Wandering Eyes

Andrea Atzeni has got the late call up to ride in next Sunday’s Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) aboard last year’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) hero Giavellotto. The Sardinian won a Group Two on the six-year-old in 2023 and with Oisin Murphy mooted for the ride on Japanese hopeful Byzantine Dream, trainer Marco Botti has turned to another familiar face in Atzeni. “He is a horse I’ve known from back home and I won a Group Two on him. I’ve ridden him a few times and it looks like...View the full article

There was a moment or two of concern but My Wish ultimately made the perfect start to what could be a big campaign with victory in the Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. After two impressive trials, last season’s Classic Mile winner was sent off the $2.25 favourite and trainer Mark Newnham was pleased to see him do what he thought he would. “Everyone’s been excited, no one more than myself. He was going that well and we thought he’d make good improvement, so it was a bit...View the full article

Apprentice jockey Jack Taplin sustained a broken wrist in Saturday’s shocking race fall at Riccarton Park, which involved four other jockeys including Bridget Grylls and Brandon May, who were also injured. Taplin’s mount King Of The Castle was brought down by the fallen Richard Stomper (May) near the 550m, with the trailing Koyama (Yogesh Atchamah), She’s So Reliable (Grylls) and Proserve (Brett Murray) unable to avoid the fallen horses and dislodging their respective riders. Atchamah and Murray were assessed by St John personnel and cleared of injury, while Taplin, May and Grylls were transported to Christchurch Hospital for further assessment. All horses came through the incident relatively unscathed with just bumps, bruises and scrapes reported. New Zealand Jockeys’ Association Executive Officer Andrew Lacy shared further updates on the riders on Sunday evening. “I have been in contact with all of the jockeys involved in this incident, and fortunately Brandon May, Jack Taplin and Bridget Grylls have all been discharged from hospital,” he said. “Jack has shattered his wrist and has a possible fracture in his arm, he came out of hospital early on Sunday morning and is taking it as it comes at this stage. “Brandon was quite sore in the lower back and pelvic area after being stood on by a horse, so he went to the hospital and fortunately everything came out clear in the x-ray. He has some internal bleeding on the muscle in that area, but is resting up and feeling very grateful as it could’ve been a lot worse. “Bridget sustained a concussion and dislocated and possibly broke her finger, and also got stitches for a scratch on her knee. “Brett was not injured in the incident and will be riding at the trials at Riccarton on Monday. “Yogesh has also been cleared to ride after being checked at the meeting.” View the full article

Robbie Patterson was given a boost of confidence around the future of staying mare Freebelle (NZ) (Belardo) when she came out on top in the Murdoch Contracting 1400 at Waverley on Sunday. The five-year-old had just five starts under her belt in a short career to date, two of those being winning efforts over a mile, so Patterson anticipated she may find the seven furlongs a touch sharp first-up this campaign. Kavish Chowdhoory got the late call-up to ride the mare after regular stable rider Craig Grylls was unable to attend the meeting, but the former had guided her to success at Trentham through the winter and allowed her to find her feet early under a fierce tempo set by Vibration and Duncan Creek. The field strung out along the back straight and Freebelle was spotting the leader more than eight lengths at the 600m, but started to pick up ground turning for home as Duncan Creek attempted to get a break on his rivals. Challengers were coming across right the track but none with more momentum than Freebelle, who wound up down the centre and powered on by to score with authority ahead of a game Vibration and Champagne Linda. Patterson was pleasantly surprised with the result, with Freebelle being his sole representative on the nine-race card. “She’s a real staying type and not a big horse, so over the 1400m, I would’ve been very happy if she ran into about fifth,” he said. “The pace in the race showed she’s got some real stamina inside her, she was flat to the boards the whole way so to round it off like that, she’s shown she’s above average. “I was never worried about the better track, she’s a very good-actioned horse and comes from a very good family over a few generations. I didn’t expect that over 1400m, so it’s a sign of a good stayer if they can do that fresh-up over 1400m. “We’ll find a nice race around three weeks’ time for her, I think there’s a 75 mile back at Waverley on their Cup day so I’ll take her back there for that. “I’ll be patient with her and hopefully she’ll go to another level.” While talented, Freebelle has a few tricks up her sleeve, and Patterson praised Chowdhoory’s handling of the daughter of Belardo. “Craig was unfortunately not unable to be here, but Kavish is a lovely guy and rides jumpouts for us and does a lot of work behind the scenes,” he said. “This horse has been tricky, she has been late scratched a couple of times for dumping riders going down to the start, so he’s done a super job with her.” In six starts, Freebelle has recorded three wins and a minor placing, having only debuted as a four-year-old last December. Out of a Thorn Park mare Freelinks, her granddam was a top middle distance mare and Group One performer in Freequent. View the full article

Promising three-year-old filly Shameless Star (NZ) (Shamexpress) continued a week of milestone successes for the Didham family at Waverley on Sunday. The daughter of Shamexpress delivered her co-trainer Peter Didham’s 100th training victory in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m), just two days after the Awapuni horseman got his first win in partnership with his son, Trent Didham, courtesy of Danjuro (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) at Otaki. Shameless Star had appeared three times as a juvenile, the third of those contesting the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at the end of March. While she didn’t figure in the finish on that occasion, she came close to breaking maidens first-up at three, going down by a head to Amazing Son at Wanganui. Remaining at the 1200m, the filly showed her tactical speed early to find the one-one and travelled strongly in the soft conditions under Kelly Myers. Dancing Light ensured a hot tempo and had many off the bit turning for home, but Shameless Star was looming large and had the edge late, kicking clear to edge out Fleeting Glimpse and debutant Into The Circle. Alongside the winning stake, Shameless Star’s owners will collect a $20,000 bonus and the Didhams an additional $5,000, having been a $55,000 purchase by Exempt Bloodstock out of the draft of Woburn Farm at the Karaka Yearling Sales. Didham has never doubted the filly’s ability, but said she has taken some managing with such a light frame. “She’s a lovely horse but just very weak, she’s a picky eater and doesn’t carry much condition which makes her harder to train,” he said. “She’s always had a tonne of ability, but just with her light frame she may be one of those horses that takes another six months to a year. ‘’Her last run was unlucky, she got a bit unbalanced and missed by a head, but Kelly did a beautiful job from a wide gate today and got her into the one-one on a fast pace. “She got to the front and wandered around a bit, but she was going away again at the line so it was a good, strong win. “When she comes home, she can have a week in the paddock and she seem to enjoy being trained out of the paddock more so than the boxes, so we’ll be conscious of that.” Didham was equally pleased to bring up his century, having taken out his trainer’s license in 2019. In the years since, he has enjoyed a consistent run of strong results, including two stakes victories with House Of Cartier in the Gr.3 Metric Mile (1600m) and Listed Feilding Cup (2100m). “It’s really good to get 100 wins, we’ve only been training about four and a half years so the strike rate is important,” he said. “We’ve got a really young team of horses coming through which is exciting for myself and Trent. Trent worked for John O’Shea and Mick Price and felt out the industry before deciding to come home and get involved here, the racing industry has its ups and downs but we need to keep attracting young people. “I’m excited to have him on board and we’ve got an amazing bunch of owners, we had Felucca run second today and you’d think they’d won the Melbourne Cup so it’s pretty cool. “We all need those Group level horses to get you out of bed in the morning so we’ve gone out and bought some nice young horses to try to get to those good races, we have 10 two-year-olds and there are some promising types in there.” View the full article

You couldn’t wipe the smile off Brett Crawford’s face at Sha Tin on Sunday after the trainer snared his first Hong Kong success and then quickly helped himself to a double. After a positive start to life in Hong Kong with three placings from five starters, Crawford headed to Sha Tin with just two runners and things could not have unfolded any better. “Amazing day. I couldn’t be happier,” he said after Ninja Derby joined Speedy Smartie on the winners’ list. After finishing second on turf as...View the full article

Jockey Derek Leung Ka-chun bemoaned an unsuitable trip and fast pace after Lucky Sweynesse’s disappointing 11th in Sunday’s Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama Racecourse. In his international debut, Manfred Man Ka-leung’s four-time Group One winner settled behind midfield from barrier 10 and was under pressure throughout in a race dominated by on-pace runners. Sent off a $7.3 chance with parochial Hong Kong punters but $36.6 in Japan, Lucky Sweynesse was well beaten behind Win...View the full article

Join Guy Heveldt, Emily Bosson and Jayne Ivil as they review a Group 1 weekend. They’re joined by Lance O’Sullivan who talks about the stables favourite in Waitak, and hear from Kylie Williams who reflects on 1000 wins. Weigh In, September 28 View the full article

Well-related stayer Notabadspillane (NZ) (Time Test) has a prestigious Cups target in his sights after a comprehensive victory in the Inspire Racing St John’s Old Boys Syndicate (2100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Shaun Phelan-prepared galloper had been a comfortable winner over a similar distance at the course a fortnight ago, and with regular rider Elen Nicholas in the saddle, he started favourite for the $65,000 contest ahead of Tisse and Tregor. Nicholas showed intent early from the gate, pressing forward to lead early before allowing Talentoso to cross over and set the tempo. The big-striding Notabadspillane was in a beautiful rhythm along the back and cruised up to lead on the corner, giving his rivals something to chase in the straight Tisse got out into the clear and set out after Notabadspillane at the 350m, but he was off and gone, powering through the line to score by 2 – ½ lengths, with Tisse game in defeat ahead of Prisca and Boxmoss. It was close to the complete performance from Notabadspillane, who had proven a difficult ride over the longer trips early in his career. “He’s over-raced a lot, right through his whole life pretty much, so we’ve been riding him back to try and get him to settle,” Nicholas said. “He’s just matured so much now that you can put him in the race and he does switch off, then you ask him to go, and he’s got plenty. “I was happy not to lead but I wanted to be up handy, I had an opportunity to sit outside the leader instead of sitting behind him so I opted to do that and he did it easily. “He stays all day this horse, I think he’s pretty smart.” Phelan and Nicholas are eyeing the Gr.3 162nd New Zealand Cup (3200m) with Notabadspillane, and will give him every opportunity to get to the $450,000 feature at Riccarton on November 15. “He’s pretty airborne at the moment this horse, and to be fair, the jockey is too,” Phelan said. “It was a beautiful ride from the draw. “Six months ago, if you lit him up early, he lost it at the end of the race. Now he’s so much more tractable, hopefully we’ve got a big Cup race in us somewhere. There’s one down south if we could get down there alright, but if not, there’s plenty around here and he loves Te Rapa. “We’ll probably stick to Te Rapa and see if we can get to the big one, if he goes well here we can keep him at home then fly down if we’re good enough. He’ll want a better track, he’s got a big stride which probably tells you the track isn’t too bad out there. “But, he was probably the best horse in the race and won it well.” A son of Time Test, Notabadspillane was secured for $50,000 by Phelan out of breeder Ardsley Stud’s draft at the Karaka Yearling Sales in 2022, and just over a year later, his half-sister Pennyweka won the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m). Their dam Threepence was unraced, but is a half-sister to Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Titch and stakes performers Soph, The Mayor and Streets Away. The five-year-old is fashioning a smart record of his own, recording three wins and six placings from just 15 starts, accumulating over $113,000 in stakes for connections. “It is a pretty special win for us because myself and Elen picked this horse out of the yearling sales and Chris (Faulkner) and Hugh (Chapman) came in,” Phelan said. “They’ve been very patient and it’s finally paying off.” View the full article

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Zero-for-three in his previous tries in the John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T), Gold Phoenix was back better than ever in his attempt No. 4, storming to a 1 1/4-length victory Sept. 27 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Three-year-old Nevada Beach, the least experienced horse in the field, upsets 2024 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Full Serrano to capture the $300,000 Goodwood Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Whether it is the first Saturday in May or the last one in September, Mystik Dan continues to rack up the wins at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Up-and-coming 3-year-old Nevada Beach upsets 2024 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Full Serrano to capture the $300,000 Goodwood Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman's lightly raced 3-year-old Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach), last seen capturing the Los Alamitos Derby June 28, fired fresh off the bench to punch his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic with an 8-1 upset victory for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert against older horses in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI Goodwood S. at Santa Anita. Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile upsetter Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast) was second as the 1-2 favorite. Privman (Justify) was third. Fourth beneath Mike Smith heading into the clubhouse turn, Nevada Beach pressed Full Serrano through a half mile in :47.86. He turned up the heat midway on the far turn and fought his way past that game rival to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths. Pedigree Notes: Nevada Beach was purchased by the 'Three Amigos' for $260,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. The three Arizona businessmen have been partners in several top horses trained by Baffert, including champions Lookin At Lucky and Midnight Lute as well as fellow Grade I winners Hoppertunity, McKinzie, Secret Circle, et al. Nevada Beach becomes the seventh graded winner for Omaha Beach and third at the top level. Nevada Beach's dam, two-time stakes winner Morrow Cove (Yes It's True), is a half-sister to GISW Decked Out (Street Boss). She is also responsible for the unraced 2-year-old filly Queen of Cairo (American Pharoah). #5 NEVADA BEACH ($19) under @mikeesmith10 upsets the favorite Full Serrano in the $300,000 Goodwood Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita and earns a spot in the @BreedersCup. The son of Omaha Beach (@spendthriftfarm) is trained by Bob Baffert. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/82iorDX6SP — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 28, 2025 Saturday, Santa Anita GOODWOOD S.-GI, $300,500, Santa Anita, 9-27, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:48.43, ft. 1–NEVADA BEACH, 120, c, 3, by Omaha Beach 1st Dam: Morrow Cove (MSW, $182,610), by Yes It's True 2nd Dam: Once Around, by You and I 3rd Dam: Persimmon Hill, by Conquistador Cielo 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($260,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman; B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust, Phil Tackett Estate & Christy Tackett (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Mike E. Smith. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $296,500. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Full Serrano (Arg), 124, h, 6, Full Mast–Serra Do Mar (Arg), by Jump Start. O-Hronis Racing LLC; B-Stud Haras Gran Muneca A. (Arg); T-John W. Sadler. $60,000. 3–Privman, 118, c, 3, Justify–Mo Knows, by Uncle Mo. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($625,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan; B-Betz/B&K Canetti/J.Betz/D.J. Stables/Graves/GTL (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $36,000. Margins: 1HF, 3 1/4, 2HF. Odds: 8.50, 0.50, 14.00. Also Ran: First Mission, Ultimate Gamble, Express Train. Scratched: Gaming. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Nevada Beach Upsets Full Serrano in ‘WAYI’ Goodwood appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At the age of 75, trainer Michael Campbell has little interest in a large stable. But Campbell surely had the right horse Sept. 27 in George Mellon's Patriot Spirit, who is poised to give his trainer's stable 10% participation at the Breeders' Cup.View the full article

Johannes, winner of the 2024 City of Hope Mile Stakes (G2T) and second in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T), prepped for this year's Breeders' Cup with a second victory in the City of Hope Mile Sept. 27 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

In his second trip to the post, Provenance (Into Mischief) became Monomoy Girl's first 'TDN Rising Star' at Santa Anita Park. The bay debuted Aug. 23 at Del Mar and ran third in a mile maiden special weight that yielded GSP Plutarch (Into Mischief) when he hit the board in the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf next out. He finished second in front of Provenance in that mutual debut. Training well since that unveiling, the Bob Baffert trainee recently put in a strong four-furlong work Sept. 20 in advance of this start in :46.60 (2/108). Sent off here carrying 2-5 favoritism, the Spendthrift Farm homebred showed the way through an opening quarter in :22.64 and a half in :45.40. Giving the field the slip entering the lane, he was offered a reminder to keep his mind on business at the eighth pole and ended up swapping to his wrong lead inside the sixteenth, but comfortably held off a fast-closing Plagarist (Beau Liam) to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Provenance is the first to the races for Monomoy Girl, a two-time champion and multiple Grade I winner during her time on the track. Chief among those elite-level wins are two victories in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, and she also claimed the garland of lilies on the first Friday in May 2019. The dam has a yearling full-sister to this 'Rising Star' but her 2025 full-sibling to the pair was stillborn. She went to Gun Runner for 2026. #1 PROVENANCE ($2.80) got to the lead early and pulled away in the stretch to comfortably win race 5 at Santa Anita. The 2yo son of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @JJHernandezS19 and is trained by Bob Baffert. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/IJ0ilItWYV — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 27, 2025 5th-Santa Anita, $60,500, Msw, 9-27, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.40, ft, 1 3/4 lengths. PROVENANCE, c, 2, by Into Mischief 1st Dam: Monomoy Girl (Ch. 3-year-old Filly, Ch. Older Dirt Female, MGISW, $4,776,818), by Tapizar 2nd Dam: Drumette, by Henny Hughes 3rd Dam: Endless Parade, by Williamstown Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $45,600. O/B-Spendthrift Farm, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. The post Into Mischief’s Provenance Gains ‘Rising Star’ Status at Second Asking appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just like he did beneath the Twin Spires on the first Saturday in May in 2024, GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) shot up the rail once again to a dramatic victory in Saturday's GII Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs. With jockey Francisco Arrieta subbing for the sidelined Brian Hernandez, Jr., Mystik Dan raced in an inside fourth through an opening quarter in :23.45. Awaiting racing room on the far turn as 'TDN Rising Star' Disarm (Gun Runner) made a bold sweep for the lead, Mystik Dan finally found a seam along the rail in the stretch and punched on through to win by 3/4 of a length as the 3-2 favorite. “First and foremost, I want to send my well wishes to Brian (Hernandez Jr.),” Arrieta said. “I had so much horse in the stretch. I just had to stay patient and wait for the spot to open. When I saw an opening on the inside I was able to send him down there and he just powered through. He's such a classy horse and I'm very thankful to Kenny (McPeek) and the owners for letting me ride him.” McPeek added, “This horse just exudes class. He acts like an old professional. A lot of credit goes to the Churchill team with Greg Geier and his exercise rider Robby Albarado. They got him into this race in great shape. All of us are thinking about Brian (Hernandez, Jr.) today and wish him the best in his recovery. This race was a great prep to likely the Breeders' Cup (Dirt) Mile. I'm sure we'll entertain both that and the Classic in the coming days with the owners. We're just going to enjoy this one and get him ready for the Breeders' Cup.” Mystik Dan snapped a five-race losing streak with a win in the GIII Blame S. at Churchill Downs May 31. He finished fourth in both the GI Stephen Foster S. at Churchill June 28 and the GI Arlington Million S. at Colonial Downs last time Aug. 9. He was making his turf debut in the latter. Pedigree Notes: Mystik Dan is one of nine graded winners–three at the top level–for Goldencents. Mystik Dan's dam Ma'am (Colonel John) RNA'd for $2.9 million at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. A four-time winner, Ma'am was campaigned in partnership by Lance, Greg and David Gasaway and Daniel Hamby III. She is also responsible for the unraced 2-year-old filly Ford's Ma'am (Knicks Go) and a yearling colt by Wells Bayou. She was bred to Into Mischief for 2026. Mystik Dan will stand at Airdrie Stud upon the conclusion of his racing career. The rail, @ChurchillDowns, and MYSTIK DAN! The 2024 Kentucky Derby winner #5 MYSTIK DAN ($5.14) was unbelievable in the $500,000 Lukas Classic. @jockeyfarrieta was up for @KennyMcPeek. pic.twitter.com/F38EtdZOYi — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 27, 2025 Saturday, Churchill Downs LUKAS CLASSIC S.-GII, $500,000, Churchill Downs, 9-27, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:49.25, ft. 1–MYSTIK DAN, 123, c, 4, by Goldencents 1st Dam: Ma'am, by Colonel John 2nd Dam: Lady Siphonica, by Siphon (Brz) 3rd Dam: Cherokee Crossing, by Cherokee Colony O-Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC; B-Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby & 4G Racing LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek; J-Francisco Arrieta. $303,040. Lifetime Record: GISW, 16-5-3-1, $4,819,160. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Disarm, 121, h, 5, Gun Runner–Easy Tap, by Tapit. 'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $98,400. 3–Banishing, 125, g, 5, Ghostzapper–Dowager, by A.P. Indy. ($80,000 4yo '24 FTKHRA). O-Lawrence P. Roman and David Jacobson; B-Godolphin (KY); T-David Jacobson. $49,200. Margins: 3/4, 3 3/4, 2. Odds: 1.57, 6.21, 2.69. Also Ran: Hit Show, Prince of Power, Rattle N Roll, Willy D's. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Derby Winner Mystik Dan Rides Rail Once Again to Lukas Classic Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Johannes capped off a four-race win streak in 2024 when winning last year's renewal of the GII City of Hope Stakes before enduring a tough beat at the hooves of More Than Looks in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar in November. With only a single prior race under his belt in 2025, the 5-year-old set the stage for his return to the World Championships at the seaside oval with a gutsy victory over Cabo Spirit in the “Win and You're In' qualifier for the Mile on Nov. 1. Braking from post 3, the dark bay settled in fourth as longshot Zio Jo (Nyquist) led Final Boss (American Pharoah) and Cabo Spirit through an initial quarter in :22.70. Still unhurried through a half in :47.47, Johannes started to pick up the tempo as Cabo Spirit took over approaching the far turn. Swinging out several paths wide as Cabo Spirit also took the overland route, Johannes wore down the game Cabo Spirit midstretch and drew off post a back-to-back victory in the City of Hope. Cabo Spirit just held off the late-running Almendares at the wire. The victory marked Johannes's eighth win in Arcadia in as many starts. “The pace was slow, but I didn't want to take any chances to go on the inside,” said winning jockey Umberto Rispoli. “The speed map for me today was different. Mike [Smith, Cabo Spirit] is a smart rider and I wanted to sit behind Cabo… I had to decide what to do based on what the guy in front is doing. Johannes won with minimum effort and we got the job done.” “The horse didn't look exhausted in the Winner's Circle,” said winning trainer Tim Yakteen. “He wasn't blowing and he's got the flow going.” Asked about the plan for the repeat winner, Yakteen said, “Five weeks is great timing. We'll do a couple of maintenance drills and one other work and we'll be ready to go. This horse is a trainer's dream. He makes the whole team look good.” Joe and Debby McCloskey | Benoit Photo Posting a near-impeccable record in 2024, the CUYATHY homebred won five times, all at the graded level, registering his most important win in the GI Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita. Following his narrow defeat on Breeders' Cup Day, the son of Nyquist rebounded to take the nine-furlong GII San Gabriel Stakes on Dec. 26. Given plenty of time for his return, Johannes was favored for Saratoga's Fourstardave Stakes on Aug. 2, but never got into the mix of things and had to settle for ninth that day. The Kentucky-bred is trained by Tim Yakteen on behalf of CUYATHY LLC, named after the first horse purchased by the California-based Joe and Debby McCloskey. Joe McCloskey is the retired CEO of Specialty Foods Group. “We couldn't ask for anything more from him. I mean eight for eight, it's huge,” said Joe McCloskey. “We look forward now to going to the Breeders' Cup and this stage in the game, he is doing what he needs to be doing.” Pedigree Notes: Johannes is the first foal out of Cuyathy, the namesake of the McCloskey's racing and breeding operation. The mare, a $50,000 Keeneland September graduate in 2014, followed up with MSW Sea Dancer (Mastery) before producing SP Sea Runner (Gun Runner). Also trained by Yakteen, the 12-year-old mare's juvenile filly Soaring Angel (Knicks Go) won on debut at Del Mar last July. More recently, she dropped a Maxfield colt this season and was bred back to Nyquist. Saturday, Santa Anita CITY OF HOPE MILE S.-GII, $200,500, Santa Anita, 9-27, 3yo/up, 1mT, 1:34.13, fm. 1–JOHANNES, 124, h, 5, by Nyquist 1st Dam: Cuyathy (SP, $107,923), by Congrats 2nd Dam: Dance Darling, by Devil's Bag 3rd Dam: Danzig Darling, by Danzig O/B-Cuyathy, LLC (KY); T-Tim Yakteen; J-Umberto Rispoli. $120,000. Lifetime Record: GISW, 15-9-1-1, $1,278,359. *1/2 to Sea Dancer (Mastery), MSW, $275,595. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Cabo Spirit, 124, g, 6, Pioneerof the Nile–Fancy Day (Ire), by Shamardal. ($145,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP; $575,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Kretz Racing LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-George Papaprodromou. $40,000. 3–Almendares (GB), 122, g, 5, Havana Grey (GB)–Glace (Ire), by Verglas (Ire). (16,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 14,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano; B-D. R. TUCKER (GB); T-Philip D'Amato. $24,000. Margins: 1 1/4, HD, 3/4. Odds: 0.20, 8.00, 6.50. Also Ran: Zio Jo, Scoobie Quando, Final Boss. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Nyquist’s Johannes Punches Breeders’ Cup Ticket with City of Hope Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coming into the $250,000 Gallant Bloom Stakes (G2) Sept. 27 at Aqueduct Racetrack, R Disaster had an exemplary record but she was missing one thing, a graded stakes victory. She checked that box with emphasis, rolling to a 3 1/2-length victory.View the full article

Remington Park has added a date of racing Oct. 5. View the full article

The 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint will not include what may be the best sprinter in training. Trainer Derek Ryan announced Saturday that his star New Jersey-bred Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) is done for the year. Ryan had never fully committed to the Breeders' Cup, saying it was “50-50” in previous interviews. The story was first reported by the Paulick Report. “We've decided to wind it up for the year,” Ryan said. “I think he's done enough. He's had a hard and tough campaign. Look what he did at Saratoga (where he won three graded sprint stakes.)” He's done something that's never been done before. Even I can't believe he did it. After the hard year he has had, I just don't think going to the Breeders' Cup is the right to do.” Ryan said part of the decision had to do with Paco Lopez's six-month suspension, meaning he would not be available to ride him in the Breeders' Cup. “We lose our rider, which is a big part of it,” Ryan said. “What they've done to Paco is an (expletive) disgrace. But what can you do? It would have been a different situation if we could have use Paco. He fits the horse and he knows the horse. If I put someone on him who never ridden him before and if he didn't run like he normally does I'd regret running him in it.” Ryan is already looking forward to the 2026 Sprint. “I want to win the Sprint at Keeneland,” he said. “It's the only track where he should have won and didn't it. (He was second in this year's Perryville S. at Keeneland). Hopefully, we can rectify it. It's a tough business and it's a long way to, but I'd really like to win it there. Hopefully, God willing, everything will work out and we'll go from there.” Ryan said he would give Book 'em Danno some time off before getting him geared up again in January. He has spoken often of his desire to have him ready for the rich sprint races in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Book 'em Danno's “tough year” has consisted of five starts and four wins. The three races he won at Saratoga were the GI Forego S., the GII Alfred Vanderbilt and the GIII True North S. The post Book’em Danno Will Pass Breeders’ Cup Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features a returning daughter of a three-time Group 1 winner. 2.05 Curragh, Mdn, 2yo, 7fT WHITE SAND BEACH (Dubawi {Ire}) drops in trip, having shown abundant promise when runner-up on debut over an extended mile at Punchestown 12 days ago. Ballydoyle's runner is a daughter of the triple Group 1 heroine Alice Springs (Galileo). Two of Aidan O'Brien's last four winners of this maiden went on to run in the Criterium International so charting her progress from here will be interesting. The post Alice Springs’s Daughter White Sand Beach Resurfaces At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

True Love showed true acceleration to belatedly win her first group 1 in the Sept. 27 Cheveley Park Stakes (G1)—and there might be more to come before the season is out.View the full article