Wandering Eyes

1st-Newmarket, £8,000, Cond, 8-18, 2yo, 6fT, 1:13.32, gd. KHAADEM (IRE) (c, 2, Dark Angel {Ire}–White Daffodil {Ire}, by Footstepsinthesand {GB}), who registered a June 9 debut third behind the ‘TDN Rising Star’ performance of subsequent G2 Coventry S. hero Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}) over this course and distance last time, raced under a firm hold in a share of fourth through halfway in this one. Angled into the clear once leaving the quarter-mile marker behind, the 11-8 pick quickened to the fore approaching the final eighth and lengthened in good style up the hill to score by 3 3/4 lengths from Aquanura (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Full-brother to MGSP Listed Two-Year-Old Trophy victor Log Out Island (Ire) and a filly foal, he is out of a winning half-sister to Listed Prix Saraca S. victress Lady Links (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}), who in turn is out of a winning half-sister to G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest-winning sire Bold Edge (GB) (Beveled). Sales history: 750,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $7,632. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Yeomanstown Stud (IRE); T-Charles Hills. View the full article

Prior to Sunday, all five of France’s pattern races for juveniles have gone to British raiders and there is little reason for expectation that Deauville’s G1 Darley Prix Morny will stay at home. In a damning verdict on the state of the health of the country’s 2-year-old scene, only two domestic representatives line up with both having already been upstaged by the visiting Signora Cabello (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) in the 5 1/2-furlong G2 Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte July 22. A neck and 1 1/4 lengths behind that G2 Queen Mary S. winner when second and fifth in that contest respectively, Sexy Metro (Fr) (Diamond Green {Fr}) and Simply Striking (Fr) (Kheleyf) have it to do in the face of an even stronger cross-channel raid. Chief among the overseas threat is the Gredleys’ Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who was remarkably impressive in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. over this six-furlong trip at Newmarket July 13 and is already the number one Classic prospect for 2019 among her sex. Her seven-length defeat of the subsequent G3 Princess Margaret S. winner Angel’s Hideaway (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), with the G3 Sweet Solera S. first and second Main Edition (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and La Pelosa (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) well behind, stands up to the closest inspection and this is simply at her mercy if she reproduces that. Trainer Michael Bell is no stranger to success in this prestigious affair and said, “Taking on the colts is ambitious, but we’ve won it with a filly before in 1994 [Hoh Magic]. She had been showing plenty, but the Duchess of Cambridge performance definitely caught me on the hop. You don’t ask them at home to do that, the only time you want them to do anything like that is on the racecourse.” If Pretty Pollyanna fails to shake off Phoenix Thoroughbred and Zen Racing’s Signora Cabello, few would argue against the latter in a fight as she proved in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and the Robert Papin. Trainer John Quinn hopes she can stay close enough to make her prime asset count. “It’s another step up, but we’re very happy with her. She seems very well,” he commented. “We’ve always felt six furlongs would be well within her compass and she wasn’t stopping over five and a half furlongs last time. She’s done nothing wrong and we’re hoping for a big run.” Aidan O’Brien relies on the hardy colt Land Force (Ire) (No Nay Never), who is re-opposed by Marie’s Diamond (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) after they finished first and second in Goodwood’s G2 Richmond S. last time Aug. 2. Bateel Primed For Romanet… In the G1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet, Al Asayl Bloodstock’s G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will be a warm order coming off a return success in the G2 Prix Corrida over 10 1/2 furlongs at Saint-Cloud May 21. Intriguingly, the G1 Fillies’ Mile, G1 Prix de l’Opera and G1 Lockinge S. scorer Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is tried in blinkers having flopped when last of six in the G1 Nassau S. at Goodwood Aug. 2 and it was notable how well-supported she was on that occasion despite Ballydoyle’s stable form. Barnane Stud’s July 1 G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Urban Fox (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}) was second in the Nassau and is probably the main danger to Bateel, while ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Lady Frankel (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a fascinating contender from Andre Fabre’s stable. Successful in the G3 Prix de Lieurey here last August and third to Rhododendron in the Opera, Gestut Ammerland’s homebred shaped with real promise when second on her comeback in the July 8 Listed Prix de la Calonne over this venue’s straight mile last time. A card of quality action also features the G2 Darley Prix de Pomone over the unusual trip of 12 1/2 furlongs, where Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s May 1 G3 Prix Penelope winner Luminate (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) has a go at a trip that connections feel will bring out the best in her. Only 12th of 13 in the G1 Prix de Diane over two furlongs shorter at Chantilly June 17, she has subsequently been freshened up and Harry Herbert is confident she will be seen in a better light here. “Everything went wrong in the Diane, but it turned out she had a sore back after that race,” he explained. “Thankfully she has come back fine and it will be interesting to see how she runs on Sunday. She is in very good form, according to Freddy Head, and is moving well. If the ground is soft we are hoping for the best. It is a very tough race but she is in good shape.” The British pair God Given (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Precious Ramotswe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) follow each other around and after third and fourth placings in Haydock’s 12-furlong G2 Lancashire Oaks July 7 they were then fourth and sixth respectively in the G3 Lillie Langtry S. over an extra quarter mile at Goodwood Aug. 2. View the full article

Sir Dancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) and Gerald Mosse are a match made in heaven and the combination were on fire again at Newbury on Saturday as they simply breezed through the G2 Ladyswood Stud Hungerford S. Racing under a three-pound penalty as a result of his win in G2 Lennox S. at Goodwood July 31, the 4-1 shot was waited with in rear as Dream of Dreams (Ire) (Dream Ahead) took them along. As soon as he was given the command, the bay swept by that rival with a furlong to race and on to an authoritative 1 1/4-length success, with Breton Rock (Ire) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) a half length back in third. “When I first started riding him, I really expected him to be a superstar and he will keep going,” Mosse said of his latest flame. “He’s a lovely horse and I’m not worried about the ground getting softer later in the season, he’s just a machine. I had traffic problems at Goodwood and I didn’t want to risk it today. I just wanted to get him relaxed and when he came I didn’t even press hard. Wherever he goes, I’ll be there.” Saturday, Newbury, Britain LADYSWOOD STUD HUNGERFORD S.-G2, £150,000, Newbury, 8-18, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:26.15, gd. 1–SIR DANCEALOT (IRE), 135, g, 4, by Sir Prancealot (Ire) 1st Dam: Majesty’s Dancer (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 2nd Dam: Majesty’s Nurse (Ire), by Indian King 3rd Dam: Lagolette, by Green God (Ire) (€15,000 Wlg ’14 GOFNOV; €30,000 Ylg ’15 GOFSPT). O-C Benham, D Whitford, L Quinn, K Quinn; B-Vincent Duignan (IRE); T-David Elsworth; J-Gerald Mosse. £85,065. Lifetime Record: 24-8-3-2, $595,137. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Dream of Dreams (Ire), 132, c, 4, Dream Ahead–Vasilia (GB), by Dansili (GB). (37,000gns Wlg ’14 TATFOA; £44,000 RNA Ylg ’15 DNPRM). O-Saeed Suhail; B-Prostock Ltd (IRE); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £32,250. 3–Breton Rock (Ire), 132, g, 8, Bahamian Bounty (GB)–Anna’s Rock (Ire), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire). (£20,000 Ylg ’11 DNPRM). O-John Cook; B-George Kent (IRE); T-David Simcock. £16,140. Margins: 1 1/4, HF, NK. Odds: 4.00, 10.00, 12.00. Also Ran: Tomyris (GB), Gustav Klimt (Ire), Dan’s Dream (GB), Yafta (GB), Librisa Breeze (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Already successful at Deauville in the July 28 G3 Prix Six Perfections, Godolphin’s Beyond Reason (Ire) (Australia {GB}) dominated Saturday’s G2 Shadwell Prix du Calvados from the front as William Buick made his rival jockeys pay for their early reluctance. As soon as she had gone two furlongs, the 8-5 favourite already had the contest in safe keeping with an easy lead underlining her class edge. Putting her rivals to the sword two out, the bay had three lengths to spare over Lagrandecatherine (Fr) (Pedro the Great) at the line, with Sicilia (GB) (Kingman {GB}) 1 1/4 lengths away in third. TDN Rising Star Tasleya (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who started favourite, was a disappointment. Saturday, Deauville, France SHADWELL PRIX DU CALVADOS-G2, €130,000, Deauville, 8-18, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.57, g/s. 1–BEYOND REASON (IRE), 123, f, 2, by Australia (GB) 1st Dam: No Explaining (Ire) (GSW-US, $328,095), by Azamour (Ire) 2nd Dam: Claustra (Fr), by Green Desert 3rd Dam: Clare Bridge, by Little Current (370,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Paget Bloodstock (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, €125,647. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Lagrandecatherine (Fr), 123, f, 3, Pedro the Great–Sizalia (Fr), by Dream Well (Fr). (€20,000 Ylg ’17 OSLATE). O-Mario Genovese; B-Ecurie Maulepaire (FR); T-Andrea Marcialis . €28,600. 3–Sicilia (GB), 123, f, 2, Kingman (GB)–Palitana, by Giant’s Causeway. (250,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-Al Shira’aa Farms; B-Hascombe & Valiant Studs (GB); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €13,650. Margins: 3, 1 1/4, SNK. Odds: 1.60, 37.00, 5.00. Also Ran: Pivottina (Fr), Byron Bay (Fr), Tasleya (GB), Belladone Spirit (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Earning TDN Rising Star status on debut at Newmarket July 13, Godolphin’s Al Hilalee (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) doubled his tally in a narrow verdict in Deauville’s Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l’Elevage. Sent off the 9-10 favourite, the bay was settled in a close-up second by William Buick and when committed in the final quarter mile was able to hit the line first, two short-head margins in front of compatriots Duke of Hazzard (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}). Saturday, Deauville, France CRITERIUM DU FONDS EUROPEEN DE L’ELEVAGE-Listed, €122,000, Deauville, 8-18, 2yo, 8fT, 1:47.38, g/s. 1–AL HILALEE (GB), 126, c, 2, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Ambivalent (Ire) (G1SW-Ire, GSW & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-UAE & GSP-Tur, $1,014,955), by Authorized (Ire) 2nd Dam: Darrery (GB), by Darshaan (GB) 3rd Dam: Flamenco, by Dance Spell 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (300,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. €61,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €69,750. 2–Duke of Hazzard (Fr), 126, c, 2, Lope de Vega (Ire)–With Your Spirit (Fr), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€130,000 Ylg ’17 ARAUG). O-Mrs Fitri Hay. €24,400. 3–Great Scot (GB), 126, c, 2, Requinto (Ire)–La Rosiere, by Mr. Greeley. (£2,500 RNA Ylg ’17 TATIAS). O-Empire State Racing Partnership. €18,300. Margins: SHD, SHD, 3/4. Odds: 0.90, 6.80, 5.90. Also Ran: Julius Limbani (Ire), Certain Lad (GB), Famous Wolf (Fr), All Star Cast (Ire). Scratched: El Ingrato (Fr), Crying Over Here (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Unbeaten colts winning this old “Washington Singer” always get the pulse racing and Middleham Park and Gerard Augustin-Normand’s Boitron (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) was no exception in Newbury’s re-named Listed Denford S. Sent off the 5-4 favourite after a six-furlong debut win at Newbury July 12 and Doncaster novice success over this seven Aug. 4, the bay tracked the honest early pace travelling comfortably for Silvestre de Sousa. In front with over two furlongs remaining, he readily asserted to score by 1 3/4 lengths from Dutch Treat (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). BOITRON (FR), c, 2, Le Havre (Ire)–Belliflore (Fr) (G1SP-Fr, $163,932), by Verglas (Ire). (€45,000 Ylg ’17 OSLATE). O-Middleham Park & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Franklin Finance SA & Mme Elisabeth Vidal (FR); T-Richard Hannon; T-Silvestre de Sousa. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, £23,000. View the full article

Next weekend’s Sky Bet Ebor H. at York is worth £500,000 but that pot will double to £1-million next year and to help create more of a narrative to the build up of next season’s contest the sponsors Sky Bet and York Racecourse have launched a ‘Race To The Ebor’ series. It involves a trio of races run at York, beginning next week, that will see the winner of each race guaranteed a starting berth in the 2019 Ebor. The Sky Bet Melrose H. often dubbed the ‘3-year-olds’ Ebor’ and run next Saturday on Ebor day will be the first race in the series with the other two, the Sky Bet Jorvik H. and the Listed Sky Bet Grand Cup, both taking place next season. Michael Shinners, Racing PR Manager at Sky Bet, commented, “Sky Bet is delighted work with York to launch ‘The Race To The Ebor’ today. With the first £1-million Sky Bet Ebor set to take place in 2019, the ‘Race To The Ebor’ will provide three great opportunities to gain an automatic place in Britain’s richest handicap. The three races in the ‘Race To The Ebor’ are all slightly different and we hope will build the excitement to August, 2019. William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course at York, added, “We are delighted to have extended our successful partnership with Sky Bet, the ‘Race to The Ebor’ demonstrates our shared commitment to develop the race programme at York and to showcase what will be the first £1-million handicap race on the Flat in Europe.” With Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) chasing a £1-million bonus in the G2 Lonsdale Cup next week coupled with this latest announcement, the upgraded programme for stayers and the exciting opportunities such developments offer will surely encourage owners and investors to take a more long term view with their bloodstock and racing decisions. Last year’s Ebor was won by the Iain Jardine trained Nakeeta (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}) who then finished a good fifth in the G1 Melbourne Cup on his next start. The 7-year-old is on target to defend his Ebor crown following an encouraging recent fifth to current Ebor favourite Stratum (GB) (Dansili {GB}) at Newbury. View the full article

CHRIS Waller admits he is running out of words to describe the phenomenon that is Winx. View the full article

WINX has done it! View the full article

WINX has done it! View the full article

The stakes weren't as high as their last meeting at Del Mar, but the result was the same for Stormy Liberal and Richard's Boy Aug. 17 in the $75,000 Green Flash Handicap. View the full article

Breeders' Cup officially announced Santa Anita Park, Keeneland, and Del Mar as the host sites for the next three editions of the World Championships. View the full article

Rodd, Woodworth, Munro, WH Kok and AK Lim suspended View the full article

Leaving the gate at odds of 22-1, David Baxter's longshot Chattel bested a field of nine with a ferocious kick to win the $100,000 Skidmore Stakes for juveniles going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

Irish-bred Hunt and Kentucky-bred Sharp Samurai head a field of 13 scheduled to compete in the $200,000 Del Mar Mile (G2T) Aug. 19. View the full article

One of two Bob Baffert-trained entries in the TVG Pacific Classic (G1) is Roman Rosso, who came to the U.S. riding three straight group 1 victories in South America, including a last-out score in the Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1). View the full article

Accelerate was third in this race a year ago behind Collected and Arrogate in the Pacific Classic, but meets no rivals of that caliber here. View the full article

CHATTEL (c, 2, Giant Oak–Sh Sh Shakin’, by Richter Scale) charged through late to spring a double-digit upset in the Friday afternoon feature at Saratoga, the Skidmore S. Saving ground in sixth, the 22-1 shot bided his time at the back of the first flight of horses as Gins and Tins (Scat Daddy) battled ‘TDN Rising Star’ and GIII Bashford Manor S. winner Sir Truebadour (More Than Ready), who was making his turf debut here, through a sharp first quarter in :21.84. Advancing a bit through a half in :45.26, Chattel split the pacesetting dup in the final sixteenth and punched clear to earn his black-type badge in a final time of 1:03.51. Well bet Swamp Rat (Hat Trick {Jpn}) came running late to complete the exacta and Good Good (Quality Road) also closed well for third. Expected favorite Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby), winner of Royal Ascot’s G2 Norfolk S. last time June 21, was scratched due to turf conditions. Third on debut sprinting over the Belmont main track, Chattel missed by just a nose behind Yes and Yes (Sidney’s Candy) next out when switched to the lawn downstate May 25. Third when getting back on dirt at Delaware June 21, the $2,000 FTKOCT buy earned his diploma in a Laurel turf sprint last time July 13. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-2. O-David Baxter; B-University of Kentucky (KY); T-Brandon McFarlane. View the full article

The first race on July 25 at Assiniboia Downs stood out like no other at the Winnipeg track this season: The four-horse stakes–in which one individual had an ownership interest in three of the starters via two separate partnerships–featured two of those horses being put under tight holds and fighting their riders straight from the starting gate. The third uncoupled stablemate coasted to a clear lead and a 5 3/4-length victory as the 1-20 favorite. During the race, the Assiniboia announcer noted how “heavily restrained” one of those horses was while the other veered extremely wide through a “snoozer” of a first quarter mile in :25.60. After the race, a posting on the track’s website revealed that regulators had received “a long list” of complaints about the way the $27,500 Winnipeg Sun S. was run. That list got even longer 72 hours later when Tadaa (Going Commando), the 16-1 filly who was wrangled back to last then finished third, beaten 17 lengths, roared back to her usual front-running form. On July 28 she annihilated an Assiniboia allowance field by 10 1/2 lengths as the 3-5 favorite, winning “with something left” according to the Equibase chart. But if any in-depth examination of that July 25 stakes is in the works, the Assiniboia stewards aren’t willing to confirm or speak about it. In fact, the only adjudicatory action to come out of the incident so far has been a vaguely worded, little-publicized stewards’ ruling that revoked a jockey’s license without stating a reason why or declaring him to be in any violation of the rules. It’s unlikely that betting was the prime motivator for anyone who allegedly orchestrated the tactics in the Winnipeg Sun S., because the winner, Escape Clause (Going Commando), went off at 1-20 odds and figured on paper as the solid favorite without any help. But whether or not there was an attempt to make sure the “right” horse won a stakes without pressure while another was kept fresh for a race 72 hours later are among the legitimate questions the MHRC should be asking. The blame, at least for now, appears to be falling solely on jockey Rohan Singh. He rode Tadaa in those two polarizing performances three days apart in late July, but has not set foot in a stirrup at Assiniboia since that filly’s audacious comeback win. MHRC executive director Larry Huber wrote in an Aug. 14 email to TDN that Singh had met with the Assiniboia stewards and “volunteered” to give up his riding license when questioned about his rides aboard Tadaa. Huber then provided a stewards’ ruling that stated “Jockey Rohan Singh’s 2018 Manitoba Horse Racing Commission license is hereby rescinded. Mr. Singh must appear before the Stewards before being considered for re-licensing with the MHRC.” There was no mention in that ruling of the circumstances surrounding Singh’s loss of license. The MHRC, which has consistently posted other Assiniboia stewards’ rulings on its website all meet long, as of this writing has still not posted Singh’s ruling alongside all the others, even though it was dated July 31. If any penalties or sanctions are supposed to be in effect, they are not being honored in reciprocal fashion by regulators at Louisiana Downs, where Singh has been riding since Aug. 7. Over the past week, Huber has not responded to multiple follow-up voicemail and email requests for comment sent by TDN. The three Assiniboia stewards–Brian Palaniuk, Grant Buckoski and Gary Flaman–also did not respond to individual emails seeking comment. Is their reluctance to speak related to a possible conflict of interest within the MHRC itself that could be hindering a fully objective and independent investigation? Barry Arnason is the owner-in-partnership of the winner and the two alleged non-triers in the Winnipeg Sun S. His brother, Brett Arnason, is the chairman of the MHRC. The Arnason family has had decades-long, multi-generation involvement in Manitoba racing. It’s not unusual in racing jurisdictions both large and small to see regulators who are either active racing participants themselves or are related to current licensees. Reached by phone on Thursday, Brett Arnason said he was aware of the stewards’ investigation into the July 25 and July 28 races. But he emphasized that as the commission’s chairman, he is not involved in any day-to-day policing or regulatory activities at Assiniboia. “You’ve seen the race enough times–it was awful. And it made it even worse when [Tadaa] came back and won,” Brett Arnason said. “[Singh’s ride] was one of the worst rides I’ve ever seen..It was considered an extremely bad ride and poor judgment…. He just decided to pack up and leave rather than have an investigation, so he’s gone. There was no real violation, but upon further investigation, if he had stuck around, there might have been a ruling [that stated a specific rules violation].” And what about the similar under-restraint ride by leading rider Antonio Whitehall aboard Amaretto (Going Commando)? “From what I could see, that horse was just so outclassed. He just sat on her all the way around,” Brett Arnason said, at first not recalling that horse. He later added, “But maybe I should watch it again, and look at Amaretto.” When asked whether the fact that his brother owns three of the four horses in that July 25 race presents a conflict of interest in adjudicating the case, Brett Arnason said it does not. “The conflict of interest is eliminated, because any investigation that would go on, I would recuse myself from it,” Brett Arnason said. “I know maybe one of the stewards personally. The rest of them I don’t know. I have nothing to do with hiring them…. I rarely even go to the races, maybe twice a year. I used to train horses, but I try to stay out of it, so that at least if I’m called, I don’t have a bias.” But could the chairman’s position of power with the MHRC implicitly affect how investigators would go about their duty considering his brother, the meet’s current leading owner, is an involved party? Would it inhibit them from asking the tough, but necessary questions about whether or not the jockeys were riding as instructed? “I would hope not. There’s always a potential for somebody to feel like he has an obligation or a duty to protect my brother, but I can’t imagine that would be the case,” Brett Arnason said. “The position of the racing commission is to protect the public so they don’t get cheated by people that are abusing the rules.” Escape Clause, Tadaa and Amaretto–the 1-3-4 finishers from the Winnipeg Sun S.–will all be back in action in the first race at Assiniboia Saturday night. That race is the $25,000 Distaff S. for Manitoba-breds, and this time they are the only three entrants. View the full article

Awards will be presented this fall by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to the highest-placing TAA graduates (and their affiliated TAA-accredited organizations) at five horse shows. The awards will include prizes for the riders and cash for the organizations. The five shows are the Sept. 7-9 New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Show and T.I.P. Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park, the Sept. 22-23 Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show at Fair Hill Natural Resources Center, the Oct. 4-7 Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park, the Oct. 7 Totally Thoroughbred Horse Show at Pimlico Race Course, and the Dec. 8-9 Thoroughbred Holiday Classic Horse Show at Los Angeles Equestrian Center. “TAA-accredited organizations have been well represented by their graduates at these five horse shows,” said TAA operations consultant Stacie Clark Rogers. “The TAA wants to showcase those graduates and to reward the accredited organizations that are successfully transitioning horses off the racetrack and into new careers.” View the full article

With 20 days remaining in the 2018 season, Arlington Park will add an additional 14 races to its race schedule due to the success of this year’s Arlington International Festival of Racing. Highlighted by the 36th running of the GI Arlington Million, the Festival exceeded wagering projections. Arlington plans to invest its additional purse money into carding the 14 extra races. “Thanks to the support from our customers, the 2018 Festival of Racing has been positive from a wagering standpoint,” said Tony Petrillo, Arlington’s General Manager. Petrillo continued, “The horsemen share the common goal of the track and the public to conduct more live races, so we are pleased to provide these additional racing opportunities. Adding races is always at the top of the list of our business initiatives.” With the exception of Sunday, Aug. 26, which will retain a first post of 1:20 p.m., all remaining cards beginning Thursday, Aug. 23, which previously had a 1:20 p.m. post time, will be moved to 1 p.m. to accommodate the additional races. View the full article

Short rest proved no issue for Frostie Anne as the daughter of Frost Giant captured the $100,000 Saratoga Dew Stakes Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course by a half-length over Land Mine for her sixth straight victory. View the full article

eFive Racing and Stonestreet Stables’ Good Magic (Curlin) tuned up for next Saturday’s GI Runhappy Travers S. with a strong five-furlong drill Friday morning that was clocked in 1:00.44 (1/17) over the Saratoga main track. “He worked great,” trainer Chad Brown told the NYRA notes team. “He couldn’t have done any better. I would have preferred to work him Saturday, but I left Friday as an option based on the schedule he’s been on. I just wanted to work him one of those two days.” Brown said that Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus}), last seen finishing second to Justify (Scat Daddy) in the GI Belmont S. June 9, would have his final pre-Travers workout either Saturday or Sunday. “He’s on a different schedule,” said Brown of the Phoenix Thoroughbreds runner. “I have to do what’s best for my horse. I’m flexible. I have a lot of options.” Vino Rosso (Curlin), who will look to give trainer Todd Pletcher a third win in the Midsummer Derby, worked to the inside of his stablemate and 2017 GI Belmont S. hero Tapwrit (Tapit) and was credited with a half-mile in :49.02. Pletcher said that the GII Wood Memorial S. hero “worked very well, enthusiastic and galloped out nicely. It was the work I was hoping he’d put in before the Travers.” Fourth in the Belmont, Vino Rosso found his best stride too late when beaten three-quarters of a length into third by Tenfold (Curlin) in the GII Jim Dandy S. July 28. “He can be an inconsistent sort, he’s a little bit finicky about how much moisture is in the track,” said Pletcher. “In retrospect, that track was a little wetter than he liked in the Jim Dandy, and I think that was the reason it took him so long to get involved. He seems to like a drier surface, so we’ll see what happens on Travers day.” Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales S. winner Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d’Oro) has eschewed Saturday’s GI Alabama S. against her peers and the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown–the Breeders’ S.–in favor of a start in the Travers, in which she’ll try to emulate her sire who won the race in 2002. Working by her lonesome just before 6 a.m. Friday morning, the Gary Barber colorbearer was timed in :47.60 for four furlongs, with an opening two panels in :23.81. She galloped out five-eighths of a mile in 1:00.66, a time that would have ranked second at the distance behind Good Magic. “She goes in 47 and three[-fifths] like most horses go in 51. She’s truly amazing,” said trainer Mark Casse. “She’s sharp. She has a high level of energy all the time. By the time she’s finished cooling out this morning, she’ll be jumping around and trying to kick people. Now, you want to have an easy week and hope everything goes smoothly. This is our lives: you get them to a point where they’re ready and now you’re sitting and waiting.” In other Travers-related news: *Trainer Bill Mott indicated that Curlin S. winner Hofburg (Tapit)–and his GI Personal Ensign S.-bound stablemate and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Elate (Medaglia d’Oro)–would breeze later this weekend or perhaps even Monday, depending on the weather. *The Travers appears set to have a European flavor, as trainer Aidan O’Brien is set to saddle tearaway G2 UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) and Seahenge (Scat Daddy). Each made their most recent appearances in the GIII Dwyer S., finishing well-beaten in third and fifth, respectively, to GI H. Allen Jerkens S. candidate Firenze Fire (Poseidon’s Warrior). The Ballydoyle runners are due into Saratoga Tuesday. View the full article

Graded stakes winner Wonder Gadot and champion Good Magic each completed their major preparations for the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 17. View the full article

Graded stakes winner Wonder Gadot and champion Good Magic each completed their major preparations for the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 17. View the full article