Wandering Eyes

Dual Group One winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) is scheduled to kick off his campaign in next month’s Apollo Stakes. It is just under six weeks until Ceolwulf is scheduled to make his return to the races and trainer Joe Pride says the dual Group One winner is shaping up as a “bigger, stronger horse” heading into the autumn. Ceolwulf announced himself as one of the rising stars of the Australian turf last spring when he claimed back-to-back Group One wins in breathtaking fashion over the Randwick mile in the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes. The four-year-old is currently second favourite behind Cox Plate-winning star mare Via Sistina in an early market for the weight-for-age Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in April and Pride is planning to kick off the gelding’s campaign in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 15. “I’m really happy with him,” Pride said. “The aim is to run in the Apollo on the 15th (of February). “He’s just going along really nicely.” Ceolwulf was given a spell after his five-start Sydney spring campaign, which netted three wins, before returning to training to build towards his first targets of 2025. “He’s put on a heap of weight,” Pride said. “He seems like a bigger, stronger horse. How many times have you heard that from a trainer? But he does and he is actually, because he was racing at low 480s and he’s now 520 kilos. “So he’s going to trim down a little bit before he goes to the races but there’s not an ounce of fat on him. “He’s coming up really well. “I’m scary excited. Because as exciting as it is, it’s scary having a horse that good.” Pride plans to give Ceolwulf two barrier trials leading into the Apollo but is yet to lock in when they will be. Ceolwulf finished runner-up in two Group 1s in the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby during his three-year-old season, when racing as a colt, before being gelded ahead of his spring campaign last year. He won a benchmark-100 race second-up last spring over 1500m at Rosehill, then was runner-up in the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) before taking out the Epsom and King Charles III Stakes. View the full article

Riccarton trainer Mike McCann kicked off his week on the West Coast in emphatic style at Omoto on Sunday, taking out the Westland Racing Club Miss Scenicland Stakes (1500m) with progressive mare Sprocket Rocket (NZ) (What’s The Story). The daughter of What’s The Story had found the winner’s enclosure over 2000m back in September, and since, had produced consistent performances in strong Rating 75 fields. Dropping back to the 1500m, Sprocket Rocket had opened at $14 with TAB bookmakers, but the added benefit of apprentice jockey Ruvanesh Muniandy’s three-kilogram claim had her price shorten significantly, starting at $7 on the Fixed Odds. Listed winner Epee Beel and North Island visitor Regal Dice were the key picks in the fillies and mares contest and both jumped away positively, with the latter eventually taking the lead by default heading into the first turn. Sprocket Rocket initially settled near the tail of the field, but Muniandy was assertive, tracking wide along the back stretch and took over the lead at the 800m. Epee Beel stalked the first pair and looked likely turning for home, but Sprocket Rocket was in for the fight and lifted in the closing stages, taking the victory by a head. Retail Therapy was the eye-catcher in the remainder of the field, missing the start by a significant margin and powering home into third. McCann, who also part-owns the five-year-old, was delighted with the result in a track he anticipated would suit his mare. “On her day, she’s a good mare,” he said. “I’ve always rated her, but my theory is that you only go somewhere once and if it doesn’t work out, you go back to where you belong. Today was her day to go here, the track suited while it possibly didn’t suit some other horses and she got what she was after. “He (Muniandy) ran half a furlong sooner than I wanted. I told him where to go from and when he went, I thought woah, just wait a bit longer, but he knows what he’s doing and he knows this mare. “You can give them too many instructions sometimes, I can’t feel what she’s like out there.” The West Coast circuit continues on to Reefton on Wednesday before the Kumara meeting next Saturday, which will play host to the iconic Kumara Gold Nuggets (1800m), a race McCann is now considering for Sprocket Rocket. “If she comes through this, we may as well go for the Nuggets now,” he said. Out of a one-win mare Sudders, Sprocket Rocket has now won three races and placed in a further seven from 24 starts, earning just over $100,000. View the full article

Ciaron Maher is likely to resist testing Mrs Chrissie (NZ) (Per Incanto) at the Flemington 1200 metres for the first time in next Saturday’s Gr.3 Standish Handicap (1200m), instead setting his sights on a Listed race over a shorter trip on the Australia Day weekend. The speedster will most likely next run on January 25, in either the A$175,000 Adams Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield or the A$120,000 Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville, which gives her a touch over four weeks between runs after her Christmas Stakes second placing on Boxing Day. That was her second Stakes placing, after a Gr.3 Monash Stakes third, but she is still seeking her first Black Type win and Maher’s assistant trainer said the January 25 events shaped as more suitable options. “Knowing her, 1000 and 1100 (metres) are her best trips and if we can space her runs, which we like doing, we do,” Turnbull said. “There’s a race in Adelaide on the same day and one at Caulfield, she’ll be in one of the two. “She’s Stakes-quality, obviously, but if we can just get that win it will be good. We’ve got her, we’ve got a sibling, the owner’s still got the mare, so it adds a lot more to the picture.” The daughter of Per Incanto boasts six wins – the most of recent of which came in effortless fashion first-up at Ballarat – and eight placings from 21 starts and Turnbull said they had not given up on a Group 1 throw-at-the-stumps if the six-year-old could land a Stakes win. “Pie-in-the-sky you would say a Grand Final could be a Sangster (Stakes) – you might have a crack at six furlongs in mares company – but we are very realistic and the ownership group is much the same,” Turnbull said. “If we could win a Listed or Group 3 in mares grade, that’s number one (goal), and then we could potential look at a Sangster.” View the full article

Guy Heveldt, Jayne Ivil and Bruce Sherwin review a super day of racing from Trentham, highlighted by the Group 1 TAB Telegraph and New Year’s Day racing at Ellerslie. Reflect on the career of retired jockey Opie Bosson and Noel Harris’ New Year’s Day honours. Weigh In, January 5 View the full article

Roger James and Robert Wellwood have spent plenty of time in the three-year-old spotlight in the last couple of seasons, and the Cambridge trainers unveiled another bright prospect in Saturday’s Thames Valley Insurance 3YO (1150m) at Te Aroha. James and Wellwood’s star performers Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) and Orchestral (NZ) (SavabeeL) have combined to win the last two editions of the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), along with a Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and a Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2050m). Those are enormous shoes to fill for this season’s crop of age-group talent, but debutant Dealt With (NZ) (Ace High) has passed his first test in style. The Ace High gelding went into his first raceday appearance with two trials under his belt, including a five-length win over 800m at Ellerslie in September. He was sent out as a $3 favourite at Te Aroha on Saturday and produced a dominant performance that put him in the picture for bigger assignments later in the summer. Drawn gate seven in a nine-horse field, Dealt With was caught wide in the early stages of the race and jockey George Rooke had to urge him forward to take the lead and move across to the rail. Those early exertions might have been expected to take a toll on Dealt With, and he made things even harder for himself by racing greenly and drifting from side to side in the home straight. But despite all that, he pulled away from his outclassed opposition in the final 200m, cruising to a comfortable victory by just over a length. “All credit to the horse,” James said. “They didn’t give him the lead easily, so he had quite a lot of work to do early, and then he was green in the straight. But when he was by himself in those closing stages of the race, he looked good. “He’s run a time that not many maidens are running (1:09.37), so that’s probably a fair indication of his ability. “There’s a lot of improvement there, that’s for certain. He’s a big, powerful horse, but just very raw at this early stage.” The TAB now rates Dealt With a $21 chance for the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie on March 8. “Everyone wants to talk about that race, but we won’t get too carried away just yet,” James said. “We’ll get him home and make a plan around the rest of his campaign.” Dealt With is by Ace High out of the winning Exceed and Excel mare Scrutiny. His breeders Hallmark Stud offered him in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where James and Wellwood bought him for $90,000. View the full article

Star filly Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) continued her preparation towards another Group One goal with an impressive exhibition gallop at Te Aroha on Saturday. Captured By Love capped off a successful spring campaign when taking out the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November, a contest that was tipped to be a match-race between the daughter of Written Tycoon and Alabama Lass (Alabama Express), the latter finishing second. Alabama Lass joined Captured By Love in the 1000m gallop between races, where by instruction, jockey Matt Cartwright guided the Te Akau Racing filly through her work individually, coming home in 37.5 for the last 600m. “It was meant to be a quiet gallop, home in around 38, and I’m very happy with how she went,” Cartwright said. “We went with Alabama Lass, but they were to work by themselves and that’s what happened. She followed me and I did what I was instructed to do. “It was my first time riding her. She gave me a lovely feel and she’ll be a good ride for Craig Williams in the Railway.” The two speedy fillies will cross paths again on Karaka Millions night at Ellerslie in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m), where Captured By Love’s trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have engaged the champion Victorian hoop (Williams) to take the reins. Williams has been successful in many of Australia’s greatest races, including the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) and A$3 million Gr.1 Russell Balding Stakes (1200m) last spring with wonder mare Bella Nipotina. He is also well-known for his association with Kiwi-bred star Mr Brightside, the pair taking the $3 million Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) during Melbourne Cup Week. At the set weights and penalties conditions of the Railway, Captured By Love will carry just 52.5kg, with Alabama Lass at 52kg. They are both well-liked by the TAB in the early Futures market, sitting at $6 and $3 respectively. View the full article

Dog Penalty HOMEBUSH HONOR | Christchurch 30 December; failed to pursue the lure; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. General GRNZ Track Curator J Bell | Non-raceday dated 21 December; misconduct; disqualified 21 December 2024 – 20 June 2026 inclusive. The post 30 December 2024 – 5 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties R Close | Reefton 30 December; failed to drive to finish; suspended 3-8 January inclusive. P Davis | Reefton 30 December; use of whip; fined $400. J Dickie | Auckland 31 December; contacted track marker; fined $150. J Young-Grant | Rangiora 1 January; contacted track marker; fined $100. C Negus | Central Otago 2 January; use of whip; fined $300. D McCormick | Central Otago 2 January; use of whip; suspended 7-14 January inclusive. G Martin | Waikato Bay of Plenty 24 December (heard Waikato Bay of Plenty 3 January); careless driving; suspended 4-17 January inclusive. R Austin | Roxburgh 4 January; use of whip; suspended 7-26 January inclusive. Trainer Penalties M House | Reefton 30 December; failed to report a condition; fined $200. R Downey | Auckland 31 December; failed to affix bandage so as not to come adrift; fined $100. M & N Purdon | Auckland 31 December; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties MAKE MY DAY | Reefton 30 December; broke in running; must complete trial. TARUKENGA | Reefton 30 December; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. FIGHT FOR FREEDOM | Auckland 31 December; broke in running; must complete trial. SEACLUSION | Auckland 31 December; refused to score up; must complete mobile start trial. HEAVEN FORBID | Rangiora 1 January; refused to score up; must complete mobile start trial. IDEAL INVASION | Rangiora 1 January; broke in running; must complete trial. ROCK LOBSTER | Rangiora 1 January; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. THE LAST MCGUIRE | Central Otago 2 January; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. DA VINCI | Central Otago 2 January; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required. DANISH FRANCO | Central Otago 2 January; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. MAGIC SIGN | Roxburgh 4 January; lame; veterinary clearance required. Protests SEACLUSION | Auckland 31 December; unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. HEAVEN FORBID | Rangiora 1 January; unsatisfactory manners prior to start; declared a non-runner. KING OF DIAMONDS | Wairarapa 2 January; lapped on; relegated from 1st to 2nd. The post 30 December 2024 – 5 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties Y Atchamah | Kurow 30 December; careless riding; suspended 6-12 January inclusive. D Montes De Oca | Kurow 30 December; medical clearance required. M Lerner | Taranaki 31 December; use of whip; suspended 7-11 January inclusive. S Mxothwa | Taranaki 31 December; use of whip; fined $250. W Pinn | Taranaki 31 December; medical clearance required. C Barnes | Taranaki 31 December; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 1 January). T Mitchell | Auckland 1 January; use of whip; suspended 8-19 January inclusive. J Fawcett | Auckland 1 January; use of whip; fined $800. T Moodley | Auckland 1 January; medical clearance required. B May | Riverton 1 January; careless riding; suspended 6-12 January inclusive. A Goindasamy | Riverton 1 January; careless riding; suspended 6-10 January inclusive. J Mudhoo | Wairarapa 2 January; medical clearance required. R Hutchings | Thames 4 January; careless riding; suspended 8-12 January inclusive. M Cartwright | Thames 4 January; failed to ride to finish; fined $250. R Goyaram | Thames 4 January; medical clearance required. M Hudson | Wellington 4 January; careless riding; suspended 7-11 January inclusive. K Stott | Wellington 4 January; careless riding; suspended 5-12 January inclusive and fined $4,000. L Currie | Wellington 4 January; failed to make weight; fined $300. L Hemi | Greymouth 5 January; careless riding; suspended 16-22 January inclusive. Trainer Penalties P & S McKay | Taupo 30 December; late rider declaration; fined $50. R Patterson | Taranaki 31 December; incorrect gear; fined $100. P Gerard | Auckland 1 January; late to present runner; fined $50. K Selvan | Riverton 1 January; incorrect gear; fined $50. P Richards | Thames 4 January; late rider declaration; fined $50. S Marsh | Thames 4 January; late rider declaration; fined $150. M & M Pitman | Greymouth 5 January; late rider declaration; fined $50. J & K Parsons | Greymouth 5 January; incorrect gear; fined $100. J Burrows | Greymouth 5 January; late gear notification; fined $50. S Woodsford | Greymouth 5 January; incorrect saddlecloth; fined $50. Horse Penalties LYKOS | Taupo 30 December; refused to parade to start; must complete trial. CINNAMON GIRL | Kurow 30 December; fractious in barriers; must complete trial. TAIL LIGHTS | Kurow 30 December; stood in gates; must complete trial. BIKINDY | Taranaki 31 December; stood in gates; must complete trial. DAME LILIBIC | Auckland 1 January; reared at start; must complete trial. QUEEN OF THE NORTH | Riverton 1 January; epiglottic entrapment; veterinary clearance required. THE SKY ABOVE | Tauranga 2 January; reared at start; must complete trial. LIGHTNING DREAM | Tauranga 2 January; lame; veterinary clearance required. THE NEGOTIATOR | Thames 4 January; epistaxis; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. IFNDOUBTGETOUT | Wellington 4 January; late scratching after becoming fractious in barrier; must complete trial. TAIL LIGHTS | Greymouth 5 January; stood in gates; must complete trial. BLEAKHOUSE BERTIE | Greymouth 5 January; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. General The Racing Taupo meeting of 30 December was abandoned following Race 7 due to an unsafe track. Protest CINNAMON GIRL | Kurow 30 December; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 30 December 2024 – 5 January 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

What Moruya Races Where Moruya Jockey Club – 100 Donnelly Drive, Moruya NSW 2537 When Monday, January 6, 2025 First Race 1:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble The new week of racing gets underway at Moruya Jockey Club on Monday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program set down for decision. The $75,000 Moruya Cup headlines the action, with the winning going on to secure automatic entry into the Big Dance (1600m) later in the year. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and although some rainfall is forecast on race-day, punters can expect a Good deck prior to the opening event at 1:35pm local time. Moruya Cup Tip: Clever Art Clever Art is in career-best form heading into the 2025 Moruya Cup, securing three victories across her last eight starts. She tackled a testing BM78 in her most recent effort at Kembla Grange on November 23, and although she was well held by 3.4 lengths behind I’mintowin, the form-line reads well dropping back to country grade. Jeff Penza gets legged back aboard after combining with Clever Art to claim the Gundagai Cup (1400m) two starts back, and provided they can replicate that peak, the $8 with Neds appears too big to ignore. Moruya Cup Race 7 – #2 Clever Art (4) 6yo Mare | T: Mitchell Beer | J: Jeff Penza (59.5kg) +700 with Neds Best Bet at Moruya: Stallone Stallone is a new horse since joining the Bjorn Baker barn, securing back-to-back victories by a combined 11.2 lengths. He demolished his rivals in his latest triumph at Orange on December 30, storming clear to suggest the son of Extreme Choice still has plenty of upside. Ashley Morgan will take luck out of the equation and lead from stall two, and if he holds his form third-up, it should be a matter of ‘how far’ for Stallone as he claims a hat-trick of wins. Best Bet Race 4 – #3 Stallone (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Ashley Morgan (57.5kg) -125 with BlondeBet Next Best at Moruya: Century Song The Robert & Luke Price-trained Century Song returns after a 95-day spell and looks well placed in this country maiden. The son of Microphone gave a good account of himself on debut at Kembla Grange on October 3, finishing runner-up despite being unsuited by the bottomless Heavy surface. His barrier trial victory suggests he’s ready for a first-up peak, and with Tommy Berry heading to Moruya to take the reins, Century Song should get every chance to break his maiden at start two. Next Best Race 5 – #2 Century Song (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Robert & Luke Price | J: Tommy Berry (58.5kg) +180 with Picklebet Best Value at Moruya: Easement Easement represents terrific each-way value heading into this third-up assignment. The Preferment gelding was doing his best work late over 1300m at this course on December 22 and was unsuited by a muddling tempo throughout the journey. Favoured pair Puntin and King Taurus should provide a strong tempo in this Class 1 contest, and provided Easement can get off the inside rail at a crucial stage, watch for this guy to be putting in the big strides at a big price with Dabble. Best Value Race 2 – #8 Easement (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Greg Backhouse | J: Ellen Hennessy (55kg) +2000 with Dabble Monday quaddie tips for Moruya Moruya quadrella selections January 6, 2025 1-2-5 3-4-5-10 2-3-6-10-11 1-2-5-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Here are my bets with BoomBet. Click the link to add my bets straight to your betslip: =BetShare Horse racing tips View the full article

Darwin-based jockey Raymond Vigar continues to make an impression in the Northern Territory after spending almost four years out of the saddle For Raymond Vigar, it was two rides for two wins at Darwin on Saturday. Hitting the front early, Vigar celebrated on Tayarn Halter’s Forms Of Fear, who started at $3.30 with online bookmakers, over 1200m in Class 2 and Phil Cole’s $18 outsider Exceedingly Magic over 1100m against BM54 opposition. It was the 29-year-old’s first Fannie Bay double since 2020 Darwin Cup Day. The former Darwin and Alice Springs Cup winning jockey returned to racing after 47 months in November on Melbourne Cup Day. Forms Of Fear was an unlucky second over 1100m three weeks ago after burning petrol from a wide gate in quest of the lead before succumbing to Jason Manning’s fast-finishing Brazen Bon. Lumping 61kg in his first trip over 1200m, Forms Of Fear settled in front from gate two before kicking away in the home straight to overcome $1.80 favourite Brazen Bon and Cole’s Bryce by 3.5 lengths. Exceedingly Magic, winless since last July, was returning after three months and after travelling four deep when vying for the early lead settled in front at the 700m exiting the back straight. The mare went on to seal victory by 1.3 lengths from Tom Logan’s Miss Black Diamond, returning from a spell, and Gary Clarke’s NT debutante He’s Essential. Clarke’s $3.20 chance Doc O’Connor, ridden by Jarrod Todd, also led throughout before toppling stablemate Patriotic King and Paul Shiers’ new arrival Crazy Brave from Queensland over 1100m at BM76 level. Although winning by half a length, Doc O’Connor never looked like losing to make it eight wins from 16 Top End starts. Cole ended 2024 with a winning double last Saturday and started 2025 with two wins when Soul Spirit, with Wayne Davis aboard, saluted for the first time since last May after securing an exciting 0-64 over 1200m with 1.1 lengths separating the first four. Impressing three weeks ago after four months in the paddock, Soul Spirit trailed the leaders before swooping late to nail Logan’s Astern Magic, who travelled three wide the whole trip, and Clarke’s Devils Delight. After winning Fannie Bay’s final race for 2024, Sonja Logan won the first race in 2025 when Queen In The North, starting at $3.60 and trained by husband Tom, finished strongly to get the cash over 1300m in 0-58 class. Starting well from a wide gate before settling fourth, Queen In The North, a last start winner on December 14, got off the fence in the home straight before downing Chris Pollard’s Brimarvi Rooboy and Ella Clarke’s Hotim English by 2.5 lengths. Horse racing news View the full article

In just her second start since joining Bob Baffert's barn, Richi gave the Hall of Fame trainer his fourth winner of the day when defeating stablemate Pleasant by 1 1/2 lengths in the Jan. 4 $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Remington Springboard Mile Stakes winner Coal Battle won a second points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby by soundly defeating Mo Quality in the Jan. 4 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park.View the full article

Turfway Park has moved its Jan. 8 racing card to Jan. 12 with a 1 p.m. first post, in response to a National Weather Service forecast predicting a significant winter storm followed by nighttime wind chills in the single digits.View the full article

Manuel B. of Garden Grove, CA, who participated in Santa Anita's Mystery Mutuel Voucher promotion, won the grand prize of $10,000, Santa Anita announced Saturday. Manuel, who has regularly attended Santa Anita for more than 15 years, said he has participated in every previous Mystery Mutuel Voucher promotion and had only cashed $2 or $5 tickets. He said he loves Santa Anita and playing the horses. Manuel added he plans to use the $10,000 toward the purchase of a new car. All Santa Anita 1/ST REWARDS members receive direct mailers throughout Santa Anita's live race meets, which include Mystery Mutuel Vouchers. Participants win rewards of either $5, $10, $20, $100, $1,000 or in some lucky cases, $10,000. Mystery Mutuel vouchers are mailed to 1/ST REWARDS members periodically throughout the Classic, Hollywood and Autumn Meets. The post $10,000 Winner Revealed In Santa Anita’s Mystery Mutuel Voucher Promotion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-Santa Anita, $64,196, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($50,000), 1-4, 4yo/up, 1m, 1:36.15, ft, 4 1/2 lengths. MIRAHMADI (c, 4, Into Mischief–More Chocolate {GSW & MGISP, $373,892}, by Malibu Moon), a runner-up in the GI Del Mar Futurity as a juvenile, took the maiden mic at 'The Great RIP' Oct. 12. Though track announcer Frank Mirahmadi's eponymous equine athlete was well-beaten in the GIII Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 23, the colt was backed as the 2-1 second choice here behind 'TDN Rising Star' and Insight runner Eagles Flight (Curlin). Blowing and going out of the blocks, the Bob Baffert trainee wrestled the lead away from Flightline's half-brother and made the front into the first turn. The 4-year-old sailed up the backstretch as the pair separated themselves from the rest of the field. In control around the far turn, Mirahmadi clearly had plenty left in the tank and he visited the winner's circle after a 4 1/2-length score over the favorite. The winner's dam is responsible for back-to-back fillies by McKinzie starting in 2022. More Chocolate visited Good Magic for this year. Sales History: $1,050,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISP, 11-2-4-2, $203,740. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan and Tom J. Ryan; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD. (KY); T-Bob Baffert. MIRAHMADI ($6.80) seems to have put it together now as he scores the win in the 7th at @SantaAnitaPark. The four-year-old Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) colt is trained by @BobBaffert and @JJHernandezS19 was up. Play the Pick 3: https://t.co/5VcRa4VxbO pic.twitter.com/FufzDLOENp — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 4, 2025 The post Mirahmadi’s Eponymous Equine Athlete ‘Clears’ Allowance Condition At Great RIP appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chilean import RICHI (CHI) (Practical Joke), second in the Desert Stormer Stakes in her North American debut June 2, went one better Saturday to win the GIII Las Flores Stakes and upset heavy 1-5 favorite and fellow Bob Baffert trainee Pleasant (Munnings). Enjoying the shortest way around the track and racing with blinkers for the first time, the 3-1 shot always had the first jump on her stablemate, turned for home still on the lead and stayed safely away as Pleasant was unable to make up any late ground. Don't Bring Crazy (Maximus Mischief) came in third. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Chi, 11-7-3-0. O-Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. (J. G. Sikura) and Stud Vendaval, Inc.; B-Haras Paso Nevado; T-Bob Baffert. The post Practical Joke’s Richi Upsets Pleasant To Win Las Flores appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If the Kentucky Derby (G1) doesn't work out for Cyclone State, there's always the Cigar Mile Handicap (G2).View the full article

Unlike in his maiden win, where he surged home unchallenged, Guns Loaded fought tooth and nail to the wire this time around, prevailing by a neck over a fast-finishing Treaty of Rome in the Jan. 4 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park. View the full article

A $3.2 million yearling named for Bob Baffert's longtime assistant Jimmy Barnes, Barnes made it 2-for-2 in the San Vicente Stakes (G2), his stakes debut.View the full article

Turfway Park has moved its Wednesday, Jan. 8 racing card to Sunday, Jan. 12 with a 1:00 p.m. ET. first post, in response to a National Weather Service forecast predicting a significant winter storm followed by nighttime wind chills in the single digits, the track said in a press release Saturday. The card will not be redrawn and run in its entirety on Sunday. Officials will continue to monitor the weather forecast throughout the week and provide updates if necessary for any changes regarding Thursday through Saturday's cards. Click here for additional information or follow Turfway Park on social media. The post Turfway Moves Wednesday Card To Sunday Jan. 12 Due To Winter Weather Forecast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Amid a tough week, Kimberly Butt produced a pinpoint drive to clinch a fitting victory in yesterday’s Peters Genetics Roxburgh Cup with Commander Ben. Butt recently lost her grandfather, master trotting trainer Dick Prendergast who passed away last Friday. With Prendergast hailing from the Central Otago region, it has been appropriate that Butt has been in outstanding form on the Central Otago summer harness racing circuit. “I had a bit of a bad run at the West Coast right when Grandad died, but back down here in his home place it has gone really well,” the reinswoman said. Butt produced a masterful drive amid a hectic running of the Peters Genetics Roxburgh Cup. Commander Ben enjoyed the best possible run in the race, with Butt staying out of several battles for the lead while giving her charge a sweet run on the markers. Butt then moved the Brent and Tim White trained pacer off the pegs before launching his winning run on the home turn. Despite producing strong results in 2024, the White stable hadn’t enjoyed the best form in recent weeks but the trainers’ class shone through when Commander Ben bagged the second of their two wins on Roxburgh Cup day. And Butt was thrilled to be part of the stable’s form resurgence and to deliver a cup win for owner Wendy Nordqvist. “To get them back (winning) – not only for Brent and Tim but for Wendy as well, she has been super loyal to all of us.” “I am rapt for us to have a bit of a change of luck and to get the win with this fellow.” Earlier in the Roxburgh programme the White stable produced One For Jay for an impressive maiden victory. Again driven by Butt, the filly smashed the Roxburgh 2180m track record for a three-year-old fillies when scoring in a time of 2-40.3. One For Jay is raced by a group of owners headed by Lex Williams, a big supporter of the Roxburgh Trotting Club “We have always had a really high opinion of her and it is great that Lex and all of her owners that they can be rewarded for their patience with her.” Butt could wrap up the Central Otago circuit in the best possible style at Cromwell on Monday. The reinswoman gets the chance to wear her grandfather’s colours, these days used by trainer Matthew Williamson. Butt will link up with Majesdix, the last horse her grandfather raced before his passing. “I have never told Matty this much, but I always wanted a drive, just to drive in Granddad’s colours.” “For him to put me on Majesdix, it will be pretty special just to have the drive.” Butt will also link up with Commander Ben and One For Jay who will both be out to win again at Cromwell. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Exciting Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod was denied victory in the very last stride of last night’s $75,000 Group 2 Bendigo Cup. Having his first run in Victoria, the lightly raced Mark Jones-trained gelding was smashed in betting from $2 to $1.50 and all looked ideal when driver Anthony Butt took him to a comfortable lead from gate four. With his main dangers back in the field or making midrace moves, Butt was eager to “roll along” through a middle split of 58.2sec and 28sec-flat third quarter. Tact McLeod scooted away rounding the final bend and looked set for victory, but really tired in the last 80m and remarkable veteran Bulletproof Boy flashed home to snatch the win by a nose in a brisk 1min55.7sec mile rate for 2650m. That man James Herbertson, winner of last year’s Australian driving premiership by a huge space, took the reins. His winning move came in the middle stages when Herbertson came three-wide around to the breeze and then landed the one-one trail on Cantfindabettorman. “He’s just a legend, isn’t he? I don’t even know how old he is, but what a credit he is to Scotty (Ewen, trainer) and his team. He’s just a perfect racehorse.” The 10-year-old Bulletproof Boy was having his 203rd start and posted his 45th win. He’s banked over $640,000. “He’s just gotten better with age and he’s never gone better. I’d love to have a crack at the Hunter Cup with him,” Ewen said. Bulletproof Boy and Tact McLeod look set for a rematch in next Saturday night’s $75,000 Group 2 Shepparton Gold Cup. Much interest also centred around the return of former Victoria Cup winner Rock N Roll Doo. Back with original trainer Mick Stanley after a Kiwi stint with the Dalgety barn, Rock N Roll Doo drew outside the back row, sat last and did make good late ground to finish just 9.6m from the winner, albeit in ninth spot. He’s sure to strip fitter when he heads to the $100,000 Group 2 Ballarat Cup on January 18. X X X Classy Aussie trotter Arcee Phoenix has bounced out of his luckless Addington campaign in great style. The Chris Svanosio-trained gelding, who ran fourth in the Dominion and NZ Trotting Free-For-All during Cup Week, successfully defended his Group 1 Maori Mile crown at Bendigo last night. It was only his second run since returning from NZ. In contrast to last year when Arcee Phoenix led throughout, last night he stalked a solid speed and stormed home to beat Kiwi-owned mare Queen Elida in terrific style. They went a slick 1min55.7sec mile. It was his 12th win and took his career earnings to an impressive $410,705. Queen Elida, who was expected to lead, couldn’t cross them early, but landed the one-one trail and loomed as the winner rounding the final bend. It was a huge race for Svanosio with his much-improved trotter Aroha Koe working to the front midrace and holding on for third. X X X Snaring a second successive NZ Cup with Swayzee wasn’t the only win Jason Grimson had at Addington in November. The top Menangle trainer also picked-up Im The Falcon to join his stable and the gelding has quickly won a hat-trick of races at Menangle. The son of Bettor’s Delight has improved – at least on times – in all of them, breaking 1min50sec for the mile with his 1min49.8sec win from behind the leader in the PJ Hall free-for-all last night. Jack Callaghan took the reins as he just staved-off a booming late surge from Inter Dominion pacing final placegetter Terry, who stormed home from last to get within a neck. It was a big night for Grimson who also had wins with other recent stable additions, Miki Pins and Compete. Miki Pins is unbeaten in four starts for the stable, while Compete has won three of his four starts for Grimson. View the full article

Coming into this contest already dually placed at the highest level, Nitrogen (Medagalia d'Oro) turned on the nitrous in the stretch to run down her rivals and claim her first stakes victory. Last seen running third Nov. 1 in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf behind European powerhouse, 'TDN Rising Star', and multiple Group/Grade I winner Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), and GSW May Day Ready (Tapit), Nitrogen had earlier tried Canadian Grade I company at Woodbine. Third in the GI Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes Sept. 14 behind GISW And One More Time (Omaha Beach) and GISP Vixen (Vekoma), the public understandably made her the 9-5 betting choice here. Settled off the pace in fifth early, and largely able to avoid the traffic which shut off Love Cervere (Into Mischief) on the rail entering the first turn, she was patiently handled until the far bend behind :23.11, :47.51 and 1:11.65 splits. Gaining her opening nearing the eighth pole, she roared home on the outside to overhaul an extremely brave Love Cervere by a half-length as that one claimed the runner-up spot in a photo. Civetta (Into Mischief) was on the losing end. A homebred for D. J. Stables, Nitrogen is the second to earn black-type for the dam, whose first was the accomplished runner Love to Shop. Tiffany Case came up barren in 2023 after a trip to Constitution, but she did produce a now yearling filly by Gun Runner. She was not bred for 2025. #10 NITROGEN ($5.60) spurts home to win the $165,000 Ginger Brew Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. The three-year-old old filly by @DarleyAmerica's Medaglia d'Oro was ridden by @jose93_ortiz for trainer @markecasse. pic.twitter.com/88i6ZEtWgg — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 4, 2025 GINGER BREW S., $150,000, Gulfstream, 1-4, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:34.53, fm. 1–NITROGEN, 120, f, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro 1st Dam: Tiffany Case (SP), by Uncle Mo 2nd Dam: Biblical Point, by Point Given 3rd Dam: Bibical Sense, by Blushing Groom (Fr) 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-D. J. Stable, LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $88,350. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 4-1-1-2, $225,554. *1/2 to Love to Shop (Violence), SW & MGSP, $240,778. 2–Love Cervere, 118, f, 3, Into Mischief–Panther Strike, by Black Minnaloushe. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Edward A. Seltzer, Beverly Anderson and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; B-Edward & Beverly Seltzer (KY); T-Christophe Clement. $28,500. 3–Civetta, 120, f, 3, Into Mischief–Sentiero Italia, by Medaglia d'Oro. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $14,250. Margins: HF, HD, 3/4. Odds: 1.80, 7.80, 3.70. Also Ran: Winning Streep, Correto, Fixin to Bee, Disco Star, Forward Deployed, Good Long Cry, Special Aviator. Scratched: Hello Hello Hello, La Gioconda, Smile Po. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Nitrogen Roars Home Late to Claim Ginger Brew at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Already in possession of points on the Road the Kentucky Derby thanks to his win in the Remington Springboard Mile Dec. 13, COAL BATTLE (c, 3, Coal Front–Wolfblade, by Midshipman) added 10 points to that total and is now a three-time stakes winner in taking Saturday's Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The most experienced runner in the field and a winner of his last two, the 9-2 shot was keen to go and set a pressured pace though the fractions stayed manageable. Shaken up off the turn, he kicked away from a tightly-grouped field to lead in Mo Quality (Mo Town) and Kale's Angel (Complexity). Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-0. O-Norman Stables LLC; B-Hume Wornall & Jay Adcock; T-Lonnie Briley. Sales History: $70,000 ylg '23 TTAYRL. “It's the pride of Remington Park, it's Coal Battle in the Smarty Jones!” Coal Battle extends his win streak to three and picks up 10 Kentucky Derby points in the Smarty Jones! Juan Vargas guided the 3YO son of Coal Front for trainer Lonnie Briley. TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/1BUAKYMln5 — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) January 4, 2025 The post Coal Battle Picks Up More Derby Points With Smarty Jones Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article