Wandering Eyes

Visiting northern rider Lisa Allpress showed her undoubted class in the saddle when she guided race favourite All About Magic to a comprehensive victory in the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. The Showcasing filly dominated her two-year-old rivals over the closing stages of the contest after a heady ride from Allpress, who had her up disputing the pace throughout. Allowed to stride clear near the line, All About Magic was two and half lengths clear of runner-up Hot Tap... View the full article

The Gold Coast Cup is a new race on the Hollindale Stakes card but the result was a familiar one. Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller's Gold Coast stable has been dominating staying races in Queensland and the trend continued when the The Lord Mayor beat his stablemate Vaucluse Bay by a length. It was Waller's 51st Queensland winner this season and his 40th in the metropolitan area making him third on the city premiership. He is now one off bringing up 100 winners in the state since his Gold Co... View the full article

Bob Baffert has won the Kentucky Derby (G1) with horses who finished second in their start before the Louisville classic as both Real Quiet in 1998 and Silver Charm in 1997 won the Derby off runner-up finishes in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). View the full article

The 13-race live program Friday at Churchill Downs, anchored by the 145th running of the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, won by Serengeti Empress (Alternation), was witnessed by a crowd of 105,719 that accounted for record all-sources wagering on both the entire card and the Kentucky Oaks itself. All-sources wagering on the full card totaled $60.2 million, an 8% increase over the previous record of $55.8 million which was set just last year. All-sources wagering on the Oaks reached $19.4 million, a rise of 10% over last year’s then-record $17.5 million. Following a record-breaking Thursday (‘Thurby’) crowd of 48,212, Friday attendance was down 7% year-over-year, as early-morning rains kept the numbers down. “Congratulations to the connections of Serengeti Empress and special thanks to all of the horse owners, trainers and jockeys who participated in today’s races,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “Today’s record handle shows that the Kentucky Oaks has established itself as one of the world’s most popular events. “Our guests were able to benefit from the most recent improvements to the facility including the new Starting Gate Suites Rooftop Lounge that added approximately 500 new seats. We also made several improvements to dining areas inside the facility and replaced nearly 25,000 seats in our outdoor grandstand and clubhouse sections that enhanced the guest experience. We look forward to [Saturday] for what we know will be a memorable 145th running of the Kentucky Derby,” Flanery added. The post Oaks 145 Sets All-Time Wagering Mark appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Even as he watched what would be the biggest victory of his 30-plus year training career, Tom Amoss's attention turned to a more important matter. View the full article

In early Kentucky Derby wagering through 8 p.m. May 3, Maximum Security is the 9-2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) favorite at 9-2. View the full article

Two United States Senators made the claim on Friday that horses competing in the GI Kentucky Derby “will be injected with painkillers before being loaded into the starting gate” in a press release that announced a pending federal horse racing oversight bill titled “The Racehorse Doping Ban Act of 2019.” The bill would authorize the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to “develop rules for permitted and prohibited substances and create anti-doping education, research, testing and adjudication programs for horse racing.” Tom Udall (D-NM) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) are the sponsors. Introduction is slated for next week. “It is past time that Congress stop rewarding the horse racing industry for its inhumane doping violations with sweetheart gambling privileges and millions in casino slots subsidies,” said Udall. “It’s clear industry leaders are more concerned with their profits than protecting these iconic creatures,” Wyden said. “It’s time for Congress to step in and end the cycle of abuse by banning the cruel practice of doping in horse racing once and for all.” Stated goals in the release included “an end to race-day medication; a harmonized medication policy framework for all races with interstate ‘simulcast’ wagering; stiff penalties for cheating, including ‘one and done’ and ‘three strikes, you’re out’ lifetime bans for the worst cases; and ensur[ing] racehorse drug administrations meet veterinary ethics.” The release pointed out that competing House of Representatives legislation, the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2019 (which has existed in some form since 2015), would not be an effective bill because it “would not specifically ban the most harmful doping practices but rather create an industry dominated panel to list approved racehorse drugs.” Udall and Wyden sponsored similar legislation in 2013. In 2015, Udall and former Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA) introduced legislation “to eliminate the federal statute that allows most wagering on horse racing to encourage the sport to end doping and crack down on cheaters,” the release stated. “With racehorse death rates higher than in any other country, the U.S. industry has completely failed to self-regulate its doping and corruption abuses,” Udall said. “Legislation to ban doping in horseracing is the meaningful action we need to end the abuse of these iconic animals. Headlines around the country make it clear the future of this sport is in serious doubt, and this may be the last chance for meaningful reform–it’s time for industry leaders to take the blinders off.” The post New Fed Bill Takes Aim at ‘Inhumane Doping’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Forever Good delivered a bombshell in the S$20,000 Spanish Bay 2015 Stakes in Singapore on Friday night. With three unplaced runs to his resume thus far, the Battle Paint three-year-old was unsurprisingly given a wide berth by most punters in the Open Maiden race over 1200m. But jockey Mark Ewe who rode him at his second start to a seventh place, more than 13 lengths off the winner Lim’s Dream, was about the only one who harboured a silent hope. Though it was no earth-shattering run by any str... View the full article

Moor and CK Ng suspended View the full article

Airdrie Stud's freshman sire Summer Front was represented by his first winner when his 2-year-old colt City Front led from start to finish in a May 3 maiden race at Indiana Grand. View the full article

Airdrie Stud's freshman sire Summer Front was represented by his first winner when his 2-year-old colt City Front led from start to finish in a May 3 maiden race at Indiana Grand. View the full article

SERENGETI EMPRESS (f, 3, Alternation–Havisham, by Bernardini) wires the field for a 13-1 upset in the GI Kentucky Oaks Friday beneath the Twin Spires. Favored Bellafina (Quality Road) could only manage fifth. Taking up her preferred position at the head of affairs, the $70,000 KEESEP buy avoided early trouble as several horses collided going into the first turn, squeezing out Positive Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile), who then clipped heels and somersaulted, throwing rider Manny Franco. Both horse and rider got to their feet quickly and the filly was caught without interrupting the race and appeared fine upon initial exam. Clicking off early fractions of :23.25 and :46.65, Serengeti Empress continued to maintain a clear advantage over Motion Emotion (Take Charge Indy) as three-quarters went up in 1:11.26. Liora (Candy Ride {Arg}) made a run at the pacesetter at the top of the stretch, but Serengeti Empress had more left in the tank and kept on finding to hold that rival at bay by 1 1/2 lengths on the wire. The final time was 1:50.17. Lady Apple (Curlin) completed the trifecta and Champagne Anyone (Street Sense) was fourth. Bellafina raced in mid-pack throughout and never made a serious run, finishing fifth. Dominating the GII Pocahontas S. over this strip by 19 1/2 lengths last September, Serengeti Empress faded to seventh behind subsequent champion Jaywalk (Cross Traffic) after stalking that pacesetting rival through the early stages in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies beneath the Twin Spires Nov. 2. Returning to winning ways with front-running success in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. at Fair Grounds Feb. 16, she stopped halfway through the GII Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 23, fading to last after setting the early pace, and was vanned off. Amoss announced she had bled in that event and she entered this off a best-of-30 five panels at Churchill in :58 1/5 Apr. 23, after which she scoped clean. Lifetime Record: 8-5-0-0. O-Joel Politi; B-Tri Eques Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Tom Amoss. The post Alternation’s Serengeti Empress Wires the KY Oaks; Bellafina Fifth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In her second start, David Mowat's Owlette became the first winner for her sire Frac Daddy, taking a $71,000 maiden special weight at Woodbine by four lengths May 3. View the full article

World of Trouble collected his fourth consecutive victory in the May 3 $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2T) in the race prior to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). View the full article

Greg and Caroline Bentley’s Alwaysmining (Stay Thirsty), a five-time stakes winner pointed to the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico May 18, breezed a half-mile Friday morning at Fair Hill Training Center in :49 (2/8) over the all-weather surface. Regular exercise rider Felix Astudillo was aboard for the gelding’s first work since his 11 1/2-length triumph in the Apr. 20 Federico Tesio S. at Laurel Park, where he earned an automatic berth into the Preakness. “I actually thought it was a perfect work–out in :12 and change and finished up in :11. He went a nice :49 and out in 1:01. We’re very happy,” trainer Kelly Rubley said. “I’d say his confidence level continues to improve. My rider thought he was a bit aggressive today, which is great to hear.” Alwaysmining is riding a six-race win streak, beginning with an allowance optional claimer Oct. 27 at Laurel and continuing with five straight black-type events over the same track, including the Miracle Wood Feb. 16 over Kentucky Derby contender Gray Magician (Graydar) and the Private Terms Mar. 16. He also beat Derby entrant Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}) in the Dec. 29 Heft S. Alwaysmining will continue to train at Fair Hill in preparation for the Preakness with a final work scheduled next weekend. The post Alwaysmining Breezes for Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday’s Insights features a son of GSP Light the Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). 5.50 Doncaster, Novice, 2yo, 5f 3yT LIGHT ANGEL (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) carries the distinction of being John Gosden’s first 2-year-old runner of the season and is in for a relatively stress-free time with just three rivals taking him on. Gestut Ammerland’s homebred grey is out of the G3 Prix de Psyche-placed Light the Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) who is a half to the operation’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains and G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero and successful sire Lope de Vega (Ire) and the G1 Prix de l’Opera third Lady Frankel (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The post Observations for May 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

FULL-SISTER TO PAULASSILVERLINING DEBUTS AT BELMONT Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency by Christie DeBernardis 9th-BEL, $80K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 5:51p.m. Rudy Rodriguez unveils a well-related sophomore in Vincent Scuderi homebred LIZA JAMBALAYA (Ghostzapper). The chestnut is a full-sister to MGISW Paulassilverlining and a half to MGISW Dads Caps (Discreet Cat). Hunting Season (Pioneerof the Nile) also makes her career bow in this spot. The $575,000 KEESEP buy is out of GISP Flying Spur (Giant’s Causeway), who is a daughter of MGISW Lakeway (Seattle Slew). Lakeway also produced stakes winner Sluice (Seeking the Gold), who is the dam of GISW millionaire Mushka (Empire Maker). TJCIS PPs BAFFERT UNVEILS GODOLPHIN BLUE BLOOD 6th-SA, $65K, Msw, 3yo, 6 1/2 f, 6:33p.m. Blue-blooded Godolphin homebred ARCARO (Tapit) makes his career bow in this spot for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. The gray is a son of dual Grade I-winning millionaire Panty Raid (Include), who was purchased by Godolphin for $2.5 million at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. She is a full-sister to GSW & GISP St. John’s River. Richard Baltas also saddles a well-bred firster in Madman (Violence). The LNJ Foxwoods homebred is out of GSW One World (Aus) (Denman) and hails from the family of Terlingua, the dam of the great Storm Cat. TJCIS PPs The post Sunday’s Insights – May 5 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Watching the Alysheba Stakes presented by Sentient Jet (G2) May 3 from the Churchill Downs paddock, Bob Baffert said he initially thought, "Man, not again," when McKinzie dropped back from the lead in the 1 1/16-mile event for older horses. View the full article

In her second start, David Mowat's Owelette became the first winner for her sire Frac Daddy, taking a $71,000 maiden special weight at Woodbine by four lengths May 3. View the full article

An energetic Alwaysmining returned to the work tab on a foggy and cool morning at the Fair Hill Training Center May 3, with a half-mile breeze that trainer Kelly Rubley called "perfect" ahead of the Preakness Stakes (G1). View the full article

When convinced, Coolmore’s embrace of varying bloodstock schemes is total and unflinching, but there is always an accompanied dynamism which is exemplified yet again at Newmarket on Saturday. As another glorious passage is written in the non-ending narrative of the 2000 Guineas, their already-vital role in the Scat Daddy phenomenon extends to ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ten Sovereigns (Ire) as he tests No Nay Never’s capacity to extend his own sire’s building legacy. In what will prove to be a compelling edition of the G1 QIPCO-sponsored Classic, Ballydoyle’s premier nominee for Classic honours will be asked to plunge within for the stamina that this undulating quest has always demanded. Winners of the G1 Middle Park S. have a dubious history in the May monument, but the wily Ryan Moore has forecasted that his mount has the fortitude to procure a stunning 10th triumph for the inestimable and indefagitable Aidan O’Brien. Racing’s seeker extraordinaire, the sorcerer of Rosegreen has stamped this race like no other since he emerged with the similarly swift-of-foot King of Kings (Ire) in 1998 and 21 years on his defiance of the norm rages on. Since the versatile equine impresario Rodrigo de Triano succeeded here in 1992 after a juvenile program that featured a Middle Park victory, few have tried the same deed and none succeeded. Now that the Commonwealth Cup is there to lure the previous season’s sprinting 2-year-olds, it is debatable how many connections of that particular brand of Thoroughbred will contrive to chase what is often the greatest of all lost causes in pitching for mile Classic laurels. Ironically, it was Rodrigo de Triano’s trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam who went closest in that endeavour in the long barren spell in between when his Dutch Art (GB) was third in 2007. Despite finishing in that overall position, the fast and precocious colt actually “won” his race on the far side as the assembly split into two, finishing ahead of the formidable middle-distance presences Duke of Marmalade (Ire) and Eagle Mountain (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}). Yet the sacred art of getting speed juveniles to eke out their level of endurance to a mile is one that O’Brien revels in. At the beginning of the rise of Ballydoyle’s second empire, their Middle Park winner Minardi (Boundary) was fourth here and in the same year the supremely quick Mozart (Ire) (Danehill) had the Irish equivalent won in all bar the last 50 yards. Just 12 months ago, US Navy Flag (War Front) who had captured the 2017 Middle Park was similarly undone only in the closing stages of that Curragh Classic, while the yard’s Ad Valorem (Danzig) flaunted raw pace in the 2004 edition of Newmarket’s six-furlong juvenile feature before excelling over an extra two furlongs in the G1 Queen Anne S. “I always think if they’re good enough, they usually get it,” the Ballydoyle handler proffered after Ten Sovereigns’ G3 Round Tower win when posed the age-old question of whether these types can last this far. In 2006, he faced similar internal questions as to the chances of George Washington (Ire) (Danehill) in the Guineas and they were answered categorically. “Gorgeous George” even stayed a mile and a quarter afterwards, while this is the man who won a G1 Nassau S. with the sprint-bred Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and got the ridiculously fast Airwave (GB) (Air Express {Ire}) to land a G2 Ridgewood Pearl S. over The Curragh’s demanding mile. Yet the fact remains that Ten Sovereigns does not fit the profile of stable’s recent leading contenders. Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Australia (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Camelot (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) came to post with cast-iron guarantees attached to excel at this trip. In recent years, the operation’s only experimental gambit came with the dirt-bred Air Force Blue (War Front) and that resulted in a mighty reversal in 2016. Those who side with custom can take comfort that Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is also here to slot perfectly into the race’s perfect contender profile. One of this renewal’s proven stayers, he has an already commanding form profile having won the G1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in October, a race which is fast becoming the chief juvenile pointer to the Guineas. Dashing in his own right and far from supplying a supporting actor role, Magna Grecia had to learn quickly post-summer and suffered his sole defeat when encountering the race’s most profoundly galling absentee Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in the course-and-distance G3 Autumn S. Owned in partnership with Flaxman Stables, he is in a prominent position to end a decades-long agony in this race for the family of the Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos. Thirty nine years on from the baffling disqualification of Nureyev, the operation who also went close with Machiavellian and Enrique (GB) (Barathea {Ire}) could finally be about to lay an imposing ghost to rest. Aidan O’Brien was weighing up the prospects of his two protagonists on Friday. “Ten Sovereigns has done very well–he’s a fine, big colt now,” he said. “You can’t be sure about the mile until he goes and does it, but we’ve been happy with him so far. We couldn’t have dreamed of Magna Grecia doing any more. The Guineas was always a possibility for him–that’s why we went to Newmarket for his second run. He’s very straightforward and seems to get the mile well.” While Coolmore and Ballydoyle wrestle with their high-class problems, racing’s fringe players look to sew rich pastures from errant seeds. One of the Co. Tipperary institute’s relative minnow sires in Requinto (Ire) has conspired to generate a live contender in this year’s Classic in Great Scot (GB). Proof that the discovery of top-level talent will never have a set formula, the bay relative of the 1997 1000 Guineas heroine Sleepytime (Ire) (Royal Academy) was judged unworthy of another bid over £2,500 at the 2017 Tattersalls Ireland Ascot November Sale. Engineered by a trio of dreamers in Steve Mound, Neil Clyne and Pete Thompson who are collectively Empire State Racing Partnership, the bay has consistently testified on the track to the aptitude of trainer Tom Dascombe. Proven on all surfaces, Great Scot took Haydock’s Listed Ascendant S. over a mile on testing ground in September having upstaged Line of Duty (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) over seven furlongs there in July and been beaten a head when third to Al Hilalee (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Listed Criterium du FEE at Deauville. His effort when fifth in the Vertem Futurity can be upgraded and he shaped with encouragement when runner-up on his return in the G3 Greenham S. over seven furlongs Apr. 13. Jockey Richard Kingscote is excited, if disappointed with the dry lead-up to the race. “My lad ran a promising race last time and is still learning, but any rain would have helped us really,” he said. “The track is an unknown, as he’s only been on easy tracks so far but he is a well-balanced horse and the extra furlong will suit. I’m really hopeful and confident of a big run.” ‘TDN Rising Star’ Al Hilalee was surprisingly thrust late into the mixture as Godolphin looked to plug the hole left by the forced absence of stablemate Quorto (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). While the Derby is looking more his bag at present, as a Charlie Appleby representative and the sole son of his sire in the list he commands respect. Not seen since his aforementioned Criterium du FEE win, the son of the talented Ambivalent (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) is one of a few who will be seeing out the trip with vigour. “Stepping up in trip is always going to suit him in time, but we saw with Masar last year that the 2000 Guineas is one of the best trials for the Derby,” Appleby explained. “It is only his third start, so he doesn’t take as much experience into the race as most of the field, but he does things the right way round–he finishes off strongly and races can change complexion when you hit the rising ground at Newmarket.” Al Hilalee, who was in Meydan until Sunday, will be partnered by William Buick and appears to have a perfect draw in 12 as long as the field does not separate. Speaking at Lingfield on Friday, he was aware that it could be tactical. “Everyone is taking their chance in the 2000 Guineas this year and although it looks an open race, it doesn’t look an easy race,” he said. “All you want to know when it comes to these sort of races is that it will be evenly-run and that everyone will race on the same patch of ground. I know with 19 horses in, that’s not going to be the case but you don’t want any biases. He’s a nice horse and I can see him progressing from the race.” Also in the royal blue is their mid-summer acquisition Dark Vision (Ire) (Dream Ahead) whose current odds of 50-1 would have looked outlandish in the immediate aftermath of his dynamic display in the seven-furlong G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood. Last of six in Doncaster’s G2 Champagne S. in September, he was third in a mile conditions event on Chelmsford’s Polytrack Apr. 11 and trainer Mark Johnston saw some encouraging signs there. “Dark Vision was very disappointing on his final start last year at Doncaster, but he clearly wasn’t right afterwards,” he said. “The Chelmsford race wasn’t the class of the 2000 Guineas by any means, but at least the run had a lot of similarities with his Goodwood win in the Vintage S. last year. I think with another 50 yards, he probably would have won at Chelmsford. It is a very short straight there and he came from an impossible position. If he runs up to his Goodwood form, then he has to be a live contender.” Drawn in eight is another of the “speed” 2-year-olds in Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited’s Advertise (GB)(Showcasing {GB}) which places him in the slipstream of Ten Sovereigns on that side. His successes in the six-furlong G1 Phoenix S. at The Curragh and the G2 July S. on the July Course here show him in a favourable light, as does his second over seven in the G1 Dewhurst S. There are definite stamina concerns to deal with and it is entirely possible that he could be away from the main action as he was when runner-up in the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot in June. Staying concerns do not apply to Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Madhmoon (Ire), who is surprisingly the only flag-bearer for the Galileo (Ire) sire line in this year’s race as a son of the 2013 2000 Guineas hero Dawn Approach (Ire). He beat Ballydoyle’s Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in Leopardstown’s G2 Golden Fleece S. in September, but that colt looks to have grown wings in the interim and the Shadwell representative will need to improve off his return second in the Listed 2000 Guineas Trial back there Apr. 6. It is 28 years since the seven-furlong Listed European Free H. boasted a 2000 Guineas winner in Mystiko, but this year’s renewal saw King Power Racing’s Shine So Bright (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) dominant against the stand’s rail which is his for the taking again drawn in the high numbers. He has abundant stamina on the dam’s side, which is also the case for the third-placed Azano (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) from John Gosden’s stable. Shaping with some promise although initially disappointing in that Apr. 16 prep, the latter hails from the Aga Khan family of Azamour (Ire) and was only 1 1/2 lengths off Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) in the G3 Horris Hill S. at Newbury in October. Friday’s draw for the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas sees 15 fillies assemble for Sunday’s Classic, with the sole defector on Friday being the G3 Prestige S. winner Antonia de Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Likely favourite Qabala (Scat Daddy) is drawn towards the far side in six with the fellow Roger Varian-trained Mot Juste (Distorted Humor) also that way in two. First and second in the Apr. 16 G3 Nell Gwyn S. over seven furlongs here, they help form a cluster of favourites in low numbers along with ‘TDN Rising Star’ Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in one and Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}) in stall three. Frankie Dettori has been booked by Aidan O’Brien for the G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Fairyland, with Ryan Moore on fellow ‘Rising Star’ Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}) drawn nearest the stand’s rail in 15. Also at Newmarket on Saturday is the G3 Zoustar Palace House S., where ‘TDN Rising Star’ Sergei Prokofiev (Scat Daddy) bids to get Ballydoyle off to a flyer in the five-furlong burn-up. With the penalised G1 Prix de l’Abbaye heroine Mabs Cross (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) in attendance alongside some established dragsters, last year’s G3 Cornwallis S. scorer should have the fierce pace he needs as he builds towards the G1 King’s Stand S. at Royal Ascot. The card’s G2 Roaring Lion Jockey Club S. has seen better days, but a virtuoso from ‘Rising Star’ Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) would provide it with a much-required shot in the arm. Denford Stud’s 5-year-old starts out on another crusade for an elusive Group 1 success that her record merits and she meets some members of the other sex who are beginning to look exposed. Aside from those offered by the Guineas action, suggestions of Derby potential could also come from the Listed Lightning Spear Newmarket S. in which Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s impressive Apr. 17 Wood Ditton S. winner UAE Jewel (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) takes on a trio in another race whose reputation has suffered of late. Trainer Roger Varian said, “UAE Jewel has done nothing wrong since winning. He’s highly promising and I look forward to seeing him back on the track.” At ParisLongchamp, there are two more listed contests for colts and fillies with Derby and Oaks aspirations staged on the card headlined by the G3 Prix d’Hedouville for older horses. The Prix de l’Avre over a mile and a half acts as an intriguing diversion for the Charlie Appleby-trained Apr. 17 Newmarket novice winner Jalmoud (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), a son of the G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), while in the 11-furlong Prix de la Seine Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s impressive Apr. 1 Chantilly scorer Villa d’Amore (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is Andre Fabre’s selected representative. It was nine years ago that Fabre sent out a Godolphin filly named Seeking Solace (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) to post a career-best when runner-up in this before she went off to the following year’s Tattersalls July Sale. In 2016 she produced a colt from Camas Park Stud by No Nay Never. His Name? Ten Sovereigns. The post QIPCO 2000 Guineas: Ten Up? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LOUISVILLE, KY – Here we go again. A year after making history as the wettest GI Kentucky Derby day in the record books with more than three inches of precipitation, another soaker is expected on the First Saturday in May. The forecast calls for up to an inch of rain throughout the day in the Louisville area. Temperatures will be in the 60s. Post time for the 145th Kentucky Derby is 6:50 p.m. ET. “Rain building in through the day on Saturday. Once it starts, it looks to be pretty persistent and at times heavy,” WLKY meteorologist Matt Milosevich said during his forecast. With the complexion of the 1 1/4-mile Classic changing drastically after the Wednesday evening defection of favored Omaha Beach (War Front), all eyes will be on Bob Baffert as he has three shots at tying the legendary conditioner Ben Jones for a record sixth Derby win. His trio of ‘TDN Rising Stars’ is led by the revised 9-2 morning-line favorite and last year’s champion 2-year-old colt Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}), who captured the 2018 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile beneath the Twin Spires. He will also saddle fellow Grade I winners Roadster (Quality Road) and Improbable (City Zip). Barn 33, former home of Baffert’s Triple Crown winners American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) and Justify (Scat Daddy), was once again the place to be during training hours on the backstretch all week with the Hall of Famer frequently holding court with the media and signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. “There are a lot of good horses in here,” Baffert said. “I think they’re a pretty evenly matched group of horses. You don’t see anybody really puffing off the screen here. When American Pharoah came in here, we knew he was from another planet.” Baffert added, “[This year] reminds me a little bit of the Silver Charm Derby [in 1997]. You had a lot of good 3-year-olds in there and whoever gets the trip is going to win it.” The unbeaten GI Florida Derby winner Maximum Security (New Year’s Day), a debut winner for just $16,000 in December, puts his unbeaten record on the line for trainer Jason Servis. Owners Gary and Mary West also campaign the aforementioned Game Winner. Hall of Famer Bill Mott will have two chances at saddling his first Derby winner with the stunning gray Juddmonte homebred Tacitus (Tapit) and the stretch-running ‘TDN Rising Star’ Country House (Lookin At Lucky). By My Standards (Goldencents) has been tabbed as this year’s backstretch buzz horse after putting on a show during training hours throughout Derby week. The handsome bay upset the GII Louisiana Derby at 22-1. Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher will tighten the girth on longshots Cutting Humor (First Samurai) and Spinoff (Hard Spun). Other highlights on the Kentucky Derby’s loaded 14-race program include: streaking sprinter Mitole (Eskendereya)’s debut at the top level in the GI Churchill Downs S., GI Pegasus World Cup Turf winner Bricks and Mortar (Giant’s Causeway) taking on a full field in the GI Old Forester Turf Classic, and the talented sophomore Instagrand (Into Mischief) turning back in distance for the GIII Pat Day Mile S. Post time for the day’s first race is 10:30 a.m. Happy Derby! The post Wet Weather Expected for Kentucky Derby 145 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK–The swifts, heralds of summer, reliably arrive in Newmarket for the Guineas meeting. But any who arrived yesterday must have been tempted to turn back south, greeted as they were by icy wind and squalls. In the same way, for much of the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale it was hard to read the market barometer. On the face of it, it was wintry stuff. Last year, there were nine six-figure lots; this time, there was just one, a 150,000gns Kodiac filly who stoked up the sale’s dying embers as lot 293 of 312 in a mixed catalogue (opened by a horses-in-training session). But those who routinely lament the fragility of the middle market will find, on closer inspection, that there were actually a few sunbeams quietly penetrating that sector. In common with the other breeze-up sales, this catalogue had been streamlined: 144 lots entered the ring, down from 194 in a bloated affair last year. The 121 to change hands raised the clearance rate to 84% from 74%, and if the aggregate was duly down 26% to 3,489,500gns, and the average down 12% to 28,839gns, the median was maintained exactly at 24,000gns. Albeit even the top of this sale belongs in the middle market, the median is arguably the key index to a very different breeze-up scene this time round. “An abundance of overseas buyers from throughout Europe and the Gulf region, a significantly improved clearance rate and record turnover for the horses-in-training section of the fixture are all positives to take from the year’s renewal,” declared Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony. “Buyers from Italy, Greece, Poland, Scandinavia and Spain, as well as a strong contingent of buyers from Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar, have all contributed to a clearance rate that has only been bettered once since 2012. But the sector of the market that has not matched recent renewals is the top end, and the decline in average and turnover reflects this aspect of the sale. “As ever there have been some very pleasing pinhooking successes, but overall there has been a shortage of highlights and domestic buyers have been a little restrained in comparison with the sustained overseas demand. “The horses-in-training section of the sale continues to be popular and turnover just shy of 1,000,000gns is a new high, as is the median, and the 90% clearance rate which again demonstrates the enduring appeal of sales of this nature at Tattersalls. We will continue to work on attracting quality lots to this fixture, both 2-year-olds and horses-in-training, and look forward to seeing plenty of racecourse success from the sale throughout 2019.” Patience Pays Off For Highbank On the eve of the season’s first Classic, it was good to be reminded of the lasting resonance that will be obtained by its highest achievers–the sale-topper’s third dam being none other than Detroit (Fr), the Arc winner whose son Carnegie (Ire) emulated her in the same race. This filly’s branch of the family tree has a lower profile: descending through Detroit’s unraced daughter Mennetou (Ire) (Entrepreneur {GB}) and the once-raced Peace Palace (GB) (Archipenko). But the latter’s half-sister Osaila (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) is a dual Group 3 winner who made the frame in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. In acquiring Lot 293 for John Dance, then, Daniel Creighton of Creighton Schwartz knew she had a residual value that a young dam could still enhance. “For me, she was the nicest filly here,” he said. “Obviously she breezed very well, very professionally, she’s got the pedigree, and she’s by Kodiac, so hopefully she’ll be able to kick on pretty soon. She’s going to Richard Fahey.” A €60,000 foal purchase from Lisieux Stud by Highbank Stud, the filly had been bought in for £48,000 at Doncaster last August. “It sometimes happens, you have to be patient,” said Highbank’s Martin Wainwright. “We really liked her, really believed in her, and it has paid off today. She did breeze well, in a good time, so we’d have been upset if we hadn’t got a price like this today. We might have been tempted to keep and race her.” She was prepared by Mark Dwyer of Oaks Farm Stables, who paid tribute to his client’s role. “She came to me from the yearling sales to be broken, and then went back to the Highbank,” he said. “She came back to me in January and they’d done their job really well. It’s been plain sailing ever since, she has been a pleasure to deal with throughout. She’s a natural, one who could be on target for a certain date in June.” In The Footprints Of Dabyah Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock has happy memories of Sepoy (Aus) fillies selling through this ring, having found Dabyah (Ire) for 100,000gns as a Book 2 yearling in 2015 before she proceeded to finish third in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and win the G3 Fred Darling S. So he was happy to give nearly as much for lot 309, a filly by the same sire presented by Mark and Paula Flannery of Egmont Stud. A 95,000gns docket represented 10 times the sum she reached when unsold here last October. “She’s a very strong filly, who did an exceptional breeze,” Brown said. “Not everyone is as keen as me on Sepoy, but I bought a very good filly by him here a few years ago. In fact, I went to see Dabyah’s first foal at Whatton Manor Stud the other day, an exceptional foal too, by another one I bought in Ardad (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).” Though unable to divulge his client, Brown revealed that the filly will be joining Richard Hughes. She is the first foal of a full-sister to Rewarding Echo (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), a Group 1 performer in Hong Kong. Longways Maintains Donny Momentum It was a good day for fillies with residual value–identified in lot 281 by Alex Elliott, who gave 75,000gns for a daughter of Mukhadram (GB) presented by Longways Stables. The latter were following up their record-breaking coup with a £450,000 Siyouni (Fr) at Doncaster. The dam Mokaraba (GB) (Unfuwain) has already produced a Grade III winner in Qaraaba (GB) (Shamardal), whose daughter Californiagoldrush (Cape Blanco {Ire}) is a Grade II winner and made the podium in the GI Del Mar Oaks. And the third dam is none other than the Oaks and 1000 Guineas winner Salsabil. So this is the great Flame Of Tara family, and will one day give Elliott’s clients–the Turnbull family of Elwick Stud–a nice option for their stallion Mondialiste. Elliott was notably enthusiastic about a filly with “a bit of magic” about her. “I thought she breezed extremely well for a big, backward filly that’s going to be a backend 2-year-old/3-year-old,” the agent said. “I liked her physically, she has a big, gorgeous frame to fill, but what really attracted me was her pedigree. When I lived with Simon Callaghan in California I know he thought Qarababa was a Grade I filly, she’s already bred a Grade II winner and I think it’s a family that’s going to keep happening. “And I really trust Mick Murphy, in fact we tried to get his Siyouni filly at Doncaster without getting anywhere near. So one way or another I thought there were a few angles.” Bromley Playing Long Game Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock has found this to be a very fertile sale over the last five or six years and swept up half a dozen lots for trainer Alan King, who has always done well with the Flat horses in his string. The standout, for Bromley, was lot 286, a January colt by Lope De Vega (Ire) consigned by Meadowview Stables, and he was delighted to secure him for 75,000gns. That represented an impressive yield on his Book II tag of just 10,000gns, when signed for by Five Star BS. “We’re not here looking for types that can be jumpers, just horses with a bit of scope that might get a mile and a quarter,” he explained. “So we don’t worry too much about times, it’s all about how they move and if they have the size and scope to come through later in the season. This was a big, strong horse from a good hotel, in fact the vendors have tended to bring 3-year-old types to this sale and know that we’ll be here for those.” The modus operandi is not confined to King, as Bromley bought a 115,000gns Nathaniel (Ire) colt at the Craven Breeze-Up last year for Mick Channon from the same vendors. He won his maiden, as Severance (GB), by seven lengths at Haydock last week. “And I’m keen on the sire,” Bromley added. “There’s a Lope De Vega I bought, Senza Limiti (Ire), going for the Dee S. for William Haggas next week.” This colt is out of the listed-placed Myrica (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who is a granddaughter of G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Baya. “And her 3-year-old by Camelot [Guinevere (Ire)] ran very well at Leopardstown the other day,” Bromley said. “She looks promising. I’m very relieved we got this colt, because he was the one we wanted all day. At a stronger sale, you feel you have to get in when you can.” More Good News Via Cable Rookie Cable Bay (Ire) appears to have a bit of a following wind this spring, between the track and the ring. One son raised £200,000 at Doncaster the other day and in the context of this sale another one, lot 263, earned his stripes too with a 72,000gns docket signed by Richard Frisby–another good transaction for Meadowview Stables. This colt’s only previous visit to a sales ring had been when sent up to Goffs as a foal by Derryluskin Stud, and unsold at €14,000. Frisby said that the colt will stay in Newmarket to be trained but could not disclose precisely where, as his client had yet to inform the trainer in question. “But what I can say is that he did a very nice breeze, vetted well, and that besides the sire starting off well, the mare has also done pretty well from some modest coverings,” the agent added. “It’s quite hard work to buy a horse that’s well made, does a decent time and has a reasonable pedigree.” For the third element of that brief, suffice to say that the second dam is a half-sister to the illustrious Aviance, a Group 1 winner herself and dam of such important Niarchos performers and producers as Chimes Of Freedom and Imperfect Circle. McDowall And Her Mare Get Deserved Break Morna McDowall has proved unfailingly impressive with all the stock she has so far presented for sale and the full range of her talents–in this instance not just as consignor, trainer and rider, but also as breeder–achieved due dividends through lot 212, a Starspangledbanner (Aus) colt who brought 70,000gns after failing to find a buyer at Fairyhouse last year. McDowall bred him from a young Henrythenavigator mare (out of Grade I winner Lucifer’s Stone (Horse Chestnut {SAf}) who has had dreadful luck so far, this her one surviving foal to date. But the mare evidently warrants perseverance, judging from the ability her son advertised in his breeze to a shrewd judge in Stuart Williams. The docket was signed by Geoff Price for Happy Valley Racing. “We spent too much,” he said with a smile. “But Stuart kept saying, ‘Go one more.’ I thought we had him at 60,000gns, and we were near the top of our budget, but we are delighted to have him. He looks a real 2-year-old type and is by a good 2-year-old sire, so let’s hope he is lucky.” “I’m delighted by where he’s going, I have a lot of respect for Stuart,” McDowall said. “And I think he’s going to be a really fun horse for them. He has trained so well at home, he’s sound, and has a very good mind. He’s just a lovely character.” The heartbreaking fortunes of his dam are typical of this precarious business, but her education with top-class horsemen either side of the Atlantic means that McDowall is fully conversant with its variables. “Regression to the mean is my friend,” she said wryly. “You do just need a lot of luck.” That’s always true, with Thoroughbreds. But insofar as you can also earn your luck, then McDowall–who sold a 200,000gns No Nay Never filly to Coolmore out of Book II last autumn–deserves to carry on as she has started. More Joy For Leamore Cormac Farrell and Anna Calder of Leamore Horses Ltd have been on a great roll, selling point-to-point winner Wide Receiver (Ire) to Tom Malone and Gordon Elliott for £410,000 at the February Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham Sale. And they got a fine dividend on lot 206, a Zoffany (Ire) filly who graduated from Fairyhouse last year for just €6,000 and here realised 62,000gns from Tom Goff. “She is for [trainer] George Baker,” the agent said. “She’s a lovely, racy, shapely sort who breezed well, and George shouldn’t be waiting too long for her. She has a top back pedigree too.” Indeed she has, remarkably so given that yearling tag: she is out of a Sadler’s Wells half-sister to that wonderful racemare Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away {Ire}), who won Group 1 races in four different countries; as well as to Classic-placed Medecis (GB) (Machiavellian). But the pinhook of the day, and arguably of the breeze-up season to date, was Lot 300: a Holy Roman Emperor filly bought for just 1,000gns out of Book 4 here last autumn by Emerald BS. Brought here by Woodtown House Stud, here she raised 67,000gns from Pegaz Stud in Poland. “We did not think we’d have to pay that much for her,” said the farm’s Andrzej Zielinski alongside agent Witold Miedzianowski. “But she did a good breeze in a fast time. If she is good enough, we can travel her to run in France or Germany.” Desert-Bound Executive Tops HIT Sale The Horses-in-Training session that opened the sale was robbed of its most luminous prospect by the late withdrawal of the promising 3-year-old New King (GB) (Frankel {GB}), leaving lot 72, Executive Force (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}) to headline the morning’s business. He had seemed rather difficult to value. On the one hand, he is a 5-year-old gelding with plenty of miles on the clock, including 10 all-weather starts just since February. On the other, he won half a dozen of those starts in advancing his rating from 71 to 97–a real feather in the cap of trainer Michael Wigham, who bought him out of one of the town’s best yards in the same ring 18 months ago. In the end, the man who could offer the horse a fresh challenge was Ted Durcan, who secured him for export to Saudi Arabia for 65,000gns. “It’s basically their off season at the moment so he can get a good rest now before the autumn campaign,” the ex-jockey explained. “I’m under no illusions that he might look fairly exposed over here, but we think he’ll have plenty of options out there both in terms of distance and running style. He’s a sound, capable horse and should be fun.” The Middle East also beckons for one or two others of those subject to purposeful bidding. Dubai trainer Helal Al Alwai, for instance, gave 50,000gns for lot 129, Space Bandit (GB) (Shamardal), who is blessed with a resonant page for his part of the world, being from the family of Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) and Balanchine (Storm Bird). The 4-year-old made his way to a rating of 90 with a couple of good wins for Mick Appleby this winter. “We came especially for this horse, he was our main goal,” Al Alawi said. “He will be a Carnival horse. Shamardals go well in Dubai, on the dirt, and he acted well at Southwell and that is the closest.” A few minutes later he went to the same price for one of two young wild cards submitted by Michael O’Callaghan, lot 134, Geneticist (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), a Limerick maiden winner just a few days previously. O’Callaghan’s other addition to the sale, the maiden Bodhicitta (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) (lot 133), is heading west for her sunshine, having been acquired for 60,000gns by Meah Lloyd Bloodstock on behalf of Calvin Nguyen to enter training in California with Richard Baltas. The post Middle Market Holds At Guineas Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Concrete Rose turned the tables on Newspaperofrecord May 3 at Churchill Downs, where she won the $250,000 Edgewood Stakes Presented by Forcht Bank (G3T) by 3 3/4 lengths. View the full article

SHE’S A JULIE (f, 4, Elusive Quality–Kydd Gloves, by Dubai Millennium {GB}) reeled in Secret Spice (Discreet Cat) just in the nick of time to take Friday’s GI La Troienne S. Away well from her inside draw, the 5-1 shot settled in third alongside Divine Miss Grey (Divine Park), just off the heels of Secret Spice, who stalked from second as Awe Emma (War Front) clocked early fractions of :24.01 and :47.92. Secret Spice hit the front in the lane, but was running greenly, zig zagging across the track. She’s a Julie had moved into second and was waiting to make her run until her rival straightened out. Ranging up alongside Secret Spice in the final sixteenth, She’s a Julie surged past that rival late for a narrow success in 1:43.58. Winner of the GIII Iowa Oaks last summer, She’s a Julie finished second in the GI Alabama S. at Saratoga Aug. 18 and returned to winning ways in the GIII Remington Park Oaks Sept. 30. Fourth as the favorite in the Zia Park Oaks Nov. 21, she kicked off this season with a victory in Oaklawn’s GIII Bayakoa S. Feb. 18. Lifetime Record: 13-6-2-1. O-Bradley Thoroughbreds, Whispering Oaks Farm, Team Hanley, Madaket Stables and Tim & Anna Cambron; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. The post Elusive Quality’s She’s a Julie Gets Up Just in Time in La Troienne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article