Wandering Eyes

Central Districts apprentice jockey Zinjete Moki had one of her most memorable days at Otaki on Friday, riding a treble and recording her 50th win as a jockey. She recorded her first victory of the day aboard the Robbie Patterson-trained Dezella in the Gardner Homes (1400m), beating Reliably Perky by two lengths. Moki then gave Patterson a double when running away to a 6-1/4 length victory on $2.50 favourite Coventina Bay in the Aquashield Roofing (1200m). She then capped off the day with victo... View the full article

Dozens of factors can go into winning a major horse race. Yet Bob Baffert said there's one vital principle behind his amazing run of seven victories in the Preakness Stakes (G1) since 1997. Quite simply, he arrives in Baltimore with the best horse. View the full article

Cambridge bloodstock agent Bevan Smith made a pleasing start to his solo bloodstock career at New Zealand Bloodstock’s May Sale at Karaka on Friday, taking home lot 83, the Tivaci filly out of Group Three performer Sitting on a Hill for $95,000. Formerly with Mulcaster Bloodstock, Smith branched out on his own earlier this year and he was delighted to take home his pick of the sale. “It is the first purchase under my own banner, it’s great to get the one I wanted,” Smith said. “She’s... View the full article

Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced a repeal of the betting levy (racing totalisator duty) currently paid by the racing industry to the Crown. Peters made the pre-Budget announcement when opening the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka May Sale in Auckland on Friday. Peters announced that payment of the levy to the Crown will be phased out over a three-year period, with freed-up funds to be redirected to the racing and sports sectors. The betting levy represents 4 percent of betting prof... View the full article

Horses' body weights May 17 View the full article

Clements hoping for another Big Hearted effort View the full article

Early scratching May 17 View the full article

Skywalk breaks 1100m record in style View the full article

Supernova still shines brightly at 10 View the full article

Iskandar, WS Chan, Zaki suspended View the full article

Super Tycoon brings the smiles back for Le Grange View the full article

Angel's Choice puts himself and dad Inuvik on the map View the full article

Star Sydney-based jockey James McDonald will make a flying visit to Hong Kong to ride Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Glorious Forever in the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) next weekend.Lor was able to pull off the coup with a host of rival trainers vying for McDonald’s services as he looks to chase down John Size in the trainers’ championship.The New Zealand native holds an unassailable lead in the New South Wales jockeys’ premiership and was this week the first rider to reach 100 winners in… View the full article

Shaun Phelan will wear two hats at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Cambridge horseman will don his riding helmet for two jumps rides at the prestigious raceday as well as putting on his trainer's hat to help saddle Big Mike and Notabadidea. Both horses look strong chances in two of the flat race features but the day's highlights will be the jumps races, with Phelan chasing an elusive Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdles (3200m) win aboard the Toby Autridge-trained Tommyra. "He's one I've had a bit of faith ... View the full article

Young Matamata trainer Daniel Miller is sticking to the Kiwis when he starts his smart filly Sheezallmine against some promising Australian sprinters for the first time at Doomben on Saturday. Miller, a former jumps jockey, will line Sheezallmine up in the JRA 3YO Plate (1200m) with the former New Zealand jockey Jason Collett booked to ride the Super Easy filly, who was a bargain basement $1000 purchase from gavelhouse.com by his parents, John and Maree, and has won three of her four starts. “... View the full article

Longtime Owner/Breeder John Ed Anthony Joins the Water Hay Oats Alliance in support of the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2019. View the full article

Saudi Poetry (Storm Cat–Gone to Venus, by Gone West), a graded stakes winner of nearly $600,000, has been pensioned at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY. The 22-year-old mare was donated by former trainer Jeff Morris and his friend, the critcally acclaimed author Laura Hillenbrand. Originally purchased for $1.7 million by The Thoroughbred Corp. at the 1998 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, Saudi Poetry broke her maiden first time out for trainer Bob Baffert, posted a first black-type success in the 2000 Torrey Pines S. and added a maiden graded win in the GII Louisville Breeders’ Cup S. at Churchill Downs. She would go on to add the GIII Fleur de Lis S. at the same venue and was retired with five wins from 15 starts. A $2.2-million KEENOV purchase when offered in foal to Silver Deputy-that sire’s champion Silverbulletday appears under Saudi Poetry’s second dam-she realized $2 million in foal to Unbridled’s Song two years later at KEENOV. But her produce failed to reproduce her talent and in 2017, she was offered at the OBS Winter Mixed Sale, at which point Morris and Hillenbrand stepped in and retired her. “We’re deeply grateful to Old Friends for welcoming her,” said Morris. “I know of no better place on Earth for horses, and it’s a gift to Saudi Poetry and to my family that you’ve honored her in this way. She’s a special horse, and has touched our lives. We love her and want only for her safety and happiness, and now we know she has those things forever.” The post Saudi Poetry Arrives at Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This week’s TDN Triple Crown feature examines the GI Preakness S. entrants listed in “likeliest winner” order. 1) WAR OF WILL (c, War Front—Visions of Clarity {Ire}, by Sadler’s Wells) O-Gary Barber. B-Flaxman Holdings Limited (KY). T-Mark Casse. Sales history: $175,000 RNA Ylg ’17 KEESEP; €250,000 2yo ’18 ARQMAY. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 9-3-1-1, $501,569. Last Start: 7th, GI Kentucky Derby, May 4 Equineline PPs. Caulfield on War of Will. War of Will’s trip woes on the far turn of the GI Kentucky Derby have been well chronicled, but this €250,000 ARQMAY War Front colt will be a resilient enough of an equine athlete to bounce back strongly after the near-clipping incident that stopped his momentum cold while making a solid bid for the lead. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione had to throttle back the torqued-up War of Will’s tactical speed for much of the Derby run, but post one should be no problem again in the Preakness because War of Will has clearly demonstrated through his nine-race career arc that he can consistently break sharply and assert himself at the fore of large fields. His stalking trip in the Derby underscored that he can withstand a covered-up trip under pressure, and his visually impressive stakes wins earlier in the season are evidence that War of Will relishes the pursuit of prey and is capable of unleashing bold bids when most of the competition has wilted. 2) SIGNALMAN (c, General Quarters-Trip South, by Trippi) O-Tommie M. Lewis, Steve Crabtree, Dean Demaree, David Bernsen, Jim Chambers & Magdalena Racing. B-Monticule (KY). T-Kenneth G McPeek. Sales history: $32,000 Ylg ’17 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GSW & MGISP, 7-2-2-2, $552,990. Last Start: 3rd, GII Blue Grass S., KEE, Apr. 6 Equineline PPs. Signalman’s 30-1 morning line odds shine like a beacon of value in the Preakness because they vastly overlay his true chances of winning. This $32,000 FTKOCT General Quarters colt failed to make the points cutoff to qualify for the Derby, but he had legitimate excuses for both his 2019 defeats: He lost a shoe and reportedly “didn’t scope perfectly clean” after running seventh in the GII Fountain of Youth S., then in the GII Blue Grass S. he was trying hard but couldn’t make up ground when third behind a frontrunning winner on a speed-favoring surface. As a 2-year-old, Signalman both kept good company (third in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 67-1) and uncorked a visually impressive stakes win (pinned on the rail in the mud in the 14-horse GII Kentucky Jockey Club S.). At the post position draw, trainer Ken McPeek said a mid-pack stalking trip was the likely Preakness strategy for his colt. 4) IMPROBABLE (c, City Zip—Rare Event, by A.P. Indy) ‘TDN Rising Star’. O-WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd. & Starlight Racing. B-St. George Farm LLC & G. Watts Humphrey Jr. (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $110,000 Wlg ’16 KEENOV; $200,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 6-3-2-0, $769,520. Last Start: 4th, GI Kentucky Derby, May 4 Equineline PPs. Caulfield on Improbable. ‘TDN Rising Star’ Improbable will carry Preakness morning-line favoritism on his sturdy chestnut shoulders as trainer Bob Baffert aims for his eighth win in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. But even Baffert admitted earlier this week that he’s never sent a starter into the Preakness off of three straight defeats, although this athletic, long-striding chestnut does have a theoretical advantage as the lone Grade I victor in the field. Improbable never truly looked comfortable in his Derby fourth (via disqualification), both footing-wise and position-wise. But he has been improving subtly in terms of focus, and a clean trip in the Preakness puts him in the hunt to win it. “He just needs to get away [from the gate] better,” Baffert said. “For a horse with as much natural speed as he has, he has trouble getting going. For some reason, the first hundred yards, he scrambles a little bit.” 4) ALWAYSMINING (g, Stay Thirsty–What Will Be, by Anees) O-Runnymede Racing LLC. B-Avla Pitts (MD). T-Kelly Rubley. Sales history: $32,000 Ylg ’17 KEEJAN; $130,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 12-7-0-1, $386,192. Last Start: 1st, Federico Tesio S., LRL, Apr. 20 Equineline PPs. The local hopeful in this year’s Preakness doesn’t have to prove he belongs, having earned a shot to step up to graded stakes competition for the first time after pummeling Laurel-based foes by open lengths in six consecutive races. The running style of this $130,000 KEESEP Stay Thirsty gelding suggests he’ll be forwardly placed per usual, but Alwaysmining has yet to endure several stout waves of competition that are likely to engage the pacemakers late in the Preakness. This gelding will attempt to become the first horse since Deputed Testamony in 1983 to pull off the difficult Federico Tesio S.-Preakness double. But since the Tesio has been moved from Pimlico to Laurel, it no longer carries the win-over-the-track advantage it once did. 5) WIN WIN WIN (c, Hat Trick {Jpn}-Miss Smarty Pants, by Smarty Jones) O-Live Oak Plantation. B-Live Oak Stud (FL). T-Michael Trombetta. Lifetime Record: SW & MGSP, 7-3-2-1, $367,300. Last Start: 9th, GI Kentucky Derby, May 4 Equineline PPs. Win Win Win is the horse on this year’s Triple Crown trail who always seems one race away from blossoming fully. Will the Preakness be his opportunity at juicy 15-1 odds, or is it time to consider some class relief? This Hat Trick-sired homebred so far this season has racked up a seven-furlong track-record stakes win at Tampa, a five-wide third in the GII Tampa Bay Derby, and an against-the-grain second when closing into a potent speed bias in the Blue Grass S. Win Win Win was parked third-last for most of his Derby journey and only launched a mild, belated bid between the quarter and eighth poles. He reportedly didn’t handle the Churchill slop, and will be newly equipped with blinkers while trying to overcome the outermost 13 post. 6) BOURBON WAR (c, Tapit–My Conquestadory, by Artie Schiller) O-Bourbon Lane Stable & Lake Star Stable. B-Conquest Stables (KY). T-Mark Hennig. Sales History: $410,000 Wlg ’16 KEENOV; $525,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSP, 4-2-1-0, $155,100. Last Start: 4th, GI Florida Derby, GP, Mar. 2 Equineline PPs. Bourbon War’s last two stakes attempts stamp him as a pace-dependent closer. This $525,000 KEESEP Tapit colt was barreling down the Gulfstream homestretch behind a too-fast meltdown in the GII Fountain of Youth S., and although he was second in that attempt, Bourbon War did surge past the winner a jump after the wire. He never truly uncoiled when fourth behind the moderate tempo of the GI Florida Derby, although the class factor in that race is evident because the first and third finishers came back to cross the wire first and third in the Kentucky Derby. Blinkers go on for the Preakness. 7) LAUGHING FOX (c, Union Rags—Saskawea, by Stormy Atlantic) O-Alex & JoAnn Lieblong. B-Chester & Anne Prince (KY). T-Steve Asmussen. Sales history: $120,000 yrl ’17 KEESEP; $375,000 2yo ’18 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: SW, 7-3-0-0, $338,518. Last Start: 1st, Oaklawn Park Invitational, May 4 Equineline PPs. Laughing Fox has built an intriguing enough progression of races to consider him as a longshot Preakness inclusion. This $375,000 OBSMAR Union Rags chestnut broke his maiden and won an allowance (both around two turns) at Oaklawn before finishing seventh, then fourth, in stakes behind the ultra- impressive Omaha Beach (War Front). He rebounded with a nine-furlong score in the new closing-weekend stakes feature for sophomores at Oaklawn, and he enters the Preakness for a trainer who has won this race twice and ran third (beaten less than a length) at 26-1 odds last year. 8) ANOTHERTWISTAFATE (c, Scat Daddy—Imprecation, by First Defence) O-Peter Redekop B. C., Ltd. B-Pursuit of Success LLC (KY). T-Blaine Wright. Sales history: $360,000 2yo ’18 OBSJUN. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP, $303,505. Last Start: 2nd, GIII Lexington S., KEE, Apr. 13 Equineline PPs. This $360,000 OBSOPN Scat Daddy colt was the top Northern California sophomore this season, progressing with three straight maiden-allowance-stakes scores at Golden Gate Fields before running decent seconds in stakes at Sunland and Keeneland. But the Preakness is a tough spot looking for a first dirt win. Jose Ortiz picks up the mount. 9) OWENDALE (c, Into Mischief—Aspen Light, by Bernardini) O-Rupp Racing. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY). T-Brad Cox. Sales history: $200,000 Yrl ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, $187,225. Last Start: 1st, GIII Lexington S., KEE, Apr. 13. Equineline PPs. A big, looping run off the far turn of the GIII Lexington S. earned this $200,000 KEESEP Into Mischief colt both his first graded stakes win and a competitive 98 Beyer Speed Figure. But that visually impressive move was aided by a pace cave-in that set the race up perfectly for Owendale, and he will need to step up his game once again if he is to capture the Preakness 13 years after his dam-sire, Bernardini, won it in 2006. 10) WARRIOR’S CHARGE (c, Munnings—Battling Brook, by Broken Vow) O-Ten Strike Racing & Madaket Stables LLC. B-Al Shaquab Racing (FL). T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-3, $138,110. Last Start: 1st, Allowance/Optional Claimer, OP, Apr. 12 Equineline PPs. He’s fast, but can he last? The lead straight from the gate from post three likely belongs to this Munnings colt if he wants it, and considering he’s riding a two-race, frontrunning win streak into a huge step up in class, there’s nothing to lose by trying to slug it out for as long and as hard as he can on the top end. Jockey Javier Castellano, a two-time Preakness winner, gets the call for the first time aboard Warrior’s Charge, whose top-half pedigree decidedly slants toward sprinting. 11) MARKET KING (c, Into Mischief—Divine Presence, by A.P. Indy) O-Robert C. Baker & William L. Mack. B-Flaxman Holdings Limited (KY). T-D. Wayne Lukas. Sales history: $550,000 yrl ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSP, 8-1-1-2, $148,007. Last Start: 11th, GII Blue Grass S., KEE, Apr. 6 Equineline PPs. Market King’s two early-season, up-the-track juvenile races last summer at Churchill and Saratoga likely weren’t indicative of his true capabilities, but he’s stretched out decently, and no handicapper wants to overlook the D. Wayne Lukas factor in a Triple Crown race at long odds (remember Oxbow at 15-1 in the 2013 Preakness?). This $550,000 KEESEP Into Mischief colt was a distant third behind Omaha Beach in the faster division of the GII Rebel S., and was in the chase early in the Blue Grass S., where a speed-favoring surface should have assisted his pace-pressing running style (he faded to 11th). 12) BODEXPRESS (c, Bodemeister—Pied a Terre, by City Zip) O-Top Racing LLC, Global Thoroughbred & GDS Racing Stable. B-Martha Jane Mulholland (KY). T-Gustavo Delgado. Sales history: $45,000 RNA Ylg ’17 KEESEP; $37,000 RNA 2yo ’18 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: GISP, 6-0-3-0, $208,700. Last Start: 13th, GI Kentucky Derby, May 4 Equineline PPs. Maidens trying to force Triple Crown relevance don’t usually equate to a winning strategy, but this Bodemeister colt showed some grit in the Derby by pressing the pace and holding a good close-up position against far more seasoned horses. Although Bodexpress will remain fresh in the minds of bettors for how dramatically he seemed to check out of the action in the far-turn scrum that resulted in the DQ of the race winner (You’ve seen the replay hundreds of times, right?), the reality is that this colt was already backpedaling out of contention before that incident occurred. His sire was second in the 2012 version of this race. 13) EVERFAST (c, Take Charge Indy–Awesome Surprise, by Awesome Again) O-Calumet Farm. B-Extern Developments (KY). T-Dale Romans. Lifetime Record: GSP, 10-1-1-1, $134,805. Last Start: 5th, GIII Pat Day Mile, CD, May 4 Equineline PPs. This $47,000 KEEJAN Take Charge Indy colt has his work cut out for him based on what we see on paper. He broke his maiden at first asking last August at Ellis Park and has lost nine straight races since. His career highlight was a 128-1 second in the fall-apart GII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream, but he’s been beaten double-digit lengths in three stakes since then. He does have a solid body of two-turn racing under his belt, and owner Calumet Farm does have a reputation for sending out solidly-built stayers who don’t shy away from racing. But demand a huge price before bankrolling this colt, even as insurance in exotics. The post TDN Top Preakess Contenders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Retirement Fund has established a new fund dedicated to the care of the horses that reside at the TRF Second Chances Program at Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington, KY, currently home to 58 rescued and retired Thoroughbred racehorses. The “Dyer Blackburn Fund” is named after longtime farm manager, Linda Dyer, to honor her service to the horses and inmates in the TRF Second Chances Program. Dyer will retire from her role as director as of May 30 after 14 years of service. The post TRF Launches Dyer Blackburn Fund appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Joel Politi's Serengeti Empress has demonstrated flashes of brilliance in her brief career, winning five of eight starts, including the May 3 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) last time out at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Joel Politi's Serengeti Empress has demonstrated flashes of brilliance in her brief career, winning five of eight starts, including the May 3 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) last time out at Churchill Downs. View the full article

TIMONIUM, MD – The three-day under-tack preview of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training sale concluded Thursday in Timonium with four juveniles tying the preview’s fastest furlong mark of :10 flat and an additional two tying the bullet quarter-mile work of :21 3/5. “The track was consistent, for the most part, each day from start to finish,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. said at the conclusion of the breeze show Thursday. “Obviously, the weather conditions on Wednesday and Thursday were more favorable than they were on Tuesday, but all in all, it was a very good display of quality horses. It was a well-attended breeze show, so we’re optimistic for the sale Monday and Tuesday.” Early in the day’s first session, a filly by Violence (hip 467) became the second horse of the preview to work a furlong in :10 flat. Consigned by Crupi’s New Castle Farm, the dark bay filly is out of Significant Other (Not for Love) and is a half to stakes winner Marriedtothemusic (Disco Rico). J.J. Crupi, who purchased the youngster for $210,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearling sale, thought the filly could have gone even faster, but for a hop midway down the stretch. “She kind of ducked from the rail,” Crupi said, adding the filly galloped out in :21 and :33 3/5. “She’s always been fast. I had her in Miami [at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale] and she got sick on me and I had to scratch her.” Crupi, who has been dealing with health issues of his own, watched the work trackside from a golf cart. “Everything is good,” the consignor said of his condition. “All my tests are textbook and I’m feeling better.” A filly from the first crop of Grade I winner The Big Beast (Yes It’s True) (hip 535) was the second to work the furlong in :10 flat Thursday. The gray filly is out of Therese (Exchange Rate), a half-sister to Grade I winner Proud Accolade (Yes It’s True). She is consigned by Wavertree Stables. “She’s just quick,” Wavertree’s Ciaran Dunne said of the filly. “We had pretty high expectations for her all the time coming up here and she’s had a good week here, so we weren’t surprised she went that quick.” The filly was purchased by Dunne’s Owls Bloodstock for $45,000 at last year’s OBS October sale. “She is a beautiful filly,” Dunne said. “She’s got a bit of stretch and length about her and a huge hip and she is a great-minded little filly, too. Nothing bothers her. She is automatic, push button. She does whatever you want her to do. She is an easy one to be around.” Becky Thomas’s Sequel Bloodstock sent out a colt by Flatter (hip 574) to work the co-bullet furlong in :10 flat. Out of stakes placed Veronica’s Lake (Salt Lake), the chestnut colt was purchased by Thomas and Lewis Lakin for $70,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale. “He’s by Flatter out of a Salt Lake mare and he looks fast,” Thomas said of the colt’s appeal last fall. “I had him at OBS [March], but some horses don’t really like that synthetic. He worked there, but I wasn’t particularly enamored with the work, so we took him out. We wanted to try him on dirt. And I guess he liked it.” Bobby Dodd sent out the first horse of the preview to hit the :10 flat mark during Wednesday’s second session and the consignor sent out the final one, as well. Hip 590 is a filly from the first crop of Grade I winner Wicked Strong (Hard Spun). She is out of With Wonder (Flatter), a half-sister to graded placed Mazella (Mazel Trick). “She’s just a fast filly,” Dodd said after the bay’s :10 flat work. Dodd purchased the youngster for $17,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale. “I liked her body and she was correct,” Dodd explained. “She’s really pretty.” A filly by Cairo Prince (hip 424) tied the fastest quarter-mile breeze time of the preview when covering the distance in :21 3/5 during Thursday’s first set. The dark bay filly is the first foal out of multiple stakes placed Rico’s Posse (Posse). She is consigned to the Midlantic sale by De Meric Sales and was purchased by the De Merics for $145,000 as a weanling at the 2017 Keeneland November sale. A colt from the first crop of Grade I winner Daredevil (More Than Ready) (hip 445) also worked the quarter in :21 3/5. The bay, the first foal out of Seattle Charlie (Indian Charlie), is consigned by Lane Richardson’s Richardson Bloodstock and was purchased by Richardson’s father, trainer Mike Neatherlin, for $100,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale. “I told my son this was the best baby I’ve had in a long time,” Neatherlin said. “I knew he was a runner–he’ll run all day. And he’s a beautiful mover.” The preview was marred by the fatal breakdown of a colt by Tale of the Cat, who fell to the track entering the backstretch while galloping out after his furlong work during the day’s fourth set. “We had a horse who suffered an injury who was unable to be saved and was put down on the racetrack,” Browning said. “He will be sent to New Bolton for a complete necropsy.” The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale will be held next Monday and Tuesday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, with bidding beginning each day at 11 a.m. The post Bevy of Tens as Midlantic Preview Concludes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Ed Anthony, who operated Loblolly Stables in the 70s, 80s and 90s, and who now races 15-20 horses and keeps a broodmare band in Arkansas and Kentucky, joined the Water Hay Oats Alliance, according to a press release from the organization. “Over the last few weeks I have read with interest the articles about prominent tracks proposing new rules that would ban the use of some race day medications,” said Anthony. “I applaud the effort. In fact, I have long believed that racing without race day medication should be the rule for racing. The Horseracing Integrity Act would accomplish that…We got serious again in 2010. We quickly found how different racing has become during that interval and have struggled to adjust to it. We race all our 2-year-olds without Lasix, believing that it’s harmful to developing young stock to have their vital fluids drained routinely, older horses, too, if they show no need. Still, since we’re the exception, we spot the competition 15-plus pounds in each race. Knowing the disadvantage, most trainers have to be forced not to use it.” Read Anthony’s complete statement at http://www.waterhayoatsalliance.com/ The post John Ed Anthony Joins WHOA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With all but two of the Preakness Stakes (G1) starters on the grounds at Pimlico the morning of May 16, most horses made their way to the main track to stretch their legs. View the full article

2.45 Newbury, Mdn, £10,300, 2yo, 6fT HEAVEN FORFEND (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is the first juvenile runner for the sire in 2019 and a surprising early starter for Sir Michael Stoute, who also has his initial representative in this age group. Out of the stable’s Group 1 performer Heaven Sent (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who is a sister to Megahertz (GB), Cheveley Park Stud’s homebred colt is a full-brother to the multiple listed-placed former ‘TDN Rising Star’ Seven Heavens (GB) who turned out to be a sprinter and a half to the smart Firmament (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who is at his best at up to a mile. In opposition is the more speedily-bred Sir Oliver (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Danny Waters’s full-brother to the top-class Mecca’s Angel (GB) who debuts for the Richard Hughes stable, and Gestut Ammerland’s Doncaster novice runner-up Light Angel (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), John Gosden’s relative of Lope de Vega (Ire). 3.32 Chantilly, Cond, €35,000, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT WONDERMENT (IRE) (Camelot {GB}) is the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud heroine who returns for Stella Thayer and Nicolas Clement in this G1 Prix de Diane pointer over the same course and distance next month. Far from a soft touch, it features His Highness The Aga Khan’s Dariyza (Fr) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained daughter of the G1 Hong Kong Vase winner Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk) and half-sister to the G1 Prix Ganay scorer Dariyan (Fr) (Shamardal) who scored on her debut at ParisLongchamp last month. 3.55 Newbury, £10,400, Novice, 3yo, 7fT JUBILOSO (GB) (Shamardal) takes the next step on her continuing education under the guru Sir Michael Stoute, having scored with authority over six furlongs on debut at Chelmsford last month. Khalid Abdullah’s bay is the first foal out of his dual listed-winning and multiple group-placed Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who is a half-sister to Frankel (GB) and Noble Mission (GB) and a full-sister to Morpheus (GB). 4.25 Newbury, Mdn, £10,400, 3yo, 10fT LOGICIAN (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is another intriguing newcomer for the sire, being a half-brother to the multiple graded-stakes scorer and GI E. P. Taylor S. runner-up Suffused (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) who debuts for the John Gosden stable. Godolphin’s similarly unraced Dubai Tradition (Medaglia d’Oro) also catches the eye as a Saeed bin Suroor-trained son of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Wavering (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}). 5.25 Leopardstown, Mdn, €17,500, 2yo, 7fT WAR LEADER (War Front) is one of three Ballydoyle newcomers in the first seven-furlong maiden for 2-year-olds in 2019 won in the last 10 years by War Decree (War Front), War Command (War Front) and Alfred Nobel (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The pick of Donnacha O’Brien, he is a full-brother to last year’s G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Lancaster Bomber and a half to the top-class miler Excelebration (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). He is joined by stablemates Masteroffoxhounds (War Front), whose listed-winning and Grade I-placed dam is a full-sister to Magician (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and Toronto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a half-brother to the top miler Canford Cliffs (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}). The post Observations: May 17, 2019 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article