Wandering Eyes

Patience paid off April 5 for owner-breeder Ivan Dalos as Avie's Flatter rallied between horses and stormed through the stretch to win the $150,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland. View the full article

Next Friday, Apr. 12, jockeys riding at Santa Anita will do so without a whip, according to a letter the Jockeys’ Guild sent Friday to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), Santa Anita management, the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), and the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT). Current CHRB law doesn’t require jockeys to carry a riding crop, and as such, “individual jockeys who regularly ride at Santa Anita have elected not to carry the cushioned riding crop during the entire race day card on Friday, Apr. 12,” the letter states. The decision by the Jockeys’ Guild and the Santa Anita jockey colony follows a proposed rule change approved by the CHRB at its last scheduled meeting, which restricts riders to using riding crops only “to control the horse for the safety of the horse or rider.” The proposed rule change was subsequently put out for a 45-day public comment period, and could be amended before the board votes on it again. Currently, jockeys are permitted to use the crop three times in succession before putting it down to give a horse time to respond. “I hope they’re doing it for the right reasons,” said Jim Cassidy, president of the CTT, about the jockey’s decision to forego the whip Apr. 12. The day of whip-less races at Santa Anita is described in the letter as a fact-finding mission. After each race on Apr. 12, “data will be gathered from input from the jockeys,” the letter states. “Each ride will be evaluated for safety, how horses respond in passing other horses, react when going through an opening, or any other situation that may develop during the running of the race.” The information collected during the trial experiment will be submitted for consideration during the public comment period. “We believe it is necessary to get real time data and feedback in order to fully appreciate the implications of the proposed rule change,” wrote Darrell Haire, a member representative with the Jockeys Guild, in a statement to the TDN. “We believe there are unforeseen consequences that will impact not only the horse and rider safety, but all facets of the racing industry, including the betting public, owners, trainers, racetracks, as well as the breeding industry. We will be presenting the information gathered to the CHRB,” Haire added. According to Friday’s letter, “an announcement shall be made over the public address system” that the jockeys will not be carrying a riding crop during the Apr. 12 races, and asks the CHRB, TOC, CTT and Santa Anita management to “notify your staff and respective members, the trainers, the betting public, and all other interested parties prior to entries.” “Please be assured that the jockeys will do everything within their ability and power to achieve best possible placing for their horses, with the safety for the horse and rider being paramount,” the letter states. A day of whip-less races at Santa Anita on Apr. 12 “is progressive in a positive way,” said Hall of Fame former jockey Chris McCarron, before adding, “I don’t know if I wholeheartedly agree with them taking the crop away altogether.” McCarron said that he also agrees with rule changes that limit the number of strikes, to mirror the international model. “You’re on a horse that doesn’t want to go between horses, and you can feel them trying to suck back, and you can push and shove with all your might, but you sometimes just can’t get your horse to get up in there,” he said, explaining why he thinks the whip might be necessary in some circumstances. According to Friday’s letter, “jockeys risk their lives every day and are an integral part of racing. The voice of the Jockeys’ Guild and its members must be heard and included in all conversations to find the best possible outcome for all industry stakeholders. We hope we can work together, with all interested racing parties, during the rule-making process to evaluate the results and agree upon a rule that will be in the best interest of racing in California.” View the full article

Sugar Bowl Stakes winner Gray Attempt and Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity (G1) winner Improbable both worked April 5, both with eyes on a start in the upcoming April 13 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

As is the norm for Chad Brown in top-rung Keeneland turf events, the trainer offers a pair of representatives in the GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland Sunday. The more experienced of the two is Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom), who won her first two trips to post, including Aqueduct’s Stewart Manor S. Nov. 11. Well supported last time in Gulfstream’s GIII Sweetest Chant S. Feb. 3, the Paul Pompa Jr. runner proved second best to the classy A Bit Special (GB) (Mukhadram {GB}), beaten 2 ½ lengths. Hoping to duplicate her latest effort but jumping up in class, fellow-Brown trainee Clause (Speightstown) enters this following a come-from-behind victory over the Gulfstream turf Feb. 9. Aboard for her debut score, Irad Ortiz Jr. climbs back aboard for her stakes bow. Mark Casse-trainee Catch a Thrill (City Zip) was good enough to take her career bow sprinting five furlongs over the Gulfstream turf Jan. 13 before finishing second behind the progressive Play On (Country Day) in the Melody of Colors S. over that course and trip Feb. 23. Norm Casse, former assistant to his father Mark, is also represented by Hard Legacy (Hard Spun). The winner of her first two starts for owner Marylou Whitney-including the most recent in an 8 1/2-furlong test at Gulfstream Dec. 23, the bay tries to rebound off a fifth in the Sweetest Chant. Julien Leparoux gets the call. View the full article

Blue Devil Racing Stable's Come Dancing had a ball on the front end with jockey Manny Franco as she grabbed the lead at the start and never looked back in posting a lopsided 7 3/4-length win in the $150,000 Distaff Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct April 5. View the full article

Avie’s Flatter continued to display the good form he had as a juvenile with a winning effort in his sophomore bow in the GIII Trasylvania S. at Keeneland Friday. The Ivan Dalos homebred raced between rivals in mid-pack as Onthewaytonevrland (Ire) (No Nay Never) clocked early fractions :23.59 and :48.23 with longshot Weekly Call (Will Take Charge) glued to his outside hip. Tipped out for a two-wide bid turning for home, the bay powered past the leaders in the lane and held off a late charge from Henley’s Joy to score. European import The Black Album held third. Owner/breeder Ivan Dalos and trainer Josie Carroll successfully teamed up with a son of Flatter in the past at Keeneland, winning the 2016 GIII Commonwealth S. with Ami’s Flatter. “We had some pretty solid works at Palm Meadows,” Carroll said. “I thought he was in good order, but I did say to Javier [Castellano], ‘Keep him covered up a little bit and make sure you have some horse to finish because it has been a while since he ran.’ Mr. Dalos breeds a really good horse, and we thought this horse was special from the very beginning.” “I really liked the way he did it today,” Castellano said. “I’ve been studying the horse since last year. rode against [him]. I like the way he does everything. He can be on the lead. He can cover up. Today he broke a little slow. I didn’t rush it. [Considering] the layoff and the way he performed today–very amazing.” A debut winner sprinting over the Woodbine synthetic Aug. 12, Avie’s Flatter did not disgrace himself when closing to be fourth in the GI Summer S. on the grass there Sept. 16. Scoring by 5 1/4 lengths in the restricted Cup and Saucer S. going 1 1/16 miles on the Woodbine turf Oct. 7, he concluded his juvenile campaigned with a victory in the nine-panel Coronation Futurity S. on that venue’s synthetic track Nov. 18. Pedigree Notes: Avi’s Flatter is the 18th graded stakes winner for his sire and one of 52 black-type victors. He is a half-brother to Wonder Where S. victress Avie’s Mineshaft (Mineshaft). They are out of the unraced Dalos homebred, Avie’s Empire, whose only foal since is a juvenile filly named Avie’s Spun (Hard Spun). The 11-year-old mare visited Shanghai Bobby last spring. View the full article

Making the first start of his career in a $79,000 maiden special weight over seven furlongs April 6 at Keeneland, Nimet Arif Kurtel's homebred 3-year-old Shared Legacy has big shoes to fill. View the full article

Klaravich Stables’ Feedback (Violence) attempts to keep her unbeaten record in tact when she lines up in Saturday’s GIII Beaumont S. Keeneland. An eye-popping debut winner going 6 1/2-furlong at Saratoga Aug. 12, the Chad Brown runner was given the remainder of the season off before returning in 2019 with a score in the seven-furlong GIII Forward S. at Gulfstream Feb. 2. Also worth another look is Queen of Beas (Flatter), trained by former Brown assistant Jorge Abreu. A close-up second behind next-out winner Just Ain’t Right (Yes It’s True) in a six-panel Gulfstream maiden Dec. 13, the Kingsport Farm trainee went one better while trying an extra furlong Jan. 6 before making it two straight going a mile at the Hallandale oval Jan. 31. Jose Ortiz gets back aboard. Trainer Bob Baffert is represented by Mother Mother (Pioneerof the Nile). Winner of the Rags to Riches S. last October, she also placed in a pair of Grade I’s last term, including the Starlet S. Dec. 8. Runner-up behind Bellafina (Quality Road) in the Jan. 6 GII Santa Ynez S. at Santa Anita, Mother Mother weakened to fourth in the late stages of the mile GII Las Virgenes S. Feb. 9. LNJ Foxwoods Fancy Dress Party (Munnings) won at first asking in the Keeneland slop last October before closing out the season with a score in a Churchill Downs optional claimer Nov. 24. An easy winner under Luis Saez in the Jan. 5 Glitterwoman S., she reunites with Gulfstream’s meet leading rider this time. View the full article

The last time Conrad Farms’ Shamrock Rose (First Dude) cut back to a seven-furlong sprint from a previous effort around two turns, she walked away the fairly comfortable winner of the GII Raven Run S. at this venue last October. She faces a similar scenario Saturday afternoon as she looks for her first win since upsetting the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at 25-1 in the GI Madison S. The Pennsylvania-bred was named champion female sprinter off the latter effort and she caught a sloppy Gulfstream main track for her 4-year-old debut in the GIII Hurricane Bertie S. at Gulstream Jan. 26. An even fourth on that occasion, she acquitted herself well when stretching back out to a route of ground in the GII Azeri S. Mar. 16, finishing third after looking a strong chance at the eighth pole. West Virginia-bred star Late Night Pow Wow (Fiber Sonde) will try to take her record to 12-for-13 lifetime as she squares off against Grade I company for the first time in her career. The dark bay is unbeaten in five attempts at this specialist distance, including last year’s GIII Charles Town Oaks and the Feb. 16 GIII Barbara Fritchie S., in which she outfinished GI La Brea S. heroine Spiced Perfection (Smiling Tiger) by a head. Amy’s Perfection (Artie Schiller) is already a four-time stakes winner and owns this field’s two highest Beyers, including a 98 for her last-out score Oaklawn’s Spring Fever S. Mar. 2. On the negative side, she was a well-beaten sixth behind Shamrock Rose in the Raven Run and seems much better suited to six furlongs. To that end, she is cross-entered in Saturday’s Carousel S. in Hot Springs. View the full article

It has been the better part of three decades since the winner of the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. has managed to repeat the dose in the GI Kentucky Derby. The Nick Zito-conditioned Strike the Gold pulled off the double in 1991, and while Street Sense (Street Cry {Ire}) used a runner-up effort in the 2007 renewal as a springboard to victory at Churchill, the race hasn’t been the strongest pointer to the Run for the Roses. But none of this has stopped the connections of 14 horses from entering what looms a tremendous handicapping exercise Saturday afternoon in Lexington. Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) defeated future ‘TDN Rising Star’ Mihos (Cairo Prince) into third on his Sept. 23 debut at Belmont and came right to post a big-figure victory in the GIII Nashua S., with GISP and this year’s GIII Swale S. hero Call Paul (Friesan Fire) third. The May foal resumed with Lasix on for the GII Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S. Mar. 2 and he has every reason to improve for his third-place effort to Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) and Bourbon War (Tapit). Signalman (General Quarters) is the only other member of the field with a graded win on dirt to his credit, a neck success over last weekend’s G2 UAE Derby victor Plus Que Parfait (Point of Entry) in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. He was a longshot third to ‘Rising Star’ and GI Santa Anita Derby favorite Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and has form over the Keeneland strip, courtesy of his runner-up effort to loose-on-the-lead Knicks Go (Paynter) in the GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity last October. Live Oak Plantation’s Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}) owns the field’s best Beyer, having earned a 99 for his track record-setting, 7 1/4-length victory in Tampa’s seven-furlong Pasco S. Jan. 19. Trained up to the GII Tampa Bay Derby, he raced in the latter half of the field, rallied wide into the lane and got home nicely to round out the triple behind Wood Memorial starters Tacitus (Tapit) and ‘Rising Star’ Outshine (Malibu Moon) as the 7-5 chalk. ‘Rising Star‘ Dream Maker (Tapit) turned in a sparkling sophomore debut at the Fair Grounds Feb. 9, winning a two-turn allowance by 8 1/2 lengths, but he never picked up his feet in the Tampa Bay Derby, finishing a well-beaten 10th. He enters this off a half-mile gate work in :46 flat over this track Mar. 30, a time that was best of 48 at the distance and 1.40 seconds faster than the next swiftest. View the full article

The name Cherie DeVaux in the trainer column of the Keeneland program might be new to fans, but she is well-known in the racing community. View the full article

INTREPID HEART (c, 3, Tapit–Flaming Heart, by Touch Gold), favored at 3-2 to build on a 7 3/4-length debut romp at Oaklawn Feb. 18 that garnered him the ‘TDN Rising Star‘ nod, gutted out a narrow victory in this particularly salty first-level allowance Friday. Perched three deep in third early but always seemingly under a ride as speedy GIII Swale S. fourth High Crime (Violence) showed the way, the grey appeared to be in deep water spinning for home furthest out in the track. Hall of Fame pilot continued to implore Intrepid Heart in the run to the line, and he responded late to reel in High Crime in the shadow of the wire by about a neck in 1:43.39. The fourth-priciest lot at $750,000 at last year’s OBS April sale off a :10 2/5 breeze, Intrepid Heart’s MSW/GSP dam Flaming Heart (Touch Gold) is also responsible for Commissioner (A.P. Indy), MGSW & GISP, $962,237; Laugh Track (Distorted Humor), GSW & GISP, $598,014; and the dam of last year’s GII Wood Memorial S. winner Vino Rosso (Curlin)–entered in Saturday’s GI Carter H.–and his sophomore half-brother and ‘Rising Star’ So Alive (Super Saver), who will contest the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. Saturday in Lexington. Vino Rosso and So Alive are fellow Pletcher trainees. Flaming Heart, who was bred and campaigned by Frank Stronach’s operation, was purchased by WinStar Farm for $1.5 million in foal to Street Cry (Ire) at the 2007 Keeneland November sale. She produced a Carpe Diem colt in 2018 but was subsequently barren to Curlin. Sales history: $750,000 2yo ’18 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Robert & Lawana Low. B-WinStar Farm, LLC & Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC (Ky). T-Todd A Pletcher. View the full article

D J Stable and Cash Is King LLC’s Eclipse Award winner Jaywalk (Cross Traffic) turned in arguably the worst performance of her career when only fourth in the GII Davona Dale S. Mar. 2 and the gray filly will be looking to atone for that effort in Saturday’s GI Ashland S. at Keeneland. The $190,000 Keeneland September purchase rattled off four straight following a debut second at the Jersey Shore, including a 5 3/4-length tally in the GI Frizette S. Oct. 7. She led every step of the way to account for ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Restless Rider (Distorted Humor) by 5 1/2 commanding lengths in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Nov. 2, but she looked very rusty when beaten a similar margin by 51-1 Jeltrin (Tapizar) in the GII Davona Dale S. on seasonal return Mar. 2. Trainer John Servis is willing to take the effort with a grain of salt. “I was a little disappointed she didn’t win that day, but the winner ran huge,” Servis told the Keeneland notes team. “When I am prepping for a big race off a layoff, the first race is a steppingstone.” The winner of the Ashland has gone on to GI Kentucky Oaks glory twice in the last four years (Lovely Maria, 2014; Monomoy Girl, 2018). Jaywalk tries to become the first 2-year-old filly champion to win the Ashland since Silverbulletday (Silver Deputy) 20 years ago. Restless Rider won this track’s GI Darley Alcibiades S. in convincing fashion last October, but was just beaten by a better horse on Breeders’ Cup day despite having every conceivable chance. The $150,000 KEESEP acquisition was last seen finishing second by a nose in the GII Golden Rod S. Nov. 24. Chocolate Kisses (Candy Ride {Arg}) was no better than fourth to Restless Rider in the Alcibiades and dropped Julien Leparoux at the start of the Oct. 28 Rags To Riches S. before calling it a season The $410,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga buy overcame a wide trip to win a Fair Grounds allowance with a fair bit of authority Jan. 18 and most recently caused a 15-2 upset in the Mar. 9 GIII Honeybee S. at Oaklawn, with Bizwhacks (Fed Biz) third. View the full article

Gulfstream Park’s charity events on Florida Derby Weekend, including the inaugural Battle of the Apron and Florida Derby Cocktails and Horse Tales, raised more than $50,000 for the Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care (TRAC). The Battle of the Apron, featuring chefs from 11 South Florida’s restaurants, hosted approximately 200 people Sunday evening, while Cocktails and Horse Tales, held in Gulfstream’s walking ring Friday evening, attracted over 150 people. Money was raised through donations and silent auctions that included stallion seasons to Shaman Ghost and Mucho Macho Man. “We were thrilled to have such successful events which received so much community support,” said trainer and Florida TRAC Vice President Jena Antonucci. “It is so important that we continue to include those outside our industry and teach them about what we do in racing and beyond.” View the full article

Richard Baltas sends out a pair of strong contenders in Saturday’s GIII Providencia S. at Santa Anita in Lady Prancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) and Colonial Creed (Jimmy Creed). Runner-up in the Juvenile Fillies Turf S. and Surfer Girl S. last term, Lady Prancealot kicked off this term with a one-length defeat of Truffalino (English Channel) in a one-mile optional claimer over this course Feb. 1. Earning her diploma two back at Del Mar Nov. 10, Colonial Creed finished second in the Blue Norther S. last time Dec. 30. Apache Princess (Unusual Heat) went on a three-race win streak after breaking her maiden at fourth asking, winning a Jan. 21 optional claimer and the GIII Sweet Life S. Feb. 10. She returned on eight days rest in the California Cup Oaks, where she finished fifth. Slam Dunk Racing’s Maximum Rate (Exchange Rate) could be any kind after a strong late rally to graduate by a length on debut in Arcadia Feb. 16. View the full article

Saturday’s GIII Bay Shore S. at Aqueduct attracted just a handful of runners, but they are a strong group headed by ‘TDN Rising Star’ Mucho (Blame). Graduating by a dazzling 9 3/4 lengths second time out at Saratoga Aug. 4, the bay checked in a close second to the re-opposing Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) in the GI Hopeful S. Sept. 3 and was subsequently sidelined by an ankle issue. He returned a winner at Gulfstream with a good-looking score in a six-panel optional claimer Mar. 1. Following his top-level victory, Mind Control rallied to be seventh in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile after bobbling at the start Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs. Returning to winning ways in the one-mile Jerome S. at Aqueduct on New Year’s Day, the bay closed strongly for second behind GII Wood Memorial S.-bound Haikal (Daaher) last time in the GIII Gotham S., also at a mile, Mar. 9. “We really gave the Wood some considerable thought,” trainer Greg Sacco told the NYRA notes team. “After speaking with our owners, we ultimately opted to enter the Bay Shore because we’re confident with his ability going one-turn and having the opportunity to not only run in a graded stakes at seven furlongs here, but also using this as prep to have the chance to get another Grade I with him in the Woody Stephens.” Bob Baffert can never be ignored and his horse Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile) is one of the most experienced in the field. Stakes-placed on turf as a juvenile, the dark bay was third in the GIII Sham S. Jan. 5 and returned to winning ways in a Feb. 9 optional claimer going 6 1/2 panels at Santa Anita. Running off on a loose lead in the Gotham, he faded to fourth after setting very swift early fractions. “Initially, we took our shot in the Gotham to see if we could pick up any [Kentucky] Derby points and I thought he gave a gutsy effort,” said Baffert. “We kept him in New York where he’s put in three really good works. We think the cutback should benefit him and he’s already won twice sprinting, so he should be right there in the mix.” Call Paul (Friesian Fire) is two-for-two at the Bay Shore’s seven-panel distance, capturing the Pennsylvania Nursery S. Dec. 1 and the GIII Swale S. last time Feb. 2. Winner of the GII Saratoga Special S. last term, his only losses came when extended to a mile for the GI Champagne S. in October and the GIII Nashua S. in November. View the full article

World of Trouble (Kantharos) has proven to be a top-class sprinter on both turf and dirt and will look to cement that status by scoring his first Grade I victory in the GI Carter H. at Aqueduct Saturday. Dominant winner of the Pasco S. on the Tampa main track last year, he also scored a pair of stakes wins on turf in the Quick Call S. and Allied Forces S. last summer. Missing to champion Stormy Liberal (Stormy Atlantic) by just a neck in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, the bay made a mockery of the FTBOA Marion County Florida Sire S. Dec. 15, galloping home to a 13 3/4-length success at Tampa. He was last seen taking a sloppy off-the-turf renewal of the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint S. Jan. 26. “He’s shown he has ability on both the dirt and turf,” conditioner Jason Servis told the NYRA notes team. “We’re just trying to keep him happy and healthy and hopefully he can run his race.” Vino Rosso (Curlin) is undefeated at Aqueduct, starting with his debut win over that strip back in 2017. The chestnut won the GII Wood Memorial S. on this card last year and won his seasonal bow in this venue’s Stymie S. going a mile Mar. 9. He closed out his sophomore campaign last term with a third in the GII Jim Dandy S. and a fifth in the GI Travers S. in August. “I felt he ran sharply enough at a mile that backing up to seven-eighths would be within his range,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He was able to break his maiden at Aqueduct going seven furlongs. He also has a three-for-three record at Aqueduct, so that’s encouraging also.” Identity Politics (Into Mischief) has never been off the board in six starts. A neck second behind the ill-fated Tommy T (Shackleford) in an allowance here last November, the bay completed the exacta behind McKinzie (Street Sense) in the GI Malibu S. Dec. 26. He was last seen finishing a head second in a Gulfstream optional claimer Mar. 3. Honor Up (To Honor and Serve) takes a big step up in class here, but enters on a three-race win streak over the local strip. Capturing a Dec. 15 allowance, the dark bay reeled off a pair of wins against fellow New York-breds in the Say Florida Sandy S. Jan. 12 and Haynesfield S. Feb. 17. View the full article

A 4 1/2-furlong maiden race proved to be of little challenge to Stonestreet Stables' homebred Lady Pauline, who dominated in gate-to-wire fashion to take the sprint by 9 3/4 lengths. View the full article

‘TDN Rising Star’ McKinzie (Street Sense) looks to give Hall of Famer Bob Baffert his sixth win in the GI Santa Anita H. Saturday. His previous winners include General Challenge in 2000, Misremembered in 2010 and Game on Dude in 2011, 2013 and 2014. Winner of the GI Los Alamitos Derby in 2017 via DQ, McKinzie won the GIII Sham S. last winter and crossed the wire first in the GII San Felipe S. last March, but was DQ’d and placed second. Shelved following that effort, he was returned a winner in the GI Pennsylvania Derby in September, but faded to 12th in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic next out Nov. 3. A decisive victor of the GI Malibu S. to close out his sophomore season Dec. 26, the bay missed by a half-length to the ill-fated GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Battle of Midway (Smart Strike) in the GII San Pasqual S. Feb. 2. The second-choice on the morning-line is fellow ‘TDN Rising Star’ Gift Box (Twirling Candy). The gray ended his tenure with the Chad Brown barn with an 8 3/4-length triumph in an Aqueduct optional claimer in March of last year. Transferred to John Sadler, he resurfaced in the Dec. 26 GII San Antonio S., which he won by a half-length. Prime Attraction (Unbridled’s Song) has shot to get a piece of the action as he makes his seasonal bow here. He last visited the winner’s circle in 2017 in the GIII Native Diver S., but has not been worse than fourth in his last five starts, most recently finishing fourth in the GI Clark H. Nov. 23. View the full article

Espresso Shot (Mission Impazible) hopes to continue her hot streak and punch her ticket to the GI Kentucky Oaks with a strong showing in Saturday’s GII Gazelle S. at Aqueduct. Runner-up in the state-bred Key Cents S. Nov. 23, the bay returned to winning ways against her fellow Empire-breds in the East View S. Dec. 29 at Aqueduct and scored her first victory against open company in the one-mile Busher S. in Ozone Park Mar. 9. The biggest question for this morning-line favorite will be whether or not she can navigate two turns in the nine-panel Gazelle. “The only question mark is the two turns,” trainer Jorge Abreu told the NYRA notes team. “She can get the distance, but she has never won going two turns. She’s coming into the race in very good shape though. We’ll take things day by day with her. I know she’ll run a big race because she trains that way.” Positive Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile) is already a winner over this track and trip, having triumphed by 10 1/2 lengths in the GII Demoiselle S. Dec. 1. The half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby hero Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) is a bit of a question mark going into this test, however, after finishing a well-beaten eighth last time in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. Feb. 16 at Fair Grounds. “After her last race, we regrouped and figured that this would be the next logical race because she already won a Grade II there,” trainer Rodolphe Brisset said. “She ended up running last beaten 25 lengths, but we put a line through it. Hopefully she can show on Saturday when she showed us in the Demoiselle.” Repole Stable’s Always Shopping (Awesome Again) also owns a 1 1/8-mile victory over this strip in the Feb. 3 Busanda S. last time. She was a maiden of three starts prior to that effort, but had been improving with every outing and will be a strong contender if she takes another step forward here under jockey Manny Franco, who just won the Aqueduct winter meet riding title. “We’ve always felt like she was going to be at her best going two turns and that a mile and an eighth would really help,” conditioner Todd Pletcher said. “That’s why we decided to run her as a maiden in that race. She was able to work out a really good ground-saving trip and it seemed like she finished up really strongly while still having a little something left in the tank. She waited a little bit once she made the lead and lost a bit of focus right at the end, but it seemed like she was doing it very easily.” 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. Today’s Observations features an Aga Khan-bred Scat Daddy firster. 1.40 Leopardstown, Mdn, €13,000, 3yo, 8fT ZARANDI (IRE) (Scat Daddy) bids to keep the Dermot Weld bandwagon rolling here and emulate his fellow Aga Khan-bred and -owned stablemates Sherkali (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Shelir (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) and Tinandali (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in making a winning 2019 debut. His dam is a daughter of Zarannda (Ire) (Last Tycoon {Ire}), runner-up in the 1996 G2 Prix d’Astarte and fourth in the G1 Prix de la Foret and a relative of the great Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar). View the full article

Only four fillies signed on to take a shot at knocking Bellafina (Quality Road) off her pedestal in the GI Santa Anita Oaks Saturday and that will certainly prove to be a tall task. A two-time Grade I winner last term, the bay could only manage fourth as the favorite behind champion Jaywalk (Cross Traffic) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 2. However, she returned to winning ways in impressive fashion this year in Arcadia, trouncing the GII Santa Ynez S. field by 8 1/2 lengths Jan. 6 and wiring the GII Las Virgenes S. Feb. 9. Her biggest competition will come from regally-bred ‘TDN Rising Star’ Chasing Yesterday (Tapit). A half-sister to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, the chestnut proved to be plenty talented in her own right with a trio of stakes wins last term, capped off by a victory in the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Dec. 8. The Summer Wind homebred showed her tenacity in her seasonal bow in the Sunland Park Oaks Mar. 24, overcoming a bad break and wide trip to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Baffert sends out another ‘TDN Rising Star’ in Flor de La Mar (Tiznow). A good-looking five-length graduate in her career bow here Jan. 20, the $500,000 FTSAUG buy weakened to fifth as the favorite last time a sloppy seven-panel optional claimer in Arcadia Mar. 2. The dark bay will navigate two turns for the first time in Saturday’s test. View the full article

Ed DeRosa of TwinSpires.com takes on TDN’s Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato as they handicap each prep race leading up to the GI Kentucky Derby. The three will make $100 Win/Place bets-highest bankroll after Arkansas Derby/Lexington day wins. DiDonato: GI Florida Derby – Bourbon War was too far back and too wide behind a soft pace. Bankroll: $11,165. GI Santa Anita Derby – Roadster‘s been hyped since before he ever ran, and now it’s time to see if it’s been justified. I thought he looked great leveling off late in that optional-claiming comeback, and while he really doesn’t have to get much faster to fit with these, he figures to take another step forward with the added real estate and additional experience. Selection: #1 Roadster (5-2). GII Wood Memorial – I know Haikal was the beneficiary of an incredibly fast pace last time in the Gotham, but I’m not so sure the pace won’t be hot in here too. There are obviously other formidable off-the-pace types–most notably GII Tampa Bay Derby winner Tacitus–but Haikal feels like the one who could get lost in the wagering among that group. His experience over the strip is an advantage over some of these, and the added distance doesn’t appear beyond his scope. Selection: #4 Haikal (4-1). GII Blue Grass – Given that I still haven’t updated my stable mail note for Lucky Lee from “Early Derby horse?” I guess I have to go back to him here. He was undeniably disappointing when last in the GIII Withers in an effort that just doesn’t seem like it could possibly be an accurate representation of his ability level. But trainer John Servis has had plenty of time to work with him since then, and it has to be taken as a positive sign that they’ll bring him back in this tough spot. Selection: #10 Lucky Lee (20-1). Sherack: GI Florida Derby – Bourbon War didn’t get the aggressive ride I was looking for and had to settle for a well-beaten fourth. Bankroll: $5230. GI Santa Anita Derby – This distance of 1 1/8 miles is exactly what Nolo Contesto has been looking for and he’ll be the best price of the big four. Maybe the early pace scenario/short field winds up working against him, but there should be proper compensation at the windows to find out if he’s good enough following his better-than-it-looked second-place finish behind the super-hyped Roadster. Selection: #3 Nolo Contesto (6-1). GII Wood Memorial – After backing him in the Tampa Bay Derby Throwdown, I really love Outshine to go one better in this wide-open Wood Memorial. He ran a winning race that day when a strong second at 6-1 while making his two-turn debut after sitting just off a scorching early pace. The bay continues to move forward with each start and he should also appreciate the added distance. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have trainer Todd Pletcher’s record in this race either at what has to be a very square price. Selection: #10 Outshine (6-1). GII Blue Grass – Dream Maker has been a very difficult horse to figure out to this point, but the talent is clearly there when he has his mind on racing. After running as well as he did in a key race in his Fair Grounds comebacker in early February, I have to give him another shot despite not running a step in the GII Tampa Bay Derby last time. That local four-furlong bullet in :46 (1/48) last Saturday looks like he means business for the Blue Grass. Selection: #6 Dream Maker (12-1). DeRosa: GI Florida Derby – Got myself a bit back in the hunt with place money on Bodexpress, and if I’m right with either of my Blue Grass or Wood picks, then I might become the hunted. Bankroll: $3250. GI Santa Anita Derby – Before we get to the rainmakers, we’ll start with the Santa Anita Derby, which isn’t the sexiest race from a wagering perspective, but is most likely to have the biggest Kentucky Derby implications. Game Winner is the most likely winner of both the Santa Anita and Kentucky Derbys, but I see Instagrand as offering the best value thanks to the buzz surrounding Roadster, which I’m willing to fade. Instagrand ran well enough for me off a long bench and this feels like more his “Derby” than the one in Kentucky. Selection: #5 Instagrand (3-1). GII Wood Memorial – Joevia needs a similar trip as my Blue Grass selection Aquadini, but seems capable based on being sharp at seven furlongs before being collared by Haikal, and his second to Alwaysmining doesn’t bother me considering I had that horse in my Kentucky Derby Top 10 before connections decided on the Preakness. Selection: #11 Joevia (30-1). GII Blue Grass – Aquadini sports the fastest last-out Brisnet.com Speed Rating, and in a year with a lot of parity, why not take the “now” horse a la By My Standards in the Louisiana Derby two weeks ago. The outside post isn’t great, but who better than to work a trip than Corey Lanerie for a trainer (Dallas Stewart) who we know can pop with longshots this time of year. Selection: #14 Aquadini (30-1). Click for Blue Grass, Santa Anita Derby and Wood Memorial Ultimate PPs from Brisnet.com. View the full article

Champion Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}}) takes on just five rivals as he looks to return to winning ways and secure his place in the GI Kentucky Derby starting gate in Saturday’s GI Santa Anita Derby. A perfect four-for-four last term, the ‘TDN Rising Star’ took home the Eclipse award for top juvenile male after a trio of Grade I scores, topped off by a decisive win in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs. The bay was originally scheduled to make his seasonal bow in Arcadia, but with the track closing, he was forced to go to Oaklawn, where he came up just a nose short in the GII Rebel S. Mar. 16. His biggest threat comes from his own shedrow in fellow Baffert trainee and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Roadster (Quality Road). An impressive debut winner at Del Mar in July, the gray finished third as the favorite behind Game Winner in the GI Del Mar Futurity Sept. 3, after which he required a minor throat surgery for displacing during that contest. He returned in a big way in a one-mile optional claimer at Santa Anita Mar. 1, defeating the re-opposing Nolo Contesto (Pioneerof the Nile) by 2 1/2 lengths. Instagrand (Into Mischief) is another who looks to return to winning ways after losing his perfect record last time. Scoring dominant victories in both his Los Alamitos debut June 29 and the GII Best Pal S. Aug. 11, the ‘TDN Rising Star’ was voluntarily sent to the bench by his owner Larry Best with an eye on a strong sophomore campaign. The $1.2 million FTFMAR co-topper checked in third as the favorite when going beyond six furlongs for the first time in the one-mile GIII Gotham S. at Aqueduct last time Mar. 9. He enters this off a pair of bullet works, most recently covering five panels at Los Al in a best-of-17 :59 2/5 Mar. 30. View the full article

The cancellation of Santa Anita racing from March 7-28, the loss of three stakes for 3-year-olds, and rescheduling of other major stakes caused a 2.83% drop in U.S. handle and a 2.69% decrease in purses for March compared to a year ago. View the full article