Wandering Eyes

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

This weekend, Ascot welcomes one of British flat racing’s finest flat spectacles, with a firework display of Group 1 racing, courtesy of the Qipco-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The £1.25 million Group 1 showpiece takes place over one mile and four furlongs and is open to horses three years of age and over. In its 67th year, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is one of Britain’s most prestigious open age flat races with an illustrious list of former winners to its name such as Shergar taking the title in 1981. The expected going is good to firm in places and 8 horses look set to go to post. Newmarket-based trainer Sir Michael Stoute has an excellent record in the King George with horses such as Conduit (2009) and Harbinger (2010) to name his more recent winners of the race. The English trainer holds a strong hand with two runners going to post in this year’s renewal. Poet’s Word a five-year-old son of Poet’s Voice, will once again be ridden by James Doyle, who also steered him to victory at Ascot last month in the Prince of Wales Stakes when beating the John Gosden-trained Cracksman by two and a quarter lengths, who he will again go head to head with on Saturday. However, it is the Sir Evelyn De Rothschild owned Sea The Stars colt, Crystal Ocean who may be Stoute’s golden ticket to regaining the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. William Buick has picked up the spare ride due to Ryan Moore having Ballydoyle riding commitments, as Moore had previously partnered the Sir Michael Stoute trained four-year-old to victory in each of his three starts this season. Crystal Ocean could be the horse Sir Michael Stoute needs to continue his winning ways at the Ascot track, as he is bidding for a record-breaking sixth victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Aidan O’Brien has had recent success in the King George as Ryan Moore steered O’Brien’s Highland Reel to victory in the race two years ago. Previous to this, O’Brien won the race back in 2007 with Dylan Thomas as Johnny Murtagh did the steering and Duke Of Marmalade in 2008 with Johnny Murtagh also aboard. The Ballydoyle trainer will be represented by two runners in the feature with Rostropovich and Hydrangea. Rostropovich is a son of Frankel who has run well this year without getting his head in front at the highest level. His previous run witnessed him put in an improved display by finishing second to Latrobe in the Irish Derby at the Curragh last month. He could be one to watch in the race as he is clearly improving at a rate of knots. Last year’s race was one to remember as Frankie Dettori steered the John Gosden-trained, Enable to a four and a half-length victory over Ulysses. Unfortunately for five-time King George winning jockey, Frankie Dettori, he will not be returning to the saddle at Ascot this week due to the verdict of his appeal to reduce his current 10-day careless riding ban which after appealing, was only reduced to a six-day ban. The John Gosden-trained Cracksman looks likely to start favourite following a somewhat surprise declaration on Thursday. The son of Frankel has some top-class form to his name but has been quite laboured in his most recent starts including when finishing runner-up to Poet’s Word at Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. Hopefully, Gosden has managed to focus Cracksman attention and if so he will take all the beating. Coronet is another John Gosden-trained inmate set to go to post in the King George. The Denford Stud-owned four-year-old filly has run very well on both starts this season including when most recently finishing second to Waldgeist in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Selection: Crystal Ocean Ascot also plays host to the Gigaset International Stakes Handicap which takes place at 3.00pm. This hugely valuable and competitive handicap has a prize fund of £150,000 which will inevitably attract some of the best seven-furlong horses and best sprint trainers from the U.K. eager to take home the pot of gold. If one was to look at previous winners in the last ten years, Mark Johnston has won the race three times in the last ten years, all with four-year-olds. This year Johnston has to rely on the smart Cardsharp, who will have the assistance of the talented James Doyle. The North Yorkshire based trainer will need to get some improvement from the son of Lonhro but he does have a track record of doing just that. Last year’s winner Stamp Hill was guided by jockey Paul Hanagan to do all the running to take the title for Richard Fahey at an amazing price of 50/1. Last year’s spectacle proved it is a very open race and there is hope for every outsider. Fahey has entered the Godolphin-owned Brian The Snail in this year’s and although the name may be off-putting, at a general price of 25/1 he may be one to consider. The four-year-old gelding had a wind operation completed only last January so it may prove worthwhile to side with him at Ascot on Saturday. The Richard Hannon-trained Oh This Is Us won the Corbettsports City Plate Stakes at Chester on July 14th last and put up an impressive display in doing so. The five-year-old son of Acclamation will have to burden top weight if he’s to win the race and even though he is in good from this may prove too tough. Roger Fell landed a punt when Burnt Sugar landed the Bunbury Cup in somewhat snug fashion two weeks ago. He is now aiming to land back to back competitive handicaps and he must have a live chance of doing so. Selection: Burnt Sugar The Dash handicap at York looks like another typically competitive Saturday handicap that will take a doctorate to pick the winner. That been said there is definite hope for punters as four of the last 5 winners have returned as the favourite. David O’Meara looks to hold leading claims for this year’s renewal with the recent Scurry winner Intisaab. This looks like a strong piece of form, but he will have to carry to weight if he is to get his head in front. Last year’s winning trainer Tim Easterby is set to be represented by Golden Apollo, the previous course and distance winner has yet to get his head in front this season, but it would seem connections have had this race in mind and he looks sure to run a big race. Tommy Taylor is a horse that’ll be familiar to most Saturday racing enthusiasts, Kevin Ryan’s smart four-year-old was a listed winner over course and distance last season and even though he hasn’t quite hit top gear this season, he’s down to a nice mark and with minimal improvement he will take all the beating. Of those on the lower weights, I think Boy In The Bar may surprise a few people back down to a low handicap mark. Ian Willian’s inmate was a beaten favourite when last seen but for those who keep the faith, they may be rewarded at handsome odds. Selection: Golden Apollo The Group 2 York Stakes is an intriguing contest, where a lot of horses are on redemption missions. None more so than Irish 2000 Guineas flop Elarqam who was sent off as a hot favourite for the Curragh feature following a credible run in the English equivalent, but he ultimately finished a disappointing sixth. Forest Ranger was one of the “buzz” horses leading up the Coral-Eclipse following two impressive group performances, but the son of Lawman proved a bitter disappointment when trailing in last of the seven runners. The South African bred Smart Call had a very tall reputation when joining Sir Michael Stoute on the back of two Group 1 victories in April 2017. It has taken the daughter of Ideal World nine starts to get her head in front on British soil. That win came last time out in a Group 3 on the all-weather at Newcastle. Richard Kingscote will be hoping this confidence-boosting victory will spurn Smart Call on to land back to back wins. Others to note include Euginio, Fabricate and Thundering Blue. Selection: Smart Call RaceBets have some fantastic offers this weekend, make sure to check them out here The post Weekend Preview – Can Cracksman Claim The King George? appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

There are two Group 1 contests to feast on this Sunday. In Germany, Munich plays host to the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis where the raiding party will be looking to bring the prize back to the UK. Dubai Turf winner Benbatl represents the Godolphin operation and Saeed Bin Suroor. Following a profitable campaign in Meydan, Benbatl proved to be a disappointing favourite in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot. The slight drop in class looks sure to suit the son of Dubawi and he has to be the one to beat. The other British runner is Stormy Antarctic who has become a bit of a globetrotter in recent times, with victories in Saint Cloud and Baden-Baden already this season. Ed Walker’s stable star has some very smart form to his name and should Benbatl fail to sparkle, he’ll be there to pick up the pieces. Of the home brigade, last season’s winner Iquitos looks the leading hope to keep the prize in Germany. The consistent son of Alderflug has been a great servant to connections and looks sure to run another big race. Others to note include Va Bank, Colomano and the well-bred Wai Key Star. Selection: Benbatl In France, the Group 1 Prix Rothschild is the feature race at Deauville. This 1-mile contest restricted to fillies and mares has been won by some Queens of the turf over the years, in particular, Goldikova who dominated the race from 2008 to 2011. This year’s contest has a quality field of eleven fillies going to post, with three British fillies forming the raiding party. Chief among these is Marco Botti’s recent Royal Ascot winner Aljazzi who was very impressive when landing the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes. She will face stiff opposition from the lightly raced With You who’s only two defeats have come at the hands of Laurens in Group 1 contests on her last two starts. Freddy Head’s three year old is open to further improvement and with the weight allowance, she must rate as a danger to all. James Fanshawe’s Tribute Act has had a somewhat frustrating season for connections, she has improved with each run but has so far yet to get her head in front. I have no doubt she will improve again but she has over three lengths to find with Aljazzi on their Royal Ascot meeting. Other to consider include recent Group 2 winner Mission Impassible, Crown Walk and Rosa Imperial. Selection: With You The post Sunday Preview – Grosser Dallmayr-Preis & Prix Rothschild appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

This could well be the biggest weekend of trainer Ed Walker’s career. On Saturday, the impressive Listed winner Royal Intervention contests the Keeneland Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot with a leading chance, while on Sunday stable flagbearer Stormy Antarctic bids for a breakthrough at Group 1 level in Germany. We spoke to Walker about his weekend runners and also got his thoughts on the King George. Royal Intervention broke her maiden in a Listed race last time. Has she always been a filly you have had high hopes for? We hoped she would win on debut and we could go to Royal Ascot with her. I think it was actually a blessing she didn’t do that and we were able to miss the meeting, as we felt Newmarket would actually be a better stepping stone for her. She couldn’t have been more impressive. We hold her in pretty high regard at home. ROYAL INTERVENTION with G Mosse wins Betway Empress Fillies Stakes at Newmarket 30-6-18.Royal Intervention steps up in grade again on Saturday and is likely to be favourite. How do you think she will get on? I’d have been surprised if she wasn’t favourite, to be fair. She won a Listed race by four-and-a-half lengths going away. People have knocked the strength of her two performances and I think she could have been very competitive if she’d have run in the Albany [at Royal Ascot]. If she runs to the level of her Newmarket performance again it’ll take a very good one to beat her. We’re pretty hopeful about her chances. You run two in the Gigaset International Handicap. Starting with Sabador, how are things with him? Sabador has a great chance. I rushed him back after a really good run in the Victoria Cup as I wanted to try and get him high enough in the handicap to run in the Royal Hunt Cup. In hindsight that was a mistake and ever since then we’ve freshened him up and had this race as his aim. He’s a big price and I fancy him to run a big race. And how about your other runner Ultimate Avenue. Can he step up on his recent form? He’s an exceptionally talented horse and I’ve always fancied him to run and big race, and he’s always let me down! He’s seriously talented and one day he’ll put it all together and win one of these big races. Glorious Lover contests the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot. How do you rate his prospects? It was a red-hot race he ran in first time and the form of that has worked out extremely well. I brought him back in trip at Windsor last time and he was nearly caught out. Stepping up to seven furlongs on a stiff track in a better race will really suit him. It’s a big ask and I’d be absolutely delighted if he was in the first three. He’s potentially a smart horse. You have a link with a number of leading owners based in Hong Kong and the Far East. Is it fair to say their influence is growing in Britain and Ireland? Big time. The Hong Kong interest in British racing has grown significantly over the past few years and I think it’s going to continue to do so. In a way it’s a little worrying because if China legalises gambling and racecourses open there then we won’t be able to compete with their spending power and ambition. I’ve got a couple of clients from the Far East who I’ve trained for for a while and they’re great to deal with. They want horses that are able to qualify for Hong Kong and Glorious Lover could be a horse like that if he steps up like we feel he can. On Sunday, Stormy Antarctic contests the Group 1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis at Munich. What has it been like to be associated with such a talented horse? He’s a proper legend in our stable. He’s such a character and such a lovely horse to have around. You always look at trainers who have these flagbearers that come back year after year with a touch of envy, so we’ve been fortunate that he’s done that for us. And do you think he can finally make the breakthrough at the top level this weekend? He’s just shy of top class but he is very good – and he deserves to win a Group 1. He’s won Listed races, Group 3s, Group 2s and been placed in Group 1s. He can do it and hopefully he can do that on Sunday. It looks a really good opportunity for him and we know he’ll be giving his all as he always does. We cannot let you go without getting your opinion on the Qipco King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Who do you think will win? One of Sir Michael Stoute’s horses! And, finally, how are things with your impressive Royal Ascot winner Agrotera? She was due to run in the Valiant Stakes at Sandown on Friday and I was a little gutted she didn’t run as it wasn’t the strongest Listed race in the world. We gave her a break after Royal Ascot and probably backed off her a little too much as her last couple of pieces of work weren’t as good as they can be. We’re going to wait for a Listed race at Haydock in the middle of August, and think she’s going to be better next year anyway. The post Ed Walker shares his thoughts on his weekend runners & the King George appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Peter Brant and Stud Vendaval's Wow Cat will make her North American debut for trainer Chad Brown in the $200,000 Shuvee Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

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AK Lim fires up first Kranji win on Spirit Seven View the full article

Foresto finally on top of the tree View the full article

Grand Knight spears forward to first win View the full article