Wandering Eyes

Simon Kok rides first winner since return from Tasmania View the full article

Big Hearted win despite the rawness View the full article

Positive tactics get Howl back in winning form View the full article

Horses' body weights April 26 View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings April 26 View the full article

Joey Ramsden, Jason Lim, Tim Fitzsimmons to join Kranji training ranks View the full article

Freshman sire Palace Malice was represented by his first winner from his first runner, as Jeff Morris and Constance Wickes' Letsstaypositive defeated a field of six other 2-year-olds April 25 at Keeneland. View the full article

Edited Press Release Bob Ehalt will receive the David F. Woods Award for excellence in journalism and Steve Heuertz the Jerry Frutkoff Preakness Photography Award, sponsored by Nikon, Thursday, May 16 at the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course. Ehalt’s story on the 2018 Preakness, titled ‘Baffert and the Triple Crown: Two out of Three Ain’t Bad? It’s Unprecedented,’ appeared on the site thoroughbredracing.com on May 20, 2018. A two-time recipient of the David F. Woods Award, Ehalt was awarded the Joe Hirsch Memorial Writing Award in 2014 and 2018. He is a native of Queens Village, N.Y., near Belmont Park. “It is truly an honor to be presented with this highly respected award and be included among so many great and talented recipients,” Ehalt said. “I’m thankful to Pimlico and the Maryland Jockey Club for their continued support of this award that honors David F. Woods and recognizes the tremendous efforts of the journalists who cover this historic event.” Heuertz’s photo of Preakness and Triple Crown winner Justify racing in front of Pimlico’s grandstand will be recognized with the Jerry Frutkoff Award for excellence in photography. His photo appeared at The Horse Resource and in Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine. A resident of Chicago, Heuertz frequents Arlington International Racecourse and Hawthorne Race Course and attends the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup. The Alibi Breakfast, which began in the 1930s on the porch of the historic Pimlico Clubhouse, features a gathering of media, owners, trainers, jockeys, horsemen and fans to celebrate the Preakness and gain interesting and humorous race predictions. For tickets to the Alibi Breakfast go to: https://www.preakness.com/alibi-breakfast. View the full article

A new, cushioned riding crop designed by retired Hall of Fame jockey Ramon Dominguez was used during Thursday’s live racing program at Laurel Park to positive reviews from the local jockey’s colony. The Maryland Jockey Club purchased the first batch of 50 crops on behalf of its riders. “So far, everything is good. We’ve had no complaints,” six-time Maryland meet champion Sheldon Russell said. The new crop has a larger, cushioned padding at the end designed to have less impact on horses. Some Laurel riders began experimenting with it during a special Easter Monday program. “It’s a little bit of a different design than we’re used to riding with, but the handle and the flexibility is very similar,” Russell continued. “As long as it’s safer for the horses, we’re all on board. We’re trying to make it safer for the horses and safer for the game. We don’t want any problems. Everything’s good. The horses seem to be running; if anything, they’re running a little bit faster, time-wise. Everything seems to be going smoothly, so onward and upward.” Spring meet-leading rider Trevor McCarthy, Maryland’s two-time overall champion, won Thursday’s eighth race and said, “I really like it. I think it’s great for the horses.” View the full article

The governor of New Mexico abruptly fired the five-member state racing commission by email late on Wednesday and replaced the entire board with a new quintet of regulators on Thursday. Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham’s unexpected clean sweep of the commission was executed against the controversial backdrop of a sixth and final racino license that was supposed to have been awarded last December and was on the agenda for a special meeting this coming Tuesday. According to the Quay County Sun, the politically charged license-awarding process has been held up in the courts for nearly six months because one of the applicants, Hidalgo Downs LLC, claimed late in 2018 “that an independent feasibility study commissioned by the agency was flawed, and it alleged [racing commission chairman Ray] Willis had a conflict of interest with one of the Clovis applicants.” According to the Sun, “the attorney general’s office instructed the commission to not award a license until the legal dispute was resolved. [Then] the other four license applicants objected to [an] announced settlement earlier this month between Hidalgo and the commission, saying they didn’t have any input with the agreement. Judge Carl Butkus refused to approve the settlement until hearing out their complaints.” Media outlets in New Mexico first got wind that some sort of behind-the-scenes political change was in the works early on Apr. 25 when the racing commission sent out a notification that that an Apr. 30 special meeting related to the awarding of the sixth license was canceled “until further notice” and the commission’s executive director, Ismael “Izzy” Trejo, would only cite “fast-moving developments” as the reason. Willis told the Sun on Thursday that “I’ve never been fired before, especially by email. Evidently, the governor and her people have different ideas on how to proceed.” View the full article

Next month marks the 10th anniversary of Old Friends at Cabin Creek. No place is more telling of how racing fans and the general public feel about racehorses. It is like a fan club for horses. Fifteen racing stars are currently living happily ever after at Old Friends, with a combined 624 starts, $8,894,911 earned, and 116 trips to the winner’s circle. “The fact that the horses acquire many new loyal fans and visitors while they are retired here is remarkable,” said Joanne Pepper, owner of the farm and head of Old Friends at Cabin Creek. “The horses are so valued even though they aren’t racing.” These aren’t just any horses. Roaming these paddocks, and expecting treats, are the likes of Commentator, Be Bullish, and Will’s Way. A fan favorite is Zippy Chippy, now 26, who started 100 times and chose never to break his maiden. Every year in January, Cabin Creek holds a birthday party for all of the horses. In 2019, more than 400 people attended. Soup is served and it is all donated by local restaurants. It is a major fundraising event for the horses as well as feel-good event for everyone. The farm gives guided tours in the summer and people are already buying their tour tickets for this coming summer. Tours are mostly led by nine-year volunteer June Shaw who is also the Backstretch Tour Supervisor for NYRA at Saratoga. She volunteers every day at Cabin Creek and is one of 40 unpaid workers who help Pepper with the horse care, meticulous cleaning of the paddocks every day, and fundraising. “This is a wonderful place,” said Shaw. “I used to see Thunder Rumble on the track when I was giving tours and then I got to take care of him here. I love giving tours at Cabin Creek because the visitors are so moved and grateful that the horses have this safe home for life. They are also thrilled to be able to pet and give treats to most of them.” Many new visitors arrive through via the Saratoga Visitors Center as well as by word of mouth. They do no advertising. “Cabin Creek is an attraction for vacationers to the area from all around the world,” said four-year veteran volunteer Dan Milliman. “I’m a racing fan. I came for a tour and stayed on as a volunteer three days a week.” The Peppers joined Old Friends, based in Kentucky, as a satellite, and took in their first retiree, Moon Shadow Gold, 10 years ago. Cabin Creek is named for Bobby Frankel, the late Hall of Fame trainer. In reflecting on success of the endeavor, Pepper didn’t imagine she would have so many visitors and volunteers. “The birthday party and the August party grow every year as does the number of visitors,” said Pepper. “I didn’t imagine it would be so big. It takes a lot of people to manage the fundraising and the tours. We couldn’t do it without the amazing volunteers.” The unique personalities of these formidable athletes are on really display in this environment. Currently, the only stallion on the farm is Will’s Way. Cosmonaut was gelded this year at age 17 for health reasons. Over the years, Pepper has had to say goodbye to Travers winner Thunder Rumble, Crusader Sword and Behrens among others. “I can’t really say that I have had a favorite,” said Pepper. “But my relationship with Thunder Rumble was like no other that I have had with a horse. He was tough when he got here and he taught me a ton. We figured it out and I know he loved me too.” Will’s Way and Thunder Rumble lived in paddocks next to each other and would often race up and down the fence line in what the farm dubbed the Cabin Creek Travers. Then they would rest right next to each other as well. “I feel so blessed that not only am I able to give these horses a happy home but also that I can promise to be there for them to the very end,” said Pepper. “They deserve that. Racing needs to make the promise of aftercare for life–whether through adoption or sanctuary–to every horse and then new fans will come to the sport.” To officially celebrate the 10-year milestone, Old Friends at Cabin Creek is having a cocktail party honoring the legacy of trainer Bobby Frankel at Saratoga National Golf Club on Sunday Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more information and to buy tickets. The tour season opens July 2 and runs through Aug. 31. For more information, call Joanne Pepper at 518-698-2377 or go to https://oldfriendsatcabincreek.com/. Diana Pikulski is the editor of the Thoroughbred Adoption Network. View the full article

After starting the day with the final offerings for Session 1, Bloodstock South Africa’s National Yearling Sale stepped down a notch for Session 2 which will make up the remainder of the sale, which runs through Friday. After an exciting opening session on Wednesday that was highlighted by an R9-million (£484,355/€560,940) record-priced Silvano (Ger) colt two lots from the end of trade, Thursday’s action didn’t cause quite as many sparks but nonetheless there were some notable transactions. The joint top lots of the day came through the ring back-to-back and were both offered by Wilgerbosdrift Stud, which had also sold the record-priced colt 24 hours earlier. The first was a son of South African champion and globetrotting group winner Soft Falling Rain (SAf) (lot 233) who was knocked down to Jehan Malherbe’s Form Bloodstock for R2-million (£107,634/€124,652). The bay is a half-brother to the G1 SA Fillies’ Classic winner Athina (SAf) (Fort Wood). Next through the ring was another son of Silvano (lot 234), and he was scooped up by Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire})’s owner/breeder Bjorn Nielsen for R2-million. The colt is out of a half-sister to globetrotting sprinter Kavanagh (SAf) (Tiger Ridge {SAf}), and it is also the family of sires Mutakddim and Frost Giant, while further down the page the fourth dam is the GI Beldame S. winner Dance Number, dam of the excellent producer Get Lucky. A trio shared the day’s second-highest price of R1.3-million (£69,962/€81,023): lot 202, a son of Querari (Ger) knocked down to Malherbe; lot 212, a Dynasty (SAf) colt picked up by Nick Jonsson; and lot 218, a son of Captain Al (SAf) secured by David Ferraris. Session 1 of the National Yearling Sale saw 185 of 215 through the ring sold for an aggregate of R96,070,000 (£5,170,233/€5,987,650), which was down 3% on last year’s figure despite 14 more yearlings sold. The average, at R519,297 (£27,945/€32,365), was down 11%, while the median dipped 21% to R250,000 (£13,453/€15,581). Statistics for Session 2 of the sale will be published in Saturday’s TDN upon conclusion of the sale. View the full article

D J Stable and Cash Is King LLC’s Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old filly Jaywalk (Cross Traffic), a latest third in the GI Ashland S. at Keeneland Apr. 6, turned in her final prep for next Friday’s GI Kentucky Oaks by working five-eighths of a mile in a smart :59.20 over the Keeneland main track. The move was originally scheduled to take place Friday, but was pushed forward owing to the threat of rain in Central Kentucky. Jaywalk galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.60. “That was exactly what we wanted,” Tyler Servis, son of trainer John Servis, told the Keeneland press office. “She left [the five- furlong marker] like a bear. She left there running. I had her in :11 3/5 for the first eighth. She looked like she wanted to do it. She galloped out really well.” Jaywalk will make the short trip over to Churchill by van Sunday around noon after training at Keeneland that morning. Javier Castellano has the call in the Oaks. View the full article

After announcing that he was cancer-free in August 2017, longtime owner Rick Porter wasted little time reloading his stable at that summer’s yearling sales. At Keeneland September alone, Porter’s Fox Hill Farm purchased 10 yearlings for a total of $3.025 million. And that group doesn’t include this term’s GI Arkansas Derby winner and probable GI Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach (War Front), who was acquired privately from the Eaton Sales consignment at that sale after RNA’ing for $625,000. “[Trainer] Larry [Jones] had told Reiley McDonald, who was consigning the horse for Coolmore, that he thought he was the best-looking physical he had seen in the sale,” Porter said during NTRA’s National Teleconference Thursday. “But he didn’t put him on the short list to show me because he knew I wasn’t a fan of grass horses, particularly, and he was going to bring too much money with that pedigree and those looks. Looking back on it, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he brought a couple million dollars. I don’t know what happened– he had a little tiny vet issue, but my vet didn’t have a problem with it. We called [Dr.] Larry Bramlage and asked him to look at the X-rays. And he said, ‘Rick, don’t let this interfere with you purchasing him.’ I made Reiley an offer and he took it and the rest is history.” On the board in his first three attempts on grass, including a pair of narrow defeats, Omaha Beach broke through at fifth asking in a big way with a nine-length graduation going seven furlongs in the Santa Anita slop. He defeated champion Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) in his first attempt in stakes company in a thrilling renewal of the split-division GII Rebel S., then added the Arkansas Derby in style with a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure. Omaha Beach, a half-brother to champion Take Charge Brandi (Giant’s Causeway), was produced by a daughter of blue hen mare Take Charge Lady (Dehere). “It’s great to have another good horse,” said Porter, who campaigned 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (Saint Liam) as well as the brilliant two-time champion Songbird (Medaglia d’Oro). “It really came at the right time for me. And I’m just very fortunate.” Porter has been represented by five previous Kentucky Derby starters, headed by runner-up finishes via Hard Spun (Danzig) in 2007 and the filly Eight Belles (Unbridled’s Song), who tragically broke down after the wire, the following year. “I’ll never forget it obviously, but I won’t be thinking about it when we run in the Derby,” Porter said of the late two-time graded winner. “It was a fluke. She took a bad step, then another one. I don’t dwell on it, is all.” Post-time favorites are a perfect six-for-six since the ‘Road to the Kentucky Derby’ points series began with the 2013 Run for the Roses. Porter also co-owned Friesan Fire (A.P. Indy), who finished 18th as the 7-2 choice in Mine That Bird (Birdstone)’s Derby in 2009. “I feel very good about Omaha Beach’s chances,” Porter said. “It gets me a little nervous when we’ve got all this hype about him. I was fairly confident when Hard Spun ran in 2007. Friesan Fire went off the favorite and beat one horse… I feel like I have a better chance than I did before, but it’s 20 horses–it’s a tough thing–and there’s a lot of good competition. We’re just hoping for a good trip.” Omaha Beach’s Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella is winless from six previous Derby starters, with his best finish coming with Soul of the Matter in 1994. “It means a lot to me, Mike [Smith] and Dick,” Porter said. “This may be my last shot. I think every owner would like to win the Kentucky Derby.” Porter concluded, “We won a lot of big races. But this would be the icing on the cake.” 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 half-sister to a Derby winner returning. 4.35 Sandown, Novice, £10,000, 3yo, f, 9f 209yT SPARKLE ROLL (FR) (Kingman {GB}) is placed in the race won by Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) in 2008 by John Gosden, so there is some weight of expectation from Kin Hung Kei, Qatar Racing and Laurent Dassault’s half-sister to Wings of Eagles (Fr) (Pour Moi {Ire}). The €750,000 Arqana August graduate was successful on rain-softened ground over a mile at Haydock in September and so has to give seven pounds to the maidens including King Power Racing’s once-raced King Power (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the 2.5million gns Tattersalls October Book 1 sensation who represents Andrew Balding’s in-form stable. View the full article

8th-Keeneland, $59,104, Msw, 4-25, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :52.37, ft. LETSSTAYPOSITIVE (f, 2, Palace Malice–Jazzminegem {SP, $147,243}, by Mineshaft) was the easiest of four-length winners Thursday, giving her freshman sire (by Curlin) his first career winner and her trainer a sweep of the day’s two juvenile maiden events. Bet down to 4-5 favoritism, the chestnut jetted away from the gate and quickly opened up a sizable advantage that never shrunk, leaving runner-up Samurai Cause (First Samurai) well in her wake. Stakes-placed Jazzminegem produced a colt by Shanghai Bobby in 2018 and a filly by Bodemeister this year. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Jeff Morris & Constance Wickes; B-Highclere, Inc. & Springtown Show Stables (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward. View the full article

Officials at Churchill Downs have announced that they have opened three 50/50 charitable gaming raffles for Kentucky Derby week. The raffles will be held Thursday, May 2 (Thurby), Oaks Day Friday, May 3, and on Kentucky Derby day itself, Saturday, May 5. Participants will have the opportunity to win half of each day’s ticket sales. The other half will go towards the Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation to support its charitable industry initiatives, including Thoroughbred aftercare, permanently disabled jockeys and arts and educational opportunities for backside employees. The CDI Foundation will guarantee $50,000 for the Derby day raffle. Tickets may be purchased from now until Thurby, Oaks Day and Derby days, respectively, at www.derbygives.com. Tickets will also be available for all three Derby raffles beginning with the opening night program at Churchill Downs. Tickets are $5 each and are open to individuals 18 and over who are legal residents of the United States. View the full article

A colt from the first crop of Liam’s Map lit up the board late in Thursday’s session of the OBS April Sale when selling for $1.2 million to bloodstock agent Jacob West, acting on behalf of Robert and Lawana Low. The gray colt, who worked a quarter during last week’s under-tack show in :20 4/5, is out of the unraced Amazement (Bernardini) who is a daughter of multiple Grade I winner Wonder Again (Silver Hawk). The colt was consigned by Wavertree Stables and was purchased by Ciaran Dunne for $50,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale. The colt was the second of the four-day sale to bring seven figures. A filly by Quality Road sold for $1 million Wednesday. View the full article

A pair of New York-based hopefuls for next Saturday’s GI Kentucky Derby got in their final major works for the race at Belmont Park Thursday morning. Breezing over the Belmont training track, GII Wood Memorial S. runner-up Tax (Arch) earned the bullet for his four-furlong drill that was timed in :47.80 (1/48) (XBTV video). Breaking off a few lengths behind his company, Tax drew even at the furlong marker and strode out nicely through the line, then was asked for a strong gallop out while receiving a tap of his rider’s turned-down whip entering the turn. “I thought he worked really tremendous,” trainer Danny Gargan told the NYRA notes team following the work. “We put a target in front of him because he likes to run at something and 47 and change is fast today. I worked a few horses earlier today and no one worked that fast. The gallop out was impressive and he’s training really well. Obviously, he’s bred to go longer, and we train our horses to gallop out big. When you’re going a mile and a quarter you want to have a fit horse.” Tax ships to Churchill this Sunday. Also breezing towards the Run for the Roses was Shadwell Stable’s Wood Memorial third Haikal (Daaher), who covered five furlongs over the Belmont main track in 1:01.21 (XBTV video). Working in the company of his unraced stablemate Taamer (Distorted Humor), Haikal broke off eagerly, then was taken well in hand for the run around the sweeping turn. He swapped leads on cue in upper stretch while still under stout restraint and was doing his best work through the wire. Though he was not asked, he also galloped out with good energy. Though Haikal worked a bullet half-mile in :47.59 Apr. 19, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was happier with this week’s more measured move. “I loved what I saw this morning. He kept going out and finished strong. It was an excellent work,” said McLaughlin. “He went a little fast last week, but it was probably the track. This week was really nice. The way he galloped out and the way he worked he looked really good. In hand. I really like this work better this week.” Haikal vans to Louisville Sunday, with an expected early Monday morning arrival. View the full article

Nobody, not even Aidan O’Brien, expected to see something exciting emerge from Tipperary’s “Fundraising Events At Tipperary Races Maiden” on Thursday evening, with the extended 12-furlong contest full of potential recruits to the jumping brigades. Step forward Ballydoyle’s newcomer Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who at 14-1 was clearly not regarded ready to create a stir but who ended up providing Seamie Heffernan with a cruise round this picturesque circuit. Descended from the great Urban Sea (Miswaki), the bay will have to do a lot more than this to make a mark in elite company–the winning time was unexceptional to say the least–but the manner of the performance earned a TDN Rising Star tag with the promise of the Derby trials to come. Tanking through the early stages on the inner racing close to the pace, Sir Dragonet loomed on the front end approaching the furlong pole with Heffernan virtually motionless and drew away without anything other than hand riding to score emphatically by three lengths from Zarafshan (Ire) (Shamardal). Aidan O’Brien told Irish Racing.com, “He has been there a while, but has obviously been sleeping and that can happen sometimes. That’s why we get them out just in case that is the way, but it’s nice to find him. A horse with a pedigree like that could be anything. He is in the [G2] King Edward Stakes in Ascot and we’ll see where we go.” The winner is the first foal out of Sparrow (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who was third in the six-furlong G3 Ballyogan S. as a 3-year-old and who is a half to the Listed Cheshire Oaks scorer and G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Wonder of Wonders (Kingmambo). Having by coincidence broken her maiden here at the same time of year over nearly the same trip, the latter was also third in the G1 Irish and Yorkshire Oaks and is now the dam of the stable’s promising 3-year-old Antilles (War Front). Wonder of Wonders’ dam All Too Beautiful (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), who holds the distinction of being a full-sister to Galileo (Ire) and a half to Sea the Stars (Ire), was also second in the Oaks so this colt has a true Epsom pedigree, particularly given that last year’s blue riband hero Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) also features. Her unraced half-sister All For Glory (Giant’s Causeway) was also responsible for Alluringly (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) who was third behind Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the Oaks. Others by Camelot in this incredible dynasty include last year’s GI Belmont Oaks Invitational winner Athena (Ire) and the stable’s 3-year-old TDN Rising Star Goddess. Sparrow’s 2-year-old colt is by Australia (GB), while she also has a yearling full-brother to the winner. 7th-Tipperary, €12,000, Mdn, 4-25, 3yo, 12f 100yT, 2:55.89, y/s. SIR DRAGONET (IRE), c, 3, by Camelot (GB) 1st Dam: Sparrow (Ire) (GSP-Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB) 2nd Dam: All Too Beautiful (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells 3rd Dam: Urban Sea, by Miswaki Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $8,244.Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale, Wynatt & Chelston (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. View the full article

Kimari (f, 2, Munnings-Cozze Up Lady, by Cozzene) put on a show at Keeneland Thursday afternoon, becoming the latest ‘TDN Rising Star’ for the loaded Wesley Ward barn. Favored at 1-5 while taking on the boys here, she wasn’t exactly away to the sharpest of beginnings, but quickly rushed up on the outside to speed off through an opening quarter in :22.33. In hand at the top of the stretch, a couple of taps of the whip on her right shoulder and a quick shake of the reins by John Velazquez was all it took, as she drew off in jaw-dropping fashion to win by 15 lengths. Kimari stopped the clock for 4 1/2 furlongs in :51.02, while clocking her final quarter in :23 flat. Halfmoon Reef (Half Ours) was second. Kimari is the sixth 2-year-old winner for Ward at the current Keeneland Spring Meet and his fourth ‘Rising Star.’ Fellow juveniles Lady Pauline (Munnings), Nayibeth (Carpe Diem) and Anna’s Fast (Fast Anna) also received the nod. Sales history: $152,000 yrl ’18 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Ten Broeck Farm Inc; B-China Horse Club International Limited (Ky); T-Wesley Ward View the full article

The Gatsas Family, who have been invested in the Thoroughbred game for decades, are thrilled with their first Kentucky Derby starter, Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}). But as electrifying as this multiple graded stakes-winning youngster is, it’s their old warrior Gander who tugs hardest on the heartstrings. “He hasn’t run in a long time, but my brother and I have always taken care of Gander and we always will,” said Mike Gatsas of Gatsas Stables, who with brother Ted Gatsas operated Gatsas Thoroughbreds. “It’s a real emotional bond with us and Gander.” The New York-bred son of Cormorant, now age 23 and two decades older than the R.A. Hill Stables co-owned Vekoma, was an iron horse on the track. In a career spanning seven seasons from 1998-2004 he made 60 starts, ran in 40 stakes races, and earned $1,824,011 with a record of 15-10-9. Along the way he won the GII Meadowlands Cup and took on the handicap division’s best with on-the-board finishes in the 2000 GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, the 2001 GI Whitney H. and 2002 GI Woodward S. and with appearances in the 2000 and 2002 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. Gander, both the 2000 New York and New England Horse of the Year, had his career cut short August 31, 2004 at Saratoga when he fractured a cannon bone in a workout. The Gatsas Brothers never hesitated or spared a dime when it came to life-saving surgery, nor to securing his cushy retirement, first at the late Peter Fuller’s Runnymede Farm in New Hampshire and now at Stonebridge Farm in Gansevoort, New York. “When he got hurt, he got the very best care possible. It was the same when his infected eye had to be removed (in 2012),” said Mike Gatsas. “My brother and I have never forgotten him. He’s always been close to us and is in our hearts, that’s for sure. He’s like us. He’s a lunch bucket type of horse. When he ran he always showed up. He showed up for work every day. It was a blessing to have him and to watch him run. It was so cool.” It was also beginner’s luck in the way Gander came to carry the Gatsas Thoroughbreds colors. Purchased by Ted Gatsas, who was the mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, from 2010-2018 and now serves on the state’s five-member Executive Council, for $50,000 at the 1998 OBS March Sale, Gander was the start of something big. “He and Shadow Caster (Future Storm) were the first horses we got,” Mike Gatsas said. “We bought five horses that year with (the late New England Hall of Fame trainer) Charlie Assimakopolous, and two out of the five won Grade IIs. Shadow Caster won the Forego (when it was it was a Grade II) and ran in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2000. Those were our first two graded stakes winners and the way it worked out got us to stay in the game. Thank God it did.” Gander, Shadow Caster and other stablemates were so dominant in New England that Assimakopolous told the brothers the time had come take their horses to New York, and that’s where they connected with trainer John Terranova. At the time, the young conditioner quadrupled his stable when the 15 Gatsas runners walked into the barn. But Gander was always a favorite. The handsome gray gelding has always been quite the ladies’ man, too. “When he was with John, he had a girlfriend named Heather’s Promise and I got very friendly with her owner, Al Frassetto,” Mike Gatsas said. “When we were going to the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs in 2000 John said, ‘What are we going to do? He’ll go crazy if he doesn’t have Heather’s Promise nearby,’ so I asked Al if I could take her with us, and he said absolutely. We shipped her with Gander. Like I said, there was nothing ever spared on him. Whatever he wanted, he got.” While retired at Runnymede, his lady love was Fuller’s homebred Mom’s Command, the 1985 Triple Tiara winner, 3-Year-Old Filly Champion and Hall of Famer, until she died from old age in 2007. Matt Gatsas, Mike’s son and a major force in the operation, said Gander now has a new girlfriend at Stonebridge Farm. There, he charms everybody. “He’s just a nice, nice animal to be around,” said Mike Gatsas, who won the 2009 GI Darley Alcibiades S. with Negligee (Northern Afleet) under the family’s Sovereign Stables syndicate. “Whenever we’re in Saratoga, I go over to the farm to see him. My brother takes a trip up and we all go. Matt and my daughter, Amanda, bring their kids to visit and they all love him, too. The farm sends pictures at Christmas time with different blankets on him and ornaments on the fence around his stall. He gets turned out and still runs around. It’s cool to watch him enjoy himself. Whatever Gander needs, he gets. That is the standing order there. Whenever somebody new comes to work at the farm that’s what they’re told. Whatever that horse wants, that horse gets. No exception.” Mike Gatsas, who owns a national payroll company and lives in New Hampshire, has been at in Florida for every one of the George Weaver-trained Vekoma’s works this year and was eagerly anticipating Friday’s breeze under Kentucky Derby partner Javier Castellano at Palm Beach Downs. “Vekoma is Vekoma is Vekoma, but Gander has always touched our hearts and is very special. Vekoma is starting to get there, though,” he said with a laugh. View the full article

A pair of New York-based Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contenders breezed April 25 at Belmont Park, where Haikal completed five furlongs in 1:01.21 and Tax worked a half-mile on the training track in :47 4/5. View the full article

When La Force returns for her 5-year-old debut April 27 in the $200,000 Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park, the older and hopefully more resolute German-bred mare will try to break free from the runner-up blues that have shadowed her. View the full article

A pair of New York-based Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contenders breezed April 25 at Belmont Park, where Haikal completed five furlongs in 1:01.21 while Tax worked a bullet half-mile on the training track in :47 4/5. View the full article