Wandering Eyes

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

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