Wandering Eyes

Champion sire Snitzel (Aus)’s Trapeze Artist (Aus) made it a hat trick of Group 1 wins this season, narrowly saluting in the G1 All Aged S. at Royal Randwick on Saturday. It was the sophomore’s second Group 1 win over 1400 metres, and his racing future is in doubt, as a stud career looms a decent possibility. Duly favoured at 2-1 after landing the 1200-metre G1 T.J. Smith S. during the first Saturday of The Championships on Apr. 7, the dark bay with the distinctive blinkers, found a good position in third one off the fence behind Showtime (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}, who was tackled by Le Romain (Aus) (Hard Spun) at the 1000-metre point. The Gerald Ryan charge had The Mission (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) to his inside for the majority of the backstretch and was at least three off the fence as he began to let down 400 metres from home. As the field spread out for the run in, Trapeze Artist responded to hoop Tye Angland’s left-handers, and he drew level with Le Romain to his inside. It took several strides to subdue that MG1SW, but ultimately Trapeze Artist won by a head, with Showtime hanging on grimly for third 1 1/2 lengths back, giving their Arrowfield-based sire the first and third in the Group 1 weight-for-age feature. The time was a new track record of 1:20.33. Ryan was keen to have the colt come back at four, as he told Racing.com, “I’d like to see him keep racing. [I’d] like to come back for an Everest. He’d be sensational in that. Even today, people will say he wasn’t impressive, but he ran a track record, he’s beaten a two or three-time Group 1 winner in Le Romain, who’s had more improvement coming off the T.J. [Smith]. He got the job done. He only had 23 days off after the run at Flemington and has come back a stronger horse and if he went out now and had six or seven weeks’ break, he might be the fair dinkum top of the world as a 4-year-old. Let’s just hope we get a chance to show it.” A winner of the G3 Black Opal S. and third in the G1 Inglis Sires’ S. in the latter half of his juvenile season, Trapeze Artist earned his first Group 1 badge in the G1 Golden Rose third up in September, but threw in a clunker when 15th in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. to the Royal Ascot-bound Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) on Nov. 4. Spelled for just over 11 weeks, Trapeze Artist won the G2 Expressway S. at Rosehill on Feb. 3, ran fourth in the G2 Hobartville S. there later that month and went one better in Kementari (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus})’s 1600-metre Randwick Guineas on Mar. 10, one start before the T. J. Smith. Pedigree Notes… Trapeze Artist, one of 13 Group 1 winners for his sire, was followed by a yearling half-brother by Zoustar (Aus) that died, and a half-sister by Wandjina (Aus) born last year. Snitzel is enjoying another championship-caliber season, his progeny earnings north of A$26 million and already 25 stakes winners with over three months of racing left. The dam of Trapeze Artist, Treppes (Aus) (Domesday {Aus}) is a half-sister to G1 Stradbroke H. hero Crawl (Aus) (Dr Grace {Aus}), while under the third dam is G1SW Boardwalk Angel (Aus) (Bletchingly {Aus}), herself dam of New Zealand champion spinter/miler Coogee Walk (NZ) (Success Express). Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. Saturday, Randwick, Australia ALL AGED S.-G1, A$605,000 (US$463,963/£331,381/€377,602), ATC, 4-21, Open WFA, 1400mT, 1:20.33 (NCR), gd. 1–TRAPEZE ARTIST, 56.5, c, 3, by Snitzel 1st Dam: Treppes, by Domesday 2nd Dam: Traipse, by Bletchingly 3rd Dam: Elegant Walk, by Le Cordonnier (GB) (A$250,000 RNA Ylg ’16 INGAPR). O-Vieira Racing (Mgr: B Vieira), B Vieira, Mrs S G Vieira, T Vieira, Mrs C Vieira-Choy & J A Choy; B-Vieira Group Pty Ltd (NSW); T-G A Ryan; J-T Angland; A$349,000. Lifetime Record: 14-6-0-2, A$3,102,850. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Le Romain, 59.0, g, 5, Hard Spun (USA)–Mignard, by Strategic. O-A Carusi, A P Agius, L Nicaj, A Labbozzetta, G Serratore, J Altamura, Miss M Bilusic & Mrs S Livaja; B-Mr A Carusi (NSW); T-K A Lees; J-J R Collett; A$114,000. 3–Showtime, 56.5, c, 3, Snitzel–Flidais, by Timber Country (USA). (A$1,100,000 Ylg 2016 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale). O-Arrowfield Pastoral (Mgr: J M Messara), K Yoshida, Belford Productions (Mgr: A B Jones), Pinecliff Racing (Mgr: J B Munz), Koundouris Bloodstock (Mgr: A E Koundouris) & G P I Racin; B-Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd (NSW); T-M, W & J Hawkes; J-C W Brown; A$58,000. Margins: HD, 1HF, SHD. Odds: 1.30, 10.00, 16.00. Also Ran: Hartnell (GB), The Mission, It’s Somewhat (USA), Muraaqeb, Tom Melbourne (Ire), Satono Rasen (Jpn), Brave Smash (Jpn). Click for the Racing Post chart. Racing NSW Video. View the full article

6th-NBY, £8,550, Mdn, 4-21, 3yo, 8fT, 1:41.56, g/s. RAYMOND TUSK (IRE) (c, 3, High Chaparral {Ire}–Dancing Shoes {Ire}, by Danehill), sent off at 11-1, was free early racing in a close-up second. Instead of paying for his early exertions, the €85,000 ARAUG yearling found extra when tackled by He’s Amazing (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) after taking over at the quarter pole and powered clear for a resounding 4 1/2-length success. There were another two lengths back to Ta Allak (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), the half-brother to the recent G1 Dubai Turf hero Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who shaped with real promise as he stayed on strongly at the end. “Raymond Tusk has always shown ability and I took him to Kempton and he worked well,” trainer Richard Hannon told the Racing Post. “He really could be anything. [Jockey] Tom [Marquand] said he had gears and won very well. I hope he’s better than a handicapper, but I’d love him to be off 88 in the Britannia [H. at Royal Ascot] and then I think he’ll want one mile two. He’s as nice a horse as you’ll see. He’s a fabulous-looking horse.” Dancing Shoes’s second foal was Striking Dancer (Smart Strike), who was successful in the GII La Canada S., GSW-US, $301,346. Still with a 2-year-old filly and yearling colt by No Nay Never, she is a half-sister to the G1 Coronation S. and GI Milady H. third Zarani Sidi Anna (Danzig) from the family of Sir Ivor’s sires Bates Motel and Super Asset. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $7,743. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Middleham Park Racing XXXI & K Sohi; B-Lynch-Bages & Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. View the full article

7th-NBY, £15,000, Mdn, 4-21, 3yo, 11fT, 2:24.61, g/s. YOUNG RASCAL (FR) (c, 3, Intello {Ger}–Rock My Soul {Ire} {MSW-Ger & GSP-Fr, $144,166}, by Clodovil {Ire}), a €215,000 ARAUG yearling, had been put firmly in his place on debut by stablemate My Lord and Master (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) over an extended mile at Nottingham in November and tracked the leading group racing better than mid-division early. Stoked up wide in midstraight, the 3-1 favourite hit the front two out and despite showing greenness drew clear to win by five lengths with plenty of authority from Corgi (GB) (So You Think {NZ}). The winner, who holds an entry in the G1 Epsom Derby sponsored by Investec of which his owner Bernard Kantor is the current managing director, is out of the smart MSW Rock My Soul who was snapped up by Elisabeth Fabre and finished third in the 2011 G3 Prix Allez France under her husband’s tutelage. She is a half-sister to last year’s G3 Preis der Winterkonigin-winning juvenile highweight Rock My Love (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) who was recently bought by George Strawbridge and ran below expectations on her first start in those colours in this month’s G3 Prix Vanteaux. From the family of the champion Turfkonig (Ger), Rock My Soul’s 2-year-old daughter of Motivator (GB) is named Tilda (Ire), while she also has a yearling colt by Camelot (GB). Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $14,853. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Mr Bernard Kantor; B-S.A.S. Ecurie Peregrine (FR); T-William Haggas. View the full article

Eleven juveniles covered a furlong in a bullet :9 4/5 during the closing session of the OBS April Sale under-tack show Saturday. Randy Bradshaw sent out one of those quick 2-year-olds in Hip 1197, a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of the Carson City mare Wilshewed. Purchased by Rosedown Racing for $300,000 at KEESEP, the bay is a half-sister to Grade I winner Stormello (Stormy Atlantic); GSWs My Best Brother (Stormy Atlantic) and Gala Award (Bernardini); GISP ‘TDN Rising Star’ Cherry Lodge (Bernardini); and GSP Greatest Game (Giant’s Causeway). A pair of fillies from the first crop of GI King’s Bishop winner Capo Bastone (Street Boss), who has just 14 horses in his initial crop and had his first runner/winner at Keeneland Apr. 11 in Hargus. Consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables, Hip 1041 is a Florida-bred daughter of Speightstown Girl purchased by OWS Bloodstock for just $8,000 at the OBS October Sale. Bred in Indiana by Casey Seaman, Hip 1173 is the only horse consigned to the sale by Crystal Eclipse Stable. Freshman sire Strong Mandate was represented by his second :9 4/5 worker of the week in Hip 1184, a colt out of SP Western Resolve (West by West) from the Brick City Thoroughbreds consignment. Global Thoroughbreds picked up the youngster for $42,000 at Keeneland November. The other :9 4/5 workers are: Hip 1027, a Broken Vow filly out of the Street Cry (Ire) mare Sounds of City, who is consigned by Crupi’s New Castle; Hip 1113, a son of Majesticperfection and a $20,000 KEENOV pick up by Eric Brehm, who is consigned by Mayberry Farm; Hip 1163, a Yes It’s True filly from the consignment of Cary Frommer; Hip 1182, a daughter of Midnight Lute out of SW Weekend Romance (Old Forester) and $23,000 KEESEP buy, who is consigned by TIP Thoroughbred Investment Possibilities; Hip 1024, an Artie Schiller colt also from the TIP consignment, who was purchased by Last Jump farm for $6,000 at FTKOCT; Hip 1216, a filly from the first crop of Graydar, consigned by King’s Equine; and Hip 1221, a colt from the second crop of Shanghai Bobby out of MSW & GSP Your Flame in Me (Boundary), who was bought by Michelle Hemingway for $80,000 at FTKOCT and is consigned by Hemingway Racing and Training Stable. Two colts from the Envision Equine consignment shared the fastest quarter-mile time of :20 3/5 Saturday. Hip 1149 is a son of Mineshaft out of GSW and GISP Two Trail Sioux (Indian Charlie) and is a half-brother to SP Cheyenne Pass (Smart Strike). The Litt Family Trust purchased Two Trail Sioux for $30,000 with this foal in utero at the 2016 Keeneland January sale. Hip 1158 is from the first crop of He’s Had Enough and is out of the First Samurai mare Up For Grabs. The Florida-bred was purchased by English Range Farm for $35,000 at OBS October. The sale gets underway Tuesday, Apr. 24 and runs through Friday, Apr. 27 with sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. View the full article

3rd-NOT, £7,000, Mdn, 4-21, 3yo, 10f 50yT, 2:13.67, g/s. DEPARTMENT OF WAR (IRE) (c, 3, Declaration of War–Danetime Out {Ire}, by Danetime {Ire}), a 290,000gns TATOCT yearling, travelled sweetly behind the leading trio throughout the initial stages. Wound up on the outer by Sean Levey, the 7-1 shot had the measure of Jamih (GB) (Intello {Ger}) with a furlong to race and stretched out in taking fashion to score by 2 1/4 lengths. The winner is a half-brother to two former Hannon luminaries in Toormore (Ire) (Arakan), Hwt. 2yo Colt-Eur, Eng & Ire, G1SW-Ire, MGSW & MG1SP-Eng, GSW-Tur, G1SP-Fr, $1,604,204, and Estidhkaar (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), MGSW-Eng, $242,419. The former was a real flagbearer for the stable, winning the G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S. and G2 Vintage S. at two to earn topdog status in Europe before adding the G2 Lennox S. and G2 Sandown Mile to his tally and finishing second in the G1 Lockinge S. Estidhkaar was injured in his prime after taking the G2 Superlative S. and G2 Champagne S. also as a 2-year-old and it is no surprise that the dam was sent back to his sire Dark Angel with a yearling colt as a the result. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $6,339. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Markus Jooste; B-BEC Bloodstock (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. View the full article

Group 2 winner Seabrook (NZ) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) was the chief beneficiary from a canny Damien Oliver ride, and earned her first top-flight tally in the G1 Champagne S. at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The 8-1 shot was last of all through the early going, as frontrunner Encryption (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) was lightly pressed by Seberate (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) and Bondi (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}). She began to creep up the inside at the 600m mark and was within striking distance of the vanguard a quarter-mile from the line, but her charge was temporarily halted 1 1/2 furlongs from home. Oliver didn’t panic however, and sent the dark bay through a gap a little later in the straight, where Seabrook promptly sidled up to new leader Bondi, who had bested Encryption 100 metres out, before surging clear to win by a half-length. G1 Sires’ Produce S. winner El Dorado Dreaming (Aus) (Ilovethiscity {Aus}) proved her previous tally was no fluke, arriving with a furious late surge, 3/4 of a length back in third. “She’s done a good job because she should have been up for the Blue Diamond, but she’s thrived in Sydney,” said trainer Mick Price to Racing.com. “It’s been good weather. She’s a good, sound filly, a good, clean-winded filly. She’s a [G1] Thousand Guineas filly, so she’ll go straight to the paddock.” Fourth at Moonee Valley on debut on Oct. 28, Seabrook resurfaced after a spell to complete the trifecta in the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) at Caulfield on Feb. 10, behind Enbihaar (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) and Oohood (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}). She broke her maiden in the 1200-metre G2 Sweet Embrace S. at Randwick on Mar. 3, and was a solid fifth to the aforementioned pair in the G1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill on Mar. 24. Completely blowing the start of the Apr. 7 G1 Sires’ Produce back at Randwick, she finished ninth last time. Pedigree Notes… One of 14 black-type winners for her sire, Seabrook is the second at the Group 1 level, after G1 Caulfield Guineas and G1 JJ Atkins S. hero Press Statement (Aus). The unraced Midnight Revels (NZ), a half-sister to Group 2 heroine My Emotion (NZ) (Savabeel {NZ}), foaled colts by Proisir (Aus) in 2016 and 2017. G1 Coolmore Classic victress Aloha (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) is under the listed-winning third dam Tennessee Midnight (Aus) (Danehill), herself a half-sister to MG1SW Malaguerra (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}). Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. Saturday, Randwick, Australia CHAMPAGNE S.-G1, A$505,000 (US$387,324/£276,680/€315,037), ATC, 4-21, 2yo, Open Set Weight, 1600mT, 1:34.47, gd. 1–SEABROOK (NZ) , 54.5, f, 2, by Hinchinbrook 1st Dam: Midnight Revels (NZ), by Don Eduardo (NZ) 2nd Dam: Midnight Rock, by Rory’s Jester 3rd Dam: Tennessee Midnight, by Danehill (USA) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (A$85,000 Ylg 2017 WI Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale). O-Blueblood Thoroughbreds Syndicate, B B T Midnight Revels Syndicate, Mrs L Lewis, H A Hassan, A S Price, Mrs B J Hardeman, J A Busa, S Boudaher, D J Schultz, J D McCartney, I F Grim; B-WE Jeffries Ltd, (NZ); T-M G Price; J-D Oliver; A$292,000. Lifetime Record: 6-2-0-1, A$556,300. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Bondi, 56.5, c, 2, Snitzel–Bondi Blonde, by Red Ransom (USA). (A$400,000 Ylg ’17 MMLJAN). O-Newgate S F (Mg G D Murphy), China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd (Mg A K Teo), Horse Ventures (Mg M B Sandblom), Winstar Farm Llc (Mg J Mullikin) & Strawberry Hill Stud (Mg J D Singlet; B-Strawberry Hill Stud (NSW); T-P & P Snowden; J-M Zahra; A$94,000. 3–El Dorado Dreaming, 54.5, f, 2, Ilovethiscity–Solanas (NZ), by Zabeel (NZ). O-Ms Y E Pearce; B-Ms Y Pearce (NSW); T-Benjamin Smith; J-J R Collett; A$49,500. Margins: HF, 3/4, HF. Odds: 8.00, 6.50, 6.50. Also Ran: Guerrier, Outrageous, Encryption, Irukandji, Not a Single Cent, Long Leaf, Seberate, Akkadian, Ragged Rascal, Blazing Issue. Click for the Racing Post chart. Racing NSW Video. View the full article

The George Scott-trained James Garfield (IRE) bested six rival colts and geldings to land Saturday's £60,000 Al Basti Equiworld Supporting Greatwood Greenham Stakes (G3) at Newbury. View the full article

Krefeld host their G3 Dr Busch Memorial on Sunday, with Gestut Rottgen’s Weltstar (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) looking to bounce back from a disappointing effort when fourth in the G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen in November. Previously, the homebred had impressed when scoring on debut at Bremen in October and warrants another chance to live up to his potential. Similarly, Australian Bloodstock Stable’s Wild Max (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) created a deep impression when scoring by seven lengths on debut at Dortmund in September and was favourite when only third in the G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten at Cologne the following month. View the full article

Firmly a popular horse in Britain and his native Ireland, Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is at Navan on Sunday to begin his annual pilgrimage towards Royal Ascot in the G3 Vintage Crop S. Faced with only the Listed Fred Archer S. winner Lord Yeats (GB) (Yeats {Ire}) and Godolphin’s Clongowes (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) who is as yet untried in this company, the dual G1 Irish St Leger and 2016 G1 Gold Cup hero should have a strightforward task if he is straight enough fitness-wise. “He’s in good form. He’s just ready to start back and we’re happy with him,” Aidan O’Brien said. “We’re hoping he runs a nice race.” View the full article

With trainer Chad Brown watching from the Keeneland boxes, Good Magic gave the two-time Eclipse Award winner reason to stay loose and happy as the chestnut colt cruised through a four-furlong work in :48 flat April 21. View the full article

A pair of classy chestnuts trained by Bob Baffert put in important workouts at Santa Anita Park April 21 to prepare for their trip to Churchill Downs in May. View the full article

The first day of the special training time at Churchill Downs reserved for entrants in its two biggest races was busy April 21 with several turning in workouts for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) or Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). View the full article

Like the Fred Darling earlier on Saturday’s Newbury card, the G3 Al Basti Equiworld Supporting Greatwood Greenham S. featured a four-horse finish which was only decided in the final half furlong and it was the Gredley family’s James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) who prevailed. Successful over six furlongs here in the G2 Mill Reef S. in September, he was possibly past his best when 10th in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in November and was fresh and keen early in the hands of Frankie Dettori racing behind the clear leader Hey Gaman (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). As that rival veered right in the closing stages, the 3-1 second favourite got to him with over 100 yards remaining and stayed on strongest as the 7-4 favourite Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) earned second 3/4 of a length away, with Hey Gaman a short head back in third. “That was a great performance and he’s a very exciting colt,” Tim Gredley said. “He never got much of a run in the Breeders’ Cup, but had a great winter. I’ll have a chat with the trainer, but it will either be Royal Ascot and back to six furlongs or the [2000] Guineas. Knowing dad [Bill Gredley], it’ll probably be the Guineas.” JAMES GARFIELD (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Exceed and Excel (Aus) 1st Dam: Whazzat (GB) (SW-Eng), by Daylami (Ire) 2nd Dam: Wosaita (GB), by Generous (Ire) 3rd Dam: Eljazzi, by Artaius (£60,000 RNA Ylg ’16 GOUKPR). O-W J & T C O Gredley; B-Stetchworth & Middle Park Studs Ltd (IRE); T-George Scott; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 8-3-1-2, £119,241. *1/2 to The Shrew (GB) (Dansili {GB}), MSP-Eng. View the full article

A pair for Zac Purton at Sha Tin again trimmed a little off Joao Moreira’s advantage in a jockeys’ championship this season that is leaning dangerously towards being competitive. At Happy Valley midweek, Purton landed a winning treble without reply and on Saturday it was a double to Moreira’s single as talented three-year-olds Handsome Bo Bo and Ugly Warrior took another step up the ladder. Looking a little deeper, Purton’s past four race meetings have yielded 11 wins... View the full article

One of the least experienced fillies in the line-up for Saturday’s G3 Dubai Duty Free S. at Newbury, Dan’s Dream (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) nevertheless came out on top fair and square to earn a supplementary fee for Newmarket’s G1 1000 Guineas May 6. Steadied in rear early by Silvestre De Sousa, the Mar. 30 Bath novice stakes winner who attracted some support at 10-1 made her move towards the stand’s side as the action unfolded inside the final quarter mile. Overhauling Tajaanus (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) and Dance Diva (GB) (Mayson {GB}) in the last 50 yards, the bay asserted to score by 1 1/4 lengths from the former, with Dance Diva losing out on second by a short head. Trainer Mick Channon, who was winning this Fred Darling, as it is traditionally known, for a fifth time, said, “We always thought a lot of her and I sent a couple of mares to Cityscape as I liked her so much. She’s a little bit of a freak, but I would have thought she’ll go to the Guineas now.” DAN’S DREAM (GB), f, 3, Cityscape (GB)–Royal Ffanci (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). O-Hunscote, Watt, Peckham, Botham & Edwards; B-Hunscote Stud (GB); T-Mick Channon; J-Silvestre de Sousa. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, £39,232. View the full article

There are a few proven ways, other than winning, to earn the respect of the rusted-on regulars who fill the coliseum-like parade ring at Sha Tin racecourse. Returning to race on the same day after a fall and riding like an absolute demon, even when well beaten, in every single race, are sure fire ways to become a fan favourite. Italian Alberto Sanna is ticking all of the boxes and Saturday at Sha Tin he showed just how desperate he is in a race by dislocating his own shoulder when drawing the... View the full article

It would be wrong to say Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli will miss Audemars Piguet QE II Cup day next Sunday – he won’t miss it, just won’t be riding after electing to take a suspension instead. “I don’t have rides in the three big races, I didn’t have many others because there are quite a few jockeys flying in and so they will take up some of the rides in the supporting races. It’s not important to me to ride on the big day if all I have is a couple of... View the full article

Victor Wong Chun admits getting his head around the form for Saturday’s meeting was a challenge but out on the track Hong Kong racing’s newest jockey showed enough poise to notch the first double of his fledgling career. Wong doubled his career total after a brace aboard Nice Fandango and Winning Controller took him to four victories from five meetings. “There were so many horses with chances, and then a lot of horses that want to lead with the rail out,” he said of his... View the full article

Stewards found boom three-year-old Harmony Hero pulled up lame after getting buried in the ruck in an anticlimactic Class Two on Saturday. Harmony Hero looked to have little excuse for his ninth as a warm favourite behind the Benno Yung Tin-pang-trained Coby Boy (Keith Yeung Ming-lun) but the Jockey Club vets later found him to be lame in the left front leg. “We got some luck, we got the good draw today after a bad barrier last time but we also had some luck with the favourite failing,... View the full article

David Day, Michael Day, and Mary DiPietro's Evo Campo already has one graded stakes in a marathon turf race on her résumé and will seek a second April 22 at Santa Anita, but this time the 6-year-old mare will have to defeat the opposite sex. View the full article

Juglall, Azhar, CS Chin, Amirul suspended View the full article

Valadorna followed a career-low finish by posting an all-time best result April 20, when she inched clear in the final stages of the $100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) at Keeneland to earn her first graded stakes win. View the full article

This year, Take Charge Indy and Poseidon's Warrior have sons that will try to pull a Kentucky Derby (G1) hat trick for second-crop sires. View the full article

Woodbine Racetrack announced a pair of new incentive programs Friday ahead of its opening day card on Saturday. A Ship and Compete Turf Bonus will offer up to an additional $6,000 to the connections of horses who have never before run in the province and compete in turf allowance races (not maidens). Qualifying horses will receive $2,000 after their first start, plus an additional $2,000 per start after two consecutive appearances at Woodbine. The Ontario oval will also offer a Graded Stakes Bonus Program of up to $50,000 for incoming graded stakes winners. Grade II winners in the current year who have never started at Woodbine will receive a $10,000 bonus for winning a graded race at Woodbine. Grade I winners in the current year will receive $20,000 for winning a Grade II and $50,000 for winning a Grade I. “We have developed two new Thoroughbred incentive programs for the 2018 meet that aim to encourage and reward participation in our turf racing and graded stakes,” said Jonathan Zammit, Vice President, Thoroughbred Racing Operations. “Woodbine continues to present a world class racing product and attracting full, competitive fields for our horseplayers remains a priority.” View the full article

Michael Lund Petersen’s Cat Burglar (Unbridled’s Song–Be My Prospect, by Forest Wildcat) has been retired from racing and will stand at Barton Thoroughbreds in California for $2,500 LFSN. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the $410,000 KEENOV buy hit the board in five graded events and retires with a record of 22-6-6-5 and earnings of $538,720. “He has perfect conformation and a great pedigree. Cat Burglar was able to sprint or run a mile and a half with the best company,” said Baffert. View the full article