Wandering Eyes

A race restricted to the progeny of a single farm's stallions is ineligible for black type, according to international standards. Without black-type status, Spendthrift Farm owner B. Wayne Hughes said the race cannot grow. View the full article

With his first career graded stakes win under his belt, Vision Perfect aims to continue to build on his late-blooming form when the 6-year-old horse faces eight challengers in the $300,000 Turf Monster Stakes (G3T) at Parx Racing Sept. 3. View the full article

Summer racing goes out with a bang the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, with stakes-packed programs at tracks across the nation. 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. Today’s Observations features a pair of pricey Ballydoyle yearling buys 1.10 Curragh, Mdn, €17,500, 2yo, c/g, 8fT JAPAN (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was a 1.3-million gns TATOCT graduate whose 3.6-million gns full-brother Sir Isaac Newton (GB) captured the G3 International S. for the same Ballydoyle stable. Also a full-brother to the G2 Middleton S. winner and G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture (GB) out of a half to the Arc hero Sagamix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}), the February-foaled bay should be too raw to score on a tough debut against his twice-raced stable companion Sydney Opera House (GB) (Australia {GB}), a 525,000gns TATOCT half-brother to reigning G1 Melbourne Cup titleholder Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}). Also here is His Highness The Aga Khan’s Dermot Weld-trained newcomer Tinandali (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a son of the G3 Denny Cordell & Lanwades Stud Fillies S. winner Timarwa (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}) whose dam was the 1996 G1 Irish Champion S. heroine Timarida (Ire) (Kalaglow {GB}). View the full article

Sombeyay will aim to put a salve of sorts on Todd Pletcher's Saratoga meet when he starts from the inside post in a field of eight for the $350,000 Hopeful Stakes (G1) going seven furlongs Sept. 3. View the full article

The Spendthrift Stallions Stakes at Churchill Downs will be discontinued after 2018 due to a refusal by the North American International Cataloguing Standards Committee to give black-type consideration, Spendthrift Farm announced Friday. The $300,000 race for 2-year-olds is set to run for the final time Oct. 28. “I am disappointed that the North American International Cataloguing Standards Committee has told us they will not give black-type consideration to the Spendthrift Stallions Stakes going forward, and that significantly limits the race’s ability to grow,” said Spendthrift owner B. Wayne Hughes. “Because of that unwillingness, we will be discontinuing our support of the race after this year, and, instead, shifting our focus to other ways we can help breeders.” Under its agreement with Churchill, Spendthrift has supplemented the entire purse for the Spendthrift Stallions S. Unlike traditional races, half the purse money gets distributed to the breeders of the top four finishers in the seven-furlong dirt race. “When we created this race in partnership with Churchill in 2016, we believe we made a significant commitment in earnest to something that would help breeders and be a positive thing for our industry,” said Hughes. “We held high expectations for what it could develop into. Our sport got to see a new race that showcased quality 2-year-olds, many of which have proven to be accomplished stakes horses including some Graded winners. Field sizes averaged double digits. It gave the breeding community a rare chance to earn purse money from a race. So, we felt it was a race everyone could benefit from: breeders, owners, horse players, Spendthrift, Churchill Downs, and, in turn, the industry.” View the full article

With the 1 1/16-mile Yellow Ribbon already secured Aug. 4, Cambodia will try to complete another double-stakes summer Sept. 1 in the $200,000 John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) at 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar. View the full article

In August owner Barry Schwartz picked up his first Saratoga Race Course grade 1 win when Voodoo Song scored a front-running victory in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1T). View the full article

BADEN-BADEN, Germany—Leading honours at the BBAG Yearling Sale were split between a Sea The Stars (Ire) filly and a Siyouni (Fr) colt from two of Germany’s leading stud farms, each of whom sold for €280,000 and will be trained in England. Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock is a regular visitor to BBAG’s main auction and made his presence felt relatively early when winning the bidding battle for Lot 76, Gestut Etzean’s Sea The Stars daughter of the former German champion juvenile and G2 Diana Trial winner Monami (Ger) (Sholokhov {Ire}). “She’s a lovely filly out of a champion 2-year-old here in Germany and I just fell in love with her. She’s by a stallion that Richard Brown and I absolutely love and we’re delighted to have bought her,” said Goff, who couldn’t name the filly’s new owner. “I love coming to this sale, the team here does a really good job. I first came back in 2001 with Paul Webber, Angus Gold and Jack Ramsden at the instigation of Paul Webber. One of the first yearlings we bought was Formal Decree (Ger) who went on to win the Cambridgeshire.” The filly will be trained in Newmarket, which is also home to her half-brother Matchmaking (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), bought at this same sale two years ago for €70,000 by Jeremy Brummitt and the winner of four races in a month this summer for Sir Mark Prescott. Two of the three most expensive horses of the sale will be running in the Godolphin blue, including the co-topper (Lot 200), a strapping son of Siyouni named Winwood (Ger) and bred by Gregor and Julia Baum of Gestut Brummerhof. The colt’s dam Waldtraut (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a listed winner at three and placed in the G1 Preis der Diana, has become something of a darling of the ring at BBAG. Three years ago her son Woodkid (Ger) (New Approach {Ire}) was the second top lot of the sale at €380,000, followed 12 months later by Woodmax (Ger) (Maxios {GB}), who fetched €240,000. Both dual winners, they ended up in training in Chantilly, with Alain de Royer Dupre and Nicolas Clement respectively. A grand-daughter of dual German champion racemare Wurftaube (Ger), Waldtraut’s family has been further embellished with top-level black type this season via her relations Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Waldlied (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). Bidding on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed’s operation was Matt Coleman of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. He explained, “Anthony [Stroud] and David [Loder] were here yesterday and they loved him.” Coleman also went to €205,000 in pursuit of Lot 80, the sole yearling by Darley’s first-season sire Golden Horn (GB) in the catalogue. The colt was sold by Ronald Rauscher on behalf of his breeder Dr Christoph Berglar, whose G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. winner Novellist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) is a half-brother to the colt’s dam Ninfea (Ger) (Selkirk). “He’s a really good-moving colt from a fantastic family. Obviously Selkirk is a great broodmare sire and Godolphin are keen to support Golden Horn,” Coleman said. Figures fall A number of key top-end buyers in recent years at BBAG were either absent or didn’t end up going home with a yearling, while one of the sale’s leading vendors, Gestut Fahrhof had a significantly smaller draft than usual, choosing to offer a number of yearlings through sister farm Newsells Park Stud at Tattersalls in October. These could both be seen as contributory factors to a reduction in figures across the board. The clearance rate, which was as high as 79% two years ago, dropped to 71% in 2017 and took another tumble, to 63% when only 156 of the 247 yearlings offered were sold. This led to a dip of 11.5% in both average (€38,644) and median (€39,000). Turnover for the day stood at €6,028,500, which was 23% down on last year but very close to the 2015 tally when the same number of horses sold. With 13 horses selling for a total of €573,500, Ronald Rauscher was the sale’s leading vendor. Germany’s busiest stallion, Soldier Hollow, had 22 lots pass through the ring, with 17 selling for an average of €60,941. Also noteworthy was the fact that all four yearlings offered by Camelot (GB) were sold at an average price of €74,750. Positive Start For Amaron As well as consigning one of the two joint-top lots, a good day for Gestut Etzean continued with some decent returns for the offspring of the farm’s first-season sire Amaron (GB), an eight-time Group-winning son of Shamardal. His elegant daughter out of the Cadeaux Genereux (GB) mare Rondinay (FR) (Lot 183) was the selection of Ghislain Bozo of Meridian International at €160,000, making her the second-most expensive filly of the sale. It’s a family with plenty to recommend the filly, her dam having already produced nine winners from nine runners, including Germany’s champion 2-year-old filly of 2017, Rock My Love (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), a Group 3 winner in her homeland last year and recently runner-up in the G2 Shadwell Prix de la Nonette following her sale to George Strawbridge and transfer to the stable of Freddy Head. Another half-sister, Rock My Soul (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), is the dam of this season’s G3 Chester Vase winner Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Ger}). “I’m absolutely delighted with the results for Amaron,” said Etzean’s Manager Ralf Kredel as the sale drew to a close. “He was such a tough racehorse and by German standards he was pretty sharp—he was a top-class miler and is one of only two stallions standing in Germany to have won a Group 1 race at less than 2,000 metres. The other is Maxios.” Amaron, who covered 55 mares in his first book at Etzean, is also the sire of Lot 230, another chestnut filly and this one from the same family as the sale-topper, out of Ma Coeur (Fr) (Sholokhov {Ire}), a winning sister to Monami and already the dam of two winners, one of which, Mystic Sunshine (Ger) (Maxios {GB}), was recently listed-placed. The name on the buyers’ sheet was Gestut Winterhauch, which bred Amaron back in 2009. His five yearlings to sell at BBAG returned an average of €58,000 from a covering fee of €4,500. International support Outside a range of more local buyers, the international interest in the sale was provided principally by Australian agent Justin Bahen, acting on behalf of Hong Kong-based Orbis Bloodstock. Bahen, a familiar face at European yearling sales in recent seasons, signed for five colts—by Soldier Hollow (GB), Thewayyouare, Muhtathir (GB), Pastorius (Ger) and Sea The Moon (Ger)—for a total of €365,000, and all five will be heading to Australia. He said, “It’s very hard to secure stayers as horses in training, it’s become so competitive. These horses head into quarantine and then will have plenty of time to acclimatise in Australia. They are all 3-year-old types who should be progressive.” The most expensive of the quintet was Lot 115, Gestut Auenquelle’s Apex (Ger), by the farm’s resident stallion Soldier Hollow. His 3-year-old full-brother Alinaro (Ger) has won twice this year, including BBAG’s auction race in Hamburg over a mile. Bahen bid €120,000 to secure him and went to €61,000 for Lot 126, a colt by Soldier Hollow’s Group 1-winnning son Pastorius (Ger), who recently relocated from Gestut Fahrhof to Haras de la Hetraie in France. The Hong Kong Jockey Club bought just one yearling, Lot 196, the first foal of the listed-placed Tiziana (Ger) (Touch Down {Ger}) by Intello (Ger), for €58,000 from the draft of Ronald Rauscher, while Japan’s Big Red Farm paid €17,000 for a very attractive daughter of Adlerflug (Ger) (Lot 44). The half-sister to G2 Gerling Preis winner All Spirit (Ger) (Platini {Ger}) was consigned by her breeder Gestut Brummerhof. Peter and Ross Doyle have bought a number of horses at BBAG in recent years for the Mayfair Speculators but were in action this time for another longstanding client, Norwegian trainer Wido Neuroth, who will take charge of another Brummerhof graduate. Lot 83, appropriately named Nordic (Ger), is a first-crop son of Glenagles (Ire) out of the listed-winning Diktat (GB) mare Norwegian Pride (Fr), the dam of three black-type winners. Among the domestic buyers, bloodstock agent Rudiger Alles of IVA-Alles was busiest of all, and signed for a number of yearlings on behalf of Albrecht Woeste, Honorary President of the Direktorium, which runs German racing and breeding. Woeste ended his nine-year stint as President in March when he handed over to Michael Vesper. Among his purchases was Lot 192, Gestut Karlshof’s colt by Soldier Hollow out of G1 Premio Lydia Tesio winner Sortilege (Ire) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) for €130,000. He also bought Lot 58, a New Approach colt out of the dual Group 3 winner Djumama (Ire) (Aussie Rules {GB}), bought for €110,000 from the Etzean draft. View the full article

Stalwart of Cheveley Park Stud died from suspected heart attack View the full article

2nd-Curragh, €17,500, Mdn, 8-31, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:39.75, g/y. TRETHIAS (GB) (f, 2, Invincible Spirit {Ire}–Evita {GB}, by Selkirk), who was an eye-catching closer on debut when fourth over seven furlongs at Gowran Park Aug. 15, raced in mid-division early. Moving smoothly into contention passing the three-furlong marker, the 5-2 second favourite was in front soon after and when asked by Colm O’Donoghue galloped out strongly to score by 2 3/4 lengths from Pink Dogwood (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). “We’ve always thought a lot of her and gave her all the time she needed,” explained trainer Jessie Harrington’s daughter Kate. “She’s in the [G1] Moyglare [Stud S. at The Curragh Sept. 16] and that’s where she will go now. She had a lovely run the first day and we let the race bring her along as she’s a little bit hot–a typical Invincible Spirit. Paddy Hayes led her up and he deserves a special mention, as she’s a tricky filly and he’s done an amazing job on her. She wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him and he’s had a lot of patience with her.” The winner is a half-sister to Moohaarib (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), SW-Eng, and the useful John Gosden-trained handicapper Argentello (Ire) (Intello {Ger}). The dam, who also has a yearling filly by Muhaarar (GB), is a daughter of the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Darara (Ire) (Top Ville {Ire}) who was to become the Lloyd-Webbers’ great foundation mare. Her seven black-type performers included five group winners headed by their G1 Yorkshire Oaks, G1 Pretty Polly S. and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic scorer Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) who in turn is the dam of the G3 Musidora S. winner So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), her dual listed-winning full-sister Lah Ti Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Saturday’s G3 Solario S. favourite Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Sales history: 400,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $13,348. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Stonethorn Stud Farms Limited; B-Watership Down Stud (GB); T-Jessica Harrington. View the full article

Sandown’s G3 188bet Solario S. may not be the most valuable race on another frantic Saturday in Europe, but it is one of the most keenly-anticipated as ‘TDN Rising Star’ Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) puts his credentials on the line. Just last year, Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) enhanced his reputation, much as Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) had four years earlier, in the race which served as nursery education for Raven’s Pass in 2007. Like the latter pair of headline acts, Too Darn Hot is in the hands of John Gosden and the son of Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) looked every bit as exciting a prospect as them when opening his account with a seven-length win over a mile here Aug. 9. Standing in his way is Chasemore Farm’s unbeaten Listed Chesham S. winner Arthur Kitt (GB) (Camelot {GB}), who had three juveniles behind him in Duke of Hazzard (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), Beyond Reason (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Natalie’s Joy (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) who have subsequently underlined the worth of the form of the June 23 Royal Ascot contest. “He’s had a bit of a break. Sandown’s stiff finish will suit him, but he’ll need to travel better than he did in the Chesham,” jockey Richard Kingscote commented. “We know what’s in the tank, though, so I’d like to think he can improve. Tom [Dascombe] knows how to get them ready.” Sovereign Rising Again… Another ‘TDN Rising Star’ with a deservedly lofty status is Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) who is out just a week after his seven-length debut tour de force in the G3 John Sisk & Son Round Tower S. at The Curragh. That display over this six-furlong trip marked him as one of the special ones that Ballydoyle is so renowned for and it will be a let-down if he is unable to back it up here. “He seems to be fine. Obviously he only ran last week, but we’re happy with him,” Aidan O’Brien commented. “We’re looking at the Middle Park and we just felt that he needed another run before we went there. That was the reason for running. He hasn’t done much since last week, but he seems to be in good form.” Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited’s acquisition Mia Mento (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) is put to the test by Tom Mullins following her debut success at Leopardstown July 19. “I wasn’t expecting Aidan to run the favourite, to be honest, but six furlongs is right up her alley,” he said. “She’s in great form and she’s gone long enough without a run, so I wanted to get her out. I was also keen to get some experience on The Curragh into her. This race comes at the right time. It means she’s taking on colts, but I’ve been very happy with her at home.” The Curragh card’s G3 Flame of Tara Irish EBF S. is for the staying 2-year-olds, with Jim Bolger turning out Sunday’s G2 Debutante S. runner-up Bandiuc Eile (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}). She meets ‘TDN Rising Star’ Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}), who is upped to a mile after her latest third in the venue’s G3 Anglesey S. over an extended six furlongs July 21. At Chantilly, the G3 Prix d’Arenberg is for the speed merchants, with a trio of British raiders looking to hold a grip on the five-furlong test. Clipper Logistics’ June 23 Listed Windsor Castle S. winner and G3 Molecomb S. third Soldier’s Call (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) is joined by the fillies Second Generation (GB) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and Queen of Bermuda (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), already successful in France in Vichy’s Listed Prix des Reves d’Or July 19 and the Listed Prix de la Vallee d’Auge at Deauville Aug. 15, respectively. Smart Mares With Chances To Shine… ‘TDN Rising Star’ Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}) reverts to a mile for Sandown’s G3 188Bet Atalanta S., having been too keen when third in the G1 Nassau S. over a mile and a quarter at Goodwood last time Aug. 2. Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, said of the 3-year-old, “She probably did a bit too much during the early part of the race at Goodwood. That was the first proper race that she’s ever had. I think she’s come on for the run, Sir Michael’s happy with her.” Interestingly, John Gosden pitches Godolphin’s Laugh Aloud (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) into smart company as she returns from a lay-off having last been seen winning Epsom’s G3 Princess Elizabeth S. in impressive fashion. Back at The Curragh, the 3-year-old and older fillies and mares get the chance to shine in the nine-furlong G3 Snow Fairy Fillies S. where Godolphin’s Mary Tudor (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) is the latest to put the form of the July 21 G1 Irish Oaks under inspection. Her third behind Sea of Class (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in that 12-furlong Classic already looks rock-solid and trainer Willie McCreery is hoping the grey can translate it to this sharper test. “It was pleasing to see Sea of Class win so well last week,” he said. “Mary Tudor seems in great form and this race seemed the perfect one to lead us into Irish Champions Weekend and the [G2] Blandford S. The ground should be lovely. The trip is a little bit short of her best, but she did run well over 10 furlongs at Navan and Naas earlier in the season.” View the full article

Already a Grade I winner on dirt, courtesy of his victory in last year’s GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, Albaugh Family Stables’s Free Drop Billy (Union Rags) will switch to turf for Saturday’s GIII Saranac S. at the Spa, and while the challenge is not insignificant, there are some things to like. Also beaten a neck in last year’s GI Hopeful S., Free Drop Billy managed to be just a fringe player on the Triple Crown trail this season, with a runner-up effort in the GII Holy Bull S. and thirds in the GIII Gotham S. and in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. (by DQ). Well beaten in the GI Kentucky Derby and in the GI Belmont S., the flashy chestnut was a candidate for the GI Secretariat S. for his turf debut, but lands here instead. His pedigree very much says yes. His dam was Grade III-placed on the grass, but more importantly, bred this year’s G1 Dubai Sheema Classic hero Hawkbill (Kitten’s Joy). There is plenty of turf black-type up and down the page, including GI Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Cozzene. And though Union Rags’s progeny could be expected to excel on the dirt, the sire is kin to the dam of the versatile Declaration of War (War Front). The once-beaten Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will try to close a wildly successful summer for owner Peter Brant, who won the GI Diana S. (and GI Beverly D. S.) with Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and last weekend’s GII Ballston Spa S. with Quidura (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The bay colt took the first defeat of his career when runner-up to Up the Ante (Smart Strike) in the July 4 Manila S. at Belmont, but returned to his best form in his latest, coming from what appeared to be a hopeless position to just tough off Maraud (Blame) in the GII Hall of Fame S. over yielding ground Aug. 3. Therapist (Freud) has made light work of state-bred stakes in his two most recent appearances, taking legs of the New York Stallion S. series at Belmont June 24 and here Aug. 6, but he’s got something to prove at the open graded level. View the full article

Even though ‘TDN Rising Star’ Chasing Yesterday (Tapit) has been shipped cross-country for Saturday’s GI Spinaway S., three of the five fillies signed on for the GI Del Mar Debutante have legitimate claims to become marquee horses now and into the near future. Bellafina (Quality Road) gets the nod on experience, even if she is the one of the ‘big three’ to not have broken her maiden first time out. The $800,000 Fasig-Tipton March juvenile ran well, but not well enough, to be second on her July 4 debut at Los Alamitos, but connections never lost confidence, equipped her with blinkers for the Aug. 5 GII Sorrento S. and she obliged with a 4 1/4-length success, with Boujie Girl (Flashback) just nosed out for second. The Kaleem Shah runner tuned up for the Debutante with a bullet (1/62) five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 Aug. 24. Trainer Simon Callaghan and jockey Flavien Prat won last year’s race with ‘TDN Rising Star’ Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon). Brill (Medaglia d’Oro) topped the 2017 Fasig-Tipton July sale on a bid of $1 million from Larry Best’s OXO Equine, and the bay increased her value incrementally with a powerful 1 1/4-length defeat of future Sorrento runner-up Del Mar May (Jimmy Creed) in a five-furlong maiden on opening day July 18, good for the ‘Rising Star‘ designation. The bay was out to breeze the morning after Bellafina and was the morning’s fastest over five-eighths, clocking :59 4/5 to best 49 other workers at the distance. Drayden Van Dyke, on the cusp of his first Southern California riding title, opts to stay here. Joe Talamo replaces Van Dyke atop Mother Mother (Pioneerof the Nile), a $450,000 Keeneland September purchase bred-like American Pharoah-from a Storm Cat-line dam. The dark bay become one of five ‘TDN Rising Stars‘ for Bob Baffert at Del Mar this summer with a towering 6 1/2-length tally July 22. A May foal, she worked six furlongs in a best-of-four 1:12 4/5 Aug. 21 and five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 (5/45) six days later. View the full article

What have Jeffrey Fell, Martin Pedroza and Donnie Meche accomplished that Mike Smith has not? And what can Lou Rondinello and Joe Pierce, Jr. claim to have accomplished that Bob Baffer cannot? Neither Smith nor Baffert, each of whom had a productive Travers weekend, has ever won Saratoga’s GI Spinaway S., but that could very well change in the span of 83 or so second this weekend when the two Hall of Famers team with Summer Wind Equine’s aptly named Chasing Yesterday (Tapit). The Spinaway is a ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The chestnut’s pedigree requires little introduction, as she is the half-sister to one Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) and–in fact–has already outdone her illustrious sibling by breaking her maiden at first asking. Sent off at 30 cents on the dollar, the chestnut never looked a loser, as she kicked away to graduate by 4 1/4 lengths en route to becoming a no-brainer ‘TDN Rising Star.’ But the Spinaway will be anything other than a walkover for Chasing Yesterday, her regal bloodlines notwithstanding. John Oxley and Mark Casse teamed to win the 2015 renewal with Pretty City Dancer (Tapit)-who dead-heated with Sweet Loretta (Tapit)-and the owner/trainer duo look dangerous here in the form of Catherinethegreat. A daughter of the former Oxley/Casse galloper Uncaptured, the $170,000 OBS October yearling got her career going in Florida, parlaying a 10 1/4-length romp through the Gulfstream slop June 23 into a 4 1/4-length defeat of favored Nonna Madeline (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GIII Schuylerville S. on opening day July 20. The latter is conditioned by Todd Pletcher, who has won a record six Spinaways, and whol will also saddle late-on-the-scene GII Adirondack S. runner-up Virginia Eloise (Curlin) and that heat’s third-place finisher Guacamole (Flat Out). ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Restless Rider (Distorted Humor) is undefeated in two tries to date, having won her maiden first time out at Churchill June 8 before overcoming a severe check to add the June 30 Debutante S. by a whopping 11 1/4 lengths in her most recent racetrack appearance. Sippican Harbor (Orb), an even fourth in a two-turn turf maiden July 22, took her chance in a rained-off event going seven panels Aug. 12 and decimated her rivals by some 17 lengths. She’ll need an effort as good and probably better than that one to be a factor here. View the full article

In the last decade alone, the GI Woodward S. has been won by the likes of Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d’Oro), Havre de Grace (Saint Liam), Quality Road (Elusive Quality), Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song) and Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}). To be sure, this year’s renewal features anything nearly of that class, but a full field will load the gate for the nine-furlong heat that will be a good test for handicappers. A solid case can be built for many of Saturday’s entrants, and though he has obvious questions to answer, ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) certainly is not without his chances. A paternal grandson of dual Classic winner Sunday Silence and out of the 2011 GI Ballerina S. romper Hilda’s Passion (Canadian Frontier), Yoshida cost ¥94 million (about $765,000) as a yearling and won the valuable GIII Hill Prince S. to close out his sophomore season. Relishing the very easy underfoot conditions in the GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic in May, he defeated fellow ‘Rising Star’ Beach Patrol (Lemon Drop Kid) and was a highly creditable fifth in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot in June. He beat just one home when favored in this track’s GI Fourstardave H. Aug. 11, but he’s trained well over the main track at Oklahoma and connections’ Good Samaritan (Harlan’s Holiday) made a successful transition to dirt in the GII Jim Dandy S. a year ago. Gunnevera (Dialed In) has made the most of two previous trips to upstate New York, having upset the 2016 GII Saratoga Special S. at 9-1 ahead of a very strong runner-up effort behind champion West Coast (Flatter) in last year’s GI Travers S. Third in the GI Pegasus World Cup in January, the track was against him when eighth in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March and he prepped for this with a facile allowance tally at Gulfstream Aug. 10. He used a similar race as a springboard to his Travers effort last summer. Seeking the Soul (Perfect Soul {Ire}) pulled a 7-1 surprise in last year’s GI Clark H. at Churchill, but was fifth in the Pegasus and was upset by a head in the Michael Schaefer Memorial S. at Indiana Grand July 14. Discreet Lover (Repent) will get many votes for 2018 blue-collar horse of the year, as the 5-year-old has picked up nice checks when fourth in the GI Met Mile and third in the GII Suburban S. and in the GI Whitney S. A minor award is probably his ceiling here as well, but he’ll be finishing and can grab a share. View the full article

LNJ Foxwoods' homebred Dogtag bested a field of six for a maiden-breaking victory in the $100,000 P.G. Johnson for juvenile fillies on the inner turf at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 30 View the full article

The Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Baden is the feature race on Sunday at Baden-Baden. This Group 1 contest is run over 1 mile 4 furlongs and is open to horses aged three years and upwards. A €250,000 prize fund is one of the largest in Germany each season and always attracts a strong International field, with the added allure of a guaranteed ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf for the winner. There have been some big names on the roll of honour including Lando (1993 & 1994), Tiger Hill (1998 & 1999) and more recently Danedream (2011 & 2012). Iquitos landed the race in 2016 and returns here to emulate some of racings elite mentioned above. Hans-Jürgen Gröschel son of Alderflug has only won at the highest level on one occasion since that victory and was well beaten behind Benbatl in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis when last seen. Roger Varian has had a quiet season by his standards but he’ll be hoping that one of his leading lights Defoe can bring this Group 1 prize back to English soil. The son of Dalakanhi hasn’t been seen since an underwhelming run at the Curragh in May behind Lancaster Bomber. Prior to this, he had won his two other starts this season in Group 2 and Group 3 contests at Newmarket and Newbury. Roger Varian will have his charge back on song in an attempt to land his first Group 1 prize. The other English raider is Saeed Bin Suroor’s Best Solution who has won both his starts on European soil this season. The son of Kodiac ran well in Meydan earlier in the earlier in the year but after a break, he won a Group 2 at Newmarket and then landed the Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Berlin at Hoppegarten. Pat Cosgrave will be hoping his mount can add another Group 1 to his CV and it would seem that Defoe may be the only viable obstacle. Dschingis Secret who won the Group 1 Preis Von Berlin last season and although he was beaten Best Solution last time out, he was hampered in the closing stages and connections will be hoping that with some luck in running he can turn the tables with his rival. The booking of Oisin Murphy on Night Music really catches the eye. The son of Sea The Stars won a Group Two contest in Italy with the Irishman in the plate and he may just sneak a place here. Finally, the remainder of the field is completed by Windstoss, Khan and Rapido. Selection: Defoe The post Sunday Preview – Grosser Preis Von Baden appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

THE Sydney spring carnival heats up with an outstanding card featuring three Group Two races headlined by the Tramway Stakes (1400m). View the full article

GROUP One racing returns to Caulfield with the running of the $1 million Memsie Stakes (1400m). View the full article

A pair of breeches worn at Royal Ascot by champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa and signed by him and other prominent riders will be auctioned off at Sandown Park on Saturday with proceeds going to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. The NSPCC is the leading children’s charity dedicated to preventing abuse and neglect and helping those that have suffered it make a full recovery. Other lots donated to raise funds for the NSPCC include a visit to leading trainer Harry Fry’s Dorset stables, a meet and greet with UK Champion Jump jockey Richard Johnson at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival and a luxury holiday for eight on the Costa Del Sol. To view all lots and bid, click here. Bethan Sweeting, fundraiser from the NSPCC, said, “It’s great to be running an auction at the Sandown Family Fun Day with so many fantastic prizes on offer. All of the money raised on Saturday will be used to help us in our fight for every childhood. We would like to thank everyone who donated lots to the auction, and to say a special thank you to Silvestre de Sousa for his one of a kind gift.” View the full article

Group 1 sire Medicean (GB) (Machiavellian-Mystic Goddess, by Storm Bird) has died suddenly at Cheveley Park Stud at age 21 from a suspected heart attack. Racing as a homebred for Cheveley Park with trainer Sir Michael Stoute, Medicean made his debut in April of his 3-year-old year and picked up two wins from three starts at conditions level before finishing third behind Giant’s Causeway in Royal Ascot’s G1 St James’s Palace S. After again finishing third behind that rival in the G1 Sussex S., Medicean picked up a win in the G2 Celebration Mile but his best exploits would come the following year at four. Making four starts, all under Kieren Fallon, Medicean won the G1 Lockinge S., G2 Queen Anne S. and G1 Eclipse S. and was third in the G1 Juddmonte International. Medicean entered stud at his birthplace in 2002 at £15,000 and enjoyed immediate success with his progeny, his first crop including the G1 Fillies’ Mile and G1 Coronation S. winner Nannina (GB), and his second crop the G1 Middle Park S. and G1 Prix Morny winner Dutch Art (GB), who would later stand alongside him at Cheveley Park. Medicean’s other Group 1 winners are Siyouma (Fr), Bayrir (Fr), Neatico (Ger), Capponi (Ire), Al Shemali (GB) and Almerita (Ger). Medicean’s line has opportunity to continue through the likes of Garswood (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), who also stands at Cheveley Park, and Slade Power (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}) at Kildangan Stud. Cheveley Park Stud Managing Director Chris Richardson said, “From the day he was born, Medicean was the most wonderfully kind horse, with a spectacular walk. His win in the Eclipse was a highlight for owner breeders, Mr and Mrs Thompson, being one of their favourite races. His progeny have excelled at the highest level and I am sure his legacy will be influential for years to come.” View the full article

Since his U.S. debut, River Boyne has been untouchable going two turns on the turf in Southern California and will look to take the next step Sept. 2 in the $250,000 Del Mar Derby (G2T). View the full article

The ITV racing team is bringing viewers action from Sandown, Chester and Beverley this weekend. There are two Group Three’s to look forward to at Sandown in the form of the Solario and Atalanta Stakes. The Group 3 Solario Stakes is the feature race for two-year-olds on Saturday and it has an illustrious roll of honour with the likes of Oh So Sharp (1984), Redback (2001) and Kingman (2013). The “hot” favourite for this year’s renewal is the John Gosden trained Too Darn Hot. The supremely bred son of Dubawi is out of the high-class Dar Re Mi and made a very impressive debut when winning a Sandown maiden event by seven lengths. It will take another step up in form if he is to win here but with breeding, form and potential all in his favour, a huge run can be expected. Another member of the unbeaten brigade is Tom Dascombe’s Arthur Kitt but unlike Too Darn Hot, he has run twice and has already won the Chesham at Royal Ascot. This form is undoubtedly the best on offer and it’s up to all the others to improve past the standard setter. One of the more raced animals in the field is Alan King’s Dunkerron who finished second in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood when last seen, seems to be improving with each run and may just give the favourite the most to think about. The other horse to note is Richard Hannon’s Watan who makes a quick reappearance having finished runner-up in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last week. Selection: Arthur Kitt The Group 3 Atalanta Stakes is the other graded contest at Sandown and is exclusively for fillies and mares. Sir Michael Stoute is the winning most trainer in the race with five victories Dabaweyaa (1988), Hyabella (1991), Wasseema (2006), Strawberrydaiquiri (2009), Dank (2012). He’ll be represented by Veracious this year and the lightly raced three-year-old will have the assistance of Ryan Moore in the saddle and holds leading claims. Only six horses go to post in this but all hold claims with three of them winning their last two starts. Laugh Aloud is one of the more interesting runners all weekend as the classy daughter of Dubawi has her first run in 455 days. John Gosden’s inmate was an impressive winner of a Group 3 event at Epsom when last seen and it’ll be intriguing to see how she fares. Another filly making her belated seasonal debut is Winter Lightning who has only graced the racecourse on four occasions, with three of these being in Meydan earlier this year. Saeed Bin Suroor’s charge looked very smart when landing a listed race but then flopped in a Group 3, so she’ll be looking to get her career on track here under Oisin Murphy. Selection: Laugh Aloud Duretto (Nearside)The Listed Chester Stakes is run over one mile six and a half furlongs and looks to be a match between Duretto and Here And Now. Both of whom have some smart form in the book. Duretto was the winner of a Group 3 two seasons ago at Newbury and added a Listed race over the course last season which put him right in the mix. Andrew Balding’s charge ran a huge race as a 25/1 outsider to finish third in the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket. This course regular is seeking his first win of the season and is the one to beat. Ralph Beckett’s Here And Now was a runaway winner of a competitive two-mile handicap at York last week and looks to strike while the iron is hot in this listed event. The son of Dansili seemed to appreciate the step up in trip at York, so this slight shorter event must be a worry. However, he is obviously in rude health and will make Duretto work. The remainder of the field is made up of Hochfeld, Top Tug, Dance The Dream and Cosmelli. Selection: Duretto The Beverley Bullet is the flagship race at the Yorkshire track each year and has been won by some very speedy sorts since its inception in 2004. None more so than recent Nunthorpe winner Alpha Delphini who won the race in 2016. David Griffiths evergreen Take Cover won the race last year under Tom Queally and showed that he retained plenty of ability on his last two starts when finishing second in the Group 2 King George Stakes behind Battaash and a sixth-place finish behind Alpha Delphini in the Nunthorpe. Elnadim Star is eight years younger than Take Cover and may be the one to side with here. Kevin Ryan’s rapidly improving three-year-old won a listed race at Ayr in June to make it four wins in six career starts. The filly has already won twice over the course and distance which must give her huge claims of landing the prize. Richard Fahey’s smart Mr Lupton has already landed a listed race this season and has run well in some Group 1 races over the last two seasons. He may not win as often as his ability would suggest but is certain to run well here and will undoubtedly have his followers. Some of the other horses with claims include Final Venture, Mythmaker and Mirza. Selection: Elnadim Star The post Saturday Preview – Is Gosden’s Colt “Too Darn Hot” For Rivals & Will He Have The Last Laugh In The Atalanta Stakes? appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

He started out commentating his brother running laps at their family home and now New Zealander Tom Wood is living out a dream as he settles into life as Hong Kong’s newest racecaller. It’s been a rapid rise for the 28-year-old, who comes to Hong Kong after an 18-month stint in Singapore and cut his teeth on the dog, trotting and racetracks of his homeland. “I thought Singapore was a good stopover for someone from New Zealand but never thought I would get the opportunity to... View the full article