Wandering Eyes

From a claimer way back in July of 2017 to a grade 1 Aug. 11, Barry Schwartz's Voodoo Song is untouchable at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

VOODOO SONG (c, 4, English Channel–Mystic Chant, by Unbridled’s Song) took the initiative from the start and never looked back, leading wire to wire to capture the GI Fourstardave H. The New York-bred, who went a remarkable four for four at last year’s Saratoga meet, continued his love affair with the local turf and notched his first Grade I success. Away to an alert break, he spurted over to clear the speedy Heart to Heart and opened up a sizable advantage through fractions of :23.53 and :46.89. Getting a bit of a breather into the far turn as the pack caught up to him, Voodoo Song rebroke once straightened out for the drive and would not let Delta Prince (Street Cry {Ire}) rally past in the final yards. The final time over a rain-moistened turf course was 1:35.96. Voodoo Song’s hot streak here last year culminated with a victory in the GIII Saranac S. in September. He took a few starts to regain his best form after a winter layup this year and was third in the GIII Poker S. before recently capturing a strong renewal of the Forbidden Apple S. at Belmont July 14. Lifetime Record: GISW, 16-8-2-1, $881,685. O-Barry K. Schwartz. B-Stonewall Farm (KY). T-Linda Rice. View the full article

6th-Saratoga, $85,000, Msw, 8-11, 2yo, 7f, 1:24.62, gd. NETWORK EFFECT (c, 2, Mark Valeski–Sandy Key Gal, by Put It Back) posted a steady series of works at Monmouth and Saratoga in preparation for this debut and was sent off at a generous price–somewhat atypical of horses debuted by these connections. Away just a touch slowly, the colt advanced willingly in a tight spot on the rail behind a quarter-mile in :22.80 and was shuffled back a bit entering the turn in tight quarters. Patiently handled into the lane as pacesetting Derby Date (Will Take Charge) made a run for it and gapped the field, Network Effect shifted out and reeled that rival in, finishing willingly to score by three lengths over Derby Date, who was another 3 1/4 lengths clear of Road Home (Quality Road). The winner’s dam was bred back to Noble Bird this spring. Sales History: $95,000 2yo ’18 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $46,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Louis Jolin (FL); T-Chad C. Brown. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton’s Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavillion in Saratoga was the site Thursday for a federal legislative briefing held by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop, along with The Alpine Group principal and CFO Greg Means, discussed several topics impacting the racing industry. The Alpine Group represents both the NTRA and the industry’s lobbying interests in Washington, D.C. Issues highlighted included Treasury and IRS regulations that modernize federal withholding and reporting of parimutuel winnings, which has resulted in a 90-95% reduction in the filing of IRS Form W-2Gs; the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of December, 2017, which provides incentives to invent in racing and breeding; immigration policy, including the lack of H-2B visas available to the Thoroughbred industry, which has caused a marked labor shortage on the backstretch; and the Supreme Court victory by the Monmouth Park/New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which moved horse racing wagering from the online realm into the $400 billion business of America’s sports betting industry. In addition, the briefing also updated the challenges involving exclusions by four of the nation’s largest banks which disallow customers to fund Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) accounts using their Visa and MasterCard credit cards. In January, JP Morgan Chase began allowing this funding and the NTRA is working with the others to reverse the exclusions. The ADW wagering exclusions may also apply to the wider world of sports betting, leading to multiple banking issues. Additionally, some search engines, including Google, may block ADW wagering. The advent of sports betting looks to drastically change these particular issues. View the full article

Good Magic led a busy Aug. 11 worktab at Saratoga Race Course as he turned in his first breeze since winning the betfair.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) in preparation for the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 25 at Saratoga. View the full article

The next up-and-coming filly in the Southern California sprint division, LNJ Foxwoods' Anonymity will look to spoil Skye Diamonds' repeat in the 6 1/2-furlong Rancho Bernardo. View the full article

While the past few weeks trainer Jeremiah Englehart wasn't quite sure where to next run New York-bred Sue's Fortune, the talented juvenile filly kept making her case in the mornings. View the full article

The Jockey Club’s estimated 2019 Thoroughbred foal crop of 21,500 is identical to what was projected for 2018, it was announced Saturday. The 2018 projection represented a decrease from 22,500 in 2017. The foal crop projection is computed using the reports of mares bred, which is due Aug. 1 of each year. “We estimate that approximately 85% of reports of mares bred, which the foal crop estimate is based on, have been received,” said Matt Iuliano, The Jockey Club’s executive vice president and executive director. Stallion owners who have not yet submitted their RMBs for the 2018 season are encouraged by The Jockey Club to submit them as soon as possible. RMBs can be submitted electronically at registry.jockeyclub.com. Additional foal crop information is available in The Jockey Club fact book. View the full article

Sunday, August 12, 2018 11th-SAP, Elm S.-G3, ¥68,700,000 ($620k), 3yo/up, 1700m DREAM KIRARI (h, 6, Giant’s Causeway–Truant, by Gone West), a $250K graduate of the 2013 Keeneland September sale, is out of an unraced daughter of French G3 winner Korveya (Riverman), the dam of champion and three-time G1SW Bosra Sham (Woodman) and champion and 5x G1SW Hector Protector (Woodman). Winner two back of the Listed Keyaki S. (1400m) at Toyko (video, gate 6), the dark bay will try to improve on a third-place effort in this race 12 months ago. A Medaglia d’Oro half-sister is set to be offered by Denali Stud as hip 533 at this year’s KEESEP sale. B-Colts Neck Stables LLC (KY) –Alan Carasso View the full article

SUE’S FORTUNE (f, 2, Jump Start–Democrat Taxes, by Catienus) wired the field to capture the GII Adirondack S. early in the card at Saratoga Saturday. Perched on the outside as favored Lyrical Lady (More Than Ready) rattled off a quarter-mile in :21.72, she moved to the front on the far turn as the pacesetter grew leg weary and took control into the stretch. Reaching for the wire as Virginia Eloise (Curlin) came rallying down the center of the strip, the New York-bred had just enough gas left in the tank to prevail by a half-length. The final time for 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:19.23. A first-out winner at Belmont July 5, the homebred has a full-brother born this season. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $157,200. O-Fortune Farm (Richard Nicolai). B-Richard Nicolai (NY). T-Jeremiah Englehart. View the full article

Like the stars of the silver screen alighting on the Cannes Film Festival, the Niarchos Family’s Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is the prime head-turner on display in Deauville on Sunday as she bids to extend her summer dominance in the G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois. Guided to easy wins in the June 22 G1 Coronation S. and July 13 G1 Falmouth S. by Colm O’Donoghue following her breakthrough success in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, the homebred ‘TDN Rising Star‘ has ground conditions in her favour here and a comfortable cushion on ratings. “I’m looking forward to it, she’s in good form and came out of the Falmouth really well,” her rider commented. “Obviously she’s flying over there for the first time and group ones are never easy to win, but we are going there full of confidence.” Taking on the colts for the first time and certainly the best older horses she has faced, this will provide a true measure of Alpha Centauri’s merit with the likes of the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), May 27 G1 Prix d’Ispahan winner Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper) and June 19 G1 Queen Anne S. scorer Accidental Agent (GB) (Delegator {GB}) in attendance. Whether the Royal Ascot victory of the latter was an aberration remains to be seen and in many ways the 4-year-old is the eternal underdog, but that contest is rock-solid and has stood up on several occasions subsequently. The 3-year-olds have been underwhelming so far when taking on their elders and of the Queen Anne vanquished Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper), Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal [GB}), Beat the Bank (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}), Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Suedois (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) have all shone a favourable light on the form. Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton is hopeful he can shake things up again, “Everything has gone to plan with him since Ascot and we couldn’t be happier,” she said. “We aren’t really bothered what the ground is like and we’re just really looking forward to it.” George Strawbridge’s ‘TDN Rising Star‘ With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}) took the G1 Prix Rothschild over this course and distance two weeks ago and probably needs to improve again but her stamina at this trip should see her trying to chase down Alpha Centauri late. Meade Out To Break Ballydoyle Stranglehold… At The Curragh, the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. features the June 19 G2 Coventry S. runner-up and G2 July S. winner Advertise (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), with trainer Martyn Meade bullish this week as he pondered taking on a generally beleaguered Ballydoyle stable. Phoenix Thoroughbred’s acquisition has the Coventry third Sergei Prokofiev (Scat Daddy), 13th The Irish Rover (Ire) (No Nay Never) and 22nd Indigo Balance (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) to confront again and commonsense suggests he should prevail. “He’s been in really good form and came out of Newmarket terribly well,” Meade said. “Any group one is hugely tough, so I don’t underestimate the task at all, but I think he’s got every right to be there on his past form. Obviously Mr O’Brien has got those four horses. I don’t know much about them apart from Sergei Prokofiev, whom we beat at Ascot. We’ve had a bit more experience with his race at Newmarket. I just hope we can hold him. That will be our main challenge, but Mrs Harrington’s got one there too. We’re certainly going there hopeful.” Sergei Prokofiev, who had won by four lengths in the Listed Rochestown S. at Naas May 20, is on the return after an easy spell since Royal Ascot and given the recent stable form any kind of respectable showing will be welcome. “I’m happy with him and looking forward to seeing Sergei again,” commented Aidan O’Brien, who would probably be surprised to win a 17th renewal despite saddling two-thirds of the field. “He had a great run in Ascot and he’s a very fast horse, we always thought a lot of him.” ‘TDN Rising Star‘ So Perfect (Scat Daddy) beat the subsequent G3 Silver Flash S. winner Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy) in the July 1 G3 Grangecon Stud S. over this course and distance and will provide the first real measurement of how the 2-year-old fillies sit alongside the colts. In Germany, the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten is the target for Godolphin’s G2 Princess of Wales’s S. winner Best Solution (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and the form of that July 12 Newmarket contest received a boost at Goodwood from Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}). “This is another step up for him after he won the group two at Newmarket,” Saeed bin Suroor commented. “It’s going to be tough, there are some nice German horses in there, but he has the class. It’s his favourite trip–a mile and a half–so we’ll so how he goes. The key to this horse is the ground, any rain in Germany this weekend will help him. He handled it a little bit quicker at Newmarket, but he’s definitely better when it’s soft.” He tackles last year’s winner Dschingis Secret (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), who regained the winning thread last time in the G2 Grosser Hansa-Preis at Hamburg July 1, last year’s G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Preis von Europa hero Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) and the July 8 G1 Deutsches Derby third Royal Youmzain (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}). View the full article

It was ladies’ day at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday when the overall team prize went to the ‘Girls’ team of Hayley Turner, Hollie Doyle and Josephine Gordon. For good measure Hayley Turner also clinched the Silver Saddle award, beating Joe ‘Magic Man’ Moreira by just a point. The winning team got of to a flier when Hollie Doyle steered Tis Marvellous (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) to victory in the opening dash with Hayley Turner grabbing third place but team Europe fought back in the next when Per-Anders Graberg partnered Cleonte (Ire) (Sir Percy {GB}) to victory in the stayers race. That was the first of three winners on the card for trainer Andrew Balding and he provided Team Europe with another winner when Genetics (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) and Andrasch Starke routed their opponents by twelve lengths in the Challenge over a mile and a half. A second and third for team captain Josephine Gordon and Hollie Doyle in that contest gave the girls a narrow advantage and they consolidated that in the next when Hayley Turner drove Via Serendipity (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) home in front in the Shergar Cup Mile for trainer Stuart Williams. Going into the final two races Team Europe sat in second with a significant points gap back to Great Britain & Ireland and Rest Of World. Joe Moreira did his bit for his Rest of World side when guiding Andrew Balding’s third winner Berkshire Blue (Ire) (Champs Elysees {GB}) home narrowly in the Classic and the Japan bound supremo again proved his worth when winning the final contest the sprint on Green Power (GB) (Kheleyf) for trainer John Gallagher. Hayley Turner’s second place finish aboard Roundhay Park (GB) (Mayson {GB}) was enough for her to clinch the Silver Saddle prize for the day’s leading jockey and she commented, “I’ve been coming to the Shergar Cup for 12 years now and it is a very special day. The progression of female jockeys is something that is really being pushed and discussed, and this is a fine example of how well girls can do in racing. It’s been a fantastic day. The whole family is here and they are having the best day ever.” Despite not getting her head in front on the day the winning team captain Josephine Gordon was in celebratory mood and said, “Today’s been really good fun and it’s one of the best days of the year. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our day and it’s great to win. It’s back to reality tomorrow though as I’m at Windsor, but I’m on a bit of a high right now.” View the full article

Putting her most recent disappointment when seventh in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. behind her, Main Edition (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) returned to winning ways by leading at every step of Newmarket’s G3 german-thoroughbred.com Sweet Solera S. Sent off the 7-4 favourite carrying a three-pound penalty as a result of her win in the June 22 G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot, Saif Ali’s bay was always travelling best under P J McDonald and gave generously on her first try over the seventh furlong to beat the Albany runner-up La Pelosa (Ire) (Dandy Man {GB}) by 1 1/4 lengths. Saturday, Newmarket, Britain GERMAN-THOROUGHBRED.COM SWEET SOLERA S.-G3, £50,000, Newmarket, 8-11, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:27.31, g/s. 1–MAIN EDITION (IRE), 129, f, 2, by Zoffany (Ire) 1st Dam: Maine Lobster, by Woodman 2nd Dam: Capades, by Overskate 3rd Dam: Medal of Valor, by Damascus (62,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-Saif Ali; B-Minch Bloodstock (IRE); T-Mark Johnston; J-P J McDonald. £28,355. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0, $118,873. *1/2 to Major Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), MGSW & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr & GSP-Ire, $541,713; and Beachfire (GB) (Indian Haven {GB}), SW-Eng, $146,581. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–La Pelosa (Ire), 126, f, 2, Dandy Man (Ire)–Lauren’s Girl (Ire), by Bushranger (Ire). (€52,000 Wlg ’16 GOFNOV; €40,000 RNA Ylg ’17 GOFOR; 280,000gns 2yo ’18 TATBRE). O-Godolphin; B-Elton Lodge Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £10,750. 3–Model Guest (GB), 126, f, 2, Showcasing (GB)–Looks All Right (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (135,000gns Ylg ’17 TAOCT). O-John Guest Racing; B-Glebe Farm Stud (GB); T-G. G. Margarson. £5,380. Margins: 1 1/4, 2HF, 1. Odds: 1.75, 3.50, 33.00. Also Ran: Impulsion (Ire), Ajrar (GB), Pennywhistle (Ire), California Love (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. 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. Sunday’s Insights features a full-sister to Irish Derby winner Latrobe (Ire) 3.00 Curragh, Cond, €30,000, 2yo, f, 7fT PINK DOGWOOD (IRE) (Camelot {GB}) was a €380,000 purchase at the Goffs Orby Sale and that looked particularly well spent after her full-brother Latrobe (Ire) captured the G1 Irish Derby in June. Also a half to the G3 Gladness S. winner Diamond Fields (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), the February-foaled bay is the sole Ballydoyle representative in a race the stable won with Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) two years ago. View the full article

Augustin Stable homebred Spring Quality and Gunpowder Farms' Divisidero will not compete in the 36th running of the Grade I Arlington Million. View the full article

2nd-Cork, €16,500, Mdn, 8-11, 2yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:41.83, gd. DUCKETT’S GROVE (c, 2, Point of Entry–Xylonia, by Horse Chestnut {SAf}), sent off at 8-1, moved up to lead after the initial yards and was travelling comfortably there before kicking decisively off the home bend. Staying on strongly to the line, the bay had a convincing 2 1/2-length margin to spare over Ballydoyle’s 4-9 favourite Mount Everest (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the son of Six Perfections (Fr) (Celtic Swing {GB}) who exhibited the same lethargy as his full-brother Yucatan (Ire). Owner and trainer Emmett Mullins told Irish Racing.com, “All the two-year-olds I’ve had have been bought to be sold and he went to the Breeze-Ups. I’ve always thought a huge amount of him, but everyone else who saw him at the Breeze-Ups did not so I had to bring him home. Everything he showed me at home, he’s different class to any two-year-old I’ve ever had anything to do with. He’s entered in a Group Two at Leopardstown [the Golden Fleece on Irish Champions day Sept. 15] and if I still have him we’ll aim for that I’d imagine. He’s a gorgeous, big, galloping horse and all [jockey] Gary [Carroll] said there was he’s going to make an awesome three-year-old. From day one everything he’s done just came to him straight away. That’s the fourth time the gates have opened in front of him and he comes out sharp. He’s just got it and a lot of them I’ve had don’t!” The dam, whose yearling filly by Cairo Prince is unnamed, is a full-sister to the GIII Long Island H. third My Rachel, herself the producer of three stakes performers. She is also a half to Jack Milton (War Front), winner of the GI Maker’s 46 Mile S. who was also placed in the GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, the GI Secretariat S. and GI Jamaica H., and the GIII Noble Damsel S. scorer Peace Preserver also by War Front. Sales history: $3,500 Wlg ’16 KEENOV; $40,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $11,600. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O/T-Emmet Mullins; B-Silver Springs Stud, LLC (KY). View the full article

G1 Coral Eclipse winner Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) stretched his legs up the July Course straight at Newmarket before racing on Saturday as he continues his preparation ahead of the G1 Juddmonte International at York in ten days time. Robert Havlin partnered Qatar Racing’s colt and he pulled clear of his work mate to leave his trainer John Gosden satisfied ahead of the £1-million race where he is quite likely to meet Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) for the fourth time this season. “He worked with a much better horse than he did the last time he did this. I was very pleased with him and he worked very nicely. Rab said he had plenty left,” Gosden said. Its four weeks since Roaring Lion gained a first Group 1 win in the Eclipse and Gosden has enjoyed a smooth interval with the colt in the meantime. “It is the first time he has been on the grass since the Eclipse. He has been in good form since Sandown and we are happy with him,” he added. Gosden also had an update on star filly Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) as the brilliant 4-year-old creeps ever closer to making a belated return to action. Although the Juddmonte home-bred holds two entries at York’s Ebor Festival her trainer is more inclined to wait an extra couple of weeks and said, “She worked this morning with Frankie [Dettori]. She is very well in herself and in good form. I think it is more likely she will go to the September Stakes [at Kempton Sept. 8] rather than rushing to get to York. I couldn’t be more pleased with her.” View the full article

1st-Cork, €16,500, Mdn, 8-11, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:40.65, gd. ZAGITOVA (IRE) (f, 2, Galileo {Ire}–Penchant {GB}, by Kyllachy {GB}), runner-up over seven furlongs at Newmarket on debut July 14, was quickly in front. Turning the screw passing the quarter pole, the 3-10 favourite had 4 1/2 lengths to spare over Bandiuc Eile (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) at the line. The first foal of the unraced dam Penchant turned out to be Garswood (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), hero of the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and G2 Lennox S., G1SW-Fr, GSW-Eng, $575,270, who now stands at Cheveley Park Stud and has his first crop running this term. With yearling and foal full-sisters to Zagitova to come, she is a half-sister to Infallible (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) who took the G3 Nell Gwyn S. and was placed in the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Falmouth S. She in turn produced Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who was successful in the G2 Summer Mile, runner-up in the G1 Queen Anne S. and third in the G1 Juddmonte International S., Intimation (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who captured the G3 Prix de Flore and Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who was third in the most recent runnings of the G1 Nassau S. and G1 Coronation S. Ballydoyle have been involved in this family previously via the G1 Prix Morny third Parliament Square (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who is connected to the recent G2 Prix Robert Papin third True Mason (GB) (Mayson {GB}). Sales history: 1,600,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $14,657. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. View the full article

The Sir Michael Stoute trained Smart Call (SAf) (Ideal World), a multiple Group 1 winner in her native South Africa and recent winner of the G3 Hoppings Fillies’ S. at Newcastle has been retired from racing. According to the Racing Post, the Jessica Slack owned 7-year-old will be bred to Juddmonte stallion Kingman (GB) on Southern Hemisphere time but will remain in Britain until next year. “It’s such a privilege for us to be able to send her to a stallion like Kingman, and we are so excited to be able to add her to our broodmare band,” Slack said. Slack plans to keep Smart Call at The National Stud in Newmarket where she will hopefully foal next year before being recovered and then sent back to the Slack family’s Mauritzfontein Stud in South Africa. Smart Call was formerly trained in South Africa by Alec Laird for whom her top level triumphs included the G1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock S. and the J&B Met at Kenilworth in 2016. She was last seen finishing fourth in the G2 Sky Bet York S. at York July 28. View the full article

This weekend offers a cracking showcase of Group 1 racing taking place at Deauville (France) and Hoppegarten Racecourse in Germany. This Sunday Deauville Racecourse plays host to the one mile Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois. Open to horses three years and older, it is certain to bring racing fans out in force with the seasons star three year old set to strut her stuff. The Jessica Harrington trained Alpha Centauri will be looking to complete a Group 1 four timer at the French track in what has already been an incredible season. The fillies current impressive form includes taking the title in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes and Falmouth Stakes this season. The daughter of Mastercraftsman has been burning up the gallops in Moone and with this current even money favourite looks set to put on a big performance for connections. With eleven horses set to run, the card may be viewed as a one horse race with Jessie’s stable star likely to bring the prize home, however there are some big name threats to the three-year-old. Freddy Head-trained With You is another to keep an eye on in the betting ring as the current 11/2 looks like good value. The Prix Jacques Le Marois will take place only a fortnight after With You dropped back in trip leading to the daughter of Dansili putting on a stellar performance to win the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville by a three length margin at Deauville at the end of last month. Trainer Freddy Head is also bidding for a fourth success in the race and he also won it seven times as a jockey. Eve Johnson Houghton trained Accidental Agent is another to watch on this interesting card of runners. The four year old son of Delegator is certainly not a horse to be brushed to the side, especially considering Accidental Agents performance at Ascot last June when winning the Queen Anne Stakes priced at mammoth 33/1, he may be a force to be reckoned with. Other entries to keep an eye on include Ken Condon’s Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, Romanised and Recoletos who is trained by C. Laffon-Parias. SELECTION: Alpha Centauri Best SolutionThis Sunday, Hoppegarten Racecourse welcomes the Group 1 128th Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin. This one mile and four furlongs race is open to horses three years and older and welcomes a field of seven runners. Markus Klug trained Dschingis Secret, is one of the current joint-favourite at 9/5 and connections are hoping he is set to continue with his impressive form. With a form of 121 on his last three outings he will be the one to beat. On his last run, the son of Soldier Hollow was steered to victory with Martin Seidl on board in the Group 2 Grosser Hansa-Preis at Hamburg, last month. The five year old will be ridden by Adrie de Vries at the Hoppegarten track on Sunday. Godolphin-owned Best Solution is set to make his mark at the German track this weekend. Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, the son of Kodiac put on an impressive display at Newmarket last month when he won the Group 2, Princess Of Wale’s Arqana Racing Club Stakes. He is the other joint favourite and he will be one to watch as jockey Pat Cosgrave will do the steering. Andreas Wohler-trained Royal Youmazain is another strong runner in the field of seven. A progeny of Youmazain, the three year old colt is expected to improve from his previous outing where he finished third in the Group 1 German Derby at Hamburg last month under the guidance of jockey Eduardo Pedroza who again will do the steering aboard the three year old on Sunday. Others with chances include Markus Klug-trained Windstross and Peter Schiergen-trained Sound Check. Selection: Best Solution The post Sunday Preview: Prix Jacques Le Marois & Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Nick Columb, a prominent figure in the Australasian racing and bloodstock community has died. He was 72 years of age and apparently suffered a stroke while on holidays in Spain last week. He ultimately failed to recover, passing away surrounded by his family on Friday night. Columb wore several hats during his time in racing; as an owner he enjoyed top level success in the 1980s with the likes of G1 Caulfield Cup winners Imposera (NZ) (Imposing {Aus}) and Tristarc (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), while he also won a G1 Golden Slipper with Courtza (NZ) (Pompeii Court). Columb was also chairman of Australia’s Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association for 15 years until 2001 while in recent times he was an influential decision maker at major bloodstock auctions through his role as bloodstock consultant for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Columb developed a long standing friendship with Arrowfield Stud’s John Messara who lead the tributes to his colleague and friend. “Nick Columb was the staunchest friend, always fearless, constantly innovative and deeply passionate about horse racing and so much else,” Messara told Racing.com. “He leaves an unfillable gap in Arrowfield’s world, and so many good memories and reasons to be grateful for his incomparable life.” Columb’s colleague at the HKJC Mark Richards was another to mourn his passing. He paid tribute to Columb on Twitter and said, “So sad at hearing this morning, my close mate and colleague Nick Columb had passed on during the night. Taught me a great deal in the last couple of years. I’m a better person for knowing him. Condolences to all his family. RIP Nico.” View the full article

A drop in class and a perfect trip did the trick for Cordiality Aug. 10 in the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes at Del Mar. View the full article

Alert Bay has won on dirt (fast and wet), he's won on turf, and he's won on synthetic, but he's yet to win the Longacres Mile Handicap (G3) in two tries at Emerald Downs. View the full article

The next up-and-coming filly in the Southern California sprint division, LNJ Foxwoods' Anonymity, will look to spoil Skye Diamonds' repeat in the 6 1/2-furlong Rancho Bernardo. View the full article

The lawyers of former Thoroughbred trainer Rick Dutrow are slamming a written order released this week by New York regulators that explained why the state will not reconsider the 2011 penalty that booted Dutrow out of racing for at least 10 years. View the full article