Wandering Eyes

A nine-length demolition of his rivals in the Craven Stakes has Masar primed for Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, according to trainer Charlie Appleby. The Godolphin three-year-old failed first-up on the dirt at Meydan but he bounced back in style with a return to the turf putting him right in the frame for this Group One. “It was hard not to be impressed,” Appleby said. “Visibly, it was a striking performance. If he had won by one or two lengths, then OK, but nine... View the full article

“What could have been ...” stories are a dime a dozen in racing. For all of their grace and power, thoroughbreds are a surprisingly fragile animal and if one kicks a wall or missteps at trackwork, it can be career over. In Hong Kong, there hasn’t been a more tragic tale of unfulfilled promise than Rapper Dragon’s meteoric rise and premature demise. Rapper Dragon swept the 2017 four-year-old series, dominating in the Derby and even added a Group Two against older horses... View the full article

Grade 1 winners Fault and Vale Dori will provide ample class in the $100,000 Adoration Stakes (G3) May 6 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

Viviano finally goes one better View the full article

Turf or Poly, Sun Pittsburgh scorches again View the full article

Double delight as Meagher welcomes new Pride and joy View the full article

Auspicious Day indeed for Khoo View the full article

Horses' body weights May 4 View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings May 4 View the full article

Early scratchings May 4 View the full article

While plenty of stakes excitement is on the horizon, game 2-year-olds Weiland and Myhotrodlincoln certainly provided a strong opening act May 3 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

A year to the day after she took the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) with a last-to-first finish, China Horse Club and Clearsky Farms' Quality Road filly is back at Churchill Downs to launch her 4-year-old campaign. View the full article

Lady Sheila Stable's Distaff Handicap (G3) winner Holiday Disguise will seek her second straight graded win in the $250,000 Ruffian Stakes (G2) May 6 at Belmont Park. View the full article

Racing industry officials from Florida weighed in Thursday in regards to the American Horse Council (AHC)’s recently published Economic Impact Study. According to the study, the equine industry has a $6.8 billion annual economic impact in the Sunshine State-up 33% since the last study was conducted 13 years ago. The racing industry’s impact is up 47%. “That’s significant,” said Lonny Powell, CEO of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owner’s Association in a release. “Florida truly is a horse state. To many, the beach, sun, sand, and oranges are synonymous with Florida, but our state has been steadily adding equines to that list to hang our state’s collective hat on for some time. Equines are becoming a strong part of Florida’s brand.” P. J. Campo, The Stronach Group’s Vice President of Racing, added, “A thriving Thoroughbred industry is vital to the state’s economy and to providing world-class entertainment to spectators from around the globe… It’s significant that racetrack operators in the state generate $307 million in revenue and create over 1,200 jobs with purses in excess of $105 million. Our Miami-area operation, Gulfstream Park, is one of the gems in the racing world and its right here in Florida.” Thoroughbred sales, particularly 2-year-old auctions held by the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, also contribute significantly to the hospitality sector as buyers flock to the area. “Since 2010, OBS has sold over 22,000 horses for more than $1 billion dollars to buyers from every state except Alaska and 38 different countries,” said OBS President Tom Ventura. “OBS has become the destination to buy quality 2-year-olds, accounting for nearly 70% of juvenile sales in North America.” View the full article

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and SF Racing's grade 2 winner Quip returned to the work tab with a half-mile breeze May 3 ahead of his anticipated start in the 143rd Preakness Stakes (G1). View the full article

The Aug. 11 $1-million GI Arlington Million anchors Arlington Park’s 22-strong stakes schedule worth $3,700,000. Opening on May 4, the highlight of the 71-day meet is the International Festival of Racing Aug. 11, where in addition to the 1 1/4-mile Million, Arlington will also conduct the 1 3/16-mile $600,000 GI Beverly D. S. for fillies and mares and the 1 1/4-mile $400,000 GI Secretariat S. for sophomores. Both the Million and the Beverly D are part of the “Win And You’re In” Breeders’ Cup challenge series. Earlier in the season, the Chicago track will host the Ride to the Million July 12, a trio of grassy Million Day preps worth $100,000 each: the GIII Arlington H. (Million), the GIII Modesty H. (Beverly D) and the GIII American Derby (Secretariat). The first three horses across the finish line July 12 will have their entry fees waived for their Festival Day’s equivalents. The 1 1/2-mile $100,000 GIII Stars and Stripes S. and 1 1/16-mile $100,000 Hatoof S. are also slated for the grass on July 12. Other stakes events on the calendar are: the May 12 one-mile $100,000 GIII Hanshin Cup, the May 26 1 1/16-mile $100,000 GIII Arlington Classic, the 1 1/8 GIII Arlington Matron May 19 and the June 23 GIII Chicago H. The latter two races, each worth $100,000, were held at Churchill Downs in 2017. Both the Arlington-Washington Futurity for juveniles and the Arlington-Washington Lassie for 2-year-old fillies, will be the last stakes of the meet Sept. 8. “We are very excited for the upcoming meet,” said Arlington racing secretary Chris Polzin. “The Arlington International Festival of Racing has always been a highly regarded international event and a major springboard to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for some of the best turf horses in the world. We hope to attract such horses this year the way that we have in years past. We are equally as excited to bring back the Chicago H. and Arlington Matron. Both races have proven to be competitive events when hosted here and have attracted quality horses from other circuits, so we are confident that we will continue to receive that support this year.” For the complete schedule, go to www.arlingtonpark.com. View the full article

Like any astute businessman, Mike Repole has surveyed the landscape in recent times to see how he can take his already successful venture to another level. View the full article

Imperial Hint (Imperialism) kicked off a five-race win skein in at Parx in October of 2016, amassing a pair at the graded level wins in the process. Victorious in last term’s GIII General George S. at Laurel in February followed by Gulfstream’s GIII Smile Sprint S. in July, the dark bay galloped home an easy winner in a short renewal of the Donald LeVine Memorial S. Sept. 4. Given a freshening ahead of a second-place finish in the Nov. 4 GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar, he marked his seasonal return with a five-length win in Tampa’s Sprint S. Mar.25. He draws post three while being reunited with Javier Castellano. Another horse with an exceptionally consistent record is Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect), who annexed a quartet of stakes in 2017, including Oaklawn’s GIII Count Fleet Sprint H., GIII Maryland Sprint S. and GII Phoenix S. Given some time off after a dismal eighth on Breeders’ Cup day, he is two-for-two this term-a win in the Mar. 10 Hot Springs S. before successfully repeating in the Apr. 14 Count Fleet. Limousine Liberal has shown a strong affinity for Churchill Downs, having accounted for five wins and a second from seven starts at the oval. Winner of this race last May, he followed up with consecutive wins in the six-furlong GIII Aristides S. June 3 and the June 30 Kelly’s Landing S. Back at Churchill Downs later in the fall, he added a score in the Bet on Sunshine S. Nov. 18 and was given the rest of the winter off. Well supported for his return in the Apr. 7 GIII Commonwealth S. at Keeneland, Limousine Liberal came up a neck short of 23-1 winner Warrior’s Club (Warrior’s Reward). Sure to be running in the late stages is Live Oak’s Awesome Slew (Awesome Again), last year’s winner of the Commonwealth and one-mile GIII Ack Ack S. at Churchill in September. Third in the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar in November, the five-year-old was most recently a well-distanced second behind winner Army Mule (Friesan Fire) in the Apr. 7 GI Carter H. at Aqueduct. View the full article

2nd-CD, $66K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, post time: 10:58 a.m. ET Amerman Racing Stables’ homebred EMMY PERFORMANCE (Point of Entry) has been pegged at morning-line odds of 15-1 owing to her double-digit draw, but she’s certainly blessed with the pedigree to overcome that obstacle. The chestnut daughter of SW Devine Actress (Theatrical {Ire}) is a half-sister to last year’s GI Belmont Derby and GI Secretariat S. hero Oscar Performance (Kitten’s Joy) and that one’s millionaire MGSW full-brother Oscar Nominated. Juddmonte’s twice-placed Pachinko (Tapit), a half-sister to French G1 winner Announce (GB) (Selkirk), is repatriated for her U.S. debut for trainer Brad Cox. The gray was previously conditioned by Andre Fabre. TJCIS PPs 3rd-CD, $66K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6f, post time: 11:26 a.m. ET St Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds combined forces to acquire BUGLE NOTES (Ghostzapper) for $825K at KEESEP in 2016, the most expensive of 38 yearlings be his sire to sell at public auction. The bay, a half-brother to SW Giant Payday (Giant’s Causeway) and GSW Annual Report (Harlan’s Holiday) is out of a daughter of GISW Furlough (Easy Goer), the dam of GSW Happy Hunting (Seeking the Gold) and SW Pardon (Elusive Quality). The third dam includes Furlough’s Grade I-winning half-sister Finder’s Fee (Storm Cat) and GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint hero Dancing Spree (Ninjinsky II). TJCIS PPs 6th-BEL, $75K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, post time: 4:14 p.m. ET On this Kentucky Derby weekend, it seems only appropriate that GOLDEN AWARD (Medaglia d’Oro) is entered for her career debut. A homebred for Harvey Clarke, the May 22 foal is a daughter of Arch’s Gal Edith (Arch), the dam of champion and 2012 GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. hero I’ll Have Another (Flower Alley). The mare was bought back on a bid of $950K out of the 2012 FTKNOV sale and her most recent produce is a filly from the first crop of Triple Crown hero American Pharoah. TJCIS PPs 9th-SA, $54K, Msw, 3yo, f, 1mT, post time: 7:45 p.m. ET FASHION BRAND (Medaglia d’Oro) is an Andrew Rosen homebred daughter of the talented Theyskens’ Theory (Bernardini), a Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed in Europe and runner-up, beaten a neck by Winter Memories (El Prado {Ire}), in the 2011 GI Garden City S. Theyskens’ Theory is a half-sister to Eclipse Award winner Stevie Wonderboy (Stephen Got Even). TJCIS PPs View the full article

As has become customary in turf races throughout the east and midwest, Chad Brown offers up a pair that merit respect in the GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile. Dream Awhile (War Front), 7-2 on the morning line, appears to be carrying the most forward momentum heading into this race. A close-up third in her U.S. debut at Aqueduct Nov. 9, the Joe Allen homebred followed up with a come-from-behind victory in Gulfstream’s Tropical Park Oaks Dec. 30. Facing a salty bunch in her latest in the Feb. 10 GIII Suwannee River S., Dream Awhile ran a winning race but found only stablemate Elysea’s World (Ire) (Champs Elysees {GB}) a neck too good at the wire of the nine-furlong test. Brown is also represented by On Leave (War Front), who has proven consistent throughout her career, having hit the board in 13 of 15 careers outings. Victorious in last summer’s Perfect Sting S. at Belmont, she added the All Along S. at Laurel later in September. Given some time off following the latter, she returned to finish third in the GII Goldikova S. at Del Mar Nov. 4 ahead of a score in the Dec. 16 GIII My Charmer S. at Gulfstream. Last time out, she was only a half length behind winner Lull (War Front) and runner-up Res Ipsa (English Channel) in the GIII Honey Fox S. Mar. 31 and appears poised to take another step forward this time. Another model of consistency, Res Ipsa rounded out 2017 winning three out of her last four starts, including a win in a Keeneland allowance Oct. 13. Hailing from a barn that typically doesn’t crank them up for their first start back, she looks ready for improvement here. Mark Casse saddles a pair of Grade I winners, including John Oxley’s Dream Dancing (Tapit), who hasn’t visited the winner’s circle since her GI Del Mar Oaks victory. Seventh last time out in the GIII Suwanne River S., she secures the services of Javier Castellano here. Drawing the 11 hole, La Coronel captured the GI Queen Elizabeth Cup at Keeneland last October before finishing runner up in the Feb. 10 GIII Endevour S. at Tampa. Third at the Oldsmar oval’s GII Hillsborough S. Mar. 10, the John Oxley filly weakened late to be fourth last out in Keeneland’s GI Jenny Wiley S. Apr. 14. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday’s Insights features a half-brother to Midas Touch (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). 5.10 Newcastle, Cond, £6,400, 3yo, 10f 42y (AWT) PHOTOGRAPHER (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) is another of the John Gosden stable attempting to fit into the Derby picture and Denford Stud’s half-brother to the top-level performers Midas Touch (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) stays on the all-weather after a debut win at Chelmsford in November. In opposition is Newsells Park Stud’s Galactic Spirit (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), a winning Marco Botti-trained half-brother to the GI Goodwood S. and G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup hero Gitano Hernando (GB) (Hernando {Fr}). View the full article

The European breeze-up calendar rolls into its second half on Friday with the single-session Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up & Horses In Training Sale, and while the market at the first four sales of this sector staged this season has been undoubtedly selective, buyers can perhaps take heart in the fact that quality continues to emanate from this sale, its flagbearer last year being Daban (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), sold here two years ago by Derryconnor Stud to Blandford Bloodstock for 260,000gns. The top filly of that sale proceeded to win the G3 Nell Gwyn S. and to make the frame, this weekend a year ago, in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas. The clearance rate at this season’s earlier sales has been the main figure to suffer, and so the question, today, is whether another expanded catalogue-up to 234 lots, before withdrawals, from 214 last year and just 172 in 2016-will be able to buck the trends. It would do well to match last year’s sale, which rode the Doncaster-Craven wave for an excellent clearance of 86% (154 sold of 179 offered) at a median of 25,000gns. The two previous years, moreover, also managed to outstrip the sector’s performance to that point, the clearance holding steady at just over 78% (at medians of 20,000gns and 23,500gns respectively). Growing catalogues across the sector are one point of blame for market polarization and to a degree, as such, the breeze-up sector has been a victim of its own success. Indeed, a total of 627 2-year-olds were catalogued for the first four European sales: Ascot, Doncaster, the Craven and La Teste. (There are another 650 to follow at Goresbridge, Arqana and in the Guineas Sale today.) Last year, the same four sales had listed 489 lots. Withdrawals sieved these aggregates down to 523 and 404 respectively, meaning that the number of lots to have entered the ring this time round has soared by 29%. Little wonder, then, if the clearance rate has suffered-even if taken at face value. The 337 lots sold to date represent 64.4% of those offered, compared with 301 sold at 74.5% last year. But a year-on-year comparison is two-dimensional at best. Both the Tattersalls Craven Sale and the Goffs UK Sale proved exceptionally strong in 2017, posting records in turnover, average and median. That doubtless stimulated the numbers eager to take a chance with unsold yearlings. Norman Williamson of Oak Tree Farm said he predicts the tough going in 2-year-old market will trickle down to the yearling sales later this year. “There doesn’t seem to be a middle market,” he said. “It’s probably easier to get big money for a horse than it is to just sell him. The breeze-up people and pinhookers are a huge help to the yearling market. Forget about what they buy, look at their underbidding too. They hold up the middle market. So the way this is going, I’d be slightly worried if I were selling yearlings. I know it’ll sort itself out but a lot of these guys won’t be able to plough back in.” Con Marnane, who has sold 96 black-type winners through Bansha House Stud, isn’t afraid to take a 2-year-old home if it doesn’t meet its value in the sales ring-in fact, I’m The Man (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), who failed to illicit a bid at Doncaster, won first out at Chantilly on Wednesday in the colours of Marnane’s wife Theresa. Marnane echoed Williamson’s sentiments regarding the yearling sales. “The breeze-up guys spent £25 million on yearlings last year. That won’t happen this year,” he said. “It’s a complete buyers’ market out there.” View the full article

LOUISVILLE, Ky – Now that’s how you make an entrance. Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy), the blowout winner of the G2 UAE Derby, finally took his first spin beneath the Twin Spires on a very pleasant Thursday morning (video). The striking bay, a $3-million KEESEP yearling topper and half-brother to the brilliant racemare Beholder (Henny Hughes), looked a picture and had his neck arched and was on his toes while jogging a clockwise 1 1/4 miles along the outer rail. He was accompanied to the track by three Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemates immediately following the private session reserved for the Kentucky Derby/Oaks runners at 7:45 a.m. The quartet, which also included Deauville (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (GI Turf Classic), Threeandfourpence (War Front) (GII American Turf S.) and Seahenge (Scat Daddy) (GIII Pat Day Mile S.), then turned around and cantered one mile before exiting through the six-furlong gap. Exercise rider Dean Gallagher was aboard Mendelssohn. Just as he exhibited in the mornings prior to securing the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar last fall and his aforementioned score in the desert by 18 1/2 lengths, Mendelssohn was his vocal self and did plenty of whinnying (or shouting) as he made his way around the oval. The Tabor, Magnier and Smith colorbearer did get a little hot and was lathered by his neck, but nothing alarming there as that’s quite common when the Euros make their first trip to the track in the States, regardless of what the temperature might be. Mendelssohn was immediately placed in quarantine at Churchill Downs after arriving from Ireland late Monday evening. “We just wanted to get him out there and stretch his legs,” Pat Keating, O’Brien’s head traveling lad, said while swarmed by reporters. “He’s a good traveler and handles it perfect; very straight forward. He handles it a lot better than I do.” The Ballydoyle trainer is expected to be at Churchill Downs Friday morning. OK, so who’s looked the best in the mornings this week? If you ignore the pp’s and the names on the yellow saddle towels, the three Derby horses that have made the best impression on the racetrack have been a trio of flashy chestnuts: the unbeaten ‘TDN Rising Star’ Justify (Scat Daddy), GI Florida Derby runner-up Hofburg (Tapit) and champion 2-year-old colt Good Magic (Curlin). One quick look at Justify, a $500,000 KEESEP yearling, and that massive stride of his, you can immediately see why Hall of Famer Bob Baffert is on the record as saying that he’s the best- looking horse that he’s ever trained. Juddmonte homebred Hofburg has been all the rage on the backstretch since arriving in Louisville and he’s been galloping like he’s owned the place since exiting his four-furlong breeze here Sunday. Good Magic, a $1-million KEESEP yearling, has also given off plenty of good vibes in his gallops and looks like he’s sitting on a career-best performance as well. Post time can’t come soon enough! View the full article

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, and SF Racing's grade 2 winner Quip returned to the work tab with a half-mile breeze the morning of May 3 ahead of his anticipated start in the 143rd Preakness Stakes (G1). View the full article

Purchased privately off a debut third behind Stillwater Cove (Quality Road) at Keneeland Apr. 8, Dreaming Diamonds (f, 2, Cross Traffic–Xunlei, by D’wildcat) became the initial winner from the first crop for her sire (by Unbridled’s Song) with an open-lengths success Thursday at Churchill Downs. Transferred from trainer Tracey Young to Tom Amoss, the bay was bet into 12-5 favoritism and jumped alertly from the inside box and engaged in a three-horse battle for the early lead. Going well approaching the exit to the turn, she was kicked further in front by Corey Lanerie, was well clear into the final furlong and came home about four lengths to the good. Cafe Mischief (Into Mischief) was also part of the early battle and held on for second. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1. O-Rob Auerbach & Marc Winston; B-JRita Young Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Tom Amoss. View the full article