Wandering Eyes

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

Monmouth Park announced Friday that it will offer a “Grand Slam” crossover wager on three races on Sunday’s GI Haskell Invitational card–the GIII Molly Pitcher S., Wolf Hill S. and Haskell itself–and the Chicago Cubs/St. Louis Cardinals Sunday night MLB game. Additional Haskell prop bets will also be offered. Sports wagering was introduced in New Jersey back in June after a long legal battle that Monmouth Park was at the forefront of. “Monmouth Park has been talking about trying to make crossover bets combining sports and horse racing for some time,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development, operators of Monmouth Park. “We’re happy to offer our customers the first opportunity to wager on a bet like the Grand Slam as well as the other prop bets that are being made available for the Haskell Invitational… We look forward to being able to offer even more of these wagering opportunities in the future.” Advance wagering for the grand slam will be available in the Monmouth Park Sports Book by William Hill beginning on Saturday. The payout will be calculated by multiplying the $1 win price of the three race winners by the money line of the baseball winner. The minimum bet will be $2 with a maximum payout of 720-1. Click here for complete rules. Haskell prop bets will include head-to-head wagers between two horses and a margin of Victory wager. View the full article

Marie's Diamond came home in front in last week's Jebel Ali Racecourse Anglesey Stakes (G3) at The Curragh, giving his breeder a dream come true. View the full article

Juddmonte Farms’ Hofburg (c, 3, Tapit-Soothing Touch, by Touch Gold) sailed home a much-the-best winner of the Curlin S. at Saratoga Friday. The strapping chestnut, the 1-5 favorite, loped along at the back of the field behind opening fractions of :23.25 and :47.81. The field bunched up leaving the backstretch and Hofburg emerged from the turn with a narrow advantage before striding home with authority over the sloppy track, defeating Nicodemus (Candy Ride {Arg}) by 4 1/2 lengths on his way to a likely start in the GI Travers S. Zing Zang (Tapit) was third. Hofburg completed the nine furlongs in 1:50.18. Hofburg earned a ticket to the GI Kentucky Derby with a runner-up effort while making just his third lifetime start in the Mar. 31 GI Florida Derby. Seventh on the First Saturday in May, the Juddmonte homebred skipped the second leg of the Triple Crown and was most recently third in the June 9 GI Belmont S. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-1, $437,950. O/B-Juddmonte Farms (Ky). T-William Mott. View the full article

Saeed Suhail's longtime agent Charlie Gordon-Watson has high hopes that Poet's Word can land the King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot, adding to another group 1 race to his resume. View the full article

The physically-imposing Unique Bella (Tapit) towers over most rivals both in physique and form and headlines Sunday’s GI Clement L. Hirsch S., a ‘Win and You’re in’ for the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Victorious in five of six starts in 2017, including the GI La Brea S. at Santa Anita Dec. 26, the grey kicked off 2018 with an eye-popping score in the GII Santa Maria S. Feb. 10 followed bya runner-up effort behind Unbridled Mo (Uncle Mo) in the GI Apple Blossom H. Apr. 13.Showing her customary speed last time, the Don Alberto-owned filly rebounded as the 1-5 favorite to take the June 2 GI Beholder Mile at Santa Anita. Regular pilot Mike Smith gets back aboard this time. Hronis Racing’s Yuvetsi (Bodemeister) offers some value at a price for a hot John Sadler barn, which has been hitting at over 30% for the current meet. Third in the six-furlong GIII Desert Stormer S. at Santa Anita May 27, the 4-year-old appreciated the added distance at that venue’s 8 1/2-furlong Santa Lucia S. June 22 and cruised home a 2 1/2-length winner over over Bernina Star (Harlan’s Holiday). La Force (Ger) (Power {GB}), who registered her latest victory going a mile at the Arcadia oval Feb. 16, proved second best to Unique Bella in her latest trip to the post in the Beholder Mile. She exits post three with Drayden Van Dyke in the irons. View the full article

Squarely the one to beat in Sunday’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic ‘Win and You’re In’ GI Haskell Invitational S. at Monmouth Park, Good Magic (Curlin) looks to pick up the winning thread following a tough spring campaign. Crowned juvenile champion following a rousing score in the Nov. 4 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, the e Five Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables runner launched his 3-year-old season with an even third as the 3-5 choice in the Mar. 3 GII Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream. Evidently benefitting from that seasonal debut, the chestnut came from off the pace to take Keeneland’s GII Blue Grass S. Apr. 7 and ran into a buzz saw named Justify (Scat Daddy), whose victory launched a Classic run for the Bob Baffert trainee. A gallant runner-up behind Justify in the May 5 GI Kentucky Derby, Good Magic battled that rival early in a sloppy renewal of the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico May 19 and weakened late to finish fourth behind that foe. As Justify completed the hat trick with a victory in the June 9 GI Belmont S., Good Magic remained on the sidelines, running a solid string of works, including a four-furlong move at Belmont in :48.57, the eighth fastest of 81 at the distance July 21. Also a Triple Crown combatant, Calumet’s Bravazo (Awesome Again), winner of the Feb. 17 GII Risen Star S., finished a respectable sixth in the first left of the Triple Crown before just failing by a fast-closing half length to victor Justify in the Preakness. The D. Wayne Lukas pupil was on the throttle in the early going of the 12-furlong Test of the Champion and it appeared his earlier exertions finally caught up to him, resulting in a sixth-place finish behind Justify. Gary Broad’s Core Belief stumbled early and was errant late en route to a second-place finish in Belmont’s GIII Peter PanS. May 12, but benefitted from a less eventful trip last time, winning June 23 GIII Ohio Derby over Lone Sailor (Majestic Warrior). View the full article

Pink Lloyd, winner of the 2017 Vigil Stakes (G3) during an 11-race win streak that came to an end earlier this month, will look to rebound in this year's edition of the six-furlong sprint July 29 on the all-weather track at Woodbine. 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 daughter of Shamardal debuting in France. 2.20 Deauville, Debutantes, €27,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT NOM DE PLUME (IRE) (Shamardal) debuts for Trevor Stewart and the Henri-Francis Devin stable and is out of her owner-breeder’s G3 Abernant S. and G3 Sandown Sprint S. winner Tickled Pink (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). A daughter of the high-class sprinter Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), she is a half to Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and Theann (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) who are now significant broodmares. View the full article

After securing her first graded stakes win in June at Monmouth Park, Joseph Allen's Dream Awhile will return to the Oceanport, N.J., track July 29 in search of more success when she starts in the $100,000 WinStar Matchmaker Stakes (G3T). View the full article

Don Alberto Stable's Unique Bella figures to be the odds-on favorite in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes July 29 at Del Mar. View the full article

‘TDN Rising Star’ Fly So High (Malibu Moon), vanned off with a suspensory issue after delivering an impressive victory in the one-turn mile GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream Mar. 3, is on the comeback trail in Florida. “She’s still in Ocala and has resumed exercise–not on the track yet, but in the Aquaciser,” Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey said. “We’re just giving her plenty of time and hopefully we’ll get her back on the track in two weeks.” The Davona Dale marked Fly So High’s third straight win and her first attempt versus stakes company. She earned an 85 Beyer Speed Figure that day. “It’s a long way away,” McGaughey replied when asked if he’s begun thinking about potential return targets. “It would be nice if we could get a race into her before we went south [for the winter]. We’ll just have to wait and see.” Fly So High was one of two rare purchases by the historic Phipps Stable bringing $675,000 at the 2016 KEESEP Sale. Her dam Quiet Flight (Quiet American), winless in four career starts for owner/breeder Edward P. Evans, realized $600,000 from Mt. Brilliant at the 2011 KEENOV sale. Fly So High is from the same female family as a pair of Horses of the Year–Saint Liam (Saint Ballado) and Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}). “She hasn’t gotten to do yet what she’ll do best-that’s run around two turns,” McGaughey said. “I think she’ll have a pretty good time next year.” View the full article

Multiple Grade I winner Empire Maker (Unbridled) was standing in Japan from 2011 to 2015, but his influence was certainly felt Stateside even during those years. His daughter Royal Delta turned in a trio of Eclipse Award-winning seasons from 2011 to 2013; his brilliantly quick Grade I-winning son Bodemeister ran a valiant second in the 2012 GI Kentucky Derby before siring his own Derby winner in 2017 hero Always Dreaming; and, of course, his son Pioneerof the Nile has emerged himself as one of the country’s most important stallions thanks to the exploits of 2015 Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year American Pharoah and 2016 champion juvenile Classic Empire. Gainesway and Don Alberto Corp. partnered to bring Empire Maker back to Kentucky for the 2016 breeding season, and with his first U.S.-sired yearlings since then set to sell at Saratoga and Kentucky in the coming weeks, TDN‘s Lucas Marquardt caught up with Gainesway’s Michael Hernon. LM: You partnered with Don Alberto Corp. to repatriate Empire Maker. Why did you target him? MH: It was a wonderful piece of business to combine with Don Alberto and bring Empire Maker here to Gainesway. His first U.S. crop since his return are now yearlings. He really dominates his mares. They look the part. Of course, he was a three-time Grade I-winning champion himself, and he’s become a hugely influential stallion with the likes of Pioneer of the Nile, Bodemeister, and that line which has produced champion Classic Empire and the top young stallion Cairo Prince. Empire Maker has now sired 11 Grade I winners. He’s hugely influential. LM: He had just three weanlings sell from three on offer last year, but they averaged $343,333. That put him as the #5 leading sire by that metric. Are you expecting a similar reception from the market in 2018? MH: I think the market is excited and aware of these first yearlings since Empire Maker’s return to stud duty here at Gainesway. There will be quite a few of them, roughly 35 yearlings, at Keeneland in September. There are five cataloged at Saratoga. So, there’s plenty of excitement about him…He’s been strongly supported from a blend of commercial breeders and breeders who breed to race, so he’s got a great opportunity. He has high class mares. We know he’s the real deal, and we expect quite a bit of further success here on the racetracks of America for Empire Maker. LM: How have you managed Empire Maker’s books since he’s returned? MH: Based on his age, we limit his numbers. We go for quality mares. He bred the 130 mares in year one. He’s highly fertile– his fertility is well over 90% each year that he’s bred here at Gainesway. He is now 18, so he’s still a teenager, but we gotta look after him. He’s the asset. He’s the franchise. We look for him breeding successfully well into his 20s, under this management. LM: Empire Maker has always seemed like a sensible horse. Do you see those traits in his offspring, too? MH: He’s kind. He’s got a lovely temperament, and we’re seeing that passed on to his colts and fillies now, as they mature into yearlings, and I think that equips them well as part of the make-up of top race horses–this very great nature that he had that he passes on. They’re competitive when they need be, but they’re very kind and tractable horses, and that helps them endure through the rigors of a race career at the highest level. LM: With Pioneerof the Nile and Bodemeister, Empire Maker’s sons will be held in high regard. But as the broodmare sire of 26 stakes winners, Empire Maker is also making a lasting mark with this daughters, as well. MH: Empire Maker is certainly producing stock in his mold. They’re big, rangy horses. They stand over plenty of ground. They’re Classic-looking horses, and I think there’s a real consistency with them. When you look for an Empire Maker at the sales, you’re going to get a replica of him himself, and of course he was a champion, triple Grade I winner–and of course, now hugely influential sire of colts and fillies. It’s all right there. {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"Empire Maker: First Yearlings Since US Repatriation","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/280917327.hd.mp4?s=9a1aa4d72eac679c7b58accea232f0c457120b5f&profile_id=174","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/273891728.hd.mp4?s=fefedd308529bcc1d15d4eca6267dde4caff5af2&profile_id=174","prerollSkipTimer":"5","midrollAD":"no","midrollAD_displayTime":"midrollAD_displayTime","midrollGotoLink":"midrollGotoLink","midroll_mp4":"midroll_mp4","midrollSkipTimer":"midrollSkipTimer","postrollAD":"no","postrollGotoLink":"postrollGotoLink","postroll_mp4":"postroll_mp4","postrollSkipTimer":"postrollSkipTimer","popupAdShow":"no","popupImg":"popupImg","popupAdStartTime":"popupAdStartTime","popupAdEndTime":"popupAdEndTime","popupAdGoToLink":"popupAdGoToLink"}],"instanceTheme":"light","playerLayout":"fitToContainer","videoPlayerWidth":720,"videoPlayerHeight":405,"videoRatio":1.7777777777778,"videoRatioStretch":true,"videoPlayerShadow":"effect1","colorAccent":"#000000","posterImg":"","posterImgOnVideoFinish":"","logoShow":"No","logoPath":"","logoPosition":"bottom-right","logoClickable":"No","logoGoToLink":"","allowSkipAd":true,"advertisementTitle":"Ad","skipAdvertisementText":"Skip Ad","skipAdText":"You can skip this ad in","playBtnTooltipTxt":"Play","pauseBtnTooltipTxt":"Pause","rewindBtnTooltipTxt":"Rewind","downloadVideoBtnTooltipTxt":"Download video","qualityBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Close settings","qualityBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Settings","muteBtnTooltipTxt":"Mute","unmuteBtnTooltipTxt":"Unmute","fullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Fullscreen","exitFullscreenBtnTooltipTxt":"Exit fullscreen","infoBtnTooltipTxt":"Show info","embedBtnTooltipTxt":"Embed","shareBtnTooltipTxt":"Share","volumeTooltipTxt":"Volume","playlistBtnClosedTooltipTxt":"Show playlist","playlistBtnOpenedTooltipTxt":"Hide playlist","facebookBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Facebook","twitterBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Twitter","googlePlusBtnTooltipTxt":"Share on Google+","lastBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to last video","firstBtnTooltipTxt":"Go to first video","nextBtnTooltipTxt":"Play next video","previousBtnTooltipTxt":"Play previous video","shuffleBtnOnTooltipTxt":"Shuffle on","shuffleBtnOffTooltipTxt":"Shuffle off","nowPlayingTooltipTxt":"NOW PLAYING","embedWindowTitle1":"SHARE THIS PLAYER:","embedWindowTitle2":"EMBED THIS VIDEO IN YOUR SITE:","embedWindowTitle3":"SHARE LINK TO THIS PLAYER:","lightBox":false,"lightBoxAutoplay":false,"lightBoxThumbnail":"","lightBoxThumbnailWidth":400,"lightBoxThumbnailHeight":220,"lightBoxCloseOnOutsideClick":true,"onFinish":"Play next video","autoplay":false,"loadRandomVideoOnStart":"No","shuffle":"No","playlist":"Off","playlistBehaviourOnPageload":"opened (default)","playlistScrollType":"light","preloadSelfHosted":"none","hideVideoSource":true,"showAllControls":true,"rightClickMenu":true,"autohideControls":2,"hideControlsOnMouseOut":"No","nowPlayingText":"Yes","infoShow":"No","shareShow":"No","facebookShow":"No","twitterShow":"No","mailShow":"No","facebookShareName":"","facebookShareLink":"","facebookShareDescription":"","facebookSharePicture":"","twitterText":"","twitterLink":"","twitterHashtags":"","twitterVia":"","googlePlus":"","embedShow":"No","embedCodeSrc":"","embedCodeW":720,"embedCodeH":405,"embedShareLink":"","youtubeControls":"custom controls","youtubeSkin":"dark","youtubeColor":"red","youtubeQuality":"default","youtubeShowRelatedVideos":"Yes","vimeoColor":"00adef","showGlobalPrerollAds":false,"globalPrerollAds":"url1;url2;url3;url4;url5","globalPrerollAdsSkipTimer":5,"globalPrerollAdsGotoLink":"","videoType":"HTML5 (self-hosted)","submit":"Save Changes","rootFolder":"http:\/\/wp.tdn.pmadv.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/Elite-video-player\/"} View the full article

Back-to-back Hendrie Stakes (G3) winner Code Warrior headlines the local contingent in a talented field of 10 distaffers set to contest the $175,000 Royal North Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine July 29. View the full article

1st-Saratoga, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, post time: 1:00 p.m. ET Harrell Ventures’ HALLADAY (War Front), a son of multiple graded stakes winner Hightap (Tapit), debuts for trainer Todd Pletcher. Rusty Arnold saddles Michael and Reiko Baum’s homebred My American (Medaglia d’Oro). The firster is out of Reaching (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), who is a daughter of Maryinsky (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) and a half-sister to champion Peeping Fawn (Danehill) and Group 1 winner Thewayyouare (Kingmambo). TJCIS PPs 5th-Saratoga, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 3:15 p.m. Repole Stable and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners will be represented by the debuting COAST (Malibu Moon), who was purchased for $500,000 after working a furlong in :10 flat at the OBS March sale. The dark bay colt, trained by Todd Pletcher, is a half-brother to stakes winner Balandeen (Bernardini). Mark Casse saddles Live Oak homebred Wild Medagliad’oro (Medaglia d’Oro), a son of graded stakes winner Unbridled Humor (Distorted Humor). TJCIS PPs 1st-Del Mar, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, post time: 5:00 p.m. ET Summer Wind Equine’s homebred CHASING YESTERDAY (Tapit), a half-brother to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), makes his debut for trainer Bob Baffert. Summer Wind purchased Littleprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman), carrying a full-sibling to the Triple Crown winner, for $2.1 million at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton November sale. TJCIS PPs View the full article

Fitted with blinkers for the first time, Remembering Rita broke his maiden by 11 1/4 lengths, followed with an 11-length romp in an allowance/optional claimer, and won the Cornhusker Handicap by 1 1/2 lengths. View the full article

Saturday’s G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. will only take its final shape hours beforehand, with the threat of thunderstorms around Ascot delaying the decision regarding one of its key protagonists. It is currently a race of outstanding questions. Will it rain hard enough for Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to attempt to fulfil Sir Anthony Oppenheimer’s quest to win the contest that is so close to his heart? If it does, is Cracksman the colt he was on Champions Day? Which of Sir Michael Stoute’s seemingly rock-solid duo Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Poet’s Word (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}) is best? What can Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) offer as compensation for Ballydoyle’s current malaise? Can Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) give an indication of how the 3-year-olds compare with their elders? All will be answered in due course from the cauldron within a heatwave. Winning the prize as the coolest customer will be Stoute, whose ambitions for an outright record of six wins in this prestige event seemed limited at the beginning of the season. For all that Poet’s Word had proven himself a solid Group 1 performer, he had the small matter of a seven-length deficit to make up on Cracksman from the Champion S., while ‘TDN Rising Star’ Crystal Ocean looked to have a major leap to undertake to get near either that rival or fellow Gosden celebrity Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). As the filly went to the sidelines and Cracksman showed some cracks, Crystal Ocean kept performing. Without assuming the same manner of authority as one of Freemason Lodge’s best winners of this, Harbinger (GB) (Dansili {GB}), he has followed a similar Newbury-Ascot route. The opposition was far from vintage in either the May 19 G3 Aston Park S. or June 23 G2 Hardwicke S., but his progression has had a metronomic aspect to it. Poet’s Word has already been to the peak, having crushed Cracksman fair and square in the June 20 G1 Prince of Wales’s S. if Stoute has an inkling as to how it will go, he is not letting anybody in. “The official handicapper has one pound between them and we don’t work them together at home,” he said. “They’re very easy and straightforward horses. There’s nothing complex about either colt. It is a very high-level race and is always competitive.” As far as fillies are concerned, we are in an era like that when Dahlia and Pawneese captured three of the four renewals between 1973 and 1976. Hydrangea may be a surprise “substitute” with Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) now restricted to 10 furlongs or less and Kew Gardens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) taken out late, but on her performance when upstaging Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the course-and-distance G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S., she is right there with the Stoute duo. ‘TDN Rising Star’ Coronet has looked an improved runner this term, brushing aside the subsequent G2 Lancashire Oaks winner Horseplay (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in the G2 Middleton S. at York May 17 with a nose second to Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in the July 1 G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. “She’s got a bit to find with Hardwicke winners and Prince of Wales’s S. winners, that’s for sure,” Coronet’s trainer John Gosden said. “They set the standard in the race and I’m sure the market will reflect that.” Rostropovich has spent much of the season under the radar, but he has come the Cape Blanco route having taken in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Irish Derby. Runner-up in the latter at The Curragh June 30, he is here on merit according to Aidan O’Brien. “He’s a solid horse,” he commented. “He had a very good run in the Irish Derby, gets a mile and a half, handles quick ground and seems to be in good form since The Curragh. I think he has improved since stepping up in trip.” Royal Opportunity… Ascot’s card also plays host to the exciting Royal Intervention (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the G3 Princess Margaret Keeneland S., with Lord Lloyd Webber and William Farish’s impressive Listed Empress S. scorer taking on the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. runner-up Angel’s Hideaway (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s promising Newbury novice stakes winner Scintilating (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). Royal Intervention’s trainer Ed Walker is relishing the biggest moment of his training career so far. “She won very well in the Empress S. at Newmarket and this was the obvious next stepping stone,” he commented. “Given the look of the entries, the race has cut up a bit and we’d be very hopeful that she can successfully make the step up in grade. Obviously, it’s warmer than the Empress was, but she’s in great form and is growing up and improving all the time.” Away from Berkshire, ‘TDN Rising Star’ Elarqam (GB) (Frankel {GB}) returns for the first time since flopping when favourite for the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas in the G2 Sky Bet York S. Shadwell’s son of Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) failed to build on his fourth in the May 5 G1 2000 Guineas when sixth in the Curragh equivalent, but he had excuses for that effort. “After he disappointed in Ireland, he was thoroughly checked over. He was found to have a respiratory problem–a dirty scope–which was treated and has cleared up,” commented Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. “He has been freshened up and this looks a good spot for him. His Guineas run was very good and hopefully he can get back on track. If all goes to plan on Saturday, we would look at the Juddmonte International and other big autumn targets.” He will be tested by the G1 Eclipse S. disappointment Forest Ranger (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) as the G2 Huxley S. winner also bids to get back on track. “He needs to bounce back,” trainer Richard Fahey said of the 4-year-old, who was last of seven at Sandown three weeks ago. “You’d have to say he was probably not good enough in the Eclipse, but he was disappointing as well. He probably ran a bit below-par, but he just wasn’t good enough.” Plenty of Promise in Six Perfections… Deauville’s month-long meeting opens on Saturday, with the G3 Prix Six Perfections hosting Al Shaqab’s unbeaten ‘TDN Rising Star’ Spirit of Brittany (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) from the Jean-Claude Rouget stable. She encounters some promising types, including Team Valor International’s recent acquisition Devant (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) and the British raiders Beyond Reason (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Impulsion (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). In the G3 Prix de Psyche, Ecurie De Montlahuc’s G1 Prix de Diane third Homerique (Exchange Rate) sets the standard but there is an unexposed Wertheimer-Fabre project in Impertinente (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) looming. View the full article

Bankit (c, 2, Central Banker-Sister in Arms, by Colonel John) became the third winner for his freshman sire (by Speightstown) with a front-running victory over fellow New York-breds in the opener at Saratoga Friday. The 1-5 favorite contested the early pace before powering clear down the lane to score by six lengths and completing the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.35. The Grand Canel (Bullet Train {GB}) was second and Bret’s Legacy (Boys at Tosconova) was third. Bankit set the pace before finishing second behind subsequent GIII Sanford S. runner Lexitonian (Speightstown) in his five-furlong debut at Belmont Park June 27. Purchased by SGV Thoroughbreds for $85,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred Yearlings sale, Bankit sold to Winchell Thoroughbreds for $260,000 after working a furlong in :10 2/5 at this year’s OBS March sale. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $60,000. O-Winchell Thoroughbreds & Willis Horton Racing. B-Hidden Brook & Blue Devil Racing (NY). T-Steve Asmussen. View the full article

After securing her first graded stakes win in June at Monmouth Park, Joseph Allen's Dream Awhile will return to the Oceanport, N.J. track July 29 in search of more success when she starts in the $100,000 WinStar Matchmaker Stakes (G3T). View the full article

The most anticipated race of the weekend in Australia takes place at Morphettville on Saturday, with leading 2-year-old filly Sunlight (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) taking on exciting 3-year-old sprinter Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}) in the Listed Lightning S. four days before her official third birthday. Sunlight-winner of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, G2 Silver Slipper and G3 Magic Night S. this season-suffered her lone defeat when third in the G1 Golden Slipper when last seen on Mar. 24, and tuned up for this with a trial win over the track under jockey Jamie Kah on July 19. Despite the fact that she is lining up against the race-fit Nature Strip, who was last seen taking the Listed Creswick S. at Flemington on July 7, trainer Tony McEvoy expressed confidence in her fitness and ability, telling Racenet, “She wouldn’t be running if she wasn’t fit enough to win, I can tell you that. She hasn’t raced in many months, so [Nature Strip] is miles ahead of her in that department, but I’m not too worried because she is pretty good. She might not be fully wound up, but she has done enough. A filly like her puts in as much as she puts in.” Sunlight gets 16 pounds from Nature Strip, and while seven total line up in the Lightning, it is being billed as a match race. “In terms of the way the race will be run, I could see us sitting outside of [Nature Strip],” McEvoy added. “But then again I have heard some reports that they want to get Nature Strip to settle, so it may be a different run race to what many are thinking.” View the full article

Tattersalls Ireland has released the catalogue for Parts I and II of its September Yearling Sale, which takes place at Fairyhouse on Sept. 25 and 26 (Part I) and Sept. 27 (Part II). The sale that has produced Group 1 winners like Unfortunately (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}), Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}), Lethal Force (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and The Wow Signal (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) this year has 560 yearlings catalogued for the first two days, with an additional 285 for Part II. Leading sires represented include Acclamation (GB), Camelot (Ire), Dark Angel (Ire), Exceed and Excel (Aus), New Approach (Ire), Pivotal (GB), Sea The Stars (Ire) and Teofilo (Ire). Buyers will also have a chance to scoop up the progeny of first-season sires like Free Eagle (Ire), Gleneagles (Ire), Golden Horn (GB), Make Believe (GB) and Night Of Thunder (Ire). View the full article

With top racing across the UK & Ireland, we have Luke Harvey, RaceBets Ambassador and ITV and At The Races Presenter preview the best of the weekend action. Listen to Luke give us his insight into his favourites for the Princess Margaret Stakes and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. The York Stakes is also not to be missed. Elarqam is the hot favourite however, Luke has someone else in mind to land the win. Find out who Luke is backing here! We’re also running our money back 2nd offer on Saturday. If your horse finishes 2nd to the SP Fav in any race shown on ITV we’ll give you your money back up to £25 as bonus cash! See more details here Open to all customers from UK, IRE, MAU & IN. Min stake £/€5. Subject to min 5 runners. Max refund £/€25. Paid as bonus cash 3 x wagering. Win/win parts of e/w bets. Full terms apply. Min bet. £/€5. +18. BeGambleAware.org The post Harvey’s Horses: Top weekend picks from Ascot and York appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article