Wandering Eyes

A newcomer to the South Island in Eastandwest (NZ) (Charm Spirit) made a winning start for the stable of Michael and Matthew Pitman at Ashburton on Sunday. A son of Charm Spirit, Eastandwest had four starts under the care of Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan, including a pair of fourths behind Tristar and Rochmie Ray. He finished back in the field at Tauranga in mid-December, and fresh-up in the Rainer Irrigation (1400m), he was underrated in the market at $23. A downgrade in track conditions to a Heavy 8 caused the late scratching of a favoured runner in Super Sincere, alongside Discretion Rules, who came out earlier in the day. Their absence left progressive filly Those Ocean Eyes clearly on top of the market at $2.80, but she was one of the slowest to jump, while second-elect Alberton Angel flew the gates and took the early lead. Eastandwest raced keenly early under the Pitman’s stable apprentice Abdul Najib, sitting three-wide at the tail of the field before venturing wide on the course turning for home. In the last 200m, Ex Aye, Maracatu, Those Ocean Eyes and Eastandwest all looked winning chances, but in the final bounds, Eastandwest managed to overcome the favourite to score by a head. “He was really good, he’s only a three-year-old and is obviously going to find some improvement and is handy on a wet track,” Michael Pitman said. “He ran fourth in a Rating 60 race at Pukekohe before he came down, which is a good run from any maidener. “He’s a work in progress, when he first came down he was just wanting to get too keen and Abdul rode him really well, settling back and holding him up for one run at them and we got the chocolates.” Purchased for $7,000 through gavelhouse.com, Eastandwest has made a swift return on that investment for the SIRE Syndicate. “My brother bought him off Gavelhouse about six or eight weeks ago after he ran four nice races up north,” Pitman said. “We were thinking about taking him to the trials on Tuesday, but we thought we would throw him in the deep end and it worked out well. “Effectively, it was a maiden win worth $40,000 so it was a great stake to get. “We won’t go to the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1600m) with him, we will probably head to Riccarton on the 26th of March, there’s a three-year-old race over 1400m which I think will suit him ideally.” Eastandwest is out of a Black Minnaloushe mare Riverina Girl, who has produced eight foals, seven of those being winners. Riverina Girl is a half-sister to Group Two winner Bak Da Chief, the dam of star galloper and multiple-Group One winner Te Akau Shark. View the full article

Emerging talent Betty Spaghetti (Stratum Star) made a deserved return to the winner’s circle at Ashburton on Sunday, powering away with a competitive Rugby, Racing and Fun (1400m). A mare by Stratum Star, Betty Spaghetti was a classy three-year-old, finishing runner-up in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m), alongside fourth placings in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) and Listed NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m). She went on to collect a trio of victories at four, and after a couple of fitness-building runs to kick off her new prep this season, she looked to be near her devastating best when narrowly missing behind The Good Shepherd at Wingatui. A gallant fourth-placed effort in the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1400m) was enough to place her on top of the market for Sunday’s open handicap, closing at $3.70 over Third Decree ($4.60) and Tumuch ($5). Jumping away positively, Betty Spaghetti settled into a comfortable rhythm midfield under Billy Jacobson, while Fellini went up to lead and controlled a moderate tempo. Tumuch loomed up to Fellini on the corner while Betty Spaghetti had all rivals ahead of her, but winding up down the outside, she let go with a booming finish to power over the top and score by just shy of two lengths. Anna Furlong, who trains the mare at Riccarton Park, had every faith she could produce a performance of this calibre. “It is very special, it’s great to get the job done for the owners and she’s been racing in top company, and performing so well,” she said. “It was nice that she could show us that she’s fit and well and still wants to be out there doing her best. “She takes a little bit of time to wind up these days, but she really showed her class at the line. “Billy rode her pretty much to plan, we wanted to be in behind the speed and he wasn’t stressed when they came around her, he just let her bide her time. He is going to be a huge asset to the South, he’s already been very well-received and he’s a great addition to the riding ranks here.” A journey back to Wingatui for next Saturday’s Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) is not on the radar for Betty Spaghetti, with Furlong looking ahead to the Gr.3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) on her home track on March 22. “Off that run, we would be leaning towards the Breeders’ Stakes, which is at a mile,” she said. “That (distance) wouldn’t be a problem. “We thought the White Robe wouldn’t quite be the right fit for her, at weight-for-age in what I think will be a really strong field. We thought it would be nice to potentially get a win with her today for the owners and that’s what we opted to do.” Bred in Canterbury by Beaufort Downs, Betty Spaghetti was purchased for just $20,000 at the 2021 National Yearling Sales by Robert Dennis. The Southland horseman syndicated her out to a large group of owners, of whom she has earned $187,160 for with five wins and six minor placings in 19 starts. Her dam, Swiss Beauty, won two races over 1200m, and as a broodmare has also produced Mogul, a two-race winner. Earlier on the Ashburton card, Furlong was delighted with the effort of Those Ocean Eyes, a promising three-year-old filly who backed up her debut victory last-start with a narrow second to Eastandwest in the Rainer Irrigation (1200m). “She didn’t love the heavy but she tries very hard, Sam (Wynne, jockey) was rapt with her run as were we,” she said. “She was the most inexperienced horse in the field and she’ll take huge improvement again from that, we will now look to get her back on top of the ground and over 1400m next start.” View the full article

Emily, Jayne & Bruce review all the racing action from Ellerslie yesterday, Wiremu Pinn & Tayla Mitchell join the show to talk about their big days, Darin Balcombe talks about the Otaki abandonment & Guy was at the Halberg Awards. Weigh In, February 23 View the full article

Rider Masa Hashizume made a quick return to winning action following an injury-enforced stint on the sideline when he guided emerging star Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino) to an impressive victory in open company over 1200m at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Auckland-based hoop suffered a broken collarbone in a race fall at Trentham in January but barely a month later he was back at trackwork with his sights set on returning for the ride on Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) favourite Willydoit in his final lead-up to the blue riband event, the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). While Willydoit didn’t produce his best in the Guineas with a somewhat lacklustre effort in a farcically slow run contest, Hashizume showed he was back to full fitness with a well-judged effort aboard the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared Tomodachi. Shooting for the fifth win of her brief career to date, Tomodachi settled back in the seven-horse field before Hashizume set her alight approaching the home corner as Michael McNab aboard race favourite Glamour Tycoon tried to steal a march on his rivals after setting up a slowly run affair from barrier rise. Tomodachi quickly joined issue at the 300m and the pair set down to a titanic struggle that went in favour of Tomodachi by a neck at the winning post, much to the delight of O’Sullivan. “I thought Masa summed it up well as he was a little concerned that the horse he labelled his biggest danger (Glamour Tycoon) was going to camp outside the leader and canter whereas it actually found the lead and cantered,” O’Sullivan said. “I think the winning of the race was the move he made to get handy three-deep and she (Tomodachi) was right there when they let go. “She is certainly very progressive and Andrew and I and the team really rate her although she is probably a season away from her best, but long term she has a real future.” While playing a patient game with the four-year-old, O’Sullivan is keen to step her out in distance in the future. “We think a mile is going to be her go although we did try to get her to run further as a three-year-old. “She just raced a little bit hard in the running for that but once she learns who knows what her ceiling is. “We will go home and have a look through the programme and see what is available to her before we make any decisions on where we go next.” Hashizume was wearing his trademark beaming smile when questioned about the performance. “She is a really really nice horse who jumped well and settled beautifully today,” he said. “There wasn’t much pace on and I didn’t want to get too far away from the favourite, so I moved early to be closer and she kicked on well, hit the line strong and was very hard to pull up.” The Sir Peter Vela-bred and owned daughter of Tarzino is out of Vela’s lightly raced High Chaparral mare Quintessentially and comes from a female line that includes horses of the calibre of multiple Group One winner Ethereal and Hong Kong Cup (1600m) winner Romanee Conti. She has now won five of her seven starts and over $114,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

What Grafton Races Where Clarence River Jockey Club – Powell St, Grafton NSW 2460 When Monday, February 24, 2025 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The new week of racing is set to get underway at Clarence River Jockey Club on Monday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program lined up at Grafton. The rail moves out +5m the entire circuit for the meeting, and with no significant rainfall to hamper proceedings, participants can expect a genuine Good 4 surface for race-day. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:15pm local time. Best Bet at Grafton: Dusty Bay Dusty Bay heads to the races for the first time after one official barrier trial on the synthetic surface at Newcastle on February 11. It was an impressive piece of work by the son of Sandbar, pressing clear of his rivals when asked for a minor effort by Aaron Bullock. The two-year-old maps to find the one-one from barrier three, and provided Dusty Bay can bring a similar attitude under race-day conditions, expect this guy to justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Dusty Bay (3) 2yo Gelding | T: Tracey Bartley | J: Aaron Bullock (58kg) Next Best at Grafton: With Style With Style looks prepared for a first-up assault after two strong barrier trials heading into this debut assignment. The Pride Of Dubai filly flattened out nicely in her most recent work at Ballina on February 14, climbing over the back of Wendt to settle for a runner-up finish. Matthew McGuren will go in search of cover from barrier five to save the unraced three-year-old’s energy for one final drive, so watch for With Style to be storming down the centre of the course when asked for the ultimate effort. Next Best Race 3 – #4 With Style (5) 3yo Filly | T: Peter Sinclair | J: Matthew McGuren (57.5kg) Best Value at Grafton: Silver Canvas Silver Canvas is looking for a bone-dry track after being outclassed first-up at this course and distance on February 4. BM72 company proved a stretch too far for the son of Natural Destiny, falling out of the contest on Soft ground. He has a formidable record of six starts for two wins and two minor placings at this track and trip in the past, and with this BM58 contest proving much easier on paper, expect Silver Canvas to figure at the each-way price with Picklebet. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Silver Canvas (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Shannon Manwarring | J: Nick Palmer (4kg) (63kg) Monday quaddie tips for Grafton Grafton quadrella selections February 24, 2025 5-6-9-10-11 1-2-5-6-8 1-2-3-7-10 1-2-4-6-10-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

California Burrito, ridden by apprentice Irving Moncada, introduced himself to the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail Feb. 22 with a hard-fought win in the $173,500 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park.View the full article

CALIFORNIA BURRITO (c, 3, Army Mule–Bluegrass Sunset, by Hard Spun) is the newest player on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, earning 20 points with a gate-to-wire win in Saturday night's John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park. Shaken up for the lead from mid-gate, the 7-2 shot, who came off a 7 1/4-length win going just a 1/16th shorter on the local Tapeta Jan. 24, showed the way along the inside through fractions of :24.50 and :49.41 with 37-1 longshot Maitre D (Game Winner) keeping him honest to the outside and 2-1 race favorite Baby Max (Maximus Mischief) also looming a threat while three wide around the far turn. Turning for home, the top pair opened up a sizeable gap back to Maximum Promise (Maximum Security) who ran on into third with California Burrito besting Baby Max narrowly in a final time of 1:45.98 for the 1 1/16-mile trip. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-0. O-Aaron and Victoria Haberman; B-Westbrook Stables LLC; T-Thomas Drury, Jr. Sales History: $60,000 ylg'23 FTKJUL. California Burrito takes the John Battaglia Memorial S. and picks up 20 Kentucky Derby points! @tomdruryracing trains the 3YO and @irvingjmoncada was aboard! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/q5TXZgT2N4 — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) February 23, 2025 This post will be updated Sunday with the full result running in Monday's edition of the TDN. The post Army Mule’s California Burrito Wires The John Battaglia Memorial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc, who partnered the Dick Leech-trained Hasseltoff to success at Pioneer Park at Alice Springs on Saturday, aboard the Chris Nash-trained Seven Secrets before celebrating victory at Darwin on Friday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) Former South Australian galloper Hasseltoff produced a slashing Alice Springs Cup trial after saluting on his NT debut over 1600m in open company at Pioneer Park on Saturday. After a last start win at Morphettville in late January against BM78 opposition over 1600m for Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes, Hasseltoff was purchased by NT trainer Dick Leech – who has stables in Alice Springs and Darwin. It’s yet to be confirmed, but the eight-year-old gelding contesting the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) on April 6 appears inevitable. Hasseltoff, the son of Toorak Toff, had success at Flemington for Cranbourne trainers Robbie Griffiths and Mathew De Kock and Warrnambool trainer Tom Dabernig before debuting for Stokes last October. A ninth over 1400m at Murray Bridge was followed by two wins at Morphettville over 1533m at BM72 level and Gawler over 1500m in the BM78 ranks. In late December, Hasseltoff was eighth in a BM78 over 1800m at Morphettville before getting that third win for Stokes on January 25 when he surged from the back of the field in the home straight. Hasseltoff may have had form and fitness on his side on Saturday, but dealing with the dirt and kick-back for the first time was a concern. A $1.95 favourite with online bookmakers before starting as the $2.60 second favourite, Hasseltoff settled fourth before Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc looked for the lead entering the back straight. After joining Ray Viney’s $4.40 hope Duty, ridden by Sonja Logan, at the helm, Hasseltoff was two lengths clear at the 1000m and was cruising at the 600m when Duty got within a length. Hasseltoff, who had to contend with 61kg despite Le Blanc’s 2kg claim, skipped away turning for home and was three lengths clear at the 200m before overcoming Duty by two lengths. Kerry Petrick’s Venting, last year’s Alice Springs Cup winner, started as the $2.30 favourite with Paul Denton in the saddle, but he failed to fire and finished 4.5 lengths adrift of Duty in third place. With the Darwin and Alice Springs St Patrick’s Day Cups (1600m) in March followed by the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) and an open 1900m Handicap during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival – which starts on March 16 – the build up to the Alice Springs Cup will intensify, but Hasseltoff has made an early statement. Le Blanc, who could be Hasseltoff’s regular rider, continued her good form in the Red Centre with another double on Saturday after landing a treble the previous week. Horse racing news View the full article

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Tiz Secure (c, 3, Maximum Security–Tough Tiz's Sis, by Tiznow) became the first 'TDN Rising Star' for his sophomore sire with an ultra-impressive debut victory at Santa Anita Saturday evening. Off as the 7-2 second-choice with his Bob Baffert-trained stablemate Voldemort (Good Magic) taking the bulk of the action at 8-5, Tiz Secure broke like a shot from his outside draw, but was content to drop back to fourth as they sped through an opening quarter in :22.34. Tiz Secure began to roll while three wide on the far turn, stuck his head in front approaching the quarter pole and powered clear in the stretch to win going away by five lengths. The final time for six furlongs was 1:09.92. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O/B-Karl Watson & Paul Weitman (KY); T-Bob Baffert. It was a Bob Baffert first-time-starter exacta in race 8 at Santa Anita. #8 TIZ SECURE ($9.40) by Maximum Security (@coolmoreamerica) ran right on by his stablemate #7 Voldemort in an impressive debut. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/bvlriPQGig — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 23, 2025 The post Baffert Unleashes Maximum Security Firster to ‘Rising Star’ Honors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth, the final prep for the GI Curlin Florida Derby held March 29, will headline a program laden with nine stakes, of which eight are graded, worth $2.15 million in purses next Saturday. The 79th running of the Fountain of Youth offers qualifying points for the GI Kentucky Derby on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale. Burnham Square, the GIII Holy Bull winner, is scheduled to clash with seven other 3-year-olds entered for next Saturday's feature. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is represented in the Fountain of Youth field by River Thames and Gate to Wire, both of whom are scheduled to make their two-turn debuts. Godolphin's Sovereignty (Into Mischief) is set to make his 2025 debut next Saturday after concluding his 2-year-old campaign with a five-length maiden-breaking score in the GIII Street Sense Oct. 27 at Churchill Downs. Keep It Easy will make his first start of 2025 after winning the Ed Brown Stakes at Churchill Downs Nov. 30 in his 2-year-old finale. Ian Pasard, Shining Stable LLC, and Stefania Farms LLC's Neoequos (Neolithic), a sharp optional claiming allowance winner Jan. 23 who was twice placed in Florida Sire Stakes events last season, will make his first start in an open stakes. Leon King Stable Corp.'s McKellen (McKinzie) will seek to rebound from a sixth-place finish in the Jan. 4 Mucho Macho Man for trainer Jose D'Angelo. The GII Fasig-Tipton Davona Dale drew a field of seven 3-year-old fillies for next Saturday's 39th edition of the mile stakes that will offer GI Kentucky Oaks qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale. Tracy Farmer's La Cara (Street Sense), who captured the GIII Pocahontas at Churchill Downs last year before concluding her 2024 campaign with a fifth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar, enters the Davona Dale off a 6 1/4-length romp in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay. The Queens M G (Thousand Words) will also bring graded-stakes credentials into the Davona Dale having captured the GIII Adirondack last season at Saratoga, where she won the Schuylerville Stakes in her previous start. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained daughter of Thousand Words is coming off a third-place finish in the GIII Forward Gal Feb. 1 at Gulfstream in her 2025 debut. Rodeo Creek Racing LLC's Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) is slated to make her 3-year-old debut in the Davona Dale after concluding her 2024 campaign with a second-place finish in the GII Demoiselle at Aqueduct. Lugamo Racing Stable LLC's Frida, Just for Fun Stable Inc.'s My Denysse (Neolithic), and Baron Thoroughbreds LLC's Quinn's Promise (Promises Fulfilled) and Madeline's Promise (Promises Fulfilled), round out the field. The GII Gulfstream Park Mile, a mile stakes for 4-year-olds and up, attracted nine entries including Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Mindframe (Constitution), a Pletcher-trainee who hasn't competed since back-to-back second-place finishers in the GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Invitational last year, and Godolphin's Encino (Nyquist), a winner of four of five races for trainer Brad Cox. The post Fountain Of Youth Draws Field Of 8 To Top Stakes-Heavy $2.15M Saturday Card At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong’s champion galloper almost claimed the world’s richest race on his dirt debut, but was denied by Japan’s Forever Young.View the full article

Multiple grade 3 winner Super Chow, in a change of tactics, steadily ran down Concrete Glory and edged clear to a three-quarter-length victory Feb. 22 in the Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

By Mike Love Dance Till Dawn is enjoying a purple patch of form right. Yesterday the six-year-old mare made it two wins in a row for driver John Dunn and trainers Jenna and Robert Dunn by impressively taking out the Gallagher Insurance Ashburton Cup. “They did run along a majority of the way. I didn’t have to cover any extra ground which was lucky,” said John Dunn. Beginning well from their 10 metre handicap, Dance Till Dawn settled four back the markers and stayed there for the majority of the race. Pacemaker Cardi B broke the field up coming off the back straight leaving Dunn with an opportunity to get off the markers and begin a long sustained run to the line. Tanzania looked a likely winner, but Dance Till Dawn proved too strong at the line to win by a neck with five and a half lengths back to a game Cardi B. A slick overall time of 3:57.2 and a closing half in 56.3 shows the quality of the Art Major mare. “She could’ve run a place in the big mares race a few starts back, but now she’s come out and won her next two, so it’s good for her. “She’s fronted up right from a two-year-old. She’s fronted up against nice two and three-year-olds, and now the good mares. She deserves everything she gets,” said Dunn. With the win, Dance Till Dawn made it two wins in a row after winning at Addington on February 14, and made it career win number 11 with over $280,000 in stakes. Favourite Wish Me Luck settled just beyond midfield before getting into the one-one a lap out but faded as Dance Till Dawn and Tanzania cleared out from their rivals. Other highlights on the programme included debutant Rogue Hero winning race one the Advanced Feed Trot for Ken Ford and Amanda Tomlinson, driven by Clint Ford. The three-year-old Marcoola gelding was the first winner for the sire. Blair Orange drove a treble with Topaz, Luna Dolce and Hilarious Love, with the latter two giving Graham Court a training double. View the full article

Queen Maxima, featured earlier this week on these pages and last seen Jan. 23 registering a facile 3 1/2-length score versus allowance company on the downhill turf course here, put forth a similar display over a sixteenth shorter in her return to stakes competition in Saturday's Wishing Well Stakes at Santa Anita. Second last Sept. 28 in the Unzip Me Stakes to Toupie (Uncle Mo), who proved victorious in the GIII Las Cienegas Stakes Jan. 19, Queen Maxima, sent off at 3-10, drubbed her five foes after biding her time for the opening four furlongs. Angled three-wide into the stretch, she was given her cue by Juan Hernandez and swept past the pacesetter Ma Rae's Girl before going on to a 3 1/2-length tally. Hernandez, who has now ridden her to three consecutive wins since the Unzip Me, said, “She broke really good and I was in a really good spot saving ground on the inside. [Trainer] Jeff [Mullins] told me to ride her with confidence because she was ready to run. I trusted him and trusted my filly. She is press button. You ask and she takes off in two jumps. She did the rest on her own.” Queen Maxima's dam, a four-time winner, has also produced the unraced 3-year-old Gunnevera colt Florida Chrome. She has no reported foals since. WISHING WELL S., $100,500, Santa Anita, 2-22, (C), 4yo/up, f/m, 6fT, 1:07.81, fm. 1–QUEEN MAXIMA, 122, f, 4, Bucchero–Corfu Lady, by Corfu. ($40,000 2yo '23 OBSOPN). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC; B-Saul Rosas (FL); T-Jeff Mullins; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 7-4-2-0, $210,900. 2–Ma Rae's Girl, 120, f, 4, Mendelssohn–Isla, by Unbridled's Song. ($40,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Seymour Jukie and Jack Stable LLC; B-Crosshaven Bloodstock (KY); T-Chief Stipe F. O'Neill. $20,000. 3–Laulne (Fr), 124, f, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Lady Francesca (GB), by Montjeu (Ire). (€750,000 2yo '23 ARARC). O-Madaket Stables LLC, Panic Stable LLC, Gerard Augustin-Normand, Robert V. LaPenta, and William Strauss; B-Franklin Finance S.A. (FR); T-Philip D'Amato. $12,000. Margins: 3HF, 2 3/4, NK. Odds: 0.30, 39.30, 6.50. Also Ran: Stay and Scam, Miss Roberts (GB), Arctic Breeze. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Queen Maxima wins the Wishing Well Stakes@JJHernandezS19 pic.twitter.com/gTX56qa5Jz — Santa Anita Park (@santaanitapark) February 22, 2025 The post Bucchero’s Queen Maxima Wins Wishing Well appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Extreme Choice—Newgate Farm's subfertile sensation—has done it again, with his son Devil Night's stirring victory in the Feb. 22 Blue Diamond Stakes (G1) once again showcasing the stallion's ballistic siring prowess.View the full article

Group 1-placed Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Jpn}) died in a training accident in Dubai earlier this week, owner Edward Ware announced on X. The 6-year-old gelding had won the G2 Zabeel Mile at Meydan in January, and finished 4 1/2 lengths behind Saturday's $20-million G1 Saudi Cup second Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the G1 Jebel Hatta there on Jan 24. He was trained by the father-son training duo of Simon and Ed Crisford. “Terrible news yesterday that the magnificent, brave and talented Poker Face passed away after an accident in training in Dubai,” Ware posted. “He was being prepared for Super Saturday.” Bred by Rockhart Trading, the bay was a 95,000gns purchase out of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 by Richard Frisby Bloodstock and went on to be a dual group winner in France, a multiple stakes winner in England, and place five more times at group level throughout his career. His record stands at 21-8-7-0 and $704,096 in earnings. The post Jebel Hatta Second Poker Face Dies At Six appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Fair Grounds, $54,000, Alw (NW2$X)/Opt. Clm ($50,000), 2-22, 4yo/up, 6f, 1:08.97, ft, 5 1/2 lengths. MONTALCINO (c, 4, Take Charge Indy–Upstager, by Distorted Humor), who was named a 'TDN Rising Star' after an authoritative six-length tally over a furlong further Oct. 4 at Keeneland, showed abundant speed from the gate to win in a similar fashion under his regular pilot Jose Ortiz. The winner of his Sept. 1 seven-furlong unveiling at Saratoga was last seen in his local debut Nov. 28 when he was reeled in by the slimmest of margins by the accomplished GSW and millionaire Miles Ahead (Competitive Edge) in the Thanksgiving Classic Stakes. Freshened since, the 1-5 favorite in this field of five controlled the pace from the outset and prevailed by 5 1/2 lengths over Deer District (Oscar Performance). His unraced dam, who hails from the female family that produced Drosselmeyer, winner of the 2010 GI Belmont Stakes and the 2011 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, has a yearling City of Light filly and was bred to Army Mule for this term. Sales History: $410,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $198,043. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Twin Brook Stables, Runnels Racing and Henley Farms Inc.; B-Henley Farms Inc. (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. The post Take Charge Indy’s ‘Rising Star’ Montalcino Sharp at Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jastar Capital, Polivka Equine Holdings, and Timothy Madden's White Rocks grabbed the lead at the break and never looked back, securing a victory in the $175,000 Cincinnati Trophy Stakes at Turfway Park Feb. 21 on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.View the full article

5th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 2-22, 3yo, 5fT, :54.74, fm, 4 lengths. PIVOTAL MOMENT (c, 3, Bolt d'Oro–Tipping Point, by Speightstown), third as the favorite after getting steadied at the start in his unveiling sprinting over the Aqueduct turf June 23, proved well worth the wait as the 9-5 favorite here. Adding blinkers and Lasix for this, he was outsprinted in sixth early, launched an eye-catching, sweeping move on the far turn and continued on in very impressive fashion down the stretch to win by a geared-down, four lengths. Proudly Hailed (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) was second. The winner is a half to Blame J D (Blame), SW, $300,919; a 2-year-old filly named Missy Moosey (Mendelssohn); and a yearling filly by Mo Town. Tipping Point was bred to Maximus Mischief for 2025. Sales history: $90,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $330,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $52,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Steven Bouchey & Steven Rocco; B-James W. Matheney (KY); T-Christophe Clement. Pivotal Moment and @bravoace impressively score in the 5th race for @clementstable. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/0GKVk2s0f3 — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) February 22, 2025 The post Bolt d’Oro Colt Earns Diploma in Style Over Gulfstream Lawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Just as her arch nemesis has disappeared, Practical Magic must contend with another smart trotter. The in-form mare heads to the second day of Cromwell’s big weekend of harness racing seeking a deserved win after four second placings. The last three of those have come at the hands of the rejuvenated Hidden Talent, who has proven to be unstoppable over the past month. While trainer Phil Williamson rates Practical Magic ($4.40) a strong hope of breaking through in Race 9, the Anderson Park Motel Handicap Trot (4.28pm) for a thoroughly deserved win, he knows she has another classy contender to overcome. “I think Eurokash ($1.90) is the one to beat but our mare is definitely the hardest horse for him to beat,” Williamson said. “He has to give us 30m which is a good advantage to us.” Practical Magic has been a great find for the Williamson stable over summer, placing in nine of her 12 starts. While she has put in a few rough steps in some of her stronger efforts, she only seems to be getting more fluent. “I think she is getting confidence in herself and confidence in her gait.” “She has shocked us with how she has kept improving.” “Her form was just OK but she has just kept getting better and better.” Williamson starts three horses in Sunday’s feature trot at Cromwell with Jimmy Carter and Majestic Love stepping out alongside Practical Magic. Jimmy Carter has been on his best behaviour in his last two starts, but he’s only produced fair fourth placings for a horse of his ability. “His run on Friday was pretty ordinary by his standards and I couldn’t really put a finger on why.” “It is good to see him doing things right, but he would need to go better than that if he was going to be a chance on Sunday.” Majestic Love made an early error at Cromwell on Friday and will need to improve her manners to feature on day two. Our Pinocchio will attempt to go one better than his second placing on day one when backing up for Williamson on Sunday. There are plusses and minuses as the seven-year-old approaches his second start in three days. “He isn’t the best traveller, so being up here is an advantage for him.” “But he is a big, lean machine so the back-up is not ideal for a horse like him.” “He went a good race on Friday, the race was run upside down a bit and he was beaten by a horse off the pace.” “He would have to be an each way chance again.” Williamson also starts his maidener Didn’t Di, who looks a place chance after being checked on day one. View the full article

The 12th race at Oaklawn Feb. 23 will mark the debut of JRita Young Thoroughbreds' Mayor. The gelding is named after the late Van Buren, Ark., mayor Allen Toothaker, father of Spendthrift Farm's Mark Toothaker.View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Sunday, February 23. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Ballarat, Nowra & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – February 23, 2025 Ballarat Racing Tips Nowra Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 23, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC's Burnham Square (Liam's Map), who last captured the GIII Holy Bull Stakes Feb. 1, breezed five furlongs in 1:01.05 (2/13) Saturday morning at Palm Meadows in preparation for next Saturday's GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park. The Ian Wilkes-trained colt finished the workout at Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County on even terms with stablemate Into Champagne (Into Mischief), who finished second in the GII Davona Dale Stakes and third in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks last year, before galloping out with energy. “It was a solid five-eighths in 1:01,” said Wilkes. “He galloped out good. I loved the gallop-out. He galloped out really well. All good! He came off the track happy.” At Palm Beach Downs, CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC's 'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music) and Donegal Racing's Gate to Wire (Munnings) breezed a half-mile in company in :49.50 (11/22) Saturday morning for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. River Thames is scheduled to make his two-turn debut in the Fountain of Youth while Gate to Wire is also set to make his two-turn debut next Saturday after upsetting the seven-furlong Swale by nine lengths on the Holy Bull undercard. St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Thoroughbreds' Keep It Easy (Hard Spun) also tuned up for the Fountain of Youth with a half-mile breeze in :48.72 (37/115) at Gulfstream Park. The Dale Romans-trainee is slated to make his 2025 debut next Saturday after taking the Ed Brown Stakes to finish out 2024. The post Holy Bull Winner Burnham Square Leads Fountain Of Youth Workers Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stop me if you've heard this one before. Japanese-trained runners dominated the Saudi Cup meeting, landing the big race itself and a clean sweep of the turf races, while peppering results elsewhere on the card with placed finishers. A little sprinkling of European spice was added to the mix in the French breeding of the G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup winner Shin Emperor (Fr), whose heritage is shared by Christophe Lemaire, rider of the G2 1351 Turf Sprint winner Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) but now just as much a son of Japan as of France. Irish native and British champion jockey Oisin Murphy got in on the act, too, when delivering Byzantine Dream (Jpn) for the turf hat-trick in the G2 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap, but this was as much as the European raiders could claim credit for as Japan came out on top across the range of distances. In six years of the Saudi Cup meeting, Japanese horses have now won 50 per cent of the runnings of the 1351 Turf Sprint, Red Sea Turf Handicap, Riyadh Dirt Sprint and Saudi Derby, while the Neom Turf Cup has gone Japan's way twice. Moreover, Forever Young (Jpn) and Panthalassa (Jpn) have struck gold in two of the last three runnings of the G1 Saudi Cup, making Yoshito Yahagi the outstanding trainer of the meeting with six victories to his credit. Alan Carasso was on the scene in Riyadh for TDN and has a full report here on the epic Saudi Cup battle between Forever Young and Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior (Ire). The meeting had started well for Yahagi when he landed the Howden Neom Turf Cup for the first time with Shin Emperor. From first electing to buy the Siyouni (Fr) colt for a sale-topping €2.1 million at Arqana in August 2022, Yahagi, the most intrepid of all the Japanese trainers, hasn't shirked a battle with the perky chestnut. Expectations were high from the outset – after all, Shin Emperor is a full-brother to the Arc and Prix du Jockey Club winner Sottsass (Fr) – and indeed this penultimate foal of the celebrated Ecurie des Monceaux matriarch Starlet's Sister (Ire) has deliverered in each of his three seasons in training to date. Runner-up to future G1 Arima Kinen winner Regaleira (Jpn) in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at two, Shin Emperor, already a Grade 3 winner on only his second start, went on to run third in last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) before being beaten only a length when third in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes behind Economics (GB) and Auguste Rodin (Ire). He finished last year with yet another high-class performance to be second by a neck in the G1 Japan Cup. Gritty is the only way to describe his hard-earned victory in Riyadh. Setting out to make the running, he was pestered most of the way on the lead by Trustyourinstinct (Ire) and, as the chasing pack fanned across the track in the home stretch, Shin Emperor briefly looked under threat of attack from a clutch of European runners. His tenacity could not be matched, however, and Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), the winner of last year's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis who has subsequently switched from the Lerner stable to Fawzi Nass, eventually finished best of the rest to take second up the rail from from the Joseph O'Brien-trained fellow Group 1 winner Al Riffa (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). “We planned to go to the front,” said Shin Emperor's jockey Ryusei Sakai, whose day would only get better. He added, “I knew I was going to win.” Yahagi was similarly bullish. “Shin Emperor was definitely the best horse in the field,” he said. “With 200 metres remaining, I was convinced he would win.” The trainer added that the Dubai Sheema Classic is next on his international wish list for Shin Emperor and it was no surprise to hear that Yahagi is also considering appearances at Ascot and York. Japan then landed the one-two in the 1351 Turf Sprint when the similarly tough filly Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) outgunned long-time leader Win Marvel (Jpn) (I'll Have Another) in the dying strides. Trained by Yoichi Kuroiwa, Ascoli Piceno, a granddaughter of the G1 Fillies' Mile winner Listen (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), was the class act of the field, having landed the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies before finishing second last year in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas). The Sunday Racing team celebrates Ascoli Piceno's win | JCSA “Today the track is very, very fast, so the horse in front was difficult to catch up with, but she battled bravely,” said Christophe Lemaire. “It was a shorter distance than she usually runs over, but she follows easily in a race and today, being fresh, she was straight into a good rhythm and I knew that she was going to produce a great performance.” Oisin Murphy may not enjoy quite the same level of adulation as that given to Lemaire but he is nonetheless immensely popular with Japanese racing fans after several stints riding in the country and having won the Japan Cup in 2019 aboard Suave Richard (Jpn). His standing is now doubtless greater still after a perfect hold-up ride on Kazumi Yoshida's four-year-old Byzantine Dream (Jpn (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) for what was ultimately a bloodless victory over David O'Meara's fast-finishing Epic Poet (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and 2023 St Leger winner Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who was the sole Ballydoyle representative at the meeting. Like Ascoli Piceno, Byzantine Dream was bred by Northern Farm, while Forever Young was bred by the associated Northern Racing, ensuring a memorable day for Katsumi Yoshida's powerful operation. Byzantine Dream and Oisin Murphy | JCSA “These are very famous colours and it was great to wear them and get on him,” said Murphy. “He had a good run in the Japanese St Leger, only beaten four lengths, and that was good enough here. “He has a great turn of foot and I never had to touch his mouth on the run around and that always helps. From the time we went by the winning post the first time, as long as I did everything right, from there he was going to win.” It all sounds so easy really. Japan's four winners will take home roughly $14 million between them, and with seven of the 17 Japanese-trained runners managing a top-three finish at King Abdulaziz racecourse on Saturday, it's little wonder that confidence continues to run so high. The post Fab Four Continues Japan’s Extraordinary Run in Riyadh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article