Wandering Eyes

With a clean break from the gate and boundless energy, Matthew Schera's Glorious Empire outran the entire field to win the $1 million Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) Aug. 25 at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

GLORIOUS EMPIRE (g, 7, Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}–Humble and Proud {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB}) was given a perfect front-running ride by Julien Leparoux and kicked home hardest of all to pull a 15-1 upset in Saturday’s GI Sword Dancer S. at Saratoga. Friendless in the markets despite his last-out, front-running dead-heat victory in the track’s GII Bowling Green S. July 28, Glorious Empire was ridden for gate speed and had to work fairly hard through a quick opening sectional of :23.16, but the brown gelding came back nicely to Leparoux, who managed to slacken the pace dramatically over the next six furlongs. They Sword Dancer field reached halfway in 1:13.88, with Glorious Empire dictating from Bowling Green dead-heater Channel Maker (English Channel), and that duo raced more or less in lockstep off the home turn. But with plenty left in the tank, Glorious Empire accelerated sharply into the final furlong and a half and shaded 23 seconds for the ultimate quarter-mile to win comfortably in the finish. Channel Maker held the place spot ahead of GI Manhattan S. hero Spring Quality (Quality Road), who lacked a late kick in third. Glorious Empire is the 13th Grade I/Group 1 winner for his successful dual-hemisphere stallion and second in the United States, joining Rich Tapestry (Ire). Holy Roman Emperor has been represented by additional top-level scorers in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Germany and Brazil. Lifetime Record: 23-9-0-3. O-Matthew Schera; B-Patrick Grogan; T-James L Lawrence II. View the full article

Sent off at overlaid odds relative to his achievements, WHITMORE (g, 5, Pleasantly Perfect-Melody’s Spirit, by Scat Daddy) worked out a perfect ground-saving journey beneath Ricardo Santana, Jr., got through a gaping hole off the final corner and outfinished heavily favored City of Light (Quality Road) to register an 8-1 upset in the GI Forego S., earning a berth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint in the process. The chalk was off perhaps a half-step slowly and was consigned therefore to a four-deep trip down the back as Whitmore drafted kindly in behind. City of Light was poised to go, but came very wide into the lane, and Whitmore took full advantage, driving through at the fence, opening a bit of a lead and then holding sway as City of Light made up inches late. Limousine Liberal (Successful Appeal), who defeated Whitmore in the GII Belmont Sprint Championship last month, was a late-on-the-scene third. Whitmore is the third Grade I winner for his sire and the second (first in the US) produced by a daughter of the late Scat Daddy. El Picaro (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky x La Sinverguenza) was recently named champion 2-year-old turf male in Chile. Lifetime Record: 22-11-5-2. O-Robert V LaPenta, Ron Moquett & Head of Plains Partners LLC; B-John Liviakis (KY); T-Ron Moquett. View the full article

Hard-knocking Whitmore surged to the front off the final turn and turned back a challenge by multiple grade 1 winner City of Light in the stretch to earn his first career top-level win in the $600,000 Forego Stakes (G1). View the full article

1.35 Curragh, Debutantes, €17,500, 2yo, 7fT CIRCUS MAXIMUS (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is one of three Ballydoyle bluebloods assembled for this newcomers’ event and the pick of Ryan Moore. Flaxman Stables, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s February-foaled bay is the first foal out of the demoted G1 Matron S. winner Duntle (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). He is joined by Fresno (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a rare runner for the stable in the George Strawbridge silks who is a son of his brilliant multiple Group 1 winner and triple Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), and Susan Magnier’s colour-bearer Globe Theatre (War Front), a son of the 2012 G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Was (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). View the full article

Hall of Famer Mike Smith felt the rail was playing better Aug. 25 at Saratoga Race Course, which made an easy four-wide victory in the $500,000 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes (G1) by Marley's Freedom even more impressive. View the full article

Favored to give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a first victory in the GI Ballerina S. at Saratoga, MARLEY’S FREEDOM (f, 4, Blame–Relaxing Green, by Formal Gold) was content to race out wide, but came to pacesetting Finley’sluckycharm (Twirling Candy) in upper stretch and kicked it into another gear to score by about four lengths. Settled in about fifth, within range, but about four off the inside in the run to the turn, the $35,000 Keeneland September purchase was scrubbed on to take closer order at the five-sixteenths. Spun about four deep into the lane, Marley’s Freedom took her independence from her rivals with a furlong to come and reported home a much-the-best winner. The lightly raced Still There (Union Rags) bobbled at the break, but recovered to race just behind the leaders and was game in second, while the pace-pressing Lewis Bay (Bernardini) picked up her fifth career Grade I placing in third. Marley’s Freedom is the third top-level winner for her Claiborne-based stallion and second this season, joining Santa Margarita S. romper Fault. Lifetime Record: 12-6-2-0. O-Cicero Farms LLC; B-Jack Swain III (KY); T-Bob Baffert. View the full article

Just like their last meeting at Saratoga Race Course, Abel Tasman and Elate dueled to the wire in the stretch in the $700,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) Aug. 25. View the full article

Abel Tasman (f, 4, Quality Road–Vargas Girl, by Deputy Minister) and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Elate (f, 4, Medaglia d’Oro–Cherry, by Distorted Humor) put on a show at Saratoga last summer in the GI CCA Oaks, with the former posting a head success after surviving a claim of foul by Jose Ortiz aboard Elate. It was deja vu all over again in Saturday’s GI Personal Ensign S., but in the end, Abel Tasman-favored at 3-4–got just the better of Elate following an enervating stretch run and survived yet another lengthy debate in the stewards’ room. Content to sit back in fourth early as 55-1 She Takes Heart (Wilburn) threw down fast fractions, Abel Tasman was allowed to roll forward, as is her custom, to take up the running passing the midway stage and a half in :46.62. Still clear on the turn, with Ortiz sitting hard against Elate and waiting to release the brakes, Abel Tasman was in front turning for home, but was tackled in earnest at the three-sixteenths. Racing a few lanes apart into the final eighth of a mile, Abel Tasman appeared to drift out and Elate towards the inside, brushing first before exchanging a bump. Abel Tasman hit the wire about a neck to the good, as Ortiz appealed to the judges two strides past the wire. After a handful of minutes, no change was made and the result allowed to stand. The final time of 1:47.18 took 0.78 seconds off the previous 9-furlong stakes record established by Quick Mischief in 1992. The Personal Ensign was contested over 10 panels from 1995-2011. Lifetime Record: 14-8-4-0. O-China Horse Club International Ltd & Clearsky Farm; B-Clearsky Farms (KY); T-Bob Baffert. View the full article

2nd-SAR, $85k, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, post time: 1:33 p.m. ET Don Alberto’s homebred MADDING CROWD (Giant’s Causeway) makes her first trip to the post for trainer Bill Mott. The filly is out of graded stakes winner My Gi Gi (E Dubai). Chad Brown saddles firster Miss Rombauer (Scat Daddy), who sold for $375,000 after working a furlong in :10 2/5 at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale. She is out of a full-sister to graded stakes winners Winding Way (Malibu Moon) and Kauai Katie (Malibu Moon). Blahnik (Bernardini), a $575,000 OBS March graduate, will look to improve on a lackluster 10th-place effort sprinting over the main track in her July 20 debut. TJCIS PPs 5th-SAR, $85k, 2yo, f, 6f, post time: 3:15 p.m. ET Godolphin homebred ENLIVEN (Ghostzapper), a daughter of multiple Grade I winner It’s Tricky (Mineshaft), debuts for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The filly is a half-sister to GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. and GIII Gotham S. winner Enticed (Medagalia d’Oro). Rodolphe Brisset sends out Magic Cap Stables’ firster Wheedle (Flatter), a $350,000 FTSAUG yearling. TJCIS PPs 4th-DMR, $60k, 2yo, 5 1/2f, post time: 6:30 p.m. ET Michael Lund Petersen’s pair of bullet purchases from the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale debut for trainer Bob Baffert. TALE OF THE UNION (Union Rags) was purchased for $925,000 after working a furlong in a bullet :10 flat, while Mucho Gusto (Mucho Macho Man) was a $625,000 purchase in Timonium after working a quarter in a bullet :21 1/5. Paddy Gallagher saddles first-timer Harmon (Cairo Prince), a $500,000 purchase by agent Jamie McCalmont on behalf of Jon Kelly at OBS March (:10 1/5). He is out of Summer Shade (Stephen Got Even), a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Hot Summer (Malibu Moon). TJCIS PPs View the full article

Promises Fulfilled lived up to his billing in the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes presented by Runhappy (G1) when he took the heat early from Gidu and kept going en route to leading a 1-2 sweep for trainer Dale Romans. View the full article

A market firmer in the closing minutes, Robert Baron’s Promises Fulfilled (c, 3, Shackleford-Marquee Delivery, by Marquetry) took some early heat from Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and despite setting a sharp pace, rebroke at the eighth pole and kicked on gamely to become his Darby Dan-based stallion’s first Grade I winner in Saturday’s GI H. Allen Jerkens S. at Saratoga. After opening at 5-2, the $37,000 Keeneland September yearling was available at 2-1 for a time, but was ultimately bet well under his morning line and was favored at 6-5 at the off. Away without incident from the one hole, the last-out winner of the GIII Amsterdam S. looked to be the chief speed of the Jerkens, but Gidu would not allow Promises Fulfilled a breather as he chased from his saddle towel. Able to dispense of that rival, trying dirt for the first time, Promises Fulfilled cut the half-mile in :44.34, but looked in some danger as Engage (Into Mischief) revved up to his outside into the stretch. Seven Trumpets tried to make a run inside entering the final furlong, but Promises Fulfilled had an extra gear and pulled clear late to take it by 1 1/4 lengths. Seven Trumpets completed the Dale Romans-trained exacta at 32-1, while Firenze Fire (Poseidon’s Adventure) rallied late into third. Denali Stud offers Promises Fulfilled’s yearling Tiznow half-brother as hip 1075 at the upcoming Keeneland September sale. Lifetime Record: 9-5-0-2. O-Robert J Baron; B-David Jacobs (KY); T-Dale Romans. View the full article

There is abundant action across Europe on Sunday, but with eyes to the horizon it is The Curragh’s card which intrigues the most as some budding Classic prospects are tested in the G2 Galileo Irish EBF Futurity S. and G2 Debutante S. In the former prize, Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is widely expected to provide Aidan O’Brien with a 12th renewal and follow in the steps of the likes of Giant’s Causeway, Hawk Wing, Gleneagles (Ire) and Churchill (Ire). Off the mark by eight lengths over a mile at Killarney July 15, the half-brother to the G1 Railway S. winner Bounding (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) went back to this seven-furlong trip to annexe Leopardstown’s G3 Tyros S. by 4 3/4 lengths 11 days later. Joined by the stable’s Aug. 10 Listed Coolmore Caravaggio S. winner Christmas (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and June 17 Cork maiden scorer Mohawk (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), he faces the July 1 course-and-distance maiden one-two Klute (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Guaranteed (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Klute’s trainer Jessica Harrington said, “He’s in good form and the form of his maiden has worked out well. We’ve been happy with him since and we’ll find out where he stands in the pecking order.” In the Debutante, Lady Kaya (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) enjoys the limelight after her emphatic 10-length success in this venue’s Loder Irish EBF Fillies Race at this seven-furlong trip Aug. 12. Trainer Sheila Lavery is ready for the biggest day of her training career. “She’s all set to go. We’re very happy with her,” she commented. “She’s just been cantering away. We haven’t done a whole lot with her since her last run, but she’s in good form. We’ll give it a go. There’s no point waiting for anything easier while she’s in good form.” Aidan O’Brien looks for a 13th edition with a trio of highly promising fillies headed by the authoritative Aug. 11 Cork maiden winner Zagitova (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and this looks one of the strongest renewals for some time. Joseph O’Brien saddles a live contender in the impressive July 17 Killarney maiden winner Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}), while proven pattern-race form is on show via the July 26 G3 Silver Flash S. scorer Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy). Sylvester Kirk may have found an ideal opportunity for stable star Salouen (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) to gain a first black-type success in the G2 Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville, having finished runner-up to Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the June 1 G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom an third in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud a month later. Standing in his way is last year’s winner Tiberian (Fr) (Tiberius Caesar {Fr}) and Godolphin’s Aug. 11 Listed Prix Nureyev winner Loxley (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and trainer Charlie Appleby is looking at continuing his purple patch at this meeting. “He goes into the Sunday’s race in good order and this is a step up again for him,” he said. “He ran well at Newmarket over a mile and five furlongs, so is pretty versatile as regards to distance.” In the G3 Prix de Meautry Barriere, Teruya Yoshida’s Coeur De Beaute (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) brings Classic form into focus having been second in the May 13 G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp while Andre Fabre runs the unexposed Juddmonte blueblood Vanbrugh (First Defence) off a course-and-distance conditions success Aug. 3. Back at The Curragh, Jim Bolger reintroduces last year’s G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S. hero and TDN Rising Star Verbal Dexterity (Ire) (Vocalised) in the G3 Manguard Plus Royal Whip S. View the full article

Nick Alexander’s Just Grazed Me (Grazen) will put her unbeaten record on the line when she tackles open company for the first time in Sunday’s GIII Torrey Pines S. at Del Mar. The Phil D’Amato trainee romped home a 6 1/4-length debut winner over fellow Cal-breds going 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita June 24. She returned to take the seven-furlong Fleet Treat S. at Del Mar July 29 and will be adding an extra furlong in the Torrey Pines off a best-of-63 drill in 1:00 flat Aug. 17. Jay Em Ess Stable’s Aunt Lubie (Uncle Mo), who opened her career with a pair of starts in Arcadia this spring, graduated at the Torrey Pines’ track and distance when scoring by 1 3/4 lengths Aug. 10 for Richard Mandella. Also coming off a win over track and trip is Zayat Stables’ Lemoona (Lemon Drop Kid), who graduated at Aqueduct last December for trainer Bill Mott, returned to take a July 27 optional claimer for Richard Baltas last time out. View the full article

1st-Newmarket, £8,000, Cond, 8-25, 2yo, 6fT, 1:10.86, g/f. JASH (IRE) (c, 2, Kodiac {GB}–Miss Azeza {GB}, by Dutch Art {GB}), sent off the well-supported 15-8 favourite, raced behind the early leaders and took time to organise running down the “dip”. Flashing his tail when the whip was applied but in total command after striking the front 1 1/2 furlongs out, the bay who holds an entry in the G1 Middle Park S. on the Rowley Mile here Sept. 29 drew away to register an impressive 4 1/2-length success from Dazzling Dan (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). The dam, who has a yearling filly by No Nay Never to come, also won on her debut but was retired after twice refusing to race. She hails from the family of the G1 Fillies’ Mile and GI Yellow Ribbon S. heroine Hibaayeb (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), whose daughter Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) made her own headlines as the winner of the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac. Sales history: €88,000 Wlg ’16 GOFNOV; 185,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $6,647. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-William Pilkington (IRE); T-Simon Crisford. View the full article

The New York Racing Association welcomed four-time Eclipse Award-winning and two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert to the Walk of Fame at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

Exciting, disappointing and now re-established, Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) had little to gain and much to lose as he tackled Saturday’s G3 Sky Bet City of York S. but in the end it was straightforward for Juddmonte’s maturing class act. Considered Britain’s leading juvenile after his dynamic display when winning the G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood last August, the bay’s Classic campaign went wayward but he had shown when taking Royal Ascot’s G3 Jersey S. and finishing runner-up in the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood that he was far from derailed. Lobbing in the hands of Frankie Dettori with two behind throughout the early stages of this second encounter with older horses, the even-money favourite made ground easily to collar Arbalet (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) passing the two-furlong pole. Although he had to graft to see off the 2012 winner of this race Gordon Lord Byron (Ire) (Byron {GB}), the homebred had a class edge over the veteran and that equated to a 1 1/4-length margin at the line. “He’s very nice and relaxed now and the stalls situation has been resolved,” Sir Michael Stoute said. “He seems in a good frame of mind. We just need to eke out a little more improvement. He’s not too far off group one now.” Expert Eye’s Vintage performance had the stamp of a colt destined to make himself a household name, but when he panicked in the gates ahead of the G1 Dewhurst he was left with the repercussions. After a winter of stalls work to overcome his phobia, he returned with a faultless run through the preliminaries for the G3 Greenham S. What seemed to be missing in his effort when runner-up in that seven-furlong Classic prep at Newbury Apr. 21 was the initial panache that had onlookers jumping around at Goodwood, but he nevertheless attracted support ahead of the G1 2000 Guineas. Only 10th in the May 5 Classic with no further loading issues, he went to the Royal meeting with a point to prove and with the aid of the gifted James McDonald stormed back to the forefront in the June 20 Jersey at this trip. While the Sussex was supposed to answer the question as to whether a mile stretches him or not, the lack of an end-to-end gallop kept the debate open and despite this smooth win the doubts will persist until he proves otherwise at that trip. Stoute is convinced Expert Eye has the requisite stamina for an extra furlong, but was keeping his options open. “He’ll get a mile. I’m not worried,” he stated. “I’d be looking at France for the next step–the [G1 Prix du] Moulin [at ParisLongchamp Sept. 9] or the [G1 Prix de la] Foret [at ParisLongchamp Oct. 7].” Teddy Grimthorpe added, “He’s on a learning curve still, but he’s in a much better place. He’s more comfortable in himself. He’s more mature, which is great, so it gives us hope for the future.” Dettori was surprised at how he behaved in his hands for the first time. “I’ve been watching him and he’s been very keen all the time, but he was so relaxed today I was a bit worried,” he explained. “He picked the leaders up very quickly and is going the right way now and is beginning to learn to do it the right way round. This was a confidence boost and I’m sure he’ll pick up a good one.” Expert Eye’s dam’s side is fast and a mile on turf is probably as far as the family members want to go, with his second dam Quest to Peak (Distant View) being a full-sister to the dual GI Beldame S. and GI Ogden Phipps H. heroine Sightseek, successful in seven grade I races in total. Also a half to the GI Yellow Ribbon S. and GI Gamely Breeders’ Cup H. winner Tates Creek (Rahy), she was responsible for Special Duty (GB) (Hennessy) who was Europe’s champion 2-year-old filly after winning the G1 Cheveley Park S. and G2 Prix Robert Papin. She later stayed a mile well enough to be second in both the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches before remarkably being awarded both Classics by the Newmarket and Longchamp racecourse stewards. The family also features the operation’s Etoile Montante (Miswaki), winner of the seven-furlong G1 Prix de la Foret and the GII Palomar Breeders’ Cup H. and GIII Las Cienegas H. Exemplify’s 2-year-old filly by Kingman (GB) is named Clerisy (GB), while she also has a yearling colt by Dark Angel (Ire) and a colt foal also by Kingman. Saturday, York, Britain SKY BET CITY OF YORK S.-G3, £180,000, York, 8-25, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:23.10, g/f. 1–EXPERT EYE (GB), 127, c, 3, by Acclamation (GB) 1st Dam: Exemplify (GB), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Quest to Peak, by Distant View 3rd Dam: Viviana, by Nureyev O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Frankie Dettori. £102,078. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 8-4-2-0, $668,032. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Gordon Lord Byron (Ire), 129, g, 10, Byron (GB)–Boa Estrela (Ire), by Intikhab. (€2,000 Wlg ’08 GONO1; €5,000 RNA Ylg ’09 GOFORB). O-Dr Cyrus Poonawalla & Morgan J Cahalan; B-Roland H Alder (IRE); T-Tom Hogan. £38,700. 3–Arbalet (Ire), 124, c, 3, Dark Angel (Ire)–Miss Beatrix (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (€370,000 Wlg ’15 GOFNOV). O-Mr V. I. Araci; B-Ms Mags Durkan (IRE); T-Hugo Palmer. £19,368. Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, HF. Odds: 1.00, 25.00, 12.00. Also Ran: Suedois (Fr), Tabarrak (Ire), Above The Rest (Ire), Nebo (Ire), So Beloved (GB), Donjuan Triumphant (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Adam Staple knew the time was getting closer when the best horse he has ever owned, popular 8-year-old claimer-turned-multiple stakes-winning millionaire Page McKenney, would stop racing. View the full article

Louisiana-bred CLASSY JOHN (c, 2, Songanandaprayer-Kitty’s Got Class, by Old Forester), a $12,000 purchase out of the Equine Sales Company of Louisiana 2YO and HRA sale earlier this year after only being asked to gallop (video), schooled a group of more expensive and more fashionably bred rivals to graduate in the Travers Day opener at Saratoga. Up to dispute the pace from between rivals, the dark bay assumed command after a half in :44.87, pinched a winning break in upper stretch and had about three lengths on Puttheglassdown (Violence) to cause a 12-1 upset. Classy John’s stakes-winning dam is a granddaughter of GSW Dancing Rhythm (Flying Pigeon) and produced a filly by Astrology earlier this year. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Valene Farms; B-Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson (LA); T-Dallas Stewart. View the full article

2nd-Curragh, €17,500, Mdn, 8-25, 2yo, 6fT, 1:11.41, gd. TEN SOVEREIGNS (IRE), c, 2, by No Nay Never 1st Dam: Seeking Solace (GB) (SP-Fr), by Exceed and Excel (Aus) 2nd Dam: Flamelet, by Theatrical (Ire) 3rd Dam: Darling Flame, by Capote Ten Sovereigns was sharply into stride and bounded along in a prominent third overall near the head of the far side group. Nudged along passing the quarter-mile marker, the 5-1 second choice quickened into a commanding advantage approaching the final eighth and powered even further clear in the closing stages to hit the line a hugely impressive seven lengths ahead of Carbon Fibre (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}), becoming the 19th winner for his freshman sire (by Scat Daddy). “Seamus [Heffernan] rides him all the time in his work, he always thought he was a high-class horse and we’re very happy with him,” said trainer Aidan O’Brien. “Donnacha [O’Brien] said he gave him a great feel and was very impressed. Usually, the stands’ side is best and that’s where the pace was, but he came up the middle by himself and kept lengthening. Ours usually get beaten first time out and it’s a hard place to come from where he did. He’s a fast horse and maybe the [Sept. 29 G1] Middle Park [S. at Newmarket] will suit. Maybe he’ll get a mile, but he’s a No Nay and they have loads of speed. He’s a big and powerful horse.” Full-brother to a yearling filly and a filly foal, he is the first winner produced by Listed Prix de la Seine runner-up Seeking Solace (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), herself a half-sister to G2 Al Fahidi Fort runner-up Flash Fire (Ire) (Shamardal) out of G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial runner-up Flamelet (Theatrical {Ire}). Sales history: 200,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $12,529. 1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Camas Park, Lynch Bages & Summerhill (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Adding lustre to a stellar week for her Ballylinch Stud-based sire, Antonia de Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {GB}) backed up a July 14 debut win over six furlongs at Newmarket with an impressive closing burst to seal victory upped one panel in Saturday’s G3 Ladbrokes Prestige S. at Goodwood. Employing patient tactics in fifth through the initial fractions, the 5-2 joint-favourite was under pressure with three furlongs remaining and, despite looking held in fourth passing the eighth pole, engaged turbo inside the final 100 yards to claim a career high going away by 1 1/4 lengths from Accordance (GB) (Archipenko), with Chynna (GB) (Gregorian {Ire}) a neck further adrift in third. ANTONIA DE VEGA (IRE), f, 3, Lope de Vega (Ire)–Witches Brew (Ire), by Duke of Marmalade (Ire). (€130,000 Ylg ’17 GOFORB). O-Waverley Racing; B-Fermoir Ltd (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Harry Bentley. £28,355. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, £36,118. View the full article

Fate put them together. Paolo Ferrario didn’t even give the horse the name that now, as he lines up for the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville today, seems charged with a specific, personal destiny. Way To Paris (GB) (Champs Elysees) was registered as a yearling, long before Ferrario assumed ownership. And he only did that after his trainer’s original client had disappeared. But if he can run well today, Way To Paris will be eligible to satisfy a lifetime’s ambition: to carry the yellow and light blue silks so closely associated with a better epoch for Italian racing, with a legitimate chance, in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. It is a dream commensurate with the long years of patience, dignity and experience that have fed it. Ferrario, at 91, has been migrating from Milan to Deauville every summer for decades, just as his father did before him. He is the last custodian of a stable revered, in his homeland, all the way back to the era of Tesio himself. But Ferrario is still looking forward, even adding a couple of yearlings to his stable at Arqana last Monday. “I’ve been coming here every summer for many years,” he reflects. “The first time in 1983, I think. Every day I go to the races, whether here or at Clairefontaine. Some days, I’ll go and play at the casino. And some years I will buy a horse or two. One I bought here a couple of years ago looks a good one, he recently won a nice race on his debut at Saint-Cloud.” “So I pass very happy days here, among horses–a passion I owe to my father. I lost my wife 30 years ago. But I still have my children. And my horses.” His speech is measured but strong; his bearing dignified but charming; and his laughter speaks of a generous spirit. Within the Italian racing community, the prospect of Way To Paris making the Arc is a matter of universal glee. “Our Scuderia Fert stable was founded by my father in 1954,” Ferrario said. “He bought his first horse in France, actually, and with his partners Signor [Nanni] Falck and Signor [Angelo] Tanzi would come here every summer. They had many very good horses. Probably the best was Bacuco, who was bought from the Scuderia Mantova. He won many races, including the Premio del Jockey Club, and he was third in the Washington DC International.” There is a connection to the old days in Way To Paris. He is trained by Andrea Marcialis, whose father Antonio has long served the Ferrario cause–and learned his trade under the Scuderia Fert’s longstanding master trainer, Mario Benetti. And it was Antonio who found Way To Paris as a yearling, for 50,000gns out of Tattersalls Book 2 in 2014. He was consigned by Highclere Stud, but had been bred by the Vittadini family (of Grundy fame) from the very accomplished Grey Way (Cozzene), a Group 2 winner in Italy. Her maternal line, seeded by several Classic American influences, traces to the great La Troienne. Grey Way has already produced Distant Way (Distant View), a dual Group 1 winner in Italy. “I knew it was a lovely family,” Antonio Marcialis explains. “And the horse pleased me with his conformation, too. I knew this would certainly not be a precocious horse, by Champs Elysees, and the mother wanted a distance. Really the only possible owner for this horse was Signor Ferrario. Because these owners of the old school, they never rush their trainers. This gentleman will give the horse time to mature. Today they aren’t like that, they don’t have the same patience.” Sure enough, Way To Paris is better than ever at five, finishing very strongly for third in the G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly last time. Andrea Marcialis said he feels that he has developed mentally as much as physically; that “he was very hot before; now he’s asleep.” The horse’s presence here, sadly, does not merely reflect his owner’s predilection for the Normandy seaside. “These days nearly all my horses run in France, after I saw that Signor Marcialis’s son was starting a stable in France, I decided that I would have some trained here,” said Ferrario. “But I’m hopeful the situation in Italian racing will get better soon, the new Italian Minister of Agriculture already met with some Italian Horsemen after only two months in office, while his predecessor never met with them during his five-year tenure. I still have some horses in training in Italy at the San Siro racetrack with the young Gianluca Verricelli; I bought most of them in the U.S. through my friend and agent for the past 23 years, Paolo Romanelli. Some did very well like Haigh Point and Minarello, bred by Allen Paulson, and Roman Forum from the OBS Sales in Ocala.” “It’s difficult to see how things can improve in Italy but as horsemen we are eternally optimistic. It’s a shame, because the Italian horses that come here can almost always win. That shows that the production is still working, that Italian breeding remains very good. But we once had many group races at home. Now there is just one Group 1 race left, the Lydia Tesio.” A nonagenarian whose greatest virtue is patience? How wonderful, if Way To Paris could earn this venerable figure the thrill of a lifetime–and what a lifetime!–by contesting the Arc. He is, after all, a link to a golden age on the Italian Turf. He even remembers Federico Tesio, as “a fine man, and a genius, but a little distant–or shy, rather.” “There is only me left now, to keep the stable going,” Ferrario said. “The others are all dead. But I have been lucky. Signor Marcialis proposed this horse to me, this beautiful grey, and he saw it all, the way the horse would improve and improve. He was a backward horse, but now he’s really thriving.” “He has had a break and the track here probably isn’t ideal, so he doesn’t have to win this race. I’ll be delighted if he can finish second or third. He’s not a speedy horse, so the faster the gallop the more his stamina can kick in.” “I am so pleased. For the first time in my life, I have a horse who could go for the Arc. Signora Vittadini named the horse, not me. But it’s a good name, and could become a very apt one. Even if he’s not good enough to win, it would delight me so much if he made it to the Arc. Because, at my age, it will surely be my last chance!” View the full article

Karis Teetan is off to a flying start this season, combining with Matthew Poon Ming-fai to win the annual jockeys’ sprint while also securing the prized mount of Pakistan Star. The Mauritian overhauled a diving Grant van Niekerk on the line to collect his fourth sprint title at the Jockey Club’s preseason carnival on Saturday night, further enhancing his unofficial position as the quickest jockey at Sha Tin. But his biggest win came on Friday, when trainer Tony Cruz confirmed Teetan... View the full article

Goodwood Racecourse plays host to the Group 3 Weatherbys Racing Bank Supreme Stakes this weekend and welcomes a field of ten runners. Ran over seven furlongs the challenge offers £34,026 in prize money. Sir Micheal Stoute’s stable star Dream Of Dreams latest runs, both being at Newbury, have been very impressive and the four-year-old is clearly versatile when it comes to the ground. The son of Dream Ahead is set to be ridden by Adam Kirby and connections of the four-year-old will be hopeful he can continue his improving form to a result that leads to the winners’ enclosure at Goodwood. David Simcock-trained Raid is set to be steered by Oisin Murphy. The Irish jockey is coming off a successful week in York and will be eager to continue his good form with Simcock’s three-year-old colt. Although inexperienced, (has only run three times on the track) his last two outings he ran very well in Group-race assignments. His last outing was at Newmarket last May and although he will be rated by the bookmakers, his inexperience will be important to keep in mind. David Simcock is double-handed in the Supreme Stakes and his other entry is eight-year-old Breton Rock. The George Kent-bred gelding is another big player and connections will be hoping for rain. The son of Bahamian Bounty ran impressively at Newbury on his last outing and prior to this finished third in a competitive Group 2 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. It will be interesting to watch his now return to the Goodwood track and he will be one to watch in the betting market. Richard Hannon runs Anna Nerium and the filly is set to be ridden by Tom Marquand. The three-year-old has little experience running at seven furlongs but on her last run at this distance, she won. The daughter of Dubawi will also be experiencing the Goodwood track for the first time this weekend. Charles Hills Godolphin-owned Dutch Connection will be hoping to make it a back to back win as he also won this Group 3 contest in 2017. The six-year-old has a good record at Goodwood and connections will be hopeful he can return to this previous form. The son of Dutch Art has not been at such top form recently but he may just come back fighting and if his history at Goodwood is anything to go by he certainly is one to watch. Dutch Connection is set to be partnered with James Doyle for the seven furlongs challenge. Others to keep an eye on include, Amanda Perrett-trained Zuhi Feng who is set to be steered by Jim Crowley. The five-year-old has not been on form recently but on his last seven furlongs contest last May he finished second at Ascot to Ripp Orf. Andrew Balding’s Dancing Star is another entry to consider and the five-year-old mare will be partnered by Martin Dwyer. The daughter of Aqlaam was unlucky not to win a Group 3 at Goodwood on her last outing and will certainly be one to watch in the betting market. Selection: Raid The post Supreme Stakes Goodwood Preview: Will it be a Dream run for Stoute and Kirby? appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

The Summer of Sadler continued at Del Mar Aug. 24 in the $75,000 Tranquility Lake Stakes. View the full article