Wandering Eyes

Making his first start in North America, SILAWI (IRE) (g, 5, Dubawi {Ire}–Silasol {Ire}, by Monsun {Ger}) got brave on the front end at odds of 10-1 to upset even-money favorite Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the GI Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine Saturday. The Irish-bred picked up his third win this year having entered here off a victory in the G3 Weatherbys Global Stallions App Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor Aug. 23. Showing natural early speed from an outside draw, Silawi slipped away early as Nations Pride and My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) took up the chase with a lap to run. But even as the field was well into the backstretch the second time around, it was clear Nations Pride wasn't cutting into the gap under jockey Billy Loughnane who picked up the mount from the injured William Buick. Off the turn completely alone, it was up to American Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile) to run him down from along the fence but he came up just short as Silawi had just enough to hold off the run for the win. Lifetime Record: 26-4-4-4. O-Wathnan Racing; B-Wertheimer et Frere; T-H.A. Al Jehani. Sales History: €380,000 3yo '23 ARARC. #7 SILAWI ($22.90) holds on to win the $750,000 The Canadian International (G1) at @Woodbinetb. Faleh Nasser Bughenaim was aboard the Dubawi gelding for trainer H.A. Al Jehani.. pic.twitter.com/zxKHDSWtBs — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post Silawi Steals The Canadian International On The Front End appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ted Noffey (Into Mischief), a runaway winner of the GI Spendthrift Farm Hopeful S. and a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' solidified his status as the horse to beat in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile with an impressive performance in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity S. at Keeneland. Off as the 4-5 favorite while drawn widest of all in this two-turn debut, the Spendthrift Farm colorbearer found a perfect spot in second beneath the hot-handed John Velazquez through an opening quarter in :23.96 and half mile in :48.23. The handsome gray hit the front on the far turn, kicked for home in control and kept on powering down the stretch to defeat 3-2 second-choice and fellow 'Rising Star' Blackout Time (Not This Time) by three lengths. Pacesetter Litmus Test (Nyquist) was third. Winning connections Spendthrift Farm and Todd Pletcher also won Friday's female equivalent GI Darley Alcibiades S. with 'Rising Star' Tommy Jo (Into Mischief) via disqualification. One of 27 top-level winners for Spendthrift Farm's six-time reigning champion general sire Into Mischief, Ted Noffey brought $650,000 from Spendthrift Farm as a Keeneland September yearling. Ted Noffey's dam SW & MGSP Streak of Luck brought $620,000 from Aaron and Marie Jones at the 2021 KEENOV sale. She is also responsible for a yearling filly Munnings ($425,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Repole Stable) and an Into Mischief colt of this year. She was bred back to Not This Time. TED NOFFEY is the real deal now 3 for 3! He took control coming to the stretch under @ljlmvel pulling away to win the $650,000 @ClaiborneFarm Breeders' Futurity (G1) at @keenelandracing. The son of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) is in the @FanDuel @BreedersCup Juvenile (G1). pic.twitter.com/g3SakINpkg — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 Saturday, Keeneland CLAIBORNE BREEDERS' FUTURITY-GI, $642,594, Keeneland, 10-4, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.98, ft. 1–TED NOFFEY, 122, c, 2, by Into Mischief 1st Dam: Streak of Luck (SW & MGSP, $352,109), by Old Fashioned 2nd Dam: Valeria, by Elusive Quality 3rd Dam: Lindsay Jean, by Saint Ballado ($650,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Aaron & Marie Jones LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-John R. Velazquez. $397,963. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $617,963. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Blackout Time, 122, c, 2, Not This Time–Beauty Parlor, by Elusive Quality. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. ($230,000 Ylg '24 KEEJAN; $235,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $210,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). O-Brookdale Racing, Inc., Lance Gasaway and Magdalena Racing; B-Newstead Corp (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $128,375. 3–Litmus Test, 122, c, 2, Nyquist–Study Hard, by Malibu Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($875,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $64,188. Margins: 2 3/4, 2 1/4, 6 3/4. Odds: 0.92, 1.58, 9.59. Also Ran: Diciassette, Spice Runner, Big Dom. Scratched: Ewing. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post ‘Rising Star’ Ted Noffey Stays Perfect in Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four of the six runners had graded stakes experience, but it was the one of the two maiden winners making a stakes debut who came home with the victory in the GI American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita and secured a 'Win and You're In' spot to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar in four weeks time. Intrepido (c, 2, Maximus Mischief–Overly Indulgent, by Pleasantly Perfect), named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' in his Aug. 23 Del Mar win, rated and showed fight in between horses before finishing strong to capture his first graded win and punch his ticket to championship day. When the gates flew, $1.15-million buy Kristofferson (Nyquist) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Desert Gate (Omaha Beach) went to the front with Interpido between the two. As the dust settled, the two favorites–Desert Gate at 4-5 and Kristofferson at 9-5–vied for supremacy through :22.83 and :46.76 fractions while Intrepido was in tight between horses and behind them. On the turn, Plutarch (Into Mischief) cut the corner to challenge Desert Gate and looked to have it won in the last strides, but Intrepido found another gear in the final sixteenth and flew by late on the outside. He got the 1 1/16 miles of the American Pharoah in 1:43.67 as Plutarch finished just in front of Desert Gate. Intrepido was a $385,000 purchase at the OBS April sale by Michael Pender for Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures. He was the only member of the field to have won at a mile. O-Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures; B-Sierra Fria Farm LLC (Ky.); T-Jeff Mullins; J-Hector Berrios. #2 INTREPIDO ($19.60) had a strong kick late to get up and win the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita. The son of Maximus Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) earned a spot in the @FanDuel @BreedersCup Juvenile (G1). @HIBerrios was up for @Jmullinsracing. pic.twitter.com/Hi6ZaX19ou — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Intrepido, by Maximus Mischief, Wins ‘WAYI’ American Pharoah appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After Saturday's G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein hero Ridari (Churchill) (lot 56) was among those who failed to find a buyer, it was another key runner from that card, Rabbit's Foot (lot 51), who took top billing at the Arqana Arc Sale, just a few short hours after the daughter of Golden Horde had finished third in the G1 Prix de Royallieu at ParisLongchamp. Offered by trainer Francois Rohaut, Rabbit's Foot was already a Listed winner at Toulouse and had finished third in both the G2 Prix de Malleret and G3 Prix Lady O'Reilly, before adding that all-important Group 1 black type to her record in the Prix de Royallieu. That was enough to capture the imagination of Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock, who stretched to €625,000 to secure the filly when she went under the hammer at Saint-Cloud Racecourse. Rabbit's Foot is one of four winners from as many runners out of the unraced Harem Mistress (Mastercraftsman), with the others including last year's G2 Prix d'Harcourt hero and G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes second Zarakem (Zarak), another previous graduate of the Arc Sale when fetching €500,000 in 2023. Of the 39 lots offered at this year's Arc Sale, 23 sold (59%) for a total of €6,240,000. The average was €271,304 and the median was €255,000. Unlike last year when Ramadan (Le Havre) topped the sale at €1.5 million and was one of four horses to change hands for a seven-figure sum, the six most expensive horses to go through the ring on Saturday were all led out unsold. They included the aforementioned Ridari at €950,000, who had emulated Ramadan by winning the Prix Daniel Wildenstein earlier in the afternoon, plus Andre Fabre's two-year-old Seneque (Zarak) (lot 45), who was bought back at €1.2 million. Haras d'Etreham stallion City Light was responsible for a pair of €500,000 lots, namely the G3 Prix de Guiche second Al Aali (lot 22) and Listed winner Relaxx (lot 40). Lucie Pontoir's Al Aali, who was beaten just a short head last time in the Listed La Coupe de Marseille, was picked up by Billy Jackson-Stops on behalf of George Scott's Eve Lodge Stables, while Relaxx, a daughter of the G3 Prix Saint-Roman scorer Texaline (Kaldoun), went the way of Mandore International and Miguel Clement. She finished placed at Group 3 level for the fourth time in her career when third in last month's Prix Bertrand de Tarragon. “I've bought him for Fawzi Nass, who really liked his profile,” Scott said of Al Aali, with the trainer still on a high after saddling Caballo De Mar to win the G1 Prix du Cadran. “Winning my first Group 1 and having the opportunity to buy such a horse has made this a very special day.” Elsewhere, Quinteplus (Telecaster) (lot 31) could have the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as a long-range target, after being bought by Willie Mullins, Harold Kirk and Pierre Boulard for €470,000. Consigned by trainer Henri-Francois Devin, he produced his best effort to date when finishing third in July's Listed Prix Frederic de Lagrange at Vichy. “He has an excellent profile for jumping,” said Boulard. “He's a horse that has stamina and is by a stallion that seems to produce nice horses. We're very happy.” Wertheimer et Frere, on the eve of Aventure (Sea The Stars) and Sosie (Sea The Stars) bidding to win the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, emerged as the leading vendor with four horses selling for a total of €980,000. They were headed by the Listed winner and G3 Prix des Chenes third Cacofonix (Lope De Vega) (lot 17), a BBA Ireland purchase at €460,000. In addition to Ridari, the Aga Khan Studs draft featured the dual Group 3 winner Zabiari (lot 43), who finished fifth when also contesting ParisLongchamp's Prix Daniel Wildenstein for his owner-breeder. The four-year-old son of Wootton Bassett was purchased by Louis Le Metayer of Astute Bloodstock for €460,000, while the Aga Khan Studs also sold the Listed scorer Surabad (Bated Breath) (lot 36), one of three purchases made by Blandford Bloodstock at €200,000. “He's a lovely horse who is well-bred and has been trained to perfection,” Le Metayer said of Zabiari. “I think he has everything to become a Group winner in Australia and that's what we hope. We're very happy.” The post Prix De Royallieu Third Rabbit’s Foot Tops the Arqana Arc Sale at €625,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Turf distaffers trained by Chad Brown had taken the seven most recent renewals of the GI First Lady Stakes at Keeneland, and the New York native looked to have a fair chance to extend that streak in the Bluegrass on Saturday afternoon. But at the end of the eight furlongs on firm turf, Colebrook Farm's SIMPLY IN FRONT (f, 4, Summer Front–Complicated, by Blame) split rivals inside the final eighth of a mile and found the line first to cause a 13-1 upset in a bunched finish. The mount of Ben Curtis, the $115,000 Keeneland September graduate drifted back through the field and secured a foothold at the fence worse than centerfield as longshot Raqiya (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) led through an opening half in :47.07. Racing with just one rival behind entering the final three-eighths of a mile, Simply In Front–a very good second to Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy) in the GII Kentucky Downs Ladies' Turf Sprint over 6 1/2 panels–slipstreamed the lesser-preferred of the Brown entry Segesta (Ghostzapper) into the lane, dove down to the inside of that one in upper stretch, hit the front late and held off a resurgent Segesta for the victory. Choisya (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) sat a trip similar to the one that resulted in a mild upset in this track's GI Jenny Wiley Stakes in April and led late before settling for third. Sales history: $115,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 16-6-4-0. O-Colebrook Farms; B-William Harrigan & Mike Pietrangelo (KY); T-Eddie Kenneally. #4 SIMPLY IN FRONT ($28.24) gets up to win the $800,000 First Lady Stakes (G1) at @Keeneland. This is the first Grade 1 win for the four-year-old Summer Front filly. @kenneallyracing trains, @_benacurtis up. pic.twitter.com/dYiChKbKz7 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post Summer Front’s Simply In Front Derails Brown Train in First Lady appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Wesley Ward-trained No Nay Hudson travels north to Woodbine to win the $183,520 Nearctic Stakes (G2T).View the full article

As a 9-year-old, Khaadem has won his share of some top flight races in England for Mrs. Fitriani Hay over the course of his illustrious career, which has netted the gelding nearly $2.5-million in earnings. On Saturday in the Woodford Stakes, the venerable Thoroughbred once again got his picture taken with a thrilling come-from-behind victory at Keeneland. Trained by Charlie Hills, Khaadem highlights include during his 6-year-old season scores in the G3 Betfair Palace House Stakes at Newmarket that April and in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood in late July. The pièce de résistance for the turf sprint specialist came when he won consecutive editions of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes during the Royal Meeting at Ascot in 2023 and 2024. More recently, the dark bay came back to the U.S. at the end of August for the second year in a row to contest the GII Mint Kentucky Turf Sprint at a Kentucky Downs–the result was a third-place finish. Tabbed as a 3-1 shot here, Khaadem did not do himself any favors at the break when he blew the start, which put him last up the backstretch. As 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyard, Doncho (Mo Town) continued to make the pace through the far turn, Frankie Dettori's mount began to tip to the outside for a run down the center of the course. Firing on all cylinders and looking every bit a pro who has fought many a sprint battle on the grass heading for home, Khaadem's late move won the day and earned him a trip to the new stakes winner's circle at Keeneland. Arthur Hancock III's homebred Script was the runner-up. “He's [Khaadem] been training here since [finishing third in the Mint Kentucky Turf Sprint-G2 at] Kentucky Downs a month ago, so he is into a nice routine,” said trainer Charlie Hills. “I was a little bit worried about how quiet he was, to be honest with you. He's 9-years-old, he's won some fantastic races in his career and I just think he likes being out here. “He's just gotten used to the different way of training,” he said. “I think it's just sparked him up. Ed Vaughan–we go back a long way–he and I looked after him the last few weeks and he did a fantastic job. He's got his old spark back, so hopefully we might look at the Breeders' Cup in a few weeks' time.” Pedigree Notes: Dark Angel (Ire) (by Acclamation {GB}) needs no introduction internationally as an acclaimed sire. Of course, the stateside graded runners he claims includes the likes of Raging Bull (Fr), Althiqa, Hunt and Heredia. The dam of 11 foals, six to race and four winners, White Daffodil is responsible for Khadeem's older full-brother Long Out Island (Ire), who placed in three English group races during his career. The winner's dam is also produced a current yearling filly by Supremacy (Ire) and a filly by Chaldean (GB) who is now a weanling. She was not reported as bred for next spring. Watch the full replay as KHAADEM (IRE) surges from the back of the pack to win the Woodford (G2) presented by @FanDuelTV! pic.twitter.com/rNSfPg9vwP — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 4, 2025 Saturday, Keeneland WOODFORD S. PRESENTED BY FANDUEL-GII, $339,075, Keeneland, 10-4, 3yo/up, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.18, fm. 1–KHAADEM (IRE), 121, g, 9, by Dark Angel (Ire) 1st Dam: White Daffodil (Ire), by Footstepsinthesand (GB) 2nd Dam: Sparky's Song (GB), by Electric (GB) 3rd Dam: Daring Ditty (GB), by Daring March (GB) (750,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Yeomanstown Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Hills; J-Lanfranco Dettori. $179,025. Lifetime Record: 42-10-3-5, $2,615,444. *Full to Log Out Island (Ire), SW & MGSP-Eng, GSP-Ire, SP-Fr, $250,585. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Script, 121, g, 6, Algorithms–Dilly, by First Samurai. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Stone Farm (KY); T-George R. Arnold II. $77,000. 3–Joe Shiesty, 121, g, 4, Air Force Blue–Ready to Unleash, by More Than Ready. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($16,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN). O-Foster Family Racing, Reynolds, Lonnie, Mills, Vicki and Coomes, Donald; B-Rodney E. Orr (KY); T-Eric N. Foster. $38,500. Margins: NK, HD, NK. Odds: 3.27, 22.01, 5.91. Also Ran: Governor Sam, Arrest Me Red, Outlaw Kid, Doncho, Charcoal. Scratched: World Record. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Venerable 9-Year-Old Khaadem Sports Top Gear Late In Woodford At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Franco Marek ($5.50FF) will be looking to make his case stronger for a spot in this year’s IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup by producing a stout effort in today’s Group 3 Alabar Methven Cup (4.36pm). Currently ranked 13th for the New Zealand Cup, Franco Marek, who will start from a 10 metre handicap, gets his chance to move in the right direction today in a race where conditions should suit the big gelding and Lincoln trainer Greg Manson believes the seven year old A Rocknroll Dance is up to the task. “He’s in great order, I don’t think he’s been in a better spot,” said Manson of Franco Marek’s condition. Franco Marek has had three runs back this campaign for three placings, and has won a quiet Methven workout since last racing on September 5 where he finished third to Alta Meteor in the New Brighton cup clocking his final 800m in 53 seconds. “He may get a good run without having to do a lot of work.” John Morrison will drive Franco Marek in what is now a nine horse field with Akuta ($1.50FF) the obvious horse to beat for co-trainer and driver Mark Purdon despite needing to overcome a 30m handicap. “The the main goal is to cement his spot in the cup. “There should be no excuses if he can’t go a good race,” said Manson. Franco Marek gained a lot of fans during cup week last year with big runs in both the New Zealand Cup and the Free For All on Show Day. Manson has reflected and taken a different approach leading into it this year. “I had him up pretty good and early this time around. I felt we may have been a bit underdone last year. So we have had three races already, now it’s all just about keeping him ready.” Other chances in the event outside of Franco Marek and Akuta include the Brent and Tim White trained American Me ($14.00FF) and Dalton Shard ($8.50FF) for Robert and Jenna Dunn. Race one gets underway at midday. View the full article

She's back! The beautifully-bred 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' TAMARA (f, 4, Bolt d'Oro–Beholder, by Henny Hughes) returned to the races Saturday off nearly a year-long layoff and looked as if she'd never missed a step, romping home in the GIII Chillingworth at Santa Anita under Mike Smith. Sitting second throughout as Bob Baffert runner Silent Law (Tiz the Law) set out to lead, the 2-5 favorite had no problem reeling that leader back to her around the turn and going right on by as Smith sat motionless into the lane. Well clear into the final furlong, Tamara came home under wraps as much the best. The final time for the 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:15.21. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-3-1-0. O/B-Spendthrift Farm; T-Richard Mandella. TAMARA ($2.80) IS BACK!!@mikeesmith10 sat chilly aboard the daughter of MG1W Beholder in the $100,000 Chillingworth Stakes (G3) at @santaanitapark. The 4YO filly by Bolt d'Oro is trained by Richard Mandella and owned & bred by @spendthriftfarm. pic.twitter.com/gFi2K7QcZE — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post Beholder’s Daughter Tamara Back In A Big Way, Romps In The Chillingworth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newtown Anner Stud Farm's Praying (f, 3, Vekoma–Pray for Leslie, by Bernardini), a 21-1 upset winner of the GIII Prioress S. at Saratoga Aug. 30, backed up that breakout performance with a victory over her elders in the 'Win and You're In' GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. at Keeneland. Favored Vahva (Gun Runner) was second. Zeitlos (Curlin) was third. The final time for six furlongs was 1:10.49. Praying raced in an outside fifth beneath John Velazquez and made a three-wide bid on the far turn. The 9-1 chance kept on coming in the stretch and outboxed the classy GISW Vahva to punch her ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar. Praying, a $130,000 KEESEP yearling turned $410,000 OBSAPR breezer, is one of seven graded winners for second-crop sire Vekoma. Lifetime Record: 9-3-4-0. Sales history: $130,000 yrl '23 KEESEP; $410,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. O-Newtown Anner Stud Farm B-Jeff Kerber (KY) T-Robert Medina #6 PRAYING ($21.74) got the best of Vahva late to win the $400,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at @keenelandracing. The daughter of Vekoma (@spendthriftfarm) earned a spot in the @BreedersCup F&M Sprint (G1). @ljlmvel was up for Robert Medina. pic.twitter.com/SjvOLa6S7r — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025 The post Vekoma’s Praying Answers the Call in the TCA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The progressive Consent captured her first grade 1 victory in the Prix de Royallieu (G1) Oct. 4 at Longchamp. View the full article

There are five group 1 races set to be contested on the Arc undercard Oct. 5 at Longchamp, with all of them offering automatic, fees-paid berths to corresponding Breeders' Cup races through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. View the full article

NBS Stable's Ground Support (f, 2, Army Mule–Arch Support, by Arch), an $80,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old just a few months ago, secured her berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies with a 'Win and You're In' victory in Saturday's GII Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont at the Big A. The Kelsey Danner trainee was coming off a 100-1 debut win at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30. A mere 12-1 compared to that initial start, Ground Support rushed up early and appeared rank under Adam Beschizza. As she settled, she set all the pace, ticking off fractions of :23.17 and :48.65. The field fanned out behind her and the dark bay never relented, taking them all the way in 1:43.22 for the 1 1/16 miles. Deep Learning (Cairo Prince), who had been tight on the inside early, finished about two lengths behind Ground Support in second, while Untapable Stakes winner Quiet Street (Street Boss) was third. O-NBS Stable; B-Champion Equine LLC (Fla.); T-Kelsey Danner; J-Adam Beschizza. GROUND SUPPORT upsets the G2 Miss Grillo at 12-1 under @ABeschizza for trainer @kelseyjdanner. Ticket punched to the @BreedersCup Juvenile Fillies Turf! pic.twitter.com/oK58jkIyJv — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) October 4, 2025 The post Army Mule’s Ground Support All the Way in ‘WAYI’ Miss Grillo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gold Square's Napoleon Solo (c, 2, Liam's Map–Atomic Blonde, by Scat Daddy), a very sharp debut winner of an auction-restricted maiden special weight at Saratoga Aug. 8, put on a dominating performance in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI Champagne S. going a one-turn mile at the Belmont at the Big A meeting. Sent to the front by Joel Rosario from his outside draw, the 6-1 chance led through fractions of :22.53 and :44.24 with imposing 2-5 favorite It's Our Time (Not This Time) in hot pursuit. Napoleon Solo began to give them the slip on the far turn and showed no mercy from there, continuing on with authority to score by six lengths. Talkin (Good Magic) was second; Universe (Global Campaign) was third. It's Our Time, a no-brainer 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' after airing by 17 3/4 lengths with a 94 Beyer Speed Figure on debut at the Spa Aug. 16, tired to finish a disappointing fourth. The final time was 1:34.57. Napoleon Solo becomes the seventh Grade I winner for Liam's Map. He is bred on the same Liam's Map x Scat Daddy cross as GI Blue Grass S. winner Burnham Square. Sales history: $40,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. Owner: Gold Square LLC; Breeder: John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock (KY); Trainer: Chad Summers. NAPOLEON SOLO dominates in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes under @JRosarioJockey for trainer @horsesummers, punching his ticket to the @BreedersCup Juvenile! pic.twitter.com/afe73Kw7Yn — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) October 4, 2025 The post ‘Napoleon’ Dynamite: Liam’s Map Colt Napoleon Solo Romps in Champagne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New York-bred IRON ORCHARD (f, 2, Authentic–Onebrethatatime, by Brethren) pounced on the leaders four off the inside entering the final eighth of a mile and outslugged longshot Rileytole (Mitole) to take out Saturday's $400,000 GI Frizette Stakes at Aqueduct, in all likelihood punching her ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar in 27 days' time. The Frizette is part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen series. A four-time veteran of sales rings, Iron Orchard–who most recently fetched $500,000 at OBS April–was one of the first to break the line, but was eased back off the early tempo as impressive Saratoga debut winner Carmel Coast (Omaha Beach) sped through and made the running in advance of Steer Clear (Street Sense) and Rileytole through enervating splits of :22.49 and :44.84. Shuffled back to about sixth for the run around the turn, Iron Orchard began to chart a wide course around the bend and had the leaders in her sights as she came with a four-wide bid into the lane. Steer Clear had assumed command from a spent Carmel Coast approaching the final furlong and Iron Orchard swept in front, looking all over like she'd run up the score. But Rileytole, who was under a heavy ride prior to the quarter pole and looked to be going in the wrong direction, found a second wind, advance inside with time ticking away and made it very close in the end. 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Five Bars (Maxfield) lagged well back early, but weaved her way between horses in the lane to finish a promising third. Iron Orchard is the second graded winner and first to succeed at the elite level for Spendthrift Farm's Authentic. New York-bred IRON ORCHARD is now 3-for-3 as she gets up to win the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes with @JRosarioJockey aboard for trainer @GarganRacing. pic.twitter.com/P1Gt6pigo5 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) October 4, 2025 Saturday, Belmont at the Big A FRIZETTE S.-GI, $400,000, Belmont The Big A, 10-4, 2yo, f, 1m, 1:35.97, ft. 1–IRON ORCHARD, 122, f, 2, by Authentic 1st Dam: Onebrethatatime (MSP, $133,283), by Brethren 2nd Dam: Onemiracleatatime, by Gulch 3rd Dam: Katie Love, by Manila 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($140,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $97,000 RNA Ylg '24 SARAUG; $78,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $500,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-CSLR Racing Partners and R. A. Hill Stable; B-Pine Ridge Stable LLC (NY); T-Danny Gargan; J-Joel Rosario. $220,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $352,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. *2nd graded winner for sophomore sire (by Into Mischief). 2–Rileytole, 122, f, 2, by Mitole 1st Dam: Picolata, by Bellamy Road 2nd Dam: North East Star, by Siphon (Brz) 3rd Dam: North East Dancer, by Far North ($50,000 Ylg '24 OBSWIN). O-L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt; B-Don Duppenthaler, Jackie Duppenthaler, Wade Russell & Donna Russell (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $80,000. 3–Five Bars, 122, f, 2, by Maxfield 1st Dam: Secure Connection, by Data Link 2nd Dam: Mata Mua, by Arch 3rd Dam: Impressionism, by Broad Brush 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Stuart S. Janney, III LLC (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $48,000. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Margins: NO, 4 1/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 2.45, 34.99, 4.51. Also Ran: Steer Clear, Lovely Christina, Carmel Coast, Jetty's Home, Rina's Revenge, Chopsticks, Icecreamforevryone. Scratched: Secane. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV . The post An Authentic Grade I Winner: NY-Bred Iron Orchard Proves Best In Frizette appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Jill Williams & J.N. Campbell A spectacular Fall Stars Weekend both continues and concludes Sunday at Keeneland, highlighted by the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' event for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 1. While entries may seem sparse for such an historic race with a $650,000 purse, they pack a punch with the reigning Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), making her first start in front of the home crowd since her open daylight debut over this surface at this meet two years ago. The 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' has done nothing wrong since, adding the Distaff, the Kentucky Oaks, and eight other graded notches to her belt, most of them at the highest level. If there's any knock against her, it's the perception she may not be as brilliant this season at four as she was last year during her championship campaign. She threw in the only clunker of her 15-race career in May when she finished off the board for the first time in her life in the GI La Troienne. She has since captured the GII Fleur de Lis and GI Personal Ensign Stakes in performances that perhaps weren't as visually impressive as her usual, but with Beyer Figures (96 and 100, respectively) on par with all of her other top efforts–save the 111 Beyer she delivered when second by a nose in last year's GI Travers Stakes against the boys–she hasn't slipped on paper. Owned by John G. Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Thoroughbred Holdings, Sherri McPeek's Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards, and breeder Judy Hicks, Thorpedo Anna shipped in from conditioner Kenny McPeek's Churchill Downs barn Thursday and got her first look at the new paddock Friday morning before visiting the track. “Everywhere she goes, she walks in like she owns it,” said McPeek. “She is unfazed by [everything]. To bring her back here at this stage in the Spinster, it's just a real special race to run in.” McPeek has won the 1 1/8-mile Spinster twice previously with Take Charge Lady in 2002-03. “Certainly, [Thorpedo Anna] is the most popular horse I have ever trained,” added McPeek. “Swiss Skydiver was a fantastic filly. I thought I'd never find a better filly than Take Charge Lady, but Swiss Skydiver was. And now this one. I might be getting a reputation with the girls.” Tabbed at 8-5 on the morning line, Thorpedo Anna will have Flavien Prat aboard for the first time. Prat is subbing for regular rider Brian Hernandez, Jr., who has ridden her in every previous start but was seriously injured Sept. 21 in a spill at Churchill. Nitorgen at the Spa | Sarah Andrew Only one 3-year-old signed up to try her elders, but it's one of the leaders of the sophomore filly division in D J Stable's homebred Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro). A classy turf performer with multiple graded wins on the lawn as well as multiple Grade I placings–including a nose second in July in the GI Belmont Oaks–Nitrogen has been otherworldly in her two dirt starts. She obliterated the off-the-turf and in-the-slop GIII Wonder Again field by 17 lengths in June, then added the GI Alabama Stakes in August over the current Kentucy Oaks winner. “I am not putting her back on the grass at this point,” said trainer Mark Casse. “She's going to run another year.” Second choice on the morning line at 5-2, Nitrogen will have regular pilot Jose Ortiz in the irons. Juddmonte has won the Spinster three times since the operation began sponsoring the race two decades ago, including the last two years with Idiomatic (Curlin), and brings another chance this year in 4-1 pick Scylla (Tapit). The homebred hasn't won since a three-in-a-row streak in 2024 that included the Fleur de Lis and the GIII Shawnee Stakes, but she's on the board more often than not and has been sprinting for the last year. Second last out in the GI Ballerina Stakes, she's only tried 1 1/8 miles once–that Fleur de Lis win–but four of her five career wins have been at a mile or greater. Junior Alvarado rides the 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' for trainer Bill Mott. The Spring Meet's GIII Doubledogdare Stakes victress Gin Gin (Hightail) at 6-1 and Churchill allowance winner Chilled (Frosted) at 30-1 round out the field. Keeneland's final 'Win and You're In' race of a loaded Breeders' Cup prep weekend is Sunday's GII Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes, which features 2-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the lawn. After two dominant and front-running wins at Saratoga over the same distance, including last out in the Aug. 28 GIII With Anticipation Stakes, it's Final Score (Not This Time)'s race to lose, although he may not make the lead as easily in this 12-horse field as he did at the Spa. Todd Pletcher will leg up Irad Ortiz, Jr. for the Repole Stables runner, who is the 8-5 favorite. Vintur (Violence) was ultra-impressive in his debut victory at Kentucky Downs last month in a sprint; Exonerate (Justify) broke his maiden at Kentucky Downs after missing the board behind two 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard' in his first two tries; Casa Cielo (Caravaggio) is coming off two wins in a row, including in the Kitten's Joy Stakes at this distance, at Colonial Downs; and Dr. Agne (Into Mischief), a first-out 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' who finished fourth behind Final Score in the With Anticipation, will be a fan favorite due to his dam, Eclipse champion Lady Eli. The Castle & Key Bourbon offers a fees-paid berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. —@JillWilliamsTDN Juvenile Turf Wars At Santa Anita The graded turf slate at 'The Great RIP' on Sunday includes the GIII Zuma Beach Stakes for juvenile boys and GIII Surfer Girl Stakes for the 2-year-old fillies. Entries for the Zuma include Proletariat (Raging Bull {Fr}), who broke his maiden at second asking over the Del Mar turf Aug. 1. The ridgling, trained by Jeff Mullins, was last seen running third to Hey Nay Nay (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Sept. 7. Looking to steal the colt's thunder are the 1-2 finishers from a maiden special weight at the seaside oval Sept. 6. Michael McCarthy trainee Stark Contrast (Caravaggio) bested Richard Mandella charge Medici (Into Mischief) by a length, but both routers have the opportunity to elevate their games here. Caro Buono (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}) was fourth in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf, which was his first start stateside for conditioner Leonard Powell. Dreaming of Alys wins the Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar | Benoit In the Surfer Girl, Dreaming of Alys (Upstart) won the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf Sept. 6 as a 61-1 shot. She will not be anywhere near that price on Sunday for trainer Phil D'Amato. Her stablemate Yours Sincerely (Ire) (Cable Bay {Ire}) ran fourth in that same race and gets blinkers here. Will Happen (Vekoma) went gate to wire on debut at Del Mar Aug. 24 for Richard Baltas, while Scratch It (Tapit) heads to California for trainer Brad Cox after winning at first asking over the Saratoga turf Aug. 1 and finishing runner-up to 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Time to Dream (Not This Time) in the P.G. Johnson Stakes upstate Aug. 27. Finally, Spendthrift homebred Brave Deb (Authentic) was unveiled a winner under the care of Richard Mandella at Del Mar Sept. 5. —@campbellparlay The post Sunday Preview: Spinster Features Thorpedo Anna While Final Score Can Taste Bourbon; Turf Wars Out West appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-KEE, $110K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 3:08 p.m. ET. Godolphin homebred BELLA BALLERINA (Street Sense) is set for her unveiling under the care of trainer Brendan Walsh, who also conditioned her half-sister, champion 3-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief). Both are out of GI Spinaway Stakes heroine Pretty City Dancer (Tapit), a $3.5-million buy for Stoud Coleman Bloodstock during the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed sale. This dam is herself a half-sister to GISW & MGISP Lear's Princess (Lear Fan). TJCIS PPS 4th-KEE, $110K, Msw, 2yo, 1mT, 2:36 p.m. ET. Lemon's Law (Constitution) debuts for Resolute and trainer Riley Mott. A half-brother to GIII Gotham Stakes victor Raise Cain (Violence), the $400,000 Keeneland September buy is out of Lemon Belle (Lemon Drop Kid). Her own dam is MGSW Queenie Belle (Bertrando) and her half-sister is GISW Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song) who produced among others champion older dirt female Unique Bella (Tapit) and colt in-training Rebel Instinct (Into Mischief). TJCIS PPS 7th-KEE, $110K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 4:12 p.m. ET. Betty's Pearl (Munnings) was taken home by William K. Werner at the OBS April sale for $700,000 and sent to Brian Lynch. The filly's dam is a half-sister to GISW Drill (Lawyer Ron). Also making her first start for Cheyenne Stables and trainer Bill Mott is Holly Hetty (Yaupon). The $500,000 Keeneland September grad is part of an extended female family that includes SW Built (Hard Spun). Cherie DeVaux trainee Cat Spring (Upstart) is a well-related Helen Alexander homebred. Her half-brother is SW Golden Afternoon (Goldencents) and her second dam Acoma (Empire Maker) won the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland in 2010. TJCIS PPS 9th-BAQ, $85K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 5:05 p.m. ET. Peter Brant campaigned Blowout (GB) (Dansili {GB}), the winner of Keeneland's 2021 edition of the GI First Lady Stakes. Her first foal Perm (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) makes her debut for him at the Big A, who like her dam is trained by Chad Brown. While on the subject of homebreds, Just Brilliant (Justify) makes the gate for Mandy Pope and trainer Todd Pletcher. Whisper Hill acquired dam Princesa Silvia (Medaglia d'Oro) for $1.4-million at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. She's a full-sister to MGISP Miss Besilu and a half to Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado), GISW Funtastic (More Than Ready) and GSW Quiet Giant (Giant's Causeway)–herself the dam of super sire Gun Runner (by Candy Ride {Arg}). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Racing Insights: Half To Champion Pretty Mischievous Set To Debut At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Each of the three graded stakes contested on FallStars Friday at Keeneland earned the winners a fees-paid berth into their respective races at the Breeders' Cup meeeting Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, and the horses' connections indicated that it's all systems go for Del Mar in four weeks' time. 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Tommy Jo (Into Mischief) crossed the line second in the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes, but was elevated to the victory by the stewards, who ruled that she was interfered with by Percy's Bar (Upstart) seriously enough to merit a disqualification. Trainer Todd Pletcher, who was winning his 73rd stakes at Keeneland, indicated that the Spendthrift homebred would press on to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Halloween. She is likely to face a rematch with Percy's Bar at the seaside oval. “She came back great,” trainer Ben Colebrook said. “She thinks she won, so we didn't tell her any different. We'll see how she is doing and check the flight availability to decide when to ship to Del Mar. Probably as late as possible.” Imaginationthelady (Not This Time) led home a 1-2-3 finish for her world-class stallion in the GII Jessamine Stakes, carrying Frankie Dettori to a 10-1 upset over Infinite Sky and a tough-trip 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Time To Dream. “Frankie gave her a good ride and she learned a lot more from this than when she won first out at Kentucky Downs and went right to the front,” said trainer Brendan Walsh, who celebrated a three-timer on opening day. The victory was the first in stakes company in America for owner Mark Dobbin. “He's Irish and based in New York,” Walsh said. “He sent me a filly a few years ago named Storm Miami (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), who runs Monday at Presque Isle Downs, and then he sent me American Sonja (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), who runs for the second time for me in the [GIII] Waya [Stakes Sunday] in New York.” All things equal, Imaginationthelady heads to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf on Halloween. The veteran Nakatomi (Firing Line) punched his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint with an irresistible last-to-first rally in the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes. The 6-year-old was third in the 2023 Sprint on the back of a runner-up effort in the Phoenix. The chestnut was sixth in last year's Sprint after finishing a distant second in the Phoenix. “He's like [20-year NFL quarterback] Brett Favre. He keeps going the older he gets,” said trainer Wesley Ward. “We don't run him very many times a year. I think that's what keeps him excited when he comes over [for the race]. He only has a few starts, so that's contributing to him wanting to do it.” The post Breeders’ Cup Beckons For Friday Runners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With a big kick down the lane, Asbury Park (GB) (Frankel (GB)–Limonar (Ire), by Street Cry {Ire}) rolled home to take the GII Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes at the Big A on Saturday. Named a 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyard, after the colt won at the Spa in early June, the 3-year-old went off as the second choice on the tote behind fellow 'Rising Star' and stablemate Hill Road (Quality Road). Asbury Park settled towards the rear of the field into the first turn, as Crudo (Justify) attempted to run them off their feet. By the top of the lane though, the dark bay was ready to gun his engine and that is exactly what put him in the thick of the action past the eighth pole. His nice turn of foot won the day over Noble Confessor (Quality Road). The final running time was 2:14.45. A Tattersalls October Yearling sale grad who went in Book 1, Asbury Park has a half-brother by Cracksman (GB) who sells in Book 2 this year. ASBURY PARK gets his first stakes win in the Grade 2 Jockey Club Derby Invitational with @jockeyfranco up for trainer Chad Brown. Another stakes win today for Manny! pic.twitter.com/OjDyFzbn74 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) October 4, 2025 Saturday, Belmont Big A JOCKEY CLUB DERBY INVITATIONAL S.-GII, $500,000, Belmont The Big A, 10-4, 3yo, 1 3/8mT, 2:14.45, fm. 1–ASBURY PARK (GB), 122, c, 3, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Limonar (Ire) (SW-Fr, $124,447), by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Trylko, by Diesis (GB) 3rd Dam: Gossamer, by Seattle Slew 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. (250,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Peter M. Brant and St. Elias Stable; B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (GB); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Manuel Franco. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-1, $350,860. *1/2 to Dude N Colorado (GB) (Uncle Mo), SW & GSP, $273,376; 1/2 to Mokarris (More Than Ready), SW & GSP-Eng; 1/2 to Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}), MGSW & G1SP-Eng, SW-USA, MG1SP-Aus, $2,139,535. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Noble Confessor, 122, c, 3, Quality Road–Sweeter Than Wine, by Noble Mission (GB). O/B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $100,000. 3–Hill Road, 122, c, 3, Quality Road–Exotic Notion, by Lemon Drop Kid. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. ($350,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Amo Racing USA LLC; B-Lynch Bages LTD & Camas Park Stud (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $60,000. Margins: 2, HF, NK. Odds: 2.48, 9.08, 1.29. Also Ran: Crudo, Hammerhead, Game Warrior, A Bourbon for Toby. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Asbury Park Sails Home To Take Jockey Club Derby At BAQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Jose D'Angelo shares his thoughts on Bentornato's four-furlong work in :48 2/5 over Keeneland's dirt as the Valiant Minister colt targets the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1.View the full article

Fallen Angel blew her rivals away on a windswept Rowley Mile in the Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) to complete a third straight group 1 win and set up a possible showdown with the colts in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) Oct. 18 at Ascot.View the full article

Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' at Churchill Downs for his May 23 turf debut, OUTFIELDER (c, 2, Speightstown–Notte d'Oro, by Medaglia d'Oro) returned to Keeneland a winner Saturday on the main track for the first time having last been spotted in France finishing fourth in the G1 Prix Morny Stakes Aug. 24. Positioned wide and on the pace from the jump, the 3-5 favorite had to get by a determined run from Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) down the stretch but ultimately prevailed by a clear margin under John Velazquez. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0. O-Amo Racing USA, LLC, Ward, Wesley A. and Werth, Jayson R.; B-SF Bloodstock LLC; T-Wesley Ward. Sales History: $300,000 RNA wlg '23 KEENOV, $850,000 ylg '24 FTSAUG. Outfielder is now a winner on both turf and dirt! He gets back into the winner's circle in R3 at @keeneland. Wesley Ward trains and @ljlmvel was in the saddle. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/MwQwhxrbk1 — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) October 4, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Outfielder Returns A Winner At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He hasn't been seen since November, but unbeaten Rated by Merit (Battalion Runner) returned to the winner's enclosure like he never left it in the first place in the Discovery Stakes. A sensation who garnered national attention last season in Florida while in the shedrow of Michael Yates, he was unveiled July 13 at Gulfstream to an eye-catching 9 3/4-length tour-de-force against open maidens–soundly beating MSP Forged Steel (Vekoma)–and just kept going from there. He rolled right through the Florida sire stakes circuit with open margins in the Dr. Fager Stakes Sept. 7–where he soundly defeated SW & GISP Neoequos (Neolithic) for the first time–and repeated that effort Oct. 19 in the Affirmed Stakes over that rival. Behind that pair in both starts was SW Classic of Course (Awesome of Course) and they'd left a couple eventual black type winners in their wake to boot. Rated by Merit was last seen Nov. 30 as he rolled home to a six-length victory in the In Reality Stakes over Classic of Course, and claimed the 'Triple Crown of the Florida Sire Stakes'. Unfortunately, bone bruising forced him to the sidelines, ending any chances of a potential tilt at the Kentucky Derby. He moved to the barn of Chad Brown at Saratoga before his first work in August, and built up a healthy worktab before this jump. Appropriately, the public bet him like he couldn't lose, and as the overwhelming 1-5 favorite, Rated by Merit did not disappoint. As was tradition, the grey went right to the front to control the tempo through :22.96 and a half in :45.63 while taking pressure from his outside. Getting away from that early challenger around the turn after six panels in 1:09.05, Rated by Merit's margin had grown to a clear advantage with Wise Up (Lookin At Lucky) chasing in second, but a long way in front of third. Despite drifting out inside the furlong marker, the Brown-trainee held his pursuer to 1 1/4 lengths on the wire. Light Forever (Frosted) was over 13 lengths behind them to wrap the trifecta. The final time was 1:33.45 for the one-turn mile. “[Rated by Merit is] really fast and he's got natural speed,” said Manny Franco. “I just was trying to sit chilly on him. I got the pressure outside, but he don't really bother me because I was focused on my horse, it was me and him. I get him to relax. He was going fast, but the right way. He was pretty comfortable and then in the stretch, I've got horse under me, so I'm happy.” Out of Banner Waving (Speightstown), Rated by Merit is her last foal to the races thus far, but stands tall as the most accomplished of the three winning offspring she's produced. Hailing from the female line of GISW Runup the Colors, the mare is out of a half-sister to MGSW & GISP Revolutionary (War Pass). Banner Waving went to Liam's Map for 2026. This is the immediate female family of Mineshaft (A.P. Indy) and his full-siblings MGISW Tomisue's Delight and MSW & GSP Rock Slide. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Still undefeated! RATED BY MERIT stays perfect as he wins his fifth race in a row in the Discovery Stakes under @jockeyfranco for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/7K65haw4WS — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) October 4, 2025 DISCOVERY S., $121,250, Belmont The Big A, 10-4, (C), 3yo, 1m, 1:33.45, ft. 1–RATED BY MERIT, 120, c, 3, by Battalion Runner 1st Dam: Banner Waving, by Speightstown 2nd Dam: Freedom Flag, by Dixie Union 3rd Dam: Runup the Colors, by A.P. Indy O/B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (FL); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Manuel Franco. $68,750. Lifetime Record: 5-5-0-0, $468,750. 2–Wise Up, 120, r, 3, Lookin At Lucky–Five Diamonds, by Flatter. ($65,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $120,000 2yo '24 OBSOPN). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Wise Racing LLC; B-Arrowwood Farm (PA); T-Chad C. Brown. $25,000. 3–Light Forever, 120, c, 3, Frosted–Tiz Ladys Legs, by Tiznow. ($30,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Silver Trail Stables LLC; B-Stepaside Farm LLC (KY); T-Guadalupe Preciado. $15,000. Margins: 1 1/4, 13 3/4, 1HF. Odds: 0.29, 4.90, 33.15. Also Ran: Uncaged, Dreambuilder. The post Rated By Merit Takes the Big Apple by Storm, Remains Perfect in Discovery appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spendthrift Farm's freshman sire sensation Yaupon (by Uncle Mo) picked up a third 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Saturday as Local Knowledge ran the field down late to take the second race on the opening weekend of Keeneland's Fall Meet. Breaking from post 12, the 5-2 second choice never had a chance to save ground and was hung out wide nearly the entire trip under Dylan Davis. In no rush through the opening furlongs, Local Knowledge sat outside of nearly the entire field paced by 6-5 race favorite Gallivant (Into Mischief) who was pressured quickly by 7-1 shot Rockies Balboa (Girvin). That pair led into the far turn but the Spendthrift-owned Local Knowledge was already making moves from the middle of the pack, sweeping up into fifth and gaining ground in a hurry on the leaders. Gallivant hit the stretch with the lead but the white and purple silks loomed on the outside and Davis seemed to know what he had as Local Knowledge swept to the front under mostly hand-ridden urging to graduate in style. Rockies Balboa got the better of Gallivant in the final strides for second with the race favorite settling for third. Local Knowledge joins Tennessee Belle and MSW Sassy C W as 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard' for their freshman sire who leads the first-crop sires list by earnings ahead of Knicks Go and Spendthrift stablemate Rock Your World. Yaupon now sits at 18 winners from his first crop. Bred in Kentucky by Stoneriggs Farm, Local Knowledge first brought $260,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September last year before being pinhooked for $625,000 as a 2-year-old at OBS April for Spendthrift Farm. He is the second winner for Chestnut Street, a winning daughter of Scat Daddy whose first foal Ang N Ash (Audible) has earnings of nearly $200,000. The mare is a half to MSW Saratoga Snacks (Tale of the Cat) and Peruvian MGSP Rajman (Thunder Gulch) while another half-sister produced MSW Split Time (Take Charge Indy) and SP Fast and Flirty (Into Mischief). Local Knowledge has a weanling half-sister by Charlatan while Chestnut Street was served by Omaha Beach for 2026. Two in a row for @spendthriftfarm as (12) Local Knowledge proves best in race 2 for Dylan Davis. (9) Rockies Balboa takes second and (7) Gallivant is third. pic.twitter.com/F587vm7owY — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 4, 2025 2nd-Keeneland, $103,565, Msw, 10-4, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.23, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, c, 2, Yaupon 1st Dam: Chestnut Street, by Scat Daddy 2nd Dam: Near and Dear, by Red Ransom 3rd Dam: Deputy Dear, by Deputy Minister Sales History: $260,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $625,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $62,233. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Stoneriggs Farm (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. The post Local Knowledge A Third ‘TDN Rising Star’ For Yaupon appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Craig “The Whale” Thompson shares his thoughts on Methven today. View the full article