Wandering Eyes

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

The TDN has polled some of the top riders in the history of the sport and asked them to answer this simple question: If given a choice of any of the 20 starters in the GI Kentucky Derby who would you choose to ride? Today, we ask Chris McCarron, whose original choice was Omaha Beach (War Front). “I’d take Tacitus (Tapit). He got mugged big-time in the (GII) Wood Memorial and he showed a lot of determination and courage overcoming all the trouble he had going into the first turn. That will bode well for him in the (GI) Kentucky Derby because, as everyone knows, the Derby can be a very roughly run race. It’s one box you can check off with him. You don’t have to worry about him being intimidated and not performing if he does get mugged again. I’ve ridden horses in the Derby before that, up until before the race, they’ve always had clean trips, and then things change when they get into the race. One that comes to mind is Stephen Got Even. He got roughed up pretty good in the Derby and he didn’t run his race. I’m not sure if he was good enough to win anyway. I realize the Wood Memorial might not have been as tough a race as, say, the (GI) Santa Anita Derby. That’s a factor. That’s why you’d have to seriously consider any one of the Baffert horses. They’ve all been running extremely well in tough races. But I’d still take Tacitus. The post So, Who Would You Ride In the Derby: Chris McCarron appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Richard Klein's homebred filly won gate-to-wire by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:22.13. She has won four consecutive races since Jan. 1. View the full article

One year after Justify swept the Triple Crown, a majority of the connections are back in the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) with the another white-blazed chestnut colt. View the full article

The Stronach Group, Maryland Senator Guy Guzzone and Howard County Council Chair Christiana Rigby were onhand Friday for the groundbreaking of Phase 1 of Laurel Park Station, a mixed-used transit-oriented development located adjacent to Laurel Park Racetrack. “Laurel Park Station is a great example of smart growth,” said Maryland Senator Guy Guzzone. “Creating connections is a key goal of development throughout the state, and The Stronach Group’s vision has connectivity at its core.” Laurel Park Station will feature a new MARC train station, which will be conveniently linked to the surrounding community. Phase 1 of Laurel Park Station will feature 220 condominiums and town homes, a community garden and sport park. As the homebuilder for Phase 1, Ryan Homes expects to deliver the first units in spring 2020. In addition to a new MARC rail station, the 63-acre Laurel Park Station will include 1,000 residential units, 127,000 square feet of retail space, 650,000 square feet of commercial/office space and 22 acres of open space that will feature a kayak launch on the Patuxent River in addition to walking and running trails. “We see Laurel Park Station as transformational for North Laurel, Route 1 and the greater southern Howard County area,” said Bill Hecht, CEO of Stronach Properties. “The scale of the project sets the stage for a major impact on the local economy resulting in community interaction, active living and environmental sustainability. Laurel Park Station is a great example of smart growth that will enhance regional transit offerings and improve access to transportation for the region while creating a high quality, connected community.” The post Stronach Group Breaks Ground on Laurel Station appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s ladies day at Newmarket with the fillies going to war in the 1000 Guineas, where Skitter Scatter will be looking to bring John Oxx out of the wilderness with a big winner. There is plenty of opposition for this valuable prize though. In the Qatar handicap, Baghdad looks to resume winning ways, while former […] The post 1000 Guineas Day Preview – Skitter Scatter To Put Oxx Back On The Map appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

CONCRETE ROSE (f, 3, Twirling Candy–Solerina, by Powerscourt {GB}) flew by 1-5 favorite and previously undefeated Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the lane to spring the upset in the GIII Edgewood S. at Churchill Downs Friday. The 5-1 shot saved ground in fourth early as a keen Newspaperofrecord dictated terms through early splits of :23.53 and :47.87. Advancing into second turning for home, the dark bay showed a furious turn of foot in the stretch to charge past the chalk and win by a widening four lengths in 1:43.34. Newspaperofrecord was second and Winter Sunset (Tapit) was third. A debut winner sprinting at Saratoga Aug. 20, Concrete Rose followed suit with a win in the GII Jessamine S. at Keeneland Oct. 10 and was eighth to Newspaperofrecord in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf over a yielding course at Churchill Nov. 2. She entered this test off a win in the GIII Florida Oaks at Tampa Mar. 9. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0. O-Ashbrook Farm & BBN Racing; B-Ron Patterson (KY); T-George Arnold. The post Twirling Candy’s Concrete Rose Upsets Newspaperofrecord in the Edgewood appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Churchill Downs Inc.'s entrance into sports wagering under its BetAmerica brand will not mean Churchill-sanctioned, fixed-odds wagering on this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve—and whether it ever will is an open question. View the full article

The top three finishers from the Apr. 6 GIII Providencia S. going nine panels over the Santa Anita lawn return to Arcadia Saturday for the one-mile GIII Senorita S. Providencia victress Hostess (GB) (Iffraj {GB}) was making her first Stateside appearance last time after winning one of her three prior starts in England for previous trainer Hugo Palmer. The bay is trained by Simon Callaghan, who also conditions Providencia runner-up Maxim Rate (Exchange Rate). Graduating at first asking at Santa Anita Feb. 16, the gray came up just a nose short of her stablemate last time out. Just a head behind her in third was the Richard Baltas-trained Lady Prancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}). Runner-up in a pair of stakes last fall, the bay captured a course-and-distance optional claimer prior to the Providencia. The post Providencia Top Three Rematch in Senorita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Len Green’s A Thread of Blue (Hard Spun) has won his last three starts at Gulfstream and looks to keep that streak alive as he takes his show on the road for Saturday’s GII American Turf S. at Churchill Downs. A decisive optional claimer winner in Hallandale Dec. 22, the hulking dark bay bested the re-opposing Louder Than Bombs (Violence) by 3 1/2 lengths in the Dania Beach S. Feb. 3. The Kiaran McLaughlin pupil enters this test off a 3/4-length defeat of stakes winner Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) and Louder Than Bombs in the GIII Palm Beach S. at Gulfstream Mar. 2. The top three from Keeneland’s GIII Transylvania S. Apr. 5 also return here. The winner Avie’s Flatter (Flatter) just earned a Sovereign Award in his native Canada, having captured a pair of stakes at Woodbine last term prior to his half-length victory over Henley’s Joy (Kitten’s Joy) and The Black Album (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in Lexington. Bill Mott, who trains Casa Creed, sends out another strong contender in Juddmonte homebred Seismic Wave (Tapit). A third-out graduate when stretched to nine panels at Gulfstream Feb. 16, the chestnut captured the Cutlet Bay S. next out there Mar. 30. Chad Brown can never be overlooked when it comes to a turf race and he saddles an undefeated runner in Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). A debut winner at Tampa Jan. 19, the bay followed suit with a win in that venue’s Columbia S. Mar. 9. The post ‘Blue’ Looks to Keep Hot Streak Going appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A trainer who has won the Kentucky Derby (G1) always hopes to find the big horse again. It doesn't matter if the first one came along decades ago or last year, like a bolt out of the blue or as the result of carefully laid plans. View the full article

John McKee, who piloted Lawyer Ron in the 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), rode his 2,000th winner May 2 at Belterra Park when he scored in the second race aboard Robert Alvin Reeves' Curious Ruth. View the full article

The TDN Kentucky Derby edition is now online, featuring commentary and pedigree analysis from the TDN editorial staff and video past performances on each of the horses entered for Saturday’s first leg of the Triple Crown. The TDN Kentucky Derby edition can be downloaded here. Good luck and good racing! The post The TDN Kentucky Derby Edition Now Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

BREAK EVEN (f, 3, Country Day–Exotic Wager, by Saint Ballado) took her record to a perfect four-for-four with a dominant score in the GIII Eight Belles S. to kick off the Kentucky Oaks day stakes action at Churchill Downs. Seizing the early advantage, the dark bay zipped through early splits of :22.08 and :44.14 on a clear lead. Still bowling along on the front end turning for home, the homebred was never challenged in the lane and never slowed down, cruising home a decisive winner in 1:22.13. Bell’s the One (Majesticperfection) was best of the rest in second. Romping by five lengths in a sloppy off-the-turfer at Fair Grounds on New Year’s Day, Break Even followed suit with another open length score in a NOLA optional claimer Jan. 28 and proved not for catching yet again in Oaklawn’s Purple Martin S. Mar. 30. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0. O-Klein Racing; B-Richard & Bert Klein (KY); T-Brad Cox. The post Country Day’s Break Even Remains Perfect in Eight Belles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Insights, Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 4th-CD, $103K, ALW/OC ($75K), N1X, 3yo, 7f, 12:03 p.m. ET ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Hidden Scroll (Hard Spun), who at one point looked like a potential GI Kentucky Derby favorite, looks to get back on track here while shortening up. A jaw-dropping 14-length debut winner going a one-turn mile in the Gulfstream slop Jan. 26–good for a gaudy 104 Beyer Speed Figure–the Juddmonte homebred settled for fourth when dueling through impossible fractions in the GII Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S. around two turns Mar. 2. His new pilot for the GI Xpressbet Florida Derby may have overcorrected that day, as the Bill Mott trainee seemed unhappy being restrained early while winner Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) waltzed on the lead. OXO Equine LLC’s ‘Rising Star‘ Fortin Hill (Mucho Macho Man) resurfaces for the first time since airing by 5 1/2 lengths first out at Belmont Oct. 12 over a next-out winner who was subsequently stakes placed. A $170,000 KEESEP yearling, Fortin Hill blossomed into a $575,000 OBSMARCH juvenile. TheIndiana-bred Chad Brown pupil hails from the family of two-time Canadian Horse of the Year and Eclipse winner Chief Bearhart (Chief’s Crown) and MGISW Private Zone (Macho Uno). TJCIS PPs 13th-CD, $103K, ALW/OC ($75K), N1X, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 7:50 p.m. ET Larry Best’s OXO Equine and Chad Brown will send out another pricey colt looking to clear his first-level allowance condition in Bandon Woods (Uncle Mo) some eight hours after the aforementioned Fortin Hill. Fourth in a strong Gulfstream maiden special weight that produced GI Florida Derby runner-up and Derby entrant Bodexpress (Bodemeister) as well as big-figure next-out winner Fort Worth (City Zip), the $180,000 KEENOV weanling and $700,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling broke through by three lengths when stretched out in the Keeneland slop Apr. 7. The great grandson of GISW Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled’s Song) earned an 87 Beyer for that score. Hoffa’s Union (Union Rags) is one of a number in here dropping out of stakes company. The $11,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic bargain buy garnered plenty of buzz when he romped by 15 1/2 lengths first up at Laurel Feb. 28, prompting a group including Gary Barber and Wachtel Stable to buy in and transfer the gelding from Gary Capuano to Mark Casse. Hoffa’s Union settled for eighth last time in the Apr. 6 GII Wood Memorial S. TJCIS PPs The post Insights: Hidden Scroll Looks to Bounce Back on Derby Undercard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ahead of the Classics, we examine the pedigree and sales history of each contender. The runners in Saturday’s G1 2000 Guineas run the gamut from homebreds to bargain sales purchases, as well as those that required their buyers to dig a little deeper. ADVERTISE (GB) (Showcasing {GB}-Furbelow, by Pivotal {GB}) Bred by Cheveley Park Stud and sold for £60,000 to Dermot Farrington at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale in 2017, Advertise is the third foal out of the winning Pivotal mare Furbelow, who is herself a full-sister to the Del Mar listed winner Red Diadem (GB) and a granddaughter of Heart Of Joy (Lypheor {GB}), winner of four graded races in Southern California. O-Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited 1. B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd. T-Martyn Meade. AL HILALEE (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}-Ambivalent {Ire}, by Authorized {Ire}) The first foal out of the G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Ambivalent, Al Hilalee was bred by Rabbah Bloodstock and purchased from that associate by Godolphin for 300,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 out of The Castlebridge Consignment. Al Hilalee, who was herself a 24,000gns yearling, was offered at the 2015 Tattersalls December sale carrying Al Hilalee and was bought back by Hillwood Stud for 1.6-million gns. O-Godolphin. B-Rabbah Bloodstock. T-Charlie Appleby. AZANO (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}-Azanara {Ire}, by Hurricane Run {Ire}) Azano, placed in the G3 Horris Hill S. and Listed European Free H., is out of an unplaced half-sister to G1 Prix Ganay winner Astarabad (Alleged) and Asmara (Lear Fan), the dam of champion older horse, four-time Group 1 winner and sire Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift). A sister to that latter luminary produced this year’s standout Australian 3-year-old The Autumn Sun (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}). O-M J & L A Taylor. B-Elysian Bloodstock Ltd. T-John Gosden. DARK VISION (IRE) (Dream Ahead-Black Dahlia {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) A €15,000 Goffs November foal on his first trip through a sales ring, Dark Vision was plucked out of the Ballylinch Stud consignment by Mark Johnston for 15,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 2. He made his first three starts-all winning ones-for Johnston’s Kingsley Park and was bought privately by Godolphin after winning the G2 Vintage S. O-Godolphin. B-SF Bloodstock. T-Mark Johnston. EMARAATY ANA (GB) (Shamardal-Spirit of Dubai {Ire}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) The G2 Gimcrack S. winner Emaraaty Ana was, like Al Hilalee, bred by Rabbah, and he is raced by Sheikh Mohammed’s cousin, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. Emaraaty Ana is the second and thus far the most accomplished foal out of the British listed winner Spirit of Dubai, whose as-yet unraced 2-year-old is a New Approach (Ire) filly named Arabian Maiden (GB). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited. T-Kevin Ryan. GREAT SCOT (GB) (Requinto {Ire}-La Rosiere, by Mr. Greeley) Great Scot failed to find a new home when led out unsold at £2,500 from the Kinsale Stud consignment at the Ascot November mixed sale as a yearling. He has already punched way above his weight, then, with a listed win last year at two. He was beaten just 1 1/4 lengths when fifth in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy S., and was three-quarters of a length second in the G3 Greenham S. on Apr. 13. O-Empire State Racing Partnership. B-Clyne, Mound, Thompson. T-Tom Dascombe. KICK ON (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}-Marika {GB}, by Marju {Ire}) Kick On was a good pinhook for Pier House Stud. Peter and Ross Doyle signed for the son of the Listed Cecil Frail S. winner Marika for 80,000gns from Keith Harte’s draft at the Tattersalls December Sale before David Redvers secured him back in that same ring at Book 1 as a yearling for 135,000gns. Marika had also produced two stakes winners by the time Kick On won the Listed Feilden S. at the Craven meeting: the dual French listed winner Sabratah (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and the Australian listed winner Raw Impulse (GB) (Makfi {GB}). O-Qatar Racing Limited. B-Shutford Stud. T-John Gosden. KING OF CHANGE (GB) (Farhh {GB}-Salacia {Ire}, by Echo Of Light {GB}) Yet another in here bred by Rabbah, King Of Change will be a longshot having just broken his maiden in his third try on Apr. 10, but he does have pedigree on his side being a half-brother to Century Dream (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), the winner of two stakes at a mile or slightly further last year including the G3 Diomed S. O-Ali Abdulla Saeed. B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited. T-Richard Hannon. MADHMOON (IRE) (Dawn Approach {Ire}-Aaraas {GB}, by Haafhd {GB}) A homebred for Sheikh Hamdan, Madhmoon is out of another Shadwell homebred in Aaraas, who was four times stakes placed, once at seven furlongs and three times at 10 furlongs. Sheikh Hamdan’s 2016 G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Awtaad (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) is out of a half-sister to Aaraas. O-Hamdan Al Maktoum. B-Shadwell Estate Company. T-Kevin Prendergast. MAGNA GRECIA (IRE) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}-Cabaret {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) Magna Grecia was picked up by connections as a foal at Tattersalls December for 340,000gns. The G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy winner is out of the G3 Silver Flash S. winner Cabaret, who has a 2-year-old filly by Kodiac (GB) and a yearling colt by Siyouni (Fr). O-Smith/Mrs Magnier/Tabor/Flaxman Stables. B-Woodnook Farm. T-A P O’Brien. MOMKIN (IRE) (Bated Breath {GB}-Contradict {GB}, by Raven’s Pass) Roger Charlton sends out this son of one of his former luminaries, Bated Breath, as a homebred for Prince Faisal’s Nawara Stud. His third dam is Prince Faisal’s crown jewel Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), the G1 Prix de Diane winner and dam of Invincible Spirit and Kodiac, and second dam of G1 Gran Criterium winner Nayarra (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and G2 Superlative S. winner Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). O-Prince A A Faisal. B-Nawara Stud Ltd. T-Roger Charlton. NAME THE WIND (GB) (Toronado {Ire}-Trust The Wind {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) Name The Wind, who jumps into stakes class for the first time, was bought by Amanda Skiffington for 58,000gns as a foal from the consignment of co-breeder Hungerford Stud. Offered the following October at Book 1 by Egerton Stud, the bay was purchased by Rabbah for 62,000gns. Name The Wind’s third dam is the G1 1000 Guineas winner Sleepytime (Ire) (Royal Academy). O-Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum. B-Hungerford Park Stud & Al Shaqab Racing. T-James Tates. ROYAL MARINE (IRE) (Raven’s Pass-Inner Secret, by Singspiel {Ire}) A homebred for Godolphin, the G1 Jean Luc Lagardere winner Royal Marine is the latest black-type winner at or around a mile for Inner Secret. She has also produced the G3 Jebel Ali Mile victor Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), as well as the Dubawi (Ire) filly Crystal River (GB), who was a listed winner at nine furlongs in France. O/B-Godolphin. T-Saeed bin Suroor. SET PIECE (GB) (Dansili {GB}-Portodora, by Kingmambo) Set Piece looks to follow in the footsteps of Camelot (GB) as a 2000 Guineas winner out of a Kingmambo mare. He could, like that one, however, be best suited to long trips, with G1 Oaks winner Reams Of Verse (Nureyev) and G1 Coral-Eclipse and G1 Champion S. winner Elmaamul (Diesis {GB}) appearing on the page. It is also the extended family of Juddmonte’s excellent mare Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Portodora’s progeny have indeed excelled thus far from a mile up to 12.5 furlongs. O-K Abdullah. B-Juddmonte Farms. T-Hugo Palmer. SHINE SO BRIGHT (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}-Alla Speranza {GB}, by Sir Percy {GB}) The Listed European Free H. winner Shine So Bright has plenty of experience in the sales ring. He was originally a 57,000gns foal bought by Rathasker Stud from breeder Kirsten Rausing’s St. Simon Stud at Tattersalls December before Rathasker moved him on for €27,000 to Aidan O’Ryan and Nick Bradley at Goffs Orby. Shine So Bright won on debut for Martin McHale & Partner at Nottingham last June, after which he was put in the Goffs London Sale and picked up by Alastair Donald on behalf of King Power Racing for £375,000. O-King Power Racing. B-Miss K Rausing. T-Andrew Balding. SKARDU (GB) (Shamardal-Diala {Ire}, by Iffraaj {GB}) The G3 Craven S. winner Skardu races as a homebred for Sheikh Abdulla Al Khalifa. Click here for an Andrew Caulfield Pedigree Insights on Skardu and his sire, Shamardal. O-Abdulla Al Khalifa. B-Sheikh Abdulla Bin Isa Al-Khalifa. T-William Haggas. SPORTING CHANCE (GB) (Kodiac {GB}-Elpida, by Giant’s Causeway) Picked up by Con Marnane for 41,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Sporting Chance was flipped for £88,000 at last April’s Tattersalls Ireland Ascot Breeze-Up Sale, where he was bought by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. Sporting Chance’s second dam is a half-sister to Poet’s Voice (GB), who excelled over a mile, winning the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. and the G2 Celebration Mile, as well as the G2 Champagne S. over seven furlongs as a 2-year-old. O-Abdulla Al Mansoori. B-Ropsley Bloodstock & St Albans Bloodstock. T-Simon Crisford. TEN SOVEREIGNS (IRE) (No Nay Never-Seeking Solace {GB}, by Exceed and Excel {Aus}) The unbeaten G1 Middle Park S. winner Ten Sovereigns went through the ring during Book 2 at Tattersalls in 2017, and it was Charlie Gordon-Watson’s name on the ticket when he was sold for 200,000gns. His dam, Seeking Solace, raced as a homebred for Godolphin and was picked up by BBA Ireland for 65,000gns at the 2011 Tattersalls July Sale. Ten Sovereigns has already set the bar high for his 2-year-old and yearling full-sisters. O-Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor. B-Camas Park, Lynch Bages & Summerhill. T-A P O’Brien. URBAN ICON (GB) (Cityscape {GB}-Fauran {Ire}, by Shamardal) Breeder Minster Stud parted with Urban Icon at the Tattersalls Ireland Ascot yearling sale, where he was bought by Peter and Ross Doyle for £23,000. Urban Icon’s third dam is also the third dam of the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane winner Avenir Certain (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). O-Michael Pescod. B-Minster Stud. T-Richard Hannon. The post Where Did They Come From? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road to the Kentucky Derby has shown the progeny by Claiborne Farm's son of Danzig are a dual threat on dirt and grass. View the full article

Shadwell Stable's Haikal will miss the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) May 4 at Churchill Downs because of an ill-timed foot abscess. View the full article

Shadwell Stable's Haikal will miss the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) May 4 at Churchill Downs because of an ill-timed foot abscess. View the full article

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Starlight Racing's Cutting Humor enters the Derby off a win in the Sunland Park Derby (G3) March 24. View the full article

LOUISVILLE, KY – If there was ever a pedigree that was going to jump off the page at Frankie Brothers, it was Hip 33 at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, Agent II, the dark bay colt–a son of First Samurai out of the unraced Pulpit mare Pun-brought a final bid of $400,000 from the trainer-turned-bloodstock agent at the two-day auction. You’ve probably correctly guessed by now that this is a story about Cutting Humor (First Samurai), who will carry the colors of Jack and Laurie Wolf’s Starlight Racing in Saturday’s GI Kentucky Derby. The GIII Sunland Park Derby hero is trained by Todd Pletcher. “Of course I would be a little bit drawn to him by First Samurai out of a Pulpit mare as I was fortunate enough to train both of them,” Brothers said of Cutting Humor’s sire and broodmare sire. “We thought he was an exceptional yearling, gave a lot of money for him and he’s really done well. He won a nice prep and booked his ticket for the Derby and those guys are all pretty excited.” Brothers is certainly no stranger to experiencing that excitement for himself leading up to the First Saturday in May. The great Hansel solidified his championship season for Brothers with wins in the final two legs of the Triple Crown after finishing off the board as the 5-2 favorite in the 1989 Kentucky Derby. The aforementioned Pulpit, winner of the 1997 GII Toyota Blue Grass S. and GII Fountain of Youth S., was fourth in the 1997 Run for the Roses for Brothers. “There’s just nothing like Derby week if you’ve got a live one in there,” Brothers said. “Through the years, I was unfortunate that I didn’t win it, but certainly fortunate enough to train some nice horses that had a chance. But since I’ve retired, I’ve got no qualms about that. These guys had the faith in me to try to find some nice horses and it’s very difficult to do. Just like it’s very hard when you’re training to come up with a nice horse. It’s great that we’ve got a nice colt and I hope he runs well.” A former student of the legendary Jack Van Berg, the native of New Orleans tightened the girth on no fewer than 2,359 winners throughout his illustrious training career. Cutting Humor’s sire First Samurai (Giant’s Causeway) captured the GI Hopeful S. and GI Champagne S. at two and added a win via disqualification in the following term’s GII Fountain of Youth S. Other standouts trained by Brothers include: GISWs Arch (Kris S.), Madcap Escapade (Hennessy) and Secret Hello (Private Account). When Brothers announced that he was retiring from training to enter the bloodstock world about 10 years ago, he was approached by Jack Wolf. The two shared a mutual friend, owner Bruce Lunsford, and quickly came to terms. Brothers is married to former jockey Donna Barton Brothers, who now works as a television racing analyst. She joined Starlight as Chief Operating Officer in 2012. “It was just time for me to move on [from training],” said Brothers, who also spends about six weeks over the summer on Keeneland’s yearling inspection team. “Some opportunities came my way with Starlight and we’ve had some luck so far. I enjoy the little time I do with Keeneland inspecting the yearlings, so that keeps me in the game, too. The game has been good to me.” Since taking on the role as Starlight’s bloodstock agent, Brothers has selected: champion 2-year-old colt and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile hero Shanghai Bobby (Harlan’s Holiday) ($105,000 yrl ’11 KEESEP); recent Kentucky Derby starters: GII Fountain of Youth S. winner via disqualification Itsaknockout (Lemon Drop Kid) ($350,000 yrl ’13 FTSAUG) and GII Risen Star S. winner Intense Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday) ($380,000 yrl ’12 KEESEP); the trio of unbeatens: GIII Holy Bull S. winner Algorithms (Bernardini) ($170,000 yrl ’10 KEESEP), GII Adirondack S. heroine Position Limit (Bellamy Road) ($55,000 yrl ’09 FTKJUL) and GII Hutcheson S. winner Thunder Moccasin (A. P. Warrior) ($95,000 yrl ’10 FTKJUL); and MGSW & MGISP Eskenformoney (Eskendereya) ($225,000 yrl ’13 KEESEP). Cutting Humor, a maiden winner at third asking at Gulfstream West last November, was seventh as the 2-1 favorite with a wide trip in the GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn in February. He made amends in his next start, punching his ticket to Louisville with a game neck decision in the Sunland Derby. He will be riden for the first time by Hall of Famer Mike Smith in the Derby. Bred in Kentucky by Dell Hancock and Bernie Sams, the $135,000 KEEJAN short yearling turned $400,000 FTSAUG yearling was pinhooked by Taylor Made’s Bloodstock Investments IV. Cutting Humor’s dam is a half-brother to MGISW sprinter Zensational (Unbridled’s Song) and hails from the same extended female family of MGISW Bolt d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) and MGSW Departing (War Front). Starlight Racing, a minority partner in 2018 Triple Crown hero Justify (Scat Daddy) as well as the Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Audible (Into Mischief), will also be represented as a co-owner in this year’s Derby with Improbable (City Zip). All three were bought into privately as racing prospects. “It seems like Derby day is the longest day in the world when you’re waiting to run,” Brothers said. “You just hope that everything stays the same, the horse stays well and hope that you’re on the upswing when you get there. Derby week is special. We live here in Louisville and it’s a fun couple of mornings.” View the full article

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Starlight Racing's Cutting Humor enters the Derby off a win in the Sunland Park Derby March 24. View the full article