Wandering Eyes

Charles Fipke’s homebred Grade I winner Bee Jersey (Jersey Town–Bees, by Rahy) has been retired from racing after injuring a tendon, it was announced today. Considered by many to be North America’s top miler in 2018, the 4-year-old won the GI Runhappy Metropolitan H., a Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” race, at Belmont Park in his final start June 9, defeating three-time Grade I winner Mind Your Biscuits (Posse). He stopped the clock in 1:33.13 for the mile and earned a 109 Beyer in that event. A first-crop son of Fipke’s homebred Grade I-winning miler Jersey Town (by Speightstown), Bee Jersey began his career for trainer Doug Watson in Dubai, where as a maiden he ran second in the G3 U.A.E. 2,000 Guineas to Thunder Snow, who subsequently won the 2018 G1 Dubai World Cup. Later transferred to the barn of Steve Asmussen in the U.S., Bee Jersey won five of six starts Stateside, including a 5 1/2-length success in the GIII Steve Sexton Mile S. at Lone Star. Produced from the stakes-placed Rahy mare Bees, Bee Jersey’s third dam Lassie’s Lady was a half-sister to Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise, the dam of leading sire A.P. Indy and other notables. “He’s just a gorgeous, absolutely brilliantly fast horse with a great temperament,” Asmussen said of Bee Jersey, who was being targeted for the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Bee Jersey retires with earnings of $976,293. Fipke has yet to make a final determination of where the horse will stand in 2019 and said he will evaluate all offers in the coming months. Jersey Town began his career at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington but was moved to Road’s End Farm in British Columbia for 2018. Currently the leading sire in British Columbia, Jersey Town will be relocated to the U.S. for 2019, Fipke said. “He covered 37 mares in British Columbia, which is good for the region, but I’ll see what offers I get from the States. The horse now has a Grade I winner from his first crop and may be an appealing stallion for a regional program.” Other Fipke stallions at stud are Grade I sires Perfect Soul and Tale of Ekati, at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky; and Canadian classic winner Not Bourbon, Grade I winner Java’s War, and Grade I-placed Perfect Timber at Colebrook Farms in Ontario, Canada. View the full article

Red Oak Stable's homebred grade 1 winner Unbridled Mo has been retired and will be sent to Kentucky to join the Red Oak broodmare band at Darby Dan Farm. View the full article

The Maryland Million race day will include a Clubhouse Festival for the first time when it is run Oct. 20 at Laurel Park, The Stronach Group announced Tuesday. The event will be headlined by Grammy nominated Deadmau5 and the line up will also include Grammy nominated Steve Aoki as well as a host of other top performers and local talent. “We are really excited to work with Club Glow to bring The Clubhouse Festival to life during the Maryland Million,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman and President, The Stronach Group. “We wanted to build upon what is already a great Thoroughbred horse race for the state, and take it to the next level, by creating a new event that can attract and excite the next generation of fans.” Club Glow is the longest running electronic dance music promotion company in Washington D.C. The festival will give 10,000 fans both a trackside view of the races and the show. Tickets are available at www.ClubhouseFest.com and go on sale Aug. 24. View the full article

Kentucky Downs has lowered the takeout on its Pick 4 wager from 19 to 14% ahead of its upcoming boutique meeting. “We want to be known as the horseplayers’ racetrack,” said C.J. Johnsen, Kentucky Downs’ director of broadcasting and interstate wagering. “In keeping with that goal, we felt a reduction in our Pick 4 takeout was warranted. The low takeout combined with our field size and quality should boost pool sizes even more to make it one of the best and most attractive wagers in racing.” Jeff Platt, president of the Horseplayers Association of North America, was pleased by the decision. “I think that’s awesome,” said Platt. “I’m at a loss for words, it’s that awesome. The Pick 4 is hugely popular among players, insanely popular. Having a 14 % Pick 4 is huge.” Kentucky Downs will race Sept. 1, 6, 8, 9 and 13 and will offer average-daily purses of $2 million a day, as well as the highest average field sizes in North America. The track averaged 11 horses per race last year. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–Seven fillies have won Saratoga’s prestigious GI Travers S. since its inception in 1864, with the most recent being Lady Rotha in 1915. The last filly to even run in the Midsummer Derby was Hall of Famer Davona Dale, who finished fourth as the favorite to General Assembly in the 1979 renewal during a championship season in which she won eight races, five of which were Grade Is. It clearly takes a special filly to even compete in the Travers, never mind win it, and trainer Mark Casse believe he has just that in Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d’Oro), who was named for Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot. Entering Casse’s barn on the Saratoga main track, it is evident that the entire team is high on their star filly and confident in her ability to do them proud Saturday. This is understandable given what she has already accomplished. Only off the board once in 13 starts, the $325,000 OBSAPR buy has competed in at least one stakes race a month since breaking her maiden in ‘TDN Rising Star’ fashion in a Woodbine allowance last August, coincidentally on last year’s Travers day. Winner of the GIII Mazarine S. and GII Demoiselle S. as a juvenile, Wonder Gadot placed in all three GI Kentucky Oaks prep races at Fair Grounds this winter, as well as Oaklawn’s GIII Fantasy S. The Ontario-bred locked horns with divisional leader Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) in the final eighth of the Kentucky Oaks and a gritty battle ensued with that chestnut rival gutting out a half-length score in a race that, as the saying goes, didn’t deserve a loser (video). Second by just a head–while finishing well clear of the third-place finisher–after a rough trip in the Woodbine Oaks, Wonder Gadot triumphed by 4 3/4 lengths when facing males in the historic Queen’s Plate going 10 panels on the Woodbine synthetic June 30 (video). She scored another facile victory over colts in the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the 1 3/16-mile Prince of Wales S. on the dirt at Fort Erie July 24. Casse could have kept his filly north of the border and went for the final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the 1 1/2-mile Breeders S. on the Woodbine lawn, but he chose a competitive renewal of the Travers instead. “We think her least preferred distance is turf and more importantly, we are always trying to think two or three races ahead, and going a mile and a half on the turf isn’t going to give us anything,” said Casse on why Wonder Gadot skipped the Breeders, which he won with Neepawa (Scat Daddy). “We ruled that out early.” Casse could have also run Wonder Gadot in last weekend’s GI Alabama S., which is one of the most highly regarded 3-year-old filly races on the calendar. When asked why he chose the Travers over that Saratoga filly staple, the conditioner said, “There were a few reasons. It gave us an extra week off the Prince of Wales. We know her distance is a mile and quarter. She loves a mile and a quarter. She has already beaten colts. She gets five pounds, which is significant going this distance. We are trying to make history and we think she has a big chance to do it.” Casse continued, “We did think about the Alabama for a while. As much as the Alabama is a great race, we think we have a good shot to win the Travers. If you are afraid to step off first, you can’t steal second. So, we are stepping off first and we are going to try and steal second and see what happens.” Wonder Gadot was a late foal, born May 22, and though she was clearly always good, she seems to be only getting better in the second half of her sophomore season. Casse does not attribute that to maturity, however, “I think it is the distance,” the horseman said. “If you look at her record going a mile and an eighth and farther, it’s pretty good. We also added blinkers, which has helped her. Her race in the Kentucky Oaks was extremely good and that is kind of what we are basing our opinion on and why we are trying the Travers. I think her Oaks race was as good as any other horses in the Travers.” He continued, “A lot of people don’t know this, but she got in some trouble at the 5/16ths pole, another filly clipped heels and Johnny had to check our filly pretty good. That hurt her, so I think her race in the Oaks against Monomoy Girl, who is as good as there is of any 3-year-old, stands out. In the Canadian Oaks, she had a lot of trouble, so we aren’t going to hold that against her.” Wonder Gadot will have a new jockey as she faces colts for the third straight time in her young career. The Saratoga meet’s leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. will take over for Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who is committed to ride the Todd Pletcher-trained GII Wood Memorial S. winner Vino Rosso (Curlin). Ortiz was previously scheduled to pilot Curlin S. hero Hofburg (Tapit), but became available over the weekend when that Bill Mott pupil was ruled out of the race with a fever. “Obviously, we would have liked to have Johnny, but we knew going in that would not be the case as Johnny has a longstanding relationship with Todd,” Casse said. “I don’t think it is any reflection on Wonder Gadot’s achievements or ability. To pick up Irad was great. Here you have a future Hall of Famer and the leading rider at Saratoga. Not only that, but he is a great person with a lot of enthusiasm. He is excited to ride her and we are excited to have him.” While Wonder Gadot will not have to contend with recently retired Triple Crown hero Justify (Scat Daddy), she still has a tall task ahead of her facing the likes of champion Good Magic (Curlin), GII Jim Dandy S. victor Tenfold (Curlin), GI Preakness S. runner-up Bravazo (Awesome Again), GI Belmont S. second-place finisher Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus}) and more. “There is no Justify, but Good Magic is a great horse in his own right,” Casse said. “It is a tough bunch. It is not an easy field, but we feel she stacks up with the best of them. Saturday will tell the tale.” View the full article

Red Oak Stable homebred Unbridled Mo (Uncle Mo–Unbridled Waters, by Unbridled), winner of this year’s GI Apple Blossom H., has been retired from racing and will join her owner’s broodmare band based at Darby Dan Farm. “Unbridled Mo did not bounce back the way we anticipated after her last start in the GII Delaware H. July 14,” Red Oak Stable’s Racing and Operations manager Rick Sacco explained. “The entire [Red Oak] program was on display at a national level. We raised Unbridled Mo, broke her, sent her to the races, and freshened her every year before she went back to the track. She was an honest and consistent race horse who won graded stakes races at three, four and five.” Trained by Todd Pletcher, Unbridled Mo won the 2016 GIII Monmouth Oaks and the 2017 GIII Houston Ladies Classic and GIII Doubledogdare S. She defeated champion Unique Bella (Tapit) by 2 1/4 lengths in the Apr. 13 Apple Blossom before a third-place effort in the June 9 GI Ogden Phipps S. The 5-year-old mare concluded her racing career with a fifth-place effort in the Delaware H. On the board in eight of 12 starts, Unbridled Mo retires with seven wins and earnings of $1,067,880. “Unbridled Mo will always have a special place in my heart,” said Red Oak Farm owner Stephen Brunetti, who added he had travelled the country with his late father, Hialeah Park owner John Brunetti, Jr., to watch the mare race. View the full article

The Jockey Club has announced the election of six new members: Craig Bandoroff, Michael Del Giudice, Staci Hancock, James Lawson, Maria Niarchos-Gouaze, and Ogden Phipps II. Bandoroff is owner of Denali Stud, one of the nation’s leading consignors, while Del Guidice has served as the chairman of the board for the New York Racing Association since 2015. Along with her husband Arthur, Hancock owns Stone Farm and she is the president of Stone Agency, a boutique insurance agency that focuses on equine and property policies. She is a co-founder of the Water Hay Oats Alliance and the Kentucky Equine Humane Center. Lawson is the chief executive officer of Woodbine Entertainment Group and Niarchos-Gouaze, daughter of successful owner Stavros S. Niarchos, has continued her father’s achievements under the name of the family, Flaxman Holdings Ltd. and Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd. Phipps is a fourth-generation Thoroughbred owner and breeder. His father, Ogden Mills (Dinny) Phipps, was a longtime chairman of The Jockey Club. View the full article

John and Tanya Gunther, owners of Glennwood Farm in Kentucky, are not only the breeders of G1 St James’s Palace S. winner Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}), but also the breeders of this year’s American Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy). At a recent visit to Newsells Park, John and Tanya spoke to TDN and GBRI about their two superstar colts. TDN: What do you remember of Justify as a young horse? Tanya Gunther: He was a foal that stood out from the crowd. He was always very gregarious, and would come up to you in the field. He was never hiding behind his mom. He was a solid personality. Always kind of aggressive, but in a good way, and he kind of knew he was the boss out there. So, he was like that as a foal. Very strong-bodied as well, and good walker. A very big walker. TDN: You can say that you’ve bred a Triple Crown winner. What does that mean to you? TG: It Is hard to put into words what that means. It is just such a special thing, and something we never thought would happen. You dream about it happening, even just winning one leg of the Triple Crown. So to breed a Triple Crown winner is just out of this world. We were so excited, and the farm has been so excited. Everybody on the farm. From time to time, I’ve been in tears over how excited and happy they are. They’re just so proud as well, and that makes us very happy, to see everyone so proud and enjoying the moment. And it’s just been a huge thing. TDN: Unfortunately, he’s been retired. What’s been your reaction to the news? TG: We would have loved to see him at least in the Breeder’s Cup. I think he would have performed very well against older horses, and it’s just a shame he isn’t able to prove that. I think he showed that he is the top 3-year-old this year, and that I think you would be hard pressed to find an older horse that would have beat him in the Classic. But I don’t think he has anything to prove. TDN: For a small boutique breeding operation, you’ve had remarkable success. What’s the secret? John Gunther: The secret? I’ve been studying bloodlines and racing for a number of years and I have to give a lot of credit to my daughter, Tanya. She’s very analytical in her decisions when it comes to planning the matings of our mares. I actually would have to say that having Tanya, who was in investment banking for a number of years, and wanting to pursue her passion with the horses as she grew up with them, her making that decision to move to Kentucky several years back, that’s certainly been a big part of our success. {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"From a Triple Crown to Royal Ascot: The Gunthers on Their Incredible 2018","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/285836511.sd.mp4?s=4d5654c88a5738183f65a139f1054e20c9e77cbf&profile_id=165","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/273891728.sd.mp4?s=f4e46b1fc985693b3084bf85e637fd52fc83fb3c&profile_id=165","prerollSkipTimer":"5","midrollAD":"no","midrollAD_displayTime":"midrollAD_displayTime","midrollGotoLink":"midrollGotoLink","midroll_mp4":"midroll_mp4","midrollSkipTimer":"midrollSkipTimer","postrollAD":"no","postrollGotoLink":"postrollGotoLink","postroll_mp4":"postroll_mp4","postrollSkipTimer":"postrollSkipTimer","popupAdShow":"no","popupImg":"popupImg","popupAdStartTime":"popupAdStartTime","popupAdEndTime":"popupAdEndTime","popupAdGoToLink":"popupAdGoToLink"}],"instanceTheme":"light","playerLayout":"fitToContainer","videoPlayerWidth":720,"videoPlayerHeight":405,"videoRatio":1.7777777777778,"videoRatioStretch":true,"videoPlayerShadow":"effect1","colorAccent":"#000000","posterImg":"","posterImgOnVideoFinish":"","logoShow":"No","logoPath":"","logoPosition":"bottom-right","logoClickable":"No","logoGoToLink":"","allowSkipAd":true,"advertisementTitle":"Ad","skipAdvertisementText":"Skip Ad","skipAdText":"You can skip this ad in","playBtnTooltipTxt":"Play","pauseBtnTooltipTxt":"Pause","rewindBtnTooltipTxt":"Rewind","downloadVideoBtnTooltipTxt":"Download video","qualityBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Close settings","qualityBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Settings","muteBtnTooltipTxt":"Mute","unmuteBtnTooltipTxt":"Unmute","fullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Fullscreen","exitFullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Exit fullscreen","infoBtnTooltipTxt":"Show info","embedBtnTooltipTxt":"Embed","shareBtnTooltipTxt":"Share","volumeTooltipTxt":"Volume","playlistBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Show playlist","playlistBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Hide playlist","facebookBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Facebook","twitterBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Twitter","googlePlusBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Google+","lastBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to last video","firstBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to first video","nextBtnTooltipTxt":"Play next video","previousBtnTooltipTxt":"Play previous video","shuffleBtnOnTooltipTxt":"Shuffle on","shuffleBtnOffTooltipTxt":"Shuffle off","nowPlayingTooltipTxt":"NOW PLAYING","embedWindowTitle1":"SHARE THIS PLAYER:","embedWindowTitle2":"EMBED THIS VIDEO IN YOUR SITE:","embedWindowTitle3":"SHARE LINK TO THIS PLAYER:","lightBox":false,"lightBoxAutoplay":false,"lightBoxThumbnail":"","lightBoxThumbnailWidth":400,"lightBoxThumbnailHeight":220,"lightBoxCloseOnOutsideClick":true,"onFinish":"Play next video","autoplay":false,"loadRandomVideoOnStart":"No","shuffle":"No","playlist":"Off","playlistBehaviourOnPageload":"opened (default)","playlistScrollType":"light","preloadSelfHosted":"none","hideVideoSource":true,"showAllControls":true,"rightClickMenu":true,"autohideControls":2,"hideControlsOnMouseOut":"No","nowPlayingText":"Yes","infoShow":"No","shareShow":"No","facebookShow":"No","twitterShow":"No","mailShow":"No","facebookShareName":"","facebookShareLink":"","facebookShareDescription":"","facebookSharePicture":"","twitterText":"","twitterLink":"","twitterHashtags":"","twitterVia":"","googlePlus":"","embedShow":"No","embedCodeSrc":"","embedCodeW":720,"embedCodeH":405,"embedShareLink":"","youtubeControls":"custom controls","youtubeSkin":"dark","youtubeColor":"red","youtubeQuality":"default","youtubeShowRelatedVideos":"Yes","vimeoColor":"00adef","showGlobalPrerollAds":false,"globalPrerollAds":"url1;url2;url3;url4;url5","globalPrerollAdsSkipTimer":5,"globalPrerollAdsGotoLink":"","videoType":"HTML5 (self-hosted)","submit":"Save Changes","rootFolder":"http:\/\/wp.tdn.pmadv.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/Elite-video-player\/"} TDN: You have been having great success in Britain with your broodmares too. Why did you decide to have horses in Europe? JG: It’s been a tremendous experience for us, and several years back, I felt there was a shift in the stallion power shifting from the West to the UK, and that gave us an opportunity to send a couple of mares over and breed to some of the best stallions in Europe. I think the selection of stallions over here is exceptional. It gives you lots of opportunities, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend other fellow Americans to doing the same thing. TDN: You have you UK based stock in Newsells Park Stud. Why did you choose them? TG: We got to know Julian Dollar and Newsells Park through Nathaniel (Ire), actually, originally. And then they consign, and they’re a great breeding operation as well. So it kind of fit all needs for us, because we send most of our yearlings through the sale, so it fit together well. And Julian’s a very honest, easy person to work with, and that’s a key criteria for us. TDN: Without Parole has been your standout horse on the European racing scene this year. How was your experience at Royal Ascot? TG: My dad and I have been coming to Royal Ascot for years and years as spectators, and just enjoying the event. And we would always say, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we had a runner one day?’ So when Without Parole came along, and we had our first runner, and it was in a race such as the G1 St James’s Palace S., so prestigious, it was incredible. So to have Without Parole in that race, and to win it, was just jaw-dropping. We couldn’t believe it. And it was so emotional, because my dad bought Marozia (Storm Bird) way back when, then bred Without You Babe (Lemon Drop Kid), and then has gone on to breed Without Parole. So we’ve been with the family a long time. And Royal Ascot, they just put on such a great event. They treat you very well as an owner/breeder. You have access to everything, and they really help you with that, and just to have a good time and enjoy it as best as you can. View the full article

Drumette (Henny Hughes–Endless Parade, by Williamstown), dam of superstar sophomore filly Monomoy Girl (Tapizar), will be offered at this year’s Fasig-Tipton November Sale through the Gainesway consignment. The 10-year-old mare will be sold in foal to undefeated Grade I winner Mastery (Candy Ride {Arg}). Gainesway will also offer the mare’s weanling colt by Shackleford at the Nov. 4 auction. Monomoy Girl, the likely Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly, has won four straight Grade I races. She followed a win in the GI Ashland S. at Keeneland this spring with victories in the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Acorn S. The Brad Cox trainee most recently won the GI Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga and is now being pointed towards the Sept. 22 GI Cotillion S. “We are appreciative of the opportunity to offer such an elite producer as Drumette at our November sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “Monomoy Girl has established herself as the top 3-year-old filly of her generation, making Drumette one of most exciting broodmares to come to public auction this year.” View the full article

A lot of water has passed under the Brooklyn Bridge since the Finger Lakes upstart Fio Rito landed the Whitney in 1981, the first Grade I race ever won by a New York-bred. It ranked, and rankled, as the biggest piece of local effrontery since Mr Right beat Damascus himself in the 1968 Woodward. But if Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) has since served as flagship, in the 2003 Kentucky Derby, then the same tide now seems to be bearing a positive armada of NY-breds to open-race success (click here to read Joe Bianca’s TDN feature on “The Summer of the New York-Bred”). After GI Florida Derby winner Audible (Into Mischief) lit up the spring, home-state runners have become a defining motif of the Saratoga summer. On the same day that Fasig-Tipton opened a state-bred yearling sale that would shatter all records, Voodoo Song (English Channel) won the GI Fourstardave H.–a race, of course, named for the backyard hero who won a race here in eight consecutive years. The other graded stakes on the card, the GII Adirondack S., meanwhile fell to Sue’s Fortune (Jump Start); while over in Chicago, Fourstar Crook (Freud) failed by just half a length in the GI Beverly D. But perhaps the ultimate register of the boom had come the previous weekend, when Diversify (Bellamy Road) beat Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) for a New York exacta in the Whitney, thought to be unprecedented at Grade I level. All this is gratifying testimony to the work of the New York Breeding and Development Fund, which has harnessed slots revenues to pay out $17 million annually in bonus awards and purse endowments. Breeder awards comprise 30% of prizemoney for state-sired winners (also 15% place money); and 15% (7.5% place) for NY foals by external sires. His Whitney earnings took Mind Your Biscuits, now exploring two turns after his lucrative migrations to the desert, past $4 million as the state’s richest runner. But it was the winner, gliding clear in the slop, who set up the possibility of a new frontier this fall, as an East Coast slugger to square up to Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky) in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In the process, moreover, Diversify showcased a sire who gives a literal quality to the gravitation of better and better stock to this neighbourhood. For while Bellamy Road was still in Kentucky when visited by a mare named Rule One (Street Cry {Ire}), the blossoming of their son over the past year–Diversify made his Grade I breakthrough in the Jockey Club Gold Cup last autumn–has given timely focus to a radical consolidation of local sire power, just down the road from Saratoga. Last year it was announced that Bellamy Road would be among the stallions united at Irish Hill Century Farm under the single banner of Irish Hills & Dutchess Views Stallions LLC. At a stroke this became the largest stud in the region, with Sunrise Stallions meanwhile sending Big Brown (Boundary) and the Giant’s Causeway pair of Frost Giant and Heavy Breathing onto the same roster. Bellamy Road had only arrived at Dutchess Views near Pine Plains for the 2016 season, from WinStar in Kentucky (who retained an interest). Now 16, and standing at $6,000, he has every right to catch a tailwind from Diversify and hopefully, after a somewhat peripatetic career to this point, to become a fixture of the flourishing local industry. Bellamy Road has always been an interesting challenge to breeders, who tend to like champions to emerge seamlessly from conventional backgrounds. But freak talents are always wholesome: they make us think about the genetic variegation that underpins all good horses. A lot of people treat the stuff that can’t fit a catalogue page as too tenuous for attention–until, that is, they come across a horse of extraterrestrial capacity like Bellamy Road, and find that he is by Concerto (Chief’s Crown) out of a Deputed Testamony (Traffic Cop) mare. Then, of course, they go scurrying gratefully to the sires of his next several dams (Cozzene, Mr Prospector, Damascus, Buckpasser etc). But you can’t have it both ways. At least there could be no mystery about the mechanical seat of Bellamy Road’s destructive running style. For when he launched himself on the 2005 Triple Crown trail, he did so like a great dark galleon in full sail: rigging, bridge and hull were constructed with terrific bone and range. Having won his first two starts at two, he disappointed as favorite in his Grade I debut but then resurfaced the following spring with a runaway allowance success. In the GI Wood Memorial, he then produced one of the most jaw-dropping Kentucky Derby rehearsals in history, winning by 17 1/2 lengths and equalling a 32-year-old track record, for a 120 Beyer. At that stage he really looked one for the ages, and the hype was not diminished by the fact that he ran in the Kinsman Stable silks of George Steinbrenner, who also owned the New York Yankees and was hardly a bashful type. Bellamy Road duly started favorite at Churchill but managed only seventh behind Giacomo, evidently returning with an injury. Though he made a decent resumption when second to Flower Alley in the Travers, that proved to be it. Nick Zito tried again at four but the horse was ultimately retired after seven starts, a torch that had burned fiercely but briefly. With size, scope and an unflinching ability to carry his speed, Bellamy Road found plenty of breeders prepared to take a chance on his left-field pedigree: he covered 137 mares in his first season, and 90 the next. On the face of it, many would have been reassured that Bellamy Road bore so little resemblance to his sire, a nimble chestnut who ended up in Panama. But not, to be fair, before he also produced Rigoletta, herself a Grade I winner at two and since responsible for last year’s Kentucky Derby third and GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Battle Of Midway (Smart Strike), now at WinStar. Concerto had taken a five-win streak into the 1997 Kentucky Derby before fading into midfield, and retired to Ocala Stud as a consistent second-tier millionaire. His third book, at $3,500, included a young mare named Hurry Home Hillary. She was a daughter of Deputed Testameny, Maryland’s hometown shocker through a slop for the 1983 Preakness–and a thoroughly anonymous stallion. But we have already noted that the bottom line, thereafter, strings together a series of contrastingly resonant sires–and not without due cause. Hurry Home Hillary’s third dam Arabian Dancer (Damascus), runner-up in the G1 Matron S., was a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Versailles Treaty (Danzig); and their dam Ten Cents A Dance (Buckpasser) was a half-sister to General Assembly out of a half-sister to Exclusive Native. In other words, Bellamy Road had a lot more in his favour than realised by those who think a pedigree falls off the edge of the world with the end of a catalogue page. Unfortunately, by the time Bellamy Road started out–initially at Hurricane Hall, then at Pauls Mill–nearly two years had passed since from his mind-blowing exhibition in the Wood; and he would then launch his first foals into a market crash. That represented a pretty tight pincer and Bellamy Road suffered a steep slump in his third and fourth seasons, which together yielded just 63 foals. But things meanwhile started happening quickly on the track. Bellamy Road’s first crop included Adirondack winner Position Limit; and then a very apt Grade I flagship, Toby’s Corner, bred like Bellamy Road himself by Dianne Cotter and winner of the very race in which his sire had flabbergasted the racing world, the Wood Memorial. And it seemed that Bellamy Road, reputed to be a laidback and obliging animal, was also passing on a good outlook. So a reprieve came quickly: a move to WinStar for 2012, when he covered 140 mares (up from 46 in 2011) at a fee doubled to $20,000. The resulting crop featured GI La Brea S. winner Constellation and also Land Over Sea, runner-up in the GI Kentucky Oaks and winner of the GII Fair Grounds Oaks. And Diversify, if a rather slower burn, is himself also a graduate of this crop. Diversify was sold at the 2014 New York sale in Saratoga for $150,000, but had only advanced his value to $210,000 when sold at Keeneland November 2016. Unraced until that July, he had easily won his first couple of starts and–restored to trainer Rick Violette Jr. by his new owners–really began to find his feet last summer. Having been largely confined to state-bred company before his breakout in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, Diversify resumed his progress this year in the Commentator S. at Belmont. He then romped in the GII Suburban S., and added his own name to the Whitney roll of honor (on which the NY-bred Commentator appears twice). On the face of it, limited recent distinction in the maternal family of Diversify–actually one of the oldest native to the U.S.–would seem to speak well of his sire’s input. Fred W. Hertrich III, his co-breeder with John D. Fielding, signed for the dam Rule One for €57,000 at Keeneland November 2010, after she failed to win in half a dozen starts for owner/breeder Earle Mack. But her son has moved her up in the world and, after delivering a More Than Ready (Southern Halo) colt in February, she was bred to Tapit (Pulpit). If anything, the family might play well on turf: the damsire Street Cry (Ire) (Machiavellian) has a ton of grass behind him, while the second dam is by El Prado, and has produced a Grade III winner on turf. And you do get a chink of quality through the next dam, as a half-sister to GII Alcibiades S. winner and GI Breeders’ Cup Fillies’ Juvenile runner-up Private Treasure (Explodent). One way or another, anyhow, the mix has worked wonders in Diversify. And if he just seems to gets better with maturity, as a gelding he doesn’t have to be in any kind of hurry. As such, Diversify himself will not be able to extend his contribution to the New York program into a second career. But he has at least highlighted a sire who no longer needs mares to leave the state for an assignation. That’s what Diversify’s dam had to do, remember, before returning to deliver a foal eligible for a premium. Now that Bellamy Road has gone native, his foals will be rewarded at double the rate; they will also qualify for the New York Stallion Stakes Series. At one point, not so long ago, sire and state seemed to be sharing the road to nowhere. Now both are back in the fast lane. View the full article

The Ebor Festival takes place over the next four days at York Racecourse and will play host to some spectacular racing scenes including the Juddmonte International which takes place on the opening day of the festival. The Group 1 showpiece race is run over one mile and two and a half furlongs and is open to horses three years and older. The eight-strong field is made up of some top group performers which will make for excellent and exciting viewing. Sir Michael Stoute-trained Poet’s Word runs under James Doyle and is the current favourite priced at 13/8. The son of Poet’s Voice will be bidding to deliver a Group 1 hat-trick at York. His winning performance in the King George showed his courage and the Juddmonte International comes after he fought off a tough contest from stablemate Crystal Ocean at Ascot. Previous to this, the five-year-old landed the Prince of Wales Stakes at the royal meeting. A very versatile horse in terms of trip, he will be many peoples idea of the winner. On the other hand, there are another seven runners who should certainly not be brushed aside. Poet’s Word will face Eclipse Stakes first and second Roaring Lion trained by John Gosden and Aidan O’Brien-trained Saxon Warrior, Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow and Benbatl, St. James Palace winner Without Parole, Irish Derby scorer Latrobe and lastly Thundering Blue, the only horse in the race yet to win at Group 1 level. Eclipse winner Roaring Lion is priced at 5/2 and may be one of the main dangers to the market leader. With his latest form being 131 the son of Kitten’s Joy will be one to watch closely. Oisin Murphy is set to do the steering and the same pair beat Saxon Warrior by a neck in the Eclipse. Roaring Lion and Oisin Murphy win the Coral-Eclipse from Saxon Warrior and Donnacha O’BrienSaxon Warrior is set to represent the Ballydoyle Stables and is another strong contender in the International. The three-year-old son of Deep Impact will be ridden by stable jockey Ryan Moore and is one to watch in the betting market as he is currently priced at a tempting 9/2. Saxon Warrior put on an excellent performance in the Eclipse and missed out on taking the title only by a neck. The Ballydoyle representatives’ will be eager to push past the last narrow defeat to take the title in the showpiece race of the Ebor Festival. Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow will make a return to turf for the first time in ten months with an even more ambitious tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Classic ahead. The Godolphin-owned colt, who has not raced since his outstanding victory by five and three-quarter lengths at Meydan in March will be all guns blazing to ensure an impressive return to the track is made. Thundering Blue is the only runner not to yet win at Group 1 level, however, trainer David Menuisier is under no illusion that his five-year-old will be facing exalted company, but after Thundering Blue beat Brorocco and Elarqam in last month’s Group 2 York Stakes the Juddmonte International has been the aim of the Pulborough based trainer. The Juddmonte International is certainly set to be a very competitive race it will most defiantly not be one not to be missed. Selection: Saxon Warrior Symphony Group Handicap Among the quality races on day one, the Symphony Group Handicap is the first race to kick off the four days of the Ebor Festival. With 17 runners set to go to post, it leaves the betting market wide open. However, there are some names that stand out. The favourite is Charles Appleby-trained Culturati who will be ridden by William Buick in the five and a half furlongs contest. The Godolphin-owned five-year-old is lightly raced but will take a step back in trip at the York track. David O’Meara-trained Fashion Queen may be another to keep a close eye on, as the daughter of Aqlaam enjoyed a win in a Listed contest at this Festival last season. The four-year-old also finished second on her last outing at Deauville Racecourse last month. Fashion Queen (Daniel Tudhope, left) beats Kyllang Rock in the Westow Stakes at York last seasonIt will be an interesting contest and two to keep an eye on in the betting market are Tis Marvellous who will be ridden by Adam Kirby and who is trained by Clive Cox. Another to watch for is the Paul Midgley-trained Final Venture with Oisin Murphy doing the steering. Midgley won this handicap last year with Desert Law. Also, Final Venture made a good effort to finish in third position on his last outing at York last May and certainly has a competitive shout in this handicap. Selection: Final Venture Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes Another quality race taking place on day one of the Festival is the Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes open to two-year-olds. With eight declared runners going to post it will be an interesting contest for the younger horses. The favourite of the seven furlongs contest is Richard Hannon-trained Watan who will be ridden by Irish man Oisin Murphy. The son of Toronado showed major potential when winning his maiden at Goodwood with ease last month. Although green, he is bound to improve from his last run and will be one to watch at York and in the future. Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien is represented here with Ryan Moore aboard Broome. The son of Australia is set to put on a good performance after his impressive win at the Galway Festival at the start of the month. Although at Galway he was upset in the stalls he still pushed along to soon lead and was one length clear halfway to win the race comfortably. Broome and Donnacha O’Brien after winning the Betway EBF Maiden at GalwayMark Johnston-trained Persian Moon is another strong competitor in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes. The son of Makfi will be steered by Silvestre De Sousa. He has progressed nicely on his four starts winning on his last two outings both of which were over seven furlongs. Selection: Broome Great Voltigeur Stakes The Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes takes place on day one of the Festival and welcomes a field of nine runners. Ran over one mile and four furlongs the race is open to colts and geldings who are three years old. This year’s renewal has some interesting declarations and it is set to be a competitive race. Aidan O’Brien has four runners in the race but it is Kew Gardens who catches the eye most in the field. The three-year-old will be ridden by stable jockey Ryan Moore. The son of Galileo has won on his last two outings, winning both the Queen’s Vase and the Grand Prix de Paris. Kew Gardens did himself justice at the Longchamp track in France in great style last month and he may just have the experience to quip the favourite on the betting market. Kew Gardens ridden by Ryan Moore winning The Queen’s VaseThe favourite for this Group 2 is Charles Appleby-trained Cross Counter who will be ridden by William Buick. The Godolphin-owned gelding has won on his last two starts taking the title in the Group 3 Qatar Gordon Stakes at Goodwood with his ease where he also broke the track record. The three-year-old has always finished in the top four since he started racing. With such an excellent record, he will be the horse others will be striding out to beat. Wells Farhh Go is the third big contender in the race. Trained by North Yorkshire based Tim Easterby, the son of Farhh will be returning to the York track to try for another victory as he won the Acomb here last year. The bay colt also won the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes at Newmarket last month. He is set to be steered by jockey David Allan in the Voltigeur Stakes and will be one to keep a close eye on. Others to watch for include Aidan O’Brien-trained The Pentagon and Charles Appleby-trained Old Persian. Selection: Kew Gardens The post Ebor Festival Day 1 Preview: Can Poet’s Word Win The Juddmonte International? appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

4th-Deauville, €27,000, Mdn, 8-21, unraced 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:46.67, g/s. COMMES (FR), f, 2, by Le Havre (Ire) 1st Dam: Leaupartie (Ire) (GSW-Fr, $112,209), by Stormy River (Fr) 2nd Dam: Kansa (Fr), by Linamix (Fr) 3rd Dam: Kartabula (Fr), by Fabulous Dancer Commes was initially targetted at an Aug. 7 debutantes’ heat earlier in the festival, but sidestepped that engagement to claim ‘TDN Rising Stardom’ in this belated unveiling. Settling into a smooth rhythm off the pace in seventh after the initial stages, the 7-5 favourite made ominous progress under mild coaxing in the straight and was not fully extended once quickening beyond Olympe (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) with 100 metres remaining to easily outclass that stablemate by three lengths. “We intended running here earlier in the month, but she was not quite ready for that so we gave her more time,” explained racing manager Bruno Barbereau. “She’d been working well at home and we expected a good performance. The dam was pretty good and won the [G3] Prix de Psyche at this track. We shall see how she comes out of this race before deciding where to go, but I expect a step up to Group company for her next race.” Commes is the latest of two foals and the first winner out of G3 Prix de Psyche heroine and G2 Prix de la Nonette second Leaupartie (Ire) (Stormy River {Fr}), herself a half to dual Peruvian champion miler and G3 Clasico Jose Rodriguez Razzeto victor Georgui Lui (Whywhywhy). Her dual stakes-placed third dam Kartabula (Fr) (Fabulous Dancer) is kin to four stakes performers including dual stakes winner Karmichah (Fr) (Nice Havrais) and G3 Prix de la Nonette victress Karmiska (Fr) (Bikala {Ire}), who in turn produced a trio of black-type performers headed by stakes-winning G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches runner-up Karmifira (Fr) (Always Fair). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. 1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Franklin Finance SA (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

3rd-Deauville, €27,000, Mdn, 8-21, unraced 2yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:45.75, g/s. LONE PEAK (FR), c, 2, by Lope de Vega (Ire) 1st Dam: Oh Beautiful (GB) (SW-Fr, $114,936), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Aricia (Ire), by Nashwan 3rd Dam: Rahaam, by Secreto Lone Peak was hammered down to 2-1 favouritism at the tills for this newcomers’ test and did not disappoint his multitude of supporters with an emphatic display to earn ‘TDN Rising Star’ status. Breaking well to set the tone from flagfall, the homebred bay quickened smartly once shaken up off the home turn and powered clear in impressive fashion to triumph by seven lengths from In Favour (GB) (Frankel {GB}). “We’ve given him plenty of work and he is already a very professional horse,” said winning trainer Freddy Head. “He has shown up well at home in the mornings and won very well indeed. We haven’t made any specific plans and will take our time before deciding where to go next.” Half to a yearling filly and a colt foal by Kendargent (Fr), Lone Peak is the third foal and second scorer produced by Listed Prix Vulcain winner Oh Beautiful (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), herself kin to Listed Pontefract Castle S. victress and G3 Pinnacle S. runner-up Freedom’s Light (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Listed Rose Bowl S. victor Face the Facts (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}). Oh Beautiful is out of a winning half-sister to MGSW G1 July Cup runner-up Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), herself the dam of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Nassau S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. heroine Halfway to Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who in turn produced three black-type winners headed by MG1SW Irish highweight Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. 1ST-TIME STARTER. O/B-George Strawbridge (FR); T-Freddy Head. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Glorious Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) concluded a perfect two-race juvenile season with victory in Saint-Cloud’s Sept. 8 G3 Prix La Rochette, but had failed to build upon that success in four starts since. He finished a well-beaten fourth to G1 Epsom Derby hero Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) in Newmarket’s Apr. 19 G3 Craven S. on sophomore return before finding subsequent G1 Prix Jean Prat victor Intellogent (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) too hot to handle in Chantilly’s May 7 G3 Prix de Guiche. The bay then posted a ninth in Royal Ascot’s G3 Jersey S. and went postward for Tuesday’s G3 Prix Daphnis at Deauville coming back off a fourth in the Aug. 3 G3 Thoroughbred S. at Goodwood. Adopting the same pacesetting tactics as when triumphant in the Rochette, he dictated throughout and kept on strongly under mild coaxing in the straight to comfortably hold local favourite Sacred Life (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) by two lengths for a second pattern-race score. “We expected better things after he won at Saint-Cloud last year, but he has been a challenge, mentally, this year,” admitted trainer Charlie Appleby. “The more racing he has the better he will be, he learnt a lot from his last race at Goodwood and it was always the plan to come back to France. We wanted to make it as simple as possible for him and that’s why we sent him to the front. We don’t have any specific plans for him at this stage, but one mile seems to be his optimum trip and there are plenty of opportunities at that distance. We may also consider sending him to Dubai for the winter.” Appleby also saddled third-place finisher First Contact (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and added, “[Jockey] James [Doyle] felt First Contact raced too freely and was unable to get enough cover. We may consider dropping him back to seven [furlongs].” Glorious Journey was the joint-highest priced yearling when knocked down for 2,600,000gns at Tattersalls’ 2016 October Book 1 sale and is the second foal and lone performer produced by G1 Coronation S.-winning British highweight Fallen For You (GB) (Dansili {GB}). He is kin to the 2-year-old colt It Had To Be You (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a yearling colt by Dubawi (Ire) and a filly foal by Kingman (GB). Fallen For You is a half-sister to Listed Heron S. victor Fallen Idol (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and G2 Lancashire Oaks runner-up Fallen In Love (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who in turn is the dam of G3 Prix de Flore victress Loving Things (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). Glorious Journey’s second dam, MGSP Listed Silver Trophy victress Fallen Star (GB) (Brief Truce) is a half-sister to G1 Lockinge S.-winning sire Fly to the Stars (GB) (Bluebird) and to the dam of G2 German 2000 Guineas winner Peace At Last (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Fallen Star is also kin to the granddam of G1 Levin Classic hero Age of Fire (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Tuesday, Deauville, France PRIX DAPHNIS ROYAL PALM BEACHCOMBER LUXURY-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 8-21, 3yo, 9fT, 1:44.11, g/s. 1–GLORIOUS JOURNEY (GB), 126, c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Fallen For You (GB) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Eng at 7-9.5f & G1SW-Eng, $286,833), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Fallen Star (GB), by Brief Truce 3rd Dam: Rise and Fall (GB), by Mill Reef (2,600,000gns Ylg ’16 TATOCT). O-HH Sheikha Al Jalila Racing; B-Normandie Stud Ltd (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 7-3-0-1, €106,954. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Sacred Life (Fr), 126, c, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Knyazhna (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). (€50,000 Ylg ’16 ARAUG). O-Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard; B-Viktor Timoshenko & Andriy Milovanov (FR); T-Stephane Wattel. €16,000. 3–First Contact (Ire), 126, g, 3, Dark Angel (Ire)–Vanishing Grey (Ire), by Verglas (Ire). (€300,000 Wlg ’15 GOFNOV). O-Godolphin; B-Peter McCutcheon & Andrew Rosen (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. €12,000. Margins: 2, 4, 1. Odds: 2.60, 1.40, 2.30. Also Ran: Baltic Baron (Ire), Zyzzyva (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

THERE are few places trainer William Haggas enjoys having a winner more than York and once again he will be firing plenty of bullets at the Ebor festival this week. Haggas, who turns 58 on Thursday, has a number of leading chances, primarily the Irish Oaks winner Sea Of Class in the Yorkshire Oaks – arguably the race of the week. We spoke to Haggas about his runners and why he is so fond of racing on the Knavesmire. You are a big fan of York and the Ebor festival. Why is that? I like York and I like to try and have winners there. The prize-money is a minimum of £70,000 for every race – a minimum – so everyone wants to go there and run their best horses there. It produces great races and it’s a week I really love. What does a horse need to be successful at York? I actually think that essentially it’s a very fair track and most horses perform there. Since they’ve had the drainage done it doesn’t get a wet as it used to so that produces fairest ground for the runners too. It can sometimes be a bit of a problem if it rains on the day of a race, but there’s not much any of us can do about that. Sea Of Class is your big hope for the week in the Yorkshire Oaks. How are things with her? She’s in really good shape and she’s very well. I hope she continue the improvement she’s shown this season. I’m really looking forward to her because I think she’s a filly with a lot of talent. It’s a proper race, mind. Coronet is there, Laurens is in there too and us. It’s an exciting race. Sea Of Class and James Doyle winning from Forever Together and Mary Tudor in the Darley Irish OaksSea Of Class has progressed all season and won the Irish Oaks last time. Do you think there is scope for further improvement still? That’s what we all hope. She’s a late May foal and has only just got her act together recently. She’s been in a maiden and Listed races and that was a big step up to the Irish Oaks and she won quite well actually, but not very far. So we’re up to Group 1s now and why can’t she improve? I think she has got a good brain. So we hope she will – we’ll see. Fanaar is a leading contender for the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes. How do you rate his chances? We’ve had a lot of luck in the sales race over the years so we’re looking forward to running him and think he’s got a good chance. He was a little bit disappointing after he won at Leicester so we put him away for a bit to aim at this race, so he’s going there as well as he can be. Seniority scored in a valuable handicap at Goodwood last time. Will he try and follow up in the Clipper Logistics Handicap on Thursday? He’ll go for that or wait for the Strensall Stakes on Saturday. We got a bit of luck in the race at Goodwood and he finished the race well which was good to see. He’s got plenty of talent and he tries. Seniority – Ryan Moore wins The Golden MileMuthmir is back for another crack at the Nunthorpe Stakes. Do you think he can take down Battaash? He’s in great shape. He wants fast ground to be at his best, so we’ll be watching the weather. He’ll run his usual good race but the likes of Battaash look tough to beat. Muthmir (Jim Crowley) beats Finsbury Square in the Prix du Gros-CheneHow do you think What A Home will get on in the Ebor on Saturday? We’ve left What A Home in the Ebor as we feel she has the best chance of the ones we had entered. She has form in Group and Listed races and looks feasibly weighted for the race. WHAT A HOME with Paul Hanagan wins Fillies handicap at DoncasterIn general, do you think the changes made to the stayers’ programme have been beneficial? They’ve highlight the fact we’re learning far too much towards speed and we need to redress the balance before it gets out of control so it should encourage people to back stayers. And, finally, Addeybb and Young Rascal are not running at York having been entered. What are the plans for them? Addeybb needs soft ground and could go for the Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Saturday. He’s in good form. Young Rascal had been in the Great Voltigeur but we’ve decided to go for the Prix Niel at Longchamp on Arc Trials weekend instead. The post William Haggas Previews His York Ebor Festival Runners appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Moor confident Nowyousee can etch a more lasting impression on Friday View the full article

Easy pre-Korea trial win for Maximus View the full article

Moritz Eclipse returns after brave win while hurt View the full article

Horses' test results August 21 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. Tuesday’s Insights features a half-brother to this year’s triple Grade I winner Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). 2.20 Deauville, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 2yo, c/g, 8fT White Birch Farm’s €340,000 Arqana August yearling SOTTSASS (FR) (Siyouni {Fr}) is a Jean-Claude Rouget-trained half-brother to this term’s GI Jenny Wiley S., GI Diana S., and GI Beverly D S. heroine Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and Sunday’s G2 Prix de la Nonette third My Sister Nat (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}). He faces eight fellow newcomers here headed by Khalid Abdullah’s In Favour (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is out of a winning full-sister to MG1SW dual British highweight Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), representing Andre Fabre. 2.50 Deauville, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 2yo, f, 8fT Haras Voltaire’s OLYMPE (FR) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), a €130,000 Arqana August purchase last year, is a half to G3 Prix Penelope third Jadhaba (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself a €620,000 Arqana August yearling, out of MGSW GI E.P. Taylor S. third Naissance Royale (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway). Her yearling half-sister (by Galileo {Ire}) achieved the third-highest price of Arqana August’s Saturday session, when knocked down for €600,000, and she is opposed by seven in this debut for the Jean-Claude Rouget stable. View the full article

Trainer Robertino Diodoro earned his 2,000th training victory Aug. 20 at Saratoga Race Course when Benefactor won the day's opening race by a half-length for owners Sanford J. Goldfarb, Malvern and Janet Burroughs, Ira Davis, and Jack Hochman. View the full article

Trainer Mark Casse reported Aug. 20 that Saratoga Race Course's current meet-leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. will have the mount aboard Gary Barber's Wonder Gadot in the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 25. View the full article

An array of acclaimed celebrity chefs will curate signature food experiences for the 2018 Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 2 and 3 at Churchill Downs, Breeders’ Cup announced Monday. The eight globally-recognized chefs, including Masaharu Morimoto, Marc Forgione, Amanda Freitag and Jose Garces, will have their signature cuisine served throughout Churchill Downs and within many of the venue’s luxury seating areas. “Breeders’ Cup is dedicated to providing a first-class entertainment event, and food and beverage is a significant part of that experience,” said Craig Fravel, President and CEO of the Breeders’ Cup. “Now in our 35th year, our commitment to evolving the event’s culinary program is stronger than ever, and we are proud to present this star-studded list of guest chefs who share our passion for creating unparalleled experiences.” Photos and other information on the Guest Chefs are available here. View the full article

Coming off his third grade 1 win of the year in the TVG Pacific Classic Aug. 18 at Del Mar, the nation's top older dirt horse, Accelerate, knocked Triple Crown hero Justify out of the lead spot in this week's NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. View the full article

A look at radio, television,and streaming planned for Travers Week. View the full article