Wandering Eyes

Jockey Curtis Kimes reached the 2,000-win milestone July 27 with a frontrunning victory aboard I. P. C. Stables' Stormin Away in the third race at Fair Meadows in Tulsa, Okla. 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 a blueblooded Frankel filly debuting for Shadwell. 3.45 Deauville, Debutantes, €27,000, 2yo, f, 6fT TASLEYA (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a daughter of the MGSW and G1 Prix Rothschild third Mashoora (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) who debuts for the same Shadwell-Jean-Claude Rouget axis. Among her opponents is Juddmonte’s Bravo Sierra (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), an Andre Fabre-trained relative of the great Dancing Brave. View the full article

There was a neck between Poet's Word and Crystal Ocean but a gulf between them and the rest as they underlined Sir Michael Stoute's pre-eminence in the race that most defines his career with a record sixth victory for the trainer. View the full article

Dream Baby Dream Racing Stable’s Absolutely Aiden (2, c, Stay Thirsty–Quiet City, by Carson City), sent off at 7-1 in this salty career unveiling, led throughout to score by an emphatic margin at Saratoga Racecourse Saturday afternoon. Up to take an early advantage through a snappy opening quarter in :22.18, the chestnut kept Todd Pletcher-firster Coast (Malibu Moon) safe through a half mile in :45.8. Still clear of his nearest pursuer turning for home, the $120,000 OBS spring juvenile purchase swerved abruptly midstretch, although proved best regardless to win by a strong three-length margin over Wild Medaglia’oro (Medaglia d’Oro). The Chad Brown representative, 5-2 chance Aurelius Maximus (Pioneerof the Nile), closed to be third. Final time for the six furlong event was 1:11.08.Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0; $51,000. O-Dream Baby Dream Racing Stable; B-John Clarke, Kim Nardelli & Rodney Nardelli; T-Steve Asmussen. View the full article

There was a neck between Poet's Word (IRE) and Crystal Ocean (GB) but a gulf between them and the rest as they underlined Sir Michael Stoute's pre-eminence in the race that most defines his career with a record sixth victory for the trainer. View the full article

Jockey Kyle Frey is expected to miss two or three weeks of racing after a pre-race spill July 27 at Del Mar. View the full article

Deauville’s annual festival starts in earnest on Sunday, with the G1 Prix Rothschild the first of the meeting’s top-level contests. Following her 3 3/4-length defeat of the re-opposing Tribute Act (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in Royal Ascot’s G2 Duke of Cambridge S. June 20, Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar’s homebred Aljazzi (GB) (Shamardal) sits atop the perch and trainer Marco Botti is confident she is in the right place to back up that career-best. “Everything has gone well since she ran at Ascot. I couldn’t be happier with her,” he said. “She won really well at Ascot and seems to be in the same form this time. Obviously we skipped the Falmouth. We felt it would come a bit too soon for her and hopefully it was the right decision.” Best of the domestic team may be George Strawbridge’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who took last year’s G3 Prix des Reservoirs here but who needs to prove she has the pace for this type of test. Fifth in the G1 Prix de Diane tackling 10 1/2 furlongs at Chantilly June 17, she faces a genuine speed merchant in Godolphin’s Rosa Imperial (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Having won the six-furlong G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis at Maisons-Laffitte last June, she plied her trade as a sprinter thereafter but was successful at this distance in the course-and-distance Listed Prix de la Calonne July 8. “She is a very relaxed mare, with a great temperament, and we are hopeful that she can step up to the mark,” Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard commented. “She acquitted herself well on her only previous Group 1 appearance in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, all things considered. It was only her fourth start and she came back quite jarred up, which is why it took her a while to get going again. She is a mare that we have always thought a lot of, but there is no such thing as an easy Group 1 and this is far from a penalty kick for her. There are thunderstorms in the forecast and any rain would help.” Cabourg No Laughing Matter… In the G3 Darley Prix de Cabourg, the Prix Morny hopefuls go on trial and Karl Burke bids for another successful trip to France with Keller, Redvers and Donald’s Comedy (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). She beat the subsequent winner Star Terms (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) with a degree of comfort in a Doncaster novice stakes June 29 and the stable know where they stand with the recent G3 Prix du Bois scorer Little Kim (GB) (Garswood {GB}). She faces the impressive June 22 Chantilly conditions scorer Wind Test (GB) (Epaulette {Aus}), who bids to provide Attilio Giorgi with a follow-up to his yard’s success in the 2015 G3 Prix du Bois with Fly On the Night (GB) (Equiano {Fr}). Return To Batl… Munich’s G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis sees the return to action of Godolphin’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Off since disappointing as the heavily-backed favourite for Royal Ascot’s G1 Queen Anne S. June 19, the G1 Dubai Turf hero needs the ground to ease. “The temperature was 48C in Germany on Thursday,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor said. “It was even hotter than Dubai at this time of the year. I am hoping they get some rain prior to the race. He has worked well since [Ascot] and I am pleased with him.” Benbatl is due to take on Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Oct. 27. “We will see how he goes in Germany. It is possible he could then have one more run before going into quarantine for the trip to Australia,” he added. View the full article

Bolstered by a nine-length suucess in a novice auction stakes at Beverley June 26, Victory Command made all on his black-type bow to provide War Command with a first winner in that sphere at the track which brought out the sire’s best performance. Sent off at 9-2, the bay was soon clear under Silvestre De Sousa and he benefitted from the unquantifiable magic that rider conjures up in that position to hand a two-length beating to Glorious Lover (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). VICTORY COMMAND (IRE), 129, c, 2, War Command–Aguinaga (Ire), by Machiavellian. (6,000gns Ylg ’17 TATDEY). O-Kingsley Park 10; B-J Higgins (IRE); T-Mark Johnston; J-Silvestre de Sousa. View the full article

Having seen off Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the June 20 G1 Prince of Wales’s S., Saeed Suhail’s Poet’s Word (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}) mastered his rock-hard stablemate Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) to pull off a notable double in Saturday’s G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot. Delivered with perfect poise from behind by James Doyle as William Buick set the 6-4 favourite alight two out, the 7-4 second favourite ranged alongside a furlong out and with neither of the Freemason Lodge pair giving an inch proved the strongest by just a neck, with Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) languishing nine lengths back in third. “They are two wonderful brave athletes and my first reaction is to feel sorry for the runner-up,” Stoute commented after a crowning moment of his distinguished career which now features the outright record of six winners in this prestigious showcase. POET’S WORD (IRE), 133, h, 5, by Poet’s Voice (GB) 1st Dam: Whirly Bird (GB) (SP-Eng), by Nashwan 2nd Dam: Inchyre (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB) 3rd Dam: Inchmurrin (Ire), by Lomond (300,000gns Ylg ’14 TAOCT). O-Saeed Suhail; B-Woodcote Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-James Doyle. £708,875. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Ire & UAE, 16-7-5-1, £2,722,891. *1/2 to Malabar (GB) (Raven’s Pass), MGSW-Eng, $213,277. View the full article

Saturday’s Listed Lightning S. at Morphettville was billed as a match race between the 3-year-old gelding Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}) and 2-year-old filly Sunlight (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), and despite giving the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and dual group winner Sunlight 16 pounds, Nature Strip was in command at the top of the stretch and bounded clear to win by six lengths in an effort that will likely have turned the heads of the three remaining slot holders for the A$13-million The Everest. Off a beat slow as Sunlight shot out of the barriers, Nature Strip began to pressure his rival at about the halfway point, and Sunlight-making her first start since a third in the G1 Golden Slipper on Mar. 31-began to fold rounding the turn. Nature Strip could hardly have been more visually impressive in the lane, drawing off to win by six lengths under a hard hold from Damian Lane. Nature Strip is now three-for-three since joining trainer Darren Weir, and came into this race-fit, having taken a June 23 handicap and the Listed Creswick S. on July 7, both at Flemington. “It wasn’t overly pretty with him missing the start and over-racing a bit, but there wouldn’t be a faster horse going around,” Weir told Racing.com. “He got trucking up a bit getting towards the corner but then when he went around the corner and let rip, it was always going to make it hard for the others to run him down. It was a terrific run away from that and it will give some people a few things to think about. He’s an exciting horse and once he learns to get it all together and switch off, 1200 metres won’t be any worry.” View the full article

Vega Magic (Aus) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) put a last-out eighth in the G1 Goodwood H. firmly behind him on Saturday with a commanding win in Caulfield’s G3 Bletchingly S. The win is expected to put the 5-year-old gelding high up in the reckoning for the three remaining slots for The Everest, in which he was second last year. Pulling his way to the lead after the opening furlongs, the chestnut turned for home with a two-length advantage under Damien Oliver and drew clear under a hand ride. Oliver gave him one slap inside the final furlong as Voodoo Lad (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) closed in vain, but the favourite hit the line three lengths the best. Winning trainer David Hayes told Racing.com, “Current form is the most important and when he gets into form, he holds his form. I think [owners] the Daly family will be doing deals [for The Everest] over the next couple of weeks.” Hayes said Vega Magic would take the same path he did to last year’s Everest via the 1400 metre G1 Memsie S., which he won in 2017. Saturday, Caulfield, Australia BLETCHINGLY S.-G3, A$150,750, MRC, 7-28, Open WFA, 1200mT, 1:10.18, Good. 1–VEGA MAGIC, 58.5, g, 5, by Lope de Vega (IRE) 1st Dam: Admirable, by Magic Albert 2nd Dam: Starglow Express, by Danewin 3rd Dam: Starlight Express, by Century (AUS) O-H W Daly & G E Daly; B-Mr HW Daly WA; T-D & B Hayes & T Dabernig; J-D Oliver; A$90,750. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Aus, 22-13-3-1, A$3,597,300. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Voodoo Lad, 58.5, g, 6, I Am Invincible–O’Fortuna, by Gilded Time (USA). (A$36,000 Ylg 2013 WI Scone Yearling Sale) O-Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia (Mgr: K W Maloney), Est Of The Late N Leckie, D Anderson & P W Blackburn; B-Mr N Leckie NSW; T-D K Weir; J-M Zahra; A$27,000. 3–Jungle Edge, 58.5, g, 7, Dubawi (Ire)–Jungle Girl (NZ), by Carnegie (IRE). O-I D Dunkley, Mrs M D Strickland, G K Wilson, Mrs J I Wilson, Mrs B J Bell, P J Bow, Mrs J A Hayes, J A Hayes, J M Conroy, B A Conroy, P Orlandi, I Daire, M A Bell, M J Holt & Mrs Y; B-Mr C Strickland NSW; T-M A Bell; J-K Forrester; A$13,500. Margins: 3.0 len, 4.3 len, 5.6 len. Also Ran: Black Heart Bart, Crystal Dreamer, Jukebox. Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. View the full article

Known chiefly before Saturday as the filly that cost Frankie Dettori his major rides here and at Glorious Goodwood, Angel’s Hideaway (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) provided only positive news this time as she dominated Ascot’s G3 Princess Margaret Keeneland S. Held up in rear early, Cheveley Park Stud’s grey who caused major interference when runner-up in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket July 13 moved smoothly to challenge the 6-4 favourite Royal Intervention (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and swooped on that long-time leader approaching the furlong pole. Readily drawing clear under Robert Havlin, the 11-4 second favourite had 2 1/2 lengths to spare over that Listed Empress S. scorer at the line, with The Mackem Bullet (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) a neck back in third. There was drama at the start as the Newmarket debut scorer Aquarius (Ire) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) refused to race and unshipped her rider. ANGEL’S HIDEAWAY (IRE), 126, f, 2, Dark Angel (Ire)–The Hermitage (Ire), by Kheleyf. (€390,000 Ylg ’17 GOFOR). O-Cheveley Park Stud; B-Yeomanstown Stud & Doc Bloodstock (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Robert Havlin. View the full article

It was always a strong possibility to happen, and about an hour before the start of racing at Ascot on Saturday trainer John Gosden declared Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) out of the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. due to the going. The 4-year-old was said by connections to have needed some give in the ground to line up, and while some thunderstorms pierced England’s dry spell on Friday evening, it wasn’t enough to change the ground description and by Saturday morning sun and winds were quickly drying things out again. Gosden still saddles the 4-year-old filly Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the feature race. View the full article

Godolphin’s Beyond Reason (Ire) (Australia {GB}) brought Royal Ascot form to Saturday’s G3 Prix Six Perfections at Deauville and emerged with the month-long festival’s first black-type prize after a tense finish which forced a photo. Fourth in the June 23 Listed Chesham S., the bay raced under cover early tracking the pace set by TDN Rising Star Spirit of Brittany (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Roused into action in early straight by Tony Piccone, the 7-1 shot wore down the even-money favourite passing the furlong pole and held on grimly as Devant (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) closed with every stride. At the line, there was a nose between them, with the winner breaking Australia’s duck in black-type company as a result. Spirit of Brittany shaped as a possible non-stayer, fading late to be two lengths away in third. “She’s a nice filly and has been straightforward to train ever since he came into the yard,” Charlie Appleby said. “We were delighted with her last race at Ascot, where William [Buick] said he came too soon on her. At that level, she probably didn’t quite see out the seven-furlong trip so we told Tony [Piccone] to wait today and come with a late run. He did that perfectly. It’s a little too early for her to go further than seven–we’ll give her time to get stronger and more mature and maybe come back for the [G3] Prix d’Aumale [at ParisLongchamp Sept. 9] as a prep for the [Oct. 7 G1 Prix] Marcel Boussac.” Saturday, Deauville, France PRIX SIX PERFECTIONS-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 7-28, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:25.73, g/s. 1–BEYOND REASON (IRE), 123, f, 2, by Australia (GB) 1st Dam: No Explaining (Ire) (GSW-US, $328,095), by Azamour (Ire) 2nd Dam: Claustra (Fr), by Green Desert 3rd Dam: Clare Bridge, by Little Current 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (370,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Paget Bloodstock (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-Tony Piccone. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, €51,547. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Devant (Fr), 123, f, 2, Showcasing (GB)–Davantage (Fr), by Galileo (Ire). O-Team Valor International; B-Ecurie des Monceaux (FR); T-Henri-Alex Pantall. €16,000. 3–Spirit of Brittany (Fr), 123, f, 2, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Ysandre (GB), by Zamindar. O/B-Al Shaqab Racing (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €12,000. Margins: NO, 2, 1 3/4. Odds: 5.80, 11.00, 0.80. Also Ran: Miss Celestial (Ire), Pure Zen (Fr), Impulsion (Ire), Olendon (Fr), Rope a Dope (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Jay Em Ess Stable's Take the One O One has been nothing if not versatile in his career and he earned his second straight stakes win July 27 in the $150,000 Real Good Deal at Del Mar. View the full article

Horacio DePaz, the multiple stakes-winning trainer for Sagamore Farm since 2015, will also take on outside clients as he transitions into running a public stable. View the full article

Chasing Yesterday, the half sister to the 12th Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, has been followed by many, and her debut, which is now set in a 5 1/2-furlong test for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar July 28, is highly anticipated. View the full article

Curatolo cops one-month suspension for Macau Derby ride View the full article

Reinspired Zyrul dedicates Mings Man win to Hairi View the full article

Hairi improving but still in ICU View the full article

Curatolo suspended and under notice, Zaki suspended View the full article

The confidence displayed by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard Hofburg in the $100,000 Curlin Stakes July 27 on a sloppy Saratoga Race Course was warranted. View the full article

4th-Del Mar, $60,000, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, post time: 6:30 p.m. ET Glen Hill Farm homebred SUMMERING (War Front) debuts for trainer Tom Proctor. The bay filly is the first foal out of multiple graded stakes winner Wishing Gate (Indian Charlie), who died last year after producing a colt by War Front. TJCIS PPs 6th-Del Mar, $60,000, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 7:30 p.m. ET Speedway Stable’s ROADSTER (Quality Road), touted by trainer Bob Baffert as his potential next super star, debuts with Mike Smith in the irons. The gray colt, a $525,000 KEESEP yearling, is a half to graded stakes placed Moro Tap (Tapit) and to Grade I winner Ascend (Candy Ride {Arg}). Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer sends out Don Alberto homebred View Magic (Tapit). The first-timer is out of Versailles Song (Unbridled’s Song), a daughter of multiple Grade I winner Versailles Treaty (Danzig) and a half-sister to GSW Saarland (Unbridled) and Grade I winner George Vancouver (Henrythenavigator). Also debuting is D P Racing and Masino Racing Stable’s Istanbul (He’s Had Enough). The striking gray colt is out of graded stakes winner Le Mi Geaux (First Samurai). TJCIS PPs View the full article

Chasing Yesterday, the half sister to the 12th Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, has been followed by many, and her debut, which is now set in a 5 1/2-furlong test for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar July 28, is highly anticipated. View the full article

The confidence displayed by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard Hofburg in the $100,000 Curlin Stakes July 27 on a sloppy Saratoga Race Course proved warranted. View the full article