Wandering Eyes

Chris So Wai-yin was already relieved to be on the right side of a photo finish – especially after another “bad beat” – when Relentless Me delivered the middle leg of a treble that gave a frustrating season a brighter look. So entered the 81st meeting of the season stuck on 23 wins, a subpar total for a trainer with a capacity stable of 60 horses in work, but had also endured a remarkable 44 runner-up finishes – third most of any trainer. So when Snowhooves was... View the full article

Chris So Wai-yin was already relieved to be on the right side of a photo finish – especially after another “bad beat” – when Relentless Me delivered the middle leg of a treble that gave a frustrating season a brighter look. So entered the 81st meeting of the season stuck on 23 wins, a subpar total for a trainer with a capacity stable of 60 horses in work, but had also endured a remarkable 44 runner-up finishes – third most of any trainer. So when Snowhooves was... View the full article

While much of the focus has been on the jockeys’ championship, there is much more at stake at the bottom of the trainers’ table as the “Conghua era” threatens to further expose the gap between the haves and have nots. There is no prize money on the line in the battle between Zac Purton and Joao Moreira for the jockeys’ title, just pride and prestige, yet careers are on the line for struggling trainers Derek Cruz and Almond Lee. Hong Kong is unique in that trainers... View the full article

While much of the focus has been on the jockeys’ championship, there is much more at stake at the bottom of the trainers’ table as the “Conghua era” threatens to further expose the gap between the haves and have nots. There is no prize money on the line in the battle between Zac Purton and Joao Moreira for the jockeys’ title, just pride and prestige, yet careers are on the line for struggling trainers Derek Cruz and Almond Lee. Hong Kong is unique in that trainers... View the full article

Mr Lumieres bounced back from an interrupted preparation to show what he is capable of with a strong victory down the Sha Tin straight on Saturday. The David Hall-trained sprinter looked terrific when winning his Hong Kong debut in February and he backed it up when second to Bravo Watchman in March, but things then went awry. He failed as an even-money favourite in April in an effort stewards deemed unacceptable before hurting his leg in May and missing a run. But that was all behind him on... View the full article

Mr Lumieres bounced back from an interrupted preparation to show what he is capable of with a strong victory down the Sha Tin straight on Saturday. The David Hall-trained sprinter looked terrific when winning his Hong Kong debut in February and he backed it up when second to Bravo Watchman in March, but things then went awry. He failed as an even-money favourite in April in an effort stewards deemed unacceptable before hurting his leg in May and missing a run. But that was all behind him on... View the full article

Zac Purton and Joao Moreira fought out a thrilling 3-3 draw but it was Frankie Lor’s turn to shine in the spotlight at Sha Tin as he set a new benchmark for first-year trainers. While everyone had one eye on the race for the jockeys’ championship, it was Lor’s day as he collected a double to land his 59th winner of the season, eclipsing the mark previously set by his former mentor John Size. He equalled Size when Simply Brilliant held off the fast-finishing Hezthewonforus... View the full article

Zac Purton and Joao Moreira fought out a thrilling 3-3 draw but it was Frankie Lor’s turn to shine in the spotlight at Sha Tin as he set a new benchmark for first-year trainers. While everyone had one eye on the race for the jockeys’ championship, it was Lor’s day as he collected a double to land his 59th winner of the season, eclipsing the mark previously set by his former mentor John Size. He equalled Size when Simply Brilliant held off the fast-finishing Hezthewonforus... View the full article

Shahnaza (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}) From a family with strong roots in the Aga Khan Studs and which includes Shergar, a half-brother to this filly’s third dam, Shahnaza is out of an unraced half-sister to G1 Prix de l’Opera winner Shalanaya (Ire) (Lomitas {GB}). B-The Aga Khan Studs Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) Bred and raced by Coolmore associates, this dual Group 1-winning juvenile is a sister to Classic-winning milers Gleneagles (Ire) and Marvellous (Ire) out of a sister to Giant’s Causeway. B-Orpendale and Chelston Ireland Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) The top-priced filly at the 2016 Goffs UK Premier Sale, Laurens was bought by owner John Dance for £220,000. Bred by Francois Mathet, she is a daughter of the dual winner Recambe (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G1 Hong Kong Derby winner Helene Mascot (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), who raced in the UK as Salford Mill. B-Bloodstock Agency Ltd Castellar (Fr) (American Post {GB}) The G3 Prix Cleopatre winner could spark a big week for her owner-breeder Dario Hinojosa as her half-brother Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper) runs in Tuesday’s G1 Queen Anne S. The Spaniard also bred their dam, Highphar (Fr) (Highest Honor), having bought grandam Pharatta (Ire) (Fairy King) as a foal from Barronstown Stud for IR£15,000 back in 1995. B-Sarl Darpat France Homerique (Exchange Rate) Homerique has the rare distinction of having been offered for sale in three different countries in the first three years of her life. Unsold as a foal at $34,000 at Keeneland’s November Sale, she was a 22,000gns vendor buyback as a yearling at Tattersalls October Book 2 when offered by her breeder’s Taroka Stud and was finally sold through Mayfield Stables to agent Laurent Benoit for €75,000 at the Arqana Breeze-up Sale. B-Nicky Drion & Francois Drion Musis Amica (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) Is a grand-daughter of the GI Kentucky Oaks heroine White Star Line (Northern Dancer), who was bought by Sheikh Mohammed for $3-million from the Newstead Farm dispersal at Fasig-Tipton in 1985. B-Godolphin Amazing Lips (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) A graduate of Baden-Baden’s September Yearling Sale, Amazing Lips was bought by Mayfair Speculators from Gestut Graditz for €130,000. Her dam Athenaire (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire})–a daughter of Cheveley Park Stud’s Dance To The Top (GB) (Sadler’s Wells)–was bred by Eddie Irwin’s Rockhart Trading Ltd and was unsold at €48,000 when offered as a 4-year-old at the Goffs November Sale. B-Stall Parthanaue Luminate (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) Was a Goffs Orby yearling bought by John and Jake Warren for €85,000 from Baroda & Colbinstown Studs. Her dam Kalandara (Ire) (Rainbow Quest) was purchased by Colbinstown from the Aga Khan Studs’ draft at Goffs in 2013 for €35,000. B-Philip & Jane Myerscough Lady Athena (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) Is a homebred for Australian John Hutchins who purchased her dam, the former Haras de Saint Pair colour-bearer Monblue (GB) (Monson {Ger}), through Damon Gabbeddy’s Belmont Bloodstock for €400,000 at the 2013 Arqana December Sale. B-J Hutchins Assonance (Fr) (Saonois {FR}) Like her dam Agosta (FR), Assonance was bred by Antonia Devin and was sold privately after racing for her breeder as a juvenile. Her Prix du Jockey Club-winning sire stands at the Devin family’s Haras de Mesnil near Le Mans, which was also the base of her now-retired homebred damsire Ange Gabriel (Fr). B-Mme Henri Devin With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}) The George Strawbridge homebred is a daughter of the Group 3 winner In Clover (GB) (Inchinor {GB}), herself a daughter of the former Wertheimer representative Bellarida (Fr) (Bellypha {GB}), bought as an 11-year-old in 1997 for the breeder by James Wigan for 85,000gns. B-George Strawbridge Barkaa (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) Bred by Jean-Pierre Columbu who also bred her dam Dentelle (Fr) (Apelddorn {Fr}), Barkaa was bought by Marc-Antoine Berghgracht for €66,000 from the Haras d’Ellon draft at Arqana’s v.2 Yearling Sale. She raced initially for Gerard Augustin-Normand and was sold privately earlier this season to Peter Brant and Joseph Allen after winning the G3 Prix Vanteaux. B-Jean-Pierre Columbu Soustraction (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) From a well established Wertheimer family, Soustraction hails from the family of Arc heroine Solemia (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}), Derby winner Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Green Dancer (Nijinsky). B-Wertheimer et Frere. View the full article

Freddy Head has yet to train the winner of Chantilly’s G1 Prix de Diane Longines, but it could be that is put right on Sunday when he saddles a formidable duo in With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Luminate (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}). Both come here on the back of defeats, but their previous form entitles them to maximum respect in an open year. The former, a ‘TDN Rising Star’, captured the G3 Prix des Reservoirs for owner-breeder George Strawbridge at Deauville in October, while Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Luminate was no less impressive in the G3 Prix de Conde over nine furlongs here in the same month before taking the G3 Prix Penelope over this 10 1/2-furlong trip at Saint-Cloud on May 1. With You was denied a short head by Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) on her comeback in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp on May 27, six days after Luminate was second before being demoted to fifth behind Castellar (Fr) (American Post {GB}) in the G3 Prix Cleopatre also at this distance. Head won this four times when in the saddle and calls upon dual winner Frankie Dettori to partner Luminate. “The devil really is in the detail which can boil down to the having the best trip during the race, or the progress that these fillies are capable of making on the big occasion,” the Italian commented. “Luminate was unlucky last time and she certainly stays the trip. She has an advantage compared to the foreign fillies in that she is playing at home.” Harry Herbert, Highclere’s racing manager, added, “We feel she may be better over further and should stay a mile and a half. She’s joint top on official ratings for the race.” Karl Burke reports Laurens in top order following her Saint-Alary win and second in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket May 6. “If they go a good gallop and we can get on a nice, even keel sat handy, that would be perfect,” he said. “We’ve already had a look at a mile and two and this gives us another opportunity, hopefully in a truer-run race, to see how she’s finishing her race out. I’d be very surprised if we don’t give her a go at some stage over a mile and a half, whether it’s the Irish Oaks or the Yorkshire Oaks. We’ll be dictated by how well she comes out of this race.” The expected favourite is His Highness The Aga Khan’s Shahnaza (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}), who beat the subsequent G3 Prix de Royaumont scorer Pollara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) with a dash of finesse in Longchamp’s Listed Prix de la Seine over 11 furlongs on May 6 and would be providing her owner-breeder with an eighth winner. Aidan O’Brien looks for a first Diane success with the G1 English and Irish 1000 Guineas third Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and she has fared well with the draw in three. No Easy Spot For Pharrell… Elsewhere on Chantilly’s card, the G2 Prix Hocquart Longines sees Jean-Louis Tepper’s late G1 Prix du Jockey Club withdrawal Pharrell (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) run for the first time since his success in the G3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp Apr. 15. He faces tough opposition in the form of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Aspetar (Fr) (Al Kazeem {GB}), who was successful in the Listed Cocked Hat S. at Goodwood May 25, and Jean-Louis Bouchard’s dual Saint-Cloud conditions scorer Master of Reality (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). In the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac Longines, Derrick Smith’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches third Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) takes on the colts including the same stable’s Apr. 29 Listed Prix du Pont Neuf winner Deemster (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Cologne’s prestigious Deutsches Derby trial, the G2 Oppenheim Union Rennen, features some colts beaten by one of that Hamburg Classic’s leading lights Royal Youmzain (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}) in the G3 Bavarian Classic at Munich May 1, with the runner-up Jimmu (Ger) (Dalakhani {Ire}) stepping out of his shadow. At Cork, the G3 Munster Oaks offers the first clue as to the worth of the G1 Epsom Oaks form, with the fifth-placed Flattering (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) taking on the older fillies and mares including John Connaughton’s progressive dual listed winner Bloomfield (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). View the full article

The Breeders’ Cup announced late Friday evening that 20 individuals have won election to serve as Breeders’ Cup Members. Voting by Breeders’ Cup 2017 foal and stallion nominators was concluded at 5:00 p.m. ET June 15. The following individuals received the most votes of the Breeders’ Cup nominators to fill 20 Member seats having four year terms: Antony R. Beck*, Gatewood Bell, Alan Cooper, Case Clay*, Everett Dobson, William S. Farish, Jr.*, Greg Goodman*, Fred W. Hertrich III*, Bret Jones*, Jak Knelman, M.V. Magnier, Anthony R. Manganaro*, Pope McLean, Jr., Gavin Murphy, Garrett O’Rourke*, Mike Pons, Dan Pride*, Daisy Phipps Pulito, Jaime Roth; and Tom Ryan*. Ten Members were re-elected to their posts: Antony R. Beck, Case Clay, William S. Farish, Jr. H. Greg Goodman, Fred W. Hertrich III, Bret Jones, Anthony R. Manganaro, Garrett O’Rourke, Dan Pride and Tom Ryan. Voting, which began June 6 with 40 candidates on the ballot, was conducted online. “We congratulate our new and returning Members who will serve the Breeders’ Cup over the next four years,” said Fred Hertrich III, Breeders’ Cup Chairman. “This year’s class is represented by a diverse group of leaders comprising racing, breeding and the commercial interests of our industry. We look forward to gaining their expertise for the challenges and opportunities which lay ahead for the Breeders’ Cup program.” The Breeders’ Cup Members are elected every other year by Breeders’ Cup foal and stallion nominators through a proportional voting system based on the level of nominations paid to the organization. There are a total of 39 elected Breeders’ Cup Members. The Members elect the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors. The election of the Breeders’ Cup Directors will begin on July 2 and conclude at the July 11 Annual Meeting of Members. View the full article

OCALA, Fl – The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s June Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age, the final auction of the juvenile sales season, concluded its three-day run Friday with a colt by Scat Daddy (hip 742) attracting the day’s top price of $360,000. Another son of the late Coolmore stallion, sire of Triple Crown winner Justify, brought the sale’s highest price of $650,000 when he sold during Wednesday’s first session of the auction. Through three sessions, OBS sold 520 horses for $17,125,500. The average was $32,934 and the median was $15,000. At last year’s two-day sale, 434 horses grossed $14,999,900 for an average of $34,562 and a median of $18,500. The buy-back rate was 21.8%. Eleven horses sold for $200,000 or more this year, while nine hit that mark a year ago, when the top price was $320,000. “It was a very solid sale,” OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski said at the close of business Friday. “The trend we’ve seen all year is that the top end kind of takes care of itself. It was nice to see some vibrancy in the middle and lower levels, to see some active trade there.” The sale’s leading consignor was Wavertree Stables, with 28 head sold for $2,105,500. The leading buyer was Carlo Vaccarezza, who purchased seven horses, including the $650,000 sales topper, for $1,010,500. Eddie Woods, who sold a million-dollar juvenile at the Fasig-Gulfstream sale and topped the Barretts April sale, said he noticed more strength at the top end of the market during this spring’s 2-year-old sales. “I think, at the better end, there was a bit more strength,” Woods said. “There were more horses sold for better money across the board at all the sales throughout the country. I don’t think at any sale was there a horse that brought crazy money, but there was a lot of money at the better end and there was more of it. It’s a growing trend, both at the yearling sale and in every part of our industry, the top end is getting a little bit more spread out and a little stronger.” The OBS April sale was the undisputed highlight of the season. The four-day auction produced strong results from top to bottom and featured a rejuvenated middle market. “April was probably, across the board, one of the best sales we’ve seen in years, just because so many horses got pedaled,” Woods said. “There was so much money at every level and even the useful horses got sold.” The lower and middle market at the June sale was bolstered by participation by Carribean entities, with the Confederacion Hipica de Puerto Rico purchasing 56 juveniles to be the sale’s fifth leading buyer, and the Royal St. Lucia Turf Club acquiring 20 head. “It was great to have the Puerto Rican groups participating at the level that they did, as well as the St. Lucia group and the Korean groups,” Wojciechowski said. “They were very helpful to the sale. I am sure a lot of those people were here in April and didn’t get their orders filled and fortunately we were able to help them out in June.” Woods still saw some weakness in the middle market. “The middle market is a little tricky here,” Woods said as the June sale wound down. “On the first show day on Monday, the traffic was dismal–you couldn’t start an argument, never mind an auction. People showed up for the sale at the end of the day and it looks like the people have found the better horses. At the lower end, we had the usual South Miami and island guys. But the thing that we don’t have here anymore is an East Coast presence. There were nearly no trainers. I don’t think the money is around for that kind of horse anymore.” The yearling sales begin next month and Woods said his approach to buying yearlings won’t change this year. “We’ll stick with the same thing,” he said. “When we get it right, it’s always worked well. And that’s a bit of quality. We pay a little bit more for them to just get the real deal we want. The worst thing you ever say to yourself at the sale is, ‘He’ll be ok, if…’ They are never ok, if. One in 20 is ‘ok, if’ because he iffed and the other 19 didn’t. But he doesn’t pay for the other 19. So you have to be very comfortable and really like what you’re buying.” The June sale also included a section of Horses of Racing Age, with an unraced gelding by Jimmy Creed (hip 853) bringing top price of $60,000. The 3-year-old was consigned by Gayle Woods and purchased by bloodstock agent Alistair Roden. In all, five horses sold for $96,600 and an average of $19,300. Scat Daddy Colt to Redekop Scat Daddy, already represented by Wednesday’s $650,000 sale topper, had another session topper Friday in Ocala when bloodstock agent Alistair Roden went to $360,000 to secure a colt by the late stallion on behalf of Peter Redekop. “He’ll go to California, but I’m not sure just yet on a trainer,” Roden said. “I’ll have to get with those guys and see about a trainer.” Consigned by Wavertree Stables, the bay colt (hip 742) was bred by Bryant Prentice’s Pursuit of Success, which purchased his dam Imprecation (First Defence) for $223,246 at the 2013 Tattersalls December sale. The juvenile’s second dam is Media Nox (GB) (Lycius), dam of Group 1 winner Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat) and group winners Burning Sun (Danzig) and Mirabilis (Lear Fan). He worked a furlong last week in :10 1/5. “He’s a Scat Daddy who breezed really well,” Roden said of the colt’s appeal. “He’s a beautiful horse with a good pedigree.” Asked about the colt’s final price tag, Roden said with a chuckle, “I think it had something to do with the Triple Crown.” He added, “Scat Daddy is obviously a very good sire. This horse probably has more of a grass pedigree.” Of the market in Ocala this week, Roden added, “The good ones sell for a lot of money. It’s always competitive for the good ones.” Imprecation produced a colt by Hard Spun last year and a filly by Into Mischief this year. Quick Double Strike for Plesa Trainer Eddie Plesa took home a pair of juveniles in quick succession Friday in Ocala, going to $260,000 to secure a colt by Into Mischief just six hips after acquiring a colt by Uncaptured for $230,000. Both were purchased on behalf of Karl and Cathi Glassman. “We’ve been trying to get an Into Mischief this year,” Plesa, sitting alongside his wife Laurie and retired Hall of Fame jockey Bobby Ussery, said after signing the ticket on hip 660. “He’s an outstanding stallion and this was the right time and the right price.” The colt is out of Farayya (Hard Spun), a daughter of graded stakes placed High Cholesterol (Until Sundown) and a half to group winner Giftorm (War Pass). Bred by Janavar Thoroughbreds, the bay colt RNA’d for $80,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale and was consigned Friday by Gene Recio. “He has a shoulder that is second to none,” Plesa said of the colt, who worked a quarter last week in :21 2/5. “He’s just a very attractive looking individual–he’s my type of horse.” Plesa also signed the ticket on hip 654, a colt from the first crop of Canadian champion Uncaptured. “I think Uncaptured is as hot a 2-year-old sire as you’re going to have in the country right now,” Plesa said. “I have a couple down in South Florida right now and they both can run. I think he’s got an outstanding opportunity to be the leading juvenile sire.” Uncaptured, who stands at Ocala Stud, has already been represented by a pair of winners at Gulfstream Park, including the impressive 10 1/2-length debut winner Capture Your Dream. The juvenile, who worked a furlong in :10 flat last week, is out of Fabiana’s Flash (City Zip), a daughter of graded stakes winner Flashy N Smart (Smarten). “This horse fits all the bills for us,” Plesa said of the bay. “He is a Florida Stallion Stakes horse, he’s a Florida-bred.” The colt was consigned by Costanzo Sales. Tony Costanzo purchased the youngster for $60,000 at last year’s OBS October sale. “He’s was just a really nice looking yearling and he turned into a really nice 2-year-old,” Costanzo said. “I was grateful to get him for the $60,000.” Also on behalf of the Glassmans, Plesa purchased a colt by Speightstown (hip 494) for $100,000 during Thursday’s second session of the sale. “I found the market, as a whole, was very soft,” Plesa said. “I think it’s been more of a buyer’s sale than a seller’s sale, though these two horses, if they had been in an earlier sale–especially the Into Mischief–I think they could have brought a lot more money. It’s been an opportunity for us to get something.” View the full article

The latest salvo in a rapidly escalating simulcasting dispute in Northern California has been fired by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), which hosted a meeting of owners at Golden Gate Fields Friday morning to advocate an approach of business as usual for the rest of the year. This would mean the track stays open for training this summer and that it runs its originally scheduled race dates between Aug. 22 through Oct. 2, but that all necessary parties work together to restructure the Northern California Off-Track Wagering Inc. (NOTWINC) simulcast organization into a more “profitable business” in the long-term, said TOC CEO Greg Avioli, about his organization’s position. “We want everyone to have reached agreement prior to the first day of Golden Gate, so that Golden Gate can run it’s meet as originally scheduled,” said Avioli. “I’m confident it will happen because it’s the best economic solution for all parties.” This Wednesday, Stronach Group chief operating officer Tim Ritvo told the Blood-Horse that his organization, which owns Golden Gate Fields, would come good on a plan written into its race meet application to opt out of NOTWINC, and to no longer send a signal to the system’s network of OTB wagering facilities, unless changes were made. NOTWINC currently comprises 10 brick-and-mortar satellite wagering facilities. Ritvo called the organization “a broken model” in that, since its enactment, advances in wagering technologies (think TVG and Twinspires) have made the agreement effectively obsolete, to the point that now, Golden Gate is forced to subsidize the organization to keep the satellites afloat. If no agreement is reached and Golden Gate chooses to no longer send a wagering signal to the satellites, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has threatened to deny Golden Gate a license to operate its race dates later this summer. The application is scheduled for discussion and action at the next CHRB meeting June 21 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. According to Avioli, there are two main parts to the puzzle-whether or not the CHRB is legally allowed to authorize Golden Gate to operate this summer unbound from NOTWINC, as well as what would happen if the CHRB does just that. If it does, “where is the Stronach Group going to find and guarantee the roughly $6.5 million that is generated to the purse account currently?” said Avioli, who added that discussions surrounding a labor agreement involving the satellites is only complicating matters. Labor costs currently account for about two-thirds of the network’s total expenses. Still, the TOC argues that Golden Gate probably won’t be able to make up the revenue lost if it pulls out of NOTWINC. According to the TOC’s calculations, these 10 satellite wagering facilities handled a total of $108.4 million in 2017, which constituted 41% of total wagering in Northern California. What’s more, purse revenues from these satellites totaled $6.6 million, or 46% of the total purse revenue generated. “It’s a very complex set of calculations. But if you could move 100% of the wagering of the satellites to ADW, then you’d probably come out roughly the same on revenues and would reduce expenses,” he said. “But if you lose any significant percentage of it, you are going to have less purse money.” Ritvo, however, said that his own cost analyses show that it would take 70% of the revenue currently garnered through NOTWINC to shift to ADW wagering for Golden Gate to break even, if it successfully opts out of NOTWINC. “If we don’t make up 70% of it, we will go negative a little bit,” Ritvo told TDN. “But we have to remember, and this is very important, the only declining revenue is in the OTB [satellite wagering facilities],” he said, adding that ADW revenues are expanding. “So, if we get out in front of that, and we have these nice ADW cafes, we should have a nice future.” Which is why Ritvo is keen to trigger change immediately rather than wait another year. “We never how these things are going to shake out, but we think we have a good plan to launch,” said Ritvo. “I’m glad they’ve said they want to work with us, but at the same time, everyone’s afraid to take it on, and really, a lot of these guys are bureaucrats. Instead of being businessmen and taking on tough issues, it’s easier to keep kicking the can down the road.” This whole issue, however, is obscured beneath a cloudy legal pall. According to CHRB executive director Rick Baedeker, Golden Gate has the legal wherewithal to pull out of the simulcast organization, just as long as it negotiates an agreement unilaterally with the 10 brick-and-mortar satellite facilities. “It’s a technical thing where the Stronach Group have pulled out of NOTWINC, which is fine, they can do that, but then they have to operate it on their own or form another organization, but they still have to do contracts with each of the sites,” said Baedeker. “They’re obliged by state law, if they operate a live race meet, to send the signal to the satellites and receive wagering from the satellites.” The Stronach Group sees it differently. “Our legal team doesn’t see it that way and our outside council doesn’t see it that way either,” said Ritvo, who believes Golden Gate is not statutorily obligated to send a signal to the system’s OTB satellites. “We have a legal disagreement on that, and that’s probably what we’ll be contesting in court if they don’t grant us our license.” In a further development, Los Alamitos filed a legal proceeding in the Superior Court in Orange County to get “a definitive interpretation of what the law is with respect to…the obligation of a track to transmit the audio-visual signal of its racing program for wagering purposes throughout its satellite network,” said Jack Liebau, vice president of the Los Alamitos Racing Association. According to Liebau, of the wagering in Northern California conducted at brick and mortar facilities, 78% is done at the satellites and 22% is bet at live tracks. “What we’re pointing out through that statistic is the importance of satellite wagering in Northern California as a whole,” he said. “They are significant.” Both the state of California and the fairs themselves have invested heavily in these satellite facilities, said Liebau. “It just isn’t reasonable to think that at any point in time that that investment can be made worthless at the whim of some track deciding that they don’t want a satellite network any more.” Ultimately, the Stronach Group, he said, is mandated “by law” to distribute its racing signal for wagering purposes to the 10 satellites, and cannot “unilaterally dismantle” the simulcast organization. “Those two things would be our bottom line,” he said. “But, you know, two lawyers can have three different opinions.” The Stronach Group held a meeting at Golden Gate Thursday for the horsemen in order to reiterate its position, urging them to attend the next CHRB meeting in support of changes to NOTWINC. “We told the horsemen that we wish to change the model, that it is broken and has been broken and documented since 2010. That is the message we delivered to the horsemen; they took it reasonably well,” said Golden Gate’s General Manager David Duggan. A long-gestating idea to race all-year round at the Bay Area track was another proposal floated at the meeting. This development would deal a devastating blow to the fairs, which would, by most projections, struggle to operate race meets simultaneously with Golden Gate. “This is between two companies, and we as horsemen shouldn’t have to stand up for one or the other. I would love to see year-round racing at Golden Gate, because I believe in racing where you are training, so I’m for The Stronach Group and support them,” said trainer Blaine Wright. “But the fairs do offer a stakes schedule that Golden Gate can’t compete with.” According to California Association of Fairs (CARF) executive director Larry Swartzlander, who attended this morning’s meeting, CARF and the TOC are in agreement in that the NOTWINC structure should remain in place for now, “and we should simply restructure it to become a more efficient organization,” he added. Swartzlander said there wasn’t any time frame in place to restructure NOTWINC. “We have to get past the Stronach Group-they’ve opted out. They’re out of NOTWINC right now.” But he floated possible restructuring ideas, which could include combining the satellite networks that currently exist in Northern and Southern California. “Why do we have two organizations, SCOTWINC and NOTWINC? They both do the same thing,” he said. “Let’s look at having one organization for the state.” But Ritvo appears keen to institute change as quickly as possible, and if the matter heads to court, “we hope the judge will review it quickly, and see which side is right and which side is wrong,” he said. View the full article

In her second start at Belmont Park, William and Corinne Heiligbrodt's Atchata overcame a stumble at the start to score by 1 1/2 lengths in a June 15 maiden special weight on the turf to become the first winner for freshman sire Apriority. View the full article

Olin Gentry, managing partner of Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds, collapsed in the barn area while attending the OBS June Sale Friday in Ocala. Gentry was taken by ambulance to North Florida Medical Center where he was undergoing tests Friday afternoon, according to consignor Ciaran Dunne. Gentry purchased a pair of juveniles by Uncle Mo during the three-day auction. View the full article

As undefeated ‘TDN Rising Star’ Justify (Scat Daddy) came charging down the stretch in front in the GI Belmont S. June 9 with a Triple Crown on the line, his two principal owners were thinking completely different things. “That straight at Belmont seemed a mile long, but to see our bright silks continuing to lead the field was an experience like nothing else,” said China Horse Club founder and chairman Teo Ah Khing. “The energy of the entire crowd and the understanding we were achieving something truly unique and historic, coupled with the joy of my family, friends, CHC members and our co-owners brought us so much joy. It is a once in a lifetime experience.” Meanwhile, WinStar Farm’s CEO Elliott Walden had a bit different focus. “I was looking at the race from a ‘can he get beat,’ ‘is he going to get beat angle,'” Walden said. “So, I focused in on Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus}) making the move that he did and thought, because he was getting a clean run up the fence, he might be able to get there and challenge Justify. But, when Mike [Smith] was still a couple of lengths clear at the quarter-pole and looked like he hadn’t asked [Justify] yet, I started to feel pretty good. It looked like all the horses behind him had made their run at him and flattened out. It felt really good from the eighth pole to the wire. I was starting to think, ‘Wow, maybe he can be a Triple Crown winner.'” That thought became a reality just a few seconds later when Justify crossed the wire 1 3/4 lengths clear of Gronkowski to become the 13th Triple Crown winner and take his record to a perfect six-for-six. The fact only 13 horses in history have managed to capture the elusive Triple Crown proves it takes a very special animal to complete the feat. Justify showed he was a standout from the start when his connections purchased him for $500,000 at the Keeneland September sale. “He always had this presence about him and he had tremendous balance,” Walden said. “Justify was a horse that everybody liked. [China Horse Club’s] Michael Wallace and Mick Flanagan really liked him, [SF’s] Tom Ryan and Henry Fields liked him, and David [Hanley] and I liked him. He was pretty obvious to us as a group.” Teo added, “He had great balance, great leverage. He had a good solid frame that just needed some time, but he was so light on his feet, with an ease of movement and extension that carried that frame so effortlessly. From our teams view, he was the best yearling in Book 1.” Justify flashed his talent in his early training at WinStar and the team originally pegged him as an early type, but those plans were stalled by an injury, which prevented him from racing as a juvenile. “He pulled a muscle up high and kind of strained a ligament in front of his hock, so he needed 60 days,” Walden said. “That was in April, so May and June he had off and in July he came back. He trained through July and August at the farm and then we sent him to Rodolphe [Brisset] around the middle of September to get experience at Keeneland and then he went out to Bob [Baffert] with the Breeders’ Cup horses.” Justify initially went to Baffert’s assistant Mike Marlow at Los Alamitos, where he continued to impress those working with him. “I went to the Magic Millions sale and stopped at Santa Anita and I said, ‘Bob you need to get this horse over here. He is a big, nice horse,'” Walden said. “So, I think, at that point, I’m not going to say I knew he was a Triple Crown winner, but I knew he was a nice horse. We liked him. That was early January.” Baffert brought Justify to his Santa Anita base shortly after that and when he watched the hulking chestnut breeze, he saw that everyone was right about the colt being a special animal. “The first time Bob breezed him, he rung Michael Wallace and told him we have a special horse on our hands, and just before his debut, we were told he could be exceptional,” Teo said. Justify lived up to the hype with a ‘TDN Rising Star’-worthy debut, followed by a dazzling allowance win and impressive victory in the GI Santa Anita Derby. The sophomore was sent off as the favorite in the GI Kentucky Derby and ran to the money with another eye-catching score over a muddy track. “The Kentucky Derby victory was an amazing feeling,” Teo said, “It’s the biggest race on the American calendar. People dream of winning such a Classic. To see the crowd’s reaction to our own Derby winner was a very humbling experience. We were confident, as we knew we had a special horse, but the Derby is so hard to win with such a big field, the weather, etc., so to claim victory was an amazing experience.” The Derby weather conditions followed Justify to Pimlico, where he was pushed by champion Good Magic (Curlin) every step of the way in the GI Preakness S. and emerged from the fog a narrow winner over a rallying Bravazo (Awesome Again). While many fans began to doubt the seemingly unbeatable colt’s ability to get a mile and a half at Belmont after the Preakness, his connections did not. “I felt like all the talk about the Preakness not being a good race was not true or fair,” Walden said. “From my eye, I saw three things I really liked. One was Mike Smith wrapped up on him the last 150 yards and held something in reserve. Two, Bravazo didn’t gallop out in front of him. When Bravazo engaged him in the turn, Justify galloped on. Three, the fact he went head and head with the 2-year-old champion Good Magic for nearly a mile and still held off those horses, to me, was the test of a champion. I thought he was moving forward, not backward.” Justify proved Walden right and silenced the doubters on a sunny June day over a fast track at Belmont, taking the field wire-to-wire to claim a historic victory, becoming just the second undefeated Triple Crown winner after Seattle Slew. “It wasn’t really until the Belmont, that he really caught up to the rest of his crop as far as maturity, race savvy-ness and experience,” Walden said. “I think he is a horse that belongs in the conversation with horses like Seattle Slew.” The Triple Crown is the ultimate dream of everyone involved in racing and WinStar and the China Horse Club are no exception. While WinStar is a stalwart in this business, the China Horse Club is relatively new, established just five years ago. Though they have enjoyed great success worldwide, the Triple Crown win had increased meaning. “A Triple Crown represents the possibilities that CHC offers,” Teo said. “We have always said we want to offer CHC members the opportunity of a lifetime and that we intend to compete at the highest of levels. Justify represents our company, our people and the ability to do great things. His victory was widely celebrated throughout China and has gained so much attention, which will help to grow the sport in a positive way.” While the WinStar team is also reveling in their Triple Crown win, they continue to put one foot in front of the other. “The great thing about Mr. Troutt, and everybody here at WinStar, is we get up and go to work the next day,” Walden said. “It is not like we can stand back and rest on our laurels. Everybody is working hard. It’s a great accomplishment, but at the end of the day, we are continuing to move forward.” Immediately after the Belmont, racing fans and analysts alike began to speculate as to whether or not Justify, who is now one of the world’s most valuable racehorses, would be retired after his historic achievement. Walden said the owners are looking forward to the popular chestnut’s next race as much as everyone else. “We will give it a couple of weeks before we really talk about [where he will race next], but as long as the horse is healthy, there will be [a next race],” Walden said. “He came out of it in great shape. Bob took some precautionary x-rays to make sure he came through all this fine and everything looked good.” View the full article

Stuart Janney’s Romantic Moment (Flatter) looks to remain perfect on turf in Saturday’s GIII Regret S. at Churchill Downs. Fourth when unveiled in a main track sprint at Gulfstream on Christmas Eve, the Shug McGaughey pupil was third next out on the dirt in Hallandale a month later. Switched to the sod and extended to nine furlongs, the $425,000 KEESEP buy earned her diploma by a head at Gulfstream Feb. 19 and took her turf record to two-for-two over a yielding Keeneland course Apr. 26. Hinkle Farms homebred Stave (Ghostzapper) also steps up in class off back-to-back victories. Fourth in her first two attempts at Fair Grounds this winter, the Larry Jones pupil graduated by 6 3/4 lengths at Keeneland Apr. 20 and followed suit with a course-and-distance allowance win May 19. Unlike Romantic Moment and Stave, Heavenly Love (Malibu Moon) has plenty of stakes experience and is even a Grade I winner on dirt, taking last year’s Darley Alcibiades S. at Keeneland. Off the board in her next three attempts over the main track, all in stakes company, the bay tried turf for the first time last out in Keeneland’s GII Appalchian S. Apr. 8, where she finished sixth behind ‘TDN Rising Star’ Rushing Fall (More Than Ready). View the full article

It lacked the same electricity that the first eight-figure horse in the history of the Hong Kong International Sale generated when a son of Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) was knocked down for HK$11 million in mid-March, but there was plenty of interest in the 14 ready-to-run gallopers on offer during a smaller June sale held Friday in the parade ring at Sha Tin Racecourse. A French-bred 3-year-old son of Shamardal–responsible over the last few years by Hong Kong Horse of the Year Able Friend (Aus) and more recently the wildly popular and enigmatic Pakistan Star (Ger)–led the proceedings on a bid of HK$2.8 million from the Evergreen Syndicate. Purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for €250,000 at the 2016 Arqana October Yearling Sale, lot 9 was a son of Light And Airy (GB) (Linamix {Fr}), the dam of G3 Athasi S. winner Gossamer Seed (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}). An O’Reilly gelding from the family of Hong Kong Derby winner Fay Fay (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}) (lot 10) and a son of Aerovelocity (NZ) and Ambitious Dragon (NZ)’s sire Pins (Aus) (lot 14) each fetched final bids of HK$2.5 million. “The Club has only one objective from its sales, which is to give Owners the opportunity to acquire good quality horses. We are pleased that we achieved that tonight,” commented Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, for the HKJC, commented. “This is the first time that we have restricted a sale in this way,” he continued. “We designed the sale specifically as a service to PPG (private purchase griffin) holders and because of that difference we knew that it would have an impact on the prices compared to the March sale. It is important to us to provide those PPG permit holders with an opportunity and that is what we have done here this evening. As with all of our sales, we did not come here to make a profit.” Harding confirmed that the Club will again offer two sales in 2018/2019. View the full article

During a press conference yesterday, it was announced that a selection of WinStar’s Triple Crown trophies, won by Justify (Scat Daddy), will be on display Oct. 30–during this year’s Equestricon convention. In addition to the colt’s owners (WinStar Farm, Starlight Racing, China Horse Club and Sol Kumin’s Head of Plains Partners), trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith will also participate in an autograph session. Proceeds from the autograph signing will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). “We’ve truly enjoyed being a part of Equestricon and seeing it achieve its mission of bringing fans into the fold at every level of the sport,” said Elliot Walden, WinStar Farm President/CEO and Racing Manager. “It’s an honor and blessing to be able to share Justify and the ride he’s taken us and all of our partners on. Most importantly, we’ve always been big supporters of the PDJF and this allows us another opportunity to raise funds and awareness about the vital work they do in advocating and caring for our jockeys.” Equestricon, which will serve as the anchor event for the Breeders’ Cup Festival in Louisville this year, begins Oct. 29 at the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC). In addition to the Justify trophy exhibit, photo opportunity, and autograph signing for the PDJF on the second day of the convention, Equestricon will also feature Breeders’ Cup trophy photo opportunities, along with dozens of leading jockeys, trainers and other major racing personalities who’ll be available during signings, meet-and-greets, workshops and panels. For more information, contact Event Coordinator Dan Montesano at dan.montesano@equestricon.org. View the full article

Chocolate Martini's connections felt shipping west—at a time many from the West recently shipped east—could be a good opportunity for the Broken Vow filly to collect her second grade 2 victory. View the full article

Ax Man (Misremembered) headlines a field of seven slated for Saturday’s GIII Matt Winn S. at Churchill Downs. The Patti and Hal Earnhardt homebred enters off a pair of runaway victories, headed by a front-running 6 3/4-length romp in the slop in Pimlico’s Sir Barton S. on the GI Preakness S. undercard May 19. He is trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. Funny Duck (Distorted Humor) rallied from far back to light up the Churchill Downs tote board at 39-1 in a sloppy renewal of the GIII Pat Day Mile S. on GI Kentucky Derby day May 5. He was seventh behind the speedy GII Fountain of Youth S. winner Promises Fulfilled (Shackleford) in his only other dirt attempt in a Churchill maiden last September. Combatant (Scat Daddy), second in this term’s GIII Southwest S. and third in the GII Rebel S., seeks his first win since his maiden breaker here last October. He was 18th in the GI Kentucky Derby last time. View the full article

Multiple graded stakes winner Gamble's Ghost will look to add another to her resume in the $125,000 Trillium Stakes (G3) going 1 1/16 miles at Woodbine. In a field of 10 fillies and mares for the June 17 stakes, Gamble's Ghost drew the outside post. View the full article

Gatewood Bell enjoyed a fruitful Royal Ascot last year with his Wesley Ward-trained runners for Hat Creek Racing, and the agent is back this year with Chelsea Cloisters (First Samurai), the favourite for the G2 Queen Mary S. The TDN‘s Gary King caught up with Bell to learn more about the filly. GK: Chelsea Cloisters (First Samurai), purchased for $125,000 at Fasig-Tipton July, is currently 9/4 favorite for the G2 Queen Mary S. What impressed you about her as a yearling? GB: Her attitude and athleticism. She was just real laid back and smart and she walked with that purpose like she was going somewhere without any wasted action. Also, her second dam is by Green Forest so that pretty much made her a ‘must have.’ GK: Did you purchase her with ‘Royal Ascot 2-year-old’ in mind? GB: I’m not that smart. I bought her for my racing club and to go to Wesley, though, so that is always the dream. The ingredients were there I guess but he is the key one, along with a lot of luck. GK: Will you have a big team over from Hat Creek Racing? GB: Yeah you’ll definitely know we are in the house. We’ve got a fun crew coming over to experience it all. Some are veterans like Undrafted and a few are first timers like Chelsea Cloisters. No one has had a bad experience there yet. GK: Spanish Pipedream (Scat Daddy) was fourth in the 2014 G2 Queen Mary S., while Sweet Emma Rose (City Zip) finished second in 2013, both owned by the syndicate. Does Chelsea Cloisters remind you of those fillies at all? GB: She’d be more similar to Spanish Pipedream-a very pretty, athletic filly that had that natural talent. She was unlucky and chipped her knee during her Queen Mary and still finished fourth somehow. We never saw how good she could have been. Hopefully Chelsea Cloisters has similar talent and a little more luck–she’ll need both next week. GK: What’s the best thing about having a runner at Royal Ascot? GB: It’s one of the great festivals of international racing and literally has everything to offer. The racing is second to none, the pageantry, the spectacle of it all, the hospitality, the carpark, the history–I could go on and on. It’s a truly special place and sharing that experience with good friends is tough to beat whether you win or lose. GK: And tasting victory with Con Te Partiro (Scat Daddy) in last year’s Listed Sandringham H. must have been extra special? GB: It sure was. A special filly and an extra special ride made for a pretty amazing Wednesday. We sure celebrated like it would never happen again! View the full article

The streaking Backyard Heaven (Tizway) will take center stage in Saturday evening’s GI Stephen Foster H. at Churchill Downs, a ‘Win and You’re In’ for the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Ken and Sarah Ramsey colorbearer earned a gaudy 108 Beyer Speed Figure in a first-level allowance score at Aqueduct Mar. 17, then successfully stretched to two turns with an eye-catching victory in Churchill’s GII Alysheba S. May 4 on the GI Kentucky Oaks undercard. “The future is so bright for this horse,” Ken Ramsey said. “We’re awfully excited to see this horse on such a big stage Saturday night at Churchill Downs. If this horse continues to climb the mountain, we hope to follow the same path Gun Runner did in 2017. I honestly believe he’s the second-most valuable horse I own behind Kitten’s Joy.” Last year’s GI Belmont S. runner-up ‘TDN Rising Star’ Irish War Cry (Curlin) ended a six-race losing streak with a wire-to-wire tally in the GIII Pimlico Special S. May 18. He was 10th in his last trip beneath the Twin Spires in the 2017 GI Kentucky Derby. “It was definitely a relief to see him run well last time out,” trainer Graham Motion said. “We were very pleased of his effort and showed us what type of horse he is. It looks to be a pretty tough race but he’s proven us he belongs.” The popular one-eyed ‘TDN Rising Star’ Patch (Union Rags), third in last year’s Belmont, kicked off his 4-year-old campaign with a come-from-behind allowance win at Belmont May 12. View the full article

Justify will parade in front of the clubhouse and grandstand as he walks over with horses for the third race, which has a 6:56 p.m. post time. Justify will follow the third race entrants. View the full article