Wandering Eyes

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

Shadwell homebred Haikal (Daaher), winner of the GIII Gotham S. and third-place finisher in the GII Wood Memorial, has been scratched from the GI Kentucky Derby due to an abscess in his left front. He is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. It was also announced early Friday morning that Mike Smith will replace Corey Lanerie aboard Starlight Racing’s GIII Sunland Derby winner Cutting Humor (First Samurai). The Hall of Famer became available after the Wednesday evening defection of morning-line favorite Omaha Beach (War Front). This story will be updated. View the full article

Aidan O’Brien will saddle a team of four after Friday morning’s final declaration stage resulted in fifteen standing their ground for Sunday’s G1 Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Waverley Racing’s G3 Prestige S. victress Antonia de Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was the lone overnight defection from the £500,000 fillies’ Classic. Sunday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 3.35 p.m. QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS S.-G1, £500,000, 3yo, f, 8fT SC PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT 1 7 Angel’s Hideaway (Ire) Dark Angel (Ire) Havlin Gosden 126 2 14 Dandhu (GB) Dandy Man (Ire) Mosse Elsworth 126 3 1 Fairyland (Ire) Kodiac (GB) No rider A O’Brien 126 4 12 Fleeting (Ire) Zoffany (Ire) No rider A O’Brien 126 5 13 Garrel Glen (GB) Mount Nelson (GB) J Egan Tompkins 126 6 4 Hermosa (Ire) Galileo (Ire) No rider A O’Brien 126 7 9 Iconic Choice (GB) Sixties Icon (GB) Kingscote Dascombe 126 8 3 Iridessa (Ire) Ruler of the World (Ire) D O’Brien J O’Brien 126 9 15 Just Wonderful Dansili (GB) No rider A O’Brien 126 10 8 Lady Kaya (Ire) Dandy Man (Ire) Colgan Lavery 126 11 10 Look Around (GB) Kingman (GB) Murphy Balding 126 12 2 Mot Juste Distorted Humor Buick Varian 126 13 6 Qabala Scat Daddy D Egan Varian 126 14 11 Skitter Scatter Scat Daddy Whelan Oxx 126 15 5 Star Terms (GB) Sea the Stars (Ire) J Doyle Hannon 126 View the full article

Six months after a fruitful claim, trainer Danny Gargan's faith in Tax has done nothing but earn interest. View the full article

It’s 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket and the ITV racing team are bringing us four races form flat racing’s HQ. There are some old sprinting favourites to display in the Palace House Stakes, Marcus Tregoning bids to continue his fine run of form in the Spring Lodge and can Aidan land a third Guineas in […] The post 2000 Guineas Day Preview – Can Aidan Add Another Guineas appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article