Wandering Eyes

At total of three freshman sires were represented by their first starters April 7 at Keeneland in a $60,000 maiden special weight and all three hit the board despite the rainy conditions. View the full article

Champion galloper Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park) was equal to the task in the Sgp$500,000 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on Sunday, but did not fail in his reputation of sending many shivers down the spine before he got there. Contrary to most of his previous 11 victories where the six-year-old son of Thorn Park leaves it late before touching the line first, he nearly got bloused out this time around. The grandstand was up on their feet and read... View the full article

A trio of New Zealand Bloodstock sale graduates dominated the finish of Sunday’s Gr.2 The Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin. Savabeel gelding Rattan (NZ) produced a powerful late dash to spring a minor upset when he downed Beat The Clock (Hinchinbrook) and Mr Stunning (Exceed And Excel) in a thrilling three-way finish. “If we were going to beat those two top horses, it was going to be today with the allowance,” trainer Richard Gibson said of the 16/1 s... View the full article

Reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock) made it eight wins in succession when he led all the way to take out the Gr.2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) at Sha Tin. The New Zealand-bred gelding is unbeaten in seven runs this season and has now notched 17 wins from 30 starts in his career to date. Hong Kong’s champion might have followed the blueprint that has served him so well in reaching high rank in the global ... View the full article

In the aftermath of his win in Saturday’s GII Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland, R.A. Hill and Gatsas Stables’ Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) was out to graze Sunday morning and trainer George Weaver reported that the colt was in good shape. The chestnut punched his ticket to the GI Kentucky Derby with a convincing 3 1/2-length score on Saturday’s blockbuster card in Lexington. “He is well and happy,” Weaver said before making the same assessment of himself and adding, “I had no trouble getting up this morning.” Vekoma will be the second Derby starter for Louisville native Weaver, following Tencendur (Warrior’s Reward), who was 17th in 2015. “We were excited with [Tencendur] coming into the [Derby] off a second place in the Wood Memorial,” Weaver said. “But they are two different horses. Tencendur was more of a stayer, and this horse has a lot of gears.” Weaver added that Vekoma will walk for the next three days before the connections formulate a more complete plan to get the colt to Derby day. Live Oak Plantation’s Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}) closed with a rush and just got up for second in the Blue Grass, narrowly securing enough points for his own spot in the Churchill starting gate. The homebred will return to his home base of Fair Hill Monday. “That was kind of important, wasn’t it,” trainer Mike Trombetta said of his charge securing the Blue Grass runner-up spot. “At the quarter pole, I thought I was going to the Preakness … He got stopped on the turn pretty significantly. He had nice momentum, but that’s one of the hazards with a big field. Without that, he probably could have made it more interesting [for the winner], but all in all it is probably the happiest I have ever been with a second.” Third finisher Signalman (General Quarters) now sits 18th on the Derby points leaderboard with 38 points and will likely be on the bubble to get in after next week’s final prep races. “If he can’t make the Derby on points then we will go to the Preakness,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “It is a high-level problem to have.” Over at Aqueduct, Juddmonte Farms’ Tacitus (Tapit) also came out of his big Saturday win, in the GII Wood Memorial, in good order, trainer Bill Mott’s assistant Leana Willaford reported. “He came out of it very well,” said Willaford. “He was a little tired, but that’s to be expected. It’s nice to see him overcome [an unfavorable trip]. He’ll go back to the track here in three days and we’ll train him lightly and send him over there when Bill gets to Churchill.” Wood runner-up Tax (Arch) is also pointing for the Derby after earning 40 points for his 1 1/4-length defeat Saturday to put him squarely in the field for the Run for the Roses. “Everything was good this morning,” trainer Danny Gargan said. “I thought he ran a tremendous race and can move forward off that effort. His last three races, he’s improved tremendously … I think we’re set to move forward off this now. The goal all along was the Derby.” Third finisher Haikal (Daaher) remains on track for the Derby, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin confirmed. “He came out of the race in good shape,” McLaughlin said. “I still have to talk to [Shadwell Farms’ Racing Manager] Rick Nichols. I think [we’ll point to the Derby], we’ve been texting back and forth, but I just want to talk to him and make sure. I would assume we’re pointing that way. He ran very well, he finished the fastest last quarter and we just needed another furlong.” In other post-Saturday news: John Servis reported that champion Jaywalk (Cross Traffic), who ran third at even-money in the GI Central Bank Ashland S., remains on target for the GI Kentucky Oaks. The gray, winner of last fall’s GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, was previously fourth at 1-5 in the GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream. “She’s good this morning,” Servis said. “She got pressured by that horse on the outside [eventual winner Out for a Spin], and Javier [Castellano] said she dug in and fought back. She stayed on pretty good … I told my son Tyler after the race that at least this takes some of the pressure off.” Imprimis (Broken Vow), winner of the GII Shakertown S. Saturday at Keeneland, is likely to ship overseas to take a shot in the G1 King’s Stand S. June 18 at Royal Ascot, trainer Joe Orseno reported. “We had discussed running this race or the one at Churchill Downs [GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint S.],” Orseno said. “We are passing on the Churchill race as that would only give us 45 days instead of 10 weeks to train up to Royal Ascot, which is kind of perfect for him.” View the full article

Gran Alegria scored an easy victory in the Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas, G1) April 7 at Hanshin Racecourse, eclipsing the stakes record time established a year earlier by Almond Eye. View the full article

SECRETLY WICKED (f, 2, Wicked Strong–Secret Congrats, by Congrats) provided her first-crop sire (by Hard Spun) with an early first winner Sunday in the Keeneland slop. The chestnut had done much of her early work at Riverside Downs, and shipped into Keeneland to breeze a half-mile from the gate Apr. 2 in :47 2/5. Off at 4-1 with a late jockey switch to hot-handed Paco Lopez after named rider Jose Ortiz’s flight into Lexington was delayed, she showed good early speed to press Competitive Queen (Competitive Edge). That pair was joined by odds-on Wesley Ward newcomer Palace Duchess (Palace) in upper stretch, and despite Secretly Wicked looking like the third-likeliest winner at that point, she dug in gamely while struggling with her lead changes to prevail by 3/4 of a length over Competitive Queen. Palace Duchess flattened out to be third. The winner’s unraced dam produced a Strong Mandate colt in 2018 and a colt by Competitive Edge Mar. 10. Sales history: $1300 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O/T-Jack L Hancock. B-Nancy C Shuford (Ky). View the full article

New York State’s Board of Veterinary Medicine stated in a letter earlier this month that use of the pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy machine–a popular therapy for racehorses–may only be performed by veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Until now, licensed equine therapists were permitted to use the machine on racehorses at racetracks in the state, as well as trainers who had either purchased or leased the machine for use on their own horses, and these trainers’ employees. The decision has caused concern among a number of prominent trainers and veterinarians, who say that such “holistic” therapies should be promoted for the health and welfare of the horse. “We’re going to go back to the department of education to seek clarification on the letter,” said attorney Alan Foreman, who represents the state’s horsemen, about the umbrella agency under which the veterinary board sits. The letter indicates that use of the PEMF machine involves diagnosis and treatment of illness or injury in the horse, which is why veterinarians and veterinary technicians are only permitted to use them, “and we vigorously dispute that,” said Foreman. “We believe they probably do not understand that this is a routine holistic treatment that does not involve any diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury,” said Foreman of the PEMF machine. “We want to clarify that with them, as we think they have misunderstood what is going on here,” Foreman added, explaining that legal precedent appears to be on their side in a 2009 New York state appellate court ruling in the case, “Matter of Brown v New York State Racing & Wagering Bd.” In 2006, the NYSGC declined to license Chris Brown, a practicing veterinary dentist for more than 30 years, on the grounds that he wasn’t a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician. Brown petitioned and litigated the decision, and in 2009, the court ruled in his favor on the grounds that his work as an equine dentist didn’t involve the diagnosis and treatment of conditions requiring veterinary licensure. According to Foreman, he and Dr. Scott Palmer, New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) equine medical director, will appeal the board’s decision in the current situation involving PEMF machines. If the appeal isn’t successful, “then I think the next step is litigation,” said Foreman. The TDN contacted Palmer and the NYSGC for comment, but did not receive a response. According to the machine’s manufacturer, a PEMF machine–which typically costs thousands of dollars–is designed to send electromagnetic pulses into the body, stimulating cell metabolism, which in turn enhances the body’s ability to remain healthy and recover from things like fatigue. These machines are sometimes called by the manufacturer’s name, the Magna Wave or the Pulse Center. In New York, the stand-down for PEMF administration is 24 hours before the horse’s post time. According to practicing veterinarian Dr. James Hunt, “there are no side effects” from using PEMF machines on racehorses. “I see it as a worthwhile alternative therapy that certainly can’t hurt the horse, and if you look at the science behind it, I see it as something that helps a horse recover, so why not?” he added. The application time typically lasts between 45 minutes to an hour, and most horses are kept on a maintenance schedule, say experts. According to Hunt, the veterinary board ruling might lead to the similar restriction of other alternative therapies. “If you’re going to limit that kind of thing, do we have to throw out the vibration plates?” he said. “Do we have to throw out the salt-water spas? Do we have to throw out all the other modalities and treatments and alternatives to stuffing a needle in a horse’s neck? Where does it end?” What’s more, the “economics” of the machine, and the manpower hours needed to administer it, means that practicing veterinarians will not have “any interest” in picking up the slack on New York’s backstretches, said Hunt. If veterinarians and veterinary technicians are the only ones permitted to use these machines at the racetrack, “it disappears,” he said. Others, however, wouldn’t be disappointed if they did disappear from the backstretch. “I don’t think there’s a place for any of these things,” said veterinarian and owner-breeder Dr. Russell Cohen. “If you really like these animals, and breed them and race them like I do, you’re not going to put this on your own horse.” Cohen admits that he hasn’t researched the PEMF machine thoroughly, but suspects that it could be used in a way that masks injury. “It’s not therapy,” said Cohen. “It’s a treatment to run horses.” The minimum requirement to become a licensed veterinary technician in New York is a two-year diploma or degree in veterinary technology, followed by the Veterinary Technician National Examination. But trainer Tom Morley said that licensed equine therapists already possess the knowledge and experience necessary to use the PEMF machine safely and effectively. “You’re looking at a group of people who have given up time, put in their money to become qualified to use them and use them in the correct fashion, and effectively, they’ve decided to take these people’s livelihoods away,” Morley said. No other state restricts use of the machine to veterinarians and vet technicians. In California, licensed veterinarians can sign on PEMF machine operators as assistants, provided they get the go-ahead from an official veterinarian, wrote California Horse Racing Board public relations officer, Mike Marten, in an email. What’s more, California-based trainers and their employees are permitted to use it. PEMF machines “are not considered a problem as long as the treatments aren’t performed within 48 hours of racing,” wrote Marten. The decision of the New York state veterinary board hamstrings only a small number of licensed equine therapists–according to the NYSGC website, there are only nine licensed equine therapists in the state. But the ones it does affect will see their livelihoods significantly impacted, said Dianne Volz, who owns Equine Therapy 502, a business that employs two licensed therapists. “We cover Kentucky, New York and Florida, and wherever the Breeders’ Cup is,” said Volz, about the reach of her business. “New York is probably 60 to70% of my business. So yeah, it would have a huge impact. If we can’t follow the horses that are on the circuit and the clients that we normally work for, then are going to have to give up on racehorses and go to show-horses? Possibly.” Veronica Caravella, a licensed equine therapist, said that in late December, she was not issued new credentials by NYRA on the grounds that Palmer, the state’s equine medical director, had, at that time, deemed the PEMF machine a veterinary modality. Caravella said that she was also told that Palmer’s decision stemmed from an incident at Saratoga the prior summer, when a trainer’s employee who didn’t possess an equine therapist license had been found using a PEMF machine on another trainer’s horse. A number of prominent trainers told the TDN that they are confused and disappointed by the decision. “I would have thought that if we’re striving for less medication, this is a perfect alternative,” said Graham Motion. “Some of these therapists have put a lot of time educating themselves on this equipment, and it seems odd to me that we’re now not allowing them to ply their trade. I don’t understand that.” Kiaran McLaughlin said that he uses the PEMF machine “often” in his stable, and that he’s pleased with the results it provides as an alternative to some of the invasive procedures of veterinary medicine. “I don’t agree with [the decision of the veterinary board], and hopefully something can be done.” View the full article

As it had been at Meydan and Doncaster last weekend, blue was again the colour on ParisLongchamp’s season opener on Sunday with Godolphin’s Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) flaunting his flagrant superiority in the feature G2 Prix d’Harcourt. With his last two runs-both successful-being as far apart as the G3 Autumn S. at Newmarket in October 2017 and the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange over this course and 10-furlong distance in September, it was hard to know what to expect from the imposing individual. No sooner had William Buick been carried two furlongs was the writing on the wall and the bay was unerringly comfortable in a wide-margin lead by the time he entered the famous “false straight”. Still out in isolation after the home turn, the 7-10 favourite was eased considerably in a show of utter dominance to narrow what should have been at least a seven-length advantage to just 1 1/2 at the line from one of Godolphin’s other runners Soleil Marin (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}). Charlie Appleby is aiming high now. “We always had very high hopes for him and if you’d asked me early in the season last year I would have said he was one of ours for the Derby, but he had that setback before the Dante,” he explained to the French press. “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said to give him plenty of time if I thought he was a proper horse and we did. We were tempted with the Champion Stakes after the Prince d’Orange, but again Sheikh Mohammed said to give him time and he’ll repay you next year. He had wintered nicely in Dubai and we brought him back home about two weeks ago. He’s a strong galloper, so I told William [Buick] that if there was no pace don’t be afraid to go on and let him find his stride. He did that very nicely and we have in the [Apr. 28 G1] Prix Ganay and the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup [at The Curragh May 26], but at this stage I would say it will be the Ganay. It has always been the plan to step him up to a mile and a half one day and that will come in time. He could be a nice horse for the Arc, but there is a lot of water to go under the bridge before then so let’s wait and see.” Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Not as exposed as G3 Prix La Force-winning stablemate Shaman (Ire) (Shamardal), Platane (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) nonetheless made up for her lack of game time and justified odds-on favouritism with a determined effort to garner Sunday’s G3 Prix Vanteaux at ParisLongchamp. Yet another off the Alain and Gerard Wertheimer production line, the homebred chestnut opened up with an Oct. 25 debut third tackling one mile at Deauville and shed maiden status with a stylish success over this trip on Chantilly’s synthetic surface in her only other outing Mar. 12. Platane made an alert break and occupied a stalking role in third until taking closer order in the straight. Looming large passing the quarter-mile marker, the crowd’s 9-10 pick hooked up with Etoile (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) entering the final eighth and was ridden out to deny that rival by an ultimately snug neck for a career high. “We studied the race carefully beforehand and identified the frontrunners and where the pace would come from,” revealed trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. “We wanted to sit right behind on the outside as I didn’t want a filly with such a big stride to be hemmed in along the fence. She’s a progressive filly with plenty of class, Maxime [Guyon] rode her to perfection and told me he was always in control. We will now follow the programme for 3-year-old fillies and she’ll come back here for the [May 26 G1] Prix Saint-Alary.” Platane, kin to the hitherto unraced 2-year-old filly Humble (GB) (Cacique {Ire}), is the second foal and lone winner produced by a winning sibling of four black-type performers headed by G3 Prix Minerve victress Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and G3 Prix du Lys winner Goldwaki (Ger) (Dalakhani {Ire}). Her second dam is G3 Prix Cleopatre victress Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon), herself kin to a swathe of black-type performers including storied MG1SW champion Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) and MG1SP sire Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa). Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France PRIX VANTEAUX-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-7, 3yo, f, 9fT, 1:51.69, gd. 1–PLATANE (GB), 126, f, 3, by Le Havre (Ire) 1st Dam: Modestie (Fr), by Nayef 2nd Dam: Gold Round (Ire), by Caerleon 3rd Dam: Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias; J-Maxime Guyon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, €59,050. Werk Nick Rating: First SW from this cross. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Etoile (Fr), 126, f, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Milena’s Dream (Ire), by Authorized (Ire). (€160,000 Ylg ’17 ARAUG). O-Ecurie Philippe Segalot; B-Mme Dominique Ades Hazan, Mme Geraldine Henochsberg & Patrick Fellous (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €16,000. 3–Lady Te (Ger), 126, f, 3, Tertullian–Lady Luck (Ger), by Monsun (Ger). O-Alain Jathiere, Mme Janina Burger & Torsten Raber; B-Gestut Schlenderhan (GER); T-Carina Fey. €12,000. Margins: NK, 4HF, 1. Odds: 0.90, 2.70, 18.00. Also Ran: Alimnia (Fr), Suquitho (Fr), High Ball (Fr), Fan Zone (Fr), Zighidi (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

For Alfred Chan Ka-hei, years of hard work paid off the moment Care Free Prince crossed the line to secure his first Hong Kong victory.Riding a winner at Sha Tin was a dream, so Sunday’s moment was the culmination of a long journey that saw him learning his craft in New Zealand and Australia.Despite having moments when he thought about throwing in the towel, Chan persevered and now all of those challenges seem worth it.“It was quite hard overseas, I was away for nearly four years,” Chan said.“I… View the full article

Expensive import Dark Dream franked his title as a top-end middle distance galloper at Sha Tin on Sunday, albeit three weeks too late for the Hong Kong Derby.The 2018 Group One Queensland Derby (2,200m) winner came to Hong Kong with a A$2 million-plus price tag and high expectations for last month’s Derby, but instead delivered in the Class One Harlech Handicap (2,000m) – breaking a 19-year-old class record.The four-year-old put a slew of fellow beaten Derby horses to the sword, including $2.6… View the full article

... View the full article

Freshened by a decisive win in last month’s Listed Prix Omnium II at Saint-Cloud, Alain and Gerard Wertheimer’s Shaman (Ire) (Shamardal) continued on an upward trajectory and on course for Classic encounters with victory in Sunday’s G3 Prix La Force at ParisLongchamp. The homebred chestnut followed up a July 8 debut win at Chantilly with a second back there in the Aug. 12 Listed Prix Francois Boutin and closed his juvenile campaign with an Oct. 25 Deauville conditions score after running third in the Sept. 9 G3 Prix des Chenes and fifth in the Oct. 7 G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at this track. Shaman assumed control during the opening exchanges and held sway thereafter. Rowed along when threatened passing the two pole, the 7-5 favourite came under increased urging in the latter stages and was driven out to hold the late bid of Rockemperor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) by a neck. “I thought we’d go straight for the [May 12 G1 Poule d’Essais des] Poulains after he won at Saint-Cloud last time,” explained trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. “That would have meant going almost two months without a run, but he was doing so well at home we decided this was an ideal opportunity for him and it was a good way to test his stamina. He had to make an early effort to get on the lead from an outer draw, but he kicked on again when challenged and stayed on nicely. I was a little concerned about the ground after winning so well on heavy going last time, but he handled it fine and it was a good decision to run. We’ll wait and see the Guineas trials before making a decision on whether to drop back in trip for the Poulains or keep him at this trip.” Shaman, who also holds an entry in the June 2 G1 Prix du Jockey Club, is one of five winners produced by dual stakes scorer and G3 Prix Imprudence third Only Green (Ire) (Green Desert), and he is kin to Listed Albury Gold Cup and fellow Listed Prix Omnium II victor Green Sweet (Smart Strike) and the 2-year-old filly Cordova (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Only Green is herself a half to three black-type performers headed by MG1SW European champion Occupandiste (Ire) (Kaldoun {Fr}), who in turn is the dam of four stakes winners–headed by MG1SW Mondialiste (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})–and the granddam of G1 Prix du Jockey Club-winning sire Intello (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}). Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France PRIX LA FORCE-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 4-7, 3yo, c/g, 9fT, 1:50.24, gd. 1–SHAMAN (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Shamardal 1st Dam: Only Green (Ire) (MSW & GSP-Fr, $165,007), by Green Desert 2nd Dam: Only Seule, by Lyphard 3rd Dam: Elle Seule, by Exclusive Native 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias; J-Maxime Guyon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 7-4-1-1, €138,440. *1/2 to Green Sweet (Smart Strike), SW-Aus & Fr, $239,142. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Rockemperor (Ire), 128, c, 3, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Motivation (Fr), by Muhtathir (GB). (€50,000 Ylg ’17 ARAUG; €12,000 2yo ’18 ARQMAY). O-Mme Claudine Escoubet, Scuderia Scolari, Jerome Vallier & Pierre Beziat; B-Haras du Mezeray SA (IRE); T-Simone Brogi. €16,000. 3–Roman Candle (GB), 128, c, 3, Le Havre (Ire)–Holy Dazzle (GB), by Sunday Break (Jpn). (€190,000 Ylg ’17 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-Ecurie Melanie, Ecurie Haras du Cadran & Adrian von Gunten (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €12,000. Margins: NK, 2, HF. Odds: 1.40, 13.00, 3.20. Also Ran: Veronesi (Fr), Sottsass (Fr), Getchagetchagetcha (GB), Urwald (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Trainer John Moore joked it is always nice to have his “Ferrari” Beauty Generation in the garage after winning the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, but the champion galloper again proved he is no laughing matter.The six-year-old extended his winning streak to eight, including seven this season – equalling the record – in a canter thanks in part to a forward-thinking Zac Purton ride.The Australian was concerned about a strong headwind in the back straight and was not… View the full article

A primed Rattan has landed one of the upsets of the season, knocking off Hong Kong’s premier speedsters in Sunday’s Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m).Mr Stunning and Beat The Clock – winners of the past two 1,200m Group Ones at Sha Tin – were all the rage in betting, jumping at $1.40 and $2.80 respectively, however it turned out to be anything but a two-horse race as they were ripe for the picking.Richard Gibson’s Rattan was the forgotten runner, starting at $17 despite a strong fourth behind… View the full article

Speedway Stable's Roadster, the allowance winner Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert had waiting in the wings, jumped up with a massive late run April 6 to deny Game Winner victory in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

After enjoying a successful day at Te Aroha on Saturday with Group One winner Nicoletta and promising three-year-old Santa Catarina, owner Lib Petagna and his familiar lime, blue and gold colours were to the fore again on Sunday when speedy two-year-old Ramazzotti scored over 800m on debut at Pukekohe. The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Per Incanto filly showed speed from a mid-field barrier to take control of the race and never gave her rivals a look in as she cruised home to score by ... View the full article

... View the full article

A bold plan to land a Group One came up a neck short for talented mare Supera on Saturday when she finished a gallant runner-up in the Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha. Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso and Mark Donoghue had set the four-year-old Savabeel mare for the race after she finished midfield in the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic (1600m) at Otaki in February. After enjoying a perfect run three-back on the fence throughout, Supera produced a res... View the full article

After Gift Box took the lead off the turn for home in the 1 1/4-mile test, McKinzie had him in his sights, and the two hooked up for a battle down the length of the California stretch. View the full article

Amidst the aftermath of the celebrations for popular mare Nicoletta scoring her maiden Group One win at Te Aroha on Saturday another milestone slipped under the guard of many people. The victory became the 20th New Zealand stakes win for her trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman this season, equalling their record set in 2017-2018, whilst it also marked the 100th New Zealand stakes winner for Forsman, who is in his seventh season with Baker. While Forsman confesses the individual milestone is... View the full article

Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Tacitus secured another Road to the Kentucky Derby win when he rallied to take the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G2) April 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

No one has ever saddled the first three favorites in the GI Kentucky Derby, but that’s exactly what’s going to happen if Improbable (City Zip) wins next week’s GI Arkansas Derby. Of course, there are no guarantees that Bob Baffert will win the Derby, but at the conclusion of the GI Santa Anita Derby, the third of three major Kentucky Derby preps run Saturday, it’s hard to imagine that he won’t. His horses are just better than everyone else’s. Not that that is some sort of shocking news. Baffert has won two Triple Crowns, five Kentucky Derbies and nine Santa Anita Derbies. He is one Kentucky Derby win away from tying Ben Jones as the winningest trainer in the race’s history. When it comes to developing quality 3-year-old males and winning big races with them, no one else comes close. Only Baffert could come out of a Derby prep where he ran two horses and both ran so well that either one could be the favorite at Churchill Downs. That said, Santa Anita Derby winner Roadster (Quality Road) looks he might be the narrow favorite May 4. Back in July, he was the one Baffert thought was his top hope for the major 3-year-old races. He dominated in a maiden special weight race at Del Mar and then came back in the GI Del Mar Futurity. He was the 7-10 favorite that day. Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) was Baffert’s “other” horse, sent off at 8-5. Game Winner won, but it was later discovered that Roadster, who was third, had a breathing problem and needed corrective surgery. Once recovered, he began training again and Baffert had him ready for a 2 1/2-length win in an allowance race. Roadster was even better Saturday, winning over 1-2 favorite Game Winner. With Mike Smith aboard, he was patiently ridden and didn’t appear to have much of a chance on the far turn as he was about eighth lengths back. But Smith obviously knew what he had underneath him. When he called on Roadster, the colt took off. Smith was just a passenger as he flew by Game Winner and third-place finisher Instagrand (Into Mischief). He won by a half-length. Yet, you could argue that he was not the best horse in the Santa Anita Derby and that Game Winner was. Last year’s 2-year-old champion was a hard-luck loser in the GII Rebel S., losing the head bob to Omaha Beach (War Front). Ironically, it was Smith that also engineered that upset of Game Winner, riding the Richard Mandella-trained colt. This was not jockey Joel Rosario’s finest hour. In a six-horse field, he had Game Winner four-wide on the first turn and three-wide on the second. Meanwhile, Smith hugged the rail on the first turn and stayed there until about midway on the second turn, when he wheeled out for a clear run at the leaders. According to the Trakus chart, Game Winner ran 38 feet further than Roadster did and his average speed for the entire race was a bit faster, 37.1 miles per hour to 37.0 for Roadster. In just another week, we’ll get another look at Improbable, who could turn out to be even better than Game Winner and Roadster. He lost for the first time when second in one of the split divisions of the Rebel, but , like Game Winner Saturday, he took the scenic route under young Drayden Van Dyke. Four wide on both turns, he lost to a horse, Long Range Toddy (Take Charge Indy), who saved all the ground. As for Instragrand, he remains the biggest disappointment among this year’s crop of 3-year-olds. With a perfect trip loose on the lead, he had no answer when Game Winner and Roadster came after him. He looked like a superstar after winning the GII Best Pal S. in August when owner Larry Best made an unorthodox decision and ordered trainer Jerry Hollendorfer to give the colt the rest of the year off. Plenty of good 2-year-olds peak early and don’t develop at three, and that may be the case with Instagrand. It’s more likely that Best’s decision backfired and that sitting in the barn for three months when he should have been gearing up for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was something that set the horse back. It was a great day at Santa Anita, where the card also included a thrilling finish in the GI Santa Anita H., which was won by Gift Box (Twirling Candy). But it wasn’t just the races. There were no breakdowns or incidents of any kind, and had there been, it would have been disastrous, not just for Santa Anita, but for the entire sport. The last thing the anti-racing people needed was more fuel for their fire, especially fuel that came from the biggest day of the meet. Few expected that the GII Wood Memorial S. or the GII Blue Grass S. would overshadow the Santa Anita Derby or produce a horse that would be among the top three or four choices in the Derby. They weren’t wrong. Both races have been hurt badly by Gulfstream’s decision to move the GI Florida Derby to five weeks before the Kentucky Derby. When it was seven weeks out, the horse that came out of that race would be given another prep for the Derby, often in the Wood or the Blue Grass. That doesn’t happen anymore as the Florida Derby starters don’t race again until Derby Day. That’s left the Blue Grass and the Wood relying on late-developers, GII Tampa Bay Derby starters and second-stringers, the reason why both were downgraded. In the Blue Grass, Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) raced a bit greenly in the stretch, but was a clear winner over Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}), who had a troubled trip. He’ll likely be in the 15-1, 20-1 range for the Derby. Kudos to trainer George Weaver, who passed the $1 million Florida Derby in order to find an easier assignment. He got everything he wanted, a starting spot in the Derby and a $600,000 check for his owners. Over at Aqueduct, Tacitus (Tapit) won the Wood Memorial, which will give Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott a certain starter in the Kentucky Derby. He’s a beautifully bred horse and did what he had to do to collect the win in the Wood. But much as the case will be with Vekoma, come Derby time, handicappers probably won’t be impressed by the quality of horses that he defeated. Neither are horses Baffert needs to fear. That may not be the case with Omaha Beach, and with a win in the Arkansas Derby, he will pose a serious threat to the Baffert trio. In the meantime, the Baffert assembly line keeps cranking them out and it sure looks like the 145th Kentucky Derby has his name on it. View the full article

Speedway Stable's Roadster powered home with a massive late run April 6 to win the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park. View the full article