Wandering Eyes

The 34th Jim McKay Maryland Million Day will be held at Laurel Park on Saturday, Oct. 19, it was announced Monday. Billed as “Maryland’s Day at the Races,” the event features a series of stakes for Maryland-sired horses with purses and awards in excess of $1 million as well as other activities. “Jim McKay Maryland Million Day is a great day of racing that showcases Maryland horses,” said Cricket Goodall, executive director of Maryland Million Ltd. “It is our annual fall celebration for owners, trainers and breeders–and welcomes both dedicated and new fans to Laurel Park. It is our day to shine and we look forward to making it another great event on October 19th.” Visit www.marylandmillion.com for more information. View the full article

Terry Arnold has been hired as WinStar Farm’s Rehabilitation and Breaking Manager, the farm announced Monday. Arnold, a third-generation horseman with 35 years of farm management experience, has been responsible for breaking, training or rehabilitation of the likes of Graded winners Alphabet Soup, Yes It’s True, Clear Mandate, Larrier, Tareef, Tricky Creek, Benny the Bull, West By West, and Annie Apple. Arnold studied agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky, and upon graduation served as farm manager at Payson Stud, followed by six years at Waggoner Farm helping that operation become a top 10 breeding farm in the country despite a broodmare band of only 12. Arnold has served as the farm manager at Dixiana Farm for the past 16 years. The son of trainer George Arnold, Sr., Terry Arnold’s brother is accomplished conditioner George “Rusty” Arnold. His grandfather James Russell Arnold managed historic Elmendorf Farm. “Watching a horse run first out after being a part of that horse’s maturation is the part of the game that is most enjoyable for me,” Arnold said. “A personal satisfaction is receiving a horse from the track, then getting that horse back to its trainer sound and healthy with many starts in its future. I am really looking forward to the quality stock, first-class facilities, and the state-of-the-art technology at WinStar.” Arnold and his wife Barbara have two children, James and Alex. They reside on their family farm in Lexington. View the full article

WAR OF WILL (c, War Front—Visions of Clarity {Ire}, by Sadler’s Wells) O-Gary Barber. B-Flaxman Holdings Limited (KY). T-Mark Casse. Sales History: $175,000 RNA Ylg ’17 KEESEP; €250,000 2yo ’18 ARQMAY. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-2-1-1, $251,569. Last Start: 1st, GIII Lecomte S., FG, Jan. 19 Next Start: Possible for GII Risen Star S., FG, Feb. 16 Equineline PPs. Caulfield on War of Will. KY Derby Points: 10. War of Will’s four-length throttling of Saturday’s decent GIII Lecomte S. field wasn’t a seismic jolt to the Top 12 rankings. But it did put the 1-2-3 kingpins on notice that the gap between them and the rest of the pack just shifted uncomfortably tighter. Trainer Mark Casse—hardly known as a tout of his own horses—had been telling anybody who’d listen that this turf-pedigreed $298,550 ARQMAY War Front colt is the real deal in terms of being a Derby-caliber dirt horse, and War of Will (who ran in two Grade I stakes as a juvenile maiden) capably proved he could handle two-turn graded stakes company. A sharp break gave jockey Tyler Gaffalione his pick of positioning, and he opted for clear passage four deep through he first turn with War of Will resisting restraint before settling into rhythmic stalk mode down the backside behind moderate splits. He always looked primed to pounce, and took over in hand about a quarter mile out. When his rider asked for more oomph with a vigorous hind ride, War of Will uncoiled into another deep-stretch gear but was never fully extended before galloping out with high energy. “I never turned my stick on him,” Gaffalione said post-race. “I just let him open up a bit. He really is special.” VIDEO PPS FINISH RACE 1st Maiden 5th GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf 4th GIII Bourbon S. 2nd GI Summer S. 3rd Maiden View the full article

Hundreds of works by student artists went on display Monday for the Kentucky Derby Museum’s 33rd annual Horsing Around with Art: A Student’s view of the Sport of Kings competition, presented by WinStar Farm. The competition is open to 1st-12th graders from the Louisville, Kentucky area. A total of 223 pieces were submitted by 30 schools this year. “Every year we look forward to the unbelievable talent and creativity showcased by all the students who participate in Horsing Around with Art,” Kentucky Derby Museum President Patrick Armstrong said. “It is a wonderful way to celebrate and champion the arts in our local schools as well as the extraordinary event that is the Kentucky Derby.” WinStar President and CEO Elliott Walden added, “WinStar is proud once again to sponsor the Kentucky Derby Museum’s student art competition. It is such a wonderful event that supports the student’s artistic talent, but also encourages them to immerse themselves in the Thoroughbred industry. It’s a great way to connect new fans to the sport and generate excitement for one of the industry’s most celebrated events.” Works will be on display through Feb. 17 in the Museum’s Matt Winn Gallery, and a panel of judges will select winners in a number of categories. For more information, visit www.derbymuseum.org. View the full article

There’s a fair amount of parity within this week’s edition of the Top 12. The dozen GI Kentucky Derby hopefuls are sired by 10 different stallions. Three of them are homebreds, and auction prices for the rest of the pack range from $32,000 up to $1.2 million. The horses ranked as Nos. 1-3 have held their positions all season long based on strong 2018 credentials, Nos. 4 and 5 delivered eye-penning performances in their first 2019 starts, and everybody else has flashed talent, but will need to more to solidify their standings against a competitive crew of “On the Bubble” contenders. 1) GAME WINNER (c, Candy Ride {Arg}—Indyan Giving, by A.P. Indy) ‘TDN Rising Star’. O-Gary & Mary West. B-Summer Wind Equine (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $110,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 4-4-0-0, $1,496,000. Last Start: 1st, GI Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile , CD, Nov. 2 Accomplishments Include: 1st, GI American Pharoah S., SA, Sept. 29; 1st, GI Del Mar Futurity, DMR, Sept. 3 Next Start: Uncommitted Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 30. When ‘TDN Rising Star’ Game Winner collects his Eclipse Award on Thursday for his 4-for-4, GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile-winning season, it will be the 100-day mark until the GI Kentucky Derby–and 44 days until the divisional champ’s next expected start. Having just two sophomore prep races leading up to the first Saturday in May is so in vogue right now that it would be a shock to see a top contender deviate from that plan of attack, but rest assured that a Bob Baffert trainee won’t be the one to do it intentionally any time soon. Baffert has trained four previous 2-year-old champion males: Vindication (2002) did not start beyond age two. Midshipman (2008) missed the entire 2009 prep season and Triple Crown series. Lookin At Lucky (2009) ran sixth in the Derby, then won the GI Preakness S. in 2010. And the 2014 champ, American Pharoah? Well, you know what he accomplished. We’ve seen Game Winner score on the lead, stalking from just of it, and coming from off the pace, so one wonders what tactics Baffert is honing beyond fitness leading up to the GII San Felipe S. on Mar. 9. This $110,000 KEESEP Candy Ride (Arg) colt drilled a solo half mile in :48.60 (15/88) on Sunday (and looked good doing it), his second published work of 2019. 2) SIGNALMAN (c, General Quarters–Trip South, by Trippi) O-Tommie M. Lewis, David A. Bernsen, LLC & Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek). B-Monticule (KY). T-Kenneth G McPeek. Sales History: $32,000 Ylg ’17 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GSW & MGISP, 5-2-2-1, $448,990. Last Start: 1st, GII Kentucky Jockey Club S., CD, Nov. 24 Accomplishments Include: 3rd, GI Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, CD, Nov. 2; 2nd, GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, KEE, Oct. 6 Next Start: Aiming for GII Fountain of Youth S., GP, Mar. 2 Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 18. Signalman, in a way, is carrying the flag for underdog auction value and the concept of conformation trumping pedigree. His sire, General Quarters, now stands in Turkey, and Signalman’s buyer/trainer Ken McPeek, told TDN that this $32,000 FTKOCT colt compares favorably to 1995 Kentucky Derby runner-up Tejano Run, who McPeek also conditioned after a similar bargain buy ($20,000 KEESEP). Already displaying a fondness for the Churchill surface (both wet and dry), Signalman rebounded from a third-place try in the Breeders’ Cup to win the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. in adept fashion, catching the eye with a professional, covered-up, rail-skimming bid from five furlongs out before swatting away several strong challenges in the stretch. He’s recently been stretching his legs in light training at Payson Park, and the GII Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park Mar. 2 is his under consideration for his first race back as a sophomore. 3) IMPROBABLE (c, City Zip—Rare Event, by A.P. Indy) ‘TDN Rising Star’. O-WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd. & Starlight Racing. B-St. George Farm LLC & G. Watts Humphrey Jr. (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $110,000 Wlg ’16 KEENOV; $200,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 3-3-0-0, $269,520. Last Start: 1st, GI Los Alamitos Cash Call Futurity, LRC, Dec. 8 Accomplishments Include: 1st, Street Sense S., CD, Nov. 2; Next Start: Uncommitted Equineline PPs. Caulfield on Improbable. KY Derby Points: 10. Improbable’s big white blaze flashed through the Santa Anita homestretch Sunday in a solo :48 half-mile training move (7/88), and while it’s not worth trying to pick apart January workouts to try and prognosticate what might happen on the first Saturday in May, it is worth noting that this undefeated ‘TDN Rising Star’ does carry himself pretty lightly and efficiently in both morning and afternoon assignments. This $200,000 KEESEP City Zip colt doesn’t have an announced 2019 debut race picked out yet, but by process of exclusion you can bet it won’t conflict with stablemate Game Winner’s planned comeback in the San Felipe S. at Santa Anita Mar. 9. Improbable has been so far ahead of his competition in the latter stages of his two daylight-margin stakes wins that it remains an open question as to how he’ll fare once he finally has a true stretch fight on his hands. But at least when he widened by five lengths late in the lane of his GI Los Alamitos Futurity romp, Improbable finished like he had plenty left in the tank, stamina-wise. 4) WAR OF WILL (c, War Front—Visions of Clarity {Ire}, by Sadler’s Wells) O-Gary Barber. B-Flaxman Holdings Limited (KY). T-Mark Casse. Sales History: $175,000 RNA Ylg ’17 KEESEP; €250,000 2yo ’18 ARQMAY. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-2-1-1, $251,569. Last Start: 1st, GIII Lecomte S., FG, Jan. 19 Next Start: Possible for GII Risen Star S., FG, Feb. 16 Equineline PPs. Caulfield on War of Will. KY Derby Points: 10. War of Will’s four-length throttling of Saturday’s decent GIII Lecomte S. field wasn’t a seismic jolt to the Top 12 rankings. But it did put the 1-2-3 kingpins on notice that the gap between them and the rest of the pack just shifted uncomfortably tighter. Trainer Mark Casse–hardly known as a tout of his own horses–had been telling anybody who’d listen that this turf-pedigreed €250,000 ARQMAY War Front colt is the real deal in terms of being a Derby-caliber dirt horse, and War of Will (who ran in two Grade I stakes as a juvenile maiden) capably proved he could handle two-turn graded stakes company. A sharp break gave jockey Tyler Gaffalione his pick of positioning, and he opted for clear passage four deep through he first turn with War of Will resisting restraint before settling into rhythmic stalk mode down the backside behind moderate splits. He always looked primed to pounce, and took over in hand about a quarter mile out. When his rider asked for more oomph with a vigorous hind ride, War of Will uncoiled into another deep-stretch gear but was never fully extended before galloping out with high energy. “I never turned my stick on him,” Gaffalione said post-race. “I just let him open up a bit. He really is special.” 5) MIHOS (c, Cairo Prince–Feline Flatline, by Lion Heart) ‘TDN Rising Star’. O-Centennial Farms. B-Wayne, Gray & Bryan Lyster. T-James Jerkens. Sales History: $320,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-0-1, $108,880. Last Start: 1st, Mucho Macho Man S., GP, Jan. 5 Next Start: Uncommitted Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 0. Mihos shares a name with the ancient Egyptian lion god (fitting for a Cairo Prince colt out of a Lion Heart mare). At this early point on the Derby trail, horses usually attract attention because of sheer physical dominance, with the caveat that they may not mentally be ready for prime time. But the connections of this ‘TDN Rising Star’ say his poise and professionalism have been evident since they bought him as a $320,000 KEESEP yearling. Yet even though the long-framed Mihos displayed a high level of confidence when he launched into a length-of-stretch drive to nail a breakaway pacemaker in the Mucho Macho Man S. at Gulfstream (his first start after an Aqueduct MSW sprint win), we may be still be a race or two away from witnessing this colt’s “A” game in terms of raw prowess. Mihos switched leads a tad late when winding up for his Jan. 5 winning bid, and it looked like he left himself too much to do inside the final furlong. But he did kick immediately when jockey Jose Ortiz cued him for acceleration, and Mihos appeared to relish the reeling in of his target. Another Gulfstream stakes start is under consideration. 6) VEKOMA (c, Candy Ride {Arg}—Mona de Momma, by Speightstown) O-R. A. Hill Stable & Gatsas Stables. B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (KY). T-George Weaver. Sales History: $135,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $151,250. Last Start: 1st GIII Nashua S., AQU, Nov. 4 Next Start: Uncommitted Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 0. Vekoma has breezed three and four furlongs the past two Saturdays at Palm Beach Downs, recording his first two published works of 2019, but his connections have yet to publicly commit as to which prep will be the 2-for-2 colt’s first sophomore start. Based on limited afternoon action, we know this $135,000 KEESEP Candy Ride (Arg) colt can be a pace-pressing threat against top-notch competition (his brief company lines feature several subsequent stakes winners). But he’s also been green in both stretch runs, which can be forgiven considering he won both starts and is a May 22 foal. As such, Vekoma is a work in progress, and he’s still yet to race around two turns (his GIII Nashua S. score at Aqueduct was a one-turn mile). So while there’s plenty of upside, there are still quite a few unanswered questions. 7) INSTAGRAND (c, Into Mischief—Assets of War, by Lawyer Ron) ‘TDN Rising Star’. O-OXO Equine LLC. B-Stoneway Farm (KY). T-Jerry Hollendorfer. Sales History: $190,000 Ylg ’17 FTKJUL; $1,200,000 2yo ’18 FTFMAR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $144,000. Last Start: 1st, GII Best Pal S., DMR, Aug. 11 Next Start: Uncommitted Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 0. ‘TDN Rising Star’ Instagrand (Into Mischief) has now strung together two three-furlong works followed by a pair of half-mile training moves in anticipation of his yet-to-be-divulged 2019 debut. He sailed through a solo four furlongs in :47.60 (5/88) on Sunday morning at Santa Anita, but until Instagrand steps into the starting gate for an afternoon engagement, his chief narrative will continue to revolve around how owner Larry Best cut short the reportedly healthy 2-year-old campaign of this $1.2-million FTFMAR co-sales-topper with the aim of having a fresher, more durable sophomore. Instagrand’s bedazzling pair of juvenile efforts–winning his maiden and the GII Best Pal S. by a combined 20 1/4 lengths–certainly tipped off potentially freakish talent. But both of those races are now nearly six months behind in the rear-view mirror, and none of the nine other entrants he beat in those sprints are currently considered even C-level contenders on the Derby trail. 8) KNICKS GO (c, Paynter—Kosmo’s Buddy, by Outflanker) O-KRA Stud Farm. B-Angie Moore (MD). T-Ben Colebrook. Sales History: $40,000 Wlg ’16 KEENOV; $87,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISW, 6-2-1-1, $672,515. Last Start: 11th GII Kentucky Jockey Club S., CD, Nov. 24 Accomplishments Include: 1st, GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, KEE, Oct. 6; 2nd, GI Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, CD, Nov. 2; 3rd, Listed Arlington Washington Futurity, AP, Sept. 8 Next Start: GIII Sam F. Davis S., TAM, Feb. 9 Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 18. Sporting more weight and muscle than when last seen in action in a race nearly two months ago, Knicks Go fired a bullet off the bench with a :47 half-mile breeze at Tampa Bay Downs (1/71) on Saturday, his first published workout of the year in preparation for the GIII Sam F. Davis S. The announced plan for the Eclipse Award finalist–known for seizing the lead and outrunning long odds–also includes the GII Tampa Bay Derby and the GII Blue Grass S. This $87,000 KEESEP yearling who was the 40-1 runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile will aim to build on a string of “firsts” that propelled him to prominence in the span of just a few weeks last autumn: His 70-1 wire job in Keeneland’s GI Breeders’ Futurity S. represented the first graded stakes winner for sire Paynter; the first Grade I wins for owner KRA Stud Farm, trainer Ben Colebrook, and jockey Albin Jimenez, and the first major win of any kind for breeders Angie and Sabrina Moore, the mother/daughter bloodstock team whose GreenMount Farm in Maryland is relatively new to the business. 9) MAXIMUS MISCHIEF (c, Into Mischief—Reina Maria, by Songandaprayer) ‘TDN Rising Star’. O-Cash is King LLC & LC Racing. B-Martha Jane Mullholland (KY). T-Robert E. Reid, Jr. Sales History: $165,000 Wlg ’16 KEENOV; $170,000 RNA ’17 FTNAUG; $245,000 RNA 2yo ’18 FTFMAR; $340,000 2yo ’18 FTIMAY. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0, $192,100. Last Start: 1st, GII Remsen S., AQU, Dec. 1 Next Start: GII Holy Bull S., GP, Feb. 2 Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 10. In the interim since the last Top 12 rankings, ‘TDN Rising Star’ Maximus Mischief got a jockey change and had plans solidified for his two-prep path to the Kentucky Derby. TDN‘s Bill Finley reported last Friday that Jose Ortiz will replace Parx-based jockey Frankie Pennington (who had ridden in all three starts), and that the game plan for this $340,000 EASMAY Into Mischief colt will now include starts in the Feb. 2 GII Holy Bull S. and the Mar. 30 GI Florida Derby. Although the score by Maximus Mischief in the GII Remsen S. gives him the theoretical advantage of a win over nine furlongs at a time when few other Derby contenders have even attempted that distance, history has not been kind to winners of that stakes: Only three horses in the last 55 years–Thunder Gulch, Go For Gin and Pleasant Colony–have parlayed wins in the Remsen into a blanket of roses at Churchill Downs. A :58.02 five-furlong bullet breeze (1/57) at Gulfstream on Saturday has Maximus Mischief heading in the right direction, though. 10) MIND CONTROL (c, Stay Thirsty–Feel That Fire, by Lightning N Thunder) O-Red Oak Stable (Brunetti) and Madaket Stables LLC. B-Red Oak Stable. T-Gregory Sacco. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-3-1-0, $323,400. Last Start: 1st, Jerome S., AQU, Jan. 1 Next race: GIII Withers, AQU, Feb. 2 Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 10. Right now this homebred Stay Thirsty colt is the boss of the New York winter prep path, which can be a lonely Derby road to travel at this time of year. But because Mind Control is a Grade I winner (last summer’s Hopeful S.), he is likely to remain focused on Aqueduct’s preps, because the presence of a Grade I winner in the GII Wood Memorial triggers a purse bonus that raises the purse from $750,000 to $1 million. He’s reportedly training well and on target to start as the fave in the GII Withers S. on Feb. 2, the only graded nine-furlong Derby prep stakes on the calendar between now and late March. His sire won the 2011 version of the GIII Gotham S. (which this year is Mar. 9 at a mile), and although Stay Thirsty ran twelfth in the Derby, longer-distance races were not a problem for him, as evidenced by his second in the GI Belmont S. and a win in the GI Travers S. 11) CODE OF HONOR (c, Noble Mission {GB}–Reunited, by Dixie Union) O/B-W. S. Farish (KY). T-Shug McGaughey. Sales History: $70,000 RNA Ylg ’17 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISP, 2-1-1-0, $146,750. Last Start: 4th, Mucho Macho Man S., GP, Jan. 5 Next Start: Aiming for GII Fountain of Youth S., GP, Mar. 2 Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 4. I’m willing to give Code of Honor another shot within the Top 12 after initially ranking him highly at No. 4, then relegating him to the “On the Bubble” list after a blah fourth as the 4-5 beaten fave in the Mucho Macho Man S. Circumstances have been against him, and despite the poor showing earlier this month, trainer Shug McGuaghey is fully behind this homebred Noble Mission (GB) colt. Code of Honor ran a crackerjack second in the GI Champagne S. despite trip trouble, then he spiked a fever and missed the Breeders’ Cup and a subsequent planned start in the Remsen S. McGaughey said last week on “At the Races With Steve Byk” that he will be training Code of Honor more aggressively going in to the Fountain of Youth S., and that the colt will be allowed to revert to an off-the-pace running style. Because this is an owner/trainer combo that does not generally push young horses onto the Derby path if they don’t belong, I’m betting that this May 23 foal still could be the real deal given time to mature both physically and mentally. 12) AVIE’S FLATTER (c, Flatter–Avie’s Empire, by Empire Maker) O-Ivan Dalos. B-Tall Oaks Farm (ON). T-Josie Carroll. Lifetime Record: MSW, 4-3-0-0, $251,834. Last Start: 1st Coronation Futurity, WO, Nov. 18 Accomplishments Include: 1st, Cup and Saucer S., WO, Oct. 7 Next Start: Aiming for GII Tampa Bay Derby, TAM, Mar. 9 Equineline PPs. KY Derby Points: 0. Avie’s Flatter is the presumptive favorite to win the Sovereign Award for 2-year-old champion colt in Canada, and this Flatter homebred (from the breeder who produced 1998 GI Belmont S. winner Victory Gallop) is aiming for a prep or two at Tampa Bay Downs followed by a start in the Florida Derby if all goes well. Although he’s unraced on dirt, Avie’s Flatter ran a much-better-than-it-looks fourth on grass against a deep field in the GI Summer S. right off his maiden score, (finishing close behind this week’s No. 4-ranked War of Will). He then won two stakes against Canadian-breds on both dirt and Tapeta at Woodbine. After a brief break, Avie’s Flatter had his first published work of 2019 last Friday, breezing three furlongs in :38.45 (6/9) at Palm Meadows. On the Bubble (in alphabetical order) Bankit (Central Banker): New York-bred entered in Friday’s opening-day Oaklawn feature (Smarty Jones S); will try to build off sharp Springboard Mile S. second. Bourbon War (Tapit): Fountain of Youth S. could be next after sharp allowance/optional claiming win at Gulfstream on Friday. Trainer Mark Hennig: “I think he’s ready to take the step back into graded-stakes company.” Coliseum (Tapit): Speedy ‘TDN Rising Star’ worked from gate on Sunday at Santa Anita after slow-start sixth at 3-5 odds in GIII Sham S. Gray Attempt (Graydar): Stretching out from sprints and should be the outside (but not the only) speed in Friday’s Smarty Jones S. Gunmetal Gray (Exchange Rate): Off-the-pace move won the Sham S.; likely to return in another SoCal prep. Long Range Toddy (Take Charge Indy): Likely fave in Friday’s Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn after back-to-back stakes wins at Remington. Moretti (Medaglia d’Oro): Half to Battle of Midway (Smart Strike), who was third at 40-1 in 2017 Derby. Todd Pletcher trainee has already won at nine furlongs and will take aim at Withers S. Network Effect (Mark Valeski): Chad Brown trainee now up to five-furlong breezes at Palm Meadows after New York seconds in both Remsen and Nashua S. Mucho Gusto (Mucho Macho Man): ‘TDN Rising Star’ training at Santa Anita but could hit road for next start considering glut of talent in Baffert barn. Roadster (Quality Road): Last summer’s “now” juvenile within the Baffert barn started season ranked within the Top 12, but has not worked in over a month. Quarter cracks are the issue, DRF reported Sunday. So Alive (Super Saver): Pletcher colt won Tampa allowance/optional claimer with blinkers added Jan. 6 and now could aim for Davis S. there, following similar Derby prep path as half-brother Vino Rosso (Curlin) traveled last year. Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}): Set new track record for seven furlongs in 7 1/4 length Pasco S. romp at Tampa on Saturday. View the full article

After closing out last season with a front-running, clear victory in the six-furlong Sugar Bowl Stakes a Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Gray Attempt will try two turns for the first time in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 25 at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

After earning a stakes win and grade 2 placing in 2018, Paul Pompa Jr. and WinStar Farm's Your Love will try to start 2019 on the right foot when the Flatter mare faces seven other fillies and mares in the Interborough Jan. 25 at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

A look at the horses being pointed to the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park. View the full article

Comparisons, it’s said, are odious, and the medieval originators of this phrase certainly had a point. It all depends on the quality–or lack of it–of the thing to which comparisons are being made. So, when the object of a comparison is Danzig, one of the most brilliant stallions of the modern era, the subject is likely to come off second best. Danzig, after all, built an Average Earnings Index of 3.93, with his total of 198 black-type winners comprising 18% of his progeny, and he was one of the very few stallions to achieve 10% Group/Graded winners. Danzig’s other exploits included two sires’ championships and he went close to siring winners of each of America’s Triple Crown events. The one that got away was the GI Kentucky Derby, and even then he was responsible for two runners-up in Stephan’s Odyssey and Hard Spun. Another of Danzig’s sons, Polish Navy, made amends for his sire’s omission by siring Sea Hero, the Kentucky Derby winner of 1993. As if all that wasn’t enough, Danzig gave European racing two of its most influential stallions in Danehill and Green Desert, while a third son, War Front, now has the distinction of being the highest-priced American-based stallion, at $250,000. Clearly War Front has inherited much of his sire’s talent, even if he is unlikely to match most of Danzig’s extraordinary statistics. And while War Front has stepped into Danzig’s shoes at Claiborne and bears a strong physical resemblance to his sire, it isn’t fair to make direct comparisons between a son and father when their respective retirements were separated by no fewer than 26 years. The Thoroughbred breeding industry has changed a great deal in that time, crop size being one of the biggest differences. Danzig’s biggest crop numbered only 59 named foals. While War Front’s numbers are conservative by today’s standards, his recent crops have usually contained more than 80 named foals. I think it is fair to say that a bigger crop size makes it harder to produce high percentages. Also, Danzig began his stallion career at a fee of $20,000 before quickly surging to $40,000 and then to $275,000 in his fifth season, War Front, on the other hand, spent his first five years at fees between $10,000 and $15,000 and his price didn’t reach six figures until his eighth year. In other words, only his 2- and 3-year-old crops of 2018 were sired at six-figure fees and his 2019 2-year-olds are his first sired at $200,000 or more. One thing that father and son do have in common is that their appeal to European owners and breeders, and their progeny’s frequent penchant for turf, has surely limited their impact on America’s Triple Crown events. The victory of War Front’s son War of Will in the GIII Lecomte S. on dirt, with its 10 Kentucky Derby points to the winner, made me look through the Triple Crown results of the past eight years to see how many runners War Front has had. The answer was that he has had no runners in the GI Belmont S., which is hardly surprising in view of War Front’s racing career. Most of his earnings came over sprint distances, although he did gain his first stakes success over 1 1/16 miles as a 3-year-old. War Front has had only one runner in the GI Preakness (the 2013 sixth Departing) and just two in the Kentucky Derby. The first, Soldat, finished 11th in 2011; and the second, Lines of Battle, traveled from Ireland to finish seventh for Aidan O’Brien in 2013. No doubt there will be more to come from War Front’s higher-priced crops, which include so many youngsters out of mares by Galileo and his sire Sadler’s Wells. Both these stallions are noted sources of stamina, but War Front’s speed has often counteracted this staying power. None of War Front’s five black-type winners out of Galileo mares, which include the Group 1-winning siblings U S Navy Flag and Roly Poly, has so far won beyond a mile. Interestingly, the five include Fog of War, who defeated War of Will by 3/4 of a length in the GI Summer S. on turf last September. Rather surprisingly, pretty much the same applies to War Front’s four black-type winners out of Sadler’s Wells mares. The partial explanation for this is that the Group 1/Grade I-winning siblings Brave Anna and Hit It A Bomb are out of Liscanna, an unusually fast daughter of Sadler’s Wells. However, the speedy French colt The Brothers War was out of Moon Queen, a Group 2 winner over a mile and a half. So where does this leave War of Will, who has inherited War Front’s effectiveness on dirt? He is the third black-type winner produced by Visions of Clarity (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), following Pathfork and Tacticus. Pathfork, a son of Distorted Humor, rounded off his unbeaten juvenile campaign with victory in the G1 National S. over seven furlongs but never won again. Tacticus, a son of A.P. Indy, showed plenty of stamina in Britain and the U.S. Visions of Clarity was a Listed winner over a mile at three in France, but a disappointing effort over a mile and a quarter saw her dropped back to seven furlongs on her next start. With Sadler’s Wells as her sire and Imperfect Circle (Riverman) as her dam, Visions of Clarity is very closely related to Nureyev’s outstanding miler Spinning World, who numbered the Breeders’ Cup Mile among his numerous highest-level victories. Imperfect Circle was fast enough to finish second in the G1 Cheveley Park S. over six furlongs. This family has also produced the champion American sprinter Aldebaran (Mr. Prospector) and the GI Atto Mile winner Good Journey (Nureyev). The emphasis, therefore, seems to be on milers. However, Sadler’s Wells did sire the GI Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe third Sagara from Visions of Clarity’s half-sister Rangoon Ruby (Kingmambo) and his other good winners from this family include Saddex (GB), a dual Group 1 winner at up to a mile and a half; and Chief Contender (Ire), winner of the G1 Prix du Cadran over 2 1/2 miles. It’s therefore not impossible that War of Will will stay well enough to become a Kentucky Derby contender, but his eagerness to race may not help his cause. View the full article

The Maryland Jockey Club canceled the special nine-race Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday program (Jan. 21) at Laurel Park due to severe winter weather conditions. View the full article

Despite having other options, champion Australian jockey Hugh Bowman is confident Furore can justify his faith when the four-year-old series kicks off on Sunday with the HK$10 million Classic Mile. Bowman, who was crowned the World’s Best Jockey in 2017, was in demand for the feature but he settled on Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s gelding after having a close look at the field. Furore carries a big boom after winning four races in Australia and coming third in the Group One Rosehill... View the full article

14:55 Sedgefield Gordon Elliot has sent six runners to Sedgefield in the last twelve months and has emerged with a 100% winning strike rate. The booking of Richard Johnson on Pat’s Oscar suggests that a big run is expected as the Champion Jockey has won thirty from sixty for the trainer in 2018 and he knows […] The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Monday 21st January appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

While Douglas Whyte will be giving his all to lift Happy Time to victory in the Class Three So Kon Po Handicap (1,200m) on Wednesday night, he’ll also be keeping a close eye on the horse that jumps from barrier one. Although Happy Time is Whyte’s choice on this occasion, he also has a close affinity with Roman Impero, a horse he has ridden to three victories and who is returning to the track for the first time since April last year. While the 1,200m should suit Happy Time better... View the full article

Addressing your thoughts, questions and statements about Hong Kong racing. Have something to say? Send a tweet to @SCMPRacingPost. Waikuku and Ho Ho Khan advance towards BMW Hong Kong Derby – @tnews_racing Sunday was a reminder that there are many ways to find a Hong Kong Derby horse – owners do not always need to spend top dollar. While Ho Ho Khan and Waikuku come from opposite sides of the world, they are similar in that they were both relatively unexposed horses with just one win... View the full article

Surging on the outside of her foes in the final furlongs of the $100,000 Astra Stakes (G3T), Pantsonfire left nothing in her wake but divots in the turf Jan. 20 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

Ewe twice suspended - four days out all-up View the full article

Elite Invincible is the 2018 Singapore Horse of the Year View the full article

Al Schlaich Stables, Hollendorfer, Gatto Racing, and George Todaro's Vasilika will headline a field of seven older fillies and mares going a flat mile on turf in the Jan. 21 $100,000 Megahertz Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

When you go all the way to France to buy a 2-year-old who is by War Front out of a Sadler’s Wells mare, you might have dreams of winning the GI Belmont Derby, the GI Secretariat S. or a Breeders’ Cup race on the turf. But the GI Kentucky Derby? That didn’t cross Mark Casse’s mind when War of Will (War Front) showed up at his barn after being purchased by his brother Justin last year at the Arqana May 2-Year-Old Breeze Up Sale. Why would it? On behalf of client Gary Barber, Justin Casse paid the equivalent of $298,550 for a horse whose pedigree, when it comes to grass racing, is as good as it gets. War of Will had previously RNA’d as a yearling at Keeneland September for $175,000. Casse did what any trainer would have done with a horse with that sort of pedigree. He plotted out a grass campaign, and he came away without a single win. War of Will did run second in the GI Summer S. at Woodbine, but, after finishing fifth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, his career record stood at 0-for-4. War of Will was hardly a bust on the grass, but he now has a new lease on life, and in the last place you’d expect it–in dirt races. He won his first career race in a Nov. 24 maiden special weight run over a sloppy main track at Churchill Downs. With Tyler Gaffalione aboard, he drew off to win by five. Casse and Barber were so impressed that they immediately started to plot a route to the Kentucky Derby. “We went to New Orleans to get him ready for the Kentucky Derby,” Casse said. “I thought that when he broke his maiden that was as impressive a race I saw all year from any 2-year-old in a maiden race.” A much more important test came last Saturday. Stepping into stakes company and facing off against 11 challengers, he romped in the GIII Lecomte S. at the Fair Grounds, winning by four lengths. That made this son of War Front 0-for-4 on the turf and 2-for-2 on the dirt. “Is it a surprise that he’s done so well on the dirt?” Casse said. “Yes, a little bit. But when you work him on the dirt, he works an A-plus. I still remember one morning at Saratoga before his first start. Julien Leparoux was working a horse for me up at Saratoga that we liked pretty good. He worked out of the gate and my exercise rider was on War of Will and War of Will just blew him away. Julien said, ‘My horse can run, but I want to know who that other one is?’ Who would think you would buy a War Front in France and bring him to the U.S. to be a good dirt horse.” Casse said he and Barber considered going on the dirt in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but that didn’t seem like a logical spot to try the dirt for the first time. Once the Breeders’ Cup was over, Casse couldn’t get the horse on the dirt quick enough. He will, of course, remain on the dirt for now, and his next start will come in the GII Risen Star S. Feb. 16. War of Will is not the first War Front to have success on the dirt, but it is less common. The Factor (War Front) won four stakes on the dirt, including the GI Malibu S. Departing (War Front) won the GII West Virginia Derby, the GII Super Derby and the GIII Illinois Derby, all on the dirt. But War Front is best know for his ability to produce stars on the grass. Throw in that War of Will’s dam, Visions of Clarity (IRE), never raced on the dirt and it’s hard to explain why this particular colt has prospered on the dirt. Then again, it’s breeding, an inexact science. Another Baffert Star? Here we go again. After being among those who hyped Coliseum (Tapit) after he broke his maiden only to watch him run sixth in the GIII Sham S., I ought to remember that trainer Bob Baffert is, well, human. But it’s pretty hard not be excited about the debut of Dessman (Union Rags) in Saturday’s seventh race at Santa Anita. With Flavien Prat, who doesn’t ride that often for Baffert, aboard, Dessman whipped a field of maidens to win by 7 1/2 lengths. Once upon a time, the fact that he did not race as a 2-year-old might have discouraged some when it comes to his Kentucky Derby chances, but as memory serves me, didn’t Baffert just win the Triple Crown with a horse that didn’t race at two? The bottomless well of 3-year-old talent in this guy’s barn never ceases to amaze. In Appreciation of Roy H Largely because sprinters don’t get the sort of fanfare that routers do, Roy H (More Than Ready) might just be one of the most underrated horses in years. Now seven years old, he kicked off his 2019 campaign with a four-length win in the GII Palos Verdes S. Saturday at Santa Anita. His next stop will be Dubai for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Before he departs, trainer Peter Miller and owner Rockingham Ranch will pick up their second straight Eclipse Award as Roy H will be named 2018 champion sprinter. He will be a repeat winner. The last horse to do that in the sprint category was Housebuster in 1991 and 1990. Based on the way he ran Saturday, there’s no reason why Roy H. can’t win a third straight Eclipse Award this year–something no horse has done since Zenyatta, who won the Older Filly & Mare title in 2008, 2009 and 2010. View the full article

FLOR DE LA MAR (f, 2, Tiznow–Sacristy {GSW, $252,112}, by Pulpit), universally tipped leading up to her debut, proved worth the hype with an easy romp at Santa Anita to earn the ‘TDN Rising Star’ nod Sunday. Bought for $500,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling, the dark bay showed a typically sharp series of drills for trainer Bob Baffert, capped by a five-furlong spin in :59 1/5 (2/17) here Jan. 13. Off on top as the 1-5 chalk, she deferred to sit a close third past a :22.24 quarter and drew on even terms three deep passing a :45.82. Shaking loose soon after straightening for home, the Godolphin colorbearer was given occasional reminders by Joel Rosario en route to a six-length score in 1:17.45. The victress has half-sisters by Empire Maker from 2017 and 2018 and her dam was bred to Arrogate last season. Sales History: $500,000 Ylg ’17 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $33,000. O-Godolphin LLC; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Bob Baffert. View the full article

Shawn Collins, Mare Solutions ALGORITHMS, Claiborne Farm, $5,000 As we know, the breeding component is essential to the overall investment of our clients, and I have found that booking mares early is the key in the competitive race to winning coveted breeding nominations. One sire I’m particularly high on this year is Algorithms. Few horses have the distinction of retiring both a graded stakes winner and undefeated. Added to that accolade is the fact he is by classic winner and emerging broodmare sire Bernardini. I remember watching Algorithms defeat champion Hansen by five lengths in the GIII Holy Bull S. I believe he can add both speed and precocity to mares. A fourth crop sire standing at Claiborne Farm for a bargain $5,000, he is represented by 77% winners and 11% stakes horses from lifetime starters. Algorithms is the sire for people who like to win! His winning percentage is on par or better than the nation’s most elite sires. That’s pretty impressive considering his value-sire status. In 2018, Algorithms sired 10 stakes horses, including three-time 2-year-old stakes winner Taylor’s Spirit. His other lifetime stakes winners include Rich Mommy, winner of the 2017 GIII Sugar Swirl S., and multiple stakes winner Recruiting Ready. Algorithms could be poised for a profitable year in 2019. His son Value Play, a $300,000 2-year-old owned by Kaleem Shah, broke his maiden impressively when going 5 1/2 furlongs on a sloppy track Los Alamitos in December. Trainer Simon Callaghan remarked at the close of 2018 that he was one of the best 2-year-olds in his barn. With Algorithms’s notable winners-from-starters and stakes horses percentages, I wouldn’t be surprised if he soon sails north in the stallion ranks. View the full article

Set in the midst of the winter-gripped month of January, “La Route des Etalons” is by now firmly established which is no surprise given that it represents many welcome things in the post New Year slump. A chance to meet and greet old friends, both equine and human, a chance to traverse the verdant land of Upper Normandy brushed by the Atlantic air, a chance to size up the new blood among France’s stallion ranks. It helps if you like stripy buildings too, of the chocolate-box variety, as there an abundance of them and as you plough down the country lanes from Haras to Haras you become almost immune to their novel charm. Almost. It is the architecture of the studs themselves that amazes and enthrals and it is never a case of too much chocolate where they are concerned. With the region’s renowned humidity holding back in honour of the occasion, the weekend unravelled perfectly for all concerned. Breeders, prospectors, fans and their children were in heavy attendance over the two days which were marked by generous hospitality and unflinching patience from the stallions themselves who remained “tres calme” despite the excessive pedometer levels they recorded for their relentless and appreciative audience. Driving from place to place with the daylight hours running away is akin to taking part in Le Mans itself, but thankfully this is rural France on the weekend and the traffic is virtually non-existent. The Head family’s Haras du Quesnay is really something to behold, the place where Motivator (GB) (“old friend” applies here) shares his immaculate building with Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa), Attendu (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}) and Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper). Anodin, whose start at stud has been a revelation due largely to the exploits of the leading Classic prospect Anodor (Fr), has a full book according to Criquette Head who is on hand to hold court in her retirement from training. “I miss it,” she tells me wistfully as I ask how she is taking to life away from handling the careers of the racers. But she is a positive force and she has nothing but praise to heap on the initiative of the RDE. “It is a very good thing,” she states. “We have had lots of people coming from lots of European countries, close to 500 people, from the likes of England, Germany, Ireland, Sweden and Belgium. Coolmore have been and Sheikh Al Thani and people from the Aga Khan’s Studs and the Niarchos stable.” Head-Maarek describes Recoletos as “our new hope” as last year’s G1 Prix d’Ispahan and G1 Prix du Moulin hero is paraded. He has the ingredients to fit in perfectly to his exalted surroundings, while Anodin is described as having a “beautiful character” whose horses are very easy to train. Looking at his pedigree which sits next to his stable door, the legendary trainer basks in the success the members have given her own dynasty. Attendu’s virtues are his precocity, consistency and the fact that Northern Dancer is “very far off”. He has to have a shout with making a quick impact with his eventual first crop. Inside the stallion house, 43 plaques adorn the wall, which are 43 of the Head family’s success stories from Prince Taj in 1954 to Intello (Ger) in 2010. This is a place of glory, a temple of racehorse achievement but it is welcoming to all, professionals and fans alike. Just up the lane is Guy Pariente’s Haras de Colleville, where the stallion parade features France’s very own working class hero, Kendargent (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}). In the building which is used to supply the obligatory caffeine and sugar rush to the crowds, the grey is immortalised laughing dead-centre in a mural on the wall. You have to love the “etalon ameliorateur” as he looks down on his latest clutch of admirers from the raised ground outside the stallion block. His son Goken (Fr), who you are reminded via a replay on the large screen inside was unlucky not to win the 2016 G1 King’s Stand S., has his first yearlings in 2019. He is described as being about “cent per-cent vitesse et precocite” and that just about sums him up. Galiway (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is classically good-looking, or “impressionante” as he is labelled and it is easy to see why his first crop of yearlings sold for an average of around €33,000. Colleville is at its current position due to its grey headline act and perhaps the greatest compliment to Kendargent is the fact that as you visit each yard you are asking yourself “is this the new Kendargent?” Al Shaqab’s Haras de Bouquetot is a stunning sight and it is here that you can feast on oysters for lunch before taking a stroll around the large yard where the likes of Brametot (Ire) (Rajsaman {Fr}), Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead), Toronado (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), Olympic Glory (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) and the immensely exciting Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) reside. Toronado is just a beautiful specimen and worth the effort alone, but with a hospitality tent to end them all there really is no hard work involved in coming to bear witness to Bouquetot. It stands tall among the region’s establishments and with the kind of firepower assembled there should significantly supplement Normandy’s formidable reputation as a source of great accomplishment. Just over the way, the sires of Haras d’Annebault are on show, with commentary from the excellent Gunnar Nordqvist and he is in no doubt as to the effectiveness of the RDE. “It is extremely important, a shop window,” he says. “The ones we meet here are grass-roots breeders and this is the only way to meet them.” As he reels through the positive points of Niccolo and Vita Riva’s stallions, the 3-year-old son of that couple who is apparently nicknamed “the king” amuses us all by losing his boot in a muddy puddle he just could not resist. Despite the cold, he is smiling, as of course all 3-year-old boys do in these circumstances. It is a reminder of the familial feel of such occasions and there is a real warmth to this initiative. Annebault’s Reliable Man (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) looks set to continue his sound start in Germany during his second season in France, while Pomellato (Ger) (Big Shuffle) is back in the country of his biggest success in the 2007 G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte after a spell in Iran. It is Annebault’s 2014 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Luck of the Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) who impresses all. A bold, strong chestnut, he draws the eye without trying. “Look at his size,” Nordqvist says. “It is a wonder he could do what he did at two. He is a wonderful-looking horse with lots of bone and a very good temperament who knows how to present himself.” That sentiment applies in general to the Rivas, whose march to prominence should be watched closely. Their in-demand national hunt sire Spanish Moon (El Prado {Ire}) will see to that. It is a longer drive down to Sylvain Vidal’s beautiful Haras de Montfort & Preaux, but it has to be done to pay homage to the country’s star in the ascendant, Le Havre (Ire) (Noverre). Becoming as important as the port itself, the sire of the likes of Suedois (Fr), Avenir Certain (Fr) and La Cressonniere (Fr) is described as an “etalon exceptionelle” by the Stud’s Relations Manager Mathieu Alex. It is hard to argue otherwise, with his upgrading record and witnessing at first hand his quality and his range is another pleasure to add to the list on the weekend. En route are the small villages that Gerard Augustin-Normand has used for some of his horse’s names, re-affirming the pride of this part of the country. Montfort & Preaux also house The Queen’s G3 Acomb S. winner Recorder (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is held in high regard by the team and whose first foals arrive this year. His Highness the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval welcomed allcomers on the Saturday, where the star turn Siyouni (Fr) (Pivotal {Fr}) was shown off alongside newcomer Zarak (Fr), the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud-winning product of that match of all time, Dubawi (Ire) and Zarkava (Fr). Haras d’Etreham welcomed guests to catch a long glimpse of Almanzor (Fr) and his sire Wootton Bassett (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), with the former champion as exciting a prospect as Normandy has at present. At Haras de Grandcamp, Lawman (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Dream Ahead (Diktat {GB}) and leading light Dabirsim (Fr) (Hat Tick {Jpn}) do their bit for the weekend’s extravaganza which features far more than this article can discuss in depth. Maybe a weekend is just not long enough to do the initiative justice, as you feel a personal loss for being unable to stop everywhere in the rush to get around. That just means that next year you have to explore in greater detail, but La Route des Etalons has what it takes to last. In its perfect setting among the plains and orchards, hills and meadows of this part of France, c’est un plaisir. View the full article

GMB Racing's Tom's d'Etat, six days before making his graded-stakes debut at age 6 in the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), had his final timed workout Jan. 20 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. View the full article

As a third-generation horse woman with a degree in broadcasting, the position of paddock analyst for the New York Racing Assocation was a perfect fit for Maggie Wolfendale. She started the job in 2010 and has since become the face of the New York racetracks, or at least their paddocks. “I grew up at the barn, barn 18 at Laurel Park [where her father Howard Wolfendale trained],” Wolfendale said on a blustery winter day at Aqueduct. “I had ponies and retired racehorses before really starting my life at the track. I started galloping when I was 16 for my dad. Everything progressed from there. I really fell in love with it more once I graduated high school and immersed myself in the racetrack culture. I loved working with the horses in the morning and went to school for broadcasting, so I got to marry the two. I kinda feel like the luckiest girl in the world that I got to do that.” After graduating college, Wolfendale sent out her resume and tape to every racetrack in the country and was thrilled when NYRA came calling. “I found myself very fortunate that NYRA were the ones calling me back with a serious offer,” said Wolfendale. “I obviously jumped on it because, most of the time, this is the best racing in the country. I feel very blessed.” While Wolfendale’s main focus is analyzing the horse flesh presented in the paddock, she does do her share of prep work. In addition to some light handicapping to see how the race may be run, she keeps detailed notes on all the horses she has seen before and checks pedigrees and sales workouts on first time starters. “I do this research for a basic understanding of how the race may play out, who might be the speed and who might be closing, changing surfaces, etc,” Wolfendale said. “But obviously, my main focus is when I step into the paddock. I only have 10 minutes to look at these horses, so having as many notes and things to go back on and relate to helps. But, a lot of my work is just done in those 10 minutes before I go on.” {"id":3,"instanceName":"Articles No Playlist","videos":[{"videoType":"HTML5","title":"Wolfendale Turns Lifelong Passion Into Career","description":"","info":"","thumbImg":"","mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/312306147.sd.mp4?s=337a1cd124f5e4a2b94ef16edfa978b1cd2771b1&profile_id=165","enable_mp4_download":"no","prerollAD":"yes","prerollGotoLink":"prerollGotoLink","preroll_mp4_title":"preroll_mp4_title","preroll_mp4":"https://player.vimeo.com/external/281449967.sd.mp4?s=b7485f32ab2c8512189fee9b10e4f87b059d2ea3&profile_id=165","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\/"} What Wolfendale looks for in the horses is dependent on the condition of race, but, generally speaking, she is searching for horses with good muscling and shiny, healthy coats. “A lot of it depends on the conditions of the race,” the 33-year-old said. “Do they have the proverbial turf hoof? Do they have that frame, kind of angular hind end of a turf horse? When looking at horses coming back off layoffs, I look for whether they are muscled enough, strong and fit enough to come back, and maybe get the job done at first asking if they’re a short price on the board. It’s an overall kind of thing I look for in horses, but also specific to the race conditions.” Working on what is arguably the best racing circuit in America, Wolfendale gets to study some of the top horseflesh in the country, such as Triple Crown winners Justify (Scat Daddy) and American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile). When asked if analyzing those types of horses comes with more pressure of preparation, Wolfendale said, “Of course it’s more preparation, but it also makes my job a little bit easier in the paddock because I’m looking at very good horses. With good horses, what you see is generally what you get out on the track. They’re genuine. That’s why they’ve made it to the upper echelon of racing. If I see a horse that maybe is a tick below what I’ve seen from them in the past, they generally don’t run as well. Or, if they look that much better, then they improve their effort.” The lifelong equestrian’s job has also been expanded to include horseback interviews after some of NYRA’s stakes races. Those interviews are performed aboard Wolfendale’s trusty off-the-track Thoroughbred Yeager (Medaglia d’Oro), who is one of many former racehorses she has retrained for a second career as a show horse or, in this case, track pony. “I love it,” Wolfendale said about her new role. “It’s such a thrill to come back and be right there with the winning rider and horse after a big performance, after these big stake races. Just being next to those horses too, because you become a fan. You’re always a fan, at the end of the day. Being next to them and their riders, it’s very special and it’s probably the part of my job I love most.” She continued, “For instance, my husband, [trainer] Tom [Morley], won a race up at Saratoga, a stake, and being next to our mare after that was really cool for me. Also, when Imperial Hint (Imperialism) won the [GI Alfred G.] Vanderbilt, he was the only horse who wouldn’t let me interview. He was scared of me and kept backing away. Javier [Castellano] almost fell off a couple times, so I was like, ‘All right little man, you go ahead.'” In addition to being around some of the best racehorses in the world, Wolfendale also gets to interview some of racing’s top trainers, owners, breeders, riders, etc. While she found it impossible to name a favorite interview, she did recall a few recent highlights. “I interviewed Jaime Roth of LNJ Foxwoods, and she was very touching,” Wolfendale recalled. “Unfortunately, they had a horse get hurt the week before and then Dogtag (War Front) won the P.G. Johnson up there. She was very emotional, but she was very succinct in her words and just chose her words very carefully. It just came off very nicely. She allowed me to ask her some questions that might make her a little vulnerable. That was a great one.” She added, “Also, any time I get to interview Mike Smith after he wins a big stake. He’s so much fun. He won a stake at Saratoga and I actually wasn’t on the horse, but it was afterwards and people just cheer for him up there. He just relishes in it. Any time I get to interview Mike, it’s always a good interview.” When not at the track, Wolfendale can be found caring for her young daughter Grace, lending a hand in her husband’s barn or working with one of her OTTBs. Her life is truly dedicated to Thoroughbreds and she has been lucky enough to marry that passion with her career and family. Wolfendale’s extensive knowledge and understanding of racehorses and her keen eye make her an important part of NYRA racing for fans, handicappers and horsemen alike. View the full article

Though he had never finished outside the top three in his previous 17 career starts–no small feat in Hong Kong–Beat The Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) hadn’t quite been able to solve the Group 1 question, with a pair of seconds and two thirds in his four tries at the level. But a booming victory in recent trial earned him the race-day endorsement of Joao Moreira and the duo capitalized on a perfect trip to narrowly defeat two-time G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in Sunday’s Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin. Winner’s Way (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}) came from last to finish a very good third. It appeared on paper that Mr Stunning could dictate terms in the 1200-metre test, but races aren’t run on paper and any strategizing was out the window when Zac Purton decided to ride HK Sprint fourth Little Giant (NZ) (Swiss Ace {Aus}) for speed. When stablemate and defending champion D B Pin (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) rolled up to press the issue, that allowed Moreira to take advantage of the box seat underneath Mr Stunning. Off the fence at the 350m, Beat The Clock claimed Little Giant with ease as D B Pin retreated, then held off a late bid from a resurgent Mr Stunning to better his dead-heat second with the latter in this test 12 months ago. Beat The Clock was exiting a third to Mr Stunning when racing second-up in the Hong Kong Sprint Dec. 9. It was a first Group 1 win for trainer John Size since Ivictory (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) beat Mr Stunning in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize last April. “Beat The Clock has taken his time to break through to Group 1 level, but he always promised to do that, and today the race was suitable for him and he managed to salute,” Size told HKJC’s Graham Cunningham. Up next? A tantalizing rematch in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400m Feb. 17, a race in which Beat The Clock dropped a narrow decision to Beauty Generation last year. Pedigree Notes: Beat the Clock, an A$70,000 Inglis Melbourne Premiere Yearling turned NZ$200,000 NZB Ready-To-Run purchase by Bill Mitchell (see related story by Michael Cox in Monday’s TDNAus/NZ), is a third top-level winner for his sire (by Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a 3/4-brother to Snitzel (Aus) formerly based at Yarraman Park, but who was tragically lost to a freak exercise accident last July. Beat the Clock’s Group 3-placed dam, a full-sister to SP Lil Elsa (Aus), is represented by a 2-year-old colt from the first crop of Rubick (Aus), who fetched A$70,000 from Legends Bloodstock, McKeever Bloodstock and Ferguson Bloodstock at the 2018 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale. Flion Fenena foaled a filly by Your Song (Aus) last Aug. 30 and was bred back to Smart Missile (Aus). Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong CENTENARY SPRINT CUP-G1, HK$10,000,000 (£981,827/€1,119,413/A$1,773,859/US$1,275,016), Sha Tin, 1-20, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.42, gd. 1–BEAT THE CLOCK (AUS), 126, g, 5, by Hinchinbrook (Aus) 1st Dam: Flion Fenena (Aus) (GSP-Aus), by Lion Hunter (Aus) 2nd Dam: Fenena (NZ), by Crested Wave 3rd Dam: On the Wind (NZ), by Sea Anchor (Ire) *1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (A$70,000 Ylg ’15 INGMAR; NZ$200,000 2yo ’15 NZBRTR). O-Merrick Chung Wai Lik; B-Miss J Henderson (NSW); T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira; HK$5,700,000. Lifetime Record: 18-7-6-5, HK$22,717,775. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Mr Stunning (Aus), 126, g, 6, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–With Fervour, by Dayjur. (A$110,000 Wlg ’13 INGGSW; NZ$250,000 Ylg ’14 NZBPRE). O-Maurice Koo Win Chong; B-Makybe Racing & Breeding (Vic); T-Frankie Lor; HK$2,200,000. 3–Winner’s Way (Aus), 126, g, 6, Starcraft (NZ)–Sunday Service (Aus), by Sunday Silence. (A$50,000 Ylg ’14 MGLJUN). O-Peter Young Wai Po & Dr Arthur Leung Shing Tat; B-Bruce Reid Racing (NSW); T-Tony Cruz; HK$1,000,000. Margins: NK, 1 3/4, NO. Odds: 21-10, 11-10, 40-1. Also Ran: Fifty Fifty (NZ), Little Giant (NZ), Styling City (Aus), D B Pin (NZ), Born In China (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. View the full article