about 40 pounds over his previous run and is expected to strip fitter here. His Group 2-placed dam is also responsible for SW Nawwaar (Distorted Humor), MGSP Murillo (More Than Ready) and MSP Raagheb (Street Cry {Ire}). B-Lynch Bages Ltd (KY) 12th-KYO, JBC Ladies’ Classic-Listed, ¥100m ($887k), 3/up, f/m, 9f As her female family would suggest, RABBIT RUN (f, 4, Tapit–Amelia, by Dixieland Band) has proved a versatile sort to date, having annexed the G3 Rose S. on the grass last season and the listed Breeders’ Gold Cup in handy fashion when last seen Aug. 16 (gate 11). The $750K KEESEP grad is one of five full black-type winners for her SW dam, including Japanese GSW Asakusa Genki (Stormy Atlantic), MGSW & GISP Rainha Da Bateria (Broken Vow), GSW & GISP Kindergarden Kid (Dynaformer) and GSW Assateague (Stormy Atlantic). Rabbit Run’s full-brother He’s Had Enough was runner-up in the 2012 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. B-Alexander – Groves – Matz LLC (KY) View the full article

The Charlie Hall Chase takes top billing today and the Picks From The Paddock team have ran the rule over all the runners to give you their best bet for this and every race on a bumper saturday! 14:40 Wetherby – Charlie Hall Chase The Charlie Hall Meeting is the highlight of the Wetherby racing calendar and the first Saturday each November sees the feature race of the meeting – The Charlie Hall Chase. The race takes in eighteen fences over a three-mile trip and previous winners include the likes of Silviniaco Conti and Cue Card. In winning last year, Bristol De Mai led home a stable one-two and gave trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies his fifth victory in the race, although the forecast good ground has put pay to his follow-up attempt. Ground conditions have also meant that we won’t get to see Thistlecrack’s eagerly-awaited comeback following injury, but nevertheless there are still some top-class performers who will be taking their place. The market leader is now Black Corton who has built up a fantastic relationship with Bryony Frost, teaming up to win seven from ten. The ground won’t be of any concern, he boasts an excellent record when fresh and has won four from five over similar trips so despite the odds looking on the skinny side he looks to be the class act in the race and as such must be in with a fantastic chance of winning here today. Dan Skelton has started the season in fine form and boasts an excellent record with his chasers at the course so Virgilio shouldn’t be underestimated despite this being a step up in grade. A winner of his last two, both on good ground over similar distances to what he encounters here, he arrives with plenty in his favour and looks to be the main danger if continuing to progress. Double Shuffle isn’t a prolific winner but does have a win and two second-placed efforts from three runs over todays’ trip and is proven on good ground. He wasn’t seen to best effect in the spring but is better judged on three placed efforts last winter and a length defeat by Might Bite in the King George last season shows he has the ability to get involved if arriving on a good day. Definitly Red has a good record on return from a break and has made the frame in all three prior visits to Wetherby but would much prefer soft or even heavy ground so is unlikely to be seen to best effect today – a comment which also applies to Regal Encore. Black Corton (WIN) – Bet Of The Day Ascot 12:40 – Pym (WIN) 13:15 – Darling Maltaix (WIN) 13:50 – Sternrubin (WIN) ITV 14:25 – Champagne At Tara (WIN) ITV 15:00 – Magic Dancer (WIN) ITV 15:35 – Go Conquer (WIN) ITV 16:05 – Fubar (WIN) Ayr 12:30 – Sassy Diva (WIN) 13:05 – Titian Boy (WIN) 13:40 – Our Kaempfer (WIN) 14:15 – Justatenner (WIN) 14:50 – Ontopoftheworld (WIN) 15:25 – Taxmeifyoucan (E/W) 15:55 – Ribble Valley (WIN) Newcastle 15:30 – Forest Bihan (WIN) 16:00 – Diva D (WIN) 16:30 – You Never Can Tell (WIN) 17:00 – Deputise (WIN) 17:30 – Ascot Week (E/W) 18:00 – Odds On Oli (E/W) 18:30 – Ronnie The Rooster (e/w) 19:00 – So Macho (WIN) Newmarket 12:15 – Firebird Song (WIN) 12:50 – Jadeerah (WIN) 13:25 – Aspire Tower (WIN) 14:00 – Consultant (WIN) 14:35 – Mannaal (WIN) 15:10 – True Self (WIN) 15:45 – Muntadab (WIN) 16:15 – Harlequinn Striker (E/W) Wetherby 12:20 – Kilfinichen Bay (WIN) 12:55 – Smackwater Jack (WIN) 13:30 – Tayzar (E/W) 14:05 – Lady Buttons (WIN) ITV 14:40 – Black Corton (WIN) ITV* 15:15 – Monbeg Theatre (WIN) ITV 15:50 – Harefield (WIN) Down Royal 12:45 – Future Proof (WIN) 13:20 – Raya Time (WIN) 13:55 – Neverushacon (WIN) 14:30 – Outlander (WIN) 15:05 – Snow Falcon (WIN) 15:40 – Dinnie’s Vinnie (WIN) 16:10 – Malone Road (WIN) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Saturday 3rd November appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

William S. Farish's homebred Code of Honor will scratch out of the Nov. 2 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs after spiking a fever the morning of the race. View the full article

In many years, the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1)—where older horses meet the best 3-year-olds with $6 million on the line—decides Horse of the Year honors, but this year the title already could be settled in favor of Justify. Or is it? View the full article

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has pulled the plug on efforts to allow Australian-based horses to compete in the Longines Hong Kong International Races Dec. 9 at Sha Tin racecourse. View the full article

Churchill Downs Inc. officials are telling investors today that future projects at its flagship Churchill Downs racetrack could include a hotel, a new paddock, and additional seating in the clubhouse turn and infield. View the full article

In 2017, Darley added two multiple Grade I winners to its stallion roster at Jonabell Farm: Nyquist (Uncle Mo), the first unbeaten 2-year-old champion to win the GI Kentucky Derby since Seattle Slew, and Frosted (Tapit), the fastest-ever winner of the GI Met Mile. Both will have their first foals go through the ring at this fall’s breeding stock sales. TDN International Editor Kelsey Riley caught up with Darley’s Darren Fox to talk about the two sires. KR: What are you seeing, and hearing from others, about the first foals of Nyquist and Frosted? DF: We have spent a lot of the spring and summer traveling around to our clients’ farms to inspect the first foals by Frosted and Nyquist. We’re very happy with what we have been seeing, and very happy with breeders’ comments. To start with Frosted, not only is the mare’s Frosted foal the mare’s best foal to date; frequently the Frosted foal is the best foal on their respective farms, so we’re getting very strong comments from breeders on the Frosted foals consistently. The chatter is certainly starting early, and even people who don’t have a Frosted foal have been saying similar things, which is always great to hear. And similarly on Nyquist, he’s just getting foals that have tremendous athleticism, they have great mental constitution like their sire, and are just very well-balanced, very well-made foals that look like they will continue to develop and make exceptional yearlings. We’re getting very strong comments from respected breeders, which is the ultimate acid test in my mind. {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"Sales Debut for Darley Duo of Frosted, Nyquist","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/297326974.sd.mp4?s=bf05ee5b671378f47dcc200536124340eced800f&profile_id=165","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/294971945.sd.mp4?s=a1501e22cc9a262a93db9fa62f6b10b401b6602a&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\/"} KR: Nyquist and Frosted were, by quite a wide margin, the top two freshman covering sires at last year’s breeding stock sales. DF: They were the first and second most expensive incoming freshmen of their class, Frosted at $50,000, Nyquist at $40,000, and they remain first and second for mare and foal averages. Nyquist was first with a $309,000 average and his in-foal mares sold for up to $1.3-million, and that was Land Over Sea (Bellamy Road). But Frosted, he was actually highest by median with a $255,000 median, and he ranked second by average at $235,000. So they were first and second by mares-in-foal average, so we’re hoping that they should figure prominently with their first weanlings. KR: Can you tell us about the types of mares Nyquist and Frosted have been getting during their first two years at stud? DF: Nyquist was way oversubscribed in year one; it was actually quite difficult managing his book. In year two, he was booked full by early January. So he really is that rare horse that will book full at full fee and will carry that demand through, likely, his first four years at stud, which really is the perfect scenario when retiring a young horse to stud. But his body of work, his sire, his physical, his every attribute just lends itself to strong demand from the marketplace, so he really is a stallion master’s dream when it comes to marketing and promotion. When you’re a horse of Nyquist’s caliber, it really doesn’t take much to keep him in people’s minds. I think the fact that he’s the best by Uncle Mo–and we’ve seen what Uncle Mo has done–and when people come to the farm to see the stallions, he’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue. It really doesn’t take much effort on our part to keep him in people’s conscience. Frosted bred the best book of mares of any of the freshman class, judged on CI and CPI, and that’s no surprise given he was the most expensive stallion at $50,000. One would expect a book of mares of such quality to go along with such a stud fee, but it’s very gratifying to see the marketplace respond and send him mares of the caliber that they did. With Frosted, no matter how you critique a stallion prospect, whether you’re looking for sire power, he’s by Tapit. Whether you’re looking for a strong broodmare sire, he’s out of a Deputy Minister mare. If you’re looking for female family, his first two dams are Grade II winners. If you’re looking for proven sires in the pedigree, he has two: he has Midshipman and Salse. And if you’re looking for race record, he’s obviously Tapit’s leading money earner in the U.S. and his highest-rated runner. So if you wrap all that up and include his jaw-dropping physical, I really feel like Frosted is the complete package, and he certainly looks like the heir apparent to Tapit. View the full article

Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the 5-1 morning line favourite for Saturday’s GI Breeders’ Cup Mile, has been scratched Pierre Yves-Bureau, Manager for Wertheimer et Frere, confirmed to the TDN on Friday morning. Successful in the G1 LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in August, the Freddie Head trainee is a homebred for the Wertheimer brothers. She also won the G3 Prix du Palais-Royal earlier this term. The news was first reported by the Daily Racing Form. View the full article

The ITV racing team is bringing viewers action from Ascot and Wetherby on Saturday, where the Charlie Hall Chase takes centre stage at Wetherby and really marks the starts of the jumps season proper. This is a day that jump racing fans look forward to the second the final runner passed the post at the Punchestown festival. Sodexo Gold Cup Go Conquer took this twelve months ago under Aidan Coleman but following that victory he was unsuccessful in three more starts. Paul and Claire Rooney have since moved their nine-year-old from Jonjo O’Neill to Nigel Twiston Davies. There is no doubt that Twiston Davies will be hoping to hit the ground running with his new inmate. Gary Moore trains the market leader in the form of Traffic Fluide who boasts top class back form, having run predominantly in Grade 1 contests over the past three seasons. He has already run once this season finishing second to The Young Master at Chepstow last month and with that run under his belt, he’ll take all the beating. Adrien Du Pont represents the Paul Nicholls team and although he has plenty of class, he doesn’t get his head in front that often. I think he will be bang there going to the last but looks booked for the bridesmaid position yet again. Selection: Go Conquer OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle The OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle, is the first listed race on Charlie Hall race day and it sees some of the top British mares in training take each other on. Irish Roe was one of last season’s most improved mares starting on a mark of 120 and ending up finishing up a close sixth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle off 140. Lady Buttons won and was placed in listed events last season and she has won twice on seasonal debuts. She was the fourth in a Grade 1 at Aintree when last seen in action and seems to be an upward curve. The Fergal O’Brien trained Oscar Rose is the only other runner with a chance of winning this having been a wide margin winner on seasonal debut at Worcester. That was her first run since winning a listed bumper back in 2016 and with this confidence boosting run behind her, she looks sure to run well. Selection: Irish Roe Charlie Hall Chase The Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase is the cornerstone of Wetherby’s jumps season and has been won by great chaser down through the years including One Man (1996 & 1997), See More Business (1999 & 2000) and Cue Card (2015). It’s unfortunate that we won’t get to see Thistlecrack take up this engagement and every racing fan was eagerly awaiting his reappearance but we will get to see one of last season’s good news stories, as Black Corton made an incredible rise through the ranks. Once Bryony Frost sat on Paul Nicholls charge, he turned inside out, from winning a novice chase at Worcester in July to winning the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novice Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. There is no way he can emulate the heights of last season but I’m sure he will give Bryony Frost some great spins again this season. Double Shuffle looks most likely to give Black Corton a hard life and it’s incredible that for a horse of his quality, he’s only won twice over fences. Tom George’s charge finished second in the King George behind Might Bite last season and if he brings that form into this race, then he’ll take all the beating. Definitly Red represents the Brian Ellison team and he’s my idea of the winner. He finished third behind Bristol De Mai in the race last season and went on to win a brace of Grade 2 events. He finished sixth behind Native River in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham festival and if Ellison has his stable star primed for the occasion, he’s the one to beat. Selection: Definitly Red Wholestone (Nearside)West Yorkshire Hurdle This Grade 2 contest has proved to be a good stepping stone for horses that have aspirations of winning the stayers hurdle at the festival with previous dual winners including Inglis Drever and Cole Harden. The Nigel Twiston Davies trained Wholestone is the standout runner in the field, having had a very fruitful 2017/2018 season which included a win in the Relkeel Hurdle and solid placed efforts in the Cleeve and both the Cheltenham and Aintree Stayers’ hurdles. He also finished runner-up in this contest twelve months ago behind Colin’s Sister. He has the best form in the race and will prove very difficult to beat. Old Guard shares the burden of top weight with Wholestone but has the benefit of a pipe-opener in a listed hurdle at Kempton two weeks ago. He had won the same contest last season and on their running in the Relkeel, he has plenty to find in order to reverse the placings. The final two with chances are Clyne and Keeper Hill. Selection: Wholestone JNwine.com Champion Chase Down Royal plays host to the Champion Chase on Saturday and it’s the first Grade 1 race of the Irish National Hunt season. It has become an early-season target for some great horses in the past including Beef or Salmon (2004 & 2006) and Kauto Star (2008 & 2010). Balko Des Flos tops the market for Henry De Bromead and the Gigginstown House Stud operation. He won last season’s Galway Plate and followed this up with a victory in the Ryanair Chase beating the “good thing” Un De Sceaux. I’d imagine connections will have visions of landing back to back renditions of the Ryanair this season. Henry de Bromhead is also responsible for Sub Lieutenant, who has already had three runs this season. He began with an honourable fifth in the Galway Plate behind Clarcam and followed it with two wins at Galway and Punchestown. He has the class and match-fitness, which will make him difficult to contain. Road To Respect finished runner-up to Outlander twelve months ago in what proved to a light but good campaign. He won the Christmas Chase at Leopardstown beating Balko De Flos and went straight to Cheltenham where he finished fourth in the Gold Cup. This run alone would be good enough to win and if Noel Meade has him fit enough then he should make a winning seasonal debut. Outlander will be hoping to win back to back renewals of this and although he was well beaten by Road To Respect at Punchestown on seasonal debut, he will have his supporters. Selection: Road To Respect The post Saturday Preview – Ellison Sees Red In The Charlie Hall appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

1st-Newmarket, £8,000, Cond, 11-2, 2yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:28.10, sf. BATTLE FOR GLORY (c, 2, War Front–Immortal Verse {Ire} {Hwt. 3yo Filly-Eng at 7-9.5f, G1SW-Eng & Fr, $1,053,873}, by Pivotal {GB}) was well away and led until headed with a half mile to go in this debut. Scrubbed along passing the three-furlong pole, the 16-1 chance was angled off the fence for a clear run at the foot of the hill and kept on strongly under a tender drive up the climb to prevail by nose from Real Smooth (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). “He was a bit green and only started to race when I pulled him out and he really battled well in the closing stages,” said winning rider Kieran O’Niell. “It’s soft ground, but he’s out of a Pivotal mare and that probably helped. He’s not overly big and will be better on better ground so is one to look forward to next year.” The February-foaled bay becomes the first winner produced by G1 Coronation S. and G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois heroine Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who was knocked down for 4.7-million gns at Tattersalls’ 2013 December Mares Sale, and he is full-brother to a yearling colt. Immortal Verse is out of stakes-winning G3 Prix Fille de l’Air runner-up Side of Paradise (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), who in turn is kin to six black-type performers headed by MG1SW sire Last Tycoon (Ire) (Try My Best) and MGSW sire Astronef (Ire) (Be My Guest). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $6,730. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. 1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor & Merribelle Stable; B-Merriebelle Stables (KY); T-John Gosden. View the full article

GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Sprint – This is a tough race to feel overly strong about, but #8 MIA MISCHIEF (15-1) is worth a close look. She seems best suited to seven panels. While there’s plenty of other pace signed on, she did romp at Oaklawn in March from a stalking spot. Her best career effort came over track and trip and she doesn’t have to run much better than she did that day to take this. GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Turf – Her form might not quite class up to a few of the other Euros, but #14 EZIYRA (IRE) (15-1) is interesting under these conditions. The 1 3/8-mile distance of this race seems like it could come into play, and she’s about as well suited to the trip as anyone. Plus she’s proven over yielding turf and she’s been pointing to this spot since her last start. GI Breeders’ Cup Mile – The morning line on #12 ANALYZE IT(6-1) seems low, and hopefully it’ll be double that or so come post time. The Chad Brown trainee couldn’t have been much more brilliant in his first three starts–including one over yielding sod in April’s GIII Transylvania S. He was stretched out some after that, and was taken off his game a bit as he was asked to go slower early–he couldn’t quite finish off those races, albeit twice against the very talented Catholic Boy. He was wide and in a bad spot as the favorite facing a couple of these in the GI Shadwell Turf Mile, but hopefully his connections will handicap this race and see that a more aggressive approach could be highly effective. GI Breeders’ Cup Classic – #8 PAVEL (20-1) was cut out to be a very nice one since the beginning, and he ran a huge race to be third in last year’s GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at this distance while being leaned on throughout the stretch. He had a few rough trips after that, but put it all back together in the GI Stephen Foster H. here June 16. He was beaten a bunch by Accelerate last time, but if that one and a few others don’t show up with their best, he’s capable of springing the huge upset. View the full article

It was a nearly weekend for Bankhouse team last week, with the runs of Dear Sire who was travelling well when coming down at the last in the novice chase at Cheltenham and Cloudy Dream running a fine race to finish third in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree. I am looking forward to this weekend with nine runners in total over the two days, we will have runners at Wetherby, Ayr and Ascot on Saturday and then onto Carlisle on Sunday, where there will be big competitive fields and the chase track there is great. Saturday Beach Break Track: Wetherby – 12:55 Jockey: Henry Brooke I wasn’t planning on running him but I entered him because he’s only got a ten-pound penalty for winning three novices and it’s cut up into an average looking race. I think that’s because the ground is fast, which he likes so we will take our chance. Katachenko Track: Ayr – 1:40 Jockey: Brian Hughes We were slightly frustrated with him at Wetherby last week, we spent a long time switching him off because he used to be very keen. He travels to Ayr and we are hoping they don’t get too much rain before his race but there is rain coming and the addition of cheekpieces may just sharpen him up a bit. Ink Master Track: Ascot – 2:25 Jockey: Wayne Hutchinson I bought him last year with a view to him being a low-grade summer horse and the summer has gone well, winning three races and the ground is still quick, we are in the handicap in a small field that is worth £60,000, so we will take a punt. He ran a blinder up at Kelso behind Cubomania and although it didn’t quite happen for him at Wetherby, he deserves to take his chance. Raise A Spark Track: Ayr – 2:50 Jockey: Brian Hughes I had both he and Ink Master in the race but I am running him with a view that there is going to be rain coming, through the day. He hasn’t been doing much wrong of late, he was a little flat at Perth but I think coming back to two miles in a small field, where there might be a bit of pace will really suit him. Chti Balko Track: Ayr – 3:25 Jockey: Will Kennedy He’s a good little horse but unfortunately, he’s badly handicapped at present, this is his first run of the season and I would think that he will be camping out in Haydock for most of the winter because he loves it! He runs at Ayr because we just need to get him started and he loves heavy ground, so I’m hoping they get enough rain through the day to run him. Sunday Knockrobin Track: Carlisle – 1:30 Jockey: Brian Hughes Knockrobin will win plenty of novice chases but it might not be on Sunday because it looks very warm, but it is a good place to start him out and I’m looking forward to the season ahead with him. Spin The Coin Track: Carlisle – 2:05 Jockey: Brian Hughes This looks like the right type of race and right grade for Spin The Coin but there are 20 runners to contend with so it will be very competitive but he looked winning last year when falling at the last at Carlisle and obvious he will come on from his first run. That being said it’s the right race to start him in. Lough Derg Jewel Track: Carlisle – 2:40 Jockey: Brian Hughes He was a little bit unlucky up at Perth where it was his first run against proper handicappers but he ran well. He just made a mistake down the back but still travelled back into the race to finish his race off nicely. We have waited a bit with him and I’m not convinced that he wants 3 miles 2 furlongs around Carlisle but I’d sooner run him against handicappers than drop him down in trip and run him off his feet. Rebel Rock Track: Carlisle – 4:15 Jockey: Abbie McCain He’s not shown much in his one career start at Huntingdon where the ground was much too fast for him but it looked like a good race and I actually purchased the winner of the in the interim. Rebel Rock will be more suited to the 1 mile 6 furlong trip around here on the slower ground and I’d like to see him show a bit more than he did on his debut. Best Chance: Raise A Spark The post Donald McCain Blog appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

William S. Farish's homebred Code of Honor will scratch out of the Nov. 2 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs after spiking a fever the morning of the race. View the full article

Horses from Down Under will be unable to compete at this year’s Longines Hong Kong International Races after the Jockey Club confirmed an interim quarantine arrangement with the Australian Government could not be implemented in time. The Jockey Club and officials from the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) had been trying to broker a deal which would see Aussie-based horses able to bypass the strict quarantine restrictions introduced after Conghua was added to... View the full article

HE goes by the nickname ‘Big Money Mike’ in the USA and when you look at some of the races and the horses jockey Mike Smith has been associated with then you can understand why. Songbird, Zenyatta, Arrogate and Justify are just some of the star names the 53-year-old has partnered, and he has another strong book of rides on Breeders’ Cup Saturday, headed by the exciting McKinzie. We caught up with the rider to get the lowdown on his rides and take a trip down memory lane. What makes the Breeders’ Cup so special for you? That it’s international. It’s not just that it’s the best of the United States, man, it’s the best horses from around the world. We get most of the best European horses and from South America – it’s great and it really adds to the occasion and the quality of the races. It’s the world coming together. What do you make of the European challenge at the Breeders’ Cup this year? It’s without a doubt very strong, like it is every year. They’re especially strong on the grass but every year they seem to be bringing over horses who are stronger on the dirt too. I’m pretty excited to see them, especially Enable. Enable and Frankie Dettori exercise on the turf track at Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, 31.10.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerYou ride McKinzie in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Can you tell us a little about him? He’s a brilliant three-year-old. He’s a horse that we certainly haven’t seen the best of yet and I hope that we do on Saturday in the Classic. We don’t think he’s reached his full potential yet and we feel he’s got a lot of talent. Do you think McKinzie is ready to show his class in the Classic? He’s training like he’s ready to run big and put himself in with a real shot of showing us on the track how good we think he is. He’s taking on the older horses for the first time, so we’ll see how he gets on there. He’s super talented. Bob Baffert’s BC Classic hope McKinzie is put through his paces on the main track at Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, 31.10.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerMarley’s Freedom looks to have a leading chance in the Filly & Mare Sprint. How are things with her? She’s a deserving favourite and given a good trip she’ll be difficult to beat. She’ll be coming with a late run and we’ll have to dodge some traffic, but if we can get through she’s going to be tough to beat. She’s got a great finish. If she’s within two lengths of the leaders turning for home then she’ll run them down. Abel Tasman goes for the Distaff. Do you think she can land the contest? If she runs her A race then she’s tough, man. The main competition to her are the two three-year-olds Monomoy Girl and Midnight Bisou. She will need to produce her best but if she does I think she’ll run well. She is a pretty consistent filly bar her last race and we’re just throwing that one out. All three of your rides on Saturday are for trainer Bob Baffert. Tell us a little about him? He’s the guy I do most of my riding for and his record speaks for itself. He’s brilliant at what he does and he’s an incredible horseman – a genius. He’s so good at getting horses ready for these type of races, especially over a mile and a quarter and the Classic races. McKinzie is coming into the race off one race after a layoff but if anyone can get a horse ready off that it’s Bob. Bob Baffert at Meydan racecourse Dubai 27.3.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerSadly, there is no Justify at the Breeders’ Cup this year. How good was he, in your opinion? He was such a brilliant horse. Not only was he supremely talented, he was also so intelligent – he was such a smart horse. I think that’s what made him so difficult to beat. Not only was he good but on top of that he had the ‘IT factor’ which was his mind, he didn’t make mistakes. He was a big horse too, a huge horse and a tremendous physical specimen. You must be disappointed they took the decision to retire Justify to stud rather than race him? Yes, from a selfish point of view. I’d have loved to still have him around. But then what a time for McKinzie to come up and have the torch passed to him. Hopefully we can finish the year off well with him. Given a fair chance I think we can see something special from him this weekend. 2018 triple crown winner Justify in his paddock at Ashford Stud, Versailles, near Lexington Kentucky 29.10.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerAnd, finally, you will always been associated with the brilliant Zenyatta. What was it like being associated with her? She was a special lady – one of a kind. The Classic she won at Santa Anita in ‘09 was probably the greatest, if not the greatest, Breeders’ Cup performance. The whole day was incredible and the atmosphere like nothing I’ve ever known. It was special and she was special. I was very blessed to get the chance to ride her. Zenyatta wins the ClassicThe post Big Money Mike Smith on his chances for more Breeders Cup success appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

The dynamic in the Hong Kong jockeys’ room is set to shift dramatically after the arrival of Silvestre de Sousa and Alexis Badel at Sha Tin this week. It is no secret the Jockey Club wanted to bolster the depth within the riding ranks following a host of off-season changes and these two class European-based riders will certainly do that. And they are set to get even stronger with the imminent return of Joao Moreira as John Size’s stable jockey, but there was some suggestion that De... View the full article

Trainer Chad Brown will look to start the Aqueduct Racetrack fall meet on a strong note by entering both U S Navy Cross and Network Effect in the $200,000 Nashua Stakes (G3) for juveniles going one mile Nov. 4. View the full article

Gigantic Breeze and Gamble's Ghost will set out to defend their titles in this year's editions of the Autumn (G2) and Maple Leaf (G3) stakes, respectively, co-featured in a Nov. 4 Woodbine program. View the full article

THE race for Melbourne Cup spots is still alive with one day left to claim a place in the great race. View the full article

It's positively uncanny how many favorites and prominent contenders drew horribly for the 35th Breeders' Cup. View the full article

Hard-earned first win for Lerner in Singapore View the full article