Wandering Eyes

Lim's Pride comes back a winner after let-up View the full article

Saimee pleased with Nizar's racing sense View the full article

Horses' body weights October 26 View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings October 26 View the full article

Working a set apart just after 6 a.m. Oct. 25, trainer Tom Amoss sent Breeders' Cup hopefuls Lone Sailor and Serengeti Empress to the main track at Churchill Downs for their final breezes before next weekend's World Championships. View the full article

Multiple grade 1 winner Hoppertunity, one of the longest-running competitors at the graded stakes level in recent years, has been retired from racing and will stand at Northview PA in Peach Bottom, Pa., the farm announced Oct. 25. View the full article

The California Horse Racing Board took action on two separate measures to "deauthorize any detectable level of clenbuterol" in racehorses during its monthly meeting Oct. 25 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

Two-time Grade I winner, multi-millionaire and fan favorite Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday–Refugee, by Unaccounted For) has retired and will take up stud duties at Northview Stallion Station in Pennsylvania. His 2019 fee is $5,000 LFSN with shares and lifetime breeding rights available. With career earnings of $4,712,625, the 7-year-old becomes the riches horse to ever stand his first season in the Mid-Atlantic region. “Speed, class, stamina, and soundness will make you a multimillionaire in this business,” trainer Bob Baffert said of his longtime pupil. “Hoppertunity has them all. He could dominate the breeding industry in that region.” Purchased by trained Bob Baffert for $300,000 at KEESEP, Hoppertunity won at least one graded event in each of his five seasons on the racetrack, during which he won nine of his 34 starts with eight seconds and five thirds. Scoring his first graded victory in the 2014 GII Rebel S., he finished second to subsequent dual Classic winner California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) in that term’s GI Santa Anita Derby and closed out his sophomore campaign with his first top-level success in the GI Clark H. Capturing the 2015 GII San Pasqual S., the Watson, Weitman and Pegram colorbearer completed the exacta in that year’s GI Awesome Again S. and the Clark. Winner of the 2016 GII San Antonio S.,Hoppertunity checked in third behind California Chrome in the G1 Dubai World Cup and returned to his best form later that season with a win in Belmont’s GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. He started off 2017 with by successfully defending his San Antonio title and was third in that year’s Clark. Kicking off 2018 on a winning note in the GII Tokyo City Cup S., the bay was one of three winners for Baffert on GI Belmont S. day June 9 with a 2 1/4-length score in the GII Brooklyn H. prior to Justify (Scat Daddy)’s Triple Crown victory. Hoppertunity was last seen finishing second in the GIII Cougar H. July 25. “I could go on and on about his racing statistics, but everyone can look them up,” said Northview’s general manager David Wade. “What most haven’t seen yet is this horse. I went to Santa Anita to inspect him for purchase and I thought they had brought me the wrong one. How could a horse that’s run 34 times, 31 of them stakes races, have legs this clean and joints this tight? As a group, our breeders are very savvy and inspect our stallions diligently, so conformation is high up on our list when shopping for new stallions. This one certainly won’t disappoint anyone.” Out of GSP Refugee, Hoppertunity is a half-brother to MGISW Executiveprivilege (First Samurai), who earned just shy of $1 million. This is also the extended family of champion Davona Dale. “He’s the first multi-million-dollar earning pet I’ve had in the barn,” Baffert said. “He kept some good company, hanging out with two Triple Crown winners.” The Hall of Famer continued, “We’re going to miss him. He was the barn favorite. Everyone loves Hopper.” View the full article

The connections of multiple grade 1 winner Hoppertunity, one of the longest-running competitors at the graded stakes level in recent years, are looking for a stud deal for the 7-year-old son of Any Given Saturday, trainer Bob Baffert said Oct. 25. View the full article

Caleb’s Posse (Posse–Abbey’s Missy, by Slewacide), the multiple Grade I winner who has stood at Three Chimneys Farm since entering stud in 2013, will record to River Oaks Farm in Sulfur, OK, the farm announced Thursday. “I’m excited about getting Caleb’s Posse to Oklahoma where his first three dams were raised and where his damsire, Slewacide, a perennial leading sire in Oklahoma, stood for many years,” said co-owner Everett Dobson, who will retain an interest in the stallion and continue to support him in Oklahoma. “We think he is excellent for the state-bred program and a great opportunity for breeders in Oklahoma to take advantage of a two-time Eclipse Award nominee and one of the most impressive racehorses of his generation.” Trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Caleb’s Posse won eight of 19 starts during his racing career, including victories in the 2011 GI King’s Bishop S. and that year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, and retired with earnings of $1,423,379. View the full article

MGISW Oscar Performance (Kitten’s Joy) put in his final serious work for the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile Thursday at Keeneland with regular jockey Jose Ortiz in the irons. Starting a length behind stablemate Silver Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), the ‘TDN Rising Star’ breezed five panels in 1:01.40 (4/17), covering his final quarter in :24 flat and galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 (video). “It was the work we needed going into the race,” conditioner Brian Lynch said of his 2016 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner. “The gallop out and the whole work was a good work. He might have a little blowout at Churchill but nothing serious. This is what he needed, and Jose was thrilled with the work.” GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies contender Restless Rider (Distorted Humor) breezed in company with Princesa Carolina (Tapit) at Keeneland Thursday. Grade I-winning ‘TDN Rising Star’ Restless Rider finished a length in front, clocking a half-mile in :48.40 (10/56), while her stablemate was clocked in :48.60 (15/56) (video). The pair were timed in splits of :11.80, :23.60 and :36 and galloped out in 1:00.80. “We just wanted to let [Restless Rider] stretch her legs again,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “She was coming back six days off her last breeze.” Princesa Carolina was pre-entered in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, but was not selected into the field. McPeek said she might run in Sunday’s Rags to Riches S. at Churchill Downs. GII Jessamine S. winner Concrete Rose (Twirling Candy) turned in what trainer Rusty Arnold deemed a “perfect” work in her final preparations for the Juvenile Fillies Turf Thursday morning at Keeneland. Working in company with stablemate Macabre (Hard Spun) to her inside, the dark bay breezed a half-mile in :49 flat (22/56) with splits of :12.40, :24.40 and :36.60. Juvenile Turf contender War of Will (War Front) and Juvenile Turf Sprint hopeful Strike Silver (Violence) breezed together Thursday, going a half-mile in :48.20 (7/56) at Keeneland (video). The Mark Casse pupils were clocked in fractions of :12.40, :24, :35.80 and :48.20 and galloped out in 1:00.80. “Very happy with them,” David Carroll, Casse’s Keeneland assistant, said. “Great surface here and nice, quiet track. Hopefully it’ll be a winning breeze.” GSW and GI Preakness S. runner-up Bravazo (Awesome Again) hit the track at Churchill Downs bright and early Thursday in true D. Wayne Lukas fashion, working a best-of-20 five-panel bullet in :59.80. Breezing in company with Spire (Ghostzapper) (1:02), the Calumet Farm runner registered splits of :11.60, :23, :35 and :47 with a six-furlong gallop out in 1:15.60. “This horse has done nothing but improve following the [GI Kentucky] Derby,” Lukas said. “The last race wasn’t too much but this colt has danced in every dance and shows up each time. There’s not much more you can ask of him but I wish we could’ve gotten a little luckier in a couple of his starts.” The Hall of Famer pre-entered Bravazo as first preference for the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and second preference for the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. The sophomore is one spot out of the Classic starting gate at No. 15. GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Sprint runner Finley’sluckycharm (Twirling Candy) covered a half-mile in :47.80 (2/37) beneath the Twin Spires Thursday morning. With jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., in the irons, the GI Madison S. victress clicked off fractions of :12, :24, 36 and :47.80 before galloping out five panels in 1:00.40. “That was her last work before the Breeders’ Cup,” said trainer Bret Calhoun. “I am happy to get that behind us.” “I feel better coming into this year’s Breeders’ Cup,” he said of Finley’sluckycharm, who finished ninth in last year’s running at Del Mar. “She had a long campaign last year and had lost some weight. This year we have spaced her races out more and she has actually gained weight.” Tom Amoss sent out his Breeders’ Cup hopefuls Lone Sailor (Majestic Warrior) (Classic {1st}/Dirt Mile) and Serengeti Empress (Alternation) (Juvenile Fillies) for their final works in Louisville Thursday with both horses going a half-mile in :48.20 (8/37) under exercise rider Gilbert Concha. GIII Oklahoma Derby victor Lone Sailor was up first, clocking splits of :12.20 and :24.20 with a six-furlong gallop out in 1:14.60. “He had been running all year and today’s work nine days out from the race was by design for maintenance mentally and physically,” Amoss said. “He had done a lot of work previously.” Runaway GII Pocahontas S. winner Serengeti Empress registered splits of :12.60, :24.20 and :36.40, galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.20. “Her work was similar to his, just an easy half,” Amoss said. “Her preparation has been different from his. She worked in company last week and has done a lot more than Lone Sailor has. The takeaway from this morning was she rated kindly like she did last week in company. I know it is not a full field, but I think post position will be important. With Bellafina (Quality Road), Jaywalk (Cross Traffic), Restless Rider and us; something has to give and I want to know that she can rate.” GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff contender Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d’Oro) and Dirt Mile runner Awesome Slew (Awesome Again) put in their final half-mile works at Churchill Thursday. ‘TDN Rising Star’ and Queen’s Plate victress Wonder Gadot covered the distance in a bullet :47 flat, the best of 37 breezers at the distance, going in fractions of :11.60 and :22.80 with a five-panel gallop-out on 1:01. Awesome Slew worked outside of stablemate Determinant (Tapit) (:48.40), completing the work in :48 flat (3/37) with splits of :12.20 and :24 and a five-furlong gallop-out in 1:01. “Both horses worked great this morning,” said trainer Mark Casse as he personally walked GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Wonder Gadot around his Barn 36 shedrow. “We’re ready to go.” He added, “It’s interesting with Wonder Gadot’s pedigree how well she takes to this track. I think she absolutely loves this surface.” Likely Juvenile Fillies favorite Bellafina (Quality Road) breezed four furlongs in :47.40 (2/21) at Santa Anita Thursday morning (video). “It was really good,” trainer Simon Callaghan said of his dual Grade I winner. “She galloped out in a minute and change and she looked like she wanted to keep going, so it was just what we were looking for. She will leave [for Kentucky] early [Friday] morning and we’ll just gallop her into the race. She’ll paddock school and go to the gate one of the days. She’s fit; she’s ready.” View the full article

Grade I winner Union Strike (Union Rags), who captured the GII Gallant Bloom S. at Belmont last month, has been supplemented to Book 1 of Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale as Hip 245E. Taylor Made Sales Agency will consign the 4-year-old filly as a racing or broodmare prospect. “We are thrilled to supplement Union Strike to our Keeneland November consignment,” said Mark Taylor, Vice President of Public Sales and Marketing for Taylor Made Sales Agency. “Being a Grade I winner by top young sire [in] Union Rags makes her a very special offering. We sold her at Keeneland as a weanling, so I know her conformation matches her resume on the track.” Union Strike captured the GI Del Mar Debutante S. as a juvenile for owner/trainer Mick Ruis and has tallied $537,625 in earnings from 11 starts. View the full article

Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate has upheld the legality of Kentucky Downs’ historical horse racing operation, determining that the track’s electronic gaming terminals based on the results of previously-run horse races is pari-mutuel in nature and permitted under Kentucky law. The ruling handed down Wednesday came more than nine months after Judge Wingate oversaw a trial stemming from a lawsuit testing the validity of the Kentucky regulations allowing for historical horse racing and the legality of the systems used for wagering. The Family Foundation of Kentucky claimed that the regulations were invalid and that the system used at Kentucky Downs, the Exacta System, was illegal. “Obviously we are very pleased with the Court’s well-reasoned and detailed ruling,” said Kentucky Downs president Corey Johnsen. “Judge Wingate carefully considered the facts and found that Exacta Systems and our historical horse racing is pari-mutuel and complies with Kentucky law.” View the full article

Five contenders for the 35th Breeders' Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs Nov. 2-3 turned in their final preparations over a fast track the morning of Oct. 25 at Keeneland. View the full article

Lexington is the Horse Capital of the World–a brand that has been earned over centuries of unparalleled equine husbandry and racing, but now faces real economic and infrastructural challenges moving into the future. Those who want to lure our signature industry to other states, are doing so with aggressive breeding and racing incentives, among other economic strategies. In addition, the very factory floor of our thoroughbred industry–our Bluegrass farmland–is under imminent threat from sprawl development and urbanization. Without the phosphorous-rich, limestone soils that surround the city of Lexington, our working horse farms will be unable to naturally produce the world’s best livestock–compromising our supply of Kentucky-breds, and the many businesses that support them, from our renowned veterinary clinics and nutritionists, to our sales agencies, bloodstock agents, financial institutions, and tourism sectors. In all, an annual $2.3 billion industry–affecting one in 10 jobs in our community–is at stake in Lexington. Linda Gorton is running for Mayor, and if elected Nov. 6, she will promote our signature agricultural industry and landscape. From passing land-use laws that protect our daily farming operations and conserve our prime Bluegrass soils, to creating jobs for a 21st century economy, Linda will go beyond giving platitudes for our signature industry, and produce real results on its behalf. She publicly supports conserving 50,000 acres of Fayette County farmland under the Purchase of Development Rights Program; spearheading a comprehensive economic development strategy with equine and ag leaders to strengthen our interests; and using the roughly 17,000 acres inside our city limits to sustainably accommodate our community’s future growth needs. This will be a complex undertaking, but one Linda can champion. Not only does she come from a farming background, but for over a decade on the Urban County Council, she lead many diverse interests to address some of Lexington’s most difficult issues–from establishing the PDR program, holding the line on expanding the Urban Services Boundary in 2006 and 2013, working on agreement with the EPA to fix our broken sewer system, and supporting Town Branch Park, Horse Country, and other seminal quality of life programs. Lexington is at a key point in its history. We must be steadfast in our commitment to creating a vibrant and dynamic city, surrounded by a beautiful and economically productive rural landscape. The Thoroughbred industry is the cornerstone of this vision, and one Linda will tirelessly pursue as Mayor. As a Thoroughbred breeder and owner, she has my vote. —Ann Bakhaus View the full article

Thoroughbreds racing in California will no longer be allowed to race with any detectable level of the bronchodilator medication clenbuterol in their systems, effective Nov. 15. The change is a result of evidence the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has collected via out-of-competition testing (OOC), and the measure was passed unanimously Thursday by the CHRB in a 4-0 vote. The CHRB’s data analysis of OOC testing results recently revealed patterns of the drug being used not for valid therapeutic administration, but as part of conditioning regimens in which trainers appear to be asking for barn-wide clenbuterol prescriptions in an effort to reap a known side effect of the drug that gives an anabolic steroid-like edge. Clenbuterol is banned in human sports by the World Anti-Doping Association for that very reason, plus the drug’s ability to burn fat and reduce weight quickly. In recent years, professional baseball players, boxers, cyclists, and Olympic athletes in various sports have all been penalized for using it. Clenbuterol does have legitimate veterinary use in horses (and humans) with respiratory problems, and it will still be permitted by the CHRB for that purpose. But the drug must clear a horse’s system prior to racing in order not to trigger a penalty. The clenbuterol limit that was on the books for Thoroughbreds in California had been 140 picograms per milliliter in post-race testing. As of Nov. 15, the limit will drop to zero (no permissible level). “What’s happened over the last … six to eight months, we’re seeing more and more clenbuterol use, and it’s not [randomly distributed],” CHRB equine medical director Rick Arthur, DVM, testified at Thursday’s monthly CHRB meeting. “Some trainers use it more than others, and that’s been confirmed by monitoring the reports of prescriptions … [We’re seeing veterinarians] prescribe the drug to a large number of horses in one barn and have no prescriptions in the others. So it seems to be more of a trainer-driven prescription than a veterinary-driven prescription.” Arthur said the new clenbuterol regulation deviates from Association of Racing Commissioners International Model Rules “because it is more restrictive than the National Uniform Medication Policy.” Arthur added that “from discussions with colleagues in similar regulatory positions as mine around the country, we are not the only jurisdiction to deal with this issue. We just have better data because of our extensive OOC testing program.” In order to safeguard horses, the CHRB has the power to make “emergency” changes to permissible medications and substances, but those changes can be in effect for only 12 months from the date of passage. That was how Thursday’s modification was passed. But in a separate agenda item, the CHRB also advanced to the 45-day public comment period a rule change that, if eventually voted in, will make the clenbuterol-on-raceday ban permanent. Greg Avioli, the president and chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, told commissioners that while he wasn’t going to object to the passage of the new rule because he felt it was a “fait accompli,” he did take umbrage with the proposal coming up “at the last minute” without stakeholders getting a chance to vet it properly. In contrast, Alan Balch, the executive director of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, said his organization held a statewide teleconference meeting about the issue and that “our constituents, we think, are very well informed and supportive of this.” Commissioner Madeline Auerbach also thought stakeholders had worked in concert despite relatively short notice, saying that she found it “amazing” that the racing community acted cooperatively to bring the clenbuterol ban on raceday to quick fruition. “This was the first time that I can remember that I didn’t have to push anybody to have a meeting, that I didn’t have to ask them to get together to talk about it,” Auerbach said. “The community did it themselves … Nobody wants anybody to have either a perceived or a real advantage because of the potential anabolic steroid effect of clenbuterol.” Arthur said that in an effort to allay fears of positive post-race tests if horses have been recently administered clenbuterol but plan to race as soon as Nov. 15, the CHRB will arrange for free pre-race screenings for the drug. “The bulk of horses will test clear if they’re taken off clenbuterol today,” Arthur said. Added Auerbach: “I’m concerned about making sure the community knows that we’re not being draconian; that they will have the opportunity, if they think there might be a problem, to have their horses tested at no cost.” View the full article

I am very much hoping that this week will be my favourite Breeders’ Cup, but up to now the one that resonates most with me is the 2015 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, when American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) put a crown on his fantastic racing career. I was fortunate enough to be in Keeneland to witness the event and the roars from the stands when he raced clear up the straight were deafening but memorable. The crowd really appreciated that they were witnessing an exceptional Classic winner and for the Triple Crown hero to regain his winning ways on the back of a tough defeat in the GI Travers S. was to me something special. View the full article

They come from all over the world to ride in North America and do so for obvious reasons–the racing and purses here are among the best on the planet. Jockeys from Latin American countries now dominate the sport and France has produced three of the top riders in the U.S. in Florent Geroux, Flavien Prat and Julien Leparoux. Now, a new country needs to be added to the list. There’s very little, if any, history of a young jockey from Japan coming here and being successful. But that’s exactly what 19-year-old apprentice Kazushi Kimura is doing at Woodbine. After getting off to a slow start at the meet, he is now among the hottest riders on the grounds and riding for many of Canada’s top outfits, including Mark Casse. “We don’t usually ride bug riders, but we have started using this one,” Casse said. “I think he’s a good rider who could turn into a very good rider.” The idea to come to Canada from Japan did not originate with Kimura, who won his first ever race June 9 at Woodbine. A year earlier, another apprentice, Daisuke Fukumoto, came from his native country to Woodbine to ride. Though he has not had nearly the success Kimura has had, he showed his fellow countryman that the transition from the Far East to Canada was something that could be accomplished. Both could have stayed in Japan, which has astronomical purses, but it is not easy to get going there. A jockey cannot just show up and say they want to ride; they have to be extended an invitation by the Japanese Racing Association in order to get started. Kimura decided not to wait. “My family wanted me to stay in Japan, but I wanted a challenge, so my family said OK, go ahead,” said Kimura. Kimura actually came to Canada in 2017 but was not able to get a license because he did not have the proper paperwork in order. Horsemen there remember the sight of the teenager spending his mornings sitting in the grandstand by himself watching workouts. He was 18, spoke no English at the time, was alone in a foreign country and couldn’t gallop horses or do any work of any kind. Most people in that situation wouldn’t have lasted long, but Kimura got the break he needed when trainer Reade Baker took an interest in him. “All that fall, you’d just see him sitting in the grandstand by himself,” Baker said. “Finally, one day he came over to me. He came over to me and introduced himself. Nobody understood anything after that as he didn’t speak hardly any English. He showed me a video of himself galloping horses in Japan and I knew right then he was further advanced at the same stage than Daisuke was. I told him as soon as he got his papers in order we’d get him some work. He came back and he worked for me for the first four months this year.” Kimura returned to Japan at the end of the 2017 Woodbine meet and returned in March. He had gained clearance to work in Canada, but still needed to pass several tests before he could get a jockeys’s license. One included a 60-question exam that was in English. To prepare, he and a Japanese exercise rider left the track every morning after training hours and went to the library of a local college and read books in English. He learned enough to not only pass the exam, but to be able to communicate with trainers, and his language skills seem to be improving by the day. Still, he struggled to get mounts at first. “It was very difficult to get good mounts at first,” Kimura said. “Nobody knew me. And I needed more practice.” What many Woodbine trainers probably didn’t know was that he had already developed skills well beyond those of the normal apprentice. His parents own a training center in Hokkaido, Japan and he says he has been riding since he was six and preparing to be a jockey since he was 10. He is also a graduate of the JRA’s riding academy. “He’s much better than what you see in the modern day bug boys,” Baker said. “They don’t compare to what they looked like 30 years ago when they came up differently. He has a great future. He still has to go through that post-apprentice slump they all go through and we’ll see how he responds to that. Now, he’s a little too enthusiastic on the horses and is bumping into some people, but he’s a good learner in the morning. Daisuke had trouble getting started because of the language barrier and this kid spoke much better English right off the bat.” Heading into Friday’s card, Kimura was sixth in the jockey standings with 55 wins from 377 mounts and a 15% win rate. He’s also won 15 races at Fort Erie. Kimura turned many a head Oct. 12 when he had five wins in a single day. Surely, the best is yet to come. He has momentum, has picked up mounts for Casse and is now riding regularly for the meet’s leading trainer Norm McKnight. He also will have the benefit of having his apprentice allowance for some time to come. Because there is no winter racing in Ontario, the off time does not count against a bug’s allowance as long as they do not ride somewhere else. Kimura said he will again return to Japan when Woodbine closes Dec. 16. He will not lose his five-pound weight allowance until mid-October, 2019, which makes him the early favorite to be named Eclipse Award apprentice next year. Kimura says he’s here to stay, that he has no designs on riding in Japan. His long-term goal is to become a top rider in the U.S. He mentions wanting to win races at places like Del Mar, Saratoga and Keeneland. He wants to test himself. “That’s why I came here,” he said. “I wanted to see how good I was.” View the full article

BOLDOR (c, 2, Munnings–Senate Caucus, by Siphon {Brz}) played second fiddle pari-mutuelly to fellow first-starter Super Steed (Super Saver), but the $700,000 OBS April graduate managed to hold off his better-backed rival to post a very impressive debut success to become a ‘TDN Rising Star’. Drawn gate two, the burly bay colt jumped well and made the running while pressed to his outside into the turn. In the meantime, Super Steed, off at 2-1 from a morning line of 9-2, took off at the half-mile marker and sustained a run on the bend to be within striking distance at the quarter pole. Boldor was still going well, but had left the rail open enough to allow Gabriel Saez to take a chance with Super Steed and the battle was joined. The latter raced on his incorrect lead from the three-sixteenths to the eighth pole while shoulder to shoulder with his foe, but Boldor did slightly the better of the two late and was home narrowly in front. Each covered their final two furlongs in a very strong :24.01. A $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase, Boldor breezed an eighth of a mile in :10 flat with a giant gallop-out at OBS and his hammer price was tied for sixth-highest of the sale while ranking as the priciest of 23 juveniles sold for his sire in 2018. The winner hails from the family of GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. hero Summer Bird (Birdstone). His third dam Ruby Slippers (Nijinsky II) produced champion sprinter Rubiano (Fappiano) and Tap Your Heels (Unbridled), the dam of leading sire Tapit. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Ed & Susie Orr; B-Carlos S E Moore & Gillian Gordon-Moore (VA); T-Steve Asmussen. View the full article

Four-time graded winner Sharp Samurai will miss the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) because of a throat infection, trainer and co-owner Mark Glatt said Oct. 25. View the full article

Working a set apart just after 6 a.m. the morning of Oct. 25, trainer Tom Amoss sent Breeders' Cup hopefuls Lone Sailor and Serengeti Empress to the main track at Churchill Downs for their final breezes before next weekend's World Championships. View the full article

Oaklawn has named its new winner’s circle in honor of longtime jockey/steward Larry Synder, who won eight riding titles and 1,248 races in Hot Springs. “When it came time to think about a name for the new winner’s circle, it was a natural choice to name it in honor of Larry Snyder, a valued member of the Oaklawn family for nearly 60 years,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “Larry was a leader among his peers both on and off the track. And, the respect he earned as a jockey carried over to the steward’s stand where he was respected by horsemen and track management alike.” View the full article

The Official Justify Triple Crown Print, featuring Justify winning the 150th GI Belmont S. is now available for purchase at justifytriplecrownart.com. The print, officially licensed by WinStar Farm and Triple Crown Productions and created by international sporting artist Graeme Baxter, features special editions signed by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith and two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert. The Collection will be displayed during Breeders’ Cup week in Louisville at Equestricon, Booth 500 Oct. 29 and 30, as well as at a special Breeders’ Cup Festival Pop-Up Gallery at the downtown Marriott from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. The Justify Triple Signed Special Edition ($295) is individually signed in bronze metallic ink by Baffert, Smith and artist Graeme Baxter. This Triple Signed Special Edition is strictly limited to an edition of 150 fine art prints and measures 18″ x 24.” Orders for this special limited edition will be taken on a first come, first served basis. The Justify Dual Signed Limited Edition ($180) is signed in pencil by Baffert and Baxter. It is limited to an edition of 500 fine art prints. The print also measures 18″ x 24.” View the full article

The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association has pledged $5,000 to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in support of accredited Thoroughbred aftercare. “We are thrilled to support the TAA. I strongly believe in their mission and accredited Thoroughbred aftercare,” New Jersey THA executive director Mike Musto said. “The TAA is grateful for the contribution from the New Jersey THA, and we are proud to add them to our growing list of horsemen’s groups supporting accredited aftercare,” TAA president John Phillips said. “These funds will help the TAA provide grants to our 64 accredited organizations that retrain, rehome, and retire thousands of Thoroughbreds.” View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has added three more supplements to the upcoming November Sale to be held Sunday, Nov. 4. Catalogued as Hip 248, Win the War (War Front), a $700,000 FTSAUG buy, has won three of her six starts thus far–with two of those wins coming in listed stakes at Woodbine–and earned over $150,000 for Gary Barber, John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse. The 3-year-old is a half-sister to GSW Dixie City (Dixie Union) and the SP dam of MGSW & GISP Unified (Candy Ride {Arg}). She is being offered by Bluewater Sales as a racing/broodmare prospect. The 4-year-old filly Spanish Harlem (More Than Ready) joins the South Point Sales Agency consignment as a racing/broodmare prospect. Hip 249 has four wins from 16 starts, including a stakes win on turf and is stakes-placed on the dirt. The $370,000 KEESEP yearling is out of a half-sister to GI Wood Memorial S. victor Buddha (Unbridled’s Song). The final addition is Foreign Affair (Exchange Rate), who is a half-sister to Group 3 winner and MG1SP So Perfect (Scat Daddy). Her dam is a half-sister to MGSW sire Cowtown Cat (Distorted Humor). The 4-year-old is being offered as Hip 250 as a broodmare prospect from Vinery Sales. View the full article