Wandering Eyes

e Five Racing and Stonestreet Stables’s reigning Eclipse Award-winning juvenile Good Magic (Curlin) is the marquee name among 44 invitees to the GI betfair.com Haskell Invitational S. to be held at Monmouth Park Sunday, July 29. Since securing his championship with a maiden-breaking victory in last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, the $1-million Keeneland September yearling purchase atoned for a third-place effort to fellow Haskell invitee Promises Fulfilled (Shackleford) in the GII Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S. with a tally in Keeneland’s GII Toyota Blue Grass S. Apr. 7. A game second to subsequent Triple Crown winner and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Justify (Scat Daddy) in the GI Kentucky Derby May 5, the chestnut was a close fourth when last seen in the GI Preakness S. Given recent news reports that he has been taken out of training, Justify was not among those invited to the race. A handful of leading 3-year-old fillies are also on the list, including GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Acorn S. victrix Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d’Oro). Neither seems likely for the race, however, as Monomoy Girl has the July 22 GI CCA Oaks as her next objective, while Queen’s Plate winner Wonder Gadot is expected to face the boys again in the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales S. at Fort Erie July 24. Recent runaway GIII Delaware Oaks heroine Red Ruby (Tiznow) is also among the possibles. Bob Baffert is an eight-time winner of the Haskell and the stable could still be represented in the race by the likes of Ax Man (Misremembered), who will try to stake his claim in Saturday’s GIII Los Alamitos Derby. Other prominent sophomores to be extended invitations include MGISW Bolt d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro); the progressive GIII Ohio Derby winner Core Beliefs (Quality Road); towering GIII Dwyer S. hero Firenze Fire (Poseidon’s Warrior); Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus}) and Hofburg (Tapit), second and third, respectively, in the GI Belmont S. behind Justify; and GSWs My Boy Jack (Creative Cause), Quip (Distorted Humor) and Vino Rosso (Curlin). View the full article

Members of Local 280, California's Pari-Mutuel Employees Guild and a branch of the Service Employees International Union, voted to go on strike during a meeting July 12 in Monrovia, Calif. View the full article

Corey Lanerie rode at Ellis Park July 13 for the first time this summer, as the four-time meet titlist resumed riding regularly following the June 22 death of his wife, Shantel. View the full article

Corey Lanerie rode at Ellis Park July 13 for the first time this summer as the four-time meet titlist resumed riding regularly following the June 22 death of his wife, Shantel. View the full article

Newmarket, UK–Perhaps the clearance rate didn’t quite match that achieved by the ice cream vendor outside the ring, who was soon able to wheel away an empty stall, but there wasn’t a great deal in it as the Tattersalls July Sale drew to a close on another hot summer evening in Newmarket. Vendors at this auction generally mean business and, once again, a diverse and international market ensured that the ratio of lots to find a new home exceeded nine-in-10. The full spectrum was measured within a few minutes during the post-racing session. On the one hand, the decline of Outback Traveller (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}), two years after he won the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, was poignantly crowned by his sale for just 6,000gns. Lethal Steps (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}), in contrast, had arrived as a racehorse palpably in his prime after being beaten just two lengths when fourth in listed company down the road on the July Course barely 24 hours earlier, and was duly sold, as lot 823, for 300,000gns to Mags O’Toole. “Seeing him back here in the evening yesterday, you had to love his attitude,” the agent said. “After his race, and all the X-rays and everything, he trotted out to his chin.” Lethal Steps will be joining Gordon Elliott, whose occasional forays on the Flat show him to be no less effective than he is with jumpers. “Yes, he’s been bought as a dual-purpose horse,” said O’Toole, who was acting on behalf of a new client. “But he’s certainly going to run on the Flat. We all know that Gordon’s an outstanding National Hunt trainer, but he’s also had two Royal Ascot winners from very few runners. He was too busy with runners to be here today, but saw the horse yesterday and loved his run, thought him the type to progress with a trip.” Prior to advertising his wares on the eve of the sale, Lethal Steps had finished in midfield in the Britannia on his first start for Andrew Balding following his transfer from Ger Lyons by Qatar Racing. The latter, who consigned him here through Jamie Railton, had acquired the horse between two wins in his first two juvenile starts last year. After a fairly desultory day’s trade to that point, the very next lot through the ring–another 3-year-old gelding–made 210,000gns. Nearest Green (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) (lot 824) had won for the second time in four starts for Kevin Ryan at Beverley last weekend, having also scored on debut at Newcastle in January, and will continue his career for Raymond Tai in Hong Kong. The random incidence of lots of that calibre make year-on-year comparisons of limited pertinence at any horses-in-training sale. For the record, the aggregate on the third day sank 23% from 4,161,300gns to 3,184,300gns; giving rise to corresponding drops in the median (10,000gns from 13,000gns) and average (17,401gns from 23,378gns) of 23 and 26%, respectively. More importantly, for 183 of 197 lots to change hands represented a clearance rate of 93%; measuring up well to 95% on the final day last year. At 645 lots, the overall number offered over three days was virtually identical to last year, with the clearance rate very similar at 87% (89% in 2017). Turnover of 12,074,300gns dipped from 14,691,700gns; producing dips of the median from 12,000gns to 10,000gns and average from 25,595gns to 21,485gns. “As ever, the Tattersalls July Sale has attracted overseas buyers in huge numbers and we have seen sustained international demand from start to finish,” remarked Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony. “Quality consignments from some of the world’s leading owner-breeders–including Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms and Shadwell–have been as sought-after as ever. And although a handful of late withdrawals took some of the shine off the catalogue, there has been no shortage of competition at all levels of the market.” “The [overall] clearance rate of almost 90% is the key statistic to take from this week’s sale and the abundance of buyers, both domestic and overseas, reflects the global reputation of the Tattersalls July Sale as a consistent source of both high-class horses-in-training and quality breeding stock.” “While the individual highlight was the 350,000gns sale-topping filly Award Winning (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who set a new record for a filly at this sale, the extraordinary international appetite for horses-in-training was yet again the most notable feature of Europe’s premier midsummer sale.” The morning session had been illuminated by a draft of fillies from Juddmonte, whose family trees tend to guarantee them some residual value regardless of any potential that might be salvaged on the track. Agent Joseph Burke has invested shrewdly in Juddmonte blood in the past, picking up a half-sister to an Invincible Spirit (Ire) yearling–subsequently given the name Kingman (GB)–after she failed to meet her reserve here a few years ago. And, in going to 68,000gns for Bansuri (Mizzen Mast) (lot 703), he was again pinning his hopes on some of the recent coverings across a family she had rather let down when last on her only start for Criquette Head-Maarek. The 3-year-old, now on her way to Oghill House Stud, is a daughter of the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Alabama winner Flute (Seattle Slew); and she is also a full sister to Filimbi, winner of the GII Goldikova S. at Santa Anita and four times placed at Grade I level. Moreover, Mizzen Mast’s mating with Flute’s daughter by Empire Maker produced Purser, who won a listed race on the Rowley Mile this spring. “It’s a real live pedigree,” Burke said. “The dam is in foal to Arrogate, and Filimbi has a yearling by Tapit and a foal by War Front. You also have [GI Ashland S winner] Weep No More (Mineshaft) under the first dam. And she’s a complete outcross. As far as I can see there’s no Northern Dancer anywhere in her pedigree, so she should be pretty easy to breed.” The half-sister to Kingman bought by Burke in 2012 is Pleasantry (GB) (Johannesburg), whose son Fajjaj (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) finished second in the German 2,000 Guineas this spring. But much more important breeding news concerned the arrival, six weeks ago, of Sadie–a first child for Burke and his wife Regina. The highest price of the pre-racing session had been commanded by Midsummer Knight (GB) (Dream Ahead) (lot 721) at 90,000gns, highlight of a hectic spree of spending by Gassim Al Ghazali. The Qatar champion trainer had bought 18 horses the previous day and ended up exporting 25 lots altogether at an aggregate of 1,294,000gns. Midsummer Knight had put himself in the shop window the previous afternoon, winning the last race on the card on the July Course. The 3-year-old had already proved his toughness–this was his 17th start halfway through his second season–and, in blazing clear off a mark of 80, had suggested he was only now getting on a roll for Karl Burke. “I wanted him at any price,” Al Ghazali said. “He was the favourite for me today, and for a long time before he won yesterday. He will suit Qatar and I like the sire too. But that made sure I would go a little bit higher if I had to.” Another on his way to Qatar is Comrade In Arms (War Front), a gelded half-brother to top-class runner and producer Peeping Fawn (Danehill) who had recently got off the mark at the seventh attempt for Sir Michael Stoute in a Wolverhampton handicap. Debbie Mountain gave 72,000gns for him as lot 846. View the full article

On the heels of her runaway triumph in the Mother Goose Stakes (G2) June 30, Midnight Bisou is slated to face divisional leader Monomoy Girl once more in the July 22 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), co-owner Jeff Bloom confirmed July 13. View the full article

Three Chimneys Farm’s Palace Malice (Curlin) made a successful entrance into the yearling sales market at the recently concluded Fasig-Tipton July Sale, with four yearlings selling for an average of $187,500, placing him second behind only American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) among first-crop sires. Leading the way for the GI Belmont S. and GI Met Mile H. hero were a pair of fillies who sold for $275,000 and $250,000, respectively. As part of an ongoing series showcasing sires with their first crop of yearlings in 2018, the TDN’s Lucas Marquardt sat down to talk with Three Chimneys COO Chris Baker to discuss the prospects of Palace Malice, as well as the regally bred Fast Anna (Medaglia d’Oro). LM: Palace Malice’s yearlings have generated a significant amount of attention, and you’ve seen a lot of them. Do they have a typical shape and size? CB: What you’re consistently seeing are physicals that have that a durable, adaptable, balanced, athletic frame. Maybe not as much mass as your average Curlin–a little more size and a little height–and a little cleaner and more length like Palace Malice himself has. And they seem to have that kind of physical and mental toughness that he has that made him such a durable and versatile racehorse. So, he seems to have imparted his best qualities in his offspring. LM: You mentioned his durability and toughness. What were your impressions of his development on the racetrack? He was a Belmont winner, but he obviously was not limited to excelling at long-distance races. CB: He was obviously a top colt of that 3-year-old class, which was a strong group… To be a Saratoga winner at two, Classic winner at three, and Met Mile winner at four, it’s just an outstanding body of work. He was obviously a brilliant distance horse, going 12 furlongs in the Belmont, but also was a brilliant miler. Todd Pletcher called him one of the most versatile horses that he’s had. LM: What kind of mares were peoples sending to him, based on that versatility? CB: It was a broad spectrum of mares. People thought that he might do turf, too, with the Royal Anthem on the dam side. So, mares have come in different shapes, sizes and pedigrees. Oddly enough, I think that’s a benefit–the diversity of the mare pool that he was bred to helps him a lot. LM: And how about his stud fee? Considering how well Curlin has been doing, a $20,000 fee could offer real value to breeders for a son of Curlin. CB: I think the $20,000 fee is where we felt we needed to be, so we could stand by that fee through the first four years and see what his runners did–and breeders responded strongly to that. His first several books were huge. I think he had 250 or 275 mares bred in his first two books. So, we got a great response and a great following and the Curlin momentum has helped with that. LM: What can you tell me about Fast Anna? CB: It’s a Classic pedigree, you know–a classic American distance on the sire side and then some precocity and brilliance through Dreaming of Anna on the dam side. Fast Anna himself was just a fast, brilliant horse. Combine that with his physical–he has the confirmation of a two turn horse. He’s got some length. He’s got some stretch, the angles of his top line and his hind leg all look like a horse that would be fast and carry it. And he’s a beautiful horse on top of that. Not just mechanically well-conformed, but an attractive horse as well. LM: Do you have a good feeling about what you’re seeing on the ground and how that may translate to the 2-year-old sales next year? CB: His offspring will be attractive to commercial people in general and the pinhookers. Surprisingly–or maybe not surprisingly–the physicals of some of those do look early as well. He had so much speed himself–I think it loans itself to the 2-year-old market. But I think like him, they look like they’ll go on and do more. View the full article

Multiple graded-stakes winner Say Florida Sandy (Personal Flag–Lolli Lucka Lolli, by Sweet Candy) died from an apparent heart attack July 11. A full necropsy on the 24-year-old stallion is pending. “It’s been a privilege to retire one of the top New York-breds of all time,” said Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm founder and President Michael Blowen. “Sandy was a very sensitive stallion, so he was placed at Hurstland Farm in Midway, Kentucky, under the watchful eye of owner Alfred Nuckols, who took the greatest care of him.” Bred by Sanford Bacon, the New York bred spent much of his seven-year racing career in the Empire State, where he garnered a trio of New York sprint championships and a New York Horse of the Year title in 2001, the former claimer retired in 2003 with 33 wins–17 at the stakes level–from 98 starts and career earnings of $2,085,408. Listed among his most important victories were the GII True North H., GIII Philadelphia Park Breeders’ Cup H., the GIII Bold Ruler H. and a pair of wins in the GIII Gravesend H. Say Florida Sandy, who entered stud in 2004, stood for 10 years at Buckridge Farm in Kinderhook, New York. As a sire, he is represented by stakes winner Say Toba Sandy, who won the 2007 Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies S. Say Florida Sandy was pensioned by his syndicate and retired to Old Friends in 2014. “We are grateful to breeder Sanford Bacon and to Walter Downey, who managed Sandy’s syndicate, for allowing us to care for their champion.” View the full article

The Stronach Group, parent company of Santa Anita Park, will team with Fasig-Tipton Co. for a pair of Thoroughbred auctions to be held at the racetrack in 2019. A sale of 2-year-olds in training is tentatively set for June 5, while a yearling sale has been penciled in for Sept. 24. “We are very excited to be returning to the auction marketplace in California,” said Fasig-Tipton President and Chief Executive Officer Boyd Browning, Jr. “Santa Anita is the perfect venue to conduct quality sales in California. We will work closely with The Stronach Group to serve the California West Coast marketplace.” The Stronach Group’s Gulfstream Park plays host to Fasig-Tipton’s Florida 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale in the spring and the executive was looking forward to welcoming the auction house back to the Golden State. “We’re thrilled to have Fasig-Tipton back in California and to host these sales at Santa Anita Park,” said Ritvo. “The Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale in March has been an incredible success for both Gulfstream and Fasig-Tipton and we want to continue building on that relationship here at Santa Anita. These sales are exciting for horsemen as well as fans. Fasig-Tipton is a wonderful partner and our work with them allows us to reenergize our facilities with different events while continuing to bring the inventory right to our horsemen.” Industry stakeholders in California have come out in support of Friday’s announcement. “We are pleased that Santa Anita and Fasig-Tipton are joining the auction arena,” said Miguel A. Santana, President and CEP of Fairplex, the parent company of Barretts Sales. “We applaud Santa Anita for stepping up and taking the lead to support the equine sales industry, and keeping a footprint on the West Coast. We look forward to supporting them, and the industry, in the future.” Barretts has heretofore been California’s flagship auctioneer, giving the state’s breeders a chance to showcase their horses. Doug Burge, president of the California Breeders Association, also expressed his satisfaction with the news. “The CTBA has worked diligently the last few years with Barretts and the Los Angeles County Fair to guarantee a smooth transition with the commercial sales offered in California. We are extremely gratified with the support shown by both Santa Anita and Fasig Tipton, as this partnership will provide the needed stability and confidence for California breeders.” View the full article

2.50 Newmarket, Mdn, £12,000, 2yo, f, 7fT ZAGITOVA (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) cost Coolmore 1.6-million gns at Tattersalls October, making her the joint-fourth top-priced filly at the extraordinary renewal of the local sales company’s flagship auction. A half-sister to the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest-winning sire Garswood (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) from the excellent Cheveley Park family of the high-class Infallible (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and her notable son Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and daughter Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}), she debuts in the Michael Tabor silks for the stable successful three years ago with the subsequent G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). She will have to be smart to deal with Godolphin’s Assembly of Truth (Ire) (Shamardal), a Charlie Appleby-trained relative of Echo of Light (GB) (Dubai Millennium {GB}) and Salsabil (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) who was third behind Friday’s G2 Cherry Hinton S. winner Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) on debut at Yarmouth last month, while other fascinating newcomers include Sheikha Al Jalila Racing’s New Jazz (Scat Daddy), a $550,000 KEESEP graduate connected to the G1SPTraffic Guard (More Than Ready) from the John Gosden stable, and King Power Racing’s Rux Power (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a 550,000gns TATOCT relative of Daggers Drawn (Diesis {GB}) from the Andrew Balding yard. View the full article

On a day when favorite-backers have struggled, Alpha Centauri (IRE) ended the dry spell with a scintillating 4 1/2-length victory in the July 13 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (G1). View the full article

All reserved seats in the Clubhouse, Grandstand and at The Stretch are sold out for Travers Week, Aug. 22-27. General admission tickets for Travers Day, Saturday, Aug. 25, are currently available. Fans who purchase Travers Day grandstand and clubhouse admission in advance will save $5. Advance grandstand admission tickets are $10. Pending availability, grandstand admission on Travers Day will be $15. A limited number of clubhouse admission tickets are available for $25. Travers Day grandstand and clubhouse admission tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.Ticketmaster.com or in-person at the NYRA Box Office at Saratoga Race Course beginning Saturday, July 14. View the full article

Despite a late-season push by ‘TDN Rising Star’ Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal), Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) has claimed Horse of the Year honors for the 2017-2018 season in Hong Kong. The 5-year-old gelding was rewarded for his consistency at the top level throughout the season, having won the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in December, the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) in February and the G1 Champions Mile (video) in late April. A remarkable sixth consecutive Horse of the Year for trainer John Moore, the former G1 Rosehill Guineas runner-up while under the care of Anthony Freedman also annexed the G2 Sha Tin Trophy H. (1600m) and the G3 Celebration Cup H. (1400m). Beauty Generation was also named champion miler. “I brought him back from what we thought was a 2000m-horse and made him a miler and here we are enjoying the fruits of all his successes on the stage of Horse of the Year–it’s amazing,” Moore told South China Morning Post. “It gives me incredible satisfaction that this is my sixth in succession, we’re buying the right horses and in turn the stable is doing the right thing and winning the big ones.” The enigmatic Tony Cruz-trained Pakistan Star finally put his rogue behaviour in the past en route to barnstorming victories in the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) and the G1 Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup (2400m) and was named champion stayer in addition to the most popular horse. Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) also represented the Cruz yard in 2017 and 2018 with towering, front-running scores over the Sha Tin 2000 metres in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and was duly recognized at the champion middle-distance horse. In besting former Horse of the Year Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) in the latter event, Time Warp became the first to break two minutes for the distance, clocking a time of 1:59.97. It was an embarrassment of riches for trainer John Size in the sprint division, in which the stable’s progressive G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize hero Ivictory (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) was given the nod over his mates the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint victor Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and D B Pin (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who landed the G1 Centenary Sprint Prize. Ivictory was also the most improved horse in Hong Kong, having shot up to a joint-highest local rating of 128 after beginning the season on 75. With one meeting remaining, Size has amassed 87 winners, easily outdistancing former assistant and first-season trainer Frankie Lor (63) to secure a 10th title as champion trainer. The Danny Shum-trained Pick Number One (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was named champion griffin after winning five times from seven starts, all on the Sha Tin all-weather track. Joao Moreira was named most popular jockey, but stands to be dethroned in the jockeys’ premiership by Zac Purton, who holds a four-win lead with only Sunday’s season-closing program remaining. WATCH: Beauty Generation winning the G1 Champions Mile View the full article

Say Florida Sandy, a multiple graded stakes winner and one of the greatest New York-breds of all time, died due to an apparent heart attack July 11, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm announced July 13. View the full article

Laura Barry, a former apprentice jockey to trainer Richard Fahey, died on Friday aged 25 after a battle with cancer. Barry was due to be married on Saturday. Fahey said at Newmarket on Saturday, “She was a wonderful girl and will be truly missed. She was loved by everyone. She was a very tough girl, but had been suffering for a long time. She was just such a star and never complained. She came over as an apprentice from Ireland. She was a very helpful and very kind person.” Barry was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in a leg in 2016. She underwent some treatments but with no chemotherapy available specific to her cancer, it spread to other organs. View the full article

Trainer Ciaron Maher underwent surgery on a broken femur on Friday after being thrown from his three-time Group 1-winning mare Jameka (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). Maher was reportedly warming up the rising 6-year-old in the trotting area at Caulfield around 4 a.m. when she suddenly spun and tossed him to the ground. While Maher was taken to hospital, Jameka was uninjured. The injury also rules Maher out of competing in next month’s 1000-kilometre Mongol Derby. Jameka was bought by Maher for A$130,000 as a yearling in 2014, and was just last month bought back by part-owner Colin McKenna for A$2.6-million when put through the ring at the Magic Millions National Sale. The mare, who was once thought to be destined for a breeding career after suffering a bad bout of travel sickness, is now in fact expected to return to racing. View the full article

4th-DEL, $34K, Msw, 3/up, f/m, 8.5fT, post time: 2:48 p.m. EDT DECORATING (Galileo {Ire}) is a Glen Hill homebred daughter of Eversmile (Theatrical {Ire}), making her a half-sister to the outfit’s Grade I winners Coil (Point Given, Haskell/SA Sprint) and Chiropractor (Kitten’s Joy, Hollywood Derby). The filly, whose second dam Avasand (Avatar) produced champion turf mare Possibly Perfect (Northern Baby), is bred on the same cross responsible for the Group 1-winning full-sisters Forever Together (Ire) and Together Forever (Ire). Decorating is the last Eversmile foal for Glen Hill, who sold the mare in foal to Pioneerof the Nile to SF Bloodstock for $320K at KEENOV in 2015. TJCIS PPs 6th-WO, C$61K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6fT, post time: 3:55 p.m. EDT Chiefswood Stable homebred NO SCRIPT (Speightstown) is the first foal from Original Script (Malibu Moon), who carried the green-and-white colors of Chiefswood to a popular victory in the 2013 Bison City S. over the local all-weather track and was third to stablemate Nipissing (Niigon) in that year’s Woodbine Oaks. Original Script’s full-brother Final Copy was a SW & GSP over the Woodbine turf course and was runner-up in last year’s Breeders’ S. TJCIS PPs View the full article

On a day when favorite backers have struggled, Alpha Centauri (IRE) ended the dry spell with a scintillating 4 1/2-length victory in the July 13 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (G1). View the full article

Newmarket’s July meeting culminates on Saturday with the G1 Darley July Cup, where Royal Ascot form is put to the test as it has been repeatedly over the past two days. Godolphin’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) bids to become the first to complete the G1 King’s Stand S.-July Cup double since Never So Bold (Ire) in 1985. Ordinarily, possessing the kind of pace to overhaul the lightening rod Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) over five would counter prospects over this stiff six, but we already know that Charlie Appleby’s 4-year-old stays this distance as he proved when winning the G2 Gimcrack S. on rain-softened ground at York in 2016 and when taking Ascot’s G3 Pavilion S. last May. “There’s every indication he’s come forward again for the race at Ascot,” Appleby commented. “Conditions are there to suit him on Saturday. He’s got a nice draw and he’s got the right horses around him. There are no worries with him stepping back up to six furlongs and it will be nice quick ground. I don’t see a negative.” Of the 3-year-olds, Shadwell’s Eqtidaar (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) bids to confirm the form of the Royal meeting’s G1 Commonwealth Cup with runner-up Sands of Mali (Fr) (Panis) and provide Sir Michael Stoute with a fourth renewal. All three of the master of Freemason Lodge’s previous winners were the same age, with Ajdal the last to do so in 1987. “He’s got to go up another notch now,” the operation’s racing manager Angus Gold said. “We’re still learning about the horse. Everybody else was surprised by him at Ascot. We weren’t particularly surprised, in that his work has always been very good at home. Jim [Crowley] was very adamant the horse would improve with his racing.” Also at Royal Ascot was U S Navy Flag (War Front) and like Ballydoyle’s last winner of this Mozart (Ire) in 2001 is dropping back from a mile. Like that sprinting sensation, he was runner-up in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh on May 25 but unlike him he stayed at a mile for the G1 St James’s Palace S. on June 19. Ninth there after attempting a Frankel-like show of force from the front, he is one of five to represent Aidan O’Brien along with the Commonwealth Cup disappointment Sioux Nation (Scat Daddy). A Superlative Lineup… Supporting the July Cup is the G2 Superlative S., which features another Godolphin ‘TDN Rising Star’ in the impressive six-furlong course debut winner Quorto (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The runner-up in that June 22 novice contest Handmaiden (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) did not let the form down here on Thursday and being a son of the dual Oaks-placed Volume (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) improvement is expected in this race his sire won in 2004. “I was very pleased with Quorto’s first start and he came out of the race very well,” Charlie Appleby commented. “We feel that the step up to seven furlongs is going to be to his liking, as he is by Dubawi and stoutly-bred on his dam’s side. He is one of a few of our 2-year-old colts who was able to win over six furlongs at this stage of the season–a lot of our colts are more likely to be seen over seven furlongs or a mile later on in the year. Hopefully, it’s the sign that he is a nice horse and we are looking forward to seeing how he copes with the step up to group level.” Aidan O’Brien, who took this with Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), relies on last week’s Tipperary conditions winner Cape of Good Hope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a full-brother to Highland Reel (Ire) who will probably be asked to force the pace as he was there. Also on the card, the Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies’ S. has been a source of future Group 1 talent in recent times and Godolphin’s Assembly of Truth (Ire) (Shamardal) has key form after finishing third behind Friday’s ultra-impressive Cherry Hinton winner Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) on debut at Yarmouth on June 14. New Look For Eminent… Elsewhere on a typically busy midsummer Saturday, Ascot’s G2 Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile sees last year’s G1 Irish Champion S. third Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) drop down from a mile and a quarter in a bid to arrest a recent major downturn in his fortunes. “We’ll drop him in trip and class slightly. He had good form over a mile as a 3-year-old and hopefully it will be a confidence run for him,” trainer Martyn Meade said. “Hopefully he has a nice time and comes back to his old form, which he hasn’t shown in his first couple of runs this season.” The Royal meeting’s G1 Queen Anne S. is put under the microscope, with the second, fourth and sixth Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper), Century Dream (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Beat the Bank (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) re-opposing. The latter’s trainer Andrew Balding said, “He was only beaten just over a length and a half [in the Queen Anne] and didn’t have a hard race. I think he had legitimate excuses for his last couple of runs. He is in good form and if he gets a clear run at Ascot, I would hope he will be in the mix.” The meeting’s Woodford Reserve H. over 12 furlongs was won in 2015 by Dartmouth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and another potential group performer lurking here is George Strawbridge’s Listed Lingfield Derby Trial third Corelli (Point of Entry), a half-brother to the connections’ G1 St Leger hero Lucarno (Dynaformer). National Pride… ParisLongchamp sees the Bastille Day fixture the day before France step out for the World Cup Final and national hopes in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris rest on the Andre Fabre-trained Folamour (GB) (Intello {Ger}), the Wertheimers’ June 28 course maiden winner who bids to provide his stable with a 14th renewal, and Gerard Augustin-Normand’s May 27 G3 Prix du Lys scorer Neufbosc (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). They encounter the G1 Epsom Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who was seventh in the G1 Irish Derby a fortnight ago but Charlie Johnston is expecting better here. “The horse came out of Ireland well and we’re looking forward to it. He should have a very strong chance,” his father’s assistant said. “It will be interesting to see exactly what the ground is like when we get over there. They were telling us at declaration stage on Thursday it was good-to-soft, so they must have watered plenty. We’ll just have to see what it’s like when we get there. If he runs to the level of his Epsom run, he should win.” In the Listed Prix de Thiberville, ‘TDN Rising Star’ Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), the daughter of Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar), reappears having been freshened up by Alain de Royer-Dupre since her fourth at Chantilly May 18 and she meets another ‘TDN Rising Star’ in Qatar Racing, Ecurie des Monceaux and Barbara Keller’s Enchanting Skies (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) from the Andre Fabre stable. View the full article

Newmarket’s July festival marks the arrival of the juveniles from the major yards with Classic pretensions and Friday’s Weatherbys British EBF Maiden S. could prove a hotbed for some likely types with that in mind. Godolphin were four-strong and Ballydoyle were represented by the 2-1 favourite Mount Tabora (Scat Daddy) in the race that was won by future group-winning sires Elusive Pimpernel (Elusive Quality) and Native Khan (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}) and in which Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was fifth on his debut five years ago. William Buick’s mount Art Du Val (GB) (No Nay Never) was withdrawn at the start after being upset in the stalls and it was his lesser-fancied stablemate Al Hilalee (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who stepped up to the fly the flag for the Charlie Appleby yard. A son of the G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine Ambivalent (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}), he travelled kindly towards the rear but was well in touch racing up the centre. Jinking right away from the whip inside the final quarter mile, the bay gathered his composure to grab the lead approaching the furlong pole and stayed on to score by 3 1/4 lengths from Al Mureib (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who nosed out Mount Tabora. Appleby, who saddles another TDN Rising Star by this sire in Quorto (Ire) in Saturday’s G2 Superlative S. here, said, “As an individual you cannot fault him, his work has been nice at home. We’ll get him home and see where we are, but I have it in the back of my mind that he could be a horse for something like the [G1] Racing Post Trophy later in the season. He’s got a bright future.” 5th-Newmarket, £12,000, Mdn, 7-13, 2yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:26.00, g/f. AL HILALEE (GB), c, 2, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Ambivalent (Ire) (G1SW-Ire, GSW & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-UAE & GSP-Tur, $1,014,955), by Authorized (Ire) 2nd Dam: Darrery (GB), by Darshaan (GB) 3rd Dam: Flamenco, by Dance Spell Sales history: 300,000gns Ylg ’17 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $10,252. O-Godolphin; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Members of Local 280, California's Pari-Mutuel Employees Guild and a branch of the Service Employees International Union, voted to go on strike during a meeting July 12 in Monrivia, Calif. View the full article

Reddam Racing's Mopotism is a filly who likes to race and her two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Doug O'Neill most assuredly is willing to run her. View the full article

World champion sprinter Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), who in the autumn refused to jump from the barriers in four trials in the space of nine days, made the first step towards a potential return to the races by successfully completing-and winning-a jumpout at Flemington on Friday under jockey Tommy Berry. A jumpout is an unofficial trial, and the next step for the soon-to-be 8-year-old gelding will be an official trial at Rosehill on July 23. The Team Hawkes-trained Chautauqua must perform to the stewards’ satisfaction there in order to be cleared to race again following his earlier antics. Jockey Tommy Berry, who has ridden Chautauqua to five Group 1 wins, including three renewals of the G1 TJ Smith S., flew in from Hong Kong for the occasions. Berry will return permanently to Sydney after the current Hong Kong racing season ends. “He was his usual quirky self,” Berry told Racing.com. “He was bouncing around in there, which is usually what he’s like, and he jumped probably the quickest he’s ever jumped before. I had to grab him and pull him back a bit at the start to get him to settle, so I was very pleased with his efforts. They wanted to put a lead on him behind the barriers, which when I’ve ridden him he’s never had before, so I just asked the guys if they could please let me ride him in by myself and they did that. The barrier boys did an amazing job once again.” “The Hawkes team have done an amazing job with him, given him a nice long spell and some time at the beach and doing different things; a bit like a therapy session for him.” “It’s good to get the first tick in the box done, but there’s about 10 ticks to go so we’re not getting ahead of ourselves,” said co-trainer Wayne Hawkes. “It’s a good start but he has a lot more water under the bridge.” “We’re not getting ahead of ourselves because he can change pretty quick. He’s Chautauqua, he’s not a normal horse. We can all laugh and smile now but the truth is he’s not a normal horse. He’s switched on, he’s switched off before and he could do it again. But he’s been in very good form this time and we’ve been very happy with him.” View the full article

Odds of 4-9 are never tempting in a race like the G1 Tattersalls Falmouth S., but TDN Rising Star Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) made them look a gift as she sauntered to a facile all-the-way success at Newmarket on Friday. Following a breakthrough win in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh May 27 with a command performance in Royal Ascot’s G1 Coronation S. June 22, the Niarchos’ grey was always in her comfort zone as jockey Colm O’Donoghue opted to take the stand’s rail and the lead from the outset. Extending her advantage from over two furlongs out, she had 4 1/2 lengths to spare over Altyn Orda (Ire) (Kyllachy {GB}), with Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) a length back in third and the rest well beaten. “She’s unbelievable–she was hacking along and had to do all the donkey work today,” trainer Jessie Harrington said. “She is amazing, with the size of her and I’m very lucky to have her.” ALPHA CENTAURI (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Mastercraftsman (Ire) 1st Dam: Alpha Lupi (Ire), by Rahy 2nd Dam: East of the Moon, by Private Account 3rd Dam: Miesque, by Nureyev O/B-Niarchos Family; B-Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington; J-Colm O’Donoghue. £113,420. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, 8-5-1-0, £690,314. *1/2 to Tenth Star (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), SW & GSP-Ire, GSP-Eng. View the full article

Three Group One wins were enough to earn Beauty Generation the 2017-18 Horse of the Year title ahead of Pakistan Star at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Champion Awards on Friday night. The five-year-old was recognised for his sensational season, winning the Longines Hong Kong Cup, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and the Champions Mile at the top level while also collecting the Group Two Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy and the Group Three Celebration Cup on his way to being named Champion Miler.... View the full article