Wandering Eyes

International Jockeys’ Championship winner Silvestre de Sousa is hoping to strike while the iron is hot on Sunday to cap what could be a huge week for the Brazilian. De Sousa is the in-form rider in Hong Kong at the moment, riding four winners and three placings in his past 16 starts and rising above the world’s best on Wednesday night. Currently riding on a four-month contract in Hong Kong, De Sousa has managed to secure a swag of eight rides for the Longines Hong Kong... View the full article

It was an early-morning drug testing operation at the Sha Tin stables that introduced me to the integrity that Hong Kong racing needs to thrive. For many in Hong Kong, the stringent testing regimes may seem second nature, but as an outsider looking in, the lengths the Jockey Club goes to in order to protect its product never ceases to amaze me. As part of my role on CNN International’s Winning Post show, we attended Sha Tin’s (remarkable multi-storey) stables at 3:45am in the... View the full article

Hong Kong’s champion jockey Zac Purton was taught to ride horses on an Australian beach as a wiry 14-year-old looking for a way out of school. Purton’s former master Trevor Hardy took the then country boy under his wing, with his special talents quickly bubbling to the surface despite having never ridden a horse before stepping foot in his stables. In Hong Kong to watch his former apprentice – who is poised to win the Group One Longines Hong Kong Mile on champion horse Beauty... View the full article

The Hong Kong jockey’s merry-go-round goes into overdrive at this time of year and Karis Teetan is one rider who knows it all to well, but it will matter little if Mr Stunning can salute in Sunday’s Longines Hong Kong Sprint. Teetan lost the ride on Pakistan Star for the Vase after riding him for his past three starts and also partnered Mr Stunning early in his career before getting the boot for Joao Moreira, but things could come the sweetest of full circles for the Mauritian this... View the full article

He is a stalwart of Hong Kong racing and for Ronald Arculli, it seems winning and losing pales in insignificance compared to the sheer enjoyment he takes out of his involvement in the sport. Arculli has a long and storied history in Hong Kong racing, serving as the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s chairman from 2002-2006 and owning “over 100 horses”. He will again be front and centre on the territory’s biggest day when his horse Red Verdon runs in Sunday’s Longines Hong... View the full article

Lim's Cruiser chilling on D-Day minus one View the full article

Horses' test results December 8 View the full article

TH Koh suspended for two days View the full article

A year after the devastating fire that killed 46 horses at San Luis Rey Training Center, the horrifying memories are still fresh. View the full article

Henry Ford once said: “My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” For Andrew Byrd, an 11-year-old from Port St Lucie, FL, his first best friend was a horse named Bridger who came into his life two years ago. Andrew rode Bridger every week at Holly Creek STAR Hippotherapy Center. They rode at a walk and Andrew told Bridger all of his dreams and secrets. When Andrew’s parents had to tell him of Bridger’s sudden death, they knew he would be devastated. Andrew, who is extremely kind and empathetic, suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome. “He cried for Bridger every day for weeks,” says Georgia Byrd, Andrew’s adopted mother. “It wasn’t getting better. We didn’t know what to do because we never thought we would find another horse like Bridger who would be so kind and patient with Andrew.” His sadness did not abate. After a few weeks, Andrew’s therapist had an idea. She brought the family to meet Katie Schmit at Florida TRAC. Schmit knew they were looking for a hippotherapy horse that would spend most of his time walking or just being a buddy. She brought out Kitty Litter, a Florida-bred of 2004 by Catienus who ran 65 times in his five-year career and earned $51,628. Andrew rode Kitty and they immediately connected. Georgia Byrd recalls: “After their ride, Andy came over to me and said, ‘I like him. And, I think he likes me.'” The Byrds made the decision to adopt Kitty Litter on the spot. “I felt Kitty Litter would be a good choice for Georgia’s family as he is so calm, self-assured and nonchalant,” recalls Schmit. “We saw, over the years, that the more time and attention we gave Kitty Litter, the more he tuned into us, listened and tried to please. So, I felt he would thrive in this special role.” “He is kind and tries incredibly hard to do what is asked of him,” Schmit added. “There isn’t a mean or argumentative bone in his body.” Kitty Litter has been renamed Panda Bear by Andrew, who is known by his family as Panda Boy. The entire family showers kindness, carrots and apples on Panda Bear, and all of the horses at the farm. Andrew’s sister Faith is also learning-disabled and has her own horse, an Arab named Gizmo. “We thank God every day for Florida TRAC for giving Andy his best friend, Panda Bear,” said Georgia Byrd. “The kids can be having a really rough day but the horses change everything,” explained their father Barry Byrd. “The kids become calm and content in their work. They love to be with their horses, groom them and generally care for them as well as ride.” Andrew and his sister brush and tack their horses with help from their parents, who watch over the activities. Then, the siblings ride their horses all over the property which is entirely fenced in. Panda patiently ambles with Andrew and never offers to break from a walk. While Andrew still fondly remembers Bridger, he says about his new horse Panda Bear: “He is my best buddy.” Florida TRAC has adopted out hundreds of horses. Matches like Kitty Litter and Andrew Byrd are special because of the uniqueness of their bond. “While we have placed several wonderful OTTBs as companions and therapy horses, as well as into upper level show barns, the majority of our horses are adopted by amateur pleasure riders, many of whom show at various levels in a wide variety of disciplines,” explained Schmit. “That’s the beauty of the OTTB; there isn’t much they aren’t good at.” On making this match, Schmit says: “It’s the best feeling in the world. It’s a life-changing win for Andrew, and for Panda Bear, too. There is nothing more gratifying than seeing these horses find their purpose, as they thrive on having one as well as being appreciated and loved. Andrew deserved a very special horse and I am so happy Panda Bear found the special spot!” “I know how much the horses I have had in my life have affected me,” added Schmit. “Seeing the team make a match like the one between Andrew and Panda feels like just a bit of my debt getting paid back for the happiness these animals have brought me in my life.” For more information about Florida TRAC, go to www.fltrac.org. Diana Pikulski is the editor of the Thoroughbred Adoption Network, a searchable online database of adoptable off-track Thoroughbreds. View the full article

Multiple graded stakes champ and fan favorite Melmich seeks his second Valedictory crown, while stablemate Pumpkin Rumble goes after his third straight score on the season, both sent out by trainer Kevin Attard. View the full article

LAKE LOCAL (f, 2, Street Boss–White Waves, by Any Given Saturday), unveiled at 3-1 here, hustled up to press fellow firster Gun Club (Trappe Shot) from second through early fractions of :21.92 and :46.47. The pair battled down the lane with Lake Local forging past her rival late and extending clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:05.61. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Michael Stidham. View the full article

The New York Racing Association has announced the track announcer schedule for the 2018-19 winter and spring meets at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

After winning the first 13 races of his career in Mexico and sweeping that country's Triple Crown, Kukulkan will take on the top horses from his region in the $300,000 Caribbean Classic Stakes Dec. 8 at Gulfstream Park. View the full article

In 2017, Irad Ortiz Jr. was a frequent visitor to the Clasico Internacional del Caribe winner's circle, capturing three of the five stakes in the event held at Gulfstream Park for the first time. View the full article

Odanis Acuna, a veteran exercise rider for trainer Kenny McPeek, died last month during a training accident at Churchill Downs. He was 42. On behalf of his wife and children, the McPeek Racing Family has been raising money through a GoFundMe page-currently up to more than $123,000–to ease the financial burden during this very difficult time. Click here to donate. View the full article

Seeking the Soul (Perfect Soul {Ire}), winner of last term’s GI Clark H. and runner-up in the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 3, is targeting the $9-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park. “I’m looking forward to it,” trainer Dallas Stewart said. “The horse is doing great.” The Charles E. Fipke homebred, third as the favorite while attempting to defend his title in the Clark Nov. 2, returned to the worktab with a four-furlong breeze in :51.00 (88/115) at Fair Grounds Nov. 23. “He was second in the Breeders’ Cup to a very nice horse, and he’s competed well all year,” Stewart said. “He just had one bad race up at Saratoga for some reason, but a lot of horses get off form up there. The horse has had a really good year. He didn’t do so well in the Clark, but he didn’t do bad. He came out of it good.” Calumet Farm’s True Timber (Mineshaft), a strong second in the GI Cigar Mile H. Dec. 1, is also Pegasus bound. He is the second horse owned by Calumet Farm targeting the Pegasus following the announcement by Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas that Bravazo (Awesome Again) would be heading in that direction, too. “He ran a huge race in the Cigar Mile and he galloped out really strong, so we talked it over with the owners and decided to point for the Pegasus,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “It’s a big event and hopefully we get in there and run good and everything works out and we enjoy the day.” View the full article

Even as Frankie Dettori accepted his fancy watch as 2018 Longines World's Best Jockey during the Hong Kong International Races festivities Dec. 7, he was looking ahead to another stellar year in 2019, and a few more years to come. View the full article

5th-AQU, $68,000, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, post time: 2:47 p.m. ET Don Alberto Stable’s BIRDY NUM (Tapit), a $1-million Keeneland September yearling purchase, debuts for trainer Tom Albertrani. The gray filly is the second foal out of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can (Proud Citizen) and she is a full-sister to stakes winner and graded stakes placed Believe in Royalty. Also debuting is Magic Cap Stables’ Katama Moonlight (Malibu Moon), a full-sister to graded stakes winner Noble Moon. Trained by Chad Brown, the bay filly was a $400,000 Keeneland September purchase. Kiaran McLaughlin sends out Cheyenne Stables’ Cariba (Cairo Prince). The $400,000 Keeneland September yearling was fifth going 6 1/2 furlongs at this track in her Nov. 3 debut. TJCIS PPs. 8th-GPX, $60,000, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 4:05 p.m. ET Robert Masiello’s OWNITIFYOUWANTIT (Midshipman) debuts for trainer Tom Albertrani. The colt sold for $435,000 after working a furlong in :10 flat at this year’s OBS April sale. Todd Pletcher saddles Repole Stable’s firster Sea Shark (Bernardini), a $310,000 Keeneland September yearling. The bay colt is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes winner Merry Meadow (Henny Hughes). TJCIS PPs. View the full article

It’s close, but I’m siding with Accelerate because he raced all year long and won all the Grade I races he was in, five of them. His only loss was by a neck to a horse (City of Light) who was an impressive winner in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. That’s an impressive resume to me. I’m not one of those people who thinks, ‘It’s always been done this way, so it’s got to be done this way now.’ In terms of tradition in racing, I know there are a lot of people who say a Triple Crown winner should be Horse of the Year no matter what. I just don’t think that way. If Justify had raced all year long it would be a slam dunk. But since we didn’t get to see that, as impressive as he looked in the Triple Crown, when you look back at it, how good was that crop of 3-year-olds? I’m not sure that they were that great. He won his races in slow times and the Belmont S. was run in a controversial manner. All those things factor into my decision. If Justify had been the first Triple Crown winner in 40 years, I am sure a lot of people would be looking at this differently. But I’m not looking at it that way. I’m not saying the Triple Crown is easy to win. What I’m looking at is the two horses side by side. While it was impressive that he was undefeated, he only raced for four months, he raced against a group where I’m not sure how strong the quality was and we never got a chance to see him race against older horses. Jagow is an Eclipse Award voter. View the full article

In Response to Bill Finley’s Dec. 7 Op/Ed: Times Have Changed: Eclipse Awards Need Rules What really should happen, but it probably won’t because that’s just the way it is, champions in each division should be determined as they are in every country in Europe, by the rating assigned by a designated handicapper or group of handicappers. It should not be left in the hands of voters, who in too many instances, are either ill informed or biased. If you want to have an Eclipse Award for popularity like the Cartier Awards, go ahead and do that. Cartier Award winners are not recognized as champions in sales catalogs, which is where it counts. You can still do that. But year-end handicap ratings to assess the runners in each discipline are actually done by The Jockey Club and should designate our champions. -Barry Irwin, CEO Team Valor International View the full article

Even as Frankie Dettori accepted his fancy watch as 2018 Longines World's Best Jockey during the Hong Kong International Races festivities Dec. 7, he was looking ahead to another stellar year in 2019, and a few more years to come. View the full article

In 2017 Irad Ortiz Jr. was a frequent visitor to the Clasico Internacional del Caribe winner's circle, capturing three of the five stakes in the event held at Gulfstream Park for the first time. View the full article

Grade 1-winning millionaire Seeking the Soul and multiple graded stakes-placed True Timber are both headed to the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park, the track confirmed Dec. 7. View the full article

Stud David Y Daniel's El Kurdo, second in the Invitational Cup Stakes during last year's Clasico Internacional del Caribe program, will have a chance to improve that finish Dec. 8 at Gulfstream Park. View the full article