Wandering Eyes

The Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) has been the goal for Sierra Leone (NZ) (Sun City) from the moment she was purchased at the Yearling Sales, and she took an important step towards the $1 million feature with a game second in Saturday’s Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m). A filly by Sun City, Sierra Leone showed plenty of promise on debut splitting subsequent race winners Cool Aza Rene and Abbakiss, earning herself an opportunity for black-type honours at Pukekohe Park. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Return To Conquer was back as though unbeatable in the juvenile field and delivered on that promise, but Sierra Leone gained plenty of admirers, tracking the colt throughout and finding a tidy turn-of-foot in the finish, the final margin between the pair being 2 – ½ lengths. Sierra Leone is trained by Hollie Wynyard at Cambridge, who was pleased with her filly’s efforts. “It was a tough run, she was trying to foot it with the colt (Return To Conquer) the entire race and she was off the bridle and out of her comfort zone, but she was tough to the line,” Wynyard said. “When he quickened, she got left a bit flat-footed and a bit lost going right-handed for the first time, but when she got to the 200 and picked herself up, she’s found the line really well. “She’ll just have one more run before the Karaka Millions, obviously she’s in now, so we’ll find a nice race in between and hopefully she’ll be peaking for that.” Sold from the draft of Westbury Stud, Sierra Leone was purchased for $130,000 by Wynyard’s former training partner Johno Benner, who owns the filly alongside Simon Barber, Noel Nicholson and Sam Pinfold. Benner has had a multitude of success in the past at Karaka Millions, winning the 2014 edition of the 2YO contest with Vespa and the $1 million Karaka Millions 3YO Classic (1600m) in 2018 with Scott Base, the latter while training with Wynyard. “Johno bought her as a real two-year-old Karaka Millions filly, she had a lot of speed on the dam side and I think Sun City is the leading Australian two-year-old sire,” Wynyard said. “She really appealed to him as a Karaka Millions type, that’s what the owners were looking for and that’s what it looks like she’s going to be.” The fourth foal out of an unraced Dream Ahead mare in Flippity Lass, Sierra Leone is a half-sister to Inundation, who has won four races in Australia for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. View the full article

Guy Heveldt, Aidan Rodley and Jayne Ivil speak with jockey Joe Doyle, discuss La Crique’s victory in the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, look back at the Counties Cup and pay tribute to Danny Champion. Weigh In, 24th November View the full article

Tight photo finishes were the story of Saturday’s meeting at Pukekohe Park, and in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Qualifier (1600m), there was no exception with a four-way go topped by Aladdin Sane (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). The four-year-old gelding had finished runner-up in each of his starts at competitive Rating 65 grade this preparation, and regular rider George Rooke remained on board as he contested a field of progressive types over the mile. A wide barrier draw (12) forced Rooke to press forward from his three-wide position, settling in the first trio outside of Rule Of Law and Sinhaman. Aladdin Sane and Sinhaman were on even terms all the way down the Pukekohe straight and were joined by Subtle Power and the fast-closing Rosetown Princess on the line, with the photo eventually favouring the son of Satono Aladdin by a nose. Aladdin Sane is prepared by Roger James and Robert Wellwood at Cambridge, who were thrilled to see his consistent form rewarded. “He’s been very honest and has been knocking on the door. It was great to see him get the win, albeit very tight,” Wellwood said. “Unfortunately drawn wide, he’s had to settle three or four wide, and he’s probably a better horse ridden quietly. It was an unavoidable circumstance meaning he had to press forward, which made the win even better. “He ended up right there and nearly in front a long way out, and he was just tough to the line.” In its 26th year, the Dunstan Stayers Series culminates on Boxing Day at Ellerslie with the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Final (2400m), a race firmly on the radar for Aladdin Sane. “He’ll probably have one run over 2000-2100m somewhere, there’s a number of options for him,” Wellwood said. “Hopefully then, we’ll go on to the Dunstan Final on Boxing Day.” Bred by Rich Hill Thoroughbreds, the Cambridge trainers purchased Aladdin Sane for $32,000 on the New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale in 2022. Raced by a large ownership group, the gelding has finished in the first pair in six of his eight starts, earning $83,695 in stakes. “At that stage, it was early days of Satono Aladdin, but he was a stallion that we liked,” Wellwood said. “He (Aladdin Sane) came up online and he was a good type that walked very well. We didn’t pay a lot for him, but he’s been a very genuine horse and with time, as he goes further, he’s only going to do more. “It’s exciting for the ownership group going forward.” View the full article

What Grafton Races Where Grafton Racecourse – 273 Powell St, Grafton NSW 2460 When Monday, November 25, 2024 First Race 12:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble A new week of racing commences in NSW with a bumper nine-race meeting at Grafton Racecourse on Monday afternoon. With plenty of rain in the region leading into the meeting, the track came up as a Heavy 8 at the time of acceptances, but with warm days forecast across the weekend, we should be racing on a Soft-rated surface. The rail comes out 5m from the 800m to the 400m and is out 3m the remainder, with action commencing at 12:40pm AEDT. Best Bet at Grafton: Second Sun Matthew Hoysted opts to take the lightly-raced Second Sun to Grafton following consecutive placings at Doomben to begin his campaign. The four-year-old gelding was forced to cover extra ground last time out when finishing second, beaten a half-length, and was left vulnerable late on. He arguably should have won that BM62 over the mile, but third-up from a spell and staying at the trip, Second Sun should be winning third-up for the second time in his career. Best Bet Race 8 – #1 Second Sun (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Matthew Hoysted | J: Andrew Mallyon (Weight kg) Bet with BlondeBet Next Best at Grafton: Saxinoue Saxinoue was rolled as favourite when returning at the 1181m at Grafton, but second-up at 1410m, the son of Saxon Warrior looks poised to strike. The three-year-old produced a similar performance on debut in his initial campaign but improved significantly with the run under his belt to score on a Heavy 8. Hopefully, he is a horse who just derives great benefit from his fresh run, because if he is anywhere near his best, Saxinoue should have a bit too much class on his side in the quaddie opener. Next Best Race 6 – #4 Saxinoue (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Matthew McGuren (59kg) Bet with Playup Best Value at Grafton: Silver Canvas Silver Canvas produced a strong form reversal when narrowly defeated over 1400m at this track when racing close to the speed. The six-year-old gelding was just battling away in BM66 company prior and appreciated the step back to BM58 grade and put in a much better performance. Claire Ramsbotham sticks on board, and with her 3kg claim from barrier three, the pair look set to follow the speed throughout. With even luck in the home straight, Silver Canvas looks the wrong price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 7 – #1 Silver Canvas (3) 6yo Gelding | T: Shannon Manwarring | J: Claire Ramsbotham (a3) (62.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Grafton Grafton quadrella selections Monday, November 25, 2024 5-7-9 1-2-5-7 1-4 1-3-4-8-9-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Skinner returned to the winner's circle for the first time since February 2023 with a gritty score in the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) Nov. 23 at Del Mar.View the full article

The Queensland racing industry today is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame trainer, Pat Duff, who passed away last night. Universally admired and respected, Pat was widely considered to be one of the true gentlemen of racing, enjoying a decorated training career that spanned more than 60 years. Raised at Wondai in the South Burnett, Pat spent time training from the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and Brisbane, registering his last winner at Ipswich just three weeks ago when Optimus Maximus saluted in a maiden. He was 84-years-old. “Pat’s influence on and off track over the last 60-odd years has been simply remarkable,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said. “His ability to train horses was there for all to see, but he also had a great skill in developing people. “He will be sorely missed.” Over the journey, Pat trained some incredible thoroughbreds including Our Cavalier, a Queensland Horse of the Year, along with Scomeld, Handsome Prince, Star Of Florida, Hard Rock, Hard To Catch and Heart Of The Citi. His Queensland feature wins included multiple Toowoomba Cups and Prime Minister’s Cups, a Magic Millions 3YO Trophy, a Weetwood Handicap, BTC Sprint and PJ O’Shea Stakes (now the Q22). He also enjoyed interstate success with Star Of Florida winning an AJC San Domenico Stakes and a pair of AJC Challenge Stakes. His stable was also a family affair with his twin brother, Cedric, working alongside him for more than 40 years, along with his deceased wife, Dina, and his children Michael, Peter and Suzanne. “The family is overwhelmed by the love shown to Dad,” Michael Duff said. “He loved horses, he loved the industry but most all he loved the people in it. He was a man of great integrity who did a job he loved for 60 years. “We are proud of the positive impact he had on so many people’s lives and the industry. Our thanks to everyone who has reached out it is appreciated.” Pat won three Toowoomba trainers’ premierships and also finished second in the 1990/91 metropolitan trainers’ premiership behind the legendary Bruce McLachlan. In more recent years, he was inducted into the Queensland Hall of Fame and was also honoured by the Queensland arm of the Australian Trainers’ Association, who introduced the Pat Duff Trophy to recognise those who go above and beyond to assist their colleagues in the racing industry. “He was a legend,” ATA Queensland representative Cameron Partington said. “Just the respect people held for him with the way he conducted himself. That’s why we honoured him with the award that we put in place with the Pat Duff Trophy. “He was as sharp as a tack right to the end, but his body just couldn’t fight anymore (after a recent fall).” Aside from his training feats, Pat was highly regarded for his record mentoring apprentice jockeys, including the likes of Mick Dittman, Michael Pelling and Jim Byrne, who all came through his stable. His support for female apprentices and jockeys was just as comparable, providing countless opportunities aboard his mounts. Horse racing news View the full article

La Crique winning the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) La Crique sprouted wings in the Pukekohe straight on Saturday to come from a near-hopeless position and win the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) in a photo finish. The Vadamos mare went into the fillies and mares’ feature as the class act of the field, having won eight races and more than $1.3 million including Group One victories in the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and the Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). In her first start since taking out the $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) in Brisbane back in June, La Crique showed all the right signs with a strong finish into second with a 60.5kg topweight at Tauranga on November 2. La Crique jumped as a $2.20 favourite with BlondeBet in the Breeders’ Stakes on Saturday, where she was ideally suited by the switch from handicap to weight-for-age conditions. But her chances appeared to plummet over the course of the next 60 seconds. The six-year-old dropped a long way back and settled near the tail of the field, then got pushed out wide on the track in the early part of the home straight. As the 12 mares lined up across the track to lodge their claims with 200m remaining, La Crique was still among the last of them and had a mountain to climb to even get into the top three. But what happened next showed why La Crique is one of New Zealand’s standout thoroughbred talents. She responded to the urgings of first-time rider Michael McNab and launched a stunning late burst, making up half a dozen lengths in those last 200m and charging up alongside Lux Libertas in the final few strides. That rival gave her all to try to hold on, but La Crique caught her in the shadows of the post and won by a head. Lux Libertas finished second, a short head in front of Marotiri Molly, with a similar margin back to Hi Yo Sass Bomb in fourth. 2024 Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes Replay – La Crique https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pukekohe-2024-Group-2-Auckland-Thoroughbred-Breeders-Stakes-23112024-La-Crique-Simon-Katrina-Alexander-Michael-McNab.mp4 “She just got left a little bit flat-footed at the top of the straight,” McNab said. “A horse on the inside of us was sort of rolling around a bit and pushed us out. “It took her a while to wind up, but once she got into stride, she was brilliant. At about the 150m I thought she was really starting to let rip, but I wasn’t sure if she had enough time to get up. I was still cursing after the line. “But I’m rapt to win on her and just rapt to ride her. I’m looking forward to the rest of her preparation.” La Crique’s summer itinerary includes the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham on December 7 and the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. Horse racing bookmakers now rate her a $2.50 favourite for the TAB Classic. “I really had to see the replay and the photo finish to be truly convinced that she won that race today,” said Katrina Alexander, who trains La Crique in partnership with her husband Simon. “It was a super run by a gutsy, gutsy mare. “She probably got further back than I wanted, but she’s a horse that just keeps on coming. That’s why we’re keen to get her up over ground when we find the right targets for her on good tracks. “She’ll go to the TAB Classic at Trentham next, and then we want to carry on towards Ellerslie on Boxing Day. That was always the campaign that we had in mind for her at this point of the season.” Horse racing news View the full article

Nereus winning the Group 3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Promising stayer Nereus put his current campaign back on track when he captured an action-packed Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) on Saturday. The field of fourteen runners was thrown into chaos after 500m when Arby dropped rider Matt Cartwright after making contact with the inside running rail leaving the straight for the first time. Severely checked in the incident were Cognito, Blue Moon, Sassy Lass and Ess Vee Are while the rest of the field were also subsequently hampered as the riderless Ess Vee Are raced through the field to land in front of pacemakers Bosch and Quality Time, causing all riders to proceed with extreme caution from there on in. While all this was happening, Nereus and rider Joe Doyle enjoyed an economical run in midfield before improving wide on the home turn with the Te Akau Racing pair of Qali Al Farrasha and Cognito tracking him at every stride. Nereus, sporting the well-known colours of the Chittick family, and Qali Al Farrasha set down to fight out the finish at the 150m with the Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained son of Savabeel gaining the upper hand at the post by half a length with Cognito, who did a wonderful job to put himself into contention after the early check, shading The Odyssey for third. 2024 Group 3 Counties Cup Replay – Nereus Ritchie was delighted to take out the contest with the Waikato Stud homebred five-year-old who had made a mixed start to his spring campaign, forcing a slight tinkering with his race plans including dropping him back to 1600m at his last start before stepping up in distance again for the Counties feature. “We backed off him and went back to the mile last time always thinking he would make a stayer,” Ritchie said. “He just wasn’t there that last ten percent (lately), but the warmer temperature overnight has brought his coat through while he is a horse that goes best with his races spaced. “He has really picked his appetite up in the last week so the signs were there he would go well and he has. “It was a messy race with some hard luck stories I’m sure, but it is fantastic for Colm and I to have a horse like this winning in the Waikato Stud colours. “They are obviously a big part of New Zealand racing and it is great to do it for Mark and George (Chittick) who are here at the track.” Ritchie is keen to look ahead to more of the big Summer Cup races if the horse can continue on his development path. “He has a magnificent pedigree being by a champion stallion who keeps producing and out of a fantastic mare,” he said. “It suggests he is going to get to a Cups trip and it would be nice if we could get him to run two miles as there is a lot more money in those races.” Doyle, who brought up a winning stakes double on the day after earlier taking the Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) aboard Luberon, was pleased with how the race had panned out despite some challenges. “I followed Ryan Elliot around (No Compromise) and didn’t think I was in a bad spot,” he said. “I thought we’d be following something good and when the loose horse went around the speed was really on and that set it up nicely for us. “Going down the back I thought we would be right in it and he was good and tough up the straight. “The Te Akau horse (Qali Al Farrasha) went past him and he knuckled back down and got to the line.” Horse racing news https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pukekohe-2024-Group-3-Counties-Cup-23112024-Nereus-Shaune-Ritchie-Colm-Murray-Joe-Doyle.mp4 View the full article

Luberon winning the Group 3 Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Quality mare Luberon put a classy field of sprinters to the sword at Pukekohe on Saturday when she dashed away in the closing stages to score a handsome victory in the Group 3 Counties Bowl (1100m). The Lance Noble-trained daughter of Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish was shooting for a winning treble to open her spring campaign after taking out a rating75 1200m contest at Ellerslie back in September, followed by the Group 3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Rotorua last month. Drawn ideally in barrier one, rider Joe Doyle bounced her away nicely to take the trail behind pacemaker Shoes, where she dropped the bit and relaxed beautifully in the early stages before starting to rev up approaching the home bend. Doyle quickly had her off heels and into the clear early in the run home and once balanced up he pushed the turbo button which saw the mare explode clear before easing to the line two lengths to the good of Sacred Satono, Waitak and Crocetti who were in a line for the minor placings. 2024 Group 3 Counties Bowl Replay – Luberon https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pukekohe-2024-Group-3-Counties-Bowl-23112024-Luberon-Lance-Noble-Joe-Doyle.mp4 Noble was delighted with way his charge had sprinted so quickly in the run home although he was well aware she had a decent pull in the weights of between five to seven kilograms on her main rivals. “That 7kgs in the weights made a difference and when she accelerated she put a couple of lengths on them,” Noble said. “I think we learnt a lot last year and their three-year-old year can be hard on the fillies. We’ve made some plans to keep her fresh, keep her happy and they are working which is very exciting.” Noble was also relieved to see Luberon on her best behaviour after costing herself a near certain victory just over a year ago at the venue when she ducked outwards at the 300m in the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1600m), striking the outside rail and nearly falling before being pulled out of the race. “A year ago, we were here and we all know what happened that day,” he said. “To come back and win is very very satisfying. “Obviously the sprint series is pretty tempting while the Telegraph (Group 1, 1200m) fits in nicely as I think she may be slightly better left-handed. “We’ll just take it one day at a time but that’s the plan.” The Sprint series Noble was referring to is a new innovative ten-race series initiated by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Entain New Zealand & Australia this season that includes races in Australia and New Zealand that culminate on Champions Day at Ellerslie on 8 March. Points will be allocated to the first four placegetters of each race in the series, with a bonus pool of $500,000 being shared amongst the owners of the three highest point scoring horses at the conclusion of each series. Horse racing news View the full article

C R K Stable's Skinner (Curlin), second as the favorite as a 3-year-old in last year's GIII Native Diver Stakes, went one better in Saturday's renewal in a breakthrough performance. The $40,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $510,000 OBS April breezer (:10 1/5) had made only one start since, finishing a very useful second sprinting in an optional claimer on the Breeders' Cup Friday undercard. Last of six beneath Hector Berrios through an opening quarter in :23.15 here, the 7-2 chance was up a spot in a well-placed fifth through a half mile in :46.15. Skinner began to roll three furlongs from home and set his sights on dueling leaders Tarantino (Pioneerof the Nile) and Mixto (Good Magic) at the top of the stretch. Skinner stormed on by in the lane despite hanging on his left lead to get the money by a length. “When you looked at the pp's, there was a lot of speed in the race,” winning trainer John Shirreffs said. “Hector (Berrios) did a great job. He didn't let them drop back too far. He hustled a little out of the gate, then he got a nice position and he waited. He crept up then he went to riding him.” Third as a maiden in the 2022 GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity, Skinner was a very good third in the following term's GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby. Scratched from the GI Kentucky Derby after developing a fever, he was second in the Los Alamitos Derby in July, then rolled a pair of fives versus older horses in both the GI Fanduel Racing Pacific Classic Stakes and GI Awesome Again Stakes. He was placed on the shelf after finishing within 1 1/4 lengths of Mr Fisk (Arrogate) in this race last year. Skinner was featured in our 'Second Chances' series following a debut fifth at Del Mar in 2022. #3 SKINNER ($9) under @HIBerrios runs down the leaders in the stretch and pulls away to win the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) at Del Mar. The 4yo son of Curlin trained by John Shirreffs gets his second career win. Congrats to all the connections! pic.twitter.com/aDGvzarG4a — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 24, 2024 Pedigree Notes: Skinner becomes the 63rd graded/group winner worldwide for leading sire Curlin. Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Skinner is out of 2012 GIII Rancho Bernardo H. winner Winding Way. The full-sister to MGSW & GISP Kauai Katie brought $82,000 from Solis/Litt in foal to Maclean's Music at the 2021 KEENOV sale. Skinner is bred on the same Curlin x Malibu Moon cross responsible for champion 3-year-old filly Stellar Wind. The wildly successful Curlin x A. P. Indy (sire of Malibu Moon) pairing has produced standouts such as Malathaat, Nest, Global Campaign, Idol, et al. Winding Way is also responsible for a Nyquist filly of 2023 and a Jackie's Warrior filly of this year. She was bred back to the latter stallion. Saturday, Del Mar NATIVE DIVER S.-GIII, $100,500, Del Mar, 11-23, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:48.95, ft. 1–SKINNER, 121, c, 4, by Curlin 1st Dam: Winding Way (GSW, $208,188), by Malibu Moon 2nd Dam: More Than Pretty, by More Than Ready 3rd Dam: Pretty Livia, by Forest Wildcat 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($40,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $510,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-John A. Shirreffs; J-Hector Isaac Berrios. $60,000. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 12-2-3-3, $377,300. Werk Nick Rating: A++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Tarantino, 121, g, 6, Pioneerof the Nile–Without Delay, by Seeking the Gold. ($610,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $240,000 RNA 2yo '20 KEENOV; $235,000 3yo '21 KEENOV). O-David A. Bernsen LLC and Rockingham Ranch; B-Fred W. Hertrich III & John D. Fielding (KY); T-Peter Eurton. $20,000. 3–Mixto, 125, c, 4, Good Magic–Musical Mystery, by Concerto. ($140,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-Calumet Farm; B-Farfellow Farms Ltd. (KY); T-Chief Stipe F. O'Neill. $12,000. Margins: 1, HD, 6 1/4. Odds: 3.50, 13.40, 3.10. Also Ran: Ultra Power, Salesman (Ire), Mirahmadi. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Skinner Breaks Through for Career High in Native Diver appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The $286,005 Commonwealth Stakes (G3T) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs was a tale of two trips. Lagynos ended a nine-racing losing streak with his first victory of 2024.View the full article

In a study of perseverance, Lagynos (c, 3, Kantharos–Steamy, by Speightstown), who has now run in 10 consecutive black-type events this year, finally got one to call his own when capturing the $300,000 GIII Commonwealth Turf Stakes Saturday at Churchill Downs. Last seen fifth in a troubled trip Oct. 26 in the GIII Bryan Station Stakes at Keeneland and seventh in the GIII Nashville Derby Aug. 31 at Kentucky Downs, Lagynos races for HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud. “He deserved this win,” said Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. “[Lagynos has] gotten in so much trouble in his last couple starts and even this spring at Keeneland. We're very proud of his effort to win a race like this today. He's shown up for every start and runs hard each time.” Lagynos stayed out of trouble in the Commonwealth Turf. He broke smoothly, settling midpack behind cover and between horses. Up front, King's Plate runner-up My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) showed the way through :23.08 and :47.34 fractions with two-back Toronto Cup Stakes winner Piper's Factor (The Factor) sitting off his flank, while Bryan Station third Herchee (Twirling Candy) and favored GIII Jockey Club Derby fourth Dashman (Oscar Performance) tracked as a pair. As the field bunched up on the turn, Lagynos looked full of run but lacked room. When he found a seam in early stretch, he dashed through and sailed home a convincing winner as Bryan Station fourth Evade (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) chased him home and last-out Hawthorne Derby winner Ak Sar Ben Derby (Tapiture) closed from the very back for third. The final time of 1:40.83 set a new stakes record; the Commonwealth Turf has been run since 2004. “He broke well and I got him to relax going into the first turn,” said rider Flavien Prat. “I knew I wanted to be close but would have to wait for room. Down the lane I was able to split horses late and he really finished up nicely.” Lagynos broke his maiden at first asking 14 months ago at Kentucky Downs before capturing a 1 1/16-mile, off-the-turf allowance at Churchill nearly a year ago to the day. That would be his last win prior to the nine stakes attempts this year leading into the Commonwealth Turf. His on-the-board finishes in 2024 included the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, the GII American Turf Stakes, and the GIII Transylvania Stakes. Agent Chad Schumer signed for Lagynos for $200,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September sale from the Valkyre Stud consignment. Pedigree Notes: Hill 'n' Dale stallion Kantharos is the sire of Lagynos and 10 other graded winners, as well as 43 black-type winners. The son of Lion Heart–himself a two-time winner at Churchill, including in the 2010 GIII Bashford Manor Stakes–has four stakes performers out of Speightstown mares. Lagynos makes it 75 total stakes winners for daughters of the late Speightstown. Lagynos is the second graded winner out of his unraced dam, Steamy, and the fourth generation of his family in the hands of breeder Robert Spiegel. Steamy's dam, Ruff, raced as a homebred for Spiegel and won, among other races, the 2000 GIII Miss Grillo Stakes on Belmont's inner turf. Steamy's first foal, Vision Perfect (Pollard's Vision), won the 2018 GIII Parx Dash Stakes for Mr. Amore Stables, in addition to five other black-type races. The mare has a 2-year-old filly named She's My Honey (Not This Time), a weanling colt by Golden Pal, and was bred back to Practical Joke for 2025. Flavien Prat with a patient ride aboard Lagynos to win the G3 Commonwealth Stakes! pic.twitter.com/1fn4A4OOSL — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) November 23, 2024 Saturday, Churchill Downs COMMONWEALTH TURF S.-GIII, $286,005, Churchill Downs, 11-23, 3yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:40.83, fm. 1–LAGYNOS, 118, c, 3, by Kantharos 1st Dam: Steamy, by Speightstown 2nd Dam: Ruff, by Clever Trick 3rd Dam: Marked Well, by Well Decorated 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($200,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud; B-Robert Spiegel (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Flavien Prat. $180,350. Lifetime Record: 13-3-2-3, $700,553. *1/2 to Vision Perfect (Pollard's Vision), GSW, $802,154. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Evade (Fr), 118, g, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Angel Falls (GB), by Kingmambo. (€300,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Resolute Racing and Qatar Racing; B-Ecurie Des Monceaux, Ecurie Loick Fouchet, R. Meahjohn, Kastro Stud Farm (FR); T-Michael J. Maker. $48,500. 3–Ak Sar Ben Derby, 120, g, 3, Tapiture–Mensa Member, by Flatter. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($67,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Millard R. Seldin Revocable Trust; B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust (KY); T-John Alexander Ortiz. $29,250. Margins: 3/4, 1, NK. Odds: 3.56, 5.61, 16.53. Also Ran: Piper's Factor, My Boy Prince, Herchee, Dashman, Will Take It. Scratched: Telescopic. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Kantharos Colt Lagynos Breaks Through in Commonwealth Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Return To Conquer winning Saturday’s Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Return To Conquer headed into his raceday debut in Saturday’s Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) with a big price tag, big reputation and big expectations, and the million-dollar colt produced a Pukekohe performance worthy of the hype. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis paid $1.3 million to secure Return To Conquer from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January. The well-related colt is by champion Australian sire Snitzel and is the first foal to race out of the unraced Lonhro mare Vaujany, whose full-sister Ghisoni won the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) and is the dam of stakes winner Renosu. Return To Conquer made a favourable impression in putting together a perfect three-from-three record at the trials this spring, winning at Te Rapa on August 6, at Matamata on October 8 and by almost three lengths at Waipa on October 29. He was sent out as a $1.20 favourite with horse racing bookmakers for his eagerly anticipated first start on Saturday, and in the end he had too much class for his six opponents. Return To Conquer broke sharply from his inside gate, and jockey Wiremu Pinn allowed him to roll forward and take the lead. That was where he stayed, cruising around the Pukekohe track and straightening for home under a firm hold. Pinn allowed Return To Conquer to lengthen stride 200m from home, and the hot favourite soon drew clear with his ears pricked. He coasted to victory by two and a half lengths over Sierra Leone and Vega For Luck. “He’s an absolute machine,” Pinn enthused. “I’ve ridden some pretty good horses in my time, and he’s right up there with the best of them. He gave me an unbelievable feel. To be honest, he hasn’t even really tried today. He’s just a freak of a horse. “I knew I was on the best horse in the race today, so I just wanted to take bad luck out of the equation and lead. They could try and catch me in the straight if they were good enough, but they couldn’t. “It was obviously his debut today, so he’s still got plenty to learn, but he’s a super horse.” Return To Conquer is ineligible for the lucrative Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in January. His trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will weigh up other options for the late summer and autumn, which could include the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in March or a potential Australian campaign. “Leading might have been Plan B rather than Plan A for this race today, but he’s done it nicely in the end,” Walker said. “He can have a little break now and then we’ll work out a plan after that. “We’ll look at all options. The main thing will be to give him 10 days out now and see how he does. There’s some Matamata trials on January 14, which is where we’ll probably have him resume. Then we can think about whether we go to Australia or whether we stay here and concentrate on something like the Sistema.” The Sistema Stakes has been a special race for Te Akau Racing, who won it with Maroofity (2003), Warhorse (2012), Heroic Valour (2016), Sword Of Osman (2018), Yourdeel (2019), Cool Aza Beel (2020) and Sword Of State (2021). Horse racing news View the full article

Two Sharp answered any questions about her distance limitations Nov. 23, decimating her competition by 5 3/4 lengths in the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Golden Gamble (f, 2, Laoban–Me and Mine, by Bernardini) stamped herself as a filly to watch for trainer Ken McPeek with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance at second asking in the Churchill nightcap Saturday. The 5-2 chance found a perfect spot beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr. in an outside fourth through fractions of :23.60 and :48.17. Traveling nicely rounding the far turn, she made a flashy move to stick her head in front approaching the quarter pole, and, despite racing a bit green as they straightened, opened daylight to win by nine lengths. Heavily favored Girl Math (McKinzie) was second. The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:44.17 Golden Gamble, a very solid third on debut over the same track and trip Oct. 27, becomes the first 'Rising Star' for the gone-too-soon Laoban. The winner's dam Me and Mine, a maiden of three career starts, produced a filly by City of Light in 2023 and a filly by Street Sense this year. She was bred back to Nyquist. Me and Mine brought $80,000 from Baccari Bloodstock with Golden Gamble in utero at the 2021 KEENOV sale. This is the extended female family of Grade/Group 1 winners Hold That Tiger and Editor's Note. 11th-Churchill Downs, $120,000, Msw, 11-23, 2yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:44.17, ft, 9 lengths. GOLDEN GAMBLE, f, 2, by Laoban 1st Dam: Me and Mine, by Bernardini 2nd Dam: Oneofacat, by Deputy Minister 3rd Dam: Beware of the Cat, by Caveat Sales history: $80,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $200,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $81,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree. O-Fern Circle Stables & Cypress Creek Equine; B-Tuscany Bloodstock (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. #7 GOLDEN GAMBLE ($7.10) romps in the finale at @ChurchillDowns. @b_hernandezjr piloted the juvenile Laoban filly to this impressive maiden victory for trainer @McPeekRacing. pic.twitter.com/vTriMRt32G — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 23, 2024 The post Second-Timer Golden Gamble Romps for McPeek in ‘Rising Star’ Performance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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I’mintowin wins at Kembla Grange. Photo: Bradley Photos Talented New Zealand-bred gelding I’mintowin announced his return to racing in style at Kembla Grange on Saturday with a victory under 62kg. It was the first start since July for the Contributer gelding, whose rating of 82 made him a clear topweight. That made for a tough first-up assignment, but I’mintowin was well and truly up to the task. Rider Adam Hyeronimus drove I’mintowin forward to take the lead inside the first 100m of the race. He dominated proceedings from that point on, kicking hard down the straight and winning impressively by 1.5 lengths. He stopped the clock at a quick 1:21.18 for 1400m. “To call that a good effort would probably be under-rating it,” Hyeroniumus said. “The track conditions helped him big time, but they’ve still got to do it, and especially first-up with such a big weight. “He’s got good first-up form and looked so good in the yard. And then, the way he handled himself on the way to the gates, I was very confident.” I’mintowin is trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for a Darby Racing syndicate and has now had 13 starts for three wins, five placings and $262,818 in stakes. “To win first-up under 62kg is no mean feat,” Bott said. “That was a great effort by the horse today. He’s always shown very honest form for us, and particularly first-up. “In a few of his campaigns, as we’ve got deeper into them, he’s just got a bit above himself. This time in, he’s been very relaxed and really held his composure, which has been a good sign. “He has plenty of natural brilliance. They’ve run quick time today, so it’s good, sustained speed that he’s got. We’ll try him at a mile next start and then go one run at a time from there.” Horse racing news View the full article

Savoir Faire wins at Cranbourne. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Talented stayer Savoir Faire staked his claim for next month’s Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) with a commanding victory at Cranbourne on Saturday. The Savabeel gelding began his career with nine starts in New Zealand, scoring a maiden win at Matamata and finishing third in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2000m), fifth in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m) and sixth in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). Savoir Faire has added another three wins to that record since relocating across the Tasman to join the Cranbourne branch of the Te Akau operation. His 20-start career has now produced four wins, eight placings and $208,666 in prize-money. The five-year-old went into Saturday’s race in promising form, with his first two starts of the preparation producing a third over 1600m at Moe and a second in last weekend’s Donald Cup (1620m). Savoir Faire relished the step back up to a middle-distance on Saturday and won with ease. Patiently ridden by Damian Lane, Savoir Faire settled in fifth in a strung-out field as a strong pace was being set out in front. Savoir Faire began to roll into contention coming up to the home turn, and he hit the front with 200m remaining. There was little doubt about the result from there as Savoir Faire kicked away to score a comfortable win by a length and three-quarters. “The race unfolded really well,” Lane said. “The speed was crazy. I was really happy with where I was. I expected the race to be a speed battle, and it was just great viewing from where I was. I was able to come into the race at the right time, and he was too good when it counted. “Hopefully he can take another step forward from here and go on to that Pakenham Cup sort of level.” The $300,000 Pakenham Cup will be run on December 21. “He was arguably probably a little bit underdone, but the plan has always been to go to the Pakenham Cup,” said Ben Gleeson, assistant trainer to Mark Walker. “He was third-up over 2000m, and I think he was two-for-two in that state and now three-for-three, so it’s just panned out perfectly. “Damian’s ride was 10 out of 10, just exceptional. That’s why you put good jockeys like him on. It was his first sit on the horse, and before the race we just said, get cover, let him suck up and travel as long as you can and he just did it all to a tee. “After he won a race well in May, Mark decided to tip him out and give him a good period off just to let his body mature, and I think that’s been massive.” Horse racing news View the full article

Refusetobeenglish wins at Cranbourne on debut in a dominant performance. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Almost exactly a year after his purchase from the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, New Zealand-bred three-year-old Refusetobeenglish got his career off to a perfect start with a dominant debut performance at Cranbourne. The Clinton McDonald-trained gelding was sent out as a $4.20 second favourite with horse racing bookmakers and made a big impression in the hands of jockey Ben Melham. In a field of only six, Refusetobeeenglish took up a handy position in fourth along the rail. He was tucked in behind the front-running favourite Romani Ite Domum, who appeared to be travelling well coming up to the home turn. But Refusetobeenglish came across heels and loomed on the outside of that rival with 200m remaining, and when Melham pushed the button, Refusetobeeenglish changed gears and sprinted past the favourite. He opened up an emphatic winning margin of three and a half lengths. “He’s a promising horse,” Melham said. “He obviously had to be that to come here today and perform the way he did against opposition that had race experience. He had trialled well and put the writing on the wall, but he still had to come here and execute on raceday. He did a good job of that today. “We were mindful that he might be a bit tardily away, but the small field helped and he was able to gather himself. He had a sweet run and it was never really in doubt.” Refusetobeenglish was offered by Lilywhites Lodge on the first day of the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on November 22 of last year. He was bought by Harbour Racing for $120,000. The Churchill gelding’s one-start, one-win career has already earned $82,500 for owners Glenstar Bloodstock. “He’s a very good gelding,” McDonald said. “Shane McGrath bought him 12 months ago at the Ready To Run Sale, and the first time we galloped him, there was something there. “We have a pretty good idea at the moment, because we have some good three-year-olds that we’re producing, and he’s up there with them. He’s an exciting horse. “He’s a proper horse. He does everything right. He’s got great mannerisms and he came here today like he had been here 100 times before. “You only had to see him in the run, he didn’t want to overdo it and when Benny gave him a click, he was able to respond. He’s got all the attributes to be a good horse and hopefully he will get there.” Horse racing news View the full article

In-form Red Centre apprentice Dakota Gillett was once again in the spotlight during the Alice Springs Turf Club’s meeting at Pioneer Park on Saturday. Alice Springs apprentice Dakota Gillett continued her good form with a winning treble at Pioneer Park on Saturday. That followed a winning double when last the Alice Springs Turf Club raced on November 9. For the 19-year-old, it was her third career treble after achieving the feat on Pioneer Sprint Day in April and on Tennant Creek Cup Day in May. Gillett, who also rode a winning double in the Red Centre on October 12, and Stan Tsaikos now sit one win behind Paul Denton in the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership with eight wins each for the season. Denton made it nine wins after guiding Kerry Petrick’s Starton to victory on Saturday. The teenager has bounced back after serving a long suspension in September when riding for Darwin trainer Phil Cole during Queensland’s Simpson Desert Racing Carnival. It was at Betoota on August 31 where she fronted stewards for excessive whip use prior to the 100m in two races. Although permitted to ride at the Birdsville meetings on September 6-7, Gillett then had to cool her heels until September 30. The Alice Springs and Provincial premiership’s leading apprentice for the past two years won the last three races on Saturday. Paul Gardner’s Get Out Mick – starting at $14 with BlondeBet – was 10 lengths off the pace in ninth place passing the 500m in a BM54 before rocketing home to win by two lengths over 1100m. Get Out Mick was a long last two weeks ago for former trainer Yannick Valenti, based in Derby (WA), until he rattled home over the final 600m to salute by 1.5 lengths over 1200m in Class 2 company with Wangaratta apprentice Jessica Booth in the saddle. Partnering $11 hope Kangaroo Court in open company over 1400m for her father Terry Gillett, Dakota was second behind runaway leader Hurn Court before pouncing at the 200m to seal victory by two lengths. The Gilletts combined again when $1.95 favourite Valley Prince, who shared the early lead, hit the front at the 400m before hanging on to win by a neck over 1600m at 0-64 level. Horse racing news View the full article

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As consolation prizes go, the $600,000 Clark Stakes (G2) still presents a sizable financial opportunity for Rattle N Roll.View the full article

Dixiana Farms' Forever After All will make her second trip west in search of graded glory in the Nov. 24 $100,000 Red Carpet Stakes (G3T) at Del Mar. View the full article

Kehoe Beach, a potential star on the rise from the Wesley Ward barn, faces a seasoned group of 3-year-old fillies in the Nov. 29 $300,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs.View the full article