Wandering Eyes

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

With Hidden Scroll (Hard Spun) officially off the GI Kentucky Derby trail after a disappointing sixth in the GI Florida Derby last weekend, it is now up to Tacitus (Tapit) to keep owner/breeder Juddmonte Farms’ Derby dreams alive in Saturday’s GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct. The son of champion Close Hatches (First Defence) is already a winner at the Big A, having earned his diploma at second asking here Nov. 10 and kicked off this term on a high note with a victory over Outshine (Malibu Moon) in the GII Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 9. His Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott expressed confidence in the gray’s ability to repeat that effort in New York during an interview with the TDN last week (click here). “He should do his best running in that last half-mile,” said Juddmonte’s Garret O’Rourke told the NYRA notes team. “With some luck we’ll have some speed that will clear up and we’ll leave the rest in Jose’s [Ortiz’s] capable hands.” Tax (Arch) proved well worth the $50,000 his connections gave him for out of a winning effort in his second start at Keeneland Oct. 21. Third in the GII Remsen S. at Aqueduct Dec. 1, the dark bay came back to best the re-opposing Not That Brady (Big Brown) by a head in a blanket finish in the nine-panel GIII Withers S. in Ozone Park last time Feb. 2. Not That Brady, winner of the Damon Runyon S. on New Year’s Eve, was pulled up when last seen in the Mar. 9 GIII Gotham S. at Aqueduct. “I hope he breaks good and puts himself in good position early,” trainer Rudy Rodriguez said about Not That Brady in the NYRA notes. “I’d like to use his speed and hopefully he can put himself with the leaders. If he can be on the lead, that would be better.” Gotham winner Haikal (Daaher) also returns in this spot for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Graduating at second asking at the Big A Dec. 15, the Shadwell Stable homebred captured the local Jimmy Winkfield S. Feb. 9 and made a dramatic late run from well back to take the one-mile Gotham last time. Hoffa’s Union (Union Rags) could prove to be any kind as he steps up to the big leagues here. He made a mockery of a Laurel maiden special weight in his Feb. 28 career bow, trouncing the field by 15 1/2 lengths for trainer Gary Capuano and owners Non Stop Stable, Rose Petal Stable and Foard Wilgis. That effort caught the eye of many and he was privately purchased by Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, Christopher Dunn and Harry Loso, with Wilgis staying in for piece, and was transferred to Mark Casse. “I don’t know that we have to be on the lead, but we’ll try to be forwardly placed,” Casse said. “We have a good post position. It looks like there’s a fair amount of speed in there. We have a horse that’s raced one time and he went to the lead and improved his position. I don’t think that scenario will arise on Saturday. The pace will be fairly quick and in order for him to be effective, he’ll have to rate a little bit.” Trainer Jason Servis proved he cannot be overlooked, even with a runner making a big class hike, after capturing the GI Florida Derby last Saturday with Maximum Security (New Year’s Day). He sends out another Gary and Mary West runner here in Final Jeopardy (Street Sense), who has won two of three starts, including a one-mile Gulfstream optional claimer last time Mar. 3. The bay split those two wins with a third in the Limehouse S. in Hallandale Jan. 5. View the full article

Paul Pompa Jr.'s Regal Glory, runner-up in the Feb. 3 Sweetest Chant Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park, heads a field of 11 3-year-old fillies in the $200,000 Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2) April 7 at Keeneland. View the full article

LADY PAULINE (f, 2, Munnings–D’ Wildcat Speed {Horse of the Year & Ch. Imported 3yo Filly-PR, GSW-US, MSW-PR, $530,755} by Forest Wildcat), a half-sister to none other than these connections’ superstar Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy), Hwt. 2yo Filly-Eng & Fr, G1SW-Eng & Fr, SW-US, $834,945, followed in that one’s hoofsteps Friday with a practically pre-ordained first-out success worthy of the ‘TDN Rising Star’ distinction. Pounded at the windows and off at 1-5 with an unassuming worktab on display and while facing mostly colts, the Stonestreet homebred beat the gate like a typical Wesley Ward-trained baby and barreled along on the engine under stout John Velazquez restraint. Giving a glimmer of hope to a challenging rival in upper stretch as she was a bit late with her lead change, she soon switched over and showed a very impressive turn of foot to blow away her competition by about a dozen lengths, stopping the clock in :51.71. Two Dot (Soldat) completed the exacta. Stonestreet paid $1 million for the winner’s dam at the 2005 Keeneland November sale, and Barbara Banke’s operation bought back globe-trotting Lady Aurelia for $7.5 million at last year’s Fasig-Tipton November sale (see Banke Bringing Home Lady Aurelia). D’ Wildcat Speed was not bred back in 2017 after foaling Lady Pauline in May, but produced a Medaglia d’Oro filly this Feb. 13. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Stonestreet Stables LLC. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (Ky). T-Wesley A Ward. View the full article

Del Mar has 40 stakes on tap worth nearly $7.4 million for its 2019 summer meet, which opens July 17. The highlight of the meet will be GI TVG Pacific Classic day Aug. 17. The only major change to the line up is that the Green Flash H. has been upgraded from a listed event to a Grade III and it will be contested on the aforementioned Aug. 17 card. “We’re feeling very good about this year’s stakes program,” said Tom Robbins, Del Mar’s executive vice president for racing and industry relations. “We’ve stacked Pacific Classic Day and we think that has the potential to be one of our biggest days ever. Otherwise–outside of a couple of minor tweaks and the enhancements to the ‘overnight’ stakes–we’re basically repeating a tried and true schedule that our horsemen and racing fans have shown that they both support and enjoy.” Del Mar will host live racing five days a week throughout the summer, concluding with a six-day race week capped off by the Sept. 2 Labor Day card. View the full article

In the shadow of the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, Europe’s Flat turf season enjoys its first significant moment of 2019 with a trio of Classic trials at Leopardstown. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s unbeaten Madhmoon (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) reappears in the Listed Ballylinch Stud ‘Red Rocks’ 2,000 Guineas Trial S., Chantal Regalado Gonzalez’s G1 Fillies’ Mile heroine Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}) is in the line-up for the G3 Ballylinch Stud ‘Priory Belle’ 1,000 Guineas Trial S. and there is also the G3 P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax S. for the Derby hopefuls to take that vital first step towards Epsom. Trainer Kevin Prendergast is keen to get Madhmoon back to the races after the homebred created such a strong impression when beating Ballydoyle’s Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the G2 Golden Fleece S., or G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. on Irish Champions Day here in September. He enjoyed a gallop at Naas to put him right for this reintroduction. “We were happy with him at Naas last week and he’s been grand since, there’s not a bother on him,” he said. “He is ready to get started. He has been to Naas and we’ve our own grass gallop ourselves, so he has done plenty. We’ve had no hold-ups with him and everything is good. We’re looking forward to getting him started and then we’ll know where we are going.” With Aidan O’Brien sidestepping the trial he won last year with Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) with his big two Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), the Ballydoyle representation has lost much caste and Ryan Moore is on the Madrid H. winner Never No More (Ire) (No Nay Never). Moore also rides the stable’s Zagitova (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the 1000 Trial, but she needs to find something on even her best piece of juvenile form which came when third in the G2 Debutante S. at The Curragh in August. She has over 14 lengths to make up on Iridessa after finishing fifth in the Fillies’ Mile and the latter’s trainer Joseph O’Brien is excited about unleashing her again. “Iridessa has wintered well and we are looking forward to getting her started for the year,” he commented. “It will be lovely, safe ground, a good track and it will be nice to get her started. It will be a big enough ask for her with a [three-pound] penalty and she will probably come forward for her first run, but she is very exciting and we are really looking forward to the year ahead.” The Ballysax sees Moore picking Broome, who followed his second to Madhmoon with the same placing behind Royal Marine (Ire) (Raven’s Pass) in Longchamp’s G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day. Aidan O’Brien has won this eight times, while Jim Bolger has seven to his name. The master of Coolcullen relies on the G3 Eyrefield S. scorer Guaranteed (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) this time, while Dermot Weld saddles an intriguing contender in Khalid Abdullah’s impressive Gowran Park mile maiden winner Tankerville (Kitten’s Joy). Weld’s 3-year-olds are flying in this still-early stage of the season and a win for the homebred would see him enter the Derby picture at centre stage. View the full article

Paul Pompa Jr.'s Regal Glory, runner-up in the Feb.2 Sweetest Chant Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park, heads a field of 11 3-year-old fillies in the $200,000 Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2) April 7 at Keeneland. View the full article

After suffering the first loss of her career in the La Brea Stakes (G1), grade 1 winner Dream Tree will try to return to form in the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) April 7 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

The canceling 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

Jack Entertainment LLC has entered into multiple contracts to sell Jack Cincinnati Casino and Turfway Park to Hard Rock International and Vici Properties for $780 million, pending regulatory approval. “We viewed the gaming industry as a catalyst for economic development in our local communities,” said Matt Cullen, Chief Executive Officer of Jack Entertainment. “After 10 years, hundreds of millions of dollars of investment developing Jack Cincinnati Casino from the ground up, and establishing a strong customer focused culture, we have successfully positioned Jack Cincinnati Casino for further future success. We are confident that Hard Rock and its world-renowned brand will be a great addition to the Queen City and the right choice to take Jack Cincinnati Casino and Turfway Park to the next level of growth.” The transaction, which is expected to be finalized sometime in late 2019, requires regulatory approval, both at the federal and state levels. View the full article

I would like to commend Kelsey Riley on her initiative as a journalist in going to South America to get the information required to write her sensational piece about South America’s push to rid racing of drugs (Following South America’s Lead On Lasix). I agree with John Fulton on every point he made. He is as credible a spokesperson on this subject as anybody in the game. And I agree that we are definitely at an inflection point in terms of the survival of racing in the United States. Any North American trainer or horsemen’s representative who cannot agree with what John has said simply is either not paying attention, not interested in paying attention, selfish or in the employ of an alphabet organization that cannot see the forest for the trees. The owners have been held ransom long enough by the HBPA, NYTHA and the TOC. Please–for the sake of the game–back the hell off and give the game a chance to right itself. Unless, of course, you would rather have animal rights organizations put measures on the ballot of every state where racing exists to end the whole shebang-a-bang once and for all. Barry Irwin CEO Team Valor International View the full article

It’s Grand Nation day one of the biggest days in the National Hunt calendar. this years race see Tiger Roll try and land back to back renewals of the Grand National but there is plenty of opposition to Gordon Elliott’s stable star. There s plenty of top quality action elsewhere on the card and it […] The post Aintree Festival 2019 Preview – Saturday appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Given the fact that this decade alone, the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) has thrown up such stars as Buena Vista (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}), Apapane (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Harp Star (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and current darling Almond Eye (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), it is hard to believe that the favourite has won the Classic just three times in the last 10 years, the last to do so being Harp Star in 2014. That is good news for the 17 competitors lining up against even-money favourite Danon Fantasy (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in Sunday’s renewal, and with a typical full field lined up for a Japanese Group 1, no one is running scared. Since finishing second on debut last June, Danon Fantasy has not been denied. She broke her maiden by two lengths over this course and distance in September and promptly added the G3 Kyoto Sho Fantasy S. and the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies to earn the champion 2-year-old filly title. She resumed with a smooth victory on Mar. 2 in the G2 Tulip Sho over the re-opposing Shigeru Pink Dia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) again over this track and trip. Assistant trainer Teruhiko Saruhashi said, “In the Tulip Sho she got into a good early position and was able to settle well. She had to be switched to the outside on the run for home, but accelerated well to go on and win. It was a good result to go into the big race next.” Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) holds the distinction of being the only horse to beat Danon Fantasy thus far, and it will be an intriguing clash as they line up against each other for the first time since each of their first outings in June. While Danon Fantasy has stayed against her own sex, Gran Alegria took on the colts following her debut, winning the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup over a mile at Tokyo in October before finishing third as the favourite in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity. The Sunday Racing colourbearer has not been out since and is the 2-1 second choice. Assistant trainer Masaru Oehara said, “In her last race, the winner took us by surprise, and she did hang a bit in the home straight. The result was unfortunate. Since then she’s had a break at Northern Farm Tenei, but has returned to the stable, and after settling in again she seems her usual self.” Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) ran Danon Fantasy to a half-length in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in her only career loss, and she returns for another go at the favourite. She began her career with a pair of two-length scores going 1800 metres last fall, but proved she can cut back to this trip with a win when last seen in the Feb. 11 G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup. Trainer Takashi Saito said, “It was a slow pace in the Queen Cup last time, but she was patient and able to hold off the other challengers at the finish. We could take a lot from that race. She’s since had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki and returned to the stable at Ritto on Mar. 14.” View the full article

As you have surely noticed, favorites have been taking it on the chin in many Derby preps. View the full article

This is probably the best days racing in the year for me and obviously the Grand National has given me some of the best days both as a kid watching and as a trainer. I run three horses on Saturday and I think my horse in the last probably has the best chance on the […] The post Donald McCain Aintree 2019 Preview – Saturday appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

The European sub-committee of the International Cataloging Standards Committee and the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers has agreed upon changes to a pair of catalogue rules. From Jan. 1, 2020 all fourth-position finishes will no longer count as placed. The change will not be retrospective, so fourth-place finishes prior to Jan. 1, 2020 will be described as placed in catalogues. From Jan. 1, 2019 certain Graded AQPS flat races have been admitted to Part IV of the International Cataloguing Standards and performances and can therefore be allocated Restricted Jumps Black Type in Jumps/ National Hunt Catalogues from May 1, 2019. This change will be retrospective to include 2018 AQPS Graded Races. View the full article

The US-Bred 2018 magazine is scheduled to be delivered early next week but the digital version can currently be viewed on the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association website. View the full article

Laurel Park will kick off its spring meet with a nine-race program April 5, the first of a 19-day stand highlighted by the Spring Stakes Spectacular April 20 featuring automatic qualifying races for the Preakness (G1) and Black-Eyed Susan (G2). View the full article

Three major stakes—the Wood Memorial Presented by NYRA Bets (G2), Toyota Blue Grass (G2), and Santa Anta Derby (G1)—each boasting 100-40-20-10 qualifying points to the top four finishers, may add some long-awaited clarity to the Triple Crown chase. View the full article

Tom Ryan, manager of Naas Racecourse, will leave the track after 13 years to take up the role of Director of Strategy & International Racing at the Equestrian Club of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Ryan said, “It has been an absolute pleasure to serve Naas Racecourse over the past 13 years or so. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, working with a very proactive board and staff to progress Naas Racecourse over the years and to improve its status within the racing industry. I want to acknowledge the very valued support I have gotten from all industry participants, race day contributors and race goers. Naas Racecourse will remain very close to my heart for many years to come and I look forward to seeing its fortunes improve in the usual consistent way.” Chairman of Naas, Dermot Cantillon, said, “On behalf of Naas Racecourse I want to congratulate Tom on his new appointment. During his tenure Tom has done a really excellent job. Both the many improvements on the track and the enhancement of the racing program are a testimony to his hard work and dedication. The Naas Board will now seek to recruit a new manager to continue with our vision for the racecourse as a top international dual-purpose track.” View the full article

The 2019 running of the Grand National is nearly upon us and we al know how difficult it is to pick the winner. There will be people up and down the country and even world sticking a pin in the morning paper or drawing a horse in the office pool. To be honest this could […] The post Aintree Grand National 2019 – Runner By Runner Guide appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Mauritian jockey Karis Teetan is looking to exploit his lightweight riding abilities in what is a hit-and-run visit to Australia to ride in the A$3 million Doncaster Mile Handicap on Saturday.The Hong Kong-based jockey will make his first trip Down Under this weekend to ride five horses for prolific trainer Chris Waller, including I Am Serious in the feature race at Royal Randwick in Sydney.Regarded as one of the premier handicap races in the world, jockeys often fast for days on end with… View the full article

After registering sprint wins in her first two starts, Klaravich Stables' Feedback will stick with one turn for her third start: the $150,000 Beaumont Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select (G3) April 7 at Keeneland. View the full article

McKinzie, a 4-year-old son of Street Sense, heads a field of six in the $600,000 Santa Anita Handicap Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino (G1) April 6 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article