Wandering Eyes

Beauty Generation started this season way down the pecking order in his own stable, let alone overall, but now sits in the box seat for Horse of the Year honours after a third top-level victory of the term. Yet another tough on-pace display from the robust gelding in the Group One Champions Mile was probably enough to seal the award after Group One wins in the Hong Kong Mile and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup. If Beauty Generation does win, it would mean trainer John Moore has trained the... View the full article

As far as group 1 reintroductions go, Sunday’s Prix Ganay was nothing other than straightforward for Anthony Oppenheimer’s G1 Champion S. hero Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) as he treated the ParisLongchamp crowd to an early-season treat. Positioned behind the Godolphin pacemaker Wren’s Day (Medaglia d’Oro) by Frankie Dettori, the 3-5 favourite avoided a tactical conundrum and although it took until just before the furlong pole to properly master that surprise package, he strode away in his Frankel-esque style to win by four lengths, with last year’s winner Cloth of Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) finishing 3/4 of a length behind his little-known stablemate Wren’s Day, a 24-1 shot, in third. For John Gosden, it was mission accomplished with a welcome minimum of fuss. “That was a perfect race with a good even regular pace and they did not just quicken at the end,” he said. “He quickened very nicely and it was a great race for his first start of the season. The plan is definitely to come here for the first Sunday in October and he will run again soon, possibly in the [G1] Tattersalls Gold Cup [at The Curragh] or the G1 Prince of Wales’s S. [at Royal Ascot]. He will have a summer freshener before the Arc.” Oppenheimer added, “The new Longchamp is a lovely place and we are very happy to be here. We’ll definitely come back for the Arc.” Having provided Frankel’s take-off as a sire at Ascot six months ago, Cracksman could ensure the Juddmonte giant stays on an upward trajectory throughout 2018. His dam, the soft-ground loving Rhadegunda (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), was also responsible for the G3 Solario S. scorer Fantastic Moon (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and her 3-year-old Military Band (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) is held in some regard by Saeed bin Suroor despite finishing unplaced in Newmarket’s Wood Ditton S. earlier this month. The third dam is the 1000 Guineas and Sussex S. heroine On the House (Be My Guest), whose descendants include the G2 Royal Lodge S. winner Leo (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and who is related to the G1 Coronation S. winner Rebecca Sharp (GB) (Machiavellian) and these connections’s G1 Epsom Derby, G1 Eclipse S. and G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Sunday, Longchamp, France PRIX GANAY – PRIX DE L’INAUGURATION DE PARISLONGCHAMP-G1, €600,000, LCP, 4-29, 4yo/up, 10 1/2fT, 2:09.44, gd. 1–CRACKSMAN (GB), 128, c, 4, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Rhadegunda (GB) (SW-Fr), by Pivotal (GB) 2nd Dam: St Radegund (GB), by Green Desert 3rd Dam: On the House, by Be My Guest O-Anthony Oppenheimer; B-Hascombe & Valiant Studs (GB); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. €342,840. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 9.5-11f, G1SW-Eng & G1SP-Ire, 8-6-1-1, €1,924,970. *1/2 to Fantastic Moon (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), GSW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Wren’s Day, 128, c, 4, Medaglia d’Oro–Season’s Greetings (Ire), by Ezzoud (Ire). O-Godolphin SNC; B-Darley (KY); T-Andre Fabre. €137,160. 3–Cloth of Stars (Ire), 128, h, 5, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Strawberry Fledge, by Kingmambo. (400,000gns Ylg ’14 TATOCT). O-Godolphin SNC; B-Peter Anastasiou (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €68,580. Margins: 4, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 0.60, 24.00, 3.50. Also Ran: Rhododendron (Ire), Finche (GB), Wild Chief (Ger), Air Pilot (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

Kerm Din heard the whispers as punters peered over newspaper form guides at him in the street, and he read the headlines about his banned racehorse. He wondered how Pakistan Star had gone from a racetrack hero to Hong Kong racing’s very own pantomime villain in the space of 12 months. “For the past year I’ve been hearing things as I walk by people in the street or at the track,” Din said. “But today was beautiful, today the people were asking me to sign things for... View the full article

Ivictory threatened to run out of rating for most of the last 200m of the Chairman’s Sprint Prize after being tossed in at the deep end by John Size, but he swam instead of sinking to give the yard a clean sweep of the season’s short Group Ones and a new season’s prize money record. Size has dominated the sprint stakes races this season so comprehensively that only the first of them, the Group Three National Day Cup, eluded him, he has had the quinella in most of them and his... View the full article

G1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond S. winner Written By (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) is thriving during his current spell away from training according to his trainer Grahame Begg. The 2-year-old tasted defeat for the first time when fourth to Estijaab (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) in the G1 Longines Golden Slipper in March and will continue his down time for another month. “He’s done very well,” Begg told Racing.com on Sunday. “He’s been out just on a month now after his run in the Slipper and he’s got another 3-4 weeks out. He’s up at Cootamundra at Twin Hills Stud, they’re looking after him a treat, and he’s getting out into the paddock in the day, and boxed and rugged at night. I’ve got a trip planned not this week but the week after to go up and visit him,” he added. Begg has already chosen a spring target for Written By and will aim the top finishing Slipper colt at the G1 Coolmore S. at Flemington in November. The last running of the 1200m race was won by Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), subsequently the subject of a major stallion deal by the race sponsor Coolmore Stud and Begg is cognisant of the situation he finds himself in as the custodian of a future sought after stallion prospect. “Definitely his target will be the Coolmore on Derby Day. His whole spring preparation will be tailored around that. There’s been a lot of [stud] enquiries, but nothing’s changed, nothing will come into play until after the spring.” View the full article

If the after card to the Group Ones on Champions Day was intended to highlight the next crop of stars, the operation was a success, even if one patient died. Boom three-year-old sprinter Hot King Prawn came to his first run beyond 1,000m and first around a bend, touted as the next big thing to take on his stablemates Ivictory, Mr Stunning and Beat The Clock next season. His unbeaten record went by the wayside but he still did nothing to dissuade his trainer or anyone else that he’s on... View the full article

1st-SAL, £17,500, Cond, 4-29, 2yo, f, 5fT, 1:06.30, hy. COTUBANAMA (GB) (f, 2, Heeraat {Ire}–Saona Island {GB}, by Bahamian Bounty {GB}), a promising third over this trip in her Apr. 18 debut at Newmarket last time, was steadied off the pace in fifth after a slick getaway here. Making smooth progress from halfway, the 5-1 chance launched her bid entering the final eighth and was kept on well under mild urging to best Haats Off (GB) (Haatef) by 1 3/4 lengths, becoming the first winner for her freshman sire (by Dark Angel {Ire}). “We didn’t know how she’d handle the heavy ground, but we knew she’d come on a lot from Newmarket,” explained Mick Channon. “She jumped well, she settled lovely and finished off her race. We think she’s decent, she was very professional there and we couldn’t have asked for any more.” Half-sister to a yearling filly by Sixties Icon (GB), the homebred bay is the lone performer for her dam Saona Island (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}), herself an unraced granddaughter of Listed Rose Bowl S. victress Ivory Bride (GB) (Domynsky {GB}), who in turn is the dam of Listed Washington Singer S. victor Funfair Wane (GB) (Unfuwain) and Listed Premio Giuseppe de Montel winner Cabcharge Striker (GB) (Rambo Dancer). Sales history: 2,500gns RNA Wlg ’16 TATFOA. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, £12,091. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O/B/T-Mick Channon (GB). View the full article

Should Audible win this year's Kentucky Derby, it will mark the third straight year the Florida Derby (G1) winner has gone on to win the Louisville classic, a stretch that moved the Gulfstream race to the top of the list of Derby preps. View the full article

Godolphin plan to have at least one or possibly two fillies representing them in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday. The team have decided to supplement recent G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S. winner Soliloquy (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for the race while the participation of stable-mate Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi [Ire}) hinges on weather conditions over the coming days. “I have spoken to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and he has decided to supplement Soliloquy for the Guineas following her fine win in the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes,” trainer Charlie Appleby said on Sunday. “We are hopeful that Wild Illusion will also take her chance, but as we have said all along, it all depends on the ground. She does not want it too quick. The forecast is for a dry spell at Newmarket from the middle of the week so we will keep an eye on conditions.” Wild Illusion was last seen belying her 25/1 odds when winning the G1 Total Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day at Chantilly last October and if conditions aren’t deemed suitable for her at the weekend a return trip to France could be on the cards. “If it is on the faster side of good, there will be discussions on whether she should run at Newmarket, or wait and travel to France for their Guineas on Sunday, 13 May,” Appleby added. View the full article

Godolphin’s G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas hope Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) came through a routine weekend workout in good shape with his trainer Charlie Appleby looking forward to the colt taking his chance up the Rowley Mile on Saturday. Masar’s last visit to the course saw him post a stunning nine length win in the G3 Bet365 Craven S. and Appleby reports a smooth prep since then for the 3-year-old who is currently second favourite for the 2000 Guineas behind Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). “Masar came out of the Craven very well and he has pleased at home since that race,” he said. “The signs are good. I’m very happy with him going into the Guineas, and I expect him to give a good account of himself,” he added. Another exciting Godolphin colt that will not take up his Guineas entry is Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The €1.1-million Goffs foal purchase, a winner of the G3 Masar Godolphin Autumn S. at Newmarket last October, will instead test his potential G1 Investec Derby credentials by targeting the G2 Betfred Dante S. at York on May 17. Ghaiyyath spent the winter in Dubai and has a lot to live up to on pedigree. His dam Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas for Dermot Weld in 2006 and since retiring to stud has also produced GI Man O’War S. winner Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who was then sold to Godolphin for 3.7-million guineas at Tattersalls last December. View the full article

Beauty Generation has captured his third Group One of the season with a bold front-running display in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin. The John Moore-trained five-year-old was all the rage in betting, jumping a $1.90 favourite, and he justified the short price with a dominant display. Despite some pressure from Pingwu Spark and Singapore Sling early, Zac Purton held the front and the gelding did the rest, running his rivals into the ground to claim the HK$18 million feature. Western Express and... View the full article

Over the past couple seasons, Chad Brown's operation has put some of the sport's most significant prizes on its mantel. View the full article

Jill Baffert's Dr. Dorr continued his ascent up the class ladder with the most impressive victory of his career April 28 in the $200,000 Californian Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

Driving the crowd to a frenzy as she dug in at the wire, Let It Ride Mom, with jockey Patrick Husbands aboard, split from midpack in the last seconds of the Whimsical Stakes (G3) for a final time of 1:08.96. View the full article

After longshot Space Cadet made most of the running, stablemate Queen Blossom (IRE) took over when it counted to best Causeforcommotion by a half length over the Santa Anita Park course. View the full article

Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute), the likely top two choices in Friday’s GI Kentucky Oaks, each breezed Saturday. The former, a neck away from a perfect six-for-six record and a last-out romping victress of the GI Central Bank Ashland S., covered five panels at Churchill Downs in 1:01.60 (14/55) alongside stablemate Secret House (Tiznow). “She went really good,” said regular rider Florent Geroux as he and Monomoy Girl were coming off the track. “She’s not even tired.” Cox will saddle at least one other Oaks runner in GIII Fantasy S. upsetter Sassy Sienna (Midshipman). The dark bay worked in :49.20 (27/87) for four furlongs Saturday, and it was subsequently announced that the China Horse Club had purchased an interest in the filly from Medallion Racing, Sandra Lazaruk and Jerry McClanahan. CHC co-owner last year’s Oaks winner Abel Tasman (Quality Road). “We are thrilled to partner with the China Horse Club for the Kentucky Oaks, and the remainder of Sassy Sienna’s racing career,” said Medallion Racing manager Phillip Shelton in a release. “They have had incredible success at the top levels of global racing, and all you have to do is look at their success in this race last year with Abel Tasman, and their Derby runners this year, with Justify (Scat Daddy) and Audible (Into Mischief). Mr. Teo Ah Khing and Michael Wallace are incredible judges of talent, and we are looking forward to a great race on Friday.” Added China Horse Club’s Wallace, “Sassy Sienna is an improving 3-year-old. She showed a lot of heart winning the GIII Fantasy S. We are excited to partner with Medallion Racing, and look forward to the Oaks.” Fellow Cox trainee Kelly’s Humor (Midnight Lute) is also pointing for the Oaks, but would need four defections to make it into the field. If she fails to get a spot, she’ll instead contest the GII Eight Belles S. earlier on the card. The Thrash homebred worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 (28/55) Saturday. Meanwhile, out west, the talented Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) tuned up for her showdown with Monomoy Girl, et al. The super-impressive GI Santa Anita Oaks heroine stopped the clock in 1:13.80 (5/16) in Arcadia. (XBTV Video) Jockey Martin Pedroza was up for the spin, but Mike Smith will ride on Friday. “Martin knows her well and he does right by her,” trainer Bill Spawr said. “I wanted her to finish strong today and she did. I had her galloping out in [1:27] and change, which is just what I wanted. She’s doing really well.” View the full article

Kyoto plays host to the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) on Sunday, and Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), the lone Group 1 winner in the 17-strong field, has been duly favoured in the 3200-metre affair. Given a morning line of $3.80, the chestnut earned his top-level win in last November’s G1 Japan Cup in Tokyo, and was a solid third in the G1 Arima Kinen to Horse of the Year Kitasan Black (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}) at Nakayama on Christmas Eve before a puzzling 13th in the Apr. 1 G1 Osaka Hai. “I think his workload and times in training have been just right going into this long distance race,” said trainer Yasuo Tomomichi. “He’s finished second and third in this race already, and with the winner [Kitasan Black] not lining up this time, he must have a good chance, especially taking into account his record at the track. I’d hope for the ground not to come up soft.” Second choice is $5.40 shot Clincher (Jpn) (Deep Sky {Jpn}), who was the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) bridesmaid at Kyoto in October. The 4-year-old relished the soft going of the G2 Kyoto Kinen on Feb. 11, and was third to MGSW & MG1SP Rainbow Line (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) and GSW Satono Chronicle (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten on Mar. 18. Said trainer Hiroshi Miyamoto, “I had his race jockey [Kosei Miura] ride the horse this past week, and he was impressed by the horse. His training times have been good, and he’s a horse with natural stamina. This past year he’s developed a lot. I think he’s suited to the Kyoto course, and his condition will be 100% going into the race. I think he can adapt to a fast time, but the real key is getting him to find a good rhythm over the 3,200 meters.” Ganko (Jpn) (Nakayama Festa {Jpn}), riding a two-race winning streak, steps up to Group 1 level for the first time here. Third in the G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai at Kyoto over 2400 meters on Jan. 14, he returned with a win in the Shorai S. there Feb. 11. The Shigeki Matsumoto trainee claimed his first group crown in the 2500-metre G2 Nikkei Sho switched to Nakayama on Mar. 24, with Chestnut Coat (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) second and G1SP Tosen Basil (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) fifth. View the full article

Last year’s champion juvenile and last-out GII Blue Grass S. hero Good Magic (Curlin) was one of right hopefuls for next Saturday’s GI Kentucky Derby who put in their final breezes a week out from the Run for the Roses. With exercise rider Walter Malasquez up, the e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables representative was officially clocked in 1:01.20 (7/49) for five furlongs under the Twin Spires with gallop-out times of 1:13.80 and 1:27.20 for six and seven panels, respectively. “This is as good as he’s ever worked,” trainer Chad Brown said. “He won the [GI] Breeders’ Cup [Juvenile] last year off of a really, really good breeze. It’s really taken all winter and spring to get him right to what we see today, at his very best.” Brown added, “Headed to the pole the horse showed great energy. Actually, a little keen, but manageable. My rider, Walter, gets along with this horse, he’s been galloping him every day and he’s been breezing him. They have great chemistry together and he got him settled and focused when they started the breeze. From there on it was very smooth, well within himself.” Bolt d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro), second in Eclipse Award voting behind Good Magic for 2017 champion juvenile, stretched his legs at his Santa Anita home base. The two-time Grade I winner was piloted by three-time Derby winner Victor Espinoza, who will be aboard him in the afternoon for the first time next Saturday. He covered four furlongs in :48.20 (10/70) while seemingly well within himself (XBTV Video). “Victor never moved a hand on him,” said owner/trainer Mick Ruis. “He went around there easy as could be. We didn’t need any more with him. We put that seven-eighths [work] into him last week [April 22] and he’s got all his air now. Heck, if after his win in the [GII] San Felipe and [second in] the [GI] Santa Anita Derby and that good work last week–if that isn’t enough to have him ready for this race–then we shouldn’t be there.” Bolt d’Oro will fly to Louisville Monday along with other members of the California contingent heading out for the big week of racing. Saturday’s other Derby workers were: • GII Risen Star S. upsetter Bravazo (Awesome Again), Churchill Downs, 5f, 1:01.40 (11/54). “He’s doing really good,” said Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. “It’s always great to have a horse in the Derby–even though this year’s field is tougher than others.” • Last year’s GI Champagne S. winner Firenze Fire (Poseidon’s Warrior), 4f, :50 flat, 52/83. Trainer Jason Servis said: “It was just a maintenance move. It was fine. He is supposed to leave at 11 in the morning and be at Churchill Monday.” • Consistent GIII Sam F. Davis S. hero Flameaway (Scat Daddy), 4f, :47.80 (2/87) in Louisville. “I honestly couldn’t ask for anything better,” conditioner Mark Casse said. “We had radios on the rider, so we stopped him at about the three-sixteenths pole to slow him down because he was going to work faster than I’ve ever seen him work. He’s not much of a workhorse normally, but he’s gotten a little more aggressive and worked better here I would say.” • Dale Romans trainees Free Drop Billy (Union Rags), 4f, :49.40 (31/87); and Promises Fulfilled (Shackleford), 5f, 1:00.40 (4/54)-both at Churchill. “It would mean everything to me to get a win in the Derby,” Romans, a Louisville native, said. “I keep sounding like a broken record telling everyone how badly I want a Derby win. When I broke Bill [Mott’s Churchill wins] record last fall it was probably one of the greatest moments of my career. I never thought I’d get as emotional as I did. It truly meant a lot to me and I can only dream of what it would be like to win the Kentucky Derby.” • GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Blended Citizen (Proud Citizen), currently first on the bubble to make it into the field, one mile at Keeneland in 1:41.60 (1/2). View the full article

The China Horse Club has purchased an interest in Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Sassy Sienna from Medallion Racing, Sandra Lazaruk, and Jerry McClanahan. View the full article

The son of Medaglia d'Oro will wear Spendthrift Farm silks in the Kentucky Derby as a gift to B. Wayne Hughes on behalf of the colt's owner and racing partner, Mick Ruis. View the full article

Keeneland concluded its 2018 Spring Meet Friday with all-sources wagering on Keeneland racing totalling $157,172,604 for the 16-day Spring Meet, which ran Apr. 6-27. The figure, which ranked just behind the record of $158,640,591 set during the 16-day 2013 Spring Meet, represented a 14.39% increase over the $137,399,556 recorded during last year’s 15-day Spring Meet. Average daily all-sources wagering of $9,823,288 rose 7.24% from $9,159,970 in 2017. Keeneland set wagering records for all-sources handle on Toyota Blue Grass Day, April 7. Total all-sources handle was $22,634,861, surpassing the previous record of $21,736,983 set Apr. 9, 2016. On-track attendance and wagering were just shy of last year’s Spring Meet totals despite inclement weather for the meet’s opening two weekends. Total attendance of 250,475 was nearly even with last spring’s 252,247. Average daily attendance of 15,655 was just short of the 16,816 in 2017. On-track wagering this spring was $17,457,750 compared to $17,668,979 last spring. Average daily on-track handle was $1,091,109 versus $1,177,932 in 2017. “This was an exceptionally successful Spring Meet in so many ways–from near-record handle to robust attendance and racing of the highest caliber,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “Mother Nature threw us a curve ball or two, but the sometimes inclement weather never dampened the tremendous enthusiasm of our fans. We are extremely grateful to the community, our horsemen and corporate partners for their tremendous support throughout the spring.” Heading the divisional leaders, a trio of owners registered four victories each during the spring meet: Marc Detampel, G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and Ken and Sarah Ramsey. In the training division, Wesley Ward and Brad Cox tied for the top spot with 13 wins each, while Florent Geroux amassed the most wins for a jockey with 19 victories. It was both Geroux and Detampel’s first Keeneland titles. View the full article

One day after her sister-in-law Katie Walsh retired, Nina Carberry also hung up her tack, after winning her final race, the Dooley Insurances Cross Country Chase at Punchestown aboard Josies Orders (Ire) (Milan {GB}) for trainer Enda Bolger and owner J P McManus. “It was really sweet to finish off on Josies Orders,” said Carberry. “I think either way I’d have stopped today, whether I’d won or not, I’d chosen a couple of weeks ago that I’d do it this afternoon. Enda has been a massive supporter and I wouldn’t have had all the Cheltenham winners without him and J P as well. I’m sad and I’m happy. I’m sad that I’m finished and going to miss all the banter but happy that I’ve got a new career ahead of me. View the full article

Godolphin’s Impending (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), winner of the G1 Stradbroke H. as a 3-year-old, padded his resume prior to retiring to stud at Darley’s Northwood Park, with a win in the G2 Victory S. at Doomben on Saturday (Video). The 6-4 crowd’s pick secured a spot in fourth early while a touch keen, and faced a wall of horses by the turn. Steered out through a gap at the 200-metre mark, the son of champion and MG1SW Mnemosyn (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) accelerated clear to win by a half-length over Most Important (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}). Also at Doomben, Villermont (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) saluted in the G3 Gunsynd Classic for trainer Ciaron Maher as the 5-2 favourite (Video). Dark Dream (Aus) (All American {Aus}) was second. Successful in last November’s G2 Sandown Guineas, the bay was resuming after a fourth in the 1600-metre G3 Carbine Club S. at Randwick on Apr. 7. Well off the fence from the bell, Villermont battled for the lead and took over with 1000 metres to travel. Going sweetly on the turn, Damian Browne had saved plenty of fuel for the stretch drive, and, although Dark Dream rallied sharply in the late stages, Villermont hung on to win by a nostril. GI Kentucky Derby hero Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), who will not resume shuttling duties to Arrowfield Stud in the coming season from Darley’s Jonabell Farm in Kentucky, sired his first Australian stakes winner–and fourth overall–at Morphettville. Sophomore Peaceful State (Aus), a half-length second in the G1 Australian Guineas in March, won the Listed H.C. Nitschke S. by a length (Video). The Darren Weir trainee was unhurried early near the tail of the field. Still last a quarter mile from home, hoop John Allen shifted the half-brother to Australian Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler (Aus) (Hussonet) off heels and he burst through a hole to make steady inroads toward the head of affairs. The Katsumi Yoshida colourbearer took dead aim on Platinum Angel (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) inside the final 50 yards and scored going away by a length, with Smooth Landing (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) pipping Platinum Angel on the line for second. Animal Kingdom has already sired GII Summer S. victor Untamed Domain, SW & GSP Sunny Skies, and SW Continental Divide Stateside. “It was a great win,” Weir told Racing.com. “He is a very talented horse. The way the race was run it was probably set up for the back-markers. He just needed a bit of luck getting through the pack and he stormed home late. View the full article

With his two Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls on different schedules, trainer Dale Romans mapped different workout assignments for Free Drop Billy and Promises Fulfilled April 28 and gave each a passing grade after their Churchill Downs breezes. View the full article

Some of us get up and get at it in the morning, and others sleep in, as "Coach" is wont to say, with the implication being that Derby winners and other success stories are best launched before dawn. View the full article