Wandering Eyes

Wayne Davis' Mocito Rojo earned his first graded win April 28 in the $300,000 Steve Sexton Mile (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at Lone Star Park. View the full article

The New Zealand influence was heavily stamped all over the result of the first Group One prize on offer at Sha Tin on Sunday. The John Size-trained Beat The Clock (Hinchinbrook) claimed his second elite level success when he wore down a gallant Rattan (NZ) (Savabeel) in the shadows of the post with a brave Little Giant (NZ) (Swiss Ace) close up in third in the HK$16 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m). B... View the full article

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which has granted nearly $14 million in grants to accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations, will receive the Special Award of Merit at the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico May 16. The award is given to those who have made a positive impact on the racing industry. Previous recipients have included Jim McKay, D. Wayne Lukas, Dr. Dean Richardson and Edgar Prado, Team American Pharoah, and King Leatherbury. “The TAA is honored to accept this award from the Maryland Jockey Club,” said TAA President Mike Meuser. “We are proud of the work that the TAA and our accredited organizations have accomplished in Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic Region, and across North America. The Thoroughbred industry in Maryland has been a leader in aftercare and a big supporter of the TAA and of our accredited organizations from the early days of our organization. We are thankful for their continued support and for their efforts in putting our horses first.” For tickets to the Alibi Breakfast: preakness.com/alibi-breakfast. View the full article

Records aplenty fell as Hong Kong’s current racing sensation and the world’s highest rated active racehorse Beauty Generation literally ambled his way to victory in Sunday's HK$18 million G1 FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin. Jockey Zac Purton barely moved a muscle on the six-year-old superstar who led throughout in an eased down length and a half win which trainer John Moore accurately described as ‘facile’. It was a ninth straight win for this remarkable racehorse and an eighth victory thi... 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. Monday’s Insights features a daughter of an G1 Epsom Oaks heroine. 4.40 Naas, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 6fT SO WONDERFUL (War Front) is one of two Ballydoyle runners engaged in this maiden won in the last two years by Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), so unless there is a dead-heat will mean that the stable’s 100% record with their juveniles ends here. This February-foaled bay is a daughter of the G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Wonder of Wonders (Kingmambo) and a full-sister to the smart 3-year-old stablemate Antilles connected to recent TDN Rising Star Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Joining her is Flower Garland (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), while they face a Juddmonte newcomer of note in the Dermot Weld-trained Peace Charter (GB) (War Front) who is a daughter of the four-time grade I winner Emollient (Empire Maker). 5.15 Naas, Mdn, €12,500, 3yo/up, 6fT TIME TUNNEL (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is a daughter of the G1 Falmouth S. heroine Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar) who debuts for Khalid Abdullah and Dermot Weld over a trip possibly short of her optimum. Despite being by a speed influence, the majority of this family are middle-distance performers including the dam’s half-sister Passage of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}) who took the 10-furlong G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a juvenile. View the full article

Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner By My Standards completed his major work for the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) with a half-mile move in :48 2/5 April 28 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

After coming to the Kentucky Derby 13 years ago with the favorite, trainer Michael Trombetta is back with Win Win Win, who appeared to be under the radar until hooking up with Bill Mott's Derby contenders Tacitus and Country House in his final work. View the full article

The special 7:30-7:45 (all times Eastern) morning training window for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks horses was put to major use Sunday morning with six Derby hopefuls and three Oaks likely starters turning in works during that time frame. View the full article

Golden Gate Fields’ inaugural Gold Rush Weekend proved popular during its opening card Saturday, generating all-sources pari-mutuel handle of $8.1 million. Wagering on Golden Gate races totaled $7.3 million–easily exceeding the $2.7 million which was bet a year ago on San Francisco Mile Day and was also higher than the $2.6 million bet on the corresponding date a year ago this month. Saturday’s on-track handle of $609,478 was up nearly 50% over the $406,653 wagered a year ago. Wagering on the day’s featured GIII San Francisco Mile was $1,063,477. “We are ecstatic with how things went on Saturday,” said Golden Gate Fields Vice President and General Manager David Duggan. “This was a day to celebrate horse racing in California and at Golden Gate Fields. We are extremely appreciative of all the shippers who sent horses here for our Saturday races and the many horsemen also traveling here for the day. A special thanks goes out to all of the horseplayers, fans, horsemen, our equine athletes and the dedicated, hard-working staff here at Golden Gate.” The Stronach Group’s Vice President of Racing P.J. Campo added, “Our goal was to make Gold Rush Weekend a staple on the Golden Gate Fields racing calendar and a day that fans would concentrate on. It was a massive success and with that said, we are obviously extremely pleased with how the inaugural Gold Rush Weekend started on Saturday. The Stronach Group is very excited about Gold Rush Weekend moving forward and we will only look to improve our product.” View the full article

Champagne Anyone, Lady Apple, and Street Band recorded their final works April 28 at Churchill Downs while preparing for the May 3 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). View the full article

Out for a Spin, a 52-1 winner of the April 6 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1), is blossoming right in time for the May 3 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). View the full article

Code of Honor has taken a professional approach to his new surroundings since arriving April 24 at the Louisville, Ky., oval, so it was no surprise to Shug McGaughey when his charge turned in a final pre-race work April 28 that was sharp and deft. View the full article

Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner By My Standards completed his major work for the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with a half-mile move in :48 2/5 April 28 at Churchill Downs. 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 Sandy Hawley. “I’d pick Omaha Beach (War Front). To me, he was really impressive when he won the Arkansas Derby. I can see why Mike Smith picked him. He has a little bit of natural speed and that will help him stay out of trouble, and he has a lot of ability. It’s a wide-open race and that’s what makes it hard when you ask me to pick a horse to ride. There are several nice horse in there and several nice horses coming off of big wins. It’s a great betting race, a great race for the fans to bet. There’s no clear-cut favorite. You can find a 10-1 shot and he might look as good on paper as the 7-2 shot. It’s going to be an exciting race.” View the full article

Code of Honor has taken a professional approach to his new surroundings since arriving April 24 at the Louisville, Ky., oval, so it was no surprise to Shug McGaughey when his charge turned in a final pre-race work April 28 that was sharp and deft. View the full article

Say what you want, think what you want about Frank Stronach, but no one can deny that he loves horse racing and wants to see his tracks and the entire sport prosper. It’s hard to imagine how difficult it must be for him to be cast to the side while his daughter, Belinda, runs what he created, The Stronach Group (TSG). For most of his life, he has been a powerful man and has been in charge. No more. So far, he’s on the losing end of a fight for control of the company and has no say in how it is run. He wanted to be heard, which is why he rented out a conference room at a local hotel and invited the Southern California racing community to hear what was on his mind. His primary idea was that he wanted to place the TSG tracks in a trust, which would guarantee that the tracks could not be bulldozed and the land developed. It’s a very good idea. The problem is, as of now, Stronach has no say whatsoever when it comes to the future of Santa Anita or any of the TSG tracks. That won’t change unless he wins the lawsuit he filed against Belinda seeking to regain control of the company. At 86, time is not on his side as the Stronach vs. Stronach lawsuit is likely to drag on in the Canadian courts for years. Frank strongly implied that Belinda has ulterior motives, one of them being to shut down Santa Anita and to cash in on its immense value as real estate. “Within management, we have forces who do not want to race,” he said. “They want to see the tracks developed. I’m totally against that, and for the past few years, I’ve been outspoken about that.” That was his money quote, and the facts so far seem to prove him to be off base. With all that has happened at Santa Anita since this nightmarish meet began, few could have blamed Belinda if she threw up her hands, said “I want out” and put the for sale sign out in front of the track. With PETA and the media on her back, all the headaches and all the ill will that has been directed her way, why put up with all the aggravation? The easy way out would be to close the track, sell the land to developers and add a large fortune to her bank account. In fact, according to several sources, some prominent owners came to her and offered to purchase the track. She said no. Instead of bailing on Santa Anita, she has dug her heels in and has vowed, not only to keep it open, but to do everything in her power to make it the safest racetrack in America. You might not like her ideas about Lasix, whips, etc., but her trying to curtail the use of both is her way of trying to get the animal activists to calm down and not put together a drive to put an initiative on the ballot to ban racing in the state. So far, it’s working. Better to have racing without Lasix than no racing at all. Her latest move was to hire the respected vet Dr. Dionne Benson, who has been appointed as the Chief Veterinary Officer for The Stronach Group. She doesn’t seem to want to run away from the problems; she wants to fix them. If not, the wrecking ball would have arrived weeks ago. Father and daughter might not like one another, but one thing they apparently share is a love of racing and determination to see that the sport survives well into the future. Surely, Frank knows that about Belinda. The Gangsta Gardener? Sometimes, when it comes to Frank Stronach, all you can do is scratch your head. This Ron Finley (no relation), who goes by the name of the “Gangsta Gardener,” seems like a terrific person. To better poor neighborhoods and better the lives of people who live in them, Finley has started a movement to plant gardens in impoverished areas like South Central Los Angeles. But what, exactly, does that have to do with Frank Stronach, the problems at Santa Anita and his feud with his daughter, Belinda? When Stronach held the public meeting last week to voice his opinions on what is going wrong with Santa Anita and go public with some of his gripes with his daughter, he was joined on the dais by owner William Deburgh and the Gangsta Gardener. Yes, the Gangsta Gardener. Okay, Finley has planted some gardens in neighborhoods near Pimlico, but is that really a qualification for having a seat next to Stronach at a meeting to discuss problems at Santa Anita? And the neighborhood around Santa Anita is hardly a poor area. Once Again, It Was Ladies’ Day at the Hall of Fame When it was announced that Royal Delta was the only horse that would be inducted into the Hall of Fame this August, it should have come as no surprise that she is a she. A modern-era male race horse has not been inducted since Lava Man in 2015, and he was a gelding. No non-gelded horse has been inducted since Curlin in 2014. In the meantime, six females have gone in and the mare Ashado also went in in 2014. This could be nothing more than a coincidence, but there’s also a plausible reason why it’s becoming harder than ever for males to make the Hall of Fame. If a colt has Hall of Fame ability, they likely won’t have had a career that is long enough to convince voters they’ve done enough to merit induction. It’s very rare these days for a male horse to remain in training if they have any kind of pedigree and have won a Grade I race at two or three. It’s a matter of simple economics: they’re going to make more money breeding than racing. As for the last seven mares to make it into the Hall of Fame, Goldikova and Zenyatta raced until they were six; Royal Delta, Heavenly Prize and Xtra Heat raced until they were five; Ashado and Rachel Alexandra made it through their 4-year-old seasons. The next male who retired after his 3-year-old year that will make the Hall of Fame is American Pharoah. Likely, Justify will follow three years later. But that may be what it now takes for a male horse that retires before a 4-year-old season to make the Hall–a Triple Crown victory. There are a couple of other no-brainers among males that will soon be eligible. California Chrome and Gun Runner are certain Hall of Famers and Arrogate is highly likely to make it. But all three kept going for at least a 4-year-old season. Why Not Havre de Grace? That females are dominating when it comes to entry into the Hall of Fame makes it all the more surprising that voters have now turned down Havre de Grace two straight years. In any sport, there are certain milestones that guarantee induction. Unless you are a suspected steroid user, hit .300 and/or have 500 career home runs and you will make it into baseball’s Hall of Fame. One would think that the same should apply to any filly or mare that is named Horse of the Year. Since the Eclipse Awards were initiated in 1971, six fillies have been named Horse of the Year. Five are in the Hall of Fame. Havre de Grace, whose victory over males in the 2011 GI Woodward S. put her over the top in the Horse of the Year race, is the only exception. On this one, the voters whiffed. And Finally… I’d like to introduce a new feature to weeks when I put together the TDN’s Week In Review, “The Worst Named Horse of the Week.” The honor (or is it dishonor?) this week goes to The Creep (Twirling Candy), who was fifth in Saturday’s California Derby at Golden Gate Fields. View the full article

Bill Mott-trained pair Tacitus and Country House were joined by extra rivals during their in-company work April 28 at Churchill Downs, as Win Win Win and a workmate hooked up with the duo. Mott's runners both clocked five furlongs in 1:00. View the full article

In what became the most dramatic work on a busy Sunday for GI Kentucky Derby contenders at Churchill Downs, Bill Mott trainees Tacitus (Tapit) and Country House (Lookin at Lucky) had unexpected company when joined by Mike Trombetta-trained Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}) and workmate Souper Courage (Giant’s Causeway). Win Win Win and Souper Courage spontaneously joined the Mott duo to their outside on the far turn with the quartet running four abreast turning for home. Win Win Win closed to pass the Mott pair, who finished on even terms by design. Tacitus and Country House completed their five-furlong work in 1:00 flat (4/25), working in fractions of :12.20, :24.20, :35.80, :48 and out six furlongs in 1:12.80, seven furlongs in 1:26 and a mile in 1:39.80. “We generally would see something like that happen occasionally when they don’t have a [designated] 15-minute break just for Derby and Oaks horses,” Mott said after the work. “I thought about that [beforehand] because I knew there would be some other workers. You just can’t really anticipate it. My team was ready to break off and they probably didn’t know we were going to work. All the riders did a really good job and I really have to commend all of them. It’s not going to hurt them and they better get used to [traffic], if they’re not already or they’ll get a surprise on Derby Day. It’s pretty crowded out there.” Juddmonte homebred Tacitus is coming off wins in the GII Tampa Bay Derby and GII Wood Memorial. “I thought it went well,” Juddmonte manager Garrett O’Rourke said of the work Sunday morning. “He handled Win Win Win coming up on the outside really professionally. He was under control and got a good blow. That’s all you can ask for, really.” Win Win Win, third in the Tampa Bay Derby and second in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S., completed his four-furlong work in :47.60 (4/76). “I was on the radio with [exercise rider] Mel [Williams on Souper Courage] and told her there was company coming behind her,” Trombetta said. “They started their work at the 5/8ths and that is why they caught up to us so fast. Those things happen, but it is unusual that it happened here with limited traffic. Hey, they jump in and join the party and everybody gets around there OK and everybody is happy.” Jockey Julian Pimentel added, “That was a little different, but it worked out well. He went about his business and he wanted to go get them.” Also working at Churchill Sunday, GII Louisiana Derby winner By My Standards (Goldencents), who has been turning heads in Louisville for the past week, went a half-mile in :48.40 (12/76) with jockey Gabriel Saez in the irons. “Well, that couldn’t have gone any better,” trainer Bret Calhoun said. “It’s just a blessing how well he’s doing entering the Derby. He’s doing everything we’ve asked him to do and just moves so effortlessly around the racetrack. He went in :48.40 this morning, but when Gabe got back to the barn he said he could’ve went around there again. It was like nothing to them.” Owned by Chester Thomas’ Allied Racing Stables, By My Standards worked in fractions of :12.40, :24 and :36.40 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.60, six furlongs in 1:12.80 and seven furlongs in 1:26.60, according to Churchill Downs’ Clocker John Nichols. William S. Farish’s Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) completed his major preparation for next Saturday’s Derby with a four-furlong work in :46.80 (2/76) Sunday. With exercise rider Brian Duggan in the irons, he produced fractions of :11.80, :23.20, :35.20 and galloped out five furlongs in :59.40 and six furlongs in 1:13.20. “I told [Brian] to go in :48, but the track was pretty good this morning,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “I was pleased with the way he handled it and glad I got the kind of track we did today. He had two good works at Keeneland and the last one was on an off track, so we know he can handle an off track and what he was on today is probably what he will see Saturday.” Winner of the GII Fountain of Youth S., Code of Honor is coming off a third-place effort in the Mar. 30 GI Florida Derby. Improbable (City Zip), runner-up in the GII Rebel S. and GI Arkansas Derby, turned in a five-furlong work Sunday in 1:00.60 (9/25). The work caused Elliott Walden, president of co-owner WinStar Farm, to compare the colt to the operation’s 2010 Derby-winning Super Saver (Maria’s Mon). “He’s feeling good and I think [trainer] Bob [Baffert] has him right where he wants him,” Walden said of Improbable, whom WinStar Farm co-owns along with China Horse Club International and Starlight Racing. “He reminds me of Super Saver when he came in here off Arkansas. The three weeks were a good three weeks.” Under jockey Florent Geroux–who is actually set to ride fellow Baffert trainee Roadster (Quality Road) Saturday–Improbable broke off just a couple lengths behind workmate Embolden (The Factor), quickly catching up to that one and moving past his stablemate down the lane as he registered splits of :11.80, :23.60, and :36.40 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13 and seven furlongs in 1:25.60. “I don’t think he was rank. He was just maybe a little bit keen and feeling good,” Geroux said. “He’s very easy [to ride] actually. Down the lane he was responding exactly to what I was asking him to. I could have gone faster if I wanted to. I could have gone a touch slower if I wanted to. He was just very cooperative.” Sunday’s work was Improbable’s second at Churchill Downs. The chestnut colt went four furlongs Apr. 22 in :48.00 (4/80). “He loves this track. I just love the way he kept on galloping out today,” Baffert said. “That’s what we wanted to see. He gets over it well. He’s not really big, but he jumps a long way. Now I can relax. Now we have to wait for the draw. That’s the last of the anxiety, the draw.” One day after arriving from California and joining stablemate Improbable in Churchill Downs’ Barn 33, reigning juvenile male champion Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Grade I winner Roadster went to the Churchill Downs track for the first time in their Kentucky Derby preparations. “They just jogged. They’re not going to do much,” Baffert said of the duo. Baffert added, “All three have different styles. Game Winner he’s like the fullback, Roadster he’s real light and lean, but he gets over the ground well. I’m just happy to be here with three really nice horses.” The draw for Saturday’s Derby will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Aristides Lounge on the second floor of Churchill Downs’ Clubhouse. View the full article

Code of Honor has taken a professional approach to his new surroundings since arriving April 24 at the Louisville oval, so it was no surprise to Shug McGaughey when his charge turned in a final pre-race work April 28 that was equally professional. View the full article

The last of Bob Baffert's three Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contenders turned in his final work April 28 at Churchill Downs, leaving the Hall of Fame trainer with only the post draw to think about. View the full article

Hong Hong's reigning Horse of the Year, Beauty Generation, put on a show in the April 28 Champions Mile (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse, thoroughly dominating a half dozen rivals and potentially earning a confrontation with Japan's star filly Almond Eye. View the full article

Bill Mott-trained pair Tacitus and Country House were joined by extra rivals during their in-company work April 28 at Churchill Downs, as Win Win Win and a workmate hooked up with the duo. Mott's runners both clocked five furlongs in 1:00. View the full article

Profiles of 18 of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) jockeys, compiled by Dan Tordjman for America's Best Racing. View the full article

The last of Bob Baffert's three Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contenders turned in their final work April 28 at Churchill Downs, leaving the Hall of Fame trainer with only the post draw to think about. View the full article

Champagne Anyone, Lady Apple, and Street Band recorded their final works April 28 at Churchill Downs while preparing for the May 3 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). View the full article